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 Interview: China's commerce minister lays out priorities for broadening opening up Xinhua) 08:41, July 31, 2024 An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 2, 2024 shows a container vessel berthing at the smart zero-carbon terminal of Tianjin Port in north China's Tianjin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao has outlined a host of prioritized measures aimed at opening the Chinese market wider to the outside world. Wang made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua after the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee's third plenary session, which was held earlier this month, stressing that opening up is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. "The plenum underlined the commitment to the basic state policy of opening to the outside world and the resolution adopted at the session uses a whole chapter to expound on plans to pursue high-standard opening up, which demonstrates China's unwavering determination to open its doors wider," he said. To implement the strategic plans made at the CPC plenum, China's commerce authorities will move to promote the country's alignment with high-standard international economic and trade rules, and harmonize rules, regulations, management and standards relating to property rights protection, industrial subsidies, environmental standards, labor protection, government procurement, e-commerce and the financial sector, Wang stated. China will unilaterally open its doors wider to the world's least developed countries, actively participate in the reform of global economic governance, safeguard the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and expand its globally oriented network of high-standard free-trade areas, he noted. Meanwhile, Wang pledged steps to increase new growth drivers for foreign trade, including trade in intermediate goods and green trade, fully apply the negative list for cross-border trade in services, and promote the development of integrated pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce. In the sphere of foreign investment, he said, "We will act to deliver the target of removing all market access restrictions in the manufacturing sector as soon as possible." Chinese authorities will appropriately shorten the negative list for foreign investment and promote wider opening with regard to telecommunications, the internet, education, culture, medical services and other sectors in a well-conceived way, according to Wang. A report issued last week by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade showed that in the second quarter of this year, more than 40 percent of surveyed foreign-funded enterprises said that the attractiveness of the Chinese market had increased in terms of future investment confidence. "We will foster a first-rate business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized, overhaul the roundtable meeting mechanism for foreign-funded firms, ensure national treatment for them in terms of access to factors of production, license application, standards setting and government procurement, and protect the rights and interests of foreign investors in accordance with the law," Wang underscored. With Chinese companies expanding their global footprints, the official also voiced plans to refine the institutions and mechanisms for promoting and protecting Chinese investment abroad, improve the management and service systems for outward investment, and facilitate international cooperation in industrial and supply chains. In addition, China will upgrade its pilot free-trade zones and speed up the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port, he remarked. As for cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China will redouble efforts to develop multilateral platforms for cooperation on green development, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, energy, taxation, finance and disaster mitigation, among other areas, he said. Wang said that China will work to conclude free-trade agreements and investment protection pacts with more countries under the BRI. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest after a litter of puppies were "intentionally burned" in Kentucky. Someone in Lexington found a litter of 13 puppies at an intersection near Todds Road and North Cleveland Road on May 29. Seven of the puppies, estimated to be just eight days old, had died from the "horrendouse torture." The remaining puppies were rushed to a veterinarian, but they were too badly burned to survive. According to law enforcement, the puppies died as a result of "intentional burning," the Humane Society said. Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control cruelty investigator Lt. Jai Hamilton "plans to file 13 counts of animal cruelty in the first degree, all felonies, against the individual(s) responsible for this shocking act of torture," the Humane Society said. The organization is asking anyone with information about the case to contact Hamilton at jhamilton@lfacc.org. It is heartbreaking to even imagine what horrendous torture these puppies went through at only 8 days old, Todd Blevins, Kentucky state director for the Humane Society of the United States, said in a statement. There is no excuse for this kind of cruelty. We hope our reward helps find the perpetrator of this despicable act. -With TMX 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 In an article published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at the University of Sao Paulo's Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ-USP) in Brazil describe for the first time how strigolactones, plant hormones discovered several decades ago, control flowering and fruiting in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The findings of their study point to a new opportunity for management of fruiting time and could have a significant impact on total yields for this crop. Derived from carotenoids, strigolactones are a relatively new group of phytohormones, identified as such only in 2008. Their importance to the tomato plant's development, its stress response and its interaction with microorganisms in the rhizosphere (the soil in which the roots grow) has been described in the scientific literature, but their role in the reproduction process was hitherto unknown. Now in this new study, scientists at ESALQ-USP were able to demonstrate this function and explain it in more detail using techniques such as sequencing and processing of mRNA data, gene transcript quantification by qRT-PCR, mass spectrometry, and statistical and functional analysis. To this end, they analyzed and compared two groups of plants: one group had been genetically modified to impair strigolactone production, while the other comprised plants with a synthetic version of the phytohormone, which they found to promote faster and better flowering, which yielded more fruit. The researchers also identified details of how the mechanism functions. "We showed that strigolactones control flowering in the tomato by regulating the microRNA319 pathway and levels of gibberellin [regulators of plant growth and germination]," said Fabio Tebaldi Silveira Nogueira, co-author of the article and principal investigator for the Thematic Project of which the study was part. He is a researcher at the Plant Development Molecular Genetics Laboratory in ESALQ-USP's Department of Biological Sciences. "When strigolactone levels in leaves and meristems increase, the plant tends to reduce gibberellin levels and raise levels of this microRNA." Economic interest The results obtained by the researchers can have a direct impact on tomato crop management and yields. "The findings clearly show that the plant flowers more easily in the presence of strigolactone, with numbers of flowers and fruit increasing considerably. This means we can now rely on a novel phytohormone to control flowering time," Nogueira said. Next steps will include investigating whether other microRNA pathways and hormones interact and influence the plant's development, increasing fruit yield and size, he added. The researchers also plan to test the effects of strigolactone on other crops of economic interest, such as soybeans and corn. The study was conducted in partnership with scientists affiliated with StrigoLab, an Italian startup based at the University of Turin in Italy; with the same university's Plant Stress Laboratory, led by Francesca Cardinale, last author of the paper; and with Palacky University's Growth Regulator Laboratory in Czechia and the Czech Academy of Sciences' Institute of Experimental Botany. More information: Ivan Visentin et al, Strigolactones promote flowering by inducing the miR319- LA - SFT module in tomato, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316371121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Provided by FAPESP 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 recent Supreme Court decision to block a federal rule curbing interstate air pollution further complicates efforts to reduce emissions and adds to an already disproportionate burden on "downwind" states, according to researchers at the University of Notre Dame. Credit: University of Notre Dame A recent Supreme Court decision to block a federal rule curbing interstate air pollution further complicates efforts to reduce emissions and adds to an already disproportionate burden on "downwind" states, according to researchers at the University of Notre Dame. "Toxic air pollution is really not as well known by the general public as you would hope, given its impact on human health," said Paola Crippa, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences. "Most studies peg it as the--or at least one of the top three--largest causes of early human mortality. It cuts off about three years from global life expectancy. This is especially important for urban communities, where air pollution tends to be the highest." Air pollution poses a significant threat to respiratory health, is associated with asthma and can lead to chronic disease, cancer and premature death, according to the National Institutes of Health. "Each year, air pollution kills 7 to 9 million people worldwide, including 200,000 Americans. And in the United States, much of this toxic pollution crosses state borders," said Richard Marcantonio, assistant professor of environment, peace and global affairs in the University of Notre Dame's Keough School of Global Affairs. "The Supreme Court's decision pressed pause on a plan to help regulate this cross-state pollution." The ruling blocked the Environmental Protection Agency's "Good Neighbor Plan," housed under the Clean Air Act, which requires "upwind" states to implement improvement plans to reduce ground-level ozone and nitrogen oxide emissions from power plants and other industrial sources. Three statesIndiana, Ohio and West Virginiaalong with various large industrial companies and trade organizations sued the EPA after the agency rejected those plans, which it determined to be insufficient, and moved to enforce its own plan. The EPA has stated that nitrogen oxide emissions decreased by 18% across 10 states where its plan was enacted in 2023. Crippa and Marcantonio, with co-authors Danielle Wood, program director of the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative, and Alixandra Underwood at the International Food Policy Research Institute, recently published a study exploring the Clean Air Act in the journal Environmental Management. Their study focuses particularly on Section 126, a measure by which downwind states can take action and petition the EPA to directly regulate sources of interstate air pollution. The researchers examined all 13 petitions filed through Section 126 by downwind states between 2000 and 2022. The study showed downwind states face several challenges to using the measure, ultimately rendering it ineffective. Downwind states can petition the EPA to directly regulate sources of air pollution, such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, across state lines. However, those states experience lengthy response times, petitions are accepted infrequently and petitioners are required to collect proof showing improvement plans have failedthe kind of internal information from the source facilities that downwind states are not likely to get. "In order to actually apply the good neighbor rule as it stands today, the burden of proof in court has been placed on the downwind states, and to date, they have been unsuccessful in court," Crippa said. "If an upwind state is producing pollution that unequally affects a downwind state, they should be able to easily and effectively do something about itthat is the idea behind the federal government supporting federalism among the states. Right now, that's not happening." Measuring and attributing air pollution across state lines is a challenge, Crippa said. How a region determines the source or sources contributing to poor air quality comes down to air quality models able to track the wind flow and pollution transportcritical to developing informed air quality assessments. These assessments play a significant role in alerting the public to poor conditions and increasing public awareness. But, Crippa said, "This information is insufficient when the goal is to develop policies and implementation strategies to reduce local air pollution." High pollution levels experienced in a local neighborhood may be only partially dictated by nearby emission sources, she said. "We are developing a new way of thinking about air quality management where regulations are not enforced based on political boundaries, but on dynamical physical boundaries that reflect the actual pollution dispersion boundaries." Crippa explained that new regulatory boundaries should be defined to include areas experiencing similar air quality conditions, rather than being left to political and state boundaries. This type of boundary could ensure that current practices of exporting pollution to neighboring states through energy production and industry are significantly reduced. The research team is currently working on a companion study outlining proposals for air quality management based on these new boundaries. The Supreme Court's decision put the plan on hold, leaving the EPA and affected states without an immediate solution. "It underscores how our regulatory system continues to be hamstrung when attempting to address some of the biggest challenges to its mission: to protect human health and the environment," Marcantonio said. "Going forward, I hope policymakers will address this issue through an approach that centers human health first and protects the rights of downwind states." More information: Alixandra Underwood et al, Interstate Air Pollution Governance in the United States: Exploring Clean Air Act Section 126, Environmental Management (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s00267-024-02002-3 Journal information: Environmental Management 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: Stem Cells (2024). DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxae045 Researchers at University of Tsukuba have made a significant contribution to the understanding of the regeneration of skeletal muscle stem cells, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying muscle aging and regeneration. Using mouse models, they discovered that two enzymes, DUSP13 and DUSP27, are crucial in regulating the transition of skeletal muscle stem cells from proliferation to differentiation. These enzymes are directly controlled by the muscle differentiation regulator MYOD, and their absence results in delayed muscle regeneration. This discovery, now published in Stem Cells, opens new avenues for developing treatments for sarcopenia, which is characterized by muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass. Japan's aging population urgently needs methods to prevent musculoskeletal diseases. Skeletal muscles, which are essential for physical activity, deteriorate in both volume and function with age, reducing the quality of life. To counteract muscle aging and preserve muscle regeneration capabilities, the pivotal role of stem cells, particularly skeletal muscle stem cells, in muscle tissue must be understood. Under normal conditions, adult skeletal muscle stem cells remain dormant. They are activated and multiply in response to muscle damage to facilitate repair and regeneration. Delays or abnormalities in this process can disrupt muscle regeneration, accelerating muscle aging. The research team has been investigating the factors that activate and stimulate the proliferation of skeletal muscle stem cells and those that induce the transition of these proliferating cells to the muscle differentiation stage. For this study, researchers used mice in which they were capable of distinguishing the activation state of skeletal muscle stem cells to analyze gene expression during the quiescent, proliferative, and differentiated phases. Analysis of the mice revealed that DUSP13 and DUSP27 act as switches, inducing proliferating skeletal muscle stem cells into a differentiation stage. Furthermore, these enzymes are directly regulated by the muscle differentiation regulator MYOD. Mice lacking the genes for these enzymes exhibited delayed muscle regeneration due to a malfunction in the muscle differentiation switch. The findings of this study can potentially contribute to the development of drugs for treating muscle weakness and muscle mass loss that are characteristic of sarcopenia. More information: Takuto Hayashi et al, Dual-specificity phosphatases 13 and 27 as key switches in muscle stem cell transition from proliferation to differentiation, Stem Cells (2024). DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxae045 Journal information: Stem Cells 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 team led by University of Melbourne Associate Professor Giuseppe Barca has achieved the first quantum simulation of biological systems at a scale necessary to accurately model drug performance. Credit: University of Melbourne Led by University of Melbourne theoretician and HPC expert Associate Professor Giuseppe Barca, a research team has achieved the first quantum simulation of biological systems at a scale necessary to accurately model drug performance. Utilizing the unprecedented "exascale" power of the Frontier supercomputer at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility in Tennessee, US, the team has developed groundbreaking software capable of accurately predicting the chemical reactions and physical properties of molecular systems comprising up to hundreds of thousands of atomsdelivering highly precise predictions of molecular behavior and setting a new benchmark in computational chemistry. The project brought together expertise in chemistry, drug discovery, quantum mechanics, and supercomputing, with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, leading semiconductor company AMD and deep-tech startup QDX collaborating on the project. The result of more than four years of record-breaking research, this advancement allows for the study of biomolecular-scale systems with quantum-level accuracy for the first time ever. This cutting-edge simulation capability enables the observation and understanding of these systems in unprecedented detail, which is crucial for improving the evaluation of traditional drugs and designing new therapeutics that interact more effectively with target biological systems. "This breakthrough enables us to simulate drug behavior with an accuracy that rivals physical experiments. We can now observe not just the movement of a drug but also its quantum mechanical properties, such as bond breaking and formation, over time in a biological system. This is vital for assessing drug viability and designing new treatments," Associate Professor Barca said. Today, over 80 % of disease-causing proteins cannot be treated with existing drugs, and only 2% work with known drugs. This shows how limited current methods are. Advanced quantum mechanics and HPC broadens the computational toolset for drug discovery, providing unprecedented levels of speed and accuracy at a biologically-relevant scale. Importantly, they also provide insights and capabilities previously not possible with traditional computational chemistry to unlock new ways of modulating targets of therapeutic interest and expand the number of disease targets for which effective therapies are available. The simulations compute a drug molecule's affinity for a specific target, such as a genetically mutated protein causing disease. Algorithms then calculate the drug's effectiveness by evaluating the strength of the bond between the drug and the target, demonstrating drug potency. To test a drug effectively through quantum simulation, the biological model system must integrate thousands of atoms. "This is exactly why we built Frontier, to tackle larger, more complex problems facing society," said Dmytro Bykov, a computational chemist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. "By breaking the exascale barrier, these simulations push our computing capabilities into a brand new world of possibilities with unprecedented levels of sophistication and radically faster times to solutionand this is just the beginning of the exascale era." Dr. Jakub Kurzak, principal member of technical staff at AMD and representative for AMD at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, said, "We are thrilled to see AMD high performance computing technologies enable breakthrough exascale science in medical research and deliver the computing performance to accurately model the highly complex physics of molecular systems for drug discovery." Loong Wang, Co-Founder and CEO of QDX, said, "At QDX, we are incredibly excited to transform groundbreaking scientific advancements into a powerful, user-friendly platform that accelerates and enhances drug discovery, opening doors to innovative treatments. Our advanced quantum simulations have set a new benchmark for accuracy at a biologically-relevant scale. "We hope that this technology will enable new drugs to be developed faster and cheaper, and for diseases that haveso farbeen too difficult to treat." Associate Professor Barca, based in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology's School of Computing and Information Systems, was nominated by The Australian as one of Australia's Top 250 Researchers in 2024. In 2023, he co-founded the company QDX, which is already using high-performance quantum simulations to accelerate new therapeutics design. QDX has secured commercial deals with pharmaceutical companies and tech start-ups in Australia, Singapore and the US. "Thanks to new computing and software capabilities that enable accurate modeling at the quantum mechanical level, we can achieve predictive accuracy close to experimental results. These calculations were completely unfeasible just a few years ago," Associate Professor Barca said. 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: Lt. Cmdr. Taylor Hudson, a student from the Naval Postgraduate School, measures sensor placements at Ice Camp Whale during Operation Ice Camp 2024 (ICE CAMP). ICE CAMP is a three-week operation that allows the Navy to assess its operational readiness in the Arctic, increase experience in the region, advance understanding of the Arctic environment, and continue to develop relationships with other services, allies, and partner organizations. Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Justin Yarborough / U.S. Navy Early in 2024, inside the Arctic Circlethousands of miles from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) campus in Montereya small team of students and faculty undertook a critical scientific research expedition, working with the Undersea Warfighting Development Center's Arctic Submarine Laboratory (ASL) at the biennial Operation Ice Camp. Positioned some 200 nautical miles away from land in the Beaufort Sea, standing atop 4 feet of ice over 12,000 feet of water at air temperatures reaching 45 degrees below zero, the four-person team from the school's Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) program performed a series of experiments, collecting a trove of data that continues to provide invaluable insights into long-range acoustic propagation under, through and above the Arctic ice. "On a scale of one to 10, I'd put it at an 11," said retired Navy Cmdr. John Joseph, faculty associate-researcher in the NPS Department of Oceanography, who led the expedition with Dr. Ben Reeder, a fellow Oceanography research professor. "We were able to accomplish essentially all of our scientific objectives. The data we collected will help us better understand the impact that a changing Arctic has on the Navy's ASW (anti-submarine warfare) and ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) missions." While in transit in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, the NPS research team had the rare opportunity to meet up with two distinguished NPS alumni who were on their way to observe Operation Ice Camp themselves Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, a Space Systems Operations graduate, and Aeronautical Engineering alumnus Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a NASA Hall of Fame astronaut. Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron T. Smith / U.S. Navy While on transit in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, the NPS team was also thrilled to meet with two distinguished NPS alumni who were on their way to observe operations at Ice Camp WhaleSecretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, a Space Systems Operations graduate, and aeronautical engineering alumnus Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a NASA Hall of Fame astronaut. The NPS team's research efforts directly support the Department of Defense's 2024 Arctic Strategy, which specifically calls for enhancing air and maritime domain ISR capabilities, advancing analysis to better sense, model and predict changing environmental conditions, as well as increasing "Arctic literacy" and research. At the time of the strategy's release, Iris Ferguson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Arctic and Global Resilience, emphasized the need to have the right sensing architecture in place. "We must improve our domain awareness and enhance our ability to detect and respond with our Canadian allies to threats to the homeland," she said. "A key focus for my office is championing investments that will enhance our awareness of threats in the region." Stretching from Maine and the North Atlantic across the Arctic Ocean through the Bering Strait and Alaska in the North Pacific, the Arctic is a region of strategic geopolitical and global importance. It holds an estimated 30% of the world's undiscovered gas reserves, 13% of its conventional oil reserves and $1 trillion worth of rare earth minerals. Despite having our planet's smallest ocean, it has the potential to connect nearly 75% of the earth's population. This will especially be the case in the coming decades, as rapidly melting sea ice and increasingly navigable Arctic waterswhich the Navy termed a "Blue Arctic" in its 2021 Strategic Blueprint for the Arcticcreates both challenges and opportunities. Chief among these challenges are the threats posed from rising maritime activity by Russia and China, which are posturing their navies to pursue nationalist agendas across the region. Students and faculty from the Naval Postgraduate School conduct experiments at Ice Camp Whale during Operation Ice Camp 2024 (ICE CAMP). ICE CAMP is a three-week operation that allows the Navy to assess its operational readiness in the Arctic, increase experience in the region, advance understanding of the Arctic environment, and continue to develop relationships with other services, allies, and partner organizations. Credit: U.S. Navy "Our world's changing climate brings with it increased access to shipping lanes that are normally frozen over for long periods of time, as well as access to undersea resources for further exploration," Del Toro noted in early 2024. "It is imperative that we ensure our approach to operating in the Arctic focuses on our combined resiliency in the region, and preserves our ability to freely maneuver in a contested maritime domain." Since 1946, Operation Ice Camp has served as a central pillar of America's role in the Arctic. Previously known as Ice Exercise (ICEX), the three-week event was elevated to an operation in 2024 to better reflect the Navy's prioritization of the region. It is designed to research, test and evaluate operational capabilities in the Arctic region to maintain an enhanced Arctic presence, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and build a more capable Arctic naval force. ASL serves as the lead organization for coordinating, planning and executing the operation. Centered on its temporary command center Ice Camp Whale, Operation Ice Camp 2024 involved more than 200 participants from across the U.S. armed forces and the military services of partner nations, including representatives from the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy, French Navy, the United Kingdom's Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy. "Ice Camp Whale provides our teams the opportunity to conduct their research in one of the harshest and most demanding environments in the world," said ASL director Howard Reese during the operation's launch. "We are responsible for developing and maintaining the expertise to allow the Submarine Force to safely and effectively operate in this unique environment. We are able to take what we learn from this environment and apply the lessons to real world operations." Joseph and Reeder have participated in the event since 2016. For the most recent iteration, in March 2024, they were joined by two METOC students, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Colleen Wilmington and Lt. Cmdr. Taylor Hudson. The research the team conducted directly folds into their respective graduate theses. "Our focus has always been to go up there and understand how the changing Arctic is affecting ASW type of operations," said Joseph. "Our lab is primarily focused on underwater acoustics." In 2023, they built a device they term a cryophone, which functions like a hydrophone frozen in the ice. The cryophone is capable of 360 degrees of detection of acoustic wave propagation below, through and above the ice, through three media (water, ice and air). "Basically, they're accelerometers grounded to a plate which then gets embedded in the ice and frozen in, which makes the ice part of the system," Joseph explained. "What we found out is that sound which is transmitted under the ice also propagates into the ice, which can be received by these cryophones on top of the ice." Having a cryophone sit on top of the ice has multiple advantages, he noted. In addition to communication possibilities, the instrument can collect and disseminate position, location and various data critical to the Navy's ASW and ISR mission sets. The cryophones can be used to provide this information on underwater sound sources, identify aircraft flying overhead, and even hear the sounds of people walking across the ice. Much of the team's research this spring was devoted to testing out the cryophones' capabilities. In the process, they investigated how they could use the instrument to acoustically derive properties of the ice itselfhow hard and thick it is, for example. "This is useful information in doing Arctic operations," Joseph said. "A submarine coming to the surface, for instance, may want to know something about the ice above it." The Arctic is currently undergoing profound environmental changes and will be for the foreseeable future. Understanding these changes in detailespecially how they affect acoustic propagation through water and iceis critical to the Navy's operations in the region. Using a device called a CTD (Conductivity, Temperature and Depth), the NPS team was able to strategically measure and track changes in temperature and salinity in the vicinity of the Ice Camp. These parameters affect the way sound propagates through the ocean "We found that the biggest challenge up there is the effects of a slug of water that is coming through the Bering Strait; it's especially warm and salty," Joseph said. "Because it's warm, it increases the speed of sound and because it's salty, it sinks under the surface layer." "In doing so, it sets up this very strong subsurface duct which brings with it a significant change in acoustic propagation," he continued. "This has been of very high interest to us." For Wilmington and Hudson, the data the team collected was a veritable gold mine for their theses. "I think it's a really unique opportunity to be able to go up and collect your own data," said Wilmington. "The amount of data that we collected across our five days there provides more than enough data to analyze for the next 10 years!" For her graduate thesis, Wilmington will use the data to focus on using acoustics to determine properties of ice. The Northern Lights appear over Ice Camp Whale during Operation Ice Camp 2024 (ICE CAMP). Students and faculty from the Naval Postgraduate School were among the participants in ICE CAMP, a three-week operation that allows the Navy to assess its operational readiness in the Arctic, increase experience in the region, advance understanding of the Arctic environment, and continue to develop relationships with other services, allies, and partner organizations. Credit: U.S. Navy "I'm looking at the ice density, the ice flexural strength and actual ice age, and then being able to use these to feed into modeling programs to determine what the ice melt is going to look like, as well as informing the National Ice Center to enable shipsespecially ice breakersto transit on the path of least resistance where it's easiest to break the ice," she explained. Additionally, Wilmington plans to use the data to refine NPS' Regional Arctic System Model (RASM), an ice model with a six-month outlookthe only model that forecasts that far out. "I'll be using the acoustic propagation through the X, Y and Z planes and comparing it to data collected through hydrophones and microphones, and then comparing that to the RASM to see if we can prove it," she added. "RASM has been online for many years, but it's still considered an experimental model per se. If I can use this data to prove that RASM is generally right, then it can be advertised as an operational model." With the Arctic becoming a contested region, having this information will allow more vessels to safely transit the region. The U.S. Coast Guard has a limited number of ice breakers, so knowing and being able to predict thinner ice that bow-strengthened surface vessels can potentially go through without an ice-breaker escort would vastly improve U.S. operability in the Arctic. "If we can forecast the thickness and density of the ice and safely get units through, or be able to at least know where we station our ice breakers, it would assist our commerce and our ships' traffic ability," Wilmington said. The expedition was a boon for Hudson as well. For his graduate thesis work, Hudson's focus is on refining the cryophones' capabilities for over-, under- and through-the-ice acoustic work. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said. "We are focusing on sound above, captured in the air, and also through the ice using tactile sound transducers, as well as monitoring undersea sounds. Using the cryophone, what we want to do is capture the longitudinal, the shear and flexural waves of sound through the ice. If we can see all three of those, we can limit the amount of equipment that we actually need." To do so, the team collected three types of data sources to test the cryophones: impulsive, such as the sound of an imploding light bulb as it sinks into the depths of the ocean; coherent, such as sounds emitted by tactile transducers; as well as following mobile sources such as from MK 39 Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Targets (EMATT). What draws Hudson to this research is its operationally relevant nature. As a 27-year veteran of the Navy, including time as an enlisted sailor, he is thrilled to be working on something so potentially impactful. Theoretically, he said, the cryophones are small enough to be deployed en masse from a P-8A Poseidon type of aircraft for rapid response, landing on the ice and melting themselves in to immediately begin listening in under the ice. "Our work on the cryophones could potentially lead to an actual usable sensor that would bring an entire platform of P-8s back into the ASW fight in the Arctic," Hudson said. "The fact that we are actually working on something that's truly operationally relevant to the Navy is what gets me excited." Provided by Naval Postgraduate School This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The left map plots California's groundwater sub-basins, shading based on the average annualized change in depth during our 20082019 sample period. A 10% change in depth corresponds to a 10% increase in groundwater pumping costs, holding all else constant. This map averages depth measurements across each sub-basin from AprilJune of each year, to remove seasonality. The right map plots the extent of fruit and nut perennial cropping from 2019, shading parcels for which "fruit/nut perennial" was the modal crop category. We also plot PGE's service territory, which encompasses most of this perennial acreage. Credit: Burlig F. et al. Your post-workout almond milk and fruit smoothie might one day leave your pocketbook significantly slimmer too, as water shortages in western U.S. states threaten to alter the price and availability of some types of produce. A new University of Maryland-led study found that water conservation policies that raise the cost of irrigation for California farmers could result in them leaving agriculture or switching from perennial crops like fruit trees to annual crops like tomatoes. The study reveals potential wide-ranging effects of controversial water taxes proposed under California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which is designed to achieve groundwater sustainability by 2042. The findings have important implications for policymakers in all western U.S. states, which are facing a water crisis and are struggling to develop policies that preserve critical water resources without gutting the agricultural economy. The study also helps illustrate the challenges of countries around the world in balancing water conservation with the need to feed growing populations amid the increasing impacts of climate change, the researchers said. "Our study found that farmers will ride out short-term increases in the cost of water, like during a drought, but as cost increases become permanent, they shift away from crops like fruit trees, which are long-term investments" that produce high-value crops, but also have high water demands, said study co-author Louis Preonas, an assistant professor in the Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics. California produces 18% of the total U.S. crop value, with a high percentage of specialty crops, Preonas said. That includes practically all of the almonds sold in the U.S., and 80% of those sold on the global market. Large-scale shifts away from almonds, which grow on fruit trees, could raise prices and have unintended downstream consequences throughout the economy. But such shifts may be necessary to achieve the state's goals for water sustainability by 2024, the researchers said. For many years, California's robust agricultural production of fruits and other crops with high water needs has required farmers to extract more water from aquifers than is naturally replenished. With increasing heat and drought due to climate change, the future of the state's water supply is becoming increasingly fragile. To understand how farmers would respond over the long term to policies that taxed water use, Preonas and his colleagues looked at California farmers' responses to changes in electricity prices between 2008 and 2019. Although groundwater is free in most of California, it takes electricity to run the pumps that feed irrigation systems, so the researchers were able to use electricity prices as a proxy for a tax on water use. They estimated groundwater consumption on farms using data about groundwater levels, electricity usage and the energy needs of the specific pump equipment on each plot of agricultural land throughout California. Their analyses showed that farmers responded to a 10% increase in groundwater cost with a 3.6% reduction in usage, primarily by shifting to less water-intensive crops. The study suggests that achieving California's sustainability targets would require a water tax of approximately 60%, which would lead to a shift in crops for 9% of farmland and increase the amount of land pulled out of farming every year by 50%. "It seems very straightforward to say we want to manage the aquifer so we don't run out of water," Preonas said, "but there are these other effects you have to consider that have economic implications throughout the economy." More information: Burlig F. et al. Groundwater and Crop Choice in the Short and Long Run. epic.uchicago.edu/research/gro -short-and-long-run/ This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A UC Merced professor and his co-researchers set out to measure how Jewish Israelis react to different sources of criticism about Israel's treatment of Palestinians. Does disapproval from internal voices move public opinion? Voices from abroad? What about reproval from the diasporapeople who live outside Israel but have religious, ethnic or national ties? They collected data from a carefully designed survey of more than 2,000 and submitted the findings for peer review in December 2022. Months later, the paper was returned for edits. On Oct. 7, 2023just as the revised paper was resubmittedthe study's backdrop twisted into one of unprecedented horror. That day's deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel and capture of more than 240 hostages triggered a punishing response in Gaza by Israel's military. As a result, tens of thousands have died in a war that plunged Palestinians into a humanitarian crisis and set off impassioned reactions worldwide. On Oct. 15, UC Merced Professor Anil Menon and his co-authors learned their paper was approved by the American Journal of Political Science. It was published five months later; the American Political Science Association honored the paper as the best on human rights presented at its annual conference. "We wrote our findings in as clinical a manner as we could, talking just about what we found," said Menon, a member of UC Merced's Department of Political Science. The study found that criticism from Jewish Americans is better received than from Americans, but only in one regarda perception of their reproval being well-intentioned, of having Israel's best interests at heart. Overall, critics within Israel had a clear advantage over Jewish Americans or other Americans. This indicates that people living abroad but with ties to Israel could be effective voices for outside groups and human rights agencies struggling to make headway in regions of deeply rooted social strife. As an example, the study cites U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a vocal supporter of the Israeli state but an equally outspoken critic of Israel's settlement practices and mistreatment of Palestinians. "We wanted to see if diaspora members could be intermediaries for constructive conversation," Menon said. Indeed, he and his co-authors found that the diaspora could have a unique role in such conversations, rather than being branded strictly as insiders or outsiders. Menon's two co-authors, Yehonatan Abramson and Abir Gitlin, are a professor and doctoral candidate, respectively, at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Abramson specializes in diaspora politics. That, combined with Menon's interest in the effects of historical trauma, led to this study. The survey of Jewish Israelis, conducted in fall 2021, asked respondents to characterize a disapproving statement as coming from various inside or outside sources. The statement: "Israel has a responsibility for the dismal condition of the Palestinians. Many of them live in extreme poverty, which exacerbates their humiliation and frustration. As a (type of person), I say that Israel must act to change this reality." Respondents evaluated the critic and the criticism on a sliding scale. Is the critic knowledgeable? Well-intentioned? Is the statement irritating, disappointing, or threatening? To what extent do they agree with the statement? To what extent is it constructive and intended to help Israel? Broadly, the study showed Israeli criticism from an Israeli is better received than from a non-Israeli. Critics from the diaspora have a slight advantage over other foreigners, thus blurring any binary judgment of reprobation from an insider vs. an outsider. The study also demonstrated that due to human rights discourse involving Israel being deeply politicized, criticism from non-Israelis produces a public opinion backlash, reducing internal support for improving treatment of Palestinians. The researchers note this doesn't imply critics are speaking out in vain. "Our findings suggest those concerned about human rights should not avoid shaming altogether," the study says. "Rather, shaming by insiders perceived as credible, respected, and caring could be more effective." Menon said he and his partners are conducting and analyzing follow-up surveys. War hardens opinions on both sidesa "rally around the flag" effect he expects to see in data from a post-Oct. 7 world. "We live in extremely polarized times, making persuasion difficult," he said. "When engaging in a polarized issue like the Israel-Palestinian conflict, if you tag someone as belonging to a camp, you might not hear half of what is being said." More information: Yehonatan Abramson et al, Whose critique matters? The effects of critic identity and audience on public opinion, American Journal of Political Science (2024). DOI: 10.1111/ajps.12846 Journal information: American Journal of Political Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Weather, such as unexpected storms, can influence the climate outcomes of La Nina and El Nino events, determining how much rainfall there is, according to new research by CSIRO, Australia's national science agency. The study explored why Australia was very wet and cool in November 2021 but very dry and warm in November 2020, despite the fact they both occurred during a La Nina. This information will increase understanding of the influence of unpredictable conditions for future forecasting. Dr. Carly Tozer, CSIRO lead author of the study published in Monthly Weather Review, said Australia's climate drivers like La Nina and El Nino, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and Southern Annular Mode (SAM) can indicate climate outcomes. However, other factors, such as storms and air currents, can also influence conditions. "Generally, we expect wetter conditions during La Nina and drier conditions during El Nino. However, our research shows that the outcomes can sometimes be different to what we expect," Dr. Tozer said. "Weather can hinder our predictions of the La Nina and El Nino conditions we might experience and influence if a season is wet or dry." The study found specific air currents, known as jet streams, influenced the climate outcomes experienced in the 2021 and 2020 events. "We found the presence or absence of these air currents over Australia contributed to the very wet November 2021 and very dry November 2020, respectively," Dr. Tozer explained. "Jet streams in the upper atmosphere can steer weather systems, including low pressure systems, and influence rainfall in the regions they pass over. "In November 2021 there was a strong jet stream signature over Australia, coupled with cooler temperatures. This contributed to wet conditions in November 2021. In November 2020, the jet stream was largely absent over Australia, and there were warmer temperatures. This meant that rainfall systems were steered south of Australia, contributing to the dry month." Long lead time predictions of the impacts of La Nina and El Nino on Australia's climate can be challenged by these less predictable weather fluctuations. "La Nina and other climate drivers, like the Indian Ocean Dipole and Southern Annular Mode, play an important role in shaping our rainfall. But it's not the whole story," Dr. Tozer said. "For example, the most recent 2023 El Nino event didn't eventuate in expected dry conditions for Australia. "Our findings show that we can experience different outcomes due to fluctuations in the jet streams and associated storms over the continent. "It's important for us to better understand all the weather and climate processes at play so we can manage our expectations around likely climate outcomes for Australia when a La Nina event, for example, is forecast in the future." More information: Carly R. Tozer et al, A Tale of Two Novembers: Confounding influences on La Nina's relationship with rainfall in Australia, Monthly Weather Review (2024). DOI: 10.1175/MWR-D-23-0112.1 Journal information: Monthly Weather Review Provided by CSIRO 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 Inclusive education, which includes Japanese language learners (JLLs), is a critical aspect of Japanese school education. A research team at the University of Tsukuba conducted an interview-based study to understand how Japanese health and physical education teachers perceive their roles and responsibilities as teachers of JLLs at high schools. The number of Japanese language learners (JLLs), children who speak a language other than Japanese and require Japanese language instruction, has been increasing significantly in Japanese schools in recent years. Inclusive education, which seeks to include students who are not native Japanese speakers, offers all students opportunities to engage with multiple languages; gain insights into different cultures, histories, and types of diversity; and enhance their cognitive skills. In particular, physical education can serve as a powerful tool for promoting peace, tolerance, and understanding. This is accomplished by bringing people together across boundaries, cultures, and religions while promoting the concepts of teamwork, fairness, discipline, and respect for one's opponent. For this study, now published in Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, researchers conducted interviews to qualitatively clarify how Japanese health and physical education high-school teachers understand their own roles and responsibilities when teaching JLLs. The results showed that the teachers were aware of the following three points: (1) their responsibility for securing a safe learning environment for JLLs in physical education classes, (2) the dilemma they faced when assessing JLL students' learning outcomes based on performance assessments and written exams for physical education, and (3) their understanding of their responsibilities as teachers and host parents. Based on these results, the study concludes that to promote inclusive education for JLLs in health and physical education classes at Japanese high schools, national and local educational systems must establish clear guidelines for assessing and evaluating JLL students' learning. This includes creating guidelines for teaching plans and grading methods and defining teachers' responsibilities. More information: Takahiro Sato et al, Japanese health and physical education teachers' positioning in teaching Japanese language learners in high school physical education, Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy (2024). DOI: 10.1080/17408989.2024.2374272 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: Johnathon Keller from Pexels Cape fur seals with rabies have infected at least seven people in South Africa and vaccinations will be trialed to try to contain what is the first documented outbreak of the disease in a marine mammal population, a coastal management official said Wednesday. Those infected with the potentially fatal disease, for example after being bitten or scratched by a rabid seal, had received the correct treatment in time and there were no deaths, Cape Town coastal management manager Gregg Oelofse told AFP. The City of Cape Town released a statement Wednesday warning people to steer clear from any seal behaving unusually or aggressively and to report such cases to authorities, who could consider euthanizing the animal. Vaccinations will be trialed on some seals although it would be impossible to roll this out to the two million Cape fur seals spread between southern Angola and South Africa's Eastern Cape, the statement said. The vaccinations will start with animals that come into regular contact with humans, for example, those who visited harbors or were in rehabilitation centers. Authorities will also try to vaccinate seals from other species that occasionally visit the shores of southern Africa. "We desperately want to stop this skipping to the next seal species," Oelofse told AFP. "We have never vaccinated a seal before so we are not sure how it is going to work," he said. "It is not certain it will work, but it is the minimum best we can do." Increased aggression had been detected in Cape fur seals around three years ago, with around 70 unprovoked attacks on people, but it was only in June that it was confirmed that this was due to rabies, he said. Since then about 15 cases had been confirmed among seals in South Africa and seven in humans, he said. This was the first documented outbreak in any marine mammal, he said. Vaccinations would also be carried out on vagrant seals that occasionally visit South Africa's shores to avoid them carrying the disease back to their colonies in the Southern Ocean. These include a handful of elephant seals and around five Sub-Antarctic seals that come ashore a year. "It is imperative to do whatever is possible to stop this," he said. 2024 AFP Amber Waterman, a 44-year-old woman from Missouri, confessed that she had tried to steal a woman's unborn child to claim it as her own. Waterman formally pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of kidnapping resulting in death and one count of causing the death of a child in utero in the 2022 murder of 33-year-old Ashley Bush and her unborn child, Valkyrie Willis. "This horrific crime resulted in the tragic deaths of two innocent victims," Teresa Moore, US Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, said. "Today's guilty plea holds this defendant accountable for her actions and ensures that justice will be served. She is now subject to a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison without parole." Waterman contacted Bush on Facebook using the fake name "Lucy," while the victim was 31 weeks pregnant. She reached out to Bush under the pretense that she could help her get a job through an opportunity she knew of. The Facebook exchange prompted an in-person job interview between Waterman and Bush on October 28, 2022. Meeting at a public library in Gravette, Arkansas, Waterman offered Bush a remote position for a company based out of Arkansas. She then kidnapped Bush and drove her to the Waterman residence in Pineville. "At about 5 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2022, first responders reported to the Longview store in Pineville for an emergency call of a baby who was not breathing," prosecutors said in a release. "Waterman admitted that she claimed to first responders that she had given birth to the child in the truck while on the way to the hospital. But in reality, she admitted, the child was Bush's child, who died in utero as a result of Waterman's kidnapping that resulted in the death of Bush." An autopsy later determined that Bush's manner of death was homicide caused by "penetrating trauma of the torso." Law officials believe Waterman shot and killed Bush and then used a knife to try and remove the unborn child from her uterus before attempting to burn her body. Joshua Robinson, the prosecuting attorney for Benton County, Arkansas, has already stated that he intends to prosecute Waterman in state court and seek the death penalty. Waterman is charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of kidnapping; however, federal authorities refuse to give prosecutors from Benton County access to Waterman, according to a report from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. But Robinson firmly stated that he intends to continue the fight for capital punishment at the request of Bush's family. "We let the U.S. attorney's office know pretty quickly, 'If you all get the approval to seek death row, we'll back off. We'll dismiss our case as long as somebody can do what the family wants,'" a Bush family member said in an interview last month. "We never believed that the United States attorney general would approve that. He is outwardly opposed to the death penalty, and I understand that. We just kind of had what we thought was a realistic viewpoint of how that would play out, and that's how it played out." Waterman's husband, Jaime Waterman, was also charged in Bush's death and faces one federal count of being an accessory after the fact of kidnapping resulting in death. His trial is scheduled for October of this year, according to Law & Crime. Prosecutors allege that the husband assisted his wife in covering up the crime despite knowing she had kidnapped and killed Bush. 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: Size inclusivity approaches: Examples from online fashion retailers. Credit: Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s11747-024-01034-9 Online fashion retailers clinging to the received wisdom that photos of thin models are the most effective way of selling clothes may want to think again, according to a new study examining the impact of size-inclusive model photos. New research from the University of Bath, University of Groningen and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam shows a three-fold benefit to online retailers using size-inclusive model photos to showcase their ranges, which would allow customers to better assess the fit and style of the garments for their particular body types. The study"One size does not fit all: Optimizing size-inclusive model photography mitigates fit risk in online fashion retailing" was published in Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. The researchers found retailers' sales and costs would improve, customers would feel greater satisfaction and inclusivity, and the environmentas well as companies' bottom lineswould benefit as expensive and wasteful clothing returns could diminish. And they challenged the long-held notion that thin models drive sales. "We have seen some progress in portraying diverse body typesbut that is largely restricted to advertising, rather than what the customer sees online when ordering clothes. There are a few honorable exceptions but models online are still very, very thin, as a rule," said Dr. Iina Ikonen, of the University of Bath School of Management and University of Groningen. "The sector has this misguided notion that aspiration is key, and that any other approach than thin-size photos could damage their business. In fact, not one of our studies shows that own-size model photography negatively affects purchase decisions in comparison with thin-size photos, despite this being a key concern of the fashion companies we interviewed," Dr. Ikonen said. The researchers found that thin-size models actually hindered online purchase decisions, through increasing the difficulty of assessing a product's fit for customers with different clothing sizes. Thin-size models caused them to disengage as the retailer was not serving their needs. "Our research showed that retailers employing greater body-size diversity fostered more inclusive and welcoming environments, and especially employing own-size models promotes equal treatment for diverse customersall of which creates higher consumer well-being. Whereas the current online marketplace stigmatizes consumers who feel their bodies are not represented by thin models," said co-researcher Yerong Zhang of the School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The research suggested the ideal approach for online retailers would be to show every item of clothing on models of various sizes, but the researchers recognized this could be costly, particularly for high-volume, fast-fashion outlets. "A middle ground might be to use differently-sized models presenting different clothing items. This mixed strategy might help consumers of various sizes feel like their own size is being represented in online shopping environments," Zhang said. The costs incurred by using size-inclusive model photos could be offset by improved customer satisfaction and reduced product returns, which international regulators are scrutinizing with a view to cutting environmental harm. "We know that poor fit is the most important reason for product returnstargeting customers with model photography featuring models of their own size would be key to addressing this issue," she added. Dr. Ikonen welcomed retailers' moves towards diversity in some areas but warned they should be wary of inadvertently creating the potentially alienating 'plus-sizing effect' and should ideally offer, and display, all of their clothes in all sizes, from extra small to extra large. "We observed an issue with retailers showing off some of their clothes on thin models and simultaneously proudly pointing to their plus-sized ranges as part of their commitment to diversity and inclusion. The problem was that, often, the clothes showed on thin-size models were not available for plus-sizes. Essentially, these were two different ranges and that is unhelpful for customer inclusivity and positive sentimentand that will ultimately harm their business," she said. Dr. Ikonen's co-researchers are Zhang, Jiska Eelen and Francesca Sotgiu, all from the School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Dr. Ikonen represents both the University of Bath School of Management and the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. More information: Yerong Zhang et al, One size does not fit all: Optimizing size-inclusive model photography mitigates fit risk in online fashion retailing, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s11747-024-01034-9 Journal information: Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: INESC Brussels HUB When the expanded yellow tentacles of the sun coral began to appear on the Brazilian coastline, alarms rang. This species, also known as Tubastraea, was not supposed to be there. The movement of oil platforms and other shipping near Rio de Janeiro in the late 80s dragged the non-reef-building coral. Since then, it invaded and colonized reef habitats along the Brazilian coast. The sun coral is quite unique: It can live practically anywhere and removing it can be challenging, as it regenerates rapidlythat's why reducing its impact on the functioning of the natural systems can be difficult. However, researchers from the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC) developed a technology to monitor this invasive species. How? With the help of underwater robotics technology. The researchers traveled to Brazil to test it with a Research Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (LASUB). The results are "promising," explained Nuno Cruz, a researcher at INESC TEC. The researchers placed buoys a few hundred meters away from the diving zone, and the divers took an emitter device so the operations team could see their location at any time, and work out where the corals were located. Since GPS or radio signals do not work underwater, the test was done with acoustic signals. The Portuguese researchers adapted the systems they use in underwater robots to track the divers and understand the locations of the sun corals. The technology developed featured a device that locates underwater objects, a set of buoys that were connected to the GPS, and a cylinderwhich was placed on the diver's back, emitting sound signals to the buoys. The goal was to decrease the margin of error in the location of the corals that influence Brazil's marine fauna. This was possible through triangulation, since the buoys determined the relative position of the underwater object and, together with the GPS, provided an accurate location. For the two-day trial, INESC TEC shipped to Brazil a device capable of generating acoustic signals (a "pinger" that makes it easier to relocate an underwater site or equipment) and three localization buoys. "The cylinder, carried by the diver, is a synchronized acoustic pinger. It emits a periodic signal, once every second, that is detected by the buoys," indicated Nuno Cruz. The cylinder is always emitting a periodic signal, one time per second. The tube contains rechargeable batteries, to enable many hours of diving and an acoustic transmitter that sends the underwater acoustic "pings." This internal atomic clock is a crucial component. "It ensures that signals are transmitted in very precise instants, a fundamental aspect to guarantee an accurate estimation of the pinger position," says Cruz. The buoys detected the pinger's sound, knew when it was emitted, and calculated the time it took to travel, providing data about how far the pinger was. This information was then transmitted via radio to the support boat, where a computer compiled the measures and activities through trilateration, allowing monitoring, in real-time, of the diver who carried the pinger. "Besides the purely passive monitoring, we altered the device to signal specific events, like an 'underwater switch' that the divers trigger anytime they want to flag a special location; in this case, the coral sighting. "With the use of this technology, we confirmed that it is possible to know quite accuratelya margin of error smaller than 1mthe position where the corals were found and removed, which makes it possible to monitor this process with great reliability. This allows us to understand a certain colony's evolution, or absence, and the correlation with environmental conditions, e.g., sunlight, currents, water temperature, acidification, etc.", Cruz added. Saving time and saving corals Without this kind of technology relying on trackers and robots, the monitoring was no simple taskand more time-consuming. It was done only by divers, who upon finding an area with corals, marked it, returned to the surface, took photographs of the surrounding area, and passed them on to the crew of a GPS boat that was nearby and recorded the approximate location. The margin of error could reach several meters. The device developed by the INESC TEC team, and the triangulation between the GPS and the buoys, allowed them to overcome this issue. With these tools, divers can dedicate all their diving time to the search and identification of the corals. And it's important to know the location with more certainty. Monitoring the expansion may not fully repair the now orange and yellow-covered reefs; it can, however, help stop further colonization of the Brazilian coast and the disappearance of native coral. An additional advantage of the tested method is that all the data (both the route taken during the dive and the specific points marked) is automatically recorded digitally in a dive report. This makes it easier to compare results with previous dives. "There is sun coral in other regions, where it is native and in balance with the ecosystem; however, on the American continent, it is an invasive species. The LASUB researchers are experts in mechanics and are currently developing tools for the removal of these corals," pointed out the Portuguese researcher. The technology is back in Portugal for more tests by the INESC TEC team. However, although the sun coral species is one of the biggest concerns, Brazilian researchers are already thinking of new ways to use the same systems to accurately mark other habitats. Provided by INESC Brussels HUB UPDATED: 3:30 p.m. Aug. 1: New York State Police Troop G Public Information Officer Stephanie ONeil said the one-vehicle rollover crash occurred around 12:20 p.m. July 31. The investigation is still ongoing, so we dont have a cause of the crash at this point, ONeil said shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday. The individual was transported to Albany Medical Center, the extent of their injuries is unknown at this time. UPDATED 3:45 p.m. July 31: CHESTERTOWN - A second motor vehicle accident is being reported on Interstate 87 on the northbound side, just south of Exit 25. UPDATED 2 p.m. July 31: LAKE GEORGE - A car has rolled over on the median and southbound lane of the Northway just south of Exit 22. New York State Police Troop G Public Information Officer Stephanie ONeil said the one-vehicle rollover crash occurred around 12:20 p.m. The investigation is still ongoing, so we dont have a cause of the crash at this point, ONeil said shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday. The individual was transported to Albany Medical Center, the extent of their injuries is unknown at this time. Traffic was moving slowly northbound, all cars are being instructed by emergency responders to get to the right. Southbound traffic is blocked well past Exit 22 and traffic there is also proceeding in the right lane only at about 1:10 p.m. The Post Star will share more information on this incident as it becomes available. Editor's note: Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge contributed to this report. Inprint Houston's 2024/25 season features Emma Donoghue, Ta-Nehisi Coates and Richard Powers. Houston Chronicle Inprint Houston's 2024/25 season returns with a series of literary events, including the 44th edition of the Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading Series. The lineup includes appearances by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Richard Powers and Emma Donoghue, among others, with events running from August 2024 to April 2025. AUGUST Poet, writer and performer, Danez Smith. Anna Min Aug. 19 Danez Smith: National Book Critics Circle Award finalist for Homie and Lambda Literary Award winner for "[insert] boy," with their new collection "Bluff." In conversation with poet Lupe Mendez. Book sale and signing to follow. Presented by Inprint. Alley Theatre. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Aug. 22 Hari Kunzru: Author will read from his latest novel, "Blue Ruin," followed by a conversation with Rosa Boshier Gonzalez, book sale, and signing. Presented by Inprint, The Menil Collection, and Rice University. The Menil Collection. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Aug. 29 Frank Baez: Dominican poet will read from his work as part of Inprint's Escritores en la casa series. Inprint House. SEPTEMBER Author Rumaan Alam. David A. Land Sept. 6 Autumn Hayes: Poet will read from her work as part of Inprint's First Fridays Reading Series. Inprint House. Sept. 30 Rumaan Alam: Author of National Book Award finalist for "Leave the Word Behind," with his new book "Entitlement," and Danzy Senna, bestselling author of "Caucasia and New People" named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times with her new novel "Colored Television." In conversation with novelist Daniel Pena. Book sale and signing to follow. Presented by Inprint. Rice University. Advertisement Article continues below this ad OCTOBER Author Richard Powers. Dean Dixon Oct. 7 Paul Lynch: Booker Prize winner and author of "Beyond the Sea and Grace," with his latest novel "Prophet Song." In conversation with author/editor Maggie Galehouse. Book sale and signing to follow. Presented by Inprint. Alley Theatre. Oct. 21 Richard Powers: Author of 14 novels, including Pulitzer Prize winner The Overstory and National Book Award winner "The Echo Makers," with his new novel "Playground." In conversation with Lacy M. Johnson. Book sale and signing to follow. Presented by Inprint. Alley Theatre. Advertisement Article continues below this ad NOVEMBER Author, journalist and activist, Ta-Nehisi Coates. Courtesy photo Nov. 18 Ta-Nehisi Coates: MacArthur Fellow and National Book Award and NAACP Image Award winning author of "Between the World and Me," with his new book "The Message." Book sale to follow. Presented by Inprint. Cullen Theatre at the Wortham Center. DECEMBER Author Rachel Kushner. Chloe Aftel Dec. 2 Rachel Kushner: Two-time National Book Award finalist for "The Flamethrowers" and "Telex from Cuba," with her new novel "Creation Lake." Book sale and signing to follow. Presented by Inprint. Alley Theatre. Advertisement Article continues below this ad JANUARY Author Yuri Herrera. Tori Bush Jan. 27 Yuri Herrera: Winner of the 2016 Best Translated Book Award for Fiction for his novel "Signs Preceding the End of the World," with his latest novel, translated from the Spanish by Lisa Dillman, "Season of the Swamp." Book sale and signing to follow. Presented by Inprint. Alley Theatre. MARCH Author Jennifer Chang. Jessica Attie March 3 Jennifer Chang: Winner of the 2018 William Carlos Williams Award for "Some Say the Lark," with her new poetry collection "An Authentic Life," and Naomi Shihab Nye, recipient of the Lavan Award and the Patterson Poetry Prize, with her collection "Grace Notes: Poems about Family." In conversation with poet Kevin Prufer. Book sale and signing to follow. Presented by Inprint. Alley Theatre. March 24 Emma Donoghue: Best-selling author of "Room," finalist for the Man Booker Prize and the Orange Prize, with her historical novel "The Paris Express." Book sale and signing to follow. Presented by Inprint. Congregation Emanu El. APRIL Author Katie Kitamura. Clayton Cubitt The Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation will award a record $255,415 in "PRIME" grants to Rock Island-Milan educators for the 2024-25 school year. This year's recipients will be presented with their PRIME Promoting Rock Island-Milan Education grants at the District Institute event on Thursday. As previously reported, PRIME grants fund new and innovative programs, materials or other projects for Rock Island-Milan teachers, departments and schools. This year's record-breaking total will fund 122 projects across 138 teachers and educators across all district schools. Some of this year's PRIME grant recipients include Denkmann Elementary School teachers Janine Olson and Bridget Taheny, who will receive $3,000 to establish a "Girls on the Run" club, and William Gustafson, a teacher at Rock Island High School, receiving $1,200 to purchase digital drawing screens. Funding for the grant program comes from donors and support from the Rauch Family Foundation, Rock Island Art Guild, Barbara Fackel Fund and the Doris and Victor Day Foundation. To date, RIMEF has awarded a total of $1.49 million in PRIME grants. So far in 2024, RIMEF has provided nearly $500,000 toward Rock Island-Milan students, teachers and schools in the form of grants, scholarships and other programs. Photos: Spring Forward summer campers visit Nahant Marsh Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley called for answers Tuesday over the communication breakdown between Pennsylvania law enforcement and the Secret Service ahead of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential nominee. Text messages, police body camera footage and an after-action report obtained by Grassley provide the most detailed picture yet of security failures surrounding the shooting at the July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Grassley, appearing Tuesday on Fox News Americas Newsroom ahead of a Senate hearing with the FBI and Secret Service, said theres just a lot of shortcomings about law enforcement lapses in the hours before the attempted assassination of Trump. Its just bad when a member of Congress has to get his information from local law enforcement instead of from the federal agencies, Grassley said. (Ive) turned over everything (I) have now, and if (I) get more, (I)ll turn it over. I believe in transparency. The publics business ought to be public, and the protection of a presidential candidate ought to be a top priority. The acting director of the Secret Service said Tuesday he cannot defend why the roof used by the gunman was not secured, the Associated Press reported. Ronald Rowe became acting director last week after Kimberly Cheatle resigned amid mounting criticism by members of Congress over a lack of substantive answers during a hearing about the communication failures preceding the July 13 shooting. Rowe testified Tuesday before two Senate committees. He was joined by FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate at a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees. Grassley pressed Rowe about the failed vetting and communications procedures that led to the near-assassination of the former president. Rowe said he had no explanation for some of the Secret Services shortcomings at the July 13 campaign rally, and committed to improving certain agency procedures and providing rolling updates to Congress and the public. Grassley also asked about the Secret Service and local law enforcements use of a drone to monitor the rally location. In a letter last week asking for the Secret Services operational plan and other records, Grassley included a document showing that a Counter Unmanned Aerial System operator was on the list of personnel for the rally. NBC News has reported that deceased gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks flew a drone over the rally site a few hours before Trump began speaking. According to the Secret Service, the drone system was supposed to be operational at 3 p.m. that day, Grassley said during his questioning of Rowe. However, weve been told by Secret Service that because of cellular bandwidth problems, it wasnt operational until about 5:20 (p.m.) on that day. If the system was operational, Secret Service wouldve had the ability to detect the shooter and his own drone use. Why is the Secret Service dependent upon local cellular networks? Does Secret Service have back up plans in place? Rowe said the Secret Services failure to detect the shooters drone has cost me a lot of sleep. Had the Secret Services platform been operational, Rowe noted, it might have been able to locate Crooks and intervene. Rowe committed to leveraging Department of Homeland Security resources to provide the Secret Service guaranteed connectivity to its drone. He said the lapse is something that I have struggled with to understand. It is something that I feel as though we could have perhaps found him, he said. We could have maybe stopped him. According to documents released by Grassleys office, law enforcement officers knew of and communicated presence of Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa., at the rally to federal counterparts more than 90 minutes before he climbed onto a roof of whats known as the AGR Building and fired eight rounds toward Trump. Below is a summary of local law enforcements planning and communications regarding the Trump event, according to records released by Grassleys office: July 13 9 a.m.: The Butler County Emergency Response Unit hosts a briefing for local law enforcement ahead of the Trump event. The Secret Service was absent from the briefing 1:03 p.m.: Beaver, Butler and Washington County snipers connect via group chat Local sniper locations are noted 4:26 p.m.: A Beaver County sniper finishes his shift and departs the AGR Building. While exiting, he spots Crooks at a picnic table outside and alerts the remaining Beaver and Butler snipers in the AGR Building to Crooks presence 5:38 p.m.: A Beaver County sniper sends photos of Crooks to the Beaver, Butler and Washington snipers group chat. The Beaver sniper notes Crooks was using a range finder looking toward the stage and recommends that they notify Secret Service snipers to look out 5:45 p.m.: A Beaver County sniper sends photos of Crooks to the Beaver County ESU group chat. Beaver law enforcement recommends they alert command Grassley underscored the need to pass legislation he introduced with Nevada Democratic U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, which would subject Secret Service directors to Senate confirmation and a single, 10-year term. The Secret Services core mission is to protect the individuals entrusted to its care, Grassley said in a statement. President Trumps brush with death was a Secret Service failure of epic proportions, and this mission failure must never be repeated. He called the bill a crucial step toward providing the transparency and accountability that Congress and the American people deserve from the Secret Service. Recently announced funding from the state means the Iowa City-based Domestic Violence Intervention Program will be able to hire staff to absorb rape-victim services previously housed by the University of Iowa and open a new, expanded domestic violence shelter next month. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Attorney General Brenna Bird announced Monday the state will provide $5.5 million in one-time bridge funding to keep services available for Iowa crime victims after Congress made budget cuts to federal victims services. Congress earlier this year lowered the spending cap on the Victim of Crimes Act (VOCA) fund to $1.2 billion a $700 million cut from the previous year. The federal program is the main funding source for services for crime victims like medical and mental health care, courtroom advocacy and temporary housing. In Iowa, that funding change results in a cut of more than $5.4 million, a 42% reduction in the states funding, according to the Iowa Attorney Generals Office. Without adequate federal funding, states have two options: reduce victim services or find a way to cover the gap, Reynolds said in a statement. Victims of crime deserve our full support of their recovery, and we will continue to ensure they have the services they need in Iowa. To make up for the cut in funding, the state plans to use $5.5 million from Iowas State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, part of the American Rescue Plan Act. Reynolds and Bird said the states use of the federal COVID-19 relief dollars is a one-time spending measure meant to fill the gap in funding. Current VOCA funding is set to continue through the federal fiscal year until Sept. 30, 2024. More than 50 Iowa nonprofit organizations, including DVIP, received VOCA-funded grants to provide assistance for both adult and children crime victims through the Iowa Attorney Generals Victim Assistance Grant Program, according to a news release. The grant program provided $22.6 million to more than 54,000 Iowans, with $13.9 million in VOCA funding. Bird, in a statement, said the looming federal cut will have a disproportionate impact on rural communities and small counties, cut victim hotlines and eliminate options for in-person services, including victim-witness coordinators. As a prosecutor, I work with victims and see the devastating reality of losing victim services. And spreading providers thin by making them do a lot with limited resources, Bird said. But in Iowa, we are leading to put victims first. With these dollars, we will ensure victims have the resources they need as they work to heal and rebuild their lives. The one-time state funding will ensure Iowa nonprofits can continue helping both adult and children crime victims with group and individual counseling, and assist in finding and paying for safe and affordable housing, food, transportation and child care, and make referrals to other agencies. During this years Iowa legislative session, Democrats offered an amendment voted down by Republicans to provide state funding to cover the cut in federal funding to victim services. Rep. Brian Lohse, a Republican from Bondurant who is chairman of the justice system appropriations subcommittee, said the Attorney Generals Office and various groups were working with members of Iowas congressional delegation to replenish the funds. Should Congress not come through, Lohse said the intention was for state lawmakers to provide emergency funding as quickly as possible next year. Lohse did not immediately return a call seeking comment Tuesday afternoon. In Iowa City Alta Medea, director of community engagement at Domestic Violence Intervention Program, said VOCA funding makes up about 25% of DVIPs budget. The nonprofit offers services for victims of intimate partner violence Were extremely grateful for the support and commitment form the Attorney Generals Office and Gov. Reynolds, Medea said. This means we will be able to hire the staffing that we need for our services for sexualized violence and intimate partner violence. The gap funding from the state removes uncertainty over how much federal money the domestic violence agency would receive to help with the transition of the UIs Rape Victim Advocacy Program to DVIP, she said. This means that we have a lot more answers and are able to move forward to hire staff needed for new programming and ensuring we have staffing for our new, expanded emergency shelter slated to open in late August, Medea said. This means victim survivors that would have gone unserved or underserved now will receive services. While relieved by Mondays announcement, Medea said additional funding still is needed across the state to give victims the support, the services and advocacy they need to have a safer future, but this a step in the right direction. In Cedar Rapids Penny Galvin, director of the survivors' program at Waypoint Services in Cedar Rapids, commended Reynolds and Bird for the stopgap funding. Waypoint provides two VOCA-funded programs that assist victims and survivors of domestic violence and provide support to individuals who have lost a family member to homicide. Support also is given to victims of other violent felonies, such as kidnapping, robbery and attempted murder. Thanks to the states intervention, Galvin said the nonprofit is able to mostly or wholly avoid a 41% funding cut that could have led to staff layoffs. Echoing Bird, Galvin said the looming federal cut would have severely limited the services Waypoint provides to families in rural communities. Galvin, along with four other staffers, offer services in a 14-county region. Of those 14 counties, 12 are rural. They provide support groups, home visits, crisis counseling and help with funeral arrangements. They also accompany victims to court hearings and trials, aid in writing victim impact statements, and set up appointments and attending meetings between law enforcement and the prosecutor's office and the victim. Additionally, they help individuals apply crime victims compensation, which is also VOCA-funded, to help cover funeral expenses and lost wages. So much of that would have been cut out in our rural areas, Galvin said. The gap funding buys Waypoint and other Iowa nonprofits another year to push federal lawmakers to increase funding, raise additional funds and streamline services. We really appreciate Attorney General Bird pushing for this with the governor, and for the governors support, Galvin said. What that says to me is Iowa values our victims and wants to support them. Financial aid falling short? Here's 6 ways to close your college funding gap Financial aid falling short? Here's 6 ways to close your college funding gap 5. Think About Private Student Loans Financial aid falling short? Here's 6 ways to close your college funding gap Peter Sarsgaard in "Coup!" (Spencer Pazer/Vertical Entertainment/TNS) Spencer Pazer/TNS At the end of 2020, there began a wave of films that spoke to the COVID-19 pandemic, either explicitly, or through the limits of their production. Some films addressed the quarantine and lockdown and the way that our lives changed, while others simply told stories with just a few people in a single location, easier to film safely. But four years out from the onset of the pandemic, there are now films that speak to the 2020 pandemic by taking on another pandemic, a century ago, the 1918 influenza pandemic. Coup!, written and directed by Joseph Schuman and Austin Stark, is a sprightly class satire set during this era, though the issues it tackles feel all too timely, which is something all good period pieces should strive to do. The 1918 setting throws questions of race and class into stark relief in this story, which is unhindered by the complex political issues of 2020. But one of the films antiheroes, Floyd Monk (Peter Sarsgaard), speaks plainly as to what the 2020 pandemic taught us when he tells his employers wife, Julia (Sarah Gadon), that nature has a way of creeping into the modern world, bringing out the beast in some and the beauty in others. Many would agree that the turmoil and fear of the pandemic and lockdown revealed some of our basest human instincts and tendencies, in ways with which we are still grappling. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Monks employer is one Jay Horton (Billy Magnussen), a wealthy trust fund kid and proud muckraker. Hes holed up with his family and servants at their palatial estate on Egg Island, waiting out the pandemic, while hammering out fiery newspaper columns demanding the government shut down businesses to protect the working class from the spread of influenza. We meet Monk as he assumes another mans identity and makes his way to the island to present himself as the Horton familys latest personal chef. But while Monk cooks up vegetable-forward meals for the staunchly plant-based Horton, he also seizes the opportunity to foment rebellion among the household, starting with the staff. A diverse group made up of an African American governess (Skye P. Marshall), a Turkish driver (Faran Tahir) and an Irish housekeeper (Kristine Nielsen), Monk himself is a veteran of the Spanish-American War, with a vaguely Louisiana accent; he has no purchase for the rules of Hortons home, especially when the lord of the manor is such an obvious hypocrite. The writer rattles off missives condemning the Wilson administration and falsely positioning himself at the center of protests in New York City, all while ensconced in luxurious isolation, waited on hand and foot. Monk instantly chafes at the hierarchies imposed in the Horton home, and when the island is cut off from ferries and grocery stores are closed, the household becomes dependent on the cook to provide. As the home devolves into something like Lord of the Flies, our hedonistic interloper uses this opening to become a usurper. Coup! is a clever metaphor using this one home to represent a microcosm of society and the 1918 pandemic to speak to our current realities that see a lower and middle class becoming resentful of the hoarding and hierarchies established by a ruling class especially an intellectual ruling class who speak out of both sides of their mouth, arguing for progressive causes and workers rights, while enjoying the spoils of their own privilege. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sarsgaard and Magnussen are two terrifically embodied actors who are quite skilled at what they do, and which they do here specifically very well: Magnussen the pompous, self-important rich boy, Sarsgaard the earthy, sly, seductive trickster. The wonderful thing is that the actors could swap roles and both would still excel. Gadon plays the feminine foil to both actors with ease. Shot by Conor Murphy with a woodsy glow that evokes the luxury of the grand manors interiors and infused with sepia-tinted vintage quality that indicates the period setting, theres a richness and warmth to Coup! that belies the rather cynical and cutting nature of the story. While there are few elements of the narrative and extra characters that are left at loose ends, and therefore feel extraneous, they arent necessary for the communication of the central themes and ideas of class warfare and hypocrisy. Anchored by typically strong performances from Magnussen and Sarsgaard, Coup! is a tasty morsel of social commentary about the problems that continue to plague our world. GJADER, Albania (AP) Migrants rescued at sea while attempting to reach Italy may see themselves transported to Albania beginning next month while their asylum claims are processed, under a controversial deal in which the small Balkan country will host thousands of asylum-seekers on Italys behalf. Speaking during a visit to Albania in June, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the two centers designed to shelter the migrants would be ready to host the first 1,000 people by Aug. 1. But with that day at hand, intensive construction is still underway in one of them, casting doubt on whether it will be entirely ready in time. Neither Italy nor Albania has indicated when the first migrants are likely to arrive. The five-year deal, signed by Meloni and her Albanian counterpart, Edi Rama, last November, provides for the sheltering of up to 3,000 migrants picked up by the Italian coast guard in international waters each month. They will be screened initially on board the ships that have rescued them, before being sent to Albania for additional screening. The centers will house only adult men, Italys ambassador to Albania, Fabrizio Bucci, told The Associated Press. People deemed to be vulnerable women, children, the elderly and those who are ill or victims of torture will be accommodated in Italy. Families will also not be separated, the ambassador said. Those who are sent to Albania will retain their right under international and European Union law to apply for asylum in Italy and have their claims processed there. With each claim taking around a month to process, the number of people sent to Albania could reach 36,000 in a year. Italy has agreed to welcome those who are granted asylum. Those whose applications are rejected face deportation directly from Albania, the ambassador said. Endorsed by European Commission President Ursula van der Leyen as an example of out-of-box thinking" on tackling the issue of migration into the European Union, the deal has been slammed by human rights groups as setting a dangerous precedent. "The International Rescue Committee (IRC) highlights the risks associated with the scheme and urges the EU and its member states not to use this dangerous model as a blueprint for their own approaches to asylum and migration," the humanitarian organization said in a July 23 statement. Earlier this year, the IRC had described the deal as costly, cruel and counterproductive. It is not the first time a country has sought to outsource the housing of asylum-seekers. New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has scrapped the former Conservative government's much-criticized plan to send some migrants to Rwanda to process their asylum claims. New Home Secretary Yvette Copper said the cost of 700 million pounds ($904 million) for the plan was the most shocking waste of taxpayer money I have ever seen. The two centers in Albania will cost Italy 670 million euros ($730 million) over five years. The facilities will be fully run by Italy and both centers are under Italian jurisdiction, while Albanian guards will provide external security. One of the centers, in the port of Shengjin on Albania's Adriatic coast, has been ready for more than a month. But the other, about 24 kilometers (15 miles) to its east near a former military airport in Gjader, was still far from being finished with just a week to go before its scheduled opening date. Bucci, the Italian ambassador, said the first delay came due to the crumbling soil at the Gjader camp site, which needed intervention to consolidate it. Also the heat wave in July forced authorities to impose a break during the hottest hours of the day. "Our main concern is, and will remain, the absolute safety and protection of the workers on the site and, eventually, of the migrants that will be hosted in Gjader, Bucci said. The Associated Press was not allowed access to the camp, but evidence of intensive construction was clear, with two excavators and a tall crane working furiously, digging to prepare for the installation of a perimeter fence around the roughly 50-acre (20-hectare) site and moving huge pipes. Container buildings that will provide housing for the camp residents were already installed, but piles of panels and frames to build further housing units lay at the main entrance. The head of the nearby village of Gjader and local residents said work at the center was far from complete. Away from the controversy sparked by the deal elsewhere, residents of the low-income village a source of emigration itself said they appreciated the center being built in their area. With few local job opportunities, more than two-thirds of Gjader's population has emigrated to other European countries over the past 30 years, and some locals said they felt an affinity with the prospective residents of the migrant center. Honoring those in need will make us more in number, despite their race, language or nation, said Bib Lazri, a 70-year-old Gjader resident. The center is also bringing an economic boom to the impoverished rural area. The people have seen their life improved. They are looking to get employed. There is movement and vivacity," said village head Sander Preka. People are very happy. His own shop, he said, had seen 30% higher turnover in the past month, while some locals have rented their homes to migrant center employees and others have found work at the center. In Shengjin, a 4,000-square-meter (43,000-square-foot) area contains housing units and offices at the port, surrounded by a five-meter (16-foot) high metal fence topped with barbed wire. A sign reads: "Security Level 1." Journalists were not allowed access. BEIRUT (AP) Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said early Wednesday, and Hamas blamed Israel for the attack. Israel has vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the groups Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage. An Israeli military spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel often doesnt when it comes to assassinations carried out by their Mossad intelligence agency. Hamas said Haniyeh was killed in a Zionist airstrike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of Irans new president. Hamas declares to the great Palestinian people and the people of the Arab and Islamic nations and all the free people of the world, brother leader Ismail Ismail Haniyeh a martyr, the terse statement said. In another statement, the group quoted Haniyeh as saying that the Palestinian cause has costs and we are ready for these costs: martyrdom for the sake of Palestine, and for the sake of God Almighty, and for the sake of the dignity of this nation. Hamas officials did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had lived in exile in Qatar. The top Hamas leader in Gaza is Yehya Sinwar, who masterminded the Oct. 7 attack. In April, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed three of Haniyehs sons and four of his grandchildren. In an interview with the Al Jazeera satellite channel at the time, Haniyeh said the killings would not pressure Hamas into softening its positions amid ongoing cease-fire negotiations with Israel. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend Irans President Masoud Pezeshkians swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, along with other Hamas officials and officials from Hezbollah and allied groups. Iran gave no details on how Haniyeh was killed, and the Guard said the attack was under investigation. Analysts on Iranian state television immediately began blaming Israel for the attack. The killing of Haniyeh comes after Israel carried out a rare strike on Beirut, which it said killed Fouad Shukur, a top Hezbollah military commander. Hezbollah has not confirmed Shukur's death in the strike, which also killed at least one woman and two children and wounded dozens of people. The strike came amid escalating hostilities with the Lebanese militant group. The U.S. also blames Shukur for planning and launching the deadly 1983 Marine bombing in the Lebanese capital. There was no immediate reaction from the White House. The apparent assassination comes at a precarious time, as the Biden administration has tried to push Hamas and Israel to agree to at least a temporary cease-fire and hostage-release deal. CIA Director Bill Burns was in Rome on Sunday to meet with senior Israel, Qatari and Egyptian officials in the latest round of talks. Separately, Brett McGurk, the White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, is in the region for talks with U.S. partners. Israel is suspected of running a yearslong assassination campaign targeting Iranian nuclear scientists and others associated with its atomic program. In 2020, a top Iranian military nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while traveling in a car outside Tehran. North American travelers represent 86 percent of visitors to Mexico Riviera Maya, Q.R. Over 59 million air passengers have been recorded across the country in the first half of 2024. According to a report by the Ministry of Tourism, these most recent figures are a significant increase over previous years. According to the Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, Miguel Torruco Marques, North America accounts for 86.5 percent of the total, of which just over 15 million passengers arrived in Mexico from the U.S. In a report, the Ministry said the U.S. airlines with the highest passenger flow during January to June 2024 travel were American Airlines and United Airlines. More than 7.1 million international passengers flew into Mexico on just those two airlines, an increase of 8.8 percent over the same period in 2023. On international flights on Mexican airlines, 8.1 million passengers were transported, an increase of 14 percent over January to June 2023. Mexican airlines with the highest passenger flow on domestic flights from January to June 2024 were Viva Aerobus and Volaris with over 20.7 million passengers. Flights from Canada to Mexico arrived with over 2.7 million travelers which represents an increase of 13.5 percent more over the same period in 2023. North American tourism accounts for 86 percent of international travelers to Mexico. Photo: Sefiplan In the European market, 1.9 million passengers were recorded, while nearly 2 million were recorded arriving from Central and South America and 151,239 passengers landed in Mexico from Asia. Torruco Marques reported that during the current administration, 482 new international routes to Mexico have been registered. Proud Pie's key lime pie is now available at Dish Society's Katy location. Maddy Lingwall Dish Society's new Katy location Sabrina Miskelly When Proud Pie owner Scott Chapman closed the doors to his pie shop in June, he received dozens of heartfelt messages from customers who didn't want to see it go. Luckily for those pie fans, they weren't the only ones who hated the idea of Proud Pie disappearing forever. Houston's Five 12 Restaurant Concepts, the group behind Dish Society and Daily Gather couldnt see these popular pies go away. The group was able to reach an agreement with Chapman to bring his pies to Dish Society in Katy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HOUSTON RESTAURANT WEEKS: Here are 6 places to visit during Houston Restaurant Weeks in the suburbs. Starting Tuesday, Dish Society introduced Proud Pie slices and whole pies exclusively at the Katy location. Proud Pie is an institution in West Houston, says Five 12s founder and CEO Aaron Lyons in a news release. Scott is super talented and an amazing guy, and hes built a loyal following. Were big fans and wanted to help." The new deal may expand Proud Pie's following beyond Katy. Lyons said pie will soon be available for pick-up or online orders at Dish Society's four Houston locations, as well as Daily Gather. Proud Pie Facebook posts teased the new partnership days before officially announcing it and asked customers which two pie flavors they would like to see first. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Our plan is to start small and slowly so we can focus on attention to detail and getting it right," one post reads. "Please be patient with us while we work through the logistics." The business later announced that the first two offerings would be State Fair Caramel Apple and Key Lime.. Proud Pie's shop was known for 14 core flavors along with limited-time specials. When Proud Pie closed, Chapman was searching for new positions for his former staff when Trent Patterson, operating officer for Five 12 Restaurant Concepts, responded by offering commissary space to allow Proud Pie to stay in business, Chapman said in the news release. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ive always been a fan of Dish Society, from how fresh the food is, how creative the menus are and the execution level. I thought, Their love of food is very similar to mine. This could work, Chapman said. The cost of housing is the number one reason that people are leaving Northern Virginia for other parts of the state including Richmond and other southeastern states, according to a new analysis by the University of Virginia. The analysis by UVAs Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service confirmed the decade-long trend that Gov. Glenn Youngkin has decried of more people moving out of Virginia than moving in. Youngkin has cited taxation as a factor in the cost of living. Weldon Cooper says the main reason is the cost of housing, which includes the local real estate taxes that people pay for schools and other public services. The rents too damn high, said Hamilton Lombard, manager of the centers estimates program for demographic research, when asked to sum up his findings in five words during an online webinar Tuesday sponsored by the business group Virginia FREE. Housing will be number one. Its too expensive. Lombard also confirmed the perception that the escalating cost of housing in the Richmond area arises in part from a big surge in migration from Northern Virginia in the past three years. This came after the COVID-19 pandemic made the Washington, D.C., area one of the largest centers of remote work in the country. The Richmond area is growing as much as it ever has in its history, he said, and thats in large part because of remote workers coming in. Lombard backs up the statement with data from the first three years of this decade that show a net in-migration of more than 36,400 people to the Richmond metropolitan area, almost 10,000 more than a comparable period at the beginning of this century. Many of them come from Fairfax County, the most populous locality in Virginia with a net average increase of about 300 people arriving from Fairfax each year in Chesterfield County over the past three years and about 200 a year each in Richmond and Henrico County. Out-migration The analysis confirms that Virginia has lost more residents to migration than its gained since 2013, after federal budget sequestration hit the state harder than most because of its economic reliance on the federal government, especially the military and defense contracts. The analysis showed that in the last 10 years about 144,000 more people left Virginia than moved here. The state population still grew, because births outpaced deaths and net migration loss. Virginia also gained population through immigration from other countries. Three-quarters of the net migration loss came from Northern Virginia, long the states economic engine because of its proximity to the nations capital, with the rest coming from Hampton Roads, which relies heavily on the military and defense industries. Lombard said the political cost was high because in 2012 Virginia was projected to grow by about 250,000 than it did in the last decade, which potentially affected the states representation in Congress and the Electoral College. Richmond and the rest of Virginia helped offset net migration losses to other states, primarily by attracting people from Northern Virginia, he said. The people who left Virginia went primarily to North Carolina, Florida and Texas, as well Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and West Virginia. Youngkin has used the trend as the basis of his proposed state budgets, as well as his successful campaign for governor in 2021, to show that Virginia is not competitive with those states for jobs and economic development, primarily because they have lower income tax rates or none. In a 2022 speech at Christopher Newport University, Youngkin cited the out-migration, saying: Virginians have been voting with their feet. He said this was especially true for young adults and, while one reason was a perceived lack of job opportunities, one of the most challenging issues for Virginians is the cost of living, he said. Lombards presentation on Tuesday did not mention income taxes, noted House Finance Chair Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, who participated in the webinar. Not a word. Instead, she said, You heard an awful lot about local real estate taxes. Watts contends that reductions in state taxes hurt local governments in Northern Virginia that have to raise their real estate taxes to pay for K-12 schools because the state pays less of the cost of public education, especially in wealthy localities that are able to pay more. The cost of living is very much driven by the cost of housing, she said. Lack of housing A big housing problem is the lack of it. Youngkin has blamed this, in part, on local governments that have made it harder and more expensive to build new housing, especially compared with metropolitan areas in North Carolina. When the cost of housing rises faster than income, you see a lot of people doing the math and making the move, Lombard said. The result is a hollowing out of the middle class in Northern Virginia, he said. The lack of affordable housing has likely caused more middle-class Northern Virginians to leave and fewer to move in. The rise of remote work, a necessity during the pandemic and now a major incentive for employers to hire and keep talent, has fueled migration within Virginia to rural areas, especially those with attractive recreational and natural amenities. An increasingly mobile work force may create what Lombard called Zoom towns and Zoom cities where people migrate because theyre not tied to an office. They dont have to be there, he said. They want to be there. Authorities conduct a large multiagency law enforcement operation Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at NRG Arena. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A person is detained by law enforcement officials during a large multiagency operation Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at NRG Arena. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A multiagency law enforcement operation with members of the Texas Anti-Gang Task Force takes place at Aable Bail Bonds at Austin Street, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff photographer Harris County Bail Bond Board Member Mario Garza, right, answers a question during a news conference about an alleged fraudulent bail bond scheme by Aable Bonds Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Crime Stoppers Houston in Houston. Crime Stoppers Houston and crime victim advocates have been speaking against the renewal of bail bond companies related to Aable Bonds inquiring for a new license. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer A multiagency law enforcement operation with members of the Texas Anti-Gang Task Force takes place at Aable Bail Bonds at Austin Street, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer A multi-agency law enforcement operation with members of the Texas Anti-Gang Task Force takes place at Aable Bail Bonds at Austin Street, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff photographer A person is detained by law enforcement officials during a large operation Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at NRG Arena. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Multi-agency law enforcement operation with fellow members of the Texas Anti-Gang Task Force takes place at Aable Bail Bonds at Austin Street, Wednesday, June 1, 2022, in Houston. Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer The defunct Houston bail bond company at the center of the arrest of more than 50 people in the Houston area last week is accused of using forged paperwork, unwitting cosigners and other tactics to fraudulently secure money to get prisoners out of the Harris County Jail, officials testified in a federal court Tuesday. A Houston Police Department sergeant and FBI special agent who led the investigation into Aable Bail Bonds testified in front of a federal magistrate judge Tuesday, as part of an effort by prosecutors to keep four of the 53 people indicted in the alleged conspiracy held in federal custody. The testimony by Police Sgt. Anthony Turner and Special Agent Adam Hassan painted the clearest picture yet of how the alleged bond scheme worked. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE ON THIS CASE: Many arrested in major FBI bust over alleged bail fraud scheme released on cash-free bail The investigation into Aable started in 2021 when police were attempting to tamp down crime in southeast Houston, said Turner, who is part of the departments joint violent crime task force with the FBI and one of the lead investigators on the case. The crackdown led police to investigate how some people connected to crimes in that part of the city were able to obtain and afford bond to get out of the Harris County Jail. Police monitored phone calls of prisoners at the jail, which helped lead them to Aable Bail Bonds, which advertised with the motto Were able when no one else can! Police raided the company and seized more than 200 boxes of evidence in 2022. Its owner, bondsman Sheba Muharib, lost her ability to write bonds later that year. Muharib is among those indicted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Turner testified that one man who worked for the company, Oscar Wattell, acted as a manager and recruiter of cosigners, calling upon contacts in southwest Houston and through social media to provide financial backing for people seeking to be released from jail. The recruitment of cosigners wasnt necessarily illegal, Turner said. But some of the tactics used to prove the cosigners could afford to pay up on the bond were, he said. Among the arrestees are people accused of submitting falsified paperwork, including fake pay stubs from companies they werent employed by, which the bond company would then allegedly pass on to a larger underwriting company providing financial security to the bond agents. The indictment focuses on 11 men who were released from the jail through the alleged scheme. All 11 were indicted as coconspirators. A person is detained by FBI agents during a large multiagency operation Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at NRG Arena. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Its unclear what common thread, if any, the straw cosigners have with each other. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Turner said they came from a variety of sources. Police allege Wattell assisted people in getting false documentation, Turner said. MORE ON THE BUST: 50 arrested in massive FBI bust in Houston as part of alleged bail bond scheme In one case, Wattell and his cousin, Tierra Celestine, are accused of putting the names of people who didnt consent to be cosigners onto documents and submitting them to the underwriting company. In another case, Wattell also allegedly recruited an old high school friend into the alleged scheme by reaching out through social media. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One of the indicted straw cosigners, Calvin Skrivanek, on Tuesday was described as a unhoused person who had been arrested at an encampment underneath a highway overpass. Skrivanek falsified a pay stub that was transmitted to a company in Georgia, Turner said. Crimes involving interstate communication are under the jurisdiction of the federal government. When investigators looked into the stub, it was determined that the company he said he worked for didnt exist, Turner said. It was unclear how he was recruited into the operation. Also unclear was how arrested people and their families were directed to Aable Bond Company. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hassan, the FBI agent, testified that one of the straw cosigners, Dralanjala Johnson, turned to Aable Bail Bonds to bail out her boyfriend, Derrick Washington, because she knew she didnt have check stubs, to prove her financial stability. The mother of one of the bailed-out men told investigators she believed she was paying Wattell to push the bond through and bypass the insurance process. While the basis of the investigation was addressing a revolving door at the jail, none of the men whose bails were highlighted by the indictment are accused of violating the conditions of their release from jail. The indictments do not include claims that Bond-Pro lost money because of the alleged scheme. Defense attorneys representing Wattell and Washington argued Tuesday that their clients should be released on bond because of the potential time it would take for the case to reach trial and because the alleged crimes happened three years ago. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan ordered both men held in custody, citing their criminal histories as among the reason they shouldnt be released. ROCK RAPIDS, Iowa -- A Rock Rapids man has been charged with attempting to defraud an insurance company of more than $47,000. Justin Fastert, 41, was arrested Monday on charges of first-degree fraudulent practice and insurance fraud. He was released from custody after posting $15,000 bond. According to a complaint filed in Lyon County District Court, Fastert submitted fictitious invoices from multiple companies in June 2023 in support of an insurance claim that was an attempt to collect money he was not entitled to. The invoices totaled $47,856. The insurance company denied the claim, and Fastert later admitted creating the documents, according to the complaint. On the occasion of the release of the horror film Chain Letter, in which a maniac murders teens when they refuse to forward chain mail, Slate asked Paul Collins to plot out the real history of the form. This prayer has been sent to you for good luck. The original copy came from the Netherlands. It has been around the world nine times. The luck has been sent to you. You are to receive good luck within nine days of receiving this letter. It is no joke. You will receive it in the mail. Send 20 copies of this letter to people you think need good luck. Zorin Barrachilli received the chain. Not believing it, he threw it away. Nine days later he died. For no reason whatsoever should this chain be broken. Advertisement Unlike the unfortunate Zorin Barrachilli, the chain letter lives on. If that 1974 sample from an online archive of chain letters sounds familiar, its probably thanks to generations of e-mail and photocopying. But the real origin of the letter wasnt the Netherlands: Like any truly great crooked scheme, it began in Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was there in 1888 that one of the earliest known chain letters came from a Methodist academy for women missionaries. Up to its eyes in debt, that summer the Chicago Training School hit upon the notion of the peripatetic contribution boxa missive which, in one founders words, suggested that each one receiving the letter would send us a dime and make three copies of the letter asking three friends to do the same thing. The chain letter had been born. Advertisement The peripatetic contribution box was seized upon in Britain as a weapon against, of all people, Jack the Ripper. That November, the Bishop of Bedford oversaw a snowball collection to fund the Home for Destitute Women in Whitechapel, where crimes against prostitutes were raising an outcry for charitable relief. The Bishops snowball worked: Indeed, it worked diabolically well. It snowballed, so that along with 16,000 correctly addressed letters a week burying the hapless originator, garbled variants of the return address also piled upon the Bishop of Bangoras well as Bradford and Brighton. During the 1890s, chain-letter fundraising proliferated for everything from a bike path in Michigan to a consumptive railroad telegrapher; by July 1898, the New York World was preprinting chain letter forms to fundraise for a memorial for Spanish-American War soldiers. (Do not break the chain which will result in honoring the memory of the men who sacrificed their lives, it chided.) Upon seeing what the Worlds proprietor had wrought, his rivals at the New York Sun were blunt in their assessment: Pulitzer is insane. Advertisement Advertisement They had good reason to scoff. Earlier that year, a 17-year-old Red Cross volunteer in Long Island, Natalie Schenck, had contrived a chain to provide ice for troops in Cuba, causing 3,500 letters at a time to pour into the tiny post office of Babylon, N.Y. We did not consider what patriotic Americans are capable of, the girls mother fretted to the press. Advertisement Chains had taken on a life of their own: Along with loopy bad luck and good luck imprecations to recipients, conmen used them to raise money for, among other things, a fictitious charity case in Las Vegas. But the best cons, as always, played on greed: Schemes like the Self Help Mutual Advance Society of London combined the exponential growth of chain letters with a pyramid-scheme payment structure. Recipients were now told to mail dimes to previous senders while adding their name to a list that, enough links later, would bring the coins of subsequent generations showering down on them. One American chain-grifter was promptly immortalized in 1896 with the Chicago Tribunes sardonic headline: PLANS TO BECOME A TRILLIONAIRE. Advertisement This, of course, was the schemes appeal: The exponential structure of a four-copy chain (four letters, then 16, then 64) meant that 20 rounds would generate 1,099,511,627,776 recipients. Or it would, at least, were it not for the inconvenient limitation of the earths population. Even a perfectly executed chain inevitably left its final round out of a great deal of money, and only the first few generations of participants were greatly enriched. By 1899, the U.S. Postal Service had seen enough: It declared dime letter chains a violation of lottery laws and cracked down. Advertisement Advertisement Chain letters have never gone away, of course: They made a comeback in World War I, when they were used by pro-German Americans during the neutral era to send a substantial sum to Field Marshal Hindenburg; by 1917, they were fingered by the New York Times as a German plot to clog the United States mails. A Jewish anti-Nazi chain letter circulated in 1933; and the invention of photocopiers and then e-mail have ensured a reliable afterlife for endlessly copied chains that threaten woe upon all who chuck them in the trash. The most cunning variant was the Circle of Gold scheme, which first propagated through parties in Marin County, Calif., in 1978; it skirted Postal Service enforcement by insisting that participants hand-deliver their letters. Advertisement Advertisement But no chain-letter craze has ever quite topped the spring madness of 1935. Gutted by the Great Depression, Americans turned back to the allure of the dime letter. After letters for a Prosperity Club came blossoming out of Denver, the city of Springfield, Mo., was seized with a mania for the idea: Chain letter stores sprung up in vacant storefronts selling official-looking certificate shares in high-ranked names on chain letters. Beauty shops, reported the AP, sold the letters to their customers while administering facials and permanents. Emboldened by hazy laws governing their business, chain-letter brokerages appeared in a matter of days from Portland, Ore., to Buffalo, N.Y.; at its mad height, one chain-letter shop in Toledo, Ohio, boasted 125 employees. Advertisement Advertisement The chains became such a cultural phenomenon that Paramount announced plans for Chain Letter, a movie to star Fred MacMurray. Spoofs appeared in the mail, like the Send-a-Packard letter (Think how nice it would be, it rhapsodized, to have 15,625 automobiles). Other letters promised fantastic exponential results in procuring dames, whiskey, and elephants. A few residents of Springfield even attempted a drunk chaindoubling their crowd in size with each round of highballs at a new tavern, while the originators were hazily trying to figure out how long it would take to get the whole city drunk. Alas, they passed out before completing their calculations. Soon the entire country had a hangover: The chain-letter market crashed after a few weeks, chain-letter brokers fled town with tens of thousands of dollars, and a $26.9 million suit was filed against Western Union for allowing the first electronic chains via telegraph. As dazed customers woke up to discover their investments were worthless, the U.S. Postal Service was left in July 1935 with between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000 letters in the dead letter offices. It all has a curious ring of familiarity, which makes the earliest chain-letter fiascos all the more instructive. After all, what happened to Natalie Schenck, the teenager who nearly capsized her Long Island town with chain-letters for the Spanish-American War troops? The one who shook down a cascade of money, embarrassed a respected institution, and left government agencies tied up in knots? Reader, need you even ask? She became a Wall Street banker. Like Slate on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. This is part of Slates 2024 Olympics coverage. Read more here. If youre enjoying our coverage from Paris, join Slate Plus to support our work. They swam in the damn Seine. At 8 a.m. Wednesday, 55 women dove in under a heavy gray sky. The city was quiet except for the buzzing of the helicopters overhead, and spectators with binoculars roamed the bridges and the quais alongside curious commuters. As the swimmers came downstream, they moved in a tight splashing pack like fish jumping or rapids for the race helpers in their kayaks. But as they turned to cross the river, then upstream, the separation began: Now they were swimming against a powerful current running at just under a meter a second. It felt like a treadmill. The water tests came in at 3:20 a.m. Wednesday. World Triathlon, the city and regional government, and the French weather service convened, for the fourth day in a row, at 3:30 a.m. And the flagship promise of the 2024 Paris Gamesswimming competitions in a restored Seine, in the shadow of the Eiffel Towercame true at the unholy hour of 4:14 a.m., less than four hours before the womens triathlon race began. Advertisement Its an hour not known for sound decisionmaking, and critics have alleged a sudden lack of transparency from officials about water quality. After two months of weekly reports from the city of Paris, the Paris 2024 Olympics organizers have stopped publishing data. But right at 8 a.m., as the women took their places on the platform beneath the gilded statues of the Pont Alexandre III, the debate stopped and the sport began. Maybe, between the river that was too dirty to practice in, the slippery cobblestones of the Champs-Elysees under their wheels, and crowds cheering the run through Paris, there was a kind of home-field advantage: Just under two hours later, the French triathlete Cassandre Beaugrand brought home the gold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite a $1.6 billion decadelong campaign to make the Seine safe for swimming, bad weather nearly scuttled the whole thing. Half a months worth of rain fell Friday and Saturday, forcing officials to cancel race practices and postpone the mens race by a day. All this after officials, most prominently Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, had bet their reputations on a clean river (to the extent that a Hidalgo stand-in in the French Netflix smash Under Paris insists on holding a triathlon in the river despite the presence of a mammoth shark). Advertisement Advertisement To understand how the citys most high-profile Olympian pledge nearly turned into a big embarrassment, you have to go right to the smelly source of the problem: the sewers. Cleaning up the Seine is a bit of a misnomer. Its not an issue of industrial pollution, and its not about trash, Pauline Lavaud, an adviser to the mayor, said on Sunday. This question of Are we really going to be able to swim in the Seine? is tied to the idea that theres everything and anything down there and we have to clean it out. But even if there are a few Velib down there, thats not the issue. The issue is the bacteria. Advertisement Advertisement And the bacteria come from toilets, which join showers, sinks, and rainfall in the sewers. The toilets are reliable; the rainfall, increasingly, is not, and causes overflow into the river. The sewer engineers riddle: What do you get when you mix a gallon of sewage with a gallon of rainfall? Two gallons of sewage. Most of the Parisian sewer system dates from the middle of the 19th century, when Napoleon III embarked on his urban renewal campaign. The most famous of those Paris projects were Haussmanns boulevards, but they came with an underground parallel: a system of sewers with blue-white-and-green signs to match the ones above, all tall enough for a man to stand in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, most menit was a bit tight for Paris Deputy Mayor Antoine Guillou, the towering 35-year-old in charge of the citys sanitation system. On Monday morning, he joined a group of reporters in the citys sewer museum with a difficult assignment: explaining how Paris had made the Seine clean enough to swim in. Even though, at that moment, it was not yet clean enough to swim in. Lets digress briefly on the existence of a sewer museum, legacy of a rich Paris tradition of sewer tourism. Eugene Belgrand, the father of the system and author of a five-volume sewer text sprinkled with Latin quotations, boasted, No foreign sovereign, no important personage, left Paris without having visited the collectors. Czar Alexander II and King Wilhelm I were among the visitors; there were sewer trains for visitors and boats with cushioned seats. Perhaps the musty barnyard smell of the brown riversrivulets, creeks, the roaring flow of the main Left Bank channelseemed less unusual in that stinking 19th-century world. Advertisement But Paris was also proud of its sewers, which had drained the muddy, fetid mess of the Second Empires streets. The first sewers were built just for rainwater. Later, after much debate, it was decided that they should also be connected to household waste. Haussmann didnt want disgusting fecal matter in the underground galleries; the night-soil industry wanted its fertilizer profits. Landlords didnt want to pay for the connections to replace their cesspools, stinking pits that in addition to their evident health risks led most building owners to discourage fresh-water use inside buildings, lest the cesspool fill too quickly. Advertisement Public health prevailed, but with a major consequence: Like most older cities, Paris wound up with a combined sewer system of rainwater and sewage. When there is too much rainwater for the system, the emergency valves tip it all into the Seine, a safety net for the city. (Also, the sewer museum closes for high water about four days a year.) Advertisement The billion-dollar cleanup, Guillou said, has come in three parts. Advertisement First, the city made sure that all the regions informal housingand especially the Bateaux Mouches and other riverboatswas connected to the sewer system. Advertisement Advertisement Second, water treatment plants were improved to filter and clean wastewater before feeding it back into the river. Third, the city built what Guillou calls the underground cathedral of Paris, a storage tank at Austerlitz, on the citys east side, capable of holding 55,000 cubic meters of wastewater during storms like the one on Friday. Its a Parisian version of a deep tunnel, the kind of massive underground wastewater storage containers that have been constructed in Chicago, Washington, and other U.S. cities to comply with the Clean Water Act. Since the basin came online in May, Paris has not dumped any wastewater into the Seine. Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately for the triathletes, the Seine does not begin in Paris. The current water-quality problems are the fault of communities upstream, officials say, exacerbated by the fact the river is currently flowing at four times its normal summer speed after a record-breaking rainy spring. The watershed that contributes to Parisian water quality has effectively grown. For Olympics organizers, athletes, international media, and the city of Paris, the occurrence of Wednesdays triathlons seemed to be a judgment on the success or failure of cleaning the Seine. But that gets it backward. The Olympics may have motivated the region to get its act together, but the real achievement is restoring the rivernot for a specific day but in general. There were just three species of fish in the Seine when Mayor Jacques Chirac promised that it would one day be swimmable; now there are 36. Advertisement Next summer, three free public pools will open in the city; two dozen communities in the suburbs have asked to do the same. There will be days when you cant swim, like Monday, but during a typical dry Parisian summer, there will be many more days when you can. It is a return, of sorts, to a time when Parisians bathed in the Seine by the thousands. That has been illegal for more than 100 years. Related From Slate How the Paris Sustainability Plan Created an Olympic Class Divide Read More Of course, that will do little to assuage the irritation of competitors and spectators. With an 18-hour delay between sampling and results and lots of rain on Wednesday morning, we may never get an official water-quality reading from the morning of the race. One company that performs independent water samples suggested, Were in a complex situation, with differing indicators from different tests on Tuesday night, but concluded: Today, the Seine has a significant presence of particle-bound E.coli. At least one swimmer said it didnt taste good. Advertisement Advertisement If the priority is the health of the athletes, the Belgian Marten Van Riel wrote on Instagram, this course would have been moved to another place a long time ago. We are just puppets. Advertisement Advertisement On the eve of the race, I met Eloi Adjavon, a triathlete from Togo who was having lunch with friends and family at a pizza place near the Olympic Village. Because of the postponement, his friends had to leave town before he competed. Not easy to rearrange flights and hotels at a moments notice. But his partner, Clemence Depoortere, offered another perspective. The pair met in film school in Brussels eight years ago, before Adjavon decided to devote himself to triathlons. She is making a movie about his journey to the Olympics, where he carried the flag for Togo down the rainy Seine. For the film, its good, she observed. The Seine or not the Seine? It creates a little tension. On Monday, President Joe Biden officially endorsed two proposals to reform the Supreme Court: binding ethics rules and term limits. Both would promote judicial independence from money and politics. Both would update the U.S. judicial system to mirror those of other constitutional democracies (we are the only major one with life tenure for judges). Both are no-brainers that Kamala Harris should also adopt as part of her presidential campaign. But ethics reform and term limits are not enough. Even if our nine justices were politically balanced and ethically compliant, they would still be human. And handing five or six humans unbounded power to decide the fates of over 330 million people is, and has always been, absurd. The problem? The Supreme Court has the last word on what the Constitution means. This means Congress is powerless to ensure everyone can vote, to regulate big spending in elections, oras of this termto pass criminal laws that can be used to prosecute a president for assassinating a political opponent or organizing a military coup. It also means the Supreme Court gets to veto any legislative attempts to reform the judiciary. We often take the courts power for granted. But as Canadians like me love saying to our southern neighbors, It doesnt have to be this way. The Supreme Courts power to strike down legislation is not in the Constitution. Nor is there anything in this countrys founding document suggesting that Congress cant assert its own interpretation of the Constitution. As early as 1803, the court claimed its infinite power to say what the law is by allegingwithout any proofthat judicial supremacy was a necessary feature of having a Constitution. Advertisement That assumption turned out to be wrong. For decades, the Canadian notwithstanding clause has empowered Canadian legislatures to override judges interpretations of our constitution for five years at a time, and our country has been doing fine. Vice President Harris should build on Bidens Supreme Court reform package by asking the United States Congress to adopt a similar constitutional override power that is modeled on Canadas, but also learns from its mistakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This would accomplish two things. First, in much the same way that judges protect us from tyrannical politicians, an override power would guard against judicial tyranny. It would help us address situations like the one we are in now, where the Supreme Court issues decision after decision expanding its own power and threatening our constitutional democracy. It would give Congress the chance to say: Actually, no, our president is not a king above the law. Advertisement Second, when only courts have a say in what the Constitution means, legislators and the people who elect them have little incentive to take part in constitutional interpretation and evolution. Our elected representatives enact what they want and leave it to the courts to tell them if they are violating someones rights. If courts were perfect, that might have worked out fine. But courts mess up. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld legislation suppressing political opposition, banning Chinese immigrants, unilaterally modifying treaties to uproot Native lands, and authorizing indefinite military detention of U.S. citizens because of their Japanese ancestry. To be sure, just as courts can make bad constitutional decisions, legislatures can too. In Canada, provinces have used the notwithstanding clause to discriminate against same-sex couples and prevent Muslim public servants from wearing religious attire. I think Paul Weiler, the late Canadian professor of labor law at Harvard Law School, was right when he suggested that almost all American scholars would have great qualms about giving an override power to state legislatures. If we have an override, it has to be limited to a congressional override of the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement But even Congress, like any one institution, shouldnt have unconstrained power over this countrys most important document. So the clause should come with some limits. For example, in Canada, the notwithstanding clause can only be used for five years at a time. After that, it has to be renewed. This gives the public more opportunities to respondeach time the legislature wants to renew its usemaking it less likely that legislatures will get away with abusing the override over time. Advertisement Other constraints could improve on the Canadian notwithstanding clauses shortcomings. For example, unlike in Canada, Congress should be able to invoke the clause only in legislation that has already been declared unconstitutional by a courtnot to preemptively shield legislation from a future ruling. This way, the override would promote dialogue between courts and legislatures about constitutional rights, rather than prevent such dialogue altogether. Advertisement Congress should also have to give reasons for using the override power: explaining why they think, contrary to the court, that their legislation is constitutional. And courts should be able to issue opinions disagreeing with those reasons, even if to no legal effect. Finally, as the ultimate backstop against clear legislative abuse of the override power, if eight justices of the court agree that a statute is unconstitutional, they should have the final word. Advertisement Advertisement Congress can enact the constrained override through ordinary legislation under its constitutional power to regulate the Supreme Court. Its possible the Supreme Court might rule otherwise. But deference to the Supreme Courts constitutional view on who gets the final say on the Constitution begs the very question at issue andto quote Yale Law professor Samuel Moyn makes the Supreme Court judge in its own cause. By adopting the constrained override, Congress can safeguard our democracy from erosion by either branch of government. And it can reaffirm that the Constitution belongs not to any single institution of government, but to the people themselves. In the past two years, Vice President Kamala Harris has made so many visits to Georgia that Atlantans frustratedly joke that perhaps she doesnt know that there are 49 other states or that maybe shes looking for real estate in the Southern city. But when Harris came to Atlanta on Tuesday night, the tenor of things was noticeably different. This time, she was visiting not as a Biden surrogate, but as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. For the first time in a long time, the commentary around her tripher 15th since becoming VPwas less about the traffic her motorcade would cause (which it did!) or skepticism about the Biden administrations need to pander to Black Georgians. This time, her agenda was clear: Harris was in town to rally Democrats to vote for her for president in November. She was making the case for herself. I am very clear the path to the White House runs right through this state, Harris said to an explosive crowd Tuesday night. The audience of 10,000 peoplewhich her campaign told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the largest shes drawn in the week since kicking off her campaignwas ecstatic. There was chanting, cheering, singing, and dancing for hours in the lead-up to and throughout the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lining the seats and gathered on the floor of the Georgia State Convocation Center were residents from surrounding neighborhoods and further out suburbs and counties. They spanned generations and races; many wore Harris for President tees and buttons, and held signs that said phrases like Herstory in the Making. Numerous attendees described the rally as fun and invigoratingwords that havent been associated with the Democratic Party much lately. Although Harris didnt take the stage until just after 7 p.m., supporters began gathering outside the arena at 1 p.m. When it started to rain, they stayed, tucking themselves under corners of the building, jackets, and umbrellas. By 4:30 p.m. the line to get inside was so long it extended along a bridge over the interstate. Ashley Matta, who wouldnt reveal her age except to say shes in her late 30s and who lives in Atlanta, said shes never been to a political rally before, but wanted to come to Tuesdays because shes excited about the election. I had to come out to support the first female president, she said. Advertisement The rally itself was a uniquely Atlanta event with the citys love for hip-hop and passion for activism on display. Before singing her hit Body, rapper Megan Thee Stallion said, I know my ladies in the crowd love their body. And if you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for. Behind her, a banner declared that Hotties for Harris was present. Meanwhile, the rapper Quavoa native Atlantangave a speech about admiring Harris promise to fight gun violence, saying, You cant understand the struggle of gun violence if youre not in the field or the heart of it, so one thing I learned about working with Vice President Harris is that she always stand on business. (Quavos nephew and fellow Migos rapper Takeoff was fatally shot in 2022.) Advertisement Advertisement The line for the Kamala Harris rally here in Atlanta is all the way over I-75. Its not hyperbole, folks. #gapol #WereNotGoingBack pic.twitter.com/XFvYXSfZZ2 Seth Taylor (@SethTaylor1991) July 30, 2024 It wasnt just celebrities who came out to support Harris. It felt like the whole Georgia Democratic machine was present. Former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, state Democratic Party chair Rep. Nikema Williams, and Mayor Andre Dickens all spoke ahead of Harris, reiterating her qualifications and praising her record in the Senate and, especially, her work as a prosecutor. They hammered the message that Harris is a prosecutor who believes in the rule of law while Donald Trump is a convicted criminalcontrasts Harris also emphasized in her own speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crew of politicians, especially Abrams, highlighted Harris role in the Biden administration during the COVID recovery, in forgiving student loan debt, and in investing in historically Black colleges and universities, and reiterated that even though she entered the 2024 race late, she has been planting the seeds for success for years. After all, remember all those trips to Atlanta? The crowd danced the Electric Slide and the Cupid Shuffle, and Swag Surfed as the DJ, Tammi Norman, rotated through a playlist of hip-hop, R&B, pop, and Afrobeats. She also led chants and changed lyrics to songs to include Harris name. It certainly felt like some songs were chosen to motivate voters, and others, like, say, Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar, were chosen to call out Donald Trump and J.D. Vance for being weirdanother message Harris hit on in her own speech when she asked the crowd, By the way, dont you find some of their [Trump and Vance] stuff just to be plain weird? (This mirrors a recent Democratic strategy, somewhat pioneered by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, to just call the Republicans weird for their political positions, especially on reproductive rights and personal freedoms.) Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of voters are currently swag surfing at the Harris campaign rally. pic.twitter.com/ilxjpLxtBc Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) July 30, 2024 At another point, the DJ declared, I know someone whos not scared to debate before playing Bone Crusher, Killer Mike, and T.I.s Never Scared. The matter of Trumps unwillingness to debate Harris came up several times, with Ossoff saying, Apparently Donald Trump is too scared to debate Vice President Harris. The candidate dodging debates is the candidate losing. Harris had the final word on the topic when she slowly and deliberately said, Well, Donald, I do hope youll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage because, as the saying goes, If you got something to say, say it to my face, to roaring cheers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the rally, Trumps name elicited loud boos and chants to lock him up. Bridget Jones, 48, who attended the rally with her partner, Brian Shepherd, 53, said her whole family is invested in seeing Harris win. Weve heard Donald Trump saying some concerning things and dont want four more years of that, she said. Shepherd said the palpable excitement in the arena was undeniable, and he had a few theories as to why Democrats are fired up and having fun again. For one thing, he said, its nice to witness history, but getting to be a part of it from the ground up is a whole other level. Boone Manor, seen here July 31, 2024, has been subject to a wave of complaints from residents concerned with the upscale apartment's security. John Lomax/Staff writer A Museum District apartment complex is facing criticism after residents took to social media to report a string of break ins and burglaries that they say management has refused to address. Boone Manor, located near the Houston Zoo at 5350 Crawford St., claims to offer the perfect place to come home to. But thats not how resident Caroline Buchalter felt last Thursday when she received a notification on her phone that two hooded men had broken into her apartment. "My heart just sank. You get that sick feeling all throughout your body like 'oh my god what is going on,'" Buchalter said. "I started freaking out thinking about my cat, so I just rushed home as quick as I could." Advertisement Article continues below this ad She was one of the lucky few to come away from the break-in relatively unscathed, as the would-be burglars left after they saw the cameras positioned around Buchalter's apartment. She said the break in has left her emotionally frazzled and that she's been forced to take extra steps, like buying a camera for her front door, to ensure her own security. HOUSTON HOUSING: Track how Houston rent prices compare to other cities At least three other people living at Boone Manor reported burglaries between 1 a.m. and 12 p.m. on the same day, according to Houstons community crime map. Buchalter said she feels the break-in represents a bigger problem with the property's management. "Management has not been cooperative in providing security footage to the police," Buchalter said. "They're not taking any responsibility for anything. Granted, in our lease it does say they're not necessarily responsible for certain security measures, but when you live in a building that charges up to $4,000 a month, there's certain things that you expect and that were promised to us when we moved in." Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the days since Buchalters home was broken into, the complexs google review page has been flooded with a string of one-star ratings, many of which accused management of failing to communicate the growing safety concern. In response, the propertys management team said they are taking immediate steps to address the issue. "We ask for your understanding and patience as we continue these efforts. Some improvements will take time, but please be assured that they are being addressed with urgency," Boone Manor said in an email to residents. "In the meantime, you may notice immediate changes in security measures around the property. These enhancements are part of our commitment to maintaining a supportive community for everyone and to demonstrate that we take these incidents seriously." The management company has not responded to a request for comment. Residents said they are not convinced that things will change soon. They have taken the situation into their own hands and are collecting testimony, which they shared with the Chronicle, from others who are also frustrated with Boone Manor's management. The group intends to send their grievances in a letter to the property's owners once they've collected enough accounts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad So far, they have gathered input from nine residents, the vast majority of whom complained about the complex's security. One resident claimed management hastily repaired their door after a break in but failed to notify them that any crime had occurred. "I later discovered that Boone Manor maintenance had entered my unit (despite the fact that I had not been called to consent to this nor made aware) and attempted to fix the crowbar-broken door frame on the inside of my apartment. All before I ever received knowledge of the break in even occurring," the resident said in the letter. "Management then stated that I could install an additional latch to the door on my own internally, but that I would be charged a small fee for damages to the wood upon move out." Buchalter and others are demanding immediate, concrete action. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Two toll houses were built at the same time as the Old Bridge around 1891. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share The toll house on the Old Bridge on the Danube bank of the Bratislavas Old Town will start serving people in a short period of time. Its restoration could be completed by the end of July, Bratislavas spokesman Peter Bubla told the TASR newswire. The toll house, one of two located at each end of the Old Bridge, has been unused for a long time. The completion of the construction work was originally planned for the end of April, but the deadline was extended by unforeseen alternative solutions in the building and consultations with conservationists. Toll houses Built at the same time as the Old Bridge around 1891. They housed the bridge guards who collected the toll. During the Second World War, when Bratislava was divided, they served as customs houses. After the completion of the construction work, the city council should hand over the premises to their new tenant selected in a tender: Voxar. The company will operate a cafe with a seasonal offer of ice cream, coffee, cakes, wine, soft drinks and other locally produced delicacies. It signed the lease with the capital city in February. In the case of the toll house on the Petrzalka side of the bridge, the city withdrew from the 2011 lease contract with the current tenant operating the Mytny Domcek restaurant in an annex under the toll house. The reason was the tenants breach of its obligations to pay the rent. The withdrawal from the contract was approved by the city council at the end of June. The toll house on the Petrzalka Danube bank. (Source: TASR) The operator of Mytny Domcek claims that the toll house is too small for a restaurant. It claims that nothing will change in the functioning of the business in the annex by ending the lease of the toll house, the Sme daily wrote. After the tenant returns the premises to the city, it will assess their technical condition and subsequently announce a public tender. The purpose of the lease has not yet been specified. As far as the purpose of use of this non-residential space is concerned, the capital city is still considering with what purpose the tender will be announced, said Bubla. Farmers faced insurmountable challenges in rescuing the animal. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share An unusual sight greeted visitors to Slovak Paradise, a national park renowned for its breathtaking gorges, caves, and waterfalls, last weekend: a cow stranded beneath the Barikadovy vodopad waterfall. The unexpected visitor was discovered in the challenging Velky Kysel gorge, a 1.4-kilometre-long route filled with ladders and waterfalls that typically requires a ferrata set for hikers to navigate. How the cow reached this remote and rugged spot remains a mystery. Her herd was grazing in fields near the eastern Slovak village of Smizany, some seven kilometres away. https://sk.frame.mapy.cz/s/fegufusuru The Slovak Paradise National Park Administration suggested that the cows presence in such an inaccessible area is highly unusual. We believe that the cow could not have made it there on her own. Its possible that irresponsible tourists lured her away from the herd and inadvertently led her to the gorge, the administration speculated. Despite efforts by conservationists and local farmers, they were unable to rescue the cow. We couldnt safely extricate her; the terrain was too perilous for her to make the journey back without serious injury. Unfortunately, we had to put her down on the spot, explained Rudolf Uhliar, director of the Smizany farm. A stranded cow in Slovak Paradise. (Source: Slovak Paradise National Park Administration) Authorities urge visitors to refrain from feeding livestock or interfering with animals in the parks meadows, to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future. Nuclear physicist who went to Chernobyl and Fukushima and major atomic bomb testing sites has set up a world class lab in Bratislava. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Pavel Povinec says that his entire life is tied to radioactivity. A professor of nuclear physics at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics at Comenius University in Bratislava, his research on radioactivity has taken him across the world, including nuclear disaster sites and where atomic bomb tests were carried out in the Arctic and Pacific oceans, and won him a team Nobel Prize for Peace. This article is supported by the ESET Foundation, whose annual ESET Science Award recognises exceptional scientists. His ocean research, he tells The Slovak Spectator, was unusual for someone like him. "I headed marine radioactivity research in Monaco, which was quite a rarity because I come from a landlocked country," he says. Povinec was one of the first people to graduate in nuclear physics in Slovakia and has been involved in radioactivity research since the 1960s. When he started in science, things were very different, he says. Obtaining or manufacturing instruments for research today is relatively easy - if financial support is available; when he first began, he and his colleagues had to build their own scientific instruments and simultaneously develop methods for measuring radioactivity and sample preparation. He says that the experience and skills he gained in doing so are the foundation of his scientific success. Related article Related article A Slovak scientist was told to go to Budapest to save Slovak science. So he went Read more To stay up to date with what scientists in Slovakia or Slovak scientists around the world are doing, subscribe to the Slovak Science newsletter, which will be sent to readers free of charge four times a year. Remembering Chernobyl A substantial part of Povinec's work is in environmental physics. He was among the scientists who had to evaluate the radiological impact on the environment after the Chernobyl disaster on April 26, 1986. He was on his way to work when a friend called and told him that a radio station in Vienna had reported that something had exploded in the Soviet Union. By that time, the radiation from the disaster had already reached Sweden. This had been picked up during checks on workers at Swedish nuclear power plants. Radiation contamination was found on people when they turned up for work, but checks showed the nuclear reactors in the country were working fine. "When I arrived at work, I was supposed to give a lecture, but I started preparing with my students sampling equipment as I recognised that a radioactive plume from Chernobyl should reach Bratislava soon. That day we took the first samples from the air, but we didn't detect anything. It was only on the following day that we detected radioactive nuclei from Chernobyl. We were the first in Czechoslovakia and Central Europe to do so," Povinec recalls. Most of the information was obtained from analyses conducted at the Department of Nuclear Physics which he was heading. They even checked food, e.g. salad, fruits, wild mushrooms, etc. An emergency commission was formed by the government, where they shared their results and discussed necessary measures. These, however, were not released to the public immediately. "During the critical period, it did not rain in Slovakia when radioactive clouds passed over the country. Therefore, for example, contamination in Scotland was higher than in Slovakia. There were areas like Dunajska Streda and Slovenske Rudohorie where the concentration of radionuclides was elevated, but not to the extent that it would cause fatalities," he says. Povinec saw the Chernobyl power plant himself two years later when he went there to investigate the transition of radionuclides in the environment, mainly from soil to trees. The sarcophagus that had been placed around the plant left a lasting impression on him. "That was an experience of a lifetime," he says, adding, though that it was not the only sight that left him in awe - he also saw a red coniferous forest, cats as big as large dogs, and metre-high tulips. Related article Related article Material physicist: We publish things that are of interest to the world Read more A land-lubber goes to sea In 1993, Povinec became head of the laboratory for marine radioactivity research at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Monaco. He started work on January 1, 1993, on the same day Slovakia became independent. His tenure ended in 2005 when he retired from IAEA. "I was the first and last Czechoslovak citizen to get a diplomatic post at IAEA. Naturally, also the first Slovak," he jokes. During his tenure, he organised several oceanographic expeditions. He travelled to the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, the Mururoa and Bikini atolls in the Pacific Ocean, where the Soviet Union, France, and the United States, respectively, conducted atomic weapons tests. He was studying how radionuclides spread in the sea and whether they posed a threat to the environment and local people. The first expedition was to Novaya Zemlya, the main base for tests on massive nuclear weapons conducted by the Soviet Union, such as two explosions in 1961 of the Tsar Bomba, the most powerful nuclear weapon ever created. https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1XMnFG5byBUT6Cmfv_CheKvCr5p7sBO0&ehbc=2E312F&noprof=1 He also went to Mururoa island in French Polynesia in the south Pacific. Povinec said that it was very interesting because, despite being a test site, the island appeared very beautiful (Mururoa in the Polynesian language has a mythological meaning: a mysterious island). There were even plans to open the island to tourists, but this idea was not realised, and the island remains closed today. France stopped atmospheric nuclear tests in the 1970s and shifted to underground testing when it began drilling shafts into the lagoon up to a depth of about one kilometre, where the nuclear bomb tests occurred. "It must be said that not all tests were successfully carried out and some charges did not explode, so the entire shaft was concreted to prevent environmental impact. France conducted its last nuclear test at Mururoa in 1995 as part of a series of underground tests that led to a complete cessation of nuclear testing in January 1996. At that time, Jacques Chirac was president, and the French government invited the IAEA to conduct radioecological studies on the impact of nuclear bomb testing on the marine environment; therefore, we participated in several scientific expeditions," he says. "We even swam in the lagoon - the concentration of radionuclides was not very high. We were more afraid of sharks," he says. Povinec also visited the Bikini atoll, where the U.S.A. tested nuclear weapons, and investigated transport of Bikini radionuclides in the north-west Pacific Ocean. Native inhabitants were relocated at the time, although some have already returned under certain restrictions. However, the soil is still contaminated with caesium-137, which means that land use for food production is limited. Pavel Povinec. (Source: ESET Science Award/ Linda Kiskova Bohusova ) Understanding marine radioactivity Povinec has also worked on the research of seawater contamination due to dumping of radioactive wastes. Initially, there was no ban on disposing of radioactive waste into the oceans, for example, low-level radioactive waste from hospitals. Later, when a ban was put in place, the practice was supposed to stop, but the Soviet Union, especially around Vladivostok, released liquid waste into the Japan Sea. The Japanese and Korean authorities subsequently approached the IAEA to determine the impact of what the Soviets had done. "Fortunately, the amount of material that entered the environment was not significant. The Pacific Ocean and its surrounding seas have very strong currents that quickly disperse water to the open Pacific. We conducted marine radioactivity research in the Pacific for more than 20 years, and when the Fukushima disaster occurred in 2011, our previous work and radionuclide data on seawater, sediment, and biota, which have been stored in the IAEAs Marine Radioactivity Database (MARIS), allowed us to identify how the Fukushima accident changed the distribution of radionuclides in the Pacific Ocean and its surrounding seas," explains Povinec, who, together with his Japanese colleagues, published two scientific monographs, one immediately after the disaster and another 10 years later, as well as more than 30 scientific papers. His worldwide marine radioactivity studies have been covered in more than 200 scientific papers in several monographs. According to Povinec, the main problem in Fukushima was that the tsunami was 14 metres high. Water flooded the diesel generators, which stopped producing electricity, and the reactors ceased to cool. When the power plant was built, a height of seven metres was considered sufficient based on the historical experience of tsunamis. Related article Related article The fascinating world of autism, described by the scientist leading research in Slovakia Read more A disaster Because Povinec has seen the impact of radioactivity on the environment first-hand, he has serious concerns about the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. "I feel that there is a lot of risks are involved in this nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe. It's as if no one realises that the reactors are very close to each other; if an accident were to happen to one, it could affect the others. From the reports we receive, we don't know much about what's going on there," he says. He says that the best thing to do would be to place the plant under UN administration, supported by major powers, and a demilitarised zone would be set up around it. He describes the possible use of nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war as tactical posturing. "Everyone is aware that it would be a disaster. If small tactical weapons were used, the impact would not be catastrophic, but if there were large explosions, Europe would be on the brink of an apocalypse. It is impossible to predict how things would develop. History shows that military authorities often overestimate their control possibilities, and there have been cases in the past where things have gotten out of hand." Related article Related article Nuclear physicist on Ukraine plant: Fukushima more likely scenario than Chernobyl Read more Making a unique laboratory In 2005, Povinec, as a member of the IAEA team, won the Nobel Peace Prize for research on marine and ocean radioactivity. This work was the last he did for the agency, and a year later, he returned to the Comenius University, where he continues to work to this day. At the IAEA, he had been among the first to use accelerator mass spectrometry - an ultrasensitive and quick method for analysing radioactive isotopes, even those with very long half-lives spanning tens to billions of years. Using traditional techniques, it would require waiting for a long time when a sufficient amount of decay events would accumulate, not to mention the need for very large samples. There are two types of nuclei: stable, which do not change, and radioactive, which decay over time to other nuclei. Scientists like Povinec look for the products of this decay. For example, caesium-137 has a half-life of 30 years, and when it decays to another radionuclide, it emits gamma-radiation. By placing a detector such as a gamma-spectrometer in the path of this radiation, it's possible to determine the energy and number of emitted photons, and thus the activity of the source. The introduction of accelerators into spectrometry marked a significant advancement because it is not necessary to wait for accumulation of the signal from decaying radionuclides (from days to weeks), but we can analyse them as they would be stable by measuring their masses. This will increase the sensitivity by several orders of magnitude to the extent that rare radionuclides could be separated from the background and the analysis of even very small samples in a short time (tens of minutes). This means the method can be used in many areas, such as rare nuclear processes, radiopurity of materials, climate change, astrophysics, solar activity cycles, cosmic weather, meteorites, in environmental research, forensic, groundwater protection, dating in archaeology, even determining whether a painting is genuine or a forgery, and more. Povinec and his colleagues built an accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) laboratory within the Centre for Nuclear and Accelerator Technologies (CENTA) at Comenius University and have been using it in national and international projects. For example, in the framework of an international consortium several charcoal samples from the St. George Church in the village of Nitrianska Blatnica and the St. Margaret of Antioch Church in Kopcany were dated, showing that they are the oldest preserved sacral buildings in Slovakia. "We found mall pieces of charcoal and can tell when the churches were built. We found - with an 80 percent probability - that the churches in Kopcany and Nitrianska Blatnica were possibly built before the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius to Great Moravia," Povinec says. He adds that the CENTA facility can also be used for elemental analysis of samples, also called ion beam analysis (IBA). It can determine what elements are present in a meteorite, in food, tree rings, or living organs. For example, rabbits exposed to the same radiation as people receive from mobile phones were found to have an increased concentration of certain heavy elements in their brains. The CENTA facility equipped with AMS and IBA beam lines, together with the Low-background gamma-spectrometry laboratory which Povinec and his colleagues have set up, represents the state-of-the-art facility, he says. "Our laboratory is unique in the world; there are only a few where everything that we do can be done do as well. When you have such equipment, you are world-class. No one will take you into collaboration just like that, but when you are good, they want you. We are participating in several top-level collaborations searching for rare nuclear decays and dark matter (LEGEND, CRESST, SuperNEMO), and recently a French group has now approached us with a new collaboration project", he says. Chad archer Madaye scores just 1 point on shot in loss to South Korea's Kim but wins fans over South Korea's Woojin Kim, center, Wooseok Lee, and Je Deok Kim celebrate after a win during the men's team gold medal match Archery competition against France at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) PARIS (AP) Chad archer Israel Madaye nearly missed the scoring rings completely on an errant shot, but he hit a bullseye with South Korea's passionate fans. Madaye, a flag bearer for his central African nation, scored just one point of a possible 10 with one of his arrows and produced just 66 points in three sets during his debut Olympic match against South Korea's Kim Woo-jin on Tuesday. It is possible to score zero, but even scoring as little as one point is rare at this level of the sport. It came on the third of three shots in the second set. He bounced back and scored 25 points on three arrows in the third set, winning over the South Korean fans. He felt the love, posting the message, Thank you Corea with an Instagram photo of him removing his arrows. South Korea is a powerhouse in archery, having won team gold on both the men's and women's sides. Its fans love the sport and showed up to Paris in droves. So when they got a chance to support a self-taught archer who gave up a career as an electrician to chase his Olympic dreams, they flooded the comments with positive messages. Madaye player! Thank you so much for showing what Olympic spirit is, one translated message said. You did a great job more than medals, another translated message said. A better shot wouldn't have changed the result. Kim is a three-time Olympic gold medalist in the team category, a nine-time world champion and one of the favorites to win the individual title. He scored the most points in the ranking round that determines the seeding. He also holds the Olympic record for the highest score in a ranking round with 700 points in 2016. Things started fine for the 36-year-old Madaye. He lost the first set 29-26 a respectable score. But he scored just 15 points in the second set, including the one-point arrow on his final attempt. He lost the second set 29-15 and the third 30-25. Kim scored two points on each set to win the match 6-0. He scored 88 of a possible 90 points in the three sets. After defeating Madaye, Kim won his next match against Chinese Taipeis Lin Zih-Siang 6-0 to reach the quarterfinals. He scored 89 points in that match, one point short of perfection. After the match, Kim focused on his single arrow that didn't score 10 points. I was also very nervous, thats why I think that happened, he said. Im trying to do my best, but mistakes happen. Im still human. The nine just happened to me. ___ https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games https://sputnikglobe.com/20240730/kievs-involvement-with-sahel-terrorists-not-surprising---russian-foreign-ministry-1119571645.html Ukraine's Involvement With Sahel Terrorists Not Surprising - Russian Foreign Ministry Ukraine's Involvement With Sahel Terrorists Not Surprising - Russian Foreign Ministry Sputnik International While authorities in Mali and Mauritania are investigating the involvement of Ukrainian military instructors in Mali, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said it is not surprising that Kiev is involved. 2024-07-30T23:07+0000 2024-07-30T23:07+0000 2024-07-31T05:17+0000 africa maria zakharova kiev mali russia russian foreign ministry tuareg sputnik https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1b/1117572835_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_0466c3d89a8ea4bd653604fb2107684d.jpg Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the fact that Ukraine is cooperating with terrorists from the Sahel region was not surprising, and Moscow actively drew the attention of the international community to such actions of Kiev. She added that Kiev regularly shells populated areas and civilian facilities, uses its population as a "human shield," and commits sabotage and political assassinations on Russian territory.While conducting an investigation into the participation of Ukrainian instructors in the conflict in Mali on the side of the Tuareg militants, the Malian authorities discovered that the militants had been trained in Mauritania, the report said. The Malian authorities immediately contacted their colleagues in Mauritania through diplomatic channels, who denied being involved in the conflict in Mali or supporting the Tuareg rebel coalition Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), Senenews reported. The Mauritanian authorities launched their own investigation into the matter, the news outlet said. On Monday, Russia's Wagner Group private military company said that it had suffered losses after fierce clashes with Tuareg militants on July 22-27. The Malian armed forces also reported heavy losses during the clashes. Mali has been embroiled in an armed conflict between government forces, separatist militants and Islamist groups since 2012. More than a decade of violent conflict in the country has led to persistent insecurity, climatic shocks, massive displacement and a dire humanitarian situation. The UN estimates that around 8.8 million people in Mali are in need of humanitarian assistance. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240706/burkina-faso-mali-niger-sign-treaty-establishing-confederation-1119267075.html africa kiev mali russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International attack on wager in mali, terrorist attack in mali, ukraine in africa, ukraine in sahel, ukraine in mali https://sputnikglobe.com/20240730/lebanons-cabinet-says-will-meet-wednesday-morning-to-discuss-israels-strike-on-beirut-1119570866.html Lebanon's Cabinet Says Will Meet Wednesday Morning to Discuss Israel's Strike on Beirut Lebanon's Cabinet Says Will Meet Wednesday Morning to Discuss Israel's Strike on Beirut Sputnik International The cabinet of ministers of Lebanon will hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the Israeli airstrike that his the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday. 2024-07-30T22:32+0000 2024-07-30T22:32+0000 2024-07-30T22:32+0000 world middle east benjamin netanyahu newsfeed israel beirut lebanon israel defense forces (idf) hezbollah https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/1e/1119570702_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_e1a82ca584d1c757da3b478a95e9ff3d.jpg Earlier on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces announced that it carried out a strike in the southern suburb of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, targeting a "commander responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and the killing of numerous additional Israeli civilians." The office said in a separate post that Mikati condemned the Israeli airstrike on the Haret Hreik municipality in the Dahieh suburbs south of Beirut and called on the international community to exert pressure on Israel. The caretaker prime minister added that Lebanon reserves the right to take all measures to deter Israeli aggression. He added that he convened the meeting of the Lebanese cabinet to discuss the issue. Meanwhile, Lebanese Caretaker Minister for Displaced Persons Issam Charafeddine told Sputnik that by shelling Beirut, Israel was attempting to shift the responsibility for further escalation in the region and its consequences on to the Hezbollah movement. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said earlier in the day that it had struck Beirut, targeting a "commander responsible for the killing of Israeli civilians." Last Saturday, the IDF said that 12 people had been killed in a rocket strike on the Golan Heights, which it blamed on Hezbollah. The Lebanese movement denied the claim. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not leave the attack on the Golan Heights unanswered and Hezbollah would pay a price "it has never paid before." The situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border worsened after the start of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. The Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters exchange fire almost daily in areas along the border. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240730/attempt-to-kill-hezbollah-commander-shukr-failed---source-in-movement-1119569065.html israel beirut lebanon 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 israel strikes beirut, israel lebanon war, majdal shams response, golan heights response https://sputnikglobe.com/20240730/ten-percent-of-us-teenage-girls-attempted-suicide-in-single-year---senator-markey-1119571165.html Ten Percent of US Teenage Girls Attempted Suicide in Single Year - Senator Markey Ten Percent of US Teenage Girls Attempted Suicide in Single Year - Senator Markey Sputnik International Ten percent of teenage girls in the United States attempted suicide two years ago, according to the CDC. Social media is to blame, says the US Surgeon General. 2024-07-30T22:46+0000 2024-07-30T22:46+0000 2024-07-30T22:46+0000 americas ed markey chuck schumer us capitol hill artificial intelligence social media depression https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107818/41/1078184144_0:100:1920:1180_1920x0_80_0_0_f0bf7be931741ee2e7a7add29af01edd.jpg "According to the CDC, two years ago one in three teenage girls contemplated suicide {and] one in ten teenage girls attempted suicide," Markey told reporters after the Senate had passed the bipartisan legislation, which will now go to the House of Representatives. Earlier on Tuesday, the US Senate passed the Keep Our Children Safe (KOSA) bill by 91 votes to three, although its fate is still uncertain in the US House of Representatives. Powerful big tech corporations oppose the legislation because it would make them legally accountable for harmful content posted on social media. However, Markey cited authoritative studies warning that such material played a major role in the mental health crisis among teenagers in the United States. Unless urgent action was quickly taken, the vastly increased computing power coming from the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will make the crisis far worse, he said. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pledged to work to ensure that the KOSA bill and also sweeping tax credits to help the families of at least half a million poor children would be passed by Congress. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231214/gen-z-skeptical-of-us-institutions-amid-converging-economic-geopolitical-failures-1115590173.html americas capitol hill 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 suicide among teen girls, suicide rates us teens, the kids aren't alright https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/an-empty-white-house-gives-netanyahu-free-reign-1119587206.html An Empty White House Gives Netanyahu Free Reign An Empty White House Gives Netanyahu Free Reign Sputnik International Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on a warpath, and there is no leadership in Washington to hold him to account. 2024-07-31T22:15+0000 2024-07-31T22:15+0000 2024-07-31T23:34+0000 world benjamin netanyahu americans elijah j. magnier us israel beirut iran hezbollah hamas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/19/1119493831_0:161:3067:1886_1920x0_80_0_0_65be806f7490521e704e6c5ea612bfc1.jpg The United States is either a party to the recent assassinations by Israel or Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes there is no one behind the wheel in the White House freeing him to take any action without repercussions from the United States, veteran war correspondent Elijah Magnier told Sputniks Fault Lines on Wednesday.After concerns over his mental acuity became too large to ignore, US President Joe Biden ended his campaign for reelection but said he planned to finish his current term in office. The President was silent for three days following that announcement then gave an 11-minute speech that appeared to not include any press. He has only made sporadic appearances since and has not taken questions from the media.On Sunday, it was reported that US officials warned Israel against attacking Beirut, saying that it may be a red line for Hezbollah. A few days later, Israel not only struck southern Beirut but assassinated a guest of the Iranian government following President Masoud Pezeshkians inauguration.Either [the Americans] cannot control Netanyahu and hes doing whatever he wants and is dragging the US administration behind him, or, they know, and they are saying they dont know, explained Magnier, noting that either way they are complicit. If they really dont want the war, why do they continue supplying the Israelis with tens of thousands of [munitions]? Without this ammunition, Israel cannot go to war. So, theres a big difference between what they are saying and what they are doing.While Iran showed extreme restraint after Israel bombed its consulate in Syria, Israel is giving them no choice but to respond.On Tuesday, the Iranian mission to the UN warned that its response will be special operations.This is going to be a very difficult 24 to 48 hours that the Middle East is going to [experience] and we're going to see the result very shortly," Magnier concluded. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/dod-decline-comment-on-posture-changes-amid-report-iran-ordered-retaliatory-strike-on-israel-1119586954.html israel beirut iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino israel lebanon war, will iran and israel go to war, israel assassinations, iran's response, israel assassinates hamas leader, israel assassinates hezbollah leader https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/body-of-hezbollah-commander-fuad-shukr-found-under-rubble-in-beirut---source-1119585720.html Body of Hezbollah Commander Fuad Shukr Found Under Rubble in Beirut - Source Body of Hezbollah Commander Fuad Shukr Found Under Rubble in Beirut - Source Sputnik International The body of Fuad Shukr, senior commander of Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah, has been found under the rubble in the southern suburb of Beirut following Israel's airstrike, a local source told Sputnik on Wednesday. 2024-07-31T17:46+0000 2024-07-31T17:46+0000 2024-07-31T17:46+0000 world israel defense forces (idf) hezbollah israel beirut lebanon middle east https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/1f/1119585560_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_4e7354a70d6511c7c542a651542843b3.jpg Hezbollah confirmed earlier on Wednesday that Shukr was in a building hit by Israel but could not comment on his fate at the time. "The body of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr has been found under the rubble of a building in the southern suburb of Beirut," the source said. On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had carried out a strike in the southern suburb of Beirut, targeting a "commander responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and the killing of numerous additional Israeli civilians." Later, the IDF said that the "most senior military commander" of Hezbollah, Fuad Shukr, had been killed in the strike. Lebanese media reported that at least four people had been killed and 74 others had been wounded in the attack. According to Arab media, Shukr was the chief military adviser to Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/blatant-assassination-of-haniyeh-may-have-been-crossing-a-red-line--ex-cia-officer-1119576337.html israel beirut lebanon Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International gaza genocide, is israel committing genocide, whats happening with gaza, israeli genocide against palestinians, will israel be charged with genocide, whos backing israel, un hearing on gaza, current developments in gaza, whats happening to palestinians, us military aid to israel, us arms supplies to israel, us violating international law, what weapons is israel getting from us, israeli strikes, israel strikes gaza, israel kills civilians, operation in rafah, incursion into rafah, palestinian statehood, palestine independence, israeli hostages, jewish hostages, how many people did hamas abduct, how much money does us give israel, military aid to israel, financial aid to israel, hamas leader killed, haniyeh assassination, israel lebanon https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/first-batch-of-f-16-fighters-arrive-in-ukraine---reports-1119584909.html NATO-Provided F-16 Jets Reach Ukraine Amid Uncertainty Over Pilot Readiness NATO-Provided F-16 Jets Reach Ukraine Amid Uncertainty Over Pilot Readiness Sputnik International The first batch of NATO-supplied F-16 fighter jets has arrived in Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. 2024-07-31T16:25+0000 2024-07-31T16:25+0000 2024-07-31T16:38+0000 military antony blinken sergey lavrov ukraine russia nato f-16 f-16 fighting falcon f-16 fighter jet military aid https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/1f/1119584748_0:0:3067:1725_1920x0_80_0_0_475f31a744e6636d3609017ac32b135c.jpg The agency cited sources as saying that the deadline for the delivery of the unspecified number of the US-made jets was the end of July, and it has been respected. The sources did not say how many jets have arrived, adding that it is small, the agency reported. Bloomberg also cited sources as saying that it was unclear whether Ukrainian pilots who received training in the West to fly F-16s would be immediately able to use the jets or the process would take longer.On July 10, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the first batch of F-16 fighter jets would be handed over to Ukraine in summer. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned the United States and its NATO allies that Moscow saw the presence of nuclear capable F-16s in Ukraine as a nuclear threat.President Vladimir Putin of Russia emphasized that even if Western countries supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, they will not have the power to alter the situation on the battlefield. He warned that if these fighter jets are deployed from third-country territories, they will be considered legitimate targets for Russian forces. The president further stated that the F-16s, just like other Western equipment delivered to Kiev, would be destroyed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/training-for-ukrainian-f-16-pilots-pretty-meager-media-reports-1118945342.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International military aid for ukraine, is us giving more money to ukraine, why is us giving more money to kiev, whats happening to money given to kiev, will us give more money to kiev, how much money does ukraine get, how much money us gives to ukraine, how much money eu gives to ukraine, how much money europe gives to ukraine, what weapons does ukraine receive, does us give ukraine new weapons, f-16 sent to ukraine, f-16 aided to kiev Breaking news Houston Chronicle Prosecutors on Tuesday dropped injury to a child charges against Jason Spencer, the chief of staff to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, after a Harris County grand jury declined to indict him. The felony case against Spencer, 50, was listed as dismissed in Harris County court records as of Tuesday afternoon. MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Hobby Airport grounds all flights for emergency runway repairs Advertisement Article continues below this ad Spencer was originally charged in May over an alleged assault that happened in September 2023 against his teenage son. Spencer maintained his innocence, and his defense attorney questioned the motivations of Spencers ex-wife, who brought the complaint to police. On Tuesday, Murray Newman, the defense attorney, said Spencer was thankful the sad and personal event was over. Its our position that it never should have been filed, Newman said. We argued that Jason used reasonable force to restrain a dangerous situation within his family. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Spencer, a former Houston Chronicle assistant city editor, has worked at the Harris County Sheriffs Office since 2017, when he joined the agency as director of public affairs. He left the sheriffs office briefly and returned as Gonzalezs chief of staff. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/hamas-politburo-chief-killed-in-tehran---reports-1119573459.html Hamas Politburo Chief Killed in Tehran Hamas Politburo Chief Killed in Tehran Sputnik International Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the Iranian capital of Tehran in what Hamas described as a "treacherous Zionist attack" on his residence. 2024-07-31T03:22+0000 2024-07-31T03:22+0000 2024-07-31T14:24+0000 world ismail haniyeh middle east tehran hamas sputnik assassin https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/1a/1119132384_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_abb999ba16f783ef78f108e4600f9b07.jpg The agency said Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were "martyred" after their residence in Tehran was targeted.Iran is investigating the cause of the killing of Hamas politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, and his bodyguard in Tehran, with the results to be announced soon, the Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Earlier on Wednesday, the Palestinian movement, Hamas, said that Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli attack on his residence in Tehran, after he took part in the inauguration of Iran's newly elected president.The Palestinian movement, Hamas, said on Wednesday that the movements politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in an Israeli attack on his residence in the Iranian capital of Tehran."The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas expresses condolences to the sons of our great Palestinian people ... Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement ... was killed as a result of a treacherous Zionist attack on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration ceremony of the new president of Iran," the movement said on Telegram.Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, was sworn in on Tuesday.International reactionSupreme Leader of Iran said Israel will be severely punished for its actions.Israeli army declines to comment on the situation, saying that they do not respond to reports in the foreign media," CNN says.A representative of the US government has confirmed to the media that Washington is aware of the situation.Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas strongly condemned the killing of Hamas politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, the WAFA news agency reported on Wednesday.Abbas also called the killing a cowardly act and a dangerous escalation, the report read.At the same time, Abbas called on Palestinians to be united and patient in the face of the Israeli occupation.The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the incident will strengthen the ties between Tehran and Palestine. The Turkish Foreign Ministry stressed that Israel is not seeking peace, and should be stopped before the conflict escalates. The killing of Hamas politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, is a cowardly act that will not go unanswered, Hamas political office deputy head, Musa Abu Marzouk, said on Wednesday.Qatar strongly condemns the killing of Hamas politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, and considers it a dangerous escalation and blatant violation of international law, its foreign ministry said on Wednesday.The killing of Hamas politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, is a heinous terrorist crime, a member of the Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as Houthis' high political council, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, said on Wednesday.Beijing strongly condemns killing of Hamas politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian said on Wednesday. Russia Warns About Further Mideast EscalationMoscow considers the death of Hamas politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, to be an example of absolutely unacceptable political assassination, which threatens further escalation in the region, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Sputnik on Wednesday.The incident will have a very negative impact on the Doha negotiations, the diplomat said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/russia-strongly-condemns-assassination-of-hamas-politburo-chief-haniyeh-1119577332.html tehran 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 ismail haniyeh killed, assassinated, hamas leader killed in iran https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/haniyeh-killing-to-spoil-prospects-of-peace-talks-as-hardliners-push-for-strong-response-1119586263.html Haniyeh Killing to Spoil Prospects of Peace Talks as Hardliners Push for 'Strong Response' Haniyeh Killing to Spoil Prospects of Peace Talks as Hardliners Push for 'Strong Response' Sputnik International The assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, as well as Israel's strike on a senior Hezbollah official, will have a detrimental effect on the ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip. 2024-07-31T19:40+0000 2024-07-31T19:40+0000 2024-07-31T19:39+0000 analysis middle east ismail haniyeh israel tehran gaza strip hamas hezbollah israel defense forces (idf) assassination https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/10/1119386772_0:209:3072:1937_1920x0_80_0_0_4d5f92d006645257e1c03f6c29cfb7bd.jpg Earlier Wednesday, Hamas confirmed Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli attack on his residence in Tehran after he took part in the inauguration of newly elected Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian. Late Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it had carried out a strike in a southern suburb of Beirut, adding later that the "most senior military commander" of Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah, Fuad Shukr, had been killed in the attack. A local source told Sputnik on Wednesday that Shukr's body had been found under the rubble. "I think that the Israeli assassinations in quick succession of leading figures in Hezbollah, which has been a strong supporter of Hamas, and Hamas itself are a major setback for efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages seized by Hamas in October," Gareth Jenkins, a non-resident senior research fellow with the Joint Center Silk Road Studies Program and Turkey Center at the Institute for Security and Development Policy in Stockholm, said. Furthermore, the death of Haniyeh, which is "a major blow for Hamas and a huge embarrassment for Iran," will increase the risk of the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalating into a regional war, the expert added. "There will be hardliners in both Hamas and Iran who will be pushing for a strong response," Jenkins said. At the same time, Iran's options are limited as Tehran "knows that it cannot defeat Israel on the battlefield," the expert also said. Meanwhile, Kanishkan Sathasivam, a professor in the political science department at Salem State University, believes the ceasefire negotiations will continue, although the situation is "very fluid" at the moment. "The peace talks will continue, if only because other actors such as Qatar and Egypt will insist to Hamas that they keep negotiating," Sathasivam said.The situation between Hezbollah and Israel is not quite as simple, he said. "So the question really is whether Iran wants a war with Israel or not? Whether we are talking about Hamas, or Hezbollah, or the Houthis, or militias in Iraq, these actors are all extensions of the regime in Tehran. Yes, they all have some measure of autonomy, but if Tehran gives them a direct order, they are not in any position to refuse that order," the expert concluded. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/hamas-says-will-not-give-up-its-conditions-in-talks-with-israel-after-murder-of-haniyeh-1119579044.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/blatant-assassination-of-haniyeh-may-have-been-crossing-a-red-line--ex-cia-officer-1119576337.html israel tehran gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International fallout from killing of ismail haniyeh, who is ismail haniyeh, state of israeli-hamas conflict, response to haniyeh assassination https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/indonesia-views-russia-great-friend-seeks-to-further-develop-relations---president-elect-1119580834.html Indonesia Views Russia Great Friend, Seeks to Further Develop Relations - President-Elect Indonesia Views Russia Great Friend, Seeks to Further Develop Relations - President-Elect Sputnik International Indonesia considers Russia as a great friend and would like to continue developing relations, the Indonesian defense minister and president-elect, Prabowo Subianto, said on Wednesday. 2024-07-31T11:47+0000 2024-07-31T11:47+0000 2024-07-31T11:47+0000 world vladimir putin prabowo subianto russia indonesia rosatom moscow eurasian economic union eurasian economic union https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/1f/1119580674_0:0:2954:1662_1920x0_80_0_0_15a9f77c76a03cbcd9d90bf0b43b4cec.jpg Indonesia is open to Russia's more active participation in its economy, Subianto said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, adding that he would like to develop relations when officially takes office. Additionally, Subianto told Putin that he had discussed with Russian state corporation Rosatom the possibility of cooperation in the nuclear industry.President Putin noted that trade and economic relations between Russia and Indonesia are developing successfully, and trade has doubled in recent years.Russia is ready to further increase the supplies of agricultural products and develop energy projects with Indonesia, Putin added.The almost completed free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Indonesia should play a positive role in the development of relations, the president pointed out, adding that he expects that under new Indonesian president, everything planned in cooperation with Russia will be preserved and will gain new momentum. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240725/asean-flexes-diplomatic-muscles-on-world-stage-as-lavrov-wang-blinken-descend-on-key-summit-1119501328.html russia indonesia moscow Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International putin meets with prabowo subianto, putin and prabowo subianto meeting, russia and indonesian presidents meet, russia and indonesia copperation, russia and indonesia ties, russia and indonesia relations https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/israel-lebanon-can-avoid-full-scale-war-room-for-diplomacy-remains---pentagon-chief-1119577055.html Israel, Lebanon Can Avoid Full-Scale War, Room for Diplomacy Remains - Pentagon Chief Israel, Lebanon Can Avoid Full-Scale War, Room for Diplomacy Remains - Pentagon Chief Sputnik International US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday that Israel and Lebanon could avoid a full-scale war, as there was always room for diplomacy. 2024-07-31T07:31+0000 2024-07-31T07:31+0000 2024-07-31T07:31+0000 world us israel lebanon hezbollah benjamin netanyahu middle east pentagon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/08/1116065973_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_d45b9d997fce0313e2266cdfc635cf27.jpg "I do not think that war is inevitable. I maintain that. I think there is always room and opportunity for diplomacy, and I'd like to see the parties pursue those opportunities," Austin told reporters during his visit to the Philippines. Austin reiterated that, if Israel were attacked, "we certainly will help defend Israel. You saw us do that in April. You can expect to see us do that again." The Israeli army said last Saturday that 12 people had been killed in a rocket strike on the Golan Heights, which it blamed on Hezbollah. The Lebanese movement denied the claim. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah would pay a price "it has never paid before." The situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border worsened after the start of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. The Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters exchange fire almost daily in areas along the border. israel lebanon 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 mideast crisis, mideast violence, israel-lebanon row, israel-arab conflict, austin on middle east, hezbollah, middle east war https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/israel-used-dogs-waterboarding-to-torture-palestinian-prisoners---un-1119578664.html Israel Used Dogs, Waterboarding to Torture Palestinian Prisoners - UN Israel Used Dogs, Waterboarding to Torture Palestinian Prisoners - UN Sputnik International Palestinians in Israeli captivity have been subjected to torture, including electrocution, waterboarding and being attacked by dogs, with at least 53 detainees dying in custody since October 7, the UN human rights watchdog said in a report out Wednesday. 2024-07-31T10:34+0000 2024-07-31T10:34+0000 2024-07-31T10:34+0000 world israel-gaza conflict israeli-palestinian conflict palestine-israel conflict israel palestine the united nations (un) hamas torture human rights abuse https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101654/92/1016549214_0:0:2560:1441_1920x0_80_0_0_3305d048b51686cbe30ace75cfc9556f.jpg The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)'s report on the "Detention in the context of the escalation of hostilities in Gaza" looked into testimonies of torture and other ill-treatment committed by Israelis and Palestinian armed groups from October 2023 to June 2024. Palestinians who spoke with the OHCHR said they had been subjected to violence and humiliation in a systematic manner, "including through repeated serious physical assaults, setting dogs on the detainees, in some cases resulting in attacks and bites, and widespread threats and insults." Israel detained large numbers of Palestinians men, women, children, doctors, journalists, human rights defenders, and patients in the days after Hamas' October 7 attack. Of more than 10,000 workers and patients from Gaza who were taken into custody in October, around 1,000 remain unaccounted for. Dozens others have died. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said the testimonies gathered by his office and other entities indicated "a range of appalling acts, such as waterboarding and the release of dogs on detainees," which he described as a "flagrant violation" of international humanitarian law. On Monday, Israel said it detained nine soldiers on suspicion of torturing captured Palestinian movement Hamas' fighters. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240716/everything-to-sabotage-the-negotiation-israels-smoke-and-mirrors-approach-to-ceasefire-talks-1119385336.html israel palestine 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 israel torture, israel tortures palestinians, torturing with dogs, israel human rights abuse, torture palestine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/israeli-govt-opening-bomb-shelters-in-country-fearing-response-from-lebanon---reports-1119573690.html Israeli Govt Opening Bomb Shelters in Country, Fearing Response From Lebanon - Reports Israeli Govt Opening Bomb Shelters in Country, Fearing Response From Lebanon - Reports Sputnik International The Israeli government is opening bomb shelter in the central part of the country in fear of Hezbollah attacks. 2024-07-31T03:52+0000 2024-07-31T03:52+0000 2024-07-31T03:52+0000 world benjamin netanyahu newsfeed golan heights israel defense forces (idf) israel beirut hezbollah sputnik https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/18/1119085082_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_257a793d453945e307612f959c7c022a.jpg The authorities of the city of Rishon LeTsiyon have opened public bomb shelters, the report noted on Tuesday. The Israeli army said last Saturday that 12 people had been killed in a rocket strike on the Golan Heights, which it blamed on Hezbollah. The Lebanese movement denied the claim. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not leave the attack on the Golan Heights unanswered and Hezbollah would pay a price "it has never paid before." On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces announced that it carried out a strike in the southern suburb of Beirut targeting a "commander responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and the killing of numerous additional Israeli civilians." Later, the IDF said that the "most senior military commander" of Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah, Fuad Shukr, was killed in the strike, but a source told Sputnik the attack failed to kill Shukr. Lebanese media reported that at least four people were killed and 74 others were injured as result of the attack. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240730/attempt-to-kill-hezbollah-commander-shukr-failed---source-in-movement-1119569065.html golan heights israel beirut 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 israel opening bomb shelters, hezbollah israel war, lebanon israel war https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/killing-of-haniyeh-could-not-have-occurred-without-us-authorization-intel-support-1119584340.html Killing of Hamas Leader Impossible Without US Authorization and Intel Support - Iran's UN Mission Killing of Hamas Leader Impossible Without US Authorization and Intel Support - Iran's UN Mission Sputnik International The Iranian mission to the United Nations said in a letter to the UN Security Council shared with Sputnik that an Israeli rocket strike that killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh could not have occurred without the authorization and intelligence support of the United States. 2024-07-31T16:09+0000 2024-07-31T16:09+0000 2024-07-31T17:24+0000 world palestine-israel conflict middle east ismail haniyeh iran israel un security council (unsc) hamas lebanon us state department https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/1f/1119574260_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_46a6e13c5290741f8f994b15ab17b97d.jpg "The responsibility of the United States, as the strategic ally and main supporter of the Israeli regime in the region, cannot be overlooked in this horrific crime. This act could not have occurred without the authorization and intelligence support of the US," the letter said. The letter stated that "such a heinous crime, targeting a high-ranking official guest, is a serious infringement on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran." It also constitutes a blatant violation of international law, the letter said. The Iranian mission called on the Security Council to take immediate action to ensure Israel's accountability for its acts of aggression, including "the potential imposition of sanctions and other measures."The United States was not part of the recent operation by Israel in Lebanon, US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Wednesday. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/who-was-ismail-haniyeh--1119575332.html iran israel lebanon Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International gaza genocide, is israel committing genocide, whats happening with gaza, israeli genocide against palestinians, will israel be charged with genocide, whos backing israel, un hearing on gaza, current developments in gaza, whats happening to palestinians, us military aid to israel, us arms supplies to israel, us violating international law, what weapons is israel getting from us, israeli strikes, israel strikes gaza, israel kills civilians, operation in rafah, incursion into rafah, palestinian statehood, palestine independence, israeli hostages, jewish hostages, how many people did hamas abduct, how much money does us give israel, military aid to israel, financial aid to israel, hamas leader killed, haniyeh assassination https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/no-primaries-no-alternatives-no-scrutiny-anti-democracy-reigns-in-us-1119571814.html No Primaries, No Alternatives, No Scrutiny: Anti-Democracy Reigns In US No Primaries, No Alternatives, No Scrutiny: Anti-Democracy Reigns In US Sputnik International The United States is now an anti-democracy, as primaries are decided without voter input and alternatives are shut out. Meanwhile, the media supports it all. 2024-07-31T01:11+0000 2024-07-31T01:11+0000 2024-07-31T04:16+0000 analysis kamala harris joe biden donald trump ukraine green party dnc democrats white house us https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/06/1119259046_0:235:2253:1502_1920x0_80_0_0_2b86a19eb0796fd1f20a97360bd8898b.jpg The American electoral process has degraded into a shambling shell of its former self, propped up with vapid, slick and committee-tested PR campaigns rather than debate. Over the past week, with the tickets of the two major parties all but finalized, the media can not bring themselves to ask a substantive question of either person likely to sit in the White House in less than six months.My question is, YouTube personality and WWE United States Champion Logan Paul asked former US President and Republican nominee Donald Trump, for other young people in this country who are looking to get ahead, cause for a lot of them, times are tough right now. What would you say to them, kids who want to pursue their own version of the American dream and try to achieve their wildest dreams?Trump answered that young people should vote for him.Meanwhile, Harris sat down for a non-televised interview with People, which asked her about her relationship with her husband, how much sleep she gets and her favorite nickname (Momala as it turns out) but not any policy positions on the economy, immigration, Ukraine or Gaza.Even Paul and his "Impaulsive" co-host Mike Majlak had the good sense to ask Trump about those topics, even if they didn't challenge him on them.This is what passes for scrutiny in American politics. Worse, the incumbent presidents party all but refused to hold a primary. Then Biden suddenly resigned from the campaign after weeks of refusing to and his vice president was anointed the new nominee without receiving a single vote. On Saturday, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh reported that Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama threatened to invoke the 25th amendment and force Biden out of office if he did not drop his reelection campaign.The lords of capital decided that he had to go and, in fact, they made it quite clear he had to go because they said that not only would they stop contributing to his campaign, but they told the DNC get rid of Joe Biden or don't expect any financial support for any Democrat candidate down ballot, argued political activist and the 2016 Green Party Vice Presidential nominee Ajamu Sibeko Baraka on Sputniks Political Misfits. This is clear elite extortion."To shore up the perception of support, the Harris campaign hosted a series of Zoom calls, bizarrely segregated by race and gender. Black Men for Harris came first, then Black Women for Harris. Then White Women for Harris and finally, White Dudes for Harris.It is sort of a silly Zoom call, said Baraka. But it does reflect the kind of identity reductionist policies we have in this country.On the other side of the aisle, things were only slightly more democratic. The Republicans actually held debates, though the only candidate anyone really cared about didnt participate. In a healthy democracy, Trumps refusal to face Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley and the rest would have been seen as a sign of arroganceif not fear in a healthy democracy. This year, few seemed to care. When the most democratic thing you can say about the two-party system is that one of the parties candidates received actual votes in the primary, and that's the party that is accused of trying to end democracy, it is clear things have gone off the rails.As the Democratic party argued in court after being sued for allegedly rigging the 2016 primaries in favor of Hillary Clinton, the two-party system is not technically part of the government, and are free to run their primary process however they like, even picking a candidate no one voted for, as they have done with Harris.But in the media, and even in some classrooms, the US system of politics is often described as a two-party system and the two parties make sure it stays that way.In 1992, Reform Party candidate Ross Perot led both Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush in the polls after a strong debate performance. His campaign sank after he inexplicably dropped out in the summer before reentering right before the election. Perot claimed the GOP blackmailed him with doctored pictures of his daughter but the accusation was never seriously investigated. The close call nevertheless scared the two parties enough that they worked to make sure it would never happen again.After the 92 campaign, the Commission of Presidential Debates, which touts its bipartisanship because it is staffed with Republicans and Democrats, increased the requirements for third-party candidates, increasing the national poll numbers a candidate needs to qualify from 5% to 15%.That Perot did not reach 15% until after he appeared on the debate stage with Clinton and Bush was not lost on the Perot campaign, which ran a series of ads in 1996 decrying the decision to no avail. In the 1990s and early 2000s, it was virtually impossible for a candidate to achieve those numbers without the assistance of the media.As the internet grew and surpassed traditional media in importance, that began to change. Early in this election cycle, it looked like Independent candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr might come close to reaching the 15% required to earn a spot on the debate stage. Perhaps not coincidentally, the two parties dropped the debate commission entirely and partnered with media outlets to devise a new set of requirements that Kennedy and other alternative candidates had no chance of reaching.This was the entity that was supposed to be managing the debate process for the candidates, for the parties. But that was a process in which, even though it was a difficult one, that third parties could participate, explained Baraka. But they decided that they werent going to have any possibility of third party participation. And so, they abandoned that process and developed a relationship between the parties and the news media, and [so its] also reflective of the anti-democratic character.Earlier this month, Sputnik reported that the US Treasury halted funds awarded by the FEC to the campaign for Green Party candidate Jill Stein after the campaign hit the required milestones.In March, the New York Times reported that Democrats were preparing an aggressive counter to third-party threats, writing that [c]onventional wisdom within the Democratic Party now is that any vote not for Mr. Biden benefits Mr. Trump, and there are concerns that giving people more choices on the ballot is more likely to hurt Mr. Biden.Now, presumably, it must be that any vote not for Harris benefits Trump, and no one outside of the leadership of the DNC had any say in it.These are all examples of why the struggle has to be in this country, to redefine what real democracy is and have people prepared to struggle for them and not fall prey to this appeal to a lesser of two evils that is backward, reactionary, anti-democratic and profoundly dangerous, concluded Baraka. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240728/obama-threatened-biden-with-removal-from-office-under-25th-amendment---sy-hersh-1119537682.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240727/queen-kamala-election-cheating--money-grab-how-us-democrats-failing-democracy-1119531360.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240712/the-us-treasury-is-denying-jill-stein-matching-funds-the-fec-awarded---campaign-manager-1119345703.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino third party candidates, alternatives to duopoly, primaries rigged, elections rigged, trump interviews, harris interview, decline of american democracy, threats to democracy https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/putin-hosts-indonesian-president-elect-in-moscow-for-high-level-bilateral-talks-1119578139.html Putin Hosts Indonesian President-Elect in Moscow for High-Level Bilateral Talks Putin Hosts Indonesian President-Elect in Moscow for High-Level Bilateral Talks Sputnik International Russia and Indonesia have many potential projects for cooperation in economy, trade and politics. 2024-07-31T11:02+0000 2024-07-31T11:02+0000 2024-07-31T11:02+0000 world vladimir putin prabowo subianto russia indonesia kremlin https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/04/1119242077_0:58:2945:1715_1920x0_80_0_0_f3fe86d404c8e644630a30e1d69fad9d.jpg Sputnik is live from Moscow where Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting with Indonesian President-Elect and current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. The Indonesian politician came to Russia on a working visit.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the talks will be held in the Kremlin in the format of a working breakfast. He explained that this is an effective system of communication that allows the leaders to discuss all issues on the bilateral agenda.The former Indonesian general won the presidential election in February. He will take over from President Joko Widodo on October 20.Follow Sputnik's live feed to learn more! russia indonesia 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 Vladimir Putin's talks with Indonesia's President-elect and current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto Sputnik International Vladimir Putin's talks with Indonesia's President-elect and current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto 2024-07-31T11:02+0000 true PT1S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia indonesia, putin indonesia, puton indonesian president-elect, putin subianto, putin summit indonesia https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/riding-the-wave-russian-athletes-boost-wake-surfing-amid-ban-controversy-1119583765.html Riding the Wave: Russian Athletes Boost Wake Surfing Amid Ban Controversy Riding the Wave: Russian Athletes Boost Wake Surfing Amid Ban Controversy Sputnik International Efforts by Western powers and sports authorities to exclude Russian athletes from competitions could be described as attempts to cancel Russians and Belarusians, says John Shields, president of the Competitive Wake Surf Association (CWSA), USA. 2024-07-31T15:36+0000 2024-07-31T15:36+0000 2024-07-31T15:39+0000 analysis russia surfing sport athletes cancellation discrimination https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/1f/1119583606_0:320:3072:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_f9415ad7652c5e5c6f732bf57e7d0a7e.jpg There were pet competitions, cats, dogs, that type of stuff that Russians were banned from participating in. There were music, art and cultural events that Russians were excluded from. And of course, we all know the economic, diplomatic and political things that have happened over the years, he recalls.He praised the contribution by Russians to the development of wake surfing, noting that over the past or at least 15 years the Russian competitors have been involved in wake surf competitions all over the world, and most especially those sanctioned by the CWSA.Rules, standards, that type of stuff, the contributions of the Russian members and the Russian community in general has been very strong and very influential in the development of the sport, Shields says. Commenting on the Golden Stage of the World Series of the International Wakesurfing Association CWSA that was held in Moscow earlier this month, Shields described the competition as a world class event.The vibe for the competitors, the spectators, all the participants in the event was very focused on sport, on having a good time, enjoying wake surfing and watching the competitors in the event. The level of sport, as it's developed over the last several years, is incredible, Shields said. He also appeared unamused by the recent opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris, arguing that a number of themes present in said ceremony did not help to unify athletes, to celebrate their achievements, to celebrate their participation and to develop unity, friendship and understanding among the participating athletes. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240729/a-more-important-task-here--sport-moscow-holds-world-wakes-cup-1119555519.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian athletes discrimination, russia wake surfing Acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite speaks to Mayor John Whitmire and City Council members about the police department's report on the origin and cause of the Suspended-Lack of Personnel code Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite leaves after speaking to Mayor John Whitmire and City Council members about the police department's report on the origin and cause of the Suspended-Lack of Personnel code Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite waits to speak to Mayor John Whitmire and City Council members about the police department's report on the origin and cause of the Suspended-Lack of Personnel code Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer An audience member looks through the findings report as Acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite speaks to Mayor John Whitmire and City Council members about the police department's report on the origin and cause of the Suspended-Lack of Personnel code Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Mayor John Whitmire speaks to Acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite about the police department's report on the origin and cause of the Suspended-Lack of Personnel code Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite presents to Mayor John Whitmire and City Council members the police department's report on the origin and cause of the Suspended-Lack of Personnel code during a meeting Tuesday, July 31, 2024 in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Acting Police Chief Larry Satterwhite watches Houston Mayor John Whitmire asking the public for lead on a 12-year-old white female body found in a creek at 400 West Rankin Road during a press conference Monday, June 17, 2024 at Houston Police Department Headquarters in Houston. Police believed the girl snuck out of her near-by residence after 10p.m. last night without her familys knowledge. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer A notebook of the report findings is shown at a council members seating area before the Acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite presents to Mayor John Whitmire and City Council members the police department's report on the origin and cause of the Suspended-Lack of Personnel code during a meeting Tuesday, July 31, 2024 in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite and Houston Mayor John Whitmire are shown during a media conference about the police department's report on the origin and cause of the Suspended-Lack of Personnel code Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Acting Chief Larry J. Satterwhite speaks during a press conference at the Emergency Operations Center about the citys response on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, after Hurricane Beryl hit the Houston area on Monday Karen Warren/Staff photographer Two murder investigations were sent to the wrong division and then suspended, acting chief Larry Satterwhite said during a Wednesday report to City Council on the department's internal investigation into 264,000 dropped cases. Satterwhite called the ongoing scandal over the suspended cases citing a lack of personnel, which led to the ouster of former Chief Troy Finner, a systemic failure of leadership and the department, while unveiling a long-awaited report to the City Council. A report, he said, was unlikely to lead to many disciplinary measures, explaining that the officers involved were operating under proper procedures at the time. The procedures were the problem, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston police have reviewed about 79% of the special victims cases that are part of the dropped cases scandal, Satterwhite said. Mayor John Whitmire asked Satterwhite to discuss the two murder cases, and the acting chief explained that both were initially sent to a division that wasnt homicide where they had been suspended. One of them, for instance, was a robbery in which the suspect was in a crash that killed the passenger. The case went to robbery where it was suspended, Satterwhite said. There were no details on the other case. The cases have been reopened. "The biggest mistake Ive been able to see is a failure to recognize whats going on and a failure to go in and truly try to correct it," Satterwhite said. "It was a failure of leadership and a systematic failure of our department. And we all own that, from supervisors in the divisional level all the way up to the chief level. What's in the report? The report echoed many findings already made public about the codes spread through divisions, including that the code was born out of a 2014 audit, that it spread rapidly through the departments divisions with poor oversight and an antiquated records management system has stifled efforts to contain it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Satterwhite prefaced his presentation by noting he would be identifying several colleagues he defended as "good people who all had the right intent." He said leadership must own the failure and specifically identified six instances since 2016 when administrators could have recognized the scope of the problem and didnt. Most had already been uncovered in media reports. They include the November 2021 meeting where Finner first learned about the code; a note authored by a sergeant shortly before that meeting to Executive Chief Matt Slinkard, detailing the use of the code, proposing the department eliminate it and issue a note against its use (the matter never reached Finners desk); and a 2018 email that cc'd Finner and made reference to a road rage case that had been suspended. The report also highlighted new information, including a 2020 state-mandated audit of the special victims division that uncovered case backlogs but no mention of a code. "This could have been fixed many years ago," Satterwhite said. "It's unfortunate that it's not until now." He said during a news conference after the council meeting that the internal affairs investigations connected to the suspended code were ongoing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Two chiefs were demoted and one retired shortly after the scandal became public back in February under Finner. Satterwhite confirmed Wednesday that Chandra Hatcher, who authored a letter claiming to have attended the November 2021 meeting when records show she actually wasn't there, wouldn't be part of the department's leadership team moving forward. The department used that letter to open the suspended cases investigation. The presentation to council members followed a preliminary report by an independent panel organized by Whitmire that found the code started in 2016 under interim Chief Martha Montalvo. But even after a lengthy investigation into the matter, officials find themselves in similar circumstances to those that first gave rise to the code in 2014 seeking thousands more officers to meet the influx of cases into the department and unable to properly investigate all crimes. Im going to be honest, and this is important, based on the case volume, there will always be a need to triage cases and prioritize investigations, Satterwhite said. Person-on-person crimes with workable leads will be our highest priority. Members of the City Council peppered Satterwhite with questions after his presentation -- whether he agreed with claims that Finner lied about knowing about the code before 2021, given the 2018 email; how they might better-recruit officers to join the department; and how the department prioritizes cases. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But many of the comments were reserved for praising Satterwhite's transparency and willingness to speak about a black eye on the department, save for some measured concern. "These are unfortunate circumstances," Councilman Edward Pollard said. "We appreciate your accountability. I agree this is a systemic failure. We are all pretty alarmed by the information we're receiving." How will police address the scandal? Satterwhite said the department had spent around $3 million in overtime costs mobilizing additional officers to review cases since the scandal became public. His presentation also discussed the efforts the department has undertaken to change procedures since discovering how widespread the codes use was completing five out of 15 recommendations from an independent committee Whitmire appointed to review the departments handling of the investigation. Those included new guidance from Satterwhite and a lengthier case review process. Executive Assistant Chief Ban Tien said the department has instituted a three-pronged case review system before any report is suspended, and Satterwhite said hed provided directives that the code wouldnt be used again and that all violent, person-on-person crimes would be assigned. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Department leaders did caution that some property crime investigative divisions might suffer under the renewed focus on violent crimes without additional staffing. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/rimpac-how-us-led-drills-expose-western-neo-colonial-push-in-asia-pacific-1119578813.html RIMPAC: How US-Led Drills Expose Western Neo-Colonial Push in Asia-Pacific RIMPAC: How US-Led Drills Expose Western Neo-Colonial Push in Asia-Pacific Sputnik International The US-led large-scale military drills Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) have been taking place from June 27 to August 1 in and around the Hawaiian Islands. Peace activist Robert Kajiwara told Sputnik that the drills are the epitome of Western neo-colonialism seeking to upend the emergence of multi-polarity. 2024-07-31T11:15+0000 2024-07-31T11:15+0000 2024-07-31T11:15+0000 world asia-pacific region pivot to asia southeast asia pacific hawaii okinawa the united nations (un) aukus us https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1f/1080330959_0:0:3073:1730_1920x0_80_0_0_c5a5568e45f77b75195ae7162296b63c.jpg The US-led military exercise has brought together 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel. This year's RIMPAC is regarded as the largest to date in terms of the number of countries involved.Over centuries Pacific nations have been subjected to colonial suppression from the UK, France, Germany and Japan, leading to the elimination of ethnic languages and communities and destruction of island ecosystems.In the 20th century, the US turned the Marshall Islands, a country that consists of a chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls in the central Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and the Philippines, into its test nuclear site. In 2012, UN Special Rapporteur Calin Georgescu found that radiation from the testing resulted in fatalities and acute and long-term health complications for the islands.Presently, Washington is pushing ahead with the so-called AUKUS pact, a military alliance between Australia, the UK and the US, and is beefing up its military presence in the Pacific. Furthermore, the US is encouraging its NATO allies to deploy their forces in the region. Last August, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not rule out that the US is seeking the full integration of NATO with the emerging structures of the AUKUS bloc.In addition, regional US allies, including Japan, Australia, South Korea, and the Philippines, are increasingly concluding bilateral and multilateral military pacts, intertwining them with each other. The US military openly names Russia, China and North Korea as "threats" and potential targets for their push.Last April, Admiral John C. Aquilino, United States Navy Commander at the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) told American lawmakers that INDOPACOM was closing ranks with AUKUS, the Quad diplomatic partnership, the Five Eyes Anglophone intelligence organization, and other blocs in order to "execute security cooperation activities, training, and exercises to strengthen those relationships, build partner capacity, and enhance interoperability."Kajiwara, who promotes the demilitarization of Okinawa a Japanese prefecture overcrowded with US military bases recently visited the UN headquarters to find out that the organization's press corps is largely focused on the US-peddled agenda.Whereas the US-led drills are declared to promote "a free and open Indo-Pacific", Indigenous nations of the Pacific region "dont see it that way at all," according to Asia Times. Last month Protecting Oceania, a group of Indigenous Pacific, environmental and social justice organizations, issued a statement condemning the drills and opposing the militarization of Pacific islands and waters."These exercises threaten our sovereignties and our communities, human and other-than-human alike, here in Hawaii, across Moananuiakea, and throughout the world," the group stated in June.For its part, the Hawaii-based international Cancel RIMPAC campaign stressed that drills don't provide security but rather contribute to a neo-colonial push, environmental damage and further violence in the region. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230829/how-us-nuclear-tests-devastated-marshall-islands--1112968890.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240716/natos-military-expansion-into-asia-pacific-aims-to-disrupt-asean-structure---lavrov-1119392320.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240529/how-us-is-flirting-with-idea-of-limited-nuclear-conflict-with-russia-and-china-1118682784.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240630/north-korea-accuses-us-japan-south-korea-of-creating-asian-version-of-nato-1119188258.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231214/asia-remembers-natos-colonial-past-doesnt-want-bloc-powers-back-in-region-1115591172.html southeast asia pacific hawaii okinawa Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova rimpac 2024, us-led naval drills in pacific, us naval drills near hawaii, pacific nations, oceania, envirnmental pollution and security threat stemming from us pacific drills, us militarization of pacific, protecting oceania, cancel rimpac https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/russia-expects-to-continue-military-cooperation-with-car---ambassador-1119583381.html Russia Expects to Continue Military Cooperation With CAR - Ambassador Russia Expects to Continue Military Cooperation With CAR - Ambassador Sputnik International Russia expects to continue fruitful cooperation with the Central African Republic (CAR) in the military and military-technical spheres following the UN Security Council's decision to lift the arms embargo on the country, Russian Ambassador to Bangui Alexander Bikantov told Sputnik on Wednesday. 2024-07-31T14:31+0000 2024-07-31T14:31+0000 2024-07-31T14:31+0000 military russia central african republic bangui military cooperation military ties https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/1f/1119583215_0:9:3018:1706_1920x0_80_0_0_e48c39374a749bfe310089cb6edb113f.jpg "We count on the continuation of fruitful [military] cooperation in the interests of our states," Bikantov said. The Russian side considers the lifting of the arms embargo against the CAR a significant event for the African country, the ambassador said, adding that it will have a positive impact on strengthening the security and sovereignty of the CAR in the long term. Moscow is Bangui's main partner in the military and military-technical fields. However, there is no talk of new Russian deliveries of military products to the CAR at the moment, Bikantov said, adding that in case of the nation's requests, all of them will be considered promptly. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240605/russia-plans-to-start-retraining-car-military-pilots-troops-this-year-1118774694.html russia central african republic bangui Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia africa cooperation, russia africa ties, russia africa relations, russia central african republic partnership, russia and car relations, russian military in africa, russia's ties with african countries https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/russia-open-to-peace-initiatives-in-ukraine-but-no-reciprocity-on-kievs-part-1119585931.html Russia Open to Peace Initiatives in Ukraine, But No Reciprocity on Kiev's Part Russia Open to Peace Initiatives in Ukraine, But No Reciprocity on Kiev's Part Sputnik International Moscow is open to any initiative to end the Ukraine conflict through diplomatic means, but there is no reciprocity on the part of Kiev at the moment, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. 2024-07-31T18:56+0000 2024-07-31T18:56+0000 2024-07-31T18:56+0000 volodymyr zelensky dmitry peskov ukraine russia kremlin world kiev ukraine crisis zaporozhye npp nuclear power plant https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/0d/1117299941_0:76:2113:1265_1920x0_80_0_0_92cbd37fee01781102fe73353efc0952.jpg "Russia is open to all initiatives, and Russia is open to a diplomatic path to a settlement, but we see that, unfortunately, there is no such reciprocity on the part of Ukraine at the moment," Peskov said in a televised appearance on the Russia Channel One broadcaster.Earlier in the day, Volodymyr Zelensky has been compelled to acknowledge that the entire worldand now even he himselfwants Russia to participate in the next conference on resolving the situation in Ukraine; otherwise, no meaningful results will be achieved.In early July, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told Sputnik, commenting on the new summit on Ukraine, that the Russian side does not accept ultimatums and does not intend to participate in such events.The conference on Ukraine took place in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on June 15-16. The Kremlin stated that seeking solutions to the situation in the Ukrainian conflict without Russia's involvement is completely illogical and unproductive. The joint communique at the end of the conference calls for returning control of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant to Kiev and includes calls for free navigation in the Black and Azov Seas, as well as for the exchange and release of all prisoners of war. The document also emphasizes the need for dialogue among all parties to end the conflict. Out of 91 participants, only 76 supported the communique. Armenia, Bahrain, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Libya, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates did not sign the final communique. Later, Iraq, Jordan, and Rwanda withdrew their signatures from the communique.Moscow has repeatedly indicated its readiness for negotiations, but Kiev has legally banned them. The West calls on Russia for negotiations, which Moscow is willing to engage in, yet the West ignores Kiev's constant refusals for dialogue. Earlier, the Kremlin stated that the absolute priority for Russia is achieving the objectives of the special operation; the situation in Ukraine could move toward a peaceful resolution if the new realities are considered, and all of Moscow's demands are well known.Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward initiatives for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine: Moscow would immediately cease fire and declare readiness for negotiations once Ukrainian troops are withdrawn from the territories of the new Russian regions. Additionally, he stated that Kiev must renounce its intentions to join NATO, carry out demilitarization and denazification, and adopt a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status. The Russian leader also mentioned the need to lift sanctions against Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240615/putins-peace-proposals-on-ukraine-are-golden-opportunity--lifeline-1118974919.html ukraine russia kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International putins peace proposals for ukraine, peace settlement of russia ukraine conflict, ukraine crisis settlement proposals, what conditions did putin mention to settle conflict in ukraine, conditions for peace settlement in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/russia-strongly-condemns-assassination-of-hamas-politburo-chief-haniyeh-1119577332.html Russia Strongly Condemns Assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Haniyeh Russia Strongly Condemns Assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Haniyeh Sputnik International Russia strongly condemns the assassination of Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh, Russian Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Andrey Nastasin said on Wednesday. 2024-07-31T08:27+0000 2024-07-31T08:27+0000 2024-07-31T08:27+0000 world russia russian foreign ministry ismail haniyeh israel iran hamas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1c/1117618882_0:152:3039:1861_1920x0_80_0_0_69f76c8107a5a2afafc7bbad330f5dcc.jpg Earlier in the day, the Palestinian movement Hamas confirmed the death of Haniyeh as a result of an Israeli strike on his residence in the Iranian capital. According to the movement, Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli "raid" on his residence in Tehran after his participation in the inauguration ceremony of the new president of Iran. The assassination will have a negative impact on negotiations between Israel and Hamas, as well as on efforts to reach a ceasefire, the diplomat said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/blatant-assassination-of-haniyeh-may-have-been-crossing-a-red-line--ex-cia-officer-1119576337.html russia israel iran 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 ismail haniyeh death, ismail haniyeh killing, ismail haniyeh assasination, ismail haniyeh russia hamas, ismail haniyeh israel https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/scott-ritter-eus-anti-russian-sanctions-have-boomeranged-back-on-europe-1119579733.html Scott Ritter: EUs Anti-Russian Sanctions Have Boomeranged Back on Europe Scott Ritter: EUs Anti-Russian Sanctions Have Boomeranged Back on Europe Sputnik International Speaking to Sputnik, former US Marine Corps intelligence officer and ex-UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter stressed that it were the US who were behind the EUs decision to start sanctioning Russia. 2024-07-31T11:46+0000 2024-07-31T11:46+0000 2024-07-31T11:46+0000 russia ukraine us sanctions european union (eu) economy analysis video https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/1f/1119581494_8:0:1249:698_1920x0_80_0_0_04fb1afa7249e6273eebd130a5b79e18.jpg EU packages of sanctions on Russia have backfired, becoming "one of the greatest economic disasters in modern European history," former US Marine Corps intelligence officer and ex-UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter pointed out.He dubbed the EU the economic arm of a gaggle of organizations and institutions, which include the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, all of which serve fundamentally at the behest of the United States.The former UN weapons inspector insisted that America is using the sanctions to achieve a larger strategic objective, not only weakening Russia but also weakening Europe, so that the United States emerges from this [Ukraine] conflict stronger.He was echoed by Gunnar Beck, outgoing member of the European Parliament for the Alternative for Germany party, lawyer and academic specializing in EU law, who told Sputnik that its safe to say the EU shot itself in the foot by deciding to impose sanctions on Russia."There's no doubt that the economic impact [from the sanctions] is felt to a much greater extent here in the EU itself compared to Russia. I mean, the Russian economy, according to the official data, is doing very well and it appears to have adapted to the sanctions," Beck pointed out.The EUs sanctions on Russian raw materials, including oil and gas "have hurt primarily the European economies," which "used to be able to rely on predictable, high quality and cheap gas and oil imports from Russia," according to the expert.These economies, he went on, "still cannot do without importing oil and gas from Russia, but they're now doing it via third countries at much higher prices," with Russia continuing to sell its oil and gas.The sanctions have not had the impact that the EU hoped they would have," which was predictable, per the expert."The EU probably underestimated the degree to which the Russian government had prepared for the eventuality of sanctions, including far-reaching restrictions on energy imports into the EU, as well as financial transactions. On this occasion, I think the sanctions have proved ineffective and they have failed insofar as Russia is concerned," Beck summed up. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240417/what-sanctions-russian-seaborne-crude-exports-hit-new-high-in-2024--report-1117977830.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240331/sanctions-you-say-russia-becomes-g20s-fifth-fastest-growing-economy-1117673410.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Scott Ritter: EUs Anti-Russian Sanctions Have Boomeranged Back on Europe Sputnik International Scott Ritter: EUs Anti-Russian Sanctions Have Boomeranged Back on Europe 2024-07-31T11:46+0000 true PT2M48S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg the eu's sanctions against russia, the minsk peace accords, the us's drive to isolate russia, restrictive measures, oil imports from russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/uk-foreign-secretary-to-arrive-in-beirut-on-august-1---source-1119572504.html UK Foreign Secretary to Arrive in Beirut on August 1 - Source UK Foreign Secretary to Arrive in Beirut on August 1 - Source Sputnik International UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy will travel to the Lebanese capital of Beirut, a source told Sputnik. 2024-07-31T02:08+0000 2024-07-31T02:08+0000 2024-07-31T02:08+0000 world united kingdom (uk) beirut nabih berri benjamin netanyahu israel hezbollah israel defense forces (idf) sputnik newsfeed https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/1f/1119572345_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_fff072118b7debc0e61423d2f7916f24.jpg "UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy will arrive in Beirut on Thursday as part of an official visit to Lebanon. The visit will take place amid the tense situation in the country, especially in light of threats from Israel," the source said on Tuesday. The source also noted Berris desire to resolve the situation in the country and the region as a whole to prevent the outbreak of a large-scale conflict. The Israeli army said last Saturday that 12 people had been killed in a rocket strike on the Golan Heights, which it blamed on Hezbollah. The Lebanese movement denied the claim. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not leave the attack on the Golan Heights unanswered and Hezbollah would pay a price "it has never paid before." On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces announced that it carried out a strike in the southern suburb of Beirut targeting a "commander responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and the killing of numerous additional Israeli civilians." Later, the IDF said that the "most senior military commander" of Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah, Fuad Shukr, was killed in the strike.Meanwhile, a source holding a senior position in Hezbollah told Sputnik that Shukr had not been killed in the strike. "The Israeli strikes had been aimed at assassinating commander Fuad Shukr. The assassination attempt has failed," the source said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240730/lebanons-cabinet-says-will-meet-wednesday-morning-to-discuss-israels-strike-on-beirut-1119570866.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240730/attempt-to-kill-hezbollah-commander-shukr-failed---source-in-movement-1119569065.html united kingdom (uk) beirut israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International uk and lebanon, uk visits beirut, https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/ukraine-army-drafting-30000-new-recruits-monthly-since-may---reports-1119575123.html Ukrainian Army Drafting 30,000 New Recruits Monthly Since May - Reports Ukrainian Army Drafting 30,000 New Recruits Monthly Since May - Reports Sputnik International The Ukrainian government has been drafting 30,000 recruits per month since May after signing a new mobilization law, The New York Times newspaper reported, citing sources. 2024-07-31T05:40+0000 2024-07-31T05:40+0000 2024-07-31T05:40+0000 world ukraine armed forces of ukraine ukrainian crisis volodymyr zelensky military draft https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0b/1117864695_0:182:2995:1866_1920x0_80_0_0_1134c1eacbedcf79f7f7b49b38aeb5ac.jpg The law tightening Ukraine's mobilization rules went into effect on May 18. Aimed at replenishing Ukrainian forces depleted by more than two years of conflict, it mandates that all Ukrainians liable for military service report to conscription offices within 60 days of the law's enactment. This figure is two to three times higher than in the last winter months, the report said on Tuesday. Martial law was introduced in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The next day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on general mobilization. The martial law and mobilization have been extended repeatedly since then. Under martial law, men aged from 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving Ukraine. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240726/only-brute-force-can-force-draft-age-ukrainians-in-europe-to-go-home-to-face-near-certain-death-1119521472.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's special military operation, ukraine crisis, mobilization ukraine, ukraine draft, ukraine draconian laws, zelensky tyranny https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/un-secretary-generals-office-expresses-concern-over-israeli-strikes-on-lebanon-1119572763.html UN Secretary-General's Office Expresses Concern Over Israeli Strikes on Lebanon UN Secretary-General's Office Expresses Concern Over Israeli Strikes on Lebanon Sputnik International UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is concerned about Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon and called for deescalation. 2024-07-31T02:31+0000 2024-07-31T02:31+0000 2024-07-31T02:31+0000 world newsfeed antonio guterres benjamin netanyahu hezbollah israel defense forces (idf) israel lebanon beirut the united nations (un) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107890/07/1078900792_0:260:2716:1788_1920x0_80_0_0_b200aad907aa94c2d605d65ef8025a5a.jpg On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces announced that it carried out a strike in the southern suburb of Beirut targeting a "commander responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and the killing of numerous additional Israeli civilians." Later, the IDF said that the "most senior military commander" of Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah, Fuad Shukr, was killed in the strike. Lebanese media reported that at least three people were killed and 74 others were injured as result of the attack. The Israeli army said last Saturday that 12 people had been killed in a rocket strike on the Golan Heights, which it blamed on Hezbollah. The Lebanese movement denied the claim. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not leave the attack on the Golan Heights unanswered and Hezbollah would pay a price "it has never paid before." israel lebanon beirut 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 israel strikes on beirut, israel bombs lebanon, un response to israel https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/us-air-force-spending-975mln-on-tech-program-to-sustain-global-force---pentagon-1119572646.html US Air Force Spending $975Mln on Tech Program to Sustain Global Force - Pentagon US Air Force Spending $975Mln on Tech Program to Sustain Global Force - Pentagon Sputnik International The US Air Force plans to spend nearly a billion dollars to fund sustainment and maintenance operations for its aircraft. 2024-07-31T02:16+0000 2024-07-31T02:16+0000 2024-07-31T02:16+0000 military military & intelligence air force newsfeed us air force https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/11/1116220084_0:116:3231:1933_1920x0_80_0_0_b221909f17846706857b7dd4552b3162.jpg "[The companies] have been awarded a combined ... $975 million ... contract for the Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office," the department said in a press release on Tuesday. The contract enables the Air Force to optimize the operational readiness and life cycle sustainment costs of its fielded weapon systems by rapidly identifying testing and scaling up emerging technology applications. These endeavors will be carried out "in advanced manufacturing, automation and robotics, advanced composites, corrosion prevention and control, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and several other high-impact technical focus areas," the department explained. Work on the program will be carried out at Air Force bases around the world over the next decade and is expected to be completed by July 29, 2033, the statement read. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240729/pentagon-official-says-military-recently-initiated-hypersonic-test-unclear-if-successful-1119556465.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us military spending, air force maintenance costs, military maintance https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/venezuelan-foreign-minister-says-govt-decides-to-sever-diplomatic-relations-with-peru-1119573351.html Venezuela Severs Diplomatic Relations With Peru Venezuela Severs Diplomatic Relations With Peru Sputnik International Venezuela will sever diplomatic ties with Peru after that country's foreign minister commented on the presidential election results in Venezuela. 2024-07-31T03:11+0000 2024-07-31T03:11+0000 2024-07-31T05:40+0000 americas nicolas maduro us peru venezuela venezuelan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/1d/1119558641_0:35:3072:1763_1920x0_80_0_0_6232d7854514deb6d73d903ab717566c.jpg On Monday, Peru refused to recognize the results of the Venezuelan presidential election. The next day, Gonzalez-Olaechea said that he recognized the Venezuelan opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, as the country's president-elect. The presidential election of July 28 saw Nicolas Maduro win a third term in office. The announcement of the results sparked protests in the capital of Caracas and beyond, with clashes reported between the police and opposition supporters. The Venezuelan government accused several countries of election meddling. americas peru venezuela venezuelan 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 venezuela and peru, venezuela presidential elections, unrest in caracas Transfer student Viviana Rivera, center, listens with her mom Sylvia, left, during a student orientation for transfer students at University of Houston Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer People are shown on the campus of Texas A&M University Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in College Station. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer New students listen during a student orientation for transfer students at University of Houston Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer State higher education officials have worked out most bugs in the revamped ApplyTexas website, in time for the majority of four-year schools to open their undergraduate applications Thursday, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Earlier hiccups frustrated many prospective students who were eligible to submit applications over the summer, including for two-year colleges, graduate programs and some four-year institutions. Those problems smoothed out following initial increases to the number of started and stopped applications, and total submissions through the portal now sit higher than this time last year, said Sarah Keyton, association commissioner for administration at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. We are really excited about ApplyTexas, Keyton said. This is obviously mission critical, very high priority for the agency. Advertisement Article continues below this ad STRESS TO SUCCESS: Read our occasional series on college admissions. The new site launched June 10, part of a massive undertaking to streamline the admissions process and lower technological barriers to higher education. The changes include a step-by-step guide through each section in the application process; a set of core questions to simplify the process for students submitting to multiple schools; customized dashboards for each student and institution; and a tracking system for transcript requests and submissions. ApplyTexas, which serves 117 of the states higher education institutions, has received 90,000 applications since its relaunch, according to the state agency administering the portal. Those numbers are expected to grow when most four-year applications open this week, though the prior glitches have pushed some four-year applicants to the CommonApp, a portal that also serves a number of Texas institutions. Danna Kutach, of Pearland, said her daughter submitted three tickets to have bugs resolved on her application to Stephen F. Austin State University. The application opened earlier in July, but Kutach said the process was so frustrating that her incoming senior will be applying to Texas A&M University through CommonApp even though ApplyTexas is an option and her core questions are already filled out. Kutach said her daughter doesnt want to take any risks. The state flagship uses rolling admissions, which can affect how fast housing and certain majors get filled. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For A&M, its very important that she gets her application in as soon as possible, she said. Texas A&Ms website encourages students to apply using CommonApp. The University of Texas at Austin also uses both sites to process applications, but most prospective students use CommonApp, Vice Provost for Admissions Miguel V. Wasielewski said. Admissions officers arent expecting major issues with the states portal and are reassuring students that they should take their time to make sure their applications are the best they can be, he said. If there are any initial emergency issues with ApplyTexas, well be able to sort those out pretty quickly so when those students do submit the applications they wont have any problem, Wasielewski said. The ApplyTexas redesign comes amid other major changes at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which is also between leaders as Commissioner Harrison Keller leaves to become president of the University of North Texas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The agency relaunched its My Texas Future portal this spring to help students map out their college and career plans, and ApplyTexas is being integrated into that system. Officials are also opening a direct admissions process this fall, allowing students to input their credentials and receive automatic admission to participating colleges without the rigamarole of a formal application. ApplyTexas offers nine different applications, including for two-year, four-year, international and dual-credit students. Public institutions are not taxed to use it, but students pay per application, ranging from no cost to as high as $75, agency officials said. The coordinating board worked closely with institutions to remedy problems with the websites rollout, Keyton said. They held multiple trainings and released updates through June and July about certain fixes: A July 3 note acknowledged that students had challenges with graduate applications to UT-Austin but could rest assured that their applications had been received, and a July 22 note affirmed that a series of bugs had been fixed across various application types. Jose Valentine, dean of enrollment services at San Jacinto College, said he believed two-year colleges might have been most affected by the rollout because a bulk of their students apply for the fall semester during the summer. Started and stopped as well as deleted applications rose immediately after the relaunch but fell again as the agency communicated regularly with the colleges and the glitches got resolved, he said. Its definitely had its challenges, Valentine said. We sort of chugged through it and created some proactive student support services to help our students get through that process. At the college itself, weve had to provide some grace and flexibility in response to it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Officials at the state agency emphasized that new systems tend to come with a learning curve. But in the long run, they hope more people find it easier to apply to college as a result of the ApplyTexas redesign, even if some students still prefer CommonApp, Keyton said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/venezuelas-maduro-asks-supreme-tribunal-to-probe-alleged-election-meddling-1119586798.html Venezuela's Maduro Asks Supreme Tribunal to Probe Alleged Election Meddling Venezuela's Maduro Asks Supreme Tribunal to Probe Alleged Election Meddling Sputnik International Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro filed a constitutional protection claim on Wednesday with the country's Supreme Justice Tribunal to investigate an alleged election interference he described as an attempted coup. 2024-07-31T20:55+0000 2024-07-31T20:55+0000 2024-07-31T20:53+0000 americas venezuela nicolas maduro us election meddling presidential election investigation https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/11/1114259051_0:0:2872:1617_1920x0_80_0_0_1d30159dc132cd9908a91c1bad03d6e9.jpg The presidential election of July 28 saw Maduro win a third term in office. The announcement of the results sparked protests in the capital of Caracas and beyond, with clashes reported between the police and opposition supporters. The Venezuelan government has accused several countries of election meddling. The president added that he decided to appeal to the court after having faced "psychological warfare in social and mass media." "Let them interrogate all registered presidential candidates and 38 parties, and find out in detail the nature of those attacks on polling stations, arson and damage to the branches of the electoral council, and cyber attacks," Maduro said.Russian Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson Andrey Nastasyin said on Wednesday that Maduros victory had been confirmed and urged foreign countries to stop using "baseless accusations" to attempt to influence the political situation in Venezuela. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240730/protests-in-venezuela-definitely-financed-by-washington---russian-observer-1119560904.html americas venezuela 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 results of venezuela election, allegations of election meddling in venezuela, attempted coup in venezuela https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/venezuelas-opposition-leaders-must-face-justice---maduro-1119587584.html Venezuela's Opposition Leaders Must Face Justice - Maduro Venezuela's Opposition Leaders Must Face Justice - Maduro Sputnik International Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro told reporters on Wednesday that the leaders of the opposition must face justice for their actions after the election three days ago. 2024-07-31T22:54+0000 2024-07-31T22:54+0000 2024-07-31T22:55+0000 americas nicolas maduro venezuela caracas elections protest unrest https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/1f/1119587427_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_dfc72113420e98223a6f07e49b682e0d.jpg "If you ask my opinion as a citizen, these people should be behind bars... As head of state, I would say there should be justice. They must stop hiding and must come to the prosecutor's office," Maduro said when asked what should happen to Machado and Gonzalez. Presidential elections in Venezuela were held on July 28. The next day the National Electoral Council declared Maduro president-elect for 2025-2031. Maduro received, according to the Electoral Council, 51% of the vote. On July 29, protests started in Venezuela. Clashes between the police and protesters began in Caracas. Protesters threw stones and Molotov cocktails at law enforcement officers. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, 77 law enforcement officers were injured; 1,062 people were detained on charges of destruction of state infrastructure, incitement of hatred and terrorism. The Venezuelan government said a number of countries interfered in the elections and the people's right to self-determination. Moscow said the Venezuelan opposition must admit defeat in the elections. In addition, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned third countries against supporting attempts to destabilize the situation inside Venezuela. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/venezuelas-maduro-asks-supreme-tribunal-to-probe-alleged-election-meddling-1119586798.html americas venezuela caracas 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 venezuelan elections, venezuelan opposition members, will there be a civil war in venezuela, coup in venezuela, coup fails in venezuela https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/zelensky-says-expecting-air-defense-systems-to-be-delivered-to-ukraine-in-august-october-1119572199.html Zelensky Says Expecting Air Defense Systems to Be Delivered to Ukraine in August-October Zelensky Says Expecting Air Defense Systems to Be Delivered to Ukraine in August-October Sputnik International Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he expects Western air defense systems to enter Ukraine throughout August, September and October. 2024-07-31T01:38+0000 2024-07-31T01:38+0000 2024-07-31T01:38+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine volodymyr zelensky kiev ukraine nato iskander-m patriot klaus iohannis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/0d/1117296767_0:89:3326:1960_1920x0_80_0_0_e9bbb75504187ef1ba2ae3e59eef394e.jpg "We are increasing the number of Patriot and other systems ... We will continue this work. In August, September, and October, these systems will be in our country," Zelensky said at a meeting with regional authorities on Tuesday. On July 15, Zelensky said that Kiev needs 25 Patriot air defense systems to ensure the complete protection of the Ukrainian skies, without disclosing how many Patriot systems the country already has. Earlier in July, a Pentagon spokesperson told Sputnik that the United States would provide Kiev with an old Patriot system worth about $100 million. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis also pledged to send a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine in the 10-year agreement on security cooperation between Romania and Ukraine signed on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington last Thursday.Earlier this month, the Russian Ministry of Defense published videos of two Patriot systems being destroyed by Russian Iskander-M missile. Russia has continually warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying this would lead to further escalation of the conflict. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240707/watch-russian-troops-blow-up-two-patriot-missile-systems-in-odessa-region-1119268902.html kiev 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 patriot systems in ukraine, air defenses in ukraine, military aid to ukraine This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The European airport market has become 'extremely fragmented', with only 53 percent of them having fully recovered their pre-pandemic passenger volumes by June, a trade body said. Passenger traffic at European airports returned to pre-COVID levels in the first half of the year as the sector finally "turned the corner" on the pandemic crisis, the main industry association said on Wednesday. But the trade body warned that the recovery was uneven, with almost half of Europe's airports still below pre-pandemic levels. Overall, passenger traffic rose nine percent in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, according to Airports Council International Europe. Volume was nine percent higher than in the same period last year, lifting it to 0.4 percent above the first half of 2019, the year before the coronavirus outbreak that paralyzed economies and the aviation industry. "As overall passenger traffic finally made it above 2019 levels over a full six-month period, our industry has now turned the corner on the pandemic," said ACI Europe director general Olivier Jankovec said. International traffic has been the main growth driver this year, rising 10.3 percent in the first half compared to the same period last year. Domestic traffic was up 4.2 percent. The figures "finally" confirm "a full recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for the airport industry", ACI Europe said in a statement. The European airport market, however, has become "extremely fragmented", with only 53 percent of airports having fully recovered their pre-pandemic passenger volumes by June, Jankovec said. Since the pandemic, leisure travel and family visits have been the driving force behind travel, benefitting low-cost airlines and holiday sites over traditional airlines and destinations serving business travelers. Albania has seen the greatest increase, with its volume of air passengers rising 243 percent from the same period in 2019. Greece, Malta and Portugal also logged strong growth. Air travel in German airports is still down 17 percent from before the pandemic, while France was down four percent and Britain 1.1 percent, hit by a growing preference for video conferences over business trips, and with domestic travel facing greater competition from train routes. London Heathrow remains the largest airport in Europe with 39.8 million passengers in the first half, followed by Istanbul's international airport and Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle. 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: An illustration of the SELF-REASONING framework for improving the RALMs. The upper is the basic LLMs which answer the question by inherent knowledge. The middle is the standard retrieval augmented LMs, which use retrieved documents to help answer the question. The bottom is our SELF-REASONING framework which uses self-generated reason trajectories to output answers. Credit: arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2407.19813 A team of AI researchers at the Chinese technology company Baidu Inc. is proposing a new reasoning framework designed to improve the reliability and traceability of LLMs. The group has published a paper describing their ideas on the arXiv preprint server. Over the past couple of years, LLMs such as ChatGPT have become mainstream applications, with users taking advantage of their capabilities to write documents, create images and even write songs. But one glaring weakness of LLMs remainstheir inability to check their own results to make sure they do not occasionally present users with "hallucinations," which are results that make no sense. This weakness prevents AI apps from being used for more critical applications that rely on data integrity. In this new effort, the team at Baidu has come up with a strategy aimed at forcing LLMs to check their work before presenting results to end users. The new approach involves adding a three-step process to the LLM engine just prior to presentation of results. The first is to add a relevance-aware model to assess the results and judge them on their relevance to the user prompt. The second involves an evidence-aware selective option in which relevant documents are chosen for citation and excerpts are presented as evidence of correctness of an answer. The third involves a trajectory analysis module that conducts a clear and concise analysis based on results from the prior two modules. It then provides the user with the final answer. The research team suggests the approach would force LLMs to be more aware of provided answers to users, which in the end should improve accuracy. The team has also tested their ideas by adding test modules to LLMs and then writing prompts. They claim the improved LLMs were able to outperform GPT-4 using much smaller training datasets. The researchers suggest that frameworks such as theirs could lead to more reliable LLMs, which could make them suitable for more applications. They also suggest they would open the field to more players who currently do not have access to massive training datasets. More information: Yuan Xia et al, Improving Retrieval Augmented Language Model with Self-Reasoning, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2407.19813 Journal information: arXiv 2024 Science X Network US execs eye opportunities in Chinese supply chains 08:51, July 31, 2024 By Minlu Zhang ( China Daily Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, addresses the US-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in New York on July 29, 2024. (MINLU ZHANG/CHINA DAILY) Supply chains were in the spotlight on the first day of a trade cooperation forum in the United States, as a Chinese business delegation made a reciprocal visit to the US following the conclusion of a key meeting of the Communist Party of China in Beijing. The delegation, led by Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, was the first to visit the US after the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC. A business delegation from the US visited China last week. The delegation, with members including business leaders from provinces such as Guangdong and Zhejiang, was also scheduled to attend meetings in Washington, DC, and the US state of Maryland. Addressing the US-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in New York on Monday, Ren said, "Strengthening supply chain cooperation between China and the US is conducive to keeping the global industrial and supply chains stable and unfettered, and will contribute to the economic growth of the two countries and beyond." China and the US "enjoy strong economic complementarities and have highly interwoven interests", Ren said. Lin Shunjie, chairman of the China International Exhibition Center Group, told China Daily that many foreign entrepreneurs have expressed a desire to restore and improve their global supply chain structures, which they believe "cannot be done without China". "Only in China can they maximize supply chain efficiency, minimize costs, and optimize the structure," Lin said at the forum. Many foreign companies were pleased to find that China has many innovative small and medium-sized enterprises that produce at low costs, significantly reducing supply chain expenses, Lin said. He added that US companies had the highest presence among foreign enterprises attending the China International Supply Chain Expo last year. The expo, the world's first national-level exhibition focusing on supply chains, was held from Nov 28 to Dec 2 in Beijing. About 515 companies from 55 countries, including more than 50 Fortune Global 500 companies, sent their CEOs to the expo. Jonathan Webb, CEO of Packable, formerly Pharmapacks, told reporters at the forum that the company is the largest seller on Amazon and Walmart in the US, shipping 60,000 to 100,000 orders a day. "We're here to connect with people who can help us integrate into the Chinese infrastructure, such as Temu and TikTok," Webb said. China is crucial "because 90 percent of everything sold online comes from there", Webb said, adding that the US market has "a huge appetite" for Chinese-manufactured goods, from selfie sticks to EV charging stations. All of those goods are being manufactured in China and brought to the US, said Webb, but "everyone is nervous about the tariffs. We need to figure out how to mitigate these issues." Continuous cooperation between the US and China is essential for maximizing global supply chain benefits, he said. Furthermore, "working with China creates jobs in the US" and stimulates the local economy, Webb said. If tariffs are increased, many US innovators that manufacture in China might have to move to other countries, which could affect supply chains, he added. Participants at Monday's forum also included Huang Ping, consul general of the Chinese consulate general in New York, and Peter Tichansky, president and CEO of the Business Council for International Understanding. More than 300 representatives from Chinese and US businesses and trade communities also attended. A delegation from the board of directors of the US-China Business Council visited China last week after the third plenary session concluded on July 18. The delegation included FedEx President and CEO Raj Subramaniam, United Family Healthcare founder Roberta Lipson, Boeing Global President Brendan Nelson, and Educational Testing Service CEO Amit Sevak. Promising market potential China's market potential offers huge opportunities for cooperation, as the country imports $2.5 trillion worth of goods and services annually and ranks second in attracting foreign direct investment, said Huang, the consul general. He noted that the recent plenary session highlighted expanding market access in various sectors and promoting an open economic system to benefit global cooperation. "Fighting against each other is not going to lead us anywhere. So I really hope that we can seize this opportunity of China's continued reform and opening-up policy," Huang said. "This momentum allows us to strengthen our relationship and do business together. Both countries and the whole world will benefit from this." Ren, head of the Chinese delegation, said: "Under current circumstances, the common interests between China and the US are increasing instead of decreasing. Whether in traditional areas like trade and agriculture, or emerging areas like... artificial intelligence, companies in both countries have shared interests and broad cooperation prospects." Sun Xiao, secretary-general of the China Chamber of International Commerce, said, "We aim to convey the important new openness measures established at the plenary session to the American business community and look forward to hearing their responses and demands." (Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chaolan) Leah Mishlan, former principal of West Briar Middle School, speaks to Democratic state lawmakers during a committee hearing to solicit testimony about the state takeover of Houston ISD on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Dozens of Houston ISD community members gathered Tuesday to condemn the state takeover and share their concerns about the district during an unofficial meeting with Democratic state lawmakers. About two weeks before the Houses official committee hearings on public education in Austin, multiple state legislators, including Houston-area Reps. Christina Morales, Alma Allen and Gene Wu, held a press conference and an ad-hoc meeting in Houston to provide a platform for HISD parents, students, teachers and other district employees to voice their experiences. The Houston Federation of Teachers, the districts largest teachers union, and Community Voice for Public Education, a community advocacy group, co-hosted the hearing for members of the public to advocate for the repeal of discriminatory state takeover laws and full funding for public schools. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The recent takeover of schools in HISD, particularly those serving predominantly students of color, represents a significant step backwards in our fight for educational equity, said Ashlyn Morton, a senior at Lamar High School. The takeover reinforces a damaging narrative that these schools are inadequate, perpetuating a cycle of disenfranchisement. Democratic state Reps. Penny Morales Shaw, John Bryant and Christina Morales listen to a speaker during a committee hearing held to solicit testimony about the state takeover of Houston ISD on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Elected HISD Trustee for District 2 Savant Moore speaks alongside Democratic state lawmakers during a press conference to solicit testimony about the state takeover of Houston ISD at the Hilton University of Houston on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer THE REPORT CARD: Subscribe to the Houston Chronicles weekly newsletter recapping HISD news Under a 2015 law, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath replaced HISDs superintendent and elected school board with Mike Miles and an appointed Board of Managers in June 2023 after Wheatley High School earned failing accountability grades for several consecutive years. More than three dozen speakers condemned Miles leadership of the district, the increased turnover of teachers and principals, and the proposed $4.4 billion school bond. Others criticized different aspects of the New Education System reforms, which requires teachers to strictly adhere to timed lessons, district curriculum and additional directives. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Remie Smith, a senior at Worthing Early College High School, speaks to Democratic state lawmakers during a committee hearing to solicit testimony about the state takeover of Houston ISD on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Because students are afraid their teachers are going to be fired, we cannot complain to the district when they come to monitor classrooms, said Remie Smith, a senior at Worthing Early College High School, which became an NES school last year. Mike Miles rules have made me lose all motivation to learn. The meeting comes after multiple lawmakers penned a letter in February calling the Texas House Public Education Committee to meet to address potential violations of state law in HISD, such as having students in classrooms with unqualified, non-degree holding teachers, but the committee never scheduled a meeting on the topic. Instead, the public education committee scheduled a meeting in Austin on Aug. 12 and 13 which are the first two days of school for HISD to hear testimony on topics such as the growing number of uncertified teachers statewide, early literacy and math outcomes and school vouchers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We are having to do this today because the Republicans in Austin refuse to do their jobs. This is an issue that should have been addressed on day one, but it has been over a year now, Wu said. We have seen the massive expulsion of the best teachers and the best principals. Why are they leaving? HISD, right now, we know, but we need Austin to know. Democratic state lawmakers hold a press conference and a committee hearing to solicit testimony about the state takeover of Houston ISD on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Morales, who helped organize Tuesdays meeting, said it was a crucial step in the communitys efforts to reclaim HISD schools and ensure that they serve the districts children and community as they should. She and other representatives encouraged attendees to take action by voting in November against politicians who supported the state takeover. Our community is sick and tired of their concerns falling on deaf ears every time they go to a school board meeting, Morales said. They are tired of being ignored. These are our schools. These are our tax dollars that fund these schools, and we must fight for our children, because our children are the future of Texas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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: Thermometer performance vs. number of training tasks. Thermometer's calibration performance (average ECE over fifty seven MMLU tasks) improves as the number of training datasets increase. The shaded region represents two standard error. Credit: arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2403.08819 People use large language models for a huge array of tasks, from translating an article to identifying financial fraud. However, despite the incredible capabilities and versatility of these models, they sometimes generate inaccurate responses. On top of that problem, the models can be overconfident about wrong answers or underconfident about correct ones, making it tough for a user to know when a model can be trusted. Researchers typically calibrate a machine-learning model to ensure its level of confidence lines up with its accuracy. A well-calibrated model should have less confidence about an incorrect prediction, and vice-versa. But because large language models (LLMs) can be applied to a seemingly endless collection of diverse tasks, traditional calibration methods are ineffective. Now, researchers from MIT and the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab have introduced a calibration method tailored to large language models. Their method, called Thermometer, involves building a smaller, auxiliary model that runs on top of a large language model to calibrate it. Thermometer is more efficient than other approachesrequiring less power-hungry computationwhile preserving the accuracy of the model and enabling it to produce better-calibrated responses on tasks it has not seen before. By enabling efficient calibration of an LLM for a variety of tasks, Thermometer could help users pinpoint situations where a model is overconfident about false predictions, ultimately preventing them from deploying that model in a situation where it may fail. "With Thermometer, we want to provide the user with a clear signal to tell them whether a model's response is accurate or inaccurate, in a way that reflects the model's uncertainty, so they know if that model is reliable," says Maohao Shen, an electrical engineering and computer science (EECS) graduate student and lead author of a paper on Thermometer. Shen is joined on the paper by Gregory Wornell, the Sumitomo Professor of Engineering who leads the Signals, Information, and Algorithms Laboratory in the Research Laboratory for Electronics, and is a member of the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab; senior author Soumya Ghosh, a research staff member in the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab; as well as others at MIT and the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab. The research was recently presented at the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML 2024) held in Vienna, Austria, from July 21 to July 27. It is available on the arXiv preprint server. Universal calibration Since traditional machine-learning models are typically designed to perform a single task, calibrating them usually involves one task-specific method. On the other hand, since LLMs have the flexibility to perform many tasks, using a traditional method to calibrate that model for one task might hurt its performance on another task. Calibrating an LLM often involves sampling from the model multiple times to obtain different predictions and then aggregating these predictions to obtain better-calibrated confidence. However, because these models have billions of parameters, the computational costs of such approaches rapidly add up. "In a sense, large language models are universal because they can handle various tasks. So, we need a universal calibration method that can also handle many different tasks," says Shen. With Thermometer, the researchers developed a versatile technique that leverages a classical calibration method called temperature scaling to efficiently calibrate an LLM for a new task. In this context, a "temperature" is a scaling parameter used to adjust a model's confidence to be aligned with its prediction accuracy. Traditionally, one determines the right temperature using a labeled validation dataset of task-specific examples. Since LLMs are often applied to new tasks, labeled datasets can be nearly impossible to acquire. For instance, a user who wants to deploy an LLM to answer customer questions about a new product likely does not have a dataset containing such questions and answers. Instead of using a labeled dataset, the researchers train an auxiliary model that runs on top of an LLM to automatically predict the temperature needed to calibrate it for this new task. They use labeled datasets of a few representative tasks to train the Thermometer model, but then once it has been trained, it can generalize to new tasks in a similar category without the need for additional labeled data. A Thermometer model trained on a collection of multiple-choice question datasets, perhaps including one with algebra questions and one with medical questions, could be used to calibrate an LLM that will answer questions about geometry or biology, for instance. "The aspirational goal is for it to work on any task, but we are not quite there yet," Ghosh says. The Thermometer model only needs to access a small part of the LLM's inner workings to predict the right temperature that will calibrate its prediction for data points of a specific task. An efficient approach Importantly, the technique does not require multiple training runs and only slightly slows the LLM. Plus, since temperature scaling does not alter a model's predictions, Thermometer preserves its accuracy. When they compared Thermometer to several baselines on multiple tasks, it consistently produced better-calibrated uncertainty measures while requiring much less computation. "As long as we train a Thermometer model on a sufficiently large number of tasks, it should be able to generalize well across any new task, just like a large language model, it is also a universal model," Shen adds. The researchers also found that if they train a Thermometer model for a smaller LLM, it can be directly applied to calibrate a larger LLM within the same family. In the future, they want to adapt Thermometer for more complex text-generation tasks and apply the technique to even larger LLMs. The researchers also hope to quantify the diversity and number of labeled datasets one would need to train a Thermometer model so it can generalize to a new task. More information: Maohao Shen et al, Thermometer: Towards Universal Calibration for Large Language Models, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2403.08819 Journal information: arXiv This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching. 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: Components of the Ring-Type Pipe Fitting System. Credit: Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) has developed a novel non-welded ring-type pipe fitting system to address leakage and corrosion issues in sprinkler pipe connections. This system is the first of its kind in South Korea and aims to enhance fire prevention and early suppression. According to the "Fire Facility Installation and Management Act," all buildings constructed since 2018 with six or more floors, especially apartment ceilings, must have sprinkler systems installed. Approximately 17 sprinkler heads are needed per unit of 85-square-meter apartment, resulting in around 80 connections for the piping system. In a complex with 1,000 units, this translates to approximately 80,000 required pipe connections. However, during the installation process, welding, cutting, and grinding are necessary for the sprinkler piping system, posing fire risks due to sparks. Additionally, post-installation, there is a risk of leaks caused by corrosion in the pipe connections. The use of steel pipes in sprinkler fire protection systems can lead to corrosion over time, potentially compromising the system's effectiveness. This issue poses a serious threat to the safety of firefighter and the public during emergencies. In fact, incidents related to corroded fire protection piping continue to occur nationwide. According to data presented during a seminar at the South Korean National Assembly urging the resolution of fire protection system corrosion issues in September 2023, out of 124 incidents of malfunctioning sprinkler systems between 2016 and 2021, 69 cases (56%) failed to suppress fires due to corrosion-related inspection deficiencies1. This highlights the critical importance of addressing corrosion in fire protection piping systems to ensure public safety during emergencies. Comparison of welded joints, threaded joints, groove joints and Ring type pipe joints. Credit: Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology Until now, fire protection piping systems using steel pipes have primarily employed welded joints, threaded joints, and groove joints. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, between 2015 and 2019, there were an average of 486 welding-related fires at construction sites each month, excluding the monsoon season. However, this trend has decreased significantly since the implementation of the Major Disasters Punishment Act. Threaded joints, which involve screwing connections, pose a high risk of leaks due to corrosion. Groove joints, on the other hand, are not used in smaller pipes (with diameters below 50 mm) due to the difficulty of creating grooves in the piping. The research team led by Dr. Cho Dong-Woo at the Department of Building Energy Research of KICT, collaborated with Taiyang HighTech Co Ltd and Hanil Multidisciplinary Engineering Company, has developed an innovative non-welded ring-type pipe joint system. This system allows convenient connection of pipes using a metal ring inserted into an outer groove on the pipe. By adding two O-rings and a guide ring, the joint is sealed within a housing, effectively preventing leaks. Notably, this system maintains the pipe's structural integrity without any physical alterations to the inner surface, ensuring both water-tightness and corrosion resistance. Compared to traditional methods involving welding or threaded connections, this approach reduces assembly time and minimizes maintenance costs, making it suitable for various applications, including fire sprinkler systems. Compared to conventional methods, the ring-type joint (RTJ) pipe fitting system offers distinct advantages in terms of functionality, durability, and ease of assembly. In this system, pipe sections and joint components are pre-assembled at the factory and packaged as a single unit. On-site installation involves straightforward assembly without welding or threading. Notably, when connecting larger pipes to smaller ones (e.g., 65 mm to 50 mm or 50 mm to 40 mm), the integrated reducer significantly reduces assembly connections by approximately 20% compared to welding or threaded methods. This technology is especially efficient for installing sprinkler systems in apartment ceilings, where it can reduce labor time by up to 50% compared to traditional approaches. Additionally, the system's corrosion-resistant design ensures long-term durability, minimizing maintenance costs related to leaks or pipe replacements. Example of installation and construction of an apartment complex. Credit: Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technolog The ring-type pipe joint system has passed various safety performance tests, including seismic performance and leakage performance, and in December 2022, it also obtained UL (Underwriters Laboratory) certification, an internationally recognized standard. The developed technology has been installed in all units of an apartment complex with 3,000 households, and is currently being applied to public facilities in three apartment complexes. It is expected to be utilized in various applications, including high-rise apartments, modular homes, multi-use facilities, data centers, and cooling water or gas plant piping equipment. Dr. Cho said, "KICT continuously supports projects to enhance the technological capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises. Through this, the developed technology can minimize fire damage by addressing corrosion and leakage issues in sprinkler pipe connections, contributing to public safety." Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School parents and students demonstrate against the resignation notice of Principal Jose Auden Sarabia on Monday, May 13, 2024 in Houston. Sarabia told staff he must either resign by Tuesday or go before the district's Board of Managers. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Roughly 1 in 4 Houston ISD schools saw their principals leave in June, a year after state-assigned leaders took over the district. The majority of those 76 principals were labeled as voluntary separations, while two at Valley West and Herod elementary schools were labeled as involuntary. Twenty-two of those principals left for other roles in the district, such as through reassignment or promotion, according to district records. Some others were asked to resign or be considered for board termination. And the nature of nine principal changes remains unclear. The district assigned people to fill most of these positions ahead of the Aug. 12 start of school. Advertisement Article continues below this ad PRINCIPAL TRACKER: Schools with leadership turnover since Mike Miles became superintendent Here's what to know about the sweeping turnover. More than half of HISD schools saw principal changes over the year exceeding national and state norms At least 150 principals have left their schools since Mike Miles' June 2023 appointment. After taking into account schools that share a principal, such as Jane Long Academy and Las Americas Middle School, or those that recorded multiple changes, such as Cage Elementary, the Chronicle confirmed there have been at least 154 principal changes across 141 campuses more than half of HISD's 274 schools. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A year after the takeover, HISD's retention rate has hit a low of 59%. Only 152 of the district's 257 campuses with a principal of record at the beginning of the year retained their principals. That's lower than the national average of 80% and the state's retention rate of around 67%, according to an August report under the University of Texas at Austin Texas Education Leadership Lab. The annual retention rate is 58% at Texas schools serving high levels of economically disadvantaged students. In a Tuesday statement, HISD administration commented it prioritizes selecting strong campus leadership for student success. "We select and retain school leaders who meet the specific needs of each campus, and drive excellent instruction in every classroom, every day," administration wrote. "These principals are the biggest driver of transformation and improvement on their campuses, and their job is hard. As we start the 24-25 school year, we are confident that we have strong leaders on all our campuses and HISD students will benefit from their leadership and expertise, and we know that each of those leaders has made a choice to be a part of the great work happening in our District." Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School parents and students demonstrate against the resignation notice of Principal Jose Auden Sarabia on Monday, May 13, 2024 in Houston. Sarabia told staff he must either resign by Tuesday or go before the district's Board of Managers. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer 22 principals left for other positions in HISD, such as through promotion or reassignment This reassignment and promotion occurs after district's Central Office saw major cuts and reorganization after state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles took office, as well as a reduction in force announced near the school year's end. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Members of a principal training program founded by Miles, called the Principal Academy, stepped into some vacancies this past school year and summer. In a list of 79 Principal Academy members assigned to learn at campuses last year, 29 were hired as principals for the upcoming year. THE REPORT CARD: Subscribe to the Houston Chronicle's weekly newsletter recapping HISD news An unknown number of principals were told to resign or be considered for board termination Among those told to resign or face board termination are principals at West Briar Middle School, Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, Tanglewood Middle School, Neff Elementary School and Herod Elementary School, those former principals confirmed. The principals of 11 schools were listed by school name in a May 16 board special meeting agenda, canceled due to inclement weather, and appeared to be, at least in part, schools with principals asked to resign. Jose Auden Sarabia, Meyerland's principal, said he was told his name would be omitted from the agenda if he resigned. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We got an email (after Mother's Day weekend) saying 'our apologies.' Because they hadn't met a certain deadline or something, our names were going to appear on the board agenda. So even if we signed, our names would still appear on the board agenda," Sarabia said. BACK TO SCHOOL POLL: Tell us how you're feeling Mid-year benchmark exam scores were apparently taken into account before end-of-year exams were administered Meyerland's Sarabia and Tanglewood Middle School's Gretchen Kasper-Hoffman said the district pointed to mid-year benchmark exam scores as one of the reasons why they should resign. Both principals received memos to resign May 8, ahead of the end-of-year exam that would have measured growth over the course of the entire year. University of Texas at Austin education policy expert David DeMatthews said the mid-year exam the Northwest Evaluation Association's Measures of Academic Progress Growth (MAP) was not enough data to base an employment decision on. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I think test scores are important, but they're very flawed indicators of what's happening in a school," DeMatthews said. "And the smaller the window of time you look at test scores, the less valid and reliable they are for making any sort of decision, especially an employment decision. So, Miles is relatively new still. And just after a few months making decisions, and making employment decisions, about the mid-year like MAP scores, really is absurd." PRINCIPAL ACADEMY: About a third of Houston ISD principal trainees were hired for upcoming school year The last classroom observations by independent review teams, another component of principal evaluations, were completed after principals were told to resign, West Briar Middle School's former principal Lea Mishlan said. That means those scores did not factor into the employment decision, said Mishlan, who was asked to resign. A district spokesperson commented Monday, "We respect the rights and privacy of our staff and employees, as all employee actions and evaluative information are protected by state and/or federal privacy laws. Because of these laws, we cannot comment on current or former staff members." Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School parents and students demonstrate against the resignation notice of Principal Jose Auden Sarabia on Monday, May 13, 2024 in Houston. Sarabia told staff he must either resign by Tuesday or go before the district's Board of Managers. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The principal appraisal system changed eight times, principals said A May "call to action" document by principals, including Neff Elementary School's former principal Amanda Wingard, indicated changes were made "without communication." West Briar Middle School's former principal Lea Mishlan, who was asked to resign, said appraisal for teachers and administrators was "changing constantly throughout the year." "So it was like hitting a moving target," Mishlan said. After midyear proficiency screenings, the Houston Chronicle in March published the names of 117 principals told to undergo a second assessment and achieve at a higher level to remain principal next year. That drew public outcry, after which Miles reversed his decision. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Bank Al Maghrib (Central Bank of Morocco) have announced a 100 million funding for rural development in the country. IFAD has issued a bond, as a private placement, under its Sustainable Development Finance Framework to the Central Bank of Morocco. This is part of IFADs 2025 funding plan. IFADs development projects globally focus on transforming rural areas to make them more productive, improving their livelihoods, food security and resilience of millions of rural people. We are delighted to partner for the first time with a Central Bank, and particularly with Bank Al Maghrib. The bank has an explicit 10 per cent target of Environmental Social and Governance investments and applies a Corporate Social Responsibility Policy that is aligned with IFADs values, said Natalia Toschi, Head of Funding, IFAD. Morocco is one of IFADs founding Member States. In Morocco, IFAD has an active project portfolio of almost $400 million delivering impact and reaching more than 700,000 households, she added. IFAD projects enable small farming communities to improve their agricultural practices and access technologies, markets and value chains to increase their production and earn a decent income. About 3 billion people live in the rural areas of developing countries. While producing half of the worlds food, small-scale farmers often live in poverty. Eighty percent of the worlds poorest people live in rural areas. Yet, investments in rural development and small-scale farming can bring significant economic, social, environmental returns, it said. In Morocco, IFAD has worked extensively with farming cooperatives, grassroots and womens organisations to develop new food value chains from production to transformation and commercialisation. Globally, IFAD also invests significantly to support small-scale farmers to adapt to climate change. -TradeArabia News Service Republican Presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at his campaign rally at the Bojangles Coliseum on July 24, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The rally was the former president's first since President Joe Biden announced he would be ending his reelection bid. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images/TNS) Brandon Bell/TNS A Secret Service agents stands post in front of the stage ahead of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists, NABJ, convention, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press Unlike the cheers and applause former President Donald Trump often receives at his political events, there was no fanfare as he stepped onto the stage at the National Association of Black Journalists' convention in Chicago on Wednesday. The 2024 Republican presidential nominee was interviewed by three female journalists, ABC senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott, Semafor politics reporter Kadia Goba and Fox News host Harris Faulkner. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The announcer had told the audience to keep it professional, but Trump didnt heed. It took only minutes before he launched insults at the organization for a faulty sound system that caused a 30-minute delay, then at Scott for asking him why Black voters should trust him given his history of verbal attacks on Black people, especially Black female journalists. I dont think Ive been asked a question in such a horrible manner, Trump said. You dont even say, 'Hello, how are you? ' Are you with ABC? Because I think they are a fake news network, a terrible network. Its a very rude introduction. I think its a very nasty question. I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln. That drew rumblings from the audience. According to Politifact, which provided real-time fact checking of Trumps comments online, in 2018 Trump launched personal attacks against three Black female journalists over the course of three days. He called CNN reporter Abby Phillips questions stupid and described The Grios April Ryan as very nasty and a loser. Back on the Chicago stage, Scott asked Trump to explain why Republicans refer to Vice President Kamala Harris as a DEI hire, a reference to workplace diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad How do you define DEI? Define it for me? he said, skirting the issue. She was always of Indian heritage, only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a few years ago. She happened to turn Black. Is she Indian or is she Black? Trumps gaslighting went on for nearly 30 minutes, and the moderators had difficulty reining him in. So what was his message to the Black journalists, Faulkner asked. His response was hardly comprehensible. My message is to stop people from invading our country that are taking, frankly, a lot of problems with it. But one of the big problems, and a lot of the journalists in this room I know and I have great respect for. A lot of the journalists in this room are Black, Trump said. That last bit had the audience laughing. Coming from the border are millions and millions of people that happen to be taking Black jobs, he said. What is a Black job? Scott asked. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Anyone that has a job. Thats what it is, he said. Im certain that answer will elate his conservative camp. By the way, the notion that migrants are taking jobs from Black Americans is unsupported. Vanessa Wade, a Houston Association of Black Journalists board member, was in Chicago for the convention and watched the panel discussion from her laptop in a hotel lobby since the event was at capacity. I didnt expect to learn anything new, she said. But it was both shocking and disappointing. It was like watching someone come into your home for dinner who pulls down his pants and pees over everything. Wade said there were Black people wearing Trump 2024 T-shirts in the Hilton Hotel, where the panel was held, while anti-Trump protesters demonstrated outside along Michigan Avenue. The fallout from Trumps appearance started when it was first announced on Monday. By Tuesday, Washington Post columnist and convention co-chair Karen Attiah resigned her post with the journalists' group, as others took to social media to express outrage. Some condemned the organization for inviting Trump, who turned down invitations to speak at previous conventions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Weve always invited presidential candidates, Republicans and Democrats, said Houston native and political journalist Roland Martin, a previous NABJ Journalist of the Year and board member. The difference here is Donald Trump has been far more vicious in his attacks on journalists and journalism. Trump responded to such criticism with a post on Truth Social. Trump statement on Truth Social. Truth Social Trumps post falsely states the reason Vice President Kamala Harris did not speak at the event. She was invited, but told the group she could only appear virtually on Wednesday. NABJ says the organization is now in talks with Harris to have her speak at a later date. As Trump began speaking in Chicago, Martin was sharing his reaction on Twitter: Its 100% trash, he wrote. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Before the event, Serbino Sandifer-Walker, assistant dean of Texas Southern Universitys School of Communications, said she was disappointed to learn Trump would be appearing before the largest group of Black journalists in America. Trumps record is clear and doesnt reflect anything that is inclusive or represents what NABJ is about, said Sandifer-Walker, also a former president of the Houston Association of Black Journalists. I understand that journalists have to do these types of interviews, but this is a person who has blatantly disrespected and disparaged journalists. Its unacceptable. If the moderators do not ask the tough questions, Ill have some real issues. By the end of the discussion, it was clear the tough questions were left on the table. If Trump answered any question at all, it was muddled in half-truths and ramblings. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to promote fire and life safety standards and practices across Saudi Arabia. The MoU signing ceremony, held at Saudi Electricity Companys headquarters in Riyadh, was attended by key representatives from both entities. This agreement highlighted a shared aim of reducing the effects of fires and hazards by facilitating a well-charted exchange of information and knowledge with the help of awareness forums and conferences, while maintaining the highest standards in fire safety. It underlines NFPAs commitment to the region, and its work to foster further developments in safety measures and operational efficacy within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its electrical sector. "Partnering with NFPA allows us to align our safety protocols with global best practices. This agreement signifies our commitment to continuous improvement in fire and life safety, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of safety excellence in the energy sector and beyond," said Eng Saeed Al-Qahtani, Acting Executive Director, Fire Prevention & Fighting Sector at SEC. Noteworthy path Using the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem as a model, this initiative slates a noteworthy path towards establishing wide-ranging training and certification programs, fire research, and education for the kingdoms public at community level. Additionally, NFPA will offer comprehensive training programs and technical support to SEC personnel, ensuring they are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to uphold the highest safety standards. NFPA is delighted to partner with Saudi Electricity Company in this important initiative to advance fire and electrical safety, said Eng Dana Kamal, Director, International Business Development Mena at NFPA. Being aligned with the largest producer, transmitter, and distributor of electrical energy in the Middle East and North Africa highlights NFPAs commitment to furthering safety in the Kingdom as well as the GCC region. We look forward to developing comprehensive plans based on the use of our codes and standards, trainings, certifications, and technical expertise, added, Kamal.--TradeArabia News Service Palestinian group Hamas has said its leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed at his home in the Iranian capital, Tehran, in an Israeli raid. Israel is yet to respond but has previously vowed to "crush" the group following the October 7 attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis, according to a BBC report Haniyeh's death comes hours after Israel said it killed a senior Hezbollah commander in a strike in the Lebanese capital Beirut. The attacks on two senior Iran-backed militant leaders in the space of 24 hours has raised fears that the region could soon be engulfed in further conflict, the report said. Hamas said in a statement on Wednesday morning that Haniyeh had been martyred by the Zionists in the Iranian capital Tehran. The Hamas statement said: "Mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the movement, was martyred after attending the inauguration ceremony of the new president of Iran as a result of a treacherous raid by the Zionists on his residence in Tehran." Earlier, the Public Relations Department of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced in a statement that Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were martyred as a result of an attack at their residence in Tehran. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called the assassination of Haniyeh "a cowardly act and a dangerous development". He also called on Palestinians "to unite, be patient and steadfast in the face of the Israeli occupation" in a statement carried by state news agency Wafa. Abbas's Palestinian Authority governs the West Bank with limited self-rule, and Israel has overall control. The killing of Haniyeh has brought the region closer to an all-out war than any time before, Nader Hashemi, a professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Georgetown University, told BBC. "This is a major development," he said. "I think it also impacts events in Lebanon because just a few hours earlier Israel tried to assassinate a senior Hezbollah leader in southern Beirut and the working assumption was that Iran and Hezbollah were not interested in escalation." But Haniyeh's assassination has upended those calculations, he added. Zain Bahrain, a leading telecommunications industry innovator in the kingdom, has recorded solid results for the first half of the year with revenue for the first six-months hitting BD38.44 million ($101.3 million), up 3.5% over last year's figure of BD37.1 million ($97.8 million). Announcing its results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, Zain Bahrain said its net profit fell 11.9% to BD2.42 million from BD 2.75 million last year. Basic and diluted earnings per share is 7 fils compared to 8 fils in H1 2023, while its ebitda for H1 increased by 7.6% to BD11.79 million from BD10.96 million for the same period last year. For the Q2, Zain Bahrain reported a net profit of BD1.35 million, representing an increase of 2.6% from last year's figure of BD1.32 million, while its revenue for the three month-period ended June 30, 2024 remained stable at BD18.93 million compared to Q2 2023. Basic and diluted earnings per share remained stable at 4 fils, while ebitda for Q2 increased by 11.9% to hit BD6.09 million from BD 5.44 million last year. Revenue for Q2 2024 remained stable at 18.93 million compared to Q2 2023. Zain Bahrain said its balance sheet remains strong with a total equity of BD84.73 million as of 30 June 2024, compared to BD85.66 million for the year ended 31 December 2023, a slight decrease of 1.1%. The company's assets as of 30 June 2024 stood at BD 133.82 million, from BD 137.63 million as of 31 December 2023, a decrease of 2.8%. Commenting on the results, Chairman Shaikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Khalifa said: "During this quarter, Zain Bahrain has significantly expanded its business solution offerings, embraced innovative solutions, and launched a range of consumer and enterprise services." "The telco continued to successfully forge new partnerships with esteemed organizations to expand its reach and create new opportunities for mutual growth and success across the Kingdom," he stated. Shaikh Ahmed said: "Furthermore, I am proud to share that Zain Bahrain has emerged as a leader in 5G innovation, with speeds exceeding 6 Gbps in its latest trial conducted in partnership with Ericsson. This achievement is a testament to Zain's relentless pursuit of excellence and dedication to pushing technological advancement's boundaries." "We have also won four awards at GHEDEX 2024 for Human Capital Development, Hybrid Working Strategy, Workplace Culture and Employee Wellness, and Leadership Development Program," stated Shaikh Ahmed. "These accolades highlight Zain's dedication to workforce development, innovative talent management, resulting in an impressive 93% Bahrainization in the Zain workforce, he said. "As we move forward, I am confident that Zain Bahrain will continue to thrive and excel in the ever-evolving landscape of telecom and fintech, unlocking economic opportunities, improving financial well-being, and driving sustainable future growth," remarked Shaikh Ahmed. The telco's commitment to innovation, excellence, and customer experience is unwavering, and we are poised to grasp new opportunities and overcome challenges with resilience and determination," he added. BNET, the national provider of fiber optic infrastructure in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has announced the signing of a MoU with Huawei Bahrain, a leading global provider of information and communications technology. This strategic partnership, solidified during a formal visit by BNET's management team to China, signifies a shared commitment to elevating the nationwide fiber broadband experience in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The agreement outlines a collaborative framework tailored to BNET's strategic goals of elevating the national fiber broadband experience. By deploying Huawei's cutting-edge solutions and innovative products nationwide such as Fiber To The Room(FTTR), Home Wi-Fi Management Platform(NCE-Home) and so on, BNET will deliver unparalleled fiber broadband service to all users across Bahrain. This partnership will significantly enhance internal coverage for both residences and businesses, positioning Bahrain as a leader in global fiber broadband provision, aiming to set new benchmarks with BNET's robust infrastructure, it stated. Speaking on the occasion, CEO Ahmed Jaber Alhogbani Aldoseri said: "This strategic partnership with Huawei represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing our customers with the best possible fiber broadband experience." "We are confident that by combining BNET's extensive network infrastructure with Huawei's cutting-edge technology solutions, we will be able to elevate the nationwide fiber broadband experience in the Kingdom of Bahrain and position the Kingdom as a global leader in this crucial sector," he stated. Aziz Tang, CEO of Huawei Bahrain, said: "We are delighted to expand our partnership with BNET on this important initiative. Huawei is committed to supporting Bahrain's digital transformation journey, and we believe that this partnership will play a key role in advancing the country's fiber broadband infrastructure and services." "We are confident that by working together, we can make a significant contribution to enhancing the digital lives of citizens and businesses across the Kingdom," noted Tang. BNET remains dedicated to ensuring Bahrain's telecommunications infrastructure remains at the forefront of global advancements. This, in turn, will empower businesses to thrive, enhance the experience of the community, and solidify Bahrain's position as a leading digital hub in the region, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Digital Dubai, in cooperation with its partners in the government and private sectors, has begun taking practical measures to implement the Strategic Vision for the Data Centre Economy in Dubai. The vision was approved by the Executive Council earlier, with the aim of consolidating the emirates position as a leading example of future economies backed by emerging technologies. This also comes in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to raise the productivity of Dubais economy by 50% through digital innovation. Digital Dubai is working alongside the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Municipality, the General Secretariat of the Executive Council, and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, to take coordinated measures aiming to enhance Dubais readiness for the economy of the future and enhance its leading position in this field. The strategic vision for the AI-backed data centre economy represents an advanced stage in digital leadership, the digital economy, and the making of a bright future for the emirate. Leading destination The strategic vision for the data centre economy is to make Dubai a leading destination for sustainable data centres that are ready and prepared to work according to AI technologies. Adopting this vision would unleash new dynamics that would pave the way for reaching a state of comprehensive integration and coordination between various entities working in this field, at the forefront of which are Digital Dubai, the Department of Economy and Tourism, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, in addition to non-governmental agencies working in this field. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, said: Dubai and the UAE in general have important competitive characteristics that qualify them to be a leading global destination for sustainable data centres. We have cumulative achievements confirmed by global indicators related to digital transformation. We have an attractive and pioneering investment environment, and the digital economy in Dubai is an essential pillar of Dubais digital strategy, which aims to increase its contribution to the emirates overall economy by $100 billion. It is known that Dubai and the UAE enjoy an important strategic position in the world that qualifies the UAE to be a regional hub for digital transformation excellence. The countrys leadership in 5G technology adds an important element to the countrys attractiveness for this type of digital investment. Dubais digital maturity, leadership position, and inspiring experience as a model for smart cities of the future are the result of an extended process of achievements that were embodied on the ground under the directives of the wise leadership represented by the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Dubais plan to accelerate the adoption of AI. Hub for talented minds The Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI, announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, represents a strategic transformation project. This initiative leverages Dubai's established position as a hub for talented minds in various digital fields to ensure its success, he added. Younus Al Nasser, Chief Executive of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, commented: With the ongoing global transformations, new economic patterns and business models are emerging, presenting future opportunities for dynamic economies like Dubai's. The data centre economy exemplifies these transformations. In Dubai, we have accumulated extensive experience in future planning through a prolonged journey of digital transformation, leading to the current stage where data has become a crucial component of various economic activities and a global competitive standard. The importance of this is further highlighted by the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, smart cities, metaverse technologies, and other applications within the Fourth Industrial Revolution, making the data centre economy a vital strategic direction for the future. Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation, the economic development arm of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said: "The transformative strategy to establish an AI-powered data centre economy is a testament to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, enabling the city to remain at the forefront of the rapidly evolving global digital economy. By future-proofing Dubai for the next generation of technologies we are fostering a fertile ground for innovation that unlocks significant economic potential, aligned with the goals of the D33 Agenda. Led by Digital Dubai, this collaborative approach toward establishing a robust digital infrastructure ensures seamless integration and policy frameworks that support sustainable growth. By capitalising on our unique strengths, Dubai is creating an unparalleled ecosystem that will attract leading businesses, investment, and talent, further accelerating momentum in achieving the goal of becoming the best city to visit, live and work in. Preliminary initiatives The next stage will witness efforts and initiatives to enhance comprehensive integration among stakeholders in the context of the data centre economy, as Digital Dubai is currently working to raise the level of cloud computing adoption in the government sector. These initiatives include developing high-performance computing, ensuring the use of advanced data centres, increasing reliance on renewable energy, facilitating relevant government procedures, improving access to renewable energy, improving the process of saving energy, and enhancing the governments coordination role in terms of planning, land, energy, and others. These initiatives also include supporting the strategic situation of artificial intelligence readiness in the Emirate of Dubai. Scientific and realistic analysis Digital Dubai has conducted a scientific and realistic analysis of the current situation. This analysis concluded that there are broad opportunities for coordination between the concerned parties to attract and establish possible data centres for artificial intelligence and to make Dubai an attractive city for this type of investment, as building the digital economy on a large scale requires the adoption of cloud computing in a comprehensive manner while increasing the citys absorption capacities. The study conducted by Digital Dubai showed that adopting the strategic vision for AI-backed data centres will lead to the creation of an added value of more than AED14.3 billion ($3.89 billion) by the year 2028 and contribute to creating more job opportunities in the areas of the digital economy related to data centres. It is expected that adopting this strategic vision will enhance Dubai's readiness for next-generation technologies (Web 3.0) including the Metaverse, Smart Cities, and the Internet of Things. It will also contribute to strengthening partnerships with other sectors in areas such as sustainable artificial intelligence.--TradeArabia News Service Dubais Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the trial operation of a smart inspection vehicle. The innovative vehicle is designed to monitor the rail right-of-way areas using advanced intelligence systems and is equipped with cameras. It can detect violations, restricted activities, and damage within such zones, reported Wam. This initiative aims to streamline daily inspection work across all rail right-of-way areas related to the Dubai Metro and Tram networks by utilising modern technological systems. Abdulrahman Al Janahi, Director of Rail Right of Way at RTAs Rail Agency, said the initiative of smart inspection vehicle is launched in coordination with Smart Services Department. The initiative represents a significant step forward in RTA's efforts to safeguard Dubai's rail infrastructure, it stated. "This technology will not only improve the efficiency of our inspections but also help us to quickly identify and address any issues, ensuring the safety and reliability of our rail services. The smart inspection vehicle uses artificial intelligence to keep up with rail network advancements," he added. According to RTA, the initiative aims to achieve full coverage of inspection areas, double the speed of preparing inspection reports, and ensure the reliability of outputs. It also seeks to reduce human errors in the inspection process and provide solid support for making well-informed decisions, said the Wam report. "This project underscores RTAs commitment to leveraging smart solutions to enhance operational efficiency and infrastructure safety," said Al Janahi. The use of smart inspection vehicles is expected to significantly improve the effectiveness of rail inspections, ensuring comprehensive coverage and timely reporting of any anomalies, he added. Kanoo Ventures, the investment arm of YBA Kanoo, has announced a significant investment in CorrosionRADAR, a leading provider of predictive Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) monitoring solutions. This latest funding round, which also includes investments from Aramco Ventures, Dow and Mercia Ventures, brings the total capital raised by CorrosionRADAR to $14 million (11.7 million). This infusion of capital will enable CorrosionRADAR to accelerate the deployment of its cutting-edge CUI monitoring systems on a global scale, enhance its product offerings, and further its mission to improve safety and operational efficiency within the oil, gas, petrochemical and hydrogen sectors, said a statement. Dr Chiraz Ennaceur, Chief Executive Officer at CorrosionRADAR, expressed enthusiasm about the strategic support from these industry leaders and said: CorrosionRADAR is in a period of rapid growth, and we are leading the way with our predictive CUI monitoring solutions that safeguard critical assets and ensure the longevity of critical infrastructure. Were delighted to have companies such as Aramco Ventures, Dow, Kanoo Ventures, and Mercia Ventures on board. This investment will allow us to continue with our ambition to increase our global footprint and develop state-of-the-art solutions that improve industrial processes through the early detection of CUI, promoting more efficient operations, she added. Nabeel Kanoo, Chairman of Kanoo Ventures, commented: Our investment in CorrosionRADAR underscores our commitment to supporting innovative technologies that enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. We believe CorrosionRADARs pioneering solutions will set new industry standards and significantly improve safety and reliability globally. UK-based CorrosionRADAR is already making waves in the industry, with its predictive CUI monitoring systems being utilised by major companies worldwide, including Dow and Aramco. The continued collaboration and investment from Kanoo Ventures and other stakeholders will further bolster CorrosionRADARs capacity to innovate and lead in the field. Kanoo Ventures continues to build on its strong track record across industrials, travel, consumer goods and specialty logistics. Additionally, the firm is actively focusing on healthcare, food and agriculture and the new economy sectors both regionally and globally. - TradeArabia News Service Collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to leverage generative AI technologies in the governance, risk and compliance (GRC) field. "The future of generative AI in governance, risk, and compliance in Saudi Arabia is promising and full of potential," says Ramprakash Ramamoorthy, the director of AI research at ManageEngine, a division of Zoho Corporation and a leading provider of enterprise IT management solutions. "However, it requires a thoughtful approach that considers risks and challenges alongside opportunities. Through effective collaboration between the public and private sectors, the kingdom can harness this revolutionary technology to enhance GRC efficiency and achieve excellence in various fields." The field of GRC is one of the areas most affected by AI technologies. These technologies enable companies to process and analyse large amounts of data rapidly and accurately, creating comprehensive reports that help make better decisions regarding risks and comply with regulations and laws more effectively. Challenges and collaboration Despite the numerous benefits of GenAI technologies, their rapid development presents some challenges. These include the difficulty of integrating GRC standards with the evolving AI landscape and the need to continuously update laws and regulations to keep pace with developments. It has become essential for all concerned parties to adopt the concept of continuous improvement. This starts with GRC experts, who constantly keep up with technological advancements, and extends to regulatory bodies that oversee AI laws and need to update them continuously. Evolving benefits Ramamoorthy explained that GenAI technologies offer numerous benefits for enhancing GRC systems. These benefits include task automation, improved change management, linking organisational activities to policies, facilitating risk detection, monitoring compliance, and providing objective risk assessments. This enables companies to reduce employee effort, enhance accuracy, and make better decisions regarding risk and compliance. He expects that the continuous development of these technologies will lead to further improvements and innovations in the field, contributing to increased operational efficiency, and ensuring a safe, effective, and legally compliant work environment. The benefits of GenAI technologies are not limited to the general field of GRC but extend to each of its pillars. In governance, AI has immense capabilities in analysing data from various sources, including threats and compliance reports. This helps in efficiently detecting patterns and errors in data, enabling organisations to proactively adapt their policies to emerging threats and regulatory changes. AI also helps in detecting subtle signs of cyber intrusions in data traffic and user behaviour using machine learning (ML) techniques. Additionally, it can automate the enforcement of security policies through natural language processing (NLP) to ensure compliance with internal and external policies, simplify governance processes, and secure organisations against cyberthreats by examining user access and the processing tasks. Risk management In risk management, AI offers numerous functions, including precise analysis of cybersecurity incident data and identifying trends and correlations to make informed decisions about risk mitigation. It can analyse breach scenarios and identify potential vulnerabilities and their financial impacts, including direct and indirect costs, using AI-based financial modeling tools. Additionally, AI has the ability to measure the potential ROI in strategic investment planning based on data and empirical evidence. Regarding compliance, AI helps streamline system monitoring and reporting processes, ensuring regulatory compliance. It protects data by automatically classifying and encrypting it and analyses communications and transactions in real-time to detect indicators of non-compliance. Furthermore, AI analyses and understands complex regulatory contracts using NLP technology. Concerns and challenges Despite the significant benefits that GenAI offers in the field of GRC, Ramamoorthy also warns of some concerns and challenges associated with using these technologies. On the one hand, models may produce incorrect information due to inaccurate data or human biases that may seep into AI systems and algorithms, affecting their accuracy and reliability. These systems also lack reliable references, making it difficult to verify the correctness of the information. On the other hand, companies face ethical and legal challenges when using AI technologies in the GRC field. They may not possess the necessary ethical expertise to ensure responsible use of AI. Employment of experts specialised in AI ethics will be required to ensure that ethical and legal development and deployment of AI systems and applications. GRC experts GRC professionals play a crucial role in establishing policies for the use of AI technologies and creating the necessary controls to ensure compliance with ethical and legal standards, protecting institutions from the risks of adopting the new generation of AI. As AI technologies continue to advance, the role of GRC experts becomes essential to guide institutions in leveraging their capabilities while minimising risks and maintaining ethical standards. Ramamoorthy recommends that institutions and companies in Saudi Arabia quickly address the challenges surrounding the safe integration and compliance with laws and regulations, particularly in the context of AI-driven risk management and compliance. He points out that exploring AI's capabilities in governance, risk, and compliance is no longer just a desirable option but has become an imperative necessity. Ramamoorthy also highlights the importance of embracing a variety of advanced technological solutions and overcoming any obstacles, whether small or large, to ensure progress in innovation and development. This will Saudi companies to get the most out of GenAI across various fields in alignment with the kingdom's ambitious vision to achieve leadership in the data and AI economy.--TradeArabia News Service Cruise Saudi, a fully-owned Public Investment Fund company, has announced its participation in the United Nations Global Compact, one of the worlds largest corporate sustainability initiatives, which is dedicated to promoting sustainable and socially responsible business policies. By joining the United Nations Global Compact, Cruise Saudi commits to incorporate its Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption into its overarching strategy, culture and day-to-day operations. Cruise Saudi will also engage in collaborative projects that advance the broader development goals of the United Nations, particularly its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which were created with the aim of tackling climate change and ending poverty. The United Nations Global Compact, formally launched in July 2000, is a non-binding United Nations pact to get private sector businesses and firms worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies and to report on their implementation. Sustainability is a key part of Saudis Vision 2030 as the kingdom strives towards a Net Zero future by 2060. With a commitment to clean energy and sustainability, Saudi Arabia is committed to tackling energy and climate challenges with innovative solutions such as the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) and an increasingly diverse energy mix, in which 50% of energy will come from renewable sources by 2030. As a private sector organisation, Cruise Saudi is fully committed to developing the cruise market along the Saudi coastlines whilst focusing on sustainability and innovation, working towards achieving Saudis national sustainability goals. Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, said: By joining the UN Global Compact, Cruise Saudi demonstrates its commitment to our global society and the environment that we rely upon. We are delighted to join over 20,000 companies worldwide who share the same vision as us, and we hope this movement can drive positive change. TradeArabia News Service Nahdi Medical Company posted strong revenue growth of SR2.47 billion ($660 million) for the second quarter (Q2) an increase of 10.8% on Q1 2024. For the first half of the year, Nahdi recorded SR4.73 billion in revenue, an increase of 9.1% on H1 2023. Nahdi is posting positive revenue growth for the third consecutive quarter as a result of its 8.9% retail growth and reaping the outcome of its facilitated investments into the companys strategic growth areas, with healthcare and UAE delivering 100.1% and 186.8% revenue increases, respectively, a release said. The companys retail performance is driven by the ongoing pharma growth momentum and its investment into front shop categories. Emerging businesses Nahdi's investment in its emerging businesses is yielding strong results, with the company experiencing accelerated growth in its online business. In the second quarter of 2024, the online business contributed 23.6% to total revenue, up from 16.4% during the same period last year, mainly driven by front shop categories. This growth was primarily driven by the expanded product assortment, with +8000 SKUs added to Nahdi Online during the first half of the year. Since Q2 2024, Guests in the UAE enjoy the same access to the full range of products as Nahdis Guests in Saudi Arabia. The increase in the online business revenue contribution reflects Nahdis ability to adapt to evolving consumer behaviours and leverage its digital capabilities to expand its reach, making it one of the leading e-commerce platforms in the region. Nahdi strategically strengthened its market position in the region, opening 8 pharmacies in 2024 serving five Emirates in the UAE with revenues soaring by 186.8%. Expanding network During the second quarter, Nahdi expanded its polyclinic network by opening a new location in Yanbu. With a total of 8 polyclinics now in operation, the company has served over 680,000 guests in the first half of the year vs 460,000 guests in the same period last year, resulting in a 100.1% revenue increase. In the second quarter of 2024, the company delivered a solid improvement in its operating expenses as a percentage of revenue which improved by 1.1% to reach 27.1%, compared to 28.2% during the same quarter last year. This improvement in operating expenses demonstrates the company's ongoing commitment to operational efficiency and cost optimisation, which fuels Nahdis continued growth and allows the company to facilitate the implementation of its strategic investments, all along maintaining its gross margin at 38% for the first half of the year 2024. Nahdis balance sheet remains healthy with a strong cash position and zero debt, with returns from Islamic Murabaha time deposits further supporting the profitability of the company. Moreover, the companys sustained a healthy cash flow supported by strong operational fundamentals and efficient working capital management. As a result of Nahdis strong financial performance, Nahdis Board of Directors approved a cash dividend distribution of SR2.50 per share for the first half of 2024.--TradeArabia News Service Mari Tollinchi, 41, originally from Ciudad Bolivar, and Aleida Velasquez, 51, originally from Caracas, awaited the Venezuelan presidential results with T-shirts that read: "Even from afar, I fight for you" and "Don't give up. Your story isn't over." Pablo Bribiesca In the Houston area, where nearly 1% of the population is Venezuelan, protesters gathered near the Galleria and in Sugarland Monday to show their outrage with the country's recent presidential election, according to media reports. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela officially declared victory Monday morning, marking his third consecutive six-year term in power. However, the election's results have been called into question as world leaders urge transparency from Maduro and his party. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The National Electoral Council, which is loyal to Maduro's party, said the incumbent secured 51% of the vote while Gonzalez earned 44%, according to the Associated Press. However, the electoral body did not immediately release the tallies from any machines to prove the outcome. Opposition candidate and former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez announced Monday that his campaign obtained 70% of tally sheets. I speak to you with the calmness of the truth, Gonzalez told AP reporters outside campaign headquarters in the capital, Caracas. I want to tell you that the will expressed yesterday through your vote will be respected. We have in our hands the tally sheets that demonstrate our victory. Francisco Monaldi, Ph.D., is the Latin America Energy Program director at Rice University's Baker Institute of Public Policy. Monaldi, who was born in Venezuela, said he fears a stolen election may result in the de-democratization of the country, leading it down a path toward authoritarian and dictatorial rule. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Monaldi said his friends and family who still live in Venezuela feel similar. "They went to their polling stations, they could see the results in their polling stations, and then they cannot believe that the government itself tells them that they lost, given that the victory of the opposition was so widespread," he said. "Of course, people are scared." Beyond a large Venezuelan population in the Houston area, the country's large crude reserves means it has a lot of overlap with the energy capital of the world. "Venezuela is an oil country, people working on the energy sector, or most of the oil companies and service companies in the region have tons of Venezuelan engineers," Monaldi said, meaning the city is affected in more ways than one by the country's politics. The city is also affected by the large number of Venezuelan immigrants who have left the country as a result of previous elections, and the unrest that followed. Since 2014, about 7.7 million Venezuelans have left the country, with a majority moving to Colombia, Peru, United States, Ecuador, Chile, Spain and Brazil, according to the UN Refugee Agency. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The results of the most recent election will likely result in more Venezuelans leaving in the near future, Monaldi said. Prominent political figures including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken have urged the Venezuelan government to improve transparency regarding Sunday's election. Additionally, the European Union has not recognized the election's results. "The EU calls on the Venezuelan Electoral Council (CNE) to exercise maximum transparency in the process of results tabulation," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad University of Houston professor Chris Bronk, whose research focuses on diplomacy and international security, said it's hard to predict what is in store for the future of Venezuela. For now, a majority of protests and demonstrations in Venezuela have remained peaceful, the AP reported. But, if the Venezuelan government uses forces against its own people to tame the outcry, "all bets are off," Bronk said. If Maduro requests assistance from countries like Russia or Cuba to squash protests, Bronk said the U.S. should closely evaluate the situation and determine if it's necessary to intervene. "It really comes down to what kind of uprising the people lodge against their government. And then what the government does in response," he said. UAE national carrier Etihad Airways has entered into a codeshare deal with Batik Air Malaysia to help boost connectivity for its passengers. The deal comes into effect from today (July 16). Etihad's guests can now seamlessly access eight domestic and international locations via Batiks hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) using the combined services and networks of both carriers on a single ticket, said the airline in a statement. Additionally, guests can benefit from a smooth and convenient transfer of their luggage to their final destination. The agreement now allows Etihad guests to travel to five new domestic codeshare destinations in Malaysia: Johor Bahru, Langkawi, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Tawau; along with three international points, Da Nang and Hanoi in Vietnam, and Perth in Australia. With the agreement, both inbound and outbound Malaysia passengers will have a wider choice of flights on the combined networks. Batiks network is now easily accessible to customers, who can connect via its gateway in Kuala Lumpur, served by twice-daily Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad, said: This collaboration significantly enhances our codeshare network, offering travellers seamless access to five key destinations in Malaysia, including the idyllic island of Langkawi, the culturally and culinary rich city of Penang, and Kota Kinabalu, the gateway to Borneos tallest peak Mount Kinabalu. "Equally, we eagerly anticipate extending a warm welcome to customers from Asia visiting our home in Abu Dhabi, experiencing our renowned hospitality, as well as passengers connecting to Etihads growing global network in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe via our Abu Dhabi hub." Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, Chief Executive Officer of Batik Air Malaysia, said: "Through this partnership, we aim to welcome visitors globally to explore Malaysia's diverse attractions, alongside destinations across South-East Asia and more. We aim to establish Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) as a transit hub, further enhancing Etihad's connectivity for its passengers, ensuring a more comprehensive and convenient travel experience, he said, adding that Etihad passengers can easily transit through KUL to reach various destinations in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and beyond. Moreover, this partnership will expand flight choices for Malaysian travellers, offering enhanced travel options to discover new international destinations beyond Abu Dhabi. The agreement with Batik becomes Etihads 38th codeshare partner. 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 Bahrain's flag-carrier Gulf Air has recorded solid growth in passenger numbers for the first half with the volume hitting 3.1 million, up 8.5% over last year. Announcing its first half-year statistics, Gulf Air said its capacity grew to more than 4.3 million, while passenger load factor rose to 77.9% and cargo traffic increased by 3.5% to 41,000 tonnes, it said. The airline strengthened its Asia-Pacific and European network with new flights to Guangzhou and Shanghai in China, and Munich in Germany, establishing additional connectivity with Bahrain. Furthermore, the airline resumed flights to the cities of Baghdad and Najaf in Iraq, increased frequencies to the Qatari capital of Doha, and the Omani capital of Muscat, in addition to Manchester in the United Kingdom, and Milan and Rome in Italy, and launched new seasonal destinations to Alula in Saudi Arabia, Geneva in Switzerland, and Rhodes in Greece. In terms of overall passenger statistics, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport, reported a 13.2% increase in passenger volume to 4.6 million in H1 as well as a 9.4% rise in air traffic movements to over 48,000. Cargo operations saw an increase of 7.19% to 189,799 tonnes compared to the first half of 2023. As for new airlines, BAC welcomed Fly Jinnah (Pakistans leading low-cost carrier) which began flights from Islamabad to Bahrain in July. Garnering industry recognition, BAC was honoured with two leading industry awards: 'Airport Operator of the Year for Medium Size Airport' and 'Aviation Sustainability Award' at the 2024 Aviation Achievement Awards, as well as Skytrax Best Airport Staff in the Middle East 2024 award.-TradeArabia News Service The importance of financing for resilient infrastructure and early disaster risk warnings was the central theme of the first face-to-face meeting of the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRWG) which took place in Rio de Janeiro, the host city for this year's G20 summit. According to Agencia Brasil, the group discussed the possibility of allocating part of the revenue generated from implementing a wealth tax to help reduce disaster risk. The G20 is composed of 19 countries from five continents (South Africa, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, South Korea, US, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Russia and Turkey), as well as the European Union and the African Union. The group represents two-thirds of the world's population, about 85% of global GDP, and 75% of international trade. Since December last year, Brazil has assumed the G20 presidency for the first time and has prioritised topics, such as global governance reform, the three dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social, and environmental), and the fight against hunger, poverty, and inequality. Brazilian Minister of Integration and Regional Development Waldez Goes, who participated in the group's opening ceremony, said civil protection and defence actions require resources, especially for recovery and prevention. "We support taxing great fortunes, the richest worldwide, and allocating part of the resources to this agenda," he stated. Goes pointed out that Brazil had more than 10 million people living in areas of high or very high risk of natural disasters. The Brazilian Minister further mentioned that the world was facing a testing situation that requires a collective effort from the international community. "Given the current global challenges, associated with the adverse events of climate change, the group is dealing with an urgent issue for all countries. The matter demands very coordinated and effective international cooperation," he added.-TradeArabia News Service The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), Indias largest hospitality company, will launch two luxury properties in Bahrain under its iconic Taj brand in partnership with Kingdom Projects. The group has signed a luxury hotel and a boutique resort in the kingdom of Bahrain, an IHCL statement said. These greenfield projects mark a significant milestone as IHCL becomes the first major Indian hospitality company to establish a presence in Bahrain, further cementing its footprint in the Middle East. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, stated: We are pleased to announce two hotels in the island nation of Bahrain in line with our strategy of growing Tajs presence in key gateway cities of the world. With a portfolio of seven hotels including four under development in the Middle East, these hotels will extend our presence in the MENA region. He added: We are delighted to partner with Kingdom Projects to introduce the iconic Taj with its world- class hospitality, elevating Bahrains tourism landscape. Nestled amid picturesque surroundings, the Taj resort in Hamala will feature 251 luxurious rooms, each thoughtfully designed to reflect the laid-back serenity of the island. The resort will have luxury offerings, including an all-day dining restaurant, two specialty restaurants, alongside a swimming pool and exclusive beach club. Curated to create an atmosphere of relaxation and rejuvenation, the resort will additionally encompass wellness areas such as a state-of-the-art gym and tranquil spa. The resorts 1,200 sq m banquet facilities will cater to grand events and celebrations, making it a key player in Bahrains emerging leisure sector. The 200-room Taj hotel in Downtown Seef, Manama, strategically located in the heart of Bahrains bustling capital, is set to cater to the needs of business travellers and tourists alike. Coupled with world-class wellness facilities including a modern gym, spa, and swimming pool, the hotel will provide guests with an endless variety of culinary experiences, ranging from all-day dining and specialty restaurants, to an exclusive pool bar. The Downtown Seef hotel will additionally feature banquet areas tailored for meetings, corporate events, and weddings. Jalal Al Wazzan, Managing Director of Kingdom Projects, stated: We are delighted to welcome the prestigious and world-renowned Taj brand, a first for Bahrain, which will work towards attracting tourists in greater numbers from across the region and around the globe, thereby enhancing the tourism sector's contribution to GDP. In line with the Economic Vision 2030 driven by the Crowne Prince, partnering with leading leisure and hospitality brands exemplifies Kingdom Projects vested commitment to contribute to the development and growth of the tourism sector and thereby, the diversification of the national economy. TradeArabia News Service Douglas Harrington, 69, of Bedford, Wyoming, has been convicted of multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses stemming from the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol. According to the FBI, Harrington was charged with two felony offenses of civil disorder and assaulting, resisting or impeding officers and five misdemeanor offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and an act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings. Wearing a cowboy hat, painters respirator mask and a military-style backpack, Harrington carried American and Trump 2020 flags on a flagpole onto the Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, according to the FBI. Harrington approached a line of police officers on the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol and challenged them with provocative gestures shortly before 4 p.m. on Jan. 6. Approaching several police officers, Harrington swung the flag on its long metal pipe with a silver ball flagpole topper, eventually striking an officer as they attempted to push against the rioters. Harrington and other rioters also lifted a large, flat, opaque piece of material in front of the police line and walked with it help up in front of the officers, thereby blocking the officers view and impeding their ability to defend from the advancing crowd, the FBI release said. As an officer tried to push back, Harrington grabbed at an officers baton and shoved an officer by pushing on a riot shield. When officers tried to remove rioters from the Capitol, Harrington resisted, sitting on the short row of steps in front of the police line and pressing his back into the officers as they grew closer. Harrington was eventually removed by police from Capitol grounds shortly before a curfew order went into effect. Harrington was only arrested on Aug. 8, 2023. In the 42 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,470 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 530 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony, the FBI said. The investigation remains ongoing. Harrington is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 5. A ballot petition to limit property taxes in Wyoming failed to receive the needed number of accepted signatures. The petition approved for circulation in October and submitted May 30 sought to exempt 50% of the assessed value primary residences for at least half a year as long as the homeowner has lived in Wyoming for a year. The Peoples Initiative to Limit Property Tax in Wyoming through a Homeowners Property Exemption, yielded 28,700 accepted valid signatures but required 29,730 to be approved. More than 40 packets of signatures were rejected with reasons ranging from petition packets being deemed insufficient to packets not being circulated by qualified circulators. The needed number of signatures is based on the number of votes cast in the 2022 general election. The committee that submitted the petition has 18 months to circulate the petition and to correct errors or omissions on previously submitted petition packets which were set aside for insufficient verification, as well as the ability to submit additional signatures, according to a press release from the Secretary of States office. The end of the petition circulation period is April 13, 2025. I want to commend the petitions Committee of Applicants for all their hard work in exercising their Wyoming Constitutional right to enact laws by the initiative, Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray said. Although the Committees first submittal was slightly short of the statewide requirement, there is still time to supplement the first submission. ECONOMIST Marla Dukharan has called for an independent and objective assessment of all countries worldwide to determine which ones are truly tax havens. Dukharan stated that this approach would help combat the stigma often associated with the Caribbean region. Shown are forecast high temperatures for Wednesday across Southeast Texas, according to the National Blend of Models. Highs between 94 and 96 degrees are expected to persist through the rest of this week. WeatherBELL The three Hs of summer are set to pay Houston a visit this week as July comes to a close: haze, heat and humidity. Hazy skies from Saharan dust, rising temperatures and muggy air take center stage Wednesday to conclude an especially wet July the fifth-wettest ever for Houston, according to data collected at Bush Intercontinental Airport, the citys official climate observation site, where nearly 11 inches of rain had fallen since July 1. As high atmospheric pressure takes over and shuts down any chances for rain, Houston will experience a more typical late July weather pattern. This could include heat advisories from the National Weather Service. Forecasters issue heat advisories when they think temperatures of heat index values will put the public more at risk for heat-related illnesses. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Unfortunately, the stagnant air mass of high pressure and a plume of Saharan dust could create air quality issues. Haze and Houston air quality A surge of Saharan dust that pushed into Texas on Tuesday will continue to seep into the southern third of the state Wednesday. Air quality could become unhealthy for groups with sensitive respiratory systems, according to the daily air quality forecast from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While most of us in Southeast Texas likely wont notice any side effects of the Saharan dust lofted high into the sky, those sensitive to particulates in the air may require extra precautions to prevent allergy-like symptoms. People younger than 18 or older than 65, people with chronic heart or lung disease, and pregnant women should try to limit exposure to particulates. Air quality should be at its worst on Wednesday. Occasional spikes in unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups may still occur Thursday, but the most widespread air quality issues are expected Wednesday. Shown is the NASAs dust forecast for Wednesday. A plume of Saharan dust had pushed into Texas Tuesday, but the densest concentration of dust will arrive Wednesday. WeatherBELL Some steps you can take include avoiding long or intense outdoor activities, rescheduling outdoor activities or moving them indoors, and setting your vehicles ventilation to re-circulate air instead of drawing in outside air. Haze exits late week Saharan dust is expected to exit the Houston metro area late Thursday into Friday. This will help to improve visibility as hazy skies gradually diminish and the plume of dry air dissipates in East Texas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad TROUBLE IN THE TROPICS? : The Atlantic went quiet following Beryl, but that is expected to change as August approaches. Air quality should also improve, though moderate air quality levels could still affect groups that are especially sensitive to summertime ozone. The dissipation of hazy skies will result in a gradual increase in rain chances by the end of the weekend. Storm chances pick up this weekend As a ridge of high atmospheric pressure thats kept daily highs in the mid-90s breaks down this week, rain chances may return. A weak front will approach the region late in the weekend and that may be enough to spark a few isolated showers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad LA NINA SEASON: What could the emergence of La Nina mean as the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season approaches? The weekend is still a few days away and establishing the timing of fronts in Southeast Texas is tricky. Often, weak boundaries of fronts stall before they get a chance to visit Houston. Whether the frontal boundary stalls north of Houston or south of Houston, it should provide enough lift in the atmosphere to get a few storms going, especially along and south of Interstate 10. 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. A large tropical wave of low pressure is seen as a cluster of clouds, center, as it moves west toward the Greater Antilles on Wednesday morning. The National Hurricane Center gives this wave a 60% chance of development over the next seven days. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Confidence is growing that Texas and the Houston metro area, still licking its wounds after Hurricane Beryl, will dodge what could become the next tropical depression in the Atlantic this hurricane season. A tropical wave of low atmospheric pressure this week is producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity in the Atlantic Ocean just west of the Greater Antilles, an island chain that includes Puerto Rico, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and Cuba. This wave is quite large, which helps partially explain why its struggling to strengthen further. Convection, or thunderstorm activity, stretches nearly 600 miles across the waves axis. Larger tropical waves like this often are slower to evolve, especially when atmospheric factors are hindering its development. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Why is this tropical wave struggling? Two main factors have limited this tropical wave from becoming better organized: wind shear and dry air. LA NINA SEASON: What could the emergence of La Nina mean as the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season approaches? Wind shear is the change in winds high in the atmosphere above the surface. While some wind shear needs to be present for organized thunderstorms to develop, it generally needs to be less than 20 mph. This rule doesnt necessarily apply to major hurricanes. For instance, as wind shear weakened Beryl as it approached the Yucatan Peninsula on its trek toward Texas. Wind shear values in the vicinity of this ongoing tropical wave are in excess of 28 mph on the northeast side, with even higher levels of shear found over the Caribbean. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The National Hurricane Centers forecast map for tropical development through Tuesday shows that a tropical wave near the Greater Antilles isnt expected to change much anytime soon but could develop further over the weekend near the Bahamas. National Hurricane Center Tropical systems also struggle to intensify when dry air is added to the mix. The atmosphere surrounding this wave has been relatively dry this week, thanks to a plume of Saharan dust. Based on mid-level water vapor imagery captured by weather satellite Wednesday morning, the environment surrounding this wave has become more moisture-rich now that Saharan dust has moved west into Texas. The National Hurricane Center places the odds of tropical development at 60% over the next seven days. In an update published Wednesday, the hurricane center said the wave could become a tropical depression could form as soon as this weekend as the wave approaches the Greater Antilles. Houston can breathe a sigh of relief Forecast guidance, such as the European ensemble, suggest the tropical wave will likely develop closer to the Bahamas and Florida and not in the Gulf of Mexico. The American ensemble does hint that the tropical wave may get into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico near the Florida Panhandle before turning north and east, but this scenario is much less likely. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The tropical wave is in an area called the Main Development Region, a swath of the tropical Atlantic Ocean that stretches from the Cabo Verde Islands off the western coast of Africa to the Caribbean Sea. This region acts like a storm incubator that spawns nearly 80% of all major hurricanes, which are storms with wind speeds of 111 mph or stronger. Hurricane Beryl rapidly intensified to become a major hurricane in the Main Development Region before it made landfall near Matagorda Bay on July 8. The European ensemble forecast members suggest the tropical wave of low pressure moving toward the Greater Antilles on Wednesday will develop further over the weekend, likely as it nears the Bahamas. This should little to no effect on Texas. WeatherBELL As the calendar turns from July to August, all attention over the next six to eight weeks will be on whats going on in the tropical Atlantic, where from August through October nearly 90% of Atlantic tropical storm and hurricane activity will originate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Forget about Pi Day puns and your favorite gags from Donald Duck in Mathmagic Land. Were talking about the deep cuts that will make milk spray out of every nose in the Futurama writers room. 14 The Father of Modern Dork Lingo Calculator spelling is that age-old practice of making mathematical numbers and figures spell out funny stuff, from BOOBIES to hILLBILLIES. This is the precursor to other forms of geek expression like emoticons, ASCII art and leetspeak. 13 All Horses Are the Same Color I wont pretend to follow the logic, but this is a paradox designed to prove that mathematical induction has its limitations. Using math logic, you can prove the false statement that all horses are the same color. Other famous arguments that technically have no logical contradiction include all girls have the same eye color, and Alexander the Great did not exist, and he had infinite limbs. 12 Vacuous Truths A similar proof of the absurdity of using math logic IRL is something called a vacuous truth. Its possible to prove mathematically that all cell phones in the room are turned on and turned off, all pigs with wings speak Chinese and all my children are goats. Trust me, this stuff gets a huge laugh in a room full of math dweebs. 11 Zenzizenzizenzic Back before squares and powers were written like x2, each power had its own word. Zenzizenzizenzic referred to the 8th power. Thats patently absurd. Whats funny is how 16th century mathematician Robert Recorde defined zenzizenzizenzic. In his hilariously titled book, The Whetstone of Witte, Whiche Is the Seconde Parte of Arithmetike: Containyng Thextraction of Rootes: The Coike Practise, with the Rule of Equation: and the Woorkes of Surde Nombers, he explains that the 8th power doeth represent the square of squares squaredly. Advertisement Advertisement 10 Tuppers Self-Referential Formula Mathematician Jeff Tupper created a formula-graphing program that, when you enter this formula: will plot out the following graph: Get it?! 9 Joke Books for Hardcore Mathematicians Random numbers are notoriously hard, if not impossible, to generate via computer. So when mathematicians and cryptographers need a string of numbers that have no mathematical connection to one another, they turn to books like the 1955 staple A Million Random Digits with 100,000 Normal Deviates. Advertisement Advertisement 8 Gabriels Horn This formula plots a geometric shape that, for reasons far beyond my understanding, has a finite volume but an infinite surface area. The hilarious implication is that the horn could paradoxically be filled to the brim with paint, and its surface would still not be fully painted. 7 Legendres Constant: The Occams Razor of Math In 1801, French mathematician Adrien-Marie Legendre constructed a complicated formula that was intended to measure something having to do with the apparently random and infinite digits of Pi. Legendre himself took a look at the first 100,000 elements in the sequence spit out by his formula, and declared the value of Legendres Constant to be 1.08366. After 91 years, other researchers dug deeper, all the way to 10,000,000 elements. The big punchline? After nine decades, the actual value of Legendres Constant couldnt have been simpler: it turned out to be exactly 1. Advertisement Advertisement 6 211 33 52 13 = 17,971,200 Whats so funny about this finite simple group of order? To you and me, nothing. But any hardcore mathematician will recognize this as the Tits Group, named after 20th century French mathematician Jacques Tits. Hes also responsible for Tits Buildings, the Tits Alternative and the Tits Metric. 5 Sexy Primes Sexy Primes are any two prime numbers with a difference of six. Eleven and five, for example, are Sexy Primes. Theres no functional or institutional reason for calling them Sexy Primes sex- is a Latin prefix meaning six, and math hounds just thought it sounded funny. Advertisement Advertisement 4 Grahams Number: The Number Thats Literally Too Big Youve heard of some funny-sounding, humongous numbers, like googol (10 to the power of 100), or googolplex (10 to the power of 10 to the power of 100). Beyond that are concepts like Skewes number and Mosers number, formulas that represent unimaginably large numbers. Grahams number has them all beat: Its an integer so large, the entire universe isnt big enough to express it in decimal form, or even in scientific notation. 3 Belphegors Prime: The Most Metal Number Ever Devised Electrical engineer and mathematician Harvey Dubner discovered this extra spooky number: a 1, followed by 13 0s, the number 666, 13 0s again, and 1. Its designed to make religious numerology weirdos go nuts: Its a palindrome stuffed to the brim with demonic numbers. For style points, he named it after Belphegor, one of the Seven Princes of Hell. Advertisement Advertisement 2 The Cox-Zucker Machine This is an algorithm that determines whether a given set of sections provides a basis for the Mordell-Weil group of an elliptic surface E S. If that makes no sense, it doesnt matter. Whats important is that it was developed by two first-year Princeton grad students, David A. Cox and Steven Zucker, who decided when they first met that they had to figure out a way to author a paper together. Dreams do come true! PHOENIX Foes of a constitutional right to abortion are dropping part of their court challenge to keep the issue off the November ballot. On Tuesday Arizona Right to Life refiled its lawsuit alleging that Proposition 139 is legally flawed and should not go to voters. The organization continues to contend the proposed constitutional amendment is misleading. But now gone from the lawsuit are various other claims about legal improprieties in collecting the more than 820,000 signatures submitted by Arizona for Abortion Access to put the initiative on the ballot. Also stripped from the lawsuit is the allegation that some circulators tricked voters into signing the petitions by providing gross and misleading information about the amendment. What that leaves for a judge to decide is whether, as the foes argue, the whole petition drive was faulty. But now that Right to Life no longer contends there arent enough valid signatures, the foes have the legal burden of proving the measure itself, as well as the 200-word summary on petition sheets, were so misleading they would create a significant danger of confusion or unfairness. That would require showing the courts that Arizonans might not understand the issue they are being asked to approve. Right to Life will get a chance to make that case at a hearing Friday before Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Melissa Julian. But whatever she rules is virtually certain to be appealed to the Arizona Supreme Court. Proposition 139, if approved, would enshrine a constitutional right in Arizona to terminate a pregnancy. That would be pretty much unrestricted prior to fetal viability, considered between 22 and 24 weeks. Abortions would be allowed beyond that point to protect the life or physical or mental health of the mother. Arizona Right to Life contends the measure has been sold as protecting abortion only up to viability. The amendment actually creates an unfettered right to obtain an abortion up to birth, the challengers argue. Initiative supporters acknowledge the initiative would create a right to post-viability abortions. But they say these would be only in the most extreme circumstances, a situation they said is best decided by a woman, her family and her doctor. Right to Life, however, cite the exception for mental health, which they say is so broadly defined that almost nothing is prohibited. Many voters may be willing to add their signature to a petition allowing abortion up to viability, the lawsuit states. However, because the post-viability clause is so vague and poorly defined, many will not realize how broadly protections for late-term abortions are being expanded. This would very likely determine whether someone would put their signature on the petition. The initiative also says restrictions on abortion would be permitted if there is a compelling state interest. That is defined as improving or maintaining the health of the person seeking abortion care consistent with accepted clinical standards of practice and evidence-based medicine. This language erases all other compelling governmental interests except making the abortion safer for women, ignoring any interest in protecting potential human life, the challengers say. But the groups bigger concern is language in the initiative spelling out that any regulation cannot infringe on the pregnant womans autonomous decision making. The ballot measure fails to make clear, the challengers say, that this would allow a woman to go to someone who is not a licensed health-care provider. Foes say it also would override parental consent laws, which they say should have been spelled out in the 200-word summary on the face of the petitions voters were asked to sign. Jill Norgaard, spokeswoman for Arizona Right to Life, said the decision to drop the claims about petition signers and circulators still leaves what she calls the heart of the case. We are focusing on the language of this faulty petition and how it is extremely vague and misleading to Arizonans, she said in a prepared statement. In her own prepared statement, Dawn Penich, spokeswoman for Arizona for Abortion Access, said the foes decision to drop the claims about circulators was long overdue. She said attorneys pointed out to the group in five separate emails since July 19 that their allegations were baseless and obviously untrue. Now, Penich said, her organization will seek to recover its legal fees for time spent preparing to defend the now-dropped charges. As to whats left, she called the arguments by Arizona Right to Life flimsy. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: Animal welfare resources are at the breaking point in Pima County. Even with numerous rescue groups and a wide network of volunteers working to find homes for these animals, our shelters are full beyond capacity and adoptable pets are at risk of being euthanized. This situation is heartbreaking. Ive been a volunteer, foster, and animal advocate for more than 10 years here in Pima County, but I havent seen it like this before. I know that so many of us want to help. Our individual contributions make a difference, but the solution needs to match the scale of the problem. We need to address the root causes and implement lasting solutions. The flow of factory-farmed puppies into our county has turned into a flood, with three large retailers opening operations here in recent years. With nearly 2,000 adoptable animals available at PACC, there is no excuse for importing designer dogs from out of state puppy mills. Theres a direct line between the sale of animals at retail outlets and the overflow of adoptable dogs at PACC. This dynamic is tragic and perverse. And until recently, it was illegal. Tucson, Phoenix, and Tempe had bans on puppy mill stores; however, in 2016 the Legislature passed a law preempting local regulation of pet dealers. Today, Arizona is one of only two states that preempt municipalities from adopting local restrictions on puppy sales, and hundreds of shelter pets are paying the price. Amidst this lax regulatory environment, many puppy mills run breeding operations without true regard for the health and welfare of the animals they sell to an unwitting public. Locally, Animal Kingdom at Tucson Mall and Pets at Park Place have been cited for violations of state regulations. When forced to shut down, new puppy mill stores appear with the same disregard for even these minimal requirements. Its time for the Legislature to get out of the way and allow local governments to address our local concerns. A bill to repeal the preemption law was introduced in the state house in 2023, but the bill didnt advance. The Legislature must also address discriminatory breed restrictions in rental agreements. A recent Marketwatch survey found that 43% of owners of these misunderstood breeds have trouble finding affordable housing because of such restrictions, and 13% of owners have had to give up their pets because of them. A bill to end these restrictions was introduced in the state Senate earlier this year but never reached the floor for a vote. We need leaders at the Legislature who are focused on the real problems we are facing in Pima County and who will serve their constituents with sensitivity to local concerns. As a long-time shelter volunteer, rescue dog owner, and foster, I would be proud to lead on this issue, and to provide lasting solutions for the benefit of both animals and their human partners. Correction: A photo cutline with this story originally misidentified Debbie Fadell's job with Annie Brady Designs. The cutline has been corrected. Behind Annie Brady Designs success stands a 65-year-old woman who took a leap of faith and started the business at 57. Since then, she has proved her point: Its never too late to start something new. She leads the event planning business while making her way through flower arrangements, colorful decorations and original event invitations, using them as constant reminders of the barriers she broke to get there. In addition to event planning, she opened Magpie, a store where curated party items are for sale or rent to encourage every customer to experience their dream party. Annie Brady Design has stood out over the past couple of years, with brides from all over Oklahoma dreaming about a wedding done by Brady. With a three-person staff, the business focuses on its clients uniqueness, working on different decorations and designs at each event. Theres a genuine desire to create something beautiful that reflects on who our customers are, Brady said. We dont have a cookie cutter like Heres five different types of events and you can have them in different colors. Its like What do you like? Theres a desire to dig deep and figure it out what they truly want. The business didnt start out of nowhere. After 23 years of being a stay-at-home mom, Brady took a leap of faith in 2016 when asked to plan a friends wedding. She was known for her creativity and good taste for parties, but when the invite was made, she wondered if she could do it. Not only did she do it, but she was successful at it. After that, there was no going back. Word of mouth led to other friends making similar requests until Brady decided to fulfill a dream from youth: to be an entrepreneur. Although Brady hadnt been a professional event planner, her life and celebrations have been intertwined since a young age. From enjoying parties planned by her family, to then planning her childrens parties, creativity was a constant. I grew up in a big family, and I just remember all of our celebrations, Brady said. They were really important to me. My family wasnt perfect, but I just think those moments were magical. I always wanted to continue to make sure that happens for other people. Its kind of a spiritual thing, honestly. Brady was the head of human resources at what used to be the National Bank for years until she had her first child, Maggie Brady Mongiardo, at 33. The decision was obvious: She wanted to dedicate her time to her children. With each of her kids milestones came a party to celebrate them. Brady went all out for the birthday parties, with themes ranging from Survivor to Barbie. All the guests knew if it was a Brady party, it would be a good one. Although the idea of business would only come years later, the gift was always there. There are other feelings besides just decorating, Brady said. I love all that too, but it needs to be thoughtful and meaningful. It doesnt have to be fancy, but its about the moments where people are celebrating and connecting. During those years, Brady played several roles: mother, daughter, sister and wife. But she knew something was missing: her own identity. As the years went by, Brady noticed the hardships of growing older. Her kids were out of the house, and friends were searching for new hobbies or choosing to stay home, but she felt like she still had a lot of things to accomplish. The encouragement from her husband and two kids came easy when she decided to start a business. There was no question about whether she should do it or not. Her husband told her she needed to do what made her happy, and she agreed with it. Age didnt scare her away; in fact, Brady said it brought the wisdom she needed to start something new. I just want women to know this is such a good time for them to pursue their dreams and something for themselves, Brady said. Its your chance to be who you want to be. Sometimes, when people get older, they get lonely, so I think, if I didnt do this, what would I do? Although the journey is challenging, Brady and her small team have organized hundreds of weddings, birthdays, fundraisers and more. Communication and ahead-of-time planning lead to special and distinctive events, never following a formula from a previous one. When Brady reflects on the most memorable events she has organized, two are impossible to forget. She planned and organized her daughters and her sons weddings, combining her lifes proudest achievements. She always made sure we were celebrated, Mongiardo said. There was never a question about who would plan my wedding. We have similar tastes, everything she likes, I like. She wanted to make it as meaningful as possible and make everything I wanted happen. Mongiardo said there was never a moment she was not proud of her mom, and she always wanted to be like her. When Brady decided to start her business, Mongiardo was still deciding what professional path she should follow, and watching her mother fight for what she wanted inspired her to pursue the things she loved. Seeing her have a purpose, something that she is excited and passionate about and is also so talented, was just a gift, and it gave me the perspective to pursue something new or be OK with changing directions, Mongiardo said. She never shied away from anything, she knows what is right for her and what she wants to do. She always showed me that if you want to start something, you should start something. After eight years in the business, Brady does not plan to stop soon. The team is busy with events until the end of the year, including destination weddings. To her, this business allowed her to fulfill a purpose, make new friends and encourage women to fight for their dreams. I look around and I see all the people that have worked here, and I have learned and grown with them, Brady said. Ive loved doing it, I love doing it. I really always thought, for women especially, its just important to always listen to your own voice. Four years ago today, about 100 people gathered under shade trees at Centennial Park to stand in solidarity with Black and Indigenous people. Mayoral candidate Greg Robinson said thats just what made the evening so special. Im full of hope because we protested over a month ago, and were still gathering today, Robinson said, referencing initial and ongoing protests sparked by George Floyds death in police custody in Minnesota in May. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his entourage arrived in New Delhi late Tuesday evening (local time), starting a state visit to India to further boost multifaceted cooperation under the comprehensive strategic partnership with the South Asian country. The visit, set to last through Thursday, is made at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Welcoming PM Chinh at the Palam military airport were Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margerita and Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya. Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Hai and Consul General in Mumbai Le Quang Bien were also present at the reception. PM Modi will preside over a state-level welcome ceremony and hold talks with the Vietnamese government leader on Thursday. A large welcome poster shows the portraits of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the Palam military airport in New Delhi, India, July 30, 2024 (local time). Photo: Vietnam Government Portal The visit aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in traditional sectors and broaden collaboration in promising areas, including information technology, renewable energy, green economy, digital economy, telecommunications, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electronics, and infrastructure. During the visit, PM Chinh will also have meetings with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Speaker of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of the Indian parliament) Jagdeep Dhankhar and Speaker of the Lok Sabha (the lower house) Om Birla. In addition, Chinh will meet with leaders of some political parties, attend business forums and dialogues, receive CEOs of leading Indian economic groups, and speak at the Indian Council of World Affairs. On Wednesday, PM Chinh will hold working sessions with major corporations and enterprises in India's pharmaceutical and oil and gas sectors. He will also attend and deliver a speech at the Vietnam-India Business Forum. He will also join the inauguration of the new office of the Vietnamese Embassy in India, where he will talk with officials and staff. On the same day, he will meet with representatives of the Vietnamese community in India. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is seen waving upon his arrival at the Palam military airport in New Delhi, India, July 30, 2024 (local time). Photo: Ngoc An / Tuoi Tre This is the first state visit by PM Chinh as the head of government and also the first business trip to India by a Vietnamese prime minister in 10 years. The visit underscores Vietnams Party and state's commitment to enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership with India and strengthening the long-standing traditional friendship between the two nations. Ambassador Hai said that PM Chinh is among the first foreign leaders to visit India following Prime Minister Modi's re-election for a third term. The diplomat expressed confidence that this visit will generate new momentum and outline directions for further expanding and deepening cooperation between the two sides. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shakes hands with one of the representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in India upon his arrival at the Palam military airport in New Delhi, India, July 30, 2024 (local time). Photo: Ngoc An / Tuoi Tre The visit also enhances bilateral coordination on regional and international issues, fosters mutual support in multilateral forums, and promotes the comprehensive strategic partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India, thereby maintaining and promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, the ambassador stated. Vietnam and India established diplomatic relations in 1972 and upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016. Last year, two-way trade reached nearly US$15 billion, a 2.5-fold increase over seven years, according to official figures. Large Indian corporations are interested in investing in Vietnam in areas such as renewable energy, processing industry, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, and logistics, among others. Electric vehicle maker VinFast, a subsidiary of Vietnams leading conglomerate Vingroup, started construction of an automobile assembly and manufacturing plant in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with a committed investment of $2 billion, in February this year. India ranks among the top three countries with the highest growth rates of tourists to Vietnam, with the number of Indian visitors to the Southeast Asian country increasing 2.5 times over the past four years. Over the past decade, India has awarded nearly 3,000 short-term and long-term scholarships to Vietnamese students through various programs. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Check out the latest news in Vietnam today: Politics -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation left Hanoi on Tuesday evening for a state visit to India from Tuesday through Thursday at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. -- Vietnams State President To Lam hosted a reception for Josep Borrell Fontelles, Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in Hanoi on Tuesday. Borrell is paying an official visit to Vietnam from Monday to Wednesday at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. Business -- The number of international visitor arrivals to Vietnam neared 10 million between January and July this year, soaring 51 percent year on year and improving 1.9 percent against the pre-pandemic level in 2019, according to data released by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism. Society -- All buses in Ho Chi Minh City are expected to completely run on green energy by 2030, a local transport official told a seminar on the transition to green energy held in the southern metropolis on Tuesday. -- A team of workers began a clean-up drive on Tuesday morning to remove more than 100 kilograms of lifeless fish from the iconic Xuan Huong Lake in Da Lat City, a tourist destination in Vietnams Central Highlands of Lam Dong. Some local fishers said a mass fish die-off occurred a few days ago following torrential rain in the upland city. -- Police of Nha Trang City in south-central Khanh Hoa Province arrested a 29-year-old local man on Tuesday for allegedly setting fire to a gas station and facilities at several other locations the same day. The suspect, who confessed to police that he is a drug addict, tested positive for drugs after the arrest. -- The administration of Quang Ngai Province in central Vietnam issued an emergency dispatch on Tuesday, asking departments and agencies across the province to actively respond to a series of quakes in neighboring Kon Tum Province that caused vibrations in Quang Ngai, as well as to adopt effective measures to safeguard residents and state properties. -- Vietnam reported 36 food poisoning incidents that left more than 2,300 people sick and six dead in the first half of 2024, according to the Ministry of Health. World News -- Landslides swept through tea estates and villages in southern India's Kerala on Tuesday, killing at least 106 people while they slept as unexpected heavy rain collapsed hillsides and triggered torrents of mud, water and tumbling boulders, Reuters reported. -- The largest wildfire in the U.S. swelled to over 600 square miles on Tuesday, bigger than the city of Los Angeles, fire officials in California said, as thousands of firefighters battled the blaze in a wilderness area north of Sacramento, according to Reuters. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The number of international visitor arrivals to Vietnam neared 10 million between January and July this year, soaring 51 percent year on year and improving 1.9 percent against the pre-pandemic level in 2019, according to data released by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism. In the seven-month period, most of Vietnams tourist source markets reported an expansion with Asia surging 57 percent. The key markets were mainland China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. The numbers of visitors from the UK, France, Russia, and Italy rose 25, 33, 75, and 61 percent, respectively, although Vietnam is in the low travel season. Other potential markets, including Australia and India, maintained their growth momentum with a rise of 27 percent each. Tourism promotion activities conducted by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism in Australia in June were expected to boost the growth of this market in the coming time. Digital travel platform Agoda recently revealed an increase of 26 percent in searches for Vietnamese destinations by Australian tourists between June 6 and 24 this year. In Asia, South Korea remained the largest source market of Vietnams tourism with nearly 2.6 million South Korean arrivals to Vietnam, making up 26 percent. It was followed by China with 2.1 million tourists. The top ten source markets of Vietnams tourism also included Japan, Malaysia, Australia, and others. Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh said the target of 17-18 million international tourists this year was lower than Vietnams tourism potential. The associations members look to serve over 20 million foreign travelers this year, Binh noted. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! CenterPoint Energy CEO Jason Wells, center, spoke with the Public Utilities Commission of Texas on July 25 about CenterPoint's response to Hurricane Beryl. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Dont bail out CenterPoint Regarding Utility grilled on storm response (July 30): It appears that CenterPoint is looking for the same deal the gas companies got to offset the cost of gas during Winter Storm Uri. The exorbitant gas prices during that storm were the result of poor maintenance by pipeline operators and distributors and alleged market manipulation by natural gas pipeline operators and traders. That deal allows gas utilities to charge customers approximately $3 per month for years to come. After Hurricane Beryl, CenterPoint would like to do the same. Those who manage CenterPoint bear much of the responsibility for its poor performance and should share the cost of repairs. The companys board of directors failed to oversee managements activities, yet made more than $3 million combined in total compensation in 2023. The companys executive leadership failed in their duties, yet made $42 million combined in total compensation in 2023. Until the necessary repairs and improvements are completed, compensation should be severely cut and dividends should be suspended. As the cost of the damage caused by these storms will ultimately hit the customers' pocket books, it is appropriate that the management and those receiving financial benefit feel some of the pain. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pete Crane, Conroe Regarding Utility grilled on storm response (July 30): What a joke to hear our illustrious state and local lawmakers state Sens. Paul Bettencourt, Charles Schwertner, Carol Alvarado and Lois Kolkhorst and Houston Mayor John Whitmire preening and posturing at the mic as they express outrage over CenterPoints performance in the aftermath of the recent hurricane. Lets be honest: There probably isnt a state in the union where the lawmakers are as in bed with industry as they are here in Texas. As these legislators bloviate about there being no accountability, every one of them should take a long look in the mirror. And to the Houston Chronicle: It would have been interesting if in your story youd included the amounts that each of these lions of accountability have taken from CenterPoint Energy over the past 10 years in the form of campaign contributions. Let there be no doubt, these elected officials really do take us for idiots. David Bradley, Spring An assault on democracy Regarding the editorial Project 2025s dangerous policy buffet includes a bit of Hungary (July 29): Project 2025 is a continuation and expansion of Donald Trumps infamous Schedule F his attempt in 2020 to replace all federal government employees with Trump loyalists even as the majority of Americans were preparing to vote against him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Most voters are unaware of this assault on their country. I live in the gerrymandered Republican 38th Congressional District. Like my neighbors, I have received literature from the Heritage Foundation asking for donations to Project 2025. I suspect that most of my neighbors think that these solicitations are just the usual right-wing propaganda. They may unwittingly send money to the Heritage Foundation to finance the end of 250 years of American constitutional democracy. The November presidential election is a nationwide IQ test that will determine Americas future. Lets hope that the country doesnt flunk it. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Farewell, Leader of The Nation: Daughter-in-laws tearful adieu to Ismail Haniyeh In a heart touching video message, Ismail Haniyehs daughter-in-law Inas Haniyeh paid a tearful adieu and fitting tribute to the top Hamas leader who was assassinated in an air raid during a visit to Iran Wednesday July 31, 2024 6:39 PM , Aneequa Sabahat Faizee, ummid.com In a heart touching video message, Ismail Haniyehs daughter-in-law Inas Haniyeh paid a tearful adieu and fitting tribute to the top Hamas leader who was assassinated in an air raid during a visit to Iran. Inas Haniyeh is the wife of Ismail Haniyehs son Hazem Haniyeh. Hazem Haniyeh was living in Gaza when he was killed in an Israeli bombing. In the video message, Inas speaking in Arabic, called the slain Hamas Chief, a Mujahid, Shaheed, Martyr, a Noble Commander, and Leader of The Nation. At the same, Inas Haniyeh also sought Allah, The Almightys mercy and from Him the strength in this testing time. With the hearts content with the will of Allah, I mourn the man whose good deeds resound throughout the heart and heaven. A man who needs no introduction. I mourn my uncle, my beloved, my father, my crown, my solace, Abu al-Abd Haniyeh who has joined the ranks of Mujahideen, the truthful, and the righteous. He has joined our children and the blessed blood, the martyrs the heroic, the great, and the noble commander. Inas Haniyeh, wife of the son of Haniyeh: With hearts content with God's decree, I mourn my revered father... The affliction is deep, but we take solace knowing this life is temporary. God willing, we will meet again in a paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth. Farewell pic.twitter.com/yIyfFy9xA5 Hamza Bayrak (@bayrakhamza_) July 31, 2024 (But) we shall only say what pleases Allah. Indeed, the eye weeps and the heart grieves.. We are saddened by your loss, oh our revered father Abu al-Abd. (Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return). (Oh Allah, Grant us patience and comfort in our grief and replace this loss with something better). This tragedy is great, but our comfort is that this world is fleeting and this life is temporary. Insha Allah, God willing, we will meet again in a paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth. Farewell, oh the Leader of the nation, she concluded. Ismail Haniyeh: Early Life and Tragedies Ismail Haniyeh was born in 1963 in a refugee camp. His family originally hailed from Ashkelon, now occupied by Israel, before the 1948 Palestinian Nakba or catastrophe. Haniyeh was married to Amal, and they had 13 children. Like his parents, the Israeli Occupation Forces also killed Ismail Haniyehs three sons - Hazem, Amir and Mohammad along with a number of his grandchildren in an air attack on April 10, 2024. Ismail Haniyehs sons and grandchildren were targeted as they were visiting relatives on the occasion of Eid al Fitr at Shati Refugee Camp where their father was born. Earlier in October 2023, in an airstrike on his family home in Gaza City 14 family members, including his brother were killed. In the following months, Haniyeh lost a granddaughter and his eldest grandson. In another Israeli airstrike on the al-Shati refugee camp on June 25, 2024, ten members of his family, including his 80-year-old sister, were killed. Ismail Haniyeh: Political Journey Ismail Haniyeh , a graduate in Arabic Literature and Hafiz e Quran, was hailed as a pragmatic leader who had a good and cordial relationship with different Palestinian factions. He had led Hamas to victory in the 2006 elections. Following the election victory, he became the Prime Minister of the State of the Palestine though for a brief period as Hamas victory was not acceptable for democratic West led by the Unites States. Haniyeh was elected Chairman of Hamas's Political Bureau on May 6, 2017, replacing Khaled Mashal following which he relocated himself to Qatar from the Gaza Strip. Ismail Haniyeh played a key role in various negotiations with the far right Zionist regime in Israel for prisoners swap after the Al Aqsa Flood launched by the Palestinian Resistance Fighters on October 07, 2023. Ismail Haniyeh was also instrumental in the signing of the Beijing Declaration between as many as 14 Palestinian groups. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian Tuesday July 30, 2024. During his stay in Tehran, Haniyeh was residing at veterans residence in the Iranian capitals outskirts when he and one of his body guards were killed in a guided rocket attack. The incident occurred Wednesday July 31, 2024 at around 02:00 AM local time. In a statement confirming, Haniyehs death, Hamas blamed Israel for the assassination of its chief . Israel has so far neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in the brutal murder. It has however vowed to eliminate the Palestinian leadership on a number of occasions in the past. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Indonesia announces major crackdown on smoking, cigarette sales In a major crackdown on smoking, Indonesia on Wednesday banned cigarette sales to people under the age of 21 Thursday August 1, 2024 0:10 AM , ummid.com News Network Jakarta: In a major crackdown on smoking, Indonesia on Wednesday banned cigarette sales to people under the age of 21 while announcing a new regulations to curb tobacco addiction. The authorities in Indonesia have also banned cigarette advertisements on websites, apps, and social media platforms, according to local media reports. The minimum age has been raised from 18 to 21, and the sale of individual tobacco products has been prohibited, except for cigars and electronic cigarettes, Anadolu Agency reported citing Jakarta Globe. The new regulations signed by President Joko Widodo also require tobacco packaging to contain at least 20 cigarettes and limit sliced tobacco packaging to a maximum of 50 grams, as cigarette packs currently vary in content, including 12, 16, and 20 cigarettes, the daily added. Under the new regulations, cigarettes will not be sold within 200 meters of educational institutions or children's play areas. These rules are aimed at reducing smoking prevalence and prevent young people from taking up the habit. The new regulation also bans conventional and electronic cigarette (e cigarette) sales on "commercial electronic applications" and social media sites, unless there is age verification, according to Reuters. With 70 million smokers in a population of 270 million, Indonesia has one of the worlds highest smoking rates. The country also struggles with a high level of underage smoking. A 2023 survey revealed that 7.4 percent of smokers are between the ages of 10 to 18, with 15-19 being the age group with the most of smokers, according to Tobacco Reporter. [Representative image generated by AI.] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home UPSC cancels Puja Khedkars appointment as IAS Officer The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has cancelled the temporary appointment of Probationary IAS Officer Puja Khedkar and also barred her for lifetime from appearing in the Civil Services Exams Wednesday July 31, 2024 6:09 PM , ummid.com News Network New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has cancelled the temporary appointment of Probationary IAS Officer Puja Khedkar and also barred her for lifetime from appearing in the Civil Services Exams. The UPSC has examined the available records carefully and found Puja Khedkar guilty of acting in contravention of the provisions of the CSE-2022 Rules. Her provisional candidature for the CSE-2022 has been cancelled and she has also been debarred permanently from all the future Examinations/Selections of the UPSC, the Commission said in a statement released today. The UPSC in a show cause notice sent to Puja Khedkar on July 18, 2024 confirmed that she had faked her identity. The Commission however asked Khedkar to respond to the notice. Khedkar however first sought time to appear before the Commission but did not turn up. A Show Cause Notice (SCN) was issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to Ms. Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, a provisionally recommended candidate of the Civil Services Examination-2022 (CSE-2022) on 18th July, 2024 for fraudulently availing attempts beyond the permissible limit provided for in the Examination Rules by faking her identity. She was to submit her response to the SCN by 25th July, 2024. However, she requested for further time till 04th August, 2024 so that she could gather the necessary documents for her response, the UPSC said. The UPSC said Khedkar was granted time till 3:30 pm of 30th July, 2024 so as to enable her to submit the response to the SCN. She was also informed by the UPSC that the July 30 deadline is the last and final for her to file her response. Despite extension in time allowed to her, she failed to submit her explanation within the prescribed time, the UPSC said. Puja Khedkar had "cracked" the Civil Services exams 2022 and was supposed to join as Assistant Collector Pune in June this year. She however made the headlines after she started demanding separate cabin, accommodation, staff, car, royal seal and more for which she was not entitled to as a trainee and probationary officer. After her demands were not met, she forcibly occupied the Additional Collector's office in Pune. Puja Khedkars out of the way style irked her bosses forcing Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase to take the matter to Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, consequently she was transferred from Pune to Washim. Meanwhile, reports surfaced that Puja Khedkar used fake medical illness certificates and also lied about her income to avail the benefits of the OBC quota. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. HA NOI National Assembly Delegate Hoang Van Cuong, member of the Finance - Budget Committee of the National Assembly, proposed that petrol and oil prices should be set by companies, but the State still needs to have tools to regulate the market. At a discussion on a transparent and effective petrol market held by the Government information site on July 30, Cuong said Viet Nam had three tools for stabilising petrol prices, State management through base prices, tax tools and the petrol price stabilisation fund. Thus, Viet Nam used quite comprehensive tools like many countries. In which, the State played a big role in regulating petrol prices. However, the domestic petrol prices still had to follow the unusual fluctuations of world market prices, he said. So, those tools had not ensured profits as the enterprises calculated. The petrol prices stabilised by tax tools or the petrol price stabilisation fund meant use of the budget and people's resources to stabilise prices not market tools and this could lead to uncompetitive prices in the market. "If we want to have a competitive market, the buying and selling prices should be decided by the market, and the enterprises should use modern tools to stabilise petrol prices," Cuong said. "In the world, large companies often use derivative tools to stabilise the petrol prices. So, the State needs to create legal bases and conditions for the enterprises to use the derivative tools such as petrol price insurance. Besides, there must be enough national reserve resources." During the discussion, chairman of the Vietnam Petroleum Association Bui Ngoc Bao said that State management for the petrol market was to ensure petrol and oil supply for the economy. The second was to ensure management of the general price level and when there are strong fluctuations, prices could be regulated on the market through taxes and price stabilisation. If there was a competitive market, consumers would always choose a favourable price. In addition, Viet Nam could use derivatives such as petrol price insurance. However, in Viet Nam, these regulations relating to the derivatives were still lacking in consistency. Besides that, there were many other inappropriate regulations. Therefore, it was necessary to evaluate and review the decrees to develop a new decree to solve this problem, Bao said. Economic expert Ngo Tri Long proposed building a petroleum trading floor. If the trading floor is established, it will create business transparency and investment opportunities, manage risks in the petrol market, promote competition, reduce costs and benefit consumers, according to Long. At present, the State's petroleum market share accounts for 88 per cent. When there is the trading floor, the market share will be redistributed and the private sector will have more shares, creating higher competition. However, this expert said the challenge was large initial investment cost. Besides, it would require strict management and supervision. It would also face risks in the market and price fluctuations due to dependence on the world market. According to Pham Van Binh, deputy director of the Price Management Department (Ministry of Finance), now the oil and gas business and oil price management are being implemented according to Decree 83 (2014), Decree 95 (2021) and Decree 80 (2023). There are still some contents in the management and operation for the petrol market that need to be studied for further improvement. However, in general, the management of oil and gas business activities, especially price management, has been implemented strictly in accordance with these decrees and current legal documents as well as according to fluctuations on the world prices. The price level from the beginning of 2024 until now is relatively stable, without major fluctuations, according to Binh. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is assigned by the Government to develop a new decree, to replace the existing decrees, to create suitable changes in regulations on gasoline business activities. VNS HA NOI To continue promoting and improving agricultural exports like rice, fruit and vegetables in a sustainable manner, businesses must access information and take full advantage of incentives from free trade agreements (FTAs). Global demand for imported rice, vegetables and fruits is forecast to grow in the near future due to supply disruptions in many countries. Meanwhile Viet Nam is continuing to negotiate, sign and upgrade FTAs with partners in potential markets, creating favourable conditions for businesses to diversify markets, supply chains and export products. These factors will have a strong impact on the country's rice, fruit and vegetable trade activities in the next few years. In order to streamline sustainable rice, fruit and vegetable export activities and ensure national food security, the Tai Chinh Doanh Nghiep (Corporate Finance) Magazine reports that Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien asked associations to focus on supporting businesses in accessing information about the requirements of each market and taking full advantage of incentives from FTAs. He also asked that associations support businesses in effectively responding to lawsuits and commercial disputes. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) would continue to promote restructuring of the rice, fruit and vegetable industries towards improving quality and efficiency, while at the same time providing accurate information on agricultural market developments as well as guidance and recommendations for localities, businesses, associations and producers. MARD would also coordinate with the MoIT and relevant ministries and branches to monitor, negotiate and remove technical and plant quarantine barriers put in place by importing countries. It would proactively negotiate and sign agreements on plant quarantines and technical regulations on paddy and rice quality to create favourable conditions for export businesses. "Units of the Ministry of Industry and Trade continue to support businesses in promoting trade promotion activities and branding to develop agricultural product markets," stated Dien. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of the Viet Nam Vegetable and Fruit Association, agreed, saying that authorities needed to coordinate with localities and associations to do a good job with inspection and supervision, especially of harvested products. He said authorities also needed to manage traders well and promote official export negotiations to improve exports, particularly for avocados and fresh coconuts. In addition to these issues, Nguyen Ngoc Nam, Chairman of the Viet Nam Food Association, also pointed out a number of other problems, such as businesses owing farmers money for rice or rice exporting businesses competing unfairly in price. Experts said that the State needed to strengthen businesses by building and promoting domestic and international brands as well as promulgating policies to support firms participating in the global agricultural value chain. This would help contribute to building a good reputation for Vietnamese agricultural products. At the same time, strengthening the role of industry associations would be necessary to protect the interests of businesses, economic organisations and farmer households producing and trading agricultural products for export. Solutions to guide and support industry associations and businesses in protecting intellectual property rights related to exported agricultural products were also needed. VNS At an April 10 press conference, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo showed the lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to stop the county's guaranteed-income pilot project. Hidalgo called the states actions cruel. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer When Harris County leaders launched Uplift Harris, a guaranteed income pilot program, the state of Texas stopped it in its tracks. Judge Lina Hidalgo called the states actions cruel. The idea behind guaranteed income programs was that if low-income families were simply given regular infusions of cash, theyd gain the flexibility needed to pursue opportunities. For instance, a single parent might have to turn down better employment that requires more hours or a longer commute if she cant afford child care or transportation. But a guaranteed income payment would let her take it. Commissioner Rodney Ellis, the primary driver of the program, said, Guaranteed income programs have been proven to be effective at helping to reduce poverty and improve a familys stability, economic mobility and overall wellbeing. But now, a new study evaluates what it calls the largest unconditional cash transfer program evaluated by a randomized controlled trial in the U.S. And that study shows that, while neither side is entirely vindicated, guaranteed income is a long way from living up to its supporters hopes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, funded the study, and the results are published in papers from OpenResearch, a research lab funded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and the National Bureau of Economic Research. The three-year trial provided 1,000 low-income adults a monthly stipend of $1,000, a 40% income boost on average. A control group of 2,000 people received $50 per month. The research took place in 19 counties: 10 in Texas and nine in Illinois. The studys authors write that their results are mixed. But as I read it, those results show that unconditional cash payments, while of course beneficial in the moment, have few positive long-term benefits. Guaranteed income caused recipients overall annual income to drop by about $1,500 per year relative to the control group. Recipients participation in the labor market decreased by 2%. They worked 1.3 to 1.4 hour fewer labor hours per week. And recipients partners also showed a similar decrease in work hours. For every dollar received from the program, total household income, excluding the guaranteed income, fell by at least 21 cents, and total individual income fell by at least 12 cents. Recipients reported using the time gained from reducing their work hours on leisure, and periods of unemployment were 1.1 months longer for those receiving the income than for the control group. The difference, researchers said, was the result of recipients having applied to fewer positions on average. (A follow-up paper to be released next month will show that the recipients net worth actually dropped over three years.) The researchers write that they do not find evidence of the type of job quality or human capital improvements that advocates have hoped we find no impact on quality of employment, and our confidence intervals can rule out even small improvements. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Though recipients were more interested in entrepreneurial activities than members of the control group were, the number of recipients who actually started businesses was not statistically significant. The program had no effect on physical and mental health outcomes during the time of the treatment. Surprisingly, the researchers wrote, we do not find the transfer improved food security, despite the strong baseline correlation between income and food security. They did, however, find suggestive improvements in the number of times a recipient drank soda with regular sugar. Admittedly, the results arent as bad as critics like myself thought theyd be, but the outcomes fall significantly short of the promising returns that supporters hoped these programs could provide and, Id argue, show that guaranteed income programs arent a wise use of taxpayer dollars. Being more willing to pursue entrepreneurship or take risks is a perfectly fine outcome for a program funded through charitable organizations or nonprofits. But a government-funded program should demand better results than that. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HCM CITY HCM City authorities have established a task force aimed at enhancing the monitoring of gold bar transactions in the city to tackle speculation. Led by a city police representative, the task force comprises representatives from the central bank, Anti-Money Laundering Department, Market Surveillance Department, and Tax Department. Its main function will be to collect data regarding individuals involved in the buying and selling of gold bars at retail points operated by the Saigon Jewelry Company (SJC) and four State-owned commercial banks. The data will be communicated to the police on a daily basis, which will assist them in identifying potentially suspicious speculative activities. Specifically, a central bank representative in HCM City will oversee the daily information collection for the police. An Anti-Money Laundering Department official will verify the sources of funds for gold purchases; and a Tax Department representative will monitor tax evasion and gold smuggling indicators. The agency will also oversee businesses engaged in the production and sale of gold bars and jewelry. There has recently been a surge in demand for gold at retail points operated by SJC and the four State-owned commercial banks across the country. Some individuals have resorted to hiring others to stand in long queues at these locations to purchase gold, resulting in chaotic situations, local media reported. In the first seven months, city authorities seized nearly 1,600 gold and jewelry items found to be in violation of regulations, with an estimated total value of VN14.2 billion. Authorities have also identified nearly 200 violations of the law, the majority of which involved gold jewelry lacking clear provenance or bearing counterfeit branding. Viet Nam has recently intensified security measures at gold selling points to prevent price manipulation, as rumours of gold shortages have led to market instability. The central bank has been urged since the end of last year to implement measures to manage the gold market to ensure that gold bar prices do not exceed global rates. With huge discrepancies between domestic and international gold prices, profit-driven smuggling has increased, causing losses of State revenue, as well as posing risks to foreign exchange rates. In June, the central bank appointed four State-own commercial banks to sell SJC-branded gold bars with strict conditions for buyers in order to tackle speculation. This helps significantly narrow the price gap between domestic and global gold prices from VN17 million several months ago to VN6 million. VNS HA NOI German energy group Neuman&Esser and the Institute for Digital Economy Development Strategy (IDS) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in developing the hydrogen industry in Viet Nam. The MoU lays a foundation for carrying out research of mechanisms, policies, legal framework and markets for investments in hydrogen production and technology transfer in Viet Nam. The signing ceremony was part of a four-day visit of Neuman&Esser to Viet Nam to study and prepare for the energy groups investments in the potential hydrogen industry in Viet Nam. The National Power Development Plan in the 2021-30 period with a vision to 2030, has set the target to develop a hydrogen ecosystem in Viet Nam, including production, storage, transportation, distribution and use in the domestic market and for exports with synchronous infrastructure system to contribute to ensuring energy security and realising the goal of net zero by 2025. On the same day, Neuman&Esser also worked with the National Assemblys Economic Committee on the legal framework and investment environment of Viet Nam for investments in hydrogen industry as a new growth driver for the Vietnamese economy. Stefanie Peters, Chairwoman and General Director of Neuman&Esser, said that the group will soon make a decision on investing in Viet Nam. First, the group will open a representative office then invest in production facilities. The location will be the countrys southern region, which is close to abundant renewable energy sources. Neuman&Esser will also work with major energy groups of Viet Nam such as Petrovietnam, Viet Nam Electricity and Viet Nam National Chemical Group to discuss investment opportunities in oil and gas, energy and chemicals in Viet Nam. Founded in 1830, Neuman&Esser is one of the leading energy groups with expertise in hydrogen. VNS The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam have signed a memorandum of understanding for sustainable forest development, towards water replenishment and carbon offset. Jahanzeb Khan, General Director and CEO of Suntory Pepsico Vietnam, talks about the companys efforts in promoting sustainable development initiatives in Viet Nam. Can you share the sustainability strategy of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam? Guided by the core value Growing for good, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam has continuously strived to build and promote initiatives aiming at giving back to nature, communities and society, while delivering high quality products to our consumers. Our vision extends beyond being a leading market beverage company to becoming a trusted partner of the Vietnamese Government in advancing sustainability initiatives. Our sustainability strategy focuses on six areas that benefit both the planet and people. First, we aim to create positive water impacts by addressing the water challenges in Viet Nam through reducing water usage in our production, implementing reforestation programme to cultivate and replenish water back to nature, and educating communities about water conservation. In line with the governments call to action against climate change, we are committed to minimising greenhouse gas emissions. All five of our production plants now have moved out of fossil fuels, installing biomass steaming systems to reduce our carbon footprint. We go beyond pushing for sustainable packaging innovations to reduce plastic waste and promote circular economy. This includes being the first beverage company in Viet Nam to introduce product with packaging made from 100 per cent recycled PET - Pepsi, and the first tea bottle made from 100 per cent recycled PET, the lightest water bottle in our global system - Aquafina. Addressing health and wellness concerns is another key focus for us, where we continuously innovate to offer a wide range of healthier choices for our consumers. Additionally, we value diversity, equity and inclusion among our staff, and enriching the lives of the communities where we operate, which aligns with the governments efforts to foster inclusive growth, equal opportunities, and overall community development goals. What makes the reforestation programme between MARD and Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam unique compared to other initiatives? Forests are incredibly valuable to Viet Nam's economy, ecology and biodiversity. We initiated our tree plantation programme in 2021, but we sought to level up its impact. Recognising this, we believe that the partnership we are establishing with MARD will bring the impact of the programme to the new height with significant progress. Our focus isn't solely on reforestation, it's about supporting reforestation efforts in a way that extends benefits to local communities by providing them with sustainable livelihoods. By integrating water replenishment and carbon offset initiatives, we aim to support the Vietnamese Government's target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam is proud to be one of the first companies to engage in a public-private partnership with MARD in sustainable forest development. We hope to pave the way and inspire other companies to join in creating value for Viet Nam's forests and developing new and effective models in forest management and protection. Can you share more about areas of collaborations between both parties? Our co-operation includes several key activities. One of these is reforestation, which links to improving local livelihoods, conserving and replenishing water resources, enhancing carbon offsets, and protecting the environment. Another important initiative is the Forestry Semester Programme, a forest experience programme designed to educate participants about water resources and biodiversity, fostering a love for forests and water among students and national park visitors. Additionally, the National Forest Passport Initiative aims to develop the multi-use value of forests, promoting ecological and tourism value by encouraging people to explore and experience forests, thereby fostering an awareness of forest protection across 34 national parks. Through these efforts, we aim to make Viet Nam greener and more sustainable, working hand-in-hand with the community and government to achieve our shared environmental goals. What are Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam's expectations for this public-private partnership in terms of its contributions to water conservation and carbon offsets? The challenges of sustainable development are too vast to be addressed by a single sector or organisation. They require collaboration of both the public and private sectors. Driven by a shared vision of sustainable development and a commitment to making positive impacts on the environment and community, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam has emerged as a pioneer in public-private partnership. The programme aims to plant and enrich nearly 250 hectares of forests in upstream and protected areas across the country, including Lao Cai, Yen Bai, and Tuyen Quang in the Northern region; Nghe An and Phu Yen in the Central region; and Ca Mau, Long An and Binh Phuoc in the Southern region. These forests will include large timber trees, indigenous species, and medicinal plants to improve local livelihoods. Our goal is to conserve and regenerate groundwater resources, replenishing back into nature more water than we use in our production processes by 2050. Additionally, we seek to offset carbon emissions, mitigate climate change impacts, and support the Vietnamese Government's net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050, as outlined at COP26. Beyond ecosystem restoration, we are dedicated to creating livelihoods and employment opportunities for 500 local residents by 2050. Could you share more about the company's strategy to sustain business growth in Viet Nam? Suntory PepsiCo has been committed to Viet Nam for over three decades, with a growth strategy closely tied to the country's sustainable development. Starting with our first plant in Hoc Mon, HCM City, Suntory PepsiCo has expanded nationwide and we now operate five plants and five offices across the country, providing jobs for over 3,000 direct employees and thousands of indirect workers. Viet Nam is a key market in the Asia-Pacific region. In early April, we broke ground on our sixth plant in the country in Long An, marking our largest investment in Viet Nam to date. This plant will be our largest and most modern in the Asia-Pacific region, featuring automation technology and is expected to operate on renewable energy. This not only strengthens our leading position but also reaffirms our strong commitment to and investment in Viet Nam. HA NOI The EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has undoubtedly strengthened Viet Nam's attractiveness for European investors. The EU, already a major investor in the country, has poured 28 billion euros into 2,450 projects, underscoring its continued confidence in Viet Nam's potential. Notably, EU investors have added 800 million euros in foreign direct investment between January and September 2023, bucking the global trend of declining FDI. As the EVFTA approaches the fourth anniversary of its entry into force on August 1st 2024, a survey by the European Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (EuroCham) paints a nuanced picture of the agreement's impact. The EuroCham Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey, conducted by Decision Lab, reveals that EVFTA has undoubtedly opened doors for European businesses, but challenges remain. While nearly two-thirds of respondents report some level of benefit, the extent of impact varies widely. Notably, 27 per cent of companies a marked increase from 18 per cent in 2023 now enjoy moderate to significant advantages, while another quarter, down from 31 per cent in 2023, has yet to see any tangible gains. Despite these disparities, EuroCham members consistently cite tariff reductions, increased market competitiveness and expanded market access as key benefits. Other advantages include streamlined supply chains, improved business transparency and a stronger legal framework. The EVFTA has significantly boosted Viet Nams exports to Europe, surging from 35 billion euros (US$37.8 billion) in 2019 to over 48 billion euros ($51.9 billion) in 2023. This growth is particularly pronounced in sectors such as electronics, textiles, footwear, agriculture and seafood. However, the increase in EU exports to Viet Nam has been far more modest, rising from 11 billion euros to only 11.4 billion euros over the same period, adding to a substantial trade imbalance. The BCI survey reveals a number of obstacles that European businesses face in fully leveraging the EVFTA. These include complex regulatory requirements and a lack of recognition for international standards by local authorities. Additionally, a lack of understanding of the agreement among stakeholders, combined with customs valuation issues and opaque clearance procedures, complicate trade. Technical barriers, particularly in the areas of certification and product testing, also remain a significant hurdle. "The EVFTA has certainly created new opportunities for European businesses in Viet Nam," said Dominik Meichle, Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam. "However, our survey shows that while progress has been made, challenges remain. As we enter the fifth year of the agreement, it is crucial to continue working on simplifying procedures, aligning standards, and ensuring everyone understands how the EVFTA works." EuroCham Vice-Chairman Jean-Jacques Bouflet also noted that recent policy adjustments in Viet Nam have created challenges for European businesses operating under the EVFTA. "These changes, which include new internal and consumption taxes, and technical barriers to entry, are holding back the full potential of the agreement," he remarked. "However, we are actively engaged in constructive discussions to address these issues and find solutions that benefit both Viet Nam and Europe." Thue Quist Thomasen, CEO of Decision Lab, emphasised the need for ongoing support and adaptation, stating: "The findings highlight that while the EVFTA is a powerful tool for economic growth, its success hinges on continued efforts to address regulatory complexities, technical barriers, and awareness gaps. A targeted approach to support businesses, particularly SMEs, in navigating these challenges is crucial." Unlocking the EVFTA's full potential Bouflet outlined EuroCham's strategic initiatives to address the identified challenges and maximise the benefits of the EVFTA. He said: "EuroCham is committed to working with stakeholders to streamline regulatory compliance, advocate for greater recognition of international standards, and develop comprehensive education and awareness programmes on the EVFTA. We will also continue to push for solutions to technical barriers to trade, particularly in certification and testing, and advocate for further tariff reductions and streamlined customs procedures." EuroCham Vietnam is actively championing the full ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) as a critical step in unlocking the full potential of the EVFTA for attracting foreign direct investment. While EU institutions have already given their approval, the EVIPA still requires individual ratification from all 27 EU member states. With 18 member states having already ratified the agreement, EuroCham Vietnam is working tirelessly with European stakeholders to encourage the remaining states to follow suit. "EuroCham is dedicated to helping our members fully leverage the opportunities presented by the EVFTA," Meichle said. "We will continue to collaborate closely with Vietnamese authorities to address remaining challenges and ensure that both European and Vietnamese businesses can reap the full benefits of this landmark agreement." VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Information and Communications on Tuesday signed a cooperation agreement with Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) on promoting investments and commercialisation of Make-in-Vietnam digital technology products. This initiative aims to accelerate digital transformation, the digital economy, and society during the 2024-2026 period, with a vision extending to 2030. The cooperation will support Vietnamese digital technology companies to expand markets and take business opportunities in both domestic and foreign markets through the network of VCCI in the world. Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung asked VCCI to pioneer in digital transformation and create markets for digital technology companies. VCCIs Chairman Pham Tan Cong believed that Viet Nams business community and digital technology companies will play important roles in the success of the countrys digital transformation. The cooperation between two sides will focus on providing consultancies for developing digital transformation plans and development policy environments. Accordingly, the ministry will provide support in developing strategies, plans and programmes for the digital transformation of VCCI while VCCI will propose policies to support Viet Nam digital technology companies. In addition, the two sides will cooperate to promote investments and commercialisation of Make-in-Vietnam digital technology products to accelerate to the digital transformation and the development of digital economy and society in Viet Nam. The ten outstanding Make-in-Vietnam digital technology products will be selected to be piloted in the digital transformation of VCCI and its members. Exports of Make-in-Vietnam digital technology products will also be promoted, including intellectual property registration, technology transfer and trade promotion in foreign markets. VCCI also signed cooperation agreements to promote digital transformation with six technology companies, including Viettel, VNPT, Mobifone, FPT, CMC and MISA. VNS HA NOI The Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park is collaborating with institutes, universities and enterprises to prepare a skilled workforce for the development of semiconductor industry, said insiders. High-tech industries, particularly the semiconductor sector, are top priorities for attracting investment to the park, Tran ac Trung, deputy head of the Management Board of Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, said at an event held by the Hoa Lac Management Board and the Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA) on Tuesday. The park is expected to draw several large companies operating in semiconductors, microchips and related fields, he added. Trung emphasised that talent development is a critical factor. To succeed in this, it is essential to establish effective collaboration among three key stakeholders - the government, academia and businesses. He said the government plays a role in creating policy frameworks to enable effective management and promotion of this ecosystem. The government also coordinates and connects the different stakeholders to prevent fragmented and overlapping development. The park is planning to develop a portfolio of social infrastructure projects. These projects aim to meet the needs of experts, researchers, students and enterprises working and operating within the park. Sharing the plan and direction for developing semiconductor industry human resources, Dr. Vo Xuan Hoai, deputy director of the National Innovation Centre (NIC) said that the Ministry of Planning and Investment-led project forecasts a need for around 50,000 semiconductor engineers by 2030. The project also shows that the private sector and local authorities can participate in training and developing this workforce. Some localities like Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces have already started providing financial support for training programmes. He expected that Ha Noi will implement more groundbreaking programmes to develop human resources for the semiconductor industry. The Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park is already home to many leading technology companies such as FPT, Viettel, the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) and NIC. These units are actively involved in connecting and training semiconductor personnel to meet the industry's actual skill requirements. At the event, a VKIST representative shared that with support from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, it plans to provide training for human resources and establish microchip research laboratories in Viet Nam. VKIST has identified the semiconductor industry as one of its nine key development areas. It intends to collaborate with Accretech, a company specialising in semiconductor manufacturing and precision measurement systems, to set up these research facilities within the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park. Trung stated that the park is committed to supporting and collaborating with institutes, universities and enterprises, especially in training, research and developing semiconductor talents to serve the park's development and its companies. "This creates a ripple effect and leadership in semiconductor workforce development for Ha Noi and the country," he said. The Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park is also working with the power sector to establish an electricity coordination centre for stabilising voltage and ensuring clean power. VNS HA NOI Global coal production and consumption remain robust, with no sign of slowing down, according to the International Energy Agencys (IEA) mid-year Coal Report, released in July 2024. Global coal trade reached an all-time high in 2023. Major coal producers China, India and Indonesia saw substantial increases in output, with China up by 3.4 per cent, India by 12 per cent and Indonesia by 13 per cent. Total global coal production hit a record 8.9 billion tonnes. On the other hand, over the past decade, mainland China, India, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan have remained the top five global coal importers, highlighting Asia's dominance in the coal trade. Recent economic growth in China and India has spurred increased coal imports, while Japan, South Korea and Taiwan have seen stable levels. Viet Nam is expected to become the fifth-largest coal importer globally by 2024, following significant growth in coal imports in 2023. IEA attributes this rise to strong electricity demand and a shortage of hydropower. In 2023, Viet Nam imported 51.16 million tonnes of coal, spending US$7.1 billion. Import volume increased by 61.4 per cent and import value by 0.7 per cent compared to 2022. Viet Nams coal consumption continued to surge in the first half of 2024, driven by strong electricity demand and lower hydropower output. To the end of June, the country imported 33.43 million tonnes of coal, a 38.6 per cent increase from the previous year, spending $4.15 billion, a 14.5 per cent increase year-on-year. Despite increasing imports from Laos, Viet Nam's recent cancellation of the Song Hau 2 coal-fired power plant and other mothballed projects are leading the IEA to reassess its coal consumption outlook. Main source of power production Coal remains the largest global source of electricity generation. In 2023, coal-based power generation increased by 1.9 per cent to a record 10,690 TWh. Despite this, IEA forecasts a potential slowdown in global coal-fired electricity growth in 2024, due to a rebound in hydropower in China and significant expansions in wind and solar energy. In the first half of 2024, global coal production experienced a slight decline of 0.7 per cent year-on-year, largely due to a 1.7 per cent drop in China. This reduction is attributed to enhanced safety inspections in Shanxi province, Chinas largest coal-producing area and a slowdown in domestic demand. India, on the other hand, continues to boost production to avoid shortages and reduce imports, while Indonesia aims to produce 720 million tonnes in 2024 but has approved extraction of over 900 million tonnes. In the United States, the fourth-largest coal producer, output fell by an estimated 17 per cent in the first half of 2024, driven by high stockpiles at power plants. European coal production is also expected to decline. Global coal demand is expected to remain steady at around 8.7 billion tonnes in 2025. The IEA notes that the power sector accounts for two-thirds of global coal demand, with significant variations in consumption driven by electricity generation. VNS NEW DELHI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Viet Nam always encourages Indian enterprises to expand investment in sectors that are India's strengths, such as technology and pharmaceutical sectors. Those are also sectors that Viet Nam needs to develop, Chinh said at the Viet Nam-India Business Forum held in New Delhi on July 31, as part of his ongoing state visit to India. The PM also said that after nearly 40 years of renewal, Viet Nam has become one of the 40 largest economies in the world and one of the top 20 trading countries. It ranked 32nd in the top 100 strongest national brand values in the world and has signed 16 free trade agreements (FTAs) with more than 60 countries. Viet Nam's investment and business environment is constantly improving. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has ranked Viet Nam in the top 20 countries attracting the most FDI in the world. Along with that, Viet Nam is promoting the implementation of institutional reform, infrastructure construction and human resource training, based on science, technology and innovation. Viet Nam also identifies the economic sector with foreign direct investment (FDI) as playing an important role in connecting the FDI sector and the domestic economic sector and promoting public-private cooperation in developing the green, digital and circular economies. Believing that the bilateral economic cooperation between Viet Nam and India is not commensurate with their potential, Prime Minister Chinh requested Indian ministries, branches and associations to promote dialogue and investment connection activities and to be a bridge between the governments and business communities of the two countries. Those will create favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to expand investment and do business effectively in India, as well as bring many Vietnamese goods to the Indian market. Trade between Viet Nam and India expanded from US$200 million in 2000 to nearly $15 billion last year, with $8.5 billion from Viet Nams exports. Two-way trade is expected to reach $20 billion in the future. India currently has 410 valid investment projects totaling $1.03 billion in Viet Nam, ranking 25th out of 146 nations and territories investing in the country. Meanwhile, there are 16 Vietnamese-invested projects in India with a total capital of over $14 million, excluding Vingroups investments. The two sides will implement effectively measures to achieve the bilateral trade value target of US$20 billion in the future, continue to strengthen official development assistance (ODA) and create favourable conditions to open more direct flights between Viet Nam and India. PM Chinh hopes that Indian corporations and enterprises will continue to invest and expand business in Viet Nam, cooperate in training high-quality human resources, especially in the fields of semiconductors, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transformation, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and biotechnology. He also expects Indian firms will support for Vietnamese enterprises to participate in their value chains, especially in fields in which Viet Nam has potential and consider Viet Nam a strategic destination for building research and development (R&D) centres and applying high technology. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister requested Vietnamese ministries, branches and localities to increase dialogue to remove difficulties and obstacles for Indian investors in Viet Nam. They are asked to also reform administrative procedures, promote application of digital technology, reduce compliance costs and input costs for people and businesses and prepare infrastructure conditions to attract investment. The Vietnamese Government always supports and stands ready to facilitate both domestic and foreign enterprises to operate, including those from India, the leader said. At the forum, under the witness of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of ministries, branches and enterprises of the two countries, six cooperation agreements were signed in the fields of aviation, tourism, culture and pharmaceuticals. SOVICO Group and Adani Group agreed to cooperate in the fields of aviation, airports and logistics. Vietnam Airlines cooperates with Indian partners to promote Vietnamese culture, country and people in India. Vietjet Air also announced the a Nang - Ahmedabad (India) route, connecting the Indian city of Ahmedabad with Viet Nam's fourth largest city, which will serve passengers from October 2024. Vietjet is now the airline with the most direct flights between Viet Nam and India, operating 56 flights per week across seven routes. Vietjets total passengers travelling between Viet Nam and India reached nearly 1.3 million. Vietjets 200 millionth passenger was an Indian businessman, Mr. Sandeep Mehta. Vietjet offered free international flights for one year to this special guest. Vietjet has direct flights connecting Ha Noi and HCM City with Indian large cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Tiruchirappalli as well as famous destinations Bodh Gaya and Varanasi. PM meets large firms Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had separate meetings in New Delhi on July 31 with representatives of leading Indian groups specialising in infrastructure and pharmacy, calling on them to invest in big, high-tech projects in Viet Nam. Meeting Gautam Adani, Chairman and Founder of Adani Group that is operating in infrastructure, transport and energy, the PM called on the group to land investments and bring cutting-edge, new, clean technology and modern administration to Viet Nam, connecting the country with global production and supply chains. Adani said his firm has invested about $2 billion in Lien Chieu Port in Viet Nams central city of a Nang, noting it wishes to engage in energy projects in the central province of Binh Thuan, specifically Vinh Tan 3 Thermal Power Plant with a total investment of around $2.8 billion, cooperate with Viet Nams SOVICO Group in Chu Lai and Long Thanh airport projects, and build a logistics centre in the Southeast Asian nation. The PM also met representatives from the joint venture of SMS Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Sri Avantika Contractors operating in mining, pharmacy, infrastructure and trade, among other fields. In Viet Nam, the two set up a joint venture with a local firm to build a pharmaceutical industrial park in the Nghi Son Economic Zone in the central province of Thanh Hoa. Ramesh Babu, Chairman and Managing Director of SMS Pharmaceuticals Ltd, and Narendra Reddy, Managing Director of Sri Avantika Contractors, highly valued Viet Nams investment environment, and called for the Governments support to and approval of the joint ventures projects. Specifically, the joint venture needs about 500 hectares to build a pharmaceutical park in Viet Nam, with an investment capital of $700 million to $1 billion in the first phase, which would increase to $4-5 billion after 10-12 years, they said. In response, the PM spoke highly of its plans for cooperation, investment and technology transfer in Viet Nam in the time ahead and suggested it hold working sessions with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and other ministries, agencies and localities to materialise the plans, thus building a pharmaceutical industry ecosystem in Viet Nam, serving both domestic and foreign markets. Chinh also held a working session with Dharmesh Shah, Chairman and Founder of BDR Group, another name in Indias pharmaceutical industry, which opened its representative office in Viet Nam in 2022 and is providing materials for cancer drug production to a number of factories. Shah suggested the PM give instructions to speed up the approval of the licence for the distribution of drugs against certain types of cancer, such as prostate and breast cancer, in the Vietnamese market, saying the group wants to cooperate in drug production and technology transfer, and help Vietnamese drug manufacturing facilities that have been granted the GMP certificate meet EU-GMP and WHO-GMP standards, while also building a data centre in the country. VNS HA NOI In the second quarter of this year, Vinamilk achieved a revenue of VN16.6 trillion and a pre-tax profit of over VN3.3 trillion, the highest in eleven quarters. According to the consolidated financial report for Q2 from Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (Vinamilk, HoSE: VNM), revenue and pre-tax profit increased by 9.5 per cent and 21.3 per cent, respectively, compared to the same period in 2023. This marks the highest quarterly profit for Vinamilk in four years, since Q4 2021, with a pre-tax profit of VN3.3 trillion. Vinamilk maintains a healthy balance sheet with high liquidity, total assets amounting to VN54.2 trillion and liabilities at VN15.8 trillion, a decrease of 10 per cent from the beginning of the year. Mai Kieu Lien, CEO of Vinamilk, stated in a press release that Vinamilk had an exceptional quarter, setting a new record for consolidated revenue. More importantly, the revenue grew across all segments, including domestic, exports and subsidiaries both within and outside the country. Lien attributed the strong results to continuous product innovation, enhanced service quality, market expansion, optimised operational efficiency and a vigorous strategy of renewal. The company's leadership is confident in its 2024 business plan, given the improving macroeconomic conditions and ongoing innovative strategies. Regarding revenue structure, the international market contributed 18.5 per cent to the consolidated revenue for Q2 2024. Export revenue reached VN1.740 trillion, up 37 per cent year-on-year and higher than the 5.9 per cent increase in Q1 2024. In addition to strengthening traditional markets, Vinamilk is exploring new opportunities by supplying to global chains. This strategy aims to expand Vinamilk's product presence in the Australasian region, while Africa and South America are also emerging as potential markets. Vinamilk plans to continue focusing on those markets, leveraging free trade agreements and building strategic partnerships. In Q2, Vinamilk also intensified its trade promotion activities, engaging in international trade connections through participation in various fairs and exhibitions domestically and internationally, such as Vietnam Sourcing, connecting with global retailers and supply chains and exhibitions in China, South America, Japan and Taiwan. The main revenue source from the domestic channel reached VN11.8 trillion in Q2 2024, up 3.8 per cent year-on-year, marking the highest growth in three quarters, driven by the growth of drinking yoghurt, condensed milk and plant-based milk. Vinamilk has introduced several product packaging innovations, such as new Probi drinking and eating yoghurt and a new high-protein plant-based milk product. Vinamilk continues to focus on sustainability. In 2024, Vinamilk continued its 'Rising Vietnam Milk Fund' for the 17th year, donating 630,000 milk cartons to over 8,000 disadvantaged children. Additionally, Vinamilk's Net Zero 2050 action plan is actively being implemented with activities such as greenhouse gas inventory according to ISO 14064, reforestation for carbon absorption and carbon neutrality efforts for its subsidiaries. Vinamilk's Net Zero 2050 action plan gained significant attention at the 2024 Global Dairy Conference in the United Kingdom, where Vinamilk was the only Asian dairy company to receive the Asia Responsible Enterprise Award (AREA) 2024 in the 'Green Leadership' category. On the stock market, VNM shares have been net bought by foreign investors for seven consecutive sessions, totalling approximately VN395 billion. As of the close on 30 July, VNM was trading at VN67,700 per share. In June 2024, according to the prestigious Brand Footprint report by Kantar Worldpanel, Vinamilk was the most purchased dairy brand in Viet Nam in 2024 and among the top three most purchased FMCG manufacturers in both rural and urban areas. According to Kantar Vietnam, continuous innovation and dynamism in meeting new demands have helped Vinamilk maintain this position for the 12th consecutive year. VNS HA NOI Businesses involved in eco-tourism that use forest environmental services will have to pay fees for these services under the latest decree, which took effect on July 18. The update was announced on Wednesday during a conference on the Governments Decree No. 91/2024/N-CP. The decree provides detailed regulations for enforcing specific provisions of the Forestry Law and introduces changes to Decree No. 156/2018/N-CP, issued on November 16, 2018. The conference was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Tran Quang Bao, director of the ministrys Forestry Department, stated that the new decree includes eight new provisions. These include adjustments to the area of different types of forests, management of ecological, recreational and leisure activities in forests, forest allocation, leasing, withdrawal and decisions on changing forest land use purposes, forest type conversion, policies on changing forest use purposes, infrastructure projects for sustainable protection and development, forest environmental services and transitional regulations. The changes are based on the Forestry Law and practical issues to ensure consistency with Vietnamese laws, as well as to address administrative and forest management challenges, he said. Regarding the payment for forest environmental services, the decree adds regulations to ensure appropriate adjustments for the area of forests providing these services. Additionally, the decree updates the list of industrial facilities using water from natural sources to determine specific industries required to pay for forest environmental services according to the Forestry Law. It also specifies the locations of eco-tourism businesses using these services, requiring them to be either within or adjacent to the forest areas providing environmental services. The people's committees will determine the list of organisations and individuals who must pay for these services. For instance, Ha Noi has several eco-tourism and resort areas not within forests but along forest edges or streams. Based on the ministry's guidelines, the citys Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will issue relevant decisions. This measure will help increase local forest protection fund revenues, he explained. At the conference, participants strongly welcomed the new decree hoping it will resolve difficulties in the forestry sector. They also requested that the ministry provide clear guidelines on the delegation of authority for forest land use changes, decisions on changing land use purposes and projects related to forests such as forest type conversion, eco-tourism, environmental services and carbon credit sales. o Ngoc oan, deputy director of the Phu Tho Provinces Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that there is still a lack of uniformity regarding forest management authority, particularly for special-use forests. Additionally, administrative procedures for land allocation, forest allocation, land leasing and forest leasing still have many issues. In reply, Bao said that the Department of Forestry and the Forest Protection Department will soon issue detailed guidelines and organise training to help localities implement the decree as quickly as possible. Nguyen Quoc Tri, deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, reported that the forestry sector currently covers 15.68 million hectares, with 14.8 million hectares of forest. To manage and exploit these forests, the authorities have issued 65 legal documents in this field. Tri noted that Decree No. 91/2024/N-CP took effect immediately upon issuance on July 18. He said the decree will soon address existing gaps and discrepancies in forestry regulations, enabling the sector to contribute more effectively to sustainable socio-economic development and environmental protection. VNS China's breakthrough in treating hypertrophic heart disease garners global attention Xinhua) 09:22, July 31, 2024 WUHAN, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have pioneered a beating-heart myectomy system and developed a minimally invasive procedure to treat hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), attracting global attention. The study was conducted by a research team led by Wei Xiang, a professor at the Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, and was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. It is estimated that there are about 2 to 5 million patients with HOCM in China, and the global population of such patients stands at approximately 15 to 20 million, posing a serious threat to human health. Currently, the conventional treatment for HOCM is through open-chest surgery to resect the hypertrophic myocardium. This surgical method is not only highly invasive but also technically challenging, with suboptimal outcomes and high mortality rates in hospitals with less experience. The novel transapical beating-heart septal myectomy procedure has broken through the limitations of traditional open-chest procedures, allowing for the precise resection of hypertrophic myocardium without the need for chest opening, cessation of the heartbeat, or blood transfusion. "In the field of HOCM surgery, we used to follow the world, but now we are keeping pace with it or even leading," Wei said. Wei was recently invited to the Mayo Clinic, a world-renowned cardiovascular treatment center in the United States, to discuss this groundbreaking medical breakthrough. Cardiac surgeons from countries and regions such as the United States, Switzerland and Italy have also traveled to China to learn about the technology. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Houston Fire Department Chief Samuel Pena tells reporters that permits have not been issued for the Southwest Key facility, 419 Emancipation, to house migrant children. Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, in Houston. ( Steve Gonzales / Houston Chronicle ) Steve Gonzales/Staff photographer Former Fire Chief Samuel Pena broke his near weeklong silence Wednesday morning to express gratitude for his time in the job after Mayor John Whitmire announced his decision to replace Pena late last week. Pena, who headed the Houston Fire Department close to 10 years, thanked Whitmire and former Mayor Sylvester Turner in a statement posted to social media. Pena previously served as the chief of the El Paso Fire Department before coming to Houston and leading HFD for the entirety of Turners eight-year tenure as mayor. To the residents of Houston, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for the memories and experiences we have shared, Pena said in a statement. I wish Chief Tom Munoz the best as he leads the department forward in its critical mission and offer my full support and collaboration during this transition period. Advertisement Article continues below this ad OUT WITH THE OLD: Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena is out, will be replaced by Thomas Munoz, Mayor Whitmire says The post was met with words of encouragement from HFD employees and Houston community leaders. Former Police Chief Art Acevedo thanked Pena for his service and wished him the best moving forward. As always, you are a great leader, a phenomenal human being and a true class act, Acevedo said on X. I will always cherish having you as a beat partner. Onward and upward my friend. Pena was ousted last week after Whitmire announced his decision to replace him with Munoz, the director of Houstons Office of Emergency Management and Public Safety. Munoz previously worked as a firefighter with HFD for 24 years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad IN WITH THE NEW: Who is Thomas Munoz? A look at Whitmires newly appointed fire chief Penas dismissal came hot on the heels of a victory for the firefighters union that saw a large portion of the department receiving back pay checks in excess of $100,000. Pena has walked a tenuous line with the union over the years, and was even the subject of a no confidence resolution in 2019 that garnered over 3,000 signatures from firefighters. In May of this year, Pena once again found himself under fire after a union-proposed contract included a clause mandating future fire chiefs serve at least 15 years in rank-and-file positions within HFD. This cast uncertainty over Penas future, who spent the majority of his career in El Paso. The clause, however, was ultimately removed. At the time, when asked about his future with the department, Pena told the Chronicle he remained hopeful he would continue to work as chief of HFD. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HCM CITY Photographer Nguyen A has released his new photo book depicting the commemoration that marked the 70th anniversary of ien Bien Phu Victory (July 5, 1954 - 2224). The book, titled 70 Nam Chien Thang ien Bien Phu: Vang Mai Ban Hung Ca (70 Years of ien Bien Phu Victory The Eternal Epic), consists of around 300 photos and portraits which the photographer took in ien Bien Provinces ien Bien Phu City early this year. The photos describe activities commemorating the ien Bien Phu Victory on May 7, 1954, and preparation for the grand ceremony. The grand ceremony held at the provincial stadium on May 7 this year is also featured in the book. Following the ceremony, more than 12,000 people participated in a parade, including those from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, and the province. The book also features portraits of many war veterans and former frontline volunteers who joined the ien Bien Phu Campaign, such as 97-year-old Colonel Hoang Ngoc Thuong. Photographer A said during an introduction of the book in HCM City on Sunday that through this photo book, I want to show my gratitude and respect to heroic war martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the countrys independence, so that our generation and future generations can live in peace and contribute to building a strong and prosperous Viet Nam. A, who has 30 years of experience in photography, has published 20 books of his photos featuring the countrys historical events and culture, and people who devoted their lives to protecting the country. Last July, he released two books Tu tu, cuu tu Con ao: Ngay tro lai (Returning to Con ao: Memoirs of Ex-Death-Row Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners) and Biet oi giu binh yen 'at lua' (The Unexploded Ordnance Clearing Team) to mark the 76th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27). The first book shows his respect for loyal revolutionary fighters in Con ao Prison who dedicated their youth and their life to the cause of national liberation. Meanwhile, the second book portrays members of the Restoring the Environment and Neutralising the Effects of the War (RENEW) project funded by Norwegian Peoples Aid that clears unexploded mines and bombs left behind from the war in the central province of Quang Tri. VNS The painting Nguoi Hat Dan Ca (Les Chanteuses de Campagne) by Nguyen Phan Chanh, one of Viet Nams leading modern artists, was auctioned for 1.02 million euros (US$1.09 million) at the Arts d'Asie auction on June 14 in Paris, France. It was the first Vietnamese painting to be auctioned this year so far, according to Sotheby's auction house. The Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper reporter Thien Thanh interviewed Ace Le - a curator and researcher specialising in Vietnamese art - who is also Sothebys first country head for Viet Nam, about the current state of the art market. Do you think that the successful auction of Nguyen Phan Chanh's Nguoi Hat Dan Ca will help elevate the Vietnamese art market out of its current difficult situation? The number of Vietnamese paintings worth millions of dollars peaked in the period 2020-21. In 2020, we had four works reaching the million dollar mark, it was the peak of the art market with nine works sold in 2021, there were only three in 2022, it dropped to two in 2023, and this year, only this one. The recent stagnation in the price of high-end paintings reflects the current economic situation of the Asian region, and the world in general. During this period, there are works for sale with high artistic value from China and Southeast Asia but prices have decreased by 20-50 per cent compared to the general level of a few years ago. However, for collectors or investors who still have money, this is the 'golden' time for bottom fishing because the supply of the high-ending paintings will always be limited. When the economy recovers, demand will certainly exceed supply many times over and it will only be a matter of time before further price records are set. The good news is that from 2019 until now, the market has had at least one million-dollar hammer transaction every year. This can be considered a positive signal in the context of general difficulties. The Vietnamese painting market has grown steadily over the past 20 years and the current lull is a necessary period for the market to purge cases of devaluation and virtual valuation. What are your predictions for the Vietnamese art market for the last two quarters of this year? The high-end art market is inherently a luxurious segment and it is closely related to the rich people who are at the top of the economic pyramid. After major fluctuations in the domestic and international economies over the past two years due to the pandemic, perhaps from 2025 onwards, the Vietnamese painting market will begin to recover in line with the general economic growth forecasts. Vietnamese auction records including Nguyen Phan Chanh's Nguoi Hat Dan Ca and Mai Trung Thu's Chan Dung Co Phuong (Portrait of Mademoiselle Phuong), which was highest price paid for Vietnamese art at $3.1 million, are lower than other Southeast Asian artists. The Vietnamese art market still lags behind Indonesia or the Philippines in many ways, let alone Singapore or China. With the participation of both Vietnamese and regional collectors, I predict that Indochina paintings will continue to break their own price records. It seems that there are not rare paintings by artists including Le Pho, Mai Trung Thu, Le Thi Luu and Vu Cao am at the current auctions abroad. Is that right? And how about the domestic artists? It is partially right. There is a big reason that overseas paintings are often much better preserved with clear origins, proper dating and trading information which are not difficult to verify. Meanwhile, domestic paintings have been degraded and rotted over time because of the war. But the most important factor is that background information of the paintings are not continuous. Chanh never went out of Viet Nam but his painting, Nguoi Hat Dan Ca, was kept well in a good condition by a French countryside family for nearly a century. It is an important reason for the painting auction price being over one million dollars. What do you think about paintings by artists in war time? If there is potential for them to reach million dollars auction in future? In fact, the majority of liquidity in the Vietnamese art market is still concentrated in the artists who studied at the Indochina Fine Art College in the period of 1925-45. These paintings have passed the test of time, so their value has been proven. Every time an Indochina painting breaks a record price, it gets a lot of attention from the media and public. It reinforces the desire to own one of them among the country's elite customers. Across the region southeast Asian collectors are very fond of the paintings at this period because they also shared a colonial history with Viet Nam. Collectors from China, Japan and South Korea like the aesthetic of them because they combine western and orientation factors of fine arts. Some of the paintings by the war-time artists and modern artists such as Tran Luu Hau, Nguyen Trung and ang Xuan Hoa have been appeared in current international auctions. In my opinion, the group of painters from the Indochina art college will still make record price. However, the appearance of new names in next ten to 20 years is a natural trend. There are outstanding artists but their paintings have not received the attention they deserve, but I believe that their paintings will be revealed in the coming time. Among them are French artists in Indochina or artists from the Gia inh Fine Arts School in the South of Viet Nam. This school was established in 1923 earlier than Indochina Fine Arts School in the North. VNS DHAKA Indian rapper Badshahs popular rendition of Kala Chashma, featuring Katrina Kaif and Sidharth Malhotra from Baar Baar Dekho (2016) has surpassed one billion views on YouTube. This is the first time an Indian rapper has reached such a milestone. Achieving a billion views for Kala Chashma is a surreal moment. Its a testament to the incredible support and love Ive received from my fans. This milestone is more than just a personal achievement; its a reflection of the growing acceptance and appreciation for Indian hip-hop, said Badshah. He added, Im grateful for the opportunity to represent the culture on such a massive platform. Its just the beginning, and theres so much more to come. The original song was composed by Prem Hardeep and Kam Dhillon, while Badshah composed the remixed version. The films song features the voices of Amar Arshi, Badshah, and Neha Kakkar. Kala Chashma became an international sensation almost a year after its release when it got popular for dancing reels on TikTok. Since then, the song has been a hit in top clubs across the UK, Europe, and the US, especially due to its catchy hook steps. With its infectious beats, energetic vocals, and iconic music video, Kala Chashma has captured the hearts of millions. ANN/THE DAILY STAR NEW DELHI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a Vietnamese delegation arrived at Palan military airport in New Delhi late July 30 (local time), beginning a State visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The PM and his entourage was greeted at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margerita and Indian Ambassador to Viet Nam Sandeep Arya on the Indian side, and Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Hai and Consul General in Mumbai Le Quang Bien on the Vietnamese side. The visit of PM Chinh aims to affirm Viet Nam's consistent policy of attaching importance to the traditional friendship and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India. During the visit, the Vietnamese PM is scheduled to hold talks and meetings with PM Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, speaker of the Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Indian parliament) Jagdeep Dhankhar and speaker of the Lok Sabha (lower house) Om Birla. Chinh will also meet with leaders of some political parties, attend business forums and dialogues, receive CEOs of leading Indian economic groups and speak at the Indian Council of World Affairs. The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation in traditional fields and expand to potential fields such as electronics, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, green economy, digital economy, artificial intelligence, semi-conductor, new materials and essential minerals. It will contribute to enhancing political trust and deepening the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries, and provide an opportunity for the two sides to share views on security and strategic issues in the region and the world and reiterate their mutual support in multilateral forums of common interest. VNS CAIRO The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt and in charge of Lebanon has issued a warning to Vietnamese citizens amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, advising them to avoid traveling to Lebanon at this time and encouraging those currently in Lebanon to consider leaving if they do not have urgent or critical reasons to stay. Since the onset of heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the embassy has kept constant communication with Vietnamese citizens in Lebanon to monitor the situation and prepare contingency plans for emergencies. The embassy is ready to coordinate with relevant authorities to evacuate or protect the citizens when necessary, while continuing to provide updates and staying in contact with the community. It has called on the Honorary Consulate to keep a close watch on the situation and report any emergencies promptly. In unavoidable situations, the embassy recommends that Vietnamese citizens in Lebanon remain in regular contact with each other for mutual support and avoid crowded areas. For assistance, they can contact the embassy via the hotline: +20 102 613 9869, the Honorary Consulate in Lebanon at +96 170 229 300, or the citizen protection hotline at +84 981 84 84 84. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has led several airlines to suspend or cancel flights to and from Lebanon, with many countries advising their citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible. The situation has worsened since the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict in October 2023, and has become unpredictable after a rocket attack on July 27 on the Golan Heights, controlled by Israel, resulted in the deaths of 12 youths and children. On July 30, the Israeli military announced that it had targeted approximately ten Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, causing the death of a Hezbollah member. VNS HA NOI The upcoming state visit by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to India is expected to inject new momentum into the comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and India, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Hai has remarked at an interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the trip. The diplomat said the visit, scheduled from July 30 to August 1, marks the first by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to India in a decade. It is also the first prime ministerial-level visit between the two countries since they upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Hai assessed that this event holds significant importance for both Viet Nam and India, underscoring the Vietnamese leadership's emphasis on relations with the South Asian nation. For India, it is noteworthy that PM Chinh will be one of the first foreign leaders to visit the country following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's re-election for a third term. According to him, during the visit, Vietnamese and Indian leaders are expected to outline directions for deepening the partnership across various fields, aligning with the interests of both countries amidst complex geopolitical and economic shifts in the region and the world. The two sides aim to strengthen traditional areas of cooperation and expand into such new potential sectors as information technology, renewable energy, green economy, digital economy, telecommunications, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure. The visit also offers an opportunity for Viet Nam and India to enhance their collaboration and support each other on regional and international issues, as well as at multilateral forums, while boosting ASEAN-India strategic ties and contributing to the maintenance and promotion of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and beyond. Reflecting on the recent cooperation and future prospects of Viet Nam-India relations, the ambassador noted that the bilateral traditional relations and friendship have been nurtured by late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, alongside generations of the two nations leaders and citizens. Elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, the ties have so far grown across all sectors, underpinned by a strong relationship and political trust. Bilateral engagements across the party, state, parliamentary, and people-to-people channels have expanded, while defence-security cooperation, a key pillar in bilateral relations, has seen significant progress. Two-way trade has increased 2.5 times since 2016, reaching nearly US$15 billion in 2023. Major Indian conglomerates are increasingly interested in investing in the Vietnamese market, particularly in strategic sectors like renewable energy, processing industry, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, and logistics. Notably, there are now about 60 direct flights per week between the two countries, with nearly 400,000 Indians visiting Viet Nam so far this year. Hai went on noting that India is emerging as a significant global player, expected to become the world's third largest economy in the coming years, while Viet Nam's potential and international standing are on the rise. With strong political trust, they are presented with vast opportunities to realise their immense bilateral cooperation potential across various fields. VNS HONG KONG The upcoming visit to Viet Nam by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China) John Lee Ka-chiu from July 31 to August 2 is set to usher in a new era of bilateral relations, said Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau Le uc Hanh. In an interview recently granted to the Vietnam News Agency's resident correspondents, Hanh said it will be Lees first visit to Viet Nam since he took office. He is to be accompanied by a delegation of administration officials, industry representatives and business leaders, signalling Hong Kong's commitment to strengthening its ties with Vietnam. She said they look to explore investment opportunities in Viet Nam and present Hong Kong as a gateway for Vietnamese firms to access the Chinese and international markets. Additionally, both sides will discuss strengthening connectivity in potential areas such as finance, technology, innovation, cultural exchange, education, with plans to sign several important agreements across various sectors. Lee is scheduled to meet with Vietnamese leaders, including those of HCM City, to explore cooperation opportunities as the city strives to become a regional financial hub. The visit will also feature a business forum and networking event for Vietnamese and Hong Kong enterprises, offering a platform to seek potential partners and expand collaboration. According to the 2023 data from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, the total trade volume between Viet Nam and Hong Kong reached US$31.3 billion, making Viet Nam the second largest trading partner of Hong Kong in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), behind Singapore and the 7th largest in the world. Viet Nam is also the 8th largest export market and the 5th largest import market of Hong Kong. As of December 2023, Hong Kong was the 5th largest foreign direct investment (FDI) investor in Viet Nam, with accumulated investment of $34.1 billion. In 2023 alone, Hong Kong became the third biggest foreign investor in Viet Nam, with registered investment capital of $4.68 billion, accounting for 12.8 per cent of the total FDI. This trend continued in the first seven months of 2024 as Hong Kong become the second largest FDI investor, contributing over 2.19 billion USD, more than double the amount from the same period of the previous year. The vibrant exchange of delegations between the two sides included numerous visits by high-ranking Hong Kong officials to Viet Nam in 2023 to step up cooperation in economy, trade, transport, logistics, financial services and justice. A notable development was the official opening of visa applications for skilled Vietnamese workers in Hong Kong from October 25, 2023, along with relaxed restrictions on tourist visas for Vietnamese citizens. This significant policy shift has created numerous job opportunities for skilled Vietnamese workers and paved the way for future expansion of labour visas to include other professions, even unskilled labourers. Looking ahead, Hong Kong aims to solidify its position as a global hub for finance, transport and logistics, trade, legal services, arts and culture, innovation and technology, intellectual property, and aviation. In this context, Vietnam and Hong Kong have ample opportunities to deepen their cooperation comprehensively and effectively. In the financial sector, Hong Kong can support Vietnamese firms in accessing capital and advanced financial services while sharing expertise with HCM City in establishing a regional financial hub. In logistics, both sides can leverage Hong Kong's status as an international transport hub to optimise supply chains and enhance connectivity between Viet Nam and global markets. In trade, Hong Kong could act as a gateway for Viet Nam to access the Chinese and international markets through the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Collaboration in technology and innovation, talent attraction policies, intellectual property registration support, and startup assistance will provide Vietnamese startups with opportunities to engage with Hong Kong's vibrant startup ecosystem. Additionally, there is potential for increased cooperation in education-training, tourism and services, fashion industry, food and beverages, agricultural products and consumer goods. With its strategic geographic location, favourable tax policies, and streamlined business registration procedures, Hong Kong remains an attractive destination for Vietnamese enterprises seeking international expansion, Hanh said. The diplomat also expressed the Vietnamese Consulate Generals commitment to further bolstering the bilateral ties in trade, investment, tourism, labour, education, culture, arts and people-to-people exchanges. VNS NEW DELHI The state visit to India by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh from Tuesday to Thursday will yield positive results for the relationship between the two countries, Professor Srikanth Kondapalli from the Jawaharlal Nehru University told Vietnam News Agency in New Delhi. Within the framework of the visit, several events will be organised and agreements signed, and this will expand the bilateral relations in areas, including strengthening robust institutions and diplomatic ties on global and regional order issues, boosting trade and investment, as well as enhancing defence and security relations, he said. PM Chinh's trip will further advance the comprehensive strategic partnership upgraded by the two countries leaders in 2016, as it comes at a time when both countries have found their footing in the era of globalisation, the professor said. By achieving higher economic growth rates, restructuring their economies, and coordinating efforts in multilateral economic institutions and regional initiatives such as the Mekong-Ganges Cooperation, India and Vietnam are on track to realise their national development strategies. As bilateral trade and investment are still modest, the Vietnamese PM's visit could open up business cooperation opportunities and enhance interactions between Viet Nam's "oi moi" (Renewal) and India's economic liberalisation process, said Kondapalli. According to the professor, India's quick-impact projects in various provinces of Viet Nam have achieved significant success. These initiatives can be further expanded, along with research on radiation and nuclear safety, cancer treatment, and renewable sources. Both countries uphold peace and prosperity, the rule of law, maritime safety, and the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he said, adding that these diplomatic efforts are positive signs for the expansion of bilateral relations in the near future. Consultations by the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs; strategic, defence, and maritime security dialogues; and visits by parliamentarians have all contributed to enhancing mutual understanding on various shared concerns, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to India will further expand bilateral cooperation across many areas, he added. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs state visit to India from July 30 to August 1 is a critically important occasion for the two countries to look back on their achievements obtained so far, especially since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, said Indian Ambassador to Viet Nam Sandeep Arya. Talking to the media ahead of the trip, made at the invitation of Indian PM Narendra Modi, Arya said bilateral relations date back long before the diplomatic ties were officially established in 1972. The time between 1947 and 1972 was a highly important period, when President Ho Chi Minh and Indian leaders built up close-knit connections, laying a solid cornerstone for the countries relations. Aside from the solidarity and support for each other, India sent representatives to Ha Noi during 1950 - 1972, setting a basis for deep understanding between the countries leaders. The diplomat noted over the last 52 years, Viet Nam and India have gradually and steadily upgraded bilateral relations to new levels, now the comprehensive strategic partnership. Political understanding, cooperation, and mutual support at international forums like the United Nations and other multilateral mechanisms could be seen clearly during this process. Their trade revenue has surged from less than US$200 million to $15 billion at present, reflecting how economic partnerships have changed. Encouraging results have also been recorded in people-to-people and cultural exchanges, yoga and Buddhist links, or defence - security cooperation. With such firm stepping stones, PM Chinhs visit will be another demonstration of the unceasing development of bilateral ties, the ambassador went on. The trip takes place eight years after PM Modi visited Viet Nam in 2016. Since then, the two sides have organised many delegation exchanges at all levels to have in-depth discussions on a wide range of areas. Therefore, this visit is a critically important occasion for the two countries to look back on their achievements obtained in all aspects, including politics, trade, economy, people-to-people exchanges, security, and defence, especially since the comprehensive strategic partnership was set up in 2016, he said. About the path ahead, Arya held that amid the current complicated world context, to Viet Nam and India, economic growth, national development, and prosperity are important priorities that should be promoted by boosting trade, investment, and business links. They should look into complex changes at present and work out ways to secure fruitful cooperation and support each other on the basis of the traditional solidarity. Another priority is technology an extremely important field, including emerging technologies such as telecommunications, digital technology, energy transition, and military technologies. The diplomat said the two sides will discuss all areas of the comprehensive strategic partnership and explore new cooperation spheres. He perceived that India and Viet Nam share similarities in their approaches to international issues. Both believe that multilateralism and the reform of multilateralism are greatly significant, providing a basis for them to cooperate effectively, develop the countries, and show their roles and voices in the region and the world. The issues of developing countries are also common concerns of both India and Viet Nam, including sustainable development, energy transition, climate change response, and the settlement of conflicts and political issues through a global view. Given this, the similarity in their stances once again affirms the two countries wish to work together more closely towards benefits for both as well as for the region and the world. For example, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Mekong - Ganga Cooperation framework are useful mechanisms for the countries to further intensify partnerships, Ambassador Arya said. VNS HA NOI The European Union (EU) is seeking to soon upgrade ties with Viet Nam from the current Strategic Partnership to better reflect the reality of the bilateral ties, EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told the media on Wednesday. During working visits to Viet Nam, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy, and Vice President of the European Commission noted that Viet Nam is a country in Southeast Asia with which the bloc has the largest number of cooperation agreements, including the EU-Viet Nam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). The entry into EVFTA in August 2020 has made Viet Nam the EU's biggest trade partner in Southeast Asia and since then, bilateral trade has increased by 36 per cent. "It's clear for us that Viet Nam is a crucial partner of the European Union in the implementation of our Indo-Pacific Strategy and we look forward to bring forward the state of our relationship. I would like my visit to be the starting point to launch the process to raise our relationship to a higher level," Borrell said, referring to the next step of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. "I can say that one of the most important deliverables of this mission has been decision to start working from today onwards towards upgrading our relationship," the EU senior official revealed. Viet Nam and the EU will celebrate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025. With the fast-growing economic ties, the two sides want a recognition of this reality and seek to further augment the cooperation ties, he remarked, adding that there are a number of levels of cooperation spheres and partnerships between Viet Nam and the EU that are not commensurate to the intensity of the bilateral relationship. With questions related to the delays of EU member states in ratifying the accompanying component of the EVFTA that is the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which covers investment protection and dispute resolution, requiring approval from both the European Parliament and the parliaments of member states to come into effect, Borrell said he is urging member countries to expedite the approval process for EVIPA. This is in the interest of both EU member states and Viet Nam, as when investors have more investment security and less investment risks, they are more willing to invest, he noted. Currently, 18 out of 27 EU countries have approved EVIPA. The EU senior official said he was also impressed by the resilience of the Vietnamese people as well as the fast economic growth of Viet Nam in recent years, supported by robust diplomatic engagements to strengthen ties with countries including the United States, European and Asian countries and become an active player in the international arena. With regards to EC's 'yellow card' warning levied against Vietnamese fisheries exports over Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated (IUU) fishing issue, the EU senior official said the two sides are working to guarantee sustainable fishing, with healthy sea and prosperous coastal communities in the future. The EU has been working and having effective engagements with Viet Nam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on compliance measures such as equipping fishing vessels with tracking devices. The issue now is the enforcement by some provinces of Viet Nam and this work belongs to the provincial authorities, he stressed. The EU is expected to receive a report from the Vietnamese authorities on the IUU situation in September this year. Based on that, the EU will send a delegation to inspect the reality of the fishing situation and he looks forward to the removal of the yellow card warning. The EU official also remarked that while Viet Nam's enjoying fast economic development, it's important to preserve the environment. The EU supports Viet Nam's commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, especially through the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) which will help identify priority projects and necessary regulatory reforms towards this goal. During the talks with Vietnamese leaders -- President To Lam, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long, foreign minister Bui Thanh Son, as well as Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung -- the two sides have also touched on the rising tension in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Viet Nam), which concerns the EU. Borrell added that this area is not too distant to the EU, the EU has "direct interests" in maintaining the peace and security here, as 40 per cent of the imported product volume and 26 per cent of the exported products volume pass through this sea. "We are encouraged by diplomatic activities of Viet Nam and other regional actors such as the Philippines and Indonesia," he said. The EU could offer Viet Nam measures to enhance its maritime and cybersecurity capabilities as well as crisis management. With regards to whether the outcomes of the recent EU elections might have an impact on the EU's policies towards Viet Nam, Borrell said that he still has four months left in his term and during this time, he will continue to enhance the cooperation between the EU and ASEAN and Viet Nam and this trip points towards that. "I think that the succeeding leadership [of the EU] will continue to pay the same level of attention, if not more, to this region, as we are convinced that the future of mankind will be written from this region," Borrell said. VNS Demonstrators interrupt Mayor John Whitmires speech to demand a ceasefire during the Houston Iftar 25th Annual Ramadan Dinner at the Bayou Events Center on Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Houston. Annie Mulligan/Contributor Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School parents and students demonstrate against the resignation notice of Principal Auden Sarabia on Monday, May 13, 2024 in Houston. Sarabia told staff he must either resign by Tuesday or go before the district's Board of Managers. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The Houston City Council delayed a vote Wednesday on Mayor John Whitmires proposal to ban some picketing near homes as officials, advocates and experts debate whether the policy would infringe upon protesters First Amendment rights. The new law, if approved, would prohibit targeted picketing within 200 feet of a residential building and ban the city from issuing permits for any demonstrations in front of a home. The proposal came after months of pro-Palestinian protests outside the mayors house, which in a recent case led to the brief detainment of eight activists. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Four council members delayed a vote Wednesday on the proposal by a week, raising concerns about the risk of appearing to single out a particular group in a sensitive matter involving constitutionally protected free speech. We have to be careful from an optics perspective (that) not just one particular community feels as if it is because of them this is happening, said Council Member Letitia Plummer, who was among those who delayed the vote. They have a right to express themselves. And to be honest, we have chosen to be elected officials. Whitmire called the repeated protests outside his home frightening. He said the proposed policy is a public safety measure and that a number of local governments across the country have adopted similar restrictions. I (had to) go through four times now at night, as late as 11 p.m., with protesters shining beams of light into your house and lasers into your house on July Fourth, blocking your driveway so you cant get to July Fourth events, Whitmire said. You need to come live the experience. Weve protected them, but weve also got a reasonable constitutional regulation on them. Debating the constitutionality The pro-Palestinian coalition has been calling for the city to pass a cease-fire resolution since Israels war against Hamas in Gaza broke out, but their relationship with Whitmire has grown increasingly strained as the mayor refused to meet their demand. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Demonstrators have gathered outside the homes of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston, urging them to speak out against the violence in Gaza and distance themselves from pro-Israel groups. If this ordinance were to pass, it would restrict our ability to protest within our First Amendment rights, said Nishu Siddique, a member of Houstonians for Palestinian Liberation, one of the groups involved in these demonstrations. Were not threatening violence. We dont bring weapons. We are within our rights, and theres no reason for them to feel fear. There has been a long history of demonstrating outside government officials homes to press the urgency of issues such as suffrage, abortion rights and civil rights, Siddique said. At the same time, efforts to regulate these protests have also been persistent and generally supported by the courts, according to Josh Blackman, a constitutional law professor at the South Texas College of Law Houston. However, although the Supreme Court has upheld some anti-picketing laws, it has done so only when the regulations are narrowly focused and do not overly restrict free speech, Blackman said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The reason for these laws is to ensure that privacy in the home is not disturbed, Blackman said. But its completely different to say that, as a government official, you cant have people standing three blocks away from your house. That seems extremely, extremely over broad. City Attorney Arturo Michel agreed with Blackman that it is unclear if past Supreme Court rulings would directly apply to the proposed ordinance. But given similar local ordinances in other cities and favorable rulings by lower courts in those cases, he said Whitmires proposal is very defensible. Dallas and Pearland in Texas, as well as Newport Beach, Riverside and San Jose in California all have regulations banning targeted picketing within a certain distance of residential homes, ranging from 50 feet to 300 feet, according to the city attorney. Practically every case that addresses freedom of expression rights includes the statement that it is not absolute, Michel said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Council Member Edward Pollard, who also moved to delay the vote, said there are already existing safeguards, such as laws against disturbing the peace, to protect officials from overly disruptive protests. He said he needed more clarity on what the new ordinance would add beyond current regulations. That will help us understand the intention behind this so that we dont find ourselves in a legal battle over freedom of speech, Pollard said. Whitmire said he has discussed all possible measures with officials from the District Attorneys Office and the Houston Police Department and believes the ban is the best solution. Michel added the mayors proposal would provide more clarity and certainty than existing nuisance laws regarding what is illegal and what is not. As advocates and council members continue to question the intention behind the ordinance, Blackman said the proposal could open the door to legal challenges. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HA NOI The state visit to Viet Nam by President of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta from July 31-August 3 will push forward bilateral ties across economy, agriculture, information technology and telecommunications, said Timor-Leste ambassador to Viet Nam Joao Pereira. Pereira told the press said as a relatively young nation just celebrating 25 years of independence, Timor-Leste has much to learn from Viet Nam, one of the region's fastest-growing economies. Shining a spotlight on Viettel Telemor, a subsidiary of Viet Nam's Viettel Group, Pereira hailed the telecom provider as a testament to the robust cooperation between the two nations. With an impressive network coverage of 96 per cent, Viettel Telemor embodies Viet Nam's unwavering support for Timor-Leste's development. Looking ahead, he expressed eagerness to expand bilateral collaboration across various fields, with technology singled out as a top priority. Following the state visit, the ambassador plans to embark on fact-finding trips to different Vietnamese localities to observe local development, particularly in industry, agriculture and fisheries, thereby gathering firsthand experience to propose effective solutions and cooperation agreements to both governments. The ultimate goal is to achieve the best outcomes for both Viet Nam and Timor-Leste during his three-year term. On the occasion, Pereira also expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Vietnamese government and people for backing Timor-Leste's bid to join ASEAN by 2025. He reaffirmed his country's commitment to resolving issues through dialogue in both bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Timor-Leste believes in a regional approach where shared values and a culture of dialogue help address problems and conflicts, he said, adding that the country hopes to become a full ASEAN member as soon as possible. VNS HA NOI President of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta arrived in Ha Noi on Wednesday evening, beginning his four-day state visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of President To Lam. He was welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport by Chairman of the Presidential Office Le Khanh Hai, Deputy Foreign Minister o Hung Viet, Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste Ta Van Thong, Vice Chairman of the Ha Noi Peoples Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen, and senior officials. Since the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic ties in 2002, Timor-Leste high-ranking leaders have paid three official visits to Viet Nam, one by President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao in August 2005, another by President Jose Ramos-Horta in 2010, and the latest by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao in September 2013. The trip by President Jose Ramos-Hort, the fourth high-ranking visit, is expected to be a chance for both sides to continue discussing measures to boost cooperation and deepen the bilateral relations, thereby tightening their traditional friendship. VNS SYDNEY Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam hosted a meeting with visiting President of the Australia-Viet Nam Friendship Society (AVFS) Kim Sampson in Canberra on Wednesday. At the event, Sampson expressed his wish to collaborate with the embassy to enhance cooperation and connectivity between the two sides, as well as between the AVFS and various associations of Vietnamese in Australia. The society has already forged a sound collaboration with the Vietnamese Business Association in Australia, he said, adding that it is interested in reaching out to other Vietnamese groups to broaden its network, thereby fostering greater understanding and exchange between the two nations. Sampson revealed the intention to revive a general practitioner exchange programme between Viet Nam and Australia. This initiative aims to enhance linkages and share expertise in primary healthcare at local and rural medical facilities, with the AVFS set to welcome two Vietnamese doctors to Adelaide in October as part of the programme. Praising the society's efforts in and Sampson's significant contributions to fostering bilateral connections, the ambassador expressed his belief that the AVFS would continue to introduce positive initiatives to step up mutual understanding between the two nations. Tam also emphasised the importance of building on the countries strong and trusted cooperation, and urged the society to actively implement the memorandum of understanding (MoU) it has signed with the Viet Nam-Australia Friendship Association, expand its member network to support Viet Nam-Australia relations, and promote understanding and experience sharing between the two sides. VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on Wednesday hosted Yamada Takio, Special Advisor of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador of the Japanese governments Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative. Congratulating Yamada for his appointment as the AZEC Ambassador, Ha affirmed that the contents of the AZEC have been discussed, agreed upon and received commitments from senior leaders of Viet Nam, Japan as well as partner countries. The Deputy PM added that the realisation of the initiative should be demonstrated by specific projects such as those on improving the efficiency and reducing emissions of coal-fired power plants, switching from the use of coal and oil to natural gas, investing in offshore wind power, solar power, pumped-storage hydroelectricity, biomass power, and waste-to-power to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality, reducing net greenhouse gas emissions to zero (net zero) by 2050. "We need to discuss specific and feasible contents, get to work and take business cooperation as the centre," he stressed. The Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority (under the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade), the Japanese Embassy in Viet Nam and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) have established a working group for the implementation of AZEC. The group's operation includes a number of targets such as carrying out energy transition and green transition at power plants using fossil fuels in Viet Nam; promoting renewable energy power generation such as developing rooftop solar power, offshore wind power, waste-to-energy, biomass power; developing power systems and electricity markets, and diversifying the electricity market including wholesale and retail. Deputy PM Ha said that energy projects within the framework of AZEC need to follow market mechanisms, ensuring supply and energy efficiency, carbon neutrality, and net zero realisation. Regarding the roadmap for Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) implementation, Ha expressed his hope that Japanese partners and Viet Nam will work closely together in research, testing, sharing, transferring technologies and applying new technological solutions to increase the capacity of environmentally friendly hydropower plants, while forming an international carbon credit market to create a green financial flow to offset renewable energy project investment costs. For his part, Yamada said that the Japanese government and other parties are working hard to promote the AZEC. The Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) has proposed specific projects and delivered commitments to providing comprehensive support to the implementation of the initiative, he added. "Viet Nam is one of the most important partners in implementing the AZEC," he asserted, praising the country's efforts in realising net zero commitments by issuing mechanisms and policies and implementing specific projects. At the meeting, Yamada proposed a list of feasible gas-fired power, renewable energy, transmission infrastructure projects with the participation of large-scale Japanese corporations and banks. VNS QUANG NAM The central province has asked the National Assembly to build a law on Vietnamese ginseng, or Ngoc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis, or Vietnamese ginseng) a legal framework for sustainable development and protection of the national herbal medicine brand. The law should give guidelines on conservation, farming, testing, certification, granting geographical indication, protection and promotion of the valuable local plant. The province also sent a strategic plan for developing infrastructure projects, including an upgrade on a 45km section of the National Highway 40B and a 60km key road linking the ginseng farming zone worth a total of VN2.4 trillion. Vice chairman of the provincial peoples committee, Ho Quang Buu said the Government had approved the Master Plan for the development of Ngoc Linh ginseng in 2030-45. He said traffic infrastructure and a key road system connecting farming zone, factories and markets was necessary to create ginseng-related tourism and increase investment in the sector. Buu said the province was also urging the government to bring in big investments from TH Group, Vin Group and the other major businesses in the major Ngoc Linh ginseng farm zone in Nam Tra My District. The province said the National Assembly should review whether to assign a special Ginseng Consuming Day to promote the special 'national treasure'. There is already a major Ngoc Linh Ginseng hi-tech processing factory and research centre at Tam Thang Industrial Park in Tam Ky City which produces capsules, essential oils, cosmetics, drinks and tea and food supplements, all made from ginseng roots. The US$5.4 million factory, which was built by Sam Sam Company, can produce 200,000 capsules and provide five million Ngoc Linh ginseng saplings per year. The central province plans a growing area of 20,000ha across seven zones of Ngoc Linh ginseng. Ngoc Linh ginseng, grown both in Nam Tra My District in Quang Nam Province and Kon Tum, was recognised as a National Brand and given a Geographical Indication in 2018. The ginseng can grow at 1,400m above sea level, in forests in Nam Tra My district in Quang Nam and Tu Mo Rong District in Kon Tum Province. Up to 26 businesses have agreed to invest $221 million in farming ginseng and processing essential oils, cosmetics, drinks and capsules from ginseng in the Nam Tra My district. An e-commerce platform for Ngoc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis, or Vietnamese ginseng) medicinal herb and farm produce of Nam Tra My has been launched by the mountainous district committee, promoting the national brand and applying online trading and social network business models. VNS HA NOI Facing the increasing risks of personal data theft and ransomware attacks, cybersecurity experts are advising on the need for better legal frameworks and coordination to protect citizens and their rights. Le Quang Ha, product director of Viettel Cyber Security said that in the first six months of 2024, the company recorded 46 data breaches and sales, 13 million records on sale, 12.3 gigabytes of source codes leaked, alongside ten ransomware attacks and 56 companies suspected of being targeted. There were also 495,000 DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attacks, 2,364 phishing domains, seven advanced persistent threat groups detected, 17,648 new cyber security vulnerabilities discovered and 2,139 IP addresses connected to phishing domains, the tech expert added. Given this frequent level of cyber attacks, it can be said that a professional cybercrime industry has been established, Ha told Tin tuc (News) newspaper. According to Director of the National Cyber Security Centre Colonel Le Xuan Thuy, since the end of 2023, six ransomware attacks on Vietnamese businesses in banking, securities, energy, postal services and telecommunications have been recorded. Colonel Thuy added that in the wake of these serious cyberattacks, most organisations failed to report issues to authorities. Nguyen Minh Chinh, Director of the Ministry of Public Securitys Department of Cyber Security and High-tech Crime Prevention (A05) said that personal data leaks were common in the cyber sphere, with many internet users unaware of the need to protect their own information. These leaks could come from their public posts or were stolen during data transfer and storage. The sale and purchase of personal data, both raw and processed, were rampant, he added. This situation stemmed from businesses and service providers allowing third-party partners access to their customers data without strict regulations and obligations. In other cases, businesses actively collect their customers information to form their own database, which is then analysed and processed for commercial purposes. Systematic data trade Experts observed that personal data trade is now being conducted systematically, and in some cases, with warranty or updates per the buyers request. Most of the transactions are done openly over extensive periods of time on the internet, whether through websites, social media or hacker forums. The sale and purchase of personal data are not scattered between individuals, there is involvement of businesses and organisations, said A05 director Chinh, explaining how new companies often illegally collect personal data for commercial purposes through tools hidden on websites. Malware spread in the online sphere and attacks on the computer systems of other businesses and organisations also pose threats to databases, according to Chinh. A05 statistics showed that the public security ministry cracked down on hundreds of individuals and organisations engaging in personal data trade, with several cases of large-scale data theft. The amount of illegally collected and traded personal data from these cases reached thousands of gigabytes. The ministry has also actively detected and investigated 16 cases of leaked internal data and state secrets on the internet. In response to the increasingly rampant illegal data trade, the public security ministry has advised the government and National Assembly on the development of Decree 13/2023/N-CP on personal data protection. The ministry is also assigned to lead and coordinate the drafting of the Law on Personal Data Protection to protect citizens rights to personal privacy, human rights and cyber security. Meanwhile, the Research and Consulting Committee for Technology Development and International Cooperation (under the National Cybersecurity Association) proposed establishing a collaborative information platform. This platform is expected to be connected to databases of the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Information and Communications, the State Bank of Vietnam, cybersecurity organisations in the country and globally, as well as independent cybersecurity experts. Vu Ngoc Son, head of the committee said: Sharing information is the best way to offer members of the association a comprehensive view of the situation and latest cybersecurity intelligence. This will help them identify and actively respond to new threats, thereby enhancing security. VNS THAI BINH The authorities of northern province Thai Binh authorities have identified a 46-year-old man with Russian nationality, drifting in the coastal tidal flat area of Thuy Truong Commune, Thai Thuy District suffering from fatigue and hunger but without any injuries on his body. His name is Roman Borisiv and has passport valid until November 9, 2028. At 14.00 on Monday, the Diem ien Port Border Guard Station in Thai Thuy District received a report from Tran Xuan Canh, 46, in ong Hoang Commune, Tien Hai District, about the discovery of a male foreigner in a coastal tidal flat area. After receiving the information, the border guard station sent officers and soldiers to the scene. The working group and local people took the man to an oyster watchtower for medical care and first aid due to his poor health and then took him to the Diem ien Port Border Guard Station. Immigration checks showed that he entered Viet Nam on July 15, 2024, under the unilateral visa exemption programme through the Tay Trang International Border Gate in ien Bien Province. Authorities checked Roman Borisov's personal belongings and found only daily necessities and clothes, no money or weapons. He said that before entering Viet Nam, he had been in Thailand and Laos. He stayed in ien Bien for about three days. Because he had no money, he walked and hitched a ride to Hai Phong City on July 20. Seeing him wandering around, Hai Phong people gave him shelter and food. On July 28, he moved to the coastal mangrove forest area. Locals lent him a foam raft, which he rowed along the coast and drifted to the tidal flat area of Thuy Truong Commune. Borisov said he wishes to continue to travel freely in Viet Nam. When his temporary residence expires, he will go to Laos and Cambodia via the land border gates. Currently, the Russian man is being temporarily cared for and resting at the Diem ien Port Border Guard Station. Thai Binh Province authorities determined that he had completed all procedures according to the law and did not discover any suspicious issues related to national security. They decided to guide him on Vietnamese regulations and laws so that he can continue his journey in Viet Nam. VNS TOKYO The Vietnamese Embassy in Japan on July 30 held a seminar on promoting support for Vietnamese workers in Japan to integrate into the local community, develop themselves and their careers, with the participation of representatives of relevant Japanese agencies, departments and localities. There are currently nearly 600,000 Vietnamese living, studying, and working across 47 prefectures and cities of Japan. In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu said that the majority of Vietnamese people are hardworking, eager to learn, and live harmoniously and amicably. They have continuously improved their Japanese language skills to better themselves, support their families, and contribute to Japan's economy, as well as enhancing the friendship between the two countries. He noted that following the Japanese Government's policy revision allowing talented foreign workers to reside and work for a long-term in Japan, the number of Vietnamese workers in the East Asian country is expected to continue rising in the near future. Therefore, the embassy organised this event to exchange opinions with Japanese agencies, departments, sectors and localities on measures for Vietnamese workers to choose Japanese localities as a destination to work and live for a long term, become a part of the local society and effectively contribute to the socio-economic development of that locality, added Hieu. Yasuhisa Arai, a representative from Japan's Ministry of Justice, provided an overview of the new recruitment and training system announced by the government on June 21. He explained that under the new law, the technical apprentice training system, which involves skill transfer, will be fundamentally re-evaluated, while a new recruitment and training system will be established to develop and ensure human resources in fields where Japan is experiencing a labour shortage. At the seminar, representatives from Yamanashi, Kanagawa, and Aichi prefectures briefed participants on their respective localitys efforts to attract foreign labourers, particularly those from Vietnam. Hieu emphasised the need to focus on Japanese language training, Japanese culture popularisation, and skill development for Vietnamese workers. He also highlighted the importance of continuous training activities, starting before their arrival in Japan and maintaining it throughout their time living and working in the country. VNS The total designed capacity of cold storage in Vietnam recorded a noticeable increase during the last four years with compound annual growth rate 2020-2023 of 13.1 per cent thanks to the active investment from new players. Particularly, Vietnams cold storage segment comprised over 100 commercial cold storage providers with a total designed capacity of 1.24 million pallets in 2023. Most of the cold storage is in the south, serving high cold storage demand from aqua processing companies and buoyant import-export activities. Anh Nguyen, manager of Market Research and Consulting, FiinGroup Vietnam The robust increase in new supply of cold storage is driven by aggressive investments/expansions of both local and foreign investors. Local cold storage providers in Vietnam significantly contribute to the sectors growth, holding 70 per cent of the market share in designed capacity. They are continuously expanding their facilities and increasing their capacity to meet the rising demand for cold storage. Furthermore, the growing demand for cold storage in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in Vietnam, has attracted a wave of foreign investment. Over the past three years, the market has witnessed a surge in participation and expansion by international companies, highlighting Vietnams increasing prominence in the cold storage sector. Earlier in July, Nichirei TBA Logistics Vietnam commenced commercial operations of a 10,000-pallet cold storage facility, marking an expansion of Nichirei Logistics Group (Japan) in collaboration with Tan Bao An Logistics JSC. Just a few months earlier, Meito Vietnam held the opening ceremony for a 30,000-pallet cold storage facility in Tan Long An province, doubling its storage capacity. In July 2023, Sojitz Corporation and KOKUBU Group announced the commercial operation of a new cold storage facility with a total designed capacity of 37,000 pallets. The following month, Lineage Logistics announced the formation of a joint venture with SK Logistics, a local cold storage warehouse operator based in Hanoi. This collaboration is expected to enhance Lineages business in northern Vietnam, leveraging SK Logistics local expertise and market presence. Next year, the cold storage sector is anticipated to witness the expansion of Japanese investor Yokorei, with an 18,000-pallet facility and a $52 million investment in the Mekong Delta province of Long An. Foreign investors are expected to continue leading the wave of investment in Vietnams cold storage real estate sector in the coming period. The aggressive expansion by both existing and new players is expected to increase market competitiveness, resulting in a temporarily low occupancy rate in areas with a high number of new projects. The oversupply in the market is expected to be triggered by aggressive participation in the next two years, with nine new cold storage facilities entering the market with a total designed capacity of over 343,000 pallets. Given the robust expansion and participation of new players, FiinGroup forecasts the occupancy rate of the cold storage market in 2025 to remain modest at 81 per cent. End-to-end logistics is anticipated to become a trend in the cold storage market. With the extension of supply chains, many customers in the cold chain sector prefer end-to-end logistics solutions for cost and optimisation. To meet rising demand, cold storage providers are diversifying their service offerings. For instance, HTNS and Transimex are major players offering comprehensive transportation services, including cold, chilled, and dry transportation, as well as inland waterway and cross-border delivery services. Meanwhile, notable providers such as Lineage, AJ Total, and NLVJ offer a wide range of storage services with various and adaptable temperature adjustments. Daiwa House Logistics Trust acquires cold storage asset in Vietnam On December 29, Daiwa House Asset Management Asia Pte., Ltd., as manager of Daiwa House Logistics Trust (DHLT), announced the acquisition of D Project Tan Duc 2, a built-to-suit cold storage facility located in Long An province. Cold storage supply remains behind requirements Although Vietnams cold storage industry is forecast to have a bright future, the current supply on the market is still very limited. Foreign companies ramp up interest in Vietnam's cold storage market On August 11, Lineage Logistics, a United States-based international cold chain solutions provider, announced its expansion in Vietnam through a joint venture with Hanoi-based, cold-storage warehouse operator SK. The conference, co-organised by the HHTP management board and Hanoi Centre for Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion (HPA), was part of the Hanoi Semiconductor Investment Festival 2024, which will run until July 31. Policymakers, businesses, and experts gathered at a conference in Hanoi on July 30 Making the opening speech, Tran Dac Trung, deputy head of the HHTP Management Board, said that in high-tech, semiconductors are the top priority and are receiving development support from the government. Preparing the necessary conditions to develop this industry, such as human resource training, is vital. HHTP is cooperating with institutes and businesses to prepare human resources for research activities and to meet the needs of large projects. HHTP expects to attract powerful businesses in the semiconductor and microchip sectors. The park has a big advantage because it is now home to schools, research institutes, and high-tech businesses. The HHTP management board has pledged to work with institutes, schools, and businesses, especially in training and research, to develop semiconductor human resources for the park, as well as in Hanoi and across the country, he added. Tran Dac Trung, deputy head of the HHTP Management Board He added that this year and next year, HHTP plans to draw investment in social infrastructure projects to meet the needs of experts, researchers, students, and businesses working and studying there. The park is also the headquarters of large technology enterprises such as FPT, Viettel, VKIST, and NIC, and many more who participate in connecting and training semiconductor human resources. At the event, participants discussed opportunities and challenges, and proposed supporting policies to Hanoi and the government to attract investment, promote research, and develop human resources. According to Dr. Vo Xuan Hoai, deputy head of the National Innovation Centre (NIC), under a scheme to develop human resources for the semiconductor industry chaired by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam needs about 50,000 engineers. A survey of major Vietnamese universities found that the country is fully capable of training 50,000 engineers in the industry. However, challenges remain. Dr. Vo Xuan Hoai, deputy head of National Innovation Centre (NIC) The number of high-quality engineers in Vietnam is still not enough to meet the growing needs of the semiconductor and AI industry supply chains. University courses do not yet meet international standards, so they need to be diversified, while international training cooperation should be implemented more effectively. Developing human resources must go hand in hand with building the semiconductor industry ecosystem based on Vietnam's strengths and development roadmap, he admitted. Dr. Le Truong Tung, president of FPT University, added that there are three big challenges to training human resources in the semiconductor industry. The first is training such a large number of workers for the industry. The second is the relatively short amount of time Vietnam has to train them (three years maximum). Lastly, this workforce will be thrown in to the global game, meaning they must be trained in line with international standards. This year, FPT University plans to recruit 1,000 candidates for IC design training. This is one of the four stages of the semiconductor industry that Vietnam has advantages in. The school is also looking for international cooperation with universities in the US, South Korea, Japan, and others. However, to ensure success, it requires two very important factors: attracting foreign partners to participate, and responsive learners, he stated. A representative of the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST), which is located in HHTP, said that it has placed the semiconductor industry as one of its nine key development industries. In the near future, with support from the Korean Institute of Science and Technology, it will train human resources and build a laboratory for microchip research in Vietnam. The construction of the laboratory at VKIST is expected to be carried out in cooperation with Acretech, which operates in semiconductor manufacturing and precision measurement systems. Appetite for high-growth stocks linked to semiconductors, AI and digital assets Investors are scouting for high-growth stocks related to semiconductors and AI as well as acquiring digital assets, heard a recent panel discussion about investment opportunities in H2. Hanoi steps into semiconductor development race With its strategic location and advantages, Hanoi is moving to attract resources for the development of the semiconductor industry. Supporters of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee wait in line for her viewing at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer A photo of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is on display in the foyer of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church during her viewing on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Homer Cornish Jr., kneels during the viewing for the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Supporters of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee wait in line for her viewing at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer A guest book in the foyer of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church for people to sign during a viewing for the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer A constable reacts as she passes by the casket of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee during a viewing and remembrance for the at Gods Grace Community Church on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Elwyn Lee touches the scarf adorning a portrait of his wife, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at Gods Grace Community Church on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer A casket carrying the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is taken escorted out of Gods Grace Community Church after a viewing and remembrance service on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner pays his respects to the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at Gods Grace Community Church on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Erica Lee addresses attendees at the end of the viewing and remembrance for her mother, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, at Gods Grace Community Church on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Supporters of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee wait in line for her viewing at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Community members and faith leaders remembered U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, as a tireless servant of the people who showed up and showed out and shined everywhere she went, at a Tuesday memorial for the longtime public servant. Jackson Lee, 74, died July 19 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Houstonians attended the ceremony at Gods Grace Community Church in Acres Homes to celebrate a life and legacy that drew praise from dignitaries including President Joe Biden. Mourners expressed profound grief, but mostly by a spirit of thankfulness for a life well lived as well as a community well served by the longtime Congress member. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This aint no funeral, Kenneth G. Campbell of Household of Faith Community Church reminded a hyped up crowd during one point of Tuesdays service. Its a party. Erica Lee addresses attendees at the end of the viewing and remembrance for her mother, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, at Gods Grace Community Church on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Erica Lee, Jackson Lees daughter, thanked community members for doing the one thing her mother loved being somewhere with purpose. They were the best of her mother, she said. Those who spoke at the service included faith leaders from churches all across the region. It also included performances by Anita James, Ramona Lewis Holland and Zacardi Cortez. Can yall make some noise for Sheila Jackson Lee? Cortez said before he began to sing, pointing down at her open casket shrouded in a veil and pink and violet roses. The room erupted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kenneth Washington of First New Hope Baptist Church told the congregation he was shackled by an emptiness of Jackson Lees absence, and said she embraced the president the same way she did the poor. Edwin Davis of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church couldnt make it to the service in person since he was recovering from surgery. He instead joined via video to honor Jackson Lee, who hed known for 35 years and met during his time as a Houston police officer. In his shoes, Jackson Lee wouldve done the same, he said. If Sheila couldnt be somewhere, shed make a video, Davis said to laughs from the crowd. We will miss her, and whoever comes behind her has some very large shoes to fill. Warren Muhammad from Acres Homes Chambers gives a remembrance of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at Gods Grace Community Church on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Paul Cannings of Living Word Fellowship Church said he remembered calling her and asking for help registering his community for COVID-19 vaccines. With Jackson Lees help, more than 1,000 residents got their vaccine. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That, to me, is leadership, Cannings said. Warren Fitzgerald-Muhammad, chairman of the Acres Home Chamber, said some politicians show up, give their speeches and leave, but Jackson Lee always stuck through events for their entirety because she cared. Among the public officials in attendance included former Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Commissioner Rodney Ellis, state Rep. Armando Walle and Praire View A&M President Tomikia P. LaGrande. Walle was formerly a staffer for Jackson Lee after graduating from the University of Houston, and joked he was quickly baptized by the congresswomans ways and said he was grateful to learn from her. Garcia said hed been reflecting on Jackson Lees passing, and it occurred to him that she was a judge while he was working undercover for Houston Police Department and he had to go to her to get a search warrant signed. Jackson Lee treated it exactly like a congressional hearing, he said she wanted to know all the details, and the process to sign the warrant took an hour. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Attendees sing praise during the vViewing and remembrance for the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at Gods Grace Community Church on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer When he was Harris Countys sheriff, Garcia used to would give signed hats to dignitaries. And on Tuesday, Jackson Lee finally got her hat, which Garcia gave to her family. LaGrande said when she would speak to Jackson Lee, shed often bend her 6-foot frame down to meet the much shorter congresswoman, but she would also say, Madam president, stand up. Those words stuck, LaGrande said Tuesday, because Jackson Lee was always standing up for her community. Services for Jackson Lee continue through the rest of the week. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A viewing will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler Ave., and a service from 3 to 8 p.m. The final funeral for Jackson Lee will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Fallbrook Church, 12512 Walters Road. JACKSON LEE SERVICE: Here are the details of Sheila Jackson Lees celebration of life and memorial services As the time neared 8 p.m., pastor Isaac Matthews of Gods Grace acknowledged there were still a handful of speakers left to go, and the service was set to end soon. The forum was held in Ho Chi Minh City by Vietnam Investment Review and the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Association. Enterprises with robust green transformation strategies in 2024 Two enterprises were honoured for their outstanding green transformation strategies in 2024. Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam is a strategic alliance between Japan's Suntory Group and PepsiCo from the United States. After three decades of operation, the company operates five factories and five offices across the country, along with a diverse product portfolio. Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam's sustainable development strategy focuses on six main areas, especially helping the country reach its 2050 net-zero goal. The company has applied many initiatives in production to save natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the conversion from fossil fuel use to renewable energy in all the factories. The company continuously innovates the cooperation model to create greater impacts on the environment and the community, including cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop sustainable forests for the conservation of water sources and carbon neutrality. Meanwhile, NS BlueScope Vietnam belongs to Australian Bluescope Group, a colour-plated steel and steel manufacturing unit with the first investment worth $120 million in Vietnam in 2005. NS BlueScope Vietnam has a sustainable development roadmap and reduces carbon emissions in the environmental, social, and governance path with the goal that in 2030, the companys production will reduce 30 per cent of carbon emissions. In May, the company received a responsible steel production certification, becoming the first plating steel factory in Southeast Asia to achieve it. The factory also received a LEED Gold certificate in October 2021. Four enterprises were recognised for their green transformation strategies in 2024. The first was Tien Phong Plastic South, established in 2007 with its headquarters and factories located in Binh Duong province. An extended arm that supplies Tien Phong plastic pipes, Tien Phong Plastic South produces and distributes all types of uPVC, PP-R, and HDPE pipes for the construction market. After more than 17 years, the factory has continuously expanded its production area, and increased factory and warehouse space. To date, its pipe distribution system has developed widely across the country and the Tien Phong Plastic brand has gradually become familiar to customers and constructions in the southern market. Plastic pipe maker Binh Minh Plastic also makes various types of spare parts for the water supply and drainage industry, as well as industrial and civil construction. After nearly half a century, Binh Minh plastic has not only become the pride of high-quality Vietnamese goods, but it also pioneers in the plastic construction materials industry in Vietnam. Binh Minh Plastic associates itself with economic growth, environmental protection, and social responsibility, which it says are the factors that play a fundamental role in its long-term success. The third company to be praised was Dai Dung Construction Mechanical, a supplier of steel structural production, which supplies materials for more than 2500 works and exports to more than 50 countries and territories around the world. The company owns six main factory clusters with a total area of over 100 hectares, reaching a total annual capacity of up to 300,000 tonnes with one factory that meets LEED Gold V4 standards - the next generation standard for design, construction, operating, and efficiency of green buildings. Finally, entering the Vietnam market in 1993, Sika Vietnam is a 100 per cent Swiss Company, under Sika AG Group. Company leaders say a sustainable solution is a solution that is capable of meeting the wishes of economic, ecological, social, and cultural management of the current generation without affecting the demand of the next generation. Sustainable development is also one of the core values of Sika Group. The company owns many certificates such as ISO 9001/14001/45001, and Green Label certification as a member of the VGBC Green Construction Council. VIR to host conference on H2 investment opportunities Vietnam Investment Review (VIR) will host a conference to discuss investment opportunities in the remaining months of 2024. IDICOs green transformation towards a sustainable future Industrial and urban developer IDICO aims to build sustainable industrial park ecosystems, anticipating the net-zero trend towards 2050, as demonstrated through its strategy of developing high-quality, synchronised infrastructure SLP earned recognition for its green transformation strategies at VIPF 2024 SLP was recognised one of the industrial property developers with green transformation strategies in 2024 as part of the Vietnam Industrial Property Forum (VIPF) 2024. VIPF 2024: Going green for new investment waves The Vietnam Industrial Property Forum (VIPF) 2024, organised by Vietnam Investment Review in coordination with the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Association, is taking place in Ho Chi Minh City from July 30 with the theme Going green for new investment waves. VIPF 2024, organised by Vietnam Investment Review in coordination with the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Association, took place in Ho Chi Minh City on July 30 with the theme Going green for new investment waves. Truong An Duong, general manager of North Vietnam and Residential, Frasers Property Vietnam, said, "Over the past few years, up to 60 per cent of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam has focused on the manufacturing industry, creating additional demand for industrial parks and amenities for manufacturing industries. Vietnam has made great strides in infrastructure development in recent years. This includes roads, ports, airports, and energy networks. These factors have enhanced Vietnams competitiveness in global manufacturing circles. Departments and local authorities have conducted investment promotions which have drawn multiple delegations. This, coupled with free trade agreements, has bolstered Vietnams competitiveness amid global trade disruptions." "A new wave of FDI has been entering Vietnam, especially in the fields of semiconductors, electronics, automobiles, and renewable energy," Duong said. "However, Vietnam also faces increasing competition with regional peers like Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Other countries have also issued policies to lure investments in these fields. For example, Thailand boasts strength in automobile manufacturing and supply chains. Meanwhile, Malaysia has built a solid foundation for its semiconductor industry." Dinh Hoai Nam, director and head of Business Development, SLP Vietnam, said, "As a market player, we expect a lot from the Vietnamese market in the long term. Firstly, Vietnam will continue to be a bright spot in the Asia-Pacific market for many years to come. Over the past four years, the country's market participation has accelerated. It is not by chance that investors are pouring capital into Vietnam because they make decisions based on many factors, including Vietnam's long-term prospects." "According to SLP's assessment, we believe in the long-term outlook of the Vietnamese market, although there were some concerns in the market assessments last year. However, sentiment has returned to the market in the first six months of 2024 due to many factors. Specifically, last year, SLP also had an assessment related to the investment speed in Vietnam to decide whether we would slow down or have any oversupply in the market. We realized that there was an oversupply factor somewhere in the market, leading to competition in rental prices. However, the occupancy rate of our projects was relatively good. This led us to think that we should try to compete in depth, focusing on quality products," he noted. Hardy Diec, COO of KCN Vietnam, said, "Vietnam is facing competition from China and other Southeast Asian countries. To adopt higher sustainability, we should implement sustainable development in a strategic and united way. We also offer a competitive picture to customers to demonstrate that Vietnam remains a magnet for FDI. We should be collaborating with other partners to persuade foreign investors about Vietnam's growing investments in infrastructure, as well as education and training programmes to improve the quality of human resources. Vietnam has also eased administrative procedures to improve the investment environment." Vietnam is on the radar of multinational companies (MNCs), but they are concerned about these barriers. When MNCs enter Vietnam, they bring in their ecosystems and supply chains, creating new driving forces for the country to grow, he added. Over the past few years, KCN Vietnam has placed its focus on ready-built warehouses and factories. Despite being a newcomer to Vietnam since 2021, the company has ambitions to diversify its product offerings to improve competitiveness. Notably, sustainable development is one of KCNs orientations during its development journey in the country. From the perspective of state management, Vu Van Chung, deputy general director of the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said, "Many investors consider Vietnam to be one of the most attractive investment destinations. This is a great opportunity for us to attract quality investment so that the industrial real estate market can boom. In terms of political stability, investors still consider Vietnam an attractive destination for long-term investments. The economy has maintained a stable, high growth rate for many years, with deep integration into the global economy. Vietnam has signed 16 free trade agreements, covering almost all major economies." Regarding human resources, Chung added, "Vietnam has a market of more than 100 million people, of whom about 50-60 per are of working age. This labour force is being trained and equipped with skills and knowledge. Instead of attracting investments in low-cost labour, we now have a high-quality labour source to meet the requirements of foreign investors. On top of that, the government is making strategic breakthroughs with outstanding infrastructure development in roads, seas, aviation, and railways. The government is determined to implement institutional reform to improve the investment environment. The government has also established working groups in industries such as semiconductors, AI, and high-tech to direct and promote investments." Trang Le, head of Research and Consulting, JLL Vietnam, said, "Over the past five years, Vietnam has recorded a high growth rate of industrial real estate. In 2023, FDI rose by 34 per cent, indicating Vietnam as a bright spot in global FDI attraction. To find spearhead sectors, Vietnam should look at its existing foundations, such as factories. The government also wants to attract investments in key sectors, with legal frameworks in place to support investors." "Vietnam has a golden opportunity to lure FDI, but the country needs to look at fresh policies to catch investors' eyes. These advantages, which transformed Vietnam into a manufacturing hub, will not last long. Investors always weigh up their options, and other countries have already sped up their strategies to woo investments. Vietnam should take quick action to maintain its position, like promoting sustainable development and streamlining administrative procedures." Paul Tonkes, industrial deputy director at Indochina Kajima Development (ICCK), said, We are also geared up towards sustainable development. Our commitments are reflected in our projects, which are designed in line with this trend. Tenants choose our products and solutions because of their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Green practices can help tenants reduce expenses for electricity and utilities. He further noted that there are a lot of green transition movements in the area. If industrial park management authorities want to adopt green transition strategies, specifically for the roofs or specific areas, they should take affordable expenses into consideration. They should cover these factors in their development plans. Several industrial developers have also focused on ESG to serve premium customers who love green design. Industrial property event to take place in Ho Chi Minh City on July 30 The Vietnam Industrial Property Forum (VIPF) 2024, organised by Vietnam Investment Review and in coordination with the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Association, will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on July 30. VIPF 2024: Going green for new investment waves The Vietnam Industrial Property Forum (VIPF) 2024, organised by Vietnam Investment Review in coordination with the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Association, is taking place in Ho Chi Minh City from July 30 with the theme Going green for new investment waves. Vuong Thi Minh Hieu, deputy general director of the Department of Economic Zones Management At the second session at the Vietnam Industrial Park Forum 2024 yesterday (July 30), on the theme "Green transformation in industrial parks: A driver for attracting new investment waves", experts and businesses highlighted the importance of ecological industrial parks (IPs). Vuong Thi Minh Hieu, deputy general director of the Department of Economic Zones Management under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), said the transformation to eco-IPs started in 2014 with the support of international organisations. "However, the green transformation of IPs is currently struggling with difficulties related to water reuse and energy use due to a lack of guidance documents from authorities. Besides, converting to an eco-IP is very costly, and preferential and supporting policies are not commensurate with the costs incurred," Hieu said. To overcome these challenges, the MPI will coordinate with ministries and agencies to speed up the drafting of guiding documents, as well as connect with investment funds and financial institutions to source preferential capital for businesses with green transformation ideas and solutions, she added. "The MPI will be reporting to the government the outline of the Law on Industrial Parks and Economic Zones. Currently, they are managed by other laws such as the Law on Real Estate Business, the Land Law, and the Law on Environmental Protection," Hieu said. When the Law on Industrial Parks and Economic Zones is completed and approved by the National Assembly, it will supplement the policy mechanisms to encourage the development of eco-IPs. Pham Hong Diep, chairman of Shinec Pham Hong Diep, chairman of Shinec, outlined the value of ESG standards because they meet the wishes of numerous investors in electronics, high technology, and export manufacturing because of their high green content. "If eco-IPs can achieve ESG certification that is compatible with standards set by investors, it will be easy for them to decide where they want to invest, Diep said. An example is Nam Cau Kien IP in Haiphong. Diep said it was difficult to implement ESG standards because of the strict criteria. Nam Cau Kien IP was built in 2008, so the drainage system for rainwater, surface water, and wastewater was concrete. The drains also often vibrated, and the ground had subsided due to the heavy trucks transporting goods to and from the factories. To deal with the problem, Shinec bought HDPE pipes from Thieu Nien Tien Phong Plastic JSC to replace the concrete pipes and rebuild the wastewater treatment system to stop untreated wastewater from being discharged into the environment. It is a headache for an investor to spend almost $1 million to fix an IP. However, we had no other way to increase our competitiveness," said the chairman of Shinec. Additionally, Shinec has built a symbiotic relationship with investors to create value from waste treatment in IPs, generate profits, and raise more capital to improve the environment. This has made investors and international organisations change their thinking about IPs. "Greening IPs is an inevitable trend, not an option, so Vietnamese IP developers need to keep up, Diep said. He also suggested building laws on IP investments and the circular economy, which have been implemented by China, South Korea, and Japan already. Ben Ding Khoon Yew, general director of Soilbuild International (Vietnam) Ben Ding Khoon Yew, general director of Soilbuild International (Vietnam), highlighted the importance of green transformation. The journey of Soilbuild started in 2010 before sustainability became a key theme in Asia. Solaris@One North, a business hub in Singapore, had achieved the then-highest sustainability standards of Green Mark Platinum in Singapore. Key features included using natural lights and ventilation, green belts and shields, and water harvesting. Numerous Soilbuilds buildings have achieved Green Mark and LEED Platinum status since then. "We have won bidding for numerous key projects thanks to the green factor," Yew emphasised. With the progression of technology, the latest Green Mark Platinum building, the Tai Seng Exchange (TSX) in Singapore, has integrated wind simulation to optimise ventilation, sensors, a lift control system, and a new generation building management system. Soilbuild obtained a green loan for the building. Coming from Singapore, we have benefited from the adoption of new technology. Through the years, we have been pushing the boundaries on our sustainability journey to reduce overall energy consumption and emissions and secure a more sustainable future and resilient urban landscape for future generations. We are committed to promoting sustainable development in Vietnam, Yew said. In Vietnam, Soilbuild's first ready-built factory is being developed in Nghe An to LEED certification standards, continuing the sustainability journey from its home country Singapore. Soilbuild was an early adopter of sustainability. Our approach to integrating ESG policies into its building design emphasises multiplying the green to ensure that sustainability is embedded at every stage of the asset's life cycle from design to construction, operation and maintenance, and occupiers' operations, he said. Industrial property event to take place in Ho Chi Minh City on July 30 The Vietnam Industrial Property Forum (VIPF) 2024, organised by Vietnam Investment Review and in coordination with the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Association, will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on July 30. VIPF 2024: Going green for new investment waves The Vietnam Industrial Property Forum (VIPF) 2024, organised by Vietnam Investment Review in coordination with the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Association, is taking place in Ho Chi Minh City from July 30 with the theme Going green for new investment waves. HDBank has seen improvements in its operational efficiency and prudential indicators, demonstrating that the bank is on the right path with its sustainable development strategy. According to the financial statement, as of June, HDBank posted a credit growth rate of 13 per cent compared with the beginning of the year. Its credit flows into spearhead economic sectors such as agriculture, rural areas, small- and medium-sized enterprises, supply chain financing, green credit, and tourism. HDBank also maintains its capital adequacy ratio and bad debt ratio at the lowest level in the industry. Specifically, its ratio according to Basel II standards reached 13.9 per cent. Meanwhile, its consolidated non-performing loan ratio, including consumer finance, was only 1.59 per cent. In the first half of 2024, the bank recorded its revenues of over $636.9 million, up by 32.9 per cent on-year. Its pre-tax profit reached over $322.8 million, up 48.9 per cent on-year, fuelled by increased operational efficiency and digital transformation initiatives. Return on equity and return on assets were 26.1 per cent and 2.1 per cent, both higher than the previous year. The bank continues its tradition to pay attention to the benefits of investors with a consistent and high annual dividend payout ratio. This year, shareholders receive dividends of up to 30 per cent. HDBank has so far completed a dividend payment of 10 per cent in cash, with the remainder iin stocks scheduled for the third quarter. As of June 30, HDBanks total assets were worth over $24.7 billion, a 29 per cent increase compared to last years period. Total deposits were $21.8 billion, of which deposits from digital banking channels reached $1.58 billion, quintupling the figure of last years period. In the first six months of 2024, HDBank marks a new step forward in its journey to comprehensively implement the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy. It became the first bank to release the Sustainable Development Report based on international standards, reflecting HDBanks commitments to implementing ESG principles towards realising the goal of becoming a net-zero bank by 2050. The lender has also established an committee under the Board of Directors to direct and supervise the comprehensive integration of ESG standards into all of its activities. The bank has also achieved positive outcomes thanks to its focus on digitalisation and development of modern digital businesses, as well as research and application of AI technology. The number of customers using its digital channels climbed by 2.5 times from a year ago, with 94 per cent of customers transactions being conducted on digital channels and the number of e-banking transactions jumping by 130 per cent on-year. In addition to rolling out new products and cashless payment solutions, HDBank has completed ahead of schedule the deployment of biometric facial recognition technology to improve transaction safety and overall security. The bank also launched the "HDBank rural" application dedicated to developing agriculture and rural areas in a modern and effective manner. HDBank has earned recognition from prestigious international organisations for its impressive business growth and achievements in digitalisation and greening. On July 4, the bank was named Domestic Retail Bank of the Year and Mobile Banking and Payment Initiative of the Year for Vietnam from Asian Banking & Finance Magazine. Previously, the bank scooped up the Best Bank for Sustainable Finance award from The Asset magazine. In addition, HDBank also featured in Fortune magazines first-ever Southeast Asia 500 rankings of the largest companies in the region. HDBank releases 2024 Sustainable Development Report Ho Chi Minh City Development Joint Stock Commercial Bank (HDBank) published its 2024 Sustainable Development Report on May 23, the first of its kind in the banking sector. HDBanks faith in ESG pays off for partners and customers HDBank is pioneering the internationalisation of its governance practices and is benefiting from the steadfast support of seasoned shareholders and investment funds. The latest Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey covering the second quarter of 2024, and published on July 15, took the responses of over 200 European company leaders. While nearly two-thirds of respondents report some level of benefit, the extent of impact varies widely. Notably, 27 per cent of companies a marked increase from 18 per cent in 2023 now enjoy moderate to significant advantages, while another quarter, down from 31 per cent in 2023, has yet to see any tangible gains. Despite these disparities, EuroCham members consistently cite tariff reductions, increased market competitiveness, and expanded market access as key benefits. Other advantages include streamlined supply chains, improved business transparency, and a stronger legal framework. The BCI survey reveals a number of obstacles that European businesses face in fully leveraging the EVFTA. These include complex regulatory requirements and a lack of recognition for international standards by local authorities. Additionally, a lack of understanding of the agreement among stakeholders, combined with customs valuation issues and opaque clearance procedures, complicate trade. Technical barriers, particularly in the areas of certification and product testing, also remain a significant hurdle. "The EVFTA has certainly created new opportunities for European businesses in Vietnam," said Dominik Meichle, chairman of EuroCham Vietnam. "However, our survey shows that while progress has been made, challenges remain. As we enter the fifth year of the agreement, it is crucial to continue working on simplifying procedures, aligning standards, and ensuring everyone understands how the EVFTA works." EuroCham vice-chairman Jean-Jacques Bouflet also noted that recent policy adjustments in Vietnam have created challenges for European businesses operating under the EVFTA. "These changes, which include new internal and consumption taxes, and technical barriers to entry, are holding back the full potential of the agreement," he remarked. "However, we are actively engaged in constructive discussions to address these issues and find solutions that benefit both Vietnam and Europe." Thue Quist Thomasen, CEO of Decision Lab, emphasised the need for ongoing support and adaptation. "The findings highlight that while the EVFTA is a powerful tool for economic growth, its success hinges on continued efforts to address regulatory complexities, technical barriers, and awareness gaps. A targeted approach to support businesses, particularly SMEs, in navigating these challenges is crucial," he said. Bouflet outlined EuroCham's strategic initiatives to address the identified challenges and maximise the benefits of the EVFTA. "EuroCham is committed to working with stakeholders to streamline regulatory compliance, advocate for greater recognition of international standards, and develop comprehensive education and awareness programmes on the EVFTA," he said. "We will also continue to push for solutions to technical barriers to trade, particularly in certification and testing, and advocate for further tariff reductions and streamlined customs procedures." EuroCham Vietnam is actively championing the full ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) as a critical step in unlocking the full potential of the EVFTA for attracting foreign direct investment. While EU institutions have already given their approval, the EVIPA still requires individual ratification from all 27 EU member states. With 18 member states having already ratified the agreement, EuroCham Vietnam is working tirelessly with European stakeholders to encourage the remaining states to follow suit. "EuroCham is dedicated to helping our members fully leverage the opportunities presented by the EVFTA," declared Meichle. "We will continue to collaborate closely with Vietnamese authorities to address remaining challenges and ensure that both European and Vietnamese businesses can reap the full benefits of this landmark agreement." The EVFTA has significantly boosted Vietnams exports to Europe, surging from 35 billion ($38 billion) in 2019 to over 48 billion ($52 billion) in 2023. This growth is particularly pronounced in sectors such as electronics, textiles, footwear, agriculture, and seafood. The increase in EU exports to Vietnam has been far more modest. Nevertheless, the EVFTA has strengthened Vietnam's attractiveness for European investors. The EU, already a major investor in the country, has poured 28 billion ($30.3 billion) into 2,450 projects. EU investors have added 800 million ($866 million) in foreign direct investment between January and September 2023, bucking the global trend of declining figures. EVFTA can be long-term success story While the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has benefited businesses for four years, there are still more advantages that can be sought out. Dominik Meichle, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, discussed with VIRs Bich Thuy about how to fully capitalise on future opportunities. Obstacles still to be ironed out to improve EVFTAs standing Despite an increase in trade thanks to a bilateral free trade deal, the European Union is expecting Vietnam to remove obstructions that are impeding the blocs trade and investment into the country. Earlier in July, the National Innovation Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), in coordination with US-based Qorvo Inc. and Cadence, held an opening ceremony for an analogue integrated circuit (IC) design course. This marks the start of the microchip design training programme and aims to improve human resources in semiconductor chip design, where there is a shortage of skilled workers in Vietnam. US companies are providing experts in microchip design as well as training based on US standards, Photo Tuan Anh Some 40 selected lecturers and students from Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam National University-Hanoi, and seven other institutions will participate in the initiative. An MoU was also signed between NIC and Qorvo last week, signifying both parties commitment to strategic cooperation in promoting Vietnams semiconductor ecosystem, especially in research and development, ecosystem development, high-quality talent training, and scholarships. Qorvo, a chip design group with a manufacturing facility in Vietnam, will provide lecturers and experts in microchip design and training based on US standards, while Cadence will provide full software design copyrights for training. The trainees will participate in an intensive three-month programme at the NICs Hanoi facility. We will work with universities and research institutes to train semiconductor engineers in Vietnam. We believe that the NIC will be the incubator for development of semiconductor human resources in Vietnam, said Bob Bruggeworth, president and CEO of Qorvo Corporation. We really appreciate the efforts, commitment, and determination of Vietnams engineering teams in building and developing the industry. Qorvo will continue to grow and expand in Vietnam to create more jobs in the semiconductor field. During this course, students will use the industry-standard Cadence Virtuoso software to gain a thorough understanding of semiconductor technology and analogue microchip design. This will help them cultivate continuous learning and creativity, and stay on top of the latest trends in analogue circuit design to meet the needs of the domestic and international electronics and semiconductor industries. After completing the course, students will have the opportunity to intern and be hired by Qorvo and other NIC partner companies in microchip design. This recruitment is in line with Qorvos and other major semiconductor firms recent business expansion and increased investment trends in Vietnam. Mai Anh Tuan, a lecturer at the University of Engineering and Technology under the Vietnam National University-Hanoi, said that IC design was not a popular concept in many technical universities a year ago. Due to the expensive cost of software and tools, lecturers and students mostly used free versions with limitations in usage and could not access advanced technologies. However, now we have obtained licences to use top modern tools, access genuine technologies, and receive in-depth technical support from experts, Tuan said. We hope that the NIC can establish a basic semiconductor centre to provide hands-on opportunities for university students and lecturers. Nguyen Thi Le, a senior official of Vina Solar Technology in the northern province of Bac Giang, said that the company needed 200-300 engineers every year in chip design, packaging, and semiconductors to work in domestic and foreign industrial parks, but there is currently a scarcity. The company is willing to sign contracts with university interns so that the universities can provide training close to the actual production process, which could be an annual recruitment source or training in order, Le said. Nguyen Hang Nga, vice principal of Hanoi College of Electronics and Refrigeration, added, There are many orders and contracts on recruitment and training signed between businesses and schools, opening up opportunities for students to choose careers without the pressure of applying for jobs. According to the Ministry of Education and Training, there are currently 35 Vietnamese higher education institutions that are directly or indirectly training in semiconductor tech. It is forecast that 20,000 engineers will be needed each year in the next five years, and the annual figure will be about 50,000 in the next 10 years. Therefore, in order to meet market demand, universities have opened up new majors, increased enrolment scale, and improved the quality of training in semiconductors. Some universities have launched semiconductor technology programmes for the 2024-2025 school year. Hoang Van Hung, director of the Thai Nguyen University, determined that training human resources for this area is a major mission. Training in semiconductor technology is new but not too strange to scientists and lecturers in this university, Hung said. Nguyen Duc Minh, head of the Department of Electronics at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said that the university has two direct training majors and seven closely related training majors in the design, production, packaging, and testing of semiconductor chips. The schools training roadmap for bachelors and engineers in this field for businesses has been shortened from 6-9 months to 3-6 months. There are about 300 graduates every year, who can carry out IC design and production well. Many students after graduating are recruited by large chip companies in Hanoi, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, Minh said. Training high-quality human resources in semiconductor chips has been of interest to other higher education institutions in Vietnam. For example, FPT Corporation proposed that the US support the training of 30,000-50,000 semiconductor experts at FPT University. The Hanoi University of Science and Technology started training in semiconductor chip technology in 2024 based on newly invested facilities and international cooperation. Previously, at the end of 2023, the NIC cooperated with Synopsys and Cadence to provide chip design copyrights to over 20 universities in Vietnam and offered internships and jobs for IC design engineers at domestic and foreign businesses. Nguyen Chi Dung, Minister of Planning and Investment The cooperation between the NIC and Qorvo not only marks the start of the microchip design training programme, but also an important step in the journey of Vietnamese people to gradually master the technology in the semiconductor industry. We expect Qorvo to participate in the process of developing a targeted plan to reach 50,000 semiconductor technology engineers by 2030, including 15,000 engineers in the design stage. This is an important solution for Vietnams breakthrough in human resources training in the national socioeconomic development strategy. If succeeding in developing its human resources, Vietnam can serve as a hub for the incubation of the semiconductor ecosystem thanks to the commitment and belief of its stakeholders. This comprehensive cooperation opens up unprecedented opportunities for Vietnamese students and engineers to join this potential industry. Qorvo should continue to support research and commercialisation of innovative semiconductor solutions; deploy training programmes for students, engineers, and semiconductor technology researchers; and introduce the latest and relevant technologies to the semiconductor community in Vietnam. We should strengthen the coordination to provide scholarships for talented students who want to pursue the semiconductor industry, promote their passion and fully equip students and lecturers with knowledge and practical skills in the semiconductor industry. Huynh Quyet Thang, director, Hanoi University of Science and Technology We really appreciate the MPI and NIC for numerous practical and effective programmes and activities to support the training and development of human resources at universities. I see the aspirations of young people, and the opportunity of the country to utilise technologies and develop high-technology sectors. Thereby, the value of each persons work and every product will be levelled up, contributing more to the national socioeconomic development. Based on this concept, one year ago, five top universities here became an alliance to share resources on lecturers, teaching resources, and cooperate with large companies to obtain full licences of the latest technologies for teaching. We hope that Vietnams young generation has enough desire to master new and advanced technologies in the world and create newer technologies. Localities on first step towards training microchip labour force A number of localities are coordinating with manufacturers to train workers for the semiconductor industry, mostly in the basic stages of assembly and testing. Technology giants keen to embrace gifted engineers Many excellent Vietnamese students could soon have opportunities to improve their knowledge and work in microchips and semiconductors at research and development centres of tech groups such as Samsung and Hana Micron. Tie-ups grow for microchip advancement Training up a workforce for the semiconductor industry is heating up thanks to the involvement of universities in Vietnam. Do Ngoc Diep, Vietnam green and resilient building programme lead at IFC Do Ngoc Diep, Vietnam green and resilient building programme lead at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) said that enterprises' awareness of going green is very complete. "We choose going green because that is the policy direction. Vietnam is drafting a green classification list. And in fact, all projects that we lend to are also on this list. Soon, commercial banks will also have to retain a significant proportion of green loans in their lending sources", Diep said. In Thailand, businesses like Frasers, SLP, and many others consider the green needs of customers before they invest in industrial parks (IPs) and want to pursue green transformation to raise competitiveness, Diep added. The IFC's financial solutions are aimed at customers who need green capital. In developing countries, its loans support businesses in the initial steps of developing green buildings. "The IFC has enough investors to raise green capital. We can grant green loans to businesses directly or through banks. Our target customers are those implementing green development. We help businesses to build green projects and access green capital," Diep added. Truong Anh Hai, vice president of Environment, Health, Safety, and Community at NS BlueScope Vietnam Truong Anh Hai, vice president of Environment, Health, Safety, and Community at NS BlueScope Vietnam, said that the green transformation journey must continue based on customer requirements. For businesses, the integration and inclusion of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements must be carried out right from the start of factory deployment and industrial park operations. "ESG covers a wide range of issues, including climate change, waste, wastewater, occupational safety and health, and governance. Numerous businesses, including BlueScope, are following ESG criteria, including all labour issues and policies, said Hai. Each industry has its own characteristics, so there are different ESG-related issues, and it is impossible to use a set of ESG standards to apply to all industries. "Implementing such standards is quite difficult because there are more than 370 related requirements in our company. So once these requirements are met, there is still the problem of how to put them into practice," he explained. "We also have to show employees the benefits of green transformation. This is very difficult, but BlueScope is cooperating with employees to make the ESG plan a reality." In addition to international customers, some of the company's customers in Vietnam now demand green standards related to production. "They want to check the emissions level per ton of steel. Some of them even want to see an ESG report. This is a current trend, and there will be other requirements in the future, Hai said. More businesses are carrying out green transformation Tran Nhat Ninh, deputy general director of engineering, Tien Phong Plastic, said that it has been at the forefront of applying green solutions to move towards carbon neutrality. Particularly, along with its business goals, Tien Phong Plastic is determined to pursue a green brand for the company's sustainable development strategy. The company applies green standards in production and only uses additives that are safe. "We have mastered the technology to optimise productivity and pioneer in manufacturing safe, friendly, market-oriented products, serving demand in many fields and opening up many cooperation opportunities with domestic and foreign enterprises", Ninh said. Tien Phong Plastic works with industrial property developers to build green and sustainable IPs by providing plastic pipes for Shinec's IP and cluster infrastructure projects across the country. He said that 10 years ago, the company started aiming for green production and sustainable development so it could export to difficult markets such as Australia and Europe. "Without ESG standards, we would not be able to export our products. Green production and sustainable environmental development is not a one-time issue, and must be carried out by all businesses and the community," Ninh said. "Green and ecological IPs should receive synchronous investment from the beginning. This is why we have been accompanying developers from the design stage to operation to ensure success." VIPF 2024: Going green for new investment waves The Vietnam Industrial Property Forum (VIPF) 2024, organised by Vietnam Investment Review in coordination with the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Association, is taking place in Ho Chi Minh City from July 30 with the theme Going green for new investment waves. Soilbuild honoured for green transformation strategy at VIPF 2024 At the Vietnam Industrial Property Forum on July 30, Soilbuild International (Vietnam) was honoured as an industrial property developer with a sound green transformation strategy. Enterprises honoured for green transformation strategies Enterprises with outstanding general green transformation strategies were honoured at the Vietnam Industrial Property Forum on July 30. Nguyen Minh Tu, managing director of FiinGroups Corporate Information Division, underscored the critical role that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play in Vietnams economy at last weeks seminar on SME financing. Currently, the market lacks financial products that cater specifically to smaller businesses Photo: Le Toan SMEs currently account for more than 90 per cent of all businesses in Vietnam, generating approximately one-fifth of the total revenue of Vietnamese enterprises, he said. Nearly half of them are engaged in wholesale and retail activities, acting as crucial intermediaries between manufacturers, agents, and consumers. Tu noted that the financial gap for SMEs in Vietnam is estimated to be around $24 billion, which is 2.11 times the current lending level for SMEs. In comparison, the financial gap for SMEs in other developing countries is only 1.23 times the current lending levels. This disparity highlights the unique challenges faced by Vietnamese SMEs. Addressing this gap requires not only innovative financial products but also concerted efforts from policymakers and financial institutions to create an enabling environment for growth, Tu added. Pham Thi Thanh Huyen, programme manager for Financial Infrastructure Development in Vietnam and Cambodia at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), revealed that the current loan value for SMEs and micro-businesses in Vietnam stands at over $11.2 billion, meeting only one-third of the credit demand. This leaves a significant financial gap of approximately $24 billion, with the unmet credit needs for micro-enterprises at $1.9 billion and for SMEs at $21.7 billion, Huyen explained. The large financial gap underscores the pressing need for improved financial infrastructure and targeted financial products to support the growth and development of SMEs in Vietnam. Huyen pointed out that both internal and external factors contribute to the difficulties SMEs face in accessing credit. Internally, SMEs often lack transparency in financial and governance information and fail to meet financial standards and industry practices. Externally, the Vietnamese financial market lacks banking products and financial services tailored for SMEs, with a lending culture that heavily relies on real estate collateral while neglecting movable assets such as receivables, inventory, and commercial documents, Huyen said. She also stressed the importance of securitising receivables to accelerate the capital turnover process for banks. Collaboration between the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Vietnam to develop and sign agreements on securitising receivables could significantly boost the liquidity of banking assets, she noted. According to Huyen, the IFC has been instrumental in shifting lending practices in Vietnam from collateral-based lending to more flexible asset-based lending. In 2005, over 90 per cent of loans were secured by real estate. Today, more than 30 per cent of loans are secured by movable assets, thanks to the IFCs efforts, she explained. Meanwhile, Nguyen Van Nam, deputy director of Corporate Information at FiinGroup, emphasised that traditional credit-scoring methods present significant obstacles for SMEs in accessing loans from financial institutions. There are several key challenges that SMEs will face. These include a lack of transparency in information, stricter lending standards from financial institutions, difficulties in providing collateral, and issues related to credit scoring and risk management capabilities, as well as data, products, and credit processes, Nam said. In the future, SMEs will continue to struggle with financial access due to these stringent requirements. The current capacity for credit scoring, risk management, and data collection is inadequate, making financial institutions hesitant to disburse loans without real estate collateral, Nam added. However, he also pointed out that there are promising opportunities for such businesses. They can benefit from the law on supporting SMEs, green credit support, and sustainable development initiatives, he stated. These frameworks offer a brighter outlook for them, allowing financial institutions to optimise their loan portfolios based on enhanced risk analysis capabilities. This, in turn, will improve access to credit, particularly for younger businesses. Data analysis from the State Bank of Vietnam and financial reports from non-bank financial institutions and Vietnamese banks by FiinGroup shows that the total credit balance for SMEs among non-bank financial companies reached approximately $3 billion, while banks recorded nearly $110 billion in 2023. However, non-bank financial institutions have demonstrated strong growth in recent years, with a growth rate of 26.8 per cent last year. Experts recommend that financial institutions optimise their loan portfolios based on advanced risk analysis capabilities to enhance access for SMEs, particularly younger businesses. As of June, FiinGroups data and risk assessment models identified nearly 31,800 SMEs that have not accessed loans despite having low or very low risk levels. Suitable roadmaps can help SMEs in the ESG mission Vietnam is promoting sustainable business models. Jordan Lee, manager of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, talked to VIRs Hoang Minh about the issues that companies, especially smaller ones, face when implementing these models, given that it is a mandatory requirement to expand internationally. SSIT, a joint venture between Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC) and SSA Marine from the US, welcomed container ship MSC Vigour III on July 23 as part of a new intra-Asia service line called the Saola line, operated by Switzerland-headquartered Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The container ship is now one of three ships operating on the route, directly connecting goods from Vietnam to China. The Saola line is a separate route with a competitive advantage in transit time, expected to meet the growing needs of the Asian market and bring significant benefits to customers worldwide. Some adaption efforts paying off at seaports, illustration photo SSIT will continuously provide world-class services to MSC and other shipping lines and customers handling goods at the port. SSIT is one of the largest deep-water seaports in the country, making an important contribution to the development of the Cai Mep seaport system in particular and Vietnam in general, said general director Robert Hildebrand. The joint venture receives ships on six service lines, including one to the US, one to Europe, and four to inner Asia. Founded in 2006, it aims to accommodate large container ships with a tonnage of up to 200,000DWT and is equipped with modern equipment, including the largest shore cranes in Vietnam. SSIT saw improvements in its first-half performance. Specifically, the seaports throughput reached over one million tonnes, meeting 58.6 per cent of the annual target and increasing over 29 per cent on-year. Of the volume, container throughput hit more than 300,000TEUs, achieving 82 per cent of the annual target and a 26 per cent on-year rise. In the past, the venture often reported poor performance in container throughput and revenues as it failed to welcome large vessels and was affected by market difficulties. For example, in the first half of 2022, it reported poor performance in the total volume of goods and commodities, container throughput, and revenues, with respective on-year drops of 13, 18.7, and 11.7 per cent. The bright picture is also evident for other joint venture seaports during the reviewed period. Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT), which has Denmarks APM Terminals as a foreign stakeholder (49 per cent stake), witnessed container throughput rise 41 per cent on-year to more than 700,000TEUs, meeting 59.7 per cent of the annual target. Founded in 2006 and located in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai seaport area in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, CMIT is equipped with modern equipment, including shore cranes for loading and unloading goods. In May, CMIT and Tan Cang-Cai Mep Thi Vai Terminal (TCTT) agreed to connect, forming a seamless wharf 1,200 metres long capable of receiving three motherline ships simultaneously. The event helps create a longer wharf scale and smooth cargo connection, contributing to the goal of developing an international transshipment port at Cai Mep-Thi Vai. This breakthrough cooperation model between ports opens up many opportunities and development potential, optimising added value for customers and shipping lines, and enhancing the reputation, capacity, and service quality of local ports. Every week, the seaports receive 14 international ships, including eight docking at TCTT and six at CMIT. Similarly, SP-PSA, a joint venture involving Saigon Port and Singapore-based PSA, located in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai area, reported throughput of more than 2.5 million tonnes in the January-June span, fulfilling 58.3 per cent of the annual plan and rising 23 per cent on-year. The business results of the joint ventures indicate that the financial index reflecting earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation is quite positive. For example, the earnings figure for SSIT in the first half of 2024 reached 56.7 per cent of the 2024 plan, equal to 82.5 per cent of the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, CMIT reached 66.3 per cent of the year plan, an increase of 106 per cent on-year. And SP-PSA hit 46.4 per cent of the 2024 plan, an increase of 30 per cent on-year. Transport expert Ngo Nguyen explained, Their positive business results partly reflect their efforts in recent times. It is expected that going forward, the market will stabilise, goods will grow again, and the joint venture seaports will transform and develop into a new level, together becoming leading providers of seaport service quality in the area. According to VIMC, despite better performance in the first half, it is forecast that the shipping market situation, including container transportation and bulk cargo ships, in 2024 will not have many positive changes. Container shipping rates fluctuated and declined throughout most of 2023 and have shown no signs of stabilisation. In the context of low growth in transport demand, the number of newly built ships is increasing rapidly, and congestion is decreasing, the market will see an excess supply of ships. Nguyen Canh Tinh, CEO of VIMC, said, In 2024, the shipping market will continue to face many difficulties from the continued escalation of wars and tensions in many areas, the drought situation at the Panama Canal, challenges at the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal affecting the operations of shipping lines, possibly leading to disruption of the global supply chain. In addition, the supply of ships is expected to grow strongly as shipping lines have begun to receive new ships after years of waiting for construction, Tinh said. Meanwhile, the local market faces an increasingly ageing fleet with poor and inconsistent technical features. And the fleet is increasingly shrinking due to the restructuring process, as well as problems in regulations on investment procedures, and increasing pressure from the private sector, he added. VIMC worries that the trend of increasing ship sizes, especially for ships going to Europe (the largest ship size exceeds 24,000TEUs), can lead to loss of opportunities for VIMCs ports. With that, seaports continue to strengthen their cooperation and improve their service to adapt and grow. In particular, on July 17, CMIT welcomed Zim Falcon, the first vessel on the ZIM eCommerce Xpress service to the US West Coast. ZIM, the worlds ninth-largest shipping line and with a total fleet capacity of over 722,000TEUs, provides a diverse service network for customers from Cai Mep to international markets. Therefore, partnering with ZIM will enable CMIT to increase its competitive edge. Also in July, SSIT successfully welcomed MSC Tokyo, MSCs first-ever direct European service in Vietnam, named Britannia. Soc Trang lays out strategy for seaports special renovation The rejuvenation of Tran De Seaport will play an important role in the socioeconomic development of the entire Mekong Delta region, with a spillover effect on other industries. Seaport investment creates new promise The seaport industrys evolution in Vietnam continues to be driven by the governments development strategy towards 2030 and beyond. Vietnamese seaports to handle 1.2-1.4 billion tonnes of cargo by 2030 Vietnam's seaport cargo throughput is set to reach 1.2-1.4 billion tonnes by 2030, with container cargo expected to range from 46.3 to 54.34 million TEUs, according to a detailed plan for the development of seaport groups, wharfs, jetties, buoy berths, and water areas in 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. Deposits and credit growth were recorded at 5 per cent, aligning with the industry average, while pre-tax profit reached $181.9 million, corresponding to a return on equity of 21 per cent, positioning among the top in the industry. VIB has also completed a 12.5 per cent cash dividend payment and plans to distribute a 17 per cent stock dividend to current shareholders along with more than 11 million ESOP shares to employees in Q3. As of June 30, VIB's total assets exceeded $17 billion, marking a 5 per cent increase from the beginning of the year. Deposits grew by 5 per cent, outpacing the banking sector's average of 1.5 per cent. Credit growth as of the end of Q2 reached nearly $11 billion, up 5 per cent from the start of the year, across the four key segments of retail, corporate clients, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and financial institutions. Credit growth has been recovering, with a 1 per cent increase in Q1 and a 4 per cent rise in Q2, driven by optimising the cost of capital, reducing lending rates, and introducing innovative and competitive retail products, supporting growth momentum for the second half of the year. As one of the highest-ranked banks by the State Bank of Vietnam, VIB has been granted a top highest lending limit, exceeding 16 per cent for 2024. VIB currently has one of the highest remaining credit growth capacities in the industry for the second half of the year. Amid improving but still weak credit demand, VIB maintains a prudent strategy, balancing growth target with credit quality and operational efficiency. In addition to positive credit growth compared to the same period last year, VIBs asset quality has improved, with the non-performing loan ratio stable at 2.4 per cent. Group 2 loans decreased by nearly $114.7 million in Q2, down 17 per cent from the beginning of the year. VIB continues to have one of the lowest credit concentration risks in the market, with retail loans making up over 82 per cent of the total loan portfolio, of which over 90 per cent are secured by real estate with full legal documentation and good liquidity. VIB also has one of the lowest corporate bond investment balances in the industry, accounting for only 0.2 per cent of total credit. All bonds are in manufacturing, trading, and consumer sectors. For over four years, VIB has had zero credit balance in build-operate-transfer schemes, renewable energy credit, corporate bond guarantees, and real estate bond investments. VIB has one of the lowest levels of receivables for interest and fees, at around $102.8 million, down 28 per cent from the end of 2023, accounting for only 0.6 per cent of total assets, compared to 1-2 per cent for many banks, with some as high as 3 per cent. In the first six months of the year, VIB achieved a total revenue of $415.3 million, growing 1 per cent compared to the same period last year, with net interest income down 8 per cent and non-interest income up 50 per cent. Focusing on high-quality customers with good collateral and introducing competitive retail products led to a slight decrease in the net interest margin, although the bank maintained a positive margin at 4.2 per cent. Non-interest income reached nearly $94.9 million, contributing 22 per cent to total revenue. Income from write-off recovery contributed $19.8 million, a 2.7-fold increase year-over-year, while foreign exchange activities added $13 million. Fee income grew 9 per cent, primarily driven by credit cards and bancassurance. The number of credit cards in circulation surpassed 750,000, with credit card spending hitting a new record of nearly $2.4 billion in the first half of the year, up 42 per cent year-over-year. Operating expenses increased by 16 per cent compared to the same period last year, due to investments in personnel, new branches, technology, digital banking, and marketing. The bank's cost-to-income ratio averaged 32 per cent over the past 12 months, expected to trend down by the end of 2024 as cost optimisation initiatives are implemented. In the first half of the year, the lender continued to increase its provision buffer, with average quarterly risk provisioning of about $39.6 million, up 36 per cent compared to the first half of 2023 but down 38 per cent compared to the second half of 2023. VIB launches loan package to refinace existing loans for townhouses and apartments Vietnam International Bank (VIB) is offering a loan package for customers looking to refinance existing loans from other banks to buy townhouses and apartments. VIB first bank in Vietnam to deploy AWS Skill Builder to enhance cloud computing capabilities Vietnam International Bank (VIB) has announced it has integrated Amazon Web Services (AWS) Skill Builder, an online learning centre designed to provide role-based training and learning plans for workers to build in-demand cloud skills, into its cloud computing training programme. President Joe Biden prays by the flag-draped coffin of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, with her widower, Elwyn Lee and children Erica Lee and Jason Lee, in the rotunda of Houston City Hall Monday, July 29, 2024, in Houston. Jackson Lee died on July 19 after battling pancreatic cancer. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer President Joe Biden prays by the flag-draped coffin of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, with her husband, Elwyn Lee, in the rotunda of Houston City Hall Monday, July 29, 2024, in Houston. Jackson Lee died on July 19 after battling pancreatic cancer. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer President Joe Biden speaks at an event commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, Monday, July 29, 2024, at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press AUSTIN, TEXAS - JULY 29: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to attendees while commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library on July 29, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Bidens original visit to Austin was scheduled for July 15, but was postponed after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump during his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Today's event served to commemorate legislation that ended the institutionalized segregation of the Jim Crow era. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** Brandon Bell/Getty Images President Joe Biden speaks at an event commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, Monday, July 29, 2024, at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press President Joe Biden salutes upon arrival at Ellington Field on Monday, July 29, 2024, in Houston. Biden came to Houston to pay his respects to the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer President Joe Biden talks to Elwyn Lee, Erica Lee and Jason Lee, widower and children of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as he payed his last respect in the rotunda of Houston City Hall Monday, July 29, 2024, in Houston. Jackson Lee died on July 19 after battling pancreatic cancer. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer President Joe Biden speaks at an event commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, Monday, July 29, 2024, at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press President Joe Biden exits Air Force 1 upon arrival at Ellington Field on Monday, July 29, 2024, in Houston. Biden came to Houston to pay his respects to the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee as she lies in state in the rotunda of Houston City Hall. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer President Joe Biden places his hand on the flag-draped coffin of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as he pays his last respects in the rotunda of Houston City Hall Monday, July 29, 2024, in Houston. Jackson Lee died on July 19 after battling pancreatic cancer. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer President Joe Biden places his hand on the flag-draped coffin of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as he pays his last respects in the rotunda of Houston City Hall Monday, July 29, 2024, in Houston. Jackson Lee died on July 19 after battling pancreatic cancer. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Joe Biden is no longer on the campaign trail, but in what was likely one of his final trips to Texas during his presidency, the Democrat drove home core pieces of his legacy that he undoubtedly hopes Americans particularly Black voters will remember when his term ends in 2025. By making stops to talk about civil rights in Austin and then pay his final respects to Fifth Ward icon Sheila Jackson Lee in Houston, Biden highlighted a relationship with the Black community that, though not always smooth, ultimately made him president of the United States in 2020. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The pair of stops showed what U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, said has separated Biden from so many other politicians in his lifetime. Even when he doesnt need votes, Biden listens and makes gestures that resonate with people in his community, he said. He didnt just win the support of the Black community, he won the trust, Green said. On Monday, Biden reached back into his own personal history to partly explain that approach during a speech at the Lyndon B. Johnson Library in Austin, where he commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. While Bidens home state of Delaware is technically a northern state, he said the politics there in the 1960s was akin to those in the South, with strict segregation. He said the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the signing of the Civil Rights Act became key parts of his early inspiration to run for office, in 1970. President Joe Biden places his hand on the flag-draped coffin of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as he pays his last respects in the rotunda of Houston City Hall Monday, July 29, 2024, in Houston. Jackson Lee died on July 19 after battling pancreatic cancer. Brett Coomer Specifically, Biden recalled a line that Johnson gave when he signed the Civil Rights Act that freedom would be secure only if each generation fought to renew and enlarge its meaning. Biden said that line resonated with him then and motivates him even now as he enters the closing months of his political career. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thats what Ive tried to do throughout my career, inspired by the cause of civil rights, Biden said to applause. Thats what got me involved initially. Biden hasnt always been a favorite with Black voters. In 1994, while in the U.S. Senate, he was a key force in passing a crime bill that many blamed for contributing to mass incarceration of Black and Hispanic men. And in 2007, his presidential campaign unraveled fast after he made awkward comments about his eventual boss, then-Sen. Barack Obama, being articulate and bright and clean. PAYING TRIBUTE: President Joe Biden pays last respects to Sheila Jackson Lee in Houston But after Biden became Obamas running mate and later campaigned on his own in 2020, he was able to build relationships with the Black community that Green said has repeatedly shown itself in the way Biden has governed. Biden made then-Sen. Kamala Harris the first Black woman to be vice president and selected Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. And hes made other prominent appointments like U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Advertisement Article continues below this ad President Joe Biden introduces ambassador Andrew Young, a Black activist who led campaigns that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, during his address at the LBJ Presidential Library commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act Monday, July 29, 2024, in Austin. Mikala Compton/American-Statesma/Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-St Legislatively, the White House has been touting other accomplishments that have led to the lowest Black unemployment rate in history, helped boost Black wealth by 60% compared with before Biden took office, and cut the number of Black children living in poverty. Bidens also been responsible for record funding for historically Black colleges and universities. Even Bidens trip to Houston City Hall to lay flowers near Jackson Lees flagged-draped casket helped serve as a reminder of his signing of legislation she sponsored to make Juneteenth a national holiday. No matter the issue from delivering racial justice to building an economy for working people she was unrelenting in her leadership, Biden said in a statement honoring Jackson Lees service. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jackson Lee was with Biden at a rally at Texas Southern University in March 2020, just before he racked up huge vote totals in Harris County to help beat Bernie Sanders in the Texas Presidential Primary, stopping the Vermont senators momentum and helping Biden lock down the nomination. Exit polls showed Biden dominated the Black vote in that primary in Texas, winning almost 60% of those voters. It came just three days after Black voters had similarly come out in huge numbers in South Carolina. Biden gave big praise to U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-South Carolina, who helped mobilize that vote and thus revive Bidens hopes. My buddy, Jim Clyburn, you brought me back! Biden said on election night back then. Attendees at President Joe Biden's address applaud as he takes the stage at the LBJ Presidential Library commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act Monday, July 29, 2024, in Austin. Mikala Compton/American-Statesma/Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-St Clyburn, who at the time explained the support as we know Joe, and Joe knows us, was at Bidens side Monday, traveling on Air Force One for the speech in Austin and for the visit later with Jackson Lees family. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That loyalty to Biden among Black leaders was on display after Bidens maligned debate performance in June. Even while many Democrats were turning up the pressure for Biden to leave the race, Black leaders were still defending him. Two days before Jackson Lee died on July 19, she posted on social media about how Bidens American Rescue Plan was bringing down crime in America. It worked! she said about $50 million that the plan sent to Houston to help fight crime. Two weeks before Jackson Lee died on July 19, she posted a forceful defense of Biden and vowed to stand by him. After four years of victories, there is no reason to stop now, she said in a social media post that included a selfie of her and Biden together in Congress. While Black leaders like Clyburn and Jackson Lee largely resisted calls for Biden to step aside after his June debate, polling had been showing Bidens ability to rely on the Black community to deliver him a second term was in question. A June Washington Post/Ipsos Survey of Black Americans found 62% still had a favorable impression of Biden, but just over 60% of Black voters said they were certain to vote compared with 74% at the same point four years ago. Green said especially if Harris wins in November, he believes history will show that Biden made one of the greatest gestures of largess in the history of politics by voluntarily stepping aside. He said if Harris becomes the first Black woman to become president, Biden will have played a major role in helping it happen. A 17-year-old inmate at the state juvenile detention center in Mart was taken Tuesday to McLennan County Jail after officials reported he punched a correctional officer in the face and bit their arm. Christopher Rogelio was booked on a third-degree felony charge of assault of a public servant. The incident started when Rogelio and another inmate assaulted a third inmate June 14 at the McLennan County State Juvenile Corrections Facility in Mart, an arrest affidavit says. Two correctional officers were unable to immediately stop the initial assault, and Rogelio assaulted one of the two additional officers who stepped in to help, according to the affidavit. (The officer) attempted to reason with Offender Christopher who told him that he would not be restrained, would fight and would not be taken to security, the affidavit says. During the restraint of Offender Christopher, Christopher used his free hand that did not have a handcuff on it to punch (the officer) in the face and then bit his left upper biceps causing pain, injury and bleeding. Shortly after, the officers were able to restrain Rogelio and take him to security, the document says. The officer who was bitten went to a nearby emergency room and received antibiotics for any potential infection, according to the affidavit. Rogelio remained in jail Wednesday, with a Texas Juvenile Justice Department hold listed that would prevent his release on bail. Jeremy Wallace has covered politics and campaigns for more than 20 years. Before joining the Hearst Texas newspapers in 2017 he covered government and politics for the Tampa Bay Times, The Miami Herald and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Previously he covered Congress for the Boston Globe and Detroit Free-Press. Originally from San Antonio, he attended the University of North Texas and earned his bachelors degree from the University of Missouri. Jeremy also authors the Texas Take with Jeremy Wallace newsletter, where he shares insights from inside the Capitol along with the occasional Willie Nelson reference. You can sign up here. You can follow him on Twitter, @JeremySWallace, or email him at Jeremy.wallace@chron.com. Carson City Juvenile Services, Xquisite, and the Carson City Sheriff's Office partnered together to host a community awareness event on sex trafficking in Nevada. Many showed up to hear from local experts in law enforcement and from advocacy groups on how to become more aware what sex trafficking may look like and what to do. All of them say it's not always what you picture it may look like in real life. "A woman who's on the side of the street, there's signs and clues that would lead people to believe she's a prostitute, and they're used to that in your face very visual kind of sex trade," said Brett Bindley, Sergeant of CCSO. "That's not the sex trade we see here in northern Nevada, and I think that's kind of alarming to these people." The executive director of Xquisite, Brenda Sandquist, says in most cases victims usually get trafficked by someone close to them. "2% would be a stranger, the rest would be either someone in authority, or a family member, or close friend of that family. So the trust factor is huge," she said. Sandquist says the youngest victim she's seen was 10 years old. She says 98% of the women she interviewed herself were sexually exploited at age 3. In Carson City alone, so far this year Xquisite has helped 64 victims and received 238 calls on their hotline. Sergeant Bindley explains what to look out for when someone is potentially being trafficked. "If your kids have access to cell phones, computers, anything with the internet, pay attention to what apps they're on," he said. "Seek out applications that assist you in watching what your kids are doing on the internet." Sandquist adds, "I mean if their behavior changes, if their clothing might change, if they have items like cell phones, new shoes, different things like that. They shouldn't have two phones. Those kinds of things are just beginning signs." There are all kinds of resources offered for victims. Reno Police have their HEAT team that offers medical help, placement, counseling. Carson City has sexual assault response advocates that also have access to similar resources to Reno. And of course there's Xquisite. "We do have support groups for adults and youth, we try to help with housing that's a deficit here, education is important, some of the kids need some tutoring help medical needs are needed," says Sandquist. Sergeant Bindley says that the best thing the public can do to help is to be vigilant and know what you're looking for. "They have a bunch of cash they don't normally have; a second cellphone shows up at the house, any of these things are drastic behavior changes that adults in their lives, they need to pay attention to it and when they see it, they need to say something about it. If you or someone you know may be experiencing sex trafficking you can call the Xquisite 24-hour emergency hotline at (775) 434-7255. The Senate passed a bill that aims to protect children from harmful social media content and seek accountability from tech companies for its effects. The bill passed 91-3 with hopes that the strong Senate vote will encourage the House to take action before the congressional sessions end in January. Read Also : Is Your Private Browser Really Private? 5 Key Indicators to Check Senate Pushes for Child Safety Online Act The bill would require companies to take responsibility for imposing "duty of care" practices for its younger users. This means that social media giants must take action to ensure that their default settings are the safest ones possible for younger audiences. "Today our children are subjected to a wild west online and our current laws and regulations are insufficient to prevent this," President Joe Biden said. "It is past time to act." He added that the House should fasten sending the legislation to his office "without delay." The bill seeks to bring control back to children, teens, and parents of their online lives. Senate Explore Ways to Strengthen Online Protection for Users If the bill becomes a law, it would mark the first major tech regulation package that moved forward in years. The Senate sees it as a potential stepping stone to creating stronger online privacy laws and other regulations for tech companies. The child safety bill would force companies to mitigate its controversial effects on children such as bullying, violence, and harassment. Other issues like the promotion of suicide, eating disorders, and sexual exploitation would also be addressed by the law. Social media platforms could face policy changes that would require them to provide a safer setting for minors. This includes disabling addictive product features, opting out of algorithmic feeds, and limiting communication features. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Amazon must be held responsible for any defective goods sold on its marketplace. The e-commerce giant previously argued that it only serves as an intermediary between consumers and third-party merchants through its services. Read Also : Twitch Remains in Danger Zone With Unprofitable Performances Federal Regulators Requires Amazon to Bear Responsibility on Sold Goods' Quality In a landmark order, the CPSC revealed that it has unanimously agreed that Amazon is classified as a distributor of goods, "and therefore bears legal responsibility for their recall." The decision would require the company to develop a plan that will ensure that its customers are notified about the product hazards. The e-commerce giant must also inform and offer the public refunds and product replacement for damaged goods. The agency also explained that the absence of such policies and remedial actions would only continue the distribution of hazardous products to customers' homes without any penalty from the law. Amazon Faces Scrutiny on Lack of Accountability for Hazardous Goods In 2018, Amazon was under fire for selling a faulty hoverboard that caused damage to a customer. The defective product exploded and burned down the customer's house in Tennessee. The CPSC sued the company in 2021, forcing Amazon to recall hundreds of thousands of products that were classified as hazardous. About 418,818 goods were sold including faulty electronics like carbon monoxide detectors, hairdryers, and children's sleepwear. "Amazon must therefore comply with the CPSA to protect consumers from injury," the decision read. The e-commerce giant shared its disappointment with the decision and has plans to appeal. The company is firm that it has provided safety for every product in its marketplace, regardless of whether they are from a third-party seller or company-made. Quarterly Activities Report Sydney, July 30, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - After Quarter-end, Empire Energy Group Limited ( ASX:EEG ) ( EEGUF:OTCMKTS ) announced it had signed a binding long-term Gas Sales Agreement ("GSA") to supply the Northern Territory Government ("Buyer"): - up to 25 Terajoules (TJ) of gas per day for 10 years (~75 Petajoules total, 100% Empire) from Empire's Beetaloo Basin properties commencing in 2025 ("Initial Supply"); and - an additional 10 TJ+ per day for up to 10 years at the option of the Buyer to be made available by Empire if production levels from the Carpentaria project exceed 100 TJ per day ("Option Supply"). Gas will be delivered to the Power and Water Corporation ("PWC") operated McArthur River Pipeline ("MRP") on an ex-field take-or-pay basis at market competitive gas prices, escalating at 100% of the Consumer Price Index. The Option Supply would be at a slightly lower price than the Initial Supply, providing the potential for long-term affordable energy supply for the people of the Northern Territory if larger scale development occurs. The binding GSA is conditional on customary conditions for an agreement of this nature including Empire reaching a final investment decision for the Carpentaria Pilot Project and receipt of Northern Territory regulatory approvals for the installation of the Carpentaria Pilot Gas Plant and sale of gas under the Beneficial Use of Test Gas provisions of the NT Petroleum Act. These regulatory approval processes are already well advanced. In announcing the GSA, the Northern Territory Government stated that "Developing the Beetaloo Basin and boosting our on-shore gas industry will create thousands of work opportunities for Territorians and boost the economy by $17 billion." The Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Hon. Eva Lawler MLA said: "This gas deal with Empire is another example of my team backing the industries that get the Territory working. These gas agreements will contribute to a broad gas portfolio that diversifies and secures supply while also supporting the development of the Beetaloo." "My common sense plan will make sure the Northern Territory continues to have secure and more affordable power for years to come." The Northern Territory Minister for Mining, Hon. Mark Monaghan MLA said: "The Lawler Labor Government is backing industry and our energy supply well into the future." "Investors are starting to make more and more moves within the Beetaloo - which supports local businesses and working opportunities." Carpentaria Pilot Project Update Empire is advancing its plans for the drilling, stimulation and ultimate tie-in to production of the Carpentaria-5H ("C-5H") well with the expected spud date during Q4 2024. The well is a planned horizontal development well with a three-kilometre long stimulated section targeting the Velkerri B Shale. This is the same shale target as the previous Carpentaria-2H ("C-2H") and Carpentaria-3H ("C3H") wells. C-5H will be drilled from the existing C-2H/3H well pad. Learnings from C-2H and C-3H will be incorporated into C-5H focusing on productivity enhancement. These include completion with a larger 51/2" casing (previous wells used 41/2") and utilisation of greater stimulation horsepower to maximise pumping rates. A focused stimulation strategy utilising a single optimised fluid system as opposed to multiple types is expected to be employed. Choke and soak strategies will focus on well productivity. Long lead items such as casing and wellhead have been ordered and the procurement of rig, stimulation and other third party services is advancing. Regulatory approvals specific to the Carpentaria Pilot Project ("Pilot") are progressing, coupled with the benefit of the continuation of prior regulatory approvals from past campaigns. Empire already has regulatory approvals in place for the drilling, stimulation, completion and flow testing of C-5H. In May, PWC installed a connection to the McArthur River Pipeline at the proposed Pilot site. Other Corporate News Appointment of Chief Operating Officer After Quarter-end, Empire announced the appointment of Mr. Chris White as its Chief Operating Officer. Chris has joined Empire from Origin Energy Limited ( ASX:ORG ) where he served in a number of positions including General Manager Upstream Growth, General Manager Exploration and New Ventures, Group Manager Field Development Optimisation, Production Optimisation Manager and Petroleum Engineering Team Leader. Chris' skills and experience are valuable to accelerate the Company's transition from explorer to producer as it moves at pace to a final investment decision for the Carpentaria Pilot Project. Chris has a Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum) degree from the University of New South Wales. Capital Raise On 6 June 2024, Empire completed a $46.8 million capital raise cornerstoned by Bryan Sheffield and Liberty Energy Inc ( NYSE:LBRT ). The capital raise comprised two parts: - Strongly supported two-tranche placement to existing and new institutional and sophisticated investors to raise $39.0 million (before costs). Bryan Sheffield and Liberty Energy Inc ("Liberty Energy") demonstrated their support for Empire with each investing ~$7.7 million in the placement; and - Daly Waters, a subsidiary of Formentera Partners (a US based private equity firm founded by Bryan Sheffield) and Liberty Energy each independently acquired a 2.25% royalty interest in EP187 for US$2.5 million (~$3.9 million) raising an additional US$5 million. Sale of US Assets On 12 April 2024, Empire completed the sale of its Empire Energy E&P LLC ("Empire E&P") subsidiary to PPP Future Development Inc for up to US$9.1 million. Empire E&P was the operating entity for all of Empire's US oil & gas assets. PPP is a privately owned, existing producer of oil & gas in New York State. The total sale proceeds, payable in cash, are comprised of: - Upfront Cash Payment: US$5.9 million; - Contingent Deferred Payments: Up to US$2.3 million, depending on future gas prices; and - Deferred Solar Payments: US$0.9 million. Empire has also retained a 3.75% carried working interest in all formations below the base of theMedina Sandstone formations which includes prospective shale gas formations. Empire has not produced oil & gas from these formations to date. Following completion of the sale, upfront proceeds of US$5.9 million were received by Empire and the US Macquarie Bank loan of ~US$4.6 million was repaid in full. US Deferred Solar Payment Received As part of the transaction consideration for the US sale, Empire retained Deferred Solar payments to be received under its Mutual Use Agreement ("MUA") with Connect Gen, a developer and operator of renewable energy projects across the United States for the use of surface rights over 2,056 acres of land which Empire holds oil & gas leases in Chautauqua County, New York State (the South Ripley Solar Project). On 14 June 2024, Empire received US$200,000 in cash under the MUA. Empire expects to receive a further US$700,000 under the MUA comprising: - US$200,000 by 13 September 2024; and - US$500,000 on the earlier of commencement of commerical operations or 1 June 2026. Comments from Managing Director Alex Underwood: "The Empire team had an outstanding Quarter, focused on bringing our Beetaloo Basin assets into production commencing in mid-2025. Empire sold its US assets during the Quarter, becoming a Beetaloo / McArthur Basin focused pure play. The sale allowed the company to pay off all of its US debt and, following a successful capital raise, we are now in the strongest financial position we have ever been, with $51.6 million cash at Quarter end. The execution of a major gas sales agreement with the NT Government last week provides us with a high-quality customer for all pilot production gas while supporting the long-term energy security of the NT. With a gas sales agreement now in place, Empire's financing options for the pilot project have been enhanced. During the Quarter, the Australian Government released its Future Gas Strategy, which underscores the critical role of gas in Australia's energy system to 2050 and beyond. With the Australian Energy Market Operator continuing to warn of immediate and enduring gas supply shortage threats, the development of the Beetaloo is, in my opinion, becoming increasingly critical to the energy security of Australia in the years and decades ahead. The Empire team remains committed to playing its role in achieving this objective." *To view the full quarterly report, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/34ILFCV0 About Empire Energy Group Ltd Empire Energy (ASX:EEG) (OTCMKTS:EEGUF) is a Sydney based Australian oil and gas company holding 100%-owned and operated assets with unconventional targets in the Northern Territory Beetaloo Sub-basin and central trough of the McArthur Basin. Empire is an active Beetaloo Sub-basin operator, focused on maturing its assets to production. Following the successful appraisal drilling and flow testing of the Carpentaria-2H and 3H wells in Empire's EP187, Empire is targeting first gas flow in H1 2025 at its Carpentaria Pilot Project. The Pilot has a targeted sales gas rate of up to 25 TJ per day utilising the existing McArthur River Pipeline. Related Companies Completes Drilling Plan for Oval and Oval South Perth, July 31, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Great Western Exploration Limited ( ASX:GTE ) is pleased to announce details of the diamond drilling programme to test the giant Oval and Oval South Copper-Gold Targets in WA. The Oval and Oval South Copper-Gold Targets are within the Company's Yerrida North Project, located on the northern and western portions of the Yerrida Basin, approximately 800km north-east of Perth and adjacent to the DeGrussa and Monty Cu-Au Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulphide deposits (VHMS), shown in Figure 1*. The Oval and Oval South Targets were originally defined by Rio Tinto Tempest airborne EM survey in the late 1990s. Rio Tinto drill-tested the Oval Target, drilling a hole to a depth of 232m. In 2010 a VTEM survey was completed by Great Western over an area that encompassed both Oval and Oval South. This geophysical method can penetrate deeper into highly conductive terrains than the Tempest technique utilised by Rio Tinto. The VTEM data defined the conductor at a depth of 300m, below the where OVR001 was terminated (Figure 2*); hole OVR001 did not intersect the conductor. Further definition of the Oval and Oval South Targets was completed by a joint venture between Great Western and Sandfire ( ASX:SFR ), where Sandfire spent $4.5M on exploration on the project from 2017 before withdrawing (GTE ASX Announcement 17 August 2023). Great Western assumed 100% ownership of the Yerrida North Project, with all associated exploration data compiled and completed by Sandfire during the joint venture. Sandfire completed an Airborne Gravity Gradiometry (AGG) in 2022, with the AGG survey defining discrete gravity highs at Oval and Oval South which overlayed near perfectly with the VTEM anomalies (Figure 2*). The coincident gravity and EM anomalies were interpreted as potential buried bodies of metal rich sulphide mineralisation (See ASX Announcement dated 4 October 2023). Drilling will focus on the co-incident gravity and electromagnetic anomalism at Oval and Oval South (Figure 2*), which the Company interprets as representing potential metal-rich sulphide mineralisation. Oval & Oval South's Impressive Co-Incident Key Ingredients Discovery of giant deposits often involve the identification of at least three key ingredients that may define a potential major mineralisation system. Multiple significant key ingredients have been identified at Oval and Oval South, which greatly enhances the discovery of a giant Winu Style intrusive related copper-gold system, which now include: - Co-incident gravity and EM anomalies - zones of dense rocks that are conductive interpreted to represent obscured metal rich sulphide mineralisation; - Magnetic anomalism at depth below the conductive high, potentially representing a deep intrusive providing mineralised fluids and heat to drive a mineralised system, possibly similar to the magnetic granite found at Winu. - Proximity to the crustal scale Ida Fault, a crustal scale feature stretching greater than 500km long, with proven fertility conduit for metal rich mantle fluids. The Mt Keith and Perseverance Deposits (nickel), DeGrussa (Copper) and Davyhurst (gold) are some of the deposits found along its length; - Intersection of the Ida Fault by a basin defining "growth structure", allow mineralised fluids to ascend and focus within suitable trap site/stratigraphy; - Favourable Yerrida Basin stratigraphy of the Johnson Cairn Formation for mineralised fluids to deposit copper-gold (shales, dolomites, siltstones), similar to the sedimentary rocks found at Winu; and - Position of both Oval and Oval South within an east-west intrusive corridor, a potential zone of weakened crust which in conjunction with the Ida Fault and GSWA growth Fault makes an ideal trap site for metal accumulation. Great Western interprets that Oval and Oval South's coincident geophysics anomalism, location on a major crustal mantle tapping fault intersected with a basin defining growth fault, and within favourable stratigraphy creates the potential for a colossal discovery to be made. The Company recently received approval for Co-Funding by the Western Australian Government under the Exploration Incentive Scheme (ASX Announcement 2 May 2024). The Company believes the government co-funding represents significant endorsement of the prospectivity of the Oval and Oval South Targets. Access Agreements Finalisation Great Western is in the process of finalising access agreements, with a heritage survey at Oval and Oval South recently completed and now approved for drilling, with drilling planned to commence in September 2024. Oval and Oval South Video A video further detailing the significant potential and technical attributes of Oval and Oval South can be found here: https://vimeo.com/977144847/fb810fe113?share=copy *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/V6996UFO About Great Western Exploration Limited Great Western Exploration (ASX:GTE) is an explorer with a world class, large land position in prolific regions of Western Australia. Great Western's tenements have been under or virtually unexplored. Numerous work programmes across multiple projects are underway and the Company is well-funded with a tight capital structure, providing leverage to exploration success. Related Companies loading......... Malibu, CA, July 31, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - TRU Precious Metals Corp. ( CVE:TRU ) ( TRUIF:OTCMKTS ) ( 706:FRA ) is pleased to announce that it has signed a definitive earn-in agreement with Eldorado Gold Corporation ( TSE:ELD ) ( NYSE:EGO ) pursuant to which Eldorado has been granted the exclusive option (the "Option") to earn an 80% ownership interest in TRU's Golden Rose Project, strategically located along the gold deposit-bearing Cape Ray - Valentine Lake Shear Zone in Central Newfoundland. TRU Co-Founder and CEO Joel Freudman commented: "We are thrilled to partner with Eldorado to advance the Golden Rose Project, which we consider a strong endorsement of the work completed since optioning the initial land package from Altius Minerals in 2021, including leveraging the support of our strategic investor Ormonde Mining over the past year. Eldorado's expenditures under the Option Agreement will accelerate the advancement of the Project's gold and copper potential, while the cash payments will help fund TRU's corporate overhead as we remain operator of the Project." To Listen to the Interview, please visit: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/80SEJTJK About The Ellis Martin Report The Ellis Martin Report (TEMR) is an internet based radio program showcasing potentially undervalued companies to an audience of potential retail investors and fund managers that comprise our listening audience. TEMR is broadcasted on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel and The Opportunity Radio Network. CEO and company interviews are paid for by those represented on the program. About TRU Precious Metals Corp. TRU Precious Metals Corp. (CVE:TRU) (OTCMKTS:TRUIF) is on a mission to build long-term shareholder value through prudent natural resource property development and transactions. TRU is exploring for gold and copper in the highly prospective Central Newfoundland Gold Belt on its 100%-owned Golden Rose Project, originally optioned from TSX-listed Altius Minerals. Golden Rose is a regional-scale 264.25 km2 land package, including 45 km of strike length along the deposit-bearing Cape Ray - Valentine Lake Shear Zone, directly between Calibre Mining's Valentine Gold Project and AuMEGA Metals' Cape Ray Gold Project. In addition, TRU has an option to acquire up to an aggregate 65% ownership interest in two claim packages covering 33.25 km2 including a 12 km strike length along the Shear Zone within Golden Rose. TRU is approximately 37%-owned by European strategic investor Ormonde Mining plc (AQSE:ORM). Related Companies Approval of Mining Proposal for Atlas Minerals Sands Project Perth, July 31, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Image Resources NL ( ASX:IMA ) ( I5R:FRA ) is pleased to announce receipt of approval of the Mining Proposal for its 100%-owned Atlas mineral sands project ("Atlas") located 170km north of Perth in the North Perth Basin. On 19 July 2024 the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety ("DEMIRS") advised the Mining Proposal for Atas has been approved. The proposal covers Atlas project construction and operation. Image has also received notice from the Commonwealth on its proposed conditions for approval of the Atlas development proposal under the EPBC Act. The Company has provided its response on the proposed conditions and final Commonwealth approval is anticipated in early August 2024. The remaining required approvals for Atlas include the groundwater operating strategy ("GOS"), Offset Environmental Management Plan ("OEMP") and the Banksia Woodlands Rehabilitation Environmental Management Plan ("BWREMP"). Approvals of the GOS (which leads to a water abstraction licence), OEMP and the BWREMP are anticipated in early August 2024 which will allow commencement of on-ground construction at Atlas in Q3. Managing Director and CEO Mr Patrick Mutz commented: "Scheduling of contractor mobilisation to Atlas is progressing in anticipation of receipt of the final permits in August and the start of project construction. Early works camp construction is well underway and deconstruction of the Boonanarring WCP has been initiated. The next six months are slated to see a flurry of construction activities, with a stretch goal of commencing project commissioning at the end of December." About Image Resources NL Image Resources NL (ASX:IMA) is a mineral sands focused mining company operating an open-cut mine and ore processing facility at its 100%-owned, high-grade, zircon-rich Boonanarring Project, located 80km north of Perth in the infrastructure rich North Perth Basin. Boonanarring is arguably one of the highest grade, zircon-rich mineral sands projects in Australia. Construction and project commissioning were completed on-time and on-budget in 2018. Production commenced in December 2018 and HMC production ramped-up to exceed name-plate capacity in only the second month of operation. 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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 Spotify announced that an additional number of lyrics will be available to free users, increasing the monthly limit that was previously imposed. The audio streaming platform quietly launched a limited lyrics availability to non-premium users last May. Spotify Expands Monthly Lyric Limits After Complaints Several users who enjoy the basic features of Spotify complained after noticing a monthly limit for available lyrics. The platform used to supply lyrics to every song that offers it, regardless of the status of the user. The company decided to lock the unlimited viewing of lyrics behind the Premium plans' paywall. The feature was launched quietly without any direct statement which fueled the criticism from its users. "At Spotify, we're always testing and iterating. This means the availability of our features can vary across tiers and between markets and devices. Over the coming weeks, we'll be expanding lyrics availability for Spotify Free users so more people can enjoy viewing more lyrics, globally," the company explained. Spotify Explores New Features to Boost Subscription Spotify is not shy to launch new features that are exclusively available to its Premium subscribers. Hence, it became a shock when the company decided to limit the usual features such as the lyric viewing. Free users who tried to access more than three songs with lyrics each month often see the message "Enjoy lyrics on Spotify Premium." While the company did not disclose the exact additional numbers added for lyrics, some users seemed to be happy about it. Spotify is assumed to be pushing more people to its subscription plans. The company previously reported that it has accumulated over 600 million monthly active users with 236 million under the Premium plan. Spotify Premium costs $11.99 per month for an Individual plan, $16.99 for Duo, $19.99 for Family with up to six members, and $5.99 for a Student plan. Bacardi India Private Limited, the world's largest privately held spirits company, has appointed Monojit Mukherjee as Director of External Affairs for India and Neighboring Countries. With an illustrious career spanning 25 years, Monojit brings a wealth of experience in navigating regulatory landscapes and fostering strategic partnerships across central and state governments and industry bodies. In his latest role at Bacardi, Monojit will spearhead Bacardis external affairs strategy, leading engagement with local, state governments and central government to create responsible, consumer-centric, government initiatives, while ensuring full compliance and a commitment to always doing the right thing. Monojit is a highly networked leader, with a strong compliance understanding of the regulatory regime at both central and state levels, as well as working with alcohol associations such as ISWAI, SWA, DISCUS, Spirits Europe and more. His journey at Bacardi follows his impactful tenure as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at United Breweries Limited (Heineken India), where he drove business continuity, regulatory challenges, enabled price increases across several states and responsible consumption initiatives. He also spearheaded ease-of-doing-business initiatives in coordination with several key central government ministries including, Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) Invest India & Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Prior to this, Monojit Mukherjee served as the General Manager External Affairs at Pernod Ricard India, where he played a key role in driving the company's growth while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Previously, he held strategic roles at JSW Steel Limited and GMR Group, contributing to major infrastructure projects like Delhi and Hyderabad International Airports in the country. Joining Indias leadership team from the companys Gurgaon office, Monojit will report directly to Vinay Golikeri, Managing Director, Bacardi India & Neighboring Countries, who said, We are pleased to welcome Monojit Mukherjee to the Bacardi leadership team. His extensive experience and understanding of the regulatory landscape will be invaluable to us as we navigate the evolving market dynamics of India and neighboring countries. We look forward to his leadership in driving our external affairs strategy and fostering a regulatory environment that is beneficial for our consumers, our industry, and our business." Speaking about his new role, Monojit Mukherjee said, I am thrilled to join Bacardis accomplished leadership team as we embark on a journey of historic growth. I look forward to collaborating with our talented team and industry stakeholders to drive impactful initiatives that guide us towards continued success in the spirits industry. Monojits appointment marks a pivotal move, providing a voice for Bacardi India within key industry, government, and regulatory decision-making bodies. Also read: Bacardi India announces Radhika Tomar as Director of HR India CNH (NYSE: CNH) announces its new Global Leadership Team (GLT), which is empowered to carry out faster and more effective delivery of its strategic priorities for profitable long-term growth globally in the Agriculture segment. The Construction segment will operate as a distinct business unit inside CNH with increased autonomy. The new GLT is organized in a simplified matrix and comprises industry-leading experts and practitioners from within CNH. Their intimate in-house and industry knowledge coupled with their significant experience will support the Companys strategic execution. These appointments are effective August 1. All roles report to the CEO. Segment Heads Gerrit Marx assumes direct responsibility for the Agriculture segment as CEO of CNH, encompassing the previous role of President, Agriculture. Mr. Marx recently rejoined CNH succeeding Scott Wine. assumes direct responsibility for the Agriculture segment as CEO of CNH, encompassing the previous role of President, Agriculture. Mr. Marx recently rejoined CNH succeeding Scott Wine. Humayun Chishti is appointed as President, Construction. Mr. Chishti joined CNH in 2002 and was previously the Finance Business Partner for Construction. is appointed as President, Construction. Mr. Chishti joined CNH in 2002 and was previously the Finance Business Partner for Construction. Douglas MacLeod is confirmed as President, Financial Services. He has been with CNH for more than 15 years. Region Heads Alongside the Presidents of Construction and Financial Services with their specific responsibilities for the profitability of their respective segments, the Region Heads are responsible for the financial performance and commercial execution of the Agriculture segment in their respective regions. Their mission is to deliver customer-centric excellence and strategic growth. Vilmar Fistarol is confirmed as President, North America. Mr. Fistarol has over 30 years of experience with the Company. is confirmed as President, North America. Mr. Fistarol has over 30 years of experience with the Company. Carlo Alberto Sisto is confirmed as President, EMEA. Mr. Sisto joined CNH in 1998. is confirmed as President, EMEA. Mr. Sisto joined CNH in 1998. Rafael Miotto is confirmed as President, Latin America, and has over 20 years of experience with CNH. is confirmed as President, Latin America, and has over 20 years of experience with CNH. Luca Mainardi is appointed as President, Asia Pacific excluding India. Mr. Mainardi has been with CNH for over 20 years most recently as China Country Manager and Head of Brand Management & Commercial Services in Asia Pacific. is appointed as President, Asia Pacific excluding India. Mr. Mainardi has been with CNH for over 20 years most recently as China Country Manager and Head of Brand Management & Commercial Services in Asia Pacific. Narinder Mittal is appointed as President, India. This appointment recognizes the significant and increasing strategic position of India as a market itself, a sourcing and manufacturing hub, and home to engineering centers of excellence for CNHs iron and tech. Mr. Mittal was previously India Country Manager and first joined CNH in 2016. Function Heads Stefano Pampalone is appointed as Agriculture Chief Commercial Officer with global responsibility for the Agriculture segments commercial strategy, brand and aftermarket activities. Mr. Pampalone was previously President, Construction where he led the turnaround of this business to record margin growth in 2023. Mr. Pampalone joined CNH in 1999. is appointed as Agriculture Chief Commercial Officer with global responsibility for the Agriculture segments commercial strategy, brand and aftermarket activities. Mr. Pampalone was previously President, Construction where he led the turnaround of this business to record margin growth in 2023. Mr. Pampalone joined CNH in 1999. Oddone Incisa is confirmed as Chief Financial Officer, and has over 25 years of service with the Company. is confirmed as Chief Financial Officer, and has over 25 years of service with the Company. Jay Schroeder is appointed as Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Schroeder has over 30 years of experience with CNH, covering roles of increasing responsibility in R&D, most recently as Head of Agriculture Product Development. is appointed as Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Schroeder has over 30 years of experience with CNH, covering roles of increasing responsibility in R&D, most recently as Head of Agriculture Product Development. Carlos Santiago is appointed as Chief Manufacturing Officer. He will also assume responsibility for the CNH Business System. Mr. Santiago was previously responsible for quality and special projects, rejoining CNH in 2023 after close to a decade with Daimler and Mercedes Benz overseeing industrial operations first in Brazil, and then in North America. is appointed as Chief Manufacturing Officer. He will also assume responsibility for the CNH Business System. Mr. Santiago was previously responsible for quality and special projects, rejoining CNH in 2023 after close to a decade with Daimler and Mercedes Benz overseeing industrial operations first in Brazil, and then in North America. Tom Verbaeten is confirmed as Chief Supply Chain Officer. Mr. Verbaeten has been with CNH since 1994. is confirmed as Chief Supply Chain Officer. Mr. Verbaeten has been with CNH since 1994. Chun Woytera is appointed as Chief Quality & Customer Advocacy Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer, transitioning from her role as President, Asia Pacific. In this newly created position Ms. Woytera, who has been with CNH since 1997, will continue to advance overall quality, a cornerstone of customer success and future growth. is appointed as Chief Quality & Customer Advocacy Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer, transitioning from her role as President, Asia Pacific. In this newly created position Ms. Woytera, who has been with CNH since 1997, will continue to advance overall quality, a cornerstone of customer success and future growth. Kelly Manley is confirmed as Chief Human Resources Officer. Ms. Manley joined CNH in 2021. is confirmed as Chief Human Resources Officer. Ms. Manley joined CNH in 2021. Roberto Russo is confirmed as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, having been with the company for over 35 years. The Internal Audit function led by Glenn Robertson reports directly to the Audit Committee of the CNH Board of Directors. I am confident that this leadership team will accelerate the delivery of world-class products and services that elevate our customers experience. Our unstinting focus on quality, our brands and the convergence of world-class iron and technology will guide our operational execution. I look forward to presenting our updated strategic plan at an Investor Day in early 2025 Breaking New Ground together as we continue to claim our own turf in a competitive landscape, said Gerrit Marx, CEO at CNH. On behalf of the Company, I wish to thank Fritz Eichler, Marc Kermisch and Scott Moran for their valuable contributions and wish them all every success in their future endeavors outside of CNH. Rural Marketing Association of India (RMAI), announced the winners for its 13th edition of Flame Awards Asia at a gala event held at gorgeous venue of Hotel Vivanta by Taj, Surajkund, Faridabad, on 27th July 2024. Education, Ethno Marketing, Health& Hygiene, Rural Self-Help Group, Community Radio and Financial Literacy were the highlight as new category entrants this year. Impact Communications leads with 42 win followed by Anugrah Madison with 16 and GroupM with 10. This year RMAI also saw increase in international entries. Nepal (Outreach Nepal, Lemon, Digitalin & V-Chitra) leads with 17win followed by Bangladesh (Habson, LivingBrands, BKash and Highvoltage) with 15 win and Thailand. Clients namely Mahindra Auto, Tata Steel, Vodafone, Airtel Payment Bank, Perfetti, Pnb Housing Finance, Mahindra Swaraj, HUL, P&G, Godrej Consumer, Tata Consumer, Cipla and Mahindra Tractor, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Canara Bank, Havells, TVS Credit, Marico, PepsiCo and Dabur etc won under various categories. Flame Awards Asia 2024 was Powered by CASE Construction Equipment, Associate sponsored by Seedworks International Pvt Ltd. This editions jury was chaired by Nikhil Sharma, MD, Perfetti Van Melle (India). The 28 Jury members comprised of business leaders, brand custodians, marketers, media/advertising professionals, and domain experts in rural marketing. Officially tabulator of the event was by Ernst & Young (EY). Referring to the Flame Awards platform Mr. Nikhil Sharma, MD-Perfetti Van Melle (India) said Innovation is at the core of what we do and innovation in rural has enormous relevance. I am therefore, curious and excited to review some clutter- breaking work done within the area of Rural Marketing by our participants. Message from Puneet Vidyarthi, President, Rural Marketing Association of India: Rural India represents the heartbeat of our nation, with its vast and diverse markets holding the potential for tremendous growth and innovation. The FLAME Awards Asia stands as a testament to the creative and impactful work being done to engage and uplift rural communities. We are glad that GOI has also ambitious plan to give flip to rural development, clearly indicated in the 2024-25 union budget. We are honoured to celebrate these achievements and the visionaries behind them. Also Read : Flame Awards Asia 2024: Celebrating Excellence in Rural Marketing Honasa Consumer Limited, the holding company of renowned brands like Mamaearth, The Derma Co., Aqualogica, Bblunt and Dr Sheth's, and the fastest-growing BPC brand in India, has announced the appointment of Nilesh Kotalwar as Senior Vice President Online Revenue & Growth. In his new role, Nilesh will spearhead the online revenue strategy, driving growth and profitability for Honasa Consumer's diverse portfolio of brands, including Mamaearth, The Derma Co., Aqualogica, Dr Sheths, and Bblunt. He will focus on building a robust online network strategy, optimizing digital marketing efforts, and enhancing the overall online consumer experience. Nilesh is an alumnus of IIM-Lucknow and brings over 13+ years of leadership experience in the FMCG domain. He has managed cross-functional teams in various roles across revenue channels, with expertise in eCommerce, digital marketing, customer & shopper marketing, and brand management. His impressive career includes roles at leading conglomerates like Godrej Consumer and Hindustan Unilever. In Hindustan Unilever, apart from sales and marketing, he played a pivotal role in Center of Excellence team to develop and roll out new age digital and tech tools. Most recently, he served as AVP - Business Transformation at Godrej Consumer Product Limited. Varun Alagh, Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Honasa Consumer Ltd., commented on the appointment, We are thrilled to welcome Nilesh as our new Head of Online Business. His extensive background in managing cross-functional teams and driving growth in established brands will be invaluable as we focus to continue expanding our online presence. Nileshs expertise in leveraging digital strategies and understanding the needs of todays digital-savvy consumers will be key in enhancing our online approach and ensuring our brands are accessible wherever consumers choose to shop. In accepting the position, Nilesh commented, "I am thrilled to join Honasa Consumer and contribute to its vision of building purpose-driven consumer brands. The companys commitment to a digital-first approach has been pivotal in establishing Mamaearth and other brands as leaders in the Indian market. I am excited to leverage my experience and insights to support the team, drive further growth, and achieve new milestones for these dynamic brands. Nilesh will be based out of the Gurgaon office and this appointment comes at a pivotal time for the organizations growth and expansion. Launched in 2012, Tinder is one of the worlds most popular dating apps, having been downloaded over 530 million times and available in 190 countries and 45+ languages. In an exclusive interaction with Adgully, Anukool Kumar, Marketing Director, Tinder India, and Papri Dev, VP - Communications, APAC at Tinder, share their insights on Tinders various initiatives and strategies. Readers can expect to learn about the impactful Queer Made Weekend, Tinders innovative movie marketing campaigns, successful brand partnerships, and how Tinder is shaping the future of online dating in India. Kumar and Dev also discuss the evolution of consumer preferences in the Indian dating app landscape and the latest features Tinder has introduced to enhance user engagement. Anukool Kumar, Marketing Director, Tinder India Could you tell us more about Tinders Queer Made Weekend and its impact? In 2021, Tinder launched Queer Made in partnership with Little Black Book and Gaysi Family, to provide a digital space for over 100+ LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs and business owners. It is a space dedicated to celebrating, supporting and amplifying businesses and products made, owned and/or run by Indias LGBTQIA+ community. The aim was to empower entrepreneurial voices, foster discovery, and inspire users in-app and online to deepen their allyship, a commitment that continues today. The initiative expanded IRL in 2022, where Tinder organized a two-day festival, Queer Made Weekend in Delhi and in 2023, Tinder expanded the festival to Delhi and Mumbai, with a footfall of 30k+. This year, over 30 LGBTQIA+ owned businesses from diverse categories such as Fashion, Art, Merchandise, Accessories, etc., from across India were featured at Tinders Queer Made Weekend, along with 10+ artist line-ups in both cities such as Sushant Divgikar, Kofi Kofi, Anika Singh, among many more from the community. This year, the event was supported by partners such as DLF, Instax, Lone Wolf Co., Third Roast, and other brand partners who joined forces with Tinder. The fact that over 20K attendees participated over three days across two cities is a testament to the events scale and impact, making it one of the largest of its kind. How has Tinder leveraged movie marketing to connect with its audience in India, and can you share any successful campaigns or strategies that have effectively resonated with users? At Tinder, we have leveraged movie marketing tapping into Indias vibrant film culture that resonates with users on a personal level. One recent example is Tinder's collaboration with Netflixs film Kho Gaye Hum Kaha. The film revolves around three friends as they navigate life in the mid 20s, at a time when social media plays a monumental role in society. To leverage this connection, we integrated Tinder into the movie by showcasing the lead character using our app to meet new people. Additionally, we spotlighted our Tinder Matchmaker feature through a social collaboration with the movies characters. This feature lets friends and family recommend profiles for a user without needing to download the app or create a Tinder account. The campaign included a video that seamlessly showcases the camaraderie shared by the movie characters. In the video, the characters use the Tinder Matchmaker feature to recommend profiles for their friend, who eventually matches with the suggested profiles. This storytelling approach not only highlighted the ease and fun of using Tinder but also resonated with our audience, demonstrating how Tinder can be an integral part of their social lives. How do Tinders partnerships with various brands and collaborations enhance the overall experience for Tinder users, and can you provide examples of successful initiatives that have resulted from these collaborations? Almost 60% of our users are 18-30 years old globally and they are all about vibing, meeting up and being their authentic selves. Theyre also incredibly intentional in both who they choose to date and how they choose to date and are looking for shared experiences to get to know each other and make their first dates count. For 54% young singles in India, shared interests such as a music taste is one of the top factors that make a match more attractive. (A study of 1,000 18-25 year old dating singles across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kochi, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Guwahati between April and May 2023 conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Tinder). Our partnerships thus revolve around our users, keeping their interests at the heart of everything we do, whether it is interests such as food, music, travel or pop-culture trends. Mentioned below are some of the partnerships and collaborations done in the recent-times offering users a chance to explore new activities or products while fostering connections: Tinder Mixers: In response to the growing trend of young daters seeking intentional connections and shared experiences, Tinder has been hosting IRL Tinder Mixers across cities such as Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Kolkata. These curated events in partnership with brands such as Fastrack, FlowerAura, celebrate popular interests like food, music, dance, pets, and more, providing unique ice-breakers and casual activities for first dates. Tinder Mixers adapt our product experience to physical spaces, allowing singles to connect based on similar interests in a low-pressure environment. In response to the growing trend of young daters seeking intentional connections and shared experiences, Tinder has been hosting IRL Tinder Mixers across cities such as Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Kolkata. These curated events in partnership with brands such as Fastrack, FlowerAura, celebrate popular interests like food, music, dance, pets, and more, providing unique ice-breakers and casual activities for first dates. Tinder Mixers adapt our product experience to physical spaces, allowing singles to connect based on similar interests in a low-pressure environment. Tinders Queer Made Weekend: To create a space for queer singles and allies to meet like-minded individuals and support LGBTQIA+ business owners and entrepreneurs, Tinder organized the Queer Made Weekend, a two-day IRL pride festival in Delhi and Mumbai in 2022 and 2023. Over the years, 30+ LGBTQIA+ owned businesses from fashion, art, merchandise, home decor, and 10+ home-grown musicians have participated in the event. This year, Tinders Queer Made Weekend returned with its third edition in Delhi and Mumbai, continuing to support and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. To create a space for queer singles and allies to meet like-minded individuals and support LGBTQIA+ business owners and entrepreneurs, Tinder organized the Queer Made Weekend, a two-day IRL pride festival in Delhi and Mumbai in 2022 and 2023. Over the years, 30+ LGBTQIA+ owned businesses from fashion, art, merchandise, home decor, and 10+ home-grown musicians have participated in the event. This year, Tinders Queer Made Weekend returned with its third edition in Delhi and Mumbai, continuing to support and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. DOT X Incognito : Last year, we collaborated with DOT., from Netflixs The Archies film, to spotlight Incognito Mode, a feature which offers Tinder subscribers the ability to maintain full control over their visibility while engaging with the Tinder app. Last year, we collaborated with DOT., from Netflixs The Archies film, to spotlight Incognito Mode, a feature which offers Tinder subscribers the ability to maintain full control over their visibility while engaging with the Tinder app. Swipe Ride Series: Swipe Ride is a show that celebrates uninhibited, meaningful conversations about what Indian women really want from their dating lives. It showcases women trusting each other and relying on each others experience while navigating their own dating and romantic lives. Popular social media content creator and actor, Kusha Kapila, takes the drivers seat here to pick up Tinder users to meet their dates. Joining the two ladies for the journey is a surprise celebrity guest. For our Swipe Ride Series, we have so far collaborated with celebrities who are strong female icons such as Swara Bhaskar, Rashmika Mandanna, Pooja Bhatt, Uorfi Javed, Zeenat Aman, Janhvi Kapoor and more. Papri Dev, VP - Communications, APAC at Tinder The Queer Dating Starter Pack developed with the Gaysi Family offers practical advice for first-time queer daters. Could you share some insights that influenced the creation of this pack? Dating apps are becoming a space where young adults comfortably explore and express their gender and sexuality, with 7 out of 10 young daters in India agreeing that dating apps offer more freedom for self-exploration and have helped dismantle stereotypes and expectations surrounding gender, sex, and relationships. (A study of 1000 18-25-year-old dating singles pan-India between April - May 2023 conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Tinder.) Given the growing comfort in using dating apps for self-discovery, Tinders Queer Dating Starter Pack, curated by Gaysi Family with insights from The QKnit, was released to give first-time queer daters a crucial edge in navigating various dating scenarios with confidence and clarity. Building on the LetsTalkGender.in guide and glossary launched by Tinder in 2022, the new checklist integrates with this resource, providing quick check-ins as they navigate their dating firsts on Tinder. Supporting queer newbies to be their most authentic selves on their dating journeys, the checklist offers practical advice based on real-life experiences of the queer community. The FAQ section further addresses common concerns and uncertainties that may arise during the dating process, such as readiness to date, exploring ones identity, and understanding boundaries. How have consumer preferences in the Indian dating app landscape evolved over the past few years, particularly pre- and post-COVID, and what trends do you see shaping the future of online dating in India? Tinder has been the first stepping stone in the dating journey of many. It has revolutionized how people meet, growing from 1 match to one billion matches in just two years. This rapid growth demonstrates its ability to fulfill a fundamental human need: real connection. Tinder transformed the way new connections were being made, taking all the angst and mustered-up courage of approaching someone at a party, on campus, or on the street and simplified it into a Swipe gesture. During the pandemic, Tinder emerged as one of the few places young people could go for much-needed human interaction. Conversations got 33% longer during the pandemic as users turned to Tinder as a lifeline to combat loneliness and make connections while the world was closed1. The isolation and seclusion caused by the pandemic increased peoples interest in first dates to be more about activities than icebreakers. Daters picked more interesting, unique first-date activities that helped them get to know each other. Last year, the trends revealed in the Year in Swipe Report 2023, such as the emphasis on main character energy, dating for the plot and the popularity of emojis like offer a glimpse into the desire of young singles being open to meeting new people to have new experiences and fun stories to tell, rather than taking a traditional goal-oriented approach. They are increasingly focusing on the connection and are N.A.T.O (not attached to outcomes). In fact, 51% of surveyed young singles said they were open to new ways of fitting dating around their daily schedules. They ditched the pressure of rushing to a happily ever after in favour of using the dating process to build a roster of new experiences and memories that bolstered their own personal stories. What are some of the latest innovations and features Tinder has introduced to enhance user engagement, and how have they been received by the community? For us at Tinder, our work continues to make dating the safest and best that it can be by innovating and creating features that the young adults of today want. Examples of this would be: Tinder Matchmaker: Tinder Matchmaker makes modern dating a team activity by essentially integrating the friend test into Tinder. Users can invite others, whether they have a Tinder profile or not, to view and suggest potential matches. It gives Tinder users the added intel of seeing who their friends Like for them when considering a potential match but, just like in real life, the user ultimately decides who they want to send a Like to. Tinder Matchmaker makes modern dating a team activity by essentially integrating the friend test into Tinder. Users can invite others, whether they have a Tinder profile or not, to view and suggest potential matches. It gives Tinder users the added intel of seeing who their friends Like for them when considering a potential match but, just like in real life, the user ultimately decides who they want to send a Like to. Share My Date: Share My Date feature lets users share their date plans directly with friends and loved ones from the app. Share My Date is designed for pals, parents, and peers alike. With one easy link, users can share date informationincluding location, date, time, and a photo of their matchdirectly from the app. They can decide who they want to share their date with and create an unlimited number of dates within the app up to 30 days in advance Share My Date feature lets users share their date plans directly with friends and loved ones from the app. Share My Date is designed for pals, parents, and peers alike. With one easy link, users can share date informationincluding location, date, time, and a photo of their matchdirectly from the app. They can decide who they want to share their date with and create an unlimited number of dates within the app up to 30 days in advance Relationship Goal: A profile feature that lets users signal what theyre looking for. Users can choose from six different intent options including: long-term relationship, long-term open to short, short-term open to long, short term, new friends, or still figuring it out. As per Tinders Year in Swipe Report, this feature tops the list as the most popular information on profiles. A profile feature that lets users signal what theyre looking for. Users can choose from six different intent options including: long-term relationship, long-term open to short, short-term open to long, short term, new friends, or still figuring it out. As per Tinders Year in Swipe Report, this feature tops the list as the most popular information on profiles. Photo Verification: Authenticity is hugely important when it comes to dating, so what better way to put ones authentic self forward than by having a verified profile. Tinders enhanced Photo Verification process encourages users to take a selfie video, a better way for them to prove who they are. For 18-25 year old users, being Photo Verified gives them a 10% higher chance to match. Additionally, Photo Verified users can ask their match to do the same before chatting, giving them more control over how they interact with others. Within their Message Settings, Photo Verified users can also opt to only receive messages from Photo Verified users. How does your organization position its brand communication to ensure inclusivity and diverse representation, both in internal communications and marketing efforts? Can you share some best practices your company follows to create inclusive content that resonates with a diverse audience? Like our users, our company represents people from a wide range of backgrounds. Women account for 75% of Tinders leadership team and a third of our employees are Gen Z. On top of that, our product organization is 50% women. More than 1/3 of the global Tinder team is Gen Z. Tinders mission is to keep the magic of human connection alive. To achieve that mission, we have to build our app with an understanding that people with different identities have varying experiences with online dating. If we want everyone to thrive on and at Tinder, we start by empowering underrepresented voices and centering inclusion in everything we do. Tinder has supported the LGBTQIA+ community by including queer narratives across campaigns, content, and stories all year round. This Pride month, along with the Queer Dating Starter Pack we also introduced a series of new profile stickers such as Came Out Online, My First Pride and more, giving more options to users to express themselves and connect with others in an authentic and relatable way. These stickers were designed by Tinders LGBTQIA+ staff, to help users express their identities, show support, and connect with others this Pride month. Through our campaigns and community initiatives, in partnership with experts and organizations, we seek to bridge that gap and create digital and IRL spaces for people of the community to explore dating and relationships. Ensuring user safety is a top priority. Could you elaborate on the specific steps Tinder takes to create a secure and inclusive online dating environment? Safety is part of our DNA and were always working in close collaboration with different NGOs across the world to improve the dating experience for our users. The majority of Tinders users are 18-25, and Tinder is often their first dating experience. We take this responsibility seriously. Earlier this year, we launched a new warnings feature to help users understand Tinders house rules for our platform. Tinder lets users know about all of the safety features available in the Safety Center app. Tinder pioneered safety standards in dating apps with features like mutual matching, which requires double opt-in before conversations can start. We offer in-app chat so users don't have to share personal information such as mobile numbers or emails. There is no way to send photos within Tinder. This protects our users from receiving unwanted images. In the past three years, Tinder has introduced over 20 safety innovations, including Incognito Mode and Block Profile, which empower users to manage their visibility and interactions more securely. We continue to evolve our safety toolkit with proactive measures like updated Does This Bother You? and Are You Sure? features (supported by AI technology), which has led to a meaningful reduction in harmful behaviours. Over the years, weve introduced several initiatives in India to address important yet often overlooked themes around dating. These initiatives focus on consent, self-care, gender expression, individuality, and safety, all aimed at enhancing and improving the online dating experience. NewsReach, Indias leading PR-tech platform, is pleased to announce the appointment of Paras Kochhar as Vice President of Partnerships & Alliances. This strategic move underscores NewsReach's commitment to delivering cutting-edge PR services and levelling the playing field for brands in the rapidly evolving media, PR, and content landscape, driven by increased digital adoption. Darshan Shah, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NewsReach, expressed his enthusiasm about Paras Kochhar joining NewsReach. He stated, "We are ecstatic to welcome Paras on board and believe that his wealth of experience in media management and brand building will help NewsReach explore new avenues and innovate marketing strategies to achieve greater success. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Paras Kochhar brings a plethora of knowledge and a strategic approach to building the road forward. Before joining NewsReach, he worked on building brands like Barbeque Nation and EazyDiner, playing a pivotal role in their profiling and brand positioning. His extensive experience in media strategies and branding, combined with an MBA degree in sales & marketing from California University, brings a fresh perspective to the ever-growing NewsReach team. Excited to take on the role of VP, Partnerships & Alliances at NewsReach, Paras Kochhar expressed, In our rapidly changing industry, profiling and brand awareness are invaluable assets. I am thrilled to join NewsReach and contribute to their vision of building a comprehensive, technology-driven PR solution platform. My goal is to add value by creating top-of-mind services for our consumers. I am confident that we will continue to deliver the best services to our clients in the industry. Beyond his professional endeavours, Paras embodies versatility as a full-time VP, part-time social worker, and stock market enthusiast. When not immersed in work or brand engagements, he dedicates time to selfless social work, which brings him contentment. Stay tuned for exciting updates and developments as NewsReach continues to redefine the PR landscape in India. The Guardian issued an apology for placing an advertisement for Christopher Ward watches with the phrase "Watch porn" next to an article about child sexual abuse. The ad, published in the Guardian's pre-printed magazine on July 27, was placed adjacent to a piece about the perspective of a woman whose husband was convicted for viewing illegal content involving children. In a statement, The Guardian explained that the ad placement was a mistake by the publication and not intentional by the advertiser. They stated, "An article was insensitively positioned next to an advertisement from the watch company Christopher Ward [...] We have measures to prevent such inappropriate positioning, but they failed in this instance and will be reviewed. We apologise for any distress caused." Mike France, CEO and co-founder of Christopher Ward, commented: "Our 'Watch porn' advert, which we've been using for a year, is meant to be playful and promote the appeal of our watches. The issue here lies in the context, and we apologise if this placement caused any discomfort." Additionally, this isn't the first instance of brands apologizing for unfortunate ad placements. In July 2021, Axe Brand Universal Oil faced a similar situation when its ad appeared below a news article in The Straits Times (ST) about a murder at River Valley High School (RVHS). The ad stated: "A handy medicine for quick relief of cold and headache. To get you prepared for your next step." The article was about a secondary four student arrested for killing a secondary one student, with reports mentioning that police had seized an axe as evidence. Both Brand Universal Oil and ST clarified that the ad placement was an "unfortunate coincidence" and "unfortunate juxtaposition." ST apologized for the distress caused and replaced the ad with a house ad in its e-paper. Times Innovative Media Ltd (Times OOH), a premier Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising company, has announced its exclusive advertising mandate for Mumbai Metro Line 3, reinforcing Times OOH's position as a leader in offering ingenious and effectual advertising solutions in urban transit. Awarded by Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), the mandate includes: - Exclusive advertising rights across 27 stations and 31 trains - Approximately 20,000 sqm of advertising space - Station semi-naming rights from Cuffe Parade to Aarey Mumbai Metro Line 3 is set to revolutionize the city's public transportation system, offering a seamless travel experience for millions of commuters. It will connect major touchpoints, including corporate and leisure hubs, transit networks, and high-traffic locations, boasting the highest ridership of any metro line in India. Utilizing our expertise in out-of-home media, we plan to implement innovative and sustainable advertising solutions that enhance the commuter experience and provide exceptional value to our clients. With the advertising rights for Mumbai Metro Line 3, Times OOH aims to transform this critical transit route into a dynamic platform where brands can engage with a diverse and captive audience. Our strategic plan includes the careful placement of advertising assets to ensure unparalleled visibility and reach, facilitating impactful brand interactions through digital media. This initiative underscores our dedication to innovation and excellence in out-of-home advertising, striving to create a seamless and engaging experience for commuters while delivering exceptional value to our advertising partners. "We are honoured to partner with Mumbai Metro Line 3 and manage their advertising rights. This partnership highlights our expertise and commitment to delivering cutting-edge advertising solutions that benefit brands and enhance the commuter experience" said Shekhar Narayanswami. "Times OOH's successful partnerships with transit authorities across India have set a benchmark in the OOH advertising industry. The exclusive rights for Mumbai Metro Line 3 cement our reputation as an industry leader, poised to create impactful advertising experiences that resonate with millions," added Shekhar. Times OOH offers comprehensive media solutions across Airports, Metro, and Street furniture in India and Mauritius. Also Read : Times OOH expands into Mall advertising in Mumbai & Indore Uber has introduced the #UberReads campaign on its electric Shuttle buses in Delhi, aiming to promote reading among commuters. This innovative initiative features popular books and best-selling titles from Penguin Random House India, available on the new fleet of air-conditioned electric buses. The campaign encourages passengers to enjoy a good book instead of doomscrolling on their smartphones during their journey. Uber Shuttle offers convenient features such as pre-booked seats, cashless payments, and live tracking of the bus's location through the Uber app. The #UberReads buses will operate on predefined routes connecting key business districts and residential areas in Delhi for a month-long duration. Amit Deshpande, Head of High Capacity Vehicles at Uber India and South Asia, emphasized the campaign's goal of promoting shared rides and mindful reading. He said: Uber Shuttle not only offers comfort and convenience but also helps reduce road congestion. Through #UberReads, in partnership with Penguin, we aim to highlight the benefits of choosing shared rides and the joy of reading. Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO of Penguin Random House India, SEA & MENA, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating: At Penguin, we believe in the transformative power of reading. The #UberReads campaign offers a diverse selection of books, from fiction to self-help, ensuring there's something for every reader. This collaboration with Uber showcases the creative potential of bringing two brands together with a shared vision. The #UberReads-branded buses feature a curated selection of Penguin titles, encouraging passengers to pick up a book and enjoy it during their commute. Riders are invited to return the book to its place for the next passenger before exiting the bus. Cranfield University and Saudi Arabia sign civil aviation MoU Last week Cranfield University welcomed a delegation from Saudi Arabias General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Prince Sultan University, led by His Excellency Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-duailej, President of GACA, wherein they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of civil aviation between Cranfield University, Prince Sultan University and GACAs Civil Aviation Academy. Image courtesy Cranfield The MoU will not only focus on collaboration in aviation research and development between the organisations but also cover training and development across different aviation fields, including potential opportunities for students from Saudi Arabia to study at Cranfield. The delegation visited Cranfield Universitys facilities including the Digital Aviation and Research Centre (DARTeC), the Digital Air Traffic Control Centre and a look inside the Aerospace Integration Research Centre with the chance to experience the Rolls-Royce Future Systems flight simulator. Advertisement The President of GACA also gave a speech to Cranfield staff and students, detailing his vision for the future of Saudi Arabian aviation as a tourism and logistical hub and expressing his admiration for the quality of the facilities he had seen at Cranfield. The MoU was then signed by Professor Dame Karen Holford DBE FREng, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University, Dr Ahmad AlYamani, President of Prince Sultan University, and Ahmed AlZahrani, President of the Saudi Civil Aviation Academy. Advertisement Professor Dame Karen Holford said: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a detailed, ambitious vision for the future of aviation which makes them a perfect partner for Cranfield. The future of the air transport sector is shaped through partnerships, and together we can help aviation evolve to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Pinarayi Vijayan,kerala,Chief Minister | Image : PTI Hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that the Centre had alerted the Kerala government on July 23, warning of possible danger in and around Wayanad, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan refuted the claim but sought to play down the issue, saying it was no time for a blame game. Meanwhile, the death toll in the disaster has reached 205 and around 200 continue to be missing, even as search efforts continue amid the heavy rains in the affected areas on Wednesday evening. Speaking to the media here, Vijayan stressed that the need of the hour is not to engage in a blame game, while terming parts of what the Union Home Minister said as true and parts as untrue. I do not wish to engage in a blame game now as the people in Wayanad are going through untold misery on account of the massive landslide, but the fact of the matter is that there were predictions that came out and they never mentioned a red alert in the affected area. In fact, the red alert came on Tuesday at 6 a.m., when the tragedy occurred several hours before, he said. The IMD had predicted rains to the tune of 115 mm to 204 mm rains at the affected areas, but actually in the first 24 hours, there was 200 mm and in the next 24 hours, 372 mm rains came down making it a staggering 572 mm in 48 hours, much more than predicted. So with these being the facts, I wish to state, that this is not the time for wrangling, Vijayan added. The Chief Minister also said that there was no prediction of landslides from the Geological Survey of India and when these came, the tragedy had already taken place. Then there was an alert from the Central Water Commission and it said that from July 23 to 29, not for one single day of the two rivers which got swollen, there was no mention at all. What was said in the Parliament is not true, he said, adding that there was a mention that the NDRF was sent early, but the fact is we asked for it. The need of the hour is climate change disasters have to be dealt with seriously and let us not engage in a blame game people are in tragedy, let us soothe them, he said. Vijayan said about 1,200 rescue officials from various agencies are presently at work in the four worst-affected landslide areas of Wayanad district Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Pothukalu. These areas, for all practical purposes, have been completely destroyed. The rescue teams have so far rescued 1,592 people and now there are 8,017 people in 82 relief camps. 201 people were treated in hospitals and now there are 90 under treatment. The rescue efforts are continuing and tribal families are being moved for those not willing to move, food will be given. Medical facilities are being extended in a big way, with medical professionals from the private and cooperative sectors having joined the state government health officials, he said. Vijayan said in most of the affected areas, the electric power lines have been restored and the state electricity board has suffered a loss of Rs 3 crore. A Birmingham City Schools bookkeeper has resigned after an investigation found more than $13,000 was missing from a local elementary schools bank account. An audit, published by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts on June 28, said school board members noticed discrepancies when comparing teacher receipts and amounts deposited into Huffman Academys bank account around March 2023. According to the audit, an internal investigation found that from 2017 to 2023, a total of $13,679 was collected but not deposited. The bookkeeper, who is not named in the audit, was placed on administrative leave in July 2023 and resigned in December 2023. Birmingham City Schools officials did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication. According to the audit, the board has filed a police report and is pursuing legal action to recover lost funds. It is not immediately clear whether a criminal complaint has been filed, or whether officials have been able to recoup any losses since the date of the audit. The audit also found recurring problems with overspending and lax accounting protocols at several other local schools. At five schools tested, staff failed to submit receipts and deposits on time, opening those schools up to the risk of loss or theft. In a response to auditors, Superintendent Mark Sullivan said schools were not following the same accounting manual, leading to inconsistencies. Currently, our district is decentralized, which means the central office has minimal oversight regarding what happens at the school; therefore, issues arise without our knowledge, he wrote. The district is undergoing training to establish better financial procedures, and has done some fundraising to help balance local school budgets, the audit stated. A new routing system has also been created to ensure a school has money available before making a purchase. Alabama has more Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs, than any other state in America. Because HBCUs are a huge cultural cornerstone in the state, people from all over the country begin their collegiate careers on one of the 14 campuses. However, each campus offers a unique blend of historical charm and natural beauty. Heres a glimpse into the five most beautiful HBCU campuses in Alabama: Bishop State Community College holds its spring graduation commencement ceremony Thursday, May 7, 2015, at the Mobile Civic Center in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Brantley/mbrantley@al.com)Mike Brantley 5. Bishop State Community College The only community college that made our list, the Mobile school has five campuses across the city and Washington County. However, the main campus in downtown Mobile serves as the the largest and most central of Bishop States facilities. It features a range of academic buildings, administrative offices, and student services that offers various programs and is equipped with modern classrooms, labs, and student support services. The main campus features a blend of historic and modern architectural elements. This includes several buildings with traditional brick facades and updated facilities with well-maintained green spaces, paved walkways, and areas where students can relax. The urban setting contributes to its aesthetic, with views of the cityscape and nearby historical landmarks. In 2023, Bishop State Community College celebrated the Gene Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing Technology, which serves as a training facility in a variety of STEM programs, including Computer-Aided Drafting and Design, 3D printing, Electronic Engineering Technology (EET) and Mechatronics and Robotics. At the time, Jimmy Baker, chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, said the center is the model for other community colleges around the state. Oakwood University.Kayode Crown 4. Oakwood University Oakwood University is Huntsvilles private Seventh Day Adventist HBCU, and it is steeped in the arts. The campus is known for its picturesque and serene setting against the backdrop of the Tennessee Valley. Situated on a hillside, it offers beautiful views of the campus and is surrounded by greenery with gorgeously landscaped lawns and wooded areas that provide a tranquil and inviting atmosphere. Oakwood has several historic buildings that reflect its long history, including the main administration building and other structures preserved and integrated into the modern campus environment. Its also home to Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Little Richards remains. Stillman College is a private historically black Presbyterian college located at 3601 Stillman Boulevard in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)Ben Flanagan 3. Stillman College This HBCU sits in the heart of Tuscaloosa. If youre able to view the center of the campus, known as Sheppard Lawn, through the gates on 15th street, youll see a beautifully manicured lawn (that students are discouraged to walk on) covered with large magnolia trees. The campus features a blend of historic and modern architecture. The older buildings, like the administration building and older academic structures, highlight classic brick facades and traditional design elements. Like most HBCU campuses, there are a mix of of buildings new and old. However, Stillman Colleges campus is noted for its blend of historical elegance and modern functionality. There are various student-centered spaces on campus, including the Hay Student Center and Greek Row, where they can gather for studying, as well as social and recreational activities. Additionally, on the eastside of the campus, youll find a beautiful, water fountain in the Melissia N. Davis courtyard facing the back of the Hay Center that also sits across from the Presidents house, that will remind you of a storybook cottage. A view of stormy skies over the Alabama A&M campus in Huntsville, Alabama. (Photo by Patricia Miklik)Patricia Miklik 2. Alabama A&M University Alabama A&M University is the states largest HBCU with around 6,000 students and is also called, The Hill, because of the geographical feature of the campuss location on a prominent hill. Over time, the campus elevated position became a defining characteristic, earning it the affectionate nickname among students, alumni, and the Huntsville community. The campus sits on a 1,100-acre site, featuring a well-planned layout with expansive lawns, shaded areas, and tree-lined paths. Key historic buildings such as the Cunningham Hall and The Carnegie Library reflect the universitys long-standing tradition and heritage. In contrast, modern facilities include the Wilhelmina J. Harris Performing Arts Center and the New Student Center, which offer up-to-date amenities and support contemporary educational and extracurricular needs. Tuskegee University is one of six institutions in Alabama that has a state-licensed industrial hemp research program. (Hannah Denham / Hdenham@al.com)Hannah Denham 1. Tuskegee University Known for its many historical contributions, Tuskegee is the only university in the nation thats registered as a National Historic site. But that is not the only reason we picked the school in our top spot. The campus was primarily built by Tuskegee University students in the early 1900s while founder and its first president Booker T. Washington led the school, and it received funding from wealthy donors like John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford. The entire campus sits on more than 5,000 acres of land, but the core campus is on 240 acres and includes the campus most historical buildings that face The Yard, where students gather in between classes. Due to the historic landmark status of the university, none of the buildings can be demolished or replaced -- they can only be renovated, which is why most of the campus still features the Neoclassicism architecture that was prominent during the early 1900s. One significant landmark is the chapel used for various ceremonies, highlighting the historical aspects of the university. It also sits next to the universitys on-campus cemetery where Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, and a few past university presidents are buried. In 2023, Southern Living named Tuskegee University as one of Alabamas most beautiful college campuses in the South. Each beautiful building is steeped in rich history, adding to their appeal, and the rural locale promises sweeping greenery, the article said. A 16-year-old girl who was shot to death last week in Sheffield is being remembered by friends and family. DeMylah Delyric Nixon-Johnson was shot and killed July 24 at about 1 a.m. at 1006 S. Nashville Ave. Investigators believe the girl was not the intended target of the shooter. Police said officers arrived at the scene to find the victim lying in the grass, shot in the back between the shoulder blades. She had apparently been shot once. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church on Gunwaleford Road in Florence. Her aunt, Annie Johnson, has created a GoFundMe page to raise money for her funeral expenses. She was an innocent and her life was taken entirely too soon, Johnson wrote on the page. This senseless act of violence is heartbreaking and devastating for DeMylahs family. On social media, Misty Horrison called Nixon-Johnson a beautiful angel, while others remembered her for acts of kindness. DeMylah was a very kind, caring friend. She could be feisty, but she was kind at heart, Peyton Richardson-Woehler wrote in tribute. Police Chief Ricky Terry said anyone with information is asked to contact Sheffield police at (256) 386-5630. Lawmakers and leaders from the public and private sectors began discussions Tuesday on how Alabama should regulate and use blockchain technology, an advanced system for storing and sharing data that is used by the cryptocurrency industry. The Alabama Blockchain Study Commission, created by a legislative resolution in May, met for the first time at the State House. Representatives of large and small businesses, banks, credit unions, energy companies, and legal organizations took part, as well as state agencies and legislators. The commission picked Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, as chair. Albritton sponsored the resolution creating the commission and is also chair of the Senates General Fund budget committee. Amanda Senn, director of the Alabama Securities Commission, was picked as the vice chair. Albritton urged the committee members to take a broad view as they began to explore Alabamas role in the growing segment of business. He organized three subcommittees for the 18 members of the commission. They will study how to regulate blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, how to protect the public, and what are the best applications of blockchain technology for the public and private sectors. Alabama Securities Commission Director Senn said companies that have popped up around the cryptocurrency industry are operating like banks and investment firms but are not subject to the same regulations and laws as those institutions. Senn said the ASC has been investigating and prosecuting cases of fraud involving cryptocurrency for about 10 years. Right now, its the wild, wild west in the crypto industry, Senn said. Senn said there are concerns about the lack of safeguards for money laundering and said cryptocurrency is used to fund terrorism in foreign nations. She said there are concerns about financial exploitation of senior citizens and that consumers and investors are not protected in the same way that they are when they conduct business with banks and other traditional financial institutions. Senn distinguished between cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, saying they are not synonymous, and said the state should explore the possibilities of how to use blockchain technology. Mike Hill, superintendent of banks for the Alabama State Banking Department, echoed concerns about the lack of regulations for cryptocurrency companies. Hill said banks are heavily regulated on knowing who their customers are, in part to prevent money laundering. He said the state needs to figure out how to apply safeguards to cryptocurrency companies. Wade Preston of the Alabama Blockchain Alliance said blockchain technology and cryptocurrency offer great potential for the public and private sectors and that the states efforts to regulate them should recognize and protect that. Preston, who is a coffee shop owner, said incidences of fraud are not exclusive to the new technology and should not be a reason to overreact and impose regulations that inhibit blockchain and cryptocurrency. He noted that people were reluctant to use the internet for credit card purchases 25 years ago, but that now that is standard practice. In Alabama, our motto is we dare defend our rights, Preston said. And I think our right to transact, our freedom to transact, is a fundamental right. Its a right that everything else is predicated on. Preston said cryptocurrency and blockchain technology provide ways for people to conduct business without depending on banks and credit card companies. I think thats something we have to always keep in mind when we talk about what are we going to do with this technology, is that at the end of the day, it affords us a real freedom to transact without another intermediary, Preston said. And thats something that we need to not only understand but kind of rally around and figure out how were going to deal with that and how were going to protect it. Clay Helms, chief of staff for Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, said one area for the commission to explore is how to regulate donations to political campaigns made with cryptocurrency. Helms said it is important to be able to track the sources of money that influence the outcome of elections. Rep. Mike Shaw, R-Vestavia Hills, said regulations of financial transactions involving dollars are well established. He said the regulation of cryptocurrency will require thought and planning to come up with the best system to protect consumers while also not inhibiting the industry. Shaw, who works for a credit union, said educating the public about cryptocurrency and blockchain technology is an important goal. Helena Duncan, president and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama, who spent a career in the banking industry, said it is important to strike the right balance in regulations to minimize risk while not overregulating the industry. Regulation is not a bad word, Duncan said. Its something that helps minimize the risk. The resolution creating the Alabama Blockchain Study Commission says the nationwide growth of blockchain and cryptocurrency technology presents opportunities to increase Alabamas standing as a national leader in the technology and financial services industries. It says the goal of the commission is to study blockchain technology and cryptocurrency and foster appropriate expansion of related industries in Alabama. The resolution says the commission is to issue a report no later than the third day of the legislative session, which starts in February, and then a final report in the 2026 session. The commission will meet again in November. Alabamas newest Safe Haven Baby Box is now in place in Jasper, state Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed announced Wednesday. Safe Haven Baby Boxes are designed to allow the safe surrender of an infant, anonymously and with no questions asked. The idea is to provide a life-saving alternative for a desperate parent who might otherwise abandon an infant in an unsafe place. The new Safe Haven box in Jasper is at Fire Station No. 1 on 18th Street East. Alabama is a place that firmly believes in the sanctity and preciousness of life, Reed, a Republican from Jasper, said in a news release. We have fostered a culture of life with the foundational ideal that all children are gifts from God that deserve love and protection, and I am so thankful this new baby box will provide a safe and compassionate option for parents facing the difficult decision to surrender a child. In Alabama, every life matters, and I want to thank everyone who made this wonderful day a reality for our community and state. The first Safe Haven Baby Box in Alabama was installed in Madison in January, followed by a box in Prattville. The others are in Dothan, Gadsden, Ozark, and Tuscaloosa. As of May 20, three infants had been left at the Safe Haven Baby Box in Madison. Nationally, there are 251 Safe Haven Baby Boxes. The boxes were developed by Monica Kelsey of Woodburn, Indiana, a retired firefighter and medic who was abandoned as an infant. The boxes, installed in the exterior walls of fire stations, open from the outside. Inside the climate-controlled box is a bassinet. When closed, the box locks from the outside and sounds an alarm to alert firefighters that an infant has been placed there. The Alabama Legislature passed a bill last year by Rep. Donna Givens, R-Loxley, to authorize the use of the boxes in Alabama, expanding a law passed in 2000 that allowed the surrender of infants at hospitals. The Kids to Love Foundation, based in Madison, helped promote passage of the bill and raised funds for some of the first boxes. I am beyond grateful to have this life-saving device available in our community, Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, said in the news release. I was happy to join Senator Reed in supporting the grant application that helped make this project a reality. I also want to extend my sincere thanks to the City of Jasper, Jasper Fire and Rescue, and Chase and Jordanna Gunter for bringing this project forward. Since 2017, 50 infants have been safely and legally surrendered in a Baby Box, and the National Safe Haven Crisis line has assisted with over 150 handoff surrenders, according to the news release from Reeds office. The idea of setting up secure boxes for parents to abandon infants has critics, including those who believe it is a gimmick that fails to address the need for better access to prenatal and postnatal care and mental health services for pregnant women. Alabama jails more people per capita than every country in the world except El Salvador. With 898 inmates per 100,000 Alabama residents, the state has the sixth highest incarceration rate on the planet, according to a Prison Policy Initiative report published in June. It is usually a mix of southern states kind of jockeying for those top few spots, and Alabama always does get up there, along with Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, said Wanda Bertram with the Prison Policy Initiative. Thats something that more or less holds true every single time we do the report. Bertram pointed out that Alabama is building a new prison a 4,000-bed facility in Elmore County that will cost more than $1 billion and said the state instead should be looking for ways to decrease the inmate population. The Prison Policy Initiative calculates incarceration rates by comparing the number of people in state prisons, county jails, juvenile detention and immigration facilities per capita. The report compared the rates in each U.S. state to the rates in countries with more than 500,000 residents. Only five states lock up a higher percentage of their populations than Alabama. They are Louisiana (1,067 inmates per 100,000 residents), Mississippi (1,020 per 100,000), Arkansas (912 per 100,000) and Oklahoma (905 per 100,000). The overall rate in the United States is 614 inmates per 100,000 residents. According to the study, that means the U.S. as a whole has the fourth highest incarceration rate among nations over 500,000. It trails only El Salvador, Cuba and Rwanda. (Cant see the graphic? Click here.) El Salvador has the highest incarceration rate with 1,086 people locked up for every 100,000 residents. The central American country is home to roughly 6.3 million people. It would be one thing if all of a sudden our incarceration rates drop such that we were now getting beaten out by Belgium, but El Salvador is a country that has been run as a police state over the last few years, Bertram said. Thats not something that the U.S. is dealing with, so those are the rough inconsistencies and irregularities here. Data from the Alabama Department of Corrections shows the state is actually sending fewer people to state prison than it was 10 years ago. The Department of Justice is suing, saying Alabamas prisons are unconstitutionally and dangerously overcrowded. In 2013, there were about 32,400 people serving time in prisons in Alabama, according to the state prison system. This does not include those in county jails or other facilities. In 2023, there were just more than 27,000 state inmates. Thats roughly 5,400 fewer people, a 16% decrease in 10 years. Carla Crowder, executive director of the nonprofit Alabama Appleseed, said thats because of reforms, such as setting statewide sentencing guidelines. You wouldnt have somebody serving 40 years out of Mobile County for the same offenses that somebody would get a five-year sentence for out of Lauderdale, Crowder said. Also the creation of diversion programs, drug courts and community corrections where people could serve their sentences in the community and just report and be monitored. But Alabama needs more reforms, Bertram said specifically, the state needs to grant parole to more more people who are eligible. Last year, the state granted just 8% of paroles, according to the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles. In fiscal year 2023, there were 3,583 parole hearings. Just 297 were granted. A lot of folks inside have been there since, you know, the 90s or the 80s, and unless youre going to change your parole policies or your good time credit policies or your compassionate release policies, all of those people are just going to remain there, Bertram said. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen Monday accused the League of Women Voters of capturing personal data on a voter registration website, an accusation the president of the group called a conspiracy theory. Allen said in a Monday press release that a TV ad in Alabama produced by Vote411, an initiative of the League of Women Voters, captures voters data and captures users data, including IP addresses and contact information. The ad guides Alabamians to register to vote via the Vote411 website. In the press release, Allen described the initiative as a sham, accusing Vote411 of data mining under the guise of voter registration assistance. This is simply a shady way to collect the IP addresses and personal data of Alabama citizens, the statement said. In the websites fine print, the League of Women Voters disclose that The League may, from time to time, share the name and mailing address of its non-member financial supporters with other non-profit organizations. More from Alabama Reflector Kathy Jones, president of the League of Women Voters of Alabama and its Education Fund, said in an interview on Monday that Vote411 guides users to appropriate state websites for voter registration and other election-related services. Its the way it has been done for years, she said. What Wes Allen said in his statement was very misleading. Hes trying to build a conspiracy when there is no conspiracy, Jones said. She said the primary goal of Vote411 is to assist voters in accessing election information in all states, including candidate positions, ballot amendments, and polling locations. An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique string of numbers assigned to a device connected to the internet. Websites routinely collect IP addresses to facilitate communication and provide services. While an IP address alone does not reveal sensitive personal information, it can be used as a starting point for malicious activities. Tracing IP addresses is legal and commonly done by websites, apps, and internet service providers, as long as its not for criminal activities, and individuals can also legally trace it unless they use hacking or deceptive methods, according to NordVPN, a global cybersecurity company. Drew Springall, an assistant professor in computer science and software engineering at Auburn Universitys Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, said in a statement that although this is not some grand, insidious ploy, he doesnt see a reason to not send people directly to the official Alabama voter registration web site. People might think they are registering to vote, but instead theyre registering for an email contact list. Unfortunately, its kind of normal for the Internet. Organizations want the ability to contact people for various reasons, he said. Shannon Augustus, press secretary of the League of Women Voters of the United States, said in a statement that VOTE411 is transparent about the data collected on our website, and voters should rest assured that using the tool does not result in the selling or sharing of their personal data. The League of Women voters states that their browser automatically sends us an Internet Protocol (IP) address and certain other information (including the type of browser you use). We will use this IP address and other information to manage our website. Laney Rawls, a spokesperson for the Secretary of States office, did not respond to a question asking whether the Secretary of States website also records IP address and other information. Instead, she said that the Vote411 website coerces an individual into supplying personal identifying information such as their name, date of birth, home address, email address, and phone number under the guise of registering them to vote. Jones said some information is stored if users want to receive information from Vote411 in the future, which they can opt out of. What Wes Allen is saying is the way he said it to me, was said in a way that I feel like its trying to denigrate what were doing and the League of Women Voters is making democracy work, she said. The City of Birmingham on Tuesday announced a new exhibit at City Hall honoring 100 years of service for two historic Black fraternities and a sorority associated with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, a Howard University graduate. Harris is affiliated with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., an international service organization, that was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women. The photo exhibit at Birmingham City Halls honors the histories of three groups and their service to the city: the Tau Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; the Alpha Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.; and the Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. All three area chapters were founded in 1924. Theyve inspired us, said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, at a ceremony to mark the start of the Three Legacies, One Century exhibit on the second floor of City Hall. Sustaining an organization for 100 years is a major feat, Woodfin said. These college-educated African Americans maintained their mission to serve our community for decades in spite of the many challenges and tribulations; persisting through Jim Crow, through segregation and inspiring others, by building up our community, offering scholarships, educating young people, and serving as role models. The exhibit honoring the local chapters will be on display through September, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the second floor of City Hall. Some 30 million Americans who owe student loans should be looking for a new email from the Department of Education. The email, sent to all people with at least one outstanding federally held student loan, doesnt ensure forgiveness but does let borrowers know they have until Aug. 30 to contact their provider to opt out of any potential relief. Rules regarding the forgiveness havent been set, however, and the White Houses broad-reaching student loan forgiveness efforts are tied up in court. The email does not guarantee specific borrowers will be eligible, the departments notification said. READ MORE: Warning from feds: Dont cash that check Borrowers who opt out of the debt relief will not be able to opt back in and wont be eligible to enroll in any income-driven repayment plans until their eligibility is assessed in a few months. Loan holders would only be eligible for the proposed relief if they are entered into repayment at the time eligibility is determined, the department said. In April, the Biden administration introduced an outline that would provide student loan relief for borrowers who owe more now than they did when they started repaying their loans and those who have been making payments for decades. It will also cover borrowers that are eligible for loan forgiveness under existing programs but have not applied or those who attended schools with low-financial value programs or that failed to meet the departments accountability standards. A timeframe for the relief has not been released but final rules on the programs are expected to be published in October. Provincial regulations in China boost ecological protection of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Xinhua) 09:24, July 31, 2024 XINING, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Northwest China's Qinghai Province has passed regulations, to be enacted on Aug. 1, which will provide legal support for the province to build a national ecological civilization highland. As provincial-level regulations with "ecology as the key," the "Qinghai provincial regulations on the construction of a national ecological civilization highland" are aimed at promoting the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, according to a press conference held on Monday. The regulations consist of 11 chapters and 76 articles, covering areas such as guaranteeing ecological security, building nature reserves, protecting and restoring the ecology, biodiversity protection, green and low-carbon development, and innovation in ecological civilization systems. The regulations include content on improving the ecological environment protection governance system, adhering to the integrated protection and restoration of mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grassland, deserts and glaciers, and integrating the concept of biodiversity protection throughout the process of ecological civilization construction. The regulations will help strengthen the regular supervision and management of the ecological environment with the strictest systems and the most rigorous rule of law, enhancing the diversity, stability and sustainability of the ecosystem, according to officials in the province. Located on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, Qinghai is home to the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers. It holds a significant ecological position, bearing the great responsibility of protecting the sources of the three rivers. The regulations came after China's law on ecological conservation on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau that was enacted in September 2023, the first state-level legislation specialized in regulating ecological conservation on the plateau. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) A coal company that is leaking polluted wastewater from a mine in west Alabama reached a legal agreement with an environmental group to fix a dam and protect local waterways in Tuscaloosa County. Warrior Met Coal owns several coal mines in Alabama, including one that is leaking discharges into a local tributary without a permit. Black Warrior Riverkeeper, a non-profit, sued Warrior Met Coal in 2022 over the pollution from the mine in Tuscaloosa County. On Tuesday the company and the non-profit announced they are proposing a consent decree in federal court. The court has 45 days to approve the decree after a comment period for the U.S. Department of Justice. The decree requires the company to fix leaks from the mines roughly 160-acre coal slurry impoundment, an area with a barrier to prevent pollution from underground mining and coal preparation from escaping. Itll help the local stream and everybody that uses it downstream and itll also avoid the potential for a catastrophic failure of their large impoundments dam, said Nelson Brooke with Black Warrior Riverkeeper. A representative for Warrior Met Coal did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The decree also requires the company to create a plan to install a liner to fix a leaky dam that holds millions of gallons of coal slurry. The plan must be approved by the federal Mining Safety and Health Administration. The company will be responsible for monitoring the success of the liner in preventing the escaping pollutants. The company will also enroll in the states Dam Safety Program which involves inspections and standards for the impoundment. Brooke said he was first alerted to the existence of the pollution from the mine by local residents. The polluted wastewater is running into Texas Creek, which is a tributary of Davis Creek, which flows into the Black Warrior River at Holt Lake, according to a press release put out by the Black Warrior Riverkeepers, Warrior Met Coal agreed to pay $250,000 to the Freshwater Land Trust to create a supplemental environmental project to address some of the damage from the pollution. The company will pay Black Warrior Riverkeeper $28,000 for attorneys fees. The Democratic candidate for the Clay County Commission has been arrested on voter fraud charges. Terry Andrew Heflin, 45, is charged with seven counts of unlawful use of absentee ballots, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Wednesday. The indictment, Marshall said, alleges that Heflin falsified applications to vote absentee for multiple people and then used those peoples names to vote for himself by absentee ballot. The alleged wrongdoing reportedly took place in the March 5 primaries. Each count of unlawful use of an absentee ballot is a Class C felony punishable by one year and one day to 10 years in prison. Heflin turned himself in to the Clay County Sheriffs Office and remains held in the Clay County jail. The case is being prosecuted by the Attorney Generals Special Prosecutions Division. Court records show Heflin pleaded guilty in 2021 to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. He was sentenced to five years in prison, with two years to serve. A former University of Alabama student charged with multiple sex crimes including rape of another student - which was captured in photos and videos reportedly taken by the suspect - will remain in jail without bond. Gambill Colvard Gentry, a 23 -year-old from Davidson, N.C., is charged with first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, and four counts of first-degree voyeurism. Two of the charges are Class A felonies, and the other four are Class C felonies. Gentry has been banned from the campus, authorities said. The victim is an acquaintance of Gentry and a current UA student. Gentry, who surrendered when he learned there were warrants against him, made his first court appearance Tuesday. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing, so the charges will be forwarded to a grand jury for indictment consideration. A Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit investigator testified for the prosecution at the hearing. The defense called as a witness a Birmingham therapist who works with sexual addicts and offenders. Attorneys for Gentry Tommy Spina, Brett Bloomston and Ben Preston were seeking to have bond set for Gentry, saying he is not a flight risk and is willing to be electronically monitored. Tuscaloosa County District Judge Joanne Jannik, however, denied Gentrys bond request. Jannik, in her order issued later Tuesday, said that under the facts of this particular case, there is no way to reasonably assure the victim in this case will be safe from the defendant. The order noted that Gentry traveled to New York to visit the victim after being asked by the victim not to do so. Testimony also showed, the judge said, that he has harassed the victim and made threats to the victim. Further, Jannik wrote, there was testimony that there was a prior incident between the defendant and victim that resulted in a police report being filed by the victim. The judge also said testimony presented in the hearing regarding Gentrys pattern of behavior indicated that him being at large could pose a real and present danger. Im a bit suprised and of course disappointed with the ruling,' Spina said. I believe Aniahs Law is a well intended piece of legislation for certain circumstances,' he said. I dont believe these circumstances in this case, with the evidence presented, to insure the defendant was and is not a risk of flight and poses no further threat to society, and further, that there were conditions presented that could have been placed on the bond to insure those things. The ruling denying bond,' Spina said, is an unintended consequence of a well intended law. The investigation began earlier this month when the victim told authorities she met Gentry at a bar, woke up the next morning with no memory of the night before, and suspected that she had been assaulted, said Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Capt. Jack Kennedy. On July 13, according to charging documents, investigators carried out search warrants on Gentrys cell phone. Investigators were able to obtain photo and video evidence that clearly showed that the victim had been sexually assaulted while unconscious, Kennedy said. Depositions in the cases state that they found photos of the victims breasts and genital area while she appeared to be unconscious. One of them had a caption that read, Nice vagina. Happy Birthday slut. There were also images of Gentry performing oral sex on the victim was she was clearly incapable of consent, the documents state. One of the images contained a caption that read easy rape. Gentry has been in custody since July 25. Kennedy said evidence recovered during the investigation into Gentry leads investigators to believe that there may be other victims unknown to law enforcement. The Violent Crimes Unit is asking anyone who believes that they may have been a victim of Gentrys to contact the VCU at 205-464-8690. The latest polling shows Vice President Kamala Harris is performing particularly well in several key states heading into the Democratic Convention next month. Bloomberg News/Morning Consults poll looks at numbers for Harris and Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump in a series of battleground states. According to the poll, Harris leads Trump in four swing states Arizona (49%-47%), Michigan (53% - 42%), Nevada (47%-45%) and Wisconsin (49%-47%) and the two are tied at 47% each in Georgia. Trump leads Harris in North Carolina 48% to 46% and Pennsylvania, 50% to 46%. On average, Harris led Trump 48% to 47% in battleground states. When the race was expanded to include other candidates, Harris maintained her 1 percentage point lead over Trump 45% to 44%- with independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. polling in third at 5%. All of the figures are within the polls margins of error for the individual states, meaning the race is statistically a dead heat. The survey included 4,973 registered voters from July 24-28 in the seven states. The Bloomberg poll is one of the first done in battleground states since President Bidens exit from the race on July 21. National polling averages show Trump maintains a lead over Harris, 48% to 46.3%. Carver Jones Market opened in Fairfield on Wednesday, the first grocery offering fresh meat and produce in the city in nearly a decade. The Rev. Alton Hardy, founding pastor of Urban Hope Community Church, which he started in 2012, began working several years ago with supermarket veteran James Harris, now CEO of Carver Jones Market, to come up with a plan for their shared vision of a grocery to serve a needy community. They got $3 million in support from non-profit ministries, including Clerestory Inc., to launch it. That was initial investment and working capital, said Harris, a management veteran of stores including Safeway, Brunos and Food World. From now on, the store must turn a profit to succeed, he said. You cannot hope youre going to make a profit, Harris said. It was on Gods heart to be able to do something that others would call impossible, to go to an area that others have called God-forsaken, to do something with the mindset. There are no people he does not love with all of his heart. Carver Jones Market CEO James Harris is a veteran in supermarket management with stores including Safeway, Bruno's and Food World. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com)ggarrison@al.com After the Walmart Supercenter in Fairfield closed in 2016, Fairfield had no supermarket where residents could buy fresh meat and produce. Its considered a food desert, and there are thousands of similar communities nationwide that could be helped by the same model if this one succeeds, Harris said. Theres over 3,500 locations like this that need grocery stores, Harris said. This is the prototype. Carver Jones Market is located at 4800 Gary Avenue, across the street from Restoration Academy and Fairfield City Hall, in a building owned by the Urban Hope Community Church. Our church has been at the forefront, Hardy said. We bought the building, we built it out and we raised the funds for operations. Its not just a supermarket, but a ministry, he said. The obvious question people ask is, Who is behind this? Whered the money come from? Hardy said. No politician, no foundation was able to do it. Banks told me no. The people who did believe it, who gave the money, $2 million worth and another million dollars for operations, were Christians. I get choked up. These conservative Christians put their money where their mouth is. The Rev. Alton Hardy, pastor of Urban Hope Community Church in Fairfield, has been working for years to get a grocery store in the city. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com)ggarrison@al.com Urban Hope was a church plant of the Presbyterian Church in America, through its congregations in the Evangel Presbytery including Briarwood, Covenant, Altadena, Oak Mountain, Red Mountain, and Faith Presbyterian that cooperated to bring the Alabama native Hardy from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to start the church in 2012. Hardy grew up in Sardis, south of Selma. All my PCA churches, if they were not behind me, there would be no Urban Hope Community Church, Hardy said. Most people that see me would not think Im Presbyterian. Another of the churchs ministry programs, Urban Hope Leadership Initiative, operates upstairs from the market in lofts, training Black men who are college graduates on how to be better Christian leaders, Hardy said. The Carver Jones Market will also have a pharmacy by the end of September, said Kim Blair, co-owner with her husband, pharmacist Daniel Blair, of Blair Pharmacy in Alabaster. We exist to honor God, serve our patients and care for people, she said. Fairfield, once a boomtown that thrived on the steel industry after the citys founding in 1910, has been losing business and hope for decades as the steel industry declined, said Fairfield City Council member E.J. Foster, also an elder of Urban Hope Community Church. Getting a new grocery store seemed like a fantasy, he said. It seemed like a hopeless dream, Foster said. For some it may seem like a little corner store. Its going to go a long way. Donald Trumps invitation to address the National Association of Black Journalists has sparked an intense debate within the organization and a flurry of arguments online. Journalism organizations for people of color traditionally invite presidential candidates to address their summer gatherings during election years. But Trumps acceptance of NABJs invitation has led at least one high-profile group member to step down as a convention co-chair and others to argue their convention may become a platform for Trump to make false claims or be seen as winning NABJs endorsement. Trump will be interviewed at 12 p.m. CDT Wednesday in Chicago by three reporters: Kadia Goba of Semafor, Rachel Scott of ABC News and Harris Faulkner of Fox News. Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic nominee and first Black woman to hold her office, is not currently scheduled to address the convention. A person familiar with her schedule, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Harris campaign was unable to find a time to appear at NABJ in person and claimed the organization turned down an offer for her to appear virtually. The debate over NABJs invite reflects how many journalists are still grappling with how to approach Trump nearly a decade after his first presidential run. Some group members argued journalists should allow newsmakers to be heard, while others pointed to Trumps demeaning of prominent Black journalists while president and his frequent attacks on the free press, including labeling reporters the enemy of the people. Trump and NABJ also have a tense history over his treatment of Black women journalists. In 2018, NABJ condemned Trump for repeatedly using words such as stupid, loser and nasty to describe Black women journalists including several Black journalists such as Yamiche Alcindor of NBC News; Abby Phillip of CNN; and April Ryan of The Grio. The most powerful man in the free world is verbally abusing journalists, said then-NABJ President Sarah Glover. His dismissive comments toward journalists April Ryan, Abby Phillip and Yamiche Alcindor are appalling, irresponsible, and should be denounced. When Trump told Alcindor dont be threatening during a 2020 press conference, then-NABJ President Dorothy Tucker condemned the remarks as not only unnecessary but demeaning and inappropriate. Former presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have all attended NABJ. President Biden attended a virtual NABJ panel during his 2020 run for president where he received criticism for saying: Unlike the African American community, with notable exceptions, the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community. But for many NABJ members, the decision to host Trump polarizes the organization and threatens the conventions ethos, which aspires to safeguard and advance Black journalists. I understand that the job should put us in tough situations if were doing it in a meaningful way, wrote Tyler J. Davis, an NABJ member and freelance journalist, in The TRiiBE, a local Chicago Black news outlet. But this isnt a story assignment or a news conference or a newsroom. NABJ is a place of learning, networking and feeling supported. Its a space for Black folks to feel safe and celebrated; for Black media, specifically, to feel safe and celebrated, Davis wrote. Ken Lemon, president of NABJ, insisted that the invitation was absolutely not an endorsement. We invited both of them, we got a yes from one of them, Lemon said. Wed love to get a yes from Kamala as well, but in this case this is an important hour. Lemon added that the event would be a great opportunity for us to vet the candidate right here on our ground and added that the association had worked with both campaigns for probably for more than a month and each had given the inclination that both were interested in being a part of what were doing. Yet, Lemon and other leaders at NABJ have faced internal backlash and calls to resign since Trumps appearance was announced. Karen Attiah, a global opinions columnist for The Washington Post, stepped down as the co-chair of the 2024 convention in the wake of the announcement of Trumps appearance. To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck, Attiah wrote on social media. While my decision was influenced by a variety of factors, I was not involved or consulted with in any way with the decision to platform Trump in such a format, she continued. Some industry leaders pushed back on the claim that Black journalists should not take opportunities to interview Trump, noting that any opportunity to hold powerful figures to account should not be wasted and that NABJ as a forum is especially suited to that mission. To suggest they not interview a Presidential candidate on issues relevant to the organizations constituency is outrageous, Rana Cash, the executive editor of the Charlotte Observer and an NABJ member, wrote on X. A federal judge in Birmingham is considering the fate of a legal challenge to a new state law that creates tougher restrictions on helping voters with absentee ballots. David Proctor, the chief U.S. District Judge in Birmingham, spent much of today hearing arguments for and against allowing an appeal of the law to continue. He gave attorneys until Aug. 9 to submit more arguments in the case before hell proceed with a ruling. Im trying to be cagey so no one knows exactly what Im thinking, said Judge Proctor as he concluded the hearing by encouraging those in the courtroom to try some local barbecue. For more than three hours, attorneys fielded questions from the judge and argued about hypothetical situations that could apply to the restrictions: Does the law prohibit someone from helping their neighbor fill out an absentee ballot? Does it ban salaries or reimbursements for staff of organizations such as the NAACP when they help voters with ballots? A major point of contention was whether helping someone fill out an absentee ballot counts as free speech protected by the First Amendment. The law, signed by Gov. Kay Ivey in March , made it a crime to distribute prefilled absentee ballot applications or to turn in an absentee ballot application for another voter unless that voter had a medical emergency. The law also made it a felony to pay someone or to receive payment for assisting a voter with the absentee ballot process. The Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, League of Women Voters of Alabama Education Fund, Greater Birmingham Ministries and Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program challenged the law in court. The U.S. Department of Justice has also weighed in on the case , condemning the restrictions. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and state officials sought to end the appeal and allow the new law to go into effect. Republican state leaders say the law is needed to prevent ballot harvesting, which is the collection of absentee ballots by a third party. They argue it increases the likelihood of voter fraud. But critics of the law say it criminalizes the work of advocacy groups, churches, volunteers who assist elderly and homebound voters who need help with absentee voting. The NAACP and other organizations argue that the state legislation restricts and criminalizes assisting others in completing absentee ballot applications. Lawyers for the groups wrote in court records that the State Legislature produced a vague and sweeping statute that turns civic and neighborly voter engagement into a serious crime. In doing so, SB 1 criminalizes constitutionally protected speech and expressive conduct and disenfranchises disabled voters, senior citizen voters, voters of color, eligible incarcerated voters, and many other Alabamians who depend on assistance to vote, the lawyers wrote. In defense of the law, the state said the organizations make several arguments but fail to link those issues to the new law. Although Alabama is not required to wait until widespread fraud occurs before it acts, fraud arising from absentee balloting and ballot harvesting has occurred in Alabama and elsewhere and not just with the ballots, but with the applications too, the state wrote in its filing. The state cited some cases from the 90s, along with a mayoral election in the small Jefferson County town of Brighton in 2016 , a 2018 Bessemer City Council race , and a 2017 controversy in a mayors race in Gordon, a tiny town in Houston County. Advocacy groups said the law goes too far and suppresses and discourages voter education and assistance that they have long performed. Theres a lot of concern around criminalization from this bill, said Zephyr Scalzetti, digital organizer for Alabama Values Progress. It has been hard to get a straightforward answer about what this bill does and does not prohibit. Theres just been a general atmosphere of fear. Groups urged their followers to attend todays hearing to demonstrate public interest in the case. Its very important that democracy is active participation, Scalzetti said. Its important for people to see that there are so many nuances and ways that this can go. About 70 people packed the courtroom at the Hugo L. Black U.S. Courthouse. The grassroots community did a great job in letting people know what was happening as well as keeping them aware of the lawsuit. This information has not only been shared in Birmingham, but it has been carried across the state, said Keith Williams, co-founder of the Voters Legal Justice Watch Group. We were very engaging in a nonpartisan way and that resonates with people. The way to seek common ground is to take politics out of the equation. Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson attended the hearing and joined observers inside the courthouse. She said the new law will hamper efforts to help older Alabamians vote absentee. It will impact our vulnerable population, she told AL.com. We must protect their rights, not punish them for exercising their right to vote. SOCU Oyster Bar, the popular Mobile restaurant, is now the recipient of a $50,000 American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation grant as part of the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program. The grant is made available to small businesses that focus on serving their local communities and needing financial support. Each recipient of the grant will receive a year of complimentary access to Resys restaurant management software, to further boost operational efficiency. While $40,000 of the grant will go to preserving the exterior and improving the look of the building, the remaining $10,000 will go to business operations. SOCU is housed in a historic building on Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile. (Photo by Michelle Matthews/mmatthews@al.com) A spokesperson for AMEX said, SOCU has faced significant economic challenges, including rising food and labor costs, which have made it difficult to afford necessary renovations and maintain the buildings exterior. The grant supports SOCU because it plays a vital role in preserving local history, contributes to the cultural landscape of downtown Mobile, and exemplifies resilience in the face of economic hardship. Mobiles SOCU location has been closed all year. According to the spokesperson for AMEX, SOCU will have a soft reopening Aug. 23 with the grand reopening scheduled for Sept. 12. The restaurants new grant comes nearly one year after the business was awarded a separate $50,000 grant from the city of Birminghams Retention Incentives for Success and Expansion program. At the time, SOCU became the first recipient of the RISE grant from Birminghams Retention Incentives for Success and Expansion (RISE) program, to fund an expansion that would include hiring more employees. However, Barretts restaurant in the Pizitz Food Hall closed in May 2023 before any incentive payments were carried out. The RISE Program, established in 2022, doles out grants to local businesses to help with retention, success and expansion. The American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation is now in its fourth year, and has reached 125 historic small restaurants to date. About 400 current Madison city employees could see raises beginning this fall if the city adopts market-aligned pay scales recommended by a consultant. The raises would cost $2.2 million in the first budget year and a smaller, yet-to-be-determined annual new amount thereafter due to mandatory performance increases and cost-of-living adjustments, according to a recent presentation to city councilors. New pay schedules would go into effect for general personnel, police and fire employees, designed to bring grades and steps into alignment with wages for similar jobs in other cities and the local market, according to human resources director Megan Zingarelli. Elected officials pay would be unaffected. The Alabama Port Authority has warned Mobile Baykeeper of potential economic harm to the region if the environmental group doesnt drop its intent to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the project to deepen and widen the shipping channel in Mobile Bay. With this letter, the Port is again inviting Baykeeper and its out-of-state activists to stop pursuing litigation that could delay the most important economic development project in the State of Alabama, Maggie Oliver, vice president of communications and federal affairs with the Alabama Port Authority, said in an email. The Ports message is clear: drop the threat of a lawsuit, and lets work together to achieve our shared goal of protecting Mobile Bay. This is an opinion column Do not come, do not come, Vice President Kamala Harris told aspiring immigrants from Guatemala in 2021. The United States will continue to enforce our laws and secure our borders, she said. If you come to our border you will be turned back. Now, panicked Democrats and politically aligned media seem bent on convincing America that Harris had nothing to do with Bidens failed immigration policies. A Time headline reads, Kamala Harris Was Never Bidens Border Czar. Heres What She Really Did. Forbes boldly declares, No, Kamala Harris Is Not The Border CzarWhat To Know About Her Immigration Record. Even local Spectrum News in New York gets in on it with Trump, Republicans attack Harris as Bidens border czar. That was never her role. The list goes on and on. Biden never gave Harris the formal title of Border Czar, but the informal czar title is common for high-ranking federal officials tasked with specific responsibilities. Harriss role in addressing immigration is not a vast right-wing conspiracy. Reporting from 2021 painted a clear picture of her authority. She has been tasked by President Joe Biden with controlling a surge in migration at the southern border, noted a BBC piece. Al Jazeera reported Harris discourage[d] people from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras the three countries where the majority of migrants hail from from making a journey to the U.S. border. The Associated Press specified, President Joe Biden has tapped Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the White House effort to tackle the migration challenge at the U.S. southern border and work with Central American nations to address root causes of the problem. Joe Biden himself stated, When she speaks, she speaks for me. All the information about Harriss role in Bidens immigration response is hiding in plain sight. Biden issued Executive Order 14010 in February of 2021 to manage migration throughout North and Central America, and to provide safe and orderly processing of asylum seekers at the United States border. The president called on Harris to lead that effort which produced the U.S. Strategy for Addressing the Root Causes of Migration in Central America in July of 2021. In addition to her trip to Guatemala and Mexico in 2021, she visited Honduras in January of 2022 and spoke with Guatemalas new president, Bernardo Arevalo, in 2024. Democrats, recognizing that immigration was a policy albatross for Bidens campaign, have gone out of their way to argue that Harris had a specific, diplomatic and economic development engagement in Central America but was not otherwise involved in immigration policy decisions. In the panic to distance Harris from Bidens immigration debacle, most Democrats dont seem to realize that U.S. southern border encounters of migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras have dropped materially even as overall encounters have continued to rise. In fiscal year 2021, when Harris began her immigration work, the number of immigrant encounters from those three nations was 701,049. In fiscal year 2023, encounters were down to 495,286. This fiscal year is on track to be even lower. Instead of taking the time to articulate the nuances of Harriss apparent immigration engagement, Democrats and liberal pundits have sent the clear message that Harris never really had immigration responsibilities at all. In fairness, the question of Harriss true role in the Biden administration looms large. Ill tell you, the reality of it is, and Ive spent a lot of time with Biden, be it in the Oval Office, in the Situation Room and other places he is extraordinarily smart. He has the ability to see around the corner in terms of what might be the challenges we face as a nation or globally, Harris told ABC News in January. Our president is in good shape, in good health, and is ready to lead in our second term, Harris said a month later in February 2024. Clearly, Biden wasnt as capable as Harris led Americans to believe. This is a perfect example of how badly Biden has bungled the 2024 campaign for Democrats. Harris is left with the challenge of touting her policy acumen while avoiding culpability for Bidens failed policies or concealing Bidens diminished capacity. Reducing the flow of Central American migrants by nearly 30 percent in two years is an impressive feat for any politician. Why didnt Biden give Harris more policy responsibilities if she was the one who got the job done? If, as Democrats seem to argue, Harris didnt have a prominent role on shaping immigration policy, why didnt Biden ask for her help? If Biden wouldnt rely on Harris to help solve our nations greatest challenges, the American people probably shouldnt either. Smith is a recovering political attorney with four boys, two dogs, a bearded dragon, and an extremely patient wife. Hes a partner in a media company, a business strategy wonk, and a regular on talk radio. Please direct outrage or agreement to csmith@al.com or @DCameronSmith on X or @davidcameronsmith on Threads. Vice President Kamala Harris would not be facing attacks she used sexual relationships to advance her career as she begins her 2024 presidential campaign if it were not for her race and political beliefs, according to an Alabama state representative. If Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee who is Black and South Asian, were a white Republican, she would not be subject to those attacks, said Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham. In suggesting that Harris is being subject to a double standard, Givan invoked the name of Alabamas junior U.S. senator. You have fools out there that think this woman got to where she is by laying on her back, Givan told Dothan television station WTVY. Did Katie Britt lay on hers to get to the (U.S.) Senate? Givan told AL.com she was not making any allegations against Britt, who is a white woman, instead suggesting that Britt has not had to deal with the same attacks lodged against Harris. If you want to attack her on her policy, if you want to attack her on all of those things dealing with her job performance, thats a whole different thing, Givan said, but what youre not going to do as white Republican Alabamians or Americans is say that she got to where she is by laying on her back, that shes a DEI, that shes a ho and that shes all these other things all into one. I love Katie, I dont have a problem with Katie, Givan said, but she doesnt have to deal with it, and thats my point. Britts office did not immediately issue a comment on Givans statement. As Democrats rallied around Harris as the presumptive nominee after President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race, the vice president faced attacks suggesting that her relationships with powerful men helped further her political career. Did you know that #KamalaHarris' political career took off when she had an affair with Democrat San Francisco mayor Willie Brown. Kamala was in her late 20s he was a married man and 30 years older than her. pic.twitter.com/o5K1wp5OnY Giordano Bruno (@GioBruno1600) July 24, 2024 While the attacks claimed that Harris dated then-married San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown in the 1990s, Brown was actually separated from his wife at the time of the relationship, Reuters reported. Givan defended Harris, saying the former U.S. senator and California attorney generals career is built on merit. She noted that U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called on House members to refrain from attacking Harris race or gender. This is not personal with regard to Kamala Harris, Johnson told reporters, according to the Associated Press, and her ethnicity or her gender have nothing to do with this whatsoever. Addressing Harris critics, Givan said, I ask the question: do you even have a GED? Do you have a high school diploma? Do you have a baccalaureate? Do you have a Masters? And certainly, do u have a doctorate of jurisprudence? So what makes her a DEI? Shes a whole lot of things, but to say she got to where she is by laying on her back my question is. How did you get to where you got? Because shes destined, shes extraordinary, shes imperial DEI. She is deliciously gorgeous, exceptional and intriguing DEI. Donald Trump has won 151 contested presidential primaries. Across the aisle, Democrat party defenders of democracy are jawboning their voters into swallowing a ballot headed by Kamala Harris, an Obama-Biden regime candidate who has never won a presidential primary in her own right. Trump has earned a presidential nomination. Harris hasnt. In 2016, Kamala Harris sat out the presidential race while Donald Trump won 41 contested presidential primary elections. Trump faced down aggressive Republican opponents like John Kasich, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, Jim Gilmore, Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, Rick Santorum, Rand Paul, Mike Huckabee, George Pataki, Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal, Scott Walker, and Rick Perry. In 2016, Candidate Trumps de facto primary opponents included a hostile media, party elites, and the Republican National Committee (RNC). Nominally conservative radio show host Hugh Hewitt attacked Trump daily on the air. In June 2016, Hewitt called on the RNC to change convention rules to freeze out Trump. A month before Trumps Election Day 2016 victory, Hewitt even took to the airwaves to urge Trump to pull out of the race altogether. In 2020, Senator Harris finally threw her hat into the presidential ring, but pulled out of the race before the Iowa caucuses. Instead, Harris rode into the White House on Joe Bidens coattails. Harriss only discernible contribution to the 2020 Biden campaign was a lackluster October 8, 2020 debate with Vice President Mike Pence. In 2020, as Harriss campaign swiftly cratered, President Trump won 56 contested presidential primaries. He faced three Republican primary opponents: William Weld, Joe Walsh, and former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. In addition to the by-then apoplectic anti-Trump media, party elites, and Never Trump Republicans, in 2020 President Trump also faced a hostile Intelligence Community, partisan national security experts, and politicized front offices at the Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Senior Pentagon officers barely concealed their contempt for their democratically elected Commander-in-Chief. Others, active and retired, were applauded for misusing their armed forces credentials to attack the president, from his private life and even from the National Security Council. Several state governors, including at least one Atlantic seaboard Republican, sanctimoniously attacked Trumps every move, including his successful effort to regain control of the border. During the 2020 election cycle, the judiciary entered the anti-Trump fray. Robed judicial activists like Emmett Sullivan in Washington D.C. blatantly abused judicial office for partisan anti-Trump ends. Others allowed unfounded lawsuits against Trump under the Emoluments Clause. Congress lent a hand to the Trump opposition with Star Chamber committees run by anti-Trump partisans. At 3:30 in the morning of January 7, 2021, a joint session of Congress obliged the Trump opposition by ratifying controversial Electoral College results and handing the presidency to Joe Biden. In 2024, Kamala Harris decided against running to unseat her 2020 benefactor. Instead, she rode Joe Bidens coattails again to easy victories in the Democrat presidential nomination contest. During the same election cycle, Donald Trump won 54 hotly contested presidential primaries. Once again, Trump willingly faced an army of capable Republican primary opponents and prevailed: Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy, Asa Hutchinson, Tim Scott, Douglas Burgum, and Mike Pence, to name a few. In addition to the usual suspects, including a hostile press, an elite political culture, and the Republican Never Trump faction, Trump also beat back challenges from de facto primary opponents Alvin Bragg, Jack Smith, Fany Willis, and Juan Merchan. Merrick Garland, his weaponized Justice Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation kept up the pressure on Trump. The Intelligence Community appears to have engaged in serious efforts to mislead American voters about Trump and protect the Biden family from scrutiny. Simultaneously Trump overcame furious efforts in Colorado and 30 other states to knock him off the ballot. Finally, Trump defeated another undeclared primary opponent on July 13, 2024: a Pennsylvania psychopath with a rifle. Few American presidents have been tested more heavily than Trump by the hatred of political adversaries and unprecedented emergencies at home and abroad. Every American voter appalled by the Democrat party elites unilateral installation of an untested and unelected candidate as their eleventh-hour standard bearer has another option. Donald Trump. In the 2024 race, he is the only candidate who genuinely ran the gauntlet for a presidential nomination and prevailed at the ballot box. In three presidential election cycles, against enormous odds, Trump secured the Republican presidential nomination the old-fashioned way: by facing the voter in 151 contested primaries and earning it. Trump is the tested candidate all Americans deserve. Richard J. Douglas is a Navy veteran of Iraq and submarines, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, and Texas attorney. Image: Public domain. The Democrat-led North Carolina Election Board is being criticized for delaying E Ballot access for the We the People Party and the Justice for All Party. Both parties have met the signature requirement mandated by North Carolina law. Ironically, the board has been labeled un-Democratic when the Democrat party for months has accused arch-rival Donald Trump of wanting to crush democracy if elected. The North Carolina Election Board oversees and directs 100 county election boards, all headed by Cooper appointments. Among other things, lawsuits have been filed contending that inclusion of the third parties hurts the Democrat Party and this is the reason for the board's delay. North Carolina allows private funding of election officials and government agencies but the state election board refuses to say how much money is involved and who may be receiving it. The Heritage Foundation ranks all 50 states in terms of their election integrity standards. Their report card for North Carolina is a dismal 70 percent, placing it 18th out of 50. North Carolina did well on ID implementation, vote harvesting-trafficking restrictions, machine vote counting and access of election observers. The state did poorly on voter registration lists, voter assistance to others, handling of absentee ballots, verification of citizenship, private funding of election officials, election litigation procedures, voter recourse and election audits. The following are the most troubling deficiencies in the North Carolina election process. When asked about what the state and county boards are doing about it, the state board refused to answer and most of the country boards said they do whatever the state board tells them to do. Election Board(s) Composition: The North Carolina Legislature intended that elections be fair and honest. However, the state board and the county boards each contain two Republicans, two Democrats and a chair appointed by Democrat governor Roy Cooper. In other woods, the system has a three-to-two Democrat bias. The percentage state breakdown is Republicans (30%), Independents (37%) and Democrats (32%). Early Voting Sites: Early voting in North Carolina will begin nearly two months before November 5. In 2022 nearly one in five North Carolinas early voting locations were located on college campuses disproportionately favoring Democrats 55 to 23 and are in violation of state statute S163-227.6, which prohibits the use of early voting sites that disproportionately favor any party or candidate. A 2020 Study showed that more than 20,000 faculty members found 48.4 percent were registered Democrats and only 5.7 percent were registered Republicans. While early voting sites have not been announced, certain county boards have said that they plan to use college campuses. again. Twenty-four of the 126 NC colleges and universities plan to have early voting sites on or next to their campuses. Each of 17 non-community college campuses with early-voting sites are engaged in Civic Nations All In Democracy Challenge and a program called All In Campus Voting Challenge where the Biden administration has illegally authorized the use of federal work study funds to finance the recruitment of students by other students to register to vote. Behind both programs is a group known as Civic Nation, started by former Obama staffers, including Valerie Jarrett, and financed by Arabella, a left-wing dark money group. Voting by Undocumented Migrants: According to 18USC611, it is unlawful for any alien to vote in federal elections. Over the past two years, the number of illegal or undocumented aliens in North Carolina has increased over 50 percent from 300,000 to 450,000. Since then, illegal migrants who have permanent and indefinite status can get drivers licenses. Further, the Biden administration has urged illegal aliens crossing the border to get licenses and register to vote. The state board refused to answer the following question: What is the board doing to ensure that the following will not vote in 2024: undocumented aliens currently on state voting rolls as exposed by Judicial Watch, undocumented aliens with permanent or indefinite status, or undocumented aliens now entering the U.S. with documentation that will allow them to register to vote? Lack of Voter Data Comparisons: This state has no citizen verification, nor does it run data comparisons between the statewide voter registration lists, Social Security Administration death records, data comparisons between the state voter lists, state welfare and public assistance agencies to find information relevant to registration, such as address changes, deaths, citizenship status, and does not use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) Program to help identify non-citizens. When asked whether or not the board(s) plan to rectify these omissions, the board refused to answer. Lack of Post-election Recourse or Audits: The state legislature has responsibility for state election laws but does not have standing (statutorily or via state constitution) to ensure compliance with election laws passed by the legislature. Further, any changes to the state's election laws via a court settlement does not require approval by the state legislature. Nothing is being done to ensure post-election recourse and audits by either the state legislature or private citizens.? Unlimited Absentee Ballots: In North Carolina there is no limit on the number of absentee ballots one individual can witness. Plus the state does not have a signature comparison requirement. The state does not require the receipt of all ballots by the close of polls on election day, not does it have procedures to investigate the validity of a registration when absentee ballots are returned as undeliverable by the post office. The State Board of Elections is controlled by the Democrat Party and curiously Governor Cooper, who was being touted as a possible running mate for Kamala Harris, has just bowed out from consideration. No wonder they State Election Board doesn't want We the People Party and the Justice for All Party on the ballot. Image: North Carolina State Board of Elections On July 29, President Biden spoke at the LBJ Presidential Library to stress his partys commitment to equal rights of black Americans. This summer is the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer 1964 and the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Acts. It is an important occasion to correct and better understand the pivotal history of that era and how it informs political argument today. Journalists, academics, and Hollywood continue to falsely reify the Democrat party as heroically saving black people from the throes of anti-black racism. One of the significant moments of this alleged rescue is the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act on July 2, 1964. The Democrat party under the Senate leadership of Robert Byrd fought the passage of the bill in the Senate for 14 hours of filibuster. President Biden eulogized former Klan member Byrd in 2010. In the speech, Biden described Byrd as dean of the Senate and a dear friend and mentor. Six Republican senators and 20 Democrat senators voted to deny cloture alongside Byrd in 1964 an attempt to prevent the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. At the time, the Senate was composed of 67 Democrats and 33 Republicans. Eighty-two percent of the Republican Senate caucus voted for passage of the Civil Rights Act. Two thirds of Democrats supported passage, and one third opposed. The House vote was 289-176 in favor of the legislation. Ninety-one Democrats voted against (37%) the bill in the House, and 35 Republicans voted against it (20%). The final passage of the bill on June 19 in the Senate may have been a factor in the abduction of James Chaney, Mickey Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman. These three CORE workers, after helping with training in Oxford, Ohio, traveled to Mississippi to help with black voter registration and educational activities. These efforts were known as Freedom Summer 1964, and hundreds of college students volunteered to help James Farmer, Jr.s organization The Congress of Racial Equality enact the practical necessities of racial equality. The abduction of Chaney, Schwerner, and Goodman in Mississippi on June 20, 1964 galvanized the nation and ensured the final signing of the law by LBJ on June 2 as a national and even federal search for the bodies of the civil rights workers continued until August 4. On that date, based on information from FBI informants inside the KKK, the bodies were located beneath an earthen dam. The killings were among the most atrocious in the long struggle for equal rights among blacks in the South. A sincere and honest history of the struggle for black equality would acknowledge the essential and pivotal role of Republicans, stretching from Lincoln to Grant to Harding and Coolidge to Eisenhower and more. In the aftermath of the Tulsa massacre of a vibrant black community on June 1, 1921, Oklahoma Democrat partisans told reporters the next morning, Yes, you Republicans made quite a muss of things. Harding and Coolidge campaigned in Oklahoma in the fall of 1920 in favor of political equality between blacks and whites. They broke the Democrat partys hold upon the state in November of 1920. The term Republican was used throughout the early 20th century by Democrat partisans as a political slur against those who were either black or black sympathizers. This was common because in the aftermath of emancipation, blacks voted so consistently for the Republican Party. It was an essential component of the argument that the non-white presidential candidate of Warren Harding was unfit to be President in 1920 since he was alleged by Democrat partisans to have a black grandmother in his genealogy. The Republican stand against anti-black racism was evident in Eisenhower deploying troops to Little Rock to end anti-black segregation of schoolchildren. In 1968, the architect of many of the nations most important reforms against anti-black segregation James Farmer, Jr. ran for Congress as a Republican. Farmer reported in his 1985 biography that the poll worker in New York City conceded that vote fraud was part of how that election was conducted. Despite more than 25 years of sacrifice for American Civil Rights, Farmer lost his election to the first black woman to serve in Congress Democrat Shirley Chisholm. Republican President Richard Nixon asked Farmer to work in his administration on issues of urban renewal. After working for more than a year under Nixon, his black friends insisted that he resign, believing that Republicans were not on the side of the black community. Farmer was rarely called upon to exert public leadership compared to those black leaders such as Jesse Jackson, who solidified the alliance between the black community and the Democrat party. Farmer always believed that the black community should not be exclusively controlled by either the Democrats or the Republicans. James Meredith, who singlehandedly desegregated the University of Mississippi remains relatively uncalled upon in current racial controversies because of his profound Christian convictions running counter to current political norms. In more recent history, one of the nations most significant black historians, Carol Swain, retired from Vanderbilt University due to public pressure about her political statements against this type of reactionary ideological history. Swain academically deconstructed the sacrosanct Southern switch strategy, venerated as the modern verification of Republican anti-blackness. Kamala Harris correctly observed in the Democrat primary debates of 2020 that Joseph Biden was a defender of anti-black school segregation in the 1970s. Biden said prior to winning the South Carolina primary in 2020 that black voters were not black if they did not vote for him. This call rallied black voters to save the relatively weak Biden campaign of 2020. South Carolina is now the official first stop in Democrat presidential primaries as arranged by the DNC. Bidens 2020 win in South Carolina with strong help from the black community came at the expense of Bernie Sanders, who actually did work as a leader of CORE at the University of Chicago in the early 1960s. In 2016, CNN elevated Richard Spencer from ignominy to spectacle by arguing that he was a white supremacist supporting Donald Trump. When Spencer announced that he was endorsing Joe Biden for president in 2020, he was summarily dropped by CNN and others as a rhetorical marker for white supremacy. Harris and Biden have an opportunity to lower the temperature in American politics by acknowledging the profound positive role Republicans play in reducing anti-blackness. Trumps role in reducing black incarceration and his support of HBCUs are two important examples that could be acknowledged. The refusal to delineate this more accurate racial history of America serves the narrow partisan interests of the Democrat party and its socially powerful affiliates. It does not well serve the American public or the black community. It harms the soul of America. Dr. Ben Voth is professor of rhetoric and director of debate at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He is the author of several academic books regarding political communication, presidential rhetoric, and genocide. Image: stevepb via Pixabay, Pixabay license. It is a crazy time to be alive. We have economic uncertainty, threats of war, political violence, and social turmoil. An assassin nearly took President Trumps life. Puppet President Biden has been recycled for a younger model. The Olympic Games openly mocks Christianity and celebrates transvestitism. The EU, Russia, China, Iran, Israel, and the U.S. are all tiptoeing toward a little nuclear tete-a-tete. Apprehension saturates the air. Still, if you were a time-traveler from the future surveying the world as it unfolds today, you might whisper, What an amazing time to be alive. That is a luxury that those who look back through history often enjoy. Those living through chaos rarely write about trying times as marvelous adventures. They are too busy struggling to survive. I do not wish to minimize the struggles that we will continue to experience, but I do want to take a small step back and recognize this moment for what it is: a hinge on the door of history opening up a new era for humanity. The hallway weve been walking down for many decades has come to an end. The door before us is shaking loudly as we fight for what reality will take shape on the other side. Our situation is perilous and consequential. Future generations buttressed by a misguided belief that their world was always foreordained will dream about having been alive in our time, just as many of us have contemplated what it would have been like to fight in the trenches of WWI, endure the volatile interwar period, or beat back totalitarianism in the mid-twentieth century. Ours is not an easy time...but it is one ripe with significance. Is this a contest between communism and capitalism? Is it a war between West and East? Is it a clash of civilizations, cultures, religions, and traditional beliefs? It is all of that and more. At its heart, the revolution that is picking up speed throughout the world centers on one essential conflict: state supremacy versus individual freedom. The war that has already begun is the mechanism for answering a straightforward question: how much liberty will each of us be allowed to possess, and how much control will governments maintain over their respective populations? As with all wars, this one concerns the exercise and retention of power. Somewhat uniquely, however, our war will decide whether we individual humans are ultimately sovereign arbiters over the direction of our personal lives, or whether we are disposable cogs in an all-powerful government machine. This war is not debated on the nightly news. It is not the storyline of the next big hit on Netflix. The publishing industry does its best to censor and blacklist any authors asking probing questions regarding the wars numerous engagements. It is far easier to deprive people of their freedoms when they are preoccupied with seemingly life-and-death distractions. Can defenders of democracy save Ukraine from Vladimir Putin? Will a new killer virus bring a return of masks and mandates? Can government agencies save citizens from the dangers of disinformation? Corporate media may dedicate thousands of on-air hours to the scourge of right-wing political parties, but they rarely highlight the abiding menace of government power. Totalitarianism is discussed as a disease that was heroically vanquished last century, instead of as an illness that is rapidly spreading in the current one. Not so many decades ago, American citizens shared a common understanding that government is a necessary evil something that exists to preserve Americans freedoms and not as something that should be celebrated in and of itself. The Fourth of July, after all, has always been a holiday for remembering our ancestors rejection of government tyranny and their principled defense of inalienable rights. People do not shoot off fireworks in honor of the Department of Homeland Security or give rousing, patriotic toasts to commemorate the formation of the Internal Revenue Service. Towns do not organize parades so that citizens can pay tribute to the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Central Intelligence Agency. Independence Day is not a time for praising the federal government; it is a patriotic festival for remembering libertys triumph over government. Regrettably, the occupying forces in D.C. have done a good job of making that distinction disappear. Years of Marxist inculcation in schools and government agencies have combined with years of mass migration from communist nations to effect a culture shift in support of unconstrained government power in the United States. By the time that shift had become so sizable that people noticed, President Obama was openly mocking proponents of limited government as rabble-rousing anarchists. His ridicule of Americans who rightly distrust government power marked a recognizable turning point in our nations history. Up to that point, politicians had paid homage to the Bill of Rights and could generally be counted upon to pay lip service to the Founding Fathers war against tyranny. Afterward, politicians increasingly spoke of rights as nothing more than government-bestowed privileges and used historically illiterate treatises such as the 1619 Project to rewrite Americas foundations in liberty as empty promises irredeemably tainted by the institution of slavery. From Obamas presidency to the present, relentless public messaging has been clear: government power is good and even better when it grows. In truth, American politicians are just being publicly honest about what they have long privately believed. Arguably, the federal government has been accumulating power and authority since its inception, and during the twentieth century, its amalgamated powers grew by leaps and bounds. The 1913 creation of a central bank empowered to manipulate markets, the formation of a self-replicating administrative state set in motion during the presidencies of Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the post-WWII construction of the CIA and the unmitigated domination of the military-industrial complex, multi-trillion-dollar budgets, the steady erosion of state and local sovereignty, and the concomitant expansion of bureaucratic rules and regulations emanating from D.C. have combined to transform the U.S. government into an absolute monstrosity completely antithetical to any notion of limited government. When political leaders such as Obama began openly deriding Americans traditional suspicions of government, they revealed their outright contempt for individual freedom and their allegiance to State supremacy. Almost every big policy initiative this century has centered on the further diminishment of personal liberty. The PATRIOT Act built a domestic surveillance system. Obamacare turned medicine into a government enterprise. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice conspire with social media platforms to censor public speech. The Environmental Protection Agency weakens private property rights. The Treasury Department is exploring options for implementing a central bank digital currency. Everything the U.S. government builds is designed to better track and control citizens. Heres the rub: in America and much of the world, ordinary people are finally recognizing that their governments have been building elaborate cages around them for some time. Call it an unintended yet salubrious side-effect of COVID totalitarianism or well deserved backlash to the World Economic Forums imperious scheming for a Great Reset. Authoritarian governments have inadvertently awakened the masses. An idea is taking shape: perhaps governments have become as big a threat as those threats they claim to combat. That quandary should haunt global leaders over the next decade. In the end, there are so many of us and so few of them. As for me, Im fond of something Benjamin Franklin wrote: Where liberty dwells, there is my country. Theres trouble ahead. You can feel it. Globalists desperately want their technocratic dictatorship. Historys door is rattling, and we dont yet know whats on the other side. But Ill fight like hell to find out. After all, this is still our country. Image: JSMed via Pixabay, Pixabay License. If weve learned anything from our national COVID experience, its that science is not a collection of fixed, eternal declarations. Tools and terminology useful in the process of discovery can also be instruments of confirmation. A microscope can be a portal to the unexpected, or a prop in a theatrical performance. True crime documentaries and news reports of deaths often feature a statement such as, toxicology was performed, toxicology is pending, or toxicology showed X, Y and Z. The word, toxicology, has an aura of a thorough, definitive procedure. Typically, toxicology is understood as analogous to drug screening the living, but methods and reliability are very different. Usually screening for the living is something like a 10-panel test of a fresh sample of urine, plasma, or serum (occasionally hair), with results for limited categories (positive for opioid could mean morphine, oxycodone, or codeine, other medications, or recently-consumed poppyseed cake). Cross-positive results can be caused by unrelated consumption, such as quinine in tonic water (false positive for opiates), ephedrine, fluoxetine, metformin, and pseudoephedrine (false positive for methamphetamine,) and the proton pump inhibitor pantoprazole (positive for marijuana). Because of the multitude of conditions and processes particularly affecting human remains, post-mortem testing is vulnerable to widely varied confounding artifacts and processes. Decomposition and/or bacterial action can alter the location or concentration of drugs or metabolites, a process called postmortem redistribution. In addition, physical and chemical changes within the body, or subsequent contamination, can create or destroy chemicals. Burial can affect results. Factors affecting results are not only numerous, but often impossible to discover in retrospect. Who could determine temperature changes in a room in the hours or days before a body was discovered? For post-mortem drug testing, whole blood collected from the femoral artery is preferred as somewhat shielded from ongoing changes. If unavailable, other options -- all more vulnerable to confounding factors -- include blood from the heart, tissue from solid organs, fluids from other areas of the body (e.g, eye or stomach). Some professionals recommend sampling multiple locations to potentially piece together better data. Not only is there no standard set of tests, there arent standardized protocols for performing tests or collecting samples. The National Association of Medical Examiners publishes a list of recommended standards, but following them isnt mandatory. Forensic procedures vary widely by location (there are over 2000 death investigation offices in the U.S.). Regarding post-mortem drug testing, one professional stated, There is no reliable or obvious connection between concentrations measured in life and subsequent to death. Consequently, concentrations measured after death cannot generally be interpreted to yield concentrations present before death. The definition of lethal concentrations is extremely difficult. Even if post-mortem results could reliably indicate concentrations prior to death, it wouldnt prove the drugs caused the death. Individual sensitivity to medications varies. Anaphylaxis can follow previous unremarkable exposure. Combining medications can increase or decrease absorption, or produce a toxic interaction. Because metabolizing opioids varies widely, and tolerance increases with use, some people are unharmed by a dose that would suppress respiration in others. Prescribed morphine could be detected in a patient who died of cancer or a pain patient who was a passenger in a fatal car crash. One paper I read discussed eight deaths attributed to drugs. Potential candidates for the study were excluded if there was missing medical and/or social history, or advanced decomposition. All the subjects studied had positive post-mortem drug assays -- and physical details consistent with other causes of death, e.g., pneumonia. All had pulmonary edema, three with foam and/or fluid in the lungs. One woman had a history of suicide attempts, and plastic over her face. A 16-year-old girl had a potentially deadly heart condition, myocardial fibrosis. The paper said results were, not specific but suggestive for drug abuse with no distinct findings indicating intoxication or poisoning and not evocative of specific substance misuse. Beyond difficulties interpreting post-mortem tests, reason for skepticism of drug-death statistics is raised by the way data is collected and formatted. The CDCs coding for opioid overdoses is often applied to cases including multiple drugs. Among individuals counted as opioid overdoses, 69.2-87.5% have 1-4 other drugs on the death certificate, with benzodiazepines involved in 77%. For years, CDC codes counted as prescription opioid overdoses deaths linked to opioids that included illegally-manufactured fentanyl, and diverted methadone (The vast majority of methadone is not prescribed, but administered via substance abuse treatment. Methadone prescribing for pain decreased sharply from 2009 to 2019). For years, deaths were being attributed to prescription drugs the decedents most likely never used. Further complicating matters, claims of rising opioid deaths is the inconsistent data CDC receives. In some jurisdictions, and some timeframes, overdose as a cause of death didnt even specify a drug. This was the case for 12% of overdose deaths in 2017-18, and in 19- 22% during 2012-13. Keep in mind only 7.4% of U.S. dead are autopsied. But every decedent gets a cause of death. Numerous causes of death, such as cardiac arrhythmia, leave no physical clues. These unreliable statistics center on a small number (3%) of U.S. deaths. Years of data massively overstating prescription overdoses, have justified policies with devastating effects for the estimated 50.2 million Americans with chronic, severe pain and pain prescribers. The data has been used justifying massive federal drug control spending ($261.3 billion, 2012-2020 with equal spending by state governments). Government anti-opioid efforts focus -- not effectively -- on teens and young adults. But most deaths in the opioid overdose category are in the 45-54 age group -- more frequently prescribed opioids for chronic pain. Risk of death from all kinds of causes is higher in the 45-54 age group, chronic pain adds slightly elevated risk. Opioid death statistics are always good for a headline. A 2018 Boston Globe article reported 1/4 of Massachusetts residents knew someone who died from opioids. Massachusetts opioid death total in 2017 was 1,977 -- 0.0289% of the state population of 6,863,560. A little quick math suggests that, for 1/4 of MA residents to know one of those unfortunate individuals, each decedent would have to have had approximately 867 friends and family (not counting out-of-state loved ones!). Massachusetts data available at the time could have shaped a very different article. The 2016 and 2017 totals -- 2,107 and 1,977 respectively -- showed opioid deaths had declined by 130 while Massachusetts population increased by 136,280. Its common that someone pointing out a flaw in a system or process, is met with demands that the criticism include recommendations for correction. Unfortunately, so many problems affect U.S. overdose death statistics -- from unpredictable microbes, physical processes, and environmental conditions to the inconsistency in years-old data coding -- that its not possible to even hypothesize a way to clean up the data. The best this observer can suggest is discontinuing use of fatally flawed statistics to drive federal policy and spending. Image: National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory While journalists at The Washington Post might call Sheikh Yasser al-Habib an austere religious scholar (the descriptor so affectionately used to eulogize Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi after he detonated himself and his own children a tunnel to evade capture by U.S. forces), others night label the Muslim cleric a terrorist, or even just a devout Islamist, while a report at the Daily Mail describes al-Habib as a vile Muslim extremist; after the massacres in the kibbutzim on October 7th, al-Habib reportedly said he and his followers were buoyed by the slaughter, and rhetorically asked, Who among us does not enjoy retaliation of the Zionist enemy? Anyway, al-Habib has a substantial following, complete with his own army of jihadis, and hes apparently eyeing small islands across the Westsome even along the U.S. borderfor purchase, in order to establish Sharia law domains, and hes just about succeeded in buying a small uninhabited Scottish island called Torsa. As you can expect, the Western governments are radio silent on al-Habibs ambitions. Sheikh Yasser al-Habib, 45 claimed asylum from Kuwait in Britain 20 years ago. He repays us by wanting to set a Sharia Law island at isle of Torsa, in the west coast of Scotland. He runs military camps & plans to build his own school, hospital & mosque. He should be deported. pic.twitter.com/iwmNqaANxU David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) July 28, 2024 Here are the details, from the Daily Mail item: Vile Muslim extremist with his own ARMY plans to create an Islamic homeland under Sharia law on island near US border - and reveals why he saw Canada as a good base A firebrand Muslim clerk eyed up an island on the border of the United States and Canada to purchase and turn into an Islamic state. In a video to his followers, Sheikh Yasser al-Habib, 45, an extremist scholar who already runs military-style training camps, revealed he is in advanced talks to buy an island off the west coast of Scotland. His group plans to build its own school, hospital and mosque on the island, where it intends to practice sharia law. Al-Habib - who claimed asylum in Britain 20 years ago after fleeing his native Kuwait - told his followers during their property search they considered an island located on the border between the United States and Canada. Sarah Zaaimi, a deputy director for communications at the American think tank Atlantic Council, who has researched al-Habib, said: They will have their own army, their own justice system, they will manage their own schools and hospitals, and people from around the world will be able to migrate to this homeland. Encouraging supporters to donate, al-Habib said Torsa will become an Islamic homeland which they will create to prepare for the coming of their messiah, known as Mahdi. Al-Habib has already raised more than $3 million of their $3.5 million goal to purchase the land. Fear not though, weve got border czar Kamala on the joball I can say is deport, deport, deport, and dont stop deporting until the West is the West again. Because...tick, tock, tick, tock: Image: Pixabay Maybe you remember this one from The Godfather movie: Michael Corleone: My father made him an offer he couldnt refuse. Kay Adams: What was that? Michael Corleone: Luca Brasi held a gun to his head, and my father assured him that either his brains or his signature would be on the contract. Thats a true story. Dont mess with Luca. He is dead serious when he has a gun pointing at your head. It reportedly turns out that former President Obama can be dead serious when he is pointing the 25th at your presidency. This is from Seymour Hersch via The Post Millennial: A new Substack out from Seymour Hersch indicates that former President Barack Obama and VP Kamala Harris, now presumptive Democrat nominee for president, threatened sitting President Joe Biden with the potential invocation of the 25th Amendment if he didn't drop out the presidential race and cede that spot to the veep. This would mean that not only did they force Biden out of the race, but that the Democrats know full well that Biden isn't fit to serve out the rest of his term, but are comfortable letting him continued as a figure head if it serves their efforts to retain power for the party. Biden engaged in a debate with former President and GOP nominee for president Donald Trump on June 27. It was so bad that almost instantly Democrat leaders and pundits were looking for a way to get Biden off the ticket. They could see that there was very little chance that Biden, in his diminished state, coudl [sic] beat Trump at the ballot box. The party elite were aghast and worked hard both in public and private to oust Biden. While much of that played out in leaked rumor, speculation, it turns out, per Hersch, that what was going on behind the scenes was a kind of coup, complete with threats from the Obama Kamala team. Can you imagine what this would look like in a movie? Obama on the Zoom talking to a sleepy Joe and angry Jill. He then points to Kamala holding a copy of the 25th and saying: Joe, you either sign that letter to get out or Im calling a Cabinet meeting to get you out. Jill then responds that the 25th doesnt apply to her man because he is not a vegetable in a hospital bed. Obama then ends the Zoom call with a warning that Luca is headed to Delaware. Forgive me for having a little fun but this is a serious matter. The 25th Amendment is a serious option, but not intended to replace an unpopular president. The LBJ route is the better one, or giving a speech so that your party can nominate a successor. My guess is that this is going to be an issue in this campaign. After all, a lot of voters think that the VP knew something of President Bidens condition. Is it unreasonable to ask why she didnt call for a Cabinet meeting months before? P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos. Image: Komers Real, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr, unaltered. Much ink has been spilt over the LGBT exhibition of Da Vincis Last Supper at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony mocking, intentionally or not, a revered image of Christ and his twelve disciples the evening before His crucifixion. The famous image depicts Jesus meeting with his disciples, telling them what was to come. Christians were understandably up in arms over the insult, but you know what they didnt do? They didnt burn down the city, or attack gay and/or trans persons in the streets of Paris. Pundits asked rhetorically, what would have happened if they had insulted Islam or Muhammad? We know darn well what would have happened. Paris would have burned to the ground. Islam, as practiced by orthodox Muslims (Islamists), demands that all (including infidels) pay respect to their religion and their prophet. Slights to Muhammad are met with acts of terrorism and death. As a Christian, though offended, I am a strong believer in the First Amendment and the right to free speech, even though France does not hold this as a right within its constitution. I was offended (as many Christians were) because it was crass, and, as a Christian, I believe that it advances sexual and social precepts that I hold abhorrent. I dont hate these people (personally); I only disapprove strongly of their behavior and, more critically, their efforts to influence young minds. Art offends, often. It's in vogue to insult Christianity and Christian culture. We are at a cultural crossroads, with morality, marriage, and family values being derided as square (or weird), whereas transgenderism is being foisted upon society as gender-affirming care, and hip. Like Islam, the LGBT cultists demand acceptance and homage. They have pushed the boundaries of open sexual behavior while furthering hate crime legislation that has targeted persons of faith for holding to biblical truths. As a Christian, I can simultaneously hold that someones lifestyle is abhorrent while also holding that he is a child of God. I will pray for his repentance. In other words, tolerance. God can work all things to good. Salvation is a gift and, more critically, a choice. You can never be forced into compliance. In this vein, God was glorified in Paris. Image via Picryl. One persons socialism is another persons neighborliness. At least, thats how Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota, described his progressive values during a White Dudes for Harris fundraising call on Monday evening. Heres a video clip from the event, for reference: "Don't ever shy away from our progressive values. One person's socialism is another person's neighborliness." - Gov. Tim Walz He wants to be Kamalas running mate so bad.pic.twitter.com/oSS0NGjOFy Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) July 30, 2024 Neighborliness is that what were calling it now? The Bolsheviks were just being neighborly as they carried out the Red Terror decree, which prescribed mass shooting to be inflicted without hesitation. Joseph Stalin was just being neighborly when he de facto seized private property for the state, collectivized the farms, shipped the resistant kulaks off to prison camps, and starved millions of people to death. The Spanish socialists were just being neighborly when they murdered thousands of Catholics in what was known as the Spanish Red Terror. Adolf Hitler was just being neighborly when he used political power to destroy the private businesses of Jews, and implemented social programs like Realms Work Committee of Institutions for Cure and Care and Charitable Transport Company for the Sick the former was the agency that collected medical questionnaires to determine a persons value, the latter was the government apparatus that delivered the members of society found unworthy of life to the killing centers. Fidel Castro was just being neighborly when he ruled so wickedly that the Cuban people would rather inject themselves with AIDS than live under his regime. Che Guevara was just being neighborly when he ordered a father and his twin boys before a firing squad for resisting the theft of their humble family farm, and installed a big, beautiful picture window overlooking the prison yard so he could watch the executions any time he wanted to take a break from his administrative duties. Herman Marks, also known as El Carnicero (the Butcher), was just being neighborly when he unloaded his pistol into the faces of his victims so the family wouldnt be able to look upon their dead, made cufflinks from spent brass as sentimental keepsakes, and bragged about the festivities that often kept him busy all night long. Hugo Chavez was just being neighborly when he stripped the people of their God-given right to self-defense, also known as the right to keep and bear arms; consequently, the murder rate in Venezuela shot up to unprecedented levels (Reuters reported it quadrupled) and became known as one of the most dangerous nations in the world, with more than 65 murders in the country every single day. Barack Obama was just being neighborly when he destroyed the financial security and stability of generations of American citizens and drastically expanded socialized medicine. Joe Biden was just being neighborly when he issued diktats to transfer billions in debt from people who incurred loans to those who did not. Nicolas Maduro was just being neighborly when he and his goons carried out thousands of extrajudicial killings and forged crime scene evidence. Breadlines, gulags, gun confiscation, wealth redistribution, poverty, starvation, firing squadshey, its all just neighborliness! These socialists would make for a great team of white (and brown and black!) dudes for Harris! Image: Public domain. In the eight days between Monday July 22 and Tuesday July 30, FOX News presented three exclusive long form interviews with former President Donald Trump, two of them on video. The truth is, if you want to see President Trump interviewed on television, FOX News is the place. Its unclear if the two other major mainstream cable news channels (CNN and MSNBC) would invite Trump on or whether he would agree to appear on those hostile outlets. Same for the legacy broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS). I posted large extensive portions of the transcripts of Trumps interviews on FOX News last week with Jesse Watters (in two parts on two nights) here and here. Trumps latest video sitdown with a FOX News host, in this case veteran broadcaster and attorney Laura Ingraham, was shown on The Ingraham Angle, 4:00 p.m. ET, earlier this week on Monday and Tuesday evening. The complete transcript of both nights runs over 9,000 words, which is more than nine times as long as the maximum length of most American Thinker blogs. Therefore, I have opted to include highlights from both nights below as well as video links to seven segments of the videos that comprise the complete Ingraham-Trump interview as it was broadcast. The videos: President Trump on The Ingraham Angle Monday July 29, 2024 Segment One. Segment Two. Segment Three. Segment Four. President Trump on The Ingraham Angle Tuesday July 30, 2024 Segment One. Segment Two. Segment Three. President Trump and Laura Ingraham on The Ingraham Angle FOX News July 29, 2024 Screenshot of FOX News video used with permission Excerpts Trump-Ingraham broadcast Monday July 29, 2029 On whether he will debate Vice President Kamala Harris: Former President Donald Trump: The answer is yes I'll probably end up debating. I think actually the debate should take place before the votes start being cast. You know, when you. I had a very good second debate with Biden. They really beat him badly. The problem was 30, 40% of the votes were already cast. If you're going to have a debate, you got to do it, I think, before the votes are cast. I think it's very important that you do that. So the answer is yes, but I can also make a case for not doing it. On recent criticism of his vice-presidential pick Sen. JD Vances 2021 childless cat ladies comment: Former President Donald Trump: The Democrats are good at spinning things differently from what they were. All he said is he he does like I mean, for him, he likes family. I think a lot of people like family and sometimes it doesn't work out. And you know why -- you don't meet the right person or you don't mean any person, but you're just as good in many cases a lot better than a person that's in a family situation. But they took it and they spun it differently. On President Bidens Supreme Court reform proposals: Former President Donald Trump: Well, it's a typical Biden con. He doesn't want to give up immunity, because if he didn't have immunity to look at all the things he did, the $3.5 million from Russia, all the money hes taken in from China. All of the bad things and the evil things he's done. Not to mention the thousands of people killed in the border look at the Afghanistan pullout-- the worst, most embarrassing day in the history of our country. All of the things he's done that are so bad, he desperately wants immunity. There's no way he would write off immunity for a president. On the assassination attempt against him and his upcoming return to Butler, Pennsylvania: Former President Donald Trump: She [Melania Trump] was watching live. It was all over the place. It was on television. It was on your network. But it was all over the place. And she was watching. I asked her that. I mean, I wasn't there. I was on the ground. And when the world started to -- like, you could talk to people, I said: "So what was your feeling?" And she was -- she can't really even talk about it. Former President Donald Trump on his return to Butler: I think it's important symbolically. I don't think we should be stopped by somebody that has severe mental problems or whatever his problem was On the Olympics opening ceremony: Former President Donald Trump: I'm very open minded. But I thought what they did was a disgrace. President Trump during his interview with Laura Ingraham, FOX News July 29, 2024 Screenshot of FOX News video used with permission Excerpts Trump-Ingraham broadcast Tuesday July 30, 2024 On what he believes a Harris presidency would look like for geopolitics: Former President Trump: I think they will look at her. I think they will walk all over. She will be so easy for them. She will be like a play toy. They look at her and they say, we can't believe we got so lucky. They're going to walk all over her. On his message to Black women about how their life would improve under a Trump administration: Former President Trump: If you have her, you're going to have very unsafe streets. You're going to have millions of people coming in taking your job and your husband's job. You -- remember this. Again, I said it before, and I will say it again. Black people, when all of these people are coming in, the ones that are losing the biggest are the black population. Now, not only in terms of job, but in terms of crime. People are being killed by these migrants coming in from jails, prisons and gangs from South America and from all over the world. They're coming from all over the world. The world is dumping their prisoners and their criminals into the United States. We're like a dumping ground. On what he would like his legacy to be: Former President Trump: That I loved our country and that I was able to straighten it out, because our country's going bad. We're a failed nation. We're a failing and a failed nation. We're laughed at all over the world. When I was president, we weren't laughed at. President Xi was not laughing at me. He wasn't giving us lectures like they did in Alaska in the early weeks of the Biden administration. I have never seen anything. They would never do that. Mexico wouldn't say we want $2 billion just to talk. Mexico gave us everything, remain-in-Mexico policy. Nobody could come in, that -- our remain-in-Mexico. Mexico gave us everything. We had a strong border. We had the strongest border in the history of our country, listen, when I made the right turn. You know why? Because I put up a chart of the lowest immigration in recorded history. That chart saved my life. Peter Barry Chowka has been reporting on national elections since 1964, starting in high school. Later, he reported from several national political conventions and traveled around the country with presidential candidates. Peter is a frequent invited guest on the BBC, the largest broadcaster in the world (his July 27 appearance is here). He has been a frequent contributor to American Thinker since 2007. Recent events, such as the pro-Hamas, anti-Israel, anti-America protests here and in France, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, as well as the Last Supper Olympic debacle, make it increasingly obvious that the radical lefts intolerance is not just of the political right, but of the entire Western social structure and its Judeo-Christian ethic. The history of Western civilization is essentially that of mostly the Caucasian peoples. Their Indo-European forbears migrated out of Asia ostensibly in search of something better. They migrated to harsher northern climes where they exerted their innovative potential to prosper. The vast majority of mankinds civil and technical advances have been generated by the progeny of these Caucasians and adopted globally by all races. Their goal was not to willfully and malevolently subjugate others, but to advance themselves. But the radical left, in its vengeful and disingenuous newspeak, prefers to define their accomplishments in terms of white supremacy. Whites, now and in the past, have advanced solely by subjugating and oppressing people of color. Currently, whites constitute only 16% - 18% of the global population, and have never constituted anything approaching a majority. It is difficult to imagine how so few could have managed to deter the progress of the multitudes in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This increasingly manifest revenge of the globally victimized and oppressed is goaded into action by opportunistic, power seeking leftists whose concept of globalization is not a naturally evolving ethnic blending, but a hostile takeover of the ultimate oppressor - Western society. China and the Middle East smile in approval. Our Democrat party is O.K. with it, too. And finally the Wests oppressive control over the fortunes of others is in jeapardy. With world population doubling in the past 50 years from 4 to 8 billion, and with declining birth rates in Western societies, they see the white population in decline and take delight in the prospect that global dominance by the white supremacists is waning and will eventually come to an end. And what a different world it will be in the hands of the prospective heirs to the kingdom! Just look at the great strides Latin America has made in achieving global egalitarianism. And the enlightenment of the Muslim world has been breathtaking. The explosion of productive, liberal democracies in Africa is also a miracle to behold. China clearly has everyones best interests at heart. And India, as soon as it gets over being burdened by multicultural intolerance and dysfunctionality, will also be there to lead the way. Once those white supremacists fade out of the picture, global prospects seem bright indeed. Image: Margareths1, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED It probably shouldn't surprise anyone that Democrats have decided to go the Saul Alinsky route and pin the off-putting label of "weird" on J.D. Vance, who's probably the most normal guy in the campaign of 2024. Pick a target, freeze it ... you can see what they're doing. But it's a funny label they've chosen, given all they've handed to Republicans to work with as a retort. Here's a starter list of who they consider normal: Sam Brinton, deputy assistant director of the Office of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition at the Department of Energy. Image: Department of Energy official portrait, via Wikimedia Commons // public domain This charmer was Joe Biden's nuclear fuel disposal guy. He was active in the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence hate group targeting Catholics, and a "pup play" enthusiast, which can't be described in polite society. He was last seen stealing women's luggage at multiple airports in order to wear the women's clothing, publicity of which got him dismissed from his job, but not enough to get significantly punished by the long arm of the law. There also was this person, someone who calls himself "Rose Montoya," who last year was a White House visitor: GRAPHIC: Trans TikTok "influencer" Rose Montoya, posed topless at Biden's White House Pride celebration. Next to him is a biological female, also topless, who had her breasts surgically removed. pic.twitter.com/1cprqxtkcQ Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 13, 2023 He took off his top to show his surgically altered breasts in a female skinsuit, same way a guy at the beach would, as if that were normal behavior a woman would do. That's weird. After public criticism, the White House claimed it had banned the person from future White House visits but how'd he get in there in the first place? We also have him, and he was no "guest." This is the son of the Democrat president of the United States: Here's a picture of Hunter Biden in his UNDERWEAR the HE shared publicly and has been trafficked all over the place because he's a parmesan crack-head. But Facebook has blocked me for 90 days for posting it yesterday. My goodness. pic.twitter.com/kGHboNszgT Gregory Borse (@GregoryBorse) February 10, 2023 The bizarre get-up matched a life of unmitigated debauchery as revealed by the contents of his laptop irresponsibly abandoned at a repair shop. Joe Biden called him "the smartest man I know." Sound weird? It is weird. This, also, is weird: Image: Governor Tom Wolf, via Flickr // CC BY 2.0 That's Joe Biden's Assistant Secretary for Health at the United States Department of Health and Human Services, same person who spirited his mother out of an assisted living facility before ordering COVID patients into them when he was a state official in Pennsylvania. Look normal? Or does he look weird? Meanwhile, does this look weird? Here is the image of Bill Clinton in a Blue Dress located inside Jeffrey Epsteins New York residence. It doesnt look like Epstein tried to hide this pictute. pic.twitter.com/Ljg7CJOJHC Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) January 8, 2024 Only as weird as the fact that a Democrat ex-president of the United States was palling around with a notorious child pervert, who somehow got or commissioned this portrait and put it in a visible place in his mansion. How about this guy? Remember when Biden and Harris promoted Cooper the White House Intern as the face of their administration? JD Vance & Trump arent the weird ones. pic.twitter.com/sfMW0sTVlk Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) July 29, 2024 The White House picked this guy, an internet influencer, to sell the White House program to young voters through TikTok. Anything weird there? Only as weird as this, the latest presidential candidate foisted on us by Joe Biden and his crew: Kamala Harris takes the stage, immediately starts laughing uncontrollably pic.twitter.com/c6BR3DqRXA RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 27, 2023 That laughter is weird and that's just the start of it with her. Let's not get into her means of climbing her way to the top. And she's poised to be the Democrats' nominee for the president of the United States. Weird? You decide. But Democrats are trying to paint J.D. Vance as the weird one, the Marine who fought combat for his country to keep us safe, and the man who'd gladly come by from the church in his pickup truck to move your elderly parents to a new home and give up his whole weekend to do it, as Twitter eminento Kurt Schlichter noted. They hate that stuff, they abhor it, no wonder they consider it weird. They do it because it's Who They Are. It's also nasty stuff, little more than schoolyard bullying they claim to oppose, repeating a false claim and hoping the false claim sticks. I hope it blows up in their faces. The media would have us believe that this race is between Kamala the Magnificent, on the one hand, and Trump the Dishonest and Vance the Weird, on the other hand. This is a lie. What matters is that Americans must decide on November 5 if we are a constitutional nation with traditional values or a communist nation with values exemplified in the 2024 Olympics opening ceremonies. In the second half of the 20th century, Americans mostly shared the same values: They liked the Bill of Rights, believed in the traditional family, wanted a color-blind society, expected a sovereign border, demanded strong national security, and desired capitalist-style prosperity that would allow them to ascend the economic ladder. Presidential candidates promised them these things. This year, though, the candidates and their parties have vastly different visions for America. Lets break it down. Image by Andrea Widburg The Bill of Rights: Republicans believe in religion free from government interference, free speech, the right to assemble and petition government, the Second Amendment, due process at law, and, perhaps most importantly, the limited federal government promised under the 10th Amendment. They know a dictatorship is possible only when a government attains too much power and wealth. Democrats are different. They believe: The federal government should quash traditional religion outside of the narrow confines of the home and replace it with a secularism that is now rapidly veering into paganism (i.e., religion). Free speech applies only to government-approved speech. Their assemblies, no matter how violent, are protected, but those that challenge their ideas, no matter how peaceful, are not. Personal safety means only the government is armed. The examples of Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, Venezuela, North Korea, etc., do not persuade them otherwise. Due process of law is an outdated concept tied to race and political affiliation. They prefer a system that favors their side and uses the law against the other side. American freedom requires an all-encompassing, heavily bureaucratic federal government. The Traditional Family: Republicans believe that people and societies thrive in the nuclear familya mother, father, and at least 2.1 children to help the nation replenish its population and grow. They think that traditional religious faiths strengthen the family and society. They know the sex binary is real and that people whose sexual proclivities deviate from the norm should be free from persecution. However, they shouldnt control Americas political and cultural center. They understand that abortion kills babies, although many want it available for extreme situations such as rape and incest. Democrats are different. They believe: The traditional nuclear family is a repressive, white social construct that perpetuates the patriarchy. There is no such thing as biological sex, making the concepts of mother and father, not to mention son and daughter, retrograde and discriminatory. Children will destroy the planet by advancing climate change. The traditional Judeo-Christian faiths are racist, sexist, homophobic, and transphobic, making them inherently violative of the First Amendment and liberty itself. Abortion is a constitutional right, and the clump of cells inside a woman attains viability only if the woman wants it. As Pete Buttigieg just said, abortion frees not only women but also men from the imprisoning effects children have on sexual freedom, financial obligations, and the ability to enjoy ones life. Race: Republicans know that Americas constitutional liberty extends to all people, regardless of race, color, creed, sex, etc. An optimal country values merit and judges people on their character, over which they have control, not their immutable physical characteristics, over which they have no control. Democrats believe race, sex, and sexual identity determine everything about a persons place and opportunities in America. The Constitution, our laws, and our culture must all bend to accommodate those immutable differences. The Border: Republicans believe that a nation without a border is not a nation. Immigrants are good, but (a) Congress, not the immigrants, sets immigration policy; (b) the policy should benefit Americans; (c) immigrants should not be a charge on the public purse; and (d) people who (logically and understandably) dont like the conditions in their own poorly run countries are not refugees. Democrats see borders as racist. America exists not for the benefit of those who already live here but as a safety valve, resource, and refuge for the people of color in poor countries. National Security: Republicans believe that, if America goes to war, expending her blood and gold, the war should benefit America. They also believe that a strong military repels other nations aggression. Democrats support those wars that have no immediate benefit for America (i.e., Ukraine) and oppose those that, at least in theory, do benefit America. (Thus, while it turned out that the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, at least as our government waged them, did not benefit America, they were supposed to.) They see the military as a petri dish for their social experiments. Economic Prosperity: Republicans believe that a free market and a small government that limits itself to preventing fraud in the marketplace creates prosperity that benefits all Americans. They know that capitalism unleashed unprecedented prosperity beginning with the Industrial Revolution (check out this chart) and that post-World War II American capitalism raised not just Americans but large parts of the world out of the grinding poverty that plagued humankind since the dawn of time. Without Europes class limitations, the sky is the limit for hardworking people. Democrats believe in communisma point Kamala effectively makes by saying the government is there to ensure that all outcomes are equal. The obsessions with DEI and climate change are vehicles for ensuring that the government controls how wealth is distributed throughout society. A Bonus Difference. If it matters to you, Democrats have become the party of open antisemitism. I know from correspondence that many Republicans still dream of Nikki or hate Vance. Fine. Feel free to indulge your dreams and your hatreds. But please, dont let those feelings get in the way of whats really at stake: The Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election was issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in March 2019. The investigation was led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and its result is commonly called the Mueller Report. Its first page states this summary: [T]he Special Counsels investigations established that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election principally through two operations. First, a Russian entity carried out a social media campaign that favored presidential candidate Donald J. Trump and disparaged presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Second, a Russian intelligence service conducted computer-intrusion operations against entities, employees, and volunteers working on the Clinton campaign and thus released stolen documents. My post here does not discuss computer-intrusion operations except to remark that the stolen documents perhaps were released not by Russian intelligence, but rather by an American individual, named Seth Rich, in order to hinder Hillary Clinton from beating Bernie Sanders in the 2016 primary-election race. My post here discusses only the first alleged operation. The Russian entity is a private business called the Internet Research Agency (IRA). The Mueller Report (paragraphs 4243) states the IRAs motivation as follows: By approximately May 2014, Defendants [the IRA] ... began to monitor U.S. social media accounts and other sources of information about the 2016 presidential election. ... They [the IRA] engaged in operations primarily intended to communicate derogatory information about Hillary Clinton, to denigrate other candidates such as Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, and to support Bernie Sanders and then-candidate Donald Trump. ... [IRA] specialists were instructed to post content that focused on politics in the USA and to use any opportunity to criticize Hillary and the rest (except Sanders and Trump we support them). In its own words, therefore, the IRA did support Sanders and Trump against Clinton. However, those words should be interpreted correctly. The IRAs business is to research the internet in order to win profitable contracts. Perhaps the IRA did strive to prove that it might be able to help Sanders or Trump to beat Clinton. Aside from its prospect of winning such a contract with Russian intelligence, the IRA did not care much who won that election. According to the Mueller Report, Russian intelligence did establish a contract with the IRA, which did market and perform various services that eventually were detected by U.S. intelligence. However, such services are common everywhere. Surely, the IRA was only one of many U.S. election-consulting businesses that helped Sanders and Trump to defeat Clinton. That should have been the context of the IRA stating, We support them. The Mueller Report (pages 562563) indicts the IRA as follows: Using fictitious U.S. personas, IRA employees operated social media accounts and group pages designed to attract U.S. audiences. These groups and accounts, which addressed divisive political and social issues, falsely claimed to be controlled by U.S. activists. Over time, these social media accounts became a means to reach large U.S. audiences. IRA employees traveled to the United States in mid-2014 on an intelligence-gathering mission to obtain information and photographs to use in their social media posts. IRA employees posted derogatory information about a number of candidates in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. By early to mid-2016, IRA operations included supporting the Trump Campaign and disparaging candidate Hillary Clinton. The IRA made various expenditures to carry out these activities, including buying political advertisements on social media in the names of U.S. persons and entities. Some IRA employees, posing as U.S. persons and without revealing Russian association, communicated electronically with individuals associated with the Trump Campaign and with other political to seek to coordinate political activities, including the staging of political rallies. For sure, the IRA violated some U.S. laws in this operation, but those violations are minor in relation to the outrage that has been generated. Ultimately, the DOJ dropped key indictments in March 2020. Image via Pxhere. At dawn today, in mid-winter in sunny Queensland, it was zero degrees on the lawn outside our kitchen, and the small water tub for our chickens was iced over. Every morning, as soon as it gets light, Judy puts a winter coat over her pajamas and adds gloves, glasses, rubber boots, a beanie, and a walking stick (icy grass is very slippery). She then trudges down the hill to check any newborn lambs and then lets the sheep out of their dingo-proof night camp into their paddock for the day. As soon as they are let out, they dribble into a long line and, led by the wisest old ewe, they wend their way across the frosty flat and then up the hill to the highest point facing the morning sun. Unlike Green politicians, sheep are not stupid. They know that warm air rises, so in winter, they camp at the highest point they can find. And on cold mornings, they try to catch the early rising sun. Here are some Canadian Damara sheep wishing they were in Mexico: This picture was taken by our friend Helmut Lang in Canada. Can you imagine Canadians being scared by the prospect of a bit more global warming? Has the whole world lost its wits? Our house was not built by stupid people. We call it Hilltop, and it faces north. It usually stays above the frost line in winter. And not all residents of Victoria are stupid, either in winter, hundreds of them clog up our highways, heading north to follow the sun. Maybe they are like cattle caught in a snowstorm just drifting north before that cold southerly wind blowing icy air up from the Antarctic? Al Gore and his Green disciples bleat about the imaginary dangers of global warming. They should check where life flourishes is it in the equatorial zones or at the icy poles? Are there more people in Nome, Alaska or in Mexico City? And if atmospheric CO2 controls temperature, both places should be about equally warm. Maybe it is the amount of heat received from the sun, and not CO2, that is the main driver of global temperatures? And even if they fear global warming, they do not need to cripple our electricity generators here with their green energy nonsense. They should just move south to the Snowy Mountains, or buy a house facing the Roaring Forties at Cape Grim in Tasmania, or even slip down to Invercargill in New Zealand for a permanent cure for those with a chronic dose of global warming syndrome. Green Pied Pipers and the children who follow them started the Global Warming Scare. These foolish politicians and their alarmist media mates know more about political science than they know about climate science. As each of their forecasts fails, they change their chant: global warming becomes climate change, then it becomes wild weather all promoted not by meteorologists, but by propagandists in government media units. Anyone with an ounce of knowledge about Earth history knows that the mammoths did not die of heatstroke they were entombed in ice. And even Saint Greta should know that the real danger to life on Earth is not global warming, but global cooling and the return of the suffocating ice sheets. Here is what an ancient Scandinavian legend says: A long time ago the universe was made of ice. Then one day the ice began to melt, and a mist rose into the sky. Out of the mist came a giant made of frost, And the Earth and the heavens were made from his body. This is how the world began and that is how the world will end, not by fire but by ice. The seas will freeze, and winters will never end. Geologic evidence shows there have been many ice ages. However, as the above legend shows, only rare tribal memories go back farther than the last ice age. Despite the shrill forecasts of dangerous global warming from Al Gores Gang, there are many signs that we are past the peak of the Holocene Warming. It is the next cycle of global cooling we have to fear. For example, in Greenland, The Lost Squadron traveling from the USA to Britain in 1942 was forced to land on the Greenland ice sheet. Two B-17 bombers and six P-38 Lightnings ran out of fuel and crash-landed there. The crews abandoned the planes. The planes were rediscovered 50 years later using steam boring machines. They were buried under 268 feet of ice. (In 2002, a recovered and restored P-38 flew again.) Our family ancestors learned about weather. Mine came from Britain and Denmark. Some went to Dunedin in far south New Zealand. There they started to die out and decided to move again to sunny Queensland. Judys ancestors started living around Armidale in New South Wales but also found it too cold and migrated north to Sarina in North Queensland. (Every winter, her sheep wish she had stayed in the warmth of north Queensland.) Here is our pictorial comment on The Evolution of Human Energy. Feel free to use this cartoon with no alterations. Viv Forbes BScApp, FAusImm, FSIA, is executive director of the Saltbush Club and founder of the Carbon Sense Coalition. He has no investments in or contracts with gas, coal, or cement companies. But he has a diesel generator in the shed, a gas-powered quad bike, a diesel tractor, a gas barby, and silly, dirty, poorly oriented solar panels on his roof. And shivering sheep on the hill, waiting for the morning sun. Further Reading: The Stampede of the Green Lemmings: https://carbon-sense.com/2022/03/12/green-lemmings/#more-2462 The Lost Squadron located under 300 feet of ice in Greenland: https://www.livescience.com/63423-lost-squadron-unearthed-greenland-glacier.html Are We Indigenes yet? https://saltbushclub.com/2021/05/15/are-we-indigenes-yet/ Polar bear image via Public Domain Pictures. Currently, the AI industry has some key names, such as NVIDIA. The company grew enormously thanks to other big names using its GPUs for AI model training, becoming the market leader. However, it seems that NVIDIAs position does not fully convince Apple, who preferred to resort to Googles AI chips to train its own LLMs. Technical paper offers details on Apples AI training Apple came a little late to the AI segment, but it does not want to be left behind. At the latest WWDC24, the company announced a plethora of AI-powered features for its mobile devices and Macs. Most of these features will arrive starting next year, and even those that were supposed to arrive this September were delayed. However, something like this was to be expected considering the arduous development behind high-end AI models. That said, Apple published a technical paper offering details on the development of its LLMs. These will be the basis of the Apple Intelligence platform that will support the companys own models and others from third parties. Apples first external partner in this regard is OpenAI, collaborating to integrate ChatGPT functionality into iOS for cloud-based tasks. The company might also offer Google Gemini support in the future. Apple turns to Google chips for AI training with cloud-focus Anyway, the paper reveals that Apple turned to Googles TPU platforms instead of NVIDIA GPUs. This contrasts with the approach taken by other major companies like OpenAI and Microsoft. More specifically, the paper mentions Cloud TPU clusters as the driver of Apples AI training. The company refers to its own set of LLMs as Apple Foundation Model (AFM). Basically, the Cupertino giant rented cloud processing power from Google instead of acquiring NVIDIA GPUs. The company claims that the cloud approach was the best for them. According to the paper, This system allows us to train the AFM models efficiently and scalably, including AFM-on-device, AFM-server, and larger models. Apple is also looking to make its AI models have a low harmful response rate. This includes handling sensitive issues, factual errors, performance in mathematical operations, and more. According to the paper, AFM currently shows a harmful output violation rate of 6.3%. For reference, Apple detected a rate of 28.8% in the GPT-4 model. With respect to on-device processing, AFM exhibits an error rate of 7.5%, while Metas Llama-3-8B model shows a 21.8% rate. There has been a lot of talk lately about the potential One UI 7 rollout date. It seems that Samsung is taking a bit longer than expected to get it ready. A new report claims that the first One UI 7 beta will arrive in August for the first eligible Galaxy devices. Previous leaks suggested that the One UI 7 beta would be available starting July 29 (yesterday). However, soon after, new reports surfaced denying the alleged date and adding that Samsung still had some work ahead of it to make the update usable. The latest ones came true, but a potential new timeframe for the rollout has emerged. Samsung may launch One UI 7 beta during the third week of August According to SamMobile, Samsung will release the first One UI 7 beta sometime during the third week of August. The source also adds that the delay would not only be due to the ongoing work on One UI 7, but also the rollout of One UI 6.1.1. Currently, the latest stable update to Samsungs custom Android skin is only available on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. So, Samsung would be dividing its efforts between the development of One UI 7 and the rollout of One UI 6.1.1. In the Android industry, Samsung is the company that offers the longest software support to its devices in all ranges. So, there are dozens of phones and tablets waiting to get the One UI 6.1.1 update before even thinking about One UI 7. Meanwhile, One 6.1.1 is expected to start reaching the Galaxy S24 and other flagships soon. The biggest Galaxy update in years One UI 7 is becoming one of the most anticipated updates for Galaxy device users. It is said to bring a big UI revamp as well as new features. Flagship phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra could receive a big camera quality boost with the update too. However, some leaked design tweaks have also received backlash, such as the similarity of certain icons to those of iOS. On the other hand, One 6.1.1 is an intermediate step that brings AI-powered features to more Galaxy devices. Of course, not all device ranges will support all of the Galaxy AI features seen on the S24 series. Itll be interesting to see which AI features they get and how they perform on phones with less powerful hardware. Googles Dear Sydney ad for the ongoing Olympics 2024 has triggered several internet users, and seemingly for valid reasons. The advertisement is intended to promote the search giants Gemini Gen AI but seems to send a very wrong message to young minds. Why did Googles Olympics Ad offend some people? Google is actively promoting its Gemini Generative AI engine. The search giant has been aggressively infusing it in multiple web platforms such as Workspace, Gmail, Docs, and more. As part of its marketing efforts, Google put out a video ad to promote Gemini. The TV ad, which played during ad breaks from the Olympics, shows a father and daughter discussing the childs love and admiration for American Olympic track star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The ad shows the young daughter training to compete like her hero. Gemini AI suggests ways to improve the childs training and fitness. Thereafter, the father seeks Geminis help for his daughter to write a fan letter to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone by typing the following prompt: Help my daughter write a letter telling Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone how inspiring she is and be sure to mention that my daughter plans on breaking her world record one day. (She says sorry, not sorry.) The ad demonstrates Geminis growing ability to understand queries and requests as if it were a personal assistant. Moreover, it showcases how Gen AI can generate text which appears to increasingly resemble content generated by humans. The Google commercial where the dad has his daughter use AI to construct a note to her favorite athlete rather than encourage her to write what she actually wants to tell her hero takes a little chunk out of my soul every time I see it. Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) July 28, 2024 While theres nothing wrong about relying on Gemini, the ad reportedly implies children would only need to type out a prompt to get meaningful content auto-generated for them. The ad doesnt encourage children to write a note and express their feelings and emotions. Instead, the promotional message suggests parents ask Gen AI to compile an entire note. Gen AI is a double-edged sword, fears netizens A Google spokesperson has reportedly responded with a statement that states the company believes that AI can be a great tool for enhancing human creativity, but can never replace it. Our goal was to create an authentic story celebrating Team USA. It showcases a real-life track enthusiast and her father, and aims to show how the Gemini app can provide a starting point, thought starter, or early draft for someone looking for ideas for their writing. Google Olympics Ad Touting AI Is Exact Opposite Of How We Should Teach Our Students To Use It https://t.co/8exhroJca2 Larry Ferlazzo (@Larryferlazzo) July 28, 2024 Needless to say, Google appears to have missed the mark by a mile with the latest Olympics ad. Instead of spurring creativity, the ad suggests Gen AI can take over the entire process. In other words, Google implied Gen AI isnt a starting point but the entire journey devoid of thinking and learning for humans. Apple recently faced a similar backlash for crushing technology associated with creativity and joy. The iPhone maker apologized and stated that it merely intended to highlight the new iPad and promote how exceptionally thin it is. Google accidentally broke its password manager leaving millions of users fumbling for their login credentials. The search giant has apologized for pushing a minor but faulty update, which particularly impacted the Chrome web browser for Windows. Chrome users unable to use Googles password manager Millions of Windows OS users were perplexed because their Chrome web browser refused to recall and enter saved passwords. Several users blamed the Operating System while many others cursed the Chrome web browser. Chromes inability to manage usernames and passwords originated from Googles default password manager for the web browser. Specifically speaking, the M127 version of the Chrome browser for Windows OS was impacted. Google addressed the problem within its password manager. However, Windows OS users relying on Chrome web browsers were unable to access their saved passwords for nearly 18 hours. #Technology Google fixes glitch in Password Manager affecting 15 million Windows users: They also said that the issue was limited to the M127 version of Google Chrome on Windows https://t.co/v1ebix6S2F pic.twitter.com/qjpLCZmWSk Global Voters (@global_voters) July 30, 2024 Google released a statement indicating the root cause of the issue, was a change in product behavior without proper feature guard. Simply put, Google pushed a faulty update that broke down the password managers functionality. Several users observed that Googles Password Manager was submitting a null password. Assuming the password manager was functioning correctly, some users submitted the login credentials but failed to log in. Several websites, online services, and web platforms simply claimed Username or Password incorrect. Needless to say, this must have prompted users to hit the Forgot or Reset Password button even when their login credentials were working. Google Password Manager restored but user confidence shaken? Google issued an emergency fix and confirmed that the password manager was functioning normally. However, such disruptions would undoubtedly impact user confidence. Millions of users' passwords were temporarily deleted from Chrome worldwide! Google issued a statement and apologized for the incident. According to the information received, this temporary problem in the password manager, which persisted for a long time, affected 15 million pic.twitter.com/cqLYcO89h2 Artificial Intelligent Technologies (@xForAiT) July 29, 2024 Microsoft Windows 10 had recently crashed on approximately 8.5 million computers across the world. Interestingly, a faulty update was the root cause behind this outage as well. In Googles case, rough estimates reportedly suggest about 15-17 million individuals may have been affected by the near-day-long outage. Such disruptions have once again highlighted the need to have multiple backups. Additionally, several experts have advised users to have devices with alternative operating systems such as Linux, and reliable apps to store and manage their login credentials. Google Maps is one of the companys most comprehensive services. Today, its much more than just a map and navigation app, offering multiple useful features. One of them is wildfire boundary monitoring, which is reaching more regions. In addition to Maps, Google Search is also compatible with the feature. Maps and Search services have been showing alerts for nearby wildfire boundaries since 2020. Its goal is to map the wildfires in detail so that users are aware of the potential danger. People also receive notifications and instructions on how to stay safe. According to Google, this is another milestone achieved thanks to the power of AI. The company claims that this summer alone, the tool has detected and mapped more than 40 wildfires in southern Europe. Google is expanding the reach of wildfire alerts in Maps and Search According to the blog post, there are wildfires started by things as seemingly trivial as light refraction through broken glass. Google also claims that Europe has doubled its territory prone to wildfires in the last 50 years. Now, the wildfire alert system through Google Maps and Search is also available in the following countries: Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Kenya, Monaco, Montenegro, Portugal, Rwanda, Slovenia, Spain, and Turkey. In this regard, Google also says the following: We showed these wildfire boundaries in Search and Maps and made information available through notifications complementing existing on-the-ground efforts to help people access information and stay safe. As many as 1.4 million people saw our wildfire information in the first week of July alone after wildfires broke out across Europe and Africa. Previously, the feature was available in the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico. The Mountain View giant has been deploying the feature in regions that have been impacted by wildfires in recent summers. Lastly, Google also says that Maps and Search wildfire alerts will be available in more countries in the future. OpenAI has started the rollout of the Advanced Voice Mode feature for ChatGPT Plus Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI). However, the company seems to be taking an extremely cautious approach. Not all ChatGPT Plus subscribers are part of the OpenAI Voice Mode rollout ChatGPTs subreddit has confirmed that OpenAI is rolling out the Advance Voice Mode to some ChatGPT Plus subscribers. The company has clarified that a full release for the feature might not happen until the end of this year. Our rollout of Advanced Voice Mode has started. Were slowly enrolling users in the alpha to ensure the quality of the experience. OpenAI had previously claimed the deployment of ChatGPTs Advanced Voice Mode would be delayed for safety reasons. Back then, the company claimed it was improving the models ability to detect and refuse certain content. We're sharing an update on the advanced Voice Mode we demoed during our Spring Update, which we remain very excited about: We had planned to start rolling this out in alpha to a small group of ChatGPT Plus users in late June, but need one more month to reach our bar to launch. OpenAI (@OpenAI) June 25, 2024 What this means is that OpenAI is intentionally slowing down the rollout of the Voice Mode. The company claims it intends to ensure quality of service. However, some experts imply the restricted nature of the deployment is to test the waters and ensure ChatGPT can offer reliable and fast response. Incidentally, theres a waitlist for SearchGPT, a search engine from OpenAI. Moreover, the platform is an extremely early-stage prototype. OpenAI limiting the availability of Voice Mode seems to suggest the companys resources are stretched thin or the new mode isnt fully matured for general deployment yet. Is the new ChatGPT feature worth the wait? OpenAI has been making some serious strides in Gen AI. The companys ChatGPT-4o, based on the GPT 4.0 engine is quite fast and accurate. Moreover, it appears to be better than Googles Gemini. Were starting to roll out advanced Voice Mode to a small group of ChatGPT Plus users. Advanced Voice Mode offers more natural, real-time conversations, allows you to interrupt anytime, and senses and responds to your emotions. pic.twitter.com/64O94EhhXK OpenAI (@OpenAI) July 30, 2024 ChatGPT does have a rudimentary voice mode. However, OpenAI has routinely implied the Advanced Voice Mode will feel like talking to a virtual, personal assistant that users can engage in natural, spoken conversations. Users would also be able to interrupt ChatGPT, just as in a normal conversation with a person. Incidentally, the company had halted the previous version of the Voice Mode. During the initial launch, the Advanced Voice Mode will have only four preset options of voices to avoid impersonation. Moreover, the platform will detect and deny certain requests that aim to generate music or other copyrighted audio. Perplexity will start embedding ads within its AI search engine and share revenue with publishers. The Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) platform has been facing publishers ire for allegedly scraping data without permission. Perplexity Publishers Program will share revenue for ads Perplexity, a two-year-old AI search engine, currently valued at over $3 billion, has initiated a Perplexity Publishers Program. As part of the program, Perplexity will start posting ads and share some of the revenue with partnering publishers. The Perplexity Publishers Program will launch at the end of September. The AI search engine is backed by investors like Jeff Bezos and NVIDIA. Perplexity recently faced intense backlash from leading online publishers including Forbes, Conde Nast, and others for allegedly scraping content without permission. If thats not concerning enough, the Gen AI search engine may have ignored Robots.txt, which is a simple file that warns page-crawling bots to steer clear of the website. this is how @perplexity_ai ads will work brands pay for ads-based follow up questions users click on them if a publisher is mentioned in the answer, then the publisher gets paid so some of the brands ad budget is redirected to publishers, while PP is gets a fee https://t.co/bb2iBJrrjM Pavel Larionov (@pa1ar) July 30, 2024 The Perplexity Publishers Program reportedly includes TIME, Fortune, The Texas Tribune, Der Spiegel, and Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com. Needless to say, most of the publishers around the world fear the impact of Gen AI on their traffic and revenue. Perplexity AI, in particular, is perceived as a direct threat because of how it operates. The Perplexity search engine crawls through the internet and gathers information from multiple sources, including online publishers. It then synthesizes an answer using Gen AI. Simply put, visitors to Perplexity need not visit the websites from which the search engine has obtained the content. How much will publishers earn? It is important to note that Perplexity does not train its own AI models. It lets users pick their preferred AI LLMs such as OpenAIs GPT-4o, Anthropics Claude 3.5 Sonnet, and Metas Llama 3.1. Perplexitys Gen AI subsequently summarizes answers from the web. To support the work of media organizations and creators, we need to ensure publishers can thrive as Perplexity grows. We're excited about the program and our first batch of partners: TIME, Der Spiegel, Fortune, Entrepreneur, The Texas Tribune, and https://t.co/zt9fIqutMd. Aravind Srinivas (@AravSrinivas) July 30, 2024 Neither Perplexity nor its partnering publishers have divulged how much revenue the AI company is sharing. However, Dmitry Shevelenko, the companys chief business officer, indicated it would be a meaningful double-digit percentage shared back with the publishers that contributed source input to the answer. It is not clear if Perplexitys revenue-sharing model would have any meaningful impact to cover the revenue lost due to declining traffic. Moreover, the AI search companys revenue would largely depend on ads and how well it monetizes the content on its platform. Samsung unveiled the all-new Galaxy Watch Ultra alongside the Galaxy Watch 7 smartwatches during the Galaxy Unpacked event earlier this month. Both these Galaxy smartwatches went on sale just last week. Samsung now released the first software OTA update which includes quite a few bug fixes and stability improvements as well. As per the changelog, the update also includes the June 1, 2024 security patch. Users can update their new Galaxy smartwatches by downloading the latest update through the Galaxy Wearable app on their smartphone. They need to navigate to Watch settings and tap on Watch software update to see the Download and install button. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra update with version L705FXXU1AXFB is 330.5MB in size. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 & Ultra gets new One UI 6.0 Watch update For the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, the update comes as version L310XXU1AXG2 and is just 173.5 MB in size. Samsung also mentioned there will be performance enhancement. There are several reports suggesting serious battery drain issues on the newly launched Galaxy smartwatches. The company claims the 40mm Galaxy Watch 7 with a 300mAh battery and the 44mm variant with a 425mAh battery to last up to 40 hours. Whereas the Galaxy Watch Ultra with a bigger 590mAh battery is claimed to offer up to 80 hours of battery life. As per the initial reports, both these smartwatches could barely last up to 12 hours, which is much lower than what the company has claimed. Samsung acknowledged the significant battery drain issues reported by users of the new Galaxy smartwatches, which fell far short of the promised battery life. Samsung expected to fix the battery drain issues on their new smartwatches While the company hasnt explicitly stated that this update resolves the problem, the changelogs mention of performance enhancements suggests a potential fix. If you are the new owner of a Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra or Galaxy Watch 7, the new OTA update could improve the battery life making your smartwatches last much longer. Beyond battery life, the update is also expected to introduce Galaxy AI enabled features like Energy Scores and Sleep Insights Both these features are part of One UI 6.0 watch update but were missing from both the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra out of the box. With the Energy Scores, the new Galaxy smartwatches provide a score based on various data points including Sleep, Activity, Sleeping Heart Rate, and Sleeping Heart Rate Variability. The company also improved the sleep algorithms as part of Sleep Insights to offer much more accurate data. Samsung launched a bunch of new products in its second Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10, including the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, Galaxy Buds 3 series, Galaxy Watch 7 series and more. Now the company has shared a post about its Galaxy Z Flip devices. The post talks about a new use case its compact foldable devices. Its common for police officers to deal with fast-paced and often dangerous situations on a daily basis. Samsung wants to utilize its technologies to help them overcome some of the challenges and make life a little bit easier for them. The goal is to enable workers to carry out tasks more effectively and even improve safety and transparency. Galaxy Z Flip 6 units are being used by police officers as a bodycam The Kimberling City Police and the Indian Point Police in Missouri conducted a pilot program two years ago to test out new devices to help improve daily operations. According to Samsung, officers were equipped with Samsung Galaxy Z Flip series phones. The intention was to help them find efficiencies in their work through several methods. It includes their use as a body-worn camera. It is the first time police officers have used foldables for this purpose and it helps them promote transparency. The pilot program has been completed with successful results. Samsung typically advertises the hands-free photo-taking ability of its flip phones offered by the feature called Flex Cam. This year, the company even showed at launch that the phone can also adjust the framing all by itself. There are also other attractive features like the interpreter mode, which allows users to communicate in real time with people who speak different languages. It also takes advantage of the hinge of the device. It shows the text to both the people conveniently with the help of the inner and outer display. Now the company is going beyond and searching for more use cases (such as the Galaxy Z Flip 6 bodycam functionality). Various use cases may benefit from its compact device with two displays, cameras, and a hinge. The Samsung flip phone in the image is different from regular models There are some differences between the regular Galaxy Z Flip devices and the ones the police officers have been using. The company reportedly worked with Visual Labs to customize the phones for law enforcement. For those unfamiliar, Virtual Labs is a leading body camera solution provider. One of the main changes in the customization process is remapping the external volume button to start the body camera recordings in urgent situations. Recordings can also be set to automatically start when the phone detects a pursuit. If used with a dashcam, recording also begins automatically whenever a vehicles emergency lights are activated. The number of existing homeowners moving properties increased by around 10% in the first half of 2024, compared with the same period the year before, according to a major bank. Across the UK, there were 126,884 mortgaged home movers in the first six months of this year, compared with 115,530 during the same period in 2023, the Lloyds Bank Home Mover Review estimated. The average home mover is aged 40 and around one in three movers buy detached homes, Lloyds found. The research was based on data from the Halifax housing statistics database as well as data from UK Finance. Halifax is part of Lloyds Banking Group. Home movers typically have equity in their new home to the value of around a third (33%) of the property price, according to the report. Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Lloyds Bank, said: The home mover market has had a positive first half of this year, with an increased number of people making a move, in a sign buyer confidence is improving. Six out of 10 movers have chosen detached or semi-detached properties, as larger living areas make them a popular choice as people seek more space and privacy. Looking across the wider home-buying market, this also signals positive news for first-time buyers while turnover of property stock helps homeowners take the next step on the property ladder, it also frees up more properties, like terraced houses, for first-time buyers to start their home ownership dream. Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, said: Propertymark is keen to see a connected communities approach that ensures new houses are targeted at the right areas at the right time. A determination to give it one last shot and some words of encouragement from Alistair Brownlee spurred Alex Yee on to an extraordinary triathlon gold medal. The 26-year-old Londoner went into the delayed mens race as the favourite but looked to have been beaten into silver by his big rival Hayden Wilde from New Zealand, who had a 14-second lead going into the final lap of the 10 kilometre run. But Yee, who claimed silver in Tokyo, had kept just enough in his legs and surged past Wilde in the final 500 metres to cross the finish line first on the Pont Alexandre III. Alex Yee crosses the finish line (David Goldman/AP) I was riding a bit of a bad patch from 2-6K, said Yee, who also anchored Britain to mixed relay gold in Tokyo. And maybe in my head I probably thought second, with the guys closing quite rapidly behind, that was the best thing for me. But I just didnt want to give up on myself. I dont even know if I thought I was going to win. I wanted to cross that finish line knowing Id given 100 per cent. I thought maybe he would be a little bit fresher, me having caught him. So I was like, If I give 100 per cent and he comes back around me then I have to be at peace with that. And it was enough. Its amazing to be part of this level, and to be able to be pushed by Hayden and have those battles I think is something Ill relish forever. Yee watched Brownlee win gold in Hyde Park 12 years ago and the two-time gold medallist was among the hordes packing the side of the course around central Paris. Its pretty special, he said of having emulated the Yorkshireman, before revealing the role Britains greatest triathlete played in the closing stages. Alistair was one of the people with one lap to go who said to me, Anything can happen, mate. He shouted that out. Its a pretty special moment to look back at that now. The mens race had been due to take place on Tuesday but was cancelled at only a few hours notice after water quality in the Seine was still deemed not up to scratch. Yee said of the concerns: I think, for me, youve got to have trust in the organisation that theyre going to put you in safe conditions. Im sure well find out in due time if thats correct. Triathletes dive into the Seine (Vadim Ghirda/AP) One of the risks of being in the best venue of the Olympics was the water quality. For us to be able to have this historic moment, to be able to race the Olympics in the Seine, hopefully leave a legacy behind. Hopefully people can go and swim there later and be inspired from what weve done. Wilde, meanwhile, revealed he had been going to bed at 7pm and getting up at 5.30am every day for two months to prepare for an 8am start only for the race to be scheduled at 10.45am at one days notice. The key thing for Yee was to ensure he was not too far off the pace in the swim and he managed to get into the lead group on the bike, with Wilde back in the second pack. The New Zealander worked hard to catch up but was caught out again in the second transition as Yee pulled away in the initial stages of the run. Hayden Wilde, left, puts his arm round Alex Yee (Vadim Ghirda/AP) However, Wilde not only chased him down but passed him and appeared to be heading for a certain victory only for Yee to retake the lead almost within sight of the finish line. The Londoner did not even raise his arms, saying: I think it was a bit of disbelief to be honest, that I was the first person to cross the finish line. I just got to the finish line and I was like, Oh my days. Its pretty mad. Wilde admitted he paid for his efforts on the bike, saying: If I didnt put that big surge in and shoot some ammo there, it would have been game over. For sure I think it probably stung my legs a bit too much. He was not aware Yee was about to catch him, adding: It was too loud. I was just depleted, I was gone, I was done. I had nothing left and I just had to survive to get to the finish line. It was actually really nice Alex and I finally got a battle we both deserve. Take a bow, Alex Yee. Simply stunning comeback, chasing down New Zealand's Hayden Wilde to clinch a dramatic Olympic gold!#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Bior1vLupN Team GB (@TeamGB) July 31, 2024 It was just everything that we had dreamed of. Being together on the podium, it was something special. We might be rivals but were really good friends. Britains Sam Dickinson played a key role in supporting Yee, meanwhile, leading him out at the end of the bike leg and into the run before urging his compatriot on. He later likened himself to a character from the film A Knights Tale, saying: When they send the knight off to joust, all of his squires behind him, geeing him up, shouting, Get in the cradle. I felt like that was my job. Im proud I could do it. Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has avoided jail after being handed a suspended sentence for dangerous driving in Dublin. The UFC star also received a two-year driving ban and a fine for two traffic offences. McGregor, 36, of The Paddocks in Straffan, Co Kildare, was charged with several driving offences after an incident on the N4/M50 interchange in Palmerstown, west Dublin, on March 22 2022. He had been travelling in his Bentley Continental GT when he was stopped by gardai on the motorway. Proceedings have come to a close more than two years later, after the millionaire appeared at Blanchardstown District Court for several court mentions in the case. Judge David McHugh disqualified McGregor from driving for two years, handed him a five-month suspended sentence and fined him 5,000 euro (4,200) for dangerous driving the maximum for such an offence. He received a further 1,000 euro (840) fine for a count of careless driving on the M50 on the same day. A count of dangerous driving and charges for having no insurance or licence were struck out on Wednesday. After the decision, McGregor, wearing a blue three-piece suit, was driven away in a Bentley convertible, accompanied by his father Tony. He made no comment other than to say thank you to an onlooker who wished him well. The driving ban comes a month after the Dubliner pulled out of a major UFC fight against Michael Chandler due to an injury. The fight was expected to be part of a comeback for McGregor, who has not fought in the UFC since 2021. Both competitors have hinted at a rescheduled match-up in December, though this has not been officially confirmed. In 2018, McGregor was disqualified from driving for six months after being caught travelling at around one and a half times the speed limit near Dublin. The court heard at the time about a dozen previous traffic convictions, which included going through a red light, driving while using a mobile phone, entering a bus lane, driving unaccompanied with only a provisional licence and parking on double yellow lines. McGregor acknowledged outside the courtroom then that he had to slow down and drive safer in future. An IT consultant killed in a helicopter crash in Co Westmeath will be deeply missed, his family said. Father-of-two Niall Crosby, of Glenageary, Dublin, and one other man, who is understood to be from eastern Europe, died in the crash close to the village of Killucan at about 3.30pm on Tuesday. In a statement, Mr Crosbys family said the 46-year-old will be deeply missed by his wife Jillian, two sons and wider family circle, friends and work colleagues. A hearse in a convoy leaves after attending the scene near Killucan, Co Westmeath, following a helicopter crash which killed two men aged in their 40s (Damien Eagers/PA) Describing an extraordinarily difficult 24 hours, they said they wanted to particularly thank the first responders at the crash site as well as all those who had reached out with condolences and the local communities of Killucan and Raharney for their thoughts and prayers. Mr Crosby was originally from Straffan, Co. Kildare. He worked for much of his life in London in the IT sector but had recently returned with his family to Ireland to raise their children in Dublin. We also have a special thought for Nialls co-pilot and his family at this tragic time, they added. The AAIU would be grateful for the assistance of members of the public who may have photos or video of the helicopter flying in the vicinity of Killucan on the afternoon of Tuesday 30th June. They can either email info@aaiu.ie or contact the AAIU at 01-6041292. AAIU IRELAND (@aaiu_ireland) July 31, 2024 The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) is investigating the crash. In a post on the social media platform X, they issued an appeal for any footage from the incident. The AAIU would be grateful for the assistance of members of the public who may have photos or video of the helicopter flying in the vicinity of Killucan on the afternoon of Tuesday 30th June. They can either email info@aaiu.ie or contact the AAIU at 01-6041292, they said. Lois Toulson insisted that she and diving partner Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix never gave up after a tense finale in the womens synchronised 10m platform event saw them claim bronze. The pair jumped into second at the end of round two, but entering the more difficult dives, they tumbled into fifth after the third round. However, they staged a brilliant comeback in the final two rounds to crawl back up the medal table. The pair scored 77.76 on their final dive and following a nervous wait, their spot on the podium was all but confirmed after nearest rivals Canada could only score 68.16 on their last dive. 3/3 diving medals!! Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix & Lois Toulson deliver bronze, our second of the morning#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/1NOPBtnrvS Team GB (@TeamGB) July 31, 2024 It meant Great Britain clinched bronze by 5.16 points and Toulson insisted the pair refused to give up going into the final stages. She said: We knew our last two dives were our hardest degree of difficulty, so if we got those down wed be back up at the top. We never gave up or thought it was over, we kept pushing. Spendolini-Sirieix admitted the duo did not know how tight the competition was during the final round. First off, we didnt look at the scoreboard, so we didnt actually know how close it was, she said. Spendolini-Sirieix and Toulson continued Team GBs diving success(John Walton/PA But our back twist, as Lois has said a lot of times, is our strongest dive and we just wanted to be strong on our last dive, finish strong. Whatever happened I was proud to represent Great Britain alongside Lois. After the poor third dive, which scored 60.3, Spendolini-Sirieix said she knew they could claw their way back to a podium position. I was disappointed (with the third dive) more than worried, I wasnt worried because I knew we could bring it back, she said. I gave it my all on inward and on twist, just let it all out and we have a medal. Chinese pair Chen Yuxi and Quan Hongchan successfully defended their Olympic gold, while North Korea pair Jo Jin Mi and Kim Mirae earned silver. Fred Sirieix watched his daughter Andrea compete (John Walton/PA) The British pair were watched on by family and friends in the stands, including Toulsons diver boyfriend Jack Laugher and Spendolini-Sirieixs father, First Dates maitre d Fred Sirieix. Spendolini-Sirieix made her Olympic debut in the empty arenas of Tokyo 2020 and is looking forward to sharing her success in Paris with family. Having family and doing this alongside Lois is so much sweeter and I cant wait to celebrate with them, Spendolini-Sirieix added. My mum sacrificed a lot to take care of me and my brother, my dad has sacrificed a lot too. Theres no amount of thank yous that can repay everything theyve done. I hope this is a starting point to say thank you. The pair have carried on a successful spell so far in the pool for Team GB, who now have two bronze and one silver medal from three events and Toulson hailed the strength of the diving squad. Spendolini-Sirieix and Toulson earned Team GBs third diving medal (John Walton/PA) With Scarlett (Mew Jensen) and Yasmin (Harper) the other day, then Tom (Daley) and Noah (Williams), I think it shows how strong British diving is at the moment, she said. Weve still got Jack and Anthony (Harding) to go, all the individuals, but as a team were all so close. That helps the morale and helps get the medals. An afternoon nap to escape the heat for a short while can do wonders. (Getty Images) (Getty Images/Westend61) When its hot and humid in the afternoon, and all you want to do is lay down and take a little nap, experts say you should absolutely go ahead and do that. In fact, making like the Spanish and having a little siesta can not only help you deal with the heat better, but also comes with a few health benefits. Parents of young children in particular can benefit from an afternoon power nap, according to data from the Sleep Foundation. Over half (52%) of parents dont feel like theyre getting enough sleep, with almost two-thirds feeling tired throughout the day because of interrupted sleep. Having a siesta - a short nap usually taken in the early afternoon, after lunch - is traditional in Spain and some other countries with hotter climates. In the UK, the summer months can bring about very high temperatures, making us feel sluggish and lethargic. Having a nap no longer than 30 minutes could be key to helping us escape the heat and rejuvenate ourselves for the rest of the day, according to experts. Sleep expert and clinical psychologist Dr Sarah Bishop partnered with sofa specialists ScS to highlight the benefits of an afternoon nap in the heat. She said: "Napping during the day can be like hitting the reset button on your brain. Research has shown that even short naps can boost mood, improve alertness, and enhance performance. "For instance, a study by NASA found that a 26-minute nap improved performance by 34% and alertness by 54% in pilots and astronauts. So, if you find yourself flagging during the day, a quick nap can give you a surprising amount of refreshment. Think of it as a power-up in your favourite video game quick and super effective!" Why do I get sleepy in the afternoon? A little snooze on the sofa can help rejuvenate you for the rest of the day. (Getty Images) (Getty Images) If you find yourself struggling to keep your eyes open after lunch, its not because youre lazy - instead, your bodys circadian rhythm is at work. Dr Bishop explained: "This practice is not just cultural; its also deeply rooted in the bodys natural circadian rhythms. Around 2pm, most people experience a dip in alertness and energy, making it the perfect time for a nap. "Studies suggest that this break can help in reducing stress and improving cardiovascular function. So, borrowing the siesta habit, especially in hot summer months, can be a great way to stay cool, relaxed, and productive." However, be careful not to overdo the nap or you may feel even worse. Rebecca Swain, expert at WinstonsBed, warned: "A short afternoon nap can reduce stress levels and improve general cognitive performance, but it is important to avoid sleeping over 30 minutes or it could have the opposite effect." How does a siesta keep you cool? Having a siesta during the hottest part of the day can cool you down as it keeps you indoors and away from the sun. Swain added: "A short episode of sleep may help to prevent the body from overheating. During high temperatures and heat waves, siestas can help people cope. "The nap will help to drop the body temperature, so people can return to the rest of the day more refreshed. It will also protect people from UV radiation when the sun's rays are strongest, preventing sun damage and burns." In addition, research has shown that napping can help reduce blood pressure and strengthen the immune system, said Swain. "It is also said to lower the risk of heart disease and enhance cardiovascular health by alleviating stress and promoting relaxation. This makes a siesta great for people who are more vulnerable, like the elderly." You may also find it easier to fall asleep and have a nap on the sofa or in a reclining chair, particularly in the afternoon. Dr Bishop explained that this is due to a phenomenon called associative conditioning. "Your bed might be associated with tossing, turning, and the pressure to fall asleep, which can create anxiety. The sofa, on the other hand, is linked with relaxation and leisure activities like watching TV or reading. "This relaxed state can make it easier to drift off to sleep. Plus, lets be honest, theres something cosy about snuggling up in your favourite spot in the living room. Its like being cradled by a giant, comfy teddy bear." Family naptime could be the key to calm Parents with children could benefit from an afternoon nap together. (Getty Images) (Getty Images) With the summer school holidays in full swing, working parents are finding it hard to get enough rest and look after their kids at the same time. But if your schedule is flexible enough, having a nap alongside your children might be the key to keeping everyone feeling calm and happy. Dr Bishop said: "Parents, especially new ones, often face chronic sleep deprivation, which can impact mood, cognitive function, and even immune health. A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research found that daytime naps can partially counteract the effects of poor nighttime sleep. "So, if youre a parent, think of napping as self-care. Youre not just being lazy youre recharging your batteries so you can be the best version of yourself for your kids. Plus, napping together can be a bonding experience a family siesta, anyone? "For kids, naps can be as essential as their lunch break. Research has shown that napping improves memory, learning capacity, and emotional regulation in children. "During the school holidays, when routines can be more relaxed, incorporating a nap can help maintain some structure and ensure kids arent overtired. Plus, it can give parents a much-needed break too! Think of it as a mini-vacation for their brains after all, who doesnt need a little downtime during the day?" Read more about health and wellness: One of the most recognisable faces on British television, Huw Edwards anchored coverage of major national events before his public downfall as he admitted making indecent images of children. He was the BBCs highest-paid newsreader and presented the News At Ten for decades but his guilty plea marks the apparent end of a glittering career. Edwards was regarded as the best-known face of BBC News and was seen as a safe pair of hands to guide the country through major events. However he is now making headlines himself after admitting having 41 images on WhatsApp, including seven of the most serious type. The 62-year-old fronted the flagship nightly news programme for the last 20 years, earning a reputation as a respected veteran broadcaster, before he resigned from the corporation in April. On Wednesday, he pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court to making indecent images of children between December 2020 and August 2021. Born in Bridgend and brought up in Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, Edwards joined the BBC as a trainee in 1984. During his four decades at the corporation, he was chosen over and over again to front the coverage of the major news of the day, leading coverage of historic events including the late Queens funeral in 2022 and most recently the coronation of the King in May 2023. Huw Edwards was a respected broadcaster who was one of the most recognisable faces on television (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Edwards also announced the late Queens death on the BBC in September 2022. He was front and centre in live broadcasts of election coverage, the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the wedding of the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018, and the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh in 2021. Edwards was also the BBCs voice at Trooping the Colour and the Festival of Remembrance. When the BBC was looking for someone to take over election coverage from the long-serving David Dimbleby in 2019, it was Edwards who was chosen. Edwards was also the corporations highest-paid newsreader, with a pay bracket of 475,000 to 479,999 for the year 2023/24, before he resigned, according to the BBCs latest annual report. This last salary marked an increase from 2022/23, when he was paid between 435,000 and 439,999 for 180 days presenting on BBC One, as well as news specials. Huw Edwards announced the late Queens death on the BBC in September 2022 (James Manning/PA) In 2018, it was reported that he had agreed to take a pay cut following revelations over unequal pay for men and women at the BBC. Edwards said in 2021 that he was considering his future presenting News At Ten as he approached his 60th birthday. The broadcaster, who attended Llanelli Grammar School and graduated in French from Cardiff University, is an honorary professor in the School of Journalism, Media and Culture at his old university. In June 2023, Edwards picked up the best live event honour at the Tric Awards for being among those to cover the state funeral of the late Queen, and in February he received the Broadcast Awards special recognition award. Edwards was previously a vice president of the National Churches Trust and has appeared on Songs Of Praise. After news of the charges emerged, the Trust said in a statement: In light of the news on 29 July, the National Churches Trust has confirmed that Huw Edwards is no longer a vice president for the charity. We are shocked and saddened by the recent developments. Edwards also made documentaries for the BBC including Wales: Who Do We Think We Are? and talked about his depression on S4Cs Huw Edwards Is 60. Former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards arriving at Westminster Magistrates Court (Aaron Chown/PA) In a documentary in 2021, Edwards revealed he has had bouts of depression over the last two decades which have left him bedridden. Like everyone that suffers with depression, you dont get one bout of it. It comes and goes, he said. For me, it started around 2002 I think. I went down fairly quickly and I couldnt understand it. Speaking on a podcast hosted by Jane Garvey and Fi Glover, Fortunately With Fi And Jane, Edwards said he decided to share publicly that he has depression as he felt it was complete hypocrisy to support organisations such as the Shawmind Foundation or Mind without explaining why. I also felt that it might be someway helpful to people if I opened up about it and say You can do a job and you can be successful, whether its just reading a bit of autocue or doing whatever it is while also dealing with issues like that, he told the podcast. After a 36-year wait for a gold medal, Northern Ireland secured its third in less than 24 hours when rowing hero Hannah Scott and her Team GB crewmates clinched a dramatic victory in the quadruple sculls. Scotts golden moment in Paris came the day after Northern Ireland swimmers Daniel Wiffen and Jack McMillan won their own gold medals at the Olympic pool. The sudden gold rush for the region is all the more remarkable given the last time Northern Ireland topped an Olympic podium was in Seoul in 1988 when Stephen Martin and Jimmy Kirkwood earned gold as part of the winning Team GB hockey team. The wait for an individual gold has been even longer, with Wiffen the first solo gold medallist from Northern Ireland since Mary Peters triumphed for GB in the pentathlon at Munich in 1972. Members of Bann Rowing Club, (left to right) 15 year old Hannah Nicholl, Lydia Quigley and Erin McAleer in the centre of Coleraine at an Olympic big screen watch-along event for the final of the womens quadruple sculls (David Young/PA) There was a 54-strong group of supporters out in Paris to cheer on Coleraine rower Scott as the GB crew snatched a dramatic win after reeling in the Dutch with the final stroke of the race. The group comprised of family, members of Scotts old rowing club in Coleraine, former coaches, school friends and friends from her university days at Princeton in the US. Her mother Sharon said they were all in awe of what she had achieved. It was just fabulous to see her coming across the line, she told the PA news agency from Paris. Feeling really proud were all really happy, theres about 50 of us here. Her mother added: So theres going to be a bit of a party tonight. Theres been a lot of whiskey drank at the minute. A lot of Bushmills whiskey. On the atmosphere when Scott won, she said: It was absolutely fabulous. It just erupted. So I think it was hearts in our mouth, everybody was really quiet when she was racing up and then really it just went crazy from there on end. To see her get presented with her medal by Princess Anne was so so amazing for us as parents and family and friends. Scott was able to speak to her family after the race. She came to us, she was delivered by the local police. They brought her, sirens wailing, to meet up with us, said her mum. Shes really happy because that, for her, is the culmination of three years work from Tokyo and shes been rowing since she was 13 so its just the job done. Back in Northern Ireland hundreds gathered on Wednesday morning at a specially erected big screen in the centre of Coleraine to watch the nail-biting final. The crowd erupted when the photo finish was confirmed as a win for 25-year-old Scott and her Team GB crewmates Lauren Henry, Lola Anderson and Georgie Brayshaw. Members of Bann Rowing Club, where Scott began her journey to Olympic stardom, were prominent among those celebrating amid jubilant scenes in front of the Town Hall. Three young club members hoping to one day emulate Scotts feat were 15-year-olds Hannah Nicholl, Lydia Quigley and Erin McAleer. Its really inspiring, its pushed us to want to accomplish the same thing that she did, said Hannah. Obviously it gets really hard now as we get older, but she did it, so so can we, coming from a little club in Coleraine. Lydia described Scott as a great role model. We are so proud of her with all she has accomplished and its definitely something we would like to look forward to in the future, she said. Erin said the atmosphere at the big screen event was unbelievable. It was just unreal to see a girl that was at the same club as us go so far, its just so inspiring to watch, its just unreal, she said. Crowds at Galway racecourse celebrate as they watch Irelands Daniel Wiffen on the big screen on Tuesday night (Niall Carson/PA). A group of dedicated Scott supporters wore T-shirts with the rowers face on the front, surrounded by the good luck message Gwan ya girl ye. Two of them were Clodagh De Jode and Julie Smyth. My goodness, that was the most unbelievably gripping thing I have ever seen, said Ms Smyth. Hannah is just a fantastic girl, a great rower. We all know Mal and Sharon (her parents) and the whole family and its just wonderful to see their dreams coming true like this. Ms Smyth said it was a proud day for the whole town and the wider region. In this Olympics, Ulster has had some amazing athletes and we have been doing really well definitely punching above our weight I think. Ms De Jode described the race finish as amazing. Hannah is a proud representative of Bann Rowing Club and everyone who knows her or knows her parents is just delighted for the whole family, she said. It was just amazing, it could not have been closer, a tenth of a second, oh my goodness, they were really trying to give us all a heart attack. Local MP Gregory Campbell was also among those who gathered to watch the thrilling climax to the race. What a finish, I was sunk not to use a pun I thought we had to settle for silver 50 yards out, he said. Twenty five yards out I thought we are silver here, and then they pulled it off at the very, very last minute by fifteen hundredths of a second what an incredible performance. Irelands Daniel Wiffen (PA). Mr Campbell expressed hope the golden treble for Northern Ireland would inspire the next generation to dream big. Its been a fantastic performance, whether its Team GB or Team Ireland, whether it is singles or a team, its a fantastic performance, he said. It lifts everybody and hopefully people will take heart from that, and hopefully young people will take heart from it to get involved in sport and see what they can do. What they have seen on the screen today, it could be them in four years time. Earlier on Wednesday, the parents of gold medal swimmer Wiffen spoke of their pride at his history-making win at the Olympics. Team Irelands Wiffen, who grew up in the village of Magheralin, near Lurgan, Co Armagh, triumphed in the mens 800 metres freestyle final in Paris on Tuesday evening, setting a new Olympic record in the process. Only an hour after Wiffens success another Northern Ireland swimmer secured a gold medal. While Jack McMillan did not participate in the Olympic 4x200m freestyle final that was won by Team GB swimmers Matt Richards, James Guy, Tom Dean and Duncan Scott, the 24-year-old from Co Down still secured a medal having swum for the team in the qualifying heats. Crowds in Coleraine celebrate Hannah Scotts gold medal win (David Young/PA). Wiffen, 23, is Irelands first ever male swimming gold medallist. His parents, Rachel and Jonathan, were in the La Defense Arena to witness the thrilling win. Other family members, including Wiffens twin brother Nathan a talented swimmer in his own right were also there. Nathan and Daniels love of the water started when they were just three months old when their parents took them along to Water Babies classes. It was just electric, mother Rachel told BBC Radio Ulster. We were very, very high up, so we were way away from the pool, and I had a bit of a wobble at 400 metres, and I was thinking this isnt going how I thought it was going to go. And then that last 50m it was just amazing. Just he did everything he was going to do. It was just brilliant. His father Jonathan said: Stroke after stroke, we were watching him, were watching the board, were watching the time, were watching each other. Were sort of saying how are the others doing? He added: By the last 150 metres, we were all on our feet. All the people around us were cheering Daniel on and shouting for him in the stadium. It was absolutely amazing. Meanwhile, McMillans brother Leo said the fact he did not get his medal on the podium did not take away from his amazing performance in the heat. He really didnt have any nerves and neither did I going into it, I just have full confidence in him, he told Radio Ulster. I thought he was going to do really well and he did. We were absolutely ecstatic last night and even this morning. Im just so proud of him. Obviously, it would have been nice to see him stand on the podium, but the performance itself in the heat was amazing. And he really did put on a show. A High Court judge has rejected a media application to name two 12-year-old boys who murdered a stranger in a machete attack. Mrs Justice Tipples said the welfare of the youths, who both face a mandatory life sentence, outweighed the wider public interest and open justice principles. The killers, both from Wolverhampton, were found guilty in June of murdering 19-year-old Shawn Seesahai, who was stabbed in the heart and suffered a skull fracture during an attack on the citys Stowlawn playing fields on November 13 last year. Shawn Seesahai was stabbed in the heart and suffered a skull fracture (West Midlands Police/PA) The youths are believed to be the youngest defendants convicted of murder in Britain since Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, both aged 11, were found guilty in 1993 of killing two-year-old James Bulger. Four media organiations, including the PA news agency, had argued that the defendants, one now aged 13, should lose anonymity granted by an order under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act. But Mrs Justice Tipples, sitting at Nottingham Crown Court, said she had accepted evidence contained in pre-sentence reports that naming the boys would have a detremental impact on their welfare. The judge, who heard that the victims family believe the boys should be named, told the court the facts of the killing which took place in not much more than a minute were of course shocking, particularly given the very young age of the defendants. As part of her ruling, the judge accepted evidence from social workers that one of the defendants was vulnerable, had extremely complex needs and that identifying him would have an extremely detrimental impact on his mental health. The judge also accepted a statement in a pre-sentence report which said naming the other youth was likely to increase the likelihood of negative attention within the custodial setting. Following the judgment, Jude Bunting KC, representing three of the media organisations, said an appeal against the ruling in a higher court was unlikely. Addressing the court on Monday, Mr Bunting submitted that the murder was within a category identified during a previous case as having a high public interest. Floral tributes left at the scene at Stowlawn playing fields (Matthew Cooper/PA) He told the court: This point is squarely present in this case, which has attracted local concern and national revulsion. We are in the realm of knife crime, which is an issue of substantial public interest. Naming the boys would also enable the media to investigate the possibility of institutional failures, Mr Bunting asserted. Defence counsel Rachel Brand KC and Paul Lewis KC both opposed the media application to lift the restriction on identifying the boys. Ms Brand said the welfare of the boy who is still 12 who bleached and hid the machete after Mr Seesahais murder should be given a heavier consideration than public interest factors. Mr Lewis, representing the boy who has turned 13 since his conviction, urged the court to focus on the facts of Mr Seesahais killing rather than siren calls relating to abstract principles from previous cases. How does naming two 12-year-olds better inform public debate? Mr Lewis asked. There is no evidence that to name two 12-year-olds would provide any deterrent. Neither of the youths attended Wednesdays hearing, but the younger of them was present to hear part of Mondays legal submissions. The boys trial was told Mr Seesahai, who was with a friend, was brutally attacked after exchanging words with one of them near a park bench. Jurors heard the youth who has yet to turn 13 had an obsession with knives even posing for a picture with the machete, which had a 42.5cm-long blade, hours before he committed murder. In social media exchanges involving his co-defendant and a girl witness who later attended a police station with her mother to make a statement, the boy said of the stabbing: It is what it is. He also wrote that he was not scared and added idrc text message shorthand for I dont really care. The youths are due to be sentenced on September 26 and 27. Leon Marchand was the toast of Paris with an astonishing Olympic double while American Katie Ledecky also made history as she breezed to victory in the womens 1500 metres final. French poster boy Marchand claimed gold and set new Olympic records in both the finals of the mens 200m butterfly and the mens 200m breaststroke within the space of just a couple of hours. Marchand, just 22, now has three golds to his collection at his home Games having also captured the mens 400m individual medley title to live up to his billing as Michael Phelps heir apparent. Leon Marchand became the first swimmer to win two Olympic individual events in a day since 1976 (Martin Rickett/PA) He becomes just the fourth swimmer to win two individual titles in a single day and the first since 1976 after being cheered on at a cacophonous La Defense Arena. Marchand had to do it the hard way, too. In the butterfly, he went head-to-head with defending champion and world record holder Kristof Milak but edged out the Hungarian by 0.54 seconds. Zac Stubblety-Cook was the Tokyo 2020 gold medallist in the breaststroke but, despite his exertions earlier in the night, Marchand pipped the Australian into second place by 0.94 secs. History is being written before our eyes, with Leon Marchand as the author.L'Histoire s'ecrit sous nos yeux, Leon Marchand en est l'auteur #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/dyKC6e2xE8 Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) July 31, 2024 Ledecky, meanwhile, became the first female swimmer to win gold medals at four separate Olympics after she retained her crown from Tokyo 2020. The American claimed victory by more than 10 seconds for her eighth Olympic gold, equalling compatriot Jenny Thompsons all-time record for the most female swimming titles. The night was rounded off with Chinas Pan Zhanle setting the first world record of the Paris Olympics, cruising to victory in the mens 100m in 46.4s, setting a new benchmark by 0.4s. Katie Ledecky (centre) has now won eight Olympic gold medals (Martin Rickett/PA) Laura Stephens qualified for the womens 200m butterfly final on Thursday night, claiming the last qualifying place at the expense of fellow Briton Keanna Macinnes. However, British interest in the mens 200m backstroke ended after Oliver Morgan missed out on a place in the final. Luke Greenbank, a two-time medallist at the Tokyo Games, had won his morning heat but was disqualified for the obscure rule of swimming too far underwater at the beginning of his race. Swimmer Matt Richards father says he was belting out God Save the King poolside after his sons freestyle relay team retained their mens 4200 metres freestyle relay Olympic title. Richards and teammates James Guy, Tom Dean and Duncan Scott teamed up again on Tuesday to defend the gold medal the same group won in Tokyo. Great Britains Matthew Richards walks out before the Mens 100m Freestyle semi-final (PA) The quartet stood atop the podium after edging out the United States by 1.35 seconds. Simon Richards, who decorated his house in anticipation of the 2024 Olympics, was in Paris watching his sons gold medal finish, which marked the first time in history a swimming team defended an Olympic relay title with the same quartet. Never in Olympic history have four individuals ever retained Olympic gold in a swimming relay, he said. Countries have done it, but never the same four swimmers. Its incredible that our son has done that with his friends. Mr Richards said he was proud of his sons team, labelling them a very special group of young men. Its absolutely amazing and such a privilege to be in the arena to watch, he said. Matt and Duncan and James and Tom have achieved history tonight. Matt Richards (right), with father Simon, mother Amanda and fiancee Emily (Family handout/PA) Matt Richards had come within two-hundredths of a second of winning the individual event, settling instead for silver, as did Adam Peaty, who lost by an identical margin in the mens 100 metres breaststroke. But there was no need for a photo finish on Tuesday evening as, while Team GB led by just half a second after the final exchange, Scott swam the fastest leg of the race to ultimately secure victory. Its a privilege and an honour to be a part of that team with those four boys, Matt Richards said. We are the first team in history in any relay event at the Olympics to defend the title with the same four people and thats pretty special. Who knows about the other boys but lets go for the three-peat. Muslim group calls on Government to end forces of hatred after Southport riot The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) says it will stand firm against forces of hatred and division in the wake of a riot outside a Southport mosque. Merseyside Police said a large group of people believed to be supporters of the English Defence League began to throw items towards the mosque at around 7.45pm on Tuesday. Officers put on helmets and riot gear after stones and bottles were launched at them and police vehicles were damaged and set on fire. North West Ambulance Service said 39 people were treated, all of which were police officers. 27 were taken to hospital and 12 were treated and discharged at scene, a statement on X said. Merseyside Police said eight officers suffered serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion. Other officers have suffered varying degrees of injury including head injuries, serious facial injuries, and one was knocked unconscious. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) paid tribute to the three young girls killed in Southport on Monday, before condemning shocking scenes of far-right rioters running amok outside a mosque. The MCB says Islamaphobic backlash began with a false rumour on the internet which was then stoked by misinformation from a Russian news site, which wrongfully associated the crime with Muslims. MCB secretary-general Zara Mohammed said: At a time of great tragedy, loss, and mourning, we must stand firm against the cynical forces of hatred and division. This does not represent our diverse Britain and the people of Southport. The Government must address the increasing rise of violent far-right extremism targeting Muslim communities. More must be done to tackle Islamophobia and offer reassurance at this time. Trouble flares up during a protest in Southport after three children died and eight were injured in a knife attack during a Taylor Swift event at a dance school on Monday (Pat Hurst/PA) She added: We commend the authorities for their swift action, and our prayers are with the mosque, the families of the victims of yesterdays attack, and the local community. The MCB said Mondays tragedy, in which Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were all fatally stabbed and another eight children were injured, has been exploited to spark outrage. The national representative Muslim umbrella body called on the Government to act, connecting Tuesdays riots with a march through the streets of London made up of Tommy Robinson supporters. The MCB said the crowds were openly spewing invective against Muslim communities. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has since left the country after committing flagrant contempt of court relating to a film played at the protest in central London, the High Court was told on Monday. Tommy Robinson (centre) leads a protest march through London in June (David Parry/PA) Mondays attack in Southport saw Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club. Eight other children were also stabbed, with five children and two adults left in a critical condition. A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident at the dance studio in Hart Street. A Netflix executive has told MPs that the woman at the heart of hit TV series Baby Reindeer is not a convicted stalker. On May 8 the streaming services director of public policy, Benjamin King, told the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee that the show details the horrific abuse that the writer and protagonist Richard Gadd suffered at the hands of a convicted stalker. After the committee session, former SNP MP John Nicolson asked Mr King to provide evidence that would back his claims and said: Journalists have thus far been unable to find a record of the conviction to which you referred. In a letter to the former chairwoman of the committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, King clarified that the person on whom the show is based was actually subject to a court order rather than a conviction. After the seven-part series was released in April, Fiona Harvey came forward claiming to be the inspiration behind Martha, a woman who stalks lead character Donny Dunn, played by Gadd. In a statement to the PA news agency in May, Ms Harvey said Baby Reindeer is not a true story at all and added: I am not a convicted stalker. Mr Kings letter, dated May 23, said: Dear Dame Caroline, Thank you for the opportunity to speak with the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on May 8 as part of your inquiry into British film and high-end television. As I said in my oral evidence, Netflix is investing heavily in quality British TV, with a string of recent hits, including Baby Reindeer. In response to a question about the characters portrayed in that series, I said that its an extraordinary true story of the horrific abuse that the writer and protagonist Richard Gadd suffered at the hands of a convicted stalker. Benjamin King giving evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee (House of Commons/PA) I wanted to clarify our understanding that the person on whom the show is based who we have at no point sought to identify was subject to a court order rather than a conviction. The writer of Baby Reindeer endured serious harassment over many months (as it now seems has been the case for many others), which had a significant impact on his wellbeing. At the select committee, Mr King said the show was about telling Richards story in a truthful way. I personally wouldnt be comfortable with a world in which we decided it was better that Richard was silenced, and not allowed to tell his story, he said. In June it was revealed that Ms Harvey had filed a lawsuit against Netflix and accused the streaming platform of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, gross negligence and violations of her right of publicity. The next day Gadd collected the prize for best breakthrough limited series at the inaugural Gotham TV Awards and said he was forever grateful to those who took on the show. After Baby Reindeer appeared on Netflix, Gadd asked viewers not to speculate over the people who inspired the series. A Netflix spokesperson said: The letter was sent to the DCMS Select Committee on 23 May, well before any legal case was filed, and has been publicly available since. It does not impact our legal position. The streamer, which is seeking to have the case thrown out, also noted that every episode includes a warning saying: This program is based on real events: however, certain characters, names, incidents, locations, and dialogue have been fictionalised for dramatic purposes. Robert and Anne Geeves reported Amber Haigh (pictured centre) missing on 19 June 2002, a fortnight after they says they last saw the teenager at Campbelltown railway station, a murder trial heard. Photograph: Supplied by the family Within days of Amber Haigh going missing, police told Robert and Anne Geeves they were suspects, interrogating the couple in individual recorded interviews on the teenagers last known movements. Haigh was 19 when she vanished from the New South Wales Riverina in June 2002, leaving behind her five-month-old son. Two decades later, the father of Haighs child, 64-year-old Robert Geeves, and his wife, Anne Geeves, also 64, are on trial for her alleged murder. Both have pleaded not guilty. This week, the NSW supreme court has been played recorded police interviews with Anne and Robert Geeves, conducted in the weeks after the young mother was reported missing in 2002. The Geeves reported Haigh missing on 19 June 2002, a fortnight after they say they last saw Haigh at Campbelltown railway station, where they had driven Haigh to catch a train to visit her dying father in hospital. The Geeveses conceded in police interviews no one else could corroborate their story of dropping Haigh at the station on the evening of 5 June. Related: Couple accused of murdering Amber Haigh gave differing accounts of final car journey with her, court hears The court heard this week there were no independent, verified sightings outside the Geeveses version of events of Haigh after 2 June 2002. A neighbour saw Haigh, in the company of Robert Geeves, at a bedsit apartment she rented in Young on that day. During her second recorded police interview, on 18 July 2002, Anne Geeves could be seen holding Haighs six-month-old son for the duration of the interrogation. The infant occasionally interrupted questioning by crying and was placated with a bottle. The video played to court shows Anne Geeves patting the childs bottom, cuddling and kissing him. Detectives told Anne Geeves they held major concerns for Haighs welfare. If I was to tell you that you and Robert caused Ambers disappearance by harming her in a way that she would never be seen again, purely for the sole reason that you could bring up [Ambers child] as your own, what would you say to that? Id say no. No, Anne Geeves replied as the baby cried in her arms. On the babys grave, no. Asked if she had any idea where Haigh was, Anne Geeves said the last time I saw her was in Campbelltown. Im just hoping that shes still down there somewhere and shell come back. Robert Geeves was interviewed on the same day, also at Young police station. Detectives asked: Mr Geeves, police have grave concerns in relation to Ambers welfare and suspect that she may have met with foul play. I suspect you may have had some involvement or, at the very least, have some knowledge in relation to her disappearance. What do you say about that? No, he replied. Amber was last seen in your company at the Clarke Street flats [in Young] on the second of June 2002? Have you harmed Amber in any way since that time? No I havent. Are you aware of Amber being harmed in any way since that time? No Im not. Have you any knowledge in relation to Ambers whereabouts at present? No. On Wednesday morning, NSW police chief inspector Dave Cockram was cross-examined by Michael King, the defence counsel for Anne Geeves. King put it to Cockram that once Haigh was reported missing, police moved with commendable speed to interview as many people as possible who might have information on her whereabouts. And a number of those people had not-so complimentary things to say about Robert Geeves? Yes, Cockram said. King put it to Cockram that Robert Geevess background and reputation explored in detail in this trial was a flashing red light to investigators. Cockram denied that assertion, but said it was definitely a point of interest for us. King asked Cockram whether, as the focus on the Geeves tightened, police worked to disprove the Geeveses version of events of having driven Haigh to Campbelltown on 5 June. Yes, Cockram replied. In the wrap-up, police were not able to disprove that version? Correct. Related: Amber Haigh murder trial: CCTV with potential vital clues lost forever, court hears Cockram told the court the delay in reporting Haigh missing hampered the police investigation, with the loss of key evidence, in particular CCTV footage, which could have confirmed Haighs last movements. We were already behind the eight-ball in terms of time, Cockram said. Haighs unresolved disappearance has been an enduring mystery in NSWs Riverina. She left behind a five-month-old son who the court has heard she adored and never let out of her sight. Haighs body has never been found, but a coroner has ruled she died from homicide or misadventure. The prosecution has alleged in court that Haigh was used by Robert and Anne Geeves as a surrogate mother because they wanted another baby. The prosecution alleged that once Haighs baby was born, they sought to have her removed from the equation by killing her. The court has previously heard the Geeveses had had one child together a son the same age as Haigh, who had previously dated her but the couple wanted more children, having subsequently endured three miscarriages and a stillbirth. The crown case theory is that it was always the intention of the Geeveses to assume the custody and care of [the child] from Amber, but they knew that to do that, Amber had to be removed from the equation so, the crown asserts, they killed her. Lawyers for Robert and Anne Geeves have argued the case against the couple now more than two decades old was deeply flawed, arguing that community distaste at Robert Geeves relationship with a much younger woman with intellectual disabilities fuelled gossip and innuendo. Everything they did was viewed through a haze of mistrust and suspicion, the court has heard. The judge-alone trial, before justice Julia Lonergan, continues in Wagga Wagga. Angela Rayner says speculation is 'unhelpful for the police and for justice to take its part' - KEN MCKAY/SHUTTERSTOCK Angela Rayner has criticised social media users spreading untruths about the Southport stabbing. The Deputy Prime Minister made the remarks after the suspect being held in custody over the deaths of three young girls was falsely identified online as an asylum seeker. Ms Rayner also condemned disgraceful scenes in Southport on Tuesday night as hundreds of demonstrators clashed with police, throwing bricks, masonry and fireworks at officers. In an interview with ITVs This Morning, Ms Rayner said: I think theres been a couple of instances recently where, especially particularly online, theories and things are whipped up whereas actually it turns out to be not true or not the full picture. And I think theres a culture now where people want to get the facts, but its important that police and those people that are doing the work are able to carry out that work She added: Speculation and some of the untruths that have been put around social media, not only is that creating tensions and fear in the community, but its disrespectful to a family who maybe wants those answers that havent got those answers. Its not helpful for anyone in those circumstances Its really unhelpful for the police and for justice to take its part, really. Sir Keir Starmer lays flowers at the scene of the stabbing in Southport - ADAM VAUGHAN/SHUTTERSTOCK Russian state media were among those who falsely identified the suspect as having arrived in the UK in a small boat last year. My plea is that we all need to step back and just wait and then that information will come but allow the police to do their work, allow the authorities to do their work, Ms Rayner said. And keep in mind the victims, the families and the people that are at the heart of the trauma of what happened. The Deputy Prime Minister contrasted the violent scenes with an earlier community-led memorial which was entirely peaceful. Whats horrifying for me as well is people outside Southport, when the community had a vigil last night, went to Southport to create violence on the streets. The police and the first responders that were there on the scene after the horrific incident were there last night having to keep order where we have thuggery and violence. She added: Its just disgraceful, its not the way we do things in our country. A total of 53 officers were injured, of which 49 were Merseyside Police and four were Lancashire Police. Eight sustained serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion and were treated in hospital. Other officers suffered varying degrees of injury including head injuries, serious facial injuries and one was knocked unconscious. Four men were arrested and taken into custody, three on suspicion of violent disorder and one on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article. Mondays knife attack took place at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club. Its victims were Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. A 17-year-old boy from the village of Banks, five miles away from Southport, was arrested on Monday afternoon on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, and remains in custody. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, was asked how many more children will die as he left flowers at the scene of the Southport knife attack on Tuesday. His brief visit to place a floral tribute, which lasted just over two minutes, was marred by shouts from some members of the public, including: Heres your photo opportunity. Sir Keir spent around an hour with the local Labour MP thanking members of the emergency services who were among the first to respond to the attacks. Speaking to the media during the visit, Sir Keir said: I came here to pay my respects to the victims and families, who are going through raw pain and grief that most of us cant imagine. He added it was important to say a personal thank you to them and to shake their hand, and to say that as Prime Minister, on behalf of the country, we are grateful for what they did. Of all Starmer's missteps, the decision to cut London's housebuilding targets is surely the worst - Darren Staples/Getty Images Europe After all the effort Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves put into talking up their plans for growth, practically their first actions in office have been to scrap infrastructure projects to pay for current spending, announce an 8.3bn state-owned energy company while abandoning promises to lower bills and cut housebuilding targets for London. Of all the missteps, the last is easily the worst. In Housing Secretary Angela Rayners defence, she can fairly point out that Londons targets werent being hit anyway, so the cut from 100,000 to 80,000 new homes each year is largely theoretical. But that doesnt change the fact that we need as many houses in the capital as possible. In fact, if the Government really wants to see the economy grow, it should adopt a simple policy: forget levelling up, raze half of Blackpool to the ground and let London swallow the South East. One of the most fundamental problems facing the British economy is an astonishingly simple one: people arent allowed to live where they want to. While we havent quite instituted a Chinese-style Hukou system demanding that people obtain permits to move between parts of the country we have managed to recreate it in the aggregate by simply refusing to build houses in the places where people want to be. This is partly the unintended consequence of a planning system that is innately hostile to the idea of new developments. But in some cases, it has been driven by deliberate policy choices. Over the first half of the 20th century, the West Midlands was among the fastest-growing regions of the country. Leicester had become the second-most prosperous city in Europe, Coventry was booming with minimal unemployment and Birmingham had become a global industrial powerhouse. To you or I, this looks like an unqualified success. To the planning bureaucrats of the then government, however, it was an unremitted disaster. By drawing people in from the North in search of better jobs and better living conditions, the Midlands were unbalancing the British economy. And so from the post-war period onwards, the Government effectively did everything it could to stop growth in the region going so far as to set a target for Birmingham to shrink. In the process, it inflicted economic scars that have still yet to heal. Labours new bout of central planning is unlikely to prove much more successful. Targets for London are being cut; targets for the North East increased. But take a look at the rental market for England, and its pretty clear where people would prefer new houses to be built. London is far and away the most expensive part of the country. The average property in the city costs 15,000 more each year to rent than the equivalent in the North East. These market pressures exist in part because London wages are head and shoulders above those in the rest of the country: the median weekly pay for full-time employees there is 796, compared with just 614 in the North East. These wage differences dont just exist because London attracts the best and the brightest from the rest of the country (and indeed the rest of the world). To a large degree, modern economies are agglomeration economies: cities tend to grow more productive as they grow larger. Workers and companies can find better matches for their skills; companies that rely on face-to-face interaction with customers benefit from a much larger plausible market; knowledge spillovers are more easily spread. These effects can be staggeringly large. In the US, economists Chang-Tai Hsieh and Enrico Moretti have calculated that loosening restrictions on the growth of New York, San Jose and San Francisco to the average level of housebuilding would have increased US GDP by up to 9pc in the 50 years to 2009. That is, to say the least, a big deal. Now consider that the situation in the UK is so distorted that the average hours work in London produces 26pc more than the average for the UK as a whole. It is entirely plausible that building more in London could deliver an even bigger boost to growth than the equivalent deregulation in the US. Its true that a major expansion of London would be accompanied by the shrinking of towns and cities in the North and elsewhere. But to flip this argument on its head, it is deeply strange that we base so much policy on effectively keeping people in places they want to leave. Blackpool grew in line with demand for seaside holidays but that is no longer enough to keep it thriving - Charlotte Graham Consider briefly how much time and energy is spent on keeping dying communities on life support: the obsession with levelling up, the drama over the finances of third-rate universities in struggling towns, the use of defence procurement as a tool for regional redistribution, the relocation of government departments, the expansion of freeports, the cash transfers of the benefits system the list goes on. And now consider that many of these problems would simply vanish if we let people freely choose where they wanted to live. It is particularly bizarre when we recall that it was internal migration of this sort that created these struggling towns in the first place. They only exist as cities (rather than hamlets or villages) because they were in economically important locations a century or more ago and were able to attract new residents through the promise of work. For example, Middlesbrough grew from a hamlet of 25 people in 1800 to a city of 90,000 in 1900 as a direct result of its status as a coal port. Blackpool grew in line with demand for seaside holidays. Today, these factors are no longer enough to keep these cities thriving. Its possible that they are large enough to provide their own economic gravity. But the fact that they are among the most deprived parts of the country in particular Blackpool as home to eight of the 10 most deprived neighbourhoods nationwide suggests that quite a few people would leave if the option were open to them. Why should they be denied the decision their forebears made in building those cities? If the Government wants to get serious about generating growth, it should lift the restrictions on building in London, Manchester and Birmingham, expand Oxford and Cambridge and let people live where they want to. The worst possible outcome is that people end up living in nicer, cheaper houses in places they want to be. It is surely a risk worth taking. Piles of rubbish built up on Edinburgh streets when bin collections were suspended in 2022 during a strike by waste workers - JEFF J MITCHELL/GETTY IMAGES Binmen have announced a strike during the Edinburgh Festival, threatening another stinking summer with rubbish piled high in the streets. Members of the GMB, Unison and Unite trade unions confirmed waste workers would stage an eight-day walkout in Scotland between Aug 14 and 22. Eighteen local authority areas will be affected, including Edinburgh, which is hosting its Fringe and International festivals. The citys population is expected to double to a million people over August. Similar strikes two years ago left the streets of Scotlands capital strewn with rubbish, with bins overflowing. John Swinney, the First Minister, said at the time that the piles of festering waste were deeply concerning for public health. The announcement raised pressure on Mr Swinney to bow to council pleas to provide extra funding for a higher pay offer. Unite has previously warned a stinking Scottish summer is on the way unless the SNP government stumps up more cash. Shona Robison, the SNP finance secretary, and council leaders expressed disappointment at the announcement being made while pay negotiations were still being conducted. But the Scottish Tories said the buck stops with the SNP for this dispute thanks to local government being underfunded and demanded that ministers call an urgent summit to avert the strikes. Edinburgh's waste workers clearing mountains of rubbish after 11 days of strike action in 2022 - LESLEY MARTIN/PA Miles Briggs, the Scottish Tory MSP for the Lothian region, which includes Edinburgh, said: We simply cannot allow rubbish to pile high in the streets of Scotland again. This strike action is set to take place in the middle of the Edinburgh festivals, at a time the capital is welcoming the world to our beautiful city. In 2022, we saw the level of disruption that these strikes caused, with rubbish strewn across our streets. The strikes would also cause significant public health concerns, with rubbish not being removed. All three unions have rejected a 3.2 per cent pay rise offered by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), the council umbrella body. Both sides and Ms Robison held talks that were described as positive on Tuesday but no deal was reached. Only six of Scotlands 32 council areas Argyll and Bute, Na h-Eileanan an lar, Moray, Borders, Shetland and West Dunbartonshire would be unaffected by the action from any of the three unions. Overflowing bins in the Grassmarket area of Edinburgh on the fourth day of strike action in 2022 - ANDREW MILLIGAN/PA Keir Greenaway, the senior organiser in public services for GMB Scotland, said the Cosla offer had failed to match the rise handed to council workers in England and Wales. He said: We had constructive talks with the Scottish Government and Cosla yesterday but our members are less interested in constructive talks than fair pay. The process has gone on too long with too little progress. We are more than halfway through the year and there is no more time to waste discussing old offers with new wrapping. Enough is enough. Industrial action will start in two weeks unless ministers and local authorities identify the money needed to make an acceptable offer. Unite confirmed thousands of its waste staff would walk out if no credible pay offer is tabled before Aug 14. Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, said: Our membership has waited months for an offer which reflects their professionalism and the dedication which they put into delivering vital local services. Unison, the largest local government union, has previously confirmed that staff in 13 local authority areas will walk out over the same period. David OConnor, the Unison Scotland government lead, said: Unison has been trying to get pay resolved since the beginning of the year and these government talks come too late to prevent strike notices being served. Edinburgh councillors warned that 'urgent progress needs to be made' to prevent disruption during one of Edinburgh's most important periods - CHRIS STRICKLAND Councillor Cammy Day, the leader of Labour-led Edinburgh city council, warned that urgent progress needs to be made if we are to prevent significant disruption during one of the most important and enjoyable periods in Edinburghs calendar. He added: Im extremely concerned about the impact this will have on bin collections and street cleaning services, as well as the cleanliness of our city. But I want to assure residents that well be doing all we can to minimise any impact on essential services. A Cosla spokeswoman added: We are disappointed to hear that Unions have announced strike dates in some areas so soon after a constructive joint meeting with the Scottish Government took place yesterday, and while negotiations are still ongoing. Our trade union partners are aware that considerable work is being done at pace to explore all options. We continue to reiterate that with no new funding in place, the 3.2 per cent offer is the limit of affordability for councils in the current challenging financial circumstances. Ms Robison said: While this move to plan strike action is within unions rights and is not entirely unexpected, it is nonetheless disappointing, given the constructive and positive dialogue with national representatives of all the local government unions and Cosla representatives yesterday. Trans rights protest The British Medical Association (BMA) is calling for puberty blockers to be prescribed to teenagers with gender dysphoria, despite a ban on the medication. The doctors union has passed a motion criticising the Cass review, which had called for an end to such prescribing for under 18s, warning that children should not be rushed into treatment they may regret. The review by the former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in April had been widely welcomed by experts in the field, with Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, backing the continuation of a ban which had been introduced in the last days of the Tory government. But the BMA has announced that its council has voted in favour of a motion which asked the union to oppose the implementation of the recommendations made by the Cass review. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the union said it was critical of proposals to ban the prescribing of puberty blockers to children and young people with gender dysphoria and called for more research. The union said it would undertake its own evaluation of the Cass review, calling for a pause to implementation of its recommendations, until the BMA came to its own view. Sex Matters, gender-critical group, said it was scarcely believable that the doctors trade union had backed a motion making baseless claims about methodological weaknesses in the Cass review. It urged the Health Secretary to stand firm and continue with the recommendations. The union said the work would be completed towards the end of the year ahead of discussions with its council in January of next year. Until now, the BMA had refused to say whether the motion on Cass held at a private meeting had been passed. On Wednesday, the union disclosed that the motion passed had called on the union to publicly critique the Cass review and to lobby and work with other relevant organisations and stakeholders to oppose the implementation of the recommendations made by the Cass review. The motion also saw the union condemn the increasing political transphobia which is ostracising transgender people and discriminating against them by blocking their access to healthcare. The union said it held the discussions after doctors and academics in several countries, including the UK, voiced concern about weaknesses in the methodologies used in the review and problems arising from the implementation of some of the recommendations. It is time we truly listen It said a task and finish group would be established by Professor Philip Banfield, the BMAs chairman of council, who will also appoint the groups chairperson. Prof Banfield said: It is vitally important we take time and care to get this work right. This is a highly specialised area of healthcare for children and young adults with complex needs, and as doctors we want to be sure they get the most appropriate care and the support they need. The task and finish group will make recommendations to improve the healthcare system that has, for too long, failed transgender patients. It will work with patients to ensure the evaluation invokes the old adage in medicine of no decision about me without me. It is time that we truly listen to this group of important, valued, and unfortunately often victimised people and, together, build a system in which they are finally provided with the care they deserve. Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at Sex Matters, said: It is scarcely believable that the doctors trade union voted in favour of a motion making baseless claims about methodological weaknesses in the Cass review. This wide-ranging work took four years and is far and away the most authoritative synthesis of the evidence concerning the treatment of gender-distressed children and young people. It is a sign of how far fringe ideas about gender identity have progressed in medicine that this motion was not dismissed out of hand. The Secretary of State for Health should stand firm and continue to implement the Cass review in full. The many academics and doctors who appreciated Dr Casss painstaking work should tell the BMAs leadership that it does not speak for them. Too many gender-distressed children have already been harmed by clinicians who put ideology before their patients health and wellbeing. An NHS spokesman said: Dr Cass spent four years gathering evidence for the most comprehensive report of its kind, and her expertise and advice has been invaluable in supporting the NHS to create a fundamentally better and safer service for children and young people. NHS England has full confidence in her report and we are committed to taking forward its recommendations. We will shortly be publishing our plan to implement the reports recommendations and findings, which includes setting out scope for further research, so children and young people can receive the best-possible care. Taiwans president, Lai Ching-te, delivers a speech at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China in Taipei, on Tuesday. Photograph: Daniel Ceng/EPA Chinas attempts to stop foreign parliamentarians from attending a summit in Taiwan were massively overstepping acts of bullying, the organiser has said at the end of the gathering that saw the group designed to counter China expand. The Inter-parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac) held its fourth annual summit in Taipei this week, attended by about 50 parliamentarians from 23 countries. The coalition is aimed at countering threats from China and shifting domestic China policies in members respective countries. This years location was always bound to aggravate Chinas ruling Communist party (CCP), which considers Taiwan to be its own territory. In the days leading up to the meeting, reports emerged of some delegates being contacted by Chinese diplomats in what they said was a clear attempt to intimidate and dissuade them from attending. Related: Trump says Taiwan should pay the US for its defence as it doesnt give us anything Luke de Pulford, executive director of Ipac, said some had received calls or demands for meetings scheduled at the same time as the summit to express to them why they shouldnt wade into the Taiwan question, or were offered trips to China instead, as if they could be bought off. De Pulford said Beijing had only targeted countries where they thought they could bully them. I mean, its just really remarkably bullish stuff thats seriously assertive, massively overstepping, he told the Guardian. They were all global south countries and I just think its a really shocking way to behave. Chinese ambassadors have called Ipac members in the past to demand that they remove their signatures from communiques. They have also been sanctioned or targeted by Chinese cyber-attacks. Miriam Lexmann, a Slovak member of the European parliament, said she was among those targeted by local Chinese diplomatic officials. I was born into Communist Czechoslovakia and I remember this kind of behaviour when my relatives were called to Communist party headquarters, for intimidation and questioning because they wanted to travel abroad or had concerns about the Communist regime, Lexmann told the summit. On Tuesday afternoon, Ipac introduced new members representing seven world parliaments, including from Taiwan for the first time, and Solomon Islands which switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019. Peter Keniloria, an opposition MP and son of Solomon Islands first prime minister, said his countrys decision created complexities and challenges that should be reversed. Historically, the relationship that once was held between the Solomons and Taiwan was strong and deeply rooted in partnership and mutual collaboration, he said. Nowadays Im afraid I cannot say the same. I acknowledge the complexities and challenges that both our nations now face as a result of these actions, and state that it is my personal desire to see this relationship return to the strength that once was held. Ipac has been vocal in condemning the CCPs human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and has lobbied in support of Hong Kongs pro-democracy movement, in particular the jailed activist and media mogul, Jimmy Lai. It calls itself a project for lawmakers by lawmakers, to promote democracy and address threats to the rules-based and human rights systems posed by the rise of China. On Tuesday the summit endorsed plans to curb PRC [Peoples Republic of China] distortion of UN resolution 2758. That resolution was passed in 1971, formally recognising the CCP-led PRC as the only lawful representatives of China at the UN, and expelling the Chiang Kai-shek-led government of the Republic of China (ROC). Chinese officials and media frequently claim the resolution affirms the CCPs one-China principle (which includes their claim over Taiwan), and use state media to attack analysts and others who dispute it. Taiwans government, analysts and others have accused the CCP of mischaracterising the resolution, which does not mention Taiwan or the ROC. De Pulford said countering Chinas mischaracterisation of the resolution was partly to address thorny topics that often turned people away from the issue of Taiwan. Its very complicated. And for most people it just becomes like, eh, its too complicated a territory to speak. Two MPs from Taiwan also joined for the first time, in what the Guardian understands was a late announcement. One of the pair, Chao-Tzu Chen, was unclear on the details of the organisation but said the event was in line with my philosophy. Bolivian opposition senator and summit co-chair, Cecelia Requena, told the Guardian there were major concerns about Chinas influence over the Bolivian government, and commercial involvement in infrastructure building and environmentally destructive projects. She said China and Russia were taking control of resources in Latin America without much resistance, but local politicians were scared to push back. The way we relate to China has to be improved in order for our national interests to be respected, Requena said. In a statement, Chinas foreign ministry told the Associated Press that it opposed any form of official exchanges between its diplomatic partners and Taiwan, and that Ipac had no credibility. Additional reporting by Chi-hui Lin Once you find a formula that works, repeat it - @handofflowers/instagram People ask the same questions when they hear that my husband Richard and I have nine children. Once theyve established ours is not a blended family, they want to know if we have twins or triplets (no), if we are Catholic (ditto), what car we drive (a Land Rover Discovery that seats seven; some have to go by train), how many girls and boys (6/3), their age range (currently between 15 and 32) and how many of us still holiday together. That final one varies; well number 13 this year Richard and I, eight of the nine children, plus two spouses and our one-year-old grandson. The logistics and costs of such a big family holiday can be daunting. Our situation is unusual, but we see many extended families at the airport or if were staycationing, at motorway service stations. I find myself wondering if this is their first such trip or if they are practised at both the practical and emotional aspects that need considering if everyones going to have a happy time. In the hope that some of our experiences may be useful, here are a few things weve learned along the way from our big family holidays. Meticulous planning is vital There is little scope for spontaneity at least when it comes to the basics such as travel, accommodation and meals out when the group is so big and were working to a budget. Luckily, two daughters love travelling and planning, so they start researching in the autumn, when theres good availability for the following summer, along with reasonable airfares and early-bird discounts. Id advise everyone to do the same. Know your limits When the children were small, going abroad felt like a military operation. After a disastrous camping trip to Biarritz (it poured with rain, mice ran around the tent and we all caught a sickness bug), we became decidedly unadventurous. Bembridge on the Isle of Wight was a favoured destination for five years in a row. We stayed in the same rented house and it really was home from home Richard would cook, I would do the laundry. In between we played games, watched TV and spent hours on the beach, whatever the weather. It was economical, fun and easy to plan but more of a change than a rest. After it rained all day every day one year, we decided to go further afield. However, several members of the family didnt like flying, so for the next five years we rented a house near Avignon and took the non-stop train from St Pancras that used to run on Saturdays in August. It was just over five hours amazingly quick, but felt long with lots of small children. And however hard we tried to sort out the car hire in advance, we always ended up waiting another couple of hours in the heat, increasingly frazzled. Eventually those reluctant to fly were persuaded and we enjoyed several holidays in Portugal, indulging in a week in a hotel, with clubs for the children, which worked well given their age range. At the airport, we resembled a travelling circus and I would see people counting the children before turning to their partner to exclaim eight, plus a baby!. Border control officers would protest one family at a time when I presented our stack of passports and then quiz us about the children. Passports are paramount Passports of course are a source of angst when the group is large; one summer, when Richard had already set off for Portugal by train with two children (a 36 hour journey), I discovered one of the other childrens passports had expired. I was flying 24 hours later by myself with the rest of the family (five children, including a 10-month-old). The Post Office was still open, with an hour to go. I got a photo, application form and an emergency appointment at the passport office for 8am the next morning and, miraculously, it was all sorted. I have since become paranoid about checking passports and the changing rules around how many months must still remain before the expiry date. The day before we travel, I need to enter all the advance passenger information online not a quick task and I get everyone who doesnt live at home to send me their passport picture page beforehand. Consider how youll all get to the airport There are almost no economies of scale for large family holidays but there are cost-effective options for transport to the airport. If we are going from and returning to different airports we will take a mini-bus, booked well in advance. One year I forgot (clearly a theme) and we took the only option left to get to Heathrow very early in the morning apart from hugely expensive multiple black cabs a double decker Routemaster. Yes, Im afraid we did sing Cliff Richards Summer Holiday. If you find a formula, repeat it After experimenting as far as Morocco and enjoying a wonderful time in Sicily a few years ago, with all nine children plus spouses and our grandchild, our favourite destination is Crete, with its clear blue seas, friendly people, delicious yet simple food and the opportunity to take a boat out and swim. Our youngest is now 15 and the eldest three are married, with four children between them. Naturally, they want to do their own thing but most still like to come for a week away en famille. Its a wonderful opportunity to spend time together and there are always fun surprises last year we recorded (for personal viewing only) a video of us all acting lines from the cheesy High School Musical 2 song Fabulous. Crete has become a favourite for Helena Morrissey's family - Rawf8/iStockphoto Hotels have become prohibitively expensive, so theyre usually avoided. Last year we enjoyed a week renting a house in Cornwall with four generations, including my dad and our then-six-week-old grandson. This year its going to be a weeks rental in the south of France. I have already mapped out the 13 lunches/dinners, and (with the help of those two efficient daughters) booked reasonably priced restaurants for the few meals we will eat out. Showing up in peak-holiday season looking for a table for 12 plus a highchair is unrealistic. Keep packing to a minimum Im often asked, Do you do laundry on holiday?. Yes, otherwise we literally bring over a hundred pairs of pants between us for a week. The post-holiday laundry mountain is bad enough so I like to keep it vaguely under control while we are away. Packing for so many is a challenge in itself. When the children were growing, I would keep their flip flops and other holiday items like wetsuits together in one storage area. The following year things would pass down the line to the next child and I only had to buy new for the eldest. Most now pack for themselves but I still ask everyone to check their holiday clothes six weeks before we go, so we arent rushing around at the last minute. I still keep a central stash of goggles, suncream, caps and flip flops and pack a few spares someone will forget. Richard has the best packing hack. I was amazed when having nagged him for days to start packing, he did it all in 15 minutes. It turned out he had taken everything out of the suitcase when we arrived home the year before to be washed and ironed, then immediately re-packed his clean holiday clothes in the same case. The following year, there were a few additions and subtractions, but no rummaging around for that pair of trunks last worn 12 months ago. Brilliant. Now, all our cases are at least half-packed all year round, saving time and aggravation. Number your cases Final tip: if you are travelling with a big group, number the cases. We left a small suitcase of shoes on the carousel one year everyone had taken their own bags, and after many hours of travelling, I forgot about the extra one. Now I tag all our cases with giant numbers, and we do a count at every stage just as we did with the children when they were small (Ive seen Home Alone too many times!). If youre worried about lost luggage, one tip is to place an Airtag inside the case (so its not stolen). And always pack emergencies (which depending on your destination may include a swimsuit as well as a change of clothes) in your carry-on, just in case your luggage doesnt show up when you do. After all that, enjoy! Dar Leaf, front right, speaks next to members of the Michigan Liberty Militia in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on 18 May 2020. Photograph: Cory Morse/AP This article was produced as a collaboration between Bolts and the Guardian. On a sunny afternoon in July, a crowd of roughly 100 gathered to listen to their local sheriff campaign for re-election in south-western Michigan. A self-described constitutional sheriff with longstanding ties to militia groups, Dar Leaf has made a national name for himself in far-right circles with his fruitless investigation to uncover evidence for Donald Trumps lies that the 2020 election was stolen. But that wasnt what he wanted to discuss at his rally. Having come under intense scrutiny in the last three years for his election investigation and militia affiliations, Leaf spoke to his supporters about his offices more mundane work upgraded vehicles and new training and urged them to ignore the attacks hes faced. Our eyes are forward, thats why God put em in front of our head, he said to laughter and applause. Weve got to keep moving towards that finish line. Still, its his relentless effort to uncover voter fraud and his associations with far-right groups that have come to define him as he seeks to defeat three rivals in next weeks Republican primary. Related: Election denialism front and center at Republican national convention Taking up Trumps unfounded grievances, Leaf sent deputies to interrogate local election officials and tried to seize voting machines, which he claimed flipped votes from Trump to Joe Biden. His activities fit in a broader network of far-right sheriffs who responded to Trumps lies by wanting to police elections, and who may soon double down if the former president challenges the results of Novembers elections. Leafs skepticism about elections and convictions about the excesses of the federal government fit in comfortably in Barry county, a deeply red and rural county just north of Kalamazoo that voted for Trump over Biden in 2020 by a two to one margin. But locally, some Republicans want to turn the page. Two of his intraparty challengers in the 6 August primary have highlighted his investigation into the 2020 election as a key point of contrast. The sheriff has propagated these lies, says Joel Ibbotson, one of his three opponents. Im sick of that. I want it to end. A years-long investigation When Trump falsely alleged a Democratic party plot to steal the 2020 election through widespread voter fraud, he found a sympathetic audience in Barry county and its sheriff. With the guidance of Stefanie Lambert, an election-denying lawyer who now faces felony charges for allegedly improperly breaching Michigan voting machines, Leaf launched an investigation into how the election unfolded in his county. He sent deputies to question local elections clerks, who saw his hunt as a form of intimidation. He repeatedly requested authorization to seize voting machines, but was denied by federal and state courts. Throughout the investigation, Leaf presented no evidence of irregularities, let alone of a plot to steal the election. He maintains that the investigation is ongoing, and said that he couldnt elaborate on its status. Scott Price, a local pastor who supports Leafs re-election campaign, said Leaf is giving voice to widespread concerns about election integrity. Were grateful that we have somebody that has the courage and and literally is willing to stand and take the heat for something that other people are saying didnt even happen, said Price. But some within Leafs own party resisted the investigation. Julie Nakfoor Pratt, the countys Republican prosecutor, rejected Leafs inquiry into the 2020 election and denounced it as a waste of resources. In a lengthy statement before the county board of supervisors on 25 October 2022, Nakfoor Pratt explained why she could not act on Leafs allegations, pointing to the importance of probable cause and exhaustive detective work in prosecuting cases. She recounted her offices investigation into a grisly homicide case as an example of the kind of rigor necessary in investigative policing. Without evidence, she said, a case couldnt be prosecuted. I will not put my signature on something if its not there, said Nakfoor Pratt. When his office approached her with a search warrant for voting equipment, there was no probable cause, Nakfoor Pratt said. It wasnt insufficient: there was none. Earlier this year, Lambert, the lawyer, shared troves of private documents that she claimed were signs of a conspiracy with Leaf. She had obtained them during discovery while representing Patrick Byrne, a Trump ally, in a defamation case brought by Dominion Voting Systems, which some conservatives have falsely accused of rigging the 2020 election. The documents show Serbian Dominion employees troubleshooting technical questions, but in a letter to US representative Jim Jordan, Leaf wrote that they revealed something more nefarious. Serbian employees planned and conspired with premeditation to delete United States election data, wrote Leaf, echoing a similar claim that Lambert made on the social media platform X. A constitutional sheriff Since long before the 2020 election, Leaf has been involved with the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA), an ultraconservative group that promotes the belief that sheriffs have the ultimate authority to interpret and enforce the constitution within their county. This philosophy came into focus for him during the Covid-19 pandemic when, angered by lockdown orders intended to mitigate the spread of the virus, Leaf refused to enforce social distancing rules. In an interview, Leaf said he first learned about the constitutional sheriffs in 2010, when Richard Mack, a former Arizona sheriff and the founder of CSPOA, reached out. I think they were just calling sheriffs up, especially new sheriffs, said Leaf, who was intrigued enough by their movement to attend a conference in Las Vegas. What he heard there, he said, was a big wake-up call. Most important, Leaf said, was what he learned about Printz v United States, a supreme court case brought by Mack and Jay Printz, a Montana sheriff who argued that a provision of a federal gun violence prevention bill that required law enforcement agencies to conduct background checks was unconstitutional. They won; the supreme court ruled that the federal government could not compel state agencies to enact such a measure. The case proved that local officials have the right, the power and the duty to stand against the far reaching inclusions by our own Federal Government, Mack later wrote in his book. The ideas behind the constitutional sheriffs movement are shared by a startling number of sheriffs. Still, actual membership in CSPOA appears low. One study, produced by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism and the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, identified 69 sheriffs who publicly endorsed the CSPOA or claimed membership in the organization. A national CSPOA conference in Las Vegas this year drew around 100 attendees, among them January 6 defendants, conspiracy theorists and right-wing influencers but few actual sheriffs. Leaf was in Vegas, though, telling attendees excitedly: Im getting goose-bumpy here. You cant get away from his name Since assuming the office of sheriff two decades ago, Leaf has developed a passionate following in Barry county. Dar is the most well-known person in the community, said Barry county resident Olivia Bennett, who described Leaf as a family friend. You just cant get away from his name. Bennetts father served in Leafs posse, a word Leaf uses to describe a group of citizens who dont work for the sheriffs office but assist him in his duties. My dad would come home and say different things, like, If terrorists come, theyre going to come from these small towns first, and I just thought it was stuff my dad said, Bennett said. When later, I heard Dar speaking about it, I realized, Oh no, my dad got these beliefs from Dar himself. Dar really does make people feel scared and make it sound like hes the only one who can really protect you, Bennett added. Leaf has long flexed his beliefs that sheriffs are guardians of order. Were not here to intimidate people, he told local media in 2014. This is still a badge, its not a swastika. We have to prepare for the worst. We have to prepare for things you dont like talking about. Since joining the CSPOA, Leaf has strived to introduce his community to the groups lofty ideas about sheriffs unique role in upholding the constitution. Leaf hosts bi-monthly study groups focusing on Christian faith and common law and leads a course on militias, titled Awaken the Sleeping Militia Clause, promising attendees willing to pay the $175 entry fee that theyll learn a militiamans duty and earn a certificate of completion. In one meeting, whose recording Bolts and the Guardian reviewed, Leaf expounds on Michigans new red flag law, which allows police to take firearms away from individuals who a judge has determined pose a threat to themselves or others. He describes it as illegitimate, implying that he has the authority to make that determination within his county. No, my people did not consent to that, said Leaf. Its a jurisdictional thing. During a separate meeting this spring, Leaf updated members on the CSPOAs April conference in Las Vegas. He said he was especially pleased to hear from Richard Fleming, a doctor who pleaded guilty in 2009 to felony charges of mail and healthcare fraud and has made a name of himself since then as a proponent of the unsubstantiated theory that Covid-19 was created as a bioweapon. Flemings claims, Leaf said, are pretty much being ignored by the cabal thats trying to take over the world. Lockdowns and militias As Covid-19 spread across the country in March 2020, Leaf vowed to strike back against stay-at-home orders that he viewed as an example of governmental overreach. During that period, Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan governor, briefly prohibited the use of motor boats, permitting only kayaking and canoeing as a form of outdoor recreation. The order, which Whitmer later walked back, infuriated many residents of Barry county. Leaf said he would not enforce the order. The sheriff came out and said, I dont care if your boat has a motor on it or not. If youre getting in a heated argument with your wife, go on the lake and go fishing, if thats what it takes to cool off, said Ibbotson, who used to be an outspoken supporter of the sheriff and is now running as one of his primary challengers. Leaf took part in a rally against Michigans stay-at-home orders, and called them tantamount to an unlawful arrest. Also at the event were members of a militia called the Wolverine Watchmen, a group that was later implicated in a plot to kidnap Whitmer. When William and Michael Null, two brothers from Barry county who attended the event, were accused of taking part in the kidnapping plot, Leaf defended them. The group, he suggested, could have been planning to arrest the governor. In Michigan, if its a felony, you can make a felony arrest, he told a local news outlet. The Null brothers were later acquitted, during a trial that showcased how deeply involved FBI informants and agents had been in pushing the militia members rhetoric toward a kidnapping plot. When asked about the controversy and about concerns that he may be too closely connected to militias, Leaf smiled and looked a little bewildered. Of course, Leaf said. There should be militias connected with every sheriff. Pushback from Republicans Leafs growing embrace of far-right politics has ruffled residents, including some of his former supporters. When he had mentioned that the Null brothers were perhaps just trying to do a citizens arrest on the governor, that was the final straw for me, said Ibbotson, who decided to challenge him in the Republican primary. Ibbotson, who owns a logistics company, said he wants the office to drop the election issue. Election administration, he said, should be in the hands of the county and township clerks. My goal through this, even if I lose, is to make it unpopular to talk about election integrity, in the sense that the sheriff has propagated these lies, said Ibbotson. Im sick of that. I want it to end. Ibbotson says he has hired formerly incarcerated drivers to work in his business in hopes of reducing recidivism. Leafs second challenger, Richelle Spencer, is a sergeant in the Barry county sheriffs office, who has worked as a narcotics detective and in the K9 unit, says she decided to run for sheriff despite her aversion to politics. She said that the unending election investigation and Leafs involvement in the CSPOA has sowed divisions. Related: Rightwing claim of 0% chance of fair US election previews effort to undo 2024 result Everybody is ready for something different in the sheriffs office were ready for some stability, I can tell you that, said Spencer. He goes away and does these speaking engagements and when hes doing that, hes not available to us, she added, and hes not aware of whats going on in his own community. Leafs third challenger, Mark Noteboom, a deputy in the sheriffs office, has had a direct hand in Leafs investigation. Noteboom declined to share specifics about the investigation, but told Bolts and the Guardian that he felt the clerks in Barry county did absolutely nothing wrong. They did everything they were supposed to do, and they did it the right way. Noteboom added that as sheriff he would focus on improving conditions in the county jail and other local issues. Youre the sheriff of Barry county, not the sheriff of the United States, he added. At the CSPOA event in March, Leaf addressed the gathering on the topic of his investigation in Barry county and the status of election integrity nationwide. His police work, Leaf said, had been hampered by Dana Nessel, attorney general of Michigan and a Democrat who has been investigating Lambert and others for allegedly improperly seizing and tampering with voting machines. Deputies in his office didnt want to touch the case. That was the first major stumbling block, said Leaf. Local crime had also pulled him away from the investigation. We had a missing person and we took quite a while, a lot of manpower, to go find. I had to put my light-duty deputy off to go find this missing person. There were so many leads, the investigation had become so expansive, and the end wasnt even in sight more than two years after Leaf initiated the investigation. Still, he said, he has not given up. It was on him and other sympathetic minds to keep up with the search. Keep chuggin, he advised the room. Keep charging the castle! Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, visit a housing project in London - Lucy North/Pool/AFP via Getty Images The Government has warned councils it will take control of their housebuilding plans if they do not come up with one by the end of the year. Matthew Pennycook, the Housing Minister, said local authorities must get those plans in place in a drive to deliver 1.5 million new homes this decade. His remarks came after Angela Rayner unveiled new mandatory housing targets on Tuesday that will see more homes being built in rural Tory constituencies. The Government has said that only a third of councils in England have an up-to-date plan for where they are going to put new homes. Ministers have warned the lack of such a plan leaves areas vulnerable to having to approve speculative development on the green belt to meet demand. And Mr Pennycook said that the two thirds of local authorities which have not yet produced a housing plan will have to do so by the end of this year. In extremis, we are prepared to take local plans off local authorities and ensure they are put in place, the Housing Minister told Times Radio. We want to see local plans in place by next year. Therell be a process to drive up coverage across the country. This is right that this is the focus. Matthew Pennycook says that 'in extremis' the Government will step in to take local plans off councils Mr Pennycook said that Labour had inherited a planning system from the Tories that is chronically underperforming, that is not functioning as it should. His department published new figures showing how many extra houses will need to be built in each area, with Tory areas experiencing the steepest increases. North Yorkshire, which includes Rishi Sunaks constituency, has been handed the second biggest increase in the number of homes it must deliver. The target for Suella Bravermans seat of Fareham has been increased by 60pc while in Waverley, represented by Jeremy Hunt, it has almost doubled. In contrast the demand on Mr Pennycooks own seat of Greenwich, in London, has been almost halved after the capitals overall housing target was reduced. Meanwhile, Ms Rayner defended her decision to remove the requirement for all new houses to be beautiful from the planning rules. The Deputy Prime Minister was criticised by Kemi Badenoch, the shadow housing secretary, who accused her of wanting to build ugly houses. She told the BBC the criticism was ridiculous, adding: Beautiful means nothing really it means one thing to one person and another thing to another. Its actually about in keeping with the area, its about protecting nature and having access to nature, its about making sure that buildings are safe, theyre warm, theyre sustainable. Ms Rayner said that ugly housing had got through the system in spite of the rules on beauty, which were introduced by the Tories in 2021. All that wording was doing was preventing and blocking development and thats why we think its too subjective, she said. I dont buy this idea that Im just going to build a load of ugly houses, thats just not true. The Deputy Prime Minister also insisted that her plans to free up low-quality green belt land, known as grey belt, would be better for rural communities. She said that under the Tories there had been a proliferation of speculative development in the countryside and thats where you get the complaints. Within our rules on the grey belt and the green belt is that we will protect urban spread, we will make sure this infrastructure is part of it, she said. So its a much more planned approach to meeting the housing needs instead of the haphazard situation weve got at the moment. Ms Rayner added: People are not nimby for nimby reasons. Theyre saying, Well hang on a minute, our roads are already congested, we cant get a GP appointment and now you want to build more houses here? so infrastructure is critical. Kamala Harris speaks at a moderated conversation on 17 July 2024 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Photograph: Chris duMond/Getty Images By most measures, Democrats chances to take Michigan, a must-win, upper midwest swing state, were rapidly dwindling two weeks ago. Polling released that day showed Joe Biden down seven points, and perhaps insurmountably ceding ground to Donald Trump among key blocs. Then everything changed. Biden stepped aside and Kamala Harris stepped in, almost immediately recharging an increasingly demoralized base while boosting Democratic chances with independents here, political observers say. Most importantly, the US vice-president appears to be quickly reinvigorating a coalition of five constituencies that has propelled Democrats to wins over the Trump GOP in all major elections in Michigan post-2016, but which had frayed during the Biden campaign. Thats generating fresh hope among Democrats, and the coalitions power may be reflected in the first bits of swing state Harris-era polling that found her in a dead heat with Trump. People are excited, and we are energized, said Jerry Hebron, who runs an urban farm in Detroit. Were thinking about how we can get engaged, help to get people to vote, to knock on doors and things like that. Michigan is a political prize that has voted for the presidential winner in the last four national elections. Powered by the coalition of Black voters, white suburban independents, young voters, Arab American voters and strong Macomb county showings, Democrats swept the 2018 midterms, and Biden took Michigan by 154,000 votes in 2020. In state elections two years later, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer defeated a Trump-backed candidate and Democrats took full control for the first time in 45 years. The re-energized coalition gives Harris an immediate bump, said Bill Belanger, a conservative-leaning state political analyst. All of those groups except Macomb county are helped by Harriss candidacy as opposed to Biden, he said, but sustaining her momentum depends on which kind of candidate she turns into, Bellanger added, suggesting she may be perceived as too liberal. Suburban independents and moderate Republicans Questions about Bidens mental fitness repelled many in this group in wealthier Detroit suburbs and western Michigan who turned out for the president in relatively large numbers in 2020. But recent history suggests they are also turned off by the Trump GOP: Whitmer won independents by double digits in recent state elections against a Trump-backed candidate, including by 23 points in Oakland county, a suburban battleground that until recently leaned GOP. Harris is stronger than 2024 Biden among this group, in large part because of independent and moderate women concerned about abortion who also drove the 2022 Democratic wave, said pollster Bernie Porn. His polling puts abortion as the third most important issue among all state voters, but much higher among independent and Democratic women, and Biden struggled on abortion messaging. While the president polled just 2% ahead of Trump on Sunday in Michigan, a Thursday poll showed a 52-40 Harris advantage. Meanwhile, Robert F Kennedy Jr polled at about 18% with independents, and Harris can likely peel off some of his support, Porn said. Harris will run up the scoreboard because shes a woman thats very energizing, especially in Michigan, which is already led by a strong woman, said a Democratic operative with experience in Michigan campaigns. Black voters In Detroit, , Whitmer won 95% of the Detroit vote in the midterms, and Biden did similarly well in his first campaign. But polling showed the presidents support dipped as low as 54% among Black voters statewide this year. Harris, who would be the nations first Black woman to win the presidency, saw an 8% jump in support among Black voters nationally in this weeks polls compared to Biden. In Detroit, Hebron, who is Black, said she isnt aware of support for Trump, and the Democratic operative said the 54% could be read as Black voter hesitancy over Biden, not Trump support. With Harris at the top of the ticket, they are coming home, the operative said. Arab American and uncommitted voters Over 100,000 people voted uncommitted in the 2024 Michigan primary as a protest to the Biden administrations Gaza policy. Meanwhile, Porns polling has found nearly 80% of state Democrats support a ceasefire. Related: Republicans social conservatism wins over some Arab Americans Still, tension between some state Democratic leadership and this group persists. During Democrats Wednesday Harris endorsement call, Abbas Alawieh, a former congressional staffer representing Michigans uncommitted delegates, said he offered brief comments outlining the voters concerns. He was quickly interrupted: Shut up, asshole, said the Livingston county democratic organization chair. Michigan Democratic party chair Lavora Barnes later sent an email to the group calling the interruption inappropriate. Alawieh said he was doing his duty as a delegate. Uncommitteds are being extremely reasonable and just asking for an update on the policy because the policy is mass killing of people we love, he said, adding that he frustrated by some in the party treating Arab American voters as a problem. Alawieh said he is hopeful that will change, and the uncommitted campaign has requested a meeting with Harris. Theres a real curiosity to see whether or not Vice-President Harris will seek to turn the page on Gaza policy, Alawieh said. There was also a deep sigh of relief that the candidate is no longer President Biden because people feel so deeply betrayed by him. Macomb county prospects Some observers say Harris may struggle in Macomb county, the largely white, working-class, Obama-to-Biden swing county that has received outsized attention for propelling Donald Trump to office in 2016. Biden only received 45% of the vote in Macomb in 2020, but Whitmer won here 52-47 during state elections. Moreover, the county is a union stronghold, and Bidens support plummeted about 13 points among union members since 2020, Porn noted. Thats in part because Trump has won the messaging war on electric vehicles, which are unpopular among union members, he said. Like Biden, Harris may not win the county, but may do well enough to win the state, observers say. Young voters Exit polls in 2020 showed Biden won 62% of young voters, while his approval among the group polled at just 15% in Michigan this year. A spate of national polls already shows Harriss support among young people shooting far beyond Biden levels. In Detroit, Hebron, a self-described elder, sees a whole nother generation of voters who are now excited. Meanwhile, the Democratic operative noted Harris went viral on TikTok on Sunday night as memes showing her having a good time proliferated and organically generated excitement among young people. Related: Kamala Harris memes are all over the internet. Will tweets and TikToks turn into votes? That enthusiasm is not something that can be manufactured, the operative said. It is part of the broader enthusiasm shift. The entire state party is motivated, said Michigan pollster Ed Sarpolus with Target-Insyght. No one is hiding in the bushes anymore, everyone is jumping on the bandwagon, and now she has momentum, Sarpolus said. Theyre saying, Now we have a reason to vote. Police hold back rioters in Southport after a stabbing attack at a dance class - Getty Images The English Defence League (EDL) could be proscribed as a terror organisation in the wake of riots in Southport, Angela Rayner has suggested. Supporters of the EDL were blamed for the violence on Tuesday night, in which police officers were attacked with rocks and a police van was set on fire. Demonstrations following Mondays knife attack on children attending a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club, in which three young girls were killed, turned violent after misinformation about the suspect was spread online. Ms Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, said: We have laws and we have proscribed groups, and we do look at that and it is reviewed regularly. So Im sure that that will be something that the Home Secretary [Yvette Cooper] will be looking at as part of the normal course of what we do and the intelligence that we have. But I think the bigger issue is about taking on the minority of people that have got thuggish behaviour that actually, thats not our British values. Hizb ut-Tahrir, a extremist group that organised pro-Palestinian protests, was the last organisation to be proscribed as a terrorist group by the former Conservative government. Proscription means it becomes an offence to be a member of a group or to support it, and carries a maximum prison sentence of up to 14 years and/or a fine of up to 5,000 for doing so. Both Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Cooper condemned the violence on Tuesday night, with the Home Secretary criticising those seeking to use events to stir up division or advance their own views. Sir Keir said: Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves. They will feel the full force of the law. North West Ambulance Service said 39 officers were injured, with 27 taken to hospital, in the riots. Some officers sustained serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion. The violence is believed to have been carried out by people who came from outside Southport. It followed a vigil to remember the three girls killed in the attack, identified on Tuesday as six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nearby. Responding to the riots inspired by the EDL, Ms Rayner said: The inciting of violence and violence on the street has absolutely no place in our democracy, and we have to crack down on those that perpetuate violence and spread it within our communities. Pointing to crises in the NHS and housing, she said: Its an absolute failure of politics to turn around and say its because these people are here or whatever. A clean-up is under way after Tuesday night's disorder in Southport - William Lailey/SWNS Ms Rayner also criticised Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, for stirring up fake news online about the reasons behind the Southport knife attack. She told LBC Radio that, as an MP, Mr Farage has a level of responsibility ... and its not to stoke up what conspiracy theories or what you think might have happened. She added: Theres a responsibility to say the police are doing a difficult job, local authorities, all of the services that are on the ground. We have a responsibility to hold the community together and say lets get the facts, and then lets look at what the actual solutions are and what we can do about the horrific situation that we find ourselves in, not to stir up these fake news online. In a video statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Farage had said important questions about the case remained, including whether there was any truth in suggestions that the suspect was on a security services watch list and whether it was terror-related. I just wonder whether the truth is being withheld from us. I dont know the answer, but I think it is a fair and legitimate question. What I do know is that something is going horribly wrong in our once beautiful country, he said. Lord Walney, the Governments independent adviser on political violence, urged police and ministers to use new orders that enable officers to ban people from causing serious disruption if they have previously been involved in protest-related offences. If anyone breaches the order, they face being jailed for up to six months. Serious disruption prevention orders were a welcome addition to the tools available to the police to prevent protests getting out of hand by banning serial troublemakers from the scene, he told The Telegraph. It seems clear that far-Right activists from outside Southport descended on the town to exploit the tragedy and the communitys grief this week, just as extreme protesters sometime seek to hijack otherwise legitimate protests on issues like climate change. Keeping the extremists away can be in the interest of the mainstream majority who feel strongly but dont want to break the law and cause mayhem. Kamala Harris in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on 17 July 2024. Photograph: Chris duMond/Getty Images The launch of Kamala Harriss campaign has injected newfound energy into her party with fewer than 100 days to go in the election cycle and raised Democrats hopes of winning battleground states that once seemed irretrievably lost to Donald Trump, according to a set of memos exclusively shared with the Guardian. The memos show that Democratic parties in battleground states saw a dramatic surge in contributions and volunteer sign-ups in the past week, in addition to the Harris campaigns record-breaking fundraising haul of $200m. They arrive as a new poll shows Harris has gained ground against Trump in six of the seven swing states since Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race. Conducted on July 24-28, the Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll of registered voters shows Harris leading Trump in Arizona, Wisconsin and Nevada, with a two-point advantage in each, and leading in Michigan by 11 percentage points; Trump polled ahead of Harris in Pennsylvania by four points and in North Carolina by two points, and the candidates were tied in Georgia. The memos, which were shared by the coordinated campaign between Harris for President and the Democratic National Committee, offer further promising signs for the vice-president. In Georgia, where Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by just 12,000 votes, or 0.2 points, in 2020, more than 1,000 new volunteers signed up in the 24 hours after Harris announced her candidacy, marking the largest single-day total of the campaign. Georgia Democrats also collected $200,000, as donations to the state party increased by 320% compared with the week before. The show of force is notable given that earlier polls indicated that Trump had a solid lead in Georgia. An Emerson College poll conducted earlier this month showed Trump with a 5-point advantage over Biden, 44% to 39%, but the outlets most recent survey showed Harris had cut that lead down to 2 points. Democrats up and down the ticket are seeing unprecedented support from voters across the nation, said Abhi Rahman, deputy communications director for the DNC. We are confident that in these battleground states, Democrats will win at every level of the ballot in November. The pattern has played out in other states where Trumps lead over Biden appeared to be growing in the weeks after the presidents disastrous debate performance. In Arizona, where Biden won by about 10,000 votes, or 0.3 points, in 2020, more than 2,000 new Democratic campaign volunteers signed up in the past week. The Emerson College polls conducted in the past month show that Harris slashed Trumps lead in Arizona from 10 points to 5 points. In the key battleground state of Wisconsin, where Biden won by 0.6 points in 2020, the state party raked in $400,000 over the past week after out-raising its Republican counterpart by a margin of 14 to 1 in the first half of the year. Wisconsin Democrats also saw 3,500 new volunteers sign up for the campaign since Harris entered the race. More than 2,000 Wisconsin volunteers completed a shift in the past week, with at least 175,000 voters contacted. That outreach could prove decisive in a state that was decided by roughly 20,000 votes four years ago. Before Biden withdrew from the race this month, most polls indicated he was running a close race against Trump in Wisconsin. But one particularly worrisome survey conducted for AARP in the days after the debate found Trump had a 6-point lead there. The most recent Emerson College polling showed Harris and Trump tied, 47% to 47%, in Wisconsin. Related: Harris and Trump release dueling ads as candidates refine their messaging Harriss campaign launch also seems to have motivated grassroots donors, some of whom are contributing for the first time this election cycle. Of the Harris campaigns $200m haul, 66% came from first-time donors. In Michigan, where Biden won by roughly 3 points in 2020, the state party reported a surge in small-dollar donations over the past week, collecting $100,000 from more than 1,000 individual donors. The most recent Emerson College polling showed that Michigan remains highly competitive, with Trump at 46% and Harris at 45%. Democrats hope the financial boon will help them regain a cash advantage in the presidential race, after Trump closed his earlier gap with Biden thanks to a fundraising blitz in recent months. The Harris campaign is already putting its new money to use with a $50m advertising push in the weeks leading up to the Democratic national convention, which will take place in Chicago next month. But Trump is not sitting on the sidelines. On Tuesday, his campaign unveiled a new ad attacking Harris over the Biden administrations management of the US-Mexico border while mocking the vice-president as weak and dangerously liberal. The dueling ads foreshadowed what is expected to be a hard-fought and grueling race to the finish in the presidential contest. The two candidates have even less time than it may appear to sway the electorate, as many states will start early voting in late September or early October. In Arizona, for example, early voting begins on 9 October. Palestinians in the West Bank carry a placard of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas political leader assassinated in Tehran on Wednesday Photograph: APAImages/Rex/Shutterstock Iran has vowed revenge after airstrikes killed the Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut in the space of 12 hours, as the dual Israeli assassinations crushed hopes for an imminent Gaza ceasefire and fuelled fears of a dangerous escalation in the region. Israel did not directly claim the attack on Haniyeh, but there was little doubt among the countrys enemies, and its own politicians and analysts, about who was responsible. Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, told a news conference in Tehran, quoting witnesses, that Haniyeh had been killed by a missile that hit him directly in a state guesthouse where he was staying. Haniyeh was visiting for the inauguration of Irans new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, who said after the killing that his country would defend its territorial integrity and honour. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, blamed Israel and said Iran had a duty of revenge because Haniyeh had been targeted while a guest in the country. The New York Times reported that Khamenei had issued an order for Iran to strike Israel directly, citing three Iranian officials briefed on the order. It was not possible to verify the report. The timing and location of the dual attacks, targeting very high-profile commanders in densely populated capital cities, made them particularly humiliating for Iran and Hezbollah, raising the risk of a slide towards full-blown regional war as Tehran seeks to re-establish a military deterrent. Although Hamas has also vowed revenge, after nearly 10 months fighting in Gaza it has little capacity to inflict damage beyond the strip. Related: Risk of regional Middle East conflict looms after two weeks of airstrikes Security forces and officials in Israel, Iran and Lebanon mostly agree that all-out conflict would be devastating for all parties, regardless of who emerged victorious. But in the high-stakes efforts to project power in a regional proxy war, the risk of miscalculation and deadly mistakes is intensifying. The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, believed the attacks marked a dangerous escalation, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement that urged all parties to work towards de-escalation. Restraint alone is insufficient at this extremely sensitive time. The killing of Haniyeh, who played a key role for Hamas in negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, led many to question whether Israels government had any real desire to halt the conflict there. Egypt and Qatar, who have played key roles in talks, warned that Haniyehs killing would set back negotiations. How can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side? the Qatari prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, wrote on X, joining a regional chorus of condemnation. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, made a defiant address on Wednesday evening, celebrating the strike in Lebanon which Israel has officially claimed and vowing to continue fighting in Gaza. For months, not a week has gone by without people, at home and abroad, telling me to end the war. I didnt give in to those voices then and I wont give in to them today, he said. If we had yielded to the pressure to end the war, we would not have eliminated the leaders of Hamas, we would not have taken over the Philadelphi Corridor [along the Egyptian border], which is the oxygen for Hamas, and we would not have created the conditions to both return all our abductees and achieve the goals of the war. The US administration has for months been leading an international diplomatic effort to prevent the war in Gaza spreading into a broader regional conflict, and US diplomats have recently pushed hard for a ceasefire deal in the strip. The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said on Wednesday that Washington had not been aware of or involved in Haniyehs assassination, and that a ceasefire deal for Gaza was still vital. The road to de-escalating regional conflicts with Iran and its allies, from Hezbollah at Israels northern border to Houthis in Yemen, runs through Gaza. Related: Who are the Hamas and Hezbollah leaders killed since 7 October attack? All the groups have said they took up arms in solidarity with Palestinians, after Israel responded to Hamass cross-border attacks on 7 October by launching a war there. Without a ceasefire in Gaza, it is unlikely they will put down arms. The White House national security spokesperson, John Kirby, said: We dont believe that an escalation is inevitable And theres no signs that an escalation is imminent. At an emergency UN security council meeting, China, Russia, Algeria and others condemned Haniyehs assassination, which Irans UN ambassador called an act of terrorism. Fu Cong, Chinas ambassador to the UN, said failure to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza was responsible for worsening tensions. The Palestinian representative, Feda Abdelhady Nasser, condemned Haniyehs killing saying Violence and terror are Israels main and only currency. She added, There is no red line for Israel. No law it will not breach, no norm it will not trample. No act too depraved or too barbaric. Haniyehs funeral will be held in Iran on Thursday, and the country has declared three days of mourning. His body will then be flown to Qatars capital, Doha, for burial. Despite the shock at his death, Hamas officials and analysts said it would not have much immediate impact on the ground in Gaza. Hamas has survived past assassinations of its top leaders, including Haniyehs mentor Ahmed Yassin in 2004, and Haniyeh did not command operations in the territory after leaving for exile in 2019. Hamas fighters inside Gaza are led by Yahya Sinwar, thought to be the mastermind of the 7 October attacks in which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken hostage. Haniyeh had urged Palestinians to be steadfast when Israel killed Yassin and again when an airstrike killed three of his sons and four grandchildren in Gaza in April. In an interview with Al Jazeera at the time, he insisted that his personal loss would not prompt Hamas to shift its position in negotiations. His own death is likely to elicit a similar response from other Hamas leaders. Israel officially declined to comment on Haniyehs assassination, but it had vowed to kill all Hamas leaders after the 7 October attacks. Its intelligence services have a history of carrying out covert killings inside Iran, mostly targeting scientists working on the countrys nuclear programme. The retired general Amos Yadlin, a former head of Israels military intelligence directorate, said on Wednesday night that the attacks were two quality operations of Israel Defense Forces against two top terrorists, one in Beirut and one in Tehran. Haniyehs death came hours after Hezbollahs top military commander, Fuad Shukur, was killed in an airstrike on a south Beirut suburb launched in retaliation for a rocket attack that killed 12 children at the weekend. Related: Humiliation of Haniyehs killing creates early crisis for Irans new president Lebanons foreign minister said the strike was a shock after assurances from Israels allies that the country planned a limited response that would not produce a war. We did not expect to be hit in Beirut. We thought these were red lines that the Israelis would respect, Abdallah Bou Habib told the Guardian. The strike also killed three women and two children and injured dozens. Shukurs funeral was also set to be held on Thursday, with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is expected to speak. News of the assassinations was largely greeted with delight in Israel, as part-completion of a promise to hunt down the men responsible for the 7 October atrocity. Social media was filled with triumphant memes. The cabinet minister Amichai Chikli shared footage of Haniyeh apparently nodding to chants of death to Israel, with the caption careful what you wish for in a post on X. It was also seen as a vindication for the security forces after the failures of 7 October. It really revives a little bit of the lost dignity of the intelligence community of Israel, said Tamir Hayman, a retired general who, like Yadlin, served as head of defence intelligence. However, he said the tactical impact would not change Israels overall position, nearly 10 months into its war in Gaza. In terms of the overall strategic posture of Israel and the complicated situation we are facing to stop the war and achieve all our goals, it really does not change a lot. He called on the government to use its military advantage now to push for a ceasefire deal and the return of hostages, and then turn its attention to securing the northern border. If we continue [relying] on those very good tactical achievements, we are basically in the same place we have been yesterday, he said. Meanwhile, two US airlines, United and Delta, said they were suspending flights to Tel Aviv due to the current situation, while Air France and low-cost carrier Transavia France said they were suspending flights between Paris and Beirut until the weekend. Ismail Haniyeh, centre front, was killed alongside his bodyguard by an airstrike on a Tehran apartment in the early hours of Wednesday morning - Majid Asgaripour/Reuters Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, was assassinated in Tehran on Wednesday in a strike that has raised fears of a wider war in the Middle East. The Palestinian terror groups political leader was visiting the Iranian capital for the inauguration of Irans new president. Haniyeh, 62, was killed alongside his bodyguard by an airstrike on a Tehran apartment in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Both Hamas and Iran blamed Israel for the attack. Israel has yet to comment, but two ministers from Benjamin Netanyahus coalition government celebrated the strike. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, vowed severe punishment against the Zionist regime. Hamas warned Israel that the assassination takes the war to new levels and will have enormous consequences for the entire region. Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, was the first senior official to comment on the situation, saying Israel does not want war, but we are preparing for all possibilities. Mr Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with top defence officials at 4pm local time to discuss the situation, and reportedly instructed his government not to comment on the attack. Amos Yadlin, the former Israeli military intelligence chief, said that Iran and Hezbollah will likely take their time to calculate the costs and benefits of every option for retaliation, instead of acting immediately to the killing of Haniyeh. On Tuesday night, an Israeli strike also killed Fuad Shukr, a top Hezbollah leader, in a strike on a Beirut suburb. Iran has several options, Mr Yadlin said, including attacking Israelis and embassies abroad. Tehran has so far avoided committing the full might of its military to Hamas war against Israel. One worry for the regime is whether the US will help defend Israel if they attack directly, as they did in April when Iran launched a barrage of 360 missiles and drones. At the end of the day, nobody wants a war. It will be devastating for everyone, Mr Yadlin said. Mohammad Reza Aref, Irans vice president, said the country has no intention of escalating the conflict in the Middle East. But Payman Falsafi, the Iranian MP, said that a response was already being drawn up. The assassination of Martyr Ismail Haniyeh is an act that will lead to significant regret, he told the semi-official Mehr News Agency. As far as I know, the authorities are already planning a response. Qatar, which hosts Hamass political leadership that had included Haniyeh and has mediated in truce talks for the war in Gaza, said the killing was a dangerous escalation that will lead to the region slipping into chaos and undermine the chances of peace. Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, said that Washington would indeed help Israel if it were attacked, but stressed that a war in the Middle East could still be avoided. I dont think war is inevitable. I maintain that. I think theres always room and opportunities for diplomacy, Mr Austin told reporters during a visit to the Philippines. It is unclear if the fragile ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel will continue following the attack, but families of hostages called on the Israeli government to do everything in their power to strike a deal. While military operations over the past 10 months have achieved significant security gains, true achievement can only be realised with the release of all 115 hostages still in captivity, the Hostages Families Forum said in a statement, adding: Time is of the essence, and we implore the Israeli government and global leaders to decisively advance negotiations. This is the time for a deal. Budgie smugglers is Australian slang from the 2000s, says one reader. Photograph: Jenny Evans/Getty Images The reason Michael Barber (Letters, 26 July) never heard the term budgie smugglers on Sydney beaches in the 1960s is simple: its slang from the 2000s. The first usage in Jonathon Greens Dictionary of Slang in 2008 also shows the glorious rich range of Aussie speech: Call em cock jocks, sluggos, nylon nasties, budgie smugglers, the banana hammock or the True Test Of Manhood but it breaks my heart to see the way the great Aussie cossie is being scorned by a new generation of beach goers. Judith Flanders Montreal, Canada When the Dundee artist James McIntosh Patrick was sitting at his easel painting one of his striking views of Strathmore, a woman came up, looked over his shoulder and said: Very nice, but where are the pylons? Patrick replied: Madam, I paint what I see, not what is there (Letters, 30 July). Barry Hughes Edinburgh Let me guess: the letter writers extolling the beauty of pylons dont live anywhere near them. Isabella Stone Sheffield Here in Essex, in the year of the snail (Letters, 30 July), a song thrush is continuing to celebrate the snail feast from dawn to dusk. This is the first time weve heard one since we moved here in 1998. Jenny Moir Chelmsford Noting that Suella Braverman will not be a candidate for the Tory leadership (Report, 28 July), I think we can now declare a resounding victory for the Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati. Keith Flett Tottenham, London Do you have a photograph youd like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays. Ismail Haniyeh hailed the massacre as the new era in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas political leader killed in Theran, had watched the October 7 attacks unfold on television with delight from the safety of Qatar. Footage from inside his Doha office showed Haniyeh and fellow Hamas officials prostrating themselves on the carpet and praising God in front of a flatscreen TV showing news of the terror attacks. There were plenty of reasons to be cheerful: this was the single deadliest attack ever launched on Israel by Hamas, one that would define his legacy and the course of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. October 7 no doubt required meticulous planning and approval from the highest levels of Hamass leadership, both those in Gaza and the Doha office. It may also have been coordinated with Hamass regional allies, such as Iran and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, who could freely meet Haniyeh due to him being based outside of blockaded Gaza. Haniyeh at the swearing-in ceremony for Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, in Tehran, Iran, hours before he was assassinated - Majid Asgaripour Qatar, which has said it holds Israel responsible for the Oct 7 massacre, had hosted Haniyeh in an office in Doha for several years, to the astonishment of Israeli officials. Qatar denied supporting Hamas and said the group was simply part of the reality on the ground. The wealthy Gulf state had also hosted the Taliban, in what it said was an effort to foster mediation efforts between the Afghan group and the West. Since the terror attacks of Oct 7, Haniyeh had been free to carry on as before, and had travelled to Iran to meet leaders of the axis of resistance there. Haniyeh had also been a major power broker in the negotiations with Israel to release hostages and pause or end the war in Gaza. He was considered to be the more moderate voice of the Hamas team, compared with the more hardline military chief Yahya Sinwar in hiding in Gaza. As the then-chairman of Hamass political bureau, Haniyeh might not have master-minded the military specifics of the Oct 7. assault, such as the training of fighters inside Gaza and the preparation for ground and naval incursions into Israel. That job was probably handled by Hamas military chiefs based inside the Gaza Strip, such as Mohammed Deif, the supreme commander of its armed divisions. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meets with Haniyeh in Tehran on Tuesday - Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader Either way, Haniyeh emerged as the public face behind the attack, having given a speech hailing the massacre as the beginning of a new era in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Enough is enough, the cycle of intifadas and revolutions in the battle to liberate our Palestinian land and our prisoners languishing in occupation prisons must be completed, he said in the speech. He then signalled that further violence was coming to Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, where Hamas has a much smaller presence but has carried out numerous attacks in the past. Born in the al-Shati refugee camp in 1962, Haniyeh joined Hamas while studying Arabic literature at university and quickly rose up the ranks. His parents had fled their homes in what is now Ashkelon, a town near the Gaza border, during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. As a senior Hamas figure, he was in and out of Israeli prisons throughout his earlier life including a six-month stint in 1988, followed by three years imprisonment in 1989 during the First Intifada, on terror group membership charges. He was later deported to Lebanon before eventually returning to Gaza where he survived at least one Israeli assassination attempt in the early 2000s amid the Second Intifada. But it was only in 2006 that he came to prominence worldwide, leading Hamas to an election victory over the Fatah movement which prompted a civil war and the complete takeover of the Gaza Strip by Hamas. Around 2016, Haniyeh relocated from the Gaza Strip to Qatar, where he no doubt considered himself beyond the reach of Israeli forces. The killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has led to a public outcry in parts of the Iranian capital. Photograph: Vahid Salemi/AP Avenging the assassination of the Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, is now Tehrans duty as his killing occurred while he was a dear guest on Iranian soil, the countrys supreme leader has warned in his first reaction to the killing. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described Haniyehs killing, which Tehran views as a provocation designed to escalate the conflict in the Middle East, as a bitter and difficult incident that happened in the territory of the Islamic republic. The episode has plunged Masoud Pezeshkhian, the newly inaugurated Iranian president, into a major crisis in his first days in office as he faces internal demands to respond to what amounts to a humiliating targeting of an ally while visiting Tehran to attend his own inauguration even as he seeks better ties with the west. Pezeshkhian vowed his country would defend its territory and make the attackers regret their action. Related: Israel has all but declared war in the Middle East a conflict it cannot hope to win | Simon Tisdall Mohammad Reza Aref, the newly appointed vice-president, said the west was complicit in the manifestation of state terrorism through its silence at the actions of Israel, whom Tehran and Hamas have blamed for the assassination. He said: This desperate act was based on sinister goals, including creating a new crisis at the regional level and challenging the regional and international relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran at this point in time, especially at the beginning of the government of national unity. The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said: This crime of the Zionist regime will face a harsh and painful response from the powerful and huge resistance front. The choice of Tehran, as opposed to Qatar, where Haniyeh mainly resides, or Turkey which he regularly visited, is likely to be about more than just opportunity. It is also a chance to show to a global audience that the IRGC cannot defend its most prized political assets, even in its own capital. Worse still, is the fact that Haniyeh was in Tehran with 110 other foreign delegations, including leaders of the supposed axis of resistance, to attend Pezeshkians inauguration, underlining to others how little protection the IRGC can, in practice, provide to its dearest diplomatic allies. Pezeshkian, who is in the midst of forming a reformist cabinet, was elected partly on a strategy of building better relations with the west, as a way of boosting the ailing Iranian economy and lifting economic sanctions, but that already internally controversial strategy now looks harder to follow. The 85-year-old Khamenei had displayed his scepticism about the strategy on Sunday, when he said he would only support better relations with Europe if the continent first changed its attitude towards Tehran. Irans future, he stressed, lay with China and Russia, the policy adopted by Pezeshkians opponents in the election campaign. The non-attendance of any Europeans at the inauguration apart from Enrique Mora, the deputy to the EU foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, and the EU chief nuclear negotiator showed how relations with Europe have fallen away. Reformist newspapers noted the absence of European leaders, or even ambassadors, at the ceremony. It is striking by contrast that at the time of the election of the last reformist president, Mohammad Khatami, in May 1997, the then Israeli foreign minister, David Levy, suggested a momentous transition was taking place that needed to be followed closely. This time Emmanuel Macron, the French president, spent an hour on the phone with Pezeshkian on Monday, testing the waters to see if his surprise election might mark an opening for better relations. But if there was any chance of a diplomatic breakthrough and there was no sign of one judging from the read-outs of the call issued by both sides the opportunity will have slipped away for now. Macron had been probing to see if Iran would stop sending arms to Moscow for use in Ukraine, an issue of muffled debate inside Tehran. It is also easy to exaggerate, partly based on the Khatami experience, both the presidents powers in security issues and the extent to which Pezeshkian marked a break with the past. After voting in the first round of the presidential election, the reformist candidate himself told reporters he hoped his country would try to have friendly relations with all countries except for Israel. Pezeshkian has also mocked the wests support for human rights and its refusal to stop the 35,000 deaths in Gaza. One of his first acts on 8 July after his election was to send a personal letter of reassurance to the Hezbollah secretary general, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the resistance of the people in the region against the illegitimate Zionist regime, Pezeshkian wrote. Supporting the resistance is rooted in the fundamental policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran and will continue with strength. Hezbollah, reeling from the killing of Fuad Shukr, a top military commander in the groups stronghold of southern Beirut, will now want to know how deep that support is in practice. A meeting of the Iranian National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian parliament will be held later on Wednesday, but already Iranian leaders are describing Haniyehs death as the crossing of a red line, meaning some form of military response is inevitable. Inside Iran there is no sense that Haniyeh was a legitimate target as the leader of a movement that mounted the attack on Israel on 7 October. The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, said the killing of Haniyeh would strengthen the unbreakable bond between Iran and Palestine. Indeed such is the humiliation for the IRGC that voices inside Tehran are reopening questions as to whether the former president Ebrahim Raisi, killed in a helicopter accident, was truly the victim of engine failure or instead something more sinister. The revival of the rumours also underlines how official commentary on security events are disbelieved. The last time Israel and Iran took direct military action against one another was over the killing on 1 April of eight IRGC al-Quds force commanders in the Iranian consulate in Damascus, including Brig Gen Mohammad Zahedi, the al-Quds forces commander for Syria and Lebanon. Iran responded with a barrage of more than 300 missiles and drones on 13 April, the first direct attack ever launched against Israel from Iranian soil. Then on 19 April, Israel destroyed part of an Iranian S-300 long-range air defence system in Isfahan. The two sides walked across a choreographed tightrope, warning one another through intermediaries of the likely scale and limits of their reprisals. Israel said it could have gone further such as hitting Irans Natanz nuclear enrichment facility and its broader air defence system. Both sides signalled they were not seeking war with one another. But since then other assassinations have taken place; Iran believes Israels right-wing leadership is blocking a Gaza ceasefire agreement; and the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon has been steadily headed to the brink. Iranian diplomats say the crisis presents severe problems for the west in that, by defending Israels security, it has muted itself in the face of an Israeli prime minister who uses methods widely regarded as counter-productive. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the prime minister of Qatar, who has acted as a mediator in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, vented his frustration on X, writing: Political assassinations and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue leads us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side? Peace needs serious partners and a global stance against the disregard for human life. Coincidentally, both the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, and the defence secretary, John Healey, are currently in Qatar. In parliament on Tuesday, Lammy said: If we get that immediate ceasefire, if the Biden plan is adopted, it will allow de-escalation across the region. That is why we need to see that plan adopted by both sides as soon as possible. Although he blamed Iran for the overall escalation of tensions in the region, he will have to ask himself if the killing of Haniyeh at this point in Tehran brings the Biden plan or instead chaos closer. TV Huw Edwards was once the nation's most revered newsreader Huw Edwards, 62, arrived at Westminster Magistrates Court this morning for his sentencing. The former newsreader, once a darling of the BBC, faced up to a year in prison for receiving 41 indecent images in late 2020 and early 2021. He looked emotional as his barrister read out an apology, in which Edwards said he was truly sorry for repugnant behaviour. Tieless, in a white Oxford shirt navy blue cardigan, he looked more relaxed than he did in July, when he appeared at the same court, battling through a scrum of hundreds of reporters and photographers to unexpectedly plead guilty. The media and public interest reflected the extraordinary plummet from grace of a superstar, the severity and speed of it practically unprecedented. For decades, Edwards could do no wrong on our screens as one of the BBCs brightest and best-paid stars. His sonorous Welsh accent and command of detail brought gravitas to the News at Ten. When the BBC needed an anchor for general elections, royal weddings, funerals, the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla, anything important, really, it was to Edwards they turned. On September 8 2022, it was Huw Edwards who announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Even when delivering unhappy news, Edwards could be trusted to convey warmth, sympathy and intelligence. So, it was all the more shocking when Edwards was charged with some of the most serious and grim crimes that exist. There were counts of child sexual abuse material relating to 41 images, seven of which were Category A, the most serious kind. According to the prosecution, two were moving images of children as young as seven. The images were reportedly sent in the course of a WhatsApp exchange with Alex Williams, 25, between December 2020 and August 2021, which included 377 sexual images in total. In February 2021, Williams was said to have asked Edwards whether the material he was sending on was too young. In reply, Edwards asked Williams not to send him underage images. Their final indecent exchange, which took place six months later, saw Edwards receive a category A clip featuring a child. Williams informed Edwards that he had more images which were illegal, the court heard, at which point Edwards told him not to send any illegal images. No more were sent, but the pair continued to communicate and they exchanged legal pornographic images until April 2022. Ian Hope, prosecuting, said Williams had initially contacted Edwards via social media and that the images shared were clearly sent with the disgraced broadcasters approval. Williams was convicted in March this year of seven counts of distributing and possessing indecent images, including one charge of possessing prohibited images of children. He was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years. Edwards himself remained on air until July last year, when he disappeared from our screens after being accused of paying a 17-year-old thousands of pounds for explicit sexual images. At the time, the Metropolitan Police said they would not be pursuing a criminal case as they did not believe a crime had taken place. But as the media storm continued to rage, his wife, Vicky Flind, a TV producer, issued a statement saying that he was suffering from serious mental health issues and was receiving in-patient hospital care. He was suspended by the BBC. Around the time of the guilty plea it was reported that Edwards had separated from TV producer wife Vicky Flind, with whom he has five grown-up children. Edwards and TV producer wife Vicky Flind, pictured together in 2018, have been married since 1993 - Noble/Draper/Splashnews.com/Splash News In April of this year, five months after he was arrested over the case involving the making of indecent images of children, he formally resigned from the corporation on what it said were health grounds. This week, along with the new charges, it was also reported that he has separated from Flind, with whom he has five grown-up children, three sons and two daughters. In the wake of Wednesdays court hearing, the BBC admitted it knew Edwards had been arrested late last year for serious offences, raising questions over its handling of the one-time star employee. In November 2023, whilst Mr Edwards was suspended, the BBC as his employer at the time was made aware in confidence that he had been arrested on suspicion of serious offences and released on bail whilst the police continued their investigation, a statement from the broadcaster said. At the time, no charges had been brought against Mr Edwards and the BBC had also been made aware of significant risk to his health. The BBC has asked him to return 200,000 he earned between being arrested in November and resigning in April. The Metropolitan Police have since released the mugshot taken of Edwards after his arrest - Metropolitan Police/PA The WhatsApp use in this case is not the first time Edwards has found himself in hot water over inappropriate messages. In April, it was reported that the BBC had warned Edwards in 2021 over his messaging, after a complaint was made by a woman in her 40s. According to documents seen by The Sunday Times, Edwards and the woman had been messaging over Instagram and email. She retracted her initial complaint following further contact with the presenter, only to raise concerns with the corporation for a second time in January 2022. Previously, Edwards had been criticised for liking a post on X (then Twitter) which said Vote Labour for the National Health Service. In 2020, he responded mockingly to new BBC guidelines about employees use of social media. Their guidelines look sensible today. It all marks a remarkable fall for one of the BBCs golden boys. Edwards was born in 1961 in Bridgend, Glamorgan. His father, Hywel Teifi Edwards, was an academic; his mother, Aerona Protheroe, a teacher. After attending Llanelli Boys School, Edwards studied French at Cardiff University before joining the BBC as a news trainee in 1984, where he was quickly identified as a rising star. He worked as a parliamentary correspondent for BBC Wales before becoming anchor of the BBC News at Six in 1994. He did the job for nine years before he was promoted to hosting the News at Ten, the BBCs flagship news programme. Alongside his day job, he was given increasingly prestigious one-off events remembrances, weddings, funerals and was part of the team that won a Bafta for their coverage of Prince Williams wedding to the then Kate Middleton. He also found time to present documentaries about subjects close to his heart, usually to do with Wales, or music. Edwards (pictured in the BBC newsroom in 2004) was the lead presenter of BBC News at Ten from 2003 to 2023 - Independent / Alamy Stock Photo As his fame grew, so did his income. His BBC salary was listed for several years as being between 550,000 and 599,999, but in 2018 he took a voluntary pay cut over concerns about the gender pay gap. In his later years, Edwards cut a more dandyish figure. His haircuts became more stylish, his clothes more striking. He lost weight; so much so that in 2018, The Guardian ran a piece introducing him as the nationals new shirtless hunk on the back of Edwards posting a photo of himself topless in the gym on Instagram. Some labelled him a bonafide sex symbol. By the time he turned 60, in 2021, he was publicly contemplating standing down from the News at Ten. A time comes when youre bound to reassess whats in front of you, he said in a Welsh language interview in August 2021. Now that a big milestone is here, which is 60 years old, its natural for a man to think, Am I going to continue in this job for another five years, or do I want to do something different? Nobody would have guessed at the denouement that has ensued. In the end, the judge sentenced Edwards to a six month suspended sentence and a sex offenders rehabilitation programme. Edwards has escaped prison time, but as the chief magistrate, Paul Goldspring, noted in his sentencing remarks, his reputation is in tatters. Edwards will also have to sign the sex offenders register for seven years. Huw Edwards days in court may be over, but he will be dealing with the ramifications from this case for many years. So, too, will be the broadcaster that employed him. Ismail Haniyeh at a Hamas election rally in 2006 - Said Khatib/AFP/Getty Images Ismail Haniyeh, who has been killed on a visit to Iran aged 62, was the political leader of Hamas, the Islamist party listed as a terrorist organisation by most Western countries and sworn to the establishment of an Islamic state on the territory of historical Palestine, including modern-day Israel. In 2006, Haniyeh became prime minister of the unity government of the Palestinian territories after Hamas won the most seats in Palestinian parliamentary elections. However, in the ensuing clashes between Fatah and Hamas that took place in the Gaza Strip in June 2007, Haniyeh was dismissed by the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. The battle between the two Palestinian factions resulted in the dissolution of the unity government and the de facto division of the Palestinian territories into two: the West Bank, governed by the Palestinian National Authority, and the Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas and led by Haniyeh. Israel and Egypt then imposed an economic blockade of the Gaza Strip. At a rally in Gaza City in 2005 - Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images Over the following decade, partly by building up relations with Iran, Haniyeh played a major role in building up Hamass military capabilities, though he denied accusations by Israel of diverting aid to Hamass military wing. But he was seen by some as a comparatively moderate, pragmatic figure in the Islamist spectrum. In 2007 he was instrumental in the freeing of the BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, who had been kidnapped and held for 16 weeks by a local Islamist group. In 2017, Haniyeh was elected head of Hamass political bureau, in which capacity he was regarded as a key figure in recent efforts to secure a ceasefire in the current Israel-Gaza conflict. His death has sparked fears that it could provoke an escalation of the conflict. Ismail Abdulsalam Ahmed Haniyeh was born according to some reports on January 29 1962 in the al-Shati refugee camp in the then Egyptian-controlled Gaza Strip to parents who had fled from what would become Israel during the 1948 Palestine war. Haniyeh in 2006 at his home in Al-Shati refugee camp, Gaza, in front of a mural showing the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem - Abid Katib/Getty Images He became involved in politics while studying Arabic literature at the Islamic University of Gaza, taking part in protests and leading the students council representing the Muslim Brotherhood. He joined Hamas when it was founded by Sheikh Ahmad Yassin during the first Palestinian intifada in 1987. During this period he was in and out of Israeli prisons. In 1992 he was exiled to South Lebanon with other Hamas militants, but he returned to Gaza the following year to become a dean at the Islamic University. He was a protege of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, and after Israel released Yassin from prison in 1997, Haniyeh was appointed to head his office. He was credited as an early advocate of Hamass political agenda, which saw it grow in popularity among ordinary Palestinians due to its charitable work. He was subsequently appointed as Hamas representative to the Palestinian Authority. In December 2005, after Yassin was assassinated by Israel, he was elected to head the Hamas list which won the 2006 elections. After Friday prayers in 2006 - Abid Katib/Getty Images In 2019 he left Gaza for exile in Qatar, where he became the face of Hamass international shuttle diplomacy. But the idea that he could in any way be described as a moderate reveals much about the nature of Islamist politics in the Middle East. In 2018 the US State Department designated Haniyeh a terrorist, declaring that he had been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians, and on October 7 last year, the day of the Hamas attack on Israel, Haniyeh was captured in television footage celebrating the attack with other Hamas officials. Following Israels retaliation, he indicated that Hamas was ready for political negotiations for a two-state solution if Israel agreed to a ceasefire, the opening of humanitarian corridors to bring more aid into Gaza, and having East Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinian state. Haniyehs family was reported to have done well financially out of their dominance in Gaza. According to a 2014 article on the Israeli online news site Ynet, Haniyeh was a millionaire, thanks to the 20 per cent tax charged on all items entering through tunnels from Egypt to the Gaza Strip. Haniyeh during the swearing in ceremony for the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, at the parliament in Tehran on July 30, the day before his death - AFP/Getty On April 10 this year, three of his sons, Hazem, Amir and Mohammad all said to be heavily involved in property development were killed in Gaza in an Israeli airstrike, and in an interview with Al Jazeera, Haniyeh thanked God for bestowing upon us the honour of their martyrdom. He added: Their pure blood is for the liberation of Jerusalem and Al Aqsa, and we will continue to march on our road, and will not hesitate and will not falter... The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people. On May 20 this year an arrest warrant for Haniyeh, as well as for other Palestinian and Israeli leaders, was requested by an International Criminal Court prosecutor on several counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the current conflict. Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital, Tehran, where he was attending the inauguration of Masoud Pezeshkian, the new president. Ismail Haniyeh was married and had 13 children, 10 of whom are believed to survive him. Ismail Haniyeh, born January 29 1962, died July 31 2024 JD Vance at Liberty high school on 30 July 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. Photograph: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images JD Vance endorses the ideas of Kevin Roberts, leader of Project 2025, as a fundamentally Christian view of culture and economics and a surprising even jarring path forward for conservatives, the Republican vice-presidential nominee writes in the foreword of Roberts upcoming book. The foreword was obtained and published in full by the New Republic on Tuesday. Roberts book is out in September. Its title was watered down recently to remove references to burning down Washington. In the foreword, Vance finds parallels between his upbringing and that of Roberts, and between their visions for what the US needs. Both grew up in poor families in parts of the country largely ignored by Americas elites, with Roberts in Louisiana and Vance in Ohio and Kentucky. Theyre both Catholic, with Vance as a convert in his adult life. Both had grandparents who played big roles in their upbringing. Now both are in DC, with Roberts just a few steps from Vances office. Vance praises Roberts for using his perch as the president of the Heritage Foundation, a rightwing DC thinktank, to advance a more radical conservative vision rather than resting on the foundations laurels. The Heritage Foundation isnt some random outpost on Capitol Hill; it is and has been the most influential engine of ideas for Republicans from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump, Vance writes. Yet it is Heritages power and influence that makes it easy to avoid risks. Roberts could collect a nice salary, write decent books, and tell donors what they want to hear. But Roberts believes doing the same old thing could lead to the ruin of our nation. The Trump campaign has tried to distance the former president from Project 2025, a conservative roadmap for a second Trump term that includes policy ideas unpopular with the voters Trump needs to win. But Vances ties to Roberts, like the foreword, make it harder for Trump to make the case he doesnt know what the project is. In the hours before the foreword was published by news outlets, Project 2025s director, Paul Dans, said he was stepping down from his role and that some of the projects work was winding down, though its not clear what that means. The project consists largely of a 900-plus-page policy manifesto and an effort to find potential staffers for a second Trump term. Roberts said the plan to create a personnel apparatus for all levels of government would continue. Roberts has faced scrutiny in recent weeks for comments that the US is in the process of the second American revolution, which will remain bloodless, if the left allows it to be. His ties to a radical part of the Catholic church, Opus Dei, and belief that birth control should be outlawed were also revealed by the Guardian. Vance has previously said Roberts is somebody I rely on a lot who has very good advice, very good political instincts, he told news outlet Notus in January. He said that Heritage, under Roberts, went from a relatively vanilla thinktank to one willing to participate in the fights and debates on the right about where the party should head. On two subjects in particular, Vance praises the way Roberts lays out the stakes and his goals: reining in large tech companies and focusing on a Christian view of the family. He notes that Roberts argues the US founders would not have envisioned the way companies like Apple or Google would amass power to censor speech, influence elections, and work seamlessly with intelligence services and other federal bureaucrats, saying this deserves the scrutiny of the right, not its support. And Vance agrees with the way Roberts recognizes that cultural norms and attitudes matter. We should encourage our kids to get married and have kids, Vance writes. We should teach them that marriage isnt just a contract, but a sacred and to the extent possible, lifelong union. We should discourage them from behaviors that threaten the stability of their families. This belief in the family also means that conservatives need to ensure that families arent just for people with wealth, which calls for creating better jobs and listening to young people when they say they cant afford homes or families, he writes. Roberts is articulating a fundamentally Christian view of culture and economics: recognizing that virtue and material progress go hand in hand, Vance writes. In order to create the America Roberts and Vance envision, conservatives need to go on offense not just remove policies they dont like, but rebuild the country in what Roberts has referred to as a second American Revolution. The old conservative movement argued if you just got government out of the way, natural forces would resolve problems we are no longer in this situation and must take a different approach, Vance writes. As Kevin Roberts writes, Its fine to take a laissez-faire approach when you are in the safety of the sunshine. But when the twilight descends and you hear the wolves, youve got to circle the wagons and load the muskets. We are now all realizing that its time to circle the wagons and load the muskets. In the fights that lay [sic] ahead, these ideas are an essential weapon. The Democrats have enjoyed a resurgence in polling since Kamala Harris replaced Joe Biden in the presidential running - Arvin Temkar/TNS via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Kamala Harris is pulling even with Donald Trump in the battleground states that will probably decide the outcome of the 2024 US election, new polling shows. A new poll by Bloomberg/Morning Consult put the 59-year-old vice-president at an average of 48 per cent in seven swing states with Trump on 47 per cent, effectively a statistical tie but nevertheless evidence of the remarkable bounce Democrats have enjoyed since Joe Biden announced he was standing aside 10 days ago. Ms Harris leads in Arizona with 49 per cent to Trumps 47 per cent, in Michigan by 53 per cent to 42 per cent, in Nevada by 47 per cent to 45 per cent, and in Wisconsin by 49 per cent to 47 per cent. The polls put her four points behind the 78-year-old former president in Pennsylvania and two points behind him in North Carolina. Georgia is a dead heat. Prior to Mr Bidens departure from the race, Trump had, with some variation, been leading in all the battleground states. This new poll found that if the outcome of the poll were replicated on election day, the candidate who won Georgia would be elected president. The so-called Peach State, with its 16 electoral college votes, is a major focus for both parties. Trump won the state handily in 2016, but in 2020 Mr Biden won it back by fewer than 12,000 votes, the first Democrat to do so since Bill Clinton in 1992. Underscoring the way Georgia is now back in play for Democrats, earlier this week Ms Harris held an energetic rally in Atlanta. Trump is due to hold his own event with JD Vance, his running mate, at the same venue on Saturday. JD Vance, Donald Trump's running mate, is due to appear with the Republican candidate in Atlanta on Saturday - ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP At the rally, Ms Harris directly challenged Trump to hold a debate. After Mr Biden had a disastrous debate performance in June against Trump, an event that marked the beginning of the end of the presidents bid for re-election, it had been unclear whether there would be a second event. Joe Biden dropped out of the election race after his disastrous performance in June's debate with Donald Trump - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP Trump has said he would be willing to debate Ms Harris, but Democrats accuse him of refusing to fix a time and place. So he wont debate me, but he and his running mate have a lot to say about me, she said. The momentum in this race is shifting and there are signs that Donald Trump is feeling it you may have noticed. Well, Donald, I do hope youll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage because as the saying goes, if you got something to say, say it to my face, Ms Harris said. On Wednesday, the Republicans hit back, accusing Ms Harris of being too scared to sit for a media interview. It has been 10 days since Kamalas coup to force Crooked Joe Biden off the ballot, but she hasnt done a single interview nor press conference, Jake Schneider, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee, said in a statement. The only logical conclusion is that shes terrified. Also on Wednesday, more than 100 venture capitalists including Mark Cuban, the entrepreneur, and Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, said they would be throwing their support behind Ms Harris. We spend our days looking for, investing in and supporting entrepreneurs who are building the future, the group said. We are pro-business, pro-American dream, pro-entrepreneurship, and pro-technological progress. The inquiry is thought to relate to Tulip Siddiq's failure to register rental income from a property in London - Nicola Tree/Getty A Treasury minister is being investigated by Parliaments standards watchdog for failing to declare money made from being a landlord. Tulip Siddiq, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and MP for Hampstead and Highgate, is under investigation for the late registration of interests, according to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioners website. The inquiry is thought to relate to Ms Siddiqs failure to register rental income from a property in London, which a Labour spokesman said was an administrative oversight for which she had apologised. The spokesman said: Tulip will co-operate fully with the Parliamentary Commissioner on Standards on this matter. It is the first such inquiry since the election. Ms Siddiq is the first MP of the new Parliament to be placed under investigation by the Standards Commissioner. Investigations into three former MPs which began during the last Parliament remain open. Former Conservative MP Bob Stewart is being investigated for failing to declare an interest and an alleged lack of co-operation with the watchdogs inquiry. Andrew Bridgen, former Tory and Reclaim MP, is being investigated over registration of his interests, while another former Tory MP, Sir Conor Burns, is being investigated for use of information received in confidence. During the last Parliament, the Standards Commissioner opened more than 100 investigations into MPs, most of which were resolved by rectification a procedure that allows MPs to correct minor or inadvertent breaches of Commons rules. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson observe a classroom Ive heard several stories in the past couple of months of children being removed abruptly from private schools because of Labours plan to impose VAT on fees. For their parents, this decision will have caused anguish. For the children, it will have meant heartbreak. And for the schools themselves it will have been a huge worry as they tilt further towards economic unviability. Labours idea of jacking up fees by 20 per cent was conceived when Jeremy Corbyn was leader and so I call it Jeremy Corbyns education tax. It is a spiteful measure, without question, but as with so much from the Corbyn era it is also an economically illiterate one. Frankly, it is perverse. Labour claims this new tax will raise about 1.5 billion per year, but this is guesswork pure and simple. The truth is, nobody knows what the tax take will be because nobody can tell how many children will still be enrolled in private schools when the taxman comes calling. We are told this annual 1.5 billion will fund a raft of new measures including the future recruitment of 6,500 new teachers. It is worth remembering that there are 23,000 state schools in the country, meaning each school will get on average about one quarter of a new teacher and that assumes that pupil numbers in the state sector will not increase. Yet consider this. If Child X attends a private school that currently costs 20,000 a year, his parents will have to find a further 4,000 from taxed income to meet the new VAT bill. If Child Xs parents cannot come up with that extra 4,000 and they decide to transfer him to a state school, not only will the Exchequer not receive the 4,000 in VAT that Labour have assumed will be theirs, but taxpayers will also have to start funding Child Xs education. The story of Child X could therefore be described as a double loss: less VAT plus extra pressure on the state system. Depending on how many children leave private education, it could even become a triple loss: the lower the tax take, the smaller will be the number of new teachers recruited. As for many of Britains independent schools, if their fee pool dwindles they will be forced to cut bursaries and, eventually, jobs in order to stay afloat. Either that or they will close. Everybody not just the private sector could be affected in one way or another. I attended a fee-paying school. So did my children. I sent them to private schools because I could afford to. This was a sacrifice to me personally just as it is to so many parents but there was partly an altruistic motive behind it as well. I concluded that since I had the money, it would be wrong for one of my children to take advantage of a place at a decent state school if that place could be taken up by someone whose parents couldnt afford to go private. I suspect that many parents who earn well but are by no means rich will take the same view. It is common sense. Every cabinet minister including the education secretary Bridget Phillipson is on a salary of about 160,000. Instead of imposing VAT on school fees, I wonder if those of them with children of school age have realised that they could now afford to send them to a private school, thereby easing the burden on the stretched state sector instead of adding to it. If they went down this route, they would be improving the life chances of those children whose parents cannot afford to pay fees. They would also be safeguarding the jobs of those teachers, domestic staff, suppliers and others in communities all over the country who depend on independent schools for their livelihood. If these schools close, the knock-on effects will be massive. Sir Keir Starmer, famously, attended the independent Reigate Grammar School. For most of his seven years there, his fees were subsidised by the public purse. That was his good fortune. But it is quite simply stunning that he now wants to pull up the ladder that he was able to climb, denying others the chance that he enjoyed. This is socialist ideology writ large. Instead of punishing parents who are already taking a big financial hit by using their taxed income to send their children to a private school, Starmer should be thanking them for taking some of the strain off state schools. I think Jeremy Corbyns education tax has the capacity to backfire spectacularly. Lets see how much Starmer likes it then. Steve Rotheram, the mayor of Liverpool, speaks to Serena Kennedy, the Merseyside Police Chief Constable, in Southport on Wednesday - James Speakman/PA The Metro Mayor of Liverpool has suggested that the religion of the alleged Southport knifeman is irrelevant. Steve Rotheram said he had heard the opinion voiced that violence broke out in the Merseyside town on Tuesday night because of a wall of silence about what had happened. No information apart from the age of the suspect has been released. The 17-year-old boy arrested after three girls were killed and eight other children injured while attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Because of his age, the suspect cannot legally be named. Addressing the unanswered questions over the alleged attackers identity, Mr Rotheram said the only reason anyone would want to know his religion was to stir up tension. It comes as police are preparing for more trouble after Tuesday nights violence. Riots flared outside a mosque after a vigil was held for the three young girls killed in the attack on Monday. Mourners came together in memory of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. However, violence broke out amid claims police were not telling the truth about the suspects background and his motives, with rumours swirling on social media. The riots flared after misinformation was spread online, it is understood. Mr Rotheram said: Lets be absolutely brutal and honest what are those questions that remain unanswered? Well, the name of the individual. Thats because of legal reasons, that persons 17. The one that social media wants to find out is the religion of that person. So you have to ask yourself the question why would anybody want to know the religion of the perpetrator of this vicious and heinous crime? And its to do with exactly what we just talked about earlier, which is to stir up more tension in this community. Elsewhere, James Cleverly, the shadow home secretary, said those fuelling conspiracy should face tough action, after false information was spread via social media, misidentifying the suspected killer and wrongly claiming he was a refugee. Mr Cleverly called on the Government to clamp down hard and fast on those spreading misleading information, adding: As home secretary, I took a clear and firm stance on protesters and civil disorder, and went to America to ensure the tech companies properly understood that the UK Government expected them to step up to stop the spread of disinformation. They must do so now. We all have a duty to honour truth, respect our police, and check before we share. More than 50 police officers were injured during the rioting, which has been condemned by the local community and party leaders. Those who fared worse over the years were often among the sickest six months after infection. Photograph: franckreporter/Getty Images Health problems and brain fog can persist for years in people hospitalised by Covid early in the pandemic, with some patients developing more severe and even new symptoms after 12 months, researchers say. They found that while many people with long Covid improved over time, a substantial proportion still had cognitive problems two to three years later and saw symptoms of depression, anxiety and fatigue worsen rather than subside. The scientists studied long Covid in 475 people who were hospitalised with the virus before vaccines were available, to learn whether brain fog, fatigue and mental health problems persisted or emerged beyond the first year. While the researchers had no information on the participants thinking skills before they got Covid, cognitive tests two to three years later showed that on average patients IQs were 10 points lower than expected for their age, education and other factors. One in nine showed signs of severe cognitive deficits, which equate to an IQ 30 points lower than expected. Questionnaires completed by participants showed that many felt moderate to severe levels of depression (47%), fatigue (40%) and anxiety (27%) two to three years after Covid. Rather than improving over time, the symptoms were on average worse two to three years after infection than at six to 12 months. What we already knew before doing the study was that Covid-19 was associated with a greater risk of cognitive problems, depression and anxiety compared with other respiratory infections, said Dr Max Taquet, an author on the study from the University of Oxford. We found that in our cohort there was a substantial neuropsychiatric burden at two to three years. More than one in four people in the study changed occupation after catching the virus, often because they could no longer face the cognitive demands of their job. Those who fared worse over the years were often among the sickest six months after infection, but the severity of the original illness did not appear to affect their long-term outcome. Although the proportion of patients reporting depression, anxiety and fatigue rose after six months, cognitive problems appeared to improve. Six months after infection, 44% had objective cognitive deficits compared with 33% at two to three years. The work, published in Lancet Psychiatry, led the authors to stress the importance of diagnosing and managing long Covid symptoms early to reduce the risk of people developing a more complex disorder. According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of people with long Covid continues, to grow with 2 million people in England and Scotland now experiencing symptoms. The brain fog many report is equivalent to a six-point drop in IQ, one recent study found. Danny Altmann, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London, who was not involved in the study, said the findings were profound and alarming and warned people not to be complacent in the era of vaccines and milder Covid variants. The risk of long Covid has dropped from about 10% in the first wave of infections to about 2.5% today, but that still amounts to a huge number of cases, Altmann said. There could not be a more stark warning that Covid-19 is ongoing and can still do awful things to you, so its worth staying boosted and avoiding reinfection. The scientists urge caution over the results, however. Only 19% of the 2,500 people invited on to the study took part, and if those who agreed fared much worse or much better than the wider group, it would skew the results. It is also unclear whether people who developed long Covid later in the pandemic, after vaccination, and without being hospitalised, would experience as severe health problems. Experts say contract cheating is still highly prevalent at Australian universities, but most do not report data on the number of cases. Illustration: Victoria Hart/Guardian Design Kane Murdochs job takes him, his colleagues and his family to some frightening places. A comment threatened to gang rape my wife and decapitate me, he wrote on his blog in April. Members of his team and their families had also been threatened with violence as a direct result of their work, he said. Murdoch is not a police officer or a private investigator, but the head of complaints, appeals and misconduct at an Australian university. The threats came, he said, as a result of action that thwarted criminal gangs running schemes offering to complete assignments for students on a commercial basis known as contract cheating. Related: Nobody is blind to it: mass cheating through AI puts integrity of Australian universities at risk, academics claim They did it because we shone a light on them and their business, in a systematic and implacable way, he said. Individuals are not the only target. In January, the University of Sydney received a bomb threat via email from an account purporting to be linked to contract cheating. The threat is understood to have resulted from an academic integrity investigation. NSW Police were called and staff and students were asked to avoid the building until it was declared safe a few hours later. A university spokesperson said it was extremely concerned about the risk contract cheating companies posed. The incidence of cheating at Australian universities has risen exponentially since the rise of generative AI, but the old-school practice of simply paying someone to do the work is far from dead, integrity analysts have said. The illegal cheating services infiltrate personal student inboxes, claiming to offer a range of services from extension applications and failure appeals to 24-hour assignment delivery. Rebecca Awdry, an expert in academic integrity and honorary fellow at Deakin University, said plagiarism across tertiary institutions had been a problem for years in the form of contract cheating, which typically targets international students on social media with advertised assignment services. And there were good reasons traditional methods still found students willing to take the risk, she said. Unless you know how to engineer prompts [on genAI], you dont get outputs you need or want, she said. Some writers [who offer contract cheating] are better or worse, but generally allow you to say what grade youre looking for and what level of English to write to. With genAI, you can get something vastly out of line [with] criteria. It can be simpler to pay $200 to a contract cheating site. Typically, those offering paid cheating services will infiltrate online groups pitched as places to meet fellow international students or receive study advice, spamming them with dozens of posts for affordable and plagiarism free content with a guarantee of confidentiality and timely delivery. Seeking reliable academic assistance tailored to your needs? one such post reads. Once students join a group, they are sent QR codes for additional private Telegram or WhatsApp chats, leading to more strings of posts and dozens of private messages and calls from unknown numbers. Good morning, do you need any assignment help? a typical approach begins. One RMIT student, who wished to remain anonymous, said they had recently received three emails from separate contract cheating services in less than a week. The emails, sent in Mandarin with QR codes linking to WeChat accounts, promised guaranteed quality. Ive had them throughout the semester, sent to my focused inbox and never labelled as spam, the student said. Ive reported them to the RMIT IT department but they never got back to me if RMIT is serious about plagiarism, they should do something to limit this seeming use of bots to offer contract cheating. An RMIT spokesperson said they were unable to respond to those claims without knowing the students identity, but the university was aware contract cheating groups might target students via their personal email accounts and social media platforms. RMIT students undertake mandatory learning modules on academic integrity. Matters raised by students are taken seriously, they said. Services based overseas Awdry said the bulk of illegal cheating services employed teams of writers and researchers, and used spam and other tactics to target vulnerable students. They have also been known to engage in blackmail. Many of the paid content providers working for assignment companies claim to be university tutors. Awdry, speaking generally, said their integration into student communities and word of mouth recommendations had created a sense of normalisation the behaviour wasnt seen as something students shouldnt do. She said some of the larger companies owned numerous sites and frequently changed their names, posted flyers with QR codes around campuses and targeted groups of students on WeChat. International students are more likely to be detected [plagiarising] because their level of English is different its more obvious, and they feel more pressure to pass, she said. But domestic students are certainly using these tools. Under Australian law, advertising or providing commercial cheating academic services can attract penalties of up to two years in prison and fines of up to $110,000. But the vast majority of the services are based overseas, with WhatsApp numbers frequently linked to India and Pakistan, or African countries such as Kenya and Nigeria. Users typically switch job titles and company names, use stock images of smiling tutors as their profile pictures and claim to have studied at Ivy League universities. By running on WhatsApp numbers without websites and a minimal digital footprint, they are largely untraceable. Company names can change overnight, and if one shuts down, there will always be more. Since the federal government introduced laws in 2021 expanding the powers of the regulator to crack down on contract cheating, just shy of 300 illegal cheating websites have been blocked and 841 social media accounts, posts or adverts have been removed. Related: Australian universities accused of awarding degrees to students with no grasp of basic English Many of the websites were being visited up to half a million times a month, and targeted students across multiple disciplines at institutions in every Australian state and territory. A spokesperson for the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Teqsa) said blocking websites and accounts seriously disrupts the operations of sites and made Australia a less attractive place to be targeted. But they acknowledged that Teqsas ability to launch a criminal or civil prosecution against services based overseas was limited. Rise in recorded breaches Guardian Australia asked the 38 public universities for plagiarism figures at their institutions, which they are not required to release publicly. Just four Deakin, Swinburne, the University of Sydney and the University of NSW provided them. UNSW was the first university in Australia to publicly report on student conduct complaints. Its latest figures showed there were 1,889 plagiarism and/or misconduct cases in 2022, up from 1,353 in 2018. Of those, 89% were fully or partially substantiated. The university noted a significant increase in exam misconduct due to a move to online exams, citing students completing papers together on platforms such as Facebook, WeChat, Chegg and Discord. At the same time, its Conduct and Integrity Office warned there had been a jump in direct marketing by contract cheating entities to students via their university email addresses, typically written in languages other than English. Eleven students were excluded in 2022 for serious plagiarism, while the vast majority of those found to have cheated (729) received 0% for their assessment. Deakin, which also publicly reports its figures, recorded 703 plagiarism breaches in 2022 (2023 was yet to be finalised), a slight decrease on 2021 (746). But contract cheating increased considerably in the same period (514 compared with 232 in 2021). It attributed the rise to better detection methods via its use of Overcast, a detection software developed by Deakin, alongside the widely used software Turnitin. At Swinburne, the number of sanctions for academic misconduct rose from 201 in 2018 to 329 in 2023, while warnings also jumped from 50 to 175. Ten students were expelled or suspended over the six-year period. There were 1,879 reports of potential plagiarism at the University of Sydney in 2023, including 940 reports of potential contract cheating and 352 reports of suspected unauthorised use of AI. Of those, roughly 80% were partially or wholly substantiated; when AI was involved, that figure dropped to 70%. A spokesperson said the university had experienced a rise in breaches since the pandemic, partially attributed to a spike in contract cheating. These services are brazen, aggressive and highly adaptable as they operate illegally and look to exploit vulnerable students, particularly targeting international students, they said. Were also overhauling our assessments to separate secure assessments where AI is not permitted from those where AI can legitimately be used with appropriate acknowledgment. Do you know more? Email caitlin.cassidy@theguardian.com Huw Edwards has admitted three counts of making indecent images of children - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph The man who shared indecent images of children with Huw Edwards, the former BBC presenter, received a suspended prison sentence in March this year after pleading guilty to seven offences, police have confirmed. Alex Williams, 25, from Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales, shared the images with Edwards via WhatsApp. Scotland Yard arrested Edwards in November last year after receiving information from colleagues in South Wales Police. An examination of a phone seized by officers revealed Edwards participation in a WhatsApp conversation. Williams was subsequently charged and after appearing in court pleaded guilty to seven offences of possessing category A indecent images; possessing category B indecent images; possessing category C indecent images; distributing category A indecent images; distributing category B indecent images; distributing category C indecent images and possessing prohibited images of children. On March 15, he was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court to a total of 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. Angela Rayner visiting a development site in Basingstoke to mark the announcement of changes to the national planning policy framework. Photograph: WPA/Getty Images Angela Rayner has promised her planning changes will not lead to a load of ugly houses, as she set out plans for more GP surgeries, roads and schools around developments to win over the nimbys. Unveiling her targets for each council area across England, the deputy prime minister and housing secretary said the government would be taking a more planned approach than the haphazard situation at the moment. The new housebuilding targets are aimed at increasing construction in areas of high demand, although the ambition in London is being cut from 100,000 to 80,000 new homes. Rayner said the method of calculating which areas needed housing was still being reviewed but that Londons target was still stretching. She also defended the decision to remove the requirement for new homes to be beautiful, saying beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Speaking on BBC Radio 2s Jeremy Vine Show, the housing secretary said newbuilds would still have to be in keeping with the area, as well as being safe, warm, and sustainable. Beautiful means nothing really. It means one thing to one person and one thing to another, she said. All that wording was doing was blocking preventing and development. Thats why we think its too subjective I dont buy this idea that Im just going to build a load of ugly houses. Housebuilders have welcomed Rayners changes to the planning system set out on Wednesday that will allow for more building on the green belt, and reintroduce targets for each local area. Ultimately, it could force councils in England to build on low-quality green belt sites if they fail to reach mandatory construction targets. The deputy prime minister said it was vital that local residents still have a say but that they could be reassured if new developments came with the infrastructure to prevent pressure on public services such as schools and GP surgeries. She told ITVs This Morning: People are not like nimby for nimby reasons Theyre saying: Well, hang on a minute our roads are already congested, we cant get a GP appointment and now you want to build more houses here? so infrastructure is critical. And thats why our rules will make sure that we get that infrastructure as well, because Ive heard what people have said on that: We need these homes, but Ang we need the infrastructure in place. The housing secretary also gave a hint that right-to-buy policies could be restricted to people who have been in their homes a long time, after launching a review of the Tory initiative first brought in under Margaret Thatcher. The government is also likely to look at reducing the discounted rate at which council tenants currently have a right to buy their home. The real challenge weve got at the moment is the 2012 changes to right to buy meant that we cant replace the stock, because the taxpayers are funding us creating social homes and then were not able to replace them once they are sold off at a highly discounted rate, she said. We think right to buy is something people should have, if youve raised your family in your home, youve been in it a long time, then this should be a way for you to buy it. But we dont think the current situation is tenable when we want to build more social housing. Rayner also announced a new towns taskforce, which has been asked to recommend sites for new towns within 12 months, chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, an economist, former council chief executive and former chair of the BBC. The deputy chair is Dame Kate Barker, an economist and former member of the Bank of Englands monetary policy committee, who has also led housing policy inquiries for previous governments. A police vehicle in flames during the riots in Southport on Tuesday - Getty Images Police on Merseyside have warned of further violence on the streets after rioters clashed with officers outside a mosque in Southport on Tuesday night. Serena Kennedy, the Merseyside Police Chief Constable, said the force had intelligence of other events being planned. But she said she was confident it had sufficient resources to deal with any disorder amid fears that far-Right thugs would return to the area on Wednesday night. Violence broke out on Tuesday as hundreds of people clashed with police following the knife attack on children attending a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club, in which three girls died. A mob gathered outside a mosque, hurling bricks, masonry and fireworks at officers, amid claims that police were not telling the truth about the suspects background and his motives as rumours swirled on social media. Asked whether she had plans to call in the military, Ms Kennedy said: Thats absolutely not where we need to be. Yes, there is intelligence around other events taking place, potentially this evening and also into the weekend, which we are planning for. I am absolutely confident that we have got sufficient resources here on Merseyside, being supported by colleagues from the North West both for tonight and into the weekend. The violence came after a vigil to remember the three girls killed in the attack, identified on Tuesday as six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar, took place nearby. More than 50 police officers were injured during the rioting, which has been condemned by the local community and politicians. Steve Rotheram, the Metro Mayor of Liverpool, said: What we saw last night was infiltration by people from all over the country, stirred up by social media and then whipped up into a frenzy whereby they were attacking the very people that everybody earlier in the day was celebrating for being the heroes for running towards danger. It leaves a very sour taste in the mouth that these people believe they can come here and divide our community. They wont be doing that, and the haters wont win out. The Harold's Park site has a view of the London skyline. Photograph: Nattergal It was once woodland where Harold Godwinson, the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king, rode in pursuit of deer. Over recent decades, the hillside with a panoramic view of London has become arable fields, pony paddocks and a Christmas tree plantation. But now Harolds Park, a 200-hectare (500 acre) farm just north of the M25 on the edge of the capital, is to be rewilded and returned to something like the tangled wood pasture once enjoyed by King Harold. Ancient oak pollards will be allowed to spread their acorns, old hedges will sprout into the fields, field drains will be broken up and ponds restored, helping invertebrates, wildflowers and birds and people rediscover the hillside, which enjoys spectacular views of the London skyline from the Shard to Wembley stadium. Its really very special, said Ivan de Klee, head of natural capital at Nattergal, the rewilding company that has bought the historic farm between Waltham Abbey and Epping Forest. The proximity to London is a major attraction. You can see the City, an enormous centre of wealth towering above the rest of the capital. We want to engage those corporates in thinking about nature but we can also see the rest of London, which is by no means wealthy, with children lacking access to nature. Well be thinking about how we can engage children with new access to nature as well. According to de Klee, the intensively-farmed land is relatively ecologically degraded but still contains wild elements that will speed up nature recovery. Harolds Park is ripe for rewilding, he said. We were pleased to find an ancient woodland, several ponds, a scattering of smaller fields, and a selection of unkept hedges all of which will give us a great start to re-establishing natural processes. Notable species such as the crested newt, smooth newt, greenfinch, cuckoo and jay have also been recorded on site, with expectations of many more to follow. The last crops on the fields will be harvested this year. Of criticism that rewilding takes up valuable food-producing land, de Klee said that most of the farm was only ploughed up during the second world war and was never efficient food-producing land: the clay soils were relatively unproductive, sodden with water in winter and concrete-hard in summer. Much of the farmland around here is producing ponies. Nobodys eating those for their breakfast, said de Klee. Instead of Christmas trees and wheat, the farms major new income stream will come from biodiversity net gain (BNG) payments. These rules require all new housing and nationally significant infrastructure to deliver a 10% uplift in biodiversity. If developers cannot be nature positive where they are building, they must purchase credits from similar landscapes relatively nearby, where nature will be restored. The environment secretary, Steve Reed, has spoken in support of BNG, and restoring nature at Harolds Park will enable new housing elsewhere in Essex. For local people, there is relief that the farm itself will not become a housing estate. Sophie Cowdy, a local artist, said: I was filled with joy when I learned Harolds Park had been purchased for nature restoration. I was concerned that the site would be used for housebuilding and the existing biodiversity on the site would be destroyed. It is the third farm bought by Nattergal, which was co-founded by Charlie Burrell, the owner of the rewilded Sussex estate Knepp, with the aim of attracting private investment to nature recovery. Other potential benefits of rewilding Harolds Park include purifying water from springs that ultimately feed the Thames and reducing flooding downstream by storing more water in new wetlands. We want it to be full of wet flushes of rush and dragonflies, said de Klee. Water is life. Weve spent the last 100 years draining our land to get water out to sea as fast as possible. We want to reverse that process. Nattergal plans to open the land to more people, with paid and volunteer jobs to rewild the farm. The barns will become an education hub for schools and corporate partners and a basecamp for volunteers, and could also house local eco-businesses. The land is being surveyed using panoramic cameras and AI to identify all the vegetation and track the nature gains over time. Peter Schwier, climate tsar for Essex county council, said: Creating a 500-acre rewilding site in Nazeing aligns with our ambitious target of transforming 30% of Essex into wild and nature areas. We look forward to working with a forward-thinking nature restoration company to support the councils wider climate action agenda, which will help nature to recover, reduce flooding, lock up carbon, and introduce local people to, and enthuse them about, these important issues. Archie Struthers, chief executive of Nattergal, and formerly of BlackRock and Standard Life, said: Nature is in crisis, and the UK is not currently on track to meet its 30% by 2030 nature targets. With investment from the private sector and the sale of BNG units, we can scale our operation and ultimately our nature recovery impact. Justin Heap won the Republican primary for Maricopa county recorder. Photograph: Rebecca Noble/Reuters The top election official in Arizonas Maricopa county, who became nationally known for defending the 2020 election results from false claims by Donald Trump and others of fraud, has lost his seat in the Republican primary to a challenger who questioned those 2020 results. In his campaign, Stephen Richer reaffirmed in a primary debate with his Republican opponents that neither the 2020 nor 2022 elections were stolen. His opponents continued questioned the results, with one partly blaming Mark Zuckerberg, claiming the Facebook founder dropped in illegal drop boxes to sway the elections. State representative Justin Heap, another challenger, claimed election rules were not followed, though he avoided taking a direct stance on whether he thought the elections were stolen. On Wednesday it was announced that Heap had won the election with more than 40% of the vote, after 81% of ballots had been counted. Richer trailed by 6.5%. Related: Trump favorite Kari Lake wins Arizonas Republican Senate primary Heap is a first-term state representative who sought the votes of Maga supporters, despite deleting 2023 posts on social media claiming he is not one himself. He has, however, claimed he proudly voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020 and would do so again. His candidacy was supported by the far-right Freedom caucus. He has also aligned himself with the Senate candidate Kari Lake, a favorite of Trump who has also repeatedly claimed election fraud despite no evidence, and falsely accused Richer of having a role in it. Richer has sued Lake for defamation. Richer took office in 2021 after defeating a Democrat incumbent. Nobody stole Maricopa countys election. Elections in Maricopa county arent rigged, Richer wrote in a 2021 open letter to Arizona Republicans. The truth is that the case isnt there. I spent November and December willing to wait for a meritorious lawsuit, a scientific claim or convincing data. But it never came because it didnt exist. He received death threats for denying the 2020 election was stolen from Trump and that the 2022 election was stolen from Lake. One county party official stated that he would lynch Richer, and a Missouri man faced federal charges for threatening to kill him in 2022. As recorder of Maricopa county, the most populous county in Arizona, Richer ran voter registration and early voting efforts. Heap will now run against Democrat Tim Stringham, an attorney, in the 5 November general election. Vladimir Kara-Murza, the British-Russian activist who is at the centre of the speculation about a prisoner exchange - Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images Hopes of a major prisoner swap between Russia and the West have risen after a series of mysterious inmate movements. At least nine high-profile Western prisoners have reportedly been moved from their cells in recent days, prompting speculation that Vladimir Putin has agreed to swap them for Russians held in the West. Sources in Ukraine suggested that Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian-British opposition activist, and Paul Whelan, a former US marine, could be among those being released from Russian custody. Lawyers for Mr Kara-Murza and Mr Whelan said their whereabouts were currently unknown, although Mr Whelans lawyer said he did not believe he would be involved in a swap. Paul Whelan, a former US marine and corporate security executive, was arrested in 2018 when he travelled to Moscow to attend a wedding - Sofia Sandurskaya/Moscow News Agency via AP Vladimir Kara-Murza with his wife Yevgenia in 2017 when he gave evidence to a US Senate committee on Russian influence - Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images The prisoners who have vanished in recent days also include Ilya Yashin, a Russian opposition figure who criticised Mr Putin over the war in Ukraine, and several associates of Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin critic who died in an Arctic jail in February. The Kremlin and the US state department, which have reportedly negotiated a deal, declined to comment, while John Kirby, the White Houses national security spokesman, told Puck News that he wouldnt want to mess anything up to prevent there from being a positive result. There is speculation that a deal could involve Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who has been imprisoned in Russia since March 2023. The Kremlin previously said there could be no exchange involving Mr Gershkovich until after he received a criminal sentence, which was handed down by a court last month. His trial was condemned as a sham by Western politicians, including Joe Biden, who has repeatedly said he hopes to secure the journalists release. Karine Jean Pierre, the White House press secretary, said on Wednesday that Mr Biden had made it a priority to get home wrongfully detained Americans back to their families, but declined to comment on any specific negotiations with Russia. We cannot negotiate in public because we want to make sure that we get this job done, get this work done, she said. Focus, a German newspaper, reported that one of the opposition figures who had been moved from his cell in recent days is Kevin Lik, 18, a Russian-German who was jailed in December by Russia for emailing images to representatives of a foreign state on the eve of the invasion of Ukraine. If the prisoners are exchanged, it is thought that Russia could be given Vadim Krasikov, the bicycle assassin who is serving a life-sentence for the murder of an opponent of Mr Putins regime in Berlin, Alexander Vinnik, who is serving time on money laundering charges, and Vladislav Klyushin, who was found guilty of involvement in hacking and data trafficking. Data on a number of Russian prisoners held in the United States has reportedly disappeared from the US federal prisons database, prompting speculation they will be released. They include Alexander Vinnik, Maxim Marchenko, Vadim Konoshchenok, and Roman Seleznyov. The Russian spies Anna and Artem Dultsev were also reported in Slovenian media as possible Western prisoners who could be swapped. A potential exchange could take place as early as Wednesday evening in Berlin, sources suggested. The investigative news outlet Agentstvo reported that at least eight aircraft from the Russian presidential fleet have visited locations where the missing prisoners were located in the last week. Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, chairs a meeting about Rico Krieger on Monday, a development that led to speculation about prisoner exchange - Press Service of the President of the Republic of Belarus/via Reuters Speculation of an imminent prisoner swap started on Monday when Alexander Lukashenko, the leader of Belarus, pardoned a German citizen who had been sentenced to death. Rico Krieger was found guilty in October by a court in Belarus of planting explosives on a train line, although his sentence was only reported by Belarusian media in July. German media and the Ukrainian military unit that he was supposed to have served with denied the charges and instead said that Krieger had been lured to Belarus under false pretences and then framed. Even so, the sudden focus on Krieger, his sentence and his equally sudden pardon by Lukashenko sparked speculation from analysts that this could allow for a wider prisoner exchange. The foreign ministries of both Belarus and Germany both confirmed later on Monday that they were in talks about a prisoner swap. German officials from the foreign ministry and Chancellery did not respond when asked about speculation that there had been a breakthrough on Tuesday. Decision only after US election Reports from various Russian and eastern European outlets do not agree on which prisoners would be involved in a possible swap. Mr Whelans lawyer told the Kremlin-linked Moscow-based Izvestia newspaper that he did not think that his client was being considered for a prisoner release deal even though he had disappeared. He can spend six months in one zone and then reappear in another zone, he said. The issue of exchange is not being decided now. This decision can only be made after the election of a new US president. Nor did Kremlin-linked Russian media mention Mr Gershkovich, or Radio Free Europe journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-US citizen sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison. But the exiled Russian political scientist Tatyana Stanovaya wrote in a post on Telegram: It seems we are facing a large-scale prisoner exchange. Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin strategist and supporter of Putins invasion of Ukraine, said: There is likely to be a large exchange of political agents with Russia, the US, Germany, Belarus and Slovenia participating. Ukraine has nothing to do with it. Yashin and Kara-Murza, I think, yes, Kagarlitsky no. So far so good. Perhaps we will find out everything later today. Permanently shadowed regions on the moon are ideal locations for a storage facility for frozen samples - ANADOLU Plans are being drawn up for a lunar Noahs Ark to help save endangered species from extinction. The prospective biorepository, a storage facility for frozen samples, would house live tissue samples from most animals in the world and serve as a vault in case the species disappeared on Earth. It would likely be built at the north or south pole of the moon, where craters create permanent shadow and a constantly frigid temperature of almost -200C. The samples could be sheltered either in a shadowy crater or in a lunar lava tube - MOMENT RF Scientists from the Smithsonian, Harvard and other leading US institutions are working on how to obtain samples from at-risk biodiversity on Earth, freeze them and send them to the lunar surface for safekeeping. In an article published in the journal BioScience, the academics say they have already begun creating a protocol for space storage based on the starry goby, a bony fish. Potential hurdles include how the samples can be protected from the rigours of space travel as well as the high radiation levels in space. Biorepositories such as the one on Svalbard in Norway are designed to be robust but may still fall foul of earthly perils, the scientists warn, and having a sanctuary on the moon could provide a back-up plan that is impervious to earthbound events. The constantly cold temperatures on the moon are ideal for a biorepository of cryopreserved specimens, the scientists say, as it would mean the system could be passive and not need a power supply. Preserving animal skin samples Such a biorepository would safeguard biodiversity and act as a hedge against its loss occurring because of natural disasters, climate change, over-population, resource depletion, wars, socioeconomic threats and other causes on Earth, the scientists write. Our initial focus will be on cryopreserving animal skin samples with fibroblast cells. They add that a functioning lunar biorepository would primarily be designed to host live, cryopreserved samples of the most at-risk animals on Earth. Keeping the samples sheltered either in a shadowy crater or in a lunar lava tube would ensure that if humans ever needed organisms to terraform the moon, another planet or even Earth itself, then there would be a catalogue of life able to help. Genetic material safeguarded in the lunar vault could be cloned by scientists to replenish numbers of certain lifeforms, the academics say. Protecting life on Earth Nasa is also interested in the south pole of the moon for the same permanently shadowed regions because they may also host ice and this could help establish a human colony on the moon. This is a decades-long programme, the scientists write. Realising a lunar biorepository will require collaboration by a broad array of nations, cultural groups, agencies and international stakeholders to develop acceptable sample holding, governance and long-term plans. Protecting Earths life must be a top priority in the rush on the moon sites for industries and many types of science. The United States flag flies inside the Guantanamo Bay detention facility at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Photograph: Lucas Jackson/Reuters Three men accused of being involved in the 9/11 terrorist attack including the self-proclaimed mastermind of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have agreed to plea deals at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prosecutors said on Wednesday. Related: This 9/11 suspect has spent 20 years in Guantanamo. Is he nearing a deal with the US? The Convening Authority for Military Commissions, Susan Escallier, has entered into pre-trial agreements with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al-Hawsawi, three of the co-accused in the 9/11 case, the Pentagon said in a short statement. Defense lawyers have requested that the men receive life sentences in exchange for the guilty pleas, according to letters from the federal government received by relatives of some of the nearly 3,000 people killed on the morning of 11 September 2001. In exchange for the removal of the death penalty as a possible punishment, these three accused have agreed to plead guilty to all of the charged offenses, including the murder of the 2,976 people listed in the charge sheet, said the letters, the New York Times reported. Pentagon officials declined to immediately release the full terms of the plea bargains. The agreement comes more than 16 years after their prosecution for the attack began, and more than 20 years after Al-Qaida militants commandeered four commercial airliners to use as fuel-filled missiles, flying them into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon. The hijackers steered the fourth plane toward Washington, but crew members and passengers tried to storm the cockpit, and the plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field. The deal avoids both the prospect of a lengthy and complex trial, and the possibility that confessions seen as crucial to the case would be thrown out. The men have been in US custody since 2003, and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is widely seen as the chief plotter of the terror attacks. He allegedly received approval from the al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, who was killed by US forces in 2011, to craft what became the hijackings and killings. Over the years, the case had become bogged down in lengthy pre-trial proceedings. The three men were initially charged jointly and arraigned on 5 June 2008, then were charged jointly and arraigned a second time on 5 May 2012, the Pentagon statement said. Prosecutors said that Mohammed, who was an engineer and educated in the US, brought the idea of flying planes into buildings to bin Laden and then helped train and direct some of the hijackers who carried out the devastating attacks on US soil. Mohammed and Hawsawi were captured together in Pakistan in March 2003. The pair were tortured by their US interrogators, including subjecting Mohammed to a record 183 rounds of waterboarding. The use of torture has proven one of the most formidable obstacles in US efforts to try the men in the military commission at Guantanamo, because defense lawyers had argued that the mens torture in secret CIA prisons had rendered the evidence against them unusable in legal proceedings. Guantanamo Bay was set up in 2002 by then president George W Bush, in order to house foreign militants as part of the so-called war on terror. Its population grew to a peak of about 800 before it started to shrink. There are 30 people housed there today. News of the plea deals drew a spectrum of reactions on Wednesday. Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate leader, condemned the deals in a statement, saying: The only thing worse than negotiating with terrorists is negotiating with them after they are in custody. Daphne Eviatar, a director at the Amnesty International USA rights group, said she welcomed news of some accountability. She also urged the Biden administration to close Guantanamo. Many of its prisoners have been cleared, but are awaiting approval to leave for other countries. Eviatar also condemned the use of torture, saying that the Biden administration must also take all necessary measures to ensure that a program of state-sanctioned enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment will never be perpetrated by the United States again. Terry Strada, the national chair of a group of families of victims called 9/11 Families United, invoked the dozens of relatives who had died while awaiting justice for the killings when she heard news of the agreement. They were cowards when they planned the attack, she said of the defendants. And theyre cowards today. Strada was at Manhattan federal court for a hearing on one of many civil lawsuits when she heard news of the deals. She said many families have just wanted to see the men admit guilt. For me personally, I wanted to see a trial, she said. And they just took away the justice I was expecting a trial and the punishment. Michael Burke, one of the family members who received the government notice of the plea bargain, condemned the long wait for justice, and the outcome. Burkes brother, Billy Burke, a New York City fire captain, had ordered his men out of the World Trade Center but remained on the 27th floor of the north tower of to assist others. It took months or a year at the Nuremberg trials, said Burke. To me, its always been disgraceful that these guys, 23 years later, have not been convicted and punished for their attacks, or the crime. I never understood how it took so long. I think people would be shocked if you could go back in time and tell the people who just watched the towers go down: Oh, hey, in 23 years, these guys who are responsible for this crime we just witnessed are going to be getting plea deals so they can avoid death and serve life in prison, he said. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed reporting More than 50 police officers were injured and five men arrested after far-right riots in Southport, which broke out as the town reeled from a knife attack that killed three children. The Merseyside chief constable, Serena Kennedy, said the five were arrested in connection with riots in which 53 police officers were injured 49 from Merseyside police and four from Lancashire. Three police dogs, Zoe, Ike and Quga, were also hurt. Kennedy said the rioters were there purely for hooliganism and thuggery. She estimated 200-300 people had been involved and said more rioters would be arrested. A 31-year-old man from St Helens; a 31-year-old man from West Derby, Liverpool; and a 39-year-old man from Southport were all arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. Jordan Davies, 32, from Southport, was charged with possession of an offensive weapon on Wednesday night. Merseyside police also announced the arrest of the fifth person, a 39-year-old man, following a report of a domestic incident in Southport after threats had been made to a male family member. The suspect was taken to hospital for treatment for a head injury, and officers recognised him from footage of the disorder on Tuesday, where he is alleged to have thrown rocks at officers. The suspect was also reported to have racially abused a patient while at the hospital. Special powers known as section 60 and section 34 orders are in place giving officers authority to stop and search individuals and direct people who are engaging in antisocial behaviour. As police dealt with the fallout of the riot, detectives were granted more time to question the 17-year-old boy held in connection with the atrocity in which three girls, aged six, seven and nine, were killed, and eight other children and two adults were injured. The boy, from the nearby village of Banks, was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after the horror unfolded at a Taylor Swift-themed childrens holiday club on Monday. Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were fatally stabbed, while five children and two adults remain in critical condition. Tuesdays riot, near Southport mosque, marred a night of remembrance for the girls. The 53 police officers were seriously injured when bricks, stones and bottles were thrown and cars set alight after the vigil. Baseless rumours had been spread on social media misidentifying the suspect and falsely claiming he was an asylum seeker. He was born in Cardiff. On Wednesday, the metro mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotheram, speaking in Southport, said: What we saw last night was infiltration by people from all over the country, stirred up by social media and then whipped up into a frenzy whereby they were attacking the very people that everybody earlier in the day was celebrating for being the heroes, for running towards danger. It leaves a very sour taste in the mouth that these people believe they can come here and divide our community. Jenni Stancombe, Elsies mother, intervened in a bid to cool tensions, writing on Facebook: This is the only thing that I will write, but please, please stop the violence in Southport tonight. The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we dont need this. After the violence, people rallied together to support the Muslim community and clear up the mess left by rioters. Dozens of residents were outside Southport mosque with brushes and shovels on Wednesday morning, and cleared bricks from a wall knocked down during the rioting. The mosque chair, Ibrahim Hussein, told the Guardian he had been barricaded inside the building with eight worshippers while hundreds of rioters descended on the mosque. He said: It really was terrifying and it was uncalled for. There was no reason for it whatsoever. We just have to keep on going, theres nothing else we can do. Merseyside police said a large group of people believed to be supporters of the English Defence League [EDL] began to throw items such as bricks towards the mosque at about 7.45pm. The EDL is a far-right, Islamophobic group founded in 2009 by Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Humza Yousaf, Scotlands former first minister, called for the EDL to be banned under terror laws. Robinson insists the group no longer exists. The deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, later said Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, would be looking at whether EDL should be proscribed under terrorism laws. The headline and text of this story were amended on 31 July to change the number of injured officers to 53 Angela Rayner says housing targets have gone up in areas where the need is most - Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock Tory councils have seen their house building targets increase by six times more than Labour ones, analysis by The Telegraph reveals. On Tuesday Angela Rayner unveiled sweeping reforms to planning rules, including mandatory housing targets imposed on councils and a new algorithm to calculate them. Analysis shows that, as a result, across the 55 Tory-controlled English councils which have planning powers, targets have been increased by 43.3 per cent. Yet across the 121 council areas run by Labour, many of which are in the biggest cities, the upward revision has been just 7.2 per cent. The changes mean that the number of new homes to be built in Conservative areas will go up by almost 23,500 from 54,143 to 77,585. In Labour-controlled areas, the new targets only add an extra 11,000 houses increasing numbers from 152,499 to 163,413. The dramatic difference is largely because Ms Rayner scrapped an urban uplift, introduced by the Tories, which allocated more housing to big cities. Neil OBrien, a Conservative MP and former levelling up minister, said the decision made no sense given that cities are where the highest demand is. Theyve made a decision to continue with incredibly high levels of migration into our cities and yet to reduce their housing targets and to move those housing numbers to shire areas, he told The Telegraph. Clearly politics has won out over sensible policy making here and all the stuff about country before party has turned out to be just another lie. Analysis of official figures shows Cabinet ministers will only see half the number of new homes built in their seats compared with the shadow cabinet. Sir Keir Starmer, David Lammy and Wes Streeting have had numbers in their areas slashed after Londons overhauled housing target was reduced by 20,000. Almost half of the Cabinet nine out of the 22 members who represent seats in England have had their targets reduced. In contrast, shadow cabinet members including Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt have been handed some of the biggest increases in the country. Liberal Democrat-controlled councils have similarly seen their targets ramped up by 43.1 per cent while three Green Party areas have been handed a 56.7 per cent rise. Ms Rayner was challenged about the fact she was putting more new homes in Tory areas. She told the BBC: The reason that their target will have gone up is because they are not meeting the needs locally and therefore that has to be met. The majority of places have had an uplift in their target because year-upon-year the Conservatives promised that they would build 300,000 homes and they failed to meet that target, year-upon-year. That is why I have had to set the target at what it is and it is based on what the actual need is out there to solve this housing crisis. Ms Rayner also defended her decision to remove the requirement for all new houses to be beautiful from the planning rules after it was criticised by Kemi Badenoch. I dont buy this idea that Im just going to build a load of ugly houses thats just not true, the Deputy Prime Minister said. Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, warned councils the Government will take control of their building plans if they do not come up with one by the end of the year. His Greenwich constituency has had its target slashed by 41 per cent, and he said councils must get those plans in place to deliver 1.5 million new homes. Japanese officials said 'we are not in a situation of facing shortages of rice' - West/iStockphoto A boom in tourism has eaten away at Japans rice stockpiles, forcing them to their lowest levels this century, government officials have said. Tokyos rice inventories sank to 1.56 million tons in June, a 20 per cent fall from the previous year and the lowest since 1999, when comparable data was first recorded, the ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries said on Tuesday. It attributed the decrease to the searing heat that decimated crops in 2023 and demand from foreign visitors. The chief reasons behind the record-low inventory is a decline in production last year due to high temperatures combined with water shortages and the relative cheapness of rice prices compared to prices of other crops such as wheat, Hiroshi Itakura, a farm ministry official, told Agence France-Presse. The increase in demands by foreign tourists has also contributed, said Mr Itakura, but he stressed that we are not in a situation of facing shortages of rice. Japan has seen an eruption in tourism, propelled in part by holidaymakers taking advantage of the weakness of the yen, after more than two years restricted by some of the worlds tightest Covid border controls. In March, visitors to Japan surpassed three million, a monthly record. This represented a more than 10 per cent jump compared with March 2019, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation. Last year, spending from foreign tourists contributed about 9 per cent of Japans gross domestic product (GDP). But some officials have expressed concerns that the influx is growing out of control. Earlier this year, a small Japanese town at the base of Mount Fuji was erect a huge screen 65ft wide and more than 8ft tall to deter tourists from blocking roads while taking photographs. Officials also banned visitors from streets in Kyotos Gion district famed for its geishas adorned in kimonos and white-painted faces after a surge in harassment. There have been reports of tourists putting out cigarettes on the performers and hounding them for selfies. Donald Trump pictured campaigning in North Carolina last week - Marco Bello/Reuters Donald Trump has forced the closure of a controversial plan to replace senior civil servants with his allies and enact hardline policies, following attacks from Democrats. The 900-page Project 2025 plan, drawn up by the right-wing Heritage Foundation, called for vetted Trump loyalists to be appointed as civil servants to enact sweeping tax cuts and other proposals. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have called the project, which was not run by the official Trump campaign, a major threat to democracy. Project 2025 is the biggest attack on our system of government and on our personal freedom thats ever been proposed in the history of this country, Mr Biden, 81, told a crowd in Michigan this month. He said it was run and paid for by Trump people and was a blueprint for a second Trump term. In a bid to appear more moderate on issues such as abortion access, Trump has sought to distance himself from the project in recent months, even though many of the groups and individuals that support it are closely linked to him. Three weeks ago Trump wrote on Truth Social: I know nothing about Project 2025. I have no idea who is behind it. On Tuesday, the Daily Beast reported the project had been killed off following the intervention of a senior Trump campaign official, Chris LaCivita. Campaign official Chris LaCivita looks on as Donald Trump holds a rally in Michigan on July 20 - Tom Brenner/Reuters President Trumps campaign has been very clear for over a year that Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the president in any way, the Trump campaign said in a statement. Reports of Project 2025s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign - it will not end well for you. Those who have followed reports of Project 25 may have been surprised by the former presidents remarks. An analysis by CNN found as many as 140 people who worked in the Trump administration played a role in Project 2025. Meanwhile, speaking at the Heritage Foundation in 2022, he said of Project 25: 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. Project 25 did not immediately respond to enquires from The Telegraph. The efforts by Trump to distance himself from a group espousing hardline policies comes as his campaign for the presidency was jolted by the sudden decision by Mr Biden to end his campaign and his being replaced as presidential candidate by Vice-President Harris. The first week of the campaign of Ms Harris, 59, has seen her secure more than $100 million in donations and enjoy a major bump in the polls. Donald Trump - Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP Donald Trump questioned whether Kamala Harris, his Democratic rival, is black during an interview with black journalists. Is she Indian or is she black? Trump, 78, said of his opponent during an appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention in Chicago. I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went, she became black. Somebody should look into that too. Trump went on to say that he believed Ms Harris could be a diversity candidate. Several Republicans including Tim Burchett, the Tennessee Congressman, have termed Ms Harris, a DEI vice-president, meaning diversity, equity and inclusion. Ms Harris, a former Attorney General for California, is of mixed race, with a Jamaican father and an Indian mother. When she was sworn in as vice president in 2021, she made history three times as the first woman, the first Asian-American and the first black person in the role. Donald Trump answers questions during the National Association of Black Journalists' annual convention - Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP Trump was asked whether he would tell Republicans to stop using the DEI description, which many find offensive. He asked Rachel Scott, an ABC News reporter, to define DEI and, asked whether he thought Ms Harris was a DEI hire, he said: I mean, I really dont know. Could be, could be. There are some. The White House condemned Trumps comments. Karine Jean Pierre, the press secretary, called them repulsive and insulting, adding that no one has any right to tell someone who they are. She is the vice-president of the United States, Kamala Harris. We have to put some respect on her name, period, Ms Pierre added. Trumps first-ever appearance at the convention triggered controversy before it began, with some senior members quitting the group in protest over the decision to invite him. During the event, which at times became heated, he claimed he had done more than any other president for the black community since Abraham Lincoln, who abolished slavery. I think its disgraceful that I came here in good spirit. I love the black population of this country. Ive done so much for the black population of this country, said Trump. As a student, Ms Harris studied at Howard University, one of the nations most famous prominent historically black colleges, located in Washington DC. As a senator, she was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and supported legislation aimed at strengthening voting rights and reforming policing. Trump has been seeking to win support from African-Americans and other minorities, alleging that Democrats take their votes for granted. In 2020, more than 90 per of black voters supported Joe Biden. Earlier this year, a poll that shocked the White House suggested as many as 30 per of black voters might support Trump. But since Mr Biden dropped out of the race to be replaced by Ms Harris, that appears even more unlikely. An Angus Reid Institute survey recently found 67 per cent of black voters planned to back her, with 12 per cent for Trump and 17 per cent undecided. Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, said the findings of widespread sexual assault on campus were 'appalling' - TOLGA AKMEN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Universities will be banned from using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence students and staff over sexual assault complaints, the higher education regulator has announced. The Office for Students (OfS) said on Wednesday that the ban would include all formal legal contracts and less formal agreements that require victims to remain silent. The OfS said: We consider that NDAs used for instances of harassment or sexual misconduct are unacceptable as they prevent students from speaking about their experiences. Gagging clauses could also protect the reputation of perpetrators and allow them to switch universities, where they could repeat their behaviour, the regulator added. A ban on the use of NDAs by universities was due to come into force on Thursday as part of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, until Bridget Phillipson pulled the plug on the legislation last week. The Education Secretary said she was concerned new free speech laws would lead to costly legal action for universities and could usher in unwanted protections for hate speech on campus. Michelle Donelan, the former Conservative universities minister, had pushed for a ban on NDAs against students after half of universities signed up to a pledge not to use them. About 80 universities signed a commitment drawn up by campaign group Cant Buy My Silence promising never to use a non-disclosure agreement in a case involving sexual harassment, discrimination, other forms of misconduct and/or bullying. NDAs were designed to stop staff sharing trade secrets when moving to a new job, but have become abused by companies to silence victims of sexual assault and other misconduct. Usually signed in return for pay-offs, they often mean individuals could be liable for hefty damages if they breach confidentiality clauses. A Telegraph investigation in 2018 revealed that Sir Philip Green, the Topshop owner, had used the gagging mechanisms to silence five employees who accused him of sexual harassment and racial abuse. Sir Philip was initially granted an injunction against The Telegraph to prevent it from revealing that he was the unnamed businessman at the heart of the allegations. Labour peer Lord Hain later used parliamentary privilege to identify the billionaire in the House of Lords. A report from the Commons Women and Equalities Committee in January said MPs were still gravely concerned about the widespread use of NDAs to silence victims of abuse. It called for a ban on use of the legal agreements in cases of sexual misconduct and harassment. Campaigners have long demanded a ban on NDAs to silence university staff and students from talking about sexual assault allegations, after whistleblowers revealed their apparent widespread use on campus. Dr Emma Chapman refused to sign an NDA after she said she had been sexually harassed at UCL Dr Emma Chapman, an award-winning astrophysicist, refused to sign an NDA after she said she had been sexually harassed by a man at University College London (UCL). In written evidence to the Women and Equalities committee following The Telegraphs reporting on Sir Philip, she said NDAs are routinely used in cases of sexual misconduct in higher education, applied to multiple victims of serial harassers and can total over 100,000 per harasser. Dr Chapman complained to UCL bosses that she was being harassed by a male academic in 2015 and received a payout of 70,000 after a two-year legal battle. Following her case, UCL said it would no longer use NDAs for cases of bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct. A student at the University of Oxford also claimed a blanket gagging clause was imposed by her college when she alleged she was violently raped by another student. The Times reported in 2022 that Lady Margaret Hall warned the student not to say anything about the alleged attack or the colleges safeguarding policies to the press or on social media, and that publishing material in the press will result in expulsion from Lady Margaret Hall. The college later agreed to pay damages as well as the womans legal costs, but did not admit liability. It also promised to overhaul its handling of sexual assault cases. A BBC investigation previously revealed that almost a third of universities used NDAs between 2016 and 2020, with more than 300 injunctions signed over that period. Data published by the OfS on Wednesday showed that about 20 per cent of university students have experienced sexual harassment since starting their course. A survey of more than 5,000 students in England last year found that women were more than twice as likely to have faced sexual harassment on campus than men. In total, 27 per cent of female students said they had experienced sexual harassment compared to 12 per cent of men, while women were three times more likely to experience sexual assault or violence than men. The OfS published the findings following a consultation on how to tackle sexual assault on campus. It dropped plans to introduce a register of student-staff relationships and instead encouraged universities to take steps to limit abuse of power. The ban on NDAs also does not appear to prohibit their use to cover up bullying allegations, which it was set to cover under the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. Ms Phillipson said the findings of widespread sexual assault on campus were appalling. We must clamp down on sexual harassment in every part of our society and everyone at our universities should feel protected and able to focus on their learning and broadening their horizons, she said. The findings in this report and the levels of harassment uncovered, including the disproportionate impact on women on our campuses, are appalling. The superyacht Ethos sinking off Kefalonia A superyacht began to sink off a Greek island after a crew member reportedly forgot to close a hatch. The 158ft motor yacht Ethos, which costs 177,000 a week to rent in high season, was seen tilting alarmingly to starboard as water gushed in while it cruised off Kefalonia. One of the crew of the Ethos, which comes with a hot tub, a sauna, a gym and a jet ski, had left a side door open, which enabled a large volume of water to enter the boat before anyone noticed, according to Protothema, the Greek newspaper. The skipper managed to coax the vessel to shore and it ran aground in Evreti Bay on the eastern side of the island, where it remains anchored. Five crew members and five guests on board managed to disembark safely after the expensive mishap. Efforts to pump out the seawater are under way, according to Greek media, with divers inspecting the damage. Built a decade ago and flying under a Maltese flag, the superyacht has five large cabins and can comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests. The cabins range from a master suite to VIP suites and two staterooms. The vessel spends both the summer and winter seasons cruising Greek waters. Kefalonia is best known as the setting for Captain Corellis Mandolin, the popular novel by Louis de Bernieres, the British author, about a romance that develops between an Italian officer and a local woman during the Italian occupation on the island in the Second World War. winter fuel For each of the past three winters, 70-year-old Howard Kendall has donated the governments 200 fuel payment to charity. The pensioner, who lives in rural Kent, admits he is well-off enough not to have relied on the subsidy to warm his home through the colder months. But that doesnt mean hes accepting of Chancellor Rachel Reevess decision to scrap the universal benefit in the face of what Labour claim is a 22 billion hole in public finances. In fact, hes incensed. Kendall is among many better-off taxpayers for whom the allowance is not vital to stay afloat financially in the winter months. In such cases a trend has emerged of pensioners routinely donating their allowance to charity in the years they do not require the additional funds for themselves albeit knowing that the annual payment has, until now, continued as a safety blanket they might one day need to use for themselves. Reevess decision to stop giving the payments to millions of pensioners means that charities will suffer too. We dont need it all the time, but we might in future, says Kendall. For now, it does help fund the third sector. What I typically do is donate whatever money we receive that we dont need to a good cause, he adds. In addition to volunteering for charity myself, it makes me feel useful in my old age. The charities Kendall donates to are Westerham Food Bank and the Kenward Trust, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in his local area. Both are good causes and what this decision means is that the sort of money coming from people like us will disappear for those charities, unless we dip into our own pensions, he says. Howard Kendall, who is well-off enough to not rely on the subsidy, has donated his fuel payment to charity for the past three years The winter fuel allowance, first introduced in 1997 by then-chancellor Gordon Brown, saw all British pensioners awarded up to 300 annually to help heat their homes through winter. But Reevess move to reverse the former Labour governments initiative means that, from this year onwards, the payments will be restricted to households already claiming means-tested benefits, such as pension credit. As a result, some 10 million people formerly in receipt of the allowance will be left to fend without it. While some have welcomed the shift, arguing that tax-payer funded handouts should not be given to people who neither need nor necessarily want them, pensioners such as Kendall argue that deciding what to do with the funds is their prerogative one that ought not be in the Governments gift to take away. In his case, he argues, doing so will only hurt those on the front lines of Britains social crises. Charities are perennially struggling and the vast majority of the people I know, including my old school friends, do what I do, he says. They donate the money to charities, and it will affect that. Others, meanwhile, have raised concern that recipients of the allowance who themselves rely on the payment to make it through the winter months will suffer. The charity Age UK has estimated that more than 800,000 older people living on very low incomes less than 218.25 a week for single pensioners and 332.95 for couples are already missing out on other forms of credit. Now, they will lose money that helps to pay their energy bills. A further one million pensioners whose weekly incomes are less than 50 above the poverty line will also be hit hard by the loss of the subsidy, according to Age UK. The charitys director, Caroline Abrahams, has warned that millions of pensioners would face a horrible eating or heating dilemma. The move has also angered Telegraph readers, who commented in their thousands this week on the Chancellors decision to revoke the subsidy. Many argued they were better judges of how the handout should be spent than the Government itself. David James wrote that a significant part of the allowance would have been given to charities that give some cheer to the unfortunate during a miserable Christmas what a totally heartless decision. EA Harper-Wilkes concurred, writing: I know a millionaire who tried to give his winter fuel allowance back as he didnt need it but he couldnt so he gave it to charity. My wife and I always gave our winter fuel payments to charity, so thats money the charitable sector wont be getting now, added David Whiting. Winter is a particularly important time for charities, enabling them to capitalise on the nations generosity and goodwill ahead of the Christmas period to raise money for their causes. Charity fundraising platform Enthuse found that 42 per cent of people were more likely to donate money to charity at Christmas than any other time of year. The Centre For Charitable Giving and Philanthropy noted in a recent report that a five per cent increase in charitable giving happens in December and that older households have a higher propensity to donate than younger households. Over the years, we have seen people donating their winter fuel allowance to help St Mungos end homelessness for good, adds a spokesman for St Mungos, the charity which helps get homeless people off the streets and into work. Anecdotally, we do see a lot of donors who tell us that theyre donating their fuel allowance, and we quite often see a bump of 200 or 300 donations at the end of November or start of December, which coincides with the payments, says another charity worker, speaking anonymously to The Telegraph. Certainly, the eating or heating dilemma seems set to loom larger this year both for pensioners and those they support on the back of Reevess decision. Additional reporting by Rebecca McPhillips Police stand guard in riot gear outside the Southport Mosque and Islamic Centre on Tuesday night Worshippers were forced to take shelter in a Southport mosque as hundreds of far-Right rioters attacked the building. Around half a dozen members of the Southport Mosque and Islamic Centre were told to wait for a police escort as a mob surrounded the property on Tuesday night. Police were attacked with bottles, bricks, bins and missiles and a van was set on fire after a night of violence in the seaside town. Demonstrators, who police believe to have been from the English Defence League, started the disorder outside the mosque following the killing of three children at a holiday club on Monday. The three victims of the knife attack were named as six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar were killed in the attack Eight other children suffered stab wounds, with five of them in a critical condition. A 17-year-old from the village of Banks, five miles away from Southport, was arrested on Monday afternoon on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remains in police custody. Despite no evidence the killer is linked to the Muslim community, the rioters targeted the mosque as they chanted we are doing this for our girls. Southport mosque chairman Ibrahim Hussein said he was trapped in the building with about eight others as the violence erupted. He said he only escaped at about midnight with a police guard. Mr Hussein told reporters: It was terrifying. It was absolutely, awful, horrendous. We couldnt understand this viciousness that was going on, and even the police were taking a hammering from this lot. Asked if he thought the far-Right had hijacked his town, Mr Hussein said: Naturally. This is a beautiful town. Weve lived here 30 years, no bother at all. We love this community. The community loves us. We dont have any issues. The violence came after false rumours circulated online that the 17-year-old suspect in custody on suspicion of murder over the deadly attack was an asylum seeker who came to Britain on a small boat. Rioters launch bricks and a wheelie bin at officers Mr Hussein said that, at one point on Tuesday night, he believed the rioters would break into the sacred building. He said: It was absolutely awful. We dont know why we are the focus of these people who came round throwing abuse and throwing missiles and throwing bricks. We dont know why were being targeted in that way. Mr Hussein said he understood why the teenager arrested over the deaths of the three children on Monday had yet to be named, adding: Its not for me to say what the police should or shouldnt do. He added: But it would have been helpful if they (the police) had said that he is not Muslim. I would love them to do that. Not that it makes a big difference because, even if he is a Muslim, why should that reflect on the whole community? Substantial damage Soyful Alam, the former imam of the mosque, told The Telegraph six or seven worshippers were trapped inside as the violence unfolded. There is substantial damage. The outer fence has been damaged or burnt and I think some outer windows have been smashed, said Mr Alam. Addressing the violence, the former imam said the town should come together rather than be divided by the tragedy. At a time of grieving and pain you would urge people to do their best for people to come together as a community. I think the whole town is grieving, the only thing on everybodys mind is the children. Its such a small town, its a small community. I think the main thing at this time should be to support everyone affected. He added that no matter what religion the man suspected of carrying out the attack on the dance class, the violence was not justified. The identity of any criminal is irrelevant in any case. Whether the criminal is Muslim or a Christian or a Jew or of no faith, he said. That doesnt justify attacking the police. I mean the police have faced horrendous violence tonight. I dont know who these people are, Im not sure what their actual objective of this is at this moment in time. Riot police hold back demonstrators A total of 53 officers were injured, of which 49 were Merseyside Police and four were Lancashire Police. Eight sustained serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion and were treated in hospital. Other officers suffered varying degrees of injury including head injuries, serious facial injuries and one was knocked unconscious. Four men were arrested and taken into custody, three on suspicion of violent disorder and one on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article. Three police dogs were also injured during the disorder which saw cars belonging to members of the public alight and damage to neighbouring properties. Those involved also tore down walls and threw the rubble towards officers. A mob gathered outside the mosque, hurling bricks, masonry and fireworks at officers, amid claims that police were not telling the truth about the suspects background and his motives, with rumours swirling on social media. Smoke was seen billowing from the area after a police van was set on fire and demonstrators clashed with police wielding riot shields and batons with officers charging the crowds outside the mosque. There were chants of No surrender! and English til I die!. A 24-hour section 60 Order has been introduced in the area, giving officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals. Merseyside Police described Tuesday nights scenes as sickening and said people were using the speculation about the attack to bring violence and disorder to our streets. Police said officers who had already completed a shift on Tuesday returned to duty to help colleagues deal with the disorder. A number of officers have been injured, cars set alight and a shop broken into and looted in Southport this evening, police said in a statement. This is completely unacceptable. Were gathering evidence and those responsible will be brought to justice. Nigel Farage has rejected criticism that comments he made online had whipped up rioters in Southport, as the Reform UK leader was branded nothing better than Tommy Robinson in a suit. Mr Farage doubled down on remarks he made in a social media video in which he questioned whether the truth is being withheld from us following the killings of three girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club this week. The newly-elected MP has come in for strong criticism, including from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Brendan Cox, husband of murdered MP Jo Cox. Brendan Cox said Nigel Farage had whipped up rioters in Southport (Peter Byrne/PA) Ms Rayner said Mr Farage, as an MP, has a level of responsibility, and its not to stoke up what conspiracy theories or what you think might have happened. Mr Cox told BBC Radio 4s Today programme Mr Farages remarks were right out of the Trump playbook and make him nothing better than a Tommy Robinson in a suit. He added: It is beyond the pale to use a moment like this to spread your narrative and to spread your hatred, and we saw the results on Southports streets last night. Mr Farage had posted a video on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday in which he said he had one or two questions as he speculated about whether the stabbing suspect was being monitored by security services. He added: I just wonder whether the truth is being withheld from us. I dont know the answer to that, but I think it is a fair and legitimate question. In an interview with the PA news agency following Mr Coxs remarks, Mr Farage maintained his position. He insisted he had merely expressed a sense of sadness and concern that is being felt by absolutely everybody I know what the hell is going on?' Referring to other recent incidents, he said it is quite legitimate to ask questions. He told PA: I think its perfectly reasonable to ask what is happening to law and order in our country. And who are the perpetrators? Why? Very legitimate questions I was asking, and to conflate that with EDL (English Defence League) or anybody else, frankly, its desperate stuff. Asked about Mr Coxs comparisons of Mr Farage with Mr Robinson, the Clacton MP added: The comment is beneath contempt. Mr Robinson had posted a video online on Tuesday with the comment: None of us are feeling safe in our own country, in our own towns. I lost my brother to terrorism. To ramp up hatred on line by claiming the Southport attack was terrorist related (culminating in riots, a mosque damaged and 27 police injured) is not just reprehensible but needs addressing. Otherwise it will happen again. Disgusted how a https://t.co/NnPantRYgy Tobias Ellwood (@Tobias_Ellwood) July 31, 2024 In the angry three-minute video, Mr Robinson accused the Government and police of endangering our country as he claimed they care more about people coming to the UK from other countries than British children. Ms Rayner suggested Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will be looking at whether the EDL should be banned under terror laws in the wake of the unrest, which Merseyside Police said was believed to involve supporters of the group that had been founded and formerly led by Mr Robinson. The Deputy Prime Minister told LBC: We have laws and we have proscribed groups and we do look at that and it is reviewed regularly. So Im sure that that will be something that the Home Secretary will be looking at as part of the normal course of what we do and the intelligence that we have. Mr Robinson said what he described as the mainstream media was blaming the EDL for the trouble, but he insisted the group hasnt existed in a decade. Ms Rayner hit out at Mr Farage for stirring up fake news online about the reasons behind the attack, saying it is his duty as an elected politician to support the authorities in establishing the facts. We have a responsibility to hold the community together and say lets get the facts, and then lets look at what the actual solutions are and what we can do about the horrific situation that we find ourselves in, not to stir up these fake news online, she said. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner accused Nigel Farage of stoking conspiracy theories online (Jonathan Brady/PA) She added that it is really painful for people caught up in the trauma to see online that whats happened to them is somehow been debated. The inciting of violence and violence on the street has absolutely no place in our democracy, and we have to crack down on those that perpetuate violence and spread it within our communities, Ms Rayner said. Former MP Tobias Ellwood responded to Mr Farage on X by writing: I lost my brother to terrorism. To ramp up hatred online by claiming the Southport attack was terrorist related (culminating in riots, a mosque damaged and 27 police injured) is not just reprehensible but needs addressing. Otherwise it will happen again. Disgusted how a sitting MP deliberately enflames tensions without any justification. Farage should delete this tweet. Labour MP Jess Phillips suggested Mr Farage could have attended Parliament to ask questions when a statement was delivered giving an update on the incident on Tuesday. She wrote on X: Nigel Farage could yesterday have had the questions, he claims are unanswered, answered if he had bothered to turn up to parliament and ask them during the statement on the incidents in Southport. He didnt turn up, he grifted instead. The 17-year-old suspect in the Southport killings cannot be named for legal reasons because of his age. He was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport. The suspect remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder. Feature: Kenyan female techie leverages Huawei's mentorship to break glass ceiling Xinhua) 09:41, July 31, 2024 NAIROBI, July 30 (Xinhua) -- At 25, Sylvia Jebet from Kenya attributes her plunge into the technology space, where she is currently thriving, to sheer grit, determination, and some inspiration from a diverse cast of mentors. Born and raised in Nakuru County, about 160 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, Jebet aspired to become a teacher during her childhood. Still, in a strange twist of fate, she fell in love with computers as a young adult. In 2017, Jebet joined one of the leading public universities in Kenya, where she pursued a major in telecommunication and information engineering. Upon graduating in 2023, she was raring to venture into a male-dominated career. Excited by the prospect of developing her digital skills and gaining global exposure, she applied for the mentorship program sponsored by Chinese technology giant Huawei and, to her surprise, won a slot after a rigorous vetting process. "Being chosen as a participant felt like a significant milestone in my academic and career journey," Jebet said in an interview with Xinhua on Monday, reaffirming her passion for digital competence and ability to solve complex challenges. The Huawei Seeds for the Future Program, launched in 2008, is the firm's global Corporate Social Responsibility flagship project. It aims to enhance the digital skills of the youth through training, mentorship, and peer learning. In Kenya, Huawei has partnered with state agencies and academic institutions to develop local information and communications technology (ICT) talent, enhance knowledge sharing, and ensure a robust innovation ecosystem to benefit youth through the program. When she was shortlisted for the 2020 cohort, Jebet and her peers underwent virtual training and assessment, studied and tackled projects, and took a virtual tour of Huawei University. The Huawei Seeds for the Future Program unleashed a transformative impact on Jebet amid in-depth training on emerging technologies such as 5G, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. Conducted by industry experts with hands-on expertise, these training sessions refined her digital and interpersonal skills, which are critical to securing a place in the workplace of the future. Together with three other students from Kenya, Jebet had the opportunity to participate in a one-week immersion into digital technology skills during the MWC Shanghai 2024 in June. She said representing the Huawei Seeds for the Future Program Alumni in China for one week was a rewarding experience that elevated her technical prowess and ability to interact with people from diverse cultures. "The program was a transformative experience, packed with learning and growth opportunities. Visiting Huawei's headquarters in China was an eye-opener," Jebet said. "I witnessed the latest innovations and interacted with professionals who are at the forefront of technological advancements. This exposure has given me valuable insights into the global ICT landscape and the practical applications of the technologies I was learning about." As part of the program, Jebet immersed herself in studying Chinese culture, history, and language, which boosted her ability to be open-minded and communicate in a cross-cultural environment. She vowed to use the skills she gained at the Huawei mentorship program to promote innovations that solve real-world challenges and make a positive impact in her community. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Police injured as bricks thrown in protest following stab deaths of three girls Police officers suffered serious injuries when bricks, stones and bottles were thrown and cars were set alight during violent protests following a vigil for three girls killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club. Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were all fatally stabbed in Southport on Monday, while a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons because of his age, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder. Merseyside Police said a large group of people believed to be supporters of the English Defence League began to throw items such as bricks towards the mosque in the seaside town at around 7.45pm. Officers put on helmets and riot gear after stones and bottles were launched at them and police vehicles were damaged and set on fire. In a post on social media, the force said shops had been broken into and looted, adding that those responsible will be brought to justice. Elsies mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight. The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we dont need this. Violence at the Southport protest, which saw a police van set alight (Richard McCarthy/PA) The troubling scenes saw 27 officers taken to hospital, with 12 others being treated and discharged at the scene, North West Ambulance Service said. Merseyside Police said eight officers suffered serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion. Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said the officers injured in Tuesdays protests will now be unavailable for duty in what is an incredibly busy time for the force. Videos posted on social media showed people throwing wheelie bins and bricks at officers who held riot shields to push the crowds back. Chairman of Merseyside Police Federation Chris McGlade said more than 50 officers had been hurt in a sustained and vicious attack. Trouble flares during a protest in Southport, after three children died in a stabbing during a Taylor Swift event at a dance school (Richard McCarthy/PA) He added: Police officers are not robots. We are mothers and fathers. Sons and daughters. Husbands, wives and partners. We should be going home at the end of our shifts. Not to hospital. The violent protests followed hundreds of people taking part in a peaceful vigil for the stabbing victims outside Southports Atkinson arts venue, with many in tears as they laid flowers and cards of remembrance. As well as the three children who died, eight other youngsters suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were also critically injured, police said. The vigil was followed by the protest outside the mosque as demonstrators chanted far-right slogans and clashed with police in St Lukes Road. A police van set alight as trouble flares during a protest in Southport, (Pat Hurst/PA) Southport MP Patrick Hurley said on Wednesday that rioters must face the full force of the law, saying they were utterly disrespecting the families of the dead and injured children. Mr Hurley condemned beered-up thugs who threw bricks, telling BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Even if this lad, the 17-year-old, turns out to be Muslim, under no circumstances does that justify any attack on a mosque by anybody at all. He also hit out at the swirling morass of social media lies and propaganda, saying they have fuelled rumours about the attackers identity as well as criticism of politicians. False claims had spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat. The Prime Minister said rioters had hijacked a vigil for victims and will feel the full force of the law. Writing on X, Sir Keir Starmer said: The people of Southport are reeling after the horror inflicted on them yesterday. They deserve our support and our respect. Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves. Members of the public take part in a vigil near the scene of the attack in Hart Street, Southport (James Speakman/PA) Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting as violent attacks from thugs on the streets, which she branded appalling. Ms Cooper told broadcasters she saw a community coming together during her visit to Southport on Tuesday, and thanked police for their heroism. She added: That is why it is so appalling to now see those same police facing violent attacks from thugs on the streets who have no respect for a grieving community. It is a total disgrace. Frankly, this is a time when everyone should be showing respect for a community and for the police. In a statement on Tuesday evening, Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said: The actions in Southport tonight will involve many people who do not live in the Merseyside area or care about the people of Merseyside. There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17-year-old male who is currently in police custody, and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets. We have already said that the person arrested was born in the UK and speculation helps nobody at this time. The suspect, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport, and a road in the area was cordoned off by detectives on Monday afternoon. Police have said that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related. A 32-year-old man from Standish was arrested on suspicion of possession of a flick knife in Eastbank Street, near where the vigil took place on Tuesday evening. He was taken into custody and there were no reports that anyone was injured during the incident, Merseyside Police said. Rafael Nadal revealed he is unlikely to play the US Open as he dropped his strongest hint yet that his career could very soon be at an end. Nadal and Carlos Alcarazs crowd-pleasing run in the mens doubles at the Olympics came to an end with a 6-2 6-4 loss to American fourth seeds Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram. The 14-time French Open champion gave a lingering wave to all sides of Court Philippe Chatrier, but it seems very likely not to be just Roland Garros that does not see Nadal on court again. Asked whether he would head to the United States, where events building up to the US Open are already under way, the 38-year-old said: It looks like not but Im going to let you know soon. For me now, I cant give you a clear answer, I need some time. But for me it looks difficult. Answering a question about his relationship with Alcaraz, meanwhile, Nadal cast even more doubt on his future. If my age will be 10 years less, were going to create a beautiful relationship on court and were going to share a lot of beautiful moments together, he said. But thats not going to happen. Well see if I keep playing the normal tour. But of course I will be supporting him from home and wishing him all the very best every single time. Even if I keep playing or not, I love tennis. Rafael Nadal, left, and Carlos Alcaraz embrace (Manu Fernandez/AP) Nadal has signed up for the Laver Cup in Berlin in September and, two years after Roger Federer bade farewell at the Ryder Cup-style event, there is a possibility his great rival may follow suit. He had hoped to sign off his Olympics career with a third medal having previously won gold in singles and doubles, but a passionate crowd were unable to get him and Alcaraz over the line against a quality doubles team. It was disappointing to not bring back a medal for Spain but thats it, said Nadal. I tried my best in every single minute that I was on court, but it was not enough to achieve our goals. If thats the last time, its an unforgettable feeling and emotions. They give me the love and the support every single second that I have been on court. Its super, super special to feel that in particular in this place. At this stage of my career, I play for feelings, I play for emotions more than for results. I won enough in my career, much more than what I ever dreamed. For me, its about enjoying different experiences, and thats another lifetime experience, to share with Carlos, an amazing player who I think is going to be of course one of the best of the history of this sport. Alcaraz, whose inexperience in doubles was exposed, relished the opportunity to take to the court with Nadal. It was an unbelievable experience for me, something that I will never forget, he said. Playing the same side of the net with Rafa and learning from him so close has been great for me. Novak Djokovic hits a backhand against Dominik Koepfer (Manu Fernandez/AP) I tried to enjoy every single second. Im a little bit disappointed right now, obviously we wanted to keep going. Here we could spend more time and talk so much about life, and thats what Im going to keep for me. Alcaraz stayed on course for a gold-medal clash with Novak Djokovic in singles earlier after both reached the quarter-finals. Djokovic next faces eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, while Alcaraz will play American Tommy Paul in a rematch of their Wimbledon quarter-final. Andy Murray may be clinging on but it was the end of the road for another retiring three-time grand slam champion, with Angelique Kerber suffering a heartbreaking 6-7 (4) 6-4 7-6 (6) loss to Chinas Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals of the womens singles. A 3-time Grand Slam winner played her last match on court Philippe-Chatrier today Angelique Kerber, congratulations for your amazing career, and enjoy the next chapter of your life pic.twitter.com/PXoRC7Dbh0 Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) July 31, 2024 Zheng is now guaranteed a shot at a medal, as is Slovakias Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova, the most surprising success story here. The 29-year-old is ranked 67th in the world but followed her upset of Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini by taking out SW19 champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-4 6-2. Far less surprising is the presence in the last four of top seed Iga Swiatek, who made it 25 consecutive wins on the Paris clay, although she was given a test by Danielle Collins before the American pulled out injured trailing 6-1 2-6 4-1. Scottish Government ministers are facing demands to hold emergency talks in a bid to prevent a strike by council refuse workers across the country. With three unions having announced co-ordinated action for August, the Tories called on Holyrood ministers to convene a meeting with local authority leaders and unions. The planned eight-day walkout, involving workers in the Unison, Unite and GMB unions, will mean bins are not emptied from the smallest villages to the biggest cities across the country. Unison, the largest local government union, confirmed staff in 13 council areas will take part in the action from 5am on Wednesday August 14 to 4.59am on Thursday August 22, while GMB and Unite members in 18 areas will walk out. Edinburgh City Council workers will be among those to strike, which will take place during the Scottish capitals busy summer festival period. Scotlands largest city, Glasgow, will also be affected by the action. It comes amid a dispute over pay, with all three unions having previously rejected a 3.2% rise offered by local government body Cosla which insists it has very limited options available. Although talks between Cosla leaders, unions and Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison took place on Tuesday, no agreement was reached. A similar dispute, which saw rubbish pile up on the streets of Edinburgh during the festival season in 2022, only ended when the Scottish Government provided extra funds to councils for workers pay. Cosla resources spokesperson Katie Hagmann insisted local government leaders will explore all options to avoid industrial action. Waste and recycling workers in Glasgow City Council are among those set to strike in August (Andrew Milligan/PA) The Conservatives have now called on the Scottish Government to intervene, with Lothian MSP Miles Briggs saying: We simply cannot allow rubbish to pile high in the streets of Scotland again. This strike action is set to take place in the middle of the Edinburgh festivals, at a time the capital is welcoming the world to our beautiful city. In 2022 we saw the level of disruption that these strikes caused, with rubbish strewn across our streets. The strikes would also cause significant public health concerns, with rubbish not being removed. SNP ministers must call an emergency meeting with Cosla and the unions to intervene and prevent the strike from happening. Cammy Day, the leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, called on all parties to try to resolve the dispute. Council Leader @cllrcammyday calls for urgent resolution to the national pay dispute to prevent significant disruption following announcement for strike action across waste and cleansing services in Edinburgh from 14-22 August. https://t.co/rJuActcO6N pic.twitter.com/uGRef0m0Ql The City of Edinburgh Council (@Edinburgh_CC) July 31, 2024 Mr Day said: I urge the Scottish Government and Cosla to stay round the table with the unions and find a way of averting what will be a hugely damaging dispute for Edinburgh and for Scotland as a whole. GMB Scotland senior organiser Keir Greenaway said the 3.2% offer failed to keep pace with the cost of living and was below the rise offered to council workers in England. He added: Industrial action will start in two weeks unless ministers and local authorities urgently identify the money needed to make a fair and acceptable offer. These strikes will be disruptive to all the Scots who rely on our members work, but would not be necessary if councils had shown a greater urgency and sense of realism. Collette Hunter, Unison Scotlands local government chairwoman, said: Cosla and the Scottish Government must understand the anger among council staff. They are resolute and strikes will go ahead unless a solution can be found. With over 95% support, UNISON members are ready to strike for fair wages in 14 councils. Lets stand with them! #UNISONStrikes https://t.co/201x9Hqjui pic.twitter.com/EXn0fhZHcJ UNISON Scotland (@unisonscot) July 18, 2024 Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said its members will strike unless there is a new, credible pay offer put on the table. Graham McNab, industrial officer with the union, added a significant shift to the pay offer will be required to prevent industrial action. He said: Strike action is not yet inevitable but action from the politicians must be imminent. There is a window of opportunity to resolve this dispute but the politicians should be under no illusions that our members will take strike action if necessary to secure the pay offer which they deserve. Ms Hagmann said Tuesdays talks had given Cosla the chance to articulate the financial challenges facing local government in relation to meeting pay claims. A joint meeting took place yesterday (Tuesday 30th July) between COSLA, Trade Unions and Scottish Government. Full statement from COSLA Resources Spokesperson, @KatieHagmannSNP https://t.co/WWVpAs4aWP pic.twitter.com/wlnvvWrT3p COSLA (@COSLA) July 31, 2024 She added: It was an open and honest dialogue about how challenging the situation is in relation to council finances. Whilst no immediate solution was identified, officers will now undertake further work at pace in the coming days to explore all options to avoid industrial action. She stressed to the Finance Secretary the very limited options available to local government, and that any solution needs to be both affordable and sustainable. Ms Hagmann continued: Cosla remains committed to continuing our negotiations towards finding a solution as quickly as possible, seeking to do all we can to avoid industrial action and its damaging impact on our communities. Council leaders value the local government workforce and their essential work across our communities, they recognise the workforce pressures and the need to reward equitably. Speaking after the talks on Tuesday evening, Ms Robison said her officials will now work at pace with local government officers to understand what an improved negotiating envelope may look like. Duncan Scott shied away from comparisons with Sir Chris Hoy after equalling his fellow Scots Olympic medal haul by anchoring Team GB to victory in the mens 4200 metres freestyle relay final. Scott has a chance to move up to joint second in the list among British athletes alongside another cyclist in Sir Bradley Wiggins as he competes in the mens 200m individual medley later this week. But after helping Team GB retain their relay crown to claim their first triumph in the pool of Paris 2024, Scott pointed out he has only two gold medals to Hoys half-dozen. Im nowhere near the level of athlete Chris Hoy has been, I think thats taking away from what hes achieved, Scott said. I dont think I should ever be compared to Sir Chris Hoy. Hes well above what Ive achieved. Its pretty cool in terms of numbers but hes got quite a few better colours than I do. Ive had so many medals won by relay team-mates, I cant thank them enough for what theyve done. They put me in a phenomenal position tonight like they always do. If James Guy, Tom Dean and Matt Richards can tee him up then Scott knows how to close the show as they became the first swimming team in history to defend an Olympic relay title with the same quartet. Richards had come within two-hundredths of a second of winning the individual event, settling instead for silver, as did Adam Peaty, who lost by an identical margin in the mens 100 metres breaststroke. But there was no need for a photo finish on Tuesday evening as, while Team GB led by just half a second after the final exchange, Scott swam the fastest leg of the race to secure victory by 1.35 seconds over the United States. While Scott seemed almost bashful at being named in the same breath as Hoy, Guy was happy to celebrate his team-mate. Damn right, of course, Guy said, when asked if he would compare Scott to Hoy. He is an incredible athlete. He is so process-orientated and very level-headed. Guy has six Olympic medals in relay events, while Dean celebrated his third, all of them gold, with Richards on three as well after Team GB justified their billing as red-hot favourites for top spot. They have an embarrassment of riches in the 200m distance, so much so that Dean was unable to defend his individual title from Tokyo 2020 after losing in Olympic qualifying to Richards and Scott. Great Britains James Guy in action (John Walton/PA) I dont think this will ever make up for (not being able to compete individually), Dean said. But that was four months ago and Ive had four months to get my head round it. It feels different because the last three years havent been a straight line for anyone me, Jimmy, Matt, Duncan. There have been a lot of changes but we stepped up again in an Olympic year and thats whats really special. Jack McMillan, who represented Ireland at the last Olympics, and Kieran Bird deputised ably for Richards and Scott in the morning heats as Team GB qualified fastest but they brought their big guns back for the final. Team GB celebrate winning the mens 4200 metres freestyle relay title at the Olympics (John Walton/PA) Guy, who swam a lifetime best in the morning, once again got their noses in front and Dean kept them there at the halfway point despite a wobble mid-swim where Team GB slipped to fourth at one stage. Richards, who earlier missed out on the 100m freestyle final, then handed over the baton to Scott and he rubberstamped the win to give Team GB their fourth Gold of these Games. Its a privilege and an honour to be a part of that team with those four boys, Richards said. We are the first team in history in any relay event at the Olympics to defend the title with the same four people and thats pretty special. Who knows about the other boys but lets go for the three-peat. The Prince of Wales has vowed to carry on raising awareness about the threats faced by rangers working to safeguard wildlife across the globe. William highlighted the intimidation, violence and even death faced by conservationists based in important habitats in a video message marking World Ranger Day. The death toll among rangers has been high during the period from June 2023 to May 2024, with 140 losing their lives to a range of factors from animal attacks and occupational accidents to targeting by poachers. Every day, rangers are risking their lives to stay one step ahead of poachers. They risk intimidation, violence and even death to protect some of our planet's most precious wildlife from being poached to extinction. Ill continue to do all I can to raise awareness of their The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 31, 2024 William said in his video message: Every day, rangers are risking their lives to stay one step ahead of poachers. They risk intimidation, violence and even death to protect some of our planets most precious wildlife from being poached to extinction. Ill continue to do all I can to raise awareness of their plight and shine a light on their important work. The future king is royal patron of the Africa-based wildlife charity Tusk Trust and in 2022 he paid tribute to committed and brave ranger Anton Mzimba who was shot and killed outside his home that year. Mr Mzimba was head of ranger services at Timbavati private game reserve in north-east South Africa, near Kruger National Park. William with Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award winner Suleiman Saidu during the Tusk Conservation Awards in 2021 (Toby Melville/PA) World Ranger Day, an International Ranger Federation (IRF) initiative, commemorates rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and celebrates their work protecting habitats. Chris Galliers, the IRFs president, said in a message marking the annual event: Unfortunately this year we also remember the 140 rangers that passed away in the line of duty. Its 140 rangers too many, and we at the IRF are looking to do everything that we can to reduce the number of rangers that die in the line of duty. This year, we saw 27% of the rangers dying as a result of homicide. This is in itself a very frightening statistic, and one which we are obviously very concerned about, but also call on the international community to look to address. Machete-wielding youths fought in front of families on Southend seafront, one witness said, as it was confirmed one man was stabbed, eight have been arrested and seven weapons were seized. Videos shared on social media appeared to show hooded young people brandishing large knives in broad daylight near the Adventure Island theme park and in the high street on Tuesday evening. Nicola Tiney, who runs the Borough Hotel on the seafront, told the PA news agency that she believed around a thousand young people descended on the resort town, many from London, in an organised meet-up during the hot and sunny weather. Officers have arrested eight people in total and seized seven weapons after a number of incidents in Southend on Tuesday evening. Powers allowing officers to stop and search members of the public remain in place until 8pm today, Wednesday 31 July: https://t.co/fu2KtiTF0i pic.twitter.com/yID0n3Iz3G Essex Police (@EssexPoliceUK) July 31, 2024 Ms Tiney said groups began arriving in the afternoon, before pockets of violence and disorder started at around 7pm. She went on: Lots of them had their hoods up and were wearing masks and hats, just coming to the seafront resort to cause trouble. They congregated at the other end of the seafront and they started kicking off amongst themselves and running aroundthere were machetes out in the middle of the road. I had to get all of my customers in from the front, it was just disgusting. I didnt see anyone get hurt but you could see the machetes flying about at each other and then lots of them ran off down the beach with families around, I think one of them threw their machete into the sea. Towards the town centre they were fighting with knives and machetes as well, and its just them amongst themselves, its nothing to do with Southend. Ms Tiney also described seeing large groups running in the area like a herd of bulls, stopping traffic as they went. Two of the people detained were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening or life-changing injuries, Essex Police said. An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said at around 7pm it received reports that a man had been stabbed. One patient was transported by air to Royal London Hospital, while another patient was taken by police to Southend University Hospital. Another person was discharged at the scene. In one specific incident at about 7.40pm, an assault with an offensive weapon was seen by security staff and members of the public in Marine Parade, the police force said. One suspect at the scene was arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article and causing grievous bodily harm. Essex Police said it believes the conflict occurred within groups of young men and women who had travelled to Southend. The force has put a Section 60 dispersal order in place, which gives officers powers to exercise stop and searches. Section 60 powers allow a constable in uniform to stop and search any pedestrian or anything carried by them, any vehicle, its driver and passengers, for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments. Essex Police said the order covered Marine Parade, Pier Hill, High Street, Western Esplanade and both the railway stations in the city and will remain in place until 8pm on Wednesday. Police had multiple lines of inquiry to identify more suspects and bring them to justice and early indications were that trouble broke out among groups of young men and women have travelled into Southend, according to Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett. He had described it as targeted attacks involving just a small fraction of the visitors to Southend. The public were told there would be a greater visible presence of officers in Southend on Wednesday evening and on Thursday. Mr Hammett said: I know people will be worried about what happened last night but Southend is a really safe place and disorder like that is not common here. Violent crime has fallen here over the last year and there are 1,000 fewer incidents than the previous 12 months. Knife crime are down 16% that works out as more than 40 fewer incidents. Work is being done with the British Transport Police, who monitor activity along the train lines into the city, the councils community safety officers and CCTV team, along with local private security teams employed by pubs and leisure attractions. Train operator c2c said it is working with the police because a large number of the individuals involved in the violence travelled to and from the town on its services. Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend City Council, said there had been a large influx of young people. He went on: Last night we saw some hugely upsetting incidents in our city, the likes of which I never want to see again. The actions of those involved were deplorable, disgusting and people intent on acting like this are not welcome in Southend-on-Sea. David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, wrote on Facebook: The scenes we witnessed last night on Southend seafront and the city centre were deeply disturbing and I know have caused concern for many residents. Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford, posted on social media: Some distressing scenes in my city of Southend last night. I drove around in the evening to see the issues. There are some active crime scenes but the disorder had ceased. Gina Carano as Cara Dune in "The Mandalorian" and Pedro Pascal at the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. Disney/Lucasfilm/Steve Granitz/FilmMagic Gina Carano wants Pedro Pascal and Bear Grylls to testify in her lawsuit against Disney. She says Disney unjustly fired her from "The Mandalorian" because of her personal views. A judge last week allowed the case to move forward. Pedro Pascal, Bear Grylls, and former Disney CEO Bob Chapek are among the big names who could be forced to testify in Gina Carano's ongoing lawsuit against the House of Mouse. Carano included their names among a list of potential witnesses for her case, which accuses Disney of violating California labor law by booting her from the flagship Disney+ show "The Mandalorian" because of her personal views. In 2021, Disney said Carano wouldn't return to the show after she made social-media posts comparing conservatives in America to Jews in the Holocaust, questioning the results of the 2020 election and the use of masks amid the coronavirus pandemic, and appearing to mock displaying pronouns to support transgender people. Carano's lawsuit, funded by Elon Musk and filed in February, comes just short of calling Disney a hive of scum and villainy accusing the company of unjustly firing her for her views, which are protected by the First Amendment. It also says Disney discriminated against her gender and allowed left-leaning actors to air their political views without punishment. Disney says Carano was never truly fired only that her character was no longer included in the "Star Wars" universe and that the company has a First Amendment right to disassociate itself from her political viewpoints. Last week, US District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett, an appointee of President Joe Biden, denied Disney's motion to dismiss the case, finding that Disney's First Amendment defenses didn't make the company immune under California's anti-discrimination laws. Carano's request for testimony was included in a joint filing on Friday. Lawyers for Disney and Carano proposed a trial date of September 25, 2025. Before then, both sides are expected to take depositions. Carano said she wanted the creator of "The Mandalorian," Jon Favreau, Lucasfilm's president, Kathleen Kennedy, and the Lucasfilm publicist Lynne Hale to testify, along with Chapek, Pascal, and Grylls. Carano said Pascal spoke with her about transgender rights during the public firestorm about her social-media remarks. Carano has also singled out Pascal as a "similarly situated" actor who hasn't been punished by Disney for his own social-media posts, which include comparing Donald Trump and his supporters to Nazis, statements supporting LGBTQ+ people, and calls to "defund the police." Carano has also alleged that Disney punished her by pulling a planned episode of "Running Wild with Bear Grylls" from National Geographic. The company later restored the episode to its lineup after fan outcry, but Carano wasn't included in promotional material for it, her lawsuit says. Correction: July 31, 2024 An earlier version of this story included a name misspelling from Carano's filing. The Lucasfilm publicist listed as a potential witness is Lynne Hale, not Lynn Hale. Read the original article on Business Insider Following WWDC, new iPads, and ongoing China worries, Apple will deliver its third-quarter earnings results on Thursday. Apple Apple is set to report third-quarter earnings on Thursday after the US market closes. It's the first results since it announced its AI plans, including Apple Intelligence, in June. Analysts expect details on China, AI, and more will be key on Thursday. Apple will report third-quarter earnings on Thursday afternoon, the first official look at the company's performance since it announced its long-awaited artificial intelligence plans in June. The company's last results report was in May, and it all but avoided questions about AI. But since then, Apple has held its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, where it debuted Apple Intelligence and announced a partnership with ChatGPT. Now that the news is out, investors will be seeking further updates during the upcoming Q3 call and execs may be a lot less tight-lipped this time round. But AI isn't the only thing people will be listening out for. The Vision Pro headset, the iPhone's shaky performance in China, and its "services" growth were talking points in its last earnings call with investors plus its ongoing battles with government entities in the US and Europe. No doubt there will be questions on all those things, plus the rollout of its new lineup of iPads. Here's what we expect will be the highlights of Thursday afternoon's call. Expect questions about the Apple Intelligence delay Apple Intelligence is a hot topic this quarter. Apple Bloomberg reported Sunday that Apple Intelligence won't begin rolling out in September, as Apple first announced. It was expected to come out alongside the new iPhone and iOS 18, but will reportedly now be available in October. Although analysts said the delay is no big deal and shouldn't negatively impact iPhone 16 sales, investors might question which features will lead the rollout. Deepwater Asset Management analyst Gene Munster told Business Insider that the "most important point" related to Apple Intelligence will be how many features will be in that initial release and if Apple has developed new ones in the months since WWDC. "WWDC was almost two months ago, and in the world of AI, two months is like two years," Munster said. CEO Tim Cook will probably talk about China Apple CEO Tim Cook at the opening of Shanghai's new Apple retail store in Shanghai on March 21, 2024. AFP/Getty Images China was a hot topic during Apple's last earnings call, and it should be no different this time. "We're anticipating continued headwinds to iPhone sales from Chinese competition and slowing replacement cycles globally," William Kerwin, an analyst at Morningstar, told BI. CEO Tim Cook acknowledged in May that work needed to be done in China to help iPhones gain popularity over rivals like smartphone maker Huawei. "I think it has been, and is, the most competitive market in the world," Cook said during the Q2 call. The Wall Street Journal reported last Friday that Apple fell out of the top five smartphone shippers in China during the quarter as competitors like Vivo, Xiaomi, and Huawei experienced higher demand from local consumers. Cook said he was "very optimistic" about China in May; investors will want to hear more on Thursday. Updates on how devices launched this year are doing New iPads and the Vision Pro are Apple hardware products that were released in 2024. Apple When Apple released its new iPad Air and iPad Pro models in May, analysts questioned how many Apple device owners, if any, would upgrade to the latest tablets. Unlike the iPhone, which Wedbush Securities' Dan Ives said is on track for a "golden upgrade cycle," iPad owners aren't usually rushing to get the latest model. And in February, the company debuted its first piece of new hardware in years with the $3,500 Vision Pro headset. While Cook told investors that it's "off to a good start," reviews have been mixed. More talk about its growth in 'services' Apple services include its subscriptions, in-app purchases, and a $20 billion deal with Google. Dave Johnson/Business Insider For Apple, services include subscriptions like Apple Music and Apple TV+, but in-app purchases and a multi-billion dollar deal that keeps Google as the default search engine on Safari are the main source of growth in the category. Apple talked about how well its services were doing in Q2, and Kerwin said analysts will be looking for continued "double-digit growth for the services business." Are you a current or recent Apple employee? Reach out to this reporter via email at jhart@businessinsider.com or Signal at @jordyhart.99. Read the original article on Business Insider Crystal waters can be found on the rugged coastline - Alamy All summer our Secret Seaside series will be showcasing lesser-known corners of Europe, all unspoilt by mass tourism, where sunseekers will feel welcome this summer, not a burden. This week, Anna Richards offers a guide to Frances Glenan Islands. The Breton coast looks as though a hammer has been used to smash a brittle stone slab into thousands of pieces. There are so many shapes and angles that not even the most patient puzzler could put this jigsaw back together. The fragments of the Glenan Islands flew further than most around nine miles from the mainland. I spent the night before my visit in Benodet, a town in the Finistere department. It was July, but the weather had come in thick and heavy. The mizzle and fog gave everything a fuzzy quality, the kind of coated sensation like when your teeth need a good scrub. The old saying If you dont like the weather, wait five minutes holds true in Brittany, and the boat chugging down the River Odet and out into open water the following day did so under a blue sky. There are nine islands in the Glenan archipelago, some little more than a smudge of sand and rock. Until the 1960s, they were permanently inhabited. Roman amphorae have been found here, and in medieval times monks and hermits set up residence. The opening of Penfret Lighthouse in 1838 brought keepers and their families; by 1905, there were 68 people living on the Glenan Islands, with children outnumbering the adults by two to one. Families were largely self-sufficient, tending to chickens and bringing over their own cows from the mainland. The historic Penfret Lighthouse opened in 1838 - Alamy The days when the waves danced to a soundtrack of the lighthouse keepers clucking chickens are long gone, and for much of the year the islands are uninhabited. Between May and September, however, boats run daily between the Glenans and Benodet, Concarneau and Loctudy on the mainland. Since the boats have a limited capacity, theres a natural cap on visitor numbers, and it never feels too busy. When the endemic Glenan narcissus flowers (generally between March and May), additional boat services are scheduled so that visitors can see the islands carpeted in cream. Boats arrive on Ile Saint-Nicolas, where a system of boardwalks criss-crosses the island to avoid damaging the fragile flowers. A narrow sandbar, submerged at high tide, connects it to the neighbouring island, Ile de Bananec. At low tide, the sparkling quartz against the cream-coloured sand gives the effect of glitter on the floor of a festival bell tent. Legend has it that you could once walk between the mainland and the Glenan Islands, but since the sea between the two is now 17 metres deep, this feels rather fanciful. Les Glenans sailing school runs courses in English - Alamy The best way to explore the entire archipelago is by sea. Reserve a kayak when you book the passage over (pick up on Ile Saint-Nicolas) to spend the day island-hopping. I took my own inflatable paddleboard, free of charge. Ile de Penfret has the historic little lighthouse, and the main outlet of the renowned Les Glenans sailing school (which runs courses in English). Right in the centre, Ile Cigogne is entirely dominated by an 18th-century fort (currently off-limits for renovation work). Although I defy anyone to be disappointed by any of the beaches on the Glenans, Ive got favourites. Ile du Loch is privately owned, but since its impossible to privatise the coast in France, the long strip of sand which shimmers like a knife blade is as perfect a beach as I can imagine. The smallest island, Ile de Guiriden, is little more than a dune surrounded by water. A picnic here feels like the kind of private dining experience youd pay through the roof for in the Maldives. Until the 1960s the nine islands in the Glenan archipelago were permanently inhabited - Getty A dive centre, CIP Glenan, runs diving and kitesurfing trips in peak season and later in the autumn, when the islands are all but deserted. Divers can expect to see conger eels, lobsters and octopuses, and sometimes even basking sharks. Every paradise has a dark side, but the only one here is the toilets. Fresh water is scarce on the Glenan islands, so the washroom facilities are little more than portaloos. This lack of water has led to topsy-turvy drinks prices: beer costs about the same as water at the two restaurants on Ile Saint-Nicolas. Vedettes de l'Odet runs daily crossings from Benodet, Concarneau, Loctudy, Beg-Meil and Port-la-Foret between May and September During the summer holidays, its essential to book your boat trip in advance to avoid disappointment, but bad weather may scupper your plans regardless. If this happens, Plage du Sillon on Ile-Tudy makes for a good back-up (between Loctudy and Benodet, its not, as the name would suggest, an island, so its accessible in bad weather). In fact, the fickle Breton weather is probably the only thing that stops the Glenans from sitting in high street travel agents window displays. Getting there Vedettes de lOdet runs daily crossings from Benodet, Concarneau, Loctudy, Beg-Meil and Port-la-Foret between May and September. By car is the easiest way to reach any of the departure ports, although trains run to Concarneau (passengers travelling from Paris should change in Rosporden). Where to stay On a budget The only cheap accommodation on the Glenan Islands is in the form of a refuge. Facilities are rudimentary, and bedrooms are dormitory-style with bunks (six per room). Sextant is often booked out by groups, so advance reservations are essential. A room for six starts from as little as 65. Push the boat out Four-star Les Sables Blancs, right on the beach in Concarneau, has some great sea-view suites and a restaurant with panoramic views. Doubles from 204. Where to eat There are two restaurants on Ile Saint-Nicolas: La Boucane and Les Viviers. The former is limited to rather beige food, but prices are reasonable and they take walk-ins. For seafood restaurant Les Viviers, book in advance. Alternatively, pack a picnic. La Boucane is reasonably priced and they accept walk-ins - Alamy 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. By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) - The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran strips Palestinian Islamist group Hamas of one of its sharpest political minds but will have no bearing on the leadership of the military wing that Israel is trying to destroy in Gaza. Hamas has several possible candidates to replace Haniyeh, notably Khaled Meshaal, the group's former leader who survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Jordan in 1997 and resides today in Qatar. Whoever emerges, experts say it won't impact the way Hamas runs its war against Israel in the Gaza Strip, where leaders including Yahya Sinwar have been directing operations with a significant degree of autonomy during the conflict. For Hamas leaders based outside the Palestinian territories, the assassination in Tehran indicates heightened risks. Haniyeh was the second Hamas leader killed in a Middle East capital this year, following a drone strike that took out the group's deputy leader - Saleh al-Arouri - in Beirut in January. Israel has achieved mixed results in trying to kill the Gaza-based commanders responsible for planning and executing the cross-border Oct. 7 attack in which Hamas-led gunmen killed 1,200 people and abducted another 250, according to Israeli tallies. In March, Israel said it had killed Marwan Issa, the deputy military commander of the Hamas armed wing known as Al Qassam Brigades. The United States confirmed Issa's death in an Israeli operation. Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied his death. In July, an Israeli attempt in Gaza to kill Mohammed Deif - head of the Qassam Brigades and believed to be one of the masterminds of Oct. 7 - resulted in scores of Palestinian dead but no confirmation he was among them. Israel has said there are increasing signs that Deif was killed in the strike but has yet to confirm whether he is dead. It has accused Hamas of hiding the truth about his fate. Qatar-based senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya has denied that Deif was killed. The other mastermind of the Oct. 7 attack, Sinwar, is still believed to be directing military operations, possibly from bunkers beneath Gaza, while playing a leading role in indirect negotiations with Israel for a prisoner swap deal. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Sinwar and the other Hamas leaders were "living on borrowed time" after Oct. 7, which prompted Israel to launch the ongoing offensive that has laid waste to much of Gaza and killed almost 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. "Assassinations don't impact Hamas," a source close to the Islamist militant group told Reuters from Gaza, declining to be identified due to the sensitivity of the subject. "Fighters on the ground have their own orders, they are bound to fight until Sinwar and the leadership tell them there is a deal in place," the source said. Asked to confirm that Israel was behind the assassination of Haniyeh, an Israeli government spokesperson said: "We are not commenting on that particular incident." 'A FAKE VICTORY' Haniyeh was appointed to the top leadership role in 2017. Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official located outside the Palestinian territories, said Israel assassinated Haniyeh because they had failed to defeat the Iran-backed group in Gaza, calling it an attempt to portray "a fake victory". He noted Hamas had weathered numerous assassinations over the years, including Sheikh Ahmed Yassin - Hamas' co-founder and spiritual leader - who was killed in a helicopter missile strike in 2004 as he left a mosque in Gaza City. "Hamas is a movement of institutions, it doesn't die when its leaders die," Abu Zuhri told Reuters. Hamas was founded in 1987 as the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist movement that has drawn followers across the Arab world since being established in Egypt in 1928. Ashraf Abouelhoul, a specialist on Palestinian issues and managing editor of the Egyptian state-owned paper Al-Ahram, said Hamas had other veteran politicians such as Meshaal to fall back on. "He is set to have a big role," he said. But on the military front, nothing would change. "Haniyeh had no role when it comes to the military aspect. (That) is up to the military leaders in Gaza," he said. (Writing by Tom Perry; editing by Mark Heinrich) Hamas said its political leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in an overnight strike in the Iranian capital Tehran, a major development that throws the war between Israel and the militant group into an unpredictable and dangerous new phase. Haniyehs death is, both strategically and symbolically, a dramatic blow to Hamas, eliminating its most public figure who headed up the groups political operations while living overseas. He is the second leader of an Iran-backed group reported to have been assassinated in the last day, following the killing of Hezbollahs most senior military commander in Lebanon. In a statement, Hamas accused Israel of targeting Haniyeh and his bodyguard in a strike on the building in which he was staying in Tehran, where he had participated in Tuesdays inauguration of the new Iranian president. Hamas officials said Haniyehs death would not pass in vain and described the killing as a grave escalation, while Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said it was Irans duty to avenge Haniyehs death since he was killed inside Iran. According to the New York Times, which cited information provided by three Iranian officials, Khamenei issued an order for Iran to strike Israel directly following the killing. At a news conference in Tehran later Wednesday, Hamas spokesperson and deputy head Khalil Al-Hayya said Haniyeh was hit directly by a rocket in the room where he was staying, and said Israel would pay the price for the heinous crime. Iranian state run media IRNA said the strike happened at around 2 a.m. local time (6:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday), involving an airborne guided projectile. Irans new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, was sworn in on Tuesday and Hamas released pictures the same day of Haniyeh meeting Iranian officials in Tehran. State-affiliated Fars said Haniyeh was staying in a residence in north Tehran. Israels military said it does not respond to reports in foreign media, though senior officials have previously vowed to eliminate Hamas and its leadership in response to the groups October 7 attack on Israel. It later said it was conducting a situational assessment. In contrast, Israel did confirm it carried out a strike in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday that killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, whom it blamed for a deadly attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights over the weekend. Hezbollah later confirmed Shukrs death. His assassination was the most serious Israeli escalation in its confrontation with the powerful Lebanese militant group since it restarted in earnest last October. Israels war against Hamas in Gaza, launched following the attacks led by the militant group on October 7, has sparked increasingly intense, near-daily ripples of conflict throughout the region. This weeks dual strikes, which came within several hours of each other, seemingly escalate that discord on multiple fronts, and will prompt renewed fears of an all-out war breaking out in the Middle East. In a televised address Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had delivered crushing blows to its enemies in the last few days, but did not mention the death of Haniyeh. Well settle the score with anyone who harms us, anyone who massacres our children, anyone who murders our citizens, Netanyahu said. In a bellicose speech, he said he did not give in to earlier calls to end the war in Gaza and I am not giving in today. He conceded these are challenging days, but stressed Israel is ready for any scenario. This weeks strikes may also dash any remaining hopes of a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza being reached in the near future, amid a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the enclave. Haniyeh had played a leading role representing Hamas in months-long truce negotiations, which have repeatedly appeared to reach the cusp of a breakthrough, only to collapse at the last moment. In a statement after the strike, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum which is campaigning to free the hostages still held in Gaza said that while (Israels) military operations over the past 10 months have achieved significant security gains, true achievement can only be realized with the release of all 115 hostages still in captivity. It urged the Israeli government to decisively advance negotiations. Haniyeh photographed at the inauguration ceremony for the new Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Tuesday, hours before his death. - Saman/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images Killing will complicate ceasefire talks Haniyeh is the second Hamas senior leader to be killed since the war in Gaza began. In January, the group said the deputy head of its political bureau, Saleh Al Arouri, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Arouri was considered one of the founding members of Hamass military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. The impact of any single death in Hamas leadership structure is difficult to predict given the groups vast and opaque network, and it has been able to weather the death of other key leaders before including the slaying of its co-founders Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantisi, killed weeks apart in 2004. But Haniyehs death leaves Hamas without its public political figurehead, and likely represents a major setback to its international operations. It would not be expected to dramatically impact its military effort, but his demise may carry symbolic weight throughout the organization. He had taken a central role in hostage and ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, and earlier this spring said Hamas was willing to strike a deal but added it would require Israel withdrawing from Gaza and a guarantee to cease fighting in the enclave permanently, demands that Israel has called unacceptable. A source with knowledge of the negotiations told CNN on Wednesday that Haniyehs death could complicate mediation talks. The source said Haniyeh along with Hamas military leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar was a key decision maker. He was someone who saw the value of a deal and was instrumental to getting certain breakthroughs in the talks, the source added. Haniyeh was in touch with mediators in Qatar and Egypt as recently as early July. Those talks now hang in the balance, despite some hope earlier this month that they were nearing a framework agreement. How can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on other side? Qatars Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, a mediator in the talks, posted on X on Wednesday. Qatars capital, Doha, also hosts the main Hamas political bureau. Peace needs serious partners & a global stance against the disregard for human life, Al-Thani wrote. Dual deaths raise fears of all-out war The killings of Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollahs Shukr in Beirut are significant in both their timing and location. Brigadier General (Res.) Assaf Orion, senior researcher at Israels Institute for National Security Studies think tank, said the two deaths increase the likelihood of an axis response, adding Iran and other proxy attacks to the menu. Iran has spent years investing in regional proxy groups, informally known as the Axis of Resistance an anti-Israel and anti-Western alliance supplying them with money, weapons, and training as Tehran has sought to broaden its influence across the Middle East. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran sees it as its duty to avenge the killing of Haniyeh because he was assassinated on Iranian soil. The aftermath of an Israeli military strike on a building in Beirut on Wednesday. Israel said it targeted. a Hezbollah commander responsible for the attack that killed several children in the Golan Heights. - Anwar Amro/AFP/Getty Images You killed our dear guest in our house and now have paved the way for your harsh punishment, Khamenei said in a statement referring to Israel. We consider it our duty to ask for the blood of our dear guest. Israels war against Hamas in Gaza has brought that longstanding shadow war with Iran out into the open and inflamed opinion globally. In a speech at the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, Irans ambassador to the UN blamed the United States for the death of Haniyeh, saying it could not have happened without US authorization and intelligence support. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the US was not aware of or involved in the killing. In calls with both the Jordanian and Qatari foreign ministers, Blinken said it was important to continue the ceasefire talks and to prevent further escalation of the conflict, according to State Department readouts. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, while traveling in the Philippines, said he does not think war in the Middle East is inevitable, but if Israel were to be attacked the United States would help defend it. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an elite wing of the Iranian military, said Haniyehs death was under investigation and results will be announced later Wednesday, according to Iranian state media. And Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Haniyehs killing calling it a cowardly act and a dangerous development, according to the WAFA news agency on Wednesday. His Excellency called on the masses and forces of our people to unite, be patient and steadfast in the face of the Israeli occupation, WAFA reported. A Hamas member for decades Haniyeh, 62, was born in a refugee camp near Gaza City, and joined Hamas in the late 1980s during the First Intifada, or uprising. As Hamas grew in power, Haniyeh rose through the ranks being appointed part of a secret collective leadership in 2004. By 2017 he had become chief of the group and was named a specially designated global terrorist by the US soon after. Some Palestinians expressed shock and sadness at his death on Wednesday. Ismail Haniyeh is the son of Gaza. He represents my entire people, Ahmad Al Nims told a journalist working with CNN in Deir el-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip. Another Gazan, Abu Yasser Hassoun, said the assassination had struck Palestinians like a thunderbolt. Palestinian analyst Mustafa Ibrahim told CNN that despite some disagreements, Haniyeh held a special place among the Palestinians. Over the years, Haniyeh has participated in peace talks with former US President Jimmy Carter, and met with other world leaders including the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and Chinese diplomat Wang Kejian earlier this year. In April, Israeli air strikes killed three of Haniyehs sons and four of his grandchildren, according to Hamas. At the time, Haniyeh insisted their deaths would not affect ongoing ceasefire and hostage talks. Whoever thinks that by targeting my kids during the negotiation talks and before a deal is agreed upon that it will force Hamas to back down on its demands, is delusional, he said. How Haniyeh spent the months after Oct. 7 After he celebrated seeing his fighters return to the Gaza Strip with Israeli equipment in Hamas office in Istanbul, Turkey on October 7, Ismail Haniyeh spent the majority of his time in Doha as head of Hamas Political Bureau but took a number of trips to Tehran, Istanbul and Cairo, according to a CNN analysis. CNN reviewed statements by Hamas and others, in addition to state media outlets and other social media posts, to analyze and track Haniyehs movements since October 7. Haniyeh took at least four trips to Tehran in November, March, May and July. During all four visits, he met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In May, he attended the funerals of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who were killed in a helicopter crash. On his final trip to Tehran, which ended with his assassination, he was attending the inauguration of the new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He also took three known trips to Cairo in November, December and February, to lead Hamas ceasefire negotiating delegation. That negotiation process, which is still ongoing, has been shepherded by Qatar and Egypt. The Hamas leader also spent two periods of time in Istanbul. He watched the October 7 attacks unfold in Hamas Istanbul offices. Video that circulated social media following the attacks show him celebrating after watching news reports of Hamas fighters returning to the Gaza Strip with Israeli equipment. He returned home to Doha in October after the attacks, and took another 14 day-trips there in April. While there in April, Haniyeh met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in addition to a number of Turkish politicians. Haniyehs body will be buried in Doha on Friday, after funerals are held for him in Tehran on Thursday. CNNs Mostafa Salem, Kareem Khadder, Sahar Akbarzai, Jessie Yeung, Mostafa Salem, Negar Mahmoodi and Niamh Kennedy contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Harris campaign blasted former President Trump on Wednesday over his appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Chicago. Ahead of Donald Trumps conversation at NABJ today lets remember exactly who this man is. Not only does Donald Trump have a history of demeaning NABJ members and honorees who remain pillars of the Black press, he also has a history of attacking the media and working against the vital role the press play in our democracy, said Jasmine Harris, the Harris campaigns director of Black media, in a statement before Trump took to the stage. We know Donald Trump is going to lie about his record and the real harm hes caused Black communities at NABJ and he must be called out, she added. Vice President Harriss team predicted Trump would lie about Black unemployment under his administration, his response to COVID-19 and the state of crime in America, which has decreased over the past year under the Biden administration after spiking during the pandemic. Black voters see Donald Trumps lies and empty pandering for what they are and they will hold him accountable at the polls this November, Harris said in a statement. Trump will sit for an interview at the NABJ conference moderated by three journalists: ABCs Rachel Scott, Semafors Kadia Goba and Fox News host Harris Faulkner. His appearance at the event sparked backlash from several Black journalists, who questioned why the organization would invite the former president given his attacks on the press and journalists of color in particular. Organizers have defended the decision to invite the former president, citing the value of interviewing a leading candidate for the White House. Harris, the likely Democratic nominee after President Biden ended his candidacy earlier this month, will not attend this weeks convention in Chicago. She will be in Texas for a political event Wednesday and will remain there Thursday to speak at the funeral of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas). Ken Lemon, the president of the NABJ, said in a statement earlier Wednesday that the organization had been in talks with Harriss team since before Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed her. However, we were advised by her campaign at the time that her schedule could not accommodate this request, Lemon said. The last update we were provided (earlier this week) was that Harris would not be available in person or virtually during our Convention. We are in talks about virtual options in the future and are still working to reach an agreement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris is the only White House hopeful who has qualified to compete for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Democratic National Committee said in a statement on Tuesday. Although no other major Democrat had indicated any plans to challenge Harris, the DNCs announcement officially clears the path for the vice president to seek her partys nomination uncontested, just nine days after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and created a vacancy at the top of the ticket. Harris will now face a vote by the partys national convention delegates, who will officially ratify the nominee in a new online voting procedure adopted by the party last week. Voting will begin Thursday and will conclude on August 5, the release said. Votes for anyone other than Harris will be tallied as present. According to an Associated Press survey, Harris was the overwhelming choice of convention delegates to replace Biden as the partys standard-bearer and face Republican former President Donald Trump on the ballot in November. Under party rules, a candidate qualifies to compete for the nomination by submitting a notarized declaration of candidacy, meeting legal requirements to be president and securing the electronic signatures of at least 300 delegates, with no more than 50 signatures from any one delegation counting toward the 300 minimum. The DNC announced that 3,923 delegates had petitioned to nominate Harris. Despite the early vote to select a nominee, delegates will still convene as planned in late August at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The party will convene a ceremonial state-by-state roll call vote on the convention floor, followed by acceptance speeches by Harris and her soon-to-be-named running mate. The release said automatic delegates, also known as superdelegates, will be allowed to vote on the first ballot since rank-and-file delegates were overwhelmingly for Harris. Automatic delegates include Democratic members of Congress and party leadership, and were not pledged to support any candidate even before Biden dropped out. After the 2016 primary, the DNC scaled back the role of automatic delegates so that in competitive primaries, they generally cannot vote in the first round of voting. However, automatic delegates may vote in the first round if a candidate has been certified by the DNC Secretary to have obtained a majority of pledged delegates. ___ AP writer Leah Askarinam contributed. BEIRUT (AP) The Hezbollah commander who the Israeli military says it killed in an airstrike Tuesday had been blamed by Israel for a deadly weekend rocket attack and was accused by the U.S. of orchestrating the 1983 bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American servicemen. A statement from Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the target of the strike, Fouad Shukur, was behind the Saturday rocket attack on the town of Majdal Shams that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights of Syria. Hezbollah, which denied it was behind the Majdal Shams attack, didn't confirm that Shukur was the target of Tuesday's airstrike or that he was killed. If Israel's claim proves true, Shukur would be the most senior Hezbollah commander to be killed since 2016, when Mustafa Badreddine, the groups military commander in Syria, died in an explosion in the Syrian capital of Damascus. The Israeli military said that Shukur had directed Hezbollahs attacks on Israel since Oct. 8, after the Israel-Hamas war erupted, and that he was also involved in the killing of numerous Israelis and foreign nationals over the years. It said Shukur was responsible for the majority of Hezbollahs most advanced weaponry, including guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets and UAVs. The 62-year-old, secretive Shukur was in charge of Hezbollahs forces in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel as well as being a top official in the groups missile program. He had been a close aide to Hezbollahs top military chief, Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated in 2008 by a car bomb in Damascus. Shukur had since been a close military adviser to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Like most of Hezbollah's military officials, little is known about Shukur, who was also known as Sayed Mohsen. The U.S. Treasury Department had offered a $5 million reward for information about him. He joined Hezbollah when the group was founded following the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon that forced the Palestine Liberation Organization to leave Lebanon. Shukur, who was a member of Hezbollahs Jihadi Council, the groups top military body, was accused by the United States of planning and staging the truck bombing of a Marine Corps barracks in Beirut that killed 241 American service members. The bombing near the Beirut International Airport on Oct. 23, 1983, remains the deadliest single-day attack on Marines since the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. A near-simultaneous attack on French forces killed 58 paratroopers. The U.S. Treasury Department listed Shukur as a specially designated national on July 21, 2015, for acting for or on behalf of Hezbollah. Like most Hezbollah military officials, Shukur played a role during Syrias conflict that broke out in 2011 in which the Iran-backed Hezbollah sent thousands of fighters to join President Bashar Assad's Syrian forces, helping tip the balance in his favor. After the Israel-Hamas war broke out Oct. 7, Shukur was accused by Israel of being behind many of the drone and missile attacks that Hezbollah carried out against Israel. In the thousands of rockets it has fired since October, Hezbollah has insisted it targets military and intelligence installations. Still, Hezbollah rockets have hit civilian areas. Before Saturdays bloodshed, its strikes had killed 13 civilians and 22 soldiers in Israel. In Lebanon. Israels attacks have killed more than 500 people, including 90 civilians. Ismail Haniyeh, political leader of Hamas since 2017, has been the most visible leader of the group during Israels war in Gaza, and was key in ongoing ceasefire and hostage release negotiations. Hamas and Iranian state media said Wednesday that the 62-year-old had been killed in the Iranian capital Tehran. Hamas claimed Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli strike on his residence, while the Israeli military declined to comment when contacted by CNN. Haniyehs death strikes a significant blow to Hamas at a time when tensions are flaring across the Middle East over the devastating war in Gaza, and raises fraught questions about the future of negotiations between Israel and Hamas. As Hamass political leader, he was a key interlocutor with international mediators during stalled hostage and ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, following the groups October 7 attack on Israel. Haniyeh was born in a refugee camp near Gaza City, and joined Hamas in the late 1980s during the First Intifada, or uprising against Israels occupation in Gaza and the West Bank. His parents were refugees expelled from Askalan, which later became known as the Israeli city Ashkelon. He was imprisoned several times in Israel for his participation in the uprising, before being deported and returning to Gaza where he steadily climbed Hamas ranks in the following decade. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (right) meets Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh (left) at the president's office in Tehran, Iran, on July 30, 2024. - Iranian Presidency Office/AP Haniyeh was appointed part of a secret collective leadership in 2004 after the deaths of Hamas founders Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantisi, who were killed in Israeli strikes just weeks apart. After Hamas won elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006, Haniyeh became prime minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA) government, but it was short lived. He was dismissed after a year in office by PA President Mahmoud Abbas and remains the only PA prime minister to have taken office after securing a mandate in popular elections. A year later, Hamas seized Gaza after a short-lived, but bloody conflict with the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority, Fatah. Israel imposed a land, sea and air blockade on the territory shortly after that, alongside Egypt. Though regarded as Hamass leader in Gaza for many years, Haniyeh did not become the groups overall political leader until 2017, when he took over from Khaled Meshaal who had led Hamas in exile since 2004. A year later, Haniyeh was named a specially designated global terrorist by the United States which came during a period of tension between Washington and the Palestinians due to the decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a decision made by the then-US President Donald Trump. Despite that designation and unlike Hamas military leadership Haniyeh travelled globally, meeting with world figures as the political head of the organization. He was photographed meeting Irans news President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran on Tuesday. Ceasefire and hostage release talks Hamas surprise attack on October 7 saw at least 1,500 Hamas fighters pour across the border into Israel, in an assault that killed at least 1,200, and some 200 others taken hostage. Israeli strikes in Gaza have since killed more than 39,000 Palestinians, according to the Ministry of Health there, and sparked a humanitarian catastrophe in the densely crowded strip. In the months since, Haniyeh had been a key figure participating in international negotiations over the conflict, including the release of hostages still in Gaza. He had shown willingness to reach an agreement if Israel withdrew from Gaza saying in May that the group was still keen to strike a deal with mediators, but that any proposal would have to cease fighting in the enclave permanently. Smoke rises during an Israeli strike in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on July 27, 2024. - Bashar Taleb/AFP/Getty Images At the time, he said their demands aimed to stop the aggression against our people, which is a fundamental and logical position that lays the foundation for a more stable future. In response, Israel has called those demands unacceptable, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to keep fighting until Hamas was destroyed leaving negotiations at a standstill as both sides traded blame. As recently as early July, Haniyeh was in touch with mediators in Qatar and Egypt to discuss ideas on ending the war, sparking some hope that the two sides could be on the brink of a framework agreement. Given his role in negotiations, Haniyehs death will have significant influence on those negotiations, said CNN Political and Foreign Policy Analyst Barak Ravid on Wednesday. Throughout the war, he has also continued meeting with other world leaders and officials including Chinese diplomat Wang Kejian, who met Haniyeh in Qatar in March, during which they discussed the war in Gaza. Haniyeh has also felt the personal toll of the war in Gaza. In April, Israeli police arrested one of his sisters on charges of communicating with members of the movement. Nine days later, Israeli airstrikes killed three of his sons and four of his grandchildren. Afterward, Haniyeh insisted their deaths would not affect ongoing ceasefire and hostage talks. Whoever thinks that by targeting my kids during the negotiation talks and before a deal is agreed upon that it will force Hamas to back down on its demands, is delusional, he said. At the time, Haniyeh was based in Qatar, which is not a signatory of the Rome Statute allowing jurisdiction by the International Criminal Court. CNNs Kareem Khadder, Abeer Salman, Kareem El Damanhoury, Lucas Lilieholm, Negar Mahmoodi, Mostafa Salem, Jessie Gretener, Edward Szekeres, Tanem Zaman, Colin McCullough, Sergey Gudkov, Mike Schwartz and Alex Marquardt contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The 70-year-old tells PEOPLE she suffered a fractured pelvis in two places and was hospitalized for over a week for physical therapy Cody Gifford Kathie Lee Gifford in the hospital Kathie Lee Gifford was hospitalized due to a fall while recovering from her recent hip replacement surgery, she tells PEOPLE exclusively. The former Today co-host, 70, says she suffered a fractured pelvis in two places and was hospitalized for over a week for physical therapy. Gifford says she "moved 300 books by myself" during book signings in Nashville. "I weakened my body," she says. "It's my own fault." The next day, one of Gifford's friends came by to pick her up. She hurried to the door and "just tripped," Gifford says. "It didn't take much, because I was weak in that spot," Gifford tells PEOPLE. "And the next thing you know, I am back in the hospital with a fractured pelvis, the front and the back. That's more painful than anything I went through with the hip. The pelvis is unbelievably painful. But anyway, here I am." Terry Wyatt/Getty Kathie Lee Gifford Gifford calls it a "humbling experience" and she chose to stay in the hospital for a full week because "I don't trust myself." "You think you know your body and the next thing you know, your body changes when you get older," Gifford says. "And as much as I don't wanna think about it, I am." "It's summer for everybody but me," Gifford says. "But it's OK. I'm going to get out to my little farm one of these days and stick my feet in my salt pool. The Lord is telling me it's time to slow down. I've been running my whole life. The Lord is telling me, 'You've planted a gazillion roses. Try smelling them.' " Related: Kathie Lee Gifford Shares the Lesson She Learned the Hard Way After 'Painful' Hip Replacement Surgery (Exclusive) 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. Earlier this month, Gifford told PEOPLE that her hip replacement surgery and recovery has been one of the most painful situations of my entire life. "It's been really hard," she added. The television personality needed the surgery due to her active lifestyle. She recalled the surgeon telling her, You climbed mountains, you made movies, you got on stages. You never took off your high heels, and you kept going and that's why you're going through what you're going through." Despite the challenging recovery, Gifford doesn't regret living life to the fullest. [I ask myself] would I change that? No, I was doing what God put me on this earth to do. Every year of it, I was doing what He called me to do," she said at the time. Harper Collins The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Giffords hospitalization hasnt stopped her from celebrating the release of her new book,Herod and Mary: The True Story of the Tyrant King and the Mother of the Risen Savior. The historical nonfiction book gives deep insight to how Herod came to power, how corruption and an ancient evil threatened the stability of a nation, and how a teenage Mary was called to traverse these obstacles to bring the Savior, Jesus, our living hope, into the world, according to an official description. Gifford said the idea for the book came to her while on a rabbinical trip in Israel a few years ago and Cody, 34, convinced her that these are stories that need to be told because people need hope. "I don't know how much time the Lord has me still on this earth, but for whatever time it is I pray that I would be useful... that I would be kind and helpful, and loving to people," she told PEOPLE. "I am a strong woman, but I'm a woman who for 60 years has been trying to do godly work, trying to do the right thing, trying to love people, [and] trying to represent the kingdom of God." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) - Khaled Meshaal, tipped to be the new Hamas leader, became known around the world in 1997 after Israeli agents injected him with poison in a botched assassination attempt on a street outside his office in the Jordanian capital Amman. The hit against a key senior figure of the Palestinian militant group, ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, so enraged Jordan's then-King Hussein that he spoke of hanging the would-be killers and scrapping Jordan's peace treaty with Israel unless the antidote was handed over. Israel did so, and also agreed to free Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, only to assassinate him seven years later in Gaza. For Israelis and Western states, the Iran-backed Hamas, which has directed suicide bombings in Israel and fought frequent wars against it, is a terrorist group bent on Israel's destruction. For Palestinian supporters, Meshaal and the rest of the Hamas leadership are fighters for liberation from Israeli occupation, keeping their cause alive when international diplomacy has failed them. Meshaal, 68, became Hamas' political leader in exile the year before Israel tried to eliminate him, a post that enabled him to represent the Palestinian Islamist group at meetings with foreign governments around the world, unhindered by tight Israeli travel restrictions that affected other Hamas officials. Hamas sources said Meshaal is expected to be chosen as paramount leader of the group to replace Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Iran in the early hours of Wednesday, with Tehran and Hamas vowing retribution against Israel. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, who is based in Qatar and has headed Hamas negotiators in indirect Gaza truce talks with Israel, has also been a possibility for the leadership as he is a favourite of Iran and its allies in the region. Meshaal's relations with Iran have been strained due to his past support for the Sunni Muslim-led revolt in 2011 against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Israel has assassinated or tried to kill several Hamas leaders and operatives since the group was founded in 1987 during the first Palestinian uprising against the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Meshaal has been a central figure at the top of Hamas since the late 1990s, though he has worked mostly from the relative safety of exile as Israel plotted to assassinate other prominent Hamas figures based in the Gaza Strip. After the wheelchair-bound Yassin was killed in a March 2004 airstrike, Israel assassinated his successor Abdel-Aziz Al-Rantissi in Gaza a month later, and Meshaal assumed the overall leadership of Hamas. Like other Hamas leaders, Meshaal has grappled with the critical issue of whether to adopt a more pragmatic approach to Israel in pursuit of Palestinian statehood - Hamas' 1988 charter calls for Israel's destruction - or keep fighting. SOFTENS STAND ON ISRAEL Meshaal rejects the idea of a permanent peace deal with Israel but has said that Hamas, which in the 1990s and 2000s sent suicide bombers into Israel, could accept a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem as a temporary solution in return for a long-term ceasefire. The Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants from Gaza, which killed 1,200 people and led to the kidnapping of over 250 people, according to Israeli tallies, made the militant group's priorities clear. Israel retaliated with airstrikes and an invasion of Gaza that have killed over 39,000 Palestinians, pursuing a campaign to eradicate Hamas that has reduced much of the densely populated coastal enclave to rubble. Meshaal said the Oct. 7 Hamas attack returned the Palestinian cause to the centre of the world agenda. He urged Arabs and Muslims to join the battle against Israel and said Palestinians alone would decide who runs Gaza after the current war ends, in defiance of Israel and the United States who want to exclude Hamas from post-war governance. JOINED MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AT 15 Meshaal has lived most of his life outside the Palestinian territories. Born in Silwad near the West Bank city of Ramallah, Meshaal moved as a boy with his family to the Gulf Arab state of Kuwait, a hotbed of pro-Palestinian sentiment. At the age of 15 he joined the Muslim Brotherhood, the Middle East's oldest Islamist group. The Brotherhood became instrumental in the formation of Hamas in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation. Meshaal became a schoolteacher before turning to lobbying for Hamas from abroad for many years while other leaders of the group have languished for long periods in Israeli jails. He was in charge of international fund-raising in Jordan when he barely escaped assassination. Netanyahu played an accidental but important role in establishing Meshaal's militant credentials when he ordered Mossad agents to kill him in 1997 in retaliation for a Jerusalem market bombing that killed 16 people and was blamed on Hamas. The suspected assassins were caught by Jordanian police after Meshaal was injected with poison in the street. Netanyahu, then in his first term as premier, was forced to hand over the antidote for the poison, and the incident turned Meshaal into a hero of the Palestinian resistance. Jordan eventually closed Hamas' bureau in Amman and expelled Meshaal to the Gulf state of Qatar. He moved to Syria in 2001. Meshaal ran Hamas, a Sunni Muslim movement, from exile in Damascus in 2004 until January 2012 when he left the Syrian capital because of President Assad's fierce crackdown on Sunnis involved in an uprising against him. Meshaal now divides his time between Doha and Cairo. His abrupt departure from Syria initially weakened his position within Hamas, as ties with Damascus and Tehran, which were vital for the group, gave him power. With those links damaged or broken, rivals based within Gaza, the birthplace of Hamas, began to assert their authority. Meshaal himself told Reuters that his move affected relations with Hamas' main paymaster and weapons supplier Iran - a country Israel believes poses by far the greatest threat to it because of its ambitious nuclear programme. In December 2012, Meshaal paid his first visit to the Gaza Strip and delivered the main speech at Hamas' 25th anniversary rally. He had not visited the Palestinian territories since leaving the West Bank at age 11. While he was abroad, Hamas asserted itself over its secular rival, the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which has been open to negotiating peace with Israel, by seizing control of Gaza from the PA in a brief 2007 civil war. Friction between Meshaal and the Gaza-based Hamas leadership surfaced over his attempts to promote reconciliation with President Mahmoud Abbas, who heads the Palestinian Authority. Meshaal then announced that he wanted to step down as leader over such tensions and in 2017 was replaced by his Gaza deputy Haniyeh, who was elected to head the group's political office, also operating overseas. In 2021, Meshaal was elected to head the Hamas office in the Palestinian diaspora. (Writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; editing by Michael Georgy and Mark Heinrich) The Duchess of Sussex "supports Harry 100 percent," says a source, but she "wants him to live in a world where he is not burdened by this." Kevin Mazur/Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Meghan Markle wishes that Prince Harry didn't have to carry the weight of litigation as he fights for greater security protection for their family of four. The Duchess of Sussex "supports Harry 100 percent, but she wishes he could let go of these lawsuits, be happy and live in the moment," a former employee of their Archewell Foundation tells PEOPLE in this week's exclusive cover story. "She wants him to be free of all of this, but she also knows that because of everything hes been through and his love for [her and their children], he cant. She wants him to live in a world where he is not burdened by this," says the former staffer. The Duke of Sussex, 39, has been involved in several legal battles in recent years, but according to multiple well-placed insiders, no issue is more critical to him than security. Stripped of his Metropolitan Police bodyguards in 2020, Harry has been fighting ever since to reinstate police protection for himself and his family. He lost his bid to restore his taxpayer-funded security earlier this year. (He has plans to appeal.) Multiple well-placed insiders in the Duke of Sussex's circle tell PEOPLE that Harry believes his father has the power to reinstate his security. Buckingham Palace will not comment on security provisions, but a palace source tells PEOPLE the notion that Harry's security is in Charles's hands is "wholly incorrect." The issue has created an impenetrable wall between Harry and Charles. The conversation has now shifted from frustration to complete silence from the King, claims a friend of Harry's. Kevin Mazur/Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Related: Prince Harry Shares Why He Won't Bring Meghan Markle Back to the U.K.: 'It's Still Dangerous' Those close to Harry say the monarch no longer takes his sons calls or answers his letters. "He gets 'unavailable right now,' " says the friend. "His calls go unanswered. He has tried to reach out about the King's health, but those calls go unanswered too." Exactly what is stopping Harry from securing the protection he seeks is a matter of bitter contention: Constitutionally, the monarch has no governmental power in the U.K., and the power to bestow police protection lies with the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC), which operates on behalf of the U.K. government. But Harry, whose offer to personally cover the cost of police protection was also rejected in court, feels that as King, Charles could intervene to ensure such protection is extended. PEOPLE magazine, Aug. 12, 2024. Related: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Relationship Timeline Amid the royal rift, the Duke of Sussex is deeply concerned for the safety of his wife and their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3. "Harry is frightened and feels the only person who can do anything about it is his father," a royal insider tells PEOPLE. Adds another close source, "Harry is determined to protect his own family at all costs." Kirsty O'Connor - WPA Pool/Getty King Charles and Prince Harry arrive at the committal service for Queen Elizabeth at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on Sept. 19, 2022. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! The echoes of the 1997 death of Prince Harry's mother, Princess Diana, in a high-speed car chase also weighs heavily, particularly now that he is a parent. "As a dad and husband, Harry is determined to ensure that history doesnt repeat itself," the friend says. However, if the matter of security is resolved, "it's 'swords down,' " says Harry's friend, as nothing "would give [Harry] more happiness than being able to rekindle his bond with his father." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. By Toby Sterling AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Shares in ASML, the largest maker of equipment used to manufacture computer chips, jumped on Wednesday following a Reuters report that signalled it may be spared many of the new U.S. restrictions being considered on exports to China. The report said the U.S. would exclude allies including the Netherlands, where ASML is based, from new restrictions on equipment sales to half a dozen Chinese chipmaking plants. ASML shares were up 5.6% at 855.20 at 0955 GMT. "Today's news ... definitely alleviates the market's concerns as ASML had nearly half of sales from China in the first half of 2024," said Mizuho Securities analyst Kevin Wang. The share price surge in Europe's biggest tech firm, with a market capitalisation of more than 300 billion euros ($325 billion), is the latest example of trade policy and political moves affecting stocks, rather than earnings or business plans. Wednesday's rise reverses part of a large drop on July 17 following a Bloomberg report that the U.S. was considering unilateral action to restrict equipment exports by allies - including the Netherlands. That obscured largely positive second quarter earnings from ASML that featured growing orders for its most advanced equipment from key customer TSMC amid the AI boom. "We believe strong demand and tight capacity for advanced nodes in logic (computer chips) will drive more orders for ASML in the coming quarters," Wang said. ASML and the Dutch government declined to comment. ASML has a dominant position in lithography, the step of the chipmaking process in which the tiny circuitry of chips is created. U.S.-led restrictions on exports to China imposed since 2020 now cover much of the company's product range, but more limitations remain possible. The company says that while its technology leadership remains intact, its sales will grow along with the semiconductor industry, regardless of where chips are made. But around 20% of ASML's current order backlog is for sales of its older product lines to China and theoretically vulnerable to changes to policy in the short run. Sales to China were a key support to ASML over the past 18 months, when Chinese firms snapped up equipment and few new plants in other regions began producing chips. That should reverse 2025-2026 as new plants come on line in Taiwan, South Korea, the United States and in Europe, many with support from the U.S. "Chips Act" and similar programmes in other countries. ($1 = 0.9238 euros) (Reporting by Toby SterlingEditing by Mark Potter) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) Samsung Electronics Co. reported a 15-fold increase in operating profit for the second quarter this year, largely thanks to a strong demand for memory chips amid the expansion of artificial intelligence technologies. The South Korean semiconductor and smartphone giant said Wednesday in a statement that its operating profit for the April-June quarter stood at 10.4 trillion won ($7.5 billion), up from 670 billion won reported in the same period last year. Samsung said its consolidated revenues rose by about 23% to 74 trillion won ($53 billion). The company said favorable market conditions drove higher average sales prices, while robust sales of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels also contributed to the stronger results. Driven by strong demand for HBM (high bandwidth memory) as well as conventional DRAM and server SSDs (solid state drives), the memory market as a whole continued its recovery, the Samsung release said. This increased demand is a result of the continued AI investments by cloud service providers and growing demand for AI from businesses for their on-premise servers, it said. In the second half of this year, Samsung said that AI servers are expected to take up a larger portion of the market as major cloud service providers and enterprises expand their AI investments. The price of oil jumped more than $2 a barrel on Wednesday just hours after Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an early morning air strike, as jittery investors keep an eye on spiraling violence in the Middle East. Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran's capital after he attended the inauguration of the country's new president, the militant group said. Iranian officials and Hamas have blamed Israel for the strike that killed Haniyeh. Israel has not confirmed that it killed the Hamas chief, but a U.S. official told CBS News' Margaret Brennan on that the U.S. determined that both Haniyeh and top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr were killed in Israeli strikes. U.S. benchmark oil prices rose $2.64 to $77.38 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed $2.38 to $80.45 per barrel. Israel had vowed to kill Haniyeh and other senior Hamas figures over the group's Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel, which saw the militants kill some 1,200 people and take about 240 others hostage. The attack sparked the war in Gaza, a densely populated Palestinian territory run for almost two decades by Hamas, which has long been designated a terrorist organization by Israel and the U.S. Investors are closely watching conflicts in the Middle East for signs that escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran could threaten global oil supplies and drive up energy prices. More than half of all crude oil reserves are in the region, according to current estimates from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Neither Israel, which just two oil refineries and production capacity of just under 300,000 barrels per day, nor the Palestinian territories are key oil producers, data from the Energy Information Administration shows. But analysts fear a widening conflict risks involving other Middle East nations that are major producers. Impact on gas prices? Despite the jump in oil prices, analysts said they don't expect the latest regional hostilities to lead to higher gas prices for Americans. The national average gas price for regular unleaded as of Wednesday was $3.49 a gallon, down nearly 25 cents from the same period a year ago, according to AAA. Oil prices are one of many other factors that ultimately determine what motorists will pay at the pump. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noted that oil prices dropped Tuesday amid concerns that China's economic slowdown would last longer than expected. Today's oil price jumps have largely offset the dip earlier this week, he said. "We shouldn't necessarily see gas prices bounce up yet, if at all," De Haan told CBS MoneyWatch. "Oil would likely have to climb past $80-$82 to see a real impact at the pump." Man confesses to the murder of his best friend: "He was in a panic - I was in a panic." Estranged husband kidnaps his wife at gunpoint How Stimulating Our Microcirculation Can Have Macro Health Effects By Jaspreet Kalra MUMBAI (Reuters) -A ransomware attack on a technology service provider has forced payment systems across nearly 300 small Indian local banks to shut down temporarily, two sources directly aware of the matter said. The attack affected C-Edge Technologies, a provider of banking technology systems to small banks across the country, they said. C-Edge Technologies did not respond to an email seeking comment. The Reserve Bank of India, the countrys banking and payment system regulator, did not respond to Reuters' request for comment. The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI), an authority that oversees payment systems, in a public advisory issued late on Wednesday said that it had "temporarily isolated C-Edge Technologies from accessing the retail payments system operated by NPCI." "Customers of banks serviced by C-Edge will not be able to access payment systems during the period of isolation," the NPCI said. Nearly 300 small banks have been isolated from the countrys broader payment network to prevent any wider impact, the sources, who are officials at a regulatory authority, said. "Most of these are small banks and only about 0.5% of the countrys payment system volumes would be impacted, said one of the sources. India has nearly 1,500 cooperative and regional banks which mostly have operations outside big cities. It is some of these banks that have been affected, the sources said. NPCI is conducting an audit to ensure that the attack does not spread, the second source said. The RBI and the Indian cyber authorities have warned Indian banks about possible cyber attacks in the past few weeks, banking industry sources and the first source said. (Reporting by Jaspreet Kalra. Editing by Jane Merriman) As the city of San Francisco prepares to fall in line with California Gov. Gavin Newsoms executive order to clear homeless encampments, Los Angeles is pushing back, refusing to allow its jails to be used to hold those removed from encampments. Newsom, the Democratic governor of the state with the nations largest homeless population, issued a directive last week ordering state officials to begin dismantling encampments on state property and encouraging local governments to adopt policies consistent with the states. His order followed a US Supreme Court decision that upheld an Oregon citys homeless policy. In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed will proceed with her administrations plans to implement progressive penalties, or more aggressive enforcement, on homeless encampments, her office said in a news release a move that had been put on hold by an appeals court awaiting the US Supreme Court decision. Warnings will be followed by citations, the release said. In some cases, citations could be followed by escalating penalties, including arrest. The goal is not punishment, it is compliance. But officials in Los Angeles have made clear they wont be heeding the governors encouragement to follow suit. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of a motion affirming its jails wont be used to hold homeless people arrested when encampments are broken up. County officials have said the approach is already in effect. Speakers at the county board meeting lauded the decision to follow its care first, jails last approach, which emphasizes providing people in need with supportive services that can help prevent them from cycling in and out of jail. I believe we must continue working closely with city partners to solve homelessness regionally instead of shuffling people experiencing homelessness around or calling on law enforcement partners to cite them. Those strategies are ineffective because they dont treat the root cause of homelessness, L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement Tuesday. Late last month, the results of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authoritys point-in-time count conducted in January showed the homeless population in Los Angeles had dropped for the first time in six years. It showed overall homelessness and in particular unsheltered homelessness was down in both Los Angeles County and the city. According to the count, homelessness was down 2.2% in Los Angeles and 0.27% in the county. There were still 45,253 homeless people counted in the city and 75,312 people unhoused in the county, the authority reported. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass last week said that the city would focus on a comprehensive approach that leads with housing and services, not criminalization. Strategies that just move people along from one neighborhood to the next or give citations instead of housing do not work, she said. The differing approaches from two of Californias largest cities come after the Supreme Court in June ruled in favor of the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, which ticketed homeless people for sleeping outside, rejecting arguments that doing so violated the Constitutions ban on cruel and unusual punishment. There are simply no more excuses. Its time for everyone to do their part, Newsom said last week, directing state agencies to adopt humane and dignified policies and move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them. Homeless advocates and some elected officials immediately voiced outrage, saying the crackdown without providing adequate shelter and other services would simply move people to other areas in a state where the cost of living is high and the number of shelter beds limited. Governor Newsom, where do you expect people to go? This is a shameful moment in California history, said Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the parent organization of the Housing is a Human Right initiative, accusing the governor of criminalizing poverty and doubling down on failed policies. The 9th Circuit of Appeals had issued an injunction against San Franciscos progressive penalties plans amid a lawsuit filed by advocacy group Coalition on Homelessness, but a Tuesday news release from the San Francisco mayors office said the court has officially modified the injunction against the city to be in line with the US Supreme Court ruling. In laying out the new policy, the city said it would continue to conduct encampment operations by offering shelter and services to those on the street. The San Francisco Police Department will work with city officials to address smaller encampments on a daily basis to prevent re-encampments and to prevent smaller ones from growing, the release said. California has the largest homeless population in the nation, with more than 180,000 of the estimated 653,000 people experiencing homelessness nationwide residing in the Golden State, according to a 2023 report to Congress from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Newsoms order directs, but does not mandate, state agencies and departments to adopt policies and plans consistent with the existing encampment policy of the state Department of Transportation. The department provides advance notice of clearance and works with local service providers to support those experiencing homelessness at the encampment, and stores personal property collected at the site for at least 60 days, Newsoms office said. Homeless people refusing services is a political trope, advocacy group says Breed, San Franciscos mayor, is running for re-election and tackling homelessness has become a key issue. A shelter waiting list, operated by the citys Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, showed 138 people were in line for shelter Tuesday evening. The city governments most recent count showed 4,354 homeless people were unsheltered in San Francisco on a night in January. Breeds office said a majority of the times city staff encounter people in encampments and offer shelter, they refuse, and over the last year, refusals happened in 67% of encounters. Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness in San Francisco, said the organization disagrees with that claim and the data is unclear because there are not enough shelter beds for the states homeless population. While some may refuse, Friedenbach said, others are counted as refusals when there isnt a place to house them. Its very convenient for politicians to say that homeless people are refusing services. That is a political trope thats been tossed around for years, Friedenbach said, adding that when people are cleared from encampments, they have nowhere to go. What we see, day and day again, is that when there is an appropriate, accessible offer for folks, it is taken immediately immediately. And we see people jumping through so many hoops to get services to no avail, Friedenbach continued. Under the mayors new rules, teams from San Franciscos Healthy Streets Operations Center will return to areas that have been cleared to prevent re-encampment, but they will not necessarily make a new offer of shelter. Researchers at Boston and Cornell universities, in a policy brief last year, said punitive policing strategies such as encampment removals do not reduce or end homelessness. Such strategies often worsen homelessness. For example, fines and fees make it harder to access employment and social services; in some cases criminal charges impact peoples eligibility for existing social services and housing programs, the researchers said. Property confiscation during encampment clearance may come at the expense of documents that are essential for obtaining housing, employment, insurance, like birth certificates and identification, they added, noting a link between criminal arrests and cycles of homelessness. CNNs Ray Sanchez contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Spirit Airlines, the ultra-low cost carrier known for charging bargain-hunting passengers for anything and everything, is introducing business class seating of a sort. The airline said it will allow customers to pay extra for what its calling Go Big class of tickets, for those passengers in one of the extra wide seats in the front of the cabin. The seats have been available for a number of years, but the new class of tickets includes a variety of extras as part of the price, including snacks and drinks (either alcoholic or non-alcoholic), one carry-on bag, one checked bag and streaming access. In the past even passengers paying extra for the big seats had to pay extra for those items. The Go Big class of tickets will have priority check-in, which had not previously been offered, as well as priority boarding. Farther back in the plane Spirit will also allow passengers to pay more for seats in rows where the middle seat will not be sold. Its a sign of the trouble the airline industry has had making money selling bargain-priced seats, a trend that Spirit helped start with its low, no-frill fares. Spirits pricing structure, in which passengers can shop for the cheapest base fare and pay more for extras including carry-on bags, forced the major carriers to change their pricing as well, with many bringing in a basic economy tier for similar no-frills tickets. Were unveiling a new era in Spirits history and taking low-fare travel to new heights with enhanced options that are unlike anything weve offered before, said Spirit CEO Ted Christie in a statement. No-frill tickets have proven a difficult way for airlines to make money. Spirit has not had a profitable year since 2019, the year before the pandemic brought demand for air travel to a near halt. While it has had an occasional profitable quarter, it has lost money more often than it has posted a profit. It has warned that it will soon report another quarterly loss on lower-than-forecast revenue. Even when passengers returned to the skies in 2021, low fare carries struggled, while larger legacy carriers such as American, United and Delta airlines reported record revenue. Spirit looked at merging, first with another ultra low cost carrier, Frontier Airlines, and then with JetBlue Airways. But that latter deal was blocked in January by a federal judge who ruled a deal would reduce competition and increase fares for passengers. One thing that allowed the larger carriers to do better than the ultra-low cost carriers like Spirit is the ability to sell premium seating, both wider business and first-class seats as well economy plus seats in the main cabin with extra legroom and the right to board first. And those legacy carriers have reported that a growing share of their ticket revenue is coming from passengers paying for premium seating. Last week Southwest Airlines, the nations older lower fare carrier, announced it would end its open seating policy it has used throughout its history and let passengers reserve seats for the first time. A major reason for the change was plans by Southwest to reconfigure its planes in 2025 to offer extra legroom for a premium price in one third of its rows. However, Southwest has not announced any plans to offer wider, business class seats. Southwest used to be the most profitable US airline, rarely reporting a money-losing quarter and going nearly half a century without reporting an annual loss until the pandemic hit. But it has struggled financially as well in recent years and is facing an activist investor who is pushing for a change in management to improve its profitability. Correction: An earlier version of the story did not make clear what was different about the new class of tickets in the large seats at the front of Spirit planes or that the large seats had been available in the past. CNNs Erika Tulfo contributed to this report For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Scientists have found a link between genetics and the likelihood of experiencing side effects from Alzheimers drugs. RichVintage/Getty Images This article originally appeared on Medical News Today Since July 2023, three anti-amyloid medications have been FDA-approved for the treatment of Alzheimers disease with more in development. A potential and serious side effect of anti-amyloid medications is amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), where swelling or small bleeding areas of the brain occur. People who carry the apolipoprotein E-E4 gene (APOE-e4) are at a higher risk of developing ARIA when taking anti-amyloid drugs. Researchers have developed a new test to help determine which APOE variants a person may have to potentially predict whether or not they would have a negative reaction to taking anti-amyloid medications. In July 2023, the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lecanemab, sold under the brand name Leqembi the first anti-amyloid medication for the treatment of Alzheimers disease. Since then, the anti-amyloid medication donanemab (Kisunla) has also received FDA approval, with more still in development. A potential and serious side effect of anti-amyloid medications is called amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), where swelling or small bleeding areas of the brain occur. One of the risk factors for developing ARIA is if a person is a positive carrier of the apolipoprotein E-E4 gene (APOE-e4). To help mitigate any serious side effects from taking anti-amyloid medications, researchers at Revvitys EUROIMMUN have developed a test to help determine which APOE variants a person may have to potentially predict whether or not they would have a negative reaction to taking these types of drugs. The study was recently presented at the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) 2024, but the results are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Focusing on the APOE-e4 gene This new test called the EURORealTime APOE test is a real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test that works by amplifying genomic DNA isolated from whole blood to detect the three APOE alleles that a person has in its genome, Maite Sabalza, PhD, senior scientific affairs manager at EUROIMMUN US and poster presenter of this study at ADLM 2024 told Medical News Today. In humans, there are three versions, called alleles, of the gene that makes this protein: APOE-e2, APOE-e3, and APOE-e4. Each person inherits two copies of these genes, one from each parent. These copies can be the same homozygous, like having two APOE-e4 alleles or different heterozygous, like having one APOE-e4 and one APOE-e3 allelles. As a consequence, there are six APOE genotypes that result (in) combinations of the three alleles. Maite Sabalza, PhD The APOE-e4 allele is the most important for Alzheimers disease risk, she continued. About 25% of people in the U.S. have at least one APOE-e4 allele and about 5% have two copies of it. Having two APOE-e4 alleles can increase the risk of developing Alzheimers disease by up to 15 times. APOE-e4 gene increases ARIA side effect risk In addition to having an increased risk for Alzheimers disease, Sabalza said people with the APOE-e4 allele are also more likely to experience the ARIA side effect when treated with anti-amyloid drugs for Alzheimers. ARIA involves brain swelling or small bleeding in the brain, she explained. This side effect might be more common and severe in people with two copies of the APOE-e4 allele. ARIA can develop within the first few weeks or months of treatment, thereby limiting the optimal dose. According to Sabalza, there are two forms of ARIA: Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities Edema (ARIA-E) where there is the development of brain swelling or edema, which can lead to symptoms like headache or confusion. Sabalza said experts believe it relates to the removal of amyloid plaques from the brain Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities Hemorrhage (ARIA-H) occurs when small bleeding events in the brain occur, and imaging can detect them. Researchers also believe these hemorrhages are associated with amyloid-targeting treatments, Sabalza said. Although ARIA is typically asymptomatic, serious and life-threatening events may occur, and as such, are included as warnings on prescribing information for anti-amyloid drugs, Sabalza continued. ARIA-E from aducanumab has caused one death, and ARIA-H from donanemab has also resulted in one death. Due to these potential side effects, it is recommended to screen patients for APOE genotypes before starting such treatments to discuss the potential risks of ARIA. When will this APOE test be available? Right now, Sabalza said the EURORealTime APOE test is currently available for research use only. The next steps would involve more research and clinical studies to better understand a persons risk of developing ARIA when treated with anti-amyloid drugs for Alzheimers disease, she continued. Additionally, APOE genotyping can be utilized for patient stratification, helping to determine inclusion criteria for clinical trials as more treatments are developed and additional biomarkers are identified. This approach not only enhances the precision of clinical trials but also ensures that patients receive the most appropriate and effective treatments based on their genetic profile. These steps are crucial for advancing personalized medicine and improving outcomes for patients with Alzheimers disease, she added. Significant promise for identifying ARIA-risk patients After reviewing this study, Verna Porter, MD, a board certified neurologist and director of the Dementia, Alzheimers Disease, and Neurocognitive Disorders at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA told MNT her first reaction is one of cautious optimism at the idea of being able to accurately genotype APOE in patients with this test. The EURORealTime APOE test appears to offer a sensitive and reliable method for determining APOE alleles, potentially making it a valuable tool for improving risk stratification for potential anti-amyloid therapeutic treatments, Porter explained. This new technique holds significant promise as a means of accurately identifying patients at risk for severe side effects from anti-amyloid drugs. Given the serious nature of side effects like brain swelling (ARIA) and microhemorrhages, having a reliable method to predict these risks is a notable step forward. This advancement may enable us to tailor treatments more precisely, enhancing both the safety and efficacy of Alzheimers disease therapies. Verna Porter, MD The next steps for this research should include larger, more diverse clinical trials to further validate the tests accuracy and reliability across different populations, Porter added. Additionally, integrating this genotyping test into routine clinical practice and developing guidelines for its use in treatment planning would be beneficial. Exploring the tests cost-effectiveness and accessibility will also be important to ensure widespread adoption. Importance of assessing ARIA risk MNT also spoke with Rehan Aziz, MD, program director of the Psychiatry Residency Program associate program director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship Program at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and associate professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine in New Jersey about this research. In the coming years, there will likely be high utilization of anti-amyloid medications like lecanemab and donanemab in patients with either mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimers disease, as they are the first disease-modifying drugs for Alzheimers disease, Aziz said. [Anti-amyloid medications for Alzheimers] medications carry a high risk of brain edema and hemorrhages, called ARIA. The risk is highest in people who carry the APOE-e4/e4 genotype. This test is able to determine whether someone is a carrier of this genotype with 100% accuracy, helping doctors appropriately assess risk before prescribing these medications. Rehan Aziz, MD It is important for doctors to know if a patient is at high risk for having a bad reaction to the new anti-amyloid drugs in order to prevent or reduce the risk of brain swelling and bleeding. ARIA can be (a) significant event (that) can worsen symptoms, (and) lead to hospitalization or even death. It is also unknown what are the long-term risks of these events. So, the best strategy is to minimize ARIA as much as possible, he continued. Other APOE genotyping methods exist, so in order for this one to be widely adopted it will need to be broadly available, covered by insurance, and cost-effective, Aziz added. View the original article on Medical News Today A toddler is dead after being attacked by three dogs in southeast Texas while at a babysitter's home, Houston police reported. The fatal mauling took place in Houston's Near Northside neighborhood less than 5 miles north of downtown. According to the Houston Police Department, at about 12:20 p.m. Monday, officers responded to a home for a report of a vicious animal call and found a 2-year-old girl who had been attacked by three Rottweilers. The Houston Police Department is investigating after a 2-year-old girl was fatally mauled by dogs at a babysitter's home on July 29, 2024. Houston Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and transported the child to a hospital where police said she was pronounced dead. Airline lawsuit: Family of 13-year-old girl sues Delta for negligence after sexual assault on flight Houston dog mauling victim identified The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences identified the child as Adaya Fisher. Shane Hughes, a spokesperson for the agency, told USA TODAY an preliminary autopsy revealed the child died from multiple sharp and blunt force injuries due to dog bites. Her manner of death was ruled accidental. Police did not say whether charges are pending in the case. Police officer attacked: Dog attacks San Diego officer who shoots in return; investigation underway Toddler killed by Rottweilers at babysitter's home According to a preliminary investigation by police and witness statements, the dogs attacked the toddler inside the home while she was being babysat. The dogs were seized by the city of Houston, police said. Homicide detectives investigate toddler's fatal dog mauling The case remained under investigation Thursday by Houston police homicide detectives. Anyone with information in this case is asked to contact Houston police. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Toddler fatally mauled by 3 Rottweilers in Houston CHICAGO - Republican 2024 presidential nominee Donald Trump in a controversial and combative appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists Annual Convention took swipes on Wednesday at Vice President Kamala Harris's racial identity a move that comes as excitement swells for the Democratic contender. "I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black," the former president said of Harris, who is on track to face Trump as the Democratic presidential nominee. Is she Indian or is she Black? Because she was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went she became a Black person. Trump sat for the 30-minute wide-ranging Q&A where he touched on a number of key issues important to the Black community such as Sonya Massey, the Black woman who was fatally shot in the face by an Illinois sheriff's deputy earlier this month, abortion access and why he chose Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate. The former president's appearance at NABJ sparked widespread backlash from some of those attending the convention, expressing an array of concerns over Trump's comments about the Black community and attacks against the media. For Trump, his remarks came at a critical inflection point of his 2024 campaign as Democrats express increasing optimism about their chances of holding the White House in November with Harris atop the ticket while the Republican continues pressing to court key constituencies, including Black voters. Throughout Wednesday's conversation, Trump was met with some boos, groans and heckling. Harris responded to Trump's NABJ interview Wednesday night during remarks in Houston. "It was the same old show the divisiveness and the disrespect," said Harris, who was addressing a historically Black sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, during its 60th Biennial Boule. And let me just say: The American people deserve better. The American people deserve a leader who tells the truth, a leader who does not respond with hostility and anger when confronted with the facts. We deserve a leader who understands that our differences do not divide us," Harris said. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who was hosting a White House press briefing at the same time as Trumps Q&A, called Trumps comments about Harris repulsive. "Wow," Jean-Pierre said when she was read Trumps comments on Harris race. "What you just read out to me is repulsive. It's insulting. No one has the right to tell someone who they are, how they identify." Former US President and 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump answers questions during the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention in Chicago, Illinois, on July 31, 2024. Trump accused Harris of being a DEI candidate, a talking point by many conservatives using the acronym for diversity, equity and inclusion to disqualify people of color or women who ascend to positions of power and influence. Harris, who is Black and of South Asian descent, attended Howard University, a historically Black college. She is also the first female vice president in U.S. history and the first Black woman to hold the office, too. Shortly after the panel ended, Trump on Truth Social doubled down on his attack against Harris' racial identity, sharing a video where she is cooking with actress Mindy Kaling, who is of South Asian decent. During the video, Harris and Kaling talk about their Indian culture. Harris in the video told Kaling that she looks like "the entire one half of my family." Harris for President Communications Director Michael Tyler criticized Trump's comments as hostile and called on the former president to accept a debate against Harris. Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in," Tyler said in a statement. "Donald Trump has already proven he cannot unite America, so he attempts to divide us." Trump talks about Sonya Massey, but doesn't say her name. To gasps, says: 'you're talking about the water, right?' Trump was met with loud gasps from the room when he said he was unfamiliar with the details of the Massey shooting, which sparked national outrage, saying he "doesn't know the exact case but I saw something," when asked about the case. It didn't look good to me. It didn't look good to me, Trump said. You're talking with the water right? Massey was shot by police while she was holding boiling water. Trump has previously said that police should get immunity from prosecution if he won the 2024 presidential race. Semafor political reporter Kadia Goba asked whether the police officer in Masseys case, Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean P. Grayson, who is charged with her murder, would have immunity. Trump sidestepped the question by talking about gun violence in Chicago. When asked again by Goba, Trump said that he would help a person who made an innocent mistake. If I felt or if a group of people would feel that somebody was being unfairly prosecuted because the person did a good job, maybe with a crime, or made a mistake, an innocent mistakeI would want to help that person, Trump said. The former president also doubled down on comments he made accusing immigrants of stealing the jobs of Black Americans. I will tell you that coming from the border are millions and millions of people that happen to be taking Black jobs, Trump said to gasps. What exactly is a Black job, sir, ABC News senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott quickly followed up. A Black job is anybody that has a job, Trump responded, with laughter from the audience, before continuing to use racist rhetoric against migrants coming to the United States. Attacks on the media Throughout the panel, Trump repeatedly attacked the press and Scott in particular for questions that were being asked. Trump in the very first question asked to him by Scott slammed her for asking why Black voters should support the former president after his criticisms of the Black community. I don't think I've ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, Trump said to Scott. Don't even say hello, how are you? Are you with ABC because I think they're a fake news network. Scott, FOX News anchor Harris Faulkner and Semafor political reporter Goba lead the Q&A with Trump. PolitiFact, a fact checking website, also led fact checking Trump in real time for NABJ. Former US President and 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (L) answers questions during the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention in Chicago, Illinois, on July 31, 2024. Hundreds packed into a ballroom at the Hilton Chicago, which holds up to 1,100 seated, according to a hotel employee. Dozens of reporters were outside of the hotel lining up to get into the event with the former president. On Wednesday, NABJ announced that the organization was speaking with the Harris campaign to have her appear for a Q&A with the organization sometime in September. Harris on Wednesday is scheduled to be in Houston, Texas to deliver remarks for a political event. On Thursday, she will deliver a eulogy for the late-Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in Houston. Trump throughout the presidential campaign has attempted to appeal to Black voters, a key voting bloc that overwhelmingly supports the Democratic Party. But the former president is still unpopular with many Black voters. President Joe Biden, who dropped out of the 2024 presidential campaign earlier this month, saw a drop in enthusiasm from Black voters. But Harris, who is on the path to be the Democratic nominee, has reenergized Democratic voters, including Black voters, since entering the race. Ahead of his appearance, Trump on Truth Social criticized Harris for not speaking at the convention. The Harris campaign in response to the former presidents conversation at the convention criticized his record and his treatment of the press. NABJ President Ken Lemon said Wednesday that the organization had been in talks with both the Democratic and Republican parties since January, when Biden was still running to be the Democratic nominee. Biden had agreed to speak when he was still a candidate. At the White House, Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that Biden wouldn't be speaking at the NABJ convention because he is no longer a candidate. The administration understands it's important for Black Americans to hear directly from this administration, and we have done that and not just Black Americans but all Americans, Jean-Pierre said. That is certainly something that we will continue to do. And we take that very, very seriously. Contributing: Joey Garrison This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump criticizes Harris at NABJ event: 'I didn't know she was Black' (Reuters) -The United States is pausing more than $95 million in assistance to the Georgian government over a law on "foreign agents" that Washington considers anti-democratic, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday, further denting U.S.-Georgia relations. The law, passed by Georgia's parliament in June, requires groups that receive funding from abroad to register as foreign agents. It has been criticized by the domestic opposition and the West as a Russian-inspired measure to crack down on dissent. The bill's passage led to a major breakdown in relations between the West and Georgia, since 1991 among the most pro-Western of the Soviet Union's successor states. The pause on U.S. assistance is the result of a review of bilateral cooperation that was announced, along with visa restrictions, in May, Blinken said. Those actions had triggered Georgia's ruling party to accuse Washington of pursuing a policy of "threats and blackmail." "The Georgian government's anti-democratic actions and false statements are incompatible with membership norms in the EU and NATO," Blinken said in a statement. Washington will continue assistance that benefit the people of the South Caucasus country, he added. The Georgian government did not immediately comment on Blinken's announcement on Wednesday. The European Union has also frozen some 30 million euros ($32 million) in military aid to Georgia. (Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Editing by Doina Chiacu) by Silvia Torriti In large language models, the censorship axe examines chatbot responses to adapt them to fundamental socialist values. Also blocked is the use of Hugging Face, a popular open source platform used by AI developers around the world to share models and datasets. And despite the large number of indigenous algorithms developed, doubts about the effectiveness of the so-called war of a hundred models are emerging in China's own high-tech circles. Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Some twenty years after the introduction of the great firewall, the system for monitoring foreign websites deemed sensitive, the inflexible gaze of Chinese censorship has also settled on artificial intelligence (AI). In ways that clash with that horizon of cooperation on this new technological frontier, which has been spoken about repeatedly in recent days on the occasion of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit to China. After blocking access to international AI platforms such as ChatGpt, it is now Large Language Models (LLMs) developed by major Chinese tech companies and start-ups, such as ByteDance - owner of TikTok - Alibaba, Moonshot and 0.1AI, that are now in the crosshairs. According to the Financial Times, the Chinese government's goal would be to ensure that these advanced technology tools capable of understanding and processing natural language embody core socialist values. To comply with this request, officials of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the government body in charge of overseeing and regulating the Internet in the country, are required to examine the answers provided by LLMs to a series of questions, many of which relate to Chinese President Xi Jinping and topics of a political or historical nature considered controversial by the ruling regime. Chinese chatbots whose LLMs have passed the test will, for example, be able to reject any questions from users about the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre or Xi Jinping's resemblance to Winnie the Pooh, the Disney character with whom he is often ironically associated. To such queries, Baidu's chatbot Ernie already replies that he tries a different question, while Alibaba's Tongyi Qianwen retorts: I haven't learned how to answer this question yet. I will continue to study to serve you better'. Meanwhile, Beijing has launched an AI chatbot based almost exclusively on Xi Jinping's thoughts, with the aim of spreading the Chinese leader's ideology. According to The Wall Street Journal, Beijing's censorship also threatens to further restrict Chinese technology companies' access to training data, the foundation on which AI systems are built from textual sources of various kinds. Already last year, the Chinese authorities suddenly denied access to Hugging Face, a popular open source platform used by AI developers worldwide to share models and datasets. The Chinese government's intention is said to be to create its own datasets based on information deemed safe from an ideological point of view, with the support of agencies close to the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party. According to the industry, however, heavily censored datasets could cause distortions in artificial intelligence models, limiting their ability to handle certain tasks. It is therefore clear that by applying these restrictions, China - the first nation to introduce binding regulations on the use of AI - runs the risk of undermining the enormous progress achieved by Chinese companies in the sector, which currently dominate the international scene. Currently, China has developed around 130 LLMs, or 40 per cent of the existing models, only 10 per cent less than those produced by the US. The fierce competition between China's high-tech giants, such as Baidu, Alibaba, Huawei and Tencent, has even triggered the so-called war of the hundred models (Bai mu dazhan), an expression that for many is reminiscent of the People's Republic's glorious revolutionary past, and in particular the Hundred Regiments Offensive (Baituan Dazhan), conducted in 1940 by the Eighth Street Army commanded by General Peng Dehuai against the Japanese invaders. Although this formula, coined by a senior Tencent executive, was initially used by state media to extol the successes achieved by Chinese companies in the booming AI market, some technology experts are beginning to question the effectiveness of this approach. Among the sceptics is also the co-founder and CEO of Baidu, Robin Li Yanhong, who stated during a speech at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai in early July that the proliferation of LLMs in the Chinese market has led to a considerable waste of resources, as many of these models have no practical application in the real world. Further undermining the competitiveness of Chinese tech companies are also geopolitical issues, such as the ongoing technology war between the Dragon and the United States. The US authorities have in fact barred China from buying the high-quality semiconductors made by the US giant Nvidia, which are considered crucial for the realisation of artificial intelligence models. Although the Wall Street Journal uncovered a smuggling network smuggling restricted chips into China from South-East Asia, these will never be sufficient to meet the country's needs. Taking a long-term perspective, the Chinese government has decided to make up for this shortfall by allocating state funds to help Chinese technology companies develop domestic chips. Despite the difficulty in procuring the necessary equipment to manufacture them, due to US sanctions, the Chinese phone giant Huawei seems to be close to launching a chip model that can replace Nvidia's. by Santosh Digal About 250 priests from all of the countrys dioceses are meeting in Manila to reflect on sharing the pastoral ministry following the path traced by Pope Francis. For Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Bishops' Conference, synodality brings in the wisdom of not monopolizing the mission. The mission is about the Church. Manila (AsiaNews) Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), recommends parish priests share pastoral responsibilities with the laity. The prelate said this at the "National Meeting of Parish Priests for the Synod", which is currently underway in Manila from 29 July to 1 August, with the participation of some 250 priests from dioceses across the country. Priests, who are ordained ministers, have a specific role in pastoral missions. But the weight of this task becomes much lighter when they succeed in empowering the laity to participate meaningfully and effectively in the life and mission of the Church, Bishop David explained. The meeting was organised by the CBCPs Philippine Commission on the New Evangelization (PCNE); Sister Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod in the Vatican was also present. I feel like many parish priests are actually in a state of fatigue, in a state of burnout, the bishop of Kalookan noted, suggesting that the tendency to fulfill all responsibilities in a clericalist framework may explain this. In his view, this is so unnecessary. Thats why synodality brings in the wisdom of not monopolizing the mission. The mission is about the church, he explained. At the same venue, CBCP vice president Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, urged the prelates in Manila to Try your best to smile when you encounter people around you and make them feel the joy of Christ. In his homily during the Eucharistic celebration opening the meeting, Card Jose Advincula, archbishop of Manila, said that the event was dedicated to priests so that they may become witnesses to the synodality of our Church and to discern ways that will renew our priesthood and the life of our parishes. The cardinal urged priests and others to foster genuine communion in our parish communities. We need to expand our tent and take off our sandals so we can be a welcoming Church. There can be no communion if we cling too much to our outdated conventions and unhealthy conveniences. According to him, communion asks us to welcome everyone, including sinners, the poor, and the marginalised, instead of driving them away for whatever reason. Indeed, If we do not listen to the poor, are we even listening to God? the cardinal asked. For him, the clergy should promote participation in parish communities. Unfortunately, We priests are frequently tempted to discount, or even suppress, the boldness of our parishioners, making them sheepishly dependent on us priests. But let us recognize and encourage their boldness as witnesses to our faith. China condemns the raid that led to the death in Tehran of the Hamas leader. Only a few days ago, Beijing brokered a deal among Palestinian factions. Caught between Israel and Iran, India has remained silent. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was harsh, saying that such a crime was only possible in an environment of utter impunity. Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) The raid in Tehran that today killed Ismail Haniyeh, chairman of Hamas's Political Bureau and one of its leading figures for the past 20 years, has sparked various reactions across Asia. Many wonder what impact his death will have on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East along with that of Fuad Shukr, one of Hezbollah's most important military commanders, who was killed in Beirut in an operation Israel openly claimed. The risk of a wider conflict is evident, especially after Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed harsh punishment for Israel. We consider his (Haniyehs) revenge as our duty, he said. Haniyehs death further weakens the prospects of a ceasefire in Gaza, as will the rise of Yahya Sinwar within Hamas, who will no longer have to deal with Haniyeh, a figure who was very close to the movements founder, Ahmed Yassin, and its face on the international scene. The fact that he was killed in Tehran the day after taking part in the inauguration of Irans new president, reformist Masoud Pezeshkian, reduces the latters room for manoeuvre while uniting the countrys leadership. China has harshly condemned the operation which, despite no official confirmation, has been blamed on Israel. Just over a week ago, Beijing brokered an agreement among different Palestinian factions in Beijing, including Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2006. We are highly concerned about the incident and firmly oppose and condemn the assassination, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said. We are deeply concerned that this incident may lead to further instability in the regional situation, he added, calling for Bas du formulairea comprehensive and permanent ceasefire as soon as possible to avoid further escalation of conflict and confrontation. For its part, India has not reacted to Haniyehs killing, which places New Delhi in an awkward position since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Mody has developed important ties with both Israel and Iran over the past few years. In reporting the raid, Indian news sites underline the fact that at the Pezeshkian inauguration the Hamas leader shared the same stage yesterday with Nitin Gadkari, a minister in the Modi government sent to represent New Delhi at the ceremony. Conversely, the reaction of Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, a large, Muslim-majority country in Southeast Asia, was very harsh. It is patently clear that this crime could only have been carried out in an environment of utter impunity, he said, referring to the nearly 40,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the beginning of the conflict. Detractors who have criticised me for meeting with Ismail Haniyeh in the past, fail to appreciate Haniyehs profound desire for a peaceful Middle East and a Palestinian nation restored to its rightful dignity, Anwar said. I mourn the loss of a dear friend and a valiant advocate for his people, he said. (Joseph Masilamany contributed to this article) Today's news: protests in Belucistan against the Pakistani government; Japan's rice reserves shrink due to the tourist boom; North Korea appoints new ambassadors in Vietnam and Singapore; More flooding emergencies in China as rivers overflow. LEBANON - ISRAEL Hamas announced the killing of its political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, who was shot while he was in Tehran for the inauguration of the new Iranian President Pezeshkian in what everything suggests was an Israeli raid. Yesterday, the Israeli army itself had claimed to have killed Fuad Shukr, one of Hezbollah's top commanders, in an attack in the south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut. The action was presented as a response to the attack on the Golan Heights in which 12 children died on 27 July. PAKISTAN For days, several people have been protesting against the Pakistani government in the port city of Gwadar, in the southwestern province of Belucistan. Tensions started on Friday, after the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) launched a protest against harassment by security forces, who blocked roads leading to Gwadar and arrested some leaders leading the movement. Other people reportedly died in the clashes JAPAN In recent months, the tourism boom has helped reduce Japan's rice reserves to their lowest level since 1999, even though the harvest had actually been lower due to rising temperatures and less water availability, the Ministry of Agriculture said. Japan welcomed 17.78 million tourists in the first half of 2024, one million more than pre-pandemic levels. Unlike in the past, the Japanese are increasingly eating pasta and other types of carbohydrates. NORTH KOREA - VIETNAM - SINGAPORE North Korea appointed new ambassadors in Vietnam and Singapore, after years of delays that had led to speculation that diplomatic missions would be closed due to financial difficulties. Due to the break with Cuba, Pyongyang is now reaching out to other communist countries in the region, in particular Vietnam, Laos and China. The ambassador sent to Singapore, however, seems likely to be a former foreign minister. CHINA For a week now, China's National Meteorological Centre has been renewing the orange alert due to the heavy rains that have caused the banks of some of the country's most important rivers to break and hundreds of people to be evacuated. For the Yangtze River, it is the third overflow of the year. More than 1,200 people have so far been mobilised for rescue operations. RUSSIA The Russian Minister for Higher Education, Valerij Falkov, has proposed reducing hostels for students, leaving open only those for people with little financial means or who have complicated situations, also considering that in common houses students become more prone to social protests, forming groups that are difficult to control. KAZAKHSTAN Great celebrations in Kazakhstan were held following the winning of the first gold medal at the Paris Olympics by 31-year-old judoka Eldos Smetov in the 60kg category, who defeated Armenian-born French champion Luka Mkheidze in the final after eliminating world champion Francisco Garrigoza in the semifinals. Smetov was in his third Olympics, and had won bronze and silver in the previous ones. 31 July 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Climate change has emerged as one of the foremost global challenges, capturing the attention of leaders and communities worldwide. Azerbaijan is demonstrating its commitment as a reliable energy partner and a responsible member of the international community in the fight against global warming. This November, Azerbaijan will host a significant UN event: the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). Additionally, the country's declaration of 2024 as the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World" underscores its dedication to combating climate change. Azerbaijans commitment to the green agenda is evident in its ambitious plans to develop renewable energy. By the end of 2027, the country intends to operationalize nine solar and wind power plants with a combined capacity of 2 gigawatts. Furthermore, by 2030, ten more such plants will be established, expanding the capacity to up to 5 gigawatts. This initiative aligns with the global "Sustainable Development Agenda until 2030," adopted by world leaders at the historic UN Summit in September 2015. This agenda emphasizes the importance of addressing climate change and mobilizing the international community while ensuring no one is left behind. The urgency to tackle climate change globally was highlighted by the Paris Agreement, signed on December 15, 2015. At the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris, 195 countries agreed on measures to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, aiming for a more ambitious target of 1.5 degrees. With global temperatures currently rising by around 1 degree, effective collaboration among these nations is essential for achieving these climate goals. Azerbaijan ratified the Paris Agreement on April 22, 2016, and submitted its "Nationally Determined Contributions" (NDCs) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in October 2015. The NDCs outline Azerbaijans commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 relative to 1990 levels. During COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, Azerbaijan further pledged to cut its climate impact by 40% by 2050. The topic of emission reductions was also addressed at the recent event "Green Construction in Azerbaijan," where Alida Saleh, Senior Advisor of the Climate Champions Team, spoke about the pressing nature of climate change. She emphasized the need to eliminate factors that contribute to heat emissions and enhance energy efficiency. Saleh highlighted the construction sectors significant impact on the environment, noting that buildings account for 20% of emissions and 40% of energy consumption. She praised Azerbaijans new architectural projects for their sustainability and stressed the importance of a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector. Saleh concluded by announcing the preparation of a report on sustainable green construction in Azerbaijan, which will continue to be developed beyond COP29. But what are greenhouse gas emissions? - Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's surface. However, human activities have significantly increased the concentration of these gases, intensifying the greenhouse effect and leading to global warming. Key greenhouse gases include - Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Produced primarily through the burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy, transportation, and industrial processes. Deforestation also increases CO2 levels, as trees absorb CO2; Methane (CH4): Emitted during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas. It is also released by livestock (cows, sheep), and during the decomposition of organic waste in landfills; Nitrous Oxide (N2O):Generated from agricultural activities (such as fertilizer application), fossil fuel combustion, and industrial processes; Fluorinated Gases:Synthetic gases used in industrial applications, such as refrigeration and air conditioning. These include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Although present in smaller quantities, they have a high global warming potential. Why Are Governments Committed to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions? - Governments across the globe are increasingly dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to several crucial factors that impact climate change, environmental health, economic stability, and public well-being. At the forefront of government efforts is the need to combat climate change. The accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is a significant driver of global warming. This warming effect leads to rising sea levels, more frequent and severe weather events like hurricanes and floods, and disruptions to ecosystems. By implementing policies to cut emissions, governments aim to mitigate these effects, slow the rate of climate change, and prevent potentially devastating environmental impacts. High levels of greenhouse gases also pose serious risks to human health. For example, gases like ground-level ozone contribute to air pollution, which can lead to respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, and other health problems. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can lead to improved air quality, thereby enhancing public health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. The economic consequences of climate change can be severe, affecting infrastructure, agriculture, and disaster recovery costs. By addressing greenhouse gas emissions, governments seek to mitigate these risks, protect economic assets, and foster resilience against climate-related disruptions. Effective emission reduction strategies can help stabilize economies and promote long-term financial security. Many nations are bound by international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, which set specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These agreements require countries to develop and execute national plans that align with global objectives. By adhering to these commitments, governments contribute to collective global efforts to address climate change and ensure international cooperation. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is integral to sustainable development. By encouraging the use of clean energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and supporting low-carbon technologies, governments can foster economic growth that is both environmentally responsible and socially equitable. This approach helps balance current needs with future sustainability goals. Transitioning to renewable energy sourcessuch as solar, wind, and hydroreduces reliance on fossil fuels and enhances national energy security. This shift not only decreases greenhouse gas emissions but also promotes energy independence and reduces vulnerability to global energy market fluctuations. Transitioning to renewable energy sourcessuch as solar, wind, and hydroreduces reliance on fossil fuels and enhances national energy security. This shift not only decreases greenhouse gas emissions but also promotes energy independence and reduces vulnerability to global energy market fluctuations. What are key strategies for emission reduction? - Key strategies for emission reduction include transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro to replace fossil fuels, which significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions. Improving energy efficiency across various sectorssuch as upgrading building insulation, enhancing the efficiency of appliances, and optimizing industrial processesalso plays a critical role in reducing overall energy consumption and emissions. Encouraging sustainable practices is another important strategy, which involves promoting waste reduction, sustainable agriculture, and conservation efforts. Implementing carbon pricing mechanisms, such as carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems, creates financial incentives for reducing emissions by assigning a cost to carbon output. Supporting innovation and research is crucial for developing new technologies and solutions that can further reduce emissions and mitigate climate impacts. Enhancing carbon sequestration through protecting and restoring forests, wetlands, and other natural ecosystems helps absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. These strategies, when combined, contribute to a comprehensive approach to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. In conclusion, reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential for addressing climate change, protecting public health, ensuring economic stability, fulfilling international obligations, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing energy security. By implementing various strategies and committing to international agreements, governments aim to mitigate the adverse effects of greenhouse gases and build a more resilient and sustainable future. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 19:45 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more At a time when the tension between Ukraine and Russia continues, the statements of the United States regarding the South Caucasus have caused a resonance. James O'Brien, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs of the United States of America, touched on many points while speaking at the hearing held at the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate of the Congress. However, the main target of the American diplomat was still the issue of Armenia. US-Azerbaijan relations have always developed in a stable form over the past 30 years, and both political and economic relations between the two states have been maintained in a balanced manner. At the same time, the United States has closely followed the processes in the South Caucasus from 2020 to the present day, and, in particular, Washington has tried to show considerable initiative in settling the peace issue, even though no final result has been achieved between Yerevan and Baku. This time, the issue related to the region was raised in the US Congress, and during the hearings, peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, relations between Armenia and Russia, and the issue of Georgia were discussed in parallel. James O'Brien highlighted the processes between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the region, drawing attention to the unequivocalness of the peace talks and saying that the US side wants this matter to be completed quickly. He said that the completion of peace talks in a short period of time can facilitate the trade relations of the regional states with Central Asia by opening a new connection through the South Caucasus, including Azerbaijan and Armenia. At the same time, the diplomat said that if communication from the South Caucasus to Central Asia is maintained, the dependence on Russia will decrease. As for the peace negotiations, the Armenian Foreign Ministry says its response proposals regarding the peace treaty with Azerbaijan are being prepared. Why is US in hurry to hold Baku-Yerevan peace talks? On the other hand, Russia's offer to participate as a third party in the peace talks has not gone unnoticed by the United States. Until now, Baku has participated in the peace platforms offered by both the West and Moscow, and unlike Armenia, it has not rejected any platform. But how have all these meetings been able to have a positive effect on the processes so far? Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement that "Russia has taken responsibility for this" shows that Moscow intends to somehow exclude the West from the processes. Zakharova said that the scope and forms of such support should be acceptable to both Baku and Yerevan: "We are ready to provide a platform for negotiations in the bilateral format preferred by the parties. We consider the conclusion of a balanced agreement between our two allies to be the basis of peace architecture. This should be done not by external forces, but by the countries of the region." Therefore, this initiative campaign, which has turned into a contest, creates the basis for a clash between the West and Russia over the South Caucasus. For this, let's look again at O'Brien's statements. In his speech, he also emphasised the creation of conditions for the complete separation of Yerevan from Moscow. In parallel with the peace platform, the USA is also trying to put all its efforts in the direction of deepening the Russian-Armenian rift. Speaking at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings, James O'Brien applauded the "bold" steps Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to distance himself from relations with Russia. "A significant part of the Armenian population wants to get away from Russia. Thus, we (American authorities - Note) create conditions for this to happen," the US diplomat said. US sanction warning to Georgia The sudden change of direction of the issue in the process of negotiations regarding the accession of Georgia in the European Union brought different questions to the fore. Georgia is one of the three states closest to the West in the South Caucasus, and due to internal political complexity, the issue of joining the union is pending. Thus, at the Brussels summit, the discussions on the conflicting aspects of the Georgian laws were decided by the fact that the country's full accession to the EU is unacceptable. Georgia was only granted EU candidate country status last December after being given a list of steps it needed to take to proceed, including justice reform. Last day, Washingtons hint of imposing new sanctions against Georgia was another yellow card given its on-hold status to the EU membership. It seems that the failure of the West's hopes regarding Georgia has prompted it to resort to harsh measures. US authorities hope that Tbilisi will change course in the coming months, James O'Brien said in his speech to Congress. "You asked about sanctions. We are actively reviewing our current capabilities in this area. I won't announce anything, but we are looking into it. It is not only about those who benefit from corruption but also about those who participate in the violation of human rights under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Act. A year ago, we saw that the wrong path was chosen, and then the ruling party changed its course and achieved great success. I hope that this can be repeated in the next few months," the diplomat said. The question arises: What kind of fate can await Georgia if it suddenly ignores the wishes of the West? Or if Pashinyan, who acts more whimsically towards Moscow now, turns to Russia again one day, how will Western policy regarding the South Caucasus change? --- Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief; follow him on @ElnurMammadli1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 13:11 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Yuriy Husyev, recently met with Mukhtar Babayev, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Azernews reports. This meeting, reported by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, focused on discussions about preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). This crucial conference, scheduled to be hosted by Azerbaijan later this year, will bring together global leaders and stakeholders to address urgent climate challenges and foster international cooperation. In conclusion, the upcoming COP29 represents a pivotal opportunity for nations to advance their climate agendas and collectively tackle the pressing issues of climate change. The dialogue between Ambassador Husyev and Minister Babayev underscores the collaborative efforts being made to ensure a successful and impactful conference. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 13:32 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, President of COP29 Mukhtar Babayev spoke at the 47th meeting of heads of government of the Caribbean Basin Community (CARICOM). Azernews informs that this was shared on the COP29 account on the "X" social network. Small island states are disproportionately affected by climate change. Azerbaijan is trying to put the problems of these countries at the center of the discussions", it was noted in the sharing. COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev addressed the 47th @CARICOMorg Heads of Government Meeting. Small island states are disproportionately affected by climate change. Azerbaijan is committed to ensuring that their challenges and concerns are at the centre of discussions. pic.twitter.com/y5FeeOyCQv COP29 AZ (@COP29_AZ) July 31, 2024 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 16:52 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more At a press conference held at the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA), General Director Shahin Mahmudzade outlined the institution's strategic initiatives in preparation for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Azernews reports. Mahmudzade detailed the CBAs multi-faceted approach, which includes several key areas of focus - Development of sustainable financial infrastructure; risk management systems; accountability framework; ecosystem preparation. "The first area of focus is the development of sustainable financial infrastructure within the country. This involves establishing the legal framework for 'green' bonds and other sustainable financial instruments. The second area is the formation of risk management systems specifically related to sustainable finance. The third area involves defining accountability mechanisms. The fourth area is preparing the ecosystem for the effective use of sustainable financial instruments. We have accelerated our agenda in relation to COP29," he said. Mahmudzade emphasized the accelerated efforts related to COP29, noting that the CBA is actively working to support the event as the host country. This includes organizing joint initiatives with banks and Baku Stock Exchange CJSC to explore how Azerbaijan can contribute to the international market of sustainable finance. "Another key aspect is to support the formation of initiatives as the host country of the event. We plan to hold joint events with banks and Baku Stock Exchange CJSC to explore how we can contribute to the international market of sustainable finance rather than just the local market," the CBA official added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 16:10 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The delegation from the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency (AFSA) visited the Republic of Belarus from July 29 to July 31 for a business trip, Azernews reports. According to information provided by the agency, the visit aimed to discuss enhancing cooperation between the two countries in food safety, animal and plant health, and the production of veterinary drugs. During the visit, a meeting took place between the delegation, led by Deputy Chairman Balarahim Guliyev, and the Belarusian delegation, led by Minister of Agriculture and Food Anatoly Linevych. At the meeting, congratulations were extended to the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture and Food of Belarus. The discussion highlighted the importance of expanding relations between the relevant institutions in Azerbaijan and Belarus. The meeting addressed the implementation of agreements on establishing veterinary drug production in Azerbaijan. An agreement was reached on developing a roadmap with specific measures for setting up this production. The prospects for current cooperation in creating and applying an animal identification, registration, and tracking system were also considered. Additionally, the meeting covered the steps required to recognise the equivalence of the food facility approval system in Belarus, focusing on poultry meat, its by-products, and egg production and processing enterprises. In the realm of phytosanitary control, discussions centred on integrating information systems between the state regulatory bodies of both countries and improving the exchange of information on phytosanitary certificates and control results in electronic format. During the visit, the Azerbaijani delegation also inspected several institutions, including BelVitunifarm OJSC, the Belarus State Veterinary Centre, the Veterinary-Sanitary Expertise Laboratory, the Animal Identification Centre, and the National Trading House. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 17:41 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Concessions in the field of migration will be implemented between Azerbaijan and Turkiye. Detailed information will be provided once the domestic procedures required for the agreement on migration cooperation between the two countries are completed by both nations, Azernews reports citing the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan. It is important to note that an intergovernmental agreement on migration cooperation was signed during the visit to Turkiye on June 6-7, 2024, by a delegation led by Vusal Huseynov, the head of the State Migration Service and a second-level state migration service advisor. According to the agreement, specific concessions and privileges will be applied to the temporary residence permits for Azerbaijani citizens in Turkiye. During the visit, a wide range of meetings were held between the delegations of Azerbaijan and Turkiye. "In these meetings, aimed at strengthening working relations and addressing issues faced by citizens of both countries, discussions focused on expanding the legal framework for migration cooperation, exchanging information and experiences, and implementing new joint activities. Detailed discussions were also held on simplifying the living and labor conditions for citizens of both countries, focusing on the main aspects of regulating migration processes between the two nations." As part of the visit, the signing ceremony of the "Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Migration between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye" took place. The agreement aims to establish direct relations between the relevant institutions of both states, deepen cooperation, and expand the exchange of experience and information related to migration management, including mutual visits and the living and labor activities of citizens. The agreement was signed by Vusal Huseynov on behalf of Azerbaijan and Atilla Toros on behalf of Turkiye. It was approved by a decree from the President of Azerbaijan on July 26, 2024. The text of the agreement will be published on relevant internet resources (e.g., e-ganun.az) after both countries complete the necessary internal procedures for its implementation. Additionally, Shamil Ayrim, a deputy for Istanbul from Turkiyes ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and head of the Turkiye-Azerbaijan Interparliamentary Friendship Group, noted that positive steps have been taken to further simplify mutual travel between citizens of Azerbaijan and Turkiye. He mentioned that following the signing of the agreement, concessions have been made regarding the temporary residence permits for Azerbaijani students in Turkiye. According to Ayrim, once the agreement is in effect, Azerbaijani students at various levels of higher education in Turkiyebachelors, masters, and doctoralwill be granted residence permits for the duration of their academic year, provided their Azerbaijani passports are valid for that period. For example, if a student completes a bachelors degree in Turkiye during the 2024 academic year, their passport must be valid until at least 2029 to qualify for a one-time, four-year residence permit. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 14:33 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Baku has hosted the eighth evening within the project "Poetry battle with Irana Gasimova", Azernews reports. Founded in 2022, the poetry competition covers various themes from philosophy to humor. Since the launch of the project, poetic duels have taken place in such genres as civil lyrics, philosophical lyrics, love lyrics, satire and landscape lyrics as well as on themes "Motivation" and "Retro". Haji Khashimov, Aykhan Ibrahimov, Maria Durmanova, Arzu Manafli, Nathalie, Arzu Muradova, Eldar Jangirbatov recited their poems within the project. The winner of the competition was determined by a jury consisting of four cultural figures, including actor Teymur Rahimov, member of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, two-time winner of the "Poetry Battle with Irana Gasimova" project, Honored Artist Saida Subhi, journalist, psychologist, two-time winner of the "Poetry Battle with Irana Gasimova" project, Leyla Gurbanova, violinist, Honored Artist Yulia Motorina. Aykhan Ibrahimov, who took first place, was awarded with the diploma and gifts from the project author Irana Gasimova. Irana Gasimova is a member of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, laureate of the Azerbaijani Golden Pen Prize. She is the author of several poetry collections. Her works include satirical play "What Women Want", poetic performance KinoLirika and poetic play "Man and Woman". She gives poets the opportunity to express themselves through various projects, including "Classics of Poetry with Irana Gasimova", "Poetry Battle with Irana Gasimova", "Open Poetry Microphone with Irana Gasimova", etc. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 16:23 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The boundaries and protected zone of Azerbaijan's Tugh State Historical-Architectural and Nature Reserve have been approved, Azernews reports. Azerbaijan Prime Minister Ali Asadov signed a decision in this regard. On June 16, 2023, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the establishment of Tugh"State Historical-Architectural and Nature Reserve. Tugh village is a home to cultural monuments of the Caucasian Albania. There are residential houses, ancient graves and temples decorated with elements, highlighting the traditional architectural style of the Garabagh region. The village also has rich natural potential and ecological resources. Its location on Victory Road (Zfr yolu) leading to Shusha city also increases the prospects of tourism development in the village. The Cabinet of Ministers is entrusted to take necessary measures related to the material and technical support of the reserve and resolve other issues arising from the order. The State Tourism Agency is instructed to ensure the management of the reserve and take necessary measures to resolve other issues arising from the order. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 11:23 (UTC+04:00) By Mazahir Afandiyev It is no secret that in modern times, one of the most crucial components in the survival of each nation is its unique language. The development and preservation of the Azerbaijani language have been critical to our people throughout history. The Azerbaijani language evolved under multiple influences over time and passed through several stages. Today, we can proudly say that our heroic people, after passing the most challenging tests of time with outstanding competence, retained our language, national identity, and moral principles and brought us to this day. We have our own history, culture, and language with deep roots. It is no coincidence that the founding of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), the first democratic republic in the Muslim East, in 1918 provided multiple opportunities and favorable conditions for the widespread use of our native language. When the Democratic Republic's government designated the Azerbaijani-Turkish language to be the official state language throughout the country, actual initiatives to promote its development began. After the bolsheviks abolished the ADR, which lasted only 23 months, the Azerbaijani language experienced a small decline until the 1970s. Then, as in many other areas, great leader Heydar Aliyev has made a unique contribution to the development of our native language and raised it to a high level as a state language. The Great Leader's resolute and principled approach, as well as his serious efforts, resulted in the Azerbaijani language being established as the state language in the new Constitution of the former Azerbaijan USSR, which was enacted in 1978. Given the circumstances at the time, making such a decision was a significant event for our people. However, the existence of an independence state of the people is critical to the powerful development and richness of any language, particularly in achieving the position of a state language. In this sense, Heydar Aliyev, who returned to power for the second time at the request of the grateful Azerbaijani people, effectively carried on the language reforms that had begun and laid the basis for the state's native language policy. Thus, as a result of our national leader's significant efforts, the Azerbaijani language was accepted as the official language in the First National Constitution of the newly independent Republic of Azerbaijan, adopted in 1995. Heydar Aliyev said, "I respect and express my respect for every language. I believe that we can be proud of the Azerbaijani language. Because this is a rich language, it is already a well-known language in the world. The name of our people, our republic, and our language has been recognized." These words became an important road map for determining, forming, and developing state language policy. According to a presidential decree dated August 9, 2001, August 1 is now honored in our country as the day of the Azerbaijani alphabet and language. It can be stated that the modern Republic of Azerbaijan, which hosts the most prestigious events in the world and conducts these international gatherings in the five official languages of the UN, reveals the richness of the Azerbaijani language and fosters an environment in which everyone can study it with love and respect. Over 50 million people worldwide still speak Azerbaijani as their native language, as President Ilham Aliyev pointed out. This process is evolving constantly and becoming more global every day. Up until now, significant events conducted in our country have shaped the opinions of millions of people representing nations around the globe regarding our original language. It is no surprise that the Azerbaijani language is regarded as one of the most outstanding in the world, given its age as well as its fluency, richness, and diversity. All the same, our primary objective is to maintain our language in its current form while also making necessary improvements and additions while keeping in mind its linguistic ties to the Turkic family. By doing this, we hope to support the efforts of the Organization of Turkic States and fulfill our mission in a more significant way. I'd like to point out that as part of COP29, the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will be hosted by our country this year, tens of thousands of eco-activists and COP policy experts will visit Azerbaijan. This, in turn, will provide an opportunity for our people to express the richness, purity, wisdom, and holiness of the Azerbaijani language, which is a reflection of our identity, to each guest with genuine respect and welcome. Mazahir Afandiyev is the Member of the Milli Majlis (the Azerbaijani Parliament). --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 11:02 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more On July 31, during his working visit to Tehran, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov met with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, Azernews reports, citing the Cabinet of Ministers. Ali Asadov conveyed President Ilham Aliyev's greetings and congratulations to Masoud Pezeshkian on the occasion of assuming his presidential duties. The Prime Minister presented President Masoud Pezeshkian with an invitation letter from President Ilham Aliyev to participate in COP29, which will be held in Azerbaijan this November. During the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the successful development of friendly and fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Iran in various fields, and future prospects for cooperation in all areas of mutual interest were discussed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 11:41 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been invited to the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year, Azernews reports. Today, July 31, Prime Minister Ali Asadov, in his meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian, conveyed the greetings and congratulations of President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of assuming his presidential duties. The Prime Minister presented President Masoud Pezeshkian with an invitation letter from President Ilham Aliyev to participate in COP29, which will be held in Azerbaijan this November. Recall that Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, will host the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) for the first time in the region from November 1122, 2024. The decision was made at the plenary session of COP28 on December 11. Azerbaijan successfully participated in the COP28 held in Abu Dhabi last year. Azerbaijan will take the opportunity to bring heads of state and governments, civil society organisations, business, and international institutions together in the South Caucasus to discuss climate change, measures to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement, and focus on long-term climate strategies and goals. It is worth noting that Azerbaijan confirmed its commitment to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by 35 percent by 2030 and increase this target by 40 percent by 2050. Fulfilling the commitments under the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015 and actively working in this regard are priority issues for the government of Azerbaijan. The Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has been held annually since 1995. The event aims to assess the progress made in combating climate change around the world. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The partnership between Azerbaijan and China is poised for further growth and development. The two countries have laid a solid foundation for long-term collaboration in various fields. Over the past years, the cultural relations between Azerbaijan and China have seen significant growth, as evidenced by the meeting between the culture ministers of both countries to discuss prospects of cooperation. Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has received Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China (PRC), head of the China's National Cultural Heritage Administration Li Chun, who was on a visit to Azerbaijan at the invitation of the ministry, Azernews reports. The Chinese delegation, which included Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan Ding Tao, head of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage Li Liusan and other officials, was also presented at the meeting. During the meeting, Adil Karimli hailed the strong ties between Azerbaijan and China, highlighting the broad and promising cooperation between the two countries based on mutual interest and trust, thanks to the political will of their leaders. In his speech, the Azerbaijani Culture Minister also mentioned the significance of the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China" (PRC). "The Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China" (PRC), adopted during the meeting of President Ilham Aliyev with Chinese President Xi Jinping within the framework of the Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in Astana this July, opened a new page in the relations between the two countries," he said. The Minister Li Chun expressed graditude for the warm welcome and emphasized the elevation of relations between the countries to a strategic partnership level. The Chinese Minister also provided information about the Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (ACHA), said that the alliance is implementing 15 programs in various areas. Li Chun stressed the importance of the representation of the Azerbaijani side in the specialized structures of ACHA and proposed Azerbaijan to host the IV conference of the alliance. He pointed out that the project related to the study of underwater heritage in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea can be implemented by ACHA, which has extensive experience in the field of underwater heritage studies. Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China (PRC) also expressed interest in studying Azerbaijan's experience in the field of digital monitoring of cultural heritage. Noting that cultural cooperation occupies a special place in the relations, which are expanding every year, Adil Karimli brought to attention that Azerbaijan is interested in further developing ties in various fields of culture. He noted that his visit to China in September 2023 made a deep impression on him and emphasized the importance of the meetings held there for future cooperation. The sides exchanged views on the development of roadmaps and draft memorandums on cultural cooperation. The relevant draft memorandums were submitted by China to the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry. Li Chun added that it would be good to sign memorandums in Beijing next year that will contribute to the development of cooperation between the countries. China's National Cultural Heritage Administration Li Chun also said that they would like to see an Azerbaijani gallery in China's famous cultural complex 798 Art Zone. It was brought to the attention that Azerbaijan will host the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) on November 11-22, where issues of culture in the context of climate change will be raised as well. The conference will also highlight the role of culture in environmental protection. Adil Karimli outlined that the participation of the Chinese side in this prestigious event will be of great importance. The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of interest to the parties. In conclusion, gifts were presented and commemorative photos were taken. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 15:51 (UTC+04:00) An Azerbaijani delegation led by Prime Minister Ali Asadov visited the Azerbaijani embassy in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has resumed operations at a new address in Tehran, Azernews reports. During the visit, Prime Minister Ali Asadov toured the embassy building and held discussions with the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Iran and the embassy staff. Note that during his working visit to Tehran, Ali Asadov, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Prime Minister also presented an invitation letter from President Ilham Aliyev to President Masoud Pezeshkian for participation in COP29, which will be held in Azerbaijan this November. It is worth noting that, as a result of negotiations between Azerbaijan and Iran, Azerbaijan's embassy in this country has resumed its activities at a new address. The Iranian side, as the accrediting country, has taken appropriate measures to ensure diplomatic protection in front of the new embassy building in accordance with its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 15:33 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more The next resettlement process to Lachin has been completed, Azernews reports. The families who set off in the morning have arrived at their native lands. This time, the city of Lachin has embraced 18 families, thereby ending the longing for their homeland for 60 Lachin residents. The families who set foot in Lachin reunited with their homeland with tears of joy. They were greeted with great enthusiasm and admired the beautiful scenery of Lachin. The Lachin residents returning to their native land expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state care they received. They also expressed their thanks to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, our heroic soldiers and officers who liberated our lands from occupation, and wished mercy to our martyrs who sacrificed their lives on this path, and patience to their families. With this, permanent settlement has been provided for 552 families, that is, 2031 people, in the city of Lachin. It should be noted that all conditions have been created for the resettled families to settle in the houses that have been restored or newly built in Lachin city under the instructions of our head of state. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 17:06 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more A round table on "Ensuring Citizens' Electoral Rights" was organized in connection with the early elections to the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, jointly by the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Central Election Commission (CEC). The event was attended by representatives from both institutions, as well as media representatives, Azernews reports. Opening the event, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission, Mazahir Panahov, spoke about the importance of large-scale awareness-raising projects organized jointly with relevant state institutions in conducting free, fair, and transparent elections. He discussed the efforts and steps taken to further improve election legislation and practices, and emphasized that appropriate conditions had been created for the organization of parliamentary elections at a high level, in accordance with legal requirements and international standards. Highlighting the responsibilities of media entities in the election process, the CEC Chairman also drew attention to the comprehensive and extensive opportunities created for local and international observation of the elections. Ombudsperson Sabina Aliyeva noted that joint educational events would be implemented to increase the awareness level of election participants for the more effective provision of citizens' electoral rights and the comprehensive development of the electoral system. She mentioned that a calendar plan for these events had already been approved and necessary steps had been taken towards its implementation, in collaboration with the CEC, ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. The Commissioner emphasized that the conduct of elections in accordance with the Electoral Code reaffirmed the country's commitment to the principles of building a legal, democratic state, ensuring human rights and freedoms, and developing national legislation. Furthermore, the Ombudsperson and her Office's staff, as well as regional center employees, would independently observe the early parliamentary elections in Baku and across the country's regions, based on positive experience from previous years. Sabina Aliyeva also provided her recommendations for more effective provision of electoral rights, based on the experience gained from the activities carried out by the Ombudsman institution during previous elections. Following this, Ilkin Shahbazov, a member of the Central Election Commission, delivered a report on "Constitutional and Legislative Opportunities for Effective Provision of Electoral Rights," highlighting that the country's existing electoral legislation and purposeful steps taken towards high-level election conduct created conditions for voters to freely and openly exercise their constitutional rights. During his speech on "The Importance of the Observation Institute and the Role of the Ombudsman in This Process," Aydin Safikhanli, head of the Ombudsman's Office, discussed the importance of implementing the observation institute during the election process. He stated that the observation institute contributed to the protection of citizens' electoral rights, the elimination of potential shortcomings during the election process, and the creation of an atmosphere of openness and transparency, and spoke about the Ombudsman institution's observation experience. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 17:34 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Ditmir Bushati, the head of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Azernews reports, citing the ministry. It was reported that during the meeting, preparations for the early parliamentary elections on September 1 of this year and international obligations in this direction were discussed. The Minister gave detailed information to the other party about the consistent, systematic, and intensive steps taken to ensure the upcoming elections are free, fair, and transparent, similar to the presidential elections held earlier this year, as well as about the participation of international observers in the elections. It was emphasized that the parliamentary elections, like the presidential elections, will, for the first time, cover the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation, marking a historic moment. It was noted that appropriate conditions have been created for the elections to be organized at a high level, in full compliance with the requirements of the legislation and international standards. Additionally, it was emphasized that it is necessary for election observation missions to apply an objective and impartial approach during the election observation process in accordance with their rules and mandates. The head of the mission noted that a press conference would be held on August 1 to announce the start of the observation mission, and provided an overview of the tasks to be undertaken by the mission over the next six weeks. The parties also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00) "The US is trying to create conditions for Armenia to move away from its traditional strong relations with Russia." According to Azernews, James O'Brien, assistant to the United States Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs, said this. Speaking at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings, he applauded the bold steps Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to distance himself from relations with Russia. "A significant part of the Armenian population wants to get away from Russia. Thus, we (American authorities - Note) create conditions for this to happen." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 16:34 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more Turkiye continues to stand by Azerbaijan in processes in the South Caucasus, responding appropriately to regional developments. It should be recalled that since the late 1980s, Turkiye has reacted strongly to Armenia's terrorist acts, genocide, and crimes committed in Azerbaijani territories. In 1993, Ankara closed its borders with Armenia and cut off all diplomatic and trade relations with the country. Since that time, Armenia has pursued a policy of occupying Azerbaijani lands but received an appropriate response during the Second Garabagh War in 2020. The Azerbaijani army liberated Garabagh and reclaimed its historic lands in just 44 days. Normalization process in Turkiye-Armenia relations Since the end of the conflict, Armenia has been very eager to normalise relations with Turkiye. However, Ankara has repeatedly stated that Armenia can only make progress in its relations with Turkiye after signing a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. It is no coincidence that until a few months ago, the Pashinyan administration, unable to gain sufficient support from the West, was able to take steps to contribute to peace and fulfil Azerbaijan's rightful demands. The meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Almaty in May signalled great hopes for a peace treaty in the region. During this time, there was also noticeable progress in Turkiye-Armenia relations. In January 2022, talks on normalization began, and in February 2022, direct flights between the two countries started. Yesterday, the fifth round related to the normalization process was held at the Turkiye-Armenia border. As a result of the meeting, the possibility of opening the borders only to citizens of third countries emerged. Armenian media did not miss the opportunity Following this session dedicated to the normalization process, the Armenian media snatched this opportunity to come into the spotlight with false and inaccurate information. Reports on the opening of borders between Turkiye and Armenia appeared in the Armenian media after the meeting between the two countries. These articles claimed that relations with Ankara had deteriorated due to Azerbaijan. Interestingly, none of these articles mentioned that Turkiye-Armenia relations were disrupted due to Armenia's so-called genocide claims and acts of vandalism in Garabagh. The situation of the Armenian media, coming into the spotlight with biased and inaccurate news while trying to rebuild relations with Ankara, is pitiful. Note that besides leveling accusations against Turkiye regarding a disputed "genocide," Yerevan also asserts territorial claims rooted in the Treaty of Sevres and pledges made to Armenian leaders by Entente government envoys on the eve of World War I. Armenia continues to depict Mount Agr on its coat of arms and espouses aspirations for the so-called Western Armenia, a region envisaged to emerge from six eastern Anatolian regions under the Treaty of Sevres. Armenian disinformation is not new to the world It should be noted that the habit of the Armenian press to distort information and share fake news has been ongoing for years. During the Second Garabagh War in 2020 and the localized anti-terror measures in 2023, the Armenian media tried to attract global attention with fake news. For instance, Armenians attempted to present images of children injured in earthquakes years ago as victims of Azerbaijani terror during anti-Azerbaijan protests. Even many well-known Armenian officials, including Hovhannes Virabyan, the Ambassador of Armenia to Argentina, Peru, and Chile, shared these false reports on his X social account. It appears that Armenians resorted to such deceit because they could not find any evidence of children being harmed during the 23-hour anti-terror operations in Garabagh. Given this customary behavior, informed media representatives today can predict the inaccuracy of the information reflected in the Armenian media. Today, instead of working towards peace, the situation of the Armenian media announcing the opening of borders and even the abolition of visa requirements with Turkiye is ridiculous. It should be noted that Turkiye has not yet confirmed the news of opening borders even for citizens of third countries. And let's once again convey the message of the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to the attention of the Armenian press, which tends to circulate false news: "Until the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is resolved, Turkiye will not open its border with aggressor Armenia!" --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 31 July 2024 21:43 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The Chinese currency, the yuan, has overtaken the euro and become the second largest currency in the world, Azernews reports. According to the Society of Global Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT), the market share of the yuan reached 5.99 percent in June from 5.08 percent in May. The euro's market share was 5.92 percent. This is not the first time that the yuan has surpassed the euro in financial transactions. SWIFT data shows that the last time this happened was in November 2023. The US dollar still holds the largest market share in global currency circulation. Its share is more than 80 percent. When calculating payments in world trade, it was found that the yuan is currently the fourth most common currency. The Chinese currency has been holding this position for the eighth month. SWIFT reports that the most commonly used currencies in global payments today are the US dollar, euro, pound sterling, yuan and yen. The market share of the US dollar is almost 60 percent. Over the past decade, China has actively internationalized its currency, seeking to create a financial infrastructure for cross-border payments using this currency. For example, the country has established payment banks in yuan in foreign markets, and is also expanding the system of cross-border interbank payments (CIPS). Russia and Brazil have also increased the use of the yuan in recent years amid a shortage of US dollars. Last year, China signed a currency exchange agreement with Argentina. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Detour to Oceanside, Cape Meares Coming in August - Some N. Oregon Coast Traffic Affected Published 7/23/24 at 7:55 p.m. By Andre' GW Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection (Oceanside, Oregon) A month of some amount of travel hassles is coming soon to a major north Oregon coast attraction, as one route between Oceanside and Tillamook will be cut off due to a major construction project. Bayocean Road will be closed in one area. Tillamook County and its tourism arm, Tillamook Coast Visitors Association (TCVA), announced the closure this week, saying it will take place August 5 through September 5. (Bayocean's beach / Oregon Coast Beach Connection) The closure cuts off the quick route between Tillamook and Cape Meares, however the newly-reopened Three Capes Loop allows easy access to both towns. It simply takes a little longer coming from the north. In December 2015, the culvert hosting Dick Creek on Bayocean Road blew out, necessitating the installation of a temporary bridge on this rather important north Oregon coast access route. Now, after thorough design and permitting processes, Tillamook County has selected a contractor to build a permanent bridge. Here are the closure details: Dates: The closure will be in effect from August 5th to September 5th. Location: Specifically, the closure affects Bayocean Road at milepost 2.4, situated between the Memaloose Boat Launch and Bayocean Dike Road. Courtesy TCVA The closure won't be easier on those walking, either. No accommodations for pedestrian or bicycle traffic will be made during this closure period, TCVA said. There are some environmental constraints, TCVA said. The timing of the road closure is based on environmental limitations and cannot be accelerated, the agency said. However, the contractor will make every effort to reopen the road before Labor Day weekend. MAP OF BAYOCEAN ROAD / OR 131 DETOUR To accommodate Oregon coast travelers during the closure, a detour route has been created: Route: Take OR 131 to Oceanside, turn right onto Cape Meares Loop Road, and follow signs over the new alignment of Cape Meares Loop Road; this road intersects with Bayocean Road at Cape Meares Lake. Take a left to the community of Cape Meares or a right to access Bayocean Dike Road. Signage: Detour signs will be installed to guide the traveling public. Tillamook County said it appreciates the public's understanding and cooperation during this essential infrastructure improvement project. The new permanent bridge will enhance safety and accessibility for all travelers in the region, ODOT said. For any questions or further information, please contact Tillamook County Public Works at 503-842-3419. Tillamook County last year announced the reopening of Cape Meares Loop Road, a crucial connector between Cape Meares and Oceanside, and the critical piece in restoring the historic Three Capes Scenic Route. This milestone followed a decade of dedicated efforts in design, funding, relocation, and construction after the road was closed in 2013 due to severe landslide damage. The original Cape Meares Loop Road has faced challenges since 1877 when the first slides occurred. In November 2012, a significant landslide caused extensive damage, leading to the closure of the road in 2013. Cape Meares Loop Rd. Reopens, N. Oregon Coast's Three Capes is 'Loop' Again After 10 Years Also happening right now: campfires have been temporarily banned in many Oregon state parks, mostly east of the Willamette Valley and Cascades. However, about all south Oregon coastal state parks have some kinds of fire bans as well, prohibiting campfires or fires in areas other than designated spots or fire rings. These include state parks at Bandon, Arizona Beach, Cape Arago, Cape Blanco near Port Orford, Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, Brookings and more. North and central coast parks are not listed at this time, although you should always check your destination if you're going camping. All Siuslaw National Forest areas have stricter bans. All Siuslaw National Forest Areas Under Fire Restrictions; South Oregon Coast Parks MORE ON THIS AREA BELOW Hotels in Three Capes - Where to eat - Three Capes Maps and Virtual Tours Hotels in Oceanside - Where to eat - Oceanside Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Quirky Oregon Coast History Tidbits: Jetty from a Shipwreck, Wacky Animals Published 7/30/24 at 12:05 a.m. By Andre' GW Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection (Oregon Coast) What jetty in Oregon was partially built from a shipwreck? When did the the second exploding whale almost happen? And who likes seals that bite, shipwreck crime or a one-eyed seal? The answers in Oregon's coastal history will surprise you and maybe make you chuckle a tad. Part of Bandon's Jetty Made from Shipwreck Shipwrecks around the world form some mighty funky features in the ocean waters, especially those we can't see. Some have purposefully become manmade reefs of a sort. On the south Oregon coast, however, one was used to help construct the jetties at Bandon. After it wrecked on the rocks on November 2, 1953, the town simply let parts of it stay right where it was and utilized it to add onto the south jetty. The Olson in spring of '54 with a walkway attached The 507-foot Oliver Olson crashed against the jetty of the Coquille River one cold, stormy night, leaving three huge holes in its hull. Aboard were 29 men, and although parts of the ship were flooding below and the waves were knocking against it, they had to sit put for a few days. They eventually were evacuated by a line to the ship as another storm was barreling in. The Olson was owned by Oliver J Olson and Company, and its sister ship ran aground at Bandon several months before. It made it out after spendy repairs, but owners decided to abandon this vessel right where it was after only three days. After lots of legal finagling, intervention by a U.S. Congressman and dealings with Lloyds of London, it was decided to incorporate it into an extension of the jetty. This had been on the minds of locals for some time, as the bar entrance was particularly rough. Fairly quickly, tons of material onboard was salvaged, and by the early part of '54 crews were slowly blowtorching the ship apart. What was left of the hull was filled with rock and extended the jetty by some 450 feet. This was completed by the end of the summer. Oregon Coast True Crime: Stealing from a Shipwreck Back in 1954, January 2 saw three thieves apprehended near that Oliver Olson shipwreck. Local authorities caught James and Walter Cook (brothers from Sixes) and Lloyd Clark of Powers in the act. They stole more than $1,000 worth of stuff off the ship (worth thousands now), including radios. It's a dangerous and greasy crime quite literally, as there was copious oil from the ship all over the rocks it was lodged against. According to newspaper coverage most of the stuff was recovered. Depoe Bay's Snapping Seal Who likes a bitey seal? Really, no one. Then again, humans shouldn't be able to go near them. Beginning about the '30s, Depoe Bay had its own aquarium. Back then, just like in Seaside, you could feed those little fellas. Also back then: newspapers would have the oddest of details in their coverage. Like the August 12, 1938 edition of many Oregon papers which had the headline: Biting Seal Exists in Depoe Bay. While not exactly groundbreaking history, it's amusing. The article documents how Arden E. Howard of Depoe Bay had been bitten by one of the Depoe Bay Aquarium's pinnipeds. The seal, which is kept in captivity at the aquarium, seems rather uninterested in the incident. Clara the One-Eyed Seal Deep in Seaside Aquarium, you can sometimes find a big, old-school sign that declares Clara the One-Eyed Seal. She was a famed one at the aquarium from the '40s through 1978. She died that year, apparently 35 years old. According to manager Keith Chandler, she was a celebrity, even after her death. The eye was seriously disfigured something had happened when she was younger. She was in no pain. One of her favorite tricks was to put her flippers to her mouth, showing tourists she wanted to be fed, Chandler said. Her life span was a big deal: it was a record. Im not sure if thats the record anymore, Chandler told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. But it was at the time. Tall Tale of Tillie the Almost-Exploding Whale Animals and wildlife often make for a particularly kind of amusing history on the Oregon coast, and one of those is Waldport's Tillie the Whale. Kitsch is cool on the coast, especially if it's of a historical nature, and the wacky skeleton of a whale by Tillicum Beach definitely counts as that. It all starts in August of 1938 (the '30s were packed full o' crazy stuff on the coast). An already-stinky whale corpse showed up on that beach between Waldport and Yachats. Drawing thousands of onlookers, it soon became an unbearable stench for Waldport, and state authorities wouldn't take care of it. At least one media outlet hinted locals should blow it up as they had in Warrenton just a year prior. That's right, Florence wasn't the first exploding whale. Warrenton Had an 'Exploding Whale' 30 Years Before Central Oregon Coast No one blew this whale up, but its carcass was eventually turned into this skeleton that stood outside various gift shops and lodgings that were here from the '30s through at least the '60s. It was a famed though now forgotten roadside attraction in Oregon. Oregon Coast's Tillie the Whale History a Kooky and Dramatic One Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Looking southeast up Old Blounts Creek Road from above Tract A, in Autumn of 2023, the southwest corner of Old Blounts Creek Road and Hill Road: Above. Locational Map of northeastern North Carolina Created by SNI Productions; Drone images by SNI Productions: Below. Click image to expand. Calf Creek Preserve is less than 1 7/8 hours driving time (about 104 miles) away from the Raleigh, and less than 29 minutes driving time (about 21 miles) east of Greenville, NC's center: Above. Tract A, farthest west; Tract B, next farthest west; Tract C farthest east; and all the state road frontage along Old Blounts Creek Road, in Autumn of 2023, clean and cleared of all detractive nuisances, possibly for perpetuity: Below. Locational Map created by SNI Productions. Click image to expand. The Commercial Corner possibilities in the Calf Creek Preserve begins with the southwest corner of Old Blounts Creek Road and Hill Road (about 21 miles) east from the the center of Greenville, NC, known as Tract A; Tract B, the southwest corner of Old Blounts Creek Road and Hill Road, in Summer of 2024, with the Chocowinity Bay (west) and the Pamlico River (east) along the horizon: Above. Looking southwest, away from the Pamlico estuary, the Commercial Corners for this mixed used project is well represented fully in this image of Tract A (west corner) and Tract B (east corner) Locational Map created by SNI Productions. Drone images by SNI Productions: Below. Click image to expand. Looking south at the waterfront access lot for Calf Creek Preserve, with the entire 422 acres, mostly botanically populated by mostly towering oaks, and other dry natured hardwoods, which is the locational backbone of what could be Beaufort County's most unique community that is developable, where all surrounding timberland is not, rendering Calf Creek Preserve a veritable park: Above. The northeastern view of the Waterfront Access Lot for Calf Creek Preserve: Below Drone images by SNI Productions Click image to expand. Co-brokerage for these Commercial Corners and mixed tract shown above is 4.0% of the sales price on the sale of all lots, or combination of lots, and, or 3.6% of the sales price of all tracts or combination of tracts to the brokerage representing the sales side of the conveyance. Contact Information Below: Stan Deatherage, broker #82765 106 Beechtree Street Washington, NC 27889 Office Fax: (252) 946-1132 Cell: (252) 946-2361 email: stan@beaufortcountynow.com stan@deatherageandassociates.com This effort in exposition begins the noble experiment of many years of planning this land, deep within the Chocowinity Bay /Pamlico River watershed, and how to capture its essence, its true value as an eclectic mixed use community, and provide a substantive setting for natural living.This natural assemblage of Tracts A, B & C is one of a purely mixed use in plan and purpose being brought into fruition because of quite a few factors, but most notably situs, or commonly considered asTo that end, Beaufort County, here in northeastern North Carolina, is in dire need of efficient, unique, and effective housing of a high value relative to all regional markets. Calf Creek Preserve is planned to become just that, but even then, there is a missing ingredient - where to shop, congregate and create a real people's marketplace?To create the properties of community, where neighbors and outlying areas might be better served in continuing an abundant life, proximity to place and people is paramount.In this rarified area, where the panoramic Pamlico Estuary meets a rural-park-like setting of solitude in the natural environment of abundant wildlife, unequalled in the southeastern United States, while only minutes from population centers, like Greenville, NC, there will always be a need for the uniquely created space for the public to congregate. In real estate reality, there is no better location to do such other than the utility of commercial corners, where at least one of those two hard surfaced state roads meet is well traveled, like Old Blounts Creek Road - the river road of the south side of Chocowinity Bay, the Pamlico River; all the way to Blounts Bay and Blounts Creek, where the highest in elevation waterfront exists in all of Beaufort County.These three mixed use commercial tracts, providing the two commercial corners on Hill Road and Old Blounts Creek Road, which total estimated road frontage totals of: 976 feet on Old Blounts Creek Road (Tract A), 1,138 feet on Hill Road (Tract A); 1,429 feet on Hill Road (Tract B), 1,060 feet (Tract B) on Old Blounts Creek Road; 407 feet (Tract C) on Old Blounts Creek Road, for a total of: 2,443 feet on Old Blounts Creek Road; 2,567 feet on Hill Road; for a total of 5,010 feet of frontage on state roads - Old Blounts Creek Road and Hill Road.Additionally, Tract B (1,892 feet of southern boundary frontage) and Tract C (933 feet of southern boundary frontage) have a combined Norfolk Southern railway frontage of 2825 feet running along the southern boundary of both tracts. Tract G enjoys 1,269 feet of Norfolk Southern railway frontage along its northern boundary. Even though the Nutrien Mines and Products Train passes infrequently, the railway access could be a great benefit in this mixed use application of this property's mixed usage.These strategic spaces as mixed use opportunities; these expansive tracts as Commercial Corners, where multiple opportunities abound, one may create a plethora of potential purposes, where public markets may be constructed in optimum spaces of public congregation. Any or all market opportunities in the Tracts of B and C will support fully a simultaneous mixed usage of residential, most of which will enjoy Waterfront Access, and the usage of common spaces in Tract S , for residential owners in this mixed use project of Tracts A, B, C and part of G (wildlife preserve and woodland of an estimated 10.620 acres). All tracts sold in this one block are an estimated 80.929 acres, which includes a guaranteed 161 bedrooms of septic utility of usage, on or off-site as needed, which adds, by non exclusive easement, the promise of many additional acres to achieve this mixed use development for humankind. Now that Kamala Harris has been coronated the Democratic Socialist designee for nomination as their candidate for President of these United States, after that political party's contrived primary process "democratically" elected Joseph R. Biden: What are your feelings about this party's progressive posture within their self-styled exercise of "Saving Democracy for America," and how truly critical the outcome of this presidential election will be? 8.7% I am ecstatic that this "Democracy's" First partially Black, First partially Indian, First female Co-Parent, and this nation's primary necessity is to her elect our First woman president.26.09% I really do not care about all these "Firsts." I will continue to pray, and work for this Representative Republic to elect someone competent, and brilliantly patriotic to be our next president.65.22% I will never vote for any politician that "first" does not have the core values to understand how dire this Constitutional Republic's situation has become. July 27, 2024 came and went and there was no mention of the end of the Korean war on this date in 1954. 70 years ago this closed a war that some measures estimate killed or missing in action 4.2 million people. The United States fought the North Koreans and the Chinese Army in such bloody battles at Pork Chop Hill where our soldiers were using their dead comrades as shields to advance up the hill. And Frozen Chosin where eight thousand fighters, most of them US Marines, struggled to survive the coldest North Korean winter in 100 years surrounded by 120,000 Chinese Soldiers. The North Korean prisons should be remembered where American POWs suffered extreme torture and malnutrition during the war. What started the Korean War? Ai Overview: The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea's People's Army (NKPA) invaded South Korea, crossing the 38th parallel that divided the two countries. The war was the result of years of tension on the Korean peninsula, and North Korea's goal was to unify the country under communism. North Korean leader Kim Il-sung launched the attack after receiving a promise of support from Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, who was convinced that the United States would not get involved. The Cold War conflict was a civil war that became a proxy battle between the superpowers as they clashed over Communism and Democracy. It was a civil war and about 70 percent of those who died were civilians. President Truman ordered US Forces into South Korea. Truman thought Democrats needed to look tough on Communism and he used Korea to send a message that the U.S will contain communism and come to the aid of their allies. On June 27, 1950 President Truman ordered U.S forces to South Korea to repulse the Norths invasion. The United States never formally declared war on North Korea. Instead, Truman referred to the addition of ground troops as a Police Action Now we are involved with many nations. Communism has never worked. It is estimated by several institutes that over 100 million people died under communism during the 20th Century. Starvation and famine may have caused many of these deaths. No matter where it was tried, communism has always resulted in mountains of dead bodies. As for socialist economics, it has always resulted in shortages, inefficiency, poverty, and desperation. The verdict of history is clear, but only if people are willing to see it. While our youth are being indoctrinated in our Public Schools for Socialism and Liberalism, they should also be taught, Old men start wars for Young men to die. While Korea is the forgotten war, we face what could be the most devastating war in the history of the world. Will it be for Communism, Socialism or I dont know and I dont care? The costs of doing business continue to soar for ASCs, while Medicare and private payer reimbursements continue to decrease. Here's five ways that ASC leaders are fighting the imbalance in the industry. 1.) Optimizing workflow. Reducing operational costs is one side of the balance sheet for ASCs. AI can assist with administrative work often associated with extra labor costs or additional burdens for physicians. Robotic or robot-assisted surgeries can also help improve efficiency. The ability of these technologies to improve clinical detection ultimately increases an ASC's capacity for procedures. At Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine, for example, physicians who used AI to perform colonoscopies saw a 13% increase in colorectal polyps detection. 2.) Supplier rate negotiations. Another item on the cost-cutting side of the balance sheet where some physicians have found success is negotiating better rates with their medical suppliers. "I work on this daily to find the best pricing for our medical supplies as well as all our equipment repair costs," Bill Rhoades, COO of Harrisburg (Pa.) Endoscopy and Surgery Center, told Becker's. It never hurts to contact your suppliers to work out better rates for supplies and repairs. Companies that want to keep your business will usually try and help, and being a loyal customer should always count in negotiations. 3.) Offering lower cost, high-yield procedures. Diversifying the services offered at an ASC can help create a reliable cash flow. "Offering a multitude of lower-cost yet higher-yield procedures, like GI services or procedures, can help increase the profitability of a practice by increasing revenues and diversifying revenue stream," Shakeel Ahmend, MD, gastroenterologist and CEO of Atlas Surgical Group (St. Louis) told Becker's. 4.) Communication is key. For some, ensuring that all staff from assistants to surgeons are on the same page about costs can make a difference for an ASC's bottom line. "Surgeon communication on costs should increase, and exercises such as case-costing and benchmarking are key. This can also occur with staff, encouraging them to not open supplies and implants until they are needed, and potentially rewarding staff for cost savings with a bonus pool," Greg DeConciilis, administrator of Boston Out-Patient Surgical Sites, told Becker's. "Your materials manager personnel should encourage competition among vendors and trial new products that achieve cost savings." 5.) Negotiating with payers when possible. While some physicians express frustration with the lack of communication on the part of payers, others have succeeded in negotiating directly with payer groups. If it's financially viable, some say hiring a consultant to assist with payer talks can prove to be a worthy investment. "In regards to decreasing reimbursement, I would argue that hiring a consultant to analyze your contracts and attempt to renegotiate your contracts can be an effective cost-conscious exercise," said Dr. DeConciilis. "It may be costly to perform this analysis and negotiation, but on the back end, it can be exponentially beneficial." The North Carolina attorney general's office is asking the state health department to deny HCA Healthcare's certificate-of-need application to add 26 acute care beds to its Asheville-based Mission Hospital. The move follows a recent effort to push Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, one of the largest ASC operators, to give up control of the system. HCA, however, maintains that it can meet the growing need for complex medical and surgical services in the region. "The current utilization of Mission Hospital's services is very high, including services related to the ICU and adult medical and surgical beds. Currently, Mission Hospital accepts thousands of patient transfers from other hospitals across the region," A spokesperson for Mission told Becker's. "These transfers reflect a need for the addition of higher acuity beds and services offered by Mission, which will meet the needs of patients in western North Carolina. Additionally, if approved, Mission believes that it can make these beds available on a more expedited timeline than other applicants." Here are five more things to know: 1. HCA isn't the only health system looking to expand in the region. Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth and Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health have both submitted CON in the area. 2. Reclaim Healthcare WNC, a group of physicians, nurses, elected officials and community advocates, have criticized HCA's alleged "harmful culture and practices" and launched a campaign to replace HCA with a nonprofit organization. 3. Leaders at Reclaim have criticized several changes at HCA, including the closure of two family medicine practices with only 45 days notice, the failure of HCA to maintain relationships with physician groups and the departure of more than 200 physicians and 600 nurses, among other allegations, according to a July 28 editorial published in The Citizen Times. 4. "Any grant of a certificate of need should promote competition and advance the state medical facility plan's basic principles of safety, quality, access and value. Granting Mission's application would do neither," North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein wrote in the July 29 letter.. "The large market share for acute care services that Mission already enjoys in western North Carolina makes it a poor candidate to promote competition in that region. And Mission is failing to provide safe, quality, accessible and affordable care in the region at its existing facilities." 5. The health system is also facing a lawsuit from the North Carolina attorney general's office alleging it cut emergency and cancer care at Mission Health, lapsing on its 2019 purchase agreement. "Though there have been challenges, some of which we are continuing to address as we work to expand our capacity, we remain committed to serving our community," Mission said in a statement after the complaint was filed. "Despite the state not allowing important expansions at Mission Hospital, we will continue to fight for critical access to healthcare services for the people of Western North Carolina. As the Attorney General acknowledged, this lawsuit is no reflection on the dedication of our doctors, nurses and colleagues who serve our patients every day. This lawsuit will not have any impact on our commitment to the community we are proud to serve." A ransomware attack has disrupted operations at OneBlood, a nonprofit blood donation center that serves hundreds of hospitals. According to OneBlood's website, the nonprofit is facing a ransomware attack that is affecting its software system. OneBlood serves hospitals in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The nonprofit said despite the incident, it is still operational and continues to collect, test and distribute blood, but is functioning at significantly reduced capacity. "We have implemented manual processes and procedures to remain operational. Manual processes take significantly longer to perform and impacts inventory availability. In an effort to further manage the blood supply we have asked the more than 250 hospitals we serve to activate their critical blood shortage protocols and to remain in that status for the time being," OneBlood's website reads. Additionally, OneBlood said on its website that it is working with cybersecurity specialists and federal, state and local agencies to respond to the situation. Could Amazon be headed for big losses for its healthcare businesses? A spokesperson for the tech giant told Becker's that Amazon Health Services is making "strong progress" to "drive growth, to build a sustainable cost structure, and most importantly, make quality healthcare better, easier, more accessible, and more transparent for patients." The spokesperson was responding to leaked draft documents from December, first reported July 30 by Business Insider, that the company's healthcare businesses were set to lose more than $1 billion in 2024 after losing nearly $1.3 billion in 2023. These figures are incorrect, and do not accurately reflect the financial performance of Amazon Health Services," the spokesperson said. "The 2023 figures are based on incomplete draft documents that did not and do not reflect our actual 2023 performance. Amazon Health Services teams have not yet finalized 2024 year-end expectations, but those figures are also incorrect." Amazon has continued its push into healthcare that started with the acquisition of online pharmacy PillPack in 2018 for nearly $1 billion and primary care company One Medical in 2023 for $3.9 billion. Amazon's pharmacy business has expanded with same-delivery prescription delivery now in eight cities and a partnership with Eli Lilly and Co. One Medical has added clinics and markets since the deal. Amazon laid off a few hundred healthcare employees in February. The company reports quarterly earnings Aug. 1. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez approved the closure of Dallas-based Steward Health Care's two Massachusetts hospitals, Boston-based Carney Hospital and Ayer-based Nashoba Valley Medical Center, by Aug. 31 during a July 31 hearing. Mr. Lopez also granted a request from Steward to reject "Master Lease II" agreements for its Massachusetts hospitals, which lets new hospital buyers negotiate new leases with the landlords of each facility. "There's no question that business judgment has been satisfied today, as painful as that is, to whether they should close these hospitals, the debtors are going to be authorized to close the hospitals," Mr. Lopez said during the hearing. "The legal standard has been met. My job is to enforce the law. I hope people understand how to keep those hospitals open based upon the evidence before me, threatens the entire hospital system in Massachusetts." The health system, which sought Chapter 11 protection May 6, shared plans to close the hospitals July 26. It is actively working to offload all of its 31 hospitals and physician group, Stewardship Health. Mr. Lopez pointed to how Steward is experiencing "an incredible amount of loss on a weekly basis" and has no funding secured to keep its assets afloat for much longer. In early May, Steward's landlord Medical Properties Trust approved $75 million in debtor-in-possession financing for the health system. In mid-June, Steward then received a $225 million loan from "first-in, last-out" lenders at WhiteHawk Finance, OneIM, MidOcean and Owl Creek Investments to help keep its hospitals and Stewardship Health afloat. Most recently, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey's administration dedicated $30 million to Steward to ensure operations through the end of August, which will be further discussed during an Aug. 6 hybrid hearing. During the July 31 hearing, a spokesperson for the FILO lenders told Mr. Lopez that lenders are "deeply concerned" about the cases and that time is running out to develop a solution. "Liquidity is dwindling," the FILO lenders' spokesperson said. "The losses that are being incurred are unsustainable, and no rational party is going to fund them [Steward] indefinitely." Steward representative David Cohen disclosed that both Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley received no actionable bids, and are operating at a significant loss and serving a limited patient population. "Although there were certain parties that indicated an interest in assuming the operations, [there were] really no actionable bids with parties with financial wherewithal or financial support to actually transact and acquire the operation, the underlying real property, let alone to actually operate the hospitals in a manner that would be acceptable to state regulators," Mr. Cohen said. A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Nurses Association pushed back on Steward's reasoning behind wanting to close the two hospitals, urging Mr. Lopez to allot more time to find viable bidders for the facilities. However, Mr. Lopez told the MNA spokesperson that he cannot force Steward to accept bids they do not want to accept. Hugh McDonald, a lawyer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, told Mr. Lopez that the state will work with Steward to relocate patients. "We have seen this coming," Mr. McDonald said. "We have prepared for this, and we are trying our very best to make sure, through cooperation, we are going to get these patients into safe facilities." Angelia Foster was appointed president of Baptist Health Corbin (Ky.). Ms. Foster will begin her new role Oct. 14, according to a hospital news release. She joins the hospital from Marshfield Medical Center-Beaver Dam (Wis.), where she serves as president. She is also regional president at Marshfield (Wis.) Clinic Health System for the southern region of Wisconsin. In her new role, Ms. Foster replaces interim head Matt Bailey, who will be staying on until Nov. 1 to help with the transition, according to the release. Baptist Health Corbin, a 273-bed facility, is part of nine-hospital Louisville, Ky.-based Baptist Health. From becoming the youngest healthcare CEO in Massachusetts at just 37 years old to becoming the longest-serving healthcare leader in the state, it's hard to believe that Christine Schuster, president and CEO of Concord, Mass.-based Emerson Health, initially had no plans to become a healthcare CEO. Ms. Schuster started her career as a nurse and migrated into healthcare management consulting where she helped with turnaround for hospitals needing to make financial improvements. It was around this time where she felt the tug to become a leader in healthcare. "I had the business experience, but I also understood the critical care nursing side of it because I had been in that role for a long time," Ms. Schuster told Becker's. It was these skills that led to Ms. Schuster's first CEO role at Athol (Mass.) Memorial Hospital, one that made her the youngest hospital leader in the state. After about eight months, she moved her skills from Athol to Quincy (Mass.) Medical Center as president and CEO, where she helped the hospital break even after operating at a $16 million loss. Now, Ms. Schuster has led Emerson Health for nearly 20 years. "People say, 'oh my gosh, don't you get tired of it? Aren't you bored of it?' But if you've really tracked healthcare for the last 25 years, it's anything but boring, it's always exciting," she said. "If you're bored by it, you don't belong in it." In this changing industry, one of the top-of-mind challenges for Ms. Schuster is healthcare workforce. Emerson partners with technical colleges as a training site and associate degree programs for clinical rotations in an effort to expose students to the hospital's culture and recruit and retain them. The hospital has also partnered with the Girl Scouts of Massachusetts to host healthcare career days to attract younger generations to join the industry. Most recently, it held a Taylor Swift-themed career day that featured the pop stars music, bracelets and cookies while the scouts took themed quizzes that were also based on healthcare. When asked what advice she would give to women looking to someday achieve a CEO role in healthcare, Ms. Schuster said you need to believe in yourself. "You have to believe you can do it," she said. "You're going to hit a lot of obstacles on the way. Regroup, find a mentor and really work toward achieving your goals." Referencing the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Ms. Schuster equated healthcare to a team sport and encouraged leaders to surround themselves with people who have strong ideas. "If everyone isn't on, doing their thing, playing different roles, you're never going to win," she said. "You need such a blend of skills that no one person possesses." Healthcare is rapidly changing, presenting challenges to new physicians and the organizations that train them. The rise of AI, new technologies, patient demands and increased awareness in social determinants of health and equity have pushed leaders and organizations to change how they evaluate healthcare workers' preparedness as they enter the field. In many cases when addressing equity, for example physicians are not always trained in how to address or screen for these issues. These needs are fueling a push to update how medical schools train physicians for the future of healthcare. Some systems have already started making changes. Aurora-based University of Colorado School of Medicine is the first in the nation to adopt a strategy in which students concurrently train in multiple specialities rather than separate stints in each specialty the common practice in the U.S. New York City-based Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, meanwhile, has reimagined its curriculum to focus on early research involvement, long-lasting mentorship and on topics such as leadership and social justice. Change is coming, but here are a few more urgent needs for medical education that deserve focus, according to five leaders who connected with Becker's: Editor's note: Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity. John Chae, MD. Chief Academic Officer at MetroHealth (Cleveland): First, the framework of evidence-based practice, which includes clinical expertise, understanding evidence and patient values, is crucial. We're good at providing clinical training, but not every physician has a strong grasp of the scientific evidence behind their practices. Medical students need to understand what evidence is and isn't. Second, we need to engage patients beyond just informing them. Simply providing information is inadequate; we must help patients act on it. Physicians need to build therapeutic relationships, emotionally engaging with patients to ensure they follow recommendations. This involves training in evidence understanding and developing these relationships. Currently, most medical training focuses on clinical expertise, but we must also focus on evidence understanding and relationship building. Chris Frost, MD. Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer at Lifepoint Health (Brentwood, Tenn.): Medical education should include humility, acknowledging that clinical care processes need to evolve with new information. Change management, focusing on the people's side of change, should be part of the curriculum. Additionally, empathic and compassionate care should be emphasized, including care for clinical team members. Physician burnout is a health crisis, and open communication and psychological safety are vital. Technological shifts, especially AI, will impact medical education. Embracing AI optimizes learning, but overuse could limit independent thinking. Preparing for these changes is essential. Robert Hart, MD. Chief Physician Executive at Ochsner Health (New Orleans): We can meet increased patient demand by embracing technology that allows physicians to practice efficiently without compromising quality or patient satisfaction. What's urgently needed in medical education is to introduce tech-enabled programs to expand access. Emerging physicians prioritizing technology can result in better patient care, the ability to see more patients and better job satisfaction for physicians. Jill Kalman, MD. Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Physician-in-Chief and Executive Vice President at Northwell Health (New Hyde Park, N.Y.): At a very high level, what we need in medical education is to ensure that our curriculum and students remain on the cutting edge of healthcare, preparing our future doctors for all the healthcare challenges and incredible opportunities in terms of innovation. This means embedding new technologies such as AI, precision medicine, digital 3D printing, and gene and stem cell therapy into medical education. Additionally, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging must be included for our medical students to create physicians who reflect and connect with our patients and address the individual health needs of our communities. It's imperative to change the trajectory from episodic care to continuous care and prevention. Moreover, advancing humanism, ethics and wellness is crucial in education. This applies not only to how our medical students treat patients but also to how they treat each other. Having a medical school integrated into a health system, like our Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra is with Northwell, is vital. From the very beginning of their education, students understand healthcare delivery, services, and communities, which is incredibly important. Syed Raza, MD. Chief Medical Officer at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center (Houston): We need a more holistic and proactive approach to patient care. Currently, our approach is reactive: "Find it, fix it." Learners take cues from their attending physicians. If attendings focus on one organ system rather than the whole patient, students learn to see medicine through a specialty lens. This snowballs when numerous specialists see the patient, each focused on their small portion. Students witness extensive evaluations, prolonged stays and increased complications, thinking this is normal. This mindset carries forward to their practice. Incorporating multidisciplinary rounds, palliative care and ethics would help achieve a more holistic approach. Risk and benefit must be part of the discussion. Visa-free policy to invigorate tourism cooperation between HK, Hainan: HKSAR gov't Xinhua) 09:42, July 31, 2024 HONG KONG, July 30 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Tuesday welcomed a new visa-free policy issued by the National Immigration Administration, saying that the policy would support tourism cooperation between Hong Kong and China's southern island province of Hainan. Starting Tuesday, people from countries with diplomatic relations with China can visit Hainan visa-free for 144 hours via tour groups registered in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, the National Immigration Administration announced. The implementation of the policy will further promote the integration of the tourism markets of Hong Kong and Hainan, and inject new vitality into the tourism cooperation between the two places, the HKSAR government said in a statement. The HKSAR government will communicate and coordinate with the relevant authorities of Hainan to ensure the smooth implementation of the policy, it said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Gentiva, successor to Kindred at Home, has agreed to pay $19.43 million to resolve allegations that Kindred at Home knowingly submitted false claims and retained overpayments for patients who were ineligible to receive Medicare or Medicaid hospice benefits. The settlement also resolves allegations against entities that previously operated Kindred at Home hospice locations under the names Avalon, Kindred, SouthernCare and SouthernCare New Beacon, according to a July 18 Justice Department news release. Four things to know: 1. The settlement resolves allegations that from 2010 until February 2020, certain Kindred-related entities knowingly submitted false claims for hospice services provided to Avalon patients in Tennessee who were ineligible for Medicare or Medicaid benefits because they were not terminally ill. It also resolves allegations the defendants improperly concealed or avoided Avalon's obligation to repay those hospice claims. 2. It also resolves allegations that certain Kindred, SouthernCare and SouthernCare New Beacon hospice locations knowingly submitted false claims for hospice benefits under Medicare and other federal healthcare programs for patients who were ineligible because they were not terminally ill. Those hospices were located in Rhode Island, Texas, Missouri, Alabama, Indiana, and Ohio. The settlement resolves allegations that those locations knowingly and improperly concealed or avoided obligations to repay the foregoing hospice claims. 3. The settlement also resolves allegations that SouthernCare New Beacon violated the Anti-Kickback Statute by willfully paying remuneration to a consulting physician, between Oct. 1, 2016, and Oct. 1, 2022, to induce hospice referrals of Medicare beneficiaries to its Gadsden, Ala., location. The settlement of those allegations stems from a voluntary self-disclosure made by New Beacon Healthcare Group LLC, doing business as SouthernCare New Beacon Hospice. 4. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability, the Justice Department said. A rare, but fatal genetic disease that accelerates aging in children, progeria, could soon have a cure, The New York Times reported July 24. The disease affects only 1 in every 4 million to 8 million live births, and causes early signs of aging from balding and wrinkles, to arthritis, cataracts, tough skin, and stiff joints. The prevalence of the disease overall is about 1 in 18 million to 20 million worldwide, according to the Progeria Research Foundation, with about 400 children living with the condition presently 18 of whom are in the U.S. On average, a child with the disease can live 14.5 years, but some as young as 6 years old have died as a result of it. There has been no cure and no way to prevent the genetic disorder yet, but one group of academics and government scientists might be close to doing so, using a gene editing technique, according to The Times. A therapy known as long-term lonafarnib treatment has so far been the only key to increasing the lifespan of diagnosed patients. With continued treatment, life expectancy has been shown to improve for these children on average by four and half to seven years, according to the Progeria Research Foundation. But gene editing techniques coming onto the scene promise even more than that. In 2021, the Progeria Research Foundation announced publication of a breakthrough in a genetic editing study done in mice for the disease, which yielded a 90% success rate in editing the necessary cells. "When my research lab identified the genetic cause of progeria in 2003, we hoped that someday this might lead to a way to help these children," Francis Collins, MD, PhD, former director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, said in 2021. "...[W]eve made some progress with drug therapy, but the potential of actually correcting the fundamental cause at the DNA level is beyond anything we could have imagined back then. To see this dramatic response in our Progeria mouse model is one of the most exciting therapeutic developments I have been part of in 40 years as a physician-scientist." Fast-forward a few years, now in 2024, things are looking more promising. A gene editing tool, known as CRISPR, has made possible advancements in treating genetic diseases. That, combined with further research from physician and Harvard professor David Liu, PhD, allowed for genes to be edited at the site of mutation by essentially erasing an enzyme in DNA, like adenine, and instead write in guanine, which is particularly useful for treating Progeria, The Times reported. The success seen in experiments so far with mice living to 510 days after being treated for Progeria, rather than dying at 215 days, has led to new experiments seeing if the therapy allows mice to live into older ages. From there, they will pursue FDA approval and determine next steps for getting the treatment to children in need. An examination of hospital rankings from CMS and U.S. News & World Report suggests a notable overlap in organizations recognized for high performance. All but three of U.S. News' 2024-25 Honor Roll hospitals also earned top marks in CMS' Overall Hospital Star Ratings released July 31. While the results are closely aligned, CMS and U.S. News use different methodologies and criteria for their evaluations. CMS assessed more than 4,600 hospitals nationwide on 46 hospital quality measures, assigning 381 hospitals with five stars. Measures are divided into five categories: safety of care, mortality, patient experience, readmission rates, and timely and effective care. Data reporting periods range from July 2019 to April 2022, depending on the measure. U.S. News published its annual "Best Hospitals" rankings July 16, naming 20 hospitals to this year's honor roll. The publication assessed hospital performance on healthcare structure, process and outcomes across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions. To qualify for the honor roll, hospitals had to score at least 280 out of a maximum of 543 points. U.S. News used 2022 data from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, 2020-22 Medicare claims data and 2022-23 HCAHPS data for its analysis, among other sources. The CMS star ratings for U.S. News' 2024-25 Honor Roll hospitals: Arizona Mayo Clinic-Arizona (Phoenix) Five stars California Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles) Five stars Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital (Palo Alto) Five stars UCLA Medical Center (Los Angeles) Five stars UC San Diego Health-La Jolla and Hillcrest Hospitals Five stars UCSF Health-UCSF Medical Center (San Francisco) Five stars Illinois Northwestern Medicine-Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago) Five stars Rush University Medical Center (Chicago) Five stars Maryland Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore) Four stars Massachusetts Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston) Five stars Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston) Five stars Minnesota Mayo Clinic-Rochester Five stars New York Mount Sinai Hospital (New York City) Three stars New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell (New York City) Five stars North Shore University Hospital at Northwell Health (Manhasset) Four stars NYU Langone Hospitals (New York City) Five stars North Carolina Duke University Hospital (Durham) Five stars Ohio Cleveland Clinic Five stars Pennsylvania Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian (Philadelphia) Five stars Texas Houston Methodist Hospital Five stars Self-scheduling practices are making a comeback amid the rise of electronic scheduling systems and heightened calls for flexibility from front-line staff members at hospitals and health systems. Mountain View, Calif.-based El Camino Health is one such system exploring the use of self scheduling after encountering increasing demands from nurses in recent years for more autonomy and flexibility with their work schedules. In the early 2010s, the system transitioned from a paper-based system to an electronic staffing and scheduling system that allowed staff to put in vacation requests and access their schedules and time cards. Now, El Camino Health is working with its technology vendor to support self-scheduling capabilities and aims to pilot the practice in two units this fall. "One of the advantages to moving to a self-scheduling system is not only that autonomy for our nurses and transparency so the nurses can see their schedules as they built it, but also to reduce the administrative burden for admins and management," said Alicia Potolsky, DNP, RN, associate chief nursing officer of El Camino Health. "We want to schedule people for the dates that they'd like to work, as long as it's obviously meeting our patient care needs in that department." Self-scheduling can be a powerful tool to retain employees and free up managers' time, but experts advise hospital leaders to develop the right framework for their systems that includes proper guardrails. Four key considerations for leaders: 1. Co-create your self-scheduling framework with front-line staff. Hospital and health systems seeking to pilot self-scheduling should partner with direct-care nurses via staffing committees to design and implement self-scheduling policies that align with unit workflows, according to Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, RN, president of the American Nurses Association. "This is a great opportunity to utilize shared leadership, shared governance, and let these unit nurses in the organization . have a voice in building this process," she said. In January, El Camino Health formed a multidisciplinary work group to develop a shared vision and parameters for nurse self-scheduling after agreeing to implement the practice during contract negotiations with its nursing union in summer 2023. This working group included nurse union leaders, nurse manager representatives and administrative secretaries who build schedules and time cards for nurses. The team developed and agreed upon an end vision for self-scheduling in which nurses can request the shifts they wanted to work via an HR-based tier system. They also agreed upon a set of guardrails for the process, including allowing for managers and administrators to balance the schedule based on nurse skill sets if needed to maintain a safe patient care environment. The system is also working with management to put in core staffing numbers for each unit. This measure will prevent nurses from signing up for a shift if the maximum number of nurses needed have already signed up ahead of them, according to Dr. Potolsky. 2. Avoid traditional seniority structures. Self-scheduling often works the best when organizations do not take a seniority approach, according to Dr. Mensik Kennedy. In a previous hospital administrator role, she set up a nurse self-scheduling process in which the hospital published a staffing schedule six to eight weeks in advance. Full-time nurses had priority in choosing shifts, followed by part-time nurses and then per diem nurses. Nurses could make changes to the schedule themselves within predefined limits, with final approval by managers. This approach allowed for quicker adjustments and ensured that staffing needs were met efficiently across departments while giving nurses of all tenures fair access to the schedule within each pool. Currently, El Camino Health allows nurses to say which days they do not want to work, with more senior nurses getting to put these requests in first before opening up on a first-come, first-serve basis. Under the new tiered system, the schedule will open up to nurses at different periods of time, depending on experience level rather than tenure. For example, if a nurse is new to the system but has many years of experience, they may be put on a higher tier to reflect their previous workplace experience. "We didn't want to lock out newer staff," Dr. Potolsky said. "If you had been in the organization only a few years, you didn't get optimal schedule options, which is kind of our current state right now." 3. Be strategic with holiday planning. To ensure fairness around holiday time off, Dr. Mensik Kennedy recommended health systems sort units into two groups of nurses and two groups of holidays. One year, group A nurses take off group B holidays. The next year, group B nurses take off group A holidays. She also encouraged leaders to consider non-sanctioned holidays such as Mother's Day, Father's Day or Halloween when setting guardrails for self-scheduling. For example, in units with a higher proportion of men, Father's Day might be a popular day that workers want off. It is important to plan ahead for such occasions before opening the schedule to staff, Dr. Mensik Kennedy said. 4. Pilot self-scheduling across diverse units. El Camino Health is planning to pilot self-scheduling in two units this fall: its float pool, which is currently scheduled by its staffing office, and its critical care unit at Mountain View Hospital, which is a closed unit that oversees its own staffing. Dr. Potolsky said these units were selected to test self-scheduling in both a dynamic environment with the float pool and a complex critical care unit requiring diverse skill sets. The system is working with its vendor in making changes to its existing time, attendance and scheduling electronic system to ensure all the rules and guardrails developed by its working group are included. "While it runs on our pilot units, we'll monitor, make any necessary changes and adjustments, and then we will start rolling out to the other units," Dr. Potolsky said. One metric leaders will watch closely is how many times a nurse's requested schedule changes. "Ideally, we want that to be a very low percentage so nurses can trust that when they make their schedule, they know it will be honored," she said. "The pilot will help decide what the right goal post is." Trademarket in Belfast before it closed earlier this month A popular Belfast burger joint has announced their new location in the city centre after their previous stall had to shut due to the closure of Trademarket. Baps Belfast known for LA-style smash burgers, as well as hot chicken wings, loaded fries and macaroni and cheese dishes was previously situated at Trademarket on the Dublin Road until the food court closed earlier this month. The street food outlet closed after it was confirmed that planning permission has been approved for IT firm Kainos new headquarters on the site. Now Baps says it is opening a new permanent branch just a 10-minute walk away, with an Instagram post saying coming soon, before confirming the next location will be on 52 Upper Arthur Street in the city centre. 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 For those who need their burger fix now, Baps confirmed it will be serving up food at Happy's on the Lisburn Road, the dive bar that recently opened up on the old Cuckoo site. In a post on Instagram on Tuesday, the bar wrote: Getyourbapsout @bapsbelfast now open at your friendly neighbourhood dive bar! Happy 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 Last year, a popular food blogger praised Baps for having one of the best burgers theyve had anywhere. Matt Davies-Binge, aka Food Review Club, said the establishment was a hidden gem and that it supplied him with one of the best chicken burgers hes ever had during his time posting culinary critiques online. Food Review Club has been labelled the UKs number one food reviewer, and the account has almost 80,000 YouTube subscribers and over half a million followers on TikTok. Two of the team members gave Baps an overall score of 8.8 and 8.9 [out of 10] respectively. It is a fresh embarrassment for the Japanese car giant (AP) Toyota has reported more cases of cheating on certification tests for new models required by the Japanese government, on top of those acknowledged earlier. Man jailed after dropping victim on head in row over seating at homeless facilities Mark Adams was travelling with more than 180,000 euros which had been disguised in folders made to appear as if they contained legally privileged documents. A former Dublin airport police officer who laundered millions of pounds for organised crime groups by smuggling cash out of the country on flights has been extradited to Northern Ireland to serve his prison sentence. Mark Adams (44) from Malahide, was convicted following a National Crime Agency investigation in 2018. He was stopped by Border Force officers as he was about to board a flight to Alicante from Belfast International Airport. He was discovered to be travelling with more than 180,000 (152,000) which had been disguised in folders made to appear as if they contained legally privileged documents. Adams initially claimed he was travelling to attend a wedding but NCA investigators found that he was booked onto a return flight just an hour and 20 minutes after he was due to arrive in Spain. Further enquiries found that Adams, who had left his job in February 2017 after taking a two-year career break, had taken almost 500 flights into or out of the UK in the preceding five years, often returning very shortly after he landed. Adams was initially released on bail as part of the NCA investigation but when he failed to return, a European Arrest Warrant was issued for him. Issuing the warrant revealed that he had been arrested in the interim by the Irish authorities and charged with four counts of money laundering. He was sentenced to five years in prison in Ireland and began serving his sentence there. During this time, Adams was charged in Northern Ireland in relation to the Belfast airport incident. He pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to 20 months in prison in May 2022. Following the end of his sentence in Ireland, Adams was extradited to Northern Ireland on Wednesday to begin his sentence here. NCA Branch Commander David Cunningham said: Mark Adams was committing his crimes across international borders but by working together with our law enforcement partners we were able to ensure he faced justice in both jurisdictions. The NCA works internationally to protect the public from serious and organised crime and we will continue to work with all of our partners to ensure criminals are brought to justice. Four 5G masts have been damaged during a 48-hour arson rampage in west Belfast. The mobile 5G masts, all located in the west of the city, were attacked between Monday night and the early hours of Wednesday morning. Firefighters deal with an arson at a 5G mast on the Monagh Bypass in west Belfast on July 31st 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott) In the latest attacks, two were set alight overnight; one on Stewartstown Road and another on the Monagh Bypass. Firefighters and police received reports of a mast alight on the Stewartstown Road shortly after 10pm. On arrival they discovered a small fire at the base of the mast. Firefighters deal with an arson at a 5G mast on the Monagh Bypass in west Belfast on July 31st 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Just three hours later, at around 1am, firefighters received reports of another 5G mast alight on the Monagh Bypass, firefighters used a hose reel to extinguish a fire set in the base of the mast. Just 24 hours earlier, it is understood two further masts were set alight in the Upper Springfield Road area. The Belfast Telegraph understands that accelerant and fire lighters were used to set the fires. In June extensive damage was caused to a nearby 5G mobile mast located on Distillery Street in an act of arson that closed the Westlink for a number of hours. Firefighters battled the blaze that took hold of an entire 5G mast. Firefighters deal with an arson at a 5G mast on the Monagh Bypass in west Belfast on July 31st 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott) The most recent attack during the early hours of Wednesday morning brings the total masts damaged in the west Belfast area to 10. In a statement PSNI Detective Inspector McDonnell said: "We first received a report at 10pm on Tuesday, 30th July that a 5G phone mast was on fire in the Stewartstown Road area. A further report was received at 12.55am on Wednesday, 31st July that a second mast had been set alight beside the Monagh by-pass. "Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended each report and extinguished the fires. "We are investigating a potential link between these incidents and a report received at around 1.20am on Tuesday, which related to an arson attack on two mast on the Springfield Road. "We are appealing to anyone who was in any of these areas and who may have information, or dash-cam or other footage, to contact us on 101. Murals have been defaced a day after artists descended on Larne underpass for a street art festival. The second Hit The Coast paint jam was held near the Narrow Gauge Road at the weekend. But several creations were daubed with UVF tags and male genitalia. Adam Turkington has been running Hit The North in Belfast for over the decade and took part in the Larne event. Street art is such a delicate art form, he said, but it takes just one kid with a spray can to ruin days of work. Where other pieces can last 10 years or more in the one spot, these only lasted a day before they were drawn over. A mural completed at the weekend daubed with a UVF tag Mr Turkington said this isnt the first time artwork at an event has been destroyed soon after it was completed. The same thing happened last time we held an event like this in Larne, back in 2022, he said. There were only six artists last time there were more than 30 there at the weekend, a much bigger affair but the last time they got tagged over too. The tags and style of the graffiti is the same as last time, so theres a likelihood its the same person. Mr Turkington, the owner of Seedhead Arts, said the culprit seemed to target female artists work. Theres more than a whiff of misogyny here, he said. Its a real shame someone has to daub over womens artwork with pictures of penises. But there are bigger things at play here. Street art is of course a public dialogue, but there are certain elements of society... We cant fix a bunch of disenfranchised youths, for example, with a paint jam. We had similar issues back when Hit The North started, where some pieces were destroyed before the festival was even finished. Adam Turkington The festival had been funded by the local Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. Mr Turkington said artists had been so excited to get started. It was the perfect location in a sense big walls, under cover if it rains, runs right next to a river. It was great in terms of running this style of event, he said. Those commissioning the tender wanted to brighten up the place and help transform that area but, as artists, its not up to us to fix societys ills unfortunately. Its difficult that some artists will now have to go and take the time to fix their artwork, which is not our job. As artists, its our job to make grey and boring places more aesthetically pleasing. Nuala Convery, who is better known as street artist Wee Nuls, had her mural defaced in Larne. Wee Nuls' completed artwork. Credit: Kate Donaldson photography She said her piece was special to her, as she designed it when she was pregnant two years ago. During the event, people were so delighted we were brightening up the place, which is all we wanted to do, she said. Theres not that much imagery of pregnancy in general, never mind in murals and street art. I was so happy with the piece, and anyone who saw it liked it. So its not so much personally disappointing as it is for the community who loved it too. Its clear that this has been done mindlessly by someone who is not in graffiti culture. Nuala's defaced artwork Ms Convery said it took her two and a half days to complete her work. I now have to spend another two days fixing it, she explained. I think if the area had some street lighting it might help deter this kind of anti-social behaviour. Ms Convery previously had a mural daubed over in black paint soon after International Womens Day in 2021. The piece depicted one of Nualas signature colourful characters during mensuration and called for Free period products now!, showing support for the Menstruation Matters campaign run by The Homeless Period Belfast. Mid & East Antrim council said it was extremely disappointed by the vandalism. It said: The council have put in place arrangements to remove the damaging graffiti and repair the installations. The chronicle of a life split between urban Manhattan and rural Montana. A review of railway provision across the island of Ireland has proposed several new routes, including direct links to three airports. The final report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review contains a total of 32 recommendations aimed at enhancing the network across the next 25 years while also making train travel quicker and more environmentally friendly. The report estimates the capital cost of implementing all the recommendations by 2050 would be between 35 to 37 billion euro (29-31 billion) in 2023 prices. However, it claims that the economic benefit to society generated by the improvements would cover that bill. The review was committed to as part of the 2020 New Decade, New Approach agreement that ended a long period without devolved government in Northern Ireland. With the draft report having been published last year, Irelands Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and Stormonts Infrastructure Minister John ODowd jointly published the final version on Wednesday. The recommendations include: Restore a line linking Portadown in Co Armagh with Mullingar in Co Westmeath. The line would pass through Armagh and Cavan. Restore a line between Londonderry and Portadown, linking the towns of Strabane, Omagh and Dungannon to the network. Build a new direct line between Lisburn and Newry. Restore a line between Athenry in Co Galway and Claremorris in Co Mayo, connecting Tuam in Co Galway to the network. Reinstate the South Wexford railway. Develop a new rail link from Letterkenny in Co Donegal to Derry. Build a rail link that would cross central Dublin potentially via a tunnel to connect Heuston station, which receives trains from the south of the island, with the northern line that serves Connolly station. Connect Dublin, Shannon and Belfast International airports to the rail network. In Dublin, the move would complement the existing plan for a Metrolink from the airport into the city centre, and would enable intercity services to access directly the islands biggest airport. Reinstating the Lisburn to Antrim line would enable Belfast International to be served by a rail link while in Shannon the review recommends the building of a spur to facilitate a rail link with Limerick. The review also recommends several steps to improve the quality on existing lines, including additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds and higher service frequencies. The use of new 200kmh trains would see times on some intercity routes halved, the review says. However, rural areas such as Co Fermanagh and much of Co Donegal are not set to see their historic rail networks resurrected, with the review concluding that passenger numbers would be insufficient to justify the major capital projects. Mr Ryan said the publication of the review represented an important day for the island of Ireland. This is not just the first All-Island Strategic Rail Review, it is the most ambitious vision for rail in a century, bringing us forward to a new age of rail, he said. This vision has been made possible by close co-operation between the departments and agencies north and south. Rail not only allows us to carry more people and freight in a more sustainable way, it is the great connector, enabling greater regional accessibility and balanced regional development. The report provides a long-term vision and a series of recommendations for the sustainable development of the rail network on the island. I would like to see the recommendations actioned as soon as possible, and I am pleased that work is now well under way, with European Investment Bank assistance, on how we can move forward. Mr ODowd said the review was historic. The report provides an evidence-based framework to help guide future investment in our rail network, and will help us meet our climate commitments, he said. The review has been an excellent example of joint collaboration on cross-border priorities, and this continued partnership will be key to realising its ambitions. This publication brings us to a new chapter where we can shape a better future for everyone by decarbonising key services and investing in climate adaptation measures, while at the same time supporting economic productivity through projects, policy and legislation. Getting infrastructure right, and investing in it accordingly, can create the foundations for better rural and urban communities. While many of the recommendations in the report are potentially decades away, some are set to come to fruition relatively quickly, with plans already in action to increase the Belfast to Dublin route to an hourly service by the end of the year. Additional services between Dublin and Galway are also set to come online in the coming months. The Irish Supreme Court has dismissed architect Graham Dwyers appeal against his conviction for the murder of childcare worker Elaine OHara in 2012. Dwyer was convicted on March 27 2015 after a lengthy high-profile trial. Lawyers for Dwyer had argued that his rights were breached through a system of mass surveillance involving the retention of mobile phone data which was used in the trial to pinpoint specific places at particular times and dates. In April 2022, Dwyer won a case in Europe about the mobile data retention practices used in the case against him. The Court of Justice of the EU ruled that law in the union precludes the general and indiscriminate retention of traffic and location data relating to electronic communication for the purpose of combating serious crime. Elaine OHara (Garda/PA) Dwyer subsequently launched an appeal in Ireland on numerous grounds, including the admissibility of the mobile phone data evidence. This was dismissed by the Irish Court of Appeal, which found that the admission of the call data was very limited and could not be perceived as arising to a miscarriage of justice in the case but the matter was further brought to the Supreme Court. In the judgment delivered on Wednesday, the judges noted that the cornerstone of the prosecutions case was the content and timing of text messages. The judges noted that the attribution of the messages were an essential building block to the prosecutions case but that the evidence linking the phones to Ms OHara and Dwyer had not been challenged or contradicted. The court said that even if the traffic and location data from the phones had been deemed inadmissible, the appeal would have been dismissed due to the overwhelming and unanswerable evidence in the case which meant there was no question of any lost chance of acquittal. It rejected the argument that the admission of the phone traffic and location evidence in the case would bring the administration of justice into disrepute, emphasising the probative value of the evidence, the gravity of the case and the limited and targeted nature of the access in the case. A judgment from Mr Justice Collins said: Here, in my view, the position is very clear. Even if the traffic and location data relating to the work was inadmissible which, for the reasons set out above, it was not the remaining evidence available to the prosecution was more than sufficient to establish attribution beyond any reasonable doubt. The evidence was in fact overwhelming and unanswerable. It follows, in my view, that there was no question of any lost chance of acquittal here Accordingly, had I concluded that the traffic and location data was inadmissible, I would have upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal to apply the proviso and would have dismissed Mr Dwyers appeal on that basis. As Dwyers appeal was dismissed, Ms OHaras family members hugged one another in the court chamber. In a statement they said: It is now almost 12 years since we lost Elaine. What began as a missing persons case turned into a murder investigation and a long, arduous criminal trial, with many challenges to the jurys verdict over the years. We are relieved that the Supreme Court has upheld the verdict of the Court of Appeal. We hope that Elaine can now, at last, rest in peace. We would like to thank An Garda Siochana, in particular the investigating team, the detectives and our family liaison officer who have been by our side throughout this. We would also like to thank our family and friends for the support they have given us over the years. We will not be making any further comment. McGregor (36) told a garda officer "are you taking the piss" after he was asked to step out of his car on Dublin's M50 UFC star Conor McGregor has narrowly avoided a jail sentence after he admitted an "appalling" episode of dangerous driving where he drove in a bus lane, jumped a red light and nearly collided with another vehicle. McGregor (36) told a garda officer "are you taking the piss" after he was asked to step out of his car on Dublin's M50. He also told the officer he was waiting to get out of his car because he "needed his security to catch up". A garda witness said he was driving at speeds of more than 160kph trying to catch McGregor's vehicle. Judge David McHugh said this incident was an appalling series of breaches of road traffic rules, and described McGregor's dangerous driving as "persistent, prolonged and deliberate". Judge McHugh convicted and fined McGregor 5,000 (4,218) and banned him from driving for two years. The judge also imposed a five month jail sentence suspended for two years. The defendant, of The Paddocks, Castledillon, Straffan, Co Kildare, admitted careless driving at the M50 southbound and dangerous driving at the N4/M50 interchange. McGregor was initially charged with uninsured and unlicensed driving, but those matters were struck out after produced his documents, which were in order. Garda officer Denis Lordan told Blanchardstown District Court he was stopped at traffic lights at the junction of Lucan Road/R136 at 5.34pm on March 22, 2022, when he looked in his left wing mirror and saw a vehicle travelling along the bus lane at speed. The vehicle, a convertible, drove through the red light, failing to stop, and merged from the bus lane onto the Lucan Road, all in one movement. The gardai activated the blue lights and sirens on his patrol car, and followed McGregor's vehicle. The car merged from the bus lane at high speed, and a second vehicle was forced to stop to avoid a collision. Officer Lordan said McGregor drove at high speed and out onto the roundabout outside Woodies without stopping. The car drove on the bus lane eastbound on the N4, before crossing the bus lane out onto the fast lane. The garda officer said McGregor drove at high speed on the N4, and the officer said he was doing more than 160kph trying to catch the vehicle. McGregor tried to undertake a car on the last lane, moving into the middle lane, before moving back out onto the fast lane, the court heard. He took the slip road, which has two lanes, to the M50. McGregor took the inside slip lane, moving to the outside lane over the hash markings, and causing dust to rise. Lordan said McGregor drove onto the M50 southbound, moving from the fast lane to undertake a vehicle, before moving back to the fast lane. The garda officer said he tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over. McGregor finally pulled over onto the hard shoulder, he said. Officer Lordan told the driver to get out of the vehicle. McGregor said to him: "Are you taking the piss? You want me to get out of the car, out of the vehicle on the M50?" The officer said he asked McGregor six or seven times to get out of the vehicle, and the defendant told him he was waiting because he "needed his security to catch up". The garda said he eventually opened the car door, and McGregor got out. He was arrested and taken back to the police station where he was charged. The court heard McGregor had 20 previous convictions, mostly for minor road traffic matters. Defence lawyer David Staunton said that McGregor offered his apology to the court, and he regretted the incident. Mr Staunton said McGregor was acutely aware of the impact his behaviour had on others. The defendant was also very, very aware and acknowledged the difficulties driving like that can cause to others. Mr Staunton said the defendant had given back to his community, had a number of businesses and employed a lot of people. McGregor's father, who had been ill, was in court to support him, Mr Staunton said. Judge McHugh said McGregor put his life and the lives of other road users at risk, and he was considering an outright prison sentence due to the nature and degree of dangerous driving. Mr Staunton urged the judge to consider all other options, as prison should be a last resort. In all the circumstances, Judge McHugh said he would impose a five month suspended sentence. McGregor, wearing a three piece blue check suit, sat in the dock with his hands clasped for the duration of the hearing. He did not address the court. Floral tributes left at the scene in at Stowlawn playing fields in Wolverhampton where Shawn Seesahai died (PA) A High Court judge has rejected a media application to name two 12-year-old boys who murdered a stranger in a machete attack. Mrs Justice Tipples said the welfare of the youths, who both face a mandatory life sentence, outweighed the wider public interest and open justice principles. The killers, both from Wolverhampton, were found guilty in June of murdering 19-year-old Shawn Seesahai, who was stabbed in the heart and suffered a skull fracture during an attack on the citys Stowlawn playing fields on November 13 last year. Shawn Seesahai was stabbed in the heart and suffered a skull fracture (West Midlands Police/PA) The youths are believed to be the youngest defendants convicted of murder in Britain since Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, both aged 11, were found guilty in 1993 of killing two-year-old James Bulger. Four media organiations, including the PA news agency, had argued that the defendants, one now aged 13, should lose anonymity granted by an order under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act. But Mrs Justice Tipples, sitting at Nottingham Crown Court, said she had accepted evidence contained in pre-sentence reports that naming the boys would have a detremental impact on their welfare. The judge, who heard that the victims family believe the boys should be named, told the court the facts of the killing which took place in not much more than a minute were of course shocking, particularly given the very young age of the defendants. As part of her ruling, the judge accepted evidence from social workers that one of the defendants was vulnerable, had extremely complex needs and that identifying him would have an extremely detrimental impact on his mental health. The judge also accepted a statement in a pre-sentence report which said naming the other youth was likely to increase the likelihood of negative attention within the custodial setting. Following the judgment, Jude Bunting KC, representing three of the media organisations, said an appeal against the ruling in a higher court was unlikely. Addressing the court on Monday, Mr Bunting submitted that the murder was within a category identified during a previous case as having a high public interest. Floral tributes left at the scene at Stowlawn playing fields (Matthew Cooper/PA) He told the court: This point is squarely present in this case, which has attracted local concern and national revulsion. We are in the realm of knife crime, which is an issue of substantial public interest. Naming the boys would also enable the media to investigate the possibility of institutional failures, Mr Bunting asserted. Defence counsel Rachel Brand KC and Paul Lewis KC both opposed the media application to lift the restriction on identifying the boys. Ms Brand said the welfare of the boy who is still 12 who bleached and hid the machete after Mr Seesahais murder should be given a heavier consideration than public interest factors. Mr Lewis, representing the boy who has turned 13 since his conviction, urged the court to focus on the facts of Mr Seesahais killing rather than siren calls relating to abstract principles from previous cases. How does naming two 12-year-olds better inform public debate? Mr Lewis asked. There is no evidence that to name two 12-year-olds would provide any deterrent. Neither of the youths attended Wednesdays hearing, but the younger of them was present to hear part of Mondays legal submissions. The boys trial was told Mr Seesahai, who was with a friend, was brutally attacked after exchanging words with one of them near a park bench. Jurors heard the youth who has yet to turn 13 had an obsession with knives even posing for a picture with the machete, which had a 42.5cm-long blade, hours before he committed murder. In social media exchanges involving his co-defendant and a girl witness who later attended a police station with her mother to make a statement, the boy said of the stabbing: It is what it is. He also wrote that he was not scared and added idrc text message shorthand for I dont really care. The youths are due to be sentenced on September 26 and 27. Universities in England could face sanctions if they fail to take steps to prevent an abuse of power in intimate personal relationships between university staff and students, the higher education watchdog has said (Chris Ison/PA) Universities in England could face sanctions if they fail to take steps to prevent an abuse of power in intimate personal relationships between university staff and students, the higher education watchdog has said. The Office for Students (OfS) will introduce a new condition of registration which will require higher education institutions in England to set out how they are protecting students from harassment and sexual misconduct. It comes after a fifth of students who responded to an OfS survey said they had experienced unwanted sexual behaviour in the 2022/23 academic year. 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 Universities and colleges will not be able to use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), which forbid students from talking about incidents of harassment or sexual misconduct, under the OfSs condition of registration. Higher education institutions will be required to take one or more steps to make a significant and credible difference in protecting students from any conflict of interest or abuse of power in intimate staff-student relationships. But universities will have the flexibility to develop and publish their own policies on relationships between staff and students including the restrictions or prohibitions they consider appropriate, the watchdog has said. The OfS said: We have said that a ban on intimate personal relationships is a step which would be considered to meet our requirements. A statement, on its own, which discourages relationships between staff and students will not be considered to meet our requirements. Academics at universities where a ban is in place could be dismissed if they carry on with intimate relationships with their students, the watchdog said. Universities and colleges in England face a range of sanctions including being fined, stripped of access to student loan funding or de-registered if they fail to comply with the regulators requirements. The majority of the requirements in the new condition of registration will come into force on August 1 next year, apart from the ban on NDAs in cases of harassment or sexual misconduct which will start from September this year. The condition is being introduced following a consultation by the higher education regulator on the subject, which was launched in February last year. The OfS has also published data from its pilot survey of students in English higher education between September and November last year. The poll, of more than 5,000 students at 12 higher education providers, found that 20% reported experiencing unwanted behaviours of a sexual nature (sexual harassment) between September 1 2022 and September 1 2023. Female students were more than twice as likely to experience sexual harassment as men (27% compared with 12%), and more than three times as likely to experience sexual assault or violence (13% compared with 4%), the pilot survey suggested. Only 12% of students who experienced sexual harassment in the last year made a formal report to their university. Of those who did make a report, more than two in five (43%) said their experience of reporting was poor, according to the poll. OfS chief executive Susan Lapworth said: Students have told us clearly that they want to see more active regulation to tackle harassment and sexual misconduct in higher education. Weve heard them, and our new regulation will help ensure they are better protected and better able to succeed on their courses. Universities and colleges are increasingly alive to these issues and the serious impact they can have on students, particularly women. Some institutions already ban inappropriate relationships between staff and students and we expect many more will now follow. She added: More regulation is rarely popular with those subject to it. But we are clear that the action were taking today is targeted on an important issue that matters very much to students. Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson said: The findings in this report and the levels of harassment uncovered, including the disproportionate impact on women on our campuses, are appalling. We must clamp down on sexual harassment in every part of our society and everyone at our universities should feel protected and able to focus on their learning and broadening their horizons. Last week, I announced a refocused role for the Office for Students to ensure it can concentrate on standing up for students. The ban on non-disclosure agreements will ensure victims do not suffer in silence, and I will continue to work tirelessly as Education Secretary and Women and Equalities Minister to ensure that our universities are safe environments for all. 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 A Universities UK (UUK) spokesman said: The results of this survey are sobering. Sexual misconduct is unacceptable on campus as in any walk of life, and no student or staff member should have to experience it. Regrettably, it is clear this wider societal problem continues to impact higher education, despite much positive work in the sector to tackle it. Universities must go further still, doing everything possible to bring about a cultural change and stamp out sexual misconduct on campus. UUK and our members will now work constructively and rapidly with the OfS to help implement changes in support of our shared commitment to tackling harassment. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh arrives at the Iranian parliament to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected President Masoud Pezeshkian (Vahid Salemi/AP) Hamas says its leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in an air strike on his residence in the Iranian capital. The Palestinian militant group blamed Israel for an attack in Tehran which killed the head of its political bureau. Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned Mr Haniyehs killing, saying in a post on the X platform that his country will defend its territorial integrity and make those responsible regret their actions. Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it was investigating the attack and did not say how it occurred. Israel had vowed to kill Mr Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the groups October 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage. An Israeli military spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel often does not comment on assassinations carried out by its Mossad intelligence agency. 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 Hamas said Mr Haniyeh was killed in a Zionist air strike on his residence in Tehran after he attended the swearing-in of Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, along with other Hamas officials and officials from Hezbollah and allied groups. Hamas declares to the great Palestinian people and the people of the Arab and Islamic nations and all the free people of the world, brother leader Ismail Ismail Haniyeh a martyr, Hamas said in its terse statement. In another statement, the group quoted Mr Haniyeh as saying that the Palestinian cause has costs and we are ready for these costs: martyrdom for the sake of Palestine, and for the sake of God Almighty, and for the sake of the dignity of this nation. In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, president Masoud Pezeshkian, right, shakes hands with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh (Iranian Presidency Office via AP) Hamas officials did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. In the West Bank, the internationally backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Mr Haniyehs killing, calling it a cowardly act and dangerous development. Political factions in the occupied territory called for strikes in protest at the killing. Mr Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had lived in exile in Qatar. The top Hamas leader in Gaza is Yehya Sinwar, who masterminded the October 7 attack. In April, an Israeli air strike in Gaza killed three of Mr Haniyehs sons and four of his grandchildren. Turkey condemned Mr Haniyehs killing (AP) In an interview with the Al Jazeera satellite channel at the time, Mr Haniyeh said the killings would not pressure Hamas into softening its positions amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Israel. The killing of Mr Haniyeh comes after Israel carried out a rare strike on Beirut, which it said killed Fouad Shukur, a top Hezbollah military commander who was allegedly behind a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Hezbollah has not confirmed Shukurs death in the strike, which also killed at least one woman and two children and wounded dozens of people. The strike came amid escalating hostilities with the Lebanese militant group. The US also blames Shukur for planning and launching the deadly 1983 Marine bombing in the Lebanese capital. The US and other nations had already been scrambling to prevent the Golan Heights strike from spiralling into an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah when word came of the dramatic assassination of Mr Haniyeh in Tehran. There was no immediate reaction to the killing from the White House. Turkey strongly condemned the heinous assassination of the Hamas leader, attributing the killing to the Israeli government. A foreign ministry statement said the killing had shown that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government has no intention of achieving peace. The UN human rights office has reported that Palestinian detainees taken by Israeli authorities since the October 7 attacks have faced waterboarding, sleep deprivation, electric shocks, the release of dogs, and other forms of torture and mistreatment. The report on detention says Israels prison service held more than 9,400 security detainees as of the end of June, and some have been held in secret without access to lawyers or respect for their legal rights. A summary of the report, based on interviews with former detainees and other sources, decries a staggering number of detainees including men, women, children, journalists and human rights defenders and said such practices raise concerns about arbitrary detention. UN human rights chief Volker Turk said: The testimonies gathered by my office and other entities indicate a range of appalling acts, such as waterboarding and the release of dogs on detainees, amongst other acts, in flagrant violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Findings in the report, one of the most extensive of its kind, could be used by International Criminal Court prosecutors who are looking into crimes committed in connection with the October 7 attacks and their aftermath, including Israels blistering military campaign that is ongoing in Gaza. Authors of the report said its content was shared with the Israeli government. The report says detainees were taken in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank, and says Israel has not provided information regarding the fate or whereabouts of many, adding that the International Committee of the Red Cross has been denied access to facilities where they are held. The Israeli military said Monday it was holding nine soldiers for questioning following allegations of substantial abuse of a detainee at a shadowy facility where Israel has held Palestinian prisoners throughout the war in Gaza (AP) The reports summary said: Detainees said they were held in cage-like facilities, stripped naked for prolonged periods, wearing only diapers. Their testimonies told of prolonged blindfolding, deprivation of food, sleep and water, and being subjected to electric shocks and being burnt with cigarettes. Some detainees said dogs were released on them, and others said they were subjected to waterboarding, or that their hands were tied and they were suspended from the ceiling, it added. Some women and men also spoke of sexual and gender-based violence. The report also says the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, had also continued to carry out arbitrary detention and torture or other ill-treatment in the West Bank, reportedly principally to suppress criticism and political opposition. On Tuesday, an Israeli military court began an initial hearing for nine soldiers detained over what a defence lawyer said were allegations of sexual abuse of a Palestinian at Sde Teiman a shadowy facility where Israel has held prisoners from Gaza during the war. 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 The soldiers detention triggered angry protests by supporters demanding their release. On Wednesday, the military court extended the detention of eight Israeli suspects until Sunday. The war in Gaza erupted after Hamas surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people that day and taking 250 others hostage. Israels retaliatory operation has obliterated entire neighbourhoods in Gaza and forced some 80% of the population to flee their homes. Gazas health ministry says more than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed, without distinguishing between civilians and combatants in its count. Michael Gallagher (left), who lost his 21-year-old son Aiden in the bombing, and Stanley McComb, whose wife Ann was also killed It may only have been a preliminary stage, a few hours together in Omaghs Strule Arts Centre, a stones throw away from the scene of the explosion, but it was time enough for a warning to be issued to the government of the Republic of Ireland. If the inquiry into the Omagh bombing, which killed 29 people, including a woman expecting twins, is to give the injured and the families of the bereaved the answers they have sought for 26 years, no stone must be left unturned. That means the Irish government will have to play ball and provide the necessary details. The Omagh Bombing Inquirys main objective is to determine if the authorities, north and south of the border, could have prevented the atrocity on August 15, 1998. Families want to know what government ministers, police forces and the intelligence services knew and how it affected their actions. They want to know how all the factors played out to rob them of their loved ones just a few months after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in April that year, when a new future seemed to have dawned. Lawyers for the families have made no secret of who they blame: the Real IRA. They have made a point of stressing that the PSNI officers who were in the town on the day and who helped the injured are blameless. Inquiry chair Lord Turnbull made it clear the families would be placed front and centre of the inquiry process, and that is how it should be. They have questions which have gone unanswered for more than 25 years. It will still be a long and difficult process, and the hearings will continue until the end of next year at least. The complexities of gathering evidence have already been touched upon by the people involved. There is still plenty of work to be done to ensure all relevant questions are asked and the families get the answers they deserve. But the inquiry will only be useful if the key players provide the clarity required. They have delivered their opening statements, each saying the words the families want to hear. They appear willing to explain the circumstances that led to the single worst atrocity of the Troubles in terms of the number of people killed. Now, the British and Irish governments, and the police forces on both sides of the border, have to deliver on their promises and do everything they can to give the victims and their families the answers they deserve. Peter Robinson threatened to sue for libel after McGuinness discussed his links to a paramilitary group Stormont officials did not want the public to know what Martin McGuinness said about Peter Robinson and Ian Paisleys links to Ulster Resistance Hearing what our politicians have to say is a crucial part of democracy. However, back in 1998, the Assembly censored words spoken by Martin McGuinness to Deputy DUP leader Peter Robinson. After Robinson threatened to sue for libel, they were cut completely out of Hansard the official record of what is said in the assembly. Following a legal battle lasting over two years, which involved commissioning a professional lip reader, the Belfast Telegraph can now report on what exactly they are. What did Martin McGuinness say that resulted in 26 years of censorship? How did Peter Robinson exploit his parliamentary privilege to sue for libel? Why were unelected civil servants able to censor words spoken by a government official? Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraphs Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride and Mediahuis Ireland solicitor Thomas Turner, who have worked together on this highly unusual case. Lightstock Jesus Christ died on a Roman cross as recorded in the four Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Christian theology teaches that Christs death provided the perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins of all humankind, thus making the crucifix, or cross, one of the defining symbols of Christianity. The word crucifixion comes from the Latin crucifix, or crucifixus, meaning fixed to a cross. Crucifixion was not only one of the most disgraceful forms of death, but it was also one of the most dreaded methods of execution in the ancient world. Jesus crucifixion was a horribly painful and disgraceful form of capital punishment used in the ancient world. This method of execution involved binding the victims hands and feet and nailing them to a cross. On the Christian Holy Day known as Good Friday, observed the Friday before Easter, Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Many believers spend this day fasting, praying, repenting, and meditating on the agony of Christ on the cross. Here are six facts about the crucifixion of Jesus. Flogging was done before the crucifixion. Flogging or scourging was done before every crucifixion. The scourging was intended to bring a victim to a state just short of death. Also, it hurt a lot. The whip had iron balls tied a few inches from the end of each leather thong on the whip. Sometimes, sharp sheep bones would be tied near the ends. The iron balls would cause deep bruising, while the leather thongs would cut into the skin. The sheep bones would hasten the process of cutting into the skin. After a few lashes, the skin would be cut through, and the muscles would begin to be cut. Blood loss was considerable, and the pain likely put the victim (Jesus) in a state of shock. Jesus carried His own cross. After the flogging, Jesus carried His own cross bar, called a patibulum) from the flogging area inside the city to the crucifixion area outside of the city walls. The crucifixion area was always outside the city because the process was horrible and disturbing to citizens. The upright part of the cross was permanently mounted in the crucifixion area. The part that Jesus carried was the crossbar, weighing in at 75 to 125 pounds. The crossbar would be balanced on the shoulders, and His arms were tied to the crossbar. In this position, if He tripped or fell, He could not use His arms to break their fall, and He would likely fall face-first into the ground. Once the crucifixion area was reached, He was offered a drink of wine mixed with myrrh to act as a mild painkiller. This drink was a charitable service performed by an association of women in Jerusalem. Then they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it (Mark 15:23). Jesus was on the cross for about six hours. Jesus final hours on the cross lasted from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., a period of about six hours. The chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked Him. He saved others, they said, but He cant save Himself! Hes the king of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue Him now if HE wants Him, for He said, I am the Son of God (Matthew 27:41-43). Answering the question of how long Jesus was on the cross is complicated by the fact that two systems of marking time are used in the Gospels. Matthew, Mark and Luke use the Jewish system of marking time. John uses the Roman System. Using the Jewish system, Mark says, They crucified Him and divided His garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified Him (Mark 15:24-25). According to this, Christs crucifixion began at 9:00 a.m. Also, using the Jewish system of marking time, Matthew says that from the sixth hour there was darkness over the land until the ninth hour (Matthew 27:45). That is, the darkness lasted from 12 noon to 3 p.m. This was Jesus final hours on the cross. Jesus uttered the most important words on the cross. The entirety of Gods history comes to a single focal point when Jesus cries, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani, which means My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46). From the moment of creation, Gods story is a story of self-limitation and humility. He withdrew enough of Himself to allow the rest of creation to blossom and flourish. He allowed Israel freedom to succeed and fail and He ultimately poured Himself into the flesh-and-bone, real-life person, Jesus of Nazareth. God pursued every experience of finite humanity, including laughter and grief, joy and sorrow. In His final moments, He said these words because there was real forsakenness for our sake. He also said it to express desolation, not asking for an answer. Finally, He was amazingly fulfilling Scripture in the horror of it all and witnessing to the perfection of the plan of salvation. The Gospel writers disagree on some of the details. In Mark and Matthew, Jesus is abandoned while He hangs on the cross. In John, His mother and a few others keep vigil as He dies. In Mark and Matthew, a fellow Jew mockingly offers Jesus some vinegary wine on a sponge. In Luke, Roman soldiers offer the wine, and in John, an unspecified they offer it. But the Gospels all agree on the basic elements. Jesus died on the cross at the hands of the Roman Empire and the provocation of the crowd in Jerusalem. Christianitys critics cast doubt on the New Testaments reliability, pointing out disparities in the Gospels. The truth is we should expect variations. Its completely normal for ancient (and modern) historical accounts to summarize, paraphrase, omit details and explain events in a way that highlights their specific points and perspectives. Its also important to point out right off the bat that each of the Gospel writers had a particular intention and focus. Each of them set out to accentuate a specific and unique portrait of Jesus. Their Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John focused on particular elements of Christs ministry and the message that they felt illuminated their narrative. Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). And He is coming again! The dead in Christ will be raised, and those who are alive at His coming will be changed and receive new, glorified bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Both the death and resurrection of Jesus are so important. It proves who Jesus is. It demonstrates that God accepted Jesuss sacrifice on our behalf. It shows that God has the power to raise us from the dead. It guarantees that the bodies of those who believe in Christ will not remain dead but will be resurrected into eternal life. Lesli White is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth with a Bachelors degree in Mass Communications and a concentration in print and online journalism. In college, she took a number of religious studies courses and harnessed her talent for storytelling. White has a rich faith background. Her father, a Lutheran pastor and life coach was a big influence in her faith life, helping her to see the value of sharing the message of Christ with others. She has served in the church from an early age. Some of these roles include assisting ministry, mutual ministry, worship and music ministry and church council. NORTH BENNINGTON My longtime friend Nancy is one of the pickiest summer theater attendees I know, and one of the most difficult to satisfy once she attends a play. This past weekend, when I ran into her, she asked me if I would be reviewing Amor & Psyche: A Mythological Comedy, at Living Room Theatre, which was written and directed by its artistic director, Randolyn Zinn. When I replied in the affirmative, Nancy then blurted out: Well you must write how wonderful the entire production was! Very rare praise, given the source. While I get this kind of unsolicited help from readers and audience members all the time, over the past decade, such enthusiasm has become commonplace regarding LRT. And so, after last years stunning and award-nominated world premiere of Zinns Her Name Means memory, Zinn will have another world premiere this summer with one of her newly written, reimagined plays, Amor & Psyche: A Mythological Comedy, which concludes its 11-day run this week on Aug 4. As with the previous handful of seasons, the play is staged in the inactive Park-McCullough Historic Mansion estate swimming pool, where LRT has toiled since the end of the COVID pandemic. The venue is a repurposed and ready-made theater-in-the-round, meaning the audience is situated on all sides of the stage. Zinns husband, LRT co-founder Allen McCullough, is a descendant of the historic Vermont family, who formerly owned the mansion and its surrounding grounds. The plot of the original second-century AD adaptation of the Greek myth, by Numidian-born Latin-prose writer Apuleius, has functioned as a springboard for many such stories that followed in history. When Aphrodite (Valeri Mudek) learns that Psyche (Xingrong Chen), a mortal girl, is worshipped as the new goddess of love, she condemns Psyche to be married to a monster. Aphrodite also orders her son, Cupid (Matt Dallal) (also known as Amor, as well as Eros in Greek), to sting Psyche with one of his arrows, and fall in love with the beast as he devours her. However, Cupid inadvertently stings himself and falls in love with Psyche, taking her to his enchanted palace where he forbids Psyche to see his face, know his name or what he does all day. When Psyches jealous sisters Cidippe (Susannah MacLeod) and Aglaura (Nicole Starrett) visit, they convince her to light a lamp to discover who he might be. She examines Cupids secretive quiver and carelessly pricks her finger, thus falling in love with her captor. What ensues is a classical cornucopia of laughter as well as morality, and Zinn has applied her hand to twist the tale differently than Apuleius take, with Chen and Mudek the only ones holding a single role. Adding to the cast are Allen McCullough, Michael Chinworth and Afton Paige Welch (who all split narrator duties, among other roles) and Elizah Hill (three roles, including Persephone). The 17 characters: Psyche, Cupid/Amor/Eros, Aphrodite, The Blind King, The Queen, Cidippe and Aglaura (Psyches sisters), Persephone (goddess of the underworld), Euterpe (muse of music), Narrators, Seekers, Echo, Pan, Auntie Aunt, The Dragon, Mr. Ram and Mr. Fleece. The acting was absolutely outstanding! With a cast this big, it feels almost unfair to single anyone out. Clearly, Mudek, Chen and Dallal were the three-headed center of gravity, nuclei about which everything and everyone rotated, and they fleshed out their characters delightfully, much to the audiences delight. McCullough as the principal narrator provided a powerful azimuth of moving the action along. Starretts caricatures in the quick character changes she was tasked with were nothing short of remarkable. Likewise, Hills Persephone, Chinworths Auntie Aunt, MacLeods Aglaura and Welchs Sorrow were expertly portrayed. Also, keep an eye out for the brief show-stealing scene by McCullough and Dallal of neer-do well cockneys Mr. Ram and Mr. Fleeche. The production crew consisted of stage management by Elizabeth Kenney, videography by Emma Baiada, graphic design by Corwin Levi and Michelle Aldridge, and costumes by Broadway and Hollywood luminary Cynthia Flynt, who also worked on last years show. A special note must go to Flynts costumes, which may indeed be worth the price of admission alone. They were at once timely, playful, outrageous, colorful and scandalous. Those are quite a few superlatives to which I could easily add just as many. Flynts sense of time and place, as well as crossing a bridge from the ancient to the contemporary, picked right up where she left off from last years serious production, to the present, more comic tones. Bravo madam, and bravo to Zinn for her continued astute selection of Flynt. As with last years production, Zinn has reached into her ancient Greek bag of magic, and is wowing audiences again: The play has earned one standing O after another, which was confirmed by my very selective friend Nancy, who attended to a full house the day after I did. To that end, in these warm summer evenings, Zinns uncanny ability to mold the classics into something contemporary without losing the Greek flavor is a testament to her deep understanding of what morality and humanity meant to her predecessors some two millennia earlier. To do so in consecutive seasons while covering the full range from drama to comedy, is sublime. This also goes hand-in-glove with Zinns relentless drive for perfection: For years, I have studied her sitting in the audience watching her creations, and silently mouthing every word of the script as her actors are uttering them, followed by sheer joy and a twinkle in her eyes, like a mother being handed her newborn baby for the first time. This relentless work ethic clearly bleeds down to LRTs cast in Amor & Psyche, and with seats around the swimming pool at a premium, you would do well to call and book a spot now, and fill yourselves with the joy deep in your hearts that only theater can deliver. 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. This Story in History is selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Berkshire Eagle. LENOX For 38 years, he lived his boyhood dream as a firefighter in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Now, Fire Chief Christopher OBrien has decided with a very heavy heart to retire from the department when his contract expires next June 30. In his letter to the Select Board, OBrien, 56, acknowledged that this decision does not come easily for me, but the time has come to move on. He discussed it with family and his closest friends, and they were right when they said, youll know when its time, and it is. OBrien, who was promoted to lead the department on Oct. 18, 2018, wrote that I am leaving with no regrets, and I am incredibly proud of the men and women of the Lenox Fire Department. He came up through the ranks as firefighter, lieutenant, captain and deputy chief before he was appointed to the top job. He noted that the new public safety building under construction at the northeast corner of Route 7/20 and Housatonic Street is on a fast track, with completion projected a year from now, and that a new town manager will soon be appointed following a search now under way. I feel its time for a new fire chief to bring in new ideas, a fresh start, he told The Eagle in his office at the central fire station. OBrien emphasized that his decision had absolutely nothing to do with the recent departure of Town Manager Christopher Ketchen, who resigned a month ago for a new state position overseeing annual distribution of $8 billion in local aid funds to 351 cities and towns. He pointed out that he had conversed with Ketchen at various meetings about the departments future plans and strategies, but those discussions took place before Ketchens decision to step down even before the town manager had any inkling of his own plans. Im a firm believer in, You can stay too long in one place, and, 'You can do harm if you stay too long,' said OBrien, a Lenox native and older brother of Police Chief Stephen E. OBrien. Thirty-eight years is a pretty good run. He also mentioned minor health issues that prompted thoughts about stepping down enough to open my eyes and think very, very hard. There are so many young people passing away. OBrien said he plans to explore other, unspecified opportunities. Im leaving everything open and Ill see where it leads. I wanted to give the town as much notice as I could, so they could move forward with their process, he added. There are internal candidates, theres no question in my mind about that, and that seems to work out best because the individuals know the day-to-day operation. But before he leaves, hell be overseeing the progress of the new, centrally located public safety complex by communicating with contractors, architects and engineers. OBrien pointed out the project was a team effort by a very, very good group. He voiced the hope that hell be invited to the opening ceremony following the transition to the new fire headquarters, but you never know. The Lenox Fire Department, including its ambulance service and EMTs, can muster about 50 responders in all 11 full-time career members with 10 part-time per diem available, and roughly 30 on-call volunteers paid by the job. The department is in very, very good shape, OBrien said. It was not an easy decision for me; its kind of in my blood. Its what I know, what Ive done; I enjoy helping people and problem-solving. But the time has come. Looking back, he described how he settled on a firefighting career: Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to be in this profession, and I followed through. On board with his decision are family members his wife AnneMarie OBrien, a nurse at Berkshire Medical Center; their son Sean Patrick, 28, a teacher in a suburb of Paris, and his daughter Molly Shea, 25, a paraprofessional at Morris Elementary School in Lenox. As a third-generation Lenox firefighter, OBrien said, theres a part of me that wants to retire out of this building, just to close this particular chapter, in this building. GREAT BARRINGTON Town health officials worry that cheap cigarettes at a Main Street discount chain will be a draw for young people. But the Board of Health may not be able to stop Dollar General from selling them if the company complies with the towns regulations. At its July 23 meeting, board members said they wont weigh in on the chains application for a retail tobacco sales license until a store representative appears before the panel. No one from the store appeared at the boards meeting with the license application on the agenda for a discussion and a vote. Board Chair Michael Lanoue said he first wants to see a completed application and a representative present to answer questions. And board member Dr. Ruby Chang agreed, saying she wants to question someone about the proposed sales because, I have a lot of concerns. I'd like to hear what they have to say, but more importantly, I'd like to hear how they're going to advertise their sales, Chang said, and what is their cost structure. Chang pointed to studies about how dollar stores in general price cigarettes in a way that would attract young or low-income residents. The chain also sells "Stop Smoking" products like Nicorette gum. Dollar General in January replaced the former Walgreens at 197 Main St. It is the second dollar-type store in Great Barrington. Dollar General's other nearest store is in Sheffield. If granted, the tobacco license would be the 11th in town out of about a total of 12 allowed by the board, noted town Health Agent Rebecca Jurczyk. That cap was set in 2019, when tobacco regulations were revised, she added. Jurcyzk noted state and town tobacco laws that are pretty stringent. The town asks retailers to come before the board and talk about what sales they are proposing, and how they will comply with the rules. The store, Jurczyk said, has not yet signed off that theyve read the local regulations, and have trained sales clerks in tobacco retailer certification led by the Tri Town Health Department in Lee. Dollar will also, she said, have to give the Health Department a list of tobacco products from its distributor. Those lists can be quite extensive, Jurczyk said, but we like to go through them to make sure that they are not receiving any products that are underhandedly flavored when we have this existing flavor ban in Massachusetts. The states ban on flavored tobacco sales went into effect on Jan. 1, 2020. When asked if the Board of Health has the authority to deny the tobacco license, Jurczyk told The Eagle that the board can deny it, though it might be more difficult to do so if the company is in compliance with local and state regulations. A Dollar General representative confirmed that the company is seeking the license, but declined to answer questions. Starting Thursday, families seeking shelter in Massachusetts will be asked to make a seemingly impossible decision stay in overflow shelter and sacrifice access to a long-term placement, or spend the night on park benches. Under the new policy, announced in a press release from Gov. Maura Healeys office last week, Massachusetts will prioritize families for shelter placement who are homeless because of a no-fault eviction or other sudden circumstances beyond their control. Families who do not qualify for priority placement will have a five-day stay limit at an overflow shelter. If they outstay that limit, they must wait six months or more for placement in the shelter system. Housing advocates expect Eastern Massachusetts, where all four overflow shelters administered by the state are located, to be hit most harshly and directly. But that doesnt mean the effects wont be felt further west. The number of homeless families is already on the rise in Western Massachusetts 2,346 families are homeless in Hampden County and 221 in Berkshire County this year. We are experiencing what the rest of the state is experiencing, said Amy Timmins, ServiceNets vice president of community relations. There are more families seeking shelter. There are more families in shelters. The Healey-Driscoll administration introduced the new policy to cut costs and address the overburdened shelter system, according to the press release. Healey declared a state of emergency last year in the face of surging numbers of immigrant families seeking shelter and an ongoing housing affordability crisis. Last fall, she announced the Emergency Assistance system had reached capacity. Over 700 families are sitting on shelter waitlists, often for months, and are navigating precarious housing situations in the interim, said Kelly Turley, associate director of Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. Weve talked to families who are staying in cars if they have one. Many families, hundreds of children and parents, were staying over the course of many months at Boston Logan airport, Turley said. Others have been staying in hospital emergency rooms or transit stations throughout the state. Last year, housing advocates urged legislators to institute the overflow shelters, where families can stay as they search for a longer-term housing solution. The overflow shelters, or temporary respite centers, provide families access to cots, showers and food, Turley said. There are also case workers and support staff that work with families to secure permanent housing. The strict limits the new policy will impose on accessing overflow shelters is a major retreat from Massachusetts right to shelter law, Turley said. For 41 years, the law which is unique to Massachusetts has guaranteed shelter for homeless families with children and pregnant people. Were obviously really concerned as theyre making people choose between a five-day respite stay or making people stay in unsafe conditions, said Rose Webster-Smith, program director at Springfield No One Leaves. Its not a humane solution. And to add insult to injury, theres not a single respite center in Central or Western Mass. The decision will exacerbate the challenges homeless people face in Western Massachusetts, according to Webster-Smith, who was a lead organizer of a Springfield protest against the policy held Monday. She is among the housing advocates demanding that Healey reconsider the policy. Allowing families to stay in overflow shelter without limit is a necessity, she said, while the state works with advocates to institute long-term solutions. We want to make sure that Massachusetts remains a welcoming state, that we dont erode this right to shelter and we actually focus on the underlying housing crisis, which has led, in part, to this record high demand for emergency shelter, Turley said. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. ARCHIVE - Maya Bay in southern Thailand is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Photo: Carola Frentzen/dpa Keystone The world-famous Maya Bay on the Thai dream archipelago of Ko Phi Phi will be closed to tourism again for two months from Thursday. No visitors will be allowed during the rainy season from August 1 to September 30 so that the bay and its fragile ecosystem can recover from the onslaught of visitors, Thai media reported, citing the authorities. SDA The white tropical beach with its striking rocks became world famous thanks to Danny Boyle's 2000 hippie blockbuster "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio. In addition to Maya Bay, two other bays would be closed, Loh Samah Bay and Lo Kor Bay, the newspaper "The Nation" quoted the head of the local national park, Yutthapong Damsrisuk, as saying. Devastating coral bleaching In June, he had already declared that devastating coral bleaching had been detected at some of the most beautiful snorkeling and diving spots on Koh Phi Phi. In some cases, 100 percent of all corals and sea anemones were affected. Closures for tourism could perhaps help to halt the process. For years after the success of "The Beach", masses of tourists made the pilgrimage to Maya Bay on the otherwise uninhabited island of Phi Phi Leh to marvel at the beautiful bay. Soon, paradise mutated into an overcrowded nightmare. Dozens of boats dropped their anchors into the once intact reef every day, the corals were destroyed, the blacktip sharks disappeared and garbage piled up. At the urging of marine biologists, the authorities finally pulled the ripcord: Maya Bay was unexpectedly closed in June 2018 - and ultimately remained closed for three and a half years due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was only reopened to holidaymakers in January 2022, under stricter rules. Nevertheless, the beach remains a highlight for tourists. From October 2023 to July 2024 alone, 1.6 million holidaymakers visited again. High swell The closure during the monsoon season is also about the safety of visitors: most guests come on traditional longboats from the neighboring island of Phi Phi Don. When it rains and the waves are high, it is difficult for the boats, some of which are very old, to dock in the bay of Loh Samah, from where visitors now walk to Maya Bay. SDA ARCHIVE - Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus. Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP/dpa Keystone The Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko has overturned the death sentence against a German. This was announced by the presidential office in Minsk, as reported by the state agency Belta. The German citizen had previously sent a plea for clemency to the president, according to the Belarusian secret service KGB. SDA The 29-year-old German was sentenced to death in June for alleged mercenary activities and terrorism on behalf of the Ukrainian secret service SBU. Belarus (formerly Belarus), which is considered a dictatorship, is the last country in Europe to carry out the internationally controversial death penalty, namely by a shot in the neck. Belarusian state television recently showed the German, a paramedic, in a video in which he pleads guilty and asks for clemency. The Federal Foreign Office in Berlin had condemned the death penalty and announced that the German citizen was receiving consular assistance. The treatment of the man was "intolerable". However, Berlin did not comment on information from the Belarusian Foreign Ministry that Minsk had made a negotiation proposal for a solution to the case. The Belarusian opposition suspects that Lukashenko is demanding a high price for a pardon. Lukashenko could, for example, demand the release of a Russian convicted of murder in Berlin's Tiergarten park on behalf of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, on whom he is politically and economically dependent. SDA Bank of Ireland reported a better than expected 5 per cent rise in first half pre-tax profit on Wednesday and lifted its net interest income guidance for 2024 for the second time this year. First half profit rose 5 per cent to 1.1 billion, ahead of the 968 million forecast in a company poll of analysts, primarily due to lower regulatory fees and levies and a "materially" lower than expected impairment charge. Advertisement Ireland's biggest lender said it expects net interest income of 3.55 billion for 2024, at the higher end of its previously upgraded guidance from May and that it also expects to generate more capital that previously flagged. Ireland's highly concentrated sector of mainly retail-focussed lenders make more of their profit through interest revenue than European peers. Bank of Ireland now expect its return on tangible equity for the year to be ahead of the 2023 level of 17.3 per cent, compared to previous guidance that it would be above 15 per cent. It also commenced an interim dividend for the first time since the Irish banking crash of 2008, and will return 352 million to shareholders, the equivalent of 40 per cent of first half profit after tax. - Reuters A review of railway provision across the island of Ireland has proposed several new routes, including direct links to three airports. The final report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review contains a total of 32 recommendations aimed at enhancing the network across the next 25 years while also making train travel quicker and more environmentally friendly. Advertisement The report estimates the capital cost of implementing all the recommendations by 2050 would be between 35 to 37 billion in 2023 prices. However, it claims that the economic benefit to society generated by the improvements would cover that bill. The review was committed to as part of the 2020 New Decade, New Approach agreement that ended a long period without devolved government in Northern Ireland. With the draft report having been published last year, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and Stormonts Infrastructure Minister John ODowd jointly published the final version on Wednesday. Advertisement The recommendations include: Restore a line linking Portadown in Co Armagh with Mullingar in Co Westmeath. The line would pass through Armagh and Cavan. Restore a line between Derry and Portadown, linking the towns of Strabane, Omagh and Dungannon to the network. Build a new direct line between Lisburn and Newry. Advertisement Restore a line between Athenry in Co Galway and Claremorris in Co Mayo, connecting Tuam in Co Galway to the network. Reinstate the South Wexford railway. Develop a new rail link from Letterkenny in Co Donegal to Derry. Build a rail link that would cross central Dublin potentially via a tunnel to connect Heuston station, which receives trains from the south of the island, with the northern line that serves Connolly station. Advertisement Connect Dublin, Shannon and Belfast International airports to the rail network. In Dublin, the move would complement the existing plan for a Metrolink from the airport into the city centre, and would enable intercity services to access directly the islands biggest airport. Reinstating the Lisburn to Antrim line would enable Belfast International to be served by a rail link while in Shannon the review recommends the building of a spur to facilitate a rail link with Limerick. The review also recommends several steps to improve the quality on existing lines, including additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds and higher service frequencies. The use of new 200kmh trains would see times on some intercity routes halved, the review says. However, rural areas such as Co Fermanagh and much of Co Donegal are not set to see their historic rail networks resurrected, with the review concluding that passenger numbers would be insufficient to justify the major capital projects. Advertisement Mr Ryan said the publication of the review represented an important day for the island of Ireland. This is not just the first All-Island Strategic Rail Review, it is the most ambitious vision for rail in a century, bringing us forward to a new age of rail, he said. This vision has been made possible by close co-operation between the departments and agencies north and south. Rail not only allows us to carry more people and freight in a more sustainable way, it is the great connector, enabling greater regional accessibility and balanced regional development. The report provides a long-term vision and a series of recommendations for the sustainable development of the rail network on the island. I would like to see the recommendations actioned as soon as possible, and I am pleased that work is now well under way, with European Investment Bank assistance, on how we can move forward. Mr ODowd said the review was historic. The report provides an evidence-based framework to help guide future investment in our rail network, and will help us meet our climate commitments, he said. The review has been an excellent example of joint collaboration on cross-border priorities, and this continued partnership will be key to realising its ambitions. This publication brings us to a new chapter where we can shape a better future for everyone by decarbonising key services and investing in climate adaptation measures, while at the same time supporting economic productivity through projects, policy and legislation. Getting infrastructure right, and investing in it accordingly, can create the foundations for better rural and urban communities. While many of the recommendations in the report are potentially decades away, some are set to come to fruition relatively quickly, with plans already in action to increase the Belfast to Dublin route to an hourly service by the end of the year. Additional services between Dublin and Galway are also set to come online in the coming months. Limerick lorry driver and delivery man David Daly was jailed on Wednesday for three years after he pleaded guilty to cruelty to children offences. Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard that Daly (37), of Castle Park, Dooradoyle, Limerick, was a cruel and evil man who beat and ridiculed three children. Advertisement Sentencing Judge Dermot Sheehan on Wednesday lifted reporting restrictions allowing the media to identify Daly for the first time. Judge Sheehan said Daly bullied (the children) by demeaning them with verbal abuse and had meted out significant violence to the children. Dalys three victims were aged 10, 11 and 12 when Daly physically and emotionally abused them. Daly punched and slapped the children and called them scumbags on dates between January 1st, 2018 and July 10th, 2019. Advertisement In one harrowing incident, Daly pushed a male child, who could not swim, into a lake. Daly even tried to control how his victims spoke, the court heard. Daly pleaded guilty to three separate counts of cruelty to children, contrary to Section 246 of the Children Act, 2001. The maximum prison sentence open to the court was one of seven years. Advertisement However, Daly was entitled to part of his sentence being suspended as he had pleaded guilty and had taken steps to try to curb his short temper, Judge Sheehan said. The judge imposed a three-year sentence in respect of two of Dalys victims, and he imposed a consecutive 18-month sentence in respect of the other victim which was fully suspended. Dalys crimes came to light in July 2019 when gardai were called to a disturbance in which members of the public reported hearing blood-curdling screams coming from a female child. Gardai encountered a chaotic scene with a considerable amount of blood and a young girl in a hysterical state. Advertisement The girl had tried to stop Daly hitting an older female. Daly punched the girl in the face, resulting in her being hospitalised for her injuries. Daly punched another girl in the face leaving her with significant swelling and rushing to one of her eyes. Daly had previously physically assaulted the girl seven or eight times, it was heard. The court heard how one of Dalys victims escaped from a property where Daly had assaulted her and had sought refuge in a neighbouring property. Prosecuting counsel, John OSullivan BL, said that gardai found a significant amount of blood-staining in an upstairs bedroom of the house where Daly assaulted two of his victims. Advertisement Witnesses to the attacks told gardai they heard two girls screaming from a house. One witness told gardai: I thought she (girl) was being murdered, they were the most horrible screams Ive ever heard. Blood-curdling screams Another witness said they heard blood-curdling screams coming from one of the girls. Daly was apprehended by gardai after his three victims eventually told investigators that he had assaulted them. In a victim impact statement read to the court by Mr OSullivan, one of the victims described Daly as evil. The three victims said they had been physically and emotionally traumatised by Daly and that they suffered from nightmares. Daly, who initially denied having anything to do with the childrens injuries, wept in court last Friday at his initial sentencing hearing which was adjourned to today. The court heard Daly has a history of anger issues but that he has since taken steps to remedy this. Judge Sheehan said it was significant that Daly fully accepts the evidence of the children and that Daly also accepted that he was responsible for harming the children. Dalys barrister, senior counsel Mark Nicholas, said there could be no minimising Dalys behaviour, and he described Dalys actions as unacceptable, absolutely awful. Mr OSullivan said the three victims were entitled to their anonymity under Section 252 (1) of the Childrens Act, but they're of the view that the accuseds name should be published. Mr OSullivan said there was no risk of identifying the three children by identifying Daly, and he told the court, I believe this is not a case where the accused gets the benefit of anonymity, and the victims feel content with that. Dalys barrister argued there was nothing further to be gained by naming my client, however Judge Sheehan said that, while the victims in the case were legally entitled to their anonymity the accused, as is normal, can be named. In summing up, the judge made an order that Daly must engage with the probation services for 18 months after he is eventually released from prison. Daly did not show any emotion as he was led away from the court by prison officers to begin a three-year jail sentence at Limerick Prison. Graham Dwyer has lost his last ditch attempt to overturn his conviction for the murder of care worker Elaine OHara. A Supreme Court ruling which dismissed his final appeal means it is the end of the legal road in Ireland for the killer who has already spent nine years behind bars. Advertisement He has always denied the murder of 36-year-old Ms OHara, who was last seen in August 2012 in a park in Shanganagh, south Dublin. Some of her remains were found in the Dublin mountains just over a year later, and she was identified from dental records. Members of Elaines family, including her father Frank and sister Anne Charles, were in the Four Courts to hear the ruling of the court. Seven judges in the highest court in the land on Wednesday ruled to dismiss the appeal. Mr Justice Maurice Collins gave the judgement of the court. Advertisement In the last few years, Dwyer has brought his case to several courts, including the High Court, Court of Appeal and Europe in his bid to secure his release from prison since being jailed for life in 2015. Mobile phone data had helped to tie Dwyer to Ms O'Hara's murder, linking him to a phone used to send messages to her, and to certain locations. Dwyers trial was told a Nokia phone found in Vartry Reservoir in Co Wicklow in 2013 was used to send Ms OHara messages, including one about stabbing, culminating in a text dated August 22nd, 2012, the last day she was seen, to go down to the shore and wait. The prosecution argued that phone, and another phone found in the reservoir, were secret Master and Slave phones Dwyer and OHara used almost exclusively to contact each other. Advertisement Following his conviction, Dwyer, in long-running civil proceedings, brought his case before a number of courts including the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) where he successfully challenged the validity of section of the legislation which permitted phone metadata to be retained on a general and indiscriminate basis. In April 2022, the CJEU found Irelands data-retention regime breached EU law. But in March of last year, the Court of Appeal here dismissed Dwyers earlier appeal against his conviction and said the metadata evidence, which it described as not very significant, was admissible. Even if excluded, there was enough evidence to link Dwyer to the two phones that formed part of the prosecution case, it held. Dwyer then secured a further appeal before the seven-judge Supreme Court. The Supreme Court decided to allow a final appeal on the grounds that "significant issues of general public importance" arose about the admissibility of mobile phone data evidence retained and accessed under legislation that was later found to breach EU law. A High Court judge has refused to grant an emergency injunction to the residents of Dundrum village, Co Tipperary who want to stop asylum seekers being accommodated in a local hotel. Mr Justice David Holland said no case had been made to grant an ex partie injunction where only one side is represented. He said the application simply did not have the necessary urgency. Advertisement Dundrum residents had lodged 230 affidavits with the High Court complaining that International Protection Applicants will be offered rooms at the Dundrum House Hotel resort from Thursday. Mr Justice Holland, who read the affidavits and gave his judgment last night, said communities may not - as a legal right - vet or veto those who seek to live among them, He said there was a notable peculiarity that the person who brought the case lived in Co Westmeath and he did not understand why Dundrum residents were not named as applicants in the proceedings. He said concern was raised about the potential intrusion into private dwellings. It is saying that International Protection Applicants are more likely to be burglars than those staying as guests at the hotel or Ukrainian refugees staying there. I lend no weight to that assertion, the judge stated. Advertisement In an application to the court led by Patrick McGreal from Westmeath, the village residents sought an interim injunction to stop the former mansion and estate Dundrum House Hotel being used to house International Protection Applicants (IPA). In separate proceedings against the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage they also want to stop the use of the Planning and Development (exempted Development) regulations of 2023 which allows buildings to be used to house International Protection Applicants. Dundrum House Hotel for the last two years has accommodated Ukrainian refugees and locals are objecting to any continued use of the hotel to house asylum seekers as the Ukrainians leave. A round the clock demonstration which began outside the hotel in late May is continuing. Advertisement Mr McGreal submitted that locals believed the turning of the hotel into an IPA centre would cause irreparable damage to the village and the local economy and destroy tourism. He maintained that International Protection Applicants will be at the hotel from today (Thursday) and they sought an injunction to stop this. Mr Justice Holland asked what the difference between Ukrainians and International Protection Applicants was staying at the hotel. Mr McGreal said the Ukrainians were refugees and they had integrated into the community and could work. In one affidavit referred to in court from a local resident it was stated there were fears "the influx of people not of Irish origin into an Irish village will cause a lot of unrest. A man who was taught by US First Lady Jill Biden and who was caught with 330,000 worth of ketamine in his suitcase at Dublin Airport has been jailed for three-and-a-half years. Jonathan Diggins (47), of San Francisco, USA, was arrested when he travelled back to Ireland to search for the suitcase which contained the drugs, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. Advertisement Diggins had been travelling from Brussels to San Francisco via Dublin last October when his suitcase missed the connecting flight while he was travelling on to the States. US clearance officers in Dublin Airport found a false bottom in the suitcase, which contained seven packs of ketamine with a street value of 330,000, Jane Horgan-Jones BL, prosecuting, told the court. The court heard that Diggins was arrested at Dublin Airport a few weeks later when he returned to Ireland to look for his lost suitcase. He pleaded guilty to one count of importing drugs at Dublin Airport on November 6th, 2023. He has no previous convictions. Advertisement Sentencing him on Wednesday, Judge Orla Crowe said the importation of drugs is a significant and serious matter. She said the aggravating factors include the value of the drugs and that Diggins returned to Ireland to retrieve the suitcase. Judge Crowe said Diggins had involved himself in an activity which was nefarious in nature, and he had imported drugs into Ireland, even if this wasn't his intention. The judge said she had taken into account the mitigating features and his personal circumstances, noting that testimonials speak of a decent man and a devoted father. Advertisement She said the court would give Diggins extra credit for being a non-national who is facing difficulties in maintaining contact with family due to time zone differences and the long distance. She handed Diggins a sentence of three and a half years, backdated to November 28th 2023 when he went into custody. James Dwyer SC, defending, said that his client had no intention of importing the drugs to Ireland; they were simply in transit from Belgium to the States. However, he said his client pleaded guilty to the charge despite this and cooperated fully with the investigation. He said Diggins was originally from Wilmington, Delaware and was taught by the current US First Lady, Jill Biden, when he was a child. He has two children and missed his oldest child's graduation from high school while in custody over here. Defence counsel noted it was not a sophisticated operation and his decision to travel back to Ireland was either stupidity or ignorance. A number of testimonials were handed to the court praising Diggins as a good father. Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas supreme leader in exile who topped Israels hit list after the militant groups October 7th attacks, has been killed in an air strike in the Iranian capital at the age of 62. Hamas said Mr Haniyeh was killed at his residence in Tehran in an Israeli air strike after he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Irans new President. Advertisement Mr Haniyehs death makes him the latest Hamas official to be killed by Israel since the Hamas-led assault last October, when militants killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. Advertisement The devastating Israel-Hamas war the attacks set off has become the deadliest and longest in the Arab-Israeli conflict. More than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health officials in Gaza. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (AP) Advertisement While Hamas Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar is believed to have been the mastermind of the October 7th attacks, Mr Haniyeh, who had been seen as a more moderate force in Hamas, lauded them as a humiliating blow to Israels aura of invincibility. Mr Haniyeh said in a speech in Iran during the funeral of late Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in May: The Al-Aqsa flood was an earthquake that struck the heart of the Zionist entity and has made major changes at the world level. We will continue the resistance against this enemy until we liberate our land, all our land. Hours after the October 7th attacks, Mr Haniyeh appeared in a video released by Hamas leading prayers with other top Hamas officials. Advertisement They thanked God for the success of the attack, which blasted through Israels vaunted defences and resulted in the deadliest assault in Israels history. Michael Milshtein, a Hamas expert at Tel Aviv University, said Mr Haniyeh had a commanding role in the groups foreign policy and diplomacy, but was less involved in military affairs. Iranian leader Mr Pezeshkian said his country would defend its integrity after the air strike (Iranian Presidency Office via AP) Advertisement He was responsible for propaganda, for diplomatic relations, but he was not very powerful, said Mr Milshtein, a former military intelligence officer. From time to time, Sinwar even laughed and joked: Hes the more moderate, sophisticated leader, but he doesnt understand anything about warfare.' Israel pledged to target all of Hamas leaders following the attacks and has gradually worked to fulfil that promise. Mr Haniyeh was also under the eye of the International Criminal Court, whose chief prosecutor sought arrest warrants against him and two other Hamas leaders, Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Similar requests were issued for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Yoav Gallant. Mr Haniyeh had lived in self-imposed exile in Qatar since 2019 and the threats against him did not prevent him from traveling. He visited Turkey and Iran throughout the war. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed (AP) From Doha, he was involved in negotiations meant to bring about a ceasefire and free the hostages. His role in Hamas leadership also cost him his closest relatives. In April, an Israeli air strike in Gaza killed three of Mr Haniyehs sons, after which he accused Israel of acting in the spirit of revenge and murder. Hamas said four of the leaders grandchildren were also killed as well as his sister in a separate strike last month. Mr Haniyeh, who was born in Gazas urban Shati refugee camp on January 29th, 1962, joined Hamas when it was founded in 1987. He served as an aide to Ahmad Yassin, the groups founder, and rose throughout the years until he became its top political leader, replacing Khaled Mashaal in 2017. He was deeply religious and studied Arabic literature at university. He was known for delivering lengthy speeches using flowery language to his supporters while serving as prime minister in Gaza. Mr Haniyeh had lauded the October 7 attacks (AP) Hani Masri, a veteran Palestinian analyst who met Mr Haniyeh several times, said the late leaders personality was a natural fit for the head of the groups political wing in Doha. He described him as having been sociable and well spoken. Mr Haniyeh, like thousands of other Palestinians, was detained by Israeli authorities in 1989 for being a member of Hamas and spent three years in jail before he was deported to Lebanon in 1992 with a group of top Hamas officials and founders. He later returned to the Gaza Strip following the 1993 interim peace accords, which were signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation. Mr Haniyeh assumed the position of prime minister in the Palestinian government after Hamas won legislative elections in 2006. He presided over the gravest crisis in the Palestinian leadership in its history, which continues until today. Hamas violently overran Gaza in 2007, routing forces loyal to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas Fatah faction and installing itself as ruler of the tiny coastal enclave, with Mr Haniyeh as prime minister. US vice president Kamala Harris appears to have energised Democrats in the early days of her candidacy for the White House. A surge in warm feelings extends across multiple groups, including some key Democratic constituencies that had been especially tepid about president Joe Biden, a new poll shows. Advertisement About eight in 10 Democrats say they would be somewhat or very satisfied if Ms Harris became the Democratic nominee for president, according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research. The research was conducted after Mr Biden withdrew from the race for the White House. .@POTUS and I made it easier for Americans to have their student debt forgiven through Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Nearly 950,000 public servants have already benefitted from our plan, including Brittany, a public school teacher I met last week in Houston. pic.twitter.com/TvuymbCldj Advertisement Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) July 30, 2024 In a separate AP-NORC poll, taken before Mr Biden dropped out but after his disastrous debate against former president Donald Trump, only about four in 10 Democrats said they were somewhat or very satisfied that he was the Democratic Partys likely nominee for president. Advertisement The rapidly changing views among Democrats in such a short time span underline how swiftly the party from rank-and-file voters to elected officials has coalesced behind Ms Harris as its standard-bearer, motivated by the fresh face at the top of the ticket and newfound confidence in the partys prospects against Mr Trump in November. Gary Hines, a Democrat from Philadelphia, said he was not particularly impressed by Ms Harris first presidential bid but now she has shown shes up to the task, can do the work, has proven that shes running a strong campaign so far, and maybe on a bigger level, shes somebody that can beat Donald Trump. All those factors have ignited an enthusiasm in Mr Hines that was not there when Mr Biden was still in the race, he said. Advertisement Most Americans think that Donald Trump is more likely to regain the White House (AP) I really want to go out and maybe knock on doors, which I wouldve never done, said Mr Hines, 68. Its jazzed me up quite a bit. Americans are also more likely to say that Ms Harris would make a good president than they were earlier in July, a shift that was primarily driven by Democrats. They still see a tough contest looming, though a majority of US adults, 56 per cent, say that if Mr Trump and Ms Harris are their parties nominees for the general election in November, Mr Trump is more likely to win. Advertisement Lauren Schulman, a Democrat from Pompano Beach, Florida, said she admires Mr Biden and what he has accomplished during his presidency. But she said with him at the top of the ticket, I have just been so terrified that we were going to lose. With Ms Harris, on the other hand, shes been a bright, shining star, said Ms Schulman, 66, noting that the vice president is smart and shes younger, and she even comes off younger than she is. That makes such a huge contrast with Trump. Ms Harris is likely to face Mr Trump in the battle for the White House in November (AP) About seven in 10 black adults and about half of Hispanic adults would be satisfied with Ms Harris as the Democratic nominee a marked increase from earlier in July, when about half of black adults and 15 per cent of Hispanic adults felt satisfied with Mr Biden as the Democrats expected nominee. The share of younger adults (those under the age of 45) who say they would be satisfied with Ms Harris as the nominee, at around four in 10, is higher than the 17 per cent who said they were satisfied with Mr Biden in July. Bryan Seigler, a Democrat from Raleigh, North Carolina, praised Ms Harris broad appeal and pointed to a contrast that Democrats were not able to make before. Donald Trump is the old guy now, said Mr Seigler, 36. The new poll shows that Ms Harris overall favourability has risen slightly, from 39% at the beginning of the summer before the debate to 46 per cent now. Democrats opinions of Ms Harris have also shifted in a slightly more positive direction. Eight in 10 Democrats have a positive view of her, up slightly from around seven in 10 in early June. Ms Harris would be a historic candidate she would be the first woman to win the US presidency, as well as the first black woman, the first South Asian American, and the first Asian American. Around four in 10 Americans say that it would be a good thing for the country to elect either a woman or a person of colour to be president. Even more about six in 10 when asked about electing a person of colour and about half when asked about electing a woman say it does not matter. Majorities of Democrats, however, say it would be good for the country to elect a woman or person of colour. Most Americans 54 per cent say they have heard or read a lot about Mr Bidens decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. About three-quarters of Americans approve of his decision to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for president, including most Democrats and Republicans. However, US adults say that if Mr Trump and Ms Harris are the candidates, Mr Trump is more likely to win. About nine in 10 Republicans say Mr Trump is more likely to become US president, while only about seven in 10 Democrats say that about Ms Harris. China has expressed strong dissatisfaction to Japan about what it called smear attacks against China at recent high-level meetings with the United States, India and Australia. A foreign ministry statement said that Liu Jinsong, the director general of the Asian affairs department, conveyed solemn representations and serious concern at a meeting the previous day with Akira Yokochi, the deputy chief of mission at the Japanese embassy. Advertisement Liu pointed out that Japans smear attacks on China are self-contradictory to its statement of promoting the strategic and reciprocal relationship between the two countries, the statement said. Meeting in Tokyo on Sunday, Japans foreign and defence ministers agreed to bolster military cooperation with the US at what are known as 2+2 talks with their American counterparts. A joint statement said Chinas foreign policy seeks to reshape the international order for its own benefit at the expense of others and that such behaviour represents the greatest strategic challenge in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The US-Japan talks were followed by a meeting on Monday of the foreign ministers from the Quad countries the US, Japan, India and Australia. Advertisement The joint statement did not mention China by name but expressed opposition to the militarisation of disputed features and coercive and intimidating manoeuvres in the South China Sea. The Chinese government has complained repeatedly about the US deepening ties with other countries in the face of Chinas rise, which President Joe Biden has made a priority during his four years in office. The foreign ministry statement said China urges Japan to stop making irresponsible remarks on Chinese internal affairs a likely reference to Taiwan and called on Japan to stop colluding with certain countries to form small circles that lead to confrontation. A Japanese embassy statement said that the deputy chief had expounded Japans positions at the meeting and made representations on various China-related topics. International criticism of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro mounted on Tuesday, a day after electoral authorities declared him the winner in a presidential election that the opposition claims to have won by a landslide. The Organisation of American States chastised Mr Maduro for his governments sustained repression of the opposition. Advertisement It also lambasted the National Electoral Council, which is loyal to the ruling party, for its delay in showing precinct-level results to prove the president secured the most votes in Sundays election. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds up his certification from the National Electoral Council (CNE) that declares him the winner of the presidential election (Matias Delacroix/AP) The worst form of repression, the most vile, is to prevent the people from finding solutions through elections, the organisation said in a statement. Advertisement The obligation of each institution in Venezuela should be to ensure freedom, justice, and transparency in the electoral process. The people should have the maximum guarantees of political freedom to be able to express themselves at the polls, and to protect the rights of citizens to be elected. The organisation, which has called an urgent meeting of its members to discuss Venezuelas election, even suggested that a new vote should take place to resolve the widely different results that electoral authorities and the opposition presented Monday. The do-over, the organisation said, would require robust international observation. Advertisement Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets nationwide on Monday to protest the results announced by the electoral council. People protest the official election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro the winner of the presidential election, the day after the vote in Caracas (Fernando Vergara/AP) As they marched, opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez announced that his campaign has the proof it needs to show he won. Advertisement Mr Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado told reporters they have obtained more than 70% of tally sheets, which show Mr Gonzalez won more than double the number of Maduros votes. Both urged their supporters to remain calm and invited them to gather peacefully on Tuesday. In the capital, Caracas, people were expected to demonstrate outside a building that houses the offices of the United Nations. I speak to you with the calmness of the truth, Mr Gonzalez said, as dozens of supporters cheered outside campaign headquarters in Caracas. Advertisement We have in our hands the tally sheets that demonstrate our categorical and mathematically irreversible victory. The oppositions presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez shows his ballot as he votes in the presidential election in Caracas (Matias Delacroix/AP) Mondays protests in Caracas were mostly peaceful, but when dozens of national police officers wearing riot gear blocked the caravan, a brawl broke out. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters, some of whom threw stones and other objects at the officers who were deployed on a main avenue of an upper-class district. A man fired a gun as the protesters moved through the citys financial district. No one was injured in that incident. However, attorney general Tarek William Saab said on Tuesday that more than 700 people had been detained in connection with the protests, in which one officer died. Mr Saab said a combined 48 military and police officers also were injured. Residents stand around a vehicle burned during the previous days protests against official election results (Cristian Hernandez/AP) Charges against some of the detainees will include terrorism, he added. Mondays demonstrations followed an election that was among the most peaceful in recent memory, reflecting hopes that Venezuela could avoid bloodshed and end 25 years of single-party rule. The winner would take control of an economy recovering from collapse and a population desperate for change. We have never been moved by hatred. On the contrary, we have always been victims of the powerful, Mr Maduro claimed in a nationally televised ceremony. An attempt is being made to impose a coup detat in Venezuela again of a fascist and counterrevolutionary nature. We already know this movie and this time there will be no kind of weakness, he added, saying that Venezuelas law will be respected. In the port city of La Guaira, people toppled a statue of Mr Maduros mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chavez, dragged it to the street and set it on fire during Mondays protests. Mr Maduro unveiled the statue in 2017, and by Tuesday, all that remained was its base, littered with twisted rebar and broken cement. US president Joe Biden and Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday called on Venezuelas government to release detailed voting data from the presidential election. Hamas says its leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in an air strike on his residence in the Iranian capital. The Palestinian militant group blamed Israel for an attack in Tehran which killed the head of its political bureau. Advertisement Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned Mr Haniyehs killing, saying in a post on the X platform that his country will defend its territorial integrity and make those responsible regret their actions. Advertisement Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it was investigating the attack and did not say how it occurred. Israel had vowed to kill Mr Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the groups October 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage. An Israeli military spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel often does not comment on assassinations carried out by its Mossad intelligence agency. Advertisement . . . pic.twitter.com/s6eqHX78a8 Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) July 31, 2024 Advertisement Hamas said Mr Haniyeh was killed in a Zionist air strike on his residence in Tehran after he attended the swearing-in of Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, along with other Hamas officials and officials from Hezbollah and allied groups. Hamas declares to the great Palestinian people and the people of the Arab and Islamic nations and all the free people of the world, brother leader Ismail Ismail Haniyeh a martyr, Hamas said in its terse statement. In another statement, the group quoted Mr Haniyeh as saying that the Palestinian cause has costs and we are ready for these costs: martyrdom for the sake of Palestine, and for the sake of God Almighty, and for the sake of the dignity of this nation. In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, president Masoud Pezeshkian, right, shakes hands with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh (Iranian Presidency Office via AP) Advertisement Hamas officials did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. In the West Bank, the internationally backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Mr Haniyehs killing, calling it a cowardly act and dangerous development. Political factions in the occupied territory called for strikes in protest at the killing. Mr Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had lived in exile in Qatar. The top Hamas leader in Gaza is Yehya Sinwar, who masterminded the October 7 attack. In April, an Israeli air strike in Gaza killed three of Mr Haniyehs sons and four of his grandchildren. Turkey condemned Mr Haniyehs killing (AP) In an interview with the Al Jazeera satellite channel at the time, Mr Haniyeh said the killings would not pressure Hamas into softening its positions amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Israel. The killing of Mr Haniyeh comes after Israel carried out a rare strike on Beirut, which it said killed Fouad Shukur, a top Hezbollah military commander who was allegedly behind a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Hezbollah has not confirmed Shukurs death in the strike, which also killed at least one woman and two children and wounded dozens of people. The strike came amid escalating hostilities with the Lebanese militant group. The US also blames Shukur for planning and launching the deadly 1983 Marine bombing in the Lebanese capital. The US and other nations had already been scrambling to prevent the Golan Heights strike from spiralling into an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah when word came of the dramatic assassination of Mr Haniyeh in Tehran. There was no immediate reaction to the killing from the White House. Turkey strongly condemned the heinous assassination of the Hamas leader, attributing the killing to the Israeli government. A foreign ministry statement said the killing had shown that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government has no intention of achieving peace. Anti-government activists across Venezuela are toppling giant statues of Hugo Chavez to express their anger over the alleged stealing of an election by the late presidents handpicked successor, Nicolas Maduro. In the seaside city of La Guaira, outside the capital Caracas, twisted rebar and chunks of concrete lie below a pedestal where a group of protesters on Monday night ripped down one likeness of Chavez that was dedicated by Mr Maduro in 2017. Advertisement A video provided to The Associated Press from one protester shows the moment when the 3.5 metre statue of the leader known as El Comandante was pulled down to raucous shouts of this government is going to fall. A statue of former President Hugo Chavez is missing from its base the day after opposition protests against the reelection of Chavezs protege, President Nicolas Maduro (Matias Delacroix/AP) Once removed, the statue was dragged by motorcycles across the plaza, doused in gasoline and set on fire, the protester said. Advertisement This is a powerful symbol to them, said the protester, who asked not to be identified for fear she could be arrested. Every time we tackle one of their symbols, were taking away some of their strength. This isnt the first time monuments honouring the creator of the so-called Bolivarian Revolution have been attacked by angry mobs. The same phenomenon occurred during waves of anti-government unrest in 2017 and 2019. Advertisement But the simultaneous nature and high number of attacks five in the last 24 hours underscores the depth of anger many Venezuelans feel after the National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner in Sundays presidential election. The opposition says its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, more than doubled the incumbents vote count. A plainclothes military intelligence officer stopped journalists trying to take photos of what remains of the destroyed statue in La Guaira. The officer, who did not identify himself, said the country is at war and that any effort to disrespect Chavez was offensive to millions of Venezuelans who revered the former army paratrooper and anti-imperialist icon. Advertisement Mr Maduro said several people had been arrested in the attacks, which he likened to the images from revolutions pushed by the US in post-Soviet states including Ukraine and Georgia. What do these people have in their head? In the heart? Mr Maduro asked in a televised address Monday night in which he broadcast images of some of the attacks. Just imagine if they one day gain power here, what they would be capable of doing. Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed revenge on Israel over the killing of Hamas political chief. Khamenei said Israel had prepared a harsh punishment for itself after Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a pre-dawn air strike in the Iranian capital Tehran. Advertisement The Iranian leader said in a statement on his official website: We consider his revenge as our duty, adding Mr Haniyeh had been a dear guest in our home. Advertisement The shock assassination risks escalating the Israel-Hamas conflict even as the US and other nations scramble to prevent an all-out regional war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will exact a very heavy price from any aggression against us on any front but did not mention the killing. There are challenging days ahead, he added. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Mr Haniyeh recently (Iranian Presidency Office via AP) Advertisement The strike came just after Mr Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Irans new President in Tehran. The dramatic killing threatens to reverberate on multiple fronts, with direct retaliation from Iran one possibility. New Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed his country would defend its territory and make the attackers regret their cowardly action. Advertisement . . . pic.twitter.com/s6eqHX78a8 Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) July 31, 2024 Advertisement The two bitter regional rivals had an unprecedented exchange of strikes on each others soil in April after Israel hit Irans embassy in Damascus, but international efforts succeeded in containing that cycle of retaliation before it spun out of control. An influential Iranian parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy is due to hold an emergency meeting on the strike later on Wednesday. Hamas could pull out of negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in the 10-month-old war in Gaza, which US mediators had said were making progress. And the killing could enflame already heightening tensions between Israel and Irans powerful Lebanese ally Hezbollah which international diplomats were trying to contain after a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Turkey condemned Mr Haniyehs killing (AP) Hours before the Tehran strike, Israel carried out a rare strike in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday that it said killed a top Hezbollah commander allegedly behind the Golan Heights rocket strike. Hezbollah, which denied any role in the Golan strike, said it had found the body of Fouad Shukur in the rubble of the building that was hit in a Beirut suburb that is the groups stronghold. Hamas said earlier: Hamas declares to the great Palestinian people and the people of the Arab and Islamic nations and all the free people of the world, brother leader Ismail Ismail Haniyeh a martyr. In another statement, the group quoted Mr Haniyeh as saying that the Palestinian cause has costs and we are ready for these costs: martyrdom for the sake of Palestine, and for the sake of God Almighty, and for the sake of the dignity of this nation. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed in the wake of the October 7 assault in Israel (AP) There was no immediate reaction from the White House to the killing of Mr Haniyeh. Asked about the attack during a visit to Singapore, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said: This is something we were not aware of or involved in. Speaking to Channel News Asia, Mr Blinken said he would not speculate about the impact on ceasefire efforts. But I can tell you that the imperative of getting a ceasefire, the importance that that has for everyone, remains, he added. Asked by reporters in Manila about the Tehran strike, US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin said he had no additional information to provide. But he expressed hope for a diplomatic solution on the Israeli-Lebanon border. I dont think that war is inevitable, he said. I maintain that. I think theres always room and opportunity for diplomacy, and Id like to see parties pursue those opportunities. However, international diplomats trying to defuse tensions were alarmed. One Western official, whose country has worked to prevent an Israeli-Hezbollah escalation, said the double strikes in Beirut and Tehran have almost killed hopes for a Gaza ceasefire and could push the Middle East into a devastating regional war. In a statement by his office, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said Israel does not want war after its strike on the Hezbollah commander in Beirut, but we are preparing for all possibilities. He did not mention the Haniyeh killing. In the West Bank, the internationally backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Mr Haniyehs killing, calling it a cowardly act and dangerous development. Political factions in the occupied territory called for strikes in protest at the killing. Turkey has strongly condemned the heinous assassination of the Hamas leader, attributing the killing to the Israeli government. A foreign ministry statement said the killing had shown that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government has no intention of achieving peace. The man who shared indecent images of children with ex-BBC presenter Huw Edwards was 25-year-old convicted paedophile Alex Williams, police in London said. The images, shared with Edwards by Williams via WhatsApp, came to light during an unrelated investigation by South Wales Police. Advertisement Edwards case was then passed to London's Metropolitan Police, who arrested the veteran TV presenter in November last year. The Met Police said Williams, of Merthyr Tydfil, south Wales, pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing category A, B and C images as well as possessing prohibited images of children. On Tuesday, Edwards admitted three charges of making indecent photographs after receiving the images from Williams (Elizabeth Cook/PA) Advertisement Williams was convicted of seven offences receiving a 12-month suspended sentence on March 15. On Tuesday, Edwards admitted three charges of making indecent photographs after receiving the images from Williams Westminster Magistrates Court was told seven of the indecent images shared with the veteran broadcaster by Williams were of the most serious type. The final indecent image was sent in August 2021, a category A film featuring a young boy, with the convicted paedophile telling the newsreader the child was quite young looking and that he had more images which were illegal. North Macedonia said it was seeking further assistance from the European Union on Tuesday to combat wildfires that continue to burn out of control in heatwave temperatures and have crossed the southern border into Greece. Unfortunately, new fires are constantly appearing due to the weather and strong winds that are causing us problems, Stojanche Angelov, head of the countrys Centre for Crisis Management, said. Advertisement Large wildfires in parts of North Macedonia this week destroyed and damaged homes, forced evacuations and claimed the life of an elderly resident in a village some 37 miles east of the capital Skopje. A firefighter struggles to extinguish a forest fire at Keratea area, southeast of Athens, Greece (Yorgos Karahalis/AP) Authorities said the man is believed to have died on Monday of smoke inhalation. Advertisement One blaze crossed into Greece where two air tankers and a helicopter helped the firefighters hold back a fire from reaching a forest on the Greek banks of Lake Doiran which is shared by the two countries, authorities said. Near Athens, firefighters contained a large blaze on the Greek island of Evia, helped by 13 water-dropping aircraft and six helicopters operating after first light on Tuesday. Two firefighters were being treated for burns. Successive heat waves have helped trigger fires across the Balkan region and elsewhere in southern Europe, with several countries including Bulgaria and Albania currently receiving international firefighting assistance through an EU support system. Advertisement A wildfire in western Albania was being held back on Tuesday in the coastal area of Shengjin, some 45 miles northwest of the capital of Tirana. Fire chief Arben Cara said military assistance had been requested to provide water-dropping helicopters, while soldiers and firefighters from other parts of the country were also helping. Fuelled by strong winds and high temperatures, a fire in central Croatia forced dozens of people to evacuate their homes near the small town of Skradin. In neighbouring Bosnia, a fire in a remote, mountainous area near the central town of Olovo spread, threatening a local landfill, according to local media reports. Advertisement Firefighters in the south of the country, controlled a fire near the city of Mostar that came close to business warehouses. Police officers suffered serious injuries when bricks, stones and bottles were thrown and cars were set alight during violent protests following a vigil for three girls killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club. Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were all fatally stabbed in Southport on Monday, while a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons because of his age, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder. Advertisement Merseyside Police said a large group of people believed to be supporters of the English Defence League began to throw items such as bricks towards the mosque in the seaside town at around 7.45pm. Officers put on helmets and riot gear after stones and bottles were launched at them and police vehicles were damaged and set on fire. Violence at the Southport protest, which saw a police van set alight (Richard McCarthy/PA) Advertisement In a post on social media, the force said shops had been broken into and looted, adding that those responsible will be brought to justice. Elsies mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight. The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we dont need this. The troubling scenes saw 27 officers taken to hospital, with 12 others being treated and discharged at the scene, North West Ambulance Service said. Advertisement Merseyside Police said eight officers suffered serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion. Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said the officers injured in Tuesdays protests will now be unavailable for duty in what is an incredibly busy time for the force. Videos posted on social media showed people throwing wheelie bins and bricks at officers who held riot shields to push the crowds back. Advertisement Trouble flares during a protest in Southport, after three children died in a stabbing during a Taylor Swift event at a dance school (Richard McCarthy/PA) Chairman of Merseyside Police Federation Chris McGlade said more than 50 officers had been hurt in a sustained and vicious attack. He added: Police officers are not robots. We are mothers and fathers. Sons and daughters. Husbands, wives and partners. We should be going home at the end of our shifts. Not to hospital. Advertisement The violent protests followed hundreds of people taking part in a peaceful vigil for the stabbing victims outside Southports Atkinson arts venue, with many in tears as they laid flowers and cards of remembrance. As well as the three children who died, eight other youngsters suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were also critically injured, police said. The vigil was followed by the protest outside the mosque as demonstrators chanted far-right slogans and clashed with police in St Lukes Road. A police van set alight as trouble flares during a protest in Southport, (Pat Hurst/PA) Southport MP Patrick Hurley said on Wednesday that rioters must face the full force of the law, saying they were utterly disrespecting the families of the dead and injured children. Mr Hurley condemned beered-up thugs who threw bricks, telling BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Even if this lad, the 17-year-old, turns out to be Muslim, under no circumstances does that justify any attack on a mosque by anybody at all. He also hit out at the swirling morass of social media lies and propaganda, saying they have fuelled rumours about the attackers identity as well as criticism of politicians. False claims had spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat. The UK prime minister said rioters had hijacked a vigil for victims and will feel the full force of the law. Writing on X, Sir Keir Starmer said: The people of Southport are reeling after the horror inflicted on them yesterday. They deserve our support and our respect. Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves. Members of the public take part in a vigil near the scene of the attack in Hart Street, Southport (James Speakman/PA) UK home secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting as violent attacks from thugs on the streets, which she branded appalling. Ms Cooper told broadcasters she saw a community coming together during her visit to Southport on Tuesday, and thanked police for their heroism. She added: That is why it is so appalling to now see those same police facing violent attacks from thugs on the streets who have no respect for a grieving community. It is a total disgrace. Frankly, this is a time when everyone should be showing respect for a community and for the police. In a statement on Tuesday evening, Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said: The actions in Southport tonight will involve many people who do not live in the Merseyside area or care about the people of Merseyside. There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17-year-old male who is currently in police custody, and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets. We have already said that the person arrested was born in the UK and speculation helps nobody at this time. The suspect, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport, and a road in the area was cordoned off by detectives on Monday afternoon. Police have said that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related. A 32-year-old man from Standish was arrested on suspicion of possession of a flick knife in Eastbank Street, near where the vigil took place on Tuesday evening. He was taken into custody and there were no reports that anyone was injured during the incident, Merseyside Police said. Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of notorious drug kingpin El Chapo, pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges on Tuesday, days after an astonishing capture in the US. Guzman Lopez, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, stood with feet shackled as federal prosecutors in Chicago detailed a five-count indictment that also includes money laundering, conspiracy and weapons charges. Advertisement He declined a Spanish interpreter and answered most of US district judge Sharon Colemans questions designed to assess his health and determine whether he understood the proceedings with a simple, Yes, your honour. Guzman Lopez and Ismael El Mayo Zambada, a longtime leader of Mexicos Sinaloa cartel were arrested by US authorities in El Paso, Texas last week, according to the Justice Department. Both men, who face multiple charges in the US, oversaw the trafficking of tens of thousands of pounds of drugs into the United States, along with related violence, according to the FBI. Zambada has eluded US authorities for years. He was thought to be more involved in day-to-day operations of the cartel than his better-known and flashier boss, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, who was sentenced to life in prison in the US in 2019 and is the father of Guzman Lopez, 38. Advertisement In recent years, Guzmans sons have led a faction of the cartel known as the little Chapos, or Chapitos, that has been identified as a main exporter of fentanyl to the US market. Last year, US prosecutors unsealed sprawling indictments against more than two dozen members of the Sinaloa cartel, Guzman Lopez and his brothers, in a fentanyl-trafficking investigation. At Tuesdays brief hearing, security was tight, with phones, laptops and other electronics barred from the courtroom. Guzman Lopez remained standing, leaning into the microphone to answer the judge, often with his arms folded behind him. Advertisement Guzman Lopez remained jailed in Chicago and was due back in court on September 30. Zambada pleaded not guilty last week to various drug trafficking charges and was being held without bond. He is due back in court later this week. The mens mysterious capture fuelled theories about how federal authorities pulled it off and prompted Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to take the unusual step of issuing a public appeal to drug cartels not to fight each other. Zambadas lawyer, Frank Perez, alleged his client was kidnapped by Guzman Lopez and brought to the US aboard a private plane that landed near El Paso. Mr Perez pushed back against claims that his client was tricked into flying into the country. Advertisement But Guzman Lopezs lawyer Jeffrey Lichtman, who has represented other family members, rejected those ideas without going into specifics. Theres been massive amount of rumours and things printed in the press. I dont know whats real. I dont know whats not real, he said. But it shouldnt really surprise anybody that theres a story that seems to be changing every few minutes, which means that much of whats being leaked to the press is inaccurate. He added that there is no co-operation with the government and there never has been. The US government had offered a reward of up to $15 million for leading to Zambadas capture. Advertisement His detention follows arrests of other Sinaloa cartel figures, including one of his sons and another El Chapo son, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, who pleaded not guilty to drug-trafficking charges in Chicago last year. Zambadas son pleaded guilty in US federal court in San Diego in 2021 to being a leader in the Sinaloa cartel. Sudans military said its top commander, Gen Abdel-Fattah Burhan, survived a drone attack on a military graduation ceremony that killed five people in the countrys east. The military said the attack by two drones took place in Gebeit, a town in eastern Sudan, after the ceremony was concluded. Advertisement Military chief Gen Burhan, who was attending, was not hurt, according to Lt Col Hassan Ibrahim, from the military spokesmans office. Sudan has been torn by war for more than a year between the military and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). With fighting in the capital, Khartoum, the military leadership largely operates out of eastern Sudan near the Red Sea Coast. The assassination attempt comes nearly a week after Sudans paramilitary leader said that he plans to attend ceasefire talks in Switzerland next month arranged by the United States and Saudi Arabia. Advertisement Gen Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the RSF, emphasised at the time that the talks would become a major step toward peace and stability in Sudan and create a new state based on justice, equality and federal rule. Donald Trump has falsely suggested Kamala Harris misled voters about her race as the former US president appeared before the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago. The Republican former president claimed that Ms Harris, the first black woman and Asian American to serve as vice president, had in the past only promoted her Indian heritage. Advertisement I didnt know she was black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn black and now she wants to be known as black. So, I dont know, is she Indian or is she black? Mr Trump said while addressing the groups annual convention. Ms Harris is the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, both immigrants to the US. Kamala Harris faced false claims from Donald Trump (Carlos Osorio/AP) Advertisement As an undergraduate, Ms Harris attended Howard University, one of the nations most prominent historically black colleges and universities, As a US senator, Ms Harris was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, supporting her colleagues legislation to strengthen voting rights and reform policing. Mr Trump has levelled a wide range of criticism at Ms Harris since she replaced president Joe Biden on the likely Democratic ticket last week. Throughout his political career, the former president has repeatedly questioned the backgrounds of opponents who are racial minorities. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked during her briefing with reporters on Wednesday about Mr Trumps remarks and responded with disbelief, initially murmuring wow. Advertisement Ms Jean-Pierre, who is black, called what Mr Trump said repulsive and added: Its insulting and no one has any right to tell someone who they are how they identify. Mr Trump has repeatedly attacked his opponents and critics on the basis of race. He rose to prominence in Republican politics by propagating false theories that president Barack Obama, the nations first black president, was not born in the United States. Birtherism, as it became known, was just the start of Mr Trumps history of questioning the credentials and qualifications of black politicians. During this years Republican primary, he once referred to former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, as Nimbra. Advertisement Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump faced tough questions from Rachel Scott (Paul Beaty/AP) Mr Trumps appearance on Wednesday at the annual gathering of black journalists immediately became heated, with the former president sparring with interviewer Rachel Scott of ABC News and accusing her of giving him a very rude introduction with a tough first question about his past criticism of black people and black journalists, his attack on black prosecutors who have pursued cases against him and the dinner he had at his Florida club with a white supremacist. I think its disgraceful that I came here in good spirit. I love the black population of this country, Ive done so much for the black population of this country, Mr Trump said. Advertisement He continued his attacks on Ms Scotts network, ABC News, which he has been arguing should not host the next presidential debate, despite his earlier agreement with the Biden campaign. The Republican also repeated his false claim that immigrants in the country illegally are taking black jobs. When pushed by Ms Scott on what constituted a black job, Mr Trump responded by saying any job, drawing groans from the room. At one point, he said: I have been the best president for the black population since Abraham Lincoln. The audience responded with a mix of boos and some applause. Ms Scott asked Mr Trump about his pledge to pardon people convicted for their roles in the January 6th, 2021, riot at the US Capitol and specifically whether he would pardon those who assaulted police officers. Mr Trump said oh, absolutely I would, and added: If theyre innocent, I would pardon them. Ms Scott pointed out they have been convicted and therefore are not innocent. Well, they were convicted by a very, very tough system, he said. He then falsely claimed that people were not arrested in the unrest in Minneapolis and other cities following the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020. Rio Tinto, one of the largest Australian miners, has flagged it is open to potentially large-scale takeover opportunities to boost its supplies of copper and capitalise on expectations of soaring demand for the metal in the global energy transition. The resources giant, which earns most of its money from digging up the steel-making ingredient iron ore in Western Australia and selling it to China, on Wednesday said it was aiming to grow annual copper production over the next five years from existing projects, including its jointly owned Oyu Tolgoi development in Mongolias Gobi Desert. Rio has posted $US5.8 billion net profit for the half-year as iron ore prices start trending down. Credit: Bloomberg Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm also confirmed that the Anglo-Australian miner was constantly the lookout for other opportunities through which its exposure to the red metal could grow further. We are the worlds largest producer of iron ore, we are the Western worlds largest producer of aluminum, we are the worlds largest producer of titanium slag, and we are only the top-five [or] top-10 producer of copper, Stausholm said. Ralph Heimans is one of the worlds best-known portrait painters. He is adored by the royal family, having painted official portraits of King Charles, The Queen and Prince Philip, not to mention the imprimatur of PM 26 Kevin Rudd, who tapped him to fashion his official prime ministerial portrait, which hangs in Parliament House. Heimans categorises his work as royal portraits and cultural icons. However, his previous output is merely the entree to the main meal, unveiled on Wednesday a joint portrait of Visy chairman Anthony Pratt, a CBD favourite, and his late father, Richard. Visy chairman Anthony Pratt, left, and artist Ralph Heimans unveil The Chairmen a portrait of Pratt and his late father Richard. Credit: Michael Evans The two-for-one portrait creatively entitled The Chairmen pays tribute to the two men who collectively have run cardboard packing conglomerate Visy for more than half a century. So it was smiles all around at Visys Southbank headquarters in Melbourne when Heimans and Pratt dramatically peeled away the rich red curtain to reveal the grand scale painting of father and son strolling along the verandah of their fabled Kew mansion Raheen dressed in royal blue suits. Is it really so strange, these days, to see a midlife woman with a good-looking man in his 20s? Women in relationships with men significantly younger than them have long been maligned as cougars and cradle-snatchers, assumed to be sugar mammas or on the hunt for a post-divorce toy-boy. But all that seems to be changing, with many well-known women now openly dating within this once taboo arrangement. There is more at play than fashion and status. Many famous women with boyfriends 15 or even 20 years their junior among them Cher, Heidi Klum and Mariah Carey say their younger partners simply have a level of emotional intelligence and maturity not seen in their own generation. Sienna Miller and Oli Green enjoying Wimbledon together this year. Credit: (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) So claimed Sienna Miller, 42, recently, when the British-American actor told Harpers Bazaar that men the age of her boyfriend Oli Green, 27, are attractive partners because theyve come of age in more modern times. There is a difference in the way that generation of men respect women, she told the magazine. Its specific to him he is very wise and well-adjusted but I do believe its also that generation. They have grown up with a slightly more level playing field. And its not just famous women in their 40s, 50s and 60s who are more interested than ever in dating younger men. Today, two in five women on [dating app] Feeld are open to meeting members who are 15 or more years younger than them, says Ana Kirova, Feelds chief executive. Its a group of users, she adds, that has grown by more than 30 per cent in the past year alone. I spoke to a financial planner who advised me that the ATO requires self-managed super funds (SMSFs) to report to the ATO the members pension payments on a quarterly basis. My accountant says he has no knowledge of this requirement. After submitting my data for my accountant to prepare the FY 2023 financial statements for our SMSF and the SMSFs tax return, he required me to provide details of how we had spent our pension payments. I complied but felt it was intrusive and unnecessary. My wife and I are both 69 and have been drawing a pension for five years. Using your calculators, there are sufficient funds for us to draw down at our current rate for another 30 years. How difficult is it to transfer from a SMSF to a retail fund like Vanguard? Super whiz Meg Heffron tells me that APRA-regulated super funds have to report members pension payments on a quarterly basis, but not SMSFs. APRA-regulated funds have to report members pension payments on a quarterly basis but not SMSFs. Credit: Getty The adviser may be getting confused between the need to report pension payments (not required) with the commencement of new pensions (which is required quarterly). There is certainly no need to report what the pension payments were used for. Its possible to transfer your SMSF to a fund such as Vanguard, but it requires care and there are rules to follow. A smooth transition would also depend on the experience of your accountant at winding up SMSFs. Premier Chris Minns has conceded his government should not have given commuters false hope that Sydneys new $21.6 billion metro rail line would open on August 4. Transport Minister Jo Haylen on Tuesday announced the 15.5 kilometres of new line between Chatswood and Sydenham could not open on Sunday as advertised, blaming a combination of problems including a lack of final approval from national regulators, a recent meltdown on a different stretch of line and industrial action from the firefighters union. The government will not nominate a new opening date until all approvals are received, which may take several weeks. However, all bus route changes designed to align with the new metro line will come into effect on Sunday as planned. I think weve got everybodys expectations up, and we cant meet it, so I apologise for that, the premier told ABC Sydney radio on Wednesday morning. Rachael Cordina is never surprised when she runs into another doctor at Sydney Airport doing the early morning dash to regional NSW, mostly on a Regional Express flight. The Sydney cardiologist heads to places like Dubbo and Port Macquarie once a month to run outreach clinics for patients with rare congenital heart problems and says airline Rex, which went into voluntary administration on Tuesday, is critical to the provision of health services across Australia. Cardiologist Rachael Cordina has set up clinics for congenital heart disease in regional areas like Dubbo and uses Rex to fly out to them once a month. Credit: James Brickwood A whole bunch of different specialties use these services to deliver healthcare to people all over the country, she said. The patients are so grateful. Not a clinic goes by that we dont get a card, or a bag of presents or someone saying Thank you so much for coming out here and making the effort. A stoush over billions of dollars in funding linked to sweeping school reforms has a leading education advocate warning that the row between the states and the federal government threatens to adversely affect millions of Australian students. The Allan government is bristling at federal Education Minister Jason Clares approach to negotiations, after he tied reforms including mandatory phonics tests to a school funding boost for Victoria worth $3.5 billion over 10 years. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare (left) and his Victorian counterpart Ben Carroll. Credit: The Age composite image Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll is refusing to budge on his demand for a 5 per cent increase in Commonwealth funding as opposed to the 2.5 per cent on offer as the states teaching union warned that the Albanese government was dangerously close to a breaking an election promise. State governments, the union and advocacy group Save Our Schools are unhappy with the Commonwealths take-it-or-leave-it approach. Clare has told Victoria, NSW, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT to accept the deal by the end of September or continue to operate schools on existing funding. Monsieur, un... My voice dies as I wrestle with the indecipherable French menu. The waiters face perfectly captures my own muddled state: a tourist adrift in a sea of local streets, 25 metro stops from cliche. Like most who visit, I had my Parisian fantasy. It wasnt anything extravagant, just flaky croissants, lazy days in a beautiful park, and the Eiffel Tower as my ever-present companion. Theres nothing wrong with that. That tower. Credit: iStock We try to do as the locals do. The first week is a baptism by fire. We get a (loud) lesson in grocery etiquette when we cant decipher a cashiers frustration over an open self-service lane (that doesnt take cards). Our hunt for vintage treasures leads us on a questionable Metro ride and a 20-minute walk through a lively market (clutching my wallet a little tighter, admittedly). But the reward? A haul of home design pieces so stunning we contemplate hiring a shipping container to get them back to Australia. The following week, we book a hotel in Le Marais, walked along the river, and slip into a red and white rattan chair facing the Seine with a glass of house white. Spain has a problem with tourists. There are too many, in too few places, and theyre behaving badly. And, if you believe the protesters who have been making noise recently, theyre causing a housing crisis. This all came to a head a few weeks ago when footage emerged of protesters in Barcelona firing water pistols at hapless tourists sitting outside a Taco Bell, many of whom had to flee in the face of the aquatic onslaught. Locals in Barcelona are taking their anger at overtourism out on visitors, but theyre targeting the wrong people. Credit: Bloomberg No one wins in a situation like this. The protesters look bad because theyre picking on people who arent harming them directly and are just trying to have a nice holiday. The tourists look bad because, come on, you came all the way to Barcelona to eat at Taco Bell? And, perhaps most of all, Barcelona looks bad because clearly someone in the government there gave the green light to open a Taco Bell. Olympics | Deng Yawen confident of BMX Freestyle goal after great qualifying display Xinhua) 09:46, July 31, 2024 PARIS, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese BMX rider Deng Yawen is optimistic about her chance of a gold medal in Wednesday's final of the women's BMX Freestyle event at the Paris Olympic Games. Deng gave a masterly and brave display in Tuesday's qualifying session, finishing with an impressive 91.05 points to earn a score of 91.03 points. That total was only beaten by five-time world champion Hannah Roberts, who finished top of qualification with 91.45 points, but with so little between the two riders, it's hard to say who is favorite. Deng spoke to Xinhua after the event and explained she had not been phased by the difficult conditions with temperatures in the high 30's. "I prepared for the event at my own pace and although it was really hot when I started my runs, I was able to focus on my display and considering the moves I had to make. The heat didn't affect me," she said. "I chose the tricks that I was sure of to gain a good spot in the final," she said, hinting that she has other tricks up her sleeve for tomorrow. "I've got a good confidence boost from that and as I do a lot of physical exercise, that helps me with my tricks," commented Deng, who is relaxed about the chance to go for gold. "I will just compete as it's a normal competition and I think the result will be good as long as I enjoy myself and I execute all the tricks," she said, adding that the support from the packed stands. "They really are like a rocket that fires me forwards," the Chinese rider smiled. China's second rider in the tournament, Sun Jiaqi, also has a great chance of a medal after she finished qualifying in third place, with 87.83 points. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Tehran: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the early hours of the morning in Iran, the terrorist group said on Wednesday, drawing fears of a wider escalation in a region shaken by Israels war in Gaza and a worsening conflict in Lebanon. Irans Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of Haniyeh, hours after he attended the swearing-in ceremony for the countrys new president, and said it was investigating. He was assassinated at 2am (8.30am AEST), Iranian media reported, adding he was staying in a special residence for war veterans in north Tehran. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, centre, flashes a victory sign as he is surrounded by a group of Iranian MPs at the conclusion of the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday. Credit: AP There was no immediate comment from Israel. The Israeli military said it was conducting a situational assessment but had not issued any new security guidelines for civilians. Hamas said Haniyeh had been killed in a Zionist airstrike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of Irans new president. 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 Peter Wehner worked for three traditional Republican presidents and says the party today under the full Trump takeover is pretty much the opposite of its former self: Name the issue, its almost antithetical to the party that I was part of. But he ruefully concedes that he didnt grasp the full depth of the popular hatred that Donald Trumps Republican Party fosters and feeds on. Until a conversation with a friend, a pro-Trump Christian. Wehner is a Christian himself, a member of the non-profit Trinity Forum dedicated to renewing society according to Christian values, but not part of the politically aggressive Christian nationalism movement that has emerged as a foundation of Trumps support base. Wehner wanted to understand the sheer hatred that Trump-following Christians feel for Americas political left. So he took it to an extreme to see if his friend would push back. So I said, does the left, in terms of what they want to do to Christians, want to slit your throats and watch you bleed and watch you die? I thought hed say, Oh, no! But he was like yeah, thats it. So thats how they view it, he tells me. Advertisement So its not only the Mexican rapists of Trumpian trope that such voters have to fear. They fear their Democrat neighbours, and the fear isnt only political. Wehner concluded that some, at least, fear actual bodily harm. This group is not a small element in the Republican voter base. A survey last year found 54 per cent of Republican voters identified themselves as Christian nationalists or as sympathising with Christian nationalist beliefs. The survey by the Public Religion Research Institute and the Brookings Institution gave respondents five statements of such beliefs and asked their degree of support for each. First: The US government should declare America a Christian nation. And fifth: God has called Christians to exercise dominion over all areas of American society. Advertisement Wehner says its not clear whether his friend would call himself a Christian nationalist, but hes certainly a Trump-supporting right-wing evangelical. But where did the Trump followers intense fear and loathing of the political left come from? Wehner, who worked in the White House for Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, says objective conditions in the US form a rational basis for grievance, but that cultural resentments supply the rage. Among the objective problems he cites are too many illegal immigrants for too long, the Iraq war, the financial crisis of 2008-09, and inequality. Old school Republicans fear J.D. Vance is the future of the party. Credit: AP The cultural grudges developed over the massive cultural changes of same-sex marriage, transgenderism, the erosion of the white majority and the denigration of Christianity. These have come together to create this pulsating sense of grievance and resentment, especially among working-class Americans. Advertisement The US sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild, author of the 2016 book Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right, put her finger on the animating emotion a working class that feels dishonoured and disrespected. Wehner picks up the phrase: When you feel dishonoured and disrespected, that generates enormously strong emotional and psychological responses. Loading People see Trump as the warrior who will destroy those who have been dishonouring and disrespecting them, the contemptuous elites of the cultural, political and economic systems. They believe Trump will bring a pistol to a cultural knife fight, explains Wehner, author most recently of The Death of Politics and also a contributor to The Atlantic and The New York Times. And thats exactly what Trump offered in a speech last year: In 2016, I declared, I am your voice. Today, I add, I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution. How many Americans really want radical change? Asked their view of how much change was needed to the US political and economic systems, 2 per cent of Americans in a Times/Sienna poll of swing states chose no change. Advertisement By contrast, 14 per cent said that the system needs to be torn down entirely. Another 55 per cent supported major change. Thats seven out of ten respondents who want major or total change. In fomenting disgruntlement and simultaneously appealing to it, the Republican Party of today is no longer conservative in any way. Bill Kristol, a longtime leading intellectual in the Republican Party as the publisher of the Weekly Standard, tells me that its more accurately counter-revolutionary or reactionary. Kristol, who now describes himself as a moderate Democrat, says that many Republicans or former Republicans had hoped that Trump would be a passing phase, that a return to some sort of normalcy was in prospect. But Trumps choice of J.D. Vance as his vice presidential candidate is a major and underappreciated development, says Kristol. If Trump wins, his vice president will be 40 years old and not only Trumpian but ahead of Trump on the agenda of nativist, isolationist, protectionist populism. In other words, if Trump wins itll no longer be possible to assume that his style of politics is just a passing phase. Advertisement "We are also pleased to be able to get on with the important job of delivering on the commitments agreed with the Queensland government as part of this transaction, including investment in a disaster response centre of excellence out of our Brisbane headquarters, and the establishment of a regional hub in Townsville set to employ around 120 people." The pandemic and increased adoption of working from home enabled short-term migration to the regions, Vij said. But as the pandemic has receded and most workers have returned to the workplace, opportunities to work remotely from a small regional centre have faded as well. The number of homes for sale in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth is more than 30% below average for this time of the year, while weaker markets like Melbourne and Hobart are recording advertised supply well above average levels, he said. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (Photo: REUTERS) There is a possibility that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could make amends with the Windors if they decide to travel to the United Kingdom during the warmer months. This is because the couple is currently living outside of the royal family. It is possible that the Sussexes may start "normalizing" things by paying a visit to Prince Harry's family, as stated by Robert Hardman. During an interview with The Mirror, he suggested that Prince Harry should "come over with Meghan, with the children, privately, for a few days maybe in the summer." "Once that happens it's not such big news when it happens again. Then you start to get somewhere, Robert added. When Prince Harry arrived in London in February, it was in response to King Charles's announcement that he was battling cancer, as per The Guardian. However, the two did not meet up again on the Duke's visit to London in May. "I thought it was telling that when the cancer diagnosis came through back in February, Prince Harry came straight over. People said why didn't he stay longer, why didn't he talk to his father? I mean, there is so much to be worked through, but this was absolutely not the moment to have some sort of summit with Harry about all of Harrys grievances, Robert shared. "But I think the fact he came was important, the fact he was received was important, I think what encouraged people at the palace and encouraged the king was the fact that afterward, we didn't then read about it or hear about it. It remained private," he added. Despite the fact that those who follow the royal family were expecting that the Duke of Sussex would visit his home country with Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, Prince Harry recently acknowledged that he is concerned about the political and security situation in the area. "Theres no one better place to see this thing through than myself. Its one of the reasons why I wont bring my wife back to this country, Prince Harry said in the ITV documentary Tabloids on Trial while discussing his legal battle against the British press. We had many conversations before she passed. This is very much something she supported. She knew how much this meant to me. Shes very much up there saying, See this through to the end, without question, Prince Harry told Rebecca Barry when she asked if Queen Elizabeth would approve of his fight for justice. Prince Harry is one of several British celebrities accusing News Group Newspapers and the Mirror Group Newspapers of phone hacking. Im trying to get justice for everybody. This is a David versus Goliath situation the Davids are the claimants, and the Goliath is this vast media enterprise, Prince Harry told Rebecca. Not only does Prince Harry have hope for personnel, but Paul Burrell, who was Princess Diana's butler in the past, believes that the bridge that connects him to his family has been destroyed. There is no room for any reconciliation now, they just don't trust him. He's worn away all the trust that they had in him. They can't invite him back into the fold because they know that when he gets back to America, he'll tell Meghan everything and then the rest of the world will know exactly what's happening, Paul said on behalf of Slingo. Business Times has reached out to Prince Harry for comments. China refused call with Pentagon chief on day of balloon downing: US (Photo: Tingshu Wang/Reuters) The Biden administration is poised to introduce a new rule next month aimed at expanding U.S. powers to restrict semiconductor manufacturing equipment exports to China. However, key allies such as Japan, the Netherlands, and South Korea will be exempt from these restrictions, sources familiar with the matter revealed, according to Reuters. This forthcoming rule represents an extension of the Foreign Direct Product rule, which prohibits the sale of products made using American technology to certain countries. The targeted regulation will significantly affect approximately half a dozen Chinese semiconductor fabrication plants at the forefront of China's advanced chipmaking efforts. The exemptions granted to major chip equipment manufacturers like ASML and Tokyo Electron have sparked positive market reactions. Shares of ASML surged by 7% in Amsterdam trading, while Tokyo Electron's stock closed 7.4% higher. Other Japanese chip equipment makers, including Screen Holdings and Advantest, also saw substantial gains, rising 9% and 4.5%, respectively. The rule aims to impede China's progress in supercomputing and artificial intelligence (AI), areas that could potentially bolster the Chinese military's capabilities. While the Biden administration continues to pressurize China's semiconductor sector, it is carefully balancing diplomatic relationships with its allies. A U.S. official, who chose to remain anonymous, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in implementing effective export controls. "Effective export controls rely on multilateral buy-in. We continually work with like-minded countries to achieve our shared national security objectives," the official stated. The new rule, currently in draft form, also seeks to close loopholes in the existing Foreign Direct Product rule. For instance, equipment could fall under export controls simply because it contains a chip made with U.S. technology. Additionally, about 120 Chinese entities, including several chipmaking factories, toolmakers, and providers of electronic design automation (EDA) software, are expected to be added to the U.S. restricted trade list. Despite the impending rule, the Chinese government has voiced strong opposition. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticized the U.S. efforts to suppress China's semiconductor industry, claiming it undermines global trade and damages all parties involved. Lin asserted that such measures would only strengthen China's resolve to develop its technological self-reliance. The planned exemptions underscore the U.S. administration's need for diplomatic tact when imposing these restrictions. The Commerce Department categorizes countries based on diplomatic relationships and security concerns, which helps determine licensing requirements and streamline export control regulations. The anticipated rule reflects the U.S.'s broader strategy to maintain technological superiority while ensuring national security. This strategy involves a delicate balance of restricting technological advancements in rival nations without alienating crucial allies. ASML, headquartered in the Netherlands, and Tokyo Electron, a leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer in Japan, are critical players in the global semiconductor supply chain. Their exemption from the new U.S. rule highlights their strategic importance. Both companies' shares had previously dropped following a Bloomberg report suggesting they would be included in the expanded restrictions. The rule's impact will extend beyond China, affecting exports from countries like Israel, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Taiwan, home to TSMC, the world's largest chip manufacturer, will be particularly impacted. The Commerce Department declined to comment on the specifics of the new rule. However, the agency is expected to publish a preliminary version next month. This development marks a significant step in the U.S. government's ongoing efforts to curb China's advancements in critical technologies while maintaining robust alliances with key global partners. In a landmark decision, the Jammu and Kashmir government granted proprietary rights to West Pakistan Refugees (WPRs) for land in the Union Territory that their ancestors were allocated by the former state administration more than 70 years ago. The Administrative Council, led by J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and attended by advisor Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, chief secretary Atal Dulloo, and principal secretary to the LG, Mandeep K Bhandari, approved this decision during a meeting in Srinagar. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The move addresses over seven decades of perceived discrimination against the displaced persons from West Pakistan. Similar to the rights granted to individuals displaced from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), this new policy will provide proprietary rights to thousands of WPR families residing in the Jammu region, according to officials. Following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, the Centre granted domicile status to families previously deemed non-state subjects who were ineligible to vote in the Legislative Assembly elections of the former Jammu and Kashmir state. Proprietary rights granted to displaced people An official spokesperson said, The decision fulfils demands of all connected families, which have been requesting for ownership rights for the past so many decades. Vesting of proprietary rights to West Pakistan Displaced Persons on state land would bring them at par with the Displaced Persons of POJK (Pakistan occupied J&K) and their long pending demand will also be fulfilled. The Administrative Council also authorised the granting of proprietary rights to the Displaced Persons of 1965 concerning state-owned land. The spokesperson said the government has consistently upheld its commitment to provide similar benefits to the 1965 Displaced Persons as those given to the Displaced Persons of 1947 and 1971. The Revenue Department will implement safeguards within the operational guidelines to prevent misuse, including unauthorised encroachments on state land. Official records indicate that 5,764 families migrated to Jammu and Kashmir from West Pakistan during the 1947 partition. Each family was allocated four acres of agricultural land and resettled in the districts of Jammu, Samba, and Kathua. Currently, the number of these families has increased to 22,170. Land allocated to West Pakistani refugees Labha Ram Gandhi, a leading figure among the West Pakistani Refugees, has noted that only 20 per cent of these families received agricultural land. He said a total of 46,666 kanals (5,833.25 acres) of land, allocated at a rate of four acres per family, was provided upon their arrival from West Pakistan. Gandhi, who supported the decision, noted that only half of the land in question was state-owned, while the other half was evacuee land property previously owned by local Muslim residents of Jammu and Kashmir who had migrated to Pakistan following the 1947 Partition. He added that the administration would clarify its position on the evacuee land, which has been occupied by WPRs (WPR families). Previously, on June 13, 2018, the Centre introduced a scheme offering one-time financial aid of Rs 5.5 lakh per family to 5,764 WPR families. With a total budget of Rs 317.02 crore, the government set March 31, 2021, as the deadline for disbursing the funds. However, due to the delay in receiving authenticated proposals from the then Jammu and Kashmir government, no financial assistance was provided during 2018-19 and 2019-20. Consequently, the Centre extended the scheme until March 31, 2024. Gandhi reported that out of the 5,764 WPR families registered in 1947, only 1,890 have received Rs 5 lakh each in financial assistance to date. He recently met with Union Minister Jitendra Singh in the Prime Ministers Office, urging him to accelerate the distribution of aid to the remaining families. [With agency inputs] Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - UN Member States must immediately comply with the recent landmark ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israels presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, a group of 38 UN independent human rights experts said on Tuesday Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - A total of 119 refugees and asylum seekers have been evacuated from Libya to Italy, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced here Tuesday After reaching a fiscal deficit of below 4.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in FY26, the government may set a range to bring down the debt-GDP ratio to a more sustainable level, said Union Finance Secretary T V Somanathan on Wednesday. Participating in a fireside chat in the Budget with BS: The Fine Print event in Mumbai, Somanathan told Business Standard, the path towards a reduction in the ratio would be announced later. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Today, the debt-to-GDP ratio is at 58.2 per cent for FY24. Lets say we want to reach 50 per cent in year X. I am now speaking as a technician, this is purely hypothetical. My calculations show a deficit in the range of 4.4-3.7 per cent of GDP would get us there. We will reach 4.5 per cent. We will not thereafter be after that. We will pick a number that will keep us on a declining path. The speed of that decline I am not specifying. But that will be the deficit we will follow for each financial year, Somanathan said. He said the Budget did two things continue what was good and start more good things like the employment-linked incentive scheme and internship scheme. In fiscal consolidation, it signals continuity where continuity is important, especially in a changed political context, he said. Admitting that employment was the most important and most challenging thing the Budget was trying to do, Somanathan said the government was generating a higher employment intensity of growth. We had pretty decent growth in the last two-three years and decent growth most of the last decade, but is it employment-intensive enough or is it too capital-intensive? My own sense is it is too capital-intensive, he added. Direct attack on unemployment: FS Somanathan said the governments efforts could be seen as a direct attack on unemployment. Its built on the simple microeconomic fact that subsidies usually trigger a reaction just as taxes trigger a reaction. There will be some free riding. There will be some people who would have been employed without the incentive and they will also get the incentive. That is true for almost any fiscal incentive. That is a mix which we cannot get perfect. So we have decided to take the plunge. The Prime Minister was keen on doing something concrete at scale to push intensity of growth. This is a response to the clear policy direction that we had. Time will tell how well it does, he said. On the internship programme, Somanathan said it was a complicated attempt to address a complicated problem. Rs 26,000 crore was spent on CSR (corporate social responsibility) by 20,000 companies last year. The top 100 companies account for 50 per cent of CSR expenditure. We are looking at the top 500 companies, which are two thirds of CSR expenditure in the country, he added. Somanathan said the 500 companies need not place 4,000 interns per year on their own premises. Forward- and backward-chain partners of these companies can also be engaged in this internship programme. Some of them can intern at the suppliers and customers of these top 500 companies. But the CSR company will be the coordinator of the skilling programme, he said. A separate panel discussion of economists suggested India needed to focus on bringing and attracting mid tech foreign direct investment (FDI) for the job creation challenge that the economy faces, as all the large economies are focusing on hi- tech FDI and they have enough resources which allow them to provide huge subsidies. In another panel discussion, market experts were divided on the recent increase in long-term capital gains tax (LTCG) from 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent on equities. Many graduates lack the necessary skills to be immediately employable in the private sector, Finance Secretary T V Somanathan told A K Bhattacharya, editorial director at Business Standard, at the Budget with BS: The Fine Print event on Wednesday. The internship scheme proposed by the central government in the Budget 2024 document attempts to address this complicated problem through a complicated attempt, the finance secretary said. T V Somanathan noted that while the government can establish educational institutions and appoint teachers for academic subjects, it struggles to provide training in specific industry-required skills. He explained the governments new internship scheme was designed to address the skills gap between education and industry requirements. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Either you have a well-established guild system or you have a national apprenticeship system which some countries have, or you have what we have which is a poorly organised system to match skills to employers. Will this solve the problem? Not completely, the finance secretary said outlining the complexities and ambitions of this initiative. Internship scheme financed through CSR The internship scheme, framed with inputs from top 500 companies, seeks to leverage corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to enhance skill development, Somanathan said. 20,000 companies had spent about Rs 26,000 crore on CSR spending. Often money was spent on good things, but these good things are generally initiatives the government already does. What we are suggesting to them is to take a part of the CSR, say 40 per cent, and devote it to skilling instead, Somanathan added. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs will coordinate with these companies to direct resources toward industrial skills training. Somanathan emphasised that the financial burden on companies would not impact their bottom line, as funds would come from their CSR budgets, which constitute 2 per cent of their profits. Somanathan also explained that the scheme involves a significant financial commitment, with a projected cost of Rs 60,000 crore. Of this, Rs 30,000 crore will be provided by state governments, and the remaining will be supported through CSR contributions, particularly for equipment. The government will cover 90 per cent of the internship allowances, while companies will contribute the remaining 10 per cent and bear training costs within their operations. No obligation to hire interns permanently Internships will be offered through suppliers or value chain partners of the top 500 companies. Unlike apprenticeships, there is no obligation for companies to hire interns permanently. The scheme aims to encourage companies to take on individuals they might not typically employ without the subsidy. Govt to track scheme through EPFO To ensure transparency and accountability, the scheme will utilise the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) as a measurement mechanism. The reference to the EPFO is because we need a measurement mechanism that is above board. We need to know that somebody was actually employed. Now, we cannot rely purely on self-certification for that, and in the case of tax benefits, it relies on audited accounts and certification of certain things by an auditor. Here, you do not have to go through an auditor, but if you have hired a person under the EPFO, the EPFO knows he or she has been hired, and that is the trigger for the subsidy to flow. So there are not going to be too many bureaucratic requirements. It is going to be a very simple process, the finance secretary explained. Amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards have been killed in Tehran. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed the killings in a statement. The statement adds that Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Islamist group Hamas that runs the Palestinian territory of Gaza, was "assassinated." Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp "With condolences to the heroic nation of Palestine and the Islamic nation and combatants of the Resistant Front and the noble nation of Iran, this morning [Wednesday] the residence of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political office of the Islamic Resistance of Hamas, was hit in Tehran, and following this incident, he and one of his bodyguards were martyred," the IRGC statement read. The Islamist outfit has blamed Israel and claimed that Haniyeh was killed in a "treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran." The group said an investigation is ongoing to find out more details about the attack. Just a day before his assassination, the Hamas chief attended the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday. He also met Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, Lebanons health ministry has said that three people, including two children, have been killed and 74 wounded in a strike the Israeli military described as a targeted assassination operation against a Hezbollah commander in southern Beirut. The killings come at a time when United States President Joe Biden's administration is trying to push Hamas and Israel to agree to at least a temporary cease-fire and hostage release deal. Who was Ismail Haniyeh? Hamas, the Palestinian political movement that rules the Gaza Strip, elected Ismail Abdulsalam Ahmed Haniya as the head of the groups political bureau, replacing Khaled Meshaal, on May 6, 2017. Born in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza to parents who fled from the city of Asqalan after the state of Israel was created in 1948, Haniya studied at the al-Azhar Institute in Gaza and graduated with a degree in Arabic literature from the Islamic University in Gaza. Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had been living in exile in Qatar. It is worth mentioning that the top Hamas leader in Gaza, Yehya Sinwar, masterminded the October 7 attack in Israel which sparked the latest Israel-Hamas war. Iran's supreme leader vows revenge Earlier this year, an Israeli attack killed three of his sons in northern Gaza.Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had been living in exile in Qatar. It is worth mentioning that the top Hamas leader in Gaza, Yehya Sinwar, masterminded the October 7 attack in Israel which sparked the latest Israel-Hamas war. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed revenge on Israel over the killing of Hamas' political chief. Khamenei said Israel prepared a harsh punishment for itself after Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a predawn airstrike in the Iranian capital Tehran. We consider his revenge as our duty, Khamenei said in a statement on his official website, saying Haniyeh was a dear guest in our home. Checkmarx celebrated the opening of its new office in Pune, India on 24 July 2024 with CEO Sandeep Johri and Vice President of Cybersecurity Services Yuval Shani on hand. The Pune office will serve as an important base of operations as the company continues building teams to help deliver code-to-cloud application security (AppSec) services to Checkmarx customers around the globe, leveraging its cloud-native enterprise AppSec platform Checkmarx One. Checkmarx continues its significant growth and momentum in the adoption of Checkmarx One and of its AppSec services, counting among its clients some of the largest enterprises, financial institutions and private banks with delivery centres in India. An extension of Checkmarx existing facilities in Mumbai, the Pune office is a 4000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in the financial hub of Pune, located at: Office #102 Goodwill Byond Kharadi, Pune We selected Pune as a strategic location for our teams in part due to its easy access to highly skilled technology talent, said Sandeep Johri, CEO at Checkmarx. The city is a centre of excellence in education and home to some of the top universities in India. Punes social infrastructure and proximity to our clients will help us provide them with even better support as we continue meeting our commitment to secure the mission-critical applications that are driving our world. Yuval Shani remarked, In Pune we can continue to build and deliver our industry-leading Checkmarx One platform in collaboration with our global engineering teams and our growing team in India. Well also accelerate the ramp-up of our support for global clients, providing real-time technical advice and delivering product and implementation expertise wherever needed. Ashutosh Sharma is the site executive for Checkmarx India and will help Checkmarx to strengthen its footprint in India, Asia-Pacific and all global regions. For more information on the company, visit Checkmarx.com. For employment opportunities in the region, visit Careers at Checkmarx. About Checkmarx Checkmarx is the leader in application security and ensures that enterprises worldwide can secure their application development from code to cloud. Our consolidated platform and services balance the dynamic needs of enterprises by improving security and reducing TCO, while simultaneously building trust between AppSec, developers and CISOs. At Checkmarx, we believe its not just about finding risk, but remediating it across the entire application footprint and software supply chain with one seamless process for all relevant stakeholders. We are honored to serve more than 1,800 customers, including 40 percent of all Fortune 100 companies. Follow Checkmarx on LinkedIn, YouTube, and X. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240730271888/en/ London-based consumer tech brand, Nothing, has achieved extraordinary success in the first half of 2024, emerging as the fastest-growing brand with a remarkable 567% YoY growth, as reported by Counterpoint Research. This surge has been driven by the introduction of new models, like the mid-segment Phone (2a), catering to diverse consumer needs and preferences.The first three years were about building our operational foundations while breaking through and surviving in one of the worlds most competitive industries. This year, its all about scaling by expanding our smartphone portfolio and leveraging Nothing's cutting-edge design and user experience innovations in new market segments. While I believe that market share should be the result of creating great products, not the end goal, Im thrilled to see this growth. This success demonstrates that we are effectively executing our strategy. The most exciting part is that this achievement is fueling Nothings innovation, which will be a core focus for 2025.The company's impressive growth is reflected in its expanding global footprint and robust product lineup. Nothing recently crossed over 4 million units shipped worldwide and reached over $500 million in revenue last year, marking significant milestones in their journey. This growth is also being supported by an aggressive expansion in India with 300 service centres including 3 exclusive service centres now operating in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, along with plans to open two additional exclusive service centres by the end of this year. Moreover, the workforce has grown by 65% over the past year and continues to grow. Already available at Flipkart, Croma, and Vijay Sales, Nothing has also more than doubled its offline presence from 2,000 to 5,000 locations.2024 has already been a landmark year for Nothing. In March, the company launched its third smartphone, Phone (2a), and in July, the CMF Phone 1. The CMF Phone 1 achieved a remarkable milestone, selling 100,000 units in just 3 hours.Launching today, the Phone (2a) Plus represents the next step in Nothings ambitious growth strategy. 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Mr Justice David Holland said no case had been made to grant an ex partie injunction where only one side is represented. He said the application simply did not have the necessary urgency. Dundrum residents had lodged 230 affidavits with the High Court complaining that International Protection Applicants will be offered rooms at the Dundrum House Hotel resort from Thursday. Mr Justice Holland, who read the affidavits and gave his judgment last night, said communities may not - as a legal right - vet or veto those who seek to live among them, He said there was a notable peculiarity that the person who brought the case lived in Co Westmeath and he did not understand why Dundrum residents were not named as applicants in the proceedings. He said concern was raised about the potential intrusion into private dwellings. It is saying that International Protection Applicants are more likely to be burglars than those staying as guests at the hotel or Ukrainian refugees staying there. I lend no weight to that assertion, the judge stated. In an application to the court led by Patrick McGreal from Westmeath, the village residents sought an interim injunction to stop the former mansion and estate Dundrum House Hotel being used to house International Protection Applicants (IPA). In separate proceedings against the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage they also want to stop the use of the Planning and Development (exempted Development) regulations of 2023 which allows buildings to be used to house International Protection Applicants. Dundrum House Hotel for the last two years has accommodated Ukrainian refugees and locals are objecting to any continued use of the hotel to house asylum seekers as the Ukrainians leave. A round the clock demonstration which began outside the hotel in late May is continuing. Mr McGreal submitted that locals believed the turning of the hotel into an IPA centre would cause irreparable damage to the village and the local economy and destroy tourism. He maintained that International Protection Applicants will be at the hotel from today (Thursday) and they sought an injunction to stop this. Mr Justice Holland asked what the difference between Ukrainians and International Protection Applicants was staying at the hotel. Mr McGreal said the Ukrainians were refugees and they had integrated into the community and could work. In one affidavit referred to in court from a local resident it was stated there were fears "the influx of people not of Irish origin into an Irish village will cause a lot of unrest. Niamh O'Donoghue A man who raped his stepdaughter on her 15th birthday has been jailed for nine-and-a-half years at the Central Criminal Court. Anthony Byrne (55) was found guilty following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in May of two counts of raping his stepdaughter Kim Jordan (now 36) in 2002. Ms Jordan waived her anonymity to allow Byrne to be named. Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, who previously noted Byrne had said he was having an affair with his teenage stepdaughter, sentenced him to 11 years with the final 18 months suspended and backdated it to May 15th, 2024 for time spent in custody. Byrne, of Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, came into Ms Jordan's life when she was three years old and the court heard the relationship was significant for her as they were close when she was a child. The court heard the offending occurred when Ms Jordan was in Spain on the day of her 15th birthday in 2002 and several months later in her family home. Ms Jordan made a complaint to gardai in 2018 and outlined what had happened. When she was on a family holiday in Spain, she decided to go back to the apartment to have a shower before dinner. Byrne was drinking a beer and while they were playing cards, he asked her if they could play strip poker until she was down to her underwear. When she was having a shower, he asked if he could enter the bathroom to use the toilet. He then dropped his shorts and insisted on washing her. She said she was so embarrassed and was bawling crying. She had clothes laid out on the bed to get dressed quickly, and then he said he was going to dry her. While he was raping her, she said she zoned out and became completely numb, wishing she was dead. She still has the memory of the woodchip wallpaper as she faced away while he was raping her. She was also worried she would become pregnant. On the second count of rape of which he was convicted some months after they had come back from Majorca, Byrne came into her bedroom and took off her trousers and underwear. He tried to penetrate her but was interrupted by someone knocking on the door. Ms Justice Ring said the aggravating factors were that it was a rape of a child and his stepdaughter. She said Byrne took advantage of the victim when there was no trustworthy adult present. On one of the occasions he had raped her in her bedroom where she should have felt safe, but Byrne had breached that safety, the judge said. Ms Justice Ring noted Byrne admitted throughout that he had sexual intercourse with her, but it was his view that it was consensual. The judge said it was difficult to understand how any sexual encounter with a child was considered consensual. She said there was a lack of remorse and understanding of what consent is. The judge noted that he had no previous convictions and has worked his whole life. In a victim impact statement Ms Jordan read to the court, she said Byrne had blamed her during the trial for his actions. I felt humiliated and shamed, as you portrayed me as some kind of teenage sexual temptress, she said. Byrne had come into Ms Jordan's life when she was quite young and the court heard the relationship was significant for her as they were close when she was a child. After spending my very early years wondering why my biological father wasnt around and why my family was broken, I felt as though my prayers had been answered, and I finally had the family I longed for when Tony came into my life and that I finally had a dad. Little did I know his plan was to use me for his sick sexual pleasures and would go on to ruin my life. The court heard she and her sister have continued a relationship despite Byrne trying to keep them apart. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. Optimizing business environment boosts foreign confidence in E China's Hefei People's Daily Online) 10:35, July 31, 2024 This summer, Continental Tires brought a new gift to its old friend, Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province. The gift is its first and only fully foreign-owned tire manufacturing base in China, the Continental Tire Hefei Plant, located in the Nangang Science Park of the Hefei High-Tech Zone. The company held its official commissioning ceremony for its phase four project on June 20. Upon reaching full capacity, the plant is expected to produce nearly 18 million passenger car and light truck tires annually. "With the expansion of phase four, the total investment in the Hefei production base will be close to 1 billion euros (about $1.08 billion)," said Zhou Yuan, deputy general manager of the Continental Tire Hefei Plant and financial director of Continental Tire China. As a world-renowned auto parts manufacturer, the partnership between Continental Tire and Hefei began in September 2009. "Hefei attaches great importance to the development of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, and with major automakers like Volkswagen, NIO, and BYD establishing operations here, the automotive industry supply chain has continuously improved, giving us confidence to continue investing in Hefei, Zhou added. Continental Tire products. (People's Daily Online/Chen Ruotian) The increasing confidence of foreign investment is inseparable from the sound business environment in Hefei. According to an official from the Hefei High-Tech Zone, in order to respond in a timely manner to the needs of foreign enterprises, the zone has established a key foreign investment project database that begins at the early stages of engagement with enterprises. Full-cycle and all-round support is provided at every step, including site selection, financing, construction and scenario matching. In addition, the Hefei High-Tech Zone also took the lead in establishing Anhui Provinces first international community, the Linxi Community. The community contains a number of high-quality international living facilities, such as pediatric medical centers and proton and heavy ion centers, tailored to the needs of expats. Similar to the auto industry, Hefei's new display industry is also booming. In Hefei Xinzhan High-tech Industrial Development Zone (hereinafter referred to as "Hefei Xinzhan High-tech Zone"), Corning Display Technologiess factory is directly connected with BOEs intelligent factory of Gen 10.5 TFT-LCD production line, enabling the large-size glass substrates to be directly conveyed to BOE's panel production line through an automatic corridor. Since the implementation of its first project in 2015, Corning has continued to increase its investment in Hefei. In the past nine years, it has successively established three factories in the areas of display technologies, environmental technologies, and automotive glass solutions. The company also built a logistics center in the Hefei Xinzhan High-tech Zone, with Cornings total investment in Anhui Province valued at more than $3 billion. Corning Gen 10.5 display glass substrate. (Provided by Corning) "In the past nine years, with the support of the government at all levels, many of Corning's investment projects in Anhui have operated well and achieved stable development. Anhui has become one of Corning's largest manufacturing bases overseas," said Zhang Wenqing, senior government affairs director, Corning Greater China. The eight emerging industrial chains cultivated by Hefei perfectly fit with Corning's innovative product portfolio. For this reason, Corning continues to further invest and deepen cooperation with Hefei. In recent years, Hefeis industrial chains have rapidly upgraded, with high-tech industries making significant progress. This progress is especially evident in the rapid development of the eight emerging industries of "Xin Ping Qi He" (Integrated circuits, new displays, NEVs, artificial intelligence) and "Ji Zhong Sheng Zhi" (Emergency response industry, intelligent terminal industry, biological medicine, artificial intelligence talents), which provide conditions for foreign enterprises to establish their industrial chain presence in Hefei. In addition, a series of concrete policies and measures to stabilize foreign investment and improve the business environment have further enhanced the confidence of foreign investors in Hefei. Statistics show that by the end of 2023, there were 1,534 foreign-funded enterprises in Hefei. From January to May this year, there were 176 newly registered foreign-funded enterprises in Hefei, up 44.3 percent year-on-year, and the growth rate has exceeded 40 percent for 15 consecutive months. (Pan Yidan, as an intern, also contributed to this article.) (Web editor: Sheng Chuyi, Liang Jun) Jessica Magee A man has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years for his role in an organised crime group involved in international money laundering and drug trafficking. David Callaghan (33) was sentenced to 13-and-a-half years in prison, with the final five years suspended, after he pleaded guilty to assisting or facilitating the criminal organisation's activities between April 29th, 2021 and February 4th, 2022. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that gardai investigating the Callaghan organised crime group discovered an electronic ledger detailing transactions of over 924,000 over an eight-month period between June 2021 and January 2022. In a ruling on Wednesday, Judge Martin Nolan said there was no doubt that Callaghan was involved at a high level in a serious criminal organisation involved in dealing and distributing drugs and laundering large amounts of money. It's a profitable organisation, and he's important to them, said the judge. Judge Nolan suspended the final five years of the sentence due to mitigating factors, including the tragic death of three of Callaghan's siblings. Callaghan is an intelligent man; I suspect very intelligent. He can change if he wants to, added Judge Nolan. Callaghan, a father of two from Harelawn Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, has four previous minor convictions, including failure to produce a driving licence. A prosecuting garda told John Berry SC, for the State, that confidential information was received about a transfer of money relating to the crime group in a Spar carpark in Swords on a certain date. There appeared to be some confusion between two men who met in the carpark, who both thought they were to give money to the other. Gardai intervened and found 53,000 in one of the men's cars and 320,000 in a secret compartment of the other car. The concealment was operated by a hydraulic lift and contained a small amount of drugs as well as cash. The driver of this car also had a mobile phone, which was seized by gardai. When analysed, it provided a wealth of information leading to Callaghan's arrest. The court heard that the phone contained hundreds of texts, voice notes, videos and photos on the Signal messaging app showing a pattern of regular communication between Callaghan and the driver of the second car. The messages comprised of instructions given by Callaghan to this man relating to money laundering, drug trafficking and the operations of Callaghan's organisation. Among the messages were photos and videos of drugs, bundles of cash, tick lists and drug paraphernalia, as well as an electronic ledger showing the dispersal of funds. Between June 2021 and January 2022, the sum of over 924,000 went through this ledger, the court heard. Other messages included instructions about how to operate the secret compartment, to get a logbook for the car, and how to get hold of a clamp press used to assemble bricks of cocaine for onward transportation. At one point in November 2021, the driver of the car sent a message to Callaghan about a news report on the seizure of 20 million euro worth of cocaine at Dublin Port. See it, bro, replied Callaghan. Is that? texted the driver, to which Callaghan replied: Not sure yet, could be. Hopefully not, replied the driver. Callaghan texted back later: It was. Gardai got warrants to search Callaghan's house and a number of other properties. In one house, gardai found 25 kg of benzocaine, a local anaesthetic used in dentistry but also as a cutting agent for cocaine. Callaghan was arrested and exercised his right to silence during interview but submitted an early guilty plea, the court heard. The prosecuting garda agreed with Michael Bowman SC, defending, that Callaghan was always courteous and never difficult to deal with or aggressive. Mr Bowman detailed Callaghan's difficult family environment where his father struggled with alcohol and his mother left the family home when he was aged 14. Three of Callaghan's siblings died tragically, the court heard, including one from an overdose, and Callaghan found another brother's body in the family home. Counsel said Callaghan never sought counselling for this trauma and instead self-medicated, struggling with addiction himself. Callaghan wrote a letter to the court expressing regret and acknowledging the harm inflicted on his family. Callaghan made a promise to his children not to become involved in this sort of activity after his release from prison and acknowledged that his eight-year-old, described as his best pal, would suffer due to his actions. His two daughters are the focus of his efforts now. He is resolved to do better, counsel said. Testimonials were also handed in from Callaghan's wife, in-laws, friends and from several of his previous employers. Niamh ODonoghue A beauty salon owner who raped and tied up a woman while two children were in the house, has been jailed for 11 years at the Central Criminal Court. Tomas Kleinas (48) of Victorine Abbey, Trim, Co Meath pleaded guilty to raping the woman in Co Meath on July 25th, 2020. A number of other sexual offences were taken into account. The court heard the woman was also badly injured and tied up by Kleinas during the incident. The victim wished for Kleinas to be named, but to maintain her anonymity. The victim described how Kleinas locked the front door of the house and told the woman he wanted to talk to her. They went to the bedroom and he began choking her while she was holding an eight-month-old baby in her arms. He told her hed f**kin kill the baby. She said she was losing consciousness, but he wouldnt stop. He told her to calm the baby down and stop it crying. When the baby was put to bed, he then demanded she strip naked. He then sexually assaulted and raped her. The baby woke up as he was hitting her and he said he hated her and the child. Another 12-year-old child was in the house at the time, the court heard. Kleinas took a knife and said he wanted to smash her teeth in. She said her eye was sore from where he had hit her. The incident came to a halt because her uncle knocked on the front door and asked to come in for a cup of tea. Kleinas told the woman to lie down and he tied her limbs up and blindfolded her. He then raped her again while his eyes were still covered. The next day the woman reported the incident to gardai and was brought to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit where extensive bruising was found on her body which was consistent with the assaults and with being tied up. Kleinas told gardai when interviewed that the sex was consensual. A probation report stated Kleinas continues to dispute being violent and says he was the wronged party. He pleaded guilty but only at the 11th hour, said Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring while imposing sentence on Wednesday. The victim was travelling to Ireland when she was notified of the plea. The court heard the probation services said he is an unsuitable candidate. The judge said Kleinas has shown little remorse and had come to the court at a very late stage to admit his actions where empathy towards his victim was minimal. While he is at a low risk of reoffending the view of the Director of Public Prosecutions was that it was in the more serious category. The judge said a 15-year headline sentence was appropriate. She took account of his plea which meant the victim did not have to relive the events. She noted he only had minor convictions dating back to 2006. Justice Ring sentenced Kleinas to 13 years in prison and suspended the final two years on strict conditions. The court heard Kleinas came to Ireland in the early 2000s after the breakdown of his first marriage and worked initially in construction. His second wife died from illness, the court was told. It also heard he opened a successful beauty salon, employing a number of people and continues to do so to this day. One of the men killed in a helicopter crash in Co Westmeath has been named as Niall Crosby, an IT professional from Co Kildare. An investigation is under way into the crash which occurred close to Raharney GAA club, between the villages of Raharney and Killucan, at about 3.30pm on Tuesday. The crash claimed the life of Mr Crosby, as well as that of another man who is understood to be from eastern Europe. According to The Irish Times, Mr Crosby lived in the Glenageary area of south Dublin, but was originally from Straffan. Mr Crosby spent a number of years working in London before returning to Dublin recently. He was married and was a father to two young children. In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Crosbys family said he was sadly missed by his loving wife Jillian (nee Kee) and his adored children Thomas and Robin. He is mourned by his parents Frank and Therese, his brothers Brian, Eamon and Kevin, Jillians parents Jack and Jean and his extended family including Layla, Emma, Jim, Erik, Nigel, Jayne, David and his nephews and nieces Max, Martha, Oscar, Callum, Harry, Hugo, William, Naomi and Louisa. He will be deeply missed by his wide circle of friends, relations, work colleagues, clients and professional peers. The scene of the helicopter crash. Photo: PA Originally from Straffan, Co Kildare, Mr Crosby was an IT consultant and entrepreneur who had spent much of his working life in London, his family said. He and Jillian had returned to Dublin to raise their family in recent years. Nialls family would like to thank everyone who has been in touch with their condolences over the past extraordinarily difficult 24 hours. They would like to particularly thank the first responders and the various authorities who have been so understanding and professional. And they would like to especially thank the local communities of Killucan and Raharney for their thoughts and prayers. The family added that they were keeping a special thought for Mr Crosbys co-pilot and his family. (en Espanol) ATLANTA Venezuelas 2024 presidential election did not meet international standards of electoral integrity and cannot be considered democratic. The Carter Center cannot verify or corroborate the results of the election declared by the National Electoral Council (CNE), and the electoral authoritys failure to announce disaggregated results by polling station constitutes a serious breach of electoral principles. Venezuela's electoral process did not meet international standards of electoral integrity at any of its stages and violated numerous provisions of its own national laws. The election took place in an environment of restricted freedoms for political actors, civil society organizations, and the media. Throughout the electoral process, the CNE demonstrated a clear bias in favor of the incumbent. Voter registration was hurt by short deadlines, relatively few places of registration, and minimal public information. Citizens abroad faced excessive legal requirements to register, some of which appeared to be arbitrary. This effectively disenfranchised most of the migrant population, resulting in very low numbers of voters abroad. The registration of parties and candidates also did not meet international standards. Over the past few years, several opposition parties have had their registrations changed to leaders who favor the government. This influenced the nomination of some opposition candidates. Importantly, the registration of the candidacy of the main opposition forces was subject to arbitrary decisions of the CNE, without respecting basic legal principles. The electoral campaign was impacted by unequal conditions among candidates. The campaign of the incumbent president was well funded and widely visible through rallies, posters, murals, and street campaigning. The abuse of administrative resources on behalf of the incumbent including use of government vehicles, public officials campaigning while in their official capacity, and use of social programs was observed throughout the campaign. The incumbent also enjoyed overwhelming positive coverage on television and radio, in terms of advertising, broadcast events, and news coverage, while the primary opposition candidate received little media coverage. In addition, authorities frequently attempted to restrict the oppositions campaign activities. This included harassment or intimidation of people who provided services or goods to the main opposition campaign. Still, Venezuelan citizens turned out peacefully and in large numbers to express their will on election day. Despite reports of restrictions on access to many polling centers for domestic observers and opposition party witnesses; potential pressure on the voters, such as ruling party checkpoints in the vicinity of voting centers; and incidents of tension or violence reported in some localities; voting appeared to take place in a generally civil manner. In the limited number of polling centers they visited, Carter Center observer teams noted the desire of the Venezuelan people to participate in a democratic election process, as demonstrated through their active participation as polling staff, party witnesses, and citizen observers. However, their efforts were undermined by the CNE's complete lack of transparency in announcing the results. Translation Declaracion del Centro Carter Sobre la Eleccion en Venezuela (PDF) *** About the Carter Center technical election observation mission in Venezuela The Carter Center was invited by the CNE to observe the presidential election in March 2024 and signed a memorandum of understanding to guarantee that the mission could observe freely in accordance with the Centers standard methodology. The Carter Center deployed 17 experts and observers starting on June 29, including teams based in Caracas, Barinas, Maracaibo, and Valencia. The mission met with a wide range of stakeholders, including the CNE, candidates, political parties, civil society organizations, citizen observation groups, media representatives, government officials, armed forces, and election experts. Given its limited numbers, the Carter Centers direct observations were limited, especially on election day. The Center has observed 124 elections in 43 nations and is committed to impartial and independent election observation that provides transparency in election processes with the objective of encouraging processes that meet international standards for democratic elections. The Carter Center will publish a final report of its observation mission, documenting the findings indicated in this statement. Xuan Thanh Cement targets capacity rise by 2030 Peter Bell By 31 July 2024 After more than a decade of construction and development, Xuan Thanh Cement (Thai Group JSC) has been affirming its capacity and brand reputation in the domestic and international markets. The goal is to reach a total cement capacity of more than 30Mta by 2030. Xuan Thanh Cement also maintains its vision of Becoming the leading cement brand in Vietnam in terms of scale capacity technology and product quality. Published under Canada's Cement association appoints new VP construction innovation Peter Bell By 31 July 2024 Rob Cooney joins the Canadian Cement Association (CAC) as its new vice president of construction innovation, where he will be leading the associations efforts on standards, research and innovation in low carbon cement and concrete. Mr Cooney is an industrial engineer with experience in life cycle assessment, embodied carbon and the general construction industry. He has successfully led many innovation projects in the IT industry, logistics, health care, and research and development. Prior to joining CAC, he led the Low Carbon Assets through Lifecycle Assessment initiative at the National Research Council of Canada, and the development of Buy Clean policy at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. Published under Wayanad landslide The death toll in the landslide-affected Kerala's Wayanad mounted to 176 on Wednesday even as the Army, Navy and Air Force were engaged in rescue operations and setting up infrastructure, including bridges. The number of missing people as per the officials was 98. However, many people were searching for their relatives and the estimate is said to be around 200. The worst affected areas include Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu. The locals from these areas who managed to escape are deeply shattered by the extent of the devastation. Heavy rain at a few places hampered the rescue operations. On Wednesday fresh forces arrived, including Brigadier Arjun Seagan, Commandant of the PARA Regiment Training Centre, and his team. The team reached the affected site and took charge of the Control Centre at Mepaddi which is about 12 km from Churalmala, one of the worst affected sites. Four Relief Columns of the Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre & 122 TA Battalion (MADRAS) began their operations at 6 a.m. They were divided into two composite teams for joint rescue and extrication of dead bodies and for assistance in setting up the Bailey Bridge at Churalmala. Another two Columns, including a medical team of the 91 Infantry Battalion landed at Kozhikode late Tuesday night and reached the affected areas. The team is led by CO 23 Maratha Light Infantry. The Engineering Task Force of Madras Engineer Group, Bangalore & C (01 Officer, 02 JCOs & 120 Soldiers) have already reached Churalmala. Equipment to set up a 170-foot bridge is being planned at Churalmala, while a second set of bridge equipment columns along with bailey pier parts is likely to reach by afternoon. The Commandant, MEG Centre will be overseeing the critical bridge activity and will arrive later in the day. Another set of Bailey Bridge from ESD Delhi Cantonment is being airlifted for Kannur by the C-17 Globemaster. The operation will be coordinated by Captain Puran Singh of the Kannur Defence Security Corps (DSC). Bridge construction materials will be brought to Wayanad in 17 trucks. Bridge equipment along with three sniffer dogs and handlers from Delhi has landed in Kannur and is on its way to the affected areas. The combined defence forces team on Tuesday rescued over 1,000 people and 70 dead bodies recovered by the armed forces last night. Hamilton Medical Center and the city of Dalton are sponsoring a free training event to support those tasked with human trafficking prevention and investigation. The training designed for police officers, prosecutors, analysts, advocates, dispatch and medical professionals is scheduled for Tuesday, July 30 to Thursday, Aug. 1 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Tony Ingle Pkwy. in Dalton. Dan Nash, founder of Human Trafficking Training Center and retired Missouri State Trooper, Human Trafficking Unit, will be the instructor. Topics will include prevention, operations and illicit massage business investigations. Attendees will learn how to recognize the indicators of a possible human trafficking incident, how to ascertain if a party is a victim of human trafficking and best practices for interactions, the signs of trauma bonding and PTSD, how to use a victim-centered approach (Special Victims Methodology), how to identify possible electronic evidence of trafficking on cell phones, how to transition from a routine call or interview to a human trafficking investigation, how to interview a possible suspect in a human trafficking case, how to understand where victims come from and how they are groomed, and what the various multi-disciplinary groups are, how to use them, and how to work with victim advocates. "From a medical standpoint, we get an opportunity when (victims) come to see medical people to have a different type of interaction than law enforcement," Judean Guinn, Hamilton's chief nursing officer told the conference. "We might be the one group of people that they can come to thats kind of outside, its more of a safe zone, so you will learn tips (this week) that we can use to interact with possibly people who are victims of human trafficking." The Mayor and Council of Dalton voted to authorize the use of funds from the National Opioid Settlement for the conference at their May 6th meeting. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, funds from the settlement can only be used for certain purposes. From those acceptable uses, the City of Dalton has elected to use the funds for human trafficking prevention, funding for the local Narcotics Anonymous chapter, and a partnership with Whitfield Countys Conasauga Community Addiction Recovery Center. To RSVP, visit humantraffickingtrainingcenter.com, click schedule, then select July 30. The Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and Montessori Elementary Highland Park will welcome students back for the first day of school on Thursday."As the new academic year begins, the school community is buzzing with anticipation and enthusiasm for what promises to be an incredible year of learning, growth and achievement," officials said.Dr. Elaine Swafford, CEO of CGLA & MEHP, expressed her excitement for the upcoming school year, saying, "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome our students back.This year, we are building on last year's successes and are committed to reaching new heights. Our students and faculty are ready to embark on this years journey filled with new goals and exciting endeavors."Last year (2023-2024), CGLAs choir made a debut at Carnegie Hall, showcasing the students' talent and dedication. Additionally, the Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network honored CGLA with the STEM/STEAM School Designation, recognizing the schools commitment to innovative STEM/STEAM education. MEHP also achieved some milestones, including its 100th day of school and an event honoring Dr. Sue Anne Wells with a building dedication ceremony.Officials said, "Building on these successes, both CGLA and MEHP aim to further enhance their educational programs, support services and extracurricular activities this year, setting ambitious goals to continue their trajectory of success. In addition to academic advancements, CGLA and MEHP are planning exciting events and programs to engage students and the broader community. From leadership workshops and STEM projects to arts and cultural activities, there is something for everyone to look forward to.""We are committed to creating an environment where our students can thrive and reach their full potential," Dr. Swafford added. "With the dedication of our exceptional faculty and the support of our community, I have no doubt that this year will be even better than last year."As the new school year begins, CGLA and MEHP invite students, parents and community members to join in the excitement and support the schools mission to empower students through education and leadership. CGLA and MEHP officials said have many exciting announcements coming up this year, and they encourage the community to stay tuned so they don't miss out. Wind River Built, a locally owned company specializing in designing and constructing high-quality park model tiny homes and modular homes, celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly expanded facility at the Cleveland/Bradley Industrial Park. The $15 million project, set on 31 acres, added a state-of-the-art 92,000 square foot production space, marking a significant milestone in the company's growth and commitment to innovation.Officials said, "To support the new facility Wind River has employed 105 management, staff and highly trained craftsmen, adding a significant contribution to the local workforce.The companys increased capacity also allows for the production of approximately 120 additional housing units per year, supporting its mission to meet the rising demand for quality homes. Their homes are currently in 27 states across the U.S.""The expansion of our facility is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. The support and guidance of Doug Berry at the Cleveland-Bradley County Chamber of Commerce and the State of Tennessees Office of Economic and Community Development was a huge help in paving the way for this expansion," said Travis Pyke, co-founder and CEO of Wind River Built. "This investment will enable us to substantially enhance our production capabilities and support our business expansion. It will be the catalyst for monumental growth while creating ongoing job opportunities for the community and the region.The ribbon-cutting ceremony also featured a tour of the new facility, providing an in-depth look at the companys construction process and innovative home designs. The event underscored Wind River Built's ongoing commitment to excellence and creating high-quality living spaces."The expansion of Wind River Builts facility marks a significant milestone for our community. They could have expanded anywhere, so its an incredible honor for Cleveland and Bradley County to host this development. It not only demonstrates the company's dedication to its operations but also brings new opportunities for continued growth in Cleveland. Congratulations to Wind River on this remarkable achievement," said Mayor Kevin Brooks, City of Cleveland."Today's ribbon-cutting ceremony for Wind River Built's expanded facility is a celebration of progress, excellence and investment in our community. We are excited to see the positive impact this facility will have on Bradley County, providing jobs and contributing to the vibrant growth of our county. As a community, we will continue to support Wind River as they continue to enhance our local economy and build homes that stand as a testament to their craftsmanship, said Mayor Gary Davis, Bradley County."The expansion of Wind River Builts facility is a prime example of how a partnership between the State and Governor, through strategic investments in our local businesses, can drive economic growth and community development. This new facility not only showcases the company's commitment to excellence in homebuilding but also creates valuable job opportunities for the region. We are proud to support Wind River as they continue to innovate and contribute to the economic vitality of Tennessee, said Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter, Department of Economic and Community Development."The relationship between the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber and Wind River Built is a cornerstone of our efforts to drive economic development in Cleveland and Bradley County. The expansion of their facility underscores the importance of this partnership, bringing new opportunities for growth and employment to our community. Through Wind Rivers longtime vision for their company, they are positioned to grow and develop further, and the Chamber will do whatever it can to support that growth, said Doug Berry, vice president of Economic Development, Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce. Howard Backen, seen in 2010, was a key figure in developing the aesthetic feel of Napa Valley. Brant Ward/The Chronicle Howard Backen, an Oregon-born architect who left his mark on Californias Wine Country, died on July 22. He was 88. Backen & Backen Davis Estates is a winery near Calistoga that was designed by Howard Backen. It opened in 2016. Davis Estates Howard Backen, an architect who played a central role in terms of how Napa wineries look and feel in the 21st century, died on July 22 in Napa Valley. He was 88. Backen moved up from San Francisco in 1996 after leaving his mark on the city with such buildings as the exquisitely humane Delancey Street, a low-income housing complex on the Embarcadero. But after setting up shop in St. Helena, his forte became wineries that evoke the regions rustic agrarian roots, albeit with a rarefied sensibility that suits wines often selling for hundreds of dollars per bottle. We called him the Frank Lloyd Wright of Napa Valley, recalled Mike Davis, who hired Backen to design the cluster of five farmlike structures at his 155-acre Davis Estates outside Calistoga. The winery opened in 2016. He had such an ability to grasp what a building should be. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Unlike the romantic imagery of such Napa Valley wineries as the bell tower-capped Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville on Highway 29, or the mock-Persian excess of Darioush Winery off the Silverado Trail, Backens best wineries tapped into a vernacular language of barns and modest materials. They often are tucked behind gated roads that lead up into the valleys hills, unassuming at first glance but resonant with a sense of place. Davis Estates is a winery near Calistoga that was designed by Howard Backen. It opened in 2016. Davis Estates Howard respected terroir not just wine and soil, but the culture, said Tim Mondavi, whose Continuum Estate sits 2 miles above the Silverado Trail. He wasnt just a gun for hire. Several wineries that convey Backens knack for sublime spectacle were done for Bill Harlan, who hired the architect when Backen was still at Backen, Arrigoni & Ross, the firm he co-founded in 1966. These include Harlan Estate, Bond, Napa Valley Reserve and Promontory barn-like structures cloaked in redwood slats with pitched metal roofs that extend far beyond the walls to let patrons enjoy Napas warmth without baking in the sun. In a 2010 Chronicle profile, Backen recalled how first working with Harlan made him rethink his career. Though he called the award-winning Delancey Street complex by far the most rewarding project Ive taken part in, the attraction of focusing on richly detailed structures for deep-pocketed clients pulled him north. Advertisement Article continues below this ad His passion is creating architecture, not managing a large firm, Harlan said in 2010. As for reaching out to Backen, an old friend, Harlan happily confessed, For sure I was encouraging him to come up. At the Futo Winery in 2010, Howard Backen looks up at the high wooden beam ceilings he designed and window lighting. Backen, architect of Wine Country mansions and wineries, died on July 22. Brant Ward/The Chronicle After the move, Backen and his firm now called Backen & Backen designed more than 60 wineries; some of the more easily accessible ones are Larkmead in Calistoga, Rudd in Oakville and Rams Gate in Sonoma. The semi-rustic ambiance of his early wineries was emulated by rivals, leading Architectural Digest in 2015 to describe Backen as a name synonymous with Californias vaunted wine-country lifestyle. Thats what attracted Davis to Backen after purchasing the land that now is Davis Estates. People told me, You should drive around Napa to see what you like, and everything that caught my eye turned out to be designed by Howard, Davis recalled. When the two sat down for an interview, and Davis told of his affection for the Indiana barns near his college, he just lit up. We talked, he pulled out that Sharpie and within minutes had sketched out what I wanted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Not all Backen buildings hewed to the woodsy ambiance that Backen absorbed growing up in rural Oregon. Continuum Estates has a flat roof and thick plaster walls reminiscent of rammed earth, pared down and tough until you step inside. The production facilities inside a restored and rebuilt barn at Davis Estates, one of many Napa Valley wineries designed by architect Howard Backen. Davis Estates Its more modern, in a sense, but elegant. Howard wanted the land to be the star, Mondavi said. He brought artistry to whatever he did, and was so sensitive to the site. Mondavi hired Backen on several occasions including the renovation of his home, which had been designed by another partner at Backen, Arrigoni & Ross. No matter what you threw at him, he would always take it with grace and ease, Mondavi recalled. He was such a kind, bright and thoughtful guy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In addition to wineries, Backen and his firm designed hundreds of private homes and mansions. His clientele ranged beyond Napa luminaries to include such figures as film mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg, comedian Ellen DeGeneres and actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. Four-time Grammy award winning duo for King + Country announces their new 31-city U.S. tour titled for King + Country Live: The Unsung Hero 2024 Tour, is coming to McKenzie Arena Nov. 1. The tour continues through Nov. 10 in Dallas, Texas; with stops in Milwaukee, St. Louis, Kansas City, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Boston, Oklahoma, and many more. Review for King + Country: Performing brand new music from The Inspired By Soundtrack from the new biopic film in theatres now, Unsung Hero, along with many fan favorite songs from their award winning albums, brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone are hitting the road across the U.S. to give audiences an innovative new production unlike any other for King + Country show to date. Tickets can be purchased here. For King + Country dropped The Inspired By Soundtrack simultaneously with the film release of Unsung Hero and includes: Place In This World feat. Michael W. Smith; Checking In with Lee Brice; To Hell With The Devil (RISE) feat. Lecrae & Stryper; Lead Me On feat. Amy Grant; and much more. It also features the title track of the film, Unsung Hero, from their current Grammy nominated and AMA, Billboard and Dove award-winning album, What Are We Waiting For? Emergency services were responding on Tuesday night to multiple vehicle accidents and blocked roads due to downed power lines following a strong storm. 10:15 p.m. update: Do not travel unless necessary. Emergency services are responding to incidents as quickly as possible. Power lines and trees are continuing to fall due to rain-soaked soil. The list below is comprehensive but may not be complete. Traffic signals at multiple intersections have gone dark due to power outages; use caution at these locations and treat as a four-way-stop. New reports: The following locations have wires/trees down or flooding which results in a partial or full road closure: 2436 Standifer Gap - Multiple Trees and Wires Down 1301 Vanessa Dr - Unknown Road Hazard 3502 Myrtle Pl - Wires Down 105 N Lovell Ave - Wires Down 3341 Browndell Dr - Wires Down 270 N Crest Rd - Unknown Road Hazard 1324 N Glen Dr - Wires Down 1415 Clearpoint Dr - Unknown Road Hazard W 37th St at Pirola St - Unknown Road Hazard 1138 Fairmount Ave - Unknown Road Hazard 1600 Green Hill Drive - Unknown Road Hazard Metro Dr at Norcross Road - Unknown Road Hazard 704 E 4th St - Unknown Road Hazard 5830 Moody Sawyer Road - Unknown Road Hazard Hamill Rd at Bryant Rd - Unknown Road Hazard 1871 Notting Hl - Unknown Road Hazard 207 Belvoir Ave - Wires Down 3128 Hamill Road - Unknown Road Hazard The following locations at 7:19 p.m. had wires/trees down or flooding which results in a partial or full road closure: As we gear up for the new school year, educators and students must prioritize their sleep. The intricate link between sleep, mental health, and chronic disease is not to be underestimated, as sleep plays a pivotal role in our overall well-being. Sleep is not just a passive state but an active process that aids in brain restoration and regulation. The National Sleep Foundation advocates for later school start times. In 2022, they surveyed parents, teachers, and other adults. The survey found that only about one-third of the parents who responded wanted later start times. The adults and teachers responded slightly more favorably, but less than 40 percent of each group supported delaying the start of the school day. Numerous studies have highlighted the associations between sleep and mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders, as well as chronic diseases. Recognizing the importance of sleep, organizations like the American Heart Association, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the National Sleep Foundation, and others have released guidelines and recommendations for sleep duration across different age groups. However, a significant proportion of adults in the US still fail to meet the recommended hours of sleep. The 24-hour lifestyle and the use of electronics and social media have also contributed to inadequate sleep among children and adolescents. Insufficient sleep has been linked to adverse cardiometabolic health, cognitive health, and an increased risk of dementia among older adults. Inadequate sleep disrupts critical neural processes and impairs cognitive functioning, contributing to mental health disorders and chronic diseases. Tackling sleep disturbances and disorders and implementing comprehensive strategies to enhance sleep health is a joint responsibility. By working together, schools and parents can effectively address the factors that affect students' sleep, thereby reducing the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, depression, and the likelihood of injury. Most research focuses on sleep duration and disruptions, but further studies should explore other aspects of sleep, such as sleep timing or schedules. In general, to improve our sleep, we should: Keep a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol for at least four to six hours before bedtime. Relax before bed by writing down worries, reading a book, or listening to music. Keep our bedroom comfortable and at a pleasant temperature. Research in the field of sleep is a dynamic and evolving area, with ongoing studies focusing on sleep patterns and their influence on overall health. By giving due importance to sleep, addressing sleep disturbances and disorders, and promoting comprehensive approaches, we can significantly impact the well-being of individuals and communities and reduce health disparities. As the saying goes, 'Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.' JC Bowman Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee While hiking with his father on Mount Carmel in Israel, a teenage boy stumbled across a 1,800-year-old ring depicting the Roman goddess Minerva. Experts from the Israel Antiquities Authority have verified it as an extremely well-preserved beautiful ring. When 13-year-old Yair Whiteson and his father hiked past an ancient quarry, they noticed the object. Whiteson brought it home, and upon closer examination, it appeared to be a ring engraved with an image of what he thought might have been a warrior. I am curious about fossils and rocks and love to collect them, Whiteson said. While hiking, I noticed a small green item and picked it up. It was corroded, and at first, I thought it was just a rusty bolt. I thought about heating it, but then, fortunately, I understood it was a ring. Afterward, Whiteson and his family reached out to the Israel Antiquities Authority, who then contacted the National Treasures Department of the find. Experts analyzed the ring and confirmed that it depicted Minerva, the Roman goddess of war, wisdom, art, handicrafts, and commerce. According to Nir Distelfeld, the inspector of the Israel Antiquities Authoritys Theft Prevention Unit, and Dr. Eitan Klein, the deputy director of the Theft Prevention Unit, the image on the ring was of an unclothed figure wearing nothing but a helmet. A shield was in one of her hands, and a spear was in the other. Yairs identification of the figure as a warrior is very close to reality. The figure is apparently, the goddess Minerva from Roman mythology, known also as Athena in Greek mythology. This goddess, who was very popular during the Roman period in the Land of Israel, was considered, among other things, as the goddess of war and military strategy, and also as the goddess of wisdom, continued the experts. The ring seemed to be made out of bronze and was likely worn by a girl or woman during the Late Roman Period, which spanned from the second to the third century C.E. The ring was found in an ancient quarry located near a Roman-era farmstead and two burial caves. The woman who wore the ring may have lived on the farm. It may have also been a burial offering, or a quarry worker dropped it by accident. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Gas stoves have been a staple in many American households for quite some time. They have long been praised for their efficiency and control in cooking. But, new research has revealed a darker side to these common kitchen appliances. Researchers at Stanford University have found that gas stoves contribute to about 19,000 adult deaths in the United States every year. This alarming finding raises urgent questions about the hidden health risks lurking in our kitchens and how safe our everyday cooking practices really are. In the new study, it was determined that gas stoves emit unhealthy amounts of nitrogen dioxide pollution, reaching 75 percent of the exposure limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The health risks that come with gas stoves are due to long-term, daily exposure to dangerous air pollution indoors. Chronic exposure to nitrogen dioxide has been linked to a higher risk of developing respiratory diseases. Around 38 percent of households in the United States have gas stoves. Communities of color are disproportionately affected by such risks. For instance, Native American households are subjected to 60 percent more nitrogen dioxide than average. White, black, and Latino households experience 20 percent more exposure. Children, in particular, are vulnerable to air pollution. When even low levels of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and benzene are inhaled from gas stoves, it can worsen asthma and elevate the risk of leukemia, especially in kids. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. A collection of skulls belonging to more than 150 dog breeds and other animals is housed at the Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest, Hungary. In total, there are 431 skulls of dogs, cats, and their wild relatives. Researchers have digitized the skulls to make them more accessible for research and educational purposes. For decades, a researcher at the university, Tibor Csorgo, has been collecting animal skulls to teach anatomy to biologists. He obtained them from private donors over the past decades. The animals had died of old age or disease or were euthanized for medical reasons. As his collection grew, he began to look for patterns among the skulls. Between breeds and species, the shape of the skull varies significantly, especially in dogs. For example, greyhounds have long skulls, while French bulldogs have rounded skulls. A digital skull database could be extremely useful for future research in medicine and evolution. Some research has already been based on the skull collection. In the past, the director of the HUN-REN Institute of Ecological Research, Zsolt Laszlo Garamszegi, collaborated with experts from Eotvos Lorand University and Niclas Kolm from Stockholm University in Sweden. They found that modern dog breeds from the last two centuries have larger brains than dogs with ancient origins, and it is because of altered selection effects. A veterinary neuroanatomist named Kalman Czeibert and imaging specialists Adam Csoka, Tamas Donko, and Ors Petnehazy from the Medicopus Nonprofit Ltd. research unit used a medical high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scanner to carry out the digitization. It took approximately five to six minutes to scan each skull. During scanning, a piece of polyurethane foam was placed under some of the skulls to stabilize their positions. Previously, researchers were required to visit such collections in person to conduct similar research. But now, the skull biobank can be digitized so that anyone from anywhere in the world can examine the skulls from their desk. It saves a lot of travel time and allows experts to focus more directly on their studies. This capability enables the conducting of analyses on a larger scale than previously undertaken, fostering collaboration and facilitating data sharing among different institutions, thereby expanding the scope of research, wrote the authors of the study. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. If youve been fortunate enough to see a hummingbird in the wild, you know that it flits from flower to flower at lightning speed. Youve probably also noticed the birds small, delicate size. It doesnt seem at all suited for long flights. But, packed within a hummingbirds body, there is a lot of power, strength, and stamina. Research has shown that ruby-throated hummingbirds can fly for around 1,370 miles without taking a break. To give you an idea of how far that really is, its like the distance between Atlanta and Albuquerque or Tokyo and Taipei. And thats not even the farthest that hummingbirds can fly without stopping for a rest. Among migrating hummingbirds, rufous hummingbirds have the longest migration route. The species can travel 2,000 miles from southern Mexico to southeastern Alaska. One time, a rufous hummingbird was observed traveling 3,500 miles, a record that still stands today. Every fall, hummingbirds migrate from the eastern United States to Central America. Between 2010 and 2014, researchers from the University of Southern Mississippi monitored 2,729 hummingbirds as they traveled through southern Alabama. They tracked the birds flight and studied their habits. Then, they analyzed the birds mass and wingspan and predicted their flight range using a computer program. They learned that ruby-throated hummingbirds fly across the Gulf of Mexico without ever stopping. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are about three inches long. They are the most common hummingbirds in North America. They are usually found across the eastern United States to southern Canada. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Can you imagine finding out that one of your loved ones was killed not because of vengeance or because they did something wrong but because their body was needed for science? Edinburgh, Scotland, became a major city for studying medicine in the 1800s, and to advance everyones knowledge, medical teachers and doctors needed cadavers for anatomical studies. However, due to the Judgement of Death Act 1823, fewer people were being put to death by the law, which was a good thing for average citizens but not for aspiring doctors, as they were only allowed to study and dissect the bodies of those who had been condemned to death. With this sudden need for dead bodies, medical schools began paying people who brought in bodies that could be used for educational purposes. Thus began an intense series of grave robberies, where people would sneakily dig up freshly buried bodies and sell them. Once grave robbing became a trend, people began getting more and more desperate for bodies to sell, so they turned to murder to hasten the process. Two of the most famous murderers related to this issue were William Burke and William Hare, whose murders between 1827 and 1828 earned them a solid hunk of money from medical schools. Burke and Hare traveled from Ireland to Scotland to find work and found themselves in Edinburgh. Before the two friends became a criminal duo, Burke lived with his mistress, Helen McDougal, and Hare ran a boarding house with a widow named Margaret Laird. In 1827, one of Hares elderly tenants, a man referred to as Old Donald, died naturally while staying in his inn. The problem was that Old Donald still owed Hare money for his room. Given that times were hard and they needed money, Burke and Hare used tanning bark to weigh down Old Donalds burial coffin and took his body to the medical school at Edinburgh University, where they were paid seven pounds and ten shillings. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Christians in America enjoy the right and duty to educate our children as conscience dictates, thanks to a balanced legal tradition. Illustration by Mallory Rentsch Tlapek / Source Images: Getty / Unsplash When the COVID-19 pandemic pushed K12 schooling online and gave public school parents a new window into how and what their children were learning, a nationwide debate erupted. Public curricula on race, class, and gender and the role of parents in shaping their childrens education came under scrutiny as they hadnt for two decades. By 2023, 22 states had implemented parental rights or curriculum transparency laws or executive orders, to varying results. In Maryland, Muslim and Christian parents sued their local school board for not allowing them to opt their elementary-aged kids out of mandatory LGBTQ story hours. In the state of Washington, the recent Parental Rights initiativerequiring public schools to release childrens medical records to their parentsis being challenged in the courts. Meanwhile, homeschooling is now the fastest-growing form of education in the country. Once illegal in many states and associated with white, religious conservatives, it is increasingly ethnically, religiously, and politically diverse. Some parents are (wisely) taking it on a kid-by-kid, year-by-year basis. Sign up for Today in Christian History A daily newsletter featuring the most important and significant events on each day in Christian History. Email* Sign Up This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Thanks for signing up. Please click here to see all our newsletters. Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again. How did we get here? And how should Christiansespecially those who want to both train up their children in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6) and seek the welfare of their city (Jer. 29:7)think about the potential tension between the right of parents to direct their childrens education and the role of the state and wider community in forming educated citizens? William Blackstones 1765 commentary on English common law is the seminal text on parental rights in the Anglo-American constitutional tradition. It begins not with the radical independence of autonomous adults but with parents intimate and enduring relationship with their children. The Creator of the universe, Blackstone wrote, has implanted in the heart of every mother and father a deep, familial love for their offspring that nothing can totally destroy. Parents present in their kids lives have a unique opportunity to know their childrens individual needs, proclivities, and capacities. From this footing, Blackstone and his American counterparts in our countrys formative legal years struck a middle path between the absolute power of the state and the absolute power of parents, alternatives for which they found historical warnings in the legal codes of Sparta and Rome, respectively. On one hand, because parents typically know and love their own kids, the responsibility of raising, protecting, and educating children belongs first and foremost to parents, not to the state or the broader political community. Early American legal commentator James Kent faulted the ancient Spartan regimes attempt to subsume the individual into the state. It is a plain precept of universal law, wrote James Schouler, another influential 19th-century American jurist, that young and tender beings should be nurtured and brought up by their parents. On the other hand, since parents power is derived from their duty, Kent continued, their power is not (and in the Anglo-American tradition never has been) absolute. There is no right to abuse or neglect ones offspring. Indeed, Kent emphatically denounced the Roman patriarchs power of life and death over his children as barbarous and unfit for a free and civilized people. (Similarly, writing in the context of the Roman family in his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul instructs fathers not to provoke their children to anger [6:4].) Complicating Blackstones somewhat neat account of parental rights, however, every state in America funded common schools and passed a compulsory school attendance law between 1852 and 1918. In a political community where We the People rule, it was argued, shouldnt all parents be required to educate their children so that they may take on the responsibilities of citizenship when they grow up? As Schouler wrote, So intimately is government concerned in the results of early training that it interferes, and justly, too, both to aid the parent in giving his children a good education, and in compelling that education. But then, dont compulsory school attendance laws shift the responsibility of rearing children from parents to the state? Numerous state supreme courts resolved this tension by upholding the general authority of the state to form an educated citizenry while also protecting the right of parents to direct the particulars of their own childrens education. According to these decisions, states may set minimum educational standards, but parents have the flexibility to meet those standards in a variety of ways, both inside and outside of the classroom. For example, these courts ruled that parents have the right to opt out their children from studying certain subjects or from participating in certain activities in public schools (such as bookkeeping, grammar, singing lessons, and dancing exercises in a physical education class). In a frequently cited decision that closely followed Blackstones argument, the Wisconsin Supreme Court wrote in 1874 that parents have the paramount right to make a reasonable choice from the studies in the prescribed course which his child shall pursue because parents are likely to know the health, temperament, aptitude and deficiencies of their own children. Moreover, the Massachusetts and Indiana Supreme Courts, at the turn of the 20th century, ruled that parents have the right to educate their children at home, provided, of course, that they meet the minimum standards set by the state. This story culminates in the US Supreme Courts landmark decision of Meyer v. Nebraska in 1923. In the aftermath of the Great War, the Nebraska legislature criminalized teaching foreign languages to children before the eighth grade in order to destroy alien enemy sentiment and Americanize the large German American population in the state. In response, Zion Lutheran School offered foreign language instruction during recess, which it argued was technically outside of regular school hours. Enraged, vandals shot out the schools windows and burned all its German-language books. However, at the behest of his students parents, Robert T. Meyera 42-year-old round-spectacled, mustached teacher at the schoolpersisted, teaching German from a book of biblical stories. He was fined a full months salary. Undeterred, he said that he had the responsibility to teach his students to practice the religion of their fathers in the language of their fathers. On appeal and in front of the Supreme Court, Meyers legal counsel declared that the case poses one of the most important questions that have been presented for a generationnamely, whether the state or the parent has control over the education of his child. In a 72 decision, the Supreme Court struck down the law, ruling both that public education is of supreme importance and also that a parents right to direct his or her childrens education is essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men. Echoing Blackstones thesis, the Meyercourt held that, corresponding to the right of control, it is the natural duty of the parent to give his children education suitable to their station in life. Today, in the United States, Christians can be thankful for our legal right to fulfill our sacred duty to educate our children according to the dictates of our consciences, whether at home or in public or private schoolsa right unavailable to many Christians across the globe. Indeed, stories abound of Christian families from places like Cuba and Germany seeking refuge in America in order to educate their children as they see fit. Of course, Blackstones framework, even modified for a democratic people, will not neatly resolve all disputes between parents and the state. It does not give parents the right to unilaterally dictate what is taught in public schools. But it does suggest that, since parents typically know and love their own kids, they ought to have the right to direct the particulars of their childrens education. Joseph K. Griffith II is the William Blackstone Professor of Law & Society at the Ashbrook Center and an assistant professor of political science at Ashland University. This article is adapted from a previously published paper, Long Recognized at Common Law: Meyer and Pierces Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Precedent on Parental Educational Rights and Civic Education, in Perspectives on Political Science. The last time Mayor London Breed faced a competitive race was in her first mayoral election in June 2018, when she won by just 2,500 votes in the final pass of ranked-choice voting. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle 2018 San Francisco Mayor London Breed is heading into a difficult reelection battle in November but shes no stranger to competitive races. During her first mayoral election in June 2018, Breed won by just 2,500 votes in the final pass of ranked-choice voting, despite having a substantial lead in first-choice votes. Her main opponents in that race were former California state Sen. Mark Leno and then San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim, who banded together to campaign against Breed, urging voters to list each other as their second choices in ranked-choice voting. Though Breed ultimately won, the results suggest that many voters heeded the anyone but Breed messaging from the Leno and Kim campaigns. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With this years mayoral election three months away, the Chronicle analyzed the June 2018 results to understand how Breed won that election and what the data can or cant tell us about the upcoming race. In 2018, Breed was among a field of eight candidates. The progressive front runners were Leno and Kim, while the leading moderates were Breed and Angela Alioto, a former San Francisco supervisor. In the first round of ranked-choice voting, Breed had about 37% of the vote, more than 12 points above Leno in second place. Breed maintained this margin through several rounds of ranked-choice voting, but it was in the last round that her lead was cut down substantially. In each round of ranked-choice voting, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and ballots that ranked that candidate highest are reevaluated to consider the next highest-ranked candidate. A new tally is then created, and if no candidate has a majority, the same process repeats. Breed still didnt have a majority until the only candidates left were her and Leno. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the last round of the 2018 race, Kim was eliminated and her ballots were redistributed. A majority were transferred to Leno, boosting his vote share from 29% to 49%. Breed, however, had gained enough votes to exceed 50% and was declared the winner. According to Jason McDaniel, a professor at San Francisco State University, the high transfer rate between Kim and Leno in the last pass is remarkable. Nearly 70% of Kims votes went to Leno double the next highest transfer rate of 34% between Amy Farah Weiss, another mayoral candidate in 2018, and Kim after the second round. While Kim and Leno endorsed each other as their second choices, that coordination happened a few months before the election, which may have been too late in the race to get the message out to enough voters, said McDaniel. None of the candidates in this years race have announced coordinated strategies so far. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Depending on who emerges as the front-runner, McDaniel envisions a couple scenarios: If Breed leads in the polls, we may see a Mark Farrell and Daniel Lurie combination. If Aaron Peskin pulls ahead, the three leading moderates likely Breed, Farrell and Lurie may broadcast an anybody but Peskin message. For now, however, the polls show a tight race, so candidates dont see it in their interest to coordinate just yet, said McDaniel. But unless candidates explicitly endorse each other, he thinks we probably wont see ideological cohesion in how votes are transferred. Voters dont see the ideological groupings as much as (political scientists) do, said McDaniel. There will be a lot of people who vote Breed and Peskin because ideology doesnt work that cleanly on the local level. One big difference between this years race and the 2018 contest is the number of rankings voters can submit on their ballots. Before 2019, voters could only rank up to three candidates in a ranked-choice race. Today, they can select up to 10. The change will likely cut down on the number of inactive ballots a ballot becomes inactive when every candidate ranked by the voter has been eliminated. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the 2018 mayoral race when voters could rank a maximum of three candidates about 22,000 ballots were deemed inactive, which is close to 10% of votes. Moreover, after Kim was eliminated in the final round, more than 8,000 ballots became inactive. If a third of those ballots had listed Leno as their next choice, Leno would have been mayor. But despite changes to the system, McDaniel still expects the number of inactive ballots to exceed the final vote margin this November. This is largely because of the expected increase in voter turnout now that the mayoral election lines up with the presidential cycle. As a result, this mayoral race will likely have more voters who typically dont vote in city elections and have less experience with ranked-choice voting. These are the people most likely to have their ballots become inactive because they dont rank multiple candidates, according to McDaniel. PhotoEuphoria / Getty Kenny Wallace doesnt have a lot of people to talk to in Choctaw. But he does have a Bible app with a new translation of Scripture in the Indigenous language that his ancestors spoke. And it has an audio sync feature that allows him to listen to the words aloud, to hear how they sound. Sometimes, thats the only Choctaw voice I ever hear, Wallace told CT. Not only is it feeding my soul, but its actually feeding me culturally as well. Sign up for The Daily Briefing Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. Email* Sign Up This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Thanks for signing up. Please click here to see all our newsletters. Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again. Wallace, an African American Choctaw Pawnee, said his family was cut off from their Indigenous heritage by racism and geographic distance. He officially started the journey to reclaim his heritage in 2008, beginning with language. To know where he came from, he knew he wanted to understand Choctaw. He started by getting an old Bible translated in the 1800s and learning words from it. But when Wallace, a teacher and worship pastor who lives in Canada, started interacting with other Choctaw speakers, he learned hed picked up some peculiar vocabularyold religious words, a little out of date. Then he found a new version started by the Choctaw Bible Translation Committee. It came with an app, which had the audio sync feature that allowed him to listen to Scripture as his ancestors might have heard it. The app has been such a blessing for me, he said. Language is probably the largest carrier of culture. The Choctaw Bible translation project is still in progress. So far, portions of Matthew, Mark, and Luke have been translated, along with 2 Corinthians, the three epistles of John, and a few of the shorter Old Testament books, including Amos and Jonah. The heart of a culture is in its language, said T. Christopher Hoklotubbe, director of graduate studies at NAIITS, an Indigenous seminary, and a classics professor at Cornell College in Iowa. The hope is that Indigenous people will read the Bible in their own language, which will revitalize the language. There are currently about 175 Indigenous languages spoken in the United States. But many are in danger of disappearing. Data from the US Census Bureau shows that while one in five Indigenous people over 65 speak an Indigenous language, only one in ten under the age of 17 do. Some experts predict that more than 80 percent of the languages will not have anyone who speaks them by the year 2050. Today, there are fewer than 20 Indigenous languages that have more than 2,000 speakers. Choctaw, part of the Muskogean language family spoken by the people who lived in what is now the Southeastern US before European colonization, is one of them. There are roughly 10,000 Choctaw speakers today. And yet it is still considered endangered, because so few people learn it when they are children. Preserving and reviving those languages is important to many Indigenous people. For Christians like Wallace and Hoklotubbe, theres a spiritual aspect to it too. A Bible in an Indigenous language provides Christians a different way of hearing and thinking about Scripture, said Hoklotubbe, a New Testament scholar who is Choctaw and is teaching himself the language. Most Christians throughout history, the Bible scholar notes, have received Scripture in translation. Jesus most likely spoke Aramaic, while the Gospels were first written in Greek, so even in the original New Testament, Christians learned a second-degree version of Jesus words, according to Hoklotubbe. This reality should inspire Christians to approach new translations with curiosity about what can be learned, Hoklotubbe said, trusting that God will fill in any gaps. By translating biblical texts into modern Indigenous languages and sitting with the nuances of Indigenous words, we might stumble upon new meanings, he said. Any opportunity to have accessible material in our Indigenous languages, especially texts that have so much importance for Christians, is a wonderful opportunity. The modern translation of the Choctaw Bible has been in progress for more than 20 years. The committee was formed in 1998 in response to a call from Choctaw churches. Pastors had a passion for the youth, for their faith and growing and knowing Jesus, said Laura Christel Lavallee Horlings, committee program coordinator with Wycliffe Bible Translators. But they realized the youth didnt understand the Choctaw version of the Bible that they had, even though the language they understood best was Choctaw. The committees first goal was to translate the passages and stories specifically requested by pastors. Some early translations included the Christmas stories from Luke and John 1:1, which says, Ayokchaya annopa yat ammona akili ka attattok. Mako oklah i hahaklot hicha hapi nishkin a isht oklah i pihisa hicha hapibbak isht oklah i potoholittok mak okih.Ayokchaya annopa yappak isht imma oklah i hachim anolih okih. The app, with the audio feature, has gotten a lot of positive responses, Lavallee said. Its very useful for people learning the language. One woman told her, Im going to be listening to this until I can read it for myself. Translation is slow work, though. The committee aims to have a digital version of the New Testament finished in 2027, with a printed version out the following year. This year, they got funding for three full-time and one part-time Choctaw translators. There are also a number of volunteers from Choctaw churches working on the project. In the meantime, others are making the 1800s Choctaw Bible, originally published by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, available online. YouVersion, a ministry of Life.Church in Oklahoma, added the Choctaw version of Scripture to its popular Bible app this year. It is the 1,300th language available on the YouVersion Bible App. Bradley Belyeu, who worked on the project for Life.Church, told the Choctaw Nation newspaper that he was motivated by the discovery that his great-grandmother was Choctaw, according to her birth certificate. He saw a copy of the 1800s Bible in the Choctaw Nation museum in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, and threw himself into the digitization project. Im really passionate about getting Gods Word into peoples heart language, Belyeu said. We celebrate every new language that is added. Kenny Wallace knows the difference it can makeespecially when your heart language is not the language you grew up speaking but a lost piece of heritage that can be recovered by reading the Bible in Choctaw. It allows me to reconnect with my history [and] with Gods Word in ways that were really stolen from me and my family, Wallace said. Home News 5 things to know about Kamala Harris' pastor Now that Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the presumptive Democrat nominee for president, reports have surfaced that she contacted her pastor, the Rev. Amos Brown of Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, California, before deciding to formally enter the race. Browns views and past statements are now under the microscope as Harris is all but certain to replace President Joe Biden as the Democrat nominee now that he has dropped out of the race. Brown has made a series of controversial and provocative remarks over the years. Here are five things to know about Harris pastor. 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 Home News Canadian cathedral unveils Emancipation Day plaque honoring black history An Anglican cathedral in Canada has unveiled a plaque honoring black history and the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834, an event known as Emancipation Day. The Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto, Ontario, held a ceremony on Sunday to celebrate the unveiling of the plaque, which will eventually be permanently installed on the property at a date to be determined. The Rev. Canon Stephen Fields, sub-dean and vicar at St. James Cathedral, told The Christian Post on Tuesday that the plaque came from the efforts of poet and activist Nadine Williams and former Ontario Black History Society President Rosemary Sadlier. 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 Williams and Sadlier petitioned Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada to build a monument recognizing Celebrations of Emancipation Day in Canada. A plaque honoring Emancipation Day, a Canadian holiday celebrating the anniversary of when slavery was abolished in the nation back in 1834. The plaque is set to be displayed at The Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto, Ontario, which is part of the Anglican Church of Canada. | Courtesy St. James Cathedral St. James Cathedral, Toronto, from the beginning hosted or was involved in such celebrations. So this location was a natural choice, said Fields, adding that it would be installed on the lawn on the southwest corner of the cathedral, at King & Church Streets. Fields told CP that the ceremony was well attended, including by members of the congregation, the local community, and people from neighboring cities in Ontario. Notable attendees included Member of Parliament Majid Jowhari of Richmond Hill, Jewel Cunningham of Parks Canada, and professor Stephen Azzi, a representative of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Fields provided CP with an excerpt from his speech at the unveiling ceremony, in which he said this plaque can serve as our north star. It will remind those of us, who are endowed with a significantly high melanin content beneath our skin and Anglican blood flowing through our veins, who have deep roots in this country and city, and all who are members of this community, that we must remain committed to the cause of justice and equity, he stated. We are committed to leveraging these assets to enhance our experience when we gather for worship, in our music and preaching, to address and correct historical grievances, and to ensure that our cathedral evolves into a space where all members feel valued and respected. In 2021, Canadas House of Commons voted unanimously to make Aug. 1 the national holiday of Emancipation Day, which is the anniversary of the date in 1834 that the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 went into effect throughout the British Empire. Canadians are not always aware that black and indigenous peoples were once enslaved on the land that is now Canada. Those who fought enslavement were pivotal in shaping our society to be as diverse as it is today, stated the Canadian government. Therefore, each August 1, Canadians are invited to reflect, educate and engage in the ongoing fight against both anti-black and anti-indigenous racism and discrimination. Home News Muslims storm church service, force Christians to stop worshiping Christ in viral video SURABAYA, Indonesia Officials in Indonesia said they regretted the surfacing of a video showing Muslims storming into a worship service at a church and assured that authorities have since provided a temporary site for the congregation to worship. Soma Atmaja of the Tangerang Regency government said on the agencys website that his administration had provided a temporary place for the Thessalonica Church congregation in Banten Province to worship, as their prior site lacked a building permit. The church previously held services illegally in a rented house in Puri, Kampung Melayu Timur Housing, Teluk Naga Subdistrict, Tangerang Regency, outside Jakarta, Soma said. A video that first appeared on July 21 shows a mob of mostly men dressed in typical Indonesian Muslim clothing storming the site and stopping the worship service, saying it was in a majority-Muslim area, according to local media. The intruders also mocked the congregation for worshiping in a rented house, according to forumkeadilan.com. 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 Youre holding worship and holding it in a [settlement] where the majority of the population is Muslim here everyone is Muslim! says one resident to loud cheers of support while another shouts the jihadist slogan, Allahu Akbar, [Allah is greater], according to forumkeadilan.com. After a church member explains their reasons for worshiping at the home, the crowd becomes louder and retorts that they should only worship at a church building. The church representative says the lease at their prior venue in the Puri Naga Indah Complex had expired, as the mob laughs and mocks them. Teluk Naga Police Chief Wahyu Hidayat said he was confused as to why video of the altercation from back in March had surfaced only last week. This was an old incident, three months ago, Wahyu told national news channel Medcom, owned by Metro Television. Wahyu said the conflict had been peacefully resolved. Indonesias Joint Ministerial Decree of 2006 requires a permit only for worship venues used on a permanent basis, excluding family places of worship, rights activists say. According to The Joint Decree of the Two Ministers, Chapter 1, Article 3, what needs a permit is the construction of a church, rights activist Permadi Arya, known as Abu Janda, wrote in 2023. Holding worship at home, shop-houses and cafes needs no permission. Such homes, cafes and shop-houses can be equated with Muslim traditional prayer-rooms (musholla), and since Muslims need no permission for those, Christians should receive equal treatment, he said. Islamic extremists have been largely responsible for using lack of building permits as a pretext for closing or attacking churches since the passage of Indonesias Joint Ministerial Decree of 2006, which made requirements for obtaining such permits nearly impossible for most new churches. Even when small, new churches were able to meet the requirement of obtaining 90 signatures of approval from congregation members and 60 from area households of different religions, they have often met with delays or lack of response from officials. Indonesia ranked 42nd on Christian support organization Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Indonesian society has adopted a more strict Islamic character, and churches involved in evangelistic outreach are at risk of being targeted by Islamic extremist groups, according to the WWL report. Originally published by Morning Star News Home News Biden commission divided on expanding Supreme Court, warns of considerable risks A commission created by President Joe Biden to consider adding seats to the U.S. Supreme Court has released draft discussion materials that seemingly express concerns that the idea comes with "risks" and could be perceived as "a partisan maneuver." According to the discussion materials released Thursday ahead of a Friday meeting, the 36-member commission is divided on whether it is a good idea to add seats to the nine-justice Supreme Court, the highest court in the United States. The documents warn that expanding the court "is likely to undermine, rather than enhance, the Supreme Court's legitimacy and its role in the constitutional system." The materials state that "there are significant reasons to be skeptical that expansion would serve democratic values." 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 document notes that an expanded court might "calm the controversy" around Supreme Court nominees and allow for a more diverse representation on the bench than currently exists. "But the risks of court expansion are considerable, including that it could undermine the very goal of some of its proponents of restoring the Court's legitimacy," the draft cautions. Stated risks include ongoing partisan battles over future potential expansions, no guarantees of increased diversity for the court and more justices making it more difficult to reach decisions. During his time in office, President Donald Trump nominated three justices to the Supreme Court, prompting what many believe to be a rightward shift in the court's political leanings. Democrats were upset when the Republican-controlled Senate refused to vote on President Barack Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia after his death in 2016, Obama's last year in office. Liberals also felt that the nomination to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg after her death last September should have waited so whoever won the presidential election in November could make the nomination. But Trump nominated Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was confirmed to the court last October. In April, Biden signed an executive order creating a presidential commission to look into the possibility of adding more seats to the U.S. Supreme Court and other measures. "Proponents of Court expansion argue that by adding two or more seats to the Supreme Court, Democratic lawmakers could help restore balance to and, thus, the legitimacy of the Court," the draft document reads. "Those who take this perspective also emphasize that a failure to respond to the hardball tactics since 2016 might encourage future aggressive measures in the Senate confirmation process." The draft materials also state that "[r]ecent polls suggest that a majority of the public does not support Court expansion." "And even some supporters of Court expansion acknowledged during the Commission's public hearings, the reform would be perceived by many as a partisan maneuver," the draft states. Some progressives criticized the draft materials. "The discussion materials released today unfortunately fail to match the urgency of the situation and do not lay out a solution to the legitimacy crisis before us," American Constitution Society President Russ Feingold said in a statement. "There are a variety of reforms that should be advanced, including changing the composition of the Court to remedy the Right's packing of the Court, ending life tenure, and ensuring the Court cannot use the shadow docket as an express way to thwart civil rights and liberties." Bob Bauer, the co-chair of the commission and a former White House Counsel to President Obama, stated at the Friday commission meeting that the draft materials are not to be construed as views of the commission. "The commission has not edited the material and the material should not be understood to represent the commission's views or those of any particular commissioner," Bauer said, according to Fox News. "To this point and particularly in light of some confusion and uncertainty since the posting of these materials, we refer you to the front page of each of the drafts that have been publicly posted that clearly set forth these points." Kelly Shackelford, CEO of the conservative religious freedom legal nonprofit First Liberty Institute, argued in a statement that "far-Left progressives are clearly trying to expand their political power under the guise of 'court-reform,' destroying the independence of our judiciary and threatening the civil liberties of all Americans." "Americans reject remaking the judiciary especially the Supreme Court of the United States into another partisan body," Shackelford said in a statement. After Biden signed his executive order to create the commission earlier this year, Democrats in Congress introduced legislation aimed at adding four seats to the Supreme Court. If passed, it would mark the first time seats have been added to the high court since the Antebellum Era. U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts said in a statement in April that the legislation was in response to the Trump nominees being added to the Supreme Court. "Senate Republicans have politicized the Supreme Court, undermined its legitimacy, and threatened the rights of millions of Americans, especially people of color, women, and our immigrant communities," claimed Markey. "This legislation will restore the Court's balance and public standing and begin to repair the damage done to our judiciary and democracy, and we should abolish the filibuster to ensure we can pass it." The proposal to add seats to the Supreme Court has been criticized by conservative groups and Republicans in Congress as a politically-driven move. "Expanding the Supreme Court is a terrible idea. I strongly oppose this proposal and will vote against it should it come up for a vote," tweeted Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Home News Biden raises possibility of rotating Supreme Court justices Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden expressed openness to the idea of rotating Supreme Court justices during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania Monday. Bidens appearance came one day after CBS 60 Minutes aired an interview with the former vice president. CBS Evening News host Norah ODonnell, who conducted the interview, explained in a voice-over that Mr. Biden is under pressure from his own party to consider increasing the number of justices if elected. Its called court packing and while he said hes no fan of the idea, hes never completely ruled it out. If elected, would you move to add more justices to the Supreme Court? ODonnell asked Biden. If elected, what I will do is I will put together a bipartisan commission of scholars, constitutional scholars, Democrats, Republicans, liberal, conservative, and I will ask them to over 180 days to come back to me with recommendations as to how to reform the court system because its getting out of whack, he replied. 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 Its not about court packing, theres a number of other things that our constitutional scholars have debated and Id look to see what recommendations that commission might make. At his campaign stop in Chester, Pennsylvania, Monday, Biden was asked if he was open to establishing term limits for Supreme Court justices, who currently serve lifetime appointments. The candidate responded in the negative: Its a lifetime appointment. Im not going to attempt to change that at all. WATCH: "It's a lifetime appointment. I'm not going to attempt to change that at all." Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden when asked by @DanielBush if he's open to term limits for Supreme Court justices pic.twitter.com/m4qKltQHkf PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) October 26, 2020 Theres some literature among constitutional scholars about the possibility of going from one court to another court, not just staying always the whole time on the Supreme Court, he said. Biden stressed that he had made no judgment as to what changes he would like to be made to the Supreme Court, describing his proposed commission as a group of serious constitutional scholars who have a number of ideas how we should proceed from this point on. Im going to give them 180 days, God willing, if Im elected, from the time Im sworn in, to be able to make such a recommendation, Biden said. The idea of rotating Supreme Court justices was raised by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., during the 2020 presidential campaign. He contended, I do believe that constitutionally we have the power to rotate judges to other courts. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, disagrees with his analysis. Thomas Jipping, deputy director of the Heritage Foundations Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, explained that Sanders proposal would allow a president to remove a Supreme Court justice in active service and send him, even involuntarily, to a lower court. According to Jipping, rotating a justice off the Supreme Court and converting his or her status to a judge on the new court would run afoul of the Constitution. The Constitution does not empower presidents to make general appointments to undefined positions somewhere in the judiciary, and to move them around whenever they choose, he wrote. Jipping warned that the proposal to rotate justices would enable a president to banish a justice he did not like to some other court for the rest of his judicial life. He referred to rotation as simply packing the Supreme Court by other means. The idea of court packing was previously raised in the 1930s by President Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat. He wanted to increase the size of the Supreme Court so that justices appointed by him would dilute the votes of the sitting Supreme Court justices who found his New Deal programs unconstitutional. The Democratic-led Senate rejected Roosevelts proposal and the number of Supreme Court justices has remained at nine for more than a century and a half. In 1983, Biden, whose vice presidency was preceded by a decades-long career in the United States Senate, described Roosevelts push to enlarge the Supreme Court as a bonehead idea that put in question, for an entire decade, the independence of the most significant body in this country: the Supreme Court of the United States of America. The debate about court packing and changes to the Supreme Court comes as Democrats are fuming about the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the court one week before the 2020 presidential election. Barretts presence on the high court means that the third branch of government now consists of six Republican-appointed justices and three Democrat-appointed justices. Barrett replaces the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who had earned folk hero status among the feminists and liberals that make up an important constituency of the Democratic Party. Democrats have expressed concern that the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide and the Affordable Care Act will meet their demise with Barrett on the court. Notably this year, at least one Republican-appointed justice joined liberal justices in two cases involving abortion and gender identity. In the case of Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, two Republican-appointed justices, Neil Gorsuch and John Roberts, joined the four liberal justices in ruling that it is a violation of civil rights law to fire an employee based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. In the case of June Medical Services v. Russo, Roberts joined the liberal justices in ruling that a Louisiana state law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals was unconstitutional. Calls to expand the size of the Supreme Court immediately followed Barretts confirmation Monday. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., outspoken voices in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, sent out tweets, saying, Expand the court. Home News Biden outlines plan to impose term limits for Supreme Court justices President Joe Biden has suggested that United States Supreme Court justices should have term limits and a code of ethics to abide by after calling for Supreme Court reform during a primetime address last week. In a piece published in The Washington Post on Monday, Biden outlined his plan to reform the Supreme Court and ensure no president is above the law. The guest editorial comes less than a week after the president identified Supreme Court reform as one of the priorities of the last six months of his term in office at a speech discussing his decision not to run for a second term. The Supreme Courts 6-3 decision on July 1 to grant presidents broad immunity from prosecution for crimes they commit in office means there are virtually no limits on what a president can do, Biden wrote. The only limits will be those that are self-imposed by the person occupying the Oval Office. 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 Trump v. United Statesdecision, which determined that the President is absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for conduct within his exclusive sphere of constitutional authority, was cited by Biden as one of many examples of how the Supreme Court was not normal. Biden also denounced the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organizationdecision, which he described as one of several dangerous and extreme decisions that overturn settled legal precedents. The Dobbs ruling determined that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion, reversing the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Biden also claimed that the court is mired in a crisis of ethics. Without going into specifics, he maintained that Scandals involving several justices have caused the public to question the courts fairness and independence, which are essential to faithfully carrying out its mission of equal justice under the law. For example, undisclosed gifts to justices from individuals with interests in cases before the court, as well as conflicts of interest connected with Jan. 6 insurrectionists, raise legitimate questions about the courts impartiality, he added. Biden cited his ethics concerns and the aforementioned court rulings as reasons why he saw the need for three bold reforms to restore trust and accountability to the court and our democracy. Bidens first proposal involves a constitutional amendment titled the "No One Is Above The Law Amendment" that would make clear that there is no immunity for crimes a former president committed while in office. His second reform would impose a system in which the president would appoint a justice every two years to spend 18 years in active service on the Supreme Court. The United States is the only major constitutional democracy that gives lifetime seats to its high court, he stated. Term limits would help ensure that the courts membership changes with some regularity. That would make timing for court nominations more predictable and less arbitrary. It would reduce the chance that any single presidency radically alters the makeup of the court for generations to come. Bidens third proposal would create a binding code of conduct for the Supreme Court that would require justices to disclose gifts, refrain from public political activity and recuse themselves from the cases in which they or their spouses have financial or other conflicts of interest. The push for Supreme Court reform reflects outrage on the political Left at the makeup of the body, which consists of six justices appointed by Republican presidents and three justices appointed by Democrat presidents. While many calls for Supreme Court reform that began following the replacement of far-left Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with conservative Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and continued following the Dobbs decision sought to expand the number of justices to dilute the power of the nominally conservative majority, Bidens proposals did not embrace that idea. As a proposed constitutional amendment, the "No One Is Above The Law Amendment" would require the support of two-thirds of members of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. From there, it would then go to the states for ratification. Three-fourths of the states must ratify the amendment in order for it to take effect. Biden noted in his WaPo piece that we have had term limits for presidents for nearly 75 years as he made the case that we should have the same for Supreme Court justices. The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution established term limits for presidents. As the Constitution is silent on the length of terms for federal officials, establishing term limits for Supreme Court justices would likely require a constitutional amendment as well. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., indicated in a Facebook post Monday that Bidens proposals are dead on arrival in the chamber. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president who appointed three of the nine justices on the Supreme Court, offered a similar analysis in an appearance on Fox News The Ingraham Angle Monday night. Its going nowhere, Trump said. They need 75 percent, and its going nowhere. He cant get it. He knows that too. Biden did not elaborate on how the implementation of term limits for the Supreme Court justices would work. However, three of the Republican-appointed justices on the bench, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and John Roberts have already served for at least 18 years, while two of the three justices appointed by Democrat presidents, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, will celebrate their 18th anniversaries on the bench in the next few years. While progressives remain outraged about the Dobbs decision and the Trump v. United States ruling, the Supreme Court has sided with liberals at times. In the 2023 Allen v. Milligandecision, the Supreme Court decided that the map of congressional districts in Alabama violated federal law by not including a second majority-minority district. The Allen ruling decision resulted in the creation of a second majority-minority congressional district in Alabama, which will likely result in Democrats gaining an additional seat in Congress. The Supreme Court also unanimously dismissed a challenge to the Food and Drug Administrations approval of the abortion pill earlier this year. Home News Democrats warn Supreme Court that overturning Roe v. Wade will 'fuel' court-packing push Democrats are vowing that any action by the United States Supreme Court to alter the legal precedent on abortion will add fuel to the push among some in their party to add seats to the nation's highest court. Congressional Democrats issued the warning after the Supreme Court announced that it would decide on the constitutionality of Mississippis 15-week abortion ban by hearing the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. The state of Mississippi is asking the court to review a lower court decision finding that the ban on abortions more than 15 weeks into a pregnancy is unconstitutional. Democrats fear that with the court consisting of six justices appointed by Republican presidents and three justices appointed by Democratic presidents, the justices could uphold the pro-life state law, thereby striking a blow to the longstanding Supreme Court precedent in Roe v. Wade establishing the right to obtain an abortion nationwide. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe According to The Hill, Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., are among the lawmakers promising to push for changes to the Supreme Court if the nearly half-century-old court decision is overturned. It will inevitably fuel and drive an effort to expand the Supreme Court if this activist majority betrays fundamental constitutional principles, Blumenthal said. Its already driving that movement. Calls for adding more justices to the Supreme Court, an idea derided by critics as court packing, have grown considerably since the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett as an associate justice to the Supreme Court shortly before the 2020 presidential election. Barretts confirmation caused particular outrage because she replaced the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a figure beloved by progressives. Additionally, Democrats have accused Republicans of hypocrisy because they blocked the confirmation of Merrick Garland, who then-President Barack Obama nominated to the Supreme Court in 2016, his final year in office. At the time, Republicans argued that because it was a presidential election year, voters should have the opportunity to decide who (between candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump) they wanted to pick the next Supreme Court justice. In 2020, Democrats maintained that Republicans did not give voters the same opportunity. Last month, congressional Democrats introduced a bill to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court from nine to 13. If passed, the legislation would nullify the effect of the nominally 6-3 conservative majority by giving President Joe Biden the opportunity to appoint four new justices to the bench. However, the legislative effort to increase the size of the Supreme Court has gained little traction, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has said that she will not bring the legislation up for a vote. A poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, Inc. on behalf of the conservative religious liberty law firm First Liberty Institute, found that 68% of Americans opposed the generic addition of justices to the Supreme Court compared to 27% who supported the idea. While the American people as a whole gave the proposal of court packing a cool reception, Democrats were split on the idea, with 50% expressing support for it. When asked specifically about the legislation introduced by congressional Democrats to add four seats to the Supreme Court, 65% of respondents opposed the bill while 31% supported it. A supermajority of Democrats (63%) indicated their support for the proposal, while the overwhelming majority of Republicans (95%) expressed disapproval of the effort. Although prominent progressives have wholeheartedly embraced court-packing, some liberals, including the late Ginsburg herself, have expressed hesitancy about altering the composition of the highest court in the land. In 2019, Ginsburg weighed in on the push to add justices to the Supreme Court, which was much more subdued at the time. If anything would make the court appear partisan it would be that, she asserted. One side saying when were in power were going to enlarge the number of judges so well have more people who will vote the way we want them to. So I am not at all in favor of that solution to what I see as a temporary situation. Stephen Breyer, the longest-serving liberal justice on the court, echoed his late colleagues concerns. He warned about the implications of court-packing at Harvard Law School last month, urging those whose instincts may favor important structural change or other similar institutional changes such as forms of court-packing to think long and hard before they embody those changes in law. Stressing the need to preserve the courts reputation as guided by legal principle, not politics, Breyer emphasized that structural altercation motivated by the perception of political influence can only feed that latter perception, further eroding that trust. As progressives in Congress advocate for legislation to increase the size of the Supreme Court outright, Biden signed an executive order establishing a Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States, a bipartisan group of constitutional scholars and retired judges that will look at the feasibility of possible reforms to the court. The commission will report its findings to the president after 180 days. Blumenthal pointed to expanding the Supreme Court as one of many potential remedies that advocates of a seismic movement to reform the Supreme Court would seek to implement in the wake of a hypothetical court decision chipping away at Roe v. Wade. Other potential reforms floated by Blumenthal include making changes to its jurisdiction, or requiring a certain number of votes to strike down certain past precedents. Whitehouse listed other potential reforms to the Supreme Court that could follow a rollback of Roe v. Wade, specifically expressing a desire to require proper disclosure and transparency of the gifts, travel and hospitality received by the judges as well as people who are behind front-group amicus curiae briefs that were funding the political advertisements for the last three judges, writing $15 million and $17 million checks. Even as the Supreme Court has yet to hear arguments in the case surrounding the Mississippi abortion law, Whitehouse is working to raise awareness about what he claims is the takeover of the court by special interest groups. On Monday, Whitehouse announced that he was starting a new series of Senate floor speeches (with a brand new chart) exposing the scheme by right-wing donor interests to capture the U.S. Supreme Court and achieve through the courts power what they cannot through other branches of government. Home News Nearly 70% of Christians in Scotland say they've experienced prejudice: survey More than two-thirds of Christians in Scotland report having experienced some form of prejudice for their faith, according to a recent survey by a United Kingdom-based Christian think tank. Logos Scotland conducted a survey of 1,077 Christian and non-Christian respondents from January to April, a copy of which was provided to The Christian Post on Tuesday. When asked if they had experienced any form of prejudice, nearly 70% of respondents either responded that they agree or strongly agree, while about 5% strongly disagreed. 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 However, most of the Christians surveyed also reported that they can be open about being a Christian in both private and public settings, such as work, school and among neighbors. Logos Scotland Chief Executive Shona Haslam told CP that while she was not surprised by the overall survey results, it is still good to collect the data. I think we were most surprised by how confident Christians were about talking about their faith, particularly in private but also in public settings, Haslam said. Haslam believes the Scottish government has an obligation to address the findings, saying the state should think carefully about how they engage with Christians. Both Christians and non-Christians felt that the Scottish Government did not understand their concerns, which is a big issue for Scotland. We hope to meet with the first minister to discuss very soon, she continued. The survey comes as Scottish National Party member and Deputy First Minister of Scotland Kate Forbes has received much criticism over her Evangelical Christian faith and her religious opposition to same-sex marriage, especially from the Scottish Green Party. In May, Forbes, a member of the Free Church of Scotland, was narrowly elected the new deputy first minister. Scotland First Minister John Swinney defended his selection of Forbes for the post, stating that he wanted to create a nation that was welcoming of all people, regardless of their beliefs. When I say that I want to be the first minister for everyone in Scotland, I deeply mean that, Swinney stated, as quoted by The Guardian in May. I want to lead a modern, dynamic and diverse Scotland, a place for everybody. Where everybody feels at home, at peace, that they have a place and that their place in our society is protected by my leadership of this country. A slight majority of Scots do not identify with any religious affiliation, while around one in five belong to the Church of Scotland, and about 18% belong to other Christian denominations, according to a recent report from the National Records of Scotland cited by The Telegraph. Home News Nigerian bishop leaves UMC amid homosexuality schism; regional bodys future uncertain The bishop of the United Methodist Churchs Nigerian Episcopal Area has reportedly resigned from his position, with some or all of the African-based regional body possibly leaving with him in response to the denomination allowing same-sex marriage and ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. A UMC Council of Bishops spokesperson emailed The Christian Post a statement on Tuesday in which the denominational leadership announced that they accepted the resignation of Bishop John Wesley Yohanna. Council of Bishops President Bishop Tracy Smith Malone sent a letter to her fellow bishops confirming the resignation, saying it became effective on Monday. 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 We are saddened by his decision to no longer continue ministry with The United Methodist Church. I invite us to pray for our former colleague and the church in Nigeria, especially those who choose to remain in The United Methodist Church. This is a very difficult and confusing time for them, wrote Malone. Malone stated that the UMC bishops are working with the West Africa College of Bishops and Episcopacy Committee to enact interim episcopal leadership for the region. Until then, Malone urged bishops with covenantal relationships with UMC congregations in Nigeria to immediately withhold sending funding and escrow the funds until new episcopal leadership is in place and new mechanisms are in place. Malone's request was made of the denominations general secretaries, as there are concerns that church funds will not go to the UMC ministry and mission in the African nation. On Monday, Yohanna sent a statement to Nigerian state officials explaining that at a special called session of the Nigeria Episcopal Area held last week, the entire regional body voted to leave the UMC and join the Global Methodist Church. The GMC was officially launched in 2022 as a theologically conservative alternative to the UMC. Thousands of congregations in the United States have already switched their affiliations to the GMC According to Yohanna, the decision to disaffiliate from the UMC came in response to the denominations decision earlier this year to allow for same-sex marriage and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. Therefore we want to make a statement that since the church has derailed from Biblical principle we cannot be in this church where homosexuality can be celebrated, said Yohanna. Yohanna warned that any UMC congregation agreeing with the changes would find themselves at odds with Nigerian law, which prohibits both same-sex relationships and LGBT advocacy groups. A group of Nigerian UMC church officials released a statement disputing Yohannas claim that the Episcopal Area had disaffiliated. They claimed instead that the former bishop and around 10% of the regional body opted to leave. Even though we are saddened by their exit, we hold them in our prayers and wish them Gods guidance in their new found faith community, read the statement. We also wish to make it categorically clear ... that our denomination does not permit them to leave with any of the United Methodist property in the way and manner the left. The local church officials called on Yohanna and his allies to treat their exit with integrity and not tamper with any of the UMC properties. CP contacted the GMC for more information. A spokesperson said the denomination is aware of the Yohanna statement and that we do not have any further information to share. In June, it was claimed that the UMC Nigeria Episcopal Area had held a special called session earlier this month at Jalingo in the Taraba state, where delegates voted to leave the denomination. The conservative Methodist blog People Need Jesus posted a copy of the resolution, which explained that the Nigerian regional body believed that the UMC prioritizes the LGBT community over the traditional beliefs held by many United Methodists in Nigeria. The resolution also claimed that the current United Methodist Church has altered the original language of our Discipline to accommodate cultural values divergent from ours. The UMC presence in Nigeria is divided among four annual conferences, which reportedly have a total membership of more than 560,000 members. However, when reached for comment by CP at the time, a UMC spokesperson replied that the denomination cannot respond until they receive an official report from the Nigerian conference. Others disputed the claim that the session was an official gathering of the regional body. Dianne Burnett, spokesperson for GMC, told CP in June that we are actively praying for" Nigerian Methodists "as they discern their future. The Global Methodist Church maintains strong connections with the leadership of the Nigeria Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, she stated earlier this year. We are informed about the recent votes by clergy and laity concerning the direction of the Nigerian church. Currently, the Global Methodist Church does not have any member churches or clergy in Nigeria. However, we are aware of the interest from churches and clergy in aligning with us. As the Nigerian church makes crucial decisions, we stand ready to collaborate with and support their leadership in any way we can. In the spring, delegates at the UMC General Conference voted to remove language from the UMC Book of Discipline that prohibited the blessing of same-sex unions, the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals and the funding of LGBT advocacy groups. The moves came after approximately 7,500 mostly conservative congregations disaffiliated from the mainline denomination because of the decades-long debate over the hot-button issues in which progressive leaders within the denomination weren't enforcing the Book of Discipline rules. While the UMC voted to allow LGBT ordination and same-sex weddings in June, many within the UMC have stated their intention to not host same-sex weddings at their churches or have been moved to leave the denomination. Soon after the changes were made, the Cote d'Ivoire Conference, a West African-based regional body with over 1 million members, voted to leave the UMC because the Book of Discipline had been amended. Malone said in a statement at the time that the denominational leadership was working with the Ivory Coast-based conference as it becomes autonomous. While we are not all of one mind in all things, the strength of our connection is love, respect, compassion and a shared commitment to faith in Jesus Christ, stated Malone. The General Conference decisions that removed the restrictive language in the Book of Discipline related to LGBTQIA persons do not force pastors or churches to act contrary to their conscience and can make decisions in their missional contexts. A student walks through the halls of Hillcrest Elementary School in San Francisco in February. The San Francisco Unified School District will release a list of schools recommended for closure in mid-September, with no indication yet which ones will be on the list. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle In just over two weeks, San Francisco parent Kyle Woodward will drop off his two daughters at Rosa Parks Elementary, his 4-year-old for her first day of kindergarten and his 8-year-old for third grade. He expects it to be more than the typical emotional first day of school. Like every other public school parent in the city, Woodward doesnt know if his school, which is in the citys Western Addition neighborhood, will still be open a year from now or if it will be on the list of schools slated for closure expected to be released in mid-September. But one point is clear: San Francisco Unified School District officials said they are looking at schools in every neighborhood and across all grades and even the more popular or high-performing schools could land on the closure list. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Francisco district officials say closing schools is unavoidable after years of declining enrollment. The district is about 14,000 students shy of filling all its buildings. Predictions show a loss of another 5,000 students by 2030. There are too many schools, too few students and not enough money to spread staff and other resources across so many partially empty classrooms, they say. The school board is already under state fiscal control after overspending for years, and while closing schools wont fix the budget problems, it would allow the district to ensure students still have access to social workers, counselors and other resources despite the massive cuts needed to balance the budget. Closing schools, however, is arguably one of the most distressing and fraught actions a district can take, usually leading to emotional public meetings and angry protests. In Oakland, the school boards 2022 decision to close seven schools also led to a hunger strike and a community takeover of a school site. Woodward said just the possibility of a Rosa Parks closure is already causing his oldest anxiety. Adding to the stress: District officials still havent said how many of the 102 elementary, middle and high school sites will be on the closure list because they dont know yet. District spokesperson Laura Dudnick said its too early in the process to know the number, even with about six weeks left until the list will be unveiled. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We absolutely understand people want to understand the magnitude of this, she said. We understand the community is wanting information. Dudnick and other district officials indicated the number of recommended closures would not be small, telling the Chronicle that the district wouldnt be going through this long and difficult process just for a few schools. And we dont want to be doing this again in a few years, Dudnick said. Superintendent Matt Wayne said in a statement to the Chronicle that ensuring that every student gets what they need to succeed is my top priority as the superintendent of SFUSD. I understand the pain and resistance that school closures will bring, but my responsibility is to prioritize our students future. SFUSD is tackling these tough decisions head-on, making changes that have been long overdue. The complicated process to identify schools includes a ranking system that looks at facilities, test scores, geography, optimal school size and staffing, among other criteria as well as the results of an equity audit and input from state architects. Those factors will be part of what Wayne calls the art and science of figuring out which schools to close. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Once the list is announced, the district will hold informational and feedback sessions at each of the schools recommended for closure, followed by a final school board vote in December. If all goes to plan and the board supports the closures, there will no longer be schools with only one class per grade or classrooms with far fewer students than there should be, for example, district officials said. Classes will be full and taught by a fully qualified teacher at the start of the year. In addition to the upheaval, families are also worried closures will backfire, pushing parents to send their kids to another district if they cant stay at their school of choice. If that happens, it could lead to even lower enrollment and less state funding and a vicious no-win cycle. At San Francisco Parent Coaliton, community manager Giovanna Soto expressed similar concerns, adding it will be critical for the district to ensure the families feel supported and heard. If the schools get announced sometime in September, what is the incentive for the parents to keep the kids at that school? she said. Why would they not just pull their kid out and put them somewhere else? Advertisement Article continues below this ad They will if they feel that the process is going really negatively. Woodward said he understands why the SFUSD needs to close schools, but he too worries about unintended consequences. Im kind of of two minds. We all understand the resource limitations of the district and the need to consolidate, Woodward said. One thing that the district I dont know fully appreciates: Weve chosen Rosa Parks out of 70 elementary schools in the district. You cant tell people where they have to go to school and expect to retain the numbers. Home News Russell Brand slams Olympics opening ceremony 'decadence,' shares favorite Bible verse Comedian Russell Brand spoke out against the recent controversial Olympics opening ceremony and shared one of his favorite Bible verses in recent social media posts. "There are times that I've told you when I felt far from Christ," Brand said in a video he posted to Instagram on Wednesday. "This is the verse that brought me back into connection with our Lord." Brand went on to read Isaiah 43:1, which reads: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." 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 "My feelings of faith have altered lately, because I've had the sense that through fear I might take back my self-will, that I might through fear think I have to be in control of the situation," Brand said. "If you feel that you're being attacked, if you are under threat, it seems obvious, rational, sensible to take back control." Brand went on to explain that he has found a new freedom in surrendering to Christ in faith and relinquishing his desire for control, which he said is not a concept he understood before becoming a Christian. "But the sensation of faith allowing Christ in His sub-molecular potency, right down to the granular, right out into the cosmological to order all things for we are dealing with the King of eternity," he said. "And this is something I never understood before I was a Christian, but you are stepping out of the cubic reality afforded to you by materialism and rationalism and into a transcendent realm where you are given grace where, once I've accepted sin, and surrendered, and allowed Him to carry me, I'm granted a new freedom. "'Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I've called you by your name, you are mine.' I don't belong to myself anymore," he added. "And that is true freedom." In another post, Brand also blasted the recent opening Olympic ceremony in Paris that drew global backlash for its mock portrayal of the Last Supper with , exposed male genitalia, and an obese, lesbian DJ in the place of Jesus. "I'm pretty down with inclusivity and diversity," he said. "I think people should be able to be who they want to be, whether you've got a traditional or progressive lifestyle. In a decentralized culture, where you're not continually being cajoled and bludgeoned by a powerful state backed by commercial interests, you might choose to be a traditional Christian or a Muslim or a Jew or an atheist. And you might want to be a drag queen or whatever. It's actually no one else's business." Brand, who has been open about the hedonistic lifestyle he renounced to become a Christian, suggested the spirit of the opening ceremony seemed to fly in the face of inclusivity. He said they represented instead the destructive values he personally fled in the wake of multiple sexual assault allegations against him, all of which he has denied. "What was extraordinary, I suppose, to me [about the opening ceremony] appears to be the deliberate evocation of Christian imagery in order to what? Deride it? In order to what? Attack it? Undermine it?" "What are the values that are being proposed here? Is it hedonism? Is it decadence? Is it individualism? Is it that the self your own personal set of decrees, desires and edicts are the apex and supreme hierarchy of ideologies? That there is nothing superior and supreme to which we have to surrender?" In another post, Brand suggested the Olympic opening ceremony is an example of the pervasive decadence that reminds him of biblical descriptions of the End Times. During an interview with Tucker Carlson last year in the months leading up to his conversion, Brand said, "Like many desperate people, I need spirituality. I need God, or I cannot cope in this world. I need to believe in the best in people." He acknowledged that he "didn't have enough self-discipline to resist the allure of stardom" and "fell face-first into the glitter, and I'm only just pulling myself out now." Brand made international headlines earlier this year when he converted to Christianity following a lengthy public wrestling with faith. In April, he was baptized in the River Thames, along with Bear Grylls and another friend. During an interview with conservative influencer Benny Johnson at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, earlier this month, Brand said he believes a "spiritual darkness" is becoming increasingly apparent in society. Home News Sen. Mike Lee warns of 'increased hostility' toward Christianity in Washington Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, believes that federal lawmakers have grown increasingly hostile toward Christians in recent years and some feel justified in discriminating against them to a degree unprecedented in United States history. During a two-hour interview with conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson on the Tucker Carlson Network earlier this week, Lee answered affirmatively when Carlson asked if he noticed "this hostility toward Christianity increasing in Washington." "I think there is increased hostility toward Christianity, toward organized religion in general in Washington," said Lee, who is a Mormon. 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 Everyone in Washington knew Joe Biden was senile. At times he couldnt operate a cell phone. Sen. Mike Lee was there. (0:00) Obama Kicking Biden Out (8:13) Bidens Impairment (20:33) Bidens Scripted Phone Calls (23:17) The Federal Government Is Too Powerful (36:02) The pic.twitter.com/MxObwUhfOy Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) July 30, 2024 While he said the Senate has "a pretty healthy culture" of religious toleration among colleagues, Lee has noticed unconstitutional religious tests for judicial nominees emerge during the Trump administration. "I've started seeing a couple of things that are disturbing that I never thought I would see, just in the last few years," said Lee, who is on the Senate Judiciary Committee. "I remember during the Trump administration, we started to see, for the first time ever, a couple of my Democratic colleagues, including some on the Judiciary Committee, who would say things like this: 'I'm not comfortable with this nominee because I fear that the dogma lives loudly within her.'" Lee was referencing the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who suggested during Justice Amy Coney Barrett's 2017 confirmation hearing to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that her Roman Catholic faith would interfere with her ability to be impartial. "She was afraid that she was too Catholic and because the Catholic dogma, as she put it, 'lives too loudly,'" Lee recalled. "I thought that was a little unsettling." Lee recalled the time he confronted Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, in 2019 after she asked then-D.C. Circuit Court nominee Neomi Rao during her confirmation hearing if she believes gay relationships are a sin. "I felt the need to weigh in at that meeting because sometimes we need to do that in order to set the record and to give the member an opportunity to pare it back," Lee said. "So I thought, I'm not sure she meant I'm not sure she realized exactly how far she went in saying that." Lee noted that Hirono remained unapologetic about her line of questioning. Carlson, who said Hirono is not considered "a genius" by the outside world, questioned whether people like her are "self-aware enough to know that they're the religious fanatics." Lee noted the apparent antipathy toward Christians who want to serve in government is unchartered territory for the U.S., which he noted has been historically Christian. "Relative to not just the founding generation, but pretty much all generations of Americans until very recently, those who are hostile toward Christian beliefs or toward any belief system when it comes to somebody's worthiness to serve in government," he said. "That's historically aberrational. That's extreme." "Culturally also, throughout most of our history, we have been a religious nation. We are still a religious nation," he added. Noting how someone would not be able to get away with opposing a nominee for being too Jewish, Carlson asked how discrimination against Christians gets a pass. "I really don't know, other than that the the media won't go after you," Lee said, to which Carlson replied, "Because they share the view." Lee said he has personally witnessed President Joe Biden's decreasing mental acuity since his first year in office, including when he asked Lee's wife twice if she worked in the White House despite having met her before. He also recounted a time when he saw Biden appear too confused to take a phone call. Home Opinion Olympics LGBT Last Supper scene signals intent to reshape the world The controversial opening presentation of the Olympics that included a controversial depiction of the Last Supper was no accident. I believe the ceremony carried a deeper message that many might overlook. The resulting backlash has sparked a social media firestorm! Critics argue it was a pagan party, reenacting an ancient Greek celebration from the original Olympics. Before addressing this claim, I present the following statement from the ceremonys choreographer: 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 idea was to do a big pagan party linked to the gods of Olympus, Opening Ceremonies choreographer Thomas Jolly told the Paris-based BFM network on Sunday, according to France 24. Youll never find in my work any desire to mock or denigrate anyone. But organizers reportedly acknowledged Sunday that Jolly took inspiration from Leonardo da Vincis famous painting to create the setting. The production teams admission of drawing inspiration from Da Vincis famous painting of the Last Supper should dispel the notion that the ceremony was devoid of Christian symbolism. This acknowledgment directly counters the claims that it had no connection to Jesus and Christianity. Furthermore, images or paintings of Bacchanalian feasts bear no resemblance to the Last Supper. To see an actual image of a Bacchanalian feast, go to this link. The ceremonys underlying message, whether subconscious or deliberate, seemed aimed at more than just offending Christians; it subtly conveyed the producers ideological stance. In ancient times, hosting a dinner or feast dedicated to a deity signified a desire to commune with or appease the god, demonstrating submission to their power and will. Similarly, the Jews partook in a fellowship meal with Yahweh on Mount Sinai as a testament to their covenant with Him (Exodus 24:7, 9-11). Such symbolic acts are rich in meaning and reflect a deeper ideological commitment beyond mere celebration. Jesus promised to share a meal with those who follow Him and overcome the worlds temptations and systems (1 John 2:13-14). This profound promise symbolizes intimate fellowship and victory for believers, reflecting their triumph over worldly influences. Rev. 3:20-21: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Church fathers like Irenaeus of Lyon, Cyril of Jerusalem, Athanasius, John Chrysostom, Augustine of Hippo, and Maximus the Confessor connected the Eucharist to the eventual spiritual renewal of all things. In his work The Cosmic Mystery of Christ, Maximus essentially said that when Jesus took on human flesh (John 1:14), He enabled humanity to participate in the renewal of the entire world. During the Last Supper, Jesus act of celebrating communion signified that just as the bread and wine are transformed by faith into His body and blood, He would also transform the heavens and the earth. (See Maximuss view of the incarnation here.) When believers partake in communion (the Eucharist), it is not a mere ritual. It is a profound act of faith, symbolizing their fellowship with Jesus, marking their covenant to serve Him, overcome worldly systems, and join in the renewal of all things (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1-8). This commitment reflects their dedication to participate in the cosmic renewal promised by Christ. In my view, the blasphemous depiction of drag queens mimicking the Last Supper was a bold statement by the Olympic producers, in collaboration with Euro Globalists, signaling their intent to reshape the world in their distorted image. This act symbolically declares that the new world order they envision seeks to systematically dismantle the Judeo-Christian values that have underpinned Western civilization for over a millennium. This strategic move highlights their agenda to overturn the moral and cultural foundations that have shaped Europe and the Western nations for centuries. In the first 600 years of the Church, Christians infiltrated every facet of society, ultimately dismantling the pagan gods of the Roman and Greco cultures. Apostolic pioneers like Saint Patrick and Saint Boniface ventured into pagan strongholds such as Ireland and Germany. They challenged the reigning deities and demonstrated the supremacy of Jesus Christ by triumphing over demonically inspired priests and pagan clergy in power encounters. Regrettably, it seems that many in the West today are unwittingly inviting the return of these ancient pagan gods to once again preside over their societies. This resurgence threatens to undo the profound spiritual and cultural victories achieved by early Christians, reintroducing paganism where the light of Christ once shone brightest. What can Christ followers do? Christ followers can make a lasting impact by faithfully building strong churches, discipling biological and spiritual children to establish enduring generational legacies, and developing parent-controlled educational systems and schools. Also, by consistently proclaiming the gospel of Christ to our neighbors, we can ensure that our faith continues to flourish. Moreover, we should pray for and seek the welfare of our cities and nations (Jeremiah 29:7), love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40), and have a generational plan to serve our communities. This includes raising up exceptional community leaders, business innovators, political figures, educators, historians, artists, composers, scientists, and problem solvers with a Christian worldview. As followers of Christ, we have a creative advantage over non-Christians since we are connected to Jesus, the mastermind who created the universe (John 1:3,12; Ephesians 1:22-23). Finally, by cultivating an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ and regularly celebrating the Lords Supper, we signify our commitment to restoring the world to the Father. This aligns with Jesus instruction in the Lords Prayer: Thy will be done, thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10). By embodying these principles, we actively participate in Gods transformative work. Home Opinion 6 progressive policies of Kamala Harris that should scare you The Democratic nominee for president of the United States is now Vice President Kamala Harris, who is set to face off against Donald Trump in the upcoming election. This development has sparked significant interest, particularly since Harris has not been elected to this position by the people but has seemingly been backed by influential figures within the Democratic Party. As Harris gains traction in the polls, Christians must confront the question: What would a Harris presidency mean for the future of our nation, particularly for Christians and those who embrace conservative values? To tackle this question, I've laid out six key concerns about Harris's policies and evaluated the challenges and objections she raises for those of us who support pro-life values, back limited government, and stand for secure borders. 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 1. Religious discrimination: Kamala Harris has been accused of being hostile to religious liberty, especially for conservative Christians who oppose abortion and same-sex marriage. She has also faced scrutiny for questioning some judicial nominees over their religious affiliations and beliefs. Additionally, Harris is a strong advocate of the highly controversial Equality Act, which proposes adding sexual orientation and gender identity laws. Critics argue that this could potentially infringe upon the religious freedoms of churches and religious organizations that adhere to a biblical model of marriage and sexuality. 2. Abortion rights: Vice President Harris is regarded as one of the most progressive abortion advocates within the Democratic party. Over the last few months, Harris has been touring cities with her "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" campaign, emphasizing that a woman's right to have an abortion is not only a personal choice but also a constitutional right. She has also criticized the Supreme Court for overturning Roe v. Wade. Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFK said that Abortion access would likely be front and center in Vice President Harriss campaign. In 2022, Harris met with faith leaders in Los Angeles, California, to emphasize the significance of rallying their support for and safeguarding abortion rights, as stated on the White House website. 3. Economy: Big government spending: Kamala Harris has been a staunch supporter of President Biden's economic agenda, which includes massive spending on infrastructure, social programs, and green energy. Harris has said that she would raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations to pay for these investments, as well as to reduce inequality and racial disparities. She has also advocated for raising the minimum wage, expanding health care coverage, and strengthening labor unions. Harris has said that she would pursue an economic policy that works for everyone, not just the rich. 4. Support for defunding the police: Critics argue that her stance on defunding the police would harm public safety. Harris supported Biden when he promised during his campaign to create a national police oversight commission. 5. Border policies: In her role as the "Border Czar," Vice President Harris has faced criticism for her handling of the border crisis. Critics have cited concerns over hundreds of thousands of deaths from drug overdoses, incidents of rape and murder, and the impact of her border policies on public safety. Some of the policies Harris supports include the decriminalization of border crossings by illegal aliens and the provision of taxpayer-funded healthcare for those crossing the border without documentation. Additionally, Vice President Harris has expressed support for abolishing I.C.E. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), which has raised concerns about its potential impact on border security. Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution condemning Vice President Harris for her role in the border crisis, with a vote of 220-196. The resolution reflects bipartisan concern over the handling of the border situation, with six Democrats joining Republicans in supporting the measure. 6. Foreign policy: Harris has expressed support for rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran Nuclear Deal. The Paris Climate Agreement has been criticized for placing a financial burden on the U.S. economy by requiring significant costs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy sources. Critics also argue that American industries such as coal, oil, and gas could experience job losses, impacting certain areas of the country. Some have voiced concerns that the agreement could limit U.S. sovereignty by subjecting the country to international oversight and regulations, potentially constraining the flexibility of U.S. policies in response to changing economic and environmental conditions. Additionally, the Paris Agreement sets different emission reduction targets for developed and developing nations, with China, classified as a developing country, being assigned more lenient targets than the U.S. Furthermore, the Iran Nuclear Deal has raised concerns about potentially emboldening Iran and fueling regional aggression. Critics argue that Iran's financial gains from lifted sanctions could lead to increased support for proxy groups and involvement in conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. There are also worries about the potential for a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, as other countries in the region may seek their own nuclear capabilities in response to Iran's actions, potentially contributing to further destabilization in the region. In summary, there are a number of individuals within the Christian community who hold deep concerns regarding Kamala Harris's positions on various issues, including but not limited to religious freedom, abortion, foreign policy, and border security. It is feared that her policies related to religious liberty may restrict religious freedoms and practices, potentially imposing limitations on faith-based organizations. Moreover, her strong support for expansive abortion rights contradicts the pro-life stance held by many believers. Hence, it's imperative for Christians to stay alert and carefully evaluate how her policies could influence their deeply-held beliefs and values, as well as the future of America. Home Opinion What will Heaven be like? Here is your answer TIME magazine recently did a cover story with the title, Heaven and the Afterlife: What awaits us? This article revealed that a 2021 poll from the Pew Research Center that nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults said they believe in Heaven. To learn more about the afterlife, we need to go to an authoritative source. And we have that in the Bible. Fact of the matter is, you would not even use the very word, Heaven if it were not for the Bible. It is a biblical word and Scripture has much to say about it. 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 What is Heaven? Heaven is the dwelling place of God. And one day it will be our home, if we have put our faith in Jesus Christ. I love John 17, where we are given the amazing privilege of listening in to a conversation between the Son of God with His heavenly Father. Speaking of His disciples and by extension you and me He says, Father, I want those you gave me to be with me, right where I am, so they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me, having loved me long before there was ever a world (John 17:24, The Message) Jesus wants us to be with Him, in Heaven, forever. Hard as it might be to comprehend, He longs for each one of us. Sometimes we ask the question, What is Heaven like? Why do we ask that question? Maybe its because we have all collected a lot of strange, cartoony, caricatured versions of Heaven. We think of ourselves sitting around in bathrobes on fluffy white clouds plucking harps, with fat little baby angels hovering above us with tiny wings. Thats fine for the cartoons, but it has nothing to do with the real, biblical vision of the afterlife. Maybe instead of asking What is Heaven like we should be asking, What is earth like? What is earth like, at its best? My friend told me about his elderly Christian grandmother from Nebraska, seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time. She stood on a cliff, gazing out to sea, trying to take it all in, and watching the seagulls ride the air currents without even flapping their wings. She said, Someday I will fly just like that. My friend was seeing the majesty of that scene through her eyes, and it seemed like a glimpse of Heaven. Have you had a glimpse like that recently? Think of the most amazing sunset you have ever seen. Think of the thundering waterfall, the crashing ocean waves, the field of wildflowers, or the mist rising from a mountain lake early in the morning. Think about the most mind-blowing architecture you have ever laid eyes on. The most incredible city you have ever visited. Or go back in your life for a moment and remember golden moments some of the best and most beautiful times you have had with family and friends. These are tiny keyhole glimpses of Heaven. Because Heaven is not an imitation of earth. Earth is an imitation of Heaven. In the book of Hebrews, the author speaks of earthly things as a shadow, and Heaven as the reality (Hebrews 10:1). The very, very best that you have ever experienced on this earth or ever will experience will be vastly better in Heaven. Heaven will answer the ache in your heart for a place you have never even seen. C. S. Lewis wrote: The fact that our heart yearns for something Earth cant supply is proof that Heaven must be our home. In the classic Chronicles of Narnia series, Lewis imagines the words of someone seeing Heaven for the first time. He says, I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it. Heaven is a real place for real people to do real things. Jesus said, There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming (John 14:2, TLB). And by the way, He has had over 2,000 years to do that! What will it be like? The apostle Paul had the unique experience of dying, going to Heaven and then returning. He didnt write a book about it, or record a podcast, and he didnt do cable news interviews. In fact, he didnt tell us much about it. Many scholars believe this took place outside of Lystra, where Paul had been stoned by a mob and left for dead in Acts 14. He wrote about it in his letter to the Corinthians, saying that he was seized by Christ and swept in ecstasy to the heights of Heaven. I really dont know if this took place in the body or out of it; only God knows. He went on to say that he was highjacked into paradise and heard the unspeakable spoken, but was forbidden from talking about it (2 Corinthians 12:2,3,4, Message). Paul doesnt provide much information, and he didnt post pictures on Instagram. But he did give us this hint. Having been there, briefly, he spent the rest of his life wanting to go back. He wrote: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me (Philippians 1:23, TLB). He tells the believers, in effect, Yes, I like hanging out with you guys and talking about the Lord. But I would rather be with the Lord. The sooner the better! When I want to know about a place Id like to visit, I try to talk to someone who has been there. If Im planning to visit a city like New York or Chicago, I try to find someone who has recently been there or lived there. I will ask about places to stay, places to see, and (most important) the best places to eat. I want to talk to someone who actually knows the place. There is only one person who is a reliable source on the afterlife who has been there and returned. Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus said in John 6:38 (NLT), I have come down from Heaven to do the will of God. He came down from Heaven. But He didnt just come to earth to tell us about Heaven. He came to open a door to Heaven so that we can actually live there after we pass from this earth. He said, I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture (John 10:9, NKJV). Because of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, if you are a Christian, you will have life after death in Heaven. I want to emphasize that this is for believers only, not for those who do not believe. Heaven is not the default destination of every person. It is only the destination of the person who has put his or her faith in Christ. What happens when we die? That all depends. If you are a Christian, you go straight to Heaven. The apostle Paul said that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Our body goes into the ground, but our spirit goes right into the presence of God. You will close your eyes on earth and then open them in Heaven. We know this because 1 Corinthians 15:21 says, Since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. Jesus overcame death at the cross for all of us. The Bible says that each person is destined to die once (Hebrews 9:27, NLT). Scripture also tells us there is a generation and we may be that generation that will not see death at all. We may be those who will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17, NLT). For those of us who have placed our trust in the Lord Jesus for salvation, and belong to Him, we may be less than an eyeblink away from our forever Home. When you know you have loved ones who have preceded you to Heaven, you can have confidence that you will see them one day. I will see my son Christopher again in Heaven. I will see my mom and dad again. I will see the Lord Jesus who loves me and opened the door for me. Nonbelievers dont have this hope and rely on fantasies, fictional speculation, and vague hopes about life after death. I would rather rely on a document we can trust. In the Bible, God has told us how to safely reach the Other Side. Do you want to know the way? Jesus is the Way. Christian settlement becomes UK's newest UNESCO World Heritage Site A centuries-old Christian settlement in Northern Ireland has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Gracehill Moravian Church settlement was founded in County Antrim in 1759. It has been granted World Heritage status after a transnational effort led by the US to add 18th century Moravian Church settlements to the list. Other sites in the campaign include Herrnhut, Germany, and Bethlehem in the US. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said that the settlements exemplify "the Moravian Church's spiritual, societal, and ethical ideals that aimed at the creation of a religious community and found expression in a distinctive style of town planning and architecture". Gracehill is distinctive in that it is the best preserved Moravian settlement in the UK and the only example to have been built on the island of Ireland. UK Government Culture Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: "Gracehill has been rightly cherished by the local community since its foundation in 1759 as a town built around the central values of equality and tolerance and I am glad to see it gain the recognition that it deserves. "I look forward to working together with the international community and my counterparts in Northern Ireland to celebrate the Gracehill site and ensure the Moravian traditions live on to be passed onto future generations." The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Fleur Anderson, said she was "delighted" about Gracehill's new status. "This is an exciting moment for the community of Gracehill and a huge achievement for everyone involved in the bid. The significance of it is carried throughout Northern Ireland and the whole United Kingdom," she said. "Northern Ireland has a rich heritage and is home to many culturally significant sites, and I have no doubt this accolade will encourage more visitors to come and see them for themselves." The settlement features buildings in a Moravian style laid out around a central green square, and a congregational building known as a Gemeinhaus. There is also a church, choir houses and a cemetery. Nearly 300 years after its founding, Gracehill continues to have an active Moravian congregation. Northern Ireland Communities Minister Gordon Lyons welcomed the decision. "In recent years, my department has worked with the Gracehill community to maintain the village and develop their World Heritage bid. We have supported listed building repairs and provided advice and, since the US formally decided to proceed in 2021, we have contributed to the nomination costs," he said. "Gracehill is a special place with an active community and this recognition of a small village on the world stage is a great endorsement, helping to remind us all that Northern Ireland has a fascinating heritage that is well worth exploring." Dr David Johnston, Chair of Gracehill Trust, said the bid had enjoyed the "enthusiastic support" of the whole community. "The prize of a cultural World Heritage listing is a huge good news story for Northern Ireland as a whole, something that everyone can share in and be proud of, with the potential to promote understanding and reconciliation and bring social, economic and cultural benefits right across the region now and for generations to come," he said. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Linda Forrester, shown in Chico, made a harrowing escape from her small town of Cohasset (Butte County) with flames from the Park Fire forcing her and others onto a narrow logging road. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Oh, my God! Linda Forrester shouted, gazing at what appeared to be a 500-foot-high wall of flames from the Park Fire engulfing the only road out of her tiny town of Cohasset in Butte County. Blessed Mother, watch over us, she said, her words captured on a video she took. Have your cloak of blue around us. Shield us from all harm and danger. Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. California fire map & tracker: Latest updates on active fires throughout the state Advertisement Article continues below this ad Linda Forrester prays as she tries to escape her community of Cohasset as the Park Fire rages in Butte County. Courtesy of Linda Forrester As Forrester prayed in her red Ford Bronco and sought to calm her feline co-pilots, firefighters blocked Cohasset Road, the only escape route to Chico to the southwest. The blaze was too big. They turned a string of evacuating cars around, sending them back up the mountain. There were other roads out of town, but Cohasset residents knew all of them were behind gates locked by the largest private landowner in the United States, Sierra Pacific Industries. For years, residents had worried, and complained, about how a fire could trap them in town with no way out and at the mercy of a logging company. The chaos seen in remote towns with limited access in and out has become common during the past several years of devastating infernos, in places such as nearby Paradise, where many of the 85 people who died in 2018s Camp Fire had been stranded due to bottlenecks on one of the only roads out of town. Communities like these have been grappling with how to remedy this dangerous isolation. But progress has often been slow. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I just think this is a problem where we wait for the tragedy. There was talk, talk, talk, but nothing happened, Forrester said in an interview. Nobody gives a s. They just dont want us living in the foothills. Park Fire evacuee Linda Forrester shows the flames from Forest Ranch after driving five hours along logging roads to escape Cohasset (Butte County) on July 25. Courtesy of Linda Forrester The situation became so dire on the night of July 24, as the Park Fire exploded and swept into Cohasset, that firefighters called for National Guard helicopters to prepare for a rescue of residents on upper Cohasset Road. In the end, Sierra Pacific Industries unlocked its gates and had workers escort hundreds of vehicles down a series of windy, dusty logging roads to Highway 32 and safety. But the community of about 400 mostly older retirees was not spared, taking a direct hit from the Park Fire, which as of Friday had destroyed more than 530 structures and was Californias fourth-largest wildfire in recorded history. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cohasset resident Linda Forrester pets Jade at their temporary home at a friends home in Chico. Forrester and her husband were among the roughly 100 residents who escaped from the approaching Park Fire on a gated private dirt road unlocked by logging company Sierra Pacific Industries. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Last Sunday, after the Park Fire moved into Tehama County to the north, Butte County sheriffs deputies escorted Forrester back into Cohasset. She found her house standing, along with a stretch of homes seemingly untouched by fire or ash. But nearly everything else had been ruined, she said, estimating that just a few dozen homes survived. So far, no deaths or injuries have been reported in the area. Still coping with survivors guilt, Forrester, 58, and her husband, Brad, have relocated to Chico, where a former boss has put them up until they can return home. In a series of interviews, Forrester recounted their escape from their home of more than three decades and their frustration that it had come to this. In 2018, Forrester had watched the Camp Fires early progress from her ridge two mountains over. She knew a similar blaze could threaten Cohasset, where the unofficial town motto is: One way in, one way out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cohasset resident Linda Forrester looks through a box of old photos taken from her home while escaping from the Park Fire. The Forresters, with their dog and two cats, are temporarily living at a friends home as they wait to return to their home, one of the few that survived the blaze. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle The Park Fire started just before 3 p.m. on July 24. About two hours later, a friend called Forrester and told her to do two things: Scoop up her animals, and get out. She called her husband as he returned from Chico. They put their cats, Tobias and Meep, in Forresters sport utility vehicle, and their dog, Jade, in her husbands Ford F150, which followed. Halfway down the hill, as Forrester prayed, firefighters swirled their fingers in the air, ordering her to turn around. She recalled thinking, Im gonna die here. The couple returned home, where they fired up a generator and turned on the sprinklers on their roof. At one point, they watched deputies make another attempt to lead cars down Cohasset Road toward Chico, but those vehicles got turned around again due to flames. Flames from the Park Fire block Cohasset Road the escape route from Cohasset to Chico on July 24. Brad Forrester Cohasset residents trapped by the Park Fire on July 24 were forced to caravan down a dark and dusty logging road to escape the blaze. Brad Forrester A firefighter walked up to the Forresters house and instructed the couple and others to drive to radio towers about 4 miles up the mountain. The paved Cohasset Road becomes dirt about halfway there. More than an hour passed after they arrived at the meeting point. Advertisement Article continues below this ad No one knew which way to go, Forrester recalled. Many of her neighbors use shortwave radios during fire season. Thats how theyd learned of the evacuation order. At around 8 p.m., there was a breakthrough. With Sierra Pacific opening gates, 100 to 150 people joined a caravan down a logging road called H-Line, into the creek drainage below, seeking to connect with another road, G-130, which would lead the cars onto Highway 32, with access to Chico. While there was no fire or smoke, the narrow road was pitch-dark, and the vehicles kicked up a fine dust, making visibility even worse. Four or five cars, Forrester said, got stuck off the roads shoulder and had to be abandoned. It was 4 mph, knuckle-gripping driving on a road so dusty you couldnt see, Forrester said. You just didnt want to drive over the cliff, and you just had to have faith in the line of cars that someone knows where they are going. Twenty minutes into the caravan, the vehicles stopped. The word came that they had missed a turn. Each car then had to carefully conduct a 15-point-turnaround on the narrow track and head back up the hill, Forrester said. Forrester eventually spotted a piece of cardboard nailed to a tree, bearing a spray-painted H. It was the H-Line fork in the road. As the convoy continued, firefighters debated how to rescue Cohasset residents who remained on the ridge. Just before 9 p.m., the states Cal Fire agency ordered two National Guard helicopters to head to Cohasset for possible evacuation, according to radio traffic reviewed by the Chronicle. A caravan of vehicles slowly drives on a dark, dusty logging road near Cohasset (Butte County) to escape the Park Fire on July 24. Courtesy of Brad Forrester Ten minutes later, a firefighter in Cohasset radioed Cal Fires command center: Have we got an ETA on SPI (Sierra Pacific Industries) opening the gates for the civilians at the radio towers in Cohasset? A few minutes later, the command center responded: SPI has confirmed these gates are open. The firefighter asked: Do they want to provide someone to lead the civilians down? Around 9:10 p.m., Cal Fires command officer instructed any remaining residents to travel north from Cohasset to Campbellville, where they would meet Sierra Pacific representatives who could lead them out. He said the logging company had already escorted some groups. During that later escort, Butte County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Megan McMann said, about 100 cars traveled into Tehama County and took the H-Line logging road to Highway 32. There was a need to unlock them, McMann said of the gates. And I dont know of a requirement or agreement. These roads arent designed for public use, but they were used during this evacuation and we appreciate the partnership with SPI and the assistance. Sierra Pacific officials did not respond to a request for comment, but a spokesperson told the Chico Enterprise-Record that company employees and contractors had assisted Cohasset-area (residents) in evacuating from the Park Fire, ensuring their safe passage out of the wildfire zone. With wildfires posing significant threats to our communities, and forest, we are grateful to have been able to offer our support. Every summer, the company closes off access to its logging roads. This year, on June 28, Sierra Pacific announced it was locking all its gates across California. SPI considers several wildfire risk factors when closing its lands, including increasing temperatures, dry vegetation, low moisture levels in fuels, and long-range weather forecasts for the region, the company wrote in a news release at the time. The closure will remain in effect until moisture levels and long range weather forecasts improve. However, a report two decades ago by the Big Chico Creek Watershed Alliance concluded that the companys closure of logging roads had more to do with the cost of maintaining them, as residents use the roads for recreational purposes. The report also said increased use would cause erosion and reduce water quality, while prompting illegal hunting and fishing, the dumping of trash and the production of marijuana and methamphetamine. A Chico resident, Doug Laurie, has been lobbying for the roads to remain open for decades, warning in letters to local, state and federal officials that a fire could trap residents. He said he felt no one took him seriously. Im not the only one, and Im not bragging about it, but it was as plain as day, Laurie said. Its what shouldve been done years ago and, after the Camp Fire, how could you not see this coming? Doug Laurie gives a tour of Ponderosa Way, which was once used as a firebreak, on Sept. 29, 2020, in Butte County. Laurie has long been lobbying to revitalize rural escape routes and firebreaks. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle 2020 Four years ago, Laurie took a Chronicle reporter and photographer on a tour of Cohasset Road, highlighting the evacuation dangers. He showed how residents could, in theory, take Cohasset Road north. The problem is that the route turns into a dirt road called Ponderosa Way made impassable by massive potholes or bathtubs, as the locals call them. Laurie had lost his home in Paradise to the Camp Fire, which left him with respiratory problems that he battles to this day. He said relying on a private company to escort residents out during an emergency should not be acceptable. Aboneaza-te la rubricile dorite si primeste zilnic notificari pe email cu link-uri la articolele care au fost adaugate in ultimele 24 de ore. Notificarile vor fi expediate la adresa indicata mai jos. Daca doresti sa schimbi adresa - o poti modifica editand informatia de profil aici. Background UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Unit/Project Background The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its new Country Strategic Note 2023-2027, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova (2023-2027), UN Women Global Strategic Plan, National Programs and Strategies and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on four main areas: 1) Ending Violence against Women; 2) Womens Leadership and Governance; 3) Womens Economic empowerment and 4) Humanitarian and Peace development nexus and UN Coordination on Gender equality. The announced internship position is part of the 6th edition of the UN Diversity Internship Program for persons belonging to marginalized groups. It comes as a measure to enable people belonging to groups vulnerable to discrimination to get the necessary skills to further defend and promote their own rights, and to contribute to UN Women work, specifically under the area of Humanitarian Response, Ending Violence against Women. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UN Women Project Coordinator, the intern is supposed to assist on a part-time basis in daily implementation of the tasks, presented below. The intern shall work up to 45 days within the period mentioned above, up to 16 hours per week, with flexible arrangements. Description of Responsibilities Provide logistical support in organizing events, including by preparing and distributing event invitations and receiving event confirmations, etc; Catalogue, gather and systematize various information within the area, including by using Excel and other relevant tools; Provide assistance with communication with partners (developing invitations and keep tracking confirmations); Support communication actions under the area (prepare posts for social media etc), including design of knowledge products; Provide assistance with translations of texts (Ro-Ru/Ru-Ro). English is an asset; Other duties as assigned by Supervisors. Learning objectives for the internship in this area: Learn about UN Women mandate globally and at country level, more specifically in the Humanitarian response and EVAW field Learn about main stakeholders active in the area Learn more on gender equality, humanitarian response and EVAW field Competencies Core Values: Respect for Diversity Integrity Professionalism Core Competencies: Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues Accountability Creative Problem Solving Effective Communication Inclusive Collaboration Stakeholder Engagement Leading by Example Please visit this link for more information on UN Womens Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values Functional Competencies: Some knowledge and/or strong interest in gender equality and women's rights issues; Good verbal and written communication skills; Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with peers, colleagues; Experience of using computers and Microsoft Office 365 software; Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct. Demonstrate willing to learn and share knowledge. Take charge of self-development and take initiative. Qualifications Education: University studies in one of the following disciplines: law, human rights, sociology, gender studies, public relations, development studies and/or other relevant subjects is required. Meet one of the following: Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a two-year period of graduation; or Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program which is part of a degree programme and undertake the internship as part of the program requirements. Language: Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English are required; Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage. Renumeration: Interns who are not in receipt of financial support from other sources such as universities or other institutions will receive a stipend from UN Women to partially subsidize their basic living costs for the duration of the internship. Who can apply for the internship? This internship position seeks to target persons belonging to marginalized groups, who are underrepresented at the national labor market and particularly: women and men with diverse gender identities, persons with disabilities, people living with HIV, LGBTQI people, ethno-linguistic, cultural and religious minorities, refugees, migrants, other marginalized groups. Application Information: All interested candidates from marginalized groups, including but not limited to persons with disabilities; ethnic, linguistic, or religious minorities, including ethnic Gagauzians, Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Roma, Jews, Muslims, and people of African descent; people living with HIV; religious minorities; LGBTQI+, shall have the following basic application package for further online submission via links provided below: Letter of motivation / intention, explaining why the applicant seeks this internship position and how it can help them build further their career and/or advance personal development objectives. In the letter, the applicant shall refer to their affiliation to a particular marginalized group and any eventual difficulties encountered in employment or studies because of the specific affiliation; All applicants must submit a completed and signed https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form-en.doc with their application. Reference Letter from non-governmental organizations representing the interests of people from marginalized communities (is much appreciated, if possible, to be presented). Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment. Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Due to the high volume of applications received, UN Women can ONLY contact successful candidates. The successful candidate will be required to provide proof of enrollment in a valid health insurance plan at the duty station of the internship, proof of school enrollment or degree, a scanned copy of their passport/national ID and a copy of a valid visa (as applicable). Interested candidates are invited to submit their online applications by 11 August 2024 to UN WOMEN Jobs - 116507- Internship within Humanitarian Response and EVAW a (undp.org) . Note: In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment. At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need. If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Womens policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.) The National Churches Trust, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons A religious charity has announced that Huw Edwards is no longer its vice president after the Welsh broadcaster was charged with making indecent images of children. Edwards was arrested in November last year and charged last month with the offences, which took place between December 2020 and April 2022. The National Churches Trust said it was shocked and saddened by reports this week of Edwards being charged and confirmed that he was no longer one of its 28 vice presidents. Edwards had been an unpaid, voluntary vice president of the charity, whose patron is King Charles and which supports church buildings with maintenance and repairs, since 2013. It said in a statement updated on Monday : In light of the news this afternoon, the National Churches Trust has confirmed that Huw Edwards is no longer a vice president for the charity. We are shocked and saddened by the recent developments. Edwards appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today and pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. A Met Police spokesperson said: Huw Edwards, 62, of Southwark, London has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children following a Met Police investigation. The offences, which are alleged to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022, relate to images shared on a WhatsApp chat. Edwards was arrested on 8 November 2023. He was charged on Wednesday, 26 June following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. On Monday evening, at twelve minutes past 9pm local time in Chicago, the National Association of Black Journalists sent out an email, marked with a red square in the subject line to help it stand out in inboxes, informing the general membership that its annual convention would have a special guest speaker on Wednesday at noon: Donald Trump. My reaction was, Wait, this cant be real. This has to be a joke, Femi Redwood, NABJs LGBTQ+ task force chair, told CJR. She has since been fielding messages from members of the task force expressing their confusion and dismay. On Tuesday, the reaction spread quickly. Karen Attiah, a Washington Post columnist, announced on X that she was stepping down as this years NABJ conference co-chair. To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck, she posted. Others took a different view. Some of the best journalists in the country are members of NABJ. So, why wouldnt they interview Trump? Seems like the journalists complaining dont understand their jobs are to actually ask the questions, wrote Symone D. Sanders Townsend, cohost of the MSNBC show The Weekend. NABJ didnt platform Trump. The voters in the Republican primary did. As journalists we can never be afraid to tackle Trump, journalist Jemele Hill said, also on X. In a separate posting she added: I do think we might overestimate how much people know about what he plans to do in office. These defenses of Trumps attendance missed a larger point, said Ernest Owens, a journalist and president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. In the past, he pointed out, NABJ has been critical of Trumps treatment of Black journalists and the press and has given a thumbs down award to Fox News. As an advocacy organization, you dont have to act like a newsroom, you can take a stance, Owens told CJR. For them to now weaponize journalism ethics to defend this circus, as an advocacy organization that does not have to do this, is irresponsible and intellectually dishonest. Sign up for CJRs daily email I fully understand that journalists interview vile people as part of the job, but a conference is not intended to be a regular day on the job, wrote Jenee Desmond-Harris, a writer and editor at Slate. Youre not there for your beat. It was always billed to me as a family reunion, Redwood said of the annual conference. Its the place you can come where you dont have to explain certain things you have to explain in a newsroom. She said the gathering has always striven to be a safe space for Black journalists to develop skills, meet hiring managers, and expand their networks. The question I would ask the organization is, How does this align with any of those things? she said. Many others voiced their discontent online. April Ryan, The Grios White House correspondent and an MSNBC contributor, posted, To have a presumed orchestrated session with the former president is an affront to what this organization stands for and a slap in the face to the Black women journalists (NABJ journalists of the year) who had to protect themselves from the wrath of this Republican presidential nominee. Keith Boykin, an author and former White House aide, shared a video to X that included moments in which Trump insulted various Black journalists. The former president can be seen calling journalist April Ryan a loser, describing Don Lemon as the stupidest man on television, and accusing Yamiche Alcindor of asking racist questions. Boykin wondered whether the panel would ask Trump about these momentsand accused one of the journalists interviewing Trump, Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner, of being in the tank for Trump. Faulkner will moderate alongside ABC News congressional correspondent Rachel Scott and Semafor political reporter Kadia Goba. NABJ president Ken Lemon released a statement on Monday after the announcement: While NABJ does not endorse political candidates as a journalism organization, we understand the serious work of our members, and welcome the opportunity for them to ask the tough questions that will provide the truthful answers Black Americans want and need to know. Owens feels that the NABJ was merely seeking spectacle. There is this very messy opportunityone Trump, desperate to try to get in the face of Black people, and [the other] NABJ, thirsty for some level of relevanceand so the two interests kind of, in a very weird, bizarre way, align, he said. Update: On Wednesday morning, the NABJ announced that Vice President Kamala Harris will provide a virtual address post-convention. Lemon said in a statement that Harris campaign initially could not accommodate an in person or virtual appearance at the conference and that NABJ was in contact with her team even before Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Feven Merid is CJRs staff writer and Senior Delacorte Fellow. A record number of applicants, 166,706, were admitted to the University of California. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle A record number of applicants to the University of California about two-thirds of all hopefuls received the good news that at least one campus will have a spot for them this fall if they want it, the UC announced Wednesday. The elite public university system admitted more applicants than ever before this year, some 166,706 freshman and transfer students from California and beyond, though not all are expected to accept the offer. Thats about 8,000 more than last year, an increase of 5%. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The new pool of admitted freshmen is mostly from California, 68%, and includes the highest portion ever of students from underrepresented minorities at 45.4%. Thats up by nearly 3,000 students from last year, or about 1%, with more offers to Black, Latino, transfer and first-generation students, according to the new admissions report. These admissions numbers demonstrate the University of Californias commitment to expanding opportunity and access, especially for historically underrepresented groups, who comprise the largest-ever share of first-year students, UC President Michael Drake said in a news release. The number of Black students admitted to UC campuses has climbed significantly since 2015, by 87%, but the actual numbers remain low, hovering around 8,000 students admitted across all 10 campuses, or 5% of the pool. One of the biggest college stories of the year has been the FAFSA crisis involving major glitches in the rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid that has led to fears of an enrollment plunge, particularly in California, as financial aid notices arrived late or not at all. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Despite the federal debacle, the UC said Wednesday that it was at least able to admit a slightly higher portion of students who qualify for federal aid those from low-income families than it had expected. This year, 41% of the admitted class qualified for aid, compared with around 40% last year. The UC also noted an apparent recovery in the number of applications from transfer students, which had fallen during the pandemic. This allowed the university to increase its admission offers to people coming from community colleges by nearly 8%, an increase of more than 1,900 offers to 26,430 students. During much of the teens, UC campuses admitted growing numbers of out-of-state students, whose tuition is not subsidized by taxpayers and who therefore pay about triple the price. After an outcry, the UC regents capped nonresident enrollment at whatever campuses had in the 2017-18 academic year, which ranged from around 18% to 24%. The new figures show a 4% increase in the number of California freshmen admitted to UC since last year: nearly 94,000, up from about 90,000. The admission rate for in-state students applying to become freshmen is 70% this year, up from 68% last year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad By contrast, the admission rate for nonresident freshmen is 59% this year, up from 55% last year. In all, UC admitted 43,280 nonresident freshmen to enroll. Here are some highlights from the report: UC Berkeley admitted 19,155 applicants this year fewer than any other campus. UC Santa Cruz admitted the most, with 54,381 offers. UC San Diego admitted the most transfer students at 12,298. UC Merced admitted the fewest at just 2,352. Across all campuses, UC admitted 5,500 Black freshmen, up 5% from last years 4,855. 41% of California freshmen admitted, 38,230 students, come from families earning below $70,000. 43% of California freshmen admitted, 40,523, would be the first in their family to attend college. Nearly 39% of California freshmen admitted are Latinos, or 36,280 students. Thats a 7% increase from last year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad CLEVELAND, Ohio --Photographers Amber N. Ford and Barbara Bosworth and composer Clint Needham will be recognized by the prestigious Cleveland Arts Prize, which honors outstanding artistic talent and significant contributions to the arts community in Northeast Ohio. Artful Cleveland founder Shannon Morris, CityMusic Cleveland founders Dr. Ronald and Eugenia Strauss and Ellen Stirn Mavec, president and chairman of The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation, will also be recognized by separate special awards. In 2024, the Cleveland Arts Prize organization received 178 applications. Jurors awarded three official Discipline prizes as well as three special prizes. Discipline prize winners receive $10,000. Jurors for the contest are artists, community leaders, and past winners. Despite the lack of funding forcing us to reduce the number of prizes this year from five to three prizes, the dedication and passion of our artists continue to inspire us all, said Aseelah Shareef, board co-chair of the Cleveland Arts Prize. The 2024 Discipline winners are Emerging Arts: Amber N. Ford, Visual Arts. Ford is a freelance photographer based in Cleveland whose work has been exhibited at the FRONT Triennial, MoCa Cleveland and the Kent State University Museum. Ford received the Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award in 2017. Her photo journalism has appeared in the New York Times and Washington Post and she has served as Artist-in-Residence at both the Gordon Square Arts District and MoCa. Mid-Career: Clint Needham, Music. Needham is a composer whose work blends popular styles such as grunge, ska and hip-hop with orchestral music. His work has been described as wildly entertaining and brilliantly orchestrated by the New York Times. It has been performed by leading orchestras across the United States. Neeham is Composer in Residence and professor fo composition at the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music. Lifetime Achievement: Barbara Bosworth, Visual Arts. Bosworth is an acclaimed photographer who was born in Cleveland and raised in Novelty, Ohio. Her work is often inspired by the landscapes of her childhood and the interplay between people and their environment. She had a recent solo exhibition, Barbara Bosworth: Sun Light Moon Shadow at the Cleveland Museum of Art that coincided with the 2024 solar eclipse. She has also exhibited at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. She is professor emeritus of photography at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Special, honorary prizes go to: Robert P. Bergman Prize: Shannon Morris, founding executive director, Artful Cleveland. The non-profit group, located in the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Building, offers affordable studio space and various educational programs and services to artists in Northeast Ohio. Martha Joseph Prize for Distinguished Service to the Arts: Dr. Ronald and Eugenia Strauss, founders, CityMusic. The Strausses are promiment figures in the local arts community and founded CityMusic in 2004. The group offers free concerts across Northeast Ohio, presents a schedule that mixes top-tier classical performances with arts education initiatives like the Clurie Bennis Childrens Outreach Series, which provides interactive arts programs in underserved Cleveland neighborhoods. Barbara Robinson Prize for the Advancement of the Arts: Ellen Stirn Mavec, president and chairman of The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation. A well-known arts advocate in Cleveland, Mavec has served a board chair of the Cleveland Museum of Art since 2022 and as a trustee since 1991 Winners will be celebrated at an Annual Awards Event at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, October 24, at Cuyahoga Community College East Campus. Tickets are available at www.clevelandartsprize.org. General admission is $75. Event attendees will see performances by past winners including Tony Award-winning actress, performer and composer Alice Ripley (2019); choreography by Heinz Poll (1995), performed by Ohio Contemporary Ballet and original music by 2024 Verge Fellowship winner TJ Maclin. Founded in 1960, the Cleveland Arts Prize is the nations oldest municipal arts award. Over the years it has celebrated 400 artists and supported the creative community in Northeast Ohio. Send dining, drinking and culture story ideas to Paris Wolfe at pwolfe@cleveland.com. Review her previous stories here. Follow Paris Wolfe on Instagram @pariswolfe. COLUMBUS, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has said Ohio needs to change how it handles redistricting. He announced Wednesday he opposes the citizen-initiated redistricting-reform amendment that voters will decide this November. DeWine, who joined with fellow Republicans to install maps earlier this decade that the Ohio Supreme Court deemed unconstitutionally gerrymandered in favor of the GOP, admonished the existing system for drawing state legislative and congressional districts and said politics needs to be removed from the process. PARIS, France Northeast Ohio has another Olympian in position to head back to The States with a medal. Marcus Christopher, a Canton resident, will compete in the mens BMX Freestyle finals today - Wednesday, July 31 at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. The event is available on multiple streaming services for free. The mens BMX freestyle finals are scheduled at 8:44 a.m. Eastern. (2:44 p.m. Central European Summer Time) and will broadcast live on USA Network. You can see Christopher go for the gold for free by utilizing free trials from FuboTV and DirecTV Stream, or you can check out promotional offers from Sling TV. The event will also stream on Peacock, which offers a premium monthly subscription for $7.99/month or a premium annual subscription for $79.99/year, where you can save 17% off in one payment. Christopher, who was born in Hartville, Ohio, qualified for the finals with the second-best score in the competition on Tuesday, earning 89.48 points. Fellow American Justin Dowell nabbed fourth with 89.07 points while Britains Kieran Reilly took the top qualifying mark with 91.68 points. There will be nine competitors in the finale as they navigate two final runs at the park. The Lake High School grad tallied 90.10 points in the first run, followed by an 88.87 in the second. The journey has been an arduous one for the American. He overcame a broken jaw and cheekbone at X Games 2023 to qualify for Paris. Now, he is one event away from his first medal at the Summer Olympics. BMX freestyle riding made its competitive debut in Tokyo at the 2020 games. Who is competing in the mens BMX Freestyle finals? Ernest Zebolds - Latvia Gustavo de Oliveira - Brazil Jose Torres Gil - Argentina Rim Nakamura - Japan Anthony Jean Jean - France Justin Dowell - United States Logan Martin - Australia Marcus Christopher - United States Kieran Reilly - Great Britain Heres more information on how to watch Marcus Christopher today at the Olympics. Heres more information on Christophers strong showing in qualifying on Tuesday from writer Ed Klajman, special to cleveland.com. PARIS Marcus Christophers goal of taking home an Olympic medal is well within sight, after qualifying second in BMX Freestyle, with the final set for Wednesday night. The Lake High School grad scored 90.10 on his first run, followed by 88.87 on his second, for an average of 89.48. I feel great right now, I landed two runs, said the 21-year-old. It (the course) is big with a lot of ramps. I was a little nervous with the heat, because I dont do good in the heat. But I hydrated a lot, and I felt better than I thought I was going to feel at the end of my run. So, Im ready to go for tomorrow, hopefully land a run and get a medal. Thats the plan. Bring it on. Christopher, whose father Matt was a linebacker at Ohio State, added that he expects to bring his performance up to a whole new level in the final. My whole runs going to be all different tricks, pretty much, he said. Its all according to a plan. I might switch a trick here and there on the fly (if I need to), but its mainly all a plan. Christophers score was only surpassed by the 91.21 registered by British rival Kieran Reilly, who will be very tough to beat, the American insisted. He killed it (today). Hes been killing it these past few years and hes looking good. Christoper started riding a bike when he was four years old, tried freestyle when he was nine, and turned professional at 13. He finished ranked in the top four in the world in both 2022 and 2023, and earlier this season won a gold medal in at the X Games in California, with a score of 95.66, nearly five points ahead of second place. That came after suffering a broken jaw and cheekbone, requiring multiple plates and screws, when appearing in the X Games one year earlier. He took second place at the Olympic Qualifier Series in Budapest this spring to qualify for Paris, scoring 92.98 in that competition. University of California President Michael Drake, shown at a Board of Regents meeting in San Francisco on July 17, said Wednesday that he will step down next summer after five years at UCs helm. Thomas Sawano/The Chronicle University of California President Michael Drake announced Wednesday that he will step down next summer after five years at UCs helm. Drake, UCs first Black president and the first eye doctor to hold the top job, has led the university system with 10 campuses, 280,000 students, six medical centers and three national laboratories since July 2020. Read also: UC president vows to enforce rules banning encampments in wake of Gaza protests Advertisement Article continues below this ad In an open letter to employees, Drake, 74, said he plans to take a sabbatical before returning to a faculty position. As a professor of ophthalmology, he teaches at UCSF School of Medicine, and at the medical schools at UC Riverside and UC Irvine. At every turn, I have sought to listen to those I served, to uphold our shared UC values, and to do all I could to leave this institution in better shape than it was before, Drake said in a separate statement to the public. Gov. Gavin Newsom praised Drake for expanding access to the UC system and for leading the university with grace and vision since taking the helm as the pandemic gathered force in 2020. Its been an honor to work alongside him, Newsom said. UCs first Black president and the first eye doctor to hold the top job, Michael Drake has led the university system with 10 campuses, 280,000 students, six medical centers and three national laboratories since July 2020. Susan Walsh/Associated Press Drakes pending departure is the latest in a series of high-profile retirements among the heads of major California academic institutions: UC Berkeleys Chancellor Carol Christ retired last month and was succeeded by Richard Lyons, its chief innovation officer and former business school dean; Stanfords President Marc Tessier-Lavigne resigned a year ago after a campus investigation confirmed the findings of a student journalist who uncovered flaws in scholarly papers he co-authored, and Jonathan Levin, dean of Stanfords School of Business, will become the new president on Thursday; and at UCLA, Gene Blocks last day as chancellor was Wednesday. Julio Frenk, president of the University of Miami, will take his place. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In announcing Drakes departure, UC noted his many achievements, which may be unfamiliar to UC watchers paying closer attention to their favored campuses than the university systems central offices in Oakland. The university credited Drakes role in creating the UC Native American Opportunity Plan, which pays in-state tuition and fees for Native Calfornians, and for expanding enrollment of underrepresented student groups, who are 32% of undergraduate enrollment. When Drake arrived, Black, Native, Latino and Pacific Islanders comprised less than 30% of undergraduate enrollment, UC data shows. The Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and Israels subsequent war in Gaza prompted student protests, ideological anger on campuses, and, at UCLA, UC Irvine and UC San Diego, violence and arrests of student protesters this spring. All of it has created unrivaled leadership challenges for campuses and for Drake. On Wednesday, UC credited Drake with helping to calm the system by creating a university-wide Office of Civil Rights and, in past years, a comprehensive safety plan. Drake had served for six years as president of Ohio State University before heading UC, where he had spent most of his career including as chancellor of UC Irvine. Drake was a UCSF faculty member for more than 25 years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2022 and early 2023, vandals targeted Drakes Berkeley home, leaping over a $341,000 security fence, smashing windows and painting racist graffiti that referenced the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. UC never released the results of its hate-crimes investigation. But the regents refused a proposal to spend $13 million on a different home for Drake in nearby Piedmont and move him there. On Wednesday, Janet Reilly, chair of the UC Board of Regents, expressed appreciation for Drake and said he will leave a lasting impact and an inspiring legacy on this institution. Reilly said that UC will conduct a national search for a new president. Future water supplies to Lake Oroville and other state-run reservoirs are expected to be significantly diminished by climate change. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle 2021 Californias state-run reservoirs, which include giant Lake Oroville, are on track to collect and store up to 23% less water in two decades because of climate change, according to a report by state water officials. Such a dip in supplies would have a harrowing effect on cities and towns served by the State Water Project, which collectively provides at least some water to 27 million Californians, including many in the Bay Area. Numerous communities would be forced to ration supplies while scrambling to find new sources of water. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The projections released Wednesday, made by the Department of Water Resources and reviewed by independent scientists, are even bleaker than estimates in the prior Water Delivery Report two years ago. The projected decline then was 9% in 20 years, compared with the new estimate of 13% to 23% less water in 2043. State officials blame the increasingly severe impacts of climate change and better modeling for the diminished water outlook, notably higher temperatures and longer dry periods. They say California must expedite preparations for its drier future, even if the actions are expensive and controversial. Water is fundamental to the state and to do all the things that are important to us, State Water Project Deputy Director John Yarbrough told the Chronicle. This (new) report really shows theres a problem if we do nothing. Water agencies that rely on the State Water Project for at least some of their supplies include the Alameda County Water District, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Tri-Valleys Zone 7 Water Agency and Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The city of San Francisco and its wholesale customers as well as the East Bay Municipal Utility District do not receive state water, though their supplies face some of the same climate issues. The State Water Project also provides water for irrigation on 750,000 acres of farmland. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The State Water Project consists of several big reservoirs that send water through hundreds of miles of canals and aqueducts from wetter regions of the state to drier areas. The system was launched in the 1960s, sharing some of the same infrastructure as the federal governments Central Valley Project, and has long been celebrated as the nations most productive state waterworks. With the changing climate, however, state reservoirs have not filled as consistently as in the past, a trend officials expect to worsen. Specifically, mountain snow that historically melted through summer and kept reservoirs full after winter rains has dwindled. Also, while total precipitation may not change much in the future, rain is coming in shorter, more intense bouts, making it harder to capture the water given the limited reservoir capacity. We need to continue to adapt and invest in the State Water Project, so that we can add flexibility and resilience for 21st century conditions, Yarbrough said. Under Gov. Gavin Newsom, the state has pursued an all-of-the-above approach to boosting water supplies. Some of the preferred projects are not only costly, meaning theyd probably raise household water rates, but unpopular, often because they involve taking large amounts of water from rivers and creeks where fish and wildlife are already struggling with low flows. The most controversial proposal is the planned 45-mile tunnel beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The $20.1 billion project seeks to safeguard the states water shipments through the delta, which have been reduced in recent years because of ecological and infrastructure issues in the region. Delta communities view the tunnel as a water grab. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There are also plans to build what would be Californias largest new reservoir in decades. The proposed $4.5 billion Sites Reservoir, about 70 miles north of Sacramento, would capture water from the Sacramento River when flows are high. It is planned as an off-stream facility, meaning it wouldnt store water on the river and require an environmentally destructive dam, though critics say there isnt enough water in the river to take. Both projects are cited in the new report as essential for dealing with Californias water future. Desalination and groundwater storage are among other proposed actions. The analysis released today underscores the need to modernize and upgrade our aging infrastructure, Karla Nemeth, director of the Department of Water Resources, said in a statement. Xi congratulates Maduro on reelection in Venezuela 10:53, July 31, 2024 By Zhang Yunbi ( China Daily President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message on Tuesday to Nicolas Maduro on his reelection as president of Venezuela, saying that China will always firmly support the nation's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty, national dignity, and social stability. Since Maduro took office, he has led the Venezuelan government and people in advancing on a development path suited to the country's national conditions, and "has made remarkable achievements in the cause of building the country", Xi said in the congratulatory message. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Venezuela diplomatic relations. Xi said the two countries are "good friends with mutual trust and good partners in seeking common development", adding that China will steadfastly support Venezuela's just cause of opposing external interference. "I attach great importance to the development of China-Venezuela relations and am ready to work with Mr President to continue to lead the China-Venezuela all-weather strategic partnership to new heights for the betterment of the two peoples," he said. On Monday, the National Electoral Council of Venezuela proclaimed Maduro as president-elect for the 2025-31 term, Xinhua News Agency reported. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chaolan) A peregrine falcon lands in a nest on granite cliffs in Yosemite National Park, where the species has made a significant comeback, according to new census numbers. Courtesy of Peggy Sells A peregrine falcon and its babies are seen in a nest in Yosemite National Park. Courtesy of Julie Miller Peregrine falcons, once an endangered species, have made a huge comeback in Yosemite National Park with an assist from rock climbers, according to census numbers released by the Yosemite Conservancy on Wednesday. The tally of birds, completed this spring, revealed that the number of breeding pairs in the park has doubled since a concerted effort to protect the species was started by the National Park Service 15 years ago. For the survey, naturalists surveyed 43 cliff sites ranging from the climbing wall of El Capitan to Yosemite Fall to Glacier Point to the high country. In all, 17 peregrine breeding pairs were documented up from eight in 2009 when the Peregrine Falcon Protection Program was started along with 25 chicks and 15 nests. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This brings the total to 51 cumulative nests observed year to year since 2009, with a total of 385 chicks hatched during that period. Peregrine falcons and rock climbers like the same terrain, so a major reason for the success of the program has been the closure of climbing routes during breeding season. The routes have been routinely closed in March and reopened in July once the chicks have left their nests. During the closures, buffer zones have been created to prevent helicopter flyovers from disturbing the nests. The climbers have been cooperative in the program, which has been funded by $452,000 in donations from members of the Yosemite Conservancy, the nonprofit that protects the park. A juvenile peregrine falcon appears in flight in Yosemite National Park. Courtesy of James McGrew According to conservancy president Frank Dean, the peregrines turnaround is one of the top success stories in the long existence of the San Francisco conservancy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Peregrines are at the top of the food chain and the most susceptible to contamination, he said on Wednesday. So to have them bounce back to this degree is a sign of the health of the entire Yosemite ecosystem. The peregrine is known for its white breast, yellow eyes and sharp beak. Its 40-inch wingspan allows it to glide and then swoop on its prey, traveling as fast as 200 mph to snag birds and bats midair. Once prevalent in the U.S., peregrine falcons plummeted in number after World War II because of the widespread use of the pesticide DDT. The bird was designated as a federal endangered species in 1970 and a California endangered species in 1971, and DDT was banned in the U.S. in 1972. Peregrines were not seen in Yosemite for 36 years before rock climbers discovered a pair in 1978. Since then, they have made a slow comeback, aided largely by the rock climbers who rediscovered the peregrines and continue to share their terrain. We dont share the air part, just the rock, said Ken Yager of the Yosemite Climbing Association. Hes been within inches of peregrines and has had mating pairs swoop at him while he removed eggs from a nest to be taken to a laboratory where they might survive. Live chicks were always switched out for the eggs, a service only climbers could provide. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It's not uncommon for narcissists to end up in leadership positions. Exaggerating your accomplishments, belief that you deserve power, and overconfidence are all generally rewarded in the workplace and associated with narcissism. Ironically, what gets someone with narcissistic tendencies into a managing role is also what makes them an ineffectual leader, says Amy Edmondson, a Harvard Business School professor who researches psychological safety in the workplace. "The essence of being a narcissist is that you're about yourself, you're for yourself, and you're less others-oriented," she says. "People who are in a position with a desire to lead others, they need to be others-oriented. That starts with self-awareness." Here are three signs you're working for a narcissist. 1. They claim all credit and deflect blame "Narcissistic bosses are likely to take credit for things that go well and to dodge blame for things that don't or, more specifically, overtly blame others or external circumstances for things that don't go well," Edmondson says. Sometimes their inability to give credit is masked by blanketed praise. "You notice they might be thanking the team but not in a specific way and it doesn't take long to realize that they are all about themselves," Edmondson says. They are also threatened by employees who succeed, Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles who focuses on narcissistic and antagonistic personality types, told CNBC Make It. This makes them even more unlikely to praise their direct reports. "Narcissistic bosses are talent hoarders," Durvasula says. "When a narcissistic boss has someone really talented work for them, instead of helping them get opportunities, they aren't only threatened by the talent but they want the employee to make them look good." Narcissistic bosses are likely to take credit for things that go well and to dodge blame for things that don't. Amy Edmondson Professor at Harvard Business School 2. They don't listen A good manager communicates often and clearly, but just because a boss is talking a lot doesn't mean it's for the benefit of the team. "It's natural that they should be doing a lot of explaining and teaching and clarifying goals, but it's unhealthy and a sign of narcissism if they are doing all the talking which comes at the expense of listening," Edmondson says. A good manager knows there is value in what others, even those who are below them, have to say. Because a narcissist is trapped in the idea that only their thoughts are important, listening to others is burdensome to them. "They do not appear to be listening and learning," Edmondson says. "Their thinking isn't visibly being altered by what others are saying." 3. They constantly demand admiration Praise for a colleague feels threatening to a narcissist, and they are often envious of another's success or acknowledgment. "If someone on your team is doing great work, it seems natural to me to be appreciative," Edmondson says. "If I praise you, it makes me look good and, if I'm your boss, it makes me look even better. Narcissists don't see it this way. It's a lost opportunity." Admiration of or respect for another person is upsetting to them, even if that person could potentially make them look like a better manager. How to cope with a narcissistic boss Starbucks served up better-than-feared quarterly results Tuesday night, sending shares of the coffee giant higher in extended trading. The company is by no means out of the woods yet, but the encouraging market reaction supports our recent decision to upgrade and buy the stock. Revenue fell 0.6% year over year to $9.11 billion in the fiscal 2024 third quarter, missing the $9.24 billion expected by analysts, according to LSEG. Adjusted earnings per share of 93 cents fell 6% year over year, matching estimates, LSEG data showed. Starbucks Why we own it : Starbucks has one of the most recognizable brands of any restaurant. But over the last few years, operations have been challenged by store inefficiencies and a slow recovery in China. In late July, we upgraded our rating to a buy-it-here 1 after learning that activist firm Elliott Management took a stake in the coffee giant. We're big fans of Elliott Management's work and believe its presence should lead to much-needed changes. Competitors : Dutch Bros , McDonalds and Dunkin' Donuts Most recent buy : July 29, 2024 Initiated : August 2022 Bottom line Starbucks' quarter wasn't a great one, but expectations were low after the previous quarter , a debacle that led to a 16% plunge the next day. The two most important things Starbucks needed to do this time were show signs of improvement in North America and maintain its outlook. It delivered on both with slightly better sales and small margin compression in its largest region, while the full-year outlook was reiterated. The management team also made the case that its strategic initiatives will turn around operations, citing some early success it has had in the stores and on the app. What Starbucks delivered Tuesday resembled McDonald's quarter on Monday. Like Starbucks, McDonald's has had a challenging 2024 and the company reported uninspiring results missing on revenues, same-store sales, and earnings per share. And yet, the stock rallied on Monday and added to those gains on Tuesday because sentiment in these global restaurant stocks was washed out. When we saw McDonald's rally on "bad news," we took it as a sign to add to our Starbucks position on the expectation that it would also trade higher on less-bad news. When stocks stop going down on bad news, a bottom could be in the works. And that seems to be playing out Tuesday as Starbucks shares are up roughly 4% in after-hours trading. Now, of course, that means Starbucks needs to start delivering good news after this quarter. While there is still a long way to go, we are encouraged by some of the early results. We'd still like to see pricing come down to spur more traffic at stores. But if there is an operations setback in any form, we expect Elliott Management to apply pressure and be a positive force of change. Analysts at Citi said last week that Elliott's presence provides a near term floor for shares. We agreed, which is why we upgraded our rating to a 1 the Monday after that news broke. Looking forward, we reiterate that 1 rating and maintain our $90 price target. Quarterly commentary Comparable store sales in North America a key restaurant industry metric fell 2%, slightly beating estimates of a 2.2% drop forecasted by Wall Street analysts, according to FactSet. Usually, a negative comp is nothing to cheer about. But in this case, it's a sign of progress after Starbucks posted a 3% drop in the previous quarter. The negative 2% comps were driven by a 6% decline in transactions, another improvement from last quarter's negative 7% result, partially offset by a 3% increase in ticket. Importantly, CEO Laxman Narasimhan said the U.S. business is seeing "green shoots" from the three-part action plan unveiled last quarter. The plan's goals are to meet and unlock capacity for new demand, attract new customers and drive transaction growth from new products, and reach new customers by improving the Starbucks experience. One of the keys to management's program was the Phase 1 rollout of the Siren Craft System , which is designed to enhance processes in stores. The company saw incremental improvements across key performance, throughput, efficiency and reliability metrics in the 1,200 stores that adopted the system, prompting management to fully deploy this system across its entire U.S. operated store portfolio this week. This is good news. We never understood why the company would be so slow rolling this out. We're also pleased to see the company increase its active U.S. Starbucks Rewards memberships. After falling sequentially last quarter to 32.8 million, the company's marketing programs led to active membership growing to 33.8 million during the quarter. In Starbucks' international segment, comparable store sales fell 7%, missing estimates of a 5.1% decline. This should hardly be a surprise due to pressures in China, which posted a 14% decline in comparable store sales, worse than the negative 6.7% consensus estimate on FactSet and the 11% drop in the prior quarter. The Chinese market remains plagued by a cautious consumer and intense competition leading to price wars, but management said there was progress quarter over quarter in key areas like average daily transactions, weekly sales and operating margin. Starbucks' commitment to China is unwavering, but Narasimhan did say on the call that it is in the early stages of exploring strategic partnerships that could benefit its competitive positioning. Management also cited weakness in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe, which it said was driven by misperceptions about its brand. Lastly, Narasimhan confirmed the activist firm Elliott Management has taken a stake and are engaged in talks, which he described as "constructive." Guidance Last quarter's significant cut to the outlook gave management enough breathing room to operate within its new expectations. The headline figures are total global revenue growth in the low single digits and adjusted EPS growth that is flat to up in the low single digits. The current consensus forecast on FactSet calls for total sales increasing about 2% year over year and adjusted EPS up 1% year over year. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long SBUX. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. A Starbucks store stands in Manhattan on January 30, 2024 in New York City. Spencer Platt | Getty Images U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Tuesday warned the 10 largest U.S. airlines they must comply with new passenger refund obligations passed by Congress in May, rejecting an industry request for more time. Buttigieg said in letters to airline CEOs that they must follow the new refund provisions taking a hard line with the industry. "The law did not provide for extensions or delays. Accordingly, we will be taking all appropriate steps to responsibly enforce these provisions using our investigative and enforcement powers," Buttigieg said. Airlines for America, an industry trade group representing Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and others, on July 3 had sought additional time on a number of provisions. The group said "the new technology solutions necessary to comply with these requirements will necessitate thorough development, testing and refinement before successful deployment." The group did not immediately comment on Buttigieg's letter. The DOT announcement came a day after the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals blocked new DOT airline fee disclosure rules from taking effect in October. A4A warned that giving automatic refunds if consumers do not respond to an offer of alternative transportation and the flight departs without that passenger could "negatively impact many consumers" and leave them without a new flight. "Airlines must clearly and proactively inform passengers of their right to a refund whenever their flight is canceled or significantly changed," Buttigieg said. "Cash refunds - not vouchers or credits - must be automatic for passengers when they are owed." The issue has gained new attention after a software update by global cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike triggered system problems for Microsoft customers including airlines on July 19. Delta suffered widespread woes for six days, resulting in more than 6,000 flight cancellations, impacting more than 500,000 passengers and prompting DOT to open an investigation. Congress in May required airlines to take a number of immediate steps including make credits good for five years. A4A said most airlines said "they do not have the technological means to issue and support vouchers and flight credits with a minimum travel validity period of five years" and many airlines "estimate that 12 months will be needed to achieve the required solution." Buttigieg rejected that: "Any airline that has provided vouchers or credits with a shorter validity period must take immediate steps to remedy this noncompliance," he wrote. Didi director Sean Wang at Hilltop Gifts in Fremont on Monday. The gift shop was a location featured in his film. Minh Connors/The Chronicle For most of the 25 years Susanna and Oliver Wan have operated Hilltop Gifts in Fremont, it wouldnt have been unusual for Sean Wang to have arrived by skateboard to shop at the Asian imports store, where you can buy Pokemon items and K-pop posters. So it was quite the thrill to see Wang show up on a recent Monday in a chauffeured black Lincoln Navigator, with a small entourage in tow. Ive known Sean since he was 5, Susanna Wan said after emerging from the back to greet her customers. His sister and mommy, too. Were so proud. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wang, 29, is the toast of his hometown this month with the release of his first feature film, Didi, which opened Friday, Aug. 2, in the Bay Area and expands nationally on Aug. 16. Shot completely in the East Bay city, it is an at times sweet, sometimes funny, occasionally angry and ultimately an achingly melancholic autobiographical coming-of-age story. Sean Wang takes a photo of a poster for his film Didi along with the film-themed Didi Tea Drink in Fremont. Minh Connors/The Chronicle Yes, the brat who grew up making YouTube videos about skateboarding and other childhood exploits would grow up to receive a special certificate from the city of Fremont, Americas happiest city, presented by Mayor Lily Mei, before a screening at the Cinemark Century at Pacific Commons. More Information Didi (R) opens in Bay Area theaters Friday, Aug. 2. The ethos we had of this movie was to make it in a very homegrown way, Wang told the Chronicle at Mr. Sun Tea in Fremont, hours before the screening on July 29. I really, really wanted to try to retain the spirit of, were really just making this with our friends. The vibe that we carried on set of making something that felt communal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wang was sipping a Didi Tea Drink, a new item on the menu described as a peach passionfruit green tea with lemon and green tea jelly. He later snapped a selfie next to a poster outside Mr. Sun Tea advertising the drink. Proof of purchase of a Didi movie ticket gets you $3 off at Mr. Sun Tea. The cafe is just one example of how Fremont is all in on the movie; workers there and at the Pacific Commons movie theater all were decked out in Didi T-shirts. Wang and Focus Features, the distributor responsible for the sweet ride and T-shirt promotions, invited the Chronicle on a mini-tour of the directors favorite spots in Fremont, including the Fremont Skate Park and, of course, Hilltop Gifts, which is featured in the movie. It is there that young Chris (played by Izaac Wang, no relation) uses the five-finger discount to take a small gift item in an emotionally raw moment one of the several fictionalized elements in the film, apparently. Store owners Oliver Wan, left, and Susanna Wan wear Didi T-shirts after posing for a photo for director Sean Wang at Hilltop Gifts in Fremont on Monday. Their gift shop was a location featured in the film. Minh Connors/The Chronicle I never stole from you, Sean Wang said, smiling. I know you didnt, Susanna Wan replied with a grin, but some others did. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Wans, also wearing Didi T-shirts, saw the film for the first time the previous night at a screening hosted by Wangs parents and sister at Pacific Commons, where Wang spent a good portion of his youth lost in the movies. Wang arrived in town earlier Monday for interviews and the special screening with Mayor Lei and an enthusiastic crowd that night. It was yet another moment that reminded Wang how much his life has changed in 2024. Joan Chen and Izaac Wang in Sean Wangs autobiographical film Didi. Courtesy of Focus Features / Talking Fish Pictures/Associated Press In the span of less than a week in late January, Didi won the audience award in the U.S. dramatic competition of the Sundance Film Festival, as well as a special jury award for its ensemble cast, which includes San Francisco actress Joan Chen in one of her best performances as Didis mother; Wangs real-life grandmother, 86-year-old Chang Li Hua; and Shirley Chen (Beast Beast) as his sister. Focus Features quickly bought the distribution rights. A few days later, Wangs short film about his grandmothers, Nai Nai & Wai Po (also starring Chang Li Hua, now streaming on Disney+) was nominated for an Academy Award for best short documentary. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A couple of weeks later, Wang and his grandmothers, Chang and 96-year-old Yi Yan Fuei, were at the annual Oscars luncheon for nominees, hobnobbing with Steven Spielberg and other fellow nominees. Izaac Wang, left, and Mahaela Park in Sean Wangs autobiographical film Didi. Focus Features/Talking Fish Pictures I was sitting at a table with the production designer of Barbie, Wang recalled, referring to British set decorator Sarah Greenwood. My D.P. (director of photography Sam Davis) and my grandmas were sitting next to Hoyte van Hoytema, who shot Oppenheimer and is one of our favorite cinematographers, and were in the room with Spielberg! Though Nai Nai & Wai Po lost, Oscar night was a blast, he said. His grandmas wore custom Rodarte print-patterned suits and shouted Grannies coming through! as they were ushered down the red carpet in wheelchairs, one pushed by Wang, the other by Davis. Didi has played the festival circuit opening the San Francisco International Film Festival in April and targeted special screenings, including an event in Los Angeles hosted by Spike Jonze, a hero of Wangs who also made skateboarding videos before directing movies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The movie was released in New York and Los Angeles on July 26, grossing about $200,000 in five theaters. (For those keeping score, $40,000 per theater is pretty darn good.) The Bay Area release the following week is part of a gradual expansion across the country. Izaac Wang, left, and Shirley Chen as siblings in Sean Wangs autobiographical film Didi. Focus Features/Talking Fish Pictures This years success might have changed Wangs life, but it hasnt changed him. Aside from the time he spent in Fremont during the height of the COVID pandemic, he has lived elsewhere; after going from De Anza College to USC, he has lived in New York and currently Los Angeles. Yet, he has remained in contact with multitudes of friends and family from the area, many of whom were at Mondays screening. He uses many of the same crew members he collaborated with on his short films, too. He has the kind of gentleness I think the world needs, said Joan Chen, who has worked with such directors as Bernardo Bertolucci, Oliver Stone and David Lynch. I sense in him that gentle love, that tenderness and sincerity. A pure talent. In a way, hes still Didi, which means little brother in Mandarin, a term of affection Chinese mothers use for younger sons, including by Wangs mom, Cynthia, who still calls him that. It shouldnt surprise anyone that Cynthia Wang and Chen, who essentially played her, have become friends. As the Lincoln Navigator traversed Fremont, Wang riffed. Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 (a 2001 video game) was like my childhood right there, hed say after visiting the skate park. I had Skater 3 on GameCube. Or hed talk about how, after he and his friends got drivers licenses, they would go on nighttime excursions to San Jose or Santa Cruz to hang out at the Santa Cruz Diner. Didi director Sean Wang at the Fremont Skate Park. The facility is not featured in his film, but Wang frequented it during his later teen years. Minh Connors/The Chronicle And then there was a period where we went to Berkeley a lot, Wang said. Hang out and go to CREAM, for ice cream sandwiches and cookies. We just liked driving somewhere out of Fremont. Wang said he was heavily influenced by such coming-of-age films as Rob Reiners Stand by Me (1986) and Francois Truffauts The 400 Blows (1959). But with Didi, a film about a young wannabe filmmaker, one cant help but draw a comparison to The Fablemans, his Oscar luncheon mate Spielbergs ode to his own childhood. The difference is that while it took Spielberg, a Saratoga High grad, until age 75 to confront his complex childhood, Wang is beginning his career with a film that addresses what he calls the shame he felt as a child. Izaac Wang, Chang Li Hua and Joan Chen in Sean Wangs autobiographical film Didi. Focus Features/Talking Fish Pictures We werent just making something that was silly and immature and stupid and irreverent, Wang said. I think thats one side of boyhood. But to do that and also going to the places that were shameful and sad and lonely and confusing and turbulent, we wanted to make something that could really be an authentic portrait of boyhood. Wang admitted he started out making a movie about him and his friends, like Superbad (2007), which is referenced in Didi. But as he kept revising the screenplay, he realized he really wanted to write about his family. Two federal judges in Kansas and Missouri on Monday at the urging of several Republican-led states blocked President Joe Biden's administration from further implementing a new student debt relief plan that lowers payments. The Biden administration is gearing up to try to forgive the student debt of tens of millions of Americans again, after the Supreme Court struck down its first effort last year. In the coming days, the U.S. Department of Education will begin emailing borrowers who may be eligible for the wide-scale loan cancellation, the department said on Wednesday. It hopes to deliver that relief in the fall, possibly weeks before the 2024 presidential election. "Today, the Biden-Harris administration takes another step forward in our drive to deliver student debt relief to borrowers who've been failed by a broken system," U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement. More from Personal Finance: How to find out how big your Social Security benefits may be IRS issues final rules for inherited IRAs How kids from rich families learn about money If, for some reason, a borrower wants to opt out of the debt forgiveness, they must do so by Aug. 30 with their loan servicer, the Education Department said. Borrowers who are likely to qualify for partial or full debt erasure include those who owe more now than they did at the start of repayment and people who have been paying on their loans for decades. Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, speaks during an interview for an episode of "The David Rubenstein Show: Peer-to-Peer Conversations" in New York on Nov. 28, 2023. Bill Ackman's Pershing Square USA withdrew plans for an initial public offering after investor demand appeared to wane from original expectations. But the hedge fund titan said he would be back with a revised plan for the offering for his fund, which he had wanted to model after Berkshire Hathaway. Ackman wrote in a statement: "While we have received enormous investor interest in PSUS, one principal question has remained: Would investors be better served waiting to invest in the aftermarket than in the IPO? This question has inspired us to reevaluate PSUS's structure to make the IPO investment decision a straightforward one. We will report back once we are ready to launch a revised transaction." The withdrawal comes a day after the fund said it would be seeking to raise $2 billion, far below the possible $25 billion cited in previous reports. The announcement also comes on the back of a notice on the New York Stock Exchange's website last Friday, which showed the billionaire investor was delaying his IPO. Pershing Square had $18.7 billion in assets under management as of the end of June. Most of the money was under Pershing Square Holdings, a closed-end fund that trades in Europe. On Monday, Bloomberg News reported citing sources that Baupost Group opted against investing in the offering after Ackman had originally touted in a letter to investors that Seth Klarman's Boston-based hedge fund was participating. Ackman's move to publicly list Pershing Square was seen as a way to capitalize on his growing presence among retail investors. Currently, he has more than one million followers on social media platform X. On the platform, he has expressed his views on topics including the U.S. presidential election and antisemitism. Nadia Milleron, whose daughter Samya Stumo, was killed in the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, holds a sign of crash victims behind Dennis Muilenburg, foreground, CEO of Boeing, during the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing in Hart Building on aviation safety and the future of the Boeing 737 MAX on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. Families for some of the 346 people killed in two fatal Boeing 737 Max crashes said on Wednesday a U.S. judge should reject the planemaker's proposed plea deal with the Justice Department and the government should seek a much higher fine. On July 24, the planemaker finalized an agreement to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay up to $487 million after breaching a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement. Paul Cassell, a lawyer for some of the families, said in a court filing the fine "is inadequate -- or, at the very least, rests on misleading accounting and inaccurate accounting." He added the fine "fails to reflect that Boeing's crime killed 346 innocent victims." Cassell called that decision "not only inaccurateit is morally reprehensible." Adrian Vuckovich, another lawyer representing relatives, said in a separate filing "we suggest that Boeing should be required to pay a substantial fine which recognizes the value of each of the 346 people killed, the substantial harm to others and pay a fine which is consistent with fines paid by other corporate criminal defendants." The families cited O'Connor's statement in a February 2023 ruling: "Boeing's crime may properly be considered the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history." Spokespeople for Boeing and the Justice Department did not immediately comment on the families' filings. The DOJ told Boeing earlier this month it could accept a settlement that branded the planemaker a felon or fight the charge in court. The Justice Department said in May that Boeing had breached its obligations in the agreement that shielded the planemaker from criminal prosecution stemming from misrepresentations about a key software feature tied to fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 in Indonesia and Ethiopia. The Justice Department has a separate criminal probe ongoing into the Alaska Airlines jet that was missing four key bolts. As part of the guilty plea deal, Boeing agreed to pay the maximum fine of $487.2 million and the DOJ recommended the court credit its previous 2021 payment of $243.6 million against that, which was required by 2021 deal. The deal also imposes an independent monitor, who will have to publicly file annual progress reports, to oversee the firm's compliance. The company's board -- including new CEO -- must meet with the victims' families within four months of sentencing. U.S. crude oil futures jumped 4% on Wednesday after Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Iran, renewing fears that the Middle East is teetering on the brink of a regional war. West Texas Intermediate also got a boost from declining U.S. oil and gas stockpiles, a positive sign for demand. Crude oil inventories dropped 3.4 million barrels last week, while gasoline stocks declined by 3.7 million barrels, according to the Energy Information Administration. Here are Wednesday's energy prices: Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard accused Israel of assassinating Haniyeh at his residence in Tehran. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said it is Iran's duty to punish Israel for this action, according to a Google-translated report from the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency. Haniyeh's assassination casts even more uncertainty over a potential Gaza cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. Haniyeh was a senior negotiator in the talks. CNBC has reached out for comment to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister's Office. Israel has been fighting Hamas for 10 months since the Iran-backed militant group launched a brutal terrorist attack in October that killed hundreds of Israelis. Israel's retaliatory campaign has devastated the Gaza Strip, threatening to broaden the conflict as the country has traded fire with other Iran-supported factions, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi. Oil markets have so far absorbed the shocks of inching escalations in the Middle East, which were intermittently exacerbated by trade disruptions caused by Yemeni maritime attacks and by episodes of direct hostilities between Israel and Iran or Hezbollah. Clay Seigle, director of the global oil service at Rapidan Energy Group, told CNBC's Emily Tan that oil traders have been "mispricing" the geopolitical risks in the Middle East, with the market left "a bit sanguine" by an expected disruption of barrels in the wake of Russia's war in Ukraine that "never materialized," along with a 10-month simmering conflict in the Gaza enclave. This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe here . Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during afternoon trading on April 09, 2024 in New York City. Bank of Japan Japan's central bank lifted its benchmark interest rate to "around 0.25%" from the previous range of 0% to 0.1%, narrowing the rate differential with the U.S. Federal Reserve which had pressured the yen. The Bank of Japan also outlined plans to taper its bond buying program, and said it will continue to raise rates barring a change in economic conditions. U.S. stocks fell The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite closed lower on Tuesday as tech weighed on the two stock indexes and investors awaited quarterly earnings from megacaps Meta, Apple and Amazon later this week. The broad market index retreated 0.5%, while the Nasdaq Composite tumbled 1.28%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, with less exposure to tech, gained 0.5%. Nvidia pulled back 7% and Microsoft fell 0.9% during the normal session before reporting earnings after the bell. Treasury yields slipped while gold climbed ahead of this week's Fed meeting. U.S. oil prices U.S. oil prices fell amid concerns about China's economy. Cloudy for Microsoft Microsoft lost as much as 7% in after-hours trade as results from its cloud business disappointed the Street. Cloud revenue grew 29%, but fell short of consensus for the first time since 2022. Still, Microsoft beat estimates as quarterly revenue increased 15% from a year ago to $64.73 billion and net income rose to $22.04 billion. Microsoft told staff it will pay a one-time performance-based cash award of up to 25% of annual bonus to rank-and-file employees. Starbucks miss Starbucks' quarterly revenue slid 1% to $9.11 billion, missing forecasts as same-store sales declined for the second straight quarter. Net income fell to $1.05 billion from $1.14 billion a year ago, though it met analysts' expectations. The coffee chain's same-store sales dropped 2% in the U.S. and a steeper 14% in China, its second-largest market, where both customer traffic and average order value decreased amid intense local competition. Starbucks shares rose as much as 5% in extended trading. Asian shares up Asian shares were mostly higher Wednesday afternoon after the Bank of Japan raised its benchmark rate. The Nikkei reversed losses to trade about 1.5% higher, while the Hang Seng and Shanghai were both about 2% higher. China said manufacturing activity contracted at a slightly faster pace in July, though the reading beat the consensus estimate in a Reuters poll. Samsung earnings soar Samsung Electronics on Wednesday reported a substantial increase in both revenue and operating profit for the second quarter, helped by robust demand for its advanced memory chips, which are essential for AI training. Revenue climbed 23.42% year-over-year to 74.07 trillion Korean won, or around $53.45 billion. Operating profit increased 15 times to 10.44 trillion Korean won. The South Korean tech giant said sales of high-end memory chips used in servers will continue to be strong. [PRO] Reading the Fed Stock markets would react decisively to an interest rate cut if history is any guide, according to a CNBC Pro analysis ahead of Wednesday's rate decision. While the Federal Reserve is expected to keep its benchmark rate steady, it could provide more hints about relaxing monetary policy as soon as September. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez raise their hands during a press conference following the announcement by the National Electoral Council that Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro won the presidential election, in Caracas, Venezuela, July 29, 2024. Costa Rica's Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre said on Tuesday that the Central American government was prepared to give political asylum or refuge status to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. "We have been informed of arrest warrants against Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez," Andre said in a video message, saying he was prepared to grant asylum and refuge to them, and "all other politically persecuted people in Venezuela, especially those who are refugees in the Argentine embassy in Caracas." An opposition adviser said on Tuesday that security forces had made two failed attempts to enter the Argentine embassy in Caracas where he and five others have been living since March after warrants were issued for their arrests. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who declared his election victory shortly after midnight on Monday while the opposition and independent pollsters contested the result, has ordered military and police patrols across the country from Wednesday. Costa Rica's presidency has rejected the results proclaiming Maduro's win and called them fraudulent. Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Ismail Haniyeh attending an exclusive interview with Anadolu in Istanbul, Turkiye on April 20, 2024. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images The Middle East is on edge after a dramatic escalation that saw top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in a strike in the Iranian capital of Tehran early Wednesday. Iranian officials are blaming Israel for what they say is an assassination, but a spokesman for Israel's government on Wednesday declined to comment on the death of Haniyeh, Reuters reported. "Israel was very clear - Haniyeh was a dead man walking," Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, wrote in a post on X following the news. "Once out of Doha, it was game time. Coming hours after the killing of Fuad Shukr in Beirut, the Middle East is on an absolute knife-edge now." Just one day prior, Israeli forces declared that they killed Hezbollah's second-in-command, Fuad Shukr, in a strike on a densely populated area of Beirut, in retaliation for a strike last week on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed several children. Israel blames Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Lebanese militant organization, for the attack, a charge the group has thus far denied. Haniyeh served as the chief of Hamas' politburo and was seen as a more relatively moderate figure within the organization importantly, he led cease-fire negotiations with Israel and was the face of the group's regional diplomatic efforts. The alleged Israeli killing of Haniyeh marks a blow to Hamas and essentially torpedoes any near-term chances of a cease-fire between the Palestinian militant group and Israel in the brutal war in Gaza that is now in its 10th month. Israel and Iran have already demonstrated their ability to pose a serious threat to each other, but the risk of another cycle of attacks is now increasing. Torbjorn Soltvedt principal MENA analyst at Verisk Maplecroft Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani wrote on X: "Political assassinations & continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue leads us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on other side? Peace needs serious partners & a global stance against the disregard for human life." Qatar's government has long hosted Hamas' political leadership. Haniyeh was made the head of Hamas' political wing in 2017 before moving to Qatar in exile in 2019. After leaving Gaza he was succeeded by Yahya Sinwar, a much more hard-line Hamas devotee. Sinwar is believed to be the mastermind of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed some 1,200 people and took a further 253 hostage, 116 of whom have since been freed. Israel's military response to the attack has killed more than 39,000 people in Gaza, health authorities in the blockaded enclave say, and destroyed more than half of all its buildings, according to the U.N. watch now While cease-fire talks have been ongoing for months with no success, the more extreme Sinwar who is based inside Gaza and is said to have the last word on Hamas' major decisions often stalls or cuts off communications during negotiations. Haniyeh served as "a key interlocutor in talks for a cease-fire in Gaza," Victor Tricaud, a senior analyst at consulting firm Control Risks, told CNBC. "His killing will throw the talks off course and means that the far less compromising position of Hamas' leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, will face less moderating counterweight from within the group," Tricaud said. "A cease-fire deal will likely remain out of reach for several more months." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meanwhile continued to stress that a cease-fire deal is "the enduring imperative" while speaking at a forum in Singapore, and denied that the U.S. had any knowledge of the alleged Israeli strike on Haniyeh. The U.S. State Department in 2018 designated Haniyeh a terrorist, describing him as "a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians," and declared that Hamas operations had been responsible for "an estimated 17 American lives killed in terrorist attacks." Will Iran retaliate? Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah have all vowed revenge; but the choice of actions they take against Israel could lead to further escalation or plunge the region into a larger war. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told Israel Defense Forces troops on Wednesday that Israel "doesn't want a war, but is preparing for all possibilities." Iran's leadership meanwhile has said that the alleged Israeli strike is grounds for "severe punishment" and that the country must "pay a heavy price." An all-out war between Israel and Iran and Iran's proxies such as Hezbollah would be devastating to all sides involved. But not responding at all may not be an option for Iran's leaders who will face pressure to deliver a show of force. A banner depicting missiles and drones flying past a torn Israeli flag, with text in Persian reading "the next slap will be harder" and in Hebrew "your next mistake will be the end of your fake state", hangs on the facade of a building in Palestine Square in Tehran on April 14, 2024. Atta Kenare | AFP | Getty Images Iranian officials are condemning what they say was an Israeli strike on Tehran that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Palestinian militant organization Hamas and Iran's Revolutionary Guard issued separate statements confirming the death of the longtime political leader of Hamas early Wednesday and blamed Israel, which has not yet commented on Haniyeh's death. CNBC has reached out to Israel's Foreign Ministry for comment. Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani and former commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Mohsen Rezaei, in separate comments said that Israel will "pay a heavy price," according to Iranian state media. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in a statement said that "the criminal and terrorist Zionist regime has prepared the ground for severe punishment with this action." He added that carrying out punishment is "our duty" as Haniyeh was killed in Iran. Tehran and other countries that do not recognize the state of Israel frequently refer to it as "the Zionist regime." Haniyeh served as the chief of Hamas' politburo and was seen as a more relatively moderate figure within the organization as he led cease-fire negotiations and was the face of the group's regional diplomatic efforts. He was made the head of Hamas' political wing in 2017 before moving to Qatar in exile in 2019. In a file photo Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged Sept. 11 mastermind, is seen shortly after his capture during a raid in Pakistan Saturday March 1, 2003, in this photo obtained by the Associated Press. Accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammad and two other men charged with plotting the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks by al-Qaeda have agreed to plead guilty in the military commissions process, the Pentagon said Wednesday. The terms of the plea deals for the three men, who have been in custody since 2003, were not released, but they are expected to plead guilty to some charges, and potentially avoid death sentences as a result. The Office of Military Commission said the defendants will enter their pleas as early as next week at the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In addition to Mohammed, the other men expected to plead guilty are Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin 'Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi. The New York Times reported that the chief prosecutor in the case, Rear Admiral Aaron Rugh, in a letter to 9/11 victim family members, had written, "In exchange for the removal of the death penalty as a possible punishment, these three accused have agreed to plead guilty to all of the charged offenses, including the murder of the 2,976 people listed in the charge sheet." A worker walks past a pile of lithium ore at a Talison Lithium Ltd. site, a joint venture between Tianqi Lithium Corp. and Albemarle Corp., in Greenbushes, Australia. Lithium mining giant Albemarle will halt the expansion of a manufacturing plant in Australia, as the company reviews costs due to headwinds from weak lithium prices. The impacted facility, the Kemerton plant in Australia, is where the company produces battery-grade lithium hydroxide for electric vehicles and other products. It will also idle a lithium processing line at the plant and focus production on a single line. The workforce at Kemerton will be reduced by 40%, Albemarle CEO Kent Masters told CNBC in an interview Wednesday. The plant's production capacity will fall to 25,000 tons from 50,000 tons currently as the line is idled, Masters said. Albemarle had originally planned to expand Kemerton to four processing lines with a capacity of 100,000 tons. The company is halting construction on the third line, after cancelling plans for the fourth line. The decision comes as the company reported a second-quarter net loss of $188 million, or $1.96 per share, compared with a profit of $650 million, or $5.52 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding a $215 million after-tax charge due to capital project asset write-offs related primarily to the cancelled fourth processing line at Kemerton, the company earned 4 cents per share. Sales fell 39% to $1.4 billion from $2.37 billion in the same period a year ago. Shares were down about 1% in extended trading after the results. Long-time SFJazz director Lilly Schwartz steps into her role as executive and artistic director of the Presidio Theatre on Monday, Aug. 5. Provided by Terry Lorant/Presidio Theatre Lilly Schwartz has big plans. The incoming executive and artistic director of the Presidio Theatre steps into her new role on Monday, Aug. 5, but Schwartz is already planning the 2025-2026 season calendar and wants to implement new initiatives to expand the San Francisco venues reach. I cant tell you how excited I am to start, she told the Chronicle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad People walk into the open house for the Presidio Theatre, which opened for the first time in 24 years after undergoing renovations in San Francisco in 2019. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Schwartz comes to Presidio Theatre after more than a decade with SFJazz, where she started as the artistic producer in 2013 before being promoted to director of artistic programming in 2018. In the latter role, which she called unequivocally the favorite job of my career so far, she oversaw more than 450 concerts a year at SFJazz Center in Hayes Valley, including National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Awards concerts. Prior to working with SFJazz, Schwartz served as the director of pops and programming at the Minnesota Orchestral Association and the programming manager at Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. But now Schwartz succeeding founding executive director Robert Martin, who retired in January will oversee much more than music. The 85-year-old venue hosts a myriad of live performances, including dance and theater as well as film screenings year-round. The imagination can run wild at this theater, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Schwartz lauded Haas design decisions in renovating the theater, whose stage can fit a 90-piece orchestra. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle The Presidio Theatre, originally built in 1939 in the former U.S. Army post, reopened in 2019 as a performing arts space under Peggy Haas, an heir to Levi Strauss & Co. who funded the theaters two-year renovation. It has since been known for Panto in the Presidio, an annual holiday inspired by British pantomimes, an interactive form of comedic theater. The venue also hosts performances by a range of artists and companies, such as Grammy Award-winning soprano Patricia Racette, Irish acoustic band Lunasa and the Childrens Theatre Association of San Francisco. Building on that, Schwartz hopes to further diversify programming, starting with a more intentional approach in bringing in artists and companies from around the world. But some of the Presidio Theatres traditions Panto in the Presidio, now in its fifth season under Haas role as executive producer, and Bliss Festival, scheduled this year for Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 3-4 will remain. Schwartz comes to Presidio Theatre after more than a decade with SFJazz, where she started as the artistic producer in 2013 before being promoted to director of artistic programming in 2018. Photo Courtesy of Terry Lorant/Presidio Theater San Francisco I am so grateful Lillys coming in, so I can really just concentrate on Panto, said Haas, who also serves as the organizations board chair. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Changes Schwartz plans to incorporate include having five residencies with companies that specialize in world music, childrens programming, dance and more. She also hopes to launch a curated season calendar and a membership, starting in the 2025-2026 cycle. The mindfulness that we put behind it is going to make it a very appealing place to come, Schwartz said. Peggy Haas, who paid for the renovation of the Presidio Theatre, sits for a portrait inside the theater where she once sat with her father. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle The Presidio Theatre also needs to establish itself as a brand, Schwartz said. She wants people to learn about the features of the theater, which also includes an outdoor space that hosts open-air performances and food trucks during the two-day Bliss Festival. Schwartz also noted a wide offering of nearby restaurants and the food hall expected to open in 2025 at Presidio Tunnel Tops park. Its about educating audiences to come because the more audiences that come, the greater freedom we have of putting up productions, Schwartz said. Weve got to build that trust with the whole Bay Area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Schwartz lauded Haas design decisions in renovating the theater, whose stage can fit a 90-piece orchestra. Haas also pushed to include 24 stalls in the womens bathroom compared to the mens 12, an example of her consideration for the audiences needs, Schwartz noted. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally at the Georgia State Convocation Center in Atlanta on July 30, 2024. After Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, gained the vocal support of a slice of the tech investing world, a large group of venture capitalists came together to back the other side. More than 100 VCs on Wednesday pledged their support to Vice President Kamala Harris, the de facto Democratic nominee, as she ramps up her campaign to take on Trump in the November election. The group, calling itself VCs for Kamala, is made up of investors and entrepreneurs from a range of established and rising funds, and different demographic groups. It includes Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures, LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban, along with Aileen Lee, founder of Cowboy Ventures, and Rebecca Kaden, a partner at Union Square Ventures. "We spend our days looking for, investing in and supporting entrepreneurs who are building the future," the group said in its pledge. "We are pro-business, pro-American dream, pro-entrepreneurship and pro-technological progress. We also believe in democracy as the backbone of our nation. We believe that strong, trustworthy institutions are a feature, not a bug, and that our industry and every other industry would collapse without them." The VCs for Kamala list highlights a deepening political divide in Silicon Valley and the broader tech industry. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been outspoken in supporting Trump, publicly endorsing him moments after the assassination attempt earlier this month, while VCs Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz recently said they are backing Trump, arguing his policies would be better for "little tech." Musk also reportedly plans to contribute millions to a pro-Trump political action committee, called America PAC, along with Sequoia Capital's Shaun Maguire and 8VC's Joe Lonsdale. Musk's close friend and former PayPal colleague David Sacks, co-founder at Craft Ventures, also vociferously supports Trump and spoke at the Republican National Convention earlier this month. Hoffman, a longtime Democratic donor and partner at venture firm Greylock, shared a link to the pro-Harris pledge on X, the social media site owned by Musk. "Proud to sign the #vcsforkamala pledge," Hoffman wrote. "It's an investment in our democratic future." Erika Lucas, General Partner at VEST Her Ventures, wrote on LinkedIn that there were "a lot of women, particularly Black Women VCs," behind the pledge, adding "I'm proud to serve and organize with them as well [as] our male colleagues. We understand the assignment." The woman credited with starting VCs for Kamala is Leslie Feinzaig, founder of venture fund Graham & Walker and the Female Founders Alliance. She wrote on LinkedIn that investors who signed the pledge help oversee more than $150 billion in assets under management, and includes Democrats, moderates and independents. "Silicon Valley power players that have lost touch with the rest of us, don't speak for all of us," she wrote. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place in Chicago starting Aug. 19. The Samsung logo is on display at their pavilion during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on February 28, 2024. (Photo by Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Samsung Electronics on Wednesday reported higher-than-expected second-quarter revenue and operating profit, as demand for its advanced memory chips that are crucial for artificial intelligence training remained strong. Here are Samsung's second-quarter results versus analysts' average estimates according to LSEG. Revenue: 74.07 trillion Korean won (about $53.45 billion) vs. 73.74 trillion Korean won 74.07 trillion Korean won (about $53.45 billion) vs. 73.74 trillion Korean won Operating profit: 10.44 trillion Korean won vs 9.53 trillion Korean won Samsung's revenue for the quarter ended June jumped 23.42% from a year earlier, while operating profit soared 1,458.2%. The South Korean giant said robust demand for high-bandwidth as well as conventional memory, such as regular dynamic random access memory, from customers expanding AI investments contributed to the strong performance. For the second half, Samsung said it expects the demand from server AI to stay strong across server products including HBM, server DRAM and SSD. SSD, or solid-state drive, refers to a semiconductor-based storage device. The firm added that expanding capacity to meet demand for HBM and server DRAM could further constrain supply of conventional memory chips. During its earnings call, the firm said it plans to address the AI demand by expanding sales of HBM3E the latest AI memory product through capacity expansion in the second half. It will also expand sales of SSDs which are currently in high demand for AI servers as well. The firm also said it would pay out a dividend of 361 won per common and preferred share for the second quarter. "According to our current dividend policy, the total amount distributed per quarter amounts to approximately 2.45 trillion won, which will be paid near the end of August." Samsung shares rose as much as 1.35% Wednesday morning. There's one thing that Simone Biles credits for her return to the Olympics this year: therapy. Biles is now the most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast in history with eight Olympic medals. And she says it wouldn't have been possible without consistent mental health support. "Being in a good mental spot, seeing my therapist every Thursday is kind of religious for me. So that's why I'm here today," Biles said in an interview with NBC News last month. The road to victory wasn't an easy one for Biles. Three years ago, she withdrew from the team gymnastics competition at the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics citing mental health concerns. She later explained that she was experiencing what gymnasts refer to as "the twisties." Although the twisties isn't an official medical diagnosis, the experience is used to describe a psychologically-perceived disconnection between a gymnast's mind and their body as they're performing, especially during twists. The effects of the twisties can range from missing twists or twisting more than one planned to, and landing or falling in a way that can cause injury. When Biles was completing an Amanar vault at the 2020 Olympics, she noticeably turned 1.5 twists instead of the usual 2.5. Even onlookers noticed that she seemed disoriented during the twist. "I have to focus on my mental health," Biles said after pulling out of the Olympics in 2021. "I don't trust myself as much anymore." Biles regained that trust within herself by starting small through practicing on soft surfaces and in ball pits, she shared via Instagram. She trained extremely hard ahead of the Paris Olympics and would sometimes leave practice feeling defeated because she experienced the twisties again, she told NBC. But she didn't give up because "I don't want to be down the road in 10 years, look back, and be like, 'Oh, I wish I would have tried," she told NBC. Biles kept practicing and attending her weekly therapy sessions and began to feel more in tune with her body as she performed. On Tuesday, the Team USA gymnastics team won gold in the Olympic womens team final, and Biles made history as a result. "I always rise to the occasion," Biles said in an episode of her Netflix documentary, "Simone Biles Rising," which was released this month. "Even after all of the traumas and the downfalls, I've always risen." Want to stop worrying about money? Sign up for CNBC's new online course Achieve Financial Wellness: Be Happier, Wealthier & More Financially Secure. We'll teach you the psychology of money, how to manage your stress and create healthy habits, and simple ways to boost your savings, get out of debt and invest for the future. Start today and use code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off through September 2, 2024. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life. President Joe Biden is making another move to forgive student debt for millions of borrowers. The Biden-Harris administration announced Wednesday that it will begin emailing borrowers on Thursday with information regarding its proposed rules to allow the Secretary of Education to forgive debt for certain federal student loan borrowers. The email will not specify which borrowers are eligible for the forthcoming relief, nor will receiving an email guarantee eligibility for forgiveness, the administration said in a statement. Borrowers will have until August 30 to contact their loan servicer to opt out of any relief they may otherwise receive. "The Biden-Harris Administration made a commitment to deliver student debt relief to as many borrowers as possible as quickly as possible, and today, as we near the end of a lengthy rulemaking process, we're one step closer to keeping that promise," Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in the statement. A draft of the proposed rules was released back in April before going through a public comment period as part of the negotiated rulemaking process the lengthy one Cardona refers to. This plan has been in the works since the Supreme Court struck down Biden's initial plan to forgive up to $20,000 of debt per borrower back in June 2023. The administration says if the rules are finalized as drafted, eligible borrowers shouldn't have to take any action to see debt relief. Borrowers who choose to opt out, however, will not have the opportunity to opt back in. "By providing more information to borrowers on how they can take advantage of our upcoming debt relief programs, borrowers will be prepared to benefit swiftly once the rules are final," Biden said in a statement. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump walks on stage at the National Association of Black Journalists, NABJ, convention, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Chicago. Charles Rex Arbogast | AP Donald Trump's appearance Wednesday at the National Association of Black Journalists' annual convention in Chicago almost immediately went off the rails, as the Republican presidential nominee cast doubt on his rival's ethnicity and clashed with members of the panel. ABC News senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott, one of three journalists interviewing Trump before a live audience, began by asking why Black voters should trust him in light of his prior attacks on Black reporters. Trump lashed out, calling the introduction "very rude" and saying the question was "disgraceful" and asked in a "horrible manner." "I love the Black population in this country," he said, claiming, "I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln." Trump was then asked to clarify what he meant when, in prior remarks, he referred to "Black jobs." "A Black job is anybody that has a job," he explained. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, moderated by from left, ABC's Rachel Scott, Semafor's Nadia Goba and FOX News' Harris Faulkner, speaks at the National Association of Black Journalists, NABJ, convention, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Chicago. Charles Rex Arbogast | AP "That's what it is. Anybody that has -- they're taking the employment away from Black people," he went on, apparently referring to undocumented immigrants. "They're coming in, and they're coming in, they're invading." Trump also drew a loud response from the audience when he was asked about his supporters calling his likely election rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, a "DEI hire." "She was always of Indian heritage and she was only promoting Indian heritage," Trump replied. "I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black." "So I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black?" he said. "She was Indian all the way, and all of a sudden, she made a turn and she became a Black person." Later, Trump responded to a swell of criticism surrounding his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, whose past comments about childless Americans have resurfaced following his nomination. Vance's comments include denigrating key Democrats as "childless cat ladies" and suggesting that Americans with children should get more votes than those who do not have kids. Trump said of Vance, "He thinks the family experience is a very important thing." But when he was asked about whether parents should get more votes, Trump said, "Well, no." Trump also did not directly answer when he was asked by Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner if he believed Vance was ready to potentially serve as president on Day 1, if he had to. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at the National Association of Black Journalists, NABJ, convention, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Chicago. Charles Rex Arbogast | AP "Historically, the vice president in terms of the election does not have any impact," Trump said. "The choice of a vice president makes no difference." "You're voting for the president," he said. "You're voting for me. If you like me, I'm gonna win." The event, which was billed as an hourlong question-and-answer session, began more than an hour late and ended after less than 45 minutes. One of the journalists on the panel suggested that the Trump campaign was calling time on the event. The Republican nominee spoke with Scott, Faulkner and politics reporter Kadia Goba of Semafor. Trump's opponents, including the White House and the Harris campaign, excoriated Trump's remarks questioning the de facto Democratic nominee's racial identity. "It's repulsive, it's insulting," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a briefing Wednesday afternoon. A source familiar with the Harris campaign's thinking told NBC News that Trump "is completely unhinged ... He cannot help himself." Harris is not attending the five-day convention, but the NABJ on Wednesday said that it is in talks with her team about scheduling either a virtual or in-person Q&A session in September. The convention appearance gave Trump, who won just 12% of Black voters in his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden, an opportunity to directly appeal to voters of color on a major platform. But he may have more trouble courting these voters in a competition against Harris, who is the first Black person, first woman and first person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president. His combative performance Wednesday afternoon may not win him any new converts. Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump closes his eyes during a panel of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. July 31, 2024. Vincent Alban | Reuters BYD launched the BYD Seal in Europe at the IAA auto show in Munich, Germany. The electric sedan has a starting price of 44,900 euros ($48,479). BEIJING Uber and BYD announced Wednesday that drivers on the ride-hailing platform can get pricing and financing deals for the Chinese company's electric cars, starting in Europe and Latin America. The two companies will also develop "autonomous-capable vehicles" for Uber's platform, according to a press release. The multi-year strategic partnership, which the companies said could bring 100,000 BYD cars to Uber, comes despite the EU following the U.S. this year in raising tariffs on imports of Chinese-made electric cars. "As the largest global agreement of its kind, we're thrilled about the benefits this partnership will deliver for drivers, riders, and cities," Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in the release. Shenzhen-based BYD has become a dominant player in China's electric car market. The company surpassed Tesla in total vehicle production for two straight years and has ramped up overseas expansion, including investments in factories abroad. Shares of ASML jumped as much as 10% on Wednesday after a Reuters report suggested that the company could be exempted from expanded export restrictions on chipmaking gear to China. Reuters reported on Wednesday that the U.S. is considering expanding the so-called foreign direct product rule, but that allies that export key chipmaking equipment including Japan, the Netherlands and South Korea will be excluded. Exports to China from countries including Israel, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia will be impacted by the U.S. rule, according to Reuters. Taiwan is the home of TSMC , the world's biggest chip manufacturing plant. This comes in contrast to a Bloomberg report earlier this month, which suggested that companies from these countries would be included in an expansion of the rules. Republican vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. JD Vance speaks at a campaign rally at Radford University on July 22, 2024 in Radford, Virginia. Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images Sen. JD Vance knows he has had a rocky rollout as Donald Trump's running mate, but the Ohio Republican doesn't believe he has disappointed the former president. "No," Vance told NBC News in an interview aboard his campaign plane en route to a rally here Tuesday. "I mean, I knew that when I came out of the gate there was going to be a couple of days of positive media coverage and then immediately they would go and attack me over everything that I had ever said in my life." Vance has faced relentless criticism from allies of Vice President Kamala Harris, the de-facto Democratic presidential nominee, for his 2021 comments questioning the societal value of women who don't have children and referring to them as "childless cat ladies." Harris' campaign over the last week has attempted to brand Vance and his political point of view as "weird." Trump has stood by Vance. "The price of entry of being on the national ticket and giving me an opportunity to govern is you have to ... take the shots, and so I sort of expected it," Vance said. "I think that, frankly, the people who've made a lot of money and acquired a lot of power screwing the country up are not going to go easily." Vance is in the midst of a big Western swing that includes California fundraisers, traditional campaign rallies and a Thursday morning visit to the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona. With his wife, Usha, seated next to him at the front of their chartered 737, Trump Force Two, Vance discussed the early days of his vice presidential campaign, as well as what he hopes to accomplish if the GOP ticket wins this fall. "My attitude is, I want to be a good public servant," Vance said when asked what particular policy areas he would carve out for himself. "I'll help out wherever I'm asked to help out. Certainly I'd love to be given some influence over our border policy, and I'd basically do the exact opposite of what Kamala Harris did." This week's trip is a bit of a reboot meant to sharpen Vance's role as an attack dog against Harris, whom President Joe Biden endorsed as his successor when he ended his re-election bid days after Vance accepted the Republican nomination for vice president. While Harris backers have tried to define Vance as weird, Vance tried Tuesday to define Harris as weak particularly on immigration and border security. More from NBC News: Harris derides Trump on border security at Georgia rally as GOP presses the issue Simone Biles leads U.S. women's gymnastics team to Olympic gold, kicking off Paris 'redemption tour' Protests grow in Venezuela as concerns over the presidential election's legitimacy persist "It all starts with strength strong borders, strong families, a strong economy and a strong president," Vance said in an afternoon speech at a high school in Henderson, Nevada, near Las Vegas. "Of all of Kamala Harris's faults, the worst of all is that she left America weak and vulnerable. The entire world now knows that she helped cover up Joe Biden's declining mental capacity for years." "Our adversaries," Vance added, "are licking their chops and the world is in disarray because of weak American leadership." Asked aboard his plane if the weird vs. weak contrast was intentional, Vance described it as more of a coincidence. "I wouldn't say there's some particular effort to tag her as weak," he said. "If there's a particular label we want the American people to be aware of, it's that she's an ultra-liberal." Aside from border issues, Vance said he could see himself in the Trump administration as a spokesperson on combating drug abuse. His mother, Beverly Aikins, is nearly 10 years sober after battling addiction a struggle he wrote about in his best-selling 2016 memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" and talked about in his speech at this month's Republican National Convention. On the plane, Vance mentioned that he attends Narcotics Anonymous meetings "fairly frequently" with his mother to support her. "One of the largest providers of medical care for people who have substance abuse disorder is Medicare," Vance said. "And another big one is Medicaid, right? So the federal government has a huge role to play, I think, in solving or at least addressing the substance abuse problem. I think one of the roles that I can play is just a basic leadership role, and remind people that there is hope on the other side of addiction there is recovery." Vance then connected the issue back to a central issue in his recent speeches: the border. watch now 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. News and Info from our Community Partners Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?) A worker prepares a burrito at El Charrito in 2023. Nic Coury/Special to the Chronicle Burrito from from El Charrito in Salinas. Cesar Hernandez, Cesar Hernandez / The Chronicle Workers prepare burritos at El Charrito in Salinas in 2023. Nic Coury/Special to The Chronicle In the farming hub of Salinas, 100 miles south of San Francisco in Monterey County, the line at El Charrito begins at 6 a.m. Its mostly blue-collar and farmworkers, helping themselves to coffee and loading up on a days worth (or more) of burritos from the 40-year-old bodega-turned-tortilla factory. Lines can get as long as security checkpoints at SFO. Some people order 10 burritos at a time a promising future lunch that will get better with time, as the saucy, stewed filings seep into the tortilla. To meet the huge demand, El Charritos employees arrive at 4 a.m., making 5,000 to 6,000 flour tortillas a day. The first time I had the burritos from El Charrito, I went back the next day and had them again. I was dumbstruck. I initially tried those rustic, rolled batons at the Monterey outpost, a small expansion of its operation. I was so moved that I made it my personal mission to visit its flagship location. In one weekend, I had Charrito three times. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bean and cheese burrito with salsa verde from El Charrito in Salinas. Cesar Hernandez, Cesar Hernandez / The Chronicle Charritos burritos are effortlessly good. Most of that is owed to its superb foundation: powdery, soft flour tortillas. The burritos are rolled in a lackadaisical, home-style sort of way, which is amusing when you consider the obsession with rolling technique of the overstuffed Mission burrito. El Charrito would have to try to make a bad burrito, and even then Im not convinced it could. These burritos are shorter in stature and heft, but twice as powerful. They are among Californias best, and I think Bay Area burritos could take a few pointers here. Maybe the solution to the $20 burrito was there all along: just make them smaller. The majority of the burritos at the Salinas restaurant cost less than $5 a bargain price from the seemingly distant past. I know a reduction in quantity seems like an affront to all that is holy about the Bay Areas burritos, which has a predilection for size. Here, the minimalist construction outshines inflated dimensions, allowing the flavors a refreshing amount of clarity. Chili rellenos fry at El Charrito in Salinas in 2023. Nic Coury/Special to The Chronicle El Charrito is like if Chipotle still had a soul in a just world, it would be the more famous of the two. The guisados, stews imbued with the irrefutable flavor of grandmothers cooking, are laid out in front of you, deli-style, with spoons sticking out of trays. The options include chile verde, the most popular filling of melty, savory pork underscored by subtle tomatillo tang; the chile colorado, beef chunks supercharged in a thick red pepper sauce; chiles rellenos, ancho chiles in a yellow puffer jacket of whipped egg; and costillas, pork rib meat simmered in a sauce made of peppers and tomatoes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad All of the recipes come from the late Teresa Moncada, who paired her Michoacan home cooking with supple handmade flour tortillas. If youve never tried a burrito made with fresh tortillas, it feels like escaping Platos cave, realizing the world is far more than shadow puppetry. Charritos tortillas almost feel alive under your teeth, with a hint of wheaty sweetness and a tender chew. They make commercialized versions taste old enough to remember the Nixon administration. Fresh tortillas can make even a bad filling tolerable. You could hypothetically try to recreate a super burrito here, but that would be folly. Charrito displays an awful lot of zen and restraint that make its burritos more enjoyable. My favorite filling and former restaurant critic Soleil Ho is with me on this is chile verde, followed by humble bean and cheese with salsa verde. If youre visiting from out of town, I suggest buying in bulk (they travel well). Freeze them, and dispense as needed. Theyll last no longer than a week, calling to you temptingly from the freezer like the Green Goblin mask in Spider-Man. A worker cooks tortillas at El Charrito in Salinas in 2023. Nic Coury/Special to The Chronicle These tortillas de harina, as you might imagine, are highly sought after. You can purchase a dozen, limited to two per person, but it takes some effort. Kenya Moncada, a family member and spokesperson of Charrito, told me they only bag surplus. Your best bet for scoring a bag might be visiting early, at 6 a.m. The next wave is released around 1 oclock, when business starts to slow. If youre really lucky, like I was, you might be able to get a portion toward the end of service. (You will have to wait until the very end of the day no exceptions for you, the president or Tom Cruise.) Advertisement Article continues below this ad El Charrito has been in operation since 1981, initially as a bodega that also sold hot prepared foods. Believe it or not, it was a slow start to get people interested in its burritos. We would offer free samples, Moncada told me. About 15 years ago, with the advent of Yelp, the Moncada familys product started to explode. Before the boom, tortilla production was just 300 to 400 tortillas per day today, its 20 times that. Ten years ago the family decided to streamline the process and focus on burritos, removing the shelving and market component from the operation. The decor at the Salinas spot is functional, almost nonexistent. The interior is populated with little more than chip racks, a wall of fridges stocked with soft drinks, a soda fountain and a pair of self-serve coffee jugs. Theres a sense of local pride that hangs in the air at the Salinas location (one I did not detect at the Monterey outpost, even if the quality of food was virtually the same). It sparks a warm, fuzzy sensation that you might recognize if you were raised in a smaller city with limited culinary gems. This collective embrace by its residents stirs a feeling of accomplishment, like youre in on the joke or custom, especially if youve made the trek out. Charritos matriarch, Teresa, passed earlier this year. She was able to bear witness to how the world reacted to her food. However, Kenya Moncada told me, she was often too busy in the kitchen to really notice all the hubbub. But this is for certain: She showed affection to her family, to others through food. Like Tita from the novel Like Water For Chocolate, Teresa had the magical ability to convey the unsaid through her food. Charritos most loyal customers have been with them for 30 to 40 years. I have a long way to go before I catch up, but Ill be there soon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad El Charrito in Salinas in 2023. Nic Coury/Special to The Chronicle El Charrito 122 W Market St., Salinas. 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. elcharrito.com or 831-424-9446 Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled the last name of the owner of El Charrito. Advertisement Article continues below this ad You need to escape to somewhere that has no rules at all. Somewhere without all those pesky anti-nudity ordinances, and without all those pesky anti-ordnance ordinances. Such places were easiest to find around eight millennia ago or so, but in the years that followed, its still been possible to find them if you really look. Leading you to such lawless paradises as... 5 The Nubian Desert Gold Mine In 1899, the British created a border between Egypt and Sudan, using the classic British method of drawing a straight line on a map. A couple years later, they drew a slightly different line, paying slightly more heed this time to where people actually lived. Today, Egypt recognizes one of these lines, while Sudan recognizes the other. The weird part is, each claims a border that doesnt give themselves control over a thousand-square-mile patch known as Bir Tawil. Thats because if Egypt switched to the more recent line (or Sudan switched to the older 1899 line), theyd gain Bir Tawil, but theyd lose a different, more desirable patch land. That means both countries currently want that more desirable patch (the Halaib Triangle), as happens with so many disputed borders worldwide, but no one wants Bir Tawil, making Bir Tawil the only habitable land in the world that no one claims. Don't Miss No one other than this guy, anyway: Jeremiah Heaton He had to wait ages for the wind to blow just right for this pic. Thats Virginia man Jeremiah Heaton. In 2014, he traveled to Bir Tawil and stuck a flag in the ground, saying that if no country claimed it, he was now naming his own six-year-old daughter the lands princess. But that was just a stunt, with no consequence whatever, and Heaton didnt follow that up by moving to this desert. The population there mostly now consists of prospectors, digging in the sand, convinced theyll find gold. If they find any, theyll run into the remaining members of the population: armed gangs, happy to relieve them of their find. Advertisement 4 Pirate Bay Island If youre a fan of those sort of tiny places claimed by individuals, which we call micronations, you might have heard of Sealand. Its a naval platform off the coast of England, which the Royal Navy hasnt used since the 1950s. After that, it got occupied by DJs broadcasting unauthorized radio stations (because during the dawn of rock, BBC Radio refused to play rock music), followed by a whole lot of different people with different and strange motivations. Richard Lazenby A lot of people just really desired a platform. The place had a truly crazy few decades, and you should go read the article we did about it. But heres one fact we didnt get around to mentioning: In 2007, the Pirate Bay tried to buy Sealand. Sweden had briefly shut the website down, and they figured that if they had their own nation, no own could ever interfere with them again. Advertisement That didnt work out. They were offering 65,000,000 for Sealand, which would have been an extraordinary price for 6,000 square feet of steel, but since no nation actually recognized the existing owners claim on Sealand, its likely this sale would have bought them nothing. The Pirate Bay suffered worse legal consequences in the years that followed, then they settled on just moving to various domains based in different countries once everyone gave up on caring too hard about piracy. 3 The Walled City Advertisement Advertisement Right after World War II, Hong Kong was in the middle of its century of British rule. China now newly declared ownership of one little nook of Hong Kong: Kowloon Walled City, which had once been a military fort. The British were largely okay with this, because it was just around six acres of land, and theyd been thinking of razing the buildings there anyway. China got control over the walled city, but given that they didnt have control of any of the city around it, they didnt have any real way of administering the place. The British, meanwhile, now had no jurisdiction over it. So, the place became its own little lawless enclave. That might not seem like such a big deal, considering how small it was, but by the 1980s, those six acres became home to 35,000 people, making it the most densely populated spot in the world. Ian Lambot Technically, your chair is more densely populated, but these were the worlds densest six acres. Some people moved to this complex of 35 buildings to escape the law. More people moved there because it was so cheap because in any other part of Hong Kong, making rooms that terrible was illegal. Advertisement Were talking apartments with no running water, with residents tapping into the communal supply with their own makeshift pipes. Then there were the heroin shops, the casinos and the brothels. The British had to let this go on, of course, till they got around to demolishing the whole complex in 1993. Up until then, even if a criminal from outside the walled city fled in there, police wouldnt follow. Partly, this was because of the jurisdiction thing. Partly, it was out of fear of getting lost. 2 Bismarck, North Dakota Advertisement Wait, Bismarck, North Dakota? That famous city, known for being the state capital, and which we might not actually know anything else about, but still, its the state capital? Surely Bismarck is no haven of anarchy? Bobak Ha'Eri Why, look at the capitol building. It looks way too boring for anarchy. Okay, its no haven of anarchy now. But back in the 1870s, Bismarck had a nickname: The Wickedest Town in the West. Its riverboat was a fine entry point for criminals, and the thousand miles of wilderness around it meant you were always close to true freedom. Advertisement Most Old West towns werent nearly as dangerous as youre picturing. But Bismarck? One Bismarck saloon had seven murders in two years. Often, the town didnt bother punishing such killings either. For example, a judge opted not to hold a trial because of that streets terrible record of blood. Such records are usually considered a reason for trials, not a reason to cancel trials. Then, in 1889, the Dakotas formally joined the United States. A little later, in 1898, all of Bismarck burned down. When they rebuilt, they now aimed for slightly less murder. Kitchen workers, organized in brigade-style stations, prepare Square Pie Guys signature square pizzas at Local Kitchens San Bruno location. Thomas Sawano / The Chronicle Santiago Ruiz smashed a hamburger with a metal press, layering bright squares of cheese on top to make the signature dish of the Melt, a popular San Francisco chain. A few steps away, Eduardo Monterroza sliced a rectangular pepperoni pizza into small samples, getting ready to serve Square Pie Guys Detroit-style pie. And on the other side of the kitchen, Brianne Jones poured whole milk into strawberry puree and tapioca pearls, mixing up two Strawberry Fields drinks and a strawberry matcha latte from Boba Guys. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Their recipes might come from different restaurants but Ruiz, Monterroza and Jones all work in the same San Bruno kitchen, serving the same customers. Theyre employees of Local Kitchens, which essentially operates mini food courts condensed into single restaurants. In some ways, the business model is a new iteration on the virtual, delivery-only ghost kitchens that boomed in popularity during the pandemic. The company, which launched in 2020, has expanded to 13 locations since then. It has raised $75 million, including $40 million announced in June, with ambitious hopes to be as disruptive to the restaurant industry as Chipotle and McDonalds. The lunch rush at Local Kitchens San Bruno location. Thomas Sawano / The Chronicle Were bringing lots of different kinds of cuisines under one roof, said CEO and co-founder Jon Goldsmith. Especially for families, its really exciting because its so often that the kids want one thing, and Mom and Dad want something else. At each of Local Kitchens Northern California stores, chefs cook food from about eight different restaurant brands, many of which come from San Francisco. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Customers in suburbs like Mill Valley and Lafayette can order quesabirria with consomme from Nopalito, spicy fried chicken from Proposition Chicken and yellowfin tuna rolled up in rice and seaweed from Sushirrito. They can order ice cream from Humphry Slocombe, confetti cookies from New York bakery Milk Bar and BLTs from Flavor Trippin, a spinoff of New Orleans sandwich shop Turkey and the Wolf. At Local Kitchens San Bruno location, customers can chose from a mind-boggling array of menu items developed in partnership with popular San Francisco restaurants. Thomas Sawano / The Chronicle By serving food from existing restaurants in brick-and-mortar stores, the company represents both an update on and a pivot away from the controversial ghost kitchen model. Typical ghost kitchens are entirely reliant on takeout and delivery, with no physical restaurant space at all. Companies like Reef Kitchens and CloudKitchens operate food trailers and commercial kitchens, where chefs produce food for various brands and delivery drivers come pick it up. The model is meant to save money on rent and service costs, billing itself as a way to rescue the restaurant industry. Recently, however, ghost kitchens have come under scrutiny for creating traffic congestion and deceiving customers into thinking theyre actual restaurants. Now, some of the big companies are downsizing. CloudKitchens recently laid off a significant portion of staff, according to Eater. Reef, too, closed some of its locations as part of a move to focus on food business software. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Goldsmith is quite familiar with food delivery he and fellow Local Kitchens co-founder Andrew Munday met while working in DoorDash engineering and operations. But he didnt want to rely on delivery-only as the model for his new company. While about two-thirds of Local Kitchens business comes from takeout and delivery, customers can eat in, too, with stores offering the feel of a casual lunch spot. We felt like we were losing a lot of both the food quality as well as the magic of the connection that restaurants are traditionally built on, Goldsmith said. To Graham Humphreys, the president of San Francisco food and beverage consulting group the Culinary Edge, the company is finding a new way to offer the convenience diners crave after getting used to delivery during the pandemic. Its what you want, how you want it, where you want it, Humphreys said. Its a huge transformation in how we use what used to be restaurants, over the last few years. A kitchen worker puts the finishing touches on a Flavor Trippin-branded sandwich at Local Kitchens San Bruno location. Thomas Sawano / The Chronicle For partner restaurants, Local Kitchens offers an affordable way to bring their foods to customers who dont live in the city. Its a practical way to maximize revenue while cutting costs, in the eyes of Columbia Business School professor Stephen Zagor, who specializes in food business. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For restaurants to open a new location in the traditional way, youre talking about borrowing a ton of money from a bank, and then signing a personal guarantee, and then making sure that the real estates perfect, and then paying rent even though nobodys here yet while youre building it, said Ari Feingold, the founder and executive chef of Proposition Chicken, which has physical locations in San Francisco and Oakland. With Local Kitchens, though, theres almost no risk for us, Feingold said. Local Kitchens manages the costs of operating its own locations, paying the restaurants a royalty fee based on sales of their foods. For restaurants, Feingold said, the main danger is reputational. Feingold is upfront that the food at Local Kitchens is not exactly the same as at his full restaurant locations. In fact, he even gives the new menu a different name: Proposition Chicken on the Fly. Matthew Rudofker, the head of Local Kitchens culinary and operations, said the company has certain priorities when adapting recipes. One, Local Kitchens picks just a few items to serve rather than the restaurants full menus. And two, it makes sure the dishes work well for takeout and delivery. So instead of serving Proposition Chickens sandwiches on long hoagies, for instance, Local Kitchens sells them on a soft potato roll, ostensibly easier for an office worker to eat. (Its crunchy, slightly sweet sandwich named the Spicy, does hold together fairly well at least until the last few bites.) Advertisement Article continues below this ad Marc Schechter of Square Pie Guys said he did upward of 10 tastings with the Local Kitchens team, honing his recipes for distribution. And Nopalito changed its foods even further, creating entirely new products in collaboration with Local Kitchens chefs, like the crispy quesabirria oozing with cheese. What you get in (Local Kitchens) is not what you would get in our restaurant in terms of what youre going to be able to order, said Nopalito co-owner Allyson Jossel. But youll find similarities in flavor profiles. Youll find similarities in textures. Santiago Ruiz, a kitchen worker at Local Kitchens San Bruno location, adds salsa to a serving of quesabirria tacos from Nopalito. Thomas Sawano / The Chronicle Local Kitchens isnt the only place in the Bay Area building consolidated food courts. All Day Kitchens, which launched in 2018 under the name Virtual Kitchen Co., similarly partnered with restaurants like San Franciscos China Live to extend the restaurant brands to the rest of the Bay Area. Many of All Days locations, however, are now closed; the company did not respond to Chronicle requests for comment. Similarly, Bay Area chain Noshery used to cook and sell food from several local partners in a single restaurant. Their partners included some of the same restaurants as Local Kitchens: the Melt, Sushirrito, Humphry Slocombe. But Byte Kitchen Limited, the company operating Noshery, decided to close its three micro food courts this spring. Co-founder and COO Quinn McKenna said the company is now focusing on food business software instead. Its San Mateo location was replaced by a restaurant with a similar ethos, if a different business model: Swing Shift. There, owner Yvette Yong sells urban comfort food: everything from pho to fried rice to tacos, all her own recipes. In San Mateo, where many options are highly specialized think popular Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles and specialty brothless ramen she wanted to cook for people who might want foods from multiple cuisines at once. Customers seem to be enjoying the choice that she and Local Kitchens offer. Nick Tan and Ky Ma, who recently moved from the city to South San Francisco, stopped by Local Kitchens in San Bruno last week. They were craving the food they missed from San Francisco restaurants like Proposition Chicken and Square Pie Guys. But once they got to Local Kitchens, they decided to branch out for lunch, ordering food from Flavor Trippin, the Melt, Nopalito, Proposition Chicken and Boba Guys. While its tough to picture anyone other than Jerry Stiller playing Frank Costanza, the part of Georges hot-headed dad originally went to a totally different actor, a fact that has eluded many Seinfeld fans because Larry David promptly George Lucas-ed all of the original performers scenes for syndication once Stiller was cast. Frank first showed up in Season Fours The Handicap Spot and was originally played by actor John Randolph, who previously appeared in classic films like Serpico and Seconds, although hes perhaps most recognizable to modern audiences as Clark Griswolds father in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Apparently playing the dads of unhinged man-children was kind of his thing. While David doesnt remember whether or not Randolph was unavailable for Season Five, or if they simply made a decision to change the actor, Stiller was hired at the suggestion of Larry Charles. Casting director Marc Hirschfeld claimed that it was probably the first time that we flew an actor in from New York to do a role in the show without ever seeing him audition. Advertisement Advertisement Even though he had never heard of Seinfeld, Stiller was thrilled to land the job. I got Frank Costanza when my life was disappearing as an actor, Stiller explained. I was close to that seven-decade mark. But replacing Randolph was bittersweet for Stiller, who looked up to the actor. Stiller recalled that, when he first moved to New York as an aspiring performer, he caught Randolph in the Broadway play Command Decision, and actually snuck backstage to meet him. I was so moved by that performance that I ran upstairs to his dressing room, and there he was taking a shower, Stiller once admitted. When Randolph questioned the intruder, Stiller responded, Im Jerry Stiller, I just want to tell you how much I love you. Instead of alerting security, Randolph offered him some words of encouragement, telling the young thespian, Just stick to it, who knows, maybe well work (together) one day. Advertisement They did, in fact, work together on the stage eventually, but Randolph soon became the victim of the Red Scare. He was blacklisted; he went through hell. And when he did finally come back, here I was replacing him in this show. And I had very mixed feelings but not for long, Stiller noted with a smile. Advertisement Once he had the job, Stiller very nearly suffered the same fate as Randolph. Stiller was instructed by David to play Frank as very meek and subdued, to offer a contrast to Georges mother. But it clearly wasnt working. So after four days of downplaying the performance, out of fears that he too would be replaced, Stiller let loose. Thats it, keep it that way! David immediately responded. Also, Stiller was also permitted to remove the bald cap he was originally supposed to wear. No word on whether or not they ever forced him to wear a Manssiere. You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this). Now more than ever, the political world needs the wisdom of John Mulaneys smash hit 2012 stand-up special New in Town to make sense of the upcoming election for instance, he and his Ice-T impression can explain to Matt Gaetz constituency what the word pedophile means. The last eight years of conservative politics can be characterized by a drastic change in the rhetoric used by Republican leaders. During Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, the former president and current felon scored many viral moments among his supporters and detractors alike by spouting insults like Crooked Hillary, bad hombres and nasty women, and language used in political settings during Trumps presidency only became more crass and infantile. Today, right-wing voters and leaders alike have a massive arsenal of insults that they lob at marginalized groups or left-leaning politicians, with terms like DEI and groomers taking the place of the slurs we all know they want to use instead. However, the Democratic Party is starting to pick up on the new rules of engagement laid out by their opponents though the left is still playing catchup at the name-calling game. As such, liberals have started small with their insults as a viral movement to call Trump and his cult of personality weird in tweets and Instagram posts has provoked an irate reaction from the right. Don't Miss When a conservative troll tried to go viral by claiming that calling a right-winger weird is tantamount to using Americas most offensive slur, one Mulaney fan corrected them using their own words: Now, to be clear, the original poster who claimed that weird is an unspeakable slur was likely just trying to get a rise out of the online left when he set that Mulaney fan up for the absolute perfect invocation of Mulaneys New in Town. However, its a common enough occurrence for someone on the receiving end of a weird, a Karen or an ok boomer to claim that the internets favorite new phrase to describe the most annoying people in the world is equal in ugliness to the worst slur in American history, so Mulaneys iconic take on the m-word versus the n-word remains hilariously applicable to the current discourse. Advertisement Advertisement Also, its funny how its always the case that the people who wont publicly say the n-word while trying to compare it to whatever insult targets them are the same ones who definitely say it in private. The focus of Chinas proposed Digital Identity proposal revolves around three key items: minimization of data sharing, user rights, and legal compliance, with data security being the fulcrum, an industry analyst said today. Late last week, Xinhua, the government news agency of the Communist Party of China, reported that Chinese citizens may, in the future, be able to avoid providing explicit personal information for internet service providers by using cyberspace IDs, according to a draft document published to solicit public opinion. The document, from the countrys Ministry of Public Security and the Cyberspace Administration of China, asks for comments and suggestions from residents to be submitted on or before August 25. The global average cost of a data breach leaped by 10% compared to the previous reporting period, hitting US$4.88 million, according to the 19th annual Cost of a Data Breach Report from IBM, which covers the period from March 2023 to February 2024. Thats a whopping 26.4% higher than the US$3.86 million reported in the 2018 edition, just six years ago, and 39.4% higher than in 2014. The report highlights trends I have been concerned about since the second half of 2023 when we started seeing organizations cut security staffing and budget, said David Shipley, CEO and co-founder of Beauceron Security. These are predictable outcomes of the combination of an out-of-control cybercrime wildfire combined with cutbacks both in cyber fire prevention and firefighting. At least two major health care providers in the Bay Area are no longer offering the current COVID-19 vaccine in most locations, leaving patients waiting until the fall for an updated version of the shot to become available. Salgu Wissmath/The Chronicle 2022 UPDATE: Fall COVID vaccines could reach Bay Area within days after FDA approves new formulas When Thursday Roberts tried to get a COVID-19 vaccine this month at a Walgreens in Pacifica, she ran into a surprising hurdle. The day before her scheduled appointment, she said the pharmacy called her and canceled it, telling her it no longer had any vaccines in stock. More on the coronavirus: How to manage COVID safety during the Bay Areas summer spike Advertisement Article continues below this ad Roberts, who is over 65, was confused. Shed been hoping to get a shot now and not wait for an updated vaccine in the fall because she wanted an extra boost of protection before her brother came to visit from out of town. This is in line with what many infectious disease experts are recommending that higher risk people, such as those who are immunocompromised or older than 65, get a fresh dose now and not wait until September, when an update comes out that is tailored to more recent versions of the coronavirus. The Bay Area is in the midst of a summer COVID wave that has seen test positivity rates climb to a 30-month high and hospitalizations at their highest rate since the winter coronavirus surge waned in March. But some people trying to get a protective shot are having trouble finding them, as supplies of the existing version dwindle ahead of the fall update. Walgreens is one of at least two major health care providers in the Bay Area that no longer offers the 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine at all its locations. The pharmacy chain has begun returning unused doses of the older vaccine, according to a company spokesperson, but did not say when or why. The updated shot will be available in a few weeks, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kaiser Permanente, one of the Bay Areas largest health care providers, is also no longer providing the current vaccine to all members due to limited supply, said Karl Sonkin, a spokesperson for Kaiser Permanente Northern California. The supply gap created by the switchover to the new vaccine is making it harder if not impossible for patients like Roberts to get a shot at the time and place of their choosing. Theres going to be a group of people who either didnt get vaccinated this spring and want to get it now and should get it, or theres a group of people who are severely immunocompromised whose doctors are recommending it every three months, but thats a small group of people, said Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus at UC Berkeleys School of Public Health. Walgreens is among major health care providers in the Bay Area that no longer offers the 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine at all its locations. The pharmacy chain has begun returning unused doses of the older vaccine, a spokesperson said. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 2021 Kaiser members who wish to get the vaccine now may have to go to a provider outside the Kaiser system, which is not typically covered by insurance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Due to limited supply of the 2023-24 COVID vaccines, Kaiser Permanente will not be routinely providing COVID-19 vaccination for some or all age groups for the rest of the summer, depending on service area, Kaiser said in a statement. Vaccination for all recommended age groups will resume when the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccines are available in September. One reason pharmacies may be running low on supplies is that Pfizer stopped shipping the 2023-24 COVID vaccine in June, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Pfizer would not confirm this date despite multiple requests for comment from the Chronicle. The health department noted as well that some existing vaccine stocks may have expired and that some pharmacies are waiting for the updated vaccine to arrive before restocking. Pharmaceutical company Novavax confirmed that it no longer provides the 2023-24 vaccine in the United States, making room for it to update and stock the 2024-2025 COVID vaccine for the fall season. Drugmaker Moderna did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some Bay Area providers contacted by the Chronicle said they still have supplies of the current vaccine, including UCSF Health and multiple Sutter Health locations. We recommend that people contact the location they wish to visit by phone or check their website for current availability of COVID-19 vaccines, said the San Francisco health department. As for Roberts, after Walgreens canceled her appointment, she tried other locations, including a Rite Aid in Pacifica. But when it too said it was out of Pfizer doses, she decided to give up and wait until the fall instead. Im accepting reality for what it is, she said. Ive moved on, and Ill wait for the new one whenever it is out. Illustration: Lauren Martin As of late June, New Yorkers 21 and older can legally grow weed at home. But cannabis isnt your average snake plant its sensitive and requires daily tending and a ton of gear. Heres exactly how to do it. Know whats legal and whats not. According to the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act, each adult can cultivate up to six cannabis plants, three mature (flowering, ready-to-harvest plants) and three immature (branches and leaves but no flowers yet), with a maximum of 12 per multi-adult household. Once youve harvested your plants, you can store up to five pounds of cultivated cannabis flower, enough to roll more than 1,500 king-size joints. Beyond that, there are few legal barriers to growing in your apartment and your building management cant say much about it, either. Unless they are receiving federal benefits, like in Section 8 housing, a landlord cant prevent you from home cultivating, says Nathaniel Jenkins from the Office of Cannabis Management. But be mindful that local laws and the OCMs regulations are subject to change pending review, so it is a good idea to check with a lawyer about them first. Invest in quality equipment. Any experienced cultivator will suggest buying a grow tent to control the environment fully, legacy home grower Ricky DeBushea says. These tents mimic optimal outdoor growing conditions when you add full-spectrum grow lights as a stand-in for the sun and small fans to produce winds that ventilate the space. Expert cultivator the Dank Duchess prefers buying the tent and equipment separately, but DeBushea notes there are turnkey options where you can get a tent, light, fan, and pot options all together. Fully equipped kits from brands like Gorilla Grow Tent and Vivosun start at around $350 for a two-by-two-foot setup. Get some good seeds. Buying from a licensed dispensary or reputable online seed bank like Authentic Genetics Seed Co. or Humboldt Seed Company is a good way to start. Different varietals range from $3 to $50 per seed, but experts recommend buying inexpensive strains that you actually like to smoke. One of the first things I grew was Blue Dream, says Solonje Burnett, founder of Weed Auntie. I tend to pick things that are more well known because I know how they feel in my body. Get the auto-flowering kind, Burnett says. These seeds are easier to grow, harvest quickly, and stay on one light schedule. Choose a grow medium. Indoor cannabis can be grown either hydroponically or in living soil. For a beginner, living soil can be more cost effective because it requires less material, DeBushea says. He uses BuildASoils ClackamasCoots Style ($33), which includes kelp meal and malted barley to nourish plants from the root. Follow a strict light schedule. During the seedling and vegetative stages, the plant needs 18-to-24 hours of light per day to grow strong roots and branches. After five-to-eight weeks, the flowers will begin budding, at which point they will need only 12 hours of light a day for eight-to-12 weeks before theyre ready to harvest. During this period, its a good idea to perform low-stress training on your plants, like pushing the leaves away from the stem so that it can get better light where the buds will grow, according to latif sirat of Hudson Cannabis. Consult an electrician. The amount of light and equipment required to grow indoors can overload your circuits, causing electrical damage. Licensed home-improvement contractor Katie Whitaker of Handymaam implores everyone to dedicate a UL-rated surge protector exclusively to their grow operation. Watch your water. Too much unabsorbed water can cause root rot and mold, which can destroy your plants. The average plant needs about a quart of water a day during the seedling stage and upwards of three gallons when flowering. Buy a carbon filter. The smell of fresh flowering plants is much milder than dried and burned cannabis, but you can trap any unwanted smells in the tent if you use a carbon filter. Hang your harvest. Theres only one way to know your flowers are fully ripe for harvesting: When you look at the trichomes, which are the oil glands of the plant, theyll change from clear to being glittery, milky, and even amber in color, sirat says. He recommends buying a jewelers loupe to examine your buds during the last few weeks of maturity. When theyre ready, cut down the branches, trim the leaves, and hang the branches to dry in your tent for a week or two. Dried flowers should be stored in humidity-controlled Mason jars or Grove Bags for an additional month after harvest to finish ripening. This means the entire cultivation process can take up to eight months, but its worth it for home growers who really care about their plants. I sing to my babies. I dance in the room with my babies. I palo santo my babies, Burnett says. The pigeon has landed. Or, it will soon. Right now its being hatched in Mexico. Photo: Courtesy Ivan Argote / The High Line This fall, a 16-foot-tall pigeon its chest puffed out proudly, head high, not down pecking at some errant pizza crust, its pitiless red-eye gaze looking out over the traffic will alight on the spur of the High Line that bridges Tenth Avenue at 30th Street. The pigeons name, or at least the title of the work, is Dinosaur. I hope it doesnt cause any accidents, says Ivan Argote, the artist who created it. But when youre driving, it really attracts your eye. You look up and are just like, What? Dinosaur will be an avatar of large-scale pigeonness, something there isnt a lot of in art history or anywhere else, really. Pigeons have never been thought of as heroic. Far from it. They are the worlds oldest domesticated bird, mentioned on Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets and in Egyptian hieroglyphics dating back 5,000 years. It wasnt ever really an equal interspecies relationship: Mostly, humans kept them around for food or, thanks to their homing instinct, for carrying messages. Prettier breeds were decorative pets. Others are still raised to race. Mostly these days, having escaped their lives in human servitude and gone feral, they are considered lowborn urban poop machines greasy, scavenging unthreatening rats with wings. People feed them, whether they mean to or not, and hawks eat them. Which is why pigeons, unlike, say, imperial eagles, or regal lions, or, of course, horses preening with humans atop them, rarely get this sort of exalted treatment. Nobody takes pigeons all that seriously: They are background animals, their gray bodies blending in with the dirty pavement they flock across, pecking around for whatever humans drop on the ground. Which is entirely the point that Argote was making in proposing it for the perch atop the High Line Plinth. The artist with the bird at the foundry in Mexico where it was hatched. Photo: Yvonne Venegas; Courtesy Ivan Argote and the High Line Argote, 40, is Colombian but has mostly lived and worked in Paris since he was 22. He found when he moved there statues and monuments that, if you bother to look as he did walking its squares, glorified the perpetrators of violence, subjugation, and conquest. He decided to do something about that: monument mitigation through illegal or almost illegal interventions, or adding things to colonial sculptures in Colombia and Madrid, and in other countries, he says. It was not systematically, but it was kind of this pattern follow the stories of some of these characters, and I end up meeting them in places, such as Christopher Columbus or other conquistadors in South America. Dont worry, it doesnt poop. Photo: Courtesy Ivan Argote / The High Line In one 2011 series, he took photographs of various equestrian monuments around Parisand other cities including New Yorkand digitally erased the people riding on top of them. The series, which re-centered the honor on the horse, was called Horses. The next year, while traveling in Madrid, he began a series called Turistas where he dressed colonial statues of kings and conquistadors in ponchos. He also initiated a project where he would surround a statue with a mirrored box, reflecting the world around it, absent its presence. In 2021, he rolled a crane up to a statue of a particularly problematic man in Paris and created a video, titled Aurevoir Joseph Gallieni, of its being removed, although the removal was only done digitally in post-production, not IRL. Still, the faked images caused a bit of a stir. I had pigeons in my life, yeah, he says. And in my work before. It came from different places. Paris is a city of pigeons. I like to contemplate the city. Then, somehow, I felt at some point like the pigeons around and then I felt this kind of company, he says. In those days, even before I started doing the rest of the monuments, I was thinking, What could be a pigeon monument, a monument for a pigeon? Photo: Courtesy Ivan Argote / The High Line/2019 Getty Images The High Line is planning to engage the pigeon appreciation community with pigeon-themed programming, especially around National Pigeon Day , June 13th. When he was nominated to make a proposal for the High Line Plinth, he was intrigued, but it was hard because I spend my time trying to remove things from the pedestal, he says. For a long time, I was a bit lost. At first, he spent time on a proposal that was more related to all these decolonial or postcolonial ideas. Something with a clear message. However, I felt was very boring, he says. Most of the time, we place humans on top of this pedestal. Then, my response was not to play the human card but to play the nonhuman one. And so he decided to try the pigeon, despite his fear that it might not be considered as serious. I kind of got honest with myself. I think when you do these kinds of projects, you have a certain kind of responsibility. This is not about your work and your research. Its also about what you can transmit the way you can, the reactions you can generate, mostly in public space. And then I saw the pigeon would be something that people would react to in different ways. Its a very iconic animal or entity, or icon of New York, and also still a marginal creature, living in dirty corners. You see a lot of people who live in the street or have to spend most of their lives in the street; they also get a sort of love or closeness with these pigeons. Sometimes the pigeons do very human stuff, like take the subway. So I think you can recognize yourself in them. His original maquette which was on view at the High Line along with the other 12 finalists in 2021 looked rather like a stiff toy pigeon. If you look at the original maquette, it was just literally a model of a pigeon sitting on the plinth, he says. The artists starter bird. It evolved from here. Photo: Timothy Schenck/Courtesy Ivan Argote/the High Line After his idea was selected, he had to evolve it to the proud even arrogant bird that it has become, talons gripping the front of the plinth, tail swept back and to one side to give it the third point of support so that it does not fall over or fly away in the wind. The feet had to be splayed out, too, gripping the edge of the box. (The tail straight out in the maquette would have been an obstacle and it had to perch.) The shifting is not quite avian contrapposto: Its like when sometimes they take a picture of you and then the photographer tells you to be three-quarters and look at the camera, Argote says. It went through many rounds of refinement in clay as Argote rented and scanned various taxidermied pigeons and visited the collection of 19th-century wild-animal statuary at the Musee dOrsay. Its a very kind of artistic approach, he says. We didnt talk to a lot of ornithologists. A big bird foot. Photo: Yvonne Venegas; Courtesy Ivan Argote and the High Line Dinosaur which Argote declines to confine to the gender binary, explaining that the statue has elements of both male and female pigeons was cast from aluminum in a foundry in Mexico. We did many corrections, like the detail: Its like, Ah, but this wing doesnt go this way. There is a little depression here in the chest. We have to fill it out, and fill this in, he says. It will migrate (over land, as it has yet to learn how to fly) to its new perch in October, where it will sit for 18 months. Dinosaur will be the fourth occupant of the five-foot-square plinth since the program was inaugurated with Simone Leighs Brick House in 2019. People [already] feel strongly about it. Some people really hate pigeons. Other people are completely obsessed, says Cecilia Alemani, the director and chief curator of High Line Art. It was interesting compared, for instance, to the beautiful piece that we have now, which is an amazing piece Pamela Rosenkranzs pink-and-red Old Tree but it is something that usually people just love. Over the next year and a half, the High Line is planning to engage the pigeon-appreciation community with pigeon-themed programming, especially around National Pigeon Day, June 13th. I ask Argote what else he knew about the pigeon hes hatched. How old is it? Its like 35 basically my age. He wants to make it approachable, a sort of everypigeon, despite its size (21 feet tall, counting the plinth.) I really want to have that feeling, like you know when sometimes youre on your own for two seconds, or youre having a sandwich in the street in between things, or just losing some time. Then, you look down, and theres a pigeon there. Then, you have this kind of look at each other. I really want people to have that feeling. Its like, Ah, Ive seen you, man. Here you are. Here you are. You know, that guy in the corner that you say hello to but you dont know much about him? But this sort of ignores the scale. Think of it from a normal-sized pigeons point of view. They probably wont recognize Dinosaur as one of their own. I dream about the moment when the pigeons going to stand up on his head. I think that would be really an accomplishment in my life. A birds eye view. Photo: Courtesy Ivan Argote / The High Line Theres a growing consensus among moderates and progressives that San Franciscos problems are bigger than any one political faction theyre embedded in the structure of our government itself. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle One thing almost all San Franciscans agree on these days: The city is on the wrong track. Moderates and progressives love to bicker over whos to blame. But theres a growing consensus that our problems are bigger than any one political faction theyre embedded in the structure of our government itself. For instance, the city literally has more commissions than it can count. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a June report hilariously titled Commission Impossible?, a San Francisco civil grand jury was able to identify 115 active commissions which is about twice as many as peer local governments. But since no authoritative central list exists, there could be more. It also found that up to 15% of the citys 1,200 commission seats were vacant and 20% of meetings were canceled last year. Commissions are intended to check the authority of the mayor and Board of Supervisors and serve as watchdogs for powerful departments. That clearly isnt happening as it should. In true San Francisco fashion, however, even proposed solutions to this problem are dysfunctional. Instead of our leaders coming together to fix things, theyre forcing voters to do the dirty work of choosing between two complicated, competing commission streamlining ballot measures in November. One measure, sponsored by Supervisors Aaron Peskin, Hillary Ronen, Dean Preston and Rafael Mandelman, would establish a task force to recommend ways to modify, eliminate or combine the citys boards and commissions. The other, sponsored by the moderate advocacy group TogetherSF Action, would set a cap of 65 commissions and automatically eliminate all but a few dozen if the Board of Supervisors doesnt make the required cuts within a specified timeline. It would also give the mayor more control over appointing commission members and sole authority to hire and fire department heads. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kanishka Cheng, leader of TogetherSF Action, told me that its critical to set a maximum because the city never limits itself. Peskin, whos running for mayor, dismissed as a bunch of malarkey the idea that eliminating commissions would make San Franciscos government function like a Swiss watch. Even when our elected and civic leaders agree that San Franciscos government has a serious structural flaw, they cant seem to address it without political sniping. How do we get out of this mess? A new report published Wednesday by the public policy group SPUR, shared exclusively with me, offers eight recommendations that could help. Appropriately, one recommendation is raising the bar to qualify ballot measures. Right now, its absurdly easy to place measures that dont amend the city charter before voters. It can be done unilaterally by the mayor, with only 4 of 11 Board of Supervisors votes and by any group that collects signatures from 2% of registered voters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad These low thresholds invite political gamesmanship, disincentivize sound policymaking and result in ultralong, complex ballots. In 2022, for example, Mayor London Breed and progressive supervisors placed two competing housing measures on the ballot instead of finding a legislative compromise. Unsurprisingly, confused voters rejected both measures. SPUR recommends raising the threshold for non-charter amendments: The Board of Supervisors would need a majority vote, the mayor would need board approval and groups would need to gather signatures from 5% of registered voters, a percentage in line with other charter cities. (Measures that amend the city charter already need to meet a higher threshold.) SPUR also suggests establishing an in-house Legislative Analysts Office, modeled on the highly respected state version, to help supervisors evaluate their proposed legislation. SPUR also, somewhat ironically, recommends establishing a commission to review all of the citys commissions and boards it estimates there are 126 and reducing the overall number. It further suggests streamlining the commission appointment process and clarifying the purpose of each commission. Right now, the city has a dizzying variety of commission types some provide advice to elected officials, others make governance decisions and others perform regulatory functions like approving permits. Some commissions are appointed entirely by the mayor, others have a mix of appointees from the mayor and Board of Supervisors and a few have appointees named by other commissioners. The result, report co-authors Nicole Neditch and Alicia John-Baptiste told me, is that although San Franciscans largely hold the mayor responsible for the state of the city, commissions dilute the mayors authority in ways that make it difficult for the public to understand whos responsible for what. For instance, the mayor has unilateral authority to appoint just four of more than 50 department heads. The mayor also lacks explicit authority to fire some department heads such as the leader of the Planning Department, who can only be fired by the Planning Commission. John Rahaim, San Franciscos planning director from 2008 to 2020, told me it was never entirely clear if his boss was the Planning Commission or the mayor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This doesnt necessarily stop a strong mayor from being a strong mayor, Ed Harrington, the citys former controller and general manager of the Public Utilities Commission, told me. But it does blur lines of accountability and create unnecessarily complex processes that enable corruption. To mitigate this, SPUR recommends restoring the mayors ability to hire and fire most department heads and giving the mayor authority to appoint all members of commissions that make governance and regulatory decisions. SPUR also calls for reorganizing and consolidating San Franciscos confusing tangle of departments some of which have overlapping and even contradictory missions and transforming the city administrator into a chief operating officer focused on essential city operations and long-term projects. Everyone I spoke to for this column was largely in agreement about SPURs high-level recommendations. But implementing any of these reforms will require significant political will and, as Breed spokesperson Jeff Cretan noted, The mayor and the board and everyone else working on it. 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 Therein lies San Franciscos biggest challenge. Conflict is often more politically beneficial and a lot easier than collaboration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Demonstrators in Houston gather for a rally for a National Day of Action in 2021 demanding an end to hate crimes targeting Asian American communities. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle 2021 Regarding Senate hopeful Adam Schiff reinforces support for AAPI communities in Oakland outreach (Politics, SFChronicle.com, July 28): The surge in anti-Asian hate in recent years is alarming, and it is affirming that Rep. Adam Schiff acknowledges this avalanche of hate. However, Asian American communities in California deserve better than increased police presence as a solution. History shows that law enforcement alone cannot address the systemic roots of hate crimes, such as poverty, inequality and lack of access to community-based resources. Asian Americans are also not a monolith and anti-Asian hate is just the surface. Our communities face deeper issues like inadequate culturally competent health care, homelessness and insufficient disaggregation of demographic data to identify problems. This is not going to magically disappear with increased police presence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Many of Schiffs predecessors have not effectively appealed to Asian American and Pacific Islander voters, despite our communities being one of the fastest-growing populations. In the Bay Area, its common to see campaign flyers in Chinese. Yet how many of these non-Asian politicians have truly listened to and impacted the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, a diverse group that has differing and unique needs? If Schiff wants our support, he must offer more than surface-level solutions. Anyone can condemn hate, but who is going to prevent it long-term? Tran Nguyen, Berkeley Use speed cameras Regarding California drivers are killing people. Can the state annoy speeders into slowing down and saving lives? (Editorials, SFChronicle.com, July 27): Speeding and reckless driving are the norm. Drivers are not accidentally speeding, its the way they drive, their personal right to do as they please. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Go past a parked California Highway Patrol car on Interstate 101 in Marin at 70 mph where the speed limit is 55 mph and nothing happens, no stop, no warning, no ticket. Europe has the answer: speed cameras. We should go straight to the problems solution: have consistent, real solutions for catching speeders and impose significant penalties. This will change behavior. A warning bell will be ignored. Ray Hanssen, San Francisco Solano plan a bad idea Regarding California Forevers plan to build city in Solano County on hold to study projects impact (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, July 22): Silicon Valley is supposed to be about fresh ideas. But the billionaire investors east Solano plan was not only outdated, it was also wildly expensive for taxpayers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The developers say they want residents to live near jobs in a walkable, thriving community, so why not invest in existing cities? Lets build affordable housing near transportation hubs and schools. Infill projects are cheaper to construct, more environmentally sustainable and dont bring the air pollution of exurban sprawl. Building a brand new city for up to 400,000 people would have been a burden on Solano County and its fire department, proving that bad planning with nice branding is still bad planning. Now that the project is on hold, lets see if developers can come up with better housing ideas that dont destroy the environment, drain the local water supply and cost taxpayers millions. Frances Tinney, Oakland Advertisement Article continues below this ad Elect a woman president Kamala Harris is poised to become the Democratic presidential nominee. While the country is overdue for a woman president, the same old arguments are being made against her: She is not the right person for such a historic occasion. The same arguments were made when Hilary Clinton ran for president, and as a result, one of the most divisive leaders of this nation came to power. Harris is not a perfect candidate, but who is? Is she capable of leading this nation? I think so and nothing in her past indicates otherwise. 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 Will she be able to unify this divided nation? At this point, it is doubtful that anyone can, but she certainly has a better chance than the Republican candidate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lets stop rehashing the same old arguments and elect Harris. Its time to give a woman a chance to run this nation! Like all politicians, Jeremy Hunt has his faults. The Tories would say he should have cut taxes more vigorously while chancellor. Labour opponents might criticise his defence of arms sales to Saudi Arabia when he was foreign secretary. But a liar? Even his enemies would surely accept that Mr Hunt is a man of decency and integrity. All except Rachel Reeves. The Chancellors attack on him, accusing him of deliberately lying about the state of the public finances, was outrageous. It was a wicked calumny against a man who did a sterling job of steadying the economy in the wake of two massive global shocks. It was also the politics of the gutter. The Chancellor has risked undermining her credibility by fabricating a 22billion black hole in the public finances. The truth is almost half of the funding shortfall identified is the result of sanctioning outrageously large public sector pay awards to curry favour with the unions In shades of the Blair years, Labours narrative is clear. Blame the Tories for every ill which has befallen this country since 2010 to deflect any criticism of their own failings. Now, as the dust settles on Ms Reevess mini-Budget, it is clear that criticism is beginning to head her way. A storm of it. One political truism is that to govern is to choose. In the choices it made, Labour proved beyond doubt that socialism and the politics of envy courses through its veins. Less than a month into the job, the Chancellor has risked undermining her credibility by fabricating a 22billion black hole in the public finances. The truth is almost half of the funding shortfall identified is the result of sanctioning outrageously large public sector pay awards to curry favour with the unions. The Chancellor is also under fire for axing the winter fuel allowance worth up to 300 a year for ten million pensioners. With energy prices forecast to rise again this winter, it is shameful that Labour will leave Britains elderly to shiver. Prime Minister Keir Starmer with Rachel Reeves. Labours narrative is clear. Blame the Tories for every ill which has befallen this country since 2010 to deflect any criticism of their own failings Like all politicians, Jeremy Hunt has his faults. The Tories would say he should have cut taxes more vigorously while chancellor. But a liar? Even his enemies would surely accept that Mr Hunt is a man of decency and integrity Leave aside the ruthlessness of the decision. The blatant hypocrisy is breathtaking. Before last Octobers Budget, Labour itself warned the then Tory government not to means-test the payments. The Governments myopic decision to kill off the promised cap on social care costs is also deeply depressing. It means the scandal of elderly people being forced to sell their homes to pay nursing bills will go on. There is a grim irony here. Many people have lived frugal and responsible lives, building a nest-egg in order to provide for themselves in old age. If Ms Reeves raids pensions and savings in her October Budget, they are more likely to end up turning to the state for support. Similarly, punishing the well-off will drive out investment and undermine growth. The great danger is that Britains future prosperity is being sacrificed on the altar of Labours incoherence and ideology. Home truths The housing crisis is one of the most pressing challenges facing the Government. Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner at a development site in Basingstoke. while Nimbys cannot have a veto on new developments, nor should ministers be able to ride roughshod over local communities. A balance must be struck So Labours plan to turbo-charge property building is badly needed. Deputy Leader Angela Rayners target of 1.85million homes within five years is wildly ambitious. But there are serious concerns with her plan. Some parts of the country will be forced to build seven times as many homes as they are now. Who will provide the schools and other infrastructure to cope? Those who value Britains quality of life will be dismayed by proposals to ditch some greenbelt restrictions. And while Nimbys cannot have a veto on new developments, nor should ministers be able to ride roughshod over local communities. A balance must be struck. Of course, a major factor fuelling demand goes largely unmentioned: mass immigration. If Labour doesnt have a proper policy to reduce the huge influx, how can it hope to solve the chronic housing shortage? It's been almost 80 years since an unprecedented atomic bomb wreaked havoc in Japan, leaving behind a devastation so severe, it will never be forgotten. American pilot Paul Warfield Tibbets Jr, then aged 30, changed the course of history when he dropped the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima, Japan, during World War ll, instantly killing 78,000 people. Nicknamed 'Little Boy' and plunged from the USAAF B-29 bomber, Enola Gay; August 6, 1945 marks the deadly day the device would ravish entire towns in its wake. The bomb's aftermath would take the death toll to 140,000 as survivors went on to die from complications from severe burns and radiation sickness. An experienced brigadier general in the United States Air Force, Paul headed a crew of 12 men who flew the four-engine heavy bomber - named Enola Gay after his mother - that unleashed a first-of-its-kind warfare on thousands of men, women and children. American pilot Paul Warfield Tibbets Jr (pictured), then aged 30, dropped the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima, Japan, during World War ll, instantly killing 78,000 people It's been almost 80 years since the unprecedented atomic bomb wreaked havoc in Japan, leaving behind a devastation so severe, it will never be forgotten (pictured: The Boeing B-29 Superfortress 'Enola Gay' landing on the Marianas Island after the atomic bombing mission on Hiroshima, Japan) Paul flew the four-engine heavy bomber and named it Enola Gay after his mother (The captain is pictured waving from the Enola Gay's cockpit before taking off for the bombing of Hiroshima on August 6 1945) What happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki? The United States attacked the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic bombs during the final stages of the Second World War in 1945. The two events are the only use of nuclear weapons in war to date. The war in Europe ended when Nazi Germany surrendered on May 8, but the Pacific War continued. Together with the UK and the Republic of China, the United States called for the surrender of Japan, threatening the country with 'prompt and utter destruction'. The Japanese government ignored this ultimatum. American airmen then dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, followed with another over Nagasaki on 9 August. Within the first two to four months of the bombings, the acute effects killed 90,000166,000 people in Hiroshima and 60,00080,000 in Nagasaki, with roughly half of the deaths in each city occurring on the first day. On 15 August, six days after the bombing of Nagasaki, Japan announced its surrender to the Allies, signing the Instrument of Surrender on 2 September, officially ending World War Two. Advertisement The Illinois-born aircraft captain passed away in 2007, aged 92, but not before revealing his chilling thoughts on the calamitous mission. In 1975, he told the Columbus Dispatch that he had no regrets over his decision and slept 'clearly every night'. He said: 'You've got to take stock and assess the situation at that time. We were at war. You use anything at your disposal'. At some point in the interview, he appeared to somewhat reflect on his actions adding: 'I'm not proud that I killed 80,000 people, but I'm proud that I was able to start with nothing, plan it and have it work as perfectly as it did'. The Little Boy weighed approximately 4,400 kg and its complex design utilised a gun method to explosively force a nuclear chain reaction. According to Los Alamos National lab, the destructive device was named after its shape, an unassuming 'gun gadget' formation. The path to the development of the infamous atom bomb began in 1904, when Frederick Soddy, a physicist at Cambridge University, theorised that if the energy within an atom could be released it would be a weapon by which 'we could destroy the earth'. Many years later Robert J Oppenheimer - the son of a German Jewish businessman and his wife Ella, a painter - would famously work on the device. Paul Warfield Tibbets Jr was an experienced brigadier general in the United States Air Force Here Paul poses in 1946 and on another occasion in front of the Enola Gay, responsible for wreaking havoc on Hiroshima during World War ll In 1975, he told the Columbus Dispatch that he had no regrets over his decision to drop the atomic bomb and slept 'clearly every night' (pictured in New Mexico in 1946) The Illinois-born aircraft captain passed away in 2007, aged 92 (Paul is pictured holding a model of the Enola Gay during an appearance at the Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum in Kissimmee before his death) Oppenheimer's intellect was second to none. Amid the dizzying breakthroughs in quantum physics that were coming thick and fast in the 1920s, Oppenheimer shone by publishing 16 papers in three years. His words following the first ever atomic bomb explosion in New Mexico 1965 were quoted as: 'I am become death, destroyer of worlds,' Less than a month later, the pioneering, devastating technology was used on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, acts which ended the Second World War but took as many as 170,000 lives in the process. Paul Warfield Tibbets Jr. was born on February 23, 1915, in Quincy, Illinois, and spent most of his boyhood in Miami. He was a student at the University of Cincinnati's medical school when he decided to withdraw in 1937 to enlist in the Army Air Corps. He became a brigadier general before leaving the military in 1966. Later he became president of Executive Jet Aviation, a Columbus-based international air-taxi service. Tibbets was cremated and his ashes scattered in the English Channel, which he loved to fly over during the war. People from around the world have shared the hilarious notices that have stopped them in their tracks and Bored Panda collated the best into an online gallery. One restaurant in the US came up with a very clever marketing strategy by calling the bar and grill 'I Don't Care', so when someone asks, 'Where do you want to eat?' You end up there. Elsewhere the welcome sign in Alston, which is a town in Cumbria, England, is rather morbid after the r and v faded from the 'please drive carefully' sign, instructing visitors to instead 'die'. Meanwhile, an Italian restaurant had to write a notice to explain to customers that they 'werent yelling' they were just Italian's having a 'normal conversation.' People from around the world have shared the hilarious notices that have stopped them in their tracks and Bored Panda collated the best into an online gallery. Including a BWS off-licence, in the UK, which left customers in stitches with a hilarious notice outside their shop A shop, in the US, posted a notice to warn customers that due to the hot weather they were no longer taking cash from woman's bras. A BWS off-licence in the UK left customers in stitches with a hilarious notice outside their shop. Here FEMAIL takes a look at some of the funniest signs spotted around the world... Meanwhile a restaurant, spotted in the US, had a very clever marketing strategy by calling the bar and grill 'I Don't Care', so when someone asks, 'Where do you want to eat?' You end up there Meanwhile an Italian restaurant had to write a notice to explain to customers that they 'werent yelling' they were just Italian's having a 'normal conversation' A shop, in the US, posted a notice to warn customers that due to the hot weather they were no longer taking cash from woman's bras Elsewhere the welcome sign in Alston, which is a town in Cumbria, England, is morbid, but hilarious Who says you can't fight fire with fire! In an unknown location we hope someone is having a twisted joke about fire safety This greeting is the opposite of a welcome matt and probably a perfect gift for an introverted Journey fan Meanwhile this hilarious sign was spotted at Dehradun Zoo in Uttarakhand, India, and I think they made their point Awkward! Elsewhere this witty sign was spotted outside an ice cream parlor in Indiana Meanwhile this sign taught graphic designers a valuable lesson in planning their designs ahead of time It would make you wonder what a customer did to require this pizza restaurant to state that the box needed to be opened before the pizza was consumed Gracie Bon hit out at trolls who claimed her curves were as a result of surgery An influencer has insisted that her large curves are 'all natural' after fans insisted she's had aving plastic surgery and a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). Gracie Bon, from Panama, has more than seven million followers on Instagram as she films herself going to the gym, travelling the world and sunbathing at the beach. But she also shows the challenges she faces as a plus-sized woman, including getting a lot of looks in the street and struggling to put on a seatbelt on aeroplanes. Although Gracie receives positive comments about her body on her posts, she also gets many trolls who say she has manufactured her voluptuous shape. The 26-year-old hit back at these negative remarks with a post online claiming that her body is 'what God gave me'. Gracie Bon posted older pictures of her alongside more recent ones as she hit out at trolls Gracie defended her voluptuous shape shape in the caption and claimed it was what 'God gave her' The content creator took to the platform and wrote: 'You can clearly see in the first picture how my "natural" body looked and guess what, in that time they looked at me strangely and [I] got body shamed too because I look differently and I dress differently. 'So because I'm a plus size girl I cannot wear whatever I want and go outside? 'Sorry I'm not ashamed anymore of my curves and [I'm[ not hating my body because you hate it. 'Some of you normalise hating on girls for nothing, for just being themselves.' Gracie then ended the post by writing 'mind you, the thighs match,' as a dig at those claiming she has had a BBL, as sometimes the thighs may be disproportionate to the buttocks after the surgery takes place. Along with the post, she shared three older photos of herself next to three more recent pictures to showcase her curves. The post racked up more than 377,000 likes and 14,000 comments, with commentators expressing split opinions. One wrote: 'There's definitely no need to be ashamed of your curves, but the lying though, just don't. It's clear you had some work done and that's fine just don't lie.' Another penned 'What God gave me, I didn't know there was a BBL surgeon named God.' Gracie then ended the post by writing 'mind you, the thighs match,' as a dig at those claiming she has had a BBL Gracie Bon, from Panama, has more than seven million followers on Instagram as she films herself going to the gym, travelling the world and sunbathing at the beach A third said: 'I'm a man who [has] always dated curvy women without shame. Just ignore the haters. I think you're gorgeous.' A fourth added: 'The before picture is altered too. I've seen your before pictures. They aren't mad that you had surgery so much, it's that you're lying about it so now that's making them call you out.' A fifth commented: 'I can't speak for everyone else but I definitely appreciate your curves! Nice physique.' Early this year, Gracie took to her Instagram to discuss the struggles of taking a flight as a plus-sized woman. She was seen walking through the airport on a moving walkway, glancing behind her to smile while showing off her figure. The clip from January shows the 26-year-old plus-sized woman pouting on the plane as she struggles to put on her seatbelt The post racked up more than 377,000 likes and 14,000 comments, with commentators expressing split opinions The Instagram model exclaimed: 'Airplanes should have bigger seats. 'So today I had a flight and even if I was flying in first class, I couldn't fit on the airplane - so this is a petition for all the airlines so big girls like me can fly.' Gracie insists: 'It's not my fault I have an a*** this big. Please just make them bigger.' She shared the clip on Instagram for her 4.5 million followers where it went viral with 1.3 million views and 3,500 comments. However, not everyone agreed and viewers were quick to argue that her issue is self-inflicted after she chose to have body modification surgeries. One user penned: 'What you need is a bigger brain,' meanwhile a second wrote: 'It's your fault. You paid for the surgeries'. Former San Pablo Mayor Rich Kinney, center, leads a group singing God Bless America in June during a rally in support of Donald Trump before a campaign fundraiser in San Francisco. MAGAs definition of normal seems to be fading. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle When former first lady Michelle Obama first issued her call for civility When they go low, we go high it was a balm for those repulsed by racist and misogynistic political rhetoric and out-there demands for former President Barack Obamas birth certificate. It exhorted Democrats to stay on message and hold faith that the body politic would respond to maturity and grace. It was a lovely sentiment, but this week has made it clear it has finally been put to rest. Its a new age: Time to get weird. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Democrats are finally coming to realize that stepping off the high ground is worth it if thats what it takes to interrupt the march of fascism. This past weekend, Minnesota governor and potential vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz stumbled upon a powerful rhetorical weapon while speaking out against Republicans at a rally in St. Paul: The fascists depend on us going back. But we are not afraid of weird people. Were a little bit creeped out, but we are not afraid. Its mild. (Although in Minnesota-speak, mild pejoratives like weird, or its cousin, thats different, can be as devastating as the worst cuss word you can imagine.) But as a condemnation of a right-wing political ideology that has historically thrived on situating itself as the voice of tradition and morality, the so-called Silent Majority, its paying out in spades and energizing a voter base that was badly in need of a spark. On Monday, a political ad by Wont PAC Down, a Democratic group targeting younger voters, went viral on X with the caption, THESE GUYS ARE JUST WEIRD. JD Vance and his Project 2025 weirdos want to control your bedroom. Will you let them? Again, sounds mild. But it garnered almost 10 million views in 24 hours. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the ad, a group of male actors in various stages of dishevelment paraphrase conservative talking points about abortion and reproductive rights. If you freeze 12 eggs, you should be required to have 12 babies, or else youre a serial killer. And Im definitely not a serial killer, says one. Another says his son monitors his porn habits, just like Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, and a convenient QR code leading to a Rolling Stone story about the anecdote pops up on-screen. Some of the men get sweatier as the ad goes on, the dark patches in their shirts spreading like spilled ink. It doesnt waste time listing the virtues of reproductive rights. It works because it refuses to take seriously MAGAs nasty melange of incel resentment and Christian nationalism. These weird ideas arent worth debating. Since Vice President Kamala Harris seized the electoral baton from President Joe Biden last week, she and other Democratic leaders have repeatedly sounded the alarm on Project 2025, the comprehensive, 922-page blueprint for the next Donald Trump presidency put together by the conservative Heritage Foundation along with more than 100 other conservative groups, like Moms for Liberty, Turning Point USA and San Franciscos Foundation for American Innovation. The document outlines myriad threats against traditional values that is, the white heterosexual family unit as the defining symbol of normalcy including LGBT rights, gender equality, voter rights, climate change mitigation and critical race theory. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Key to the strategy informing this ideology is projecting the idea that conservatives know whats normal; its everyone else whos a sick freak. LGBT people are perverts who defy nature. People who have abortions are monsters. Childless women are miserable and unnatural, as vice presidential hopeful Vance once said on Fox News. MAGA, meanwhile, is a fortress to protect America from a world gone mad, and thats why theyre boycotting Bud Light for sending a trans girl free beer, calling LGBT people groomers and banning books in public libraries. To call conservatives weird is an intentional reversal of that dynamic. The act recognizes that whoever controls the definition of normal in a debate holds the moral victory. And this is just the latest round in a long-running struggle over who can lay claim to the will of the people. In a 1969 speech from the Oval Office, President Richard Nixon famously referenced the Silent Majority as the true, but suppressed, voice of America. In this case, those who supported the war in Vietnam. A half-century later in 2015, then-presidential candidate Trump tweeted from the campaign trail: Finally, the silent majority is back! For decades, the silent majority, or the moderate or the normal, middle-of-the-road American, has been a phantom force that politicians and pundits have all tried to attach their political ideas to. Notably, the ideological makeup of the silent majority is never based on data, polls or any action that requires talking to people, just vibes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For MAGA Republicans, who have repeatedly asserted completely bonkers ideas in the name of normalcy including sex verification checks for child athletes accused of being transgender and expanding voting rights for adults with children the vibes have been rancid from the beginning. 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 Now, finally, Democratic electeds and their PACs have cottoned onto the idea that calling their opponents weird and branding them decidedly unchill can forcibly eject them from the center position that will decide the 2024 election. King Charles couldn't resist complaining about the fickle nature of his pen as he signed a visitor book at Forsinard Flows visitor centre in Scotland on Wednesday. The monarch, 75, was visiting the nature reserve's giant bog, recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. As he sat down to sign the visitor book, Charles joked: 'Could I walk past it, really?' before taking a fountain pen out of the pocket of his jacket. As he prepared to sign the book, the King quipped a couple of comments that reflect his fractious history with pens. He moaned to those around him: 'I'm hoping my pen's going to work because it doesn't usually. King Charles seemed to have another signature strop as he signed the visitor book at Forsinard Flows visitor centre on Wednesday 'The trouble is making sure I have ink that doesn't fade because I used to be sent them back to sign again.' Luckily, this time all seemed to be well, and he was able to write his famous Charles R signature without too much trouble. King Charles seems to have had a frustrating history with pens since becoming monarch - infamously declaring that he 'can't bear this bloody thing' after he was given a leaky pen at Hillsborough Castle in September 2022. Days earlier, he'd been furious when an ink pot got in his way, angrily motioning for an aide to remove it, as he signed the historic Royal Proclamation. Earlier on Wednesday King Charles had appeared in great spirits during a visit to the Forsinard Flows in Scotland on Wednesday. The special visit comes as the King prepares to enjoy an extended summer break in Scotland, keeping in with royal tradition, and has been staying at the Castle of Mey. It will come as a well-deserved break for Charles, who has packed in many engagements in his return to public life amid receiving treatment for cancer. Charles, a renowned nature lover who is patron of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), met with representatives of the charity, as well as from NatureScot - which led the bid for Unesco recognition - and Highland Council. The monarch, 75, seems to have a frustrating history when it comes to writing his signature and says his pen 'doesn't usually work' Luckily everything seemed to go smoothly and Charles was able to sign his name without too much bother The King previously declared he 'can't bear this bloody thing' after he was given a leaky pen at Hillsborough Castle in September 2022 The King seemed to be in a fantastic mood as he spoke to members of the community and members of a children's choir. The area is estimated to store about 400 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, more than is stored by all UK woodlands combined. The Flow Country is widely considered to be the largest area of blanket bog in the world and covers about 1,500 square miles in the Highlands. Wearing a smart kilt, Charles unveiled the Flow Country World Heritage Site plaque after the site was recently awarded the new status. Heritage chiefs at UNESCO recognised the importance of the area on July 26 - making it the UK's 35th world heritage site, and the seventh in Scotland. The King was shown how the peatlands function as a 'centre of excellence' for research, and are home to a vast range of plants and wildlife. He was then given a tour of the Forsinard Flows visitor centre, meeting staff from the Flow Country Partnership, which was formed in 2006 to restore the peatland of the Flow Country after damage from forestry and drainage. He also spoke with neighbours of the 'national treasure' at a community event, attended by families and local businesses. Earlier King Charles was beaming as he visited the Forsinard Flows in Scotland on Wednesday The monarch, 75, visited a giant bog recently given UNESCO World Heritage status and appeared in good spirits The King seemed to be in a fantastic mood as he spoke to members of the community and members of a children's choir Charles unveiled the Flow Country World Heritage Site plaque after the site was recently awarded the new status King Charles III meets local dignitaries including Maree Todd MSP (third right) during his visit The King met with Flow Country Partnership staff, local residents, families and young people Before departing, His Majesty watched a performance by and met members of the Feis air an Oir community music group The children seemed delighted by the royal visit as King Charles posed for a photo in the centre The area is estimated to store about 400 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, more than is stored by all UK woodlands combined (file image) The peatlands is a habitat for some of the world's most diverse bog ecosystems, and acts as a crucial defence against climate change, locking away carbon so it is not released as carbon dioxide. Charles heard how the area provides economic opportunities and a space for young people to experience nature. Before departing, His Majesty watched a performance by and met members of the Feis air an Oir community music group. He took on the patronage of the RSPB following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The area was hailed for its 'international importance as a habitat and for the diverse range of rare and unusual breeding birds it supports' by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray when the Unesco status was granted. It comes after Charles made a rather frustrated appearance after attending a church service at Sandringham in Norfolk on Sunday. The monarch has been seen in a series of 'cranky' displays as of late - including snapping at an aide on a trip to Jersey with Queen Camilla, and growing cross at a page boy at the State opening of Parliament. As he left St Mary Magdalene Church, Charles was spotted speaking to his companions - thought to be aides - and seemed slightly disgruntled as he did so. The King listened attentively as he was shown local produce from the area Charles heard how the area provides economic opportunities and a space for young people to experience nature The visit comes ahead of Charles's summer break in Scotland, which will be much needed after a busy schedule King Charles III signs the visitors book during his visit to the Forsinard Flows Visitor Centre His Majesty led the way over a crossing during the visit to Forsinard Flows Visitor Centre The King appeared very animated during his visit - which comes after a rather more frustrated appearance on Sunday The King took on the patronage of the RSPB following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II The King showed off his friendly nature as he spoke to local businesses He was taken on a tour of the visitor centre, recently given World Heritage Site status The plaque unveiled by Charles during his visit, which was given today's date The King seemed to be tense and made several short-tempered hand gestures as he paused before making his way to the awaiting crowds, although the cause of the conversation is unclear. After looking around, he appeared to be venting his frustrations to those he was with before walking on. But just moments later Charles was back to his usual self, greeting well-wishers with his typical good cheer and humour. The King - who is continuing to receive treatment following a cancer diagnosis - wore a grey suit, purple tie and brown shoes. Charles set tongues wagging earlier this month among royal fans during his visit to the Channel Islands this week after he appeared to lose his temper - but it's not the first time one of the monarch's snappier moments has been caught on camera. It's just one of many of the royal's 'spicy' moments over the years - including his notorious comments about BBC Royal Correspondent Nicholas Witchell in 2005 when he called the journalist an 'awful man' under his breath during a press conference and photo opportunity on the ski slopes at Klosters. In 2022, Charles vented his frustration at a leaky pen while signing the visitors book at Hillsborough Castle - telling courtiers he 'can't bear this bloody thing'. Just a few days earlier, the King furiously motioned for an aide to move an ink pot as he signed documents when he was proclaimed the new King. Meanwhile, last year a frustrated King Charles moaned 'we can never be on time' as he waited in coach outside Westminster Abbey ahead of his Coronation, lip readers claimed. It was the era of Tina Turner, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Prince - where a chart topping song could easily surpass eight minutes and no one would bat an eyelid. But while laying down lengthy tracks was very much the norm in the 1980s, pop songs have undeniably been getting shorter and shorter over the past 40 years. So far this year, some of the biggest pop hits - including Charli XCX's 365 and Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso - came in at under three minutes long. In contrast, Prince's Purple Rain - which was one of the most commercially successful songs of 1984 - was a cool eight minutes and 41 seconds in total. Earlier this week, music fans on X vented their frustrations with the trend of 'TikTok-friendly' songs being released by artists in the hopes of going viral. Responding to the 28th anniversary of Celine Dion's It's All Coming Back to Me Now, Irish X user Shane fumed: 'The sooner this trend of releasing embarrassingly short pop songs to appease the TikTok generation ends and we get back to these seven and a half minute long bangers the better.' The post has amassed over 38,000 'likes' and hundreds of music fans were quick to agree with Shane's sentiment. One wrote: 'When music was music! We has instruments and arrangements and vocals and bridges and reprises! Whew... what a time.' Another added: 'Bring back the power ballad!' Meanwhile, a third mused: 'In a few years, no one will have the patience to listen to anything over 30 seconds. Radio stations cut whole versions out of songs now and play the same ones over and over.' A fourth replied: 'I don't want seven minute songs, I just want songs that aren't just a solid chorus (made solely to trend on TikTok) and then mid-verses.' Here FEMAIL reveals why pop songs are getting shorter in the social media and streaming platform age. Streaming platform algorithms Pictured: Katy Perry dressed as Rosie the Riveter in the music video for Woman's World, her first single in 10 years Earlier this month, Katy Perry made her return to music following a 10 year hiatus - and was accused of trying to make songs that would simply 'go viral' on social media. After Woman's World (which is just two minutes and 44 seconds long) was released, TikTok users criticised the song and said it 'sounded robotic' and 'like AI'. Following its release on 11 July, Woman's World debuted at 63 in the Billboard Hot 100 and has since dropped out of the ranking completely. However, Katy and her team of songwriters may have made the song on the shorter side in the hopes that it would get pushed out to more listeners on TikTok and streaming platforms. In 2019, Mark Ronson complained of effect streaming platform algorithms were having on the music industry at large. Pictured: American-British DJ and producer Mark Ronson attending Gucci's Spring/Summer Fashion Show in Milan in June 2024 Speaking to The Guardian, the DJ and producer explained: 'All your songs have to be under 3:15 because if people dont listen to them all the way to the end they go into this ratio of "non-complete heard", which sends your Spotify rating down. 'Everything has to be produced so it sounds competitively as loud as possible coming out of an iPhone or as loud as possible when it comes out of a Spotify hits playlist; you have to make sure the kick drum and the guitar have the same loudness and presence all the way through the whole f***ing song or you dont stand a chance.' According to research by Music Machinery, 25 per cent of listeners will skip a song within the first five seconds. However, how long a user listens to a song reportedly determines whether streaming platforms will put them on playlists for consumers to discover. TikTok's impact Pictured: Stock image of TikTok, which was originally just a music-sharing app and rebranded from musical.ly in August 2018 Although it rebranded from musical.ly to TikTok in August 2018, the video-sharing app still has close ties to the music industry. Speaking to VICE, Switched on Pop podcast host Charlie Harding explained: 'TikTok has had a substantial impact on the way that musicians write songs. 'The platform is one of the most significant forces for discovering and amplifying music both new and old.' As such, shorter and catchier pop songs - such as Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso (2:55) and Charli XCX's 365 (2:13) - are said to be more likely to resonate with users on apps like TikTok and Instagram. In an interview with Billboard, Kelly Clarkson's producer Mitch Allan said: 'Theres charm to a short song because the person hits repeat play it again, play it again.' Pictured: Stranger Things actor Joe Keery - who goes by the stage name 'Djo' - shared this video after one of his little-known songs were 'tokked' As a result of its social media success, End of the Beginning jumped into the Top 10 of Billboard's Global 200 and now has over 865m streams Earlier this year, Stranger Things actor Joe Keery - who goes by the stage name 'Djo' - experienced the full effect of going viral on TikTok with one of his shortest songs. His song End of the Beginning - which has now been streamed over 865m times - featured on his independently released album Decide in September 2022. However, it only began getting traction in March 2024 - when the song, which is only 2:38, started being used in TikToks. In January 2024, the single had been used in 18,000 videos - but jumped to 2.2m the following month. Filming a video on the subway on New York, the actor joked: 'I've been Tokked.' As a result of its social media success, End of the Beginning jumped into the Top 10 of Billboard's Global 200. Speaking to Rolling Stone, Joe revealed: 'Im probably more confused than ever, but its really, really cool to see something that youve written affect people and have them take it in as their own and into their own lives.' Arguably a perfect storm, the timing of End of the Beginning's virality fell in the midst of TikTok's fall-out with Universal Music - where the label removed all their artists' work from the platform. Djo is signed to AWAL. Pressure to capture listeners' attention immediately Industry expert Charlie Harding has also said that musicians are now facing even more pressure to capture their listeners' immediate attention - meaning longer songs are becoming increasingly rare. So far this year, some of the biggest pop hits - including Charli XCX's 365 and Sabrina Carpenter (pictured)'s Espresso - came in at under three minutes long Prince's Purple Rain - which one of the most commercially successful songs of 1984 - was a cool eight minutes and 41 seconds in total Elsewhere in his VICE interview, they explained: 'There have been at least four important changes stemming from TikTok: shorter songs, hooks up-front, vibe snatching and lo-fi aesthetics. 'Songs that vibe snatch from older songs through interpolations and samples are more likely to capture attention as well, because listeners are already familiar with the material.' However, TikTok's head of UK music operations David Mogendorff claims the app is now giving music fans a 'new form of engagement'. According to UCLA research, the average song is now 197 seconds long - while they were 242 in the 1980s. What's more, album sales in the 1980s were arguably more important than individual singles - meaning song length wasn't so integral to its commercial success. Speaking to Business Insider, Sony Music Andy McGrath said: 'Our entire music catalog is effectively tracked on a daily basis. 'We're constantly monitoring actions, reactions, and trends that happen on TikTok.' She went on to describe how MacKenzie, 54, set a great example for parenting All her kids had an allowance, she said, adding, 'We did not just buy them things' Melinda Gates described the parenting advice given to her by Jeff Bezos' ex MacKenzie Scott in response to her concerns about spoiling her children. The philanthropist and ex-wife of Bill Gates told The New York Times that she and MacKenzie 'are definitely friends' and that she holds her in the highest regard. She also shared that the pair have compared notes on parenting methods in the past, namely in the context of raising kids while harboring extraordinarily large fortunes. Melinda, 59, and Bill, 68, share three kids: Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 21. While MacKenzie, 54, and Jeff, 60, share three sons and a daughter - but only the name of their eldest, Preston, 24, is publicly known. Melinda Gates, 59, described how she and Jeff Bezos' ex-wife MacKenzie Scott, 54, consulted each other on parenting in the context of their enormous wealth Melinda and Bill, 68, share three kids: Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 21 Speaking to NYT, Melinda explained how she spoke about not wanting to send their kids to universities where their parents' names were 'on a building.' 'I went to school with some of those kids at Duke University [whose parents' names were on a building], and I vowed to myself that if I ever had resources at my disposal, those were not the kind of children I wanted to raise,' she added. Melinda went on to detail that they raised their kids with allowances. 'We absolutely did not just buy them things,' she stated. 'They either had to buy with their allowance or put it on their wish list, that maybe they'd get it from their grandparents or us on their birthday or Christmas,' she added. 'And so I think it was much more of an upbringing like I grew up in: a very middle-class household where money did dictate whether I got an extra pair of shoes that year or not, right? 'And I thought that was a good principle to have.' She further described how 'helpful' MacKenzie was in finessing her own parenting strategy. MacKenzie, 54, and Jeff, 60, divorced in 2019 after 25 years of marriage The pair three sons and a daughter, though only the name of their eldest, Preston, 24, is publicly known 'I could see a bit how she was parenting, and I knew we had quite similar philosophies, actually,' Melinda said. 'We were close-ish, not as close then, but I knew she was trying to raise her kids, literally just down the street from me, in essentially the same way.' MacKenzie's divorce from Jeff was finalized in July 2019 after 25 years of marriage. Meanwhile, Melinda filed for divorce from Bill in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage, and it was finalized the same year. Both women have since gone on to ramp up their philanthropic and activist efforts. Since getting nearly $40 billion in her divorce, MacKenzie has donated more than $12 billion to a variety of nonprofits, per Kiplinger. In May, Melinda announced her plans to step down from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which will be re-named the Gates Foundation. At the same time, she has been ramping up her political activism, with her focus remaining on women's issues, especially reproductive rights. Dressed-up racegoers looked glamorous today as they headed to day two of Glorious Goodwood. Among the well-heeled guests was Michael Owen and his equestrian daughter Gemma - who was sure to turn heads in a bright white suit. Gemma, 21, who found fame after starring in Love Island, is a keen dressage rider and would no doubt be delighted to catch the action at the West Sussex estate. The influencer matched her mother Louise Bonsall, who opted for a white lace dress. Meanwhile, Gemma accessorised with black oversized sunglasses, boosting her height with gold stilettos and finishing the look with a white bag. Louise also added gold embellishments before finishing off the outfit in a sunhat. Among the well-heeled guests was Michael Owen and his equestrian daughter Gemma - who was sure to turn heads in a bright white suit Gemma, 21, who found fame after starring in Love Island, is a keen dressage rider and would no doubt be delighted to catch the action at the West Sussex estate The influencer matched her mother Louise Bonsall, who opted for a white lace dress Crowds gather to watch the racing at the Chichester meet Male revellers opted for summery mismatched suits and boaters for the day out , Gemma accessorised with black oversized sunglasses, boosting her height with gold stilettos and finishing the look with a white bag Guests opted for seas of pinks to make the most of the sunny weather in the southern town Staff members serve Strawberries and Cream to guests Well-heeled guests looked smart in suits and dresses Micheal meanwhile wore grey chinos with a purple shirt and patterned tie and blazer, in a perfectly summery menswear look. Other guests opted for more bright colours, including bold red dresses and bold fascinators. One guest looked like she stepped off the Amalfi Cost in a white A-line dress with a bold yellow flower print - while her friend wore a multi--coloured skirt with a huge train. The five-day meet, a highlight of the racing calendar, gives well-heeled fans an excuse to get dressed up in their finery for a day of action. The famous racing event, which attracts guests from up and down the country, is considered one of the more relaxed meetings when it comes to the dress code. The Glorious Goodwood dress code celebrates 'quintessentially British style' which can be anything from high fashion to a more relaxed look. One racegoer but a little girl on his shoulders to get the best view of the racing The raceday is family friendly with lots of guests enjoying the day out Lady in red! Bright colours were popular among the racegoers Orange you glad to see me! Orange and white looks were popular One guest looked like she stepped off the Amalfi Cost in a white A-line dress with a bold yellow flower print - while her friend wore a multi--coloured skirt with a huge train She got the monochrome memo! One racegoer looked chic in black and white Brat summer! Others opted for the hue of the month - neon green Bottoms up! Many racegoers basked in the sun with bottles of fizz In particular, the festival's website notes the event is known for linen suits, Panama hats and chic dresses. It's been a challenging few years for the festival, which was due to welcome 5,000 racegoers through its gates on the final day of 2020 - but those plans were scrapped by the Government a day before it was due to go ahead because of the pandemic. Goodwood managing director Adam Waterworth said at the time that the U-turn cost the track a 'six-figure sum' but the cost to racing was much, much bigger. 'It has cost us six figures. But it was never a money-making exercise, it was about proving we could get crowds back,' he said. Ready for it! Other racegoers looked ready for action in navy ensembles Hats off! Oversized headpieces were popular among guests Designer duo! Lots of upmarket looks- including Givenchy bags - were on offer Black white and orange all over! A mix of colours were on show 'The loss is huge in what is already a year when there is no profit and the loss figure is getting bigger and bigger. Crowds are what we are all about. 'Between 70 and 80 per cent of our revenue is directly due to people coming through the gates. It's a big kick because there was a bit of light at the end of the tunnel having thought we had actually done it getting crowds back.' Waterworth revealed to Sportsmail that the cancellation of the trial did, in fact, cost Goodwood over 250,000 and confirmed that the track lost millions from not having any racegoers in attendance throughout the whole season. Goodwood held just 13 racedays - six less than usual - in 2020 due to rescheduling and all went ahead without any paying punters. Millennials are reeling over the return of a pair of 'Tumblr famous' boots that hit peak popularity in 2011. The Jeffrey Campbell Lita Boots have made a surprisingly comeback with the 'iconic' black and brown heels. The lace-up shoes, which were first released in July 2010, are designed with a five inch (12.7cm) heel and 2.5inch (6cm) front platform - a style that became an instant hit at the time. News of the release has sent customers into a spin on social media - and opinions have been divided. Fans looking to rock the style can purchase them on the brand website - with an array of nostalgic prints available including the American flag, leopard, and even a galaxy print on offer. Hundreds shared their excitement as they were never allowed to purchase the boots as a young teenager. 'I finally have adult money to buy them!' one wrote on TikTok. 'I've been waiting for this moment so I can heal my inner child who couldn't afford them,' another said. The Jeffrey Campbell Lita Boots have made a surprisingly comeback with the 'iconic' black and brown heels. The boots first launched in July 2010 and took over the internet The style quickly became 'Tumblr famous'. News of the rerelease send customers into a spin on social media - and opinions were divided Fans can get their hands on an array of colours and prints Others who threw their old Lita Boots out were pleased to finally get their hands on a new pair. 'I fell down a flight off stairs in these!' one joked. 'I'm going to need some knee high litas, Jeffrey,' another said. 'I unironically love them so much, I hated that I was only 13 when they were popular,' one more said. But some weren't as enthusiastic and wondered why the style is being brought back. 'Wait... are we doing 2010s nostalgia now? I can't deal with this,' one said. Another added: 'No I can't watch this happen again.' 'What!?' a third wrote in shock. Aldi Australia has once again shut down rumours of plans to offer online shopping. For years customers have wondered if the discount supermarket will launch the service to compete with other retailers. But an Aldi Australia spokesperson told FEMAIL the company is prioritising other services for now. 'While we are always looking at the best ways to serve our customers, right now we are focused on delivering value and the lowest prices possible at a time our customers need it most,' the spokesperson said. 'We won't compromise our ability to deliver low-priced groceries to Australians.' For now, customers can still keep up to date with Aldi's 'Special Buys' and deals on the website - but an online delivery service remains unavailable. Earlier this year Aldi started offering a new service to Australian customers amid the cost of living crisis - and it has nothing to do with the supermarket. The supermarket giant launched Aldi Insurance offering home and contents, comprehensive car and landlord's insurance policies. An Aldi Australia spokesperson told FEMAIL the supermarket is prioritising other services over launching online delivery for now Customers will be able to get a quote for a policy in three minutes without any 'confusing jargon'. Many Aussie have been sharing how they are cutting down costs with many saying changing insurance policies and shopping around for cheaper rates has saved thousands of dollars. 'Shop around all your bills, power, insurance, internet, phone etc. I just got a quote for my car insurance for $650 which is half what I'm currently paying,' one super saver said recently. Aldi Insurance claims its pricing will be competitive for both new and existing policyholders. Those who opt for the Home and Contents Insurance will also receive smart sensors said to reduce premiums and keep their homes safer. Almost half of all Alzheimer's cases could be prevented by tackling 14 lifestyle factors from childhood, a landmark study suggests. World-leading experts found two new risk factors high cholesterol and suffering vision loss were, combined, behind almost one in ten dementia cases globally. They join 12 existing factors, ranging from genetics to smoking status, that experts have identified as increasing the risk a person would suffer dementia. Discounting unavoidable factors, like the onset of ageing people's genetic makeup, experts said smoking, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, social isolation and air pollution accounting for four in ten cases of the condition. Experts said the study, published in the prestigious journal The Lancet, provides more hope than 'ever before' that the memory-robbing disorder that blights the lives of millions can be tackled. Your browser does not support iframes. According to the third Lancet Commission on dementia risks, addressing these factors in childhood and throughout life gives people the best chance of preventing or delaying dementia, even if they have high genetic risk. Experts today called on public health leaders to 'seize this enormous opportunity' and take nationwide action to help thwart the onset of the disease. Professor Gill Livingston, lead author of the review and an expert in the psychiatry of older people at University College London, said report shows hope that we can prevent people getting dementia 'more than ever before'. 'When I first became a doctor, and for some time after, we thought that dementia was just one of these things that hit you in a sort of relatively random way, and there was nothing that you could do,' she said. 'And if you were going to get it, you were going to get it. 'But, now we know that thats not true, that even if you have genes which predispose you towards it, these lifestyle changes increase the number of years in good health, and it takes longer for you to get it.' She added; 'It's never too early or too late to take action, with opportunities to make an impact at any stage of life. Professor Livingston added that one of the easiest things people can do to reduce their risk of dementia, is incorporate some exercise into their day. 'Give yourself a chance,' she said. 'What you do will not only decrease the chance of dementia, it will increase the quality of your life now, and may increase the quantity of your life and increase the quantity of your healthy life. 'I think that what people dread is a long and unhealthy life, but it should increase the quantity of your healthy life.' Meanwhile, Dr Susan Kohlhaas, executive Director of Research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: 'Many of these factors are things individuals can do something about, such as smoking. However, she added it was critical policy makers look at addressing those factors that, while changeable, are beyond the power of a single person to change. 'But others, like air pollution and early childhood education, are bigger than individuals and communities,' she said. 'Tackling them will need structural changes to society to give everyone the best chance of a healthy life, free from the impact of dementia. 'Public health leaders must not ignore this message if they are truly committed to seizing this enormous opportunity. 'Alzheimer's Research UK wants to see the Public Health and Prevention Minister, Andrew Gwynne MP, establish a prevention strategy that addresses the health and lifestyle factors linked to dementia from what we eat and drink, to the air we breathe and the education we receive.' Being unable to learn new tasks and struggling to stay focused on a single task can be a sign of dementia the memory-robbing condition plaguing nearly 1million Brits and seven million Americans The report, presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), in Philadelphia found high, bad cholesterol from the age of 40 could be responsible for around 7 per cent of all dementia cases. Untreated vision loss in later life accounted for 2 per cent, about one in 50, of all cases. To reduce dementia risk throughout life, the commission also made 13 recommendations for both people and governments. These include making hearing aids available for all those with hearing loss, reducing harmful noise exposure, and increased detection and treatment access for high cholesterol among the over-40s. Making screening and treatment for vision impairment accessible for all, providing children with good quality education and encouraging being cognitively active in midlife, were among other recommendations. Other experts who were not involved in the research today, however, cautioned that the findings may give people 'false hope' by 'putting them under the impression that dementia is at least partly a lifestyle choice'. Professor Klaus Ebmeier, foundation chair of old age psychiatry at the University of Oxford, said: 'The headline half of all dementia cases are preventable, which leads to fake news and false hopes, and gives patients the impression that dementia is at least partly a lifestyle choice because they have not taken adequate care of their health. He added: 'The diagnosis of dementia comes at the end of a decades-long disease development, which is often accompanied by behavioural changes such as social withdrawal, depression, and sensory changes (reduced sense of smell, hearing, and speech comprehension disorders). 'Early changes in the central nervous system during development before a diagnosis of dementia can, for example, lead to disorders of speech comprehension and to hearing aids being perceived as too difficult and frustrating to use. 'This may be the reason why hearing loss is only associated with later dementia if patients do not use hearing aids. 'It is therefore possibly not the lack of hearing aid use that leads to dementia, but an early limitation of information processing in people who later develop dementia prevents them from being able and wanting to use their hearing aids.' Meanwhile, Professor Charles Marshall, an expert in clinical neurology at Queen Mary University of London, said: 'It's worth emphasising though that most of what determines whether an individual develops dementia is outside their control, and we should be careful not to imply that people with dementia could have avoided it if they'd made different lifestyle choices. 'It's also important to note that when the report refers to the proportions of dementia cases that could be prevented, this is notional, and based on observational evidence. 'We don't really have evidence that dementia cases are prevented by addressing any of these risk factors. Around 900,000 Brits are currently thought to have the memory-robbing disorder. But University College London scientists estimate this will rise to 1.7million within two decades as people live longer. It marks a 40 per cent uptick on the previous forecast in 2017 The report, presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), in Philadelphia, high, bad cholesterol from the age of 40 could be attributed to around 7 per cent of all cases. Untreated vision loss in later life accounted for 2 per cent of cases 'We desperately need this type of evidence to guide health policy that could help to prevent some cases of dementia.' Dr Jeremy Isaacs, NHS national clinical director for dementia, added: 'This research is really important as it suggests there are additional risk factors for dementia, which means that there are more opportunities for all of us to take action throughout our lives to reduce our risk of developing dementia or delay its onset. 'The findings also offer real hope that we can reduce the number of people who experience this devastating illness. 'Ensuring that people with dementia receive a timely diagnosis is a priority and NHS staff have worked hard to ensure the number of people with a dementia diagnosis has risen significantly over the last year, and is now at a record level, but we know there is more work to be done.' Separate research presented at the AAIC today showed the longer-term benefits of Alzheimer's disease drug, lecanemab, suggesting there are no additional safety concerns associated with using the medication over three years. Instead, early clinical data shows more than 50 per cent of patients who started treatment in the earlier stage of Alzheimer's may continue to show improvement after three years of treatment, according to pharmaceutical company Eisai, and biotechnology company Biogen. Lecanemab is part of group of newly developed drugs that slows down early stages of the disease. While already approved in the US it is currently being assessed for approval in the UK's medical regulator. Around 944,000 in the UK are thought to be living with dementia, while the figure is thought to be around 7million in the US. Dementia can be caused by multiple health problems, with most common being Alzheimer's disease, which affects around six in 10 people with dementia. Alzheimer's is thought to be caused by a build-up of amyloid and tau in the brain, which clump together and from plaques and tangles that make it harder for the brain to work properly. Eventually, the brain struggles to cope with this damage and dementia symptoms develop. Memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties and language problems are common early symptoms of the condition, which then worsen over time. Another major cause of dementia is what is termed vascular dementia which is trigged by reduced blood flow to the brain which can occur as a result of a stroke. Dementia cases are expected to sky-rocket in the coming years in part because of an increasing ageing population. Alzheimer's Research UK analysis found 74,261 people died from dementia in 2022 compared with 69,178 a year earlier, making it the country's biggest killer. READ MORE: Experts REFUSE to say which tampon brands contain toxic metals Candy lovers beware: Nearly half of popular chocolate bars on the market in the US were found to contain toxic metals that have been linked to devastating diseases, including cancer. Researchers in Washington DC purchased and analyzed 72 commercial cocoa products over eight years, testing them for heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic. The levels were then compared to the maximum thresholds set by California's Proposition 65 (Prop 65), which regulates how much toxic metal can be found in food or drinks. They found that all products contained traces of toxic metals, and almost half had up to 20 percent more than the maximum allowed dose of lead. More than a third exceeded allowed levels of cadmium, which has been linked to cancer and kidney damage. The Researchers from George Washington University did not disclose which chocolates were tested. An analysis in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition found 72 samples of chocolate contained toxic metals like lead and cadmium, and more than half had levels higher than maximum daily allowances The team also noted that a single serving of the sweet treats likely wouldn't cause health issues, but consuming multiple servings could pose dangers like kidney dysfunction, heart disease, and cancer. The findings come amid other recent research, which has estimated that thousands of cancer cases per year could be linked to foods laced with lead, cadmium, and arsenic. Dr Leigh Frame, study author and director of integrative medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: 'We all love chocolate, but its important to indulge with moderation as with other foods that contain heavy metals including large fish like tuna and unwashed brown rice. 'While it's not practical to avoid heavy metals in your food entirely, you must be cautious of what you are eating and how much.' Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic can get into food products from soil, air, water or during the manufacturing process, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The team, from George Washington University, purchased 72 chocolate products between 2014 and 2022 from online retailers, stores like Whole Foods, and distributor websites. It's unclear where the stores were located. The maximum daily thresholds, set by California's Prop 65, were 0.5 micrograms per day, 4.1 micrograms per day, and 10 micrograms per day for lead, cadmium, and arsenic, respectively. This was one major caveat of the study, as California is known for having stricter limits on heavy metals than many other states and leading the charge in enacting restrictions. All of the products tested positive for traces of toxic metals. However, 43 percent of chocolates exceeded Prop 65's maximum level of daily exposure, and more than one in three chocolates had levels above this limit. And surprisingly, chocolates labeled 'organic' had higher levels of lead and cadmium than their 'non-organic' counterparts, totaling 3.2 micrograms per serving on average. The above graphic shows the 28 chocolate bars tested by New York-based nonprofit Consumer Reports in a study separate from that by GWU researchers. All were found to contain lead and cadmium Toxic metals like lead and cadmium have been linked to several brands of baby food in studies separate from that by GWU researchers Lead has long been linked to a slew of health issues, including developmental delays and behavioral problems in children. Some evidence also suggests that autistic children have more lead in their blood, but the research is mixed. Additionally, the EPA has classified lead and cadmium as probable human carcinogens, meaning they could cause cancer. Chronic exposure to cadmium has also been linked to kidney damage. There is no safe level of lead consumption, according to the FDA and CDC. Meanwhile, none of the products in the sample exceeded safe levels of arsenic, a known carcinogen linked to lung, bladder, and skin cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. The team also noted that levels of all three metals decreased in samples over their study period, which could be due to crackdowns in states like California to limit heavy metal exposure. The study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that high levels of toxic metals are lurking in chocolates, vegetables, and even baby food. A 2022 analysis from watchdog Consumer Reports, for example, found lead and cadmium in 28 chocolate products last year, including Hershey's and Lindt. In response to the study, a spokesperson from the National Confectioners Association told DailyMail.com: 'Chocolate and cocoa are safe to eat and can be enjoyed as treats as they have been for centuries.' 'Food safety and product quality remain our highest priorities and we remain dedicated to being transparent and socially responsible.' The study was published Wednesday in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition. A 13-year-old Texas boy has been forced to undergo multiple brain surgeries and have a tube inside his skull after developing a life-threatening illness while swimming. Christopher Bryant spent most of his summer diving with friends when suddenly over a week ago, he complained of 'a horrible earache.' His mother Kendra Smith said that overnight, the middle-schooler's ear pain soon progressed to a severe headache and he woke up with a swollen eye. Smith told NBC: 'It happened so fast. It was surreal to me. It was terrifying. Then he just came home one day from swimming and say he had a horrible earache. 'And then the next morning he woke up with his eye swollen. He couldn't even open it.' Christopher Bryant, 13, was forced to undergo multiple brain surgeries and have a tube inside his skull after developing a life-threatening illness while swimming The concerned parent rushed him to a neighborhood ER as he continued to struggle with the pain and was barely able to talk. Officials redirected them to the Children's Medical Center Dallas for treatment. 'I just figured he would kind of be in and out maybe a day and three days later after we got here,' Smith said. But doctors at the medical center soon diagnosed Bryant with sinusitis that had spread to his brain - forcing him to undergo two skull surgeries. Surgeons also inserted a tube inside his head to help with the recovery. Despite the numerous surgeries and tube in his head, Smith remains grateful that her son made it out alive. 'He means everything to me. He saved my life, actually,' she said. 'So he's my best friend.' His mother Kendra Smith said that overnight, the middle-schooler's ear pain soon progressed to a severe headache and he woke up with a swollen eye The concerned parent took him to a neighborhood ER as he continued to struggle with the pain and was barely able to talk. Officials redirected them to the Children's Medical Center Dallas for treatment Doctors at the medical center soon diagnosed Bryant with sinusitis that had spread to his brain - forcing him to undergo two skull surgeries Dr Lasya Challa revealed that Bryant had developed an abscess behind the eye and puss on his brain that could have costed him his life. She further added that of a bad case of a sinus infection can cause severe headaches, face swelling or pain, redness around eyes and eye pain, drainage not getting better and at times, seizures. According to the CDC, sinus infections occur when fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in the face. This fluid allows germs to grow in the face. While most of the times these infections are caused by viruses, they may also be caused by bacteria. A British woman who developed a Swedish accent despite never visiting the country is pleading for help to get her voice back to normal. Georgina Gailey, 60, fears her new distinctively Nordic accent is 'stuck forever' after her speech changed during a phone call with her sister three years ago. After rushing to hospital fearing she had suffered a stroke, doctors diagnosed her with the extraordinarily rare condition foreign accent syndrome (FAS), which Ms Gailey believes is linked to a heart attack she suffered previously. It means she is just one of a handful of people to have ever experienced the speech disorder, which usually occurs as a complication from a stroke or head injury. The mother-of-two from Hillingdon in Middlesex, says she is now frequently asked if she's from Sweden and now pronounces yes as 'ja'. Georgina Gailey, 60, fears her new distinctively Nordic accent is 'stuck forever' after her speech changed during a phone call with her sister three years ago Recalling her ordeal, Ms Gailey said: 'It's changed my life, there's a huge piece of me missing. I was very well spoken and now I sound Swedish. I say "ja" rather than yes' Recalling her ordeal, she said: 'It's changed my life, there's a huge piece of me missing. 'I was very well spoken and now I sound Swedish. I say "ja" rather than yes. 'I didn't notice how different it was at first until I listened to my answer phone message. 'It's so different. People will ask where I come from and when I tell them I'm English, they laugh. They think I'm Swedish.' She added: 'When people laugh, I smile on the surface but underneath it makes me sad. 'I had a heart attack a few months before. I was getting better and was getting ready to get back to work. 'One night, I was on FaceTime to my sister and she noticed that I was mixing my words up. 'I went to the hospital and they thought I had a stroke, they kept me in for two weeks and then I was diagnosed.' While strokes are the most common cause of FAS it can also occur following trauma to the brain, bleeding in the brain or a brain tumour. Other causes reported in medical journals include multiple sclerosis and conversion disorder, when someone experiences temporary physical symptoms, such as blindness or paralysis. After rushing to hospital fearing she had suffered a stroke, doctors diagnosed her with the extraordinarily condition rare foreign accent syndrome (FAS), which Ms Gailey believes is linked to a heart attack she suffered previously Ms Gailey said she has visited a number of neurologists in the hopes of getting her original accent back but fears she may be 'stuck' with it 'forever' Cases have been documented around the world, including people changing their accent from pure Japanese to Japanese with a Korean accent and British English to English with a French accent. But in some cases no clear cause has been identified. FAS, which is still poorly understood, can also last months or years, it can sometimes even be permanent. No further details on her diagnosis were shared. Ms Gailey said she has visited a number of neurologists in the hopes of getting her original accent back but fears she may be 'stuck' with it 'forever'. She said: 'I don't know if I'll have the accent forever. It doesn't feel nice thinking it might be stuck like this forever. 'My poor family have to put up with me. The longer I have the accent the more likely it is that it will stay. 'My brain will get used to speaking like this. It's strange because if I sing, I sound English. 'It does change depending on how much sleep I get. It's so strange.' She hopes that by speaking out she can raise awareness of FAS and encourage more research into the condition. Four deaths, three missing due to heavy rainfall in C.China's Hunan Global Times) 11:10, July 31, 2024 This photo taken from a helicopter on July 29, 2024, shows parts of the disaster-stricken areas in Zixing, central China's Hunan Province. A number of helicopters on Monday were sent to dispatch drinking water, rice, vegetables, medicine, and other daily necessities into some disaster-stricken areas in Zixing City, and successively relocated people stranded in the waterlogged residences. (Photo: Xinhua) Days of heavy rainfall affected by Typhoon Gaemi in Zixing city, Central China's Hunan Province has led to four deaths and three missing across four villages in Zhoumensi town and Bamianshan township. Local emergency rescue work is still ongoing. Since July 26, Zixing has experienced extreme rainfall, with precipitation exceeding historical records. An average rainfall of 410 millimeters has been reported, the maximum precipitation is 673.6 millimeters, with the 24-hour rainfall at a single point exceeding 645.2 millimeters and the maximum hourly rainfall intensity reaching 132.2 millimeters, according to the Zixing flood control and drought relief headquarters. The heavy rain has caused varying degrees of damage to all townships in Zixing. Some 87,200 residents have been affected by the rainfall in addition to 1,432 damaged houses, 1,345 collapsed sections of road, and 14 road closures. Communication has been disrupted in 78 village groups in eight townships, while nine townships are experiencing power outages. Zhoumensi town has been one of the most severely affected towns in Zixing. As floodwaters receded, local officials sent rescue teams to assist in dredging and debris transfer as well as epidemic prevention. Following the disaster, Zixing quickly activated Level I flood control emergency response and Level III natural disaster emergency response, mobilized various forces, dispatched emergency personnel and materials to repair damaged infrastructure, distributed disaster relief supplies and minimized casualties. Shen Xiaoming, the provincial Party secretary, who went to the disaster site on Monday, stressed the importance of restoring road access, electricity, and communication networks, making road access, and accelerating the repair of damaged infrastructure the top priority in emergency rescue operations. Shen also said it is necessary to comprehensively assess the number of affected individuals, considering the wide geographical area, mountainous terrain, and dispersed population across the disaster-stricken areas. Local forces are using various methods such as real-time communication and door-to-door checks to promptly assess the situation of affected populations, and prioritize rescuing trapped individuals, treating the injured, and searching for missing persons, Shen noted. As of late Monday, Zixing has deployed 19 rescue teams, with 5,469 professional rescue personnel, four helicopters, and 144 boat trips involved. They have cleared eight roads, restored 68 communication base stations, airdropped 20.9 tons of supplies, urgently relocated 11,379 people, resettled 4,451 people, and transferred 32 injured individuals. In the nearby city of Xiangtan, at least three breaches had occurred on the embankment of a tributary of the Xiangjiang River. As of press time, the repairs on the embankment in Liushuwan, Xiangtan's Longtan village had been completed, while the other two breaches are causing the water to drain naturally. The Central Meteorological Observatory continued to issue a yellow warning for severe convective weather on Tuesday. It is expected that from early Tuesday until Wednesday, parts of central and northeastern Hebei and southern Tianjin will experience thunderstorms with wind speeds reaching 11 on the Beaufort scale. Central and northeastern Hebei, northeastern Beijing, northern and southwestern Tianjin, southern Henan, northeastern Chongqing, central Yunnan, southeastern Guangxi, and southwestern Guangdong will experience hourly rainfall exceeding 50 millimeters, with the maximum reaching over 80 millimeters. Meanwhile, the Central Meteorological Observatory also issued an orange alert for heavy rain early Tuesday. It is expected that from Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning, there will be heavy to torrential rain in 14 provinces, including parts of northern Hebei, northeastern Shanxi, southeastern Inner Mongolia, Beijing, Tianjin, and southern Heilongjiang. In some areas, heavy rain of up to 180 millimeters has been forecast, accompanied by thunderstorms, strong winds, and other severe convective weather conditions, the observatory said. Noticeably, in China's capital, Beijing, from Monday midnight to Tuesday, the average precipitation was 42.9 millimeters, with the urban area averaging 56.4 millimeters. The highest precipitation occurred in Xiaotangshan agricultural park in Changping district, reaching 159.3 millimeters. As the rainfall situation developed, Shijingshan, Haidian, Mentougou, Changping, and Huairou districts successively upgraded the warning to an orange alert. In response to heavy rainfall, Beijing Water Authority on Tuesday afternoon activated level III flood control response to deal with any emergencies. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chaolan) California Gov. Gavin Newsom campaigns for President Joe Biden at the Van Buren County Democratic Partys BBQ for Biden-Harris on July 4 in South Haven, Mich., on the west side of the state. Bill Pugliano/TNS California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris wave in San Leandro during a campaign event opposing the recall of the governor on Sept. 8, 2021. Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press Until Kamala Harris replaced Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket, Gavin Newsom was the top Democratic attack dog for the president. For the past several months, Newsom has been one of few big-name Democrats blasting Republicans when Biden wouldnt, traveling to red states to advocate for reproductive rights, confronting Republicans on conservative media outlets and starting a super PAC to support candidates in battleground races. But now Harris has a pack of attack dog governors who are far more popular in battleground states campaigning for her while they audition to be her running mate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Harris wants to be thought of as a national brand and not a California brand if she is to be successful in her quest for the White House, said Christian Grose, a professor of political science at the University of Southern California. So these eastern and midwestern governors are way more effective for branding her in the states that matter most the swing states. That dynamic has meant Newsom is taking somewhat of a back seat as his fellow Democratic governors do the thing hes been urging his party to do for years: attack Republicans on their own turf. Newsom has led on that front for years. Last year he fueled speculation he might challenge Biden in the presidential race by starting his own PAC and going on a national tour trolling Republicans in red states. He also debated Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Fox News, using the platform to defend his record in California and stump for Biden. He framed the efforts not as a presidential campaign, but rather as a model for what he believed Democrats should be doing more of. But its hard for Newsom or any elected official from another state to parachute into a state like Pennsylvania where he isnt well known and stump for a candidate. Not when Pennsylvanians can see their own Gov. Josh Shapiro who snagged a 61% approval rating in September from the states voters take hard swings at Trump. While Biden won Pennsylvania by 80,000 votes in 2020, Shapiro won his second statewide race that year for attorney general by more than 300,000. Meanwhile, 37% of likely voters nationally hadnt heard enough about Newsom to form an opinion, according to a Data for Progress poll released after Bidens disastrous debate performance on June 27. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Even though Newsom is a national political figure, his brand is California, Grose said. Thats why it made more sense for Pennsylvania voters to hear Shapiro tear into Trump at a rally Monday in Montgomery County, where Shapiro grew up in the suburbs outside Philadelphia. Ive got a message for Donald Trump: Stop s-talking America, Shapiro said. This is the greatest country on the face of the Earth. Lets start acting like it. Shapiro mocked Trumps penchant for hugging American flags, while picking up the freedom theme that Harris has been using as a centerpiece of her campaign. Newsom has been talking about how Democrats definition of freedom differs from the GOPs for years now. While (Trump) is hugging the flag, hes taking away our freedoms, Shapiro said. Its not freedom to tell our kids what books they can read. Thats not freedom. Its not freedom to tell women what they can do with their bodies. Thats not freedom. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Unlike Newsom, Shapiro has challenges with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. They dont like his stance as an unflinching ally of Israel, nor do they like his support of school vouchers. But Shapiros moderate stances play well in his home state. As does his motto, which he repeated at Mondays rally. Three simple letters that I reflect on every day: GSD, getting s done, Shapiro said. Hes not the only attack dog out there for Harris. Before Biden dropped out, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz wasnt on the veepstakes radar. But he has zoomed into the national conversation with pointed hits on Trump that are anything but Minnesota nice. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It was Walz, 60, who hails from the rural part of the state, who first invoked the word weird to describe Trump. Calling someone weird may land better in Midwestern battleground states than it does from the former mayor of San Francisco. Walz launched the weird wars last week during an interview on MSNBC when he bemoaned how Trumps campaign has focused on culture war battles instead of kitchen table issues. We do not like what has happened where we cant even go to Thanksgiving dinner with our uncle because you end up in some weird fight that is unnecessary, said Walz, a veteran and former high school teacher. These guys are just weird. On a different MSNBC show that day, Walz doubled down: These are weird people on the other side. They want to take books away; they want to be in your exam room. Democrats efforts to co-opt the word weird and use it against Republicans seems to be taking a page out of Newsoms playbook. He has tried to do similar things with Republican slogans like pro-life co-opting his opponents slogans to use against them in an effort to sap the phrases of their power. Other swing-state governors, including North Carolinas Roy Cooper and Michigans Gretchen Whitmer, as well as Kentuckys Andy Beshear, have joined the fray campaigning for Harris. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The national stage may be more crowded, but Newsom doesnt plan to fade back into his day job as California governor. His aides say hes going to continue waving the partys banner. Newsoms team has been in close touch with the Harris campaign over the past week, Newsom spokesperson Nathan Click said. Gov. Newsom will continue forcefully hitting the campaign trail this year as a top surrogate on behalf of the now Harris campaign, Click wrote in a statement. He is thrilled to see so much excitement and enthusiasm from fellow Governors all the way down to grassroots activists in the party for electing VP Harris and defeating Donald Trump. In the months before Biden dropped out of the race, Newsom sent dozens of emails to his vast list of supporters soliciting donations directly to Biden and Democrats running for Senate, as well as Newsoms own Campaign for Democracy PAC. Newsom raised more than $7 million for the then-Biden, now-Harris campaign, $1 million for the Democratic National Committee, more than $1 million for Democratic Senate candidates and more than half a million for Democratic House candidates, Click said. To quiet the presidential rumors, Newsom went out of his way to demonstrate his loyalty to Biden, including serving as a spin-room surrogate for the president at a Republican primary debate. He played that role again at Bidens debate with Trump in June. After Bidens halting performance, Newsom was swarmed by reporters in the spin room barraging him with questions about whether he would be the nominee if Biden stepped down. He repeatedly said he would not. Instead, Newsom flew across the country to stand with Biden during a meeting at the White House, leaving behind a heat wave and political turmoil in his home state. That weekend, he campaigned for Biden in Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. Since Biden dropped out and endorsed Harris, Newsom has continued to solicit donations to Democratic Senate campaigns in swing states and his PAC. Hes also encouraged people to sign up to help his PACs efforts to organize volunteers to help Democrats across the country. Though he hasnt solicited donations directly for Harris campaign through his email list, hes praised and endorsed her candidacy. A critical blood donation organization has been hit by a cyberattack, risking the lives of the 43,000 Americans who need lifesaving blood every day. OneBlood, a nonprofit, serves hundreds of hospitals in the southeastern US and the attack on its computers could interrupt its services to the facilities. Sources familiar with the situation said the incident is being investigated as a potential ransomware attack. OneBlood said it 'is working closely with cyber security specialists, and also federal, state and local agencies as part of their comprehensive response to the situation.' The organization said it is continuing to collect, test and distribute blood, but it is 'operating at a significantly reduced capacity' and put out an urgent call for donors. OneBlood describes itself as 'a not-for-profit community asset responsible for providing safe, available, and affordable blood' The outage is impacting OneBlood's ability to ship 'blood products' to hospitals in Florida, according to an advisory sent to health care providers by the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center, a cyberthreat-sharing group, and reviewed by CNN. As a result, the organization has been manually labeling blood products. Susan Forbes, OneBlood senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations, said in a statement: 'OneBlood takes the security of our network extremely seriously. Our team reacted quickly to assess our systems and began an investigation to confirm the full nature and scope of the event. 'Our comprehensive response efforts are ongoing and we are working diligently to restore full functionality to our systems as expeditiously as possible.' She added: 'We have implemented manual processes and procedures to remain operational. Manual processes take significantly longer to perform and impacts inventory availability. 'In an effort to further manage the blood supply we have asked the more than 250 hospitals we serve to activate their critical blood shortage protocols and to remain in that status for the time being.' This cyberattack comes on the heels of a global Microsoft outage earlier this month, which shut hospitals and healthcare providers out of their electronic medical records and forced them to revert to paper charts. OneBlood supplies blood and blood products to 355 hospitals in Florida, Alabama, Virginia, Georgia and the Carolinas. It has collection centers in Florida, Georgie and the Carolinas. The organization said it has distributed 1million donations across the US and it employs more than 2,500 people. Earlier this year, America's supply of emergency blood reached a critically low level, prompting the nation's largest blood supplier to issue a 'life and death' blood shortage emergency. The American Red Cross declared a nationwide blood shortage in January, stating the number of people donating through the organization had dropped by 40 percent recently - hitting a 20-year low. According to the Red Cross, a person needs lifesaving blood every two seconds in the United States and more than 40,000 units of blood products are needed every day. Additionally, more than 16 million blood products are transfused every year. Following the outage, OneBlood put out an 'urgent call for donors.' 'The blood supply cannot be taken for granted. The situation we are dealing with is ongoing. 'If you are eligible to donate, we urge you to please make an appointment to donate as soon as possible,' Forbes said. OneBlood said it has distributed 1million donations across the US and it employs more than 2,500 people The above is a map from OneBlood of the US counties where the organization has donation centers in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas People can donate either whole blood or components of blood, including red blood cells, which are typically given to trauma patients or platelets, which help the blood clot and are used for cancer treatments and organ transplants. A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood, the Red Cross said, and blood cannot be manufactured - it must come from a donor. The global Microsoft outage earlier this month affected businesses and organizations in nearly every sector, from travel to healthcare and banking, costing billions. While it was not believed to be a malicious attack, a software update from a cybersecurity company called CrowdStrike led to hundreds of thousands of computers around the world suddenly shutting down. In previous instances when healthcare and hospital computer systems have gone down, patients previously told DailyMail.com they were denied medications for blood clots, addiction, and cancer or had to pay as much as seven times the normal cost after insurance. And in one case, a nine-month-old baby lost her life. Experts at the Ponemon Institute, an independent research group that studies critical security issues, surveyed more than 600 healthcare facilities, finding mortality rates increased at a quarter of locations following a ransomware attack. Americans venturing to state fairs next month should be on high alert for bird flu, health experts warn. Popular petting zoos and popular milking demonstrations pose a high transmission risk for a virus that is becoming more risky for humans. Fourteen Americans have been infected with the H5N1 strain this year and the White House is bankrolling efforts to trial human vaccines for avian flu in cases transmission becomes more widespread. All of this year's cases had contact with dairy cows or poultry, both of which are mainstays at state and county fairs. State and county fairs next month will adjust their cattle screening measures to mitigate the risk of avian flu. Many require farmers to provide evidence that their cows have tested negative for the virus This interactive map shows current site-level data for influenza A virus in wastewater. Avian flu is a strain of influenza A Fair organizers nationwide have undertaken precautionary measures to keep revelers safe, mostly by limiting peoples access to cows. They'll do so by keeping people away from lactating cows and bar spectators from milking them. Visitors will note some big changes this summer. Minnesota, for instance, will not include cows and calves in their Miracle of Birth exhibit at the state fair. And cows being shown at Missouri fairs will need to have proof of a negative flu test. Hundreds of state and county fairs will take place nationwide over the next couple of months, with thousands of Americans petting goats, touring barns, milking cows, and watching animals give birth. Dr Andrew Bowman, a veterinary professor at Ohio State University, said: What we do at fairs kind of violates every tenet of biosecurity that we preach, and we do it on public display, and we charge the public. As great as fairs are for agricultural education, they create situations with multiple species from different farms housed in one spot. The CDC has confirmed 14 cases of avian flu in farmers who work with poultry and dairy cattle since 2022, with Colorado now seeing nine cases. The public health body has launched an online tracking dashboard based on surveillance of wastewater samples. The dashboard draws on samples of wastewater that test positive for A-type flu viruses like the H5N1 strain infecting cattle on US dairy farms. The data is presented in map form and compares positive tests to the same time last year to look for upticks. The University of Minnesota Extension, a public health education service, published guidance for fairs with cow exhibits last week. It recommends that lactating cattle not attend fairs through the end of 2024, as raw milk contains high concentrations of bird flu virus. And fans of Minnesotas Miracle of Birth Center, where visitors can watch cows and other livestock give birth, will not include cows this year. The fair will continue to show mother cow-calf pairs, but the mother cows will not be lactating, and the calves will be weaned. A growing number of state and county fairs also have vets on staff to check evidence that the cows entering fairgrounds have tested negative for the flu. Wisconsins veterinary superintendent, Dr. Tia Kastenson, said: Theyll collect the papers, make sure all the lactating cows have their (test) dates in check, and then theyre going to monitor them as those cows come off the trailer. If theres anything questionable, theyre gonna pull (the cows) before they go into the barn. Farmers bringing their lactating dairy cows to the Missouri State Fair next month will need to have the animals milk tested for H5N1 no more than a week before their arrival. Those who arrive at the fair with milking cows that have not been tested will be turned away. The fair organizers have also chosen to close the area where spectators can milk cows themselves. Missouri State Veterinarian Dr Steve Strubberg said: Once [avian flu is] in a cow, it spreads to herd mates through the milking process. For that reason, the State Fair Commission is not going to allow the normal exhibitors to utilize the parlor to where they would use the same equipment, from one cow and one herd to the next. The risk of contracting bird flu to the ordinary non-farmer is low thanks to the power of pasteurization, which kills off bacteria and viruses in milk before it goes to stores. According to the USDA: At this stage, there is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health. The CDC announced a $10 million push on Tuesday to help curb the spread of avian flu among farm workers, including millions allocated to getting them vaccinated for a range of flu strains, including the avian flu. CDC's principal director Nirav Shah said: Preventing seasonal influenza for these workers, many of whom are also exposed to bird flu, may reduce risks of new strains of influenza emerging. Amid the kerfuffle surrounding Rachel Reeves spending audit, two reports by the City regulator, designed to boost the competitiveness of London as a financial centre, passed by unremarked. Under the leadership of Nikhil Rathi, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has moved to end box-ticking, making it easier for would-be investors to access financial markets. The FCAs efforts reminded me of a recent conversation with the chairman of a venerable City private bank. He recalled a visit from a well-known Emir from the Gulf who wanted to move up to 1billion of his personal wealth to London. Cancelled: The NatWest retail sale was an opportunity to boost the Citys reputation for bold, initial public offerings The banker then took the potentate through a lengthy questionnaire designed to show he was a suitable client. So irritated was the Emir by the probing into his personal life that he walked out and declared he was off to JP Morgan. Such episodes show how quickly less-than-determined investors can be put off by City rules. In spite of vows of simplicity, it took me months and hours of form-filling last year to transfer assets from one platform, Hargreaves Lansdown, to another at Evelyn Partners. All of this is a way of explaining why the Government is wrong to have hooked the retail sale of NatWest shares. Now that NatWest is paying dividends again and the share price, up 40 per cent since the start of the year, is back in health, there has been little problem placing government-owned shares with big battalion investors. The idea of a Tell Sid-style retail sale, with associated advisory and promotional costs, looked less relevant. Yet at a moment when the Government is seeking to revive equity investment in London, the NatWest retail sale was an opportunity to boost the Citys reputation for bold, initial public offerings (IPOs). NatWest already had spent 24million of shareholder funds preparing. It may be easier and cheaper to go institutional. Taxpayers, who bailed out predecessor bank Royal Bank of Scotland with 45billion in 2008, deserved the chance to get back in at a substantial discount. Reeves and the Treasury have missed an opportunity. They could have boosted a sub-octane IPO market, backed Britains biggest small and medium-sized enterprise High Street bank and rewarded taxpayers after a rocky 16-year wait for a full return to public markets. Low spirits What is going on at Diageo? For several years Britains Johnnie Walker-to-Guinness spirits and stout purveyor has been a stand-out performer. It has invested heavily in Scotch, grown through difficult global circumstances, pioneered new brands and invested in trendy snifters such as Casamigos tequila. Since Texan Debra Crew was parachuted into the top job after the untimely death of admired predecessor Ivan Menezes, it has all gone to custard. A surprise over-stocking problem (now resolved) emerged in Latin America. And now sales in North America, where the company earns 40 per cent of its income, are off the boil. The company has revealed its first drop in sales since 2020. Crew attributes the decline to cost of living pressures. American spending power was certainly boosted through, and after, the pandemic by the cheques which the US government sent out to everyone with a social security number. Brands such as Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff Vodka are permanent fixtures in global drinking. What may be more worrying for Diageo, and the other booze firms, is the trend among younger people away from alcohol. Thats among the reasons why Carlsberg is taking out Britains Britvic. It is also the case that spirits can be a fashion business. Gin, rum and tequila have all ridden a wave and no one is sure what comes next. Mad Men The choice of the restless former chief executive of BT, Philip Jansen, to be next chairman of marketing powerhouse WPP may raise eyebrows. It is usually the task of the chairman to sack the chief executive so Mark Read, successor to creator Martin Sorrell, might look to his laurels. At BT, Jansen showed sharp elbows and managed to reverse the process by chasing away chairman Jan du Plessis. Jansens taste for leisure and a background in private equity are worth monitoring. BP will drill a new oilfield in the Gulf of Mexico as it softens its green agenda in favour of fossil fuels. The London-listed oil major has given the go-ahead for a sixth site 250 miles off the coast of New Orleans, which will tap into 80,000 barrels of oil a day. Chief executive Murray Auchincloss has promised to focus on expanding its oil and gas business and returning more cash to shareholders. Oil man: BP chief exec Murray Auchincloss has promised to focus on expanding its oil and gas business and returning more cash to shareholders That is a departure from the green focus laid out by his predecessor Bernard Looney, who had been pushing for clean energy, with big bets on hydrogen and wind. The update came as the group unveiled profits of 2.2billion for the three months to the end of June, beating analysts forecasts. That was helped by a lower tax bill. In a further boost to shareholders, BP hiked its dividend by 10 per cent to 8 cents a share and said it would continue buying back 1.36billion of shares a quarter for the remainder of the year. In total BP has paid out 11.5billion to shareholders since June 2023. Auchincloss said BP was committed to delivering a simpler, more focused and higher-value company for shareholders. BP shares slid 0.3 per cent yesterday. Mark Crouch, market analyst at trading platform eToro, said: With the ongoing balancing act between investing in renewable energy methods and maintaining profits and shareholder returns that are predominantly from fossil fuel operations, BP will be driven by what is in the best interests of their shareholders first and foremost. And with wind and solar struggling to meet growing global energy demand, while oil and gas demand continues to increase, that looks to be exactly what BP is doing. The move comes after activist investor Bluebell Capital Partners wrote to BP chairman Helge Lund at the end of last year with concerns about how the FTSE 100 energy giant is run. The London-based hedge fund blasted BPs green transition plan as irrational and said the strategy has depressed its share price. Investors are concerned that BP is underperforming compared with rival Shell and US energy giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron. Looneys shock exit in September also tarnished BP. He had to resign after failing to be fully transparent about personal relationships with colleagues. Standard Chartered is launching its largest ever share buyback following a surge in profits. The British lender will return 1.2billion to investors after it reported a strong first half of the year as profits soared 21 per cent to 3.1billion in the six months to the end of June. Meanwhile, chief executive Bill Winters praised Labour for being a serious government and supportive of business. Growth: Standard Chartered will return 1.2bn to investors after it reported a strong first half of the year as profits soared 21% to 3.1bn in the six months to the end of June Theyve set out serious statements and platforms, he said, despite looming tax rises. He added: I have every confidence that the Chancellor [Rachel Reeves] and the rest of the Government will pursue their policies in a transparent way. The City speculated whether the bank was looking to schmooze Labour, who are likely to tax share buybacks. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: It would be unusual, even remiss, for a chief executive not to try and influence thinking and policy, especially in an industry that remains under such regulatory and public scrutiny as the banks. Shares rose 5.9 per cent, or 43.2p, to 770p taking its gains for the year to 16 per cent. The bank attributed its strong first-half performance to growth in its wealth management business that brought in billions of dollars from rich clients. That helped income rise 13 per cent to 8billion during the period, leading to its annual forecast being upgraded to above 7 per cent for 2024. Critics have slammed Labour for binning NatWests share sale. They argued it was a once in a generation opportunity to encourage the public to buy stock. It has been branded a missed chance to encourage the public to develop investment habits and to reinvigorate the London market. This week Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that there will not be a Tell Sid NatWest share to the public as it would cost the taxpayer too much. She will instead offer the Governments 5.6billion stake to pension funds, insurers and asset managers. Under fire: Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that there will not be a Tell Sid NatWest share to the public Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: The public share sale would have widened share ownership and boosted the London stock market so much for believing in spreading wealth and prosperity. Former cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg added: This is a reminder that Labour is an anti-capitalist party which does not want to see the spread of wealth or to support Londons capital markets. A retail share offer would involve having to offer the public discounts worth hundreds of millions of pounds. Reeves said on Monday: It would therefore not represent value for money, and it will not go ahead. According to estimates published by the Treasury this week, axing the sale would save between 100million and 450million. The lender had been bailed out by the Government during the 2008 financial crisis, the last time Labour was in power. At its height, the taxpayers stake was 84 per cent. Critics argue that as taxpayers have held up the bank for so long, it is only right they are offered a discounted opportunity to own slices of it. Mark Northway, from not-for-profit investment group ShareSoc, said he was very disappointed by this missed opportunity. Shareholders, including individuals, took the pain at the point of the Government rescue. The individual taxpayer has funded the recovery over the past decade and a half. Here was an opportunity to allow individual investors to participate in the next chapter on par with institutional investors, but the new government has chosen to favour the financial services industry. And the group believe the sale could have been used by schools to teach lessons around responsible finances. Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at broker AJ Bell, said: Whilst protecting the taxpayer is understandable and even laudable, the share sale could have been used as a valuable catalyst to get first-time investors on board. According to estimates published by the Treasury this week, axing the Natwest sale would save between 100m and 450m Creating a moment that could have changed the investing landscape for the better would have been exciting. This month the Governments stake fell below 20 per cent. The Conservatives planned a sale this summer, with former chancellor Jeremy Hunt priming ad agency M&C Saatchi to launch a Tell Sid advertising campaign the slogan used to encourage the public to buy shares in British Gas in 1986. But NatWest last week said it had to spend 24million on a campaign, which never saw the light of day. In the planned advert, broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald asked the public in a TV campaign that aimed to boost the beleaguered stock market: Are you in? A NatWest spokesman said: Any decisions around the sale of government shares are a matter for the Treasury. We are pleased with the continued reduction of the Governments stake, which has almost halved this year and is now below 20 per cent. We welcome the Chancellors commitment to returning NatWest Group to full private ownership. This is a shared ambition that we believe is in the best interests of both the bank and all our shareholders. But Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at investment platform IG, said it was inevitable that Labour kiboshed the sale due to Natwests booming share price. He added that the tide is going back the other way to more public ownerships with the railways, and you could make an argument for other utility companies too. There is a sense things havent worked. Slump: Germany's GDP declined by 0.1% in the second quarter of this year Germany is teetering on the brink of a recession after its economy unexpectedly shrank. Gross domestic product a measurement for economic growth declined by 0.1 per cent in the second quarter of this year. The gloomy figures from the German governments statistics body, Destatis, were a surprise as economists had been expecting 0.1 per cent growth for the three months between April and June. A drop in the manufacturing and construction sector weighed heavily on the economy, dealing a blow for Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Germany is lagging well behind its eurozone neighbours and if the country records another dip next quarter, it will be in recession. In the UK, economists at the Bank of England are set to vote on whether to cut the rates tomorrow. Former BT chief exec and City grandee will succeed Roberto Quarta at WPP WPP has named Philip Jansen as its chairman as the advertising giant tries to win back shareholder confidence. The former BT chief executive and City grandee will succeed Roberto Quarta, who has been chairman of the advertising giant since replacing Philip Lader in 2015. Jansen, 57, will join the board in September and formally take over in January 2025, receiving a salary of 575,000 a year. But it comes at a testing time for WPP, which has issued a series of profit warnings blaming a downturn in spending in the US and China. WPP revenues sank in the first quarter of this year as technology clients cut ad budgets. Chief executive Mark Read has said the company, which owns the Ogilvy and Group M agencies, will focus on developing artificial intelligence technology to get the company back on track. WPP shares are flat so far this year but are down by over a fifth in the past five years. They rose 1.2 per cent yesterday. Paolo Pescatore, analyst at PP Foresight, said Jansen was a good hire for the advertising group. Lets not forget he steered BT during a challenging period and led a major transformational program. This will put WPP in good stead to have a razor-sharp focus on efficiencies and revenue growth, he said. During his four-and-half year tenure at BT, Jansen had a turbulent time in BTs boardroom. It was reported that he clashed with former chairman Jan du Plessis, though the company denied this. Fairer system? Should all savers get pension tax relief at the same rate It seems unfair to me that the well off can save into a pension fund and get 40 per cent tax relief, but the lower earners can only get 20 per cent tax relief. Does the new government have any plans to address this? I think a 33 per cent tax relief for all pension contributions would be fair. PL Ros Altmann, a former Pensions Minister who now sits in the House of Lords, replies: Government spends over 70billion a year on pension tax breaks. These are enormous sums which need to be spent wisely. The vast majority of this cost is tax or National Insurance foregone on contributions (with small amounts coming from tax-free income and capital gains for all pension funds). Many people believe the current system does not represent good value for taxpayers, especially as British pension funds invest mostly overseas, so the money helps other countries, rather than our own. It is also suggested that pensions tax relief works the wrong way round. The highest earners receive far more than the lower-paid for each pound they put in. From a social perspective, one would think lower earners need most help to make pension contributions as they struggle more to set aside money for their long-term future than high-earners. However, with any progressive tax system, where those on higher incomes pay higher rates of tax, a system based on tax relief will be more generous to the higher-paid. It may seem counter-intuitive to give a more generous subsidy for those with the highest incomes. At the very least, one might think it is fairest to give the same taxpayer top-up for the same amount of contribution, regardless of someones income. How does basic rate pension tax relief work now? Consideration has been given to restricting tax relief to basic rate for everyone. This sounds very simple in theory and here is how it is supposed to work. Lady Altmann: The Government spends over 70bn a year on pension tax breaks - an enormous sum which needs to be spent wisely If basic rate tax is 20p in the pound, as now, the way tax relief is calculated means everyone would receive a 25 per cent bonus on their own contributions. I know this sounds confusing, so let me try to explain why. For each 1 going into your pension, 20p would come from tax relief (the 20p in the pound tax that is not paid). For every 100 going in, 20 would come from taxpayers. So, if you contribute 80 to your pension fund, taxpayers add another 20. This amounts to a 25 per cent uplift on your own money (20 out of 80 is 25 per cent). How does higher rate pension tax relief work now? If you are a 40 per cent taxpayer (earning over 50,270 a year), then 40p in every 1 contributed to your pension effectively comes from taxpayers. In other words, each 100 going into your pension fund has only cost you 60, with the other 40 coming from tax relief. The bonus added to your pension fund is therefore worth 66 per cent (40 is 66 per cent of 60). Much better than the 25 per cent for lower earners. This tax relief system has several drawbacks. For example, whenever the Chancellor changes tax rates, the amount of incentive given by tax relief automatically changes. Lower tax rates mean less money going into your pension, but an increase in tax rates gives you more. Does pension tax relief currently work as intended? Tax relief is supposed to be an incentive provided by the rest of society to encourage people to pay into pensions. This is desirable, from a social perspective, because it can reduce future taxpayer burdens of old-age support; help pensioners enjoy a better retirement lifestyle; and traditionally pension funds were expected to support their domestic companies and economy as a reliable long-term investor base. This could give good long-term returns and increase domestic investment to support financial markets and growth. Of course, in order to be an effective incentive, it needs to be generous enough to be attractive and also needs to be known about. If a generous incentive is available, but people dont know about it, it will not be very effective. This is currently the position. The whole tax relief arrangement has significant complexities, changes over time have been confusing and the administration difficulties have been under-recognised. Most people have no idea what they get from tax relief. Would flat rate pension tax relief work better? Restricting pension tax relief to just the basic rate for everyone sounds appealing in theory. In practice, however, it would create administration havoc for most pension schemes. Restricting tax relief to just the basic rate for everyone would create administration havoc for most pension schemes There are two different systems for administering tax relief Net Pay and Relief at Source. Each is complicated in different ways. In a Net Pay scheme, the pension contribution is automatically adjusted to add the tax relief at each persons marginal rate. Relief at Source schemes just add basic rate relief, so those on higher incomes need to claim their higher rate relief from HMRC. All defined benefit schemes (including those for millions of public sector workers) and many defined contribution schemes, particularly new MasterTrusts, operate on a Net Pay basis, but other defined contribution pensions (including Nest and most insurance company DC pensions) use Relief at Source. It would be easier to restrict to basic rate relief if everyone used Relief at Source, but the majority of schemes, both old and new, use Net Pay. Changing administration processes would be fraught with difficulties and costs. On top of this, there are even more complications to address when considering changing the current system. Part of the costs of tax relief stem from employer contributions, which receive corporation tax relief, and also National Insurance relief. This has caused widespread adoption of salary sacrifice arrangements, which help reduce employer pension costs by taking advantage of the National Insurance relief. Under salary sacrifice, employers ask workers to take a lower reported salary, in exchange for higher employer pension contributions, without reducing actual take-home pay. The calculations are fiddly and complicated, but once the salary sacrifice arrangements have been put in place, it can be extremely costly to change the entire payroll calculation system to remove it. So, introducing a new flat-rate pension incentive is not straightforward. Some have argued just to remove the National Insurance relief (which costs about 10billion a year). But this would create problems for all members of salary sacrifice schemes. Got a tax question? Heather Rogers, founder and owner of Aston Accountancy, is This is Money's tax columnist. She answers your questions on any tax topic - tax codes, inheritance tax, income tax, capital gains tax, and much more. Check out her previous columns to see if she has already solved your tax conundrum. Or, you can write to Heather at taxquestions@thisismoney.co.uk. Is there another way to reform pension tax relief? A truly radical alternative has also been suggested. This would uncouple the incentive arrangements for pension contributions from the tax system altogether. The new system would badge the incentive as a standard Government bonus added to your own contributions. This might be more readily understood. For example, receiving the equivalent of basic rate tax relief would be explained as the Government adding 25 per cent to every contribution you make a 25 per cent reward for pensions or Buy 4, get 1 free, regardless of how much you earn. The reward just depends on how much you contribute. Even this is not as simple as it sounds. Although in theory a flat rate system of taxpayer pension incentives has wide appeal and social justification, in practice it would not be easy to put in place. What do supporters of the present system say - should we stick with it? Those defending the current system often argue that this is not tax relief as such, because the contributions may be tax-free on the way in, but tax is paid on the pension money taken out, so it is just tax deferred rather than never paid. They are concerned that higher earners would lose out. If you only get relief of basic rate tax on your contributions, but are higher rate taxpayers in retirement, then your pension fund is being penalised, as you pay more on the way out than you benefited from on the way in. In practice, however, this argument contains some flaws. Firstly, most people with higher incomes and receiving higher or additional rate relief when working are on much lower incomes in retirement and often pay just basic rate tax. That means they benefit far more from the tax relief than the amount of tax recouped later. Secondly, higher rate taxpayers usually receive tax relief at their highest marginal rate on their entire contributions, but retirement income is only taxed at higher rate on the amount above the higher rate threshold (currently 50,270). So this is more tax leakage. Thirdly, everyone receives a 25 per cent tax-free lump sum in retirement, so basic rate taxpayers will never repay any of the tax relief they received. Therefore, calling this tax deferred is not entirely correct. Even the minority of people in a flat-rate taxpayer incentive system, who face higher rate tax in retirement and feel they pay more tax than the relief they received, have benefited from the tax-free income and capital gains earned on their fund over the years. Should we reform pension tax relief? Making fundamental changes to pension incentives needs careful consideration and the practical complexities and costs of unwinding current administrative systems will need time to introduce. Change is likely to face significant opposition from many sides. However, a simpler, fairer system could ultimately save money to the public purse, while also making it easier for people to understand how much extra will be added to their own pension contributions. They may, therefore, better appreciate the value of putting money into a pension while younger. Thousands of NS&I customers could be sitting on a Premium Bonds fortune without knowing it, This is Money can reveal. There are more than 2.4million unclaimed Premium Bonds prizes amounting to 86million, exclusive data from NS&I reveals. At the beginning of each month, Premium Bonds customers eagerly await the prize draw for the winners are announced. But with millions of prizes in each, inevitably some go unclaimed. There are six unclaimed 100,000 prizes and ten of 50,000 adding up to more than 1million. Unclaimed bounty: There are six 100k winners who are yet to claim their prize NS&I revealed that four of the the six unclaimed 100,000 winners are located in the UK, with another two overseas or in areas with unknown postcodes. One of the six 100,000 unclaimed prizes was drawn as recently as January 2023, This is Money can reveal. This winner is based in Gwent Valleys in Wales and had a holding of 40,525 at the time of the draw. Another unclaimed 100,000 prize was drawn in February 2022 and belongs to a winner based in Gloucestershire. They had a holding of the maximum 50,000 at the time of the draw. The two oldest unclaimed 100,000 prizes were drawn in February 2007. One of these winners, based overseas, had a holding balance of just 6 at the time their winning bond was drawn. Meanwhile, there are 18 unclaimed 25,000 prizes, 50 unclaimed 10,000 prizes and 107 unclaimed 5,000 prizes. Most of the unclaimed prizes are located overseas or in areas with no known postcode. NS&I data shows that 346,713 unclaimed Premium Bonds prizes belong to winners who live overseas, making up 14 per cent of all unclaimed prizes. This is followed by the South East, which has 318,807 unclaimed prizes amounting to 11,286,925. UNCLAIMED 100,000 PRIZES Month of draw Balance at draw Reported area February 2007 6 Unknown August 2014 14 Unknown February 2022 50,000 Gloucestershire January 2023 40,525 Gwent Valleys February 2007 25 Hampshire And Isle Of Wight September 2010 330 Sefton Source: NationalSavings & Investments How to check if you've won a Premium Bonds prize? Premium Bonds prize winners are notified by NS&I if they have won a prize by text, email or post. It's worth checking your old emails, letters and texts in case you have missed one. If you can't find any notification but want other ways of checking, you can do this by logging in on NS&I's website. You will need your NS&I login details to do this. You can also use NS&I's Premium Bonds prize checker tool. You'll need your Premium Bond-holder's number to do so this is separate from your NS&I number. NS&I also have a prize checker app. You can download this for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play. To access your account, you'll need your Premium Bond holder's number or your NS&I number. You can write to NS&I to check if you have won a prize. You will need to include your name, address and NS&I number or Premium Bond holder's number. Send letters to NS&I, Sunderland, SR43 2SB. NS&I will send you a list of any prizes you have won. If you don't know your Premium Bonds holder's number or your NS&I number, you can call NS&I on 08085 007 007 or write to it and ask for a replacement bond record to be sent to you. You can also use NS&I's tracing service or the my lost account website, both of which can track down your Premium Bond details. How to retrieve an unclaimed prize You might not have received news of a prize because you moved home and NS&I weren't notified, or because you changed some of your details and a letter went astray in the post. But the good news is that there is no no time limit to claims and NS&I will hold on to it until you get in touch with them. Once you've found out you have an unclaimed prize, if you are registered for phone and online services you can call NS&I on 08085 007 007. You cannot claim online. If you're not registered for phone and online services you can write to NS&I. NS&I recommends that you give as much information as you can, including the bond-holder's number, name or any previous names, address or any previous addresses where a bond could have been registered and a signature. Prizes will then be sent to your home address as a warrant, which is like a cheque. NS&I cannot send unclaimed prizes directly to your bank account. A spokesman from NS&I said: 'To stop Premium Bonds prizes going unclaimed, customers can have them paid directly to their bank account. 'Premium Bonds customers should also ensure that they update us with any changes to their personal details, such as their name or address or bank details.' Donald Trump answers questions Wednesday for moderator Rachel Scott during the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago. Trump has long tried to mine racism to diminish his political opponents. Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP/TNS Donald Trump has a long history of making racist comments that his supporters have excused and ignored. But on Wednesday, Trump sank lower, melding his racist language with ignorance by saying that Vice President Kamala Harris only recently turned Black. He reduced a history-making candidate, and an important national understanding of our growing multiethnicity, to his language of cruelty and anti-wokeism. As if Harris identity is suspect, and that she must answer for it. Tell that to the 33 million Americans who are multiracial. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its wrong, hateful and incendiary. Not to mention inaccurate. Harris father is a Black immigrant from Jamaica, and her late mother was an Indian immigrant. Trumps cynical political goal is to divide Black voters, historically one of the Democratic Partys strongest voting blocs, by focusing on Harris identity instead of her policy record, said James Taylor, a professor of political science at the University of San Francisco and the author of Black Nationalism in the United States: From Malcolm X to Barack Obama. Trumps aim is to make Kamala seem different in that there is something incomplete about her Blackness. Trumps hope is to peel off Black men, Taylor said, who may have doubts about Harris because shes a woman. Two, because shes a Black woman. Three, because shes married to a white man. Four, because she has a mixed heritage background. Taylor said that because Trump cant figure out how to frame Harris, hes going to sow seeds of doubts about her identity even after she spent more than two decades in public life, including being elected to statewide office three times in the nations most populous state. It will backfire because Black Americans have their own understanding of who is and who is not Black, Taylor said. And no white man like Donald Trump can tell us. We will decide who is Black and who is not. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Compounding Trumps offense, he made the remarks during a live onstage interview at the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago. He was responding to a question about whether Harris is only on the ticket because she is a Black woman, or a DEI candidate a reference to diversity, equity and inclusion as some Republicans have suggested by pushing the racist trope. She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage, Trump said Wednesday. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? I respect either one, Trump continued. But she obviously doesnt, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden, she made a turn and she became a Black person. Somebody should look into that, too. Pressed to respond whether he agreed with his supporters, including Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., who has said Harris is a DEI hire, Trump said, I really dont know. Could be, could be. There are some. Trump has long tried to mine racism to diminish his political opponents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For years he insisted, falsely, that Barack Obama was not born in the U.S., fueling the yearslong birther movement. He said the same thing about his Republican primary opponent, Nikki Haley, whom hed previously appointed as ambassador to the United Nations. Two years ago, Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes dined with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort. In 1973, the Justice Department sued Trump, his father, Fred, and Trump Management, accusing them of refusing to rent the apartments they owned to Black tenants. The Trumps ultimately signed a consent decree that required desegregation but did not include an admission of guilt. Trumps latest claim Wednesday was just flat-out wrong. Harris, whose racial and ethnic identity is rooted in her upbringing in the East Bay, has always identified as a Black and Indian American. Her father, economics professor Donald Harris, is an immigrant from Jamaica. Her mother, cancer researcher Shyamala Gopalan, emigrated from India after finishing her undergraduate degree at age 19. They met as students at UC Berkeley in the 1960s. Growing up in Berkeley, Harris recalled in a Democratic debate in 2019, she and her sister had to deal with the neighbor who told us her parents couldnt play with us because she because we were Black. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Her parents divorced when she was 7, and the siblings were raised by their mother. They lived in a yellow duplex on Bancroft Way in the flatlands of west Berkeley. In those days, Black families generally didnt live in the hills east of what is now Martin Luther King Jr. Way because of the effects of redlining policies. She was part of the second class of students to more fully integrate Berkeleys schools in 1969. My mother instilled in my sister, Maya, and me the values that would chart the course of our lives, Harris said at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. She raised us to be proud, strong Black women. And she raised us to know and be proud of our Indian heritage. The sisters attended a day care facility where posters of Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass hung on the walls. The girls sang in the choir at Oaklands 23rd Avenue Church of God, a Black church that emphasizes the need to defend the rights of the poor and the needy. She frequently listened to Aretha Franklins version of the Nina Simone song To Be Young, Gifted and Black. We must begin to tell our young, the lyrics go. Theres a world waiting for you. This is a quest thats just begun. The girls spent every Thursday at Rainbow Sign, a Black cultural center in Berkeley where 10 members of its board of directors were Black professional women. Shirley Chisholm. Alice Walker. Maya Angelou and James Baldwin were regular visitors there. They were there on Thursdays, the regular meeting night of Black Women Organized for Political Action, or BWOPA. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Later, Harris attended a historically Black university, Howard University in Washington, D.C., and was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a Black sorority. Harris for President communications director Michael Tyler said the hostility Trump showed onstage Wednesday is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office, and throughout his campaign for president as he seeks to regain power. Also Wednesday, Trump repeated his claim that undocumented immigrants are taking Black jobs. When pressed to explain what a Black job was, Trump said, A Black job is anybody that has a job, thats what it is. Anybody that has it. Trump pointed to his support for historically Black colleges and universities, including a 2019 measure that guaranteed $255 million in science, technology, engineering and math funding for HBCUs over the next decade. But he also erroneously said nobody else was doing it. President Joe Biden included $2.7 billion for HBCUs in the 2021 American Rescue Plan, and included $1.6 billion more to help HBCUs discharge their debt later that year. Republicans, as they have throughout Trumps time on the national stage, shrugged Wednesday. The campaign is, needs to be, mostly about the issues, and there are plenty to talk about. And I just think thats where the focus needs to be. Thats how were going to win in November, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2-ranked Senate Republican, told reporters after hearing of Trumps remarks. Taylor was more succinct about what the impact could be. Record numbers of children are being reported to the Government's anti-extremism services for expressing 'far right' ideology. More than 2,100 under-15s were referred to Prevent in 2022/23 over fears they were being groomed by extremists or at risk of radicalisation. Of them, 462 expressed 'extreme right wing' ideologies compared with 182 'Islamist' referrals. Eighty-eight were flagged over their interest in school massacres, with six suspected 'incels' also on the list. Prevent, ran by the Home Office, aims to stop terror attacks on British streets. Officials work with local authorities and community organisations to 'support and protect vulnerable people'. Your browser does not support iframes. But the flagship 49million-a-year scheme has faced huge criticism over its failures in spotting Islamist terror sympathisers, including those with links to notorious hate preacher Anjem Choudary. Critics, including ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman, accused it of pandering to political correctness and trying not to appear to be Islamophobic. Sir William Shawcross, who conducted an independent review into the scheme, said the British public is 'at risk' because Prevent has strayed from 'its core mission' of countering all ideologies that can lead to terrorism. Sir William wrote: 'It is correct for Prevent to be increasingly concerned about the growing threat from the Extreme Right. But the facts clearly demonstrate that the most lethal threat in the last 20 years has come from Islamism, and this threat continues.' Months later, it emerged that popular British sitcoms were marked as 'key texts' for white nationalists/supremacists by the counter-terror programme. Prevent singled out comedies Yes Minister and The Thick Of It, the 1955 epic war film The Dam Busters, and even The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare as possible red flags of extremism. Your browser does not support iframes. Prevent warned that TV comedies such as Yes Minister, featuring Nigel Hawthorne, left, Paul Eddington, centre, and Derek Fowlds, right, had become required texts for right wing extremists Last year's toll of Prevent's 'extreme right wing' referrals (1,310) was up 35.5 per cent on 2016/17. The scheme was introduced following the 2015 Counter-Terrorism and Security Act. Over the same period, the amount under the Islamist umbrella has plunged by 81 per cent, from 3,706 to 701 today. The trend is even starker among under-15s. Officials describe Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism (ERWT) as using violence to further aims. Such ideologies can be broadly characterised as 'Cultural Nationalism, White Nationalism and White Supremacism', the Home Office says. Islamist terrorism, meanwhile, relates to 'the threat or use of violence as a means to establish a strict interpretation of an Islamic society'. A Government document says that the UK's biggest Islamist terrorist threat 'comes overwhelmingly from those inspired by, but not necessarily affiliated with, ISIS and Al Qaeda. It adds: 'Islamist should not be interpreted as a reference to individuals who follow the religion of Islam.' Potential threats from left wing organisations are also included in the annual Prevent figures, although an exact toll is not provided as counter-terror chiefs view the threat as slim. The Home Office says such groups said to pose a 'low' terror threat 'seek to use violence to advance their cause in seeking to overthrow the State in all its forms'. In total, 6,817 people were flagged to Prevent in England and Wales during 2022/23, with the 15-20 age group making up the bulk of referrals. Of the 2,119 under 15s sucked into the programme, 241 were adopted as a Channel case. Many of the referrals and reports came from schools where children were identified as being at risk of radicalisation as a result of their extremist views, often associated with expressing hate speech involving racism, homophobia or anti-Semitic abuse. Thomas Mair, 57, was inspired by white supremacism to murder MP Jo Cox ahead of the 2016 Brexit referendum claiming 'Britain first, this is for Britain' Jo Cox, pictured was shot and stabbed by Mair on her way to a constituency surgery, meeting local residents of Bately and Spen Expressing sympathy or admiration for the likes of Adolf Hitler or praising extremists would be enough to risk being flagged to Prevent if overheard by a teacher, social worker or even work colleague. Of the Channel cases, 115 were far right while 42 were Islamist. The remaining cases were split among a range of different groups including nine who fantasised about school massacres and one incel. However, a Prevent intervention is no guarantee an individual will be deradicalised. Experts demanded Prevent be overhauled after Tory MP Sir David Amess was killed by the Islamic State fanatic during a constituency surgery in October 2021. It emerged that Ali Harbi Ali, a British national of Somali heritage who stabbed the veteran MP 21 times, was previously referred to Prevent by a teacher who was concerned about his extremist views. During his trial, in which he was handed a whole life sentence, he boasted how he was able to deceive police and anti-radicalisation workers. The court heard Ali was radicalised watching sermons of hate preacher Anjem Choudary, who was this week jailed for life for running a banned terrorist organisation. Choudary had the temerity to suggest it was Britain that was to blame for radicalising the killer. As well as being accused of not focusing enough on prime Islamist threats, Prevent last month faced criticism over its heavy-handed approach towards 'views that are held by the majority of people in Britain'. Last month the Mail revealed a 12-year-old schoolboy was investigated by counter-extremism officers after he declared there 'are only two genders'. Officers visited his mother, reeling off a string of allegations to illustrate the Jewish boy was at risk of radicalisation. Sir David Amess, pictured, was murdered in October 2021 by a follower of jailed hate preacher Anjem Choudary Ali Harbi Ali, pictured, was handed a whole life tariff by the Old Bailey for murdering the veteran Tory MP. The mother said the school, who referred him to Prevent, and officers were guilty of double standards, claiming anti-Semitic incidents at the school in Northumbria were not dealt with in the same way. Prevent is the first tier in the Government's anti radicalisation strategy. According to Home Office guidance, the scheme 'focuses on reducing the influence of susceptible audiences, as well as reducing the availability of, and access to, terrorist content'. After an initial discussion with police, a case can be diverted to Channel process a voluntary programme designed to support people deemed terrorist threats. People who accept help from Channel can get assistance through mentoring, religious guidance, education and even help with housing and hobbies in a bid to lead them away from trouble. If people at risk of radicalisation refuse help or are at continued risk of radicalisation, they will be continually monitored by police. In the wake of Sir William's sweeping review, Rishi Sunak 's government announced reforms to 'ensure rigorous consistent and proportionate decision making on all referrals to the programme'. The new guidelines will order Prevent to intervene in cases of people when they 'present a counter-terrorism risk'. The issue of far-right terrorism in the UK came to prominence in 2016 following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox. Thomas Mair, 57, shot and stabbed her in an assault during the EU referendum campaign. Mair, who was jailed for life, was said to have been inspired by white supremacism and while attacking her in Birstall, West Yorkshire, said 'Britain first, this is for Britain'. After the attack when police searched his home and studied his on-line activities it emerged he was obsessed with the Nazis, notions of white supremacy and apartheid-era South Africa. Nigel Bromage, founder of Exit Hate Trust, a charity which helps people leave far-right organisations, said: 'Today, more and more young people are vulnerable to extremist influence, because extremists know how active they are online and extremist recruiters spend hours talking to them, offering spaces for people to talk, instead of shutting young people down. 'What we as a society need to do is have difficult conversations in the community, so young people do not have to engage with extremists online, that's why Exit is here and people can get support from Prevent.' A Home Office spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Prevent is a vital tool to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism and tackles all ideological causes. 'Since 2015, we have supported more than 4,400 referrals through the Channel programme to move individuals away from violent ideologies that could have resulted in harm to themselves or others.' Democrats are pushing for their favorite colleagues and friends to be considered for Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate. Harris is reportedly getting close to choosing a VP and could be out on the campaign trail with her second-in-command by her side as soon as next week. After quickly obtaining the Democratic party's full support following President Joe Biden's monumental reelection exit just over a week ago, she started vetting potential No. 2 options. The top contenders thought to be in the running include Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Despite their differences, they're all white and male, and provide different advantages for Harris's campaign in several must-win states for Democrats. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris gestures during a campaign event in Wisconsin. Reports indicate that she will be campaigning with her yet-to-be-announced running mate next week Beshear, Shapiro and Walz bring high-level executive experience to the role and have huge name recognition in their critical states of Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. Kelly is a well-known former astronaut from Arizona who has Senate experience under his belt after being elected in 2020. Democrats need to win those states if they have any hope of securing the White House and down-ballot races. The decision on who will join Harris on the ticket is expected in the coming days as she plans on campaigning with her running mate next week, sources revealed to Reuters on Tuesday. Now, Democrats are revealing to DailyMail.com who they want to see at the top of the ticket with Kamala. 'Both Kelly and Peters, both would be great,' Virginia Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine - who was once selected himself as Hillary Clinton's VP pick in 2016 - told DailyMail.com. Kaine continued saying Harris has a multitude of great options but that she will have to hone in on the one who she feels 'the chemistry with' and who can 'secure support in battleground states.' 'First of all, it's her decision, but I obviously have a favorite,' Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. Bob Casey told DailyMail.com. 'Both our governor, and good friend, Governor Josh Shapiro.' His colleague, Illinois Democrat Sen. Tammy Duckworth, however, had a different idea. 'So obviously my Governor J.B. Pritzker would be great,' she said. 'He turned around our state.' Though Illinois Gov. Pritzker was her first choice, Duckworth also floated another name. 'I also think Tim Walz would be really good,' she revealed to DailyMail.com, adding the two spent time in the House together and that Walz, like herself, is a veteran, which she says 'would be really helpful to a new commander-in-chief.' The senators who are on the shortlist themselves did not disclose who they believe Harris should select. Both Democratic senators have been reported to be in the race for Kamala Harris's VP pick 'That's a good question,' Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly told DailyMail.com, one of most talked about Democrats in the running mate race. 'I think there are a lot of really good options out there, like many.' Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who is also suspected to be in the VP mix, similarly gave DailyMail.com a non-answer. 'She's got a lot of great folks to pick from,' he said. 'She'll go through her process and I'm confident whoever she likes will be a great Vice President.' When pressed about whether he wants the job after reports indicated that he was being looked at by Harris as a potential running mate, he again brushed off the inquiry. 'We have to respect her process. She's got a lot of people to be looking at. We'll let her look at folks and make the right decision.' Notably, all of the potential running mates reportedly being vetted by Harris are White men Montana Democrat Sen. John Tester, who is in a bruising reelection campaign and is threatened to be bogged down by his affiliation with the Biden administration, stayed out of the VP speculation. 'Now that's a call for somebody besides me,' Tester said of Harris's VP pick. Democrat Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper said: 'Governor [Jared] Polis in Colorado, I mean [Commerce Sec.] Gina Raimondo, [Transportation Sec.] Pete Buttigieg, there's are a lot of talent out there.' 'But I'm a big fan of Mark Kelly,' he conceded. 'I think he's the closest thing to a national hero we have.' The Colorado senator said Kelly's time in the military and serving as an astronaut distinguish him from other contenders. Hickenlooper added that Kelly reminds him of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who famously led the U.S. through WWII, saying he has 'become well known for making everyone around [him] better.' Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., said that Commerce Sec. Gina Raimondo and Illinois Gov. J.B. Prtizker would be good picks for Harris's running mate. However, he said that he prefers Mark Kelly, who he called a national hero Connecticut Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy told DailyMail.com he would not dare try to influence Harris's choice for VP. 'It would be the worst possible thing for me to give advice to Kamala Harris. She should pick who she thinks is the best fit for her and the best possible leader of the country.' Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren simply said the vice president should 'pick whoever she wants.' One Michigan House Democrat, Rep. Shri Thanedar, threw his support behind Peters, saying he will support the senator after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was dropped from consideration. 'Supporting Sen. Gary Peters for VP,' Thanedar posted on X Monday. 'If not Gretchen, then Gary will be the best alternative.' On the other side of the aisle, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley also weighed in, saying he liked his Arizona colleague for the spot. Whoever is selected as Harris's VP will face off against former President Donald Trump and his running mate Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance 'I'm very impressed with Senator Kelly. I can understand why she'd vet him. I hope she doesn't choose him, let's put it that way,' he told Reporters Tuesday. 'He's really sharp,' Hawley continued. 'And I think he obviously has a honorable record of serving this country in multiple different ways.' Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn also did not suggest a running mate for Harris, 'I'm just waiting and watching,' he told DailyMail.com. BY FREDDY PAWLE Australia is rushing towards becoming a cashless society but not everyone is ready to wave goodbye to physical currency - and there are good reasons why. The Covid pandemic supercharged a trend toward digital transactions that was already underway, with the use of digital wallet payments on smartphones and watches soaring from $746million in 2018 to more than $93billion in 2022. By the end of 2022 cash only accounted for 13 per cent of Australian consumer payments compared to 70 per cent in 2007. 'The shift towards a cashless society in Australia isn't just a possibility, it's already well underway,' RMIT Associate Professor in Finance Angel Zhong said. While Dr Zhong did not see banknotes disappearing completely, she believed they will become much rarer in day-to-day transactions. 'The functionally cashless society is where we enjoy the convenience of technology - we don't have to go out with a bunch of cash, we can use our phone and smartwatch to make payments,' she told Daily Mail Australia. As more Australians embrace the trend a growing number of retailers are only accepting digital payments. Major banks continue to close branches, shrink ATM numbers and are even opening 'cashless' branches, citing a customer preference for online services. However, going electronic has its own sets of risks and could badly disadvantage some sections of the population. Here are the 10 major concerns of going cashless. RMIT Associate Professor in Finance Angel Zhong says legislation in Australia is trailing behind developments in electronics payment 1. It can leave out older Australians or others not digitally connected Dr Zhong said the strongest adopters of digital payments were Australians aged between 18 and 29. 'Two-thirds of them use digital wallets,' she said. However, many older Australians still preferred to pay in physical currency with almost one in five classified as a 'high-cash user'. Dr Zhong said Australia needed to provide 'better support for other age groups to embrace technology, better literacy about systems in technology as well as financial assistance' for those struggling with the transition to digital payments. Those on lower incomes and new migrants also typically rely more on cash. 2. It relies on internet coverage and reliable connectivity Rural areas with slow internet can find digital transactions challenging. However a major Commonwealth Bank outage in July demonstrated the vulnerability of digital finance even in urban areas. Customers were left paralysed by the technical glitch and unable to access their accounts, transfer funds or use their cards to make purchases. Dr Zhong said governments needed to support investment in infrastructure that boosted internet coverage and speeds to smooth the way for the digital revolution. 3. Some areas of the cash economy will suffer Charity donations given on the street are dwindling because fewer people are carrying cash and the those who beg or busk for a living face the same problem, research conducted in 2020 found. 'While retailers and online merchants have benefited from cashless payment options, donation-seekers are left rattling an empty cup,' wrote University of Massachusetts' Spencer M. Ross and Auckland University of Technology's Sommer Kapitan. 'Aside from people carrying less cash, our research suggests another major reason is that people simply don't expect to see beggars or buskers with a swipe machine, or a QR code or Venmo symbol on their signs.' 4. 'Hidden' fees Digital transactions often attract a fee, which might not be obvious at the time of purchase. Warwick Ponder, the former executive manager of corporate affairs and communications at eftpos Payments Australia, told Daily Mail Australia that Paywave devices often levied a delayed credit surcharge. Mr Ponder advised customers to avoid tapping as much as possible, as there could be a significant period of time before the money deducted registers in their account. Banks also typically charge a higher fee for 'tap-and-go' purchases than for EFTPOS, with only cash attracting no extra cost. 5. Hacking and scams It is estimated that Australians lost more than $2billion to online scams in 2021 - but the true figure could be much higher due to many incidents going unreported. Major cybersecurity breaches of Optus and Medibank last year also highlighted the risk of identity theft online. UNSW Institute for Cyber-Security director Nigel Phair told Daily Mail Australia that the nation 'has to do a lot better when it comes to cyber-crime'. ' The Australian Cyber-Security Centre said they had about 63,000 reports (of scams) last year, I reckon that's about a fifth of what the actual number is. 'The ACCC had about $2billion in reported losses from scams. I reckon that's nowhere near the right amount.' 6. Lagging legislation Regulation of electronic payments often lags behind technological and market innovations. Google Pay and Apple Pay are currently not subject to the same rules as credit cards and EFTPOS transactions. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is updating legislation to change this. 'That payments Act is actually out of date,' Dr Zhong said. 'We need to regulate to ensure that we have an industry-wide standard to ensure that consumers' wellbeing and security are protected.' 7. Losing the value of money and less social interaction Finance commentator Sarah Wells told Daily Mail Australia that children won't learn the true value of money and miss out on crucial social interactions if all transactions become digital. 'I believe it is better for children to use cash,' Ms Wells said. 'Giving a child $20 and taking them to a shopping centre or the movies helps them to learn to budget and helps them to make decisions by thinking more carefully. 'There's a responsibility in handing over money and such valuable social interaction - they learn to say 'please' and 'thank you' and look people in the eye.' 8. Loss of independent spending power Ms Wells also warned that having 'a cash-starved society' could be bad news for those whose finances are being controlled or denied by someone else. Ms Wells said young women who were fleeing domestic violence needed to be kept in mind when regulating digital payments. Women in these circumstances risk being tracked by an abusive partner or being cut off from their finances. 'We need to make sure we are not compromising the safety, education and experience of minority groups and young minds in our endeavours to legislate contemporary payment platforms,' she said. Australia is rapidly going cashless with digital payments being enthusiastically adopted, especially by younger consumers 9. Your spending can be tracked The loss of anonymity and privacy is a major concern for many who oppose a 'cashless society'. A change.org petition created by Elizabeth Hynton which rails against the 'discrimination' faced by those who used cash has gathered more than 5000 signatures. 'Cash is private,' the petition states. 'When one pays via credit/debit card, the Government knows: what one spends their money on, how much they spend, where one spends their money and when the purchase was made, which is an invasion of privacy.' Dr Zhong agreed that the concerns were valid. '(With) anything digital there is always a vulnerability it will be tracked,' she said. 10. Loss of your and freedom of choice This is perhaps the over-riding concern of many who oppose the cashless society. The change.org petition argues that cash should always be an option. 'One of the hallmarks of a free society is freedom of choice ... not just what suits an organisation, but also what suits the customer!' the petition states. 'We can't go on forever using COVID as an excuse.' China presents a dystopian vision of how such control can be exercised, where people are subject to a social credit score that accrues or docks points depending on how desirable the individual's behaviour is according to the government. A bad social credit score can mean being blocked from buying items such as plane or train tickets. The Reserve Bank is currently examining the benefits of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) being introduced to to Australia, which would be a 'programmable' currency such as China's. Although the RBA has stated such a currency could improve the 'efficiency and resilience' of payments it said one was not likely to introduced any time soon. 'Given the many issues that are yet to be resolved, any decision on a CBDC in Australia is likely to be some years away,' the RBA said. In the early months of 2012, a shy 13-year-old boy called James Jimmy Donaldson launched a YouTube channel from his home in the small American city of Greenville, North Carolina. Using the handle MrBeast6000, he posted commentaries on popular video games and estimated the wealth of leading social media stars. Few could have guessed that this was a global celebrity in the making. Yet, in the intervening 12 years, Donaldsons YouTube channel has become the most popular and successful in the world. Still only 26, MrBeast, as he is now known by his legion of fans, has amassed a mind-boggling 306million subscribers, most of them young, and an estimated $700million (550m) fortune, thanks to an alluring mix of pranks, challenges and cash prizes. It is claimed that Ava Kris Tyson sent inappropriate messages to a 13-year-old child and published a series of 'unacceptable social media posts' Along the way he has acquired several more social media channels, a food delivery service and his own brand of chocolate snack. Yet, today, Donaldson and his sprawling empire lie under a murky and potentially costly shadow. And this is thanks to allegations made against one of Donaldsons most regular and popular collaborators a childhood friend in fact. It is claimed that Ava Kris Tyson sent inappropriate messages to a 13-year-old child and published a series of unacceptable social media posts, which have since been deleted. In one unsettling post from 2016, for example, Tyson, now 28, wrote of becoming aroused after looking at some loli which is short for lolicon and refers to a Japanese form of virtual porn featuring young (or at least young-looking) girls in sexual contexts. The online reaction has been prodigious and no wonder. As Katya Varbanova, a social media consultant, told the Mail last week: History has shown us allegations could have serious repercussions for personal brands even when [the alleged acts are] committed by [collaborators] and friends. Especially, you might add, when the market for that brand is focused on content largely aimed at children and teenagers. It is certainly a rare hiccup for a man whose empire has grown rapidly in recent years after an inauspicious start. MrBeast spent his first five years posting videos on YouTube without much traction, while his mother demanded he concentrate on his education instead. Tyson, left, was a co-host for MrBeast's YouTube channel and the two are long-time friends Enrolling at Greenvilles East Carolina University, Donaldson dropped out after just two weeks which were mostly spent editing videos in his car. Thats all I ever talked about at school, he explained in an interview last year. People would tell me, All you do is talk about YouTube videos. Youre too obsessed with YouTube. Get a life."' His mother was so enraged by his decision to abandon his studies that she apparently asked him to leave home. Yet her son would soon be vindicated and in the most unexpected way. In 2017, then aged 19, he released a video showing him of all things counting to 100,000. It quickly earned a cult following. Donaldson amassed tens of thousands of views in just a few days. Today, he is known for fast-paced videos with high-production values and featuring elaborate challenges. Donaldson has re-enacted elements of the cult Netflix show Squid Game, for example, has been filmed tying up an FBI agent and has crashed a train into a giant pit. It should be acknowledged that, alongside these eye-popping some might say pointless stunts, MrBeast has performed laudable acts of philanthropy. In January 2023, he paid for cataract surgery for 1,000 blind people, allowing them to see again. He has donated 20,000 pairs of shoes to children in Africa. And, all the while, his profile has grown at an apparently unstoppable pace. Today, most of his new videos attract hundreds of millions of views. Donaldson earned 42million last year alone, according to Forbes magazine. Only last month, he overtook the Indian music label T-Series to snatch the crown of biggest YouTuber in the world. James 'Jimmy' Donaldson, known online as MrBeast6000, has amassed 306million subscribers and an estimated $700million (550m) fortune thanks to an alluring mix of pranks, challenges and cash prizes Such success has seen brickbats hurled his way. In recent years it has been alleged that he presided over a toxic workplace. In 2018, a former editor on his channel, Matt Turner, claimed that working for MrBeast was the most mentally draining part of his life, alleging that he was yelled at and bullied. Turner later apologised after it was pointed out that he had also issued a gushing statement of gratitude to Donaldson when they first parted company. Others take a dim view of the social experiments broadcast on Donaldsons site in which, for example, he invites people to spend time living in grocery stores or an isolation chamber for cash prizes. One critic suggested the YouTuber was turning into more and more of a demented Black Mirror-style gameshow host with each passing day turning the dystopian into real life. Yet Donaldson has managed to emerge from such criticism largely unscathed until now. The fact that these latest claims have been made against a friend and colleague make them harder to shrug off. Like Donaldson, Tyson grew up in North Carolina and was involved in his friends channel from the beginning. Matters have been further complicated by Tysons recent change of gender. Now a trans woman, Ava Kris Tyson was a married man known to the world as Chris until last year. His announcement that she would henceforth be known as Ava led to a stream of hate-filled comments on social media which in turn led to Donaldson intervening on behalf of his friend to appeal for an end to what he called transphobia. In 2017, then aged 19, 'MrBeast' released a video showing him of all things counting to 100,000. It quickly earned a cult following In March 2023, Tyson revealed that she and her wife with whom she has a young son had been separated for a year and that she had started hormone replacement therapy. The reaction was not universally positive: while many fans expressed support, there was a backlash on other social media channels. In response MrBeast made his first public intervention. This is getting absurd, he posted on Twitter. Chris isnt my nightmare hes my f****** friend and things are fine. All this transphobia is starting to p*** me off. Then, earlier this month, the tables were turned. From being a victim of abuse, Tyson now stands accused of predatory behaviour. It emerged, for example, that, at the age of 20, Tyson had been introduced to a 13-year-old by the name of Lava after the girl or boy we dont know which won a contest on MrBeasts YouTube channel. Tyson and Lava are said to have spent years exchanging messages that Lava now an adult whose identity has not been revealed now admits are inappropriate and edgy. Meanwhile several videos have been released claiming to show Instagram posts of Lava, then 16, visiting Tyson as he studied at university. The Mail has not been able to verify these claims. Lava, now 20, has denied that anything was amiss, posting on Twitter that Ava never did anything wrong and that the video claims are massive lies and twisting the truth. The controversy did not end there. Several more questionable social media posts by Tyson have now surfaced showing him as he then was interacting with a controversial artist called Shadman, who is known for drawing young characters in sexual poses. At one point, Tyson asked Shadman to draw a 10-year-old anime girl while, in another, he referred to an image of a 14-year-old character from Disneys The Incredibles, Violet, as low-key cute. All the tweets have since been deleted, and a few weeks ago Tyson whose Twitter account has now been set to private issued an apology for her past behaviour and comments. She announced she was stepping back from the MrBeast channel and from social media to focus on my family and mental health. Then came a lengthy message from Donaldson himself, who posted a statement on X saying: Over the last few days, Ive become aware of the serious allegations of Ava Tysons behaviour online and I am disgusted and opposed to such unacceptable acts. During that time, I have been focused on hiring an independent third party to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure I have all the facts. That said, Ive seen enough online and taken immediate action to remove Ava from the company, my channel, and any association with MrBeast. I do not condone or support any of the inappropriate actions. I will allow the independent investigators the necessary time to conduct a comprehensive investigation and will take any further actions based on their findings. Donaldson earned 42million last year alone, according to Forbes magazine, and last month he overtook Indian music label T-Series as the YouTube channel with the most subscribers The YouTuber is known for fast-paced videos featuring elaborate challenges. He has re-enacted elements of the cult Netflix show Squid Game, for example Talk of independent investigators, of course, is all a long way from the zany world that MrBeast worked so hard to create but which might yet come crashing down around his ears. As PR expert Mark Borkowski points out, its a complex situation, given that a number of childhood friends including Tyson were integral to the brand. This tight group have been ever-present throughout his rise to the top, Borkowski told the Mail last week. The problem from here on out is that its a live issue with millions speculating on the internet. The longer this is left without an answer, the more conspiracy theories surface and the more ferocious this saga becomes. Those sentiments were echoed by Katya Varbonova, who says a serious response is now required and soon. Could these allegations make a permanent dent on the MrBeast brand? Probably not, she says. But it could be a very expensive problem to clear up, all the same. In the short term, she concludes, this could be financially catastrophic. They fell out so bitterly that he once petitioned a judge to have her thrown in jail. So its something of a surprise that potential Democrat VP pick Mark Kelly, 60, has secured an unlikely endorsement - from his ex-wife. Amelia Babis Kelly, 56, is so complementary about the Arizona Senator that she thinks he would make a much better Presidential candidate than Kamala Harris, she told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview. She and Kelly divorced in 2004 but that was just the start of decade-long squabble over child custody arrangements that became increasingly toxic. Kelly's ex-wife Amelia Babis Kelly, 56, told DailyMail.com that she is fully behind his ex-husband Mark Kelly's potential vice-presidential nomination Kelly, pictured with his ex-Congresswoman wife Gabby Giffords and Kamala Harris, has come under the spotlight as he is reportedly on the shortlist to be Harris' VP pick Relations sunk so low that in 2010 Kelly petitioned a Texas court to jail the mother of his two daughters for six months for failing to notify him that she was moving home. The pair have reconciled since then, however, and this week Amelia told DailyMail.com that her ex-husband, a celebrated former Navy combat pilot and astronaut, would make an excellent Vice President. We worked out a legal matter and thats fine. I would support his decision to run, Amelia said in an exclusive interview. Kelly, who wed former U.S. Rep Gabby Giffords in 2007, is considered one of the leading contenders to be named Kamala Harris running mate, along with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Other names in the frame are Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Democrat strategists believe Kellys distinguished military career would lend gravitas to Harris campaign and appeal to voters in the key battleground state of Arizona, where the Gulf War veteran was elected to the Senate in a 2020 special election. I think Mark leaning a little bit more towards the right side of left is something that Kamala lacks. He brings military expertise whereas her background is in the legal field. Perhaps they could work as a team, Amelia said. Despite a bitter divorce from her ex-husband, Amelia said she supports Mark Kelly's political aspirations as he could 'bring an end to all the hatred and ugliness' in Washington Before entering politics, Kelly had a distinguished career as a US Navy fighter pilot and then as a NASA astronaut Personally, I would prefer a ticket without Kamala on it. Id pick Mark over her. I dont see what use she was to Joe Biden and Im not sure she would be very useful as President. I'm not a woman of color, but I just think there should be other reasons to be excited about a potential presidential candidate than their gender and their race. Mark has friends on both sides of the aisle and I think hes someone who can bridge the two sides and bring an end to all the hatred and ugliness. He would be a good Vice President or President. Kelly and Amelia wed in 1989 and have two grown-up daughters, Claire, 27, and Claudia, 29. He described their divorce as amicable in Gabby, the book he co-wrote with Giffords, who famously survived a gunshot to the head during a 2011 meet-and-greet with constituents. Court records in Galveston County, Texas, where the ex-couple shared a marital home, suggest the split was far more rancorous. Kelly first petitioned to end their marriage in January 2001 but his action was dismissed five months later for want of prosecution. Amelia said her bitter legal history with Mark Kelly is a thing of the past, but while they may meet for their family, they are not 'besties and hanging out and chit chatting all the time' It was Amelias turn to file in July 2004, when she was granted a temporary restraining order barring Kelly from threatening her or their two daughters with imminent bodily harm or using vulgar, profane, obscene or indecent language in their communications. The divorce was finalized three months later after an uncontested hearing but the case dragged on for the next decade as the two parties clashed over shared custody arrangements. In November 2010 Kelly demanded drastic action from the court when his ex-wife moved to a new house several miles outside of the girls school district, apparently failing to give him the required 60 days notice. Movant requests that Respondent be confined in the county jail for 179 days or until Respondent complies with the order of the Court, his lawyer wrote to Judge Anne Darring. Movant requests that Respondent be placed on community supervision for ten years on release from jail or suspension of commitment. Kelly, who met Giffords in 2003 but was not romantically linked to her until his first marriage was over, appears to have dropped his demand. By January 2014, the ex-couple had resolved their legal issues, the docket suggests. Details of the divorce went unreported until 2020 when Kelly battled Republican Martha McSally for the late John McCains vacant Senate seat. Kelly's divorce from his ex-wife even saw him file to have her thrown in jail as their split turned sour back in November 2010 Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (left) and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (right) are said to be placed alongside Kelly in Harris' VP shortlist When The Washington Free Beacon published several of the documents, Kellys campaign manager Jen Cox dismissed their report as a desperate smear attempt. The paperwork did not level any actual allegations of abuse against Kelly and his ex-wife never applied for a permanent restraining order. But in January 2022 the divorce was revisited yet again when they filed a joint motion to have the records sealed, which the judge agreed to. We're not like besties and hanging out and chit chatting all the time. But we do come together when it comes to our granddaughter and our kids, Amelia told DailyMail.com. A registered Republican since 2004, Amelia declined to say whether she would cast her vote for a Harris-Kelly ticket. But the prospect of her ex-husband getting involved would certainly make it more palatable, she said. Mark is a great dad. People tend to jump to the conclusion that youre going to trash a person just because you're divorced. But just because your marriage didn't happen to work out doesn't mean that either person is a bad person, Amelia added. I love my kids, my family and our country. I hope the best person wins and that people can get behind whoever wins and support them. Nothing gets done when people are arguing. The Biden administration on Wednesday announced it will begin moving forward with next steps in canceling student loan debt for tens of millions of borrowers this fall. This week the Education Department will start emailing borrowers who have at least one federal student loan with an update on the potential student loan debt forgiveness available to them under the rule changes being finalized this fall. It is the latest move in an a massive effort by President Biden to wipe out billions in student loan debt. The administration has already canceled more than $168 billion in debt for some 4.8 million borrowers. The rules if finalized would bring the total number of borrowers eligible for student loan debt cancelation to more than 30 million, including those who have already had debt wiped out since Biden took office. The Education Department estimated the changes would cost $150 billion, but an estimate by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget put it between $250 billion to $750 billion. Critics argue the administration is unfairly burdening taxpayers with a massive transfer of debt, and some Republicans have even accused the president of trying to buy votes ahead of the November election. President Biden speaking about efforts to cancel student loan debt during an event in Madison, WI on April 8 The Education Department will provide additional information to borrowers once the rules are finalized, but the emails this week will let borrowers know they have until August 30 to opt out if they do not want the upcoming forgiveness. 'Today, my Administration took another major step to cancel student debt for approximately 30 million Americans,' Biden said in a statement. 'By providing more information to borrowers on how they can take advantage of our upcoming debt relief programs, borrowers will be prepared to benefit swiftly once the rules are final,' he continued. 'Despite attempts led by Republican elected officials to block our efforts, we wont stop fighting to provide relief to student loan borrowers, fix the broken student loan system, and help borrowers get out from under the burden of student debt.' In April, the Biden administration announced a set of rules giving the Education Secretary the ability to cancel student loan debt for tens of millions of borrowers. It was part of the administration's ongoing effort using the lengthier rulemaking process after the Supreme Court in June 2023 blocked their original $400 billion plan to cancel debt for some 40 million borrowers. Protesters outside the U.S. Supreme Court on June 30, 2023. In a 6-3 decision, the court struck down President Biden's original plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt for millions of borrowers The rules if finalized would impact multiple groups of borrowers including those who owe more on their loans now than when they started repaying them due to additional interest piling up. The administration estimated this change would impact nearly 23 million borrowers. The rules also address borrowers who have been in repayment for decades. Those who have been paying undergraduate loans for more than 20 years would be eligible as well as those with graduate loans who have been in repayment for at least 25 years. Other rules deal with borrowers who are eligible for loan forgiveness under other plans but have not yet applied such as the Income Driven Repayment (IDP) plan and for those who were enrolled in programs that were deemed to be of low-financial value for not meeting Education Department standards. For borrowers who do want to opt out of student loan forgiveness under the rules being finalized, they will have to contact their student loan servicer. The Education Department said those borrowers will not be able to opt back in. Biden announced efforts through the regulatory process to cancel student loan debt for more than 30 million borrowers on August 8, 2024 The latest steps by the Biden administration this week come after an appeal court earlier this month blocked the implementation of the administration's separate Saving a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in Missouri blocked all aspects of the plan from going forward for now. It is not yet clear whether the court will issue a final ruling in the case. The ruling was in response to one of two lawsuits filed by more than a dozen Republican-led states in response to the Biden administration launching the SAVE Plan last summer. The SAVE plan was expected to lower payments for millions of borrowers while those who had been in repayment were expecting to see debt wiped out after ten years. More than eight million borrowers had enrolled in the program, according to the White House. Some 400,000 borrowers had already had debt forgiven under the plan. After the ruling, the Education Department said borrowers who were enrolled in the SAVE Plan would be put in interest-free forbearance until the legal case was resolved. A security guard was stabbed to death after breaking up an unruly fight, which started when the murder suspect grabbed another man's butt inside a bar. Sidney Vieira was arrested for allegedly knifing Edgar da Silva, 32, following a fight that erupted at an establishment in Santana, Brazil, on Sunday. Da Silva had stopped the brawl escalating after Vieira touched another man's buttocks at the bar. He allegedly retaliated by stabbing the guard to death. The murder suspect has said that he has no recollection of the ordeal. 'He only knew how to say that he was 'very drunk', in his words, and that he didn't remember anything,' Amapa Civil Police chief Michael Duarte told reporters. The would-be killer (seen wearing a shirt with flowers) was dancing with a woman when a Brazil bar customer (seen in the white t-shirt) suddenly grabbed his butt. The suspect argued with the man and fought him. He was kicked out of the bar and returned, but was not allowed in and responded by stabbing dead Edgar da Silva, a security guard Edgar da Silva was working at a bar in Santana, Brazil on Sunday night when he broke up a fight between two customers, including one who returned to the watering hole and stabbed him dead because he wasn't allowed back in 'He doesn't know if the man died and didn't remember because he was very drunk,' Duarte said. 'Unfortunately, this is another one of those cases of deaths that happen in a banal way.' Shocking video footage showed Vieira standing next to a dancing couple and drinking a beer. As the couple slow danced, Vieira suddenly tapped the man in the buttock, surveillance video showed. The shocked man, whose name was not released by the police, then confronted him - as the woman stepped in between them to prevent the incident from escalating. The angered man continued to question Vieira, who could be seen lifting the hand with which he was holding the beer bottle to hit him. The man responded by throwing a punch that grazed the woman's face. Sidney Vieira told police in the northern Brazil city of Santana that he doesn't remember grabbing a male bar customer's butt or stabbing dead a security guard who kicked him out of the establishment following Sunday night's brawl Sidney Vieira (right) brawls with the man (left) whose butt he touched moments before he allegedly stabbed dead a security guard The woman tried to hold back Vieira when the her dance partner punched her and hit Vieira before da Silva and a second guard intervened. Vieira was removed from the bar by da Silva and tried to return - which was when da Silva stopped him at the entrance. Vieira then pulled out a knife and stabbed da Silva in the chest and fled. Da Silva was rushed to an area hospital, where he died from the stab wound. The Amapa Civil Police launched a search mission and spotted Vieira Monday. He fled to a river, where he was found after a 20-minute search underwater next to a plant. Kari Lake has clinched victory in her Republican primary for Arizona's Senate seat. Lake, the glamorous former broadcaster who was defeated in her 2022 bid for governor, beat out Sheriff Mark Lamb in the primary. She has been narrowly trailing Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego in polling for the Arizona Senate race. They are battling for the seat being vacated by Democrat-turned-independent Kyrsten Sinema in a race that could determine who controls the upper chamber. Republicans have made Arizona a top pickup target this cycle. Former President Donald Trump was leading President Joe Biden by about six points in the RealClearPolitics average in Arizona before Biden announced he was stepping back from the race. Trump hosted a call for Lake's campaign on Monday saying she's 'fantastic,' and 'will not let us down.' Kari Lake has cinched victory in her Republican primary for Arizona 's Senate seat Lake reacts to the cheering crowd as she arrives on stage prior to speaking after being declared the primary winner on Tuesday in Phoenix Lake, 55, saw a meteoric rise in Trump world after the 2020 election when she was one of the biggest defenders of his claims of voter fraud. She lost multiple legal challenges to the election results in her own gubernatorial race in 2022 and has not yet admitted defeat in that race. Just last month she lost an appeals court challenge to the race arguing that thousands of Phoenix-area mail ballot signatures were not properly verified. Lake has since disavowed some of her previously held hard-right views, particularly on abortion. She spoke out against the revival of a Civil War-era abortion ban in her state, one she'd previously hailed as a 'great law.' The law, which has since been repealed, prohibited the procedure at all stages of pregnancy except to save the life of the mother. Her campaign website says she 'does not support a federal ban on abortion' and she's expressed support for the state law that bans the procedure after 15 weeks. Lake is a close ally of Donald Trump Lake greets members of the press before casting her ballot at Paradise Valley Town Hall during the Arizona state primary election, It's all in an effort to moderate her image to draw in some Arizona's many independents, who make up over a third of the state's electorate. But at the same time, Lake has made efforts to fire up her MAGA base. 'We need to send people to Washington, D.C., that the swamp does not want there,' she told a crowd of Arizonans earlier this year, 'And I can think of a couple people they don't want there. First on that list is Donald J. Trump; second is Kari Lake.' 'Theyre coming after us with lawfare, theyre going to come after us with everything. Thats why the next six months is going to be intense. And we need to strap on our lets see. What do we want to strap on? Bikini-clad Kari Lake swaps Mar-a-Lago for the Bahamas for vacation with her family 'Were going to strap on our, our seat belt. Were going to put on our helmet or your Kari Lake ball cap. We are going to put on the armor of God. And maybe strap on a Glock on the side of us just in case.' Lake had a stint as a registered Democrat from 2008 to 2012 which she explained as a form of protest to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. She's married to husband Jeff Halperin and the couple shares two young adult children, Ruby and Leo. A tenant has won her bond back after her landlord took her to a tribunal when she and her housemates refused to pay more than $1,000 for an end-of-lease clean. Sydney woman Sally Coleman was renting a property with four people and insisted that they did everything right, spending days meticulously cleaning before they vacated. However, when the agent visited for the end-of-lease inspection, they noticed minor issues such as dusty cupboards and tiny hairs on the floor. As a result, the property manager called in a professional to clean the house again, charging them $1,100. Ms Coleman and her housemates refused to pay the bill prompting their landlord to take them to a tribunal, with the tenants' $6,500 bond withheld until the case was resolved. On Monday, Ms Coleman and the landlord's agent met for a conciliation hearing - the first stage of a tribunal where the parties attempt to settle the matter amongst themselves. 'Me and my housemates got together beforehand and we're like all right, we are not paying $1,100 for cleaning on principal,' Ms Coleman said in a video shared to Instagram on Tuesday. The housemates decided that they were willing to offer $50 each for the cleaning bill - a total of $250 as a 'token amount' to 'make it go away'. Former Triple J host Sally Coleman (pictured) said that she meticulously cleaned the property after vacating at the end of her lease. Despite this, her real estate agent brought in professional cleaners and billed her $1,100 However, when the agent visited for the end-of-lease inspection, they noticed minor issues such as dusty cupboards and tiny hairs on the floor. They also claimed the sink wasn't clean. Ms Coleman prepared a more than 40 page document with pictures and notes on the clean the housemates did and the real estate agent's points of contention. 'Because I am self-righteous and want to prove a point, I went into that meeting with over 40 pages of printed photos and notes,' Ms Coleman said. 'We sat down with the agent and they barely looked at them.' The agent told Ms Coleman that her landlord was 'not going to budge' and asked the former tenant to give them her 'best offer'. 'It really quickly became clear that this wasn't about actually negotiating the cleaning, this was more like how much money can they get out of this meeting,' Ms Coleman said. 'Our response to that was for them to show us what got cleaned and why it needed cleaning and then we can talk about how much it should cost. 'There was no itemised invoice or receipt for what actually got cleaned and therefore it was kind of impossible to show why those certain things needed cleaning.' One of the complaints by the landlord was hair was found on the floor During a conciliation hearing - the first stage of a tribunal - Ms Coleman presented a document of more than 40 pages with notes and photos of the property. She and her housemates agreed to pay $250 of the cleaning bill and were awarded their bond Ms Coleman said the $250 offer was finally accepted after the real estate agent realised they were not going to get anywhere. She added the real estate agent was given an additional push to accept the offer after she pointed out that if an itemised invoice was produced after the fact than they would have breached section 165 of the NSW Tenancy Act. Section 165 of the NSW Tenancy Act stipulates a landlord or landlord's agent must provide a copy of any estimates, quotes, invoices or receipts for work within seven days of the rental bond being claimed. A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to provide documentation within the seven days faces a fine of more than $2,000. Ms Coleman said the hearing proved the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) process needed higher penalties for landlords and agents who try to abuse the system. 'The agent specifically said penalties don't scare me,' Ms Coleman said. 'There is nothing about the NCAT process that is scarier to a real estate agent than the prospect of losing a high value client who has a big property portfolio. 'When it comes to pissing off the tenants, breaking the law, going to tribunal, they will take all of those things if it means keeping the client happy.' Ms Coleman and her housemates paid $250 of the cleaning bill and were awarded their full bond. Kamala Harris pulled a line from rapper Quavo Tuesday to try and turn the tables on Donald Trump for his criticism that she and President Biden have failed at the southern border. She called out her 2024 presidential rival at a campaign rally in Atlanta as 'not walking it like he talks it' on illegal immigration. With the Migos rapper in attendance - along with raunchy 'Savage' performer Megan Thee Stallion - the vice president also pushed her Republican rival to commit to one or more debates rather than continue to publicly call her names, challenging him to 'say it to my face.' After statements from both performers, Harris attempted to turn the tables on the open borders argument by blaming Trump, leaning into her background as an attorney general in California, a state she was quick to remind attendees, shares a border with Mexico. Kamala Harris had some pointed words for Donald Trump Tuesday at her Atlanta campaign rally, as she battled back claims that she has failed to secure the southern border. Megan Thee Stallion was also in attendance, and emphatically told the crowd before providing a performance, 'We're about to make history with the first female president!' 'I went after transnational gangs, drug cartels and human traffickers that came into our country illegally,' Harris said. 'I prosecuted them in case after case, and I won,' she continued. 'Donald Trump, on the other hand, has been talking a big game about securing our border, but he does not walk the walk. 'Or as my friend Quavo would say, he's not walking it like he talks it,' she quickly added, in reference to the rapper's 2018 Migos hit, 'Walk It, Talk It.' To bolster her point, Harris pointed to the prospective pressure Trump put on his Republican allies within the Senate this past January, when he reportedly told them to kill any border legislation that wasnt 'perfect.' Her comments appeared to come in reference to a recent ad being run by Trump's team, which focuses on Harris's questionable record when it comes immigration. Branded a failed 'Border Czar', Harris went on to slam Trump's hesitance to debate as 'weird' - the most recent anti-GOP mantra being used by Harris and Democrats against the Trump-J.D. Vance ticket. Quavo also took the podium to speak about prevailing gun violence, Harris used a line made famous by the rapper to suggest her Republican rival was a liar, citing who he commanded his allies to kill a bipartisan border bill earlier this just to make Joe Biden look bad, she said She also referenced how Trump has called her 'crazy' and a 'bum' - criticisms she said would be better made face-to-face. 'I do hope you'll reconsider to [meeting] me on the debate stage, because as the saying goes, if youve got something to say, say it to my face,' Harris, 59, said shortly after taking the podium. She went on to express her desire to win come November and unite the country in the process, while framing her conservative rival as a phony who 'does not care.' At the time, many believed the decision was made to hinder the current commander-in-chief's biggest chance at reelection if the plan fell apart - which it inevitably did. Moreover, the bill had been a compromise, drafted by Republicans and Democrats over the course of several months only to be tossed. 'He tanked the bipartisan deal because he thought it would help him win an election, which goes to show Donald Trump does not care about border security,' Harris said in response. Harris, meanwhile also referenced how Trump has called her 'crazy' and a 'bum' in comments to the press - criticisms she said would be better made face-to-face Before her performance of 'Body', Megan told the crowd: 'Now I know my ladies in the crowd love their bodies. 'If you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for.' 'So, one thing I learned about working with Vice President Harris is she always stand on business,' Quavo, meanwhile, declared, offering his endorsement on-stage 'He only cares about himself,' she further claimed, vowing to revive the bipartisan border bill if elected. Aside from claiming Trump obliquely had the bipartisan border bill killed just to make Joe Biden look bad, Harris kept honing in on Trump's apparent reluctance to meet her in the proverbial ring. With the election less than 100 days away, Trump had initially agreed to debate Harris, but more recently questioned the value of such a meetup as he remains ahead in most polls. In an interview with Fox News that aired Monday, the candidate was pressed several times about committing, before giving a more free-form answer than he had in recent days. 'I want to do a debate,' he told Laura Ingraham. There were 10,000 people cheering on the vice president as she trudged on in the Georgia State Convocation Center, trying desperately to bring the state of Georgia to her corner 'But I also can say this. Everybody knows who I am. And now people know who she is.' He eventually said, 'The answer is yes, Ill probably end up debating.' This prompted Harris's campaign to brand the firebrand 'scared', an ode to his own open criticisms of fellow candidates on the debate stages back in 2015 and 2016. When Harris brought this up, and how Trump had pulled out for a debate slated for September, the crowd booed. 'So he won't debate but he and his running mate have a lot to say about me,' she told onlookers, before offering her party's latest pandering buzzword after others - and trends on TikTok - failed to stick. 'And, by the way, don't you find some of their stuff to be just plain weird,' she said, before being met with uproarious applause. The simple descriptor has become the new line of criticism against Republicans, and aside from being concise, it has resonated with Harris supporters. It has also successfully framed divisive figures like JD Vance as not being the most privy to the needs - and fads - of young people. The Ohio junior senator has received a lambasting after saying political leaders who didnt have biological children 'dont really have a direct stake' in the country. Harris talked with reporters after stepping off Air Force Two upon arrival at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport in Atlanta earlier in the day There were 10,000 people cheering on the vice president as she trudged on in the Georgia State Convocation Center, trying desperately to bring the state of Georgia to her corner. 'I am very clear. The path to the White House runs right through this state. We did it in 2020 and we're going to do it again in 2024,' she said, before rattling off her resume as a prosecutor, district attorney and attorney general of California. 'In those roles I took on perpetrators of all kinds, predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain so hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump's type,' she said. 'And I have been dealing with people like him my entire career.' 'Lock him up, lock him up,' the crowd demanded in response, their feet ponding on the bleachers. Ahead of those remarks, a bevy of top Democrats in the state fired up the crowd, repeatedly reminding the attendees about Trump's attempts to overturn the election results in Georgia in the 2020 election. Megan Thee Stallion was one of the first, telling onlookers 'We're about to make history with the first female president. The first black female president. Let's get this done honey. She went on to sing 'Girls in the Hood,' 'Mamushi,' and 'Savage', and before her performance of 'Body', she told the crowd: 'Now I know my ladies in the crowd love their bodies. 'If you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for.' Stacey Abrams, who has been one of Harris' most ardent defenders, was next, and received a standing ovation and shouts of 'Stacey' when she came out. Abrams, in turn, had the crowd shout 'Kamala, Kamala.' She described Harris as someone who 'break barriers' in the White House, and noted how, in Georgia, 'we do the job of changing America and we're going to do it again.' But it was Georgia's two Democratic senators - who handed the party control of the Senate - that reminded the crowd of Trump's actions in the last presidential race. Failed Governor candidate Stacey Abrams (left) and Senator Jon Ossoff (right) warmed up the crowd for Harris Senator Jon Ossoff told the crowd: 'Apparently Donald Trump is too scared to debate Vice President Karris.' He added that the candidate who is too scared is the 'candidate who is losing.' 'Too scared,' the crowd yelled. 'Too scared.' Ossoff also talked about Trump's attempts to overturn the election results in Georgia. 'Lock him up, lock him up,' the crowd yelled. And Senator Raphael Warnock emphasized the state's importance in the race for the White House. 'Everyone knows the road to the White House goes through Georgia,' he said. He noted others know it. 'As a matter of fact I heard a phone call. A Florida man, called into Georgia and said I need 11,000 votes,' he said, referring to Trump's phone call to the state's secretary of state in 2020. The crowd roared with laughter and applause. 'Georgia Donald Trump tried to steal your vote. Kamala Harris is trying to earn your vote,' Warnock said. Quavo also spoke, addressing the prevailing problems surrounding high rates of gun violence. To emphasis his point, he also used a phrase ever-popular with Millennials and Gen-Z. 'If yall dont know me, I got by the name of Quavo. Born and raised in the North side of Atlanta, the home of the Migos,' he said. 'This city has always been home to me. From playing in the streets to, and you know, nurturing me to teaching me how to be the man that I am standing before you today. 'So, I mean one of the issues that I care about is resolving the gun violence,' he continued, after losing his nephew and Migos bandmate, Takeoff, to a Houston shooting in 2022. 'You cant understand the struggles of gun violence if you not in the field or the heart of it. 'So, one thing I learned about working with Vice President Harris is she always stand on business,' he declared, offering his endorsement on-stage. As for Harris, who was tasked with addressing the root causes of migration from Central America just months into her tenure with vice president, she qucikly brushed away Trump's characterization of her as a failed border czar - a title he himself created that she never held. "Donald Trump does not care about border security he only cares about himself," Harris insistd. 'As president, I will bring back the border security bill that Donald Trump killed, and I will sign it into law, and show Donald Trump what real leadership looks like," she said. Her team has argued she was not in charge of border security but of handling the root causes of migration. The rally, meanwhile, was Harris' largest campaign rally to date. It marked her first appearance in Georgia since she locked up the Democratic presidential nomination, and saw her beat Trump to the punch in the key battleground state. Trump and Vance will hold a campaign rally in Atlanta together on Saturday August 3, at the same location as Harris' rally. Georgia played a crucial role in the last presidential election, and it is expected to be just as significant this time around. According to several polls released last week, it's a virtual toss-up between Harris and Trump. Polls showed Joe Biden trailed Trump significantly in the state but Harris does much better against the former president. She outperforms Biden among young people, Black voters, and Hispanic voters, key demographics that could decide swing states like Georgia and Arizona. Vice President Harris stopped at Paschal's restaurant in Downtown Atlanta before the highly attended rally Biden only won the state by some 12,000 votes in 2020, a win heavily contested by Trump, who is currently in the midst of an election interference case in the state Georgia is a top focus with less than 100 days to go before the election. The Harris campaign noted it has 24 offices open in the state nd 170 staffers on the ground there. 'In Georgia, we're running the largest in state operation of any Democratic presidential campaign cycle ever,' campaign communications director Michael Tyler said. While in the state Harris plans to attack Trump for his ties to Project 2025 an initiative from the Heritage Foundation that promotes conservative polices and for his position on abortion rights. And while Harris focuses on Georgia, Trump will be focused on breaking the Democrats' blue wall. He's holding a rally in Pennsylvania on Wednesday his first visit back to the state since the assassination attempt on him in late June. Harris had surrogates in Pennsylvania on Monday to counter Trump the state's Governor Josh Shapiro and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmore. Both Democrats have been names as possible Harris running mates. The Harris campaign also has had surrogates Georgia, as she weighs who to pick as her number two. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who is reported to be a potential running mate, was in in the state on Sunday. The Harris campaign is vetting him along with several other candidates, including Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Govs. Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Tim Walz of Minnesota. She is expected to choose her vice presidential candidate by Aug. 7. 'Not yet,' Harris told reporters on Tuesday when asked if she's picked her running mate. Harris' campaign noted it's held some 2,300 organizing events in battleground states this weekend as several high-profile Democrats on her potential VP list stumped for her. With 98 days to go until Election Day, the Harris campaign is touting its fundraising and infrastructure, arguing it is well-positioned to beat Trump in November. The campaign has taken in $200 million since Harris emerged as the likely Democratic presidential nominee last week. Over 170,000 volunteers have also signed up to help the Harris campaign with phone banking, canvassing and other get-out-the-vote efforts. Hot weather will return to California this weekend, with triple-digit temperatures expected in the inland valleys and deserts. The National Weather Service predicts moderate heat risk across much of the state. Baron/Lynx After a brief absence, hot weather and monsoon thunderstorms are set to return to California as August arrives. An area of high pressure will expand across the western U.S. on Wednesday and continue strengthening through Friday. The axis of the high-pressure system over the Rocky Mountains will spare California from the most extreme heat. However, its position will put parts of the Golden State in the path of increased monsoon moisture and associated thunderstorms. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rising temperatures and thunderstorms will also challenge firefighting efforts as wildfires continue to burn across the state. Heat builds in California has enjoyed a cooler stretch since late last week, but temperatures will gradually climb across inland California in the coming days. Conditions will not be as extreme as the record-breaking July heat wave, but hot weather is expected to bake inland California for at least two weeks. Highs are forecast to be close to normal Wednesday in the 100s in the desert, 90s in the Central Valley, 80s in the mountains and 60s to 70s at the coast. By Thursday, widespread triple digits will return to the Central Valley. Highs will range from 98 to 106 degrees, about 7 to 12 degrees above normal for early August. Comparatively, temperatures in July were frequently 15 to 20 degrees above average. Highs will plateau this weekend, nearing 110 in Bakersfield and Palm Springs. Hot weather will continue through next week. Overnight lows will also remain elevated in the upper 60s to mid-70s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Francisco will remain comparatively cooler. High pressure well east of California isnt favorable for coastal heat. Onshore winds will likely continue, keeping highs in San Francisco and Oakland in the 60s to mid-70s, respectively, from Thursday through Sunday. Morning fog is expected to push into San Francisco Bay but will quickly burn off away from the immediate coastline because of the shallow nature of the marine layer. Inland portions of the Bay Area should reach the 90s as early as Thursday. The 90-degree temperatures will continue through the weekend. In Southern California, San Diego could hit 80 degrees this weekend, while downtown Los Angeles will be close to 90. Monsoon thunderstorms Although California is expected to avoid the most extreme heat, the western periphery of the high-pressure system will expose the state to another set of hazards: thunderstorms. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Weather models predict a surge of monsoon moisture to raise the risk of thunderstorms across California on Friday. Baron/Lynx This clockwise-spinning area of high pressure will draw monsoonal moisture toward Southern California on Thursday, raising the chance of thunderstorms. Storm chances are highest in the mountains, but there is a non-zero chance in Los Angeles and San Diego. Any lightning strikes are capable of sparking fires in dry vegetation. Weve got to keep an eye on the amount of lightning Thursday and Friday because our fuels are very dry, said Alex Tardy, the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in San Diego. Additional monsoon moisture will join the atmospheric flow Friday and Saturday, providing a boost to the statewide thunderstorm threat. A mix of wet and dry thunderstorms is expected in the Sierra Nevada on Friday, primarily south of Lake Tahoe. On Saturday, the thunderstorm threat will peak, with a risk of dry lightning in Northern California and across the Sierra Nevada. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Storm Prediction Center forecasts scattered dry thunderstorms across Northern California and the Sierra Nevada on Saturday. Storm Prediction Center A weak atmospheric disturbance could provide just enough energy for a few lightning strikes in the Bay Area late Friday and Saturday. However, the overall probability is low. Thunderstorm chances will likely persist through mid-August, especially in the mountains, as monsoon moisture continues to spin into California. Fire and smoke impacts Several fires are currently burning across California, including the Park Fire in Butte and Tehama counties, which is now the states fifth-largest wildfire in recorded history. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jeff Tonkin, an incident meteorologist covering the Park Fire, expects smoke plumes to become larger Thursday and Friday as monsoon moisture increases and temperatures climb. The fire may even develop a pyrocumulus cloud. These large pyrocumulus clouds extend miles high into the atmosphere and can deposit embers and ash downwind, igniting new blazes. Shark nets in NSW will be brought down earlier than usual with the government saying it's trying and protect other marine life that could get trapped. Shark nets in NSW will come down a month earlier this season as authorities try to strike a balance between protecting people as well as marine life. Citing an increase in turtle activity in April, the state government will trial scrapping the nets on March 31. It will also consult with councils regarding shark management with an eye towards empowering local decision-making on the use of nets. Other trials include inspecting the nets every two days instead of every three, with more drone usage on the days the nets aren't being inspected to scope for turtles that might have become trapped. Authorities said they are trying to strike a balance between protecting people as well as marine life (pictured, whale tangled in a shark net off Noosa, in Queensland) Lights will also be used on the nets in February and March to deter turtles, with dolphin pingers and whale alarms to be fitted for the safety of those mammals. Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said keeping beach-goers safe was the priority, but striking a balance that protects sea life too was key. 'Importantly, this year we have responded to community feedback and taken significant steps to increase the program's safeguards for marine animals,' she said on Wednesday. 'As we map the future of this program we will listen to local communities, and consider the best available evidence to ensure we are striking the right balance at our beaches.' Drone surveillance, listening stations for tagged sharks and drumlines will all be used in the state's $21.5 million shark management program. The government said more than 2,000 sharks have been tagged and are monitored by the listening stations. Queensland is in the midst of a 'flunami' as influenza cases place a strain on the health system as the authorities deny they have held crisis talks over a hospital beds shortage. The number of residents being hospitalised for the flu surpassed the number of patients being admitted with Covid for the first time this year. Queensland Health figures show that 257 people were hospitalised for flu as of last Sunday, five more than those with Covid, and more than 80 per cent of hospital admissions for flu are patients who have not been vaccinated. In the last week, 5,674 people were diagnosed with flu compared to 1,603 Covid cases, and there have been 37 deaths from flu already this winter. Of the flu cases, 1,521 were in school children, 630 cases in preschool and 644 cases for those aged over 65. Infectious diseases expert Dr Paul Griffin said the number of flu cases was straining the healthcare system. Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall, though, said 'While hospitals in south-east Queensland are under pressure from respiratory illness admissions, anyone presenting to our hospitals will receive care. 'Our hospitals have well-established measures in place to manage surges in respiratory illnesses to ensure beds are available and patients continue to receive high quality care. Queensland is in the midst of a 'flunami' as influenza cases place a strain on the health system and authorities launch crisis talks over a hospital beds shortage (pictured, Surfers Paradise) 'As is standard practice, meetings occur daily to safely and effectively manage any increases in patient demand.' Dr Griffin told Daily Mail Australia 'It is one of our lowest years of (flu) vaccine uptake, which, is a little disappointing. 'We lobbied very hard to get the the vaccine funded ahead of time for everyone, and the government, to their credit, did do that. 'So in Queensland at the moment, it's free for everyone who's eligible. But despite that, we've actually seen fairly low uptake. 'And in the context of the numbers (of people with flu) we're seeing at the moment and the impact on the healthcare system, that is quite disappointing,' he said. Dr Griffin said the lower than expected vaccine numbers have been caused by a few different factors. 'We've focused so much on Covid over the last few years - we've also asked a lot of people to to try and mitigate the the spread of Covid - and I think there's an element of fatigue and frustration with a lot of those measures.' He said that some people have lost sight of the significance of the flu. 'We've been hearing so much about Covid numbers and the impact of Covid that people may have forgotten that the flu is around and is a very significant viral infection in its own right. 'Misinformation about vaccination and its benefits and its safety has also transcended to other vaccines outside of Covid. Dr Griffin said people are thinking: 'What's the point? I wouldn't get that vaccine. It doesn't stop you getting it anyway.' But he said that is the wrong way to look at it. 'We know that the vaccine is not perfect. It doesn't necessarily absolutely stop you getting the flu,' he said. 'But what it does do is significantly alter your trajectory and reduce the probability of getting more severe disease and requiring hospitalisation, for example. Dr Griffin said the lower than expected vaccine numbers have been caused by a few different factors (pictured, Aussie healthcare worker dressed in PPE) 'We know the vaccine does do a great job of that.' He added that 'if our vaccine rates are low, then we have a population that's more susceptible to progressing to those more significant manifestations, requiring hospitalisation and potentially even not surviving'. All of the extra hospitalisations of people who did not get vaccinated is putting huge pressure on the health system. 'The challenge is that our healthcare system essentially operates at capacity at baseline, so you add any additional challenges to that, and it does make it difficult,' Dr Griffin said. 'And at the moment, with high numbers of influenza hospitalisations (and) significant numbers of people in hospital with Covid and some other unique challenges, it has put a significant strain on our healthcare system ... 'There's essentially no (hospital) beds anywhere in south-east Queensland.' Epidemiologist Catherine Bennett also told Daily Mail Australia that 'it is a concern that we have seen a drop in flu vaccines'. She said part of the slow uptake of vaccines is because 'There were warnings early on that it wasn't quite as severe as people perhaps were expecting. 'So if that's usually a prompt for people to think about going and getting a vaccine back in April or May, maybe they've left it a bit late this year. 'But we might be paying the price for that. It has played out as quite a nasty flu season across the country.' EXCLUSIVE A mother-of-three killed in a reported lawn mower accident was a beloved local psychologist married to a RAAF serviceman, Daily Mail Australia can reveal. Frances Crawford, aged in her 40s, was found dead at her home on Thomas Road at Upper Lockyer, southeast Queensland, at 3.40am on Tuesday. Police were called to the rural property after reports she was crushed by a mower that rolled down an embankment, with Ms Crawford declared dead at the scene. Police are yet to make an official statement on how the case is being treated. Her husband Robert Crawford is a squadron leader - a senior role and the equivalent of a Major in the Army - who operates out of the Royal Australian Air Force base at Amberley, about 8km southwest of Ipswich. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest that Mr Crawford was involved in his wife's death. Queensland Police have refused to comment on the tragic mystery, but reiterated that 'police will prepare a report for the Coroner'. Frances Crawford, aged in her 40s, (pictured) was found dead at her home on Thomas Road, at Upper Lockyer, near Toowoomba, in south-east Queensland , at about 3.40am on Tuesday Husband Robert Crawford (pictured) is an squadron leader - a senior role and the equivalent of a Major in the Army - who operates out of the Royal Australian Airforce Amberley Base According to LinkedIn, Mr Crawford has had numerous roles throughout his 14 years with the RAAF, including as a flight commander and staff officer. In recent years, he has featured as a poster boy for the Australian Defence Force in social media posts, spruiking the efforts of the armed services in Queensland. In 2021, he was pictured alongside the captain of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force after an alliance was formed with RAAF. 'Exposure to new ways of thinking and sharing skills with the PNGDF is invaluable for all of us at No. 35 Squadron,' Squadron Leader Crawford said at the time. 'We look forward to helping our closest neighbour rebuild their sovereign aviation capability and safety systems. 'In turn, the PNGDF will help us in our mountainous flying training, airfield facility access and other training exercises in PNG, working side-by-side on future joint humanitarian and disaster relief operations.' Meanwhile, Ms Crawford worked for Quality Life Psychology Services in Toowoomba, where she 'provided clinical assessments and therapy for adults, adolescents and children'. Detectives spent Tuesday collecting evidence from the home (including the lawnmower, pictured) which has now been declared a crime scene Frances Crawford died after the lawnmower rollover incident at the property on Thomas Road (pictured), in Upper Lockyer In a statement, the clinic said Ms Crawford was a 'dearly loved and well-respected member' of their team. 'Frances always took the time to ask after others with kindness and consideration, often responding with humility and thoughtful humour,' they said. 'Frances was easy to be around and her gentle nature will be sadly missed but long remembered by her colleagues, friends and clients at Quality Life Psychology Services. 'Our hearts and prayers are with Frances family at this tragic time.' Detectives spent Tuesday collecting evidence from the home, which has been declared a crime scene. Police have also been interviewing local residents and collecting CCTV footage as part of the investigation. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Australian Defence Force for comment. Parts of England were warned they face a sevenfold increase in housebuilding last night after Angela Rayner tore up planning protections for the countryside. In her first major intervention in Government, the Deputy Prime Minister announced she was imposing 'mandatory' targets on local authorities in a bid to address the 'unforgivable' housing crisis. The moves are expected to result in at least 100,000 new homes being built on the Green Belt, after Ms Rayner watered down restrictions on building. She also confirmed that the Government was ditching requirements on developers to produce 'beautiful' homes - prompting the Tories to warn she will unleash a rash of 'ugly' developments across the countryside. Councils will also lose the power to block developments deemed to be 'out of character' with a local area. Parts of England were warned they face a sevenfold increase in housebuilding last night after Angela Rayner tore up planning protections for the countryside In North Yorkshire, where Rishi Sunak is an MP, the previous target to build 1,361 homes a year has been trebled to 4,232 Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Labour has a target to build 1.5 million homes over five years - equal to 300,000 a year. But Ms Rayner yesterday imposed targets that would result in 370,000 homes a year being built. She warned that councils which refuse to comply face being stripped of their planning powers. What do the changes mean for London? Angela Rayner slashed the new homes target for London, despite warning of the desperate need for new housing. In a surprise move, the Deputy Prime Minister cut the annual target for new homes in the capital by almost a fifth, reducing it from just under 100,000 to 80,000. Senior Conservatives said the move was a sop to Labours London mayor Sadiq Khan, who has responsibility for housing but has never come close to meeting the target. Official figures show the average number of new homes built in the capital is currently running at less than 38,000, despite massive demand. Tory leadership contender James Cleverly accused Ms Rayner of a politically motivated cop out, saying: We need to build more homes in urban areas like London, massively increasing densification. Labour would rather concrete over the greenbelt than make Sadiq Khan do his job. Sam Richards, chief executive of pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade, said it was a mistake to slash Londons housing target. London has Britains most acute housing shortage, and cities across the world show that 100,000 homes per year can be done, he said. But Ms Rayner described the previous London housing target as arbitrary and complete nonsense. She told MPs: The target were now setting for London - roughly 80,000 - is still a huge ask but I know its one that the mayor is determined to rise to. Advertisement The new targets will lead to astonishing increases in housebuilding in some parts of the country. Many of the areas facing the biggest increases are in traditionally Tory parts of the country in the South. In Fareham, in Hampshire, where Suella Braverman is MP, housebuilding was ordered to rise from a current level of 115 homes a year to a staggering 794 - an almost sevenfold increase. In North Yorkshire, where Rishi Sunak is an MP, the previous target to build 1,361 homes a year has been trebled to 4,232. In Hertsmere, where former deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden is MP, current building of 277 homes a year will have to rise to 959. Some Labour areas were also hit. The target for Redcar and Cleveland will rise from just 45 new homes a year to 642. But the target in London, where Labour's Sadiq Khan is in charge of housing delivery, the target was slashed from almost 100,000 to just over 80,000. In a wide-ranging statement, Ms Rayner also: Risked hypocrisy by ordering a review of the Right-to-Buy scheme she benefited from herself. Unveiled plans to reclassify large swathes of 'low quality' Green Belt as 'grey belt', where planning restrictions will be far looser. Pledged a 'revolution' in council house building. Launched a consultation on whether to double the cost of a planning application from 258 to 528. Prepared to unveil a new 'task force' to identify sites for a string of 'new towns' of at least 10,000 homes each. Kemi Badenoch accused Ms Rayner of giving the go-ahead to build '1.5 million ugly homes' across the country. The shadow housing secretary criticised the government's decision to axe the requirement to build beautiful homes, saying it 'means so much to local communities' and people 'deserve to live in beautiful homes'. She also warned the changes proposed by Labour would result in the 'worst of all worlds' by 'centralising decision-making' and failing to address the 'basic economics' of housebuilding. Former housing secretary Michael Gove scrapped mandatory housing targets last year, saying they were ineffective. But Ms Rayner said the decision had contributed to a slump in housebuilding, with the number of new homes expected to fall below 200,000 this year. In a statement to MPs 'In a bid to appease their anti-housing backbenchers, they made housing targets only advisable. A graphic showing how different communities will be impacted by the new housing targets The new, higher targets have been produced by a complex algorithm, which tries to predict what housing demand would be in an area if house prices were lower Ms Rayner, pictured arriving in Downing Street this morning, told MPs new local housebuilding targets would include 'an uplift where house prices are most out of step with local incomes' 'They knew that this would tank housing supply, but they still did it.' She said her 'radical plan' would help 'get the homes we desperately need' and boost economic growth. The new, higher targets have been produced by a complex algorithm, which tries to predict what housing demand would be in an area if house prices were lower. Ms Rayner admitted the change was 'not without controversy' and acknowledged the algorithm meant that some areas would 'get a surprising target'. But she said 'no method is perfect'. Mr Gove's former Surrey Heath constituency will have its annual housing target doubled from 320 to 658. Councils will be ordered to incorporate the targets into their local plans. Those that fail to do so risk having their planning function taken over directly by central government. Your browser does not support iframes. Roger Mortlock, chief executive of the rural campaign group CPRE, warned against allowing a free-for-all on the Green Belt, which was introduced to prevent urban sprawl. Mr Mortlock said the Green Belt should be protected and 'not run down and then built on by profit-hungry developers'. He said at least 1.2 million homes could be built on previously developed brownfield sites. But government sources said much of this was in unsuitable locations, meaning hundreds of thousands of homes are set to be built on green field sites. Residents of a charming waterfront town in New Jersey say they have been trapped inside their homes as a revolting stench wafts across the neighborhood. The pungent smell is being caused by tens of thousands of dead fish crowding the lagoon surrounding Osborn Island in Little Egg Harbor. Locals say the waft is unescapable - which one resident likened to that of a public restroom. 'We wait all summer to enjoy our home on the water, and you're literally locked in the house for two weeks,' Joseph DiGrande told Fox 29 Philadelphia. 'You can't go outside. You can't breathe. You really can't stay outside for more than 10 minutes,' he added of life in Osborn Island, which is typically teeming with people enjoying the seaside air on their balconies, riding bikes or taking walks during the summer. Residents of Osborn Island, New Jersey say they have been unable to leave their homes as a stench wafts across the neighborhood The lagoon has been inundated with tens of thousands of dead fish The dead fish are so closely packed together that from an aerial view, it is hard to make out what is crowding the water. 'It's disgusting, it is the worst smell in my entire life,' Debbie Wuss told CBS News. 'I burnt every candle I could possibly find and now I'm in my infusers,' she said. Making matters worse, residents say the odor has attracted swarms of seagulls, who have left their mark on the neighborhood. 'The birds are destroying the tops of houses,' Bob O'Brien said. 'They're going all over the cars, all over your boats.' The smell has attracted swarms of seagulls, who are making their mark on the town The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has blamed the massive fish kill on a combination of warm temperatures and poor water quality The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has blamed the massive fish kill on a combination of warm temperatures and poor water quality in the lagoon. 'Staff determined that poor water quality resulting from warmer temperatures and low dissolved oxygen in the lagoon resulted in the fish mortality in the lagoon,' a spokesman told CBS. 'Fish and Wildlife staff determined that this was an isolated event and most of the dead fish will naturally be removed from the lagoon by the tides or by tide flow.' But residents say this is the second time such a massive fish kill has occurred in the lagoon in just one month, and DiGrande - who has lived in the area since 2019 - said it has been happening two to three times a year for the past three years. Joseph DiGrande - who has lived in the area since 2019 - said this is a recurring issue in the town At times, he said, crews have come to vacuum up the dead fish. But so far, the Department of Environmental Protection has not done anything this time to help residents get back to their seaside lifestyle as health officials warn them not to swim in any body of water with a large concentration of fish. 'We're not getting any help, and it's not the first time we asked,' DiGrande claimed. A Rex Airlines flight attendant who lost her job has issued a heartbreaking response to a frustrated customer following the company's collapse. The airline, which entered voluntary administration on Tuesday night, has cancelled all flights between major city airports, causing travel pain for thousands of customers. One impacted customer complained about her flight cancellation on social media: 'Rex Airlines have entered administration and have cancelled my flights with less than 48 hours notice. 'They're supposed to be offering transfers to Virgin free of charge but we've been on hold with them for over an hour already.' In response to the angry customer, former Rex flight attendant Layla Rackley pointed out that many workers, including herself, had recently lost their jobs. 'I know this is so frustrating but the Rex staff, including myself, have lost our jobs very unexpectedly and we are all heartbroken. 'I hope your flights get sorted.' Her comment drew hundreds of supportive responses, including from the original complaining customer - who was eventually put on an alternative flight. 'This is heartbreaking all around. My heart goes out to you,' they wrote. Rex Airlines flight attendant Layla Rackley (pictured) issued a heartbreaking response to a customer left frustrated by the collapse of the company Ms Rackley (pictured with other Rex flight attendants) said she was 'so grateful' for her experience with Rex Airlines Ms Rackley went on to share a series of photos showing her time working for Rex Airlines alongside a heartfelt thankyou to her former colleagues. 'Two years ago I left everything I knew to move to Sydney and start my dream job as a flight attendant,' she said. 'I am so grateful for the friends who are now family and for all the experiences I have been given to shape me into the person I am today. 'Rex will always hold a special place in my heart. Absolutely heartbroken but we will get through this together.' Her comments came just before administrators informed hundreds of employees that they are unlikely to receive their wages or redundancy payouts for several months. At a meeting with employees, EY administrator Justin Walsh announced that the airline would be unable to pay wages or redundancy packages for months, as 350 workers were immediately stood down. 'The business, to be very frank, is simply not viable, and administrators, after working very hard, have formed the view that [Rex Airlines] is not in a position to pay the wages of its employees moving forward,' administrator Justin Walsh said at a meeting with employees, the ABC reports. 'Put simply, I guess the company is unable to meet the costs that it will need to incur to keep operating. 'With the business not operating and unlikely, almost certainly, not able to recommence operations in the future, it's unfortunately the administrators view that the position of each of the staff of the company on this call needs to become redundant. 'The simple fact that I have access to insufficient funds to pay your wages, leaves the administrators with no choice but to conduct that consultation process over a very short period.' Rex Airlines will lay off 360 employees, and an additional 250 workers will be affected in its Regional Express division, which handles flights in regional and rural Australia. Transport Minister Catherine King has pledged to work closely with administrators to ensure the airline maintains its flights outside capital cities, describing it as vital to many regional communities. Ms Rackley (pictured with a colleague) highlighted how she and other Rex employees had suddenly lost their jobs Regional flights have continued to run after the EY appointment, while rival airlines Virgin Australia and Qantas have chipped in to help customers booked on capital-city routes onto alternate flights. The administrators on Wednesday said they were confident the airline's status as a key regional carrier would continue, while also indicating Virgin had expressed an interest in taking on a number of Rex's grounded Boeing 737s from axed major routes. Ms King did not rule out the possibility of a government bailout when quizzed on the prospect, although she said no figures had been discussed about the levels of federal funding that could be involved in an aid package. 'The first thing we are interested in doing is hearing from the administrators about what is needed in order to make sure the regional aviation Rex is providing continues,' she said. 'The government will act expeditiously it is a complex situation with multiple commercial arrangements in place, but we do stand ready to work very closely with the administrators, because that regional presence is absolutely vital.' Rex Airlines has entered voluntary administration and suspended all flights between major airports The TWU has called for the federal government to buy an equity stake in Rex to minimise job losses and protect regional Australia. 'This is another dark day for aviation, with over 600 families faced with sudden joblessness in an industry that has taken hit after hit,' TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said. 'The focus now must be on maximising jobs, protecting regional routes, securing redeployment opportunities to other aviation businesses and ensuring entitlements are paid as soon as possible.' It comes as aviation experts have argued that Rex's problems stemmed from its decision to fight for capital city passengers in the major city routes. The airline sought to compete with Qantas and Virgin in the so-called 'golden triangle' of flights between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Rob Nicholls, associate professor and policy expert at the University of Sydney, told SBS News the challenge Rex created for itself was to compete directly with Qantas and Virgin on city routes, when it was established initially to only fly regionally. 'You've got one major airline, one challenger airline that is strong and well funded and it's just hard for a third player to compete directly when there's a limited number of people who want to fly between places,' he said. Prof Nicholls said Rex found it harder to be agile on pricing in its new market. 'Rex had a challenge in being the new entrant on those routes and with a high cost base,' he explained. 'We've already seen Bonza [collapse], its major issue was that the cost of leasing aircrafts was very high and it's precisely the same aircraft or aircraft type that Rex has leased for those big city routes.' A Scots beautician was left fighting for her life after a horrific scooter accident in Bali. Charlene Morrissey fell from the vehicle after being struck by a car and suffered serious arm injuries when she was then hit by a lorry. The 33-year-old, of Airdrie, Lanarkshire, who is in a critical condition, had multiple blood transfusions as doctors battled to save her life. However, the hospital stopped treatment after learning that Ms Morrissey's travel insurance company would not pay. Her family have since forked out 50,000 for medical bills. They were able to raise the cash within 48 hours of the accident earlier this month. Charlene Morrissey fell from the vehicle after being struck by a car and suffered serious arm injuries when she was then hit by a lorry The 33-year-old, of Airdrie, Lanarkshire, who is in a critical condition, had multiple blood transfusions as doctors battled to save her life. However, the hospital stopped treatment after learning that Ms Morrissey's travel insurance company would not pay Ms Morrissey has lived and worked on the island for six months. Her family are trying to get her flown from Bali to Australia and are in talks with the UK embassy to send her to Perth for treatment A skin graft failed, and Ms Morrissey now faces further surgery. Doctors plan to save her arm through a pedicle flap, where the hand is stitched to the abdomen to allow skin to grow. The beautician's friends have launched a GoFundMe page to help pay for the rising medical bills and to support her family, who have flown to the Indonesian island. Around 100,000 has been raised through thousands of donations. A family member thanked those who had donated, saying the support had been 'overwhelming'. Ms Morrissey has lived and worked on the island for six months. Her family are trying to get her flown from Bali to Australia and are in talks with the UK foreign embassy to send her to Perth for treatment. Thanking people for their donations, a family member said: 'The support from everyone so far, every single message, share, comment and like is so overwhelming for our family and we would not have the positivity we have if it wasn't for you all. 'The positivity we feel is the first we have felt in the last few days and it means the world. We honestly cannot thank you all enough.' Female prisoners who have been transferred to a new prison claim they haven't been exposed to or seen sunlight in months. Carolyn Knudsen, was moved to a detention center in downtown Miami since the Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, California, was suddenly shut down in mid-April. She was locked up for transporting children across state lines for purposes of sexual abuse Now serving her time in FDC Miami, a high-rise detention center that houses pretrial detainees, Knudsen told her father she hasn't seen sunlight since leaving Dublin and is unable take any classes to reduce her sentence because the programs were full. 'She can't get outside, and it's draining on her,' her father Paul Knudsen told Fox5. 'She is more depressed and is crying when I talk to her.' Susan Beaty, representing hundreds of former FCI Dublin inmates, claims similar conditions exist at SeaTac and Philadelphia federal detention centers. Female prisoners who have been transferred to a new prison claim they haven't been exposed to or seen sunlight in months. Carolyn Knudsen, was moved to a detention center in downtown Miami since the Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, California , was suddenly shut down in mid-April. Now serving her time in FDC Miami, a high-rise detention center that houses pretrial detainees, Knudsen told her father she hasn't seen sunlight since leaving Dublin and is unable take any classes to reduce her sentence because the programs were full This past month, Beaty visited clients in Seattle and reported that nearly 40 women complained of no sunlight exposure. Unlike FCI Dublin, which had outdoor spaces, these holding centers are designed for short-term stays and lack the infrastructure to accommodate long-term inmates. 'There is no outdoor space,' Beaty said. 'The folks we talked to in SeaTac made it very clear that they had not been outside since arriving there in April. So, for several months now, they've not had access to direct sunlight or fresh air. This is particularly concerning for people who have medical and mental health conditions. 'The lack of access to outdoor space has really compounded the impact of these transfers and the trauma that our clients have already been through.' Roughly 200 of the 605 women transferred from the now-shuttered FCI Dublin are housed in three Bureau of Prisons detention centers. Unlike FCI Dublin, which had outdoor spaces, other holding centers are designed for short-term stays and lack the infrastructure to accommodate long-term inmates. Once a sprawling facility with outdoor spaces and views of the East Bay hills, Dublin offered inmates daily outdoor time The abrupt closure of FCI Dublin followed a prolonged sex abuse scandal and the appointment of a special master to oversee reforms at the low-security prison. Once a sprawling facility with outdoor spaces and views of the East Bay hills, Dublin offered inmates daily outdoor time. Disputes have arisen over the conditions at the new facilities. While the BOP claims detainees have access to sunlight in outdoor recreation areas, inmates and their attorneys disagree. Women at SeaTac and other centers describe limited or no direct sunlight, with some reporting skylights that offer little natural light. Additionally, complaints include inadequate ventilation and potential Vitamin D deficiencies, evidenced by BOP recommendations to 'drink milk' to help with the side effects. The BOP counters these claims with a narrow definition of sunlight access, citing enclosed outdoor spaces and a viral video showing inmates at FDC Miami with access to open windows. However, they've declined to provide photographic evidence of the conditions at these facilities, leaving the issue unresolved. Oakland attorney Yolanda Huang successfully sued San Francisco County jails in October 2023 for denying inmates outdoor access. The judge ruled in favor of her clients, mandating at least 15 minutes of daily sunlight for some inmates after a year of incarceration. However, Huang reports that this order has yet to be implemented. Huang emphasizes that 'access to sunlight' is a complex issue. Mere openings in ceilings or non-opening windows do not constitute adequate sunlight exposure. Huang's victory was built on the principle that incarceration should not lead to chronic illness. In the case of the transferred FCI Dublin women, attorney Susan Beaty has brought these concerns to the attention of the court-appointed special master overseeing their care. While the Knudsens hope for a resolution, there's been no indication of site visits or rulings on the matter thus far. The collapse of Rex Airlines has sparked fears regional towns will be cut off from the rest of Australia, as aviation experts blame the company's demise on its decision to compete with Qantas and Virgin on routes between major cities. Regional Express Holdings Limited went into voluntary administration late on Tuesday night, with up to 610 of its 2,000 staff facing redundancy. Domestic flights between capital cities have been cancelled and rival Virgin Australia is offering affected customers the chance to transfer free of charge. Regional flights, which are often described as the lifeblood of rural Australia, are still running for the time being. 'Regional flights are unaffected by the administration and will continue to operate as normal,' a spokesperson for Rex said. But this assurance has done little to dampen fears among regional communities which rely on the airline for everything from hospital visits and mail to groceries. Locals in the small outback Queensland town of Birdsville, which sits on the edge of the Simpson Desert about 1,500km from Brisbane and has a population of just 100, fear being cut off from the rest of the world. Regional Express Holdings Limited went into voluntary administration late on Tuesday night, with up to 610 of its 2,000 staff facing redundancy Domestic flights between capital cities have been cancelled but regional flights, which are often described as the lifeblood of rural Australia, are still running for the time being (pictured: map of Rex Airlines' routes, including those now cancelled) They rely on twice-weekly Rex Airlines services to receive mail and groceries, to get to bigger centres for medical care or to fly their children to boarding school in the city. Mayor Francis Murray, who grew up in Birdsville and was once one of those boarding school students, is keeping a close eye on the future of the embattled airline. 'The ripple effect it would have on these small communities (if Rex flights stopped) would be like if the internet went down in Brisbane,' Mr Murray said. 'It would affect everybody every day.' The Birdsville 'milk run' flights, which are subsidised by the Queensland government, also take in other regional towns like Charleville, Bedourie and Mount Isa. Locals in the small outback Queensland town of Birdsville (pictured), which sits on the edge of the Simpson Desert around 1,500km from Brisbane and has a population of just 100, fear being cut off from the rest of the world The federal government said it would work with administrators to ensure the longevity of regional aviation. But many fear for the future of Rex, particularly after the collapse of regional operator Bonza in April. 'Supporting regional aviation should be a national priority, one that allows for equality of opportunity to be connected regardless of where you live,' Regional Capitals Australia chair and Albury mayor Kylie King said. Rex's troubles come at a critical time as rural populations grow and prepare for large-scale energy projects. The Flinders Shire, in north-west Queensland, is ready to welcome workers for construction of the 840km CopperString transmission line. 'The adage "build it and they will come" has rung true; we're building the infrastructure and the workers are arriving,' mayor Kate Peddle said. 'However, we now face the stark reality of potentially having no planes to bring them here. 'I'm pleased that Rex Airlines has confirmed that we will have continuation of our regional service, but you have to ask: for how long?' Concerns about Rex's future also come as regional Australians deal with dwindling essential services like banking and health care. The regions cannot afford to lose aviation too, National Rural Health Alliance chief executive Susi Tegen said. 'Rural, remote and regional Australia bring in two-thirds of Australia's export income and provide 90 per cent of the food Australians eat,' Ms Tegen said. 'But we're not providing the infrastructure and economic levers that ensure rural communities continue to thrive.' As floods cut off major roads in outback Queensland, the Rex service has been critical for getting supplies to the Simpson Desert Oasis roadhouse. 'We get flooded out here for months,' operator Robbie Dare said. Aviation experts have argued that Rex's problems stemmed from its decision to fight for capital city passengers in the major city routes 'The normal Joe in the street don't realise how much we suffer out here in the wet times.' Shaun Radnedge, mayor of Murweh Shire in southwestern Queensland, said the council had a partnership with Rex to fly in key workers not based in Charleville, in addition to tourists, mail and supplies. 'As far as our rural communities go, this air contract to bring people to communities is our lifeblood,' Mr Radnedge told The Australian. 'It offers us opportunities not only for work, but medical transport and things like that. It is a vital service.' Which Rex flights are cancelled? All flights between major airports on Boeing 737 planes are cancelled. These include: Adelaide (ADL) Perth (PER) Brisbane (BNE) Adelaide (ADL) Brisbane (BNE) Cairns (CNS) Melbourne (MEL) Adelaide (ADL) Melbourne (MEL) Canberra (CB R) R) Melbourne (MEL) Brisbane (BNE) Melbourne (MEL) Coolangatta, Gold Coast (OOL) Melbourne (MEL) Hobart (HBA) Melbourne (MEL) Sydney (SYD) Melbourne (MEL) Perth (PER) Advertisement Mr Radnedge said he held grave concerns for the future of towns like Charleville if Rex ceased to exist. His fears are echoed by residents of the West Australian town of Carnarvon, 900km north of Perth. Merome Beard, who represents the electoral district of North West Central for the Liberal Party in the West Australian parliament, told the paper the collapse of Rex would be 'catastrophic'. 'We need the government to have a plan in place to provide continuity of service,' Ms Beard told the paper. 'There's a lot of anxiety in the community at the moment and they're looking for certainty around services going forward.' Transport minister Catherine King said her department had been in discussions with the airline's administrators about supporting Rex. 'Rex is an important airline for regional and remote communities and Rexs continuation is in the best interests of regional Australians, the travelling public, its workers and the aviation sector,' Ms King said. It comes as aviation experts have argued that Rex's problems stemmed from its decision to fight for capital city passengers in the major city routes. The airline sought to compete with Qantas and Virgin in the so-called 'golden triangle' of flights between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Rob Nicholls, associate professor and policy expert at the University of Sydney, told SBS News the challenge Rex created for itself was to compete directly with Qantas and Virgin on city routes, when it was established initially to only fly regionally. 'You've got one major airline, one challenger airline that is strong and well funded and it's just hard for a third player to compete directly when there's a limited number of people who want to fly between places,' he said. Prof Nicholls said Rex found it harder to be agile on pricing in its new market. 'Rex had a challenge in being the new entrant on those routes and with a high cost base,' he explained. 'We've already seen Bonza [collapse], its major issue was that the cost of leasing aircrafts was very high and it's precisely the same aircraft or aircraft type that Rex has leased for those big city routes.' Former ABC Chair and well known media identity Ita Buttrose has caused controversy within the ABC by having the temerity to suggest that there are some journalists within the organisation who don't present both sides of stories they cover. In other words, the ABC is failing its duty of impartiality as the public broadcaster. 'I think there's no harm in presenting both sides of an argument and I don't understand the reluctance of some of our interviewers not to do that,' she said. What a controversial notion, presenting both sides of an argument! In a perfect illustration of an ABC journalist missing the point entirely, the radio presenter Buttrose was being interviewed by was more concerned about ABC journalists being criticised by News Corp publications. Patricia Karvelas said News Corp mastheads 'have gone after ABC frontline reporters and presenters pretty hard, including me.' Boohoo, so what? They went after me from time to time too - and I worked there. So did other journalists at Network 10 when I worked there. That's what happens when you engage in debates or take a stand on controversial issues. Former ABC Chair Ita Buttrose (pictured) states the bleeding obvious: that the public broadcaster should present both sides of arguments If those who hold others to account for a living don't like themselves also being held to account for their commentary and analysis they should find another profession. I question the appropriateness of anyone employed by the public broadcaster acting as an opinion journalist. If there is one media organisation that should avoid subjective commentary it's the ABC. Those employed there certainly shouldn't see it as their job to balance the ledger of commentary by shifting left to counter what they perceive as right wing bias at News Corp. Yet it still happens all the time. That's because the ABC is a taxpayer funded public broadcaster. Like the BBC in the United Kingdom, it shouldn't get into slanging matches with commercial media enterprises, which, whether they like it or not, have the right to include opinion and campaigns in their pages and on their programs. The ABC does not have that right and should not. It must leave that task to the likes of The Guardian, Crikey or The Monthly, or indeed the many other commercial media organisations that lean left. A public broadcaster should be above all of that. Which is why Buttrose is right to criticise sections of the ABC for not presenting both sides of arguments it weighs in on with its journalism. ABC presenter Patricia Karvelas (pictured) needs to learn to take what she dishes out. Karvelas used an interview to whinge about News Corp criticisms of her work Laura Tingle (pictured) hasn't hidden her distaste for Liberal leaders Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton The media union spat back, of course, declaring her views as irrelevant. Coming from a union with declining membership you do have to enjoy the irony. But the real issue is whether the former Chair's comments are accurate right across the ABC. The answer is no, at least when it comes to the great swathe of ABC journalists spread across the nation. Especially in smaller regional and rural communities. These journalists do an amazing job of covering all manner of issues - from all sides - free of narrow cultural bias and ideological blinkers, or the perceived need to counterbalance News Corp commentary. However, Buttrose does make a valid point when it comes to some of the ABC's highest profile journalists, especially those covering domestic and international politics. Including the presenter she was being interviewed by, to be frank. There is no better evidence of the left wing bias that has taken over the ABC's political coverage than the always critical commentary about the Coalition that the political correspondent for the 7.30 television program, Laura Tingle, partakes in. Both Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton have been victims of her subjectivity and ideological bias. Which would be fine at a commercial entity, but not at the public broadcaster. In contrast, probably the most straight down the middle political journalist in the country - David Speers, now host of ABC Insiders - is regarded by some within the ABC as further to the right than Ghengis Khan. That's how skewed from the centre the ABC now is. In a sure sign many high profile journalists at the ABC take their cues from the left leaning bias of X, Speers is attacked each and every week on the platform formerly known as Twitter for being some sort of Liberal stooge. An utterly absurd proposition. New ABC Chair Kim Williams (pictured) has implored his journalists to park their ideological bias, but it hasn't happened David Speers (pictured) is an unbiased journalist who leans neither left nor right. It means he doesn't fit in with the left wing culture across much of the ABC When Kim Williams took over as Chair of the ABC - recently appointed to the position by the Albanese government - he suggested that any journalists employed there who weren't capable of parking their ideology to do their jobs with balance should leave. They were strong, but hollow, words unfortunately. In the aftermath of making them examples quickly came to light which violated his demand. Indeed, Williams himself offered some partisan criticisms of Peter Dutton's nuclear policy at a public event - although Williams represents the ABC, but is not a journalist there. The funniest thing about what is so obvious to so many who occasionally tune in to the ABC's political coverage - that it by and large can't help but lean left - is lost on many within the organisation who think it needs to become more bolshy not less. Which brings us right back to Buttrose's statement of the obvious, that will fall on deaf ears at the ABC. That is, at least when it comes to its coverage of politics, it doesn't present both sides of the story with impartiality as a public broadcaster is duty bound to do. A family have been unable to bury their grandfather because his body has been stuck at the Coroner's for three weeks and nobody is there to sign for its release. Kylie Underwood has been trying desperately to retrieve the body of her father John Grant Griffiths, 77, who died at Modbury Hospital, in Adelaide's north, on July 9. Mr Griffiths had been in hospital for 10 weeks with several medical conditionals including pneumonia and dementia. Ms Underwood said she has asked the State Coroner's Office to release the body - but it cannot be done because of one infuriating reason. 'When I rang the Coroner's Office they told me they have just one forensic scientist who has to sign off on the release and they don't know when that person will be working next,' she told the Adelaide Advertiser. 'We just want the body released so we can bury him.' Mr Griffith's death was referred to the Coroner because he was suffering from delirium when he passed away. The medical condition occurs when a person experiences a sudden change in their thinking and behaviour. The death of John Grant Griffiths (pictured) was referred to the coroner because he was suffering from delirium when he passed away The illness usually lasts for several days. According to South Australia's Coronial Process, the body of a deceased individual is usually released within 72 hours. The timeframe takes into account the formal identification and post mortem process. The Coroner decides if a post mortem is required and a forensic pathologist conducts the process at Forensic Science SA. Ms Underwood claims the morgue at Modbury Hospital was full, which prompted Mr Griffith's body to be transferred to Lyell McEwin Hospital. Mr Griffiths was a diesel mechanic and ran his own small business named 'Exhaust Plus', a mechanical repairs shop in Salisbury, until he retired. He previously worked in the mines in Broken Hill in western NSW during his younger years. He leaves behind his five children and 10 grandchildren. Mr Griffth's daughter Kylie Underwood (pictured) claims the State Coroner's Office has just one forensic scientist to sign off on the release and they don't when the person will be working next The Coroner's Office said they could not comment on specific cases and that the time taken to conduct a pathology review depends on several factors. 'A review cannot be commenced until all the necessary medical notes are received and, on occasions, it may emerge further information must be obtained,' a spokesman read. 'In addition to this, the Coroner's Office is dependent on the availability of sessional medical practitioners to conduct pathology reviews.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Coroner's Office for further comment. A woman accused of kidnapping and murdering a 31-week pregnant woman and her unborn baby has changed her plea to guilty. Amber Waterman, 44, did so Tuesday, after being slated to stand trial on October 21 in Springfield, Missouri. She pleaded guilty to kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of an unborn child, according to documents filed in federal court. Waterman had originally pleaded not guilty to those charges alongside her husband and alleged accomplice Jamie, after facing multiple delays. The pair abducted 33-year-old Ashley Bush, who was found near Waterman's home on November 3, 2022. The remains of the unborn child, named Valkyrie Grace Willis by the father and Bush's fiance, Joshua Willis, were found nearby. Prosecutors said the pair abducted Bush 'for the purpose and benefit of claiming [the] child as' their own. Amber Waterman, 44, changed her plea to guilty. Tuesday, after being slated to stand trial on October 21 in Springfield, Missouri She pleaded guilty to kidnapping 33-year-old Ashley Bush in October 2021, causing her death, and causing the death of her unborn child. Prosecutors said she had been 31-weeks along at the time 'This horrific crime resulted in the tragic deaths of two innocent victims,' said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore as Waterman is still subject to a stark sentence. 'Today's guilty plea holds this defendant accountable for her actions and ensures that justice will be served,' the jurist said. 'She is now subject to a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison without parole.' The development came almost two years after Waterman, who met the victim on Facebook, first pleaded not guilty in federal court. Officials in Benton County at the time said Waterman had lured Bush to her residence with a phony job interview posting, when the pregnant victim was looking for a job where she could work from home. 'Lucy' - the pseudonym used by Waterman - proceeded to meet Bush at an Arkansas library on October 28 of that year, under the pretense she would connect the victim with someone who could get her a job, prosecutors said. They made plans to meet again at a convenience store on October 31, 2022, with Bush believing she would go with 'Lucy' to meet the supposed boss about 13 miles away - 25 miles from where the Watermans live in Missouri. That day, Bush was dropped off at the store by her fiance, Joshua. He later told cops how he saw her leave with the woman he had already seen meet with his betrothed days earlier. Waterman had originally pleaded not guilty to those charges alongside her husband and alleged accomplice Jamie (pictured, after facing multiple delays. Bush was dropped off at the store by her fiance, Joshua. He later told cops how he saw her leave with the woman he had already seen meet with his betrothed days earlier. She, as well as her unborn child, turned up dead two days later Bush would text Willis at around 3 pm, telling him she was on her way back to the store, prosecutors and investigators agreed. But when the truck Willis saw Bush enter drove right by onto a local highway due north, Willis immediately grew suspicious. He recognized the truck and that 'Lucy' was the one driving, leading him to continue to try and contact his fiancee. After repeatedly being met with her voicemail, he reported her missing by 6:30 pm. Two days later, Bush was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound, with her unborn child found out of the womb, close by. Feds soon discerned that Bush had been kidnapped by Waterman, before being taken to the woman's residence in Pineville, Missouri. At around 5 pm on November 2, 2021, emergency responders went to a store in the town for a call about a baby not breathing. Upon being arrested, Waterman told officers she had given birth to the child in the vehicle on the way to the hospital. 'But in reality, she admitted, the child was Bushs child, who died in utero, as a result of Watermans kidnapping that resulted in the death of Bush,' a press release announcing her recent change of heart said. Autopsy results would go on to show that Bush died as a result of penetrating trauma to her torso - undoubtedly a homicide, investigators declared. Bush died as a result of penetrating trauma to her torso - undoubtedly a homicide, investigators declared Ambers sentencing is set for October 15 at 11 a.m. No new hearings or plea change documents have been filed for Jamie, with his trial date is still set for October 21 'Under federal statutes, Waterman is subject to a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison without parole on each count,' the release said. 'The sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.' As for Jamie, who cops declared assisted Amber after she kidnapped Bush while knowing she had committed a crime, he is charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact to kidnapping resulting in death. . No new hearings or plea change documents have been filed for Jamie, with his trial date is still set for October 21 Ambers sentencing has been set for October 15 at 11 am, where a judge will decide her fate. A head mathematics teacher at an elite school has been given jail time after admitting to horrific child sex offences. Robert Messina, 51, has been jailed for two years and four months, with possible parole after 14 months, for offences that included encouraging a man to sexually abuse a six-year-old boy. With time already served, Messina could be eligible for parole in January 2025, The West Australian reported. The teacher was fired following his arrest at John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School in Mirrabooka, north of Perth, in late November 2023. Messina's decades-long teaching career saw him work at many of Perth's top schools, including Guildford Grammar School in the early 2000s. But the well-respected teacher's career came crashing down when he was arrested and charged with possessing, producing and distributing child exploitation material. Messina's arrest came after Western Australia Police's child exploitation operations team found an online predator who was communicating under two online names - 'Bastian' and 'Old boy Messi'. Both online handles belonged to Messina. Robert Messina, 51, (pictured) has been jailed for two years and four months, with possible parole after 14 months, for offences that included encouraging a man to sexually abuse a six-year-old boy The husband and father (pictured right) pleaded guilty to eight charges but insisted he never got into the teaching profession to be near children Police posed as a 12-year-old boy on Snapchat, where Messina told 'him' straight away that he was a teacher. Messina also said: 'I love boys.' The chats allegedly occurred while the teacher was working at his school, including messages that he wanted to kiss the boy and show him his genitals. Police seized the former teacher's devices, including two Samsung mobile phones, and found even more material. The further evidence included two dozen child pornography images, as well as six graphic videos. There were also explicit text conversations in the phone data, with Messina communicating with a man and another person posing as a child. Police believe another conversation was with a young boy. While Messina was texting a man who called himself Sam, the men both discussed a six-year-old boy who Sam was caring for. Messina encouraged him to touch the six-year-old, as well as look at his genitals and asked Sam to describe how he felt. The teacher added: 'You are looking after him and you need a reward.' Other conversations Messina had included the description of sex acts and pictures of both children and adults. In another conversation, the disgraced former teacher referred to himself as 'Pops'. The married father pleaded guilty to eight charges on his second appearance in court. The teacher, who was the head mathematics teacher at John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School north of Perth, was arrested at the school after a sting by Western Australia Police's child exploitation operations squad Messina again appeared in court on Tuesday and cried when his offences were detailed. District Court Judge Laura Christian was informed that for months the ex-teacher told report writers he was adamant he did not have a sexual desire for children. But Messina changed that stance last week, with his lawyer Mark Andrews saying his turnaround happened after a 'candid and honest discussion'. 'Albeit belatedly, he admits his offending was driven and motivated by an interest in young boys a deviant sexual interest,' Mr Andrews said. Mr Andrews said Messina's interest in young boys existed since childhood, saying the former teacher had a repressed upbringing due to a strict Italian upbringing. Messina's lawyer also said that the married father had experienced triggers, such as worrying about his job and health which meant that in late 2023 'the walls effectively started to close around him'. 'He escaped into this surreal world and the wheels really did start to fall off,' Mr Andrews said. Messina also said his love for his wife and children was authentic and through references, his family informed the court they still support him. The court also heard that during Messina's long career, there had never been any complaints made against him for inappropriate behaviour. This was also backed up by the statement Messina's school released at the time of his arrest. Messina also insisted he did not join the teaching profession to be close to children. But prosecutor Matthew Thompson said Messina had 'used his status as a teacher to build trust' with children he believed he was communicating with, making him a serious predator. 'He brandished himself as someone who can be trusted,' Mr Thompson said. 'The case against him was overwhelming the material was on the devices. And the loss of his profession is entirely a consequence of his own actions... And inconsistent with the privilege of being a teacher.' Thousands of Regional Express customers are scrambling to find new flights after the airline went into voluntary administration and cancelled trips between major cities. Rex's regional flights are operating as usual and Virgin Australia has chipped in to help get customers who have booked tickets to capital cities onto alternate flights free of charge. Virgin Australia said 4,600 Rex customers had contacted them for assistance early Wednesday morning, and 500 had already been booked onto new flights. Rex's regional Saab 340 flights are unaffected and continue to operate but the 737 services - which cover major cities, including the busy Sydney-to-Melbourne route it began operating in 2021 - have been grounded. All requests to Virgin for rebookings need to be made by 14 August 2024. Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said Rex should have contacted affected customers by now and Virgin staff were ready to try and ease their confusion. 'All they need to do is call and rebook their flight to show they've got a booking reference number from Rex that gives them the ability to rebook with us,' she told ABC radio. 'We're trying to accommodate people as close to their time of departure as possible.' Rex Airlines has entered voluntary administration and suspended all flights between major airports Affected Rex customers can also visit the Virgin Australia website to rebook their tickets. Rex and Virgin Australia are exploring ways to support regional customers, including Virgin selling Rex's regional services through codeshare or interline arrangements, and making Virgin frequent flyer benefits available. A statement posted on Rex's website late on Tuesday said the administration affected parent company Regional Express Holdings Limited and a number of its subsidiaries trading under the Rex Group name. Samuel Freeman, Justin Walsh and Adam Nikitins of Ernst & Young Australia have been appointed joint administrators by the Rex board. Rex employs about 2,000 people and Virgin is offering staff affected by the grounding of the 737s the chance to apply for open positions via the airline's website. Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine said it was a difficult day for Rex staff. 'We again are in this situation... aviation seems to be in crisis,' he told ABC TV. 'What we want to do is figure out (with our) shoulder to the wheel, what we can do to minimise their angst... Virgin is putting steps in place to take expressions of interest from the workforce, and that's really critical.' In response to Rex announcing the immediate suspension of its 737 jet operations, Virgin Australia will support impacted Rex customers with rebooking on an equivalent Virgin Australia service free of charge. All requests for rebooking need to be made by 14 August 2024. Rex Virgin Australia (@VirginAustralia) July 30, 2024 Treasurer Jim Chalmers said it was a 'big relief' that Rex will keep servicing regional areas while it's in administration. The federal government has had discussions with the airline about a support package, he added. 'Obviously, there's been discussions but... we want to hear next from the company,' Dr Chalmers told ABC TV. 'Our top priority (is) to make sure we can continue to serve and service regional communities and regional economies because we know how important it is - we're prepared to play a constructive role.' On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese questioned the carrier's expansion into major capital city routes. He noted Rex had received substantial public funding during the pandemic with 'no conditions attached'. 'One of the things I expressed concern about was having no conditions, so Rex, for example, moved away from their traditional role of being a regional airline into flights, for example, from Sydney to Melbourne,' Mr Albanese said. Virgin Australia has offered passengers scheduled for Rex domestic 737 services free rebooking, but they must rebook by August 14 Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said Rex's foray into the capital cities market, including a recent Melbourne-to-Perth route, had increased competition between aviation players resulting in cheaper fares being offered by Qantas. 'Let's not continue to pretend that Qantas's behaviour is acceptable in the aviation industry,' Senator McKenzie said. 'Every time they are challenged they seek to monster those airlines like Rex... who have sought to actually give Australians another way of travelling.' Rex began servicing Sydney-to-Melbourne, one of the busiest routes in the world, in 2021. Many regional communities rely on the carrier, which emerged 22 years ago following the collapse of Ansett. Unlike Bonza, which went into voluntary administration in April, Rex mainly owns rather than leases its planes. Rex's key fleet comprises 61 SAAB 340s and seven leased Boeing 737-800s, out of 123 aircraft. Since the pandemic, Rex has struggled with profitability. In February, it reported a bottom line net loss of $3.2 million for the first half of the 2023/24 financial year. A California dad has been granted full custody of his now four-year-old son after the boy's mother tried to raise him non-binary and forced him to wear dresses and make up. Harrison Tinsley announced his victory in the years-long legal battle with his ex-girlfriend to gain full custody of his son, Sawyer, in an update on his online fundraiser for legal fees on July 18. The father-of-one described how he felt like he was 'watching a miracle' when he found out he would be the boy's full-time caregiver. 'It definitely is a pretty wonderful feeling to fight for something so hard and to actually achieve it,' Tinsley told The Daily Signal. Harrison Tinsley announced he won full custody of his son in an update on his online fundraiser for legal fees on July 18 Tinsley explained that he had always wanted to be a father and was 'ecstatic' when his girlfriend told him in 2019 she was pregnant. 'Unfortunately that excitement turned to pain when his mother, who suffers from serious underlying mental health problems, abruptly ended our relationship and prevented me from seeing Sawyer,' he wrote in the fundraiser. Tinsley was only able to meet his son when Sawyer was 15 months old, and the two quickly bonded. 'Sawyer is not only my best friend, he is the most amazing, greatest blessing of my life,' he said. But the boy's mother had begun a same-sex relationship and started to identify as non-binary - treating Sawyer as non-binary as well. 'She calls him "they" and puts him in dresses, girl diapers and makeup,' Tinsley wrote. 'She threw Sawyer a girly-themed party for his second birthday party where she made him wear a dress donned with a sheriff's badge.' At another time, he told The Daily Signal, the mother brought Sawyer to Disneyland - but would not let him go on the rides unless he wore the princess shoes she got him. Tinsley said the boy's mother forced him to wear dresses and makeup But Sawyer fought back against his mother, Tinsley wrote. 'Sawyer says his mother tells him he is both a boy and a girl, but Sawyer is fully aware he is a boy,' he said. 'Thankfully, he has my rebellious spirit and fights back whenever his mother gaslights him. 'However, I am certain this is confusing him and emotionally traumatizing. He is not old enough to even be thinking about this ideology, but his mother is coercing him into it.' Tinsley then filed a motion for custody of the boy last year, after he learned that Sawyer's mother was arrested for felony child endangerment and subsequently discovered she slandered and defamed him. He said he 'presented eight hours of police body camera footage, 800 pages of documentary evidence and psychological studies showing Sawyer's health, safety and well-being were jeopardized by his mother, her mental health problems and political ideology.' But the judge at that time ruled against him. Tinsley said he presented 'evidence and psychological studies showing Sawyer's health, safety and well-being were jeopardized by his mother, her mental health problems and political ideology' but a judge initially ruled against him By December 2023, Tinsley's appeal had begun, and he recently told The Daily Signal that a settlement had been reached in which he was granted full custody and the final say if there are any disagreements between him and the boy's mother. That settlement came after Child Protective Services did an investigation and recommended that Tinsley get full custody of the boy - and that the boy's mother undergo full drug and alcohol testing. Over the course of the investigation, Tinsley said the boy's mother tried to paint him as 'some right-wing hillbilly from Mississippi or something, even though I had nothing to do with the investigation - and that shouldn't matter anyway. 'In reality, I'm just some California dude with long hair and skinny jeans, and that's ridiculous to make that up about me.' It is unclear what prompted Child Protective Services to investigate the mother, but Tinsley said he is grateful to the investigator. 'It was extremely favorable for Sawyer and me,' he said in the recent podcast with The Daily Signal. 'And I'm just so grateful that CPS and San Francisco, California put politics aside and did what they felt was best for the child. 'It was divine that I got the CPS worker I did and they really did their job - they did not care about politics,' he added, noting that he believes the mother's mental health issues and the 'scary situations' they caused contributed to the CPS recommendation. 'It's sad, though, that it had to get so severe,' Tinsley said, arguing that he believes anyone who pushes gender ideology on young children 'have to have some underlying serious mental health issues. 'It's madness,' Tinsley said. 'Kids don't care about sex or identity or all these fake, weird concepts. They just care about having fun and getting to spend time with their parents - and it's insane that we're even considering this as a possibility to talk to children with.' Tinsley said Sawyer has now been in his custody for about four and a half months Tinsley said he wants to help other parents who may be dealing with a similar situation - calling gender ideology 'one of the greatest evils we've ever done' as he compared it to lobotomies. 'I just want to help more people protect children,' Tinsley said. 'I want to protect more kids. I think it's the battle of our lifetime.' As for Sawyer, Tinsley said the boy has been in his custody for about four-and-a-half months and 'he's thriving'. 'He's doing so good in every way, socially, he has less tantrums now and it just seems like his overall well-being is just dramatically improved having that constant stability, and I'm just so thankful to be a part of it,' the proud father said. Tinsley went on to say he is 'just so excited to making a brighter future for him, to watch him grow'. The proud dad said: 'It's just going to be amazing. Sawyer's going to have a great life.' Democratic candidate hopeful Kamala Harris is expected to announce who she has picked to be her running mate next week in Philadelphia. Harris and her vice presidential pick will embark on a battleground tour next week with stops in seven swing states from Pennsylvania to Nevada. Harris' decision to kick off the tour in Pennsylvania has triggered speculation that her VP might be Josh Shapiro, the governor of the swing state. According to Politico, Shapiro is one of the top contenders for the role that her team are vetting. Despite the speculation, Harris told reporters on Tuesday that she had not yet made a decision as to who she would select as her running mate. Harris and her Vice President pick will embark on a battleground tour next week with stops in seven swing states from Pennsylvania to Nevada Harris' decision to kick off the tour in Pennsylvania is sure to trigger speculation that her VP might be Josh Shapiro, the governor of the swing state The outlet reported that Harris is to interview potential nominees in the upcoming days. Other names in the mix include Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Shapiro told enthusiastic voters in suburban Philadelphia earlier this week that he believes Harris belongs in the White House. He also reminded those who gathered of all his work as governor in the battleground state. While Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear told voters in Georgia that Harris has the makings of 'a great president' and highlighted the elections he's won as a Democrat. According to campaign sources, who spoke with the Associated Press, Shapiro and Kelly are among the front-runners. Harris, according to another person familiar with the matter, is seeking someone with executive experience who can also serve as a governing partner. Notions of a so-called short list have not stopped those on the Democrats' broader national bench from finding the spotlight. According to Politico , Shapiro is one of the top contenders for the role that her team are vetting to be her VP Shapiro, 51, is among the most popular U.S. governors, winning his 2022 election in a rout over a Trump-endorsed Republican. He's an outspoken supporter of abortion rights who has won three statewide elections in Pennsylvania. His speaking style draws comparisons to former President Barack Obama. But he has taken flak from the left for his support for Israel's war on Hamas, a private school voucher program and natural gas infrastructure. His allies argue that he would help Harris win Pennsylvania, complicating if not blocking Trump's path to an Electoral College majority. Harris is the only White House hopeful who has so far qualified to compete for the Democratic nominee, the Democratic National Committee said on Tuesday. The DNC's announcement officially clears the path for the vice president to seek her party's nomination uncontested. During a rally on Tuesday, Harris pulled a line from rapper Quavo to try and turn the tables on Donald Trump for his criticism that she and President Biden have failed at the southern border. She called out her 2024 presidential rival at a campaign rally in Atlanta as 'not walking it like he talks it' on illegal immigration. During a rally on Tuesday, Harris pulled a line from rapper Quavo to try and turn the tables on Donald Trump Harris dropped a reference to the rapper's 2018 Migos hit, 'Walk It, Talk It', Quavo is seen here at the event With the Migos rapper in attendance - along with raunchy 'Savage' performer Megan Thee Stallion - the vice president also pushed her Republican rival to commit to one or more debates rather than continue to publicly call her names, challenging him to 'say it to my face.' After statements from both performers, Harris attempted to turn the tables on the open borders argument by blaming Trump, leaning into her background as an attorney general in California, a state she was quick to remind attendees, shares a border with Mexico. 'I went after transnational gangs, drug cartels and human traffickers that came into our country illegally,' Harris said. 'I prosecuted them in case after case, and I won. Donald Trump, on the other hand, has been talking a big game about securing our border, but he does not walk the walk. 'Or as my friend Quavo would say, he's not walking it like he talks it,' she quickly added, in reference to the rapper's 2018 Migos hit, 'Walk It, Talk It.' To bolster her point, Harris pointed to the prospective pressure Trump put on his Republican allies within the Senate this past January, when he reportedly told them to kill any border legislation that wasnt 'perfect.' Megan Thee Stallion is seen here performing at the Kamala Harris Campaign Rally on Tuesday in Atlanta Her comments appeared to come in reference to a recent ad being run by Trump's team, which focuses on Harris's questionable record when it comes immigration. She also referenced how Trump has called her 'crazy' and a 'bum' - criticisms she said would be better made face-to-face. 'I do hope you'll reconsider to [meeting] me on the debate stage, because as the saying goes, if youve got something to say, say it to my face,' Harris, 59, said shortly after taking the podium. She went on to express her desire to win come November and unite the country in the process, while framing her conservative rival as a phony who 'does not care.' 'He only cares about himself,' she further claimed, vowing to revive the bipartisan border bill if elected. The top political leader of Hamas was assassinated overnight in what is believed to have been an Israeli attack in Iran that left the Palestinian terror group vowing to take revenge and could trigger yet more chaos in the Middle East. Ismail Haniyeh, who had escaped the horrors of the war in Gaza while residing in Qatar, travelled to Iran to attend the inauguration of new Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian yesterday. But Israel appeared to seize the chance to hit Haniyeh, attacking his residence in Tehran in the early hours of the morning and killing the Hamas leader along with a security guard. The assassination, confirmed by both Hamas and Iranian authorities, marks the most high-profile killing since October 7 and could prove to be a tipping point in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group. It has also sparked concerns that Hamas' regional allies could seek to hit back against Israel, spreading yet more violence in the region. Most explosively, the strike in Tehran could push Iran and Israel into direct conflict if Iran retaliates. The National Security Council in Iran said today that 'the elimination of Haniyeh crossed the red lines, Israel will bear a great price', as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared it was Iran's 'duty to avenge' Haniyeh because 'he was martyred on our soil'. The assassination of Hamas' chief at an Iranian Revolutionary Guards residence in the capital city constitutes a humiliating blow for the Islamic Republic and will likely precipitate a harsh retaliation. Iran previously sent a barrage of missiles and drones to attack Israel earlier this year after after an Israeli strike in April on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Meanwhile, international observers have sounded the alarm that Hamas could pull out of months of negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza as the Palestinian death toll nears 40,000. Hours from death: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meets with Ismail Haniyeh (L) before Israel's lethal strike on the Hamas leader in Tehran, Iran July 30, 2024 The top political leader of Hamas was assassinated yesterday in a stunning Israeli strike in Iran Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh arrives at the Iranian parliament to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected President Masoud Pezeshkian, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, July 30, 2024 Israel's Defence Forces seized the chance to hit Haniyeh and conducted a daring missile strike on his residence in Tehran just hours after the event, killing the Hamas leader and a security guard 'Brother leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, died in a Zionist strike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) president,' Hamas said in a statement. Hamas political bureau member Musa Abu Marzuk vowed: 'The assassination of leader Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act and will not go unanswered.' Sami Abu Zuhri, another Hamas official, added: 'We are engaged in an open war to liberate Jerusalem and we are ready to pay various prices.' Haniyeh was widely considered Hamas's political chief and has been a prominent member of the movement since 1980. He also briefly served as Palestinian prime minister after being appointed in 2006 but was dismissed a year later after Hamas ousted rival Fatah Party. Haniyeh was elected head of Hamas's political bureau in 2017 and the US Department of State designated him a terrorist in 2018. He left the Gaza Strip to seek refuge in Qatar in 2019 and has presided over the political machinations of the group from afar ever since. He was said to maintain good relations with the heads of the various Palestinian factions - including rivals to Hamas - to consolidate Hamas' power base in Gaza, and was very much the international face of the group, travelling from Doha to Tehran and Ankara to maintain strong ties with regional allies. His death represents a major blow to Hamas, though the method by which Israel is said to have killed him is not yet clear. Haniyeh's son, Abdul Salam Ismail Haniyeh, said his father had 'achieved what he wished for'. 'We are in a state of continuous revolution and struggle against the occupation. The resistance will not end with the assassination of the leadership, and Hamas will continue to resist until liberation.' A spokesperson for Yemen's Houthi rebel group said: 'Targeting him is a heinous terrorist crime and a flagrant violation of laws and ideal values,' prompting fears that the group will launch renewed missile and drone attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The assassination on Haniyeh in Tehran came hours after Israel also targeted a senior Hezbollah official in Beirut Smoke rises following an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon July 30, 2024, hours before the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran Palestinian group Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh attends Iran's new President, Masoud Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tehran Israel has not commented on the strike in Tehran, other than to say it 'doesn't respond to reports in the foreign media'. But international observers are concerned Haniyeh's assassination will only serve to ratchet up tension in the region and ruin months of progress in peace talks to end the war in Gaza. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Haniyeh's killing, calling it a 'cowardly act and dangerous development', while Russia denounced the strike as an 'unacceptable political assassination'. And nations maintaining positive relations with Hamas were quick to condemn the strike and warn of further conflict. 'This will only lead to a further escalation of tensions,' Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency, while Konstantin Kosachev, the vice-president of Russia's upper house Federation Council, said he expected a 'sudden escalation of mutual hatred in the Near East'. 'The most difficult period of confrontations is beginning in the region,' he wrote on Telegram. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labelled Haniyeh's killing a 'treacherous' act, and wrote: 'This assassination aims to undermine the noble resistance of Gaza and the righteous struggle of Palestinians. 'Turkiye will continue trying every route, pushing every door and supporting Palestinians with all our means.' Turkey's foreign ministry added: 'We condemn the assassination of the leader of Hamas's political office, Ismail Haniyeh, in a shameful assassination in Tehran... this attack also aims to spread the Gaza war to a regional dimension.' Hours before the strike on Haniyeh, Israel carried out a rare attack in the Lebanese capital Beirut that it said killed a top Hezbollah commander who was allegedly behind a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Hezbollah said Wednesday that it was still searching for the body of Fouad Shukur in the rubble of the building that was struck. Shukur was seen as a 'senior adviser' to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who played 'a central role' in the deadly 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut. The U.S. and other nations had already been scrambling to prevent the Golan Heights strike from spiraling into an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah when word came of the dramatic assassination of Hamas' top political leader Haniyeh in Tehran. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington would work to try to ease tensions but said the US would help defend Israel if it were attacked. Palestinian Islamic Jihad chief Ziad al-Nakhala and Palestinian group Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh attend Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tehran, Iran, July 30, 2024. A man watches the news on a tv after Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting his residence in the Iranian capital Tehran, Iran on July 31, 2024 Israel had vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the group's Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage. Mossad chief David Barnea in January said Israel was 'committed to settling the score with the murderers who descended upon the Gaza envelope'. But Haniyeh had vowed to fight Israel to the end, with a Hamas statement quoting him as saying that the Palestinian cause has 'costs' and 'we are ready for these costs: martyrdom for the sake of Palestine, and for the sake of God Almighty, and for the sake of the dignity of this nation.' At least ten members of Haniyeh's family, including his sister, were killed in an Israeli airstrike earlier this year. The strike hit the Haniyeh family home in Al-Shati refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, last month. Pictures show how the building was reduced to rubble, with rescuers working at the scene. The victims were extracted and taken to the local hospital, where white body bags were laid out on the ground and distraught mourners seen gathering. That attack came just weeks after Haniyeh lost three sons and four grandchildren in an Israeli airstrike on their car nearby. Before their deaths, Haniyeh was believed to have had 13 sons and daughters. The Qatar-based Hamas leader said at the time said that about 60 members of his family had been killed since the war with Israel broke out on October 7. Haniyeh, center, flashes a victory after the conclusion of the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday - hours before he was killed A man stands in the rubble of the house of the sister of Ismail Haniyeh after it was razed by Israeli bombardment Bodies of ten people, including the sister of Haniyeh, are brought to al-Ahli Baptist Hospital after the Israeli attack on the Al-Shati refugee camp Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement on Haniyeh's death: 'This assassination by the Israeli occupation of Brother Haniyeh is a grave escalation that aims to break the will of Hamas and the will of our people and achieve fake goals. We confirm that this escalation will fail to achieve its objectives. 'Hamas is a concept and an institution and not persons. 'Hamas will continue on this path regardless of the sacrifices and we are confident of victory.' Since the October 7 attack, more than 39,360 Palestinians have been killed and more than 90,900 wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The apparent assassination comes at a precarious time, as the Biden administration has tried to push Hamas and Israel to agree to at least a temporary cease-fire and hostage-release deal. It also comes after US forces carried out a strike in Iraq on Tuesday in self defence, after tensions rose when an Israeli airstrike in Beirut killed Hezbollah's most senior commander. The strike in Iraq hit a base south of Baghdad used by Iran's Popular Mobilization Forces and killed four members of the group, wounding four others. U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, said the United States carried out an airstrike in Musayib, located in Babil province, but did not provide more details. Tuesday's action was the first known US strike in Iraq since February, when the U.S. military launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria. Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau, had been in the capital city as Masoud Pezeshkian was sworn in as President of the nation File image of festivalgoers fleeing as Hamas gunmen storm the Nova music festival on October 7 last year. People fled in their cars and on foot. Many were killed The destroyed top floors of an eight storey building in Beirut hit by an Israeli strike that targeted a top Hezbollah commander Portraits of the children and youngsters who were killed two days ago, hang on the football stadium fence where a rocket landed, in the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights Israel also authored a strike on Beirut in Lebanon yesterday in direct retaliation for rocket fire from Hezbollah that killed 12 children over the weekend. Lebanon's health ministry said Wednesday that three people, including two children, had been killed in the strike, which also left 74 injured, updating an earlier toll. Minutes after the explosions rocked Beirut, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant posted on social media site X that 'Hezbollah crossed the red line'. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned what he called 'blatant Israeli aggression'. Boar's Head has recalled another seven million pounds of deli meats due to a listeria outbreak linked to two deaths and nearly three dozen illnesses across 13 states. The popular deli meat company has expanded its recall to include millions of pounds of ready-to-eat products manufactured at its Virginia facility. The move comes as health officials investigate a deadly listeria outbreak linked to the company's products. The latest recall includes 71 Boar's Head and Old Country brand products manufactured between May 10 and July 29. This expansion comes after an earlier recall of over 200,000 pounds of sliced deli poultry and meat. The recalled items include both pre-packaged products sold in stores and bulk meat intended for deli slicing, including liverwurst, ham, beef salami, bologna and other products made at the firm's Jarratt, Virginia, plant. Boar's Head has recalled another 7 million pounds of deli meats due to a listeria outbreak linked to two deaths and nearly three dozen illnesses across 13 states. The move comes as health officials investigate a deadly listeria outbreak linked to the company's products They're also linked to an ongoing listeria outbreak that has resulted in two deaths and sickened nearly three dozen people across 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak, which began in late May and continued through mid-July, has hospitalized almost all those affected. The investigation began when a liverwurst sample collected in Maryland tested positive for listeria. Subsequent testing confirmed that the bacteria matched the strain responsible for the ongoing outbreak. 'Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to immediately and voluntarily expand our recall to include all items produced at the Jarratt facility,' Boar's Head said on its website. It has also halted production of ready-to-eat foods at the plant. The recalled meat was distributed domestically and internationally to stores in the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama. Consumers should not consume any recalled products and are advised to discard them or return them to the point of purchase for a refund, according to company officials. This expansion comes after an earlier recall of over 200,000 pounds of sliced deli poultry and meat. To prevent cross-contamination, health officials recommend thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing refrigerators. Listeria infection is a serious illness that affects about 1,600 people annually, with approximately 260 fatalities, according to the CDC. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and potentially more severe complications like stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. These symptoms can appear within days or up to ten weeks after consuming contaminated food. Pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable. EXCLUSIVE A serial rapist caught viewing extreme pornography in breach of the terms of his release has complained his latest 18-month jail sentence is too much punishment. Wayne Wilmot was involved in abducting, raping, and murdering bank teller Janine Balding in September 1988 and has spent most of his adult life behind bars. The 51-year-old was released from prison last month and subjected to an interim supervision order with conditions including restricted use of the internet. There was public outrage when it was revealed Wilmot would receive taxpayer-funded support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) when he got out of jail. That support included a total of 24 hours' assistance each week to improve his 'daily life' as well as 'social, economic and community participation'. Two weeks after he walked free Wilmot was charged with searching for and viewing explicit child abuse material, in breach of his interim supervision order. On Tuesday, Wilmot appeared via audio-visual link in Waverley Local Court where he pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the order and was sentenced. The court was told Wilmot breached the condition restricting his internet use by searching for violent pornography, including 'extreme' material involving underage women. A serial sex offender caught viewing extreme pornography, breaching the terms of his release, says his latest 18-month prison sentence is too long. Wayne Wilmot is pictured after his arrest over the September 1988 rape and murder of Janine Balding According to documents tendered in court, Wilmot searched for group sex material involving 16 men and one woman and repeatedly requested violent and extreme pornography involving minors. His lawyer Dev Bhutani asked magistrate Jacqueline Milledge to consider imposing a sentence in the vicinity of six months but she jailed him for a fixed 18-month term. 'Since the age of 15, he's been in custody almost continuously,' Mr Bhutani had said. Ms Milledge: '[From] what I've read about his history, that's where he belongs'. Later that day, Wilmot lodged an appeal against the severity of the sentence which will be heard in the District Court. Mr Bhutani had argued a 'short sharp term of imprisonment' would deter his client from breaching the supervision order again. Ms Milledge noted Wilmot had sought to access 'significantly hardcore porn sites... involving gang sexual activity' by searching terms such as 'very very extreme hard f*** porn videos'. 'This is very very concerning,' she said. 'It's not like he's just gone onto a dating site or anything like that.' Wayne Wilmot was 15 when he and a group of four others aged 14, 15, 16 and 22 travelled to Sutherland train station in Sydney's south and abducted Janine Balding (above) at knifepoint Police prosecutor Nicole McMahon said the breach was 'extremely serious' given the violent nature of the material and Wilmot's history of 'extreme violence and sexual offending'. She noted he had not shown any remorse for his actions and argued the 'real and extreme high risk' of Wilmot reoffending 'could not be mitigated at all by any alternative'. Sergeant McMahon pushed for the serial rapist to be jailed for two years over the breach. 'The longer Mr Wilmot is detained the longer the community at large will be protected,' she McMahon said. 'It would be the ultimate deterrent.' Ms Milledge agreed Wilmot's lengthy criminal record was 'quite concerning, if not frightening'. Earlier this year, Supreme Court Justice Helen Wilson described Wilmot as having a 'disturbing history of sexual offending which he continues to deny or minimise'. Wayne Wilmot, 51, has been charged with breaching his supervision order by viewing pornographic material Wilmot was 15 when he and a group of four others aged 14, 15, 16 and 22 travelled to Sutherland train station in Sydney's south and abducted Ms Balding at knifepoint. The 20-year-old was forced into a car driven by Wilmot and raped in the back seat before being driven to an isolated area of Sydney's west, where she was again sexually assaulted. Wilmot and the other 15-year-old - an intellectually disabled girl - did not actively participate when Ms Balding was dragged to a dam and drowned. Justice Peter Newman, who sentenced the group, accepted Wilmot 'knew nothing of their decision to kill her afterwards' and was not involved in the murder. He determined Wilmot had not raped Ms Balding but was guilty due to his involvement in the joint criminal enterprise. Wilmot was jailed for nine years and four months over a raft of offences, including sexual intercourse without consent, detain with intent to gain advantage, and robbery in company. He was released on parole in October 1996 but subsequently committed violent and sexual assaults against women. Wilmot is set to appear in the Downing Centre District Court on September 18. The daughter of a man shot dead by his estranged wife celebrated the news that her former step-mom was found guilty of manslaughter on Tuesday. Ashley Benefield was handed the verdict following seven hours of jury deliberations in Florida on Tuesday, Fox 13 reports. The 32-year-old former dancer, whose case was known as the 'Black Swan murder trial', had been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting of her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, 59, in September 2020. But the jury ruled that she was acting in self-defense when she fired the weapon at her mother's home in Lakewood Ranch - contradicting the prosecution's assertion that the shooting was premeditated. Still, Eva Benefield, Doug's 23-year-old daughter from a previous marriage, seemed elated by the verdict. A jury found Ashley Benefield guilty of manslaughter on Tuesday 'After four years of waiting, my dad got the justice he deserves,' she said in a TikTok video following the verdict. She added that she will has a lot more things to say about the weeks-long trial once she gathers her thoughts. As the verdict was read in court on Tuesday, Ashley showed no emotion before she was taken away. The judge overseeing her case revoked her $100,000 bond and remanded her to the custody of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. She now faces a 15 year maximum prison sentence in Florida - but would have faced 25 years to life behind bars if she had been convicted of second-degree manslaughter. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Eva previously testified that her father and Ashley 'were just with each other all the time' in the early days of their relationship. 'They were lovey dovey, PDA all the time. They never left each other's side,' she said. The two had met at Ben Carson's home in Palm Beach, Florida in August 2016. She had been campaigning for then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. They were married just 13 days later. Eva Benefield, Doug's daughter from a previous marriage, seemed elated by the news in a TikTok video following the verdict Within just one year of marriage, Doug, a retired Naval flight officer, helped Ashley achieve her dream of starting a ballet company, using his own money and contacts. He acted as the CEO of the company, while Ashley took on the role as executive director. But, shortly after the companys founding, it was sued by dancers and choreographers who alleged their contracts were breached when they were fired just weeks after their hiring. Doug also reversed his vasectomy, and Ashley became pregnant three months later. That is when everything changed, Assistant State Attorney Suzanne O'Donnell argued in court. She said Ashley moved from their home in South Carolina to Bradenton to live with her mother as she started to experience morning sickness, and from that point on, she never lived with Doug again. 'They continued a long-distance relationship when she first moved to Florida and continued trying to keep together and communication, but about the same time as the ballet [company] collapses, Ashley Benefield starts complaining against the victim,' O'Donnell told jurors. She began accusing Doug of poisoning her and of non-physical domestic violence. But detectives from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office conducted a five-week investigation and were unable to find any evidence to support her claims of abuse. Ashley shot and killed Doug Benefield (pictured) at her home in Bradenton, Florida on September 27, 2020 The two met at a political event in 2016 and were married just 13 days later Prosecutors tried to paint the picture that Ashley killed Doug in a last-ditch effort to gain custody of their daughter, who was 2 years old at the time of the shooting. 'This is a case about a woman who, early on in her pregnancy, decided she wanted to be a single mother,' O'Donnell argued in her opening statement. 'She did not want the father of this child to have any visitation. 'This is a long story, this was a custody battle this mother would win at all costs, and the cost was the life of Doug Benefield.' But defense attorneys argued that Doug was abusive to Ashley. Neil Taylor told the jury that he once fired a handgun into a kitchen ceiling in an attempt to get Ashley to stop talking, threw a loaded gun at her, punched their dog in the face - knocking it unconscious, and regularly carried a concealed firearm that was 'ready to fire.' He also claimed that after Ashley and Doug were separated, he illegally tracked her, often following without her consent and even driving from out of state to keep tabs on her. At least once, Doug allegedly stood in a neighbor's backyard in the middle of the night to get a glimpse of her. Benefield's attorneys argued in court that she was the victim of domestic violence The couple had even obtained a court order in South Carolina that barred them from contacting each other in 2017. After Doug appeared to have violated the order, Taylor said, Ashley sought a domestic violence injunction in Florida that would have barred him from seeing their daughter. The injunction, though, was denied when a judge said she did not find Ashley's abuse claims credible. Then on the night of the shooting, defense attorneys argued that Doug showed up to Ashley's mother's house in Florida unannounced. They claimed in court documents that he arrived 'happy, hyper and animated,' but eventually became 'agitated, sullen and intimidating.' After verbally insulting his wife, the defense claimed, Doug rammed her with a moving box, leaving abrasions. 'Doug Benefield knew full well on that day that this relationship was over,' Taylor argued in court. He went on to claim that Doug was manipulative and 'viewed Ashley Benefield as his property.' 'Despite promoting himself as a religious, honorable and decent human being, Benefield was a manipulative, cunning and abusive man who insisted, absolutely insisted on control,' Taylor added. Her neighbor Josh Sant recounted how she ran to his house following the shooting, claiming Doug had been abusive Following the shooting, Ashley ran to her neighbor's home in Bradenton. 'I heard a very loud pounding on my door,' neighbor Josh Sant testified last week, as Ashley faces murder charges for the veteran's death, according to Fox 13. 'It kind of startled me.' He said he opened the door to find Ashley, who told him that her husband attacked her and she shot him. Sant then called 911, telling officers, 'She just came over, her estranged husband attacked her and she said she shot him,' according to an audio recording played in court. Throughout the phone call, jurors were able to hear Sant trying to calm Benefield down, WFLA reported. As the audio was played in court, Ashley was seen crying. The younger brother of notorious gang rapists Bilal and Mohammed Skaf had a 'flick of the switch' while behind bars for four months on remand, a court has been told. Hadi Skaf, 25, was found guilty at Sydney's Burwood Local Court earlier this year of driving a stolen vehicle and using a tracking device to find an object without consent. Skaf was arrested in 2022 outside the WM Hotel in Bankstown after driving to the scene in what the court heard earlier this year was a stolen Audi Q7 SUV. On Wednesday, the court was told magistrate Glenn Bartley found Skaf had met with a group of men 'for the purpose of some sort of criminal activity against the victim'. 'The precise activity is unknown. They were acting in concert towards the goal of some sort of criminal activity,' police prosecutor Hazel Pais told the court. Ms Pais said Skaf had been the driver of the car and that the tracking device had been used to monitor the victim, known as AA, for five days up until his arrest. In submissions, Ms Pais said Skaf failed to show evidence of claimed mental health concerns or remorse, having earlier stated he did not know the car was stolen. Those assertions were disputed by Skaf's defence barrister Oussama Elfawal, who told the court a sentencing assessment report was unclear about his remorse. Hadi Skaf (pictured), the younger brother of notorious gang rapists Bilal and Mohammed Skaf, had a 'flick of the switch' while behind bars for four months on remand, a court has been told 'Your honour has available to you to suggest Mr Skaf has taken a positive turn in his life. There are no further offences and he has been attending TAFE,' Mr Elfawal said. 'My ultimate submission is the court cannot be satisfied one way or another (from the sentencing report) that he did or did not take accountability for his actions. 'The reality is this young man, before these charges, never served a term of full-time custody. When he did, there was a flick of a switch and there were no further offences'. In sentencing, Mr Bartley said he rejected there had been a 'flick of a switch' in Skaf while in prison and that 'the tenure of the offender is excuse making'. 'He (Skaf) claimed to be helping a friend out and that he didn't expect what it was - that is not credible. That is consistent with earlier cases,' Mr Bartley said. Mohammed Skaf (pictured) is one of Australia's most infamous convicted rapists Skaf was resentenced and convicted of previous charges dating back to 2020 of driving with an illicit drug and a single charge of supplying a prohibited drug. For those matters, he received a 12-month conditional release order and intensive corrections order respectively, as well as a six-month ban from driving. For the most recent charges, Mr Bartley ordered Skaf serve two concurrent conditional release orders and that he comply with drug abuse and mental health therapy. Skaf had no involvement in his older brothers' crimes. A young woman has been charged with 25 counts of child cruelty, actual bodily harm and attempted GBH at an expensive Montessori nursery. Roksana Lecka, from Hounslow, was remanded in custody after police investigated concerns about the welfare of children at Twickenham Green Montessori in London. She was charged on Wednesday with 12 counts of child cruelty, 12 counts of actual bodily harm and one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. The 21-year-old appeared at Wimbledon magistrates' court on July 25 after the 'serious allegations' emerged. It is unclear how many victims were involved. The prestigious nursery follows the Montessori method of teaching, involving children's 'natural interests and activities' instead of formal practices. It belongs to the Riverside Nursery Schools group, which says in the prospectus: 'All children in our care are exposed to a carefully considered atmosphere defined by positivity and kindness.' Roksana Lecka, from Hounslow, was remanded in custody after police investigated concerns about the welfare of children at Twickenham Green Montessori in London (pictured) Since the investigation, the nursery - which boasts of a family atmosphere - has closed and suspended registration, temporarily placing children in nearby nurseries. It cares for 69 children aged four and under, with fees ranging from 589 to 1,893 and it was rated 'good' by Ofsted when it was inspected in March 2022. The Metropolitan Police said their Child Abuse Investigation Team launched an urgent probe after it was alerted on July 2. Detective Superintendent Ian Cameron, from the South West area's Public Protection team, told The Independent: 'I understand the concern that this has caused in the community, especially for parents with young children in nursery. 'These are very serious allegations, which is why we swiftly launched a thorough investigation.' He said enquiries are ongoing as the police work with the nursery, council and Ofsted. A spokesperson for Twickenham Green Nursery said Lecka was suspended as soon as they were made aware of the allegations. 'We have been communicating with the parents of children at our nursery to keep them informed of developments. The safety and welfare of all our children remains our number one priority,' they added. Twickenham Green Nursery is one of five nurseries in south-west London under the umbrella of Riverside Nursery Schools - which are all based near the river in Richmond - but it is believed Lecka only worked at the one. Twickenham Green Nursery is one of five nurseries in south-west London under the umbrella of Riverside Nursery Schools - which are all based near the river in Richmond (above) Director of Little Dukes Rik McShane, told parents the nursery would 'continue to do all we can to assist the police investigation'. He told them: 'Thank you, as ever, for working with us through this difficult time,' The Telegraph reported. Riverside Nursery Schools' website says it has 'created a bespoke curriculum that draws inspiration from a range of established and time-proven pedagogies including Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Forest School'. It says the education focuses on children developing the 'Riverside Nursery Dispositions' of resilience, imagination, veracity, empathy, and responsibility. 'With a bespoke and individualised education, delivered with nurturing, loving care, we prove the best start for your child.' Following the Montessori method, this means the nursery values hands-on learning and developing real-world skills. Princess Diana was an assistant in a Montessori school before she married Prince Charles, and Prince William and Kate also chose a Montessori education in Norfolk for Prince George. Activities at Riverside nurseries include 'ancient art of making grape juice', where children squish grapes with their feet, and learning karate. Lecka is due to appear at Kingston Crown Court on Aug 21. Prisoners who are close to being released are being allowed to host dinner parties in an experiment that has lasted years but only just been exposed. Four 'lifers' are living in a 'hostel' where they reportedly cook for governors with meal kits from Hello Fresh and Gusto - a claim the Ministry of Justice has denied. It is supposed to be a 'stepping stone' for convicts serving life or IPP sentences who are deemed as posing a significant risk of serious harm to the public. The prisoners, who go shopping at the jail store. have 24-hour access to a kitchen and shower and have rooms with a wardrobe and mattress, must behave well or face being returned to the normal wing of the unnamed Category C prison in England. The experiment was launched when the previous government tightened rules stopping most 'lifers' from finishing their sentences in open prisons over fears they could escape. Prisoners who are close to being released are being allowed to host dinner parties in an experiment that has lasted years but only just been exposed. Pictured: Belmarsh prison (File image) Four 'lifers' are living in a 'hostel' where they reportedly cook for governors with meal kits from Hello Fresh and Gusto - a claim the Ministry of Justice has denied. Pictured: HMP Berwyn (File image) The move was exposed at the annual conference of the British Psychological Society's Division of Forensic Psychology in Cardiff, Wales. Prison and probation psychologist Katy Burgess is evaluating the experiment. One of the prisoners told Ms Burgess it was 'a bit weird, because you're in prison, so you know you should not be walking around the prison, really, at lunchtime,' prison outlet Inside Time reported. Another convict said: 'Not having to be escorted or unlocked it just makes you feel a bit more normal, human, less controlled.' Ms Burgess added: 'Some staff thought it was a little bit of a step too far in a closed prison, and didn't quite understand the benefit it may bring.' A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'This small pilot aims to cut reoffending by better preparing certain prisoners for their eventual resettlement in the community. 'It's completely wrong to suggest offenders in the unit can access external food services.' Gusto declined to comment. MailOnline has contacted HelloFresh for comment. Paul O'Grady's widower has won a bitter battle with neighbours over his bid to turn part of the beloved TV star's 3 million Kent estate into a holiday let, MailOnline can reveal. Former professional dancer Andre Portasio - who inherited the property when his husband died last March aged 67 - sparked objections from locals over the plans. They involved the former ballet dancer's plans for the conversion of an existing groundkeeper's house on the grounds into a cottage to be rented to tourists. Some neighbours had accused Mr Portasio of effectively building a new home 'by the back door' and said there was no need for more holiday lets in the area. They also cited fears of road accidents with a 'constant stream of visiting car drivers unfamiliar with the property's awkward access' - and some even suggested that O'Grady himself would not have approved. But it has now emerged that other neighbours had written in support of the proposal. Former professional dancer Andre Portasio (right) - who inherited the property when his husband Paul O'Grady (left) died last March aged 67 - sparked objections from locals over the plans The plans centre on turning the existing security hut (pictured) into a holiday let for tourists Portasio applied for a 'change of use' of the lodge which has an office, kitchen and shower, and lies next to the family pet cemetery And officials at the local council have now given the scheme the green light. Planning officer Sally Hodgson said: 'Central government guidance supports sustainable business, enterprise and tourism in rural areas, both through the conversion of existing buildings and well-designed new buildings. 'This is endorsed by the Local Plan which seeks to encourage the sustainable growth of tourism.' O'Grady had initially been given the go-ahead four years ago for a groundskeeper's outbuilding, gym and dance studio at his rural estate, which already boasts an outdoor swimming pool, orchard of fruit trees and a summerhouse. But following his death last year, his Brazilian ballet dancer husband tried to turn that outbuilding into a separate two-bedroom house after the estate near Ashford was bequeathed to him. Portasio applied for a 'change of use' of the lodge which has an office, kitchen and shower, and lies next to the family pet cemetery. He was refused planning permission but then applied to turn it into a holiday let, sparking further objections from neighbours. In a letter to the council, Sheila Garrard wrote: 'If this proposal is permitted, it would signal that persistence can pay off for inappropriate developments in the countryside. Some neighbours had accused Mr Portasio of effectively building a new home and even suggested Paul would not have approved Pictured: An aerial view of Mr O'Grady's country home and grounds in rural Aldington in Kent 'It would demonstrate that the tactic of building a non-residential property with the intention of subsequently converting it for residential use can be successful. 'The applicant does not state why the groundkeeper's outbuilding is now redundant. The grounds are as big as ever, and I imagine that groundsmen are still employed to maintain them. 'If they needed an outbuilding before it has not been made clear why they don't still do so.' Mrs Garrard said she had searched on Airbnb for one-bedroom accommodation in the area during the peak holiday season in August and found availability at six locations within five miles. 'This leads me to fear that, were this application to be permitted, we would in the future be seeing a further change of use request to (permanent) residential on the grounds that the holiday let was not commercially viable.' Another neighbour, Peter Ashenden added: 'The applicant has explained to me that he intends to sell the whole house property but to segregate and retain the proposed new dwelling for his own future use. 'Obviously, if this were to happen, the proposed dwelling would no longer be ancillary to the main house. 'This new application now for a holiday let... would suggest itself to be a further attempt to eventually establish a separate dwelling. Furious villagers had vowed to fight plans for a holiday let at Paul O'Grady's former 3 million home (Pictured) The main house on the site has six bedrooms, a swimming pool and 52 acres, as well as a further four acres of woodland 'A holiday let would introduce a constant stream of visiting car drivers unfamiliar with the property's awkward access. 'There are many near misses at this point and it is certainly not a good place for unwary pedestrians, or for cars nosing out at the wrong moment.' Officials at Ashford Council gave the go-ahead for the holiday let despite objections from neighbours and the local parish council. In her ruling, planning officer Sally Hodgson added: 'The use of the building as a holiday let can be carried out without any major external changes to the building other than changes to fenestration to infill the overhang to create some amount of glazing. 'The nature and use of the site as a whole will not significantly change as a result of the proposal and, as such, the building continues to maintain its appearance as a modest outbuilding within the curtilage of the host dwelling. 'Due to the close proximity of the building to the main dwelling, this is an appropriate location for a holiday let. 'With the above in mind, it is therefore considered that the principle of the proposed holiday let accommodation is acceptable.' O'Grady had been born and grew up on the Wirral in Merseyside but had always wanted to live in the countryside and splashed out on the Kent estate after finding TV success in the early 2000s. He began dating Mr Portasio in 2006 and they married 11 years later, living at the farm together. As well as his five dogs., named Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie and Sausage, he also used the small holding to house a menagerie of other animals including goats, sheep, ducks chickens, owls and alpacas. Soon after Paul's death last year Dame Barbara Windsor's widower Scott told a story about a stay with O'Grady on the Aldington farm. He said he had heard a clip clop sound which he at first thought could be Barbara's heels on the kitchen tiles. Instead, he said: 'A little lamb walked in, he was rearing a little lamb Paul had it in the house, feeding it with a baby's bottle, and I just remember sitting there thinking this is just amazing.' A grieving family have been left infuriated after vandals ripped apart a young mother's headstone. Sariah Rose's family went to her grave site at Gungahlin Cemetery in Canberra's north on what would have been her 32nd birthday on Monday. Ms Rose, whose headstone was decorated with a large pink quartz in her memory, died from cancer in 2020 aged just 27. Her family arrived at the gravesite to find the precious gemstone missing and the granite burial plaque pulled off its base. Police believe the site was vandalised sometime between Sunday and Monday afternoon with a number of incidents being reported around the same time. Another grave marker with two gold plated hands was stolen from a grave site about the same time while a woman reported her phone had been stolen. Police were also told that a man had been seen attempting to break into a car nearby before fleeing the scene with two other men in a white 4WD. The incident has left Ms Rose's family 'shattered' and sparked an uproar on social media with many calling for the vandal to return the stone. The family of a mother who died from cancer, Sariah Rose, 28, have been left infuriated by a vandal who destroyed her grave marker on what would have been her 32nd birthday (pictured) Ms Rose died from cancer in 2020 aged just 27 Ms Rose's family have also expressed their fury after her young son and his dad saw the damage on Monday. 'It's pretty shocking and unbelievable that somebody would do this, and on her birthday,' a relative wrote. 'Whoever you areyou've done a horrible thing and rebroken many hearts. 'How do we replace this? When it was borne and created through so much pain and heartache.' One of Ms Rose's friends took to Facebook to say the site had been 'damaged and desecrated' after they visited it the day prior to clean it up for the family. 'You are a heartless, shameless and worthless person,' the friend said. The vandal took off with a large quartz (pictured) which had been left on the headstone to remember the mother 'You have shattered the hearts of a family who will never stop grieving the worst of this, Sariah's little boy is completely devastated. 'He went there this morning to see his mother only to find the act you had committed. 'This needs to come back. This needs to be undone.' The missing quartz stone is described as being 30cm-35cm tall with a circumference of 40cm. ACT Police have launched a manhunt to track three men seen at the cemetery on Monday and and have appealed for any information regarding other incidents that day. Anyone with information has been urged to contact police. Former BBC star Huw Edwards has arrived at court to face his child pornography charges. Edwards, 62, has been accused of three counts of making indecent images of children. The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2020 and 2022 and relate to 37 images shared in a WhatsApp chat. The ex-News at Ten presenter was charged in June, but the details were only revealed on Monday. If convicted, he could face a maximum jail term of 10 years. Edwards - who helmed royal and political events at the BBC before resigning in April - was bailed and has now appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Dressed in a navy-blue suit and wearing black sunglasses, Edwards arrived outside of court flanked by eight police officers. With a blank expression on his face, the former BBC star refused to answer any questions as he made his way through the media melee. Huw Edwards has arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning. He faces three counts of making indecent images of children Edwards arrived at the central London court surrounded by police officers today The former BBC News star wore a dark blue suit, tie and black shades as he walked into court The 62-year-old star faced a media scrum as he walked into the court building this morning If convicted, the famed former newsreader could face up to 10 years in prison (he is pictured entering court today surrounded by a police escort) Former BBC host Huw Edwards has been charged with making indecent images of children. Friends said they had no idea he had even been arrested There were frenzied scenes as the former news anchor was led into court, with protesters shouting as he made his way through the media scrum into the building. Journalists outside the court were seen sprinting across the road as Edwards arrived. Photographers were knocked to the ground as they scrambled to get to the broadcaster, with one snapper's camera smashed to pieces in the melee. According to the charge sheet, Edwards is accused of having six category A images - the most serious child pornography images - 12 category B pictures and 19 category C photographs on WhatsApp. The offences are contrary to sections 1(1)(a) and 6 of the Protection of Children Act 1978, and if convicted he could face a maximum of up to 10 years in prison. Category A involves images involving penetrative sexual activity, sexual activity with an animal or sadism; Category B covers images which show non-penetrative sexual activity; while Category C is for indecent images not within categories B or C. The bombshell news of the veteran broadcaster's child porn charges are said to have rocked Edwards' former colleagues. And it prompted questions about why it took prosecutors so long to reveal the charges Edwards is now facing. One former colleague and friend told MailOnline: 'Huw kept his arrest completely secret'. Edwards was not charged by the Met Police with any crime when the scandal first broke in July 2023. But he was suspended from his job at the BBC. He remained absent from screens until his exit in April 2024. Edwards was swarmed by press and photographers in central London ahead of his first court appearance this morning Edwards faced a media frenzy as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court today The presenter did not appear to say anything to the media as he was led into the court by police Edwards wore dark sunglasses on his way into the court building this morning Edwards had a blank expression on his face as he made his way through the media melee News of Edwards' child porn charges were revealed on Monday. He was charged with the offences in June. He is pictured arriving at court today There were frenzied scenes outside the court house as Edwards was led into the building, surrounded by eight police officers But the news anchor remained on the payroll while suspended, which is normal BBC policy, and was suffering from serious mental health issues and received in-patient hospital care. However, friends say they had no idea about the alleged offences Edwards was facing, with one telling MailOnline Edwards' arrest had been kept a 'secret'. 'It turns out he was arrested four months later and nobody knew. I had no idea until he was charged', the friend from the BBC said. Another former colleague of the star said: 'It's a mess - and tragic for all concerned.' The BBC was also blindsided by the criminal charges against its former star presenter, with bosses only told of the allegations a few hours before they were made public, an insider has claimed. A senior source told The Times: 'The BBC was informed by the Met Police when a call came through [on Monday].' Edwards has since left the family home and has reportedly split with his TV producer wife, Vicky Flind (the pair are pictured together in 2018 in London) If Edwards is convicted, the former BBC star could face a maximum jail term of 10 years (he is pictured being escorted into Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning) Edwards was surrounded by photographers as he made his way into the magistrates' court The last picture of the former BBC News star captures him crossing the threshold into the court building this morning Revealing his arrest earlier this week, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'Huw Edwards, 62, of Southwark, London has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children following a Met Police investigation. 'The offences, which are alleged to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022, relate to images shared on a WhatsApp chat. 'Edwards was arrested on 8 November 2023. He was charged on Wednesday, 26 June following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service. 'He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 31 July.' Last night a former attorney general said it was 'very puzzling' that the Crown Prosecution Service did not publish the details of the charges brought against Edwards around the time he was charged. He added that the CPS's actions did not seem 'in accordance with' the principles of open justice, The Telegraph first reported. Following the allegations, Edwards moved back in with his mother in Wales. He has reportedly since split with his TV producer wife Vicky Flind, who he got engaged to in 1993. The couple share three sons and two daughters. Pictured are members of the press waiting outside Westminster Magistrates' Court today ahead of the former BBC star's arrival One female police officer appeared to shout at the crowd as Edwards made his way into the court on Wednesday Edwards had long been a fixture in the coverage of major political and royal events, announcing Queen Elizabeth II's death on the BBC and presenting coverage of her funeral. He also anchored the BBC's broadcast of the King's coronation last year. Last week the BBC confirmed Edwards was paid more than 475,000 in 2023/24 before he resigned and left. The veteran newsreader was paid between 475,000 and 479,999 for the year 2023/24 for 160 presenting days, BBC One news specials, election specials and other television programming, according to the BBC's annual report. This marked an increase from 2022/23, when he was paid between 435,000 and 439,999 for 180 days presenting on BBC One, as well as news specials. Throughout the years, Edwards presented the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (now the Prince and Princess of Wales) in 2011, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018, and the funeral of Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 2021. The BBC News At Ten presenter was also the broadcaster's voice at Trooping the Colour and the Festival of Remembrance, and took over election coverage from the long-serving David Dimbleby in 2019. A new mum was killed in a horrific freak road accident that a safety simple measure could have prevented, a coroner has found. Sarah Tonkin, from Torquay, was hit by a large steel tow hitch that was flicked off the road by a passing truck before smashing through her windscreen as she drove home from her aunt's funeral in 2019. Her Hyundai Tucson SUV veered off the Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Rd at Balliang East, west of Melbourne, before rolling on its side and slamming into a tree. Ms Tonkin, 37, died at the scene but her eight-month-old son Austin in the back seat miraculously survived. The baby escaped with only minor scratches and was discharged from hospital 24 hours later. The stray tow hitch belonged to an Isuzu truck being driven from a truck dealership in the Geelong suburb of Corio to a new owner in Sunbury, on Melbourne's north-west outskirts. Coroner Judge Audrey Jamieson found that the truck travelled 35km before the tow hitch dislodged without the driver's knowledge, the Herald Sun reported. Victoria Police's Heavy Vehicle Unit Criminal Investigation Unit examined the truck's safety inspection records as part of its investigation and found the tow hitch had not been properly secured in the towbar by the hitch pin. Sarah Tonkin (pictured left with baby Austin and husband Gregor Jeffery) was killed when a truck tow part crashed through her windscreen on a Victorian road in 2019 Judge Jamieson told the inquest that it was unclear whether the tow hitch was installed incorrectly or whether it was removed by an unknown person while the truck was parked at Winter & Taylor between November 28 and December 13, 2019. The yard where the truck was parked was accessible by members of the public and thefts had been been reported there. However, the judge said the risk of similar incidents in the future could be 'significantly reduced' if hitch pins were attached by a flexible tether such as a chain of cable so the part would remain attached to the vehicle if it fell off. She urged VicRoads and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to consider the proposal. The coroner also called for tow hitch assembly to be checked by vehicle assessors to ensure they have been installed correctly and safely. Gregor Jeffery remembered his wife Sarah Tonkin as a 'bloody legend' After coming off the road Ms Tonkin's Hyundai Tucson SUV rolled on its side and hit a tree Ms Tonkin's father Richard previously called the fatal incident a 'freak accident'. 'We've had to accept that it's happened, Sarah was in the wrong place at the wrong time by about a nanosecond and otherwise, either way it wouldn't have happened,' he said. Mr Tonkin recalled the last moments he spent with his daughter at his sister-in-law's funeral, where he waited with her to use a bathroom and change her son. 'We kissed goodbye and she said, ''Don't wait, you go to the burial'', so I walked off,' he said. 'The what-ifs and why, and all that stuff, you can ask all those questions. If she hadn't of asked the chap, and if she had gone straight to the bathroom, those vital seconds would have passed and it wouldn't have happened.' A coroner believes a simple safety measure to stop the truck part from dislodging might have prevented the tragedy Ms Tonkin's husband of five years Gregor Jeffery remembered his wife as a 'bloody legend' while coming to terms with the prospect of raising their son alone. The couple spent many years trying to conceive before Austin was born in April 2019. 'I've lost my best friend. We were good friends before we even got together, and have been best friends ever since,' Mr Jeffery told Herald Sun at the time of the tragedy. 'I used to say to her "you're a bloody legend Tonks" her nickname was Tonks and we were a good team doing different things... She's a legend and I miss her to bits.' A heroic Ryanair passenger has described acting as 'security' on a horror UK flight to Lanzarote. Stuart Wilson, 52, said he stepped in to help after a drunk 6ft 3ins man woke up and 'went bananas' on the Ryanair flight from Manchester Airport to the Spanish island on July 1. He said that the intoxicated man, who was sitting in an aisle seat next to his girlfriend, knocked her glasses off her head and repeatedly punched the baggage bins, ceiling, armrests and the seat in front of him. 'This guy was roaring, calling his girlfriend a s***, a slapper, a w***e. He kept calling her a w***e,' a shocked Mr Wilson told the Irish Independent. He added that the woman's friends, who had been drinking and vaping on the flight, gave her 'more vodka, trying to calm her down'. Stuart Wilson, 52, said he stepped in to help after a drunk 6ft 3ins man woke up and 'went bananas' on the Ryanair flight from Manchester Airport to the Spanish island on July 1 (file image of a Ryanair plane) The farmer from Dunfanaghy, a rural village in the Irish county Donegal, said that the girlfriend was 'inconsolable' and crying while the man was 'roaring abuse at her and wouldn't sit down'. 'Everyone was trying to get him to stop. There were kids on the plane and an older person. People were crying, they were so upset,' Mr Wilson told the outlet. He said he decided to step in and stood in front of the 220lb man, telling him: 'No one is getting touched on this plane.' He said that staff eventually managed to remove the man from his seat to sit him down in the back of the aircraft - but the man managed to come back. '[He] got into a conflict with one of the other men. He pushed his head into another man's head hard, so hard the other man fell over,' the Irishman said. 'I'm not security, I was a passenger on a flight,' Mr Wilson said about having to intervene, adding that he had to become 'air security' to 'try to control the situation'. The mid-flight ordeal lasted about an hour, according to Mr Wilson, who said it was unbelievable that the man was allowed to walk off the plane when it landed in Lanzarote without being arrested. But Mr Wilson said he saw two men beating the crazed passenger, who ended up with a bandaged head and alleged broken ribs. Other passengers thanked the 52-year-old for stepping in, including the man's girlfriend. Ryanair said in a statement: 'A pair of passengers on this flight from Manchester to Lanzarote (July 1) became disruptive inflight. 'Crew defused the situation and moved one of the disruptive passengers to the other end of the aircraft for the remainder of the flight, which landed in Lanzarote as scheduled without any further disruption. The mid-flight ordeal lasted about an hour, according to Mr Wilson, who said it was unbelievable that the man was allowed to walk off the plane when it landed in Lanzarote without being arrested (file image) 'We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of these passengers' unruly behaviour.' The spokesperson added: 'Ryanair is pleased to support this Irish aviation industry declaration to combat unruly passenger behaviour on aircraft. 'The safety and wellbeing of our crew and passengers is Ryanair's No.1 priority and we try to eradicate unruly behaviour onboard our aircraft. 'We will continue to work closely with An Garda Siochana, the IAA, Irish Airports and the wider aviation industry to eliminate all forms of unruly behaviour in airport terminals and onboard our aircraft.' It is understood that the crew on board did not witness passengers consuming their own alcohol or vaping on board, as outlined by Mr Wilson. A former associate of murdered Melbourne gangland boss Carl Williams has been jailed after a shocking daylight knife attack on a stranger. Sean Sonnet, 55, appeared in Frankston Magistrates Court on Wednesday, delivering an enthusiastic thumbs-up and pleading guilty after receiving a sentence indication of 15 months imprisonment. The court was told Sonnet was arrested in East Melbourne on August 31 last year, shortly after plunging a 30cm kitchen knife into the chest of a 27-year-old man and fleeing the scene. Prosecutor Eli Fryar said the former Williams associate, who was jailed alongside the figure for conspiracy to murder over a 2004 planned hit, had been staying at a unit 150m from Powlett Reserve where the attack occurred. Sonnet was approached by the victim's girlfriend shortly after 9am who asked for a cigarette, responding he didn't have any. This promoted an argument with the man, who said he didn't believe Sonnet, before saying: 'Walk on, I've dealt with bigger and better looking', Mr Fryar said. 'Yeah, come on then,' Sonnet retorted. After more words were exchanged and blows traded, Sonnet pulled out a kitchen knife and 'lunged forward', stabbing the man in the chest after he fell to the ground. Sean Sonnet (pictured) plunging a 30cm kitchen knife into the chest of a 27-year-old man He fled the scene but was arrested less than half an hour later after police spotted him on the street. His lawyer, Emma Turnbull, told the court Sonnet had been on bail at the time after robbing an Aldi at knifepoint a year earlier, and had relapsed into drug use. She said her client had been doing well, relative for him, while on bail, but had fallen back into bad habits. 'We're dealing with an institutionalised man, we're dealing with a man that's all too comfortable living in jail,' she said. Sonnet is a former associate of slain gangland boss Carl Williams (pictured) Sonnet was jailed for 15 months by Magistrate Tony Burns on charges of intentionally causing injury, resisting police, possession of prohibited weapons and drug possession. Mr Burns directed that three months of the sentence be served on top of his existing sentence for the robbery, but with time served, only nine days would be added to his non-parole period. Williams was killed by a fellow inmate while at Barwon Prison in April 2010 aged 39. The mother of Southport stabbing victim Alice Aguiar had asked for holiday dance class recommendations just two days before her 'happy, smiley' daughter was killed. Alice, nine, died in the early hours of Tuesday after a hooded knifeman entered the Taylor Swift-themed holiday club and began stabbing the children in attendance, as well as staff who tried to protect them. Relatives of Alice have now revealed her heartbroken parents are 'not speaking, only crying' after the death of their daughter alongside Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. A 17-year-old boy was arrested by police on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Police have said that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related and the suspect was born in the UK. Just two days before the horror attack on Monday, Alice's mother Alexander Aguiar posted in local Facebook groups asking for holiday clubs for nine-year-olds. She wrote: 'Looking for recommendations for holiday clubs for a nine-year-old to start between 7:30-8:00 am.' Alice, nine, died in the early hours of Tuesday after a hooded knifeman entered the Taylor Swift-themed holiday club and began stabbing the children in attendance Alice's mother posted in local Facebook groups asking for holiday club recommendations just two days before her daughter was killed At a vigil held in the the town last night, wellwishers left candles, flowers and stuffed animals As well as the three little girls killed, five other children remain in hospital in a critical condition alongside two women. Another three children were also taken to hospital, with other members of the public treated at the scene. Alder Hey Children's hospital yesterday released a statement confirming that seven children had been taken to the site for treatment. One of those was Alice, and of the others, two remain in a critical condition, a spokesperson said. Her mother's heartbreaking post was revealed hours after serious disorder and rioting in Southport last night, with police blaming activists from the far-right English Defence League, most of whom they said were not local to the area. At least 39 police officers and three police dogs were injured as they tried to restore calm after a mosque was attacked, cars set alight and bricks thrown. Of those, 27 were taken to hospital. Responding to the violence, little Elsie's mother appealed for calm, saying: 'This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight. 'The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this.' It was also revealed this morning that Alice's heartbroken parents are 'not speaking, only crying' as they grieve their daughter. The youngster's aunt Graca Freitas, whose brother David is Alice's father, revealed: 'We're constantly calling and David picks up. 'But he only cries, he doesn't talk. It's the same with his wife.' Bebe King, six, was the youngest child killed at the holiday club in Southport, Merseyside Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was also killed in the attack - her grieving mother has since called for calm Admitting she still hadn't come to terms with what had happened, Graca told a local paper in her native Madeira where Alice's parents migrated to the UK from: 'I found out about the scale of the tragedy on Monday from the TV. 'But I only found out about Alice yesterday morning. I began to cry uncontrollably. I'm in agony. I have grandchildren and I watched her grow up. 'I don't know what will happen next and whether Alice's body will be brought back here or not. 'She was born in the UK. Her parents have lived there for more than 15 years. It's difficult to know what they're going to do because they're constantly crying and managing to have a conversation with my brother is complicated.' Alice's grandfather Jose Aguiar, who also lives in the village of Quinta Grande a 20-minute drive from the Madeiran capital Funchal, was too distraught to speak to reporters. Village priest Pedro Nobrega said he would be holding a mass in the next few days for Alice and her family. In stark contrast to the riots on the streets, there was a sense of tranquility at the site of the vigil as night fell The riots came barely an hour after thousands of mourners gathered for a vigil at the Atkinson in Southport Around 200 protesters were seen taking to the streets last night. Police believe many were EDL supporters and not local to the area A police van was set on fire near a mosque in Southport on Tuesday evening as riots broke out Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out in Southport Southport burns: A street near a mosque goes up in flames as violent thugs took to the streets last night Local crews worked hard in the early morning to rid the streets of rubble as they brought in machinery He said in an emotional message on social media: 'What we can do at this time is pray that Alice can be a light in the immense Light of Heaven. 'Pray for her parents, family and friends. Pray so that she can be a 'guardian angel' in the lives of all those who remain here. 'May Alice continue her dance in Heaven. May she rest in peace. 'I would like to inform you that we will be celebrating masses in our parish for Alice and her family in the near future.' Quinta Grande's parish council said overnight: 'We express our most sincere condolences to the family of Alice da Silva Aguiar, a girl with origins in our parish. 'To her parents, other relatives and friends, strength and courage at this great moment of pain. 'Let the memory of Alice be stars and light and console all your hearts.' A spokesman for the Madeiran regional government said in a statement yesterday: 'It was with great sadness that the Regional Government of Madeira learned of the death of nine-year-old Alice Aguiar, the daughter of Madeirans, following the attack on a dance centre in Southport, UK. 'The Regional Government, through the Regional Directorate for Communities and External Cooperation (DRCCE), sends a heartfelt hug to the parents and its deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Portuguese PM Luis Montenegro said: 'It is with deep sadness that I received the news on the attack that took place yesterday in Southport in the United Kingdom, for which I have no words to describe. 'On my behalf and that of the Portuguese government I express heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the British government and people.' An American woman who was due to be the first person to die in a 'suicide capsule' before going missing has now died by other means, her friends have revealed. Jennifer McLaughlin, 55, had traveled to Switzerland to use the 'Sarco' pod - which creators say allows its occupant to push a button and trigger their own death. But the pod's inventor, controversial assisted dying advocate Philip Nitschke, said her planned death was 'permanently postponed'. Despite this, Ms McLaughlin emailed her lawyer and closest friends to tell them that she was going to have a 'procedure' to take her life. She then disappeared, with friends desperately trying to contact her and her disappearance reported to police, before her death was confirmed last night. It is believed that she may have sought help from another assisted dying organisation. Jennifer McLaughlin, 55, had traveled to Switzerland to use the 'Sarco' capsule to take her own life, before being denied use of the machine The 'Sarco' pod, which creators say allows its occupant to push a button and trigger their own death The former insurance company worker from Columbus, Georgia, began suffering with 'major health issues' in 2017, with her lawyer saying she 'never really recovered'. Attorney Fife Whiteside, who has been a friend and legal counsel to Ms McLaughlin for 15 years, shared a touching tribute to her after hearing the 'painful' news. '[Jennifer] was a wonderfully quirky, articulate and intelligent person, someone who you would have a hard time forgetting,' he told MailOnline. 'She was one of those people in whose loss you feel the world is a little darker. Saddens all of us who knew her.' Ms McLaughlin spent three months in hospital in 2017, he said. Several years later, she lost her beloved mother, who had been by her side throughout her ill health. The US Embassy in Switzerland confirmed Ms McLaughlin's death in the country in a statement on Monday night. She is reported to have died on Friday after receiving care from a Swiss assisted dying organisation that was not Exit International - the firm behind the Sarco. It is not known when Ms McLaughlin decided to take her own life, but she travelled to Switzerland earlier this summer with the intention of becoming the first person to use the Sarco pod. Jennifer McLaughlin is pictured in Switzerland ahead of her death this month The machine, the name of which is taken from sarcophagus, is meant to allow the euthanasia patient inside it to press a button and die 'within seconds', according to Nitschke's company Exit International. The pod - which looks like something out of a sci-fi film and has been likened to a Tesla car - fills with nitrogen to starve the occupant of oxygen, rendering the patient unconscious before they die. Reports emerged in early July that the first patient would use the device within the month, but Exit and its subsidiary The Last Resort later held a press conference saying it would instead be 'within the year'. Would-be users would have to fill in an online survey before being given a pod's location and an access code, like a delivery mailbox. Australian euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke (pictured), also known as 'Dr Death', is a former physician and head of the voluntary euthanasia campaign Exit International Then inside the capsule, they confirm who they are, where they are, and if they know what happens when they press the button. If they go ahead a flood of nitrogen lowers the oxygen level from 21 per cent to just one per cent, supposedly killing them in 30 seconds. Nitschke said he designed the Sarco in order to create a 'peaceful, reliable, drug-free' method of assisted dying 'Death takes place through hypoxia and hypocapnia, oxygen and carbon dioxide deprivation, respectively. There is no panic, no choking,' he claimed, insisting that the capsule has been through thorough testing. He has even said that he 'will probably use the Sarco' in his final days instead of being 'in a miserable state while seriously ill.' Swiss prosecutors previously warned earlier that anyone assisting someone in using the pods could face up to five years behind bars. Schaffhausen Canton Public Prosecutor Peter Sticher warned of 'serious consequences' for Nitschke for 'inducement and aiding and abetting suicide for selfish reasons.' In a letter obtained by Swiss media, Sticher said: '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.' The doctor's plans to use Sarco for the first time also caused uproar from 'pro-life' organisations. James Mildred, director of engagement at CARE, said: 'Philip Nitschke's device has been condemned by a broad range of commentators. 'Many people feel that it trivialises, and even glamourises, suicide. 'We believe that suicide is a tragedy that good societies seek to prevent in every circumstance. 'There are ethical ways to help human beings that don't involve the destruction of life.' A teacher has won a 675,000 payout after suing her older sister and her sister's ex-husband over claims their elderly mother's fortune was blown on high-risk 'spread-betting' - and a 54,000 Porsche. Olivia Wright told a court how her sister Emma Parfrement, 53, took control of their 84-year-old mother Angela Wright's finances in 2017 when she became mentally fragile. After banking 475,000 of their parent's life savings - including the proceeds of her house sale - Ms Parfrement transferred 450,000 to her ex-husband Neil Parfrement, who claimed he could invest the cash for profit. But special needs teacher Ms Wright claimed her former brother-in-law's 'investments' were in fact 'highly speculative' currency spread betting - and the cash has now vanished. Her mother died aged 86 in 2019 and Ms Wright went to court in a bid to discover the fate of her fortune and retrieve it from her sister and former brother-in-law. Olivia Wright (pictured), a teacher, has been awarded a 675,000 payout at London's High Court after taking legal action against her sister over the money left by their late mother Emma Parfrement (pictured) took over 84-year-old mother Angela Wright's finances in 2017 when she became mentally fragile, Central London County Court was told Mr Parfrement claimed he gave back to his ex-wife 144,000, of which she spent 54,000 on a Porsche. But Ms Parfrement denied receiving anything nor buying a car, accusing her ex of 'wasting nearly all' the money. Now Judge Nigel Gerald has ordered the pair to pay back 475,000 to cover the missing money, plus interest estimated at about 200,000, after finding that because of their actions there was 'virtually no money left in the estate'. Central London County Court heard that Ms Parfrement took over their mum's financial affairs in December 2017 after she was deemed to lack mental capacity and had difficulty with her short-term memory and thought processing. Ms Wright's barrister William Moffett said Ms Parfrement went on to hand control of almost all of the fortune to her ex-husband, a former advertising agency boss. He said: 'Most but not all of these misappropriated sums, in payments totalling 450,000, were then paid by Emma to Neil Parfrement - they say for him to invest at a return. 'This intended investment was in fact Mr Parfrement engaging in currency spread betting. 'They conspicuously fail to provide any meaningful detail of precisely what happened.' Ms Parfrement insisted her mother was 'competent to make decisions' at the time and had approved the cash transfers to her son-in-law. But Mr Moffett told the judge Ms Parfrement was holding the funds on trust for her mother, adding: 'It was not in the deceased's best interests that her money should be passed to Ms Parfrement's personal accounts. 'It is a gross dereliction of her duties of prudent management and investment of those monies to have taken them out of the management of financial professionals and paid them to her ex-husband, who apparently produced no sort of evidence that he was qualified to do anything with them and who instead was to use them for spread betting.' He told the court: 'The deceased was clearly not a well lady at this time - she was living in a care home and suffering mental impairment issues.' Mr Parfrement, 52, admitted being handed money to invest but denied knowing 'explicitly' that it was his former mother-in-law's, the court heard. The feuding sisters' mother Angela Wright (pictured) died aged 86 in 2019 Emma Parfrement and her now ex-husband Neil Parchement, pictured together on their wedding day, were ruled against after being sued by her sister Olivia Wright He said he repaid 144,000 of the 450,000 total which he had received to his ex, from which she spent 54,000 on a Porsche. His ex-wife, however, denied shelling out any cash on the high-performance car and claimed she channelled the investment funds to Mr Parfrement because she wanted to maximise her elderly mother's income. She said she was lulled into continuing with her ex-husband's investments after he sent her account statements showing a 'seemingly increasingly rosy balance with purported astronomical returns' - with an ultimate balance of more than 1.16million. She was growing suspicious by spring in 2019 but her ex was 'evasive' when she challenged him, Ms Parfrement claimed. She told the judge: 'I thought I was doing the right thing on behalf of my mother's estate - I had no idea that the money would never be returned.' After a day in court, the judge ruled in favour of Ms Wright and her mother's estate, awarding summary judgment against both her sister and Mr Parfrement. He ruled that six-figure sums had been paid by Ms Parfrement to her ex, who 'apparently invested it in spread-betting'. The judge added that none of this cash had gone back to the siblings' mother or her estate, describing the fate of the money invested by Mr Parfrement as 'pretty much a mystery'. Mr Gerald said: 'While Emma admits and accepts that not one penny has been repaid to her mother, it's her position that Mr Parfrement has effectively wasted nearly all this money.' He added of Ms Parfrement that it was 'inconceivable' that she could persuade the court she believed she was acting in her mother's best interests. 'She was saying that her 84-year-old mother was perfectly content with virtually all her estate being withdrawn and invested by Mr Parfrement on her mother's behalf on this highly speculative form of transaction,' he added. 'It's difficult to see how she could succeed in producing credible evidence to suggest that her mother was mentally competent at the time and able to understand and approve the transactions which she did.' Neither she nor Mr Parfrement had a realistic hope of successfully defending their cases if a full trial went ahead, he found. Emma Parfrement, seen here on her wedding day in 2004, was said to have spent 54,000 of their money inherited from her mother Angela Wright on a Porsche - though she denied this Noting that Angela Wright's estate is now virtually worthless, he told the court: 'So far as I'm aware, there is virtually no money left in the estate, so Ms Wright has been funding it herself and has pretty much run out of money on what some might regard as an open-and-shut case.' Entering judgment for Ms Wright and her mother's estate against her sister and brother-in-law, he concluded: 'I can see no purpose in this trial continuing and wasting all this time and money.' The decision means the former couple are jointly and separately liable to pay 450,000, plus interest, while Ms Parfrement is liable alone for another 25,000 of her mum's money, plus interest. The total sum due to Ms Wright and her mother's estate is estimated at 675,000, although the precise interest figures are yet to be confirmed in a court order. The American woman who was found shackled in a jungle in India clung to life for forty days without food before a local shepherd happened upon her and alerted authorities. Lalita Kayi Kumar, 50, a US citizen, was found with her passport as well as other identifying documents including an expired Indian passport. She was rushed to a local hospital for urgent treatment. It was at the hospital where the woman scrawled a message detailing some of her ordeal, including accusing her husband of leaving her in the forest for 40 days. It's believed that the woman has lived in India for the past 10 years with her husband, named as Satish in a report by India Today. He is believed to be the focus of the police investigation and was named in an official report on Tuesday. Kumar, who is currently unable to speak due to her ordeal, wrote in part in a letter from her hospital bed: 'Husband tied me to a tree in a forest.' According to the India Today report, several people have already been questioned in relation to the case with the investigation stretching outside of the Sindhudburg district, where Kumar was found. Lalita Kumar wrote in a letter from her hospital bed that she was left stranded for 40 days Initial reports indicate that the authorities are looking at the possibility that the woman's husband had something to do with the incident Kumar located in a forest near Sonurli village, roughly 280miles from Mumbai, on Saturday morning. She had been tied to a tree with an iron chain. Her right leg was swollen from the chain. She was severely dehydrated, unable to speak and likely had not eaten in several days, the Lokmat Times reported. Police have launched an attempted murder case against Satish. He also faces act endangering life or personal safety of others and wrongful confinement charges. A cattle herder found Kumar near Sawantwadi on Saturday morning after he heard loud noises coming from within the dense forest. Police arrived at the scene and used a cutter to break the chain and freed her from the tree. She was rushed to a primary healthcare center in Sawantwadi, where she received initial treatment. Kumar was later transferred to a more advanced facility for continued treatment. Footage recorded from inside the hospital showed Kumar writing a note about her condition in which she claimed her former husband had left her in the forest after a domestic dispute. She also alleged to have not eaten in over a month. 'She is out of danger,' a police official told The Telegraph Online. 'Doctors treating her said she suffers from psychiatric problems. We have found medical prescriptions in her possession.' The woman was found tied to a tree, emaciated, by a cattle herder. The woman said her husband left her there after a domestic dispute She was quickly rushed to a local hospital where she was treated for various issues including dehydration 'She is out of danger,' a police official told The Telegraph Online Officials say Kumar is doing 'fine', but remains under observation and is 'suffering from psychiatric issues'. She is reportedly 'weak' and 'not in a position to give her statement' to police at this time. Kumar was born in the US but had been living in Goa, a neighboring state to where she was found, was 'some time'. Officials are trying to determine who she has been in touch with over the past few months. It is believed that Kumar, who was married to a man from the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the same area where Vice President Kamala Harris' mother is from, had been living in India for at least a decade. Authorities recovered a photocopy of her US passport and her national identity card from the scene. Officials also said her 'visa has expired'. Embattled Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has bizarrely declared war on Elon Musk and challenged him to a fight after claiming the Tesla and SpaceX CEO is behind the widespread speculation that this weekend's election was rigged. In a long, rambling speech broadcast on state television yesterday, Maduro hit out at the tech mogul, claiming his social media platform X was fabricating claims the election was stolen and labelling him an 'arch enemy' of Venezuela and a 'representation of fascism and the extreme right'. 'Social media creates a virtual reality, and who controls the virtual reality? Our new archenemy, the famous Elon Musk,' Maduro, 61, stated. 'He would like to invade Venezuela with his rockets and armies... we knew you were behind the whole lot. 'Do you want to fight? Let's do it. Elon Musk, I'm ready. I'm not afraid of you, Elon Musk. Let's fight, wherever you want,' he concluded. Musk, 53, has not directly responded to Maduro's challenge but has published a slew of posts on X claiming that the opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, won the election with an overwhelming majority. He also shared a post from opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, along with a wanted poster of Maduro from the US State Department related to charges of narco-terrorism. Venezuela's electoral authority declared Sunday that Maduro had won a third term with 51% of votes to extend a quarter-century of socialist rule - but the opposition says Gonzalez had more than twice as many votes as Maduro based on the 90% of vote tallies it has been able to access. Maduro hit out at the tech mogul in a long, rambling speech broadcast on national television yesterday Musk is seen training last year amid speculation he could fight Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX, Tesla and X, Elon Musk, has issued several posts claiming the opposition candidate won the Venezuelan election A woman holds a manipulated picture of opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia wearing a presidential band during a protest against the re-election of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in front of the United Nations headquarters in Caracas on July 30, 2024 Musk, 53, has not directly responded to Maduro's challenge but has published a slew of posts on X claiming that the opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, won the election He also shared a post from opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, along with a wanted poster of Maduro from the US State Department related to charges of narco-terrorism Protesters took to the streets for a second straight day across Venezuela yesterday, demanding that Maduro acknowledge he lost Sunday's election to the opposition as major international observers concluded the vote was undemocratic. The enraged demonstrators have blocked roads, lit fires and thrown petrol bombs at police, who responded by firing tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowds of rioters. At least 11 people have been killed in different parts of the country since the election in incidents related to the count or associated protests, according to rights group Foro Penal. The U.S.-based Carter Center, which observed the vote, said in a statement late on Tuesday the election 'did not meet international standards of electoral integrity and cannot be considered democratic'. The electoral authority's failure to publish disaggregated results amounts to a 'serious breach,' it added, outlining what it determined to be a deeply flawed process from start to finish. Many countries have called on Venezuela to make the vote tally public and U.S. sources said Washington was considering fresh sanctions on individuals linked to the election unless there was greater transparency. On Tuesday, both Maduro and his top legislative ally accused opposition presidential candidate Gonzalez and opposition leader Machado of fomenting violence in the aftermath of the vote. In the same speech in which he condemned Musk, Maduro declared that opposition protesters had battered civilians and started fires, demanding that Gonzalez answer for them. 'Respond to that you coward!' Maduro shouted, after saying both Gonzalez and Machado should be held accountable. Jorge Rodriguez, the head of the Congress for Maduro's ruling socialists, was more direct in a speech earlier in the day, insisting that both opposition figures must be arrested for the crimes of the protesters. 'Their bosses should go to prison,' he told lawmakers, accusing Gonzalez of leading a 'fascist conspiracy.' Costa Rica said it was prepared to give political asylum to Machado and Gonzalez. On X, Machado thanked the government but said her priority was to 'continue this struggle' from Venezuela. Opposition leader Machado was barred from running in the election but spearheaded Gonzalez's campaign. For the first time on Tuesday she accused Maduro's government of a corrupt vote count. 'What we are fighting here is a fraud by the regime,' Machado said, while urging peaceful protest. A large crowd, many waving Venezuelan flags, chanted: 'We are not afraid!' 'Edmundo is the president. We know he won the election,' said 27-year-old brokerage worker Andrea Garcia. 'We want to live in the Venezuela that our parents had, where there wasn't hunger in the streets.' Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a rally at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on July 30, 2024 A man holds a poster beside other Venezuelans living in Mexico and members of Comando ConVzla during a protest against the election results that awarded Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro a third term, in front of the Angel of Independence monument in Mexico City, Mexico July 30, 2024. The sign reads 'Venezuela Fraud'. Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro take part in a rally heading to Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on July 30, 2024 Baruta's Municipal Police remove a barricade as people protest election results that awarded Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro with a third term, in Caracas, Venezuela July 30, 2024 A demonstrator reacts when Molotov cocktails hit the ground in front of security forces during protests against election results after Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and his opposition rival Edmundo Gonzalez claimed victory in Sunday's presidential election, in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela July 29, 2024 A man holds a Venezuelan flag near a barricade on Bolivar Avenue in Caracas, Venezuela The embattled Maduro, who also called for more marches, said in his speech that his government was reaching out to both China and Russia for help with alleged attacks on the electoral authority's systems, blaming Musk for spreading criticism of the election without presenting evidence. Echoing other officials, Maduro's defence minister, General Vladimir Padrino, declared that there was a 'coup in progress' but insisted that the country's armed forces would help defeat it. The 61-year-old president is a former union leader and foreign minister who won an election after former President Hugo Chavez's death in 2013. Maduro was re-elected in 2018 in a vote the opposition says was fraudulent. He has presided over an economic collapse and a mass exodus of Venezuelans, while U.S. and EU sanctions have crippled an already struggling oil industry. A Maduro win could spur more migration from Venezuela, once the continent's wealthiest country, which in recent years has seen a third of its population leave. The opposition has long denounced obstacles over candidate registrations, detentions of opposition members and even a confusing ballot lay-out. The Carter Center agreed with those criticisms in its statement. 'Authorities frequently attempted to restrict the opposition's campaign activities,' it said. 'This included harassment or intimidation of people who provided services or goods to the main opposition campaign.' The CNE electoral authority, which formally proclaimed Maduro president for the 2025-2031 term on Monday, demonstrated clear bias in his favour, the Center added, while in-country voters faced short registration deadlines and most of the country's large diaspora was disenfranchised arbitrarily. But the opposition's options going forward appear limited given the military has shown no sign it will break from its long-standing support for Maduro and previous cycles of anti-government protests and sanctions have failed to dislodge him. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) delivers a speech after learning the results of the presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, 29 July 2024 Protesters demonstrate against the official election results declaring President Nicolas Maduro's reelection in Valencia, Venezuela, Monday, July 29, 2024 Police officers remove debris during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas on July 29 Members of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) and the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) clash with opposition demonstrators during protests over the results of the presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, 29 July 2024 A protester runs waving a Venezuelan flag during a protest against the official results of the presidential election on July 29, 2024 in Caracas In Coro, capital of Venezuela's Falcon state, on the Caribbean coast, protesters cheered when they tore down a statue of Chavez, Maduro's mentor who ruled from 1999-2013. Amid the duelling protests which saw anti-Maduro citizens clash with the president's supporters security agents arrested at least two more opposition leaders. Voluntad Popular's national coordinator Freddy Superlano was detained, as was Ricardo Estevez, a senior official with Vente Venezuela, the parties said in posts on X. Many Venezuelans have said any decision they make on whether to join the exodus from the country would be dependent on the election. 'It feels like I no longer have anything to do here in Venezuela,' said 23-year-old graduate Jorge Salcedo in Caracas. 'We'll start from scratch in another country... We live in a country with repression, and we live in a country under dictatorship. It was our last chance.' Keir Starmer and MPs have condemned 'beered-up thugs' who rioted on the streets of Southport after the horror at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. The PM insisted those responsible for a night of chaos should face the 'full force of the law' after a police van was torched and several officers injured. Angry politicians have blamed 'lies and propaganda' on social media for igniting the violence, while heartbroken Southport families have accused hoodlums of showing 'no respect to a town that's grieving'. Tributes have poured in for the three girls killed who police yesterday named as six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. Eight other children suffered stab wounds at the summer holiday dance workshop. Five are in a critical condition, alongside two women who were also critically injured as they bravely tried to save the children. But the rioting erupted barely an hour after thousands of mourners had gathered for a vigil to remember the victims. Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out in Southport Southport burns: A street near a mosque goes up in flames as violent thugs took to the streets last night Three girls were killed in a bloody rampage on Hart Street on Monday. On Tuesday, a vigil was held for the victims on Lord Street. While it was going on, a man with a flick knife was arrested on Eastbank Street. On St Luke's Road, riots erupted outside a mosque - also on Tuesday The PM insisted that those who rioted in Southport last night will 'feel the full force of the law' Keir Starmer lays a floral tribute to the knife rampage victims in Southport yesterday Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and local MP Patrick Hurley inspect tributes in Southport On nearby St Luke's Street, rioters chanting 'English till I die' surrounded the Southport Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre and began hurling rubble at police officers who had formed a protective line around the building. The violence appears to have been fuelled by false claims online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat. The 17-year-old boy, who remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder, is originally from Cardiff but now lives in the nearby Lancashire village of Banks. Merseyside Police said 22 of its officers were injured after clashes broke out in the seaside town. Writing on X, Sir Keir said: 'The people of Southport are reeling after the horror inflicted on them yesterday. 'They deserve our support and our respect. Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said 'scenes of thuggery' on the streets of Southport 'bear no relation' to the community which had been coming together. She told broadcasters: 'I think everyone should be showing some respect for the community that is grieving and also for the police who are pursuing an urgent criminal investigation now, and who showed such heroism and bravery yesterday in the face of these horrific attacks. 'I think everyone needs to support the police in that work, and frankly the scenes of thuggery that we have seen on the streets of Southport this evening bear no relation to the way in which the Southport community has been coming together to support each other and to support grieving families. 'We need to see some respect for the grieving community and for the police in their urgent work.' Patrick Hurley, Southport's Labour MP, said this morning that the riots occurred because of the 'propaganda and lies' spread on social media about the identity of the attacker. He told Times Radio: 'Because of the propaganda and the lies that were being spread around on social media from within minutes of the news breaking on Monday afternoon about the tragic incident. 'We'd had all sorts of lies being spread and misinformation being spread about the alleged perpetrator and some people with the best of intentions then they tried to rebut this, they tried to argue back, but all that happens is you're just amplifying people's false messaging.' He added: 'This misinformation doesn't just exist on people's internet browsers and on people's phones. It has real world impact. 'And what happened is that the real world impact of that was that we then had hundreds of people descending on the town, descending on Southport from outside of the area, intent on causing trouble, either because they believe what they've written, or because they are bad faith actors who wrote it in the first place, in the hope of causing community division.' Mr Hurley told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the rioters were 'not from Southport' and must face the 'full force of the law'. 'Even if this lad, the 17-year-old, turns out to be Muslim, under no circumstances does that justify any attack on a mosque by anybody at all,' he said. 'Not least these beered-up thugs who have descended on the town last night intent on causing trouble. 'We all have to stand against that and Southport will not accept this. 'Southport will unite against this sort of thing.' A police van was set on fire near a mosque in Southport on Tuesday evening as riots broke out Around 200 protesters were seen taking to the streets. Police believe many were EDL supporters A burnt out police van near a mosque in Southport as shocking riots broke out on Tuesday Riot police vans were damaged amid the chaos near the Southport Mosque The riots came barely an hour after thousands of mourners gathered for a vigil at the Atkinson in Southport In stark contrast to the riots on the streets, there was a sense of tranquility at the site of the vigil as night fell Merseyside Police has issued a warning over an 'incorrect' name being widely circulated online, adding: 'We would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing.' The angry mob - who police 'believed to be supporters of the English Defence League' - started targeting the Muslim place of worship at around 7.45pm. Eight police officers suffered serious injuries, including one who was knocked unconscious. Protesters also torched cars and wheelie bins belonging to members of the public, shattered the mosque windows with bricks and looted shops. One Southport resident living near the mosque told how he, his partner and their young daughter fled for the evening, not wanting her to see the sickening violence. The man said: 'We just couldn't stay while this was going on and allow our daughter to witness it. 'This doesn't represent Southport - they're EDL thugs who are from Manchester and Liverpool who have just come here to cause trouble. They have no respect for a town that's grieving.' Police have introduced a 24-hour Section 60 Order in the area where the riots took place and extra officers will remain in the area. A British woman has described how she nearly died after her drink was spiked while she was on holiday in Malia. Emily Earle, 19, was on a girls trip to Crete, Greece, with four of her friends when they headed to a party. After just two hours, while sipping her third drink, Emily started feeling very unwell and fell asleep on the table at just 5.30pm. She said she felt really drunk and wandered of searching for a toilet as her friends were waiting for a taxi - her friends found her within a couple of minutes in a hotel room with a group of boys. They took Emily back to their hotel, but after a few hours, she was struggling to breathe and falling in and out of consciousness, and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance, the 19-year-old from Crawley, West Sussex, said. Emily said doctors confirmed she had swallowed drugs, and she thinks a fellow party-goer must have slipped something into one of her drinks. Emily Earle, 19, was on a girls trip to Crete, Greece , with four of her friends when they headed to a party. After just two hours, while sipping her third drink, Emily started feeling very unwell and fell asleep on the table at just 5.30pm (Emily pictured in her hotel room during the ordeal) They took Emily back to their hotel, but after a few hours, she was struggling to breathe and falling in and out of consciousness, and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance (pictured above), the 19-year-old from Crawley, West Sussex, said Emily (pictured) said doctors confirmed she had swallowed drugs, and she thinks a fellow party-goer must have slipped something into one of her drinks Emily, a medical student from King's College London, said: 'This was a horrible experience which was really traumatic for me, my family and my friends. 'I nearly lost my life. I was wary of the heat and the party was extremely busy so I didn't drink much. I knew something was very wrong because I suddenly felt very out of it and couldn't remember things. 'I dread to think what could have happened if I had become separated from my friends. Shortly after getting back to our hotel I was in a critical condition because I was struggling to breathe - I deteriorated very fast. 'My friends and family were terrified. They thought they were losing me. My memory is patchy from around 5.30pm and I don't remember much after leaving the party. 'Being spiked feels like one of those things that happens to someone else, or people who aren't careful, but it can happen to anyone, no matter how careful you are. 'It's very scary. You feel like you've got no control - all your choices have been taken away from you.' Emily and her friends headed out on June 23. They were on the Malia strip on Wednesday, June 26, when they bought tickets for a party. At the event, Emily says she had a Malibu and Coke, and a sex on the beach cocktail, before starting a vodka and pineapple. She felt really drunk suddenly and began falling asleep. She said: 'I just couldn't understand it - none of my drinks had been strong.' Emily's friends got her some food, and she had two BLTs, a burger and an ice-cream, but was still ravenous and very thirsty. 'That was very out of character', she said. 'I'd usually be fine after one BLT - they were massive.' Emily's friends took her back to the hotel around 7.30pm. Despite their vigilance she wandered off searching for a toilet while they waited for a taxi. Emily (pictured during the ordeal) said: 'I nearly lost my life. I was wary of the heat and the party was extremely busy so I didn't drink much. I knew something was very wrong because I suddenly felt very out of it and couldn't remember things' Emily said she woke up the following morning feeling well, and was told there were drugs found in her stomach, but medics couldn't say which drugs without a full toxicology report which needed to be requested by the police They found her within a couple of minutes in a hotel room with a group of boys. Back at their hotel they put her to bed and her condition deteriorated fast, and she lay on the floor. Emily's hands and feet were freezing to touch and her skin red and blotchy. Her breathing was shallow and rapid and she couldn't feel her legs or open her eyes, and was losing consciousness. Hotel staff called an ambulance. Her frightened friends FaceTimed Emily's family - and they all thought she might die, Emily says. She was taken to Herculanium University Hospital at around 9pm, where she was put on a drip. She said she woke up the following morning feeling well, and was told there were drugs found in her stomach, but medics couldn't say which drugs without a full toxicology report which needed to be requested by the police. She doesn't know what other treatment she received at the hospital because of the language barrier. Emily's mother arrived at the resort in the early afternoon, and the group flew back to the UK on Sunday June 30. Emily said: 'I really have no idea how it happened - we were so careful. We are very sensible and we did everything as a group. We were together all the time. 'I'm very aware of the risks and very cautious. A boy bought me a drink when we arrived and I didn't touch it. If I had to put a drink down for any reason I didn't go back to it. 'I had my hand over the top of my drinks when I wasn't drinking it and I even took my drinks to the toilet with me. I can only imagine someone nudged me and someone else slipped something in while I was distracted - the party was really crowded. 'Everyone was searched on the way in, but if someone wants to bring in drugs they'll find a way. The most frightening part for me is the motive of whoever did this - was it just for a laugh or because they wanted me to go back to their hotel room?' The language barrier meant Emily wasn't able to get much information about her hospital stay, and put her off reporting the incident to the police. Emily cautioned others to be vigilant, to not leave your drink unattended and to stay with your friends She said: 'A woman in the bed next to me said this is very common. We can't prevent things like this from happening, but you can take steps to lessen the damage if it does happen to you or one of your friends. 'You can't be too careful. It's really important to stick with your friends. Don't accept a drink from someone else and don't leave your drinks unattended. 'Stay in your group and be very vigilant. Don't drink anywhere near your limit - this can make it easier for someone to distract you. 'If you're not feeling right tell someone straight away. Look out for unusual behaviour from each other. If someone's acting out of character stick with them and get them to somewhere safe as quickly as you can, because they could be taken. 'My friends did a great job - we were all really careful but it still happened and has affected all of us.' The grieving partner of a tradie killed in a horrific workplace accident has opened up about losing her 'whole person'. Lachlan Carslake, 28, suffered critical head injuries while operating machinery at Nylastex Engineering Solutions in Adelaide's south-west last Wednesday. He was rushed to Flinders Medical Centre, where he was placed on life support, but died three days later surrounded by loved ones. His partner Tahlia Benvegnu-Carslake has expressed her grief in a series of heartbreaking social media posts. She also shared harrowing photos of their final moments together at his hospital bedside. 'I lost my person, My Lachlan, my forever,' Ms Benvegnu-Carslake began. 'This isn't fair. How am I supposed to do this. He wasn't my other half, he is my whole person, he knows me better than I know me. 'I will never get to hold his hand or hug him or kiss him, feel his warmth, his safety. Lachlan Carslake, 28, died on Saturday following a workplace accident. Mr Carslake is pictured with his partner Tahlia Benvegnu-Carslake Mr Carslake's devastated partner Tahlia Benvegnu-Carslake wrote of her grief in a series of heartbreaking Facebook posts 'I will never get to hear him say "I Love you so much baby" again or talk to him and hear him talk back. How am I supposed to do this now.' In another touching post, she admitted that she still waits for Mr Carslake to walk through the door, even though he's gone. 'I miss holding your hand, I miss your hugs. I miss talking to you and hearing you talk. I have to lay in our bed alone, it hurts,' she wrote. Ms Benvegnu-Carslake wrote of the things they won't be able to do together. 'I don't get to travel with you, explore with you, fish with you, grow old with you.' Ms Benvegnu-Carslake wrote of the things she won't be won't be able to do with Mr Carslake (pictured) Addressing Mr Carslake, she added: 'You don't get to live the whole life you had ahead of you, achieve all the things you wanted to achieve, our plans and dreams.' Ms Benvegnu-Carslake ended her post with regret at the tragic loss of her partner. 'Life is cruel and it just keeps moving around you while you just wish you could go back in time.' A GoFundMe has been created to support Mr Carslake's family 'as they grieve in this heartbreaking time'. The page revealed the legacy of Mr Carslake will live on as he agreed to be an organ donor. The GoFundMe states that funds raised will support the family's living expenses in Adelaide while 'they endure the ongoing investigation and planning of his funeral.' 'Any additional funds will relieve the financial burden of weekly outgoing bills in this beyond devastating time.' The page has raised almost $9,500 in several days. SafeWork South Australia has launched an investigation into the workplace, which has been shut down after a number of statutory notices were issued. A report will also be prepared for the coroner. Huw Edwards is facing 10 years in jail after pleading guilty to making indecent images of children, which included two sexual videos of a boy under nine. The disgraced BBC News star, 62, kept seven category 'A' images of the very worst kind on his phone after being sent them on WhatsApp by a paedophile. The images showed youngsters aged between seven and 14, Westminster Magistrates Court heard today. The veteran news broadcaster, who announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II and presented coverage of her funeral, had a total of 41 foul pictures. He remained emotionless as he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, between December 2020 and August 2022. His admission now leaves the former news star's glittering four-decade career in tatters - and he faces up to 10 years in jail. Edwards was arrested on November 8 last year and charged on June 26. He resigned from his 475,000-a-year role at BBC three months ago having kept news of his arrest a 'secret' from pals, former colleagues said. The father-of-five moved out of the family home in Dulwich after separating from his TV producer wife, Vicky Flind. Disgraced former BBC News reader Huw Edwards is pictured leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to making indecent images of children Edwards is pictured leaving the court after his brief appearance where he admitted to making indecent images of children Edwards remained silent as he left the court building surrounded by the press today Edwards made his way through the media melee before being driven away in a black Mercedes A court sketch showed Edwards standing in the dock after he pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children Friends of the ex-BBC News host said he kept his arrest 'a secret' and that they were stunned when news he had been charged was revealed this week (he is pictured reading the news) Surrounded by eight police officers, Edwards arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court wearing black sunglasses, a blue tie, white shirt and navy-blue suit. There were scenes of pandemonium as he made his way through the media melee to the court building, with photographers tripping to the floor to take photos of the sex predator - while protesters yelled at him. Edwards, of Wandsworth, southwest London, spoke to confirm his date of birth, address and admit the three charges. After entering his pleas, the disgraced newsreader sat staring into the distance, with his head tilted slightly upwards, and adjusted his tie as Ian Hope, prosecuting, laid out the case against him. The court heard that Edwards had been involved in online chat with an adult man on WhatsApp between December 2020 and August 2021, who sent him 377 sexual images, of which 44 were indecent images of children. The bulk of these, 36, were sent during a two-month period. Mr Hope told the court there was 'no suggestion' Edwards had 'anything to with making the images or indeed doing anything beyond the opening of the images.' He said the Welshman 'engaged in an online chat' with a 'male' who 'initially contacted' him via social media. Mr Hope said a 'thread of WhatsApp conversations between the two' was 'uncovered', adding: 'In the thread the man sent still and moving pornographic images to Edwards between December and April 2022. 'The prosecution say that this was clearly with Mr Edwards' approval, and the two chatted about a number of the images sent. 'Approximately 277 images were sent to Mr Edwards, 41 of which comprised indecent images of children - so just over 10 per cent of the total number of images sent. 'The bulk of those indecent images of children - 36 of them - were sent to Mr Edwards during a two month period during a two month period between December 2020 and February 2021, and indeed the bulk of those were sent over a two day period.' The prosecutor said 'these images appeared to have been received with approval.' Edwards was surrounded by a media scrum as he left the court in central London today He now faces up to 10 years in jail for his crimes. Edwards is pictured leaving the court in London on Wednesday morning This was the moment Edwards entered his car before being driven away from the magistrates' court Edwards now faces up to 10 years in jail for his crimes. He is pictured in a sketch inside court The presenter did not appear to say anything to the media as he was led into the court by police He continued: 'In February 2021 a further five indecent images of children were sent to Mr Edwards (and) read or opened by him in the chat. 'The final indecent images of a child was sent in August 2021, it was a cat-A moving film which depicted a male child of younger age than virtually all of the other indecent images of children. 'Mr Edwards and the male discussed them. 'The male said to Mr Edwards that the male in the film was quite young looking and he has more images that are illegal. 'He tells the male not to send him illegal images and no more are sent to him although the chat continues. 'Further legal pornographic images are sent the following year.' Edwards told him not to send any illegal images, the court was told. No more were sent, and the pair continued to exchange legal pornographic images until April 2022. Speaking in Edwards' defence, his barrister Philip Evans KC said: 'There's no suggestion in this case that Mr Edwards has... in the traditional sense of the word, created any image of any sort. Edwards was flanked by police officers when he turned up for his court hearing on Wednesday The famed former newsreader's career now lies in tatters (he is pictured entering court today surrounded by a police escort) Edwards, dressed in a dark navy-blue suit and blue tie, appeared withdrawn as he arrived 'It is important also to remember for context that devices, Mr Edwards' devices, have been seized, have been searched, and there's nothing in those devices. 'It is only the images that are the subject of the charges that came via a WhatsApp chat. 'Mr Edwards did not keep any images, did not send any to anyone else and did not and has not sought similar images from anywhere else.' He added the broadcaster had 'both mental and physical' health issues. He told the court: 'It is obvious to the court, I'm sure, that Mr Edwards was not just of good character, but of exceptional character.' Edwards stood in the dock as Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring addressed him on his bail conditions and appeared nervous, fidgeting with his hands, before confirming that he understood the conditions. Edwards faced a barrage of cameras and photographers as he left court. He departed in a black Mercedes with tinted windows. The disgraced broadcaster will be sentenced at Westminster Magistrates' Court on September 16. News of Edwards' child porn charges were revealed on Monday. He was charged with the offences in June. He is pictured arriving at court today Huw Edwards: A timeline of shame Before pleading guilty to indecent images today, Edwards had faced an earlier scandal after being accused of paying a young person for sexually explicit images last year. April 2023 - Police were contacted but 'no criminality was identified'. May 18, 2023 - A family member of the young person, who was 17 at the time, made an in-person complaint about the behaviour of a BBC presenter. May 19. 2023 - A complainant contacted the BBC in a 29-minute call to the BBC's audience services team, and the details were referred to the Corporate Investigations Team. June 6, 2023 - After getting no reply to the email, the Corporate Investigations Team tries to call the complainant but the call does not connect. July 5, 2023 - Edwards is last seen on air as he covered King Charles' visit to Scotland. July 6, 2023 - The Sun informs BBC Press Office about allegations against the star presenter. July 7, 2023 - The Sun published its exclusive which alleged that a BBC star, unnamed at the time, paid 35,000 for sexual content to someone beginning when they were 17. But a lawyer acting on behalf of the young person told The Sun there was 'no truth' to the claims. July 9, 2023 - The BBC confirms that a male presenter has been suspended from all duties. July 11, 2023 - Director-general of the BBC Tim Davie defends the delay in speaking to the BBC presenter. July 12, 2023 - Huw Edwards is revealed as the BBC presented by his wife Vicky Flind. July 13, 2023 - The Met Police said detectives from its specialist crime command have "concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed November 8 - Edwards is arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children. April 22, 2024 - Edwards resigns from the BBC having not appeared on air for months. June 26, 2024 - Edwards is charged with three counts of making indecent images of children. July 29, 2024 - Met Police first reveal the charges against Edwards in a press statement. July 31, 2024 - Edwards appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court and pleads guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, between December 2020 and August 2022. September 16, 2024 - This is when Edwards will be sentenced Advertisement Edwards presented the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (now the Prince and Princess of Wales) in 2011 and also the funeral of Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 2021. The reputation of the BBC has been destroyed by one paedophile scandal after another dating back over half a century - with Edwards becoming the latest child sex fiend to have been employed by the corporation. In 2001 BBC presenter and music impresario Jonathan King was convicted of sexual offences committed between 1983 and 1987 against five boys aged 14 and 15 and was jailed for seven years. Chris Denning, one of the original Radio 1 presenters, who was a regular at 'The Walton Hop' with King, was jailed for 18 months for gross indecency with a child and in 1988 for three years for indecent assault on a 13-year-old boy and possession of indecent photographs. In 2008, he was extradited from Britain to Slovakia, where he was jailed in October for five years for producing child pornography. In 2014 Denning was jailed for 13 years after he admitted to a total to 40 sexual offences committed from 1967 to 1987 relating to 26 male victims, the youngest of whom was nine years old. In 2016, Denning was given another 13 years after pleaded guilty to 21 sex offences against 11 boys between 1969 and 1986, the youngest of whom was aged eight. In 2007 Actor Chris Langham, star of the BBC's 'In The Thick of It' was found guilty of downloading 15 child sexual abuse images and videos. One of the videos showed the 'sadistic brutalisation of an eight-year-old girl.' He was sentenced to ten months in prison and was placed on the sexual offenders register for ten years. Last year the BBC was criticised for putting all the shows of 'In The Thick of It' back in on the BBC iPlayer. In 2013 Stuart Hall, the commentator and presenter of 'It's A Knockout' was jailed for 30 months for two offences of indecent assault against a girl of 13 and another against a girl under 16. The following year legendary children's presenter and entertainer Rolf Harris was jailed five years and nine months after he was convicted of 12 charges of indecent assault against four girls - including one aged seven. Veteran Radio I presenter Dave Lee Travis was convicted of assaulting an adult researcher on the Mrs Merton show in 2014 and was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for two years. Up to 450 young people were assaulted by another 'face of the BBC' Jimmy Savile. Police recorded 199 crimes in 17 police force areas in which Savile was a suspect, among them 31 allegations of rape. The crimes stretched 1955 to 2009 and allegations included the abuse of desperately ill children and necrophilia with corpses at included Leeds General Infirmary mortuary. BBC bosses were accused of staging various cover-ups to protect Savile. who committed the offences at hospitals and locations across the country including BBC Television Centre. Edwards has since left the family home and has reportedly split with his TV producer wife, Vicky Flind (the pair are pictured together in 2018 in London) Edwards was surrounded by photographers as he made his way into the magistrates' court The last picture of the former BBC News star captures him crossing the threshold into the court building this morning Pictured are members of the press waiting outside Westminster Magistrates' Court today ahead of the former BBC star's arrival Edwards had long been a fixture in the coverage of major political and royal events, announcing Queen Elizabeth II's death on the BBC and presenting coverage of her funeral. He also anchored the BBC's broadcast of the King's coronation last year. The bombshell news of the veteran broadcaster's child porn charges are said to have rocked Edwards' former colleagues. And it prompted questions about why it took prosecutors so long to reveal the charges Edwards is now facing. One former colleague and friend told MailOnline: 'Huw kept his arrest completely secret'. 'It turns out he was arrested four months later and nobody knew. I had no idea until he was charged', the friend from the BBC said. Another former colleague of the star said: 'It's a mess - and tragic for all concerned.' The BBC was also blindsided by the criminal charges against its former star presenter, with bosses only told of the allegations a few hours before they were made public, an insider has claimed. A senior source told The Times: 'The BBC was informed by the Met Police when a call came through [on Monday].' Huw Edwards is seen arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday Edwards faced a media frenzy as he approached Westminster Magistrates' Court today News of Edwards' guilty plea was welcomed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) today, who said it would 'send a clear message' that offenders would be brought to justice. Claire Brinton of the CPS said: 'Accessing indecent images of underage people perpetuates the sexual exploitation of children, which has deep, long-lasting trauma on these victims. 'The CPS and the Metropolitan Police were able to prove that Edwards was receiving illegal material involving children via WhatsApp. 'This prosecution sends a clear message that the CPS, working alongside with the police, will work to bring to justice those who seek to exploit children, wherever that abuse takes place.' A spokesperson for child abuse charity the NSPCC added: 'Online child sexual abuse offences can have a devastating impact on victims and we should be in no doubt about the seriousness of Edwards' crimes. 'It can be extremely traumatic for young people to know sexual images of themselves have been shared online.' And Heidi Kempster, deputy CEO of the Internet Watch Foundation, said: 'There can be no excuse. 'This is criminal material, including images depicting the most extreme category of sexual abuse, which have real and lasting effects on victims. 'A child's journey to recovery can be dealt a devastating blow when they know images of their abuse continue to be circulated online for others to view. 'We urge any children or young people worried imagery of themselves may get out of control to use the confidential Report Remove tool run by the IWF and Childline so we can help take down and block this material from being shared on the wider internet.' Last week the BBC confirmed Edwards was paid more than 475,000 in 2023/24 before he resigned and left. The veteran newsreader was paid between 475,000 and 479,999 for the year 2023/24 for 160 presenting days, BBC One news specials, election specials and other television programming, according to the BBC's annual report. This marked an increase from 2022/23, when he was paid between 435,000 and 439,999 for 180 days presenting on BBC One, as well as news specials. Charming, always impeccably dressed and often at the wheel of a large, glossy Mercedes, Nina Tiara was the very image of middle-class respectability. She was a businesswoman, she'd insist, and a very successful one too, with a home in the South of France, and a fortune in (variously) gold jewellery, gold bars and land in India, courtesy of her Indian-born parents. If she was often away from her 550,000 detached bungalow in a picturesque Wiltshire hamlet, neighbours had no reason to remark upon it. Now, of course, they know exactly why their well-heeled neighbour was rarely seen at home. For, from 2015 to 2019, 53-year-old Tiara was working, effectively, as a professional shoplifter. It was an astonishing, six-day-a-week operation that saw her driving the length and breadth of Britain in order to scam High Street shops out of hundreds of thousands of pounds. All together, investigators who finally brought Tiara's elaborate con to an end estimated the single mother's industrial-scale deception, which exploited a little-known loophole in the way retailers handle refunds for goods without a receipt, netted her more than half a million pounds some of which police found stuffed under a mattress in envelopes when they arrested her in September 2019. Charming, always impeccably dressed and often at the wheel of a large, glossy Mercedes, Nina Tiara (pictured) was the very image of middle-class respectability If she was often away from her 550,000 detached bungalow in a picturesque Wiltshire hamlet (pictured), neighbours had no reason to remark upon it As fraud investigator Stephen Tristram of the West Mercia Police tells the Mail: 'She was making, on average, over 2,000 a week. The scale was astonishing.' What is more astounding is that Tiara or Narinder Kaur, as she asked to go by in court has made a lifetime career out of deception, defrauding businesses and members of the public since she was a 15-year-old schoolgirl. And far from these being victimless crimes, on at least one occasion Tiara staged a terrifying campaign of harassment against a solicitor who'd threatened to expose her. At Gloucester Crown Court in March 2023, at the end of a four-month trial, Kaur was found guilty on 26 separate charges of fraud, possessing and transferring criminal property and perverting the course of justice. Yesterday she was sentenced to ten years in prison. The court heard how she'd devised an intricate, complicated and lucrative system of getting cash refunds on stolen goods. As most honest customers know, retailers do not typically give cash refunds when goods are returned without a receipt. They give a credit note the same value as the item which can only be redeemed in that particular shop. Tiara's ruse exploited a weakness in the system. She'd walk into a shop with a branded carrier bag prominently in hand, then, when no one was looking, slip something into it, like a throw for example. Without leaving the store, Tiara would then continue browsing and select something for a similar amount of money to the throw say, a shirt which she wanted to 'buy'. She'd then approach the till, produce the carrier bag with the throw inside and claim she'd bought it some time ago and wanted to return it, but had lost the receipt (she'd sometimes go through a performance, digging through her purse for the mislaid piece of paper). Tiara - or Kaur as she went by in court - was found guilty on 26 separate charges of fraud, possessing and transferring criminal property and perverting the course of justice She'd ask if she could exchange the throw for the shirt, carefully choosing another small item let's say a pair of socks to push the total over the value of the throw. The switch would be made, and the new items would end up on the same receipt. Then, at a later date, she'd drive to another town and go to a branch of the same store with her 'legitimate' till receipt and claim a full cash refund for the shirt and socks. Performed again and again, it proved a highly lucrative scam. From Wales to Watford and up to Warrington, she would think nothing of covering hundreds of miles a day to chalk up fraudulent returns; using a series of hire cars to avoid her own car being detected as a frequent visitor on car park automatic number plate recognition software. When investigators pored over her bank accounts (there were many) and credit card bills they found payments totalling 5,172 to Boots, balanced out against 60,787 received, or 3,681 paid to Debenhams, against 42,853 received. It was long-winded ruse, set around a terrifyingly simple principle. 'She was caught quite a few times in the early stages [by store staff and police and had received multiple fines and cautions],' says Stephen Tristram. 'But she is very clever; a very, very manipulative woman. She learned from her mistakes.' At the time, stores were not routinely monitoring the scale of refunds to individual customers. But Tiara's actions triggered a collaboration between major retailers to get a court injunction banning her from setting foot in any of their stores. The loophole, meanwhile, is said to have been dramatically reduced. Born Narinder Kaur in Wolverhampton in 1970, Tiara's first brush with fraud was in 1985 when she was sentenced to five months' youth custody for staging a bogus sponsored walk. Tiara (pictured in TK Maxx) tricked stores out of thousands of pounds by returning items for refunds despite never purchasing them in the first place Details are scant the case was only referred to briefly six years later, when, aged 21 and a student at the local polytechnic, she appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court. This time she was prosecuted for a 72,000 mortgage fraud and for stealing 27,000 from her employers while working as a Saturday girl at a Safeway in Birmingham. She'd secured part-time jobs at various branches of the supermarket chain by giving false names and had been stuffing thousands of pounds from the tills into her shoes. She was caught when an eagle-eyed shopper spotted her slipping a 10 note into her footwear. Following her arrest, it then emerged she had fraudulently secured a 72,000 mortgage on her first home by claiming to be the self-employed boss of a cleaning firm; not only that, she had furnished the home and bought a 13,000 BMW. She was jailed for two years and nine months. And so the seeds were sown for the events of the next 30 years, during which time she was in and out of court, under a multitude of names, chalking up a string of fines, cautions, electronic tags and at least one restraining order. In 1993, when she was 23, she had a son who was educated at private schools in Worcestershire and who is now a high-flying professional working in London. Five years later, she married a Worcester businessman, by which time she had changed her name by deed poll to Nina Tiara. Tiara married at the impressive art deco Burgh Island Hotel, just off the coast of Bigbury on Sea in Devon, and the couple worked together at his employment agency, By 2009, she owned the Rajdoot Indian restaurant in leafy Cutnall Green, Droitwich, Worcestershire. As one former school-run acquaintance and local resident remembers: 'She liked nothing better on a Friday evening than to hold court.' Tiara's actions triggered a collaboration between major retailers to get a court injunction banning her from setting foot in any of their stores. Pictured: Tiara in TK Maxx Attractive and charming, she styled herself 'Nina Naanbread', and made sure to remember her clientele's names and favourite dishes. 'Some people talked about the fact she wore an ankle tag, but none of us ever knew why,' says the acquaintance. 'She was a hardened businesswoman, always talking to customers about who she knew and business opportunities she was planning to invest in. 'The place was always packed at the weekends because the food was good, but it was dead during the week, so it wasn't a surprise when she put it up for sale about three years after she'd opened it.' By then her marriage had collapsed. And then there is Worcester solicitor Tracy Lowe, who has more reason than most to feel aggrieved at Tiara's exploits. She was setting up her own family law firm in Worcester in March 2012 when she hired Tiara then using her married name Nina Dalman as office manager. She was, Tracy remembers, 'charm personified'. It was only through a stroke of blind luck that Tracy discovered her employee was up to some dubious dealings. She'd been trying to inveigle herself access to the company accounts, and had also set up her own company, registering it at Companies House and giving Tracy's firm as the postal address. Gloucester Crown Court (pictured) heard how she'd devised an intricate, complicated and lucrative system of getting cash refunds on stolen goods Tracy only rumbled what was going on when her bank manager called saying Tiara was trying to add her own name to her boss's account. 'I think her motive was to launder money or commit fraud through my office,' says Tracy. What happened next was even more shocking. Tiara waged a sinister revenge campaign of harassment against Tracy, her husband and her business for the next five months. Signs were removed from outside the office building, phone calls and emails were redirected, prospective clients were told that Tracy was going to be struck off as a solicitor. There were threatening phone calls anonymous, of course and twisted posters distributed branding Tracy a 'child killer'. 'Sadly, I lost two children in a house fire many years ago. Nina knew this and her vindictiveness went as far as sending me and various people posters calling me a 'child killer solicitor'. You can imagine the impact that had on me,' says Tracy. A strong woman, not easily cowed, Tracy says she was scared when she returned home from work to find she had been sent a bullet in the post, accompanied by the chilling message that she had a 'past, present but no future'. The solicitor says the police were involved from the outset. 'I had dozens of messages and threats,' she says. 'There was not a day when something did not happen. 'She knew where I lived and seemed to know when I got up, as I would then get an anonymous call. It was as if she was watching us. I could recognise her voice and she sent me text messages, but it was always from untraceable numbers. She was very clever.' In June 2013, Worcester Magistrates Court imposed a five-year restraining order and a curfew. After her guilty verdict, back at Tiara's old haunts in Worcestershire, nobody is surprised by her downfall. 'Over-confident and flirtatious', is how a fellow school-run dad describes her. 'She was all about networking and looking for financial opportunities. She liked to give the impression she had money, although no one knew the truth.' Neighbours in Malvern, where Tiara moved to in 2014, remember her unusual habit of popping over to borrow things lamps, crockery, even to use their own shower because her water had mysteriously gone off. 'It felt to us as if she was just coming round to look in our house and we felt a bit uneasy about it,' say Vivien and John Watts. 'Once she realised we weren't going to be a pushover, she turned her attention to the neighbours on the other side of her. They were a nice couple and even invited her to their holiday home in Italy. Nina said if they took her there, they would be able to join her at her villa in the South of France but, of course, that never happened.' Vivien remembers Tiara disappearing, without a word, 18 months after moving in, an event that was followed a short time later by the arrival of police carrying out the first of four separate raids. 'They never told us what they were looking for, but they kept coming out with full black bin bags and stacks of paperwork,' says Vivien. The layers of Tiara's deception have been years in the unwrapping. Even when she was arrested in 2019 she remained defiant. While on bail she tampered with documents to alter her bail conditions, then went to Asda, where CCTV spotted her picking up an electric toothbrush and trying to get a refund. It was declined. 'She's probably unparalleled as a retail fraudster,' says Tristram. As for her own family, Tiara's parents are both dead and she is estranged from her brother. 'She's an embarrassment to us,' declared one man at a family address. While over in Sutton Coldfield, her brother-in-law says: 'We have no intention of getting in touch with her again. She's bad news. We want to stay a million miles away from her.' Police believe Tiara was up to her old habits right up to the start of her trial. Whether she can change her ways remains to be seen. Additional reporting: Christine Challand Rapists could be handed prison sentences as short as four years under guidelines planned by a soft touch justice quango. The Scottish Sentencing Council (SSC), set up by the SNP Government, is consulting on proposals for jail terms of four to 13 years for rapists with a form of life sentence only for the most dangerous offenders. Those who carry out attacks judged to be less severe could be jailed for just four years under the guidance devised by the SSC. The SSC has been at the centre of ongoing controversy after earlier sentencing guidelines urged leniency for criminals under the age of 25 on the grounds of their alleged brain immaturity. Justice Secretary Angela Constance has encouraged people to take part in the consultation Last night Scottish Tory deputy justice spokesman Sharon Dowey said: Rape survivors, and the vast majority of the public, will be dismayed that the SSC has opted to recommend such a short minimum sentence. The SSC document outlining the proposed guidelines for rape sentences states that courts should use a table to identify the appropriate sentencing range. Sentences of four to six years are proposed for rapists in cases where there was psychological harm or trauma or physical harm, but no other factors which would make it more serious.These other factors would include, for example, a significant degree of planning by the perpetrator which would potentially lead to longer sentences. Jail terms ranging from ten to 13 years are suggested for violent cases where there is judged to be extreme impact on the victim. For the very worst cases, the court can impose an Order for Lifelong Restriction. Judges are able to depart from the guidelines, but they have to explain any decision to do so. Writing on LinkedIn, Thomas Ross, KC, a specialist in homicide cases, said: It probably comes as a surprise to non-lawyers that the usual sentence for rape in Scotland is around five years less if the accused is under 25. Last year, I had a client who got more than five years for a cannabis farm. The Scottish Sentencing Council (SSC), is consulting on proposals for jail terms of four to 13 years for rapists with a form of life sentence only for the most dangerous offenders Last night an SSC spokesman said: The appropriate sentence imposed in a particular case will depend upon the specific circumstances of the offence, and the guidelines make clear that culpability, or level of blame, of the offender and harm caused to the victim are key considerations. Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: I would encourage anyone with a view on the independent SSCs draft guidelines to take part in the consultations. A horrifying landslide disaster has killed at least 150 people with hundreds more feared to have been buried alive in tea plantations following 'incessant' rain in India. Around 500 people have already been rescued in desperate search efforts since successive landslides devastated the coastal state of Kerala yesterday morning. 'Still large areas are to be explored and searched to find out whether live people are there or not,' senior police officer M.R. Ajith Kumar said. But search efforts have been hampered by blocked roads, heavy monsoon rainfall and the collapse of a crucial bridge. Many who escaped the initial impact of the disaster were later 'swept away along with houses, temples and schools' by a river breaking its banks, search teams said. A rescuer consoles a man who lost his home following Tuesday's landslides at Chooralmala A woman cries as she waits at a health centre in Kerala's Wayanad district on July 30 after landslides devastated the region, leaving at least 150 people dead Rescuers stand next to a car washed away and damaged in the landslides, on Wednesday Survivors wait at a health centre in Meppadi following landslides triggered by monsoon rains A drone view shows a landslide site after multiple landslides in Kerala, on July 31 With the only bridge connecting the worst-hit villages of Chooralmala and Mundakkai washed away, rescue teams were forced to cart bodies on stretchers out of the disaster zone using a makeshift zipline erected over raging flood waters. 'So far we have got more than 150 bodies,' Mr Kumar told the AFP news agency. A number of brick-walled row homes built to accommodate seasonal workers were inundated by a powerful wall of brown sludge as labourers and their families slept inside before dawn on Tuesday. Other buildings were caked with mud as the force of the landslide scattered cars, corrugated iron and other debris around the disaster site. 'Catastrophic debris flows are extremely violent, so survival is very difficult,' Hull University earth scientist Dave Petley told AFP. 'This will have been exacerbated by the timing - in the early hours when people were asleep - and by flimsy structures that offered little protection.' More than 3,000 people were sheltering in emergency relief camps around Wayanad district, the state government said. At least 572 millimetres (22.5 inches) of rain fell in the two days leading up to the landslides, according to state chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Kerala's disaster agency said more rain and strong winds were forecast for Thursday with the likelihood of 'damage to unsafe structures' elsewhere in the state. Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who until recently represented Wayanad in parliament, said he had been unable to go through with a planned visit to the disaster. 'Due to incessant rains and adverse weather conditions we have been informed by authorities that we will not be able to land,' he said in a post on social media platform X. 'Our thoughts are with the people of Wayanad at this difficult time,' he added. Monsoon rains across the region from June to September offer respite from the summer heat and are crucial to replenishing water supplies. They are vital for agriculture - and therefore the livelihoods of millions of farmers, and food security for South Asia's nearly two billion people - but they also bring regular destruction. The number of fatal floods and landslides has increased in recent years, and experts say climate change is exacerbating the problem. 'Events like landslides, they are part of these climate-change-triggered heavy rainfall disasters,' Kartiki Negi of the Indian environment think tank Climate Trends told AFP. 'India will continue to see more and more of these kinds of impacts in the future,' she added. Damming, deforestation and development projects in India have also exacerbated the human toll. India's worst landslide in recent decades was in 1998, when rockfalls triggered by heavy monsoon rains killed at least 220 people and buried the tiny village of Malpa in the Himalayas. Tea plantation workers move to the relief camps, after landslides in Wayanad on July 31 A damaged vehicle lies amid mud after landslides in Wayanad devastated the region Medical staff transfer a body of a victim into an ambulance following a landslide at Meppadi Relief personnel carry the body of a victim, during a search and rescue operation Sadiq Khan's unpopular Low Traffic Neighbourhoods scheme has been given the green light to expand, despite the programme being blamed for delaying emergency services and causing more traffic. More than 30 more LTNs could be built across the capital after it has emerged the Mayor's transport body, Transport for London, has earmarked funding for the scheme. It comes after the 'traffic-calming measures' were first introduced by Khan in Spring 2020, as part of his vision for 80 per cent of all trips in London to be made on foot, by cycle, or using public transport by 2041. The scheme - which stops non-local motorists from driving through residential areas through the use of CCTV cameras, bollards and penalty fines - has proved divisive, with locals holding protests against the measures which they say have made traffic worse. The Low Traffic Neighbourhoods scheme, introduced by London Mayor Sadiq Khan (pictured on June 1) has got the go-ahead for another 30 to be built. The much-hated LTN scheme began rolling out in Spring 2020. This LTN in Streatham Wells, south London, was introduced encourage more walking but caused traffic jams Around 120 LTNs have been introduced since the beginning of the scheme, and about 100 are still in place. However, the Evening Standard has now reported that TfL has provided councils with funding 'for the development of more than 30 more potential LTN schemes'. Revealed in TfL's latest annual progress report on the Mayor's transport strategy, it states that LTNs 'remain a key part of the Healthy Streets approach and we continue to support boroughs' implementation of schemes with both funding and technical support'. This is despite many neighbourhoods where the scheme was implemented complaining that it isolated vulnerable older residents, worsened traffic, and pitted neighbours against each other. LTNs have been established across London with bollards, CCTV cameras and penalty fines in place In fact, residents of one LTN in Streatham Wells, south London, succeeded in getting it scrapped after it caused nightmare traffic since being introduced in October last year. The scheme was axed in March after it led to such bad congestion that buses took two hours to travel less than three miles. Figures from the annual progress document have also revealed that TfL allocated nearly 87million to boroughs in 2023/4 for the 'healthy streets' scheme which includes LTNs, cycle lanes, and 20mph speed limits. Meanwhile, an initial 66m was earmarked for boroughs for such schemes for the current 2024/25 financial year, but it is expected to exceed 80.4m by the end of the year. A sign warning motorists not to drive down Valley Road, part of a group of streets that made up the Streatham Wells LTN The congestion was so bad at peak times that buses were being diverted around the zone Another controversial LTN was also ripped out after a London borough mayor ruled it divided the community and pushed cars onto roads where 'less affluent residents' lived. Tower Hamlets introduced the LTN on roads around Columbia Road's famous flower market, Brick Lane and Old Bethnal Green Road during the pandemic in a bid to reduce pollution and make streets safer. But the planters, lockable bollards and cameras catching out drivers in Bethnal Green were removed late last year. Making the decision, the mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman said at the time: 'While LTNs0 improve air quality in their immediate vicinity, they push traffic down surrounding arterial roads, typically lived on by less affluent residents.' Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh spent his final hours attending the inauguration of new Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian at a ceremony in Tehran before he was ruthlessly assassinated in a suspected Israeli strike. The Hamas political leader, 62, was seen flashing the peace sign and smiling as he mixed with Iranian dignitaries yesterday at the swearing-in ceremony. He then shared a meeting with Pezeshkian - his first and only official talks with the new president before being killed - as well as Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has since vowed to avenge Haniyeh. Video footage captured the moment Haniyeh spoke with Pezeshkian as the pair shared an embrace before the cameras in a firm signal of the enduring ties between the Islamic Republic and the Palestinian group. Following his meetings, Haniyeh was accompanied by guards to his accommodation - an Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) residence in the capital - where he was reportedly staying alongside Palestinian Islamic Jihad Secretary General Ziyad Nakhalah, Hamas sources told Saudi outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. Sitting in an IRGC safehouse surrounded by guards in the Iranian capital, Haniyeh likely felt completely secure with no inkling of his fate. Israel's Defence Forces are believed to have conducted an overnight strike on the building, killing the Hamas leader as he slept in his bed - though Nakhalah is said to have escaped the blast. The source of the explosion is not yet clear. Video footage captured the moment Haniyeh spoke with new Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian as the pair shared an embrace before the cameras In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, President Masoud Pezeshkian, right, shakes hands with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh at the start of their meeting at the President's office in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP) Palestinian group Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh attends Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tehran Hours from death: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meets with Ismail Haniyeh (L) before Israel's lethal strike on the Hamas leader in Tehran, Iran July 30, 2024 Haniyeh's assassination, confirmed by both Hamas and Iranian authorities, marks the most high-profile killing since October 7 and could prove to be a tipping point in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group. It has also sparked concerns that Hamas' regional allies - Iran, Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels - could seek to hit back against Israel, spreading yet more violence in the region. 'Brother leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, died in a Zionist strike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) president,' Hamas said in a statement. Hamas political bureau member Musa Abu Marzuk vowed: 'The assassination of leader Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act and will not go unanswered.' The National Security Council in Iran said today that 'the elimination of Haniyeh crossed the red lines, Israel will bear a great price', as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared it was Iran's 'duty to avenge' Haniyeh because 'he was martyred on our soil'. The assassination of Hamas' chief at an IRGC residence in the capital city constitutes a humiliating blow for the Islamic Republic and will likely precipitate a harsh retaliation. Iran previously sent a barrage of missiles and drones to attack Israel earlier this year after Tel-Aviv struck the Iranian embassy in Syria in April. Meanwhile, international observers have sounded the alarm that Hamas could pull out of months of negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza as the Palestinian death toll nears 40,000. Haniyeh's death makes him the latest and highest-ranking Hamas official to be killed by Israel since the Hamas-led October 7 attacks. At least ten members of Haniyeh's family, including his sister, were killed in an Israeli airstrike earlier this year. The strike hit the Haniyeh family home in Al-Shati refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, last month. That attack came just weeks after Haniyeh lost three sons and four grandchildren in an Israeli airstrike on their car nearby. Before their deaths, Haniyeh was believed to have had 13 sons and daughters. The Qatar-based Hamas leader said at the time said that about 60 members of his family had been killed since the war with Israel broke out on October 7. Haniyeh is seen meeting with Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian on the day of his assassination Following his meetings, Haniyeh was accompanied by guards to his accommodation - an Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps residence in the capital Palestinian Islamic Jihad chief Ziad al-Nakhala and Palestinian group Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh attend Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tehran, Iran, July 30, 2024. Israel's Defence Forces seized the chance to hit Haniyeh and conducted a daring missile strike on his residence in Tehran just hours after the event, killing the Hamas leader and a security guard While Hamas' Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar is believed to have been the mastermind of the attacks, Haniyeh, seen as a more pragmatic force in Hamas, lauded them as a humiliating blow to Israel's aura of invincibility. 'The Al-Aqsa flood was an earthquake that struck the heart of the Zionist entity and has made major changes at the world level,' Haniyeh said in a speech in Iran during the funeral of late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in May. 'We will continue the resistance against this enemy until we liberate our land, all our land,' Haniyeh said Israel had vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the group's October 7 attacks, with Mossad chief David Barnea in January declaring Israel was 'committed to settling the score with the murderers who descended upon the Gaza envelope'. But Haniyeh had vowed to fight Israel to the end, with a Hamas statement quoting him as saying that the Palestinian cause has 'costs' and 'we are ready for these costs: martyrdom for the sake of Palestine, and for the sake of God Almighty, and for the sake of the dignity of this nation.' Haniyeh was also under the eye of the International Criminal Court, whose chief prosecutor sought arrest warrants against him and two other Hamas leaders, Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Similar requests were issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Haniyeh lived in self-imposed exile in Qatar since 2019, but the threats against him did not prevent him from travelling. He was said to maintain good relations with the heads of the various Palestinian factions - including rivals to Hamas - to consolidate Hamas' power base in Gaza, and was very much the international face of the group, travelling from Doha to Tehran and Ankara to maintain strong ties with regional allies. Furious locals in Santorini have threatened to leave the Greek island after officials told them to keep out of tourists' way. Resident Onur Kilic, 28, said that 'there are just too many tourists' coming to Santorini who leave rubbish behind and sometimes even a 'bad smell'. 'It's hard for locals because we live here. The roads are too crowded and the traffic is much worse; its bad for environment and the cost of everything is out of control, locals cannot pay as prices have gone up,' the hotel worker told the i. 'They need to find the right balance, they could limit the amount of cruise ships, but the government is not doing enough if this continues I will leave the island.' This comes just days after Santorini councillor Panos Kavallaris urged residents in a since-deleted Facebook post to stay at home and avoid the 17,000 tourists he said authorities expect to arrive on the island per day during the peak holiday season. Hundreds of tourists regularly gather at the village of Oia, Santorini, to watch the sunset, like above on July 20 Furious locals have threatened to leave the Santorini after officials told them to keep out of the way of the thousands of tourists (some pictured above this month) who descend on the small island every day Hundreds of tourists perch on the steep hills in Santorini that watch and photograph the famed sunset on July 25, 2024 Tourists wait for the sunset in the village of Oia on the Greek island of Santorini on July 20, 2024 'Another difficult day for our city and island is ahead with the arrival of 17,000 visitors from cruise ships. We ask for your attention: limit your movements as much as possible,' Kavallaris said, but the post quickly caused outrage among locals. Residents criticised the councillor's request, with one commenting on social media: '[He] officially asks locals to lock themselves at home, so that tourists can wander around free. Marvelous.' LIFO, a popular Greek newspaper, said that while Kavallaris' announcement was made 'with the best intentions', it was clear that the situation in Santorini in regards to the amount of tourists coming to the island was getting out of control. Shocking images from the picturesque island this week show masses of tourists queuing on narrow walkways along white buildings with the famous sea-blue domes for the best holiday shots. The queue to reach the viewing spot in the clifftop village of Oia can now take more than 20 minutes. Santorini is a key stopover of the Greek cruise experience. But with parts of the island nearing saturation, officials are considering restrictions. Of the record 32.7 million people who visited Greece last year, around 3.4 million, or one in 10, went to the island of just 15,500 residents. 'We need to set limits if we don't want to sink under overtourism,' Santorini mayor Nikos Zorzos said. The sunset in Santorini is a popular background for tourists' holiday snaps Shocking images from the picturesque island this week show masses of tourists queuing on narrow walkways along white buildings with the famous sea-blue domes for the best holiday shots. Tourists leave after viewing Santorini's famed sunset from the Castle of Oia, on Santorini, Greece, earlier this week Hundreds of visitors stand side-by-side on the pebbled steps in Santorini as they are watching the sunset (above on July 25) 'There must not be a single extra bed... whether in the large hotels or Airbnb rentals.' As the sun set behind the horizon in Oia, thousands raised their phones to the sky to capture the moment, followed by scattered applause. For canny entrepreneurs, the Cycladic island's famous sunset can be a cash cow. One company advertised more than 50 'flying dresses', which have long flowing trains, for up to 370 euros (312), on posters around Oia for anyone who wishes to 'feel like a Greek goddess' or spruce up selfies. But elsewhere in Oia's narrow streets, residents have put up signs urging visitors to respect their home. 'RESPECT... It's your holiday... but it's our home,' read a purple sign from the Save Oia group. Another local described Santorini as the 'Hawaii of Europe', with a third adding on social media: 'I'm so glad I'm not on the island right now.' Shaped by a volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago, Santorini's landscape is 'unique', the mayor said, and 'should not be harmed by new infrastructure'. Around a fifth of the island is currently occupied by buildings. At the edge of the cliff, a myriad of swimming pools and jacuzzis highlight Santorini is also a pricey destination. In 2023, 800 cruise ships brought some 1.3 million passengers, according to the Hellenic Ports Association. As the sun set behind the horizon in Oia (pictured above on July 19), thousands raised their phones to the sky to capture the moment, followed by scattered applause The sunset in the village of Oia (above) is a popular photo subject among holidaymakers Scores of tourists disembark from a boat at the port of the Greek island of Santorini on July 20, 2024 Tourists take pictures of donkeys being guided by a local man, in the village of Oia, on Santorini, Greece, July 25, 2024 Tourists walk through a street of the village of Fira on the Greek island of Santorini on July 19, 2024 Of the record 32.7 million people who visited Greece last year, around 3.4 million, or one in 10, went to the island of just 15,500 residents (pictured: tourists in Santorini on July 20, 2024) Cruisecritic, a Tripadvisor company, says that up to seven cruise ships can dock simultaneously on the island, which means that they could bring over 14,000 passengers if at full capacity. Cruise ships 'do a lot of harm to the island', said Chantal Metakides, a Belgian resident of Santorini for 26 years. 'When there are eight or nine ships pumping out smoke, you can see the layer of pollution in the caldera,' she said. In June, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis floated the possibility of capping cruise ship arrivals to Greece's most popular islands. 'I think we'll do it next year,' he told Bloomberg, noting that Santorini and tourist magnet Mykonos 'are clearly suffering'. 'There are people spending a lot of money to be on Santorini and they don't want the island to be swamped,' said the pro-business conservative leader, who was re-elected to a second four-year term last year. In an interview, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni echoed this sentiment and said: 'We must set quotas because it's impossible for an island such as Santorini... to have five cruise ships arriving at the same time.' Local officials have set a limit of 8,000 cruise boat passengers per day from next year. But not all local operators agree. Antonis Pagonis, head of Santorini's hoteliers association, believes better visitor flow management is part of the solution. 'It is not possible to have (on) a Monday, for example, 20 to 25,000 guests from the cruise ships, and the next day zero,' he said. Thousands of tourists walk through the narrow alleyways in Santorini every single day, like above on July 20 Santorini is a key stopover of the Greek cruise experience. But with parts of the island nearing saturation, officials are considering restrictions (pictured: tourists watching the famed sunset in Santorini) Tourists queue as they wait to get the cable car from the old port of Fira to the village of Fira on the Greek island of Santorini on July 20, 2024 Tourists walk through a narrow street in the village of Fira on the Greek island of Santorini at sunset on July 19, 2024 Local officials have set a limit of 8,000 cruise boat passengers per day from next year Like other popular tourist destinations, the Cycladic island perched on a volcano is approaching over-saturation, and now wants to restrict the number of cruise ship Pagonis also argued that most of the congestion only affects parts of the island like the capital, Fira. In the south of the island, the volcanic sand beaches are less crowded, even though it is high season in July. The modern tourism industry has also changed visitor behaviour. 'I listened (to) people making a FaceTime call with the family, saying 'I'm in Turkey',' smiled tourist guide Kostas Sakavaras. 'They think that the church over there is a mosque because yesterday they were in Turkey.' The veteran guide said the average tourist coming to the island has changed. 'Instagram has defined the way people choose the places to visit,' he said, explaining everybody wants the perfect Instagram photo to confirm their expectations. Anchoring the BBC News at Ten, Huw Edwards was one of the Britain's most recognisable faces and among its most trusted voices. From braving terrorist attacks and war zones, to grilling politicians and reporting on sporting triumphs, the Welsh broadcaster covered it all during his 40-year career at the corporation. When he announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II - a task he admitted he had spent years preparing for - there were calls for him to be knighted over his sensitive and composed way he addressed the nation. But less than two years later the 62-year-old has suffered a remarkable fall from grace that has seen him lose his job and the breakup of his marriage to the mother of his five children. First a scandal involving payments to a teenage boy in return for sexual images saw him leave the BBC and now he faces a prison sentence after admitting to making indecent images of children as young as seven. Huw Edwards pictured with his wife Vicky Find in South London in 2018. She has since separated from the former broadcaster in the wake of his recent scandals Edwards spent 40 years working his way up the ranks of the BBC, first coming to national attention presenting the BBC Six O'Clock News Edwards pictured with his late father Hywel, who was a Welsh-language activist and academic Huw Edwards shakes hands with Queen Elizabeth II during a royal visit to BBC Studios in London in June 2013 He would later announce the news of Her Majesty's death to the nation in September 2022 After spending decades working his way up at the BBC the newsreader, who has previously said he is a devout Christian and goes to church every week, will never again be seen on the UK's TV screens in a professional capacity. As a child growing up in a Welsh-speaking family in Llanelli, near Swansea, Edwards had seemed destined to become a high achiever, despite in his own words being an 'angry and stroppy teenager'. His father was a Welsh-language activist, author and academic, his mother - with whom he remains incredibly close following recent scandals - was a secondary school teacher. He had originally harboured ambitions of studying at the University of Oxford, but was 'appalled' at being rejected by Hertford College and instead studied French at Cardiff University, earning first class honours. Edwards would later get revenge of a sort, giving a speech at Oxford years later in which he said he had the 'scholarly giants of Oxford to thank for the fact that I've been a dazzling success as a journalist'. His moves into journalism would begin while he was working on a postgraduate degree in Medieval French, with Edwards having a short stint doing work experience at a commercial radio station in Swansea. At the age of 23 he joined BBC Wales as a trainee in 1984, beginning his long and very profitable association with the corporation - at his peak Edwards was one of its highest paid stars, raking in more than 400,000-a-year. After cutting his teeth as a parliamentary correspondent for BBC Wales, in 1994 he was moved to the BBC Six O'Clock News, where his importance continued to grow as he fronted Britain's most watched news programme. A further promotion to the BBC Ten O'Clock News in 2003 saw his star rise even further and he was chosen over and over again to front the coverage of the major news of the day. Huw Edwards pictured after the announcement he would be the new presenter of the BBC Six O'Clock News in 1994 He was part of a raft of new talent brought into the corporation's news teams in the 90s, alongside George Alagiah, Anna Ford and Fiona Bruce (pictured together) AS he worked he way up the ladder he become a common sight at royal events, including the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton (pictured) The newsreader also presented the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle in 2018 (pictured) He was front and centre in live broadcasts of election coverage, taking over from David Dimbleby in 2019 as the main presenter of the BBC results programming. He also became the face and voice of the corporation's royal coverage, presenting at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, and the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh in 2021. He also made documentaries for the BBC including Wales: Who Do We Think We Are? and talked about his depression on S4C's Huw Edwards Is 60. In a documentary in 2021, Edwards revealed he has had bouts of depression over the last two decades which have left him 'bedridden'. 'Like everyone that suffers with depression, you don't get one bout of it. It comes and goes,' he said. 'For me, it started around 2002 I think. I went down fairly quickly and I couldn't understand it.' Outside of work he became vice president of the National Churches Trust - although he would be sacked from this position after his child porn conviction - and was known to take his family, including wife Vicky Flind and their five children, to church every week. His importance to the BBC saw his wages rocket, with Edwards becoming the corporation's highest paid newsreader with a pay bracket of 475,000 and 479,999 for the year 2023/24, before he resigned, according to the BBC's latest annual report. This last salary marked an increase from 2022/23, when he was paid between 435,000 and 439,999 for 180 days presenting on BBC One, as well as news specials. The presenter also hosted a number of documentaries for the BBC, including The Story of Wales with Huw Edwards (pictured) As host of the BBC Ten O'Clock News he also covered the vote that led to Britain take part in the invasion of Iraq Edwards pictured looking at the camera while holding a BBC News umbrella outside Downing Street in 2007 In 2018, it was reported he agreed to take a pay cut following revelations over unequal pay for men and women at the BBC, although he made his feelings known about the decision. He told The Times in 2022 that he was 'bloody angry' about seeing his wages go down, saying: 'I was being paid what the BBC had agreed to pay me; it wasn't my fault. 'When a senior manager, a middle-aged white male, called me in to ask me to take a pay cut, the first thing I asked was, 'Are you taking one?' He looked horrified at the very idea.' Although that's not say he didn't enjoy the attention that being a famous face brought him - in his interview with The Times he remarked how he was recognised in public. He said: 'I will often get young women coming up to me and saying, 'Do you mind if I have a selfie?' Smiling broadly, I'll say, 'Of course.' They then say, without missing a beat, 'My grandmother is a huge fan of yours.' I just think, well, I am 60. It does keep your feet on the ground.' Behind scenes though he had a tempestuous relationship with some colleagues, with his former editor Sir Craig Oliver recalling concerns about his behaviour towards colleagues. Speaking today Sir Craig said: 'He could be a very, very difficult and complicated man. He would speak about being prone to bouts of depression and sometimes he clashed with staff. 'There were also, I think, a number of people who were worried about his behaviour within the BBC - was he actually throwing his weight around and behaving well enough to other staff? But I don't think anybody suspected that there was child abuse imagery in his private life in any way, shape or form.' In September 2022 he reached the zenith of his career as he led the BBC's coverage of the late Queen's death. As the chaos and speculation swirled around Her Majesty's condition the newsreader, wearing a black suit and tie, appeared on the nation's TV screens He then uttered the words: 'A few moments ago, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.' It was a moment he had spent years preparing for, often practising in the bathroom mirror to get the tone, pitch and cadence spot on, and his announcement was seen around the world. He received plaudits from all quarters for his delivery of the news and his subsequent reporting of her funeral, although he dismissed calls from some for him to be given a knighthood over it, saying the thought of getting one 'embarrassed' him. Huw Edwards pictured at the 2012 British Acadamy Television Awards at Royal Festival Hall in London The presenter pictured outside the Royal Television Society Programme Awards at the Grosvenor Hotel in London in March 2017 Less than a year later he would front the BBC's coverage of the Coronation of King Charles III as he provided a reassuring face and voice to the nation during times of upheaval. However, behind the scenes though not everything was so rosy - a battle with mental illness including depression took its toll and the BBC's top newsreader was about to become embroiled in a scandal that would claim his career. The newsreader was besieged by accusations he had paid a teenage boy for sexually explicit images over the course of three years. The man's family had accused Edwards of paying the him 35,000, most of which was allegedly used to fund his crack cocaine habit. The BBC star's identity was kept secret initially, sparking a frenzy of speculation about who the allegation's were referring to - Gary Lineker and Jeremy Vine both felt obliged to deny they were the man in question. Then Edwards' wife of 30 years issued a shock statement revealing it was her husband who was the centre of the accusations and that he was 'suffering from serious mental health issues' following the claims. The BBC subsequently suspended its top paid newsreader, two months after the young person's family had complained to the corporation, and acknowledged there had been 'shortcomings' in the ways it had dealt with their concerns. Edwards would go on to take sanctuary in his beloved Wales and was staying with his mother Aerona in Camarthenshire. While the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police both said no criminal offence had been committed by the presenter in this case, it marked the end of Edwards' career. The father-of-five resigned from the BBC in April this year, citing 'medical advice' from doctors having been admitted to hospital in the aftermath of the allegations against him. Edwards, pictured here wearing fighting gloves, has been open in the past about his struggles with depression The newsreader took sanctuary with his mother Aerona (pictured with him) in his beloved Wales in the aftermath of one scandal The news of his departure was announced to staff at the corporation by Deborah Turness, the BBC's chief executive, who read out the statement: 'Huw Edwards has today resigned and left the BBC. After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors. 'The BBC has accepted his resignation which it believes will allow all parties to move forward'. The terse 55-word statement made no mention of the scandal that had erupted around him, and was conspicuously absent of any praise or thanks for his long service. It brought Edwards' long association with the BBC to a close - and meant he was no longer receiving his 439,000-a-year salary which had continued to be paid during his suspension. And while it seemed the broadcaster, who has been absent from the public gaze since then, had reached rock bottom it turned out there were new depths to plumb. This morning Edwards arrived at court in London accused making 41 indecent images of children. In the centre of a media scrum and surrounded by photographers, the silver-haired former BBC star gave nothing away as he walked into the building with dark sunglasses covering his eyes. Inside details of the sick allegations were made public - he had been accused of keeping seven category 'A' images of the very worst kind on his phone after being sent them on WhatsApp by a paedophile. The sick child porn images showed youngsters aged between seven and 14, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. It was revealed that Edwards had been arrested on November 8 last year and charged on June 26, having kept details of the investigation into him 'secret' from his friends at the BBC. In the turmoil he had moved out of his family's home in Dulwich and separated from his wife, details of which only came to light today. The former BBC News presenter was surrounded by photographers outside Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning Inside the court room the former BBC star admitted to making indecent images of children Edwards, pictured here in a court sketch from today, now faces a potential prison sentence and his fall from grace is complete after decades at the top of broadcasting In the court room he remained emotionless as he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, between December 2020 and August 2022. After entering his pleas, the disgraced newsreader sat staring into the distance, with his head tilted slightly upwards, and adjusted his tie as Ian Hope, prosecuting, laid out the case against him. The court heard that Edwards had been involved in an online chat with an adult man on WhatsApp between December 2020 and August 2021, who sent him 377 sexual images, of which 41 were indecent images of children. The bulk of these, 36, were sent during a two-month period. Mr Hope told the court there was 'no suggestion' Edwards had 'anything to with making the images or indeed doing anything beyond the opening of the images.' His defence barrister Philip Evans KC told the court that his client had 'both mental and physical' health issues, before stating Edwards was 'not just of good character, but of exceptional character'. The former broadcaster will be sentenced at the same court on September 16, where he could face a prison sentence. An Albanian drug dealer is one of a record 27,000 migrants using human rights laws to try and block their deportation from the UK. Bledar Vranaraj, 45, was jailed for eight years in 2015 after his gang was caught with seven kilograms of cocaine worth 600,000. But now he is appealing his deportation on the grounds that it would breach his rights to a family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Vranaraj was granted indefinite leave to remain in 1998 after falsely claiming to be a Kosovan refugee. He was granted leave to remain by the government as officials had been unaware he had 'fabricated both his identity and his account', according to immigration tribunal documents. He started a relationship the same year with a French woman with whom he has two children. She was granted indefinite leave to remain under the EU settlement scheme, allowing him to claim the right to stay as her family. His claim, which is being contested by the Home Office, has dragged on for nearly six years without resolution. Bledar Vranaraj, 45, was jailed for eight years in 2015 after his gang was caught with seven kilogrammes of cocaine worth 600,000 and hundreds of thousands in dirty cash (Top row): Taulantn Bushi, Albert Krasniqi, Enrik Mullahi, Aurel Hoxha, (Bottom row): Bledar Vranari, Artor Sufaj, Olsin Llanga and Blendi Kellici all admitted money laundering and possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply in 2015 His claim has added to the backlog of 27,000 appeals waiting to be heard in court, according to the Daily Telegraph. As of March, the backlog, has increased by 379 per cent since the previous year, when there was only 7,500. Vranaraj arrived in the UK in July 1997 and has been described in immigration tribunal documents as having a 'poor immigration history'. He was convicted of possessing cocaine in 2008, when his application to become a naturalised citizen was rejected. Then he was jailed for eight years in 2015 for running a drug ring with seven others out of houses in South-West London. Vranaraj was described as holding a significant role in the gang. Detectives recovered nearly 1million in laundered money as well as a car registered to him that had been fitted with a secret compartment to transport drugs and dirty cash. When cops raided houses linked to the gang they found cocaine and drug-cutting paraphernalia stuffed into shopping bags and flushed down toilets in last-ditch attempt to evade arrest. The Home Office terminated his refugee status in 2018 over his prison sentence. Detectives recovered nearly 1million in laundered money as well as a car registered to Vranaraj that had been fitted with a secret compartment to transport drugs and dirty cash (stock image) However, Vranaraj has challenged his deportation on the basis that it was a breach of his human rights and was unduly harsh on his family. He claimed that he would either be separated from his family by having to return to Albania or have to move them to a country they were unfamiliar with. His lawyers also claimed that the Home Office had failed to properly consider his application for an EEA residence card, allowing him to remain in the UK. The lower immigration tribunal backed his appeal against his removal. However, the appeal court ruled this should be considered after the Home Office objected, according to the Telegraph. The Refugee Council has warned that tribunal appeals are likely to increase as record numbers of migrants come to the UK. In the six months to March 2024, some 23,000 appeals were received by the first-tier tribunal, a 379 per cent increase on the same period a year earlier. By contrast, in the year to March 2024, the first-tier tribunal dealt with 9,943 appeals. As a result, the backlog in asylum appeals almost quadrupled from 7,510 at the end of March 2023 to 27,133 a year later. The Refugee Council told the Telegraph: Appeals that were disposed of in the last three months of 2023 had been outstanding for an average of 39 weeks. Without action, that period will only get longer. A Home Office spokesman said: A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We are taking rigorous action against foreign criminals through careful management of cases and clearing barriers to removal. 'It would be inappropriate to comment further while there are ongoing legal proceedings.' A British girl with cerebral palsy has tragically died while on a family holiday in Crete. The 13-year-old was on vacation with her parents in the village of Analipsi, Hersonissos, when she suddenly felt unwell yesterday, according to local media. She was rushed to hospital in nearby Heraklion, where she was admitted to the children's ICU and tragically died this morning. The teenager's mother told local media that she was born with cerebral palsy. One Greek outlet claims that a sudden deterioration of her symptoms likely led to the girl's death. The 13-year-old was on vacation with her parents in the village of Analipsi, Hersonissos, when she suddenly felt unwell yesterday, according to local media (file image of Hersonissos) A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office told MailOnline: 'We are providing support to the family of a British child who has died in Greece and are in touch with the local authorities.' This comes just weeks after a British student tragically drowned in the picturesque waters of Italy's Lake Como on July 17 after being unable to swim back to a boat he rented with his girlfriend. The 22-year-old Brit and his 19-year-old partner were enjoying a romantic vacation on Lake Como, staying at a hotel in Tremezzina, when they decided to rent the vessel for a leisurely tour of the lake. With Italy in the grip of a heatwave, the pair decided to take a swim and dove into the water just off the coast of Menaggio, some four miles north of their hotel in Tremezzina. But the serene lake turned treacherous as strong winds whipped up and their boat drifted away with the currents, leaving them both stranded. Neither were able to reach their boat or the shoreline, and as fatigue began to set in the young woman lost sight of her boyfriend in the choppy waters. The pair decided to take a swim and dove into the water just off the coast of Menaggio (pictured) The struggling girl was saved when a boat passing by chance noticed her struggling against the waves, scooped her up and brought her back to shore. Though she was tired and in shock, she was physically unharmed and urgently informed her rescuers about her missing partner, prompting a massive search operation. Firefighters, rescue teams, and helicopters from both the fire department and the Guardia di Finanza scoured the lake and shores in the Menaggio area in the hopes the man had managed to save himself. But the 22-year-old's lifeless body was later spotted by a Guardia di Finanza aircraft near Griante and recovered in the evening. The local Carabinieri in Menaggio have launched an investigation to piece together the details of this tragic accident. An FCDO spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who died Italy and are in contact with the local authorities.' This is the moment a Kurdish migrant tried to kill a stranger by pushing him onto the tracks at a London Underground station - as he is found guilty of attempted murder. Brwa Shorsh, 24, shoved stranger Tadeusz Potoczek, 61, at Oxford Circus in central London on February 3. Although he denied trying to kill him, Shorsh admitted he did it for 'revenge' thinking the postman gave him a 'dirty look'. Mr Potoczek, a postman who was on his way home from work, was seen walking along the platform when Shorsh lurched up from a bench and shoved him. The postman narrowly missed touching the live rail on the southbound Victoria Line and he was helped back up to the platform by a kind passenger. But the driver of an oncoming train told Inner London Crown Court: 'If he had been on the track a few seconds later, he would have been killed.' Tadeusz Potoczek was seen walking along the platform at Oxford Circus Kurdish migrant Brwa Shorsh lurched up from a bench and shoved the postman Mr Potoczek was hurrying home to catch a flight and was looking at arrivals board when he was attacked. The driver had put on the emergency brake and his train was just four seconds away from hitting the victim. Another commuter who pulled Mr Potoczek to safety said Shorsh yelled 'What the f*** are you doing here?' Shorsh previously told the court he wanted 'revenge' after three women allegedly laughed at him for being homeless and he felt Mr Potoczek had given him a dirty look. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted murder and also denied an alternative count of attempted grievous bodily harm, but the jury returned a guilty verdict today. Shorsh said Mr Potoczek had been 'very disrespectful to me' and he did not know a train was coming. He admitted what he did was 'scary' but it was not intended to kill. Defence counsel Tim Brown told the jury today it cannot be disputed that Shorsh pushed Mr Potoczek. But Mr Brown argued that his client did not intend to kill Mr Potoczek, telling the jury: '(Shorsh) tells you everything. Exactly the same story. 'However unattractive, he's told you 'I don't care what you think, there it is'. He has been consistent and always maintained he did not intend to kill him. 'If he did, why did he not wait for the train to be on top of him? Why not stop him from getting off the tracks to safety? 'Replace Shorsh with a relative or friend. How sure would you want those 12 people to be that he intended to kill?' Shorsh had been sleeping rough in England, including inside Tube stations to keep warm, since 2020, the court heard. The postman narrowly missed touching the live rail on the southbound Victoria Line Mr Potoczek was helped back up to the platform by a kind passenger as Shorsh watched During proceedings on Tuesday, prosecutors said the incident was 'a random piece of violence' against a man who 'had done absolutely nothing wrong'. On why he pushed Mr Potoczek so hard and on to the track, Shorsh said: 'He made me angry and I hated him.' Shorsh later told the court: 'I am sorry for what happened. I did not intend to kill him and I am not a murderer.' As the jury retired to consider verdicts in the trial, throughout which Shorsh was seen smiling in the dock, the judge pointed out he had no remorse for his actions. He was found guilty by a jury after just 32 minutes of deliberations. Speaking to the defendant after the verdict, Mr Justice Kelleher said: 'You have been found guilty of attempted murder, which is a very serious offence, and a long prison sentence will follow.' After the verdict was announced Sam Barker, prosecuting, said Shorsh 'has a large number - in a short time - of convictions for violence on members of tube staff and of the British Transport Police.' Asked how he felt after the stranger pushed him onto the Tube track Mr Potoczek said he was feared he would 'lose my life'. He added: 'I recognised that stopping a train is not like stopping a bike.' Brave commuter Oliver Matthews came to his rescue and pulled him back up to the platform, 'I feel an arm under my shoulder and I feel I am safe,' said Mr Potoczek. He added that Shorsh told passengers on the platform to 'call the police'. He said: 'Call the police!' like he is not afraid of the police coming.' Mr Matthews, who helped Mr Potoczek back onto the platform, said in his statement read to the court: 'I was very shocked and I rushed over to the platform. 'I took hold of [Mr Potoczek] and pulled him back onto the platform. I situated myself between them to make sure that [Shorsh] didn't try anything else.' Train driver Bobby Walker said in his statement he thought someone was about to commit suicide. He was leaning forward onto the track. 'The male in the red jacket fell into the track but not into the deeper track area. I immediately put the train into emergency.' 'I was shaken very badly by this. If he had been on the track a few seconds later he would have been killed. Also if I had looked away for a few seconds he would have been killed. 'I am very glad I managed to stop the train.' Shorsh will be sentenced on September 26. Her mum has made a tearful appeal for information A distraught mum has issued a tearful plea for help finding her daughter who mysteriously vanished almost a week ago. Tahlia Prior, 27 was last seen on Mills Street in Bentley in Perth's south at about 5pm last Friday. Cindy Prior had spoken to her daughter earlier that day about catching up for shopping and lunch the next day. But Tahlia didn't show for the planned catch-up or answer any calls which was unusual, according to her concerned mum. Ms Prior fought back tears as she issued a desperate public appeal on Wednesday, which coincided with her missing daughter's birthday. The pair had planned to have lunch and cook that day. 'It's Tahlia's birthday today and we are really missing her on her special day,' Ms Prior said. 'Tahlia is a bright, intelligent young woman, a student a Curtin University. She's kind friendly and caring, she's a civil engineer.' Cindy Prior (pictured right) has issued an emotional plea to find her daughter Tahlia Prior, 27 (pictured left) who has been missing since last Friday Addressing her daughter, Ms Prior said: 'Tahlia, it's your special day today.' 'We need you to come home. We need you to be at home with us to celebrate your birthday, we are really really missing you on this special day. 'We think Tahlia is quite vulnerable at the moment, and we are pleading to the public for any information.' Ms Prior added: 'Like everyone, Tahlia has her ups and downs, but overall she's happy and outgoing.' She expressed extreme concern for Tahlia's safety and welfare. 'My family are really really concerned, we are just reaching out to everyone, putting flyers up at Curtin University and around the area she was last seen as widely as we can,' Ms Prior said. She added that she has been 'driving around everywhere' desperately searching for her daughter. 'I can't do it anymore by myself, I need the community's help,' she said. 'Any small detail whether big or small, please reach out.' Tahlia Prior is about 174cm tall, medium build, with brown hair and brown eyes WA Police released CCTV of the last sighting of Tahlia Prior, 27, in Bentley in Perth's south. She was last seen wearing a dark jumper, sky blue coloured track pants and black sneakers Police have ramped up their investigation after a 'thorough' search of the Bentley area and released CCTV of Tahlia's last known movements last Friday. 'We urgently require public assistance to help get a clearer picture of her movements during this time,' Cannington Police Senior Sergeant Trisha Stjepic said. 'She is without a phone and a wallet and may be extremely vulnerable.' Ms Prior was last seen wearing a dark jumper, sky blue coloured track pants and black sneakers. She usually wears glasses but is believed to be not wearing them. Ms Prior is 174cm tall, of medium build, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone who sights Ms Prior or has any information about her whereabouts is urged to contact WA Police on 131444. A former detective has apologized to a man he helped convict and put on death row for killing his two-year-old daughter. Robert Roberson III, 57, was sentenced to death after he was found guilty of shaking his daughter Nikki Curtis to death at his home in Palestine, East Texas, in 2003. He is currently in a legal fight to overturn his conviction - claiming a debunked medical hypothesis and his undiagnosed autism put him behind bars. Amid Roberson's battle for his life, former cop Rev. Brian Wharton met up with him in a Texas prison in a harrowing confrontation filmed by The New York Times. 'Let me just say, I am so sorry that you're here and so sorry that you're still here,' Wharton told Roberson. 'It's our failure.' Former detective Rev Brian Wharton has apologized to a man he helped convict and put on death row for killing his two-year-old daughter Robert Roberson III, 57, was sentenced to death after he was found guilty of shaking his daughter Nikki Curtis to death at his home in Palestine , East Texas , in 2003 Wharton, who was the chief detective in Palestine at the time, has come to regret his role in Roberson's conviction and is working to help overturn it and save his life. 'He's never been far from my mind. Why? Because I helped put him here, and he didn't deserve it,' Roberson told the NYT. Wharton recalled thinking that Roberson's demeanor seemed strange when he brought Nikki to the hospital, claiming she was unconscious after falling from the bed. That's when hospital staff started discussing shaken baby syndrome and Roberson was arrested, tried and convicted. 'I've never been able to forget Robert Roberson. This case has been a burden on my heart and spirit 'Let me just say that you have never been far from me, and I'm convinced that we did the wrong thing Roberson, seen here with his daughter Nikki, was prosecuted on what is now a widely discredited understanding of Shaken Baby Syndrome Roberson replied: 'I think if it would have been properly investigated more, we wouldn't be sitting here now, probably It was bad enough losing her, right? I would do anything now to bring her back Wharton admits that no other causes of death were considered for Nikki, and that police 'followed the easiest path.' He later learned that Roberson has autism which could have explained his lack of emotion over Nikki's death - but never came out during trial. Nikki was also a 'very sick child,' according to Wharton, who now thinks some of those medical issues could have explained her death. Most importantly for Roberson's defense, shaken baby syndrome has been discredited by many in the medical community. Prosecutors - and the jury - at the time determined she had died not from a fall but from being shaken to death by her father. But in the years since, doctors have stepped away from assigning shaken baby syndrome (SBS) as a cause of death. Roberson was a parolee at the time of his daughter's death with previous convictions for burglary and theft and parole violations The scientist who proposed it himself even admitted that it was being used to 'put innocent people in prison', warning in 2012 'we have gone badly off the rails.' Roberson was given custody of Nikki by her maternal grandparents after her mother, who has remained unnamed was denied custody in the hospital after her birth. In the week prior her death, Nikki had been sick and appeared at a local emergency room where she was prescribed Phenergan and sent home. After her condition didn't improve, doctors again prescribed her more Phenergan and codeine, an opioid now restricted from children under the age of 18. At the time of his conviction in 2003, the consensus amongst the medical community was that Nikki must have been violently shaken and possibly struck Phenergan now comes with a warning against being prescribed to children of Nikki's age. The following night she had gone to sleep beside her father, who woke up to find her unconscious. Roberson was a parolee at the time of his daughter's death with previous convictions for burglary and theft and parole violations. Multiple women testified that they'd seen Roberson shake and 'spank' Nikki when she cried. Among them were his girlfriend at the time, her daughter, and her niece. All of them claimed they had seen Roberson lash out at his daughter. Prosecutors initially said Roberson sexually assaulted Nikki, based on statements from a hospital nurse, but dropped that element of the capital murder charge late in the trial Teddie Cox, his then girlfriend, testified that Roberson had a bad temper and would frequently shake and spank Nikki when she wouldn't stop crying. Cox's niece Courtney Berryhill also told the trial that when she spent the night at the home she witnessed Roberson shake Nikki by the arms to stop her crying. While Cox's daughter Rachel testified that she had witnessed him spank and shake Nikki, and also recalled a time he threatened to kill his daughter. Prosecutors initially said Roberson sexually assaulted Nikki, based on statements from a nurse, but dropped that element late in the trial when evidence could not conclusively support it. The full tirade of a Georgia man's vile threats to kill Marjorie Taylor Greene has been revealed, as he faces up to five years in prison. Sean Patrick Cirillo, 34, phoned up the Republican congresswoman's Washington DC Office and told staff he is 'going to shoot her in the f****** head and kill her'. He also told a staff worker: 'I'm gonna murder her,' before adding: 'I'll kill you too if you want... Your grandchildren are going to f***** die,' in an exchange posted by NBC. The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of transmitting interstate threats before a U.S. District Court judge in Atlanta on Tuesday. He will now be sentenced later. 'Threatening to kill a public official is reprehensible,' U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan of Georgia's northern district said in a statement. 'Our office will not tolerate any form of violence, threats or intimidation against public officials.' An Atlanta man has pleaded guilty in federal court to making threats against U.S. Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene Court records show that Sean Patrick Cirillo, 34, pleaded guilty to a charge of transmitting interstate threats. Pictured: Greene is joined by her family as she greets supporters On one of the calls, according to prosecutors, Cirillo said: 'I got a bead on her. Like a sniper rifle. A sniper rifle. And I'm gonna kill her next week.' Full breakdown of Georgia man's threats to kill Marjorie Taylor Greene Caller: 'I got a bead on her. Like a sniper rifle. A sniper rifle. And I'm gonna kill her next week. I'm gonna murder her. I'm going to shoot her in the f****** head and kill her, okay?' 'Call the FBI, okay? I'm going to kill this c***. Tell her. I'll kill you too if you want.' Staffer: 'Where are you calling from sir?' Caller: 'I'm calling from f*** yourself you f****** c***. F*** your party. Your grandchildren are going to f***** die. Die! Die! F***** c***! 'You f***** sell-out c***. You little d*** f*** white boy, c***. Taking money! Taking money! 'You don't think you're going to get payback. You're going to die! Your family is going to die! C***! You don't think it's going to happen when you're out of power?' Advertisement Prosecutors say Cirillo phoned Greene's Washington office three times on November 8 last year and made threatening statements while speaking with the lawmaker's staff. Cirillo isnt the first person to face criminal charges for threatening Greene. Joseph Morelli, of Endicott, New York, was sentenced to three months in prison last year after he pleaded guilty to leaving violent voicemails in calls to Greenes office in 2022. Greene asked the judge in the New York case to order Morelli to pay $65,000 in restitution to cover the cost of a security fence at her Georgia home. U.S. District Judge Brenda Kay Sannes denied the request, saying Greene's lawyers didn't establish that the security upgrades were linked directly to Morelli's threats. Greene also revealed last year how she received a death threat saying she would be shot in the head and skinned sent before her house was swatted on Christmas Day. Swatting is a process by which someone generates an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses. The Georgia Republican posted a screenshot of the vile message on her X account from a man claiming he wanted to make a 'parasol' out of her skin, in reference to the serial killer Ed Gein. Known as the 'Butcher of Planfield', Gein killed two women and was a grave robber who made clothing out of body parts. The 49-year-old politician also said the man threatened to 'smash' the head of her TV broadcaster boyfriend Brian Glenn 'on a curb'. Greene speaks during the Republican National Convention on Monday, July 15, in Milwaukee The lawmaker also stated the Capitol Police had investigated the man's threats, but didn't arrest him. She shared a screenshot of an email she received from investigators, and said they 'simply called' the suspect. 'The outright absurdity of this email response and the fact that they have not arrested this guy is shocking, thankfully Im a gun owner. Greene posted the threat hours after she revealed she was swatted for 'like the eighth time' on December 25 while her family was enjoying festivities inside. 'I was just swatted. This is like the 8th time. On Christmas with my family here,' MTG wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'My local police are the GREATEST and shouldnt have to deal with this. I appreciate them so much and my family and I are in joyous spirits celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ!' Detectives investigating the mass stabbing at a Southport Taylor Swift-themed holiday club that left three children dead have been granted more time to question the 17-year-old suspect. Merseyside Police confirmed that officers had asked magistrates for more time to question the teenager, who cannot be named because of his age. The law allows officers up to 96 hours, or four days, to hold a suspect in custody for serious crimes. The 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after the horror unfolded on Monday. Three girls - Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven - were fatally stabbed, while eight other children suffered knife wounds - five of whom are in a critical condition. Two adults were also critically hurt. Merseyside Police previously said they were working to ascertain a motive for the incident, but that it is not being treated as terrorism-related. Bebe King, six, was the youngest child killed at the holiday club in Southport, Merseyside Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was also killed in the attack - her grieving mother has since called for calm Alice, nine, died in the early hours of Tuesday after a hooded knifeman entered the Taylor Swift-themed holiday club and began stabbing the children in attendance It comes as locals in Southport rally together after rioters marred a night of remembrance for the three murdered children. According to police, the rioters, who were mostly male, were thought to be largely from outside the local area, and some were said to be supporters of the far-right English Defence League. Dozens of residents were outside Southport mosque with brushes and shovels on Wednesday morning, after violent protests that saw bricks, stones and bottles thrown at police and cars set alight. Norman Wallis, chief executive of Southport Pleasureland, said people had travelled from out of town to wreak havoc, leaving locals to clean up the mess. Shop owner Chanaka Balasuryla said the Southport community has rallied around him since his store was looted during the disorder on Tuesday night. Mr Balasuryla said he called 999 after spotting men trying to smash their way in on the CCTV camera from his home five minutes away. He said he was 'terrified' when he thought they would set fire to the premises because there were a woman and her daughter living in a flat above. He said he later found out that the woman confronted the raiders, telling them it was her shop in an attempt to stop them. 'I got a couple of hours' sleep and then got a phone call saying "You need to come down, there's lots of people waiting to help",' Mr Balasuryla said. Forensic officers are pictured at the scene as emergency crews battled to save children Chilling footage has emerged of masked figure pacing outside a house that was later raided by police after the Southport attack Jenni Stancombe, the mother of little Elsie, pleaded for violence to end on social media after a night of rioting He added that local people had said they would defend his shop if necessary. 'It was terrifying last night,' he said. 'But I feel safe again because people are here to protect us.' Police officers suffered serious injuries when bricks, stones and bottles were thrown and cars were set alight during violent protests following a vigil for the three girls. Mr Wallis, who was helping at the junction of Sussex Road and St Luke's Road on Wednesday, said volunteers joined the clean-up partly in response to a social media plea he put out after witnessing the violence on Tuesday evening. He added: 'It's horrendous what those hooligans have done last night. 'It was like a war scene. People from out of town just causing absolute mayhem. 'People in hoods climbing up lampposts, throwing bricks, they set a police car on fire. 'But none of those people were the people of Southport. The people of Southport are the ones here today cleaning the mess up. 'Those people from out of town - they came in in buses and cars and had a change of clothes. They just started to riot and do this.' Southport burns: A street near a mosque goes up in flames as violent thugs took to the streets last night Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out in Southport Around 200 protesters were seen taking to the streets. Police believe many were EDL supporters Riot police vans were damaged amid the chaos near the Southport Mosque The riots came barely an hour after thousands of mourners gathered for a vigil at the Atkinson in Southport In stark contrast to the riots on the streets, there was a sense of tranquility at the site of the vigil as night fell Merseyside Police said 'a large group of people - believed to be supporters of the English Defence League' - began to throw items such as bricks towards the mosque in the seaside town at about 7.45pm. Scotland's former first minister Humza Yousaf called for the EDL to be banned under terror laws in the wake of the unrest, despite former leader Tommy Robinson's insistence that the group no longer exists. Officers put on helmets and riot gear after stones and bottles were launched at them and police vehicles were damaged and set on fire. In a post on social media, the force said shops had been 'broken into and looted', adding that 'those responsible will be brought to justice'. Elsie's mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: 'This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight. 'The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this.' The troubling scenes saw 27 officers taken to hospital, with 12 others being treated and discharged at the scene, North West Ambulance Service said. Merseyside Police said eight officers suffered serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion. Three police dogs were also injured. A burnt out police van near a mosque in Southport as shocking riots broke out on Tuesday Local crews worked hard in the early morning to rid the streets of rubble as they brought in machinery Workers remove debris from the scene after a night of disorder in Southport Builders offered their services for free to rebuild walls demolished after thugs threw rubble at police vehicles and others took to social media to praise brave officers Chief constable Serena Kennedy said the officers injured in Tuesday's protests will 'now be unavailable for duty in what is an incredibly busy time for the force'. Videos posted on social media showed people throwing wheelie bins and bricks at officers who held riot shields to push the crowds back. The chairman of Merseyside Police Federation, Chris McGlade, said more than 50 officers had been hurt in a 'sustained and vicious attack'. He added: 'Police officers are not robots. We are mothers and fathers. Sons and daughters. Husbands, wives and partners. 'We should be going home at the end of our shifts. Not to hospital.' The violent protests followed hundreds of people taking part in a peaceful vigil for the stabbing victims outside Southport's Atkinson arts venue, with many in tears as they laid flowers and cards of remembrance. As well as the three children who died, eight other youngsters suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were also critically injured, police said. The vigil was followed by the protest outside the mosque as demonstrators chanted far-right slogans and clashed with police in St Luke's Road. Damage to the Southport Islamic Society Mosque after rioters congregated around the sacred building A hanging basket of purple flowers were delivered to the religious centre, which became as a focus for last night's violence Young men sweep the road and clear rubble from Southport as they work to clear the aftermath of last night's thugs Volunteers sweep Sussex road as they pile rubbish off the streets and clean up Southport MP Patrick Hurley, speaking on Wednesday, said rioters must face the 'full force of the law', saying they were 'utterly disrespecting the families of the dead and injured children'. He condemned 'beered-up thugs' who threw bricks, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Even if this lad, the 17-year-old, turns out to be Muslim, under no circumstances does that justify any attack on a mosque by anybody at all.' False claims had spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said rioters had 'hijacked' a vigil for victims and will 'feel the full force of the law', while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting as 'violent attacks from thugs on the streets', which she branded 'appalling'. The suspect, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport, and a road in the area was cordoned off by detectives on Monday afternoon. Police have said that although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related. A 32-year-old man from Standish was arrested on suspicion of possession of a flick knife in Eastbank Street, near where the vigil took place on Tuesday evening. He was taken into custody and there were no reports that anyone was injured during the incident, Merseyside Police said. This is a breaking news story and is being updated. A distraught Wells Fargo customer warned others not to fall for a Zelle fraudulent charge scam after she discovered a scammer drained her bank accounts. Charlotte Stenz was in tears during a TikTok she posted last week because she fell for a scammer who called her from a bank number. 'I got a call from a Wells Fargo number saying that I had fraudulent activity on my account and that a random person was being sent money from Zelle,' Stenz said in her video. The call was alarming for Stenz, who revealed she had never used Zelle before. Despite her never using Zelle, the caller advised Stenz to secure it by sending money that someone would supposedly put back into her bank account. Charlotte Stenz warned bank customers not to fall for a Zelle fraudulent charge scam after she discovered a scammer drained her bank accounts 'I didn't give them any of my bank information, numbers, or anything. They were just telling me I had to pay certain amounts through Zelle to the fraudulent department,' a tearful Stenz said. Stenz felt like something wasn't right during the phone call, but she trusted it due to it supposedly being made from a bank. 'Looking back on it, I literally feel like an old person who fell for a stupid scam.' The scam victim went to a Connecticut Wells Fargo after she noticed her accounts were drained. Through tears, she explained the situation to a desk worker. The Wells Fargo employee took Stenz's phone and called the scammer from that number. As soon as the employee requested the number be verified, the scammer hung up. The bank employee then referred Stenz to an advisor who called the 'real' fraudulent department. Wells Fargo disputed all the charges later that day and told Stenz they would call her within 10 days to let her know if she would get the money back. Stenz claimed she thought the call was 'sketchy,' but she trusted the caller due to them supposedly calling from a Wells Fargo Phone scams have become more common over the years, and over 25,725 individuals reported mobile alert text scams from banks in 2022, according to City National Bank. Ottawa resident Katya Feder was a victim who fell into a Bank of Montreal (BMO) scam in April 2023. According to Feder, a scammer claiming to be a BMO employee called her to ask if a transaction to purchase cryptocurrency was real. 'I said OK, great! They are keeping on top of things at the bank. Wonderful,' Feder told CTV News earlier this year. After Feder verified her identity and received and repeated a verification code, her account was compromised, and she lost $14,500. Laurie Johnson described the events that occurred with her 81-year-old mother, who was also a BMO scam victim. Johnson's mother fell for the scam after she received a one-time passcode. The scammer used this code to access the elderly woman's account, and they sent $15,000 to an account in Bangladesh. 'Would they not flag that and make a phone call or just stop it and try to find out if that was in fact made by the client? It just seems like it's too easy for that to happen,' Johnson told CTV News. Stenz explained the situation to a Wells Fargo employee, who referred her to a bank advisor to discuss what the next steps would be to possibly get her money back TikTok users advised Stenz to do things such as hang up right away or tell the caller they would see them at the bank in person There are various things a bank customer can do to prevent what Stenz went through this month. Wells Fargo advised its customers to do things like not rely on caller ID, ignore transaction requests, and not share private account information. The bank also informed its customers to ignore payment requests when looking to solve a problem. TikTok users who commented on Stenz's video also suggested she hang up next time or tell the caller they will see them at the bank in person. 'I have had that call twice. I tell them I am right across the parking lot from the bank so I will just stop in and talk to someone in person,' wrote a TikToker. Other commenters shared their own scamming stories, more than one of them being humiliated about the situation they found themselves in. 'I got scammed last month. In my gut, I knew, but for some reason, I continued,' a commenter wrote. 'I'm only out 280, but I cried to every person I called, mostly due to embarrassment on my end.' Another TikToker wrote: 'I hope you get your money back. Dont be embarrassed. It happens to the best of us.' British tourists face a scorching 40C heatwave at some of Europe's top holiday destinations as wildfire warnings are issued across southern Europe. Weather service AEMET predicted maximum temperatures of 43-44C in parts of Spain on Wednesday, which is expected to be the peak day of a heatwave. Mallorca, the popular Spanish holiday destination for thousands of Brits, could be seeing highs of 41C in the shade, according to forecasts. The heatwave across southern Europe, which also affects Italy and Greece, brings an increased danger of wildfires, with authorities warning of a very high or extreme risk of wildfires. Meanwhile, hundreds of firefighters backed up by waterbomber aircraft sought to contain two large wildfires that have raged since Tuesday in eastern Spain. SPAIN: Coloured parasols dominate the beach during a scorching day in Torrevieja, Alicante, with high of 42C, on July 30 ITALY: A child dives into the sea during a heatwave in Naples as temperatures reached 40C FRANCE: People use a water fountain and sprinkler to cool down before attending the Paris 2024 Olympic Games near the Eiffel Tower on July 30 GREECE: A firefighter tries to tackle a wildfire burning near the village of Petries on the island of Evia on July 30 NORTH MACEDONIA: A wildfire rages near Kumanovo, North Macedonia, on July 30 ITALY: A wildfire in Montemario caused several residents to be evacuated on July 31 A blaze in Benasau in the eastern region of Valencia forced emergency services to remove several hundred villagers from their homes as a precaution when it broke out in nearby hills. Firefighters said the 'fire is evolving favourably' following all-night efforts. Another one, in the province of Cuenca more inland, has burnt through more than 1,500 hectares of vegetation since Tuesday. Both blazes have been qualified as severe. AEMET said that the Barcelona-Fabra observatory in the northeastern region of Catalonia registered an all-time high temperature of 40C on Tuesday, beating its previous record of 39.8 C set in July 1982. This is the third heatwave in Spain in just 12 days. Rising global temperatures due to climate change have also contributed to more frequent wildfires elsewhere - from China to Canada. In Europe, they are also raging in the Balkans region. Firefighters in North Macedonia fought a dozen wildfires fanned by heavy winds for a third day today and hot temperatures and dry weather also fueled smaller blazes across the Balkans, officials said. One fire was spreading in the municipality of Negrevo near the Bulgarian border and another around Kumanovo near Serbia, said Goran Stojanovski at North Macedonia's centre for crisis management. 'Because of the high temperatures, the vegetation is dry and the soil is very hot, which is making our work more difficult,' he said. North Macedonia's emergency center chief Stojanche Angelov said that if the situation worsens further the government should ask NATO to help after it sought European Union assistance on Tuesday. 'At this moment there is no need, but the assistance might be needed later today,' Angelov said. North Macedonia's southerly neighbour Greece has long struggled with wildfires caused by rising temperatures and sporadic rainfall that scientists link to climate change. A series of blazes also started further north across the Balkans this week following weeks of heat and little rain. On the western side of mainland Europe, firefighters in Spain are also battling wildfires amid extreme heat. Roads, fields and houses were covered with smoke near the central town of Stip, 62 miles east of North Macedonia's capital Skopje, a Reuters witness said. ITALY: A pharmacy's signboard displays the temperature (40C) in Naples on July 30 SPAIN: A map shows the predicted temperatures in Mallorca on Wednesday, July 31 SPAIN: firefighting plane drops water to cool the perimeter area of the Benasau forest fire in Alicante on July 31 ALBANIA: Members of emergency services work to contain a wildfire in Shengjin on July 30 SPAIN: Three young women use fans to cool off and protect themselves from the sun in Valencia on July 30 The heatwave across southern Europe, which also affects Italy and Greece, brings an increased danger of wildfires, with authorities warning of a very high or extreme risk of wildfires (areas in red marked as 'very high' or 'extreme' danger of wildfires NORTH MACEDONIA: A wildfire next to the village of Kokosinjac, near Sveti Nikole on July 30 ITALY: People sunbathe at sea during a heatwave in Naples on July 30 GREECE: Firefighters look at a wildfire burning near the village of Petries on the island of Evia, July 29 ITALY: People refresh themselves with mini fans by the Trevi fountain during a sultry day in Rome on July 29 The extent of the damage nationwide is unclear. Fires earlier in the week burned dozens of homes and killed one elderly man. Stojanovski said that out of 66 active fires on Tuesday, 12 were not yet under control on Wednesday. A helicopter came from Serbia to help while Germany and Czech Republic have offered to provide aircraft. In neighbouring Albania, the coastal tourist town of Shengjin, some 45 miles northwest of the capital of Tirana, was evacuated on Tuesday as fires encroached, forcing some tourists to leave hastily in cars and buses. Albania is currently receiving international firefighting assistance through an EU support system. Fire chief Arben Cara said military assistance had been requested to provide water-dropping helicopters, while soldiers and firefighters from other parts of the country were also helping. Fires were still burning there on Wednesday but appeared to be under control, a Reuters witness said. In Croatia, firefighters were battling a blaze near the coastal town of Tucepi overnight. A strong wind that blew throughout the night made it harder to combat the raging blaze stretching for several miles along the country's southern coast. Croatian state broadcaster HRT said residents in the area went through a sleepless night, some had to evacuate their homes while power supplies were cut and several explosions could be heard, apparently from gas canisters. Photos from the scene showed a blazing skyline and firefighting planes flying over. Local official Ante Cobanic said he tried to help extinguish a small fire before it suddenly spread in the space of five minutes. 'The speed was incredible,' he said. The fire was under control by mid-morning Wednesday with all emergency forces still on alert. ITALY: People sunbathe at sea during a heatwave in Naples on July 30 ALBANIA: Members of emergency services work to contain a wildfire in Shengjin on July 30 ITALY: A wildfire in Sardinia is stretching along large swathes of a forest on July 30 FRANCE: People cool down under the bridge at the Seine river during heatwave on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at on July 30 in Paris NORTH MACEDONIA: A forest fire rages near Kumanovo on July 30 GREECE: In this aerial view, vacationers stretch out on lounge chairs on July 28, 2024 in Parga SPAIN: A woman uses a fan to cool herself in San Sebastian on July 30 ALBANIA: Emergency services work to contain a wildfire in Shengjin on July 30 ITALY: People cool off at a fountain during a sultry day in Rome on July 29 ITALY: A view of a large fire that broke out near the Judicial City of Piazzale Clodio in Rome on July 31 Further north, near the town of Sibenik, firefighters struggled to prevent the blaze from reaching Krka National Park, a major tourist destination and a nature reserve known for its stunning waterfalls. The park remained open for visitors on Wednesday and thanked firefighters and residents for helping defend it. At a mountainous stretch of the Greece-Bulgaria border, firefighters relied on air support to douse the flames of a fire that has been burning low-lying vegetation since July 18. Ground forces cannot reach the area because of land mines from past conflicts, said Greek fire service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis. Firefighters and local authorities have used diggers to build fire break zones around villages, he said. On the Greek island of Evia, which is near Athens, residents were ordered to evacuate due to a wildfire. Meanwhile in Italy, firefighters have been trying to get a large fire that broke out in Sardinia yesterday under control. They have been trying to keep a blaze in the forest of Pozzomaggiore at bay, which has rapidly taking over large swathes of land and caused emergency services to launch helicopters launching water at the flames. Labour has dropped Tory plans to stop people earning under 38,700 from bringing foreign spouses or partners to the UK. As part of efforts to reduce legal immigration, ex-prime minister Rishi Sunak hiked the minimum income requirement for sponsoring a foreign spouse or partner visa. The income threshold was raised from 18,600 to 29,000 per year by the Tories in April, with plans to increase it to 34,500 later this year and 38,700 by early 2025. But Yvette Cooper, the new Home Secretary, has said there will be 'no further changes' to the 29,000 threshold until a review is completed. She has ordered the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to assess whether there is currently the 'right balance' between 'respect for family life' and the 'economic wellbeing of the UK'. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has dropped Tory plans to stop people earning under 38,700 from bringing foreign spouses or partners to the UK As part of efforts to reduce legal immigration, ex-prime minister Rishi Sunak hiked the minimum income requirement for sponsoring a foreign spouse or partner visa In a written statement to Parliament, published yesterday as MPs broke up for their summer recess, Ms Cooper set out Labour's 'new approach' to legal migration. She outlined how the new Government would aim to boost the skills of British workers before recruiting from abroad. In a swipe at the Tories, the Home Secretary said rising levels of legal migration in recent years reflected a 'failure over many years to tackle skills shortages and other problems in the UK labour market'. The MAC will be ordered to work alongside Skills England and other bodies as part of a new 'coherent approach to skills, migration and labour market policy', Ms Cooper added. She also revealed she would keep the current minimum income requirement for a partner or spouse to be granted a visa, but did not commit to raising it to 38,700 as planned by the Conservatives. 'The Family Immigration Rules, including the Minimum Income Requirement, need to balance a respect for family life whilst also ensuring the economic wellbeing of the UK is maintained,' the Home Secretary said. 'To help ensure we reach the right balance and have a solid evidence base for any change, I will commission the MAC to review the financial requirements, in the Family Immigration Rules. 'The Minimum Income Requirement is currently set at 29,000 and there will be no further changes until the MAC review is complete.' When Mr Sunak first unveiled the plans to hike the minimum income level for sponsoring foreign spouse or partner visas, he faced claims he was 'putting a price on love'. Critics claimed that poorer Britons would no longer be able to live together with their foreign spouses in the UK. Tory former minister Gavin Barwell joined a backlash against the move. He branded it 'morally wrong and un-Conservative to say that only the wealthiest can fall in love, marry someone and then bring them to the UK'. When applying for the initial visa from outside the UK, only the sponsor's income can be counted towards the minimum income threshold. But, for extensions and permanent residence, both incomes count. There are also some options for people who do not earn the minimum income, allowing them to qualify for the visa by other means such as by using savings above 16,000 or in exceptional circumstances. A small Oklahoma town has seen a boom in tourism after strips of dirt roads and log cabins were transformed into a luxury Airbnb hotspot. Hochatown - located three hours outside of Dallas, Texas - has just 242 permanent residents but attracts an influx of 30,000 visitors when weekends come along. The boom was in part sparked by the pandemic when large swathes of Americans relocated to more rural areas to isolate away from big crowds. The area is popular for its swimming, fishing and large casino. The number of cabins to rent in Hochatown has swollen from 400 to 2,400 since the onset of the pandemic - a more than 400 percent increase, AirDNA reported. However, residents rage the unexpected growth has put pressure on the area which still doesn't have its own police force or fire department. Hochatown - located three hours outside of Dallas, Texas - has only 242 permanent residents, but when weekends come along, the town can see an influx of 30,000 visitors descending on the area to fish, swim, and take chances at the casino (pictured) Prior to the pandemic, Hochatown had around 400 cabins to rent, but there are now around 2,400 - a more than 400 percent increase. The biggest draws to the small town are mainly fly-fishing, boating, and swimming Mayor Dian Jordan, 61, told WFAA: 'I miss the old Hochatown on Saturday when I can't just go to the lake and show up at the marina and hang out with my friend. I'm like: There's no parking spaces!' Jordan said She likened the town's new-found popularity to the rapper Jelly Roll, who became a country music sensation in his late 30s after years of addiction and jail time. 'Jelly Roll said it right, it takes 20 years to be the overnight sensation,' Jordan said. 'That's Hochatown! We've been here.' Jordan also credited Airbnb with the town's growth. 'Airbnb built this town 100 percent,' she told The New York Times in November 2023. 'It was just a secret spot for the locals, but now you see the cabins, the businesses that have just taken off,' she told WFAA. 'The nicer the cabins, the more people came. Another big contender is the Choctaw Landing casino, which was built by the Choctaw Nation - the third-largest Native American tribe in the country - for around $240million. 'The tourism just keeps doubling and every time it doubles its always a bigger number.' The biggest draws to the small town are mainly fly-fishing, boating, and swimming, according to the local outlet. Another big contender is the Choctaw Landing casino, which was built by the Choctaw Nation - the third-largest Native American tribe in the country. The $240 million complex boasts 100 rooms, a pool, multiple restaurants, and a convenience store, and has been booked out every weekend since Memorial Day, Jordan said. The casino also brought in a 24-pump gas station and contributed $7million to have a turn lane and a red light that led into the building. It also built an electrical substation to power the resort and help stabilize electric to those within a six-mile radius, according to WFAA. The casino (pictured) boasts 100 rooms, a pool, multiple restaurants, and a convenience store, and has been booked out every weekend since Memorial Day It employs almost 400 people - double the size of the town's permanent residents - which forced the Indian tribe to build an apartment building to house their employees. Despite the influx in visitors, Hochatown still doesn't have a police or fire department, a rural water system, or municipal wastewater infrastructure. Its roads also desperately need repaving - a feat a lot of cabin owners have paid for themselves. 'If you have a problem, theres no one to call because there was nobody in charge and so we knew we had to incorporate to handle the growth,' the mayor said. Hochatown has listed 12 priorities it needs to focus on, with road improvements being the first thing to tackle. It brought in a total of $456,000 in sales tax in September alone, according to The New York Times. They hope to get to around $1million a month. 'For a town of a few hundred people, this number is astronomical,' David Francis, of the Oklahoma Tax Commission, told The Times in November. 'The town is basically one giant Airbnb.' Although Jordan is enjoying the slowdown from the pandemic, some property owners are already ditching their cabins. 'We scrimped and saved to buy a plot of land and get a construction loan,' Leo Winegar told The Times last year. 'At the time, the numbers were so amazing, it seemed like there was no way I could lose.' However, by the time his home was ready, the demand for cabins in Hochatown had significantly decreased. 'I hope I dont have to sell the cabin,' he said. A town with a long - and short - history Hochatown has existed for centuries, but it's also only been on the map for two years, The Choctaw tribe first settled in the area in the 1830s after the Trial of Tears forced them to move, according to WFAA. Eventually, the area became part of the Broken Bow Lake, which caused the tribe to move again. White settlers came around the 20th Century and began manufacturing moonshine during the Prohibition era, according to The Times. They called the area Hochatown, but never incorporated it. By 1960, its population dwindled to under 100 and the Army Corps of Engineers built a dam, forcing the remaining residents to be relocated to higher ground. As years went on, the town lost its post office and zip code and disappeared from the map, The Times reported. It was officially incorporated in November 2022, bringing the modern-day version. Huw Edwards was once a byword for BBC excellence and as the broadcaster's top news anchor broke the news of Queen Elizabeth II's death. During a glittering four-decade career he covered general elections and commentated on the weddings of both Prince Harry and Prince William. In 2023 he was widely regarded to be at the height of his powers - having just picked up a television award for Best Live Event for covering the late Queen's funeral and signing a new three-year deal. But barely a year later the star journalist, 62, has today seen his career descend to the gutter as he pleaded guilty to making 41 indecent images of children. Edwards' admission now leaves the veteran's reputation in tatters - and now he faces up to 10 years in jail. But how did the news broadcaster's career plummet into disrepute? This is the full timeline of Huw Edwards' extraordinary fall from grace. Huw Edwards spent 40 years working his way up the ranks of the BBC, first coming to national attention presenting the BBC Six O'Clock News Huw Edwards shaking hands with Queen Elizabeth II during a royal visit to BBC Studios in London in June 2013 Huw Edwards was once a byword for BBC excellence. Pictured: Him reading the news A court sketch showed Edwards standing in the dock after he pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children Edwards pictured leaving the court after his brief appearance where he admitted to making indecent images of children March 2023 Edwards announcing the news of Her Majesty's death to the nation in September 2022 Huw Edwards signs new three-year deal with the BBC after praise for the way he led coverage of the Queen's death. It came after he was seen at the offices of the BBC's biggest radio rival Global in August 2022. The News at Ten veteran admitted at the time he was 'thinking about my future'. In June that year he would pick up the best live event honour at the Tric Awards for being among those to cover the state funeral of the late Queen, and in February he received the Broadcast Awards' special recognition award. April 2023 Police were contacted but 'no criminality was identified'. May 6, 2023 Edwards hosts coverage of King Charles' coronation as he lead the BBC broadcast of the historic event. May 18, 2023 A family member of the young person, who was 17 at the time, made an in-person complaint about the behaviour of a BBC presenter. May 19, 2023 A complainant contacted the BBC in a 29-minute call to the BBC's audience services team, and the details were referred to the Corporate Investigations Team. The family member reportedly asked the broadcaster to stop sending their family member cash. The Corporate Investigations Team decided the complaint didn't include an allegation of criminality, but merited more investigation. The investigators email the complainant to get more information but they get no response. June 6, 2023 After getting no reply to the email, the Corporate Investigations Team tries to call the complainant but the call does not connect. However, the Sun reported later that the family said no one from the corporation phoned them for a proper interview after they complained. The BBC said no more attempts to contact the family were made after this date, but that the case 'remained open'. July 5, 2023 Edwards is seen on screen for what would be the last time before the scandal became public, when he covered King Charles' visit to Scotland Huw Edwards is seen for the last time on the BBC as he covered King Charles' visit to Scotland. July 6, 2023 The Sun informs BBC Press Office about allegations against the star presenter. The BBC launches an 'incident management group' of top executives after becoming aware of new allegations 'of a different nature' against the presenter. It is the first time Mr Davie or any executive directors were made aware of the case, according to the BBC. A senior manager holds the first conversation with the presenter concerned. It is agreed he should not appear on air while the allegations are investigated. July 7, 2023 The Sun published its exclusive which alleged that a BBC presenter, unnamed at the time, paid a total of 35,000 for sexual content to someone beginning when they were 17. But a lawyer acting on behalf of the young person told The Sun that evening there was 'no truth' to the claims. The BBC said it would investigate and it made contact with the Metropolitan Police. July 8, 2023 The complainant sends the BBC 'materials related to the complaint'. There is a frenzy of speculation about the identity of the star. Gary Lineker, Jeremy Vine, Rylan Clark and Nicky Campbell all feel obliged to deny that they were the man in question. July 9, 2023 A mocked up version of a reported Instagram message exchange between Edwards and a teenager The BBC confirms that a male presenter has been suspended from all duties. The Sun reports that the presenter allegedly made two phone calls to the young person and pleaded with them to call their mother to stop the investigation. July 10, 2023 BBC representatives and Metropolitan Police detectives meet in the morning to discover if any crimes have been committed. The young person claims through a lawyer that the allegations are 'rubbish'. In response, the Sun said it had 'reported a story about two very concerned parents who made a complaint to the BBC about the behaviour of a presenter and the welfare of their child'. The parents stood by their account to the Sun and the stepfather was quoted in a story saying the allegations were originally put the the BBC 'for an hour'. July 11, 2023 Director-general Tim Davie sends an internal email to staff reiterating that the BBC is taking the allegations 'incredibly seriously' Director-general of the BBC Tim Davie defends the delay in speaking to the BBC presenter. But the BBC admits there were 'lessons to be learned' prompting a boss to assess the protocols. In the afternoon, new claims emerged from the BBC that the presenter sent threatening messages to a second young person. It is claimed they met on a dating app, before the conversation moved to other platforms where the presenter revealed his identity. He then allegedly sent a number of 'threatening messages' to the youngster, which the BBC has seen. The Sun reported the star is also accused of breaking lockdown rules to meet a 23-year-old stranger from a dating site. July 12, 2023 Edwards pictured with his wife Vicky Flind in London in 2018 Huw Edwards pictured with his wife Vicky Find in South London in 2018. She has since separated from the former broadcaster in the wake of his recent scandals Huw Edwards is revealed as the BBC presented by his wife Vicky Flind. She said he was 'suffering from serious mental health issues'. The bombshell revelation came just moments after the police said they were 'taking no further action' in the case. But BBC boss Mr Davie sent an email to staff informing them that an internal investigation would continue even though police were no longer involved. Vicky Flind's statement on husband Huw Edwards in full On July 12, Huw Edwards' wife Vicky Flind issued a statement on his behalf, naming him as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images. Here is her statement in full: 'In light of the recent reporting regarding the 'BBC Presenter' I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family. 'I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children. 'Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years. 'The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he'll stay for the foreseeable future. 'Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published. 'To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday. 'In the circumstances and given Huw's condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected. 'I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.' Advertisement The BBC reported fresh allegations from two current junior members of staff and one former member of staff who claim they were sent messages that made them uncomfortable. July 12, 2023 Mr Davie asked for a second review of the BBC's complaints protocols after it was revealed the family were only contacted twice by the corporation - despite the seriousness of the allegations. November 8, 2023 Edwards is arrested, but tells noone. Later speaking to MailOnline, one shocked former colleague and friend said: 'Huw kept his arrest completely secret'. They added: 'It turns out he was arrested four months later and nobody knew. I had no idea until he was charged.' February 27, 2024 The BBC apologised to the young person's family, who'd complained about Edwards two months before he was suspended. An independent report by Deloitte is published into the BBC's complaints handling procedure The publicly-funded broadcaster acknowledged that there had been 'shortcomings' in the way it had dealt with the case as it reviewed its complaints procedures. April, 2024 Edwards took sanctuary in his beloved Wales and was being comforted in Carmarthenshire by his mother Aerona. April 22, 2024 Edwards resigns from the BBC. Broadcasting executive Stewart Purvis CBE said there is 'relief across the BBC' that the 'extraordinarily damaging saga' has been resolved. He added that Edwards having 'walked from the BBC' will be viewed as 'quite a successful outcome' for the corporation. June 26, 2024 Edwards is charged with the possession of indecent images of children. Interrupting coverage of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' statement in the House of Commons, the BBC announced the breaking news on July 29. According to the charge sheet, he was accused of having six category A images, 12 category B pictures and 19 category C photographs on WhatsApp. July 23, 2024 The BBC's annual report reveals Edwards was paid between 475,000 and 479,999 for the year 2023/24 for 160 presenting days, BBC One news specials, election specials and other television programming. This salary marked an increase from 2022/23, when he was paid between 435,000 and 439,999 for 180 days presenting on BBC One, as well as news specials. This was despite him being absent from screens from when the story first broke in July last year until his exit nine months later in April 2024. But he stayed on the payroll while suspended, which is normal BBC policy, and was suffering from serious mental health issues and received in-patient hospital care. The BBC confirmed at the time of his departure that he had not received a pay-off and was leaving 'on the basis of medical advice from his doctors'. Director general Tim Davie defended the pay and the rise, confirming there was 'no settlement payment.' He also said he was not going to 'get into who's spoken to who' when asked if he had spoken to Edwards since his resignation. July 31, 2024 Edwards made his way through the media melee before being driven away in a black Mercedes Disgraced former BBC News reader Huw Edwards is pictured leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to making indecent images of children Edwards remained silent as he left the court building surrounded by the press today Edwards pleads guilty to making 41 indecent images of children - and faces jail. The newscaster admitted he kept seven category 'A' images of the very worst kind on his phone after being sent them on WhatsApp by a paedophile. The sick child porn images showed youngsters aged between seven and 14, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. He remained emotionless as he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, between December 2020 and August 2022. His admission now leaves the former news star's glittering four-decade career in tatters. September 16, 2024 Edwards will be sentenced - and could face up to 10 years in jail. The tense moment special police operatives engaged in a terrifying shootout with three family members hellbent on murdering them has been revealed in chilling footage. The footage, taken from a police aircraft, has detailed how dangerous the epicentre of the Wieambilla massacre was for all involved. Queensland Police constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, along with Mr Dare, 58, were killed in an ambush on December 12 last year. The three shooters - Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train - were later killed in a lengthy shootout with police that night. Police have said the trio followed the fundamentalist religion 'premillennialism', believing Jesus Christ would return to Earth after a period of extreme suffering. The QPS Special Response Team arrived at the property about 7.40pm which led to a protracted shootout with the Trains. In footage released by the coroner on Wednesday, Polair captured on video the moment one of the Train brothers fires his rifle at the helicopter before retreating to the house. Stacey can be seen at times coming in and out of the house while Nathaniel lay behind a log barricade armed with multiple weapons, including Constable Arnold's pistol. At one point, Stacey emerges from the house carrying two cups to Gareth and the two sit at a table behind the house, with Nathaniel nearby. Gareth and Stacey Train - were later killed in a lengthy shootout with police that night Horrifying footage from the Wieambilla massacre has been played during an inquest into the attack that left six dead, including Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train It's while they're sitting at this table, the husband and wife record a video revealing they'd killed the officers. In the video - which was later uploaded to a now deleted YouTube account - Stacey and Gareth refer to police as 'devils and demons'. The footage then captures Gareth shining a hunting light from his HiLux at the SERT BearCat as it approaches the house at 9.13pm. The group also fire their weapons at the BearCat. Gareth had claimed his position by the water tank while his brother remained at his log barricade. In the footage, Stacey can be seen at the steps of the house while dogs remain behind her. The inquest was told Gareth died from a gunshot wound to the head at 10.32pm, Stacey died from a gunshot wound to the head at 10.36pm. Nathaniel was the last one to be fatally shot in the torso and the head about 10.39pm. 'Something's wrong': Neighbour gunned down After spotting the black smoke, Mr Dare and his neighbour, Victor Lewis, phoned each other and decided to investigate what they thought was a house fire. Mr Lewis told the inquest on he'd also heard gunshots but that wasn't out of the ordinary for that part of the world. Mr Dare and his wife Kerry had spotted smoke billowing from the Train property and called triple-0 at 5.13pm. When the two mates arrived at the fire, they quickly discovered it was a car alight. 'Initially, when we got there, my initial thought was someone stole a car and torched it,' he said. Constables Rachel McCrow (right) and Matthew Arnold (left)were gunned down at the property in the western Darling Downs. Mr Lewis said the fire kept 'blowing up' and 'the bush was alight' all around it. The inquest was told Mr Lewis didn't realise Mr Dare was filming the unfolding event on his phone but it wasn't uncommon for him to record things. In the video, Mr Dare tells Mr Lewis that he's spotted a car nearby. 'I did not see anyone ... my mind was on the fire burning down what is a nature strip, footpath, whatever you call it,' he said. 'He was most likely looking (another direction) and he said there was another fire about 150m, 200m ... by the time I looked up, I didn't physically see anybody.' Mr Lewis said he then turned back to look the other way and was about to leave to get fire equipment from his property when he noticed Mr Dare had fallen to the ground. 'I knelt down beside him and he said 'what happened'?' Mr Lewis recalled. 'I looked down and he didn't look good. 'I didn't know what was wrong with him. 'Anyway, I'm a good person so I rolled him into the recovery position ... and I saw blood. 'I've been around firearms all my life ... I realised he'd been shot.' Alan Dare died in a shooting at Wieambilla along with two police officers Mr Lewis said he knew it 'was time to leave' as the two friends lay on the ground. 'I would never say to someone that (Mr Dare) was deceased because I did not know,' he said. 'But there was something wrong.' The inquest was told Mr Lewis unknowingly picked up Mr Dare's phone, 'semi crawled' back to his quad bike and called his wife to ring for help. Mr Lewis said as he was riding to safety, he came across police officers at the top of the road and told them 'I think my mate's been shot'. He said they explained 'there's an active shooter, you've got to get out of here' before they got back in their car and drove away. Mr Lewis said he drove back to the Dare property to tell Mrs Dare what happened. 'First thing she saw was Al's phone in my hand and asked me where Al was,' he said. 'I said "we've got to go". 'I just said he's been hurt, I couldn't say anymore but Kerry said she wanted to go down where he was. 'I would do the same thing but I knew something wasn't right. 'I had to convince her to come with me. 'It was hard on me and hard on her because she wanted to be down there to see what happened.' Gareth Train and Stacey Train later posted a video after the shootings to a now deleted YouTube channel. Aerial vision of the Train property, which neighbours say they didnt realise was occupied. The pair then went back to the Lewis property where Mrs Lewis joined them as they went to seek a safe place to wait out the horrifying event. But Mr Lewis said despite asking for answers, police refused to provide any information about what was unfolding. He told the inquest the residents in the area should have been given warnings about the gunfire. 'Myself and Alan knew nothing of this,' he said. 'Why were we not advised in some way to stay in our homes? 'They do (warning systems) anywhere else. 'They should have told us to stay in our home, if nothing else. 'This is not a derogatory statement against police. Their job is hard enough. 'This is to make things better in the future so something like this doesn't happen again. 'That's all I want.' Investigators were unable to determine who fired the fatal shot that killed Mr Dare. The two triple-0 calls Mrs Dare made were played before the court on Wednesday. In the first call at 5.13pm, she tells the dispatcher about the 'big bang' they'd heard and how they could smell 'electrical burning'. 'We're hearing what we think is gunshots, but now we're smelling electrical burning,' Mrs Dare says on the audio. 'There's been people with gunshots across the road for the last hour or so but there's been two big bangs for the last 10 mins, not gunshots, and now there's all this smoke in the air. 'We're in the bush, it doesn't smell like grass fire.' Victor Lewis recalls the moment his mate Alan Dare was murdered in front of him The inquest was told Mr Dare had gone to his front gate to see if he could get a clearer view of where the smoke was coming from before returning back to his wife. Four minutes later, Mrs Dare called triple-0 again at 5.17pm with an update about what her husband had seen at the front of his property. While she was on the phone with the dispatcher, Mr Dare told her he'd phoned their neighbour Victor Lewis and they'd agreed to go see if they could find the fire in an effort to help. Mrs Dare told the dispatcher her husband was heading out in his car, but she was advised he shouldn't do that. 'I probably wouldn't, I would just stay at home,' the dispatcher tells Mrs Dare. She replied: '(The Lewis family have) already lost a house in the fire, I don't think they're going to stay.' The dispatcher again tells her: 'I'm going to strongly advise against that.' But Mr Dare had driven off and was killed minutes later. Mrs Dare didn't know her husband was driving off to his death. 'They were gone by the time she'd finished,' Mrs Dare said on Wednesday. 'She should of done (said) it quicker.' The inquest was told Mr Lewis arrived back at the Dare property minutes later to tell Mrs Dare what had happened. 'He came back on the quad ... and said 'Al's in a bad way'. He threw me the phone and he left again,' Mrs Dare said. Kerry Dare, the widow of victim Alan Dare is seen leaving the Brisbane Coroners Court in Brisbane on Wednesday The two neighbours then made their way down the road to where police had set up a command centre. 'We were never allowed at the command, we were on the other side of the road cordoned off and we stayed there till 6pm,' Mrs Dare said. The inquest was told a police officer later informed Mrs Dare her husband was dead. She said the way he told her the horrifying information was 'disgusting and immoral' and she was given no further information. The inquest was told the police officer had said police couldn't go onto the Train property because they 'can't risk officers' because of active shooters. When QPS Commissioner Steve Gollschewski's legal representative Ian Freckelton asked whether she'd phoned her husband after he left the property, Mrs Dare replied: 'No, I didn't know what the danger was.' Mrs Dare told the inquest she believed there were more conversations on the triple-0 calls that weren't played before the court. 'I think some of it missing,' she said. ' There was something said during the phone call that sticks adamantly - the caller saying, 'I heard that'. 'It was a gunshot, and I said, 'I heard it too'. 'Since then I learnt it was Al being shot, but when I listen to those calls, none of that is there.' Mrs Dare said had she'd been told there was an active shooter, she would have called her husband immediately. 'I would have called my husband to come back or someone should have,' she said. 'I would have hung up on her and called him, she's not in danger.' Outside court, Mrs Dare said she was 'happy with the way things went'. Frantic footage filmed on his phone shows Mr Dare arriving at the spot where - unbeknown to him - a police car had been set on fire. Nathaniel Train had been a principal at several schools around Queensland and NSW before joining his brother at the Wieambilla property He tells Mr Lewis, who also arrived at the scene, to not 'get too close' as the fire is 'still going off'. 'What the hell is in that?' Mr Dare says. 'I'm going to stay away Vic.' Moments later, he spots a car 'driving off'. 'There's a car coming,' Mr Dare tells Mr Lewis. 'There's a car over there, and there's someone at the door. 'Woah, someone just got out that car, Vic. 'Someone just got out of that other car, they walked off.' The video played before the court is paused seconds before Mr Dare was fatally shot. The inquest continues on Thursday. A music executive is facing rape allegations after two women claimed he drugged them inside his lavish $6.55 million Joshua Tree mansion in California. Scott Leonard, 59, who touts himself as a former artist manager and major-label record executive, owns the unique cliffside Kellogg Doolittle home nestled in the mountains, where he often hosts celebrity-filled parties, the Los Angeles Times reported. Model and writer Courtney Barriger, 36, and Australian musician Jamie-Lee Dimes, 35, both shared painful memories of being inside his home, where they allege Leonard slipped them drugs. Both women reported the alleged incidents to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, and Leonard has not been charged in either case, according to the Times. 'This has been one of the worst times in my life. If this is what I have to tolerate to have a career in music, I would rather speak up,' Dimes said in an interview with the outlet. 'I stand for raising awareness of abuse in the music industry,' she told DailyMail.com. Scott Leonard, 59, a former artist manager and major-label record executive, owns the unique cliffside Kellogg Doolittle home. Courtney Barriger, 36, and Jamie-Lee Dimes, 35, allege that he drugged them there Dimes filed a police report to the sheriff's office and detailed her alleged rape by Leonard, which she said occurred after meeting him in August 2022. In the report, she explained how she was introduced to Leonard, who says he worked in artist development at Virgin Records America, through mutual friends. He soon invited her to his home to talk about her musical career. 'The fact that I met him in Joshua Tree, where its very community based, and not L.A., made me feel like I could trust him,' she said. Dimes came to Leonard's home and played a couple of songs for him before he 'slapped me on the a** a few times' and 'asked me who the oldest person I'd ever had sex with was,' according to the report. 'I found it uncomfortable and tried to change the subject.' she said. 'I was very clear from the moment I met Scott that there was no way I would ever have sex with him.' She said she began to feel 'under the influence of this heavy tranquilizer' about an hour later. Leonard then brought Dimes to a bedroom, where she recalled him 'behind me and on top of me,' the report said. She added that his 'hands were in my vagina' before 'he was on top of me, penetrating me with what is believed to be his penis, but it is foggy.' Dimes continued: 'I do not remember how I got there but my clothes were on the floor when I woke up. 'He was naked beside me, which freaked me out because there was no way I consented. ... I saw blood all around my thighs, my menstrual cup was shoved up my cervix. I couldnt walk and I was screaming.' The following morning, Dimes woke up with 'bruises on my wrist...shoulder, stomach and lower abdominals, thighs and a damaged toe,' she said in the report. In August 2022, Dimes filed a police report to the sheriff's office and detailed her alleged sexual assault experience with Leonard According to the report, Dimes said Leonard told her: 'You have to go now, do not talk to any of the workers when you leave, youre really f up.' Still disorientated, she drove home as she had to catch a flight home to Australia. Days later Dimes told police in the Gold Coast about what happened, the report said. In December, investigators in Australia sent her clothing from that night to San Bernardino. The clothing and swabs of DNA were put in an evidence locker, the Times reported. 'I am so severely traumatized I havent been able to function,' she told police. 'I honestly feel like my entire life has been flipped upside down because of this man taking advantage of me, sexually assaulting me and thinking I wont say anything because of his business and music connections.' Barriger, an author and the creator of Eco Fashion Label, said she had known Leonard and his partner, Keiko Harada, for about seven years. Barriger, who later moved with her then-partner into an airstream travel trailer just across from Leonard's home, was initially introduced to him 'as someone with a lot of clout,' she told the Times. In November 2021, Leonard and Harada invited the couple to their home for a gathering. 'He had this house but always played it cool,' Barriger recalled. 'He would say things like "Can I see your paintings? Do you need a business mentor?" ' she added. According to her police report, when Barriger visited the home by herself, she was left feeling uneasy after speaking to Leonard. 'Leonard said something to the effect of "humankind would not have evolved if rape wasnt an aspect of it",' she said in the report. As the three drank late into the night, Leonard soon invited her to stay in one of his guest rooms. About 2.30am, Barriger said Leonard made a pineapple-flavored cocktail for her and Harada. Soon after both women sipped their drinks, Barriger said she started to feel like she was hallucinating and saw that Harada's eyes 'were dilated.' 'Victim 1 walked to a mirror and looked into her own eyes and saw they were also dilated. Victim 1 confronted Leonard about drugging her, and Leonard denied all allegations,' the report said. Harada soon fell asleep, when 'Leonard walked Victim 1 to the room he offered her to sleep in and tried to seduce her,' the report said. Barriger then attempted 'to leave the situation,' but 'Leonard pulled' her 'back down to the bed by her pant loops and tried to kiss Victim 1,' according to the report. Barriger recalled getting 'that shark-in-the-water feeling' around Leonard, who she described as 'dangerous and very aggressive,' she said in an interview. On November 11, 2021, Leonard and Harada invited her and her then-partner to their home for a gathering. Barriger recalled getting 'that shark-in-the-water feeling' around Leonard, who she described as 'dangerous and very aggressive' 'I'm drunk and can't drive home. I just went super stiff, like "How do I just make this stop as fast as possible and get out of there?" ' After telling Leonard to stop, he eventually left, according to the report. The following day, Barriger visited 'High Desert Medical Center to get teste for MDMA,' but she was soon told by staff that 'she would have to file a police report before she could be treated,' the Times reported. At the time, Barriger said 'she was not ready to file a report.' 'I didn't know what to do and I was scared. There were two different versions of what to do then. I was like "Is he as bad as I think he is? Or am I overreacting?",' she told the outlet. The report specified that Barriger 'was not raped by Leonard,' but she 'felt that she was incapacitated by the drugs and physically unable to leave Leonard's residence.' Following the encounter, Barriger sent pictures of her dilated eyes to close friends and family, the Times reported. Her sister told the Times that Barriger called her at 7am and said that Leonard allegedly 'attempted to assault her and that she felt drugged and didn't know how to leave the property.' Barriger did not file a police report right after the alleged incident, but did later. 'I thought I did my due diligence. But its contributed to a lot of loss in my life,' she told the Times. Last year, after Dimes returned to Joshua Tree, she ran into Barringer's then-partner at a local store. It was then that she learned that they both filed reports against Leonard, but after reaching out to the police department on the progress of their cases, the department informed them they didn't have the statements. In Aril 2023, the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department experienced a cyberattack that restricted them from accessing police reports submitted from April 2019 to April 2023, the Times reported. Last year, after Dimes returned to Joshua Tree, she ran into Barringer's then-partner at a local store and learned that they both filed reports against Leonard. (pictured: stock image of Joshua Tree, California) According to the outlet, the county paid $1.1million to a Russian-involved hacker group to retrieve the data. A spokeswoman with the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department told DailyMail.com: 'The network disruption we experienced last year has not affected the ability to investigate these incidents, nor does it impact the ability to pursue them criminally. 'Both victims were provided with a copy of their report. The investigation is ongoing and no additional information is being released at this time.' Their attorney, Christine Pelosi, the daughter of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been tirelessly fighting for her clients. 'We've been stuck on this for a long time. We need some sort of justice,' Pelosi said. DailyMail.com contacted Leonard, Harada and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for comment. This is not the only legal drama Leonard has been caught up in, as he is currently facing seven criminal counts in Los Angeles over a 2022 incident involving a fire at a recording studio in Hollywood that he owned, the Times reported. Nathan Edwards, 26, was killed in the blaze and musician Ozzy Osbourne's daughter, Aimee, who was recording there at the time, was injured. Two former Penn State students who organized the hazing that killed New Jersey freshman Timothy Piazza have pleaded guilty to 15 counts of hazing and reckless endangerment. Beta Theta Pi president Brendan Young, 28, and vice-president Daniel Casey, 27, were in charge of the frat when it staged the drinking 'obstacle course' that left Piazza, 19, dead from traumatic brain injury in February 2017. The young engineering student drank 18 drinks in less than 90 minutes and was knocked unconscious after falling 15-feet down a flight of stairs, but it was more than 12 hours before the alarm was raised. More than 1,000 counts have been brought against 18 members in the largest criminal indictment against a fraternity and its members in US history. 'There should be no discussion of this case without recognizing the tragic loss of life and resulting devastation for Mr Piazza's family and friends,' Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said. Timothy Piazza, 19, consumed 18 drinks in less than 90 minutes before he collapsed and fell down a flight of stairs during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event at Penn State in February 2017 Beta Theta Pi president Brendan Young pleaded guilty to 14 counts of hazing and a single count of reckless endangerment Young and his vice-president Daniel Casey (pictured) were originally indicted on more than 200 counts each, including involuntary manslaughter Fourteen pledges were brought to the frat house on February 2 where they were ordered to drink repeated shots of vodka before running a 'gauntlet' while drinking beer, wine, and playing beer pong. Video played in court showed that Piazza collapsed just before 11:30pm but no one came to his assistance. He was then seen repeatedly collapsing as he attempted to crawl, rolled around the floor, vomited in his sleep, and went in-and-out of consciousness over the course of the next eight hours. As the hours passed he was body-slammed into a couch by one frat member, had a beer or multiple beers dumped on him by another, and later lay comatose while one young man threw his shoes at the visibly inebriated college student. Some frat members had already left for class by the time Piazza was carried to a couch a little after 10am, but it was another 45 minutes before 911 was called. Three frat members were sentenced to between 30 days and nine months in prison in April 2019 for their roles in the death. Joshua Kurczewski, 20, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit hazing, hazing, and furnishing liquor to a minor. He was sentenced to between three to nine months. Prosecutors said he set up the beer pong station, carried beer into the frat house, and gave beer to at least 10 pledges, including Piazza. Kurczewski was also at the bottom of the stairs when Piazza fell into the basement. A total of 28 members of the now-shuttered Beta Theta Pi house (pictured) at Penn State faced charges at one point after Piazza died in February 2017 during the fraternity's pledge bid acceptance night Parents Evelyn Piazza (left) and Jim Piazza (right) have spoken to thousands of students at college campuses across the country in a bid to end hazing Michael Bonatucci, 21, who pleaded guilty to three counts of hazing and one count of conspiracy to commit hazing, ran the beer-shotgun station. He was sentenced to between 30 days and six months. Luke Visser, 21, pleaded guilty to six counts of hazing and one count of conspiracy to commit hazing. Prosecutors say he took photos of the victim when he was unconscious on the couch. He was sentenced to between two to six months. A fraternity brother who was present following that first fall revealed in an interview that he was thrown against a wall when he tried to help Piazza, a claim that is supported by footage shown in court. Kordel Davis could be seen making animated gestures after seeing Piazza lying on the couch, at which point he is slammed into a wall by another member of the fraternity. Another fraternity member watched him vomit on a couch in his sleep and texted a few friends about the incident, but did not call for medical assistance or alert authorities. And a number of members tried to conceal what happened that night, with one text message recovered by police urging pledges to get rid of evidence of alcohol. The case scandalized America and prompted the Timothy Piazza Antihazing Law, which introduced felony offenses for serious injuries or deaths caused by hazing, and has been signed into law by the governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Piazza's parents, Jim and Evelyn, have spoken to thousands of students at college campuses across the country in a bid to end hazing, and Penn State permanently banned Beta Theta Pi shortly after their son's death, accusing it of a 'persistent pattern' of excessive drinking, drug use and hazing. Michael Bonatucci, 21, and Luke Visser, 21, were two of three ex-Penn State fraternity brothers who were sentenced in relation to Piazza's death In October 2018, Michael Angelo Schiavone pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit furnishing alcohol to minors after it emerged that he ran the frat's 'slush fund' that paid for the drinks,' and dozens more cases are still making their way through the courts. Detective David Scicchitano of the State College Police Department said Piazza had a blood-alcohol content of nearly 0.40 per cent, five times the legal limit for drivers, when he was found. The 19-year-old died on February 4 after he was rushed into surgery with a ruptured spleen and Class IV hemorrhagic shock. 'Mr Piazza was simply seeking to join a social organization for the benefits of community and shared experiences, as so many university students do,' Henry said. 'Most of those students go on to successful lives and careers - basic expectations following college which Mr Piazza never had the opportunity to experience.' Young and Casey will be sentenced on October 1. Congressional staff will have TikTok blocked and removed from their government phones by August 15 after lawmakers moved to crack down on CCP-owned ByteDance this year. The legislation to ban the app from federal devices was signed into law by President Joe Biden in December 2022. And this year, Congress and the White House came together to ban TikTok from operating in the U.S. if it does not divest from ByteDance by mid-January 2025. The company has sued the U.S. government accusing it of violating First Amendment rights by allegedly trying to 'silence the 170 million Americans' who use the social media application. The bill was overwhelmingly passed by Congress and signed by Biden on April 24, giving ByteDance until January 19 to sell TikTok or face a ban. It was driven by concerns that China could use the app to access American users' data. Congressional staff will have TikTok blocked and removed from their government phones by August 15 after lawmakers moved to crack down on CCP-owned ByteDance this year 'Starting August 15, 2024, the CAO Office of Cybersecurity will initiate the block and removal of all ByteDance products from all House-managed devices and app stores,' Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor wrote in a memo to House staffers. 'ByteDance applications are NOT ALLOWED on any House device,' it went on. TikTok has made clear that ByteDance is not interested in selling. The Department of Justice has pushed back on TikTok's legal case against it, in documents filed July 26 accusing the platform of collecting and transmitting sensitive personal user data to ByteDance engineers in Beijing. The data includes bulk information on users' views on social issues like abortion, gun control and religion. The DOJ issued a warning of 'covert content manipulation' and the ability for the CCP to shape the content users see on its platform to influence their views. 2022. And this year, Congress and the White House came together to ban TikTok from operating in the U.S. if it does not divest from ByteDance 'By directing ByteDance or TikTok to covertly manipulate that algorithm, China could for example further its existing malign influence operations and amplify its efforts to undermine trust in our democracy and exacerbate social divisions,' the brief states. Nothing in the redacted brief 'changes the fact that the Constitution is on our side,' TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek said in a statement. 'The TikTok ban would silence 170 million Americans' voices, violating the 1st Amendment,' Haurek said. 'As we've said before, the government has never put forth proof of its claims, including when Congress passed this unconstitutional law. Today, once again, the government is taking this unprecedented step while hiding behind secret information. We remain confident we will prevail in court.' Oral arguments for the case are scheduled for September. Donald Trump's invitation to address an association of black journalists - along with the group's shunning of Kamala Harris - has sparked outrage, resignations, and internecine fighting among its membership. Trump is scheduled to take part of moderated discussion with the National Association of Black Journalists on Wednesday at their annual convention in Chicago. Meanwhile, the group declined an offer from Harris to appear for a virtual conversation. The vice president could not appear in person due to logistical reasons, including her attendance at the funeral of the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in Texas. Adding fuel to the fire is a report the group tried to get a prominent Harris surrogate instead, such as Megan thee Stallion, Oprah Winfrey or Barack Obama. About 30 minutes before Trump was scheduled to speak, the NABJ announced they are in talks with Harris to appear either in person or virtually at some point in September. Trump reacted in fury to the news, noting he was told he had to fly to Chicago. 'They told me and Crazy Kamala Harris that you could not do this Event with ZOOM It is not allowed or acceptable! She declined, and I am getting ready to land in Chicago in order to be there. Now I am told that she is doing the Event on ZOOM. WHATS GOING ON HERE?,' he wrote on Truth Social. Donald Trump's scheduled appearance before a group of black journalists has caused outrage But it's the presence of Trump - who clashed with prominent black journalists when he was president - and the exclusion of Harris - who would be the first female black president if elected - that has members of the group publicly slamming the association and each other. Trump weighed in on Truth Social. 'Crazy Kamala disrespectfully refused to attend the National Association of Black Journalists Conference, but I am on my way to meet with them now in Chicago. Because of which, shell probably end up doing, she has no choice, but rememberit is only for that reason!,' he wrote. And the Harris campaign slammed Trump ahead of his appearance. 'We know Donald Trump is going to lie about his record and the real harm hes caused Black communities at NABJ and he must be called out,' Harris campaign Black Media Director Jasmine Harris said in a statement. The bitter fight among journalists is playing out on social media for all to see. Karen Attiah, a co-chair of this year's NABJ convention, resigned after Trump's appearance was announced. 'To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck,' she wrote on X. And April Ryan, a prominent White House reporter who was often the subject of Trump's ire, slammed the group's decision. 'The reports of attacks on Black women White House correspondents by the then president of the United States are not myth or conjecture, but fact,' she wrote on X. 'To have a presumed orchestrated session with the former president is an affront to what this organization stands for and a slap in the face to the Black women journalists (NABJ journalists of the year) who had to protect themselves from the wrath of this Republican presidential nominee who is promoting an authoritarian agenda that plans to destroy this nation and her democracy with his Project 2025.' 'I object to this NABJ session with Donald Trump in Chicago.' The National Association of Black Journalists declined an offer from Kamala Harris to appear virtually at their convention After Harris could not appear in person the NABJ inquired about a surrogate such as Megan thee Stallion, who performed at Harris' rally in Atlanta on Tuesday The NABJ has made clear it's not endorsing the former president but keeping in line with their tradition of having candidates appear before their members. And the group has been outspoken about Trump in the past. In 2018, NABJ condemned then-President Trump for repeatedly using words such as 'stupid,' 'loser' and 'nasty' to describe black women journalists including Ryan, Yamiche Alcindor of NBC News and Abby Phillip of CNN. NABJ President Ken Lemon and convention co-chair Tia Mitchell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said the decision to invite Trump was to give top black journalists the chance to question the Republican nominee. 'Some of yall need to take a step back and ask why you're questioning why a group of JOURNALISTS wants to ask former and possibly future President Trump questions,' Mitchell wrote on X. 'Do you hear yourselves?' But Ryan, who writes for The Grio, also charged the group of demanding Harris make an in-person appearance in Chicago - only to backtrack when called out publicly on their exclusion of the vice president. She also revealed the group wanted a prominent Harris supporter in person if they couldn't get the vice president. 'The NABJ shut down the conversation for a virtual town hall. Only after reports of what happened were posted did the NABJ leadership feverishly begin to ask the @VP to now consider a virtual town hall,' Ryan wrote on X. 'As of yesterday afternoon @Vp team moved on after being told 'no' by NABJ leadership. The NABJ leadership even asked for a VP surrogate replacement like Megan the stallion, Oprah or Barack Obama.' Mitchell took to social media to push back against Ryan's allegations, arguing the group did try to work with Harris' team. 'When Harris' team indicated she was likely not going to be able to come to NABJ in person, I had convos with her staff encouraging them to offer surrogates to see if NABJ would accept. I knew that NABJ was already trying to get Oprah or Obama. So I asked if Harris could help,' she wrote on X. She said it was her idea to invite Megan Thee Stallion, who performed in Atlanta at a Harris rally on Tuesday. She said she got the idea after seeing Megan was already scheduled to be in Chicago. 'I made it clear this was MY idea not an official NABJ offer,' Mitchell wrote. 'NABJ higher ups probably had no idea Megan was part of the convo until they read April's tweet. I did not discuss my idea with anyone. I apologize to NABJ leadership for speaking out of turn.' The National Association of Black Journalists was also interested in Oprah Winfrey (left) or Barack Obama (right) as a surrogate for Kamala Harris April Ryan, a prominent black White House reporter who frequently clashed with then-President Trump, criticized the group's decision to invite the former president The National Association of Black Journalists has a history of inviting presidential candidates to its annual conference. President Joe Biden was originally scheduled to attend before dropping out of the race. Both Trump and Harris are courting black voters, a prominent voting bloc in this year's election. Harris will speak to Divine Nine - a prominent African American sorority in Houston - on Wednesday evening. She will also attend a fundraiser. Sheila Jackson Lee's funeral is Thursday. Trump is scheduled to talk to the group at 1 pm ET. ABC News reporter Rachel Scott, Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner, and Semafor reporter Kadia Goba will moderate his discussion. But even that decision sparked controversy with some journalists charging Faulkner was 'in the tank' for Trump and too friendly with the former president. The Trump campaign, in a statement Monday night announcing his NABJ appearance, claimed that he 'accomplished more for Black Americans than any other president in recent history.' A protest is expected in Chicago outside the venue where Trump is scheduled to speak. A man who stuffed a live eel up his backside was left in agony when the sharp-toothed sea creature tried to bite its way out of his digestive tract. Horrified medics in Vietnam discovered the 26-inch long eel in X-ray scans taken to diagnose the cause of his pain on July 27, local media reports. They found the eel had attempted to chew its way out by biting through the wall of his large intestine. But initial attempts to remove the fish with a probe through his anus were thwarted when medics at Viet Duc Hospital, in Hanoi, found a lemon stuffed up there too. Surgeons had to cut in through his abdomen to remove the eel with forceps, with stomach-churning pictures showing the creature on the operating table. Grim pictures show surgeons pulling the eel from the man's body at a hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam The 26-inch creature is pictured on the operating table - alongside a lemon that was also reportedly removed from the man's anus Doctors manipulated the lemon back down through the patient's anus until it popped out before stitching up the hole in his intestine and cleaning out leaked faecal matter. Medics say he would have died without treatment and will have to live with a colostomy bag for the rest of his life. Hospital officials have not named the patient and only identified him as a 31-year-old Indian national. Hospital Deputy Director of the Center for Colon and Rectal Surgery Dr Le Nhat Huy said they had performed many surgeries to remove foreign objects from patients' anuses. He told local media how they had removed everything from glass bottles to sex toys. But this was, he said, the first time they had had to remove a live animal. Dr Huy warned: 'Eels are animals that can survive in anaerobic conditions for a long time and can puncture the digestive tract. 'People should absolutely not insert animals through their anus to create a strong sensation, as the consequences can be severe.' Experts say that as long as they are damp and out of direct sunlight eels can survive many days out of water. Picture shows the lemon inside the man's rectum. He is said to have been an Indian national in his 30s Doctors manipulated the lemon back down through the patient's anus until it popped out before stitching up the hole in his intestine Horrified medics in Vietnam discovered the 26-inch long eel in X-ray scans taken to diagnose the cause of his pain on July 27 Disturbingly, it's not the first time that surgeons have had to remove the critter from a person's insides. In March, a 34-year-old man from the northern Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, was admitted to hospital with severe abdominal cramps after complaining of stomach aches. Local media claims he was given an X-ray and an ultrasound, which showed he had a foreign body lurking in his abdomen. It had caused him intestinal perforation and peritonitis a life-threatening complication when the tissue lining the abdomen becomes swollen. The patient was given urgent surgery to remove the mystery object - which the shocked surgeons discovered was a 30-cm long live eel. A Vietnamese man, 34, left surgeons horrified after they pulled out a foot-long eel from his belly during an operation The eel was believed to have entered the patient's body by entering his anus, sliding up his colon, and biting through his intestine When quizzed about how the eel could have ended up in his belly, the patient couldn't provide an answer. But medics believe it entered his anus, slid up his colon and somehow entered his abdomen. Items can leak out of the intestines and into the bowel if patients suffer intestinal perforation. What stunned the doctors most was that the eel was still alive when they removed it. Doctor Pham Manh Hung told local media: 'This is a rare case, the rectum is a site with abundant faecal matter and prone to infection. 'However, the surgery was performed safely.' Top U.S. officials and lawmakers are responding after the political leader of Hamas was assassinated on Tuesday in Iran escalating tensions in the Middle East as the United States pushes for a ceasefire deal in Gaza. Ismail Haniyeh was killed in what is believed to have been an Israeli strike while traveling from Qatar to attend the inauguration of new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The strike was carried out on his residence in Tehran just hours after Haniyeh was seen at the event, killing the terror group leader and a security guard. The top political leader of Hamas was assassinated Tuesday in a stunning strike in Iran Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked about how the killing of Haniyeh would impact ceasefire negotiations with Hamas while traveling Wednesday in Singapore. 'Well, of course Ive seen the reports, and all I can tell you right now is I think nothing takes away from the importance of.. getting to the ceasefire, which is manifestly in the interests of the hostages and bringing them home,' Blinken said. He said he would not speculate on the impact of what any one event might have. 'What I do know is the enduring imperative of getting the ceasefire, and what I do know is well continue to work at that every day,' he said. Blinken also spoke with the prime minister of Qatar on Wednesday, a key playing in ceasefire negotiations. The State Department said he 'emphasized the importance of continuing to work to reach a ceasefire to the conflict in Gaza that would secure the release of hostages, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and unlock the possibility of broader stability.' Secretary of State Blinken said nothing takes away from the importance of reaching a ceasefire deal when he was asked about the killing of Haniyeh's impact on negotiations Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declined to respond to questions confirming Israel was behind the strike while traveling in the Philippines, but he said he does not think war is inevitable. 'I think there's always room and opportunity for diplomacy, and I'd like to see parties pursue those opportunities,' he said. Austin said if Israel is attacked the U.S. will 'certainly help defend Israel' but said he does not want to see that happen, and the U.S. will work hard to 'help take the temperature down and address issues through diplomatic means.' Lawmakers in Washington have also weighed in on the killing of Haniyeh. 'The leader of Hamas has been brought to justice. Permanently,' wrote Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres, a fierce defender of Israel. 'A special place in hell is reserved for him,' Torres added. 'The world is a better place without people like Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of a group of savages that deliberately targeted and raped, kidnapped and murdered innocent civilians and vowed to do it again,' said Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee. 'And an Iranian regime that is actively organizing the assassination of dissidents and former U.S. leaders inside of America has no right to complain about it,' he continued. Hours from death: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meets with Ismail Haniyeh (L) before Israel's lethal strike on the Hamas leader in Tehran, Iran July 30, 2024 The assassination, confirmed by both Hamas and Iranian authorities, marks the most high-profile killing since the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7. The Palestinian terror group has vowed revenge which has sparked concerns it could trigger even more chaos in the Middle East. The National Security Council in Iran said 'the elimination of Haniyeh crossed the red lines, Israel will bear a great price.' Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared it was Iran's 'duty to avenge' Haniyeh because 'he was martyred on our soil.' The assassination of Hamas' chief at an Iranian Revolutionary Guards residence in the capital city constitutes a humiliating blow for the Islamic Republic and will likely precipitate a harsh retaliation. Iran previously sent a barrage of missiles and drones to attack Israel earlier this year after Tel-Aviv struck the Iranian embassy in Syria in April. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh arrives at the Iranian parliament to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected President Masoud Pezeshkian, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, July 30, 2024 Israel's Defense Forces seized the chance to hit Haniyeh and conducted a daring missile strike on his residence in Tehran just hours after the event, killing the Hamas leader and a security guard Meanwhile, international observers have sounded the alarm that Hamas could pull out of months of negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza as the Palestinian death toll nears 40,000. 'Brother leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, died in a Zionist strike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) president,' Hamas said in a statement. Hamas political bureau member Musa Abu Marzuk vowed: 'The assassination of leader Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act and will not go unanswered.' Sami Abu Zuhri, another Hamas official, added: 'We are engaged in an open war to liberate Jerusalem and we are ready to pay various prices.' Haniyeh was widely considered Hamas's political chief and has been a prominent member of the movement since 1980. He also briefly served as Palestinian prime minister after being appointed in 2006 but was dismissed a year later after Hamas ousted rival Fatah Party. Haniyeh was elected head of Hamas's political bureau in 2017 and the US Department of State designated him a terrorist in 2018. He left the Gaza Strip to seek refuge in Qatar in 2019 and has presided over the political machinations of the group from afar ever since. He was said to maintain good relations with the heads of the various Palestinian factions - including rivals to Hamas - to consolidate Hamas' power base in Gaza, and was very much the international face of the group, travelling from Doha to Tehran and Ankara to maintain strong ties with regional allies. His death, which came as a result of a surface-to-surface missile strike according to Iranian sources speaking to Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen, represents a major blow to Hamas. Haniyeh's son, Abdul Salam Ismail Haniyeh, said his father had 'achieved what he wished for.' 'We are in a state of continuous revolution and struggle against the occupation. The resistance will not end with the assassination of the leadership, and Hamas will continue to resist until liberation.' A spokesperson for Yemen's Houthi rebel group said: 'Targeting him is a heinous terrorist crime and a flagrant violation of laws and ideal values,' prompting fears that the group will launch renewed missile and drone attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The assassination on Haniyeh in Tehran came hours after Israel also targeted a senior Hezbollah official in Beirut Smoke rises following an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon July 30, 2024, hours before the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran Israel has not commented on the strike on Tehran, other than to say it 'doesn't respond to reports in the foreign media.' But Israel had vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the group's Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage. International observers are concerned Haniyeh's assassination will only serve to ratchet up tension in the region and ruin months of progress in peace talks to end the war in Gaza. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Haniyeh's killing, calling it a 'cowardly act and dangerous development' while Russia denounced the strike as an 'unacceptable political assassination.' Palestinian group Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh attends Iran's new President, Masoud Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tehran Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labelled Haniyeh's killing a 'treacherous' act, and wrote: 'This assassination aims to undermine the noble resistance of Gaza and the righteous struggle of Palestinians. 'Turkiye will continue trying every route, pushing every door and supporting Palestinians with all our means.' Turkey's foreign ministry added: 'We condemn the assassination of the leader of Hamas's political office, Ismail Haniyeh, in a shameful assassination in Tehran... this attack also aims to spread the Gaza war to a regional dimension.' Hours before the strike on Haniyeh, Israel carried out a rare attack in the Lebanese capital Beirut that it said killed a top Hezbollah commander who was allegedly behind a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Hezbollah said Wednesday that it was still searching for the body of Fouad Shukur in the rubble of the building that was struck. Shukur was seen as a 'senior adviser' to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who played 'a central role' in the deadly 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut. The U.S. and other nations had already been scrambling to prevent the Golan Heights strike from spiraling into an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah when word came of the dramatic assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran. A long-lost sister of a 99-year-old woman who died in Missouri was found after a funeral home put out a heartbreaking plea to find her family. When Katherine Shirley died in Kansas City in May, she had no friends or family to celebrate her life and became a ward of the state and was set to be cremated. When Marcom-Harvey Funeral Care learned the woman had already paid for her funeral and picked out the flowers she wanted, they agreed to give her the proper send-off she wanted, but they were desperate to find her loved ones to join in. A genealogist in Nevada heard the story and set out to help, eventually finding Shirley's half-sister, Shelia Johnson, who will be flying out for her sibling's celebration of life on August 9, according to Fox 4 Kansas City. Johnson has been searching for her long-lost sister for more than 50 years and was 'devastated' and 'heartbroken' to learn she had passed. When Katherine Shirley died in Kansas City in May, she had no friends or family to celebrate her life and became a ward of the state and was set to be cremated. When Marcom-Harvey Funeral Care learned the woman had already paid for her funeral, they agreed to give her the proper send off she wanted, but they were desperate to find her loved ones to join in A genealogist in Nevada heard the story and set out to help, eventually finding Shirley's half sister, Shelia Johnson, who will be flying out for her sibling's celebration of life on August 9 'I couldn't find her or anything and nobody knew anything about Katherine except that she went back to Kansas City, Missouri, and that was that was that. I gave up, I didn't know if she was alive or dead or what,' she told the local outlet over the phone. The pair had lost contact with each other after Shirley moved back to Missouri from Los Angeles, California, according to Fox 4. Shirley lived at Life Care Center of Grandview, a nursing home, for the last 30 years of her life, and had no prior addresses listed, making it nearly impossibly for Johnson to find her. Now, Johnson is thanking the kind people of Kansas City for helping the funeral find her and showing love toward her sister. The pair had lost contact with each other after Shirley moved back to Missouri from Los Angeles, California, and she had given up on trying to find her sister until the funeral home's call (pictured: the funeral home) 'Im so overwhelmed with joy and blessings knowing all that Kansas City, Missouri is doing for my sister,' she told Fox 4. Aesha Humphrey, the co-owner of Marcom-Harvey Funeral Care, said the feat shows the 'goodness of humanity' and that they got calls and texts and emails from all over the world about Shirley. The late woman's funeral will be open to the public and plenty have vowed to come celebrate Shirley's life next week. They are encouraged to wear pink - Shirley's favorite color. A murder investigation has been launched after a 'true gentleman bus driver' in his fifties was stabbed to death while 'walking home with his shopping'. Police were called at around 11.05pm on Tuesday, 30 July, to reports of a man named locally as Derick Thomas suffering a stab injury on Northwold Road in Hackney, northeast London. Officers and London Ambulance Service attended but despite their best efforts the man, believed aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed. A post mortem examination will be scheduled in due course. There have been no arrests and officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances. The bus driver killed has been named locally as Derick Thomas (pictured) A murder investigation has been launched after a 'bus driver' in his fifties was stabbed to death while 'walking home with his shopping' Police were called at around 11.05pm on Tuesday, 30 July, to reports of a man suffering a stab injury on Northwold Road in Hackney, north London Officers and London Ambulance Service attended but despite their best efforts the man, believed aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene The man's next of kin have been informed. A post mortem examination will be scheduled in due course Locals stopping by the cordon have reacted in anger to the tragic stabbing. One woman, who did not want to be named, said: 'It's another f****** senseless murder. 'This area has gone to complete s***. 'The police are only here after something's happened. 'When are they going to start doing their job and start stopping things?' Another local resident added: 'These days, if you're in London in the wrong place at the wrong time, you're gonna get stabbed. 'I don't even want to leave the house anymore. It's so frustrating.' Meanwhile, Abdul, 22, said the area is full of 'shady' people. The shopkeeper said: 'It happened late enough for no one to notice. 'In this area, depending on what time it is, there's definitely enough shady people out.' Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway who is responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets said: 'I understand the shock and concern this incident will cause, even more so given the recent and tragic murder of Pharrell Garcia on the borough last week. 'However, I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working diligently to identify whoever is responsible for this violent act. 'Our most immediate thoughts are clearly with the family and friends of the man killed last night. 'Whilst these two dreadful murders happened in the same area of Hackney there is no suggestion of a link between the two. A person has been charged with Pharrell's murder and they are awaiting trial. Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway who is responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets said: 'I understand the shock and concern this incident will cause, even more so given the recent and tragic murder of Pharrell Garcia on the borough last week' He added: 'However, I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working diligently to identify whoever is responsible for this violent act' The officer said: . 'Our most immediate thoughts are clearly with the family and friends of the man killed last night' He added: 'Whilst these two dreadful murders happened in the same area of Hackney there is no suggestion of a link between the two. A person has been charged with Pharrell's murder and they are awaiting trial' 'Nevertheless, they do highlight the continued danger presented to the public by people who arm themselves with knives. We have additional resources focused on deterring such a threat and we are working hard with our local partners to reduce knife crime. 'If you have information that could assist the investigation then please get in touch with us.' Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or 'X' @MetCC and quote CAD 8517/30Jul. You can also provide information, completely anonymously, to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Additionally, if you know someone who is regularly carrying a knife, you can also pass that information to us, without telling the police who you are, through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Knife crime hurts all our communities you can help us tackle this. Tom Joyner, Managing Director for Go-London, said: 'It is with great sadness that our colleague Derek Thomas, a driver for Go-Ahead London was fatally injured in an isolated incident while on his way home from work. 'The entire team at Go-Ahead London is saddened by this incident and the tragic loss of one of their colleagues, and our thoughts are with the family of the colleague who has lost their life. 'We will ensure our teams and the family of our colleague receive any support required from Go-Ahead London during this difficult time. We are assisting the Police with their investigation into the incident.' A local man killed himself after authorities pinned him to the horrific murder of a 23-year-old woman from Virginia that haunted the Hawaii community for decades. Dana Ireland had ventured out for a quick bike ride on Christmas Eve 1991 when she was brutally beaten, raped and struck by a vehicle. The 23-year-old - who had just moved to the Kapoho area of the Big Island after graduating from George Mason University - was found barely clinging to life on a fishing trail before dying in hospital on Christmas Day. The case went cold for nearly a decade until 2000 when three Hawaiian men were convicted. In 2023, damning new evidence revealed Albert 'Ian' Schwietzer's innocence. He had already served 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. On Monday, new DNA evidence was revealed from the 30-year-old crime identifying Albert Lauro, Jr., 57, as the real killer. Lauro was found dead in his apartment of an apparent suicide only days before his arrest, authorities said, Fox5 Vegas reported. Dana Ireland, 23, had just moved to the Kapoho area of the Big Island a few months after graduating from George Mason University before her brutal murder Christmas Eve 1991 Albert Lauro, Jr., who was 25 at the time, was identified as the real killer He was 25 years old at the time of the murder, and had been living on the island, authorities said. Investigators collected DNA from seven separate samples. The samples included semen that was found on the victim's body and on her clothes, and sweat and skin from a t-shirt were all tested. They concluded that all the tests matched Lauro's DNA. The Hawaii Innocence Project worked with law enforcement and Steve Kramer of Indago Solutions on Ireland's case. Ken Lawson of the Hawaii Innocence Project said Kramer- the person who helped identify the Golden State Killer - used forensic genealogy testing. 'He was able to go back to records, back to the 1700s here in Hawaii,' Lawson told the news outlet. In February, Kramer's tedious research was able to rule out Lauro as the only potential suspect in Ireland's murder. Those results still had to be sent to the FBI. The FBI in collaboration with the Hawaii County police started surveillance on Lauro. Last month, they were able to collect a fork he had used that was thrown out in a public dispenser. The fork was then sent to the lab for more testing, and came back as a match to 'unknown male #1,' that they had been searching for. After the bombshell discovery, police conducted a search warrant for a cheek swab on Lauro taken July 19 which confirmed less than 48 hours that his was a match. The statute of limitations had expired for rape, but it had not for murder. Lauro, who suspected police were closing in on him, was later found dead in his home from an apparent suicide. In a press conference Monday, Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz said the buccal swab ultimately confirmed that the DNA collected at the scene of Ireland's murder matched Lauro, The Independent reported. He said there was not enough probable cause at the time to arrest Lauro and defended the police's decision not to arrest him on the day the cheek swab was retrieved. 'We felt then and continue to feel that the presence of Lauro's DNA at the crime scene was in and of itself not sufficient evidence to prove that Lauro intentionally or knowingly caused her death,' Moszkowicz said on Monday. The Hawaii and New York Innocence Projects represented the Schweitzer brothers. Lawson said Lauro ' took the easy way out. He didn't spend a day in jail,' he said, in part. Attorney's for the Hawaii Innocence Project which helped exonerate Schweitzer last year have called for a federal investigation into why police did not arrest Lauro, the Associated Press reported. Moszkowicz said they will continue to investigate Ireland's murder and are looking into Lauro's cellphone and plan to speak to his family and friends from 1991, the year of Ireland's murder. 'We remain focused on Dana Ireland, a young woman who was brutally murdered. There is still a lot about this case that we do not know, and our investigation into this case continues to push forward,' Moszkowicz said. He added: 'Our search for the truth is not over.' Louise Ireland, Dana's mother, gestures towards the last photo taken of her daughter, during a July 1999 hearing University of Hawaii law school student Skye Jansen, left, and Hawaii Innocence Project co-director Kenneth Lawson pose with photos related to the 1991 murder of Dana Ireland Ireland was planning to become a physical therapist. On the day of her murder she was inviting a friend from the island to a Christmas party her family was having. At the time of the brutal murder, a family friend told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that Dana 'suffered but she fought like hell to stay alive,' SF Gate reported. She added, 'they took a perfect thing and totally destroyed it physically. Everything.' In 2000, Frank Pauline Jr, and brothers Shawn and Albert 'Ian' Schweitzer were sentenced in the murder of Ireland. Albert Schweitzer, who was facing a 130-year prison sentence, was the last of the trio to see freedom that took place in January 2023. His conviction was vacated that year. Albert 'Ian' Schweitzer is pictured in January 2000, on the opening day of his trial Schweitzer hugs his mother Linda moments after a judge ordered he be released In 2015, Pauline was killed in prison by a fellow inmate. In 2016, his brother took a plea deal and released from prison after one year. In October 2023, his conviction was vacated. According to a report, DNA evidence that was previously submitted in the case belonged to an unknown man, but all three of the convicted men were excluded as sources. Lawson told the news outlet, the Schweitzer brothers 'are happy that this person was finally caught,' and added 'they're disappointed in the way it happened.' Ministers will consider whether the English Defence League should be banned following riots on the streets of Southport, Angela Rayner suggested today. The deputy PM said the government 'will look at various different groups' amid widespread condemnation of violence that broke out after the horrific knife attack on children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Angry politicians have blamed 'lies and propaganda' on social media for igniting the chaos, while heartbroken Southport families have accused hoodlums of showing 'no respect to a town that is grieving'. Tributes have poured in for the three girls killed who police yesterday named as six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. Eight other children suffered stab wounds at the summer holiday dance workshop. Five are in a critical condition, alongside two women who were also critically injured as they bravely tried to save the children. But the rioting erupted barely an hour after thousands of mourners had gathered for a vigil to remember the victims. Asked during an interview on LBC whether the EDL's activities would be curbed, Ms Rayner said: 'We have laws and we have proscribed groups and we do look at that and it is reviewed regularly. 'So I'm sure that that will be something that the Home Secretary will be looking at as part of the normal course of what we do and the intelligence that we have.' A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'We do not comment on whether a specific organisation is or is not being considered for proscription.' Sources insisted no commitment had been made to take any action. Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out in Southport Deputy PM Angela Rayner said the government 'will look at various different groups' amid widespread condemnation of violence that broke out after the horrific knife attack on children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class Southport burns: A street near a mosque goes up in flames as violent thugs took to the streets last night Three girls were killed in a bloody rampage on Hart Street on Monday. On Tuesday, a vigil was held for the victims on Lord Street. While it was going on, a man with a flick knife was arrested on Eastbank Street. On St Luke's Road, riots erupted outside a mosque - also on Tuesday The PM insisted that those who rioted in Southport last night will 'feel the full force of the law' Keir Starmer lays a floral tribute to the knife rampage victims in Southport yesterday Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and local MP Patrick Hurley inspect tributes in Southport Ms Rayner added: 'The inciting of violence and violence on the street has absolutely no place in our democracy, and we have to crack down on those that perpetuate violence and spread it within our communities.' However, she said 'the bigger issue is about taking on the minority of people that have got thuggish behaviour, that actually that's not our British values'. Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said there is a 'strong feeling' that members of the EDL used the Southport stabbing to 'whip up hatred'. Ms Spurrell told ITV's Good Morning Britain that the 'violence and abuse' towards police officers on Tuesday was 'utterly abhorrent and completely unacceptable'. She said: '(Merseyside Police) will be reviewing the footage of exactly who was there last night, they have been monitoring the online activity as well, trying to understand who was doing what. 'They have said that they believe it was members of the English Defence League (EDL), they don't believe it was individuals from the local area. 'There is a strong feeling that there are individuals like the EDL, who have been using this incredibly tragic event to whip up hatred, incite violence, and that's the result of what we saw last night.' Scotland's former first minister Humza Yousaf has called for the EDL to be banned under terror laws in the wake of the unrest, despite former leader Tommy Robinson's insistence that the group no longer exists. Keir Starmer has insisted those responsible for the rioting should face the 'full force of the law' after a police van was torched and several officers injured. On St Luke's Street near the vigil, rioters chanting 'English till I die' surrounded the Southport Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre and began hurling rubble at police officers who had formed a protective line around the building. The violence appears to have been fuelled by false claims online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat. The 17-year-old boy, who remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder, is originally from Cardiff but now lives in the nearby Lancashire village of Banks. Merseyside Police said 22 of its officers were injured after clashes broke out in the seaside town. Writing on X, Sir Keir said: 'The people of Southport are reeling after the horror inflicted on them yesterday. 'They deserve our support and our respect. Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said 'scenes of thuggery' on the streets of Southport 'bear no relation' to the community which had been coming together. She told broadcasters: 'I think everyone should be showing some respect for the community that is grieving and also for the police who are pursuing an urgent criminal investigation now, and who showed such heroism and bravery yesterday in the face of these horrific attacks. 'I think everyone needs to support the police in that work, and frankly the scenes of thuggery that we have seen on the streets of Southport this evening bear no relation to the way in which the Southport community has been coming together to support each other and to support grieving families. 'We need to see some respect for the grieving community and for the police in their urgent work.' Patrick Hurley, Southport's Labour MP, said this morning that the riots occurred because of the 'propaganda and lies' spread on social media about the identity of the attacker. He told Times Radio: 'Because of the propaganda and the lies that were being spread around on social media from within minutes of the news breaking on Monday afternoon about the tragic incident. 'We'd had all sorts of lies being spread and misinformation being spread about the alleged perpetrator and some people with the best of intentions then they tried to rebut this, they tried to argue back, but all that happens is you're just amplifying people's false messaging.' He added: 'This misinformation doesn't just exist on people's internet browsers and on people's phones. It has real world impact. 'And what happened is that the real world impact of that was that we then had hundreds of people descending on the town, descending on Southport from outside of the area, intent on causing trouble, either because they believe what they've written, or because they are bad faith actors who wrote it in the first place, in the hope of causing community division.' Mr Hurley told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the rioters were 'not from Southport' and must face the 'full force of the law'. 'Even if this lad, the 17-year-old, turns out to be Muslim, under no circumstances does that justify any attack on a mosque by anybody at all,' he said. 'Not least these beered-up thugs who have descended on the town last night intent on causing trouble. 'We all have to stand against that and Southport will not accept this. 'Southport will unite against this sort of thing.' A police van was set on fire near a mosque in Southport on Tuesday evening as riots broke out Around 200 protesters were seen taking to the streets. Police believe many were EDL supporters A burnt out police van near a mosque in Southport as shocking riots broke out on Tuesday Riot police vans were damaged amid the chaos near the Southport Mosque The riots came barely an hour after thousands of mourners gathered for a vigil at the Atkinson in Southport In stark contrast to the riots on the streets, there was a sense of tranquility at the site of the vigil as night fell Merseyside Police has issued a warning over an 'incorrect' name being widely circulated online, adding: 'We would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing.' The angry mob - who police 'believed to be supporters of the English Defence League' - started targeting the Muslim place of worship at around 7.45pm. Eight police officers suffered serious injuries, including one who was knocked unconscious. Protesters also torched cars and wheelie bins belonging to members of the public, shattered the mosque windows with bricks and looted shops. One Southport resident living near the mosque told how he, his partner and their young daughter fled for the evening, not wanting her to see the sickening violence. The man said: 'We just couldn't stay while this was going on and allow our daughter to witness it. 'This doesn't represent Southport - they're EDL thugs who are from Manchester and Liverpool who have just come here to cause trouble. They have no respect for a town that's grieving.' Police have introduced a 24-hour Section 60 Order in the area where the riots took place and extra officers will remain in the area. Former US marine Paul Whelan's lawyer says that she no longer knows where he's being held, four years after he was sentenced on espionage charges in Russia. His attorney, Olga Karlova told the media this week she had sent a request to the prison colony where he is serving out his term in order to find out where he is. A number of Russian dissidents and people convicted for their opposition to Moscow's war in Ukraine have disappeared from Russian prisons in recent days, in what rights activists say is a possible sign that a prisoner swap with the West involving people like Whelan, 54, may be close. Whelan a corporate security executive from Michigan, was arrested in 2018 in Moscow, where he was attending a friend's wedding. He maintains his innocence, saying the charges were fabricated. In December, the State Department said it had made a significant offer for Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich but Russia rejected it. Gershkovich is not thought to have been one of the prisoners who has been moved. Corporate security executive Paul Whelan, 54, was arrested in 2018 while in Russia for a friend's wedding. There has been no official confirmation from the Kremlin but numerous reports have said that moving prisoners is considered to be an indication that a swap is imminent Whelan has Irish, British and Canadian citizenship. 'I receive requests from journalists from various international agencies asking me to clarify whether I know Paul's whereabouts, as there are rumors of a possible exchange,' his lawyer told Interfax, the Russian news agency. 'I have sent a request to the [prison] colony administration, but I'm not getting an answer.' He is the only non-Russian national who has been moved from their penal colonies. The others are opposition politician Ilya Yashin, Memorial head Oleg Orlov, Navalny associates Liliya Chanysheva and Ksenia Fadeeva, and anti-war activist Sasha Skochilenko. Officials never gave details on the attempted December 2023 swap. Russian President Vladimir Putin, asked about releasing Gershkovich, pointed to a man imprisoned by a U.S. ally for 'liquidating a bandit' who had allegedly killed Russian soldiers in Chechnya. That appeared to refer to Vadim Krasikov, serving a life sentence in Germany in 2021 for the killing of Zelimkhan 'Tornike' Khangoshvili, a Georgian citizen of Chechen descent. WNBA legend Brittney Griner said in an April interview she wished that Paul Whelan joined her on the flight back to the US During a News Nation interview with Natasha Zouves in May, Whelan's brother, David Whelan described the bleak state his brother now finds himself in five years into his captivity. 'He's just disintegrating, and will continue to do so,' said David. 'His cognitive mental health is deteriorating. We're starting to get a sense of that in the phone calls. He's got physical problems. He's got a cracked tooth he can't get fixed.' Whelan was quoted as saying in 2023 that he felt 'abandoned' by the Biden administration as he had been left out of prison swaps. In April, WNBA star Brittney Griner told Robin Roberts on ABC's 20/20 that she thought that Paul Whelan would be on the same plane as her taking them home to the USA. 'When I walked on and I didn't see him, I was like, okay, maybe I'm early. Maybe he's next. Maybe they're going to bring him next,' she said. 'And when they closed the door, I was like, "Are you seriously not going to let this man come home right now?"' Griner was traded for Viktor Bout, an arms dealer given the nickname 'the Merchant of Death.' She says that the US government should have pushed harder to try and bring both herself and Whelan back. 'If it was left up to me in that trade, I would have went and got Paul and brought him home,' Griner says. Police investigating a Southend machete street fight which saw thugs wielding huge blades in front of horrified holidaymakers have now arrested eight people. Seven weapons have also been seized after the 'appalling' violence and disorder on the Essex seafront which was captured on cameras and shared widely online. Witnesses told of the horror confronting families including young children close to a popular theme park, as it was confirmed one man was stabbed. Hooded youths were seen brandishing large knives in broad daylight near the Adventure Island theme park and in the high street yesterday evening. Nicola Tiney, who runs the Borough Hotel on the seafront, told the PA news agency she believed about 1,000 young people descended on the resort town, many from London, in an organised meet-up during hot and sunny weather. Police investigating a street fight in Southend which involved thugs wielding huge blades in front of horrified holidaymakers have now arrested eight people Seven weapons have also been seized after the 'appalling' violence and disorder on the Essex seafront which was captured on cameras and shared widely online Ms Tiney described how groups began arriving in the afternoon, before pockets of violence and disorder erupted at about 7pm. She said: 'Lots of them had their hoods up and were wearing masks and hats, just coming to the seafront resort to cause trouble. 'They congregated at the other end of the seafront and they started kicking off amongst themselves and running around - there were machetes out in the middle of the road. 'I had to get all of my customers in from the front - it was just disgusting. 'I didn't see anyone get hurt but you could see the machetes flying about at each other and then lots of them ran off down the beach with families around - I think one of them threw their machete into the sea. 'Towards the town centre they were fighting with knives and machetes as well and it's just them amongst themselves, it's nothing to do with Southend.' Ms Tiney also described seeing large groups running in the area 'like a herd of bulls', stopping traffic as they went. Two of the people detained were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening or life-changing injuries, Essex Police said. Footage posted on social media shows hooded thugs fighting with huge machetes in close proximity to a park The chaos erupted on the seafront and High Street of Southend-on-Sea on Tuesday evening An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said it received reports that a man had been stabbed. One patient was transported by air to Royal London Hospital in east London, while another patient was taken by police to Southend University Hospital and another person was discharged at the scene. In one specific incident at about 7.40pm, an assault with an offensive weapon was seen by security staff and members of the public in Marine Parade, the police force said. One suspect at the scene was arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article and causing grievous bodily harm. Essex Police said it believes the conflict happened within groups of young men and women who had travelled to Southend. The force has now put a Section 60 dispersal order in place, giving officers powers to exercise stop-and-search checks. Section 60 powers allow a constable in uniform to stop and search any pedestrian or anything carried by them, any vehicle, its driver and passengers, for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments. The order covered Marine Parade, Pier Hill, High Street, Western Esplanade and both the railway stations in the city and was due to remain in place until 8pm today. Footage shared widely online shows masked thugs fighting in the streets with machetes The clashes broke out in broad daylight near Southend's Adventure Islands theme park Chief Supt Leighton Hammett said: 'These incidents are appalling - we will not tolerate this dangerous and violent behaviour on our streets. 'We responded quickly, with officers already deployed on the seafront and arrests made to keep the public safe. 'We have multiple lines of inquiry to identify more suspects and bring them to justice. 'Early indications are groups of young men and women have travelled into Southend and the conflict has occurred within these groups. 'I'd like to reassure the wider public that these were targeted attacks involving just a small fraction of the visitors to Southend yesterday.' Train operator c2c announced it was working with the police because a 'large number of the individuals involved' in the violence travelled to and from the town on its services. And Southend City Council leader Daniel Cowan told how there had been a 'large influx of young people'. He added: 'Last night we saw some hugely upsetting incidents in our city, the likes of which I never want to see again. Chief Supt Leighton Hammett of Essex Police today called last night's violence 'appalling' Train operator c2c says it is now working with the police because a 'large number of the individuals involved' in the violence travelled to and from the town on its services 'The actions of those involved were deplorable, disgusting and people intent on acting like this are not welcome in Southend-on-Sea.' David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, wrote on Facebook: 'The scenes we witnessed last night on Southend seafront and the city centre were deeply disturbing and I know have caused concern for many residents.' Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford, posted on social media: 'Some distressing scenes in my city of Southend last night. I drove around in the evening to see the issues. 'There are some active crime scenes but the disorder had ceased.' by Austin Bay July 31, 2024 In July 2014, I wrote a column that included this troubling paragraph: "With a few teeth-clenching exceptions (the Korean War's MiG Alley battles), since 1944, American land, sea and air forces have enjoyed the military and diplomatic benefits of U.S. air superiority. Unfortunately, in 2014 there are strong indications that America's air advantage is diminishing." On July 29, 2024 (10 years later), Air & Space Forces Magazine online interviewed U.S. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James C. Slife. This Ukraine war-informed quote struck home: "We used to make the claim that since 1953 no American has been killed by air attack. We can't make that claim anymore," Slife said. "It calls into question, 'What does air superiority actually look like?' [Does] it look like 30,000 feet over the Yalu River (Korea) in 1953 or does it look like below 3,000 feet with quadcopters with a hand grenade slung to the bottom of them? I think the answer is: It's all of the above." Slife isn't addressing an esoteric military tech issue or arguing over a definition. He's addressing a huge problem that confronts the entire U.S. military. Let me explain the milspeak background. Military analysts generally recognize three levels of air control within a combat zone. "Air supremacy" means complete domination of the skies. Obtain "air superiority" (aka air dominance) and you can basically conduct air, land and sea operations at will. Enemy planes lurk but cannot "prohibitively" interfere. "Air parity" means combatants control the airspace above their respective ground forces. Air superiority provides a military that obtains it with immense tactical and operational flexibility. Air dominance and space dominance -- space meaning satellites and other orbiting platforms -- give commanders war-altering strategic capabilities. A nation with dominating air and space power can quickly respond to inevitable military setbacks and intelligence failures, like surprise enemy attacks that escaped intelligence detection. In war prevention diplomacy, they give the nation possessing these advantages the power to deter aggressor action. Here's an example of operational advantage: In 2001, the U.S. used its air dominance to deploy air and ground military power in land-locked Afghanistan. B-52 bombers, with Green Berets on the ground providing targeting information, destroyed entire Taliban battle groups. By December 2001, the U.S. had airlifted airborne infantry brigades into Central Asia -- air supremacy protected the C-17 transports carrying the troops. But the use of drones in Ukraine and the Iranian proxy wars against Israel indicate the U.S. air and space advantage has diminished. How far has it diminished? We don't know. But senior military officers know it has. Gen. Slife provided an operational example of the high-tech vs. low-tech dilemma: "Now, clearly, you're not going to be sending F-22s out to find a DJI quadcopter with hand grenades underneath them. And so we have to think about a broader definition of what air superiority actually looks like and how we achieve it." DJI is an acronym for Da-Jiang Innovations, a Chinese company manufacturing inexpensive drones. The Ukraine war, the Iranian proxy wars and Azerbaijan's 2023 offensive against Armenia demonstrated the power of low-altitude, cheap but deadly drones. The USAF already uses numerous combat drones, but they tend to be mid- to high-altitude unmanned aircraft that handle conventional aircraft missions. Slife advised the U.S. to learn to use small drones along with conventional airpower. I've called that "integrated ground to air to space power." My 2014 column noted American air superiority faced budget cuts. New technology (like drones) challenged America's aeronautical engineering and "pilot training" advantages. That column's last line: "American air warriors believe a 'mix' of piloted aircraft, like the F-22, operating with a 'package' of drones and flying smart munitions, may be the way to retain the air advantage won in 1944." I had multiple sources for that, among them a USAF colonel and F-15 pilot who had experimented with various drone "wingmen" -- i.e., drones flying as part of a formation. Washington defense mavens have a new buzz phrase: "cost-effective mass." Undersecretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton used it in a recent Brookings Institution speech. She argued mixing cheap, low-level drones (unmanned platforms) with current USAF aircraft could "provide us with that cost-effective mass" (i.e., sufficient airpower) in a potential war with Communist China. Yes. A former friend of Huw Edwards has branded the charges against him 'horrible and disgusting' after the fallen star pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children. The Welshman is facing up to 10 years in jail after he admitted to keeping seven category 'A' images of the very worst kind on his phone after being sent them on WhatsApp. The stash of 41 images showed youngsters aged between seven and 14, with the veteran news broadcaster today pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, between December 2020 and August 2022. Edwards' former colleague Sir Craig Oliver said that while the renowned presenter could be 'difficult', everyone who knows him will be 'shocked' at the admission. He added there were questions raised about whether the 62-year-old was 'throwing his weight around' and misbehaving while at the BBC. Another former friend of the star said: 'It's a mess - and tragic for all concerned', adding that if the charges are true it is 'also horrible and disgusting'. The downfall of one of Britain's most trusted voices who spent 40 years at the BBC has astounded those who know him and those who have watched him on TV. Edwards was surrounded by media as he left the court in central London today The famed former newsreader's career now lies in tatters (pictured entering court today) Edwards' former colleague Sir Craig Oliver (pictured) said that while the renowned presenter could be 'difficult', everyone who knows him will be 'shocked' at the admission Sir Craig said the former presenter could be a 'very, very difficult and complicated' man who 'clashed with staff' but that he did not think anyone suspected he had child abuse images. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's World At One, Sir Craig, who edited the Ten O'Clock News and Six O'Clock News while Edwards was working there, said people had concerns about whether he was behaving well enough to other employees. 'He could be a very, very difficult and complicated man. He would speak about being prone to bouts of depression and sometimes he clashed with staff. 'But I think that most people who know him will be shocked that he's pleaded guilty to this,' Sir Craig said. Asked whether he had heard any gossip about Edwards' private life, he said: 'When I was working with Huw which is well over 10 years ago now there wasn't gossip about his private life then, but as the years have passed and as it got closer to the initial complaint that was made about him, there was gossip about his private life, what was going on. 'There were also, I think, a number of people who were worried about his behaviour within the BBC - was he actually throwing his weight around and behaving well enough to other staff? 'But I don't think anybody suspected that there was child abuse imagery in his private life in any way, shape or form.' Edwards was flanked by police officers when he turned up for court on Wednesday Protesters stood outside Westminster Magistrates' Court holding placards this morning Edwards was arrested on November 8 last year and charged on June 26. He resigned from his 475,000-a-year role at BBC three months ago having kept news of his arrest a 'secret' from pals, former colleagues said. The father-of-five moved out of the family home in Dulwich after separating from his TV producer wife, Vicky Flind. Edwards, of Wandsworth, southwest London, spoke to confirm his date of birth, address and admit the three charges. After entering his pleas, the disgraced newsreader sat staring into the distance, with his head tilted slightly upwards, and adjusted his tie as Ian Hope, prosecuting, laid out the case against him. The court heard that Edwards had been involved in online chat with an adult man on WhatsApp between December 2020 and August 2021, who sent him 377 sexual images, of which 44 were indecent images of children. The bulk of these, 36, were sent during a two-month period. Mr Hope told the court there was 'no suggestion' Edwards had 'anything to with making the images or indeed doing anything beyond the opening of the images.' He said the Welshman 'engaged in an online chat' with a 'male' who 'initially contacted' him via social media. The presenter did not appear to say anything to the media as he was led into the court This was the moment Edwards entered his car before being driven away from the court He now faces up to 10 years in jail for his crimes. Edwards is pictured leaving the court Mr Hope said a 'thread of WhatsApp conversations between the two' was 'uncovered', adding: 'In the thread the man sent still and moving pornographic images to Edwards between December and April 2022. 'The prosecution say that this was clearly with Mr Edwards' approval, and the two chatted about a number of the images sent. 'Approximately 277 images were sent to Mr Edwards, 41 of which comprised indecent images of children - so just over 10 per cent of the total number of images sent. 'The bulk of those indecent images of children - 36 of them - were sent to Mr Edwards during a two month period between December 2020 and February 2021, and indeed the bulk of those were sent over a two day period.' The prosecutor said 'these images appeared to have been received with approval.' Speaking in Edwards' defence, his barrister Philip Evans KC said: 'There's no suggestion in this case that Mr Edwards has... in the traditional sense of the word, created any image of any sort. Friends of the ex-BBC News host said he kept his arrest 'a secret' and that they were stunned when news he had been charged was revealed this week Edwards has since left the family home and has reportedly split with his TV producer wife, Vicky Flind (the pair are pictured together in 2018 in London) Huw Edwards: A timeline of shame Before pleading guilty to indecent images today, Edwards had faced an earlier scandal after being accused of paying a young person for sexually explicit images last year. April 2023 - Police were contacted but 'no criminality was identified'. May 18, 2023 - A family member of the young person, who was 17 at the time, made an in-person complaint about the behaviour of a BBC presenter. May 19. 2023 - A complainant contacted the BBC in a 29-minute call to the BBC's audience services team, and the details were referred to the Corporate Investigations Team. June 6, 2023 - After getting no reply to the email, the Corporate Investigations Team tries to call the complainant but the call does not connect. July 5, 2023 - Edwards is last seen on air as he covered King Charles' visit to Scotland. July 6, 2023 - The Sun informs BBC Press Office about allegations against the star presenter. July 7, 2023 - The Sun published its exclusive which alleged that a BBC star, unnamed at the time, paid 35,000 for sexual content to someone beginning when they were 17. But a lawyer acting on behalf of the young person told The Sun there was 'no truth' to the claims. July 9, 2023 - The BBC confirms that a male presenter has been suspended from all duties. July 11, 2023 - Director-general of the BBC Tim Davie defends the delay in speaking to the BBC presenter. July 12, 2023 - Huw Edwards is revealed as the BBC presented by his wife Vicky Flind. July 13, 2023 - The Met Police said detectives from its specialist crime command have 'concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed November 8 - Edwards is arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children. April 22, 2024 - Edwards resigns from the BBC having not appeared on air for months. June 26, 2024 - Edwards is charged with three counts of making indecent images of children. July 29, 2024 - Met Police first reveal the charges against Edwards in a press statement. July 31, 2024 - Edwards appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court and pleads guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, between December 2020 and August 2022. September 16, 2024 - This is when Edwards will be sentenced Advertisement 'It is important also to remember for context that devices, Mr Edwards' devices, have been seized, have been searched, and there's nothing in those devices. 'It is only the images that are the subject of the charges that came via a WhatsApp chat. Mr Edwards did not keep any images, did not send any to anyone else and did not and has not sought similar images from anywhere else.' He added the broadcaster had 'both mental and physical' health issues. He told the court: 'It is obvious to the court, I'm sure, that Mr Edwards was not just of good character, but of exceptional character.' Edwards presented the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (now the Prince and Princess of Wales) in 2011 and also the funeral of Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 2021. The reputation of the BBC has been destroyed by one paedophile scandal after another dating back over half a century - with Edwards becoming the latest child sex fiend to have been employed by the corporation. The bombshell news of the veteran broadcaster's child porn charges are said to have rocked Edwards' former colleagues. And it prompted questions about why it took prosecutors so long to reveal the charges Edwards is now facing. One former colleague and friend told MailOnline: 'Huw kept his arrest completely secret'. 'It turns out he was arrested four months later and nobody knew. I had no idea until he was charged', the friend from the BBC said. Another former colleague of the star said: 'It's a mess - and tragic for all concerned.' The BBC was also blindsided by the criminal charges against its former star presenter, with bosses only told of the allegations a few hours before they were made public, an insider has claimed. A senior source told The Times: 'The BBC was informed by the Met Police when a call came through [on Monday].' News of Edwards' guilty plea was welcomed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) today, who said it would 'send a clear message' that offenders would be brought to justice. Claire Brinton of the CPS said: 'Accessing indecent images of underage people perpetuates the sexual exploitation of children, which has deep, long-lasting trauma on these victims. 'The CPS and the Metropolitan Police were able to prove that Edwards was receiving illegal material involving children via WhatsApp. 'This prosecution sends a clear message that the CPS, working alongside with the police, will work to bring to justice those who seek to exploit children, wherever that abuse takes place.' A spokesperson for child abuse charity the NSPCC added: 'Online child sexual abuse offences can have a devastating impact on victims and we should be in no doubt about the seriousness of Edwards' crimes. 'It can be extremely traumatic for young people to know sexual images of themselves have been shared online.' Huw Edwards was only exposed as a paedophile after Welsh detectives investigating another sex offender uncovered the BBC star's number in a depraved WhatsApp chat, MailOnline can reveal. Edwards, 62, today pleaded guilty to making 41 indecent images of children, which included two sexual videos of a boy under nine. Now it has emerged the disgraced news reader - who helmed royal and political events at the BBC before resigning in April - was only exposed by chance by cops in Wales. Detectives stumbled onto the household-named star while investigating another paedophile, 25-year-old Alex Williams from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. When officers from South Wales Police seized Williams' phone, they uncovered a vile WhatsApp chat full of child pornography - which father-of-five Edwards was involved in. The Metropolitan Police is facing a backlash over the alleged 'secrecy' surrounding the child porn investigation into ex-BBC News star Huw Edwards News of the broadcaster's offences came to light in a bombshell statement by the Met on Monday - more than a month after he was charged (Edwards is seen leaving court today) Welsh police uncovered the broadcaster crimes during a separate probe into a sex offender in Wales. Edwards is pictured in court today A Met spokesman said: 'The investigation into Huw Edwards began in November 2023 after information was received from South Wales Police. 'An examination of a phone seized by South Wales officers as part of an entirely unrelated investigation had revealed Edwards participation in a WhatsApp conversation. 'There was no connection between this investigation and the matters reviewed in July 2023. 'One other person was charged in relation to the messages shared via WhatsApp. 'He is Alex Williams, 25, of Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Williams pleaded guilty to seven offences following an investigation by South Wales Police.' Edwards was arrested on November 8, 2023 before being charged on June 26 with three counts of making indecent images. Seven of the pictures were category 'A' images of the very worst kind. This included two moving images of a young boy, possibly aged between seven and nine years old. He also had photos of other children aged between 13 and 15 stored on his phone that were classed as Category A. Williams, who was in a chat with Edwards, was sentenced to a total of 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years following a March 15 hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court. Edwards, whose marriage and journalistic career have now been destroyed, will find out his fate during a sentencing hearing in September. News of the disgraced broadcaster's offences came to light in a bombshell statement by the Met on Monday. Police today admitted the details of his charges were only revealed this week after a journalist spotted Edwards' name listed in a court document. Prior to that, the Met had planned to release a statement on Tuesday. But legal experts and a former detective have argued the Met should have released a statement of the father-of-five's crimes as soon as he was charged, with the London force now being accused of 'secrecy' surrounding the probe. The scandal came little more than a year after Edwards paid a young person for sexually explicit images in an unrelated incident - with Metropolitan Police detectives at the time insisting there was 'no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed' in this case. The Met Police is now facing a backlash over the alleged 'secrecy' surrounding the child porn investigation into Edwards and why his crimes weren't revealed sooner. Peter Bleksley, a veteran undercover officer and investigator who served with the Met, slammed the force for its 'atrocious communications' in a blistering broadside this afternoon. Speaking to the MailOnline, he said: 'This is a public interest matter, and the Met Police should be telling us what prompted the investigation. Peter Bleksley (pictured) a veteran undercover officer and investigator who served with the Met, slammed the force for its 'atrocious communications The Met Police has insisted the way it handled the release of Edwards charges was not 'unusual' (file image) 'Quite frankly to just pull down the shutter is not good enough. We have every right to know. 'I suspect there may be some embarrassment by the Met that has prompted this. Was there an oversight made? Did they miss something in the initial investigation? It's a very strange one. 'Frankly, it's not good enough. Huw Edwards is of huge public interest and a big personality, and we have a right to know. 'Yet again it's lamentable police communications which we have been plagued with in recent times.' Legal experts have also expressed their concerns and admitted they had been left 'perplexed' by the case. Asked whether the authorities 'deliberately conspired' to keep news of Edwards' crimes a secret, solicitor Mark Stephens told TalkTV: 'I'm perplexed by this... no matter how high or low you are, you should be subject to public scrutiny during your trial. It is unusual that they didn't do that.' He added what was 'normal' in high-profile cases like Edwards' was for police forces to alert the press when someone has been charged with a crime as part of Britain's policy of 'open justice' in the courts. The presenter did not appear to say anything to the media as he was led into the court by police Friends of the ex-BBC News host said he kept his arrest 'a secret' and that they were stunned when news he had been charged was revealed this week (he is pictured reading the news) MailOnline has since questioned the Met about why it took so long for Edwards' suspected crimes to be made publicly available. A spokesman for the force defended its actions and said: 'The approach taken in this case isn't unusual. 'Quite often when there is a lengthy gap between the date someone is charged and their first appearance we will publish the details immediately before the first appearance. 'The purpose of us releasing the details is to allow media to cover the court proceedings so providing it is prior to that date we have met that requirement. 'In this case, another media outlet spotted that the listings had gone up and asked us for our lines on Monday afternoon. Edwards remained silent as he left the court building surrounded by the press today 'Had nobody done so they would have been shared with media proactively on Tuesday, ahead of today's hearing.' The force added that although it initially said in July 2023 Edwards was not guilty of any criminal offence, following claims the disgraced star had paid a young person for explicit pictures, it pursued a criminal case against him as part of a 'separate' probe, which led to his arrest in November 2023. A spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) added it was aware of the Met's plans to release a media advisory about Edwards on Tuesday. A CPS spokesperson said: 'Decisions on charging announcements are based on operational factors and no defendant receives preferential treatment. 'Our handling of this case followed our normal procedures working in partnership with police colleagues.' The revelation comes as a former friend of Edwards branded the charges against him 'horrible and disgusting' after the fallen star pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children. Edwards' former colleague Sir Craig Oliver said that while the renowned presenter could be 'difficult', everyone who knows him will be 'shocked' at the admission. He added there were questions raised about whether the 62-year-old was 'throwing his weight around' and misbehaving while at the BBC. Another former friend of the star said: 'It's a mess - and tragic for all concerned', adding that if the charges are true it is 'also horrible and disgusting'. The downfall of one of Britain's most trusted voices who spent 40 years at the BBC has astounded those who know him and those who have watched him on TV. Edwards was surrounded by media as he left the court in central London today The famed former newsreader's career now lies in tatters (pictured entering court today) Edwards' former colleague Sir Craig Oliver (pictured) said that while the renowned presenter could be 'difficult', everyone who knows him will be 'shocked' at the admission Sir Craig said the former presenter could be a 'very, very difficult and complicated' man who 'clashed with staff' but that he did not think anyone suspected he had child abuse images. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's World At One, Sir Craig, who edited the Ten O'Clock News and Six O'Clock News while Edwards was working there, said people had concerns about whether he was behaving well enough to other employees. 'He could be a very, very difficult and complicated man. He would speak about being prone to bouts of depression and sometimes he clashed with staff. 'But I think that most people who know him will be shocked that he's pleaded guilty to this,' Sir Craig said. Asked whether he had heard any gossip about Edwards' private life, he said: 'When I was working with Huw which is well over 10 years ago now there wasn't gossip about his private life then, but as the years have passed and as it got closer to the initial complaint that was made about him, there was gossip about his private life, what was going on. 'There were also, I think, a number of people who were worried about his behaviour within the BBC - was he actually throwing his weight around and behaving well enough to other staff? 'But I don't think anybody suspected that there was child abuse imagery in his private life in any way, shape or form.' Edwards was flanked by police officers when he turned up for court on Wednesday Protesters stood outside Westminster Magistrates' Court holding placards this morning Edwards was arrested on November 8 last year and charged on June 26. He resigned from his 475,000-a-year role at BBC three months ago having kept news of his arrest a 'secret' from pals, former colleagues said. The father-of-five moved out of the family home in Dulwich after separating from his TV producer wife, Vicky Flind. Edwards, of Wandsworth, southwest London, spoke to confirm his date of birth, address and admit the three charges. After entering his pleas, the disgraced newsreader sat staring into the distance, with his head tilted slightly upwards, and adjusted his tie as Ian Hope, prosecuting, laid out the case against him. The court heard that Edwards had been involved in online chat with an adult man on WhatsApp between December 2020 and August 2021, who sent him 377 sexual images, of which 44 were indecent images of children. The bulk of these, 36, were sent during a two-month period. Mr Hope told the court there was 'no suggestion' Edwards had 'anything to with making the images or indeed doing anything beyond the opening of the images.' He said the Welshman 'engaged in an online chat' with a 'male' who 'initially contacted' him via social media. The presenter did not appear to say anything to the media as he was led into the court This was the moment Edwards entered his car before being driven away from the court He now faces up to 10 years in jail for his crimes. Edwards is pictured leaving the court Mr Hope said a 'thread of WhatsApp conversations between the two' was 'uncovered', adding: 'In the thread the man sent still and moving pornographic images to Edwards between December and April 2022. 'The prosecution say that this was clearly with Mr Edwards' approval, and the two chatted about a number of the images sent. 'Approximately 277 images were sent to Mr Edwards, 41 of which comprised indecent images of children - so just over 10 per cent of the total number of images sent. 'The bulk of those indecent images of children - 36 of them - were sent to Mr Edwards during a two month period between December 2020 and February 2021, and indeed the bulk of those were sent over a two day period.' The prosecutor said 'these images appeared to have been received with approval.' Speaking in Edwards' defence, his barrister Philip Evans KC said: 'There's no suggestion in this case that Mr Edwards has... in the traditional sense of the word, created any image of any sort. Friends of the ex-BBC News host said he kept his arrest 'a secret' and that they were stunned when news he had been charged was revealed this week Edwards has since left the family home and has reportedly split with his TV producer wife, Vicky Flind (the pair are pictured together in 2018 in London) Huw Edwards: A timeline of shame Before pleading guilty to indecent images today, Edwards had faced an earlier scandal after being accused of paying a young person for sexually explicit images last year. April 2023 - Police were contacted but 'no criminality was identified'. May 18, 2023 - A family member of the young person, who was 17 at the time, made an in-person complaint about the behaviour of a BBC presenter. May 19. 2023 - A complainant contacted the BBC in a 29-minute call to the BBC's audience services team, and the details were referred to the Corporate Investigations Team. June 6, 2023 - After getting no reply to the email, the Corporate Investigations Team tries to call the complainant but the call does not connect. July 5, 2023 - Edwards is last seen on air as he covered King Charles' visit to Scotland. July 6, 2023 - The Sun informs BBC Press Office about allegations against the star presenter. July 7, 2023 - The Sun published its exclusive which alleged that a BBC star, unnamed at the time, paid 35,000 for sexual content to someone beginning when they were 17. But a lawyer acting on behalf of the young person told The Sun there was 'no truth' to the claims. July 9, 2023 - The BBC confirms that a male presenter has been suspended from all duties. July 11, 2023 - Director-general of the BBC Tim Davie defends the delay in speaking to the BBC presenter. July 12, 2023 - Huw Edwards is revealed as the BBC presented by his wife Vicky Flind. July 13, 2023 - The Met Police said detectives from its specialist crime command have 'concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed November 8 - Edwards is arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children. April 22, 2024 - Edwards resigns from the BBC having not appeared on air for months. June 26, 2024 - Edwards is charged with three counts of making indecent images of children. July 29, 2024 - Met Police first reveal the charges against Edwards in a press statement. July 31, 2024 - Edwards appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court and pleads guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, between December 2020 and August 2022. September 16, 2024 - This is when Edwards will be sentenced Advertisement 'It is important also to remember for context that devices, Mr Edwards' devices, have been seized, have been searched, and there's nothing in those devices. 'It is only the images that are the subject of the charges that came via a WhatsApp chat. Mr Edwards did not keep any images, did not send any to anyone else and did not and has not sought similar images from anywhere else.' He added the broadcaster had 'both mental and physical' health issues. He told the court: 'It is obvious to the court, I'm sure, that Mr Edwards was not just of good character, but of exceptional character.' Edwards presented the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (now the Prince and Princess of Wales) in 2011 and also the funeral of Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 2021. The reputation of the BBC has been destroyed by one paedophile scandal after another dating back over half a century - with Edwards becoming the latest child sex fiend to have been employed by the corporation. The bombshell news of the veteran broadcaster's child porn charges are said to have rocked Edwards' former colleagues. And it prompted questions about why it took prosecutors so long to reveal the charges Edwards is now facing. One former colleague and friend told MailOnline: 'Huw kept his arrest completely secret'. 'It turns out he was arrested four months later and nobody knew. I had no idea until he was charged', the friend from the BBC said. Another former colleague of the star said: 'It's a mess - and tragic for all concerned.' The BBC was also blindsided by the criminal charges against its former star presenter, with bosses only told of the allegations a few hours before they were made public, an insider has claimed. A senior source told The Times: 'The BBC was informed by the Met Police when a call came through [on Monday].' News of Edwards' guilty plea was welcomed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) today, who said it would 'send a clear message' that offenders would be brought to justice. Claire Brinton of the CPS said: 'Accessing indecent images of underage people perpetuates the sexual exploitation of children, which has deep, long-lasting trauma on these victims. 'The CPS and the Metropolitan Police were able to prove that Edwards was receiving illegal material involving children via WhatsApp. 'This prosecution sends a clear message that the CPS, working alongside with the police, will work to bring to justice those who seek to exploit children, wherever that abuse takes place.' A spokesperson for child abuse charity the NSPCC added: 'Online child sexual abuse offences can have a devastating impact on victims and we should be in no doubt about the seriousness of Edwards' crimes. 'It can be extremely traumatic for young people to know sexual images of themselves have been shared online.' Vice President Kamala Harris' 90-year-old ex-boyfriend Willie Brown believes that President Joe Biden should step down as president so that she can take the job. Brown candidly revealed his thoughts about Harris, who he dated when he was 60 and running for mayor of San Francisco, and she was a relatively unknown 29-year-old prosecutor. Brown joked that if Harris won the presidency, 'Shell deport my a**,' a joke he has long made about his former girlfriend turned political protege. He made his comments in an interview with Politico columnist Jonathan Martin. Brown also expressed concerns that Harris had 'the Hillary syndrome' and that 'people don't like her,' which he said was an unfixable problem. Harris considers the former California state assembly speaker, and former San Francisco mayor, to be one of her political mentors. Wille Brown and Kamala Harris when they were dating in San Francisco Brown also revealed that Harris was not former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's first choice for president and that he worked to make sure his other political protege Gov. Gavin Newsom was fully behind Harris. Brown confirmed the story of how when he was dating Kamala Harris in the 1990s and participating an event at Harvard, then-business developer Donald Trump flew Brown, Harris and his team aboard his private plane for a meeting in New York. Harris was not at the meeting, but Brown says he has a picture of he and Harris on Trump's plane. Brown said that Former President Donald Trump was successful in politics because of his celebrity. 'Hes an entertainer, thats all it is,' he said. Brown gave Harris a significant boost in her political career, as detailed in Amateur Hour: Kamala Harris in the White House. When they dated, Brown was considered the most powerful politician in California, and although he was still married, he was estranged to his wife Blanche, who lived in a separate home from him. Willie Brown advised that Joe Biden step down and let Harris assume the presidency as she runs for president US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia, Brown appointed Harris to two different state boards, which paid her more than $400,000 over five years and gave her the keys to a BMW. He opened the doors to the wealthy and the powerful people of San Francisco. Brown broke up with Harris after their year-long relationship, but he was always around to offer a helping hand during her political career. During her first run as San Francisco District Attorney, Brown donated to her campaign and helped raise money for the race. Harris famously threw Brown under the bus during her campaign, insisting that her romantic and political connection with the mayor was over. 'Willie Brown is not going to be around. Hes gonehello people, move on, Harris told SF Weekly in a 2003 magazine profile insisting she would be independent of Brown and that he would probably right now express some fright about the fact that he cannot control me. 'His career is over; I will be alive and kicking for the next 40 years. I do not owe him a thing,' she claimed. It was the last time she would speak publicly about her former lover and political mentor. Since Harris was endorsed by Democrats as the new presidential nominee, Brown shared his opinion with the San Francisco Standard about her abilities to run and win in elections. 'You can very easily underestimate Kamala Harris, but if you do you will be looking up from the dungeon for the queen will be on the throne,' he said. The youngest murderers in Britain since James Bulger's killers can never be named because it would impact on their welfare, a judge has ruled. Two 12-year-old boys are facing mandatory life sentences after murdering a stranger in a brutal machete attack in November last year. However, High Court judge Mrs Justice Tipples yesterday rejected a media application to name the pair, stating the welfare of the youths outweighed the wider public interest and open justice principles. The killers, both from Wolverhampton, were found guilty in June of murdering 19-year-old Shawn Seesahai, who was stabbed in the heart and suffered a skull fracture during an attack on the citys Stowlawn playing fields on November 13. Shawn Seesahai, 19, who was unknown to the defendants, was hacked to death in a brutal attack at Stowlawn playing fields in Wolverhampton Jon Venables and Robert Thompson became the youngest people to be convicted of murder after they tortured and killed two-year-old James Bulger in 1993, aged just ten The youths are believed to be the youngest defendants convicted of murder in Britain since Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, both aged 11, were found guilty in 1993 of killing two-year-old James Bulger. Four media organiations, including the PA news agency, had argued that the defendants, one now aged 13, should lose anonymity granted by an order under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act. But Mrs Justice Tipples, sitting at Nottingham Crown Court, said she had accepted evidence contained in pre-sentence reports that naming the boys would have a detrimental impact on their welfare. The judge, who heard that the victims family believe the boys should be named, told the court the facts of the killing - which 'took place in not much more than a minute' - were 'of course shocking, particularly given the very young age of the defendants'. As part of her ruling, the judge accepted evidence from social workers that one of the defendants was vulnerable, had 'extremely complex needs' and that identifying him would have 'an extremely detrimental impact on his mental health'. The judge also accepted a statement in a pre-sentence report which said naming the other youth was likely to increase the likelihood of negative attention within the custodial setting. This is the haunting photo of a 12-year-old killer posing with a huge machete tucked into his trousers on the day he hacked teenager Shawn Seesahai to death Your browser does not support iframes. Following the judgment, Jude Bunting KC, representing three of the media organisations, said an appeal against the ruling in a higher court was unlikely. Addressing the court on Monday, Mr Bunting submitted that the murder was within a category identified during a previous case as having a high public interest. He told the court: 'This point is squarely present in this case, which has attracted local concern and national revulsion. 'We are in the realm of knife crime, which is an issue of substantial public interest.' Naming the boys would also enable the media to investigate the possibility of institutional failures, Mr Bunting asserted. Defence counsel Rachel Brand KC and Paul Lewis KC both opposed the media application to lift the restriction on identifying the boys. Ms Brand said the welfare of the boy who is still 12 - who bleached and hid the machete after Mr Seesahais murder - should be given a 'heavier consideration' than public interest factors. The trial heard that Mr Seesahai was with a friend at the time when he was brutally attacked after 'exchanging words' with one of the 12-year-olds near a park bench Mr Lewis, representing the boy who has turned 13 since his conviction, urged the court to focus on the facts of Mr Seesahais killing rather than 'siren calls' relating to abstract principles from previous cases. 'How does naming two 12-year-olds better inform public debate?' Mr Lewis asked. 'There is no evidence that to name two 12-year-olds would provide any deterrent.' Neither of the youths attended Wednesdays hearing, but the younger of them was present to hear part of Mondays legal submissions. The boys trial was told Mr Seesahai, who was with a friend, was brutally attacked after 'exchanging words' with one of them near a park bench. Jurors heard the youth who has yet to turn 13 had an obsession with knives - even posing for a picture with the machete, which had a 42.5cm-long blade, hours before he committed murder. In social media exchanges involving his co-defendant and a girl witness who later attended a police station with her mother to make a statement, the boy said of the stabbing: 'It is what it is.' He also wrote that he was not scared and added 'idrc' - text message shorthand for 'I dont really care.' The youths are due to be sentenced on September 26 and 27. Disgraced Huw Edwards could be stripped of a prestigious Welsh cultural honour after he pleaded guilty to having sexual images of children. The Welshman is facing up to 10 years in jail after admitting to the sick stash of 41 child porn images - and may now lose membership to a major Welsh society. In 2022, at Tregaron, Ceredigion, Edwards was inducted to the Gorsedd of the Bards, which accepts new members who have contributed to Welsh life. Gorsedd members - known as druids - include poets, writers, musicians, and artists. Even Elizabeth II was enrolled in 1946, before this was reversed under new rule changes because she couldn't speak Welsh. Huw Edwards, 62, (pictured) was inducted during the National Eisteddfod in Tregaron in 2022 Disgraced Huw Edwards could be stripped of a prestigious Welsh cultural honour after he pleaded guilty to having sexual images of children. Edwards was flanked by police officers when he turned up for his court hearing on Wednesday Edwards was surrounded by a media scrum as he left the court in central London today Founder Iolo Morgannwg devised the Gorsedd's rituals based on the Druids to emphasise the fact that the culture and heritage of the Celts belongs to the Welsh The Gorsedd is most prominent at the annual National Eisteddfod where it is responsible for the main ceremonies. Founder Iolo Morgannwg devised the Gorsedd's rituals based on the Druids, but with a strong Christian influence, to emphasise the fact that the culture and heritage of the Celts belongs to the Welsh. In Gorsedd Cymru, a person may become a bard by passing an examination in the Welsh language and may only be nominated by existing 'druids'. White robes are worn by winners of the main Eisteddfod prizes, members who wear green specialise in the arts. This can be through obtaining a degree or by passing a special Eisteddfod exam. Blue robes are for those who have made a 'distinct contribution' to their community or the nation. Honorary membership can also given to those who stand out in their fields of Law, Science, Sports, Journalism or the Media - like Edwards. The presenter did not appear to say anything to the media as he was led into the court Edwards remained silent as he left the court building surrounded by the press today But Gorsedd Recorder Christine James told BBC Wales that the fallen star may have his membership revoked following his bombshell guilty plea today. She told the BBC: 'The Gorsedd does not have a process or a specific mechanism to expel members.' However, she said it will be discussed at the board meeting at the National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on Tuesday. It comes as Edwards is facing up to 10 years in jail after he admitted to keeping seven category 'A' images of the very worst kind on his phone after being sent them on WhatsApp by another paedophile. The 41 child porn images showed youngsters aged between seven and 14, a court heard, as the veteran news broadcaster pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, between December 2020 and August 2022. Edwards' former colleague Sir Craig Oliver said that while the renowned presenter could be 'difficult', everyone who knows him will be 'shocked' at the admission. He added there were questions raised about whether the 62-year-old was 'throwing his weight around' while at the BBC. Edwards entered his car before being driven away from the magistrates' court Edwards faced a media frenzy as he approached Westminster Magistrates' Court today Protesters stood outside Westminster Magistrates' Court holding placards this morning Huw Edwards: A timeline of shame Before pleading guilty to indecent images today, Edwards had faced an earlier scandal after being accused of paying a young person for sexually explicit images last year. April 2023 - Police were contacted but 'no criminality was identified'. May 18, 2023 - A family member of the young person, who was 17 at the time, made an in-person complaint about the behaviour of a BBC presenter. May 19. 2023 - A complainant contacted the BBC in a 29-minute call to the BBC's audience services team, and the details were referred to the Corporate Investigations Team. June 6, 2023 - After getting no reply to the email, the Corporate Investigations Team tries to call the complainant but the call does not connect. July 5, 2023 - Edwards is last seen on air as he covered King Charles' visit to Scotland. July 6, 2023 - The Sun informs BBC Press Office about allegations against the star presenter. July 7, 2023 - The Sun published its exclusive which alleged that a BBC star, unnamed at the time, paid 35,000 for sexual content to someone beginning when they were 17. But a lawyer acting on behalf of the young person told The Sun there was 'no truth' to the claims. July 9, 2023 - The BBC confirms that a male presenter has been suspended from all duties. July 11, 2023 - Director-general of the BBC Tim Davie defends the delay in speaking to the BBC presenter. July 12, 2023 - Huw Edwards is revealed as the BBC presented by his wife Vicky Flind. July 13, 2023 - The Met Police said detectives from its specialist crime command have 'concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed November 8 - Edwards is arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children. April 22, 2024 - Edwards resigns from the BBC having not appeared on air for months. June 26, 2024 - Edwards is charged with three counts of making indecent images of children. July 29, 2024 - Met Police first reveal the charges against Edwards in a press statement. July 31, 2024 - Edwards appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court and pleads guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, between December 2020 and August 2022. September 16, 2024 - This is when Edwards will be sentenced Advertisement Another former friend of the star said: 'It's a mess - and tragic for all concerned', adding that if the charges are true it is 'also horrible and disgusting'. The downfall of one of Britain's most trusted voices who spent 40 years at the BBC has astounded those who know him and those who have watched him on TV alike.Edwards was arrested on November 8 last year and charged on June 26. He resigned from his 475,000-a-year role at BBC three months ago having kept news of his arrest a 'secret' from pals, former colleagues said. The father-of-five moved out of the family home in Dulwich after separating from his TV producer wife, Vicky Flind. Edwards, of Wandsworth, southwest London, spoke to confirm his date of birth, address and admit the three charges. The court heard that Edwards had been involved in online chat with an adult man on WhatsApp between December 2020 and August 2021, who sent him 377 sexual images, of which 44 were indecent images of children. The bulk of these, 36, were sent during a two-month period. Mr Hope told the court there was 'no suggestion' Edwards had 'anything to with making the images or indeed doing anything beyond the opening of the images.' He said the Welshman 'engaged in an online chat' with a 'male' who 'initially contacted' him via social media. Speaking in Edwards' defence, his barrister Philip Evans KC said: 'There's no suggestion in this case that Mr Edwards has... in the traditional sense of the word, created any image of any sort. News of Edwards' guilty plea was welcomed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) today, who said it would 'send a clear message' that offenders would be brought to justice. Claire Brinton of the CPS said: 'Accessing indecent images of underage people perpetuates the sexual exploitation of children, which has deep, long-lasting trauma on these victims. 'The CPS and the Metropolitan Police were able to prove that Edwards was receiving illegal material involving children via WhatsApp. 'This prosecution sends a clear message that the CPS, working alongside with the police, will work to bring to justice those who seek to exploit children, wherever that abuse takes place.' A spokesperson for child abuse charity the NSPCC added: 'Online child sexual abuse offences can have a devastating impact on victims and we should be in no doubt about the seriousness of Edwards' crimes. 'It can be extremely traumatic for young people to know sexual images of themselves have been shared online.' The assassination of Hamas' top political leader overnight as he lay sleeping at an Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps residence in Tehran has left the Palestinian terror group vowing to take revenge and could trigger yet more chaos in the Middle East. Ismail Haniyeh, who had escaped the horrors of the war in Gaza while residing in Qatar, travelled to Iran to attend the inauguration of new Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian yesterday. But Israel appeared to seize the chance to hit Haniyeh, attacking his residence in Tehran in the early hours of the morning - a move which sparked fears that the Islamic Republic could seek retribution for an attack on their soil. The assassination, confirmed by both Hamas and Iranian authorities, marks the most high-profile killing since October 7 and could prove to be a tipping point in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group. But several other senior Hamas officials have been killed in recent months after Israel vowed to eliminate the group's entire senior leadership. Here, MailOnline examines the key members of Hamas' political and military elite, explores how Israel has tried - and in some cases succeeded - to assassinate them, and takes a look at who may now replace the slain Haniyeh. Hamas' political chief Haniyeh was assassinated in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the Palestinian militant group said, when a blast destroyed part of an IRGC compound in northern Tehran. It is unclear exactly what caused the blast but it is believed to have been an Israeli strike. As a vocal spokesperson and intermediary for Hamas on the world stage, Haniyeh had described the October 7 attacks as 'an earthquake that struck the heart of the Zionist entity' and vowed to continue the fight to 'liberate... all our land'. But for years, the top political leader of Hamas had lived a life of luxury outside of Gaza, drawing the ire of many Palestinians who felt he had become 'out of touch' after rising to the top of Hamas' political structure in its early years in power. As he decried poverty in the beleaguered Gaza Strip, Haniyeh became the wealthiest of Hamas' leaders, jetting between five-star hotels in Doha and Istanbul while Hamas siphoned millions in international aid for military use. Like many of Hamas' leaders, Haniyeh spent several years languishing in Israeli jails. He was first imprisoned in 1989 after Israel cracked down on the first Palestinian uprising and subsequently found himself exiled to Lebanon, but returned to Gaza in the mid 1990s where he began consolidating his power. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, pictured in Iran on Tuesday hours before his death Ismail Haniyeh was a key figurehead of Hamas in Gaza, living in exile since 2017 Haniyeh meets with newly appointed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian hours before his assassination The top political leader of Hamas was assassinated in a suspected Israeli strike in Iran on Wednesday He was appointed Palestine's Prime Minister in 2006 by President Mahmoud Abbas after Hamas rose to prominence in national elections, only to be dismissed when Hamas violently seized control of the Gaza Strip months later. But with Abbas' Fatah party forced out of Gaza, Haniyeh continued presiding over Gaza and remained one of Hamas' top leaders until his eventual appointment as Chairman of the Politburo in 2017, making him the Palestinian group's political chief. In 2018, he was designated a terrorist by the US State Department. In recent years he has become more of a figurehead rather than a key political decision-maker, according to experts, as he flitted between Doha and Ankara. 'The fact that he lived in a five-star hotel in Doha made him very unpopular with some of the Hamas figures on the ground in Gaza,' Dr Andreas Krieg, associate professor of Security Studies at King's College London, told MailOnline. 'He's not someone who the organisation is relying on very much. But it is clearly a very symbolic strike.' Haniyeh was reportedly among three of Hamas' most senior leaders worth more than $3bn - three times the annual turnover of the group, according to Israel's embassy in the United States. Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, is said to be the Palestinian group's real decision-maker and one of the masterminds behind the ruthless October 7 attacks on Israel along with military chief Mohammed Deif. While Haniyeh was seen as Hamas' leading representative on the international stage, Sinwar maintains control over the group's day-to-day operations in Gaza, where he has resided ever since October 7. As a result, he has not been seen in public since the attacks, confined to tunnels and secure compounds underground to avoid the threat of Israeli strikes. Obsessive, disciplined and dictatorial, the wiry, grey-haired 61-year-old is one of Hamas' most hardline elements and appears hell-bent on continuing the fight against Israel, even as nearly 40,000 of his countrymen and women lie dead with tens of thousands more languishing in famine, disease and homelessness. Sinwar was born in Gaza's Khan Younis refugee camp in 1962, and was first arrested by Israel in 1982 when he was a student at the Islamic University in Gaza. A founding member of Hamas's student movement, Sinwar was active during the first intifada against Israel, which started in Gaza in 1987. He also murdered several Gazans he suspected of collaborating with Israeli forces. Unlike Haniyeh, who was effectively a career lawmaker and politician, Sinwar spent most of his career in the shadows, working his way up through the internal security apparatus of Hamas in between stints in Israeli prisons. There he is said to have learned fluent Hebrew to study his enemy, and he ultimately became one of Hamas' top political leaders, being appointed as the Palestinian group's chief in Gaza in 2017. Head of the political wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar Head of the political wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar speaks during a meeting in Gaza City on April 30, 2022 Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas's political wing in Gaza, visits the house of fellow Hamas leader Nizar Awadallah (unseen) in Gaza City on March 10, 2021, upon his re-election as the head of the Islamist movement's de facto leader in the Israeli-blockaded Palestinian enclave Known for his secrecy, Sinwar is an excellent security operator, according to Abu Abdallah, a Hamas member who spent years alongside him in Israeli jails. 'He makes decisions in the utmost calm, but is intractable when it comes to defending the interests of Hamas,' Abdallah said in 2017 after his former co-detainee was elected Hamas's leader in Gaza. After October 7, Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht called Sinwar the 'face of evil' and declared him a 'dead man walking'. The Hamas chief was added to the US list of the most wanted 'international terrorists' in 2015, as was Mohammed Deif, another alleged October 7 mastermind. In a show of defiance two years ago, Sinwar ended one of his few public speeches by inviting Israel to assassinate him, proclaiming: 'I will walk back home after this meeting.' He then did so, shaking hands and taking selfies with people in the streets. But he is also deeply feared for his iron grip in Gaza, where public dissent is suppressed. He is known as the 'Butcher of Khan Younis' for his brutal approach to Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel. Mohammed Deif, leader of al-Qassam Brigades Mohammed Deif was the shadowy leader of the Hamas group's military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades. Deif was among the founders of the brigades in the 1990s and led the unit for over 20 years, but was seldom been seen in public and very few photographs of him exist. He had long topped Israel's most wanted list and like Sinwar continues to reside in Gaza. As such, he was seen as a primary target in the ongoing bombing of Gaza and remained underground since the beginning of the war. Deif was also believed to have been significantly physically compromised, having survived a slew of assassination attempts. On July 13, Israel announced they had struck a compound in Gaza where Deif was said to be staying. The strike took place in an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone in southern Gaza, killing at least 90 Palestinians and wounding nearly 300 more, according to local health officials. There were rumours the sinister mastermind of the October 7 attacks had been killed, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in mid-July it was 'still not absolutely certain' whether Deif was dead. Hamas has not confirmed his fate, but on August 1 the IDF announced they had received intelligence that Deif was in fact killed in the July 13 strike. An undated handout photo reportedly shows Mohammed Deif, the chief of Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas Palestinians evacuate a body from a site hit by an Israeli bombardment on Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on July 13, 2024. Israel said it targeted Hamas' military commander Mohammed Deif in a massive strike but could not confirm his death Site of an airstrike carried out by Israeli army on Al-Mawasi area, located west of Khan Yunis, Gaza, which the Israeli army previously claimed was safe A photo of a young Mohammed Deif, undated. The Hamas military leader has seldom been seen in publish and there are very few photographs of him Saleh al-Arouri, deputy chairman of the politburo Saleh al-Arouri was the founder of Hamas' military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, and occupied the role of Deputy Chairman of Hamas' Politburo - in other words, Haniyeh's understudy. Benjamin Netanyahu had threatened to kill al-Arouri even before Hamas launched its bloody October 7 attack. He did just that on January 2, when an Israeli drone strike demolished part of a building where al-Arouri was staying in Lebanon's capital, Beirut. Prior to his death, al-Arouri was believed to have planned and helped execute the 2014 kidnapping and subsequent murder of three Israeli teenagers, Gil-ad Shaar, Eyal Yifrach and Naftali Fraenkel, along with several other attacks. The political leader was previously jailed in Israel on several occasions but was released in March 2010 as part of efforts to obtain a broader prisoner swap in exchange for Gilad Shalit, an IDF corporal kidnapped by Hamas in 2006. Al-Arouri was later involved in a deal that saw more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners freed in exchange for the corporal. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had threatened to kill al-Arouri (pictured), who headed the organisation in the West Bank An Israeli drone strike on Hamas' office in Beirut, Lebanon, has killed four people, including the terror group's deputy political leader People search for survivors inside an apartment following a massive explosion in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon that killed Saleh al-Arouri Al-Arouri, 57, was the deputy head of Hamas' political bureau, In 2015, the US Department of the Treasury designated Arouri as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist offering five million dollars (4 million) for information about him. Asked about assassination threats against him in an interview with Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen in August, Arouri said: 'It is not strange for us for the commanders and cadres of the movement to be martyred. 'I never expected to reach this age, so I am living on borrowed time.' In the same interview, he threatened that in case of a comprehensive war, 'Israel will suffer a defeat unprecedented in history'. Marwan Issa, deputy leader of al-Qassam Brigades Marwan Issa, the deputy leader of Hamas' militant group and Mohammed Deif's number two, was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza on March 11 as the IDF conducted an assault on the Al-Shifa hospital. His death was not official confirmed by Hamas but the US State Department subsequently declared him dead. His assassination came as Tel-Aviv's troops stormed the Al-Shifa hospital complex in Gaza City and also killed Hamas internal security official Fayq al-Mabhouh, a brigadier general in the force. A month after his death, Israel's military revealed it had obtained handwritten letters from Issa that appeared to show how Iran was funding the Palestinian group - and that the former deputy leader of the al-Qassam brigades was heavily involved in organising the payments. Marwan Issa, the deputy leader of Hamas' militant group, was reportedly killed in an Israeli strike on March 11, with the US confirming his death several days later Israel claims the money was transferred into Hamas accounts in Gaza via a complex system that sees members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds force (IRGC-QF) deliver huge sums of cash to Hamas contacts in Lebanon. The documents detail how much of the money was paid directly to several top Hamas officials including Issa and Sinwar, as well as Haniyeh and Deif, all of whom were implicated in planning the October 7 attacks on Israeli civilians. One document, seemingly written by Issa in 2020 and addressed to Hamas leader Sinwar, showed a table of payments totalling $154 million from the Islamic Republic to Hamas coffers. A second handwritten letter in November 2021 goes on to show the receipt of at least another $68 million and references to further expected payments. Khaled Meshaal, former political leader and potential Haniyeh successor Former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal became known around the world in 1997 after Israeli agents injected him with poison in a botched assassination attempt on a street outside his office in the Jordanian capital Amman. The hit, ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, so enraged Jordan's then-King Hussein that he spoke of hanging the would-be killers and scrapping Jordan's peace treaty with Israel unless the antidote was handed over. Israel did so, and also agreed to free Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, only to assassinate him anyway seven years later in Gaza. Mashaal has political and diplomatic experience but his relations with Iran, Syria and Hezbollah have soured over his support for Arab protests in 2011. When he was in Lebanon in 2021, Hezbollah leaders reportedly refused to meet with him - but Mashaal has good relations with Turkey and Qatar and is considered a more moderate figure who headed the group until 2017. He stepped down in 2017 and was replaced by Haniyeh, but remains a key part of Hamas' political elite. He also maintains relations with Palestine's leader in the West Bank, Mahmoud Abbas, who called the foreign minister on Saturday to offer his condolences for the killing of Haniyeh. Former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal became known around the world in 1997 after Israeli agents injected him with poison in a botched assassination attempt Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal hugs Ismail Haniyeh in the Gaza Strip, December 10, 2012 Meshaal stepped down in 2017 and was replaced by Haniyeh, but remains a key part of Hamas' political elite Khalil al-Hayya, senior Hamas politician and potential Haniyeh successor Khalil al-Hayya is another high ranking Gazan politician who is said to have been close to Haniyeh and shared his pragmatism, understanding the importance of maintaining and building upon key regional relationships to ensure Hamas' continued support. Like many other Hamas officials he lives in exile but is from Gaza, and boasts important international connections as well as good relations with the Hamas' military wing. In 2017 he was made a deputy regional chief of Hamas' politburo. A prominent diplomat, al-Hayya headed a delegation that went to Syria in 2022 to rebuild Hamas' relations with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Al-Hayya also has good relations with Iran, Turkey and Hezbollah, and has been one of the key representatives of the Palestinian group in negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage exchange. In April, al-Hayya made a stunning declaration, claiming that Hamas was willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and that it would lay down its weapons and convert into a political party, if Israel agreed to establish an independent Palestinian state is established along pre-1967 borders. The statement was dismissed by Israel - and Haniyeh's assassination this week changed his tune. 'Hamas and the Palestinian people will not stop the resistance march,' he said in a statement today, adding: 'the resistance vows to respond to this aggression, and the Zionist entity deserves to pay a heavy price for this crime.' Khalil al-Hayya, a high-ranking Hamas official who has represented the Palestinian militant group in negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage exchange deal, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, in Istanbul, Turkey, on April 24, 2024 Hamas Gaza Chief Yahya Al-Sinwar, Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya arrive at the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip September 19, 2017 Mahmoud Zahar, senior political leader Mahmoud Zahar is another Hamas co-founder and politician who has evaded several attempts on his life. He was born in Gaza in 1945 to a Palestinian father and Egyptian mother, and went to university in the the Palestinian territory before also studying in Cairo. He worked as a doctor in Gaza and Khan Younis, and became an adviser to the Palestinian Health Minister, helping to create the Palestinian Medical Society. He was also one of the primary founders of the Islamic University in Gaza in 1978. But Zahar was later dismissed as a doctor by Israeli authorities over his extreme views and political position, and went on to serve time in prison. He played an integral part in the formation of Hamas in the 1980s, and in 1998 he was detained by Israeli authorities before eventually being exiled to Lebanon in 1992. His exile did not last long, though, and around a year later he was able to return to Gaza. Mahmoud Zahar is another Hamas co-founder and politician who has evaded several attempts on his life Following a series of suicide bombings by the al-Qassam Brigades, an Israeli F-16 fighter jet dropped a bomb over his house in the up-market Rimal neighbourhood in 2003. He miraculously escaped with only minor wounds, and has remained a senior Hamas official and spokesperson for the terror group ever since. He has also courted controversy abroad - during the 2008-2009 Gaza war, he said during a TV broadcast that Israel had 'legitimised the murder of their own children by killing the children of Palestine' - a remark seen as advocating the 'murder' of Jewish children worldwide. His current whereabouts are unknown. Essam al-Da'alis, Gaza's 'Prime Minister' In 2021, Hamas announced the appointment of Essam al-Da'alis as the head of Hamas' Government Administrative Committee in the Gaza Strip - a role that effectively equates to a Prime Minister. Little was known about al-Da'alis before his appointment, and details of his life remain scarce. He is believed to have been born in 1966 in the Jabalia refugee camp, a settlement that sits in northern Gaza which has been all but destroyed since October 7. Al-Da'alis is a member of Hamas' politburo, and was previously an adviser to the late Haniyeh while working in the group's information department. Perhaps a good indicator of al-Da'alis' importance is that he has not been targeted by Western sanctions, unlike most other Hamas leaders. Netflix has admitted Baby Reindeer's real-life stalker was never convicted, as Richard Gadd's lawyers gear up for a $170million defamation fight. The streaming reportedly conceded that Martha Scott - who was quickly identified as Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey in the 'true story' series - was only handed a court order over her interactions with the comedian. It comes after the Crown Prosecution Service previously told MailOnline Harvey was found not guilty of one count send by public communication network an offensive, indecent, obscene, menacing message, matter. The admission from Netflix, who billed the drama as being based on Gadd's real experience, came in a letter to British Parliament's Culture, Media and Sport Committee. Addressing Parliament in May, Netflix's UK director of senior public policy told MPs the show was 'a true story of the horrific abuse that the writer and protagonist Richard Gadd suffered at the hands of a convicted stalker'. Fiona Harvey, claimed to be the woman Martha Scott is based off, appeared on Piers Morgan's show earlier this year Richard Gadd attends the 2024 Gotham TV Awards at Cipriani 25 Broadway in June 2024 Netflix has admitted Baby Reindeer's real-life stalker was never convicted, as Richard Gadd's lawyers gear up for a $170million defamation fight. Pictured: A clip from the show Yet in a letter sent six days later to Dame Caroline Dinenage - the then chair of culture, media and sport - Mr King clarified his position, admitting Harvey had not been convicted. The note, first reported by Deadline, Mr King said: 'I wanted to clarify our understanding that the person on whom the show is based - who we have at no point sought to identify - was subject to a court order rather than a conviction.' He added: 'The writer of Baby Reindeer endured serious harassment over many months (as it now seems has been the case for many others), which had a significant impact on his wellbeing.' It comes as Gadd filed a 21-page declaration to a Californian court on Monday, claiming he was 'harassed and stalked' by Harvey for 'several years'. Harvey filed a defamation suit at the Los Angeles federal court in June claiming that the series depicted her as 'a twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison.' She claimed that Baby Reindeer's billing that the series was a 'true story' was 'the biggest lie in television history'. In the documents Gadd alleges that Harvey sent him 'thousands' of messages that 'often included sexually explicit, violent, and derogatory content, hateful speech, and threats Gadd's declaration was filed in support of Netflix's motion to dismiss Harvey's defamation suit, which it says is a 'baseless attack' on the company's freedom of speech. Baby Reindeer documented the 'true story' Gadd experienced, showing depictions of horrific stalking Netflix argued Harvey's claims should be dismissed because the series was not based on real life. Gadd (pictured in a promo for Baby Reindeer) echoed Netflix's claim, stating in his court filing that the series is 'not a documentary representing literally true details and imagery' The company further argues that the series does not identify Harvey as an alleged abuser and is a 'substantially true' depiction of her alleged actions. Harvey, a Scot living in England, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles last month alleging she was defamed over her portrayal as a stalker in the hit mini-series. She also alleged that the streaming giant was negligent, intentionally subjected her to emotional distress and violated her right to privacy. Gadd in his declaration submitted in federal court on Monday claimed that Harvey 'harassed and stalked me over several years' and, according to the filing, which was obtained from the court by the Mail. 'Overall, it was an incredibly stressful and worrying time, with a sustained period of relentless behavior taking place over several years,' he wrote in the court documents. 'It is impossible to be exhaustive in setting out all of Harvey's conduct, as there were so many instances of unwelcome personal interaction and attempts to engage, as well as deeply troubling communication.' Gadd alleged that Harvey 'sent me thousands of emails, hundreds of voicemails, and a number of handwritten letters' which he claims 'often included sexually explicit, violent, and derogatory content, hateful speech, and threats', the filing states. He accused her of monitoring his social media accounts, specifically his profile on Twitter, now called X, and sending him emails to comment on the photos he posted, the declaration revealed. Richard Gadd pictured with actress Jessica Gunning who played Martha Scott in Baby Reindeer Harvey filed a defamation suit at the Los Angeles federal court in June claiming that the series depicted her as 'a twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison' Citing a message from January 2015, Gadd wrote in the document: 'Harvey sent me an email with the subject line 'yummy mummy,' which stated 'I see your mum is on twitter . . . I looked up yours to see what was going on in your head and you retweeted her'.' The actor, citing another alleged instance of social media monitoring, added that 'on September 17, 2016, Harvey emailed me 'I love the photo of you sleeping on twitter'.' He further claimed that she admitted to being a 'racist' in an email and would 'frequently' use 'hateful speech and derogatory racist and homophobic language' in her correspondences, the court documents revealed. Gadd, in an attempt to offer 'a microcosm of the sheer scale of her targeted harassment', also accused Harvey of putting herself in the spotlight by self identifying as the woman who inspired Martha in the series. 'I never intended the series to identify any real person as Martha Scott, including Harvey,' he wrote the documents. 'Martha Scott is not Fiona Harvey. Like all characters in the series, Martha is a fictional character with fictional personality traits that are very different than Harvey's.' Baby Reindeer premiered on Netflix in April, and Harvey publicly came forward and gave an interview to Morgan about a month later. Gadd argued in the filing that if 'called as a witness, could and would testify' to the allegations detailed in his declaration Gadd also claimed that in 2016 he 'obtained a First Instance Harassment Warning against Harvey' from police in the UK, the court documents revealed Mr Gadd continued: 'I was surprised that Harvey appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored. 'Though I have only watched certain segments, I understand she claimed that she was the inspiration for the Martha character, and that she never sent me thousands of emails nor left me any voicemails. 'She harassed and stalked me over several years, and since her interview, other individuals have contacted me through my agents and publicists and said they were also harassed by Harvey, but all were too scared of her to come forward.' Gadd argued in the filing that if 'called as a witness, could and would testify' to the allegations detailed in his declaration. He also claimed that in 2016 he 'obtained a First Instance Harassment Warning against Harvey' from police in the UK, the court documents revealed. Harassment warnings are notices given to an alleged abuser that a complaint has been made against them and inform them that police action could be taken if there are similar reports in the future. Netflix also filed its motion dismissing the case on Monday, slamming Harvey. Netflix said the lawsuit was a 'baseless attack on Netflix's exercise of free speech' and barred by California's anti-Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation ('anti-SLAPP') statute, which is designed to stop frivolous lawsuits. Netflix said that 'any reasonable viewer' would conclude that the series is 'not a factual documentary representing literally true details and imagery'. It went on to use Harvey's own words against her in an interview with Morgan when she noted: 'Martha cannot be me . . . [she] is a fictional character'. Netflix says: 'Harvey is correct: no reasonable viewer could understand the Series to make any statements of fact, let alone a statement specifically about Harvey.' Gadd, in his declaration, echoed Netflix's claim, stating Baby Reindeer is 'not a documentary representing literally true details and imagery'. Baby Reindeer premiered on Netflix in April, and Harvey publicly came forward and gave an interview to Morgan about a month later. But her lawsuit says viewers and British media outlets had identified her well before that, and they have tormented her constantly since. The lawsuit also alleges that Harvey bears an 'uncanny resemblance' to Martha - played by actress Jessica Gunning - saying her 'accent, manner of speaking and cadence' are 'indistinguishable'. Harvey is seeking all profits from 'Baby Reindeer' and asks that punitive and other damages be awarded that would total at least $170million. Earlier this month, Baby Reindeer scooped up 11 of the 2024 Emmy nominations, dominating the awards ceremony. A Netflix spokesperson said: 'The letter was sent to the DCMS Select Committee on 23 May, well before any legal case was filed, and has been publicly available since. It does not impact our legal position.' A female prison officer who had sexual trysts in a cleaning cupboard with a 30-year-old inmate when she was 19 was spared jail today after a judge heard of her 'exceptional circumstances.' Victoria Whitmore, now 22, was emotional during the sentencing hearing and sat in the dock dressed all in black as one count of misconduct in a public office was read aloud to the courtroom. The mother-of-one left prison duties to spend time with serving prisoner, Gavin McIntosh, at HMP Woodhill - entering a cleaning cupboard together where 'kissing' and 'sexual touching' took place, the court heard. Whitmore, who has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, said that full sexual intercourse did not take place. This was accepted by the prosecution. The offending happened between February 10, 2021 and May 8, 2021 at the prison, which houses Britain's most notorious prisoner Charles Bronson. She had admitted the offence at a plea and trial preparation hearing. Victoria Whitmore, now 22, left prison duties to spend time with serving prisoner, Gavin McIntosh, at HMP Woodhill An intelligence report was issued and investigated by the defendant's fellow prison officers. Their investigation brought Whitmore's conduct to light. Prosecutor Olivia English said: 'Ms Whitmore was leaving prison duties to spend time with a serving prisoner and having personal phone contact with a serving prisoner. 'Phone call downloads have been produced, which the Crown says Ms Whitmore engaged in during a number of phone calls with Mr Macintosh and sometimes with a third party.' The court heard that some of the calls were 'sexually explicit.' Ms English said: 'The investigation into the relationship between both parties started in February 2021 and culminated in the discovery of phone call transcripts and CCTV.' Whitmore - who was aged just 19 at the time of the offending - and McIntosh were spotted entering the cleaning cupboard four times between February 10 and May 8, 2021. Whitmore was suspended from duties at HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes on May 20, 2021 but was spotted on CCTV at HMP Swaleside on two occasions up until November 2021. McIntosh was a serving prisoner at HMP Swaleside during that period. Prosecutor Ms English said: 'The Crown would suggest that whilst not being in public office, that is significant and indicates the length of the relationship. 'It appears the relationship continued after she was suspended in May 2021.' Oliver Pateman, defence counsel for Whitmore, said: 'There has been no offending since these incidents, which in my submission, is relevant. 'Mr Macintosh was a manipulative and dangerous prisoner.' The offending happened between February 10, 2021 and May 8, 2021 at the prison, which houses Britain's most notorious prisoner Charles Bronson Mr Pateman added that his client was 'naive and impressionable.' He added: 'She is not under any illusions that immediate custody may be the outcome today. She has brought her bag with her.' The court heard that Whitmore is the primary carer for her young child. Judge Catherine Tulk, speaking at Amersham Crown Court, Buckingamshire, said: 'As a 19-year-old your ability to deal with the sort of behaviour that Mr Macintosh was engaging in, was substantially compromised. 'It is very plain that your ability to deal with unwanted sexual attention was compromised. 'You were dealing with a 30-year-old dangerous, manipulative, much older prisoner. Judge Tulk said the offending was 'low-level sexual conduct.' She added: 'There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in your case. You have demonstrated that over the past three years. 'At this point I come back to the impact a prison sentence would have on others. Since this offence was committed you reconciled with your partner and you now have a young daughter. 'I find there are exceptional circumstances which means that the inevitable prison sentence can be suspended.' Whitmore, of Crownhill, Milton Keynes, was given a nine-month prison sentence - suspended for 18 months. She is also required to complete up to 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days. Labour Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq is being investigated by Parliament's standards watchdog in the first such inquiry since the election. Ms Siddiq, Economic Secretary to the Treasury and MP for Hampstead and Highgate, is facing the investigation following for the late registration of interests, according to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner's website. It followed a probe by the Mail on Sunday which revealed Ms Siddiq had failed to declare income from a London rental property for more than a year. The inquiry is thought to relate to Ms Siddiq's failure to register rental income from a property in London, which a Labour spokesman said was 'an administrative oversight' for which she had apologised. The spokesman said: 'Tulip will co-operate fully with the Parliamentary Commissioner on Standards on this matter.' Tulip Siddiq (pictured) failed to declare income from a London rental property for more than a year Ms Siddiq is the first MP of the new Parliament to be placed under investigation by the Standards Commissioner. She previously apologised after breaking MP rules over her financial interests earlier this month. 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 200 people having been killed, and at least 2,500 arbitrarily arrested and around 61,000 protesters named as accused persons in the cases. 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. 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.' Investigations into three former MPs which began during the last Parliament remain open. Former Conservative MP Bob Stewart is being investigated for failing to declare an interest and an alleged lack of co-operation with the watchdog's inquiry. Ex-Tory and Reclaim MP Andrew Bridgen is being investigated over registration of his interests, while former Tory Sir Conor Burns is being investigated for use of information received in confidence. During the last Parliament, the Standards Commissioner opened more than 100 investigations into MPs, the majority of which were resolved by 'rectification' - a procedure that allows MPs to correct minor or inadvertent breaches of Commons rules. A Ukrainian firefighter was left crouching over the body of his wife after being sent to tackle an inferno at his own home flattened by a Russian strike. Firefighter Serhiy Zamesov was filmed kneeling next to his dead wife, Inna Zamesova, 37, in shock as he said his final farewell to her after being called to put out a fire caused out by a Russian missile strike on his own home. The couple's son, aged ten, was rushed to hospital with severe burns from the same attack by Putin's forces in Velikiy Burluk village, in the war-torn Kharkiv region, which came under heavy fire this morning. 'Let's go,' one of his colleague said after placing a hand on Zamesov's back, who crouched next to his wife's body, which was covered by a blanket, while parts of his destroyed house were still on fire. 'Seryozha [Serhiy] let's move the body, and at least get it out of here,' the other firefighter added, before they carried Zamesova's body away from the flames. Firefighter Serhiy Zamesov was filmed kneeling next to his dead wife, Inna Zamesova, 37, in shock as he said his final farewell to her after being called to put out a fire caused out by a Russian missile strike on his own home 'Let's go,' one of his colleague said after placing a hand on Zamesov's back, who crouched next to his wife's body, which was covered by a blanket, while parts of his destroyed house were still on fire Serhiy and his wife Inna (pictured above in an old photograph) had a ten-year-old son together 'Seryozha [Serhiy] let's move the body, and at least get it out of here,' the other firefighter added, before they carried Zamesova's body away from the flames Zamesova, who worked for a Ukrainian gas utility company, was at home with the couple's son while her husband was at work when the missile hit Zamesova, who worked for a Ukrainian gas utility company, was at home with the couple's son while her husband was at work when the missile hit. Medical sources said their son is expected to survive despite suffering serious burns. 'The worst thing for rescuers is to go on call to their own home,' said the Kharkiv region emergency service. 'We express our sincere condolences to our colleague, eternal memory to his wife and a speedy recovery to his son.' The devastating missile attack comes as an AFP analysis revealed today that Russia consolidated its territory gains in eastern Ukraine in July, taking control of almost 77 square miles. The analysis, based on data from the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), shows an increase over the previous month but a big slowdown compared to May, when Russian forces launched a ground offensive in the border region of Kharkiv, which has since been stopped. In that month Russian forces seized 173 square miles, an average of 5.6 square miles per day, their biggest monthly gains since March 2022, just after President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine. Since the beginning of 2024, Russia has conquered 481 square miles of Ukrainian territory, well above the 225 square miles seized over the whole of 2023. But that represents just 0.2 per cent of Ukraine's territory in 2014, when Ukraine descended into war as pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine began to fight for independence. And it has not resulted in a decisive breakthrough for Moscow's forces. From July 1 to July 30, Russian forces conquered 76.5 square miles, or an average of 2.5 square miles per day. More than three-quarters, or 60 square miles, are in the eastern region of Donetsk, parts of which have been controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists since 2014. Smoke rises from an explosion following a rocket attack in Kharkiv region, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, July 28, 2024 Evacuation of the civilian population from the city by volunteer Denis Hristov. The Russians destroy the city every day with artillery, guided air bombs, FPV drones fly in the city and hunt for cars on July 30, 2024 in Toretsk, Donetsk region The region is a springboard for Russia as it seeks to seize Pokrovsk, Toretsk and Chasiv Yar, as they prepare attacks on Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. In June, Russia had seized 50 square miles, or 1.6 square miles per day. Since the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, Russia has taken 25,396 square miles of Ukrainian territory. If territory already annexed by Russia such as the Crimean peninsula and eastern zones already under Russian control before the invasion are included, Russian now occupies 41,682 square miles or 18 per cent of Ukraine according to its internationally recognised borders. AFP's calculations are based on information provided by a daily ISW report that relies on public information published by the two warring sides and satellite images. British students experience the future of public transit in Shenzhen, S China 17:10, July 30, 2024 By Zhong Wenxing ( People's Daily Online A group of British students participating in the "Touching the Greater Bay Area" program toured Chinese carmaker BYD's headquarter in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, and took their maiden voyage on the Pingshan SkyShuttle Line 1, the city's first municipal air shuttle line. This innovative transit system, developed by BYD, runs between Pingshan High-Speed Railway and BYD North stations, covering a distance of 8.51 kilometers with 11 stations along the route. With a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour, the entire journey takes no more than 20 minutes. Students were impressed by the system's efficiency and affordability, with a single trip costing only 3 yuan (approximately $0.41). They also noted how quiet the electric trains ran, which minimizes disturbance to nearby residents. Mevna Bulathsinhala, a British student from London School of Economics and Political Science remarked, "I didn't know much about BYD before coming here. But now that I've come here and I know about the technology that (BYD) has to offer. I feel like it has a pretty good place in the international global market." The visit provided the students with valuable insights into China's rapid technological development and its commitment to sustainable urban planning. The second round of the "Touching the Greater Bay Area" program was co-initiated by Guangdong Radio and Television and People's Daily Online (UK). (Intern Wang Lin also contributed to this story.) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Wu Chengliang) We Are China Horse racing kicks off in Sichuan Ecns.cn) 13:06, July 31, 2024 A rider demonstrates his skills at a horse racing event in Litang County, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) A horse racing event kicked off in Litang County on Tuesday, attracting nearly 1,000 herdsmen from across the county to participate in a variety of activities. Riders demonstrate their skills at a horse racing event in Litang County, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) Riders demonstrate their skills at a horse racing event in Litang County, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) Riders demonstrate their skills at a horse racing event in Litang County, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) Locals perform to celebrate the horse racing event in Litang County, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) Riders demonstrate their skills at a horse racing event in Litang County, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) A rider demonstrates his skills at a horse racing event in Litang County, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) Riders demonstrate their skills at a horse racing event in Litang County, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) A rider demonstrates his skills at a horse racing event in Litang County, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) Locals perform to celebrate the horse racing event in Litang County, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 30, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chaolan) As millions across the West battle blazes amid dangerously high temperatures, a new study has found a connection between long-term wildfire smoke exposure and brain health. The Park Fire has grown into California's fifth largest wildfire, burning through 389,791 acres across Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties with only 18 percent contained as of Wednesday morning, according to CalFire. Firefighters were battling 95 large fires on Wednesday, most of which were spread throughout the western United States, the National Interagency Fire Center reported. The National Weather Forecast predicts temperatures will be in the 90s for the Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies and northern High Plains, and in the 100s over much of the northern Great Basin - making it even more challenging to put out the flames. 'The weather is expected to become much warmer and drier later this week, with some winds and potential for thunderstorms. High temperatures, low relative humidity dropping into the teens, and poor nighttime moisture recoveries will allow for increased fire activity and extreme fire behavior,' CalFire said. The Park Fire (pictured) has grown into California's fifth largest wildfire, burning through 389,791 acres Firefighters were battling 95 large fires on Wednesday, most of which were spread throughout the western United States 'Fire crews are providing structure defense where needed. They are attempting to complete containment lines in some areas and gain a stronghold in the challenging topography while also engaging in mop-up where applicable.' There have been at least 277 destroyed structures and 29 damaged structures across Butte and Tehama county from the Park Fire. Over 5,000 fire personnel are battling the blaze that was allegedly started by a man who pushed his burning car into a gulley in upper Bidwell Park near the city of Chico last week. Ronnie Stout II, 42, has been arrested and charged with arson in connection to the fire. California's Air Resources Board has deemed wildfire smoke as a 'serious health risk.' New research has found a link between long-term exposure to wildfire smoke and brain health, CNN reported. Over 5,000 fire personnel are battling the Park Fire that was allegedly started by a man who pushed his burning car into a gulley in upper Bidwell Park near the city of Chico last week There have been at least 277 destroyed structures and 29 damaged structures across Butte and Tehama county from the Park Fire Researchers measured the impact of PM2.5 - air pollution particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter - on over 1.2 million people 60 or older in Southern California from 2009 to 2019. They found the odds of someone exposed to wildfire smoke being diagnosed with dementia rose 21 percent for every increase of 1 microgram of PM2.5 concentration per cubic meter of air over a three-year average. 'There is quite a bit of prior literature that demonstrates an association between exposure to ambient air pollution and dementia, but there's very limited research on how wildfire PM2.5, specifically, might be associated with dementia,' researcher Dr Holly Elser, an epidemiologist and resident physician in neurology at the University of Pennsylvania, told CNN. 'As wildfire events become more intense, more frequent, and occur in places outside of the Western US, we felt this was an important, specific source of air pollution to consider as a potential risk factor for dementia.' In Oregon, the state's largest wildfire, the Durkee Fire, has sizzled through 293,882 acres and was 52 percent contained as of Wednesday morning. In Colorado, the Alexander Mountain Fire (pictured) has reached an estimated at 5,080 acres with zero containment Tuesday Three fires - Alexander Mountain fire, Quarry fire and Stone Canyon fire - are blazing through Colorado. The Alexander Mountain Fire, which began on Monday in Larimer County, has reached an estimated at 5,080 acres with zero containment by Tuesday, according to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office. The Chair of the Larimer County Board of Commissioners declared a disaster emergency for the county. The Stone Canyon Fire has burned 1,320 acres with no significant growth overnight and an evacuation order for parts of Lyons has been lifted. The Quarry Fire in Jefferson County broke out overnight and has grown to 130 acres with five subdivisions under mandatory evacuation, The Denver Gazette reported. Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a commanding lead in the presidential race against former President Donald Trump in four key battleground states. There has been a major shift from when President Joe Biden was still in the race and Trump had an advantage in swing states, according to the latest Bloomberg News/Morning Consult survey. Overall, the race is a toss-up and the poll shows Harris at 48 percent to Trump's 47 percent across seven swing states. That reverses the two point lead Trump had in the swing states before Biden exited the race. But Harris is now ahead in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin. Kamala Harris has wiped out Donald Trump's lead in swing states since President Biden exited the race according to new polling The polling shows Harris with a whopping 11 point lead over Trump in the crucial state of Michigan. She also has a two point lead in Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin. The race between Harris and Trump is now tied in Georgia. On Tuesday, the vice president received a huge welcome when more than 10,000 people showed up to her first rally as the presumptive presidential nominee in Atlanta. The poll shows Trump with a two point lead in North Carolina, a state he won in 2020 as well as a four point lead in Pennsylvania. Harris appears to be getting a boost in battleground states from a jump in enthusiasm in the presidential race among voters. More than a third of voters in the seven swing states said they are more likely to vote in a race between Harris and Trump. 49 percent of black voters said they are much more likely to vote, 40 percent of Gen Z voters said they are more likely to vote and 44 percent of Hispanic voters said they are more likely to vote come November. Vice President Kamala Harris arriving at her rally in Atlanta on July 30. New polling shows the race tied in Georgia When it comes to the issues the poll found Harris also does not carry the same baggage as the former president. When asked who they trust more with handling the economy, Trump still leads on the issue. But in a race between Harris and Trump, 42 percent trust Harris more to Trump's 50 percent. When Biden was still running, only 37 percent trusted him more with handling the economy while 51 percent trusted Trump more. The issue that could give Trump an advantage in the race in swing states is immigration. The polling found 40 percent of respondents said the vice president has had a somewhat or very negative impact on policy while serving in the Biden administration. Donald Trump entering to speak at a campaign rally in St. Cloud, MN on July 27. The former president heads back to Georgia for a rally on Saturday at the same venue where Harris held her rally on Tuesday It comes as the Trump campaign's first ad attacking Harris focused on the border this week. But the Harris campaign pushed back releasing a video of its own in response. A black man from Missouri tasted freedom for the first time in 34 years as he walked free from a courthouse Tuesday night after his murder conviction was overturned. Christopher Dunn was reunited on the St. Louis courthouse steps with his wife, Kira. 'I never gave up because my family never gave up. It's easy to give up in prison when you lose hope. But when the system throws you away, you have to ask yourself if you wanted to just settle for it or fight for it,' Dunn told a gathered crowd. Dunn, 52, has long maintained that he was not involved in the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Ricco Rogers in May 1990. Rogers sitting at home on his porch when he was shot. Earlier this month, St. Louis City Judge Jason Sengheiser ruled that new evidence had undermined his conviction and that no juror would find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Despite this, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled on July 30 that Dunn must remain in prison pending a new trial in the crime. Republican Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also advocated for Dunn to remain behind bars. Innocent man Christopher Dunn, 52, is flanked by his wife, Kira, as he speaks to reporters about his wrongful conviction Dunn hugs his mother, Martha, who told local media that she just wants to 'holler' following his release The court then vacated its ruling, allowing for St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore to formally drop the charges, allowing for Dunn's release. In a statement, the Midwest Innocence Project said Dunn is 'coming home.' 'We are thrilled that Chris will finally be reunited with his family after 34 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit. We look forward to supporting Chris as he rebuilds his life,' the press release continued. His mother took a more enthusiastic approach. 'I feel like I just want to get up and holler. Thats how I feel... It shouldnt have been this long. Nor should have it taken this long for everyone to come forward now,' Martha Dunn told Fox St. Louis. Lawyers for the state have argued against Dunn's conviction being overturned at a hearing in May. They claimed that initial testimony from two boys at the scene of the May 18, 1990 shooting, who identified Dunn as the shooter was correct - even though they later recanted their statements as adults. 'The verdict was accurate and that verdict should stand,' Assistant Attorney General Tristin Estep argued. Christopher Dunn's murder conviction was overturned earlier this month but he remained behind bars Dunn was arrested after two teenagers identified him as the gunman who shot and killed 15-year-old Ricco Rogers She also claimed that Dunn's alibi could not be trusted, saying he changed his story multiple times over the years. He had said he was at his mother's house at the time of the shooting, and his childhood friend testified that she spoke with him by phone that night - asserting he was using a phone at his mother's house. The decision to keep Dunn incarcerated until now puzzled St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, whose office investigated his case and determined he was wrongfully convicted, prompting a May hearing before Sengheiser. 'In our view, the judge's order was very clear, ordering his immediate release,' Gore said at a news conference Tuesday. 'Based on that, we are considering what approach and what legal options we have to obtain Mr. Dunn's relief.' He declined to specify what legal options were under consideration. Dunn's potential freedom was made possible under a Missouri law adopted in 2021 that lets prosecutors request hearings when they see evidence of a wrongful conviction. The law has resulted in the the release of two men who have each spent decades in prison. Lamar Johnson was freed last year after serving 28 years for a murder case in which a judge ruled he was wrongfully convicted. Additionally, Kevin Strickland was freed in 2021 after more than 40 years for three killings in Kansas City after a judge ruled he was wrongfully convicted in 1979. Another hearing is next month for Marcellus Williams, who narrowly escaped lethal injection and is now facing another execution date. A hero dance teacher who was left critically injured after a horror stabbing rampage in Southport which killed three young girls took knife blows to the arms, back and neck as she protected children with her body, it's been revealed today. Leanne Lucas, who organised the Taylor Swift-themed holiday club, has had life-saving surgery and is now awake, her family said on Wednesday. Recounting Ms Lucas' actions after the knifeman entered the class through an open door and began attacking children, a relative described how she bent over two little girls, shielding them with her own body, as she was repeatedly struck from behind. The 35-year-old had managed to bundle several people into a storage cupboard to protect them and then bravely stepped in as the attacker advanced on two young children, the Times reports. Her cousin Chris Rimmer, 41, said she sounded 'broken'. Leanne Lucas, who organised the Taylor Swift-themed holiday club, has had life-saving surgery and is now awake, her family said on Wednesday Bebe King, six, was the youngest child killed at the holiday club in Southport, Merseyside Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was also killed in the attack - her grieving mother has since called for calm Alice, nine, died in the early hours of Tuesday after a hooded knifeman entered the Taylor Swift-themed holiday club and began stabbing the children in attendance Friendship bracelets reading 'Beautiful Swifties' are seen next to electric tea lights amid floral tributes for the victims of a deadly knife attack at the Atkinson in Southport Alice Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Stancombe, seven, were killed at the class when a hooded knifeman burst in and began stabbing the children in attendance. A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder as officers secured extra time to question him. Police say they are not looking for anyone else and the incident is not being treated as terrorism. Five other children remain in a critical condition in hospital alongside two adults - one of whom is thought to be Ms Lucas. She and fellow teacher Heidi Barlow who were leading the class, which also involved yoga and friendship bracelet making, courageously tried to save as many of the children in their care as they could. Ms Barlow, 35, is said to have locked herself in a toilet with several children, saving their lives. Ms Lucas' family were told by first responders at the scene how she pushed two people into a stoarge room, then 'bent over two little girls' and used her body as a shield to protect them. 'She put her arms up, all her arms are cut,' Mr Rimmer said. He added Ms Lucas's bravery was all the more extraordinary due to her small stature: 'She's tiny and she's as thin as a rake.' Mr Rimmer said his cousin is 'just worried about everyone else' and that she 'always thinks about everyone else before herself.' He told the paper online rumours Ms Lucas had died made the excruciating wait for news all the harder. And after attending the peaceful vigil to remember the three girls killed, the landscaping firm he works for is today assisting with the clean-up operation. Today floral tributes, balloons and soft toys covered the street near the police cordon Officers and forensics experts have been at the scene of the attack for the past three days The attack happened at a Taylor Swift themed yoga and dance workshop At a vigil held in the the town last night, wellwishers left candles, flowers and stuffed animals Her bravery was also hailed by relatives as her loved ones hope for further good news. 'She's only tiny, she wouldn't have stood a chance against a man with a knife, but she just wanted to protect those children,' said her aunt, Pauline Bennett, 64. 'I can't imagine what she would have been thinking when he came through the door. 'It all happened so quickly, she just did what she could. Her sister stayed at her bedside all night and her parents are with her now. 'We're just hoping and praying that she's going to be ok. Leanne loves teaching children, it's all she's ever wanted to do. 'She just loves children. It's just heartbreaking that someone could do something like this.' A former school friend said: 'To my knowledge she organised it, she used to be a primary school teacher at a local school. 'She was really really lovely. I only knew her from high school. Quite quiet, she was primary school teacher, she wanted to help people. 'That's why you get into it, to do everything you can and that's what she's done.' A neighbour of her parents John and Allison said: 'It's absolutely horrendous, they're a lovely family. 'We're all just too upset to say anything at the moment.' England flags were on display as rioting broke out in Southport last night Rioters wearing masks launch missiles towards police officers in Southport Hundreds of people, many masked, battled with riot police officers for hours on Tuesday Serena Kennedy, chief constable of Merseyside Police, gave a press conference on the riots this afternoon She was seen helping to repair a wall which was destroyed by rioters, who used the bricks as missiles against officers It comes after Merseyside Police said four people have been arrested over riots last night which followed a touching vigil for the victims. Up to 300 people are believed to have been involved, with cars and bins set alight, missiles thrown at police and a mosque attacked. Police officers believe most of those involved were not from Stockport and were supporters of the English Defense League. An update issued this afternoon revealed 54 officers were injured with 27 taken to hospital. Speaking this afternoon, Serena Kennedy, chief constable of Merseyside Police, said there 'were about 70 people who made their way away from the vigil and were making their way towards the mosque. 'They suddenly became about 200 in number and then others joined that number.' Riot police with shields and helmets hold back protesters after disorder broke out In stark contrast to the riots on the streets, there was a sense of tranquility at the site of the vigil as night fell The riots came barely an hour after thousands of mourners gathered for a vigil at the Atkinson in Southport In a statement released shortly afterwards, Merseyside Police said a 31-year-old man from St Helens, a 31-year-old man from West Derby and a 39-year-old man from Southport were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. A 32-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article. A spokesperson said: 'The offenders destroyed garden walls to use the bricks as missiles to attack officers and set cars belonging to the public on fire at random. 'Those involved also threw bricks at the local Mosque, damaged a local convenience store, and set wheelie bins on fire. 'Three police dogs were also injured. After having bricks thrown at them, Police Dog Zoe sustained a laceration to her leg, has been stitched and is now resting, and PD Ike is recovering after sustaining a cut mouth and swelling to his front leg. 'PD Quga suffered burns to her back leg. A fourth dog, PD Repo, was spared injury after their handler kicked petrol away.' It's hard to imagine the US government doling out taxpayers' money, knowing that it flows to Taliban extremists who impose their religious fanaticism on long-suffering Afghans. But that's what auditors have uncovered about the Biden administration's bungling State Department. Two foreign affairs teams in 2022 provided $293 million of humanitarian aid to Afghan nonprofits without checking carefully enough that the recipients were above board. That created an 'increased risk' of taxpayer money ending up in the hands of the Taliban and their terrorist buddies, auditors said. Worse still, the revelations from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) are just the tip of the iceberg. Taliban gunman seized the capital Kabul in August 2021. Fighters are seen here celebrating at a national holiday President Joe Biden and his Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who oversaw the poorly administered aid flows Millions more has gone missing from the more than $17.9 billion the US has sent to Afghanistan since 2021, when US forces withdrew from the country as the Taliban swept back to power. Western donors know that monies go missing when helping impoverished and war-ridden countries, but they're supposed to ensure transfers don't flow to crooks and extremists. Adam Andrzejewski, the founder of OpenTheBooks, a government spending watchdog, said American voters should expect much more from Secretary of State Antony Blinken's team. 'If a federal agency cannot ensure that taxpayer money is not supporting terrorism, it should not be entrusted with the money in the first place,' Andrzejewski says. The audit was released in a divisive presidential election campaign, in which Republican nominee Donald Trump has criticized unchecked aid flows to Ukraine and other recipients. His expected Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, has yet to define her foreign policy, but is nevertheless tied to her boss Joe Biden's humiliating exit from Afghanistan. The SIGAR audit examined five bureaus that had active awards in Afghanistan between March and November 2022. Three could show they had followed foreign aid vetting rules. But the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement could not show tracking paperwork for at least $293 million of aid they distributed, auditors said. Those units should have tried harder, the auditors said. It was known among US aid and development chiefs to be suspicious of the more than 1,000 Afghan non-profits that sprang up in the country after 2021 and registered with the Taliban-run finance ministry. Auditors referred to widely-known 'rumors' that these non-profit startups 'may have Taliban affiliations.' Because the audit only covered nine months in 2022, it is likely that much more than $293 million has been badly tracked. Aid chiefs struggle to keep tabs on aid money flows into Afghanistan. Pictured: Currency exchange dealers in Kabul The Taliban have stopped girls' education beyond the sixth grade and banned women from many jobs. John Sopko, special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, delved into how UN money gets to Afghanistan and tracked it to the country's central bank American greenbacks land in the Afghan capital Kabul, courtesy of the the United Nations The State Department has acknowledged its failures and agreed to start vetting funding flows properly. Federal watchdogs have repeatedly called out the department for failing to track the billions it's sent to Afghanistan these past three years. A SIGAR investigation published in May showed that some $10.9 million in US taxpayer money ended up in the hands of the Taliban, mostly through taxes that partners paid to the group. Another report in March showed that some $2.9 billion in cash that the United Nations flew into Afghanistan ended up lining the pockets of the hardliners. The money, most of which comes from the US, is deposited in private banks for aid groups and their lifesaving work. But some of it, the report concludes, is routed through the Taliban-run central bank. 'Most of the money that's going in cash through the UN is ultimately coming from US taxpayers,' said John Sopko, the inspector general. 'It's going to a terrorist group. The Taliban are a bunch of terrorists.' The US and other foreign donors scaled back their assistance after the collapse of the internationally-backed government in 2021 amid concerns that the Taliban would use the money for their own ends. The Taliban seized control of the country in August 2021 as American troops and their international partners departed. The speed of the takeover surprised the Pentagon and intelligence community, leaving government agencies and the UN scrambling to ensure that the Taliban couldn't profit from aid programs. The US remains the largest aid donor to the country of 43 million people, where half the population lives in poverty and 15 million don't know where their next meal is coming from. Since taking over, the Taliban have stopped girls' education beyond the sixth grade and banned women from many jobs and most public spaces. Restrictions on women and girls are a major obstacle to the Taliban gaining official recognition as the country's legitimate government. The Taliban were not immediately available for comment on the report. A killer who helped a gang kidnap and torture a popular radio DJ to death in a restaurant while his girlfriend was held in a toilet has been found guilty of manslaughter. Koray Alpergin, 43, was the owner of Turkish radio station Bizim FM and had connections with celebrities such as rapper P Diddy and internet sensation 'Salt Bae'. He was kidnapped from outside his north London home with his girlfriend Gozde Dalbudak, 34, and 'frog-marched' into a white van after the pair had been dining in Mayfair, the Old Bailey heard. The DJ suffered 94 'horrific injuries' before he was killed while Ms Dalbudak was locked in a toilet at the Stadium Lounge, just yard from Spurs' ground, for two days. His naked body was then dumped in woodland in Loughton, Essex, before it was found by a dog walker. Koray Alpergin (pictured) was kidnapped from outside his north London home with his girlfriend Gozde Dalbudak, 34, and 'frog-marched' into a white van The DJ suffered 94 'horrific injuries' before he was killed while Ms Dalbudak (pictured) was locked in a toilet at the Stadium Lounge, just yard from Spurs' ground, for two days Dylan Weatherley, 20, was cleared by an Old Bailey jury of murder but convicted of manslaughter, kidnap and false imprisonment. Weatherley sobbed and shouted as the jury announced its verdicts before he was taken from the dock. Builder Isay Stoyanov, 43, was cleared by the jury of murder, two counts of kidnap and two counts of false imprisonment, but convicted of perverting the course of justice. Stoyanov had told the court he only went to the Stadium Lounge to mop up after a wedding. He saw a fridge blocking the toilet door but thought it was just out of order. Kyle Mitchell-Peart, 31, earlier admitted two counts of kidnapping and two counts of false imprisonment and will be sentenced later. Judge Sarah Whitehouse, KC, adjourned sentencing Weatherley, Mitchell-Peart and Stoyanov until 5 September. A jury cleared Tejean Kennedy, 33, and Ali Kavak, 26, of murdering the DJ after the first trial last year but convicted of manslaughter, kidnap and false imprisonment. Kavak was also convicted of perverting the course of justice by helping to dispose of Mr Alpergin's body and destroying two vehicles by fire. Kennedy was jailed for 18 years while Kavak was jailed for 13 years in December last year. Samuel Owusu-Opuku, 35, was cleared of murder but convicted of kidnapping the DJ and his girlfriend. Dylan Weatherley, 20, has been cleared by an Old Bailey jury of murdering Alpergin (pictured) but convicted of manslaughter, kidnap and false imprisonment A jury cleared Tejean Kennedy, 33, and Ali Kavak, 26, (pictured) of murdering the DJ after the first trial last year but convicted of manslaughter, kidnap and false imprisonment Father-of-two Owusu-Opuku, who worked in the welfare sector, and Yigit Hurman, 18, admitted perverting the course of justice. Steffan Gordon, 34, had admitted kidnap and was convicted of two counts of false imprisonment. Gordon was jailed for eight years while Owusu-Opuku was sentenced to seven years and Hurman was jailed for two years for perverting the course of justice by helping to dispose of the body and burn a van. Police are hunting another suspect, 28-year-old Ali Yildirim, who is thought to have fled back to Turkey after the killing. Ms Dalbudak returned to Turkey after the kidnap and refused to return to give evidence at either trial. Crispin Aylett, KC, prosecuting, said at the time of his death Mr Alpergin was the owner of a Turkish language radio station Bizim FM, based in London. 'He was a well-known and popular figure within the Turkish community in London. 'As Koray Alpergin got out of his Audi car, a man ran towards him, that man was followed by three others, although Mr Alpergin tried to run away, they quickly caught him. Gozde Dalbudak was locked in a toilet at the Stadium Lounge for two days, while Alpergin was subjected to horrific injuries Alpergin had returned from home from dining in Mayfair with his girlfriend when he got out of his Audi car and a man ran towards him, followed by three others 'He was frog-marched past his own car and bundled into a white van parked nearby. 'Ms Dalbudak had remained in the car, she was later to tell the police that she heard the sound of a scuffle. 'A masked man appeared at the window of the car, he had a knife, he told Ms Dalbudak to be quiet. She got out of the car and he led her over to the van. 'The van was driven away with Mr Alpergin and Ms Dalbudak in the back. 'The prosecution suggest that no less than eight men had driven in two vehicles, a white van and a Volkswagen Polo. 'The occupants of those two vehicles had waited for Mr Alpergin's Audi to arrive. 'Four men were convicted of the kidnap of Koray Alpergin and Gozde Dalbudak. 'Two other men have fled the country, they are believed to be in Turkey. 'The seventh man was Kyrie Mitchell-Peart.' Following the kidnap the van drove the couple down an alleyway behind the Stadium Lounge. 'It was here, in the Stadium Lounge, that Koray Alpergin was murdered,' Mr Aylett continued. 'As for Godze Dalbudak, she spent almost two days shut up inside a lavatory at the Stadium Lounge. 'The door to the lavatory was blocked by a large refrigerator. 'It was not until late on the Saturday afternoon, Ms Dalbudak was released. 'In the early hours of Saturday, the Renault Megane was driven to Loughton in Essex. 'There, the naked body of Koray Alpergin was dumped in some woods. A few hours later, the body was found by a man walking his dog.' The post mortem revealed the nature of the injuries Mr Alpergin had suffered, with several cuts and bruises, stab wounds to the soles of both of his feet, and scalding injuries to his skin added to the more severe head, chest and neck injuries. The post mortem revealed the nature of the injuries Mr Alpergin (pictured) had suffered, with several cuts and bruises, stab wounds to the soles of both of his feet, and scalding injuries to his skin added to the more severe head, chest and neck injuries. Mr Aylett added: 'From the number and nature of the injuries that were sustained, the prosecution suggest that it is not hard to envisage a group of sadistic thugs taking it turns to inflict injury, whether with punches and kicks, hitting him with a bat, scalding him with boiling water or stabbing his feet. 'The only mercy, if mercy it be, was that the pathologist considers that Koray Alpergin could not have survived these terrible injuries for very long and certainly not for more than a few hours.' Mr Alpergin had been expecting trouble for some time. On 24 September 2022, he and a friend were driving back to his address in separate cars. Mr Alpergin told his friend that his car was making 'odd noises' to which his friend asked: 'Are you sure your car was not bugged?' He did not laugh at the comment and it turned out that the tracking device was fitted to his car just the day before, the court heard. As his friend was leaving later that evening, he asked them to let him know if there was a white van parked outside. Ms Dalbudak returned to Turkey on 21 October 2022 and although she has remained in contact with police officers she has not returned to the UK. Mr Aylett added: 'Nor is she willing to do so for the purposes of this trial - nor is she prepared to give evidence over a live link from Turkey. 'For perfectly understandable reasons, you may think, she wants to put the whole thing behind her.' Mr Alpergin (pictured with Turkish celebrity chef Salt Bae) had been expecting trouble for some time, a court heard In a police interview she said she had met Mr Alpergin through a female friend in Turkey in June 2022. She said they flirted for a while and after a couple of months she planned to come to London for about five days so they could get to know each other better. She came over on 10 October and had a return booked for 16 October. Mr Alpergin took her sightseeing and to 'the best restaurants', she said. She didn't know him that well but said he had shown interest in her and affection and she wanted to spend more time with him. On the night of the kidnap she was wearing black leather trousers with boots, a cream top and cream tench coat. Ms Dalbudak said a man appeared at the side of the car with a metal bread knife and told her to shut up. She saw three or four males holding Mr Alpergin and she was very scared, she said. Ms Dalbudak said she was thrown in the back of the van and was crying loudly. The men told her to shut up and Mr Alpergin said 'be quiet my love.' Ms Daldubak told police she thought she was going to die. She said she was knocked out by being punched twice in the face. Mr Alpergin (pictured) had suffered 94 injuries, including 14 broken ribs and severe head injuries, ligature injuries to his neck and injuries to his private parts Her next memory was being inside a dark place and hearing Mr Alpergin and someone hitting or beating him. Her hands and feet were tied and she was blindfolded and made to walk to to a toilet where she was locked up. The lavatory only had a tiny bit of light and smelled like fish or dead animals, she said. Her trench coat, an iPhone, a gold bracelet and a necklace with a heart shaped diamond pendant bought for her by a previous partner were taken. Ms Daldubak tried to tell them 'ticket, Istanbul airport' and said, in her limited English, she would go to Istanbul and not go to the police. She said she was 'in a state of fear and panic' and wanted to get out as soon as possible. Ms Daldubak was placed under special police protection after Mr Alpergin's body was found. Mr Alpergin had suffered 94 injuries, including 14 broken ribs and severe head injuries, ligature injuries to his neck and injuries to his private parts. Giving evidence, Stoyanov denied knowing anything about the kidnap and murder of Mr Alpergin before he was arrested. He said that someone at a cafe had asked him to go to the Stadium Lounge restaurant to move some chairs around and mop the floor as there had been a wedding there the day before. Mr Alpergin was the owner of Turkish radio station Bizim FM and had connections with celebrities such as rapper P Diddy and internet sensation ' Salt Bae His DNA was found on bags of cleaning products and other surfaces in the restaurant where Mr Alpergin was killed and his girlfriend was held prisoner, the court heard. Stoyanov said that they were there for 20 minutes and one of the group went twice to the shop to buy cleaning products Jack Daniels and red bull. Asked why they needed alcohol when they were only there to mop the floor he replied 'why not?'. Stoyanov said he moved a fridge which was outside a toilet door. He said he was paid 20 for cleaning the floor and wore gloves to protect his hands as he was used to doing that as a builder. Weatherley, of Tottenham, and Stoyanov of Haringey, both denied murder, two counts of kidnap and two of false imprisonment of the couple. Mitchell-Peart, of Whetstone, north London, admitted two counts of kidnapping and two counts of false imprisonment. A shocking video has captured the damage left on an airplane, loaded with passengers, after it was clipped by another aircraft at an airport in Brazil on Monday. Gol Airlines flight G3 1238 was on the taxiway at Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo waiting to depart for Florianopolis when LATAM Airlines flight 3935, which had just arrived from Rio de Janeiro, collided with it as it was taxiing to the gate at 5pm. Aena, which manages Congonhas Airport, said the incident was caused by a mechanical error with the pushback equipment connected to the Gol Airlines aircraft. Pushback is a process in which a vehicle's tow bar is hooked to the aircraft and pushes it backwards from its parked position to a taxi position. The fuselage of a Gol Airlines aircraft that was damaged during a collision with LATAM Airlines plane that had just landed at Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Monday. No injuries were reported LATAM Airlines said that it was forced to cancel two flights after one of its aircrafts struck the fuselage of a Gol Airlines plane that was in the pushback process Gol Airlines said in a statement to Brazilian news outlet G1 that the wing of the LATAM Airlines Airbus A319 hit the tail of its Boeing 737, leaving a huge gaping hole in the fuselage. 'Customers disembarked safely, our number 1 priority, and were re-accommodated on another aircraft to continue their journey,' the airline said. 'All passengers and crew disembarked normally and in complete safety,' LATAM Airlines said in its own statement. 'The company clarifies that the aircraft was taken away for maintenance and that it is investigating the incident.' The incident led to the cancellation of two LATAM Airlines flights, one that was set to depart from Congonhas Airport to President Afonso Pena International Airport in Curitiba and another flight from Curitiba to Congonhas Airport. A LATAM Airlines plane (right) was taxiing after arriving at Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Monday when one of its wing struck the tail of a parked Gol Airlines aircraft. No injuries were reported A similar incident took place at Philadelphia International Airport in April when an American Airlines plane collided with a parked aircraft. The wing of the loaded aircraft which was about to depart to Charlotte, according to the airline, hit an American Airlines jet and caused damage to its fuselage. The injuries were reported to the passengers or crew members. In January 2003, a JetBlue airplane hit an unoccupied aircraft from the same carrier during pushback at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. The plane hit the tail of the parked jet and was taken back to the gate, where passengers deplaned and were placed on another aircraft for their trip to San Juan. David Lammy visited Qatar today as he sought to quell Middle East tensions and renewed a call for the 'devastating' war in Gaza to end. The Foreign Secretary, together with Defence Secretary John Healey, made a trip to the Gulf to press for a halt to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Their talks with Qatari leaders in Doha came just hours after Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an overnight airstrike on Iranian capital Tehran. Both Hamas and Iran have blamed Israel for the strike. Since the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas on Israel, Qatar has become a key intermediary in the Gaza conflict. Meanwhile, Israel has claimed responsibility for a strike on a suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, targeting a Hezbollah commander. They were allegedly behind the deaths of 12 children and teenagers in a rocket attack on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights on Saturday. The recent strikes have added to growing fears that tensions over the Gaza war could spill over into a wider regional conflict. Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with Qatar's leader Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Doha Defence Secretary John Healey also made the trip to the Gulf as the UK Government presses for a halt to the Israel-Hamas war Their talks with Qatari leaders in Doha came just hours after Hamas 's political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an overnight airstrike on Iranian capital Tehran 'Escalation and destabilisation are in no-one's interests,' Foreign Secretary Mr Lammy said during his visit to Qatar. He added: 'It is absolutely vital that we engage closely with partners like Qatar, who play a key role in mediating the conflict in Gaza, so that we can bring this devastating war to an end. 'The UK and Qatar have a long-standing and close partnership, and we will also look to build lasting stability and security in the region, and advance our shared priorities, like deepening economic ties, to drive UK growth and seize the opportunities of the clean energy transition.' Mr Healey said de-escalation of the fighting must be the 'primary focus' of the UK and its allies. The Defence Secretary added: 'All sides must step back from conflict and step up diplomacy. We will work with important partners like Qatar as our Government leads a renewed push for peace.' Mr Lammy and Mr Healey met with Qatar's leader Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his ministers, and were also due to meet British troops based in the region. A sick teen who was claimed to be 'delusional' by hospital lawyers' did have capacity to make decisions over her own care, judges ruled today. Sudiksha Thirumalesh's case had caused widespread controversy after a court ruled that she lacked the capacity to make her own medical decisions despite being conscious and able to communicate. The 19-year-old, who had a rare mitochondrial disorder, was branded 'delusional' after disagreeing with doctors at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham who wanted to place her in palliative care. Today the Court of Appeal said the original ruling had failed to consider the evidence of two expert psychiatrists who stated that she was capable of making her decisions about her treatment. It also criticised the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust for 'attempting to shoehorn into the term 'delusional' what in reality they regarded as a profoundly unwise decision on Sudiksha's part to refuse to move to palliative care'. Sudiksha Thirumalesh, 19, was ruled by a judge not to have capacity over her medical care, but today the Court of Appeal overturned the 'dangerous' decision Despite Sudiksha's wishes, doctors had insisted that due to her deteriorating condition, the kindest course would be to 'de-escalate her intensive care' and make her as comfortable as possible Campaigning for Sudiksha: Her brother Varshan Thirumalesh, mother Revathi Thirumalesh and father Thirumalesh Hemachandran with representatives from Christian Concern and Christian Legal Centre and families with similar cases, outside the Supreme Court in London The judgement concluded: 'The declaration of incapacity having been set aside the presumption of capacity applied. 'It follows that in my judgment, this remarkable young woman had capacity to make decisions in relation to her medical treatment and therefore had her wish to 'die trying to live'.' The case is notable when compared to other end-of-life cases because Sudiskha, who had the same mitochondrial disorder as baby Charlie Gard, was an adult and able to communicate her unwavering will to live. Her parents Thirumalesh Hemachandran and Revathi Thirumalesh said their successful appeal was 'bitter sweet' but they hoped it would help secure patients' rights in the future. 'This case should have never been taken to the courts. Sudiksha clearly had capacity to make her own decisions, she had full capacity until her last moments. 'It was only the toxic paternalism of the Trust which caused them to seek to overrule Sudiksha's wishes in the Courts,' her 55-year-old father said. 'She had put her faith in the courts and was left devastated by the original ruling so I know she would have been so happy to win this appeal. 'But it is bitter sweet for us as it is much too late for her. 'The only consolation it that this ruling will go a long way to helping other people in the future. 'It's not for the doctors to decide who should live and die and that's why we had to fight this.' The 19-year-old, who had a rare mitochondrial disorder, was branded 'delusional' for disagreeing with doctors at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham's (QEHB) who wanted to place her in palliative care. Pictured: Sudiksha with her brother Varshan Thirumalesh (right), mother Revathi Thirumalesh and father Thirumalesh Hemachandran Despite Sudiksha's wishes, doctors had insisted that due to her deteriorating condition, the kindest course would be to 'de-escalate her intensive care' and make her as comfortable as possible. Her parents, who had been hoping she would get well enough to join clinical trials abroad, were forced to sell their family heirlooms to cover their legal fees and were taken to court. Despite the family's efforts, they were left devastated after a judge found that Sudiksha lacked mental capacity and that her fate must be decided by the courts. The ruling last August was made despite two court-appointed psychiatrists stating that she did have 'capacity', with one noting that she was 'comfortable, smiling, alert and in clear consciousness'. The remarkable teenager, who was known only as ST due to a draconian court order, died just days after speaking anonymously to the Mail vowing to fight her extraordinary legal battle from hospital. Her parents Thirumalesh Hemachandran and Revathi Thirumalesh said they hoped their successful bid would mean a patient's right to disagree with their doctors and have their wishes respected will now become a part of their daughter's legacy She immediately launched an appeal, but sadly died after a cardiac arrest in September before it could be heard. The family said the drawn-out legal battle which was shrouded in secrecy cost them their life savings and also robbed Sudiksha of the chance to fundraise to join clinical trials in Canada. 'We did not want this legal battle, which ruined our lives and deprived Sudiksha of her chance to raise funds and see if nucleoside treatment could save her,' they added. The family had the backing of the Christian Legal Centre as well as the mental health charity Mind over concerns the original ruling could have 'catastrophic' implications for others. Mind had warned that if it had been left to stand it could be 'dangerous' for anyone who disagrees with their doctors. Experts said the appeal has overturned a long-standing legal precedent stating that if someone does not accept their medical diagnosis, they lack the ability to make decisions about their care. Professor Wayne Martin, a University of Essex philosopher, who assisted the case with expert analysis of the legal and ethical issues, said: 'This judgement is a huge victory, not only for the family...but for anyone facing tough decisions about their treatment.' Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: 'Sudiksha caught the world's attention because of her beauty and courage. 'She told the court that if she were to die, she wanted to die trying to live. That's exactly what she did. 'Sudiksha saw things very clearly. To call her 'deluded' revealed the mindset of the NHS and Court of Protection not hers. 'She was the one determined to fight for her life, even against the odds and against a system that continually pushed her towards death.' University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust said: 'We acknowledge the judgement today, which has clarified a difficult legal issue and will hopefully bring some closure to Sudiksha's family. 'This has been an extremely difficult, emotive, and complex case for all involved in Sudiksha's life and care. 'Sudiksha's death was deeply upsetting for our colleagues who cared for her for such a long time, and who had always worked to provide the clearest and most compassionate care, treatment, and advice, throughout her time with us in critical care. 'Our sincere and heartfelt condolences remain with Sudiksha's family and loved ones.' A Republican senator says he witnessed firsthand that President Joe Biden was suffering mental deficits as far back as two years ago. Utah Sen. Mike Lee said this week he was left stunned when Biden mistook his wife as one of his own White House staffers multiple times during a reception, even after she told him who she was. The anecdote exposes yet another apparent example of the president's apparent mental decline - and significantly, one that dates back much further than Democrats have been willing to reveal. Lee shockingly disclosed to DailyMail.com the uncomfortable interaction between his wife and the president, which is among other signs of 'alarm' about Biden's well being. He said what really struck him was that he and his wife, Sharon, had met the president on multiple occasions. But during that White House reception for congressional spouses about two years ago, the president did not even recognize her when she said hello to the president. Biden asked for her name, and clearly did not remember her despite meeting many times and then inquired whether she worked for him in the White House. And when she told him that she was the wife of Sen. Mike Lee, Biden looked confused before again asking her if she was on his staff. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, along side his wife Sharon Lee, at the White House in 2020. Lee recounted his wife telling him that President Joe Biden completely forgot who she was and asked her if she worked in the East Wing of the White House. After she told him no, and that she was the wife of Senator Lee, he asked her again if she worked in the White House's West Wing The 'weird' interaction prompted Lee to surmise that the president isn't 'quite there,' he said on the Tucker Carlson Show. 'He swore me into the Senate twice,' Lee immediately shifted to telling Carlson, describing their many interactions over the years between 2011 and 2017. 'We had interacted with him a lot and she thought that would take care of it,' Lee said of his wife's assumption that Biden would remember her. 'He looked confused,' Sharon had said. 'He was not quite there,' the Republican senator said of Biden after telling his wife's tale. 'There was a kind of a deer in the headlights phenomenon. [Sharon] said 'it was like I was talking to somebody who wasn't aware of what was going on.' 'I've interacted a fair amount with with Joe Biden over the years, my wife a lot less, of course, but enough times that she was able to recognize what is his personality and what isn't, and she realized this is very out of character for him.' 'He just looked confused and forgot what he was supposed to do.' The Republican called the interaction 'alarming.' Lee went on to tell DailyMail.com other instances where Biden's age and ability has concerned him. He said he's studied Biden's heavy use of teleprompters dating back to at least 2021 among other crutches. Lee said Biden has been the least interactive of all presidents he's served under since Obama. It's odd how Biden, a former Senate master, has hardly interacted with the body since taking office, he went on, saying he made less trips to the hill than Trump and Obama. The Utah senator also disclosed how Biden was 'not being careful' about reading from a script over the phone. 'Anyone who's been in politics knows that you've got staff giving you things to guide your conversations you want to be careful about not, you know, at least obviously, reading a script from a phone. And he was not being careful at all.' Biden had been at the forefront of attacks against him as he was still running for reelection. Senator Mike Lee pictured with his wife Sharon Lee Even in the weeks after he canceled his campaign, Republicans have called on his cabinet, and particularly Vice President Kamala Harris, to invoke the 25th Amendment, which outlines presidential succession in the case of an incapable commander. Videos of him appearing to freeze at public appearances and his disjointed and stumbling interviews have further fueled concerns about his health and condition. Lee also described too DailyMail.com about how the president appeared to start showing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, which his own mother-in-law passed away from in recent years. The doctor's told him when she was diagnosed that Lee would start to notice real signs of decline when his mother-in-law's posture and gait became impacted. 'One day it occurred to me, my gosh, he's walking the way Carol did, he's walking the way my mother-in-law walked when what the doctors told us to watch out for started to kick in,' he told DailyMail.com. 'It's kind of a shuffle to sort of kick your feet forward. It's not a fluid motion. It's a little bit more robotic.' 'I saw that same gait and posture in President Biden during his first term in office.' Senator Mike Lee pictured with his wife Sharon Lee There could be other reasons for those symptoms, Lee continued, but said he also saw other clear signs of 'cognitive decline.' US President Joe Biden pauses before addressing the nation about his decision to not seek reelection Lee said Biden's walk is reminiscent of the shuffling his mother-in-law used to do 'He'll utter a few words in a row or entire sentence that is almost unintelligible, or that makes no sense, or that is factually or logically implausible, or he'll appear to get lost while performing a very simple task, like walking from point A to point B.' 'So when you put all those things together, and like I say, most of those things that I've put together based on publicly available information, there's no doubt in my mind that he's had a lot of bad days, probably more bad days than good ones.' King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to France last year cost the French state 500,000, an annual audit has found, as Emmanuel Macron splashed out on the British monarchs. The Elysee Palace's budget for the monarchs also included a 40,000 spend on wine alone. The King's visit, which took place in September, tipped the Elysee Palace into debt by 8.3 million as a result. This information comes after Cour des Comptes, France's state auditor, recorded that 125 million were spent last year by the Elysee Palace. While this includes spending on Macron's diplomatic duties, as well as administration, security and state management costs, the visit from the King and Queen was among the most expensive engagements. French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla toast during a state dinner in the Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces) at the Chateau de Versailles (Versailles Palace) in Versailles, near Paris, on the first day of their State visit to France, September 20, 2023 Queen Camilla, King Charles III, President of France Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron arrives at the Palace of Versailles ahead of the State Dinner held in honor of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the Hall of Mirrors of the Palace of Versailles on September 20, 2023 in Versailles, France Melanie Hamrick and Mick Jagger attending the State Banquet at the Palace of Versailles, Paris, during the State Visit to France Their Majesties were the guests of honor at a glittering state banquet in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles last year. High-profile figures invited to the dinner to mark their 'contribution to UK-France relations', including Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger and actor Hugh Grant, were among the 160 guests addressed by Charles and Mr Macron on Wednesday evening. Speaking in French, the King told the president: 'Your generosity of spirit brings to mind how my family and I were so greatly moved by the tributes paid in France to my mother, the late Queen, whose funeral took place one year ago yesterday. 'Mr President, among the many profoundly moving gestures here, the flying of the Union flag at the Elysee was particularly poignant. 'Your words, at that time, meant a great dealt to us too. You said that she had touched your hearts - and it was she who held France in the greatest affection, as, of course, did my grandmother Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. 'My parents' first official visit together was to France in 1948, shortly after their wedding. Hugh Grant and Anna Elisabet Eberstein arrive at the Palace of Versailles ahead of the State Dinner held in honor of King Charles III and Queen Camilla King Charles cheered President Emmanuel Macron and spoke about the UK's and France 's 'firm friendship' as he and Queen Camilla joined French and British dignitaries and celebrities for a black tie gala at the Palace of Versailles tonight Their Majesties were guests of honour at a glittering state banquet in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles at the end of a whirlwind first day of their inaugural state visit to France Queen Camilla dazzled in diamonds and sapphires tonight as President Macron kissed her hand and King Charles declared their welcome to France 'magnifique' 'By all accounts, they made quite a splash, dancing till the early hours at the glamourous Chez Carrere in the Rue Pierre Charron, serenaded by Edith Piaf. 'I suspect it may have left an indelible impression on me, even six months before I was born - La Vie En Rose is one of my favourite songs to this day.' The King also said relations between the UK and France have not always been 'straightforward', but went on to stress the unity between the nations. Charles also mentioned the importance of Britain working with France to tackle climate change. He went on: 'Mr President, in all of this we can rely on our firm friendship, which is renewed and reinvigorated with each new generation. Their Majesties were guests of honour at a glittering state banquet in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles at the end of a whirlwind first day of their inaugural state visit to France Brigitte Macron toast with Queen Camilla as President Emmanuel Macron looks on during a state banquet High-profile figures invited to the dinner to mark their 'contribution to UK-France relations', including Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger and actor Hugh Grant , were among the 160 guests addressed by Charles and Mr Macron (pictured) on Wednesday evening 'I would like, if you would allow me, to raise a toast to President and Madame Macron and to the French people, as well as to our entente cordiale - a sustainable alliance. 'Whatever lies ahead, may it endure, faithful and constant, for centuries to come.' President Emmanuel Macron added that France and Britain would rise up to the challenges of the modern world despite the tensions created by Brexit. 'Despite Brexit... I know, your majesty, that we will continue to write part of the future of our continent together, to meet the challenges and to serve the causes we have in common,' Macron said in a toast describing Charles' visit as a 'tribute to our past... and guarantee of the future' The pair clinked champagne glasses at the historic palace west of Paris Rep. Matt Gaetz is launching a probe into whether the Biden administration participated in social media 'erasure' of the photos of former President Donald Trump after he was shot at in his Butler, Pa. rally. In a letter to Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas the Florida Republican asked whether the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) participated in any discussions of search results after the assassination attempt. On July 13 gunman Thomas Crooks opened fire toward Trump while he was speaking on stage at a rally. One attendee, Corey Comperatore, was killed and two others were critically injured. A bullet grazed Trump's ear, drawing blood, before he was tackled by Secret Service. 'Given your departments self-interest in keeping this story under wraps and your departments history of strong-arming tech organizations to censor, please provide my office with the following information by August 16, 2024,' Gaetz wrote in his letter. He asked for all communications between DHS and social media executives from July 13 to July 31 that were related to the shooting as well as communications between DHS and government employees related to online commentary about it. Rep. Matt Gaetz is launching a probe into whether the Biden administration participated in social media 'erasure' of the photos of former President Donald Trump after he was shot at in his Butler, Pa. rally Trump slammed Facebook after image of him covered in blood following assassination attempt was mistakenly censored by the social media platform It comes one day after Trump lashed out at Facebook and Google after Facebook admitted an image of the ex-president following the assassination attempt was mistakenly censored by the social media platform. 'Facebook has just admitted that it wrongly censored the Trump attempted assassination photo, and got caught,' the Republican presidential nominee posted on social media on Tuesday. 'Same thing for Google,' he claimed. 'They made it virtually impossible to find pictures or anything about this heinous act. Both are facing big backlash over censorship claims.' The GOP nominee argued it was an attempt to rig the election and wrote in all caps urging his backers to 'Go after Meta and Google.' His post on Truth Social came after a member of Facebook's communications team admitted the image of Trump raising his fist in Butler, Pennsylvania, after the shooting was accidentally censored. 'This was an error,' wrote Dani Lever on X in response to a post accusing Mark Zuckerberg of censorship. 'This fact check was initially applied to a doctored photo showing the secret service agents smiling, and in some cases our systems incorrectly applied that fact check to the real photo,' she continued. Lever said the issue had been fixed, and Facebook apologized for the mistake. Member of Facebook's communications team says image was censored in error and apologizes for mistake Trump's Truth Social post accusing Facebook and Google of censorship Separately, internet users in the past few days have also raised questions about Google after searches of 'Donald Trump' brought up articles about his political opponent in the news results. A search by DailyMail.com found Trump's website, X and Facebook pages and images were immediately listed. But when it came to top stories, the first articles listed were 'Harris Donald Trump' followed by other categories of Trump related articles. Some internet users claimed their searches only showed news that favored Harris over Trump. A DailyMail.com search of Donald Trump in Google found Harris related news articles popped up first followed by Secret Service related articles in relation to Trump Google responded to the news stories accusations with an explanation on Monday. 'These labels are automatically generated based on common topics across many news articles, and they change over time,' the communications team wrote. 'A search for Harris might result in a Harris Donald Trump Top Stories label because news orgs frequently cover those terms together. You can see this happening across a range of topics, like the Olympics, other public figures, companies and more,' they continued in a post on X. Trump's allegations mark the latest in a series of accusation by conservatives who have been going after the tech giant accusing it of election interference dating as far back as 2008. The GOP presidential nominee's son Donald Trump Jr. also accused the Google of election interference over the weekend in a post on X. He reposted a user who pointed out searching Google with the words 'assassination attempt on' showed auto population options for Reagan, Bob Marley, Teddy Roosevelt and others but did not have an auto population suggestion for Trump. Google said in a statement it is 'working on improvements to ensure our systems are more up to date.' In a statement to the new York Post, the spokesperson also said 'Autocomplete is just a tool to help people save time, and they can still search for anything they want to.' On Sunday, Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) also questioned why Google is 'suppressing the search' about the assassination attempt on the ex-president. He announced he would be making an official inquiry into Google on the matter. A 'terrified' imam who was trapped in a Southport mosque as it came under attack during violent riots has admitted that he feared the thugs would 'burn the place down' with him inside. Ibrahim Hussein said he is at a loss as to why people shouting abuse and throwing missiles had targeted Southport mosque and that he had feared rioters would at one point break in and set the Muslim place of worship on fire. Crowds of violent thugs - many of whom are thought to have come from outside Southport - launched bricks, torched a police van and left 53 officers injured during the riots. It came barely an hour after thousands of mourners had gathered for a vigil to remember the victims of the knife rampage which claimed the lives of three young girls - Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. Eight other children suffered stab wounds in the bloodbath. Five are in a critical condition, alongside two women who were also critically injured as they bravely tried to save the children. A 17-year-old boy, originally from Cardiff but living in nearby Banks, remains in custody on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. False speculation online that he was an asylum seeker who had travelled to the UK on a boat appeared to fuel the riots. Mr Hussein said the experience, in which he and around eight other people were trapped inside the mosque, had been 'terrifying'. 'It was absolutely, awful, horrendous,' he told reporters on Wednesday. Mr Hussein (pictured looking at damage in the mosque) said the experience, in which he and around eight other people were trapped inside the mosque, had been 'terrifying' Imam Sheik Ibrahim Hussein speaks to media outside Southport Islamic Centre Mosque on Sussex Road in Southport Southport locals and builders rallied together to start rebuilding the Mosque wall on Wednesday Southport locals have condemned the violence, saying 'leave our town'. It's believed many rioters came from outside of Southport Mr Hussein, who only escaped at midnight with a police guard, added: 'We couldn't understand this viciousness that was going on, and even the police were taking a hammering from this lot.' Asked if he thought the far-right had hijacked his town, Mr Hussein said: 'Naturally. This is a beautiful town. We've lived here 30 years, no bother at all. We love this community. The community loves us. We don't have any issues.' He thanked police for their efforts, saying they 'took a very bad beating'. He said: 'I would like to thank them for their support because at one point we thought they (the rioters) were coming in and they were going to burn the place down.' He said he understood why the 17-year-old suspect in the killings has not been named, but it 'would have been helpful if they (the police) had said that he is not Muslim'. He added: 'Not that it makes a big difference because, even if he is a Muslim, why should that reflect on the whole community?' Soyful Alam, a former imam at the mosque, said people 'have a right to be angry' after the devastating attack on young children. He told the PA news agency: 'Everybody - the whole nation - is shocked by what happened (on Monday). 'People are upset, and at the same time they are angry because incidents of this nature keep happening.' But he said no matter what the background of someone who commits a crime, the community they come from or are associated with should not be targeted. He added: 'People need to be told that a crime is a crime and a criminal is a criminal. 'Whoever (that person may be), he or she is responsible for a crime and to go targeting people who may be of the same colour or may be from the same region in the world isn't justified, it isn't a humane way of going about things.' The mosque was open on Wednesday, with Mr Hussein saying he will 'pray for the whole of Southport', including the victims of Monday's attack, the police and the wider community 'to stay as beautiful as it has always been'. Speaking about the response from locals, many of whom took flowers to the mosque and organised repairs, he said it had been 'humbling'. As a major clean-up operation took place following last night's riots, Southport locals flocked to the scene to help repair a damaged wall outside the local mosque. Brave police officers, whose colleagues were injured during the riots, also stood guard at the mosque today. It comes amid fears that more demonstrations could take place following the fatal stabbing of three girls. Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out in Southport Builders offered their services for free to rebuild walls demolished after thugs threw rubble at police vehicles and others took to social media to praise brave officers Damage to the Southport Islamic Society Mosque after rioters congregated around the sacred building Serena Kennedy, Merseyside Chief Constable, said today she understood the communities in Southport were 'really worried' about 'are we going to see this again tonight'. She said: 'We are absolutely planning for this evening and for the weekend ahead. 'We are being really well supported by police forces across the North West to make sure we have got sufficient resources so that we don't see a repeat of last night.' Asked about the resources deployed on Tuesday, Ms Kennedy said: 'We were well prepared and had sufficient resources. However, the people who turned up last night were bolstered very quickly and it very quickly escalated and we did have to call on mutual aid.' Some 53 officers - 49 from Merseyside and four from Lancashire - were hurt in the 'sustained and vicious attack' by rioters, including one female officer with a broken nose. Four protesters were arrested. Riot police vans were damaged amid the chaos near the Southport Mosque A police van was set on fire near a mosque in Southport on Tuesday evening as riots broke out The burnt out police van lies in the aftermath of the riots last night as as it sits charred in the middle of the road Three girls were killed in a bloody rampage on Hart Street on Monday. On Tuesday, a vigil was held for the victims on Lord Street. While it was going on, a man with a flick knife was arrested on Eastbank Street. On St Luke's Road, riots erupted outside a mosque - also on Tuesday The coastal community united to bring order back to their quiet streets - on local Facebook groups some offered their rooms to people who needed a safe space, while others organised clean up crews to remove the carnage of the night before (pictured) The streets of Southport were left devastated by the riots - with the streets piled high with rubble and chaos Local crews worked hard in the early morning to rid the streets of rubble as they brought in machinery Workers remove debris from the scene after a night of disorder in Southport Iman Atta, director of the Tell Mama organisation which monitors Islamophobia in the UK, said her organisation had 'received messages from Muslim communities, including visibly Muslim women, worried about the current climate'. She said Tell Mama had 'worked tirelessly' on Tuesday to try to identify 'various far-right agitators online spreading misinformation' and had reported some 'extremist racist and harmful materials to the police'. A man carries a huge slab of concrete as he works to clear the Southport streets for the community Young men sweep the road and clear rubble from Southport as they work to clear the aftermath of last night's thugs A baby seat can be seen in the back seat of a car whose windows have been smashed through outside the mosque in Southport Damaged clothing bins on Sussex Road in Southport, Merseyside appear to have burn marks Volunteers sweep Sussex road as they pile rubbish off the streets and clean up She added: 'We must not lose our sense of mutuality and support for each other by those who seek to divide us, especially by those with large platforms online and more mainstream traction. 'We must also work collectively in our politics, media and wider society to challenge and remove scapegoating and stigmatising narratives that collectively link refugees, migrants, Muslims and other minority communities to violence and crime.' She added that she has been 'heartened by members of the public standing up for Muslim communities locally, with offers of support to help clean up and who reject the racialised misinformation online'. A Southport resident has started a GoFundMe raising nearly 1,000 to help 'restore the safe space' of Muslims. Phoenix Lawson, 20, told the PA news agency: 'It is the only mosque in Southport. It is the only place they can pray peacefully and it's just been destroyed unfortunately.' Volunteers clear debris on Sussex Road in Southport, Merseyside, after police officers suffered serious injuries Youngsters join the crowd of locals clearing up Southport's streets this morning after the riots Evelyn Taylor, 7, clears-up outside the mosque in Southport, Merseyside, following last nights disorder in the town Sebastian Taylor, 10, and Evelyn Taylor, 7, sweep up rubble outside the mosque as they aid the clean up efforts Workers brought in machinery to clean away the chaos around the suburban Mosque She added the stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on Monday and the riots a day later has been a 'big shock' for the Southport community. 'It's scary. Everything is quiet in Southport nothing really goes on here. You don't really care about nighttime or robberies but to have three murders and then massive riots to happen in space in two days is a big shock,' she said. 'I was informed that three panels of the window of the mosque was destroyed and smashed in, and also the brick wall outside was completely demolished. 'It's a very unsafe environment for a lot of Muslims now. Friday prayer is two days away and there's been a massive raid outside the mosque. I don't think they're going to want to go there as of now.' This is the terrifying moment thugs openly shot guns and wielded large swords during a mass brawl in broad daylight at a supposedly family-friendly Kabbadi tournament, forcing innocent bystanders to flee in horror. Several people were attacked and injured when violence erupted between two groups at the sporting event in Alvaston, Derby, last summer. As shown on the footage, the thugs turned up to the event wearing face masks and scarves around their faces while brandishing firearms, knives, swords and bats. The ugly scenes - which was a pre-arranged fight between rival gangs - took place off Elvaston Lane, just before 4pm on August 20 last year. Police were called following reports of shots being fired and people fighting with weapons. This is the terrifying moment thugs openly shot guns and wielded large swords during a mass brawl in broad daylight at a family-friendly Kabbadi tournament in Derby last August Smoke from fired pistols and large bladed swords are very visible in the terrifying footage A man towards the right can be seen holding a large bat as a group of thugs make their way towards their rival group A masked thug can be seen walking along with a large sword at the kabbadi tournament Seven men are now facing jail after being convicted of taking part in the large-scale disorder. On Wednesday, Derbyshire Police released disturbing footage showing the moment gunshots were fired and the groups clashed in a field wielding bladed weapons. Parminder Singh, 25, was one of those who attended the pre-meeting and was captured on drone footage wearing a face covering with his hood up. He was also seen to move towards a hedge between two fields, with police later locating a shoulder bag in the area which contained a loaded semi-automatic pistol. His DNA was found on both the pistol and the bag. He was hit by a bullet in the groin during the brawl and had to have it removed during surgery at hospital. Singh, from the West Midlands, has now been found guilty of violent disorder and possession of a firearm following a trial at Derby Crown Court. Malkeet Singh, 24, of Wolverhampton, was part of the other group, and was also involved in the brawl. He was also assaulted and suffered injuries to his head and he has now been convicted of violent disorder. Five other people have already pleaded guilty to their involvement in the fight and all seven men will be sentenced at a later date. Karamjit Singh, 36, of Derby, admitted possession of a bladed article and violent disorder Hardev Uppal, 34, of Tipton, West Midlands, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and wounding Karamjit Singh, 36, of Derby, and Baljit Singh, 33, of Wolverhampton, admitted possession of a bladed article and violent disorder. Hardev Uppal, 34, of Tipton, West Midlands, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and wounding. Jagjit Singh, 31, of Wolverhampton, admitted possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Doodhnath Tripathi, 30, of Hounslow, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and wounding. Malkeet Singh, 24, of Wolverhampton, has been convicted of violent disorder, while Baljit Singh, 33, of Wolverhampton, admitted possession of a bladed article and violent disorder Detective Chief Inspector Matt Croome, of Derbyshire Police, said: 'What should have been a pleasant day out for people attending a sporting event turned into a huge violent disorder in which multiple people were injured. 'We know that this incident and the subsequent police investigation had a huge impact on people living in the area as well as those spectators who had attended and we are very grateful to all who have helped with our enquiries.' Parminder Singh, from the West Midlands, has been found guilty of violent disorder and possession of a firearm, while Jagjit Singh, 31, of Wolverhampton, admitted possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence Detective Constable Stevie Barker, who led the investigation, added: 'Hundreds of officers have assisted with this investigation, not just from Derbyshire, but across the country, and I would like to thank them for their work to assist with bringing justice for such a huge disorder. 'Malkeet Singh and Parminder Singh showed a blatant disregard for the safety of others during this event, so I am pleased they have now been convicted for their part in this very disturbing incident.' Superintendent Rebecca Webster, head of operations for South Division, said: 'We know that the vast majority of people who attended this event did so with good intentions to enjoy a fun family day out. 'Sadly this was spoiled when a number of people - many of whom travelled from across the country - arrived with the intention of causing serious harm and disorder to others. 'This was clearly a very distressing and upsetting incident for all those present on the day and we'd like to thank them for their co-operation throughout this investigation, as well as praise the local community for their support in the days and weeks that followed as we know it did have a significant ongoing impact on them.' In a statement released the day after the incident, the England Kabaddi Federation (EKF) condemned the attacks. They said: 'EKF condemns the incident that took place yesterday at Derby Kabaddi Tournament in strongest terms possible. 'EKF understands that a fight broke out between unknown individuals in the car park, which then spread as far as the entrance gates of the Kabaddi playing areas, which as always was secured by two-metre high mesh security fence. 'However, the individuals involved did not get past the crowd barriers protecting the pitch. 'While it was a horrific and terrifying incident no bystander (player, official or spectator) was in any way attacked or involved. 'The Derby Kabaddi tournament appears to have been chosen by these gangs purely at random for reasons only they know. 'The police declared the whole area a crime scene, as a result of which EKF was forced to abandon the tournament.' A three-month-old baby boy and his father were seriously injured after being shot at in their car outside a Chicago Walgreens, where they had stopped to buy formula. Jeremiah Carlos and his 21-year-old father, who was not identified, were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital on Saturday with injuries so serious the baby will need medical treatment until his teenage years, doctors said. The family-of-three were attempting to pull out of the West 26th Street Walgreens around 4:30pm when two armed males got out of an SUV and began shooting at their Camaro, a police report, viewed by the Chicago Sun-Times, said. The baby's mother jumped into the driver's seat and took off down 24th Street until she was able to wave down an ambulance. Seven children were shot in Chicago over the weekend, including Jeremiah, Block Club Chicago, a nonprofit organization, reported. Jeremiah Carlos (pictured) and his 21-year-old father, who was not identified, were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital on Saturday with critical and serious injuries, respectively Jeremiah was shot in the chest while the family of three were attempting to pull out of the West 26th Street Walgreens around 4:30pm Jeremiah's father was struck in the right shoulder and arm multiple times and a bullet grazed his neck. He fled inside the store while the gunmen, armed with a green rifle and handgun, got back in their vehicle and fled down Albany Avenue. Little Jeremiah was intubated and underwent surgery on Monday, according to The Sun-Times. He has been downgraded to stable condition. He was transferred to Stroger Hospital for further care, the police report said. The mother, Lily M, told ABC 7 Chicago that the surgery went well. The father was discharged from Mount Sinai on Saturday. Police recovered a dozen 9mm casings and nine rifle casings from the scene. Photos of the family's car show at least 12 shots penetrated the windshield and front of the car Carlo's father was struck in the right shoulder and arm multiple times and a bullet grazed his neck. He then fled inside the store while the gunmen, armed with a green rifle and handgun, got back in their vehicle and fled down Albany Avenue A vendor who is set up in the Walgreens parking lot, which also serves several other businesses, said she heard 'at least 15' gunshots before she saw people running. Police recovered a dozen 9mm casings and nine rifle casings from the scene. Photos by ABC 7 Chicago of the family's car show at least 12 shots penetrated the windshield and front of the car. No arrests have been made. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Chicago Police Department and the family for comment. Lily started a GoFundMe for the family, writing: 'While simply out for a store run to get baby formula, this unfortunate and senseless act of violence occurred and turned our family's worlds upside down. We are now facing a devastating crisis.' Little Jeremiah was intubated and underwent surgery on Monday. Doctors informed the family the infant will require medical treatment until he's a teenager to treat his injuries As of Tuesday, Jeremiah is still hooked up to a lot of 'tubes and IVs.' 'The road to recovery will be long and challenging, requiring multiple surgeries, continuous medical care, and therapy. As we focus on being by Jeremiahs side every step of the way, the mounting medical bills and related expenses will become overwhelming,' the mother wrote. The fundraiser has garnered $2,310 out of its $10,000 goal, as of Wednesday afternoon. A 'predator' impersonator is furious after the authorities seized his 15,000 custom e-scooter, in a major roads crackdown. The joint operation between the Met Police and Westminster City Council, saw around 50 vehicles snatched off the streets, including a supercar worth 250,000 and the sci-fi characters ride, which boasted a with custom paint job and skull decorations. The driver of the Mosler Trenne - which has a maximum speed of 190mph - was spotted being filmed revving their engine in Parliament Square, Westminster. Stopped by police officers, the driver was unable to provide an acceptable driving licence - and the flash vehicle was impounded. Other slightly less glamorous vehicles confiscated included hot dog and peanut-selling stands. The joint operation between the Met Police and Westminster City Council, saw around 50 vehicles snatched off the streets, including a supercar worth 250k A 'predator' impersonator is furious after the authorities seized his 15,000 custom e-scooter , in a major roads crackdown The driver of the Mosler Trenne - which has a maximum speed of 190mph - was spotted being filmed revving their engine in Parliament Square, Westminster A total of 47 vehicles were seized in the joint operation, which sought to crack down on unlicensed or uninsured vehicles, street hawkers and cyclists jumping red lights. The operation, which stopped more than 500 vehicles in total, was also behind 11 arrests for various offences and 17 fixed penalty notices issued to cyclists going through red traffic lights. A combined team of council and police officers spent an entire 24 hours in the famed West End of the capital tackling a range of offences from anti-social behaviour to the illegal peddling of goods. Officers also provided 'reassurance and community safety advice' in relation to phone thefts. City Council officers additionally used unlicensed street trading powers to disrupt unlicensed sales on Westminster Bridge, seizing a camera and iPad from photographers selling photos to tourists and equipment from three hot dog and two peanut vendors selling food without licenses. They also cracked down on unlicensed ice cream sellers and warned them to move on. A combined team of council and police officers spent an entire 24 hours in the famed West End of the capital tackling a range of offences from anti-social behaviour to the illegal peddling of goods Labour Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Westminster City Council's cabinet member for City Management and Air Quality said supercars 'thrashing their engines' was a tradition the capital could do without Labour Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Westminster City Council's cabinet member for City Management and Air Quality said supercars 'thrashing their engines' was a tradition the capital could do without. He said: 'People who live in Westminster and who visit every day have a right to walk our streets in safety - knowing they are not likely to be hit by a vehicle with no insurance or buy an unsafe or an illegal product from street traders. 'Carelessly ridden and parked e-scooters are a particular source of complaint to us, and the summer syndrome of supercars thrashing their engines is also a tradition we can do without. 'Working with our police partners, this operation sends a strong signal that Westminster's streets are not a free-for-all unlicensed and anti-social activity.' The joint operation also issued written warnings to unlicensed buskers in Wardour Street and Leicester Square in the city and stopped a pedicab for playing amplified music at Cambridge Circus. Other slightly less glamorous vehicles confiscated included hot dog and peanut-selling stands Details of four other pedicab riders were taken at Hyde Park Lane and Park Lane for playing music excessively loud. Labour has signalled a tough new crackdown on marauding e-scooters after claims they are creating a 'Wild West' on Britain's pavements. The Government is expected to set out plans to tackle the antisocial behaviour when Parliament resumes after the summer recess following a barrage of concern from campaigners and backbench MPs. It is understood to be working on new technology to help police prevent them from being used to commit crime. Current laws mean riders can be prosecuted for using a private e-scooter on public land without insurance or a licence, although many cities have trial rental schemes permitting their use. But there have been calls for police to be given fresh powers and resources to tackle the reckless use of e-scooters on pavements and in pedestrianised areas. Labour veteran Clive Betts, who is calling for new measures amid complaints from residents in his Sheffield constituency, told the Mail: 'It's mayhem in some areas. It's a completely unregulated situation where people's lives are potentially at risk. 'Scooters whizz around, often at very high speed, weaving in and out of pedestrians - it's only a matter of time before a serious accident happens.' He added: 'I think it has gone on for so long with nobody doing anything that it has become a common understanding that is okay. People don't realise they're breaking the law.' Whilst officers targeted unlicensed and illegal activity, they also helped four missing children who had been separated from their group on a school trip to London. Police contacted the school and the children remained with officers at New Scotland Yard until their guide arrived to collect them. Metropolitan Police Special Inspector Geoff Tatman added: 'This hugely successful operation is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Met Special constables that play a vital role in our mission to make London safer and kindly give up their free time help serve the community. 'The Met has positively and effectively partnered with Westminster Council and other local partners, to deal with offenders and crackdown on illegal activities that concern Londoners the most.' READ MORE: Kamala Harris is accused of adopting a southern drawl during debate Harris was also criticized for deploying a fake accent during 2020 campaign events Vice President Kamala Harris was mocked on Tuesday night for feigning a southern accent during a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia. 'You all helped us win in 2020 and we gonna do it again in 2024,' Harris told voters, brutally faking a Southern accent that was mocked by social media users. Harris commonly slips into a Southern accent when speaking to voters in Southern communities, despite growing up in San Francisco and spending her high school years in Montreal, Canada. She was also criticized for deploying a much more prominent Southern accent when talking about her experience on the campaign trail in 2020. 'We will tell them we were hangin' out in a parking lot this particular Saturday afternoon with Kamala and all our friends,' Harris said extending her vowels during an event in Florida. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has a history of feigning a Southern accent on the campaign trail During an event in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Harris also dropped down her drawl when she promised voters to 'get rid of that tax bill' passed by President Donald Trump. The vice president was mocked as 'fake' and 'pandering' by voters in the South, as her accent did not appear to be authentic. Harris has also deployed a more Southern accent while speaking to black audiences, including her comments about 'preachin' and 'testifyin' to the truth. Democratic nominee for President Sen. Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally US Vice President Kamala Harris, with the Reverend Al Sharpton at a funeral 'Do I see people testifyin' she asked during an event in Philadelphia in May with a laugh. 'Can I get a witness?' The tendency to feign a more southern accent is not uncommon for politicians. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faced the same criticism for dropping into a drawl speaking to voters in the South during her presidential campaign. 'I don't feel no ways tired,' Clinton said during her failed 2008 presidential campaign, quoting civil rights leader James 'I've come too far from where I started from.' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was criticized as a 'total fraud' and accused of slipping into a southern drawl during a 2023 event with civil rights organizer Al Sharpton. 'I'm proud to be a bartender, ain't nothin' wrong with that,' Ocasio-Cortez said, adding with a drawl, 'This is what changin' the country looks like.' President Joe Biden issued a rare comment tweaking his former partner Barack Obama's administration in words that suggest lingering tensions after former Obama aides led the charge for Biden to end his presidential campaign. Biden was asked about his legacy for LGBTQ Americans as he returned to the White House after 1am on Tuesday. 'Well, Im really proud of my position. I was the first guy to come out for gay marriage. Remember that little problem with the Obama administration?' Biden responded. He was referencing his own 2012 comments endorsing same-sex marriage. That came a few days before Obama followed suit, and represented a rare public fissure. 'I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, and women marrying women, and heterosexual men and women marrying men and women, are entitled to the same exact rights, all the civil rights, all the civil liberties,' Biden said to NBC's 'Meet the Press' that year, in comments that put him in front of where Obama was at the time. 'Quite frankly, I dont see much of a distinction beyond that,' Biden said. It is rare for Biden to allude publicly to tensions or conflicts from his time with Obama. President Joe Biden spoke about same sex marriage at the White House early Tuesday and brought up 'that little problem with the Obama administration.' It came after members of Obama's circle pushed Biden to end his run for reeelection Weeks ago Biden finally succumbed to mounting pressure from within the party to end his presidential campaign after his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump. Some of the most vocal proponents for making the change were former members of Obama's inner circle, including CNN contributor David Axelrod and 'Pod Save America' broadcasters Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor, Jon Lovett, and Dan Pfieffer. Amid the move to push out Biden, Democratic operatives referenced another incident Obama's encouragement that Biden sit out the 2016 race following the death of his son, Beau as a lingering issue that limited Obama's ability to press Biden to step back for 2020. Vice President Kamala Harris has unified support since Biden threw his support to her, and she is now polling better than he was nationally and in key swing states. Actor George Clooney and some Obama aides referenced a joint fundraiser in June as showing that Biden wasn't the same candidate he was four years ago Biden engaged with the press during his trip to Texas this week. The White House says it is 'recalibrating' his role in light of VP Kamala Harris being the presumptive Democratic nominee Biden made the latest comment while returning from a trip to Texas. He also repeated a story he has often told acceptance and watching two men kiss decades ago although fact-checkers have cast doubt on the details about such a scene playing out in early 1960s Wilmington. In this telling, Biden identified the companies that the men worked for. In other tellings, he has said he saw them walking into the respective buildings. 'My dad had a simple proposition. Gods truth. My dad was dropping me off to get a license to be a lifeguard in the city of Wilmington -- the projects.' 'As I get out of the car and Rodney Square, its called the center of the city someone from the DuPont company and the Hercules company two large companies that are in buildings adjacent to one another and Im getting out of the car, and these two guys leaned up and kissed one another. Id never seen that before.' 'And I looked to my dad, and he said, Joey, its simple. They love each other. Its simple. Thats my position,' Biden said. Broadcaster Nicky Campbell has branded his ex-BBC colleague Huw Edwards 'disgusting' and urged people to consider the 'callously exploited and psychologically destroyed' child victims. Edwards, 62, today pleaded guilty to receiving 41 indecent images of children, which included two sexual videos of a boy under nine. His former colleague Campbell took to social media to slam Edwards and the other 'disgusting men' involved in the swapping and trading of child pornography. Campbell, 63, has previously revealed how he and his fellow classmates at a top private school were sexually abused by teachers when they were just children in the 1970s. Campbell said he was even molested in front of his class by a history teacher at the 17,500-a-year Edinburgh Academy. After Edwards appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today, Campbell wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'Let's think about the children in these images. Callously exploited and psychologically destroyed. 'They are not images. They are humans who will live with this forever and all for the twisted pleasure of the disgusting men who trade and swap this misery.' Broadcaster Nicky Campbell (pictured) has branded his ex-BBC colleague Huw Edwards 'disgusting' Campbell wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'Let's think about the children in these images. Callously exploited and psychologically destroyed' Huw Edwards, 62, (pictured) today pleaded guilty to receiving 41 indecent images of children, which included two sexual videos of a boy under nine In a separate tweet broadcaster Campbell wrote: 'And if mental health was mitigation for every custodial crime the prisons wouldn't be at bursting point. They'd be half full.' It comes a year after Campbell voiced compassion for Edwards after he was named by his wife as the presenter at the centre of the scandal involving payments for sexually explicit images. During his BBC Radio 5 Live show last July, which was titled Huw Edwards: Did The Sun Get It Wrong?, Campbell said: 'What a saga this all is. It's been very tough to cover here, obviously. 'Our thoughts have to be with all those who have suffered, the family who have suffered and Huw Edwards of course.' Edwards was only exposed as a paedophile after Welsh detectives investigating another sex offender uncovered the BBC star's number in a depraved WhatsApp chat, MailOnline revealed earlier today. The disgraced news reader - who helmed royal and political events at the BBC before resigning in April - was only exposed by chance by cops in Wales. Detectives stumbled onto the household-named star while investigating another paedophile, 25-year-old Alex Williams from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. When officers from South Wales Police seized Williams' phone, they uncovered a vile WhatsApp chat full of child pornography - which father-of-five Edwards was involved in. A Met spokesman said: 'The investigation into Huw Edwards began in November 2023 after information was received from South Wales Police. 'An examination of a phone seized by South Wales officers as part of an entirely unrelated investigation had revealed Edwards' participation in a WhatsApp conversation. 'There was no connection between this investigation and the matters reviewed in July 2023. 'One other person was charged in relation to the messages shared via WhatsApp. 'He is Alex Williams, 25, of Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Williams pleaded guilty to seven offences following an investigation by South Wales Police.' Edwards was arrested on November 8, 2023 before being charged on June 26 with three counts of receiving indecent images. Seven of the pictures were category 'A' images of the very worst kind. This included two moving images of a young boy, possibly aged between seven and nine years old. Disgraced former BBC News reader Edwards is pictured leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to receiving indecent images of children Edwards made his way through the media melee before being driven away in a black Mercedes He also had photos of other children aged between 13 and 15 stored on his phone that were classed as Category A. Williams, who was in a chat with Edwards, was sentenced to a total of 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years following a March 15 hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court. So what is 'making an image'? The court's interpretation of 'making' indecent images is broad and can confuse those outside the legal profession. Simply opening an email attachment, downloading an indecent image or storing it on a device can constitute an offence. Zita Spencer, partner at Olliers Solicitors, said: 'Making means creating it on your device. People can get it confused with 'production', which is actually taking the photo itself.' It is not necessary to have intentionally saved an indecent image to a device to be found guilty. Ms Spencer said Edwards would have had a defence had he been sent the images unsolicited and immediately deleted them. Advertisement Edwards, whose marriage and journalistic career have now been destroyed, will find out his fate during a sentencing hearing in September. News of the disgraced broadcaster's offences came to light in a bombshell statement by the Met on Monday. Police on Wednesday admitted the details of his charges were only revealed this week after a journalist spotted Edwards' name listed in a court document. Prior to that, the Met had planned to release a statement on Tuesday. But legal experts and a former detective have argued the Met should have released a statement of the father-of-five's crimes as soon as he was charged, with the London force now being accused of 'secrecy' surrounding the probe. The scandal came little more than a year after Edwards paid a young person for sexually explicit images in an unrelated incident - with Metropolitan Police detectives at the time insisting there was 'no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed' in this case. The Met Police is now facing a backlash over the alleged 'secrecy' surrounding the child porn investigation into Edwards and why his crimes weren't revealed sooner. Millions of people across Florida are locked in a desperate race against time to evacuate before the 'storm of the century' smashes into Tampa late tonight, with the city's mayor warning those who are refusing to leave that they will likely die. Officials said those choosing to stay would be left to fend for themselves, with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor declaring that the 15 feet (4.5 metres) of storm surge forecast for her city would be deep enough to submerge entire houses. 'So if you're in it, basically that's the coffin that you're in,' she said flatly. The state is holding its breath as category-5 Hurricane Milton barrels across the Gulf of Mexico and heads for the shoreline, with forecasters warning 15-foot floods and 165 miles-per-hour winds will lay waste to huge swathes of land. Emergency workers are busy making last-ditch preparations, locking down communities, readying rescue trucks and placing flood barricades around vital infrastructure, including Tampa General Hospital, which is expected to bear the brunt of Milton's wrath when it hits around midnight UK time (7pm EST). Migrants should receive less benefits than German citizens, the country's Christian Democratic Union opposition party has said, as it calls for a two-tier system through which foreigners who refuse to work will have their allowance cut. Senior CDU MP Alexander Dobrindt has called for the two-tier system under which the rate of Buergergeld, also known as citizen's allowance, paid to migrants would be cut compared to that of German passport holders. 'There must be a new social benefits system for asylum seekers that pays out less than the citizen's allowance,' he said. Dobrindt added that those who are capable of working but choose not to should have their benefits cut. Another CDU member, Alexander Throm, added that the German government should introduce compulsory community service for asylum seekers. Senior CDU MP Alexander Dobrindt has called for the two-tier system under which the rate of Buergergeld, also known as citizen's allowance, paid to migrants would be cut compared to that of German passport holders Dobrindt also believes that those who are capable of working but choose not to should have their benefits cut This comes after it was reported last week that the German state of Saxony-Anhalt cut the benefits of asylum seekers who refused to pick up debris following flooding in east Germany for less than a pound an hour. 64 migrants had been written to by local authorities demanding they help clear rubbish and erect dykes for a wage of just 80 cents (68p) per hour after devastating floods in the area at the end of last year which saw hundreds of residents in parts of Germany forced to evacuate. 39 people agreed to help, while the rest, who are said to be from Syria, Afghanistan, Niger, Mali and Albania, failed to turn up. The district council declared that the 15 asylum seekers who had no excuse to take part in the clean-up will have their asylum benefits cut in half to 232 (195) a month for three months. These benefits are meant to cover basic necessities, such as food, accommodation, personal hygiene and clothing. Ukrainian refugees queue for food in the welcome area after their arrival at the main train station in Berlin, Germany, March 8, 2022 The state of Saxony-Anhalt cut the benefits of asylum seekers who refused to pick up debris following heavy flooding in east Germany. Pictured: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Environment Minister Steffi Lemke walk along a dyke made of sandbags as they visit Sangerhausen, where a flood dyke that is threatened to break, in eastern Germany at the beginning of this year District councilor Andre Schroeder, who is a member of the CDU party, defended the decision saying: 'Anyone who seeks protection from us from other countries can be obliged to do work that serves the common good'. According to the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act in Germany, if community service is refused without reason, the right to benefits is limited. This comes as Germany struggles to manage migration and assist asylum seekers while also appeasing a growing proportion of voters who are being enticed by Right-wing politicians pushing anti-migrant rhetoric - a stark contrast from former Chancellor Angela Merkel's open border migration policy, through which she allowed one million refugees enter Germany in 2015. Germany currently pays a citizen's allowance to people who are out of work or who do not earn enough to support themselves. The number of foreign recipients of the allowance has increased to 47% from 19% over the last ten years. A newly-installed barbed-wire fencing at the Darien Gap has failed to keep migrants from crossing from South America into Panama in their way to the US, according to several reports. Panamanian president Jose Raul Mulino gave the order to block the dangerous jungle crossing after more than 500,000 people passed through it last year in their journey to the US. Panamas border police have erected about three miles of barbed wire to block some trails and funnel migrants to a single reception point. But footage shared online shows that migrants appear to still be using the crossing by simply finding a way through or around the wire fence. In one video seen by NBC a crowd of women and children are seen taking turns to crawl into a hole under the barrier and into the jungle. A newly-installed barbed-wire fencing at the Darien Gap has failed to keep migrants from crossing from South America into Panama in their way to the US Panamanian president Jose Raul Mulino gave the order to block the dangerous jungle crossing after more than 500,000 people passed through it last year in their journeys to the US The outlet reports that smugglers have been telling people that despite the barrier, nothing has changed. One message from a smuggler reportedly read: 'The guards did put a fence along Capurgana but people are passing one by one kids, adults and they are passing the same. They have not sent anyone back nor are they sending anyone back. 'Stop believing the news, they only seek to stop the flow of migrants.' Whether president Mulino is able to reduce migration through a sparsely populated region with little government presence remains to be seen, experts say. 'Panama and our Darien are not a transit route. It is our border,' Mulino said after his victory with 34 per cent of the vote in Sunday's election was formalized. He will take over as president on July 1. As he had suggested during his campaign, the 64-year-old lawyer and former security minister said he would try to end 'the Darien odyssey that does not have a reason to exist'. Panamas border police have erected about three miles of barbed wire to block some trails and funnel migrants to a single reception point The Darien Gap is the only land channel connecting South America, from Colombia, towards the United States through Panama The migrant route through the narrow isthmus grew exponentially in popularity in recent years with the help of organized crime in Colombia, making it an affordable, if dangerous, land route for hundreds of thousands. It grew as countries like Mexico, under pressure from the US Government, imposed visa restrictions on various nationalities including Venezuelans. Mulino, who took office July 1, promised to halt the rising flow of migrants entering his country from Colombia and reached an agreement for the U.S. government to pay for repatriation flights. Earlier this month, he made clear whose problem this really is and minimized Panamas role. 'This is a United States problem that we are managing. People dont want to live here in Panama, they want to go to the United States,' he said in his first weekly press conference. If migrants dont want to return to their countries, 'then theyll go (to the U.S.). I cant arrest them, we cant forcibly repatriate them.' More than 500,000 migrants crossed the Darien Gap in a record-breaking 2023. A thriving migrant industry has spawned in the dense jungle More than 500,000 migrants crossed the Darien Gap in a record-breaking 2023. So far this year, more than 212,000 migrants have crossed. The National Border Service this week reported that 11,363 migrants had crossed the border since Mulino took office, about 9,000 fewer than the same period last year. Mulino also said he held out hope that Venezuelas presidential election July 28 could lead to a decrease in the number of Venezuelan migrants who make up more than half of those crossing the Darien. However, Nicolas Maduro has declared himself winner of the election despite accusations of fraud by the opposition. It was with a hollow groan I learned recently that the mandarins at Sky Atlantic have done a huge, windy, multi-episode remake of The Day of the Jackal. Its to hit us on November 7; it has needless to say been updated for a contemporary audience and a glance at the trailer, released a few days ago, suggests it will be expensively awful. A wretched fate for Frederick Forsyths trailblazing, 1971 howdunnit in the tale he pecked out on a manual typewriter in just 35 days, he singlehandedly reinvented the thriller and a pointless redoing of Fred Zinnemanns classic 1973 film. Indeed, this isnt even the first remake: though The Jackal, starring Bruce Willis and Richard Gere and released in 1997, was justly panned. Why waste time, money and public patience on revisiting perfection? Forsyths unputdownable tale which, rarely in this genre, bears repeated re-reading is a taut three-act drama, meticulously researched, set in a particular time and place. Sky Atlantic have announced a remake of The Day of the Jackal, based on the 1971 novel by Frederick Forsyth Begotten by a simple question: what if, instead of blundering around trying to top Charles de Gaulle themselves (and there was one very serious attempt) his enemies had instead hired, for a fat sum, a professional assassin completely unknown to the authorities? And this in the France of 1963, then roiling in such political ferment that the murder of President de Gaulle really would have begotten societal collapse. The 1973 flick is just as good as the book, with tension building throughout and an impressive ensemble-cast including Michael Lonsdale as a deceptively unassuming detective, Cyril Cusacks creepy gunsmith and Zinnemann took a chance on hiring an actor then so little known Edward Fox as the gun-for-hire. With a taste for good French food, a weakness for cravats, beautiful manners, an enchanting smile and as lethal and amoral as a virus. By the end of the movie in a very English joke, the Jackal is finally undone by an unexpected kiss he has killed six people without a flicker of conscience. Three of them with his bare hands. Learned papers have been written on a key scene when the Jackal, testing his ingenious barebones rifle, shoots a melon and the precise setting of the story is essential to the jeopardy that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. For, in 1963, there was simply not the technology to ensnare a nameless, unknown assassin. There were no computers to search birth certificates in minutes, no mobile phones for police quickly to liaise, and no CCTV to record all cars entering France. Incredibly, not till 2007 did Britain close a loophole in our passport rules to preclude what was famed as the Day Of The Jackal fraud, applying for one (as the Jackal does) with a fake reference and the birth certificate of a long-dead child. Edward Fox starred in the 1973 film adaptation of The Day of the Jackal It is going to be far harder, however clever the chaps at Sky Atlantic think they are, to tell as fraught a tale convincingly in the world of 2024, or to believe that Eddie Redmayne will be as mesmeric (and terrifying) in the part as Edward Fox. It will certainly not have the original audacity. In the early Seventies, everyone knew that Charles de Gaulle had not been assassinated in 1963. Indeed, when Forsyth in 1970 was hawking his novel around for publication, the haughty old thing was still alive. Commercially, it simply should not have worked. And, yet, it did. Within two years, it has sold millions of copies worldwide. Fred Zinnemanns film? It grossed over $16 million. We have now become a culture apparently now so bereft of new, compelling stories of our own, and with so many risk-averse moneymen now in charge, that content creators resort more and more to remakes. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Endless Love, The Wages of Fear, The Talented Mr Ripley at every turn, some maniacal bid to cap original glory. Barry Norman thought so highly of that wonderful Hebridean romp - 1949s Whisky Galore! - that he listed it in his hundred best films of all time. Not that it stopped a 2016 redoing. The original, 1979 BBC dramatisation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy starring the peerless Alec Guinness and which sweeps one in an instant back to 1970s managed-decline Britain is quite big enough to look after itself. There was no call for the dreich 2011 movie treatment. And Daphne du Mauriers 1938 classic, Rebecca, has been adapted time and again for the screen large and small. Ironically, the best another 1979 BBC triumph, starring Johanna David, Jeremy Brett and Anna Massey is today unobtainable, save for a foggy pirated version on YouTube. Alfred Hitchcocks 1940 treatment sugared up the ending and deliberately dialled down the criminality. Carlton Televisions 1997 version had an overwrought lesbian sub-text, even though the late Daphne du Maurier had repeatedly told interviewers she had never thought to imply such a thing. And the woefully miscast Armie Hammer sank Netflixs 2020 reprise. What seems constantly to catch auteurs out is that Rebecca is an unblinkingly dark novel. The nameless heroine begins the tale as a paid companion in exile to a rich older woman. She ends it as a paid companion in exile to a rich older man. Tormented to the third act by the conviction her husband is still madly, hopelessly in love with his late first wife, the revelation that he actually murdered her in cold blood is received with joy unconfined. She then colludes in the cover-up in wry nods to the intricacies of English class, the rather casual investigating officer is a frequent guest at their parties and all this so that, in full new confidence, she can reign as the new Mrs de Winter, chatelaine of the Big House. Mrs Danvers, of course, has other plans. Manderley, the coveted West Country mansion in question, is as big a character as anyone else and, as for poor Rebecca, we never get to meet her or hear her side of the story. Beyond all this is the recent, receding darkness of the Great War. Id forgotten, says Maxim de Winter casually, that when you shot a person, there was so much blood... And be careful never to make me angry, hangs the menace unspoken to Rebeccas mousy replacement, lest one day I shoot you. As a freelance myself that is, I should make clear, in writing: not assassination I cannot blame Frederick Forsyth, 85, in selling out his art for gold. In his shoes, Id merely have asked how much gold Sky Atlantic had in mind. He is probably haunted yet by, half a century ago. letting Hutchisons buy him out of The Day Of the Jackal for 70,000. In retrospect, I could have retired on that one book. I suppose I created a genreI was the first novelist to set fiction in the factual setting. And thus young, broke Frederick Forsyth transformed the literary landscape. Sweeping the country, panted the covers of an early edition, the novel that may not be one. Donald Trump said he 'didn't know' Vice President Kamala Harris was black and thought she was 'Indian all the way.' The former president said Harris 'became a black person' after having promoted her Indian heritage. His comments came during a combative interview with members of the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago. Harris is the first black, female, and South-Asian-heritage vice president, but Trump suggested her embrace of black culture was phony. The drama came with the very first question when he was asked about some of his past comments attacking black journalists and lawmakers, and his meeting with a white supremacist at Mar-a-Lago. After tearing into his opening questioner on a panel, Trump took on Harris. He said: 'She was always of Indian heritage and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn't know she was black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn black, and now she wants to be known as black. So I don't know, is she Indian or is she black?' He went on: 'And you know what, I respect either one but she obviously doesn't. Because she was Indian all the way and all of a sudden she made a turn and she became a black person. I think somebody should look into that.' Donald Trump's interview with ABC's Rachel Scott, FOX News' Harris Faulkner and Semafor's Nadia Goba got off to a tense start Later, Trump added on Truth Social: 'Crazy Kamala is saying shes Indian, not Black. This is a big deal. Stone cold phony. She uses everybody, including her racial identity!' It came a day after Harris attended a rally in Atlanta with prominent black lawmakers and cheering supporters. Trump has been making an intensive effort to secure black votes and having some success. He staged a campaign event in the Bronx and has featured 'Blacks for Trump' supporters at his rallies. Harris has seen a jump in the polls after getting a burst of publicity by stepping in as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee in lieu of Joe Biden, 81. On Wednesday, right out of the gate, Trump tangled with his first questioner after she asked him a multi-part question that brought up several of his comments attacking African-American journalists and black Fulton County DA Fani Willis. ABC's Rachel Scott said a lot of people didn't think it was appropriate for him to be in Chicago for the interview pointing to remarks calling a black journalist a 'loser,' tearing into an African American congresswoman, and alluding to his meeting with white nationalist Nick Fuentes at Mar-a-Lago. First of all I dont think Ive ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, Trump told Scott, who asked the lead-off question. You dont even say hello how are you? Trump lectured, calling ABC a 'fake news network.' I came here in good spirit. I love the black population of this country, he said. 'I think its a very rude introduction. I dont know exactly why you would do something like that,' he said. Then Trump complained about the faulty equipment for the interview, and blaming the NASB for holding him up for an interview that started more than 30 minutes behind schedule. Trump said he didn't know Vice President Kamala Harris was black during a contentious interview Wednesday Trump complained that the group had delayed the interview, and complained about the AV equipment at the Chicago site. 'She was Indian all the way and all of a sudden she made a turn and became a black person,' Trump said of Harris 'I was told my opponent was going to be here. You invited me under false pretense. And then you said you cant do it with zoom,' he said, after the group announced that it was negotiating with Harris to do a zoom interview next month. 'I have been the best president for the black population since Abraham Lincoln,' Trump said. He called the initial questions 'hostile' and a 'disgrace.' Trump kept coming back to complaints about the AV equipment, saying the 'mics are really in lousy shape.' In his quotes on Harris, the presumed Democratic nominee, Trump said Harris 'was always of Indian heritage and she was only promoting Indian heritage.' 'I didn't now she was black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn black, and now she wants to be known as black,' Trump said. 'So I don't know, is she Indian or is she black? And you know what I respect either one but she obviously doesn't,' Trump said. 'Because she was Indian all the way and all of a sudden she made a turn and she became a black person. I think somebody should look into that.' Trump refused to say Harris was not a DEI hire a statement that some Republican lawmakers have made about the former San Francisco prosecutor and U.S. Senator from California. 'I really don't know. I mean, I really don't know. There are some,' Trump said. Nearly 30 minutes into the interview, Trump was still complaining about 'being treated so rudely as this woman treated me.' Trump was able to launch his successful 2016 presidential campaign in part through attacks on Barack Obama's heritage and false claims he wasn't a U.S. citizen. After Biden bailed out on his 2024 campaign amid pressure from party leaders, one question has been how Trump would adjust to facing female opponent who attended a historically black college and makes African American heritage an important part of her identity. At times, Wednesday's event 'felt like it was kind of going off the rails,' said Fox News anchor Martha McCallum, after the network cut away from coverage to broadcast the dramatic clash. ]Mr. President, we so appreciate you giving us an hour of your time,' Scott began before digging in with a slashing question. 'You have pushed false claims about some of your rivals, from Nikki Haley to former President Barack Obama saying that they were not born in the United States, which is not true. You have told four congresswoman women of color who were American citizens to go back to where they came from. You have used words like animal and rabid to describe black district attorneys. You've attacked black journalists, calling them a loser saying the questions that they ask are, quote, stupid and racist. You've had dinner with a white supremacist at your Mar-a-Lago resort. So my question, sir, now that you were asking black supporters to vote for you, why should black voters trust you, after you have used language like that?' That prompted Trump's angry response at his questioner and her network. 'And then you are half an hour late, just so we understand. I have too much respect for you to be late. They couldn't get their equipment working or something was wrong,' he said. 'I think it's a very nasty question.' At the White House, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre got asked about Trump's comments on Harris shortly after he uttered them. Wow' was her initial response, as she shook her head. What you just read out to me, is repulsive, is insulting and no one has any right to tell someone who they are, how they identify, Jean-Pierre said. That is no one's right. Its someone's own decisions, she added. Only she can speak to her experience. Its insulting for anybody - it doesn't matter if it's a foreign leader or former president - it is insulting,' she added. Trump gave himself a strong review on his Truth Social platform. 'The questions were Rude and Nasty, often in the form of a statement, but we CRUSHED IT!' he wrote. Harris campaign communications director Michael Tyler responded to the appearance with a statement. The hostility Donald Trump showed on stage today is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office, and throughout his campaign for president as he seeks to regain power and inflict his harmful Project 2025 agenda on the American people. 'Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in. Donald Trump has already proven he cannot unite America, so he attempts to divide us,' he said. 'Todays tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trumps MAGA rallies this entire campaign,' he added, calling on Trump to 'stop playing games and actually show up to the debate on September 10.' The White House said President Biden was briefed on the reports coming out of the Middle East after the political leader of Hamas was assassinated on Tuesday in Iran, but a senior official refused to discuss the details and timing of the president being briefed. 'He has been kept fully informed as you would expect that he would be from the national security team,' said John Kirby, National Security Communications Adviser, at the White House press briefing on Wednesday. Ismail Haniyeh was killed in what is believed to have been an Israeli strike while traveling from Qatar to attend the inauguration of new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The strike was carried out on his residence in Tehran just hours after Haniyeh was seen at the event, killing the terror group leader and a security guard. Kirby on Wednesday said the U.S. did not have independent confirmation of reports on Haniyeh's death coming out of Tehran and from Hamas. It comes as the U.S. had been urging a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Kirby said the ceasefire negotiations have always been a complicated process, and it is too soon to know what reported events mean for those negotiations. The top political leader of Hamas was assassinated Tuesday in a stunning strike in Iran The assassination, confirmed by both Hamas and Iranian authorities, marks the most high-profile killing since the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7. The Palestinian terror group has vowed revenge which has sparked concerns it could trigger even more chaos in the Middle East. The National Security Council in Iran said 'the elimination of Haniyeh crossed the red lines, Israel will bear a great price.' Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared it was Iran's 'duty to avenge' Haniyeh because 'he was martyred on our soil.' The assassination of Hamas' chief at an Iranian Revolutionary Guards residence in the capital city constitutes a humiliating blow for the Islamic Republic and could precipitate a harsh retaliation. Iran previously sent a barrage of missiles and drones to attack Israel earlier this year after Tel-Aviv struck the Iranian embassy in Syria in April. Hours from death: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meets with Ismail Haniyeh (L) before Israel's lethal strike on the Hamas leader in Tehran, Iran July 30, 2024 When asked on Wednesday why the U.S. has not heard directly from President Biden, 81, on the news coming out of the Middle East, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said 'stay tuned.' Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked about how the killing of Haniyeh would impact ceasefire negotiations with Hamas while traveling in Singapore on Wednesday. 'Well, of course Ive seen the reports, and all I can tell you right now is I think nothing takes away from the importance of.. getting to the ceasefire, which is manifestly in the interests of the hostages and bringing them home,' Blinken said. He said he would not speculate on the impact of what any one event might have. 'What I do know is the enduring imperative of getting the ceasefire, and what I do know is well continue to work at that every day,' he said. Blinken also spoke with the prime minister of Qatar on Wednesday, a key playing in ceasefire negotiations. The State Department said he 'emphasized the importance of continuing to work to reach a ceasefire to the conflict in Gaza that would secure the release of hostages, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and unlock the possibility of broader stability.' Secretary of State Blinken said nothing takes away from the importance of reaching a ceasefire deal when he was asked about the killing of Haniyeh's impact on negotiations Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declined to respond to questions confirming Israel was behind the strike while traveling in the Philippines, but he said he does not think war is inevitable. 'I think there's always room and opportunity for diplomacy, and I'd like to see parties pursue those opportunities,' he said. Austin said if Israel is attacked the U.S. will 'certainly help defend Israel' but said he does not want to see that happen, and the U.S. will work hard to 'help take the temperature down and address issues through diplomatic means.' Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh arrives at the Iranian parliament to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected President Masoud Pezeshkian, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, July 30, 2024 Israel's Defense Forces seized the chance to hit Haniyeh and conducted a daring missile strike on his residence in Tehran just hours after the event, killing the Hamas leader and a security guard Meanwhile, international observers have sounded the alarm that Hamas could pull out of months of negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza as the Palestinian death toll nears 40,000. 'Brother leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, died in a Zionist strike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) president,' Hamas said in a statement. Hamas political bureau member Musa Abu Marzuk vowed: 'The assassination of leader Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act and will not go unanswered.' Sami Abu Zuhri, another Hamas official, added: 'We are engaged in an open war to liberate Jerusalem and we are ready to pay various prices.' Haniyeh was widely considered Hamas's political chief and has been a prominent member of the movement since 1980. He also briefly served as Palestinian prime minister after being appointed in 2006 but was dismissed a year later after Hamas ousted rival Fatah Party. Haniyeh was elected head of Hamas's political bureau in 2017 and the US Department of State designated him a terrorist in 2018. He left the Gaza Strip to seek refuge in Qatar in 2019 and has presided over the political machinations of the group from afar ever since. He was said to maintain good relations with the heads of the various Palestinian factions - including rivals to Hamas - to consolidate Hamas' power base in Gaza, and was very much the international face of the group, travelling from Doha to Tehran and Ankara to maintain strong ties with regional allies. His death, which came as a result of a surface-to-surface missile strike according to Iranian sources speaking to Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen, represents a major blow to Hamas. Haniyeh's son, Abdul Salam Ismail Haniyeh, said his father had 'achieved what he wished for.' 'We are in a state of continuous revolution and struggle against the occupation. The resistance will not end with the assassination of the leadership, and Hamas will continue to resist until liberation.' A spokesperson for Yemen's Houthi rebel group said: 'Targeting him is a heinous terrorist crime and a flagrant violation of laws and ideal values,' prompting fears that the group will launch renewed missile and drone attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Israel has not commented on the strike on Tehran, other than to say it 'doesn't respond to reports in the foreign media.' But Israel had vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the group's Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage. Palestinian group Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh attends Iran's new President, Masoud Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tehran Hours before the strike on Haniyeh, Israel carried out a rare attack in the Lebanese capital Beirut that it said killed a top Hezbollah commander who was allegedly behind a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Hezbollah said Wednesday that it was still searching for the body of Fouad Shukur in the rubble of the building that was struck. The assassination on Haniyeh in Tehran came hours after Israel also targeted a senior Hezbollah official in Beirut Smoke rises following an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon July 30, 2024, hours before the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran Shukur was seen as a 'senior adviser' to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who played 'a central role' in the deadly 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut. The U.S. and other nations had already been scrambling to prevent the Golan Heights strike from spiraling into an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah when word came of the dramatic assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran. A former U.S. Green Beret who was involved in the 2020 failed mission to remove President Nicolas Maduro has been arrested in New York on federal weapons smuggling charges. Jordan Goudreau, 48, and his Venezuelan partner, Yacsy Alvarez, are accused of violating US arms control laws after they allegedly assembled and sent to Colombia AR-styled weapons, ammo, night vision goggles and other defense equipment. The equipment required a U.S. export license, according to a federal indictment that was unsealed this week in Tampa, Florida. Goudreau was also charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods from the United States and unlawful possession of a machine gun, among 14 counts. He was being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Former U.S. Green Beret Jordan Goudreau was arrested in New York on Wednesday. His arrest comes a week after a federal indictment was unsealed in Tampa, Florida, accusing him and a Venezuelan partner of violating federal weapons laws A three-time Bronze Star recipient for bravery in Iraq and Afghanistan, Goudreau rose to fame in 2020 when he claimed responsibility for an amphibious raid by a ragtag group of soldiers that had trained in clandestine camps in neighboring Colombia. He said he and others were acting to protect Venezuela's democracy after Maduro's 2018 reelection was boycotted by the opposition and condemned as undemocratic by the U.S. and dozens of other countries. Two days before the incursion, The Associated Press published an investigation detailing how Goudreau had been trying for months to raise funds for the harebrained idea from the Trump administration, Venezuela's opposition and wealthy Americans looking to invest in Venezuela's oil industry should Maduro be removed. While then opposition leader Juan Guaido was initially enthused by the coup idea, signing an agreement with Goudreau's Melbourne, Florida-based start up Silvercorp to explore such an option, little financial support arrived and the rural homes along Colombia's Caribbean coast that housed the would-be liberators suffered from a lack of food, weapons and other supplies. Despite the setbacks, the coup plotters went forward in a comical if tragic way in what became known as the Bay of Piglets. The group was easily mopped up by Venezuela's security forces, which had already infiltrated the group. Two of Goudreau's former Green Beret colleagues, Luke Denman and Airan Berry, spent years in Venezuela's prisons until a prisoner swap in December 2023 with other jailed Americans for Alex Saab, a Maduro ally held in the U.S. on money laundering charges. The arrest comes as Maduro is once again facing pressure over his increasingly authoritarian moves. Airan Berry was one of two former U.S. Green Berets along with six Venezuelan mercenaries who participated in the 2020 botched mission to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Former U.S. Green Beret Luke Denman was arrested in Venezuela in 2020 and was part of a prisoner swap with the Venezuelan government in December 2023 Authorities on Sunday declared him the winner in the country's presidential election but a growing chorus of western states, including the U.S., refuse to recognize the results, demanding Venezuela release individual precinct tallies. On Monday, the opposition presented records from 80 percent of the polling booths showing that its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, defeated Maduro by a two-to-one margin. Prosecutors in their 22-page indictment documented the ill-fated plot, citing text messages between the defendants about their effort to buy military-related equipment and export it to Colombia, and tracing a web of money transfers, international flights and large-scale purchases. One November 2019 message from Goudreau to an equipment distributor said: 'Here is the list bro.' It included AR-15 rifles, night vision devices and ballistic helmets, prosecutors said. 'We def need our guns,' Goudreau wrote in one text message, according to the indictment. In another message, prosecutors said, Alvarez asked Goudreau if she would be 'taking things' with her on an upcoming flight from the U.S. to Colombia. Earlier this year, another Goudreau partner in the would-be coup, Cliver Alcala, a retired three-star Venezuelan army general, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court to more than two decades for providing weapons to drug-funded rebels. Goudreau attended the court proceedings but refused then and on other occasions to speak to AP about his role in the attempted coup. His attorney, Gustavo J. Garcia-Montes, said his client is innocent but declined further comment. The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment. An attorney for Alvarez, Christopher A. Kerr, told AP that Alvarez is 'seeking asylum in the United States and has been living here peacefully with other family members, several of whom are U.S. citizens.' 'She will plead not guilty to these charges this afternoon, and as of right now, under our system, they are nothing more than allegations.' Tory leadership hopeful Russell Findlay last night blasted the secretive parole process as the gangland thug who attacked him with acid bids to be freed. William Burns was jailed for 10 years after throwing the corrosive substance at Mr Findlays face as he answered the door to his home in December 2015. Burns, a hired hitman who dressed as a postman and had been carrying a knife during the assault, was before the parole board this week and could have been released within days. But yesterday Mr Findlay revealed he had been informed there had been no decision made and was told the board cant say why. A new parole hearing will now be held in due course, but the MSP said: They cant say when, but possibly a couple of months. This is exactly what happened at the June hearing. Mr Findlay has criticised the Parole Board's 'secretive process' surrounding the man convicted of throwing acid in his face in 2015 The entire system is shrouded in secrecy and, if a victim was living in fear, this prolonged and secretive process would hardly help. Time for full parole transparency. The delayed decision comes after Mr Findlay was warned by police of a gangster plot to kill him. The 51-year-old was told about the plan shortly before he launched his bid to lead the Scottish Conservatives. CID officers told the former journalist they had intelligence that his life was in danger - and the plot may be linked to the failed hit on him nine years ago. Burns threw sulphuric acid into Mr Findlays face on the doorstep of his home just two days before Christmas, but the former journalist managed to overpower his attacker. At the time of the incident Burns was on early release after being freed before the end of a 15-year jail term for shooting a woman during a post office robber in Linwood, Renfrewshire. And in 1996 he was locked up for six years for threatening a security guard with a gun after he stole a cake from a Marks and Spencer store in Paisley. Burns, a career criminal, also has been convicted of charges of assault, firearms and carrying offensive weapons. When Burns was sentenced in July 2017, Lord Matthews said he had been convicted of a vicious, premeditated attack. Lord Matthews told him: You have a bad record and are clearly a dangerous man. Under current parole rules offenders who have been sentenced to more than four years in prison are entitled to be considered for parole once they have served half of their sentence. If the board refuses parole most offenders will be reconsidered for parole no more than 12 months later, every year, until they are released. Life sentences are dealt with differently - criminals with those are told how long they must serve inside before being eligible for parole. Board members are appointed by Scottish ministers, but it operates independently from the Scottish Government. A spokesman for the Parole Board for Scotland said it aims to operate transparently. He said: The Parole Board for Scotland is very aware of the potential impact of the parole process on victims and has, over a number of years, taken steps to engage with victims including through the provision of information. Some of the steps that the board has taken unilaterally have subsequently been incorporated into legislation. Former journalist Mr Findlay was recently warned by police of a fresh gangster plot to kill him The board aims to operate transparently and publishes its guidance for members on the boards website. This guidance details how the board operates in accordance with the Parole Board (Scotland) Rules 2022. Last month Mr Findlay became the first Conservative MSP to announce he was running to succeed Douglas Ross as party leader. Since 2021 he has been an MSP for the West of Scotland. After revealing he was warned of the fresh underworld plot to murder him in the Scottish Daily Mail, Holyroods parties offered to cooperate on improving security. Holyrood last had a major review of its security after the fatal stabbing of Southend Conservative MP Sir David Amess in 2021. More than 250 GPS panic alarms were issued to MSPs and staff and 108 local offices checked by police, who also offered all 129 MSPs home security surveys. A trial service monitoring the social media abuse of 38 MSPs, which reported 460 comments to the police in 10 months, was made permanent at a cost of 125,000 a year. Two hikers were stunned to find a Rocky Mountain goat on Mount Hood. Jackson Smith and his friend were backpacking on Yocum Ridge Trail on July 27 when they spotted the animal, according to KOIN 6. 'I heard some rock fall along the ridge to our north and looked up to see this Rocky Mountain goat about 30 to 50 yards away from us,' Smith told the news outlet. 'We were both completely shocked but stayed still and silent as the goat began its descent down the ridge towards the Sandy River below.' Rocky Mountain goats, the rarest game mammals in Oregon, are more common in the eastern part of the state and the Central Cascades. Jackson Smith and his friend were backpacking on Yocum Ridge Trail in Oregon when they spotted a Rocky Mountain goat Smith described the experience as 'completely amazing' and said that he and his friend were stunned to see the goat. 'My friend and I were completely shocked and in awe at the sudden appearance of the goat, pinching ourselves as neither of us were aware that there were goats on Mount Hood,' Smith said. Mount Hood National Forest spokesperson Raven Reese told KOIN 6 that Rocky Mountain goat sightings on Mount Hood are rarely confirmed to be true. 'We dont have an established population and are not working to reintroduce them,' Reese said. 'Any goats seen are likely dispersed or vagrants from established populations elsewhere.' According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Rocky Mountain goats in Oregon are the result in efforts to reintroduce it to the area. 'We have had a few different lone mountain goats on Mount Hood for the last several years,' spokesperson Michelle Dennehy told KOIN 6 News. 'One [goat] has been sighted near Mount Hood Meadows or Timberline several times this summer.' She added that the Rocky Mountain goats that were spotted on Mount Hood were 'likely migrants' from Mount Jefferson or various areas of Washington. Rocky Mountain goats are the rarest game mammals in Oregon, and are more common in the eastern part of the state and the Central Cascades Mount Hood National Forest spokesperson Raven Reese told KOIN 6 that Rocky Mountain goat sightings on Mount Hood are rarely confirmed to be true Rocky Mountain goats usually live up to 15 years in the wild, and are known for their white coats, dark horns, and strong bodies, according to the Alaska Wildlife Alliance. Male Rocky Mountain goats can weigh up to 280 pounds and, as adults, have thin horns with a bent tip. Female Rocky Mountain goats usually weigh up to 180 pounds, and their horns are the same length as those of a male. Outdoorsmen could possibly spot these animals eating plants in their habitats that are occasionally 13,000 feet above ground. These goats must watch out for animals like wolves, mountain lions and bears, according to the National Park Service. They may appear friendly from a distance, but Rocky Mountain goats can hurt or kill when they feel threatened. Rocky Mountain goats usually live up to 15 years in the wild, and are known for their white coats, dark horns, and strong bodies Although they have not been spotted as often in Mount Hood as in other places, they are not an endangered or threatened species. Some things that can impact the Rocky Mountain goat population include weather and wildfires. Severe weather conditions during the winter has been called one of the most 'impactful factors' of the goat's well-being by the Alaska Wildlife Alliance. Avalanches caused by heavy snowfall are dangerous for all Rocky Mountain goats due to their living in high altitudes and occasionally result in their deaths. Wildfires are just as dangerous due to the damage they can do in winter ranges, and decrease the amount of food sources for them. Other issues impacting the Rocky Mountain goat population are hunting, disease, and climate change. Fox News' Jesse Watters claimed American women who vote for Kamala Harris have 'mommy issues' and joked that men who vote for a woman will actually turn into women. Watters, 46, expressed shock that Americans would consider voting for the presumptive Democratic nominee simply because she's female. 'Vote for a woman just because she's a woman?' he asked on his show, The Five, a Fox News opinion roundtable, on Tuesday. 'It's either childish or that person has mommy issues or they're just trying to be accepted by other women.' The Fox News star then went on to make a joke about what happens to men when they vote for women. 'I heard that scientists said the other day that when a man votes for a woman, he actually transitions into a woman,' he said. His female co-hosts appeared to appreciate the gag, with Dana Perino sarcastically saying: 'Oh, is that right? That's what the scientists say?' Jesse Watters make a bizarre claim he claimed is back by scientists that men who vote for women 'actually transitions into a woman' 'Yeah, that's what the scientists say,' Watters said. The Primetime host also said he doesn't understand why any man would vote for a liberal as they doesn't represent men's values. 'I don't see why any man would vote Democrat. It's not the party of virtue, security, it's not the party of strength, it's definitely not the party of family,' he said, to which co-host Jessica Tarlov replied with a shocked: 'What?' Tarlov later told viewers everything Watters said was false, stating: 'So first of all, everything Jesse said was wrong. I just want that on the record there.' He responded: 'What? Name one thing!' A Fox spokesperson told DailyMail.com in a statement: 'Anyone who watched the full segment can obviously tell that he was joking, which was also made clear later in the discussion.' The subject of 'family values' has been brought up a number of times recently after Donald Trump's running mate Senator JD Vance's 'childless cat ladies' comment resurfaced. He claimed in 2021 that childless women were 'miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too.' He specifically name-dropped Vice President Kamala Harris, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Watters, 46, expressed immense shock that some American women would even consider voting for Kamala Harris because she's a woman, saying those women have 'mommy issues.' The Primetime host also said he doesn't understand why any man would vote liberal as it doesn't represent men's values. 'I don't see why any man would vote Democrat . It's not the party of virtue, security, it's not the party of strength, it's definitely not the party of family,' Watters said 'The entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children,' Vance said. 'How does it make any sense we've turned our country over to people who don't really have a direct stake in it?' Although Harris and Buttigieg do not have any biological children of their own, Harris is a stepmother to Ella and Cole Emhoff and Buttigieg is a father of adopted twins. Ella recently defended her 'Momala' - a nickname for the current VP - after Vance's comments resurfaced. 'How can you be "childless" when you have cutie pie kids like Cole and I,' she wrote on an Instagram story. 'I love my three parents.' Watters claims come after a new poll shows Harris pulling ahead of the former president in several swing states. A Fox News spokesman told DailyMail.com of the segment: 'Anyone who watched the full segment can obviously tell that he was joking which was also made clear later in the discussion.' There has been a major shift since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, according to the latest Bloomberg News/Morning Consult survey. Overall, the race is a toss-up, but the poll shows Harris leaning slightly ahead of Trump in the seven swing states at 48 percent to his 47 percent. That reverses the two-point lead Trump had in the swing states before Biden exited the race. Harris is now ahead in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin. Watters claims come after a new poll shows Harris pulling ahead of the former president in several swing states The polling shows Harris with a whopping 11-point lead over Trump in the crucial state of Michigan. She also has a two-point lead in Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin. The race between Harris and Trump is now tied in Georgia. On Tuesday, the vice president received a huge welcome when more than 10,000 people showed up to her first rally as the presumptive presidential nominee in Atlanta. The poll shows Trump with a two-point lead in North Carolina, a state he won in 2020 as well as a four-point lead in Pennsylvania. Harris appears to be getting a boost in battleground states from a jump in enthusiasm in the presidential race among voters. Nicolae Miu, the man who fatally stabbed a teenager in July 2022 on the Apple River in Wisconsin, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Miu, 54, was found guilty on April 11 of the first-degree reckless homicide of Isaac Schuman, 17. The convicted killer was also found guilty of lesser charges of stabbing and injuring four teens - three boys and a girl. Miu - who was sentenced a day after the two-year anniversary of the tragic incident - bowed his head and teared up in the courtroom. 'He stole Isaac's life, and he stole my life,' said Isaac's mother, Alina Hernandez. 'Justice to me is getting my child backI'm thankful the jury got it right and the monster will die in prison. He has no soulhe's evil.' Nicolae Miu, 54, who fatally stabbed a 17-year-old teen on the Apple River in July 2022 was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Wednesday Isaac Schuman, 17, died after Miu stabbed him in his chest in the river on July 30, 2022. Miu was sentenced a day after the two-year anniversary of his death 'He has no remorse. He plays the victim. It makes me nauseous. Judge, I ask you to sentence him to the fullest,' she added. Prior to his sentencing, Miu turned to Isaac's parents and said: 'My soul is broken; my heart is very heavy. I never meant for this tragedy to occur. 'I pray to God for forgiveness, compassion and love for everyone affected directly and indirectly by the outcome of this tragic event,' he added. Miu's rampage came after he was surrounded by a large group of raucous teens while tubing down the river and several of them pushed him around while accusing him of 'looking at a girl.' Video of the interaction showed the teenagers heckling Miu before he pulled out a Swiss Army knife and started jabbing them. When Isaac was attacked by Miu, Owen Peloquin, his friend, said he didn't see him get stabbed but rushed over to the teen and brought him to shore with his other friend Alex after they realized. 'I tried my hardest to stop the bleeding,' Peloquin said as he became visibly emotional on the stand during his testimony. Miu of Prior Lake, Minnesota, claimed that his lethal stabbing was 'self-defense' after the group of tubers claimed that he was 'looking for little girls' and 'taking pictures of girls' in the area Isaac was taken in an ambulance to the Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater where he was pronounced dead. Ryhley Mattinson, A.J Martin, Dante Carlson and Tony Carlson were the other four teenagers stabbed that day. Mattinson had to have emergency surgery and when she arrived her blood alcohol level was at 0.09. Carlson suffered penetrating trauma from his stab wounds and had to have a hernia repaired. His blood alcohol level was also 0.09. Peloquin said that Miu 'just weirdly like sprinted at us, just made us all super uncomfortable.' The Romanian-American engineer had claimed he acted in self-defense. On the day of his conviction, jurors were sent out of the courtroom to deliberate Miu's fate as prosecutors and defense attorneys battled over whether it was self-defense. 'Nicolae Miu is a murderer who did not act in self defense,' DA Karl Anderson told jurors in his closing arguments - and said video of Isaac's July 2022 killing proved his point. 'One of the things the defense said at the beginning of trial and in their opening was they're glad there's a video,' he said. 'So are we.' Anderson also rubbished claims Miu was scared when he stabbed Shuman - and said his behavior was the result of a bad temper. Prior to his sentencing, Miu turned to Isaac's parents and said: 'My soul is broken; my heart is very heavy. I never meant for this tragedy to occur' 'Nicolae was not in fear, he snapped.' Anderson said. Anderson added that Miu could have brandished the knife as a threat and scared Shuman and his friends off without resorting to horrific violence. Corey Chirafisi, Miu's lawyer, insisted his client had been rounded on and threatened by a fearless mob and that the stabbings were justified. He said: 'They got in his face, they screamed at him, they called him names, they swore at him. 'They put their hands on him and the group of six, they became brave. 'The group of six became brave to the point that they circled him and start taunting him. 'They do this to a man who has done nothing, absolutely nothing to them. 'Then, when that man, Mr. Miu, tries to create some space between him and Madison Coen, they pounce. 'They punch him. They push him. They slap him. They hit him again. 'They choke him. From, all directions. And Nic Miu acts in self-defense.' Chirafisi highlighted how unafraid the boys seemed during the attack, their lies about him being a pedophile and that one was heard saying to Miu 'You got 10 seconds.' 'In your everyday experiences in life, when someone tells you that you have 10 seconds, what normally comes after that?' Chirafisi continued. 'Nothing good is coming after that. It's reasonable in our experiences as adults to take that as a threat.' As he was shown pictures and videos from that day during his trial, Miu said he was touched by Madison Coen and Mattison before the knife was drawn. 'They were very close, they were really close to me. I could feel and hear them,' Miu said. Miu described how he reached for his pocket knife as his fear got 'really high' just before Madison placed her hand on his upper arm. In recorded interviews, Miu said: 'All of a sudden, they were like wolves around me and they were attacking me from all directions and I truly, truly, feared for my life. 'They came on to me. They hit me, they got on top of me, and I don't remember anything after that.' The three-inch Swiss army knife that was used by Miu to stab the youngsters in 2022 Miu on the stand, tearing up and smiling when he talked about his pet dog during his trial that lasted eight days, as more than three dozen witnesses took the stand During his testimony, he said that he didn't know how many people were attacking him but he knew that there were 'more than he could handle' and that he has had 'nightmares' since. A witness, Larrion Davis, later told investigators that he saw the attacker 'taking pictures of girls' in the area. However, as he took the stand, Davis appeared confused over this claim, and admitted he wasn't sure what he saw because 'there was a lot going on.' Miu's then-wife Sondra told detectives that the violent altercation began after Miu, whose group was further up the river, went back to find a 'phone that was lost' while wearing snorkeling gear. While he was looking, Sondra said a 'group of guys got off their tubes and started hitting' him. The trial lasted eight days, as more than three dozen witnesses took the stand. Miu pleaded not guilty to the charges in September 2022. He was originally born in Romania and immigrated to the US when he was a teenager. Sondra and Miu got divorced after the incident and he was 'living a peaceful, quiet life in Minnesota' and 'had never been in trouble before.' The chilling moment the Southport stabbing suspect walked down the street minutes before he allegedly knifed three girls to death at a Taylor Swift dance event was captured on CCTV. A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder following the attack on Monday. Alice Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Stancombe, seven, were killed at the dance event when a hooded knifeman burst in and began stabbing the children in attendance. CCTV footage shows a suspect walking down a residential street in the Banks area of Southport, shortly before the three girls were killed and several other people were critically injured. The footage was captured just after 11am on Monday morning and appears to show a hooded person wearing a face mask and a green hoodie. CCTV footage shows a suspect walking down a residential street in the Banks area of Southport The footage was captured just after 11am on Monday morning and appears to show a hooded individual wearing a green hoodie The suspect is seen with their head down, walking past a street of houses. He seemingly looks into the window of a house before walking off camera. Five minutes later, at 11.16am, the suspect comes back on camera with his hand in his pocket. Within walking distance of the images is a social club, where drama classes for children were set to take place later on Monday afternoon, according to ITV News. Meanwhile, a skatepark on Hesketh Avenue as well as a convenience store is also in close proximity to the man, who was identified as the suspect by ITV News. The same masked person was caught on camera minutes later on separate CCTV footage. The footage appears to show the suspect walking outside a house by a road that was raided by police later that afternoon. Bebe King, six, was the youngest child killed at the holiday club in Southport, Merseyside Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was also killed in the attack. Her grieving mother has since called for calm Alice, nine, died in the early hours of Tuesday after a hooded knifeman entered the Taylor Swift-themed holiday club and began stabbing the children in attendance The attack happened at a Taylor Swift themed yoga and dance workshop Violence has erupted on the streets of London as flag-waving protesters clash with police The house is a 15 minute drive from where the harrowing attacks happened. Emergency services were called to the scene of the stabbing at 11.47am. Merseyside Police confirmed earlier this week that a 17-year-old boy, from Cardiff, has been arrested in connection to the stabbing. He is currently being questioned on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. It comes as violent clashes have erupted between right-wing protesters and police in London this evening - as Britain braces itself for a second night of riots over the death of three girls in the Southport knife rampage. Police were forced to put on riot gear after chanting activists threw cans and launched flares outside Downing Street as tensions continue to grow following the stabbing attacks on Monday. Tributes have poured in for the three girls killed who were killed. Eight other children suffered stab wounds in the bloodbath. Five are in a critical condition, as are two women who bravely tried to save the children. A Portland county jail has refused to book a homeless man who allegedly refused to move or take an offer of shelter despite bans on public property camping. Alasdair Macdonald became the first man to be arrested by the Portland Police Bureau for unlawful camping near Northeast 28th Avenue and Alberta Street last Friday. According to officials, both the police and city outreach workers had spoken with Macdonald 'several times' and warned him that if he doesn't accept shelter, he may be arrested. In an interview, the accused revealed that on the day of his arrest, his camp was surrounded by deputies who also offered him a tiny home to relocate to. Alasdair Macdonald was arrested after he allegedly refused to move or take an offer of shelter despite bans on public property camping 'I woke up to the police. They had me surrounded. They offered me a tiny home. 'I would like to think about that but there was no time to think about it. The option was "jail or tiny home", MacDonald told KOIN6. Officials later clarified that the accused refused to move into a shelter and as a result, was taken to Multnomah County Detention Center for violating the city's camping rules. But instead of being charged and booked into jail, he was cited and released by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. 'I was arrested but I wasn't booked in. There was no crime,' Macdonald later recalled. Officials later clarified that the accused refused to move into a shelter and as a result, was taken to a detention center for violating the city's camping rules. (Stock image) But instead of being charged and booked into jail, he was cited and released by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Deputy John Plock, a spokesperson for the office, told Willamette Week that 'jail staff do not book people arrested for violating city rules, only those accused of committing misdemeanor or felony offenses under state law'. Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O'Donnell also clarified that the executive decision to not book Macdonald was not a one time thing but a policy that she believes in. 'As the elected official charged with managing the jail, I believe we need to utilize the corrections system as a place for people who pose a genuine danger to the public and that does not include individuals whose only offense is living unsheltered,' O'Donnell told KGW8. She further assured citizens: 'Our communications with the Mayors office pertaining to the Public Camping Ordinance began in Spring 2023 and clearly outlined city ordinance violations as not bookable and being eligible for citations only. 'I will not be directing the Sheriffs Office to book any individual on city ordinance violations.' Once the accused was let go, Mayor Ted Wheeler (pictured) in a statement that he was very disappointed by the Sheriff's decision According to the city's latest rules , camping is prohibited on public property only if shelter beds are available on an given day or night. (Stock image) Once the accused was let go, Mayor Ted Wheeler said in a statement that he was very disappointed by the Sheriff's decision. 'I am disappointed by the Sheriffs decision to refuse to book individuals arrested for violating the law. 'I am deeply concerned by this disconnect and what it may mean for future efforts to improve public safety,' the mayor told Fox News. According to the city's latest rules, camping is prohibited on public property only if shelter beds are available on an given day or night. In the case there are no beds available, people are allowed to camp but cannot light fires, use propane heaters or block access to private property, among other restrictions. Mhairi Black has revealed she was diagnosed with ADHD while sitting as an MP. Opening her one-woman show on the Edinburgh Fringe, the former deputy leader of the SNP at Westminster said was being prescribed Ritalin to manage the condition. The drug helps those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder improve their focus. Ms Black told the audience at her sold-out Politics Isnt for Me show that she was diagnosed with ADHD in 2018, three years after being elected MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North. As she was filmed by award-winning documentary maker Sarah Howitt, the 29-year-old said: Im not here to be a stand-up or anything, Im here to perform what is essentially live therapy - or a live breakdown. Former SNP MP Mhairi Black takes to the stage at the Edinburgh Fringe She went on: I have ADHD. Part of an ADHD brain is that it needs stimulation in order to focus on anything. Thats why folk with ADHD are often prescribed stimulants like Ritalin. So thats what Im prescribed because it tricks my brain into thinking, Right, youre stimulated and then Im able to focus. Standing in front of a large screen showing a picture of her as a child, she joked that she had chosen it Because it shows the madness in my eyes. Thats who I really am. You can see how tired my family are just being around me. Ms Black, who stood down as an MP at the general election blaming the toxic environment in the Commons, said she also suffered from panic attacks and anxiety. The show was a mix of jokes, impressions, and rambling anecdotes about the Commons. Ms Black, who boasted of her record for the most swearing in parliament, also cursed liberally through the hour-long performance and mocked Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyles daily procession to the Chamber. She also complained the division bell alerting MPs to votes was annoying. She poked fun at former SNP colleagues Joanna Cherry KC and Alex Salmond, as well as Harry Potter author JK Rowling, with whom she disagrees about transgender rights. And she compared herself favourably to a series of former SNP colleagues who had been found guilty of misbehaviour or convicted of a crime. She debunked a social media rumour about using cocaine in PMQs - she was licking melted KitKat off her fingers, she said - and made a toe-curling attempt at a Nigerian accent. She also accused the new Labour Scottish Secretary Ian Murray of putting the boot in when she was signed off sick in 2017 with stomach problems and Norovirus. She said he and then Glasgow North MP Paul Sweeney had been foremost in criticising her absence and voting record despite her circumstances. Ms Black revealed she had been diagnosed with ADHD in 2018 and was prescribed Ritalin They didnt mind, they carried on just putting the boot in anyway, she said. And it started basically giving permission for this narrative that Im lazy, that Im not up to the jobs and all the rest of it. 'The truth is Ive not got nothing funny to say about this. It was really horrible to experience. Labour did not dispute her account but said the issue had been aired in 2018. Ms Black denied she was a Nationalist, and said she wanted independence as a way of delivering a progressive Socialist republic. She ended with a cliche, describing the deteriorating parliament building as a metaphor for a broken Britain. She urged her audience to change it by getting involved - despite quitting politics herself. Newly released body camera footage shows the horrifying moment Illinois police shot and killed a four-year-old boy as he was being held hostage by his mother's ex-boyfriend. Terrell Marshawn Miller, 4, was killed by Macomb police on March 16 as he was being held at knifepoint by 57-year-old Anthony T. George. Video shows the deadly shooting happened after police arrived to the scene and heard cries for help coming from inside. When police entered, they found George naked and running into the next room to grab Terrell and hold him at knifepoint. One of the officers fired a single shot that hit Terrell in the head and George in the neck, killing them both, NBC News reported. Body camera footage shows the horrifying moment Macomb police fired a single gunshot that killed a four-year-old boy being held hostage at knifepoint by his mom's ex-boyfriend Terrell Marshawn Miller, 4, was shot and killed by police while being held hostage at knifepoint 'They could've done anything besides use their weapon, they had tasers, they had pepper spray, they had all these non-lethal ways to get Anthony George and they decided not to do it,' Terrell's mother, Keianna Miller, told WGEM. Lt. Nick Goc and Officer Korri Cameron were responding to the scene after police received calls for a domestic violence incident. Miller said she was returning home from visiting her mother and found her ex-boyfriend intoxicated and violent. 'Things went left,' she told WGEM. 'He told me, "If I can't have you, nobody can."' Police knocked on the apartment door then came inside after they heard a woman screaming for help. The mother was stabbed multiple times. When police entered she told them her son was in the other room. That's when George ran into the bedroom and grabbed the four-year-old boy. Illinois Appellate Prosecutor Jon Barnard and the McDonough County State's Attorney's Office ruled that Goc, the officer who fired the shot, would not be facing charges. Police entered the apartment to find George naked and running into the next room to grab Terrell and hold him at knifepoint Terrell's mother, Keianna Miller, said she returned home to find her ex-boyfriend intoxicated and violent. She was stabbed multiple times Barnard said 'that there is no basis for any criminal action or prosecution that is supportable under the facts of this case against any of the officers involved in this tragic accident,' WGEM reported. Miller's attorney, Marleen Suarez, said they plan to file a civil lawsuit this summer. 'Its hard to find justice sometimes in a civil courtroom, but it may be the only alternative open to us at this point,' Suarez said. Miller said she hopes her son's death can lead to police policy reform. 'A lot of people want to make it a racial thing but its really not,' she said. 'He [Terrell] couldve been anybodys son, but hes Americas nephew, thats what Im starting to say.' Just because Joe Biden isn't capable of being president doesn't mean Kamala Harris is. Yet we are now suffering through another unthinking coronation by the liberal media, their emotional incontinence soiling any iota of critical thought. The great exhale after pushing out Biden a president shunted into power by a Democrat elite that knew, all too well, how compromised he was, cognitively and otherwise has given way not to reassessment but to re-enactment. Rather than learn from their past, Dems and their establishment enablers are basking in a post-Joe glow while making the same mistake again: unifying behind a candidate who is patently unsuited to the job. To elect Kamala Harris would be disastrous for many reasons, least of all this: It would mean that America, after realizing that a shadow government may have been in control for the last four years, is perfectly comfortable with electing another figurehead. A puppet. Just because Joe Biden isn't capable of being president doesn't mean Kamala Harris is. Some surveys already have her overtaking Donald Trump in swing states, while her approval rating steadily rises. A healthy political party would be in revolt. But not the Dems, who can assuredly point to Harris's surging poll numbers. Some surveys already have her overtaking Donald Trump in swing states, while her approval rating steadily rises. Hollywood loves her. The megadonors are back to the tune of $200 million and counting. The party has coalesced around Kamala while Team Trump finds itself, just weeks after the attempted assassination, on the back foot. Kamala's ascendancy is a 'sucker punch', according to Trump's running mate J.D. Vance, who was recorded speaking freely at a fundraiser in Minnesota on July 21. 'The bad news,' Vance said, 'is that Kamala Harris does not have the same baggage as Joe Biden [she] is a lot younger [and] obviously not struggling in the same ways.' All true. And Trump is already on the defensive, out front making race-baiting remarks about the pronunciation of Harris's first name, blasting her as 'crazy' and seemingly running scared from agreeing to debate her. Meanwhile, Vance is struggling to dig himself out of the 'childless cat ladies' comment one that, in a post-Roe era, lands terribly with female swing voters. So, yes, Trump and Vance are in new terrain. But this Harris bump will end. Why? Simply put, Kamala Harris is not the best candidate. She is not the brightest. She is a political hack, a mediocrity who like her current boss found herself the beneficiary of luck and timing rather than grit and intellect. If anything binds Biden and Harris, it's this unfortunate trait: Both seem to know, deep down, that they're frauds. That their ambition long ago outstripped their competence. It's why Biden is given to cringeworthy displays of what he sees as machismo: The 'make my day, pal' threat to Trump pre-debate, or the oft-told tale of taking down 'Cornpop' at the community pool. Real tough guys don't tell you they're tough, just as genuinely smart people don't tell you they're smart. Kamala never seems quite comfortable in her own skin, and that's a fatal flaw in a presidential candidate. Even her ex-lover Willie Brown, the now 90-year-old former Mayor of San Francisco who helped ease her way into politics, doesn't think Harris has what it takes. Even her ex-lover Willie Brown, the now 90-year-old former Mayor of San Francisco who helped ease her way into politics , doesn't think Harris has what it takes. Harris, as he recently told Politico, suffers from 'the Hillary syndrome people don't like her.' And when Harris has to speak for herself and do so off-the-cuff, she can't. Here is just one example of her tautological word salad, after a mass shooting in Chicago in 2022: 'We've got to take this stuff seriously', she said to local press, 'as seriously as you are because you have been forced to take this seriously.' There's a reason that the HBO satire 'Veep' in which Julia Louis-Dreyfus played a vainglorious, incurious, power-mad politician who lucked into the Oval Office is enjoying a resurgence. 'The crazier politics gets,' showrunner David Mandel said recently, 'the more 'Veep' holds up.' Except 'Veep' never predicted Trump. And it seems at least one party elder had to be dragged over to Team Harris. Yes, none other than Barack Obama, who called for an open nominating process at the Democratic National Convention in a written statement just hours after Biden announced he would step aside. '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. Kamala Harris went unmentioned. One would think that Obama, of all people, would quickly get behind the candidacy of the first female president, herself black. But no. 'Obama is very upset,' a source told the New York Post last week, 'because he knows she can't win'. As the liberal media luxuriates in 'Kamalot' and 'Kamalove', let's look at why Obama despite latterly joining wife Michelle to publicly, awkwardly endorse Harris might well be distressed. And why top Dem strategist James Carville says he is sure Harris's high approval ratings will fall once this honeymoon period ends. 'She's going to get slaughtered,' Carville said last week. And why Squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, days before Biden stepped aside, took to social media to reveal that the party itself had doubts about Harris. 'If you think there is a consensus among the people who want Joe Biden to leave that they would support Vice President Harris, you would be mistaken,' she said. Let's count the reasons why. No.1: Harris owns the border Despite attempts by the liberal media to claw back Harris's appointment as Biden's 'border czar', it is indisputably true that she was deputized as such. 'Harris, appointed by Biden as border czar, said she would be looking at the 'root causes' that drive migration' that's a report from Axios dated April 14, 2021. By the end of this administration, an estimated 10 million migrants will have crossed into the United States illegally. Among those are potentially hundreds of known terrorists. And then there's the unknown number of 'gotaways' who have evaded border control. Texas Governor Greg Abbott told Fox News on Monday that Harris has contacted him 'zero times' throughout her tenure. Here's Harris during her infamous June 2021 interview with NBC's Lester Holt, who asked why she still hadn't been to the border: Harris: 'We've been to the border.' Holt: 'You haven't been to the border.' Harris: 'I haven't been to Europe.' [Awkward cackling] 'I don't understand the point that you're making.' No.2: She has repeatedly vouched for Biden's physical and cognitive health Harris has done this for years, insisting as recently as February that 'we have a very bold and vibrant president in Joe Biden Our president is in good shape, in good health, and is ready to lead in our second term'. Harris has done this for years, insisting as recently as February that 'we have a very bold and vibrant president in Joe Biden Our president is in good shape, in good health, and is ready to lead in our second term'. There are only two explanations for this: Either Harris was kept so far out of the president's loop, privy to nothing of importance, that she had no idea he was in such terrible shape. Or, more likely to my mind, she lied to the American people out of self-interest. No.3: She's an alleged bully Since taking office as VP, Harris has had a staff turnover rate of almost 92 percent, according to a top government watchdog. Such churn-and-burn has apparently been a Harris hallmark throughout her two decades in public service. She is reportedly well-known for cursing out her staff, for chasing her most talented hires out the door, and refusing to read her briefing books, then exploding at her staff for being unprepared. 'It's clear that you're not working with somebody who is willing to do the prep and the work,' one ex-staffer told the Washington Post in 2021. 'With Kamala, you have to put up with a constant amount of soul-destroying criticism and also her own lack of confidence. So you're constantly sort of propping up a bully and it's not really clear why.' Again, Harris shares these failings the alleged lashings-out at loyal staff, the tantrums and the blame-shifting with President Biden. It all speaks to someone intellectually, interpersonally incapable of executing the most stressful job in the world. No.4: Even for a politician, she's particularly craven After accusing Biden of backing historically racist policies during a televised June 2019 presidential debate causing Biden to reportedly say during a commercial break, 'Well, that was some f***ing bull****', and forever earning the enmity of Jill Biden Harris, who dropped out of that race with a 3 percent approval rating, accepted his VP slot. Biden, remember, caved to pressure to select a black woman as his running mate. She has also shamelessly shape-shifted from being a tough-on-crime prosecutor, who oversaw more than 1,900 marijuana convictions, to a pro-defund-the-police ally. Now, of course, she's backtracking once more, tacking center, and boasting of her time in law enforcement. No.5: Zero foreign policy experience and zero backbone Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish, yet Harris caves to the radicals in her own party, refusing to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wartime address to Congress last week. Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish, yet Harris caves to the radicals in her own party, refusing to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wartime address to Congress last week. When she finally did meet him, Harris warned Netanyahu that 'I will not be silent' over Gaza and that while Israel 'has the right to defend itself' (how condescending), 'how it does so matters'. Days later, Hezbollah launched rockets into an Israeli playground, killing 12 children and injuring many more. No.6: No stated premise or philosophy 'We're not going back' is the emerging Harris slogan, and I will say this it's ingenious. It allows the voter to project whatever meaning they like, and for women, many will surely interpret this as a call to restore reproductive rights in full. Such is the minefield the Trump-Vance ticket must navigate. That said, Harris has no existential reason for running. She has no record, no real cause to show after four years as VP. Right now, she's running on the fumes of relief and emotion, the attempt to turn her into your 'cool wine aunt', a Gen Z 'brat' who is messy and relatable but this all has a very short shelf life. If Kamala Harris can't project confidence, purpose and a real, actionable agenda, she will remain nothing but a figurehead another empty suit that the true Dem powerbrokers put forward as their latest useful idiot. The White House slammed Donald Trump on Wednesday for his comments on Kamala Harris' race, saying his allegation she 'became a black person' was 'repulsive.' Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre led the response from President Joe Biden's administration. Jean-Pierre, a black woman, said Trump's comment was 'insulting.' She also said, as vice president, Harris deserves 'respect.' 'No one has any right to tell someone who they are, how they identify,' Jean-Pierre said. Trump, in a confrontational, testy interview at the National Association of Black Journalist conference, repeatedly questioned Harris' racial origins. His comments resulted in gasps from the audience of black reporters and push back from the journalists on stage questioning him. 'She is the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. We have to put some respect on her name,' Karine Jean-Pierre said Trump started off the interview with a jab at Harris, his Democratic rival: 'She was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went, she became a Black person. I think somebody should look into that.' Harris' mother is South Indian and her father is from Jamacia. The vice president has always identified as both South Asian and black. 'I respect either one. But she obviously doesn't. Because she was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went she became a black person,' Trump said, a day after Harris attended a rally in Atlanta with prominent black lawmakers and cheering supporters. 'And now she wants to be known as Black. So I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black?' he said of Harris, who is the first Black, female, and South-Asian-heritage vice president in US history. During Jean-Pierre's press briefing, NBC's Peter Alexander read aloud Trump's words and asked the press secretary for her reaction. 'Wow,' Jean-Pierre said. She shook her head as Alexander read Trump's words. 'What you just read out to me, is repulsive, is insulting,' Jean-Pierre said. She went on to add: 'It's insulting for anybody - it doesn't matter if it's a foreign leader or former president - it is insulting.' 'She is the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. We have to put some respect on her name.' Donald Trump clashed with ABC's Rachel Scott during his interview at the National Association of Black Journalists Harris' campaign condemned his remarks. 'The hostility Donald Trump showed on stage today is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office, and throughout his campaign for president,' said campaign communications director Michael Tyler. 'Today's tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trump's MAGA rallies this entire campaign.' Trump was in a fiery mood when he sat down with ABC News reporter Rachel Scott, Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner, and Semafor reporter Kadia Goba. The interview started almost an hour late for conflicting reasons. There were reports the former president was unhappy with the NABJ for fact checking his comments in real time. Trump claimed it was because the conference organizers had audio equipment problems. His comments during the interview sparked fury among black reporters. Karen Attiah, a co-chair of this year's NABJ convention who resigned after Trump's appearance was announced, wrote on X during his interview: 'Oh my God. Oh my god.' 'I am so angry right now. N.A.B.J., this was a colossal mistake,' she added later. April Ryan, a prominent black journalist who covers the White House and tangled with Trump when he was president, wrote: 'Trump came into our home, a Black Press advocacy convention, and insulted us in our face. What is worse he was invited to do this by NABJ leadership. Shame!' Trump was also unhappy with reports Harris would be allowed to address the group virtually. Originally both contenders were invited to appear in person. When Harris' team said she could only do it virtually, organizers said no. But when black journalists attending the conference expressed their outrage that Trump would address them but Harris - who would be the first female black president if elected - would not, Harris was invited to do so via zoom. Trump reacted in fury to the news, noting he was told he had to fly to Chicago. 'They told me and Crazy Kamala Harris that you could not do this Event with ZOOM It is not allowed or acceptable! She declined, and I am getting ready to land in Chicago in order to be there. Now I am told that she is doing the Event on ZOOM. WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?,' he wrote on Truth Social. Kamala Harris campaigning in Atlanta on Tuesday Donald Trump was questioned by ABC News' Rachel Scott, Semafor's Kadia Goba and Fox News' Harris Faulkner Convention attendees react during Donald Trump's interview at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention All of it made for a visibly irritated Trump. He has played the race card before, notably back in the Barack Obama era when he promoted a racist birther conspiracy about the former president. Trump made a name for himself in national politics when he falsely claimed Obama was born in Kenya. At his appearance in Chicago on Wednesday, Trump was angry out of the gate. ABC's Rachel Scott, who asked him the first question, probed him about the concerns black journalists had about his appearance, noting he has criticized black reporters in the past. 'First of all I don't think I've ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner,' Trump told Scott. 'You don't even say hello how are you?' Trump lectured, calling ABC a 'fake news network.' 'I came here in good spirit. I love the black population of this country,' he said. 'I think it's a very rude introduction. I don't know exactly why you would do something like that,' he said. And he offered this: 'I have been the best president for the black population since Abraham Lincoln.' The president of a Texas school promised justice after two students who painted pro-Trump parking spots were asked to repaint them sparking controversy. The graduating class at Keller High School, a public high school located in the city of Keller has a tradition, referred to a 'rite of passage,' when seniors get to purchase their own parking spot for the school year for $200 and personalize them. One senior at the school painted an eye-catching mural of Trump wearing sunglasses and a bandana in the colors of the American flag - red, white and blue. The other displayed the numbers 45 and 47 - referencing Trump's 45th presidency and possible 47th presidency, WFAA-TV reported. But in a shocking move, news outlet reported on Tuesday that the bold-colored murals were gone - repainted with a dreary shade of gray. One senior at the school painted an eye-catching mural of Trump wearing sunglasses and a bandana in the colors of the American flag- red, white and blue, but on Tuesday the mural was painted over a dreary shade of gray Dr. Charles Randklev, Keller Independent School District Board of Trustee, Place 6, wrote, in part, that 'there is nothing offensive or controversial about respectfully painting or honoring a current or former President for the United States of America' The school district alleged that the Trump-themed parking spots 'had the potential to cause unnecessary distractions to the learning environment.' Dr. Charles Randklev, Keller Independent School District Board of Trustee and President, hit back with a post on Facebook on Wednesday that 'action' will be taken. Students are given guidelines of the painted parking spaces that they can create that is featured on the Keller High School website. As stated, 'use only appropriate words, symbols, and images,' the guidelines document reads. 'Spaces with inappropriate content will be painted over, confiscated, and re-sold,' as per the news report. 'KHS has the right to paint over, confiscate, and re-sell spaces that include content determined to be inappropriate by the administration, including but not limited to controversial, offensive, or obscene material,' the statement further cited. Though political messaging was not mentioned in the initial guidelines, the district clarified to WFAA that political messaging was not allowed. They also stated that every scenario is covered by the guidelines. 'We can confirm that there were a few spots that had to be repainted because they included content that had the potential to cause unnecessary distractions to the learning environment,' the school said. 'Every year, a few students will attempt to include a political message, controversial statement, or inappropriate words or images in their parking spot painting. When that occurs, campus administrators allow them to repaint their space.' On Wednesday, the school's guideline page was no longer available and said 'error' 'not found.' The second pro-Trump mural that was painted by a senior that sparked controversy The graduating class at Keller High School, a public high school located in the city of Keller has a tradition, referred to a 'rite of passage, ' when seniors get to purchase their own parking spot for the school year for $200 and personalize them The students have been busy painting their murals before the first day of classes begin August 8. One of the parents, who asked not to be identified, but whose parking spot was one of the spaces painted over, told WFAA that the mural created was 'not obscene or inappropriate.' Randklev's statement was posted in its entirety a day after the fiasco on Facebook. 'You may have heard about a parking lot controversy at Keller High School where students were required to paint over the parking spots in the attached photo. 'Let me be clear. There is nothing offensive or controversial about respectfully painting or honoring a current or former President for the United States of America. 'We will take action and make it clear that the students can honor President Trump as the 45th, and soon-to-be 47th President of the United States, as they wish,' he wrote. His post garnered mix reviews. Keller City Councilman Greg Will thanked Randklev for the post. He wrote, in part: 'I trust that under your leadership the school board will take appropriate action to ensure those responsible for violating these students first amendment rights will be appropriately held accountable.' One parent asked: 'Didn't you run on the platform to keep politics out of schools? Another said: 'I believe that Keller High School administration was trying to provide a safe environment for all students. Thats their job. 'For the Board President to openly ridicule their decision is disappointing and disrespectful.' Former President Donald Trump downplayed the importance of his vice presidential pick on the ticket as J.D. Vance has had a rocky rollout as his running mate. In an interview with three reporters at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on Wednesday, the Republican presidential nominee was asked if Vance would be 'ready on day one if he has to be.' Trump responded that he has always had 'great respect' for the Ohio senator, but the ex-president did not address whether Vance would be ready should he need to become president. 'I will say this and I think this is well documented, historically the vice president in terms of the election does not have any impact,' Trump said. 'I mean virtually no impact.' Donald Trump and running mate J.D. Vance at a rally in St. Cloud, MN on July 27. The ex-president announced the 39-year-old senator as his running mate during the Republican National Convention earlier this month Trump, 78, chose the 39-year-old senator, who has been in Congress for less than two years, as his running mate on day one of the Republican National Convention earlier this month. But in the just over two weeks the conservative lawmaker has been on the ticket, he has been on the defensive as controversial past remarks have resurfaced including Vance criticizing women who don't have children. Trump argued there are 'two or three days where there's a lot of commotion' over who the vice presidential pick will be, but he said that dies down and 'it's all about the presidential pick.' 'Historically, the choice of a vice president makes no difference. You're voting for the president,' Trump went on. Donald Trump was asked whether his running mate JD Vance would 'be ready on day one' during an interview on July 31 in Chicago. The ex-president did not answer the question and instead said the vice presidential pick 'does not have any impact' on the election 'You can have a vice president who's outstanding in every way,' Trump said. 'I think J.D. is; I think all of them would have been, but you're not voting that way, you're voting for the president.' 'You're voting for me. If you like me, I'm going to win. If you don't like me, I'm not going to win,' Trump said. He never actually addressed the question on whether Vance would be ready to become president should he need to step in. J.D. Vance campaigning in Henderson, NV on July 30. It was his first visit to the swing state as Trump's running mate. The Ohio senator has been on defense since becoming the vice presidential nominee as clips of him criticizing women without kids have resurfaced Trump was also asked about Vance's views on people who don't have children. In a recently resurfaced 2021 Fox News interview, Vance said the U.S. is being run by Democratic 'childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made, and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too.' It was one of multiple past controversial comments from the Ohio senator about people without kids that have resurface in recent days. When the ex-president was asked if he knew about Vance's views about people who don't have children before choosing him as a running mate and whether he agrees with those views, Trump doubled down on his defense of his running mate. 'He is very family oriented, and he thinks family's a great thing,' Trump said. 'That doesn't mean that he thinks that if you don't have a family, it's not...' The ex-president proceeded to ramble about his own experience knowing different families. 'I know people with families, I know people with great families, I know people with very troubled families, and I also know people with no families - they didn't meet the right person, things happen you go through life, you don't meet the right person,' the ex-president said. When the interviewer tried to turn Trump back to Vance's comments about people with children including Vance once suggesting people with kids should get more votes, Trump argued what Vance is 'saying is he thinks the family experience is a very important thing. It's a very good thing.' Trump said it is not the position of his campaign that people with children should have more votes. The teenage suspect being held over the Southport holiday club outrage comes from a family who are 'heavily involved with the local church', shocked neighbours said yesterday. One said they would often 'hear singing' from the terraced house where he lived with his parents. 'It's a massive shock,' the neighbour added, telling the Liverpool Echo the 17-year-old would 'come in from school and be singing'. Locals fear the family's house will be attacked, with thugs shouting threats since his arrest. His parents are now believed to be in hiding. 'These vigilantes have been driving past on motorbikes, shouting abuse, saying 'that house is going to get firebombed',' the neighbour said. 'We're innocent and if that house gets firebombed, our house will be damaged too.' Twenty-five children mostly girls aged between seven and 11 were at Monday's sold-out event at the Hart Space yoga and dance studio where Monday's brutal knife attack took place. The deaths of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six, were confirmed on Tuesday and police said yesterday five children were in a critical condition in hospital. Bebe King, six, was the youngest child killed at the holiday club in Southport, Merseyside Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was also killed in the attack - her grieving mother has since called for calm Alice, nine, died in the early hours of Tuesday after a hooded knifeman entered the Taylor Swift-themed holiday club and began stabbing the children in attendance Police and forensic officers attend the scene of a multiple stabbing attack on July 29 An aerial view of the crime scene where a man was arrested and a knife seized after a number of children were injured Businessman Jonathan Hayes who was stabbed in the leg after attempting to disarm the attacker and dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, who shielded children from the deadly blows, both also remain in hospital after undergoing major surgery. Magistrates yesterday granted police more time to question the teenage suspect who has not been named because of his age on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. The alleged knifeman, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and turns 18 this month, was detained in Southport by police officers equipped only with batons and a Taser, witnesses said. Wearing a Covid-style face mask, and with the hood of his green top covering his head despite the sunny weather, the suspect was seen pacing near his home around half an hour earlier. In CCTV obtained by ITV News, he could be seen walking up the street near his family home in the village of Banks, less than four miles from the dance studio where the attack happened. The suspect walked towards a social club where a children's drama class was due to take place later that day before returning, one hand in his pocket. He is then understood to have caught a minicab to the scene of the attack. Residents of the cul-de-sac where the suspect lived which remained cordoned off by police yesterday said the rest of the family, including an elder brother, a 20-year-old university student, 'seemed normal' if 'very quiet'. Police have said they do not believe the massacre was terror-related, and contrary to misinformation on social media the suspect has no known links to Islam. It comes after rioters took to the streets in Southport last night, barely an hour after a vigil was held for the three girls who died in the knife rampage. Forensic officers are pictured at the scene as emergency crews battled to save children Chilling footage has emerged of masked figure pacing outside a house that was later raided by police after the Southport attack Jenni Stancombe, the mother of little Elsie, pleaded for violence to end on social media after a night of rioting After riots broke out on the streets of Southport last night, thousands of right-wing protesters descended on Whitehall in London tonight. Some were seen wearing t-shirts with the faces of the three Southport victims as they staged an 'Enough is Enough' protest about illegal immigration. Dozens of protesters, many of whom were drinking, were detained by police as violent scuffles broke out. Police in Merseyside called in support from forces across the region to avoid a second night of rioting. Violence erupted near the town's mosque on Tuesday after false rumours circulated online about the suspect. Four people have been arrested over the unrest so far, which saw 53 officers and three police dogs injured. During a walkabout in the town on Wednesday, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said she understood that communities in Southport were 'really worried' about whether they would see a second night of unrest. She said: 'We are absolutely planning for this evening and for the weekend ahead. 'We are being really well supported by police forces across the North West to make sure we have got sufficient resources so that we don't see a repeat of last night.' Southport burns: A street near a mosque goes up in flames as violent thugs took to the streets last night Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out in Southport Around 200 protesters were seen taking to the streets. Police believe many were EDL supporters Police officers suffered serious injuries when bricks, stones and bottles were thrown and cars were set alight during unrest that followed a vigil for the murdered children. Baseless rumours were spread on social media, misidentifying the suspect and falsely claiming that he was a refugee when, in fact, he was born in Wales. Actor Laurence Fox, one of the users of X who shared the information, called on supporters to gather at Downing Street at 7pm on Wednesday. Detectives have been given more time to question the 17-year-old, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. The law allows officers up to 96 hours, or four days, to hold the suspect, who has not been named because of his age, in custody. After rioting broke out, Elsie's mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: 'This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight. 'The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this.' In the wake of the violence, locals in Southport rallied together to support the Muslim community and clear up the mess left by rioters who it is claimed came from outside of the area. The riots came barely an hour after thousands of mourners gathered for a vigil at the Atkinson in Southport In stark contrast to the riots on the streets, there was a sense of tranquility at the site of the vigil as night fell Dozens of residents were outside Southport mosque with brushes and shovels on Wednesday morning, clearing bricks from a wall that was knocked down during the rioting. Norman Wallis, chief executive of Southport Pleasureland, said people had travelled from out of town to wreak havoc, leaving locals to clean up the mess. He said: 'It was like a war scene. People from out of town just causing absolute mayhem. 'People in hoods climbing up lampposts, throwing bricks, they set a police car on fire. 'But none of those people were the people of Southport. The people of Southport are the ones here today cleaning the mess up. 'Those people from out of town - they came in in buses and cars and had a change of clothes. They just started to riot and do this.' Mosque chairman Ibrahim Hussein told reporters he was trapped in the mosque with about eight others as the violence erupted, and only escaped with a police guard. He said: 'It was terrifying. It was absolutely, awful, horrendous. We couldn't understand this viciousness that was going on.' Locals have brought flowers to the mosque and are helping organise repairs to the building, which Mr Hussein said was 'humbling'. 'I know the people of Southport and I know how beautiful they are but this was still a moving experience to see all that,' he said. Shop owner Chanaka Balasuryla said the Southport community has rallied around him since his store was looted during the disorder on Tuesday night. He called 999 after spotting men trying to smash their way in on the CCTV camera from his home five minutes away, and was 'terrified' that they might set fire to the premises because a woman and her daughter live in the flat above. The woman confronted the raiders, telling them it was her shop in an attempt to stop them, he said. Merseyside Police said 'a large group of people - believed to be supporters of the English Defence League' - began to throw items such as bricks towards the mosque in the seaside town at about 7.45pm. Angela Rayner said that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will look at whether the EDL should be banned, despite former leader Tommy Robinson's insistence that the group no longer exists. The troubling scenes saw 27 police officers taken to hospital, with 12 others being treated and discharged at the scene, North West Ambulance Service said. Merseyside Police said eight officers suffered serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion. The chairman of Merseyside Police Federation, Chris McGlade, said: 'Police officers are not robots. We are mothers and fathers. Sons and daughters. Husbands, wives and partners. 'We should be going home at the end of our shifts. Not to hospital.' Southport MP Patrick Hurley, speaking on Wednesday, said rioters must face the 'full force of the law', saying they were 'utterly disrespecting the families of the dead and injured children'. He condemned 'beered-up thugs' who threw bricks, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Even if this lad, the 17-year-old, turns out to be Muslim, under no circumstances does that justify any attack on a mosque by anybody at all.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said rioters had 'hijacked' a vigil for victims and will 'feel the full force of the law', while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting as 'violent attacks from thugs on the streets', which she branded 'appalling'. The suspect, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport. Police have said that although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related. David Lammy's decision to brand Donald Trump a 'neo-Nazi' was 'not wise' and will not be forgotten, a former US ambassador has warned. Billionaire businessman Woody Johnson, who served as Mr Trump's ambassador to the UK during his first term in office, said Labour would have to work hard to repair relations if he wins a second term. He also warned that the UK would have to break decisively with EU regulations on sectors like agriculture to secure a significant trade deal with the US. During his time in London, Mr Johnson met with senior figures in Labour, then led by Jeremy Corbyn with Sir Keir Starmer as shadow Brexit secretary. In an interview with the Spectator magazine, he said: 'I met Keir Starmer and yeah, they did not like Trump. Work ahead: Former US ambassador Woody Johnson has said David Lammy (pictured) will have to work hard to repair relations if Donald Trump wins a second term, after the Foreign Secretary called him a 'neo-Nazi' Woody Johnson (pictured) also warned that the UK would have to break decisively with EU regulations on sectors like agriculture to secure a significant trade deal with the US 'Keir Starmer is better at holding it...' He pauses. 'But I would try to keep the emotion out, to be practical and try to get to know in a new and different way what one of your former colonies, what's going on. 'George III, he came to his senses in 1783 when he told his people to give the Americans what they want.' Mr Johnson suggested that Mr Lammy, the current Foreign Secretary, might face particular difficulties after launching a series of direct attacks on Mr Trump, including speaking at a rally protesting the then-president's visit to the UK in 2018. In the same year, he described Mr Trump as a 'tyrant in a toupee', writing in Time magazine: 'Trump is not only a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath. 'He is also a profound threat to the international order that has been the foundation of Western progress for so long.' In 2019, he mocked Mr Trump for complaining that there had been 'no President in the history of our country who has been treated so badly as I have'. Mr Lammy responded: 'Four US presidents have been assassinated, snowflake.' The Foreign Secretary has been working to patch up relations with senior Republicans in recent months. But Mr Harrison said his previous slurs would not be forgotten. 'I think people will remember all those comments,' he said. 'It's a question of how do you recover from them. In 2019, David Lammy mocked Mr Trump (pictured) for complaining that there had been 'no President in the history of our country who has been treated so badly as I have'. Mr Lammy responded: 'Four US presidents have been assassinated, snowflake' No love for Trump: Mr Johnson revealed he had met Sir Keir (pictured) during his time in London, when he was shadow Brexit secretary - and it was clear Labour did not like Mr Trump, he said 'That was not a wise comment. But those things happen in politics... there's always a way to recover if you want.' Mr Johnson said that Mr Trump was likely to raise the Nato spending target 'higher' than the current two per cent of GDP if he wins a second term, adding: 'I don't think he thinks it's fair, and he said this, that the American people fight the battles that are, basically, European battles. You guys should be fighting those.' And he warned that a trade deal with the US would require the UK to break with EU agriculture rules, which have largely been followed since Brexit. 'I think it kind of depends on the UK and how they look at themselves regarding Europe,' he said. 'If the rules and regulations on food and everything else, the standards are the way they are now, you're not going to get a trade deal, I don't think.' With Sir Keir seeking a closer agreement with the EU on agricultural standards as part of a wider 'reset' of relations, Mr Johnson's comments suggest the Government may struggle to secure a trade deal with President Trump. American journalist Evan Gershkovich may be released as part of a prisoner exchange, Russian media reports claim. The Wall Street Journal reporter could be among between 20 and 30 political prisoners exchanged with the nation, according to the Moscow Times. The deal is said to involve both the United States and Germany, with a source telling the Russian outlet that the exchange could be 'imminent.' It comes amid reported speculation inside Russia that a high-stakes prisoner exchange is in the works after notable prisoners were taken from their prisons and moved to an undisclosed location. American journalist Evan Gershkovich may be released as part of a prisoner exchange Gershkovich was detained in March 2023 on espionage charges that the United States says are illegitimate. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in July According to the Russian outlet, other prisoners that could be part of the deal include people linked to Alexei Navalny, the political opponent of Vladimir Putin who was found dead in a prison camp in February. If reports of up to 30 prisoners being exchanged is true, it would be the largest prisoner swap between the United States and Russia since the end of the Cold War. According to the anonymous source cited by the Moscow Times, Russian authorities have made 'great efforts to keep the information inside Russia as much a secret as possible until the last moment.' The developments came as recently as Wednesday, when Kremlin military aircraft reportedly flew to isolated regions in Russia where political prisoners are being held. Other indications that the deal may be imminent are that four Russians imprisoned in the US on charges including cyber crime, smuggling and money laundering disappeared from the federal inmates database in America, according to the Moscow Times. The reporter was working for the Wall Street Journal covering Russia when he was arrested Gershkovich was detained in March 2023 on espionage charges that the United States says are illegitimate. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in July. However, his time in an isolated Russian prison camp could come to an end soon, if the Russian media reports are true. It comes after a Slovenian broadcaster, N1 Slovenia, reported that a major prisoner exchange may also be in the works, that could come 'in the coming hours.' The reports cited an exchange including the US, Germany, Russia and Belarus. The White House has repeatedly claimed that it believes the charges against Gershkovich are illegitimate, and are 'committed' to his release. On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said officials would not 'negotiate in public' when asked about the reported prisoner swap. 'We cannot negotiate in public because we want to make sure we can get this job done,' she said. A man has died after being pulled unconscious from the water at a surf park in Sydney. Emergency services rushed to URBNSURF at Sydney Olympic Park shortly before midday on Wednesday after a 70-year-old man came off his board and failed to resurface. The man was pulled from the water before CPR was performed at the scene. He was taken to Concord Hospital in a critical condition but died a short time after arriving. In a statement the surf park said it had temporarily closed the facility after a guest suffered a 'medical episode'. 'The URBNSURF team responded to provide support and care for the guest before paramedics arrived,' they told The Daily Telegraph. 'Our main priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of our guests and staff and our thoughts are with them at this time.' The newly opened surf pool has been closed until further notice. Police are investigating the incident and a report will be prepared for the coroner. The death has not been deemed suspicious. In a statement the surf park said it had temporarily closed the facility after a guest suffered a 'medical episode' Lord Peter Mandelson and Lord William Hague are both in the race to become the next chancellor of the University of Oxford, it has been reported. The post will be elected online for the first time in Oxford's history, following Lord Chris Patten's retirement at the age of 80, earlier this year. It will see more than 250,000 Oxford graduates and former staff members eligible to vote in the ballot. Both Lords Mandelson and Hague are said to be interested in filling the position. While campaigning for the job is seen as inappropriate, both have expressed interest in the role. Lord Peter Mandelson (pictured) and Lord William Hague are both in the race to become the next chancellor of the University of Oxford , it has been reported Lord Hague is 'seriously considering' standing in the election, having been approached, though he has not yet reached a decision on his candidacy, it is understood Lord Mandelson, a former EU trade commissioner and Labour business secretary, is due to step down from his post at Manchester Metropolitan University in January next year, having been in the role since 2016. While he is still to make a decision on whether to run, Lord Mandelson told the Mail: 'I do feel passionately about universities and given I studied at Oxford it's an important place to me. 'Obviously I would be interested, but running for election is a fraught business as I know too well, so it's a decision I would not make in a hurry.' Lord Hague led the Conservative Party between 1997 to 2001 and served as foreign secretary in the coalition Government between 2010 to 2014. Sources confirmed to the Mail Lord Hague was 'seriously considering' standing in the election, having been approached. He has not yet reached a decision on his candidacy. Former prime ministers Theresa May and Boris Johnson have also reportedly been linked with the role, but Mr Johnson will reportedly not put his name forward. And Mrs May is understood to have ruled herself out of the running, having stepped down as an MP to focus on the Global Commission on Modern Slavery. While the largely ceremonial role is unpaid, it is seen as one of the most prestigious in British public life. The position dates back to 1224. The holder will serve a 10-year team, presiding over ceremonies while also taking on a fundraising and advocacy role. Lord Patten, Britain's last governor of Hong Kong, was appointed in March 2003 and is just one of three people to hold the role since 1960 - alongside former prime minister Harold Macmillan and former Labour home secretary Roy Jenkins. Lord Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong and Chancellor of the University of Oxford (pictured in 2019) The post of chancellor will be elected online for the first time in Oxford's history, following Lord Chris Patten's retirement at the age of 80, earlier this year Both Lords Mandelson and Hague read philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford - Lord Mandelson at St Catherine's College and Lord Hague at Magdalen College. Previous elections have required people to vote in person in gowns at the university's 17th century Sheldonian Theatre. Professor William Whyte, a fellow of St John's College with a special research interest in the university's history, said: 'What Oxford needs is someone who can articulate the interests of the university publicly and speak behind the scenes to policymakers, journalists and others. 'There's always been a sense in Oxford that the job of the chancellor is to have the ear of people who might help or hinder the university.' Nigel Farage refused to back down yesterday after he was accused of 'whipping up' rioters with comments on the Southport stabbings. The Reform leader was branded 'Tommy Robinson in a suit' after he questioned 'whether the truth is being withheld from us' about the attack in a social media video and amplified false information swirling online. The backlash came after a protest outside a Southport mosque turned violent following fake reports, pushed by Russian-linked websites and known agigators, that the triple murder suspect is an asylum seeker on the radar of the security services. Police said far-right English Defence League (EDL) supporters travelled to the area to take part in the demonstration. Nigel Farage refused to back down yesterday after he was accused of 'whipping up' rioters with comments on the Southport stabbings The Reform leader was branded ' Tommy Robinson in a suit' after he questioned 'whether the truth is being withheld from us' about the attack in a social media video and amplified false information swirling online (pictured: Tommy Robinson) In a show of defiance yesterday, the new Clacton MP stood by his remarks despite a furious backlash, including from murdered MP Jo Cox's husband Brendan (pictured) In a show of defiance yesterday, new Clacton MP stood by his remarks despite a furious backlash, including from murdered MP Jo Cox's husband Brendan. Mr Cox told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Mr Farage's remarks were 'right out of the Trump playbook' and branded him 'nothing better than a Tommy Robinson in a suit'. 'It is beyond the pale to use a moment like this to spread your narrative and to spread your hatred, and we saw the results on Southport's streets last night,' he added. His criticism came after Mr Farage tweeted a video in which he 'joined everybody in my horror at what has happened,' but added that he has 'one or two questions. Was this guy being monitored by the security services? Some reports say he was, others less sure.' No reputable UK media outlet has made such a claim. Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out in Southport on Tuesday Smoke is seen billowing from a police van which was set ablaze during riots in Southport on Tuesday Tensions have flared in Southport last night, with police saying members of the EDL were targeting a mosque He added: 'I just wonder whether the truth is being withheld from us. I don't know the answer to that, but I think it is a fair and legitimate question.' Asked about his comments yesterday, he later said he had 'merely expressed a sense of sadness and concern that is being felt by absolutely everybody I know - 'what the hell is going on?' He added that it was 'perfectly reasonable to ask what is happening to law and order in our country. And who are the perpetrators? Why? 'Very legitimate questions I was asking, and to conflate that with EDL or anybody else, frankly, it's desperate stuff.' Asked about Mr Cox's comparisons of him to far-right campaigner Robinson, Mr Farage added: 'The comment is beneath contempt.' Robinson, who founded the EDL, had posted a video online on Tuesday with the comment: 'None of us are feeling safe in our own country, in our own towns.' In the three-minute clip, he accused the Government and police of 'endangering our country' as he said they care more about people coming to the UK from other countries 'than British children'. Imam of the Southport Islamic Centre Mosque Imam Sheik Ibrahim Hussein (pictured looking at damage in the mosque) said the experience, in which he and around eight other people were trapped inside the mosque, had been 'terrifying' Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said Mr Farage, as an elected politician, had 'a level of responsibility' not to stoke 'conspiracy theories or what you think might have happened' Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said Mr Farage, as an elected politician, had 'a level of responsibility' not to stoke 'conspiracy theories or what you think might have happened'. She accused him of spreading 'fake news', adding: 'We have a responsibility to hold the community together and say let's get the facts, and then let's look at what the actual solutions are and what we can do about the horrific situation that we find ourselves in, not to stir up fake news online.' She suggested Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will be 'looking at' whether the EDL should be banned under terror laws in the wake of Tuesday night's riots. She told LBC: 'We have laws and we have proscribed groups and we do look at that and it is reviewed regularly. So I'm sure that that will be something that the Home Secretary will be looking at as part of the normal course of what we do and the intelligence that we have.' Former MP Tobias Ellwood tweeted in response to Mr Farage's comments: 'I lost my brother to terrorism [in the 2002 Bali bombing]. To ramp up hatred online by claiming the Southport attack was terrorist related (culminating in riots, a mosque damaged and 27 police injured) is not just reprehensible but needs addressing. Otherwise it will happen again. 'Disgusted how a sitting MP deliberately enflames tensions without any justification. Farage should delete this tweet.' A heroic Atlanta-area Chick-Fil-A delivery driver was filmed fighting off an armed robber who made a chilling threat after he smashed through the drive-thru window. Security footage from the restaurant on Stone Mountain Highway in Gwinnett County shows the unidentified employee arguing with a masked armed robber who pointed a gun to his head. The gunman then demanded the employee open a safe in the manager's office at around 4:30am on July 1, police announced Wednesday. In a terrifying moment, the suspect allegedly warned the worker that if he didn't open the safe, he would die, 11 Alive reports. The worker could then be seen pushing and wrestling with the assailant, forcing the suspect to lose his grip on his weapon - which falls to the floor as the employee manages to pull off the man's mask, sunglasses and dark-colored hat. Surveillance footage from an Atlanta-area Chick-Fil-A caught an armed robber pointing a gun at a delivery worker on July 1 Police say the assailant - who has since been identified as 51-year-old Tommie Lee Williams - told the employee that if he didn't open the safe, he would die The suspect - who has since been identified as 51-year-old Tommie Lee Williams - tried to fight back, and was seen trying to punch and kick the delivery driver at various times during the fight. But police said he fled the restaurant empty-handed before officers arrived on scene. The driver told officers he was working that night when the suspect smashed the drive-thru window with a rock and climbed into the kitchen area. He then made the chilling threat, prompting the employee to fight him off - as he told officers he did not know the combination. The employee fought back, and was seen wrestling with the assailant for several minutes Over the course of the brawl, the employee was able to knock off the man's hat, sunglasses and mask Investigators were eventually able to identify the vehicle they believed the suspect used to arrive at the Chick-Fil-A, which led them to identify the suspect as Williams. Police then issued warrants, charging Williams with armed robbery, aggravated assault, burglary in the second-degree, kidnapping, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and criminal damage to property in the second-degree. Williams was finally arrested on Wednesday with the assistance of US Marshals and the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department, 11 Alive reports. An entitled driver who led police on an 110mph chase through Ohio complained about losing her phone when she was arrested. Esther Paragulla, 33, was seen in infuriating bodycam footage being apprehended on a highway shoulder after the dramatic 30-mile pursuit ended when patrol cars surrounded her vehicle. As state troopers pulled her from the vehicle on the Ohio Turnpike, she can be heard complaining about her phone being confiscated and questioning whey she was being arrested. Paragulla claimed to have no idea what 'fleeing and eluding' meant in the footage obtained by Law&Crime. With approximately three minutes left in the video, officers are seen urging Paragulla to surrender during the on June 29 incident. Esther Paragulla, 33, was seen in infuriating bodycam footage being apprehended on the highway shoulder after the dramatic 30-mile chase ended when patrol cars surrounded her vehicle and she was slowed to a stop As state troopers pulled her from the car, she was heard boldly complaining about her phone being confiscated while questioning the officers' actions, and claimed to have no idea about the meaning of the term 'fleeing and eluding' 'You're not going to win this one! The car is already falling apart,' a trooper said in the footage. 'You're already in enough trouble, you don't want to be in more. Go ahead and pull it over. You're never even gonna make it there's like 10 of us now.' 'Pull it over, your tires are done, your car is done, you are done,' the trooper. 'There is nowhere else for you to go! Pull it over now!' The chase finally ended near the I-77 exit for Cleveland and Akron. Troopers, guns drawn, surrounded the stopped Nissan. To gain access to the vehicle, officers broke the passenger-side window and forcibly removed a male passenger, who was then subdued on the ground. Troopers then approached the driver's door and pulled her out of the vehicle. 'Ow, what's your friggin' problem?' the driver said while she was being put in hand cuffs. 'Are you guys serious right now?' When the trooper took Paragulla's phone, that was the woman's last straw. 'You're under arrest for fleeing and eluding,' the trooper answered. 'For what? For fleeing and eluding? What does that even mean?' the driver asked. The chase finally ended near the I-77 exit for Cleveland and Akron. Troopers, guns drawn, surrounded the stopped Nissan. Troopers then approached the driver's door and pulled her out of the vehicle. Paragulla (pictured) pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity on July 8th As Paragulla was taken into custody, the arresting trooper informed her of her Miranda rights. Simultaneously, the male passenger who had been in the car remained on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back. Authorities have yet to identify or charge the male passenger involved in the high-speed chase. The pursuit originated in Trumbull County before entering Portage County, where Esther Paragulla was subsequently indicted. She faces charges of assaulting a trooper, fleeing and eluding police, and obstructing official business. Paragulla pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity on July 8th. The parents of the paedophile who sent indecent images of children to Huw Edwards have denied any knowledge of their son being a sex offender. Alex Williams, 25, had been speaking with Edwards, 62, and sending him sick images over WhatsApp, before passing on the evidence to Scotland Yard. When approached by MailOnline, Williams' mother Lynne Mason claimed to be unaware that her son was convicted of child pornography offences at Merthyr Crown Court earlier this year. Ms Mason and Williams' father Gerwyn Vaughan said they had not seen Williams for three or four months - despite neighbours claiming they spotted him in the street within the last few days. The sex offender's mother also claimed she knows of no connection between her son and the disgraced BBC anchorman. Edwards on Wednesday pleaded guilty to receiving 41 indecent images of children, which included two sexual videos of a boy under nine. His offending came to light by chance after police in South Wales found his number on Williams' phone. Huw Edwards today pleaded guilty to receiving 41 indecent images of children, which included two sexual videos of a boy under nine (Edwards is seen leaving court today) Edwards' offending came to light by chance after police in South Wales found his number on Williams' phone Detectives discovered last November that Williams had been speaking with Edwards and sending him indecent images over WhatsApp, passing on the evidence to Scotland Yard. The investigation was unrelated to allegations reported in July 2023 that Edwards had paid a teenager more than 35,000 for sexual images. Williams sent Edwards 377 images, 41 of which were indecent and formed the charges to which the veteran broadcaster pleaded guilty on Wednesday. Two images involved a child believed to be as young as seven, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. Edwards, 62, received and opened seven category A the most indecent images, 12 category B and 22 category C photos between December 2020 and August 2021, prosecutors said. Williams, of Merthyr Tydfil, was given a 12-month jail term suspended for two years in March after pleading guilty to seven offences relating to possessing and distributing indecent images. Edwards is also unlikely to face prison after pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, experts said last night. 'Although the conduct in the case amounts to no more than just opening the images, it is essentially treated as a form of possession,' Ian Hope, prosecuting, told the court on Wednesday. 'There's no suggestion that Mr Edwards had anything to do with making the images or did anything beyond opening that image.' Mr Hope said that a suspended sentence might be considered, despite the fact that guidelines state the starting point for a jail term for possession of a category A image is 12 months. Category A images are classified as involving the depiction of 'penetrative sexual activity; possession of images involving sexual activity with an animal or sadism'. Mitigating factors are Edwards' early guilty plea, his previous good character, mental health issues and what Mr Hope said was 'genuine remorse'. Welsh police uncovered the broadcaster crimes during a separate probe into a sex offender in Wales. Edwards is pictured in court on Wednesday Edwards, of Wandsworth in south-west London, wore a dark blue suit with a blue tie in the dock Philip Evans KC, defending Edwards, said: 'It is important to remember for context that, as you would expect, the devices were seized and searched and there's nothing on those devices. 'He didn't keep any images. He didn't send any to anyone else and hasn't sought images from anywhere else. Before this, Mr Edwards was not only of good character but of exemplary character.' Director at criminal defence firm Olliers Solicitors, Ruth Peters, said that while a jail term was an option open to chief magistrate Paul Goldspring during Edwards' sentencing hearing on September 16, a suspended sentence or community order was more likely. The former Ten O'Clock News presenter will be added to the sex offenders' register automatically. Edwards, of Wandsworth in south-west London, wore a dark blue suit with a blue tie in the dock after passing through a scrum of photographers, journalists and protesters to get into the court. During the 26-minute hearing, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, his street name and postcode, before entering three guilty pleas. Releasing Edwards on bail until September 16, Mr Goldspring said his sentencing powers might be limited and he could still transfer the case to the Crown Court for a stiffer punishment. Alina Habba came out guns blazing against Kamala Harris in her first podium remarks as a senior adviser to Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. A lawyer to the former president, Habba is now taking a more prominent role in the campaign and is being deployed as an attack dog against Vice President Harris now that she is the presumed Democratic nominee. Habba was unapologetic in her criticism of Harris, intentionally mispronouncing her name, slamming the vice president as 'worse than a socialist' and accusing her of committing a crime by 'covering-up' President Joe Biden's cognitive decline. While Habba made a cameo at Trump's rally at his Doral resort and spoke at the Republican National Convention, her remarks in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Wednesday marked her rally debut as a senior adviser to the campaign. 'Now let me tell you what, Kamala you are committing a crime,' Habba said to wild cheers from the crowd in the Farm Show Complex in Pennsylvania's capital. 'Because the only co-conspirator I know of the Biden-Harris administration is you. And you have lied to us about President Biden for the last three-and-a-half years.' Donald Trump Senior Advisor Alina Habba made her debut rally remarks ahead of the former president's arrival in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Wednesday Polling shows more than half of American voters think there was an orchestrated 'cover-up' to prevent the public from seeing the full extent of Biden's worsening fitness for office. A whopping 92 percent of those who think there was a cover-up think that Harris is at least partially involved in the ruse. 'Let me just tell you America,' Habba went on, 'her policies are the same ones we've been living for three-and-a-half years. So don't get it twisted, they don't work.' 'She is worse than a socialist. She is worse than Bernie Sanders. And guess what, Kamala, you're gonna lose just like he did,' the attorney concluded. Thousands of Trump supporters gathered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Wednesday for his first rally back in the state since he was shot at a rally near Pittsburgh just 17 days prior. Pennsylvania is wildly important in the 2024 race and is one of the few states that will determine the outcome of the election in November. Trump nabbed a victory in the Keystone State in 2016 by just 0.7 percent. But in 2020, the state flipped blue to hand Biden a victory over the incumbent by a 1.2 percent gap. Pennsylvania's Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro campaigned for Harris in a Philadelphia suburb on Monday with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Shapiro is being floated as a running mate for Harris after she became the Democrat's de facto nominee last week. Habba, who lived in Harrisburg for three years, said she was 'excited' to get another chance to speak after the Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin earlier this month because she didn't get a chance to go after Harris, who had not yet taken over Biden's campaign at the time. Habba established herself as an attack dog against Vice President Kamala Harris in her blistering remarks against the presumed 2024 Democratic nominee Habba accused Harris of a 'crime' in 'covering-up' the extent of President Joe Biden's cognitive decline and said the vice president is 'worse than a socialist' 'We are dealing with a Democrat Party that literally can't figure out who they're going to put up against my guy Donald Trump. So who do they pick? Kamala,' the mother-of-three said to jeers from the crowd, to which she responded: 'Yeah, boo.' 'But I'm so excited because when I spoke at the RNC I didn't know she was the one we were going after,' she noted. 'But now I do, and I'm going to speak to you Ms. Harris.' 'I am a strong woman, a mom, a lawyer and an American. And unlike you, Kamala, I know who my roots are, I know where I come from, and I don't play around with the Constitution,' Habba said, intentionally mispronouncing her name as 'cam-a-la' instead of the correct 'comma-la.' 'I don't care how much money you've got behind you, the truth comes out and President Trump has been and is innocent of every crime other than loving this country,' she said. A mother who blew the whistle on Huw Edwards has revealed how she broke down in tears after hearing the disgraced BBC star had pleaded guilty to child porn offences. She said it 'sickens' her knowing that the 62-year-old paedophile was under the possession of sexual videos of minors while also allegedly asking her own child for explicit photos. Edwards was suspended in July 2023 over claims that he paid a young man for sexual images. The family of the unnamed young person originally complained to the BBC about Edwards in May 2023, and he was publicly named by his wife as the well-known TV presenter at the centre of the allegations in July. The Metropolitan Police later said that no criminal offence had taken place. 'These allegations did not form part of the matter which was considered by police in July 2023. They were investigated separately as a standalone case,' a police spokesperson said. Disgraced former BBC News reader Huw Edwards is pictured leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to receiving indecent images of children A court sketch showed Edwards standing in the dock after he pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children Huw Edwards: A timeline of shame Before pleading guilty to indecent images today, Edwards had faced an earlier scandal after being accused of paying a young person for sexually explicit images last year. April 2023 - Police were contacted but 'no criminality was identified'. May 18, 2023 - A family member of the young person made an in-person complaint about the behaviour of a BBC presenter. May 19. 2023 - A complainant contacted the BBC in a 29-minute call to the BBC's audience services team, and the details were referred to the Corporate Investigations Team. June 6, 2023 - After getting no reply to the email, the Corporate Investigations Team tries to call the complainant but the call does not connect. July 5, 2023 - Edwards is last seen on air as he covered King Charles' visit to Scotland. July 6, 2023 - The Sun informs BBC Press Office about allegations against the star presenter. July 7, 2023 - The Sun published its exclusive which alleged that a BBC star, unnamed at the time, paid 35,000 for sexual content to someone beginning when they were 17. But a lawyer acting on behalf of the young person told The Sun there was 'no truth' to the claims. July 9, 2023 - The BBC confirms that a male presenter has been suspended from all duties. July 11, 2023 - Director-general of the BBC Tim Davie defends the delay in speaking to the BBC presenter. July 12, 2023 - Huw Edwards is revealed as the BBC presented by his wife Vicky Flind. July 13, 2023 - The Met Police said detectives from its specialist crime command have 'concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed November 8 - Edwards is arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children. April 22, 2024 - Edwards resigns from the BBC having not appeared on air for months. June 26, 2024 - Edwards is charged with three counts of making indecent images of children. July 29, 2024 - Met Police first reveal the charges against Edwards in a press statement. July 31, 2024 - Edwards appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court and pleads guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, between December 2020 and August 2022. September 16, 2024 - This is when Edwards will be sentenced Advertisement Speaking to The Sun, the mother who first reported Edwards, said: 'It sickens me to my core that he had those videos of that little boy when he was also talking to my child and asking them for sexual pictures. I knew he was an abuser but now I know he is truly a monster.' Edwards was arrested on November 8 2023 for making indecent images of children and charged on June 26. In April, he resigned from the BBC 'on the basis of medical advice from his doctors' but was still the highest paid journalist at the corporation last year. Edwards today pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children, which included two sexual videos of a boy under nine. The veteran news reader received seven category 'A' images of the very worst kind on his phone and was sent them on WhatsApp by a paedophile. He had a total of 41 foul images, showing youngsters between the age of seven and 14, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard today. The mother who first blew the whistle said there were times she 'wanted to die' after people attacked her over the allegations she made, which were published by The Sun. She told the newspaper: 'I thought perhaps it was best if I wasn't here anymore. I felt the whole world was against me. The youngster's stepfather, who originally made the complaint, added: 'Everyone who doubted us needs to take accountability. 'We never wanted to take it further, but the BBC didn't listen. We feel so sorry for his wife and children and our hearts go out to them.' After Edwards appeared at court, the BBC revealed that it was told in November 2023, when Edwards was suspended, that he had been arrested on 'suspicion of serious offences', five months before he resigned from the corporation in April. In a statement, the broadcaster claimed Edwards would have been dismissed 'immediately' if he was charged while still an employee at the corporation. The widely issued statement was shared to BBC staff with an internal note co-signed by the corporation's director general Tim Davie, Deborah Turness, chief executive of BBC News & Current Affairs, and group chief operating officer Leigh Tavaziva. The note said: 'Many of you will have seen the news today that Huw Edwards has pleaded guilty to charges against him. 'We are appalled by this news - there can be no place for such behaviour.' Following on from the official BBC statement, the co-signed note to staff added: 'Some of you may feel shocked and saddened by this news and some of you will have worked closely with Huw Edwards over the years. 'Many of you will be working on this story, and we want to thank you for your professionalism in carrying on with your jobs in difficult circumstances'. The note ended saying if staff had 'been affected in any way by today's news please do make full use of our wellbeing resources', which include the 'free, confidential employee assistance programme and the BBC's peer support network'. Edwards is pictured leaving the court after his brief appearance where he admitted to making indecent images of children Edwards made his way through the media melee before being driven away in a black Mercedes So what is 'making an image'? The court's interpretation of 'making' indecent images is broad and can confuse those outside the legal profession. Simply opening an email attachment, downloading an indecent image or storing it on a device can constitute an offence. Zita Spencer, partner at Olliers Solicitors, said: 'Making means creating it on your device. People can get it confused with 'production', which is actually taking the photo itself.' It is not necessary to have intentionally saved an indecent image to a device to be found guilty. Ms Spencer said Edwards would have had a defence had he been sent the images unsolicited and immediately deleted them. Advertisement Welsh broadcaster Edwards, 62, resigned from the corporation in April 2024 and had been off air since July last year. On Wednesday, a court heard he was involved in an online chat with an adult man on WhatsApp between December 2020 and August 2021, who sent him 377 sexual images. During that period, he anchored coverage of major national events for the BBC and had presented the BBC's News At Ten for decades. During his four decades at the corporation, he was among the broadcasting teams leading coverage of historic events including the late Queen's funeral in 2022 and most recently the coronation of the King in May 2023. Edwards, a married father of five, also announced the late Queen's death on the BBC in September 2022. The families of victims of 9/11 said they were 'deeply troubled' after the architect of the attacks and two others agreed to plea deals after decades in US detention. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawasawi have all agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges in exchange for a life sentence. The New York Times reported on Wednesday evening that the pleas, which will see the men dodge a death penalty trial, have been approved by Pentagon officials. 'We are deeply troubled by these plea deals. While we acknowledge the decision to avoid the death penalty, our primary concern remains access to these individuals for information,' said 9/11 Justice President Brett Eagleson. 'These plea deals should not perpetuate a system of closed-door agreements, where crucial information is hidden without giving the families of the victims the chance to learn the full truth.' This Saturday March 1, 2003, shows Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, the alleged Sept. 11 mastermind, shortly after his capture during a raid in Pakistan All three men have been in US custody at Guantanamo Bay since the early 2000s. Mohammed, an al Qaeda militant, has been accused of being the principal architect of the Sept. 11 attacks. The families of the 9/11 victims were concerned that the plea deal could stall the investigation and prevent them from learning who was really behind the attacks. 'We need to know the extent of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's involvement in the 9/11 attacks. This is not just about punishment, it is about uncovering the truth and ensuring justice for the nearly 3,000 Americans who lost their lives on that tragic day,' Eagleson wrote. 'Our stance is clear: if a deal is to be made, it must ensure that we obtain the vital evidence these individuals possess. 'We urge the administration to ensure that these deals do not close the door on obtaining critical information that can shed light on Saudi Arabia's role in the 9/11 attacks. Our quest for justice will not waver until the full truth is revealed, and justice is served for the victims and their families.' Hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center and explodes at 9:03 a.m. on September 11 Chief prosecutor Rear Admiral Aaron Rugh sent a letter to family members of September 11 victims that explained the plea agreement. 'In exchange for the removal of the death penalty as a possible punishment, these three accused have agreed to plead guilty to all of the charged offenses, including the murder of the 2,976 people listed in the charge sheet,' Rugh wrote. The letter, seen by the Times, said the men could submit their pleas in open court as early as next week. The Defense Department released a statement on Wednesday saying prosecutors had reached plea agreements with the men, without disclosing the terms. The prosecution of the men has been troubled by repeated delays and legal disputes, especially over the legal ramifications of the interrogation under torture that the men initially underwent while in CIA custody. The Pentagon and the FBI advised families of the victims last August that the death penalty may have to be taken off the table in the prosecution of the men. They were captured at various times and places in 2002 and 2003 and sent to Guantanamo for trial in 2006. On September 11, 2001, conspirators from al-Qaida seized control of airplanes and hit New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon near Washington. On September 11, 2001, conspirators from al-Qaida seized control of airplanes and hit New York's World Trade Center, seen here, and the Pentagon near Washington The New York Times reported on Wednesday evening that the pleas, which will see the men dodge a death penalty trial, have been approved by Pentagon officials. Walid Bin Attash, left, and Mustafa al Hawsawi, right, are seen here A fourth plane was headed for Washington but crashed in Pennsylvania after crew members and passengers tried to storm the cockpit. It was Mohammed who presented the very idea of such an attack on the United States to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. Mohammed also received authorization from bin Laden to craft what became the Sept. 11 attacks, the United States' 9/11 Commission concluded. The other defendants are alleged to have supported the hijackers in various other ways. Mohammed was captured alongside Hawsawi in March 2003 before being held in CIA prisons until their transfer to Guantanamo in 2006. Officially, the casualty count associated with the attacks is numbered at 2,996 - including 2,977 victims and 19 hijackers. People run away as the North Tower of World Trade Center collapses on September 11, 2001 Firefighters walk towards one of the tower at the World Trade Center before it collapsed Thousands more were injured, and New York bore the brunt of the death toll - with an estimated 1,600 victims in the North Tower and another thousand in the South. Two of the original five defendants were not part of the new plea deal, Ramzi bin al-Shibh was found incompetent to stand trial because of mental illness. Al-Shibh was accused of helping to organize a cell of hijackers in Hamburg, Germany, while Ammar al-Baluchi was also not part of the plea agreement. Al-Baluchi is the nephew of Mohammed and is charged with helping the hijackers with finances and travel arrangements. A 17-year-old boy has been charged with murder after three girls were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on Monday. The suspect, who cannot be named because he is under 18, has been charged with the murders of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. The teenager, who is from the nearby village of Banks, Lancashire, but was born in Cardiff, Wales, has also been charged with ten counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Thursday. As well as the three fatalities, eight other children suffered stab wounds in the bloodbath when an attacker stormed the summer holiday club. Five youngsters are in a critical condition, as are two women who bravely tried to save the children. Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Ursula Doyle and Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy announce that a 17-year-old has been charged with murder Bebe King, six, was the youngest child killed at the holiday club in Southport, Merseyside Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was also killed in the attack - her grieving mother has since called for calm Forensic officers are pictured at the scene as emergency crews battled to save children Forensic officers on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside, where a horrifying knife rampage took place Emergency crews swoop on the area after a group of children were attacked at Taylor Swift-themed dance class The identity of the youth has not been revealed because suspects under the age of 18 have automatic anonymity in all UK court cases. Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: 'Whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation and we continue to work with our partners from Lancashire Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW) to ensure we have as complete an understanding as possible of this matter. 'I would like to thank all of the forces who have offered and supplied support to Merseyside Police during the last three days and I can confirm that we are being supported with investigative resources from across the North West.' Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Merseyside Police to charge a 17-year-old male, of Banks, Lancashire, with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder following the tragic incident that took place in Southport this week. 'He will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates' Court on Thursday August 1, 2024. 'We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial. 'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. 'Our thoughts remain with the families of all of those affected by these harrowing events.' Detectives yesterday said they had been been given more time to question the suspect, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after the attack. False claims online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat has sparked riots across Southport on Tuesday night. And there was more violence in Hartlepool, London and Manchester on Wednesday. The Southport mass stabbings have led to riots on the streets. Pictured: A police van is torched in Southport on Tuesday night Southport burns: A street near a mosque goes up in flames as violent thugs took to the streets last night The riots came barely an hour after thousands of mourners gathered for a vigil at the Atkinson in Southport Mourners leave floral tributes near the scene in Hart Street, where three children died and eight were injured in a 'ferocious' knife attack Southport locals - including Elsie's mother - have called for the violence to stop after police vans were torched and bricks were hurled in violence that left 53 officers injured in the seaside town. Elsie's mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: 'This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight. 'The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this.' Southport MP Patrick Hurley, speaking on Wednesday, said rioters must face the 'full force of the law', saying they were 'utterly disrespecting the families of the dead and injured children'. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said rioters had 'hijacked' a vigil for victims and will 'feel the full force of the law', while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting as 'violent attacks from thugs on the streets', which she branded 'appalling'. The Southport riots came barely an hour after thousands of mourners had come together at a vigil to pay their respects to the victims. It comes as more than 100 thugs in London were arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker and breach of protest conditions. Some among the crowd were heard shouting the name of English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson, while others shouted 'Rule Britannia', 'save our kids' and 'stop the boats'. In Hartlepool, four people were arrested after violent protests broke out. People have been detained for various offences after protesters threw missiles, glass bottles and eggs at officers, police said. A police car was also set on fire before protesters posed for selfies with it. Hundreds of thousands of senior Australians will receive more than $100 in their bank accounts as one state doles out $30million worth of cost-of-living rebates. More than 307,000 Western Australian Seniors Card members can expect to see the cash boost over the coming days. Couples who are on the pension will be given $160.68 and singles will receive $107.12. The payment started processing last week for pensioners already part of the scheme, but could take a few days to appear in bank accounts. There has been an increased demand, which means anyone new to the scheme may have to wait longer for their annual payment. 'The WA Seniors Card Cost of Living Rebate provides vital funds directly to seniors,' Western Australia Seniors and Ageing Minister Don Punch said. The scheme, which was launched in 2009, is paid annually and has so far allocated more than $421million. Mr Punch also urged seniors to look at their 2024-2025 Discount Directory, which has the comprehensive list of all the discounts older Australians have access to. WA Seniors Card Cost of Living Rebate started in 2009 and is designed to help ease the burden of high costs on seniors in Western Australia (stock image) Over 307,000 seniors in Western Australia will have extra funds from the state government's $30 million cost-of-living rebate (stock image) The directory can be picked up at selected libraries, Community Resource Centres as well as offices of local politicians. To be eligible for the scheme, Australian citizens or permanent residents must reside in Western Australia and be more than 65. If the senior has a job, they must work less than 25 hours a week. Applications are available on the WA Seniors Card website. The bloodcurdling screams of a mother's final moments as she was allegedly hacked to death by her estranged husband have been aired in court. Dinush Kurera, 47, is accused of murdering his wife Nelomi Perera, 43, in front of their own children during a terrifying rampage within the family home in Sandhurst, located about 37km south east of Melbourne. He has pleaded not guilty to murder and another charge of assaulting his teenage son during the bloody December 3, 2022 attack. On Tuesday, jurors in Kurera's Supreme Court of Victoria trial were forced to endure chilling audio of Ms Perara's final seconds alive. 'Help me, help me,' Ms Perera shrieked during the recording captured on her watch. The jury heard Kurera flew into a murderous rage after interrogating his son over fears his estranged wife was seeing other men. Crown prosecutor Mark Gibson KC told the jury the alleged bloody attack took a whole 14 minutes from start to end. When it was over, the alleged killer calmly told police who arrived at the scene what he had done, the court heard. 'I killed my wife. She's dead over there,' Kurera said. Dinush Kurera, 47, is accused of butchering his wife Nelomi Perera in front of their own children Despite those alleged admissions, Kurera proceeded to court with his not guilty pleas. On Wednesday, the jury is expected to hear a short summary from his lawyer explaining how his defence is put. Dressed in a black suit, the alleged killer sat in the dock at the back of the court as he faced the first day of his trial. The jury heard Kurera had broken into the home through a wooden fence under the cover of darkness. Ms Perera was found dead in the kitchen surrounded in a pool of blood. Mr Gibson alleged Kurera, dressed in dark clothing, wearing gloves and wielding a hatchet he purchased at Bunnings earlier that day, hit his estranged wife in the head as she was smoking on the patio about 11.25pm that evening. Nelomi Perera captured her own bloody murder on her smart watch He had days earlier arrived home from Sri Lanka. Mr Gibson alleged Perera ended their marriage while he was away after discovering he had been unfaithful. The prosecutor said Kurera could not accept his marriage was over and he might lose the house he built for his family. The couple's children, a 17-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl, heard screaming from downstairs and ran to find their father holding a hatchet and their mother on the floor, Mr Gibson said. He allegedly told the teens if they called police or tried to leave he would set fire to the home and kill everyone, including himself, the court heard. Ms Perera got up and showed her daughter her head injuries, before pointing to a pool of blood on the floor, Mr Gibson said. She allegedly tried to reason with her husband to call an ambulance, but Kurera instead told his son to get Ms Perera an ice pack and said he wanted to talk on the couch. Dinush Kurera, 47, is accused of murdering his wife Nelomi Perera While the estranged family sat in the living room, Kurera asked his children if their mother was seeing anyone else, to which the son said 'a few people'. 'This comment said by (the boy) to his father about his mother infuriated the accused,' Mr Gibson told the jury. 'Mr Kurera approached Nelomi and struck her multiple times.' He alleged Kurera's 'sustained, brutal and vicious attack' left Ms Perera with 35 wounds to vulnerable parts of her body from both the hatchet and a chef's knife taken from the kitchen. Their son tried to run outside and call for help, but Kurera allegedly chased him and hit the teen to the back of his head, shoulders and legs with the hatchet, Mr Gibson said. He said Kurera later told police Ms Perera tried to stab him. 'I just wanted to talk to her,' he claimed to police. The trial continues. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Tragic rollercoaster victim Shylah Rodden allegedly lashed out angrily at ride operators who warned her not to retrieve her phone moments before she was struck. Ms Rodden, then aged 26, suffered critical injuries after she was struck by the Rebel Coaster when she walked onto the tracks to retrieve her phone at the Melbourne Royal Show in 2022. On Monday, after a near two-year investigation, workplace watchdog WorkSafe Victoria decided against charging the ride operator or the Melbourne Royal Show. The move sparked an angry reaction from Shylah's mother Kylie Rodden, who embarked on a media campaign the next day to slam the workplace authority. But Daily Mail Australia can now reveal the disturbing chain of events that ended with Ms Rodden being struck by the rollercoaster. Well-placed sources closely linked with the investigation have told Daily Mail Australia that Ms Rodden was found to be the key cause of the tragedy. Ms Rodden had earlier been working at a lolly stand at the show when she and a friend took a ride on the rollercoaster during a break. Witnesses are understood to have told Worksafe investigators Ms Rodden appeared disorientated when she dropped her phone and attempted to retrieve it from under the tracks. Shylah Rodden before the shocking incident in 2022 Shylah Rodden in hospital. The ride operator has been cleared of any wrongdoing Shylah Rodden (pictured in black) seconds from disaster The source alleges ride operators told Ms Rodden they would stop the ride to allow her to retrieve her phone, but she would need to wait up to 30 minutes before she could access the area. 'It's fair to say she had some words to say to the operator when he told her to wait half-an-hour so that was the kind of behaviour the operator was facing,' the source said. 'She really didn't want to wait and took it in her own hands not to do so.' The investigation is understood to have found the operators had taken every precaution to ensure the safety of showgoers. 'They did all that. They followed their systems, they followed the processes they had in place,' the source said. 'The workers there followed their training as they were told to do and that's where the obligations are. 'That's where any charges the authority could lay are and have nothing to do with any decisions that one person may have made to get around those systems and processes that were in place by the (operator).' The ride operator was already familiar with those processes, given the number of items that routinely get dropped from the ride, the source said. That system does not see the ride stopped each and every time a customer alerts the operator. 'With a rollercoaster that kind of thing happens all the time,' they added. 'Stuff falls out of people's pockets literally every time the ride goes around so they have a system in place to ensure that when things fall out people can get it back. 'They keep the ride going because they can't stop it every time otherwise they'd be doing it all day, everyday. 'They have set times when they can shut it down and let people go and collect their stuff. [But] she decided not to wait and ultimately suffered the consequences.' On Wednesday, Arnold Thomas & Becker lawyer Sharlene Mehta, representing Ms Roddens family, told Daily Mail Australia she could not respond to the allegations as she hadn't been provided with WorkSafe's final report. 'As we have not been provided any information about the WorkSafe investigations that relate to Shylah Roddens injuries and incident, we are not able to comment on the allegations.' she said. Shylah Rodden will need a lifetime of care after being struck by a rollercoaster Shylah Rodden in the weeks after her release from hospital Ms Mehta told Daily Mail Australia they had been informed of the WorkSafe decision via a letter. 'We have not received a copy of WorkSafes report so we have no knowledge of what their investigations covered, or who was interviewed as part of their investigations,' Ms Mehta said. 'We have requested a copy of the findings of the investigations, but this will take six to eight months to get to us. Until then, we have little information about their findings. 'The letter our client received outlined the option to request that WorkSafe reconsider its decision and undertake further investigation. 'There was no further information provided. Once we have received a copy of the WorkSafe findings, we will decide whether we wish to make such a request to WorkSafe.' Shylah's mother - and legal guardian - Ms Rodden would not be drawn on the circumstances surrounding the accident. 'Id prefer not to answer that one. I think in time Shylah can answer that,' she told The Age. Among the Rodden family's complaints was an allegation their daughter was not directly questioned about the incident. Daily Mail Australia has been told WorkSafe's family liaison team kept in close contact with Shylah's mother throughout the 22-month long investigation. 'They were absolutely in touch with Shylah's family right throughout that process,' said the source. 'Obviously Shylah herself, while she can communicate, she has nominated contacts, including her mum who has been appointed her guardian. 'So WorkSafe has to deal with her mum because she's been legally-appointed her guardian and she's been kept informed right throughout the process. 'I think it's a bit unfair for her to say at the end she just got a letter and nothing else explaining what's been happening.' On Wednesday, Ms Mehta claimed Ms Rodden had been contacted by WorkSafe on three occasions, primarily to be assigned a family liaison officer who was to check on the welfare of Shylah and the family. 'Ms Rodden said that she herself contacted WorkSafe periodically over the past 22 months to ask about the progress of the investigation,' she said. 'She was provided some brief updates around the timing of the investigation, but was never given any information on the details or the scope of their enquiries.' Shylah Rodden before the tragic incident at the show Shylah Rodden, seen more recently, was allegedly told to wait for the ride to come to a scheduled halt, but took matters into her own hands Under WorkSafe's regulatory requirements, its focus of investigations is solely based on the risk factor of workplaces rather than the outcomes of accidents. 'There are certain situations where the outcome is irrelevant to its investigations. In this case, WorkSafe was investigating the duty holder and their obligation to do everything practically reasonable to reduce the risk so the outcome was immaterial essentially and not relevant to the investigation,' a source said. It is understood Shylah's legal team will need to lodge a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain a copy of WorkSafe's investigation report, which it could use to pursue any civil action against the ride operator. 'It's the only way they're going to get it because it's not something that's handed out when an investigation wraps up, so they can try and get their hands on it that way if they like,' a source said. On Tuesday, Shylah's mum revealed her daughter would require full-time medical care despite making a 'miraculous' recovery that now sees her walking and talking. The Royal Melbourne Show refused to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday. WorkSafe Victoria did not respond to inquiries about the matter on Wednesday. Prosecutor Tom Little KC told jurors at Woolwich Crown Court earlier this month: 'Leopards don't change their spots.' The 'leopard' the barrister was referring to was notorious hate preacher Anjem Choudary, who had spectacularly proved the adage by failing to resist the urge to inspire the next generation of terrorists as soon as he had the means. Choudary has spent three decades promoting the establishment of an Islamic state in Britain and advocating for violence, with his lectures inspiring beheadings and bomb plots around the world. Yet his student days suggested a different picture, with Choudary then going by the name of Andy and posing in front of pints and with pornographic magazine Mayfair. He has now been jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years for directing a secret terrorist propaganda operation over the course of ten years. Islamist hate preacher Anjem Choudary was known as Andy during his cider-swilling student days at Southampton University He has now been jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years after being found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court of directing the terrorist organisation Al-Muhajiroun Former acquaintances from his time at university told how he could down a pint in seconds Choudary studied law at Southampton University after dropping out of a medical course The 57-year-old founded Al-Muhajiroun (ALM) in 1996 and spent nearly 30 years running their operations under dozens of different names - with members linked to at least 16 different terrorist plots. The son of a Pakistani market trader from Welling in south east London, Choudary studied law at Southampton University after dropping out of a medical course. Fellow students recalled him drinking cider, enjoying casual sex, smoking cannabis and even taking LSD, despite insisting he was a Muslim. He is said to have had a series of white girlfriends and could down a pint of cider in just a few seconds. One former acquaintance previously said: 'At parties, like the rest of us, he was rarely without a joint. 'The morning after one party, I can remember him getting all the roaches [butts] from the spliffs we had smoked the night before out of the ashtrays, cutting them up and making a new one out of the leftovers. 'He would say he was a Muslim and was proud of his Pakistani heritage, but he didn't seem to attend any of the mosques in Southampton, and I only knew of him having white girlfriends. He certainly shared a bed with them.' The only sign of activism came in his upset over Salman Rushdie's book The Satanic Verses, which some Muslims believed to be blasphemous. The friend said: 'You didn't want to get him started on that. He would go on and on about the fatwa and he supported calls for the book to be banned. Choudary was arrested at his home in London on July 17 last year, almost five years after his release from prison Choudary and fellow defendant Khaled Hussein (left) are depicted in a court artist drawing at Woolwich Crown Court, London, where they were sentenced yesterday 'But he would have a glass of cider in his hand when he was carrying on about it.' But after moving back to London when his studies ended, Choudary met Islamist firebrand Omar Bakri Muhammad at a mosque in Woolwich and quickly fell under his spell. Bakri, a Syrian who came to Britain in the 1980s, had set up a sharia court in the UK and Choudary became his 'naqib' or assistant. Bakri, who celebrated the 9/11 attacks as a 'Towering Day in History', formed the group Al-Muhajiroun, meaning 'the foreigners', in the 1990s and Choudary was soon a key lieutenant. The government repeatedly tried to ban the organisation, leading them to adopt a number of different names, including Al Ghurabaa, Islam4UK, Muslims Against Crusades, Need4Khilafah and the Shariah Project. There are still however referred to by their original name. Choudary became heir apparent of Al-Muhajiroun in 2005 when his spiritual guide Omar Bakri Mohammed fled Britain in the wake of the July 7 terror attacks. He organised a string of stunts to offend the British public and gain media attention, including a group burning a giant poppy and screamed insults during a two-minute silence in London on Armistice Day in November 2010. Choudary, from Ilford in east London, was imprisoned for five years in 2016 for inviting support for Islamic State before being released on licence from HMP Belmarsh halfway through his sentence in 2018. Police in Britain, the US and Canada have been running separate investigations as they became concerned that Choudary was seeking to recruit a new generation of younger followers (Pictured: Choudary speaking in 2012) When interviewed by police, Choudary claimed his organisation 'doesn't exist' in the UK Choudary's mentor had been Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed (pictured) But in the year after his licence terms lapsed in 2021 which included barring him from the internet - he began spreading his message to a global audience once again, giving more than 40 lectures to a spin-off of his banned Islamist group al-Muhajiroun. Just three weeks after his ban on using the internet expired, the 57-year-old began pumping out vile press releases on encrypted messaging apps to followers as far away as Brazil, Canada and the US. Following a joint investigation by MI5, Scotland Yard, the NYPD and Canadian police, he was arrested again last July. In the first prosecution of its kind, Choudary was convicted on July 23 of directing a terrorist organisation and encouraging support for it online. A senior security official hailed his conviction as a very 'significant moment' in the fight against international terrorism. But experts said that, given his long history of radicalising followers and encouraging terrorist acts, Choudary should never have been allowed internet access after his release. Over decades, he is believed to have infected the minds of more than 100 Britons who have plotted to carry out terror attacks at home or abroad, many who Choudary knew personally. A closer look at some of the destruction wreaked thanks to his hateful teachings illustrates how dangerous it had been to allow this leopard out of the cage in the first place. Soldier killer who had hate preacher at his wedding Choudary's best-known disciples were Muslim converts Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who murdered Drummer Lee Rigby, 25, outside Woolwich barracks in 2013. Choudary and Adebolajo were first photographed together at a demonstration in 2007 and the preacher told his most recent trial they were so close: 'I was there when he became Muslim. I officiated at his marriage.' The sickening murder of the soldier who had survived the dusty killing fields of Afghanistan shocked the nation, but following the attack Choudary described Adebolajo as a 'pleasant, quiet guy'. He added: 'Some members of the Muslim community struggle to express themselves and he is making his voice heard in blood.' And though Choudary insisted he lost touch with his acolyte before the attack, Adebolajo told prison sources that it was the cleric's warped interpretation of the Koran that inspired him to plot the attack on Rigby. Choudary was an associate of Woolwich killer Michael Adebolajo (left) who murdered Fusilier Lee Rigby, alongside his younger accomplice Michael Adebowale (right) Adebolajo and Adebowale killed soldier Lee Rigby (pictured) in Woolwich in 2013 Fishmongers' Hall attacker While still a rebellious schoolboy at Haywood High School in Staffordshire, Usman Khan was radicalised by Choudary's sermons. And when he was arrested in 2010 over plans to establish a terrorist training camp in Pakistan and blow up the London Stock Exchange, police found his mentor's number in his phone. While in prison he was heard discussing Islam through his cell window with another of Choudary's proteges, Michael Adebolajo, and built his own reputation as an emir [leader] of Muslim inmates radicalising other prisoners and attempting to impose sharia law behind bars. Khan's enthusiastic engagement with the Learning Together programme helped him dupe officials into believing he was reformed, and also allowed him to circumvent a ban from visiting London. It was during a Learning Together conference in Fishmongers' Hall in November 2019 that he murdered organisers Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones before he was shot dead by armed officers. Usman Khan carried out the Fishmongers' Hall attacks in November 2020 before being shot dead by police on London Bridge - having murdered two people The Learning Together conference in Fishmongers' Hall in November 2019 was organised by Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones who were both killed there by Usman Khan Footage showed the moment Khan was caught on London Bridge after carrying out the attacks London Bridge murderer Khuram Butt's journey from a cannabis-smoking partygoer to murderous extremist began with devouring YouTube videos of Choudary's sermons. He met his idol in person during demonstrations in central London and the pair became close, occasionally having dinner at each other's homes even while Choudary was on police bail for encouraging support for ISIS. Butt's friend, Hamza Raza, said he would transform from a shy and retiring young man to 'like a lion out of a cage' in Choudary's company. And he displayed murderous savagery when, alongside Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba, he launched an attack on London Bridge and Borough Market on June 3, 2017, killing eight people and injuring 48. All three attackers were shot dead by police. Butt, 27, a married father of two nicknamed 'Abz' who was born in Pakistan, was so extreme he called fellow Muslims without beards non-believers. It was also revealed he would not speak to women directly and was banned from a mosque for berating worshippers for being 'un-Islamic'. Khuram Shazad Butt (left), Rachid Redouane (centre) and Youssef Zaghba (right) killed eight people and injured dozens in the London Bridge terror attacks on June 3, 2017 Among the victims were Christine Archibald, 30, and 45-year-old Xavier Thomas The attackers ploughed into pedestrians in a hired van then ran amok with 12in knives The white convert White Muslim convert Richard Dart, who once worked as a BBC security guard, was brought into Choudary's circle through an associate he met while studying carpentry at a west London college. It wasn't long before the cleric had fully radicalised the son of teachers from Weymouth, Dorset, and Dart was often photographed next to his mentor at protests. Choudary even gave his pupil the name 'Salahuddin,' after the medieval leader who drove Richard I from Jerusalem. Dart was stopped as he tried to leave for Pakistan for terrorist training in November 2011 with 4,800 cash to pay his way. Analysis of his laptop showed he had been plotting an attack on Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, where thousands gather to honour dead soldiers, and he was jailed for six years. The defendant's stepbrother Robb Leech told how Choudary had become a 'father figure' to Dart his radicalisation. Mr Leech said: 'I talked to Anjem after Richard's conviction - after he pleaded guilty - and I suggested that he was part of the radicalisation and brainwashing of Richard and others like him. 'His words, typically brazen, were "some brains need washing", which goes a long way towards explaining what he was about.' Muslim convert Richard Dart was jailed for six years after plotting an attack on the Royal Wootton Bassett military base in Wiltshire Poppy-burning bodyguard Choudary's poppy-burning bodyguard Mohammed Reza Haque became an Islamic State executioner before he was killed in Syria in 2019. Known as the Jihadi Giant due to his 6ft 6in frame, Haque had been a devout follower of Choudary since at least 2011. He fled Britain in 2014 and is thought to have taken over from Jihadi John - real name Mohammed Emwazi - as one of IS's chief executioners, appearing in propaganda films murdering captives. Before travelling to Syria, Haque, from Bethnal Green, east London, was seen at several rallies with Choudary, and in 2010 was filmed burning large plastic poppies near the Royal Albert Hall on Remembrance Sunday. Haque and fellow extremists chanted burn British soldiers, burn in hell as crowds observed a two-minute silence nearby. Haque was charged with a public order offence following the incident but was cleared due to lack of evidence. Mohammed Reza Haque (pictured centre) became an Islamic State executioner before he was killed in Syria in 2019 Haque was a devout follower of hate preacher Choudary since at least 2011. They are pictured together outside Regents Park Mosque in July 2013 Haque is seen here, second from right, taking part in an execution by Islamic State terrorists Jehovah's Witness who turned copycat terrorist Growing up as a strict Jehovah's Witness, Brusthom Ziamani spent much of his childhood going door to door hoping to convert strangers. But as a teenager he became intoxicated by Choudary's hardline Islamist rhetoric as members from Choudary's organisation Al-Muhajiroun met in the south London flat he shared with a friend. He idolised the murderer of Fusilier Lee Rigby and planned a copycat attack intending to behead a soldier himself after researching the location of Army cadet bases. But Ziamani was caught roaming the streets in 2014 with a 12in knife and a hammer wrapped in black IS flag. He was just 18 at the time. Ziamani was jailed for 22 years after being convicted of preparing an act of terrorism. And in October 2020 he was found guilty at the Old Bailey of attempting to murder a prison officer in an Islamic terrorist attack at top security Whitemoor jail in Cambridgeshire on January 9 that year - and was handed a life sentence. Brusthom Ziamani was jailed for 22 years after plotting to behead a soldier in a copycat attack based on the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby Inner circle associate Siddhartha Dhar, from Walthamstow in east London, was arrested along with Choudary as part of a round-up of the al-Muhajiroun leadership in September 2014. He had been helping to run the latest iteration of the group, called the Shariah Project, and created a notorious image of Buckingham Palace with an Islamic dome. Following his arrest, Dhar skipped bail and fled to Syria with his pregnant wife and four children. A photo from the warzone showed him in a military coat and boots, defiantly brandishing an assault rifle in one hand and holding his newborn baby in the other. In May 2015, Dhar published an online guide to IS that declared: 'When we descend on the streets of London, Paris and Washington the taste will be far bitterer because, not only will we spill your blood, but we will also demolish your statues, erase your history and, most painfully, convert your children.' The former bouncy castle salesman is thought to have been killed in a drone strike in Syria in 2018. Siddhartha Dhar (pictured), from Walthamstow in east London, was arrested along with Choudary as part of a round-up of the al-Muhajiroun leadership in September 2014 Ex-bouncy castle salesman Dhar is thought to have been killed in a drone strike in Syria in 2018 Paris attack ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the ringleader of the 2015 Paris attacks which killed 130, was involved with the outlawed group Sharia4Belgium funded and launched with help from Choudary in 2010. Choudary was filmed in 2012 in the Netherlands alongside member Hicham Chaib, who fled to Syria where he carried out countless beheadings. In the footage, Choudary tells members: 'I come from England in order to radicalise the youth in this country.' Officials estimate Sharia4Belgium radicalised hundreds of Belgians who went on to fight in Syria. Omar Ismael Mostelfai, one of the suicide bombers at the Bataclan nightclub in the 2015 Paris attackss, is also said to have been involved in the group. Abaaoud was from the Brussels district of Molenbeek, dubbed the 'jihadi capital of Europe', where the eight-strong killer squad who carried out the attacks are believed to have collected automatic weapons and suicide vests before driving into France in rented cars. Abdelhamid Abaaoud, mastermind of the Paris terror attacks in November 2015, was killed in a raid on his hideout in the French capital's suburb of Saint-Denis Abaaoud had been involved with the outlawed group Sharia4Belgium funded and launched with help from Anjem Choudary in 2010 Firefighters and policemen are seen outside Abaooud's apartment after the Paris terror attacks of November 2015 which left 130 people dead The delivery driver Delivery driver Junead Khan, whose brother Rajib was a close associate of Choudary, hatched a plot in 2015 to stage a road accident outside a base in East Anglia in order to execute a US airman. He stole a stars and stripes flag from a local diner which he planned to burn after the attack before displaying a black ISIS flag he had bought online. Khan, then 25, was jailed for life in 2016 over the plot, with a minimum term of 12 years, for plotting to kill US personnel outside an air base. He had used his job to scout US bases for potential victims, intending to stage a road accident outside the Lakenheath base and attack people who came to help. Khan was also found guilty, along with his uncle Shazib Khan, of preparing to go to Syria to join so-called Islamic State. Shazib Khan, 23, was given a custodial sentence of eight years, with an extended period of five years on licence. Junead Khan, from Luton, was found guilty of plotting to behead a US serviceman in Britain He and his uncle Shazib Khan, 23, were convicted of preparing to go to Syria to join so-called Islamic State at their trial in 2016 They may be man's best friend, but humans are at least partly to blame for dogs' brains getting smaller. Scientists in Hungary report that the domestic dog has a substantially smaller brain compared with its wild ancestor, the grey wolf. Domestic dogs' brains have evolved to become smaller because pooches live in simpler environments that require less brain power compared with their wild counterparts. While the experts argue there may be other factors leading to the size decrease in domestic dogs, they do not identify what these are exactly. However, in the wild, factors such as hibernation may be fueling a decrease in brain size for other species in the dog family, they say. Researchers wanted to see if the domesticated dog (Canis familiaris, pictured) has a uniquely small brain compared with other species in the canid family, including wolves, coyotes and jackals Brains of domestic dogs have evolved to become smaller because they live in a simpler environment compared with their wild counterparts. Pictured, a 3D model of the dog brain based on high-resolution CT-scanning The study has been led by by Laszlo Zsolt Garamszegi from the Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Hungary. 'The dog is a canid species that was domesticated from its ancestral species the grey wolf at least 15,000 years ago,' the team say. 'Over 400 breeds of dogs exist today, and the overall pattern is that relative brain size is dramatically reduced in dogs as compared with the ancestral species, the grey wolf.' The theory that dog brains have got smaller during centuries of domestication has been widely-accepted by vets and researchers alike. Whether it's foraging for food, avoiding predators or finding mates, domestic dogs have to deal with fewer cognitive demands compared with wild dogs. Due to this reduction in the need for brain power, domestic dogs' brains have gradually shrunk, the theory goes. The team explain: 'This phenomenon is thought to be a result of the decreased necessity for metabolically costly brain tissue in a domesticated environment.' Domesticated dogs show a substantial decrease in brain size compared to their wild ancestor, the grey wolf (Canis lupus, pictured) The researchers wanted to see if domestic dog brains were especially small (relative to their body size) when compared to their wild relatives. They analyzed brain and body size of 25 canid species, including the domestic dog (Canis familiaris), the the grey wolf (Canis lupus) and the common raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides). Domesticated dogs had a substantial decrease in brain size compared to their wild ancestor, the grey wolf, they found. But overall, the domestic dog had a relatively large brain size in relation to some of the other species looked at. Interestingly, the study found that the common raccoon dog is a 'more pronounced outlier' in terms of brain size reduction. In other words, the common raccoon dog's brain is unusually small for its body size and the researchers think this is because it's the only one that hibernates. Pictured, the common raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), a wild canid species that hibernates This graph plots the brain size (y axis) and body size (x axis) of individual canid species, including the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Note the 'outlier', the common raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), which has an unusually small brain for its medium-sized body Hibernation is associated with extensive periods of low metabolic activity and food scarcity, so it likely leads to a reduction in brain size, the team say. 'Prolonged periods of food shortage, such as during hibernation, prevents the evolution of large brains due to their constantly high energy demands,' the team say. The study concludes that while domestication does contribute to brain size reduction in dogs, hibernation is another cause too, at least for wild canids. Domestication, the authors say, should not be overemphasized as a 'uniquely powerful evolutionary force' that shrinks dog brains. The study has been published today in Biology Letters. Microsoft has confirmed that its latest global outage was caused by a malicious cyberattack. The outage saw Outlook email services, Xbox Live, and even Minecraft go down for almost 10 hours yesterday afternoon - just two weeks after millions were affected by global outages. Microsoft now admits that its services were taken out by a Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attack which was 'amplified' by an error in the company's cyber defences. Experts say the true culprits may never be identified but that they were likely encouraged to strike by Microsoft's recent service troubles. Sylvain Cortes, vice president of strategy at cybersecurity firm Hackuity, told MailOnline: 'Rogue actors, cybergangs, and nation-states alike leverage these tactics, so further investigation is required to determine the origin of the threat.' Microsoft says that its latest spate of outages was triggered by a cyberattack which the company's defences failed to prevent This comes just two weeks after 8.5 million devices were affected by a faulty security update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. Pictured: a screen at JFK Airport Terminal 1 displays a blue recovery mode message Yesterday, thousands of users reported issues accessing Microsoft services. At the time, the tech giant's service status website showed an alert for 'network infrastructure,' which is critical for connectivity and communication between users, apps, devices and the internet. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) earlier that day, Microsoft had written: 'We are investigating reports of issues connecting to Microsoft services globally. Customers may experience timeouts connecting to Azure services.' Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing service which provides data access and management services for a wide number of different clients. Azure also provides the centralised computer backbone for many of Microsoft's own services such as Outlook and Xbox Live which were all affected by the disruption. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Microsoft said that it was experiencing widespread issues with Microsoft 365 services such as the email system Outlook Microsoft Azure showed that it was experiencing network infrastructure issues which were affecting a subset of services Today, in an update on the Microsoft Azure website, Microsoft now says these issues were caused by a cyberattack that the firm failed to properly defend. Specifically, Microsoft says a preliminary investigation shows that their servers had been the target of a DDOS attack. This is a very basic form of cyberattack in which the malicious party sends vast amounts of internet traffic to a website or server so that legitimate web traffic can't get through. While they have been used widely by hacktivist groups around the world, these attacks generally cause limited and temporary disruption. However, Microsoft writes: 'Initial investigations suggest that an error in the implementation of our defenses amplified the impact of the attack rather than mitigating it.' Microsoft now says that Outlook, Xbox Live, and Minecraft were taken offline by a Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attack which was amplified by their own systems Pieter Arntz, senior threat researcher at cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes, explains that sometimes errors in the victim's own systems will boost the power of a DDOS attack. Mr Arntz told MailOnline: 'Rather than fending off the attack, something in Microsoft's cloud architecture overreacted and made things worse. 'It's very similar to how an ignorant person can ask more questions in an hour than a wise man can answer in a lifetime.' It is also not clear whether the attackers intended their disruption to spread so widely or whether they had more specific goals in mind. Unlike the previous outage which caused disruption at airports around the world (Pictured) this latest outage was triggered by a malicious attack from an unknown group Mr Cortes says: 'Attackers inflict as much pain as they need to achieve their ends. Sometimes the collateral damage extends further than even they expected. 'At this time, we can only speculate on the intentions behind this specific attack.' No known organisation or group is yet to claim responsibility for the attack, which makes it unlikely that the true identity of the attackers will ever be revealed. However, some experts suggest that attack could have been a carried out by a hacktivist group. DDOS attacks are a fairly basic form of cyberattack and have been used successfully in the past by groups like Anonymous or the IT Army of Ukraine. David Higgins, senior director of the Field Technology Office at CyberArk, told MailOnline that this would not be the first time Microsoft has been a target for hacktivists. Microsoft Azure provides the cloud computing services for Microsoft products like Xbox Live and Minecraft. As its own defences overreacted to the DDOS attack many products using Azure were affected Mr Higgins says: 'It could be a Hacktivist group again, looking to perhaps show how reliant organisations around the world are on their IT services from Microsoft and in general. 'Following the recent global outage from the Crowdstrike update; service disruption is clearly on the world radar.' However, Mr Higgins also points out that cybercrimals and nation-states also employ these techniques so there is not enough information to determine who the attacker was. DDOS attacks generally harness large networks of compromised computers which makes it difficult to trace the attack back to a single source. Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET, told MailOnline: 'Such attacks are rarely attributed to anyone as the perpetrators can easily hide and evade detection.' However, Mr Moore points out that the cybercriminals behind the attack were likely emboldened by Microsoft's recent troubles. Cybersecurity experts told MailOnline that the criminals or nation behind the attack were likely emboldened by seeing the massive problems Microsoft faced with service outages in previous weeks He says: 'Since the large CrowdStrike outage, it can be assumed that cybercriminals around the globe will now attempt attacks considered unthinkable before. 'From what we have seen over the last couple of weeks we have learnt to expect the unexpected more than ever. To witness two major outages in such a short space of time is unprecedented but maybe not entirely independent.' Microsoft says that the service was back to normal by 21:48 BST but not before widespread disruption caused frustration for thousands of customers. That included many using Microsoft's Xbox Live gaming platform and those trying to log in to the popular video game Minecraft. Big corporations were also affected by the attack including Cambridge Water which wrote in a post on X that 'due to worldwide issues with Microsoft Azure, a problem with our website is affecting several services including MyAccount and PayNow.' The attack came at an especially bad time for the company as it brought service to a standstill just hours before Microsoft was due to present its latest financial update. Tens of thousands of flights were cancelled across the globe as CrowdStrikes 'Falcon Sensor' update caused Windows to crash On X, many users vented their frustration with Microsoft's faulty servers which had once again gone down Others bemoaned Microsoft's centralised systems which allowed disruption to spread widely across different services This comes just two weeks after a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike knocked 8.5 million Microsoft devices offline. The incident impacted Microsoft's 365 apps and Azure service, which are used by more than 50 per cent of Fortune 500 companies and eight of the top financial institutions across 43 US states. Major government offices were forced to close including the Social Security Administration which said the incident had shut down numerous services. Most visibly, thousands faced delays while preparing to fly as the Microsoft-powered systems of airlines crashed. Tens of thousands of flights were cancelled across the globe as CrowdStrikes 'Falcon Sensor' update caused Windows to crash - leaving many with the infamous 'blue screen of death'. MailOnline has contacted Microsoft for comment. Celebrity suicides can act as a 'contagion' - triggering thousands of people to consider taking their own lives, a new study warned. Researchers analyzed the 'rapid and expansive spread' of suicidal behavior related to the deaths of three iconic individuals, including actor Robin Williams, fashion designer Kate Spade and travel writer Anthony Bourdain. They found a thousand-fold increase in people fantasizing about suicide following Williams' death in 2014, showing how the contagion spreads quickly. The team reported that they hope their findings will provide a framework for understanding suicidal contagion so they can better understand, prevent and contain its spread in the future. Robin Williams (left) committed suicide by hanging in 2014, creating a surge in Americans taking their own lives in the same manner and Kate Spade (right) committed suicide by hanging in 2018 Researchers at Columbia University reported that there wasn't one single factor that causes suicide or suicidal thoughts but some have been attributed to social, or contagious, processes. People's proximity or familiarity with other people who have thought about, attempted or committed suicide have been found to contribute to them developing their own suicidal thoughts or actions, the team said. They focused on the spikes in suicide rates following Williams' death and the subsequent deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain - both of whom died just days apart in 2018. The study, published in the journal Science Advances, analyzed data from total weekly calls made to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a 24-hour call center, to estimate how many people experienced suicidal thoughts and mortality data in the National Vital Statistics System. 'The model we developed shows how suicide contagion, including both suicidal ideation and deaths, spreads quickly following the suicide deaths of celebrities whose lives and work are known and likely meaningful to large portions of the population,' he added. Suicide is now the ninth leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 64, and was responsible for more than 48,000 deaths in 2021, amounting to about one death every 11 minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Jeffrey Shaman, the study's co-author and Columbia University professor, said there was a substantial increase in call volume to the Lifeline following all three celebrity's deaths, but Williams' suicide seemed to have a bigger impact. 'The 2018 case is similar, although the magnitude of the suicide contagion rate changes following news of the Spade and Bourdain suicides was roughly half,' Shaman said. 'Among the two celebrity suicide events, the number of excess suicide deaths was approximately double following the 2014 Williams event, potentially reflecting differences in communication and media attention following each event and the level of population connection with the deceased.' Williams was a beloved actor known for his roles in the the critically acclaimed films Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), and Good Will Hunting (1997), among many others. He was just 63 years old when he committed suicide by hanging, and his death shook the world with data showing there was a 32 percent increase in people taking their own lives using the same method, according to a 2018 study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. 'Although we cannot determine with certainty that these deaths are attributable to the death of Robin Williams, we found both a rapid increase in suicides in August 2014, and specifically suffocation suicides, that paralleled the time and method of Williams' death,' the study's co-author David Fink, said at the time. Anthony Bourdain was a travel writer who committed suicide by hanging mere days after Kate Spade in June 2018 Now the researchers said their newest findings mirror the 2018 study, documenting that suicide rates in the US increased 37 percent between 2000 and 2018, but decreased five percent between 2018 and 2020 before returning to their peak in 2021. Spade and Bourdain died in within three days of each other in June 2018 - both by hanging - and brought attention to the soaring number of suicides in the US. 'In both the 2014 and 2018 simulations, the increased rates of contagion lasted about two weeks before returning to baseline levels,' Shaman said. Suicide is now the ninth leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 64, and was responsible for more than 48,000 deaths in 2021, amounting to about one death every 11 minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study's co-author Professor Katherine Keyes said their ultimate goal moving forward 'is to work toward a point where a suicide contagion model can inform a rapid response geared at preventing suicide.' Authorities have confirmed that a Tesla on autopilot was partly responsible for a crash in Washington that killed a motorcyclist . Jeffrey Nissen, 28, was traveling about 15 miles northeast of Seattle when a Model S came from behind and rammed him off his bike before running him over. Investigators from the Washington State Patrol found the Tesla driver was operating on the company's 'Full Self Driving' (FSD) and had looked at his cell phone while the vehicle was moving. Nissen was found under the car and pronounced dead at the scene, authorities reported. Motorcyclist, Jeffrey Nissen, 28, (pictured) was traveling about 15 miles northeast of Seattle when a Model S collided came from behind and collided with him The 56-year-old driver was arrested for investigation of vehicular homicide. He described how he had put the car on Autopilot mode and briefly glanced at his phone to text while in traffic. He also admitted to having consumed one alcoholic drink before getting into the driver's seat, though he passed blood and breath tests at the time. The cops say his story stands, based on their investigations. But Capt. Deion Glover, with the Washington State Patrol, said on Tuesday: 'The investigation is still ongoing in this case.' He said the Snohomish County Prosecutor will determine if any charges are filed in the case. Tesla's manual warns drivers about solely relying on the FSD feature saying they need to keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times, 'be mindful of road conditions and surrounding traffic, pay attention to pedestrians and cyclists, and always be prepared to take immediate action.' The death is at least the second in the US involving Tesla's 'Full Self-Driving' system. One of the electric car makers Colorado employees drove off the road and died in a fiery crash in 2022 while allegedly in auto drive. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had found one fatality and 75 crashes while the system was being used. The reports do not verify if the system was at fault for the deaths. Tesla touts its FSD system with the ability to 'drive your Tesla vehicle almost anywhere. 'Your vehicle will be able to drive itself almost anywhere with minimal driver intervention and will continuously improve,' the description continued. Investigators from the Washington State Patrol found the Tesla driver was operating on the company's 'Full Self Driving' (FSD) and had looked at his cell phone while the vehicle was moving FSD guides vehicles from a highway's on-ramp to off-ramp and suggests lane changes, navigating interchanges, automatically engaging the turn signal and taking the correct exit. The technology also assists in moving to an adjacent lane on the highway when Autosteer, helps drivers parallel park and identify stop signs and traffic lights. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said last week that 'Full Self Driving' should be able to run without human supervision by the end of this year. But until then, drivers have been told to remain attentive when using FSD. Musk said last week that he did not think approval by government regulators would be a limiting factor in deploying robotaxis. 'If you've got billions of miles that show that in the future, unsupervised FSD is safer than humans, what regulator could really stand in the way of that?' he asked. Tesla's manual warns drivers about solely relying on the FSD feature saying they need to keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times But Phil Koopman, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who studies autonomous vehicle safety, said he doesn't see Tesla running robotaxis without human drivers on nearly all roads for another decade. The safety record Musk cites is based on having a human driver supervise the automated system, he said. 'Unless you have data showing that the driver never has to supervise the automation, then there's no basis for claiming they're going to be acceptably safe,' he said. Musk has said Tesla will unveil a dedicated robotaxi vehicle at an event on Oct. 10. The event was delayed from Aug. 8 to make changes in the vehicle that Musk wanted. Musk has been telling investors that Tesla is less of a car company and more of a robotics and artificial intelligence company. Many investors have put money into the company based on long-term prospects for robotics technology. Musk has been touting self-driving vehicles as a growth catalyst for Tesla since 'Full Self Driving' hardware went on sale late in 2015. A grieving father whose son died by suicide has shared a warning to parents about the dangers of the internet. Brett Allred, 50, searched Riley's phone after his passing in February, hoping to find his son's happiest memories, but what he saw made him 'vomit.' Riley, 23, had screenshots from a website that showed step-by-step instructions on suicide methods 'as specific as a recipe making souffle.' Allred has shared his story in hopes parents will be more vigilant in monitoring their young kids' web activities to be aware if they find a suicide enabling site like his son did, as at least two million adolescents attempt suicide each year in the US. A grieving father whose son died by suicide has shared a warning to parents about the dangers of the internet. Brett Allred, 50, searched Riley's phone after his passing in February, hoping to find his son's happiest memories, but what he saw made him 'vomit' Riley, born in Oklahoma, was known as a protector among his friends, standing up for them and offering assistance when needed. He attended Oklahoma State University and the University of Arizona wanting to study cyber security and was known by his parents as being fun, caring and always wearing a hoodie. Riley took his life on February 23. Allred told USA Today that the screenshots on Riley's phone were nearly identical to the way he killed himself. 'If he hadn't seen this, he would be alive today,' Allred said. 'He wouldn't have done this unless he knew it would guarantee success.' Allred has lived with immense guilt since Riley's passing, blaming himself for not checking his son's phone. Riley's obituary says he 'had everything to live for, but struggled with depression and coping with life's difficulties.' Allred said that Riley was living at one of his homes in Oklahoma, but began to neglect his chores and became isolated from friends. 'It's just so strange, because, even though I noticed these behaviors, it just doesn't enter your mind like, 'Oh, my kid is suicidal,' ' Allred told USA Today. Riley, 23, had screenshots from a website that showed step-by-step instructions on suicide methods 'as specific as a recipe making souffle Allred said that the screenshots on Riley's phone were nearly identical to the way he killed himself The father gave the son an ultimatum - either keep up with the house or move out. Riley chose to move in with his mother and stepfather, who have not been named, and then he ended his life. 'My worst fear did in fact come true,' Allred said. 'My ex-wife, his mom, she did everything I did. Tried to get him help. Tough love, also easy love. We tried to be soft with him, then we tried to be firm with him. 'Just nothing seemed to work. Got him professional help. Nothing seemed to work.' He is not sure when or how Riley found the website, but such sites litter the internet. A 2020 study conducted by the University of Copenhagen, Denmark found 136 English-language websites provided instructions to take your own life. The New York Times published an investigation that found a specific site, which the publication did not reveal, draws in six million page views per month, four times as many as the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. A report published last week found that the US has the sixth-highest suicide rate in the world At least 45 deaths by suicide in multiple countries were linked to the site, most of the individuals were 30 or younger. Matthew van Antwerpen, a 17-year-old in suburban Dallas, was found to have used the site's instructions to commit suicide in 2021. A report published last week found that the US has the sixth-highest suicide rate in the world. A worldwide ranking by international prescription service Universal Drugstore listed South Korea as having the highest rate of suicides in men and women, with Croatia and Australia tying for the number 10 spot. Suicide has become the tenth-leading cause of death in the US Rates increased 16 percent from 2011 to 2022, with the highest rate yet being reported in 2022 with a record high of 49,369 suicide deaths. While many may think the way of death is more common among adults, a study published on July 30 found rates among elementary school-age children have nearly doubled in the past 20 years. Researchers examined death records for US preteens aged eight to 12 from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2022. They found that the rate rose from about 3.3 per 1million deaths in 2001 to more than nine per one million in 2021, an increase of more than 170 percent. Research suggests that a protracted, worsening mental health crisis among young people is leading to rises in suicides. The crisis has resulted in record high rates of hopelessness, depression and anxiety. Amanda Holden looked sensational in her latest sizzling social media post from her family holiday in Corfu on Wednesday. The Heart FM presenter, 53, showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy black bikini from Elizabeth Hurley Beach. Amanda accessorised with stylish sunglasses and dainty gold jewellery while out soaking up the sun at her lavish accommodation. She proceeded to go for a dip in the pool, leaving her golden locks slick back and wet, before enjoying an outdoor shower. It comes after Amanda stunned with her mini-me daughters Lexi and Hollie in Greece in photos she shared to her Instagram earlier this week. Amanda Holden looked sensational in her latest sizzling social media post from her family holiday in Corfu on Wednesday She proceeded to go for a dip in the pool, leaving her golden locks slick back and wet, before enjoying an outdoor shower She looked beautiful sandwiched between her daughters who all wore brightly patterned dresses. Amanda's dress was long-sleeved where her daughters' had no sleeves and she took turns nestling into both of her children. While the trio's husband and father Chris Hughes was not seen in the snaps, they were not alone. Joining them was English actress Jane Wall who stunned in a black and white cut-out ankle -length ensemble.Jane, 51, is best-known for portraying PC Di Worrell in police procedural The Bill from 1999 to 2002. On Monday, Amanda again took to Instagram from Greece, this time to show off her incredible figure. The BGT judge soaked up some sun a blue bikini, consisting of a strapless top and matching bottoms. She layered over a coordinating floral shirt and accessorised her beach ready look with a straw cowboy hat. The Heart FM presenter, 53, showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy black bikini from Elizabeth Hurley Beach Amanda accessorised with stylish sunglasses and dainty gold jewellery while out soaking up the sun at her lavish accommodation Amanda shielded her eyes from the sun with a pair of oversized sunglasses and flashed a smile for the camera. She captioned the post: 'Bikini, hat and shirt by @melissaodabash #family,' alongside a Greek flag. The family holiday comes after Lexi, who is signed to Storm Models, was admitted to hospital with life-threatening E. coli amid the latest outbreak. Lexi was on a ward for five days with her mother and her father Chris at her bedside. While discussing the warning signs to look out for amid the latest outbreak, Amanda revealed to The Sun that her daughter Lexi had been suffering from bloating and stomach cramps. She said: 'For about three weeks, Lexi had been complaining of bloating and stomach cramps. She was not happy at all and in quite a lot of pain with her tummy. 'It was around the time of revision and her A-levels, so I was just putting this down to exam stress.' The family holiday comes after Lexi, who is signed to Storm Models, was admitted to hospital with life-threatening E. coli amid the latest outbreak (pictured in 2023) However, Amanda admitted that after taking her daughter to her GP, who insisted on her doing some blood and stool samples, the results came back as a bacterial infection. The star then revealed that while she was filming in Spain, she began to get calls from various government officials asking her to fill out several forms about where her daughter might have eaten and what kind of food they had stored in their home. The star also confessed that the antibiotics her daughter was given didn't seem to be working and claimed her doctor called her saying 'I don't want to alarm you' before telling her Lexi's bloods were 'through the roof' and she was in danger of 'contracting sepsis'. Amanda recalled how terrified she was to hear the word 'sepsis'. She revealed that Lexi's was the 113th case of E. coli in the country in just two weeks - and that the doctor had warned them that this was just the tip of the iceberg. Katie Piper has opened up and revealed the 'only thing' that helped her confidence following her traumatic acid attack. The star, 40, who now hosts her own weekend breakfast show, was the victim of a horrific acid attack in 2008 that left her with severe facial burns. Speaking to Women's Health UK she explained that during those years where her face was constantly changing through surgeries, her hair was the only thing she could control. She revealed that her hair became her 'armour' and her 'crown' during her recovery. Speaking to the publication, Katie explained: 'My face was changing after I was burnt, and the only thing I had control of was my hair, and it became my crown. Katie Piper has opened up and revealed the 'only thing' that helped her confidence following her traumatic acid attack 'My hair was the only way I could communicate and express to the world how I was feelingMy hair is my armour, my hair is my strength, my hair is my way of communicating with the public. 'I found this whole new community in a world that I hadn't felt a part of for a long time, in the beauty world. 'I dont want to sound superficial, but my hair is connected to my confidence and it's not in a frivolous or vanity way but a good hair day gives me that sass to feel more assertive, more in control, to feel sexy, to feel pretty, and that's okay.' Katie was attacked in March 2008 by an obsessive ex, who had arranged for another man to throw sulphuric acid at her in a London street. Both men were later jailed for life. The TV host was lucky to have survived, but there was an agonising road to recovery ahead to rebuild her face and her life her injuries have required more than 400 operations since that day. Katie, who was only 24 at the time, was an aspiring presenter but following the attack was encouraged by her parents to move back home to Hampshire. Refusing to give up on her dream, the mother-of-two pushed for greater diversity in the TV industry. Speaking to Women's Health UK she explained that during those years where her face was constantly changing, her hair was the only thing she could control to boost her confidence Speaking to publication, she said: 'My face was changing after I was burnt, and the only thing I had control of was my hair, and it became my crown She went on to create two further personal documentaries with Channel 4, wrote her autobiography, a series of self-development books, as well as newspaper and magazine columns, plus set up the Katie Piper Foundation, which provides support for burns survivors. For the first two years following the attack, Katie had to wear a clear plastic mask on her face she added that she didn't want the mask to stop her from 'going to work' and she wanted to get off 'disability benefits'. She needed 400 operations after being left with severe burns. Katie has been married to carpenter and builder Richie Sutton, 40, since 2015 and they share two daughters Belle, 10, and six-year-old Penelope. The full interview can be read now on the Women's Health website. Katie was attacked in March 2008 by an obsessive ex, who had arranged for another man to throw sulphuric acid at her in a London street. Both men were later jailed for life Katie was just 24 in March 2008 when the harrowing attack happened. She needed 400 operations after being left with severe burns (pictured in October 2009) Angela Griffin has revealed her 'confidence is growing with age' after embarking on a surprise career move. The actress, 48, who first found fame as Fiona Middleton in Corrie way back in 1992, explained how she believes people now take her a 'little bit more seriously'. Angela explained how her new found confidence has led her to direct episodes of Waterloo Road, in which she plays headmistress Kim Campbell. Telling Prima: 'My confidence is increasing as I'm getting older. When I was younger, I was scared of making the wrong decision'. 'I was scared I would somehow say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing. Now, I think people take me a bit more seriously.'. Angela Griffin, 48, has revealed her 'confidence is growing with age' after embarking on a surprise career move The actress, who first found fame as Fiona Middleton in Corrie way back in 1992 explained how she believes people now take her a 'little bit more seriously Angela pictured on the ITV soap in 1993 Speaking about her new role behind the camera she said: 'Directing feels like a natural progression. When you come from acting and go into directing, there's a respect from the actors, because you know what they're going through'. Before adding: 'Luckily, on Waterloo Road, I have a great relationship with all the crew.' Elsewhere in the interview Angela shared a rare insight into her relationship with husband and fellow Jason Milligan, with whom she shares Tallulah and Melissa. Telling the publication: 'I do not expect all my joy, all my happiness or all my everything to come from him. I think that's too much pressure on anyone'. 'We like loads of the same stuff, and there's stuff that we don't both like. And if he doesn't like doing it, I go and do it with someone else.' She also spoke about her upcoming new series The Wives, which she stars in alongside Jo Joyner and Tamzin Outhwaite. 'I can't remember the last time there was an ensemble female- led show. That's what drew me in and made me want to be a part of The Wives'. She continued: 'It's beautiful: aspirational, about female friendships, about what happens when you get to your late 40s your kids are moving out and everything that has defined you up to that moment changes.' Angela explained how her new found confidence has led her to direct episodes of retuning show Waterloo Road, in which she plays headmistress Kim Campbell (pictured) Telling Prima: 'My confidence is increasing as I'm getting older. When I was younger, I was scared of making the wrong decision' It comes after Waterloo Road was reportedly renewed for a further two series. And after the show had a double recommission last year, it means four new series are on the way. The show was originally axed in 2015, but following a revival in audiences during the first COVID lockdown, it returned to screens following an eight-year break in 2023. The secondary school-set show first aired in 2006 and won legions of fans by tackling numerous tough issues over its 200-episode run. The 14th series, which is expected to air later this year, will see newbie Jason Manford star as headteacher Steve Savage. It poses questions amongst fans to what will happen to the school's current head played by Angela On his new role, Jason said: 'What an absolute treat it is to join the cast and crew of Waterloo Road, right here in my home city of Manchester. 'My kids and I binged the show on iPlayer during lockdown. Its such a brilliant, iconic show, so Im dead proud to now be part of its history. Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher and now becoming a headteacher, I know I would have been terrible!' Cameron Roach, Executive Producer of Waterloo Road and Founder of Rope Ladder Fiction, added: 'We're thrilled that Jason Manford is joining Waterloo Road, as the show returns for a fourth series since returning to BBC One and BBC iPlayer. 'Jason is a phenomenal comic actor, and has fully embraced the tone and spirit of the show, we can't wait for the audience to meet Steve Savage and his son Billy. Elsewhere in the interview Angela shared a rare insight into her relationship with husband and fellow Jason Milligan, with whom she shares Tallulah and Melissa Telling the publication: 'I do not expect all my joy, all my happiness or all my everything to come from him. I think that's too much pressure on anyone' She also spoke about her upcoming new series The Wives, which she stars in alongside Jo Joyner (C) and Tamzin Outhwaite (R) 'As with all of our adult cast, Jason has been an inspiring and approachable mentor to our younger cast and crew; we love that a new generation of Northern talent are able to learn their craft alongside brilliant household names. 'The legacy of Waterloo Road goes from strength to strength'. Adam Thomas, who plays Donte Charles, and Kym Marsh, who stars as Nicky Walters, will also be making a return to the series. The show, based once again around a high school in Greater Manchester, tells the stories of the challenges experienced by teachers, parents and pupils. It also highlights the problems that teenagers face today, including the cost-of-living crisis, navigating being LGBTQ+, racism, sexism and mental health. In it's initial return, it tackled the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on school kids. The gritty show - which was written by the creators of ITV prison drama Bad Girls - was originally set in Rochdale but later series saw a relocation to Greenock, Scotland. Read the full interview in Primas September issue, on sale Wednesday 31st July. The Wives is coming to Channel 5 and My5 this autumn Home and Away actor Matt Evans has been slammed for a 'creepy' stunt he pulled on social media. The former Voice star, 27, recently shared a video to Instagram in which he revealed he would play his new song Better to Forget to one random fan after inviting them into his car to listen to it. 'Okay, we're going to go around and see if we can find someone we can play my new song to. I've never done this before, hopefully someone wants to listen,' Matt told his fans. He was then seen driving to a Sydney park and asking a woman walking down the footpath if she wanted to get in his car with him. 'Hey excuse me, would you want to come in my car and listen to a new song of mine?' Matt said. 'No thank you. Good luck though,' the woman immediately replied, before quickly walking away. A red-faced Matt then told his fans he would never be doing that again, admitting: 'I am so embarrassed'. Furious fans quickly took to the comment section to slam Evans for his inappropriate request. Home and Away actor Matt Evans (pictured) has been slammed online for a 'creepy' stunt he pulled on social media. The Voice star shared a video to Instagram in which he revealed he would play his new song to one random person - by inviting them into his car to listen to it 'She didn't want to sit in your car. STRANGER DANGER!' one fan sniped, as a second person added: 'You probably scared the wits outta her.' However, one fan point out the stunt looked fake: 'People thinking it's real and not staged. It's his friend,' and Evans confirmed they were 'acting' in the clip. Matt began his showbusiness career by belting out tunes on series nine of The Voice Australia in 2020. Matt rose to fame on the reality singing competition as part of Team Delta, before he joining forces with Janie Gordon as a duo. He was then seen driving to a Sydney park and asking a woman walking down a footpath if she wanted to get in his car with him - and she immediately rejected his request Furious fans quickly took to the comment section to slam Evans for being unaware of how inappropriate his request was - and Matt later claimed the stunt was staged The following year, he expanded his career into acting by joining the long-running soap opera Home and Away. Speaking about his first acting role to The Daily Telegraph, Matt told the publication he was 'learning on the job'. 'I went in there with a clean slate and I am learning so much day-by-day,' he said. Less than a year after finalizing her divorce from second husband Jim Toth, Reese Witherspoon has sparked new romance rumors. The Legally Blonde star, 48, was recently spotted enjoying the company of financier Oliver Haarmann, 56, in New York City. DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal the two have been out on a string of dates, after they were seen together multiple times this week, fueling speculation about a new relationship. And while she seems to be moving on to a new chapter of her love life, the actress has dated a number of A-listers in the past. From her marriages to Ryan Phillippe and Jim Toth, to her well-documented relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal, DailyMail.com takes a look back at her high-profile romances. While she seems to be moving on to a new chapter of her love life, Reese Witherspoon, 48, has dated a number of A-listers in the past; seen with first husband Ryan Phillippe in 1998 The star most recently sparked romance rumors with financier Oliver Haarmann, 56, after they were seen on a string of dates; they are pictured on Monday Jeremy Sisto (1992) Prior to meeting her first husband Ryan, Reese had already captured hearts off-screen. The actress dated Jeremy Sisto, 49, best known for his role in Clueless, after the duo met while working on a 1992 TV movie. Sisto later revealed in a Reddit AMA that Witherspoon was his 'first actress girlfriend.' 'We had a long-distance relationship for a long time. I was so into her,' the actor said. It's unknown exactly when the pair split up. The actress dated Jeremy Sisto, 49, best known for his role in Clueless, after the duo met while working on a 1992 TV movie; Sisto seen in 2003 Ryan Phillippe ( 1997 - 2008) Their meeting was the stuff of romantic comedies: Phillippe, 49, and Witherspoon crossed paths at her 21st birthday party in 1997 and began dating. In a 1998 interview with Jane magazine, the star revealed, 'I don't know what came over me maybe the seven Midori sours but I told him, "I think you're my birthday present. 'He thought it was so flattering and now that I think about it how embarrassing!' The romance progressed quickly, and in 1998, about a year after meeting, the pair got engaged. The couple went on to star in the iconic 1999 romance/thriller Cruel Intentions together, catapulting their stardom. Phillippe, 49, and Witherspoon crossed paths at her 21st birthday party in 1997 and began dating. The romance progressed quickly, and in 1998, the pair got engaged; seen in 1998 The couple went on to star in the iconic 1999 romance/thriller Cruel Intentions together, catapulting their stardom; seen in 2002 Only a few weeks after the movie came out, Reese and Ryan got married in June 1999. They said 'I do' in Charleston, South Carolina at the Old Wide Awake Plantation along the Stono River. The Big Little Lies star was several months pregnant with their daughter, Ava, at the time. Reese was 23 when she welcomed Ava now 24 in September 1999, three months after their wedding. In 2002, Ryan revealed that the pair were attending couples therapy in an interview with New York's Daily News. 'The biggest mistake is not doing that, ignoring it and having the marriage fall apart because of laziness,' he said. Their son Deacon now 20 was born four years after their daughter. Eventually, the fairytale romance began to turn sour. In 2006, three years after having their son, the duo announced they were splitting. They got married in June 1999, but eventually the fairytale romance began to turn sour, and in 2006 the duo announced they were splitting; seen in 2002 They share daughter Ava, 24, and son, Deacon, 20; Reese seen with their kids in 2019 They shared a joint statement at the time. 'We are saddened to announce that Reese and Ryan have decided to formally separate,' a representative for the couple said. 'They remain committed to their family and we ask that you please respect their privacy and the safety of their children at this time.' They finalized their divorce in 2008. Jake Gyllenhaal (2006 -2009) Witherspoon began dating Brokeback Mountain star Jake, 43, in 2006 while working together on the movie Rendition. The two split in 2009. At the time a source told Us Weekly that it was an amicable split. 'No one cheated. There was no drama.' Other sources close to the couple said the relationship had just run its course. Witherspoon began dating Brokeback Mountain star Jake Gyllenhaal, 43, in 2006 while working together on the movie Rendition; seen in 2007 The two split in 2009. At the time a source told Us Weekly that it was an amicable split. 'No one cheated. There was no drama'; Pictured in Los Angeles in 2009 A friend told U.S. TV network E!: 'They needed time to figure it out and they were on different coasts. When they were finally together, they talked it out and decided they're not going to be together any more. 'There are no other people involved. The relationship just ended. It just fizzled. But they also wanted to be careful and private about it because of Reese's kids.' Jim Toth (2010 - 2023) One year after her split from Gyllenhaal, Witherspoon began dating Hollywood talent agent Jim, 54. The duo wed in March 2011 and welcomed their son Tennessee now 11 one year later. In a 2011 interview with Marie Claire, Witherspoon called herself 'very lucky' to have found Toth. 'Now I feel a great sense of relief and an incredible amount of support from my husband... Somebody close to me once said, "Oh, no man will ever accept your children." And I just thought it was the most horrifying thing someone has ever said to me in my entire life.' 'I was determined to find somebody who would make that not true. And I got lucky. I did. I got very lucky, and he's wonderful. And so wonderful with the children. I'm very blessed.' But after 12-years of marriage, Witherspoon and Toth announced their split in March of 2023. One year after her split from Gyllenhaal, Witherspoon began dating Hollywood talent agent Jim, 54. The duo wed in March 2011; seen in 2017 They welcomed their son Tennessee now 11 one year later; The former pair pictured with Tennessee (middle) and Reese's older kids 'We have some personal news to share ... It is with a great deal of care and consideration that we have made the difficult decision to divorce,' they shared in a statement. 'We have enjoyed so many wonderful years together and are moving forward with deep love, kindness and mutual respect for everything we have created together. 'Our biggest priority is our son and our entire family as we navigate this next chapter. 'These matters are never easy and are extremely personal. We truly appreciate everyone's respect for our family's privacy at this time.' A week after the announcement, Reese officially filed for divorce. She cited irreconcilable differences as the reason behind their split in court documents obtained by TMZ. The documents were filed in Nashville, Tennessee, where they live with their son. The documents reveal the couple agreed to a prenuptial agreement in March 2011. Reese indicated the contract was valid, 'providing "adequate and sufficient provisions" for their assets and debts.' An insider told People that it was 'very difficult' for the movie star to accept that she and her former partner were 'two very different people.' But after 12-years of marriage, Witherspoon and Toth announced their split in March of 2023; seen in 2020 Someone close to the two noted that the ambitious producer 'has her hand in a lot of pots' and Toth 'prefers less frenzy.' It was added that, 'They've been spending less and less time together while she was working.' More than ten years after tying the knot, the longtime duo recently 'found themselves with fewer interests in common.' Reese is described by a source as 'headstrong and focused' and Jim is said to be 'more laid-back.' Despite going through a divorce a source close to The Last Thing He Told Me producer told People in April that she has 'no regrets' about ending the union and is 'doing much better now.' Oliver Haarmann (2024) Reese has been spotted enjoying a number of dates with Haarman - whose ex-wife - businesswoman Mala Gaonkar, 54, is now in a relationship with musician David Byrne, 72. In snaps from this week she looked chic in a black dress and heels as she hopped into an SUV before a dinner date with Haarmann - who wore a white shirt and blue trousers. They were also seen on Sunday arriving at a heliport together before heading to an apartment building. Haarmann was previously married to businesswoman Mala Gaonkar, 54 and the pair have two sons (pictured 2016) It is unclear how serious their relationship is. DailyMail.com has contacted Reese's representative for comment. Haarmann - who is German - is a founding partner of Searchlight Capital Partners, a private equity investment firm. He was previously a senior partner of the global investment firm KKR & Co. He shares two sons with Gaonkar. He earned a bachelor's degree in history and international relations from NYC's Brown University in 1990, and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1996. At 48 she is still as beautiful as she was in her modelling heyday. And an incredibly youthful Megan Gale proved she could still turn heads as she attended Like No Other Celebrating an Australian Icon exhibition on Tuesday. The supermodel and actress lit up the event held at David Jones' Elizabeth Street flagship store that saw the donation of the luxury department store's 186-year-old historical archives to Sydney's Powerhouse Museum. Megan wore a $2,500 off-white Maticevski bodycon shirt dress that featured oversized sleeves, was fitted and ruched from under the bust and fell to an ankle length pencil skirt. She paired her look with light brown pumps and accessorised with chunky gold earrings. Her dark brown hair was styled in her signature side part and had a soft blowout with bouncy curls. Megan as barely aged a day from her days of being the face of David Jones from 2001 to 2014. The supermodel opened and closed the show for David Jones' Autumn/Winter collection at its flagship Melbourne store in March. Megan Gale (pictured) continued to look incredibly youthful as she attended Like No Other Celebrating an Australian Icon exhibition and the unveiling of David Jones handing over their archives at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum on Tuesday Since stepping out of the spotlight, Megan has been focusing on her family life with her partner Shaun Hampson. Megan and Shaun, who live together in Melbourne, met in 2011 and became engaged in 2017 and they share daughter Rosie and son River. Tuesday's event marked the beginning of David Jones' partnership with Powerhouse and will also see David Jones and the Powerhouse invest into the next generation of Australian designers by establishing the David Jones and Powerhouse Australian Design Commission. The supermodel and actress, 48, attended the event held at David Jones Elizabeth Street flagship store that saw the donation of the luxury department store's 186-year-old history to the 143-year-old museum Megan as barely aged a day from her days of being the face of David Jones from 2001 to 2014. Pictured in 2007 The annual commission will invest $300,000 into Australian designers over three years to create new work that engages with the David Jones archive. 'David Jones shares a foundation of innovation and progress with the Powerhouse and a commitment to preserving and celebrating the stories that have helped shape our communities' cultural fabric,' David Jones CEO Scott Fyfe said. 'As we explored our archives, we became immersed in the inspiring stories that have shaped David Jones as an iconic Australian institution; each artefact and document telling a tale of heritage, innovation, and our commitment to excellence. Megan wore a $2,500 off-white Maticevski bodycon shirt dress that featured oversized sleeves, was fitted and ruched from under the bust and fell to an ankle length pencil skirt 'Our partnership with the Powerhouse and the donation of our remarkable archive is significant and represents our commitment to the preservation of retail history and the wider cultural landscape. 'Already boasting historical fashion, decorative arts, and the design archives of esteemed mid-century designers, we believe the Powerhouse is the ideal custodian for the David Jones archive to be preserved and forever celebrated.' David Jones customers and the general public will be given the opportunity to view these historic pieces at the Elizabeth Street Flagship from Tuesday, July 30 until 25 August in The Gallery on Level 8. Just under a week after a judge denied Disney's motion to dismiss her discrimination lawsuit, potential witnesses have been revealed for Gina Carano's trial. The 42-year-old actress played Cara Dune in the first two seasons of the beloved Star Wars series The Mandalorian, before she was suddenly fired. Disney swiftly fired Carano in February 2021 after she shared a controversial social media post that compared Republicans with Jews in Nazi Germany. She was also dropped by her agency, ICM, and an episode of her on Running Wild with Bear Grylls was ultimately dropped. The actress filed the lawsuit in February 2024, and now that it's moving forward, The Hollywood Reporter reveals The Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal, creator Jon Favreau, LucasFilm's Kathleen Kennedy and Bear Grylls. Just under a week after a judge denied Disney's motion to dismiss her discrimination lawsuit , potential witnesses have been revealed for Gina Carano's trial The actress filed the lawsuit in February 2024, and now that it's moving forward, The Hollywood Reporter reveals The Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal, LucasFilm's Kathleen Kennedy and Bear Grylls The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau may be called to testify in Gina Carano's discrimination trial Others who could be called include former Disney CEO Bob Chapek and Lynne Hale, who was behind the show's publicity campaign. The trial is tentatively scheduled to start on September 25, 2025, with one of the issues expected to be raised being whether or not Carano was actually under contract with Disney when she was fired on February 10, 2021. Another critical issue will be how Carano was fired for her personal beliefs while Disney ignored similar posts by her male co-stars. She points to a post from Pascal back in 2017 where she compared President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler. Another post from Pascal listed in the lawsuit compared the United States' response to people entering the country illegally to Nazi concentration camps. It is believed that Favreau will be called to testify about The Mandalorian spin-off Rangers of the New Republic, that was slated to feature her Cara Dune as a lead. The project was first announced back in December 2020, though nothing has been announced for it since. It's also possible that Grylls will be called to testify about the episode he filmed with Carano being pulled from the Disney Plus streaming service. It is believed that Favreau will be called to testify about The Mandalorian spin-off Rangers of the New Republic, that was slated to feature her Cara Dune as a lead Another post from Pascal listed in the lawsuit compared the United States' response to people entering the country illegally to Nazi concentration camps The trial also made headlines after X owner Elon Musk revealed he was backing the trial, after stating he promised to support anyone suffering employment discrimination for what they posted on X Disney filed a response that pushed back on her witness list but agreed to allow Lucasfilm vice president of animation and live action development Carrie Beck and Disney executive vice president of communications to testify. The trial also made headlines after X owner Elon Musk revealed he was backing the trial, after stating he promised to support anyone suffering employment discrimination for what they posted on X. U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett rejected arguments that Caranos discrimination claims are barred by the First Amendment. Disney argued they are entitled to protect its speech in the show itself from the association of its stars, who may have views that viewers find offensive. Jono Castano was supported by his close friend as they headed out for dinner at a lavish restaurant just hours after news of his split from Simone Holtznagel emerged. The celebrity personal trainer, 33, confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that he and Simone, 31, had broken up, nine weeks after they officially parted ways. Just hours later, he gave an insight into how he was getting through his heartbreak as he headed out for dinner at a luxury restaurant with a close friend that evening. Jono took to his Instagram Stories to share a gallery of snaps from his evening out at the upmarket Parisian brasserie Armorica in Sydney with his friend Edin Zecevic. The friends enjoyed a bottle of wine and a delicious meal of steak frites as Jono was supported through the difficult time. He also proved he remains on good terms with his model ex Simone as he tagged her in a separate post on Wednesday morning, just hours after confirming their split. The Acero gym owner shared an adorable photograph of their baby daughter Gia, three months, fast asleep as he doted over the little one. In a caption, he tagged Simone as he penned: 'Our little g @simoneholtznagel [love heart hands emoji.' Jono Castano was supported by his close friend as they headed out for dinner at a lavish restaurant just hours after news of his split from Simone Holtznagel emerged On Tuesday, Jono gave an insight into how he was getting through his heartbreak as he headed out for dinner at a luxury restaurant with a close friend Edin Zecevic Simone did not re-share the picture to her own Instagram Stories and she has not yet publicly commented on their break-up. On Tuesday, Jono confirmed that he and Simone decided to go their separate ways nine weeks ago, around the end of May. Simone is currently staying with her family in Wollongong, while Jono remains in Sydney running his gym Acero, which he co-founded with his ex-wife Amy. Jono exclusively told Daily Mail Australia of the split: 'We just decided it was best for her to spend time with her family in Wollongong. 'Who knows what the future holds our idea is just to be the best parents for Gia at this stage.' The couple's separation came around nine weeks after they welcomed their first child into the world on Easter Sunday. Simone and Jono are believed to still be on amicable terms and are focusing on co-parenting their beloved daughter. News of their split came just hours after Simone posted a cryptic quote about 'moving forward' and being 'patient' for a 'long time' on her Instagram Stories. On Monday night, Simone posted a thinly-veiled message about prioritising her own happiness to Instagram in what appeared to be a reference to their separation. Jono took to his Instagram Stories to share a gallery of snaps from his evening out at the upmarket Parisian brasserie Armorica in Sydney with Edin He also proved he remains on good terms with his model ex Simone as he tagged her in an adorable photograph of their baby daughter Gia, three month, on Wednesday morning The quote read: 'You shouldn't feel guilty for moving forward if you've given someone multiple opportunities to improve or change, but they didn't. 'Everyone has limits, and it's important to look out for your own well-being. If you tried to help or waited for them to change their behaviour, but things stayed the same, it's okay to choose what's best for you and move on. 'Prioritising your own happiness and peace is essential, especially when you've been patient and understanding for a long time.' Simone last shared an Instagram post featuring Jono on April 28, where she gave fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse at their first family photoshoot with baby Gia. News of the split emerged just days after they both returned from a trip to Tasmania with Jono's ex Amy and her new partner Aaron Evans. Despite separating nine weeks ago, the couple proved they are still on good terms as they jetted off on an intimate family getaway together. They were also spotted at the airport taking baby Gia on her first ever flight. Amy shared several photos and videos from their stay at the luxury Leighton House in rural Tasmania, which costs $1,600 for a minimum two-night stay. In the posts, Simone and Jono were seen doting over Gia and cooking together in the kitchen as they enjoyed some quality time with Amy and Aaron. The celebrity personal trainer, 33, confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that he and Simone, 31, had broken up, nine weeks after they officially parted ways News of the split emerged just days after they both returned from a trip to Tasmania with Jono's ex Amy and her new partner Aaron Evans (Jono and Simone are pictured on the trip) Jono also shared pictures of himself cuddling Gia during the getaway, while Simone was also briefly shown in the post reading a story to their beloved daughter Jono also shared pictures of himself cuddling Gia during the getaway, while Simone was also briefly shown in the post reading a story to their beloved daughter. The couple first started dating back in 2022, months after Jono confirmed his split from his longtime partner Amy. Celebrity personal trainers Jono and Amy were high school sweethearts, but divorced in 2021 after 15 years together. Simone confirmed she and Jono were expecting their first child together in October last year, and welcomed Gia into the world on Easter Sunday, March 31. Confirming their daughter's birth on Instagram, Simone shared pictures of her and Jono cuddling up to the little one in hospital. She wrote in a caption at the time: 'We are totally and completely in love with her and enjoying these special moments as a family of three.' Before welcoming their daughter, Simone had told how she and Jono had always planned to have children. 'Kids have always been in our plan. We started talking about it more and more and then it just happened,' she told Who magazine after falling pregnant with Gia. Former My Kitchen Rules host Pete Evans has revealed a very surprising skill. The controversial celebrity chef, 51, popped up in a photo shared to the Instagram page of Macaronis Surf Resort in Mentawai Indonesia. The photo shows Pete effortlessly carving his way through a pristine blue barrel, expertly sticking his left hand into the surf for balance. Looking very much the part, he wore a mustard-coloured T-shirt and a pair of orange and blue patterned board shorts. He also sported a pair of black surfing booties and a black shade cap to protect his eyes from the sun. Pete's face was the very picture of determination as he deftly carved his way along the wave. The picture was also shared on Instagram by Pete's wife Nicola Robinson who captioned the image with a simple 'Pete,' and a smiling face with hearts emoji. Pete has assumed a low-profile since he was dropped by 15 sponsors and companies in the space of 48 hours in November 2020, after posting a neo-Nazi meme on social media. Former My Kitchen Rules host Pete Evans (pictured) has proved that he is just as handy with a surfboard as he is with a spatula He has also faced a string of controversies over the past few years. The once popular TV star has attracted scrutiny for peddling anti-vaccine conspiracies and was fined $25,000 for promoting a light machine which he claimed helped cure Covid. In May 2020, it was announced that Pete had parted ways with Channel Seven after 10 years as a judge on My Kitchen Rules alongside Manu Feildel and guest judge Colin Fassnidge. The controversial celebrity chef, 51, popped up in a photo shared to the Instagram page of Macaronis Surf Resort in Mentawai Indonesia It effectively marked his break from the mainstream after years of flirting with fringe ideas during his tenure at the network. After the split, Evans began spruiking his beliefs about vaccines and the Covid-19 pandemic on social media. In July, 2020, Evans sparked outrage when he claimed that Covid-19 was a 'f***ing hoax' and that the pandemic 'doesn't compare to what is happening in the world on a large scale'. In May 2021, he was slapped with a $80,000 fine for promoting 'alternative treatments' to Covid. It was the second time he ran foul of authorities after previously being fined $25,000 for trying to sell his 'BioCharger' device for $15,000 apiece on Facebook. Julie Bishop showed off her very expensive sense of style as she stepped out in an outfit worth more than $45,000 on Tuesday night. The former Australian politician, 68, pulled out all the stops for a David Jones event held at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum while dripping in luxury garments. Julie looked the picture of elegance in a black mini dress with a pleated skirt and embellished with gold buttons and a sparkling lining. The $729 gown was from designer Rebecca Vallance, but was the most modest item in Julie's pricey outfit as she sported some much more luxurious accessories. She added some glitz to her sophisticated ensemble with a pair of gold Louis Vuitton earrings, which retail for an eye-watering $36,910. The earrings have proved to be a staple in Julie's sprawling wardrobe as she has frequently been spotted getting use out of the high-class jewellery item. Julie also gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of Gianvito Rossi heeled slingback pumps, which cost a huge $2,090. The former Minister of Foreign Affairs toted her essentials in a black Valentino leather handbag, which is priced at $3,720. Julie Bishop showed off her very expensive sense of style as she stepped out in an outfit worth more than $45,000 on Tuesday night The former Australian politician (pictured with Kate Waterhouse), 68, pulled out all the stops for a David Jones event at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum while dripping in luxury garments She proved herself to be up-to-date on the latest designer trends as she posed for the cameras in her lavish ensemble, which cost a grand total of $46,449. Julie joined the stars at an event to mark the gifting of the David Jones' archive to the Powerhouse Museum in a partnership to invest further in Australian designs. The exhibition will include thousands of artefacts from David Jones' 186-year history and marks the start of a three-year partnership between the Aussie brand and the museum. Julie is known for her incredible sense of style and is often spotted out at events sporting chic designer garments and high-class items of jewellery. At Australian Fashion Week, Julie also solidified her status as the country's 'Minister of Fashion' after attending an impressive six shows during the star-studded event. She has also been changing up her look in recent months, trying out an array of edgy hairstyles, compared to her usual polished look. Elsewhere, it was recently revealed that Julie is dating Perth motorcycle rider Stephen Gray, with the couple appearing to have been together for several months. Julie first shared photographs with Stephen to her Instagram back in July 2023, but news of their romance emerged earlier this year. Little is known about Stephen, but his Facebook profile features one picture of him proudly standing behind a cafe-racer style motorcycle, clad in a black leather jacket. Julie once again proved she is every inch the fashionista as she posed alongside the likes of (L-R) Tom Derickx, Eleanor Pendleton, Victoria Lee and Adam Goodes It was also recently revealed that Julie is dating Perth motorcycle rider Stephen Gray, with the couple appearing to have been together for several months (pictured in December 2023) Their romance came to light when Julie's name and 'partner' Steve Gray appeared together on the guest list for the Australian Grand Prix's Glamour on the Grid event. However, the former deputy Liberal Party leader did not attend as she was instead back in her home town of Perth. The couple recently travelled to South Australia for a 'fabulous outback adventure' together. In a video shared to her Instagram account, Julie put together a montage of images and clips from their outback holiday and tagged Stephen. It comes almost two years after her ex David Panton, 62, allegedly dumped her over dinner in Sydney in July 2022, putting an end to their eight-year relationship. Top Chef star Shirley Chung has revealed on social media that she has been diagnosed with Stage 4 tongue cancer. The 47-year-old chef, who has appeared on Top Chef (a finalist in Season 11), Tournament of Champions and Top Chef: Amateurs, took to social media to announce the news on Friday. She shared a video and several photos of her shaving her hair off to prepare for chemotherapy treatments. The chef also announced that Ms. Chi Cafe, the restaurant she opened in Culver City, California in 2018, will be closing next month due to her treatment. The video showed her taking two big swipes across her head with the clippers, as she joked about what kind of egg her head looked like. Top Chef star Shirley Chung has revealed on social media that she has been diagnosed with Stage 4 tongue cancer The chef also announced that Ms. Chi Cafe, the restaurant she opened in Culver City, California in 2018, will be closing next month due to her treatment She's told, 'You don't have to smile, Shirley,' but she insists, 'That's automatic. Camera? I smile.' She adds, 'Surprisingly, shaving it off for my mentally... it felt better than pulling it off in the morning,' adding, 'It's kind of sexy too.' Chung also left a lengthy caption on Instagram, where she explained how her diagnosis came to be. 'Hiiiii loves, I have some personal news to share with you. Since last year December, I had a series of dental issues, I bit my tongue severely; I fractured my tooth and had to extract it and get an implant we thought it was because I am a heavy teeth grinder,' she began. 'And I was too busy to see a EMT specialist. The end of May, ulcers erupted in my mouth and my oral surgeon discovered a hidden tumor under my tongue,' she said. 'A few days later, I was diagnosed, stage 4 tongue cancer, as cancer cells also spread into my lymph nodes,' she revealed to her 'I was very calm when doctors delivered the news, as a chef, Ive always thrive under pressure. ,' she admitted. 'I was extremely focused on getting all the tests and scans as fast as possible, so I can start on the treatment plans,' she said. She's told, 'You don't have to smile, Shirley,' but she insists, 'That's automatic. Camera? I smile' She adds, 'Surprisingly, shaving it off for my mentally... it felt better than pulling it off in the morning,' adding, 'It's kind of sexy too' 'And I was too busy to see a EMT specialist. The end of May, ulcers erupted in my mouth and my oral surgeon discovered a hidden tumor under my tongue,' she said 'I was very calm when doctors delivered the news, as a chef, Ive always thrive under pressure. ,' she admitted She continued that on Sunday June 2nd, 'Dr. Ho, my lead oncologist at Cedar Sinai called to discuss treatment plans,' adding she, 'broke down, crying, trying to put thoughts together and ask questions but physically couldnt.' 'All I heard was option 1, surgery, 100% removal of your tongue Jimmy was holding it together for both of us, asking if we have any option that I can keep my tongue and the survival rates .' She was told, 'There is another option, which was a unicorn case, at University of Chicago, they cured a patient (a chef!) with radiation and chemo, but you will have to go to Chicago.' 'Higher survival rate, or keep my tongue? I chose to keep my tongue, I am a fighter, I am a chef, I can be that unicorn too,' she said. 'I just finished 6 weeks of Chemo (and have many more to go), going to the hospital 4 times a week for injections, its like a full time job,' Chung insisted. 'My tumor is shrinking, my speech is much better and I can eat most normal food now. I am learning to lean on others, to let go, to be more vulnerable,' she continued. Chung admitted, 'it took me 2 weeks of contemplating to decide to tell my parents about my cancer, only my close circle of friends and my sister have known until now.' 'I am learning, I can be strong 98% of the time, its ok to be not ok. I have a tough long road to recovery in front of me. Your love and support will carry me through. Cheer me on, Shirley Chung 2.0 will be reborn in 2025!' she concluded. She continued that on Sunday June 2nd, 'Dr. Ho, my lead oncologist at Cedar Sinai called to discuss treatment plans,' adding she, 'broke down, crying, trying to put thoughts together and ask questions but physically couldnt' She was told, 'There is another option, which was a unicorn case, at University of Chicago, they cured a patient (a chef!) with radiation and chemo, but you will have to go to Chicago.' She also shared a post through her Ms. Chi Cafe announcing the restaurant will close next week so she can focus on treatment. 'In light of Chef Shirleys diagnosis, we have made the difficult decision to close Ms Chi so she can focus on recovery. Ms Chis last day of operation will be Sunday, August 4th,' the post began. 'We are incredibly grateful to each and every one of youour staff, supporters, and fans. We have truly enjoyed spreading the dumpling love over the last several years and calling Culver City our home!' the post continued. 'Please come by, say hi, and enjoy our menu before we close. We will still be operating our normal business hours until August 4th! August 14th and 15th will be the final days for @goldbelly orders, so now is the time to stock up. This is a temporary pause on orders, and we will be back!' they continued. 'Please continue to follow this account and @chfshirleychung for more updatesmore dumplings will be coming!' the post concluded. Kanye West has finally offloaded his Malibu mansion after slashing the asking price by a whopping $14 million. The Heartless rapper, 47 - who recently joined his scantily-clad wife Bianca Censori and daughter North West at the movie theater - initially purchased the home in 2021 which was designed by Japanese architect, Tadao Ando. However, shocking photos last month showed the beachfront home completely gutted with no windows as it sits near the sandy shore. In online records obtained by TMZ, West's mansion went into escrow earlier last week on Thursday. The property - which has four bedrooms and five bathrooms - was originally listed for $53 million, but in April of this year, the music artist cut down the asking price astronomically to $39 million. Kanye West, 47, has finally offloaded his Malibu mansion after slashing the asking price by a whopping $14 million; seen in February in Milan However, shocking photos last month showed the beachfront home completely gutted with no windows as it sits near the sandy shore However, it is not known the final price the mansion was purchased for. The 4,000 square foot home offers scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and upon purchasing the property, West began construction work. One of the workers that had been hired to help gut the abode told The New Yorker in June that West had wanted to create a 'bomb shelter' and his 'Batcave.' Kulapat Yantrasat - an architect - also told the publication, 'To be honest, he did not like the house - he did not like the interior.' Originally, the mansion - which has no plumbing or electricity - had been painted a white color on the back portion and contained floor-to-ceiling windows on each level. But recent photos revealed that the glass windows had been taken out, leaving a clear view of the empty, concrete walls and floors. The front is also made of concrete walls for a modern feel, with a wooden garage door on the right side. The Grammy-winning artist notably brought Selling Sunset realtor Jason Oppenheim into the fold in his effort to sell the home late last year, TMZ previously reported in April. In online records obtained by TMZ, West's mansion went into escrow earlier last week on Thursday The property - which has four bedrooms and five bathrooms - was originally listed for $53 million, but in April of this year, the music artist cut down the asking price astronomically to $39 million But recent photos revealed that the glass windows had been taken out, leaving a clear view of the empty, concrete walls and floors The Grammy-winning artist notably brought Selling Sunset realtor Jason Oppenheim into the fold in his effort to sell the home late last year, TMZ previously reported in April One of the workers that had been hired to help gut the abode told The New Yorker in June that West had wanted to create a 'bomb shelter' and his 'Batcave' Oppenheim told the outlet that he was optimistic at the chances of selling the distressed property in the high-end area, likening the abode to 'basically a blank canvas' for prospective purchasers. The Carnival artist, who bought the home for $57 million in late 2021, was previously unable to remodel it into a 'bomb shelter' after getting famed Japanese architect Tadao Ando involved in the remodeling process. The price reduction is the latest in a number of headaches linked to the home in the upscale Southern California beach town. West was also sued by the former manager of the remodel project, Tony Saxon, who claims he was fired after he 'expressed concerns about the extreme danger' of the project. In September 2023, sources told TMZ that West wanted to remove the windows and electricity from the home in order to turn it into 'a bomb shelter from the 1910s.' In Saxon's lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, he stated that he was hired for the project in September 2021, and worked 16-hour days on the beach house. He claimed he was sleeping on the floor of the home as he worked as 'project manager, caretaker and 24/7 security' for the property. Saxon alleged that West only paid him for one week of work and ignored all his concerns, until finally he was fired in November 2021, after refusing to remove the home's windows and electricity. In the lawsuit, Saxon said the rapper's vision for the home was to make something like 'a bomb shelter from the 1910s', according to NBC News, and demolish the marble bathrooms, as well as remove the windows, plumbing and electricity. In September 2023, sources told TMZ that West wanted to remove the windows and electricity from the home in order to turn it into 'a bomb shelter from the 1910s' In the lawsuit Saxon said the rapper's vision for the home was to make something like 'a bomb shelter from the 1910s', according to NBC News, and demolish the marble bathrooms, as well as remove the windows, plumbing and electricity; seen in March in Inglewood He also reportedly wanted to replace the stairs with slides. Saxon reportedly sued West for a number of labor code violations, more than $1 million in unpaid wages, and damages. 'We were going to be gutting all of that out and sort of building him a Bat Cave,' Saxon explained, adding the rapper wanted a place he could 'hide from the Clintons in and the Kardashians in.' While Saxon believed the home was more of an 'art project' he later came to realize West actually wanted to live in it. He said West 'wanted no electricity. He only wanted plants. He only wanted candles. He only wanted battery lights. And he just wanted to have everything open and dark.' He said West 'wanted no electricity. He only wanted plants. He only wanted candles. He only wanted battery lights. And he just wanted to have everything open and dark' West notably owns other properties - such as an abandoned $2.2M sprawling Calabasas ranch West notably owns other properties - such as an abandoned $2.2M sprawling Calabasas ranch. Back in May, the home appeared dilapidated and crumbling in shocking new photos of the expansive property - nearly four years after rapper boarded up the home in September 2020. Kanye initially purchased the residence in 2018, and was used for Sunday Service and his Donda Academy headquarters. The star had also purchased an additional 300 acres surrounding the property for $4 million. Images revealed that the home is still uninhabited and in disrepair, with one picture showing a large, gaping hole at the front entrance, leaving debris and pieces of the roof scattered on the ground. A circular patch outside of the home was bordered by a fencing that has also begun to fall apart - and appeared to be the location of one Ye's domes that he had built. The Yeezy Home dome shelters had been constructed in an attempt to help with homelessness in the Los Angeles area. West has been keeping busy and most recently, was spotted at a movie theater with wife Bianca Censori and his eldest daughter, North West, 11, in L.A. over the weekend on Saturday; seen in February in Milan Kanye bought the ranch when he was still married to now ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, with their divorce officially being finalized back in November 2022. West has been keeping busy and most recently, was spotted at a movie theater with wife Bianca Censori - who donned a fitted top and no pants - and his eldest daughter, North West, 11, in L.A. over the weekend on Saturday. North and Bianca were seen standing next to each other before the movie began, and at one point, Censori affectionately wrapped her arms around West's eldest child, whom he shares with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian. The Heartless rapper also stood next to the pair as they purchased tickets in the main lobby of the theater. Angelina Jolie is comforting her son Pax Jolie-Pitt as he remains hospitalized after suffering a head injury in a horrifying e-bike crash this week. The 20-year-old was riding an electric bike in Los Angeles without a helmet when he crashed into the back of a vehicle on Monday night, as per TMZ. A source told the outlet Tuesday that witnesses who lived nearby initially believed Pax had died in the crash as they discovered him lying lifeless on the ground. It was not until paramedics arrived at the scene that Pax regained consciousness. Angelina, 49, rushed to the hospital to be by her son's beside, where he is currently in stable condition. As for Pax's estranged father Brad Pitt, a rep for the 60-year-old actor declined to comment when asked by DailyMail.com if he planned to visit his son in hospital. Angelina Jolie is comforting her son Pax Jolie-Pitt as he remains hospitalized after suffering a head injury in a horrifying e-bike crash this week; seen in April The 20-year-old was riding an electric bike in Los Angeles without a helmet when he crashed into the back of a vehicle on Monday night, as per TMZ; seen on July 11 Despite his injuries, TMZ's source claimed that Pax's bike did not show any obvious signs of damage. The crash also reportedly took place on. street near Angelina's Los Angeles residence. Responding police and paramedics opted to rush Pax to the hospital after he complained of head pain, and he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. According to Page Six, Pax has been in 'multiple' e-bike accidents prior to Monday's crash and has 'consistently' ridden without a helmet. 'His friends are concerned about him. He's being reckless. They're worried,' the source shared Tuesday. Pax who like several of his other siblings is estranged from his famous father had reportedly been driving down Los Feliz Boulevard around 5 p.m., which put him on the regularly crowded street during rush hour traffic. According to law enforcement sources, he had been coming up to an intersection when he crashed his bike into the back of the car, which had already stopped for the red light. The car's driver reportedly did their duty by getting out and checking on the injured Pax before police and paramedics arrived. Although it's not clear exactly where he collided with the car, witnesses at the scene said he complained of pain in his hip, and they said he appeared to have injured his head in the crash. First responders were reportedly concerned that Pax may have been suffered from bleeding to the brain, so they rushed him to a hospital in case of the worst. However, sources later told TMZ that Pax was in stable condition after being hospitalized, though the full extent of his injuries isn't yet clear. However, they added that he might be able to go home on Monday night, just hours after the crash. In recent months, Pax has been spotted around Los Angeles riding on a Talaria Sting R MX4 electric bike, which costs around $3,000, though it's not known if that was the same bike he crashed. Angelina rushed to the hospital to be by her son's beside, where he is currently in stable condition; seen in 2021 As for Pax's estranged father Brad Pitt, a rep for the 60-year-old actor declined to comment when asked by DailyMail.com if he planned to visit his son in hospital; seen in February He was most recently pictured on the dirt bike on July 11. Notably, he wasn't wearing a helmet when he was pictured riding the bike in public. California state laws require all bike and motorcycle riders under 18 to wear helmets, but it's unclear if the type of bike Pax was riding at the time would have required him to wear a helmet. He and he and his mother Angelina had a rare public sighting two days later when they went out for Japanese food at the celebrity hotspot Sushi Park in West Hollywood. In addition to Pax, who was adopted by Jolie in Vietnam in 2007 at age three, she and her ex Brad share five other children: Maddox, 22; Zahara, 19; Shiloh, 18; and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16. Jolie adopted Maddox in Cambodia in 2002, and later adopted Zahara in 2005 in Ethiopia, while Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne are their biological children. Pitt later joined her in adopting Maddox and Zahara in 2006, and Pax in 2008. Pitt and Jolie began dating publicly shortly after he and his then-wife Jennifer Aniston announced their divorce in 2005. The Mr. And Mrs. Smith costars remained unmarried for years despite having multiple adopted and biological children together, but they got engaged in 2012 and finally tied the knot in 2014. However, the Maleficent actress filed for divorce in 2016. She and Pitt were declared legally single in 2019. The two A-listers have since been embroiled in an ongoing divorce battle over assets and custody for years. A central issue seems to be a notorious private jet confrontation in 2016. A source told TMZ on Tuesday that witnesses initially believed the 20-year-old had died in the crash as they discovered him lying on the ground lifeless; Pax and Angie seen in 2023 It was not until paramedics arrived at the scene that Pax regained consciousness; Pax and Angie seen in 2018 According to an FBI report on the incident, which was published in 2022, Jolie accused Pitt of physical assault after a flight to California in 2016. She claimed that he was intoxicated and that he grabbed her by the head and shook her, and later pushed her down, as part of a confrontation allegedly related to their children. According to the FBI, Jolie said Pitt told the children that she was 'f***ing up this family,' and she claimed he punched the ceiling of the airplane four times. She also alleged that at one point he poured beer on her and a blanket she was under with multiple children. Source close to Pitt later claimed that he never hit any of the children, though they admitted he had been drinking. The Once Upon A Time In Hollywood star reportedly had to be supervised by the children's caretakers and a therapist during family visitations in the wake of the jet incident. The latest signs of estrangement between Pitt and his children came in May. His youngest daughter Vivienne, who had worked as Jolie's assistant when she produced the Broadway musical adaptation of The Outsiders, listed her name as Vivienne Jolie in the show's program rather than using her what was previously listed as her name Vivienne Jolie-Pitt though it's unclear if she may have changed it legally. Later that month, his daughter Shiloh filed a legal request to drop his last name from her own name after she turned 18. However, a clerical error in the court's background-check procedure led to a delay in a hearing on the request, People reported on Monday. In addition to Pax, Angelina and her ex Brad share five other children: Maddox, 22; Zahara, 19 (not pictured); Shiloh, 18; and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16 (not pictured); Pax, Shiloh and Maddox are seen with Brad and his parents in 2014 in Hollywood Pitt and Jolie married in 2014 but filed for divorce two years later. He has been estranged from Pax and his other children since a 2016 incident on a private jet in which Jolie claimed in an FBI report that he had assaulted her while drunk; pictured July 26 in Belgium In November 2023, Zahara shouted out her name as 'Zahara Marley Jolie' at her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority introduction ceremony at Spelman College, excising 'Pitt' from her last name. Following the latest round of children appearing to remove Pitt's name from their own, it was reported that the oldest boys Pax and Maddox had not been using the hyphenated name in years, though it's unknown if they have legally changed their names. As Pax and his three oldest siblings are all over 18, they are not required to have regular visitation with Pitt, though his minor children Knox and Vivienne are. In May, a source close to the Oscar winner told DailyMail.com that he hopes to 'rekindle' his relationship with his children, and they claimed their bond was 'broken by the divorce.' The source also accused Jolie of ensuring that their children had 'limited involvement' with their father. Filming for the 2025 season of Married at First Sight is well and truly underway. And as next year's brides and grooms prepare to settle into their new 'married' lives, Jesse Burford, who appeared on series 10 has offered them words some advice. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, the Perth-based wedding celebrant outlined his top tips for navigating life after the show, ensuring new cast members make the most of their newfound fame. Burford was paired up with Claire Nomarhas on the 2023 series and has now given new cast members advise about how to ride high on their global fame. He recommends the new stars take the opportunity to travel to countries where MAFS airs, warning that their recognition will not last forever. 'Start with New Zealand, then head to the UK, and so on,' he explained. He said this will not only allow them to explore new places but also connect with international fans. While acknowledging that many agents take significant cuts, Burford also stressed the importance of having one to lock down those all important jobs. Married At First Sight groom Jesse Burford (pictured) has outlined his top tips for navigating life after the show, ensuring new cast members make the most of their newfound fame Fans of the series will remember that the Perth-based wedding celebrant was paired with Claire Nomarhas in 2023 'Getting offered any opportunity and earning a little is better than getting offered none and earning nothing,' he said. He also encouraged cast members to engage with fans through personalised videos in another unique way to cash in on their fame. 'You may have a tonne of people asking you to send a video to a friend for a happy birthday, engagement, or get better soon,' he explained. Whether choosing to give them for free or charging $50 per video on Cameo, he insisted it is a great way to connect with the MAFS audience. He also encourages the new cast members to make the most of their weekends by meeting fans and networking with managers, CEOs, and business owners. 'Meet new people, talk to fans, get photos with them,' he advised. 'There's only a limited amount of weekends until you fade into irrelevancy, make the most of every single one.' Whether it's growing a business, starting a podcast, becoming an influencer or launching a clothing line, Burford stresses the importance of having clear goals when rising to fame. Burford recommends the new stars take the opportunity to travel to countries where MAFS airs, warning that their fame will not last forever Burford highlights the value of engaging with fans through personalised videos, either sending them off for free or by charging $50 per video on Cameo 'Make it clear as day and draw a roadmap for how you will achieve those goals,' he advised. Reflecting on his biggest regret, Burford urged the new stars to share their experience with their loved ones. 'If you come from a family who don't understand just how massive a show MAFS is, take them out for lunch or dinner,' he suggested. He said that allowing them to witness fans approaching for hellos and photographs can help them grasp the reality of your impact. 'My parents and brother didn't get to see any of that,' he lamented. 'They need to see it with their own eyes. Give them another reason to be proud of you.' Travis Scott's upcoming Australian Circus Maximus tour is set to be the hottest ticket in town. The American rapper, 33, will arrive Down Under in a matter of months to perform four epic shows around Australia. He will first take to the stage at Sydney's Allianz Stadium on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 October, before heading to Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Tuesday 22 October. The record producer will then bring his high-energy Aussie tour to a close on Saturday 26 October at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The Live Nation presale kicked off on Wednesday 31 July while the general sale will go live on Friday 2 August at 12pm in Sydney and 2pm in Brisbane. Fans will be limited to just eight tickets per person, and one eager TikToker has shared some invaluable tips to ensure fans don't miss out on seeing Travis live. Aussie social media star Angela Jones, who runs the account theangelwearsgucci, posted a video outlining the best way to nab seats. She gave her insider knowledge of Ticketek's ticketing system from her years of buying tickets for her favourite artists. Travis Scott's four Australian Circus Maximus shows in Australia in October are set to be some of the hottest tickets in town (the rapper is pictured on stage in Italy on July 23) @theangelwearsgucci SYDNEY RAGERS you can still get Travis Scott tickets (day 1 presale). If youre waiting on General Admission, then here are my FOOLPROOF TIPS on navigating the Ticketek website and securing tickets to UTOPIA (I go to a lot of peak artist concerts, so I am a veteran at this) #theangelwearsgucci #travisscott #utopia #circusmaximustour #circusmaximus #ticketek #concertseason how to buy tickets for Travis Scott, Travis Scott Australia, circus maximus tour Australia, Travis scott fein, Travis Scott live, Travis Scott Astroworld, presale travis scott, travis scott presale, Melbourne travis Scott, Sydney Travis Scott, ticketek travis scott, how to use ticketek, ticketmaster, how to buy concert tickets, my tips on buying concert tickets, UTOPIA one year anniversary, travis scott presale code, cactus jack, walkthrough, tutorial FE!N (feat. Playboi Carti) - Travis Scott She also shared some tips to get tickets with the best unobstructed views. 'This is how your going to get your Travis Scott tickets during the general sale this Friday for the Australia Sydney and Melbourne shows,' she explained. 'As someone who has dealt with Ticketek's old operating systems in the past and had mad beef with them, I have to say their brand new formula which follows Ticketmaster is far more productive, but these are the tips you're going to need to do if your going to get through on Friday...or even now actually.' She also claimed to already know Travis' presale code. 'If you didn't get the Vodaphone presale code the artist presale code which is, of course Travis Scott's own presale code of fans is UTOPIA,' she said. 'It is the exact same code for all of his shows around the world I kid you not. I'm surprised a lot of people don't know this.' Angelica went on to explain where fans will be sitting at Sydney's Allianz Stadium, detailing which sections are best out of the C reserve, B reserve, and $556 Golden VIP Package seats. Aussie TikToker Angela Jones has shared some invaluable tips to ensure that you don't miss out on seeing Travis live, from the best time to join the queue to where to sit in the venues 'I was very blessed I got A reserve seating in a really really good spot,' she said. 'I recommend A reserve if you're happy to spend the money and don't want to get trampled in the moshpit.' Angelica then instructed viewers on what to do when the GA tickets go on sale in a matter of days this Friday, debunking rumours you will be able to queue hours early. 'So this is the screen you're going to see for Ticketek,' she said, pointing to the Travis Scott landing page on the site. 'The sale will start at whatever time listed...today it was 9am. The brand new system does not allow you to jump in hours prior which is very smart because that's the way it should happen. It opens 15 minutes prior to the official starting time listed on the website.' 'This is the exact same as Ticketmaster. I used this technique to get the best front row tickets to Harry styles through Ticketmaster and I swear Jesus Christ himself blessed me,' she added. The ticket sleuth encouraged fans to ensure they are ready and waiting 15 minutes before the sale begins, adding it is crucial not to refresh your browser once you get in. She added: 'As soon as the time hits you will either get redirected to this page automatically or, if not, refresh the page but do not refresh the page once you are here [ticketing landing page] because it will appear blank and, at first you'll think it's broken but its not you just have to sit tight and wait and then the numbers will appear.' She said it is also a good idea to have two devices ready in case of an annoying crash at that vital last minute. Travis will take to the stage at Sydney's Allianz Stadium on 17 and 18 October, Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on 22 October and Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on 26 October Angelica added it is also important to consider the show's production is quite large and some seats may present an obstructed view of the action. 'Please bear in mind that Travis Scott's stage production set up is massive and I think that some seats are obstructed by screens and stereo speakers,' she said. 'You will know this because when you go into your cart, it will have a disclaimer that you must tick that says I accept the terms and conditions that my seat is restricted view even if its in a certain bay.' Lastly, Angelica explained that the more tickets you are attempting to buy, the more difficult your chances of success. 'I hope these tips help you out and I hope I haven't shot myself in the foot for future concerts,' she said. It's been almost seven years since Lisa Wilkinson spectacularly quit the Today show amid a bitter pay equality dispute and it seems she is still not convinced her former co-star Karl Stefanovic is worth his multi-million-dollar network deal. The former magazine maven has been seemingly caught out 'liking' a post on X slamming her one-time breakfast show partner's performance as Nine's central host at the Paris Olympic Games. 'Just painfully watching the Channel 9 Olympic coverage of the opening ceremony It is so bad!' the contentious post read. 'Arrogant, narrow minded, patronising and clown Karl Stefanovic making it all about himself.' The apparent endorsement may well have gone unnoticed, given the platform no longer openly reveals which users 'like' posts to anyone other than the original author. But Wilkinson's seemingly surreptitious support didn't stay quiet for long, with the critique's creator a Free Palestine-supporter who goes simply by the name of 'Chris' boasting she had agreed with his unflattering appraisal of Stefanovic. 'Karl thought he was clever by saying there are fewer Olympic athletes than neurosurgeons. Seems by quite a margin given there are 50,000 neurosurgeons in the world and 2,900 athletes. Weird comparison!' he wrote, before punctuating the post with an emoji of a clown face to underscore his assessment of Stefanovic. 'Lisa agrees and she would know,' he added, along with an image proving her account had indeed endorsed his views. Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson co-starred on Nine's Today for 10 years before she quit. And a thumbs up she issued on X has indicated what she really thinks of him Wilkinson's social media account has been caught 'liking' a post panning her former co-star The post's creator boasted that Wilkinson's 'like' was the highlight of his day Clearly chuffed, in a separate post, he went on to say: 'Lisa Wilkinson liking this tweet about Karl Stefanovic has made my day!' The posts quickly raised eyebrows among industry insiders, fueling a flurry of speculation about what could have sparked the social media dis. However, it seems no one was more surprised than Wilkinson herself. It is understood she was completely unware her account had 'liked' the post, and she 'unliked' it as soon as it was brought to her attention. The Logie-winning star left Nine's breakfast show and absconded to rival Ten and a gig co-hosting The Project in 2017 after 10 years with the Today show. Her bitter break up with the network followed accusations she had only earned a fraction of her co-star's pay. It is not the first time the Today show's stars past and present have been caught up in an embarrassing social media snafu involving unflattering comments about their colleagues. Five years ago, in January 2019, Stefanovic also made headlines after his Instagram account 'liked' two comments on the Today show's official Instagram page mocking its then-new lineup featuring Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner. One comment that his account 'liked' read: 'Won't be watching. Well, Miss Gardiner [sic] got her way. Pathetic, smile, agree and laugh. It's all they do.' A second comment his page 'liked' read: 'Channel [Nine], the audience want answers.' Stefanovic was quick to blame rogue hackers for his account's activities back in 2019 The incident came after Stefanovic was briefly 'rested' from the program as Nine's network executives tried to take Today in a new direction only for him to be hastily recalled after the show suffered a disastrous ratings nosedive. The television presenter was keen to distance himself from his account's activities at time, posting a statement on Instagram that blamed the rogue 'likes' on a malicious social media hacker. 'While I was out fishing my Instagram account has been hacked. I am investigating this with the authorities and will be back soon. Karlos,' he wrote. Holly Kingston has been rushed to hospital after 'complications' arose with her pregnancy. The former Bachelor star, 30, who is expecting her first baby with her hunky hubby, 31, took to Instagram on Wednesday with the nerve-wracking news. Despite mentioning there were some 'warning signs' the lovebirds needed to get checked out, the marketing manager assured fans that baby was 'healthy'. Holly's first post to her Stories was a video which showed her laying back in a hospital bed wearing a hospital gown. She captioned the short clip: 'So the last few days have been a whirlwind and to be honest, pretty damn crappy. 'Firstly and most importantly, baby is healthy and thriving,' she finished before sharing a photo of her and Jimmy cuddled up in the hospital bed. 'I have spent the last few days in emergency following a few complications which certainly reiterated that growing a baby is tough work on your body,' she wrote. Holly went on to warn her followers to 'pay attention to any warning signs' with their body during a pregnancy, and gushed over the support she's received from Jimmy. Holly Kingston has been rushed to hospital after 'complications' arose with her pregnancy. Pictured with husband Jimmy Nicholson The former Bachelor star who is expecting her first baby with her hunky hubby took to Instagram with the nerve-wracking news 'Times like these I realise my husband has certainly been trained to deal with stressful situations like an absolute pro,' she continued. 'He's created makeshift spew bags within milliseconds, delivered me nuggets on demand and made me laugh when one would think there's not much to laugh about. 'Happy to be home with a healthy bub and on the mend.' Despite mentioning there were some 'warning signs' the lovebirds needed to get checked out, the marketing manager assured fans that baby was 'healthy' It comes after Holly and Jimmy revealed a very special milestone in their pregnancy earlier this month, when they shared images of their baby's 'first kick'. In a brief black and white video, Holly showed her moving baby bump along with the caption: 'Felt our first kick tonight. Won't be forgetting that moment anytime soon.' Her airline pilot hubby was tagged in the video and his hand could be seen cradling Holly's expanding bump. Jimmy and Holly fell in love on the 2021 season of The Bachelor Australia, and the pair went on to tie the knot at his parent's house in Sydney in August 2023. Pip Edwards has taken time out from her fast paced life as a fashion guru to treat herself to a luxury spa worth hundreds of dollars. The 44-year-old designer took to her social media on Wednesday to share video and pictures of her 'blissful' experience which included a four-handed body treatment. In the short clip posted to her stories, the P.E Nation founder can be seen being pampered by two masseuse at once. Pip told fans she had been receiving 'treatment' at the Venustus Beauty and Body Lab in Paddington, Sydney for eight years. She also shared an image in which the entrepreneur can seen receiving a face massage. The social media star gushed over the experience, telling followers: 'Blissful peace in the hands of my favourite women healers.' Meanwhile, a four handed 90-minute massage performed by two therapists, who work on the client in synchronised moves costs $1059. Pip included a photo of herself lying face down as two therapists worked on her back and added a caption. Pip Edwards has taken time out from her fast paced life as a fashion guru to treat herself to a luxury spa worth hundreds of dollars. Pictured The 44-year-old designer took to her social media on Wednesday to share video and pictures of her 'blissful' experience which included a four-handed body treatment. (Pictured) 'This treatment is a regular one I do using rocks to warm and relax the muscles,' she said. 'Four hands is definitely the only way to really transcend to that realm of complete disconnection.' In May the high-flying fashionista shared how she splashed out an estimated $1,500 on a luxury 'six hand' massage. This involved three masseuses and a full body massage. The luxury day spa prices its the six-handed expert treatment at $1,059 for a 60-minute session, $1,333 for 70 minutes or a huge $1,587 for a 90-minute pamper experience. In the post Pip described the relaxing pamper session as 'magic' and 'life-changing' in a series of captions alongside snaps of herself getting massaged. She penned: 'The magic six hand massage that lengthens, nourishes and moves stagnant energy is actually life-changing. 'To nourish your soul, pamper your body and let your mind switch off is a priceless experience.' 'No words can describe the feeling of pure relaxation and surrender, the healing hands of the women at Venustus is a gift from out of this world,' she went on. 'It's rare to make time to physically and mentally go offline but this self love experience and downtime is imperative to recharge and fuel your being in order to be your best self.' In a post earlier this month Pip revealed that every time she returns from an overseas trips she books into the elite spa for a luxurious lymphatic massage. She shared snaps of herself lying down naked and wearing headphones as she relaxed during the 75-minute long bodywork massage, which costs $444. The luxury spa also offers a much more extravagantly-priced lymphatic massage option which costs a staggering $970 and lasts nearly three hours. Pip frequently posts about her regular luxury spa treatments A four handed 90-minute massage performed by two therapists at the spa in Sydney's Paddington costs $1059. (Pictured) The socialite often invests in her self-care and frequently promotes Venustus spa on her Instagram, sharing an insight into her long list of treatments. Pip is now P.E Nation's sole creative director after co-founder Claire Greaves' shock exit, and has proved to be her own best advert for the brand amid the big changes. She has notably shed P.E Nation's famous bright colours and clashing prints in favour of outfits with much more muted tones in a huge creative overhaul. Claire's exit from the company marked the end of one of Australian fashion's most enduring relationships. The co-founder will 'pursue other creative endeavours', while Pip wiped all traces of Claire - who she worked with for 10 years - from P.E Nation's social media. Phillip Schofield's reported comeback appears to be gathering steam, with many stars showing their support for the disgraced presenter through his array of Instagram posts. The This Morning star, 62, left ITV under a huge cloud in May 2023, after admitting that he had an affair with a younger colleague on the show. While Phillip took a significant break from the public eye in the wake of the scandal, in May he made a return to Instagram with posts featuring his dog Alfie. Stars including Richard E Grant, Rylan Clark and Kate Garraway have shared their support for Phillip through various 'likes' and comments underneath his posts. His most recent post featured a snap of his dog with the caption: 'Wet through with Uggs on.' Phillip Schofield 's reported comeback appears to be gathering steam, with stars including Declan Donnelly (pictured) and Richard E Grant recently showing support for the presenter The This Morning star left ITV under a huge cloud in May 2023, after admitting that he had an affair with a younger colleague on the show (pictured in 2021) While comments on his post had been limited, one came from Richard, who posted a row of heart emojis. Another video, posted on Friday, showed Phillip's dog messing around under a bed sheet, with This Morning consumer expert Alice Beer commenting: 'He is such a clown.' Rylan was also among the thousands to like Phillip's snap that he shared last week, while Kate Garraway also liked the star's post on July 14, ahead of England's Euro 2024 final against Spain. Earlier this month, Phillip also appeared to be making a gradual return to public life, attending the British Grand Prix with his wife Stephanie Lowe and their two daughters. Last month he was also was pictured smiling with I'm A Celebrity star Declan Donnelly, 48, during a night out, charging rumours that a return to TV for the axed presenter is on the cards. He had reportedly just enjoyed a four-hour dinner with ITV's golden boy at a restaurant close to their homes when they were spotted in hysterics. Phillip's beloved daughter Molly is now his publicist after she quit the talent agency that once represented her father. PR guru Mark Borkowski says his tepid return to the public eye has come after a year away to disappear and get himself together. Phillip's most recent post featured a snap of his dog, with actor Richard E Grant sharing a series of heart emojis in the comments Another video, posted on Friday, showed Phillip's dog messing around under a bed sheet, with This Morning consumer expert Alice Beer commenting: 'He is such a clown' Rylan was also among the thousands to like Phillip's snap that he shared last week Kate Garraway also liked Phillip's post on July 14, ahead of England's Euro 2024 final against Spain Despite the scandal that brought Phillip's career to an abrupt end, several stars have stood by him, including Vanessa Feltz, who was pictured heading out for dinner with him in August Calling him a rare talent, Borkowski said: 'He's testing the waters. But audiences are very forgiving.' Phillip told the BBC in an emotional interview last June the affair had finished his career and revealed that the fallout had left him feeling suicidal. He told how his two daughters - Molly and Ruby - had saved his life and had 'guarded me and won't let me out of their sight'. He admitted during the sit-down interview with Amol Rajan denied he had groomed the younger colleague, before telling critics: 'Do you want me to die? Because that's where I am.' Phillip quit This Morning in a cloud of controversy having first lied to bosses about the 'unwise, but not illegal' relationship with the male runner 34 years his junior. An external review led by barrister Jane Mulcahy KC concluded ITV had made 'considerable efforts' to find out the truth when rumours began to swirl about the relationship in 2019. But the repeated denials meant the broadcaster was unable to uncover the truth until Schofield's admission. The fallout from the scandal led to the breakdown of his friendship with Holly Willoughby. Following a return to social media in May, Phillip has made a handful of public appearances, sparking speculation he could be plotting a TV comeback Phillip quit This Morning in a cloud of controversy having first lied to bosses about the 'unwise, but not illegal' relationship with the male runner 34 years his junior After Phillip left the show in May, his co-host Holly Willoughby later quit in October due to an alleged kidnap plot. The pair were officially replaced by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley in March as the two took on the show full time after a series of guest presenters had been rotating the daytime slot. Back in March friends of the star have said that he is 'quite certain' he will never work again. One said: 'Phillip has been very, very down recently. He doesn't know how he is going to work again. It's devastating for him to realise but he also knows that there is not a lot he can do about it. He doesn't know who will take him. He knows there is no way back to ITV or the BBC.' Sources close to the star say that his friends are trying to encourage him to think he can have a 'fulfilling life' away from showbusiness. One said: 'Just because he may not be on telly again doesn't mean he can't enjoy his life. Phil isn't so sure though.' The star has though been tipped for a job on national radio his 'first love' with Britain's largest commercial stations said to be jostling to bring him in to woo new listeners from rivals, including BBC Radio 2. Kelly Hoppen is clearly no wicked stepmother. As she celebrated her 65th birthday, the interior designer was joined by Hollywood star Sienna Miller, 42, who was her stepdaughter during her 14-year marriage to American former banker and art dealer Edwin Miller. The pair tied the knot in 1989 when the actress was just six years old and her sister Savannah was seven. Displaying their mutual affection, they kissed each other on the lips at the Michelin-starred River Cafe in Hammersmith, West London. 'Big love,' Hoppen wrote next to the photograph, which she shared online. Sienna Miller, 42, planted a kiss on Kelly Hoppen as her former stepmother celebrates 65th birthday with glitzy party in pictures shared to Instagram on Tuesday Hoppen also praised Miller's outfit, sharing a snap of the star with Bruno Tonioli and revealing she planned on buying it herself Hoppen also praised Miller's outfit, sharing a snap of the star with Bruno Tonioli and revealing she planned on buying it herself. She shared: 'Love @siennathing outfit from her collection that she wore to my birthday @marksandspencer am off to get it.' A favourite interior designer of the Princess of Wales, Hoppen still considers herself to be Miller's stepmother. She previously explained: 'I've never understood when people say "Sienna's ex-stepmother", because if you love a child and you are there for a majority of their childhood, you don't just switch that off.' 'Ed and I parted on good terms and Savannah calls me Mama K and Sienna calls me Celtic Wizard we have nicknames for each other.' Discussing how attitudes to 'blended families' were different in the Nineties, Kelly added: 'You've got to remember I'm 64 and being stepmum to them was not normal back then these kinds of extended families. 'When I used to stand at the school gates, I was frowned upon like I was the other woman, and it was tough for me.' Kelly, who has one biological daughter, food writer Natasha Corrett says: 'If I didn't have Sienna or Savannah, I would have felt cheated that I didn't have another child.' A favourite interior designer of the Princess of Wales , Hoppen still considers herself to be Miller's stepmother, saying 'if you love a child and you are there for a majority of their childhood, you don't just switch that off' (pictured in 2001) Speaking of her relationship with Savannah and Sienna in Mail on Sunday's YOU magazine in 2020, Kelly said: 'She [Savannah] and her (actress) sister Sienna are and will always remain two of the most precious people in my life even though I have been divorced from their father Edwin for 17 years. 'She calls me Mama K and I call her Sasa. She and Sienna always send me cards and flowers on Mother's Day, which really touches my heart.' Meanwhile Sienna recently expanded her family, after she welcomed a baby girl with her boyfriend Oli Green, 27. The actress already has daughter Marlowe, 10, from her previous relationship with actor Tom Sturridge, 38. Eamonn Holmes went red-faced live on Wednesday's GB News as he admitted he knows 'lots of women in their 40s who go naked swimming'. It comes after reports he has grown close with younger female, who is in her 40s, amid his divorce from Ruth Langsford. The broadcaster and the Loose Women prsenter, both 64, announced their plans to divorce in May after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together. Eamonn blushed as he spoke of one girl in particular who likes swimming naked, before claiming he is often asked to join in with the activity. He also discussed that people often ask him: "Eamonn how much more of you can we see?" when trying to persuade him to go swimming naked. Eamonn Holmes, 64, went red-faced live on Wednesday's GB News as he admitted he knows 'lots of women in their 40s who go naked swimming' (pictured with co-host Ellie Costello) It comes after reports he has grown close with younger female, who is in her 40s, amid his divorce from Ruth Langsford, also 64 He said: 'I know lots of women in their 40s or whatever, who would be going to a reservoir in a group of six. 'I had friends in Northern Ireland and they go wild water swimming. I know this girl who does this and she does this. You look at her and you think "I don't know, this is not me". They do it naked. 'It's more than naked swimming, they go in the sea and their older people and they get this huge thrill out of being wild and naked all at the same time.' He asked his co-host Ellie: 'Would you do the wild water naked swimming?' She responded: 'I certainly wouldn't no. Would you?' He said: 'Well I'm often asked to do it, do you know what I mean. People say "Eamonn how much more of you can we see?" But I'd worry about displacing so much water at the time. Might cause a tsunami somewhere, so I thought maybe not.' The discussion stemmed from a conversation about keeping safe in the water amid the hot temperatures recently and the risks of wild water drowning. His admission comes after it was reported he has been helped through his troubles by relationship counsellor Katie Alexander. The broadcaster and the Loose Women presenter announced their plans to divorce in May after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together (pictured in 2021) Eamonn blushed as he spoke of one girl in particular who likes swimming naked, before claiming he is often asked to join in with the activity He also discussed that people often ask him: "Eamonn how much more of you can we see?" when trying to persuade him to go swimming naked He said: 'I know lots of women in their 40s or whatever, who would be going to a reservoir in a group of six... I know this girl who does this and she does this. You look at her and you think "I don't know, this is not me". They do it naked' Katie, 42, is said to be 'smitten' with the presenter after supporting him during his turbulent split. The divorcee and mother-of-three has grown close to the star after a 'string of outings' together, and has reportedly said she is 'in it for the long haul. Friends told MailOnline that she and Eamonn are so close she's 'in love' with him. While Katie works as a relationship counsellor, her personal Instagram bio defiantly states: 'Kitchen dancer with a soul too glam to give a damn.' On her website, she says that she takes 'a holistic approach to counselling,' and offers in-person, telephone and online therapy services, at a price of 45 for a 50-minute session. The site also states: 'I work with person-centred modality and take a holistic approach to counselling, focusing on you, the client. This means that you have the voice and the space to express yourself fully without judgment. 'My belief is that you, the client, are capable of, and hold the power of achieving what it is that you want out of life. It is my job to try and help you make sense of what can sometimes be difficult to do alone.' One anonymous review also praises Kate's services, saying: 'Katie made me feel so comfortable throughout the sessions, speaking to her with no judgement and her allowing me to look at certain things in a completely different light. His admission comes after it was reported he has been helped through his troubles by relationship counsellor Katie Alexander While Katie works as a relationship counsellor, her personal Instagram bio defiantly states: 'Kitchen dancer with a soul too glam to give a damn' 'My confidence has grown massively and I would highly recommend Katie especially for anyone feeling unsure if therapy is right for them.' Eamonn has been spending time with relationship counsellor Katie and is hoping her friendship with Eamonn could grow into a long-term relationship in the coming months. A source previously told The Mirror: 'She is helping Eamonn through the tough times but doesn't want to be seen as a marriage wrecker. 'The friendship has grown in recent months but Eamonn's marriage has been over for some time.' The inside added: 'She wants to help Eamonn with his situation and their friendship has grown over a period of time. 'She feels she will be close to him for a long period and is in this for the long haul.' Katie has been seen visiting Eamonn at his rented apartment in South West London from her home in Yorkshire. The pair reportedly struck up a friendship over the past couple of years and the publication claims Eamonn has taken her on a safari park trip, to a Manchester United game and a Beyonce concert. While his friendship with Katie is not said to be a reason for the marriage breakdown it is understood that Ruth was unaware of her until recently and has decided to take time off work (pictured in 2021) While his friendship with Katie is not said to be a reason for the marriage breakdown it is understood that Ruth was unaware of her until recently and has decided to take time off work. A source told The Sun: 'Ruth was obviously aware that her marriage was crumbling, but as details emerge, her upset has turned to anger. 'Eamonn's friend is bowled over by being lavished with attention and kindness from him.' The pair met via Twitter after the woman commented on a post and it sparked a conversation between the pair. Friends explained that the woman's counselling skills include coping with 'feeling sad' and 'separation and divorce' therefore it seems fitting she will be supporting Eamonn at this time of uncertainty. One pal then told The Mirror: 'Ruth was hurt when she learned about Eamonn's friendship with another woman but she is strong and she will be back soon with a smile on her face, putting her best foot forward, as she always does. 'She needs a bit of time to regroup after everything that's gone on, which is understandable, but she plans to return to Loose Women, with renewed vigour, in July.' Jono Castano looked to be on hard times when he visited his ex-girlfriend Simone Holtznagel at her family home in Wollongong on Wednesday. The celebrity personal trainer, 33, confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that he and the socialite, 31, had broken up, nine weeks after they officially parted ways. Now, the new father has been spotted visiting his former love and their newborn baby Gia as he continues to live away from them in Sydney. Jono appeared downcast as he rugged up against the cold in a white T-shirt and black jumper from his own Acero brand. After speaking with Simone on the front porch of her family home, Jono was later seen driving away from the property in his Hyundai Kona electric vehicle. Just hours after Jono revealed his split from Simone, he was spotted going out to dinner at a luxury restaurant with a close friend that evening. Jono took to his Instagram Stories to share a gallery of snaps from his evening out at the upmarket Parisian brasserie Armorica in Sydney with his friend Edin Zecevic. The friends enjoyed a bottle of wine and a delicious meal of steak frites as Jono was supported through the difficult time. Jono Castano, 33, (pictured) looked to be on hard times when he visited his ex-girlfriend Simone Holtznagel, 31, at her family home in Wollongong on Wednesday He also proved he remains on good terms with his model ex Simone as he tagged her in a separate post on Wednesday morning, just hours after confirming their split. The Acero gym owner shared an adorable photograph of their baby daughter Gia, three months, fast asleep as he doted over the little one. In a caption, he tagged Simone as he penned: 'Our little g @simoneholtznagel [love heart hands emoji.' Simone did not re-share the picture to her own Instagram Stories and she has not yet publicly commented on their break-up. On Tuesday, Jono confirmed that he and Simone decided to go their separate ways nine weeks ago, around the end of May. The celebrity personal trainer confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that he and the socialite had broken up, nine weeks after they officially parted ways Simone is currently staying with her family in Wollongong, while Jono remains in Sydney running his gym Acero, which he co-founded with his ex-wife Amy. Jono exclusively told Daily Mail Australia of the split: 'We just decided it was best for her to spend time with her family in Wollongong. 'Who knows what the future holds our idea is just to be the best parents for Gia at this stage.' The couple's separation came around nine weeks after they welcomed their first child into the world on Easter Sunday. Simone and Jono are believed to still be on amicable terms and are focusing on co-parenting their beloved daughter. Now, the new father has been spotted visiting his former love and their newborn baby Gia as he continues to live away from them in Sydney News of their split came just hours after Simone posted a cryptic quote about 'moving forward' and being 'patient' for a 'long time' on her Instagram Stories. On Monday night, Simone posted a thinly-veiled message about prioritising her own happiness to Instagram in what appeared to be a reference to their separation. The quote read: 'You shouldn't feel guilty for moving forward if you've given someone multiple opportunities to improve or change, but they didn't. 'Everyone has limits, and it's important to look out for your own well-being. If you tried to help or waited for them to change their behaviour, but things stayed the same, it's okay to choose what's best for you and move on. 'Prioritising your own happiness and peace is essential, especially when you've been patient and understanding for a long time.' Jono appeared downcast as he rugged up against the cold in a white T-shirt and black jumper from his own Acero brand After speaking with Simone on the front porch of her family home, Jono was later seen driving away from the property in his Hyundai Kona electric vehicle Simone last shared an Instagram post featuring Jono on April 28, where she gave fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse at their first family photoshoot with baby Gia. News of the split emerged just days after they both returned from a trip to Tasmania with Jono's ex Amy and her new partner Aaron Evans. Despite separating nine weeks ago, the couple proved they are still on good terms as they jetted off on an intimate family getaway together. The couple first started dating back in 2022, months after Jono confirmed his split from his longtime partner Amy. Celebrity personal trainers Jono and Amy were high school sweethearts, but divorced in 2021 after 15 years together. Simone confirmed she and Jono were expecting their first child together in October last year, and welcomed Gia into the world on Easter Sunday, March 31. Pregnant Iskra Lawrence admits she is concerned about the strain her second child might have on her her relationship after admitting she 'already feels distant' from boyfriend Phillip Payne. The English model, 33, and her music producer boyfriend, parents to son Alpha, four, are expecting their baby girl on September 18. And taking to Instagram on Sunday, Iskra shared the 'feelings I don't want to admit' and bared all to her 5million followers, admitting she was concerned about the birth and its long term implications on her relationship with Payne. She began: 'Pregnancy can feel lonely. Even with your partner right there, you are going through so many changes it can feel isolating.' 'I'm nervous that I already feel distant from the man I love and knowing when our second baby arrives I'll have even less time scares me.' Pregnant Iskra Lawrence has revealed she's concerned about the strain her second child might have on her her relationship after admitting she 'already feels distant from the man I love' The English model, 33, and her music producer boyfriend Philip Payne, who already share son Alpha, four, (all pictured) are expecting their baby girl on September 18 On Instagram, Iskra shared the 'feelings I don't want to admit' and bared all to her 5M followers 'I'm feeling anxious about how I'll be able to give my second baby as much love and attention that I gave my first?' 'Passing up opportunities is tough for me I feel like I'm letting my team down and risking my career wanting to take time off postpartum and I worry about the financial impact.' 'We have gotten so used to a full night's sleep with our 4 year old I don't feel ready or know how I'll cope with a newborn up all night.' 'I feel overwhelmed keeping the house clean and tidy with one kid, how will I keep on top of it with two kiddos.' 'As this will probably be my last baby, I selfishly want all the cuddles and to not just be passed back my baby from family when she needs feeding.' Iskra's final slide read: 'I overthink everything and feel like I've forgotten what to do and question all the time if this age gap is too big? Will they get along and be close? How is this huge shift going to impact my son?' The former competitive swimmer wrote in her post's caption: 'Time to get real did / do any of you have these feelings? Any advice is always appreciated grateful to have this safe space to share whats on my heart.' Hundreds of Iskra's followers flooded her comments with reassurances that they related to her fears and that she would overcome them. One slide showed Philip putting a loving hand on Iskra's belly and kissing her forehead as she smiled contentedly as Iskra wrote how pregnancy is lonely despite a partner She wore the same gorgeous halter neck gold dress throughout the carousel and carried a whites Yves Saint Laurent purse and wrote she is worried about distancing herself from Philip Iskra looked down lovingly at her belly as she pondered how she will be able to love her second child as she loved her first Moving away from her professional life, Iskra made the very real observation about how pregnancy affects women at work She shared concerns about how difficult it will be cleaning up after two children Iskra's followers wrote: 'All these worries just show how much you care, and what an amazing mom you are! 'Reframe your thinking: LOOK HOW MUCH JOY I HAVE COMING! youre giving your oldest a lifelong companion: you have a wonderful life partner to go on this journey with you, your team is capable and you are a fantastic mama! 'Everything will always work out because you care this much'; 'Gosh here I am 25 weeks along and your words just made me cry like a baby.....feeling all that!!!' 'You will understand this when the baby comes but you will definitely be able to love your second baby every bit as much as your son. 'I cried over my first toddler when I was pregnant with my second thinking I was so sad I would have to decide my love and I couldnt imagine living anyone like I loved her. But your love expands. Its like magic. Everything will be good'; 'We love you!'; 'Just had my 2nd baby. Your love for your children grows..its doesn't divide'; 'Everything will fall into place. They are babies only for a short time. Before you know it they will be out of the nest. Remember the days are long and the years are short.' And English actress and mother-of-two Sophie Turner commented: 'You got this.' The ex swimmer captioned the post: 'Time to get real did / do any of you have these feelings? Any advice is always appreciated grateful to have this safe space to share whats on my heart' Hundreds of Iskra's followers flooded her comments with reassurances that they related to her fears and that she would overcome them In June, Iskra turned heads displaying her bare baby bump in tiny shorts and a bikini at The CUPSHE Pool House on Wednesday in Beverly Hills. Earlier in the month, Iskra proudly displayed her baby bump as she walked the Cupshe fashion show at Paraiso Miami Swim Week. Wolverhampton-born Iskra will be giving away $20,000 to two of her followers to support them on their fertility journey - after giving away $10,000 during her first pregnancy. Iskra confirmed her relationship with Philip around May 2019, but they first met at a Grammys party the year before, becoming a couple that October. Good Morning Britain's Ed Balls and Ranvir Singh fought back tears as they discussed the tragic stabbings in Southport on Wednesday's show. Three children died in the attack that took place at a Taylor Swift themed dance class: Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. Five children and two adults remain in a critical condition. A 17-year-old boy - originally from Cardiff but who now lives in the nearby Lancashire village of Banks - accused of murder and attempted murder remains in custody. On GMB Ranvir, 46, and Ed, 57, moved from their usual seats on the desk to stand in front of the screen. They then read out the harrowing statements from each of the families of the children who died. Good Morning Britain's Ed Balls and Ranvir Singh fought back tears as they discussed the tragic stabbings in Southport on Wednesday's show Three children died in the attack that took place at a Taylor Swift themed dance class: Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. Five children and two adults remain in a critical condition A visibly emotional Ranvir then stuttered: 'It's difficult to talk,' as Ed let out a huge sigh. During a later segment of the show, local mums were asked about their reaction to the shocking violence. One admitted that she was running a similar Taylor Swift-themed workshop where kids could dance and make friendship bracelets for one another. Taylor Swift fans are famous for their friendship bracelet making and trade them at shows and concerts. Ed held back tears as he reacted to the interview saying: 'That reference to making bracelets... young girls at a Taylor Swift dance club at the beginning of the school holidays, making friendship bracelets. 'Which of course at concerts they give to strangers. And a stranger comes into the room and devastation occurs. It's just shocking.' Ranvir paid an emotional tribute to the three girls while their pictures were shown on a big screen in the GMB studios, telling viewers: 'Good Morning Britain, these are the pictures of the innocent lives that were taken far too soon.' It comes as the mother of the little girl, seven, murdered in the Southport knife rampage has called for the violence to end after a night of rioting left 39 police officers injured. On GMB Ranvir, 46, and Ed, 57, moved from their usual seats on the desk to stand in front of the screen and read out some emotional tributes Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, was one of the victims of a knife attack during a dance event in Southport She was killed alongside six-year-old Bebe King (left) and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar (right) Elsie Dot Stancombe was killed alongside six-year-old Bebe King and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar in a horrific knife rampage on Monday at a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday dance workshop. And following a peaceful vigil last night where thousands of mourners had gathered to remember the victims who lost their lives, violent thugs were accused of showing 'no respect to a town that's grieving'. Crowds of yobs - many of whom are thought to have come from outside Southport - torched a police van and left 39 officers and three dogs injured, including 27 who needed treatment in hospital. But as the community rallied together against the violence, Jenni Stancombe, the mother of little Elsie, pleaded for the violence to end on social media. She said: 'This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight. 'The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this.' Eight other children suffered stab wounds in the bloodbath. Five are in a critical condition, alongside two women who were also critically injured as they bravely tried to save the children. And today the coastal community united to bring order back to their quiet streets - on local Facebook groups some offered their rooms to people who needed a safe space, while others organised clean up crews to remove the carnage of the night before. Builders offered their services for free to rebuild walls demolished after thugs threw rubble at police vehicles and others took to social media to praise brave officers. Labour MP for Southport Patrick Hurley reflected on the vigil in the town on Tuesday evening for victims of Monday's knife attack, saying the community were 'reeling' and 'in grief' following the death of three girls. He condemned the 'beered-up thugs' who threw bricks towards a mosque, and said yobs had got the train in and used the tragic deaths 'for their own political purposes'. Speaking to the Today programme, he said: 'These were thugs who got the train in, these were not the people from Southport. 'They were using the horrific incident on Monday, the deaths of three little kiddies, for their own political purposes and actually to attack the very same first responders and the very same police, who had been on the scene on Monday, were then being pelted with bricks the day after by these thugs. 'There's no way to describe that other than to say it's utterly reprehensible and we must identify these people and make sure that the full force of the law is down against them.' He went on: 'These people are utterly disrespecting the families of the dead and injured children and utterly disrespecting the town.' He continued: 'Even if this lad, the 17-year-old, turns out to be Muslim, under no circumstances does that justify any attack on a mosque by anybody at all. Not least these beered-up thugs who have descended on the town last night intent on causing trouble. 'We all have to stand against that and Southport will not accept this. Southport will unite against this sort of thing.' Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell has said there is a 'strong feeling' that members of the English Defence League have used the Southport stabbing to 'whip up hatred'. The Prime Minister and Home Secretary joined police chiefs in condemning the 'sickening' violence, which started barely an hour after thousands of mourners had gathered for a vigil to remember the victims who lost their lives. Just yards away from the emotional vigil, a 32-year-old man, dressed in all black with a hat on the joint-hottest day of the year, was separately arrested after being caught carrying a flick knife on Eastbank Street at 6.55pm. Three girls were killed in a bloody rampage on Hart Street on Monday. On Tuesday, a vigil was held for the victims on Lord Street. While it was going on, a man with a flick knife was arrested on Eastbank Street. On St Luke's Road, riots erupted outside a mosque - also on Tuesday Southport burns: A street near a mosque goes up in flames as violent thugs took to the streets last night On nearby St Luke's Street, rioters chanting 'English till I die' surrounded the Southport Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre and began hurling rubble at police officers who had formed a protective line around the building. The violence appears to have been fuelled by false claims online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat. The 17-year-old boy, who remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder, is originally from Cardiff but now lives in the nearby Lancashire village of Banks. Police have said that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related. Channel 10 was thrown into chaos on Wednesday night when The Project was abruptly taken off the air and the show's presenters were forced to dramatically flee the set in Melbourne. Viewers at home were left scratching their heads at 6:49pm when the news show hosted by Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Sam Taunton suddenly vanished from screens during its ad break, and was replaced with an episode of The Dog House Australia. As the series that homes unwanted pooches played across the country, a crawl ran along the bottom of TV screens, updating viewers on the alarming turn of events. 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, please enjoy this screening of The Dog House,' the vague text read. It wasn't long before The Project's feed on X, formerly known as Twitter, lit up like a Christmas tree. 'Is there a Blackout in the Studio?' asked one bamboozled viewer. 'Unforeseen circumstances? A bit more explanation deserved. Broken camera? Medical episode?' demanded another, before someone else questioned: 'Did you lose power?' 'WTF just happened? Your show just vanished. Now I am looking at a dog adoption show,' commented another. Channel 10 was thrown into chaos on Wednesday night when The Project was abruptly taken off the air. Pictured: Waleed Aly (left) and Sarah Harris (right) Viewers at home were left scratching their heads at 6:49pm when the news show hosted by Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Sam Taunton suddenly vanished from screens during its ad break, and was replaced with an episode of The Dog House Australia 'What happened to the show? Dog house showing here,' wrote yet one more. 'It's seems to be a dog's dinner at the moment on The Project,' quipped another fan. A post shared to X by the program revealed a fire alarm was set off in the studio, bringing the show to a grinding halt and forcing its presenters and crew to evacuate The Como Centre in South Yarra where the show is filmed. One Channel 10 staff member opted to take full advantage of the chaos by turning the bedlam into social media content for the ratings-challenged show. 'The fire alarm has gone off and they're making us evacuate,' the crew member began. 'Seems like fire safety is coming above infotainment. Which seems crazy to me,' they continued as they walked down a fire escape. 'But keep in mind that it's the showbiz rules of evacuation, which means it's children and celebrities first, then normals. 'So, Waleed and Sarah, they've been choppered out of here while we're taking the stairs.' It wasn't long before The Project's feed on X, formerly known as Twitter, lit up One Channel 10 staff member opted to take full advantage of the chaos by turning the bedlam into social media content for the ratings-challenged show Pictured: Fire fighters at The Como Centre in South Yarra where the show is filmed The video then saw the crew member exiting Channel 10 studios as firetrucks pulled up with their lights flashing. Outside, Aly and Harris could be seen nervously smiling as they followed the crowd away from the building to safety, still wearing their mic packs. 'This is how we should do the show,' Aly joked. 'Can I just clear up, I did not ask for a night off. This is not part of any grand plan. 'I genuinely have no idea what's happening and it's never happened before in my life,' he continued. Harris jumped in on the lighthearted joke, asking: 'Who was cooking toast is what I want to know. Who was cooking toast?' 'Well apparently we're airing The Dog House,' the crew member said, to which Harris laughed and responded: 'If we have a ratings spike we'll be...' Even funnyman Sam Taunton couldn't resist cracking a gag on social media following the on-air blunder. 'Sorry guys. I popped the white toast in the toaster on the multigrain setting. My bad,' he wrote on Instagram. Later, the panelists were seen running down the street and squeezing into an elevator on their way back to the studio. The Project continued its live broadcast at 7:10pm, with the hosts detailing what had transpired during the lengthy break. Later, the panelists were seen running down the street and squeezing into an elevator on their way back to the studio. The Project continued its live broadcast at 7:10pm The Project continued its live broadcast at 7:10pm, with the hosts detailing what had transpired during the lengthy break Late in the episode, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver (pictured) was quick to take the mickey out of the mishap 'There was a fire alert in our building and we had to leave, 'Aly explained. 'Not just leave, we had to run,' Sarah interjected. 'Who drew up our fire plan? We met up a kilometre away,' questioned Aly, joking at the turn of events. Channel 10 have since revealed the fire alarm was set off by the show's reverse-cycle air-conditioning. Later in the episode, Jamie Oliver was quick to take the mickey out of the mishap. 'First up, can I just apologise for the fire alarm? I sent someone in to do some canapes and look what happened,' the celebrity chef joked. A spokesperson from Fire and Rescue Victoria said they responded to a false alarm after a smoke detector malfunctioned. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel 10 for comment. Netflix has just dropped the first trailer for their delightful new animated blockbuster Spellbound. Set to premiere on the streaming giant on November 22, the charming fantasy comedy musical features the voices of Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem. Created by some of the filmmaking talents behind beloved family favourites including Toy Story, Cars, A Bug's Life and Shrek, the movie also features West Side Story star Rachel Zegler. And just like those classics, Spellbound promises to be a life riot for the whole family. Set in a 'magicial' world known as Lumbria, the story centres on a teenage princess, Ellian (voiced by Rachel Zegler). After her parents Queen Ellsmere (voiced by Nicole Kidman) and King Solon (voiced by Javier Bardem) are turned into monsters by a 'magic spell', Ellian must find a way to save them and their kingdom from ruin. The first look trailer shows that fans can look forward to plenty of fun as Ellian heads off on her adventure. The teaser starts off with the young princess explaining to two elders in the royal palace that she is 'having a problem' with her parents. Netflix has just dropped the first trailer for their delightful new animated blockbuster Spellbound which features Nicole Kidman. (Pictured) She then explains: 'They went into the Dark Forest and when they came back they were different..' After the King and Queen emerge as giant sized monsters and start terrorising everyone in sight, one of the elders complains to Ellian: 'I thought you were just being dramatic.' 'Why would I do that?, replies Ellian. 'Because you're a teenager,' he says. Other spectacular scenes feature the King and Queen being rounded up by the army and captured. Meanwhile, Ellian engineers an escape for her parents. Together, the family take off on an adventure across the kingdom to break the spell so the King and Queen can return to human form. Also featured in the cast are John Lithgow (The Crown), Nathan Lane (The Gilded Age), Jenifer Lewis (Rugrats) and Central Park star Titus Burgess. Spellbound is directed by Shrek filmmaker Vicky Jenson and produced by John Lasseter, director the much loved animated classic Toy Story (1995). Co-producers include David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Bruce Anderson. Rachel Zegler, 23, is set to star in Disney's 'woke' Snow White remake. The ingenue became a target for online criticism and hate after she was cast in the new version of the classic and began slamming the original film in press interviews. The charming fantasy comedy musical was created by some of the filmmaking talents behind beloved family favourites including Toy Story, Cars, A Bug's Life and Shrek The young actress revealed she 'hated' Disney's original 1937 classic and its 'stalker' Prince - whose 'weird' storyline won't feature in the new movie - in a series of interviews that have sparked anger on social media. She has also said that her film would be going in a new direction, stating: 'She's not going to be saved by the prince and she's not going to be dreaming about true love.' The story centres on a teenage princess, Ellian (voiced Zegler) who must find a way to break a spell that has turned her parents into 'monsters' Zegler has been slammed from both sides for both perpetuating 'woke' culture and for being a 'fake' feminist. She was also criticized by haters for playing Snow White as a Latina. Both she and Disney addressed this backlash and defended the decision. The American actress, from New Jersey, starred in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and the disaster comedy Y2K. Our Yorkshire Farm star Reuben Owen has revealed his future on Channel 5 as he reunited with his rarely-seen sisters in a sweet post this week. The TV personality is the son of Amanda and Clive Owen who fronted the show which followed the hill shepherds living on one of the most remote farms in Britain. After appearing on the show which launched in 2018 and after Amanda and Clive announced their separation in 2022 Reuben teamed up with his dad for the brief spin-off Beyond the Yorkshire Farm: Reuben & Clive. Then this year he starred in his own series, Life in the Dales with his then-girlfriend Sarah Dow and his friend Tommy McWhirter. Reuben: Life in The Dales followed the success of his thriving heavy plant machinery business. Our Yorkshire Farm star Reuben Owen has revealed his future on Channel 5 (seen with mum Amanda) The TV personality is the son of Amanda and Clive Owen who fronted the show which followed the hill shepherds living on one of the most remote farms in Britain After the series ended fans weren't sure if there would be another instalment but Reuben has now lifted the lid on future plans. This week one of his colleagues known as @willscrushing took to Instagram to share a sneak peek at Reuben hard at work. He shared the snap which was captioned: 'Film crew is here,' accompanied by the eye emojis. The filming activities carried on the next day with another post of him working as the caption read: 'We go again @reubenowen74 @warwickwardmachineryltd.' The project that Reuben is working on remains unknown for now. He appeared on the show with his now ex girlfriend Sarah Dow, who he is thought to have started dating in December 2021. The two often shared snaps with one another on their Instagram accounts to the delight of fans, and the young farmer even forked out on a car for his other half. Last year a brand expert claimed that Amanda was counting on her son Reuben's popularity to help relaunch her TV career following the damaging fallout from her five-year affair. It came as he reunited with his rarely-seen sisters Nancy Owen and Clemmy Owen, in a sweet post this week This year he starred in his own series, Life in the Dales with his then-girlfriend Sarah Dow and his friend Tommy McWhirter Reuben: Life in The Dales followed the success of his thriving heavy plant machinery business (seen on the show with Sarah) Amanda and Clive split in June 2022 after 21 years together due to Amanda's fling with 71-year-old businessman Robert Davies. Nick Ede - a brand and culture expert - predicted he would be key to 'redeeming' her damaged brand. Reuben has an active social media presence and has recently featured his mother in a series of Instagram photos. A source close to the family told the newspaper: 'Amanda's ego has taken a battering. Her popularity fell off a cliff after the affair was exposed. 'She knows the only way for her to get back on TV, and for it to be successful, is for Clive to be involved and for them to put up a united front.' MailOnline contacted Amanda's representatives for a comment at the time. Reuben is Clive and Amanda Owen's eldest son and delighted viewers with his farming knowledge as the show followed a new digging business venture he set up with his father. Amanda and Clive split in June 2022 after 21 years together due to Amanda's fling with 71-year-old businessman Robert Davies Reuben has an active social media presence and has recently featured his mother in a series of Instagram photos He has been praised for learning to birth lambs, plough fields and hand-feed cows from a very young age. Amanda and Clive split in 2022. It came after Yasumi Davies, the estranged wife of Amanda's lover Robert, found a love note she'd sent him and went public. The letter read: 'Robert, life is too short and happiness is too rare. I love you.' Bianca Censori has modelled another daring outfit amid complaints from restaurateurs, as she headed to dinner with husband Kanye West at Stonehouse Restaurant in Santa Barbara. The architect, 29, who has carved out a reputation for her X-rated looks, showed off her curves in a skimpy white bodysuit, while walking arm-in-arm with the musician, 47. She struggled to contain her ample assets in the tiny corset, while she ditched her trousers to cheekily flash her bottom. Bianca added a pair of white tights and black high heels to finish off the revealing ensemble, as the couple arrived at the fancy restaurant. While Kanye also sported his typical outfit of choice, wearing a simple white shirt and black trousers, with his sock-style shoes. Bianca Censori has modelled another daring outfit amid complaints from restaurateurs, as she headed to dinner with husband Kanye West at Stonehouse Restaurant in Santa Barbara The architect, 29, who has carved out a reputation for her X-rated looks, showed off her curves in a skimpy white bodysuit, while walking arm-in-arm with the rapper, 47 She struggled to contain her ample assets in the tiny corset, while she ditched her trousers to cheekily flash her bottom Their latest eye-popping outing comes after they were spotted going to the cinema in Los Angeles twice last week, with Bianca opting for racy ensembles both times. On Tuesday, the Australian shocked onlookers as she flashed her bare breasts while going to see Fly Me To The Moon. She donned a completely see-through top which exposed her nipples, paired with high-waisted nude shorts and wrap-around stiletto heels. And she continued to bare plenty of skin on Saturday with another head-turning look, as she joined Kanye and his eldest daughter North to see Deadpool & Wolverine. While the 11-year-old wore an oversize T-shirt and baggy denim pants for the movie, Bianca donned a long sleeved top with just a pair of nude underwear. Recently restaurateurs in Los Angeles have vowed to ban Bianca and Kanye from entering their eateries, after she stepped out in another revealing ensemble. The controversial couple went out for dinner together at a local barbecue restaurant in LA, with Bianca once again leaving little to the imagination in a tiny silver bikini top that barely covered her chest. Restaurant owners were left aghast by the display and have declared they will ban the rapper and his wife from entering their businesses to protect their customers and children. Bianca added a pair of white tights and black high heels to finish off the revealing ensemble, as the couple arrived at the fancy restaurant Recently restaurateurs in Los Angeles have vowed to ban Bianca and Kanye from entering their eateries, after she stepped out in another revealing ensemble (pictured together in June) They wrote: 'If I am the owner of any establishment that these two intend to enter, I will tell them due to respect for my customers, you are not allowed to enter.' 'I wouldn't have them in my restaurant. Totally inappropriate and not a good role model for young children to see this out and about. What is wrong with them?' 'She looks absolutely ridiculous. How can any decent restaurant accept a customer wearing that? Even the main supermarkets have signs up in summer advising that tops must be worn for hygiene purposes when shopping as topless men were going in. This is so much worse.' However, the legendary Chateau Marmont declared Bianca was 'always welcome', despite the hotel operating a 'business-casual' dress code. A valet at the $774-a-night property told DailyMail.com: 'She comes here all the time. I always know when she's here because there's always a lot of paparazzi. 'She comes a lot. She stayed here awhile, a few months I think, and last time she was here was before the weekend, Tuesday or Wednesday.' Bianca was last photographed at the hotel enjoying drinks with friends in a black leather bikini top that barely covered her nipples and matching hotpants. But when asked about the outfit, the valet shrugged: 'She always dresses like that.' Bianca donned another daring outfit for lunch with her husband Kanye at the historic Chateau Marmont earlier this month But earlier this month it was revealed that Bianca could face jail time, a fine and mandatory registration as a sex offender for her X-rated stunts in LA Despite repeatedly stepping out in racy ensembles, some of her most revealing looks may have gone too far, as the barely-there outfits could potentially be considered indecent exposure under California law (pictured in February) But earlier this month it was revealed that Bianca could face jail time, a fine and mandatory registration as a sex offender for her X-rated stunts in LA. Despite repeatedly stepping out in racy ensembles, some of her most revealing looks may have gone too far, as the barely-there outfits could potentially be considered indecent exposure under California law. California Penal Code Section 314(1) makes it a crime to intentionally expose your genitals or naked body in a public place, or anywhere else where someone could be offended or annoyed. An indecent exposure charge usually results in a misdemeanor for a first-time offense. But if Bianca is handed the maximum penalty for her nearly-nude outfit, she could face six months in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, and mandatory registration as a sex offender for at least ten years. It's not the first time the couple have angered the public with their risque displays and there were previously calls for them to be arrested last year, while on holiday in Italy. Bianca's sheer outfits during the getaway, which left her breasts clearly visible, sparked fury from locals, while social media users labelled them as 'disrespectful' in a country known for its conservative Catholic heritage. While public outcry reached a fever pitch when the pair took their behaviour one step further, by engaging in an amorous moment on a boat in Venice, with Kanye exposing his bare buttocks in front of shocked tourists. It's not the first time the couple have angered the public with their risque displays and there were previously calls for them to be arrested last year, while on holiday in Italy (pictured in Italy last year) Concerned fans have questioned whether her bizarre outfits are proof that the Donda star is 'controlling' Bianca (pictured last year) Images of the couple showed the father-of-four with his pants pulled down to expose his bottom and seated at the back of the river taxi while Bianca kneeled between his legs and placed her head in his lap. Online critics argued that the flesh-baring display constituted 'public indecency', a charge which comes with a fine of up to 309 (AU$520), according to the Italian Constitutional Court. Kanye was famously previously married to Kim Kardashian, with Bianca being claimed to be an exact clone of the reality star. Concerned fans have questioned whether her bizarre outfits are proof that the Donda star is 'controlling' Bianca. During their nearly seven-year marriage, Kanye heavily influenced Kim's fashion choices, but unlike with Bianca, the musician reportedly instead asked her to change her outfits if he felt she was showing too much skin. Kim, 43, said in a previous episode of the Kardashians: 'Kanye has always dressed me. In the early 2000s, he would literally just send me random emails with all these looks and what my style should be.' He once told her: 'You are my wife, and it affects me when your pictures are too sexy.' A source said: 'Kanye did the same thing he is doing with Bianca to Kim throughout their marriage. The difference is that when Kanye dressed Kim, he was respected as a person - as an artist. Kanye was famously previously married to Kim Kardashian , with Bianca being claimed to be an exact clone of the reality star (pictured in February with Francesco Risso) During their nearly seven-year marriage, Kanye heavily influenced Kim's fashion choices, but unlike with Bianca, the musician reportedly instead asked her to change her outfits if he felt she was showing too much skin (pictured together at the Met Gala in 2019) 'Unfortunately, Kim knows what Bianca is going through - but she feels Bianca should have known what she was getting into.' Kim filed for divorce in February 2021 just before what would have been the pair's seventh wedding anniversary, after welcoming children North, 11, Saint, eight, Chicago, six, and five-year-old Psalm. The SKIMS star, who was represented by divorce attorney Laura Wasser, was declared legally single March 2022 while in the midst of a romance with now-ex boyfriend SNL alum Pete Davidson. In November 2022, Kim and Kanye's divorce was finalized, with Kanye agreeing to pay $200,000 a month in child support and equal custody. Kanye married Yeezy architect Bianca in January 2023 in what was thought a non-legal wedding as it appeared they did not file for a marriage certificate. However in mid-October 2023, it was reported that they did in fact get legally married and that it took place the year before due to 'religious reasons,' per Us Weekly. Bindi Irwin's husband Chandler Powell has announced he is about to embark on a adventure to research crocodiles. The 27-year-old wakeboarder shared the news to his social media on Wednesday along with a tribute to Bindi's dad, the late Steve Irwin. Known as the Crocodile Hunter, Steve died in 2006 at the age of 44 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Chandler shared that he would be spending a month on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve which is located on Queensland's Cape York. As a tribute to Steve he included an amazing photo of a crocodile's 'foot'. In the picture a human hand can be seen resting against the hide and 'toes' of a giant reptile. Chandler added a caption that read: 'The Australia Zoo Crocodile Research Trip is officially here! 'Well be spending the next month on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve tracking crocodiles to learn more about them. It is such an honour to be part of this incredible, important work. Check out this dinosaur foot!' Bindi Irwin 's husband Chandler Powell has announced he is about to embark on a adventure to research crocodiles. (Both pictured) The 27-year-old wakeboarder shared the news to his social media on Wednesday along with a tribute to Bindi's dad, the late Steve Irwin. Pictured: Steve in 2002 'I hope we get to meet this awesome crocodile again!' Chandler's mother-in-law Terri Irwin added to the post. Chandler is expected to make the trip with Terri, 60 and his wife Bindi, 26, and their three-old daughter Grace Warrior. His brother-in-law Robert, 20, has already committed to the adventure. The I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here host and Gold Logie nominee announced earlier this month that he would be returning from Cape York for the Logie Award ceremony in Sydney on August 18. It comes after shocking footage emerged earlier this year of Chandler almost being bitten by a crocodile. He was attempting to feed the reptile with a small fish in his hand when the large animal took a snap at him. Chandler quickly tossed the snack to the beast which caught the fish in its mouth. Sharing the clip to his social media in January Chandler wrote 'snack time with Daisy.' In the clip, Chandler was the spitting image of his late father-in-law Steve 'The Crocodile Hunter' Irwin. Many of Chandler's followers quickly took to the comments section to marvel over the clip. As a tribute to Steve, Chandler included this amazing photo of a crocodile's 'foot'. In the picture a human hand can be seen resting against the hide and toes of a giant reptile Known as the Crocodile Hunter, Steve died in 2006 at the age of 44 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef 'Daisy is one hungry croc,' one wrote, as a second person added: 'Aww, she's adorable'. Chandler first met his wife Bindi in 2013, when the American former wakeboarder went on a guided tour of Australia Zoo in Queensland. Following their chance meeting, Chandler wrote to Terri to ask her permission to contact Bindi before they embarked on a long-distance relationship. He eventually relocated to Australia from his home in Florida, and now works at the family's zoo on the Gold Coast. The couple married on March 25, 2020 and welcomed their daughter Grace Warrior on their first wedding anniversary. Bindi and Chandler, and her brother Robert and mother Terri Irwin, are proudly carrying on her late father Steve Irwin's legacy as a Wildlife Warrior and conservationist with their work at Australia Zoo. Katie Price has revealed her biggest downfall in a candid new interview. The former glamour model, 46, currently has a warrant out for her arrest after she skipped a scheduled 760,000 bankruptcy court hearing on Tuesday, having flown overseas for her latest cosmetic procedure. And speaking to Best Magazine's Suddenly Single podcast, Katie admitted her relationships with men have ultimately been her undoing. She said: 'My downfall in life, with everything, is men. If you took men out of the equation of my life, I'd have no dramas, no problems, nothing.' Katie, whose ex-husbands include Peter Andre, Alex Reid, and Kieran Hayler, is currently in a relationship with the former Married At First Sight UK contestant JJ Slater, 31. Katie Price has cited men as her biggest downfall in a candid new interview with Best magazine's Suddenly Single podcast The former glamour model currently has a warrant out for her arrest after she skipped a scheduled 760,000 bankruptcy court hearing on Tuesday (pictured with ex Kieran Hayler) When asked what she looks for in a man Katie declared: '[Someone] To be my best friend'. But the reality star said this was not a role that could be filled by a gal pal due to her 'liking d**k'. It comes after she said her 'healthy' romance with JJ Slater is 'foreign' to her after she spent years in 'abusive' relationships. The mother-of-five, told MailOnline she grew so used to being mistreated that she found it hard to recognise when she was with a loving partner. But her outlook changed after undergoing a domestic abuse course, where she learned how to identify the warning signs and not be triggered by her previous experiences. She says quitting alcohol and partying has given her a better foundation and she favours quiet evenings at her new home following her move from the Mucky Mansion over boozy nights on the town. Speaking exclusively, she said: 'Things are really, really good with JJ. I have done a domestic abuse course and I learned and realised I have never been in a healthy relationship. When you are constantly in toxic relationships, that's what you get used to. 'It was quite a long course, it involved workshops, watching videos, then I realised oh my God, all of my relationships were some kind of domestic abuse. It is very foreign for me to be in a healthy relationship. When asked what she looks for in a man Katie declared: '[Someone] To be my best friend' - but this role can't be filled by a gal pal due to her 'likening d**k' The reality star, whose ex-husbands include Peter Andre (pictured in 2006) Alex Reid, and Kieran Hayler, claimed 'all of my relationships were some kind of domestic abuse' She said: 'If you took men out of the equation of my life, I'd have no dramas, no problems, nothing' (pictured with ex husband Alex Reid in 2009) Katie has been with JJ, who's 15 years her junior, since February and the couple have discussed having a baby together, with the model telling MailOnline: 'I will definitely be a mother again' 'I have been in situations since where I question is that going to trigger me, is that going to escalate, but JJ is completely different and it is a healthy relationship, which is completely new. 'My whole life has changed, naturally before I met JJ, I was in a good place to start a new relationship. There are many aspects of my life that I have changed. I am going to start my empire again now I have hit the reset button.' The podcast host is a mother to Harvey, 22, whose father, ex-footballer Dwight Yorke has been non-existent in his life, as well as Junior, 19, and Princess, 17, from her four-year marriage to Peter between 2005-2009. She also shares Jett, 10, and Bunny, nine, with Kieran before they split after five years in 2018. In recent times, she has been engaged to former Love Island contestant Carl Woods, 35, before they ended their romance for good last year. Katie is understood to be having a facelift at the Trio Clinic in Istanbul, with work being carried out on her eyes and under her chin while in Turkey. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the mother-of-five dismissed recent claims that she has travelled to Turkey after being turned down by other cosmetic surgeons. She said: 'I'm filming my new documentary. The reason I've chose the Trio Clinic is because I've had friends who have had surgery there and in my opinion they are the best for what I want doing. 'I can't wait, they're amazing, and they're thorough here.' On Tuesday, Katie shared a statement on her Instagram account saying she is 'aware of the severity' of her financial situation. She wrote: 'Whilst I'm currently aware of the severity of my current personal financial situation with my ongoing bankruptcy, I am today shocked that whilst away working for a documentary on corrective surgeries that I should find myself yet again headline news. 'The media in my opinion once again are trying to cause continued humiliation to myself and family. There are far greater and more pressing issues going on around the world that are more important and I'm sure most people are bored reading stories that are constantly misrepresented. Katie is understood to be having a facelift at the Trio Clinic in Istanbul, with work being carried out on her eyes and under her chin while in Turkey Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the mother-of-five dismissed recent claims that she has travelled to the Trio Clinic Turkey after being turned down by other cosmetic surgeons She wrote: 'I have to continue in my work in order to satisfy these bankruptcy orders which is all I am trying to do right now. I am however not running from matters and will continue to take matters with great seriousness. 'I am doing the best I cam to rectify things during extremely challenging times. Once again I would like to highlight there are far greater and more news worthy stories. 'I will continue to work on my mental health disorders for the sake of my self and my family and do the best I can.' In May, Katie claimed on her own podcast that she has been signed off from appearing in court for her mental health, after receiving backlash for missing her last bankruptcy hearing to go on holiday to Cyprus. She had been due to give evidence about her finances at the High Court in May, but at the start of the hearing, lawyers said that she had told them at the last minute she couldn't attend due to health issues. A judge described this excuse as 'scanty'. Katie then jetted off on holiday to Ayia Napa with her MAFS star boyfriend JJ Slater , facing public backlash after being spotted sunbathing together by the pool. Taking to her podcast, The Katie Price Show , Katie hit back and claimed she had been signed off from court because she was 'mentally not strong enough'. On Tuesday, she shared a statement on her Instagram account saying she is 'aware of the severity' of her financial situation Katie has said she is 'doing the best I can to rectify things' after a warrant was issued over her arrest A judge issued the warrant after she failed to appear at her 760,000 bankruptcy court hearing - having seemingly flown abroad She said: 'Everyone is like "oh she's missed bankruptcy and she's gone on holiday!" No, let me address it. 'The court knew that I wasn't going to my bankruptcy, because mentally - my consultant at The Priory - I've been signed off for any kind of activity for court. 'I have I am continuing to to cooperate with the relevant people on matters to the best of my ability which will be addressed after my return from work. 'Despite consistent stories trying to humiliate me on my personal misfortunes, I am neither embarrassed or ashamed. I own my situation and I am trying my best to work my out out of it and put matters right.' Katie added that she is currently going through 'challenging times' and is doing 'the best I can' for the sake of her family. Denise Van Outen, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Jamie Lynn Spears led the stars praising Fred Siriex's daughter after she won an Olympic bronze medal on Wednesday. Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, 19, and Lois Toulson, 24, produced a brilliant last-round dive to snatch the final spot on the podium after falling down the leaderboard following a below-par third dive. The diving duo looked to be out of medal contention, but bounced back impressively to snatch bronze. And following Fred's emotional reaction to his daughter's win, tributes poured in after the First Dates star posted a proud message to Andrea on Instagram. Denise commented a slew of emojis to congratulate his daughter, while former Olympian Jessica wrote: 'Yesssss we were there watching! They were brilliant ' Denise Van Outen, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Jamie Lynn Spears led the stars praising Fred Siriex's daughter Andrea (middle) after she won an Olympic bronze medal on Wednesday Denise commented a slew of emojis to congratulate his daughter, while former Olympian Jessica wrote: 'Yesssss we were there watching! They were brilliant ' Meanwhile, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here star Jamie, who appeared on the show with Fred in 2023, penned clapping emojis (pictured together) Meanwhile, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here star Jamie, who appeared on the show with Fred in 2023, penned clapping emojis. Professional snowboarder Aimee Fuller also congratulated the star alongside GBBO finalist Crystelle Pereira and Love Island's Kaz Crossley. On his Instagram, Fred shared a video of the winning dive and wrote: 'What emotions! What a beautiful moment! How many tears!!!! Im bursting with pride, joy and happiness. Well done and congrats'. Fred was delighted for the pair as he spoke to his daughter live on the BBC after they shared a warm embrace. 'What a competition! It's always a rollercoaster with you girls,' Fred said, bringing a giggle from the GB pair. 'You really took me around the bend and through the middle. But that last dive, that was spectacular. You knew you had to put it through and you pulled it back. It was amazing. 'I'm in awe with what they've achieved. It's an amazing journey for them, they've won a medal, they've shown their class. I'm just very impressed and very happy for you. I'm so proud, I'm bursting.' Addressing their comeback from a seemingly hopeless position, a tearful Andrea said: After front (dive) it was a little bit of a woopsy-daysys, but after inward (dive) it was never back down, no matter what. Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, 19, and Lois Toulson, 24, produced a brilliant last-round dive to snatch the final spot on the podium after falling down the leaderboard following a below-par third dive The diving duo looked to be out of medal contention, but bounced back impressively to snatch bronze Following Fred's emotional reaction to his daughter's win, tributes poured in after the First Dates star posted a proud message to Andrea on Instagram Fred was delighted for the pair as he spoke to his daughter live on the BBC after they shared a warm embrace 'What a competition! It's always a rollercoaster with you girls,' Fred said, bringing a giggle from the GB pair Your browser does not support iframes. 'Just keep on pushing, don't give up. We had two more rounds left, we could do it, and if anyone could do it, it would be us. 'Be strong, be courageous. Just throw yourself off! We needed to do the last dive.' Lois added that she embraced taking on the role of the underdog as the British duo battled back to earn a medal. 'I feel like it's sometimes easier when you know you've got to do a good dive, almost like the underdog and you've got to keep fighting,' she explained. 'It really spurred us on to do our last two dives as well as we could.' Andrea then revealed why she was always confident that she and Lois could turn their fortunes around after their mid-competition slip-up. 'Every single competition we've done since we started we've got a synchro medal. So, of course, it was possible,' she said. 'But being here now, it's surreal.' Fred was beaming with pride throughout the interview having been in Paris all week to support his daughter, and Lois also expressed her gratitude towards her own family before bursting into tears. Spendolini-Sirieix supported her team-mate as Toulson burst into tears after thanking her own family She received a supportive hug from Andrea, who exclaimed: 'We're all crying today!' It was happy tears all around, and the celebrating wasn't done there, as Fred took to X afterwards to post a short video as he told the world: 'This is the most beautiful feeling. I am bursting with happiness and joy. I feel like I'm going to explode! 'Girls, well done. Thank you very much for this amazing day. To you,' as he raised a glass of champagne. It was certainly an emotional morning for the pair as they sealed Team GB's third diving medal of the week with several days of competition still remaining. Kylie Jenner showcased her slim figure in a black capri catsuit from her clothing brand Khy. The mom of two, 26, put her curves on display in a skintight one piece that featured a plunging back and the hem cropped at her calves. Kylie filmed the clips, which she shared to her Instagram stories on Wednesday, while on holiday in Venice, Italy. The 26-year-old businesswoman posed up a storm in the curve-hugging look, which is set to drop on her Khy website a couple hours after she shared the clips. Kylie Jenner showcased her slim figure in a black capri catsuit from her clothing brand Khy The mom of two, 26, put her curves on display in a skintight one piece that featured a plunging back and the hem cropped at her calves Kylie showcased her sculpted back in the plunging number, as well as her flat stomach. The star's one piece had a high-neckline and a tie detail on the back behind her neck. Kylie revealed the catsuit - which is from her brand Khy - is set to be released on Wednesday at 9 am PST. She called it drop 009, and revealed it costs $78 for the catsuit, which comes in black, white and red hues and from sizes XXS-4X. The striking piece is 85% nylon and 15% spandex. Kylie chose a beige and black tote, which she wore over her shoulder, adding small framed sunglasses. The stunner posed up a storm in her immaculate room while on holiday in Venice, Italy. Kylie filmed the clips, which she shared to her Instagram stories on Wednesday, while on holiday in Venice, Italy The 26-year-old businesswoman posed up a storm in the curve-hugging look, which is set to drop on her Khy website a couple hours after she shared the clips Kylie showcased her sculpted back in the plunging number, as well as her flat stomach The star's one piece had a high-neckline and a tie detail on the back behind her neck She called it drop 009, and revealed it costs $78 for the catsuit, which comes in black, white and red hues and from sizes XXS-4X Kylie revealed the catsuit - which is from her brand Khy - is set to be released on Wednesday at 9 am PST Two days prior, Kylie shared clips flashing her ample bust in a low-cut top while posing up a storm in her Lamborghini. The star put her freckles on display in the three images she posted on her Instagram page on Monday. Kylie, who is currently in a relationship with actor Timothee Chalamet, wore a cream colored round neck top, which highlighted her pert midsection. The stunner puckered up in one image as she leaned to one side in the luxury vehicle. Kylie captioned the images: 'More freckles means it's been a gooooood summer.' Kylie Jenner showcased her ample bust in a low-cut top while posing up a storm in her Lamborghini two days prior The 26-year-old star also put her freckles on display in the three images she posted on her Instagram page on Monday Kylie' romance with boyfriend Timothee, 28, appears to be going strong. The lovebirds were seen in June heading on a date in Hollywood. They also attended the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, January 7 together. They were previously spotted together at the annual Kardashian/Jenner Christmas Eve bash. The couple had been quietly dating since early April 2023, which was first revealed by celebrity gossip account DeuxMoi. After years of comparisons, Matt Damon was finally asked whether he believed he resembled his so-called doppelganger Jesse Plemons despite their 17-year age difference. 'Sure, yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely,' the 53-year-old Oscar-winning screenwriter confirmed on Access Hollywood on Monday. On June 11, the 36-year-old Oscar-nominated actor was literally placed inside a cage on Jimmy Kimmel Live for looking like Matt since the talk show host has had a long-running public rivalry with Damon. Jesse went on to reveal he once portrayed the younger version of the Cambridge-born blond's cowboy character John Grady Cole when he was 11 years old in Billy Bob Thorton's 2000 western All the Pretty Horse. 'It was the most exciting part that I had gotten,' Plemons recalled. After years of comparisons, Matt Damon was finally asked whether he believed he resembled his so-called doppelganger Jesse Plemons despite their 17-year age difference: 'Sure, yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely!' 'By the time the movie was premiering my mom called our local theater and got them to do a special screening for us. I invited this girl that I had a crush on and I was supposed to be the very first scene of of the movie. And we sit down and I'm not there.' The Texan redhead realized his scenes had been completely cut from the film: 'So maybe it was [Matt]?' Kimmel scoffed: 'Of course it was him. Billy Bob would never do that.' But Damon only has fond memories from the Texas set where the crew were 'freaking out' about their strong resemblance. 'Five people came up to me before I met him and they were like, "You're not gonna believe how much this kid looks like you,"' the IF actor told Access. 'The stills photographer took a picture of us together, because I couldn't believe it. He looked more like me than I did when I was little. Like my little 11-year-old face did not look like it [was going to grow up to be me]. He looked exactly like me. I was like, "This is really weird."' Matt continued: 'But he's a great actor and I love what he's done, the choices he makes. He's so incredible to watch. So I'm proud of the comparison...I would love to do something with him. I think he's great. I hope I get to work with him.' Damon and Casey Affleck will next portray robbers Rory and Cobby on the run in Doug Liman's heist comedy The Instigators, which hits limited US theaters this Friday before streaming August 9 on Apple TV+. The R-rated flick will also star Hong Chau, Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina, Toby Jones, Jack Harlow, and Ron Perlman. Meanwhile, Jesse's upcoming roles include Lesli Linka Glatter's six-episode conspiracy thriller Zero Day for Netflix and Yorgos Lanthimos' sci-fi comedy Bugonia with Emma Stone. On June 11, the 36-year-old Oscar-nominated actor was literally placed inside a cage on Jimmy Kimmel Live for looking like the 53-year-old Oscar-winning screenwriter since the talk show host has had a long-running public rivalry with Matt Jesse went on to reveal he once portrayed the younger version of Damon's cowboy character John Grady Cole when he was 11 years old in Billy Bob Thorton's 2000 western All the Pretty Horse Plemons recalled: 'It was the most exciting part that I had gotten...By the time the movie was premiering my mom called our local theater and got them to do a special screening for us. I invited this girl that I had a crush on and I was supposed to be the very first scene of of the movie. And we sit down and I'm not there' The Texan redhead realized his scenes had been completely cut from the film: 'So maybe it was [Matt]?' But the Cambridge-born blond only has fond memories from the Texas set where the crew were 'freaking out' about their strong resemblance Matt told Access: 'Five people came up to me before I met him and they were like, "You're not gonna believe how much this kid looks like you"' (pictured in 2002) Damon continued: 'The stills photographer took a picture of us together, because I couldn't believe it. He looked more like me than I did when I was little. Like my little 11-year-old face did not look like it [was going to grow up to be me]. He looked exactly like me. I was like, "This is really weird"' (pictured in 2007) The IF actor added: 'But he's a great actor and I love what he's done, the choices he makes. He's so incredible to watch. So I'm proud of the comparison...I would love to do something with him. I think he's great. I hope I get to work with him' Matt and Casey Affleck (R) will next portray robbers Rory and Cobby on the run in Doug Liman's heist comedy The Instigators, which hits limited US theaters this Friday before streaming August 9 on Apple TV+ Brittany and Cynthia Daniel, who starred on the television adaptation of Sweet Valley High, have paid tribute to the creator of the beloved franchise. Francine Pascal, the author of the Sweet Valley High books and executive producer of the television adaptation, died at age 92 on Tuesday morning following a battle with cancer. Now Brittany and Cynthia, who played identical twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield in the television series, are remembering the woman behind the series. 'She touched the hearts and minds of so many with her entertaining and relatable portrayals of teenage life,' the twin sisters, age 48, said in a statement shared with People. 'We always felt loved and appreciated by Francine. Shell be greatly missed,' they added. Brittany and Cynthia Daniel, who starred on the television adaptation of Sweet Valley High, have paid tribute to the creator of the beloved franchise; Brittany and Cynthia on Sweet Valley High In addition to authoring the book series, Pascal served as an executive producer on the TV series, which aired from 1994 to 1998. Francine's daughter Laurie Wenk-Pascal revealed her mother passed away aged 92 on Tuesday morning following a battle with cancer. Immediately, the tragic news sent ripples throughout social media, as her readers posted loving tributes to the woman who 'sparked their passion for reading.' The book series, which followed identical twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield, was a huge hit throughout the '80s and '90s - becoming a monumental part of many people's childhoods. The franchise had 181 books in total, and sparked multiple spin-offs and a TV series of the same name that aired from 1994 until 1997. Following her death, X, formerly Twitter, was flooded with emotional messages from users who spoke about how much the book series impacted them. Some people recalled how 'escaping' to the world of Sweet Valley High got them through their own problems, while others praised the author for 'making teenagers all over the world happy.' 'Thank you to Francine Pascal for opening my tiny little head to a world where twin sisters can be as different as night and day but still be incredibly hot in the same way,' one person wrote. 'Every trip to [the book store] was so exciting, with the hope that a new book in the series would be out.' Francine Pascal, the author of the Sweet Valley High books, died at age 92 on Tuesday morning following a battle with cancer Pascal, pictured 2014, also served as an executive producer on the Sweet Valley High television series Francine's daughter Laurie Wenk-Pascal revealed that she had passed away at age 92 on Tuesday morning, following a battle with cancer. The cover of her book is seen 'I need to stop and give a shoutout to Francine Pascal,' added another. 'Your Sweet Valley books were such a HUGE part of my childhood, sparking my passion for reading. '[I followed] the journey of the twins all the way through college. Many fond memories. Thank you and RIP.' 'RIP Francine Pascal, creator of #SweetValleyHigh and its vast universe of characters. Those books made me love reading and the art of soap opera,' confessed someone else. 'I read Sweet Valley High as a kid and the pull these books had on me was wild,' read a fourth tweet. Immediately, the heartbreaking news sent ripples throughout social media, as her readers posted loving tributes to the woman who 'sparked their passion for reading' 'They were hugely important to me growing up and low-key influential. I'm so sad about Francine Pascal.' 'The chokehold that Sweet Valley twins and The Baby-Sitters Club had on me in the 1980s,' said a fifth. 'RIP to the author/creator of the former, Francine Pascal. What a life, and I love her attention to detail.' 'I used to love escaping to Jessica and Elizabeth's world in Sweet Valley High. I hope Francine knew how much her words made teenagers all over the world happy,' gushed a different user. Another user called the twins her 'heroes,' and said the Sweet Valley High books were the 'first' tomes that she fell in love with. 'I read every single one of the Sweet Valley books as a girl growing up in California in the 1980s. Thank you for helping to create this lifelong reader, Francine Pascal,' wrote a different person. Someone else said, 'Reading SVH books at the beach was what summer looked like for me in the late 80s. The book series, which followed identical twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield, was a huge hit throughout the '80s and '90s - becoming a monumental part of many people's childhoods 'Nerdy me adored Elizabeth. Wannabe rebel me wished they were more like Jessica. Kid me is really sad today.' Francine's daughter Laurie told the New York Times on Tuesday that her mom died of lymphoma in New York-Presbyterian Hospital over the weekend. Francine previously described Sweet Valley High as 'the essence of high school.' 'It's that moment before reality hits, when you really do believe in the romantic values - sacrifice, love, loyalty, friendship - before you get jaded and slip off into adulthood,' she told People in 1988. She said she started writing the Sweet Valley High books after TV networks rejected her idea for a soap opera centered on teenagers in high school. The franchise had 181 books in total, and sparked multiple spin-offs and a TV series of the same name (seen) that aired from 1994 until 1997 She was inspired by Dallas, the hit CBS soap that followed an affluent family and their oil empire, and the twins in her life, including her then-agent and sister-in-law. The late writer penned the first 12 books in the Sweet Valley series and then, after drafting a detailed outline, worked with a team of writers to keep up a rapid publication pace. Countryfile star Adam Henson revealed that he broke down in tears after finding out that his farmer wellbeing podcast saved someone's life. The farmer and author, 58, has been open about his struggles losing a close friend to suicide and regularly talks about the worrying statistics surrounding mental health within the farming community. He set up his podcast called Keeping On Track in collaboration with The Sound Doctor back in October 2023 and following a wave of positive feedback, revealed there is a second series in the works. Reflecting on a recent conversation from a listener, Adam told Farmer's Guide: 'I was at an event recently, and a lady came up to me and said "You saved my husband's life." 'When quizzed, she explained that he's a farm a manager and had been in a very dark place mentally, but the podcast series has given him a huge lift and helped him seek support. Countryfile star Adam Henson revealed that he broke down in tears after finding out that his farmers' wellbeing podcast saved someone's life (pictured on the programme) He set up his podcast called Keeping On Track in collaboration with The Sound Doctor back in October 2023 (pictured with his wife Charlie in March 2023) 'We hugged and both shed a tear. I thought to myself that if we've helped just one person, then it's a job well done.' Adam opened up about having been involved in farming his entire life and knowing that there are many things you 'can't control,' which he believes is one of the reasons for the high suicide rate within the sector. The aim of his series is to encourage communication within the farming community so no one has to suffer in silence. A recent study by the Farm Safety Foundation revealed that 92% of UK farmers under the age of 40 rank poor mental health as the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today, which marks an increase from 82% in 2018. Additionally, a study conducted by RABI has also shown that farmers have higher levels of mental ill-health than non- farmers and in 2021, it was found that one in three farming people were possibly or probably depressed. You can listen to the second series of Keeping On Track wherever you get your podcasts. The heartfelt admission comes just after bravely opened up about his wife Charlie's pancreatic cancer diagnosis and how has it affected their family - including the heartbreaking admission that she wrote goodbye letters to her loved ones. The television presenter revealed that the couple 'cried a lot' and decided to get married quickly after Charlie was diagnosed, seeing the wedding as a way of 'saying goodbye to everyone'. Adam opened up about having been involved in farming his entire life and knowing that there are many things you 'can't control,' which he believes is one of the reasons for the high suicide rate within the sector (pictured on Countryfile) The aim of his series is to encourage communication within the farming community so no one has to suffer in silence The heartfelt admission comes just after bravely opened up about his wife Charlie's pancreatic cancer diagnosis and how has it affected their family (pictured in 2019) Charlie, who is now in ongoing recovery, fell ill over Christmas 2020 and went to see a doctor when she was still unwell in February 2021. Doctors later found a 4.5cm tumour. The couple married in September 2021 in a ceremony in front of their closest loved ones at Stroud Registrar Office - just one day before Charlie was booked in for surgery. In 2023, Adam told The Mirror: 'Those vows cemented my emotions and let me say from the heart how I feel about Charlie.' The pair had first met in their teenage years in sixth-form and live together on the 1600-acre Cotswolds farm where Adam grew up - they are proud parents to children Ella and Alfie, who are now both in their twenties. Joy Behar took another brutal swipe at Donald Trump during Wednesday's episode of The View as she and the rest of the panel discussed a potential debate between the former President and Kamala Harris. Admitting that she 'loved' Harris' rally in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday, Sunny Hostin claimed the current Vice President had 'flipped the script' and would 'wipe the floor' with Trump, 78, if they did come face-to-face on live television. 'He has indicated that he may or may not debate her, but if he does, it has to be on Fox News. I think he's shooketh, I think he's scared,' Sunny, 55, argued. 'I think she will wipe the floor with him. I think she will be a savage debater. I think she is well trained, she's prepared, she's presidential, and I think he's scared,' the mother-of-two added. Joy, 81, agreed and said: 'Well, I would go along with that. He keeps backtracking on a lot of things, things are starting to look bad for him. Let's remember that Joe Biden debated Trump basically because his numbers were soft. That's the real reason. Joy Behar couldn't resist making another dig at Donald Trump during Wednesday's episode of The View Joy said that Trump, pictured here on July 24, has numbers 'softer than his mid-section' Taking aim at the Republican, she then joked: 'And Trump thinks that he doesn't have to do it but his numbers are softer than his mid-section at this point!' as the live studio audience burst out laughing. While Sara Haines had a smug grin on her face, moderator Whoopi Goldberg turned to Joy and said: 'I think you handled yourself very well, because I know where you could have gone but you didn't go!' Comedian Joy fired back: 'I already did the Stormy material last week!' referring to an X-rated comment she made about Trump's manhood live on air on July 25. The mother-of-one then went on to claim that Harris was beating Trump 'by 11 points in Michigan' and said he's going to take part in a debate because 'he's gonna have to do it.' Sara, 46, then spoke up and said: 'I don't think he can resist the idea that a woman would show up and beat him. So, even though he's in a scramble and his campaign is, trying to get into Donald Trump's head - which I would not recommend - but, I think he's probably blaming his campaign.' 'He's probably saying, "What are you guys doing wrong that you're missing the boat?" That would be the time where he's held to account by her, and this isn't just a woman, it's a black and brown woman and I think that will kill him. So he will absolutely not be able to say no because he'll look weak,' she added. Joy wasn't quite done with her digs yet, and decided to poke fun at the presidential candidate again as she said: 'I'd like to speak to Donald.... "I'd like to give you some words of encouragement. I think you'll do very well because you're used to standing next to a prosecutor. Don't worry about it, it's something you know how to do."' Sunny burst out laughing as the live studio audience applauded Joy's comment, before Sara said of Harris: 'Have you seen how fast everything that happened she and her campaign are responding before it ever like hits the airwaves.' Sunny Hostin claimed that Trump was 'scared' of going head-to-head in a debate with Kamala Harris Kamala pictured at a campaign event in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 30 Sara Haines (right) grinned at Joy's dig while Whoopi Goldberg told her she 'handled' herself 'very well' The panel have made no secret of the fact that they will be voting for Harris come November as Whoopi told viewers on Wednesday: 'This is up to us, if we want to win this, we have to get out and work our behinds.' Earlier this month, the 68-year-old actor attacked Kai Trump's rousing Republican National Convention speech about her grandfather, Donald, and urged voters 'not to fall for it.' Trump's 17-year-old granddaughter took to the stage on July 17, and told viewers he was 'just a normal grandpa.' However, Whoopi called out the teen's stirring speech; arguing it was a trick to 'humanize' Trump - particularly after the assassination attempt. Cardi B's husband Offset was on the defense after Instagram account Ig Model Tea Room recently posted a video of him sitting next to a woman called PrettyRedz at a casino, whom they claimed was his ex-girlfriend. 'Shawty ain't my shawty,' the 32-year-old Style Rare rapper - who boasts 37.5M social media followers - responded via Instagram Live. 'People really need to do the research I'm at a public place gambling at a casino with a married 8 month pregnant woman. [What the f***] I look like being outside publicly cheating [shaking my head!' Offset's (born Kiari Kendrell Cephus) vehement denial of the cheating rumors wound up confusing people into thinking he was referring to his 31-year-old wife as pregnant, which her rep quickly denied to TMZ on Wednesday. PrettyRedz is actually seven months pregnant with the child of her late husband Kyng Rocky, who tragically passed away on June 18. Cardi B's husband Offset (pictured July 7) was on the defense after Instagram account Ig Model Tea Room recently posted a video of him sitting next to a woman called PrettyRedz at a casino, whom they claimed was his ex-girlfriend The 32-year-old Style Rare rapper responded via Instagram: 'Shawty ain't my shawty...People really need to do the research I'm at a public place gambling at a casino with a married 8 month pregnant woman. [What the f***] I look like being outside publicly cheating [shaking my head!' 'It's completely crazy that I even have to do this! Please! If not for me, please respect my late husband! I am just beginning to grieve! Having a night out with my family is definitely not an opportunity for click bait!' PrettyRedz wrote via Instastory on Tuesday. 'I am carrying the last gift my husband will give this Earth! All I want is peace! If [you're] looking for a story, there is nothing to see here! Please respect all families involved. Y'all make up things not caring about the impact! Please stop. I'm pregnant as well! You people are sick [as f***] out here [shaking my head].' The on/off hip-hop power couple allegedly separated again last November, but they put on a strong united front at Disneyland Paris with their children on July 9. Offset and Cardi (born Belcalis Almanzar) previously separated from December 5, 2018 to January 31, 2019 amid cheating allegations. The three-time Grammy nominee and the Grammy winner went on their first date at the 2017 Super Bowl, and they've been married for over six years. Offset and Cardi are proud parents of six-year-old daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus and two-year-old son Wave Set Cephus. The Georgia-born ex-con fathered 14-year-old son Jordan Cephus with babymama #1 Oriel Jamie. Offset also fathered nine-year-old son Kody Cephus with babymama #2 Justine Watson and nine-year-old daughter Kalea Marie Cephus with babymama #3 Shya L'amour. Offset's (born Kiari Kendrell Cephus) vehement denial of the cheating rumors wound up confusing people into thinking he was referring to his 31-year-old wife (pictured Wednesday) as pregnant, which her rep quickly denied to TMZ on Wednesday PrettyRedz is actually seven months pregnant with the child of her late husband Kyng Rocky, who tragically passed away on June 18 (pictured in June) PrettyRedz wrote via Instastory on Tuesday: 'Having a night out with my family is definitely not an opportunity for click bait! I am carrying the last gift my husband will give this Earth! All I want is peace! If [you're] looking for a story, there is nothing to see here! Please respect all families involved. Y'all make up things not caring about the impact! Please stop' The on/off hip-hop power couple allegedly separated again last November, but they put on a strong united front at Disneyland Paris with their children on July 9 (pictured) Offset and Cardi (born Belcalis Almanzar) previously separated from December 5, 2018 to January 31, 2019 amid cheating allegations (pictured October 13) The married couple of six years are proud parents of six-year-old daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus and two-year-old son Wave Set Cephus (pictured May 12) The three-time Grammy nominee fathered 14-year-old son Jordan Cephus (R, pictured April 25) with babymama #1 Oriel Jamie Offset also fathered nine-year-old son Kody Cephus with babymama #2 Justine Watson and nine-year-old daughter Kalea Marie Cephus with babymama #3 Shya L'amour (pictured in 2023) The Migos alum is next scheduled to headline the second day of Chinese music festival Hype Fest, which takes place August 11 at the Hangzhou Steelworks Park The Migos alum - who gets 31.5M monthly listeners on Spotify - is next scheduled to headline the second day of Chinese music festival Hype Fest, which takes place August 11 at the Hangzhou Steelworks Park. Offset originally began his career at age 11 in 2002 as a back-up dancer for Whitney Houston's music video for her single Whatchulookinat. Meanwhile, the half-Dominican, half-Trinidadian star has yet to release the sophomore follow-up to her 2018 debut studio album Invasion of Privacy. Bianca Censori took a major pivot from her boundary-pushing style while running errands with her husband Kanye West and his children North and Saint on Tuesday. As the blended family went shopping at Target in Beverly Hills, the architect, 29, opted to cover up in a cream-colored poncho, which completely hid her famous figure. While she has risked hefty fines and, even, jail time, to wear some of her most daring looks in public, the Melbourne native was dressed to blend in with the crowd in her extremely conservative ensemble. The bombshell styled her dark hair in a messy, low bun and completed her laid-back outfit with a pair of black wedges. It is likely the presence of her two stepchildren, who her spouse welcomed during his relationship to Kim Kardashian, persuaded her to show less skin than usual. Bianca Censori took a major pivot from her boundary-pushing looks while running errands with her husband Kanye West and his children North and Saint on Tuesday Censori appeared attentive to West as she stuck by his side and lovingly held onto his arm. Meanwhile, the rapper attempted to keep a low profile in a baggy white hoodie as he exited the store. North, 11, wore an oversized graphic t-shirt while her younger brother, eight, sported a purple Lakers jersey with Lebron James' name on the back. The preteen appeared to be holding an iced beverage from Starbucks as she chatted with her stepmother. It is unclear if the pair's other siblings Chicago, six, and Psalm, five, were present. Over the weekend, Censori and West took North to see Deadpool & Wolverine. As they watched the R-rated superhero film, Censori caused quite the buzz as she walked into the movie theater without any pants. Despite being in the presence of West's young daughter, Censori wore just a pair of nude underwear, a long sleeve shirt and black strappy heels. The bombshell has earned a reputation for having a racy signature, pretty-much-naked style As the blended family went shopping at Target in Beverly Hills, the architect, 29, opted to cover up in a cream-colored poncho, which completely hid her famous figure While she has has become known for her daring and completely sheer looks, which she has risked hefty fines and, even, jail time, to wear, the Melbourne native was dressed to blend in with the crowd in her extremely conservative ensemble The bombshell styled her dark hair in a messy, low bun and completed her laid-back outfit with a pair of black wedges Still, Censori most likely earned some cool points with North by taking her to see the film. Since North is under 17, she was required to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Due to the its sexual jokes and language, Deadpool & Wolverine is Marvel's first R-rated movie. It has been previously reported that Kardashian has requested her former spouse ask his wife to cover up and refrain from wearing her infamously-scandalous outfits around their four children. In February, a source told DailyMail.com exclusively that the reality star, 43, warned the rapper not to let Censori wear any of her infamously-scandalous outfits in front of North, Saint Chicago, six, or Psalm. It is likely the presence of her two stepchildren, who her spouse welcomed during his six-year marriage to Kim Kardashian, persuaded her to show less skin than usual Censori appeared attentive to West as she stuck by his side and lovingly held onto his arm The rapper attempted to keep a low profile in a baggy white hoodie as he exited the store Kim instructed Kanye to never let Bianca dress like that around their kids, the insider revealed in February. She is truly surprised that Kanye would let his wife leave the house like that. Bianca has been pictured in a slew of headline-grabbing outfits since she married 46-year-old Kanye in December 2022 less than one month after his divorce from Kim was finalized. Unlike in his marriage with Censori, West frequently asked Kardashian to change her outfits if Kanye felt she was showing too much skin, with the artist heavily influencing her fashion choices during their marriage. 'Kanye did the same thing he is doing with Bianca to Kim throughout their marriage,' the source continued. The difference is that when Kanye dressed Kim, he was respected as a person as an artist. North, 11, wore an oversized graphic t-shirt while her younger brother, eight, sported a purple Lakers jersey with Lebron James' name on the back The preteen appeared to be holding an iced beverage from Starbucks as she chatted with her stepmother It is unclear if the pair's other siblings Chicago, six, and Psalm, five, were present 'Unfortunately, Kim knows what Bianca is going through but she feels Bianca should have known what she was getting into. The billionaire SKIMS founder talked openly about Kanyes influence over her fashion choices throughout their relationship. In a 2018 interview with W Magazine, she said: 'I always thought I had really good style until I met my husband, and he told me that I had the worst style.' And in an episode of Keeping Up with The Kardashians, she said: 'Kanye has always dressed me. In the early 2000s, he would literally just send me random emails with all these looks and what my style should be.' When Kim disagreed with her husband's advice, he told her: 'You are my wife, and it affects me when pictures are too sexy.' It has been previously reported that Kardashian has requested her former spouse ask his wife to cover up and refrain from wearing her infamously-scandalous outfits around their four children (West and Censori pictured earlier this year during Milan Fashion Week) Bianca has been pictured in a slew of headline-grabbing outfits since she married 46-year-old Kanye in December 2022 less than one month after his divorce from Kim was finalized West and Censori pictured in June at the Prototypes Menswear Spring/Summer 2025 show Kanye previously criticized Kims SKIMS brand for being 'overly sexualized. She also revealed that he disapproved of her 2019 Thierry Mugler Met Gala dress, branding her corset a form of underwear the night before the event. It wasn't only Kim's clothes that Kanye took issue with, but her appearance as well. At the Vogue 100 Festival in 2016, the brunette beauty said: 'My husband loves me without make-up. I would wear make-up 24/7 if I could, but he likes me without it.' But his apparent hold over Biancas style has raised concerns for her friends who fear she has not only changed since meeting him, but is being 'used' to promote his new album, Vultures. Her parents are also said to be 'mortified' at seeing their daughter in such strange ensembles in particular the clear raincoat she wore recently with nothing but a pair of black boots. Unlike in his marriage with Censori, West frequently asked Kardashian to change her outfits if Kanye felt she was showing too much skin, with the artist heavily influencing her fashion choices during their marriage Her family and friends are mortified because it just keeps getting worse and worse,' an insider previously told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'Bianca clearly doesn't realize that what she wore isn't only disgusting and setting a bad example, but she is also potentially breaking the law. 'Meanwhile, Kanye is covered up with five layers of clothes and when his wife looked chilly while naked and wrapped in plastic he didn't so much as offer her one of his capes.' The source continued: 'Her parents are so distressed over this because they do not recognize her. 'She would not be doing this unless she was being controlled.' Kanye previously criticized Kims SKIMS brand for being 'overly sexualized and voiced his disapproval over some of her more revealing red carpet looks Last year in November, Kim revealed that her daughter North preferred to spend time at Kanye's apartment rather than the reality star's $60 million Calabasas mansion. 'North, she'll go to her dad's, she'll be like, "Dad is the best. He has it all figured out. He doesn't have a nanny. He doesn't have a chef. He doesn't have security. He lives in an apartment,"' Kim said on an episode of The Kardashians. 'And she'll start crying, "'Why don't you have an apartment? I can't believe we don't have an apartment,"' the star added. She added that her kids also make their own food at West's, stating, 'That's amazing that you make ramen, you know, like great.' Christina Hall and her now estranged husband Joshua Hall were set to face off against her ex Tarek El Moussa and his wife Heather Rae El Moussa in the new show The Flip Off. But now in light of her divorce from Joshua, it seems Christina is open to swapping out her third husband for a different ex. The HGTV star, 41, joked about replacing Joshua with her second husband Ant Anstead, 45, on the upcoming program. A fan brought the idea to her attention on Instagram, writing: 'How awesome would it be to have Ant replace Josh on the flip off? Ratings would go through the roof. If it happens, I need some credit. Lol,' the follower posted. Hall, who is in the midst of divorcing Joshua, called the idea a 'genius' ratings ploy. Christina Hall playfully toyed with the idea of replacing Joshua Hall with her ex Ant Anstead on their new show The Flip Off The HGTV star, 41, joked about replacing Joshua with her second husband Ant Anstead, 45, on her new show The Flip Off 'LOL that would be a genius "ratings" idea just sayin,' Hall responded. The Flip Off, which HGTV began promoting last month, will pit Christina and Joshua against Christina's ex-husband Tarek El Moussa and his spouse Heather El Moussa in a real estate competition. But in the wake of Christina and Joshua's parting, an insider told Us Weekly July 17 that Joshua will no longer be involved in the show, as 'theyre moving forward with the show without him.' Christina and Anstead dated for a year prior to exchanging vows in December of 2018 at their home in Newport Beach, California in winter-themed nuptials. The former couple are parents to son Hudson London Anstead, four, who they welcomed September 6, 2019. Christina in November of 2020 filed for divorce from Anstead, an English TV personality, with their divorce being finalized in June of 2021. He began dating actress Renee Zellweger since June 2021 and recently visited her on the set of Bridget Jones 4 in Hampstead. The comment comes as Christina followed her ex Ant on Instagram again. Anstead was one of the 74 accounts Christina had been following as of Wednesday morning, while Christina was not one of the 396 accounts Anstead had been following. The star is in the midst of divorcing her third husband Joshua Hall Anstead was one of the 74 accounts Christina, 41, had been following as of Wednesday morning Christina initially filed paperwork for a dissolution of marriage from Joshua on July 15, the outlet reported, with 'irreconcilable differences' listed as the cause of the split. The pair had separated July 7, according to court docs. In addition to Hudson, Christina is also mother to daughter Taylor Reese El Moussa, 13, and son Brayden James El Moussa, eight, from her former marriage to El Moussa. Anstead in April of 2022 sought to legally obtain sole custody of their child, but was denied, as he and Christina share joint custody of their son. Anstead in his court efforts requested Hudson not be seen in social media advertisements on Christina's accounts. Christina and Anstead dated for a year prior to exchanging vows in December of 2018 at their home in winter-themed nuptials. Pictured in Newport Beach, California in 2019 Christina in November of 2020 filed for divorce from Anstead, an English TV personality, with their divorce being finalized in June of 2021 In the wake of her split from Anstead, Christina got engaged to Hall in September of 2021, with the duo getting married in Maui in April of 2022, according to US Weekly. According to US, Hall has also filed for a split from Christina and has asked for spousal support, while Christina has not asked for spousal support. Christina said on Instagram Stories July 25: 'Over here waiting for the typical hired PR speech of "how I was blindsided and how I'm working on myself and taking time to heal at her ranch" Meanwhile, I'm over here not as nice and quiet as I used to be. 'I have worked my a** off to build this life for myself and my children and anyone who would try and take what they do not deserve / what they did NOT work for should be ashamed. An insecure man with a large ego can sure try to derail you - but "still I rise."' She added that 'divorces do not happen overnight' noting that 'there is always a breaking point.' Picking edible fungi in SW China's Yunnan popular among tourists People's Daily Online) 10:39, July 31, 2024 "Picking edible fungi in Yunnan has really taken off. During last summer vacation, the demand for edible fungus picking was so overwhelming that we couldn't keep up with the orders. This year, the number of people involved in the industry has increased tenfold, and the number of tourists has tripled or even quadrupled," said a blogger nicknamed "Mr. Lu in Dali" who provides parent-child tourism products such as picking edible fungi and watching fireflies, in southwest China's Yunnan Province. He noticed that while edible fungus picking was relatively niche last year, it has now become a popular activity. In Yunnan, there is a saying that goes: "If you ask Yunnan locals to wake up at 8 a.m. for work, they might struggle, but if you ask them to pick edible fungi at 8 a.m., they'll be up on the mountain with a flashlight by 4 a.m." Tourists show fungi they picked at a scenic zone in Nanhua county, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the CPC Nanhua County Committee) Nowadays, more and more tourists from other regions have added edible fungus picking to their must-do lists when visiting Yunnan. This summer, Xiaocang (pseudonym) and her husband, hailing from Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, are planning to take their child on a week-long trip to Dali city, Yunnan Province by high-speed train. "We have already made arrangements with a local guide, and we'll be heading out to pick edible fungi early the next morning after our arrival," she said. Although there are plenty of tourists who rely on social media guides to pick edible fungi themselves, Xiaocang believes that local guides are essential for ensuring a successful and safe picking experience. "Mr. Lu in Dali" mentioned that most of his clients are families, and he has even received guests from as far as the United States. Domestic clients seeking the pleasure of picking edible fungi also come from places in northeast China and northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, he added. Currently, the blogger guides two to three families daily on mountain expeditions to gather edible fungi. They usually collect a basket full of Boletus edulis and other mushroom varieties. After this, the tourists have the option to take their mushrooms to local restaurants for cooking and tasting. "I am well aware of the precise locations where mushrooms thrive. With the recent abundant rainfall, mushrooms are flourishing, making it the perfect time for tourists to visit. As of now, two-thirds of my July schedule is already fully booked," he said. The blogger charges an average of 200 yuan (about $27.5) per person for group bookings. According to him, it is possible for a well-organized team to earn 100,000 yuan (about $13,750) per month during the mushroom picking season, but this is not a common occurrence. Only a few businesses in Dali can achieve such high income, while others may earn just over 10,000 yuan (about $1,375) per month. According to online travel agency Ctrip, several travel agencies have added edible mushroom picking to their range of tourism offerings. Lao'an (pseudonym) is a local from Dali. Originally running a B&B hotel, he decided to turn edible fungus picking into a paid activity after leading an increasing number of tourists into the mountains for the experience. This year, Lao'an made being an edible fungus picking guide his main profession. He also offers activities such as hiking and tea picking. Compared to adults, "Mr. Lu in Dali" prefers taking children up the mountain. He believes that mushroom picking requires patience and curiosity, and children are better at discovering things. Lao'an takes around 10 people per day to pick edible mushrooms in the mountains. As most of his guests are parents with children, mushroom picking has become an educational activity. According to "Mr. Lu in Dali," Boletus edulis and the lurid bolete are more common, while truffles and matsutake have higher environmental requirements and are usually found in remote mountains, making them less common in Dali. Yunnan is experiencing a growing trend in summer camps and study tours that focus on exploring nature and rural life. These programs offer activities such as wood carving, tie-dyeing, and embroidery. Prices for these camps range from 2,000 to 5,000 yuan (about $275-$687.50) per week. Dali has become a popular destination for families, with 4.66 million posts on lifestyle-sharing platform Xiaohongshu related to the area. Hotel bookings for Dali during the summer months have increased by around 30 percent compared to last year, with a significant increase in the search volume for parent-child travel products. (Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming) Salma Hayek Pinault showcased her sensational 5ft2in hourglass figure while poolside wearing a green-patterned bikini. The Olympic Games Paris torch carrier - turning 58 on September 2 - relaxed on a sun lounger floating in a swimming pool. Salma - who boasts 32.7M social media followers - captioned her eye-popping Instagram slideshow: 'Waiting for August!' Hayek (born Jimenez) previously revealed she stays fit by practicing restorative yoga, juice cleanses, and walking her numerous dogs whom she's called her 'trainers.' 'I thought getting older meant I wasn't going to work. I'm working. I thought getting older maybe meant that you're not in love anymore. I'm in love,' the half-Mexican, half-Lebanese American told Glamour last year. Salma Hayek showcased her sensational 5ft2in hourglass figure while poolside wearing a green-patterned bikini 'I don't feel that I lost my flexibility or my agility or even my strength...Hell, I'm still going. Shocker. I'm still here. They tried to get rid of me a thousand ways. I'm still here.' Salma's fans marveled at her youthful 'bombshell' appearance giving 'mermaid vibes' with one writing: '57 years and still one of the hottest women on Earth!' Hayek is next scheduled to co-host the third annual Caring for Women gala on September 9 at The Pool in Midtown Manhattan alongside Kim Kardashian, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Naomi Watts, Matthew McConaughey, Donatella Versace, and more. The live auction - which raised $3M last year for victims of gender-based violence - is presented by the Kering Foundation run by the Oscar nominee's husband of 15 years, Kering CEO Francois-Henri Pinault. The 62-year-old French billionaire said in a statement last Thursday: 'For women and children to be free to fulfill their potential unencumbered by the burdens of fear, threat, and trauma, it is paramount that we address violence at its roots to change behavior and heal our collective culture.' Kering is a multinational corporation that owns luxury fashion brands Gucci, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, and Alexander McQueen. Salma and Francois-Henri - who originally met in the spring of 2006 at the Palazzo Grassi in Venice - are proud parents of 16-year-old daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault, who boasts 232K TikTok followers. Pinault is also father to three older children - son Francois Jr., 26; daughter Mathilde, 23; and son Augustin, 17 - with ex-wife Dorothee Lepere and nineties supermodel Linda Evangelista. The Olympic Games Paris torch carrier - turning 58 on September 2 - relaxed on a sun lounger floating in a swimming pool Salma - who boasts 32.7M social media followers - captioned her eye-popping Instagram slideshow: 'Waiting for August!' Hayek's fans marveled at her youthful 'bombshell' appearance giving 'mermaid vibes' with one writing: '57 years and still one of the hottest women on Earth!' The half-Mexican, half-Lebanese American is next scheduled to co-host the third annual Caring for Women gala on September 9 at The Pool in Midtown Manhattan alongside Kim Kardashian (R, pictured March 6), Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Naomi Watts, and more The live auction - which raised $3M last year for victims of gender-based violence - is presented by the Kering Foundation run by Salma's husband of 15 years, Kering CEO Francois-Henri Pinault (R, pictured September 12) Hayek and the 62-year-old French billionaire - who originally met in 2006 in Venice - are proud parents of 16-year-old daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault (L, pictured July 21), who boasts 232K TikTok followers The Oscar nominee will also attend the world premiere of Angelina Jolie's fifth feature directorial effort Without Blood (in which she co-stars with Demian Bichir) at the Toronto International Film Festival, which runs September 5-15 Hayek will also attend the world premiere of Angelina Jolie's fifth feature directorial effort Without Blood (in which she co-stars with Demian Bichir) at the Toronto International Film Festival, which runs September 5-15. The 49-year-old Oscar winner's 91-minute parable-like tale of family, war, and revenge - based on Alessandro Baricco's 2002 novel - was entirely filmed at Rome's famed Cinecitta Studios. This September, The Black Mirror actress will begin shooting Romain Gavras' film Sacrifice for Netflix, which centers on a violent group of radicals raiding a high-end charity gala in order to fulfill a prophecy. Chris Evans, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Brendan Fraser will also star in the Greek myth-inspired satire - according to Deadline. Atomic People (BBC2) Rating: Curious to recall, at a time when the few remaining veterans of Dunkirk and D-Day are justly celebrated as national heroes, that it wasnt always this way. Half a century ago, war stories were generally seen as the mark of a bore. Middle-aged ex-servicemen kept their reminiscences for regimental get-togethers or nights at the British Legion club and many of the old soldiers who had fought at the Somme and Ypres carried their memories to the grave, untold. It took several more decades for the country to face up to what those men had endured. And this was not exclusively a British attitude, as proved by Atomic People a collection of interviews with Japanese survivors of the only nuclear weapons ever used in wartime. The hibakusha, those who lived through the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, were regarded by their countrymen with embarrassment and shame for many years. Now in their 80s and 90s, their sense of relief at being able to talk openly was palpable. And what stories they had, though many of the details were almost unbearably distressing. Photographs of countless corpses in the aftermath of the A-bombs were truly horrific. Atomic People features the voices of some of the only people left on earth to have survived a nuclear bomb (pictured: Hiroshi Shimizu and Keiko Shimizu) Keiko Shimizu (who features in the documentary) as a baby with her family On 6 and 9 August 1945, the United States detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki This 90-minute documentary began gently, with a man remembering the American hits hed heard as a schoolboy. His favourite was You Are My Sunshine and he did a pretty good Tarzan yodel, too. His name was Seiichiro and as a child he loved John Wayne, he said but he hated Americans. Seven of his relatives were among the 210,000 people who died in the bombings. . . and each of those killed had their own individual story, he reminded us. The oldest of the survivors remembered idyllic pre-war childhoods, though memories of the war itself were more vivid. At school, they had to bow to high-ranking soldiers, and drilled with bamboo spears. Their English-language textbooks were burned. Though American planes dropped leaflets, urging the people of Hiroshima to flee for their lives, the warnings were torn up, dismissed as mere propaganda by their teachers. When the bomb exploded, said one man, it felt like the sun had fallen. Another talking of the sky raining fire. Nothing remained of many victims but scorchmarks on the ground. One man called Hideo, who was just a toddler at the time and who was somehow shielded from the blast by furniture, was astonished to discover newsreel footage of himself 50 years later. His head was bandaged and his older brother was carrying him through the ruins on his back. After Japans surrender, talk of the bombing (and criticism of the Americans) was forbidden. Children were told by their teachers that defeat was their own fault: they had not worked hard enough at school to deserve victory. Even knowing that a few of the hibakusha went on to have full lives did not make all this any easier to watch. But this is our last chance to hear these stories, and we must make ourselves listen. Tom Selleck fans may have uncovered why the acting legend looked worse for wear on his first public appearance since his hit series, Blue Bloods, was cancelled. After sparking concern earlier this month as he left a gym in Thousand Oaks, eagled-eyed supporters of the 79-year-old actor began to speculate he may have recently undergone surgery as he had large vertical scars on both of his knees. The apparent knee surgery scars would explain why he appeared to have 'trouble walking' back to his car as seen in footage obtained by In Touch Weekly. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Magnum, P.I. alum's representatives, but have not heard back at this time. Selleck has not spoken publicly about undergoing or needing a bilateral knee replacement surgery, also known as a double knee replacement. Tom Selleck fans may have uncovered why the acting legend looked worse for wear during his first public appearance since his hit series, Blue Bloods, was cancelled Last summer, his representative denied RadarOnline's claim that he was suffering from 'a secret medical crisis that has forced him to use a stunt double while filming Blue Bloods.' Despite the outlet claiming he was 'in a lot of pain and agony' and was working with doctors to 'learn techniques to alleviate' his pain, his rep insisted Selleck was 'fit and vigorous.' In January 2023, Selleck's rep also shut down The Daily Star's allegation that the performer was battling 'crippling arthritis.' In response to the article, Selleck's rep stated that their client was in 'excellent health.' Selleck is said to have relocated back to his California ranch with wife Jillie after 14-years of commuting to and from the East Coast to film the show, which was suddenly halted by CBS bosses at the end of last year. Selleck made no secret over his disappointment with Blue Bloods coming to an end, and after show bosses announced last year that it would stop filming, he said he hoped they would 'come to their senses.' Although filming on the show has wrapped, fans can still expect to see the actor for the conclusion of its 14th and final season in October. And while Tom may be happy to have more time to hit the gym now he is back on the West Coast, he said back in January that he had 'learned to love' his busy schedule. The 79-year-old actor has large vertical scars on both of his knees, most likely from a bilateral knee replacement surgery Last summer, his representative denied RadarOnline's claim that he was suffering from 'a secret medical crisis that has forced him to use a stunt double while filming Blue Bloods' (seen in 2015) 'Sometimes the hours are a little harder because I'm older, but so what?' he told TV Insider. 'I want to work as long as they'll have me.' Selleck, who was previously best known as Magnum PI as well as a stint on Friends, won legions of fans with his turn as Frank Reagan on Blue Bloods, a fictional NYPD commissioner. He has starred alongside Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan and Will Estes since September 2010, and said when the show was axed that fans were sure to react with fury at the decision. 'CBS will find an awful lot of people aren't ready to say goodbye to it,' he said at the time. 'The show's more popular than ever, and I think [numbers] will increase with the interest this year. We're certainly not out of ideas.' Selleck has come a long way from his most famous role a Magnum PI; seen in 1980 When filming wrapped, a source said Tom was set to enjoy downtime on his 65-acre California ranch that he shares with wife Jillie Mack, 66. 'He wants to relax on his ranch, walk around his property, spend time with his wife and family, and travel a bit,' a source told Closer magazine in January. 'Tom and Jillie can just sit at home, cook, go for a long walk and be very content. He adores Jillie and trusts her to schedule activities or travel plans. 'He's looking forward to having more free time to spend with her.' However, Tom revealed in May that the fallout from the end of Blue Bloods could end up costing him his twilight years on the ranch. Despite a career spanning decades in Hollywood including a reported $200,000-per-episode Blue Bloods deal he told CBS Sunday Morning that he was in jeopardy of falling behind on bills after the show was axed. Selleck made no secret of his disappointment that Blue Bloods was ending after 14 seasons, bringing time on his role as fictional NYPD Commissioner Frank Reagan A source previously said Tom is looking forward to spending his twilight years on his Ventura, California ranch with his wife and daughter 'You know, hopefully I keep working enough to hold on to the place,' Selleck said, to which CBS correspondent Tracy Smith responded, 'Seriously, that's an issue? If you stopped working?' Selleck said, 'That's always an issue if I stopped working, yeah. Am I set for life? Yeah, but maybe not on a 63-acre ranch!' The source added to Closer magazine that as Tom moves towards retirement, he is more enamored than ever with both his wife and daughter Hannah, 35, an accomplished horse rider. The source said: 'Tom's very close to Hannah and very proud of her competitive horse jumping career. 'He hopes Hannah finds love and has children, but he's not the type of dad to push it.' Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's youngest daughter Vivienne, 16, worked at the Reefer Madness: The Musical as an usher. The teen worked at the reunion concert held on Tuesday at The Whitley in Hollywood, according to People magazine. The outlet reported that Vivienne was seen helping guests find their seats inside the venue before the concert. Vivienne's last job was a volunteer assistant for the Broadway play The Outsiders, where mom Angelina, 49, served as a lead producer. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt 's youngest daughter Vivienne, 16, worked at the Reefer Madness: The Musical as an usher; Vivienne and Angelina pictured on June 16 at the Tony Awards Original cast members from Reefer Madness made special appearances at the event, including Kristen Bell, Harry S. Murphy, Lori Alan, Christian Campbell, John Kassir, Myles Breckel and more. Reefer Madness: The Musical first debuted in 1998 in Los Angeles. In May, Angelina and Vivienne attended the opening night of the revival. Kristen serves as a producer to the reunion - along with Alan Cumming. In May, Kristen spoke out about Angelina's appearance at the opening night in an interview with People. 'She just said she wanted to come out and support. Which I thought was a lovely gesture, particularly for a project that is launching in Los Angeles where it's not the biggest theater community, or it maybe has a different identity than a New York community,' Kristen said. The teen worked at the reunion concert held on Tuesday at The Whitley in Hollywood, according to People magazine; seen in April 11 in NYC The outlet reported that Vivienne was seen helping guests find their seats inside the venue before the concert; Vivienne and Angelina seen at the Tony Awards on June 16 After seeing The Outsiders at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego in 2023, Vivienne inspired her mom Angelina to sign on as a producer for the musical adaption of it. in August 2023, the movie star revealed daughter Vivienne inspired her to take the role of lead producer in the Broadway play The Outsiders. Vivienne served as her mom's volunteer assistant, People revealed at the time. 'Viv reminds me of my mother in that she isn't focused on being the center of attention in being a support to others,' she told the outlet via a statement. 'She's very thoughtful and serious about theatre and working hard to best understand how to contribute,' she added. 'I hope to be able to contribute while continuing to learn from this amazing team, who I have been working with since my daughter brought me to see the show at La Jolla Playhouse,' Jolie said in a statement. The Oscar-winner, 48, and the teen who is one of six children she shares with ex-husband Brad Pitt posed for photos with Bell on the red carpet ahead of the performance at The Whitley located on iconic Hollywood Blvd The Outsiders musical is based on the S.E. Hinton novel as well as the 1983 Francis Ford Coppola film. During the opening night of The Outsiders in April, Angelina said she was 'honored' to work on the production. She also chose to leave dad Brad's last name off the playbill - opting for Vivienne Jolie. In June, Angelina and Vivienne earned a Tony Award for The Outsiders, after they won Best Musical. Angelina shares share six children with Brad Pitt: sons Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, and Knox, 16, and daughters Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and Vivienne, 16. Angelina is in the midst of lawsuit with Brad which centers around their Chateau Miraval Winery - amid their eight years long divorce. Angelina is in the midst of lawsuit with Brad which centers around their Chateau Miraval Winery - amid their eight years long divorce He sued her for selling her half of the winery in October 2021 for $67 million. They married in August 2014 after 10 years together but Angelina filed for divorce in September 2016. A judge granted them both legal single status on April 12, 2019, while the couple continue to finalize their divorce. The real reason behind The Project's mid-air evacuation has been revealed. Star Sam Taunton took to social media on Wednesday night to put his hand up for being behind the fire alarm that caused the panel show to be replaced with an episode of The Dog House Australia. 'Sorry guys. I popped the white toast in the toaster on the multigrain setting. My bad,' wrote the comedian on a video post of the event by co-star Sarah Harris. However on Thursday morning, Harris admitted the actual reason behind the blunder. 'It was a false alarm,' the 43-year-old said on Thursday morning's Kyle and Jackie O Show. 'Apparently there was some weird air conditioner thing that set it off.' A spokesperson from Fire and Rescue Victoria confirmed they responded to a false alarm after a smoke detector malfunctioned. Channel 10 was thrown into chaos on Wednesday night when The Project was abruptly taken off the air and the show's presenters were forced to dramatically flee the set in Melbourne. Viewers at home were left scratching their heads at 6:49pm when the news show hosted by Waleed Aly, Harris and Taunton suddenly vanished from screens during its ad break, and was replaced with an episode of The Dog House Australia. The real reason behind The Project's mid-air evacuation has been revealed. Pictured: star Sam Taunton On Thursday morning, Harris admitted the actual reason behind the blunder after Sam joked he caused it As the series that homes unwanted pooches played across the country, a crawl ran along the bottom of TV screens, updating viewers on the alarming turn of events. 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, please enjoy this screening of The Dog House,' the vague text read. One Channel 10 staff member opted to take full advantage of the chaos by turning the bedlam into social media content for the ratings-challenged show. 'The fire alarm has gone off and they're making us evacuate,' the crew member began. Channel 10 was thrown into chaos on Wednesday night when The Project was abruptly taken off the air. Pictured: Waleed Aly (left) and Sarah Harris (right) 'Seems like fire safety is coming above infotainment. Which seems crazy to me,' they continued as they walked down a fire escape. 'But keep in mind that it's the showbiz rules of evacuation, which means it's children and celebrities first, then normals. 'So, Waleed and Sarah, they've been choppered out of here while we're taking the stairs.' Pictured: Fire fighters at The Como Centre in South Yarra where the show is filmed The video then saw the crew member exiting Channel 10 studios as firetrucks pulled up with their lights flashing. Outside, Aly and Harris could be seen nervously smiling as they followed the crowd away from the building to safety, still wearing their mic packs. 'This is how we should do the show,' Aly joked. 'Can I just clear up, I did not ask for a night off. This is not part of any grand plan. 'I genuinely have no idea what's happening and it's never happened before in my life,' he continued. Harris jumped in on the lighthearted joke, asking: 'Who was cooking toast is what I want to know. Who was cooking toast?' 'Well apparently we're airing The Dog House,' the crew member said, to which Harris laughed and responded: 'If we have a ratings spike we'll be...' Later, the panelists were seen running down the street and squeezing into an elevator on their way back to the studio. The Project continued its live broadcast at 7:10pm, with the hosts detailing what had transpired during the lengthy break. Later, the panelists were seen running down the street and squeezing into an elevator on their way back to the studio. The Project continued its live broadcast at 7:10pm The Project continued its live broadcast at 7:10pm, with the hosts detailing what had transpired during the lengthy break 'There was a fire alert in our building and we had to leave, 'Aly explained. 'Not just leave, we had to run,' Sarah interjected. 'Who drew up our fire plan? We met up a kilometre away,' questioned Aly, joking at the turn of events. Later in the episode, Jamie Oliver was quick to take the mickey out of the mishap. 'First up, can I just apologise for the fire alarm? I sent someone in to do some canapes and look what happened,' the celebrity chef joked. A post shared to X by the program revealed a fire alarm was set off in the studio, bringing the show to a grinding halt and forcing its presenters and crew to evacuate The Como Centre in South Yarra where the show is filmed. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel 10 for comment. Nicolas Cage's son Weston has pleaded not guilty to assaulting his mother Christina Fulton during a reported mental health crisis. Weston, 33, faces a charge of assault with a deadly weapon after it was alleged he attacked his mother in April. Christina was present at court for the hearing - and told TMZ that she 'hopes [Weston] gets the help he needs.' In turn Weston retorted: 'She needs help' about his mother as he left court in downtown LA. The judge has issued a protective order for Christina, barring Weston from contacting her during the case. Nicolas Cage 's son Weston has pleaded not guilty to assaulting his mother Christina Fulton during a reported mental health crisis Weston, 33, faces a charge of assault with a deadly weapon after it was alleged he attacked his mother in April; Fulton and Weston pictured in 2019 Weston is pictured with father Nicolas in 2019 He is due back in court for another hearing in September, Earlier this month Christina broke her silence on the alleged attack. The scuffle between Weston and Fulton occurred on April 28 in the Los Angeles area, when a verbal dispute reportedly turned physical. 'On April 28th, 2024, around 5:30 p.m., I received urgent messages from friends of my son, Weston Cage, regarding his deteriorating mental state, urging me to come help,' Fulton said in a statement obtained by People. 'When I arrived to offer support and console him, he was already in the midst of a manic rage. Within minutes, I was brutally assaulted and sustained serious injuries,' she claimed. 'Despite my desperate pleas to the responding police officers to detain him for a mental-health evaluation, the police officers refused my request.' Fulton added in her statement: 'As a mother, I am deeply saddened and concerned about Westons ongoing mental-health crisis. 'It is imperative that he receives the help he desperately needs,' she concluded. Earlier this month Christina broke her silence on the alleged attack. The scuffle between Weston and Fulton occurred on April 28 in the Los Angeles area, when a verbal dispute reportedly turned physical - she is seen showing her bruises from the alleged attack Christina was present at court for the hearing - and told TMZ that she 'hopes he gets the help he needs. In turn Weston retorted: 'She needs help' about his mother as he left court in downtown LA with a companion (pictured) The judge has issued a protective order for Christina, barring Weston from contacting her during the case The scuffle between Weston and Fulton occurred in April 28 in the Los Angeles area, when a verbal dispute reportedly turned physical; Fulton and Weston in 2006 The judge has issued a protective order for Christina, barring Weston from contacting her during the case Weston was seen with a companion and his lawyer in LA Weston walked arm-in-arm with his friend as he left the court Weston was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon in connection to the alleged attack on his mother. He was released on a $15,000 bail The LAPD confirmed that Weston was booked on Wednesday for assault with a deadly weapon - just weeks after his mother was spotted with intense bruises on her face. The LAPD also confirmed with People the arrest was made in direct connection to the alleged April 28 altercation. The police told People: 'During the incident, Cage punched two victims multiple times, causing injury. LAPD responded, and after meeting with all parties, a police report was completed.' Weston turned himself in and was arrested at Los Angeles's 77th division station, according to People. Weston's case was submitted to the district attorney's office on May 10 and on June 26 the DA filed two counts of assault with a deadly weapon against him. An arrest warrant was later issued. The actor was released on a $150,000 bail around 10am. The U.S. Sun reported that his father is believed to be the one who bailed him out. A source previously told The Sun of the arrest: 'The family knew this was going to happen but needless to say, it is a very big shock,' a source close to the family told the outlet. An ambulance was reportedly called to the home to check out Fulton, but she declined to be taken to the hospital, TMZ reported at the time of the alleged incident. Investigators said Weston was gone by the time police arrived at the scene, and law enforcement were determining if the case would be considered felony battery. Sources alleged to TMZ at the time that Fulton was trying to console her son, who was dealing with some emotional issues. Sources told the site that she refuted claims the two got into an argument and asked for privacy in the matter. The Snake Eyes actress was seen putting coins into a parking meter with a black eye and fading bruises on her face back in April. She met an unknown friend there, with whom she shared a hug. The actress released a statement on the interaction with her son back in May, and said: 'Weston and I had no argument prior to the incident. 'On Sunday April 28, I was reached out to by several of Weston's best friends for assistance because they were experiencing Weston in a mental-health crisis' 'Upon my arrival, I was met by my son who clearly was in a state of a mental health breakdown, which in turn became a horrific experience' 'I have always supported helping my son with mental-health struggles. I am doing all I can to get him the continued support he needs,' Fulton added. This isn't the first time the son of the National Treasure actor has been in trouble with the law, as he was arrested in 2017 got DUI and a hit-and-run. Police said that he hit multiple parked cars, signs and mailboxes before he crashed his car into a tree. After being taken to the hospital, he was charged with a DUI and arrested on $30,000 bail. In 2011, he faced domestic violence charges after he had a dispute with his ex-wife Nikki Williams, according to ABC News. Weston has been treated for mental health issues in the past. He was hospitalized on a psychiatric hold in 2011 after a violent incident in Los Angeles. At the time, Fulton blamed her son's mental problems on the Oscar winner claiming, 'Nicolas Cage has damaged and interfered and done something absolutely horrific, and I need to just go get my son,' she told Inside Edition. 'I am the one that raised Weston. I am the one that took care of Weston. His dad was very busy out working as an actor,' she said. Fulton and Cage, 60, began dating in 1988 and welcomed Weston in 1990. The couple never married and broke up within a year of Weston's birth. Last November, both Weston and Fulton, who has launched a successful skincare line, filed a lawsuit against Weston's ex-wife Hila Arounian, alleging she embezzled $100,000, engaged in a smear campaign against them and requested a 'fraudulent restraining order' that stopped Fulton and her family from seeing Weston's twin girls, Venice and Cyress. Nicolas and Christina began dating in 1988 and welcomed Weston in 1990, but broke up in 1991 (Pictured in Los Angeles in October 1988) Lawsuit documents obtained by Page Six read: 'This type of character assassination is part of a disturbing pattern of behavior in which Ms. Arounian levies false, malicious allegations against people as a means of coercion and manipulation.' Fulton also alleges her former daughter-in-law manipulated Weston into filing for a restraining order against her in 2020. At the time of the filing neither Nicolas nor Fulton had met their twin granddaughters, who will turn four in July. 'It is devastating not to see these kids. Nicolas and I havent been able to meet our two beautiful little granddaughters at all since they were born. Were in a quiet, horrible nightmare. Its insane, painful, hurtful, devastating.' Weston has two older sons Lucian, nine and Sorin, seven, with ex-wife Danielle, to whom he was wed from 2013-2016. Danny Dyer has said it is a 'f***ing disgrace' that working class folk don't get the same chances to star on stage and screen as 'posh' actors. The TV star, 47, who is best known for playing pub landlord Mick Carter in EastEnders, said 'kids from council estates' should be prioritised now the Labour Party is in power. The married dad-of-three, who also has three grandkids, is also known for starring in movies Human Traffic and Mean Machine, but also in two of Harold Pinter's plays in the West End and Broadway. Danny starred in Celebration in 2000/01 and No Man's Land in 2001/2 after Pinter - who died in 2008 at the age of 78 - took him under his wing when they first met in 2000. Speaking on Wednesday, Danny, who called David Cameron a 'tw*t' over Brexit, saying he was off in France with his 'trotters up' after quitting at PM - said there was a 'massive disconnect' between the elite and the rest of the country. Danny Dyer has said it is a 'f***ing disgrace' that working class folk don't get the same chances to star on stage and screen as 'posh' actors Speaking on Wednesday, Danny said there was a 'massive disconnect' between the elite and the rest of the country (Benedict Cumberbatch pictured) He said: 'The new government must start addressing the lack of working-class people in the arts. 'It's vital we give young kids from council estates opportunities to make something of their lives. 'Never has there been more of a disconnect between the elite and everyone else. 'It's a f***ing disgrace.' He was backed by Alan Partridge creator Steve Coogan, 58, who said that working class actors - like Michael Caine, Terence Stamp, Tom Courtenay, Sean Connery and Albert Finney - had all but died out. Speaking in the G2 supplement of The Guardian, Coogan said: 'In the 1960s, Britain produced a wave of working-class movie actors celebrated throughout the world: Caine, Stamp, Courtenay, Connery, Finney. 'They were stars because they were real and visceral and resonated with ordinary people. 'And the reason they were able to break through was because we had subsidies that enabled working-class people to be creative and study the arts. 'Now, the arts have been downgraded to a luxury, not an intrinsic part of what defines us.' Danny criticised roles going to 'posh' private-school educated actors - like Eton-educated Damien Lewis (left), Eddie Redmayne (right), and Benedict Cumberbatch, who attended Harrow The TV star said 'kids from council estates' should be prioritised now the Labour Party is in power Danny is best known for playing pub landlord Mick Carter in EastEnders He added: 'Because they can't be measured using the same profit and loss criteria as business, they're put to one side. 'Yet that same unquantifiable stuff is of national significance and what made us punch above our weight in terms of creativity throughout the world. 'In recent years, the upper middle classes realised they could monopolise the arts, and the lack of subsidies enabled this. 'Now we have a depressing circle of posh people writing posh plays about posh people for posh actors. 'There is an export market for posh country mansion content but it turns the arts into an extension of the tourist industry - and it means so many stories from neglected perspectives aren't being told. 'The arts are what stop us killing each other. Art is what defines us as human beings and what will save us. We denigrate it at our peril.' Among the other stars who have criticised roles going to 'posh' private-school educated actors - like Eton-educated Damien Lewis and Eddie Redmayne, and Benedict Cumberbatch, who attended Harrow - include actors Brian Cox, Christopher Ecclestone, and Steven Berkoff. Succession star Brian Cox said previously: 'Damian, Benedict, they're perfectly nice lads, but my take is we haven't got over feudalism in this country.' Former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston also previously said working class and ethnic actors have to work 'much harder' than 'posh' white actors to land jobs. Succession star Brian Cox said previously: 'Damian, Benedict, they're perfectly nice lads, but my take is we haven't got over feudalism in this country' He said that Britain's 'three biggest film stars' were 'white public schoolboys', referring to Redmayne, Cumberbatch and Lewis. Other public schoolboy stars making it big include Tom Hiddleston and Dominic West, who both attended Eton. Actor Steven Berkoff previously said posh actors had 'taken over' - because rich parents could afford to send them to drama school. The 86-year-old star - known for playing villainous characters like General Orlov in Octopussy, and Lt Col Podovsky in Rambo: First Blood Part II - said poorer wannabe actors should be given a helping hand. He said: 'I would fund scholarships for all the drama schools, to allow more men and women from working-class backgrounds to study drama. 'Most actors who go to drama schools nowadays are financed by their parents and have been to public schools.' The gold bikini-style costume that Carrie Fisher wore as Princess Leia while making Return of the Jedi in the Star Wars franchise has sold. The suit went for $175,000, according to the auction house that handled the sale. The costume was made famous when Fisher - who died seven years ago - wore it at the start of the 1983 film. Her character Leia was captured by Jabba the Hutt at his palace on Tatooine and forced to be a slave. She had to wear the sexy suit when it the company of the slimy Jabba. The costume, one of the most memorable in the Star Wars movies, was sold on Friday by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions. The gold bikini-style costume that Carrie Fisher wore as Princess Leia while making Return of the Jedi in the Star Wars franchise has sold. The suit went for $175,000, according to the auction house that handled the sale The costume was made famous when Fisher - who died seven years ago - wore it at the start of the 1983 film. Her character Leia was captured by Jabba the Hutt at his palace on Tatooine and forced to be a slave. Here is a mockup of Carrie at the beach Joe Maddalena, Heritages executive vice president, said the costume that was sold was one that was screen tested and worn by Fisher on the movie's set. But that suit ultimately did not make it onto the final version of the film as it was switched out for one that was more comfortable. The auction house said the costume sparked a bidding war among collectors. Maddalena said he wasn't surprised by the attention bidders gave to the costume. And he was not shocked when the model of a Y-wing fighter that took on the Death Star in the original Star Wars film sold for $1.55 million. He said Star Wars and Star Trek have very avid fan bases. 'The power of Star Wars proves itself again. These movies are just so impactful,' Maddalena said. In a November 2016 interview with NPRs Fresh Air, Fisher said wearing the costume was not her choice. 'When (director George Lucas) showed me the outfit, I thought he was kidding and it made me very nervous,' she remarked. 'I had to sit very straight because I couldn't have lines on my sides, like little creases. No creases were allowed, so I had to sit very, very rigid straight,' said Fisher, who died about a month after the interview. Richard Miller, who created the costume, said in an interview that's included in a Star Wars box set that he used soft material to build the costume so that Fisher could move around more freely. She had to wear the sexy suit when it the company of the slimy Jabba. The costume, one of the most memorable in the Star Wars movies, was sold on Friday by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions The front and back were seen at Heritage 'However, she still didn't like it. I don't blame her,' said Miller, who was the chief sculptor for Industrial Light & Magic, the visual effects company founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas. 'I did put leather on the back of it to help it feel better.' The costume had its share of critics, who thought it sexualized Fisher for the franchise's male fan base. In Interview magazine in 2015, Fisher told actor Daisy Ridley, who starred in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 'You're going to have people have fantasies about you. That will make you uncomfortable, I'm guessing.' She pushed back against the idea of being a sex symbol and told Ridley to 'fight for your outfit.' In 2016, the actress came face to face with Leia in the bikini at Madame Tussauds in London. In 2016, the actress came face to face with Leia in the bikini at Madame Tussauds in London Fisher as Princess Leia with Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill in the original 1977 Star Wars Accompanied by her pet pooch Gary, Carrie was snapped next to a scene from the 1983 film, Return of the Jedi, which sees the member of the Imperial Senate enslaved by Jabba the Hutt. The Hutt's throne room is faithfully recreated by Madame Tussauds and also features the sadistic court jester, Salacious B. Crumb. For the reunion Carrie wore an all black ensemble - a sharp contrast to Princess Leia's classic gold bikini she was forced to wear while chained to Jabba. The actress reprised her role in the reboot to the series - Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens - with Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill, after a 32 year break. Costco has announced that a major change to how its members shop has been a boon to profitability. The wholesale retailer first rolled out a plan in early 2024 to crack down on customers sharing membership cards by scanning them right as shoppers enter. Ron Vachris, who became CEO on January 1, told investors that the idea to scan members' cards at the door has made Costco stores even more efficient. It is now set to be rolled out more widely. 'We're testing some front door scanners,' he said during the third quarter earnings call in May. 'They're speeding up our registers significantly when we get all the scanning and memberships are verified at the front door.' Faster service at the registers has a positive effect on an increasing gripe for members. It frees up space in the normally jammed parking lots. This new technology pulls up a photo of the cardholder on a screen, which the worker at the entrance can compare with the person standing in front of them. With its new gambit to verify whether customers are indeed members, Costco appears to be taking a page out of Netflix's book Pictured is the setup at the entrance of the Costco warehouse in Issaquah, Washington, that enables a store employee to view the photo associated with a membership card Costco appears to be taking a page out of Netflix's book, which began bringing down the hammer on people sharing their account passwords with loved ones and friends in early 2023. That decision earned Netflix an additional 9.3 million new customers, bringing its total subscriber base to almost 270 million. It's not clear when these machines will be more broadly rolled out to Costco's more than 600 locations across the US, but a handful of stores in Washington state are already using them. Users on Reddit commented on this new direction back when it was first being tested in the beginning of the year, and they were widely supportive. One person pointed out that most gyms make their members scan IDs at the front before entering, 'so its funny that people are probably mad about Costco doing the same.' Another wrote: 'I really dont get the big deal. A machine that scans the membership card isnt really any different that a person you flash the card to. It might be more efficient.' Even though members won't be able to send their son or daughter on Costco runs with their card under this new system, Vachris said it will end up greatly improving the customer experience overall. Partially automating the process of customer verification 'turns over parking spaces much quicker' and could allow for 'gas expansions where those are needed as well,' Vachris said. Hundreds of people took to Reddit last year to complain about the parking lots at their local Costcos, with many describing them as 'a Mad Max situation' even at the best of times. Others lamented that long lines for gas pumps - which are often right next to the entrance to the parking lot - makes maneuvering around even more difficult. 'Costco does a lot of things right, parking lots arent one of them,' one person wrote. Pictured: A jam-packed parking lot at a Costco store in Richmond, California Long lines for gas sometimes compound the issue of maneuverability in Costco parking lots Costco CFO Gary Millerchip said in May that the ability to buy products online and pick them up in store will be 'expanded' over time. Currently, members can only do this with tech items and jewelry During the May call, Costco CFO Gary Millerchip also hinted that the ability to buy products online and pick them up in store will be 'expanded.' Currently, members can only do this with in stock tech products such as iPads and laptops and various forms of jewelry. 'We can't expand to all categories, but we're expanding as we currently speak in televisions and other electronic items,' Millerchip said. 'We see that as a real opportunity for us.' Millerchip also hyped up a recently-struck deal with Uber that will now allow customers in 17 US states to order food from Costco through Uber Eats. Despite raking in $58.52 billion in revenue for the third quarter, Costco announced in July it would increase the membership fee by September. It is the first increase since June 2017, and will go up by $5 a year for the standard membership - taking it from $60 to $65 annually. China has expressed strong dissatisfaction to Japan about what it called "smear attacks" against China at recent high-level meetings with the United States, India and Australia, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. A ministry statement said that Liu Jinsong, the director general of the Asian affairs department, conveyed solemn representations and serious concern at a meeting the previous day with Akira Yokochi, the deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy. Liu pointed out that Japan's smear attacks on China are self-contradictory to its statement of promoting the strategic and reciprocal relationship between the two countries, the statement said. Meeting in Tokyo on Sunday, Japan's foreign and defense ministers agreed to bolster military cooperation with the US at what are known as 2+2 talks with their American counterparts. A joint statement said China's foreign policy seeks to reshape the international order for its own benefit at the expense of others and that such behavior represents "the greatest strategic challenge" in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The US-Japan talks were followed by a meeting on Monday of the foreign ministers from the Quad countries the US, Japan, India and Australia. The joint statement did not mention China by name but expressed opposition to the militarization of disputed features and coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea. The Chinese government has complained repeatedly about the US deepening ties with other countries in the face of China's rise, which President Joe Biden has made a priority during his four years in office. The Foreign Ministry statement said China urges Japan to stop making irresponsible remarks on China's internal affairs a likely reference to Taiwan and called on Japan to stop colluding with "certain countries" to form small circles that lead to confrontation. A Japanese Embassy statement said that Yokochi had expounded Japan's positions at the meeting and made representations on various China-related topics, but it did not provide any details. Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday asserted that advance warnings on heavy rainfall in Kerala were issued to the State Government at least a week ahead of the deadly landslides in Wayanad that have left a trail of death and destruction. Meanwhile, the Kerala Government alleged the Central Government agencies like Meteorological Department, Geological Survey of India failed miserably in issuing early warnings about the rainfall and landslides that struck the Wayanad district. On July 18, it was forecast that Keralas western coast would experience above-normal rainfall. On July 25, it was forecast that there would be heavy rain. On July 23 itself, eight teams of the NDRF were sent to the region, Shah said. He informed Parliament that the Centre had sent eight teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on July 23 to assist the Kerala Government in the eventuality of any disaster. When the landslides struck Wayanad, the NDRF teams got the green signal from the Collector and relief operations were launched immediately, the Home Minister said. Shah said about six years ago, experts from IIT-Delhi had suggested relocating people from the landslide-affected areas, but their advice was not heeded to. Even as the death toll in Tuesdays massive landslides crossed the 200 mark by Wednesday evening, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, reacted to Shahs statement. This is not the time for blame game. There are 91 people undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the district while 240 persons are missing. My Government has put 8,107 people in 82 relief camps in the district. The Meteorological Department had not issued any red alert about the rainfall or landslides. The red alert was issued by the GSI at 6 am on Tuesday hours after the landslide at Mundakkai. The landslides occurred at 2 am and 4.30 am on Tuesday. The Central Water Commission, which is the agency responsible for issuing flood warning, did not issue any such warning, alleged Vijayan. He said though the Central agencies had forecast 404 mm rainfall for a period of 48 hours, the region recorded 572 mm rainfall during the period. The Landslide Warning System of the Geological Survey of India was totally silent about the landslides that would strike the district, alleged the chief minister. Kerala goes by the reports received by the various central agencies and the State had made all arrangements in synch with the warnings and forecasts received by it. Meanwhile rescue and relief teams drawn from Indian Army, Indian Navy and Coast Guard assisted by IAF are leaving no stones unturned to save life and property in Mundakkai and other areas devastated by landslides and downpour. At the time of going to Press, the district of Wayanad experienced heavy downfall and environmentalists warn about possibilities of more landslides. John Peruvanthanam, environmental activist stated that the chief ministers charge that Central agencies did not issue timely warnings should be taken with a pinch of salt. All of us were reading about the warnings issued by the meteorological departments for days but what has happened is that the State administration did not take it seriously, said John. Jayan, a 40 Plus looking laborer working in a plantation at Chooralmala near Mundakkali told reporters that 11 members from his wifes family were missing. We identified the body of a child that was recovered from Chaliyar river in Nilambur in Malappuram district as one of my relatives. We have only got three dead bodies so far and the remaining are still missing, Jayan , yet to recover from Tuesday mornings landslides, told reporters. He said most of the houses in Chooralmala were washed off by the gushing boulders thrown out because of the landslides. The Chief Minister asked the people to donate cash to the chief ministers relief fund and not to send the same to any other agencies. He also asked the people not to send any materials to the landslide affected areas. In Parliament, Congress and BJP members indulged in a war of words in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday during a Calling Attention Motion on Wayanad landslides issue. BJP MP Tejaswi Surya attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has represented Wayanad, alleging that he never raised the issue of landslides in his constituency. His remarks led to protests by Congress members forcing Speaker Om Birla to briefly adjourn the proceedings. When the House resumed proceedings, Congress MP KC Venugopal asserted that as Wayanad MP, Rahul Gandhi had raised the issue of eco-sensitive Wayanad on several occasions. He claimed that Surya was trying to sabotage the debate and he will have to apologise for making false claims about the Congress leader. House records will prove that Rahul Gandhi has raised the issue several times, Venugopal said. A meeting of the AJSU party was held at the district head office. In the meeting, the party's central spokesperson Dr. Devsharan Bhagat said in his address that in the upcoming assembly elections, AJSU party will hoist the flag in entire Jharkhand including Lohardaga under the leadership of Sudesh Mahato. After taking stock of the preparations for the Lohardaga assembly, I can say that this time the AJSU Party will be victorious in Lohardaga because every worker is ready to make the AJSU Party win this time. Former Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Mahato, who joined AJSU party a few days ago, clearly said that after retiring from government service, I have joined the party to do social service. Lohardaga assembly in-charge Neeru Shanti Bhagat party, while discussing the visit of party president Sudesh Mahato, said that Chulha Pramukh, Yuva Morcha and ancillary units are expanding. We all should try to win the assembly elections. District Convenor and Central Secretary Suraj Aggarwal made detailed points about strengthening the organization and winning the assembly seat. Central Secretary cum Cairo Block Incharge Arvind Yadav expressed his views on how to become Chulha Pramukh as soon as possible. The meeting was conducted by Union Secretary Dilip Sahu. Workers including Mahendra Mahato, Bablu Mahato, Munna Aggarwal, City President Ashok Sahu among others were present in the meeting. All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has demanded withdrawal of a government order that directs the shifting of all students in unrecognised madrasas to state-run schools. A delegation of the AIMPLB met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday and submitted its demand. The delegation lodged an objection to the notice issued by the state government to 8,449 madrasas in Uttar Pradesh on the basis of which the district administration is ordering these institutions to admit children studying there to schools for basic education. The AIMPLB leaders and clerics termed the order issued by then chief secretary Durga Shanker Mishra on June 26 as against the Constitution, which has given minorities the right to establish and run educational institutions of their choice. Similarly, madrasas and Vedic pathshalas have also been exempted from the Right to Education Act, 2009. The AIMPLB also expressed strong objection to the letter issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights to the chief secretary of the state on June 7. Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, who is Imam of Aishbagh eidgah, was present in the meeting at the chief ministers official residence. He said that the delegation was led by the AIMPLB general secretary Maulana Fazlur Rahman Mujaddidi. The chief minister has assured that he will look into the matter, Farangi Mahali said. The then Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Durga Shanker Mishra, in an order dated June 26 and issued to all the district magistrates of the state, cited a letter from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) dated June 7 that directed that all non-Muslim students studying in the government-funded madrasas be admitted to schools of the Basic Education Council to provide them with formal education. In the letter, it was also said all the children studying in all such madrasas of the state, which were not recognised by the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Council, should also be given admission in council schools. Committees should be formed at the district level by the district magistrates to implement the entire process, the letter stated. UP has approximately 25,000 madrasas. Of these, 16,000 are government-recognised, including 560 government-aided madrasas. The state cabinet here on Tuesday, gave approval for ensuring benefit of insurance cover of Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana to Anganwadi workers, Mini Anganwadi workers, and Sahayikas as per their eligibility under the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme. Following the decisioin, an amount of Rs 3 crore 63 lakh will be spent every year in the financial year 2024-25 and 2025-2026 respectively as central share and Rs 2 crore 42 lakh as state share respectively for the operation of schemes ensuring security cover to Anganwadi workers, mini Anganwadi workers, and Sahayikas. A total of Rs 12 crore 10 lakh was approved for 2 financial years. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) - A life risk of Rs 2 lakh will be covered in case of death due to any reason by payment of an annual premium of Rs 436 per beneficiary to Anganwadi workers, Mini Anganwadi workers, and Anganwadi assistants in the age group of 18 to 50 years. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) - Anganwadi workers, mini Anganwadi workers, and Anganwadi Sahayikas in the age group of 18-59 years will get Rs 2 lakh in case of accidental death and permanent total disability and partial but permanent disability by payment of Rs 20 per beneficiary as annual premium. There is a provision to give Rs 1 lakh in case of disability. The implementation of both the above insurance schemes will be done by the respective bank branch to the bank account where the honorarium of Anganwadi worker, mini Anganwadi worker, and Anganwadi helper is deposited. Under this, the amount of the insurance scheme premium will be deducted from the bank account with the consent of the Anganwadi worker, Mini Anganwadi worker, and Anganwadi Sahayikas, which the department will reimburse as per the 60:40 (Government of India 60 percent and State Government 40 percent) financial expenditure prescribed by the Government of India. The Cabinet approved two schemes for payment of subsidy amounts on gas cylinder refills to all the consumers having gas connections under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) and Ladli Behnas having gas connections under non-PMUY. For the financial year 2024-25, scheme number 1370 LPG Assistance Scheme (Ujjwala) and scheme no. 1387 LPG Assistance Scheme (non-Ujjwala) has been approved. Now a provision has been made to pay the amount to the beneficiaries under this scheme from the financial year 2024-25. The Cabinet approved to create 213 posts for the establishment and operation of AYUSH wing to provide AYUSH treatment in Niwari Allopathy Hospital in 22 districts of the state including Alirajpur, Agar Malwa, Rewa, Anuppur, Gwalior, Ashoknagar, Bhind, Katni, Umaria, Betul, Bhopal, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Dhar, Morena, Satna, Shahdol, Singrauli, Ujjain, Sagar. It was also decided to give consent for a budget allocation of Rs 19 crore. The Ccabinet decided to provide additional approval for the remaining special ex-gratia amount of Rs 45 lakh each to the parents and wife of Late Naresh Kumar Sharma, Assistant Sub-Inspector, District Chhindwara respectively. Naresh Sharma made every possible effort courageously to stop the speeding vehicle. Sharma displayed indomitable bravery and dedication by capturing the accused till he was in a conscious state. Late Sharma was appointed as Assistant Sub Inspector, District Chhindwara in the Police Department on 28 February 1986. He was granted an extraordinary family pension and special ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 lakh on January 19, 2024. BHEL Bhopal organized an awareness session on "Organ Donation" the other day at Viswakarma Hall, HRDC workshop. The session was organized by HR Dept. in coordination with Kasturba Hospital & HRD. The session started with BHEL GEET. B K Singh, GM (HR) addressed the participants and explained in detail the need of Organ Donation and also that a single person can save life of 7 to 8 persons. He also advised to take online pledge for Organ Donation in Govt. of India website https://pledge.mygov.in/organ-donation. Dr Alpana Tiwari,Chief Med Services also explained in detail the need of Organ Donation in present world scenario. She told that people donate money, food & shelter, but by donating organ it will be the greatest donation possible in a life time. She explained that in India there is a huge difference between the number of donor and number of receiver waiting for Organ. She also explained that if more number of Indians give their consent for Organ Donation like western countries then in India also more number of patients will be get benefited. The guest speaker DR RAM NARAYAN HIRANYA, SR. MGR.(SURGERY) of Kasturba Hospital told that India every year nearly 5 lakh people die because of non-availability of organs. He explained in detail the type of organ donation: Live Donation (when the person making the donation is alive) & Cadaver/ Deceased Donation (After the donor dies). He told that we can donate kidney, lungs, intestine, heart, liver, pancreas, Cornea, heart valves, skin, bone marrow, middle ear etc. even our body for medical study. We can give our consent by filling the form -7 as per THOA and submit it to NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization). DR (MRS) RIMMI SETHI, Sr. Consultant (OPTHALM) explained the need of cornea donation and we can see the world even after our death. Now a day's only a soft upper layer called cornea is taken by the doctors' team which does not deform eyes, so we can also give our consent for eye donation. There were around 70 participants (Supervisor Trainee & Apprentice Trainees) from HRD Department. The program was coordinated by Prajjal Adak, DGM (HR) & Paritosh Kumar Dalei, Manager (HR) in coordination with Krishna Chandra Singh, Sr. Manager (HRD). The vote of thanks was proposed by ARIF AHMAD SIDDIQUI, AGM (HR). Former MP and senior Congress leader, Dr Ajoy Kumar, met Jharkhand's Advocate General, Rajiv Ranjan, on Wednesday to discuss the urgent issue regarding the notice from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to demolish 150 houses along the riverbank, including those in Kalyan Nagar and Indranagar of Bhuiyandih. Kumar reported that the meeting involved a detailed discussion about the NGT's notice and the state's response. The Advocate General assured that not a single house would be allowed to be demolished. To support this, the state government plans to file an affidavit with the NGT soon. "The government is very sensitive to this matter," Kumar said. "Efforts are being made at every level to address this issue." He also mentioned that a petition has been filed in Ranchi High Court by 150 residents of Bhuiyandih against the NGT's notice. Addressing the residents of Bhuiyandih, Dr. Ajoy Kumar urged them not to be swayed by rumors or external influences. "As long as the India Alliance government is in power in Jharkhand, not a single house in Bhuiyandih will be allowed to be demolished," he asserted. "We are ready to fight at every level. Please stand firmly with us with faith and patience." His commitment and the government's proactive approach provide a ray of hope for the residents of Bhuiyandih, who now await the upcoming legal steps and government interventions to secure their homes. Bharatiya Janata Party today attacked the state government and the Speaker of the State Assembly while addressing a press conference at the state headquarters. State spokesperson Pratul Shahdev said that this government has written a black chapter in the history of the country's democracy today. Emergency was repeated in the assembly at the behest of the government. For the first time in the history of the country, the electricity and water supply of the assembly was cut off in the presence of MLAs. Even women MLAs were not spared. Restrictions were imposed on going to the toilet. State spokesperson Pratul Shahdev said that in democracy, everyone has the right to protest. But the way the government showed its Hitler-like face today is shameful. Pratul said that the assembly runs with the support of both the ruling party and the opposition. But this government has captured the assembly and made it a government assembly. The leader of the opposition was sitting on a dharna in the house to get a statement from the Chief Minister on issues like unemployment allowance of contract workers, para teachers, assistant policemen, computer operators, Anganwadi workers, assistants, five lakh jobs per year, CBI investigation of examinations, etc. The leaders of the House go out and get electricity and water supply cut off by being dictatorial. Pratul said that the post of Speaker is a constitutional post. But in Jharkhand, the Speaker has become a tool kit of the government. This government has crossed all limits by filing cases and lawsuits against the youth, unemployed and BJP leaders. He said that this government had announced free electricity and water and this government cut off electricity and water supply in the presence of MLAs in the assembly. Pratul said that the three and a half crore people of Jharkhand are watching the misdeeds of the government and will never forgive it. Spokesperson Ramakant Mahato, State Co-Media Incharge Yogendra Pratap Singh were also present in today's press conference. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that the establishment of private schools should be encouraged in areas where there are no government educational institutions. Providing education to the students is an important and basic task. CM Yadav said that the system of quality education in government institutions should be continuously monitored. Chief Minister Yadav said that the operation of schools on PPP model should be encouraged. CM Yadav was reviewing the activities of the School Education Department in the Mantralaya today. School Education and Transport Minister Uday Pratap Singh, Chief Secretary Veera Rana, Additional Chief Secretary Chief Minister's Office Rajesh Rajoura and senior officers were present in the meeting. Chief Minister Yadav apprised himself regarding the appointment of teachers of various categories. It was told in the meeting that various educational facilities are continuously expanding under the Right to Education (RTE). Public co-operation is also being received for the development of basic facilities in schools. Education Secretary Dr. Sanjay Goyal said that various arrangements have been completed for the schools under the first phase of CM Rise schools. Regular review is being done regarding the teaching level and study system in these schools. In the meeting, necessary instructions were also given to the senior officials of the Finance Department regarding the budget arrangements for the development of facilities of government schools. | Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said that since his government assumed office in 2017, pension accounts for approximately eight lakh state government employees had been opened in Uttar Pradesh. In response to a question on the New Pension Scheme (NPS) in the UP Legislative Council on Wednesday, Chief Minister Yogi highlighted the significant strides made by his administration in this regard. The NPS was originally implemented in 2005 during the tenure of the Samajwadi Party government led by Mulayam Singh Yadav. Despite the Bahujan Samaj Party being in power from 2007 to 2012 and the SP from 2012 to 2017, not a single pension account was opened for employees during those periods, the chief minister said. He added that in 2018, upon discovering issues with the pension accounts, his administration formed a committee chaired by the then finance secretary. The committee also included relevant experts and held discussions with employees organisations, addressing concerns that affected about eight lakh employees, he added. The chief minister explained that the committee found it essential for the government to increase its contribution slightly to provide 50 per cent of the employees last drawn salary as pension. Assessments indicated that if both the government and employees deposited money on time and connected their contributions to a scheme, employees could receive approximately 60 per cent of their money as pension after retirement, he added. To address this, the governments share in the pension scheme was increased from 10 per cent to 14 per cent. The accounts of all employees were opened, and the contributions from 2005 to 2017, which had not been deposited due to the lack of accounts, were also credited, Yogi pointed out. He informed the House that approximately 70,000 employees, who were in the final stages of appointment when the NPS was implemented in 2005, have been retained under the Old Pension Scheme, with many of these employees being teachers. Chief Minister Yogi also addressed concerns about the NPS funds being deposited in private banks, stating that these complaints have been taken seriously. He assured that actions have been taken to rectify this, and efforts are underway to ensure the return of these funds. He emphasised that it is a priority for the government to ensure that money from any government scheme is deposited only in nationalised banks. Earlier, the chief minister congratulated Lal Bihari Yadav on becoming the leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council. He quipped, I hope you always remain the leader of the opposition. He highlighted the diverse representation in the Upper House, where members come from various societies, including local bodies, teacher constituencies, graduate voters, and nominations by the governor. He affirmed the governments commitment to respecting the sentiments of the members and adhering to any necessary guidelines received from the chair. Pension accounts of eight lakh govt employees opened since 2017: CM PNS | Lucknow Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said that since his government assumed office in 2017, pension accounts for approximately eight lakh state government employees had been opened in Uttar Pradesh. In response to a question on the New Pension Scheme (NPS) in the UP Legislative Council on Wednesday, Chief Minister Yogi highlighted the significant strides made by his administration in this regard. The NPS was originally implemented in 2005 during the tenure of the Samajwadi Party government led by Mulayam Singh Yadav. Despite the Bahujan Samaj Party being in power from 2007 to 2012 and the SP from 2012 to 2017, not a single pension account was opened for employees during those periods, the chief minister said. He added that in 2018, upon discovering issues with the pension accounts, his administration formed a committee chaired by the then finance secretary. The committee also included relevant experts and held discussions with employees organisations, addressing concerns that affected about eight lakh employees, he added. The chief minister explained that the committee found it essential for the government to increase its contribution slightly to provide 50 per cent of the employees last drawn salary as pension. Assessments indicated that if both the government and employees deposited money on time and connected their contributions to a scheme, employees could receive approximately 60 per cent of their money as pension after retirement, he added. To address this, the governments share in the pension scheme was increased from 10 per cent to 14 per cent. The accounts of all employees were opened, and the contributions from 2005 to 2017, which had not been deposited due to the lack of accounts, were also credited, Yogi pointed out. He informed the House that approximately 70,000 employees, who were in the final stages of appointment when the NPS was implemented in 2005, have been retained under the Old Pension Scheme, with many of these employees being teachers. Chief Minister Yogi also addressed concerns about the NPS funds being deposited in private banks, stating that these complaints have been taken seriously. He assured that actions have been taken to rectify this, and efforts are underway to ensure the return of these funds. He emphasised that it is a priority for the government to ensure that money from any government scheme is deposited only in nationalised banks. Earlier, the chief minister congratulated Lal Bihari Yadav on becoming the leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council. He quipped, I hope you always remain the leader of the opposition. He highlighted the diverse representation in the Upper House, where members come from various societies, including local bodies, teacher constituencies, graduate voters, and nominations by the governor. He affirmed the governments commitment to respecting the sentiments of the members and adhering to any necessary guidelines received from the chair. The son and daughter-in-law of Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi were injured when their Mercedes car met with an accident near Kannauj. According to reports, the car of Nandis son Abhishek crashed into the road divider on Agra-Lucknow Expressway near Kannauj on Tuesday night. Abhishek and his wife Krishnaika had a narrow escape in this horrific accident but both were injured. Krishnaika suffered a serious injury on her nose. After the accident, both were admitted to a hospital in Kannauj, from where they were referred to Lucknow after initial treatment. Both are undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Gomti Nagar Extension. They were coming to Lucknow by Agra-Lucknow Expressway when their car went out of control and crashed into the road divider. According to information, the ministers son was driving the Mercedes car. The collision was so severe that the luxury Mercedes car was badly damaged. Abhishek and Krishnaika were married 18 days ago on July 11in Srinagar. The reception was organised on July 20 in Prayagraj. Meanwhile, three people were killed and another was critically injured after their car collided with a mini truck late at night in Mathurapur area of Bareilly district, an official said on Wednesday. According to Superintendent of Police of Bareilly, Rahul Bhati, three youths travelling in a car died on the spot while another was seriously injured after their vehicle collided with a DCM truck late at night on Tuesday in Mathurapur area under the CB Ganj police station of Bareilly. He said police admitted the injured to district hospital where they were undergoing treatment. The people who opened the doors to anything, everything and anyone, are responsible for the bloodshed in places like Southport. There is a direct correlation between civil unrest and mass unfettered immigration at speed into any area of the globe. Europe now resembles a third world toilet, and even though Britain supposedly left the EU, it is itself oversaturated by the massive influx of millions of people who do not wish to integrate with British culture or even possess the ability to integrate in any way. How can anyone be integrated anyway, when to be proud of being British is frowned upon and denigrated at every level of socialist dominated society, and where British history is habitually desecrated? The disgraceful actions of the previous Conservative government are as culpable as the Labour government that preceded it. The current Labour government who won the election with 80% of the UK NOT voting for them will no doubt carry on with the open door policy that is akin to a mass invasion at exponential levels of migrants. There is no other way to call it other than an invasion because the indigenous British people, the generational English, Welsh and Scottish have been effectively overrun, silenced and subjugated by an invasion of massive proportions. Europe itself, once the epitome of civilisation, is now nothing more than a third world toilet. Thousands of years of European progress have been desecrated in just a few decades by mass unfettered immigration, and this ultimate malaise will metastasise into even further turmoil and trouble in the future. As for Britain, a tiny Island, it is a matter of physics and space. Already, houses are slapped together row after row where people have to live so close together they are like rats in an undulating barrel. Our cities are now nightmarish polluted overpopulated shitholes where monumental amounts of crime are now simply ignored, where all services are buckling under the sheer number of people trying to use them. The utter despair of living in these dystopian dirty third world fuck holes is a testament to the vagaries of a socialist ideology that has no understanding about how history works, especially within the context of how the future works in relation to history. The sad part of this entire debacle is that limited migration where integration is closely controlled is a good thing for any nation. The far-right purists will disagree with any form of immigration, however they are ultimately wrong because cultures need some sort of migratory movement to enrich the gene pool to progress. The far-left socialists and communists on the other hand want open borders to not only destroy the traditional make-up of a nations traditional infrastructure, but to gain voters within the sham elections that are held within the Wests so-called democracy. What we have, however, witnessed in the last few decades is not something that happens naturally but has been a forced mass invasive unfettered migrational influx into Britain with no checks or balances. This force is ultimately destructive, and the people who engineered this monolithic influx probably intended it to be destructive. Europe and Britain are now destroyed from without and from within thanks to mass unfettered immigration. There is no turning back, and it is inevitable that civil unrest, crime, destitution, poverty will now increase at an exponential rate adding to the ultimate misery of a once flourishing, exclusive civilisation that ruled the globe with its ingenuity. The Third World War began many decades ago, but funnily enough, no military personnel or hardware were needed just masses of Third World People would suffice and an insidious enemy within inflicting irreparable self-inflicted damage on their own territory. Its funny how the cowardly and hypocritical eco mob and animal rights activists are suddenly very quiet as Labour prepares to build over 1.5 million cheap soviet houses over Britains formerly protected countryside. No doubt, they will stand by and watch silently as Labours bulldozers fuck over the once protected countryside and wildlife. No more green-belt protected land under the monstrous Labour plans that will decimate large swathes of the once beautiful green pleasant land of England and Wales. The army of bulldozers are gearing up to dig up the habitats of great crested newts, badgers, pine martens, hedgehogs, red squirrels, otters, shrews along with chopping down woods, and causing the loss of shelter for many protected bird species. Britains rich fauna which sustains our diverse wildlife will also be bulldozed over to have concrete poured over it all, ensuring the death and desecration of Britains countryside. We need to do this to house the millions more migrants we will bring into the UK. If you dont like it, you can shut up! the Labour Minister for Housing, Eldrick Scheister told the BBC on Wednesday. Caracas, July 31 (UNI) Caracas has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Peru due to Peruvian Foreign Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaecheas statement on presidential election results in Venezuela, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said on Wednesday. On Monday, Peru refused to recognise the results of the Venezuelan presidential election. The next day, Gonzalez-Olaechea said he recognized the Venezuelan opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, as the country's president-elect. "The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has decided to sever diplomatic relations with the Republic of Peru based on Article 45 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. We are forced to make this decision after the reckless statements of the Peruvian foreign minister," Gil said on X. The presidential election of July 28 saw Nicolas Maduro win a third term in office. The announcement of the results sparked protests in the capital of Caracas and beyond, with clashes reported between the police and opposition supporters. The Venezuelan government accused several countries of election meddling. UNI/SPUTNIK ARN SY 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. Culture and tourism promotion activity for Xi'an kicks off in Sydney 14:29, July 31, 2024 By Xinyu Wang, Yuchen Bai ( People's Daily Online On July 27, the Tea for HarmonyCultural Salon & Xi'an Culture and Tourism Promotion activity officially launched at the China Cultural Centre in Sydney. Tang Dynasty tea ceremony performance at the opening ceremony. (Photo/Yuchen Bai) This event is co-hosted by the China International Culture Association, the China Cultural Centre in Sydney, the China National Tourist Office in Sydney, and the Xi'an Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism. Xiao Xiayong, minister-counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Australia, speaks at the opening ceremony of Tea for Harmony Cultural Salon & Xi'an Culture and Tourism Promotion activity in Sydney, July 27, 2024. (Photo/Yuchen Bai) Xiao Xiayong, minister-counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Australia, stated that Xi'an, the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, is a historic city with thousands of years of Chinese history and culture. The series of cultural events showcases Xi'ans rich cultural heritage and promotes China-Australia cultural exchanges, further fostering mutual understanding and people-to-people ties between the two countries. "Recently, the Chinese government has introduced a series of measures to encourage foreign tourists to travel to China, providing more choices for citizens of Australia to travel and engage in business activities in China. We warmly welcome more Australian friends to visit and explore China, Xiao added. Liu Dong, director of the China Cultural Centre and China National Tourist Office in Sydney, speaks at the opening ceremony of Tea for Harmony Cultural Salon & Xi'an Culture and Tourism Promotion activity in Sydney, July 27, 2024. (Photo/Yuchen Bai) Liu Dong, director of the China Cultural Centre and the China National Tourist Office in Sydney, noted that with support from the Xi'an Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, the Centre has successfully hosted events promoting Xi'ans culture and tourism. These efforts have increased Xi'ans visibility in Australia. Ian Howard, professor in the Faculty of Art and Design, University of New South Wales, speaks at the opening ceremony of Tea for Harmony Cultural Salon & Xi'an Culture and Tourism Promotion activity in Sydney, July 27, 2024. (Photo/Yuchen Bai) Ian Howard, professor in the Faculty of Art and Design, University of New South Wales, expressed that culture transcends borders and that cultural works should be shared by all of humanity. He emphasized that people should travel not just as tourists but as active artists or thinkers, taking full advantage of the rich cultural offerings of Shaanxi Province. He encourages everyone to explore and appreciate the treasure trove of art and culture that is Shaanxi. "Longing for You" solo performance at the opening ceremony. (Photo/Yuchen Bai) The opening ceremony featured a graceful guzheng performance of Lanting Xu, a solo dance titled Longing for You that evoked the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, and a meticulously recreated Tang Dynasty court tea ceremony. Guests also enjoyed a selection of Xi'ans famous dishes, including oil-splashed hand-pulled noodles, Rou Jia Mo, and Liang Pi. The ongoing series of events include lectures on Xi'ans culture, collaborative art creation between Chinese and Australian artists, and a Xi'an Selected Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition. The promotion activities will continue until Aug. 30. The joint art creation activity between Chinese and Australian calligraphers and painters. (Photo/Zhangqi Ma) An audience admires the calligraphy and painting exhibition. (Photo/Yuchen Bai) (Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang) New Delhi, July 31 (UNI) Chairperson Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said that the national politics will undergo a transformation, if the party sustains the momentum and goodwill generated during the Lok Sabha elections and perform well in the upcoming assembly polls. Speaking at the General Body meeting of CPP at the Central Hall of Parliament House here, Gandhi said, In a few months, elections will be held in four states. We must sustain the momentum and goodwill that had been generated for us in the Lok Sabha elections. We must not become complacent and over-confident. The mahaul does favour us, but we have to work unitedly with a sense of purpose. I dare say that if we perform well, reflecting the trend that we witnessed in the Lok Sabha elections, national politics will undergo a transformation, she added. The party also extended condolences to the families of those killed by landslides in Wayanad district of Kerala and also observed silence. Gandhi said, Apart from natural disasters, our people continue to lose their lives in railway accidents that are caused by mismanagement. Our thoughts are with these victims as well. The Rajya Sabha MP slammed the government for not conducting the census which has been due since 2021 and said, It is clear that the Government has no intention whatsoever to conduct the Census that was last due in 2021. This will prevent us from having an up-to-date estimate of the population of the country, especially of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. It also means that at least 12 crore of our citizens are denied the benefit of the National Food Security Act of 2013 now repackaged as PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. The former Congress president also accused the government of practicing the 'policy of divide and rule' and spreading an atmosphere of fear and animosity. Despite this the government that witnessed a significant decline in the Lok Sabha has not learnt a lesson. Look at how the rules have been suddenly changed to permit the bureaucracy to participate in the activities of the RSS. It calls itself a cultural organization but the whole world knows that it is the BJPs political and ideological base, Gandhi said. Expressing concern over the national security issues, Gandhi said, Over the past few weeks, there have been at least eleven terror attacks in the Jammu region alone. There have been similar attacks in the Valley as well. Security personnel and a large number of civilians have lost their lives. This makes a mockery of the claims being made by the Modi Government is all in well in J&K. The situation in Manipur shows no sign of any improvement. The Prime Minister, travels the world over, but steadfastly refuses to go to the state and take the initiative to bring about normalcy, she said. She also congratulated both the Leaders of Opposition and other party leaders for expressing the partys views forcefully, along with other INDIA parties during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Presidents Address. UNI RBE ARN LIVE MUSIC BACK AT EBRINGTON. . . .The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Lillian Seenoi-Barr pictured at Ebrington Square on Monday morning to promote three live concerts over the August Bank Holiday Weekend with Gary Curran and Stephen Doherty, Inn Events (Promoters). Friday, August 23, it's the Foyle Tribute Festival including tribute acts such as Pink, Meat Loaf, Little Mix, Taylor Swift, Spice Girls, Blondie and Lady GaGa. Saturday will see the best RnB, MCs and Djs in the thriving hip hop scene while Sunday night will see renowned artistes Nik Kershaw, T'Pau and China Crisis performing live in the square. The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, has met with representatives of INN Events at Ebrington Square to help promote their three music concerts at the venue over the August Bank Holiday Weekend. The Foyle Tribute Festival Event on Friday August 23rd will represent the climax of the citys Foyle Pride celebrations and will help raise funds for local charities Foyle Search and Rescue and the Foyle Hospice as well as the Foyle Pride organisation. Representatives from the Mayors Charity for her year in office, the Bud Club, will be collecting donations on all three nights. On Saturday August 24th RnB Fest will feature a night of the best of old skool hip hop before Back to the 80s on Sunday August 25th will feature live performances from three of that eras best known artists Nik Kershaw, TPau and China Crisis. I am delighted that live music will return to the iconic venue at the end of August with these three exciting live concerts, said Mayor Barr. INN Events are a Derry organisation who are grounded in their community and I would like to thank them for their support for local charities including my own charity the BUD club. A limited number of tickets are still available for all three nights so if you want to be part of the citys biggest music party for 2024 you should buy your tickets now. The Foyle Tribute Festival features a stacked lineup of some of the worlds best tribute acts including Pink, Meat Loaf, Little Mix, Taylor Swift, Spice Girls, Blondie and Lady GaGa as well as a special guest appearance from Donegal Disko.The event is suitable for all ages and will include an enclosed family friendly area. On Saturday the best RnB talent in the citys thriving hip hop scene will join visiting DJs and MCS for a night of old skool nostalgia at RnB Fest.Whether you graced the dance floor of Earth and Cafe Roc back in the day or are enjoying this genre for the first time this is the party for you. Finally on Sunday night INN events will take you back to the 80s where three of that eras most renound artists will perform live.Nik Kershaw, TPau and China Crisis are artists who need no introduction and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see them performing in this stunning venue. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Chinese suppliers eyes Russia's growing demand for auto parts, supply chain urge caution amid war uncertainties Automotive component supply-chain stakeholders say they are seeing the disruptions brought by the Russo-Ukraine war on the international industry gradually fading. Notably, within Russia, the demand for automotive components is catching the attention of many global suppliers. After the war broke out, many major car manufacturers withdrew from the Russian market. This exodus, combined with an increased need for vehicle maintenance, has significantly boosted the demand for aftermarket (AM) parts and Chinese OEM components. Russia's booming demand for Chinese parts As European and American manufacturers left the market, Chinese automakers capitalized on the gap, leading to an increase in Chinese car exports to the region. However, the continued operation of these vehicles on war-torn streets has led Russian officials to seek backup parts from Chinese and Taiwanese AM suppliers. Over the past two years, the growing demand has allowed some smaller Chinese companies to expand. However, industry players acknowledge that the ongoing uncertainty of the war makes establishing factories in Russia too risky. Moreover, the convenience of land transportation from China makes local manufacturing less attractive in the short term. Data from Russian automotive market analysis firm Autostat shows that the market share of Chinese brand passenger cars in Russia rose from 19% in 2022 to 51% in 2023, underscoring the growing influence of Chinese vehicles. The firm predicts that 30 to 45 new Chinese car models will enter the Russian market in 2024, with an estimated sales volume of around 1.2 million vehicles, accounting for 80% of the market share. Russia eyes Chinese EVs Despite the ongoing conflict, the Russian market remains enthusiastic about smart and electric vehicles, with models like Xiaomi's SU7 appearing on the streets through parallel imports. According to Reuters, Chinese electric vehicles now comprise over 50% of EV sales in Russia, with Zeekr, a high-end brand from Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, leading the charge. Given Taiwan's increasing role in supplying Chinese manufacturers through its Tier 2 automotive supply chain, these firms are approaching the Russian market with caution. They are concerned not only about the uncertainties brought by the war but also about the potential misuse of their components in military vehicles, which could lead to unintended consequences. Apple reportedly opposes Tata-Vivo partnership as Vivo celebrates 10th anniversary in India Rumors circulated that the Tata Group was in advanced talks to acquire 51% of Vivo's assets in India, amid rising pressure from the Indian government against Chinese investors. However, the latest reports suggest that the plan has been put on hold due to opposition from Apple. Meanwhile, Vivo recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in India by announcing the opening of a new facility in northern India. The Times of India, citing unnamed sources, reported that the Tata Group had planned to acquire a majority stake in Vivo's Indian operations. However, Apple, a significant competitor of Vivo in the smartphone market, raised concerns about the deal, as the Tata Group also manufactures Apple devices in India. Apple argued that Tata's partnership with Vivo could create a conflict of interest. As a result of these objections, the deal between Tata and Vivo has been put on hold, reports the Times of India. Money Control, citing unnamed sources, reported that Tata and Vivo were in advanced talks, with Tata eyeing a majority stake in Vivo. According to the report, Vivo's manufacturing plant in Greater Noida has been acquired by Bhagwati Products, which has started recruiting employees and is preparing to commence smartphone production for Vivo. The company has moved its smartphone production to a new 170-acre factory in Greater Noida. Meanwhile, according to Business Today and Hindu Business Line, Vivo celebrated its 10th anniversary in India. Vivo will start operations at the new factory in Greater Noida by the end of 2024. Once fully operational, this facility will double Vivo's manufacturing capacity in India. The company is committed to tailoring products to Indian consumers by localizing design, camera features, and overall user experience. Vivo has already invested INR35 billion (US$418 million) in India, creating numerous jobs, and plans to invest an additional INR30 billion in the new facility and expansions. Vivo said it had exported smartphones worth INR40 billion since 2022. Vietnamese PM Chinh meets Gautam Adani, calls for investments in high-tech projects New Delhi, July 31 (UNI) Visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday held separate meetings with representatives of leading Indian business houses, including Gautam Adani, and called on them to invest in big, high-tech projects in Vietnam. Meeting Gautam Adani, Chairman and Founder of Adani Group that is operating in infrastructure, transport and energy, the Vietnamese PM lauded the group's operations in Vietnam over the past years as well as its expansion plans in the time ahead, reported VNA news. PM Chinh briefed Adani on major strategic breakthroughs implemented in Vietnam to spur socio-economic development, covering institutions, infrastructure and personnel training, and affirmed that Vietnam will create all possible conditions for foreign investors to join essential infrastructure projects in expressways, airports, seaports, high-speed railways, metro, and logistics. Dundalk may benefit from new 200kmh (125mph) intercity trains between Dublin and Belfast, as well as train services at least hourly between cities and at least every two hours on regional/rural routes, should recommendations be implemented from the Final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published today. The Department of Transport in Ireland and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in Northern Ireland today published the Final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, developed in the context of the New Decade, New Approach agreement. The report, approved for publication by the Irish Government and DfI Minister, sets out a strategic vision for the development of the rail system across the island of Ireland over the coming decades. The Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions. The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds and higher service frequencies. Already, in the coming months, rail services on the island are to be developed towards the Reports vision. This includes an increase to an hourly train service between Dublin and Belfast, and additional services between Dublin and Galway, while procurement has also started on a new, faster, more sustainable Enterprise train fleet for the Dublin-Belfast route. Among the recommendations in the report that will enhance rail transport in Louth are the development of short sections of new railways on congested corridors. Two sections of the Dublin-Belfast route are likely to require a four-tracking or new rail alignment solution to accommodate conflicting demands for capacity and deliver a 200 km/h railway. The sections are: Belfast Lisburn Newry: The existing railway between Newry and Belfast has significant constraints due to its alignment, level crossings, and limited space to add capacity between Lisburn and Belfast. A new railway could deliver significant journey time and capacity benefits for this corridor. Dublin Drogheda: This railway is expected to become busier when the DART network is extended to Drogheda MacBride. The report says that while it is probably technically feasible to four-track this railway notably between Connolly and Malahide four-tracking some sections may result in a significant adverse effect on the integrity of several Special Protection Areas and potentially the waterfronts of Malahide and Balbriggan. An alternative approach could be to build a new railway from Drogheda to Clongriffin following the M1 corridor. The recommendations for rail in the Report have been developed through an evidenced-based review taking into account goals such as connectivity, sustainability and economic feasibility. The Reports recommendations envisage the following for rail on the island: Additional capacity: upgrading much of the single-track rail network to double-track, with four-track in some areas; Faster services: new 200kmh (125mph) intercity trains, with rail journey times between cities significantly reduced in some cases, halved; Higher frequency: train services at least hourly between cities and at least every two hours on regional/rural routes; Decarbonisation: a net carbon zero rail system, primarily through the overhead electrification of intercity routes and new electric trains; Greater reach: the rail network route length would increase from circa 2,300km to almost 3,000km with the reopening of former and new rail lines; Wider access: facilitated by new routes in the North Midlands and North West, 700,000 more people would live within 5km of a railway station; More passengers: almost tripling the number of people using the rail system annually from circa 65 million to over 180 million by 2050. Welcoming publication of the report, Minister for Transport, Ireland, Eamon Ryan, stated: This is an important day for the island of Ireland. This is not just the first All-Island Strategic Rail Review, it is the most ambitious vision for rail in a century, bringing us forward to a new age of rail. This vision has been made possible by close cooperation between the Departments and agencies north and south. "Rail not only allows us to carry more people and freight in a more sustainable way, it is the great connector, enabling greater regional accessibility and balanced regional development. The Report provides a long-term vision and a series of recommendations for the sustainable development of the rail network on the island. I would like to see the recommendations actioned as soon as possible, and I am pleased that work is now well underway, with European Investment Bank assistance, on how we can move forward. DfI Minister, John ODowd, stated: The publication of the Final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, the first of its kind across this island, is historic and I am pleased that we have reached this point. The Report provides an evidence-based framework to help guide future investment in our rail network, and will help us meet our climate commitments. The Review has been an excellent example of joint collaboration on cross-border priorities, and this continued partnership will be key to realising its ambitions. This publication brings us to a new chapter where we can shape a better future for everyone by decarbonising key services and investing in climate adaptation measures, while at the same time supporting economic productivity through projects, policy and legislation. Getting infrastructure right, and investing in it accordingly, can create the foundations for better rural and urban communities. Ardee's Cllr Dolores Minogue has said that not including the reopening of the Dunleer Train Station in the Final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review is "a missed opportunity" and said its reopening would greatly benefit the community and boost the local economy. Cllr Minogue was commenting following the publication of the Final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published today. Included in the report are recommendations that could see, if implemented, Dundalk seeing the benefit of new 200kmh (125mph) intercity trains between Dublin and Belfast, as well as train services at least hourly between cities and at least every two hours on regional/rural routes. While the reopening of Dunleer Train Station is not specifically mentioned in the report, there are still hopes that it has not been ruled out. Commenting on the publication of the report, Cllr Minogue told the Dundalk Democrat that, "I welcome this announcement and its potential benefits for the country. "However, as an active councillor who has consistently advocated for the reopening of Dunleer railway, I believe it is a significant missed opportunity not to include Dunleer in this review. I hope it is not too late to rectify this and include our area in this important review. "Reopening Dunleer station would be a significant day for the people of Ardee, Mid Louth, and surrounding areas, facilitating travel to work, college, hospital appointments, and day trips. This would greatly benefit our community and boost the local economy." A hospital has apologised to a terminally ill woman over its delay in diagnosing her cervical cancer. The apology was given to 46 year-old mother of two Evija Rudzone by Our Lady of Lourdes, Louth County Hospital in Drogheda who on Wednesday settled her medical negligence action against the HSE. The court heard that due to her illness Ms Rudzone's cancer has spread, and that she has only months to live. The HSE accepted that it had breached its duty of care to Ms Rudzone by failing to diagnose and treat her cancer at an earlier point in time. READ MORE - Louth's Minogue says omission of Dunleer in rail review a 'missed opportunity' Her counsel Dr John O'Mahony SC, appearing with Doireann O'Mahony Bl instructed by Mcguigan Solicitors told Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds that the case has been resolved following a mediation. While no details of the settlement were given in open court counsel said that the settlement was "substantial". The court heard that she was diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer in her native Latvia in 2022. Her doctors in Latvia told her that her cancer was "slow growing" and that it should have been picked up earlier. This, it was claimed, came as a great shock to her as she believed that she had been receiving proper care in Ireland. Counsel said it was his client's case that there were "multiple opportunities" arising out of smear tests she had done between 2018 and 2020 in Ireland to detect her cancer. It was claimed that the slides were not properly examined or interpreted and this failure to properly detect, and diagnose her cancer amounted to negligence. Had her results been properly examined counsel said his client's cancer could have been successfully treated and she would not have had to undergo the many procedures, treatments and surgeries performed on her since her diagnosis, it was claimed. In a letter of apology to Ms Rudzone from the Louth County Hospital's General Manager Mr Gary Keenan, the hospital expressed its "sincere and hearfelt apologies" to the plaintiff and her family for the delay in the diagnosis of your cervical cancer." "We recognised that our failure has had a significant impact on your life and has caused enormous distress to you and your family" "I do not underestimate how traumatic this has been for you and your family, but I can assure you that reviews of our hospital practises are continuously carried out with the ultimate aim of ensuring the safety of patients at all times." Ms Rudzone with an address Drumgola Woods, Co Cavan had claimed that as well as her physical health her mental and family life had suffered as a result of what had happened to her. She said she was angry over the missed opportunities to diagnose her condition. She had expended her savings on going for treatment in Latvia. Ms Justice Reynolds said that the real tragedy in the case was the delay in diagnosing Mr Rudzone's illness. The judge also paid tribute to the mother of two daughters, who the court heard has born her illness with dignity, grace and courage. An additional five schools in Louth are to receive hot school meals from September, a Fine Gael TD has said. Deputy Fergus ODowd said the news from Minister Heather Humphreys department was a great boost to pupils and students ahead of the next school term. The additional schools confirmed today include Rathcor National School in Riverstown, Scoil Naomh Buithe in Tinure, St. Joseph's National School in Mell, Boher National School in Greenore and Scoil Phadraig Naofa in Kilcurry. Across the country, over 345,000 primary school children are now eligible to receive hot school meals since the scheme which was set up by Fine Gael in 2019. The programme forms part of Ireland's commitment under the European Child Guarantee to give all children access to a range of key services, including healthcare and nutrition. It is already proving to be very popular in Louth, ODowd said. Under Minister Heather Humphreys the scheme stretches to 2,200 primary schools across the country, it is a great success and welcomed by pupils, parents and teachers. Minister Humphreys said: My ambition now is to finish the job as part of this years Budget and ensure that every primary school in Ireland is providing hot school meals in 2025. Read Next: PHOTOS: Protesters face off for second week in Dundalk I firmly believe the roll-out of hot school meals to every primary school in the country will be one of the lasting legacies of this Government. The Department of Social Protection will now write to each of the 168 schools to advise them on the next steps in this regard to allow schools time to prepare so that their pupils will be able to avail of Hot School Meals from September 2024. by David J. Lobina A central property of human thought is the ability to combine two propositions (or thoughts) into complex mental representations, an exemplified by the so-called compound sentences from language, such as the triangle is yellow AND/OR the square is blue, where each clause constitutes a proposition, or thought (the triangle is yellow; the square is blue), and the coordinators and/or function as the sentential operators, or connectives, from formal logic (and would be the conjunction connective and or the disjunction connective). The role of formal logic to examine the ability to represent complex thoughts has been especially fruitful in experimental work on how we represent, and reason with, compound propositions. Indeed, formal logic has informed our understanding of human reasoning since antiquity and remains relevant to modern cognitive science. Nevertheless, compound sentences often appear to behave in ways that diverge from what is the case in logic. Conjunction and, for instance, can signal much more than a simple union of propositions, which is what logic mandates e.g., it can mark a temporal, and even causal, relationship between two clauses, as in the bomb exploded and the house was destroyed, which certainly suggests these two events are connected. The consensus in the literature, however, is that the meaning the semantics of compound sentences and coordinators such as and and or is analogous to the meanings logicians assign to compound propositions and connectives in terms of truth tables, with the corollary that the non-logical uses compound sentences exhibit in language use are the result of diverse pragmatic processes (presuppositions, implicatures, etc.). Thus, the meaning of languages and corresponds to the truth table of logics conjunction, as shown in column 3 of the table below (note the symbols for each connective I shall mention here) viz., a conjunctive compound sentence is only true when both clauses are true. A similar situation applies to languages or, though in this case there is usually some ambiguity as to whether the meaning of languages disjunction is exclusive (an either/or reading, as in column 6), or inclusive (it receives P or Q, or both interpretation, thus matching the truth table of logics inclusive disjunction in column 5). Curiously, even though that there are a possible 16 binary connectives in formal logic (try to work out why this is the case by paying close attention to the truth table!) and language makes use of a great number of coordinators to link up different clauses (and, because, ifthen, etc.), only two coordinators behave like logics connectives. That is, of the sixteen possible logical connectives, only two have been unambiguously lexicalised in the worlds languages: the aforementioned conjunction and and disjunction or. This is not to say that natural languages lack the resources to express or describe the possible state of affairs that the sixteen logical connectives can account for; indeed, the truth tables of the non-verbalised connectives can be derived through the combination of and, or, and negation (e.g., it is not the case that X, etc.), a fact of language as much as of logic. Whats more, all sixteen truth tables can in fact be derived by the repeated application of one single operator from logic, either the so-called alternative denial connective, also known as NAND or Sheffers stroke (column 4 in the table), or the so-called joint denial connective, often referred to as logical NOR (column 7; not to be confused with the English word nor, though there might be some relation). These connectives have certainly not turned up in any of the worlds languages, and given what they mean, this is perhaps not surprising. So what do they mean? NAND and NOR are examples of negative connectives, as the former is the contrary, or opposite, of conjunction and and the latter of (inclusive) disjunction or, as can be seen on the Table above by contrasting columns 3 and 4, on the one hand, and columns 5 and 7, on the other (the truth tables are reversed, as it were). But are these unlexicalised connectives (that is, not part of languages lexicon) impossible words? Some concepts do appear to be genuinely impossible to lexicalise i.e., to become established words of a language, something that is especially true of some verbs though the concepts themselves seem perfectly entertainable in the beloved language of thought (Lobinas passim ad nauseam). Take a look at these examples, with the impossible verbs in italics and the putative meanings of such non-existent verbs in parentheses: He has climbend the tree (he has worryingly (for the speaker) climbed the tree) He fightaf/runaf (he is afraid of fighting/running) He didish it (he did it shamelessly) I sayam you are wrong (I am sympathetic in saying you are wrong) This doesnt appear to be the state of affairs for the connectives NAND and NOR, though. These connectives could have been lexicalised in some language had the facts of the matter been conducive to it; thus, if there are no reasons to believe that unlexicalised connectives constitute impossible words, then it ought to be possible to devise an experimental task in which participants would be expected to learn and appropriately comprehend made-up words standing for unverbalised connectives. In other words, if a concept is entertainable, then an invented word meant to embody the meaning of such a concept could be learned in an experiment. And this is what I did with some colleagues! We used the so-called visual-world paradigm in combination with a behavioural sentence-picture matching task, as described in the Figure below, Panel A (we ran two experiments, for contrast; an experiment with disjunctive sentences, and one with NAND sentences, the latter involving clauses connected by a pseudoword, to which participants were exposed to prior to experimentation). In this set-up, four quadrants are presented on a screen to participants, with graphic on each quadrant standing as a representation of a possible combination of the two values from each line of a truth table namely, the combinations TT, TF, FT and FF (columns 12 from the Table above) and thus which combinations would properly apply to the sentences presented to participants i.e., which graphic would constitute a true statement would depend on which connective is used to put together the two clauses. In the case of and sentences, only the quadrant representing the TT combination would be the proper target for the sentence, while for NAND, three quadrants would be true: TF, FT, and FF. So the only thing to do here, first, is to use an eye tracker to follow participants eye movements as they listen to the sentences describing the quadrants, which would provide an implicit record of how participants are interpreting the sentences, and then at the end of the experiments, ask the participants to choose which quadrants match the sentences, this time yielding an explicit measure of how the sentences are interpreted. Figure notes: (A) (i) Panel specifies the figures participants see in a trial. (ii) Each quadrant in the experimental panel presents two figures in diverse combinations of colours. An audio of a sentence describing one or more quadrants is played soon after the figures appear, as shown to the right of the panel. Each quadrant represents a combination of the truth values of two propositions (namely, the combinations TT , TF , FT, and FF), while the sentence played to participants is a linguistic representation of two propositions mediated by a logical connective. (iii) At the end of the eye-tracking, the mouse pointer is activated and participants are asked to select all the quadrants that match the sentence. (B) Proportion of fixations to each quadrant ( TT , TF , FT, and FF) for a duration of circa 6500 milliseconds. (C) Behavioural responses, where the TTTF pattern, for instance, specifies that participants had selected quadrants TT , TF , and FT. As described in Panel A, the idea was to track participants eye movements as the compound sentences are aurally presented, from the start of the audio file until a few seconds after the audio has finished, at which point participants were asked to select as many quadrants as they thought properly matched the sentence they had just heard. We predicted that participants would eventually zero in on what might well be regarded as the default meanings of NAND sentences, notwithstanding the fluctuations that were likely to occur during each time-series. Thus, the preferred reading would be the FF interpretation, possibly the core meaning of a connective that is the negation of and, though the mixed forms TF and FT would need to be considered too if NAND sentences are fully understood and indeed interpreted logically. As for the explicit questions at the end, we expected that the most common responses would be TF-FT-FF, in accordance to the truth table of NAND. The overall data are shown in Panels B-C above. According to the eye-movement record, participants eventually converged on the FF reading from very early on and did not divert from this interpretation. As for the answers, the preferred pattern of response was FTTT for NAND (that is, participants selected TF, FT, and FF), in line with the truth table. So we won at the predictions game, like every good academic (this stuff will be published in a professional journal one day!). But what does it all mean? The results are noteworthy for a number of reasons, but lets keep to one here. The framework offered a compelling way to demonstrate whether participants would be able to conceptualise unverbalised connectives, and in so doing, substantiate the split between the lexicalisation of the logical connectives and the learnability of non-existent words meant to embody the meaning of unlexicalised connectives. Participants showed that they could indeed learn the NAND connective, and moreover, that they interpret non-existent NAND sentences in the same way that they interpret other compound sentences, such as disjunctive sentences. That is, there was a clear preference for what may be regarded as the core meaning of NAND sentences in the eye-movement record, much as is usually the case for other sentences. This result is of course directly related to the old issue of how language and thought relate, a question as unsettled as any other in the study of cognition. Putting to one side some of the issues the field has been concerned with in relation to this topic for instance, whether certain thoughts necessitate a specific natural language our evidence illustrates the long-held claim that linguistic representations do not exhaust what may be in general thought. This point can be traced back to medieval philosophy, but the idea has only received a more rigorous characterisation in modern times. Apart from Fodors language of thought hypothesis, two principles are particularly relevant in this case. One is due to John Searle, who once argued in favour of a principle of expressibility, according to which whatever can be meant, or thought, can be said, drawing a connection between what can be entertained in conceptual representations and what can be said in language. This principle is similar in kind to what the American philosopher Jerry Katz called the effability principle: the typical intertranslatibility of whatever content one might be able to entertain, which is based on the apparent fact that whatever thought can be expressed in one language, it can also be expressed in another language in one way or another. Putting these two principles together, it would appear that we must allow for greater flexibility at the side of what can be said than at the side of what can be meant/thought. Or conversely, that the universe of the things we can entertain and think about appears to be greater than the universe of the things we can verbalise and talk about. After all, there are many different ways in which one may wish to linguistically communicate the very same thought, and these different ways will not always reflect conceptual differences. But enough of this. Next month I will turn to how Kiev has turned into Kyiv, at least in the English-speaking world (and there is a reason for that!). by Adele A. Wilby Marine biologist Helen Scales previous book The Brilliant Abyss: True Tales of Exploring the Deep Sea, Discovering Hidden Life and Selling the Seabed, brilliantly provided us with a glimpse of the wondrous life forms that inhabit the abyss, the deep sea. She also made known her profound concern for the future of ocean life posed by human activity. She now expands on those issues and concerns in her new book, What The Wild Seas Can Be: The Future of the Worlds Seas. Scales provides us with a fascinating exposition of the pre-historic ocean and the devastating impact of the Anthropocene on ocean life over the last fifty years. Her main concern, however, is the future of the ocean and her new book makes a major contribution to peoples understanding of the repercussions of human activity on ocean life and the measures that need to be taken to protect and secure a better future for the ocean. From the outset the breadth of Scales knowledge of the ocean is apparent, when, in Part One, she suggests we let go of our customary understanding of time and she takes us back to the backstory of the ocean millions, even billions, of years ago. Evocative prose render just how the pre-historic ocean floor of the Palaezoic era was swarming with trilobites of all shapes and sizes. Twenty-five thousand species of trilobites are known to have existed, yet despite their abundance not a single living trilobite can be found in todays ocean: they went extinct. She uses this example to highlight that abundance is no guarantee of the survival of a species in the ocean. Scales continues to narrate, how, over the course of the history of the planet, catastrophic natural events have periodically decimated ocean life. Fewer than one in ten ocean species survived the Permian extinction event that ended the Palaeozoic era 250 million years ago and marked the beginning of the Mesozoic period. It is challenging for us to imagine the ocean swarming with reptiles during the Mesozoic era, yet Scales provides numerous examples of those species. Nevertheless, over the millennia of the Mesozoic era some reptiles also went extinct while others continued to evolve. In todays ocean, the only living reptiles are sea turtles and sea snakes. Although extinctions and changes in the ocean have been a feature of the history of Earth, recovery over time has been possible and evolution progressed, demonstrating that life is complex and shapes biodiversity in different forms and can deal with new challenges. But the past fifty years of the Anthropocene, human activity, Scales argues, is of a different order and has become the major influencer for global change, and in Part Two she provides abundant evidence of the devastating impact of this on the ocean. For example, climate change, she points out, is threatening the populations of that most beloved of penguins, the emperor on the Antarctic ice. Since the 1950s, scientists have been aware of a colony of emperors at Halley Bay at the Antarctic, and for sixty years the sea ice remained stable, and the emperors were able to breed and thrive. That was all to change in 2016 when an unusual storm whipped along the edges of the ice shelf and broke apart the ice. The ice collapsed and with it the young chicks drowned. Over recent times, the ice has steadily declined with its impact on emperor breeding patterns. As the climate heats and sea ice vanishes, the fringe ice is shrinking, and, according to Scales, threatening a potential for an 80 per cent crash in the emperor colonies. The best chance for the emperors in the future, in her view, lies with a reduction in human-made carbon emissions that will forestall global warming and the melting of the ice. Human activity in the form of overfishing also has a major impact on ocean life. Human beings have always fished the seas and will continue to do so into the future, but modern fishing methods, Scales shows us, are a real cause for concern for its impact on marine life. In 45 percent of the ocean, longline fishing, a method where a long nylon line of twenty-eight miles or more with short branches, is shot into the sea and fish such as tuna, marlin and swordfish are easily snared. Likewise, the shark populations are threatened by longline fishing. Sharks have a long gestation period and are unable to produce offspring and replenish their numbers before they are snared on longlines. The Greenland shark, a species that starts reproducing at the age one hundred years, is a case in point. But the sharks have been given some reprieve. In 1993 the US government introduced a recovery plan to halt the ruthless overexploitation of sharks in the Atlantic, and since then the decline in the hammerhead sharks has levelled off and the population of tiger and great whites have also stabilised. Scales does acknowledge however, that there will be no swift return for the species that spend decades maturing and producing offspring. Government intervention is a possible way to regulate fishing practices and constrain the loss of marine life, but dealing with toxic substances in the ocean is a different matter: separating toxins from water seems an impossible task, and once in the water, as Scales reveals, they enter the bodies of marine species. Artificial chemicals such as PCB form a toxic soup on part of the ocean. PCB and other pollutants are fat soluble, and this makes mammals with large layers of blubber, such as whales, seals, porpoises and narwhals particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of PCB, impacting on the animals immune system and brain function and disrupting hormones and causing infertility, with obvious long term devastating implications for the populations of the species. Plastic debris is also another threat to marine life. According to Scales there has been a recent estimation of between 82 to 358 trillion microplastic particles in the ocean. Thousands of ocean species have been found with microplastic inside their bodies, and many of these species are part of the human food chain. Scales provides ample evidence of the tragic impact of the Anthropocene on ocean life for us to be concerned for the future of the ocean with implications also for human beings. In her exposition she has introduced us to the mysterious underwater lives and environments of many fascinating marine life forms and the threat posed to them by reckless human behaviour and the desire for profiting from marine life. Such is the scale of the overexploitation and destruction that the very existence of species and the ecosystems they inhabit are faced with devastation, even extinction. In Part Three however, the central purpose of her book, Scales manages to temper her deep concern with cautious optimism of the future for the ocean. In the chapter Restoring Seas she cites the case of bluefin tuna, historically commercially hunted by human beings bringing them in many areas of the ocean to the brink of extinction and in desperate need of protection. Only when the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) finally agreed to cut the quota on fishing bluefin tuna have the fish showed signs of recovery. But even then, Scales is cautious in her optimism over the recovery of the tuna. While the eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna appear to be on the rise, the western population of tuna in the Gulf of Mexico have been in decline over the past four decades. In the long term it appears the future of tuna is subject to the vicissitudes of human activity in implementing policies and behaviour that will allow for the restoration of the tuna and secure a future for them. Some success has been achieved in protecting sea life by identifying areas of the ocean and designating them as marine reserves. New Zealand, for example, was the first to institute a new marine reserve and its success became a source of inspiration for a scuba diver from the Isle of Arran in Scotland, resulting ultimately in Lamlash Bay in Scotland being designated a marine reserve. In these areas fish have a chance to grow bigger, reproduce offspring and live longer, but the protected areas are only a miniscule part of the ocean. Of course, fish know no boundaries and will swim out of the reserves, but still the population outside the reserve will have increased. But Scales optimism is again tempered when she warns that we should not be lured into a false sense of security by these measures, especially when other detrimental actions in the ocean are taking place and are possible in the future, and here she points to deep-sea mining. The insatiable aspiration of human beings to discover new sources of precious metals required to sustain the global economy and our lifestyles into the future, drives deep-sea mining. Polymetallic nodules, nodules with millions of years of age, containing valuable and highly sort after elements like cobalt, nickel and other rare metals are particularly vulnerable to being mined. But these ancient nodules also support diverse ecosystems which are only just beginning to be understood. Scales further reveals there are many known geological structures in the ocean and more to be identified and their significance to the ocean and life on the planet yet to be fully appreciated, all threatened by ocean mining. Nevertheless, she welcomes that some progress has been made in forestalling the extent of mining. Many countries have supported a moratorium, with some countries, such as France, calling for a full ban on ocean mining altogether. Scales is hopeful that as more and more knowledge is revealed about the consequences of such an industry on the ocean, people will be convinced of the importance of halting the practice. Still, it appears now that the best we can hope for in the future is that at least swathes of the ocean will escape the devastation caused by ocean mining. Scales continues in Part Three to set out the problems facing ocean forests and the coral and highlights measures taken to address the existential threats to these areas of ocean life, but her optimism is frequently neutralised when she points out the possibility of the consequences of what is likely to happen if measures are poorly implemented or neglected. In the final chapter, Living in the Future Ocean she ultimately provides us with the broad scope of her ideas of how to create a better future for the Anthropocene ocean and how people will also live with it. As she says, billions of people living on coastal areas are being impacted by rising sea levels, a cause of great concern to many governments. Thus, in response, the worlds first floating city is no longer in the realm of fantasy but has become a feasible project. Faced with rising sea levels consequent to global warming, the Maldives government is in consultation with architects for the construction of a floating city, with a possibility of it being in place by 2027. Of her many suggestions for protecting the ocean, Scales also argues for ethically and sustainable fishing with strict limits on industrial fishing and protection for habitats and species, raising contested arguments around the concepts of ethically and sustainability insofar as ocean life is concerned. Looking further into the future, she sees some hope for the ocean in science and technology. Companies are investing in laboratory grown seafood, but the success of such a project again depends on human response to the products. The importance of reducing our use of plastics and lobbying and pushing back against the oil and fossil industrys involvement in the production of plastics are collective principles expressed by environmental activists, and Scales also advocates such practices. She also encourages people to engage in environmental activism in schools, offices, everywhere to secure a better future for the ocean. Likewise, she emphasises the importance of grassroots activity for change and as an example she shows how women are making a significant contribution in the way seafood is produced and consumed in the form of promoting seaweed consumption and in managing lobster farms. Scales book reveals to us the history, beauty and complexity of the ocean and the drastic impact of the Anthropocene on ocean life. What becomes apparent throughout the book is the complexity, extensive and multilayered task that restoring and maintaining oceans requires. Nevertheless, she retains some optimism that there will be a growing awareness amongst human beings of the importance of the ocean which will encourage people to act to protect and create a better future for the ocean and therefore life on the planet. Her book makes an important contribution towards creating that awareness. Cork Airport is preparing to welcome more than 65,000 passengers this August Bank Holiday weekend, as a range of events take place across Cork and the South of Ireland. Passenger traffic is up 5% compared with the same weekend last year, with Friday, August 2, anticipated to be the busiest day. Overall passenger traffic at Cork Airport is up 11% year to date, compared to the same period last year, and the airport is on course for another record-breaking year with a total of 3m passengers expected in 2024. Passengers flying on continental European routes are up significantly on 2023 with 21% more passengers flying to/from Spain and France, and 23% more flying to/from Germany. Overall passenger traffic at Cork Airport is up 11% year to date, compared to the same period last year, and the airport is on course for another record-breaking year with a total of 3m passengers expected in 2024. Photo: Cork airport Tara Finn, Cork Airports Head of Aviation Business Development and Communications said: With passenger numbers tracking ahead of 2023 levels, we have seen remarkable performance on our routes from our key source markets this summer. Our new services have also been experiencing very strong demand. August is typically one of our busiest months of the year and I am confident that the same level of demand for services at Cork Airport will remain strong throughout the coming month. Concerns have been voiced about the out of the blue closure of a preschool in Cobh, with calls for the decision to be reversed. In recent days, parents of children attending the Lus Na Greine preschool and afterschool in Cobh Family Resource Centre were advised that the service would be shutting its doors. With the ongoing lack of sufficient funds and the increase in overhead costs, our services cannot remain open, said a letter to families. Unfortunately, it has been very difficult to maintain the services based on the funding and revenue streams which we receive. We are very sorry for the inconvenience this causes you. Please know that it has been a joy caring for your children, and we appreciate the opportunity youve given us to be a part of their lives. Yesterday, families gathered outside Cobh Family Resource Centre to highlight their concerns. One parent, Jennifer, told The Echo that they had been given zero communication that there were financial issues. It didnt happen overnight, she said. Cobh Family Resource Centre is for the community, we would have stepped in to try to help. She said that the local gaelscoil has announced it will open a new preschool, but added that families will still be short an afterschool service. They decided to start a preschool because of demand, there were waiting lists for Lus Na Greine and it was at full capacity. This is a national issue, its not a unique case, there is school after school being lost the system at the moment isnt working, she said. Fianna Fail councillor for the area, Dominic Finn, said the news is devastating for parents, especially one month out from the return back to school. He said parents had secured places for their children for the coming year. Now to have them pulled right out under their feet at such short notice when parents put their kids down a year in advance for a place, we need this reversed, he said. Mr Finn and Labour Party councillor Cathal Rasmussen were due to meet with the schools board of management yesterday evening to discuss the closure. Itll be a disaster if it closes, Mr Rasmussen told The Echo. Theres a huge shortage of places in Cork, there are waiting lists in all the other places, so its a terrible thing for the town and families attending, and its an awful situation for the staff as well. Lus Na Greine preschool was contacted for comment. Just over 500,000 has been allocated to the Cork City Northern Transport Project since 2021, with no funding set aside to progress the proposal in 2024. The details were disclosed in response to a Dail question from Cork North Central Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould. The figures provided by the Transport Infrastructure Ireland head of regulatory and administration, Michael Kennedy, detailed how 129,928 was allocated in 2021 and 339,100 in 2022. There was an allocation of 56,094 in 2023 but no funds were allocated to the project in 2024. The total since 2021 was 525,122. According to the response from the TII representative, the project has completed phase 1 of the TII traffic management phases, concept, and feasibility. If funding is provided in 2025, it will allow phase 2, options selection to commence, said Mr Kennedy. Mr Gould said the Northern Transport Project previously called the Northern Ring Road is desperately needed on the northside. Traffic congestion and HGVs moving through the city are bad for air quality and bad for communities, he said. We are faced with a situation in Cork city where the infrastructure on one side of the city is decades behind the other. That is unacceptable, and the Northern Ring Road would be an opportunity to begin to balance the scales. We cannot have regional balancing if we do not have internal city balancing. When the question was raised by the Sinn Fein TD in the Dail, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan confirmed that the project had not received an allocation of funding in 2024, but that it would be kept under review for possible funding in 2025 and future years. The lack of a funding allocation for 2024 came on the heels of the exclusion of the project from an interactive map for Project 2040, a detailed illustration of where and when major Government infrastructure projects are to be built up to 2024. When questioned about this in May, the minister for transport responded to say that the greater part of the funding approximately 5.1bn would become available in the second half of the decade. Motorists have been urged to slow down, wear seatbelts and put away mobile phones ahead of the bank holiday weekend by the Mayor of County Cork Joe Carroll, who delivered a stark reminder of the high number of road fatalities in Cork already this year. He issued the warning as Cork County Council prepared to mark Amber Thursday, an initiative to promote safety on our roads, in the water, and in relation to fires over the August bank holiday weekend. The mayor said: Sadly, there have been 14 fatalities on our roads in Co Cork this year. Two pedestrians, four motorcyclists, a cyclist, and seven drivers and passengers have tragically lost their lives. I am urging motorists to slow down, ensure everyone is wearing their seatbelt, and to put away the mobile phone. I am encouraging all road users to please take care when out on the roads. Let us all work together to ensure safer roads for everyone. The 14 deaths on the countys roads already this year is just one short of the tally for all of last year. Meanwhile, Cork County Fire Service is encouraging members of the public to test smoke alarms, check their expiry date, replace smoke alarms every 10 years, and to have at least two working smoke alarms in their homes. During June and July, Cork County Councils beach lifeguards were called upon to rescue four people and assisted seven people in the water who needed help. The teams gave advice to members of the public on 4,927 occasions and administered first aid 89 times. Lifeguards advised that holding hands with children saves lives and noted that they have reunited 15 children with their parents on beaches, which underlines the importance of this advice for those supervising children near water. Swimmers are reminded to swim within their depth, not to use inflatable toys on open water, and to always swim at a lifeguarded beach. Rip currents are a hazard at some beaches, so always look out for signage and safety information notice boards. Swimming inland in lakes and rivers is also proven to be high-risk in terms of water safety, so please know your ability before you go in. Amber Thursday is supported by local authorities, the Chief Fire Officers Association, Road Safety Authority, and Water Safety Ireland. Graham Dwyer has lost his last-ditch attempt to overturn his conviction for the murder of care worker Elaine OHara. A Supreme Court ruling which dismissed his final appeal means it is the end of the legal road in Ireland for the killer who has already spent nine years behind bars. He has always denied the murder of 36-year-old Ms OHara, who was last seen in August 2012 in a park in Shanganagh, south Dublin. Some of her remains were found in the Dublin mountains just over a year later and she was identified from dental records. Members of Elaines family, including her father Frank and sister Anne Charles, were in the Four Courts to hear the ruling of the court. Seven judges in the highest court in the land today ruled to dismiss the appeal. Mr Justice Maurice Collins gave the judgment of the court. In the last few years, Dwyer has brought his case to several courts, including the High Court, Court of Appeal and Europe in his bid to secure his release from prison since being jailed for life in 2015. Mobile phone data Mobile phone data had helped to tie Dwyer to Ms O'Hara's murder, linking him to a phone used to send messages to her, and to certain locations. Dwyers trial was told a Nokia phone found in Vartry Reservoir in Co Wicklow in 2013 was used to send Ms OHara messages, including one about stabbing, culminating in a text dated August 22, 2012, the last day she was seen, to go down to the shore and wait. The prosecution argued that phone, and another phone found in the reservoir, were secret Master and Slave phones Dwyer and OHara used almost exclusively to contact each other. Challenges Following his conviction, Dwyer in long-running civil proceedings brought his case before a number of courts including the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) where he successfully challenged the validity of section of the legislation which permitted phone metadata to be retained on a general and indiscriminate basis. In April 2022, the CJEU found Irelands data-retention regime breached EU law. But in March of last year the Court of Appeal here dismissed Dwyers earlier appeal against his conviction and said the metadata evidence, which it described as not very significant, was admissible. Even if excluded, there was enough evidence to link Dwyer to the two phones that formed part of the prosecution case, it held. Dwyer then secured a further appeal before the seven-judge Supreme Court. The Supreme Court decided to allow a final appeal on the grounds "significant issues of general public importance" arose about the admissibility of mobile phone data evidence retained and accessed under legislation that was later found to breach EU law. The killers of a young man in Carrigaline at Christmas 2022 were jailed today for four years. Ricardo Hoey of 7 Ardcarrig, Carrigaline, County Cork, and Jordan Deasy of 41 Ravensdale, Heron's Wood, were both sentenced to seven years with the last three years of that sentence suspended. Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford said at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork today that as a child the deceased man, Matt ONeill, could swim before he could walk and went on to save lives in sea rescues, not least once when he was only 13 years old saving three people, and that following his killing his family made the decision to have his organs donated, thus saving three further lives following his own death. The judge said in relation to the two men being sentenced for his manslaughter: Aggravating factors included the fact that Matt ONeill was entirely defenceless, they had an opportunity to retreat and did not take it and the violence they used was entirely unnecessary and gratuitous. Mitigating factors considered by Mr Justice Lankford were the fact that both accused were teenagers at the time of the manslaughter, the assault was brief, they did not set out with the intention to carry out this crime and no weapon was involved. Guilty of manslaughter 21-year-old Ricardo Hoey and 20-year-old Jordan Deasy both pleaded not guilty to the single charge against them, namely that on December 28 2022 at Glenwood estate, Carrigaline, County Cork, they did murder 29-year-old Matt ONeill, contrary to common law. But, on May 16, a jury of six men and six women found after deliberations that were spread across ten days that both men were not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of 29-year-old Matt ONeill in Carrigaline on December 28 2022. It was a majority 10-2 verdict against Mr Hoey and an 11-1 majority verdict of the same kind against Jordan Deasy. The family of the Carrigaline manslaughter victim are haunted by the loneliness and fear he must have felt after being attacked near his home and they are heartbroken at how he struggled to survive after the life support machine was turned off living on for 29 minutes one minute for each year of his life. The parents of Matt O'Neill, Pat and Eileen at the Central Criminal Court, Anglesea Street, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Parents, Pat and Eileen ONeill were present again today in the Central Criminal Court in Cork as they were for the trial after which Pat ONeill delivered their highly personal evidence on the impact of a mindless, senseless cowardly act that had robbed them of their only child. The victims father, Pat ONeill said his late son had been a gifted swimmer and had been involved in a sea rescue at the age of 13 in Kerry where he saved one persons life and now had saved three more lives with the donation of his organs which had been successfully transplanted to recipients. Background Detective Garda Brid Norris summarised the background to the killing of Matt ONeill as he was walking home at 5.39 pm that day - in an incident that ended a minute later. He was carrying a bottle of wine he had purchased in the local petrol station store. The victim was intoxicated and Ricardo Hoey, who was driving his Opel Corsa, shouted at him to move out of the way a number of times and sounded the car horn before getting out and pushing him in the face and chest causing him to fall to a seated position. Jordan Deasy then punched him twice the first punch connecting well, the second not connecting properly. Ricarda Hoey then kicked him in the head when he was lying back on his elbows. He was unconscious following the kick to the head. The detective said that when a man approached and asked what happened, Ricardo Hoey said the man on ground would not get out of the way of the car. As soon as gardai were called, the two defendants left the scene. A doctor passing by offered assistance before paramedics arrived and the victim was taken to Cork University Hospital where he died on January 8 2023. Ricardo Hoey and his mother Leona Hoey called to gardai, and the defendant made admissions about his involvement in an assault within less than an hour of it occurring. Jordan Deasy went into hiding and was found in Crosshaven on December 31 2022 and when interviewed he also made admissions about his involvement in the assault. Det. Garda Norris said that one piece of CCTV from the area at the relevant time was particularly significant, showing that Matt ONeill was pushed to the ground by Ricardo Hoey and that any further punches or kicks occurred when he was on the ground. When Jordan Deasy was interviewed he accepted that the late Mr ONeill was defenceless and that the assault was unnecessary, cowardly and unfair and that Mr ONeill was not a threat to them on the ground. Mr Hoey had no previous convictions. Jordan Deasy had 11, including one for assault causing harm which occurred in December 2021. At the time of the attack on Matt ONeill on December 28 2022, Mr Hoey was 20 and is now 21, Mr Deasy was 18 and is now 20. Tom Creed senior counsel for Mr Hoey said, I have to accept the violence was gratuitous and the victim was defenceless. It was not planned, this is something that happened over a very brief period. Brendan Grehan said that for a young person the enormous burden that one has taken a life could be difficult to accept. "For Mr Deasy, this would have been a very sobering experience having been on a feckless course in his life There was no intention to kill or cause serious injury, he said. Mr Grehan and Mr Creed both stressed that the two accused had offered pleas of guilty to manslaughter before the trial but this was not accepted by the DPP. A Cork city councillor has confirmed to The Echo that he had reported buskers in the city centre at the weekend for being in breach of the new busking bye-laws. One particular group of buskers were a particular focus of complaint from the public during the consultation on the new bye-laws Green Party councillor Oliver Moran explained. Unfortunately, when they are on the street, they make it impossible for others to perform or to enjoy the city centre, he added. He alerted Cork City Council enforcement officers to ongoing problems with this group again at the weekend after people complained to him about them when he was in the city, and said they are going to investigate this week. The gardai in the Bridewell have confirmed that members have been asked to pay attention to the area and that the matter will also be included in their daily briefing documents. I think the demand from genuine artists and the public would now be for Cork City Council and the gardai to begin a vigorous enforcement of the bye-laws. Mr Moran said the bye-laws strike a balance between the rights of performers and the chance for the general public to enjoy the city centre. That includes limits on volume, a minimum repertoire, and maximum performance times at any one location. Particular efforts were made to support young artists by waiving permit fees for under 25s and seasonal artists with reduced-cost permits. Paul Doherty, secretary of the Cork Street Performers Association (CSPA) said the group are completely in favour of sensible practice and wouldnt support anybody causing a nuisance to anyone around them. The CSPA were not happy with every aspect of the byelaws, but were happy with the main thrust of them and want to generate a positive street culture in Cork which works for everybody. The CSPA have a good working relationship with the council, he said, but explained, its fair to say there have been teething problems. There are designated busking locations and these are meant to be marked by signs with times when performing is allowed, for quite a long time most of these areas were not marked which caused confusion. Some people were trying to comply but most were not aware anything had changed so it was all a bit messy those who were complying were at risk of being disadvantaged compared to those who were just busking anywhere at any time. If theres going to be byelaws there does need to be a clear enforcement routine, as if theres not active enforcement then everyone tries to just get away with things. Feedback from CSPA members is that both Cork City Council and the Community Garda who have interacted with buskers have done so with great respect and warmth, he said. A spokesperson for Cork City Council told The Echo that they are actively enforcing the byelaws where required. Most performers are obeying the byelaws and are happy to engage. At this time, no fines have been issued as the byelaws are only in operation a number of weeks. We have focused on trying to work with and educate performers on the new bye-laws. Some performers have refused to engage with us and as a result, fines are due to be issued. The streets of Cork were alive with colour, song, and joy last Sunday afternoon, as Ratha Yatra, the Festival of the Chariot, the worlds oldest street celebration, came to Leeside for the first time. Some 500 people gathered at Daunt Square in glorious sunshine, crowding in front of a huge, multicoloured chariot which had been built that morning in next to no time, according to one garda who cycled cheerfully ahead of the celebration, as the chariot was pulled along the Grand Parade, down the South Mall and over to City Hall. Dancers who took part in the Ratha Yatra festival at the City Hall. Picture: David Creedon The Ratha Yatra takes its name from two Sanskrit words, ratha, meaning chariot, and yatra, meaning pilgrimage or journey. The festival has been noted by European travellers as far back as the 13th century, but custom says it dates back more than 3,000 years. An important Hindu festival, it is celebrated at this time of year worldwide, and for the past 21 years, members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna movement, have celebrated it in Dublin. This year marks the first time that it will be celebrated three times in Ireland, first in Cork, next in Belfast on Saturday, August 3 and in Dublin on Sunday, August 4. Venupani Viktor and Gopigita Ekaterina who attended Ratha Yatra festival which took place in Cork City. - Picture: David Creedon ISKCON has around 10 million congregational members worldwide, and its core beliefs are founded upon Hindu scripture. It was founded by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in New York City in 1966. The honour of launching Corks first Ratha Yatra fell to Labour Party councillor Laura Harmon, deputising for the Lord Mayor, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle. She was joined by former Lord Mayor Deirdre Forde, who had been instrumental, alongside Kieran OConnell of Cork City Councils community, culture and placemaking directorate, in bringing the festival to the city, and together they joined members of ISKCON in burning and then breaking coconuts on the ground, in a symbolic gesture of banishing negativity. Seven-year-old Artrina Misra performed a traditional Indian dance, and Ms Harmon was given the ceremonial task of sweeping the street before the chariot was pulled along the streets in a joyous occasion of dance and song, celebrating Jagannath, the lord of all creation. Dancers lead the procession at the Ratha Yatra festival which took place in Cork City. - Picture: David Creedon Afterwards, at City Hall, the festival co-ordinator, Dubliner Praghosh Prabhu, told The Echo that Krishna consciousness is compatible with most monotheistic faiths, and said that his own background was originally Catholic. By way of an aside, he recounted a story from centuries ago, when the British first arrived in India and witnessed a chariot festival in Jagannath Puri, with three chariots, they misunderstood the meaning of Jagannath, and thus was born the word juggernaut. Artrina Misra dances a traditional Indian dance at the Ratha Yatra festival which took place in Cork City. - Picture: David Creedon Jagannath means the lord of the universe, and were also known as devotees of Krishna, and Krishna means the most beautiful, all-attractive person, the supreme person, so theyre names for the supreme person, but theyre not based on any sectarian principle, theyre based on the qualities that person has, he said. Sonia Notani and Smita Thakur who attended Ratha Yatra festival which took place in Cork City. - Picture: David Creedon I also consider my Christian God to be beautiful and attractive, so its not a sectarian thing, its a universal description of the lord of the universe. But any faith that believes that there is one supreme person, and we are all their sons and daughters, their servants, is a hundred percent valid, and a hundred percent equal to any other faith, he said. Ellen O'Donoghue Ranelagh pub McSorleys has been purchased by the team behind Lemon & Duke and The Bridge 1859 for 5.5 million. McSorleys will join Lemon & Duke, The Bridge 1859, The Blackrock and Little Lemon in the pub group, which will now be known as Grand Slam Bars. The group is owned by Noel Anderson, former chair of the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) along with former Irish international rugby players Jamie Heaslip, Dave Kearney, Rob Kearney and Sean OBrien. A total of 25 members of staff work in McSorleys, bringing total employment across Grand Slam Bars to over 200. McSorleys remains open and the group plan to maintain many of the established features that have made the Ranelagh pub such a popular spot, including the Thursday night pub quiz and a DJ set every Friday and Saturday night from 10pm. Building on McSorleys popularity with rugby fans and in a nod towards Grand Slam Bars' own rugby heritage, the group are planning events in the Ranelagh venue around the Autumn Internationals and next years Six Nations. They also hope to add an extensive cocktail menu to the venue. Noel Anderson, group managing director of Grand Slam Bars, said that the company is deeply honoured to be taking over as custodians of McSorleys, one of the greatest suburban pubs of Dublin. We understand what McSorleys means to its customers, and the special place it occupies in Ranelagh and beyond. We fully intend to maintain that, to keep the special heart and soul of McSorleys intact. So we can assure customers there wont be any major changes taking place. You dont need to fix what certainly isnt broken, he said. Mr Anderson also thanked the Murray family and all the team who made McSorleys such a special pub. The Cork Flower Studio on Douglas Street is a treat for the senses, offering everything from vibrant florals, plants, great coffee, and Irish-designed gifts to homeware, local artisan chocolate, jewellery, baby presents, and more. While the teams commitment to premium quality is readily apparent, visitors to this iconic store may not be aware of its strong sustainability ethos, forged over time by its talented, creative co-owner, Justine Looney. When Justine first joined her sister Eavan Cotter in the Cork Flower Studio business some 14 years ago, the business was only three years old. Her primary focus was on offering Irish art and design products, which tend to be sustainable by nature. Over time, her attention turned to the flower side of the business and, with it, the less sustainable aspects of the industry. By becoming more involved in the flower side of things, I started to see how much plastic was involved in the industry; it was just absolutely crazy. Flowers are the biggest part of our business, really. The design things are going the whole time, and theyre the most sustainable side of the business without training, just because small makers and designers tend to find nifty little ways of packaging things and things like that. When someone pointed out how the floral tributes outside Buckingham Palace for Princess Diana were primarily plastic, Justines eyes were opened to the sea of unnatural waste. Its just was so contradictory to have something thats natural and thats grown in the soil wrapped in plastic. There ends up being more packaging involved in something natural than the product itself. Her first act of environmentalism in the business was to shift away from plastic to more sustainable and reusable options. Justine Looney of Cork Flower Studio on Douglas Street, Cork. Picture: Eddie O'Hare We started to do glass vases instead of packaging; we just said, well try it out and see what happens. Like a deposit scheme, people could get a refund or get money back if they dropped the vase back, and it absolutely took off, and nobody was looking for the money back. They were just so delighted that they didnt have all this rubbish to throw away. We started the cycle where the vases were coming back weekly. That was the first step in our sustainable journey. Through Justines pioneering approach to sourcing more sustainable alternatives, she created a unique offering that has led people to seek Cork Flower Studios products. Theres pride in her voice as she shares the details. People ring us up and ask, Are you the business that does flowers in glass vases? Thats really nice. With each sustainability step forward, the business continues to grow in its courage to try new things. One of the big things we found is that each thing leads to another. We didnt go into this with a massive plan to become green. It was like, Lets try this, and then that was like, Wow! That really worked well, and now why dont we try this? Were always trying something different and new and really trying to kind of commit to being just better. And, sure enough, over the coming years, they did become better, one business decision at a time. Five years ago, Cork Flower Studio on Douglas street became a Parklet Partner, creating and managing a beautiful mini-planted area outside their door that gave rise to a space for coffee customers to sit and enjoy the streetscape. An enriching space for the business, locality and biodiversity. As a result, customers could now enjoy coffee in this new space, rather than taking it away. This opened Justines eyes to a new environmental problem to tackle, a waste source so ubiquitous it tends to go ignored: single-use cups. Seeing the full extent of the waste created daily prompted her next bold step: introducing 2GoCups. So, people will pay a deposit, and then, when they return the cup, they get the deposit back. And what we found in the first month was that people are going, Oh, thats a great idea. Ill take a paper cup, but thats a great idea. So, then we thought, lets just get rid of the paper cups completely and take the choice out of it. Its been massively successful, and we reckon, just based on figures before, weve prevented about 50,000 cups and lids from going into landfills since 2020. It is a testament to Justines passion for the environment that she and her sister took this leap, as these values-led decisions come with a potential risk to their small businesss bottom line. The decisions have been brave in a sense because you are taking a chance that people will support it, but it is also really rewarding, said Justine. Even in rare instances when someone doesnt want a 2GoCup, Justine still sees the positive in the experience, as it plants the seeds of change for their future consumption choices, The odd person will say, Ill leave the coffee. But youve still put the idea in their head, and you still made them think a little bit about maybe I should be looking at having my own cup? Justine is heavily involved in the Cork business community, an active member of the Douglas Street Business Association, and a creative force volunteering at the Langford Row community garden. She is quick to praise those she meets for providing ideas and inspiration and the uniquely close-knit nature of independent businesses here in Cork. Something that I absolutely love about Cork is how many independent businesses are here Theres something so inspiring about sharing stories or hearing stories from other businesses in Cork and the things theyve done. And I have to say, the city council and the Local Enterprise Office have been great just for providing opportunities to get together, to share stories or incentives, to share ideas or to learn from each other. While her story of sustainability sounds easy, there is a lot that goes into every change. She gives an example of something many of us may not even be aware of: the plastic foam in flower arrangements. Its pure plastic never goes away, and cemeteries all over the country are just littered with it. Its just so depressing. There is an alternative to that, but its quite tricky to work with, so weve really had to upskill to learn that. So were constantly looking for new ways. Theyre all being developed; there is a whole worldwide movement of sustainable floristry. Even their door wreaths evolved from being embellished with plastic to being a plastic-free adornment, which has made the team more creative and resourceful in their approach. We made a big effort to change all our decorations when we make door wreaths and things like that to wooden or anything that would break down itself over time, as we just stay away from plastic as much as possible. That worked out brilliantly, and it has forced us to be more creative. Because you dont automatically have all the right colours you need, theyre more natural objects. Its worked really well. Our style has developed because of it. Since Covid-19, Irelands local flower growing industry has been flourishing, and Justine is delighted to be able to source Irish flowers and foliage locally when possible, with Irelands season running predominantly from March to October. This choice supports local businesses, is better for the environment, and Justine is a firm believer that Irish produce is best. We get flowers from three flower farmers and foliage from two or three other different producers Its fabulous to be able to use Irish-grown things; they are a better product. Theyre better than what were bringing in from overseas. Thats been a big hit with people as well. I think they love the idea of getting something thats locally grown. Justine has a lot of positives to say about working with her sister. Eavan is brilliant, and she is the one who finds new ways of doing things by researching new replacement products and things like that. We are a team effort. I think you need that balance. You need the two approaches to find the best solutions. Sustainability has become a cornerstone of the business offering, as well as central to the teams approach to work-life balance. Do you know whats funny? Something that sustainability threw up for us as well was just asking ourselves, like, How do we keep going? How do we kind of maintain this pace to keep going forever? Weve made changes within the business. We close now on Saturdays so that everybody gets a weekend off that was a big thing for us to make us realise that sustainability is more than just like the green initiatives; its actually being sustainable, sustaining the business for as long as possible. With her holistic approach to sustainability, courage, and commitment to making ongoing changes, Justines story is a model for independent businesses looking to make positive changes. Cork Flower Studio is much more than a shop; it embodies its owners values and is blossoming as a result. Cork Craft & Design is celebrating the 15th year of Cork Craft Month, set to take place this August. The festival is a month-long celebration of local craft and design, with events taking place across Cork city and county. The festivities kicked off on July 28 with a launch party at St Patricks Woollen Mills, Douglas. Cork Craft & Design is made up of more than 110 specialist craftspeople and artists from all over Cork, making everything from furniture to ceramics, to jewellery and prints. We caught up with three Cork Craft & Design members and asked them about their work, and what they are looking forward to in the month ahead. Margaret Twomey, owner of Purpose Mosaic Margaret Twomey, of Cobh, is the owner of Purpose Mosaic. She has been in business for 25 years and a member of Cork Craft & Design since its foundation in 2005. Margaret makes mosaic jewellery and homewares such as tables, mirrors and lampshades, using materials like glass and semi-precious stone. Its a sustainable craft, and Margaret loves that she can reuse and upcycle items to give them a second life. Its an opportunity for people to use what they have in their homes and make art, she says. One lady came to Margaret with an old vase that was cracked and unusable, so she made a mirror and a table with the pieces. She was thrilled with the outcome, says Margaret. Over the years, her work has evolved. A model wears a Bagoose Clothing fleece. Life changes along the way, and so does your craft, she says. Originally, Margaret was part of a small group of artists called East Cork Creatives. They all joined Cork Craft & Design together, and are all still members today. Its great to be under the one umbrella, she says. Next year will be the 20th anniversary of Cork Craft & Design. Were a great support to each other, she says. You make great friendships, and they are life-long. Margaret has gotten professional and personal support from fellow members over the years. She also appreciates that members can access guidance from the Local Enterprise Office and the Craft Council of Ireland. You never feel youre on this path on your own, she says. Its wonderful to be part of it. Margaret was among those taking part in the market at the launch of Cork Craft Month on July 28. Its exciting for all the makers, she says. Theres a lovely atmosphere. Its also a chance to buy from local artists and makers. Its so important to support local and buy from local artists, says Margaret. It turns the wheel, and keeps us employed. If people didnt buy local, we wouldnt be able to keep making, she says. With Corks diaspora spread all over the world, many customers come looking for a present to send to family and friends living abroad in places such as Australia or America. Its a piece of Cork wherever you are living, says Margaret. Margaret is on Instagram as @purposemosaic. Zivile Zeniauskaite, owner of Zen Felting Zivile Zivile is the owner of Zen Felting. She grew up in Lithuania, near white sand beaches on the edge of the Baltic Sea, and moved to Ireland 27 years ago when she got married. She now lives just outside Mitchelstown in North Cork, surrounded by the Ballyhouras and Galtees. With her four children now grown up, Zivile has turned her focus towards her crafting business. I work with wool, says Zivile. I felt all kinds of everything. She makes bags, hats, scarves, baby booties and table mats. I really love working with Irish wool, she says. Her main suppliers are local sheep farmers from Cork and just over the border in County Limerick. For Zivile, felting is meditative and relaxing as well as creative work, thanks to the regular, repetitive movement of it. One of the newest member of Cork Craft & Design, Zivile joined the group at the end of May this year. She is already feeling the benefits of being part of the collective. Its such a pleasure to be in company with great artists and very nice people, she says. Creating art can be a solitary experience, and Cork Craft & Design has provided a space for Zivile to share and bounce ideas off other artists and craftspeople. When creating, you are on your own, so you need that, she says. Zivile is proud to put sustainability at the heart of what she does, using no plastic and nothing from China, she adds. She aims to be as local as possible, with most of her materials coming from Ireland, with the exception of Italian wool that she uses for some clothing, as it is softer. Jewellery made by Margaret Twomey of Purpose Mosaic As part of Cork Craft Month, Zivile will be holding workshops where people can felt and chat. Community is something that really inspires her. Im involved in a lot of community projects, she says. Its where my heart is. One such project involves creating a mandala of 1,000 felted flowers, which she hopes to have completed and exhibited in Mitchelstown later this year. Zivile plans to have a website in the future, and can be found on Instagram as @zenfelting. Simone OShaughnessy, owner of Bagoose Clothing Simone OShaughnessy is the founder of Bagoose Clothing, a childrens clothing brand specialising in colourful, soft fleece items with bright, strong prints. She makes everything from baby booties to hoodies, for boys and girls up to 10 years old. A graduate of Limerick College of Art and Design, Simone has been in business for 24 years. She started Bagoose Clothing when her children were very small, and she wanted vibrant, comfortable clothing for them to wear. To this day, all items are designed and handmade by Simone in her studio at her home in Passage West. She has been a member of Cork Craft & Design for almost 14 years. Since then, she has seen Cork Craft & Design go from strength to strength, opening its first dedicated retail space in Douglas Shopping Centre, and more recently relocating to a stand-alone shop in St Patricks Woollen Mills, Douglas. Although she has been a member of Cork Craft & Design consistently since joining, Simone says she has become more active as the years went on. One of her favourite things about being a member is the support and friendship she gets from the other makers. A lot of us work alone, and we realise the trial that brings. We understand each other, she says. Simone is encouraging people to take part in Cork Craft Month, which has a busy programme. She says there will be exhibitions around the place throughout the month, and details will be available on the Cork Craft & Design website and social media. Simones work is available online at www.bagooose.com. For more on Cork Craft Month, see www.corkcraftanddesign.com/ccd-event-calendar. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. People cros a temporary bridge at the site of a landslide in Chooralmala village, Wayanad district of Kerala, India on July 31, 2024. Abhishek Chinnappa / Getty Images The death toll in Indias Kerala state has risen to 167, with nearly 200 people still missing, after two consecutive landslides swept away hundreds of homes in the Wayanad district. Hundreds of rescue workers sifted through mud and rocks in search of survivors as hopes began to dwindle, reported Reuters. The rescue effort was impeded by rising water in a local river, and a temporary bridge was built to link Mundakkai the most affected area before it could be washed away. Kerala is called Gods Own Country, but each year the beautiful region in the southernmost part of India experiences tremendous rainfall due to the retreating monsoon. The whole country is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the sea and its lagoons. The monsoon winds enter through the state of Kerala and go out through Kerala as a retreating monsoon, and that is why it causes such heavy rain, Subhadip Majumdar, an author who lives in Delhi, told EcoWatch. Wayanad, a region in northeastern Kerala, is a tourist attraction known for its hilly landscape of valleys and fields home to abundant wildlife, The New York Times reported. The elevation of the picturesque region contains steep slopes with loose soil on top of rock that provide ideal landslide conditions when the monsoon rains come, according to geologist S. Sreekumar. Sreekumar said the novel irrigation and construction practices of farmers in the area have interfered with the natural drainage system. There are high slopes and people are settled at the base of the slope, said Sreekumar, as reported by The New York Times. Extreme and more frequent rainfall due to human-caused climate change have also been a big contributor, no doubt about that, Sreekumar said. In Kerala, upwards of 14 percent of the land is prone to flooding, while as much as half of some districts are vulnerable to floods. More heavy rain has been forecast for the next 24 hours, said Pinarayi Vijayan, Keralas chief minister, who encouraged people to remain on high alert, as Reuters reported. Vijayan said eight inches of rainfall had been predicted for the region affected by the landslide, but instead 22.5 inches fell in a 48-hour period. The Arabian Sea is warming at a higher rate compared to other regions and sending more evaporation into the atmosphere, making the region a hotspot for deep convective clouds, S. Abhilash, who heads Cochin University of Science and Technologys Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research in Kerala, told Reuters. Deep developed clouds in the southeast Arabian Sea region were carried by winds towards land and produced this havoc. Almost 1,600 people were rescued from cardamom and tea estates and hillside villages, authorities said, with more than 8,000 taking shelter in camps across the area. One local TV news channel said the death toll was 230. The landslides are Keralas biggest disaster since floods killed nearly 500 people in 2018. The water clogged age-old drainage system needs more advanced technology to prevent flooding. Its high time for the Kerala government to find some measures to fight the flooding. For the past two years, the floods have caused thousands to become homeless and left many dead, Majumdar told EcoWatch. From heavy rainfall to flooding, cyclones and drought, India has been battered by extreme weather in recent years, which some experts say is due to the climate crisis. Climate change has led to significant alterations in our environment. We need to take proactive steps to address and adapt to these changes, Vijayan said, as reported by Reuters. Effective measures should be taken to prevent impending disasters. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. Methane gas flares at an EOG well site in Cotton Place, New Mexico on Feb. 6, 2023. WildEarth Guardians According to a new study, global methane emissions are rising rapidly at the fastest pace in decades with immediate action needed to help curtail a dangerous intensification of the climate crisis. The study outlines three imperatives for reducing methane emissions, as well as a new tool to assist nations with optimizing cost-effective methods to reduce their methane emissions, an explainer from Frontiers said. The actions called for by the studys authors include reversing methane emissions growth, aligning carbon dioxide and methane mitigation and optimizing policies and technologies for the abatement of methane at the global, national and sector levels. A potent greenhouse gas, methane is responsible for roughly half of global heating since preindustrial times. Methane emissions have gone up quickly since 2006, with record emissions in 2021 and 2022. The study, The methane imperative, was published in the journal Frontiers. The rise of methane emissions has been much more rapid than models predicted and, if it is not addressed, jeopardizes the worlds ability to meet its climate goals. On the other hand, methane reduction is a cost-effective strategy to rapidly reduce planetary warming. Methane affects human health and agriculture by contributing to the development of ground-level ozone. It causes cardiovascular disease and respiratory illness, as well as premature deaths in adults and children under five, particularly in low- and middle-income nations. Ozone also harms plants, reducing crop yields. Methane emissions have been increasing dramatically since 2006. According to the report, emissions will keep rising through the 2020s if new measures are not taken to curb them. The world has been focusing on carbon dioxide as the main culprit in increasing global temperatures, but not as much has been done about methane, though it is 80 times more potent during the first two decades after it gets into the atmosphere. The growth rate of methane is accelerating, which is worrisome, said Drew Shindell, Duke University climate scientist and the studys lead author, as The Guardian reported. [J]ust in the last few years weve had this huge dump of methane. Its made the job of tackling anthropogenic warming all the more challenging. This decade, methane emissions worldwide have typically increased by roughly 30 million tons annually over the previous decade. There is no one clear explanation for the trend, but scientists have identified some contributing factors. Methane is released during the processing of gas, oil and coal, and there has been a jump in fracking leading to a boom in gas projects this century. Livestock also emit methane mostly from cow burps and there has been an increase in animal agriculture, along with expanded rice production. Increasing global temperatures are also leading to the more rapid decomposition of wetlands organic matter, which also releases methane. The 2021 Global Methane Pledge aims to reduce methane emissions by a total of 30 percent by 2030. The initiative has spread to 155 countries, but just 13 percent of methane emissions are being addressed by current policies, with two percent of climate finance globally being put toward emissions reductions, the report said. I dont think that target is necessarily out of reach yet but we have to redouble our efforts to get there, Shindell said. Countries are leading with oil and gas regulations, but its a challenge to get rules in place, and when it comes to livestock thats just unpalatable to most governments, they just dont want to touch it. Methane emissions dissipate much more quickly than carbon dioxide, which can linger for hundreds or even thousands of years if it is not removed from the atmosphere. In contrast, if humans eliminated all methane emissions, 90 percent of the methane that had accumulated in the atmosphere would be gone within 30 years. Methane is the strongest lever we can quickly pull to reduce warming between now and 2050, Shindell said, as reported by The Guardian. Weve already seen the planet warm so much that if we are to avoid worse impacts we have to reduce methane. Reducing CO2 will protect our grandchildren reducing methane will protect us now. Some of the apps have taken steps to close trilateration efforts that could violate users privacy. TechCrunch reported that a group of researchers from the university KU Leuven in Belgium identified six popular dating apps that malicious users can use to pinpoint the near-exact location of other users. Dating apps including Hinge, Happn, Bumble, Grindr, Badoo and Hily all exhibited some form of trilateration that could expose users approximate locations, which prompted some of the apps to take action and tighten their security, according to the published paper. The term trilateration refers to a three-point measurement used in GPS to determine the relative distance to a target. The six named apps fell into one of three categories of trilateration including exact distance trilateration in which a target is accurate to at least a 111m by 111m square (at the equator), round distance trilateration or oracle trilateration in which distance filters are used to approximate a rounded area much like a Venn diagram. Grindr is susceptible to exact distance trilateration while Happn falls under rounded distance trilateration. The remaining four fall under oracle trilateration despite the fact that Hinge and Hily hide the distances of its users, according to the paper. Karel Dhondt, one of the researchers involved in the study, told TechCrunch that a user with malicious intent could locate another user up to 2 meters away using oracle trilateration. This method involves the malicious user going to a rough estimate of the victim's location based on their profile and moving in increments until the victim is no longer in proximity along three different positions and triangulating the data to one spot. Bumbles vice president of global communication Gabrielle Ferree told the website that they swiftly resolved the issues outlined with its distance filter last year. Hily co-founder and chief technology officer Dmytro Kononov said in a statement that an investigation revealed a potential possibility for trilateration but exploiting this for attacks was impossible. Happn chief executive officer and president Karima Ben Adelmalek told TechCrunch they discussed trilateration with the Belgian researchers. He says that an additional layer of protection designed to prevent trilateration was not taken into account in their analysis. Grindrs chief privacy officer Kelly Peterson Miranda noted that users can disable their distance display from their profile. She also noted that Grindr users are in control of what location information they provide. Hinge did not respond with a comment. Other dating apps have taken extra steps to ensure its users are speaking to actual people and not spam bots or fake accounts. Tinder started requiring users in February in the US, UK, Brazil and Mexico to upload a copy of an official drivers license or passport along with a video selfie as part of a new advanced ID verification system. Update, July 31, 7:55PM ET: The story was updated to remove the statement that Badoo did not respond to a request for comment. As Badoo is owned by Bumble, Bumble VP Gabrielle Ferree's statement covers both brands. Google has rolled out updates for Search with the intention of making explicit deepfakes as hard to find as possible. As part of its long-standing and ongoing fight against realistic-looking manipulated images, the company is making it easier for people to get non-consensual fake imagery that features them removed from Search. It has long been possible for users to request for the removal of those kinds of images under Google's policies. Now, whenever it grants someone's removal request, Google will also filter all explicit results on similar searches about them. The company's systems will scan for any duplicates of the offending image and remove them, as well. This update could help alleviate some of the victim's fears if they're worried about the same image popping up again on other websites. In addition, Google has updated its ranking systems so that if a user specifically searches for explicit deepfakes with a person's name, the results will surface "high-quality, non-explicit content" instead. If there are news articles about that person, for instance, then the results will feature those. Based on Google's announcement, it seems it also has plans to school the user looking for deepfakes by showing them results that discuss their impact on society. Google doesn't want to wipe out results for legitimate content, like an actor's nude scene, in its bid to banish deepfakes from its results page, though. It admits it still has a lot of work to do when it comes to separating legitimate from fake explicit images. While that's still a work in progress, one of the solutions it has implemented is to demote sites that have received a high volume of removals for manipulated images in Search. That's "a pretty strong signal that it's not a high-quality site," Google explains, adding that the approach has worked well for other types of harmful content in the past. Everyone who has used the service is nodding their heads right now. The Washington DC Superior Court has filed a lawsuit against ticket-seller StubHub that accuses the company of hiding all kinds of fees from consumers until the very last moment. The suit calls out the deceptive practice of charging hidden junk fees and refers to it as a classic bait-and-switch scheme. Anyone who has purchased a ticket via StubHub, or many of its rivals, are probably intimately familiar with the sticker shock that arrives at check out. The added fees can boost the total cost of a ticket by up to 40 percent, the lawsuit alleges. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb says this is due to a series of deceptive, manipulative, and unfair practices. Here is how StubHub's drip pricing scheme works: 1 First, StubHub baits customers to shop for tickets by displaying deceptively low prices that do not include mandatory fees. The true, significantly higher price with junk fees is not revealed until the very end of the process. pic.twitter.com/EsRj0uy3e2 AG Brian Schwalb (@DCAttorneyGen) July 31, 2024 These practices include the aforementioned bait-and-switch. The company allegedly advertises deceptively low ticket prices, adding extra charges after the consumer has clicked on multiple pages. Throughout this whole process, StubHub displays a countdown timer, urging users to act swiftly and, thereby, accept those added fees without really thinking about it. Schwalb calls this a dark pattern that creates a false sense of urgency. This is otherwise known as drip pricing . The fees themselves are also said to be attributed to vague and cryptic policies, like fulfillment and service. These policies lack adequate explanation and the associated fees vary wildly, according to the suit. The lawsuit points out that StubHub doesnt disclose how these fees are calculated or what theyre even for. The complaint goes on to allege that StubHub has sold 4.9 million tickets and accrued over $118 million in hidden fees just in Washington DC by relying on the above methods. This lawsuit doesnt crunch the numbers for other cities, like New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, though I have a hunch that those residents also attend ticketed events in large numbers. We are disappointed that the DC Attorney General is targeting StubHub when our user experience is consistent with the law, our competitors practices, and the broader e-commerce sector, John Lawrence, StubHubs deputy general counsel, wrote in a statement to The Verge . To the point of being consistent with the law, Schwalb claims that StubHub has violated the District of Columbias Consumer Protection Procedures Act (CPPA). The aforementioned drip pricing strategy isnt allowed, as the law requires merchants to provide factual information regarding consumer goods sold in the city. The AG has asked the court to financially penalize StubHub and for an injunction to stop the allegedly deceptive practices. Hidden fees in the ticketing industry have truly gotten out of control. The price that is advertised is the price that we should payfull stop, wrote National Consumers League CEO Sally Greenberg in a press release that accompanied the lawsuit. This is just the latest attempt to dissuade ticket sellers from using junk fees to line their coffers. The federal government, under President Biden, has been trying to tamp down these practices since 2022, when Ticketmaster caused a straight-up fiasco by promising more Taylor Swift tickets than were actually available and adding plenty of junk fees. In 2023, the FTC proposed a rule to ban junk fees. There will be a decision issued on this by the end of the year. The House also passed a bill back in May to force ticket sellers to display the actual prices at the start of the purchasing process and not at the very end. Finally, the DOJ took legal action against Ticketmasters parent company Live Nation earlier this year, accusing it of monopolistic practices that result in high ticket prices. Meta has explained why its AI chatbot didn't want to respond to inquiries about the assassination attempt on Trump and then, in some cases, denied that the event took place. The company said it programmed Meta AI to not answer questions about an event right after it happens, because there's typically "an enormous amount of confusion, conflicting information, or outright conspiracy theories in the public domain." As for why Meta AI eventually started asserting that the attempt didn't happen "in a small number of cases," it was apparently due to hallucinations. An AI "hallucinates" when it generates false or misleading responses to questions that require factual replies due to various factors like inaccurate training data and AI models struggling to parse multiple sources of information. Meta says it has updated its AI's responses and admits that it should have done so sooner. It's still working to address its hallucination issue, though, so its chatbot could still be telling people that there was no attempt on the former president's life. In addition, Meta has also explained why its social media platforms had been incorrectly applying the fact check label to the photo of Trump with his fist in the air taken right after the assassination attempt. A doctored version of that image made it look like his Secret Service agents were smiling, and the company applied a fact check label to it. Because the original and doctored photos were almost identical, Meta's systems applied the label to the real image, as well. The company has since corrected the mistake. Trump's supporters have been crying foul over Meta AI's actions and have been accusing the company of suppressing the story. Google had to issue a response of its own after Elon Musk claimed that the company's search engine imposed a "search ban" on the former president. Musk shared an image that showed Google's autocomplete suggesting "president donald duck" when someone types in "president donald." Google explained that it was due to a bug affecting its autocomplete feature and said that users can search for whatever they want anytime. Google has responded to allegations it censored searches about Donald Trump after Elon Musk baselessly claimed the company had imposed a search ban on the former president. Google explained the bugs in its autocomplete feature caused the issues. But Musks tweet, viewed more than 118 million times, has forced the search giant to publicly explain one of its most basic features. Google added that the strange suggestions for president donald were due to a bug that spanned the political spectrum. It also affected searches related to former President Barack Obama and other political figures. Mat Smith The biggest stories you might have missed The Senate just passed two landmark bills to protect minors online I really want to like Star Wars Outlaws The best soundbars in 2024 You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! And share revenue with publishers. Perplexity will start sharing revenue with some publishers as part of an advertising platform it plans to launch around the end of September. The Perplexity Publishers Program comes less than two months after the startup, valued at $3 billion, came under fire from Forbes, Wired and Conde Nast for allegedly scraping content without permission. Continue reading. A pilot scheme is expanding to 25 metro police departments across five states. Samsung A new blog post from Samsung highlights how law enforcement is adopting its Galaxy Z Flip series devices. The line of foldable mobile devices was part of a pilot program, two years ago, in Kimberling City Police and Indian Point Police in Missouri, to test how the phones might improve daily operations. According to Samsung, the program was the first time police used a foldable device as a bodycam. The foldables were customized in collaboration with Visual Labs, a company that repurposes mobile devices as body and dash cameras. Continue reading. It uses AI to pick cigarette butts up from Italys beaches. IIT Italian scientists have built a quadruped robot that can identify litter and pick up the smaller bits with its leg-mounted vacuums. The group published a paper in Aprils Journal of Field Robotics on VEROs development. Discarded butts release toxic chemicals and microplastics into the ocean as they break down. Its also the second most common undisposed waste worldwide in areas that are hard to reach for most robots. VERO picked up 90 percent of the cigarette butts identified in testing. Continue reading. A ballet dancer is on trial for her husband's murder in what is being coined the "Black Swan Murder Trial." Ashley Benefield confessed to the murder of her husband in September 2020. The trial began at the beginning of this week and it's specifically calling into question Benefield's claims she acted in self-defense. According to 'Love B Scott,' the 32-year-old's defense team originally argued that Douglas Benefield attempted to attack her. Her representation claimed that the ballet dancer "was in fear for her life when she was forced to shoot him." However, as the scene was combed over, aspects of the ballerina's story did not line up. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office revealed that "Based on entry wounds on Douglas it does not appear that he was facing Ashley when she began shooting. It also does not appear that Douglas had taken any kind of defensive or combative stance. He was not found to have any weapons on this person or near him." Detectives found no evidence that she was acting in self-defense when she fired multiple shots at her husband. The Assistant State Attorney claims "This case is about a woman who very early on in her pregnancy decided she wanted to be a single mother. She would stop at nothing to obtain that goal." According to 'PEOPLE,' the team shared "The only thing that is going to have been established here beyond a reasonable doubt is that Douglas Benefield was a violent abuser, Ashley Benefield's efforts to placate him was absolutely consistent with what abused women do, especially when a child is involved, and that Ashley's result and resource to deadly force was justified under the circumstances." Ashley Benefield, who married Douglas after 13 days of meeting, is charged with second-degree murder. "This was a custody battle that this mother was going to win at all costs," Suzanne O'Donnell, assistant state attorney for Florida's 12th Judicial District, said, per 'NBC News.' "The cost was the life of Doug Benefield, and that is murder." Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's son Pax Jolie-Pitt was thought dead by people who witnessed his harrowing electric bike crash Monday. Unidentified eyewitnesses told TMZ that residents of the Los Angeles street where Pax's accident occurred found the 20-year-old lying still and "out cold" on the ground right after he crashed into the back of a car. The residents initially feared Pax -- who was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash -- died at the scene, according to the sources. Pax later regained consciousness when emergency responders arrived. Jolie and Pitt's second eldest son was riding his e-bike in a heavy-traffic area on Los Feliz Boulevard in L.A. at around 5 p.m. Monday when the crash happened, law enforcement sources told the outlet. Pax was taken to a hospital for treatment after he reportedly suffered a head injury and experienced hip pain as a result of the accident. Paramedics feared Pax possibly suffered a brain bleed, and he remained hospitalized overnight. An unnamed source told People that Pax is now in "stable" condition and that Jolie rushed to the hospital to be by her son's side during his recovery. Monday's crash was reportedly far from Pax's first e-bike accident. Page Six, citing an unnamed insider, reported that the 20-year-old has had "multiple" accidents but still rarely wears a helmet when traveling by e-bike. His behavior has reportedly caused concern among his pals. "His friends are concerned about him," the source told Page Six. "He's being reckless. They're worried." In addition to Pax, Jolie and Pitt share Maddox, 22, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and 16-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. The exes adopted Maddox from Cambodia, Pax from Vietnam and Zahara from Ethiopia. Meanwhile, Jolie and Pitt welcomed their eldest biological daughter Shiloh in Namibia and their twins in France. Pitt has not publicly addressed Pax's accident. Earlier this month, an unnamed insider told People that the Oscar-winning actor now has "virtually no contact" with his adult kids following his split with their mother. New Capital Investment Funding Scheme Announced for Visitor Attractions as Part of Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project Coast-to-Coast Investment Scheme will upgrade existing operating visitor attractions and experiences in counties Donegal, Sligo and parts of Leitrim on the Wild Atlantic Way and the local authority areas of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council along the Causeway Coastal Route. Scheme is worth 3million in Ireland / 2.5 million in Northern Ireland with 1.5million available in Ireland and 1.25million available in Northern Ireland. Scheme is the first initiative from the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project and is supported by a 7.6million allocation from the Governments Shared Island Fund out to 2025. This all-island tourism partnership project is being developed and implemented by Failte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland. Minister for Tourism, Catherine Martin TD and Minister for the Economy of Northern Ireland, Conor Murphy MLA, have announced a new funding call from Failte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland, to enhance interpretation at existing operating visitor attractions and experiences along the north of the Wild Atlantic Way and along the Causeway Coastal Route. The Coast-to-Coast Capital Investment Scheme, part of the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project, aims to encourage visitors to explore both tourist routes by improving the storytelling and immersive experience capabilities on offer in existing visitor attractions and experiences. The Scheme will be open for applications from Donegal, Sligo and parts of Leitrim on the Wild Atlantic Way, and the local authority areas of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council along the Causeway Coastal Route. The Scheme is the first initiative to be launched under the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project, and details on further supports will be released in the coming months. It aims to create greater links between both iconic coastal routes to ensure visitors are motivated to stay longer and bring greater economic benefit to the region. Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD: With this innovative funding scheme, the Government is supporting new collaboration and investment in the Tourism sector on a cross-border basis. The Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project Coast-to-Coast Capital Investment Scheme will improve and better connect the visitor experience at existing operating attractions along the Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route to ensure they offer innovative, world-class visitor experiences which will appeal to our international and domestic visitors and will further raise the profile of these magnificent touring routes. This Scheme serves to further our ultimate goal of developing a vibrant and competitive tourism sector across the island, one that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. I want to commend the three tourism agencies, Failte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland on the strong collaboration that they have already shown in developing this Scheme as part of the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration and marketing initiative. As an island renowned for our stories, it is important that we continue to enhance the ability for visitors to fully immerse themselves in our rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant communities. Economy Minister, Conor Murphy MLA said: I welcome the funding announced today from the Shared Island Initiative towards the Tourism Brand Collaboration Project and the Coast-to-Coast Capital Investment Scheme. It is a great example of all-island collaboration between the islands three tourism agencies. Tourism is one of our most important economic sectors, benefiting communities right across the North. I look forward to seeing how the project will enhance the experiences enjoyed by both domestic and overseas visitors and contribute to delivering regional balance. Director of Regional Development at Failte Ireland, Paul Keeley said: The launch of todays Scheme is an important first step in delivering the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project which will have a significant positive impact on sustainable tourism development on the island of Ireland. Encouraging visitors to explore both routes will help distribute visitor levels to the northern half of the island and further spread the economic benefits of tourism. Failte Ireland looks forward to working with Local Authorities in Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim, Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and relevant stakeholders in Northern Ireland in delivering this project and developing world-class visitor experiences that will appeal to both domestic and international tourists. Helen McGorman, Tourism Irelands Head of Stakeholder Engagement for Northern Ireland, said: Tourism Ireland warmly welcomes todays launch of the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project Coast-to-Coast Capital Investment Scheme, which will connect the spectacular Causeway Coastal Route and northern section of the Wild Atlantic Way in a way that motivates our international visitors to stay longer and spend more, thereby bringing greater economic benefit to this part of the island. David Roberts, Director of Strategic Development at Tourism Northern Ireland said: Tourism NI is delighted to see the launch of this new initiative which will enhance the visitor experience at sites along the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way. By aligning investment on a cross-border basis, the benefits to the tourism industry can be maximised particularly in the international marketplace. We look forward to working closely with our partners in Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to achieve our collective goals of extending visitor stays and increasing levels of spend. The maximum investment grant value available is 300,000 in Ireland, or 250,000 in Northern Ireland for any one project under this scheme. The minimum investment grant value is 50,000 in Ireland and 40,000 for Northern Ireland. Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland will assess Expression of Interest Forms to determine the applicants and the proposed projects eligibility in accordance with the Schemes qualifying criteria. Further information and detail of how to apply visit: For Ireland: https://www.failteireland.ie/shared-island-initiative For Northern Ireland: http://www.tourismni.com/SharedIsland Jump to top WEIRTON, W.Va. Cleveland Cliffs will transform its idled tin mill production facility in Weirton, West Virginia, into an electrical transformer production plant. The announcement came July 22, roughly three months after the company closed the last steel production plant in Weirton and laid off 900 people in a community that has produced steel continuously for 114 years. The new Cleveland Cliffs facility promises to employ 600 workers to produce high-demand electrical transformers with the help of $50 million in funding from West Virginia. The facility will also give formerly laid-off employees their jobs back while bringing back a key industry to a community that once produced half of the worlds raw steel. Building and manufacturing transformers is a growth industry and the possibility exists for it to grow much larger than that, so it could be a significant business, said Mark Glyptis, president of the United Steel Workers Office Local 2911. Theres excitement surrounding this. A new plant The Cleveland Cliffs plant will build electrical transformers using grain-oriented steel an electrical steel with controlled grain orientation that gives it more magnetic properties. Grain-oriented steel has become increasingly popular over the years because of these properties that have an efficient use of energy and a low power loss rate. Officials began discussing alternative solutions for the facility shortly after Cleveland Cliffs announced the tin mill would be idled in February. Cleveland Cliffs is the only producer of grain-oriented steel in the country and already has two plants located in Butler, Pennsylvania and Zanesville, Ohio. But, a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that demand for this steel will double by 2050. As demand increases, Glyptis says the wait for this steel for electrical transformers is almost two years; the recently closed Weirton facility could help with this. The steel will be made at Cleveland Cliffs Butler branch and transported to Weirton where workers will assemble the transformers. Its going to be like a hub of transformer making, Glyptis said. The operation will take place in one of Weirtons former steel mill warehouses, possible through the help of a $50 million investment from the state of West Virginia. On July 22, The West Virginia Economic Development Authority approved a low-interest loan from West Virginia taxpayers through its High Development Impact Project fund. By making these high-demand transformers right here, were cutting down on our need for energy from other countries and making our grid stronger, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justic said, in a statement. This is a big win for West Virginia and our countrys energy future. Jobs The plant will also give back jobs to some of the previously laid-off Cleveland Cliff workers; a portion of which were transferred to other branches and will now have the opportunity to come home. For decades, Weirton was a hub for steel jobs. At its peak production in 1942, the mills employed 13,000. But the U.S. steel industry couldnt compete with foreign steel. Year after year, more and more employees were laid off until the remaining 900 Cleveland Cliff employees lost their jobs in April. Since then, state legislators, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Goncalves have been working with Glyptis to save these jobs and bring in a new steel industry. Theres excitement among all employees whether youre young or an older employee, Glyptis said Theyre very excited, not only for themselves but their families as well. The plant isnt expected to be ready until 2026, but Glyptis says they are already looking at training former tin mill employees to make these high-demand steel transformers a steel industry expected to be in Weirton for the long run. (Liz Partsch can be reached at epartsch@farmanddairy.com or 330-337-3419.) Power tools worth more than 10,000 have been stolen from a farm in Cheshire, police have said. The theft occurred on a farm in Coddington, between between 1:00am and 5:00am on Thursday 25 July. Unknown offenders broke into a vehicle parked outside the farm on Aldersey Lane, Cheshire Constabulary said. Once inside the vehicle they stole a number of power tools believed to be worth more than 10,000. The offenders also attempted to gain access to a container at the farm but were unsuccessful, the force explained. Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and officers are keen to hear from anyone with any information or video footage. According to latest available figures, the cost of rural theft in the UK shot up by nearly a quarter in 2022, to an estimated 49.5m. DC Richard Connolley said: While I appreciate this incident occurred in a rural location, there may be residents in the local area who may be able to assist our enquiries. Im particularly keen to hear from anyone with any CCTV footage which may show the offenders travelling to the scene. Id also like to hear from anyone who believes they may have been offered any of the stolen tools, the majority of which were Makita branded items. "Anyone with any information is being asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101, or visit its website, quoting IML 1879001. "Information can also be reported anonymously, via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111." Sheep producers are being offered new support to improve flock health and productivity by identifying and controlling iceberg diseases. The Wales Veterinary Science Centre (WVSC) has joined forces with the National Sheep Association (NSA) Wales to offer the new support. Iceberg diseases of sheep, such as Maedi Visna and Johnes, bring a variety of health, welfare and economic consequences. They can also have significant detrimental impacts on the productivity and profitability of farm businesses. Dr Kate Hovers, WVSC director explained: Iceberg diseases are so named because it is likely that the majority of infected stock remain hidden under the surface and that sheep with visible signs or symptoms represent just the tip of the problem. By their very nature, iceberg diseases are difficult to control, and it can be very hard to identify infected animals. The clinical signs and symptoms associated with many iceberg diseases are often mild and vague at the start of the disease process. Animals may not appear to be ill until the disease is severe and has had an opportunity to spread throughout the flock. This can cause production inefficiencies through persistent and long-lasting subclinical infection. Dr Hazel Wright, WVSC centre manager, added that the centre was keen to ensure that sheep producers maximised returns from their flocks. She said: The significant funding we received from NSA Cymru has allowed the WVSC to perform and validate Enferplex testing for sheep flocks and we are delighted to be able to add this vital service to our currenting testing repertoire. Data from other EU countries shows us that using Enferplex testing for iceberg diseases can lead to significant improvements in flock health and productivity; both at individual farm level and nationally. "However, awareness and routine screening amongst the industry remains rather low. Helen Roberts NSA Cymru development officer, added that iceberg diseases were a significant and current threat to the sheep Industry. "Having first-class facilities to test for them is great news for the sector and will help combat the productivity and health issues that arise when these diseases have taken hold. "These tests are an extremely important management tool and will benefit and protect the whole sheep industry going forward." Goldfish have longer memories than thought. Goldfish have longer memories than many think The belief that the fish forget things after just a few seconds has been branded "laughable" by Professor Culum Brown as he showed that a group of the creatures could remember escape routes from netting. The scientist - who has been described as a "well-known champion of fish intelligence" - explained that fish are like other living species as they adapted through memory and stressed that they would "not last long in the real world" if they weren't able to do so. Professor Brown, a behaviour ecologist at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, said: "No matter where you go in the world, people have a very, very low expectation about a goldfish's memory. "And I don't think it's goldfish in particular - I think goldfish are symbolic of fishes in general. "There's this general tale that fishes have this awful capacity for memory. "And presumably, if they can't remember anything, they can't learn anything." Brittany and Cynthia Daniel have paid tribute to the late Francine Pascal. Brittany and Cynthia Daniel have paid tribute to Francine Pascal The 48-year-old twins shot to fame playing Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield in 'Sweet Valley High', an adaptation of the author's popular teen book series of the same name, and after the writer died of cancer on 28 July, the pair have remembered Francine for her "entertaining and relatable" tales. They told People magazine in a statement: She touched the hearts and minds of so many with her entertaining and relatable portrayals of teenage life. We always felt loved and appreciated by Francine. Shell be greatly missed." The writer's book publisher are "proud" to have worked with Francine over the years. A St Martin's Publishing Group spokesperson said: "St. Martin's is proud to have been a publisher of Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley High series whose iconic and beloved characters captivated generations of teens and adults." Francine - who was also executive producer on the TV series, which ran from 1994 to 1998 - passed away from lymphoma at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan at the age of 92, her daughter Laurie Wenk-Pascal confirmed to the New York Times newspaper. The author wrote the first 12 'Sweet Valley High' books before handing the series over to a team of writers she oversaw, providing outlines and a "bible" of character descriptions for them to follow. The series sold over 200 million copies and sparked several spin-offs, including 'Sweet Valley Twins', 'Sweet Valley Kids' and 'Sweet Valley University'. She once told People magazine of 'Sweet Valley High': "Sweet Valley is the essence of high school. It's that moment before reality hits, when you really do believe in the romantic values sacrifice, love, loyalty, friendship before you get jaded and slip off into adulthood. She also wrote several books for adults, including the non-fiction 'The Strange Case of Patty Hearst', a fictionalised memoir about her life with late second husband John Pascal titled 'If Wishes Were Horses', and horror novel 'Save Johanna!'. Bruce Springsteen isn't "affected" by his new billionaire status, according to his E Street bandmate Steven Van Zandt. Bruce Springsteen isn't 'affected' by his new status as a billionaire Forbes magazine recently revealed The Boss has an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion thanks to the lucrative sale of his music back catalogue in 2021 and his extensive touring but his longtime pal Steven is adamant the musician continues to work because he loves performing and "the money has absolutely no factor" in his career decisions. Steven told The Independent newspaper: "Im not sure how accurate that [Forbes report] is, first of all. But I dont think it matters, honestly ... "When you have enough money to live, thats the point where it matters. Do you continue to work? Or do you retire on a yacht and drink mojitos off the coast of Portugal? The fact is: this is what we do. And so the money has absolutely no factor. It hasnt affected [him] for many, many years. Ever since, really, [1984 album] 'Born in the USA'. Whats that, 40 years? "So no matter how many zeros is on the bank account, it doesnt make any difference!" Steven also joked: "Its great for me because Im gonna definitely borrow some money, I tell you that. Im joking, of course ... My bookies gonna love him. Im joking again!" Springsteen previously recalled that the felt uncomfortable when he first started making good money from his music because it set him apart from everyone he grew up with in his home town in New Jersey. In Warren Zanes 2023 book 'Deliver Me From Nowhere', the musician explained: "I was solvent, which would make me unique in my little neighbourhood. So I was dealing with that, with all my very conflicted feelings about being so separate from the people that Id grown up around and that I wrote about." Lisa Kudrow has confessed being fired from 'Frasier' was "devastating". Lisa Kudrow was upset after being axed from Frasier The 61-year-old actress was hired to play producer Roz Doyle in the sitcom opposite Kelsey Grammer in the title role, but she was given the boot before the pilot episode was filmed and replaced by Peri Gilpin and Lisa has now admitted losing such an important job was a huge setback. During an appearance on the 'Smartless' podcast, Lisa called her exit "devastating", adding: "I didnt film it [the pilot]. I got fired from 'Frasier'." She explained director James Burrows stopped the action during a run-through for the pilot episode, saying: "This isnt working". Lisa went on: "I was trying to like [ask], What can I do? But I think they did make a casting mistake because I went to the network with Perri Gilpin. I think they were just correcting a mistake. Cause Perri should have always been Roz." However, the firing led Lisa down a new path with helped her land her life-changing role on 'Friends' after taking a bit-part on another show called 'Mad About You'. She explained: "I did a guest star on 'Mad About You', they had me back, Id already done a guest star the first season. So now Im there for a different character [just called 'waitress'] and my agent said, Youre not doing this' ... [I was] not in a position to say no. Its to me the best show and Im doing it." Afterwards, she was invited back for five more episodes declaring: "Theres my rent for the year" and luck was on her side because the show's writer/ producer Jeffrey Klarik later suggested Lisa for the role of Phoebe Buffay when his partner David Crane was putting together the cast of 'Friends'. Lisa ended up encountering her former 'Frasier' director James Burrows again when she had to audition of him for her 'Friends' role and she came away from the try-up worrying it was "hopeless" but she went on to be cast anyway and the part completely changed her life. Richard Simmons sent notes and pictures to fans he helped lose weight. Richard Simmons sent notes and pictures to fans he helped lose weight The fitness was found dead at his home on Belfast Drive, Los Angeles, after emergency workers responded to a 911 call from his long-term housekeeper Teresa Reveles on 13 July with his passing coming a day after he turned 76 and four months after he told fans he had been diagnosed with skin cancer. He has now been remembered for his acts of kindness by a string of fans who have shared their stories of meeting him and getting his help on their weight loss journeys. One called Maxanne told People in a tribute story on the flamboyant exercise fanatic: I had the privilege of meeting Richard many years ago. I did his Deal a Meal and lost a considerable amount of weight. It was the pictures and notes he sent that meant so much. I even went on stage to exercise with him. I whispered to him, Im Max, and he knew who I was. I will never forget how he made me feel special that day. Another fan called Michael told the magazine: Years ago I met him in the Salt Lake City airport while we were waiting for a plane to Washington D.C.. He was so gracious and funny. I asked if I could take a picture with him. He said, Of course you can honey and then gave me a big hug and called me a teddy bear. A genuine and nice person. Yet another fan said Richard invited them into his limo to have a chat after they met at a radio station. The tributes come after Richards long-time housekeeper said she believes the late fitness guru was killed by a heart attack. Teresa, who discovered his body the morning after his 76th birthday, told People she noticed his hands were balled into fists when she found him. She said: Thats why I know it was heart attack. I had a heart attack a few years ago, and my hands did the same. Teresa added her ex-boss looked peaceful and she believed he died happy. Sigourney Weaver is to make her West End debut in William Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'. Sigourney Weaver is to appear in The Tempest in London The 74-year-old 'Alien' star has signed up to play exiled sorcerer Prospero in a new production of the classic play which launches at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in December and she's thrilled to be given the opportunity to tread the boards in the UK capital. She said: "I am delighted to be making my West End debut in Shakespeare's The Tempest directed by the brilliant Jamie Lloyd - and to do so in Andrew Lloyd Webber's beautiful and historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane is an extraordinary opportunity. Come and see us!" The role of Prospero is typically played by men but has previously been taken on by female stage stars including Dame Vanessa Redgrave while Dame Helen Mirren played the role in a 2020 film adaptation. Others to have played the part on stage over the years include Sir John Gielgud, Sir Derek Jacobi, James Earl Jones and Frank Langella. The show opens for previews from December 7 and run until February 1 2025. It is part of a season of Shakespeare by The Jamie Lloyd Company at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane which will also include a production of 'Much Ado About Nothing' starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell. The Hollywood actors will play sparring lovers Benedick and Beatrice in the play, which opens for previews on February 19 and will run until April 5. Tom said: "Working with Jamie Lloyd on Harold Pinter's Betrayal was one of the most fulfilling and meaningful experiences of my performing life. "I could not be more thrilled to have been given the opportunity to collaborate with him again, this time on one of Shakespeare's most warm-hearted and joyful plays: 'Much Ado About Nothing'. "It's an honour to have been invited by Andrew Lloyd Webber to bring Shakespeare back to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, in a season alongside Sigourney Weaver in The Tempest, and to be working with the great Hayley Atwell for the first time." Hayley added: "I am thrilled to be joining Jamie Lloyd's company for the third time in my career. His bold and electric direction, combined with the warmth and wit of one of Shakespeare's most celebrated comedic duos is a truly exciting opportunity and one that I hope will delight our audiences. "I look forward to working with my talented friend Tom Hiddleston and bringing The Bard back to Theatre Royal Drury Lane." West Side Story dancer and actor Bobby Banas has died aged 90. West Side Story dancer and actor Bobby Banas has died aged 90 The accomplished performer passed away from pneumonia on Monday (29.07.24) at an assisted living facility in Encino, California, his 59-year-old son the director and photographer Eden Tyler Banas told The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday (30.07.24.) Bobbys official Instagram account also shared the news of his death, with a post on Monday that said: Today was the day that Bobby Banas chose to soar up into the infinite light of the heavens above. A son, brother, father, grandfather and a true legend of stage and screen. You played with the best of them. You touched and taught so many, gave of your talents and generosity always with a laugh and funny sense of humour. Thanks for being the best pop a kid could ask for. I will love you forever and ever... I know the dance party up above is going to be amazing!!! Probably best known for playing Jets gang member Joyboy in 1961s West Side Story musical, Bobby was also cast as a chimney sweep in Mary Poppins three years later. His other notable film appearances include a dancing role in Made in Paris and he kissed Marilyn Monroe in the 1960 musical comedy Lets Make Love. He also had parts in Elvis Presleys Girl Happy film, 1958s Damn Yankees, Babes In Toyland from 1961 and Bye Bye Birdie. Born in New York on 22 September, 1933, Bobby started taking dance lessons as a teen. He attended the Hollywood Professional High School and Hollywood High, and became a member of the Michael Panaieff Childrens Ballet Company. Bobby won a new legion of fans in 2012 when a clip of him surfaced of him and others dancing the Nitty Gritty on a 1964 episode of CBS The Judy Garland Show went viral. Slow internet speed, delay in shipment of garments and container congestion at Chattogram port are the three main concerns conveyed by international brands, buyers and retailers to suppliers in Bangladesh at a recent meeting convened by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in Dhaka. BGMEA president S M Mannan Kochi said the retailers and brands assured that they will not seek any discount, air shipment or cancellation of purchase orders because of production halt resulting from the recent latest spell of violence in the country. Slow internet speed, delay in shipment of garments and container congestion at Chattogram port are the three main concerns conveyed by international brands, buyers and retailers to suppliers in Bangladesh at a recent meeting. The former assured they will not seek any discount, air shipment or cancellation of orders because of recent production halt. The violence saw suspension of internet services and mobile data and a five-day near-shutdown at Chattogram port. Due to slow internet speed, necessary documents for order confirmations cannot be attached in electronic communication modes and necessary paperwork for shipment and payments cannot be submitted. The buyers urged garment exporters to ensure timely shipment of goods and to engage with government officials to restore high-speed, uninterrupted broadband services to facilitate smooth communication with their headquarters, Kochi was cited as saying by domestic media reports. However, buyers did not question the country's image as far as conducting business was concerned, he added. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) West Leederville, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 30, 2024) - Solis Minerals Limited (ASX: SLM) (TSXV: SLMN) (OTCQB: WMRSF) (FSE: 08W) ("Solis" or the "Company") is pleased to present its Quarterly Report for the three months ending 31 May 2024 ("the Quarter"). HIGHLIGHTS Copper drill targets submitted for permitting in Chanco al Palo and Ilo Este, Southern Peru Magnetometry surveys at Guaneros, a newly acquired project, scheduled to start in first week in August Surface copper mineralisation identified at Cinto with a magnetometry survey programme commencing upon completion of Guaneros Pipeline of drill testing multiple targets taking shape with the first permit expected in Q4 this year PERU COPPER PROJECTS During the Quarter, Solis has continued to expand and advance its copper exploration portfolio in the coastal belt of southern Peru by adding the 6,400 hectare Guaneros project, located directly between Chancho Al Palo (Ilo Norte) and Ilo Este (Figure 1) and by submitting permit applications for drilling at Chancho Al Palo and Ilo Este to the regulatory authorities. The Company expects to commence drilling at Chancho Al Palo in late 2024, subject to permitting, and continue into 2025 with the testing of multiple projects at its four key project areas. Applications for drilling will be submitted for both Cinto and Guaneros following completion of the approved geophysical studies which are commencing in the first week in August. The timing of the submission of these applications is designed to provide the Company with a solid pipeline of drilling on all of its primary Peruvian copper targets from Q4 2024 through to Q3 2025. Figure 1: Solis tenements in the prospective coastal belt with existing deposits and regional geology shown. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/218328_5b41ea8e5421685d_001full.jpg Chancho Al Palo (Ilo Norte) Chancho Al Palo (Figures 1 & 2) forms one of the most advanced of the four key projects in the Company's copper portfolio along with Ilo Este. Following completion of an extensive geological mapping campaign and drone magnetometry survey at Chancho Al Palo (Ilo Norte) in 2023, Solis conducted a follow-up Induced Polarisation (IP) study in December 20231 with the aim to identify primary drill targets. The IP study covered 8-lines for 16.7km in total length with dipole intervals of 100m and line spacing of 250m. The lines were oriented WNW to ESE and were limited to the east by the presence of sediments including caliche (calcrete). The focus of the study was an eastern zone of Jurassic volcano-sedimentary rock intruded by the Cretaceous coastal batholith, and similar rocks to the west displaying development of extensive hornfels alteration. The eastern area was considered prospective for IOCG (iron oxide copper gold) style mineralisation. The areas were separated by a north-south fault with interpreted downthrow to the west with the IOCG zone being considered as a higher emplaced, more distal expression of potential porphyry mineralisation to the east (Figure 2). The study identified significant drill targets with some limited surface exposure confirming copper mineralisation. Drill permitting was submitted in May and is expected to be approved in 4Q 2024. 1 See ASX release: 29 April 2024. Figure 2: IP chargeability anomalies identified at Ilo Norte, Chancho Al Palo Project. Target T01 and Target T02 are coincident with magnetic anomalies previously identified. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/218328_5b41ea8e5421685d_002full.jpg Ilo Este Project Significant progress has been made at Ilo Este with the analysis of results from a drone magnetometry survey completed in December 2023. This survey focused on the eastern extension of the Ilo Este licences (Figures 1 & 3), with data acquisition at an average altitude of 35m and a rate of 25 readings per second at a ground velocity of 10m/second. Safety and quality control measures included maintaining a 200m distance from high-tension powerlines in the southeast2. The survey area is flanked by the regional Chololo fault to the northwest and characterised by the accumulation of quaternary sediments in a SW-NE trending structural corridor. The drone survey was a direct follow-up of the survey in the permit Solis Ilo Este I, with the projected continuation of the magnetic anomaly leading to the recent application of permit Solis Ilo Este II. Fathom Geophysics of the USA have subsequently analysed and combined 2014 ground magnetometry data with the 2023 drone magnetometry results, revealing potential alteration associated with magnetite. These findings suggest potential extensions of the magnetite alteration associated with porphyry-style mineralisation encountered at Ilo Este, extending east across the Chololo regional fault. 2 See ASX release: Quarterly Activities Report, 30 January 2024. Figure 3: Drone magnetometry survey completed at Ilo Este, north-east extension. The area has been applied for and normal final issuance procedures for grant of the licences (Solis Ilo Este II) are underway. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/218328_5b41ea8e5421685d_003full.jpg In the primary advanced target area at Ilo Este environmental monitoring programs are currently underway in support of the drill permit applications, which are in progress. Drilling is anticipated in Q1 2025, subject to receipt of necessary permits. Cinto Project Subsequent to the end of the Quarter, the Company completed a first pass geochemical programme at its Cinto Project. The programme identified high grade samples up to 7.14% copper with mineralisation mapped over a 200m x 100m area in historical workings associated with significant alteration and structural deformation3,4. Initial mapping programmes identified a zone within and bordering the Incapuquio Fault system that showed the presence of abundant copper oxides through artisanal workings (Figures 4 & 5). The zone, approximately 200 x 100m in extent, consisted of shales and tuffs with argillic and propylitic alteration showing considerable multi-directional faulting and brecciation with copper oxides occurring in distinct patches3,4. 3 See ASX release 9 July 2024. 4 Grab samples give point indications of mineral content only and as such should not be considered representative of continuity of mineralisation or potential tonnage (mass) of mineralised bodies. See ASX announcement 9 July 2024. Figure 4: Cinto Project surface grab sample 17142 with visible copper oxides and silicification returned 7.14% Cu4To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/218328_5b41ea8e5421685d_004full.jpg Figure 5: Grab sample 17181 (1.0% Cu) with copper oxides from outcropping historical workings at Cinto Project4. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/218328_5b41ea8e5421685d_005full.jpg Several assays returned copper values greater than 1% and one high grade sample returned 7.14% Cu in a highly mineralised oxide zone4. Some mineralised structures were at high angles to a bounding splay of the Incapuquio fault to the north. The nature of the occurrence (mineralisation breccias, abundant copper oxide mineralisation in places) suggest a proximal source. Geochemical assay results (associated Ag, Au, Mo and zinc) have reflected a chemistry similar to the neighbouring Toquepala deposit. The copper occurrences are considered by management as a marker for a potential porphyry style mineralisation in the area. The Company has already received and approved a proposal for first drone magnetometry survey which is programmed to commence in the last week of August directly following the completion of the Guaneros drone magnetometry survey commencing in week one of August, this initial survey may be followed up with a ground IP programme to assist in target development and initial drill hole design. EIA drill permitting submission will follow immediately upon the completion of the initial geophysical programmes with approximately 4-5 months required for permitting approval. Guaneros Project The 6,400 hectare Guaneros project is located between the Company's Chancho al Palo (Ilo Norte) and Ilo Este Projects (Figure 1) and has been subject to minimal systematic exploration by previous owners. During the Quarter, Solis' geologists identified alteration and outcropping copper mineralisation in the new applications, approximately 8km north-west along strike from, and in a similar geological setting to, known porphyry-style mineralisation at Ilo Este. As announced on 10 May 2024, the Company is undertaking assays on two hand specimens from Guaneros and results are expected in due course. Collation of samples for analysis has led to a longer than expected assay turnaround time. Subsequent to the end of the Quarter5, a drone magnetometer survey (Figure 6) has been contracted and will commence in early August. This survey will be the first targeting exercise and assist in the identification of areas for follow up geochemical and geophysical surveys and the submission of the first EIA for drill permitting. Mapping crews have been mobilised to site to systematically cover the tenement package in order to contribute an evaluation of drill targets. Acquisition of the additional land at Guaneros has supported the Company's strategy in building a compelling portfolio of exploration properties in an underexplored porphyry belt. 5 See ASX release: 23 July 2024. Figure 6: Drone magnetometry lines designed over the Guaneros block of tenements. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/218328_5b41ea8e5421685d_006full.jpg BRAZIL LITHIUM PROJECTS Borborema A total of 843 geochemical soil samples were taken across three tenements on a 200m x 100m grid spacing in the northeastern portion of the Borborema project during April (Figure 7). The objective of the programme, in conjunction with field mapping and reconnaissance, was to identify potential lithium bearing pegmatite systems within previously unexplored terrain. 585 assay results were reported, with no material results recorded for lithium suite minerals, base or precious metals. The decision to halt further expenditure on geochemical sampling at Borborema was subsequently made until all tenements are mapped and priority target areas identified. Figure 7: Geochemical sampling undertaken to date on Borborema tenement package. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/218328_5b41ea8e5421685d_007full.jpg Approximately 270 assays are pending from the initial geochemical programme at Borborema with anomalous areas of mineralisation expected to be followed up with additional sampling once assays received. No further exploration activities have been carried out in the Borborema district during the last Quarter. PROJECT GENERATION Solis is continually reviewing potential acquisitions in various jurisdictions and commodity spaces with the emphasis on copper, gold and lithium projects which are drill ready or with known mineralised systems previously identified. CORPORATE The Company has a current cash balance of approximately AUD $4.4 million to advance its portfolio of exploration assets. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release. About Solis Minerals Ltd. Solis Minerals is an emerging lithium and copper explorer, focused on unlocking the vast potential of its South American critical minerals portfolio. The Company is building a significant copper portfolio around its core tenements of Ilo Este and Ilo Norte and currently holds 47 exploration concessions for a total of 37,100Ha (36 concessions granted with 11 applications in process). The Company is led by a highly-credentialled and proven team with excellent experience across the mining lifecycle in South America. Importantly, Solis has a strong balance sheet to fund future exploration, permitting and drilling programs, and is actively considering a range of new opportunities across varied commodities and jurisdictions. South America is a key player in the global export market for critical minerals and Solis, under its leadership team, is strategically positioned to capitalise on growth the opportunities within this mineral-rich region. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that relate to future events or performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward- looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward- looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected, including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law. Qualified Person Statement The technical information in this news release was reviewed by Matthew Boyes, a Fellow of the Australian institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). Competent Person Statement The information in this ASX release concerning Geological Information and Exploration Results is based on and fairly represents information compiled by Mr Matthew Boyes, a Competent Person who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Boyes is an employee of Solis Minerals Ltd. and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposit under consideration and to the exploration activities undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Mr Boyes consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears. Mr Boyes has provided his prior written consent regarding the form and context in which the Geological Information and Exploration Results and supporting information are presented in this Announcement. All information about exploration results previously released to the market is appropriately referenced in this document. Disclaimer In relying on the above mentioned ASX announcement and pursuant to ASX Listing Rule 5.23.2, the Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the above-mentioned announcement. APPENDIX 1 Mining tenements held at the end of the Quarter* and their location and interest. *2nd July 2024 for Peru Tenements Tenement Licences Project Name Registered Holder Location Interest held Ilo Norte Project Latin Ilo Norte 3 Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Latin Ilo Norte 4 Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Latin Ilo Norte 6 Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Latin Ilo Norte 7 Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Latin Ilo Norte 8 Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Brigette 1 Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Essendon 26 Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Maddison 1 Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Ilo Este Project Latin Ilo Este I Ilo Este Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Latin Ilo Este II Ilo Este Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Latin Ilo Este III Ilo Este Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Latin Ilo Este IX Ilo Este Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Solis Ilo Este I Ilo Este Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Solis Ilo Este II1 Ilo Este Westminster Peru SAC Peru 0% Caruca Project Caruca2 Caruca Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Cinto Project SOLIS02 Cinto Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS02A Cinto Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS03 Cinto Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS04 Cinto Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS05 Cinto Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS06 Cinto Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS071 Cinto Westminster Peru SAC Peru 0% SOLIS07A1 Cinto Westminster Peru SAC Peru 0% Regional Ilo Norte Project SOLIS NORTE 1 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 2 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Tenement Licences Project Name Registered Holder Location Interest held SOLIS NORTE 3 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 4 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 5 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 6 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 7 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 8 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 9 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 10 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 11 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 12 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 13 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 14 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 15 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS NORTE 16 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS SUR 2 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS SUR 3 Regional Ilo Norte Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Kelly Project SOLIS KELLY 01 Kelly Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% SOLIS KELLY 02 Kelly Westminster Peru SAC Peru 100% Guaneros Project SOLIS NORTE 171 Guaneros Westminster Peru SAC Peru 0% SOLIS NORTE 181 Guaneros Westminster Peru SAC Peru 0% SOLIS NORTE 191 Guaneros Westminster Peru SAC Peru 0% SOLIS NORTE 201 Guaneros Westminster Peru SAC Peru 0% SOLIS NORTE 211 Guaneros Westminster Peru SAC Peru 0% SOLIS NORTE 221 Guaneros Westminster Peru SAC Peru 0% SOLIS NORTE 231 Guaneros Westminster Peru SAC Peru 0% Brazil 846.232/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 846.233/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 846.234/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.411/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.412/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.413/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.414/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.415/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.416/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.417/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.418/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.419/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.420/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.423/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.424/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% Tenement Licences Project Name Registered Holder Location Interest held 848.425/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.426/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.427/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.428/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.429/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.430/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.431/20221 Borborema Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 848.233/20153 Estrela Onca Mineracao Ltda. Brazil 0% 840.041/19853 Mina Vermelha Onca Mineracao Ltda Brazil 0% 1 Mining Exploration Concession Applications. 2 Mining Concessions- allow exploration subject to access and other conditions. 3 Tenement Concession under Option Agreement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218328 SOURCE: Solis Minerals Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 30, 2024) - Plata Latina Minerals Corporation (TSXV: PLA) ("Plata Latina" or the "Company") announces the results of the Company's Annual General Meeting ("the Meeting") held on July 29, 2024. A total of 29,529,295 common shares were voted at the Meeting, representing approximately 37.36% of the total issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. The results for the items voted at the Meeting are as follows: Number of Directors Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Set the number of directors at three 29,529,295 100.00% 0 0.00% Election of Directors Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Gilmour Clausen 28,629,295 96.95% 900,000 3.05% Letitia Wong 29,529,295 100.00% 0 0.00% Joseph Longpre 29,529,295 100.00% 0 0.00% The Company reports shareholders reappointed Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditors for the ensuing year, and authorized the directors to fix their remuneration. Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Appointment of Davidson & Company LLP 29,529,295 100.00% 0 0.00% The Company's shareholders voted for the Company's Share Option Plan: Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Approval of Share Option Plan 29,529,295 99.92% 25,000 0.08% About Plata Latina Minerals Plata Latina Minerals was a Canadian exploration company which was in the business of exploring and evaluating mineral property assets, principally in Mexico. The Company has since sold or relinquished its interests in four Mexican mineral properties and is undergoing a strategic review process, which includes capitalizing on the value of the Company as a clean listed shell with modest cash and cash flow. Following the completion of an option agreement in 2020 where the Company sold its Naranjillo Property to Fresnillo for a total of US $2,150,000 over three years, Plata Latina currently receives advance royalty payments of US $100,000 until the earlier of (i) US $1,000,000 of advance royalty payments have been paid, or (ii) Naranjillo commences commercial production of minerals. The Company also was granted a 3% net smelter return royalty. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218331 SOURCE: Plata Latina Minerals Corporation Chinas cruise market sees continuous recovery in H1 People's Daily Online) 14:59, July 31, 2024 Chinas cruise market saw a robust recovery in the first half of 2024, with cruise ships carrying about 500,000 passengers, recovering to over 50 percent of the level during the same period in 2019. Passenger turnover in the second quarter outstripped that of the first quarter by nearly 60 percent. The cruise market is expected to continue to recover steadily. To date, over 20 cruise ships are operating in Chinese ports. Among these, 17 ships from various cruise companies, including Chinese cruise company China Merchants Viking Cruises and Switzerland-headquartered MSC Cruises, have resumed cruise trips that depart from multiple ports in China. These ports include Tianjin, Qingdao, and Shanghai, among others, with the ships ferrying passengers to ports in countries including Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. This photo taken on May 26, 2024 shows the cruise ship Adora Magic City docking at the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang) Chinas cruise market is recovering rapidly, with the integration of transport and tourism yielding positive results, according to an official with the water transport bureau of the Ministry of Transport (MOT). China announced the full resumption of international cruise ship transport to and from its ports in September 2023, with pilot programs set in Shanghai and Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province. Since then, the pent-up demand for cruise tourism has been released, said an official with the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration. The official added that 88 cruise ships docked at Shanghai Port in the first five months of this year, serving 281,700 passengers across 19 routes. Data shows that 201 international cruise ships entered and exited ports in Shanghai in the first half of this year, a significant year-on-year increase. Cruise ports in Shanghai are expected to handle over 380 inbound and outbound cruise ships. Shenzhen has also seen a strong recovery of international cruise ships. Since the resumption of international cruise voyages, 19 international cruise ships have arrived at the Shekou Cruise Homeport, serving over 19,000 passengers, said an official with the Shenzhen Maritime Safety Administration. Major cruise lines are increasing their presence in the Chinese market. MSC Cruises returned to China on March 16, 2024, with its flagship vessel, the MSC Bellissima, resuming home port operations from the Chinese mainland in Shanghai. Royal Caribbean International announced that it would continue to strengthen its presence in the Chinese market between 2025 and 2026. Adora Cruises, a Chinese cruise company, said it would offer cruise routes from China to Southeast Asian countries in the future. Chinas improved business environment and stronger policy support are key to the significant growth in the number of cruise voyages and accelerated expansion of cruise routes in the country. China has improved the distribution of cruise ports along its coast line and implemented a comprehensive system of safety supervision and service standards for cruise ship transport. Together, this creates a favorable environment for promoting the sustainable and healthy development of the cruise economy, said an official with the water transport bureau of the MOT. As a new economic growth point, the cruise industry involves a wide range of fields such as shipbuilding, transportation, culture, and tourism, with a long industrial chain, said an official with the water transport bureau of the MOT. They added that further development of the cruise sector will contribute to expanding domestic demand and stabilizing growth. According to a report released by the Cruise Lines International Association, the number of ocean-going cruise passengers in the world is forecasted to reach 39.5 million in 2027. Domestic cruise companies are becoming important players in the Chinese cruise market. Industry experts believe that the rise of domestic cruise companies will further promote the development of Chinas cruise industry. In 2019, China became the worlds second-largest market for cruise ship passengers. China is the world's second-largest source of cruise passengers, with 20 million potential cruise travelers, and the countrys cruise industry enjoys bright prospects, said Zheng Weihang, executive vice president of the China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association. (Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming) Portsmouth, New Hampshire--(Newsfile Corp. - July 30, 2024) - Seacoast Press, an independent hybrid book publisher based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has been recognized as the "top independent book publisher in New Hampshire" by Hilary Tetenbaum, a contributor to Foster's Daily Democrat. This accolade highlights Seacoast Press's exceptional contribution to the literary community and its unwavering commitment to supporting authors. Founded by USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author J.J. Hebert, Seacoast Press offers a comprehensive suite of publishing services designed to help authors achieve their literary dreams. Their offerings include custom book design, professional editing, print and digital distribution, and robust marketing strategies. Notably, Seacoast Press ensures that authors retain 100% of their royalties, a rare and highly valued benefit in the publishing industry. Hilary Tetenbaum's praise of Seacoast Press in Foster's Daily Democrat, a well-respected newspaper with a rich history dating back to 1873, underscores the significant impact Seacoast Press has made in the region. The newspaper, known for its extensive coverage of local news and features, has amplified the achievements of Seacoast Press, bringing attention to its role in fostering literary talent. Seacoast Press's reputation for excellence is further solidified by previous recognitions, such as being named the Best Book Publisher in New Hampshire by Kev's Best. The publisher's dedication to quality and personalized service has garnered high praise from authors who appreciate the professional and supportive environment Seacoast Press provides. "We are deeply honored to be recognized by Hilary Tetenbaum of Foster's Daily Democrat," said J.J. Hebert. "Our mission has always been to empower authors and provide them with the tools and support they need to succeed. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team." Seacoast Press continues to set the standard for independent publishing in New Hampshire and beyond, offering innovative solutions that help authors navigate the complexities of the publishing world. With a focus on quality, transparency, and author empowerment, Seacoast Press is poised to remain a leader in the industry for years to come. For more information about Seacoast Press and their publishing services, please visit their website at https://www.seacoastpress.com Seacoast Press To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/218209_87e6b46894eafa48_002full.jpg About the company: Seacoast Press is an award-winning hybrid book publisher located in NH. The company is widely known as the top book publishing company in the state of New Hampshire. Seacoast Press works with local NH-based authors as well as authors throughout the United States. Service offerings include book design, editing, printing, distribution, and book marketing. All Seacoast Press authors receive 100% royalties. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218209 SOURCE: Plentisoft "Monovalent recombinant acellular pertussis vaccine proven to significantly boost immunity against pertussis" BioNet Europe, the French subsidiary of BioNet, a vaccine manufacturer specializing in the development of genetically engineered vaccines, has announced the submission of a centralized Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its monovalent Recombinant Pertussis Vaccine (RPV). BioNet's stand-alone vaccine targets whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory disease on the steep rise across Europe. This non-combined vaccine is tailored to the persons who require pertussis-only booster vaccination and are up-to-date with their diphtheria and tetanus immunizations. Dr Giuseppe Del Giudice, Director Translational Research at BioNet, stated, "BioNet's recombinant vaccine is designed to provide more effective and longer-lasting immune protection against pertussis than traditional acellular pertussis vaccines. It contains a Pertussis Toxin (PT), the main component responsible for severe pertussis disease, which is inactivated by recombinant technologies rather than chemicals." These recombinant technologies allow for the preservation of the native structure of the PT, fundamental for the induction of higher immune protection. Currently, no other monovalent or recombinant pertussis vaccines are available in Europe, making BioNet's RPV a best-in-class vaccine driving significant advancement in public health with the potential to improve acceptance for pertussis immunization. Phillippe Guillot-Chene, CEO of BioNet Europe, added, "We believe that BioNet's RPV represents a transformative vaccine for preventing pertussis disease. After receiving the positive feedback from EMA Scientific Advice, we are honored to have our MAA submission validated by the EMA as well." The safety, immunogenicity and antibody persistence induced after one single booster dose of BioNet's RPV were demonstrated in numerous randomized clinical trials, notably amongst adults in Australia, adolescents in Switzerland, as well as vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and elderly in Thailand. The vaccine is licensed in Asia (under the Pertagen trademark) and is included in the pertussis maternal immunization program for pregnant women in Thailand. The MAA of Pertagen has also been submitted to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration. About BioNet BioNet is a vaccine manufacturer specializing in the development of recombinant and mRNA vaccines against respiratory diseases and other global public health threats. BioNet has a strong track record with development and biomanufacturing, having advanced over three proprietary recombinant pertussis vaccines from early R&D to licensure. It currently markets multiple vaccines through its established commercial network. BioNet has been rapidly expanding its operations across Asia, Europe and North America. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to BioNet's business, including regulatory submissions. These statements are based on current expectations as of the date of this press release and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. BioNet disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, future events, or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240730521754/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts Europe: Benoit Soubeyrand, bsoubeyrand@bionet.one Asia-Pacific: Laurent Dapremont, laurent.d@bionet-asia.com North America: Bill Cadwallader, bcadwallader@bionet.one +1.206.852.0307 Website: bionet.one and bionet-asia.com INFICON Holding AG / Key word(s): Half Year Results/Quarter Results INFICON with increased Results in Second Quarter 2024 31-Jul-2024 / 07:00 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Corporate Contact Matthias Trondle Chief Financial Officer +423 388 3510 matthias.troendle@inficon.com 'Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR' Announcement of INFICON Holding AG Bad Ragaz/Switzerland, July 31, 2024 Sales increase in the second quarter by 8.3% to USD 167.0 million compared with the previous quarter; almost unchanged year-over-year (-2.3%) Sales in Semiconductor & Vacuum Coating and Security & Energy with new quarterly records Operating profit margin increase from 19.5% to 20.2% Guidance 2024 with unchanged midpoint: Sales of USD 660-690 (previously 650-700) million; operating income margin around 20% INFICON's (SIX Swiss Exchange: IFCN) second quarter 2024 revenue increased 8.3% over the preceding first quarter. Compared with the same period of last year, this represents an organic decline of 1.2% and an overall decline of 2.3%, excluding 0.5%pt from acquisitions and a negative impact of 1.6%pt from currency fluctuations. The gross margin improved to 47.1% up from 45.0% a year ago. The operating income increased to USD 33.7 million, yielding a margin of 20.2% after 19.5% recorded for the same period of last year. The net result for the period rose from USD 24.8 million last year to USD 26.5 million; resulting in a stronger net profit margin of 15.9%, up from 14.5% a year ago. Earnings per share were USD 10.86 after USD 10.14 calculated for end of June last year. Outlook Based on the situation in the four target markets, an improving order intake, and the expectation of stronger sales for the remainder of the year, INFICON has narrowed the targeted sales range. INFICON expects revenues of USD 660-690 (previously 650-700) million for the full year 2024, with an unchanged midpoint sales target of USD 675 million, and an operating profit margin around 20%. Cash flow and Balance Sheet In the second quarter, INFICON generated an operating cash flow of USD 19.0 million. Working capital reached USD 219.0 million after USD 221.5 million a year ago, mostly reflecting a corresponding drop in accounts receivables and inventories. INFICON closed the quarter with a net cash position of USD 14.1 million. Even though dividends were paid out in April, the equity ratio at the end of the reporting quarter increased to 64.0% after 58.4% a year ago. Development in the target markets and world regions INFICON recorded sales increases in all target markets except General Vacuum. Here, the shipments to Asian and American customers became weaker and dropped to USD 35.5 million by 22.5% compared with the same quarter of last year and by 22.7% vis-a-vis the preceding first quarter. This market contributed 21.3% to Group sales. INFICON's biggest market Semiconductor & Vacuum Coating made up for 50.3% of the Group's second quarter sales. With USD 84.0 million, sales to this market mark a new quarterly record and increased by 28.8% compared with the first quarter and by 2.5% against the same quarter last year. Most of the quarterly sales increase came from Asia where both, the OEM business with equipment manufacturers as well as the end user business with chip makers benefitted. Sales to Europe and North America were, in contrast, roughly flat. Sales generated in the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning & Automotive market continued to grow and contributed 21.7% to Group sales. The sales volume increased by 8.5% in the yearly, and 10.8% in the sequential comparison. Year-on-year, INFICON saw a considerably lower business volume in Europe while sales to Asia and America grew substantially. When compared with the first quarter 2024, INFICON achieved higher sales volumes in all regions, most markedly so in America. Second quarter sales in INFICON's smallest market, Security & Energy, which is strongly influenced by large government contracts, increased by 14.1% year-on-year or by 8.2% sequentially to a new quarterly high of USD 11.2 million. As the supply chain situation continues to normalize, the focus remains on the ongoing reduction of the order backlog. With 46.8% of sales, Asia continues to be the most important sales region for INFICON, followed by America (27.9%) and Europe (24.6%). While the sales generated in Asia slowed 4.4% compared with the second quarter of last year, they picked up 17.8% when compared with this year's first quarter. Sales generated with American customers went a new quarterly high of USD 46.5 million, up 2.3% in both comparisons. For Europe, the sales show both a slight decline in the annual (-4.4%) and the quarterly assessments (-0.5%). Half-year After the strong first half of 2023, INFICON's half-year 2024 sales slightly declined by 2.4% or adjusted for currency and acquisition effects by 1.4% organically to USD 321.2 million. The gross profit for the period rose from USD 149.4 million to USD 152.4 million, yielding a higher gross margin of 47.4%, up from 45.4%. After tightly managed costs and slight increase in R&D expenses, the operating income for the first half of 2024 increased and has reached USD 65.0 million after USD 63.3 million last year. This represents an operating profit margin of 20.2% of sales and an improvement of 100 basis points. The 11.1% higher net result of USD 52.1 million translates into higher earnings per share of USD 21.33 after USD 19.19 a year ago. Half-year report, presentation, web conference The half-year report of INFICON Holding AG as well as the presentation on the quarterly and half-year financial statements are now available online in the Investor Relations section of the INFICON website www.inficon.com at https://ir.inficon.com/financial-results-and-presentations/ INFICON will discuss the second quarter and half-year 2024 financial statements today at 15:00 CEST at an English-language web conference. You can reach the Microsoft Teams conference under the following links: www.inficon.com/web-conference Communication calendar 2024 INFICON's communication calendar is continuously updated and can be found in the Investors Relations section of the INFICON website or directly at https://ir.inficon.com/financial-calendar/ Information by E-Mail The latest information from INFICON will be sent to you automatically by e-mail if you register for this service in the Investors section of the INFICON website at https://ir.inficon.com/contact-and-information-request/ About INFICON INFICON is a leading provider of innovative instrumentation, critical sensor technologies, and Smart Manufacturing /Industry 4.0 software solutions that enhance productivity and quality of tools, processes and complete factories. These analysis, measurement, and control products are essential for gas leak detection in air conditioning/refrigeration, and automotive manufacturing. They are vital to equipment manufacturers and end-users in the complex fabrication of semiconductors and thin film coatings for optics, flat panel displays, solar cells and industrial vacuum coating applications. Other users of vacuum based processes include the life sciences, research, aerospace, packaging, heat treatment, laser cutting and many other industrial processes. We also leverage our expertise in vacuum technology to provide unique, toxic chemical analysis products for emergency response, security, and environmental monitoring. INFICON is headquartered in Switzerland and has world-class manufacturing facilities in Europe, the United States and China, as well as subsidiaries in China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. INFICON registered shares (IFCN) are listed on SIX Swiss Exchange. For more information about INFICON and its products, please visit www.inficon.com. This press release and oral statements or other written statements made, or to be made by us contain forward-looking statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of our management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect our current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. End of Inside Information Dr. Kronenberg brings 25 years of legal experience, with 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry Oliver Strub appointed as Head of Compliance Pratteln, Switzerland, July 31, 2024 - Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) announces the Board of Directors has appointed Dr. Oliver P. Kronenberg as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Santhera Pharmaceuticals AG, effective August 1, 2024. As a member of the executive management team, Dr. Oliver P. Kronenberg will lead the Company's legal strategy and global legal activities, including transactions, corporate governance, and IP. He succeeds Oliver Strub, who remains at Santhera and will assume the newly created role of Head of Compliance, where he will be responsible for overseeing the development, implementation and management of Santhera's compliance program. "We are pleased to welcome Oliver to Santhera as Chief Legal Officer and as a member of our executive leadership team," commented Dr. Thomas Meier, Chairman of the Board of Santhera. "His expertise and achievements in key legal areas of the life sciences industry strengthens our leadership team, increasing our expertise in corporate governance and knowledge in the approval and market launch of pharmaceutical products. We extend our deepest thanks to Oliver Strub, who has led Santhera's legal department since 2006 and will continue as Head of Compliance, where his focus will be on overseeing Santhera's compliance program." Dr. Oliver P. Kronenberg is a lawyer with more than 25 years of experience, including over 20 years in the international pharmaceutical industry. Since 2008 he has worked in various roles at Vifor Pharma and its parent company, Galenica. As Head of Legal and Compliance at Vifor Pharma, he was responsible for establishing the legal, IP, and compliance department. In 2013, he was promoted to Group General Counsel of Galenica. After the split of the Galenica Group in April 2017, he returned to Vifor Pharma, becoming Group General Counsel and was appointed member of the executive committee in 2022. Dr. Kronenberg has supported Santhera since April 2024 as interim General Counsel. Dr. Oliver P. Kronenberg commented: "I am excited to be joining Santhera at this important stage of its development, as momentum builds towards the continuous launch of AGAMREE (vamorolone) for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. I look forward to working closely with the executive team and the Board in the months ahead." Dr. Kronenberg holds a doctorate in law from the University of Basel, an LL.M. degree from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, a degree in Finance for Executives from INSEAD, and an IMD Board Director Diploma. About Santhera Santhera Pharmaceuticals. AGAMREE is a trademark of Santhera Pharmaceuticals. For further information please contact: public-relations@santhera.comor Eva Kalias, Head Investor Relations & Communications Phone: +41 79 875 27 80 eva.kalias@santhera.com Disclaimer / Forward-looking statements This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG. This publication may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. # # # Attachment The global solar cell paste market is witnessing substantial growth, propelled by increasing emphasis on renewable energy sources on a global scale. As industries across various sectors expand and the demand for sustainable energy solutions continues to surge, the significance of solar cell paste technologies has become pivotal, particularly in areas such as electronics, photovoltaics, and energy storage. PORTLAND, Ore., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Solar Cell Paste Market by Paste Type (Silver, Aluminum, and Others), and Cell Type (n-type, and p-type): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2033". According to the report, the solar cell paste market was valued at $8.4 Billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $29.1 Billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 13.2% from 2024 to 2033. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A51843 Prime determinants of growth The global solar cell paste market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as a supportive government policies and initiatives toward usage of solar cell technology, rise in demand from commercial and utility-scale sectors for electricity, and rise in demand for green and clean energy sources. However, technological barriers hinder market growth to some extent. Moreover, adoption of solar electricity, reduced price and presence of abundant renewable source offers remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the global solar cell paste market. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2033 Base Year 2023 Market Size In 2023 $8.4 Billion Market Size In 2033 $29.1 Billion CAGR 13.2 % No. Of Pages In Report 236 Segments Covered Paste Type, Cell Type, And Region. Drivers Product Innovations In The Solar Cell Paste Industry. Supportive Government Policies And Initiatives Toward Usage Of Solar Cell Technology. Increasing Demand For Clean And Green Energy Sources. Opportunities Adoption Of Solar Electricity, Reduced Price And Presence Of Abundant Renewable Source Upsurge In Demand For Renewable Energy Restraint Technological Barriers And Precisive Production Of Solar Cell Paste The silver paste segment is expected to dominate the market throughout the forecast period. Based on paste type, silver solar cell paste is used the most in solar panels across the globe as silver possesses high electrical and thermal conductivity as compared to other metals. Additionally, silver solar cell paste also possesses highest reflective properties as compared to other alternate solar cell paste such as aluminum and others. Procure Complete Report (236 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3SuNiup The p-type segment is expected to dominate the market throughout the forecast period. Based on the cell type, the p-type segment held the highest market share in 2023, and is likely to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. This can be attributed to the fact that p-type cells possess better radiation absorption technique as compared with other types of solar cell. Low cost of p-type solar cell compared with n-type solar cells is the additional associated benefit depicting higher sales of p-type solar cells across the globe. Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2033 Increase in production of solar energy in Asia-Pacific is attributed to rise in usage of solar energy in standalone systems such as solar street lamps and telecommunication & signaling towers. Rapid industrialization and urbanization across countries of Asia-Pacific region such as India, China, and Thailand have led to increase in infrastructure development activities, including construction of highways and new residential complexes, which are expected to fuel the demand for standalone systems. Increase in government investment in R&D of satellite technology for civil and military uses is expected to propel the demand for PV energy thereby increasing the demand of solar cell paste market in the region. For Purchase Inquiry: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/solar-cell-paste-market/purchase-options Players: - Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Targray Eastman Chemical Company Heraeus Holding Zhongxi Group Co., Ltd. Arraycom (India) Ltd. JA SOLAR Technology Co., Ltd. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited Solaronix SA DuPont The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global solar cell paste market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. Trending Reports in Solar Industry: Solar Cell and Module Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type, by Product Type, by Module Efficiency, by Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 Solar Photovoltaic Glass Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type, by End-use Industry: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 Concentrated Solar Power Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Technology, by End Use Industry: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Solar Windows Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Cell Type, by Transparency Type, by Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Solar Energy Storage Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type, by Installation: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Solar Thermal Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Collector Type, by System, by Application, by End Use: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Solar Cell Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type, by Installation Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 About us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact us: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/energy-and-power Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/solar-cell-paste-market-to-reach-29-1-billion-globally-by-2033-at-13-2-cagr-allied-market-research-302210765.html O'KEY Group S.A. O'KEY GROUP REPORTS 5.2% NET RETAIL REVENUE GROWTH IN Q2 2024 31-Jul-2024 / 08:45 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Press release 31 July 2024 O'KEY GROUP REPORTS 5.2% NET RETAIL REVENUE GROWTH IN Q2 2024 O'KEY Group S.A. (AIX, MOEX: OKEY, the "Group" or the "Company"), one of Russia's leading food retailers, has announced its unaudited operating results for the second quarter (Q2) and the six months (6M) of 2024. All materials published by the Group are available on its website at www.okeygroup.lu . Q2 2024 operating highlights Group net retail revenue [1] rose by 5.2% YoY to RUB 52.3 bn, driven mainly by LFL revenue growth of O'KEY hypermarkets and DA! discounters, as well as by support from DA! chain expansion. rose by 5.2% YoY to RUB 52.3 bn, driven mainly by LFL revenue growth of O'KEY hypermarkets and DA! discounters, as well as by support from DA! chain expansion. O'KEY hypermarkets' net retail revenue grew by 1.0% YoY to RUB 33.9 bn on the back of a 1.5% increase in LFL revenue. DA! discounters' net retail revenue went up 13.8% YoY to RUB 18.4 bn, led by a 6.3% increase in LFL revenue and the chain's organic growth. DA! discounters' share in the Group's net retail revenue grew by 2.7 pp YoY and reached 35.2%. 6M 2024 operating highlights [2] Group net retail revenue grew by 6.2% YoY to RUB 104.6 bn. O'KEY hypermarkets' net retail revenue was up 2.0% YoY to RUB 69.4 bn, thanks to a 2.6% increase in LFL revenue. DA! discounters' net retail revenue rose by 15.7% YoY to RUB 35.2 bn, driven by a 6.9% LFL revenue growth and further boosted by the chain's expansion. Key events in 6M 2024 and after the reporting date In June, Expert RA affirmed a credit rating of 'ruA-' for O'KEY LLC, the main operating subsidiary of O'KEY Group S.A. The outlook of the rating remains Stable. The full text of the announcements is available at https://www.okeygroup.lu/press-center/press-releases/2024/1904/ On 18 June 2024, the Group cancelled the listing of its GDRs on LSE. On 13 June, in preparation for the delisting from LSE, the Group transferred GDRs to Level II Quotation List on the Moscow Exchange. O'KEY Group GDRs are also listed on AIX. The Group plans to keep its listing on both MOEX and AIX. The full text of the respective announcements is available at https://www.okeygroup.lu/press-center/press-releases/2024/1902/ and at https://www.okeygroup.lu/press-center/press-releases/2024/1906/ In July, the Group announced that it had initiated a transition to a new depositary bank, replacing The Bank of NY Mellon with RCS Trust and Corporate Services Ltd., appointed as a successor for the Group's GDR program. The full text of the announcements is available at https://www.okeygroup.lu/press-center/press-releases/2024/1908/ In July, NCR rating agency affirmed a credit rating of 'A.ru' with Stable outlook for O'KEY LLC, the main operating subsidiary of O'KEY Group S.A. The full text of the announcements is available at https://www.okeygroup.lu/press-center/press-releases/2024/1911/ Operating review Group Net Retail Revenue in Q2 and 6M 2024 Net Retail Revenue, RUB mln (excl. VAT) Q2 2024 Q2 2023 YoY, % 6M 2024 6M 2023 YoY, % O'KEY Group 52,316 49,738 5.2% 104,568 98,463 6.2% O'KEY hypermarkets 33,896 33,548 1.0% 69,383 68,054 2.0% DA! discounters 18,420 16,190 13.8% 35,185 30,409 15.7% Group Like-for-Like Net Retail Revenue Performance in Q2 and 6M 2024 April May June Q2 2024 6M 2024 Net retail revenue, % YoY O'KEY Group (1.2%) 5.5% 5.1% 3.1% 3.9% O'KEY hypermarkets (3.2%) 4.5% 3.3% 1.5% 2.6% DA! discounters 2.8% 7.4% 8.7% 6.3% 6.9% Customer traffic, % YoY O'KEY Group (6.3%) (3.1%) (2.9%) (4.1%) (3.2%) O'KEY hypermarkets (8.1%) (4.1%) (3.9%) (5.4%) (4.5%) DA! discounters (4.2%) (1.9%) (1.7%) (2.6%) (1.6%) Average ticket, % YoY O'KEY Group 5.4% 8.9% 8.2% 7.5% 7.4% O'KEY hypermarkets 5.4% 9.0% 7.5% 7.3% 7.4% DA! discounters 7.3% 9.5% 10.6% 9.2% 8.6% Note: Q2 2024 LFL metrics are calculated based on 77 O'KEY and 202 DA! stores. In Q2 2024, the Group's net retail revenue increased by 5.2% YoY to RUB 52,316 mln, led mainly by LFL revenue growth of the two chains, as well as the discounter business expansion. Net retail revenue of O'KEY hypermarkets rose by 1.0% YoY to RUB 33,896 mln on the back of a 1.5% LFL net retail revenue increase in Q2 2024. Over the first half of 2024, O'KEY management team has been significantly strengthened with seasoned professionals in store operations, commercial, marketing, real estate, non-commercial purchases and more. In Q2 2024, O'KEY initiated a thorough review of assortment and suppliers portfolio to further strengthen customer proposition and build long-term and mutually beneficial strategic partnerships at the same time. The process is being backed by updating the promotional, pricing and marketing concepts as the basis for the development of renewed strategy for O'KEY hypermarkets. In Q2 2024, DA! discounters' net retail revenue grew by 13.8% YoY to RUB 18,420 mln, driven by a 6.3% LFL revenue growth and a 6.9% YoY increase in selling space. The discounters' share in the Group's revenue grew by 2.7 p.p. YoY to 35.2% in Q2 2024. The DA! discount chain continued to work on providing the best value for money proposition to our customers, with an emphasis on the range of fresh and ultra-fresh products and further improving the portfolio of its own brands. Group Stores and Selling Space in 6M 2024 Stores and Selling Space 6M 2024 6M 2023 Net change Change, % Number of stores, EoP 296 282 14 5.0% O'KEY hypermarkets 77 77 - - DA! discounters 219 205 14 6.8% Total selling space (sq m), EoP 659,973 648,866 11,107 1.7% O'KEY hypermarkets 512,329 510,768 1,561 0.3% DA! discounters 147,644 138,098 9,546 6.9% In Q2 2024, the Group closed three and opened two DA! stores. As of 30 June 2024, the Group operated a total of 77 O'KEY hypermarkets and 219 DA! discounters with a total selling space of 659,973 sq m. For more information, please contact: Natalya Belyavskaya Head of Investor Relations +7 495 663 6677 ext. 266 Natalya.Belyavskaya@okmarket.ru www.okeygroup.lu ABOUT O'KEY GROUP O'KEY Group S.A. (AIX, MOEX: OKEY) is one of the leading grocery retailers in Russia, operating hypermarkets under the O'KEY brand and discounters under the DA! brand. As of 30 June 2024, the Group had 296 stores across Russia (77 hypermarkets and 219 discounters) with a total selling space of 659,973 sq m. O'KEY opened its first hypermarket in St Petersburg in 2002 and has since demonstrated continuous growth. It was the first Russian food retailer to launch e-commerce operations offering a full range of hypermarket products for home delivery. The Group operates e-commerce pick-up and delivery points in 72 O'KEY hypermarkets across the country. In 2015, we launched the first discount chain in Russia under the DA! brand. The Group operates five distribution centres in Russia - three in Moscow and two in St Petersburg - and employs 19,200 people. In 2023, the Group's revenue amounted to RUB 207.9 bn, and EBITDA reached RUB 17.0 bn. The O'KEY Group shareholder structure is as follows: NISEMAX Co Ltd - 49.11%. GSU Ltd - 34.14%, free-float and other holders - 16.75%. DISCLAIMER These materials contain statements about future events and expectations that are forward-looking statements. These statements typically include words such as 'expects' and 'anticipates' and words of similar import. Any statement in these materials that is not a statement of historical fact is a forward-looking statement that involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. None of the future projections, expectations, estimates or prospects in this announcement should be taken as forecasts or promises, nor should they be taken as implying any indication, assurance or guarantee that the assumptions on which such future projections, expectations, estimates or prospects have been prepared are correct or exhaustive or, in the case of the assumptions, fully stated in this announcement. We assume no obligations to update the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in factors affecting these statements. [1] Hereinafter the net retail revenue, LFL net retail revenue, and online revenue metrics are provided net of VAT. [2] Hereinafter the net retail revenue and LFL net retail revenue for 6M 2024 vs 6M 2023 is not adjusted for a leap-year effect, i.e. there was an additional trading day in February 2024 compared to February 2023. Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ADELAIDE, Australia and WAKE FOREST, N.C., July 31, 2024, an award-winning, mid-sized full-service global Contract Research Organization. Meet Jeanne Schow and the Avance Clinical North American team at the next biotech event. Book a Meeting Here. Yvonne Lungershausen, CEO of Avance Clinical, expressed her enthusiasm about Jeanne's appointment, highlighting the significant expertise she brings to the team. "We are extremely pleased to have Jeanne Schow lead our North American Business Developmentteam. Jeanne and the North American sales team will focus on working with biotech clients who are seeking collaboration with Avance Clinical's US operations," Lungershausen stated. "This senior appointment of an experienced industry leader to the US operations will further support the company's engagement with US biotech companies seeking rapid and high-quality clinical research solutions," Lungershausen added. Avance Clinical's GlobalReadydrug development solution provides innovative, accelerated clinical program pathways and quality data accepted by all major regulatory authorities, including the FDA and EMA. Furthermore, the company's Australian operations offer US biotechs substantial savings of almost 45% on clinical expenditures and facilitate rapid start-up of early-phase studies because they do not require an IND. Jeanne Schow brings over 25 years of experience in discovery, clinical development, and business development roles, managing large strategic teams. "I'm very excited to use my biotech clinical development experience to further expand the Avance Clinical North American operations which has more than 17 years of early to late phase delivery experience," she said. When asked why she chose to join Avance Clinical, Jeanne emphasized the company's exceptional track record of repeat business due to customer service, responsive teams, and innovative, quality clinical delivery across, but not limited to, key therapeutic areas including Rare Diseases, Oncology, CNS, Infectious Diseases, and Cell & Gene Therapies. "As a mid-sized CRO, Avance Clinical is known for its ability to start early in clinical development and expand to support biotech clients through to later phase studies. We will build on this partnership model to increase our later phase studies operated in the US and globally. "Avance Clinical's US-based scientific and regulatory expertise and collaborative project management approach aligns with the unique challenges every study presents," she explained. Reflecting on her career, Jeanne Schow said: "I started out with Baxter Healthcare, working with biotech firms in the San Francisco Bay Area, then joined Avantor, a leading scientific distributor, followed by Acurian Patient Recruitment Services, which was purchased by PPD during my tenure, and then joined UBC. My most recent role was VP of Business Development at APCER Life Sciences, which provides pharmacovigilance and regulatory services for both clinical trials and post-approval." "I'm proud to participate in the endeavour of discovering treatments which prolong or improve our lives. To help one patient find a possible new treatment through a clinical trial is one benefit that I have both experienced as well as shared with others. I'm thankful for the people I've met and look forward to meeting more wonderful professionals as we bring Avance Clinical's success story to later stage biotech companies," she said. In addition to her extensive professional experience, Jeanne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, California, and an MBA from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. About Avance Clinical | Request a Proposal Avance Clinical is the largest premium full-service Australian, Asian and North American CRO delivering quality clinical trials with globally accepted data for international biotechs. The company's clients are biotechs completing Phase Ito Phase IIIof their drug development program that requires fast, agile, and adaptive solution-oriented clinical research services. Frost & Sullivan Awards Avance Clinical, a Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific CRO Market Leadership Awardrecipient for the past four years, has been providing CRO services in the region for more than 26 years. Pre-clinical through to mid to late phase Avance Clinical offers pre-clinical consulting and regulatory services with their experienced ClinicReady team right from pre-clinical through to Phase III clinical services leveraging significant Australian Government incentive rebates of up to 43.5% and rapid start-up regulatory processes. With experience across more than 120 indications, the CRO can deliver world-class results and high-quality internationally accepted data for TGA, FDA and EMA review. Technology Avance Clinical uses state-of-the-art technologyand gold standard systems across all functional areas to provide clients with the most effective processes. Medidata, Oracle, TrialHub, Certinia, Salesforce, Zelta and Medrio are just some of the technology partners. www.avancecro.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e9992184-1863-4dfd-bfb6-e1a3c24810e1 BVK, Germany's largest pension fund, has committed to nine Pantheon programs covering European, global and US private equity since relationship started in 2007 Latest program is the third of its kind focused on providing capital to fund ongoing growth of small and mid-sized companies in the US, through primary fund commitments and complementary co-investments Pantheon is recognized for its deep expertise and specialist capabilities in mid-market private equity, which it will harness to help build a secure financial future for BVK's pension constituents Pantheon, a leading specialist global private markets investor, has continued to build on its near-two decade relationship with Bayerische Versorgungkammer (BVK), Germany's largest pension fund, having been awarded a new private equity mandate. BVK's relationship with Pantheon dates back to 2007 and includes investments across nine commingled funds and separate accounts covering European, global and US private equity. This latest mandate is the third of its kind focused on providing capital to support the ongoing growth of small and mid-sized private companies in the US, through primary commitments and complementary co-investments. Pantheon has a 40-year track record of investing in private equity and has been an active co-investor for the past 27 years, with a conviction focus on the mid-market where Pantheon believes there is enhanced potential for operational value creation. Pantheon has more than $65bn in discretionary assets under management across its asset classes and programs, and commits more than $4bn annually across its private equity strategies. BVK manages the pension assets on behalf of 12 occupational and municipal pension schemes within the state of Bavaria, with a combined 111.9bn ($119.7bn) in assets under management. Around one in five households in Bavaria receives benefits from BVK. Ralph Guenther, Partner and Head of Continental Europe Investor Relations at Pantheon, commented: "We are grateful for the continued trust placed in us by BVK to continue to help it provide financial security to millions of pensioners across Bavaria. Building on our 17-year working relationship across nine programs, BVK's latest mandate reflects our long-term partnership approach and the strength of our specialized expertise in the private equity mid-market." Hendrik Kott, Head of Equity and Alternative Investments at BVK commented: "We are very pleased with the excellent working relationship we have built with the Pantheon team over the last 17 years. Pantheon has become one of our key partners in private equity, providing us with continuous access to attractive investment opportunities in the less visible parts of the market, where alignment of interest is the strongest between investors and the smaller and medium-sized businesses they help to grow." Jeff Miller, Co-Head of Investment and Global Head of Private Equity at Pantheon, added: "We're proud to be working with BVK to continue to back company owners and entrepreneurs across the US to grow their businesses. In turn, this gives us the opportunity to deliver strong risk-adjusted investment returns that will contribute to building a secure financial future for the millions of people BVK supports." About Pantheon Pantheon* has been at the forefront of private markets investing for more than 40 years, earning a reputation for providing innovative solutions covering the full lifecycle of investments, from primary fund commitments to co-investments and secondary purchases, across private equity, real assets and private credit. We have partnered with more than 650 clients, including institutional investors of all sizes as well as a growing number of private wealth advisers and investors, with approximately $65bn in discretionary assets under management (as of December 31, 2023). Using creative approaches informed by our specialized experience and delivered by a global team of professionals based in offices across Europe, the Americas and Asia, we invest with purpose and lead with expertise to build secure financial futures. Pantheon refers to the subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings of Pantheon Ventures Inc. and AMG Plymouth UK Holdings Limited and includes operating entities principally based in the US (San Francisco and New York), UK (London), Hong Kong, Guernsey, Tokyo, Dublin and Singapore. Pantheon Ventures Inc. and Pantheon Ventures (US) LP are registered as investment advisors with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"); Pantheon Securities, LLC is a broker dealer registered with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"). Pantheon Ventures (UK) LLP is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") in the United Kingdom. Pantheon Ventures (Guernsey) Ltd and a number of other Pantheon entities incorporated in Guernsey are regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. Pantheon Ventures (Asia) Limited is registered as a Type II Financial Instruments Business and Investment Advisory and Agency Business Operator with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau in Japan (KLFB). Pantheon Ventures (Ireland) DAC is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland ("CBI") and is an appointed representative of Pantheon Ventures (UK) LLP in respect of activities carried out in the United Kingdom. Pantheon Ventures (Singapore) Pte. Ltd holds a capital markets service licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore ("MAS") to conduct fund management with accredited and institutional investors. The AMG Pantheon Funds are distributed by AMG Distributors, Inc., a member of FINRA/SIPC. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. 2024 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240729199080/en/ Contacts: Pantheon Brett Perryman, Global Head of Marketing and Communications Tel: +1 212 205 2038 C: +1 917 703 3071 Email: Brett.Perryman@Pantheon.com Second-line treatment for adults with mycosis fungoides or Sezary syndrome included in the Ministry of Health's Drug Programme effective as of 1st July 2024. Kyowa Kirin International (KKI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd., and Swixx BioPharma AG today announced that the Polish Ministry of Health has approved the reimbursement of POTELIGEO (mogamulizumab) in second-line monotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB and above mycosis fungoides (MF), and Sezary syndrome (SS). MF and SS are two subtypes of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that presents and persists in the skin and can have debilitating physical, emotional and social challenges.1 MF-the most common CTCL subtype-accounts for approximately 60% of all CTCLs.2 With an average time to diagnosis of 3-4 years, MF is typically characterised by skin symptoms including patches or plaques, skin redness and tumours.3,4 SS is much rarer, accounting for around 5% of CTCLs,5 and is more aggressive, causing severe itching, erythroderma, intense scaling of the skin and frequent hair loss.6 Jeremy Morgan, President of Kyowa Kirin International, commented: "I am delighted that the Ministry of Health has agreed to reimburse POTELIGEO for MF and SS patients in Poland. Our purpose at Kyowa Kirin is to make people smile, and I am proud to see us living this purpose and achieving such an important milestone for the CTCL community. With a commitment to delivering life changing value for people impacted by under-diagnosed and under-served diseases, approval in Poland now means mogamulizumab is reimbursed in almost 30 countries across the EMEA region, and is a critical step in helping to meet the needs of people living with CTCL." Kyowa Kirin International and Swixx BioPharma AG signed a Promotion and Distribution Agreement in October 2022. Under the terms of the agreement, Swixx exclusively markets, promotes and distributes mogamulizumab in Poland. Michal Opuchlik, General Manager of Swixx BioPharma Poland, commented: "The positive reimbursement decision of the Polish Ministry of Health is surely an important achievement for patients in Poland suffering from CTCL. We are very proud that, thanks to the great cooperation between Swixx BioPharma, Kyowa Kirin and all our stakeholders in Poland, we were able to ensure that patients now have access to this medicine, that received the FDA's breakthrough therapy designation several years ago. At Swixx BioPharma we are proud of our mission to bring the innovative therapies of our partners to patients in need and this milestone once again positions Swixx BioPharma Poland among the leading companies securing access to innovative treatments in our country." About Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) Mogamulizumabis a first-in-class humanised monoclonal antibody directed against CC-chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4), a protein consistently expressed on cancerous cells seen in both MF and SS,7-9 once mogamulizumab binds to CCR4, it increases attraction of immune cells from the immune system to destroy the cancerous cells.10 About MF and SS MF and SS are two subtypes of CTCL,which is itself a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that presents and persists in the skin.1 CTCL is treatable, but is not generally considered to be curable, and there has been a clear unmet need for novel treatment options. As well as the obvious impact of symptoms upon patients, there can be significant erosions to quality of life for those caring for an individual living with CTCL.11 MF and SS are characterised by localisation of cancerous white blood cells called T lymphocytes (T cells), to the skin.12 These cancerous T cells consistently express a protein called CCR4, which enables them to move from the blood to the skin.7-9 When these cancerous T cells move to the skin, this results in the visible early skin symptoms of red patches or plaques which can resemble psoriasis or eczema in the early stages of the disease.13 Later, for some patients, skin involvement may evolve to include tumours or reddening of the majority of the skin's surface (erythroderma). MF-the most common CTCL subtype-accounts for approximately 60% of all CTCLs2 and is typically indolent, characterised by skin symptoms including patches or plaques, skin redness and tumours.3,4 SS is much rarer, accounting for around 5% of CTCLs,5 and is more aggressive,6 with high levels of blood involvement.5 It can cause severe itching, erythroderma, intense scaling of the skin and frequent hair loss.6 CTCL can take, on average, between 2 and 7 years for individuals to receive a confirmed diagnosis.13 About Kyowa Kirin Kyowa Kirin aims to discover novel medicines with life-changing value. As a Japan-based Global Specialty Pharmaceutical Company, we have invested in drug discovery and biotechnology innovation for more than 70 years and are currently working to engineer the next generation of antibodies and cell and gene therapies with the potential to help patients affected by severe and rare diseases. A shared commitment to our values, to sustainable growth, and to making people smile unites us across our four regions Japan, Asia Pacific, North America, and EMEA/International. You can learn more about the business of Kyowa Kirin at: https://www.kyowakirin.com About Swixx BioPharma AG Swixx BioPharma is one of the fastest-growing, largest, intercontinental commercial platforms for the biopharmaceutical industry. Swixx operates subsidiaries across Central and Eastern Europe, Greece, Russia, several Eurasian countries, the Middle East, and via Biopas, a Swixx BioPharma company, in almost 20 Latin American countries. Swixx BioPharma Group has over 1,600 employees and sales likely to exceed a billion Euros in 2024. The company has gathered outstanding rare disease, oncology-hematology, specialty, vaccines and self-medication talent under one roof. For more information about Swixx BioPharma, please visit: www.swixxbiopharma.com References 1Kim YH, Bagot M, Pinter-Brown L, et al. Mogamulizumab versus vorinostat in previously treated cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (MAVORIC): an international, open-label, randomised, controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2018;19(9):1192-1204. 2Willemze R, et al. The 2018 update of the WHO-EORTC classification for primary cutaneous lymphomas. Blood. 2019;133(16):1703-1714. 3Scarisbrick, J, et al. The PROCLIPI international registry of early-stage mycosis fungoides identifies substantial diagnostic delay in most patients. Br J Dermatol. 2019;181(20):350-357. 4Demierre M-F, et al. Significant impact of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma on patients' quality of life. Cancer. 2006;107(10):2504-2511. 5Trautinger F, et al. European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer consensus recommendations for the treatment of mycosisfungoides/Sezary syndrome Update 2017. European Journal of Cancer. 2017;77:57-74. 6Lymphoma Coalition. Cutaneous lymphoma a patient's guide. Available at: https://lymphomacoalition.org/wpcontent/uploads/Cutaneous_lymphoma_-_patients_guide_-.pdf. Last accessed: July 2024 7Ferenczi K, et al. Increased CCR4 expression in cutaneous T cell lymphoma. J Invest Dermatol. 2002;119:1405-10. 8Yoshie O, et al. Frequent Expression of CCR4 in Adult T-Cell Leukemia and Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1-transformed T cells. Blood. 2002;99(5):1505-11. 9Ishida T, et al. Clinical Significance of CCR4 Expression in Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma: Its Close Association With Skin Involvement and Unfavorable Outcome. Clin Cancer Res. 2003;9:3625-34. 10Duvic M, et al. Mogamulizumab for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: recent advances and clinical potential. Ther Adv Hematol. 2016;7(3):171-174. 11Williams et al (2020) Health state utilities associated with caring for an individual with CTCL. Journal of Medical Economics. 2020; 23(10):1142-1150. 12Scarisbrick JJ, Prince M, Vermeer MH, et al. Cutaneous Lymphoma International Consortium Study of Outcome in Advanced Stages of Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary Syndrome: Effect of Specific Prognostic Markers on Survival and Development of a Prognostic Model. J Clin Oncol. 2015;33(32):3766-3773. 13Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation, Lymphoma Action and Lymphoma Coalition Europe. Cutaneous lymphoma a patient's guide. 2019. Available from: https://lymphomacoalition.org/wpcontent/uploads/Cutaneous_lymphoma_-_patients_guide_-.pdf. Last accessed: July 2024. KKI/INT/MOG/1166 Date of preparation: July 2024 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731235221/en/ Contacts: Stacey Minton Stacey.Minton@kyowakirin.com Omega Pacific Resources Inc. (CSE:OMGA)(OTCQB:OMGPF)(FSE:Q0F) ("Omega Pacific' or the "Company") is pleased to provide a detailed interpretation of its recently announced assay results from drill hole WM24-01 and overview of its Phase 1 direction. Highlights: Comparative analysis of drill holes WM22-02, 22-03 and 24-01 evidence robust gold mineralization along chargeability and resistivity anomalies More drilling is warranted proximal to these holes and associated IP anomalies as well as IP anomalies elsewhere along the >4 km GIC trend Drill hole WM24-01 was located 50 m from historical drill hole WM22-02 which had returned strong grades in 2022 At ~250 m, both drill holes share similar grades and geological properties, deepening the Company's understanding of GIC's mineralization controls Moderate IP anomalies are proving to be powerful vectors to gold mineralization Upcoming results from the remaining holes of the initial 2024 drill program will further inform second phase drill program strategy Drill Hole 24-01 Further analysis of last week's drill results reveals promising mineralization potential at GIC, marking a significant step forward in Omega Pacific's exploration efforts. The Company's first drill hole (WM24-01) intercepted strong grades that demonstrate the presence of both high-grade (6.22 g/t Au over 18.98m) and bulk tonnage (1.69 g/t Au over 104m) mineralization (OMGA press release July 24, 2024). Current drilling at GIC has encountered encouraging visual signs including broad zones of intense texturally destructive silicification (quartz-sericite-pyrite) including disseminated and fine fracture and vein-controlled pyrite. These visual indicators explain the resistivity and chargeability anomalies. Historical and Current Work Programs Historical Induced-Polarization (IP) geophysical surveys from 2022 and 2006 have helped steer the drilling at GIC. These surveys highlight chargeable (i.e. sulphides present) and resistive areas (i.e. quartz present), both of which can be indicative of gold mineralization separately and coincidentally. The 2006 drilling at GIC focused on the highest chargeability anomalies from the 2006 IP survey - this drilling met with limited success. An expanded IP survey was conducted over GIC in 2021 in conjunction with a modern multi-element soil geochemical survey as a lead-up to the 2022 drill program which focused on direct testing of gold and copper in soil anomalies observed to be coincident with the more subtle moderate chargeability/resistivity responses. This approach yielded excellent results in WM22-02 and -03 with 2.2 g/t Au over 50 m (ended in mineralization) and 4.64 g/t Au over 8 m, respectively. These 2022 drill holes shed new light on the potential IP targets at GIC which remain open in all directions. Targeting for 2024 drilling centred around WM22-02 knowing that robust gold grades were occurring alongside the fringes of a moderate IP chargeability anomaly open to the east, west, and to depth. Each drill collar in Omega Pacific's 2024 Phase 1 drill program is located 50 m away from this drill hole. This strategy allows Omega Pacific's team to trace the depth and extent of mineralization and determine lateral direction of mineralization along strike and coincident with geophysical signatures. As results from the 2024 drill program come in, Omega Pacific will interpret and re-evaluate the gold assays with the IP survey data to elucidate further drill targets across GIC. The 2021 IP survey covered approximately 4.5 km of strike length at GIC with survey lines averaging 1.2 km in length. In addition to rendering new drill targets, the reinterpretation of the existing IP data could also lead to the expansion of the IP survey. Drill Hole Continuity When comparing WM22-02 and WM24-01, both drill holes share strong mineralization and extensive alteration. High-grade mineralization occurs between the depths of 275 m and 320 m with robust, bulk tonnage intervals ranging from 250 m to 350 m. This continuity will allow Omega Pacific's technical team to identify geological structures and deploy targeted drilling at GIC. Omega Pacific is currently awaiting assay results from the remaining three holes from the 2024 Phase 1 exploration program. Each drill-hole begins from the same location with altering azimuth and dips. Appointment of CFO and Director Omega Pacific is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Minckler as Chief Financial Officer and Director, effective July 31, 2024. Mr. Minckler has over 30 years of experience in accounting and finance, initially working in public practice for 10 years before moving to the private sector as a partner in a property development company. More recently, Mark has acted as controller for a geological consulting company, as well as a controller for a truck outfitter business. Mr. Minckler currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Altiplano Metals Inc., a part of the Metals Group of companies. Concurrently, the Company announces the resignation of both Sheri Rempel (CFO and Director) and Shayne Taker (Director). Omega Pacific would like to thank Ms. Rempel and Mr. Taker for their professional services to the Company and wishes them both success in their future endeavors. Qualified Person Robert L'Heureux (P.Geol.), Director of Omega Pacific Resources, is the "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed, validated and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. L'Heureux oversees exploration planning and execution at the Williams Property. About Omega Pacific Omega Pacific is a mineral exploration company focused on the development of mineral projects containing base and precious metals. The Company recently acquired an option to earn a 100% interest in the Williams Property, located in the Toodoggone region of the Golden Horseshoe. The Golden Horseshoe is a prolific area of British Columbia known to host many gold, copper and silver deposits. The Company also holds an option on the Lekcin Property, located 120 km east of Vancouver, BC. For more information, please contact: Omega Pacific Resources Inc. Jason Leikam, Chief Executive Officer & Director Tel: +1 (778) 650 4255 Email: jason@omegapacific.ca Cautionary Statement Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information under the provisions of Canadian securities laws including statements about the Company's plans. Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of beliefs, assumptions, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change, except as required by law. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Omega Pacific Resources Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Nano One Materials Corp. (TSX:NANO)(OTC PINK:NNOMF)(Frankfurt:LBMB) ("Nano One" or the "Company"), a clean technology company with patented processes for the low-cost, low-environmental footprint production of high-performance cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries, wishes to again remind shareholders about the upcoming annual general and special meeting ("AGSM") to be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 1:30pm Pacific Time. Further to our press release dated July 25, 2024, shareholders who wish to participate in the AGSM are invited to call in to the meeting using the conference call information included below. The Company has added a Zoom meeting in order to better facilitate both the AGSM and the question and answer session immediately following the AGSM. For those participants who wish to ask questions of Management, please use the Zoom link as questions cannot be asked using the conference call information. Management will be discussing market conditions and accomplishments of the Company from the past year and taking related questions from participants. Materials for the AGSM were mailed to shareholders of record the week of July 1, 2024, and may also be found on the website at https://nanoone.ca/investors/agm/ and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. While shareholder voting closed at 1:30pm Pacific time on July 30, 2024, you can still vote by proxy at the AGSM as per the instructions included in the meeting materials. Zoom / Conference call August 1, 2024, at 1:30pm Pacific Time Zoom Webinar ID: 971 5668 0076 Passcode: 993351 https://zoom.us/j/97156680076?pwd=J5XfAhW0xWm1Ua3Y3EjTxLy88hWPHH.1 Conference Line Toll-free in U.S. and Canada: 1-866-811-9555 International callers: +1-647-427-7632 Conference Passcode: 7478017 # Please call in 5 minutes in advance of the meeting. ### About Nano One Nano One Materials Corp. (Nano One) is a clean technology company with a patented, scalable and low carbon intensity industrial process for the low-cost production of high-performance lithium-ion battery cathode materials. With strategic collaborations and partnerships, including automotive OEMs and strategic industry supply chain companies like Sumitomo Metal Mining, BASF, Umicore and Rio Tinto. Nano One's technology is applicable to electric vehicles, energy storage, and consumer electronics, reducing costs and carbon intensity while improving environmental impact. The Company aims to pilot and demonstrate its technology as turn-key production solutions for license, joint venture, and independent production opportunities, leveraging Canadian talent and critical minerals for emerging markets in North America, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific region. Nano One has received funding from SDTC and the Governments of Canada and British Columbia. For more information, please visit www.nanoone.ca Company Contact: Paul Guedes info@nanoone.ca (604) 420-2041 SOURCE: Nano One Materials Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Regulatory News: NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN Aelis Farma (ISIN: FR0014007ZB4 Ticker: AELIS the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specialized in the development of treatments for brain diseases, today announces the successful completion of its capital increase without shareholders' preferential subscription rights reserved to specific categories of investors, in accordance with Article L. 225-138 of the French Commercial Code, for a total gross amount of approximately 4.5 million (the "Reserved Offering"), through the issuance of 448,824 new ordinary shares (the "New Shares"), at a price of 10 per New Share (the "Offering Price The net proceeds from the Reserved Offering, which are estimated to be approximately 4.0 million, will be used to fund: the continued development of its CB1-SSi therapeutic candidates by performing pre-clinical proof of concept studies to select: A new CB1-SSi for obesity related metabolic diseases and pathological fibrotic conditions A new CB1-SSi for Dopamine dependent Brain Disorders as for example Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) and/or dopamine hyperactivity related orphan diseases working capital and other general corporate purposes. The Company estimates that, on the basis on the planned expenditures, the total cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2023, of 20.2 million, and the funds raised, will be able to finance its operations to Q4 2026. Pier Vincenzo Piazza, CEO of Aelis Farma, commented: "We sincerely thank the investors that have expressed an interest in our company triggering the launch and success of this offering. Their participations allow us to continue to expand our shareholder base, accommodating new high-quality investors and to accelerate the development of the new families of CB1-SSi produced by our platform." Main characteristics of the Reserved Offering The Reserved Offering, for a total amount of 4,488,240 was carried out by the issue of 448,824 New Shares, without shareholders' preferential subscription rights, for the benefit of specific categories of investors, in accordance with the 15th and the 23rd resolutions of the annual general meeting of June 4, 2024 (the "AGM") and pursuant to Article L.225-138 of the French Commercial Code. Upon completion of the Reserved Offering, the share capital of the Company will be composed of 13,706,586 ordinary shares with a par value of 0.01 each. The 448,824 newly issued ordinary shares, represent approximately 3.4% of the Company's share capital, on a non-diluted basis, before completion of the Reserved Offering and 3.3% of the Company's share capital, on a non-diluted basis, after completion of the Reserved Offering. By way of illustration, a shareholder holding 1% of the share capital prior to the Reserved Offering and which did not participate in the Reserved Offering will hold 0.97% after completion of the Reserved Offering. The Offering Price has been set at 10 per New Share, representing a discount of approximately 15% to the Company's shares on the Euronext Paris regulated market at the time of the last trading session preceding its setting (i.e. July 30, 2024) in accordance with the decisions of the Company's Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the sub-delegations of authority granted by the Company's Board of Directors on July 30, 2024, in accordance with the 15th resolution of the AGM. To the Company's knowledge, the breakdown of shareholders before and after completion of the Reserved Offering is as follows: Shareholder Pre Reserved Offering (non-diluted basis) Post Reserved Offering (non-diluted basis) Number of ordinary shares held Percentage of share capital Number of ordinary shares held Percentage of share capital Aquitaine Region the Aquitaine Regional Funds 3,178,578 23.98% 3,178,578 23.19% Pier Vincenzo Piazza 2,432,831 18.35% 2,432,831 17.75% FPS Bpifrance Innovation 1 1,821,553 13.74% 1,821,553 13.29% Inserm Transfert Initiative 1,604,447 12.10% 1,604,447 11.71% Aelis Innovation 817,006 6.16% 817,006 5.96% Indivior PLC 701,469 5.29% 701,469 5.12% Admission of New Shares Settlement-delivery of the New Shares and their admission to trading on the Euronext Paris regulated market are expected to occur on August 2, 2024. The New Shares will be of the same class and fungible with the existing shares, will carry all rights attached to the shares, and will be admitted to trading on the Euronext Paris regulated market under the same ISIN code FR0014007ZB4. Financial Intermediaries Stifel Europe Bank AG ("Stifel") is acting as Sole Global Coordinator and Sole Bookrunner in connection with the Reserved Offering. Stifel is also acting as Centralizing Agent. The Reserved Offering is subject to a placement agreement entered into between the Company and Stifel dated July 30, 2024 and has been completed by a term of issue on pricing. Such agreement does not constitute a firm undertaking (garantie de bonne fin) within the meaning of article L. 225-145 of the French Commercial Code. Lock-up undertakings In connection with the Reserved Offering, the Company has undertaken with Stifel to refrain from issuing shares for a period of 90 calendar days from the settlement-delivery date of the Reserved Offering, subject to customary exceptions. In connection with the Reserved Offering, management has entered into a lock-up agreement with Stifel for a period ending 90 calendar days after the settlement-delivery date of the Reserved Offering, subject to customary exceptions. Prospectus The Reserved Offering is not subject to a prospectus requiring an approval from the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorite des Marches Financiers) (the "AMF Risk factors The investors' attention is drawn to the risk factors relating to the Company and its business, presented in chapter 3 of the universal registration document 2023 approved by the AMF on April 24, 2024 under number R.24-004, which is available free of charge on the Company's website (www.aelisfarma.com/investors) and on the AMF's website (www.amf-france.org). The occurrence of any or all of these risks could have an adverse effect on the Company's business, financial situation, results, development or prospects. In addition, investors are invited to consider the following risks specific to the issue: (i) the market price of the Company's shares could fluctuate and fall below the Offering Price of the shares issued under the Reserved Offering, (ii) the volatility and liquidity of the Company's shares could fluctuate significantly, (iii) sales of the Company's shares could occur on the market and have an unfavorable impact on the Company's share price, and (iv) the Company's shareholders could suffer potentially significant dilution as a result of any future capital increases made necessary by the Company's search for financing. About AELIS FARMA Founded in Bordeaux in 2013, Aelis Farma is a biopharmaceutical company that is developing a new class of drugs, the Signaling-Specific inhibitors of the CB1 receptor of the endocannabinoid system (CB1-SSi). CB1-SSi have been developed by Aelis Farma based on the discovery of a natural regulatory mechanism of CB1 hyperactivity made by the team led by Dr. Pier Vincenzo Piazza, the Company's CEO, when he was director of Neurocentre Magendie of the INSERM in Bordeaux. By mimicking this natural mechanism, CB1-SSi appear to selectively inhibit the disease-related activity of the CB1 receptor without disrupting its normal physiological activity. CB1-SSi have consequently the potential to provide new safe treatments for several brain diseases. Aelis Farma is currently developing two first-in-class clinical-stage drug candidates: AEF0117 for the treatment of cannabis use disorder (CUD), that has just completed a phase 2b study in the United States with results expected to be released in September 2024; and AEF0217 for cognitive disorders, including those of Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), that has completed the recruitement of a phase 1/2 study in Spain in people with Down syndrome, and which results are expected to be released in Q4 2024. The Company also has a portfolio of new innovative CB1-SSi for the treatment of other disorders associated with a dysregulation of the activity of the CB1 receptor. Aelis Farma draws on the talents of more than 25 highly qualified employees. For more information, visit www.aelisfarma.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. ISIN: FR0014007ZB4 Ticker: AELIS B Compartment of Euronext Paris Disclaimer In France, the offer of Aelis Farma shares described below will be made in the context of a reserved offering to the benefit of categories of persons in accordance with Article L.225-138 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce). Pursuant to article 211-3 of the General regulations of the French financial markets authority (Autorite des marches financiers) (the "AMF"), articles 1(4) and 3 of the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017, as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation") and any applicable regulation, the offer of Aelis Farma shares will not require the publication of a prospectus approved by the AMF. With respect to Member States of the European Economic Area, no action has been taken or will be taken to permit a public offering of the securities referred to in this press release requiring the publication of a prospectus in any Member State. Therefore, such securities may not be and shall not be offered in any Member State other than in accordance with the exemptions of Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation or, otherwise, in cases not requiring the publication of a prospectus under Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation and/or the applicable regulations in such Member State. This press release and the information it contains are being distributed to and are only intended for persons who are (x) outside the United Kingdom or (y) in the United Kingdom and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities and other such persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order ("high net worth companies", "unincorporated associations", etc.) or (iii) other persons to whom an invitation or inducement to participate in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Market Act 2000) may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons in (y)(i), (y)(ii) and (y)(iii) together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). Any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire securities to which this press release relates will only be engaged with Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this press release or any of its contents. This press release may not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. This press release and the information contained herein does not, and will not, constitute an offer of Aelis Farma's shares for sale or subscription, nor the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or to purchase, such shares in the United States or any other jurisdiction where restrictions may apply. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The shares of Aelis Farma have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and Aelis Farma does not intend to conduct a public offering in the United States. The distribution of this press release may be subject to legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Any person who comes into possession of this press release must inform him or herself of and comply with any such restrictions. Any decision to subscribe for or purchase the shares or other securities of Aelis Farma must be made solely based on information publicly available about Aelis Farma. Such information is not the responsibility of Stifel and has not been independently verified by Stifel. Forward-looking statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements about Aelis Farma. These statements include financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and anticipated results as well as events, operations, future services or product development and potential or future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "anticipates", "projects", "seeks", "endeavors", "strives", "aims", "hopes", "plans", "may", "goal", "objective", "projection", "outlook" and similar expressions. Although the management of Aelis Farma believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonably made, investors and holders of the Company's securities are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, a large number of which are difficult to predict and generally outside the control of Aelis Farma, that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those developed or identified in any public documents approved by the French financial markets authority (the Autorite des marches financiers the "AMF") made or to be made by the group, in particular those described in Chapter 3 "Risk factors" of the 2023 universal registration document approved by the AMF on April 24, 2024 under number R.24-004. These forward-looking statements are given only as of the date of this press release and Aelis Farma expressly declines any obligation or commitment to publish updates or corrections of the forward-looking statements included in this press release in order to reflect any change affecting the forecasts or events, conditions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Any information relating to past performance contained herein is not a guarantee of future performance. Nothing herein should be construed as an investment recommendation or as legal, tax, investment or accounting advice. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731212744/en/ Contacts: AELIS FARMA Arsene Guekam Chief Corporate Development Officer contact@aelisfarma.com NewCap Dusan Oresansky Aurelie Manavarere Investor Relations aelis@newcap.eu +33 1 44 71 94 92 NewCap Arthur Rouille Media Relations aelis@newcap.eu +33 1 44 71 00 15 Integrated Approach Enhances Project Efficiency, Bolsters Security, and Streamlines Data Centre Installations Datalec Precision Installations (DPI), a provider of world-class data centre design, build, and installation services that leverages unique technical expertise to deliver seamless end-to-end solutions for data centre operators, is proud to announce industry-leading electronic security partnerships. DPI announced the addition of its in-house Electronic Security services in November 2023, along with the appointment of 30-year security industry veteran Glenn Stephenson as Director of Operations for Electronic Security. Since then, Glenn and DPI have grown the team and are actively installing electronic security solutions for substantial market players in the UK and EMEA. Will Blair joined DPI as a Security Sales Engineer in what is proving to be a busy and positive introductory period, showing a strong desire in the market for integrated approaches. "Data hall security is no longer an overlay, retrofit, or afterthought," says Glenn Stephenson, Operations Director, Electronic Security for Datalec. "Datalec is a trusted partner of choice, and we have assembled the finest electronic security partners in the industry to build world-class value-added capabilities and integrate them across all project phases." The industry-leading partners DPI has engaged with to deliver quality with confidence, supporting a range of customer commitments to platforms and solutions, include: Avigilon Alta, a Motorola Solutions company that offers a complete, end-to-end cloud-based security solution that future-proofs video security and access control with innovative capabilities and intelligent analytics. Axis Communications enables a smarter and safer world by creating solutions for improving security and business performance through offering solutions in video surveillance, access control, intercom, and audio systems. Cisco Meraki, a leader in cloud-controlled Wi-Fi, routing, and security, provides cameras and IoT manufacturing. Genetec is a global technology company that has been transforming the physical security industry for over 25 years. It provides video management and access control platforms. HID Global, powering the trusted identities of the world's people, places, and things, provides card readers. Inner Range manufactures unified video, access control, and security solutions and provides video management and access control platforms. Milestone Systems, empowering people, businesses, and societies with data-driven video technology, provides video management platforms. DPI is collaborating with clients and partners to bring value-added, cost-effective solutions to the genuine data centre security challenges in the market and expects to report on further positive electronic security news very shortly. Learn more about Datalec Precision Installations (DPI): https://datalecltd.com About Datalec Datalec Precision Installations provides world-class data centre design, build, and installation services that leverage unique technical expertise, including technical and critical cleaning, electronic security, and managed services. Our 'One Call, One Team' service ensures a seamless end-to-end solution, achieving the highest levels of performance and efficiency. DPI's rigorous project management benefits customers by minimising risks and reducing costs. In addition, our proactive and flexible approach guarantees the delivery of customised solutions that exceed customer requirements. For more information, visit: https://datalecltd.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731787208/en/ Contacts: Ilissa Miller iMiller Public Relations Email: datalec@imillerpr.com Tel: 1.914.315.6424 Four apps from the new Celonis Platform Apps Program enable companies to increase performance, cut downtime, reduce cycle times, and drive value across Banking, Oil Gas and Chemical, Manufacturing, and more. Celonis, the global leader in Process Mining and Process Intelligence, today announced the launch of its Celonis Platform Apps Program, which enables companies to achieve unrivaled value with domain-specific applications built by its Ecosystem partners on top of its market-leading Process Intelligence Platform. The program kicks off with four purpose-built apps, co-created by Celonis and its partners ProcessLab, Marcadus, Ashling Partners and KMLZ, offering dedicated solutions for banking, oil gas and chemical, manufacturing and cross-industry use cases. "The Celonis Platform Apps Program demonstrates the massive potential that results from combining the power of the Celonis Process Intelligence Platform with the deep domain expertise of our partner Ecosystem," said Carsten Thoma, President at Celonis. "The Celonis Process Intelligence Graph is like a Wikipedia of process intelligence. It sits above a company's raw data and gives it meaning and context. It provides an extensible data model, embedded AI offerings, AI-enabling process insights and the ability to understand and fix the delta between the "as is" and "to be" states of the business. Leveraging Celonis, our Ecosystem partners are building intelligent solutions, infused with each customer's unique business context that empower companies to drive transformation and generate value at speed and scale." The first Celonis Platform Apps Program apps are: Celonis Cross Border Payments powered by ProcessLab Celonis Plant Maintenance Navigator powered by Marcadus Celonis Maintenance Control Center powered by Ashling Partners Celonis Tax-Ray powered by KMLZ Celonis Cross Border Payments for Banking powered by ProcessLab Managing cross-border and trade payments for clients is a critical task for banks, but an increasingly difficult one. The Celonis Cross Border Payments app enhances a bank's ability to execute these complex payments by providing end-to-end visibility across the entire workflow, reducing the cost to execute each transaction, reducing regulatory risk and improving customer experience. Using the app, a major bank was able to manage their payments process more effectively, reducing rework and eliminating bottlenecks. As a result, $2.4M in annual cost savings were identified by re-engineering the process. Payment processing capacity was increased by 18%, and cycle time was reduced by more than 30%. Celonis Plant Maintenance Navigator for Oil Gas and Chemicals powered by Marcadus Unplanned downtime, disruption and rising costs are a major threat to oil gas and chemical companies. The only way to manage all processes involved in plant maintenance is the provisioning of an end-to-end view. Built on the Process Intelligence Graph, the Celonis Plant Maintenance Navigator app connects plant maintenance processes with order management, supply chain, inventory management, purchasing, and production planning. With the app, one plant maintenance company was able to identify the root causes of inefficiencies and implement structural improvements, including automations that constantly monitored processes and triggered interventions when needed. The results were a reduction in overall production downtime, fewer delays when sourcing materials and reduced downtime for individual assets. Celonis Maintenance Control Center for Manufacturing powered by Ashling Partners Whether planned or unplanned, downtime disrupts manufacturing processes and can ripple through the entire value chain, leading to increased costs, revenue leakage, lower productivity and poor customer and supplier experiences. The Celonis Maintenance Control Center app delivers event and value-based monitoring of plant-floor machine operations, enabling timely updates and critical alerts about breakdowns and potential high-risk scenarios involving break-fix activities. The app enabled a US manufacturer to continuously monitor plant floor machines and operators to predict and plan machine maintenance, resulting in $5M identified savings in a single plant, 10% increase in manufacturing performance and 8% increase in machine availability. Celonis Tax-Ray for all Industries powered by KMLZ Tax compliance particularly in VAT is an increasingly difficult challenge for companies dealing with complex transactions across borders, ever-changing supply chains, outdated tax determination processes, limited personnel and imperfect information. The Celonis Tax-Ray app provides automated controls for tax compliance management systems. It evaluates and monitors tax transactions in ERP systems, helping users identify potential risks and errors even before they materialize. With the app, a global ride-sharing company improved VAT compliance and reporting in the face of operational complexity, resource limitations and patchy information. Using automated and event-driven controls, the company achieved full compliance in VAT treatment and reporting of transactions, significantly reducing the risk of penalization. Celonis Partner Ecosystem: Empowering customers to unlock value in their business processes at speed and scale Together with its Partner Ecosystem, Celonis is building the world's leading Process Intelligence Platform and community. To learn more about how the best-in-class professional services and software solutions from our Ecosystem can help you to tap the full potential of Celonis, visit our partner page. About Celonis Since 2011, Celonis has helped thousands of the world's largest and most esteemed companies yield immediate cash impact, radically improve customer experience, and reduce carbon emissions. Its Process Intelligence platform uses industry-leading process mining technology and AI to present companies with a living digital twin of their end-to-end processes. For the first time, everyone in an organization has a common language for how the business runs, visibility into where value is hiding, and the ability to capture it. Celonis is headquartered in Munich, Germany and New York City, USA with more than 20 offices worldwide. 2024 Celonis SE. All rights reserved. Celonis and the Celonis "droplet" logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Celonis SE in Germany and other jurisdictions. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Click here to learn more about Celonis. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731988964/en/ Contacts: Celonis PR Team Global PR Comms press@celonis.com CAPE TOWN, South Africa , July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mahela Group, a leading citrus and avocado producer from Letsitele, and ZZ2 Group, a leading avocado and tomato producer from Mooketsi, are developing a 400-hectare avocado and citrus farming operation in Weipe, Limpopo, South Africa, with a non-controlling minority equity investment from AgDevCo. The partnership enhances Mahela's and ZZ2's existing relationship which already combines their expertise as some of South Africa's largest citrus and avocado producers respectively. The Skutwater project will see the current combined orchard size increase from 190 hectares to 400 hectares under the first phase, with a potential to expand to 1,500 hectares in the second phase with plans to develop expansion opportunities in neighbouring countries, including Mozambique. Skutwater is anticipated to employ over 1,200 equivalent full-time employees on completion. "We believe that with trusted partners such as ZZ2 and AgDevCo we will be able to unlock exciting opportunities in the global market. With innovative and efficient farming practices, the Skutwater project will not only add to agricultural development in the area, but also create many new and needed job opportunities to people from the nearby communities," says Barend Vorster, Mahela Group CEO. The global market for citrus and avocados remains favourable, and with sophisticated and sustainable agronomic practices under favourable conditions in Weipe, higher yields of quality fruit can be achieved, focused on the earlier international market window. "The partnership with the Mahela Group and AgDevCo enables ZZ2's team to join forces with astute agriculturalists. We look forward not only to make a success of the operation at Weipe, but also to explore other opportunities in Africa with our partners over time," says Tommie van Zyl, ZZ2 Group CEO. AgDevCo's CEO, Daniel Hulls, says: "AgDevCo is delighted to partner with ZZ2 Group and Mahela Group to contribute to the commercial and impact success of Skutwater. We are deeply impressed by the farming capabilities and business ethos of both and are excited to learn from them in South Africa and to actively explore opportunities elsewhere in Africa." NOTES FOR EDITORS: For further information please contact Burtie van Zyl, GM Avocado ZZ2 and Investment Project Manager: burtie@zz2.co.za This transaction was supported by DLA Piper and Bowmans in South Africa. The Mahela Group is one of South Africa's largest privately owned citrus producers and exporters, with a diversified portfolio in avocados, bananas, macadamia nuts, litchis and kiwis produced across Limpopo as well as in the Southern Cape. The Mahela Group sees itself as a custodian of nature and, therefore, strives towards producing fruit in an environmentally sustainable and responsible manner. www.mahela.co.za The ZZ2 Group, is one of the largest tomato producers globally and a leading producer of export avocados and deciduous fruits. They also produce medjool dates, cherries, almonds and onions. ZZ2's purpose is to grow differentiated primary agricultural products for customers worldwide. Their mission is to optimise resources and to farm in harmony with nature in a sustainable way. They strive to create value for all their ecosystem partners in a balanced manner. www.zz2.co.za AgDevCo is a specialist investor in African agriculture, growing sustainable and impactful agribusiness, with USD 280m under management. Their vision is a thriving commercial agriculture sector, which benefits both people and planet by investing in and supporting agribusinesses to grow, create jobs, produce and process food and link farmers to markets. They support their partners to work towards climate sustainability, and where possible, regenerative solutions. As at the end of 2023, AgDevCo's had committed $178m committed into more than 30 investments across 9 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. www.agdevco.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cd9e17e5-1980-4f96-8c33-69287cbc47f4 Regulatory News: On 30 July 2024, HSBC Continental Europe's Board of Directors approved the consolidated financial statements for the first half of 2024. Andrew Wild, CEO of HSBC Continental Europe, said: "We delivered a strong performance during the first half of 2024 which demonstrates the effectiveness of our strategy, leveraging on our global franchise and our international connectivity. Our ambition is to be the leading international wholesale bank in Europe servicing corporates and financial institutions, complemented by a targeted wealth and private banking offering." Profit before tax1 was 502m for the first half of 2024, driven by wholesale banking revenues, coupled with low credit losses and continued cost discipline. Net operating income before change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges1 was 1,672m, down from 1,885m in the first half of 2023, due to lower net interest income following the sale of retail banking operations in France. Wholesale revenues in Commercial Banking and Global Banking remained strong, with growth in Global Payment Solutions and Investment Banking, partly offset by lower lending volumes. Revenues in Markets and Securities Services were down compared to the first half of 2023, with lower client activity in Global Debt Markets in the context of a challenging market environment, partly offset by higher revenues in Equities and Securities Financing. Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges1 wasa charge of 18m, compared with a charge of 16m in the first half of 2023. The cost of risk2, at 7bps, remained low but was driven by provision releases that are not expected to re-occur in the second half of 2024. Operating expenses1were1,152m, compared to 1,126m in the first half of 2023. Higher infrastructure and technology costs and the acquisition of HSBC Private Bank (Luxembourg) S.A. were partly offset by lower contributions to the Single Resolution Fund. Profit after tax for the period was 370m, down from 1,944m in the first half of 2023 which included the reversal of the impairment previously recognised in relation to the sale of retail banking operations in France of 1.9bn pre-tax3 The consolidated balance sheet of HSBC Continental Europe showed total assets of 280bn at 30 June 2024, compared to 283bn at 31 December 2023. At 30 June 2024, HSBC Continental Europe reported an average liquidity coverage ratio (LCR)4 of 156% and a net stable funding ratio (NSFR)5 of 136%. The bank's fully loaded common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio was 15.1% and the fully loaded total capital ratio was 19.8%. The fully loaded leverage ratio was 4.3%. The solvency ratio of the Insurance subsidiary was 287%6 Appendix Interim accounts were subject to a limited review by the statutory auditors. Summary consolidated income statement m Half year to 30 June 2024 Half year to 30 June 2023 Continuing operations Net interest income 941 1,173 Net fee income 594 585 Net income from financial instruments held for trading or managed on a fair value basis 114 61 Other operating income/(expense) 23 66 Net operating income before change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges 1,672 1,885 Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges (18) (16) Total operating expenses (1,152) (1,126) Profit/(loss) before tax 502 743 Tax expense (132) (187) Profit/(loss) after tax in respect of continuing operations 370 556 Profit/(loss) after tax in respect of discontinued operations 1,388 Profit/(loss) after tax for the period 370 1,944 Profit/(loss) attributable to shareholders of the parent company 350 1,933 Profit/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests 20 11 Profit/(loss) for the period by global business Continuing Operations Wealth and Personal Banking Commercial Banking Markets and Securities Services Global Banking Global Banking and Markets Other Corporate Centre Total m Half year to 30 June 2024 Net operating income before change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges 290 693 400 392 7 (110) 1,672 o/w net interest income/(expense) 202 494 113 203 13 (84) 941 Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges 5 (30) 10 1 (4) (18) Total operating expenses (204) (319) (361) (214) (11) (43) (1,152) Profit/(loss) before tax 91 344 39 188 (3) (157) 502 Half year to 30 June 2023 Net operating income before change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges 313 712 433 369 8 50 1,885 o/w net interest income/(expense) 280 530 105 211 6 41 1,173 Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges 8 22 1 (48) 1 (16) Total operating expenses (185) (290) (394) (189) (17) (51) (1,126) Profit/(loss) before tax 136 444 40 132 (8) (1) 743 Business disposal Retail banking operations in France On 1 January 2024, HSBC Continental Europe completed the sale of its retail banking operations in France to CCF, a subsidiary of Promontoria MMB SAS ('My Money Group'). The sale also included HSBC Continental Europe's 100% ownership interest in HSBC SFH (France) and its 3% ownership interest in Credit Logement. Upon being classified as held for sale in 2023, retail banking operations in France met the criteria of discontinued operations classification and presentation under IFRS 5. Accordingly, the profit/(loss) of the discontinued operations as of June 2023 amounting to 1.4bn has been reported separately in the income statement, including the reversal of pre-tax IFRS 5 loss of 1.9bn. HSBC Continental Europe Headquartered in Paris, HSBC Continental Europe is an indirectly held subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc. HSBC Continental Europe principally comprises, in addition to its banking, insurance and asset management activities based in France, the business activities of 10 European branches (in Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden) and two bank subsidiaries in Continental Europe (in Luxembourg and Malta). HSBC Continental Europe's mission is to serve both customers in Continental Europe for their needs worldwide and customers in other Group countries for their needs in Continental Europe. HSBC Holdings plc HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 60 countries and territories. With assets of US$2,975bn at 30 June 2024, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the entity. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the entity's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'plans', 'believes', 'seeks', 'estimates', 'potential' and 'reasonably possible', variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore undue reliance should not be placed on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. HSBC Continental Europe makes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring or existing after the date of any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that a number of factors could cause actual results to differ, in some instances materially, from those anticipated or implied in any forward-looking statements. __________________________________ 1 In respect of continuing operations. Retail banking operations in France met the criteria of discontinued operations classification under IFRS 5 in 2023. Accordingly, the profit/(loss) of the discontinued operations as of June 2023 has been reported separately. 2 Annualised cost of risk divided by customer loans outstanding at the end of the period. 3 As the sale no longer met the criteria for the operations to be classified as held for sale in the first half of 2023. The impairment was recognised again in the second half of 2023 ahead of the completion of the sale on 1 January 2024. 4 Computed in respect of the EU Delegated act. 5 Computed in respect of CRR II (Regulation EU 2019/876). 6 LCR, NSFR and the solvency ratio of the Insurance subsidiary are unaudited. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731545246/en/ Contacts: Raphaele-Marie Hirsch raphaele.marie.hirsch@hsbc.fr +33 (0) 7 64 57 35 55 T-Systems' cutting-edge platform delivers fully integrated over-the-air (OTA) update solutions, reducing costs and significantly enhancing vehicle performance and customer satisfaction. SAN ANTONIO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently researched the OTA industry and, based on its findings, recognizes T-Systems with the 2024 Europe Enabling Technology Leadership Award. T-Systems is a leading provider of innovative OTA solutions that provide seamless and efficient updates to help automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) deliver dependable and optimized connected car experiences. T-Systems is redefining OTA updates with a unique, flexible, and modular platform that ensures cost-effective and accurate updates for connected vehicles. The company's solutions facilitate key firmware and software security updates, minimizing vehicle downtime and improving safety and performance. Its solutions include platform services, integration support, data management, and consulting services, allowing OEMs to seamlessly implement regular updates without requiring customers to visit service centers. T-Systems' Connected Vehicle solution already services more than 30 million cars worldwide for German OEMs. T-Systems leverages highly advanced technologies like automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics to overcome industry challenges. For example, T-System uses an innovative solution 'Update Loop' to analyze the car-parc's hardware eligibility and current configuration to build vehicle clusters continuously and prescribe the update bundles to each vehicle cluster respectively to helping OEMs comply with industry requirements and enhance user experience. T-Systems proactively monitors regulatory changes, ensuring customers are fully informed of emerging regulatory standards, while paving the way for groundbreaking solutions that meet the ever-evolving industry requirements. "Frost & Sullivan commends T-Systems for its integrated OTA solution, improving OTA update reliability and efficiency for OEMs. Its comprehensive offering empowers OEMs to deliver critical updates consistently, ensuring optimal performance for connected vehicles and enhancing customer experiences," said Thirumalai Narasimhan, industry analyst at Frost & Sullivan. T-Systems' dedication to world-class customer support is another key factor in its success and continuous innovation. The company prioritizes open communication, close collaboration, and long-term assistance, working closely with OEMs throughout OTA systems' development, integration, and operation. This hands-on approach ensures OEMs the critical support they need to successfully refine and implement OTA systems. Additionally, T-Systems employs sophisticated monitoring systems and AI-driven capabilities to anticipate and address potential issues. Furthermore, the company's platform allows OEMs to implement or customize changes according to their unique requirements at a fraction of the cost and time required by legacy platforms. This positions T-System ahead of its closest competitors, as does its ability to provide unrivaled customer service. "Frost & Sullivan applauds T-Systems for empowering OEMs to swiftly and cost-effectively bolster their OTA capabilities across portfolios and regions. T-Systems' flexible platform and automated workflows exemplify its strategic innovation in addressing pain points, earning OEMs' trust and solidifying its leadership in the OTA space," noted Narasimhan. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to a company that develops a pioneering technology that enhances current products and enables new product and application development. The award recognizes the high market acceptance potential of the recipient's technology. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About Frost & Sullivan For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, megatrends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion . Contact: Tarini Singh P: +91- 9953764546 E: Tarini.Singh@frost.com About T-Systems With locations in more than 20 countries and over 26,000 employees (December 31, 2023), as well as annual revenues of around EUR 4.0 billion (2023), T-Systems is one of the leading providers of digital services in Europe. For more information about T-Systems visit https://www.t-systems.com/de/en/company/about-t-systems/profile T-Systems Contact: Albert Hold Tel.: +49 228 181 - 49494 E-Mail: media@telekom.de Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2470724/T_Systems_Award.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/t-systems-awarded-frost--sullivans-2024-europe-enabling-technology-leadership-award-for-pioneering-over-the-air-updates-in-the-automotive-industry-302208916.html AlgosOne's AI trading solution takes a leap forward with new architecture that reduces risk and increases yields PRAGUE, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AlgosOne.ai is pleased to announce a system upgrade that enhances performance and boosts client profits. The new AlgosOne solution does for trading what ChatGPT4o did for text and Sora and Kling did for video. Exploiting new, advanced deep-learning capabilities, developed in-house, AlgosOne's upgraded algorithms are now basing decisions on larger and more diverse multimodal data sources. With broader access to real-time, high-quality data, the new self-correcting version of the AI learns from its past activity, and is able to detect potentially high-risk and high-probability trades, with greater predictive accuracy. As a result, AlgosOne's already unmatched trade success rate is now almost 10% higher, reaching 90% for some users. Eray Erdogan, AlgosOne's Community Relations Manager stated: "We're delighted to be harnessing the power of next-generation neural network architecture and groundbreaking attention-based models to fulfill our core mission, making the markets accessible to everyone, with no coding, strategy creation or trade execution required." Another AlgosOne innovation in 2024 is high-yield trading accounts. They are locked for periods of 24-36 months and all trades are auto-approved, so clients don't need to confirm certain trades, within a given time frame. High-yield accounts also generate a higher annual percentage yield than standard 12 to 24-month contracts, since profits are compounded for a longer period, and they exclusively use a newly developed version of the AI, which is optimized for long-term trading. Eray notes: "We're always improving our algorithms so our users incur less risk and earn increasingly impressive returns. AlgosOne's new version does just that, consistently delivering profits that are unmatched in the industry, while the reserve fund balance, now exceeding $37M, provides full client capital coverage." Always pushing ahead, in Q4, AlgosOne will be launching the AiAO token sale. Token holders will gain part ownership in the AI model, receiving dividends, and have a voice in its future development. To learn more view the website, or register with the AlgosOne app. About Algosone.ai Algosone.ai is a regulated platform at the forefront of AI trading. It combines proprietary algorithms with advanced natural language processing models to analyze vast datasets and predict price trajectories across diverse market sectors. Using its machine-learning capabilities the platform is fully automated, trading and managing risk for clients, with ever-increasing accuracy. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2472639/AlgosOne_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/disruptive-ai-trader-algosoneai-has-major-technological-breakthrough-302210915.html On July 10, 2024, the city of Ternopil, represented by Mayor Serhiy Nadal, has signed an investment memorandum with Earlybird Global and SRDB Law Firm, both represented by Nabil Sioufi, designed to attract international investors on three strategic projects: 1. Combined Heating and Power (CHP) plant. 2. Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities. 3. Urban Solar Energy. Earlybird Global, a US firm providing strategic advisory services, led by Nabil Sioufi, is focusing on the modernization of Ukraine. According to Nabil Sioufi, "It is a good time for international partners and investors to seize the massive opportunity offered by the modernization of Ukraine. Ternopil has plenty of potential and an exemplary governance. Don't wait the Day of Victory to step forward. Some projects start now. Ternopil is a western Ukraine city with a fast-growing population, now around 250,000 people, and an increasing need for infrastructure and utilities. Mayor Serhiy Nadal declared, "The resilience of communities and the strength of Ukrainians are key to the Victory. The Ternopil community has been a very active participant in international programs. Energy independence is especially important for Ternopil in this challenging time. We look to the future with the signing of the investment memorandum which will allow us to implement strategic modernization projects. Georges Sioufi, head of SRDB Law Firm, highlighted, "We enjoy working with a new generation of Ukrainian leaders resolutely oriented towards international cooperation and the IMF praises the exceptional resilience of the Ukrainian economy of the three last years." The focus of the memorandum is on three major investments Building a CHP plant with a capacity up to 70 MW to supply municipal heat and generate electricity. Modernizing the Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities, under a PPP (Public Private Partnership) agreement. Developing Urban Solar Energy on the rooftops of residential buildings managed by the city, and of public buildings. Nabil Sioufi added, "We are already approaching private corporations, international financial institutions, and European and US agencies." Dr Jean-Luc Poget, senior partner at Earlybird Global and currently Green Economy Policy Advisor to the government of Uzbekistan, commented, "Two years ago, Ukraine took the powerfully transformational road of EU candidacy, engaging in regulatory and institutional alignment with the European Union. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240727556426/en/ Contacts: Nabil Sioufi President of Earlybird Global +1 (702) 683-3206 nsioufi@earlybird.global O'Donnell brings rich experience to spearhead AI transformation and drive strategic growth Acuity Knowledge Partners (Acuity), a leading provider of bespoke research, analytics, staffing and technology solutions to the financial services sector, welcomes Jon O'Donnell as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Jon brings to Acuity over 16 years of leadership experience at IBM, where he successfully led EMEA Business and Technology Consulting Divisions of up to 15,000 practitioners and $3 billion per annum turnover, delivering impressive market growth. He was part of the Global Leadership Team of IBM Consulting, and held critical leadership positions across numerous markets, including EMEA and North America. As COO for Acuity, O'Donnell will join the Executive Committee and oversee the Digital Solutions Group, Global Strategy and various enablement teams including Information Technology, Information Security, and Legal. Reporting to Robert King, Chief Executive Officer, Acuity Knowledge Partners, Jon will also lead Acuity's key strategic initiatives working closely with the executive team and senior leaders. "We are excited to have Jon on board, as he brings with him an extensive track record of leading initiatives and organisations through technological transformations, as well as a strategic understanding of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can drive innovation and efficiency for our clients," said Robert King. "Jon's appointment is part of our strategy and commitment to take the lead role in developing bespoke financial technology solutions for our financial services clients worldwide. We are making excellent progress in combining the power of AI with Acuity's deep domain expertise to support financial firms to streamline complex tasks, boost productivity, and achieve cost savings," he added. O'Donnell has launched and led business units at the forefront of technology advancements, such as artificial intelligence and cloud platforms. Additionally, he is a strong advocate for the growth and progression of all talent and whilst leading IBM Consulting for UK and Ireland, he was recognised in National Diversity and Inclusion awards. His educational background combines Mathematics and Operational Research at Southampton University with CIMA and Said Business School qualifications. "I am excited to join Acuity as part of the Permira Family and lead the incredible business and technology talent we have supporting global financial institutions and banks in their mission critical work via impressive domain-led, AI and technology transformation services and best of class solutions and accelerators. AI is revolutionising the financial services industry, and we aim to lead the way in this transformation, enabling our financial institution clients to deliver superior service to their customers, to operate more efficiently and maintain a competitive edge. I look forward to contributing to Acuity's efforts to provide groundbreaking solutions that clients value and trust," said Jon O'Donnell. About Acuity Knowledge Partners Acuity Knowledge Partners (Acuity) is a leading provider of bespoke research, analytics and technology solutions to the financial services sector, including asset managers, corporate and investment banks, private equity and venture capital firms, hedge funds and consulting firms. Its global network of over 6,000 analysts and industry experts, combined with proprietary technology, supports more than 600 financial institutions and consulting companies to operate more efficiently, unlock their human capital and transforming operations. Acuity is headquartered in London and operates from 12 locations worldwide. Acuity was established as a separate business from Moody's Corporation in 2019, following its acquisition by Equistone Partners Europe (Equistone). In January 2023, funds advised by global private equity firm Permira acquired a majority stake in the business from Equistone, which remains invested as a minority shareholder. For more information, visit www.acuitykp.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731064933/en/ Contacts: Media contact: Stuti Das Global Head of Communications and PR Acuity Knowledge Partners stuti.das@acuitykp.com Factors such as rapid urbanization, rise in disposable incomes, change in lifestyle preferences, e-commerce expansion, technological advancements, and increased demand from the hospitality and commercial sectors, collectively fuel the growth of the furniture market. WILMINGTON, Del., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Furniture Market by Type (Residential, Office and Outdoor), Material (Wood, Metal and Plastic), and Distribution Channel (Online Sales Channels and Offline Stores): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2034". According to the report, the furniture market was valued at $556.3 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $840.5 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2024 to 2034. Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5147 Prime determinants of growth The growth of the furniture market is fueled by increased demand for residential and commercial furniture as populations migrate to cities. Rising disposable incomes enable consumers to invest in quality furniture, while changing lifestyle preferences favor modern and functional designs. The expansion of e-commerce platforms provides wider accessibility and convenience for consumers to purchase furniture. Technological advancements, such as smart furniture options and eco-friendly materials, appeal to tech-savvy and environmentally conscious consumers. In addition, the growth of the hospitality and commercial sectors drives demand for various types of furniture, contributing to the overall expansion of the market. These factors collectively fuel the ongoing growth and evolution of the furniture industry. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2034 Base Year 2023 Market Size In 2023 $556.3 Billion Market Size In 2034 $840.5 Billion CAGR 4.0 % No. Of Pages In Report 345 Segments Covered Type, Material, Distribution Channel, And Region. Drivers Urbanization And Housing Development Rising Disposable Incomes Changing Lifestyle Trends Opportunities Sustainable And Eco-Friendly Furniture Customization And Personalization Restraint High Cost Of Raw Materials Procure Complete Report (345 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://tinyurl.com/3v6mnszm Segment Highlights The demand for residential furniture is driven by several factors. Residential furniture includes a wide range of products, including living room, bedroom, dining room, and kitchen furniture, catering to diverse consumer needs and preferences within households. In addition, rapid urbanization and housing development worldwide have led to a significant increase in demand for residential furniture as new homes are built and existing ones undergo renovation. Rising disposable incomes, particularly in emerging markets, have empowered consumers to invest in furnishing their homes with quality and stylish furniture pieces, further driving growth in this segment. Moreover, changing lifestyle trends, such as the growing popularity of home decor and interior design, have fueled consumer interest in upgrading and enhancing their living spaces, boosting demand for residential furniture. The demand for wood furniture is influenced by multiple factors. Wood has been a preferred material for furniture for centuries due to its durability, versatility, and timeless aesthetic appeal. Consumers often perceive wood furniture as a symbol of quality and craftsmanship, making it a popular choice for both traditional and contemporary interior designs. In addition, wood furniture offers a wide range of options in terms of types of wood, finishes, and styles, catering to diverse consumer preferences and interior design trends. From classic hardwoods like oak and maple to exotic species such as teak and mahogany, wood furniture provides versatility and customization options that appeal to a broad spectrum of consumers. Moreover, the sustainability and eco-friendliness of wood furniture further contribute to its dominance in the market The offline stores dominated the distribution channel segment. Physical stores provide a tactile shopping experience that allows customers to see, touch, and test furniture pieces before making a purchase. This hands-on experience is particularly important for furniture, as consumers often want to assess comfort, quality, and craftsmanship in person. Moreover, offline stores offer personalized assistance from sales staff who can provide expert advice, answer questions, and assist with decision-making. This level of customer service enhances the overall shopping experience and builds trust between retailers and consumers. Furthermore, furniture is often considered a high-involvement purchase, and many consumers prefer the reassurance of physically visiting a store to make such a significant investment. The ability to view furniture in person also helps consumers visualize how pieces will fit into their homes and existing decor, reducing the risk of dissatisfaction with online purchases. Regional Outlook Asia-Pacific countries are focused on rapid economic development and urbanization across countries in Asia-Pacific have fueled robust demand for furniture, driven by the need to furnish new homes, offices, and commercial spaces. This surge in demand is further amplified by rising disposable incomes and changing lifestyle preferences, particularly among the rising middle class. Moreover, Asia-Pacific boasts a strong manufacturing base, with countries such as China, India, and Vietnam being major producers of furniture for both domestic and international markets. The region's competitive advantage in terms of labor costs and production capabilities has made it a hub for furniture manufacturing and export. Furthermore, the diverse consumer demographics and preferences within the Asia-Pacific region contribute to its dominance in the furniture market, as manufacturers and retailers tailor their products and marketing strategies to cater to varied tastes and needs. Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/5147 Players: - Inter IKEA Group Ashley Furniture Industries Inc. Durham Furniture Inc. American Signature Raymour & Flanigan Jason Furniture (HangZhou) Co., Ltd Oppein Home Group Inc. La-Z-Boy Inc. Kimball International Williams-Sonoma, Inc. The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global furniture market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to highlight the competitive scenario. Recent Development: In February 2023, the Inter IKEA Group launched a new transitional range featuring three collections aimed at inspiring households to adopt more sustainable buying habits. The collections, namely Vivid Wonderland, Glorious Green, and Simple Serenity, are designed to encourage consumers to make eco-friendly choices in their purchases. In September 2022, Durham Furniture Inc. collaborated with Intiaro, a technology company specializing in 3D solutions, to enhance the online and in-store experience through advanced 3D strategy and visualization tools. Similar Reports We Have on Consumer Goods Industry: Glassware Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2035 Water purifier Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2031 Home Water Filtration Unit Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Kitchen Appliances Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027 Air Purification-Used Activated Carbon Fiber Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Home Decor Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Carpet Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 Flower Pots and Planters Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Metal Furniture Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2028 Activated Carbon Filters Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Bathtub Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2027 Portable Dishwasher Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa United States 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/furniture-market-to-reach-840-5-billion-globally-by-2034-at-4-cagr-allied-market-research-302210929.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - Goldstorm Metals Corp. (TSXV: GSTM) (FSE: B2U) ("Goldstorm" or "the Company") is pleased to report that a diamond drill program has commenced (the "Program") on its 100% owned Electrum gold and silver property (the "Property"), located within the Golden Triangle region of British Columbia. Electrum is situated to the south of Newmont Corporation's Brucejack Mine and Seabridge Gold Inc.'s KSM Property, an area host to over 80 million ounces of gold and over 19 billion pounds of copper. Click to view the location maps. The Phase 1, proposed drill program at Electrum will begin with three drillholes to follow up previous results from the 2023 drill program outlined in the summary at the end of this release, with the intent of targeting the dome-shaped, bulk-tonnage gold-silver target in the southern portion of the Property. Other Phase 1 proposed drillholes, totalling up to 1,200 meters (m), are being planned as part of this year's exploration efforts, with a possible follow up Phase 2 program. Click to view the plan map and cross section for the program. Ken Konkin P. Geo., President and CEO comments; "We are pleased to announce the start of the 2024 exploration program at the Electrum and Crown properties. We have completed our camp set-up as well as construction of additional drill platforms in order to undertake our Phase 1 diamond drill hole program at Electrum. Preparations at Electrum have gone very well. We have established camp at the former Granduc mill-site and we thank our good friends at both Castle Resources Inc. and Scottie Resources Corp. for sharing this facility with Goldstorm Metals. One diamond drill has been mobilized to the road-accessible Electrum project. This drill will concentrate on the peripheral intrusive-related, or porphyry-style, targets to start the program. Additionally, we may test several of the numerous high-grade structurally-hosted targets near the main showings, as follow-up to the successful 2023 drill results demonstrated in the table below. The primary goal of this years' program is to expand the known mineralization at the 'dome target', which is a conspicuous silicified topographic 'high' that may host a large gold-silver-bearing quartz stockwork zone, possibly related to the outer shell of an intrusive-related or porphyry-style system common within the Golden Triangle. Our first hole will re-align on last years' drill hole EL-23-02 to lengthen this hole approximately 200 m deeper, as it appears that we did not extend past the significant gold and silver mineralization as shown in cross section A provided in this release. In addition to the drilling program, geological crews will continue prospecting and mapping traverses at the Crown claims, to the northwest of Electrum, to take advantage of the rapid recession of the glaciers and snowfields. Our reconnaissance crews continue to discover new structures and mineralized zones such as the Copernicus Zone along the west flank of the Orion Spine at the Crown claims. The geological potential of the Crown claim area is very exciting given that this region hosts potential for various types of mineralization, including epithermal/low-sulphidation, high-grade Au-Ag veins, bulk-tonnage Au-Cu-Ag porphyries , and VMS style massive sulphide deposits. These claims lie immediately south of, and adjacent to, Newmont's Valley of the Kings Deposit and along the same geological horizons and regional structures that host the Treaty Creek Goldstorm Deposit and the Seabridge KSM porphyry deposits. Our goal is to continue to add value to the Company through new discoveries of economically significant gold, silver and copper mineralization. We are very excited to embark on this 2024 Goldstorm Metals Corp. exploration program." Electrum 2023 Drilling Program Summary During the 2023 exploration season, Goldstorm Metals completed an 11-hole drill program totaling 2,581 meters at Electrum. This program successfully discovered both high-grade vein-type and porphyry style gold-silver mineralization (see press releases dated October 4, 2023, and November 14, 2023). Building on these results, future follow-up drilling is expected to target the expansive bulk-tonnage, gold-silver hydrothermal breccia, stockwork system encountered in hole EZ-23-01 (1.13 g/t gold and 6.02 g/t silver over 61.5 m within a broader envelope of 0.77 g/t gold and 4.43 g/t silver over 111.0 m) and the high-grade gold-silver intercepts observed in hole EZ-23-08 (57.34 g/t gold with 214.27 g/t silver over 2.10 m, including 233.5 g/t gold with 756.0 g/t silver over 0.5 m). Drill highlights, maps and sections from the project are tabulated on the Company's website at the following links: click to view the drill plan and cross sections. Table 1: Electrum 2023 Drilling Highlights Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) EL-23-01 178.50 289.50 111.00 0.77 4.43 - - including 196.50 258.00 61.50 1.13 6.02 - - and including 240.70 258.00 17.30 2.07 3.74 - - and 333.15 334.50 1.35 4.04 66.65 - - EL-23-02 68.10 105.40 37.30 0.78 1.65 - - including 84.00 91.00 7.00 2.64 3.15 - - and 283.00 432.00 149.00 0.45 3.20 - - including 283.00 311.45 28.45 0.55 3.46 - - including 361.50 393.00 31.50 0.86 4.74 - - including 421.50 432.00 10.50 0.45 1.97 - - EL-23-08 8.00 12.50 4.50 27.00 111.09 0.10 0.09 including 10.40 12.50 2.10 57.34 214.27 0.19 0.16 including 12.00 12.50 0.50 233.50 756.00 0.73 0.51 and 132.00 147.00 15.00 2.78 43.97 0.01 0.03 including 139.50 141.00 1.50 0.29 405.00 0.02 0.05 including 146.50 147.00 0.50 75.30 19.27 0.00 0.01 and 160.50 162.00 1.50 0.78 58.10 0.09 0.17 and 225.00 226.50 1.50 4.59 234.00 0.39 0.46 EL-23-11 107.25 125.00 17.75 1.17 29.40 0.05 0.30 including 107.25 114.60 7.35 2.28 67.86 0.10 0.68 including 107.25 109.00 1.75 8.70 238.00 0.15 0.39 All assay values are uncut and intervals reflect drilled intercept lengths. HQ diameter core samples were sawn in half and typically sampled at standard 1.5 m intervals. True widths have not been determined as the mineralized body remains open in all directions. Further drilling is required to determine the mineralized body orientation and true widths. Qualified Person The Qualified Person for this news release for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 is the Company's President and CEO, Ken Konkin, P.Geo. He has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this news release. QA/QC All samples were prepared at MSA Labs' Preparation Laboratory in Terrace, BC and assayed at MSA Labs' Geochemical Laboratory in Langley, BC. Gold was assayed using a fire assay with atomic absorption (AA) spectrometry finish. Samples over 10 ppm gold were fire assayed with gravimetric finish. All samples were analyzed by four acid digestion with multi-element ICP-MS, with silver and base metal over-limits being reanalyzed by emission spectrometry. MSA Laboratories quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 17025 and ISO 9001. MSA Labs is independent of the Company. About Goldstorm Metals Goldstorm Metals Corp. is a precious and base metals exploration company with a large strategic land position in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia, an area that hosts some of the largest and highest-grade gold deposits in the world. Goldstorm's flagship projects Crown and Electrum cover an area that totals approximately 16,469 hectares over 7 concessions, of which 6 are contiguous. The Crown Project is situated directly south of Seabridge Gold's KSM gold-copper deposits and Newmont's Brucejack/Valley of the Kings gold mine. Electrum, also located in the Golden Triangle of BC, is situated directly between Newmont's Brucejack Mine, approximately 20 kilometers to the north, and the past producing Silbak Premier mine, 20 kilometers to the south. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GOLDSTORM METALS CORP. "Ken Konkin" Ken Konkin President and Chief Executive Officer Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance, including without limitation, the statement regarding the expectation geologists are expected to complete a compilation study this winter once all assay results are received. Such statement is forward-looking statements and contains forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by Goldstorm and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including that geologists will complete a compilation study this winter once all assay results are received. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Goldstorm to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation that geologists will not complete a compilation study this winter or at all. Although management of Goldstorm has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Goldstorm does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Electrum BC Location To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9214/218278_locationmap1.jpg Electrum Location on Trend To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9214/218278_locationmap2.jpg Electrum Drilling Plan Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9214/218278_planmap.jpg Electrum Section A - Hole EL-23-02 Extension To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9214/218278_crosssection.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218278 SOURCE: Goldstorm Metals Corp. Dr. Ramchandani is a global expert in public health, infectious disease control, and policy implementation. He served as an advisor for the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, developing recommendations for redesigning systems to improve future pandemic responses. He has worked with various public health organizations including CDC, United Nations and other international organizations and governments on health systems and product innovations. His role at Fendx will be to inform, advise, and support the Company in its mission to develop innovative surface protection products that reduce pathogen spread and enhance the health and well-being of people and their communities. Oakville, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - FendX Technologies Inc. (CSE: FNDX) (OTCQB: FDXTF) (FSE: E8D) (the "Company" or "FendX"), a nanotechnology company developing surface protection coatings to reduce the spread of pathogens, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Rohit Ramchandani as an advisor to the Company, to provide his extensive public health expertise to further the Company's goal of advancing innovative solutions for pathogen control and safety. Dr. Rohit Ramchandani, an accomplished public health professional with a global health background, brings a broad perspective and deep expertise in infectious disease control. The Company aims to leverage his extensive knowledge and global network to advance their mission of creating groundbreaking solutions that mitigate pathogen transmission and improve overall well-being. His expertise on pandemic response, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and the rising public health concerns of antibiotic resistance will be particularly valuable, especially in the context of surface contamination health risk and protection. A recent CDC report highlights a 20% combined rise in infections from six hard-to-treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the U.S., underscoring the importance of addressing this growing public health threat (see FendX's press release dated July 30, 2024). Dr. Ramchandani, an expert researcher, educator, and implementation scientist, specializes in designing, implementing, evaluating, and scaling innovative approaches for disease control and health system strengthening. With nearly two decades of research and practice, his focus includes program evaluation, health policy, and disease prevention/treatment technologies. He has advised Fortune 500 companies, ministries of health, and international organizations across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Dr. Ramchandani also served as an advisor to the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, providing recommendations to curb the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent future outbreaks. His analysis on redesigning systems for pandemic response, including vaccine distribution and diagnostics, was published in the British Medical Journal, contributing insights to the world's first draft pandemic agreement. His impactful work has garnered recognition from prominent media outlets such as the CBC, BBC, Business Week, Development Asia Magazine, and TED. His research has been published in peer-reviewed journals like the Lancet and British Medical Journal. As a public health leader, he and work he has led have received numerous prestigious awards, including the Financial Times/International Finance Corporation (FT/IFC) Transformational Business Award in Health and the London Design Museum's Product Design of the Year. Additionally, he is an alumnus of renowned programs, including the Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference, The AKFC Global Leadership Program, and Shad Valley. His contributions have played a pivotal role in shaping global health policies and initiatives. Dr. Carolyn Myers, CEO of FendX states, "We are pleased to welcome Dr. Ramchandani to our team and are excited to work with someone of his global public health caliber. His vast expertise in leveraging evidence-based solutions for complex health challenges aligns well with FendX's mission to reduce the spread of pathogens through developing products using our cutting-edge nanotechnology. His work in designing, evaluating, and scaling health innovations, coupled with his commitment to improving global health equity and controlling the spread of diseases, makes him a valuable addition to the FendX team." Dr. Ramchandani holds a Doctor of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a Masters in Public Health from Boston University, and a BSc from the University of Waterloo. He currently serves as Associate Faculty at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Ramchandani also founded and is the CEO of Antara Global Health Advisors, a consulting firm which provides technical expertise in public health, including pandemic preparedness and response. In addition, Dr. Ramchandani recently completed his term servicing as a member of the Board of Directors of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada. About FendX Technologies Inc. FendX is a Canada-based nanotechnology company focused on developing products to make people's lives safer by reducing the spread of pathogens. The Company is developing both film and spray products to protect surfaces from contamination. The lead product under development, REPELWRAP film, is a protective surface coating film that, due to its repelling properties, prevents the adhesion of pathogens and reduces their transmission on surfaces prone to contamination. The spray nanotechnology is a bifunctional spray coating being developed to reduce contamination on surfaces by repelling and killing pathogens. The Company is conducting research and development activities using its nanotechnology in collaboration with industry-leading partners, including McMaster University. The Company has exclusive worldwide licenses to its technology and IP portfolio from McMaster, which encompass both film and spray coating nanotechnology formulations. ON BEHALF OF FENDX TECHNOLOGIES INC. "Carolyn Myers" Carolyn Myers Chief Executive Officer and Director For more information, please visit https://fendxtech.com/ and the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to: the plans of the Company; the Company's goal of advancing innovative solutions for pathogen control and safety and enhance the health and well-being of people and their communities; and products under development and any pathogen reduction benefits related thereto. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and involve several risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and that actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include: product candidates only being in formulation/reformulation stages; limited operating history; research and development activities; dependence on collaborative partners, licensors and others; effect of general economic and political conditions; and other risk factors set forth in the Company's public filings which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, the reader is urged to refer to the Company's such filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218329 SOURCE: FendX Technologies Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - Bayridge Resources Corp. (CSE: BYRG) ("Bayridge") is pleased to announce that it has received the drilling permit for its 1,337 ha Waterbury East uranium project in Canada's Athabasca Basin. The 3-year permit is valid until 2027-Jul-31 and includes 40 drill collar sites, along with the clearing of exploration trails and line cutting. "The Waterbury East drilling permit is a significant milestone for the Company," commented President and CEO, Saf Dhillon. "Bayridge is fully funded to undertake a multi-hole drill program slated for late Q3 2024," he continued. "in3D Geoscience is working with the recently completed Geotech VTEM data to prioritize drilling targets within the magnetic and electromagnetic anomalies defined by the survey'" he concluded. The Waterbury East project is underlain by geology favourable to hosting both unconformity-hosted and basement-hosted uranium deposits. These deposits are typically associated with graphitic metasediments and structural zones that exhibit strong EM conductor responses. Historical airborne EM surveys have defined an ENE-striking conductor across the property, with a depth to unconformity of ~200m. Most of the uranium discoveries in the Athabasca Basin are concentrated along the unconformity edge, where the sedimentary cover is the thinnest (<300m). In 2007, CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. ("CanAlaska") reported encouraging results from a drill program, with an intersection of 17.0 m of anomalous basement-hosted uranium enrichment, containing a highlight value of 324 ppm U over 0.6 m in a structurally controlled zone in WAT005. Interpreted geophysical magnetic lineaments suggest additional structures occur in the basement. *Readers are cautioned that Bayridge has not verified these historical results. Bayridge holds a staged option to earn up to an 80% interest in Waterbury East from CanAlaska through a series of cash payments, share issuances and exploration expenditures over the next 4 years. Waterbury East is located 25 km northeast of the Cigar Lake Mine, 15 km south of Points North and is accessible from the Cigar Lake winter road. R. Tim Henneberry, P.Geo. (BC) and a consultant to the Company, is the Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 who has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release. About Bayridge Resources Corp. Bayridge Resources Corp. is a green energy company advancing its portfolio of Canadian uranium and lithium projects. The 1,337 ha Waterbury East project is located 25 km northeast of the Cigar Lake Mine in the northeastern Athabasca Basin region. Geophysical surveys have identified a 7km long conductivity corridor where mid-2000's drilling highlighted faulted and altered basement rock with local uranium enrichment. Large sections of this corridor remain untested. The 11,142 ha Constellation project is located 60 km south of the present-day Athabasca Basin edge in an area of significant exploration activity for basement hosted uranium. Historic airborne radiometric, electromagnetic, and magnetic surveys identified electromagnetic conductors associated with magnetic lows. The 4,413 ha Sharp Lake project, located in the Red Lake Mining District of Northern Ontario, hosts peraluminous S-type muscovite bearing pegmatite bearing granites in contact with metasediments. Preliminary sampling has highlighted anomalous rare-element values, potentially indicative of lithium mineralization. Forward-Looking information Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding Geotech's engagement, the scope and timing of Geotech's services and the Company's exploration plans. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. The CSE has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218340 SOURCE: Bayridge Resources Corp. Flensburg, Germany--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - Velvet Capital, a leading Intent OS streamlining DeFi portfolio management & social trading, announced the successful completion of a thorough smart contract audit conducted by softstack GmbH, a renowned Web3 security firm. The audit, which examined Velvet Capital's core v3 contracts of its latest product, found no critical issues and confirmed the platform's adherence to best practices in smart contract development and security. Audit Velvet Capital by softstack To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10362/218323_auditvelvetcapitalbysoftstack.jpg The audit, conducted by two independent softstack experts, identified and addressed a total of 50 issues across various severity levels. Notably, no critical issues were found, with only 2 high severity, 4 medium severity, 21 low severity, and 23 informational issues identified. All issues were promptly addressed by the Velvet Capital team, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining a secure and efficient platform. Yannik Heinze, CEO of softstack, commented on the audit: "As auditors, our goal at softstack is to ensure that our clients' systems meet the highest standards of security and efficiency. The recent audit with Velvet Capital was particularly insightful, showcasing their dedication to maintaining robust systems. We were impressed by the speed and efficiency with which Velvet Capital addressed the findings of our audit. Their proactive response not only underscores their commitment to security but also demonstrates a strong operational capability." The successful audit marks a significant milestone for Velvet Capital, reinforcing its position as a secure and reliable platform in the DeFi space. It also highlights the company's proactive approach to security and its dedication to protecting user funds. About Velvet Capital: Velvet Capital is an innovative platform revolutionizing DeFi portfolio management & social trading. Backed by Binance Labs, Velvet Capital integrates intent-based architecture and account abstraction to allow for seamless trade execution, yield farming, and strategy automation across multiple blockchain ecosystems. The platform addresses key pain points faced by professional investors, offering superior execution, smart routing, and multi-chain asset management capabilities. Velvet Capital's non-custodial vaults maintain asset safety without compromising management flexibility, making it a comprehensive, professional-grade DeFi operating system designed for both seasoned professionals and DeFi enthusiasts. Velvet Capital just launched the app on Base and is coming to other EVMs over the coming months. About softstack: Founded in 2017, softstack (formerly Chainsulting) is a leader in Web3 security and innovation. Based in Flensburg, Germany, the company provides professional software development, cybersecurity services, and consulting across major blockchain ecosystems. Softstack's expertise in thorough code audits, particularly for DeFi projects, has helped safeguard over $100 billion in user funds. With a commitment to transparency and excellence, softstack shapes the future of Web3 through ethical practices and close client collaboration. For more information, visit https://softstack.io. Contact Information: To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218323 SOURCE: softstack CHICAGO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Extrusion Coating Market by Material Type (LDPE, EVA, PP, PET), Substrate (Paper, Paperboard, Aluminium Foils, Polymer Films), Application (Packaging, Liquid, Flexible, Commercial, Photographic), and Region - Global Forecast to 2029", is projected to reach a market size of USD 7.5 billion by 2029 from USD 6.3 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 3.6%. Asia pacific is the one of the largest markets for extrusion coating. The demand for extrusion coating is experiencing significant growth in packaging industry. Emerging nations such as China, India, Brazil, and Mexico are expected to play a crucial role in driving the global extrusion coating market forward. Asia Pacific extensive industrial base and rapid urbanization drives the extrusion coating market. China and India's growing manufacturing sector coupled with growing population drives the demand for extrusion coating. Browse in-depth TOC on "Extrusion Coating Market". 290 - Tables 70 - Figures 280 - Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=257330090 "Aluminium Films by substrate type segment is expected to register second highest CAGR of the extrusion coating market during the forecasted period." Growth in the aluminum foil substrate is fueled by a number of drives, one of which is the extensive use of aluminum foil in packaging because of its superior ability to block light, moisture, and gasses. It is especially well-liked in the food and pharmaceutical industries, where it is crucial to preserve the integrity and freshness of products. Aluminum foil's adaptability also makes it useful for a variety of applications, including laminates, blister packs, and flexible packaging, which helps explain its rising market share. The need for aluminum foil in extrusion coating applications is anticipated to rise gradually, establishing it as a significant market niche as sectors place an increased emphasis on recyclable, lightweight, and environmentally friendly packaging solutions. "Middle East & Africa is likely to be the second fastest growing extrusion coating market during the forecast period." Rapid growth and urbanization in the region have increased demand for packaging materials, especially in the food and beverage industries. Extrusion coating provides a low-cost alternative for improving package durability, moisture resistance, and barrier qualities, all of which are critical for maintaining food quality in hot regions. Furthermore, the region's growing population and rising disposable incomes have increased consumption of packaged goods, boosting need for sophisticated packaging solutions. Furthermore, favorable government policies and expenditures in infrastructure development have boosted the industrial sector, creating a favorable climate for the expansion of firms that use extrusion coating technology. As a result, the Middle East and Africa have become crucial growth regions in the worldwide extrusion coating business, attracting major investments and innovation to fulfill the rising need for high performance packaging solution. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=257330090 "In Asia Pacific region china is likely to be the second fastest growing extrusion coating market during the forecast period." China's increasing industrialization and urbanization has resulted in increased consumption of packaged goods in a variety of industries, including food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products. Extrusion coating is a versatile choice for improving the performance of packaging materials, including features such as moisture resistance, barrier protection, and printability that are critical for product integrity and attractiveness. Furthermore, China's thriving e-commerce industry has increased the demand for creative packaging solutions that can ensure product safety and shelf appeal throughout shipping and storage. Government measures to assist sustainable development, as well as legislation to promote food safety standards, have accelerated the implementation of innovative packaging technologies such as extrusion coating. These elements together have positioned China as a vibrant market within the global extrusion coating business, drawing investments in technology. The key players profiled in the report include are SABIC (Saudi Arabia), Chevron Phillips Company (US), Cleanse Corporation (US), Exxon Mobil (US), lyondellbasell (Netherlands) and Dow (US). Browse Adjacent Market: Coatings Adhesives Sealants and Elastomers Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Flexible Plastic Packaging Market - GLOBAL FORECAST TO 2030 Metallocene Polyethylene (mPE) Market - GLOBAL FORECAST TO 2028 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insights: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/extrusion-coating-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/extrusion-coating.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/extrusion-coating-market-worth-7-5-billion-by-2029--exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302210816.html SHENZHEN, China, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 28 2024, Kexing Biopharm announced European Commission approval of Apexelsin, the generic drug to Bristol Myers Squibb's and Celgene's Abraxane(Nab-paclitaxel). Apexelsin is developed by WhiteOak Pharmaceutical B.V. and Kexing Biopharm is in charge of the commercialization of this product out of US. Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel offers significant advantages for clinical use, providing improved safety and higher patient compliance, compared to solvent-based paclitaxel and liposomal paclitaxel. It is widely accepted in the clinical setting and holds crucial value in oncology. Furthermore, the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines recommend it as a first-line treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as a second-line option for breast cancer. Breast cancer is one of the common cancer types in women in the EU region, and there is a large market space for breast cancer treatment drugs. In recent years, the Chinese pharmaceutical industry has embarked on a significant expansion into international markets. But actually, Kexing Biopharm began its international ventures 20 years ago with its core products. In recent years, the company has introduced more than a dozen high-quality Chinese medications to emerging markets, improving accessibility to medicines for local patients. The approval of albumin-bound paclitaxel by the EU will enhance the company's competitiveness in the international pharmaceutical market. It also signifies that Kexing Biopharm, in addition to its long-established presence in emerging markets, is expanding its commercialization efforts into the European market. The EU market represents an important milestone in the company's overseas commercialization strategy. To date, Kexing Biopharm is proceeding with the registration of Apexelsin in dozens of emerging market out of Europe. With the successful launch of this product in the EU, Kexing Biopharm will further expand its global sales reach, serving more patients and healthcare providers. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kexing-biopharms-albumin-bound-paclitaxel-granted-eu-market-approval-302210954.html Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. Recognized as a Traveler-Favorite LOUISVILLE, KY / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. is pleased to announce that it has been recognized in Tripadivsor's Travelers' Choice Awards for 2024. The award honors businesses that consistently earn great reviews, placing them among the top 10 Attractions in Louisville and the top five things to do in Louisville. Peerless Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award Peerless Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award This award is based on genuine feedback from anyone in the community who has visited and left an authentic, first-hand review on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period, making it a valuable and trustworthy designation of great places to visit. "We'd like to thank our visitors for the support they have shown us this year and for spreading the word about our distillery. We thank our staff who make the Peerless Distillery a great place to visit. We are honored to be included among travelers' favorites this year and consecutively since opening our doors," says Nikki Armento, Kentucky Peerless Whiskey Experience Specialist. "Congratulations to Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. on its recognition in Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards for 2024," said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. "Travelers' Choice honors businesses that consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence. This means you have made such a memorable impact on your visitors that many of them took the time to go online and leave a great review about their experience." Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company is open to the public Monday through Saturday for tours and tastings in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information and to book reservations, visit kentuckypeerless.com. About Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. The family-owned and operated craft distillery is located in Louisville, Kentucky. It was established in 1889 and resurrected in 2013 by Corky Taylor, 4th Generation, and Carson Taylor, 5th Generation. The distillery is known for its commitment to producing handcrafted, sweet mash bourbon and rye whiskey using traditional methods and the finest ingredients. Today, Peerless operates under the same distilled spirits number, DSP-KY-50, with the same historically superlative standards. It has opted to craft entirely in-house without outsourcing or comprising. "We're driven by quality, not profit," says Corky Taylor. "We're very serious about making the best product we can." Contact: Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company 120 North 10th Street, Louisville, KY 40202 For press inquiries: christina@kentuckypeerless.com Like or follow Peerless on Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube About Tripadvisor Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform, helps millions of people each month become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip. Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and contributions, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby. Contact Information Cadie Tucker Marketing cadie@kentuckypeerless.com (502) 566-4999 Christina Vassallo Marketing Manager christina@kentuckypeerless.com 50244421892 SOURCE: Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. View the original press release on newswire.com. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - Cabral Gold Inc. (TSXV: CBR) (OTC Pink: CBGZF) ("Cabral" or the "Company") is pleased to provide results from three additional column-leach metallurgical tests on three samples of gold-bearing oxide material from the MG gold deposit within the Cuiu Cuiu gold district in northern Brazil. Highlights are as follows: Gold recoveries from three samples from the MG gold deposit (i) blanket soil, colluvium and sediments, (ii) low-grade saprolite material and (iii) higher grade saprolite material from the MG gold deposit ranged from 92 - 93% after 68 to 112 days of column leaching The results for all three samples were very consistent and confirm that heap-leach processing is highly viable at the MG gold deposit and that heap leaching of the oxide material is likely the preferred option for processing These results are a notable improvement on previous column leach tests conducted on a composite sample of blanket and saprolite material from MG, which returned 82% gold recoveries after 60 days Alan Carter, Cabral's President and CEO commented, "These column leach test results are very encouraging and confirm that that the gold-in-oxide material at the MG gold deposit at Cuiu Cuiu is amenable to heap-leach processing. The leach recoveries of 92% to 93% are excellent and significantly better than previous test work which revealed an 82% recovery. They are also significantly higher than most heap leach gold mines that are currently in operation. These results should allow us to positively adjust our projected gold recoveries which form part of the ongoing prefeasibility study. These gold recoveries are particularly significant given the recent excellent drill results we are seeing from the Machichie Main and Machichie NE targets which are located only 500m and 650m north of the MG gold deposit, and indicate significant potential for additions of gold-in-oxide material in close proximity to MG." Column Leach tests As part of the ongoing prefeasibility study on the gold-in-oxide material at Cuiu Cuiu, Cabral collected mineralized material from the MG gold deposit and shipped three composite samples to Kappes, Cassiday & Associates ("KCA") lab in Reno, Nevada to conduct heap-leach metallurgical testing. The samples were collected from diamond drill core drilled at a number of locations over the extent of the near-surface MG oxide resource. Three composite samples were created representing the two principal material types in the resource: one composite in the colluvial blanket zone (consisting of soils and sediments) and two composites representing the saprolite zone (consisting of weathered mineralized intrusive material). The MG blanket composite was designed to represent material near the average grade of the zone, whereas the saprolite composites were designed to represent high-grade and low-grade examples of mineralized material within that zone. KCA completed a comprehensive series of metallurgical tests on the samples including extensive assaying, compaction and permeability tests, bottle roll tests, agglomeration tests, and column leach tests. Samples were crushed to minus 50mm size then agglomerated with addition of 20 kg/MT of cement. Leach tests were conducted in columns eight feet (244cm) tall by eight inches (20cm) in diameter. Samples were subjected to leaching with a dilute cyanide solution over periods lasting from 68 to 112 days (Table 1, Figures 1 and 2). Gold recoveries in all three samples ranged from 92% to 93% with +70% of gold recovered in under 20 days. Sodium cyanide consumption was low ranging from 0.31 kg/t to 0.48 kg/t NaCN. KCA Test No Description Grade calc. head g/t Au Extracted g/t Au Av. Tails g/t Au Extracted % Au Days of Leach Consumption NaCN kg/t 93719 MG Blanket 0.440 0.411 0.029 93% 68 0.48 93722 MG saprolite High grade 1.568 1.449 0.119 92% 112 0.37 93725 MG saprolite Low grade 0.580 0.539 0.041 93% 68 0.31 Table 1. Summary of column leach test results for MG samples. g/t = grammes per tonne gold, kg/t + kilogrammes per tonne Figure 1. Cumulative gold extraction vs time for three MG gold composites To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3900/218360_d1c5e075443c8be9_002full.jpg Figure 2. Cumulative gold extraction vs Solution to Ore for three MG gold composites To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3900/218360_d1c5e075443c8be9_003full.jpg Results of all three samples demonstrate excellent recoveries in the order of 90 to 120 days. These column tests further confirm that heap-leach processing of the oxide blanket and saprolite material is viable at Cuiu Cuiu and is likely the best option for processing. The adoption of heap-leach processing could result in significantly lower initial capital investment and processing costs than other processing routes. In general, the adoption of heap-leach processing has the potential to significantly improve the economics for a potential future mining operation developed at Cuiu Cuiu. The gold recoveries reported here (92-93%) are significantly better than the previous column leach test conducted on composite oxide material from the MG gold deposit which resulted in a gold recovery of 82% after 70 days (see press release dated 21st June 2022). This may be because the previous single MG composite consisted of material from both the colluvial blanket and the underlying saprolite material. Cyanide consumption rates were also lower (0.31 - 0.48 kg/t) than the previous test (0.51 kg/t), as was the amount of cement used previously (23.96 kg/t) versus the amount used in the most recent tests (20 kg/t). Results are currently pending on three column leach tests that are being conducted on material from the Central gold deposit and are expected during Q3 2024. About Cabral Gold Inc. The Company is a junior resource company engaged in the identification, exploration and development of mineral properties, with a primary focus on gold properties located in Brazil. The Company has a 100% interest in the Cuiu Cuiu gold district located in the Tapajos Region, within the state of Para in northern Brazil. Two main gold deposits have so far been defined at the Cuiu Cuiu project which contains National Instrument 43-101 compliant Indicated resources of 21.6Mt @ 0.87 g/t gold (604,000 oz) and Inferred resources of 19.8Mt @ 0.84 g/t gold (534,500 oz) as per the 43-101 technical report dated October 12, 2022. The Tapajos Gold Province is the site of the largest gold rush in Brazil's history which according to the ANM (Agencia Nacional de Mineracao or National Mining Agency of Brazil) produced an estimated 30 to 50 million ounces of placer gold between 1978 and 1995. Cuiu Cuiu was the largest area of placer workings in the Tapajos and produced an estimated 2Moz of placer gold historically. Technical information included in this release was supervised and approved by Brian Arkell, B.S. Geology and M.S. Economic Geology, SME (Registered Member), AusIMM (Fellow) and SEG (Fellow), Cabral Gold's Vice President, Exploration and Technical Services, and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). The use of the words "will", "expected" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218360 SOURCE: Cabral Gold Inc. Pertussis Medications and Vaccinations Leading Therapeutic Approaches Driving Stance of Companies in the Market. ROCKVILLE, Md., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Pertussis Treatment Market is estimated at a value of US$ 3.8 billion in 2024 and is forecasted to increase to US$ 5.3 billion by the end of 2034, reveals Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider, in its new research report. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. Pertussis mostly affects young children and the older population, and treatment involves medication, vaccination, and supportive care. Rising prevalence of whooping cough caused by different factors is leading to a high demand for innovative and effective pertussis therapeutic solutions. Drug manufacturers are focused on developing new antibiotics and treatment protocols to combat Bordetella pertussis bacteria. For the same, industry giants are heavily investing in research and development efforts. Targeted antibiotic therapies are the frontline treatments for pertussis infection. Researchers worldwide are also exploring novel antibiotic classes that can demonstrate efficacy against the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. Combination therapies are expected to offer enhanced treatment outcomes and reduce the likelihood of resistance. Furthermore, the personalized medication trend is also set to offer lucrative growth opportunities for key companies that are involved in providing pertussis treatment solutions. For More Insights into the Market, Request a Sample of this Report: https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=10267 Key Takeaways from the Pertussis Treatment Market Study: Global demand for pertussis therapeutic solutions is projected to rise at a CAGR of 3.4 from 2024 to 2034. The market for pertussis treatment in the United States is forecasted at a value of US$ 1.29 billion in 2024. Sales of pertussis drugs in South Korea are forecasted to rise at a CAGR of 3.7% through 2034. The market for pertussis medications is estimated at US$ 1.59 billion in 2024. Hospital pharmacies are projected to capture 39.1% of the global market share by 2034. "North America, followed by Western Europe, will be key regional markets for pertussis treatment over the next decade," says a Fact.MR analyst. Leading Players Driving Innovation in the Pertussis Treatment Market: Key participants in the pertussis treatment industry are Johnson & Johnson Services Inc.; GlaxoSmithKline, Plc.; Merck & Co. Inc.; Sanofi; Pfizer Inc.; Novartis AG; Panacea Biotech; China National Biotec Group; Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences; Daiichi Sankyo Company Ltd.; Mylan NV; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH; Bristol Myers Squibb Company; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma; Astellas Pharma; Shenzhen KangTai Biological Products. Collaborations Key Trend in the Pertussis Treatment Market: Pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and government healthcare organizations are collaborating for the development and discovery of advanced pertussis medications. These collaborations are aimed at becoming more effective in reducing the ill effects of pertussis and boosting the profits of several stakeholders. International agreements are aimed at the more effective addressing and managing of pertussis globally. These are expected to increase the sales of pertussis therapeutic solutions, especially in high-potential markets such as Latin America and Asia Pacific. According to an article under scientific reports published by Nature on 16th March 2023, a pangenome approach-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay is proving effective for specific and early detection of pertussis infection. Pertussis Treatment Industry News: On 25 March 2024, As per a press release by EurekAlert, researchers from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology uncovered a key biomolecule involved in pertussis infection. The discovery is expected to aid in creating a new drug or vaccine for whooping cough. Get Customization on this Report for Specific Research Solutions: https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=10267 Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Type: Medications Vaccinations Supportive Treatments Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Diagnosis: Blood Tests Chest X-Rays Nose or Throat Culture & Tests Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Mode of Purchase: Rx OTC Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Route of Administration: Oral Parenteral Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Distribution Channel: Hospital Pharmacies Online Pharmacies Retail Pharmacies Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Disease Stage: Incubation Stage Catarrhal Stage Paroxysmal Stage Convalescent Stage More Valuable Insights: Fact.MR, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the global pertussis treatment market, presenting historical demand data (2019 to 2023) and forecast statistics for the period (2024 to 2034). The study divulges essential insights on the market-based treatment type (medications, vaccinations, supportive treatments, others), diagnosis (blood tests, chest X-rays, nose or throat culture & tests), mode of purchase (Rx, OTC), route of administration (oral, parenteral, others), disease stage (incubation stage, catarrhal stage, paroxysmal stage, convalescent stage), and distribution channel (hospital pharmacies, online pharmacies, retail pharmacies), across seven major regions of the world (North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, and MEA). Check out More Related Studies Published by Fact.MR Research: Psychotic Disorder Treatment Market accounts for US$ 13.6 billion and is projected to surge past a valuation of US$ 24.5 billion by the end of 2032. Alexandrite Laser Treatment Market is calculated at US$ 48.7 million for 2024 and is forecasted to reach US$ 83.2 million by 2034, advancing at a CAGR of 5.5%. Achalasia Treatment Market Statistics by Treatment (Non-Surgical Treatment, Botulinum Toxin Type A, Pneumatic Dilation, Surgical Treatment, Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM), Heller Myotomy) & By End User- Global Review 2018 To 2028. Lewy Body Dementia Treatment Market is predicted to expand steadily at 6% CAGR and reach US$ 8.45 billion by the end of 2033. Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea Treatment Market Forecast, Trend Analysis & Competition Tracking - Global Review 2018 to 2028 Bell's Palsy Treatment Market by Drug Class (Corticosteroids, Anticonvulsants, Antibacterial, Antivirals), Based on Distribution Channel (Hospital, Retail, Drug Stores, Online) - Global Insights to 2028. About Us: Fact.MR is a distinguished market research company renowned for its comprehensive market reports and invaluable business insights. As a prominent player in business intelligence, we deliver deep analysis, uncovering market trends, growth paths, and competitive landscapes. Renowned for its commitment to accuracy and reliability, we empower businesses with crucial data and strategic recommendations, facilitating informed decision-making and enhancing market positioning. With its unwavering dedication to providing reliable market intelligence, FACT.MR continues to assist companies in navigating dynamic market challenges with confidence and achieving long-term success. With a global presence and a team of experienced analysts, FACT.MR ensures its clients receive actionable insights to capitalize on emerging opportunities and stay ahead in the competitive landscape. Contact:? 11140 Rockville Pike? Suite 400? Rockville, MD 20852? United States? Tel: +1 (628) 251-1583? Sales Team:?sales@factmr.com?? Follow Us:?LinkedIn?|?Twitter?|?Blog? View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pertussis-treatment-market-projected-to-hit-us-5-3-billion-by-2034--with-a-3-4-cagr--factmr-report-302209937.html Unveil Panama's Investment Gems with 'A Spotlight to Panama' - Your Guide to Opportunity and Lifestyle in a Tropical Paradise PANAMA CITY, PANAMA / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / Panama, a tropical gem in Central America, has been garnering significant attention on the international stage. Known for its strategic location, the iconic Panama Canal, and robust economic growth, Panama presents a unique blend of opportunity and beauty. The country's modern infrastructure, coupled with its natural splendor, makes it an ideal destination for both investors and those seeking a new place to call home. A Spotlight To Panama "A Spotlight to Panama" answers your lifestyle and investment questions. Ask us anything! Punta Pacifica Realty provides all the essential info. For those interested in exploring the many facets of life and investment opportunities in Panama, "A Spotlight to Panama" is an essential resource. This engaging series, an initiative of PPR, offers viewers a comprehensive look at the country's diverse attractions and potential. Punta Pacifica Realty, the largest real estate and property management firm in Panama, brings extensive expertise to this project. The series is directed by Ana Patricia Hassan, a co-owner of the company and a seasoned communications professional. "A Spotlight to Panama" places a strong emphasis on the lucrative investment potential within the country. Each episode highlights key sectors such as real estate, tourism, and business opportunities. The series showcases the best areas to invest in and live in, both in Panama City and the country's interior. It provides insights into significant projects like Margaritaville Playa Caracol, which is set to transform Panama's tourism landscape and offer substantial investment returns. The series features interviews with the country's top developers and prominent figures from various fields who share their insights on the charm and potential of Panama. From industry leaders to cultural icons, these experts provide valuable perspectives on why Panama is a great place to invest, live, and thrive. "A Spotlight to Panama" also addresses practical considerations for those looking to move to Panama. Discussions on the private healthcare system, lifestyle, and community life offer a well-rounded perspective on what to expect when relocating. Through engaging conversations, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of Panama's social fabric and its appeal as a welcoming and inclusive destination. This YouTube series is a must-watch for investors and individuals considering Panama as their next destination. Tune in to "A Spotlight to Panama" to discover why this tropical paradise is fast becoming a top choice for international investors and expatriates. To learn more about our exciting offerings and stay updated, you can visit the Spotlight on Panama Facebook group, follow Ana Patricia on Instagram, and connect with her on LinkedIn. Contact Information Duncan McGowan President of Punta Pacifica Realty sales@puntapacificarealty.com +1-786-528-3080 Related Images A Spotlight To Panama "A Spotlight to Panama" answers your lifestyle and investment questions. Ask us anything! Punta Pacifica Realty provides all the essential info. Panama City, Panama Panama, a tropical paradise, is gaining global recognition for its strategic location, the famous Panama Canal, and strong economic growth. With modern infrastructure and stunning natural beauty, it's a prime spot for investors and digital nomads. Margaritaville Beach Resort & Residences Playa Caracol Margaritaville Beach Resort & Residences Playa Caracol will bring a new kind of adventure, escapism, and luxury to one of Panama's most stunning beach locations, amidst palm trees and ocean breezes. Playa Caracol, Chame, Panama Playa Caracol is a stunning beachfront destination in Panama, featuring our top projects: Playa Caracol Beach Residences, Surfside, and Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Caracol. SOURCE: Punta Pacifica Realty View the original press release on newswire.com. Financing led by Forbion and includes participation from ARCH Venture Partners and a broad syndicate of world-class investors New funds will advance product candidate for the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) into clinical trials Josh Brumm, General Partner at Forbion, to join AIRNA Board of Directors AIRNA, a biotech company pioneering RNA editing therapeutics to restore the health of patients with rare and common diseases, today announced the successful closing of an oversubscribed $60 million financing round, which brings the total Series A funding to $90 million. The financing was led by Forbion with participation from Ono Venture Investment, Alexandria Venture Investments, and other new investors, as well as AIRNA's existing syndicate, including ARCH Venture Partners and ND Capital. The proceeds from the Series A financing will be used to advance AIRNA's lead product candidate into clinical trials and further develop AIRNA's broad pipeline. "This Series A financing brings together a distinctive syndicate of investors to support AIRNA's vision of transforming lives by realizing the therapeutic potential of base editing for the masses," said Kris Elverum, President and Chief Executive Officer of AIRNA. "We are focused on bringing our first drug candidate to the clinic next year, and advancing our platform to unlock targets that are inaccessible by other modalities." AIRNA launched with backing from ARCH Venture Partners to create a new class of RNA therapeutics based on seminal research published by academic co-founders Thorsten Stafforst and Jin Billy Li. AIRNA is developing medicines to address a wide array of diseases with high unmet need through its RESTORE+ platform, which optimizes oligonucleotide sequence, chemistry, and delivery for precise, efficient, and safe RNA editing. AIRNA's first product candidate is a potential best-in-class treatment for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), a genetic condition implicated in severe lung and liver disease. The Company also announced the appointment of Josh Brumm, General Partner at Forbion, to its Board of Directors. Mr. Brumm was recently the CEO of Dyne Therapeutics, a Forbion portfolio company developing oligonucleotide-based medicines for patients with muscle diseases. "AIRNA has a differentiated approach to delivering life-changing outcomes for patients with AATD and other severe diseases," said Mr. Brumm. "We are excited to support AIRNA's exceptional management team and collaborate across continents to build a leading genetic medicines company." About AIRNA AIRNA is pioneering the discovery and development of RNA editing therapeutics to transform the lives of patients with rare and common diseases. RNA editing is poised to lead the next generation of RNA therapeutics by targeting diseases not accessible through other approaches with a medicine that can be conveniently re-dosed and manufactured. Our RESTORE+ platform is based on groundbreaking research by academic co-founders Thorsten Stafforst (University of Tubingen) and Jin Billy Li (Stanford University), who were the first to elucidate a therapeutic approach for precise editing of RNA. AIRNA is advancing its first therapeutic program, a best-in-class product candidate to treat the inherited genetic disease alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), as well as a pipeline of therapeutic candidates to address multiple diseases with high unmet need. AIRNA has headquarters in Cambridge, MA, with research operations in Tubingen, Germany. Learn more at www.airna.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731566308/en/ Contacts: Investors: Lena Fischer Senior Director, Finance Operations AIRNA lena.fischer@airna.com Media: Chris Railey Ten Bridge Communications chris@tenbridgecommunications.com Aily Labs opens a new office in New York City, enhancing its global presence alongside existing hubs in Munich, Madrid, Barcelona and Romania New hires Jason Rizzo as Senior Vice President of Sales and Ken Huang as Head of Marketing bolster Aily Labs' global go-to-market and expansion, fortifying a team of more than 330 professionals dedicated to advancing AI innovation This expansion and new leadership underscore Aily Labs' commitment to driving forward-thinking AI Decision Intelligence solutions and expanding worldwide market reach MUNICH, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aily Labs GmbH, pioneer of an AI-powered decision intelligence app for global enterprises, announced today its U.S. expansion with the opening of a new office at 66 Hudson Boulevard (The Spiral) in Manhattan's Hudson Yards. This strategic move is complemented by the appointment of two key leaders: Jason Rizzo as Senior Vice President of Sales and Ken Huang as Head of Marketing. These developments mark significant milestones in Aily Labs' strategy to scale its innovative AI solutions and amplify its impact on enterprise decision-making worldwide. Alongside the new New York office, Aily Labs maintains a robust European presence with its headquarters in Munich and additional hubs in Madrid, Barcelona, and Cluj. "The New York expansion and our strategic hires are pivotal to accelerating Aily Labs' mission to democratize AI Decision Intelligence across industries," said Bianca Anghelina, CEO and Founder of Aily Labs. "We are committed to driving global impact through our advanced AI solutions." Jason Rizzo, joining as Senior Vice President of Sales, brings over 20 years of experience in B2B cloud software. With a proven track record in complex sales landscapes and strategic partnerships, Rizzo will be instrumental in expanding Aily Labs' global market reach and driving business growth. Previously, Rizzo served as Vice President of Global Life Science Strategy & Partnerships for InsightRX and led R&D and Quality for Veeva Systems. Ken Huang, joining as Head of Marketing, brings extensive global B2B go-to-market expertise. Huang previously led global product marketing for Prove, a leader in identity verification and authentication. His experience in overseeing marketing efforts across end-to-end product portfolios and leading global expansion efforts across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas will be crucial in Aily Labs' global scaling. "The addition of top-tier talent with Jason Rizzo and Ken Huang underscores Aily Labs' strategic approach to advancing AI innovation and scaling their technology's impact globally," said Hilary Gosher, Managing Director at Insight Partners, investor in Aily Labs. The expansion in New York will supercharge Aily Labs' customer growth, enabling enhanced service to Fortune 500 clients across industries such as life sciences, fast-moving consumer goods, and retail services, and more. This strategic move builds on the momentum of recent product rollouts, including the innovative Aily Agent, further solidifying the company's position as a leader in AI-driven solutions. About Aily Labs Aily Labs transforms business needs into applied AI use cases, embedding them into an easy to-integrate and simple-to-use app. Founded in 2020, Aily Labs is an AI Software (or AI SaaS) company and is on a mission to transform ways of working by empowering businesses with meaningful AI. Aily Labs accelerates the digital journeys of large, global organizations, supported by an experienced team of digital specialists and data scientists. For more information, visit ailylabs.com. Aily Labs Contact Ken Huang Ken.Huang@AilyLabs.com Jessica Muldoon AilyLabs@ruderfinn.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2417466/Aily_Labs_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aily-labs-expands-global-footprint-with-new-york-office-launch-and-strengthens-leadership-team-with-new-svp-of-sales-and-head-of-marketing-302210472.html PARIS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Valiantys, a global leader in IT consulting with Atlassian, announces the acquisition of Contegix, a prominent innovator in Atlassian solutions for teams across various industries, including both private and Federal sectors. This strategic acquisition enhances Valiantys' presence and leadership in North America, particularly in the US Federal sector and in Canada, where Contegix is a leading Atlassian partner. Contegix has a rich 20-year history in the Atlassian ecosystem and was a pioneer in implementing the original Atlassian Cloud in 2002. The company has notable expertise in the US Federal sector under its Ascend Integrated Federal division, bringing a wealth of capabilities and a highly skilled engineering team to Valiantys. The firm offers a secure platform addressing US legal and regulatory compliance requirements, specifically HIPAA, FedRAMP, and DISA compliance. The acquisition will strengthen Valiantys' position as the leading solutions partner of the Atlassian ecosystem, offering significant growth opportunities in North America, and doubling the market opportunity for Valiantys. It also offers the potential for Valiantys to expand its Federal service offering in other geographies, including Europe and Asia-Pacific. The acquisition brings several additional key benefits, including: Enhanced capabilities - Customers in North America, especially those with regulatory and security blockers to transitioning to Cloud, will benefit from Contegix's secure managed platform. Contegix's expertise in DevSecOps [1] and handling highly sensitive information will enhance Valiantys' offerings and complement its DevOps and full stack application development teams. The combination of these teams will also help connect customers' IT infrastructures and operations, helping them to become secure, digital-first enterprises. - Customers in North America, especially those with regulatory and security blockers to transitioning to Cloud, will benefit from Contegix's secure managed platform. Contegix's expertise in DevSecOps and handling highly sensitive information will enhance Valiantys' offerings and complement its DevOps and full stack application development teams. The combination of these teams will also help connect customers' IT infrastructures and operations, helping them to become secure, digital-first enterprises. Value-added service offerings - Contegix's additional offerings centered around the Federal sector (including FedRAMP, Government Solutions, and TrustStack) will be pivotal in addressing the needs of the regulated market. The strategic impact of this acquisition will enhance Valiantys' capabilities and improve the customer experience for key segments, including Federal, healthcare, life sciences, and financial services. By integrating Contegix's expertise, Valiantys will offer more differentiated and compliant solutions, catering to the unique needs of these industries. - Contegix's additional offerings centered around the Federal sector (including FedRAMP, Government Solutions, and TrustStack) will be pivotal in addressing the needs of the regulated market. The strategic impact of this acquisition will enhance Valiantys' capabilities and improve the customer experience for key segments, including Federal, healthcare, life sciences, and financial services. By integrating Contegix's expertise, Valiantys will offer more differentiated and compliant solutions, catering to the unique needs of these industries. Solidified ecosystem - The acquisition of Contegix strategically strengthens Valiantys and the Atlassian ecosystem, positioning Valiantys as a leader in secure Atlassian solutions and FedRAMP migrations for Federal clients. Key benefits include an enhanced capacity to provide critical support, meet compliance requirements, and enable scalable modernization. - The acquisition of Contegix strategically strengthens Valiantys and the Atlassian ecosystem, positioning Valiantys as a leader in secure Atlassian solutions and FedRAMP migrations for Federal clients. Key benefits include an enhanced capacity to provide critical support, meet compliance requirements, and enable scalable modernization. Strengthened market position - Leveraging Contegix's leadership in the North American Federal sector and its longstanding relationship with Atlassian, Valiantys is poised to reinforce its market leadership and expand its customer base in North America. - Leveraging Contegix's leadership in the North American Federal sector and its longstanding relationship with Atlassian, Valiantys is poised to reinforce its market leadership and expand its customer base in North America. Innovative solutions - Valiantys has been a leader in encouraging the adoption of Atlassian Forge, the app development platform, further empowering Atlassian's Marketplace app vendors. With the acquisition of Contegix, Valiantys will expand its ability to help customers solve complex problems using Forge. Michael McNeil, Chief Executive Officer of North America at Valiantys, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Contegix to the Valiantys family. Their secure managed platform and expertise in the Federal space perfectly align with our strategic vision. This acquisition not only strengthens our capabilities but also allows us to better serve our customers. Together, we believe we can drive strong value and growth in the North American Market." Brad Hokamp, Chief Executive Officer of Contegix, added: "The combination of Valiantys and Contegix will bring great value to the North American market, offering the most comprehensive capabilities in both the Atlassian ecosystem and the DevSecOps industry. I want to thank our private equity sponsor, Strattam Capital, for their tremendous support in enabling Contegix's success, and I expect even greater accomplishments in the next chapter of the business under Valiantys." Philippe Crochet, Managing Partner at Keensight Capital, concluded: "The acquisition of Contegix marks a significant moment in Valiantys' development, particularly by opening up the North American regulated market. We look forward to continuing to support the company through this next period of growth." This acquisition will be made possible by the investment and operational support of: Keensight Capital, one of the leading private equity managers dedicated to pan-European Growth Buyout investments, and Valiantys' majority shareholder; Tercera, a growth equity firm specializing in cloud professional services. Closing is subject to customary closing conditions. About Valiantys Valiantys is a leading global consulting and services firm dedicated to Atlassian. The company accelerates business transformation by digitizing processes and modernizing teamwork, using the best agile methods and tools. Its Atlassian technical expertise is unparalleled and Valiantys supports its customers across the entire spectrum of projects on those platforms. As a recognized Agile at Scale, ITSM, and Cloud Specialized Partner, Valiantys help organizations accelerate time to value with Agile at scale, cloud, and ITSM implementations. Because teamwork requires more than just tools, the firm bridges the gap between applications and strategic practices such as SAFe and ITIL. Over the last 15 years, Valiantys has helped more than 5,000 customers achieve their desired business outcomes at a reduced time to value, through improved team collaboration. www.valiantys.com About Contegix Contegix is an Atlassian Platinum Solution Partner, serving the U.S. public sector and commercial businesses for a variety of Atlassian needs. As a FedRAMP authorized cloud provider entirely managed and maintained by U.S. citizens, we provide professional services ranging from application engineering to process transformation. With expertise in Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and the rest of the Atlassian toolset, our Atlassian certified experts help large enterprises and public sector organizations maximize their investments in these collaborative tools. About Keensight Capital Keensight Capital ("Keensight"), one of the leading European Growth Buyout firms, is committed to supporting entrepreneurs as they implement their growth strategies. For over 20 years, Keensight Capital's team of seasoned professionals has leveraged their knowledge of investment and growth industries to invest for the long term in profitable companies with high growth potential and revenues in the range of 10 million to 400 million. Drawing on its expertise in the Technology and Healthcare sectors, Keensight identifies the best investment opportunities in Europe and works closely with management teams to develop and achieve their strategic vision. Keensight Capital's success has also earned it a Gold Award from the Private Equity Exchange & Awards each year for the last seven consecutive years, and in particular, the Best European Growth Private Equity Fund. www.keensight.com [1] DevSecOps is short for development, security and operations. It is an application development practice that automates the integration of security and security practices at every phase of the software development lifecycle, from initial design through integration, testing, delivery and deployment. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2471949/Valiantys.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1980997/Valiantys_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/valiantys-acquires-contegix-an-atlassian-consulting-leader-to-bolster-north-american-presence-302210985.html Boeing Company - 2nd Quarter Financial Results PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, July 31 Boeing Reports Second Quarter Results ARLINGTON, Va., July 31, 2024 -- Second Quarter 2024 Submitted comprehensive safety and quality plan to the Federal Aviation Administration Announced agreement to acquire Spirit AeroSystems in July; transaction expected to close mid-2025 Revenue of $16.9 billion, GAAP loss per share of ($2.33) and core (non-GAAP)* loss per share of ($2.90) Operating cash flow of ($3.9) billion and free cash flow of ($4.3) billion (non-GAAP)* Total company backlog of $516 billion, including over 5,400 commercial airplanes Table 1. Summary Financial Results Second Quarter First Half (Dollars in Millions, except per share data) 2024 2023 Change 2024 2023 Change Revenues $16,866 $19,751 (15) % $33,435 $37,672 (11) % GAAP Loss from operations ($1,090) ($99) NM ($1,176) ($248) NM Operating margins (6.5) % (0.5) % NM (3.5) % (0.7) % NM Net loss ($1,439) ($149) NM ($1,794) ($574) NM Loss per share ($2.33) ($0.25) NM ($2.90) ($0.93) NM Operating cash flow ($3,923) $2,875 NM ($7,285) $2,557 NM Non-GAAP* Core operating loss ($1,392) ($390) NM ($1,780) ($830) NM Core operating margins (8.3) % (2.0) % NM (5.3) % (2.2) % NM Core loss per share ($2.90) ($0.82) NM ($4.04) ($2.08) NM *Non-GAAP measure; complete definitions of Boeing's non-GAAP measures are on page 5, "Non-GAAP Measures Disclosures." The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] recorded second quarter revenue of $16.9 billion, GAAP loss per share of ($2.33) and core loss per share (non-GAAP)* of ($2.90) (Table 1). Boeing reported operating cash flow of ($3.9) billion and free cash flow of ($4.3) billion (non-GAAP)*. Results primarily reflect lower commercial delivery volume and losses on fixed-price defense development programs. "Despite a challenging quarter, we are making substantial progress strengthening our quality management system and positioning our company for the future," said Dave Calhoun, Boeing president and chief executive officer. "We are executing on our comprehensive safety and quality plan and have reached an agreement to acquire Spirit AeroSystems. While we have more work ahead, the steps we're taking will help stabilize our operations and ensure Boeing is the company the world needs it to be. We are making important progress in our recovery and will continue to build trust through action and transparency." Table 2. Cash Flow Second Quarter First Half (Millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Operating cash flow ($3,923) $2,875 ($7,285) $2,557 Less additions to property, plant & equipment ($404) ($296) ($971) ($764) Free cash flow* ($4,327) $2,579 ($8,256) $1,793 *Non-GAAP measure; complete definitions of Boeing's non-GAAP measures are on page 5, "Non-GAAP Measures Disclosures." Operating cash flow was ($3.9) billion in the quarter reflecting lower commercial deliveries, as well as unfavorable working capital timing (Table 2). Table 3. Cash, Marketable Securities and Debt Balances Quarter End (Billions) Q2 24 Q1 24 Cash $10.9 $6.9 Marketable securities1 $1.7 $0.6 Total $12.6 $7.5 Consolidated debt $57.9 $47.9 1 Marketable securities consist primarily of time deposits due within one year classified as "short-term investments." Cash and investments in marketable securities totaled $12.6 billion, compared to $7.5 billion at the beginning of the quarter driven by the $10.0 billion issuance of new debt partially offset by the usage of free cash flow in the quarter (Table 3). Debt was $57.9 billion, up from $47.9 billion at the beginning of the quarter due to the issuance of new debt. The company has access to credit facilities of $10.0 billion, which remain undrawn. Total company backlog at quarter end was $516 billion. Segment Results Commercial Airplanes Table 4. Commercial Airplanes Second Quarter First Half (Dollars in Millions) 2024 2023 Change 2024 2023 Change Deliveries 92 136 (32) % 175 266 (34) % Revenues $6,003 $8,840 (32) % $10,656 $15,544 (31) % Loss from operations ($715) ($383) NM ($1,858) ($998) NM Operating margins (11.9) % (4.3) % NM (17.4) % (6.4) % NM Commercial Airplanes second quarter revenue of $6.0 billion and operating margin of (11.9) percent primarily reflect lower deliveries and planned higher period costs, including research and development (Table 4). During the quarter, the company submitted its comprehensive safety and quality plan to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The 737 program gradually increased production during the quarter and still plans to increase production to 38 per month by year end. The 787 program maintains plans to return to 5 per month by year end. In July, the company announced an agreement to acquire Spirit AeroSystems, and the 777X program began FAA certification flight testing after obtaining type inspection authorization. Commercial Airplanes delivered 92 airplanes during the quarter and backlog included over 5,400 airplanes valued at $437 billion. Defense, Space & Security Table 5. Defense, Space & Security Second Quarter First Half (Dollars in Millions) 2024 2023 Change 2024 2023 Change Revenues $6,021 $6,167 (2) % $12,971 $12,706 2 % Loss from operations ($913) ($527) NM ($762) ($739) NM Operating margins (15.2) % (8.5) % NM (5.9) % (5.8) % NM Defense, Space & Security second quarter revenue was $6.0 billion. Second quarter operating margin of (15.2) percent primarily reflects $1.0 billion of losses on certain fixed-price development programs, including a $391 million loss on the KC-46A program largely driven by a slowdown of commercial production and supply chain constraints. Losses recorded on the T-7A, VC-25B, and Commercial Crew programs reflect higher estimated engineering and manufacturing costs, as well as technical challenges. During the quarter, Defense, Space & Security captured an award for seven MH-139A helicopters from the U.S. Air Force and delivered the first CH-47F Block II Chinook to the U.S. Army. Backlog at Defense, Space & Security was $59 billion, of which 31 percent represents orders from customers outside the U.S. Global Services Table 6. Global Services Second Quarter First Half (Dollars in Millions) 2024 2023 Change 2024 2023 Change Revenues $4,889 $4,746 3 % $9,934 $9,466 5 % Earnings from operations $870 $856 2 % $1,786 $1,703 5 % Operating margins 17.8 % 18.0 % -0.2 pts 18.0 % 18.0 % 0.0 pts Global Services second quarter revenue of $4.9 billion and operating margin of 17.8 percent reflect higher commercial volume and mix. During the quarter, Global Services secured an Apache performance-based logistics contract from the U.S. Army and captured FliteDeck Pro service contracts with Hainan Airlines and Ryanair. Additional Financial Information Table 7. Additional Financial Information Second Quarter First Half (Dollars in Millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenues Unallocated items, eliminations and other ($47) ($2) ($126) ($44) (Loss)/earnings from operations Other unallocated items and eliminations ($634) ($336) ($946) ($796) FAS/CAS service cost adjustment $302 $291 $604 $582 Other income, net $248 $320 $525 $622 Interest and debt expense ($673) ($621) ($1,242) ($1,270) Effective tax rate 5.0 % 62.8 % 5.2 % 35.9 % Other unallocated items and eliminations include an earnings charge of $244 million that reflects a fine that would be paid to the U.S. Department of Justice pursuant to an agreement that was recently filed in federal district court, if the agreement is approved. Non-GAAP Measures Disclosures We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (GAAP) with certain non-GAAP financial information. The non-GAAP financial information presented excludes certain significant items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, results from our ongoing business operations. We believe that these non-GAAP measures provide investors with additional insight into the company's ongoing business performance. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures, and other companies may define such measures differently. We encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. The following definitions are provided: Core Operating Earnings/(loss), Core Operating Margin and Core Earnings/(loss) Per Share Core operating earnings/(loss) is defined as GAAP Earnings/(loss) from operations excluding the FAS/CAS service cost adjustment. The FAS/CAS service cost adjustment represents the difference between the Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) pension and postretirement service costs calculated under GAAP and costs allocated to the business segments. Core operating margin is defined as Core operating earnings/(loss) expressed as a percentage of revenue. Core earnings/(loss) per share is defined as GAAP Diluted earnings/(loss) per share excluding the net earnings/(loss) per share impact of the FAS/CAS service cost adjustment and Non-operating pension and postretirement expenses. Non-operating pension and postretirement expenses represent the components of net periodic benefit costs other than service cost. Pension costs allocated to BDS and BGS businesses supporting government customers are computed in accordance with U.S. Government Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), which employ different actuarial assumptions and accounting conventions than GAAP. CAS costs are allocable to government contracts. Other postretirement benefit costs are allocated to all business segments based on CAS, which is generally based on benefits paid. Management uses core operating earnings/(loss), core operating margin and core earnings/(loss) per share for purposes of evaluating and forecasting underlying business performance. Management believes these core measures provide investors additional insights into operational performance as they exclude non-service pension and post-retirement costs, which primarily represent costs driven by market factors and costs not allocable to government contracts. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is provided on page 12 and 13. Free Cash Flow Free cash flow is GAAP operating cash flow reduced by capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment. Management believes free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available for shareholders, debt repayment, and acquisitions after making the capital investments required to support ongoing business operations and long term value creation. Free cash flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures as it excludes certain mandatory expenditures such as repayment of maturing debt. Management uses free cash flow as a measure to assess both business performance and overall liquidity. See Table 2 on page 2 for reconciliation of free cash flow to GAAP operating cash flow. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "should," "expects," "intends," "projects," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "targets," "anticipates," and other similar words or expressions, or the negative thereof, generally can be used to help identify these forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements relating to our future financial condition and operating results, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable when made, but that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements. Among these factors are risks related to: (1) general conditions in the economy and our industry, including those due to regulatory changes; (2) our reliance on our commercial airline customers; (3) the overall health of our aircraft production system, production quality issues, commercial airplane production rates, our ability to successfully develop and certify new aircraft or new derivative aircraft, and the ability of our aircraft to meet stringent performance and reliability standards; (4) our pending acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (Spirit), including the satisfaction of closing conditions in the expected timeframe or at all, (5) changing budget and appropriation levels and acquisition priorities of the U.S. government, as well as significant delays in U.S. government appropriations; (6) our dependence on our subcontractors and suppliers, as well as the availability of highly skilled labor and raw materials; (7) work stoppages or other labor disruptions; (8) competition within our markets; (9) our non-U.S. operations and sales to non-U.S. customers; (10) changes in accounting estimates; (11) realizing the anticipated benefits of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures/strategic alliances or divestitures, including anticipated synergies and quality improvements related to our pending acquisition of Spirit; (12) our dependence on U.S. government contracts; (13) our reliance on fixed-price contracts; (14) our reliance on cost-type contracts; (15) contracts that include in-orbit incentive payments; (16) unauthorized access to our, our customers' and/or our suppliers' information and systems; (17) potential business disruptions, including threats to physical security or our information technology systems, extreme weather (including effects of climate change) or other acts of nature, and pandemics or other public health crises; (18) potential adverse developments in new or pending litigation and/or government inquiries or investigations; (19) potential environmental liabilities; (20) effects of climate change and legal, regulatory or market responses to such change; (21) credit rating agency actions and changes in our ability to obtain debt financing on commercially reasonable terms, at competitive rates and in sufficient amounts; (22) substantial pension and other postretirement benefit obligations; (23) the adequacy of our insurance coverage; and (24) customer and aircraft concentration in our customer financing portfolio. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Contact: Investor Relations: Matt Welch or David Dufault BoeingInvestorRelations@boeing.com Communications: Michael Friedman media@boeing.com The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Six months ended June 30 Three months ended June 30 (Dollars in millions, except per share data) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Sales of products $26,792 $31,601 $13,524 $16,687 Sales of services 6,643 6,071 3,342 3,064 Total revenues 33,435 37,672 16,866 19,751 Cost of products (24,971) (28,676) (12,907) (15,123) Cost of services (5,359) (5,134) (2,730) (2,689) Total costs and expenses (30,330) (33,810) (15,637) (17,812) 3,105 3,862 1,229 1,939 Income from operating investments, net 74 17 7 44 General and administrative expense (2,538) (2,590) (1,377) (1,286) Research and development expense, net (1,822) (1,538) (954) (797) Gain on dispositions, net 5 1 5 1 Loss from operations (1,176) (248) (1,090) (99) Other income, net 525 622 248 320 Interest and debt expense (1,242) (1,270) (673) (621) Loss before income taxes (1,893) (896) (1,515) (400) Income tax benefit 99 322 76 251 Net loss (1,794) (574) (1,439) (149) Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (12) (11) Net loss attributable to Boeing Shareholders ($1,782) ($563) ($1,439) ($149) Basic loss per share ($2.90) ($0.93) ($2.33) ($0.25) Diluted loss per share ($2.90) ($0.93) ($2.33) ($0.25) Weighted average diluted shares (millions) 614.8 603.9 616.6 605.5 The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited) (Dollars in millions, except per share data) June 30 2024 December 31 2023 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $10,894 $12,691 Short-term and other investments 1,727 3,274 Accounts receivable, net 3,155 2,649 Unbilled receivables, net 9,660 8,317 Current portion of financing receivables, net 60 99 Inventories 85,661 79,741 Other current assets, net 3,282 2,504 Total current assets 114,439 109,275 Financing receivables and operating lease equipment, net 785 860 Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $22,640 and $22,245 10,976 10,661 Goodwill 8,108 8,093 Acquired intangible assets, net 2,067 2,094 Deferred income taxes 59 Investments 1,026 1,035 Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,001 and $1,046 5,319 4,935 Total assets $142,720 $137,012 Liabilities and equity Accounts payable $11,864 $11,964 Accrued liabilities 21,850 22,331 Advances and progress billings 58,151 56,328 Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt 4,765 5,204 Total current liabilities 96,630 95,827 Deferred income taxes 291 229 Accrued retiree health care 2,159 2,233 Accrued pension plan liability, net 6,248 6,516 Other long-term liabilities 2,212 2,332 Long-term debt 53,162 47,103 Total liabilities 160,702 154,240 Shareholders' equity: Common stock, par value $5.00 - 1,200,000,000 shares authorized; 1,012,261,159 shares issued 5,061 5,061 Additional paid-in capital 10,727 10,309 Treasury stock, at cost - 396,730,470 and 402,746,136 shares (48,841) (49,549) Retained earnings 25,469 27,251 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (10,392) (10,305) Total shareholders' deficit (17,976) (17,233) Noncontrolling interests (6) 5 Total equity (17,982) (17,228) Total liabilities and equity $142,720 $137,012 The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Six months ended June 30 (Dollars in millions) 2024 2023 Cash flows - operating activities: Net loss ($1,794) ($574) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used)/provided by operating activities: Non-cash items - Share-based plans expense 208 381 Treasury shares issued for 401(k) contribution 953 862 Depreciation and amortization 883 913 Investment/asset impairment charges, net 34 12 Gain on dispositions, net (5) (1) Other charges and credits, net (34) 30 Changes in assets and liabilities - Accounts receivable (522) (433) Unbilled receivables (1,345) (721) Advances and progress billings 1,886 2,228 Inventories (5,937) (241) Other current assets (320) 313 Accounts payable (222) 852 Accrued liabilities (443) (399) Income taxes receivable, payable and deferred (188) (424) Other long-term liabilities (148) (180) Pension and other postretirement plans (491) (520) Financing receivables and operating lease equipment, net 149 419 Other 51 40 Net cash used/(provided) by operating activities (7,285) 2,557 Cash flows - investing activities: Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment (971) (764) Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment 30 13 Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (50) Contributions to investments (1,617) (9,496) Proceeds from investments 3,173 5,567 Supplier notes receivable (486) (162) Purchase of distribution rights (88) Other (17) 4 Net cash used by investing activities (26) (4,838) Cash flows - financing activities: New borrowings 10,089 38 Debt repayments (4,481) (5,123) Stock options exercised 44 Employee taxes on certain share-based payment arrangements (67) (48) Other (3) (4) Net cash provided/(used) by financing activities 5,538 (5,093) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (25) 2 Net decrease in cash & cash equivalents, including restricted (1,798) (7,372) Cash & cash equivalents, including restricted, at beginning of year 12,713 14,647 Cash & cash equivalents, including restricted, at end of period 10,915 7,275 Less restricted cash & cash equivalents, included in Investments 21 21 Cash & cash equivalents at end of period $10,894 $7,254 The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Summary of Business Segment Data (Unaudited) Six months ended June 30 Three months ended June 30 (Dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenues: Commercial Airplanes $10,656 $15,544 $6,003 $8,840 Defense, Space & Security 12,971 12,706 6,021 6,167 Global Services 9,934 9,466 4,889 4,746 Unallocated items, eliminations and other (126) (44) (47) (2) Total revenues $33,435 $37,672 $16,866 $19,751 Loss from operations: Commercial Airplanes ($1,858) ($998) ($715) ($383) Defense, Space & Security (762) (739) (913) (527) Global Services 1,786 1,703 870 856 Segment operating (loss)/earnings (834) (34) (758) (54) Unallocated items, eliminations and other (946) (796) (634) (336) FAS/CAS service cost adjustment 604 582 302 291 Loss from operations (1,176) (248) (1,090) (99) Other income, net 525 622 248 320 Interest and debt expense (1,242) (1,270) (673) (621) Loss before income taxes (1,893) (896) (1,515) (400) Income tax expense 99 322 76 251 Net loss (1,794) (574) (1,439) (149) Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (12) (11) Net loss attributable to Boeing Shareholders ($1,782) ($563) ($1,439) ($149) Research and development expense, net: Commercial Airplanes $1,073 $915 $555 $471 Defense, Space & Security 494 420 259 225 Global Services 67 54 41 28 Other 188 149 99 73 Total research and development expense, net $1,822 $1,538 $954 $797 Unallocated items, eliminations and other: Share-based plans $53 ($38) $43 $14 Deferred compensation (49) (96) (19) (42) Amortization of previously capitalized interest (46) (47) (23) (24) Research and development expense, net (188) (149) (99) (73) Eliminations and other unallocated items (716) (466) (536) (211) Sub-total (included in Core operating loss) (946) (796) (634) (336) Pension FAS/CAS service cost adjustment 460 445 230 222 Postretirement FAS/CAS service cost adjustment 144 137 72 69 FAS/CAS service cost adjustment 604 582 $302 $291 Total ($342) ($214) ($332) ($45) The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Operating and Financial Data (Unaudited) Deliveries Six months ended June 30 Three months ended June 30 Commercial Airplanes 2024 2023 2024 2023 737 137 216 70 103 747 - 1 - - 767 9 9 6 8 777 7 9 7 5 787 22 31 9 20 Total 175 266 92 136 Defense, Space & Security AH-64 Apache (New) 3 12 3 5 AH-64 Apache (Remanufactured) 13 29 7 16 CH-47 Chinook (New) 2 7 1 2 CH-47 Chinook (Renewed) 5 4 4 3 F-15 Models 7 6 6 4 F/A-18 Models 4 13 3 6 KC-46 Tanker 5 1 2 - P-8 Models 3 5 2 2 Commercial Satellites - 3 - - Total1 42 80 28 38 1 Deliveries of new-build production units, including remanufactures and modifications Total backlog (Dollars in millions) June 30 2024 December 31 2023 Commercial Airplanes $436,574 $440,507 Defense, Space & Security 59,055 59,012 Global Services 19,487 19,869 Unallocated items, eliminations and other 758 807 Total backlog $515,874 $520,195 Contractual backlog $495,358 $497,094 Unobligated backlog 20,516 23,101 Total backlog $515,874 $520,195 The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited) The tables provided below reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures Core operating loss, Core operating margin, and Core loss per share with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures of Loss from operations, operating margin, and Diluted loss per share. See page 5 of this release for additional information on the use of these non-GAAP financial measures. (Dollars in millions, except per share data) Second Quarter 2024 Second Quarter 2023 $ millions Per Share $ millions Per Share Revenues 16,866 19,751 Loss from operations (GAAP) (1,090) (99) Operating margins (GAAP) (6.5) % (0.5) % FAS/CAS service cost adjustment: Pension FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (230) (222) Postretirement FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (72) (69) FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (302) (291) Core operating loss (non-GAAP) ($1,392) ($390) Core operating margins (non-GAAP) (8.3) % (2.0) % Diluted loss per share (GAAP) ($2.33) ($0.25) Pension FAS/CAS service cost adjustment ($230) (0.37) ($222) (0.37) Postretirement FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (72) (0.12) (69) (0.11) Non-operating pension expense (122) (0.20) (134) (0.22) Non-operating postretirement expense (19) (0.03) (14) (0.02) Provision for deferred income taxes on adjustments 1 93 0.15 92 0.15 Subtotal of adjustments ($350) ($0.57) ($347) ($0.57) Core loss per share (non-GAAP) ($2.90) ($0.82) Weighted average diluted shares (in millions) 616.6 605.5 1 The income tax impact is calculated using the U.S. corporate statutory tax rate. The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited) The tables provided below reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures core operating loss, core operating margin, and core loss per share with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, loss from operations, operating margin, and diluted loss per share. See page 5 of this release for additional information on the use of these non-GAAP financial measures. (Dollars in millions, except per share data) First Half 2024 First Half 2023 $ millions Per Share $ millions Per Share Revenues 33,435 37,672 Loss from operations (GAAP) (1,176) (248) Operating margin (GAAP) (3.5) % (0.7) % FAS/CAS service cost adjustment: Pension FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (460) (445) Postretirement FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (144) (137) FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (604) (582) Core operating loss (non-GAAP) (1,780) (830) Core operating margin (non-GAAP) (5.3) % (2.2) % Diluted loss per share (GAAP) (2.90) (0.93) Pension FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (460) (0.75) (445) (0.73) Postretirement FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (144) (0.23) (137) (0.23) Non-operating pension expense (245) (0.40) (268) (0.45) Non-operating postretirement expense (37) (0.06) (29) (0.05) Provision for deferred income taxes on adjustments 1 186 0.30 185 0.31 Subtotal of adjustments ($700) ($1.14) ($694) ($1.15) Core loss per share (non-GAAP) ($4.04) ($2.08) Weighted average diluted shares (in millions) 614.8 603.9 Molecure S.A. ('Molecure', SWE Ticker: MOC) and Avicenna Biosciences, Inc. announced today that they have entered into a strategic research collaboration to facilitate the discovery and development of novel small molecule drugs targeting ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7), a deubiquitinase relevant in a number of tumors. The collaboration will combine the extensive expertise of Molecure related to drug discovery and biology of USP7 with Avicenna's machine learning-driven medicinal chemistry platform to identify novel drug candidates with superior pharmaceutical properties. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240730846334/en/ USP7 is an attractive target in cancer which regulates the stability of crucial proteins involved in pathways relevant for tumor suppression and immune response. Under the terms of the agreement, Avicenna will design algorithms to identify new chemical entities which inhibit USP7, and meet pre-specified pharmacological criteria. Molecure will be responsible for synthesizing and evaluating these new chemical entities and selecting one or more for further development. Molecure retains the right to develop and commercialize novel drug candidates resulting from the collaboration. Avicenna, under the risk-sharing model, will receive an upfront fee and research funding, which will be contingent upon the generated compounds meeting the established success criteria. Additionally, if Molecure exercises the option to license the generated molecules, Avicenna will be eligible for license fees and will retain a specified share in the future revenues derived from drug candidates developed by Molecure. Marcin Szumowski, Molecure's CEO said: "By combining Molecure's in-depth knowledge of this attractive, validated in vivo target with Avicenna's ML-driven medicinal chemistry platform, we intend to generate superior drug candidates with optimal pharmacological profiles for further preclinical and clinical development." Chris Meldrum, President CEO of Avicenna, stated: "We have been very impressed with the Molecure team, their deep expertise in targeting USP7, and their efforts to deliver new treatment options to patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. Avicenna welcomes the challenge to transform chemical potential to biological and clinical reality for this important target." About Molecure S.A. Molecure S.A. is a biotechnology company that discovers and develops drugs to the clinical stage, leveraging its own unique expertise in medicinal chemistry and biology to search for and develop first-in-class small-molecule drugs that, through direct modulation of previously unexplored protein and RNA targets, may provide therapies for many incurable diseases. Molecure has generated a diverse portfolio of seven distinct programs with support from leading academic research institutions around the world, including Yale University, Rutgers University, the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) in Ghent, the University of Michigan and the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Poland (MIBMiK). The most advanced drug candidate developed by Molecure is OATD-01, a first-in-class CHIT1 inhibitor for the treatment of interstitial lung diseases such as sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and MASH. The second drug candidate is OATD-02, an oral, selective, first-in-class, dual arginase inhibitor (ARG1 and ARG2) for the treatment of cancer, whose Phase I clinical trial has begun with first patient administration in Q1 2023. Molecure's headquarters and laboratories are located in Warsaw and Lodz. The company is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (ticker: MOC). Detailed information can be found at: https://molecure.com/pl/ LinkedIn: Molecure Twitter: @molecure_sa YouTube: Molecure SA About Avicenna Biosciences Avicenna was founded in 2020 by Drs. Thomas Kaiser and Pieter Burger out of the Liotta Research Group at Emory University. The company is on a mission to solve the intractable drug design challenges that previously stopped drug candidates in their tracks. Its machine learning-driven medicinal chemistry platform makes lead-to-drug optimization faster, cheaper and more successful transforming sub-optimal clinical candidates into life-saving drugs. Avicenna is backed by DCVC Bio. The company's peer-reviewed research has been published in outlets such as Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling. For more information, visit www.avicenna-bio.com and follow the company on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240730846334/en/ Contacts: Avicenna Media Kerry Walker kerry@walkercomms.com The proprietary tool revolutionizes recruitment in the customer service sector by creating genuine and personalized interactions with candidates, which simulate real scenarios faithful to brands Smart Recruiter optimizes the efficiency of the selection process and improves the quality of hires, providing better service to Atento's customers More than 4,000 candidates have participated in the selection process since March to fill positions in nearly 10 operations MADRID, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Atento Luxco 1 ("Atento" or the "Company"), one of the world's largest providers of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing (CRM/BTO) services and an industry leader in Latin America, is driving recruitment with Smart Recruiter, an innovative recruitment platform based on generative artificial intelligence to improve efficiency in the candidate selection process in the Customer Experience sector (CX). Through this tool, Atento can more easily select people with the profile that best fits the business of its clients and the industry to which they belong, contributing to the reduction of turnover and increasing the productivity of the companies with which Atento works. Since it was launched in March, Smart Recruiter has transformed the process of selecting candidates in the Customer Experience (CX) sector, through an advanced generative AI chatbot. It differs from traditional chatbots because of its ability to understand, process and generate natural language, allowing a fluid, genuine and intuitive conversation with the candidate. In this way, applicants can converse with the tool as if they were talking to a real customer, making their interactions fluid and their responses more spontaneous and insightful. In this simulated interaction, the candidate is confronted with a scenario very similar to reality, providing them with a realistic view of their future position. Thanks to this tool, Atento can more accurately identify the candidates who best fit the organizational culture and the specific needs of its clients. In this way, a deeper alignment is achieved between employees and the brand's objectives, which translates into an increase in productivity, an improvement in the customer experience and the service provided, as well as a reduction in staff turnover. Smart Recruiter has proven its effectiveness since its implementation in March, boosting the selection of personnel in Atento. Nearly 4,000 people have participated in selection processes through the platform, which has resulted in the hiring of more than 340 candidates to fill positions in nearly 10 operations. "At Atento, we are committed to continuous innovation in our human resources processes. Smart Recruiter is an example of how artificial intelligence can transform the way we evaluate and select our future employees, in tune with the needs of our customers. In addition, this tool not only improves accuracy in selection, but also provides an enriching experience for candidates, aligned with the needs and expectations of our clients. This is one more initiative of the company in search of fulfilling its strategy, aimed at operational efficiency," commented Thiago Zanon, Global Head of HR, Atento. Hyper-personalization, evaluation, and accurate selection of top talent Smart Recruiter is based on generative AI powered by Atento AI Studio, which allows candidates to simulate a scenario with a client in a hyper-personalized way, very faithful to reality, through a fluid and natural conversation. This provides people who apply for the position with a more realistic vision of what the future position will be, as well as having a more attractive and personalized selection experience. During the interaction, Atento's intelligent moderator, LINEU (Learning Intelligent Node Efficient Understanding), ensures that the conversation is kept within the right context, avoiding deviations and ensuring consistency. Simultaneously, the platform analyzes candidates' responses in real-time, generating assessments that support the hiring process. Smart Recruiter's understanding capabilities, coupled with the adjustments made by Atento's prompt engineers, make the AI fully tailored to the brand's tone and content. Preliminary and dynamically, the tool acts as an effective way to assess candidates, allowing candidates to be quickly and accurately identified with the skills and aptitudes needed to deliver an exceptional customer experience. In a highly competitive market, the ability to attract and retain quality human talent has become a fundamental differentiator for companies. In this regard, Atento's development of Smart Recruiter works as a strategic tool for personnel selection, which allows Atento to stand out from its competitors and establish itself as reliable partners for its clients. About Atento Atento is the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing ("CRM BTO") services in Latin America and one of the leading providers worldwide. Atento is also one of the leading providers of BTO nearshoring CRM services for companies operating in the United States. Since 1999, the Company has developed its business model in 17 countries, employing approximately 120,000 people. Atento has more than 400 customers, to whom it offers a wide range of BTO CRM services through multiple channels. Atento's clients are mostly leading multinational companies in the telecommunications, banking and financial services, healthcare, retail and public administration sectors. In recent years, the company has been recognized for its excellence by several industry analysts in different regions, including Everest (named a "star performer" in 2021), Gartner (recognized as a leader for Customer Service BPO in the Magic Quadrant since 2021), Frost & Sullivan (named a leader in CX Outsourcing in Latin America for 2022), or Forbes (selected as one of the 100 best companies to work for in 2023 in Spain). For more information visit www.atento.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2400541/4677794/Atento_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/atento-promotes-the-selection-of-the-best-profiles-for-its-clients-through-the-smart-recruiter-ai-platform-302210082.html Der Goldpreis haussiert und schwingt sich von Hoch zu Hoch. Getrieben von geopolitischen Unsicherheiten sowie der Aussicht auf eine lockere Geldpolitik der FED gehen Experten aktuell von weiter steigenden Notierungen bis sogar in den Bereich von 3.000 US-Dollar je Unze Gold aus. Im Schatten des Basispreises notieren Goldproduzenten aus der zweiten Reihe sowie Explorationsunternehmen noch weit weg von ihren historischen Hochststanden entfernt und bieten dadurch erhebliches Aufholpotential. In diesem kostenlosen Report geben wir Ihnen Favoriten an die Hand, die aufgrund von Sondersituation die Chance auf eine Kursvervielfachung besitzen. Handeln Sie Jetzt! Fordern Sie jetzt den brandneuen Spezialreport an und profitieren Sie von dem weiter steigenden Kurs des Edelmetalls. Sichern Sie sich jetzt Ihren kostenfreien Report. Prismo Metals Inc. (CSE:PRIZ)(OTCQB:PMOMF)(FSE:7KU) ("Prismo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that a man-portable drill is mobilizing for the Company's upcoming drill program at the Palos Verdes property located in the Panuco district in Sinaloa, Mexico. Drilling is planned to begin the week of August 5th. The drilling program is a collaborative effort between Prismo and Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSXV: VZLA "Vizsla") and will test targets on the Palos Verdes concession utilizing drill pads located on Vizsla's concessions adjacent to Palos Verdes for greater drilling efficiency. The drill program follows three main target recommendations made by Panuco Joint Technical Committee comprised of Prismo's Chief Exploration Officer Dr. Craig Gibson, Vizsla Silver's VP Exploration Dr. Jesus Velador and Advisor Dr. Peter Megaw. The program has three main goals (See Figs.1 & 2 below): Trace the down dip extension of the mineralized shoot defined by previous drilling on the southwest portion of the vein. Seek continuation of the vein on the northeast extension of the vein across a cross-fault believed to have offset the vein downward. Test the extreme northeasterly extension of the Palos Verdes vein system near the concession limit adjacent to the historical Jesusita mine. "We are eager to resume tracing the high-grade mineralization we've cut previously in the Palos Verdes vein by taking advantage of better hole geometry created by drilling from our Strategic Partner Vizsla Silver's ground," said Dr. Craig Gibson, Chief Exploration Officer of the Company. "Drilling farther from the vein outcrops will let us drill Palos Verdes well below the limited depths we could reach from our claims. We deeply appreciate Vizsla's willingness to allow the drilling from their ground." This is the Company's fourth drill campaign on Palos Verdes and is designed to test the vein up to one hundred meters below the high-grade mineralization cut by several previous holes. Assays reported from last year's drilling include hole PV-23-25 with 102 g/t gold, 3,100 g/t silver and 0.26% zinc over 0.5 meters, or 11,520 g/t silver equivalent - the highest-grade intercept recorded at the project to date (see News Release of July 27, 2023). Geologic modeling completed after that drilling shows that the Palos Verdes vein system is apparently comprised of at least three discrete structures: 1) The main Palos Verdes vein with a steep southeast dip; 2) A steeply southeast dipping hangingwall vein; and 3) A relatively gold-rich flat lying vein that has high gold-silver ratios similar to those in the western part of the camp. "We are very excited to continue drilling this vein system that has already returned outstanding results. Combined with our fully permitted Hot Breccia copper project in the heart of the Arizona copper belt, Prismo expects a very active second half of 2024 with multiple drill program results from these two world class exploration projects," said CEO Alain Lambert. More information about the proposed drill program at Palos Verdes is available on the Company's website at: https://prismometals.com/project/palos-verdes-presentation Figure 1. Geologic and drill hole map of the Palos Verdes and adjacent concessions showing the surface projection of interpreted mineralized shoots based on surface assays and the location of an interpreted high-level alteration assemblage identified in core. Note northwest-southeast trending fault in the center of the claim that is believed to have dropped-down the northeastern extension of the vein system. Drill pads for holes to be collared on Vizsla Silver ground are shown in purple and will test target areas indicated on the surface by the red ellipses. Figure 2. 3D view of the sub-surface at Palos Verdes looking westerly showing veins in the southwestern Palos Verdes concession and planned holes in light blue and green. For clarity, the veins in the northeast and the NW shear are not shown. For more information about this news release, please watch Prismo's latest In The News video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKV6_ASjxzg Present during the In The News interview were: Alain Lambert CEO, Steve Robertson President, Dr. Craig Gibson Co-Founder and Chief Exploration Officer, Dr. Peter Megaw Advisor and Dr. Jesus Velador V.P. Exploration at Vizsla Silver Corp. Qualified Person Dr. Craig Gibson, PhD., CPG., a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-01 regulations has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release. Dr. Gibson is also President and a director of the Company. About Palos Verdes The Palos Verdes project is located in the historic Panuco-Copala silver-gold district in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, approximately 65 kilometers NE of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, in the Municipality of Concordia. The Palos Verdes concession (claim) covers 700 meters of strike length of the Palos Verdes vein, a member of the north-easterly trending vein family located in the eastern part of the district outside of the area of modern exploration. Shallow drilling (<100m) conducted in 2018 on the Palos Verdes Vein was targeted 30 to 50 meters beneath largely barren vein outcrops and cut a well mineralized multistage vein two to seven metres wide with narrow intervals of high-grade precious metal values and subordinate base metals (see table of intercepts at www.prismometals.com). This mineralization is open in all directions and the currently planned drilling program is designed to follow it along strike and to depth. About Prismo Prismo (CSE:PRIZ) is mining exploration company focused on two precious metal projects in Mexico (Palos Verdes and Los Pavitos) and a copper project in Arizona (Hot Breccia). Please follow @PrismoMetals on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube Prismo Metals Inc. 1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6 Contact: Alain Lambert, Chief Executive Officer alambert@cpvcgroup.ca Steve Robertson, President steve.robertson@prismometals.com Jason Frame, Manager of Communications jason.frame@prismometals.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, required permitting, exploration programs and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including CSE acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. SOURCE: Prismo Metals Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Smokeball AI streamlines workflows from lead intake to billing to help boost law firm efficiency LONDON, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Smokeball, the industry-leading AI-powered legal practice management platform, proudly announces the launch of Smokeball AI, a suite of embedded AI solutions boosting its existing productivity powerhouse. The new suite includes Archie, an AI-powered matter assistant designed to transform the daily workflows and lives of lawyers at small law firms. According to the Thomson Reuters 2024 State of the UK Legal Market report, nearly two-thirds of UK corporate legal staff feel positive about the impact of AI on the legal profession. Furthermore, the report highlights that law firms' risk being left behind by clients if they do not adopt AI, as clients are already ahead in utilising this technology. Smokeball AI helps firms securely adopt AI and embrace its benefits, positioning them to meet the evolving demands of the market and their clients. "We're at an inflection point as many lawyers are actively investigating what artificial intelligence can do for their profession. Our client testing has seen the highest participation rate in our company's history, demonstrating the level of interest in AI," said Hunter Steele, CEO & co-founder of Smokeball. "When combined with Smokeball's automation and integration, our AI will boost clients' productivity and client service, giving them distinct business advantages." Smokeball's solution already gives users access to documents, email and critical matter information in one secure system with best-in-class automation and integrations. Smokeball AI enhances existing platform functionalities, including Intake and Smokeball's secure client messaging feature, Communicate, to further streamline data collection and management so lawyers can focus more on clients. Intake helps lawyers build intake forms in moments from existing manual documents for efficient information gathering. helps lawyers build intake forms in moments from existing manual documents for efficient information gathering. Communicate provides an instant summary of correspondence with clients and between staff, so lawyers can get up to speed with any case in seconds. Archie is the hero of Smokeball AI and is available now. This revolutionary AI-powered matter assistant enhances matter productivity by answering queries and drafting correspondence and legal documents in real time. For example, Archie can draft an email response to a document from the other party highlighting specific challenges or scenarios. "Archie will be a powerful asset for my firm. Being able to query a matter, quickly get a summary and produce first drafts of documents and legal correspondence all directly from within Smokeball dramatically simplifies document creation and client engagement," said Brandon Harter, founder of Lancaster Tech Law. Through deep integration and access to matter data, lawyers can receive instant answers to matter questions, draft correspondence quickly and produce matter summaries in moments. This integration within a firm's existing workflows means no third-party platforms, giving lawyers peace of mind about the crucial security they need. Archie works out of the box with access to all existing matter information and documents within a single solution. Smokeball continues to innovate and will release even more enhancements to the Smokeball AI suite, including its AutoTime and analytics functionality. Users can also look forward to further growth and power within Archie, which is set to revolutionise the way legal firms work. To learn more about Smokeball AI and how it can help your law firm, please visit https://www.smokeball.co.uk/features/smokeballai. About Smokeball Smokeball is your partner to drive your law firm into the future. As the industry's leading AI-powered legal practice management platform, Smokeball empowers you to run your best firm specific to your area of law. Our platform gives you all the insights and tools you need to work smarter, not harder: automatic time tracking and invoicing, streamlined workflows for your specific practice area, a library of over a thousand legal forms and precedents, and actionable reports. Learn how to run your best firm at smokeball.co.uk. Media Contact Sue Foley Head of Global Marketing Smokeball sue.foley@smokeball.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2472350/Smokeball_Normal_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/smokeball-revolutionises-legal-technology-with-new-suite-of-ai-solutions-including-archie-302210768.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - Revitalist Lifestyle and Wellness Ltd. (CSE: CALM) (OTC: RVLWF) (FSE: 4DO) (the "Company") announces that Kathryn A. Walker, CEO of Revitalist Lifestyle and Wellness Ltd., will be presenting at the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists (AANA) Annual Congress. The event will take place from August 2-6, 2024, at the San Diego Convention Center. Walker's session, "Entering the World of Psychedelics as an Anesthesia Professional," is scheduled for August 5, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM PT in Hall B on the Lower Level. In this session, Walker will delve into the emerging field of psychedelic medicines and their relevance to nurse anesthetists. With psychedelic therapies rapidly advancing in both medical and mental health contexts, Walker will discuss how these medications can enhance anesthesia practices, including medication delivery techniques and therapeutic communication styles. The session will cover the following learning objectives: Identification of psychedelic medicines and their legal approval dates at both federal and state levels. Understanding the pharmacologic nature of psychedelic medications and their applications in mental health, pain syndromes, and neurodegenerative diseases. General concepts for working in the outpatient community and the requirements for meeting state and federal guidelines as a practitioner. "Psychotropic medications are becoming a transformative element in healthcare, offering new opportunities for improving mental health and managing complex conditions," said Kathryn A. Walker. "Nurse anesthetists are uniquely equipped to lead in this evolving field, and our session will provide valuable insights into how CRNAs can leverage their expertise to contribute to this exciting area." Attendees can earn Class A credit by participating in the live session in-person or via live webinar. Please note that recorded sessions will not be available immediately following the Congress due to CE guidelines. For more information and to register for the event, please visit AANA Annual Congress or access the presentation details directly at AANA 2024 Presentation. About Revitalist Lifestyle and Wellness Ltd. Revitalist (CSE: CALM) (OTC: RVLWF) (FSE: 4DO) Revitalist Lifestyle and Wellness Ltd. (CSE: CALM) (OTC: RVLWF) (FSE: 4DO) is a mental health and wellness company focused on comprehensive care in the ketamine wellness space offering innovative, evidenced based services. The Company operates through physical locations and virtual offices across the United States and the British Virgin Islands. Founded and led by Kathryn Walker, an advanced provider in the psychedelic space, Revitalist is at the forefront of this emerging field. Visit Revitalist.com for more information. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and accordingly, actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to Revitalist' future business plans and partnerships. Forward-looking statements include words or expressions such as "proposed", "anticipated", "will", "subject to", "near future", "in the event", "would", "expect", "prepared to" and other similar words or expressions and include, but are not limited to: the ability of Revitalist to secure patent protection; the regulatory environment in which Revitalist operates; the ability of Revitalist to carry out its business plans and unforeseen challenges in carrying out such plans; trends in the future use of psychedelics; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the state of capital markets; and other unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218288 SOURCE: Revitalist Lifestyle & Wellness Ltd Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - Nova Pacific Metals Corp. (CSE: NVPC) (OTCQB: NVPCF) (FSE: YQ10) (WKN: A40GFH) (the "Company," or "Nova Pacific") is pleased to announce that it has received results from a recent Mobile Metal Ion (MMI) orientation survey at the Lara volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit located 15 km west of the port of Chemainus, British Columbia, Canada. The Lara Property comprises 4 mineral claims (~1848.1 ha) and is road accessible year-round via a network of logging roads throughout the claims. MMI Soil Sampling MMI is an innovative, high-resolution soil geochemistry exploration tool that is especially well-suited for deeply buried mineral deposits. The advantages of MMI soil geochemistry include the definition of sharp anomalies with few false anomalies, repeatability, defined metal zones and associations and low noise and limits of detection. MMI orientation sampling was carried out on a small grid over known mineralization, namely the Coronation Zone, within the Lara Property. The mineralization is defined as a Kuroko style of massive zinc-lead-copper sulphides containing significant values of gold and silver. The purpose of the survey was to test the effectiveness of this technique in responding to this type of mineralization for future exploration on the Lara Property. "Results of the MMI survey were successful in establishing correlation between underlying mineralization and the surface signature presented by MMI assay data when plotted for each element analysed. This will be extremely valuable when evaluating known mineralizing trends outside of the Main Coronation Zone, the Coronation Extension Zone, and the Hanging Wall zone where the existing mineral resource was established prior to the downturn in mineral prices in the late 1980's. Additional MMI surveys will be incorporated into Nova's exploration plans in the near future "commented Nova Pacific's CEO, Mr. Malcolm Bell. The sampling was carried out along four survey lines with a 100-meter separation and a sampling interval of 25 meters. Each line was 500 meters long for a total survey length of 2,000 meters. This resulted in 84 samples which were taken into the laboratory at SGS Canada located in Burnaby, BC, with the testing including a 53-element MMI-M package. These results have now been received and colour contour plan maps were then created for 15 of the elements, five of which namely silver, gold, copper, nickel, zinc, and lead (Figure 1). Figure 1. surface Projection, Heberlein & Dunn, 2017 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10425/218296_9307a8f374d59a87_001full.jpg The main feature of the MMI survey results is a strong multi-element anomaly that strikes easterly for 125 meters and then southerly for 200 meters with it being open to the west and to the south. Importantly, the anomaly correlates well with the massive sulphide mineralization of the Coronation Zone and thus MMI soil sampling appears to be an effective exploration tool on the Lara property. Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by David Nelles, P.Geo., a consultant to the company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI43-101"). About Nova Pacific Nova Pacific is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on pursuing projects with a significant mineral discovery thus providing a viable pathway to potential development. The key projects owned by the Company are its recently acquired Lara VMS project located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia and its Deer Musk West Lithium project located in Clayton Valley, Nevada. The Company intends to continue its exploration and development efforts on its mineral projects with a view towards maximizing shareholder value. For additional Information please visit: www.novapacificmetals.com. Rights of Indigenous Communities Statement Nova Pacific Metals recognizes the Rights of all Indigenous Peoples of Canada. Nova is committed to consultation and accommodation with the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group communities on whose Traditional, Ancestral and Unceded Territory the Lara Property is located. The Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group is a politically unified group that represents six Hul'qumi'num-speaking First Nations: Cowichan, Stz'uminus, Penelakut, Lyackson, Halalt, and Lake Cowichan. On behalf of the Board of Directors J. Malcolm Bell Chief Executive Officer, Director The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to the Company's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218296 SOURCE: Nova Pacific Metals Corp. #1 Benchmarked Palmyra-Med-70b and Palmyra-Fin-70b now available as open models on NVIDIA API catalog, Baseten, and Hugging Face, empowering developers with powerful, highly accurate tools to build and deploy industry-specific AI applications. Palmyra-Fin-70b becomes the only financial services model available as an NVIDIA NIM inference microservice and the first LLM that can pass the CFA Level III Exam. Writer, the full-stack generative AI platform delivering transformative ROI for the world's leading enterprises, today announced Palmyra-Med-70b and Palmyra-Fin-70b, two industry-leading specialized large language models (LLMs) specifically designed for the healthcare and financial services industries. Beginning today, these cutting-edge models are available as open models from NVIDIA, Baseten, and Hugging Face, as well as via the Writer Platform. Theybring unparalleled domain expertise and accuracy to medical and financial generative AI applications, surpassing the performance of comparable models with single (zero-shot) attempts. "Domain-specific LLMs are revolutionizing the AI landscape by delivering unmatched precision," said Writer CTO and Co-Founder Waseem Alshikh. "Building on our track record of bleeding-edge innovation, Writer is pioneering this movement by creating models with deep, sector-specific expertise, exceptionally well-suited for enterprises use cases. We're committed to advancing the health and financial industries hand-in-hand with our customers, ensuring our generative AI solutions drive transformative outcomes for the world's leading companies and the people they serve." Palmyra-Med-70b and Palmyra-Fin-70b join Writer's family of top-benchmarked LLMs, setting a new standard for domain-specific models. Extensive testing confirmed the superiority of both models over larger, generalized models like GPT-4 and specialized models like Med-Palmyra-2 and comparable financial models. Their exceptional performance across various domain-specific benchmarks underscores their remarkable ability to handle complex industry-specific tasks with exceptional accuracy. Palmyra-Fin: Empowering Financial AI Palmyra-Fin-70b stands as a game-changer in financial generative AI applications. It is now the only financial services model offered as an NVIDIA NIM inference microservice and available from ai.nvidia.com. Palmyra-Fin-70b shows unparalleled proficiency in financial forecasting, investment analysis, risk evaluation, fraud detection, and asset allocation strategy, and it can power these use cases with unprecedented accuracy. Leveraging a vast corpus of financial data and incorporating state-of-the-art fine tuning techniques, Palmyra-Fin possesses specialized knowledge that enables it to understand and analyze financial information with extraordinary precision. Financial institutions and businesses can harness its capabilities to gain actionable insights and make informed decisions. In a long-fin-eval benchmark test, Palmyra-Fin outperformed popular models like Claude 3.5 Sonnet, GPT-4o, and Mixtral-8x7b showcasing the model's ability to analyze complex financial topics. It is also the first model capable of passing the CFA Level III exam, often branded as "the world's hardest exam" and one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession. Combined with the Writer full-stack generative AI platform which includes integrated graph-based RAG technology, AI guardrails, and a suite of developer tools Palmyra LLMs have enabled leading financial institutions like Vanguard and Franklin Templeton and innovative fintech companies like Intuit to reinvent their workflows with generative AI. Palmyra-Med: Transforming Healthcare AI Writer's platform is also used by world-leading Fortune 50 healthcare companies, as well as healthcare innovators like Vizient, CirrusMD, and Medisolv, to help improve patient outcomes with powerful generative AI applications that are infused with deep medical knowledge. Palmyra-Med-70b, the latest iteration of Writer's healthcare models, is now the most accurate model available on the market. Rigorous testing revealed an impressive average accuracy of 85.9% across all medical benchmarks in a zero-shot attempt, dramatically surpassing the runner-up, Med-PaLM-2, which achieved 84% accuracy after six attempts. Palmyra-Med-70b demonstrates profound proficiency in meeting the specific demands of the healthcare field. It excels in analyzing and summarizing complex clinical notes, EHR data, and discharge summaries. Its exceptional ability to identify key medical concepts, such as diseases, symptoms, medications, procedures, and anatomical structures, from unstructured text significantly enhances clinical decision-making. It also aids in the development and understanding of clinical trial protocols, drug interaction summaries, medical document generation, and much more. Availability Palmyra-Med-70b and Palmyra-Fin-70b are now available via Writer's API, no-code tools, and the Writer Framework. They are also accessible on the NVIDIA API catalog, Hugging Face, and Baseten, enabling seamless deployment locally or to private clouds. Writer is releasing both Palmyra-Med-70b and Palmyra-Fin-70b under an open model license to give researchers, non-profits, and non-commercial users access to test and deploy the state-of-the-art models. To explore the capabilities of Palmyra-Med and Palmyra-Fin and their potential to transform AI applications in healthcare and financial services, visit our blog. For more information on licensing for commercial use cases, get in touch with the Writer sales team. About Writer Writer is the full-stack generative AI platform delivering transformative ROI for the world's leading enterprises. Its all-in-one solution makes it easy to deploy customized AI apps and workflows that accelerate growth, increase productivity, and ensure compliance. Designed to provide enterprise-grade accuracy, security, and efficiency, Writer's suite of development tools is supported by Palmyra Writer's state-of-the-art family of LLMs alongside its industry-leading graph-based RAG and customizable AI guardrails. Named one of the top 50 companies in AI by Forbes, Writer empowers hundreds of customers like Accenture, Intuit, L'Oreal, and Vanguard to transform the way they work. Founded in 2020 with offices in San Francisco, New York City, and London, Writer is backed by strategic investors, including ICONIQ Growth, Insight Partners, WndrCo, Balderton Capital, and Aspect Ventures. Learn more at writer.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731051024/en/ Contacts: writer@aircoverpr.com "The Critical Minerals and ZEO Company" United States Antimony Corporation ("USAC", or the "Company"), (NYSE:UAMY) is pleased to announce the official launch of its own zeolite cattle feed additive through its wholly owned subsidiary, Bear River Zeolite Company ("BRZ"), under the brand name "CattleMaxTM". The brand will be nested within BRZ's line of existing products, Zeo-True Naturals. Initially, CattleMaxTM will be offered in bulk "super sacks" as various packaging sizes are in development for smaller scale customers. BRZ seeks to expand its market share in the animal feed space, which currently accounts for approximately 25% of its revenue. The company is offering very competitive introductory pricing on per ton sales of CattleMaxTM, a finely ground zeolite clinoptilolite supplement to cattle feed. BRZ's Zeo-True Naturals also will provide access to its 85% and higher clinoptilolite zeolite mineral to smaller cattle operations with 50-pound and 25-pound bags in the near future. To support efforts toward capturing this increase in market share, the Company recently brought on board Jonathan Miller as our Global Sales Manager. Jonathan Miller can be reached at Jmiller@usantimony.com or 813-505-0674 with any questions or inquiries regarding this new product line. Commenting on the development and launch of CattleMaxTM, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Government Relations, Melissa Pagen stated, "We have been very proactive in increasing our market knowledge in the cattle management space by attending cattle association conventions across the country, reaching out to universities regarding research and development, and speaking with nutritionists as well as feed companies during this process. As a wholesaler, our direct connection with these key customers was limited. Now, in order to develop products that are relevant and are easily adopted, these connections and discussions are critical to making good decisions as we develop and launch our new product lines." United States Antimony Corporation is also proud to unveil our new logo for Bear River Zeolite (BRZ), symbolizing the unique qualities and purity of our zeolite, which is sourced from a deposit in Idaho that was formed millions of years ago when volcanic ash mixed with seawater to create one of the most versatile minerals. About USAC: United States Antimony Corporation and its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Mexico ("USAC", the "Company", "Our", "Us", or "We") sell processed antimony, zeolite, and precious metals products in the U.S. and Canada. The Company processes antimony ore primarily into antimony oxide, antimony metal, and antimony trisulfide. Our antimony oxide is used to form a flame-retardant system for plastics, rubber, fiberglass, textile goods, paints, coatings and paper, as a color fastener in paint, and as a phosphorescent agent in fluorescent light bulbs. Our antimony metal is used in bearings, storage batteries, and ordnance. Our antimony trisulfide is used as a primer in ammunition. In its operations in Idaho, the Company mines and processes zeolite, a group of industrial minerals used in soil amendment and fertilizer, water filtration, sewage treatment, nuclear waste and other environmental cleanup, odor control, gas separation, animal nutrition, and other miscellaneous applications. We recover certain amounts of precious metals, primarily gold and silver, at our plant in Montana from antimony concentrates.? Forward-Looking Statements: Readers should note that, in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of, and intended to be covered by, the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company including matters related to the Company's operations, pending contracts and future revenues, financial performance, and profitability, ability to execute on its increased production and installation schedules for planned capital expenditures, and the size of forecasted deposits. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties. In addition, other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed in the Company's most recent filings, including Form 10-K and Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "pro forma" and other similar words and expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Because forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. Contact: United States Antimony Corp. PO Box 643 47 Cox Gulch Rd. Thompson Falls, Montana 59873-0643 E-Mail: Jmiller@usantimony.com Phone: (406) 606-4117 SOURCE: United States Antimony Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Revolutionizing Sourcing with Advanced AI for SMEs PARIS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alibaba International today announced the launch of a groundbreaking AI-powered conversational sourcing engine, anticipated to make its debut this September. This sourcing engine is set to revolutionize the global sourcing process for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), making it more intuitive and highly efficient. A Sourcing Engine Dedicated to B2B E-commerce Leveraging the latest advancements in AI technology, Alibaba International's new sourcing engine is laser-focused on B2B e-commerce. It synthesizes vast quantities of information, interprets sourcing needs using natural language processing, matches buyers with products and suppliers with unprecedented accuracy, and provides advanced tools for seamless sourcing decision-making. The new conversational sourcing engine has been fine-tuned using over one billion product listings and industry-specific knowledge compiled from Alibaba platforms and beyond. Designed specifically to overcome the complexities inherent in traditional B2B e-commerce navigation. This innovative solution tackles the inefficiencies of conventional search methodologies which are often time-consuming, manually intensive, and involve laborious data categorization processes merely to locate suitable business partners and products. Kuo Zhang, President of Alibaba.com, shared in media interviews in Paris during the Olympics: "Traditional search engines evaluate web page importance through interlinking, credibility and ad spend. In this AI era, the B2B sourcing engine offers an intuitive and organic way to query, as well as rapidly and accurately match business buyers and business sellers based on their proven track record." A Whole New Experience for B2B Global Trade Unlike traditional search methods where buyers and sellers sift through webpages and manually summarize information, Alibaba International's new AI-powered sourcing engine is set to redefine the user experience in global trade. Highlights of the new sourcing engine include: Intuitive, Predictive, and Conversational. This B2B sourcing engine will be the first of its kind to integrate all e-commerce storefronts across the internet. Unlike traditional search engines, which rely heavily on simple ranking and indexing, this AI-powered sourcing engine will focus on understanding natural language and transforming it into professional sourcing requests. It can even predict sourcing needs and provide suggestions. It also allows complex queries or full documents as inputs, and the system will distinguish and respond to them in natural language. Reconstruction of Information. E-commerce has traditionally used product listings with titles, descriptions, keywords, and pictures. However, business buyers often need to compare multiple suppliers. This AI-powered sourcing engine will reorganize such information to enable direct, custom-made, and side-by-side comparisons. Closing the Loop. Building the conversational search function is just one part of the solution. The end goal is to enable business deals. By leveraging 25 years of expertise in digitalizing various trade aspects - products, payments, logistics, customs, and currency exchanges - AI can now mimic the experience of having a sourcing professional by your side. This technology can level the playing field and significantly reduce costs, enabling SMEs to become integral players in the global supply chain. Continued Effort in AI Last November, Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group introduced its generative artificial intelligence (AI) toolkit, branded "Aidge," which has been adopted by approximately 500,000 merchants, with daily API usage reaching 50 million calls. Deployed across over 40 e-commerce scenarios including product listing refinement, marketing, customer service, and automation, AI has significantly boosted content quality, click-through rates, conversion rates, and customer satisfaction. Notable features include a virtual try-on tool for apparel and a 24/7 AI customer service capability, which increased AliExpress Choice's conversion rates from pre-sales inquiries by 29% in June. Since last April, Alibaba International has assembled an AI business team of 100 experts and continues to hire new members. For more information, please visit: www.aidc-ai.com About Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group is dedicated to supporting the development of global digital trade with AI-powered technology. It operates various platforms with distinctive business models, covering multiple countries and regions around the world. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/alibaba-unveils-the-worlds-first-ai-powered-conversational-sourcing-engine-302211099.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - Energy Plug Technologies Corp. (CSE: PLUG) (OTCQB: PLGGF) (FSE: 6GQ) ("Energy Plug" or the "Company"), announces that the Company intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") consisting of up to 20,000,000 common shares (each, a "Common Share") of the Company at a price of $0.05 per Common Share for gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000. The Company intends to use the net proceeds raised from the Private Placement for general working capital. The Company will pay finders' fees consisting of 8% cash and 8% broker's warrants exercisable at $0.125 for a period of one year to eligible finders in connection with the Private Placement, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws and policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory four month plus one day hold period. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including approval from the CSE. The Company may elect to increase or decrease the size of the Private Placement. The Common Shares will be offered to qualified purchasers in reliance upon exemptions from prospectus and registration requirements of applicable securities legislation. Directors and officers of the Company may acquire securities under the Private Placement, which will be considered a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Such participation is expected to be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. The Company also announces the grant of an aggregate 1,725,000 options to certain directors, officers and consultants of the Company. Certain grants, totaling 1,200,000, will vest immediately. The balance of options granted will vest 12.5% every three months with the first 12.5% vesting upon grant. The options have a strike price of $0.055 and a term of 36 months. About Energy Plug Technologies Corp. Energy Plug Technologies Corp. is an energy technology company, dedicated to innovation and sustainability. With a focus on residential, commercial, and utility energy storage applications, our goal is to advance battery technologies to enhance energy management and grid resiliency. Based in British Columbia, we seek to leverage strategic partnerships with Indigenous communities, and the development of a vertically integrated supply chain involving industry-leading companies in Taiwan to provide advanced solutions to our customers and partners. For more information about Energy Plug, visit our website at https://energyplug.com. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking information in this news release includes but is not limited to the statements about the Company's intention to complete the Private Placement and the intended use of funds. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various risk factors, including, but not limited to the ability to complete the Private Placement. The material assumptions used to develop forward-looking information include but are not limited to general business and economic conditions, financial markets conditions and the Company's ability to find qualified investors. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Investment in the securities of the Company is risky. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218347 SOURCE: Energy Plug Technologies Corp. Santa Fe, New Mexico--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - Hecho a Mano gallery is proud to announce that it has been voted Best Gallery in the Santa Fe Reporter's 2024 'Best of Santa Fe' reader's poll. "We set out to be an accessible gallery, to inspire our visitors and to offer work at various prices. Recognition from our local community means a lot to us and verifies that we are on the right track," said gallerist and owner, Frank Rose. Hecho a Mano Gallery To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10721/218185_img_2922.jpg Rose started Hecho a Mano in 2019 at a 400 square foot space on Canyon Road. The gallery's mission is to exhibit artists primarily from New Mexico and Mexico who are working in the intersections of tradition and innovation with a particular attention given to printmaking. Earlier this year Rose gave up his gallery on Canyon Road and moved his full time operation to 129 W. Palace. Hecho a Mano Gallery To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10721/218185_img_7392.jpg On August 2, Hecho a Mano artists Ian Kuali'I and Lehuauakea will present Wai Ulana (Woven Waters) an exhibition of traditional kapa and hand-cut works on paper, exploring themes of environmental relations, Indigenous cultural resilience and contemporary Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) identity. Also opening August 2, is Digegv (Where I'm From) by Rhiannon Skye Tafoya (Eastern Band Cherokee & Santa Clara Pueblo). Tafoya comes from a lineage of basket-weavers on both sides of her family, and the practice of traditional basketry profoundly influences her art. Both exhibitions will be on view through September 2, 2024. The openings will be on Friday, August 2, 5-7pm. The artists will give talks about their works on Sunday, August 18, at 12pm. ### About Hecho a Mano: Hecho a Mano focuses on art at the intersection of imagination, innovation and tradition and works primarily with artists based in New Mexico & Mexico. Hecho's goal is to create deep roots of support for artists and exhibit art that is both accessible and genre-defying. The gallery has a peculiar interest in printmaking. For more information, visit: hechoamano.org. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218185 SOURCE: Hecho a Mano MIRAME Fine Art, the premier online Costa Rican art gallery dedicated to promoting the nation's finest artists, proudly celebrates the work of artist Olga Anaskina. Promoting the nation's rich cultural heritage, MIRAME Fine Art connects artists with art lovers worldwide. SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / Olga Anaskina joins online gallery MIRAME Fine Art, showcasing Costa Rican art for sale. Olga Anaskina, Venecia Oil on canvas Olga Anaskina: A Journey of Multicultural Expression MIRAME Fine Art is thrilled to represent Olga Anaskina, an artist whose work exemplifies the essence of multicultural expression. Born in Russia in 1979, Anaskina relocated to Costa Rica in 1991 following the fall of the Soviet Union. Now residing in Heredia, San Jose, her artistic journey spans continents and styles, creating a mosaic of emotions and themes that invite viewers into her alluring, introspective worlds. Background and Early Influences From her Russian heritage to her extensive travels through Europe, Central America, and South America, these diverse cultural experiences have greatly shaped her art. Anaskina's journey from a young artist in Russia to a notable Costa Rica painter highlights her ability to weave multicultural experiences into her work. Artistic Style and Themes Anaskina's paintings blend elements of abstraction and realism to create compositions that pulse with emotion. Her work spans various series, each filled with an erotic and emotional charge. Starting with images from advertisements or magazines, she transforms them into unrecognizable, imaginative realms. Themes in Anaskina's Paintings Landscapes: Anaskina's landscapes, inspired by her keen observation of nature, transport viewers to distant lands. From the hills of Costa Rica to the snow-capped peaks of Russia, her rapid, enigmatic mark-making techniques evoke familiarity and mystery. Figures: Her figures range from nudes to fantastical characters, each carrying enigmatic narratives of eroticism and femininity. Using techniques that stretch and bleed colors into vertical streaks, Anaskina creates tangible yet ephemeral characters. Flowers: Her floral compositions poignantly celebrate beauty and sensuality, capturing blooms in their full splendor while subtly reflecting on life's transience and inevitable decay. Notable Works and Exhibitions From her early exhibitions in Costa Rica to her shows in Russia, Argentina, and beyond, Anaskina has garnered widespread acclaim. Exhibitions like "A Dangerous Paradise" at Galerie A.P. Lazar in Paris have highlighted her unique vision on an international stage. Impact and Legacy As a dedicated art educator at The European School in Heredia, she inspires countless aspiring artists to explore their creative potential. Her legacy is one of innovation, beauty, and cultural exchange, establishing her as a significant figure among contemporary Costa Rica painters. Discover Olga Anaskina at MIRAME Fine Art MIRAME Fine Art invites you to explore Anaskina's work and engage with her paintings. Discover her artworks and join us in celebrating her contributions to Costa Rican contemporary art. For more information about Anaskina and to explore our curated collection, visit MIRAME Fine Art's online gallery. Contact Information Belinda Seppings Co-Founder belinda@miramefineart.com +447821591397 SOURCE: MIRAME Fine Art View the original press release on newswire.com. Dr. A. Egon Cholakian, a national security expert and registered federal lobbyist, delivered a landmark video speech in which he presented his in-depth analysis of the growing tensions surrounding geopolitical events and provided new data on the escalating climate crisis. WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / Dr. Cholakian's appeal, published on the Earth Save Science Collaborative Platform on July 26, 2024, has already sparked a discussion among the global community. The facts and analytics presented by Dr. Cholakian are related to the concerning findings from the recent "The IMPACT" documentary, which research the causes behind certain world events. Egon Cholakian Egon Cholakian a national security expert and registered federal lobbyist In his video, Egon Cholakian brings to attention such events as the 1993 Waco siege, terrorist attacks in 2001 and 2004, which occurred in the US and Russia accordingly, the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, escalating tensions in the US, and attempted assassinations of high-profile individuals, including the 45th President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Slovakia. Additionally, Dr. Cholakian specifically elaborated on the "puzzle coding" topic raised in "The IMPACT." He warned that this method of psychological manipulation underlies many recent tragedies, including mass shootings and political violence. "Puzzle coding is so sophisticated that individuals cannot perceive its influence on themselves," Dr. Cholakian explained. Notably, his address suggested that public awareness of this threat could significantly reduce its impact. "The threat of mass shootings worldwide could be minimized by 80 percent, provided that information about the puzzle coding method gains widespread dissemination," Dr. Cholakian stated. Furthermore, Dr. Cholakian emphasized a statistically significant increase in climate-related disasters within Russian territory since August 2023. One of the other topics of his video was experimental equipment developed by scientists affiliated with the ALLATRA International Public Movement. Dr. Cholakian took a bold step by appealing directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning about concerning future trends. "I still say we need to sit down at the negotiation table," underscores Dr. Cholakian. "Because if we do not, there will be no Russia, no America-no one. It is time to heed common sense and temper our ambitions." About Dr. A. Egon Cholakian National Security Expert, Registered Federal Lobbyist, U.S. Congress and White House, Registered Foreign Agent, U.S. Department of Justice, National Security Division, who worked with: 4 U.S. Presidents, 3 U.S. National Security Advisors, 1 CIA Director. For more information, please visit www.EgonReport.org Egon Cholakian's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-egon-cholakian-11256b4 Contact Information Jane Parker Public Relations info@esscglobal.com Related Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTMHgKXxfkM SOURCE: Earth Save Science Collaborative View the original press release on newswire.com. The global crop reinsurance market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as occurrence and intensity of natural disasters and extreme weather events and more precise risk assessment and pricing in the insurance sector have been made possible by technology developments in fields like remote sensing, data analytics, and precision farming. WILMINGTON, Del., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Crop Reinsurance Market by Product (Multi-Peril Crop Insurance, Crop-hail Insurance, Livestock Insurance, Green House Insurance, and Other), and Distribution Channel (Banks, Insurance Companies, Broker/Agents and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2032". According to the report, the crop reinsurance market was valued at $41.0 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $73.5 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7% from 2024 to 2032. Get Your Sample Report & TOC Today: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A200070 (We are providing report as per your research requirement, including the Latest Industry Insight's Evolution, Potential and COVID-19 Impact Analysis) 123 - Tables 56 - Charts 455 - Pages Prime determinants of growth However, precise risk assessment and pricing in the insurance sector have been made possible by technology developments in fields like remote sensing, data analytics, and precision farming. With the use of these technologies, insurers and reinsurers may create solutions that are specifically suited to certain agricultural risks, making their offerings more appealing and relevant. The market for crop reinsurance offers much opportunity for expansion and creativity. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2032 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $41.0 Billion Market Size in 2032 $73.5 Billion CAGR 7.0 % No. of Pages in Report 455 Segments covered Products, Distribution Channel, And Region. Drivers Occurrence And Intensity of Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather Events Intensity Of Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather Events Opportunities Creation Of Novel Insurance Products Suited to Agricultural Hazards and Local Conditions Restraints Insurers And Reinsurers in Areas with Limited Data Collecting and Processing Capabilities Get More Information Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A200070 Segment Highlights The managed crop hail insurance segment is estimated to dominate the market in terms of revenue during the forecast period The managed crop hail insurance segment is expected to hold a significant share during the forecast period. This type of insurance protects against crop loss or damage caused by hail or fire. Multi-peril crop insurance, on the other hand, is projected to experience rapid growth. It safeguards against various hazards that could result in crop losses, such as natural disasters, disease, pests, and weather-related occurrences. The Broker/Agents segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. Insurance agents or brokers specializing in agricultural insurance play a crucial role in providing personalized advice and assistance to farmers. These professionals can offer tailored guidance to farmers, helping them understand their insurance options, select the most suitable policies, and navigate the claims process effectively. The expertise and personalized service offered by insurance agents or brokers who specialize in agricultural insurance are highly valued, particularly in rural communities where in-person interactions are preferred. Farmers can benefit from the in-depth knowledge and support offered by these specialized professionals, ensuring that they have the right coverage to protect their agricultural assets and livelihoods effectively. Asia-Pacific is expected to have significant growth during the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific region is predicted to grow significantly due to the huge amount of agricultural land and resources available in the region, as well as government backing for reinsurers in countries such as India. In the future years, the high growth rate of the Latin America and Africa region is anticipated to be supported by the potential of crop reinsurance firms in the region. The provision of reinsurance options for these specific products demonstrates the crop sector's commitment to preserving and strengthening global crop insurance. Governments play a crucial role in supporting affordable risk transfer solutions through premium subsidies and making data available for risk pricing, rate management, and scheme oversight. Purchase This Comprehensive 455-Page Report (PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/4frZRQJ Regional Outlook The Asia-Pacific crop reinsurance market is expected to capture a significant revenue share and is projected to grow rapidly in the coming years. This growth is driven by the region's diverse range of crop-climatic zones, which provides substantial agricultural advantages. The Asia-Pacific is expected to have a significant growth due to the vast spread of agricultural land and resources available in this region and the government support in funding the reinsurers in country like India. For instance, insurance companies from France, Morocco, and Bermuda have merged to establish reinsurance company named Mamda Re to provide insurance facility to Moroccan and African market. Players: - Sompo International Holdings Ltd. Axa XL Syngenta Munich Re Agroinsurance Hanover Re Partner Re Scor Re Gramcover Mapfre Re The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global crop reinsurance market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. Access Your Customized Sample Report & TOC Now: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/A200070 Recent Development: In September 2021, Global reinsurer MS Amlin AG (MS AAG) entered the crop reinsurance market. This strategic move by MS AAG signifies its expansion into the agriculture reinsurance sector, aiming to provide reinsurance services for agricultural risks. This entry into the crop reinsurance market aligns with the growing demand for risk management solutions in the agricultural sector and reflects MS AAG's commitment to diversifying its portfolio and tapping into new market opportunities. In March 2023, Ceres Imaging released its AI data analytics suite for agriculture reinsurers. This new product, known as the Risk Solutions product suite, is designed to power the next generation of risk models for insurers and lenders in the agriculture sector. It aims to streamline underwriting processes, improve claims responsiveness, and provide near-real-time risk assessment by leveraging Ceres' advanced data models that analyze over 11 billion individual plant-level measurements and more than 40 crop types. Trending Reports in BFSI Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount + Covid-19 scenario): Pet Insurance Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Policy Coverage, by Animal Type, by Sales Channel: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 Aviation Insurance Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type, by Application, by Product Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Insurance Claims Services Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type of Insurance, by Insurance Providers, by End User: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Agricultural Insurance Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Product Type, by Distribution Channel: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Cargo Insurance Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Insurance Type, by Distribution Channel, by End User: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Reinsurance Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type, by Application, by Distribution Channel, by Mode: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact Us: United States 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/crop-reinsurance-market-to-reach-73-5-billion-globally-by-2032-at-7-cagr-allied-market-research-302210918.html PUNE, India, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Maximize Market Research has published a report on the Global Alcoholic Beverages Market. The Alcoholic Beverages Industry size was valued at USD 2324.35 Bn in 2023. The Alcoholic Beverages Market revenue is growing by 9.2% from 2024 to 2030, reaching nearly USD 4303.88 Bn by 2030. The alcoholic beverages market has seen significant growth due to changing social and demographic patterns. The transformation of the alcoholic beverages industry is driven by evolving consumer preferences, shifting lifestyles, and changing cultural norms. Several key factors contribute to this growth. These include the dynamic interplay of consumer choices, an aging population seeking different options, the preferences of younger generations, the global influence of diverse cultures, changes in regulatory frameworks, the growing impact of e-commerce, increased disposable income, and a heightened focus on responsible drinking and moderation. Market Size in 2023 USD 2324.35 Bn Market Size in 2030 USD 4303.88 Bn CAGR 9.2 Percent Forecast Period 2024-2030 Base Year 2023 Number of Pages 225 No. of Tables 142 No. of Charts and Figures 198 Segment Covered By Type, Alcoholic Content, and Distribution Channel Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, South America Report Coverage Market Share, Size, and Forecast by Revenue | 2024-2030, Market Dynamics, Growth Drivers, Restraints, Investment Opportunities, and Key Trends, Competitive Landscape, Key Players Benchmarking, Competitive Analysis, MMR Competition Matrix, Competitive Leadership Mapping, Global Key Players' Market Ranking Analysis. Get your Sample PDF: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/27601/ Competitive Landscape United Spirits is expanding its product range by investing in emerging beverage categories. The company has purchased a 15% stake in V9 Beverages, which is known for developing India's first non-alcoholic fermented spirits, such as Sober Gin, Sober Rum, and Sober Whiskey. This investment aligns with United Spirits' commitment to tapping into a growing market for non-alcoholic alternatives. In addition, the company is acquiring 25% of Indie Brews and Spirits, the maker of India's first cold brew coffee, Quaffine, reflecting a broader trend toward niche innovation and expanding United Spirits' presence in the coffee-based spirits segment. By venturing into this new market, United Spirits aims to drive growth through diversification and cater to changing consumer preferences for unique specialty beverage options. Alcoholic Beverages Market Key Players Anheuser-Busch InBev Diageo Pernod Ricard China Resources Snow Breweries Heineken Constellation Brands Molson Coors Beverage Company Kirin Holdings SABMiller (now a part of AB InBev) Asahi Group Holdings Bacardi Limited Brown-Forman. Others Indian liquor market has become the fifth largest globally, holding a 3.1% share, driven by high demand for premium brands and urbanization. The remarkable growth of the Indian liquor market has positioned it as the fifth largest in the world, accounting for a notable 3.1% of global revenue. The industry accounts for approximately 736 million 9-liter bottles, with whiskeys, rums, and other pale spirits dominating the market. This surge is driven by high volumes and a surging demand for premium wines, fuelled by rapid urbanization, a vibrant young population, and shifting demographics. Notably, Indian single malts have garnered significant attention in the domestic market and are poised for continued ascent. India's stature as a key player in global alcohol consumption has led to a shift from a focus on sheer volumes to high-end offerings. This transformation mirrors a larger trend of consumers favouring sophisticated, distinctive brands, driven by increased spending, market fluctuations, and evolving lifestyle preferences. Against this backdrop, the market is witnessing an emerging emphasis on luxury products, underscoring a broader global trend in the wine industry. This evolution reflects changing consumer preferences, signalling a shift away from standardized quantities toward embracing top-quality, refined products. Ultimately, the burgeoning Indian wine market embodies these global shifts, highlighting the expanding influence of the region and the evolving dynamics of wine consumption. For Detailed Segment Analysis: Request a Sample Report From Beer to Wine: Swiggy and Zomato plan to bring alcohol to consumer's doorsteps According to a recent report by MMR, online alcohol delivery services like Swiggy and Zomato may soon expand their services to offer alcohol deliveries in several Indian states. Some of the states being considered for this expansion include New Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Kerala. The program aims to provide low-alcohol beverages such as beer, wine, and spirits. Officials are currently assessing the benefits and challenges of allowing alcohol deliveries to homes. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Swiggy and Zomato initially tested alcohol deliveries in non-metro cities. Subsequently, Swiggy launched in Ranchi and Zomato in seven cities in Jharkhand. Both companies expressed interest in expanding this service to other cities, but it took them a while to do so. Currently, alcohol can be legally delivered to homes in Odisha and West Bengal, where sales have increased by 20-30%. MMR analysts believe that online distribution models will provide end-to-end transaction records, verified age, and compliance with regulatory requirements, thus contributing to consumer convenience and economic growth. The success of these pilot projects could lead to wider implementation across India. North America region to dominate Alcoholic Beverages Industry during the forecast period North America is expected to maintain its dominant position in the global market during the forecast period. This is due to strong consumer demand, a well-established distribution network, and ongoing innovations in the industry. Since 2012, over 3,000 new alcohol beverage laws have been enacted, reflecting changes in consumer habits and regulatory adjustments, which continue to shape the market. In 2023, the U.S. beer industry achieved remarkable success by exporting 192 million barrels of beer and 2.6 billion bottles (approximately 6 billion gallons) of hard cider, perry, and other fermented products. Over 33 million individuals were informed about these high-quality products. Domestically, 79% of beer was expertly brewed in the U.S., with the remaining 21% sourced from over 100 countries. On average, consumers aged 21 and over purchased around 24 gallons of beer, malt beverages, and cider per person, signaling a growing legal drinking age population in the country. Forecasts indicate that by the end of 2024, the industry will reach an estimated $135 billion in retail sales. Notably, 85% of beer is expected to be sold off-campus for home consumption, with the remaining 15% sold on campus. Furthermore, draft beer, favored in on-premise establishments, is set to account for 9% of total sales. When it comes to packaging, aluminum and glass bottles are anticipated to represent 91% of beer sales, indicating the enduring popularity of bottled beverages. This thriving alcoholic beverage market has been adapting to over 3,000 new regulations passed since 2012, with these changes shaped by evolving consumer trends. Consequently, North America is poised to maintain its dominance in the global alcoholic beverage market during the forecast period. Get 10% Free Customization on the Report: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/inquiry-before-buying/27601/ by Type Beer Distilled Spirits Wine Others by Alcoholic Content High Medium Low by Distribution Channel Convenience Stores On Premises Liquor Stores Grocery Shops Internet Retailing Supermarkets Key Highlights: Past Market Size and Competitive Landscape (2018 to 2022) Past Pricing and price curve by region (2018 to 2022) Market Size, Share, Size & Forecast by Different Segment | 2024-2030 Market Dynamics - Growth Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Key Trends by Region Market Segmentation - A detailed analysis by Segment Covered by Type, Alcoholic Content, Distribution Channel, and Region. Competitive Landscape - Profiles of selected key players by region in a strategic perspective Competitive landscape - Market Leaders, Market Followers, Regional player Competitive benchmarking of key players by region PESTLE Analysis PORTER's analysis Value chain and supply chain analysis Legal Aspects of business by region Lucrative business opportunities with SWOT analysis Recommendations Maximize Market Research is leading research firm, has also published the following reports: Global Canned Alcoholic Beverages Market size was valued at USD 14.93 Billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.5% from 2024 to 2030, reaching nearly USD 51.98 Billion. Global Alcoholic Ice Cream Market size was valued at US$ 1.46 Bn. in 2023 and the total Alcoholic Ice Cream revenue is expected to grow at 7.2% through 2024 to 2030, reaching nearly US$ 2.38 Bn. Non-alcoholic Spirits Market size was valued at USD 561.92 Million in 2023 and the total Non-alcoholic Spirits revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.35% from 2024 to 2030, reaching nearly USD 757.05 Million. Functional Beverages Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.47% through 2030 and is currently valued at US$ 151.39 Mn in 2023 and is expected to become $ 250.67 Mn by 2030. CBD-based Beverages Market is expected to reach USD 21.49 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 28.9 % between 2024 and 2030. Non-alcoholic Beverage Market was valued at USD 1415.2 Bn in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 1954.5 Bn by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.72% during a forecast period. About Maximize Market Research: Maximize Market Research is a multifaceted market research and consulting company with professionals from several industries. Some of the industries we cover include medical devices, pharmaceutical manufacturers, science and engineering, electronic components, industrial equipment, technology and communication, cars and automobiles, chemical products and substances, general merchandise, beverages, personal care, and automated systems. We provide market-verified industry estimations, technical trend analysis, crucial market research, strategic advice, competition analysis, production and demand analysis, and client impact studies. Contact Maximize Market Research: 3rd Floor, Navale IT Park, Phase 2 Pune Bangalore Highway, Narhe, Pune, Maharashtra 411041, India sales@maximizemarketresearch.com +91 9607365656 Follow Up: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2457992/Maximize_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/alcoholic-beverages-market-to-be-dominated-by-beer-segment-at-a-cagr-of-10-52-percent---says-maximize-market-research-302211122.html BANGALORE, India, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Modular Bathroom Pods Market is Segmented by Type (GRP Bathroom Pods, Steel Bathroom Pods, Concrete Bathroom Pods), by Application (Residential Use, Commercial Use, Military accommodation, prisons, etc). The Global Modular Bathroom Pods Market was valued at USD 788.2 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1195.8 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period 2024-2030. Get Free Sample @ https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-7H9749/Global_Modular_Bathroom_Pods Major Factors Driving the Growth of Modular Bathroom Pods Market: The market for modular bathrooms is expanding rapidly due to rising consumer demand for economical, timely, and effective building solutions. Prefabricated in factories and placed on-site, modular bathrooms have several benefits, including shorter construction times, better quality control, and less trash generated on-site. These advantages make them especially appealing to the residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors-all of which depend on timely and reliable project completion. Growing urbanization, the popularity of smart homes, and technological developments in manufacturing that improve the look and feel of modular bathrooms all contribute to the market's growth. Furthermore, there is a notable uptake of modular bathroom solutions in high-construction areas like North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, which is driving market development. View Full Report @ https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-7H9749/global-modular-bathroom-pods TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE MODULAR BATHROOM PODS MARKET: The market for modular bathrooms is expanding rapidly because of steel bathroom pods for residential use, which are known for their strength, simplicity of installation, and aesthetic diversity. These pods provide a strong solution that is resistant to high moisture content, which is crucial for bathrooms. Because they are prefabricated in regulated manufacturing environments, builders and developers may save money by reducing the amount of time needed for onsite construction and guaranteeing constant quality. Steel pods are a desirable alternative for both single-family houses and multi-unit residential structures because they can be customized to match different household layouts. Steel bathroom pods are a popular option in the modular bathroom market because of their efficiency and flexibility, which helps to fuel the industry's growth by satisfying consumers' increasing need for quick, dependable, and visually beautiful bathroom solutions. The market for modular bathrooms is expanding because of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) bathroom pods, which provide a lightweight, reasonably priced, and extremely durable option. Because of its robustness and resilience to impact, chemicals, and moisture, GRP pods are well-suited for use in bathroom settings. Because these pods are precisely engineered and constructed, there are fewer building faults on site and superior standards are guaranteed. Compared to traditional materials, GRP materials are easier to carry and install, and they also cost less because of their lightweight nature. Additionally, GRP bathroom pods are attractive for a variety of residential and commercial projects due to their adaptable design, which makes it simple to alter to match different architectural styles and requirements. Because of their versatility and superior performance, GRP bathroom pods are positioned as a major factor in the expansion of the Modular Bathroom Pods market. Cost effectiveness is one of the main elements propelling the modular bathroom market's expansion. Because prefabricated bathroom pods need less labor and time to install on site, they drastically lower the entire cost of building. Conventional bathroom construction might result in higher prices and longer lead times due to the involvement of several trades and longer deadlines. Modular bathrooms, on the other hand, are constructed in a controlled environment off-site, guaranteeing quicker production and lower labor expenses. Furthermore, the production environment enables bulk material purchases, which further reduces costs. The expansion of the market is fueled by developers and contractors who find modular bathrooms to be an appealing alternative because of its predictable pricing, which help them optimize their budgets and increase profitability. The market for modular bathrooms is expanding due to the growing emphasis on quality and uniformity. Because modular bathroom pods are produced in carefully regulated manufacturing settings, excellent quality and consistency are guaranteed. The possibility of errors and irregularities that might arise with conventional onsite building is reduced by this controlled environment. Sophisticated production methods combined with strict quality control procedures guarantee that every bathroom pod satisfies requirements. The end outcome is a dependable, high-quality product that developers and builders can rely on. Because of this guarantee of consistency and quality, modular bathrooms have a better reputation, which grows their market share and increases their popularity. The development of the modular bathroom market is being severely impacted by a labor shortage in the building sector. The sector is having trouble filling skilled labor positions, which makes it harder to finish projects on schedule and within budget. One way that modular bathrooms solve this issue is by using less labor on-site. In an industrial context, the prefabrication process may be operated with a smaller, more specialized workforce since it requires fewer personnel. This guarantees steady development on building projects and relieves the strain caused by manpower shortages. The market for modular bathrooms benefits from this continued drop in labor availability since it offers a solution that lessens these difficulties and encourages ongoing construction activity. Buy Now @ https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-7H9749&lic=single-user MODULAR BATHROOM PODS MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS The growing need for sustainable building practices and efficient construction techniques is propelling the market for modular bathrooms in North America. The construction sector in the US and Canada is under pressure to cut prices and project timeframes due to a lack of workers. By offering premium, prefabricated modules that can be built fast and effectively, modular bathrooms provide a solution. The rising tendency of urbanization is also helping the business, especially in large cities where time and space are valuable resources. Furthermore, the growing popularity of modular bathrooms-which are frequently more ecologically friendly than traditional construction methods-is a result of the drive for green building certifications and sustainable construction practices. Purchase Regional Report @ https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Auto-7H9749/Global_Modular_Bathroom_Pods Key Companies: Walker Modular Offsite Solutions Bathsystem Interpod Eurocomponents Elements Europe Sanika Oldcastle SurePods Taplanes Pivotek Buildom Purchase Chapters @ https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/QYRE-Auto-7H9749/Global_Modular_Bathroom_Pods SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! - Prefabricated Bathroom Pods market is projected to reach USD 3738 Million by 2030 from an estimated USD 2400.6 Million in 2024, at a CAGR of 7.7% during 2024 and 2030. - Modular Bathrooms and Toilets market was valued at USD 2400 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 4008.6 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Modular Prefabricated Restrooms Market - Ready-Built Bathroom Unit market was valued at USD 2400 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 4008.6 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Prefabricated Bathroom Modules market was valued at USD 2400 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 4008.6 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Factory-Made Bathroom Unit market was valued at USD 2400 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 4008.6 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Modular Bathroom & Shower market is projected to reach USD 4144.7 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 2400 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 8.2% during the period of 2023 to 2029. - GRP Material Prefabricated Bathroom Pods Market - Lightweight Steel Bathroom Pods market was valued at USD 894 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1964 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Modular Prefabricated Bathroom Pods Market - Modular Prefab Kitchen and Bathroom Pods Market - Bath Fittings and Accessories Market - Shower Wall Panel market was valued at USD 1,524.62 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 2,295.47 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 6.06% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Bathroom & Toilet Grab Bar market was valued at USD 535.4 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 841 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Commercial Metal Toilet Partition Market - Smart Waterproof Mirror TV for Bathroom Market - Toilet Bathroom Partition Market - GRP Composite Bathroom Pods market was valued at USD 596 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1269.8 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 11.3% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Illuminated Bathroom Mirror Market - Toilet Partitions market size was USD 2008.2 Million and it is expected to reach USD 2712 Million by the end of 2027, with a CAGR of 4.4% during 2021-2027. - Shower Room Wall Panel Market - Prefabricated Bathroom Pods for Residential Market - Toilet Aids for the Elderly Market - Sanitary Fittings market was valued at USD 119 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 157.4 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Smart Toilet market was valued at USD 3602.3 Million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 5515.7 Million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period 2023-2029. - Bathroom Hand Towels Market - The global Smart Bathroom market size was USD 1634 Million in 2023 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 2709.1 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Non-mirror Bathroom Waterproof TV market was valued at USD 27.1 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 43.8 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Vietnam Sanitary Ware & Bathroom Accessories Market - Handicap Bathroom Accessories Market - Tiles, Sanitary Ware and Bathroom Accessories Market - Composite Sinks Market - Mechanical Bathroom Scales Market DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US! 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Valuates Reports sales@valuates.com For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valuatesreports6753 https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese https://valuatesreportspanish.blogspot.com/ https://valuateskorean.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesgerman.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesreportjapanese.blogspot.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/modular-bathroom-pods-market-size-was-valued-at-usd-788-2-million-and-is-expected-to-grow-usd-1195-8-million-by-2030-at-a-cagr-of-5-7--valuates-reports-302211170.html NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / Lenovo Scott Tease, Vice President & General Manager of Artificial Intelligence and HPC Worldwide At ISC 2024, the theme of "Reinventing HPC" underscores the evolution of High-Performance Computing against the backdrop of broad AI advancements. Businesses across all industries face ever-increasing performance requirements from their computing systems to enable Machine Learning and Large Language Model applications. At the same time, companies face unprecedented scrutiny and attention towards maintaining a green footprint. Enterprises today must recognize sustainable High-Performance Computing as being the core engine that makes it possible to responsibly maximize AI's potential. As more businesses look to harness the capabilities presented by AI and HPC, it is critical to ensure sustainability is at the forefront of the design and performance of computing systems. AI and HPC capabilities are being increasingly implemented in a complementary manner, unlocking data-driven insights, accelerated outcomes, and advanced use cases. Lenovo has been enabling efficient and high-powered computing for over a decade, having pioneered Lenovo Neptune liquid cooling technology. Lenovo's direct water-cooling solution uses warm water to cool nearly every component in the systems without the need for air moving devices inside the server. This water-cooled system enables customers to realize up to a 40% reduction in power consumption and a 3.5x improvement in thermal efficiencies compared to traditional air-cooled systems. This trademarked method keeps all the server components cool, reducing the need for traditional power-hungry air conditioning systems in data center. Industry Partnerships Power Innovation Lenovo is working with key partners across the industry to deliver powerful and sustainable HPC systems, purpose-built for AI. At NVIDIA's recent GTC event, Lenovo and NVIDIA released a new ThinkSystem SR780a server which comes equipped with Lenovo Neptune technology, powering an ultra-efficient power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.1 for the device. PUE compares data center energy usage to the overall energy used by the computing equipment. With direct water-cooling, the ThinkSystem SR780a delivers heightened power efficiency without sacrificing performance. Recently, Lenovo expanded its partnership with AMD by announcing three new purpose-built AI systems, designed for the most compute-demanding AI workloads, inclusive of GenAI and Large Language Models. Among these new solutions is Lenovo's ThinkAgile MX455 V3, which offers double the CPU performance and half the power consumption compared to the closest competing offerings. In addition to offering leading performance and sustainability capabilities, Lenovo also makes its entire portfolio of AI-built systems accessible for all enterprises by offering them through Lenovo TruScale, Lenovo's pay-as-you-go operations model designed to scale for each business' needs in an efficient manner. Advanced Customer Use Cases Lenovo's High-Performance Computing advancements present greater opportunities for customers to make innovative advancements. In Italy, the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC) announced a renewal of its collaboration with Lenovo for the installation of a powerful new HPC system 'Cassandra' that will support climate change research by providing increased processing capabilities and optimizing energy use for the operation of the high-capacity computing infrastructure. On the new supercomputer, climate simulation models of the earth system, the ocean, both global and regional seasonal forecasting systems, and AI-based climate change applications will be executed. Following on from an announcement earlier this year, Lenovo has started building a new HPC cluster with Germany's University of Paderborn, in which a significant portion of the computing system will be made available for nationwide research as part of the National High Performance Computing (NHR) Alliance. The research performed with this HPC cluster will be focused on atomic simulations, among other use cases. Donostia International Physics Center in Spain required an increase in capacity as well as a unique design for cooling in their limited datacenter footprint. They chose Lenovo solutions, including Neptune cooling, to power the new 'Hyperion' supercomputer, which aims to answer humanity's most complex questions. Topics explored with the Hyperion supercomputer include the formation of galaxies, the behavior of new materials, developments in quantum technologies, and computational chemistry, among others. Equipped with 60 Lenovo ThinkSystem nodes as part of the HPC cluster, the Hyperion supercomputer runs three times faster on average than prior systems. Leadership in Sustainable HPC Including 13 newly listed HPC solutions, Lenovo continues to be the leading provider of Supercomputers with nearly a third of the systems on the TOP500 list built on Lenovo technology. This means that one out of every three supercomputer systems run on Lenovo, deployed in 21 markets worldwide. With the highest ranked x86 hosted system, and 2 supercomputers listed within the new Green 500 top 10, Lenovo remains a leading vendor in energy efficient HPC solutions across the world. Lenovo's newest HPC and AI Global Innovation Centre, unveiled in October 2023, operates on-site at the in-house European manufacturing facility in Budapest, Hungary. In April, new solar panels were unveiled to enable 100% of the HPC workloads to run entirely on renewable energy during customer testing phases. The completed installation, now totaling 5,072 solar panels across two buildings, form part of an ambitious global plan to reduce Lenovo's Scope 2 emissions by expanding the use of solar energy worldwide. Businesses face an unprecedented need for accelerated computing power and Lenovo is steadfastly committed to delivering continued business performance improvements while improving environmental sustainability. As we focus on building HPC solutions for a more sustainable future, customers have unlimited possibilities with our new systems while still doing what is right for the planet. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Lenovo on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Lenovo Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/lenovo Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Lenovo View the original press release on accesswire.com CHICAGO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Medical Batteries Market is expected to grow from USD 2.0 billion in 2024 to USD 2.7 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.2%. The medical batteries market is vital to healthcare, supporting a wide range of devices from portable to complex life-saving equipment. As healthcare technology and the demand for portable devices grow, there is a push for reliable, long-lasting batteries that meet stringent safety standards. The rise in chronic diseases fuels the demand for medical batteries, as they power critical devices such as insulin pumps and pacemakers. However, stringent regulatory requirements and supply chain disruptions pose challenges, affecting innovation and production. Opportunities lie in the development of next-generation batteries, such as solid-state and lithium-sulfur, which promise greater energy density and safety. The lithium battery segment is expected to grow significantly due to its high energy density and compact size, while cardiac pacemakers and hospitals are major application areas. North America leads the market due to advanced medical technology and a strong regulatory environment, fostering innovation and adoption in the region. Key players in the market include Panasonic, Maxell, and Energizer, among others. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=70773239 Browse in-depth TOC on "Medical Batteries Market" 213 - Tables 52 - Figures 253 - Pages Panasonic Holdings Corporation: Leader in Advanced Battery Solutions for Healthcare Panasonic Holdings Corporation excels in providing advanced battery solutions crucial for the healthcare industry, leveraging its expertise from automotive and industrial sectors. The company's Energy segment plays a vital role, offering specialized batteries designed for durability, efficiency, and reliability in medical devices. Renowned brands like Panasonic, Sanyo, and Eneloop are synonymous with high-performance and longevity. Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., its dedicated subsidiary, operates globally across North America, Europe, and Asia, ensuring diverse energy needs are met. The company's strategic strengths include a robust supply chain, cost competitiveness, and advanced R&D capabilities, with recent investments in facilities like the Kansas factory highlighting its commitment to efficient production and cutting-edge technology. Panasonic's focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices aligns with global environmental trends, reinforcing its leadership in the battery industry and its capacity to drive innovation in meeting evolving healthcare demands. Energizer Holdings, Inc.: Global Provider of High-Performance Batteries and Lighting Solutions Energizer Holdings, Inc., a prominent global provider, operates through three core segments: Battery, Auto Care, and Lights. Its Battery and Lights segments are crucial, offering various batteries for medical devices such as hearing aids and glucose monitors. The company's portfolio includes well-known brands like Energizer, Eveready, Rayovac, and Varta, which encompass alkaline, lithium, rechargeable batteries, and portable lighting solutions. Subsidiaries like Energizer Battery, Inc. and Rayovac Corporation bolster its global market presence. With a robust footprint across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa, Energizer is dedicated to innovation and reliability, particularly in powering essential medical devices. Toshiba Corporation: Specialist in High-Performance Medical Batteries Toshiba Corporation delivers high-performance, reliable, and safe battery solutions tailored for critical medical devices, including implantable cardiac devices, patient monitoring systems, and portable diagnostic equipment. Utilizing advanced lithium-ion technology, Toshiba's medical batteries offer high energy density, robust safety features to prevent overheating and overcharging, and long cycle life for durability in demanding medical environments. Toshiba's growth in this sector is driven by continuous innovation and strategic R&D investments, meeting the evolving needs of healthcare. Strong partnerships with medical device manufacturers and healthcare providers further integrate their batteries into various applications, reinforcing Toshiba's position as a global leader in the medical batteries market and enhancing patient care and outcomes. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=70773239 Product Segmentation: Alkaline Batteries Lead the Medical Batteries Market In 2023, the medical batteries market is characterized by its diverse product segments, including lithium, alkaline, zinc air, nickel metal hydride, and other batteries. Among these, alkaline batteries emerged as the largest segment, driven by their affordability, reliability, and eco-friendly characteristics. Technological advancements have enhanced their cost-effectiveness, while increasing urbanization and consumer spending have further boosted demand. Alkaline batteries are particularly valued for backup systems, remote sensing, and IoT applications in healthcare, ensuring dependable power for essential medical devices. Capacity Segmentation: Batteries Below 600 mAh Dominate The medical batteries market also segments based on capacity, including batteries below 600 mAh, 600 to 1200 mAh, and above 1200 mAh. In 2023, batteries with a capacity of "below 600 mAh" held the largest market share within healthcare settings. This is due to the rising demand for compact, powerful, portable, and wearable medical devices. Advances in battery technology have increased energy density, offering extended operational times without enlarging battery size, and enhanced safety features have contributed to their widespread adoption. Companies like VARTA Microbattery and Renata SA excel in this segment, with products such as VARTA's CoinPower series and Renata's lithium and silver oxide batteries providing high reliability for low-power medical devices. The trend towards miniaturization and innovation has significantly boosted demand and market presence for these batteries. Regional Insights: North America Leads the Market In 2023, North America is expected to dominate the global medical batteries market, accounting for a 45.0% share. This dominance is driven by the substantial presence of major medical device manufacturers and increasing healthcare spending in the US and Canada. Key healthcare institutions in the region rely heavily on critical medical devices that require reliable energy storage solutions. North America's status as an early adopter of new medical technologies, supported by higher patient affordability, also fuels demand for advanced battery technologies. Additionally, the region's strong focus on research and development within the healthcare industry, alongside significant investments in innovative medical products, further solidifies its leading position. The favorable regulatory environment in North America supports ongoing product development, reinforcing its dominance in the global medical batteries market. For more information, inquire now! Inquire Now Related Reports: Medical Equipment Maintenance Market Endoscopy Equipment Market Ultrasound Market Diagnostic Imaging Market European Medical Equipment Maintenance Market Get access to the latest updates on Medical Batteries Companies and Medical Batteries Market Share About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/medical-batteries-market-worth-2-7-billion-by-2029-driven-by-prevalence-of-chronic-diseases--marketsandmarkets-302210830.html The expansion takes a more inclusive route, serving emerging and developing markets. SAN FRANCISCO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nium, the global leader in real-time cross-border payments, today announced the expansion of its local funding and collection capabilities to more than 40 countries and 15 currencies, with more to come. The move makes Nium one of the only providers to offer a network this wide. Customers can now access the broadest range of local currencies through wires and local payment rails, with an extensive selection of currencies tailored to meet the diverse needs of various markets, including developing and emerging economies. Businesses often face challenges with moving money across borders - whether it is local businesses sending money abroad or global businesses collecting funds locally - due to the limited availability of certain currencies and the need to optimize cash flow and liquidity. Nium's local currency account offering makes it faster and more cost-effective for businesses, digital platforms, and marketplaces to receive money in the desired country, either for their business or for their customers, without having to manage the complexity of setting up a local entity or opening and managing additional operating accounts. Through its global network of licenses, Nium offers local currency account details in more than 15 currencies, with newly added capabilities in Brazil, Denmark, Indonesia, the Philippines, Poland, and the UAE, with Mexico and New Zealand expected to follow shortly. These new markets join others including Australia, Canada, EEA, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, the UK, and the US. "Payments companies have underserved access to and from emerging markets, choosing to focus on the G20," said Alex Johnson, Chief Payments Officer at Nium. "However, to create a truly global enterprise, companies need to be able to access a wide network of markets where their buyers and sellers are domiciled. We now enable more businesses to receive in local currencies for global business needs, allowing them to be more competitive on a global scale. This breadth makes Nium the go-to choice for businesses looking to expand their global reach." This expansion is key for many of the industries Nium serves including marketplaces, payroll, and financial institutions. This opens the future ability for Nium's customers in emerging markets, including direct debit for collections from their customers, FX, split payments, local card settlement and much more. Today for example, a payroll customer in Singapore can use local account details in Singapore to fund their local Nium account in Singapore dollars and send funds to their global workforce. Nium customers can access these local account capabilities through existing APIs, making it easy for them to start quickly and scale at speed. Nium's local account details offer customers the convenience of: Reduced funding or collections overhead by eliminating the costs involved with cross-border wire transfers and lack of transparency in FX conversions Increased transaction speed by utilizing local real time payment rails like Instapay (PH), PIX (BR), SPEI (MX), and many more Eased payment reconciliation with real time transaction alerts along with transparent sender information Scaled global business without the overhead of setting up operations in certain emerging markets About Nium Nium, the global leader in real-time, cross-border payments, was founded on the mission to deliver the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the global economy, its payments infrastructure is shaping how banks, fintechs, and businesses everywhere collect, convert, and disburse funds instantly across borders. Its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans 220+ markets, 100 of which in real-time. Funds can be disbursed to accounts, wallets, and cards and collected locally in 35 markets. Nium's growing card issuance business is already available in 34 countries. Nium holds regulatory licences and authorisations in more than 40 countries, enabling seamless onboarding, rapid integration, and compliance - independent of geography. The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2333904/Nium_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nium-expands-ability-for-customers-to-receive-in-more-than-40-countries-and-15-currencies-offering-one-of-the-most-extensive-networks-302211244.html Erinnern Sie sich, als Moderna und BioNTech von unbekannten Unternehmen zu globalen Marktfuhrern wurden und fruhzeitige Investoren reich belohnt haben? Die Branche steht vor einem erneuten Innovationsschub von bahnbrechenden Medikamenten bis hin zu revolutionaren Therapien. Warum sollten Sie dabei sein? Sie sollten jetzt in Biotech-Aktien einsteigen, weil wir am Beginn einer neuen Ara der medizinischen Innovation stehen konnten! Gen- und Zelltherapien, personalisierte Medizin und bahnbrechende Technologien konnten das Gesundheitswesen revolutionieren und die Aktienkurse in die Hohe schieen lassen. Die nachste Erfolgsgeschichte im Biotechbereich warten nur darauf, entdeckt zu werden. Wer jetzt investiert, hat die Chance, von gigantischen Durchbruchen und enormen Renditen zu profitieren. Warten Sie nicht, bis es zu spat ist - der nachste Biotech-Superstar konnte morgen schon durchstarten! Verpassen Sie nicht diese Chance! Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Biotech-Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 3 Biotech-Aktien das riesige Potenzial haben, Ihren finanziellen Erfolg zu sichern. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen zukunftstrachtige Investments im Biotech-Sektor. Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report! As well as Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis and Other Diseases ALLEN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / Enzolytics, Inc. (OTC PINK:ENZC) (" enzolytics.com" ) (the "Company") announced today that the Company and the Department of Immunology, Bulgarian Academy of Science The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology have initiated a cooperative effort to expand the use of each other's technology. The main area of research by the Department of Immunology, through its seven state of the art laboratory facilities, is concentrated on: autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases, allergy, vaccines, cancer and immunomodulators. The effort focuses on the development of new approaches to specific suppression of pathological immune cells through genetic engineering and protein molecules. The research infrastructure capabilities include: Cell culture rooms with HEPA clean air filter system and laminar flow cabinets, CO2 incubators; Barrier-type SPF animal facility with temperature control and HEPA system for breeding of laboratory mice; Bank of cell hybridomas and lines. BDLSR II FACS with FCS Express Diva software allowing analysis of 18-different cell parameters; SACURA microtome, Leica Cryostat CM1950, Leica TP1020 Automatic Tissue Processor, and Leica Embedding Arcadia equipment for histology and immunohistochemistry; Nikon light and Leica DM2000, Leica DMi8 invert and light microscopes with digital cameras for picture capturing; Leica DM6 B fully automated upright fluorescent microscope; High performance Microplate Reader with advanced LVF MonochromatorsTM for Fluorescence and Luminescence Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) Nikon Eclipse Ti-U CLSM ELISpot ImmunoSpot Series 6 Ultimate UV fluorescent Image Analyzer; Bio-Tek ELISA plate reader with Gen 5.0 software; PCR - C1000 Touch Thermal Cycler with Dual 48/48 Fast Reaction Module Eppendorf micro UV/VIS spectrophotometer; Eppendorf BioSpectrometer; Arrayit InnoScan 1100 Microarray Scanner; MACS cell sorting equipment and products; BioRad and SciePlas systems for electrophoresis and immunoblot; Countess II FL Automated Cell Counter; BioRad ChemiDoc MP Imaging System; Basic laboratory instruments and BioRad NGC Quest 10 Plus Chromatography System; The high scale antibody production currently being produced includes: 2c11/DaA3 hamster anti mouse CD3 IgG1 9E10/ C1N mouse anti human C-myc protein 2.4G2/ DABE4 rat anti mouse CD32/16 IgG2b 7G6/Z3C antimouse CR1/2 CD21/CD35 PK136/IR5 antimouse NK Ag M5/114/AmA77 rat anti mouse MHC II A-E IgG2b 7D4/JAA12 rat antimouse CD25 IgM GK1.5/PJP6 rat anti mouse CD4 IgG 2b 1D3/ PeCa 1 rat anti mouse CD19 IgG2a 3D9/UJ11 mouse antihuman CR1 IgG1 IP2-11-1 influenza virus A/PR/8/34 hemagglutinin intersubunit peptide HA317-341 10F10/ HpS22 mouse antidsDNA IgG2a 53.6/SSa1 rat anti mouse CD8 IgG2a 11B11 rat anti mouse IL4 IgG1 S4B6/67DE1 rat anti mouse IL2 IgG2a GL1/MHD2 rat anti mouse CD86 IgG2a I/9 TBE 15 rat IgG2b Z34 anti mouse IgG2a and IgG2b Custom antibody production from client hybridoma Harry Zhabilov, CSO stated, "With the help of the prestigious academic members of the Department of Immunology Institute of Microbiology Stephan Angelov Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, lead by Professor Andrey Tchorbanov, PhD, Enzolytics will be able to increase the effectiveness of the exclusively licensed patented Cancer Immunotherapy treatment. It is my hope that we can combine portions of the portfolio of products and processes of Dr. Tchorbanov's Department to increase the shareholder value of ENZC." Steve Sharabura, CEO added, " Again, this is another exciting initiative for Enzolytics, as we continue to expand our new directions. It's great to be able to focus on building a great enterprise." About Enzolytics, Inc. Enzolytics, Inc. is transitioning from a drug development company committed to commercializing its licensed proprietary proteins and monoclonal antibodies to treat debilitating infectious diseases to include the additional contracted areas of sales, marketing and distribution of medical devices, medical testing and nutraceutical products. Forward Looking Statements The disclosure herein includes certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook," and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding projections, estimates and forecasts of revenue and other financial and performance metrics and projections of market opportunity and expectations, Company's ability to enter into a definitive business combination agreement and Company's ability to obtain the financing necessary to consummate the potential business combination transaction. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of Company's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including: Company's ability to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to the proposed business combination or consummate a transaction; the risk that the approval of the stockholders of Company for the potential transaction is not obtained; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the potential transaction, including as a result of a delay in consummating the potential transaction or difficulty in integrating the businesses of Company; the amount of redemption requests made by Company's stockholders and the amount of funds remaining in Company's trust account after satisfaction of such requests; those factors discussed in Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 under the heading "Risk Factors," and other documents of Company filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. If the risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Company presently does not know or that Company currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Company's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date hereof. Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Company's assessments to change. However, while Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Company's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this disclosure statement. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. CONTACT INFORMATION: Enzolytics, Inc. Steve Sharabura, Chief Executive Officer3002 Royal Palm Baytown, Texas 77523 Tel: (845) 925-4597 X/Twitter: @EnzolyticsInc SOURCE: Enzolytics, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com "I saw a room full of stars!!!" says one of the patients. Cluster, Inc, the largest metaverse platform in Japan with over 35 million event participants, collaborated with Associate Professor Hasei of the Department of Medical Information and Assistive Technology Development, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Department of Orthopedics) to realize a virtual space to help alleviate the sense of loneliness among patients. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731328522/en/ Exchange between patients with the same disease (Graphic: Business Wire) This initiative is a collaboration between Cluster, Inc. and Associate Professor Hasei, marking the world's first use of the metaverse in alleviating the loneliness for rare cancer patients, particularly pediatric and adolescent young adults (AYA). This project aims to create a virtual space to allow cancer patients with conditions like osteosarcoma to interact and share experiences with other patients who have the same condition and age group. Yearly, there are 20,000 rare cancer patients in pediatrics and AYA. Associate Professor Hasei thought interactions and communication between patients with the same disease would help improve their quality of life. The metaverse platform enables them to connect from different locations, enjoy games, share their experiences, and find emotional support despite their physical conditions. This approach showed promising results for children and AYA patients, who find it difficult to meet peers with the same experiences, especially those with extremely rare conditions like Ewing sarcoma, thereby enabling improvement in their mood and boosting social interaction for isolated individuals. Cultural celebrations such as the virtual Tanabata Festival allowed hospitalized children to experience and enjoy the virtual worlds beyond their hospital rooms. These experiences brought smiles to patients, even for those who rarely do. This shows the potential of the metaverse to deliver meaningful experiences beyond physical boundaries. Associate Professor Hasei realized that for this project to be as effective as possible, technological challenges and critical functions needed to be carefully considered. Cluster's expertise in this field made it possible for this project to succeed. Moving forward, our team hopes to further explore and create metaverse applications in medicine, using its ability to address social issues and enhance human creativity beyond physical limitations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731328522/en/ Contacts: Cluster,Inc. MISATO NISHIO m.nishio@cluster.mu Finsbury Growth & Income Trust PLC - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, July 31 For immediate release 31 July 2024 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announce that it has today purchased 196,857 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 855.18 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company. The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 23 January 2024. Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 51,088,816; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 173,902,487. The figure of 173,902,487 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. For and on behalf of Frostrow Capital LLP Company Secretary For further information, please contact: Victoria Hale Frostrow Capital LLP Tel: 020 3 170 8732 Cuba Gooding Jr. and Kevin Sorbo Discuss Powerful New Christian Movie on 'Huckabee on TBN' LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / Acclaimed actors Cuba Gooding Jr. and Kevin Sorbo recently sat down with Governor Mike Huckabee on his popular TBN television show to discuss their roles in the upcoming Christian film, The Firing Squad, from Epoch Studios. Set to hit theaters nationwide this Friday, August 2, 2024, with a special preview in select theaters on Thursday, the powerful film is poised to inspire audiences with its gripping story of faith and redemption, even in the darkest moments of our lives. The Firing Squad The Firing Squad logo During the interview, Governor Huckabee praised the film and its talented cast, noting the significance of two of the greatest actors in our film world today starring together in a faith-based film. Sorbo shared with Huckabee, "I think right now, more than anything in our hate-filled, divisive, crazy world, I think people are looking for hope." Inspired by a real-life 2015 saga that captured worldwide attention, The Firing Squad delves into the harrowing journey of three men who find themselves on the brink of execution in an Indonesian prison. As the countdown to their deaths begins, a remarkable sequence of events unfolds leading to a stunning twist at the end of the film. "If people don't go out and see and support this movie, shame on them," said Huckabee. "The last place one would think that there would be faith bubbling up is in an Indonesian prison, right? So, this is an unlikely place where God finds people." The Firing Squad has hosted special preview events in theaters across America, receiving praise from many pastors for the strong evangelistic message. Governor Huckabee continued to express his admiration for the film, saying to Sorbo and Gooding, Jr., "When people see it, they'll be totally blown away by the story and the message and your portrayal of the characters, and it is absolutely stellar." Gooding Jr. and Sorbo, both known for their impressive film careers, shared their excitement about bringing this meaningful story to the big screen. Gooding Jr. commented on the unique and challenging roles they embraced, while Sorbo highlighted the film's potential to touch hearts and inspire viewers. "I know that God has given me this gift to bring truth to emotion, and here was a long-awaited opportunity to use that gift in a movie that is faith-based and serves Him," said Gooding, Jr., who was moved to lead an altar call following the Los Angeles premiere. "I'm at a time in my life to let the world know that this is who I am. This is my foundation, my spiritual foundation." Marking Epoch Studios' first foray into faith-based cinema, The Firing Squad is a testament to the redemption available to all through Jesus Christ. The film is set to hit theaters nationwide on August 2, 2024. Click here to watch the full "Huckabee on TBN" interview. For more information about The Firing Squad and to find showtimes at a theater near you, visit firingsquadfilm.com/theaters. About Epoch Studios Epoch Studios is a division of The Epoch Times, the fastest-growing independent nonpartisan news media in the country, dedicated to truthful reporting. Epoch Studios is the co-producer of The Firing Squad movie. Contact Information: Chanel Turner chanel@alarryross.com 972-267-1111 Related Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk4ir7xhbLM SOURCE: Epoch Studios View the original press release on newswire.com. Insights from the study of nightcrawlers contributed to a key advancement in the treatment of chronic pain NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / In 2010, engineer David Dinsmoor was looking for a project to occupy a high school intern.? So, he sent the intern to the local bait shop to buy the fattest nightcrawlers they could find to see if they could measure electrical impulses from the worms' nervous systems.? It might be hard to believe now, but that experiment helped set the stage for Dinsmoor's work over the next decade: developing a closed-loop feature for Inceptiv, the new closed-loop spinal cord stimulator, which received FDA approval in April.?? The technology represents a major advancement in the treatment of chronic pain through spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy. Medtronic is a leader in the neuromodulation space, after launching the first fully implantable spinal cord stimulator 40 years ago.?? But Inceptiv builds on that SCS success.?It can sense each person's unique biological signals and adjust stimulation accordingly, 50 times per second. And Dinsmoor played a key role in figuring o ut how to "close the loop."? "Early in my career, I wasn't focused on developing a closed-loop technology per se," Dinsmoor said. "For me, it was always about acquiring and measuring these signals from the body. That's the part that I always found the most interesting and still do."? Building circuits, building a career?? When Dinsmoor was an undergraduate biomedical engineering student at Case Western Reserve University, he took a class from Professor Thomas Mortimer, one of the early pioneers of spinal cord stimulation. It was Mortimer who helped David get an internship in the Cardiac Rhythm Management business at Medtronic.?? "During my internship, I felt that if someone had asked me to build a pacemaker, I couldn't have done it," David said. "I felt like I needed more education to do the work I was interested in doing."?? So Dinsmoor went back to school, studying electrical engineering at Stanford University. When he returned to Medtronic a few years later, he put those skills to use building circuits used in several of our devices. But he couldn't envision that work sustaining his interests forever.?? Enter the worms.?? Less overstimulation, more consistent therapy? Spinal cord stimulators deliver mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord, which disrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. While the technology has undoubtedly improved the lives of thousands of patients through the years, it does have some limitations. As patients go about their daily lives, certain movements and activities may result in overstimulation.? We needed a way to deliver SCS therapy that accounted for patients' movements. The solution: build a system that could detect movements in real-time and adjusts the stimulation within physician programmed levels.??? Dinsmoor studied the worms' biological response to stimulation by measuring what is known as "evoked compound action potentials", or ECAPs. Dinsmoor knew that if we could accurately capture and measure ECAPs, it would help us build a closed-loop algorithm for SCS therapy.???? However, measuring ECAPS can be difficult because their signals are quite low. In fact, some engineers have equated measuring ECAPS with trying to hear a whisper during a rock concert. Ultimately, Dinsmoor prevailed and built a circuit that could dampen the noise that was interfering with measuring the signals.?? Building InceptivTM SCS?? Encouraged by former Medtronic CEO Omar Ishrak, Dinsmoor started measuring ECAPs in patients and advanced our efforts to create the closed-loop, rechargeable spinal cord stimulation system.?? Not only did Dinsmoor drive our preclinical work, but he also played a major role in designing and building InceptivTM, putting his chip design and circuit-building skills to good use.?? InceptivTM is now approved for use in the United States and already helping patients with chronic pain, but for Dinsmoor, the research isn't over. He continues his work with ECAPs and hopes to study how common pain medications impact the signals.??? "With InceptivTM, it wasn't just about measuring these signals," Dinsmoor said. "It was about taking that and turning it into a therapeutic benefit."? Inceptiv View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Medtronic on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Medtronic Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/medtronic Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Medtronic View the original press release on accesswire.com Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - Rumbu Holdings Ltd. (TSXV: RMB) ("Rumbu" or the "Company"), announces that it has completed a transaction to acquire Northern Funeral Service Ltd. ("Northern") also known as MacKenzie Funeral Chapel, located in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (the "Transaction"). In the Transaction, Rumbu purchased all of the issued shares of Northern held by the Vendors utilizing funds from the previously announced lending facility of the Company with the Bank of Montreal and through the issuance of Promissory Notes to the Vendors in the amount of $300,000 CDN. The Promissory Notes bear interest at the annual rate of 4% and the Notes are repayable in five (5) years from the Closing Date of the Transaction. Rumbu has retained most of the current staff of Northern and will continue to operate the funeral home and business acquired. The acquisition supports Rumbu's commitment to acquiring, partnering, managing and operating funeral homes, crematoriums and aquation facilities in Western Canada. With the aging ownership in the funeral service business, Rumbu plans to lead the way in assisting funeral home owners to transition their businesses to current employees or aspiring funeral directors who are looking to operate in rural or mid market communities. This will allow Rumbu to maintain continuity and continue to provide quality funeral services in these communities. Daryl Lockyer, the President of Rumbu said: "We are very pleased with the progress the Company has made in acquiring funeral homes and creating partnerships with funeral home directors in Western Canada." About Rumbu Rumbu is a publicly traded Funeral Service, Memorial and Death Care Company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol RMB. The Company operates in the funeral home business in Western Canada and provides funeral and cremation related services to the public in its market area. Rumbu will provide a vehicle to expand its funeral home business in Western Canada through the acquisition of additional funeral homes and partnering with owners of funeral homes. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information concerning this press release, please contact: Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward- looking statements. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company. The forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218315 SOURCE: Rumbu Holdings Ltd. Tablas Ventures Corp. (TSXV:TAB.H) ("Tablas" or the "Company") announces that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement, in which it raised gross proceeds of $250,000. This placement consisted of 5,000,000 common shares of the Company at a price of five cents per common shares (the "Financing"). All common shares issued in connection with the Financing are subject to a hold period expiring December 01, 2024. No finder's fees were payable in connection with the Financing. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Financing for general working capital purposes. Subsequent to the Financing, the Company has 8,560,598 common shares issued and outstanding. Early Warning Disclosure Prior to closing of the Financing, The Emprise Special Opportunities Fund (2017) Limited Partnership ("LP2017"), of Vancouver, British Columbia, owned and controlled 75,846 Common Shares, representing approximately 2.13% of the outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis. Pursuant to the Financing, LP2017 acquired 3,600,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.05 per Common Share, representing approximately 42.05% of the outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis. Following closing of the Financing, LP2017 owns and controls 3,675,846 Common Shares, representing approximately 42.94% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis. Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company after reasonable inquiry, LP2017, have knowledge of any material information concerning the Company or its securities which has not been generally disclosed. The Company has been advised that the securities noted above were acquired by LP2017 for investment purposes, and LP2017 does not have any present intention to acquire further securities of the Company, although it may, in the future, acquire or dispose of securities of the Company through the market or otherwise, as circumstances or market conditions warrant. To obtain a copy of the early warning report filed under applicable Canadian provincial securities legislation, please go to the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or please reach out to Scott Ackerman at 778-331-8505. Sale of Sparx Technology Corp. Further to the Company's new release dated July 12, 2024, announcing the sale of its primary operating subsidiary, iPowow USA Inc., the Company also announces that it has completed the sale of its Canadian subsidiary, Sparx Technology Corp. ("Subco") to companies controlled by former directors Drew Craig and Brian Brady. Subco has no current operations. In consideration for the transaction the Company was forgiven all debt owed to the purchasers. The transaction was approved by the Company's non-interested shareholders at its shareholders meeting held on May 31, 2024. Management Changes The Company further announces that Scott Ackerman, Doug McFaul, and Peter Dickie have been appointed as directors of the Company, replacing Drew Craig, Brian Brady, and Andy Batkin, who have resigned as directors of the Company. In addition, Scott Ackerman has been appointed CEO, CFO and Corporate Secretary, replacing Al Thorgeirson and Spencer Trentini, who have resigned as officers of the Company. The Company wishes to thank the outgoing directors and officers for their service to the Company. Grant of Options The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 850,000 incentive stock options to directors and a consultant of the Company. The options have an exercise price of $0.05 per share and expire on July 31, 2029. The Company currently does not have an active business and will be seeking a new business opportunity, with a view to graduating back to the main board of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). Effective at the opening of trading on Friday, August 2, 2024, shares of the Company will resume trading on the NEX Board of the Exchange. On behalf of the Board Scott Ackerman CEO and Director For further information, please contact: Scott Ackerman CEO and Director (778) 331-8508 sackerman@emprisecapital.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements Statements included in this news release, including statements concerning the Company's plans, intentions, and expectations, which are not historical in nature, are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements may be, but are not always, identified by words including "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "expects" and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, and related matters, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement will prove to be accurate or that management's assumptions underlying such statements, including assumptions concerning the Company, or future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking information included herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Tablas Ventures Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Regulatory News: Tikehau Capital (Paris:TKO) cancelled today 945,076 treasury shares, representing 0.54% of the share capital, in accordance with the authorization granted by the General Meeting of 6 May 2024 in its 29th resolution. The share capital now amounts to 2,102,974,080 euros divided into 175,247,840 shares and the number of exercisable voting rights amounts to 172,007,603. Following this cancellation of shares, Tikehau Capital directly owns 3,240,237 of its own shares (1.85% of the share capital). The 945,076 cancelled shares were allocated to the cancellation. All the cancelled shares were repurchased under Tikehau Capital's share buyback programme pursuant to the authorisation given by the General Meeting of 19 May 2022, in its 17th resolution, and by the General Meeting of 16 May 2023, in its 11th resolution. A description of the share buyback programme (published in paragraph 8.3.4 of the Tikehau Capital Universal Registration Document filed with the French financial markets authority on 21 March 2024 under number D. 24-0146) is available on the company's website in the Regulated Information section (https://www.tikehaucapital.com/en/shareholders/regulated-information). ABOUT TIKEHAU CAPITAL Tikehau Capital is a global alternative asset management Group with 46.1 billion of assets under management (at 30 June 2024). Tikehau Capital has developed a wide range of expertise across four asset classes (private debt, real assets, private equity and capital markets strategies) as well as multi-asset and special opportunities strategies. Tikehau Capital is a founder-led team with a differentiated business model, a strong balance sheet, proprietary global deal flow and a track record of backing high quality companies and executives. Deeply rooted in the real economy, Tikehau Capital provides bespoke and innovative alternative financing solutions to companies it invests in and seeks to create long-term value for its investors, while generating positive impacts on society. Leveraging its strong equity base (3.1 billion of shareholders' equity at 30 June 2024), the Group invests its own capital alongside its investor-clients within each of its strategies. Controlled by its managers alongside leading institutional partners, Tikehau Capital is guided by a strong entrepreneurial spirit and DNA, shared by its 763 employees (at 30 June 2024) across its 16 offices in Europe, Middle East, Asia and North America. Tikehau Capital is listed in compartment A of the regulated Euronext Paris market (ISIN code: FR0013230612; Ticker: TKO.FP). For more information, please visit: www.tikehaucapital.com. DISCLAIMER This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale or investment advisory services. It contains general information only and is not intended to provide general or specific investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future earnings and profit, and targets are not guaranteed. Certain statements and forecasted data are based on current forecasts, prevailing market and economic conditions, estimates, projections and opinions of Tikehau Capital and/or its affiliates. Due to various risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those reflected or expected in such forward-looking statements or in any of the case studies or forecasts. All references to Tikehau Capital's advisory activities in the US or with respect to US persons relate to Tikehau Capital North America. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731348031/en/ Contacts: PRESS: Tikehau Capital: Valerie Sueur +33 1 40 06 39 30 UK Prosek Partners: Philip Walters +44 (0) 7773 331 589 USA Prosek Partners: Trevor Gibbons +1 646 818 9238 press@tikehaucapital.com SHAREHOLDERS AND INVESTORS: Louis Igonet +33 1 40 06 11 11 Theodora Xu +33 1 40 06 18 56 shareholders@tikehaucapital.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - Anton Novak Alter Ego Trust (the "Trust") and Anton Novak ("Novak" and together with the Trust the "Novak Parties") announce today, that effective July 26, 2024 the Trust acquired 2,500,000 common shares (each, a "Share") and 2,500,000 common share purchase warrants (each, a "Warrant" and together with the acquired Shares the "Securities") of EnGold Mines Ltd. (the "Company") as a result of the subscription for 2,500,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.08 per Unit, being a total purchase price of $200,000 in aggregate. Each Unit consisted of one Share and one Warrant, with each Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Share at a price of $0.10 per Share for a period of two years. Novak is the sole trustee and beneficiary of the Trust. The Securities were acquired from treasury pursuant to a non-brokered private placement of the Company (the "Offering") and the Trust acquired them for investment purposes. Prior to the Offering the Novak Parties beneficially owned or exercised control or direction over 14,184,005 Shares and 2,000,000 warrants, representing approximately 38.14% of the issued and outstanding voting securities of the Company on a non-diluted basis and 41.3% of the issued and outstanding securities of the Company, assuming exercise of the 2,000,000 warrants held by the Novak Parties. Following the acquisition of the Shares and Warrants, the Novak Parties beneficially own or exercise control or direction over 16,684,005 Shares and 4,500,000 warrants (including the Warrants), representing approximately 40.51% of the issued and outstanding voting securities of the Company on a non-diluted basis and 45.37% of the issued and outstanding securities of the Company, assuming exercise of the 4,500,000 warrants held by the Novak Parties. The Novak Parties intend to evaluate their investment in the Issuer and to increase or decrease their security holdings from time to time as it may determine appropriate for investment purposes. Other than as herein disclosed, the Novak Parties do not have any plans that would result in any of the following: (a) the acquisition of additional securities of the Company, or the disposition of securities of the Company; (b) a corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (c) a sale or transfer of a material amount of the assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (d) a change in the board of directors or management of the Company, including any plans or intentions to change the number or term of directors or to fill any existing vacancy on the board; (e) a material change in the present capitalization or dividend policy of the Company; (f) a material change in the Company's business or corporate structure; (g) a change in the Company's charter, bylaws or similar instruments or another action which might impede the acquisition of control of the Company by any person or company; (h) a class of securities of the Company being delisted from, or ceasing to be authorized to be quoted on, a marketplace; (i) the Company ceasing to be a reporting issuer in any jurisdiction of Canada; (j) a solicitation of proxies from securityholders of the Company; or an action similar to any of those enumerated above. The Novak Parties may change their plans and intentions at any time or from time to time, as they deem appropriate. This news release is issued pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues ("NI 62-103") of the Canadian Securities Administrators in connection with the acquisition of the Shares and Warrants by the Trust, which also requires an early warning report to be filed with the applicable securities regulators containing additional information with respect to the foregoing matters. A copy of the early warning report of the Novak Parties will be available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. A copy of the early warning report can also be obtained by contacting David Brett (President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company) at 604 682-2421. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218411 SOURCE: Anton Novak Odyssey Semiconductor Technologies, Inc. (OTC:ODII) ( "Odyssey" or the "Company"), today announced updated timelines for its plan to complete its dissolution and liquidation pursuant to its Plan of Dissolution, as approved by the stockholders at a special meeting (the "Special Meeting") on June 3, 2024, following the closing of the sale of substantially all of its asset to Power Integration, Inc. on July 1, 2024. Following the completion of relevant statutory and regulatory procedures, the Company also intends declare a liquidating cash distribution, subject to payments of any claims and obligations of the Company. Dissolution Timeline As required by Rule 6490 of the Uniform Practice Code of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Company shall notify FINRA at least 10 days before the effective date of a corporate action. The Company intends to set August 19, 2024 (or such later date that FINRA completes processing of our corporate action) as the final record date (the "Final Record Date") for its dissolution and intends to promptly notify FINRA within this week. Under the proposed timeline, we shall file the certificate of dissolution with the State of Delaware on the Final Record Date. Following the processing of the corporate action by FINRA on or around the Final Record Date, we expect that FINRA shall remove the quotation of our common stock on the OTC Expert Market. We will also close our stock transfer book on the Final Record Date, meaning that the recording of transfers of our common stock shall be discontinued. Thereafter, certificates representing shares of our common stock will not be assignable or transferable on our books except by will, intestate succession or operation of law, and we will not issue any new stock certificates. Immediately after the Final Record Date, as provided under the Plan of Dissolution, the Company shall cease business operations immediately and the Board intends to follow the procedures set forth under Sections 280 and 281(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) to complete the liquidation process. Under Delaware law, following the Final Record Date, we shall mail a notice of dissolution to known claimants and holders of contingent contractual claims of the Company, if any, and publish in a major newspaper in Ithaca, New York, and New Castle County, Delaware, respectively, for two consecutive weeks, to provide notice to any other potential claimants to present any claims within a 60-day window, after which the Company shall have up to 90 days to accept or reject any claims received during the period. After all known and presented claims are properly accepted or rejected, the Company shall pay such uncontested, fixed claims or obligations to such parties or as may be agreed upon between the Company and the claimant, file an action in the Delaware Court of Chancery for the court to determine an amount of security that the Company shall be required to set aside for any potential claims that may arise. Liquidating Cash Distribution Following this process, we are required to wait a minimum of 150 days after the date of last rejection to initiate any distribution of a dividend to shareholders. Following this process, to the extent that any assets remain, the Company intends to declare a liquidating cash distribution. As of July 31, 2024, the Company has approximately $1,673,804 in its bank account, and has known liabilities and planned expenditures of approximately $150,000. The Company also has 14,600,881 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of the date hereof. However, we are unable to predict the amount or range of the liquidating cash distribution, if any, as such amount can only be determined at the Board's discretion after the payment of uncontested claims or obligations and determination by the court of adequate security for any contingent or unliquidated claims. Any distributions made by us will be made solely to the stockholders of record at the close of business on the Final Record Date, except as may be necessary to reflect subsequent transfers recorded on our books as a result of any assignments by will, intestate succession or operation of law. In addition, based on the Company estimate, the Company is expected to distribute the liquidating cash distribution between March and June 2025. However, we are currently unable to predict the precise timing of any such liquidating distributions or whether any liquidating distributions will occur at all. The timing of any such liquidating distributions will depend on and could be delayed by, among other things including by claim settlements with any creditors and the amount of any security required to be posted by the Delaware Court of Chancery. Additionally, any creditor could seek to require the posting of security, or larger security, for the payment of any contingent or unliquidated claims that may exist as of the time of dissolution. Any action of this type could delay or substantially diminish the amount available for such distribution to our stockholders. Pursuant to Delaware law, the Company will continue to exist for three years after the dissolution or for such longer period as the Delaware Court of Chancery shall direct, or as may be required to resolve any pending claim or litigation matters, for the purpose of prosecuting and defending suits against us and enabling us to gradually close our business, to dispose of the Company's assets, to discharge our liabilities (including posting of any security), and to distribute any remaining assets to stockholders the company. As provided by the Plan of Dissolution, the Board may at any time turn management of the dissolution process over to a third party to complete the liquidation of our remaining assets and distribute the available proceeds to our stockholders. In addition, a number of our directors may resign from the Odyssey Board prior to or in connection with the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution. If management is turned over to a third party and all of our directors resign from the Odyssey Board, the third party would have sole control over the liquidation process, including the sale or distribution of any remaining assets. About Odyssey Semiconductor Technologies, Inc. Odyssey Semiconductor Technologies, Inc. was a semiconductor device company developing innovative high-voltage power switching components based on proprietary gallium nitride ("GaN") processing technology. The company recently completed the sale of substantially all of its assets to Power Integration, Inc., ("Power Integration") on July 1, 2024. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, forecasts, representations and contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "plan," "forecast", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue" and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties described more fully in the Company's filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated include, without limitation, risks relating to the results of our research and development activities, including uncertainties relating to semiconductor process manufacturing; the early stage of our GaN-based technology presently under development; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights that are valuable to our business, including patent and other intellectual property rights; our ability to successfully market and sell our technologies; the ability to achieve high volume manufacturing and the size and growth of the potential markets for any of our technologies, the rate and degree of market acceptance of any of our technologies and our ability to raise funding to support operations and the continued development and qualification of our technology. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements regarding future events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly or privately any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations. Important Additional Information and Where to Find It This press release is being issued in connection with the approval by the Company's Shareholders of the Asset Sale and liquidating distribution of the Company at a meeting of the Shareholders held on June 3, 2024. A copy of this Press Release will be filed with the Securities Exchange Commission as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K, copies of which may be obtained free of charge at www.sec.gov. Contact Rick Brown, CEO Rick.Brown@odysseysemi.com 607-351-9768 SOURCE: Odyssey Semiconductor Technologies, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com State-of-the-art production facility starts operations in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, after 18 months of construction Home appliance manufacturer produces large double-door refrigerators for the North American market BSH is investing around 220 million euros and plans to create around 1,500 skilled jobs in the region with the factory Europe's leading home appliance manufacturer, BSH Hausgerate GmbH, is expanding its global production network and will be manufacturing in Mexico into the future. In Monterrey, in the state of Nuevo Leon, large double-door, so-called French Door Bottom Mount refrigerators are now coming off the production line. The appliances produced under the Bosch and Thermador brands are specially tailored to the needs of consumers in the North American market. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731426050/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) With its first factory in Mexico, BSH is setting an important milestone for its strategic growth plans on the North American continent. The appliances will be produced in Monterrey and delivered from there primarily to the United States and Canada. The factory's capacity is designed for further growth. In a first step, BSH intends to create around 1,500 qualified jobs with the factory, thus contributing to growth in the region. "Our first home appliance factory in Mexico is an important strategic milestone for us to strengthen our market position in North America and generate further growth. We want to continue to be the first choice of consumers in the luxury and premium segments in the future. The location in Mexico offers us the ideal conditions and framework for the production of innovative and high-performance refrigerators that are specially tailored to the needs of our North American consumers," explains Dr. Matthias Metz, CEO of BSH Hausgerate GmbH. The factory has state-of-the-art production processes and is designed according to demanding sustainability criteria. BSH is making an active contribution to the responsible use of resources. For example, all the energy required for factory operations and appliance production is generated by the company's own photovoltaic systems. In addition, special systems will ensure that water is used in a way that conserves resources. Like all other development and production sites worldwide, BSH will operate the site in a carbon-neutral manner. With its Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau brands, BSH is one of the leading suppliers in the premium and luxury segments in the North American market. The company manufactures and markets small and major home appliances from dishwashers, ranges, ovens, cooktops to fully automatic espresso machines and more. About BSH Home Appliances Corporation BSH Home Appliances Corporation produces and markets small and major home appliances that are known across North America for their high-quality and superior innovation. The company sells its Gaggenau, Thermador and Bosch branded products throughout North America, through distributors, independent appliance dealers, national and regional retailers, builders and large buying groups. BSH Home Appliances Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of BSH Hausgerate GmbH, a global leader in the home appliance industry. Manufacturing facilities are located in New Bern, North Carolina, LaFollette, Tennessee and Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. BSH Technology and Development Centers are located in Caryville, Tennessee and New Bern, North Carolina. https://www.bsh-group.com/us About BSH BSH Hausgerate GmbH, with a total turnover of some EUR 14.8 billion and 60,000 employees in 2023, is a global leader in the home appliance industry. The company's brand portfolio includes twelve well-known appliance brands like Bosch, Siemens, Gaggenau and Neff as well as the ecosystem brand Home Connect and service brands like Kitchen Stories. BSH produces at 38 factories and is represented in some 50 countries. BSH is a Bosch Group company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731426050/en/ Contacts: BSH Home Appliances Corporation Region North America Andrew de Lara Phone: +1 949 525 3893 E-mail: andrew.delara@bshg.com Kidoz Inc. (TSXV:KIDZ) (the "Company"), mobile AdTech developer and owner of the market-leading Kidoz Contextual Ad Network (www.kidoz.net), the Kidoz Publisher SDK and the Kidoz COPPA Privacy Shield, today announced its strong support for COPPA 2.0, the updated Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. The US Senate on Tuesday approved with overwhelming bi-partisan approval important children's online safety bills. The new regulations, which aim to protect children's privacy and online safety, present significant growth opportunities for Kidoz and its partners. See the NBC coverage of the "most significant child online safety bills in decades": https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-poised-pass-significant-child-online-safety-bills-decades-rcna164259 COPPA 2.0's prohibition of targeted advertising for users under 17 creates a level playing field for child-friendly ad platforms like Kidoz. By focusing on contextual advertising, which delivers ads based on the content of the app or website rather than personal data, Kidoz has always prioritized child safety and privacy. "We applaud the US government's efforts to protect children online," said Jason Williams, CEO of Kidoz. "COPPA 2.0 reinforces our commitment to providing a safe and engaging advertising environment for kids. As a leader in contextual advertising, Kidoz is uniquely positioned to help app developers and publishers navigate the new regulatory landscape while continuing to generate revenue." With COPPA 2.0 significantly limiting the ability of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to target ads at teenagers, advertisers will find it increasingly challenging to reach and effectively engage this valuable demographic. This shift will require game app developers to seek safe monetization strategies. Kidoz offers a proven solution by providing a safe and effective advertising platform for this lucrative audience. Kidoz's advanced technology and deep understanding of child-friendly content enables the company to deliver highly relevant and age-appropriate ads without compromising children's privacy. By partnering with Kidoz, app developers and publishers can confidently comply with COPPA 2.0 while maintaining strong advertising revenue streams. For full details of the Company's operations and financial results, please refer to the Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov or the Kidoz Inc. corporate website at https://investor.kidoz.net or on the https://www.sedarplus.com website. About Kidoz Inc. Kidoz Inc. (TSXV:KIDZ) (www.kidoz.net) mission is to keep children safe in the complex digital advertising ecosystem. Kidoz has built the leading COPPA & GDPR compliant contextual mobile advertising network that safely reaches hundreds of millions of kids, teens, and families every month. Google certified, and Apple approved, Kidoz provides an essential suite of advertising technology that unites brands, content publishers and families. Trusted by Mattel, LEGO, Disney, Kraft, and more, the Kidoz Contextual Ad Network helps the world's largest brands to safely reach and engage kids across thousands of mobile apps, websites and video channels. The Kidoz network does not use location or PII data tracking commonly used in digital advertising. Instead, Kidoz has developed advanced contextual targeting tools to enable brands to reach their ideal customers with complete brand safety. A focused AdTech solution provider, the Kidoz SDK and Kidoz COPPA Shield have become essential products in the digital advertising ecosystem. Prado Inc. (www.prado.co), a separate but fully owned subsidiary of Kidoz Inc., is based on the Kidoz technology and provides a mobile SSP (Supply-side Platform), DSP (Demand-side Platform) and Ad Exchange platform to brand advertisers across a variety of industries. Employing a contextual targeting approach within the in-app universe, Prado can achieve high impact results for brand partners within this powerful media inventory. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the company) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to anticipated future success of the company. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the company. For a description of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, readers should read the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the SEC and the Annual Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis filed on SEDAR on April 25, 2024, and the prospectus filed under Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act on March 9, 2005 and the SB2 filed July 17, 2007, and the TSX Venture Exchange Listing Application for Common Shares filed on June 29, 2015 on SEDAR, for a more thorough discussion of the Company's financial position and results of operations, together with a detailed discussion of the risk factors involved in an investment in Kidoz Inc. For more information contact: Henry Bromley CFO ir@kidoz.net (888) 374-2163 SOURCE: Kidoz Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Kunstliche Intelligenz hat spatestens nach dem Raketenstart von Chat GPT das Leben aller verandert. Doch der Superzyklus steht nach Meinungen von Experten erst am Anfang. Wahrend Aktien wie Nvidia von der ersten Aufwartsentwicklung stark profitieren konnten, versprechen aussichtsreiche Player aus der zweiten Reihe noch enormes Aufwartspotenzial. Im kostenlosen, exklusiven Spezialreport prasentieren wir ihnen 5 innovative KI-Unternehmen, die bahnbrechende Entwicklungen in diesem Sektor pragen konnten. Warum sollten Sie dabei sein? Trotz der jungsten Erfolge steht die Entwicklung der kunstlichen Intelligenz noch am Beginn eines neuen Superzyklus. Experten gehen davon aus, dass der Sektor bis 2032 global auf 1,3 Billionen US-Dollar explodieren wird, wobei ein groer Teil auf Hardware und Infrastruktur entfallen wird. Nutzen Sie die Chance! Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 5 KI-Aktien das grote Potenzial zur Vervielfachung besitzen. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen die aussichtsreichsten Investments im KI-Sektor. Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report! Kupfer wird oft als das Gold der Energiewende bezeichnet, weil es aufgrund seiner hervorragenden elektrischen Leitfahigkeit eine zentrale Rolle in vielen Technologien spielt, die fur nachhaltige Energiesysteme entscheidend sind. Experten gehen aufgrund der Angebotsknappheit von einem Superzyklus aus. Korrektur als Einstiegschance Nach Hochststanden im Mai korrigierte das rote Metall stark. Die Abwartsspirale verstarkte sich in den vergangenen Tagen aufgrund schwacher Konjunkturdaten aus den USA und China. Langfristig konnte sich die aktuell laufende Korrektur als exzellente Einstiegsmoglichkeit herausstellen. 3 Kupferaktien mit hohem Potential Im neuen, kostenlosen Spezialreport stellen wir drei aussichtsreiche Unternehmen vor, die bei einem weiteren Anstieg uberproportional profitieren konnten. Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report! The abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds (NYSE:ASGI)(NYSE:THQ)(NYSE:THW), (the "Funds" or individually the "Fund"), today announced that the Funds paid the distributions noted in the table below on July 31, 2024, on a per share basis to all shareholders of record as of July 24, 2024 (ex-dividend date July 24, 2024). Ticker Exchange Fund Amount ASGI NYSE abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund $0.2000 THQ NYSE abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund $0.1800 THW NYSE abrdn World Healthcare Fund $0.1167 Each Fund has adopted a distribution policy to provide investors with a stable distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital. Under applicable U.S. tax rules, the amount and character of distributable income for each Fund's fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related rules, the Funds may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders. The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions paid this month as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies. The Funds' estimated sources of the current distribution paid this month and for its current fiscal year to date are as follows: Estimated Amounts of Current Distribution per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.2000 $0.0320 16% - - $0.1180 59% $0.0500 25% THQ $0.1800 - - $0.0306 17% $0.0702 39% $0.0792 44% THW $0.1167 - - $0.0058 5% $0.0047 4% $0.1062 91% Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year* to Date Cumulative Distributions per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains ** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $ 1.5800 $0.2528 16% - - $0.9322 59% $0.3950 25% THQ $ 1.5300 - - $0.2601 17% $0.5967 39% $0.6732 44% THW $1.1670 - - $0.0584 5% $0.0467 4% $1.0619 91% * ASGI, THQ and THW have a 9/30 fiscal year end. **includes currency gains Where the estimated amounts above show a portion of the distribution to be a "Return of Capital," it means that Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all the money that you invested in a Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The following tables provide the Funds' total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Funds' annualized and cumulative distribution rates. Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 06/30/2024 Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV ASGI 7.53%3 10.17% 11.77% 6.98% THQ 9.91% 8.68% 16.04% 6.20% THW 8.42% 11.30% 15.26% 8.48% 1 Return data is net of all Fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. 2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of June 30, 2024. 3 The Fund launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented reflects data from inception (July 29, 2020) through June 30, 2024. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy"). While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market. Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Funds during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Funds, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received. The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. Each Fund's Board has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state, and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances. Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. In the United States, abrdn is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., abrdn Investments Limited, abrdn Asia Limited and abrdn ETFs Advisors LLC. Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results. abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter ### For More Information Contact: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds Investor Relations 1-800-522-5465 Investor.Relations@abrdn.com SOURCE: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - UGE International Ltd. (TSXV: UGE) (OTCQB: UGEIF) (the "Company" or "UGE") is pleased to announce that the shareholders of the Company (the "Shareholders"), holders of the Company's compensation warrants (the "Warrantholders"), and holders of the Company's convertible debentures (the "Debentureholders", and collectively with the Shareholders and Warrantholders, the "Securityholders") have approved the proposed plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") involving 1000896425 Ontario Ltd., an affiliate of NOVA Infrastructure Fund II, LP, at the annual general and special meeting of Shareholders and special meeting of Securityholders (the "Meeting") held earlier today. The special resolution approving the Arrangement (the "Arrangement Resolution") was approved at the Meeting by 99.747% of the votes cast by Securityholders present or represented by proxy at the Meeting. To be effective, the Arrangement Resolution required the affirmative vote of at (a) at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting; (b) at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the Securityholders, voting together as a single class present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting (with the Warrantholders and Debentureholders voting on an as-converted basis) and (c) a simple majority of the votes cast by the Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting, other than the Rolling Shareholders (defined below) and any other person required to be excluded for the purpose of such vote under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions. The Rolling Shareholders consist of certain management representatives and shareholders of the Company that will receive consideration other than the all-cash consideration payable pursuant to the Arrangement. Additional details of the voting results will be included in a report of voting results to be filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under UGE's issuer profile. The Arrangement is expected to become effective on or about August 8, 2024, subject to, among other things, UGE obtaining a final order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) in respect of the Arrangement and the satisfaction or waiver of certain other customary closing conditions. It is expected that shortly after completion of the Arrangement, the common shares of the Company will be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V"). Additional details about the Arrangement and the Arrangement Resolution can be found in the management information circular of UGE dated June 28, 2024, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under UGE's issuer profile. About UGE International Ltd. UGE develops, owns, and operates community and commercial solar & battery storage projects. Our distributed energy solutions provide cheaper, cleaner energy to businesses and households throughout the United States. With over 500 megawatts of project experience, UGE is working daily to make renewable energy accessible and affordable for all. Visit us at www.ugei.com. For more information, contact UGE: About NOVA Infrastructure Founded in 2018, NOVA Infrastructure (http://www.novainfra.com ) is a value-added, middle market infrastructure investment firm focused on North America. NOVA seeks to make investments that pair the downside protection features of the infrastructure asset class with operationally focused, value-added upside strategies. NOVA targets investments in environmental services, transportation, energy / energy transition, and digital sectors. Ellen DeGiusti - edegiusti@sloanepr.com Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information Certain statements made herein, including statements relating to matters that are not historical facts and statements of the Company's beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance, reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events and is typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "likely", "may", "plan", "seek", "should", "will" and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking information and statements include, but are not limited to, information and statements regarding the timing and ability of UGE to implement the Arrangement (if at all); the timing and ability of UGE to obtain the final order (if at all); the ability of UGE and 1000896425 Ontario Ltd. to satisfy the conditions precedent to the completion of the Arrangement (if at all); and the timing to delist the common shares of UGE (if at all). Forward-looking information is based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such information. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate. Such information is based on numerous assumptions, including assumptions regarding the ability to complete the Arrangement on the contemplated terms or at all, that the conditions precedent to closing of the Arrangement can be satisfied, and assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, local and global economic conditions, and the environment in which the Company operates. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking information in this news release is based on information and assumptions that are current, reasonable and complete, this information is by its nature subject to a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's expectations and plans as set forth in such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the following factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict: (a) the possibility that the Arrangement will not be completed on the terms and conditions, or on the timing, currently contemplated, and that it may not be completed at all due to a failure to obtain or satisfy, in a timely manner or otherwise, required shareholder and court approvals or satisfy other conditions of closing necessary to complete the Arrangement or for other reasons; (b) the possibility of adverse reactions or changes in business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Arrangement; (c) risks relating to the retention of key personnel during the interim period; (d) the possibility of litigation relating to the Arrangement; (e) risks related to the diversion of management's attention from the Company's ongoing business operations; (f) risks relating to the ability of 1000896425 Ontario Ltd. to complete the Arrangement; and (g) other risks inherent to the Company's business and/or factors beyond its control which could have a material adverse effect on the Company or the ability to consummate the Arrangement. The Company cautions that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all possible factors that could impact the Company's results. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes will not occur. Events or circumstances could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, this forward-looking information. Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events and should not rely on the Company's forward-looking information to make decisions with respect to the Company. Furthermore, the forward-looking information contained herein are made as of the date of this document and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or to revise any of the included forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. All forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218436 SOURCE: UGE International Ltd. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - Aion Therapeutic Inc. (CSE: AION) ("Aion Therapeutic" or the "Company"), through its water filtration subsidiary, Toppen Health, Inc. ("Toppen"), is excited to announce that it has entered into a license agreement (the "License Agreement") with I2Pure Corp. ("I2Pure") for the worldwide rights to its patented molecular iodine for use in water disinfection applications, enhancing Toppen's advanced water filtration systems. I2Pure is a healthcare technology company focused on leveraging the natural antimicrobial power of molecular iodine to fight pathogens and reduce infection risks. "I've been intrigued by the potential use of iodine's natural antimicrobial capabilities in water disinfection for many years," says Owen Boyd, CEO of Toppen. "This license agreement has made that potential a reality. We can now talk about previously unattainable filtration goals. Our unique filter design will remove pathogens from any water source while continually releasing I2Pure's molecular iodine to protect water lines from biofilm and pathogens, greatly enhancing our ability to filter and disinfect water from any source." Toppen filters have an outer filtration layer that pre-treats the water, removing contaminants. Its patented Center Core technology then allows for a slow-release of disinfectant material, in this case molecular iodine, ensuring the right amount of disinfectant is effectively and safely added to the water. The result of this process is water that is virtually 100% clean of any bacteria, pathogens, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance ("PFAS" or "forever chemicals"), and pharmaceuticals. "Millions of dollars are spent every year in the dental and healthcare industries, testing and shocking water lines, which still has an unsatisfactory rate of success," Mr. Boyd adds. "I2Pure has been a tremendous partner in helping us to realize our vision for improved water safety. Their scientific team exceeded our expectations for delivery of slow-release iodine that incorporates seamlessly into our Center Core filtration devices. Toppen's advanced water filtration solutions, combined with I2Pure's molecular iodine, can facilitate ion exchange, sorbent, and membrane filtration, along with many other types of media for separation, ultimately ensuring we can remove or neutralize any and all contaminants in any water supply effectively and affordably, without any guesswork." Pursuant to the License Agreement, Toppen received a four-year exclusive worldwide license to use I2Pure's patented molecular iodine in its water filtration systems in exchange for: (i) a cash payment of USD $250,000; and (ii) an aggregate of USD $1,000,000 payable in common shares of Aion Therapeutic (the "Share Payment"). The Share Payment shall be payable in two tranches of USD $500,000, with the first tranche equal to CDN $680,000 to be settled immediately at a deemed price of $0.05 per common share for an aggregate of 13,600,000 common shares of Aion Therapeutic and the second tranche to be settled on the one year anniversary of the License Agreement at a common share price equal to the 20-day volume weighted average price (VWAP) of Aion or the minimum acceptable issuance price as deemed by the Canadian Securities Exchange at such time. The Share Payment will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, including other resale restrictions that are applicable under U.S. securities laws. Furthermore, commencing on the one-year anniversary of the License Agreement, Toppen will pay to I2Pure a royalty fee of six percent of the aggregate value of all transactions that utilize I2Pure's licensed technologies. The License Agreement also provides Toppen with the ability to perform additional research and development on the technology and explore further applications when it comes to water filtration. The License Agreement was entered into on February 20, 2024, but the conditions relating to the commencement of the License Agreement were not satisfied until July 28, 2024. The License Agreement has a term of four years, and automatically renews for successive terms of one year each, unless one of the parties gives written notice to the other party not less than ninety days prior to the end of an extension term that it does not wish for the License Agreement to renew. The License Agreement may be terminated by the parties prior to the conclusion of the term with thirty days' notice upon any of the following events: (i) one of the parties is in breach and fails to cure the breach within thirty days of notice; (ii) one of the parties breaches the Agreement three times within twelve months; (iii) the failure of Toppen to meet certain minimum sales requirements by the second anniversary of the License Agreement; (iv) mutual agreement; and (v) either party entering into bankruptcy proceedings. About Aion Therapeutic Inc. Aion Therapeutic is a forward-thinking business within the health and wellness sector with a diverse portfolio of intellectual property. With a commitment to innovation and transformative solutions, the Company is poised to drive positive change to redefine the boundaries of health and wellness. Toppen, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aion Therapeutic, is a US-based health and wellness company dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art water filtration solutions. With a focus on innovation, affordability, and sustainability, Toppen's water filtration solutions are designed to meet the diverse needs of consumers, businesses, and industries around the world as they strive to provide access to clean and safe water. DISCLAIMER & READER ADVISORY This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Expressions such as "anticipates", "expects", "believes", "estimates", "could", "intends", "may", "plans", "predicts", "projects", "will", "would" and other similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, are generally indicative of forward-looking information. Forward looking statements in this press release include statements regarding: Aion Therapeutic and Toppen's business, business goals and management's expectation on the growth and performance of its business, the License Agreement, including the benefits of the License Agreement and future sales thereunder; and the efficacy and monetization of I2Pure's molecular iodine product. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, such as, without limitation, the risk that the parties will be unable to receive, in a timely manner, the necessary, regulatory and other third party approvals and the risk that Toppen will be unable to monetize I2Pure's molecular iodine product and meet certain minimum sales requirements under the License Agreement. In addition, the forward- looking information contained in this release is based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as it is inherently uncertain, and no assurance can be given that the expectations reflected in such information will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this release is made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances. The securities of the Company have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This release is issued for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218453 SOURCE: Aion Therapeutic Inc. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / PPX Mining Corp. (the "Company" or "PPX") announces that it is extending its non-brokered private placement of up to 62,500,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of Cdn$0.062 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to Cdn$3,875,000 (the "Offering"), as previously announced in the Company's press release on June 17, 2024, until September 16, 2024. The Company anticipates that the Offering will consist of multiple investors, instead of a single investor as previously announced. Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one non-transferable common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for a period of 24 months from the date of issue, one additional common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of Cdn$0.095 per Warrant Share. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering for general working capital purposes. The Offering is being completed on a private placement basis pursuant to prospectus exemptions under applicable securities laws and is subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company may complete the Offering via the closing of multiple tranches. About PPX Mining Corp: PPX Mining Corp. (TSX.V:PPX.V)(BVL:PPX) is a Canadian-based mining company with assets in northern Peru. Igor, the Company's 100%-owned flagship gold and silver project, is located in the prolific Northern Peru gold belt in eastern La Libertad Department. On behalf of the Board of Directors Brian Imrie Executive Chairman 82 Richmond Street East, Toronto, M5C 1P1, Ontario, Canada 416-361-0737 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation (together, the "forward-looking statements") that may not be based on historical fact, including without limitation, statements containing the words "believe", "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "potential" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions made by management of the Company in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as the factors we believe are appropriate. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements relating to the completion, terms and the anticipated closing date for the Offering. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change, except as required by law. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include risks obtaining regulatory approval, market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedarplus.com for further information. SOURCE: PPX Mining Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Checkly, a Berlin, Germany-based provider of synthetic monitoring powered by Monitoring as Code (MaC) and Playwright, raised $20m in Series B funding. The round, which brought total funding to $32.25M, was led by Balderton Capital with participation from existing investors Accel, CRV, and Paul H. Muller. Balderton Capital Partner Colin Hanna joined Checklys board of directors. The company intends to use the funds to grow its teams, expand its reach, and further develop its code-first monitoring platform to support even faster remediation. Founded in 2020 by CEO Hannes Lenke, Chief Evangelist Tim Nolet, and COO Timo Euteneuer, Checkly provides a platform that enables engineers to detect and resolve issues through code-first synthetic monitoring. By integrating advanced, proactive and purpose-built synthetic monitoring tools inside repositories, Checkly ensures monitoring is always in sync with the latest code changes. Engineers and developers can simulate user interactions continuously in 20+ remote locations worldwide using automated Playwright scripts, and get automatic, real-time, accurate alerts alongside detailed insights that help them turn alerts into action. This makes it easier for developers to track and manage everything in one place and helps catch issues early, without the usual delays and false positives seen with legacy tools. In conjunction with the funding announcement, Checkly is launching its new Checkly Traces feature which will help engineers resolve issues even faster by connecting synthetics with tracing. In this way, engineers will have immediate insight into failures and will no longer need manual data correlation. FinSMEs 31/07/2024 Endari, a San Francisco, CA-based cybersecurity company, raised $4M in seed funding. The backers were not disclosed. Led by CEO and Founder Nils Puhlmann, Endari empowers SMBs and startups with tailored cybersecurity solutions at every stage, enabling them to take action and move forward with confidence. Its cybersecurity maturity model offers scalable security solutions that grow with the business, ensuring startups can protect their assets and customer data while on their journey to reach cybersecurity independence. By partnering with Endari, startups can ensure customer and user trust without the overhead and complexity associated with full-time hires, which are difficult to find due to the persistent talent gap in cyber. Additionally, Endari ensures security coverage at every stage of business growth. Leveraging a team of seasoned security professionals and CISO advisors with 100+ years of combined experience in cybersecurity, the company offers first-hand expertise to help young businesses navigate their cybersecurity journeys. FinSMEs 31/07/2024 LTZ Therapeutics, a Redwood City, CA- and Shenzen, China-based immunotherapy-focused biotech company, closed its Series A financing of over $20m. This round, which brought total funding to approximately $50m, was led by new investor Lapam Capital with participation from GL Ventures, K2 Venture Partners and Shunwei Capital. The company intends to use the funds to advance the development of its Myeloid Engager pipeline to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. Proceeds from the financing will be used to accelerate development of LTZs pipeline, supporting the companys Investigational New Drug (IND) process, initiating the Phase 1 clinical study of LTZs lead asset LTZ-301 as well as the IND-enabling work of its second asset, LTZ-232. LTZ Therapeutics will also use the new capital to further advance other programs in discovery and to expand its team. Led by Robert Li, Ph.D., Founder and CEO, LTZ Therapeutics is an immunotherapy-focused biotech company pursuing the development of novel therapies, with its novel Myeloid Engager Platform, to improve clinical outcomes in patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases. With main operations in Redwood City, California and Shenzhen, China as well as a team out of Heidelberg Germany, LTZ is dedicated to developing immunotherapies capable of overcoming resistance and boosting anti-tumor immunity based on reverse translational science and emerging disease biology of tumor microenvironment. FinSMEs 30/07/2024 Matereal, a Denver, CO-based plastic replacements technology company, closed a $4.5m seed funding round. The round was led by the Collaborative Fund with participation from Better Ventures, Alante Capital, One Small Planet, Climate Capital, Sandy Spring Climate Partners, Pachamama Ventures and PDS Ventures. The company intends to use the funds to continue to develop its technology. Led by CEO Jacqueline Ros Amable and CTO Dr. Philip Pienkos, Matereal is advancing a chemical platform, Polaris, offering a sustainable and safe alternative to traditional polyurethanea historically challenging plastic to decarbonize. Matereals approach combines the desirable attributes of traditional polyurethaneversatility, durability, and cost-effectivenesswith chemistry to eliminate petrochemicals and toxic isocyanates, the primary culprits behind workplace-related asthma. The Matereal scalable platform leverages artificial intelligence to optimize the utilization of renewable feedstocks alongside captured CO 2 . FinSMEs 31/07/2024 While the divorce rumours of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai have been in the news for quite some time, a throwback interview has surfaced on the internet, where the Ghoomer actor has spoken about the first meeting with his wife read more Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai considered one of the loved couples, have garnered headlines since their separate arrival at the Radhika Merchant-Anant Ambani wedding. While their divorce rumours have been in the news for quite some time, a throwback interview has surfaced on the internet, where the Ghoomer actor has spoken about the first meeting with his wife. My dear friend Bobby Deol was shooting his first film, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya. I was at the same location, I went to say a hi to him when he said, oh come for dinner. That was Aishwaryas first Hindi film and thats the first time I ever interacted with her, said Abhishek while talking in The Ranveer Show in 2021 Advertisement He added, Whenever she talks about it, she jokingly says, I couldnt understand a word of what you were saying. Because here I was, this kid from an international boarding school, then went to Boston. I mustve had some really heavy accent at that point. And she was like, What were you saying? My formative years, my training in acting and in the world of cinema and stage, my boarding school days was in English, the actor revealed. The Yuva star recently grabbed the headlines when he liked a post on Instagram about divorce. Shared by author Heena Khandelwal, it featured an image of broken hearts and written, When love stops being easy. Couples who have been married are now parting ways. What has prompted their decision and why are grey divorces on the rise? Advertisement Divorce is never easy for anyone. Who doesnt dream of a happily ever after or envision recreating those heartwarming videos of elderly couples holding hands as they cross the street? Yet, sometimes life doesnt unfold as we hoped. But how do people cope when they separate after decades together, after spending a significant portion of their lives relying on each other for both big and small things? What drives them to sever ties, and what challenges do they face? This story delves into these questions. Coincidentally, grey divorces or silver splittersterms for those seeking marital dissolution typically after age 50are on the rise globally. The reasons, though varied, are not surprising, the post read. The killing of a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut by the Israeli Defence Forces has sparked concerns about a possible war between Israel and the Lebanon-based terror group. The two previously fought a 34-day war in 2006 that ended in a stalemate. But what happened? read more Hezbollah on 12 July, 2006, killed three Israeli soldiers and captured two others in what it called operation 'Truthful Promise. AP Are Israel and Lebanons Hezbollah going to war? This is what many are worried about in the aftermath of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) killing a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut. Israel claimed that the commander Fouad Shukur was allegedly behind the weekend rocket attack that left 12 young people dead in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights an assertion that Hezbollah has denied. The two sides have exchanged near-daily strikes for the past 10 months against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, but they have previously kept the conflict at a low level that was unlikely to escalate into full-on war. Advertisement However, that could now change. The Israeli enemy has committed a great stupid act in size, timing and circumstances by targeting an entirely civilian area, Hezbollah official Ali Ammar told Al-Manar TV. The Israeli enemy will pay a price for this sooner or later. But what happened the last time Israel and Lebanon did battle? Lets take a closer look: The war between Israel and Hezbollah kicked off with Hezbollah fighters crossing the border into Israel on July 12, 2006. As per Human Rights Watch, the militants attacked an IDF convoy near the border. They killed three soldiers and kidnapping two others whom they brought back to Lebanon. Hezbollah called the operation Truthful Promise. The aim of the operation was in keeping with Hassan Nasrallahs objective to capture Israeli soldiers and exchange them for prisoners. Hezbollah also sought the return of the Israeli-occupied Sheba Farms. The terror group then announced it would enter indirect negotiations with Israel. However, then Lebanese prime minister Fouad Siniora denied that he knew what Hezbollah was planning. In a letter dated July 13, 2006, to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council, the Government of Lebanon declared that [T]he Lebanese Government was not aware of the events that occurred and are occurring on the international Lebanese border and that [T]he Lebanese Government is not responsible for these events and does not endorse them. Advertisement Act of war However, Israel was having none of it. Then Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert announced that the Lebanon government had committed an act of war. Lebanon is responsible and Lebanon will bear the consequences of its actions, Olmert vowed. Meanwhile, Israels chief of staff Dan Halutz said if the soldiers are not returned, we will turn Lebanons clock back 20 years, as per ICRC. Udi Adam, the head of Israels Northern Command, added, This affair is between Israel and the State of Lebanon. Where to attack? Once it is inside Lebanon, everything is legitimate not just southern Lebanon, not just the line of Hezbollah posts. Advertisement The IDF on July 13, 2006, began bombing bridges, roads, and important other Hezbollah positions including Beiruts Rafic Hariri International Airport. Israel also imposed a complete blockade on Lebanon, as per Human Rights Watch. According to CSIS, Hezbollah was taken by complete surprise. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah later admitted he would not have started the war had he known its outcome. Reuters Indeed Nasrallah would later announce that he would not have conducted the operation if he had known about the outcome. But that would come later. Hezbollahs immediate reaction was to fire a hail of rockets at Israel. Advertisement The terror group is estimated to have fired 4,000 rockets around 34 on average daily. As per CSIS, Hezbollah militants hid themselves along trees, patches of vegetation, caves, surface irregularities, and buildings along the slopes of the hills. From here, they launched missiles and rockets at Israeli positions on the border. They also used civilian infrastructure to hide command centers, ambush Israeli fighters and allow its own militants space to manouvre. Hezbollah also used anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) to great effect. During the war, ATGMs accounted for the majority of Israeli infantry casualties including 24 tank crewmen. ATGMs also took out 20 tanks. The performance of Hezbollahs militants won praise from Western analysts, as per CSIS. According to ICRC, the government in Lebanon repeatedly asked the United Nations Security Council to call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Advertisement The ceasefire The war finally ended with the United Nations Security Council passing Resolution 1701 on August 11, 2006. The resolution called for a full cessation of hostilities based upon, in particular, the immediate cessation by Hezbollah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive military operations, and emphasising the need to address urgently the causes that have given rise to the current crisis, including by the unconditional release of the abducted Israeli soldiers. The resolution also called for a demilitarised zone on Lebanons side of the border. Both sides agreed to the ceasefire which came into effect on August 14, 2006. Israel finally lifted the air blockade on 6 September and the sea blockade on 7 September. United Nations Security Council. File Image / Reuters The war ultimately cost Lebanon more than 1,200 lives, mostly civilians. Around 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers also perished. Though the war was a stalemate in the end, it boosted both Hezbollah and Nasrullahs reputation in the Arab world for having stood up to Israel. Aftermath Despite the lopsided fatality numbers, the war was seen as a failure in Israel due to the Israeli casualties and the fact that Israel failed to achieve its objectives of changing the situation along the border and weakening Hezbollah, as per Human Rights Watch. Hezbollah and Israel have clashed repeatedly since then, but both sides have carefully avoided getting into a full-scale war. Though UN peacekeepers are deployed in the area, Hezbollah continues to operate in the border area, while Lebanon says Israel regularly violates its airspace and continues to occupy pockets of Lebanese land. An Israel-Hezbollah war would be a total disaster, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned last month, amid a flurry of shuttle diplomacy by the US and Europe. Israeli political and military leaders have warned Hezbollah that war is increasingly probable unless the militants withdraw from the border. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has not threatened to initiate war but warned of a fight without limits if Israel does. It remains to be seen how the latest situation plays out. With inputs from agencies Hamas top political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated on Wednesday around 2 am local time in Iran. It has been reported that the 62-year-old Hamas boss was killed with an airborne guided projectile. Heres what we know about the attack so far read more Members of Tehran University Council attend a protest to condemn the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, as they carry Iranian and Palestinian flags at the University in Tehran, Iran. AP Ties between Iran and Israel were bad and on Wednesday, they became even more strained as Hamas top political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed with Tehran pointing fingers at Tel Aviv. In the early hours of Wednesday, news broke that the 62-year-old head of Hamas political wing and a former Palestinian prime minister had been killed with the militant group blaming Israel for the shock assassination. Brother leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, died in a Zionist strike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) president, the Palestinian militant group said in a statement. Advertisement Hamas political bureau member Musa Abu Marzuk also vowed the group would retaliate. The assassination of leader Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act and will not go unanswered, he said. Irans Revolutionary Guards also announced the death, saying Haniyehs residence in Tehran was hit and he was killed along with a bodyguard. But how was Haniyeh killed? Was it an airstrike? We piece together details of the attack which are yet emerging. Where was Haniyeh killed? According to Iranian state media, the killing of Haniyeh took place around 2 am local time on Wednesday in Tehran. The Hamas top political boss was in Iran after he attended the inauguration ceremony for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday. He was photographed in Tehran on Tuesday meeting with Irans Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and secretary general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, Ziyad al-Nakhalah. He was, as state media reported, living in a special residence for war veterans in Tehran at the time of his assassination. Palestinian group Hamas top leader Ismail Haniyeh attends Irans new President, Masoud Pezeshkians swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tehran, Iran on July 30. Reuters How was Haniyeh killed? While there is no proper confirmation as to how the Hamas leader was killed, some media reports have said that he was killed using an airborne guided projectile. State-run news agency IRNA said further investigations were underway to determine the details of the operation and the position from which the projectile was fired. Even Saudi news outlet Al Hadath reported that Haniyeh had been assassinated by a guided missile, targeting his private residence in Tehran. Fars news, which is affiliated with Irans Revolutionary Guard, also reported the same, saying that Hanieyh was stationed in a residence for veterans in the north of Tehran, and that he was killed by a projectile from the air. Advertisement Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that one of Haniyehs bodyguards had also been killed in the strike and that it was investigating the matter. While all fingers are being pointed at Israel for the killing, the Benjamin Netanyahu-led nation is yet to comment on the assassination. A person watches the news on multiple TV screens, most of them announcing the killing of senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters Why was Haniyeh killed in Iran? Haniyeh lived in Qatar from 2019 and was actively acted as a negotiator in the ceasefire talks and liased with Hamas main ally, Iran. But why was he killed in Iran and not in Qatar? According to one BBC report, Israel, who is believed to be behind the killing was aware that it couldnt kill Haniyeh in Qatar owing to the Hamas presence there. Moreover, killing him in Iran sends a message about Israels reach, a message that no one is safe. Advertisement Bloomberg senior editor Bobby Ghosh also echoed similar comments. Speaking to CNN, he said: A strike within Iran to kill the top political leader of Hamas is quite an achievement, it will be a big shock not just for Hamas but also to its main sponsor, Iran. He called it a loss of prestige for Iran. An Al Jazeera report also stated that the intelligence used to locate and assassinate Haniyeh suggests the possible help of the US. Intelligence is key. Any weapon in the world is only as good as the intelligence that guides it. It can be as accurate as it likes, Al Jazeeras defence editor Alex Gatopoulos said. Technical intelligence would have supplied a location, something they would have to act on quickly [The US] obviously has the means and ability to collect this kind of intelligence, he said. Advertisement When is Haniyehs funeral? Hamas has said that Ismail Haniyehs funeral will be will be held in Tehran on Thursday and then his body will be transferred to Qatars capital Doha for prayers and burial. Iran has also declared three days of mourning following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in an attack blamed on arch-foe Israel. The Islamic Republic of Iran announced three days of public mourning following the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh, the government said in a statement. A Palestinian man walks through a shopping street in the West Bank city of Nablus, where shops are closed, following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. AP How did Haniyehs family die? Notably, Ismail Haniyeh met the same fate as his three sons and grandchildren. Earlier in April, Haniyehs three sons Hazem, Amir and Mohammad and two grandchildren were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. Advertisement Hamas had then confirmed the news, saying the incident happened when the car they were driving in was bombed in Gazas Al-Shati camp. Later, in June, 10 members of his family were killed in an Israeli airstrike in northern Gazas Shati refugee camp. Back then, the Hamas leader said that more than 60 of his family members had been killed since the start of the war on October 7. Shortly after Haniyehs death, his son, Abdul Salam Haniyeh, issued a statement saying the killing wont end Palestinians resistance against Israel My father survived four assassination attempts during his patriotic journey, and today Allah has granted him the martyrdom that he always wished for, Abdul Salam Haniyeh said. He was very keen to establish national unity and strived for the unity of all Palestinian factions and we affirm that this assassination will not deter the resistance, which will fight until freedom is achieved. What comes next? The assassination of Haniyeh complicates matters in West Asia where tensions are already on a boil. Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei said Israel has provided the grounds for harsh punishment for itself. Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps has also said that Israel will face a harsh and painful response from Iran and its allies. This crime showed that the Zionist gang of criminals, murderers and terrorists, without any regard for international rules and regulations, does not shy away from committing any criminal action to cover up the shameful failures of nine months of war in Gaza, which led to the massacre of tens of thousands of Palestinian women, men and children, read a statement. Other countries such as China, Russia, Qatar have also condemned the killing. Meanwhile, Israel is yet to claim responsibility for the killing with a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces saying it is carrying out a situation assessment. However, _Sky News r_eported that the press office for the Israeli government shared and since deleted an image of Ismail Haniyeh on Facebook with the word eliminated stamped on his forehead. With inputs from agencies Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent Hamas leader, was assassinated in Tehran, casting a shadow over the fragile ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. As the diplomatic face of Hamas, Haniyeh played a crucial role in talks brokered by Qatar, the US, and Egypt. His death raises questions about the future of these efforts, especially as accusations fly between Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and the Palestinian group over stalled truce proposals read more A man hangs a picture of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh who was assassinated early on Wednesday morning in Iran, at Burj al-Barajneh Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon July 31, 2024. Reuters Ismail Haniyeh, a key leader of Hamas, was assassinated in Tehran, as confirmed by Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard early Wednesday. The incident occurred while Haniyeh was in the city to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Although no group has officially claimed responsibility, suspicion has largely fallen on Israel, which has previously vowed to target Hamas leaders following the groups deadly attack on Israel on October 7. That attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of approximately 250 hostages. Advertisement The death of Haniyeh, a significant figure in Hamass political and diplomatic structure, has raised serious questions about the future of ongoing ceasefire negotiations. American officials had recently indicated that these talks, mediated by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, were close to yielding a temporary ceasefire and a potential hostage release deal. However, the assassination has cast doubt on the feasibility of these efforts moving forward. What was Haniyehs role in Israel-Hamas negotiations? Haniyeh was not directly involved in the military operations in Gaza those responsibilities are reportedly handled by Yahya Sinwar, the military commander of Hamas. Nevertheless, Haniyeh was crucial in the political wing of the organisation, acting as the public face of Hamass diplomacy across various Arab capitals. Based in Qatar since leaving Gaza in 2019, Haniyeh played a pivotal role in international negotiations, shuttling between Turkey, Lebanon, Iran, and Egypt to garner support and mediate for peace. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meets with Hamas top leader Ismail Haniyeh and Palestinian Islamic Jihad chief Ziad al-Nakhala in Tehran, Iran July 30, 2024. File Image/Reuters His death marks a significant setback for diplomatic efforts, as he was one of the main interlocutors in the negotiations. Despite his largely symbolic role, Haniyehs presence in these talks was vital for maintaining a diplomatic channel. Analysts have pointed out that the real power within Hamas lies with its Gaza-based military leaders, including Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, the latter of whom was r eportedly targeted in an Israeli assassination attempt earlier in July. Advertisement How can Haniyehs death impact ceasefire negotiations? The timing of Haniyehs assassination comes amidst a critical juncture in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Just a few days before his death, both Israel and Hamas blamed each other for the stalled progress in reaching a ceasefire and hostage release deal. According to a statement from Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had introduced new conditions and demands, deviating from a US-backed truce proposal that had been the basis for recent negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as he addresses a joint meeting of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, US, July 24, 2024. File Image/Reuters Netanyahu, however, denied these accusations, stating that it was Hamas that had made numerous changes to the original proposal. Israel is sticking by its principles according to the original proposal - a maximum number of hostages (to be freed) who are still alive, Israeli control of the Philadelphi Corridor (along the Gaza-Egypt border), and preventing the movement of terrorists and weapons to the northern Gaza Strip, a statement from his office had read. Advertisement This conflicting narrative has led to a deadlock, despite assertions from mediators like Qatar and Egypt, supported by the US, that doors to further negotiations remain open. Also Read | Gaza ceasefire deal unlikely as Israel refuses to budge on conditions: Report Hamas, for its part, accused Netanyahu of procrastination, evasion, and avoiding reaching an agreement by setting new conditions and demands. Senior Hamas political official Izzat El-Reshiq said that his group had shown flexibility and positiveness and had worked to overcome Israeli obstacles, but Netanyahus introduction of new impossible conditions had hindered progress. Why target Haniyeh? The question that remains is if this was indeed an operation by Israel, then why target the Hamas leader who was key in the ongoing negotiations? Advertisement Turkeys foreign ministry accused Netanyahu of having no intention of achieving peace. Palestinian Islamic Jihad chief Ziad al-Nakhala and Hamas top leader Ismail Haniyeh attend Irans new President Masoud Pezeshkians swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tehran, Iran, July 30, 2024. File Image/Reuters How can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on other side? That was the response from Qatars Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, a mediator on the Israel-Hamas talks, to the new of the assassination, on X. Qatars capital Doha hosts the main Hamas political bureau. Political assassinations & continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue leads us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on other side?, he wrote. Peace needs serious partners & a global stance against the disregard for human life, he added. Advertisement Political assassinations & continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue leads us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side? Peace needs serious partners & a global stance against the disregard for human life. (@MBA_AlThani_) July 31, 2024 Peter Ricketts, the UKs former national security adviser, told BBC that the assassination serves as a very powerful demonstration of Israels ability to reach out right across the region. He added that this might provide Israel with the political room to begin now to wind down the operation in Gaza because [Netanyahu] can now say he has really delivered a major blow against Haniyehs leadership. Also Read: After Ismail Haniyehs assassination, which Hamas leaders remain? However, Ricketts also warned that this remains a very dangerous time in the Middle East, as Hamas is now less likely to engage in ceasefire talks following the assassination. Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri described the killing as a grave escalation that will not achieve its goals, underscoring the potential for increased violence and instability in the region. With inputs from agencies The Jammu and Kashmir administration has conferred proprietary rights on state land to West Pakistan Refugees (WPRs) who settled in the Union Territory after the 1947 Partition. The move is expected to benefit thousands of families read more The decision to grant land ownership rights to West Pakistan refugees will benefits thousands of families in J&K. Representational Image/AP The Jammu and Kashmir government has answered a long-pending request of Pakistan refugees. The West Pakistan Refugees (WPRs) have been granted ownership rights of land in the Union Territory, where they were settled after the 1947 Partition. The decision was taken at the Administrative Council meeting chaired by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Tuesday (July 30). This will reportedly benefit thousands of refugee families from Pakistan. But why have they been granted land ownership rights? Lets understand. Advertisement When displaced persons from Pakistan came to India During the Partition in 1947, as many as 5,764 families arrived in Jammu and Kashmir from West Pakistan, according to official records. These refugees comprised 80 per cent from Scheduled Castes (SCs), 10 per cent from Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and 10 per cent from the General Category, reported Outlook. Every refugee family was allocated four acres of agricultural land, while they were settled in the districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua, as per an Indian Express report. The number of these families currently stands at over 22,170. Soon after the Partition, Pakistan launched Operation Gulmarg, mobilising tribals from North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) who raided the then princely state of J&K. Thousands died in the violence and over 47,000 people from Pakistani towns near Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) were forced to flee, as per The Hindu report. Those who escaped from PoK were called displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In 2016, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) replaced the term with Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, or PoJK, in official documents. Official data shows that 31,779 such families migrated from PoJK in 1947. Many other families were displaced during the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971, increasing the tally to 41,844, as per The Hindu. Advertisement ALSO READ: Why Jammu is seeing a surge in terror attacks Land ownership rights for Pakistan refugees The J&K administration has granted proprietary rights on state land to West Pakistan refugees in the UT. The Administrative Council has also given a nod to confer proprietary rights of state land upon the Displaced Persons of 1965. According to officials, this will end the discrimination with the displaced persons from West Pakistan, bringing them at par with people displaced from PoK, Indian Express reported. This will end the discrimination with the WPRs and Displaced Persons of 1965 war and will significantly empower thousands of families across the Jammu region, an official spokesman was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express (TNIE). Advertisement After the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, the West Pakistan refugees in J&K were accorded domicile status by the Central government. Before the repeal, they were considered a non-state subject and did not have the right to elect representatives to the J&K Legislative Assembly. A total of 46,666 kanals (5,833 acres) of land was allotted to WPRs by the state government in May 1954. While the land was allocated to us, we were not given legal ownership. We were treated as outsiders, unable to sell the land since it was not in our names, Labha Ram Gandhi told Outlook last year. Advertisement Speaking to Indian Express, Gandhi has lauded the J&K administrations decision to grant land ownership rights to West Pakistan refugees. However, he mentioned that only 50 per cent of this land was state land, while the rest was evacuee land that belonged to Muslim residents of J&K who had migrated to Pakistan after the 1947 Partition. Gandhi said the administration would clarify its stance on the evacuee land, where refugee families have settled. Last May, Lt Governor Sinha had announced in Jammu that ownership rights of lands for WPRs will be ensured on the Centres order. The decision fulfils demands of all connected families, which have been requesting for ownership rights for past so many decades. Vesting of proprietary right to West Pakistan Displaced Persons on state land would bring them at par with the Displaced Persons of POJK (Pakistan occupied J&K) and their long pending demand will also be fulfilled, an official spokesperson said, as per Indian Express. Advertisement With inputs from agencies On Tuesday, three landslides struck Keralas Wayanad, wreaking havoc and causing untold misery in the southern state. Over 150 people have been killed and dozens more are missing as rescue operations enter Day 2. Experts note that heavy rainfall induced by climate change, a depleting forest cover and tricky terrain contributed to making this the states deadliest landslip read more Rescue operation underway after a landslide triggered by heavy monsoon rains, in Wayanad district. Over 150 people have been killed and dozens are still feared trapped in the accident. PTI Its been over 24 hours since three landslides struck the hilly areas near Meppadi in Keralas Wayanad district, killing 158 people with many more still missing. Rescue operations have entered Day 2 even as the heavy rain slows down the process. On Wednesday, units of the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other emergency service personnel deployed in Wayanad resumed their search operations, looking under collapsed roofs and debris of destroyed houses for victims and possible survivors of the landslides. Advertisement Those who survived the landslides, which struck the picturesque hamlets of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha in the early hours of Tuesday, will perhaps carry the mental trauma of the experience for the rest of their lives. As one survivor, Prasanna, from Chooralmala told PTI: I could only help my father. I carried him and ran towards the forest. I couldnt help my sister. I couldnt save her. Two of the children ran outside and got washed away. I could hear them screaming. Our house got washed away. While some ministers have called it a tragic incident many opposition MPs in Parliament even called for it to be treated as a natural disaster experts have said that climate change, fragile terrain and loss of forest cover created the perfect recipe for the devastating landslides. We examine each of these reasons cited and how they made the landslides, perhaps, one of the deadliest in the country. Climate change Most experts have pinned the blame for the three landslides, which took place in four hours, on climate change. The southern state has been experiencing the worst effects of climate change for a few years now; in 2015, it experienced a severe drought, followed by Cyclone Ockhi in 2017. In the following years, there were significant landslides along with massive floods. In 2020, an avalanche crashed down on tea plantation workers in the Kanan Devan Hills of Idukki district, killing 65 people, mostly estate workers. The Climate Report of India, released by the India Meteorological Department in January 2023, revealed that extreme weather events claimed 32 lives in Kerala in 2022. Moreover, in July 2022, the Ministry of Earth Sciences informed the Lok Sabha that Kerala witnessed the highest number of major landslides in the country over the past seven years. Of the 3,782 landslides between 2015 and 2022, 2,239 (nearly 59.2 per cent) were reported from Kerala. Advertisement Experts explaining the situation said that the heavy rains on Monday and Tuesday had led to the quick landslides in Wayanad. S Abhilash, the director of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), speaking to Times of India said that an active monsoon offshore trough has been affecting the entire Konkan region for the last two weeks, leading to saturated soil in Kasargod, Kannur, Wayanad, Calicut, and Malappuram districts. A damaged jeep at an affected area following landslides triggered by heavy rain at Chooralmala, in Wayanad district, Kerala. PTI He explained that a deep mesoscale cloud system formed off the coast in the Arabian Sea on Monday and led to extremely heavy rain in Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Kannur, resulting in localised landslides. Advertisement Our research found that the southeast Arabian Sea is becoming warmer, causing the atmosphere above this region, including Kerala, to become thermodynamically unstable, Abhilash told PTI. Research carried out by Abhilash and others also revealed that rainfall over the west coast of India is becoming more convective. And with more rainfall comes the probability of more landslides, say experts. Fragile terrain Another big reason that contributed to making the Wayanad landslides so deadly is the terrain. Elaborating further on this, KS Sajinkumar, an assistant professor of Geology at the University of Kerala, said to Indian Express, The terrain here has two distinctive layers, a layer of soil sitting atop hard rocks. When a lot of rain happens, the soil gets saturated with moisture and water reaches the rocks and flows between the soil and the rock layers. This weakens the force that binds the soil to the rocks and triggers the movement. This is what seems to have happened in this instance as well. Advertisement Rescuers and other stand amid debris after landslides hit hilly villages in Wayanad district, Kerala. PTI Over 17,000 sq km of area in Kerala is tagged as landslide prone; the landslide atlas released by the Indian Space Research Organisations (ISRO) National Remote Sensing Centre last year showed that 10 out of the 30 most landslide-prone districts in India were in Kerala, with Wayanad ranking thirteenth. MG Manoj, a scientist from the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research, also pointed out that the landslides showed characteristics of soil piping a process that leads to the development of macropores (large, air-filled voids) in the subsurface that are associated with landslides. Loss of green cover and human activities The loss of green cover in Wayanad has exacerbated the situation, leading to the deadly landslides, add experts. Advertisement The southern state has been progressively losing its forest cover as per a 2022 study, 62 per cent of forest cover disappeared in regions that are in Wayanad district now, between 1950 and 2018. Until the 1950s, 85 per cent of the total area of Wayanad was under forest cover, according to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Dozens are still missing after deadly landslides struck Wayanad in Kerala on Tuesday. PTI As forest cover reduces, the soil loosens in the area, making it more prone to landslides. Experts note that quarrying, hill levelling for construction, extensive road building, expansion in hilly areas, and mono-crop farming, all human activities, have also contributed to landslides. In fact, the landslides are a reminder of why the Wayanad hill ranges should be declared ecologically sensitive. A panel set up by the government under ecologist Madhav Gadgil in 2011 recommended that the entire hill range be declared an ecologically sensitive area and divided into ecologically sensitive zones based on their ecological sensitivity. However, these recommendations have not been implemented even after 14 years due to resistance from state governments, industries and local communities. Over-tourism has also led to a rise in the construction of several resorts in the highly fragile areas by influencing officials. With inputs from agencies The death toll from the devastating landslides in Keralas Wayanad district has crossed 150. While many families narrowly escaped the catastrophe, several others remained mute spectators as they witnessed their loved ones being washed away. They recall the horror read more A framed photograph lies partially covered in mud at a damaged house after landslides hit hilly villages in Wayanad district, Kerala state, India, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. There was no immediate information available on the people in the picture. AP The death toll from the devastating landslides in Keralas Wayanad district has risen to 158. Many are still missing. Massive multiple landslides occurred after unprecedented rainfall of 572 millimetres over 48 hours in Indias most attractive destinations, triggering torrents of mud, water and tumbling boulders in the worst disaster in the state since deadly floods in 2018. As rescue efforts intensified on Wednesday, survivors have recalled their harrowing experiences. Survivors recall the horror A driver from Chooralmala in Wayanad named Sudarshan had been anticipating disaster because of the continuous downpours for the past few days. It had now become a reality. Advertisement He woke up at around 1.30 to the sound of gushing water. He couldnt move since there was no power, his jeep had crashed into the drawing room, the ground floor had been devastated by large boulders and logs, and there were heaps of slush all around him. He, along with his mother, Bhavani, a cancer survivor, rushed to the terrace. Sudarshan told The Indian Express, My only thought at that moment was to save my mother. There was nowhere else to go. I couldnt find my phone, couldnt call anyone for help. Soon after we went up, the second landslide struck near the Chooralmala school, close to our home. The river in Chooralmala flows around 400 metres behind our house. I looked around and saw the river flowing all around us. I saw several neighbouring houses getting swept away in the water. I told my mother, Our time in this world seems to be up. Our house could be the next, he said. Rescuers and others inspect the spot after landslides hit hilly villages in Wayanad district, Kerala state, India, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. AP Sudarshan and his mother were rescued in the morning and they are now at his sisters residence in Pulpalli. The duo witnessed more devastation around themselves. Eleven members of a family that lived nearby are missing. The bodies of two of them have been recovered. There is no information about others. He said that his house is no longer inhabitable. More than that, we have lost several of our neighbours. I have lost my source of income, my jeep. My mothers medicines and prescriptions are all lost. We have to start from the beginning. At least, we are lucky that we are still able to live, he added. Advertisement Notably, Sudarshan also helped several of his neighbours. When the rain subsided a bit, some of our neighbours, who saw us on top of the terrace, came out and asked me to rescue them. I got them onto our terrace using a ladder. There were around 21 people on our terrace when the rescuers came, he told the newspaper. An elderly man from the same village, was quoted by Mathrubhumi, as saying, The walls and roof collapsed. Everything fell on top of us. The house was inundated with water. There was a tremendous noise. I couldnt find my wife, daughters, or the girl. We were trapped inside the house for hours. Advertisement I stayed huddled in a corner throughout the night. Thats how I survived. I lay in the mud until daylight. In the morning rescuers arrived. All my documents and possessions were destroyed. I dont need anything as long as Im alive, he added. Also read: From Army to dog squad, how rescue operations are in full swing The miraculous escape Seeing the heavy downpour on Monday, Chooralmala resident Ponnayyan left his house with his wife Jisha and two sons to spend a night at his lottery shop. Yesterday, a huge tree fell down near the house. This made me leave home and we decided to stay at our lottery shop for the night. Before sleeping, I called a few neighbours to share my anxiety about the incessant rain, but none of us expected the tragedy that would ensue, he said, as per another report by The Indian Express. Advertisement A drone view shows a landslide site after multiple landslides in the hills in Wayanad district, in the southern state of Kerala, India, July 31, 2024. Reuters At the shop, when Ponnayyan tried to lift the shutter, muddy water started gushing inside. I downed the shutters and then climbed up to the roof, removed a few roof tiles and looked outside. The nearby river had started flowing into the town, sweeping away everything and uprooting trees. There was no power, and I cried loudly for help, but there was nobody in the vicinity, he said. According to him, his family was able to reach higher ground when the water level had decreased for a while before it struck again. He stated that much of the village was buried and many people were killed in the second severe landslide, which occurred at roughly four in the morning. Advertisement My neighbour Sudarsan is still missing. He was at a house that is now covered in mud and debris. Rescue workers managed to save his son, but they could not find Sudarsan as earthmovers could not be brought near the house, he told the newspaper. Dilraj, another resident, escaped the landslide but lost some of his relatives. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel conduct rescue operation after huge landslides in the hilly areas near Meppadi in Wayanad district in Kerala. PTI A few of my relatives had moved to another house after the first landslide. However, they lost their lives in the second one, which was more devastating, he said. Also read: What makes Kerala so vulnerable to such disasters? Families frantically search for their dear ones Many families barely escaped the catastrophic landslide, but several others remained mute spectators as they witnessed their loved ones being washed away. Prasanna, from Chooralmala, was in tears when she recounted her experience. The woman witnessed her sister and her family being swept away by the muddy water. I could only help my father. I carried him and ran towards the forest. I couldnt help my sister. I couldnt save her. Two of the children ran outside and got washed away. I could hear them screaming. Our house got washed away, Prasanna, in her late 40s, recounted the ordeal, according to PTI. A rescuer walks past a damaged car at a landslide site after multiple landslides in the hills in Wayanad, in the southern state of Kerala, India, July 30, 2024. Reuters The children who witnessed the devastating event are unable to sleep, haunted by the traumatic experience, Prasanna said. They wake up in the middle of the night, fearing a recurrence of the landslides. In no time, water started gushing into our house and all six of us, including my 98-year-old mother-in-law, managed to rush out of the house. In no time, our house was almost reduced to rubbles, Thankachan narrated to the priest of the St Sebastian Church at Chooralmala where the family took shelter, according to Deccan Herald. Another Chooralmala native, Vijayan, was quoted by the outlet, I tried to hold my mother and sister even as the water entered our house but my attempts went in vain as the water flow was too severe. I had the misfortune of remaining as mute spectator when my dear ones were being swept away. Padmavathi, who is in her 80s, lost her daughter-in-law and is unsure who will care for her. She left me alone. Who will take care of me now. I am all alone, a sobbing Padmavathi said. Another woman tearfully shared that her relative called her at night, saying they were trying to escape the area with their toddler. She called me in the night and said they were trying to escape. They had a toddler with them. After that, they were unreachable on the phone, she said. The family remains untraceable. Heartbreaking scenes of landslide survivors desperately looking for their family members amid the dead and injured were also seen in the districts hospitals. Rescuers help residents to move to a safer place, at a landslide site after multiple landslides in the hills, in Wayanad, in the southern state of Kerala. Reuters The St. Sebastian Churchs priest, Father Jibin Vatuvalathil, informed Deccan Herald that he arrived at the church at around two in the morning after receiving a call. It was indeed a frightening situation. People were moving around frantically looking for their dear and near ones, that too in the darkness. Many were heaving a sigh of relief as they had a narrow escape, he recollected. Several of these survivors are staying in one of the camps, St. Joseph High School in Meppadi. There are five more relief camps organised in Wayanad, which include schools, churches, anganwadis and other available resources. Authorities also mentioned that as more persons are rescued, additional relief camps will be organised. Catch all live updates from the Wayanad landslides HERE The tragedy Hundreds of rescue workers searched through mud and debris from multiple landslides that have killed at least 158 people in Keralas Wayanad on Wednesday, police said. The first landslide occurred at 2 am on Tuesday, followed by another two hours later. Several areas, including Meppadi, Mundakkai and Chooralmala, were isolated, and roads were washed away causing immense damage to homes, said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel cooduct rescue operation after huge landslides in the hilly areas near Meppadi, in Wayanad district, Kerala, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. PTI Efforts to locate missing persons continue with all available resources, their statement said. Mundakka is in an area highly prone to disasters. However, the gushing soil, gravel, and rock reached the town of Chooralmala, six kilometres (3.7 miles) away. Vijayan said more than 3,000 people have been moved to relief camps. The government is ensuring food delivery and essential items to the relief camps. Authorities sent vehicles carrying 20,000 litres of drinking water to the disaster area. Temporary hospitals are being set up, the statement said on Tuesday night. PM Modi has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of each deceased individual, along with Rs. 50,000 for those injured. AFP Local media reported that most of the victims were tea estate workers. Television footage showed rescue workers making their way through mud and uprooted trees to reach those who had been stranded. Vehicles swept off the roads were seen stuck in a swollen river. Local TV news channels also aired phone calls from stranded people asking for help. Authorities mobilised helicopters to help with rescue efforts and the Indian army was roped in to build a temporary bridge. We are trying every way to rescue our people, state Health Minister Veena George said. With inputs from agencies The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has sparked fears of a wider conflict in West Asia. As suspicions point towards Israel, international reactions range from condemnation to cautious diplomacy. With the US advocating for de-escalation and Irans potential responses uncertain, the region teeters on the edge of a broader war. Will this be the tipping point? read more Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh speaks during a press briefing after his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in Tehran, Iran, March 26, 2024. File Image/AP The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent leader of Hamas, has sent ripples across the region, raising the specter of a broader conflict. The incident occurred in Tehran, where Haniyeh was attending the swearing-in ceremony of new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The details of Haniyehs assassination are still murky. Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard confirmed his death but provided no specifics on how the attack was carried out. Haniyeh, who had been living in exile in Qatar since 2019, was a key symbolic figure within Hamas, though real power is believed to reside with Gaza-based leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif. The latter narrowly escaped an Israeli assassination attempt earlier in July, with no official confirmation of his condition since then. Advertisement This killing comes amidst heightened tensions following Hamass deadly attack on Israel on October 7, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and approximately 250 individuals taken hostage. While no entity has officially claimed responsibility, many suspect Israeli involvement due to its history of targetting Hamas leaders. How has the world reacted to the news? The assassination has drawn immediate and varied reactions from across the globe. Turkey swiftly condemned the killing, insinuating Israeli involvement and criticising the attack as an effort to escalate the war in Gaza to a regional scale. A statement from the Turkish foreign ministry accused the Israeli government of having no intention of achieving peace. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meets with Hamas top leader Ismail Haniyeh and Palestinian Islamic Jihad chief Ziad al-Nakhala in Tehran, Iran July 30, 2024. File Image/Reuters US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, speaking from Manila, Philippines, expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution. I dont think that war is inevitable, he said. I think theres always room and opportunity for diplomacy, and Id like to see parties pursue those opportunities. He also stated the USs commitment to Israels defence, stating, If Israel is attacked, we certainly will help defend Israel. You saw us do that in April; you can expect to see us do that again. Austin reiterated the USs desire to prevent the situation from escalating into a broader regional conflict, noting that Washington had been monitoring tensions on Israels northern border with Lebanon with concern. Advertisement Also Read | The story of Ismail Haniyeh: From Gaza refugee camp to Hamas chief Within Israel, reactions have varied. While the government has not officially commented on the assassination, some political figures have voiced their support. Israeli Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu, from Israels far-right political spectrum, made a controversial statement on X (formerly Twitter), saying, This is the right way to clean the world from this filth, referring to Haniyehs death. He further stated that no more imaginary peace/surrender agreements should be pursued, suggesting a hardline approach to dealing with perceived threats. . ""/ , . , pic.twitter.com/umCzG0JTmJ - Amichay Eliyahu (@Eliyahu_a) July 31, 2024 Advertisement Hamass Sami Abu Zuhri spoke to Reuters, calling the assassination a grave escalation that would not achieve its intended objectives. Meanwhile, Russias response, as stated by a deputy foreign minister, labelled the incident as an absolutely unacceptable political murder. Wasnt the region already simmering? The assassination occurs against a backdrop of recent Israeli actions in the region, including an airstrike in Beirut that targeted a base belonging to Hezbollah, the powerful Iranian-backed Lebanese militia. Advertisement The Israeli military claimed to have killed Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander and close aide to the groups leader. This attack further heightened fears of a wider regional conflict, especially given Hezbollahs substantial arsenal of around 150,000 missiles and rockets. Palestinian Islamic Jihad chief Ziad al-Nakhala and Hamas top leader Ismail Haniyeh attend Irans new President Masoud Pezeshkians swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tehran, Iran, July 30, 2024. File Image/Reuters Hezbollah has yet to officially confirm Shukrs death or its response plans, but the assassination of Haniyeh could potentially trigger a chain reaction. Nader Hashemi, a professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Georgetown University, told BBC that the situation impacts events in Lebanon and might push Iran and Hezbollah towards escalation, despite previous indications that they were not interested in a broader conflict. Advertisement Is there potential for a wider conflict? The precise circumstances of Haniyehs death, reported to have occurred around 1:45 am in Tehran, are critical in determining the next steps. Irans handling of this incident will be crucial, especially as it seeks to maintain its standing as a regional power. Tehran has faced similar provocations in the past, such as the assassination of its top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, in 2020, which did not provoke an immediate severe response. Vali Nasr, a professor of Middle Eastern studies at the University of John Hopkins-SAIS posted on X: Add to this that the timing, the inauguration of a new president, dares Iran to retaliate which forces decision and course of action that Tehran likely didnt anticipate or want https://t.co/5qWULS9Tle Vali Nasr (@vali_nasr) July 31, 2024 Iran faces a complex decision matrix; it could respond with a significant military escalation, potentially involving Hezbollah, or it might choose a more calculated, asymmetric response. The latter could include covert operations or cyberattacks, designed to avoid a direct confrontation while still retaliating for the perceived slight. Also Read: Why timing of Haniyehs killing in Iran puts its new president in a big spot The international community, especially the United States, continues to push for diplomatic solutions. However, with red lines being crossed and provocations mounting, the region is at a critical juncture. As the dust settles from this latest incident, all eyes are on Tehran and its allies, as well as Israels next moves. With inputs from agencies Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed at his residence in Irans Tehran. As a university student, he got involved with the militant group in the 1980s and there was no looking back. He was an assistant of Hamas co-founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and rose to power after his death read more In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh sits in a meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian at the presidency office in Tehran, Iran, on, July 30. The Hamas leader was killed in an attack on his residence in Tehran. AP Ismail Haniyeh was the most wanted man in Israel. Now 10 months after the deadly 7 October attacks, the Hamas political leader is dead. Haniyeh and his bodyguards were killed in Iran, the Palestinian militant group has announced. He died in an attack on his residence in Tehran. Mourning the death of their leader, Hamas said in a statement that Haniyeh was killed in a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran. Advertisement The 62-year-old Hamas leader was in Tehran to attend Irans President Masoud Pezeshkians swear-in ceremony on Tuesday. Iran gave no details on how he was killed. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the assassination but suspicion immediately fell on Israel, which has vowed to kill Haniyeh after the 7 October attacks. Israel itself did not immediately comment but it often doesnt when it comes to assassinations carried out by their Mossad intelligence agency, reports The Associated Press. Haniyehs death comes hours after Israel says it killed a senior Hezbollah commander in a strike in the Lebanese capital Beirut. Who was Haniyeh? And how did he become one of Hamas most powerful leaders? We explain. The early life of Haniyeh and his brush with Hamas Haniyeh was born on January 29, 1962, in the densely populated Gaza Strip, which has been at the centre of the Israel-Palestine conflict for decades. He grew up in a refugee camp and experienced the hardships faced by Palestinians, hardening this resolve to fight for statehood. He studied at schools run by the main United Nations agency for Palestinians, UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency). Advertisement He got involved with the Islamic Student Bloc, a precursor to Hamas while studying Arabic literature at the Islamic University of Gaza in 1983. He was also involved with the radical Muslim Brotherhood and headed its student council while at the university. Haniyeh graduated in 1987. It was the year that saw the first Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation the First Intifada. It resulted in the founding of Hamas as an official group. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is seen outside his home in Gaza on January 31, 2006. File photo/Reuters Haniyeh joined the protests against the occupation and was imprisoned for 18 days by Israeli authorities. A year later, he was jailed for six months. He was once again held in 1989 on charges that he belonged to Hamas and spent three years in prison as the Intifada gathered steam, according to a report in Al Jazeera. Advertisement Israel deported him to southern Lebanon along with other Hamas leaders after he was released. He returned to Gaza only after the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation was signed in 1993. The rise of Haniyeh Haniyeh was a close confidant and assistant of the late Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the co-founder of Hamas. This helped in his rise to power in the militant group. The two were targets of an attempted assassination in 2003. Yassin was killed the next year by the Israeli military. You dont have to cry, Haniyeh told a crowd gathered outside Shifa Hospital in Gaza City back then, according to a report in The New York Times (NYT). You have to be steadfast, and you have to be ready for revenge. Advertisement Three years later, in 2006, he was named the leader of Hamas. He also served briefly as the prime minister of the Palestinian unity government, which was dissolved shortly following tensions between Palestinian factions and the refusal of the international community to work with Hamas. In 2007, the militant group seized control of the Gaza Strip. In this photo released by the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, speaks with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, centre, and the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group Ziad Nakhaleh in their meeting in Tehran, Iran, om July 30. Haniyeh was killed in an attack on his house. AP While Haniyeh was dismissed as prime minister by Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, he remained the leader of the movement in Gaza. Israel and Egypt imposed sanctions and restrictions on Gaza. In 2008, rockets were launched from Gaza to Israel and the Jewish nation only strengthened its blockade of the enclave. Advertisement However, Hamas remained in control of the region. Over the years, the group continued to fire rockets across its border into Israel, entered multiple conflicts with the Israeli forces and ramped up its military strength. Haniyeh continued to remain at the helm. He said that he was willing to work with Western governments that showed support for Palestinians. In interviews with the Beirut-based al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies in 2013, Haniya explained that Hamas makes a distinction between political efforts and compromise. We are not opposed to any diplomatic or political efforts to restore our rights, but we are against bargaining or exchanging our rights, he said according to a report in Al Jazeera. Ismail Haniyeh talks to his supporters during a Hamas rally in Gaza City on March 23, 2014. File photo/Reuters In 2017, Hamas elected him as the head of its political bureau. He lived in Gaza then and had earned a reputation for being pragmatic. Despite his tough rhetoric, he was generally seen by analysts as moderate and pragmatic, compared to the more hardline Gaza-based leaders Mohammed Deif and Yahya Sinwar, who are believed to have masterminded last years shocking assault on southern Israel, writes journalist Yolande Knell in the BBC. In 2018, the Hamas leader was declared a terrorist by the US State Department. Haniyeh left Gaza in 2019 for a temporary foreign tour as per Hamas, reported The Arab Weekly. Since then, he has stayed away from the conflict-hit enclave. In recent years, he led the group from Qatar and Turkey with his family, living a life of luxury. His wealth grew exponentially as he controlled Gazae economy while serving the Hamas government including through taxes imposed on goods imported into the Strip from Egypt, according to a report in The Times of Israel. The Hamas leader reportedly had 13 children. Two of his oldest sons Moaz and Abdel Salam have been documented spending time in prestigious hotels in Doha and Istanbul. While the Hamas leader backed conservative Islam, his sons drank and partied in plush clubs with women. The family largely lived away from the harsh realities of Gaza. Palestinian Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, centre, flashes a victory sign as he is surrounded by a group of Iranian lawmakers after the conclusion of the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the parliament in Tehran, Iran, on July 30. AP Life post 7 October After the 7 October attack, Haniyeh was one of the negotiators in talks between Israel and Hamas. In May, Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), accused Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the 7 October attack including extermination, murder, taking of hostages, rape and sexual assault in detention. Since October, Israel has vowed to avenge the attack. In June, the Hamas leaders sister and family were killed by the Israeli forces in a strike on the Haniyeh family home. In April, three of his sons were killed in an Israeli military operation in Gaza, reports NYT. Now with the assassination of Haniyeh, Hamas has promised to punish the perpetrators. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it would not comment and Israel has not issued an official statement. However, the countrys heritage minister Amichay Eliyahu, a member of Israels far-right wrote on X that Haniyehs death makes the world a better place. The killing comes at a tense time as confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah are escalating. Now with Hamas seething, it remains to be seen what happens next. With inputs from agencies Greece is experiencing an outbreak of cases of Peste des Petits Ruminants, a deadly virus that does not affect humans but is fatal for goats and sheep. To contain the spread, Greece banned the movement of the animals across the country. The viruss spread can have a profound impact on the European country that has the largest goat population and is crucial in making the countrys trademark feta cheese read more The movement of sheep and goats for breeding, fattening and slaughter is banned throughout Greece, the country's agricultural ministry informed. Reuters A pastoral crisis is brewing in Greece as it combats a deadly outbreak of goat plague. In response to new cases detected over the weekend, the country has banned the movement of sheep and goats across pastures to contain the highly contagious infection, the agriculture ministry announced. Known formally as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), this virus does not affect humans but is fatal for goats and sheep, killing between 80 per cent and 100 per cent of those infected. Advertisement Since the outbreaks detection earlier this month, thousands of animals have been culled in central Greece so far with authorities worrying about further spread of the disease. But what exactly is this disease, and what does its impact mean for Greece? Lets delve deeper. The origin The Peste des Petits Ruminants was first reported in 1942 in Cote dIvoire, West Africa. Since then the disease has spread globally to large regions in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. As per the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, more than 70 countries are affected or at high risk of getting the viral infection. Those at-risk countries are home to approximately 1.7 billion heads around 80 percent of the global population of sheep and goats. According to World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), PPR is transmitted by close contact, and confinement favours outbreaks. Secretions and excretions of sick animals are the sources of infection among animals. How is Greece combating the outbreak? The virus was first detected on July 11, in Greeces central Thessaly region and has since then spread to the Larissa region and in Corinth in the south, where authorities have detected new cases. Georgios Stratakos, a senior agriculture ministry official, revealed to Reuters that about 8,000 animals have already been culled in Thessaly, with regional governor Dimitris Kouretas confirming another 1,200 will be culled later this week. Advertisement The European Unions protocols necessitate the culling of entire flocks once a case is detected to prevent further spread. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has outlined the severe symptoms animals exhibit, including fever, discharge on the eyes and nose forming a crust, coughing, foul-smelling breath, and diarrhoea. These symptoms often lead to severe morbidity and mortality rates among animals making the chances of their survival bleak. To further prevent the spread, the authorities also have to disinfect the entire affected farm and test animals in nearby areas for the disease. According to Stratakos, more than 200,000 animals from the central region have been tested for the contagious virus. Advertisement More than 200,000 goats and sheep have been tested for the goat plague in Greece. AP In response to new cases detected over the weekend, the ministry has banned the movement of sheep and goats for breeding, fattening, and slaughter throughout Greece. The ministrys statement emphasised, Tightening the security measures across the country is deemed necessary for preventive reasons and is aimed at limiting the spread and eradicating the disease. Urgent meetings with local authorities have been held, and an investigation is underway to determine the source of the outbreak, with suspicious imports from abroad not being ruled out. Greece is also coordinating with the EU and veterinary services of other member states to manage the outbreak. While, there is no specific treatment for this disease, only a vaccine can help in its prevention. Advertisement The impact The outbreak has a profound impact on Greece, which is home to Europes largest goat population. According to the European Unions Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries report for 2020, Greece has approximately 3,625,000 goats that play a crucial role in making the countrys trademark product: feta cheese. Made from at least 70 per cent sheeps milk and at least 30 per cent goats milk, the dairy product is a major economic driver for the European nation. Greece has approximately 3,625,000 goats that play a crucial role in making the countrys trademark product: feta cheese. Reuters Feta exports are in demand worldwide, According to a study by Allied Market Research estimates, the country exported over 65 per cent of its 127,000 tonnes of feta in 2022, achieving a record value of $658 million. Advertisement As per WOAH, the goat plague can cause annual economic losses of up to $2.1 billion. But beyond the financial impact, the outbreak jeopardises the livelihoods, food security, and employment of families dependent on livestock. With input from agencies A day after BJP leader Anurag Thakur made a caste remark against Rahul Gandhi which was later encouraged and shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media with a caption must hear, the Congress on Wednesday submitted a notice to move privilege motion against the Prime Minister for backing his young colleagues speech read more A day after BJP leader Anurag Thakur made a caste remark against Rahul Gandhi which was later encouraged and shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media with a caption must hear, the Congress on Wednesday submitted a notice to move privilege motion against the Prime Minister for backing his young colleagues speech. Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi submitted a notice to move a privilege motion against PM Modi for having posted on X a video that allegedly contained portions of remarks made by BJP MP Anurag Thakur that were expunged from the proceedings of the House by the Chair. Advertisement Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi moves a Privilege Motion notice in Lok Sabha, against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over expunged portions of BJP MP Anurag Thakur's remarks tweeted by him on X along with the whole speech video. pic.twitter.com/pBUlWREFQg ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024 Channi, a Dalit MP of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, submitted a notice to Speaker Om Birla seeking to move a privilege motion under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure against the prime minister. I hereby give notice to move a privilege motion under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha against the Prime Minister for having tweeted on X a portion of remarks which were expunged from the proceedings of the House by the Chair, the former Punjab chief minister said in his communication to Birla. On July 30, 2024, certain objectionable remarks made by Thakur were expunged from the proceedings of the House by the Lok Sabha speaker, he said. It is, however, shocking to note that the prime minister posted on X the whole video of the speech which also contained these expunged portions, Channi said. Advertisement As laid down in Practice and Procedure of Parliament, The effect in law of an order of the Speaker expunging words, remarks or a portion of the proceedings is as if those words/remarks or that portion of the proceedings had never been spoken. Publication of the expunged words or expressions would amount to a breach of privilege, he said citing the Practice and Procedure of Parliament by Kaul and Shakdher. This position has been reiterated by the Honble Supreme Court in the Searchlight case, Channi said. The prime ministers tweeting of the remarks which had been expunged from the proceedings of Lok Sabha clearly amounts to a breach of privilege and contempt of the House. I, therefore, contemplate to move a privilege motion against prime minister and request you to please admit my motion and permit me to move the same. Request that privilege proceedings may be initiated against the prime minister, the Congress leader said in his letter. Advertisement How things unfolded While addressing the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Hamirpur MP Thakur got into a heated exchange with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, taking a jibe at his caste. The one whose caste is not known is talking about the census, Thakur said. The remarks led to an uproar from the Opposition and a renewed call to consider the caste census bill. Amid the uproar, the Leader of the Opposition interjected to say he should be given an opportunity to respond because Thakur had insulted him. You can insult me as much as you want, do it every day. But dont forget that we (the opposition) will get the Bill (on Caste Census) passed here (in Parliament), Gandhi said. Advertisement Later, PM shared the video of Anurag Thakurs speech, calling it a must hear. This speech by my young and energetic colleague, Shri @ianuragthakur is a must hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance. https://t.co/4utsqNeJqp Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 30, 2024 This speech by my young and energetic colleague, Shri @ianuragthakur is a must hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance, PM Modi posted on X. Congress hits back The post evoked a strong reaction from Congress, terming the speech highly abusive and unconstitutional tirade and accused the PM of encouraging a serious breach of Parliamentary privilege. This speech that the non-biological Prime Minister calls a must hear is a highly abusive and unconstitutional tirade and by sharing it, he has encouraged a serious breach of Parliamentary privilege. Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur brought Parliamentary discourse to a new https://t.co/tF75hK1sPd Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 31, 2024 This speech that the non-biological Prime Minister calls a must hear is a highly abusive and unconstitutional tirade and by sharing it, he has encouraged a serious breach of Parliamentary privilege, said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on X. Jairam said former Union Minister Anurag Thakur brought Parliamentary discourse to a new low by asking a fellow MP and the Leader of Opposition about his caste identity. He said senior BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was in the Chair, had assured the remarks would be expunged. While expunged comments are edited out of videos uploaded online, Sansad TV has uploaded the unedited speech in this case, he added. In a departure from all parliamentary norms expunged comments are edited out of videos uploaded online - Sansad TV has uploaded the unedited speech, and the non-biological Prime Minister has shared and praised it publicly. This is a new and shameful low in the annals of Indias parliamentary history. It reflects the BJP-RSS and Mr. Modis deep-rooted casteism, Jairam said. How Parliament deals with Privilege Motion A breach of privilege is an infringement of any of the privileges of MPs or Parliament. Chapter 20 of rule 22 for Lok Sabha and Chapter 16 Rule 187 for the Rajya Sabha have mentioned the Privilege motion. The scrutiny regarding the breach of this motion in the Lok Sabha is managed by the Speaker and that in the Rajya Sabha is managed by the Chairperson. Once the Speaker or the Chairperson considers the accusations to be true then the accused is called to explain themselves. A committee of 15 members is elected by the Speaker in the Lok Sabha and a committee of 10 members is elected by the Chairperson at the Rajya Sabha. These committees are responsible for managing all the cases and accusations related to the privilege motion and take relevant actions against and breach of the motion. With inputs from agencies I want to clarify something for the country They kept on talking about early warning. I want to clarify that on July 23, the government of India gave an early warning to the government of Kerala, which was 7 days before the incident, and then on July 24 and 25 too early warning was given, said Shah read more Union Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday blamed the Pinarayi Vijayan government of Kerala for the scale of tragedy that happened in the Wayanad district on Tuesday following landslides there. In a statement made in the Rajya Saya, Shah said that the Kerala government was given an early warning about landslides. #WATCH | Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "My condolences to the bereaved families... I want to clarify something for the country... They kept on talking about early warning. I want to clarify that on July 23, the government of India gave an early warning to the pic.twitter.com/pyi8WCFPq2 ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024 Advertisement My condolences to the bereaved families I want to clarify something for the country They kept on talking about early warning. I want to clarify that on July 23, the government of India gave an early warning to the government of Kerala, which was 7 days before the incident, and then on July 24 and 25 too early warning was given, said Shah. He said, on July 26, again a warning was given that there was a chance of heavy rainfall of more than 20 cm, and there were chances of landslides, there could be mudflow and people could lose lives. Questions are being raised about the early warning system of the government The government has spent Rs 2,000 crore after 2014 for the early warning system, added Shah. He said the Centre had dispatched nine NDRF teams on July 23 to Kerala after heavy rainfall was predicted for the southern state. #WATCH | Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "... Under this early warning system, on July 23, at my direction, 9 NDRF teams were sent to Kerala considering that there could be landslides... What did the Kerala government do? Were the people shifted? And if they were pic.twitter.com/P29bTb2buk ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024 Advertisement Under this early warning system, on July 23, at my direction, 9 NDRF teams were sent to Kerala considering that there could be landslides What did the Kerala government do? Were the people shifted? And if they were shifted then how did they die? The project of early warning started in 2016 and by 2023, India had the most modern early warning system There are only 4 countries to predict 7 days in advance and India is one amongst them, he added. Advertisement He said the deaths due to Wayanad landslides could have been minimised had the Kerala government been alert and acted on the Centres warning or after the arrival of NDRF teams. He said the Modi government is standing like a rock with the Kerala government and the people to deal with the tragedy. With inputs from agencies Quoting a dialogue on the villain Gabbar Singh from the Hindi blockbuster Sholay, the Supreme Court on Wednesday confirmed its earlier order staying the premature release of gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli who is serving life imprisonment in a murder case read more Quoting a dialogue on the villain Gabbar Singh from the Hindi blockbuster Sholay, the Supreme Court on Wednesday confirmed its earlier order staying the premature release of gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli who is serving life imprisonment in a murder case. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Dattamade absolute its June 3 order staying the operation of the April 5 order of the Bombay High Courts Nagpur bench and posted the appeals for hearing on November 20. Advertisement The high court had directed state authorities to consider Gawlis application for premature release under the 2006 remission policy. We are not inclined to grant any interim relief. The interim stay granted by us is confirmed. Post the appeals for hearing on November 20, the bench said. At the outset, senior advocate Raja Thakare, appearing for the Maharashtra government, submitted that Gawli has over 46 cases, including around 10 cases of murder, against him. The apex court asked the senior lawyer whether Gawli had done anything in last five to eight years. Thakare replied that the gangster has been behind bars for over 17 years. The bench then asked whether he is reformed or not. How society will know that when he is behind the bars? He is 72 years old, it said. Challenging the high court order, Thakare said there is a requirement under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) for convicts to undergo imprisonment for at least 40 years for remission. This is as per the policy of 2015. Senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, appearing for Gawli, said other co-accused had been given bail in the matter and the Bombay High Court was right in granting premature release. Advertisement The state government has changed its remission policy (in 2015) but your lordships have held that the policy will apply which was applicable when he was convicted. The 2006 policy will apply since he was convicted in 2009. This policy allows remission on account of age and infirmity, she said. At this juncture, the bench observed, But madam you should know that not everybody is Arun Gawli. In the movie Sholay, there is an iconic dialogue, So ja beta, nahi toh Gabbar aa jayega. This can be a case here. Elaborating on Gawlis health condition, Ramakrishnan told the court that he is suffering from heart disease and has a lung defect. Advertisement To this, the counsel for the Maharashtra government said this was so because of continuous smoking for 40 years. Ramakrishnan responded, So what, you cannot keep him inside because of this. He is not on trial for smoking. The advisory board has certified that he is infirm at his age, therefore the 2006 policy would apply since he was convicted then. The later policy of 2015 cannot apply. On June 3, the top court stayed the operation of the April 5 order of the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. The bench had allowed Gawlis plea seeking a direction to the state government for his premature release on account of the remission policy dated January 10, 2006, prevailing on the date of his conviction on August 31, 2012. Advertisement Gawli, who is undergoing life imprisonment for the 2007 murder of Mumbai Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar, claims to have complied with all the conditions of the 2006 policy. Gawli has contended that he is of advanced age and has been certified as weak by the medical board, making him eligible for availing the benefit of the remission policy. Gawli, who shot into prominence from Dagdi Chawl, a neighbourhood of Byculla, is the founder of the Akhil Bharatiya Sena. He was an MLA from 2004-2009 from the Chinchpokli seat of Mumbai. He was arrested in 2006 and was put on trial for the murder of Jamsandekar. In August 2012, a sessions court in Mumbai sentenced him to life imprisonment in the case and imposed a fine of Rs 17 lakh on him. The Vietnamese Prime Minister urged businesses from both India and Vietnam to collaborate and develop innovative solutions to boost bilateral trade to $20 billion and beyond. read more Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Wednesday that India and Vietnam should explore possibilities of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to enhance their economic partnership. Speaking on Wednesday during his three-day visit to India. Chinh, who is accompanied by a delegation of ministers, deputy ministers, and business leaders, addressed the Vietnam-India Business Forum, emphasising the goal of boosting bilateral trade to $20 billion in the future. Chinh also met Indias EAM S Jaishankar. The Vietnamese Prime Minister called upon businesses from the two nations to work together, and bring about better solutions to raise bilateral trade to $20 billion going forward. Advertisement Honoured to call on PM Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam during his State visit to India. Appreciate his guidance on our bilateral relationship and on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Look forward to his Summit meeting with PM @narendramodi tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/bj409jNker Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 31, 2024 He also emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in strategic sectors such as transportation infrastructure, energy, digital infrastructure, and climate resilience, to further deepen the partnership between the two nations." I would like to ask that we expand ourmarket access to each others products such as through a suitable FTA between Vietnam and India. Of course, we need to discuss thisWe need to make sure that our benefits are shared with each other for Indian businesses. I hope that you (India) would continue to invest and invest more in Vietnam, he said at the Business Forum organised by Ficci. Ive spoken to many Indian businesses. I called on them to make investment into infrastructure, including strategic infrastructure, transportation, health, educational, cultural and all the rest of it, Chinh said. He further called upon businesses of the two countries to work together to realise their shared aspirations and to build the strategic, comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and India. Advertisement The Vietnamese Prime Minister also participated in the launch ceremony of the new flight route between Ahmedabad (India) and Da Nang (Vietnam). Pointing out that Vietnam imports 33 per cent of its pharmaceutical products from India, Chinh said it would like to work with India to establish a proper pharmaceutical ecosystem in Vietnam. With inputs from agencies. Chowdhury, who suffered a major setback during elections, is a Congress stalwart and has been the MP-elect of Bahrampur five times. Despite being a long-time member of the grand old party, the leader has often found himself at odds with Congress read more After his defeat in the Lok Sabha election to a newbie, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is officially on his way out from the West Bengal Congress presidency. The stalwart lost his Bahrampur seat to TMCs Yusuf Pathan who made his political debut this year. With his exit, the All India Congress Committee has begun headhunting for the next West Bengal Congress president. The grand old party will also look at ways to mend ties with Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress, something that was not possible under Chowdhurys leadership. Advertisement Chowdhury, who suffered a major setback during elections, is a Congress stalwart and has been the MP-elect of Bahrampur five times. Despite being a long-time member of the grand old party, the leader has often found himself at odds with Congress. Chowdhury has always been a vocal critic of the TMC government in West Bengal while INC wants a more cordial relationship with the party, especially after both parties joined hands as part of the INDIA bloc. AICC holds meeting with WB Cong Earlier this week, AICC held a meeting with West Bengal Pradesh Congress to discuss successors to Chowdhury. The meeting was held in New Delhi and was attended by senior leaders. According to a report by Indian Express, state leaders have left it up to the high command to replace Adhir while requesting the party to rejuvenate the party at the grassroots level. During the meeting, AICC leaders also deliberated on ways to improve relations with TMC. As you know, after the Lok Sabha results, Adhir Chowdhury submitted his resignation to the high command. Talks on Bengal were held; we had called 25 leaders for one-on-one meetings. Discussions were held as to what needs to be done there before the 2026 Assembly polls. Now a roadmap will be made, including a party structure," AICC Bengal in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir told reporters after the meeting. Speaking about the partys decision to re-evaluate its ties with Congress, former Raiganj MP Dasmuni said, There is also a question that we are part of the INDIA alliance but in Bengal, the fight is against the BJP as well as the TMC. This raises questions. On the other side too, the TMC is fighting against us in Bengal despite being in the INDIA alliance. Then there is polarisation in Bengal like we have never seen earlier. It is tough but we have to rebuild our organisation slowly. Advertisement The day Kharge became Cong prez Reacting to his exit, Chowdhury said, The day Mallikarjun Kharge became the party president, all other posts of the party in the country became temporary, according to the Constitution of the party. Even my post became temporaryWhile the election was underway, Mallikarjun Kharge said on television that if necessary I would be kept out, which made me upset. The leader also claimed that he was not informed whether his resignation had been accepted by the party or not. He also questioned his party for removing him from the presidency without prior intimation. Xis handprint is all over the Third Plenums decisions. The economic slowdown? No change in course. National security concerns? Double down on control. Technology? A race to dominance. Is this a blueprint for a stronger China, or a nation trapped in Xis vision? read more The Third Plenum of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is an event of immense political significance. During this key meeting, the countrys general policy direction is mapped out, and economic outcomes are scrutinised. Convened twice a decade by the Central Committee, the Third Plenum is the largest body of the CPC, elected during the party congress, which is held every five years. Incidentally, the Central Committee holds seven plenums during the party congresss tenure. The first, second, and seventh plenums focus on the power transition between Central Committees, including the Politburo and the Politburo Standing Committee, the seven-member apex body. The fourth and sixth plenums typically centre on party ideology, while the fifth is associated with the nations five-year plans. Advertisement It was at the Third Plenum of the 11th party congress, held in December 1978, that Deng Xiaoping initiated a series of ideological and policy changes, ushering in an era of reforms and opening up (Gaige-Kaifang) that fuelled Chinas rise. At the Third Plenum of the 14th party congress, convened in September 1992, the goal of creating a socialist market economy was established. During the Third Plenum of the 18th party congress, held in November 2013, the CPC vowed to let market forces play a decisive role in allocating resources within the economy. The Third Plenum of the 19th party congress, held in February 2018, urged the CPC to unite closely around the Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the Core and proposed the removal of the two-term cap on the presidency. The Third Plenum of the 20th party congress was convened from 15 to 18 July 2024, at a time when Chinas economy registered a slow GDP growth rate of 4.7 per cent. Presided over by President Xi Jinping to set Chinas policy direction for the next five years, the focus was on reinforcing long-term strategies. The key task of the recently concluded convention was to review the draft document of the CPC Central Committee titled Further Comprehensively Deepening of Reforms to Advance Chinese Modernisation. This document outlines the partys most authoritative plans for governing the economy in the coming years. The resolution was adopted at the plenary session and made public three days later, on 21 July. The salient highlights of the document include: The plenum emphasised the new development philosophy centered on high-quality economic growth driven by education, innovation, and science and technology. It aims to reduce investment in unsustainable infrastructure projects and achieve technological self-sufficiency amid intense global competition. The party placed emphasis on economic reforms, focusing on building a high-level socialist market economy while maintaining state control. The need to create a fair and dynamic environment was stressed to ensure equal access for all entities, with the market playing a decisive role in resource allocation. Achieving technological independence was another core area. The specific critical domains include semiconductors, aerospace, new-generation technology, artificial intelligence (AI), biomedicine, and quantum technology. The plenum also discussed improving policies and governance systems to promote the development of these strategic industries. Advertisement The plenum underlined the importance of green energy as a crucial driver for sustainable growth. Progress on electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and renewable energy technologies was discussed. The governments plans to introduce carbon accounting and standards will have direct implications for trade, particularly exports to key markets like the European Union (EU). The plenum document calls for deepening fiscal and taxation reforms to improve the budget system. It stipulates that to address the financial difficulties of local governments, it is necessary to increase local tax sources and appropriately expand local tax management authority. However, this move could increase the burden on citizens, potentially impacting the economy. Advertisement National security received significant attention during the plenum. The communique includes an entire section titled Modernising China National Security and Capacity, which describes national security as a pivotal foundation for Chinas modernisation. The party is clearly committed to ensuring that high-quality development and greater security, which reinforce each other, are achieved. It is important to note that national security encompasses not only the security of the nation but also the security of the Communist regimethe CPC itself. This implies the CPCs continued control over the military and the acceleration of defence reforms to bolster both conventional and strategic capabilities of the armed forces. This aligns with Xi Jinpings strategy of ensuring stability and security, the foundations for progress and prosperity. Advertisement The plenum, above all, reaffirmed the CPCs commitment to its long-term vision under Xi Jinping: a state-controlled economy aimed at realising the objective of shared prosperity and maintaining stability. The conclave reiterated Xis core views on state power, the economy, and markets, views that were established when he assumed leadership a decade ago. These are now beyond any debate or deliberation. It is the Party-State combine that will steer the critical elements of talent, innovation, technology, and capital to achieve national security. The communiques declaration that overall, we have accomplished the reforms tasks set out in 2013 rings hollow in view of the current state of Chinas economy, which faces a downturn and various structural problems. It is evident that the CPC is not going to change course but will instead intensify efforts to steer the economy on a sustainable long-term path. The party has pledged to achieve high-quality development through new productive forces by 2029. Advertisement The CPC Third Plenum was somewhat overshadowed by US political developments. Former President Trump survived an assassination attempt, and President Biden withdrew from the race, endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris instead. Despite this, Beijing has sent distinctive signals, such as doubling down on industrial policy, developing high-tech advanced manufacturing, and placing heavy emphasis on the national security architecture. These developments will undoubtedly compel national capitals and boardrooms across the globe to undertake risk assessments, factoring in Chinas policy decisions. Within China, there is serious apprehension amongst entrepreneurs and the general public, given the current economic slump. The CPC now faces an uphill battle to regain domestic and international confidence, with the stakes being extremely high for the Communist regime. The author is a War Veteran, former Assistant Chief, served as Defence Attache in China, currently Professor-Strategic and International Relations. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The Artemis programme is designed to enable human missions to revisit the moon, establish permanent presence there, and then use the moon as a base to launch missions to other planets read more Humanity is set to dive into a future stone age this decade, using the moon for exploration and extracting materials that would power the new space industrial age and also capture the planetary real estate beyond the moon. The Artemis programme is designed to enable human missions to revisit the moon, establish permanent presence there, and then use the moon as a base to launch missions to other planets. NASAs Artemis campaign entails exploring the moon for scientific discovery, technology advancement, and to learn how to live and work on another world as we prepare for human missions to Mars and beyond. Nations signatory to the Artemis accords shall participate and enable collaboration with commercial and international partners for establishing the first long-term human presence on the moon. By 2026, NASA is planning to land the first woman and first person of colour on the moon, using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. NASA is not simply aiming to repeat the feats of the Apollo missions with Artemis, its goal is also to go to the moon and live there. Advertisement So far 43 countries have signed the accords. India became the 27th nation to sign the Artemis Accords, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable and transparent space activity. NASA, in coordination with the US Department of State, established the Artemis Accords in 2020. The Artemis Accords are grounded in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST). Both Russia and China have declined to be a formal part of the Accords considering that these are too US-centric and that it overrides the OST. China has developed a credible space programme establishing its own space station in 2022 called Tiangong. India is not far behind and is preparing to launch Gaganyaan this year which would graduate to a manned space flight and ultimately set up the Indian Orbital Space Station by 2035, officially called, Bharatiya Antariksha Station or the Indian Space Station. Artemis would be a step ahead by creating a space lab orbiting the moon called the gateway. Currently, the industrial superpowers depend on rare earth materials. The next source of empowerment would come from the rare planetary materials moon being the first in the line. The earth is probably becoming a smaller place for humanity as it approaches a mark of nine billion in population. Humans are not only growing in numbers but also in greed. They have empowered the machine to achieve greater feats. The rare earth materials have been the actual real estate that makes machines of the future. The new fodder to industrial machines is now the future rare planetary materials. Many countries have the incentive to go after these materials, especially those that dont want to rely on China, which currently holds a third of the worlds known reserves of rare earth. The discovery of water on the moon and potential deposits of rare minerals hold promise for both scientific and economic exploration and exploitation. It is expected to find deposits of metal oxides in some of the large craters of the moon. The moon also contains reserves of silicon, titanium, rare earth metals and aluminium. Countries are also after helium-3 that can be used to create nuclear fusion the Holy Grail of energy production as it would produce higher amounts of energy than nuclear fission but is much less radioactive. On Earth only about 0.0001 per cent of helium is helium-3, but on the moon there may be over a million tonnes of it. Helium-3s power, if and when harnessed, will solve humanitys energy demand for around 10,000 years. After exploiting the materials on the moon, the mission would be to use the moon as a launch pad to mine minerals from the other planets, starting with Mars. Advertisement The Artemis programme is divided in five distinct phases. Artemis I was completed in 2022 which took an un-crewed flight test of the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion spacecraft into the Lunar orbit. Artemis 1 successfully proved that the SLS, Orion and the systems on Earth for communications and recovery are suitable to fly real astronauts to the moon and back. Artemis II shall be launched by September next year, as the first crewed flight test of SLS and the Orion spacecraft beyond the moon. Artemis III is planned a year later (September 2026) and will send the first humans to explore the region near the lunar South Pole where Indias Chandrayaan 3 has already collected certain credible data. Artemis III aims to land the first female astronaut and first astronaut of colour on the lunar surface. They will spend a week on the moon performing scientific studies, before returning to the earth. Advertisement By 2027, Artemis IV shall debut humanitys first lunar space station, a larger, more powerful version of the SLS rocket, and new mobile launcher. This will deliver a core part of a new lunar space station (named Gateway) into orbit around the moon, and land another two astronauts on the Moons surface. Artemis V is likely to be completed by 2029, adding another important module to Gateway and involve a third crewed lunar landing to undertake further surface science. NASAs long-term goals are even more ambitious: Using the technology and research developed during the Artemis flights, to launch a future crewed mission to Mars. This Moon to Mars plan involves building a new space station in lunar orbit and, eventually, establishing a habitable moon base. Advertisement Unlike the International Space Station (ISS), the Gateway shall be a flexible platform for missions to the moon and beyond. It wont be permanently occupied, but will serve as a platform where astronauts can live and undertake research for short periods. It will also be able to continue scientific research even between human lunar missions. Gateway is a small space station that, once built, will orbit the moon. The Orion module will dock with Gateway, and from there the astronauts will transfer into the lunar landing module. Gateway modules shall comprise a habitation and Logistic Outpost to be established by 2027, International habitation module for living and a module for communication and equipment will be established by 2029. Advertisement The Human Landing System will take cargo and humans from Gateway to the Moons surface. The lander will have the potential to increase the number of crew who can go down to the moon, and enable a longer stay. The privatisation of space has made private companies aspirational to explore and, if opportunity presents, to own the planetary real estates. The Artemis programme is one of NASAs first large-scale collaborations with commercial companies such as SpaceX and Boeing. While the journey to the moon takes three days, reaching Mars is a far longer and more complicated goal. NASA sees Artemis as laying the foundation for both international space agencies and private companies to build a lunar settlement and economy, and from there eventually send humans to Mars. The Artemis Accords also mark a new chapter in the collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA. One of the most exciting outcomes of this collaboration is the proposed joint mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024. This mission, in a way, also aligns with Indias ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space. The collaboration for the ISS mission could potentially see Indian astronauts being part of an international crew aboard the ISS. It signifies a significant step in Indias space exploration journey, as it marks the countrys first participation in manned missions to the space station. Meanwhile, China is also working on a similar programme for lunar mining and resource utilisation. It intends to soon carry out technical verifications for in-situ lunar ice mining, hydrogen-oxygen conversion, oxygen production, and other technologies. The Chinese landing of Yatu 2 on the other side of the moon is a technological demonstration. In the next two decades China plans to take a lead in lunar reserve utilisation through mega applications in the field of energy acquisition and utilisation, mineral mining and refining, lunar infrastructure construction, operation, and maintenance. The Artemis programme has plans for lunar resource utilisation, harnessing the surface power, carry out evacuation and construction of habitat at industrial scale and build cross-cutting capabilities. The programme is aimed to achieve significant economic returns from certain lunar resource utilisation activities. The moon becomes a major outpost for deep space exploration, besides enabling the construction of a Mars scientific research station and the expansion of Mars resource utilisation activities. It is a matter of debate if and when the US, China and Russia join the moon mission. The principles set out in these Accords are intended to apply to civil space activities conducted by the civil space agencies of each signatory. These activities may take place on the moon, Mars, comets, and asteroids, including their surfaces and sub surfaces, as well as in orbit of the Moon or Mars, in the Lagrangian points for the Earth-Moon system, and in transit between these celestial bodies and locations. The signatories intend to implement the principles set out in these Accords through their own activities by taking, as appropriate, measures such as mission planning and contractual mechanisms with entities acting on their behalf. According to the declarations, the signatories of Artemis reaffirm their commitment to the OST, including those provisions relating to due regard and harmful interference. The signatories affirm that the exploration and use of outer space should be conducted with due consideration to the United Nations Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities adopted by the UN-Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in 2019, with appropriate changes to reflect the nature of operations beyond the low-earth orbit. In the next 10 years the complexion of human thought would change when the moon would also act as an electronic transponder to the earth the mother of all satellites. Gradually and incrementally, there would be many powerful telescopes and electronic beams directed towards the earth. The moon shall soon become a surface of contest in the new superpower rivalry. It is with great hope that lawmakers on the earth have to decide on the applicability of their laws on the other planet. Lt Gen (Dr) PJS Pannu is a former Deputy Chief Integrated Defence Staff. He was responsible for raising the Defence Space Agency, Defence Cyber Agency and the armed forces Special Forces Division. He has done PhD in Indigenisation of Defence Industry. He is a Senior Advisor to Satcom Industries Association (India). He has conducted two space-based Industrial wargames in the last two years. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Despite not aligning with every US-led initiative, Indias commitment to the Quad is evident in its growing involvement in regional exercises, from disaster relief to maritime manoeuvres read more The Quad foreign ministers met in Tokyo shortly after a large number of foreign ministers gathered in Vientiane, Laos, for the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit. During this period, all Quad ministers had productive interactions with regional counterparts. They arrived in Tokyo with greater clarity from their discussions, allowing the Quad to be more focused in its deliberations. Five important aspects emerged from this meeting. First, chairing the Quad for the year does not necessarily equate to hosting a foreign ministers or summit meeting. For instance, while Australia held the chair in 2023, the Quad Summit took place on the sidelines of the G7 in Hiroshima due to a change in US President Bidens travel plans, precluding a visit to Australia. Similarly, the preceding Quad foreign ministers meeting had occurred around the UNGA in 2023. Advertisement This year, India holds the chair but is hosting neither the foreign ministers meeting nor, likely, the summit. The January proposal proved unworkable for all parties. Current discussions revolve around a meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA in September. However, uncertainty remains due to the upcoming elections for Japans ruling Liberal Democratic Party, where Prime Minister Kishidas future hangs in the balance. Therefore, it can be deduced that while the Quad has an annual chair, it prioritises convenient locations where some members are already convening. For instance, in Tokyo, Japan and the US were already engaged in their two-plus-two dialogue, while the Indian and Australian foreign ministers were already present in Laos, making Tokyo a convenient location for the Quad foreign ministers meeting. Secondly, while the Quad has steadily adopted a doing good for the world, particularly for the region approach in its summit communiques, follow-up remains crucial. With the number of working groups increasing, the foreign ministers examined various implementation ideas, focusing on the IORA region, the Pacific Islands, and greater inclusion of ASEAN. During its term, India aims to prioritise the agenda towards resilient disaster infrastructure, the digital economy and technology, critical emerging technologies, and physical connectivity to build capacity across the Indo-Pacific. These elements appear to be Indias focus for the remainder of its chairmanship. Implementation efforts include a space-based climate warning system for Mauritius, support for Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) with joint projects in Palau, disaster relief for Papua New Guinea, inclusion of ASEAN countries in Quad fellowships, and greater involvement of Indias IFC in the marine Domain Awareness proposal. Additionally, a Quad Cyber Ambassadors Meeting will address capacity building and responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, with confirmation of the Quad Cyber Bootcamp in India. These developments signify substantial progress. Advertisement The Quad must prioritise physical connectivity more seriously. The IMECC, announced last September, exemplifies both the potential and the challenges ahead. Cooperative projects within the Indo-Pacific itself are essential. The Quad needs to identify a few cogent ideas, secure financing for feasibility studies and bankable project development, and then divide responsibilities and opportunities amongst themselves and their partners. This has proven difficult even among some trilateral configurations within the Quad. Thirdly, strategic issues invariably dominate Quad meetings. An unwritten but clear objective is to challenge Chinas efforts to dominate the region by seeking a level playing field and adherence to international rules by all, particularly China. Chinas response to the Quad meeting is predictable: labelling it an attempt to curtail its influence. In turn, China has increased its military exercises in the region and, after a hiatus, has welcomed Russian ships back into the South China Sea. Advertisement The Quad countries fully back ASEAN centrality and encourage the early conclusion of a code of conduct with China, hoping this will lead to China abiding by rules it sets for itself. However, Chinas actions towards the Philippines offer little encouragement. Although the standoff between the Philippines and China had diffused by the time of the meeting, the Chinese Coast Guard continues to encircle the Filipino contingent at Second Thomas Shoal, leaving the potential for renewed tensions. Japan and the US have already increased their military engagement with the Philippines. Japanese fighters now make rotational visits, and Australian forces are likely to follow suit. India provided BrahMos missiles, currently the most potent weapon in the Philippine arsenal. Advertisement While not official Quad activities, these actions stem from a shared understanding. Notably, India has shed its previous reticence to support the Philippines regarding the 2016 arbitral award in its favour against China. Previously, India only referenced UNCLOS. However, since last year, both bilaterally and now within a Quad communique, India has called upon China to respect this ruling. The South China Sea and Chinas role in it have been dominant features of this Quad meeting, serving as a continuation of discussions from the meetings in Vientiane. The Quad would prefer ASEAN to successfully negotiate a robust code of conduct with China. However, in reality, any agreement reached is likely to focus more on limiting the role of non-Chinese powers in the South China Sea than on ensuring a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Advertisement Fourth, whereas the focus was previously on the Ukraine crisis, it is now the Gaza crisis that is attracting Quad attention. On Gaza, all four members support peace, advocate for a two-state solution, and recognise Israels right to defend itself. Regarding the Ukraine crisis, there is less consensus but a general agreement that the war should end. Indias engagement with Russia is observed with interest, and Indias potential engagement with Ukraine is of even greater interest. This is because, among the four Quad members, India is the only country that has not publicly criticised Russia and maintains stable relations with both Russia and Ukraine. Finally, the dichotomy of having the Quad work towards the public good in the region while continuing to coordinate military responses to regional issues will persist. As the External Affairs Minister has stated, the Quad is here to stay. Although the US, Japan, and Australia sometimes operate separately on certain issues without Indias direct involvement, India remains a participant in the overarching framework. Recent months have seen numerous maritime and multi-role exercises in the Indo-Pacific. While some involve Japan and its European partners, India is a crucial and integral participant in the larger exercises, whether with the US, Australia, or hosted by India itself. This highlights Indias nuanced approach to the Quadstrategic congruence without formal coalition membership. India remains committed to addressing shared challenges and promoting stability and prosperity alongside other Indo-Pacific nations and beyond, envisioning tangible benefits for the region through the Quad framework. The author is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and the African Union. He tweets @AmbGurjitSingh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Amid the ongoing Gaza war, anti-US sentiments have intensified in West Asia. The American support for Israel and its failure to address regional grievances have fuelled this growing discontentment. Amid these escalations, US forces and assets in the region have also been targeted by pro-Iran militia forces in Syria and Iraq, further complicating the security situation. For decades, the US approach to West Asia has been characterised by scepticism and caution. Despite substantial aid to countries like Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan, totalling billions of dollars, and strong defence ties, the US has struggled to gain popular support in the Arab street as the US policies often clash with regional sentiments and movements. The Arab world views the US with suspicion, particularly following its interventions in Iraq and Libya. This mistrust has persisted despite the US military and economic power, which has not succeeded in restoring reliability. Advertisement The US has struggled to define clear and achievable strategic objectives in the region. Its inability to stabilise post-war Iraq and demonstrate to the Iraqi people that its presence serves their interests has been a significant issue. In 2023 alone, the US provided $150 million in economic development assistance and $114.2 million in humanitarian assistance for Iraq, reflecting its commitment but also highlighting the complexities of achieving lasting stability. The inability to anticipate shifting dynamics has been a significant issue. Since the US invasion of Iraq, Iran has effectively established a strong foothold in Iraqi politics, a development that continues to pose a major challenge for the US. Historically, regimes in the region have manipulated public sentiment by linking conflicts and wars with the Palestinian cause. Despite this pattern, the US has struggled to adapt its strategies and respond to these tactics effectively. During the Iran-Iraq War, Ayatollah Khomeini utilised slogans like The road to Jerusalem passes through Karbala, to frame the conflict in religious terms and rally support against Saddam Hussein. This slogan highlighted the perceived struggle against oppression, linking the war to the broader issue of Palestinian liberation. During the war, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) proposed that the greater victory of liberating Jerusalem could only be realised after achieving the lesser victory of defeating Iraq and Saddam Hussein. Similarly, during the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the ensuing Gulf War, Saddam Hussein used nationalist and Islamic rhetoric to present himself as a protector of Arab honor and a challenger to Western and Israeli dominance, emphasising the Palestinian cause to enhance his regional stature. Although he initially garnered support from parts of the Arab world, his invasion of Kuwait and subsequent failures led to diminished popularity. Advertisement Even during the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, Saddam Hussein used strong anti-Zionist and anti-American rhetoric to rally support by linking the war to the Palestinian cause. He denounced the US for diverting attention from Israeli aggression, portraying himself as a defender of the Arab world. His speeches emphasised solidarity with Palestinians and accused the US of exploiting the situation for expansionist goals, aiming to consolidate his Pan-Arab leadership amid escalating regional tensions. US unwavering support for Israel has often allowed authoritarian regimes to advance their agendas and rally domestic support, leveraging the widespread anger with US policies. Moreover, the US has been criticised for double standards and hypocrisy in the Arab world. While the US has expressed concerns about human rights violations in various countries, similar concerns regarding Israeli actions often seem muted, exacerbating regional hostility towards the US. The US has also struggled to understand the regional religious and cultural sensitivities and its military interventions have caused significant collateral damage and worsened the refugee crisis, paving the way for radicalisation in the region. This has enabled Iran and its allies to construe out-group hostility against the US with their domestic rhetoric and regional propaganda. US interventions in the region and their consequences in terms of protracted political and economic crises have left a lasting negative impression on Arab memory. Moreover, the US support for Israel has inadvertently bolstered groups like Hamas and Hezbollah that continue to exploit volatile security situations and political polarisation to enhance their popularity. This was particularly evident after the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, where public sentiment turned in favor of Hezbollah even in countries with a majority Sunni population. Anti-US rhetoric and propaganda, driven by genuine grievances, have further tarnished Americas image. Leaders like Hassan Nasrallah utilise social media platforms and Hezbollahs satellite channel Al-Manar TV, to shape narratives. The advancements in ICT and social media have made it even easier to disseminate and amplify such propaganda. Similarly, Iran and its regional allies and proxies have used the Palestinian issue to rally support for their domestic and regional ambitions. Hezbollahs resilience and credibility are partly due to its military power, welfare programs, and humanitarian assistance. Importantly, Hezbollahs alignment with the Palestinian cause as well as its image as a credible Shia resistance force helps solidify its regional influence. Advertisement Inconsistent foreign policy has eroded US credibility and reliability. For instance, the abrupt withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the hasty US military pullout from Syria and Iraq highlighted the lack of a coherent strategy, further undermining the US position in the region. Additionally, inconsistent approaches with allies like Saudi Arabia have further dented relationships. President Joe Bidens initial stance of labelling Saudi Arabia a pariah state strained the US-Saudi alliance, despite efforts to repair ties. This erratic approach has contributed to regional uncertainty and complicated US diplomatic efforts. The US has failed to fully grasp the evolving regional sentiments and has consistently given unaccountable immunity to Israel, even in the face of violations of international laws. This stance has not been well received in the Arab and Islamic world, where solidarity with the Palestinian cause is strong, particularly during escalations in the West Bank or Gaza. This has made it challenging for the US to be seen as a neutral or impartial partner, while other powers, such as China, have increasingly expanded their diplomatic influence in the region. For example, Beijing recently facilitated reconciliation attempts among Palestinian groups including Hamas and Fatah, and mediated the rapprochement deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia, demonstrating its growing diplomatic engagement in West Asia. Although the tangible and sustainable outcomes of these efforts are completely yet to be seen, Beijings involvement has bolstered its credibility, especially with growing investments and economic partnerships with regional powers. According to the 2023 Arab Youth Survey, 80 per cent of respondents view China as an ally of their country. The survey along with several other public polls highlight Chinas rising popularity, with many young Arabs perceiving it as a more favourable partner than the US. Advertisement In recent years, regional powers have sought to assert their strategic autonomy and diversify their partnerships, engaging more closely with countries like Russia, China, and India. This shift poses a significant challenge for the US as it attempts to maintain its influence in an increasingly multipolar West Asia. However, it is unlikely that China or any other country would replace the US as the net security provider for its allies in the region. Consequently, the US will need to carefully balance its strategic interests with regional public opinion, adapting its approach to sustain its role in the region amidst growing competition. Advertisement Dr Nadeem Ahmed Moonakal is a research scholar at Rasanah: International Institute for Iranian Studies, Riyadh. He writes on the security and political developments in the Middle East and South Asia and his research focuses on the emerging geopolitics of the Middle East. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. This investigation is part of an ongoing scrutiny of the relationships between large tech firms and smaller AI companies. Googles $2 billion investment in Anthropic, made in 2023 read more The CMA has conducted similar investigations in the past. For instance, it looked into the partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI after Microsoft acquired a significant stake in OpenAIs for-profit branch. Image Credit: AFP The UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated a preliminary investigation into the partnership between Google and the AI startup Anthropic. This is part of an ongoing scrutiny of the relationships between large tech firms and smaller AI companies. Googles $2 billion investment in Anthropic, made in 2023, followed a cloud computing agreement with the startup, which is known for developing the Claude language model and chatbot. The CMA is assessing whether this partnership constitutes a relevant merger situation that could warrant a formal investigation. The authority is currently inviting public comments over the next two weeks to gather more information. Advertisement This investigation occurs amidst growing concerns about competition in the generative AI sector. Another deal involving Anthropic, in which Amazon invested $4 billion and secured a cloud computing agreement, is also under CMA scrutiny. This could potentially be classified as a merger, prompting further regulatory review. The CMA has conducted similar investigations in the past. For instance, it looked into the partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI after Microsoft acquired a significant stake in OpenAIs for-profit branch. Another investigation focused on Microsofts deal with the AI startup Inflection, following Microsofts acquisition of Inflections founder and leadership team and an agreement to access the startups AI models. Regulatory authorities are increasingly vigilant about the concentration of power within big tech companies, especially in competitive sectors like AI. This has made outright acquisitions less common. Instead, regulators are focusing on partnerships and other arrangements that could potentially hinder competition. Anthropic has responded to the investigation by asserting its independence. A spokesperson for the company emphasized that the partnership with Google does not compromise its corporate governance or freedom to collaborate with other entities. Anthropic maintains that it remains an independent company despite its strategic partnerships and investor relationships. Google, on the other hand, expressed its commitment to fostering an open and innovative AI ecosystem. The company highlighted that Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does not face any exclusive technology restrictions imposed by Google. Advertisement The CMAs investigation into these partnerships underscores the ongoing regulatory efforts to ensure fair competition in the rapidly evolving AI industry. As large tech companies continue to invest in and partner with smaller AI startups, regulatory bodies are closely monitoring these relationships to prevent any potential anti-competitive practices. The lawsuit was filed in 2022 and marked the first significant case under Texass biometric privacy law from 2009. The lawsuit against Meta was filed in 2022 and marked the first significant case under Texass biometric privacy law read more The case essentially resolved on accusations that Facebook, under Meta, collected biometric data billions of times from photos and videos uploaded by users through a feature called "Tag Suggestions." Image credit: Meta Meta Platforms has decided to settle a lawsuit with Texas for $1.4 billion, resolving allegations that the tech giant used facial-recognition technology to gather biometric data from millions of Texans without their consent. This settlement, announced on Tuesday, is considered the largest of its kind by any state, according to Texass legal team. The lawsuit was filed in 2022 and marked the first significant case under Texass biometric privacy law from 2009. This law stipulates that damages of up to $25,000 can be imposed per violation. The case essentially resolved on accusations that Facebook, under Meta, collected biometric data billions of times from photos and videos uploaded by users through a feature called Tag Suggestions, which has since been discontinued. Advertisement Meta has expressed satisfaction with the resolution and indicated plans to explore future business investments in Texas, including potential data centre developments. Despite agreeing to the settlement, Meta has not admitted to any wrongdoing. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton emphasized that the settlement demonstrates the states dedication to challenging major technology companies and holding them accountable for violating privacy laws and the rights of Texans. The agreement between Texas and Meta was reached in May, just weeks before a scheduled trial was set to begin in state court. This settlement is not the first time Meta has faced such issues. In 2020, the company agreed to pay $650 million to settle a biometric privacy class action under Illinoiss stringent privacy law, also without admitting to any misconduct. Meanwhile, Google, owned by Alphabet, is currently involved in a separate lawsuit by Texas over alleged violations of the states biometric law. Metas substantial settlement with Texas highlights ongoing concerns and legal challenges surrounding biometric data privacy. The outcome reinforces the importance of regulatory compliance for tech companies and the growing scrutiny of their data collection practices. Samsungs semiconductor unit, a critical segment of its business, recorded an operating profit of 6.45 trillion Korean Won, surpassing expectations. This marked its second consecutive profitable quarter following four successive losses read more South Koreas semiconductor exports have also seen a significant boost, jumping 57.5 per cent in the first 20 days of July, according to early trade data from the customs office. Image credit: Samsung Samsung Electronics Co. has reported its fastest net income growth since 2010, driven by a surge in its semiconductor division fueled by the artificial intelligence boom. The worlds leading manufacturer of memory chips and smartphones saw a six-fold increase in net income, reaching 9.64 trillion Korean Won ($6.96 billion) in the June quarter. This significantly exceeded analysts expectations, which averaged around 7.97 trillion Korean Won. Earlier this month, Samsung also announced a preliminary 15-fold rise in operating profit and a 23 per cent increase in revenue, marking its most substantial sales growth since 2021. Advertisement This impressive performance suggests that the global computing markets are recovering from a prolonged downturn post-COVID, partly due to increased AI development investments from both the US and China. Similar to SK Hynix Inc., Samsung provides semiconductors essential for storage in servers and mobile devices, alongside a wide range of consumer electronics. Samsungs semiconductor unit, a critical segment of its business, recorded an operating profit of 6.45 trillion Korean Won, surpassing expectations. This marked its second consecutive profitable quarter following four successive losses. The units performance was bolstered by rising memory prices and strong demand for high-bandwidth memory chips (HBMs), which are crucial for conserving power and supporting the fast processing speeds required for AI applications. Investors have been watching Samsungs position in the rapidly growing HBM market with keen interest. Despite being Koreas largest company, Samsungs shares have lagged behind those of its smaller competitor, SK Hynix, which currently leads the HBM market. Samsung has faced challenges in getting its latest chips certified by NVIDIA., the worlds most valuable chipmaker driven by the high demand for AI accelerators. However, Samsung is beginning to close the gap with SK Hynix. It recently received long-awaited approval from NVIDIA for its HBM3 chips and expects to gain approval for the next generation, HBM3E, within the next two to four months. This progress is significant as it positions Samsung to better compete in the lucrative AI memory chip market. Advertisement SK Hynix has greatly benefited from the race to supply components necessary for generative AI services like ChatGPT. In the June quarter, its revenue from HBM chips, paired with NVIDIAs accelerators, surged by more than 250 per cent. This growth has propelled SK Hynix shares to rally by over 150 per cent since the start of 2023, significantly outperforming Samsungs shares. South Koreas semiconductor exports have also seen a significant boost, jumping 57.5 per cent in the first 20 days of July, according to early trade data from the customs office. As Asias fourth-largest economy and a major exporter of computer chips, South Korea serves as a key indicator of global technology demand. The recent uptick in chip shipments reflects a broader recovery in the tech sector, signalling strong global demand for semiconductors. Advertisement Samsungs strong performance and strategic advancements in the AI chip market underscore its ongoing efforts to reclaim its leading position in the semiconductor industry. With the AI boom continuing to drive demand, the company is well-positioned for future growth. Hours after Palestinian militant group Hamas said that an Israeli strike in Tehran has killed its political leader Ismail Haniyeh, several countries across the world on Wednesday condemned the killing, terming it heinous terrorist crime and said it could further escalate tension in the Middle East read more Hours after Palestinian militant group Hamas said that an Israeli strike in Tehran has killed its political leader Ismail Haniyeh, several countries across the world on Wednesday condemned the killing, terming it heinous terrorist crime and said it could further escalate tension in the Middle East. However, Israel had a different take on the killing, saying this is the right way to clean the world of this filth. Confirming the death earlier, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said it was a direct targeting of Haniyeh at his residence in the Iranian capital. Advertisement The method used (for the killing) will be determined by our Iranian counterparts who are conducting investigations, Nunu said in a statement. The occupation (Israel) is responsible for this attack and the United States also bears responsibility as well, he added. Here are some reactions to Haniyehs death: In accordance with the decision of the president of the Russian Federation, the third stage of the exercise of non-strategic nuclear forces has begun, the defence ministry said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app read more Russia has begun the third stage of drills to practise the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, the defence ministry said on Wednesday. In accordance with the decision of the president of the Russian Federation, the third stage of the exercise of non-strategic nuclear forces has begun, the defence ministry said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app. Soldiers from the Southern and Central military districts will train how to deploy dummy warheads for Iskander-M operational and tactical missile systems and covertly moving them to launch sites, the defence ministry said. Advertisement The current stage of the exercise is aimed at maintaining the readiness of personnel and equipment of units of combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons of Russia to perform combat missions, the ministry said. Russia held the first stage of the drills in May and ally Belarus joined the second stage in June. Russia says the United States and its European allies are pushing the world to the brink of nuclear confrontation by giving Ukraine billions of dollars worth of weapons, some of which are being used against Russian territory. Since sending thousands of troops into Ukraine on February 24 2022, President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said Russia could use nuclear weapons to defend itself in extreme situations, comments that the West has dismissed as sabre-rattling. Were seeking UN and other international organisations cooperation for a fair and proper investigation into the matter, Hasina said, adding that the people involved in the violence must be brought to justice. Speaking at an event, she came down heavily on those who were involved in damaging public properties alongside killing many people and thus tarnishing the countrys image read more Protesters clash with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the police outside the state-owned Bangladesh Television as violence erupts across the country after anti-quota protests by students, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 19, 2024. REUTERS Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday sought cooperation from the United Nations and other international organisations to conduct a proper investigation into the recent nationwide violence during the anti-quota agitation to punish the real culprits involved in the attacks. Bangladesh witnessed violent clashes between the police and mostly student protesters demanding an end to a controversial quota system that reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs War of Independence in 1971. Advertisement Were seeking UN and other international organisations cooperation for a fair and proper investigation into the matter, Hasina said, adding that the people involved in the violence must be brought to justice. Because I know I have no negligence to this end, she was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune newspaper. Speaking at an event, she came down heavily on those who were involved in damaging public properties alongside killing many people and thus tarnishing the countrys image. My question is who has gained what (through the mayhem)? Why was there bloodshed? she asked. The prime minister said they have already formed a one-member judicial probe commission with an apex court justice before raising any such demand to investigate the matter. We have formed the commission with a judge (of the High Court). I have given the order to include two more as manpower and enhance the periphery of the investigation, she said. You (countrymen) have to find out the people involved in the conspiracy to push the country backwards through fishing in troubled water by launching such an incident, she said. Advertisement The conspiracies being hatched by the collaborators of the Pakistani occupation forces pushed Bangladesh back time and again, she added. These are the most painful and regrettable things, she said with an emotional voice. The prime minister said her government had earlier issued a notification cancelling the quota system. The Bangladesh government for the first time on Monday officially acknowledged that 150 people were killed across the country during the students unrest over the quota system. The government called in the army to quell protests, which started in universities and colleges earlier this month, quickly turning into a more widespread agitation against Hasina and her government, regarding job quotas. Advertisement The unrest has left several thousand people, including policemen, wounded and major government installations damaged. The protests subsided last week after the apex Appellate Division of unitary Bangladeshs Supreme Court on July 21 ordered a massive quota reform, keeping only seven per cent of reserve posts instead of the existing 56 per cent. The government subsequently issued a Gazette notification in line with the order saying 93 per cent of jobs would be open to candidates on merit. Beijing has expressed its displeasure to Tokyo over negative comments about China made during a meeting between Japan and the United States, Chinas foreign ministry said on Wednesday. read more Chinese and Japanese flags flutter in front of the Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China. File image/ Reuters Beijing has expressed its displeasure to Tokyo over negative comments about China made during a meeting between Japan and the United States, Chinas foreign ministry said on Wednesday. Liu Jinsong, Chinas director-general of Asian affairs at the Chinese foreign ministry, lodged a complaint to Japan over comments made by the U.S. and Japan over what they called Beijings provocative behaviour in the South and East China Seas, its joint military exercises with Russia, and the rapid expansion of Chinas nuclear weapons arsenal. Advertisement China urges Japan to establish an objective and rational understanding of China, and stop making irresponsible remarks about Chinas internal affairs, Liu said to the chief minister at the Japanese embassy in China on Tuesday, according to a foreign ministry statement. Liu met with Yokochi Akira to talk about the negative words made about China during several discussions at recent diplomatic meetings, noting many fallacies, dangerous trends, and false narratives in meeting documents. In security discussions between the U.S. and Japan this past Sunday, both countries labelled China the greatest strategic challenge, facing the region. Other remarks about China came up during separate discussions and meetings, and a joint statement between foreign ministers from Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. in which they stressed serious concerns about intimidating and dangerous manoeuvres in the South China Sea, targeting China as the main culprit. Liu pointed out that Japans smear attacks on China contradict its statement on promoting the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. He urged Japan to stop colluding with certain countries to create confrontation in small circles, and work with China in the same direction. Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of the infamous Sinaloa cartel boss El Chapo, pleaded not guilty to severe drug trafficking and money laundering charges. His lawyer has previously said that he is facing the death penalty in the case read more Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of the sons of infamous drug cartel leader El Chapo, is facing death penalty in the case against him. AP Joaquin Guzman Lopez , the son of the former Sinaloa drug cartel kingpin El Chapo, on Tuesday (July 30), pleaded not guilty to a spate of charges linked to one of the worlds biggest illicit narcotics operations, prosecutors said. Guzman Lopez, one of El Chapos four sons, was was detained in Texas last Thursday (July 25) and was arrested in a scheme allegedly orchestrated by Washington without the involvement of Mexico. The judge in the case denied him bail and remanded Lopez in custody, ordering a case management hearing for September 30, AFP quoted the assistant US Attorneys officeas saying. Advertisement Guzman Lopez facing death penalty A federal grand jury indicted Guzman Lopez on money laundering, drug trafficking, and weapons charges, court documents previously released by prosecutors showed. Broadcaster CNN reported that Guzman Lopezs lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, told reporters his client faces the death penalty in the case. The co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, Ismael Zambada Garcia, known as El Mayo, who was also arrested with Guzman Lopez, pleaded not guilty on Friday (July 26) to drug trafficking and money laundering charges before a federal judge in Texas, and has another court appearance scheduled for Thursday (August 1) in El Paso. How were Guzman Lopez, El Mayo arrested? The US arrest operation not only led to Guzman Lopez being detained but also resulted in El Mayo landing up in US custody. DEA chief Anne Milgram said Zambadas arrest strikes at the heart of the cartel that is responsible for the majority of drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, killing Americans from coast to coast. So far, the details of the operation have remained murky. US media have quoted law enforcement sources as saying that Zambada was lured across the Mexico border by Guzman Lopez. El Mayos lawyer, Frank Perez, has maintained since Sunday (July 28) that his client was kidnapped and taken to the United States against his will. Advertisement According to a report released by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in May, El Chapos were engaged in an internal battle against Zambada. With inputs from AFP The EU is the biggest international financial backer of the Palestinians, with its support between 2021 and 2024 estimated at 1.2 billion euros. The EU is fully committed to support the Palestinian Authority in these difficult times, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said read more The European Union on Wednesday said it had begun paying 400 million euros ($430 million) in emergency funding to the Palestinian Authority to help address its critical budget problems. Brussels said the first 150-million-euro tranche includes grants to help pay the salaries of civil servants in the West Bank and support vulnerable families. The rest of the funds will be disbursed in August and September subject to progress in the implementation of the reform agenda of the Palestinian Authority (PA), the EU said in a statement. Advertisement The authority has long faced a fiscal crisis, but its finances have been hit further by the Gaza war in Gaza as Israel has withheld tax revenue meant for the Palestinian territory. The EU is the biggest international financial backer of the Palestinians, with its support between 2021 and 2024 estimated at 1.2 billion euros. The EU is fully committed to support the Palestinian Authority in these difficult times, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said. Our 400-million-euro emergency assistance supports a substantial reform agenda and paves the way for the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza. The EUs executive says that in early September it will introduce a legislative proposal for a Comprehensive Programme for Palestinian Recovery and Resilience. Brussels says the plan is aimed at helping balance the PAs books by 2026 and will link future payments to progress in the implementation of the agreed-upon reform milestones. While the war raging since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel has devastated Gaza, it has also hit the economy of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Palestinian economy is largely governed by the 1994 Paris Protocol, which granted sole control over the territories borders to Israel, and with it the right to collect import duties and value-added tax for the Palestinian Authority. Advertisement Israel has repeatedly leveraged this power to deprive the authority of much-needed revenues. But the Gaza war has tightened Israels grip, with the bulk of customs duties withheld since Gazas rulers Hamas sparked the war with their October 7 attack on Israel. The financial crisis wracking the PA comes as international powers have touted the potential role that a bolstered authority could play in running Gaza when the war ends. Hezbollahs announcement came after an overnight strike in Tehran that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which Hamas and Iran blamed on Israel. Israel said late Tuesday that it had killed Shukur, who it said was behind the weekend rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 youths. The United States also blames Shukur for staging and planning a bombing of a Marine Corps barrack in Lebanon in 1983 that killed 241 American service members read more The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah confirmed Wednesday that Israel killed a top commander after a rare strike in Beirut. The Iran-backed group said earlier that Fouad Shukur was in the building during the attack on Tuesday, and they were searching for him in the rubble to determine his fate. Hezbollahs announcement came after an overnight strike in Tehran that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which Hamas and Iran blamed on Israel. Israel said late Tuesday that it had killed Shukur, who it said was behind the weekend rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 youths. The United States also blames Shukur for staging and planning a bombing of a Marine Corps barrack in Lebanon in 1983 that killed 241 American service members. Advertisement The Lebanese Health Ministry said at least five civilians two children and three women died in the strike in a busy neighborhood where Hezbollah has political and security operations. Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire since Oct. 8, a day after Hamas attacked southern Israel and sparked the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Though Hezbollah issued a rare denial of involvement in the rocket attack Saturday in the town of Majdal Shams, Israel holds the militant group responsible. Hezbollah crossed a red line, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant posted on the platform X shortly after Tuesdays strike. The two sides have exchanged near-daily strikes for the past 10 months against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, but they have previously kept the conflict at a low level that was unlikely to escalate into full-on war. Lebanons public health ministry said Tuesdays strike in a southern suburb of Beirut wounded 74 people, some of them seriously. The wounded were taken to nearby hospitals. Bahman Hospital near the site of the blast called for blood donations. Lebanons state-run National News Agency reported that the strike was carried out with a drone that launched three rockets. Advertisement The Israeli enemy has committed a great stupid act in size, timing and circumstances by targeting an entirely civilian area, Hezbollah official Ali Ammar told Al-Manar TV. The Israeli enemy will pay a price for this sooner or later. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the Israeli attack, saying it hit a few meters from one of the largest hospitals in the capital. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately release a statement, but minutes after the strike sent a photo of the prime minister with his national security adviser and other officials. The airstrike on Beiruts southern suburb of Haret Hreik a crowded urban neighborhood where Hezbollah has political and security operations but which is also full of small shops and apartment buildings damaged several buildings. Advertisement The strike hit an apartment building near to a hospital, collapsing half of the targeted building and severely damaging one next to it. The hospital sustained minor damages, while the surrounding streets were littered with debris and broken glass. Paramedics could be seen carrying several wounded people out of the damaged buildings. A resident of the suburb whose home is about 200 meters (yards) away said that dust from the explosion covered everything, and that the glass in his sons apartment was broken. Then people went down on the streets, he said. Everyone has family. They went to check on them. It was a lot of destruction. He spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern about his security at a tense moment. Advertisement Talal Hatoum, a local official with the Shiite Amal Movement, Hezbollahs key political ally in Lebanon, said Tuesdays attack marked a shift in the rules of engagement in the conflict because it caused a significant number of civilian casualties. The last time Israel targeted Beirut was in January, when an airstrike killed a top Hamas official, Saleh Arouri. That strike was the first time Israel had hit Beirut since the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in the summer of 2006. Israel had been expected to retaliate for the strike in Majdal Shams, but diplomats had said in recent days that they expected the response to stay within the boundaries of the ongoing low-level conflict between Hezbollah and Israel without provoking all-out war. Advertisement Many of them had not expected that Israel would hit Beirut, which might elicit a strike by Hezbollah on a major population center in Israel. The news, which came less than 24 hours after Israel claimed to have killed the Hezbollah commander it said was behind a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, appears to set back chances of any imminent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza war read more Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday vowed to avenge the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in his country and said that those behind his assassination will face harsh punishment. The criminal, terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our territory and has caused our grief, but it has also prepared the ground for a severe punishment, Khamenei said in a post on X. The criminal, terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our territory and has caused our grief, but it has also prepared the ground for a severe punishment. Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) July 31, 2024 Advertisement In a separate statement, Khamenei said, With this action, the criminal and terrorist Zionist regime prepared the ground for harsh punishment for itself, and we consider it our duty to seek revenge for his blood as he was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Haniyehs assassination has evoked strong responses from leaders while Israel sees it as a victory as its war with Hamas continues to wage. However, Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for his death. Heres all we know about the assassination: The hows, whens and whats Irans Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of Haniyeh - the face of Hamass international diplomacy as the war set off by the attack on Israel on October 7 has raged in Gaza. Haniyeh was killed around 2 a.m. (2200 GMT) on Wednesday, Iranian media reported. He was staying at a special residence for war veterans in north Tehran. Further investigations are underway that will be announced soon, it said. NourNews, an outlet affiliated with Irans Supreme National Security Council, said Haniyehs residence was hit by an airborne projectile. The assassination was a dangerous gamble to undermine Tehrans deterrence, it said. Advertisement What are the possible consequences of Haniyehs death? Hamas said it would continue the path it was following in the Gaza war, saying: We are confident of victory. The news, which came less than 24 hours after Israel claimed to have killed the Hezbollah commander it said was behind a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, appears to set back chances of any imminent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza war. At the same time, the risk of a war between Israel and Hezbollah has grown following the strike in the Golan Heights that killed 12 children in a Druze village on Saturday and the subsequent killing of the senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. Advertisement The attack on Iranian soil and death of its close ally will put pressure on Tehran to react against Israel, which has been hunting Hamas leaders since the Islamist group attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostage, according to Israeli tallies. The assassination could also encourage Irans proxies in the Middle East who support Hamas - Lebanons Hezbollah, Yemens Houthis and armed groups in Iraq - to seek revenge. Irans top security body is expected to meet to decide Irans strategy in reaction to the death of Haniyeh, a close ally of Tehran, said a source with knowledge of the meeting. Advertisement Iran will defend its territorial integrity, dignity, honor, and pride, and will make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly act of assassinating Haniyeh in Tehran, President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday. With inputs from Reuters The assassination of leader Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act and will not go unanswered, Hamas policial bureau member Musa Abu Marzuk said in a statement read more Musa Abu Marzuk has said Ismail Haniyeh's assassination will not go unanswered. File image/Reuters A senior Hamas official said Wednesday (July 31) that the killing of the Palestinian movements chief Ismail Haniyeh will not go unanswered. The assassination of leader Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act and will not go unanswered, Hamas political bureau member Musa Abu Marzuk said in a statement, according to AFP. Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, was killed while in Tehran for the inauguration of the Iranian president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian. Iranian media said that the Hamas chief was killed by an air strike. Advertisement No one has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. However, suspicion immediately fell on Israel. Tel Aviv had vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the groups October 7 attack on Israel. Brother, leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, died in a Zionist strike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) president, Hamas said in a statement. Israel often does not claim responsibility when it comes to assassinations carried out by their Mossad intelligence agency. With inputs from agencies Two top adversaries of Israel were killed in two days. One in Lebanon and the other in Iran. Israel claimed responsibility for its Lebanon hit but offered no comments on the other. Have targeted killings helped Israel in West Asia? read more The recent series of frequent targeted killings of top leaders of the terrorist group comes at a highly volatile time in the region as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah are escalating and threatening to spill over into a broader conflict. Image- FP In a massive setback for the Palestinian terrorist organisation Hamas, one of its top leaders, Ismail Haniyeh was eliminated in Iran, a major success for Israels covert operations in West Asia. This incident is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger pattern of Israels covert campaigns to eliminate those it considered potential threats in the region. Over the years, Israel has been suspected of conducting a series of daring operations, including the assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientists and officials linked to its nuclear program. Advertisement Though Israel has not claimed responsibility for the assassinations of Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr in Lebanon and Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, its spy agency Mossad is being viewed as the prime suspect behind these targeted killings. The killing of Haniyeh was the latest in a string of targeted Israeli killings in Lebanon since October when hostilities broke out between Hezbollah and Israels military in parallel with the Gaza war. Israel has never accepted it publicly or officially but Israel-observers often talk about targeted killings being part of the foundational doctrine of Mossad, which was set up in 1949. Though it got more global attention in the aftermath of the 1972 Munich Olympic massacre, Israels use of targeted assassinations began in 1955, with an operation in Gaza against an Egyptian colonel. The strategy has been to eliminate key figures in hostile organisations, disrupt operations, and send a message of Israels far-reaching capabilities. The operational focus over the decades has been to target leaders of Palestinian militant groups, such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), aiming to hinder their operational effectiveness and morale. Advertisement Experts believe that rebuilding its military capabilities is going to be the problem for Hamas in the next phase after losing its top leaders and commanders one after another, and it will likely be more dependent on foreign support as its base in Palestine weakens. Some of the key successes and high-profile targets Fathi Shiqaqi (1995): The founder of PIJ was assassinated in Malta. Despite this, PIJ continued to grow in strength and capability, indicating that the groups operational momentum was not permanently halted. Ahmed Yassin (2004): The spiritual leader and founder of Hamas was killed in an airstrike. His death was a major psychological blow to Hamas, temporarily destabilising its leadership structure. Imad Mughniyeh (2008): A joint operation by Mossad and the CIA eliminated the military chief of Hezbollah in Damascus. This was considered a significant blow to Hezbollahs operational capabilities, demonstrating the effectiveness of collaboration in intelligence operations. The question is what Israel get by these assassinations? Have these killings helped Israel in its almost non-stop war in West Asia? Tactical advantages: Israeli observers say that the country views these assassinations as a tool to gain tactical advantage over its adversaries plenty in the region. Disruption of plans: By eliminating key figures, Israel has often managed to derail imminent attacks and disrupt the strategic planning of militant groups. This has provided short-term security benefits and bought time for Israeli defence forces to regroup and strategise. Advertisement Deterrence: The knowledge that their leaders are constantly targeted has forced militant groups to adopt more cautious and less centralised operational tactics, complicating their strategic coherence and execution. Intelligence gathering: Successful targeted assassinations often rely on high-quality intelligence. These operations enhance Israeli intelligence agencies credibility and deterrent value, demonstrating their capacity to infiltrate and act on actionable intelligence. But this approach has limitations and challenges Replacement of leaders: Every eliminated leader has been replaced, sometimes by even more capable and determined individuals. This has kept the cycle of violence and retaliation alive, without leading to a decisive victory over these groups. Diplomatic repercussions: High-profile failures or controversial assassinations, such as the 1997 botched poisoning of Khaled Meshaal in Jordan, have strained Israels diplomatic relations with other countries and sometimes backfired politically. Advertisement International condemnation: Civilian casualties, which Israel describes as collateral damage, during targeted killings draw international condemnation and complicate Israels diplomatic standing. These incidents undermine the moral high ground and exacerbate anti-Israel sentiments. What has been the long-term impact? Continued conflict: Despite the tactical successes of targeted assassinations, the overall strategy has not resolved the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The core issues of territorial disputes, political sovereignty, and mutual recognition remain unaddressed. Psychological warfare: Targeted killings have instilled a sense of insecurity among terrorists but have also contributed to a cycle of vengeance and martyrdom within these groups, perpetuating the conflict. Strategic re-evaluation: Israeli intelligence and military leaders continue to reassess the role of targeted assassinations within a broader strategic framework. There is a recognition that while these operations provide immediate tactical benefits, they are insufficient for achieving long-term peace and stability. Advertisement Overall, targeted assassinations claimed by Israel or attributed to its spy agency Mossad have been an integral part of the countrys security strategy in West Asia. Successive Israeli governments have continued with the policy that has seemingly offered tactical advantages in disrupting militant activities and enhancing deterrence. However, the strategy has notable limitations, including the cyclical replacement of leaders, diplomatic fallout, and the perpetuation of conflict. While targeted killings will likely remain a tool in Israels security arsenal, their effectiveness is contingent on being part of a more comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Heighten risk of broader conflict Responding to Haniyehs death, Musa Abu Marzouk, a member of Hamas Political Bureau vowed that it would not pass in vain. At the same time, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri condemned it as a grave escalation, hinting at a potential surge in retaliation and violence." However, the possibility of retaliation from Hamas cannot be ruled out, given the historical context of the conflict, which has only served to intensify the violence and perpetuate the dispute. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly said his intention to target Hamas leaders, instructing the Mossad to assassinate all Hamas leaders wherever they are. In the present situation, the terrorist organisation appears to have lost its potency and capability to retaliate against Israel in the absence of direct support and ammunition from any country. This weakness is further exacerbated by Israels access to intelligence inputs and military support from the United States, making it even more challenging for the organisation to regroup and retaliate. The recent images from July 22, 2024 show vehicles traversing the newly built, black-topped bridge across Pangong Tso and also show four structures on the northern side of the lake, according to a report read more China has completed the construction of a 400 meter bridge linking the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso, cutting the travel distance between both the banks by 50-100 km, or several hours in travel time. According to an NDTV report, the recent images from July 22, 2024 show vehicles traversing the newly built, black-topped bridge across Pangong Tso. The bridge is situated in Chinese-held territory since 1958, near the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. Advertisement The satellite images show four structures on the northern side of the lake, added the report. Khurnak Fort, located on the northern shore of Pangong Tso, has been under Chinese control since 1958. Previously, the boundary between India and China was considered to be at Khurnak Fort, but China has since taken control. The current construction at Khurnak does not represent an incursion into Indian-held territory, reported NDTV. The satellite imagery accessed by the media outlet also shows a Chinese fortification along with two helipads at Khurnak Fort. During the 1962 India-China war, Khurnak Fort served as Chinas forward headquarters for operations in Ladakh. Additional satellite images reveal an existing artillery site and interconnected protective trenches extending north to south. An open defensive position is visible, likely housing a Chinese surface-to-air missile launcher, along with an air defence site. A road runs parallel to Pangong Lake, facilitating the movement of troops and equipment, added the report. This bridge is being constructed in areas that have been under illegal occupation by China for around 60 years now. As you are well aware India has never accepted such illegal occupation, NDTV quoted External Affairs Ministry as saying when questioned about the latest development. Since May 2020, Indian and Chinese troops have engaged in violent skirmishes along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. In the Galwan Valley, north of Pangong Lake, 20 Indian soldiers were killed, while China claimed four of its soldiers were killed, though reports suggest the true number was closer to 40. Advertisement There were also violent clashes on the northern bank of Pangong Lake. India and China have since agreed to reduce tensions by establishing a demilitarised zone, leading China to dismantle several structures between Finger 4 and Finger 8 geographical markers on the northern bank of Pangong Lake. Following the clashes with China, India has intensified its infrastructure development efforts in Ladakh, including the construction of tunnels to provide year-round access to the region. In 2021 alone, 87 bridges were built in Ladakh. In 2022, the government allocated over Rs 2,000 crore for infrastructure projects along the China-India border, with 18 major initiatives specifically planned for Ladakh. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The extension of emergency rule came on the eve of the third anniversary of the military wresting back power in the coup citing unaddressed electoral irregularities, in an abrupt and unpopular end to a decade of tentative democracy and economic reform. read more Myanmars military regime has extended the state of emergency that has been in effect since the 2021 coup, as the military struggles to contain a civil war with ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces. According to an official statement, the National Defence and Security Council, chaired by junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, agreed to extend the emergency rule for an additional six months, until January 31, 2025. This is the sixth time the council has extended the state of emergency, further delaying the promised elections. Advertisement Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing deemed it necessary to extend emergency rule for six months to undertake tasks necessary to bring the nation to a normal state of stability and peace, military-run media outlet Myawaddy said on Telegram. The generals are facing their biggest challenge since first taking power in the former British colony in 1962, with a youth-led pro-democracy uprising morphing into an armed resistance movement after a lethal crackdown on a wave of protests and post-coup dissent. The junta has deployed heavy artillery and fighter jets to try to suppress militias allied with a shadow government and ethnic minority armies, several of which launched a coordinated offensive in October that stunned the military and has dented its battlefield credibility. Marking the coup anniversary, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the urgency of forging a path towards a democratic transition with a return to civilian rule, said U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. An inclusive solution to this crisis requires conditions that permit the people of Myanmar to exercise their human rights freely and peacefully. The militarys campaign of violence targeting civilians and political repression must end, and those responsible be held to account, Dujarric said. About 2.3 million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations, while efforts by Myanmars Southeast Asian neighbours to initiate dialogue have seen no progress, with the junta refusing to negotiate with what it calls terrorists. Advertisement Hold on power uncertain That came a few months after a landslide election win by then-leader Aung San Suu Kyis ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), which had planned to change the constitution to cut the powerful military out of politics and bring it under civilian control. The military has promised to hold an election, opens new tab and return Myanmar to the quasi-civilian system it created, but has disbanded at least 40 parties, opens new tab and jailed Suu Kyi for 33 years, commuted to 27, on what her supporters say were trumped-up charges. Earlier on Wednesday it announced an easing of registration requirements for political parties, without saying why. It gave no timeframe for the election. Western countries have signalled they will not recognise the polls. Advertisement The parallel National Unity Government, which controls militias, on Wednesday issued a statement along with three ethnic minority rebel groups saying they were open to negotiations with the military, contingent on it ceding power and bringing the armed forces under civilian control. Richard Horsey, senior Myanmar adviser to Crisis Group, said the militarys weaknesses were exposed in recent months through its loss of troops and territory, with pressure building from within on coup leader Min Aung Hlaing. The militarys hold on power is more uncertain than at any time in the last 60 years, he said. But it seems determined to fight on, and retains an enormous capacity for violence, attacking civilian populations and infrastructure in areas it has lost, using air power and long-range artillery. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. The army has previously ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 63-year history but denies it is currently involved in politics read more Pakistans jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has said his party is ready to hold conditional negotiations with the countrys powerful military and has appointed a representative for the talks. We will hold conditional negotiations if the military leadership appoints its representative, according to a post from Khans official X handle on Wednesday, which cited a message from him from inside a jail on Tuesday. Message from former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, from a makeshift courtroom inside Adiala Jail: (July 30th, 2024) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf represents 90% of Pakistanis, be they overseas or at home. The puppet government, brought into power illicitly through doctored Form 47's, Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 31, 2024 Advertisement The militarys media wing did not immediately respond to a request for comment The army has previously ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 63-year history but denies it is currently involved in politics. Khan has been in jail since last August and was convicted in some cases ahead of a national election in February. He is also fighting dozens of other cases which are continuing. Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party say the charges were politically motivated to thwart his return to power. Candidates backed by PTI had a stronger-than-expected showing in the countrys election and a court recently ruled they were eligible for extra reserved seats, though still not enough to rule outright. Khan said that one of the conditions for negotiations was that clean and transparent elections be held and that what he called bogus cases against his supporters be dropped. He appointed Mahmood Khan Achakzai, a close political ally and leader in a smaller party, to represent him in talks. Indonesias health ministry said in a 2023 survey that 7.4% of smokers out of 70 million smokers in the country are between the ages of 10 to 18, with 15-19 being the age group with the most amount of smokers. The new regulation also bans conventional and electronic cigarette sales on commercial electronic applications and social media sites, unless there is age verification. Advertising cigarettes on social media is also banned read more Indonesia raised the minimum age limit for purchasing cigarettes to 21 from 18 as part of a series of changes to health regulations intended to curb the deadly habit in a country with one of the worlds highest smoking rates. A country of 270 million people, Indonesia is one of the worlds top producers of tobacco and there are about 70 million adult smokers there, the World Health Organization said in a 2021 survey. Advertisement In a government regulation signed by President Joko Widodo last week, Indonesia raised the minimum age for people wanting to buy cigarettes to 21 and banned the sale of a single cigarette, a cheap alternative common in local street stores. The regulation is intended to lower prevalence of smokers and prevent early-age smokers, says the regulation. Among the provisions is banning the sale of cigarettes within 200 metres (656 feet) of schools and playgrounds. The regulation takes effect immediately. Indonesias health ministry said in a 2023 survey that 7.4% of smokers out of 70 million smokers in the country are between the ages of 10 to 18, with 15-19 being the age group with the most amount of smokers. The new regulation also bans conventional and electronic cigarette sales on commercial electronic applications and social media sites, unless there is age verification. Advertising cigarettes on social media is also banned. Penalties for violations range from a written reprimand to a temporary ban on advertising cigarettes. The new provisions on advertising will come into force in two years. Yasrip, a street store seller in Jakarta, said the rules dont really bother him as he sells things other than cigarettes, adding the government should be stricter in enforcing its rules. Advertisement Anti-smoking advocates say some of the new regulations are not enough to curb smoking. Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto, a tobacco control advocate, said some provisions are good, such as those that regulate electronic cigarettes, but the government must issue a technical implementation regulation to ensure monitoring and enforcement. Manik Marganamahendra, a youth tobacco control advocate, also said enforcing the minimum age limit has to be more stringent, with ID verification, for instance. Henry Najoan of the cigarette factory association was quoted by news web site Kumparan as saying that the rules would destroy the tobacco industry. Cheap and widespread, Indonesia has also tried to curb smoking by raising excise rates on tobacco products for almost every year in the past few years, including by 10% this year. Vladimir Kara-Murza, a dual Russian-British national jailed for 25 years, has been moved from his prison in Siberia and is being sent elsewhere read more Jailed Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza stands behind a glass wall of an enclosure for defendants during a court hearing to consider an appeal against his prison sentence, in Moscow, Russia July 31, 2023. Source: REUTERS. Vladimir Kara-Murza, a dual Russian-British national jailed on treason charges for 25 years, has been moved from his prison in Siberia and is being sent elsewhere, Russias prison service told Reuters. The prison service, FSIN, said Kara-Murza was being transferred from the IK-6 penal colony in Omsk to another destination. It did not say where. A number of Russian dissidents and people convicted for their opposition to Moscows war in Ukraine have disappeared from Russian prisons in recent days, in what rights activists say is a possible sign that a prisoner swap with the West may be close. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, suspicion immediately fell on Israel, which had vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the groups October 7 attack on Israel read more Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of the Hamas Political Bureau, has been killed in an attack in Tehran. The development, reported by Iranian state-owned media, has been confirmed by Hamas, too. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Wednesday (July 31) that Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed when their residence was hit in Tehran. Early this morning, the residence of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was struck, resulting in his and one of his body guards martyrdom. The cause is under investigation and will be announced soon, the IRGC said. Advertisement Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian. Hamas, too, has said that its leader was killed in Iran. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, suspicion immediately fell on Israel, which had vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the groups October 7 attack on Israel. Hamas said that Haniyeh was killed in a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran and mourned his death. Analysts on Iranian state television also immediately blamed Israel for the attack. Israel did not immediately comment. However, on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) Israels official handle, run by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reshared a post by US politician Ritchie Torres. Torres had said The leader of Hamas has been brought to justice. Permanently. A special place in hell is reserved for him. Israels official account reposted the tweet around 8:40 am (Indian Standard Time). Image courtesy: X.com It is important to note that Israel often does not claim responsibility when it comes to assassinations carried out by their Mossad intelligence agency. Qatar-based Haniyeh had been the tough-talking face of the Hamass international diplomacy amid the war raging in Gaza. Three of Haniyehs sons Hazem, Amir and Mohammad were killed in an Israeli airstrike on April 10. He had also lost four of his grandchildren, three girls and a boy, in the attack, Hamas had said at the time. With inputs from agencies Israels military claimed responsibility for an airstrike on Beiruts southern suburbs, killing Hezbollahs senior commander Fuad Shukr. The strike followed a rocket attack that killed 12 youngsters in Israel. The attack also resulted in the deaths of three civilians and injured 74 people. read more Damaged vehicles are seen after an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon July 30, 2024. Reuters Israels military claimed responsibility for an airstrike on Beiruts southern suburbs Tuesday evening, which killed Hezbollahs senior commander Fuad Shukr. The strike was a retaliation for a cross-border rocket attack that killed 12 youngsters in Israel three days prior, an attack Israel attributed to the Lebanese militant group. The airstrike occurred at around 7:40 pm local time, sending a loud blast and a plume of smoke above the stronghold of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group, a Reuters witness reported. The targeted strike, which hit near Hezbollahs Shura Council in Haret Hreik, also resulted in the deaths of three civilians, including two children, and injured 74 people, according to Lebanons health ministry. Advertisement Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced Shukrs death, stating, Tonight, we have shown that the blood of our people has a price, and that there is no place out of reach for our forces. Shukr, a key aide to Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, was blamed by Israel for orchestrating the deadly rocket attack. Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the initial rocket strike on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights but admitted to targeting a military site in the region. The deaths of the youths have sparked diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation, with UN Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert urging both sides to seek diplomatic solutions. The airstrike drew widespread condemnation from Lebanese officials and Hezbollahs regional allies, including Hamas, the Houthis, Syria, and Iran. The White House reaffirmed its support for Israel against all Iran-backed threats including Hezbollah and indicated efforts toward a diplomatic resolution. Despite the strike, Israeli media suggested that Israel did not plan further immediate actions, aiming to avoid an all-out war. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib condemned the strike and mentioned plans to lodge a complaint with the United Nations, expressing hope for a proportionate Hezbollah response to prevent further escalation. Advertisement The situation remains tense as both sides, engaged in intermittent hostilities since the Gaza wars outbreak in October, face the potential for further conflict. With inputs from Reuters Khaled Meshaal became Hamas political leader in exile the year before Israel tried to eliminate him in 1997, a post that enabled him to represent the Palestinian Islamist group at meetings with foreign governments around the world read more Khaled Meshaal, tipped to be the new Hamas leader, became known around the world in 1997 after Israeli agents injected him with poison in a botched assassination attempt on a street outside his office in the Jordanian capital Amman. The hit against a key senior figure of the Palestinian militant group, ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, so enraged Jordans then-King Hussein that he spoke of hanging the would-be killers and scrapping Jordans peace treaty with Israel unless the antidote was handed over. Advertisement Israel did so, and also agreed to free Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, only to assassinate him seven years later in Gaza. For Israelis and Western states, the Iran-backed Hamas, which has directed suicide bombings in Israel and fought frequent wars against it, is a terrorist group bent on Israels destruction. For Palestinian supporters, Meshaal and the rest of the Hamas leadership are fighters for liberation from Israeli occupation, keeping their cause alive when international diplomacy has failed them. Meshaal, 68, became Hamas political leader in exile the year before Israel tried to eliminate him, a post that enabled him to represent the Palestinian Islamist group at meetings with foreign governments around the world, unhindered by tight Israeli travel restrictions that affected other Hamas officials. Hamas sources said Meshaal is expected to be chosen as paramount leader of the group to replace Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Iran in the early hours of Wednesday, with Tehran and Hamas vowing retribution against Israel. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, who is based in Qatar and has headed Hamas negotiators in indirect Gaza truce talks with Israel, has also been a possibility for the leadership as he is a favourite of Iran and its allies in the region. Meshaals relations with Iran have been strained due to his past support for the Sunni Muslim-led revolt in 2011 against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Advertisement Israel has assassinated or tried to kill several Hamas leaders and operatives since the group was founded in 1987 during the first Palestinian uprising against the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Meshaal has been a central figure at the top of Hamas since the late 1990s, though he has worked mostly from the relative safety of exile as Israel plotted to assassinate other prominent Hamas figures based in the Gaza Strip. After the wheelchair-bound Yassin was killed in a March 2004 airstrike, Israel assassinated his successor Abdel-Aziz Al-Rantissi in Gaza a month later, and Meshaal assumed the overall leadership of Hamas. Advertisement Like other Hamas leaders, Meshaal has grappled with the critical issue of whether to adopt a more pragmatic approach to Israel in pursuit of Palestinian statehood - Hamas 1988 charter calls for Israels destruction - or keep fighting. Softens stand on Israel Meshaal rejects the idea of a permanent peace deal with Israel but has said that Hamas, which in the 1990s and 2000s sent suicide bombers into Israel, could accept a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem as a temporary solution in return for a long-term ceasefire. The Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants from Gaza, which killed 1,200 people and led to the kidnapping of over 250 people, according to Israeli tallies, made the militant groups priorities clear. Advertisement Israel retaliated with airstrikes and an invasion of Gaza that have killed over 39,000 Palestinians, pursuing a campaign to eradicate Hamas that has reduced much of the densely populated coastal enclave to rubble. Meshaal said the Oct. 7 Hamas attack returned the Palestinian cause to the centre of the world agenda. He urged Arabs and Muslims to join the battle against Israel and said Palestinians alone would decide who runs Gaza after the current war ends, in defiance of Israel and the United States who want to exclude Hamas from post-war governance. Joined Muslim brotherhood at 15 Meshaal has lived most of his life outside the Palestinian territories. Born in Silwad near the West Bank city of Ramallah, Meshaal moved as a boy with his family to the Gulf Arab state of Kuwait, a hotbed of pro-Palestinian sentiment. Advertisement At the age of 15 he joined the Muslim Brotherhood, the Middle Easts oldest Islamist group. The Brotherhood became instrumental in the formation of Hamas in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation. Meshaal became a schoolteacher before turning to lobbying for Hamas from abroad for many years while other leaders of the group have languished for long periods in Israeli jails. He was in charge of international fund-raising in Jordan when he barely escaped assassination. Netanyahu played an accidental but important role in establishing Meshaals militant credentials when he ordered Mossad agents to kill him in 1997 in retaliation for a Jerusalem market bombing that killed 16 people and was blamed on Hamas. The suspected assassins were caught by Jordanian police after Meshaal was injected with poison in the street. Netanyahu, then in his first term as premier, was forced to hand over the antidote for the poison, and the incident turned Meshaal into a hero of the Palestinian resistance. Jordan eventually closed Hamas bureau in Amman and expelled Meshaal to the Gulf state of Qatar. He moved to Syria in 2001. Meshaal ran Hamas, a Sunni Muslim movement, from exile in Damascus in 2004 until January 2012 when he left the Syrian capital because of President Assads fierce crackdown on Sunnis involved in an uprising against him. Meshaal now divides his time between Doha and Cairo. His abrupt departure from Syria initially weakened his position within Hamas, as ties with Damascus and Tehran, which were vital for the group, gave him power. With those links damaged or broken, rivals based within Gaza, the birthplace of Hamas, began to assert their authority. Meshaal himself told Reuters that his move affected relations with Hamas main paymaster and weapons supplier Iran - a country Israel believes poses by far the greatest threat to it because of its ambitious nuclear programme. In December 2012, Meshaal paid his first visit to the Gaza Strip and delivered the main speech at Hamas 25th anniversary rally. He had not visited the Palestinian territories since leaving the West Bank at age 11. While he was abroad, Hamas asserted itself over its secular rival, the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which has been open to negotiating peace with Israel, by seizing control of Gaza from the PA in a brief 2007 civil war. Friction between Meshaal and the Gaza-based Hamas leadership surfaced over his attempts to promote reconciliation with President Mahmoud Abbas, who heads the Palestinian Authority. Meshaal then announced that he wanted to step down as leader over such tensions and in 2017 was replaced by his Gaza deputy Haniyeh, who was elected to head the groups political office, also operating overseas. In 2021, Meshaal was elected to head the Hamas office in the Palestinian diaspora. The controlled items include high-precision inertial measurement units, synthetic-aperture radar, and engines with an output exceeding 16 kilowatts, as well as wireless communication systems capable of functioning beyond 50 km read more China on Wednesday imposed export controls on a range of drones and drone parts with potential military use and exporters could face penalties for exporting items not explicitly banned if they are aware these could be used for military purposes or terrorism. According to a South China Morning Post report, the list was rolled out by a range of agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce, China Customs and the Peoples Liberation Armys equipment department. Advertisement The controlled items include high-precision inertial measurement units, synthetic-aperture radar, and engines with an output exceeding 16 kilowatts, as well as wireless communication systems capable of functioning beyond 50 km (31 miles). Beijing also categorised drone jammers designed for civilian use, with an effective range of over 5 km, as controlled for export, added the report. The Chinese government firmly supports Chinese companies conducting international trade and cooperation of drones in the civilian area [and] oppose civilian drones to be used for non-peaceful means, South China Morning Post quoted the ministry as saying in a statement explaining the ban. We oppose individual countries using (proliferation of weapon-capable) drones as an excuse to impose illegal sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals, the statement added. The statement said the move would better safeguard Chinas security and interests, and better serve Beijings obligation regarding the non-proliferation of weapons while benefiting the security of the global supply chain. Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor, said the new list of controls was aimed at preventing dual-use technologies serving military purposes. We have to regulate the destination of these goods (to ensure) that those engaging in wars cannot import them, Song told South China Morning Post, adding that the new rules also prevented the technology transfer of dual-use drones. Advertisement China released a temporary notice on the same date last year July 31 to ban a series of drones with the potential for military applications. The revision of the notice implied that the control on the export of drones and drone parts will persist, Song said. He said the revision was motivated in part by the wide use of drones in the war in Ukraine. From Chinas perspective, we do not want to add fuel to the fire of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Thats not what we want to see. So we will impose restrictions on the export of these sensitive products," Song added. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Kenyas Court of Appeal declared the governments 2023 finance law unconstitutional. The finance bills are main vehicle for the government to set out its revenue-raising measures read more Kenyas Court of Appeal on Wednesday declared the governments 2023 finance law unconstitutional, inflicting a new blow to the government of President William Ruto who withdrew this years finance bill after deadly protests. The finance bills, which are presented to parliament at the start of every financial year, are the main vehicle for the government to set out its revenue-raising measures including tax hikes and the introduction of new levies. The 2023 version was challenged in court following a round of political opposition-led street protests that turned violent, after Rutos government used it to double the value added tax on fuel, introduce a housing tax, and raise the top personal income tax rate, among other measures. Advertisement A further declaration is hereby issued that the failure to comply with this constitutional dictate renders the entire Finance Act, 2023 unconstitutional, a three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal said in a ruling. The courts verdict was in respect of an appeal of another one from the High Court late last year, which largely left the finance bill intact, only striking out the housing levy. The government pushed through a new law to allow it to continue collecting the housing tax after that ruling and that law is also being challenged in court. The government, which has been relying on the 2023 finance law to continue collecting taxes after Ruto withdrew this years bill, did not immediately comment on the ruling. The government can appeal the Court of Appeal ruling at the Supreme Court, which is the highest court. Reuters could not reach the office of the Chief Minister Musalia Mudavadi for comment. The top official at the finance ministry, Chris Kiptoo, did not respond to requests for comment. Ruto has nominated a new finance minister after he fired all ministers but one in response to the youth-led violent protests that started last month. Advertisement Ruto says the higher taxes are necessary to enable the government to fund development programmes while paying off a heavy public debt load that currently exceeds the recommended level by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The government has submitted a new economic plan to the IMF and it expects the board of the fund to consider it at the end of August. Qatar and Egypt, which have acted as mediators in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, suggested on Wednesday that the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh could jeopardise efforts to secure a truce in Gaza read more A person watches the news on multiple TV screens, most of them announcing the killing of senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, in Istanbul, Turkey, on Wednesday. Reuters Qatar and Egypt, which have acted as mediators in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, suggested on Wednesday that the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh could jeopardise efforts to secure a truce in Gaza. Political assassinations and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue leads us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side? Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani wrote on X. Advertisement Peace needs serious partners & a global stance against the disregard for human life. Egypts foreign ministry said in a statement that a dangerous Israeli escalation policy over the past two days had undermined efforts to broker an end to the fighting in Gaza. The coincidence of this regional escalation with the lack of progress in the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza increases the complexity of the situation and indicates the absence of Israeli political will to calm it down, the statement said. It undercuts the strenuous efforts made by Egypt and its partners to stop the war in the Gaza Strip and put an end to the human suffering of the Palestinian people, it added. Qatar, Egypt and the United States have repeatedly tried to clinch a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza, where Israeli forces have killed more than 39,000 Palestinians since Hamas-led militants attacked Israel in October, killing 1,200 people. A final deal to halt more than nine months of war has been complicated by changes sought by Israel, sources have told Reuters, and there was no sign of progress at the latest round of talks in Rome on Sunday. Haniyeh, who mainly resided in Qatar, was assassinated in the early hours of the morning in Iran, raising fears of wider escalation in a Middle East shaken by Israels war in Gaza and a worsening conflict in Lebanon. Advertisement Qatar condemned Haniyehs assassination in the Iranian capital Tehran, saying it was a dangerous escalation. His demise occurred less than 24 hours after Israel claimed to have killed a Hezbollah commander in Beirut whom it blamed for a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Haniyeh had not been directly involved in the day-to-day Gaza ceasefire negotiations and was not leading the talks. The senior Hamas figure who has been central throughout ceasefire and hostage release negotiations is Khalil Al-Hayya, an official briefed on the talks told Reuters previously. Haniyehs killing also came as Egypts recently appointed Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty was in Qatar for talks on issues including the Gaza crisis. He discussed the assassination with Sheikh Mohammed, the Qatari foreign ministry said. Russian forces are advancing toward the strategically important Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. The city, essential for resupplying Ukrainian troops, is now just 20 kilometres from the front line. Ukraine braces for a prolonged defensive effort, awaiting new recruits and Western weapons to bolster its defences read more A view of destroyed bee hives a site of a Russian missile strike in an area in the village of Rivne near the Pokrovsk town, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine January 7, 2024. Reuters Russian forces are advancing towards the strategically significant city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, posing a threat to a crucial Ukrainian supply line as Moscow continues its slow and relentless offensive. Russian troops were reported to be about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Pokrovsk on Tuesday, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The institute noted intensive efforts to advance and conduct a limited tactical encirclement of Ukrainian forces in the Pokrovsk direction. Advertisement The significance of Pokrovsk The area around Pokrovsk has experienced some of the fiercest fighting along the 1,000-kilometre front line in recent months, with Russian forces advancing after capturing Avdiivka in February. Pokrovsk is not a major city; it had a pre-war population of about 60,000, many of whom have since fled. However, it serves as a key hub for the Ukrainian military due to its easy access to Kostiantynivka, another military centre. The road connecting the two towns is vital for resupplying Ukrainian troops on the front lines and evacuating casualties towards Dnipro, according to CNN. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated his objective to seize all of the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. The Russian Defence Ministry announced that its forces had captured the Ukrainian villages of Lozuvatske over the weekend and Vovche on Monday. Both villages are approximately 15 kilometres from the road between Kostiantynivka and Pokrovsk. Kostiantynivka is the southernmost part of a cluster of four Ukrainian cities Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk being the others that form the backbone of Ukraines defence in the region. Thus, any Russian advance towards Kostiantynivka is cause for concern. As of today, the city is 20 km (12 miles) from the front line, Serhiy Dobriak, head of the citys military administration, told US broadcaster Radio Free Europe. Advertisement Ukraine facing challenging realities Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the tough situation, stating that Ukrainian troops were facing extremely challenging conditions in the area. It is in the Pokrovsk direction that there have been the biggest number of Russian assaults these weeks the most intense enemy attacks are precisely there. Everyone who stops these Russian strikes and destroys this Russian offensive potential is performing one of the most important missions in this war, President Zelenskyy said in his nightly address to the nation on Sunday (July 28). Russias tactics Russia has been stretching Ukrainian defences across the entire eastern front line for months, aiming to capture as much territory as possible before new Ukrainian recruits and fresh batches of Western weapons arrive on the battlefield. Advertisement On Monday, the Ukrainian General Staff, in a regular battlefield update, reported that fighting on the Pokrovsk front was the fiercest in the war-torn east. Ukraine had repelled 52 Russian assaults there in the last 24 hours. Ukraine began receiving new batches of US weapons in May. It has also recruited thousands of new soldiers who are currently in training and expected to join the front lines in the autumn. The combination of these new soldiers and weapons should give Ukraine a significant boost. Russias strategy seems to be to slow this down as much as possible. By pushing ahead and making these gradual, incremental advances along the front line, Russia is forcing Ukraine to commit to defensive operations rather than prepare for a counteroffensive. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The UNSC emergency meeting on Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh assassination is scheduled for 4:00 pm (2000 GMT) and has been requested by Iran and supported by representatives of Russia, China and Algeria read more The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday after Hamas said its chief Ismail Haniyeh had been killed by an Israeli strike on Irans capital. The meeting is scheduled for 4:00 pm (2000 GMT) and has been requested by Iran and supported by representatives of Russia, China and Algeria, a spokesman for the Russian presidency, which holds the rotating leadership of the council, said. On Wednesday, Palestinian militant group, Hamas, said its political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli strike in Iran, where he was attending the swearing-in of new president Masoud Pezeshkian. Advertisement Hamas has vowed the act will not go unanswered. Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei too threatened harsh punishment for Haniyehs killing and said: We consider it our duty to seek revenge for his blood as he was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Irans new President Pezeshkian echoed Khamenei and said: The Zionists will soon see the consequences of their cowardly and terrorist act. Israeli policies have reached a dead end, he added. On Tuesday, Haniyeh had travelled to Tehran to attend swearing-in of Pezeshkian. The government, following the news of the killing, declared three days of national mourning. An official and public funeral ceremony for Haniyeh will be held in Tehran on Thursday before his body is flown to Qatar, his base in recent years, for burial on Friday, Hamas said. On Wednesday, a number of demonstrators waved Palestinian flags rallied in Tehrans Palestine Square, chanting Death to Israel, Death to America! Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas condemned Haniyehs killing as a cowardly act. Palestinian factions in the Israeli-occupied West Bank called for a general strike and protest marches across the territory. With inputs from AFP. Weve been working from day one not only to try to get to a better place in Gaza but also to prevent the conflict from spreading, whether its the north with Lebanon and Hezbollah, whether its the Red Sea with the Houthis, whether its Iran, Syria, Iraq, you name it, Blinken said. A big key to trying to make sure that that doesnt happen, and that we can move to a better place, is getting the ceasefire read more US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that the United States was not aware of or involved in the killing of Hamass political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. This is something we were not aware of or involved in, Blinken said, according to a transcript shared by his staff from an interview with Channel News Asia in Singapore. Weve been working from day one not only to try to get to a better place in Gaza but also to prevent the conflict from spreading, whether its the north with Lebanon and Hezbollah, whether its the Red Sea with the Houthis, whether its Iran, Syria, Iraq, you name it, Blinken said. Advertisement A big key to trying to make sure that that doesnt happen, and that we can move to a better place, is getting the ceasefire. Haniyeh was attending the inauguration of Irans new president when he was killed by an Israeli air strike, Hamas said Wednesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas in retaliation for its October 7 attacks on Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza. Hamas blamed Israel and vowed the cowardly killing of their veteran leader will not go unanswered. The October 7 attacks resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also seized 251 hostages, 111 of whom are still held captive in Gaza, including 39 the military says are dead. Israels retaliatory campaign against Hamas has killed at least 39,400 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry, which does not provide details on civilian and militant deaths. Blinken said achieving a ceasefire was manifestly in the interests of the hostages and bringing them home, its manifestly in the interests of Palestinians who are suffering terribly every single day, children, women, men in Gaza. its profoundly in the interest of trying to put things on a better path not only in Gaza, but actually throughout the region, because so much is tied to whats happening in Gaza right now, he said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan signed the 123 Agreements on civil nuclear cooperation during a visit by Washingtons top diplomat as part of his latest swing to Asia. The 123 Agreements, named after their section in the US Atomic Energy Act, are critical for investment by US nuclear companies, which are wary of running afoul of laws related to proliferation read more The United States and Singapore signed an agreement Wednesday to deepen cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy as the city-state considers alternative power sources to cut carbon emissions. Singapore, a regional financial centre and a key player in the global semiconductor industry, is currently reliant on oil and natural gas. It is studying options, including nuclear power, to meet its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan signed the 123 Agreements on civil nuclear cooperation during a visit by Washingtons top diplomat as part of his latest swing to Asia. Advertisement The 123 Agreements, named after their section in the US Atomic Energy Act, are critical for investment by US nuclear companies, which are wary of running afoul of laws related to proliferation. This agreement builds on the long-standing civil nuclear collaboration between United States and Singapore and outlines a comprehensive framework to deepen peaceful nuclear cooperation based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation, both countries said in a joint statement. The agreement is expected to come into force by end-2024 after being reviewed by the US Congress, the statement said.The pact will last for 30 years and will facilitate Singapores access to detailed information on US nuclear energy technologies and expertise that are under export control, according to the statement. Singapore will also join a US Department of State programme that enables partners to better understand small modular reactors or more advanced nuclear energy technologies, the statement added. Singapores Energy Market Authority said on its website that small modular reactors promise enhanced safety and economics compared to conventional nuclear power plants, although most of these technologies are still undergoing research and development. Washington has active 123 Agreements with 22 countries, including China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as with two institutions the European Atomic Energy Community and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has come to India accompanied by a high-level delegation and will receive a ceremonial welcome on August 1 at Rashtrapati Bhavan read more Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh started his three-day day visit to India on Tuesday, the first such in a decade. The leader was received at the Delhi airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita. India and Vietnam share civilisational links and a longstanding friendship based on mutual trust. The visit will further strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said after Chinh landed in the national capital. Advertisement Warm welcome to PM Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam as he arrives in New Delhi on a State Visit. Received by MoS @PmargheritaBJP at the airport. & share civilizational links and a longstanding friendship based on mutual trust. The visit will further strengthen our pic.twitter.com/2Ejg6g6eLM Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 30, 2024 Chinh has come to India accompanied by a high-level delegation and will receive a ceremonial welcome on August 1 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. During his visit, the prime minister will likely meet President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The last time a prime minister visited India was in 2016. Heres a look at India-Vietnam relations and what Chinhs 3-day-long trip expects to yield: Haniyeh, normally based in Qatar, had been the face of Hamass international diplomacy as the war set off by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7 has raged in Gaza. He had been taking part in internationally-brokered indirect talks on reaching a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave read more Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital Tehran early on Wednesday morning, an attack that drew threats of revenge on Israel and fuelled further concern that the conflict in Gaza was turning into a wider Middle East war. The Palestinian Islamist militant group and Irans Revolutionary Guards confirmed Haniyehs death. The Guards said it took place hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for Irans new president. Although the attack was widely assumed to have been carried out by Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government made no claim of responsibility and said it would make no comment on the killing. Advertisement Haniyeh, normally based in Qatar, had been the face of Hamass international diplomacy as the war set off by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7 has raged in Gaza. He had been taking part in internationally-brokered indirect talks on reaching a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave. The assassination occurred less than 24 hours after Israel claimed to have killed Hezbollahs most senior military commander in the Lebanese capital Beirut in retaliation for a deadly rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Two Lebanese security sources confirmed later on Wednesday that the body of Hezbollah operations chief Fuad Shukr had been found in rubble left by an airstrike in Beiruts southern suburbs. The latest events appear to set back chances of any imminent ceasefire agreement in the nearly 10-month-old war in Gaza between Israel and the Iran-backed Hamas. Hamas armed wing said in a statement Haniyehs killing would take the battle to new dimensions and have major repercussions. Vowing to retaliate, Iran declared three days of national mourning and said the U.S. bears responsibility because of its support for Israel. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel had provided the grounds for harsh punishment for itself and it was Tehrans duty to avenge Haniyehs death. Iranian forces have already made strikes directly on Israel earlier in the Gaza war. Advertisement In Jerusalem, an Israeli government spokesperson declined to comment on the killing of Haniyeh but said the country was on high alert for any Iranian retaliation. Spokesperson David Mencer told a briefing with journalists that Israel was committed to Gaza ceasefire negotiations and securing the release of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militants in Gaza. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, at an event in Singapore, sidestepped a question on Haniyehs killing, saying a ceasefire deal in Gaza was key to avoiding wider regional escalation. He told Channel News Asia that the U.S. had neither been aware of nor involved in the killing. Advertisement Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel was not trying to escalate the war but was prepared for all scenarios. Qatar, which has been brokering talks aimed at halting the fighting in Gaza along with Egypt, condemned Haniyehs killing as a dangerous escalation of the conflict. Political assassinations and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue leads us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on other side? Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on X. Egypt said it showed a lack of political will on Israels part to calm tensions. China, Russia, Turkey and Iraq also condemned it. Advertisement Irans top security body met to decide strategy in reaction to the killing, a source with knowledge of the situation said. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the killing and Palestinian factions in the Israeli-occupied West Bank called for a strike and mass demonstrations. In Israel, the mood was buoyant as Israelis welcomed what they saw as a major achievement in the war against Hamas. Residents in besieged Gaza feared Haniyehs death would prolong the fighting that has devastated the enclave. What a loss. We lost one of our very own, said Gaza resident Fatima Al Saati. Another neighbour, Hachem Al-Saati, said: This news is scary. We feel that he was like a father to us. Advertisement MESHAAL IS LIKELY SUCCESSOR TO HANIYEH Haniyehs most likely successor is Khaled Meshaal, his deputy-in-exile who lives in Qatar, analysts and Hamas officials said. Under Meshaal, Hamas emerged as an ever more important player in the Middle East conflict due to his charisma, popularity and regional standing, analysts said. Meshaal narrowly survived an attempt on his life in Jordan ordered by Netanyahu in 1997. Appointed to the top Hamas job in 2017, Haniyeh moved between Turkey and Qatars capital Doha, escaping the travel curbs of the blockaded Gaza Strip and enabling him to act as a negotiator in the truce talks or to talk to Hamas ally Iran. Three of his sons were killed in an Israeli airstrike in April. His deputy Saleh Al-Arouri was killed in January by Israel, leaving Yehya Al-Sinwar, the Hamas chief in Gaza and the architect of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, and Zaher Jabarin, the head of the group in the West Bank, in place but in hiding. That assault by Hamas-led fighters killed about 1,200 people in southern Israeli communities and some 250 people were taken to Gaza as hostages, Israeli tallies say. In response, Israel launched a ground and air offensive in the coastal enclave that has killed more than 39,400 people, according to Gaza health officials, and left more than 2 million facing a humanitarian crisis. No end appears to be in sight for Israels campaign there as the ceasefire talks falter. The risk of a deepening war between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah has also grown since the strike in the Golan Heights that killed 12 children in a Druze village on Saturday and Israels killing of Hezbollah commander Shukr. The deplorable standard of Pakistani workers in the Gulf region is causing a significant shift in employer preferences towards workers from other countries, such as Bangladesh read more The deplorable standard of Pakistani workers in the Gulf region is causing a significant shift in employer preferences towards workers from other countries, such as Bangladesh. The six GCC countries - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain - together hired 76.3 per cent of Bangladeshs total 1.6 crore outbound workers between 1976 and 2023, according to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training. According to a Dawn report, this shift is driven mainly by concerns over the high crime rate attributed to Pakistanis reportedly 50 per cent of crimes in the UAE labour force involve Pakistani nationals. Advertisement Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Arshad Mahmood painted a bleak picture of the situation of Pakistan labour force in Gulf countries before the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis, which had criticised the failure of the government to harness potentials of Pakistani diaspora. Chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, Senate committee meeting had stressed that the government was ignoring the potentials available in this sector. Mahmood highlighted issues such as inappropriate behavior, including instances of Pakistanis making videos of women in Dubai without their consent, which has further damaged their reputation. He also noted that there was a declining trend in overseas employment for Pakistani labour force as despite modernisation and advancement in technology a significant portion of the Pakistani labour force remains unskilled, reported Dawn. Mahmood said that the Pakistani diaspora, numbering 10.7 million and predominantly in Saudi Arabia, UAE, the US, UK, and Canada, faces increasing reservations from host countries. He told the Senate committee that in September last year, organised gangs of Pakistani beggars were found operating in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, who travelled to these countries as pilgrims. Most of these people visit Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas and Saudi authorities have reported that 90 per cent of all beggars arrested in the country, were Pakistanis, added the Dawn report. Advertisement Senator Nasir Abbas raised concerns about Pakistanis living illegally in Iraq and questioned whether the ministry can assist them, given their poor treatment. Senator Khanzada also noted the issue of Pakistanis in Italy identifying as non-Pakistanis, urging the ministry to proactively address these issues and provide necessary support to stranded Pakistanis. With inputs from agencies As Israel executes bold manoeuvres in Beirut and Tehran, Iran faces a profound test of its influence in the ongoing power struggle of the Middle East read more In a swift turn of events, Iran has encountered profound challenges on two key fronts coinciding with the recent inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. Within just 48 hours, Israelconsidered Irans staunch adversaryexecuted strategic military operations that have left Tehran reeling. An Israeli airstrike targeted a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut and the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of Hamas in Tehran have not only demonstrated Israels tactical prowess but also signaled a potential shift in the geopolitical balance of the Middle East. Advertisement Just days into his presidency, Pezeshkian faces a daunting crisis that challenges his leadership and tests Irans influence in the region. The assassination of Haniyeh, allegedly carried out by Israel on Iranian soil, has put Iran in a precarious position and directly challenges Pezeshkians ability to navigate these troubled waters. Coupled with Israels decisive airstrike on Hezbollah in Beirut, these developments highlight vulnerabilities in Irans strategic defences and demand an immediate response from the new president. The timing of these events has intensified the pressure on Pezeshkian to assert Irans strength and demonstrate that the nation can stand up to its adversaries. This early test for Pezeshkian raises critical questions about Irans strategic capabilities and its role in the Middle Easts shifting power dynamics. In a twist of fate, Haniyeh was in Tehran specifically for Pezeshkians inauguration, which happened on Tuesday. The new Iranian president even had a meeting with Haniyeh, likely making it one of the final meetings of the Hamas political bureau head. Decisive action against Hezbollah Beirut airstrike Israels airstrike on Beiruts southern suburbs, which resulted in the death of Hezbollahs senior commander Fuad Shukr, represents a calculated military manoeuvre with far-reaching implications. The strike, conducted in retaliation for a cross-border rocket attack attributed to Hezbollah, highlights Israels commitment to maintaining its security and its willingness to take bold actions against perceived threats. The precision of the airstrike showcases Israels intelligence capabilities and its ability to target high-ranking officials within militant organisations. Fuad Shukr, a close aide to Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, played a crucial role in orchestrating attacks against Israel. His elimination sends a clear message to Hezbollah and its Iranian backers that Israels reach extends beyond its borders challenging the sanctuaries they rely upon. The strike resonated strongly both domestically and internationally. In Israel, the public, reeling from the tragic deaths of 12 youths in the prior attack, saw the airstrike as a justified response, reinforcing national resolve and government accountability. Internationally, the operation garnered support from allies including the United States, which reiterated its commitment to Israels security against Iran-backed threats. Advertisement While the airstrike drew condemnation from Hezbollahs allies, Israels careful handling of the situation, including signals of restraint to avoid further escalation, demonstrated diplomatic acumen. By balancing military action with diplomatic channels Israel managed to achieve its objectives without plunging the region into an all-out war. The airstrike not only debilitated Hezbollahs leadership but also exposed vulnerabilities within Irans strategic network across the Middle East. Hezbollah, long seen as Irans proxy in Lebanon, now faces increased pressure to recalibrate its operations in light of heightened Israeli vigilance. With Hezbollahs leadership momentarily destabilised, Irans ability to project power through its proxy networks faces setbacks. This scenario challenges Tehrans broader strategy of maintaining a unified front against Israel potentially straining its alliances with other regional actors like Hamas and Syria. Advertisement By successfully neutralising a key Hezbollah figure, Israel reinforces its deterrence capabilities, signalling to adversaries that aggression will be met with decisive responses. This strategic edge not only safeguards Israels borders but also strengthens its position in future diplomatic negotiations. Irans dual setback While Israels actions mark a significant triumph, Iran grapples with setbacks on two critical fronts, both in Beirut and within its own borders in Tehran. The Tehran assassination In a separate but equally impactful development, Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of Hamas, was killed in Tehran under mysterious circumstances. This incident, occurring just after Irans presidential inauguration, represents a severe blow to Irans efforts to solidify its position as a leader of the Resistance axis against Israel. Advertisement The killing of Haniyeh, allegedly by operatives linked to Israel, marks a rare occurrence of direct confrontation within Irans own territory. This act challenges Tehrans perceived invulnerability and raises questions about its ability to protect key allies within its borders. The assassination has sparked outrage among Irans leadership, who now face mounting pressure to respond effectively. President Pezeshkians earlier vows of unwavering support for Resistance forces are now tested as Irans credibility as a protector of its allies is questioned. The incident exposes potential weaknesses in Irans security apparatus, potentially fuelling internal discontent and further complicating its foreign policy objectives. The dual losses in Beirut and Tehran expose the vulnerabilities within Irans extensive network of proxies and allies across the region. As Iran contends with these setbacks, its ability to orchestrate coordinated resistance against Israel and its allies faces significant challenges. Advertisement With Hezbollah and Hamas leaders targeted, Irans proxy alliances face increased scrutiny and pressure. This situation may lead to internal discord and weaken the cohesion of the so-called Resistance axis potentially prompting a reevaluation of strategic priorities among Irans allies. Irans standing in the region may suffer as it struggles to project strength and maintain influence amid these setbacks. As Israel capitalises on its recent successes, Irans regional isolation may deepen complicating its efforts to assert dominance in the Middle East. In much of Israel there was a mood of satisfaction, a day after Israels military said it killed one of the most senior leaders of Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Beirut in retaliation for a deadly attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Netanyahu had already gained a boost in opinion polls following his speech to the U.S. Congress last week, and the successive blows to Hezbollah and Hamas went some way to restoring the image of an Israel taking action against its enemies, said Aviv Bushinsky, a former communications adviser to the prime minister read more Israels government maintained a deliberate silence over the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on Wednesday but for many Israelis, the killing of one of their most high profile enemies was a welcome moment after months of war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose security credentials were shattered by one of the worst attacks on Israeli soil, by Hamas gunmen on Oct. 7, was meeting defence officials in anticipation of the next step. Advertisement But already he appeared to benefit from the near nonstop coverage by the countrys four leading television channels on Wednesday, all carrying banner headlines reading Ismail Haniyeh eliminated in Tehran. In much of Israel there was a mood of satisfaction, a day after Israels military said it killed one of the most senior leaders of Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Beirut in retaliation for a deadly attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Netanyahu had already gained a boost in opinion polls following his speech to the U.S. Congress last week, and the successive blows to Hezbollah and Hamas went some way to restoring the image of an Israel taking action against its enemies, said Aviv Bushinsky, a former communications adviser to the prime minister. People in Israel are happy that for the first time, something really happened, he said. So I think Netanyahu gained a lot and youre going to see it in the polls. It shows that he can still run the show, it shows he knows what hes doing and he has some kind of a plan. Commentators and experts mulled over the capabilities needed to carry out such an assassination - on Iranian territory - while also speculating how it might impact the war in Gaza and the chances of reaching a hostage release deal. This is an amazing achievement of intelligence linked to operations, that lead to the result, Amos Gilad, a former senior defence official, said on Channel 12. Regarding the performance we can say it was impressive, whoever carried it out. Advertisement The governments press office posted an image of Haniyeh on Facebook with the word eliminated pasted on his forehead but the post appeared to have been removed later in the day. A couple of junior ministers not part of the inner circle of officials making strategic decisions also took to social media to celebrate the operation. But officially Netanyahus government has maintained silence over the operation, in an increasingly rare sign of unity from his fractious coalition. We are not commenting on that particular incident, a spokesperson told a briefing with journalists. STALLED TALKS The assassination came amid faltering negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire proposal that includes the release of Israeli hostages held captive since Hamas Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel that sparked the war. Advertisement Egypt and Qatar, which have been mediating talks, both said the killing may complicate ceasefire efforts to end a war that has left Israel increasingly isolated internationally. Iran and Hamas have both threatened retribution, but for many, the blow to Israels sworn enemies was welcomed as a potential boost to the chances of ending the war. I think its good news, both the assassination of Haniyeh and the assassination of the number two of Hezbollah yesterday. Its good news for Israel, for the world. Hopefully it will also contribute to the end of the war and to the release of the hostages. said Eitan Gurel, 72, in Tel Aviv. Advertisement Pictures of people distributing sweets were shared on social media and in one Jerusalem supermarket, a table of biscuits and sweets were laid out for shoppers to take, under a sign reading The people of Israel live. The forum of families of Israeli hostages put out a statement that supported the recent important targeted eliminations along with military achievements from the past 10 months in Gaza. But Israel must remember that it is not possible to achieve victory without using those achievements to return home all the hostages, it said. Shay Dickmann, whose cousin Carmel Gat is one of 115 hostages being held in Gaza, said only a deal could bring them all home. Advertisement I dont know how this news affects the deal, but I wish, I really wish for all the forces around the world to gather in order to bring our people back home. I hope our politicians will know to (turn) this news into the release of the hostages. Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas relatively moderate leader, was assassinated in Iran. In the past, assassinations of Hamas leaders like Sheikh Ahmad Yassin and Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi have been followed by more extremist individuals taking up top spots in the organisation read more Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader assassinated in Iran on Wednesday (July 31), was a tough-talking face of the groups international diplomacy. However, underneath that image, Haniyeh was seen as a moderate compared to the more hardline members of Hamas in Gaza. He was known for his relatively pragmatic approach within the Palestinian groups ranks. With his death, reportedly by an air strike, questions around his successor have emerged. One concern is whether his death will pave way for a hardliner to fill the void. Advertisement Assassination and rise of extremist elements Historically, the assassinations of leaders within Hamas have often led to their replacement by more extremist elements. Consider the assassination of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, one of the co-founders of Hamas and its spiritual leader, in 2004. His death led to widespread protests marked a significant escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to a report by Al Jazeera, just four months before he was killed, Yassin had offered a ceasefire to Israel. Yassins successor was another one of Hamas co-founders: Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi. According to Israels claims, Rantisi was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people who died in suicide bombings and other attacks. He very frequently urged militant strikes against Israeli targets. Once, he condoned the murder of Israeli children, if that would secure the future of young Palestinians. He served as the top boss of Hamas for just 25 days in 2004. That year, Rantisi had also proposed a 10-year truce with Israel. Like Yassin, Rantisi was also killed by Israeli helicopter gunships. Concurrently, after Yassins death, Nizar Rayan became a top Islamic cleric within the militant organisation. He was widely regarded as one of Hamass most hardline political leaders and had called for renewed suicide bombings inside Israel. He was assassinated in 2009. Return of hardliners after Haniyeh? Meanwhile, Haniyeh was named the leader of Hamas after Rantisis death. His appointment was kept a secret due to the multiple assassinations of the groups leaders. Haniyehs rise to the top spot was a sort of anomaly in the pattern of succession where leaders, each more extremist than the previous, rose to the top. Advertisement Now, Haniyehs death could potentially empower hardliners again. Among those reported likely to succeed him, is Yahya Sinwar. He is known for his uncompromising stance and militant background. It is also likely to impact the ceasefire negotiations where Israel and Hamas were said to be closer than ever before to a ceasefire that have been facilitated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar. With inputs from agencies Armed clashes started five days ago between Sunni and Shia tribes in the Upper Kurram district in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan, which has witnessed deadly conflicts among tribes and religious groups as well as sectarian clashes and militant attacks in the past. read more Warring tribes engaged in clashes for a week in Pakistans restive northwestern Kurram district have reached a ceasefire brokered by jirga leaders as the death toll rose to 49 in the fighting that also left more than 200 people injured, officials said on Tuesday. According to the police and district administration, armed clashes started five days ago between Sunni and Shia tribes in the Upper Kurram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan, which has witnessed deadly conflicts among tribes and religious groups as well as sectarian clashes and militant attacks in the past. Advertisement The clashes between Boshehra and Maleekhel tribesmen turned into sectarian skirmishes and spread to other areas, including Peewar, Tangi, Balishkhel, Khaar Kalay, Maqbal, Kunj Alizai, Para Chamkani, and Karman. Despite recent efforts from a jirga (tribal assembly) of elders from the Hangu and Orakzai districts to secure a ceasefire, fighting continued, with both sides resorting to using heavy weapons to target each others positions, the Dawn newspaper reported. Both tribes have agreed to a ceasefire and the clashes have been halted since last night, Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud told Dawn.com on Tuesday. The clashes during the past seven days in different areas of Kurram district claimed 49 lives and wounded more than 200 people, he said. The (two) parties were made to clear the bunkers [and] security forces have been deployed there, while no gunfire was reported at five locations of Kurram district, he asserted. Officials with the help of tribal elders, military leadership, police and district administration earlier brokered a truce between Shia and Sunni tribes on Sunday. Mehsud said the ceasefire brokered by jirga members on Sunday was largely being adhered to but clashes resumed on Monday as well. Dr Mir Hassan Jan, the medical superintendent of the District Headquarters Hospital, said that the killing of 14 more people on Monday took the death toll to 49, the paper reported. Advertisement He added that 210 people were injured as a result of the clashes, with at least 12 critically wounded people shifted to Peshawar for treatment. Locals said rivals were using heavy and sophisticated weapons, including mortar shells and rocket launchers, against each other. They said that mortar and rocket shells were also fired on Parachinar and Sadda, the main cities in the Kurram tribal district. Following Mondays ceasefire, further efforts to sustain peace in the region were underway, Mehsud said, adding that a grand jirga, Kohats general officer commanding (GOC) of 9 infantry division, and Kohat divisions deputy inspector-general and commissioner were present in the Parachinar city for peace efforts. Advertisement District Police Officer (DPO) Nisar Ahmed Khan said security forces were deployed at fighting positions, adding that they would remain stationed there until the situation returned to normalcy. Khan said that while business activities were beginning to resume, the main arteries and schools across the Kurram district were still closed. Mobile data services have been suspended, while call services are active, he said. Mir Afzal Khan, a local social worker, said the main Parachinar Road was closed to traffic due to the conflict, disrupting the supply of food and other items. The closure of the main road is causing farmers and traders a loss of millions of rupees, he claimed, adding that the area was also facing a shortage of food items, medicines, and other goods. Advertisement Commenting on the clashes, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said that the tragic losses occurred due to governance failure. Recently addressed the Kurram Agency crisis, where tragic losses are mischaracterized as a Shia-Sunni conflict, he wrote on the X platform. The real issue is the provincial governments failure to resolve land disputes post-FATA merger. This isnt just sectarian; its a governance failure. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) voiced deep concern at the significant loss of life in Parachinar, Kurram, where rival tribes have engaged in a violent land dispute for several days, fueling sectarian conflict. The violence has taken a heavy toll on ordinary citizens, whose freedom of movement and access to food and medical supplies has been curtailed, it said in a statement on Monday. Advertisement All disputes, whether over land or born of sectarian conflict, must be resolved peacefully through negotiations convened by the KP government with all stakeholders represented, it said. KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said that the district administration and the police should play an effective role in the ceasefire between the parties, and no one shall be allowed to take the law into their hands and ruin the areas peace. A victory for Republican candidate Donald Trump who claims he would be able to force the sides into a negotiated settlement would bring Washingtons continued support into question. We cannot influence any election. Of course, the United States is a challenge today. And there are risks that probably none of us can predict, he told reporters in western Ukraine on Tuesday read more The entire world, including Ukraine, wants Russia to join global leaders at a planned second peace summit to end the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has told French media. With Russian forces gaining momentum on the front and aid from allies ebbing or in doubt, Zelensky has launched an ambitious diplomatic offensive to end the war grinding through its third year. He gathered leaders and top officials from dozens of countries at the Swiss mountainside resort of Burgenstock in June for a first summit, which Russia derided as a waste of time and China shunned. Advertisement While the Kremlin was not invited to the first gathering, now is the time for Moscow to take a seat at the table, Zelensky said. The majority of the world today says that Russia must be represented at the second summit, otherwise we will not achieve meaningful results, he said in western Ukraine on Tuesday. Since the whole world wants them to be at the table, we cannot be against it. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he is open to negotiations, but would only order a ceasefire if Kyiv effectively surrendered territory that Moscow claims as its own. - A serious challenge - Zelenskys push focuses on a sweeping 10-point plan that would restore Ukrainian territorial integrity, return prisoners of war and give Ukraine energy and economic guarantees. He acknowledged that China was a key player but said he did not want mediation from Beijing and instead urged it to pressure the Kremlin to end its invasion. If China wants, it can force Russia to stop this war, Zelensky said. While the Ukrainian leader has won broad international backing for his peace efforts, Zelensky hit out at some of those same allies for barring his army from using their weapons to hit deep inside Russian territory. Its a serious challenge that we cant use all the weapons we need to stop this enemy. What would you do if you were us? he said. Advertisement He also criticised stilted arms deliveries, saying Ukraine was still waiting for weapons from allies to equip recently mobilised troops. And if Ukraine breaks the terms of use for Western-donated weapons then they can say that we wont give you any more help thats the risk, he said. Zelensky met with French media at a school gym in the western town of Rivne, after being whisked from a gathering to hear grievances of local businesses and a meeting with local officials. Only one day earlier he had handed out awards to special forces in the frontline Kharkiv region more than 800 kilometres (500 miles) away. Advertisement - Piecemeal sanctions - Despite his wall-to-wall itinerary that this year has included visits to Asian and European capitals, one trip he has not made was to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris. I would have loved to attend if this wasnt such a difficult time in my country. It is a tense moment in the east of our country, he said, referring to Russias capture of a slew of villages in the industrial Donbas region. Zelensky criticised the International Olympic Committees decision to allow some Russian athletes to compete at the Paris Games under a neutral flag. Let there be bloodstains on it, and then let them compete, he said, calling the IOC decision piecemeal sanctions. Advertisement - Unpredictable risks from US - With uncertainty for Ukrainian forces looming over the sprawling eastern front line, Zelensky also conceded that a neck-and-neck presidential race in the United States a vital political and military ally presented further risks. Washington has provided tens of billions of dollars in military assistance for Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But a victory for Republican candidate Donald Trump who claims he will be able to force the sides into a negotiated settlement would bring Washingtons continued support into question. We cannot influence any election, he told reporters. Of course, the United States is a challenge today. And there are risks that probably none of us can predict. Advertisement The Democrats presumptive White House candidate Kamala Harris has echoed President Joe Bidens pro-Ukraine stance. Zelensky said his team had been in touch both with her aides and the Trump campaign. As president of Ukraine, I must, of course, have a dialogue between my team and the Biden, Trump, and today Harris teams, Zelensky said. We have to have all these contacts and talk about what our future might look like if one side or the other wins the election. Intel has announced the launch of its next-generation Core Ultra processors, codenamed Lunar Lake, scheduled for September 3rd at IFA event in Berlin. Michelle Johnston Holthaus, EVP and General Manager of the Client Computing Group, and Jim Johnson, SVP and General Manager of the Client Business Group, will host the event, joined by PC manufacturers presenting their Core Ultra Lunar Lake-based machines. Intel Lunar Lake Core Ultra Processors for AI PCs Intels Lunar Lake processors will offer advanced microarchitecture for high performance with low power consumption. Key upgrades include enhanced power efficiency, superior core performance, improved graphics capabilities, and notable advancements in AI computing power. According to reports, Lunar Lake might be referred to as the Core Ultra 200V, marking a major update to Intels chip architectures and design strategies. The Lunar Lake Core Ultra 200V CPUs will include: CPU: New Lion Cove P-Cores and Skymont E-Cores, which provide notable IPC improvements. GPU: The new Xe2 architecture with advanced XMX capabilities. NPU4: Delivering up to 48 TOPS, totaling 120 TOPS of AI computing power within a compact SoC. Launch Event Schedule Intels Lunar Lake Core Ultra processors will be unveiled on September 3rd at 6 p.m. CEST (9 a.m. PDT / 9:30 p.m. IST) in a livestreamed event, with a recorded replay available on Intels Newsroom portal. The event will also introduce the first platforms developed with Intels partners, occurring just before IFA 2024 in Berlin, which begins on September 6, 2024. A Grand Junction man involved in one of the largest heists in Mesa County history still must pay $100,000 in restitution for his crimes, but could see that amount reduced, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled Thursday. Kevin Kinard, along with Brett Burke and Nick Sisson were all charged with burglarizing a home in the 2400 block of Home Ranch Court, North of the Appleton area, in 2019. While there, the trio stole about $60,000 in cash, more than $50,000 in jewelry and several firearms. They also destroyed the victims safe and left water running to flood the home, resulting in more than $10,000 in damages. In his appeal, Kinard tried to argue that prosecutors filed an untimely request for restitution, and asked that it be set aside. The court disagreed that the restitution should be reversed, but ordered the district court to review the value of the stolen items. We conclude that the prosecutors failure to comply with (restitution laws) did not deprive the court of the authority to act and that under the circumstances presented, the prosecutors failure does not require the we vacate the award, Judge Sueanna Johnson wrote in the ruling, which was joined by Judges Timothy Schutz and Jerry Jones, who disagreed with parts of the ruling. And while we conclude that there was sufficient evidence to support the finding that Kinard stole items from the victim, the courts findings as to the corresponding values of the items comprising the $100,000 restitution award are insufficient for appellate review, Johnson added. Therefore, we remand the case to the district court so it can detail and clarify its findings in that regard. While Schutz concurred with Johnsons ruling, Jones did not, at least not completely. I concur in the majoritys conclusion that the district court didnt lose authority to impose restitution merely because the prosecution may have failed to comply, Jones wrote in a dissenting opinion. I also concur in the majoritys conclusion that there was sufficient evidence that Kinard stole various items from the victim. But I disagree with the majoritys decision to remand the case to the district court for further findings on the amount of restitution and therefore respectively dissent on that point. Jones wrote that the $100,000 restitution was the minimum the court could impose based on Kinards guilty plea. I dont see any reason why these admissions cant on their own support an award of restitution of the statutory bottom of the range, he wrote. When a defendant pleads guilty to an offense, he relieves the prosecution of its burden to prove the statutory elements or the material facts charges. In my view, there is no reason that shouldnt carry over to restitution. Kinard, 33, currently is serving his 36-year prison sentence at the Crowley County Correctional Facility. He is eligible for parole as early as December 2034. Burke, 32, was sentenced to 33 years in prison for his role in the heist and lost an appeal in February seeking to overturn his conviction and sentence. He is currently being held in the Fremont Correctional Facility, with his first parole hearing set for October 2032. The third man in the case, Sisson, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, and received eight years of probation. Saturday Night Partly cloudy in the evening with more clouds for later at night. Low around 55F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. U.S. Intelligence Says Foreign Actors Seeking To Better Hide Election Interference By RFE/RL July 30, 2024 The U.S. Director of National Intelligence said "foreign actors" are conducting and planning "influence operations" targeting the November elections using increasingly refined tactics "to better hide their hand." "Foreign actors are turning to commercial firms, such as marketing and public relations companies, to leverage these firms' expertise in communications, technical sophistication, and to complicate attribution," said the Election Security Update for late July issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) on July 29. The report notes that such companies "are often able to operate more nimbly and with fewer bureaucratic hurdles than government entities." The U.S. intelligence community expects Russia, China, and Iran to continue to attempt to influence U.S. politics and policies to "benefit their interests and undermine U.S. democracy and Washington's standing in the world." "Moscow is leveraging Russia-based influence-for-hire firms to shape public opinion in the United States, including with election-related operations," the report says. "These firms have created influence platforms, directly and discreetly engaged Americans, and used improved tools to tailor content for U.S. audiences, while hiding Russia's hand." U.S. intelligence considers Russia the "predominant threat to U.S. elections," and believes Moscow "is working to better hide its hand." The ODNI report says China "probably does not plan to influence" the presidential election, though it may seek to "denigrate down-ballot candidates it sees as threatening its core interests." Iran, the report says, will attempt "to fuel distrust in U.S. political institutions and increase social discord." Tehran has also "notably been active in exacerbating tensions over the Israel-Gaza conflict." On July 30, Iran's ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, rejected the report, saying Tehran did not intend to sway the upcoming U.S. presidential election. "Iran does not intend to and is not working on swaying the U.S. elections. Most of these accusations are psychological operations [aimed at] creating the impression of a busy election campaign," the official IRNA news agency quoted him as saying. U.S. voters will cast their ballots on November 5. Former President Donald Trump is the Republican Party candidate, while current Vice President Kamala Harris is the presumptive candidate for the Democratic Party. In addition, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 34 of the 100 seats in the Senate are being contested. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-election-interference- russia-iran/33056251.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 Statement on Venezuelan elections Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 30 July 2024 Category: International relations The Australian Government notes the Venezuelan Presidential election took place on 28 July 2024. Venezuela's Presidential election results need to reflect the democratic vote and the will of the people. We call on authorities to publish detailed results for all polling stations to ensure transparency and accountability. The Australian Government strongly urges a peaceful return to democracy in Venezuela through free and fair Presidential elections. We urge Venezuelan authorities to guarantee full respect for freedom of assembly and expression. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 30, 2024 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of State Antony Blinken's Meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Ms. Sabrina Singh provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met today with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila. The three officials underscored the historic strength of the U.S.-Philippines Alliance, which both countries are expanding and modernizing in support of a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights, and the two officials discussed the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail, and operate - safely and responsibly - wherever international law allows. The officials discussed ways to continue working more closely with like-minded nations, like Australia and Japan, to strengthen shared principles, including rule of law, freedom of the seas, and respect for territorial sovereignty. The meeting between the three officials reaffirmed the United States and the Philippines' enduring commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder as allies to bring greater security, prosperity, and stability to the Indo-Pacific region. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3854657/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 30, 2024 Release DOD Releases Five Awards for Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program The Department of Defense (DoD) today announced an additional five awards totaling $9 million for the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP) to expand the domestic supply of ingredients and materials for U.S. supply chains by building bioproduction infrastructure. The awardees include ARCTOS Technology Solutions in Beavercreek, Ohio; CleanJoule in Salt Lake City; Lygos in Berkeley, California; Synonym in New York City; and Visolis, in Hayward, California. The awards are some of more than 30 expected to be conferred as part of the White House's Executive Order 14081, "Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy," aimed at bolstering America's bioeconomic strengths while helping the Department achieve advanced defense capabilities. "These awards represent exciting steps toward fulfilling President Biden's vision of a robust American bioeconomy and vibrant industrial base," said Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu, whose office leads the Pentagon's research, science, technology, engineering, and innovation efforts. "The bioindustrial manufacturing industry is primed and ready for investments that will ultimately boost national and economic security as well as strengthen our position at the forefront of the global bioeconomy." Through these agreements, companies will receive funding to produce business and technical plans that detail construction of domestic bioindustrial manufacturing production facilities under the Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), a contract vehicle awarded and overseen by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. Successful projects that were selected under the competitive announcement can receive follow-on awards that would provide access to up to $100 million to build a U.S.-based bioindustrial manufacturing facility. "These awards further demonstrate action against the long-term strategic goals in the National Defense Industrial Strategy," said Dr. William LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. "Biomanufacturing is a great example of how the Department is using the DIBC OTA to enable faster execution of high priority efforts." The Department announced the first award for the DBIMP in July 2024. The remaining awards are expected to be announced throughout the coming months. More information on the awardees and the services they will provide, can be found here. The awards include: ARCTOS Technology Solutions, based in Beavercreek, Ohio, was awarded $1.49 million to plan a facility for producing protein-based products useful for manufacturing next-generation fibers, films, filters, and adhesives. The protein-based textiles feature unique properties such as self-healing, thermal responsiveness, and increased elasticity and strength. The facility location is yet to be determined. CleanJoule, based in Salt Lake City, was awarded $1.49 million to plan an industrial-scale facility for producing additives for high-performance aviation fuels. This facility is expected to establish domestic production of these critical materials to reduce dependence on foreign production. The facility location is yet to be determined. Lygos, Inc., based in Berkeley, California, was awarded $1.79 million to plan a multiproduct biorefinery for producing critical chemicals useful for coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers. The company is considering sites in the Midwest for collocating commercial-scale chemical manufacturing with fermentation operations. Synonym, based in New York City, was awarded $1.89 million to plan to rehabilitate an underutilized precision fermentation facility for producing lubricants and solvents required for high-performance aircraft. Facility locations in Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee are being considered. Visolis, based in Hayward, California, was awarded $2.25 million to plan a facility for domestically producing a platform chemical that can be converted into rocket propellants, explosives binders, and sustainable aviation fuel. The facility location is yet to be determined. About the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP) Following a competitive evaluation of proposed solutions, the Department entered negotiations with more than 30 selectees for business and technical planning efforts across focus areas for defense materials: fabrication, fitness, food, and fuel. Upon completion of planning efforts, businesses are eligible to enter negotiations to proceed to the next phase of the DBIMP under the DIBC, wherein the DoD will support building bioproduction infrastructure that increases the domestic supply of critical materials. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3855207/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 30, 2024 By Jim Garamone, DOD News Now the Hard Part: Implementing Arctic Strategy The United States military is diligently working to implement the strategy for an increasingly important region of the world: The Arctic. Amanda Dory, the acting undersecretary of defense for policy, spoke last week at the Wilson Center about the recently announced revamp of DOD strategy in the High North and why it is important for defense. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks announced the new strategy on July 22, but now comes the hard part, Dory said. "While the strategy release is exciting, it's really the implementation that is the proof of the pudding, and it takes a lot of players to successfully implement anything," she said. The strategy has to include the joint force, interagency partners and U.S. allies and partners. The previous DOD strategy for the region came out in 2019, but much has changed in the region and world since then. While the strategic environment has changed dramatically, climate change is rapidly altering the Arctic, Dory said. The region "is warming three times faster than the rest of the world," she said. "Melting ice and warmer temperatures, they affect DOD operating context, and lead to increased human activity, including from our competitors." Russia, with its large area above the Arctic Circle, is an obvious competitor, but China is also a player. "The People's Republic of China ... seeks increased access and influence in the region and leverages the changing Arctic dynamics to take advantage of Arctic resources and to seek a larger role in regional governance," she said. Russia has continued its expansion and modernization of Arctic military infrastructure. "The Arctic has long played a significant role in Russia's security approach and economic calculations, and today is no exception," Dory said. "Russia's Arctic military capabilities have the potential to hold the U.S. homeland, as well as allied and partner territories, at risk." China and Russia are growing together and have held combined naval patrols in the region. DOD continues to monitor this cooperation very closely. "On the other side of the equation, the addition of Finland and Sweden as NATO allies presents an opportunity to deepen collaboration on Arctic security issues and strengthen security and defense and deterrence in the region," she said. "So, along with the evolution of the Arctic geopolitically, the [Defense] Department is also evolving our approach to the region. And the strategy seeks to update this approach so that it is fit for purpose for this new era in the Arctic." More land is available in the region and sea lanes are opening. More ships, planes, people are in the region, and this could increase the risk of strategic competition and miscalculation in the region, Dory said. That is why the strategy really a roadmap for cooperation is so important, the acting undersecretary said. "The Arctic strategy itself is transparent about the challenges that we face in order to underscore the urgency of addressing them," she said. "It provides an action-oriented approach to address these challenges and to realize our strategic guiding light." The end state, she said, is that DOD, in cooperation with allies and partners, looks to preserve the Arctic as a stable region in which the U.S. homeland remains secure and vital national interests are safeguarded. "We spend the bulk of the strategy for diving into the ways we intend to get to that end state," she said. There are three main lines of effort. The first is to enhance domain awareness and capabilities to campaign in the Arctic. These are the day-to-day operations, activities and investments in the region. The second line of effort is to engage with allies and partners. "The third is exercising a calibrated presence in the region," Dory said. Dealing with allies and partners is really key to this effort, she said. Cooperation in the Arctic continues America's greatest asymmetric advantage: the network of allies. "The Arctic has a unique concentration of like-minded and highly capable allies," she said. "Canada, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and our two newest NATO allies, Finland and Sweden, all bring substantial regional know-how and capability that strengthens our collective efforts to monitor and respond in the Arctic." There is already a baseline for this effort. For example, "the U.S. Marine Corps has long maintained pre-positioned combat equipment in Norway to improve our ability to respond rapidly alongside Arctic allies should deterrence fail," Dory said. "We've also increased rotations of maritime patrol aircraft to Iceland to improve maritime domain awareness when necessary and will continue to participate in Icelandic air policing efforts." The United States has also signed defense cooperative agreements with Sweden, Finland and Denmark, and updated a similar long-standing agreement with Norway. "In Europe and North America, we've enhanced our tailored presence through U.S. participation in exercises like Nordic Response in the European Arctic, and Arctic Edge in Alaska. Allies and partners are also a source of innovation and we're working together to develop and feel the next generation of Arctic capabilities." Canada and the United States are already modernizing for the North American Aerospace Defense Command, and the United States is interoperable with a number of partner nations in the F-35 jet program and the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. "We're building innovative partnerships such as one with Norway, which is hosting a U.S. payload aboard Norway's Arctic satellite broadband mission, [which will] bring much needed communications capabilities to our strategic users in the Arctic region," Dory said. "Going forward, we will look to identify opportunities to collaborate more closely on Arctic capabilities research, development and acquisition," she said. "Additionally, we'll explore ways to deepen intelligence and information sharing to maintain a shared threat perception of the Arctic region." DOD looks to work more closely with U.S. entities as well, from the U.S. Coast Guard to state government entities to Alaskan natives to industry partners. "We support the Coast Guard's program to strengthen U.S. icebreaking capability, as it enables a key capability to ensure interoperability between the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy vessels, and to support U.S. presence in the Arctic," Dory said. "The recent announcement of U.S., Canada and Finland to collaborate on icebreaker production is yet another example of the incredible cooperation potential among Arctic allies to drive collective innovation and capabilities." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuela: Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell on the developments after the Presidential Elections European External Action Service (EEAS) 30.07.2024 EEAS Press Team I am following the situation in Venezuela with great concern after last Sunday's presidential elections. To date, the National Electoral Council of Venezuela (CNE) has only presented election results corresponding to 80% of the vote count, without providing any source or system that would allow for their verification. With this partial, unverifiable result, the CNE has proceeded to declare Nicolas Maduro the winner of the election. In a democracy, election results must be complete and independently verifiable in order to be recognised. Furthermore, the data that the opposition has made available to the public offers a radically different result from the one announced by the CNE. I reiterate that the Venezuelan authorities must guarantee the transparency and integrity of the electoral process by independently verifying the official voting records ("actas") of polling stations. The European Union urges the CNE to provide immediate access to the voting records of all polling stations. Until voting records are made public and are verified, the election results as already declared cannot be recognised. The people of Venezuela have endured an unprecedented economic, political and social crisis for many years. The EU has always argued that the way out of this crisis is through elections and that remains the only solution. In these difficult times, it is important that demonstrations and protests are peaceful. The security forces must ensure full respect for human rights, in particular the right to protest and the right to freedom of assembly. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines-US '2+2' meeting highlights 'destructive role' in Asia-Pacific peace, stability Global Times Manila may 'pay the price' by blindly following US in countering China: experts By Wang Qi Published: Jul 30, 2024 09:59 PM US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Tuesday met with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo in Quezon City during the "2+2" dialogue eyeing on boosting defense and security ties, as Blinken just concluded the Quad foreign ministers meeting in Tokyo where the "China-threat" rhetoric was once again hyped viv-a-vis the East China Sea and South China Sea issues. Analyst said the "2+2" dialogue between US and Philippines' top diplomats and defense chiefs shows that the US is promoting the Philippines as a proxy against China in the Asia-Pacific region, and tries to make Manila as a wedge to undermine the ASEAN unity, so as to better integrate its allies in forming an "Asia-Pacific NATO." China and the ASEAN member countries should be vigilant against the destructive role of the US and the Philippines. The analysts also warned that it is not wise for Manila to blindly follow the US, which usually uses allies to the greatest extent possible to achieve its own goals and then abandons them at any time. The "2+2" Ministerial Dialogue is the first such meeting that was hosted by the Philippines. According to the joint statement released by the US after the talks, the secretaries from US and Philippines reiterated the importance of the security alliance and shared commitments under the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. The secretaries committed to deepen coordination on issues related to the South China Sea between and among their foreign and defense ministries. The US announced it will allocate a $500 million military financing to help modernize the Philippine military and coast guard. It also said it has agreed to conclude an intelligence-sharing pact, known as GSOMIA, by the end of the year. Besides, a "Roles, Missions, Capabilities Working Group" will be established to ensure more frequent and regular policy and operational coordination, and support strengthening bilateral planning and interoperability. The two sides agreed to advance cybersecurity cooperation by investing in the cybersecurity capabilities of the Philippines. Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday the $500 million military financing is not provided to the Philippines free of charge, and that one-quarter of it will be invested into US' own military bases in the Philippines. "In accordance with US' previous practice, the remaining part of the military financing will not be unconditional, and the US will raise a variety of specific and restrictive conditions and requirements," Ding noted. Agreement reached during the "2+2" meeting shows that the Philippines and the US are promoting a deeper bonding on a strategic level, and continue to invest in regional militarization, Ding said. At a time when the Philippines faces numerous problems in its domestic livelihood and economy, and has recently suffered heavy losses due to intensifying typhoon and monsoon rains, the $500 million military financing is highly ironic and raises the question of what is in real interests of the Filipino people, Ding noted. Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Tuesday the US military commitment to Philippines is more about being symbolic and encouraging, paving the way for more possible military assistance in the future. It's necessary for both China and the ASEAN members to remain vigilant against potential tensions and even crises in the South China Sea provoked by the Philippines, as well as the US destructive role to regional peace and stability, Li said. Calculation and risk Ahead of the "2+2" meeting, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr met with Blinken and Austin, and said that regular engagements between Manila and Washington were needed to ensure "agile" responses in terms of South China Sea situations, according to a Reuters report. Following the meeting, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Blinken and Austin discussed with Marcos "their shared commitment to upholding international law in the South China Sea," and underscored US' "ironclad commitments" to Manila under the "Mutual Defense Treaty." The US-Philippines "2+2" dialogue also followed the meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo on July 26 in Laos, during which Wang said mutually beneficial cooperation and common development are in the fundamental interests of the two countries, and also warned Manila over the US intermediate missile system deployment. After the China Coast Guard took regulatory measures against Philippine vessels' illegal intrusion into waters near China's Ren'ai Jiao on June 17, China and the Philippines have recently reached a temporary arrangement on the transportation and replenishment of humanitarian supplies to Ren'ai Jiao in order to maintain the stability of the maritime situation. Wang Yi told Manalo that the Philippine side should fulfill its commitments and refrain from changing its position, otherwise, China will respond resolutely. After the clash at Ren'ai Jiao in June between China and the Philippines, the US still wants to embolden Manila to stand up to China on the South China Sea issue, Li said Besides turning the Philippines into a proxy against China in the Asia-Pacific region, Washington is also using Manila as an wedge to undermine the unity of ASEAN, and further integrate its allies in forming an "Asia-Pacific NATO," Li said. "The Philippines will be made use of to the maximum by the US." According to the joint statement, senior officials from US and Philippines welcomed further defense and security coordination with Japan and Australia to address shared regional challenges. Through military and security cooperation, the US is seeking a tight control of the Philippines in case Manila's foreign policy deviates from the US strategy or cannot meet the US interests, Ding said. "The US' logic is that the Philippines cannot and does not need to have an independent strategy," Ding remarked. The Biden administration also tries to reassure its allies and to demonstrate that the leadership and commitment of the US are "counted," especially at a time when variables and chaos dominates the upcoming US election, Ding noted. Earlier this month, former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte criticized the Marcos administration for allowing itself to be "used" by the US in its own geopolitical rivalry with China, causing the worsening tension between Manila and Beijing, per the ABS-CBN report. "By blindly leaning toward the US, the Philippines aims to satisfy its needs in territorial disputes with China," Li said. "But the US is not reliable ... Playing major power game as a smaller country, [the smaller country] usually ends up with being played and sacrificed." The Philippines' lack of understanding of the history of international relations and the brutal nature of great power competition has led the country's strategic elites to adopt a short-sighted and superficial policy, Li said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Xi congratulates Maduro on re-election as Venezuela's president Global Times By Global Times Published: Jul 30, 2024 06:01 PM Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a message to Nicolas Maduro, congratulating him on re-election as president of Venezuela. Separately, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at Monday's press briefing that China congratulates Venezuela on the smooth presidential election and congratulates President Nicolas Maduro on his successful reelection. In response to a question about some countries including the US and the UK expressing doubts about the election results, Lin, the spokesperson, said at Tuesday's press briefing that regarding the Venezuelan presidential election, all parties should respect the choice made by the Venezuelan people. We believe that the Venezuelan government and people can handle their internal affairs, said Lin. Noting that China and Venezuela are good friends and partners, Lin said on Monday that China attaches great importance to its relations with Venezuela and stands ready to work with the Venezuelan side to enrich the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries and deliver more benefits for the two peoples. Pan Deng, director of the Latin American and Caribbean Region Law Center of China University of Political Science and Law, has been invited by Venezuela's National Electoral Council to serve as an international observer in the country. Pan said local people's earnest wish is stability and employment. They do not want to see large-scale conflict or turmoil in Venezuela after the election. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah denies senior commander killed in Israeli strike IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 30, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Israel has struck the Lebanese capital Beirut, claiming that it has killed a senior Hezbollah commander. The Lebanese resistance movement has denied the claim. The Israeli regime claimed in a statement that it carried out "a targeted strike" on Tuesday against the Hezbollah commander the regime accuses of being behind a rocket explosion in Majdal Shams at the weekend. Lebanese media said the strike targeted an area in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of the capital Beirut. They also said that the attack hit a residential building, razing it to the ground and causing damage to an adjacent hospital. The targeted area is said to be crowded, with a number of people getting injured. Israeli media reports named the slain commander as Fouad Shukr, also known as Al-Hajj Mohsen, saying he was Hezbollah Chief of Staff and the number 2 man in the movement. A source from Hezbollah denied that, telling Russia's Sputnik that the Israeli attack targeting Fouad Shukr has failed. Earlier, some Lebanese sources also said that the commander's assassination was unsuccessful and he had left the building before it was targeted. Hezbollah has categorically denied responsibility for an incident on Saturday in Majdal Shams town in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which Israel said had left 12 people dead. Hezbollah has said that the incident took place after a projectile from Israel's Iron Dome hit the town. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Supreme Leader: Hezbollah policy 'prudent and wise' IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 30, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said that Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement has been adopting a wise and prudent policy since the beginning of the Al-Aqsa Storm Operation against the Zionist regime. The Supreme Leader made the remark in a meeting with Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem in Tehran on Tuesday. Ayatollah Khamenei described Hezbollah's policy as prudent and wise since early October when the Lebanese movement began operations against Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza where the regime unleased its war in response to Al-Aqsa Storm Operation by Hamas. He said that Hezbollah should continue its path within the framework of the same policy. The Supreme Leader also noted that the existing coordination among different Lebanese movements and their support for Hezbollah shows the resistance group's success in the political environment of the country. Sheikh Naim Qassem, on his part, briefed Ayatollah Khamenei on the latest developments in Lebanon and fighting in northern Israeli-occupied territories. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zionist security staff killed in new Hezbollah attack IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 30, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah has launched a new wave of attacks on the Israeli-controlled military bases and areas in north of the occupied Palestine, killing one Zionist security personnel. The Al Mayadin news channel said in a Tuesday report that Hezbollah attacks earlier in the day had targeted a command center of the Israeli regime in HaGoshrim Kibbutz in Galilee panhandle. Israeli media sources said a security staffer had been killed as a result of the attacks on HaGoshrim. Hezbollah issued a statement saying its fighters had used rockets to hit a battalion in the Beit Hillel military base. It said the attack was a response to Israel's attack a day earlier on Jibchit village in southern Lebanon which injured a number of civilians. Hezbollah said it had also shelled an Israeli military base in Jal al-Alam in the north of the occupied Palestine. Hezbollah has been launching attacks on the Israeli regime since early October as part of a campaign to force the regime to stop its ongoing carnage in the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip. 2050**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinians' resistance will lead to final victory: Pezeshkian IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 30, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their cause, saying he is confident the Palestinians' resistance against the Israeli occupation will lead to "final victory". Pezeshkian made the remarks in a meeting on Tuesday with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, who is in Tehran to attend his inauguration ceremony. Pezeshkian highlighted the historical commitment of the Iranian people to the cause of Palestinian freedom, which he said predates the Islamic Revolution. "The brutal crimes committed by the Zionists, regardless of religion and sect, evoke disgust among all free individuals," he said. He emphasized that the courageous resistance of the Palestinian people and fighters is a source of pride and honor, asserting confidence that this struggle will ultimately lead to the liberation of Palestinian territory and the downfall of the Israeli regime. In response, Haniyeh congratulated Pezeshkian on securing the trust of the Iranian voters and expressed gratitude for his support for Palestinian rights. He characterized the Palestinian resistance as a frontline for the fight against global hegemony, underscoring the importance of Iran's strategy in supporting the resistance front against the Israeli regime and its allies. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Supreme Leader receives heads of Hamas, Islamic Jihad in Tehran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 30, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has received Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement Ziyad Nakhaleh, and Political Bureau Chief of the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas Ismail Haniyeh. The Hamas and Islamic Jihad heads along with their accompanying delegation met with Ayatollah Khamenei before the start of the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran this afternoon. Pezeshkian will be sworn in on Tuesday as the ninth president of the Islamic Republic after winning 16,384,403 votes out of a total of 30,530,157 votes in the July 5 run-off presidential election in Iran. The presence of over 70 foreign delegates at various levels has been confirmed for today's ceremony to be held in the Iranian Parliament. Additionally, 600 domestic and foreign journalists are set to cover Pezeshkian's inauguration. At least five presidents and 10 speakers will participate in the inauguration ceremony. 1483**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel warned against threatening Lebanon's stability, security IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 30, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Calls are growing against the regional escalation amid the Zionist regime's threats against Lebanon with the Egyptian foreign minister expressing his country's strong opposition to any new Israeli military adventurism in the region. According to IRNA, citing Egyptian media, Badr Abdel Ati expressed concern about the current tension between Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement and the Zionist regime but said that Cairo is against any threat to the stability and security of Lebanon and its citizens. Egypt made its stance clear after the Zionist regime and some of its western backer, including the US directly blamed Hezbollah for a deadly rocket attack on the Majdal Shams area in the Israeli occupied Syrian Golan Heights. Despite repeated denial by Hezbollah of its involvement in the incident, the Zionist regime and its propaganda tools have been beating the war drum using Golan a pretext. The regime has not provided any evidence showing that the rocket was fired from Lebanon and Hezbollah has said the rocket was fired from the regime's own anti-missile system Almost regional countries and international organizations have warned Israel against opening a new war front, cautioning the regime that it would have irreparable consequences. On Sunday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said the attack on Majdal Shams was potentially an Israeli action with the aim of justifying expanding the scope of its aggression in the region. The Jordanian Foreign Ministry also warned that the escalation of tension in southern Lebanon could lead the conflicts to an all-out regional war. A ministry spokesperson emphasized the importance of supporting security, stability and preserving the lives of the Lebanese people. UNIFIL: No military solution to Lebanon-Israel conflict The spokesperson of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) has also warned against any escalation of tensions in southern Lebanon and emphasized on the diplomatic solution of the conflict between Hezbollah and the Zionist regime. Andrea Tennetti said in an interview with Al Jazeera on Monday that what is happening between Lebanon and the Zionist regime is worrisome. He said that UNIFIL continues to fulfill its mission and has maintained its contacts with all parties in order to reduce tensions and avoid widening the scope of conflicts. Tennetti emphasized that the conflict between Lebanon and Israel does not have a military solution, but a diplomatic one. "There is still time for negotiations and no party wants war". He also highlighted the challenges faced by UN Security Council Resolution 1701 saying both sides have violated it. Adopted by the Security Council in 2006, resolution 1701 aimed at ending the war that year between Israel and Hezbollah. It called for an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, and the establishment of demilitarized zone. Majdal Shams area in the occupied Golan Heights was targeted by a missile attack on Saturday evening. American Axios news site announced that Hezbollah had informed the United Nations and emphasized once again that the cause of the Majdal Shams accident was the anti-aircraft missile of the Zionist regime. US calls to prevent escalation amid blame game US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a conversation with Israeli President Isaac Herzog once agaian emphasized Washington's commitment to the Zionist regime's security but also called for the importance of preventing the escalation of conflicts with Lebanon's Hezbollah and efforts to reach a diplomatic solution. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Monday local time that Blinken also extended his condolences to the victims of Majdal Shams village and wished the injured a speedy recovery. In this telephone conversation, the Secretary of State emphasized "the firm commitment of the United States to the security of Israel" against what he called "threats from terrorist organizations supported by Iran, including Hezbollah". Blinken stressed the importance of preventing an escalation and discussed efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to allow people on both sides along Lebanon's southern border to return to their homes. The top US diplomat was more concerned about thousands of Israeli settlers who have fled the northern occupied Palestine amid fear of Hezbollah attacks in retaliation for the Gaza genocide. Blinken and Herzog also discussed current efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza despite the Zionist regime's failure to accept the terms of Hamas regarding the ending the war to reach other aspects including the hostage release. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hand over-take over of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2024-07-30 International cooperation | Security and defense policy July 30, air force detachments deployed to protect the Baltic skies as part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission changed over at a ceremony at the Lithuania Air Force Base in Siauliai. Spanish and Portuguese Allies were replaced by the Italian Air Force after four months in charge of security in the Baltic airspace. The Italian airmen will continue the mission with four Eurofighter Typhoons. The rotation ceremony was attended by Vice Minister of National Defence Kamile Gogeliene, Commander of NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) Uedem Major General Harold Van Pee, Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force Colonel Antanas Matutis. "Started 20 years ago, the air policing missions are among the staunchest demonstrations of Allied NATO solidarity and commitment. In the ever-changing security environment, we have the same goal: a protected airspace. I thank the outgoing airmen from Spain and Portugal and I welcome the Italian Air Detachment here in Siauliai to kick off their sixth tour of duty in the Baltic states," said Vice Minister of National Defence K. Gogeliene. The Italian Air Force will be flying its ninth NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states, and the sixth of them conducted from Lithuania. The incoming detachment is formed by approx. 200 troops - pilots, technical and medical specialists, support groups, communications specialists, etc. The outgoing Spanish rotation was flying eight F-18 and the Portuguese - four F-16 Fighting Falcons. The entire strength of the mission amounted to approx. 300 military personnel. The Portuguese have finished their seventh deployment on the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states. The Allied military were also engaged in charitable activities in Siauliai. NATO Allies started rotating in troops and fighter aircraft to safeguard the Baltic airspace when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia became a member of NATO on 29 March 2004. The first Belgian F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets touched down in Siauliai on the same day of the Lithuanian signature of the North Atlantic Treaty. Since then, 17 Allies have taken turns to protect the Baltic airspace in turns. The incoming rotation will conduct the 66 mission since its beginning in 2004. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuelan election body declares Maduro winner of presidential elections People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:04, July 30, 2024 CARACAS, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's National Electoral Council on Monday declared Nicolas Maduro the winner of Sunday's presidential elections. "The National Electoral Council ... accredits citizen Nicolas Maduro Moros ... as elected president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the presidential election held on July 28, 2024, for a period of six years," said Elvis Amoroso, president of the election body, at a press conference. Following the announcement, Amoroso delivered the signed document to Maduro at the headquarters of the National Electoral Council in downtown Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, with diplomats accredited in the country, governors and members of the cabinet, among other officials, in attendance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DFA: China's arms race fear over US 'Typhon' in PH baseless Philippine News Agency By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora July 30, 2024, 6:18 pm Updated on July 30, 2024, 7:17 pm MANILA -- There is no basis for Beijing to warn Manila that the United States' deployment of the "Typhon" mid-range missile system to the Philippines would lead to an arms race, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said Tuesday. In a joint press conference following the 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial meeting with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III, Manalo clarified that the system was not meant for any "offensive purpose". "All I can really say is that first, these missiles are meant for our own defensive capabilities, our own ability to improve our defensive deterrence, and they're not meant for any offensive purposes," the Filipino top diplomat said. "So, I really can't see on what basis how it would lead to an arms race," he added. The statement comes as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed Beijing's concern over the deployment of the American missile system during a bilateral meeting with Manalo in Laos on Friday. China's state news agency Xinhua quoted Wang as saying that Manila's possible introduction of the system would create regional tension, confrontation, and "trigger an arms race". The US deployed the mid-range capability (MRC) missile system to Northern Luzon on April 11 as part of the Exercise Salaknib 24. Typhon is a land-based, ground-launched system that enhances multi-domain fires. Its launcher can fire the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM). Earlier, the Philippine Army said there is a possibility that the MRC may extend its deployment in the country beyond September when the Salaknib training ends. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US officials announce $500-M grant for AFP, PCG modernization Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno July 30, 2024, 6:14 pm MANILA -- Top American diplomatic and defense officials on Tuesday formally announced that Washington DC would allot assistance worth USD500 million (around PHP29.3 billion) to help in the ongoing modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III made the announcement during the 2 + 2 Ministerial Meeting with their Philippine counterparts, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. "We're now allocating an additional USD500 million in foreign military financing (FMF) to the Philippines to boost security collaboration with our oldest treaty ally in the region," Blinken said. The American top diplomat also described the grant, "new steps to strengthen the alliance, a once-in-a generation investment to help modernize" the AFP and PCG. Meanwhile, Austin said the US is working with the Philippines to advance its shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. "And together we are taking bold steps to strengthen our alliance. Today, as you heard Secretary Blinken and I announced that we are poised to deliver a once-in-generation investment to help modernize the AFP and the PCG," he added. Austin added that they are now working with the US Congress for the grant of the FMF to Manila. "This level of funding is unprecedented and it sends a clear message of support for the Philippines from the Biden administration, the US Congress and the American people. Today we also concluded the first ever bilateral Security Sector Assistance Roadmap. That roadmap will ensure that our mutual investments go toward the most important capabilities," he said. Austin also said the US Department of Defense intends to more than double its investment in Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) locations across the Philippines. "President (Joe) Biden's budget request this year includes more than a USD 128 million dollar to fund important EDCA infrastructure projects and US government investment in these locations extends beyond the Department of Defense. For example, the USAID (United States Agency for International Development) plans to preposition a vast of relief supplies in EDCA locations later this year," he added. This will allow the US Department of Defense to work alongside with the Philippines allies provide humanitarian assistance in times of need, Austin said, Currently, there are nine EDCA locations in various locations in the country. "Now during our meeting, we also reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty remains the bedrock of our alliance. And let me be clear, the Mutual Defense Treaty applies to armed attacks on either of our Armed Forces, aircraft or public vessels anywhere in (the) South China Sea. together we also discuss how to make our alliance even more secure through technology and security and cyber cooperation," Austin said. Meanwhile, Teodoro said the assistance from the US would help improve the Philippines' credible deterrent posture. "The priorities will be laid down in the Security Sector Assistance Roadmap. Naturally, a lot of our inherent hardening capabilities are included like cyber capabilities and the like. These and all the EDCA investments will serve to secure the Philippines' credible deterrent posture," he added. Teodoro also added that every peso or dollar spent on "hardening Philippine capabilities" to defend itself and to deter unlawful aggression will be a plus against any "threat actor". "The EDCA investments are not only solely for defense purposes but are also for civil defense purposes like humanitarian assistance and disaster response. They can be venues for joint cooperation and interoperability between the United States and the Philippines and multilaterally with like-minded nations. And likewise they will serve also as venues for economic development like Secretary Austin had said with the USAID," Teodoro noted. Teodoro also emphasized that these are "multidimensional investments" that will spur the country's development, aside from deterring unwanted and unlawful aggression. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PAF jet fighters hold combat maneuvers with French counterparts Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno July 30, 2024, 3:28 pm MANILA -- Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50PH jet fighter pilots on Tuesday honed their aerial defense capabilities by holding "basic fighter maneuvers" (BFM) over the skies of west Zambales with their counterparts from the French Air and Space Force (FASF). In a statement, PAF acting public affairs office chief Col. Rifiel Santiago said the two Rafale jet fighters of the FASF joined the drills. "Both Air Forces demonstrated their tactical maneuvering skills and techniques in a simulated combat scenario, showcasing their proficiency in air-to-air combat," he said. On Monday, two FA-50PH jets of the PAF while two Rafale jets, an A330M transport aircraft, and an A400M Airbus military transport aircraft from the FASF held a joint flight over west Zambales to demonstrate the Rafale jets' air-to-air refueling capabilities. This joint aerial exercise is a key component of the French military's Projection of a Heavy Air Package in Southeast Asia (PEGASE) 2024, Santiago said. The PEGASE 2024 aims to strengthen military partnerships, enhance operational readiness, and ensure regional stability through collaborative training and strategic deployments. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Marcos meets with Blinken, Austin; hails PH-US alliance in WPS Philippine News Agency By Darryl John Esguerra July 30, 2024, 10:17 am MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hailed the flourishing alliance of the Philippines and the United States (US) in ensuring stability in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the Indo-Pacific region. Marcos made the pronouncement on Tuesday morning as he met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III at Malacanang, ahead of the two countries' Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue (2+2). "I am always very happy that these communication lines are very open, so that all the things that we are doing together in terms of our alliance, in terms of the specific context of our situation here in the West Philippine Sea and in the Indo Pacific are continuously examined and reexamined so we are agile in terms of our responses," Marcos said. "But we are very happy to see you once again," he said. "I'm a bit surprised, considering how interesting your political situation has become back in the States, but I'm glad that you found the time to come and visit with us." US condoles with typhoon victims Blinken and Austin thanked Marcos for the warm reception and extended their condolences to the victims of Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon that recently battered the capital region and other nearby areas. Blinken reiterated Washington DC's readiness to render the necessary assistance to Manila. He said the upcoming 2+2 meeting is "genuinely historic" and evidence of the "steady drumbeat of very high level engagements" between the Philippines and the US that covers a full range of issues and opportunities. 'PH, US are family' Meanwhile, Austin said the Philippines and the US are a family. "It always feels that way when I'm working with our colleagues. You know, we have common interests, common values, and so I think we've done a lot over the last three and a half years to continue to strengthen our alliance, and we look forward to continuing to work with you and your team to move even further," he said. "Thanks for your leadership, Mr. President, again, it's been, it's been a great three and a half years, and I look forward to another three and a half or another four (years) in building, building, strengthening this relationship," the US official said. Blinken and Austin are set to meet with their Filipino counterparts, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. The visit came after Chinese ships have rammed and sprayed Filipino vessels and crew members with water cannons over repeated clashes in Ayungin Shoal in the WPS, where the Philippines has sought to resupply its outpost in the grounded BRP Sierra Madre. The tensions reached a high point over a month ago when Chinese sailors raided a Filipino boat with machetes and seized weapons and equipment, where one Filipino navyman lost his thumb in the confrontation. The Philippines has been expanding engagements with its allies, including the US, while also beefing up the capabilities of its armed forces amid China's aggression in the WPS. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Resistance groups slam cowardly Islamic resistance movements in Beirut Iran Press TV Tuesday, 30 July 2024 10:25 PM Islamic resistance movements have condemned Israel's bombing of a southern suburb in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, targeting a senior Hezbollah commander. On Tuesday, the Israeli military carried out a targeted strike against the Hezbollah commander, who survived the attack, but several innocent people reportedly died and were injured during the aggression. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported the attack was conducted by a drone that fired three missiles. It said the strike had targeted the area around Hezbollah's Shoura Council in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut. In a statement, the Israeli military said it had targeted a Hezbollah commander the regime claimed was responsible for last week's rocket attack on the occupied Golan Heights. Media reports said that the assassination attempt against Fuad Shukr was a failure. He is the highest military figure in Hezbollah and a longtime advisor to the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah. Lebanon's Health Ministry said three people, including two children, have been killed and 74 wounded in the Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs. The "non-final toll of the Israeli aggression on the southern suburbs of Beirut... is three martyrs, including a woman, a girl and a boy". The ministry added that "the search for missing persons under the rubble continues". Hamas strongly condemns Israeli aggression The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas strongly condemned "the brutal Zionist aggression on Lebanon and the brotherly Lebanese people, which targeted a building for the Hezbollah in Beirut's southern suburb and resulted in the martyrdom and injury of a number of innocent citizens." Hamas called it "a dangerous escalation for which the Nazi-Zionist occupation bears full responsibility." "We declare our full solidarity with brotherly Lebanon and our brothers in Hezbollah, and we affirm that the arrogance of the occupation and its attempt to restore its lost prestige and deterrence by committing more crimes in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, and the Middle East will be nothing but an uncalculated adventure, for which the occupation will pay a heavy price," said the Hamas statement. Hamas said it holds "the US administration responsible for the occupation's crimes and ongoing violations through its continued open political and military support, which has tempted the occupation and the Neo-Nazis to commit more foolishness and crimes that threaten peace and security throughout the Middle East." "We call on all the forces, components, and parties of the Ummah [Muslim world] to unite and show solidarity with Lebanon," the statement added. "We also call on the international community and the United Nations to assume their legal and political responsibilities in stopping the genocide and ethnic cleansing against our people and stopping the Zionist aggression against Lebanon and the Lebanese people on the path to ending the occupation of Palestine and our occupied Arab lands," it added. Islamic Jihad slams 'treacherous Israeli aggression' Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine also condemned "the treacherous Zionist aggression against Lebanon, its land and its people, and we see in it the persistence of the Nazi government in the entity to ignite the entire region and prepare to commit new massacres against the peoples of our nation." "We affirm our solidarity with the brotherly Lebanese people, and our standing by Lebanon and its people and their resistance in the face of the criminal policies that afflict our people in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank," it said in a statement. Ansarallah blasts Israeli breach of 'Lebanon's sovereignty' Meanwhile, Yemen's Ansarallah resistance movement denounced the Israeli aggression. "We condemn and denounce in the strongest terms the Zionist aggression on the southern suburb of the Lebanese capital, Beirut." The resistance group said the attack was "in violation of all international conventions and flagrant breach of Lebanon's sovereignty and international humanitarian law." Ansarallah pointed out that "this serious transgression comes after war criminal Netanyahu's recent visit to the White House and the shameless and ridiculous applause within the US Congress supporting the genocidal crimes committed by the Zionist entity in occupied Palestine, making the Americans full partners in this crime." "While we affirm our solidarity with Lebanon and its resistance in confronting Zionist arrogance, we highly appreciate the significant role of Hezbollah in supporting the Palestinian people and standing up for their injustice," the Ansarallah statement noted. It lamented that "Arab regimes have abandoned their role and responsibility in defending the Palestinian people and confronting 'Israeli' aggression crimes." "We also extend our sincerest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, and we pray to Allah Almighty for the swift recovery of the wounded. We renew our commitment to Palestine and its people, pledging that our support for our people and armed forces will continue until the Zionist aggression and arrogance in Gaza cease," Ansarallah said. Popular Front slams 'dangerous Zionist escalation' The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a statement that Israel "has committed a new war crime that represents the true face of this entity, which systematically targets civilians. The Front calls for rallying around the resistance, as it is the only way to deter this criminal enemy." "We express our deep and profound solidarity with our brothers in Lebanon over the martyrdom of civilians due to this cowardly bombing, wishing the wounded a speedy recovery," the statement said. The Popular Front called the bombing "a dangerous Zionist escalation that pushes the confrontation with the entity to a new phase." It added that "the Islamic resistance in Lebanon, along with the resistance fronts in all arenas, will respond painfully and forcefully to this crime, deep within the Zionist territory." "The Front emphasized its full confidence in the insight and courage of the resistance leadership in Lebanon and the brothers in Hezbollah, which has enabled them to confront and defeat the enemy at every turn, and to support Palestine and its oppressed people with bravery and capability." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel launches airstrike in Beirut; 3 killed, including two children, 70 injured Iran Press TV Tuesday, 30 July 2024 6:05 PM The Israeli military has carried out a strike on a residential building in the south of the Lebanese capital against a senior Hezbollah commander, who reportedly survived the attack, but killed three people and injured dozens more. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported the attack in Beirut was conducted by a drone that fired three missiles. It said the strike had targeted the area around Hezbollah's Shoura Council in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut. In a statement, the Israeli military said it had targeted a Hezbollah commander the regime claimed was responsible for last week's rocket attack on the occupied Golan Heights. The regime alleged that Lebanon's Hezbollah fighters were behind the rocket strike in Golan, which left a dozen people dead. Hezbollah strongly denied any involvement. Local media reports said that the assassination attempt against Fuad Shukr was a failure. He is the highest military figure in Hezbollah and a longtime advisor to the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah. Lebanon's Health Ministry said three people, including two children, have been killed and 74 wounded in the Israeli strike. The "non-final toll of the Israeli aggression on the southern suburbs of Beirut... is three martyrs, including a woman, a girl and a boy." The ministry added that "the search for missing persons under the rubble continues." A correspondent for Israel's Channel 13 said Israeli officials were not optimistic about the success of the assassination attempt in Beirut. Security sources said at least three people were killed in the Israeli attack and dozens others wounded. The Iranian Embassy in Lebanon condemned the Israeli aggression against Beirut. "We condemn in the strongest terms the cowardly and sinful Israeli aggression that targeted the southern suburb of Beirut, which claimed the lives of a number of martyrs and wounded," the embassy said in a post on X. An official in Lebanon's Amal Movement said the targeted building is inhabited by Lebanese citizens. "What happened today changes the equations dramatically, as it is a targeting in the depths of the suburb." The airstrike was the first in a suburb of Beirut since January, when an Israeli drone attack assassinated senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri. Hezbollah responded to that act of aggression with massive strikes on Israeli military sites, targeting the Israeli military's sensitive Mount Meron air traffic control base for the first time. Before Tuesday's strike, a Hezbollah official said the group rejected calls from international envoys to avoid responding to an Israeli attack. Hezbollah informed mediators it would still respond to any Israeli attack, the official told reporters. "International envoys are indirectly raising with us the idea that we should not respond to the expected aggression under the pretext of the need to avoid escalation and sliding towards a comprehensive war," the Hezbollah official was quoted by Reuters. Hezbollah had "informed them of our explicit rejection of this request" and would respond, the official said. Hezbollah has long said it is prepared for any scenario should Israel deepen the war beyond the border area of southern Lebanon. The two sides have been exchanging fire on an almost daily basis since early October when the Israeli regime launched the ongoing devastating war on Gaza. Hezbollah has stated that it will halt its rocket and missile attacks on Israeli targets if the war in Gaza comes to an end. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel kills 300 during assault on Khan Yunis: Gaza Civil Defense Iran Press TV Tuesday, 30 July 2024 4:28 PM Gaza's civil defense agency says an Israeli incursion in and around Khan Yunis has killed about 300 people over the past few days. The Civil Defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal said on Tuesday that the number of martyrs in Khan Younis had surpassed initial expectations, with at least 300 confirmed people killed by Israeli forces. "Since the beginning of the Israeli ground invasion of the eastern part of Khan Yunis province, the civil defense and medical teams have recovered approximately 300 bodies of martyrs, many of them decomposed," agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal was quoted as saying on Tuesday. The agency said dozens of bodies were found in Bani Suhaila following the retreat of Israeli forces from areas east of Khan Yunis. Efforts are ongoing to recover additional bodies, as the roads have been closed and 90 percent of the infrastructure has been destroyed. The agency has accused Israeli forces of preventing the retrieval of the wounded, resulting in their death and decomposition of their bodies. The death toll could be much higher, with 200 reports of missing Palestinians in eastern Khan Yunis. "Our crews are still searching for missing persons," the agency said. Palestinians in Khan Yunis are setting up tents on their destroyed homes. Many are returning to Khan Yunis after being forcibly displaced last week by an Israeli assault. The incursion displaced at least 180,000 Palestinians in the first four days, with many forced to leave their belongings behind, according to the United Nations. After nine days of bombardment, the Israeli military left trails of devastation and destruction to all means of life, including public facilities, social services and facilities across the city. People who are making their way to their residential homes are describing what they are seeing as "horrific". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 29: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Tuesday, 30 July 2024 3:19 PM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 39,400 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 Monday, July 29, are as follows: Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on July 29: Targeted Israeli forces penetrating the vicinity of Al-Zalal Mosque, east of the city of Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, with a barrage of mortar shells. Targeted control and command rooms of the Israeli military on the "Netzarim" axis with 114 mm short-range Rajoom rockets. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on July 29: Sniped an Israeli soldier on the Tal Al-Hawa axis of advance southwest of Gaza City. Targeted an Israeli military gathering on the Tal Al-Hawa axis of advance southwest of Gaza City with a barrage of mortar shells. Targeted a control and command center of Israeli forces infiltrating the Al-Zana area east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, with a barrage of mortar shells. Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and military vehicles penetrating the area around Al-Zalal Mosque east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, with a barrage of mortar shells. Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and military vehicles infiltrating northeast of Khan Younis city, southern Gaza Strip, with a barrage of 60mm mortar shells. Sniped an Israeli soldier in the axis of advance in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis city, southern Gaza Strip. Downed and seized control of an Israeli military drone "Evo Max" while it was carrying out spying missions in the skies of eastern Gaza. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on July 29: Downed and seized control of an Israeli military "quadcopter" drone while it was performing spying missions in the skies of northern Gaza. Shot down an Israeli military Skylark plane while it was carrying out spying missions in the skies of the northern Gaza Strip. Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and military vehicles with a barrage of regular 60 caliber mortar shells east of Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip. Targeted Israeli military gatherings with a 107mm rocket barrage on the "Netzarim" supply line south of Gaza City. In a joint operation with the Ansar Brigades, targeted Israeli forces positioned on the "Netzarim" axis with a barrage of 107mm rockets. Sniped an Israeli soldier in the vicinity of the Barcelona area in Tal al-Hawa. Targeted an Israeli military force barricaded in a home in Tal Al-Hawa with an anti-personnel TBG shell. Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades' operations on July 29: In a joint operation with the Al-Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades, shelled the Israeli military's command and control site in "Netzarim" with heavy mortar shells Mujahideen Brigades' operations on July 29: Targeted Israeli military forces on the "Netzarim" axis with two Haseb-111 rockets. Martyr Abdulqader Al-Husseini Brigades' operations on July 29: Targeted Israeli forces on the "Netzarim" axis south of Gaza City with several 60-caliber mortar shells. Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades' operations on July 29: In a joint operation with Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, targeted the command and control site of the Israeli military in the "Netzarim" axis with heavy-caliber mortar shells. Hezbollah's operations on July 29: Targeted the Al-Baghdadi site with dozens of Katyusha rockets. Targeted a position of Israeli soldiers in the Al-Rahib site with guided missiles. Targeted a technical espionage system that was recently installed at the Malikiyah site with appropriate weapons. Targeted the new technical equipment that was recently installed on "Karantina" Hill with appropriate weapons. Ambushed Israeli forces at the Rahib site and targeted them with a Merkava tank. Targeted the Al-Abad site, its bunkers, and its spy equipment with appropriate weapons. Targeted the espionage equipment at the Hadab Yarin site with appropriate weapons. Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Rahib site with rockets. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Resistance by Palestinian people, fighters guarantees ultimate victory: Pezeshkian Iran Press TV Tuesday, 30 July 2024 3:07 PM Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says heroic resistance by Palestinian people and fighters will ultimately lead to destruction of the Zionist regime of Israel. Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement, in Tehran on Tuesday morning, hours before the 69-year-old Iranian president took the oath of office before Parliament. "In response to the callous crimes committed by Zionists, the courageous resistance of the Palestinian people and their fighters fills us with pride. We firmly believe that this steadfast resistance will lead to the ultimate victory of the people, the liberation of Palestinian territories and the destruction of the Zionist regime," Pezeshkian said. Haniyeh had traveled to Iran to take part in Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony held Tuesday afternoon. The newly-elected president emphasized that Iran's support for the cause of Palestine's freedom predates the Islamic Revolution of 1979, reflecting longstanding concern among the Iranian people. "The Iranian people have always condemned the Zionist regime's crimes and aggression, and have steadfastly supported the rights of the oppressed Palestinian people. Moving forward, this support will only grow stronger and more resolute," Pezeshkian said. Israel's brutality and the crimes its commits in the besieged Gaza Strip are sources of revulsion and outrage for all free people, regardless of religion. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after 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. The regime's bloody onslaught on Gaza has so far killed 39,363 Palestinians, mostly women and children, leaving 90,923 others injured. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under rubble. Haniyeh, for his part, congratulated Pezeshkian on earning the trust of the Iranian people, expressing gratitude to the Iranian president for responding to his congratulatory message, emphasizing that the president's steadfast support for the rights of the Palestinian people serves as a source of encouragement and pride for Palestinians. "Today, Palestinian resistance stands on the front line against the Western hegemony. The enemy seeks to dismantle this front line to impose its policies and dominate the region, aiming to bring the resistance to its knees. This underscores the critical strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in supporting resistance and countering the influence of regional representatives of arrogance, notably the Zionist regime," the Hamas chief said. Earlier on Tuesday, Haniyeh met with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and hailed Iran's good and strong position in support of Palestine and the resistance movement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Maduro slams protesters against election results as 'fascist, counter-revolutionary' Iran Press TV Tuesday, 30 July 2024 11:15 AM President Nicolas Maduro slammed violent protests that flooded the streets of Venezuela's capital and other cities after he had secured a third term in the election. Maduro said in a nationally televised ceremony that "an attempt is being made to impose a coup d'etat in Venezuela again of a fascist and counterrevolutionary nature." "We have never been moved by hatred. On the contrary, we have always been victims of the powerful," Maduro said. "We already know this movie, and this time, there will be no kind of weakness," he added, saying that Venezuela's "law will be respected." Public anger swelled after the National Electoral Council (CNE) on Monday formally confirmed that Maduro had been re-elected by a majority of Venezuelans to another six-year term as president "for the period 2025-2031." It maintained Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia had failed to defeat the president, earning 44 percent of the votes compared with Maduro's 51 percent. Thousands of people across Venezuela protested in the hours after Maduro was declared winner. In the state of Falcon, demonstrators toppled a statue of Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chavez. In the Petare area in Caracas, demonstrators chanted against the president, and some masked young people tore down his campaign posters from lampposts. "It's going to fall. It's going to fall. This government is going fall!" some of the protesters shouted. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado claimed on Monday that a review of voting records available so far clearly showed that the next president will be Gonzalez. Speaking to supporters outside campaign headquarters in Caracas on the same day, Gonzalez appealed for Venezuelans to protest as he claimed the ballot showed he had won the presidency. "I speak to you at peace, knowing the truth. And I want to tell all the Venezuelan people that their will expressed yesterday through their vote will be respected. We will make sure that happens," Gonzalez said. Venezuela's Attorney General Tarek Saab said on Monday that his office had launched an investigation into an alleged cyber attack on the electoral system that slowed the vote count. Saab said opposition leaders - including Machado - have been involved in the cyber attack. Maduro first came to power in 2013 after the death of his predecessor Chavez. Venezuela is facing an economic crisis that has pushed many people to leave the country amid sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and others, which have crippled an already struggling oil industry. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran tells South Africa it supports any initiative to end Israel genocide in Gaza Iran Press TV Tuesday, 30 July 2024 9:12 AM Interim Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has expressed Iran's strong support for any initiative aimed at countering Israel's genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. He made the remarks on Monday during a meeting with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, who is in Tehran to attend Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony. Bagheri Kani praised Lamola as a "brave and innovator diplomat" who has followed up the case filed with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the Zionist regime's war crimes in Gaza. He also hailed the South African government's efforts at international legal and judicial bodies in condemnation of Israel's atrocities. "The Islamic Republic of Iran backs any initiative and measure in the international arena meant to support the oppressed people of Palestine, and to confront and condemn the Zionist regime's genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza," he added. Bagheri Kani further emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between Iran and South Africa in international and multilateral mechanisms, such as the BRICS group of emerging economies, to defend the rights of independent countries and the Palestinian people. South Africa's top diplomat, for his part, expressed his country's keenness to boost economic, commercial and cultural ties with Iran, and develop interactions within the frameworks of the ICJ and the International Court of Justice (ICC). He also called for enhanced Tehran-Pretoria consultations in the fight against the Israeli genocide in Gaza. South Africa lodged a complaint against Israel in the ICJ last year, asking judges at the United Nations' top court to declare that the occupying regime was committing genocide in Gaza. The court found it plausible that Israel's acts could amount to genocide and issued an initial ruling ordering Israel to refrain from acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention. Israel unleashed its brutal Gaza onslaught on October 7, 2023, after the Hamas resistance group carried out its historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the Tel Aviv regime has so far killed at least 39,363 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 90,923 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pezeshkian hails Yemen anti-Israel op. as Ansarullah says 'ready' to defend Lebanon Iran Press TV Tuesday, 30 July 2024 7:37 AM Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has hailed the anti-Israel operations carried out by the Yemeni forces in support of Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip, calling for cooperation among Islamic nations to put an end to the oppression of Muslims. The newly-elected president made the remarks at a meeting with spokesman for Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement, Mohamed Abdel-Salam, in Tehran on Monday. "Actions taken by Yemen in support of the Palestinian nation are very important and effective, and have clearly pressured the Zionist regime and its supporters," Pezeshkian said. "The steadfastness of the Yemeni nation in the face of pressures and the enmities of the arrogant powers is very valuable and commendable," he added. The president stressed that if all Muslim countries become united and act in coordination, they will thwart the enemies' plots, noting, "Unity and cohesion strengthen the power of Islamic countries." Elsewhere in his remarks, Pezeshkian touched on Tehran-Sana'a ties and hoped the relations will be further enhanced in the future. Mohamed Abdel-Salam, who arrived in the Iranian capital earlier on Monday to take part in Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, also hailed the strong, deep-rooted ties between the two countries. "I hope our cooperation will further expand to serve the mutual interests," he said. Abdel-Salam stressed "Yemen will continue to coordinate [efforts]...with Iran in different fields with the aim of confronting common challenges." 'Yemen ready to defend Lebanon against aggressors' Separately, al-Masirah television network earlier on Monday cited Mohamed Abdel-Salam as saying his country is ready to defend Lebanon against the aggressors amid Israeli threats. Abdel-Salam stressed that Yemen's stance on any Israeli aggression on Palestine or Lebanon is "crystal clear." "Yemen will stand by Lebanon in defending itself against any Israeli aggression." His remarks came as tensions have been running high between Israel and the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah following a rocket attack that killed 12 people and injured 40 others in the town of the Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Syrian territory of Golan Heights on Saturday. While Israel blamed Hezbollah for the attack, the Lebanese resistance movement categorically denied all false allegations in this regard. Since the incident, there have been continued exchanges of fire across the border between Lebanon and the occupied territories, but they have seemed to fall within the bounds of the routine tit-for-tat of the past ten months. Fears linger in the region that Israel might use the Saturday strike as a pretext to launch a full-scale offensive on Lebanon. The Yemeni forces have carried out scores of operations in support of the war-hit Gazans since the onset of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza early last October, striking targets throughout the occupied Palestinian territories, in addition to targeting Israeli ships or vessels heading towards ports in the occupied territories. The regime's bloody onslaught on Gaza has so far killed 39,363 Palestinians, mostly women and children, leaving 90,923 others injured. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines to get US$500M in defense infusion from Washington Cash "sends a clear message of support for the Philippines from Biden administration," US defense secretary says. By Jason Gutierrez for BenarNews 2024.07.30 -- The United States on Tuesday announced an "unprecedented" $500 million infusion to help the Philippines defend its shores amid increasing territorial threats from China, as the American and Filipino defense and diplomatic chiefs met in Manila. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the announcement after meeting with their Filipino counterparts, Gilbert Teodoro and Enrique Manalo, at a so-called "2+2" meeting in the Philippine capital. It was the first time the meeting was held in the Southeast Asian country, a key U.S. ally in the region that has opened nine military bases to American troops. "[W]e are taking bold steps to strengthen our alliance," Austin told a press briefing after nearly four hours of closed-door talks. "We are poised to deliver a once-in-a-generation investment to help modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard. We are working with the U.S. Congress to allocate 500 million dollars in foreign military financing into the Philippines," he said. The Pentagon chief described this level of funding as "unprecedented," saying "it sends a clear message of support for the Philippines from the Biden administration, the U.S. Congress and the American people." Separately, the U.S. was looking to double its investment in Philippine military sites where American troops have access to under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, Austin said. "President Biden's budget request this year includes more than 128 million dollars to fund important EDCA infrastructure projects and U.S. government investment in these locations," he said. "During our meeting we also reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty remains the bedrock of our alliance," Austin said. "And let me be clear: the Mutual Defense Treaty applies to armed attacks on either of our armed forces, aircraft or public vessels anywhere in the South China Sea." Signed in 1951, the treaty calls on the allies to come to each other's aid in times of foreign aggression. The Philippines maintains an old, rusting World War II-era ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, in Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal, to serve as its military outpost in the disputed South China Sea reef. Marcos meets with Austin, Blinken President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. set the tone for Tuesday's 2+2 meeting when he met Austin and Blinken at the Malacanang presidential palace earlier in the day. He said he was pleasantly surprised that both secretaries had taken time out to visit Manila despite the political transition in the U.S. "And I am always happy that these communication lines remain very open - all the things we are doing together in terms of alliance, in terms of the specific context of our situation here in the West Philippine Sea ... are constantly examined and re-examined so we are agile in terms of our responses," Marcos said, referring to South China Sea waters within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Blinken said the meeting was evidence of a "steady drumbeat of very high-level engagements" between the longtime allies. Austin underscored that both nations were "more than allies" and practically family. "We have common interests, common values," he told Marcos, according to transcripts released by the presidential palace. "And so I think we've done a lot over the last three and a half years to continue to strengthen our alliance, and we look forward to continuing to work with you and your team to move even further." Last week, the Philippines and China agreed on an arrangement on Filipino missions to Ayungin to "de-escalate" tensions in the sea region after an incident last month during which a Filipino serviceman lost a thumb during a violent encounter with Chinese coast guard and navy forces. Following the agreement, the Philippines last Saturday transported a fresh batch of Filipino forces to the BRP Sierra Madre. It went ahead without any incident, but the Chinese subsequently said it allowed the mission to go through after confirming on the scene that the Filipino vessel only carried "humanitarian living necessities." The details of the arrangement have not been made public, but the Philippines disagreed with China's version of events. Geopolitical analyst Julio Amador IIII said China was playing up to an international audience that the Philippines had "acquiesced" to its demand but that in truth, "it was purely a diplomatic spin." "Beijing cannot help itself in this regard because it has to show that it did not bend to a weaker competitor," Amador told RFA affiliate BenarNews, stressing that Manila was right in responding quickly to any Chinese claims. He said the "2+2" meeting indicated how serious the U.S. was in addressing what it sees as a security threat posed by China. "The 2+2 is the ministerial level alliance management mechanism that provides direction to both countries in working together as security and defense allies," he said, adding that the U.S. $500 million funding would likely go towards supporting the Philippine military's modernization program. "This is the single biggest support that the Philippines will receive from the U.S. in FMF [foreign military financing]. It will address previous comments from Manila that non-U.S. allies actually get more support than actual allies." 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 Full-Blown War Between Israel And Iran-Backed Hizballah 'Not In The Interests' Of Tehran By Kian Sharifi July 30, 2024 For months, Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hizballah have traded constant cross-border attacks that have killed dozens and displaced thousands of people. Now there are fears of a full-blown war between the foes after a deadly rocket attack from Lebanon hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Hizballah quickly denied it was responsible for the July 27 attack that killed 12 people, including children. But Israel has vowed to retaliate against Iran-backed Hizballah. Experts say no side wants an all-out war in a region that has been reeling since Israel in October launched its war against Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that runs the Gaza Strip and has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union. Michael Horowitz, head of intelligence at the Bahrain-based Le Beck International consultancy, said Israel and Hizballah are on the brink of a major escalation. "Though, I do think that neither side is interested in one," he said, adding that "a conflict between Israel and Hizballah is very dangerous" for Iran. Tehran is Hizballah's main ally, and the Lebanese militant group is a key member of Iran's so-called axis of resistance, its loose network of militant groups and proxies that aid it in opposing Israel and the United States. Hizballah is also considered a key part of Iran's efforts to deter Israel or Washington from going to war against Tehran. 'Too Costly' For Iran Hizballah and Iranian-backed militant groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen have carried out attacks against Israel after it launched its devastating war in Gaza, which came shortly after Hamas's October 7 attack in Israel that killed around 1,200 people. Hamidreza Azizi, a fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, said the goal of the attacks was to "pressure Israel" and "save Hamas," which is backed by Iran. "This coordination has been clearly supported by Iran, but the final aim is not to expand the scope of the war but to end it," he added. "I don't think there is any way Iran would benefit from a war between Israel and Hizballah." Azizi said Iran and its allies have become increasingly concerned about the cost of their hostilities with Israel, which has retaliated by targeting the commanders, military facilities, and financial activities of Iran-backed groups including Hizballah. Hizballah is considered Iran's leading militant partner, helping Tehran manage its network of regional state and nonstate allies. Horowitz described the Lebanese group as "the most powerful tool in Iran's arsenal" that in some ways may even be "more powerful than Iran itself" in deterring Israel. If a war breaks out, Iran could be dragged in to defend its key ally, Horowitz said. "And if Israel is already paying the price of fighting Hizballah, Iran's main military force, it may also be willing to take more risks vis-a-vis Iran." Hizballah's Balancing Act Hizballah has not usually shied away from claiming attacks on Israeli targets. But it issued a rare denial of responsibility after the attack in the Golan Heights. Horowitz attributed the denial to the civilian death toll, but also because the victims were all members of the Druze community, an Arabic-speaking ethnic and religious minority in Lebanon, Syria, the Golan Heights, and northern Israel. Horowitz said most members of the Druze community in the Golan Heights, which was annexed by Israel from Syria in 1981, do not see themselves as Israelis. He added that Hizballah is also aware that the Lebanese public does not want another costly war with Israel. In 2006, Hizballah's kidnapping of Israeli border guards ignited a devastating five-week conflict with Israel that killed 1,200 Lebanese, most of them civilians. If there was a full-blown war with Israel, "many in Lebanon may ask why Hizballah gambled the fate of a country already on the brink, and how the killing of Druze children and teenagers helped the Palestinian cause that Hizballah claims to defend," Horowitz said. What If War Breaks Out? With tensions running high and Israel's security cabinet on July 29 authorizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to retaliate against Hizballah, the prospect of a full-blown war appears to be real. Azizi said Iran and its regional allies are "prepared for another phase of significant but incremental escalation against Israel." But he said whether Iran gets directly involved could depend on how a potential war between Israel and Hizballah plays out. If war broke out, members of the axis of resistance would likely intensify their attacks against Israel while also targeting U.S. troops and bases in the region in a bid to pressure Washington to rein in Israel, Azizi said. He added that Hizballah could defend itself and possibly respond if Israel limits its offensive to an aerial assault. But given that Israeli attacks have depleted its command in recent months, the Lebanese group could struggle to fend off a ground offensive, he said. In that case, the overseas arm of the Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the Quds Force, could put boots on the ground to help Hizballah, Azizi said. If the threat to Hizballah grew, he added, Tehran could decide to directly target Israel as it did in April, when it launched an unprecedented direct air attack against its archenemy. Horowitz said while direct Iranian involvement would be possible if Hizballah sustained critical damage, Iran will still try to steer clear of exposing itself directly. "After all, Hizballah's role [in Iran's view] is to defend Tehran -- not the opposite," he said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/israel-hizballah- war-iran/33056662.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 Taliban Cuts Ties With 14 Afghan Diplomatic Missions Abroad By RFE/RL July 30, 2024 Afghanistan's Taliban rulers have announced that they are cutting ties with 14 Afghan diplomatic missions abroad and will cease to accept consular documents issued by those missions, in a move likely to cause further difficulties for Afghan citizens living abroad. Following the Taliban's return to power in August 2021 in the wake of the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces from Afghanistan, some diplomatic missions abroad continued to pledge allegiance to the former government. The move, which takes effect immediately, was announced by the Taliban Foreign Ministry in a message posted on X on July 30. It refers to passports, visas, and other consular documents issued by Afghan missions in London, Belgium, Berlin, Bonn, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, and Australia. The Taliban "has repeatedly urged the Afghan political and consular in European countries to engage with Kabul to at least address consular service-related issues of Afghans and provide better services for Afghan citizens," the statement said. "Unfortunately, the actions of most of the missions are carried out arbitrarily, without coordination, and in explicit violation of the existing accepted principles," it said. Afghans in the countries affected by the move were urged in the statement to seek consular and embassy services in the diplomatic missions controlled by the Taliban. Afghan embassies in Pakistan, China, and Russia are among those controlled by the Taliban government. In October, Afghan diplomatic missions in Spain and the Netherlands publicly accepted to offer their services to the Taliban authorities in Kabul. Afghanistan's Taliban government has not been recognized by any country in the world, many of its leaders are under international sanctions, and the country's seat at the United Nations is still occupied by former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's government. However, countries such as China and Pakistan still have diplomatic missions in Kabul. The UN has so far rejected the Taliban's bid for Afghanistan's seat in the organization three times. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-diplomatic- missions-afghanistan/33056291.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 Interview: Trump Election Win Could Signal 'Substantial Change' To U.S. Foreign Policy By Vazha Tavberidze July 30, 2024 Professor William C. Wohlforth, an expert on U.S. foreign policy at Dartmouth College, spoke to RFE/RL's Georgian Service about U.S. President Joe Biden's likely foreign policy legacy and how it could change if Trump is elected president in November. Wohlforth, known as a founder of neoclassical realism in foreign policy, says that "the U.S. standing in the world is...not what it was five, 10 years ago," and it's possible that Trump believes in "a grand bargain with Putin," although the Russian leader's hard-line position may deter him. More than NATO membership, Wohlforth also argues what Kyiv really needs is a long-term military commitment from the West. RFE/RL: To start off with, how do you assess the times we are living in from a grand strategy perspective? Wohlforth: Well, if I can speak from a narrow American perspective, we live in a time where there is more potential for substantial change in America's fundamental approach to pursuing its interests, namely its grand strategy, than we've seen in many, many, many decades -- really since the early formation of the post-World War II, U.S.-led international system under the auspices of American power and purpose in the years around 1950. The U.S. could be poised for a pretty substantial change in the way it approaches the pursuit of its interests, and I've not seen anything like that in my lifetime. I want to stress that it's potential; we really have a very hard time estimating what is likely to happen given U.S. domestic politics. But I see more realistic potential for a shift than I've seen in a very long time. RFE/RL: We'll discuss those alternate scenarios in a bit, but before that, I wanted to ask you about U.S. President Joe Biden's legacy. Can we already talk about his legacy, about his victories and failures, or should we wait until his term ends? Wohlforth: In foreign policy we have some questions that are unresolved whose resolution will determine his historical place. But I think it's fair to begin making a scorecard about President Biden's foreign policy successes and failures and his overall legacy. He assembled a highly competent national-security team and pursued a fairly coherent strategy of attempting to hold on to, to sustain, the commitments to alliances and institutions that this administration thinks are necessary for U.S. security but [also] to begin the careful trimming of what they understood to be some overcommitment by the United States. You saw that, obviously, in their completion of the process of the disengagement from Afghanistan. They really did want to see an attenuation or a diminution of U.S. engagement in the Middle East, but they failed to do that for reasons outside of their control. When Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, this basically was the kind of event that administrations can't control, and they had to react to that. Regarding Europe, you saw a massive increase of America's commitment to NATO, a serious effort to aid Ukraine in its defense from Russia's assault, and managing that process competently with a theory. Now, you might disagree about their theory of the case. You might think that they were too concerned about escalation. You might think that they were too careful in the speed with which they enabled Ukraine to take advantage of different U.S. weapon systems. We can have that debate, but they had a coherent approach to Ukraine -- Russia's war against Ukraine -- and they put it in place with a high degree of competence. Then if you look at Asia, you've seen a further strengthening of the U.S. alliance with Asia, and with Asian partners, South Korea, in particular, and Japan. You've seen them manage the cross-strait issue [between Taiwan and mainland China] with significant confidence. You've seen them engineer a change to our approach to our economic relations with China -- that is recognizing that China's policy is essentially to take advantage of the openness of the U.S. [in order to] speed its own geopolitical challenge to the United States. So you see a fairly substantial effort to try to maintain general economic engagement with China while, at the same time, constricting the access to the very things that will hasten the pace of their challenge to the United States. If you put all those things together, you see a coherent, professional implementation of a slight course correction in fundamental U.S. grand strategy. RFE/RL: We are looking basically at two possible Americas, aren't we? Those two possible futures might be mutually exclusive depending on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November. How different are those two Americas? Wohlforth: I would have to place a question mark over this question of whether everything hinges on the election [on November 5]. The reason is the Republican Party is not unified on foreign policy. In some sense, this is obscured by the fact that the party is now in [an election] campaign and is seeking to present a unified position against Biden and now [presumptive Democratic Party nominee] Kamala Harris. But underneath that [there] are different strains in Republican foreign policy. And it's very difficult to predict which of these strains would emerge dominant if [presumptive Republican Party nominee] Donald Trump were to win in November. There are three basic strains. There's kind of a continued robust, Republican, Reagan-style foreign policy, which we're all familiar with. There is a what we might call extreme or strong version of rebalancing, which is to dramatically de-emphasize European security, force the Europeans to take more of the responsibility, and pivot the United States much more toward Asia and, to a lesser degree, the Middle East. The third is a much stronger America First element, which sees an overall decrease in the need for American engagement overall across the world. It's far more dramatic. It's coupled with more protectionism and high tariffs. If the third approach becomes dominant in [a potential] Trump administration, then you will see that dramatic shift in American foreign policy. RFE/RL: Would it be fair to say that the second and the third strains can coexist with each other, but the first one cannot? Wohlforth: Yes, I think that the second approach -- de-emphasizing Europe but not de-emphasizing other aspects but [which] also is much more nationalistic and transactional in nature as opposed to a fealty to institutions and fealty to principles -- is the strain that seems to be most likely. RFE/RL: It looks like it could be married quite comfortably with the third approach as well, don't you think? Wohlforth: It could be. Again, it's a matter of how does the United States respond to its alliances in the eastern region. Is it going to continue to prioritize those, or is it going to take a Trump transactional, tough-guy approach to Japan, to South Korea, to Australia, to other regional allies? And that's hard to see. Most people [are] treating the [Trump] appointment as vice president [candidate] J.D. Vance as a move toward the direction of the second and third approach [and] away from the first. RFE/RL: Let's assume this amalgamation of the second and third strains happens and this dramatic shift becomes a reality. What does it spell for the United States's standing in the world? Wohlforth: The U.S. standing in the world is already, obviously, not what it was five, 10 years ago. We have a clear situation in which many actors in the world -- and I'm thinking about elites, governments, intelligence agencies, as best as can be judged -- have assessed [that] the United States's power position is declining. RFE/RL: Would it be fair to say America is now at the weakest it has been this century? Wohlforth: In this century, yes; it's weaker than it has been since 2000. I would say both objectively but also subjectively. What I want to say, however, is I believe many of these actors exaggerate the degree of American decline. That includes, I think, [Russian President] Vladimir Putin and [Chinese President] Xi Jinping, but it also includes some of these Republicans who see the United States' position as far more stressed than I think it is, based on my best efforts with colleagues, co-authors, and researchers who try to figure out where the United States actually stands. I'm trying to tell you two things: Yes, the U.S. position has declined. [But] the perceptions of that decline are more dramatic than the reality of that decline. RFE/RL: Let's also discuss this age of scarcity that J.D. Vance is preaching. What does it entail and what does it spell for the rest of the world? Especially keeping in mind your recent essay where you argued that the United States does not have to choose between Taiwan and Ukraine. Wohlforth: That's right, I don't think it does. However, that's in the general sense that the United States and its allies do have the resources to sustain its commitments to giving Ukraine the best chance it feasibly can to emerge from this conflict in the best possible position as a democratic, flourishing, wealthy state that gets integrated into Europe. And that Taiwan will be defended sufficiently, robustly, [so] that China will be forced to stay [with] peaceful means to resolve its issue with Taiwan. It will look down at the potential to use force and decide that that is not a game worth the candle. I believe the United States does have those capacities. However, you have to acknowledge that, in certain areas, this war and this global crisis that we're now in have revealed weaknesses in the U.S. and [its] allied industrial base. The fact of the matter is we've been preparing and thinking for the last 25, 30 years about a very different kind of war than a long, drawn-out war of attrition between highly substantial modern militaries. And the degree to which Russia's war against Ukraine is destroying [military] gear is quite extraordinary, and people really hadn't thought of that. So J.D. Vance is correct, in the narrow sense, that we do face a resource shortage in certain munitions that are needed by Ukraine. However, some experts will tell you that most of them -- except in a few instances -- are not the same as what is needed in East Asia and what is needed in Taiwan. The other thing to bear in mind is that with time, I should say, we are already seeing the defense industrial base respond to this new demand, and you're seeing increased production in both European and U.S. defense industrial facilities, such that I think that this shortage that he's referring to can be overcome with some lag time. RFE/RL: If the China pivot is indeed inevitable, how wise is it to not deal with Russia and leave it as a menace to at least Eastern Europe? Wohlforth: It's unwise. Even though the best military analysts estimate that...let's say you ended the war today, the Russian military is going to take seven to 10 years to reconstitute itself after all the damage that it received. That doesn't necessarily mean that Russia is now reconciled to a European security order that we have created. The strong evidence is that the Russian political establishment remains deeply dissatisfied with the European security architecture as it exists. And this is the architecture that we support; therefore Russia will seek various means to try to undermine that order until it achieves a different kind of European security order, which would not be good for the United States. That's why I think to rapidly shift away from Europe, to leave the Europeans the entire burden of the task of trying to help Ukraine defend itself, would be a mistake for U.S. interests. RFE/RL: Those who adhere to that narrative that you just criticized, what's their vision of dealing with Russia? Would the much-talked about statement from former President Trump about ending the Ukraine war in 24 hours be an example of that kind of statecraft? Wohlforth: Again, there are other foreign policy voices associated with the Trump campaign that speak of a much more careful and responsible pivot or renewed pivot to Asia, pivot away from Europe. However, J.D. Vance says he doesn't care about what happens to Ukraine, and he says he doesn't believe it has any meaning for American interests. I disagree with that. You have Trump basically arguing "We'll settle the war in 24 hours and we'll do a deal with Putin." And I think both of those things are quite delusional. They are ill-founded. I'm not sure they are likely to lead to a good outcome for the United States, letting aside, obviously, not [being] a good outcome for Ukraine. Their theory is that Europe will rapidly rise to deal with the Russia challenge.... As Vance says, if they care so much about Ukraine, why can't they simply transfer some money out of their welfare states into their military and deal with it? Russia, they think, is a completely manageable problem for Europe without the United States. And what they would say is the only way Europe will ever do this is if we seriously and credibly start pulling back. RFE/RL: You don't believe that [Europe] can? Wohlforth: I don't. I think it has to be a much more gradual process, and there are many types of capabilities that Europe doesn't have: There's intelligence capabilities; there's key air-defense capabilities; there's key command, control, and communications kinds of capabilities; transport; logistics; that take a very long time and a lot of investment to overcome. It seems to me that the U.S. can play a role in helping Europe become more strategically autonomous. I know that sounds like a contradiction in terms. The U.S. should be playing some sort of benevolent, paternalistic role in helping to foster a strategic autonomy. If it doesn't do that, if it pulls out quickly, I think you will see contradictions among European states. You will see coordination problems. Let's face it: In security matters, Europe remains sovereign countries. Getting sovereign countries to cooperate on things like nuclear weapons [and] defense procurement is really, really hard without some leading state. If the Americans are out of it, who's the leading state? Is it going to be Germany? Is it going to be France? Is it going to be both? How does the U.K. fit in now that it's out of the EU? Very difficult. So I think the U.S. has to be incredibly committed to Europe to help Europe gain greater strategic capabilities to deal with Russia in the long term. RFE/RL: Would that involve another reset with Russia? If so, why would this one work when all the previous ones failed? Wohlforth: I don't see it. It's possible that Trump himself or maybe people in the Trump foreign policy orbit think that a grand bargain with Putin is possible. Maybe that's what they have in mind with this notion that somehow they will back away from Ukraine and create some sort of modus vivendi and rapprochement with Putin. I see very little chance that that would be successful. Very little chance. One of the things that I would forecast here is that we have heard from Moscow recently what their terms are to have a conversation about a cease-fire, not to mention a peace settlement. And to talk about a cease-fire requires Ukraine accepting as legitimate Russia's annexation of the four oblasts in eastern Ukraine. I think once this becomes evident that this is their minimum position to even start talks, I have a hard time imagining even Trump would accept those terms for the conversation. RFE/RL: That leads us to the obvious question: If that's unacceptable, what is acceptable? What's an acceptable off-ramp for Putin that the West and the United States can offer? Wohlforth: I wish I knew. I really wish I knew. Most people who analyze this war don't see these conditions being in place right now, the conditions for any kind of settlement. As I read the Kremlin's most recent statements about talks and terms, they sound to me like they're saying the following: We think we're going to get stronger in the future; if you feel like these conditions are unacceptable, the ones in the future are going to be even worse. So you better take these. Whereas we in the West still think that with sufficient arms to Ukraine and sufficient support Ukraine could be in a position to get much better terms [and] that Russia is actually under considerable stress. I'm not sure which of those is true. RFE/RL: What should the U.S. red lines be when it comes to this war? What happens if Russia doesn't respect them? Wohlforth: For the United States, the obvious red line is an unambiguous attack on a NATO country. The United States has committed to respond over and over again that this would be an active war. This has been made clear by the highest level of the Biden administration. RFE/RL: Those red lines are vivid red. Let's move to more blurry ones, such as, for example, hitting Russian targets inside Russia. Wohlforth: Yes, what the U.S. -- my understanding of American thinking on this -- is worried about is a process of escalation that gets out of control. O.K., let's say Ukraine starts hitting targets wider throughout Russia using American weapons. And then the Russians respond in some way, like what they're basically probably doing, with the sabotage campaign that we've been observing in Europe. They're going to start to escalate in some other subtle way.... And then suddenly we feel compelled to respond. RFE/RL: So a spiral? Wohlforth: Yes. The U.S. is trying to aid Ukraine as much as possible while avoiding any pathway that would heighten the possibility of a war with Russia or with direct confrontation with Russia. We have a huge amount of dispute among experts as to whether this is reasonable. Many really smart people say, "[It's] crazy, you are far too concerned about Russian escalation." If you're asking me for my answer, I actually am much more sympathetic to the Biden administration's slow approach, where it slowly increased what Ukraine can do and worried about the spiral that you refer to. But I completely respect the view that says this is crazy, this is too conservative. You're dealing with a very large nuclear power, and the Biden administration has made perfectly clear the American interest does not involve a direct fight with Russia for Ukraine. If you accept those premises, I view the way the Biden administration has managed escalation to be understandable, reasonable, and defensible. RFE/RL: I want to ask you about the recent Washington NATO summit. You were one of the signatories to a letter published in The Guardian that argued it would be unwise for NATO to invite Ukraine to join the military alliance, but it didn't provide an alternative solution that could protect Ukraine from Russian aggression. Can you offer that alternative? What would you offer in return if Ukraine were to abandon its hopes of joining NATO? Wohlforth: My understanding and that letter may have different views. I can't speak for everyone. I mean, we agree to what the text says. You can't promise NATO membership now because of what I just said, and I would invite you to find any evidence to the contrary. I just said the American official position, which is unlikely to change, is that it is not prepared to fight Russia over Ukraine. That's what NATO membership means. Talking about Ukraine's NATO membership is a diversion from the real policy. The real policy that could help to answer your question is the one [outgoing NATO Secretary-General] Jens Stoltenberg suggested, which is what we needed to deliver in Washington: a long-term, credible commitment to continue aiding Ukraine so that Putin knows, hey, the West is in this for the long haul. Sadly, we don't have a political consensus for that long-term commitment. We have to keep fighting the battle to get Ukraine aid every single six months or every single year. That is the worst possible outcome. What I would say -- the reason I put my name on that letter -- is because talking about NATO expansion to Ukraine is utterly not going to solve the problem. They're saying these high-flying words, but they're not able to deliver what Ukraine really needs, which is a consistent, credible, long-term program of assistance. It's what we should do. I think we can afford it. I don't agree with J.D. Vance that we can't afford it. I think we can, and it's in our interest. If Putin knew that for the next 10 years, if they're still fighting, we're in there, he would change his assessment about negotiating terms in this war. RFE/RL: The letter says that "some claim that the act of bringing Ukraine into NATO would deter Russia from ever invading Ukraine again. That is wishful thinking." But what about the Baltics? Poland? Finland? Sweden? The entire point of why they wanted to become a NATO member is to be secure and protected in the future. What's the future that you see when it comes to NATO and Ukraine? Wohlforth: First of all, you don't make a country secure by simply declaring that it's a member of NATO. To be honest, the United States and NATO accepted the Baltic states before [NATO] had any credible way of defending them. It still in a way doesn't, but it has other things it can do to Russia presumably in response to a Russian incursion into those countries. Adding a country the size of France with a massive border with Russia to an alliance when you don't have the political will, you don't have the capacity to defend it, is crazy. But could there be other guarantees that could be offered to Ukraine as part of a settlement of the war? For sure. And [could] they look a lot like NATO membership? Maybe. Indeed, when I signed the letter, I mainly was against the idea of announcing an inevitable NATO future for Ukraine, which is what they actually said in Washington. There's the possibility that maybe in a future settlement you could create a situation where Ukraine could be defended by the United States and its allies in Europe. But right now it can't be. I don't want to rule out the possibility that someday in the future it could be possible. But there are lots of different ways of providing security to countries that don't necessarily involve [NATO's] Article 5 commitments (that an attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on the entire alliance). I think those need to be considered as a possible part of a solution ultimately down the road. RFE/RL: Do you believe that without a hard security guarantee peace in Ukraine can be sustained for the long term? Wohlforth: It's going to be very hard, but I think it's possible mainly because Ukraine has shown itself to be an extremely tough, defensive country. It's very hard to take it. Now, getting its territory back that Russia stole from it violently is going to be unbelievably difficult. But taking Ukraine, defeating Ukraine, who wants to take on that? Who wants to fight Ukraine? I don't want to. They're a very, very strong country. And they're defending themselves the old-fashioned way, which is they're defending themselves, of course, with a lot of material aid. That, to me, is the most fundamental deterrent to Russia. It's credible. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-foreign-policy- republican-ukraine-russia/33056590.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 International Arbitration Court Rules In Georgian Government's Favor For Black Sea Megaproject By RFE/RL's Georgian Service July 30, 2024 TBILISI -- An international arbitration court has ruled in favor of the Georgian government in a high-profile case over the construction of the Caucasian country's first-ever deep-sea port on its Black Sea coast. The International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris on July 29 denied a claim brought by the supervisory board of the Anaklia Development Consortium (ADC) that sought to recover its investment after the Georgian government terminated the contract in 2020. The 2-1 ruling removes a legal obstacle against the megaproject, which was thrust back into the headlines in Georgia in late May when the country's Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili announced that a consortium of Chinese state-owned companies would be awarded a new deal to build the deep-sea port as part of a recently revived bid. "We are naturally disappointed in this outcome of the ICC tribunal as we continue to believe that the Georgian Government acted inappropriately to the detriment of all Georgians in its campaign to undermine the Anaklia Port Project," the ADC said in a statement following the ruling. The previous attempt to build the port in Anaklia, a coastal town in northwest Georgia, was led by Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, co-founders of Georgia's TBC Bank, and a collection of other investors from the Netherlands, the United States, Britain, and Bulgaria. After the government canceled the contract with the ADC, the consortium filed a request for arbitration in an attempt to recover the value of its investment and rights in the multibillion dollar port project. Even before the contract was canceled there were signs of political pressure on the leaders of the consortium. Various charges were brought against Khazaradze and Japaridze in what outside observers and some rights groups said was a politically motivated campaign, which the ADC said violated the initial investment agreement. Georgian government officials, meanwhile, claimed that the ICC's ruling shows that they behaved appropriately. "Taking into account all the above, the arbitration confirmed that the Georgian government terminated the investment agreement legally," Georgian Justice Minister Rati Bregadze said on July 29 at a press briefing. After terminating the contract with the ADC, the state promised to build the Anaklia port in part with its own funds and announced a bidding process where it would hold a 51 percent stake and an outside investor would maintain 49 percent control. While the ruling ends the ADC's main challenge, a Dutch investor with a stake in the consortium also filed his own claim to a separate court. That claim is still pending. Few details have emerged since late May about the structure of the deal involving the Chinese consortium. A deep-sea port in Anaklia is seen as a strategic investment as it would allow larger ships to transport increased volumes at a more efficient rate and is linked to various infrastructure projects backed by the European Union and China that are looking to boost regional and global trade. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/anaklia-court-port-georgia- china/33056725.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 Hungary's Plan To Ease Entry For Russians, Belarusians Poses 'Serious Risk' To EU By RFE/RL's Russian Service July 30, 2024 A recent decision by Hungary to make it easier for Russian and Belarusian nationals to enter that country is triggering criticism within the EU, with the leader of the biggest political bloc warning it could open the doors to spies. In a letter to European Council President Charles Michel, Manfred Weber, head of the European People's party (EPP), said the Hungarian move raised "serious national security concerns." The "questionable" new rules "create grave loopholes for espionage activities...potentially allowing large numbers of Russians to enter Hungary with minimal supervision, posing a serious risk to national security," Weber said in his letter, a copy of which was obtained by the Financial Times. Earlier this month, Hungary published details of a new fast-track visa system for citizens of eight countries -- including Russia and Belarus -- to enter Hungary without security checks or other restrictions. Budapest has said many would be employed in the building of a nuclear power plant that is contracted to Russia's Rosatom. Russian citizens do not face a ban on entering the EU and the border control-free Schengen zone, which also includes non-EU members Norway and Switzerland, if they possess a valid visa and have no ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But Western sanctions in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine include a ban on Russian-owned airlines operating in EU airspace, making it more difficult for Russian nationals to travel to the bloc. At the same time, rules on issuing working permits are a matter for each EU member state. In his letter, Weber called for EU leaders "to adopt the most stringent measures to immediately protect the integrity of the Schengen area, limit the security risk that has already arisen, and prevent member states from taking similar initiatives in the future." Orban, long criticized for his friendly ties with Putin, faced a fresh backlash earlier this month after traveling to Moscow to meet with the Russian leader after a stop in Kyiv. Holding the EU's six-month rotating presidency, Orban cast the visit as a peace mission, but EU leaders made clear he did not represent them on his travels. Many countries have since refused to send their ministers to meetings held in Hungary, prompting them to be rescheduled in Brussels. Rasa Jukneviciene, a member of the European Parliament and a former Lithuanian defense minister, was critical of Orban's actions in an interview with Current Time. "A lot of people are taken aback [by Hungary's decision], although we shouldn't be because Hungary and Orban's actions have been destroying the EU from inside," she said. "But our patience will run out sooner or later." Though many hope that Hungary's government will change through a democratic process, "until then no one wants to expel the entire Hungarian nation out of the EU," she said. Throughout Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, Orban has broken with other EU leaders by refusing to provide Kyiv with weapons to defend against Russian forces and has routinely delayed, watered down, or blocked efforts to send financial aid to Kyiv and impose sanctions on Moscow. The EU's longest-serving leader, Orban has become an icon to some conservative populists for his firm opposition to immigration and LGBTQ+ rights. He has also cracked down on the press and judiciary in Hungary and been accused by the EU of violating rule-of-law and democracy standards. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-russia-belarus-entry-orban- eu/33056260.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 Lebanon Taking Necessary Measures to Prevent Escalation With Israel - Minister Sputnik News 20240730 BEIRUT (Sputnik) - The Lebanese government is making every effort to avoid escalation of fighting between Israel and Shiite movement Hezbollah in the wake of the shelling in the Golan Heights, Lebanese Labor Minister Mustafa Bayram told Sputnik. Several Israeli officials said that a war with Lebanon was imminent. The Israeli army struck a number of Hezbollah targets deep inside Lebanon and in the country's south on Sunday morning. "The Lebanese government is making all efforts necessary to prevent Israel from escalating its aggression against Lebanon," Bayram said in an interview. The minister accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using Lebanon "to show the Israelis that he has not turned away from northern Israel and the Golan Heights." The Israeli army said on Saturday that 12 people had been killed in a rocket strike on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which it blamed on Hezbollah. The Lebanese movement denied the claim. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Philippine President Marcos, Jr. US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson July 30, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, alongside Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, III, met today with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., in Manila, the Philippines. Secretary Blinken, Secretary Austin, and President Marcos discussed the momentum in United States-Philippines relations over the past year and reaffirmed the critical role of the U.S.-Philippines Alliance in realizing our shared vision of a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Blinken, Secretary Austin, and President Marcos further discussed their shared commitment to upholding international law in the South China Sea. The two secretaries underscored the United States' ironclad commitments to the Philippines under our Mutual Defense Treaty. Secretary Blinken recounted advances in our economic relations, to include the entry into force of the United States and the Philippines' Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (or "123 Agreement"), over $1 billion in investment pledges from the U.S. Presidential Trade and Investment Mission in March 2024, the launch of the Luzon Economic Corridor under the PGI-IPEF Investment Accelerator with Japan, the first United States-Philippines Cyber-Digital Dialogue, and the successful co-hosting of the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Manila. The Secretary reaffirmed the United States' commitment to advance shared economic priorities on semiconductors, clean energy, cybersecurity and the digital economy, and high-quality infrastructure. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson July 30, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed the latest developments in ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza that would secure the return of hostages and allow for a surge of humanitarian assistance. The Secretary emphasized the importance of a ceasefire agreement to furthering broader regional stability, including by unlocking the possibility of a diplomatic solution to the conflict across the Blue Line. The Secretary and Foreign Minister also discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the devastating war in Sudan. The Secretary welcomed Egypt's active participation in the planned ceasefire talks and agreed on the importance of enabling humanitarian access to all those in need in Sudan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, III, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. at a Joint Press Availability US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Camp Aguinaldo Manila, The Philippines July 30, 2024 MODERATOR: Good afternoon, Excellencies, members of the Philippine and U.S. foreign affairs and defense delegation, members of the DFA press corps, and media accompanying the U.S. delegation, and welcome to the fourth Philippine-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue joint press conference. We will first hear from Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, and then Secretary of Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., after which we will request Secretary of State Antony Blinken and then Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, III to deliver their remarks, after which we will have the Q&A. Secretary Manalo, please. FOREIGN SECRETARY MANALO: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I wish to begin by thanking Secretary Teodoro for hosting the fourth Philippine-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue here in Camp Aguinaldo. And we are very pleased to welcome Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin back to Manila. The alliance of our two countries is historic, shaped by our adherence to democracy, social justice, and the rule of law. For over seven decades, we have demonstrated its dynamism as we jointly respond to common challenges. Our cooperation has contributed in the - to the preservation of peace and security, and brought about opportunities for our mutual growth and prosperity. The Philippines values the United States' ironclad commitment to the alliance and remains steadfast to the positive trajectory of our bilateral relations over a range of initiatives. From the launch of the Luzon Economic Corridor and the conduct of Balikatan exercises, both in April 2024, our alliance is robust, multifaceted, and serves the greater regional interest. There are just two of - these are just two of the significant headways we have accomplished in the last 24 months that deliver on our alliance commitments in the broadest sense; and there is more work to be done, and we will continue to forge ahead. Our meeting today provided us an opportunity to assess progress in our bilateral cooperation since the last 2+2 dialogue in Washington, D.C. We had very productive discussions in areas such as trade and economic cooperation, infrastructure, and security cooperation. The alliance is broad-based and supports efforts towards the achievement of Philippine development goals. We will be issuing shortly a joint statement that outlines the details of our discussions and commitments. Let me speak briefly on the issues concerning economic development and resilience. We reviewed what has happened over the past year, and we were gratified at the depth and breadth of the economic engagement of our two countries. From the first-ever preferential trade and investment mission led by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, to the cohosting of the Indo-Pacific Business Forum here in Manila, and to the series of dialogues dealing with aviation, science and technology, energy, space, and cyber security, we have done much and accomplished much equally in charting a path towards our objectives of stable, sustainable, and secure economic growth. We are committed to following through on the ongoing cooperation with the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. In this regard, we look towards identifying and implementing projects for investment in the Luzon Economic Corridor. Finally, on people-to-people ties, we laud the work of the Philippine Fulbright Commission and the USAID in the harnessing of educational cooperation and development assistance. We are also excited about the ongoing work with the Millennium Challenge Corporation on a threshold program. Let me end by emphasizing that the Philippines will continue to uphold and protect the rules-based international order in the midst of a regional landscape that is significantly under stress. In our discussions, I conveyed the situation in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, and that it remains a priority to our government. In line with our treaty obligations, we discussed recent developments and committed to continue our work together in upholding Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. I would like to thank again my partner, Secretary Teodoro of the DND, and our counterparts and friends, Secretaries Blinken and Austin, for the candid, constructive, and comprehensive discussions we had today on this historic, first-ever Philippine-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Manila. I truly believe our discussions - and more importantly, our firm commitment to Philippine-U.S. relations - undeniably demonstrates that our alliance is ironclad. Thank you. MODERATOR: Thank you, Secretary Manalo. Secretary Teodoro, you have the floor. DEFENSE SECRETARY TEODORO: Good afternoon. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. It has indeed been an honor to welcome Secretaries Blinken and Austin, and Secretary Manalo, to Camp Aguinaldo for today's 2+2. Today, as we convene the fourth 2+2 meeting between us, we continue the important conversation that began between our defense establishments in 2002, not only in words but backed up by concrete accomplishments. We thank the U.S. Government for the continued assistance in building up our capabilities, which will provide a tremendous boost in order for us to establish a credible deterrent to unlawful foreign aggression. We discussed the security assistance roadmap that will bolster our sustainability, interoperability, redundancy, and effectiveness. We discussed ways and means of enhancing our cooperation, and to ensure that the Philippines becomes an effective upholder of international law under a free and open global rules-based order. We will ensure more frequent and regular policy and operational coordination. We'll also bolster maritime cooperative activities and expand coordination with Japan and Australia and other likeminded nations, not only in these areas but in joint exercises and training as well, where applicable. We agreed to fully implement EDCA projects and to increase investments in EDCA agreed locations. In this period of climate change uncertainty, this will certainly help our HADR efforts once these projects are completed. We will cooperate in cyber security by advancing the capabilities of both the DND and the AFP, not only in terms of capabilities but also in terms of cooperation in threat detection and protection, and in joint advanced technological development. We are optimistic that with robust cooperation in four dimensions - land, sea, air, and cyber - extensive interoperability, both bilaterally and with likeminded nations, the U.S.-Philippine alliance will be a significant contributor to regional peace and stability under the regime of international law. Thank you. MODERATOR: Thank you, Secretary Teodoro. Secretary Blinken, you have the floor. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you very much, and it's very, very good to be back in Manila. This is my third visit here as Secretary, my 18th trip to the Indo-Pacific over the last three and a half years. But let me begin by first expressing condolences to all of those killed, harmed, displaced by the recent typhoon and flooding. I'm able to announce today an additional $1 million in assistance to help bring food, emergency shelter, logistics, and other aid to all of those who have been affected. I'm grateful to our colleagues, our friends, Secretaries Manalo and Teodoro, not only for hosting us but for the very good, very productive sessions that we had throughout the course of today. It's very good to be here with my friend and partner, Secretary Austin; we were just together in Japan for a 2+2. This is a reflection of President Biden's transformative leadership in the Indo-Pacific. Last year in Washington, President Biden and President Marcos set out an ambitious course for our partnership. And then in April, President Marcos was back in Washington with Prime Minister Kishida of Japan and President Biden to launch an historic trilateral partnership between our countries. As a result of these visits, but also the work that we're doing every single day, our relationship between the United States and the Philippines is the strongest that it's ever been, and today's talks built on that unprecedented momentum in a number of very concrete ways. Our armed forces are working on more shared priorities in more places than ever before. We're now allocating an additional $500 million in Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines to boost security collaboration with our oldest treaty ally in this region - new steps to strengthen the alliance: a once-in-a-generation investment to help modernize the Filipino armed forces and coast guard, our first bilateral Security Sector Assistance Roadmap, doubling our investments in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. Both of us share concerns - and many other countries in the region share concerns as well - about some of the actions that the People's Republic of China has taken, escalatory actions in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and elsewhere. And this is something that we heard much about from our colleagues at the recent ASEAN meetings - defiance of the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal decision, coercive methods being used in the seas. We welcome the provisional agreement, understanding, reached between the PRC and the Philippines, on the rotation and resupply of the Second Thomas Shoal, and we were pleased to see that the first resupply mission subsequent to that understanding went forward without incident. It's very important that that be the standard, not the exception. And as I said to the Chinese foreign minister when we met in Laos a few days ago, China must uphold its commitments to not obstruct the Philippines in their resupply missions. We stand by our ironclad defense commitment to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty. That extends to armed attacks on Filipino armed forces, public vessels or aircraft - including the coast guard - anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea. As you heard from Secretary Manalo, we're equally focused on our economic partnership, our economic relationship. This is really comprehensive security - not just our military and physical security, but also our economic security and our joint resilience. We have partnering and partnership on critical industries. The Philippines is a priority partner on semiconductor manufacturing. Twenty percent of global assembly, testing, and packaging takes place here in the Philippines. Thanks to the CHIPS Act, we're finalizing collaboration to support the strengthening of Filipino capacity. We're focused on workforce development as well as on regulatory reform. We're also investing in high-quality, high-impact infrastructure via the Luzon Economic Corridor, connecting key economic hubs - Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, Batangas - and doing this through investments in rail, in port modernization, in clean energy, in semiconductor supply chains, in agribusiness. As we lower logistics costs, as we strengthen supply chains for critical industries, that will continue to drive investment and growth, and will be a benefit to all of us. And this is supported by coordinated action, including coordinated action between the United States and Japan - all of this part of the historic trilateral cooperation that our presidents inaugurated just a few months ago. Finally, we're advancing energy security and the clean energy transition. This month, our bilateral Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement entered into force, and we talked today about next steps, including helping to develop a safe, secure, and modern civil nuclear sector. We are living in an incredibly complex moment, and as a result, the partnership between our countries is more important than ever, and our commitment to growing it now and for the years ahead is resolute. Thank you. MODERATOR: Thank you, Secretary Blinken. Secretary Austin, please. SECRETARY AUSTIN: Thank you. Secretary Teodoro, Secretary Manalo, it's great to be back in Manila for another 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. Many thanks to you both for your tremendous hospitality. Before I begin, like Secretary Blinken, I am thinking about everyone who was affected by the typhoon and flooding here several days ago. Please know that the United States will always stand with you. As President Biden says, our countries share a strong partnership, and also a strong friendship, enriched by millions of Filipino Americans living all across the United States. So we're here to build on that extraordinary foundation. We're working to advance our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and together we're taking bold steps to strengthen our alliance. Today, as you heard, Secretary Blinken and I announced that we are poised to deliver a once-in-a-generation investment to help modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard. We're working with the U.S. Congress to allocate $500 million in Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines. This level of funding is unprecedented, and it sends a clear message of support for the Philippines from the Biden-Harris administration, the U.S. Congress, and the American people. Today, we also concluded the first-ever bilateral Security Sector Assistance Roadmap. Now, that roadmap will ensure that our mutual investments go toward the most important capabilities. We also reaffirmed - the Department of Defense - that the Department of Defense intends to more than double our investments at Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement locations across the Philippines. President Biden's budget request this year includes more than $128 million to fund important EDCA infrastructure projects, and U.S. Government investment in these locations extends beyond the Department of Defense. For example, USAID plans to preposition disaster relief supplies at an EDCA location later this year. That will allow the department to work alongside our Philippine allies to rapidly provide humanitarian assistance in times of need. Now, during our meeting, we also reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty remains the bedrock of our alliance. And let me be clear: The Mutual Defense Treaty applies to armed attacks on either of our armed forces, aircraft, or public vessels anywhere in the South China Sea. Together, we also discussed how to make our alliance even more secure through technology and security and cyber cooperation. We reiterated our shared intent to conclude a general security of military information agreement by the end of the year. Now, that's crucial to our shared cybersecurity goals. And finally, we underscored the importance of working even more closely with likeminded allies and partners, including Australia and Japan. This is part of what I've described as the new convergence in the Indo-Pacific, and we can see that new convergence right here. The United States, the Philippines, and our other allies and partners are operating together more closely and capably than ever, and we're working together to ensure a free and open region. So it's been a great day for our alliance here in Manila, and Gibo, and Ricky, Tony, thanks for your vision and your leadership. And I am confident that our two proud democracies will continue to deepen our alliance. So with that, we look forward to your questions. MODERATOR: Thank you, Secretary Austin. Thank you, Secretaries. We will now proceed to the question-and-answer portion. We will entertain four questions, one each directed to each secretary. May I call Liz Friden of Fox News for her question directed to Secretary Austin. Liz? Yes. QUESTION: Thank you. Secretary Austin, having just spoken with Israeli Defense Minister Gallant yesterday, do you believe an Israeli operation in Lebanon is imminent, and can Israel fight both Hamas and Lebanese Hizballah at the same time and win? For Secretary Blinken, the U.S. is investing an unprecedented amount of money and resources to the Philippines. Why now, and why is the Philippines relevant to a potential invasion of Taiwan? For Secretary Manalo, following your meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang, he warned that U.S. intermediate-range missile deployment could start an arms race with China. Do you think that you're starting an arms race? MODERATOR: Liz, that's three questions. QUESTION: Then on MODERATOR: It's supposed to be one question for Secretary Austin. QUESTION: And then MODERATOR: It will deprive the others of their question. So please, we will leave it to that and we will see which questions will be answered. Yes, Secretary Austin, please. SECRETARY AUSTIN: Liz, thanks for your question. I believe that you asked whether or not a fight was with - between Israel and Lebanon - Israel and Lebanon, Hizballah, is inevitable - or imminent, excuse me. I don't believe that - while we've seen a lot of activity on Israel's northern border, we remain concerned about the potential of this escalating into a full-blown fight. And I don't believe that a fight is inevitable. I think that we'd like to see things resolved in a diplomatic fashion. As to whether or not Israel can manage a war in Gaza and a fight in Lebanon at the same time, Israel will do what it needs to defend itself, and it's demonstrated that time and again. We've committed to helping Israel defend itself for whatever it takes, and certainly that's not a scenario that we'd like to see occur. We'd like to see things resolve in a diplomatic fashion going forward. SECRETARY BLINKEN: And Liz, with regard to the Foreign Military Financing, as you know, the Philippines has actually long been one of the largest recipients of Foreign Military Financing in the Indo-Pacific, but the very significant additional investment that we're making in FMF - the $500 million - this is really designed to support the modernization of Filipino forces, coast guard, as they transition to focus on external defense. We're building on a lot of progress the Philippines has already made to be better positioned to defend their sovereignty. That is what this is about. And more generally, with regard to Taiwan, both of us - and for that matter, virtually every country in the region and countries around the world - are determined that we see the status quo maintained, that we preserve peace and stability. That's where our focus is. I think there's a recognition around the world that were there to be some kind of crisis on Taiwan, it would affect everyone, it would have global impact. We have 50 percent of container traffic going through the Taiwan Straits every single day, 70 percent of the semiconductors manufactured on Taiwan. So there's a recognition around the world that were there to be a crisis there, everyone would be affected, which is exactly why all of us are focused on trying to make sure that peace and stability is preserved, that the status quo is maintained. And finally, I'd just say the alliance that we have with the Philippines, this longstanding alliance, there's a critical word that applies to it: It's a defensive alliance. We are about making sure that all of us can protect and uphold our sovereignty, our territorial integrity, freedom of navigation, freedom of commerce, which is so vital to everyone in this region. FOREIGN SECRETARY MANALO: Thank you. I wasn't able to hear the last part of your question, but I get - I get the gist. Regarding the supposed reference of Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the missiles, all I can really say is that, first, these missiles are meant for our own defensive capabilities, our own ability to improve our defensive deterrence, and they're not meant for any offensive purposes. So I really can't see on that basis how it would lead to an arms race. MODERATOR: Okay, thank you, Secretaries. The next question should be raised by Simon Lewis of Reuters. Simon, you have the floor. QUESTION: Thank you. If you don't mind, I would like to put some questions to some of the different officials rather than just Secretary Blinken. Secretary Austin, just to follow up a little bit on the question about Lebanon, the U.S. defended Israel when Iran fired missiles at it in April. Are you prepared to similarly defend Israel if a full-scale war breaks out with Hizballah in the north? To Secretary Teodoro - excuse me - your country and China appear to have different interpretations of the Second Thomas Shoal resupply agreement. You say that no prior notification or inspections are required for the resupply. Can you share details of what the agreement says, and do you intend to press ahead with resupply missions on that basis even if China doesn't agree with your interpretation? SECRETARY AUSTIN: Thanks, Simon. You mentioned the actions that we took along with other allies in the region to help defend Israel in April. And I have to take this opportunity to applaud the tremendous work that we saw from our troops and also our allies that came together in a very short period of time and did absolutely magnificent work, in my opinion. Your - so your question is: If Israel is attacked, will we help to defend Israel? If Israel is attacked, yes, we will help to - help Israel defend itself. We've been clear about that from the very beginning. But again, we don't want to see that happen. What we want to see happen is things resolve in a diplomatic fashion. MODERATOR: Secretary Teodoro. DEFENSE SECRETARY TEODORO: On the gist of the talks made with China, I will defer to the secretary of foreign affairs. However, suffice it to state that we will conduct regular and routine resupply missions in accordance with our duties under the Philippine constitution and our responsibilities to our country. FOREIGN SECRETARY MANALO: Thank you. Thank you, Secretary Teodoro. Yes, we will, of course, continue our supply - resupply missions. On the issue of notification, I think the more accurate term is exchange of information, which is exactly what we did with China, and - both of us. And the fact that the supply was a relative success I think indicates that it's something that we are committed to pursue in succeeding supply missions, provided, of course, China also adheres to the understanding. MODERATOR: Thank you, Secretaries. Can we now call on Nestor Corrales of the Philippine Daily Inquirer for his questions. QUESTION: This question is for Secretary Teodoro. Secretary, how will the 500 million in military funding, including the 128 million for EDCA investments from the U.S., help address Beijing's aggression in the South China Sea? And what will be the priorities under this funding? DEFENSE SECRETARY TEODORO: Well, the priorities will be stress - will be laid down in the Security Sector Assistance Roadmap. Naturally, a lot of our inherent hardening capabilities are included, like cyber capabilities and the like. These and all the EDCA investments will serve to secure the Philippines' credible deterrent posture. Every peso or dollar spent on hardening Philippine capabilities to defend itself and to deter unlawful aggression will be a plus against any threat actor, whether it be China or anyone. So the EDCA investments are not only solely for defense purposes, but also for civil defense purposes, like humanitarian assistance and disaster response. They can be then used for joint cooperation and interoperability between the United States and the Philippines, and multilaterally with likeminded nations. And likewise, they will serve also as venues for economic development, like Secretary Austin had said, with the USAID. So these are not mono-dimensional but multidimensional investments that will help the development of the country and help to deter unwanted and unlawful aggression by building a credible deterrent posture. MODERATOR: Thank you, Secretary Teodoro. Last question - Joyce Rocamora from PNA. QUESTION: Good afternoon. The rest of the ministers may also wish to answer. What assurance has the U.S. given to the Philippines and the rest of Asia, including Japan and South Korea, that its strong security support would continue in case of a leadership change in the U.S. after the November elections? And in addition, the GSOMIA was also mentioned. Can you expand more on that? SECRETARY BLINKEN: If I might. MODERATOR: It's addressed to - you're addressing it to all? QUESTION: Yes. MODERATOR: To all? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I can just - I'm happy to start simply by saying that of course elections are a regular feature of our democracy. What's also a regular feature is a strong, longstanding alliance between our countries, and that doesn't change from election to election. We have a Mutual Defense Treaty that the United States is committed to. That commitment will endure, again, irrespective of administrations. And this has been a long and powerful story in our history. It will continue. SECRETARY AUSTIN: I'll just - I'll just tag onto that and say that we see and have seen and will continue to see bipartisan support for the Philippines in our country. And any time that you see that level of bipartisan support in our government, you can bet that support will continue in good fashion. I've said a number of times that we're more than allies: we're family. And I would also say that I cannot imagine a day when the United States of America and the Philippines are not the best of friends, the best - and the best of allies. So I think, again, we continue to enjoy bipartisan support, and that's going to happen going forward in the future. FOREIGN SECRETARY MANALO: Well, I think I can only add to that and just say that the Philippine-U.S. alliance and friendship has withstood the test of time. We've officially been partners for seven decades, but it even goes beyond that. And in all those years, our relationship has held firmly, and in fact has only grown more productive. And in fact, now we could even say our relationship is at a high point. But let me say that the fundamental factors accounting for all of that is not only our shared adherence to democratic values, to social justice, but also the strong people-to-people relationship which has really been the bedrock of our relationship. And I can say that aside from having shared interests - strategic, a shared strategic outlook, I think all those factors will combine to ensure that our relationship continues, beyond perhaps seven decades and even more. So I think that is the best way to describe the state of our relationship. DEFENSE SECRETARY TEODORO: I believe our relationship is based on two fundamental things. First is sustainability. Our engagements have always been on the principle of sustainability and not one of one-time things. Secondly, we share principles - fundamental principles of adherence to international law and a rules-based international order. And both countries - and not only the United States but likeminded partners - realize that building up the Philippine credible deterrent posture is vital to ensuring the rule of international law in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in our region. No partisan political position can denigrate from these fundamental principles because these are goods - good things, right things that should be encouraged and developed. So I do not see any partisan political detraction from our positions because they are based on principle. Secondly, in terms of the GSOMIA question earlier, it is an attempt and an exercise - a continuing exercise - to develop our operational security which is a required stepping stone for our development in - of an armed force and a defense establishment with increasing sophistication to deal with vulnerabilities and with unpredictabilities in the future defense situation and picture. Thank you. MODERATOR: Thank you very much. Thank you, Secretaries, for this joint press conference. Thank you, DFA press corps - (applause) - and members of the media joining the U.S. delegation. Can we request the secretaries for one photo opportunity in front, for one photo opportunity for the press, and then we will conclude this press conference? NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement on the Philippines-United States Fourth 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson July 30, 2024 Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (referred to collectively as "the Secretaries") convened the fourth Philippines-United States 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Manila on July 30, 2024 - the first to be held in Manila. The Secretaries discussed opportunities to further enhance both countries' commitment to the Philippines-United States Alliance, and concrete ways to achieve enhanced economic ties and broadbased prosperity. They likewise exchanged views on persistent challenges to regional peace, stability, and the rules-based international order. The Secretaries also took stock of the historic achievements in bilateral relations since the third 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in April 2023. They outlined specific measures to further operationalize President Marcos's and President Biden's "shared vision of partnership, peace, and prosperity." A. Fortifying a Maturing and Modern Alliance Both sides celebrated the unprecedented progress in the Philippines-United States Alliance over the past two years. The Secretaries reiterated the importance of the security alliance and shared commitments under the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty in an increasingly complex environment. The Secretaries reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks against either country's armed forces, aircraft, and public vessels - including those of their coast guards - anywhere in the South China Sea. The Secretaries also reaffirmed the critical importance of the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) as the foundation for building enhanced Alliance coordination and interoperability.Both sides recognized that modernizing the Philippines' defense and civilian law enforcement capabilities is crucial to ensuring individual and collective security. Understanding the importance of interoperability and cooperation in both conventional and non-conventional domains, the Secretaries also discussed the nature of threats in various domains including land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace and effective responses. The Secretaries welcomed further defense and security coordination with Japan and Australia to address shared regional challenges.Delivering and building on plans from the 3rd 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in April 2023 and 11th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in April 2024, the Secretaries committed to: Allocate USD $500 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) from the FY 2024 Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, working with the U.S. Congress. This unprecedented investment demonstrates the United States' commitment to modernizing the Philippines-United States Alliance and deep support for enhancing the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard to fulfill their territorial defense mission and contribute to regional security; This unprecedented investment demonstrates the United States' commitment to modernizing the Philippines-United States Alliance and deep support for enhancing the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard to fulfill their territorial defense mission and contribute to regional security; Establish the Roles, Missions, Capabilities (RMC) Working Group to ensure more frequent and regular policy and operational coordination. The establishment of the RMC will support strengthening bilateral planning and interoperability by providing policy guidance for joint operations, activities, and investments consistent with the Philippines-United States Bilateral Defense Guidelines signed during the working visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to Washington, D.C. in May 2023; to ensure more frequent and regular policy and operational coordination. The establishment of the RMC will support strengthening bilateral planning and interoperability by providing policy guidance for joint operations, activities, and investments consistent with the Philippines-United States Bilateral Defense Guidelines signed during the working visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to Washington, D.C. in May 2023; Implement the Philippines-Security Sector Assistance Roadmap (P-SSAR) , finalized on July 29, 2024, in Manila, which outlines the bilaterally determined priority capability requirements of the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to be supported by Philippine national funds and U.S. capacity-building efforts, programs, and activities. The PSSAR, which aligns the joint priorities of the Philippines and the United States, will guide shared defense modernization planning and investments and inform the delivery of priority platforms over the next five to ten years; , finalized on July 29, 2024, in Manila, which outlines the bilaterally determined priority capability requirements of the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to be supported by Philippine national funds and U.S. capacity-building efforts, programs, and activities. The PSSAR, which aligns the joint priorities of the Philippines and the United States, will guide shared defense modernization planning and investments and inform the delivery of priority platforms over the next five to ten years; Increase investments in EDCA agreed locations with a view to further supporting combined training, exercises, and interoperability between the Philippine and U.S. Armed Forces, as well as the Philippines' civilian-led disaster preparedness and response capacities. The U.S. President's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2025 includes an additional USD $128 million for EDCA infrastructure projects across seven locations. The Philippines has invested an estimated budget of PhP 5.2 billion (USD $88.6 million) at EDCA locations. USAID also plans to implement an initiative to pre-position humanitarian relief commodities at an EDCA site for Philippine civilian disaster response authorities to help provide urgent assistance if needed in times of crisis. Both sides will continue exploring ways to incorporate likeminded partners and allies into activities at EDCA sites; with a view to further supporting combined training, exercises, and interoperability between the Philippine and U.S. Armed Forces, as well as the Philippines' civilian-led disaster preparedness and response capacities. The U.S. President's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2025 includes an additional USD $128 million for EDCA infrastructure projects across seven locations. The Philippines has invested an estimated budget of PhP 5.2 billion (USD $88.6 million) at EDCA locations. USAID also plans to implement an initiative to pre-position humanitarian relief commodities at an EDCA site for Philippine civilian disaster response authorities to help provide urgent assistance if needed in times of crisis. Both sides will continue exploring ways to incorporate likeminded partners and allies into activities at EDCA sites; Conclude the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) by the end of 2024. Together with the Philippines-United States Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA), a Philippines-United States GSOMIA would lay the foundation for enhanced, expanded, and timely sharing of information and defense technology; by the end of 2024. Together with the Philippines-United States Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA), a Philippines-United States GSOMIA would lay the foundation for enhanced, expanded, and timely sharing of information and defense technology; Advance cybersecurity cooperation by investing in the cybersecurity capabilities of the Philippines, including the United States providing an integrated cyber range and training platform and on-demand training to develop and sustain a capable and skilled cyber workforce, which would support the AFP's efforts to stand up a new Cyber Command. The United States and the Philippines are also integrating cyber into military exercises, including Exercise BALIKATAN; by investing in the cybersecurity capabilities of the Philippines, including the United States providing an integrated cyber range and training platform and on-demand training to develop and sustain a capable and skilled cyber workforce, which would support the AFP's efforts to stand up a new Cyber Command. The United States and the Philippines are also integrating cyber into military exercises, including Exercise BALIKATAN; Bolster maritime cooperative activities to promote security cooperation and expand operational coordination with other likeminded partners, including Australia and Japan. These joint efforts demonstrate resolve, strengthen bilateral security ties, and expand multilateral cooperation and training. The Secretaries agreed that cooperation and interoperability, including with both countries' respective Coast Guards, are essential tenets in maintaining stability and supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Secretaries welcomed the signing of the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement and looked forward to greater trilateral and multilateral cooperation. They commended the conduct of the April 2024 Philippines-United States-Japan-Australia maritime cooperative activity in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone to strengthen interoperability and uphold international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and, These joint efforts demonstrate resolve, strengthen bilateral security ties, and expand multilateral cooperation and training. The Secretaries agreed that cooperation and interoperability, including with both countries' respective Coast Guards, are essential tenets in maintaining stability and supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Secretaries welcomed the signing of the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement and looked forward to greater trilateral and multilateral cooperation. They commended the conduct of the April 2024 Philippines-United States-Japan-Australia maritime cooperative activity in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone to strengthen interoperability and uphold international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and, Convene on an annual basis the Philippines-United States 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, with the fifth meeting to be hosted by the United States in 2025. B. Fostering Economic Resilience for a Prosperous and Sustainable Future Both sides reiterated the importance of ensuring that the Alliance promotes security in its broadest sense building more resilient and sustainable communities and economies, increasing trade with more diverse and reliable partners, and deterring, countering, and mitigating harm from potential economic coercion. The Secretaries welcomed progress in bolstering economic engagement over the past year, particularly through the conduct of the first-ever U.S. Presidential Trade and Investment Mission, the Philippines' co-hosting of the 2024 Indo-Pacific Business Forum, and the launch of the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI)-Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Investment Accelerator. They also recognized the range of bilateral trade and investment priorities discussed at the July 2024 United States-Philippines Trade and Investment Framework Agreement meeting and reinforced the importance of making progress towards strengthening the bilateral trade relationship.The Secretaries also noted the convening of the following dialogues: a. Philippines-United States Technical Aviation Dialogue (16 May 2023) discussions allowed expansion of air connectivity in the last year and subsequent engagements to explore the possibility of modernizing both countries' existing air transportation agreement;b. Philippines-United States Joint Committee on Science and Technology (30 April 2024) discussions exchanged views on some of the most important science and technology endeavors of the two countries, and prioritized future collaboration;c. Philippines-United States-Japan Luzon Economic Corridor Steering Committee (21 May 2024) discussions identified priority sectors for engagement and reviewed potential projects with the aim to drive infrastructure investment and development along the Corridor;d. Philippines-United States Space Dialogue (2 May 2024) discussions advanced cooperation on using space-based technologies for disaster management, mapping of resources, pollution monitoring, and maritime domain awareness; and,e. Philippine-United States Cyber-Digital Policy Dialogue (15-16 July 2024) discussions reaffirmed a shared commitment to an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable Internet, including cyberspace stability and deeper bilateral cooperation on cybersecurity. f. To sustain the momentum of cooperation in key sectors, notably renewable energy, agriculture and food security, critical minerals processing and semiconductors, and infrastructure investments, the Secretaries committed to the following: Follow through on the vital, ongoing discussions and cooperation in connection with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the PGI , among others. The Secretaries emphasized the need to advance both countries' shared agenda for inclusive and sustainable economic growth through infrastructure investments, a secure and stable digital ecosystem, enhanced agricultural productivity, resilient supply chains, safeguarded critical and emerging technologies, robust renewable energy and green technologies, and workforce development and advancing workers' rights; , among others. The Secretaries emphasized the need to advance both countries' shared agenda for inclusive and sustainable economic growth through infrastructure investments, a secure and stable digital ecosystem, enhanced agricultural productivity, resilient supply chains, safeguarded critical and emerging technologies, robust renewable energy and green technologies, and workforce development and advancing workers' rights; Drive progress on identifying initial priority projects later this year for investment along the Luzon Economic Corridor through the trilateral Steering Committee with a focus on critical transportation infrastructure in ports and rail, clean energy deployments to bolster the semiconductor industry, and commercial development of Subic Bay, and other projects as they arise; through the trilateral Steering Committee with a focus on critical transportation infrastructure in ports and rail, clean energy deployments to bolster the semiconductor industry, and commercial development of Subic Bay, and other projects as they arise; Work towards the completion of a Threshold Program Agreement between the Philippines and MCC as soon as possible following the finalization of initial analyses that would inform program development; as soon as possible following the finalization of initial analyses that would inform program development; Continue collaborating to create more resilient, secure, and sustainable global value chains in critical sectors of mutual interest to the Philippines and the United States - to include in the Philippine and U.S. semiconductor industries - and to safeguard critical infrastructure and emerging technologies. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to further cooperate on critical minerals processing and to strengthen private sector partnerships - which may include shipbuilding and ship repair - recognizing the imperative of increasing economic growth in both countries; Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to further cooperate on critical minerals processing and to strengthen private sector partnerships - which may include shipbuilding and ship repair - recognizing the imperative of increasing economic growth in both countries; Convene the 2nd U.S.-Philippines Energy Policy Dialogue in Manila later this year to advance energy cooperation. The Dialogue provides a platform to accelerate efforts to diversify critical minerals supply chains, promote renewable energy deployment, foster reliable and resilient power grids, and elevate energy security; later this year to advance energy cooperation. The Dialogue provides a platform to accelerate efforts to diversify critical minerals supply chains, promote renewable energy deployment, foster reliable and resilient power grids, and elevate energy security; Operationalize opportunities for closer bilateral cooperation on civil nuclear energy following the Philippines-United States bilateral 123 Agreement entering into force on 2 July 2024, through subsequent activities, including by working together to help the Philippines develop the workforce, regulatory environment, and strong commercial partnerships that will enable development of a robust, safe civil nuclear sector. Both governments committed to hold a Nuclear Supply Chain Forum in Manila in November 2024, which will bring together leading U.S. companies with government and private sector stakeholders to discuss partnership opportunities; entering into force on 2 July 2024, through subsequent activities, including by working together to help the Philippines develop the workforce, regulatory environment, and strong commercial partnerships that will enable development of a robust, safe civil nuclear sector. Both governments committed to hold a Nuclear Supply Chain Forum in Manila in November 2024, which will bring together leading U.S. companies with government and private sector stakeholders to discuss partnership opportunities; Advance private sector-led investment opportunities across the Philippines in partnership with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) through the opening of a DFC office in Manila in 2024; and, through the opening of a DFC office in Manila in 2024; and, Welcome the Philippines' forthcoming participation in the Minerals Security Partnership Forum. C. Ensuring Respect for the Rules-Based Order in the Indo-Pacific Acknowledging that the futures of both countries are intertwined with each other, the region, and the rest of the world, the Secretaries reaffirmed their support for unimpeded lawful commerce and full respect for international law, including freedom of navigation and overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea. They exchanged views on key regional and global developments that challenge global peace and the international rules-based order. The Secretaries: Expressed serious concerns about dangerous behavior in the South China Sea over the past year that resulted in injury and damage to property, as well as militarization of reclaimed features and unlawful maritime claims; Reaffirmed the importance of Philippine vessels' freedom of navigation in the South China Sea; Called on the People's Republic of China to comport with the international law of the sea as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (the "Convention"), to respect the Philippines' sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and to comply with the final and legally binding July 12, 2016, ruling in the Philippines v. China arbitration; Welcomed diplomatic efforts to support routine and regular rotation and resupply (RORE) missions; and, Reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of global security and prosperity. The Secretaries committed to: Deepen coordination on issues related to the South China Sea between and among their foreign and defense ministries; and, between and among their foreign and defense ministries; and, Explore additional opportunities to strengthen global support for upholding the international law of the sea. D. Investing in People-to-People Ties The Secretaries reiterated the special bonds between the peoples of the Philippines and the United States, which are rooted in a long and deeply interwoven history, shared democratic beliefs, and common values. The strong people-to-people ties are an indispensable pillar of bilateral ties. Reaffirming the shared vision of our two Presidents that the special ties between both nations and their people will only grow stronger in time, the Secretaries committed to the following: Support ongoing USAID higher education partnerships strengthen the Philippine education system , working with Philippine universities to expand their innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development capabilities. This flagship education partnership is expected to advance Philippine human capital priorities by supporting universities' curriculum development, faculty training, higher education policy and management, research, and community engagement. , working with Philippine universities to expand their innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development capabilities. This flagship education partnership is expected to advance Philippine human capital priorities by supporting universities' curriculum development, faculty training, higher education policy and management, research, and community engagement. Convene the inaugural Philippine-U.S. Democracy Dialogue in late 2024 , which both countries recognize as a new major platform for ensuring that efforts to enhance our bilateral relationship as well as mutual economic gains are broad based, inclusive, and firmly anchored on shared democratic values and principles; , which both countries recognize as a new major platform for ensuring that efforts to enhance our bilateral relationship as well as mutual economic gains are broad based, inclusive, and firmly anchored on shared democratic values and principles; Continue to support the partnerships that the Philippine Fulbright Commission has established with the Philippine Commission on Higher Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Competition Commission, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Space Agency, and Department of Energy, and to further explore avenues for harnessing these partnerships to achieve capacity building in areas critical to Philippine development and economic growth; and, with the Philippine Commission on Higher Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Competition Commission, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Space Agency, and Department of Energy, and to further explore avenues for harnessing these partnerships to achieve capacity building in areas critical to Philippine development and economic growth; and, Support ongoing USAID higher education partnerships strengthen the Philippine education system, working with Philippine universities to expand their innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development capabilities. This flagship education partnership is expected to advance Philippine human capital priorities by supporting universities' curriculum development, faculty training, higher education policy and management, research, and community engagement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "The lawless Israeli state is now a threat to the entire world" Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey 30.07.2024 Speaking at a meeting with AK Party's provincial heads, President Erdogan said: "The lawless Israeli state is now a threat not only to Palestine and Lebanon but to the whole humanity and the entire world at this point. Hitler had been stopped, even if belatedly, by the alliance of the United States of America and the Soviet Union. This genocide, savagery, and barbarism must also be stopped immediately by the alliance of humanity before it is too late." President and Justice and Development (AK) Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a speech at the AK Party's Provincial Heads Meeting in Ankara. "THEY HAVE GONE SO CRAZY AS TO BOMB MOSQUES, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS" Noting that that a brutal genocide has been taking place in Gaza for nearly 300 days, President Erdogan said that the Israeli forces treacherously martyred 40 thousand Palestinians, including 16 thousand children. Pointing out that 100 thousand Palestinians have been wounded or maimed, President Erdogan stated: "They have degraded themselves to the extent of murdering people waiting in food queues. They have gone so crazy as to bomb mosques, churches and schools. Even war has a code of conduct; yet, Israel has disregarded it, as well. They committed an act of barbarism that eclipses even Hitler, the most infamous figure of the last century. Gaza has today become the world's largest extermination camp. It is unimaginable for any person with the tiniest bit of conscience in their heart to remain silent to the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza, no matter what faith they subscribe to. However, western leaders and organizations whose duty is to ensure international security have only watched this brutality from afar for almost 300 days." "THE HYPOCRISY DISPLAYED BY THE WEST WILL END VERY BADLY" Pointing out that bloodthirsty murderers have been welcomed and applauded at the House of Representatives as if 40 thousand innocent Gazans had not been killed and 16 thousand children had not been brutally massacred, President Erdogan added that the Islamic world, except for a few countries, couldn't say "stop" to the oppression or to the oppressor. "How many more children must die to understand that Israel's invasive policies endanger the entire region? This is not the way to go. The way followed by Israel under the Netanyahu administration is not the way to go. This recklessness, this ruthlessness, and the hypocrisy displayed by the West will, I fear, end very badly," President Erdogan warned. Israel is the only country in the region whose borders are yet to be delimited clearly, said President Erdogan. "The only country in our region that grows by invading other countries' territories is Israel. The only country in our region that seeks its security through aggression and land seizure is Israel. The country that acts not like a legitimate state but like a terrorist organization is Israel. The side that prolongs the war, sheds blood and commits massacres even though Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire with our proposals is Israel, the Israeli administration. The lawless Israeli state is now a threat not only to Palestine and Lebanon but to the whole humanity and the entire world at this point. Hitler had been stopped, even if belatedly, by the alliance of the United States of America and the Soviet Union. This genocide, savagery, and barbarism must also be stopped immediately by the alliance of humanity before it is too late." "WHATEVER WE SAY, WE SAY IT TO STOP THE BLOODSHED IN OUR REGION" "Those pulling the strings of the Netanyahu administration must say 'stop' to this massacre network without delay. We are aware of what the murderer called Netanyahu is seeking to achieve, what kind of a catastrophe he is trying to drag our region and the entire world into. We also know very well the true motive behind his attempts to spread the fire in Gaza to the whole region. Whatever we do, we do it to prevent such a scenario. Whatever we say, we say it to stop the tears and bloodshed in our region," stressed the President. Underlining that we are a nation whose national anthem starts with the sentence, 'Fear not!' President Erdogan went onto say: "The impertinent messages of keyboard clowns do not scare us, frighten us, or intimidate us, and will never make us give up on pursuing the path we believe in. No matter how ugly or how heinous they get, they cannot put shackles on Tayyip Erdogan's deeds or words. They cannot stop Tayyip Erdogan from shouting out the truth. We shall never bow down to anyone's threats. We shall never give into intimidation from anyone." "THE OLYMPICS HAVE BEEN USED AS A TOOL FOR PERVERSION" Drawing attention to the growing intensity of the war on humanitarian values in many areas, President Erdogan pointed out that the immorality displayed at the opening of Paris Olympics once again highlighted the scale of the threat the humanity faces. "What was sought to be achieved in Paris was to implement a project aimed at reducing humans, the most honorable of the created, to a level even below animals. I will call Mr. Pope at the earliest about this issue. I will talk to him about the immorality committed against the Christian world and all Christians. The Olympics have been used as a tool for perversion that debilitates the human nature, undermines the family, and endangers the survival of generations. Children, our most innocent beings, have been disgustingly targeted by using the Olympics' international influence. The disgraceful scene in Paris offended not only the Catholic world, not only the Christian world, but also us as much as them." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gazans need polio vaccines amid 'deathly cycle' of hunger, heat and disease, say UN aid agencies By Daniel Johnson 30 July 2024 - In a bid to prevent a polio epidemic in Gaza, UN humanitarians on Tuesday repeated continuing international calls for a ceasefire to allow a mass vaccination campaign to get underway. Almost 10 months of war and intense Israeli bombardment have shattered healthcare in Gaza and disrupted routine inoculation rounds for youngsters, leaving them exposed to a range of preventable diseases including polio, which the UN World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed had been identified last month in several sewage samples taken from Gaza. Safe access call Speaking to journalists in Geneva, WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said that a ceasefire would be "the best" solution, before calling at the very least for the enclave's roads to be kept clear and for safe access for medical and other relief supplies. "Otherwise, the vaccines would be sitting as many other trucks are across the border, either on the Rafah side or at the other checkpoints either inside...or outside Gaza," he said, a week since the UN health agency announced that it was sending one million polio vaccines to the Strip. No cases of paralysis have been reported so far, according to WHO. If a child receives the full course of vaccines, the risk of contracting paralyzing polio is "negligible", said UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson James Elder. He insisted that vaccination rates had been "very high" before war erupted in response to Hamas-led terror attacks on multiple targets in southern Israel which left some 1,250 dead and more than 250 taken hostage. "But the mass displacement, the decimation of health infrastructure, the horrendously insecure operating environment, they all make it much, much more difficult, hence putting more and more children at risk," he said, adding that vaccination coverage was now at around 89 per cent - "hence you've got this increased risk for children". Water emergency Condemning the reported destruction last week of a key water treatment station in the southern city of Rafah, Mr. Elder underscored the additional health dangers this had created for Gazans, now that it had been "blown up...It is yet another grim reminder of these assaults on families who are already in desperate need of water," he said. Today across Gaza, average water availability has fallen to between two and nine litres per person, per day, whereas the minimum should be 15 litres, Mr. Elder continued. "Somehow people are holding on, but of course we are now in that deathly cycle whereby children are very malnourished, there is immense heat, there is lack of water, there's a horrendous lack of sanitation and that's the cycle. On top of that, of course, there is a very, very active conflict." Meanwhile, Gaza's solid waste management system has collapsed, the UN Development Progamme (UNDP) warned in a new assessment published on Tuesday. There is no access to major landfills, and waste is accumulating at more than 140 temporary dumping sites, the agency said, which is posing serious environmental and health risks, including a spike in diarrhoeal illness and acute respiratory infections. The UN agency that assists the Palestinian people, UNRWA, also said that between 800 to 1,000 new hepatitis A cases are being reported weekly from its health centres and shelters across Gaza, with the lack of water, sanitation and hygiene speeding the spread of diseases. Key cities targeted for evacuation In its latest update issued Monday evening, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said that more than 200,000 people in Gaza - nine per cent of the population - have been forcibly displaced by Israeli evacuation orders. Directives issued by the Israeli authorities on Saturday and Sunday impacted Rafah, Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah "where a combined 56,000 people had been sheltering", OCHA said, before warning that the development comes "at a time when water, sanitation and hygiene conditions are being further eroded in Gaza, with infectious diseases on the rise". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Independent rights experts urge States to comply with ICJ ruling on Israel 30 July 2024 - UN Member States must immediately comply with the recent "landmark ruling" by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, a group of 38 UN independent human rights experts said on Tuesday. The UN's highest court issued an advisory opinion on 19 July which said that Israel's occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, "is unlawful". It was responding to a request by the UN General Assembly for an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. "The advisory opinion reaffirms peremptory norms prohibiting annexation, settlements, racial segregation and apartheid, and should be seen as declaratory in nature and binding on Israel and all States supporting the occupation," the experts said. Right to self-determination Furthermore, the Court refuted the notion that Palestinian self-determination must be achieved solely through bilateral negotiations with Israel, they added, noting that this requirement has subjected Palestinians to violence, dispossession and rights violations for 30 years. "The Court has finally reaffirmed a principle that seemed unclear, even to the United Nations: Freedom from foreign military occupation, racial segregation and apartheid is absolutely non-negotiable," the experts said. They also welcomed the Court's recognition that converting occupation into annexation by demolishing homes, denying housing permits, and land grabs, violates preemptory norms prohibiting the use of force to annex occupied territory. "May this historic ruling begin the realisation of the Palestinian people's fundamental right to self-determination, and peace premised on freedom for all," they said. 'A critical tool' The advisory opinion "will serve as a critical tool to restore respect for international law, especially at this crucial moment when the Court is also considering Israel's alleged violations of the Genocide Convention," they added. They recalled that it came 20 years after another ICJ advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel's construction of a wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory - an "authoritative ruling" which Israel and UN Member States largely disregarded, they said, thus "allowing impunity to reign". They warned that Israel has intensified attacks on both civilians and resources in Gaza since the 19 July ruling. "Israel must comply with this advisory opinion, and other ICJ orders issued this year," they said. "Israel must stop acting as if uniquely above the law." Call for arms embargo The rights experts added that "while the UN Security Council and General Assembly will consider strategies to ensure a swift end to the illegal occupation...States must immediately review all diplomatic, political, and economic ties with Israel, inclusive of business and finance, pension funds, academia and charities." They called for action, including an arms embargo and targeted sanctions, as well as investigations and prosecutions against those involved in crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly dual citizens serving in the Israeli military or involved in settler violence. "The Court's findings should also be widely disseminated to ensure that the illegality of Israel's presence in the occupied territory is fully understood at all levels of the government and reflected in public documents and education systems," they said. "Laws and policies that penalise opposition to or impede advocacy against Israel's occupation and apartheid must be rescinded." Role of independent experts The experts who issued the statement were all appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, and form part of the body's Special Procedures. The Special Rapporteurs and members of UN Working Groups are mandated by the Human Rights Council to monitor and report on specific human rights situations or thematic issues. They serve in their individual capacity; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security Council Lifts Arms Embargo on Central African Republic, Extends Mandate of Expert Panel for 13 Months, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2745 (2024) Meetings Coverage Security Council 9695th Meeting (AM) SC/15780 30 July 2024 The Security Council today lifted the arms embargo on the Central African Republic, also deciding that, until 31 July 2025, all Member States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materiel of all types to armed groups and associated individuals operating in that country. Unanimously adopting resolution 2745 (2024) (to be issued as S/RES/2745), the Council also extended until 31 August 2025 the mandate of the Panel of Experts pursuant to the resolution and expressed intention to review its mandate and take appropriate action regarding its further extension no later than 31 July 2025. By further terms, it requested the Panel to provide the Council a midterm report no later than 31 January 2025, a final report no later than 15 June 2025, as well as progress updates, and to devote special attention to the analysis of illicit transnational trafficking networks which continue to fund and supply armed groups in the country. The text also strongly condemned attacks and human rights abuses committed by armed groups. Speaking before the vote, the representative of France highlighted her country's efforts to hold inclusive negotiations, and thanked all members of the Council for their contributions to produce a balanced text. She also noted the coordination with the Central African Republic. "This short text removes all ambiguity," she said, adding that the text lifts the territorial arms embargo imposed on the country in 2013 and imposes restrictive measures on armed groups. "What is at stake is the stability of the Central African Republic and the entire region," she stressed. "Bravo to the Central African Republic," the representative of that country said, welcoming the adoption after the 15 Council members voted in its favor. The complete lifting of the arms embargo is a diplomatic victory and a historic watershed moment for the country and the region. Thanking the Central African Republic's President and its diplomatic corps, as well as international stakeholders such as the African Union, and Council members, she commended France, in particular, for "having joined us to put an end to this injustice". The text "gives dignity back" to the people of her country and demonstrates that a more equitable world is possible, she said. Acknowledging the challenges confronting the Central African Republic, she expressed commitment to tackling illicit cross-border trafficking of weapons and the proliferation of armed groups in the region. The representative of China highlighted "the steady progress" registered by the Central African Republic in political and peace processes. Nevertheless, while the resolution constitutes an important step towards a complete lifting of sanctions against Bangui, it still retains numerous restrictive measures, he observed, urging the Council to create more favourable conditions for that country to achieve peace, stability, development and prosperity. The adopted text was "long overdue", the representative of the Russian Federation said, calling on the Council to respond more effectively to developments in States under sanctions. The current circumstances in the Central African Republic raise the question of abolishing the arms embargo on illegal arms groups operating in the country, he said, noting that this element of the sanctions regime "has long lost its relevance" and is not preventing criminals from replenishing weapons. The problem of illegal arms groups can be resolved only through sovereign stabilizing efforts, he added. Also welcoming the strong political signal in the resolution, the representative of Algeria said that the text could have been more transparent, particularly with regard to the return of articles seized by Member States. The majority of the sanctions imposed by the Security Council relate to African countries, he pointed out, adding that "as an African member of the Council", Algeria will continue to insist on greater transparency in the implementation of sanctions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kendall delivers LCID 2024 keynote, urges 'go faster' Published July 30, 2024 By Allyson B. Crawford Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Public Affairs DAYTON, Ohio (AFNS) -- "The strategic environment we're in today is the toughest that I've ever seen," expressed Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall during his keynote address to the Life Cycle Industry Days crowd, July 30, in Dayton. During his introduction, it was noted that Kendall has worked in government for 50 years. This helped make his opening statement about the current military environment even more powerful. Overarching topics of Kendall's address included: Engineering management and defense acquisition Space security, with progress made and challenges ahead Developing new aircraft and air defense systems USAF modernization, budget allocations and managing sustainment costs Optimizing USAF resources - especially personnel Partnerships with allies and industry partners Kendall discussed the Department of the Air Force's approach to modernization, including the stand-up of the Integrated Development Office and Air Force Information Dominance Systems Center; the importance of staying ahead of the curve with technology and innovation; and the need to reorient the military to address Great Power Competition. Additionally, Kendall emphasized the importance of modernizing the nuclear force and staying competitive in the face of evolving threats. Opting to talk more casually and eschewing his scripted remarks, Kendall gave an overview of the progress on his Operational Imperatives, including GPC. Speed is always top of his mind, noting "... we'd like to go faster. We'd like to get a wider spectrum of capabilities out there." Kendall also said he made one of his best personnel decisions ever in hiring Brig. Gen. Luke Cropsey as Air Force integrating program executive officer for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management. Cropsey is building integrated capabilities for the Air Force and Space Force with the goal of connecting joint programs and international partners. Cropsey is well known to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center family as he previously served as director of the Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate. Kendall spent a few minutes addressing the challenges surrounding technology. He noted the Air Force has too much "tech debt" or reliance on obsolete technology. "It's no mystery [our] information systems are being attacked," Kendall said. "Information systems are possible vulnerabilities that can be tapped and it's no mystery that they're being attacked. It's no mystery that cyber attackers are beefing up their techniques." Pivoting to uniformed and civilian Airmen, Kendall spent time emphasizing the importance of creating a competitive ecosystem, with a focus on operational problem-solving and integration across different organizations beyond just those in the U.S. Air Force. Achieving those goals will take human capital investment. Before taking a few questions from the audience, Kendall emphasized the importance of increased funding for the Space Force, noting the newest military branch requires transformation to keep up with pacing challenges. "If you are targeted in space, you're not going to survive," Kendall explained. "And we have got to do something about that. And if we can't target from space, we will not be successful. It's as simple as that," Kendall said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Marines join DAF-MIT AI Accelerator for first time Published July 30, 2024 Department of the Air Force-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial Intelligence Accelerator CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AFNS) -- For the first time, the Department of the Air Force-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial Intelligence Accelerator has welcomed two Marines into the newest cohort of accelerator Phantoms, marking a significant milestone in the program's reach. The Phantom Program, which admitted only DAF personnel up to this point, allows Airmen and Guardians to collaborate with world class AI researchers. The inclusion of Marines underscores the innovation needs and capabilities of service members across the Department of Defense. "Marines have always been innovators, from amphibious operations to naval aviation, and will continue to carry on that tradition," said Lt. Gen. Matthew G. Glavy, deputy commandant, information, of the United States Marine Corps. "AI presents yet another opportunity for Marines to showcase their ability to fuse technology, people and processes to generate favorable outcomes across the competition continuum." Traditionally, the program was compromised of only Airmen and Guardians, but now benefits from the unique perspectives and expertise of the Marine Corps. "Marines bring a unique perspective to military operations, a perspective that can only enrich the AIA's own diversity of experience," said Col. Garry Floyd, director of the MIT-AI Accelerator. "Given the broad nature of the AIA's portfolio we are certain to find synergies across our efforts to develop and deploy difference making capabilities for operations." The inclusion of Marine Corps active-duty members reflect the USMC's commitment to harnessing AI's potential. "Partnering with MIT and the DAF AI Accelerator provides an opportunity to rapidly upskill our Marines to support the Marine Corps' acceleration of AI adoption, ultimately leading to increased decision advantage for commanders at all echelons," Glavy said. During the five-month fellowship, Marine Phantoms will engage in cutting-edge AI research, rapid prototyping of AI algorithms, and scaling applications for real-world use. A unique aspect of the Phantom Program is the requirement for each participant to produce a publishable impact paper. This not only enhances the program's value but also contributes significantly to military AI research. The DAF-MIT AI Accelerator aims to accelerate fundamental AI research to improve Air Force operations and address societal needs. By including Marines, the program is taking a crucial step toward a more integrated and technologically advanced joint force. "Ultimately the AIA is about accelerating the development and deployment of AI capabilities for the DAF...and the DoD," Floyd said. "Marines conduct operations in all domains of warfare, so when they asked if they could send representatives to this Phantom Cohort, it was an easy yes. We'll benefit from their perspective, and this provides the Marines with a cost-effective way of accelerating their own AI Roadmap." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 20th Pacific Partnership Mission Prepares to Enhance Disaster Response Capabilities, Strengthen Ties in Indo-Pacific US Navy 30 July 2024 From Seaman Apprentice Gavin Arnoldhendershot SEMBAWANG, Singapore -- The underway Pacific Partnership 2024.2 (PP-24.2) team embarked the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport ship USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF 9), led by Rear Admiral Mark A. Melson, the U.S. Pacific Fleet Executive Agent for Pacific Partnership who will lead command and control (C2), and mission commander, U.S. Navy Captain Daniel J. Keeler. Comprised of 1,500 personnel from the U.S. and like-minded partner nations, the mission team will work to strengthen relationships, and bolster host nation capacity in order to provide humanitarian services, and support efforts to prepare and respond to potential natural disasters in the Indo-Pacific region. "This mission enables us to come together to prepare and train so that we are ready when a humanitarian crisis occurs." said Melson. "We'll focus on training and regional interoperability to increase disaster-response-preparedness while creating lasting bonds of friendship and trust amongst mission partners and host nations." PP-24.2 officially began in Vanuatu and will continue throughout parts of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific Islands - respectively. During this mission, medical professionals will focus on working side-by-side with host nation providers to increase overall medical capacity and expertise in community education; preventative medicine; dental; veterinary care; adult and pediatric medicine; first aid; nutritional counseling; mental health activities; and basic life support. Medical subject matter expert exchanges are also interwoven into each engagement. "This enduring annual mission is such an integral part in maintaining the long-standing friendships we have with allies and partners in the region," said Keeler. "We are excited to continue this legacy of cooperation and support for this iteration and for many more in the future". Pacific Partnership will also include the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, who will be embarked on USNS City of Bismarck.to provide concerts to local communities at each mission stop. Now in its 20th iteration, Pacific Partnership, is the U.S. Navy's largest maritime humanitarian and civic assistance mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. At the request of each host nation, the Pacific Partnership team provides focused support to address critical infrastructure concerns. These concerns are traditionally centered around schools and health clinics, along with partnering with local communities to build engineering teams composed of host nation participants, U.S. military engineers, and partner nation engineers where available. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address First Royal Australian Navy Sailors Graduate From Basic Enlisted Submarine School US Navy 30 July 2024 From Lauren Laughlin GROTON, Conn. -- In a first for the AUKUS trilateral enhanced security partnership, a group of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) enlisted sailors has graduated from the United States Navy's Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS). The sailors all graduated with distinction with one of them being named the Honor Graduate for scoring a 100% in the class. The graduation marks a significant milestone in the development of a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) fleet for Australia under the AUKUS Pillar 1 Optimal Pathway. "It's another exciting step to see our Royal Australian Navy sailors graduate from this unique and challenging training. I am incredibly proud of their exceptional dedication and effort to reach this significant milestone," said Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Vice Adm. Mark Hammond. "I'd like to thank our long-standing partners and friends in the U.S. Navy for providing the training to assist the Royal Australian Navy to operate, maintain and support Australia's future nuclear-powered submarine capability." Incorporating Royal Australian Navy enlisted personnel into the U.S. Navy's submarine training pipeline is essential to developing Australian crews ahead of Australia's acquisition of sovereign Virginia-class submarines that will be sold to Australia by 2030. Enlisted personnel make up the bulk of a Virginia-class submarine crew, which is typically comprised of 15 officers and 117 enlisted sailors. Royal Australian Navy sailors are also enrolled in the UK Royal Navy's nuclear training pipeline, with the first officers graduating from the UK Royal Navy's Officers Nuclear Operators Course earlier this month. All work by Australian personnel in the U.S. and UK will remain consistent with Australia's domestic and international legal obligations, including its non-proliferation obligations and commitments. "For the last two months, these sailors have trained diligently alongside their American counterparts to acquire the capability to safely operate SSNs," said Naval Submarine School Commanding Officer Capt. Matthew Fanning. "They will continue to hone their skills in rate-specific training prior to reporting to a Virginia-class submarine as part of the crew to put their training into execution alongside U.S. submariners." The BESS graduation comes just months after the first three Royal Australian Navy officers completed their training at the U.S. Navy's Submarine Officer Basic Course in April 2024 and reported to Virginia-class submarines based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Nearly 100 Royal Australian Navy officers and enlisted personnel will enter the submarine and U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion training pipelines this year. "Our sailors are the backbone of our Navy. Their training success demonstrates the exceptional skillset and knowledge of our people," said Warrant Officer of the Royal Australian Navy Andrew Bertoncin, the service's senior non-commissioned representative. "I'm proud of what our sailors have achieved and look forward to seeing them continue to master their craft onboard a Virginia-class submarine." At BESS, the Royal Australian Navy sailors joined their American counterparts for a rigorous eight-week course where they developed the skills and competence needed to operate nuclear-powered attack submarines. Sailors studied the construction and operation of nuclear-powered submarines and gained hands-on experience through intensive simulations. "We are extremely proud of what these sailors have accomplished as the first Royal Australian Navy enlisted sailors to graduate from one of the U.S. Navy's most demanding training courses," said Vice Adm. Jonathan Mead, Director General of the Australian Submarine Agency. "Their success in this training is another positive step forward as we work with our U.S. and UK partners to progress along the AUKUS Pillar 1 Optimal Pathway and toward our shared goal of a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific." "These sailors are the foundation of Australia's future SSN crews," said the U.S. Navy's AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Program Manager Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck. "They are trailblazers leading the broader effort to strengthen the interoperability and capabilities of the AUKUS nations. Their graduation is a major step toward realizing the strategic goals of AUKUS as well as deepening the ties among our nations." AUKUS is a strategic partnership that will promote a safe, free, and open Indo-Pacific, enhance national security, and uplift the three industrial bases. AUKUS Pillar 1 will deliver a conventionally armed SSN capability to the Royal Australian Navy by the early 2030s. The Department of the Navy's AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Program Office is the U.S. lead responsible for executing the trilateral partnership to deliver conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines to the Royal Australian Navy at the earliest possible date while setting the highest nuclear stewardship standards and continuing to maintain the highest standards of non-proliferation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Wasp Celebrates 35th Birthday US Navy 30 July 2024 From Petty Officer 1st Class Ruben Reed MEDITERRANEAN SEA -- Sailors and Marines walk about passageways as the ship's air conditioning system works overtime under the beating sun. These deckplates have supported the weight of servicemembers across the armed services through oceans and seas around the world. From a maiden deployment in 1991 and emergency deployments to Somalia and Kuwait in 1993, the USS Wasp (LHD 1) has been one of the premier emergency response forces since her commissioning. Throughout her first decade of service, Wasp participated in Operation Restore Hope, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and served a key role in humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts throughout Central and South America. In 2007, Wasp was the first ship to deploy the MV-22B Osprey, and in 2011 was the first ship to receive flight deck modifications for the F-35B Lightning. While forward deployed in Sasebo, Japan in 2018 Wasp served as the first operational shipboard deployment for the F-35B. Fast-forward to 2024, while steaming in the Mediterranean Sea during a scheduled deployment, the first-in-class amphibious assault ship and her crew celebrated the ship's 35th birthday with a cake cutting on the ship's mess decks. This milestone provided an opportunity to pause during the steady drum of underway life and a chance to look back upon all the ship has accomplished over the preceding years. "Wasp is recognized as one of the most lethal and versatile ships on the waterfront because she's always had the best crews in the fleet," said Capt. Christopher Purcell, Wasp's commanding officer. "Every Sailor and Marine on Wasp is a true American hero for today's Navy." Purcell thanked the crew for their part in bringing the ship to mission ready status and looked back to all Wasp Sailors who have contributed to defending the nation's security. "This birthday marks the 35th year since the ship commissioned and is the 10th ship to bear the name Wasp," Purcell said. "I'm proud to serve with each and every one of you and be part of a ship with such time honored tradition." During the birthday ceremony on the ship's mess decks, the youngest and oldest Sailors present at the ceremony were able to cut a custom birthday cake made by the ship's "cake boss," Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Hayden Clark. "It's my third year aboard Wasp, and to see it come out of the yards and into deployment makes me extremely proud," said Clark. After the ceremony, the crew enjoyed a specially crafted lunch to celebrate. The meal featured chicken and beef kabobs, gyros, fried cabbage, garlic roasted potato wedges, and macaroni salad. "I'm ecstatic to be part of the crew and along for the ship's journey through history," said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Norie Roberson. "This birthday is special because we're on deployment and the entire crew is able to celebrate together. This is an experience I can be proud to share with my family back home." Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Isaiah Climes, a lead member along with Roberson on the galley team that prepared the special meal, explained how humbling it was to put together the meal for the crew on such a significant anniversary. "I'm happy to do something I love to do," said Climes. "We put a lot of effort into this meal so the crew can enjoy the birthday as much as possible." In a speech over the ship's 1 main circuit, Purcell reiterated the motto which all Wasp Sailors keep to heart whenever they report for duty. "It's you, the crew, who have made this ship 'Number One in the Fleet,'" Purcell said. Wasp is conducting operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area of operations as the flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG)-24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC). The WSP ARG-24th MEU (SOC) is on a schedule deployment to the NAVEUR-NAVAF area of operations, supporting U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region, including in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, to continue promoting regional stability and deterring aggression. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US announces $500 million in military financing for Philippines By VOA News July 30, 2024 The United States announced $500 million in foreign military financing for the Philippines on Tuesday, as Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with leaders in Manila to reinforce cooperation on issues such as freedom of navigation and cybersecurity. Speaking at a joint news conference after talks with their Filipino counterparts, Austin called the financing a "once-in-a-generation investment" to help modernize the armed forces of the Philippines. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the military investments will boost the country's credible defense posture and help to deter "unwanted and unlawful aggression." Blinken said both the United States and the Philippines, as well as other countries in the Indo-Pacific region, share concerns about China's actions in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. He welcomed a recent agreement between China and the Philippines to prevent clashes around the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal, saying such diplomatic resolutions should be "the standard, not the exception." "We are living in an incredibly complex moment, and as a result, the partnership between our two countries is more important than ever and our commitment to growing it now and for the years ahead is resolute," Blinken said. Earlier Tuesday, Blinken and Austin reinforced U.S. commitment to "upholding international law in the South China Sea" as they met with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights, and the two officials discussed the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail, and operate - safely and responsibly - wherever international law allows," Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the officials also underscored the United States' ironclad commitments to the Philippines under our Mutual Defense Treaty. "I'm always very happy that these communication lines are very open so that all the things that we are doing together, in terms of our alliance, in terms of the specific context of our situation here, in the West Philippine Sea and in the Indo-Pacific, are continuously examined and re-examined so we are agile in terms of our responses," Marcos said at the start of talks with Blinken and Austin. Blinken highlighted what he called "a steady drumbeat of very high-level engagements between our countries that are covering the full range of issues and opportunities that bring us together - not only security but also economic." The talks in the Philippines were the latest in a series of engagements in the region, including a meeting Monday among the United States, Japan, India and Australia, as well as U.S.-Japan meetings. Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rafah water facility demolition raises health risks in Gaza, UN says By Lisa Schlein July 30, 2024 U.N. agencies warn that the demolition of a critical water facility in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip increases the risk of infectious diseases as people are forced to drink unsafe water while sanitary conditions continue to deteriorate. "Until recently, that reservoir served thousands and thousands of internally displaced people who had sought refuge in Rafah in the area," James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson, told journalists at a briefing in Geneva on Tuesday. "Now without it, vulnerable children and families are likely to be forced again increasingly to resort to unsafe water, so putting them again at all those risks that we see time after time, day after day in Gaza dehydration, malnutrition, diseases," he said. The Israeli daily Haaretz reported Monday that the troops blew up the central reservoir "on the orders of the brigade commanders" but without receiving permission from the senior level of the Southern Command. It added that the incident was being investigated by Israel's Military Police as "a suspected violation of international law." Infections spreading Elder said the destruction of the Canada Well reservoir "is yet another grim reminder of the assaults on families who already are in desperate need of water." "We have seen spikes in diarrhea, in skin infections all due to a lack of access to hygiene and a lack of access to water," he said, noting that people in emergencies require a minimum of 15 liters (almost 4 gallons) of water per person per day. Now, the range of water availability in Gaza has been reduced to between 2 and 9 liters per person, per day, and some people are getting just a fraction of that, Elder said. "Somehow, people are holding on, but of course, we are now in that deathly cycle whereby children are very malnourished. There is immense heat. There is [a] lack of water. There is a horrendous lack of sanitation, and that is the cycle," he said. The World Health Organization reports a surge in infectious diseases in the Gaza Strip. As of July 7, it has recorded nearly 1 million cases of acute respiratory infections, 577,000 cases of acute watery diarrhea, 107,000 of acute jaundice syndrome and 12,000 of bloody diarrhea. It also has recorded nearly 200,000 cases of scabies, lice, skin rashes, chicken pox and other illnesses. Polio threat The recent identification of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 in Gaza's sewage system is of particular concern. Under prevailing conditions in Gaza, there is a high risk of spread of this paralytic, deadly disease within the Palestinian enclave and across borders. "Having a vaccine-derived polio virus in the sewage very likely means that it is out there somewhere in people," WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said. "It most likely is in the population, but that does not necessarily mean that we see an outbreak of cases. "But of course, we need to be prepared. We need to be utterly prepared. And we need vaccinations, and we need vaccination campaigns," he said. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebteyesus has announced that the organization will be sending more than 1 million doses of polio vaccine to Gaza to avert the spread of the disease. "While no cases of polio have been recorded yet, without immediate action, it is just a matter of time before it reaches the thousands of children who have been left unprotected," he said, adding that infants under 2 are especially vulnerable "because many have not been vaccinated over the nine months of conflict." Before Israel began its military offensive in Gaza following a brutal attack on Israel by Hamas militants on October 7, nearly the whole population of Gaza had been immunized against polio. However, due to the impact of the conflict, "coverage of polio now is around 89%, down from around 99% before the conflict," UNICEF's Elder said. "Hence, there is an increased risk for children. Now, if the child gets the full course of the vaccine, then the risk of the child getting paralyzed by polio is negligible. "This is why it is so critical that all children are immunized. But the mass displacement, the decimation of the health infrastructure, the tremendously insecure operating environment they all make it much more difficult, hence putting more children at risk," he said. Cases of polio have declined by 99% since WHO launched its global polio eradication campaign in 1988. WHO reports polio now is endemic only in Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, more than 30 countries, including Egypt and Israel, are subject to outbreaks. The reemergence of polio tends to occur in areas of conflict or instability and within countries with poor health systems. "We were very, very close to eradicating polio fully," WHO spokesperson Lindmeier said. "As you know, wartime, unfortunately, creates the situation where it is very difficult to get that last mile. And it has been less than a mile that we needed to go. "There are a few pockets around the world. Hopefully, Gaza will not become another one," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on Venezuela July 30, 2024 The United States has been closely monitoring Venezuela's presidential election that took place on Sunday, July 28 and the subsequent announcements by Venezuela's National Electoral Council. We continue to call for Venezuela's electoral authorities to release full, transparent, and detailed voting results, including by polling station. This is especially critical given that there are clear signs that the election results announced by Venezuela's National Electoral Council do not reflect the will of the Venezuelan people as it was expressed at the ballot box on July 28. We are also reviewing other electoral data shared by civil society organizations and the reports of international election monitors. The United States stands on the side of the democratic aspirations of the Venezuela people, including supporting their right to express their views freely and without reprisal. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Condemnations pour in over terrorist Zionist attack on Lebanon IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 31, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A Israeli airstrike on a civilian area on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital has sparked regional condemnations, with calls growing for the United Nations to censure the Israeli move and restrain the regime from its "terroristic acts." The leader of the Iraqi National Wisdom Movement, Ammar Hakim has condemned the brazen attack of the Zionist regime on the southern part of the Lebanese capital, Beirut. According to IRNA, Hakim in a message on Tuesday evening denounced the occupying Zionist regime for its shameless attack, which resulted in civilian casualties. Hakim said that the continuation of crimes by this regime and its insistence on violating the sovereignty of independent countries, including its genocidal campaign in the Gaza Strip is deliberate and at the same time provocative that disregard all international conventions and human values. According to IRNA, the Zionist regime's warplanes targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday evening, which has so far resulted in the martyrdom of 3 people and the wounding of 20 others. The Israeli army claimed that it targeted one of the commanders of Hezbollah but the news agency citing two Lebanese security sources, reported that the Zionist regime failed in its plot. The Russian news agency Sputnik also reported citing a senior Hezbollah source that the attempt to assassinate Fawad Shekar had failed. The attack followed Saturday's explosion in the Majdal Shams area of the Israeli occupied Syria's Golan Heights, which Zionist media and authorities blamed on Lebanon's Hezbollah, but the resistance movement announced, in a statement, that it had nothing to do with the explosion and the cause was the misfire by an anti-missile system of the regime. The Syrian Foreign Ministry, in a statement, condemned the airstrike by the Zionist regime on the civilian area of the southern suburbs of Beirut. According to IRNA's Wednesday morning report citing the official Syrian news agency (SANA), the ministry issued a statement: "We condemn the attack and consider it an attack on Lebanon's sovereignty and flagrant violation of international laws, which took place 2 days after the heinous crime in the city of Majdal Shams in the occupied Syrian Golan". The statement added: Israel continues to make excuses for intensifying and expanding its aggressions in the region. Syria that itself is being targeted by the Zionist regime on a regular basis, has expressed its solidarity with the government and people of Lebanon. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again emphasized that the Zionist regime is a threat not only to Lebanon and Palestine but to the whole world. According to IRNA's Wednesday morning report, citing a Turkish news agency, Erdogan said that Israel is the only entity in the region that acts like a terrorist organization. "Gaza has now become the biggest killing camp in the world, while the West is content to watch what is happening in this barricade," the Turkish president said, adding that currently, Israel (regime) has turned its eyes on Lebanon and wants to expand the conflict with killing and bloodshed in the region. Erdogan recently threatened the Zionist regime with military action while addressing the ongoing genocidal war in tGaza. He also warned that Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is behaving like a madman and not a responsible person, adding that the increase in Israel's attacks and the language of threats against Lebanon make us very worried about the future of the region. Iraq's Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday morning that Israel has once again violated international laws by launching an attack on Lebanon and strongly condemned the Zionist regime for its action. "This attack is a clear violation of international laws and conventions and a serious threat to the stability of the region", the military said in a statement, according to the official Iraqi news agency. At the end of the statement, the ministry warned about the negative consequences of the Zionist regime's attack on the region. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran demands UNSC condemn Israeli attack on Lebanon IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 31, 2024 New York, IRNA -- Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations has condemned the Israeli regime's "aggressive and cowardly terrorist attack" against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut. In an identical letters addressed to the Security Council and the UN chief, Iravani has demanded the 15-member council immediately without any ambiguity condemn the Zionist regime's crimes in Lebanon. He says that the Islamic Republic of Iran rejects all accusations leveled by the Israeli Foreign Minister against Lebanon in his "misleading and baseless" letter dated July 29, 2024 sent to the United Nations. The full text of the letters is as follows: Excellency, I am writing to respond to the letter dated 29 July 2024 from the Foreign Minister of the Israeli regime to the President of the Security Council. The Islamic Republic of Iran unequivocally condemns and categorically rejects all allegations made against it in the aforementioned letter. The assertions contained in the letter are misleading and entirely unfounded. The Israeli Foreign Minister's letter appears to be a desperate attempt to divert international attention from the root causes of the current situation and to justify the regime's atrocities and malevolent activities in the region by distorting the narrative and spreading disinformation against Iran and Lebanon. Despite these tactics, the occupying regime cannot deny its responsibility for the ongoing atrocities and barbaric massacres against innocent people in Gaza and other nations and must bear its responsibility. The Israeli regime's claims of protecting civilians and the population in the Syrian-occupied Golan are hypocritical, as its atrocities in Gaza and the region reveal a blatant disregard for international humanitarian law. Furthermore, under international law, Israel, as an occupying power, has no right to invoke self-defense to legitimize its actions in the occupied territories. Contrary to the claims made in the letter, the Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently been a positive element in regional developments, contributing to sustainable peace and security, including the fight against terrorism. In stark contrast, the Israeli regime has been a major source of regional insecurity, with its malicious activities posing a serious threat to both regional and global peace and security. The members of the Security Council must not be misled by Israeli distorted narratives. The recent act of aggression and cowardly attacks carried out today, 30 July 2024, by the Israeli regime targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, further demonstrates that this regime has no regard for the norms and principles of international law. The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns in the strongest possible terms these cowardly terrorist attacks which resulted in the loss of life and injury of several civilians. This heinous crime constitutes a blatant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the UN Charter, and international law, particularly international humanitarian law. It must be unequivocally and immediately condemned by the Security Council. The Security Council must also take immediate action in response to this criminal act to ensure that such aggression, which threatens regional peace and security, is not repeated. Israel must be held accountable for these atrocities and cannot go unpunished. The only path to restoring peace and stability in the region is to immediately, completely, and permanently end the Israeli occupation, aggression, and genocidal crimes. We urge the Security Council to take decisive action in accordance with its responsibilities under the United Nations Charter. This includes compelling the Israeli regime to immediately and unconditionally end its acts of genocide and aggression against Gaza, to end the violation of pertinent resolutions of the Security Council, withdraw its occupying forces from all Palestinian, Syrian, and Lebanese territories, and cease its aggression and military attacks on the territory of Lebanon or other countries in the region. Furthermore, the Israeli regime must be compelled to fully comply with its obligations under UNSC resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1701 (2006). I should be grateful if you would circulate the present letter as a document of the Security Council. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's IRGC Says Hamas Political Chief Ismail Haniyeh Killed In Raid By RFE/RL's Radio Farda July 31, 2024 Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Palestinian extremist group Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, was killed in Tehran in a raid it accused Israel of carrying out. The IRGC said it was investigating the attack that killed the 62-year-old Haniyeh while he was in Tehran to attend the July 30 inauguration ceremony for Iran's new president, Masud Pezeshkian. It did not give any details on the how the attack was carried out. Iran-backed Hamas confirmed the news in a post on its Telegram channel on July 31, saying Haniyeh was killed in an "air strike on his residence in Tehran." There has yet to be confirmation from the Israeli side. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas immediately condemned the killing, calling it a "cowardly act and dangerous development," according to the Palestinian state news agency WAFA. Several countries denounced the attack, with Russia calling it an "unacceptable political assassination," while Turkey warned it would extend the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. When asked about the strike that killed Haniyeh, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters in the Phillippines, where he was on a visit, that "I don't have any additional information to provide." Earlier on July 30, Israel claimed it had "eliminated" Fuad Shukr, the Hizballah militant commander Israel alleges was behind a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 Israeli youths in Beirut. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a post on the X social media network that Shukr has "directed" attacks by Hizballah. There was no immediate response from Hizballah. Shukr was wanted by U.S. authorities for his alleged involvement in a 1983 attack on U.S. troops in Beirut. Washington had offered up to $5 million for information on Shukr, who is also known as al-Hajj Mohsin and is on the U.S. terrorist list. Hizballah, which rarely shies away from claiming attacks on Israeli targets, has denied it was responsible for the July 27 attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, but Israel had vowed to retaliate against the Iran-backed group. Israel has vowed to kill leaders of Hamas over the group's October 7 attack inside Israeli territory that killed 1,200 people. Around 250 others were taken hostage, some of whom have since been released. Some of the hostages have died while in Gaza as Israel carries out a massive military operation it says is aimed at eliminating Hamas. Some of the hostages are believed to still be alive. Haniyeh had been part of Hamas for decades and became its political chief in 2017. He lived in the Gaza Strip until 2019, when he moved to live in exile in Qatar. He had emerged as one of its most visible leaders during the war with Israel in Gaza as he shuttled between countries in the Middle East to attend international negotiations over the conflict, including the release of the hostages still being held by Hamas. With additional reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-s-irgc-says- hamas-political-chief-haniyeh-killed-in-raid-/33057365.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 Hamas Politburo Chief Killed in Tehran Sputnik News 20240731 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the Iranian capital of Tehran, the Palestinian militant group said in a statement on Wednesday. The agency said Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were "martyred" after their residence in Tehran was targeted. "With condolences to the heroic nation of Palestine, the Islamic nation, the combatants of the Resistance Front, and the noble nation of Iran. This morning (Wednesday), the residence of Mr. Dr. Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political office of the Islamic Resistance of Hamas, was hit in Tehran; and following this incident, he and one of his bodyguards were martyred," a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) read. Iran is investigating the causes of the killing of Hamas politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, and his bodyguard in Tehran, with the results to be announced soon, the Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Earlier on Wednesday, the Palestinian movement, Hamas, said that Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli attack on his residence in Tehran after he took part in the inauguration of Iran's newly elected president. The Palestinian movement, Hamas, said on Wednesday that the movement's politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in an Israeli attack on his residence in the Iranian capital of Tehran. "The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas expresses condolences to the sons of our great Palestinian people ... Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement ... was killed as a result of a treacherous Zionist attack on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration ceremony of the new president of Iran," the movement said on Telegram. Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, was sworn in on Tuesday. International reaction Israeli army declines to comment on the situation, saying that they "do not respond to reports in the foreign media", CNN says. A representative of the US government has confirmed to the media that Washington is aware of the situation. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas strongly condemned the killing of Hamas politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, the WAFA news agency reported on Wednesday. Abbas also called the killing a cowardly act and a dangerous escalation, the report read. At the same time, Abbas called on Palestinians to be united and patient in the face of the Israeli occupation. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the incident will strengthen the ties between Tehran and Palestine. The Turkish Foreign Ministry stressed that Israel is not seeking peace, and should be stopped before conflict escalates. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuelan Foreign Minister Says Gov't to Sever Diplomatic Relations With Peru Sputnik News 20240731 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Caracas has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Peru due to Peruvian Foreign Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea's statement on presidential election results in Venezuela, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said on Wednesday On Monday, Peru refused to recognize the results of the Venezuelan presidential election. The next day, Gonzalez-Olaechea said that he recognized the Venezuelan opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, as the country's president-elect. "The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has decided to sever diplomatic relations with the Republic of Peru based on Article 45 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. We are forced to make this decision after the reckless statements of the Peruvian foreign minister," Gil said on X. The presidential election of July 28 saw Nicolas Maduro win a third term in office. The announcement of the results sparked protests in the capital of Caracas and beyond, with clashes reported between the police and opposition supporters. The Venezuelan government accused several countries of election meddling. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas leader Haniyeh killed in Iran By VOA News July 31, 2024 Hamas said Wednesday an Israeli attack killed its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran where Haniyeh had traveled to attend the swearing-in of Iran's new president. A Hamas statement posted on the militant group's Telegram channel said Haniyeh was killed at a residence in the Iranian capital. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said one of Haniyeh's bodyguards was also killed in the early morning attack, and that the incident was under investigation. Israel did not immediately comment. Haniyeh's death comes nearly 10 months after Iran-backed Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. Israel responded with military campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 39,400 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between militants and civilians in its count. Haniyeh became the head of Hamas' political bureau in 2017, and had been living in exile in Qatar after leaving Gaza in 2019. Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters . NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 30 July 2024 - Day 888 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 in July 2024, Russian Ground Forces (RGF) maintained continuous attacks in central Donetsk Oblast. The RGF made steady advances westwards, taking control of several villages and moving closer to the logistics hub of Pokrovsk. The RGF also made advances northwards into the town of Niu York, which has been on the frontline since 2014. The town is almost certainly contested between the RGF and Ukrainian Armed Forces. It is likely that Russia will continue to make tactical advances in the coming weeks. However, its overall operational capability remains limited by several factors including a high attrition rate, limited training, and a shortage of officers. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of the day, there have been 108 combat clashes, Russian forces launched 71 air strikes with the use of 107 CABs, 340 strikes with kamikaze drones and carried out about 3,000 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops using different types of weapons. Six combat clashes with Russian zagarbnikami took place in the Kharkiv direction. Five attacks in the regions of Tikhogo and Vovchansk were reported. Near the last one fight is still going on. The situation is under control. Estimated losses of Russian troops have so far been over 100 people killed and wounded, with two artillery systems, five car units and four special equipment units destroyed. In the Kupians komu direction, Russian forces tried to push Ukrainian units out of occupied positions near Pi any and Stelmakhivka six times. The three Russian assault is underway. 14 times Russian forces attacked in the Lyman direction, ten times tried to advance in the direction of the settlements of Makiyivka and Nevsk, three clashes are currently underway. Two attacks were repelled in the Serebryans .komu forest, two more - in progress. In the Sivers 'komu direction throughout the day, Ukrainian defenders repelled three Russian assault actions in the areas of Verkhnyokamiansky, Pereyzny and Viimka. The Russian opponent did not succeed. Seven combat clashes occurred in the Kramators komu direction. The activity of the Russian occupiers demonstrated in the area of the time yar, five Russian attempts to seize Ukrainian positions turned out to be futile, two attacks are ongoing. The situation is under control. Russian forces tried 15 times to infiltrate Ukrainian defense in the Torotsky direction, actively using assault and bombardment aviation. Since the beginning of the day, the Russian occupiers in the settlements of Northern, Toretsk, New York and Zalizne received a harsh cut off from Ukrainian defenders 12 times. Three storms are still going on. Intensely attacks the enemy of Ukrainian defenders in the Pokrovsky direction. Here, during the day, the Russian aggressor carried out 40 assault and offensive actions. The largest activity of Russian occupiers is kept in the areas of Novooleksandrivka, Veselogo, Ivanivka, Zelannoy and Yasnobrodivka. In total, 22 attacks in the direction of Ukrainian defenders have already repelled, another 18 fighting continue. The situation is complicated, but controlled by the Defense Forces. Ukrainian soldiers are making efforts to prevent the advancement of the Russian opponent into the depths of Ukrainian territory. According to the information available at this time, 265 people have been killed and injured as of today's death of the Russian aggressor in this direction. Destroyed a tank, three BBM, five units of automotive equipment and one - special. In addition, three cars and two enemy cannons were damaged. In the Kurakhiv direction at this time of the day counts ten combat clashes. Zagarbniks maintain high activity, trying to advance in the areas of settlements of Krasnogorivka and Paraskoviyvka. Defense Forces units repelled nine attacks of the enemy, one attack, near Krasnogorivka, is ongoing. In the Vremivs komu direction, there were four encounters in the area of Staromayorsky. All the Russian enemies of the assault are suffocated. In the Orihiv direction, the situation has not changed significantly, two Russian attacks were repelled by Ukrainian defenders during the day. Today, the soldiers of the 47 separate mechanized brigade should be celebrated. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 57th Mechanised Brigade, 82nd Air Assault Brigade, 36th Marine Brigade, and 3rd National Guard Brigade near Staritsa, Liptsy, Volchansk, and Tikhoye (Kharkov region). Seven counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 42nd Mechanised Brigade, 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade, and 92nd Assault Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to more than 250 Ukrainian troops, one U.S.-made HMMWV armoured fighting vehicle, two pickup trucks, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm Giatsint-B howitzer, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. One Plastun electronic reconnaissance system and one field ammunition depot were destroyed. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 14th, 67th, 115th mechanised brigades, 3rd Assault Brigade, 110th, and 125th territorial defence brigades near Sinkovka, Tabayevka (Kharkov region), Makeyevka (Lugansk People's Republic), Krasny Liman, and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 500 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pickup trucks, one 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 howitzer. Moreover, one Croatian-made RAK SA-12 MLRS combat vehicle, one Bukovel-AD electronic warfare system, one Anklav electronic warfare system, and two field ammunition depots were destroyed. As a result of active actions, units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 24th, 28th, 32nd, and 54th mechanised brigades, and 79th Air Assault Brigade near Verkhnekamenskoye, Belaya Gora, Chasov Yar, Aleksandro-Shultino, Seversk, and Katerinovka (Donetsk People's Republic). One counter-attack launched by a unit of the AFU 5th Assault Brigade was repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 650 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, three U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzers, two U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzers, two 152-mm D-20 howitzers, and two U.S.-made 105-mm M119 howitzers. Three AFU field ammunition depots were destroyed. As a result of active actions, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Leninskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and improved the tactical situation. Losses were inflicted on formations of the AFU 31st, 32nd, 47th mechanised brigades, 1st Tank Brigade, and 68th Infantry Brigade near Toretsk, Zhelannoye, Vozdvizhenka, Sergeyevka, Grodovka, Nikolayevka, and Novgorodskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Six counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 53rd, 100th, 110th, 151st mechanised brigades, 142nd Infantry Brigade, and 95th Air Assault Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 315 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 72nd, 116th mechanised brigades, and 58th Infantry Brigade near Vodyanoye, Storozhevoye, Makarovka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Gulayipole (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to more than 125 Ukrainian troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, seven motor vehicles, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, and one U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the AFU 141st Infantry Brigade, 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, and 35th Marine Brigade near Novodanilovka, Lobkovoye, Kamenskoye (Zaporozhye region), Tyaginka (Kherson region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 90 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, one Anklav-N electronic warfare system, and four field ammunition depots. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces destroyed one Mars-L radar system, as well as engaged AFU manpower and hardware clusters in 137 areas. Air defence units shot down seven U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, one U.S.-made Patriot SAM system missile, and 45 unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, 631 airplanes and 278 helicopters, 28,692 unmanned aerial vehicles, 556 air defence missile systems, 16,725 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,393 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 12,567 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 24,201 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 COVID-19 epidemic phase to pass mid-August: CDC ROC Central News Agency 07/30/2024 08:01 PM Taipei, July 30 (CNA) Although Taiwan is still in a COVID-19 epidemic phase, it is expected to pass by mid-August, said the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at a press conference in Taipei on Tuesday. A total of 584 new domestic COVID-19 cases with severe complications were recorded between July 23-29, down from the previous week's 773. The number of deaths from COVID-19 also fell from 124 recorded the previous week to 90, the CDC said. CDC Deputy Director-General Lo Yi-chun (caez) said the number of patients seeking medical attention relating to COVID-19 last week was 56,000, 37 percent less than the previous week and the third consecutive week the number has fallen. As the the number may have been kept artificially low by Typhoon Gaemi which brought heavy rain and wind across Taiwan, preventing people from seeing a doctor, there could be a slight increase this week now the typhoon has left, Lo said. However, the typhoon also resulted in cancellations of large gatherings, in effect inhibiting transmission for two to three days, which is favorable for control of the disease. Therefore, Lo said he is optimistic the pandemic will continue to decline. Regarding the global pandemic, positivity rates continue to rise around the world, including in Europe, the Americas and the Western Pacific, said a CDC news statement released the same day. As the summer vacation is the peak season for travel, the CDC reminded the public to remain vigilant, get an XBB vaccine jab, and continue good personal hygiene habits such as washing one's hands and wearing a mask when entering crowded places with poor air circulation. (By Tseng Yi-ning and Wu Kuan-hsien) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Choppers gives bombardier a lift By Lieutenant Chloe Reay 30 July 2024 Just outside of Kota Belud in Sabah, Malaysia, three nations gather under the banner of Exercise Keris Strike 2024. Sitting on the local airfield, in a constant search for shade, personnel from the Australian, United States and Malaysian Armies await the beginning of a one-week field training exercise. In the distance, a low rumble echoes against the backdrop of the Malaysian countryside. Within seconds, the sound of their blades slicing through the air grows as two Black Hawks and two Chinooks, from the US Army Reserve, come into view. As they approach, Australian Army soldier Bombardier Louis Marcic guides them in while simultaneously preparing troops for their departure to the operating area of the exercise. As a joint fires observer from the 103rd Battery, 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery in Darwin, Bombardier Marcic was selected as one of two pick-up zone (PZ) controllers for the exercise. Working alongside Captain Jake Cohen from the US Army, Bombardier Marcic coordinated the lift of more than 400 ground elements of the combined forces. "A PZ controller is the direct link between the aircraft and the ground-based elements," Bombardier Marcic said. "They coordinate the safety and suitability of the pick-up zone, the marking and cordoning of the area, the communications with the aircraft and the movement of the ground troops from the staging area to the aircraft." The job, however, came as a bit of a surprise to him. Three days before, Bombardier Marcic was pulled into the operations and planning room with senior officers from all three nations to be told he would oversee four American aircraft for several days. Bombardier Marcic felt everyone benefited from the joint experience through sharing knowledge and expertise. "I found working with both Malaysians and Americans an amazing experience," he said. "The American aircraft crews from the 7-158th General Support Aviation Battalion have a wealth of knowledge and experience that was passed onto the Malaysians and Australians when in-filling and ex-filling aircraft. "The Malaysian soldiers and officers from the 7th Royal Malaysian Regiment were always the first ones into the fight and the last ones out; their ability to manoeuvre within the natural terrain gave them the upper hand in every engagement. "What was expected to take five hours to achieve was completed in three thanks to our shared ability to communicate with the aircraft and simultaneously load all four aircraft at once." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Belarus Ready to Consider Berlin's Requests Regarding Krieger - President's Office Sputnik News 20240730 MINSK (Sputnik) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's spokeswoman, Natalya Eismont, told Sputnik on Tuesday that Minsk was ready to consider Germany's requests regarding German national Rico Krieger, but it seems like Berlin does not care about his fate. The Pul Pervogo Telegram channel reported earlier on Tuesday that Krieger had appealed to Lukashenko for clemency. Belarusian news agency Belta reported later, citing Lukashenko's press office, that the Belarusian leader decided to pardon Krieger. "I can say one thing at this point: the German leadership so far does not seem to care at all about the fate of their citizen. It seems that they do not need this person. There will be requests, calls - we will consider [them]," Eismont said when asked whether the decision of the Belarusian president to pardon Krieger would be followed by life imprisonment or, possibly, extradition to Germany. In late June, the Minsk regional court found Krieger guilty of committing an explosion in order to influence decision-making by authorities, intimidate the population, and destabilize public order. He was also found guilty of cooperating with the special services of a foreign state, involving the commission of actions deliberately aimed at harming the national security of Belarus. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China-Tanzania joint military drill kicks off, 'reflects Chinese continental power projection capabilities' Global Times By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Jul 30, 2024 09:14 PM China and Tanzania have launched a joint counter-terrorism exercise in Tanzania, with experts saying on Tuesday that the drill, featuring a large number of Chinese troops, heavy equipment and large warships, reflected the continental power projection capabilities of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to ensure peace and stability around the world. The Peace Unity-2024 joint exercise kicked off at the comprehensive training center in Mapinga on Monday with an opening ceremony, the PLA Daily reported on Tuesday. Under the subject of joint counter-terrorism military operations, the exercise features a land phase and a sea phase, the PLA Daily said. The land phase will comprise joint combat planning, infiltration and reconnaissance, stealth assault and rescue, as well as decapitation and arresting, while the sea phase will comprise joint main gun shooting, search and rescue, as well as anti-terrorism and anti-piracy missions. The sea phase is scheduled to last until August 5, and the land phase until August 11, the report said. China Central Television (CCTV) reported previously that China organized a multidimensional cross-border transport operation to send troops to Tanzania via air and sea, with the PLA Navy having sent two Type 071 comprehensive landing ships, the Wuzhishan and Qilianshan, and a Type 052D guided missile destroyer, the Hefei, and the PLA Air Force having sent Y-20 strategic transport aircraft. This marks the first time the PLA has sent whole units to an exercise in Africa with Y-20 strategic transport aircraft, showing the PLA's long-distance airlift capabilities, Zhang Xuefeng, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday. It is also the first time the PLA has sent Type 071 comprehensive landing ships to a drill in Africa, Zhang said, noting that the large vessel can not only carry troops but also heavy equipment. After the opening ceremony, the Chinese side held an equipment display session and shared 23 typical Chinese weapons in seven categories with the Tanzanian side, the PLA Daily reported. In addition to light arms, multiple types of infantry fighting vehicles, assault vehicles, command vehicles, communications vehicles, explosive ordnance disposal vehicles and drones were displayed, according to a CCTV report on Tuesday. Experts said that the PLA sent personnel mostly via transport aircraft, which are fast and comfortable. The PLA also sent heavy equipment on ships, which are slower but can carry more. This combination of multidimensional delivery is a typical long-range power projection approach of a major country. The exercise, focusing on anti-terrorism, will contribute to peace and stability in the region, another Chinese expert, who requested anonymity, told the Global Times on Tuesday. The expert also highlighted the China-Tanzania military relations and pragmatic cooperation. In September 2023, the two countries held Transcend-2023 Marine Corps joint training in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, while the comprehensive training center in Mapinga that is hosting the ongoing Peace Unity-2024 joint exercise is built under Chinese assistance, according to media reports and official announcements. According to an announcement by the Chinese Defense Ministry, Mozambique will also participate in the Peace Unity-2024 joint exercise. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China trains politically correct Protestant pastors Beijing sees Christianity as a dangerous foreign import and is stepping up control over churches. By Kitty Wang for RFA Mandarin 2024.07.30 -- China has been putting Protestant pastors through intensive training sessions intended to deliver "strict governance" of churches along patriotic and politically correct lines, according to an official church website. Senior pastors from 100 major churches across China attended the training event in the southern city of Guangzhou on "deepening the sinicization" of church practices earlier this month, the official website The Protestant Church in China reported. The July 8-12 seminar was part of the "sinicization" of religion program under ruling Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping that ushered in a nationwide crackdown on Muslim, Christian and Tibetan Buddhist religious activities and venues since 2017. Under the program, churches have had crosses removed and portraits of Xi installed, while mosques have lost their domes and minarets, and been remodeled in a style that appears more Chinese. The Communist Party now requires all religious believers to love their country as well as their religion, and claims that patriotism is a part of those religions. The training program for pastors was run by the party's outreach and influence arm, the United Front Work Department, the Protestant Church in China website said. "The head pastors of major churches in various places ... said that strict governance of religion should be implemented throughout church governance and pastoral care of believers," the report said. "Strict governance of religion is an important guarantee for creating a more clean and upright social image for Christianity." Li Jiahang, a former Chinese house church pastor now living in the United States who used a pseudonym for fear of reprisals, said the training program comes after Xi called at a Dec. 3-4 religious affairs work conference for religious organizations to "strengthen self-education, self-management, and self-restraint, comprehensively and strictly govern religion, and take the lead in abiding by laws and regulations." "The purpose of this policy is to transform the whole of religious practice so that all religions are obedient [to Beijing]," Li said. "Politics has to have the upper hand, while religion must serve politics," he said. Xi's tenet: Party control John Lin, a Christian house church preacher who fled China to the United States last year and who uses a pseudonym for security reasons, said the "strict governance of religion" is an extension of Xi's tenet that the party should control every aspect of people's daily lives. "The fundamental issue of strict governance of religion is whether you are governing religion strictly according to the principles of the Bible or according to the principles of Xi Jinping and the principles of the Chinese Communist Party," Lin said. "Governing religion strictly according to the principles of the Chinese Communist Party inevitably leads to the so-called sinicization of Christianity," he said. Lin said the Chinese Communist Party sees Christianity as a foreign import and a tool of Western colonial power. "The point of decolonization is to cut off the connection between the church in China and the church in Western countries, the global church community," he said. "Because if people are connected to the universal church, they could lean towards some of the universal values," he said, in a reference to freedom, democracy and human rights. Guo Baosheng, a political commentator and pastor living in the United States and a former Chinese house church preacher,said the sinicization movement is part of Xi's vision of the "Chinese Dream," and he has been implementing it since taking power in 2012. He said it began with the forcible removal of crosses and the remodeling of churches to look like Chinese temples, and the installation of surveillance cameras in churches. The Guangzhou training course is part of the next phase, which means the sinicization of people's thinking, Guo said, giving China's territorial claim on democratic Taiwan as an example. "It means that the content of your sermons must be in line with Xi Jinping Thought," he said. "That may mean that the idea that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China should be included ... in church sermons." "Another thing is the personal worship of Xi Jinping, which could turn into something like the Russian Orthodox Church's veneration of Putin or the worship of Hitler in Nazi Germany," Guo said. Further tightening He said he expects to see a further tightening of party control over the day-to-day running of Chinese churches, including their finances. "They could even set up party branches in the larger churches," he said. John Lin agreed. "The purpose is to make Christianity adapt to socialism and become more communist," he said. "If they want to strengthen control over the country, then controlling religion is an important part of that." The Chinese Communist Party, which embraces atheism, exercises tight controls over any form of religious practice among its citizens. Churches are allowed to function if they are part of the government-backed Three-Self Patriotic Association. The three "selfs" refer to self-governance, self-support and self-propagation - essentially rejecting any foreign influence - and the "patriotic" refers to loyalty to the Chinese government. State security police and religious affairs bureau officials frequently raid unofficial "house churches," although member churches have also been targeted at times. China is home to an estimated 68 million Protestants, of whom 23 million worship in state-affiliated "Three-Self" churches, and some 9 million Catholics, the majority of whom are in state-sponsored organizations. The authorities last year rolled out a database of approved religious leaders in a nationwide clampdown on who gets to practice religion, and how. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. 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 North Korea's Kim preparing daughter as next leader: Seoul But South Korea has not ruled out the possibility of another sibling emerging as an alternative. By Taejun Kang for RFA and Kim Soyoung for RFA Korean 2024.07.30 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is preparing his daughter to succeed him, though the selection is not final, according to South Korean lawmakers briefed by their main spy agency. Kim Ju Ae, whose age has not been publicly confirmed, has been seen with her father at various events, triggering speculation she has been chosen as the fourth generation of the Kim family to lead the nation. She is believed to be between 10 and 12 years old. North Korea has put forward Ju Ae as a strong candidate to succeed her father by adjusting the frequency of her public appearances to gauge public sentiment, said Lee Seong-kweun of South Korea's ruling People Power Party and Park Sun-won of the main opposition Democratic Party, citing the National Intelligence Service, or NIS. "Pyongyang is teaching Kim Ju Ae to be heir apparent, indicating she's the most likely successor," Lee told reporters on Monday. More than half of her public appearances with her father were related to military activity, such as overseeing exercises, the NIS added. Ju Ae was referred to as a "great person of guidance," or "hyangdo" in Korean, by the North's state media in March, a term typically reserved for top leaders and their successors. "Considering the word 'hyangdo' was used, which is only reserved for a leader or successor, the NIS is assessing the succession plan is in shape to some extent," the Democratic Party's Park told reporters. However, the spy agency has not ruled out the possibility that another sibling could emerge as an potential alternative in the succession plan, Park added, given North Korea had not made an official succession announcement. Kim in poor health? First introduced to the world in 2022, Ju Ae was once thought to be her father's second child. It is believed Kim and his wife Ri Sol Ju have three children - two daughters and a son - although their existence has never been officially confirmed by the North. Meanwhile, the NIS was quoted as saying that Kim appears to have health issues, weighing 140 kg and at high risk of heart disease, likely due to stress, smoking and drinking. Kim is believed to have shown symptoms of high blood pressure and diabetes since his early 30s, according to the spy agency. The NIS also said there are signs that Kim is looking for alternative medicinal substances, leading to speculation he could have conditions that are difficult to deal with using his current medicine. Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, emerged from the throes of World War II to become the state founder and his father, Kim Jong Il, ruled until his death in 2011. Kim Yo Jong as regent? Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow at the Washington-based Heritage Foundation, told RFA Korean that he was skeptical about the Kim Ju Ae as successor theory. He said in both of North Korea's previous power transitions, both Kim Jong Un and his father Kim Jong Il were presented to the public as military strategists superior to the country's generals, whereas Kim Ju Ae is still seen as a child. Klingner said that should something happen to Kim Jong Un, there is a higher possibility that his sister Kim Yo Jong, herself a high-ranking government official, would be designated as the successor or take on a proxy role as Kim Ju Ae's regent. At the same time, he predicted that in order to solidify Kim Ju Ae as a successor, propaganda activities would begin to show her off. Harry Kazianis, a senior director of the U.S. Center for the National Interest, told RFA that he expects Kim Ju Ae to be the next leader to succeed General Secretary Kim, but that she will need to be in her mid-20s or later to gain sufficient education and experience. He also said that Kim Yo Jong would likely serve as regent for her niece if necessary, but also pointed out that there is the possibility of causing chaos within North Korea by not relinquishing power. Edited by Mike Firn and Eugene Whong. Update adds comments from U.S.-based experts. Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address iDEX & AFMS sign MoU for developing cutting-edge technologies to deal with medical challenges faced by the Armed Forces India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 30 JUL 2024 4:52PM by PIB Delhi Innovations for Defence Excellence-Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO), the flagship initiative of Ministry of Defence, has signed an MoU with Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) for the launch of Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA). The MoU was signed by Additional Secretary (Defence Production) & CEO, DIO Shri Anurag Bajpai, and Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services Lt Gen Daljit Singh in New Delhi on July 30, 2024. The MoU aims to foster innovation and research in developing novel medical technologies and their induction into the Armed Forces. The initiative will be propelled by the launch of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC) edition MIRA, targeting the critical medical challenges faced by the Armed Forces. It will leverage the unique strengths and expertise of both organisations to foster cutting-edge advancements in medical technologies. The Additional Secretary (Defence Production) & CEO, DIO termed the partnership with AFMS as a testament to the Ministry's commitment to fostering innovation in every aspect of defence and security. "Together, we will work towards creating a robust healthcare ecosystem that not only meets the current needs of the Armed Forces but also anticipates future challenges," he said. The DG, AFMS stated that the collaboration with DIO marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to provide the highest quality of medical care and induct new cutting-edge medical technologies. "By harnessing the innovative capabilities through iDEX, we are poised to make substantial advancements in medical science and technology," he said. About iDEX iDEX, the recipient of the esteemed Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration in Innovation Category in 2021, has emerged as a game-changer in the defence ecosystem. Established by the DIO under Department of Defence Production, iDEX has launched 11 editions of DISC, and recently unveiled the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies. In a brief period, iDEX has successfully gained momentum, fostering a burgeoning community of start-ups within the defence sector. It is currently engaged with over 400 start-ups and MSMEs. Till now, procurement of 37 items, worth over Rs 2,000 crore, has been cleared. iDEX has facilitated the creation of numerous job opportunities and played a pivotal role in the development of the defence ecosystem. *** SR/Savvy (Release ID: 2039097) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ICG launches 'Suvidha Software Version 1.0' to enhance training protocols & ensure consistency across its platforms India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 30 JUL 2024 3:03PM by PIB Delhi Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched 'Suvidha Software Version 1.0' during its maiden 'Annual Operational Sea Training Conference' at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on July 30, 2024. This software is a cutting-edge tool designed to enhance training protocols and ensure consistency across all ICG platforms. Deputy Director General (Sea Training) Inspector General Anupam Rai delivered the keynote address on the occasion. He emphasised the importance of fostering a culture of excellence and adaptability within the ICG. The conference saw active participation from senior officers from various ICG regions, underlining the need for a unified approach to complex operations. It provided a valuable platform for discussing best practices, sharing insights, and aligning strategies to address the dynamic maritime security landscape. The event underscores the ICG's commitment to excellence and innovation in operational training. **** SR/KB (Release ID: 2038972) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pezeshkian: Ill-wishers seeking to create discord between Iran, Saudi Arabia IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 30, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that enemies and ill-wishers of Iran and Saudi Arabia are seeking to create discord between the two countries, adding that Tehran and Riyadh should foil such plots through vigilance and unity. Pezeshkian made the comment on Tuesday during a meeting with Mansour bin Mutaib bin Abdulaziz, the special envoy of the Saudi king, who took part in the Iranian president's inauguration earlier in the day. The Saudi envoy said on his part that the kingdom's leaders are interested in developing ties with Iran, and they believe that the China-brokered agreement that restored Tehran-Riyadh relations protects both regional and global interests. Pezeshkian meets Egyptian FM The Iranian president also held a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati who attended his inauguration earlier on Tuesday. Pezeshkian said that the two countries can cooperate with each other to help resolve regional problems. Abdel Ati conveyed warm greetings of the Egyptian president to Pezeshkian, saying that normalization of ties between the two countries is going ahead, and expressed hope that the sides can begin their cooperation as soon as possible. Iran, Egypt FMs discuss ties Separately, Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani held talks with Abdel Ati and discussed regional and international issues. Referring to the sensitivity of the regional situation in the face of ongoing crimes by the Zionist regime against the defenseless Palestinians in Gaza, Bagheri Kani stressed the need for consultation and cooperation between major Islamic countries, especially Iran and Egypt, to deal with challenges and threats. He welcomed and appreciated Abdel Ati's visit to Tehran and wished him success in his new responsibility as Egypt's new Minister of Foreign Affairs. Bagheri Kani also hailed Egypt for its respect and the presence of two Egyptian foreign ministers in Tehran during the past two months to participate in two different events, including the funeral ceremony of martyred Iranian president and foreign minister "We know about Egypt's serious will and valuable effort to follow the process in developing relations between the two countries", he said, adding that friendly relations with Egypt are in line with the neighborhood policy and its consolidation, and this policy will not change with the change of governments. The top Egyptian diplomat also expressed his satisfaction with his trip to Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president, and expressed his condolences for the loss former President and Foreign Minister. Abdel Ati made his current trip to Tehran on the order of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. He described it as a sign of Egypt's special efforts and determination to pursue the promotion and deepening of relations between Cairo and Tehran in line with the interests of the two countries and civilized nations. 4194**4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pezeshkian vows balanced foreign ties to pursue regional, global peace IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 30, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed optimism about the future, promising that his administration will protect national interests and pursue regional and global peace through creating balance in the country's foreign relations. Pezeshkian made the remark in a message to the Iranian people on Tuesday, the same day he took the oath of office as the 9th president of the Islamic Republic. He said in his message that although the current situation is complicated and people are facing livelihood problems, he remains optimistic about the future and resolving the existing challenges through relying on domestic capabilities. The president also said that the youth, women and girls and all those from different ethnic groups should assist in resolving the country's problems. To achieve the set goals, the president said, all government institutions, the Judiciary and Parliament in particular, should provide their support and cooperate as well. Pezeshkian also said that his administration wants the West Asia region to be strong, where all countries take joint steps to achieve economic development and prosperity. "We want tranquility in the region and the world", the Iranian president said, calling for joint efforts to alleviate people's concerns. He invited Western countries to establish ties based on mutual respect, and proposed dialog with "the countries that have not understood the position of Iran". Pezeshkian also said that it is an inalienable right of Iran to have normalized economic relations with other countries, adding that he will make every effort to lift the existing cruel sanctions against the Islamic Republic. "My administration will never give in to bullying and double standards. Iran has always remained at the right side of history." In a separate message on X, the Iranian president said that he advocated national reconciliation and interaction with the world. He said that all those who have been marginalized should be given the chance to assist in resolving the country's problems. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pezeshkian: 14th Iranian gov. prioritizes boosting ties with neighbors IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 30, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tehran stressed that the new Iranian government prioritizes strengthening relations with the neighboring countries. Pezeshkian met and held talks with Kobakhidze, who is visiting Tehran to participate in the 14th presidential inauguration ceremony at the parliament on Tuesday. The Iranian President emphasized that bolstering ties with neighboring countries and the region is a priority of the foreign policy for the Islamic Republic of Iran and its 14th government. Considering the development of the relations between the two countries as a win-win gain, not only for Tehran and Tbilisi but for the entire region, Pezeshkian highlighted Iran's commitment, akin to Georgia's, to harnessing their potential to strengthen bilateral relations, aiming for the prosperity and progress of both peoples. Meanwhile, Kobakhidze extended congratulations once again to Pezeshkian on his victory in Iran's elections, saying that Tbilisi is committed to deepening and strengthening ties with Tehran. He added that Iran holds an important and constructive position in the region and expressed his pleasure over the prevailing friendly atmosphere in the bilateral relations between the two nations. The Georgian premier observed that the relations between Iran and Georgia are progressing across various sectors, with daily improvements in people-to-people interactions and cooperation within the private sectors of both countries. 3266**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pezeshkian: Iran attaches importance to completion of North-South corridor IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 30, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is of prime importance to the Islamic Republic. Pezeshkian made the remarks in a meeting with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Tehran on Tuesday. The high-ranking Armenian diplomat is in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iran's new president this afternoon. Pezeshkian said that Iran considers connecting routes, including the INSTC, as an opportunity for the development and progress of all countries in the region. He emphasized that the completion of projects in this sector will be one of the new administration's priorities. He described the relations between the two countries as historical, friendly, and based on good neighborliness. He added that with the commitment of high-ranking officials from both countries in the new term, Iran will strive to further bolster ties as much as possible. For his part, the Armenian premier called the diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic strategic and deeply rooted. 7129**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's new president calls for more unity among Islamic nations against Israel IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 30, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian appreciated Malaysia's positions on the Palestinian issue and underlined the need for more unity among Islamic countries against the Zionist regime. Speaking in a meeting with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia Tan Sri Dato' Johari bin Abdul, Pezeshkian described the relations between Iran and Malaysia as friendly and fraternal. "We intend to strengthen relations and pave the way for the implementation of the desired goals for the benefit of the two countries by drawing the future perspective of the relations," he said. He emphasized that Tehran is interested in strengthening relations with Kuala Lumpur in commercial, economic, political, and science and technology sectors based on cultural and religious commonalities between the two nations. Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian president deplored the regrettable events in Gaza and described them as a clear example of genocide by the Zionist apartheid regime. He also appreciated Malaysia's firm stance in supporting the oppressed people of Palestine and called for greater unity and coherence within the Islamic Ummah to prevent these crimes. Meanwhile, Johari bin Abdul termed the relations between the two countries as historical and based on religious and cultural commonalities. He also stressed that Malaysia is interested in developing relations for the benefit of the two countries and the Islamic Ummah. Highlighting Iran's important role as the axis of stability and security in the region, he said: "Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran is a reliable support for the Islamic world." Referring to Malaysia's presidency of ASEAN in the coming year, he said the ASEAN member states are interested in developing relations with Iran and called for the expansion of interactions with Iran. 9376**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, The Gambia resume ties after nearly 14 years People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 16:57, July 30, 2024 TEHRAN, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Iran and The Gambia resumed their diplomatic ties on Monday almost 14 years after the latter cut them. According to a joint statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the decision was made in a meeting between Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani and Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara in the Iranian capital Tehran, in line with the interests of both countries. The Gambian Foreign Minister has traveled to Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, which is scheduled for Tuesday. According to the statement, the two governments agreed to expand bilateral cooperation covering the political, economic, investment, trade and cultural spheres. The statement added that the two countries' embassies in Senegal's capital Dakar agreed to serve as diplomatic contact points to help resume official diplomacy. The Gambia cut diplomatic and economic relations with Iran in November 2010 and ordered all Iranian representatives to leave within 48 hours. The Gambia cited no reason for cutting ties with Iran. Tehran, however, attributed the action to pressure from the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign dignitaries meet with Pezeshkian on sidelines of swearing-in ceremony Iran Press TV Tuesday, 30 July 2024 1:51 PM A number of foreign dignitaries who have traveled to Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have met and held talks with the new president. In a meeting on the sidelines of his swearing-in ceremony in the capital Tehran on Tuesday, Pezeshkian told visiting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that strengthening and developing relations with the neighboring countries is the priority of Iran's foreign policy. He also hailed the relations between Tehran and Yerevan as "long-standing, historical, friendly, and based on good neighborliness," noting that with the commitment of high-ranking officials from both countries in the new term, Iran will try to further strengthen bilateral relations. Pezeshkian said the friendly and amicable cooperation between the two countries are "a suitable platform for the development of communications routes in various commercial and economic, cultural, scientific and technological sectors." The Iranian president also stated that Iran considers connecting routes, including the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), as an opportunity for the development and progress of all countries in the region, adding that the completion of projects in this sector will be one of the new administration's priorities. Pashinyan, for his part, said his country attaches great importance to its relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, describing the diplomatic relations between the two countries as "strategic" and "deeply-rooted". He also noted that Armenia is interested in developing and expanding relations with Iran in all areas, stressing that signing different memoranda of understanding between Tehran and Yerevan in various fields bear testimony to the amicable relations between the two countries. In a meeting with visiting Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Pezeshkian described the development of relations between the two countries as only as "a win-win gain", both for Tehran and Tbilisi as well as the entire region Iran, he said, like Georgia is determined to employ the potential to expand bilateral ties in line with the well-being and development of the two nations, while emphasizing that the new Iranian government prioritizes bolstering ties with neighboring countries. Kobakhidze, for his part, once again congratulated Pezeshkian on his victory in Iran's elections, saying that Tbilisi is committed to deepening and strengthening ties with Tehran. He also noted that Iran holds "an important and constructive role" in the region, expressing pleasure that "a friendly atmosphere prevails in the relations between the two countries." Pezeshkian also met with Ashimbayev Maulen Sagathanuly, chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan., saying the bilateral relations are based on ancient interactions and cultural commonalities. He said even today, political borders have not limited the cultural and historical connections of the two countries, stressing that establishing a regional union will result in the point that cooperation between countries be more prominent. Ashimbayev, for his part, voiced his country's readiness and interest in expanding relations with Iran in various fields, stressing that Kazakhstan considers the Islamic Republic as a "strategic partner". Meanwhile, in a meeting with the visiting Malaysian Parliament speaker Johari Abdul, Pezeshkian vowed to strengthen the friendly relations between Tehran and Kuala Lumpur. He also stressed the need for more unity among Muslim countries in order to prevent the crimes of the Israeli regime, while appreciating Malaysia's positions on Palestine. Pezeshkian also held a meeting with his Tajikistani counterpart Emomali Rahmon. Pezeshkian, 69, was sworn in as Iran's president in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon. Presidents, vice-presidents, deputy ministers, Parliament speakers, ambassadors, and some 600 domestic and foreign journalists will join the ceremony. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pezeshkian takes oath of office before Parliament as Iran's 9th president Iran Press TV Tuesday, 30 July 2024 1:14 PM Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian takes the oath of office before Parliament , with dignitaries from more than 80 countries attending the inauguration ceremony. Before the Holy Quran, Pezeshkian swore to safeguard the official religion of the country, Islam, the Islamic Republic and the Constitution. "As president, in the presence of the Holy Quran and before the Iranian nation, I swear to Almighty God that I will safeguard the official religion, the system of the Islamic Republic, and the Constitution of the country," he stated. "I will dedicate all my abilities and qualifications to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to me, and I will devote myself to serving the people and elevating the nation, promoting religion and ethics, supporting righteousness, and expanding justice," Pezeshkian added. As stipulated in Article 121 of the Iranian Constitution, the presidential oath must be administered in Parliament, where the president takes the oath of office in the presence of legislators and members of the Constitutional Council alongside the Judiciary chief. The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior Iranian politicians, military officials, and members of Parliament as well as dignitaries from 88 countries. Pezeshkian formally started his four-year term on Sunday when Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei endorsed him as president following his victory in the July 5 runoff election. Pezeshkian takes over from his predecessor, the late President Ebrahim Raisi, whose death in a May helicopter crash sparked the early election. After the inauguration, the president is required by law to submit the final list of his cabinet to Parliament for approval within two weeks. 'Unparalleled opportunity' for world In his first speech after taking the oath of office, Pezeshkian urged the world to seize "this unparalleled opportunity" to work with Iran in tackling both regional and global challenges. "The world needs to seize this unparalleled opportunity to address regional and international issues through the collaboration of a powerful, peace-seeking, and dignified Iran," he said. The president promised to uphold Iran's dignity and interests in the world, describing "dignity, wisdom, and expediency" as the three pillars of his foreign policy approach. He affirmed that constructive engagement with the world would be the cornerstone of his administration's foreign relations. "In our vision," Pezeshkian said, Iran "engages constructively and effectively in international relations while emphasizing religious democracy, social justice, legitimate freedoms, the preservation of human dignity and rights, and social and judicial security." The president promised to do his utmost to lift the Western sanctions. "I consider the normalization of Iran's economic and trade relations with the world to be Iran's legitimate right, and I will not rest until the unjust sanctions are lifted." Pezeshkian asserted that his government will never succumb to bullying, pressure, or double standards. "The experience of over two decades of negotiations with Iran should have made governments understand that we have been and will remain committed to our obligations," he said. Iran does "not respond to pressure and excessive demands." "Iran has always stood on the right side of history and humanity, and we will continue to stand on this path, which is based on our religious beliefs, cultural values, and Iranian civilization." Pezeshkian said that improving relations with neighboring countries would be a "priority" of his government. "Neighboring countries should not waste their valuable resources in tensions and protracted rivalries." "My government seeks a strong region where all neighboring countries can take joint steps towards economic development, progress, and the improvement of future generations' lives through synergy," he said. He further called for regional cooperation to create a region free from extremist influences, saying that radical voices should not drown out the voices of the nearly two billion peace-loving Muslims. "Islam is a religion of peace," he said. The Iranian president also wished for a world where Palestinians are liberated and that "no Palestinian child's dreams are buried under the rubble of their homes." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pezeshkian Sworn In As Iran's President, Faces Disenchantment Over Struggling Economy, Lack Of Freedoms By RFE/RL's Radio Farda July 30, 2024 Masud Pezeshkian was sworn in as Iran's new president in parliament on July 30 after he won a snap presidential election earlier this month and inherited an economy hammered by mismanagement and sanctions and a society that has shown it will take to the streets to demand basic freedoms. "I as the president, in front of the Holy Koran and the people of Iran, swear to almighty God to be the guardian of the official religion and the Islamic republic system and the constitution of the country," Pezeshkian said in the ceremony broadcast live on state TV. On July 28, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei formally endorsed Pezeshkian and instructed him to focus on cultivating relations with Iran's neighbors rather than Western states after the new president voiced openness to talking with the West. Moderate reformist Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old former heart surgeon, defeated ultraconservative hard-liner Saeed Jalili in a July 5 runoff with nearly 54 percent of the vote. Jalili received just over 44 percent. The snap election was called after the death of hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May. The first round of voting on June 28 had voter participation of 39 percent -- a record-low turnout for a presidential election in the history of the Islamic republic. Iran's theocracy, installed after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, has long maintained that it derives its legitimacy from strong popular support that translates into high voter turnout, but poor participation in recent elections and deadly antiestablishment protests have challenged the legitimacy of the current leadership. The runoff vote on July 5 saw turnout rise to around 49 percent. The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior officials from countries including Armenia, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, and Brazil. European Union envoy Enrique Mora also attended. Regional allies backed by Iran were also in Tehran, such as Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and the head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Ziyad al-Nakhalah. Both groups have been designated as terrorists by the United States and European Union. Lebanon's Hizballah and Yemen's Huthi rebels also sent representatives. Haniyeh and Nakhalah, whose groups have been fighting Israel in the Gaza Strip since Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, met with Khamenei and Pezeshkian. Since his election, Pezeshkian has reaffirmed support for the "axis of resistance," Iran's loose network of militant groups and proxies, against Israel and the United States. Khamenei, in his endorsement decree, described Pezeshkian as a "wise, honest, popular, and scholarly" individual. The United States has noted the result of the election but said that elections in Iran are neither free nor fair. "As a result, a significant number of Iranians chose not to participate at all," a U.S. State Department spokesman said in comments to RFE/RL's Radio Farda on July 7. "We have no expectation these elections will lead to fundamental change in Iran's direction or more respect for the human rights of its citizens. As the candidates themselves have said, Iranian policy is set by the supreme leader. "The election will not have a significant impact on [Washington's] approach to Iran either. Our concerns about Iran's behavior are unchanged. At the same time, we remain committed to diplomacy when it advances American interests," the spokesman said. The United States in 2018 withdrew from a 2015 landmark nuclear agreement between Tehran and world powers that eased international economic sanctions in exchange for limits to Tehran's nuclear program. Washington cited Tehran's violation of the spirit of the pact and support for extremists in the region -- charges Iran has denied -- and reimposed sanctions targeting Iran's economy and oil sector. Iran has since scaled back its own commitments and expanded its nuclear program. "We call on the Western countries to realize [the need] for building relations based on mutual respect and equality. We are ready to negotiate an easing of tensions with states that have not realized until now the place that Iran occupies [in the world]," Pezeshkian said. He also vowed to continue fighting against the sanctions imposed on Iran. "I think that this is Iran's unalienable right to have normal relations with the world and I will not bow down in the fight against tough sanctions," he said. With reporting by AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-new-president-pezeshkian- khamenei/33055959.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Announces New Sanctions On Tehran After Iranian President Sworn In By RFE/RL's Radio Farda July 30, 2024 The U.S. Treasury Department on July 30 announced sanctions on individuals and entities that have aided Iranian ballistic missile development and procurement through Tehran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics. The five individuals and seven entities are based in Iran, China, and Hong Kong. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said in a press release that those sanctioned have procured "various components, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, which serve as key inputs to Iran's ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program." The Treasury Department alleged that one of the sanctioned Iranian companies -- the Electro Optic Sairan Industries Company -- also contributed to the Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center's development of Shahed-series UAVs, which the Treasury said "are being used by Russian forces in Ukraine." The United States designated the Iranian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics in 2007, citing weapons of mass destruction and their delivery, according to the press release. The ministry is connected to Iran's ballistic missile program. "Iran's reckless proliferation of its ballistic missiles and UAVs risk further instability and endangers civilian lives," Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said. "The United States will continue to impose costs on those that facilitate Iran's ability to produce these deadly weapons." The announcement came on the same day as the swearing in of Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian, a moderate reformist and former heart surgeon who won a snap election following the death of hard-line president Ebrahim Raisi in May. While Pezeshkian is expected to be a more moderate Iranian president, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said "the supreme leader continues to call the shots" at a July 19 fireside chat. Blinken "resolutely" affirmed that, per U.S. policy, Iran must not be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and said the U.S. has been "maximizing pressure on Iran across the board," including through more than 600 sanctions on Iranian people and entities. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-sanctions-shahed-missiles- treasury-president-pezeshkian/33056722.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 Treasury Targets Iranian Missile and UAV Procurement Facilitators U.S. Department of the Treasury July 30, 2024 WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is targeting five individuals and seven entities based in Iran, the People's Republic of China (PRC), and Hong Kong that have facilitated procurements on behalf of subordinates of Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). Those designated today procure various components, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, which serve as key inputs to Iran's ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program. Iran's acquisition of critical missile and UAV components continues to enable its proliferation of weapons systems to its proxies in the Middle East and to Russia. "Iran's reckless proliferation of its ballistic missiles and UAVs risks further instability and endangers civilian lives, both in the region and around the world. Today's action exposes additional key front companies and trusted agents through which Iran has sought to acquire these components," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "The United States will continue to impose costs on those that facilitate Iran's ability to produce these deadly weapons." Today's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery. The U.S. Department of State designated MODAFL pursuant to E.O. 13382 on October 25, 2007 in connection with Iran's ballistic missile program. BEIJING SNTD PROCUREMENT NETWORK PRC-based Beijing Shiny Nights Technology Development Co., Ltd. (Beijing SNTD) is a MODAFL front company that has procured electronics and equipment on behalf of Iranian end users, including OFAC-designated MODAFL subsidiary Iran Electronic Industries (IEI). In June 2023, OFAC designated the PRC-based Beijing SNTD pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, MODAFL. Sayyed Ali Seraj Hashemi (Hashemi), an Iranian national, is an employee of Beijing SNTD based in Iran and the PRC. Hashemi has coordinated Beijing SNTD's efforts to procure goods including accelerometers and gyroscopes, which are key goods sought by Iran's ballistic missile program for guidance, navigation, and control purposes. Hashemi's work at Beijing SNTD has also entailed close coordination with the Iranian procurement agent Saeed Hamidi Javar (Javar). Iran-based Javar has facilitated efforts to procure missile-applicable accelerometers and gyroscopes for Beijing SNTD. Javar serves as managing director and chairman of the board of the Iran-based Buy Best Electronic Pars Company (BBEPC), an electronic component supplier with an additional location in the PRC. Javar has also overseen BBEPC's procurement for Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO). AIO, a key MODAFL subordinate that oversees Iran's ballistic missile programs, was included in the Annex to E.O. 13382 in July 2005. Hashemi is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Beijing SNTD. Javar is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Beijing SNTD. BBEPC is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, Javar. SAPA PROCUREMENT NETWORK Iran-based Electro Optic Sairan Industries Co (SAPA) is a subsidiary of IEI that has procured military equipment and developed technologies for MODAFL and has separately contributed to the OFAC-designated Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center's (SAIRC) development of Shahed-series UAVs, which are being used by Russian forces in Ukraine. In October 2023, OFAC designated SAPA pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, IEI. Iran-based Mohammad Abdollahi (Abdollahi) is a business manager and procurement official for SAPA who works closely with Hong Kong-based Thomas Ho Ming Tong (Tong) to procure optical components on behalf of SAPA. Tong liaises directly with Abdollahi to facilitate price quotes, place orders, and create invoices for optical components including optical gratings, reflecting beam expanders, and mounted lens arrays. Tong uses his Hong Kong and PRC-based companies Tas Technology Company Limited (Tas Technology), Cloud Element Company Limited (Cloud Element), and Btw International Limited (Btw International) to procure and arrange payment for components from SAPA. Hong Kong-based Bright Shore Inc Limited (Bright Shore) is a company for which Tong serves as a director. Abdollahi is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, SAPA. Tong, Tas Technology, Cloud Element, and Btw International are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, SAPA. Bright Shore is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Tong. AZMOON PAJOHAN HESGAR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Iran-based Azmoon Pajohan Hesgar Limited Liability Company (APH) is a test equipment manufacturer involved in the design of sensor and inertial navigation system tests. APH has coordinated the procurement of electronic components and missile applicable items, including gyroscopes, for MODAFL subordinate organizations including Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group (SBIG), an AIO subordinate organization that is responsible for Iran's solid-fueled ballistic missile program. The United States included SBIG alongside the AIO in the Annex to E.O. 13382 in July 2005. Iran-based Ezzatullah Ghasemian Sorbani (Ghasemian) is the managing director and chairman of the board of directors of APH and has facilitated APH's procurement for MODAFL subordinate organizations. APH is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, MODAFL. Ghasemian is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, APH. SHENZHEN RION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. PRC-based Shenzhen Rion Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen Rion) is a technology company that has provided, or attempted to provide, items in support of MODAFL front company Beijing SNTD. Shenzhen Rion specializes in inertial navigation and GPS-integrated navigation systems and promotes its products, including items with UAV applications, for purchase in Iran. In December 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce added Shenzhen Rion to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Entity List for its involvement in a network used to supply or attempt to supply Iran with U.S.-origin items that would ultimately provide material support to Iran's defense industries, in violation of U.S. export controls. Shenzhen Rion is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, MODAFL. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. In addition, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here. Click here for more information on the individuals and entities designated today. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 30, 2024 Release Readout of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Daniel Shapiro's Meeting with Yezidi Civil Society Leaders Pentagon spokesperson Tom Crosson provided the following readout: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy Daniel B. Shapiro met with Yezidi civil society leaders in the Pentagon on July 26 on the eve of the 10-year anniversary on August 3 of the genocide perpetrated by ISIS against the Yezidis as well as Christians, and Shia Muslims. ISIS committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing against these same groups, and in some cases against Sunni Muslims, Kurds, and other communities. Reflecting on the horrors endured by the victims of ISIS, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Shapiro, counterparts from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and from the Joint Staff, and Yezidi civil society leaders also discussed ongoing challenges faced by the Yezidi communities in Iraq and Syria, including ongoing insecurity in Sinjar. Between 2014 and 2017, ISIS displaced millions of Iraqis from their historic homelands, including the majority of Iraq's Yezidi population. In August 2014, the U.S. military played a key role in repelling ISIS assaults on displaced Yezidis stranded on Mount Sinjar and in delivering humanitarian relief. In the 10 years that followed, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, the military mission of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS with partners in Iraq and Syria, territorially defeated ISIS. The ISIS threat remains, and millions remain displaced in both countries, including 300,000 members of the Yezidi population. The United States Government has invested over $500 million specifically targeted toward the recovery of communities that were most affected by ISIS. This investment is on top of billions of dollars in assistance that was provided to help those who were most in need. On the eve of the 10-year anniversary of the genocide, the Department joins its partners in the United States Government in honoring the survivors, remembering those who died, and underscoring our commitment to supporting the ongoing recovery of the communities that suffered under ISIS, delivering accountability to those responsible for this tragedy, and ensuring that ISIS will not resurge. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3854931/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US and Japan urged to discard cold-war mentality and maintain regional peace: Chinese FM Global Times By Global Times Published: Jul 30, 2024 07:50 PM China urged the US and Japan to discard their cold-war mentality and effectively reduce the role of nuclear weapons in national and collective security policies, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told the Global Times on Tuesday, in response to recent talks between senior Japanese and US officials in Tokyo on concerns over the so-called China's continued rapid expansion of nuclear arsenal. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held 2+2 talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara on Sunday, according to a joint statement released by the Pentagon. Japanese and US defense chiefs and top diplomats met in Tokyo for talks on boosting military cooperation, including upgrading US forces command and reaffirming the US' commitment to "extended deterrence," according to a previous report. Lin said China follows a policy of "no first use" of nuclear weapons, pursues a nuclear strategy of self-defense, keeps its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security, and never engages in any forms of arms race. China has taken note of the relevant reports and expresses serious concern over recent developments, Lin said. For any country, as long as they do not use nuclear weapons against China, they will not feel threatened by China's nuclear weapons, Lin added. "Extended deterrence" is a product of the cold war. Enhanced cooperation between the US and Japan on nuclear deterrence will stimulate regional tensions and increase the risk of nuclear proliferation and conflict, Lin said. Lin added that Japan has long claimed to be a victim of nuclear attacks and has advocated the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free world, but in reality, it is enjoying the "nuclear umbrella" of the US, reinforcing "extended deterrence" and seeking the so-called nuclear containment power. It is necessary for the Japanese side to provide the world an explanation for its inconsistency in words and deeds. China also advises the US and Japan to take practical actions to promote strategic stability and maintain regional peace and security. Lin said that China urges the Japanese side to reflect on its strategic security policy, effectively fulfil its obligations as a non-nuclear-weapon country under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, to abide by its commitment to the three non-nuclear principles and to refrain from pursuing nuclear weapons in any form. In addition to the 2+2 talks and Japan-US ministerial meeting on extended deterrence, a Quad foreign ministers meeting was also held in Tokyo. Lin also said during the regular press conference on Tuesday that disregarding China's serious concerns, Japan and the US have directly interfered in China's internal affairs on issues related to the Taiwan question, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang, discredited and attacked China on sea-related issues, adopted a cold-war mentality, engaged in bloc politics and stirred up confrontation, thereby seriously undermined regional peace and stability while jeopardizing the security interests of other countries. China firmly opposes and has made solemn representations to the Japanese side through diplomatic channels, requesting the Japanese side take an objective and rational perception of China, stop engaging in political maneuvering on China's internal affairs, stop provoking trouble on sea-related issues, stop drawing in extra-territorial countries to create division and confrontation in the region, and follow the path of peaceful development in order to gain the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through practical actions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Landmine casualties becoming more common in western Myanmar's Rakhine state Recent attacks by the Arakan Army have prompted junta troops to plant more mines outside their camps. By RFA Burmese 2024.07.30 -- Landmines and unexploded ordnance are posing a greater threat to residents of western Myanmar's Rakhine state, where intense fighting has caused junta troops to lay more landmines near their outposts. Data collected by Radio Free Asia indicates that 11 civilians have been killed and 31 injured by landmines in Rakhine state between April 1 and July 25. Junta troops have been planting landmines to protect their camps, according to groups working to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines. However, ethnic minority rebels have been attacking junta outposts since last November, causing many junta troops to abandon the sites. That's when the leftover landmines become a danger to nearby residents, said Zaw Zaw Tun, director of the Action for Community Resilience Organization, which is based in Rakhine's capital, Sittwe. "Currently, people cannot avoid areas with landmine threats, which are increasingly impacting their daily lives," he said. The Arakan Army, or AA, has made significant gains against the military junta that seized power in a 2021 coup. It has captured 10 townships in Rakhine state and neighboring Chin state since late last year - part of a series of setbacks for the embattled junta. On July 13, the AA issued a warning advising against travel to areas near towns, roads, bridges and junta outposts in Rakhine state. Recently, there have been frequent landmine incidents in Gwa, Kyaukphyu, Mingba and Ponnagyun townships in Rakhine state. Forest areas One resident told RFA that although the junta warned civilians to avoid certain areas, local residents have had no choice but to go into forest areas to sustain their livelihoods. Another resident said junta troops have planted landmines in the areas surrounding Kyaukphyu. "Some farmers have lost their land in Kyaukphyu because of these landmines," he said. "The junta has planted more mines along forest routes near the villages. It is very dangerous for the local population." RFA was unable to contact the junta spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun and AA spokesman Khaing Thukha to ask about the recent landmine casualties. UNICEF reported earlier this year that civilian casualties from landmines and unexploded ordnance across Myanmar have significantly increased since the 2021 military coup. There were 1,214 explosions from landmines and unexploded ordnance between January 2021 and March 2024, resulting in 422 deaths and 1,643 injuries, according to UNICEF. In comparison, from 2015 to 2020, there were 786 explosions of landmines and unexploded ordnance from the conflict, resulting in 254 deaths and 954 injuries. Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Matt Reed. 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 Northern Myanmar cut off by state-wide communications blackout Families are growing increasingly concerned about not being able to contact relatives. By RFA Burmese 2024.07.30 -- Northern Myanmar is experiencing a communications blackout that has cut Kachin state's population off for 10 days, residents told Radio Free Asia on Tuesday, with telecoms providers promising to restore services but declining to say why they were down. Junta officials have at times shut down telecommunication links in different parts of the country since seizing power in a 2021 coup, usually in response to a security crisis, often leaving victims of violence isolated and unable to call for help. But residents who have left Kachin state said that while there has been fighting between the military and anti-junta insurgents over recent months, there did not seem to be a particular reason for the military to cut phone lines and mobile services in all 18 of the state's townships since July 21. The junta has not made an announcement about the blackout. Myo Swe, director of the junta's Ministry of Transport and Communications, blamed telecommunication operators for the failure but told Radio Free Asia he didn't know why the services were down. That is little comfort for families increasingly worried about being cut off from loved ones. "I don't know what's going on," said one woman in Myanmar's main city of Yangon who has family in the Kachin state capital of Myitkyina. "I still can't connect with my family ... I can't even wire money to them," said the woman, who declined to be identified for fear of reprisals. Junta-affiliated telecommunication operators that provide services in the region, Myanma Post and Telecommunications, known as MPT, and ATOM, both told RFA that they were working to restore services but did not give a reason for the blackout. Since Myanmar's coup, junta officials have introduced increasingly strict measures to crack down on dissent, such as prohibiting the use of virtual private networks, or VPNs, and decreasing broadband speed nationwide. As of July 22, the internet is inaccessible in 249 areas across the country due to direct military action, according to data collected by the Myanmar Internet Project, a civil society organization monitoring internet access. The Sagaing region has been the hardest hit by restrictions, followed by Kachin and Chin states. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Protesters and military in standoff in Pakistani city home to China-built port By Sarah Zaman July 30, 2024 The Pakistani city of Gwadar, home to a key Chinese-built deep seaport, is the scene of a tense stand-off between the military and Baloch protesters demonstrating against alleged human rights violations. Thousands of people led by the Baloch Unity Committee or BYC, an ethno-nationalistic rights movement, arrived in the southwestern city Saturday for a so-called Baloch National Gathering. They are demanding the recovery of victims of enforced disappearances and meaningful involvement in Chinese-funded projects in the resource-rich yet impoverished Balochistan province. In a statement Monday, the Pakistani military said one of its personnel was killed when a "violent mob in the garb of Baloch Raji Muchi [Baloch National Gathering] attacked security forces' personnel." Pakistani military controls security in Gwadar. The statement also said 16 other personnel were injured in "unprovoked assaults by violent protesters" and vowed, "those responsible will be brought to justice." In a video statement to media, BYC leader Mahrang Baloch said authorities have arrested nearly 1,000 protesters in the last three days in an effort to derail the protest movement. On Sunday, Baloch and other activists addressed the crowd of protesters in Gwadar that had gathered despite attempts by authorities to block them. The event received virtually no coverage in mainstream media. BYC later announced the protest would transform into a sit-in, vowing to remain until those prevented from coming to Gwadar to join the protest were given access and all the detained protesters were released. "Those who are trying to march, they are not letting them go. They are not letting them enter Gwadar," Sadia Baloch, a unity committee member not related to Mahrang Baloch, told VOA Monday from the provincial capital Quetta. Inaugurated in 2016, the seaport in Gwadar is the flagship project of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Known by its acronym CPEC, the project is central to Beijing's global Belt and Road Initiative. "Gwadar is being called a game-changer for Pakistan and China, so it was important to tell them and the international media that this land belongs to us," Sadia Baloch said. "The crackdown shows Baloch are not allowed to enter Gwadar." According to BYC, at least one person has died and several were injured as authorities continue to crack down on protesters in Gwadar. At least 14 people were injured in the town of Mastung on Saturday as they attempted to move towards Gwadar. In many cities and towns, protesters blocked from moving forward also staged sit-ins. Speaking Monday on the floor of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti accused the demonstrators of engaging in anti-state propaganda and spoiling efforts to bring more Chinese investment. Bugti and BYC activists have said they are ready to negotiate. Authorities have suspended internet and cellular services in and around Gwadar since at least Friday, making it difficult for media to ascertain facts independently and to speak to local officials. Amnesty International urged Pakistani authorities Sunday to end the communication blackout. Late last year, BYC led a 1,600-kilometer march to Islamabad with families awaiting the return of their loved ones gone missing in the fight between the state and Baloch separatists. Protesters faced severe police action as they tried to enter the capital. Demonstrators, braving the cold for days, eventually left after authorities warned of an imminent security threat. As Pakistan deals with a resurgent wave of terrorism lead by Islamist militants and Baloch separatists, the state is struggling to ensure Chinese personnel and projects remain safe. On Monday, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi apprised Zhao Shiren, China's Consul General in Lahore, of security measures Islamabad is taking to protect Chinese nationals in the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nikolai Patrushev held a meeting on advancing the shipbuilding industry In Rybinsk, Yaroslavl Region, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev held a meeting on advancing the shipbuilding industry. July 29, 2024 18:00 Rybinsk The meeting was held upon an instruction issued by the President and attended by Head of the Presidential Directorate for National Maritime Policy Sergei Vakhrukov, Yaroslavl Region Governor Mikhail Yevrayev, and officials from the Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Rosmorrechflot, shipbuilding companies, design bureaus, and research and educational institutions. The participants noted that measures were being taken to create a new competitive domestic shipbuilding, including through upgrading and retrofitting existing shipbuilding and ship repair yards, improving the production process management quality, and increasing the utilisation ratio of the industry's main production assets as part of implementing the Strategy for Advancing the Shipbuilding Industry for the period to 2035. The participants emphasised that Russia had everything necessary for steady and lasting development of shipbuilding. Proposals have been drafted that are aimed at continued equipping of the industry enterprises with high-tech equipment, introducing innovative technology and the latest design methods, and forming a single information space based on standard unified software and hardware solutions. Measures to promote the shipbuilding industry's human resource development have been identified. The industry's need for additional workforce for the period to 2030 exceeds 60,000 employees. Emphasis was placed on the importance of improving coordination of the work of state bodies of authority, research community, the shipbuilding industry organisations, and other stakeholders. Special focus was placed on providing research and technical and personnel support for industrial enterprises in the Yaroslavl Region. On the same day, Nikolai Patrushev visited the shipyard "Vympel" where he familiarised himself with its operations and took part in a ceremony for launching Molniya missile boat. The Presidential Aide noted that the new high-speed boat will serve in the Navy. In addition, Mr Patrushev discussed the production development prospects with the management of Yaroslavl Shipyard, Nobel Brothers Shipyard, and Rybinsk Shipyard. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with Rostec State Corporation CEO Sergei Chemezov Sergei Chemezov presented to the President a report on the state corporation's performance in 2023 and its current activities. July 30, 2024 13:45 The Kremlin, Moscow President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Chemezov, I am listening. Rostec State Corporation CEO Sergei Chemezov: Good afternoon, Mr President. Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon. Sergei Chemezov: We have finalised the assessment of our enterprises' performance in 2023. As always, I would like to present our comprehensive annual report to you. Rostec continues to contribute to the achievement of national objectives, which include strengthening the security and defence capability of our country, as well as promoting its industrial independence. Let me share some statistics. First, consolidated corporate earnings have increased by almost 34 percent, reaching 2,840 billion. We hope to surpass the three-trillion mark by the end of this year, in 2024. Our net profits have also increased and amounted to 60,100 million. However, these profits remain relatively low considering our current earnings. This is primarily due to the large volume of state defence contracts we have. Regrettably, the current profitability of these state defence contracts is not very high, totalling about two percent. Additionally, military acceptance agencies do not cover all overhead expenses. Due to these factors, it is sometimes impossible to cover all the expenses incurred by our enterprises in fulfilling state defence contracts. Of course, we have not forgotten your instruction to increase the share of civilian goods, and we are actively working on this. Vladimir Putin: What is the current average share? Sergei Chemezov: Currently, we have achieved a 5.5 percent increase in the production of civilian goods in absolute terms. Their volume has reached almost one trillion rubles, or 993 billion, to be more exact. Vladimir Putin: When did you achieve this 5.5 percent increase, and for which period? Sergei Chemezov: In 2022. Vladimir Putin: What is the overall share at present? Sergei Chemezov: It is 993 billion in absolute terms. Vladimir Putin: No, if we consider the total as 100 percent, what is the share of civilian goods? Sergei Chemezov: Unfortunately, our relative figures have decreased. In 2022 and 2023, we achieved shares of 44.5 percent and 35 percent, respectively. I would like to reiterate that the absolute figures have increased, but the relative figures have declined. This indicates that the volume of state defence contracts has significantly increased, leading to a decrease in the share of civilian goods. Vladimir Putin: I see. Sergei Chemezov: The amount of investment in 2023 grew to 527 billion, which is a record compared to previous years. For example, investment amounted to only 292 billion in 2022. This means that today, we need to expand production and modernise the manufacturing of military equipment, arms, munitions, and so on. Therefore, the majority of the investment is spent on upgrading and expanding production capacities. The main focus of the report this year is Rostec as the country's pillar of strength. We have broken it down into four sub-topics. First, the protection of national sovereignty. As in previous years, Rostec traditionally shows a high percentage of state procurement order execution, around 99.5 percent. The order execution for some models that are particularly in demand for the special military operation is as high as 100 percent. We have not breached a single contract. Eighty percent of the equipment currently involved in the special military operation is produced by our industrial facilities. In 2023, we supplied our main customer, the Defence Ministry, with new serial aircraft, Sukhoi Su-34, Sukhoi Su-57, Sukhoi Su-35, Ilyushin IL-76, Yakovlev Yak-130, as well as Mil Mi-28 and Kamov Ka-52 helicopters, and T-90M Proryv tanks. This includes both new equipment and deeply modernised one. Compared to 2022, the volume of production and major upgrades for lightly-armoured vehicles has tripled, and for tanks, it has grown by 250 percent. We are producing nine times more tank ammunition and infantry fighting vehicles. Also compared to 2022, the output of self-propelled artillery guns grew tenfold in 2023, with equal growth for munitions. In 2023, several state-run facilities, specifically powder mills, were handed over to us. The situation there is rather complicated; therefore, it is necessary to conduct a complete overhaul, renovation and revamping. Enormous funds, amounting to tens of billions, have been allocated for this purpose. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has been a great help. He is in charge of construction, overseeing the entire process, and we are very grateful to him. In addition to defence production, our workers are actively involved in the repair of the equipment currently used in the zone of the special military operation, and sometimes even on the battlefield. Right now, we have 250 crews, or about 1,000 people, operating there. We have a tradition of highlighting several key products in our annual reports, including new models that have already proven their worth, as well as thoroughly upgraded hardware. They are all in step with the times and have the required capability to deal with the challenges we face today as far as military strategy is concerned. Let me offer you some examples. In 2023, Rostec delivered the first shipment of Malva self-propelled 152 mm artillery guns to the army. This is a cutting-edge mobile artillery system that can use all kinds of munitions and fire them automatically. There is also the Kub UAV, a high-precision strike system designed to eliminate remote targets on the ground. What are its advantages? It can take off, undetected, and is very precise when carrying out strikes. It is very quiet. There is also the ease of use, which is another advantage. We completed the project to develop this system in 2022, launched it into serial production and started delivering it to the troops in 2023. We are continuing to improve standard aircraft ammunition, such as the famous FAB-500 bombs. They have been adapted to work with guidance and glide kits and launched into production. In 2023, we started making the FAB-1500 and the FAB-3000 bombs once again. There was a time when we suspended their production, but we have now restored it. This year, in 2024, we adjusted them to operate with guidance and glide kits as well, and the troops on the frontline are already using the first shipments of these upgraded munitions. There is also the Superkam UAV, which is another cutting-edge device. It exists in a reconnaissance version and a kamikaze model. It took us just five months to launch these drones into production. For that, we created a manufacturing facility covering an area of over 30,000 square metres. It is now hard at work making these UAVs, which have been very effective in the special military operation zone. Healthcare is the second section in our annual report. As part of our effort to produce more civilian goods, we have gone to great lengths to make medical equipment. Today, our companies manufacture over 150 types of medical hardware for various domains, including cardiology, ophthalmology, gynaecology, as well as equipment for perinatal centres, etc. We view medical engineering as a strategic sector and plan to gain a bigger foothold in this market by adding more products to our lineup every year. Let me share with you some examples of the hardware we make. This is an assisted ventilation device for newborns. It is called Reanimon and is made by Shvabe, a Rostec-owned holding. This device is designed to offer respiratory treatment to newborns, and can also be used by emergency and intensive care units in maternities and perinatal centres. We have already registered it and received the corresponding paperwork, and are about to launch it into serial production. The MobiVent Oksi ventilator unit is the second example I wanted to share with you. This device is designed for treating hospital patients, both adults and children, who can breathe on their own. We are currently in the certification stage, and will launch serial production down the road. We have been delivering the previous generation of these devices, the Aventa ventilator units, to healthcare facilities. This hardware has proven its worth during Covid. We have made over 15,000 units of this kind and used them to treat 1.5 million patients. In addition to this, it is worth noting that apart from medical devices, we also manufacture pharmaceuticals. In particular, Microgen is part of Nacimbio, a Rostec-owned holding company. It is the only manufacturer of allergenic agents and allergoids in Russia - these are allergy treatments. The company's portfolio includes 64 diagnostic and treatment medications, with 36 of them used in subcutaneous allergen specific immunotherapy. For instance, they are used to treat allergies caused by birch pollen, ambrosine, household dust, as well as allergens contained in sagebrush and saltbush, which has special importance for certain regions. These allergen specific immunotherapies can be used as part of allergy treatment as well as to deal with acute allergic conditions. By injecting them subcutaneously, we can gradually increase their dosage in order to train the patient's immune system to develop a proper response. In 2023, we continued to supply vaccines as part of the national vaccination programme, and delivered over 106 million doses of medical products to the Russian regions under centralised government procurement orders. This list includes 18 vaccines against nine infectious diseases, such as tetanus, whooping cough, diphtheria, Hepatitis B, tuberculosis, measles, roseola, parotitis, and flu. We met all the targets under the 2023 vaccination programme, and shipments are proceeding as planned this year as well. Nacimbio uses domestic raw materials and relies on its own know-how, which means that it covers the entire technological cycle. Also in 2023, Microgen registered a Hepatitis B drug with the Healthcare Ministry. We called it Antigep-Neo. Clinical trials confirmed that it offers high tolerance levels and is safe. It has become the top choice in Russia among intravenous immunoglobulin-specific treatments for preventing Hepatitis B in children, as well as adults. The third section of our report addresses the topic of technological sovereignty. Initially, when we evaluated the extent of the sanctions and the number of technological partnerships we had established with our Western partners over many years, we had purchased a significant number of components and expected our cooperation to continue indefinitely. Unfortunately, this was not the case. When we were tasked with undertaking substantial import substitution efforts, to be honest, we were doubtful about our ability to succeed. But, as the saying goes, once begun, half done. We have already replaced tens of thousands of components and products throughout the entire Rostec network. A notable example is KAMAZ. We have successfully substituted thousands of components at KAMAZ, enabling us to meet the demands of freight, special, and passenger vehicles, among others. Here are a few examples. The KAMAZ-54901 truck tractor, which represents the flagship of the new generation of K5 trucks, was initially developed in collaboration with Daimler. Since 2023, we have been producing these trucks with imported components fully substituted. Additionally, the KAMAZ-6595 is the first dump truck in the K5 line designed for work in mining quarries. In November 2023, we began serial production of the import-substituted version of this model as well. The latest innovation from KAMAZ is the KAMAZ-54902, an articulated lorry designed to haul big trailers. It features a low-floor cabin with a single berth, allowing the driver to rest as needed before continuing their journey. This year, in 2024, we will commence serial production of these import-substituted vehicles. In addition to civilian equipment, we have made significant strides in import substitution and the development of new models of special vehicles. For several models, imported components have been replaced with domestic ones. This includes armoured steel bodies, bumpers, bulletproof tanks, tires, and armoured glass. In 2023, our company Remdiesel completed the development of a special vehicle called Akhmat, designed for the safe transportation of military personnel, in just 25 days. You had once asked us to create this vehicle at the behest of Ramzan Kadyrov. We successfully developed it and delivered the first ten vehicles to Chechen fighter units. To date, we have produced over a thousand units, and they have performed exceptionally well. In 2023, some brand new designs were presented, including the Nerussa specialised vehicle, an armoured lorry for transporting special and hazardous cargoes. Its batch production has already been launched. To reduce losses in manpower, a remotely controlled, robotised wheeled vehicle has been designed to deliver ammunition, transport wounded personnel, supply quadcopters and other necessities. Currently, it is being tested in line units. The results are positive, and we are beginning to mass-produce it. As far as the machine-tool industry is concerned, our Stan Holding Company has designed and is producing a robotised machining grinding centre, a numerically operated multi-role grinding machine-tool. It is intended for diamond grinding of carbide cutting inserts in tool-making. In addition, there is a hybrid milling and alloying machining centre. It can produce or restore parts of any geometrical shape rapidly and economically by using a combination of the direct laser alloying technology and CNC machines. As far as the engine-making industry is concerned, we have started a batch production of large-scale GTD-110 turbines for heat power plants. The first several turbines of this kind have been tested at the Ivanovo plant for three years. Everything's all right, and we are installing these mass-produced turbines at the Udarnaya heat power station in Taman, Krasnodar Territory. We are building this power plant and will soon launch the GTD-110 turbine. We used to buy 120-130 MW turbines from General Electrics in the US and Siemens in Germany. So, we have made a 110 MW turbine to replace foreign-made ones. The fourth important sub-topic is the social protection of our employees and their families. Rostec is a major employer with a staff of over 660,000. In 2023, we hired 70,000 people, and we will need to hire approximately the same number in 2024. The average pay has grown 22 percent to 88,300 rubles. In 2023, social spending increased 23 percent to 18 billion. The benefits package we offer includes a private health insurance plan, a private retirement plan, as well as opportunities for visiting recreational and health resorts, a housing programme, and relocation packages. Regarding the housing programme, retaining qualified young specialists is instrumental for us, since we are the ones who train them. This is why we pay a lot of attention to the housing programme and called it Rostec's Square Metres. It already operates across 17 regions and eight holdings. We will launch three projects soon in Perm, Rybinsk and Arsenyev, Primorye Territory, with its helicopter plant, and are working on 17 more sites. Turning to the Industrial Medicine project, we launched a dedicated healthcare initiative in 2023. Its mission consists in preventing Rostec workers from falling ill in the course of their professional activity. This includes an effort by Rostec to open and upgrade 40 health stations and mini clinics in 13 regions of Russia. People will be able to receive medical services at these facilities. Capacity building and personnel training are a major strategic focus for our corporation. We operate 400 common-core and supplementary educational programmes by working together with universities and vocational colleges. Universities are currently training 2,700 students who will graduate with the competences our companies need. In 2023, higher education institutions and companies within our corporation teamed up as part of the Advanced Engineering School federal project and contributed to enhancing and creating 15 advanced engineering schools of this kind. So far, Rostec affiliates created 36 educational and manufacturing clusters in 23 regions, and the corporation allocated over 470 million rubles to this effect over the past two years. Students can practice their skills at our enterprises, since we have a two-pronged approach to their training. This way, they spend 70 percent of their training practicing their skills, and study theory during the remaining 30 percent of the time. Every student learns five disciplines at our manufacturing and learning centres, which means that they can do all kinds of work and operate various kinds of equipment. Vladimir Putin: Very well. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wagner's Bloody Mali Debacle Shows Cracks In Russia's Sahel Strategy By Todd Prince July 30, 2024 Shortly after Malian forces captured the Tuareg rebel stronghold of Kidal in November, mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group, who backed the government troops, briefly hoisted their flag over the city for a photo op. Over the ensuing months, the Russian mercenaries would "openly taunt" the Tuaregs and the Islamic extremist groups battling for control of the country by posting provocative or daring images on their Telegram channel, according to Caleb Weiss, an expert on the Sahel region with the U.S.-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Now, eight months later, the Tuaregs, supported by Islamic extremist groups, are the ones celebrating. In what was likely a coordinated ambush, the two forces killed several dozen Wagner fighters and Malian troops outside the northeastern town of Tinzaouaten late last week, according to various reports. The combatant loss is likely the largest suffered by Russian forces since they returned to Africa a few years ago and could match the number of French troops killed in service on the continent from 2013 to 2022, Weiss said. The rout of Russian mercenaries in Mali could reverberate beyond the borders of the impoverished and unstable country. Africa has become a major theater of competition between Russia and the West over the past few years as Moscow seeks to reshape the international order. Moscow has been offering regime protection and other services to authoritarian governments in Africa and has recently expanded into Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger as military coups sweep through the Sahel. Malian and Wagner forces were engaged in combat near Tinzaouaten, on the Algerian border, when they were ambushed on July 27. Videos posted on social media showed about two dozen bodies purported to be Wagner fighters, though RFE/RL could not confirm the authenticity of the footage. The Telegram channel Wagner Orchestra reported that several dozen mercenaries were killed in the fighting near Tinzaouaten and five more were captured. Meanwhile, the Tuareg separatists said in a statement that "dozens" of what they referred to as enemy fighters were killed and wounded. The Al-Qaeda offshoot said 50 mercenaries were killed along with 10 fighters from the Mali Armed Forces. The decimation of Wagner forces in Mali "is a big deal because it punctures the myths that there has been an improvement in security under the military juntas," Joseph Siegle, research director at the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies, told RFE/RL. It also puts "a huge dent" in the reputation of Russian forces in the region, he said. Wagner forces were invited to Mali by the junta that took power in 2021. The junta had a falling out with French forces who had failed to stem the stream of attacks by Islamic extremists. France, which had about 2,400 troops in Mali, lost 59 of those soldiers during its nine-year stint in the country. With Wagner at its back, the junta then ordered thousands of UN troops maintaining the 2015 truce between the Tuareg and the authorities out of the country. Months after they departed, Mali and Wagner forces attacked Kidal, spreading instability. Russia has slightly more than 1,000 Wagner fighters in Mali, which is about half the size of the force France deployed and is insufficient to address the threats, Siegle said. The rout in Tinzaouaten exposes "the unsustainability of the Russian strategy in the Sahel," Siegle said. "It works for the junta, and it works for Russia, but it doesn't work for the people. The situation is getting much worse in society." Weiss said the losses are unlikely to cause Russia to pull its Wagner forces out of Mali like it did in Mozambique following the killing of several fighters in that country. "Putin and the Kremlin have invested a lot in Mali and the Sahel in general. It's not like Mozambique," Weiss, who is based in Uganda, told RFE/RL. "However, they may not be as adamant to spearhead assaults like they were doing in Kidal." Meanwhile, groups holding power in Mali and other African countries are unlikely to drop Russia as a protector because they have few alternatives after alienating the West, he said. Lou Osborn, an analyst at All Eyes on Wagner, an open-source research group, said Russia's operations in Mali so far seems to be a failure. "Previously, the Malian authorities managed to conclude agreements with the Tuaregs in order to focus on the jihadists," he told RFE/RL. "Now this is no longer the case, all agreements have been violated, not least because of how cruelly the Malian Army and Russian mercenaries behave toward all opponents without exception." Yauhen Lehalau, Mark Krutov, and Sergei Dobrynin of RFE/RL's Russian Service contributed to this report. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-africa-wagner- battle-rebels/33056264.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 More Imprisoned Russian Dissidents Unexpectedly Transferred To Unknown Locations By RFE/RL's North.Realities July 30, 2024 Imprisoned Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin, who is serving an 8 1/2-year prison term for his criticism of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has been unexpectedly transferred to an unknown location from correctional colony No. 3 in the western Smolensk region, the sixth prisoner to be moved in recent days. Yashin's lawyer, Tatyana Solomina, was cited by his supporters on Telegram as saying on July 30 that her client's current location was not known. Also on July 30, supporters of Kevin Lik, a 19-year-old man from Russia's North Caucasus region of Adygea, who was sentenced to four years in prison on a treason charge in December, was unexpectedly transferred from a penitentiary in the northwestern region of Arkhangelsk. The charge against Lik came after he allegedly took photos of a military unit from his apartment window. Investigators say he took pictures to assist Germany's secret services. A day earlier, relatives, supporters, and lawyers of four other imprisoned activists -- former chiefs of late opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's teams in Bashkortostan and Novosibirsk, Lilia Chanysheva and Ksenia Fadeyeva, veteran human rights defender Oleg Orlov, and anti-war artist Sasha Skochilenko -- said they had been also unexpectedly transferred from prisons or detention centers to other unspecified penitentiaries and kept incommunicado since then. Only Skolichenko's supporters were informed that she was transferred to an unidentified penitentiary in Moscow. The destinations of the other three remain unknown. Yashin, 40, is an outspoken Kremlin critic and one of the few prominent opposition politicians who stayed in Russia after a wave of repression against those who have condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine since the full-scale invasion was launched in February 2022. The sentence handed to Yashin in December 2022 was the harshest among the cases against those charged with discrediting Russia's armed forces under a new law introduced days after the invasion commenced. The criminal case against Yashin was launched in July 2022. The charge against him stemmed from YouTube posts about alleged crimes committed by the Russian military in the Ukrainian city of Bucha. Human rights groups have criticized Russian regulations with regard to the treatment of convicts, whose whereabouts can be kept under wraps during the period they are transferred from one penitentiary to another, a process known as "etap." Etap is a process that involves trains with caged compartments specifically designed for prisoners, who are provided with little fresh air, no showers, and only limited access to food or a toilet. The transfers can take days, weeks, or even months as the trains stop and convicts spend time in transit prisons. Convicts almost always face humiliation, beatings, and sometimes even death at the hands of their guards. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/sasha-skochilenko-transfer- penitentiary-st-petersburg-ukraine-war/33056297.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Qatar's Minister of State at the Foreign Ministry Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi 30 July 2024 16:26 1449-30-07-2024 On July 30, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, Qatar's Minister of State at the Foreign Ministry, now staying on a working visit in Moscow. During their conversation, the ministers discussed in detail topical issues regarding the future sustained development of diverse Russia-Qatar relations, including expanded trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. While exchanging opinions on key issues of the Middle East agenda, they focused on objectives of resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In this context, the ministers reaffirmed the interest of Moscow and Doha in continuing close foreign policy coordination in the bilateral format and at various international platforms. That same day, the Foreign Ministry hosted detailed consultations between Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, and Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov congratulates 45th Airborne Special Operations Brigade on anniversary and presents state awards to paratroopers 30.07.2024 During to a working visit to the units of the Moscow MD, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov congratulated the personnel of the 45th Airborne Special Operations Brigade on the 30th anniversary of its formation and presented the servicemen of the brigade with state awards. Deputy Russian Defence Minister Colonel General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, Chief of Staff of Airborne Troops Lieutenant General Anatoly Kontsevoy, and Commander of 45th Airborne Brigade Major General Vadim Pankov took part in the event. The servicemen, who demonstrated valour, courage, and heroism while performing combat tasks in the special military operation zone, received orders of Courage, medals for Valour, Suvorov Medals, and medals For Bravery second class. Andrei Belousov pointed out that the personnel of the brigade rightfully serves as an example of bravery, military prowess, and professionalism. 'No wonder more than 5,000 servicemen of the formation were awarded with high state awards, and 21 received the title the Hero of the Russian Federation. Nowadays, the formation's personnel effectively performs the most responsible tasks in the special military operation zone acting cohesively in a complex environment implementing the motto 'The strongest wins,' said Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov. The head of the Russian military department is confident that the servicemen of the 45th brigade will continue to honourably perform their military duty and make a significant contribution to strengthening the country's defence capability. During the working visit, Russian Defence Minister got acquainted with the conditions of accommodation for servicemen, the state of the training and material base, and storage depots for weapons and military hardware. During the tour around the military town, Andrei Belousov paid attention to uncompleted accommodations. The Head of the Department of Construction of the Russian Defence Ministry reported to the Minister that the buildings of the barracks and two residential buildings are at the final stage of construction and will be commissioned by the end of this year. Andrei Belousov paid special attention to the urgent compliance with deadlines for commissioning of facilities. During the visit to the brigade, Andrei Belousov laid wreaths to the Fallen Soldiers Memorial, attended the airborne formation's museum, where he made a note in the book of honoured guests and also talked to the servicemen. During its 30-year history, the brigade's servicemen have performed peacekeeping tasks in zones of inter-ethnic conflicts in Transnistria, North Ossetia, Abkhazia, participated in the elimination of illegal armed groups in the Chechen Republic, counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus, took part in the operation to force Georgia to peace, ensured the security of citizens in the Kyrgyz Republic, performed special tasks in the Syrian Arab Republic. From the first days of the special military operation, the brigade's servicemen have been performing tasks in the most difficult and important directions. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Navy Starts Extensive Drills Involving Majority of Its Fleet Sputnik News 20240730 Major Russian naval drills kicked off on July 30. The main goal of the exercises is to check the actions of the Navy's military authorities at all levels, as well as the readiness of ship crews, naval aviation units and coastal troops of the Navy to perform tasks, the Russian Ministry of Defense explained. The Russian Navy has begun planned exercises on the use of forces by the Baltic, Northern and Pacific Fleets, and the Caspian Flotilla, the Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday. "Associations and formations of the Russian Navy have begun conducting planned exercises in the operational zones of the Northern, Pacific and Baltic Fleets, as well as in the area of responsibility of the Caspian Flotilla," the ministry said in a statement. The Ministry clarifies that about 300 surface ships and boats, submarines and support vessels, up to 50 aircraft, more than 200 units of military and special equipment, and over 20,000 military personnel are involved in combat training events. Within a few days, the crews of ships, naval aviation units and coastal troops of the three fleets, and the Caspian Flotilla, will perform over 300 combat exercises with the practical use of weapons. The drills are expected to include: Anti-aircraft missile firing, Artillery firing at sea and air training targets, Combat exercises for setting up passive interference to withdraw forces from a simulated enemy strike, And the use of anti-submarine weapons by surface ships and naval aviation. Earlier, Russian Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev said that the president had decided to form a Maritime Board. It will include councils for the strategic development of the Russian Navy, the protection of Russian national interests in the Arctic, as well as the development and maintenance of our country's maritime activities. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PRC's attempts to stop visits to Taiwan unacceptable: IPAC members ROC Central News Agency 07/30/2024 08:54 PM Taipei, July 30 (CNA) Members of a visiting international alliance of parliamentarians on Tuesday said that efforts by the People's Republic of China (PRC) to pressure them not to attend the alliance's summit in Taipei had been "unacceptable" and "unsuccessful." The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a group of hundreds of lawmakers concerned about Beijing's threat to global democracy, held its fourth annual summit in Taipei with 49 politicians from 24 countries in attendance on Tuesday. Before the event took place, the IPAC confirmed an Associated Press report which said lawmakers from Bolivia, Colombia, Slovakia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and "one other Asian country that declined to be named," had received emails and/or phone calls from PRC diplomatic officials in an attempt to stop them from departing for Taipei to attend the IPAC summit. Asked to comment on the situation during a press conference on Tuesday in Taipei, Miriam Lexmann, a Slovak politician and a member of the European Parliament, told reporters that she was one of the IPAC members who received a notice from a Chinese diplomat in her country. "I think this is absolutely unacceptable that the Chinese Communist Party representatives contacted [IPAC] members who want to freely travel to Taiwan and do their job," Lexmann said. "It's our job to secure human rights, security and prosperity for our citizens in our countries. And we believe that cooperation with Taiwan is bringing all of these and we do not want to be coerced, and we do not want to be put under any pressure." The Slovakian parliamentarian who was born in Bratislava, in then Communist Czechoslovakia, said she remembered vividly that when she was a child, her family members would be summoned to the Communist Party headquarters for questioning whenever a relative was trying to travel overseas. "I know that the only way to stop this [kind of harassment] is our love for freedom," she said. Her fellow IPAC member, Reinhard Butikofer, chair of the European Parliament's China Delegation, said not one member "did not attend [the Taipei summit] because of Chinese efforts to interfere." "[Their efforts] were utterly unsuccessful," the German politician said during the same press event. "Freedom of movement is a fundamental right in a functioning democracy," said another IPAC member, Deborah O'Neill, a Labor Senator from New South Wales in Australia. "This is a democratic gathering in solidarity, and everyone is here to stand alongside the Taiwanese people," she added. During the same press event held following Tuesday's summit, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim () thanked IPAC for holding its annual summit in Taipei. "Your presence sends a powerful message of solidarity to the people of Taiwan, and highlights our shared commitment to advancing human rights, democracy, peace and prosperity for all through your visit here," Hsiao said. She said IPAC members highlighted that Taiwan's security "is an indispensable part of global prosperity" during the summit. "We welcome opportunities such as this gathering to collectively work toward de-risking and de-escalating, while also upholding our cherished values of freedom and democracy," the vice president added. "Taiwan is committed to working with IPAC members, governments and civil societies globally, to boost our collective democratic resilience," she said. Also during Tuesday's press event, IPAC announced Taiwan's Legislative Yuan will be joining the alliance. Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Fan Yun () and Taiwan People's Party Legislator Chen Gau-tzu () are now co-chairs of the Taiwan Legislature in IPAC, according to Luke de Pulford, the creator and executive director of IPAC. Formed in 2020, IPAC is an international, cross-party alliance of parliamentarians from democratic countries focused on relations with the PRC. Its purpose is to create a coordinated response to China on global trade, security and human rights issues. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan officially joins IPAC; DPP, TPP lawmakers to be co-chairs ROC Central News Agency 07/30/2024 07:18 PM Taipei, July 30 (CNA) The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) announced on Tuesday that Taiwan has officially become a member of the alliance at its annual summit in Taipei. Luke de Pulford, the executive director of IPAC, made the announcement during a press conference in Taipei and revealed that ruling Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Fan Yun (ee) and opposition Taiwan People's Party Legislator Chen Gau-Tzu (ea) will serve as co-chairs of the Taiwan legislature in the alliance. Each legislature within IPAC is led by two co-chairs, who are senior politicians drawn from ideologically diverse political parties, according to the IPAC official website. IPAC said in a statement that it is a strong advocate for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations. "Its (Taiwan's) formal inclusion in the Alliance was welcomed as a historic result by all delegates," the statement read. The fourth annual IPAC meeting was attended by 49 politicians from 24 countries and held in Taipei on Tuesday. Established in 2020, IPAC aims to focus on and reform countries' policies towards the People's Republic of China. With the inclusion of Taiwan, the alliance now comprises more than 250 cross-party members from 40 countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom. (By Yang Yao-ju and Sunny Lai) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. senators propose bill to sanction China if Taiwan attacked ROC Central News Agency 07/30/2024 06:12 PM Washington/Taipei, July 29 (CNA) Two members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee have proposed a bipartisan bill that would levy a wide range of sanctions on China should it initiate "a military invasion of Taiwan." Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced the Sanctions Targeting Aggressors of Neighboring Democracies with Taiwan Act of 2024, or STAND with Taiwan Act of 2024 for short, on July 25. The proposed bill "would impose devastating, comprehensive economic, energy, financial, and other sanctions on China in the event that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) initiates military aggression against Taiwan," according to a press release issued by Sullivan's office on July 26. The sanctions would include the targeting of "Chinese Communist Party members and Chinese financial institutions and industrial sectors, as well as prohibiting U.S. financial institutions, including investment companies, from making any investments in a Chinese entity that benefits or is affiliated with the CCP," the release said. The bill, it added, would also restrict the importation of China-produced goods into the United States. "In these increasingly dangerous times, it is critical that America show steady, unwavering bipartisan commitment and resolve in support of Taiwan's democracy," Sullivan was quoted as saying. Echoing Sullivan, Duckworth also mentioned in the press release that it was important for the U.S. as a global leader to show support for Taiwan, which is facing escalating threats from China. "With this legislation, we're sending a strong message to our partner [Taiwan] and our competitors that we are here for long haul -- and we won't tolerate the kind of unilateral aggression that would endanger a democratic friend and the health and stability of the global economy," she explained. If passed into law, the STAND with Taiwan Act would "require the imposition of sanctions with respect to the People's Republic of China if the People's Liberation Army initiates a military invasion of Taiwan," according to the draft text of the bill. The term "military invasion" is defined in the bill to include amphibious landings, airborne operations, aerial bombardments or blockades, missile attacks, naval bombardments or blockades, or an "attack on any territory controlled or administered by the Government of Taiwan, including offshore islands." The two senators were among the visiting U.S. Congressional delegation to Taiwan in May, during which time they met with President Lai Ching-te () at the Presidential Office in Taipei. Sullivan previously introduced the STAND with Taiwan Act in 2022. The bill was later referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, but no further action was taken by Congress in relation to the proposed legislation. At a press event on Tuesday, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) thanked the two American lawmakers for their continued support and for proposing the STAND with Taiwan Act of 2024. MOFA spokesperson Jeff Liu () said MOFA will closely monitor the progress of the legislation and "continue to work closely with friends from all walks of life in the United States on the basis of the robust friendship between Taiwan and the U.S." (By Shih Hsiu-chuan, Lai Yu-chen and Ko Lin) Enditem/JT NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Navy 'confident' of warship readiness despite auditor's concerns ROC Central News Agency 07/30/2024 01:08 PM Taipei, July 30 (CNA) Taiwan's Navy on Tuesday insisted that it is "confident" it can maintain its warships' combat-readiness, following a report issued by the National Audit Office a day earlier that said half of the country's warships have not completed routine maintenance as scheduled. In its Central Government Budget Audit Report released on Monday, the National Audit Office warned that 14 out of the 26 main battleships of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy, or 53.85 percent, were not following routine maintenance schedules. Those warships had delayed their maintenance cycles by one to 10 months, affecting the vessels' armament and equipment stability, and potentially impacting military deployment capabilities, said the report, citing data compiled as of July 2023. In response to the auditor's warning, Navy Deputy Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Shih Wu-chiao () admitted on Tuesday that Naval warships have made some "adjustments" in their missions due to "cross-strait relations and operations on the sea by Chinese forces" since 2022. "We are confident that a certain level and robustness in the status of our warships will be maintained," he added, implying that increased operations by China's military in waters near Taiwan in recent years have not significantly impacted the Navy's ability to ensure combat readiness. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/JT NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China skews U.N. resolution to justify aggression against Taiwan: Lai ROC Central News Agency 07/30/2024 10:05 PM Taipei, July 30 (CNA) The Chinese government misinterprets a United Nations resolution in order to justify its military aggression against Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te (ea) said Tuesday. At the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) in Taipei, Lai condemned Beijing for its inaccurate interpretation of U.N. Resolution 2758, including drawing an inappropriate linkage to its "One China" principle. This move aims to not only "construct a legal basis for China's military aggression against Taiwan" but also to impede Taiwan's efforts to take part in international organizations, Lai said, without elaborating on how he reached that conclusion. Beijing claims that the U.N. resolution "confirmed" its One China principle, which asserts there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is "an inalienable part of China." The president's comments were followed by IPAC's adoption of a "model resolution" later the same day, according to which its members will seek to redress what they called China's "distortion" of the U.N. resolution by passing resolutions in their respective parliaments. In its model resolution, IPAC expressed concern over "sustained efforts" by Chinese officials to distort the meaning of the resolution passed in 1971 by the U.N. General Assembly, which states that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is "the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations." The cross-national parliamentarians' group asserted that the U.N. resolution "does not establish the One China Principle as a matter of international law" and "nothing in law prevents the participation of Taiwan in international organizations." In addition, the group said the U.N. document had "no bearing on the sovereign choices of other countries with respect to their relationship with Taiwan" while voicing support for Taiwan's "meaningful participation" in U.N. agencies. IPAC added that the resolution did not mention Taiwan, address its political status, or establish PRC sovereignty over Taiwan. Tuesday's summit was attended by 49 members of legislatures from 23 countries and the European Parliament, all being IPAC members. The group has more than 250 members around the world, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (By Yang Yao-ju, Wen Keui-hsiang and Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan, China reach settlement terms over Kinmen speedboat incident ROC Central News Agency 07/30/2024 04:59 PM Kinmen, July 30 (CNA) Authorities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait said Tuesday that settlement terms had been reached regarding a deadly chase between a Chinese speedboat and a Coast Guard Administration (CGA) vessel in Kinmen five months ago. "We will actively implement the agreement," CGA Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-Chin () told reporters after a one-hour negotiation held at Golden Lake Hotel in outlying Kinmen County. However, Hsieh said the CGA was "currently unable to disclose" details of the deal, "out of respect for the families involved and the consensus reached in the cross-strait agreement." Meanwhile, Li Zhaohui (), deputy director of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office in Quanzhou City, the Chinese representative in the negotiation, confirmed that an agreement had been reached. He added that he hoped the "relevant parties in Taiwan" would honor the agreement and provide a resolution for the families. The Kinmen speedboat incident occurred on Feb. 14 when Taiwan's Coast Guard pursued a Chinese vessel that entered prohibited waters off the coast of Kinmen. According to the Coast Guard, the unnamed and unregistered Chinese boat with four people on board refused a request to board and inspect it, and later fled, setting off a high-speed chase that ended when the vessel made a sudden turn. The speedboat collided with a CGA patrol vessel and capsized in waters near Kinmen while being pursued, leading to the deaths of two Chinese crew members. The other two Chinese nationals who survived the incident returned to China on Feb. 20, while the bodies of the deceased crew and the speedboat remained in Kinmen for further investigation. The incident raised tensions around Kinmen, located less than 10 kilometers off the coast of the Chinese city of Xiamen. Officials representing the two sides held several rounds of talks in February and March but failed to reach an agreement on matters relating to the case, including how to compensate the families of the deceased. After attending a public memorial service in Kinmen on Tuesday, CGA Director-General Chang Chung-lung () again apologized for the failure to record evidence during the enforcement and for the suffering endured by the families of the victims. (By Hung Hseuh-kuang and Lee Hsin-Yin) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mainland and Taiwan reach deal over fishermen's deaths Global Times Move considered 'a positive step,' experts caution against DPP political manipulation By Xu Keyue Published: Jul 30, 2024 08:30 PM After several twists and turns, the Chinese mainland and the island of Taiwan finally reached a consensus on Tuesday over the fatal boat incident on February 14 in the waters near Kinmen, with the mainland recovering the bodies of two fishermen and their seized vessels. Experts said on Tuesday that reaching a consensus to resolve this incident is "a positive step" toward cross-Straits relations. However, they cautioned against the Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities seizing the opportunity for political manipulation and urged them not to engage in further destructive actions that would harm cross-Straits relations. According to the Xinhua News Agency, Li Zhaohui, a senior advisor with the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) branch in Jinjiang of Quanzhou, East China's Fujian Province, told the press on Tuesday that "the two sides [Chinese mainland and Taiwan] are one family, with Jinjiang and Kinmen separated only by a narrow strip of water, making them even closer. The relevant departments in Taiwan should treat mainland fishermen well, ensuring that such harmful incidents that damage the feelings of compatriots on both sides and harm cross-Straits relations do not occur again." Li hoped that the Taiwan side will actively implement the necessary provisions, let the victims rest in peace and provide an account to their families. On February 14, a fishing boat from Fujian Province was brutally treated in the waters near the Kinmen area by Taiwan authorities, which led to all four fishermen aboard falling overboard into the sea. Two of them died. On Tuesday morning, about 100 relatives of the victims and representatives from both sides held a joint funeral farewell ceremony at the Kinmen funeral management center. Chang Chung-lung, senior official of Taiwan regional coast guard department, said at the memorial site: "For the suffering of the family, I would like to publicly apologize again..." Li said that the two victims were finally able to return to their hometown, and the families finally got a late apology. Li urged the relevant parties in the island of Taiwan to release the truth of the incident as soon as possible, make a fair conclusion of the investigation and treat the people involved with care and sensitivity. Previously, the two sides had held 15 rounds of talks since the incident, but the negotiations stalled in March. This consensus is indeed a sign of significant progress for both sides, Wang Jianmin, a senior cross-Straits expert at Minnan Normal University in Fujian, told the Global Times on Tuesday. The DPP authorities had repeatedly rejected reasonable requests from the mainland, delaying the resolution of the issue and exacerbating tensions across the Straits, causing dissatisfaction among various sectors on both sides, Wang commented. What factors influenced the change in attitude of the Taiwan authorities this time? Xin Qiang, deputy director of the Center for American Studies and director of the Center for Taiwan Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Tuesday that Kinmen locals have also been pressuring the DPP authorities to quickly resolve this matter, forcing the Taiwan authorities to make some concessions. Another important point is that strong and effective responses from the mainland after the fatal incident have also exerted strong pressure on the Taiwan authorities, Xin said. For example, on March 28, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, stated at a press briefing that "Taiwan is China's Taiwan. There is no such a thing as the 'prohibited, restricted waters' between Xiamen and Kinmen. The regular law enforcement and patrol operations carried out by the China Coast Guard help to maintain order in relevant waters and protect lives and property of mainland and Taiwan fishermen." Taiwan authorities finally appeared to show some goodwill for negotiation, rather than taking advantage of the incident for political purpose and escalating the tension as they did in the past, hoping to resolve this matter as soon as possible, according to Xin. However, some Taiwan regional media outlets have tried to portray the negotiation on the incident as official cross-Straits exchanges, which has been debunked by mainland analysts. It is groundless for the Taiwan authorities to try to portray this consultation as the beginning of official contact between the two sides, Xin emphasized. "The mainland's stance is clear that as long as the Taiwan authorities do not accept the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, it is impossible to resume official contact and exchanges," the expert stated. Xin believes this is an individual case. "As a sudden and vicious incident, the way in which this incident was handled is difficult to be copied by the handling of other issues in the future. Also, as the Taiwan authorities continue to provoke with their pro-independence words and actions to escalate cross-Straits tensions, bilateral relations will not be improved because of the resolution of this matter." For the next step, if the Taiwan authorities continue to provoke the mainland, the latter will certainly make strong and effective counterattacks, Xin said. Wang pointed out that this incident provides insights for cross-Straits relations, noting timely and continuous promotion of people-to-people exchanges and interactions between the two sides is necessary. In the face of a deteriorating external environment, especially with the US playing the Taiwan card, it is worth considering how to promote people-to-people exchanges in tourism, trade or other aspects, Wang said, calling on both sides to take further steps forward. Li Yawei contributed to this story. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan leader hails 'largest-ever' gathering of foreign lawmakers in Taipei Forty nine representatives from 23 countries attended the event despite China's attempt to sabotage it. By Shen Ke for RFA 2024.07.30 -- Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te welcomed what he called the "largest-ever" delegation of foreign lawmakers to Taiwan, stressing the island's importance as a bulwark against an expansionist China. "This demonstrates the support and the value various other countries place on Taiwan," Lai said at the fourth annual meeting Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC, which 49 representatives from 23 countries, including Japan, Australia and France, attended. IPAC is an international group of lawmakers promoting democracy who are concerned about China's official policy positions and track record on human rights. Lai said the gathering "sends an important message to democratic countries around the world." "Maintaining democracy requires unity, and we must protect democracy together," Lai added. Lai also said that Taiwan would work with other democracies to protect democracy from "the threat of authoritarian expansionism." "China's threat to any country is a threat to the whole world," Lai said, adding that China "uses diplomatic kidnapping, economic coercion, internet attacks, and spreading false and fake things to continuously muddle matters and seek to undermine regional peace and stability." Media reported that China attempted to prevent lawmakers from countries including Colombia, Slovakia, Bolivia, Bosnia and North Macedonia, from attending the conference. IPAC has long been despised by China and it has imposed sanctions on some of its members. In 2021, the group was targeted by Chinese state-sponsored hackers, according to a U.S. indictment unsealed this year. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said IPAC "has no credibility at all" and repeated its assertion that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory. "China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between countries with diplomatic ties with China and the Taiwan authorities," the ministry said in a statement. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province that should be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary. The democratic island has been self-governing since it effectively separated from mainland China in 1949 after the Chinese civil war. China has dialed up diplomatic and economic pressure on the island since former president Tsai Ing-wen's administration came to power in 2016, as Tsai and her party refuse to acknowledge that Taiwan and the mainland belonged to "one China." Lai, a former mayor of Tainan, is also viewed with suspicion by China's ruling Communist Party. China has successfully swayed several of Taipei's diplomatic allies to shift their recognition to Beijing. As a result, only 12 countries maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/07/30 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Dateis 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Monday to Tuesday, Jul. 29-30 2.PLA activitiesis 14 PLA aircraft, and 9 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 7 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and central 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 Foreign lawmakers shine light on China tensions over Taiwan By William Yang July 30, 2024 Forty-nine lawmakers from 24 countries gathered in Taiwan on Tuesday to discuss how China is raising tensions with the democratically ruled island and to assess the economic impact a potential conflict could have on the international community. The two-day summit was organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC, a group that includes hundreds of lawmakers from 35 countries who are concerned about how democracies deal with China. The conference brought the largest-ever foreign parliamentary delegation to Taiwan. In a keynote speech Tuesday, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said China's threat to any country is a threat to the world. "Taiwan will do everything in its power to support the 'democracy umbrella' with its democratic partners, so as to protect them from the threat of authoritarian expansion," he told attending lawmakers. The rare meeting that has brought so many lawmakers from across the globe to Taiwan is part of a trend of foreign visits that has surged since former U.S. House speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island in August almost two years ago. Despite having its own army, currency and democratic political system of government, Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations and has few formal diplomatic allies. China opposes any international engagement with Taiwan, which it regards as a part of its territory, and has been whittling away at the number of countries that have official ties with the island. Taiwan currently has 12 diplomatic allies. In response to the surge in international attention and visits, China has carried out a series of major military exercises around the island over the past two years and almost daily military harassment that has included a mix of fighter jets, naval and coast guard vessels and drones. It has also amped up its rhetoric that unification is inevitable. UN Resolution 2758 At Tuesday's conference, attending lawmakers adopted a model motion they say will pave the way for them to pass similar resolutions in their parliaments at home. The aim of the motion is to counter China's interpretation of United Nations Resolution 2758 in their legislatures. U.N. Resolution 2758 was passed on Oct. 25, 1971 and is a key international agreement that Beijing uses to isolate Taiwan. Experts note, however, that the resolution only decided that the People's Republic of China would replace the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name, as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. It did not, however, determine Taiwan's sovereign status. While some countries, such as the United States, have rejected China's claim that the U.N. resolution supports its sovereignty claim over Taiwan, some foreign lawmakers attending the summit say the model resolution adopted by IPAC members could inform governments about the possibility of China using its interpretation of the U.N. resolution as a pretext to launch a potential military attack against Taiwan. "We see the danger of China's false interpretation of [the U.N. resolution] as bolstering the pretext for legality of any future attack or coercion against Taiwan, so we think talking about this issue will help bring the potential danger onto the radar of different governments," Reinhard Butikofer, former chairman of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China, told VOA on the sideline of the summit. Cost of conflict On Tuesday, the summit also focused on the impact a potential conflict over Taiwan could have on countries around the world. Building on a campaign called "Operation Mist" that IPAC launched last September, the alliance hopes to push more governments to conduct assessments of the economic impact of a potential Taiwan Strait crisis on their countries. The Taiwan Strait is the body of water that separates Taiwan and China. "There is a strong desire among IPAC members to continue this operation because they believe people in their countries need to know the economic impact of a potential Taiwan Strait crisis," Luke de Pulford, the executive director of IPAC, told VOA in Taipei. Ahead of Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections earlier this year, Bloomberg Economics estimated that a conflict between China and Taiwan would decimate the global economy, costing as much as $10 trillion, which is equal to about 10% of the world's GDP. Pressuring IPAC While the IPAC summit sought to raise international awareness of Taiwan's plight, at least eight lawmakers from six countries, including Bolivia, Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, said they had received calls or texts from Chinese diplomats urging them not to attend the conference. According to an Associated Press report, some lawmakers received texts from Chinese diplomats asking whether they planned to attend IPAC's annual summit in Taiwan while one lawmaker said Chinese diplomats asked the head of her political party to stop her from participating in the conference. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry condemned Beijing's "despicable act" in a statement while de Pulford of IPAC said the Chinese government's pressure campaign is simply "illegitimate." "The communications were not through formal diplomatic channels, but rather, they were harassing text messages and phone calls from junior Chinese attaches who felt that they could tell these lawmakers where they couldn't travel to," he told VOA. IPAC has faced repeated pressure from the Chinese government since its founding in 2020. Some members of the group have been sanctioned by the Chinese government while an indictment from the U.S. Justice Department showed that other IPAC members have been targeted by Chinese state-sponsored hackers. In response to questions from VOA, the Chinese Embassy in Washington urged foreign lawmakers attending the summit to "stop exploiting the Taiwan question to interfere in China's internal affairs and political manipulation for selfish gains." "The Taiwan question is one hundred percent China's internal affair, which no foreign forces have the right to interfere in," the Chinese Embassy's spokesperson Liu Pengyu told VOA in a written statement. Opportunity for international engagement Some experts say that while Taiwan's attempts to engage with other countries usually face strong opposition from China, the summit is an important diplomatic channel for Taipei. "The significance of this meeting is that these are elected lawmakers who are intended to meet, talk, and discuss Taiwan and bring what they learn [in Taipei] back to their parliaments, with the hope of having concrete proposals of what can be done to help mitigate the odds of conflict happening in the Taiwan Strait and the odds of diminishing China's aggression in this part of the world," said Lev Nachman, a political scientist at National Taiwan University. Taiwan should use the summit to highlight the challenges it faces and how the threat from China affects Taiwan's domestic politics, he added. "Taiwan needs to make sure that lawmakers at the summit are aware of what it means for Taiwan to exist in today's world and what it means to be contested by China," Nachman told VOA by phone. De Pulford from IPAC said he believes the summit in Taiwan could have an impact on how some countries engage with Taiwan. "A lot of the people attending the summit have strong relationships with their own governments, so they are able to leverage their own positions to pave the way for precedents such as ministerial meetings between Taiwan and other countries," he told VOA. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No: 152, 30 July 2024, Regarding the Fifth Meeting of the Special Representatives for the Normalization Process between TArkiye and Armenia Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs On July 30, Special Representatives for the Normalization Process between TArkiye and Armenia, Ambassador Serdar KAlAA and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan held their fifth meeting on the Alican-Margara crossing on the border of the two countries. They reconfirmed the agreements reached at their previous meetings. Furthermore, they agreed to assess the technical requirements to enable functioning of Akyaka/Akhurik railroad border gate in line with the regional developments as well as to simplify their mutual visa procedures for diplomatic/official passport holders. Finally, they reemphasized their agreement to continue the normalization process without any preconditions towards achieving the ultimate goal of full normalization between their respective countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with DPR Head Denis Pushilin Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Head of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin. July 29, 2024 14:00 The Kremlin, Moscow At the beginning of the conversation, the President noted that he maintained constant contact with the head of the DPR. However, there are always a number of issues that need to be discussed. Denis Pushilin agreed that there security issues can always be discussed on a regular basis, yet this time he would like to focus on socioeconomic development because the region's key task was to raise the quality of people's lives up to the Russian average before 2030. According to the head of the republic, integration processes are continuing, and there have already been certain achievements made. This is evidenced by both tax and non-tax budget revenues. Last year the budget received 54 billion rubles which was twice as much as the benchmark planned at the beginning of the year. Meanwhile, in the first half of this year the budget received almost 33 billion. This gives grounds to expect that the republic will get over 70 billion budget revenues by the end of the year, which is 30 percent higher than last year. The region is focusing on industrial development, with four industrial enterprises launched this year already. By the end of the year, 15 more enterprises that have been idle are to be launched. Investors are being attracted to the coal mines. Recently, the 100-millionth tonne of coal was removed from the Komsomolets Donbassa mine, the flagship of the coal industry in the DPR. This is very good progress, and according to Denis Pushilin, the miners are optimistic. Referring construction, the head of the republic informed the President that large scale building projects are being pursued with an emphasis on commercial housing using extra-budgetary funds. The decision on a two-percent preferential mortgage is yielding results. In Mariupol alone, 15 blocks of flats are to be completed by the end of the year. A tender was announced for investors on projects in Donetsk, Makeyevka, and Yenakiyevo. Nine master plans for city development are already ready, three more master plans are being developed, and Russian sponsor regions are helping very much. The republic is trying to align its master plans with neighbouring territories: Lugansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson: this way, resources can be distributed more effectively. Denis Pushilin added that on June 1, the President had instructed to adopt a development strategy for the Azov area until 2040 by September 1. Significant plans are connected with this, including in an area that was not quite typical of an industrial region: a recreational component of the Azov Sea. Tourism will also develop, as well as the fish industry with a great potential of the Azov Sea. The Head of the DPR thanked both the President and the entire Russia for their support, and emphasised that Donbass would not let them down. Vladimir Putin listed several topics that required special attention, such as emergency housing, which includes over 27 percent of the housing stock in the republic. According to Vladimir Putin, this is due to both military actions and the fact that previously, this matter had not been given due attention for many years or even decades. Water supply was another problem which the republic will not be able to resolve on its own. The President stressed that he always drew the attention of the Russian Government to these issues, and instructed the Head of the DPR to pay special attention to this in liaison with federal bodies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dead, Wounded In Russian Shelling Of Donetsk, Kherson By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 30, 2024 At least four civilians were killed in Russian shelling of the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, where Moscow has been pressing an offensive in recent weeks, regional Governor Vadym Filashkin said on July 30. "On July 29, the Russians killed four residents of Donetsk region -- three in Toretsk and one in Hrodivka. Another five people in the region were injured during the day," Filashkin wrote on Telegram on July 30. Russian forces have intensified their attacks in Donetsk over the past several days in the direction of Toretsk and the mining city of Pokrovsk, where constant shelling has prompted the evacuation of hundreds of civilians from the area, local officials told RFE/RL. "The city is 20 kilometers from the front line," Serhiy Dobriak, the head of the Pokrovsk military administration, told RFE/RL. The Ukrainian military said early on July 30 that 149 close combat clashes took place during the previous 24 hours, most of them in the Pokrovsk direction, where Ukrainian forces stopped 52 Russian attacks. In the southern region of Kherson, eight people were wounded and infrastructure was damaged in shelling by Russian forces of Chornobayivka, regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram on July 30. "The Russian military targeted critical infrastructure facilities and port infrastructure; residential quarters of settlements in the region, in particular, a multistory building and 24 private houses. Gas pipelines were also damaged," he said. "Due to the Russian aggression, eight people were wounded." In Russia, the acting governor of the Kursk region, Aleksei Smirnov, said four Ukrainian missiles were shot down over the region early on July 30. Smirnov said the missiles were shot down over the Oktyabrsky and Kurchatovsky districts of the region. On social media, residents reported an explosion in the sky over the city of Kursk, as well. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Ukraine has not commented on the claim. The Russian claims could not be independently verified. Since the early days of Russia's unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow's forces have systematically targeted Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure facilities, causing casualties and huge damage. In turn, Ukraine has started targeting oil-refining facilities and other energy infrastructure inside Russia that mainly work for the military. Aleksei Smirnov, the Russian governor of the Kursk border region, said on July 30 that rescuers finally extinguished a huge fire at an oil depot after suspected Ukrainian military drones struck the oil refining installation on July 28. On July 29, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with Ukrainian forces who have been holding off Russian attempts to make advances into the northeastern Kharkiv region. Zelenskiy traveled to Vovchansk, a Ukrainian settlement just 5 kilometers from the Russian border in Kharkiv region where Moscow's forces attempted a breakthrough a couple of months ago but were largely stopped by Ukrainian troops. "Kharkiv direction. The forward command post of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in the area of Vovchansk," Zelenskiy wrote on X. "Today, I had the honor to be there to congratulate our Special Forces warriors on their professional day and to present them with state awards," Zelenskiy wrote, adding, "I am grateful for their bravery and heroic operations behind enemy lines, as well as during the defense and de-occupation of our cities and villages." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kursk-kherson-missiles- ukraine-war-russia-invasion/33055985.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 Kiev's Involvement With Sahel Terrorists Not Surprising - Russian Foreign Ministry Sputnik News 20240730 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The authorities of Mali and Mauritania are investigating the involvement of Ukrainian military instructors in the year-long conflict in Mali on the side of the rebels, the Senenews media outlet reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the fact that Ukraine is cooperating with terrorists from the Sahel region was not surprising, and Moscow actively drew the attention of the international community to such actions of Kiev. "The fact that the Kiev regime is cooperating with terrorists is not surprising, since it has more than once resorted and continues to resort to the use of terrorist methods ... Russia actively draws the attention of the international community to such frankly barbaric behavior on the part of Kiev and regularly raises this topic at multilateral platforms," Zakharova said in a statement on the ministry's website. She added that Kiev regularly shells populated areas and civilian facilities, uses its population as a "human shield," and commits sabotage and political assassinations on Russian territory. "We are sure that the true terrorist nature of the Kiev regime will become more and more evident to the world community," she said. While conducting an investigation into the participation of Ukrainian instructors in the conflict in Mali on the side of the Tuareg militants, the Malian authorities discovered that the militants had been trained in Mauritania, the report said. The Malian authorities immediately contacted their colleagues in Mauritania through diplomatic channels, who denied being involved in the conflict in Mali or supporting the Tuareg rebel coalition Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), Senenews reported. The Mauritanian authorities launched their own investigation into the matter, the news outlet said. On Monday, Russia's Wagner Group private military company said that it had suffered losses after fierce clashes with Tuareg militants on July 22-27. The Malian armed forces also reported heavy losses during the clashes. Mali has been embroiled in an armed conflict between government forces, separatist militants and Islamist groups since 2012. More than a decade of violent conflict in the country has led to persistent insecurity, climatic shocks, massive displacement and a dire humanitarian situation. The UN estimates that around 8.8 million people in Mali are in need of humanitarian assistance. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses Up to 650 Soldiers in Clashes With Russia's South Forces Sputnik News 20240730 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has lost up to 650 personnel in the area of operations of Russia's Yug (South) group of forces in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. "The enemy's losses amounted to up to losses amounted to up to 650 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, three US-made 155-mm M777 howitzers, two US-made 155-mm M198 howitzers, two 152-mm D-20 howitzers, and two US-made 105-mm M119 howitzers," the ministry said in a statement. Ukraine lost up to 500 soldiers in battles with Russian troops of the Zapad (West) group, the ministry said, adding that Russia's Tsentr (Central) group repelled six counterattacks, during which Kiev has lost up to 315 servicepeople. Russia's Sever (North) group of forces repelled seven counterattacks in the past 24 hours, with Kiev losing up to 250, the ministry said. The Russian armed forces have also taken control of the Leninskoe settlement in Donetsk People's Republic. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Energy Facilities Protection and School Shelter Provision: the President Took Part in the Meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Rivne Region President of Ukraine 30 July 2024 - 19:17 During his working visit to the Rivne region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in a meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities members from the Rivne region. The meeting was attended by more than 120 people: government officials, representatives of local authorities, businesses and banks. During the meeting, the participants discussed the importance of supporting Ukrainian defenders, the development of regional cooperation with other countries, the arrangement of school shelters and the situation in the energy sector. The Head of State emphasized that the priority is to ensure the protection of industrial and economic centers with a sufficient number of air defense systems. "Thanks to our work and our partners, we are increasing the number of Patriots and other systems. Therefore, we will continue to work in this direction. And in August, September and October, we will have the necessary systems in our state," the President said. Representatives of local authorities noted that additional generating capacities are being installed in the Rivne region. Currently, 17 such installations are operating at heat supply and industrial enterprises. Also, almost 1200 houses in the region are equipped with solar panels. The Head of State supported the proposal to expand the program of interest-free loans for the installation of alternative energy sources in social infrastructure facilities. In addition, the participants of the meeting discussed the provision of shelters for educational institutions. In particular, they talked about the regulation of norms for the simplest shelters, which can be located in basements and semi-basements. Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed the Government to work on this issue within a week and to help regions with the construction of shelters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy Met with Business Representatives of the Volyn Region President of Ukraine 30 July 2024 - 15:20 In Volyn, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with manufacturers in the framework of the Made in Ukraine economic platform. "I want to thank you for preserving the jobs, for staying in Ukraine, for supporting the Ukrainian economy, and for being honest taxpayers. This is very important for the state's life and development," he said. Special attention during the meeting was paid to energy and security issues in the region. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that while the war continues, the situation in the energy sector will not be simple, but the government is doing everything possible to improve it. The President also emphasized that the enemy is trying to sow panic in the border regions and urged people to trust only Ukrainian official sources of information. First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy Yuliia Svyrydenko explained that this year, under the Made in Ukraine platform, entrepreneurs in Volyn will be able to receive UAH 1.6 billion. This includes grants, loan programs, compensation for domestic agricultural machinery, and over UAH 20 million in subsidies for the purchase of school buses produced in the region. "Supporting domestic manufacturers is now a matter of our security, and not just economic one. Up to 40% of the purchase of Ukrainian goods returns to Ukrainians in the form of salaries, taxes, and fees. Thanks to business, we have the resources to support our security and defense sector," noted Yuliia Svyrydenko. The President also visited a light industry enterprise specializing in textile manufacturing. Last year, this enterprise was among the top five taxpayers to the local budget and ranked in the top three most efficient enterprises in its industry. The company's director demonstrated to Volodymyr Zelenskyy the production process and explained where the products are marketed. The Head of State spoke with the company's employees and thanked them for their work. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Inspected the Construction of Fortifications and Held a Security Meeting in the Volyn Region President of Ukraine 30 July 2024 - 13:30 During his working visit to the Volyn region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a coordination meeting on the security situation and state border protection, which was attended by representatives of the Military Command, the State Border Guard Service, and the Heads of Military Administrations of Volyn, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Kyiv, and Chernihiv regions. Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Serhii Deineko reported on border protection, in particular on the number of warriors involved, their capabilities and weapons. Head of Chernihiv Regional Military Administration Vyacheslav Chaus, Head of Kyiv Regional Military Administration Ruslan Kravchenko, Head of Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration Vitaliy Bunechko, Head of Rivne Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Koval, Head of Volyn Regional Military Administration Yuriy Pohulyaiko and Head of the State Special Transport Service Administration Oleksandr Yakovets reported on the progress of fortifications construction along the border with Belarus. The President inspected the works in one of the strongholds in the Volyn region. Volodymyr Zelenskyy examined the arrangement of trenches, firing positions and dugouts. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, anti-tank ditches, barrier fences and platoon strongholds with firing positions have been built here. In the areas of possible movement of the occupiers' armored vehicles, reinforced concrete installations and defensive structures were arranged to protect the personnel. "We have strong protection both in terms of personnel and defensive lines. We have also increased the number of border guards in all regions bordering Russia and Belarus. And we continue to strengthen it," the Head of State emphasized. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine invites Chinese foreign minister to visit By VOA News July 30, 2024 A potential meeting between Chinese and Ukrainian leaders comes to the forefront as Ukraine on Tuesday invited the Chinese foreign minister for bilateral talks. The invitation comes after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba went to China last week, the first such visit since Russia's full-blown invasion of Ukraine in 2022. "We are ready to welcome Minister Wang Yi in Ukraine to see first-hand the consequences of the Russian aggression against our country and hold deeper bilateral talks with him on a number of bilateral, regional and international issues," Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said at a press briefing in Kyiv Tuesday. China has expressed interest in visiting, according to Ukraine. China has presented a neutral stance on the war between Russia and Ukraine, while maintaining ties with Russia and helping the country to keep its economy afloat. The invitation from Ukraine comes as Russia announced that it captured an additional Ukrainian village on Tuesday. Russia describes the village as "liberated," being one in a series of villages captured by the country in recent weeks. The country also began large-scale military drills on Tuesday, with more than 300 combat exercises reported to take place. Some 20,000 military personnel, 300 ships and 50 aircraft are scheduled to participate in the drills. "The main purposes of the exercises is to test the actions of the navy's military command at all levels, as well as the readiness of the ships' crews, naval aviation units and naval coastal troops," Russia's Defense Ministry said. Officials in Russia's Kursk region said Tuesday that crews extinguished a fire at an oil depot that was hit by a Ukrainian drone attack two days earlier. Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov said on Telegram that the attack set several fuel tanks on fire and that nobody was injured. In fresh attacks Tuesday, Ukrainian aerial drones targeted multiple areas in the Belgorod region of Russia, located along the border with Ukraine. The drones struck two villages, damaging several homes and an agricultural business, according to a post on Telegram from Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. Ukraine's military said Tuesday its air defenses shot down seven Russian reconnaissance drones during the past day. In Ukraine's northeastern region of Kharkiv, Russian shelling injured one person early Tuesday, local officials said. Russian shelling also injured one person and damaged several houses in the Kherson region in southern Ukraine, according to the regional governor. Some information for this story was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran dismisses West's accusation of involvement in Ukraine conflict IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 31, 2024 New York, IRNA -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations has categorically rejected as baseless the accusation leveled by the United States, England and France against Tehran about its role in the Ukraine war. Amir-Saeid Iravani, in an identical letter to the President of the Security Council and the Secretary General of the United Nations on Tuesday, reaffirmed his country's posture, saying the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken a neutral stance since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine and that Tehran still stands with its fundamental principle. "I reject the baseless claims made against my country in the statements by the representatives of the United States, Britain and France at the UN Security Council public meeting on July 25, 2024", he stated. The full text of the letter is as follows: Excellency, I wish to categorically reject the baseless allegations made against my country in statements delivered by the representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France in the UN Security Council open briefing held on 25 July 2024 under the agenda item "Threats to international peace and security" focusing on the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine (S/PV.9693). The desperate attempt by the representative of France in this meeting to falsely associate their claims with UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015) is both misleading and completely unfounded. As we have reiterated numerous times, Resolution 2231 has nothing to do with the Ukrainian conflict. Similarly, an unwarranted reference made to the Islamic Republic of Iran by the representative of Switzerland in this meeting was provoking and irresponsible. I also reject unequivocally the identical allegations by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, in the UN Security Council open briefings held on 14 and 18 June 2024 under agenda items "Threats to international peace and security" and "Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine" (S/PV.9658- S/PV.9660). We regard these allegations as nothing but attempts to advance the narrow and shortsighted political agendas of these three permanent members of the Council, as their records in the Council testify this. Ironically, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, which are directly involved in the Ukraine conflict and are significant contributors to its escalation through the provision of advanced weaponry, have audaciously put forth such unfounded claims against Iran. The US and its allies must look in the mirror to understand how Western arms and advanced weaponry, especially from the United States, have prolonged the war in Ukraine and inflicted harm on civilians. The Islamic Republic of Iran has made it clear, time and time again, including in its letter dated 15 May 2024 (S/2024/388), that it has constantly taken a stance of impartiality since the outset of the Ukraine conflict and this principled position remains unchanged. The Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently fulfilled its obligations and remains dedicated to doing so. Therefore, any allegations suggesting Iran's involvement in the sale, export, or transfer of arms in violation of its international commitments are entirely baseless and categorically denied. Iran once again reaffirms its unwavering commitment to upholding international humanitarian law. I should be grateful if you would circulate the present letter as a document of the Security Council. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran reiterates impartially in Ukraine war Iran Press TV Wednesday, 31 July 2024 2:34 AM Iran's UN envoy has rejected allegations leveled by several Western countries that accuse Tehran of military involvement in the Ukraine war. Amir Saeed Iravani, in a letter to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, said Iran has maintained its policy of impartiality since the outbreak of the war between Russia and Ukraine in 2022. "I wish to categorically reject the baseless allegations made against my country in statements delivered by the representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France in the UN Security Council open briefing held on 25 July 2024 under the agenda item "Threats to international peace and security" focusing on the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine," he wrote. "The desperate attempt by the representative of France in this meeting to falsely associate their claims with UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015) is both misleading and completely unfounded," he stated. "As we have reiterated numerous times, Resolution 2231 has nothing to do with the Ukrainian conflict," he stated. The ambassador also denounced "an unwarranted reference made to the Islamic Republic of Iran by the representative of Switzerland in this meeting was provoking and irresponsible." "I also reject unequivocally the identical allegations by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, in the UN Security Council open briefings held on 14 and 18 June 2024 under agenda items 'Threats to international peace and security' and 'Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine,'" he said. "We regard these allegations as nothing but attempts to advance the narrow and shortsighted political agendas of these three permanent members of the Council, as their records in the Council testify this," he said. Iravani also blasted the US, UK and France for sending billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine which has helped to prolong the war and inflict more harm on the civilian population. "The US and its allies must look in the mirror to understand how Western arms and advanced weaponry, especially from the United States, have prolonged the war in Ukraine and inflicted harm on civilians," he said. The analyst rejected the anti-Iran allegations by these countries as part of their narrow and shortsighted political agenda. Iravani denied Iran's involvement in the sale, export, or transfer of arms to the Ukraine war. He said, "Any allegations suggesting Iran's involvement in the sale, export, or transfer of arms in violation of its international commitments are entirely baseless and categorically denied. Iran once again reaffirms its unwavering commitment to upholding international humanitarian law." Iran has categorically rejected allegations it is providing ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia, raised by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), to be used in the military campaign against Ukraine. Earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said NATO has made "totally baseless and politically-motivated" claims. The NATO leaders had claimed that North Korea and Iran were fuelling Russia's military operation against Ukraine by providing direct military support to Moscow, such as munitions and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), which they said impacted Euro-Atlantic security and undermined the global non-proliferation regime. They said any transfer of ballistic missiles and related technology by Iran to Russia would represent a substantial escalation. Iran has never provided Russia with any type of drones during the military conflict in Ukraine and still emphasizes the importance of settling the crisis and establishing lasting peace through political channels, the diplomat pointed out. Iran has repeatedly rejected accusations that it has supplied weapons to Russia for direct use in the war in Ukraine. It has also discarded allegations of supplying weapons to anti-Israeli and anti-US groups in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelensky Says Expecting Air Defense Systems to Be Delivered to Ukraine in August-October Sputnik News 20240731 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he expects Western air defense systems to be delivered to Ukraine in August-October. "We are increasing the number of Patriot and other systems ... We will continue this work. In August, September, and October, these systems will be in our country," Zelensky said at a meeting with regional authorities on Tuesday. On July 15, Zelensky said that Kiev needs 25 Patriot air defense systems to ensure the complete protection of the Ukrainian skies, without disclosing how many Patriot systems the country already has. Earlier in July, a Pentagon spokesperson told Sputnik that the United States would provide Kiev with an old Patriot system worth about $100 million. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis also pledged to send a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine in the 10-year agreement on security cooperation between Romania and Ukraine signed on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington last Thursday. Earlier this month, the Russian Ministry of Defense published videos of two Patriot systems being destroyed by Russian Iskander-M missile. Russia has continually warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying this would lead to further escalation of the conflict. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, July 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of stock of CAE Inc. (NYSE: CAE) between February 11, 2022 and May 21, 2024, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important September 16, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased CAE stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the CAE class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=27285 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 September 16, 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 materially false and misleading statements concerning significant cost overruns in CAEs Defense and Security (Defense) segment caused by several fixed-price, long-term Defense contracts entered prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In truth, certain of CAEs pre-COVID fixed-price Defense contracts had experienced such significant cost overruns that CAE needed to take over $720 million in charges and profit adjustments and re-baselin[e] its entire Defense business. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the CAE class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=27285 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 TORONTO, July 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Silver Storm Mining Ltd. (Silver Storm or the "Company") (TSX.V: SVRS | OTCQB: SVRSF | FSE: SVR) announced today that it anticipates the filing of its annual financial statements, managements discussion and analysis and related officer certifications for the financial year ended March 31, 2024 (collectively, the Annual Filings) will be delayed beyond the required filing deadline under Parts 4 and 5 of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations and pursuant to National Instrument 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuers Annual and Interim Filings, being July 29, 2024 (the Filing Deadline). As a result of certain complexities associated with the acquisition of the La Parrilla assets, the accounting and audit process remains ongoing at this time. Accordingly, the Company has determined that it will not be able to complete the audit and file the Annual Filings by the Filing Deadline. The Company intends to work closely with its auditor and expects to file the Annual Filings as soon as possible, and in any event, no later than August 28, 2024. The Company does not anticipate any further delay in filing its Annual Filings together with the related officer certifications for the financial period ended June 30, 2024, due by August 29, 2024. The Company is providing this default announcement in accordance with National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders (NP 12-203). The Company has made an application to the British Columbia Securities Commission, as principal regulator of the Company, for a management cease trade order (MCTO) under NP 12-203 in respect of the anticipated default regarding the Annual Filings. The MCTO was granted by the British Columbia Securities Commission on July 30, 2024. The issuance of the MCTO generally will not affect the ability for persons who have not been directors, officers or insiders of the Company to trade in their securities. The Company intends to follow the provisions of the Alternative Information Guidelines set out in NP 12-203, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports in the form of news releases, for as long as the Company remains in default with its Annual Filings. The Company confirms as of the date of this news release, that there is no insolvency proceeding against it and there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed. About Silver Storm Mining Ltd. (formerly Golden Tag Resources Ltd.) Silver Storm Mining Ltd. holds advanced-stage silver projects located in Durango, Mexico. Silver Storm recently completed the acquisition of 100% of the La Parrilla Silver Mine Complex, a prolific operation which is comprised of a 2,000 tpd mill as well as five underground mines and an open pit that collectively produced 34.3 million silver-equivalent ounces between 2005 and 2019. The Company also holds a 100% interest in the San Diego Project, which is among the largest undeveloped silver assets in Mexico. For more information regarding the Company and its projects, please visit our website at www.silverstorm.ca. For additional information, please contact: Greg McKenzie, President & CEO Ph: +1 (416) 504-2024 greg.mckenzie@silverstorm.ca Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of the phrase forward-looking information in the Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations. Forward-looking statements are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, or plan. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the MCTO and expectations relating thereto. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including that the Companys financial condition and development plans do not change because of unforeseen events. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including, but not limited to, the risk that the Company is unable to achieve its goal of placing La Parrilla back into production; market conditions and volatility and global economic conditions including increased volatility and potentially negative capital raising conditions resulting from the continued or escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic, risk of delay and/or cessation in planned work or changes in the Companys financial condition and development plans employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour, the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining, including the Mexican mining reforms; risks relating to environmental regulation and liability; the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Companys expectations; risks relating to completion of the annual audit in a timely manner. Such forward-looking information represents best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. NEW ORLEANS, July 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (KSF) and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until August 5, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG), if they purchased the Companys shares between June 2, 2021 and August 1, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. What You May Do If you purchased shares of Scotts and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-smg/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by August 5, 2024 . About the Lawsuits Scotts and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On August 2, 2023, the Company disclosed disappointing financial results including a decline in quarterly sales for fiscal third quarter of 6%, a decline in gross margin by 420 basis points, as well as a cut to fiscal year EBITDA guidance by a staggering 25% and a $20 million write down of pandemic driven excess inventories. On this news, the price of Scotts shares fell by $13.58 per share, or 19%, from a closing price of $71.44 per share on August 1, 2023, to a closing price of $57.86 per share on August 2, 2023. The case is City of Hialeah Employees Retirement System v. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, No. 24-cv-03132. A subsequent case, City Of Inkster Policemen And Firemen Retirement System v. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, No. 24-cv-03766 expanded the class period. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nations premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana and New Jersey. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. Contact: TORONTO, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wallbridge Mining Company Limited (TSX: WM, OTCQB:WLBMF) (Wallbridge or the Company) today announced that assay results from the 9,000 metre Phase 1 drilling program at its 100% owned Martiniere gold project (Martiniere) confirm the presence of high-grade gold mineralization in multiple sulfide vein assemblages and further define the continuity of mineralization and gold grades at the Bug Lake North, Bug Lake South and Martiniere West zones. Highlights Intersected multiple zones of pyritic sulfide veining hosting high-grade gold mineralization including: 44.63 g/t Au over 1.1 metres, 8.52 g/t Au over 1.5 metres, and 27.48 g/t Au over 1.0 metre in hole MR-24-066 testing the Bug Lake North zone. 8.40 g/t Au over 1.5 metres in hole MR-24-070, as well as 9.47 g/t Au over 0.9 metres and 4.62 g/t Au over 2.4 metres in hole MR-24-071A testing the Bug Lake South zone. 3.14 g/t Au over 3.4 metres in hole MR-24-086 testing the Martiniere West zone. Confirmed gold distribution and grade continuity across broad widths in the Bug Lake North, Bug Lake South, and Martiniere West zones: 24.3 metres averaging 1.62 g/t Au in hole MR-24-068 including 1.6 metres averaging 13.53 g/t Au at Bug Lake North. 21.1 metres averaging 2.15 g/t Au in hole MR-24-085 at Bug Lake South. 6.5 metres averaging 2.87 g/t Au in hole MR-24-074 at Martiniere West. Wallbridges CEO Brian Penny remarked: "The successful completion of our Martiniere Phase 1 drilling program marks an important milestone in advancing the project. With geotechnical characterization studies and metallurgical testing well underway, our focus now shifts to exploring extensions along the known gold-bearing trends toward newly identified satellite targets, including the Dragonfly and Horsefly zones. These targets present excellent potential for expanding the Martiniere resource base. We are excited about the significant upside potential at Martiniere and Fenelon and look forward to sharing later this year the results of the ongoing metallurgical and geotechnical rock mass characterization studies." A 185-kilogram composite sample has been collected from the Phase 1 drill program and sent to SGS Lakefield Mineral Services for metallurgical tests, including gold recoveries. In addition, approximately 4,550 metres of drilling was surveyed using a downhole optical and acoustic televiewer probe for a geotechnical rock mass characterization study being carried out by WSP Consulting. The Company is also commencing a 6,000 metre Phase 2 Martiniere drilling program designed to test potential extensions of the mineralized gold trends identified through recently completed re-interpretation of deposit geology and mineralization controls. The re-interpretation was completed by the Companys exploration team working in collaboration with independent consultants specializing in structural geology, mineral deposit modeling and resource estimation. Additional highlights from the 2024 Martiniere Phase 1 drilling program are provided in the table of summarized assay highlights below. For more information, including a drill hole location map and representative cross-sections, please refer to the link provided here: Martiniere Gold Project: 2024 Phase 1 Drill Hole Location Map and Cross-Sections Martiniere Gold Project: 2024 Phase 1 Drill Assay Highlights Drill Hole From To Length Au (m) (m) (m) (g/t) BUG LAKE NORTH MDE-14-145_ext'n 195.3 195.8 0.5 10.50 225.7 230.0 4.3 1.36 Including 225.7 226.4 0.7 5.56 226.4 229.0 2.6 0.30 229.0 230.0 1.0 1.15 274.5 277.5 3.0 2.86 MR-24-066 111.0 116.1 5.1 2.45 267.0 278.2 11.2 1.97 Including 267.0 274.5 7.5 2.06 274.5 277.3 2.8 0.08 277.3 278.2 0.9 6.76 319.5 323.9 4.4 2.37 Including 319.5 320.8 1.3 1.83 320.8 322.4 1.6 0.05 322.4 323.9 1.5 5.46 344.8 345.9 1.1 44.63 454.5 456.0 1.5 8.52 467.7 468.7 1.0 27.48 476.5 482.3 5.8 1.96 Including 476.5 478.5 2.0 4.02 478.5 482.3 3.8 0.87 488.7 494.0 5.3 2.56 Including 488.7 489.5 0.8 7.73 489.5 492.8 3.3 1.16 492.8 494.0 1.2 2.97 MR-24-068 162.5 167.4 4.9 1.32 193.0 196.0 3.0 2.05 219.7 244.0 24.3 1.62 Including 219.7 220.2 0.5 5.96 220.2 227.0 6.8 0.21 227.0 228.0 1.0 1.20 228.0 232.0 4.0 0.30 232.0 233.4 1.4 1.12 233.4 233.9 0.5 5.53 233.9 236.9 3.0 0.41 236.9 240.8 3.9 1.18 240.8 242.4 1.6 0.10 242.4 244.0 1.6 13.53 360.0 369.0 9.0 3.88 Including 360.0 361.1 1.1 23.34 361.1 366.5 5.4 0.43 366.5 369.0 2.5 2.77 411.0 412.5 1.5 3.33 529.6 530.1 0.5 9.90 MR-24-073 * 54.4 55.7 1.3 11.16 Including 54.4 55.2 0.8 1.15 * 55.2 55.7 0.5 24.81 64.0 72.0 8.0 5.32 Including 64.0 68.0 4.0 2.58 68.0 69.0 1.0 11.32 69.0 71.0 2.0 1.32 71.0 72.0 1.0 18.33 MR-24-075 82.0 84.5 2.5 4.45 Including 82.0 83.5 1.5 6.24 83.5 84.5 1.0 1.77 137.0 139.3 2.3 3.16 Including 137.0 138.5 1.5 0.54 138.5 139.3 0.8 8.09 166.0 169.0 3.0 5.23 Including 166.0 168.0 2.0 0.68 168.0 169.0 1.0 14.33 MR-24-079 103.5 104.2 0.7 19.40 146.5 147.3 0.8 20.10 MR-24-088A 217.2 229.0 11.8 1.66 Including 217.2 220.0 2.8 2.25 220.0 223.0 3.0 0.38 223.0 224.2 1.2 2.06 224.2 226.7 2.5 0.04 226.7 229.0 2.3 4.08 378.5 383.8 5.3 2.31 420.3 428.9 8.6 2.86 Including 420.3 426.0 5.7 1.17 426.0 428.9 2.9 6.25 BUG LAKE SOUTH MDE-17-286_ext'n No Significant Results MDE-21-331_ext'n No Significant Results MR-24-070 460.5 462.0 1.5 8.40 MR-24-071A 630.0 630.9 0.9 9.47 644.3 646.7 2.4 4.62 Including 644.3 645.0 0.7 4.71 645.0 646.0 1.0 2.70 646.0 646.7 0.7 7.47 MR-24-072 532.0 533.0 1.0 6.37 MR-24-077 * 354.3 354.9 0.6 18.73 MR-24-083 No Significant Results MR-24-085 267.0 271.0 4.0 2.48 284.5 305.6 21.1 2.15 Including 284.5 294.0 9.5 1.59 294.0 295.1 1.1 9.05 295.1 299.0 3.9 0.69 299.0 300.0 1.0 5.14 300.0 304.5 4.5 1.57 304.5 305.6 1.1 4.92 329.5 331.9 2.4 2.23 MARTINIERE CENTRAL & WEST MR-24-067 285.0 289.0 4.0 2.92 Including 285.0 286.0 1.0 5.40 286.0 287.0 1.0 0.11 287.0 289.0 2.0 3.08 MR-24-069 No Significant Results MR-24-074 75.0 81.5 6.5 2.87 Including 75.0 75.5 0.5 14.30 75.5 76.5 1.0 4.60 76.5 77.0 0.5 0.60 77.0 78.0 1.0 0.16 78.0 79.5 1.5 2.19 79.5 80.5 1.0 0.82 80.5 81.5 1.0 2.35 MR-24-076 69.6 74.4 4.8 3.36 Including 69.6 70.5 0.9 8.11 70.5 72.5 2.0 1.09 72.5 74.4 1.9 3.50 MR-24-078 No Significant Results MR-24-080 No Significant Results MR-24-081A No Significant Results MR-24-082 No Significant Results MR-24-084 219.5 223.0 3.5 2.49 Including 219.5 220.7 1.2 1.20 220.7 222.0 1.3 0.07 222.0 223.0 1.0 7.19 259.6 261.7 2.1 3.08 Including 259.6 260.6 1.0 5.48 260.6 261.2 0.6 0.01 261.2 261.7 0.5 1.65 MR-24-086 304.6 308.0 3.4 3.14 Including 304.6 305.6 1.0 2.95 305.6 306.3 0.7 7.04 306.3 308.0 1.7 1.65 387.9 388.5 0.6 11.70 MR-24-087 115.3 117.5 2.2 2.58 Including 115.3 116.4 1.1 4.23 116.4 116.9 0.5 0.05 116.9 117.5 0.6 1.66 Notes: 1. True widths are estimated to be within 60% to 90% of reported core intercept lengths 2. Highlighted intervals are based on a Grade * Thickness Metal Factor > 5 gm * metres * Denotes visible gold (VG) observed in drill core Links to tables with complete summary assay results and drillhole location information are provided here: Martiniere Gold Project: Q1-Q2 2024 Drill Assay Summary and Location Information. Martiniere is a key project on the Companys 830 square kilometre Detour-Fenelon Trend property package located in Northern Abitibi, Quebec, 30 kilometres west of the Companys flagship Fenelon gold project and 50 kilometres east of Canadas largest gold mine, Agnico Eagles Detour Lake gold mine. Exploration and resource delineation drilling completed at Martiniere has so far intercepted multiple zones of vein-hosted gold mineralization over an approximate 1 kilometre by 500 metre area along the northwest-southeast trending Bug Lake structural corridor, and over an approximate 1.5 kilometre by 250 metre area along the northeast-southwest trending Martiniere West and Central corridor. Both the Bug Lake and Martiniere corridors remain open laterally and at depth below the current 450 to 500 metre vertical extent of drilling completed to date. The Company looks forward to providing the results of its Phase 2 exploration drilling program which it anticipates will be completed by the end of the third quarter. Wallbridge Mining Detour Fenelon Gold Trend Properties Quality Assurance / Quality Control Wallbridge maintains a Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") program for all its exploration projects using industry best practices. Key elements of the QA/QC program include verifiable chain of custody for samples, regular insertion of blanks and certified reference materials, and completion of secondary check analyses performed at a separate independent accredited laboratory. Drill core is halved and shipped in sealed bags to SGS in Val dOr, Quebec where they are re-distributed to other SGS laboratory facilities according to the analytical method being requested by Walbridge. Gold analyses are routinely performed via fire assay with ICP-OES finish methods. For greater precision and accuracy, samples assaying 10 g/t Au or greater are re-assayed via metallic screen fire assay method or fire assay/gravimetric finish, depending on the amount of sample material remaining available. Samples containing visible gold are submitted directly for analysis by metallic screen fire assay method. SGS Natural Resources analytical laboratories operate under a Quality Management System that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. All of SGS Canadian analytical sites are accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) for specific mineral tests listed on the scope of accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. ISO/IEC 17025 addresses both the quality management system and the technical aspects of operating a testing laboratory. Physical sample preparation involving accredited test methods as listed on the scope of accreditation may be performed at other sites listed on the SGS Canada Inc Natural Resources Minerals group accreditation or at offsite sample preparation laboratories that are monitored regularly for quality control and quality assurance practices, including SGS Canada Inc, Garson, SGS Canada Inc, Val dOr and SGS Canada Inc, Grand Falls-Windsor. Qualified Person The Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this news release is Mr. Christopher Kelly, M.Sc., P.Geo., Senior Geologist for Wallbridge. About Wallbridge Mining Wallbridge is focused on creating value through the exploration and sustainable development of gold projects along the Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend in Quebecs Northern Abitibi region while respecting the environment and communities where it operates. Wallbridges most advanced projects, Fenelon Gold (Fenelon) and Martiniere Gold (Martiniere) incorporate a combined 3.05 million ounces of indicated gold resources and 2.35 million ounces of inferred gold resources. Fenelon and Martiniere are located within an 830 square kilometre exploration land package controlled by Wallbridge. Wallbridge has reported a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) at Fenelon that estimates average annual gold production of 212,000 ounces over 12 years. Wallbridge also holds a 15.8% interest in the common shares of NorthX Nickel Corp. (formerly Archer Exploration Corp) as a result of the sale of the Companys portfolio of nickel assets in Ontario and Quebec. For further information please visit the Companys website at https://wallbridgemining.com/ or contact: Wallbridge Mining Company Limited Brian Penny, CPA, CMA Victoria Vargas, B.Sc. (Hon.) Economics, MBA Chief Executive Officer Capital Markets Advisor Email: bpenny@wallbridgemining.com Email: vvargas@wallbridgemining.com M: +1 416 716 8346 M: +1 289 242 3599 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information The information in this document may contain forward-looking statements or information (collectively, FLI) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. FLI is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this document. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are FLI that involve various risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties. Generally, FLI can be identified by the use of statements that include, but are not limited to, words such as seeks, believes, anticipates, plans, continues, budget, scheduled, estimates, expects, forecasts, intends, projects, predicts, proposes, "potential", targets and variations of such words and phrases, or by statements that certain actions, events or results may, will, could, would, should or might, be taken, occur or be achieved. FLI in this document may include, but is not limited to: statements regarding the results of the PEA; the potential future performance of the Common Shares; future drill results; the Companys ability to convert inferred resources into measured and indicated resources; environmental matters; stakeholder engagement and relationships; parameters and methods used to estimate the MREs at Fenelon and Martiniere (collectively the Deposits); the prospects, if any, of the Deposits; future drilling at the Deposits; and the significance of historic exploration activities and results. FLI is designed to help you understand managements current views of its near- and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. FLI by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such FLI. Although the FLI contained in this document is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such FLI, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such FLI. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such FLI contained in this document to reflect new events or circumstances. Unless otherwise noted, this document has been prepared based on information available as of the date of this document. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the FLI, or information contained herein. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in FLI. Assumptions upon which FLI is based, without limitation, include: the results of exploration activities, the Companys financial position and general economic conditions; the ability of exploration activities to accurately predict mineralization; the accuracy of geological modelling; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; the legitimacy of title and property interests in the Deposits; the accuracy of key assumptions, parameters or methods used to estimate the MREs and in the PEA; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; geological, mining and exploration technical problems; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the evolution of the global economic climate; metal prices; foreign exchange rates; environmental expectations; community and non-governmental actions; and, the Companys ability to secure required funding. Risks and uncertainties about Wallbridge's business are discussed in the disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Cautionary Notes to United States Investors Wallbridge prepares its disclosure in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Terms relating to mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources and economic studies used herein are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended. NI 43-101 differs significantly from the disclosure requirements of the SEC generally applicable to US companies. As such, the information presented herein concerning mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/030bebac-9ad5-40ac-8810-b875124c6dff MINNEAPOLIS and TORONTO, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dayforce, Inc. ("Dayforce" or the "Company") (NYSE: DAY; TSX: DAY), a global human capital management (HCM) leader that makes work life better, announced that its Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program with authorization to purchase up to $500 million of its common stock. "Dayforce continues to disrupt the HCM market, allowing the Company to achieve strong results, profitability improvements, and enhanced cash flow generation," said Jeremy Johnson, Chief Financial Officer of Dayforce. "Our robust, scalable business model and improving cash flow metrics enable us to take a comprehensive view of capital allocation, balancing investments in maintaining technology innovation, ongoing strategic M&A, and now a share repurchase program. This program reflects our belief that our shares are currently undervalued and demonstrates our confidence in the business." Dayforce may repurchase shares of common stock from time to time through open market purchases, in privately negotiated transactions, or by other means, including through the use of trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in accordance with applicable securities laws and other restrictions. The timing and total amount of stock repurchases will depend upon business, economic and market conditions, corporate and regulatory requirements, prevailing stock prices, and other considerations. The share repurchase program has no expiration date, may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time at the Companys discretion, and does not obligate the Company to acquire any amount of common stock. About Dayforce Dayforce makes work life better. Everything we do as a global leader in HCM technology is focused on improving work for thousands of customers and millions of employees around the world. Our single, global people platform for HR, payroll, talent, workforce management, and benefits equips Dayforce customers to unlock their full workforce potential and operate with confidence. To learn how Dayforce helps create quantifiable value for organizations of all sizes and industries, visit dayforce.com. Source: Dayforce, Inc. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and that are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning the Companys operations, performance, and financial condition, and the amount, timing, and benefits of a share repurchase program, can be identified by words such as anticipates, intends, plans, seeks, believes, estimates, expects, assumes, projects, could, continues, likely, may, will, should, and similar references to future periods, or by the inclusion of forecasts or projections. Forward-looking statements are based on the Companys current expectations and assumptions regarding the Companys business, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Consequently, the Companys actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including those more fully described under the caption Risk Factors and elsewhere in documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this press release speaks only as of the date on which the Company makes it. Factors or events that could cause the Companys actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or to revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as may be required by law. For more information, contact: David Niederman Investor Relations 1-844-829-9499 investors@dayforce.com ONTARIO, Calif. , July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heritage Grocers Group (Heritage or HGG), one of the leading Hispanic food retailers in the country, announced today that back-to-school giveaways will take place on respective dates at all Cardenas Markets, El Rancho Supermercado and Tonys Fresh Market store locations. All 115 HGG banner company stores will each donate 200 backpacks to local area students. Heritages backpack giveaway is designed to help local students start the new school year prepared and ready to learn while also helping local families reduce back-to-school expenses, said Adam Salgado, Chief Marketing Officer for Heritage Grocers Group. We pride ourselves on Heritage Grocers Group being a pillar of support for every community where we operate, and this initiative is just our latest effort of giving back to our customers that can always count on HGG to be there for them. All store locations across Heritages geographical footprint will distribute backpacks to children (ages 5-13) accompanied by an adult beginning at 8:00 a.m. while supplies last. Cardenas Markets will host back-to-school giveaways on Saturday, August 3, El Rancho Supermercado events will take place on Saturday, August 10, and Tonys Fresh Markets will giveaway backpacks on Saturday, August 17. In addition, El Rancho Supermercado recently held a back-to-school community event at its Houston location on 5264 W. 34th St., where 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to Houston-area students. To learn more about Heritages upcoming back-to-school giveaways visit Cardenas Markets, El Rancho Supermercado or Tony's Fresh Market. About Heritage Grocers Group Heritage Grocers Group (HGG) is a leading specialty, ethnic food retailer that offers an extensive assortment of both traditional and specialty grocery items to the communities it serves. With a unique customer experience focused on freshness, authenticity and affordability, the HGG family of destination groceries incorporate freshly made ethnic foods, differentiated floor formats presenting distinct specialty categories and localized assortments that engage with each community. Headquartered in Ontario, California, Heritage Grocers Group operates in six states: California, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Kansas, and Illinois, with a total of 58 stores under the Cardenas Markets banner, 29 stores under the El Rancho Supermercado banner, 21 stores under the Tonys Fresh Market banner, and 7 stores under the Los Altos Ranch Market banner. For more information visit https://www.heritagegrocersgroup.com/. Contact Marisa Kutansky Senior Communications Director Tel: (909) 923-7426 ext. 1414 Email: mkutansky@heritagegrocers.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c5bd0154-80f5-4d50-b8de-2f3e5260eb57 QUEBEC, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UgoWork, a premier provider of advanced energy storage solutions for material handling equipment , today announced the closing of $51M as part of its Series C financing. This investment round was led by Fonds de solidarite FTQ, with significant participation from returning investors Investissement Quebec (IQ), Export Development Canada (EDC), and includes a new credit facility from Desjardins Technology & Innovation Banking. This financing brings UgoWorks total funding to $77 million, strongly positioning the company for continued growth and innovation in the energy sector. Since 2015, UgoWork has empowered top-tier logistics operators to electrify and modernize their fleets with its integrated hardware and cloud software ecosystem. Its user-friendly power solutions and exceptional support transform fleet management, helping operators meet the unprecedented pressure for efficiency in the logistics market. UgoWork's clients achieve cost savings by reducing the equipment needed to run their operations, offering a significant advantage in the current environment of high-costs and labor shortages. Moreover, its AI-driven cloud platform unlocks peak shaving features to lower energy costs during high demand periods and enhances safety through the use of digital twin technology. We are committed to helping our customers make their energy transition by offering the fastest innovation roadmap of our industry. In a $200B material handling market where most equipment is powered by old technologies, we stand at the brink of a new era, said Philippe Beauchamp, President and CEO of UgoWork. We believe that data is poised to become a pivotal asset in this business, providing transformative opportunities to redefine our industry. Our ability to seamlessly integrate this data sets our solutions apart and greatly enhances the customer experience. UgoWorks vision and commitment to creating energy-efficient solutions is impressive. The Fonds is proud to invest and support once again this company, which continues to position itself as a game-changer in the technology sector, explains Dany Pelletier, Executive Vice President, Private Equity and Impact Investing at the Fonds de solidarite FTQ. We are thrilled to work alongside strategic and like-minded partners like le Fonds to support UgoWorks continued growth and provide a second round of financing through EDCs Investment Matching Program, said Lissa Bjerkelund, EDCs Vice-President, Investments and Mid-Market Lending. Growing businesses like UgoWork are a testament to the success of Canadas cleantech sector, and we are proud to support their mission to revolutionize the material handling industry with innovative energy solutions. Being an active contributor to UgoWorks story of innovation is exactly the kind of role Investissement Quebec wants to play with young companies and their teams. We are delighted to support the development of UgoWorks solutions, which make manufacturing practices more efficient and sustainable. With this new round of financing, the company has all the tools it needs to meet the demands of its many international customers and suppliers, thereby fueling its growth and ensuring it remains competitive both here in Quebec and beyond our borders, declared Bicha Ngo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Investissement Quebec. UgoWorks pioneering efforts in electrification and energy management greatly align with Desjardins mission to drive sustainable development, said Mehdi Bakhty, Managing Director at Desjardins Tech & Innovation Banking. By supporting UgoWork, Desjardins Tech & Innovation Banking team underscores our commitment to empowering companies with strong fundamentals and technology as well as forward-thinking and adaptable leadership. The company's rapid, while still sustainable growth, coupled with its great position in a market ripe for disruption further enables our willingness to tailor creative ways to support it. This collaboration between major Quebec and Canada institutions and the company goes hand in hand with Desjardins cooperative values of solidarity, integrity, and community development, and demonstrates our collective dedication to advancing the electrification of industries for a sustainable future, he concludes. This new funding will be used to grow the companys go-to-market efforts, extend its global distribution footprint, accelerate the development of its software and hardware platforms, and expand its headquarters and main production facility. About UgoWork UgoWork is a pioneering technology company specializing in advanced lithium-ion power solutions for the material handling industry. It develops, manufactures and distributes a fully integrated batteries and cloud software ecosystem that provides actionable insights and helps optimize daily operations and costs for fleet operators. UgoWork transforms traditional energy solutions with its universal and standardized charging infrastructure, continuous field-service monitoring and proactive expertise. Moreover, its Energy as a Service (EaaS) model is tailored for the material handling industry. Headquartered in Quebec, Canada, UgoWork serves a diverse range of industries, including food and beverage, manufacturing, transportation, and distribution, across North America. The companys cost-efficient and reliable energy management programs are trusted by numerous Fortune 500 companies. Experience the UgoWork difference by visiting ugowork.com . Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f188540d-dca9-4b34-b3ae-bddb4e101d2f https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c827306a-d1ea-4fd3-b618-a40464080449 ISELIN, N.J., July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Provident Bank , a leading New Jersey-based financial institution, is pleased to welcome Leonardo Ramos as Vice President, Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Officer. Mr. Ramos is responsible for the execution of the banks CRA program and commitments to the communities the bank serves, while overseeing the day-to-day operations of the bank's various assessment areas and carrying out executive leaderships directives to achieve specific CRA goals and objectives. In addition, he is responsible for enhancing lending, service, and investment strategies to effectively support the bank's CRA initiatives that include providing loans and investments for affordable housing and economic development. I am pleased to welcome Leonardo to this important role on our compliance team, said Mary Brown, Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer. His deep knowledge and expertise in compliance management, combined with his widespread experience in financial services, will be instrumental as Provident grows, and as we continue to maintain the highest standards in regulatory compliance, added Ms. Brown. Mr. Ramos has more than 24 years of experience in financial services. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President, Sales Manager with Columbia Bank. Prior to that, he served as Vice President, Community Development Sales Manager with Santander Bank. Mr. Ramos earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Lee University and a Master of Business Administration from Rutgers Business School. About Provident Bank Founded in Jersey City in 1839, Provident Bank is the oldest community-focused financial institution based in New Jersey and is the wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS). With assets of $24.08 billion as of June 30, 2024, Provident Bank offers a wide range of customized financial solutions for businesses and consumers with an exceptional customer experience delivered through its convenient network of 140 branches across New Jersey and parts of New York and Pennsylvania, via mobile and online banking, and from its customer contact center. The bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company, and insurance services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Provident Protection Plus, Inc. To learn more about Provident Bank, go to www.provident.bank or call our customer contact center at 800.448.7768. CONTACT: Keith Buscio 732-504-9407 Keith.buscio@provident.bank A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2d0b3af6-9b51-4516-acd9-5f013af49c19 BOSTON, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arcadia (arcadia.io), a leading data platform for healthcare, today announced that it earned Certified Data Partner designation in the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Data Aggregator Validation (DAV) program. This achievement underscores Arcadia's commitment to superior data quality. Validated clinical data flows improve the efficiency of HEDIS supplemental data submission because no primary source verification is required when health plans use validated standard supplemental data. This saves providers, health plans, and government entities time, and instills trust in output data matching source data. Earning NCQA Data Partner status unlocks additional value for Arcadia customers and their health technology investments by boosting data quality and confidence in using high-quality data for accurate analytics, measurement, and reporting, said Mary Kuchenbrod, VP of Data Operations at Arcadia. "For example, a health plan leveraging Arcadias DAV partner status to certify a data stream can ensure they can use that data in their annual HEDIS submission and receive credit for their quality performance. Organizations that earn NCQA Data Aggregator Validation Certification undergo a rigorous assessment that includes a virtual site review with staff interviews and a review of documentation, queries, and systems. NCQA evaluates clinical data streams from end-to-end to help ensure that health plans, providers, government organizations, and others can trust the accuracy of aggregated clinical data. In addition to earning Certified Data Partner and Validated Data Stream designations from NCQA, Arcadia holds additional certifications pertaining to data integrity, including: HEDIS Health Plan Clinical Quality Measures and Allowable Adjustment Measures (20222024 measure years) Health Plan Clinical Quality Measures and Allowable Adjustment Measures (20222024 measure years) Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA) Align. Measure. Perform. (AMP) Measures (20222024 measure years) For information about NCQA Validation, visit the NCQA website. For information about Arcadias certifications and to request a demo of our healthcare data analytics platform, visit Arcadias website. About Arcadia Arcadia helps payers and providers put their data to work so they can transform healthcare. We do that through an interoperable data platform that uses advanced analytics to shape strategies, inform decisions, and facilitate actions. In turn, payers and providers can focus on what matters most whether thats patient outcomes, operational efficiencies, or financial performance. Were trusted by the institutions driving the future of healthcare, including Southwestern Health Resources, Tandigm, Castell, Rush Health, and Beth Israel Lahey Health. To learn how Arcadia is shaping the future of healthcare with innovative solutions that deliver data-driven insights, visit arcadia.io. Arcadia is a registered trademark of Arcadia Solutions, LLC. About NCQA NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA Accredits and Certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQAs Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQAs website ( ncqa.org ) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed health care choices. NCQA can also be found at Twitter @ncqa and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa . HEDIS is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Attachment Dublin, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Asia-Pacific Waterproofing Membranes Market Outlook, 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Asia-Pacific waterproofing membranes market is anticipated to grow with more than 8% CAGR from 2024-2029 Several factors contribute to the thriving waterproofing membranes market in the Asia-Pacific region, each influencing market dynamics and business strategies. The region's diverse climates and construction practices present unique challenges and opportunities for waterproofing membrane manufacturers. Understanding and adapting to these regional variations are crucial for brands seeking success in the dynamic Asia-Pacific market. The population growth and urbanization trends underscore the increasing demand for waterproofing solutions in the Asia-Pacific region. Rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, and construction projects drive the need for reliable waterproofing membranes to protect buildings, bridges, and infrastructure assets from water damage and deterioration. Brands must offer a wide range of membrane options tailored to specific climate conditions and construction requirements to meet the diverse needs of customers across Asia-Pacific countries . Economic development and infrastructure investments further drive the demand for waterproofing membranes in Asia-Pacific countries. Robust economic growth, rising disposable incomes, and government initiatives to improve infrastructure resilience contribute to the growth of the waterproofing membranes market. The APAC region's waterproofing membranes market is a dynamic and evolving landscape, shaped by diverse cultural influences, adoption trends, sustainability initiatives, and market penetration strategies. This vibrant market is characterized by flexibility and adaptability, as it caters to a wide range of climatic, environmental, and architectural challenges across the region. Cultural influences play a significant role in shaping the preferences and requirements for waterproofing membranes in the APAC region. From the tropical monsoon climates of Southeast Asia to the arid deserts of Australia, the region's diverse cultural and geographical landscape dictates the need for customized waterproofing solutions. In response, manufacturers offer a wide array of products, including bituminous membranes, PVC, TPO, and EPDM, to cater to the unique needs of each market. Adoption trends in the APAC region are driven by rapid urbanization, increased construction activity, and a growing awareness of the importance of sustainable and energy-efficient buildings. Green building certifications, such as Singapore's BCA Green Mark and Australia's Green Star, are promoting the use of eco-friendly waterproofing membranes that contribute to reduced energy consumption and lower carbon emissions. The market is witnessing a surge in demand for products made from recycled materials, as well as membranes that can be recycled at the end of their service life. Sustainability is at the forefront of the APAC waterproofing membranes market, as manufacturers and regulators alike prioritize environmental stewardship. The region is home to numerous initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the construction industry, including the use of green roofs, cool roofs, and vegetated roofs. These innovative solutions not only provide effective waterproofing but also help to improve air quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, and promote biodiversity. Market penetration in the APAC region is facilitated by strategic partnerships, collaborations, and local manufacturing capabilities. Key players in the waterproofing membranes market are increasingly focusing on establishing strong regional presence, tapping into local expertise, and participating in industry events to showcase their products and services. Notable events in the region include the International Green Building Conference in Singapore, the Australasian Roofing Industry Association (ARIA) Conference in Australia, and the China International Waterproof Building Materials Exhibition. Major Drivers: Rapid Urbanization and Infrastructure Development: Rapid urbanization and infrastructure development drive the demand for waterproofing membranes in the Asia-Pacific region. As urban populations grow and cities expand, there is a need for effective waterproofing solutions to protect buildings, transportation networks, and underground structures from water damage. Government Investments in Infrastructure: Government investments in infrastructure projects, such as transportation networks, utilities, and public facilities, fuel the demand for waterproofing membranes in the Asia-Pacific region. Infrastructure development initiatives in countries like China, India, and Southeast Asian nations drive the growth of the waterproofing industry. Major Challenges: Quality Control and Standards Compliance: Ensuring quality control and compliance with industry standards pose challenges for the waterproofing membranes industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Variations in construction practices, regulatory frameworks, and enforcement mechanisms across different countries require manufacturers to adapt their products and processes to meet diverse market requirements. Climate Change and Environmental Degradation: Climate change and environmental degradation exacerbate water-related challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, including flooding, erosion, and soil instability. Addressing these challenges requires resilient waterproofing solutions that can withstand extreme weather events and environmental stressors. Market Trends Urban Green Spaces and Sustainable Development: the development of urban green spaces and sustainable infrastructure is a growing trend in the Asia-Pacific region. Waterproofing membranes designed for green roofs, permeable pavements, and rainwater harvesting systems support sustainable development goals by promoting stormwater management, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. Investments in Resilient Infrastructure: Investments in resilient infrastructure projects drive the adoption of waterproofing membranes in the Asia-Pacific region. Governments and private sector stakeholders prioritize the development of infrastructure systems that can withstand natural disasters and climate change impacts, creating opportunities for waterproofing solutions tailored to resilience and risk mitigation. Aspects covered in the report: Water Proofing Membrane market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments Various drivers and challenges On-going trends and developments Top profiled companies Strategic recommendations Competitive Landscape Competitive Dashboard Business Strategies Adopted by Key Players Key Players Market Positioning Matrix Porter's Five Forces Company Profiles Sika AG Company Snapshot Company Overview Financial Highlights Geographic Insights Business Segment & Performance Product Portfolio Key Executives Strategic Moves & Developments BASF SE Fosroc International Ltd. Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A. Renolit Soprema Mapei S.p.A. ARDEX GmbH Kingspan Group plc Pidilite Industries Limited RPM International Inc. Wacker Chemie AG Years considered in this report: Historic year: 2018 Base year: 2023 Estimated year: 2024 Forecast year: 2029 By Application: Liquid Applied Membranes Sheet Membranes By Product: Polymers Polymer Modified Cement Bitumen Others By End-Use: Roofing Building Structures Walls Landfills & Tunnels For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/x692ep About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Charleston, SC, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An astounding World War II-era novel, My Beloved Thessaloniki, Greece, hits shelves in late summer of 2024, telling the story of the famous and powerful resistance movement in Nazi-occupied Greece. Alexandros lives with his wife and young son in Thessaloniki, studying philosophy and languages at the University. When Alexandross professor begins to involve him in the resistance against Nazi Germany, he and his loved ones soon become caught up in a world of espionage and intrigue. With Nazi hunters closing in, Alexandros must maintain a desperate balance of appearances while his family flees for their survival. With love, duty, safety, and their very lives hanging in the balance, Alexandros must eventually face a terrible choice that will change all of their lives forever. My Beloved Thessaloniki, Greece is a brilliant, whirlwind novel that speaks to the very real courage that stood watch over the Mediterranean during the second World War. With a personal connection to the story, Dr. Jennie Kritou DiBartolomeo, author, weaves a riveting tale that blends heart-pounding spy tropes with pinpoint historical accuracy. Based on the factual Greek underground resistance movement, one of the most successful opponents to any Nazi occupation, the book tells the story of the freedom fighters known as the andartesmen and women who came to reclaim much of Greece by the end of the war. With thrills, philosophy, and a fully lived-in culture, DiBartolomeos writing has brought to life one of the most immersive and narratively satisfying historical fiction novels in recent years. For fans of novels like All the Light We Cannot See and films such as Dunkirk, My Beloved Thessaloniki, Greece will be an enthusiastically welcome addition to the bookshelf or Kindle library. My Beloved Thessaloniki, Greece: 19401944 is available for purchase online at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. For more information about the author, please visit her social media platform, Facebook. About the Author: Dr. Jennie Kritou DiBartolomeo has worked as a public school educator and provides education programs for criminal offenders in the state of New Hampshire. With a doctorate in education from Clark University, she has worked to make knowledge accessible to people of all ages, generations, and backgrounds. As someone passionate about her Greek heritage, DiBartolomeo is proud to bring together tremendous research on the lives of her own parents and siblings and the occupation of Greece during World War II. Through her writing, she hopes to inspire a love of history, culture, and courage to face dark times. Media Contact: Dr. Jennie Kritou DiBartolomeo Email: drjdibartolomeo@outlook.com Available for interviews: Author, Dr. Jennie Kritou DiBartolomeo Attachment TEL AVIV, Israel, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Savvy Security , an identity-first software-as-a-service (SaaS) security platform provider, today introduced Zero-Touch Integrations (ZTIs) , a patent-pending approach that leverages already-established client-side sessions to eliminate the need for manual server-side configuration steps to integrate and manage SaaS apps. As the first to offer these capabilities, Savvy empowers businesses to seamlessly integrate and configure all of their SaaS apps, sanctioned or unsanctioned, without manual setup or technical expertise, improving visibility, saving time and reducing SaaS identity risks. The proliferation of SaaS apps in modern business introduces a massive burden for already overworked security teams, who grapple with the traditional complex methods for app onboarding and provisioning. As businesses grow and their SaaS environments become more complex, managing app security manually can become untenable. Teams may miss gaps in their identity and access management (IAM) for instance, missing MFA on cloud accounts that could lead to significant compromise, as we saw in recent Snowflake-related incidents. Moreover, existing IAM solutions are blind to unmanaged SaaS accounts and identities, which often have weak, reused, shared and compromised credentials, and rarely employ multi-factor authentication. ZTIs allows new or previously unmanaged SaaS apps to be integrated into an organizations security stack effortlessly and at scale. It ensures seamless implementation of key functions such as automated data collection, real-time updates, and enhanced user interaction without requiring coding or developer knowledge. Visibility into SaaS is the biggest IAM gap companies face, which is why weve focused our innovation efforts to address this challenge. Our zero-touch client-side integrations are more than a technological advancement they represent a paradigm shift in how SaaS apps are managed by the business, said Guy Guzner, CEO and co-founder of Savvy Security. By eliminating the need for manual server-side setup and IT effort, we empower businesses to focus on what they do best while ensuring that they maintain security oversight and governance for the software tools their workforce is adopting. Savvys ZTIs enhance efficiency and ensure consistent security across the organization. Other key benefits include: Discover Identity Security Gaps : Savvy continuously monitors for IAM gaps and introduces automated workflows to close them, enabling teams to find and fix SaaS account issues before threat actors can exploit them. Teams can quickly resolve accounts not protected by SSO, unmanaged privileged access, dormant and stale accounts, rogue tenants and more, saving time and reducing the SaaS attack surface to prevent potential security incidents. : Savvy continuously monitors for IAM gaps and introduces automated workflows to close them, enabling teams to find and fix SaaS account issues before threat actors can exploit them. Teams can quickly resolve accounts not protected by SSO, unmanaged privileged access, dormant and stale accounts, rogue tenants and more, saving time and reducing the SaaS attack surface to prevent potential security incidents. See and Control SaaS Sprawl and Shadow IT: Savvy simplifies the integration process, provides clear oversight, and ensures a centralized method for integrating SaaS apps, which helps organizations maintain control over their software environments, thereby reducing the risks associated with SaaS sprawl and shadow IT. Companies immediately gain comprehensive visibility into apps, identities, privileges, security hygiene and more, without manual configurations and management. Savvy simplifies the integration process, provides clear oversight, and ensures a centralized method for integrating SaaS apps, which helps organizations maintain control over their software environments, thereby reducing the risks associated with SaaS sprawl and shadow IT. Companies immediately gain comprehensive visibility into apps, identities, privileges, security hygiene and more, without manual configurations and management. Gain Visibility into App-to-App Connections: ZTIs allow you to catalog accounts used to establish connections between interconnected apps. By automating and streamlining the integration process, ZTIs reduce the number of non-human identities and accounts and access grants that could serve as the genesis of a security breach. ZTIs allow you to catalog accounts used to establish connections between interconnected apps. By automating and streamlining the integration process, ZTIs reduce the number of non-human identities and accounts and access grants that could serve as the genesis of a security breach. Support Accelerated Adoption: ZTIs support the democratization of IT, allowing individuals from security and identity teams to keep up with the volume of new SaaS apps being adopted, by implementing sophisticated integrations for security visibility and identity governance of new apps with zero effort. ZTIs support the democratization of IT, allowing individuals from security and identity teams to keep up with the volume of new SaaS apps being adopted, by implementing sophisticated integrations for security visibility and identity governance of new apps with zero effort. Manage Apps at Enterprise Scale: ZTIs are inherently scalable, making it easier to extend security measures across new applications and services without additional resources and configuration overhead. Visit the website to learn more about Savvy or schedule a demo . About Savvy Security Savvy Security offers a modern SaaS security platform with an identity-first approach to provide organizations with unparalleled visibility into SaaS usage and risk. Savvy specializes in mitigating toxic combinations of SaaS-identity risk, including reused and compromised passwords, lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) and incomplete offboarding. Its just-in-time security guardrails automate security workflows to prevent potential incidents before they take place and provide suggestive guidance that empowers users to make smarter decisions. Savvy also provides customizable security automation playbooks that empower security teams to automate responses to various user actions and engage users at critical decision points to improve security outcomes. For more information, visit https://www.savvy.security/ . Media Contact Geena Pickering Look Left Marketing savvy@lookleftmarketing.com HOUSTON, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Radix, a global technology solutions company, announced a strategic partnership with Cognite, the globally recognized authority in Data and AI for industry. This partnership aims to accelerate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline and contextualize data management and asset performance across oil and gas, energy, petrochemicals, and manufacturing industries. The partnership pairs Cognites leading Industrial DataOps platform, Cognite Data Fusion, with Radixs unrivaled expertise in engineering, data and software technology, and operations to allow customers to intelligently analyze and extract critical information from their data, driving improvements in operational efficiency, uptime optimization, and cost reductions. Transforming operations using Hybrid Intelligence with AI Radix and Cognite have collaborated for the past several years, drawing on each others strengths to deliver innovative solutions for one of our most strategic customers. The combination of Cognite Data Fusions innovative technology and Radixs engineering intelligence will help tackle the industrys long-standing problem of extracting key information from large data pools in non-integrated systems. By utilizing Hybrid Intelligence with AI to intelligently sort through data in a more refined manner, companies will quickly isolate problem areas and work on solutions with more accurate and effective timelines. This will be a tremendous advantage across business applications, such as energy optimization, mass balance for production accounting, and inventory management for critical materials. Hybrid Intelligence also helps to accelerate access to data across various independent systems, making it easier to coordinate for quicker analysis and troubleshooting across industrial operations. Our partnership with Cognite has shown that we can bring our unique expertise together to empower companies with the hybrid intelligent tools they need to get to the data that becomes valuable and actionable information, said Flavio Guimaraes, Global Head of Alliances & Practices at Radix. With Cognite Data Fusion, we help businesses streamline their data, thus helping to boost decision-making with real-time insights and drive cost reductions across the organization. An essential example of the transformative power of Cognite Data Fusion is the work done with one of the largest chemical manufacturing companies. It highlights how Cognite Data Fusion , partnering with Radix Hybrid Intelligence using AI can leverage information from legacy data stacks and combine them into an integrated manufacturing portal that presents the information in a much more accessible manner. Delivering an Industrial Applications Library for industry Radix is thrilled to unveil a rich set of industrial applications built on top of Cognite Data Fusion. With deep domain expertise and engineering intelligence, these selected industrial application solutions enhance scalability, usability, and overall value for users and businesses. Some solutions will be showcased at Cognite Impact 2024 in Houston, Texas, including an operational view on actionable insights, OEE monitoring and control, Preventative Insights for Monitoring, and Improvement Workflows for field process improvements and operational efficiency. Cognite was founded to solve the industrial data problem and deliver simple access to complex industrial data, said Laxmi Akkaraju, Chief Customer Officer at Cognite. Cognite Data Fusion liberates siloed data and enables reliable responses from Generative AI. By layering Radixs expertise on top of our platform, we can quickly identify the root causes of operational problems and empower our customers to solve some of their most complex business problems. The Industrial Applications Library creates added value to the digital transformation journey helping companies to achieve optimal operational excellence and significant cost savings for our customers," added Trudi Hable, Head of Strategic Alliances, North America at Radix. Radixs expertise and intelligence will ensure that real-time information is being relayed to Cognite Data Fusion in an efficient manner, allowing for the right data to be brought to the right people. The strong partnership is poised to drive innovation and sustainability across industry. Cognite and Radix partner together to deliver best-in-class technology solutions that utilize AI and genuine intelligence for Cognite Data Fusion to optimize operational performance. The collaboration helps promote energy efficiency and substantially improve previously unaccounted utility costs. Combining hybrid intelligence in asset performance with deep industrial intelligence accelerates a sustainable future. Radix is a proud sponsor of Cognite IMPACT 2024, the premier industrial data and AI conference which will be held on October 14 to 15. The Industrial Applications Library will be showcased at the event. About Radix Founded in 2010, Radix is a privately held global technology solutions company providing consulting, engineering, operations technology, and data and software technology solutions. Radix combines key capabilities and practices to empower customers to thrive along their digital transformation journey. Radix provides technology-based, data-driven solutions to industrial and non-industrial companies worldwide. Radix has experience leading projects in more than 30 countries and has more than 1,700+ employees around the globe, with North American headquarters in Houston, Texas, main headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, additional offices in Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte, and a presence in Singapore and Amsterdam. To learn more, visit www.radixeng.com. About Cognite Cognite makes Generative AI work for industry. Leading energy, manufacturing, and power & renewables enterprises choose Cognite to deliver secure, trustworthy, and real-time data to transform their asset-heavy operations to be safer, more sustainable, and more profitable. Cognite provides a user-friendly, secure, and scalable platform that makes it easy for all decision-makers, from the field to remote operations centers, to access and understand complex industrial data, collaborate in real time, and build a better tomorrow. Visit us at www.cognite.ai and follow us on LinkedIn and X. For more information: Citalouise Geiggar, citalouise.geiggar@radixeng.com Radix A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/340f58e7-5a14-46ed-961a-73132ec7ac34 Pune, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Network Slicing Market Size Analysis: According to the SNS Insider report, the Network Slicing Market size was US$ 756 million in 2023. It is expected to reach US$ 24,231 Million by 2032 and increase up to a CAGR of around 47% over the forecast period from 2024 to 2032. The explosion results from the continuous changes in transmission technologies and the continuously increasing demand for customized networks. Market Scope The major driver for the growth of the network slicing market is due to rapid deployment and adoption of 5G networks which helps in multiple virtual networks on a single physical network. It is this ability that has the potential to change how businesses and consumers engage with digital services, opening a new offering for bespoke network solutions. With the use of IoT and M2M communication by industries on the rise, network slicing becomes even more vital to personalized connectivity solutions. A network slice is a logical virtual network formed on top of the physical 5G infrastructure that can be tailored to specific services or applications. This flexibility is important to meet the specific needs of numerous sectors, from high-speed low-latency applications like Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality to long-range, low-power IoT sections in Smart Cities & Factories. Network slicing is a vital means to cope with rapidly growing network connections, of higher speed and reliability in secure environments; especially so when it comes to emerging markets. Network slicing is great and allows for more efficient resource utilization, higher quality services to be provisioned on-demand, and cost savings. Permits up to 30% gain on utilization of resources based on a particular slice ddynamically enables allocation/prioritization (resources allocated from the network). This will reduce power consumption by 20-30%, a substantial decrease in more environmentally friendly network operation, which is a significant reduction and contributes to more sustainable network operations. Get a Sample Report of Network Slicing Market@ https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/3526 Major Players Analysis Listed in this Report are: Ericsson Samsung Nokia Corporation Huawei Technologies ZTE Corporation Cisco Systems Inc. HPE Mavenir Systems Inc. VMware Affirmed Networks Samsung Amdocs, Inc. Intel Corporation Hewlett Packard Enterprise Tambora Systems Ltd. Other Players Network Slicing Market Report Scope: Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2023 USD 756 Mn Market Size by 2032 USD 24231 Mn CAGR CAGR of 47% From 2023 to 2032 Base Year 2022 Forecast Period 2024-2032 Historical Data 2020-2022 Key Regional Coverage North America (US, Canada, Mexico), Europe (Eastern Europe [Poland, Romania, Hungary, Turkey, Rest of Eastern Europe] Western Europe] Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Rest of Western Europe]). Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, Rest of Asia Pacific), Middle East & Africa (Middle East [UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Rest of Middle East], Africa [Nigeria, South Africa, Rest of Africa], Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia Rest of Latin America) Key Growth Drivers The deployment of 5G technology is a major driver for network slicing, providing the necessary infrastructure to support multiple network slices with different performance requirements on a single physical network. Do you have any specific queries or need any customization research on Network Slicing Market, Make an Enquiry Now@ https://www.snsinsider.com/enquiry/3526 Recent Developments In the UK Ericsson , BT Bunch, and Qualcomm Innovations Inc., tested end-to-end enterprise and consumer 5G network slicing demonstrating it could be achieved for the first time in February 2024. Powered by the Ericsson 5G Center and its Radio Access Network Technology, this prototype demonstrates how network slicing drives innovation in 5G services. , BT Bunch, and Qualcomm Innovations Inc., tested end-to-end enterprise and consumer 5G network slicing demonstrating it could be achieved for the first time in February 2024. Powered by the Ericsson 5G Center and its Radio Access Network Technology, this prototype demonstrates how network slicing drives innovation in 5G services. T-Mobile introduced a 5G network slicing beta for developers in August 2023. The video calling application will be available on it, which delivers beneficial network conditions for example faster uplink and downlink speeds improved latency plus more reliable assistance over T-Mobile's 5G SA (stand-alone) network. introduced a 5G network slicing beta for developers in August 2023. The video calling application will be available on it, which delivers beneficial network conditions for example faster uplink and downlink speeds improved latency plus more reliable assistance over T-Mobile's 5G SA (stand-alone) network. Nokia then launched a revolutionary offering in June 2023 that allowed Android smartphone owners to buy and activate network slices on demand. Featured on Android 14, this innovation empowers customers to elevate their experiences in gaming, broadcasting, or streaming live events and sharing them with the social media audience. Segment Analysis By Enterprise Type The network-slicing market dominated by large enterprises in 2023 and accounted for a 65% share with the availability of 5G networks and IoT technologies that are necessary to provide enhanced customer service and operational efficiency. SMEs are growing at a significant CAGR of 51% during the forecast period. While SMEs have been slower to realize network-slicing benefits, higher productivity gains, and cost reductions are becoming more apparent importantly. By End-User In 2023, The healthcare end-use segment was the largest revenue contributor and held a market share of above 22%. Innovations such as robotic surgeries, IoT, and AI are transforming health management with the use of network slicing for better faithful communication. By integrating 5G networks with network slicing hospital operations are advancing such as real-time inventory and patient movement tracking for more effective patient care and cost savings. Network Slicing Market Key Segmentation: By Component Solution Services By Enterprise Type Large Enterprises Small & Medium Enterprises By End-User Communication Service Providers Enterprises By Industry Vertical Manufacturing Healthcare Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Retail E-commerce Automotive Others Regional Analysis North America dominated the network-slicing market with a revenue share of 37.2% in 2023. This growth was driven by technological advancements for its early adoption of 5G services and government initiatives especially considering the relevance to this technology such as FCC's (Federal Communications Commission) initiative in years 2019 associated with promoting development of new generation networks have driven market growth significantly. Additionally, North America is also a leader in the field of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), self-driving cars, and artificial intelligence which further supports its dominance. Asia Pacific is expected to grow with the highest growth rate during the forecast period. This growth is being driven by technology infrastructure which translates to unprecedented growth of emerging economies like Japan, China, and India. The increasing acceptance of mobile devices and growing partnerships among the regional players have a positive impact on market prospects of network slicing in this region. Key Takeaways Rapid adoption of customized network solutions, productivity enhancement, and low energy consumption boosts the market growth The innovations brought by the convergence of 5G and IoT are creating a surge in demand for network-slicing solutions. one of the most important sectors for network slicing adoption is healthcare as they need truly reliable connectivity. Major developments are advancements of Ericsson, T-Mobile, and Nokia demonstrating ongoing improvements to network slicing within improving connectivity and quality of services. Buy an Enterprise-user PDF of Network Slicing Market Analysis & Outlook 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/checkout/3526 Table of Contents Major Key Points 1. Introduction 2. Industry Flowchart 3. Research Methodology 4. Market Dynamics 5. Porters 5 Forces Model 6. Pest Analysis 7. Network Slicing Market Segmentation, by Component 8. Network Slicing Market Segmentation, by Enterprise Type 9. Network Slicing Market Segmentation, by End-User 10. Network Slicing Market Segmentation, by Industry Vertical 11. Regional Analysis 12. Company Profile 13. Competitive Landscape 14. USE Cases and Best Practices 15. Conclusion Access Complete Report Details of Network Slicing Market Analysis Report 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/reports/network-slicing-market-3526 [For more information or need any customization research mail us at info@snsinsider.com] About Us: SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world. Dublin, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Saudi Arabia Gas Sensors Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Saudi Arabia Gas Sensors Market was valued at USD 170 million in 2023 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 11.9% through 2029 The Saudi Arabia gas sensors market is experiencing substantial growth driven by various factors. The increasing adoption of gas sensors across industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical, and manufacturing, in alignment with the expanding industrial automation, is a significant driver. These sensors play a pivotal role in ensuring workplace safety, as they detect and monitor the presence of hazardous gases, thus reducing the risk of accidents and potential damage to the environment. Stringent government regulations and environmental concerns are compelling businesses to implement comprehensive gas monitoring systems. The development of advanced technologies and the proliferation of IoT (Internet of Things) solutions are further fueling the market, enabling real-time data collection and analysis. As a result, the Saudi Arabia gas sensors market is poised for sustained growth as it addresses critical safety and environmental compliance requirements for the nation's thriving industrial landscape. Key Market Trends Increased Adoption of Wireless Gas Sensors One notable trend in the Saudi Arabia gas sensors market is the increasing adoption of wireless gas sensors. These sensors offer the advantage of easy installation and flexibility in monitoring gas levels, as they do not require extensive wiring or cabling. They are especially valuable in remote or difficult-to-reach locations, such as oil and gas facilities or expansive industrial complexes, where traditional wired sensors can be challenging and expensive to install. The wireless connectivity allows for real-time data transmission, enabling rapid response to gas leaks and enhancing overall safety and environmental monitoring. As businesses in Saudi Arabia seek more efficient and cost-effective solutions, the demand for wireless gas sensors continues to grow, driving innovation in the market. Integration with IoT and Data Analytics Another prominent trend is the integration of gas sensors with the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics. This trend enables businesses to collect and analyze real-time data from gas sensors, providing actionable insights into safety, efficiency, and environmental performance. IoT integration allows for remote monitoring and control, enabling predictive maintenance and proactive responses to gas incidents. Data analytics further enhances the value of gas sensor information by identifying patterns, trends, and anomalies in gas levels. Businesses in Saudi Arabia are increasingly leveraging this technology to optimize their operations, improve safety protocols, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The synergy between gas sensors, IoT, and data analytics is expected to continue shaping the market in the region. Demand for Multigas Sensors The demand for multigas sensors is on the rise in Saudi Arabia's market. These sensors are capable of detecting and monitoring multiple types of gases simultaneously, making them valuable for industries where a variety of gases may be present. This trend is particularly relevant in sectors such as petrochemicals, where workers may encounter different hazardous gases in their operations. Multigas sensors reduce the need for multiple individual sensors, streamlining monitoring processes, and offering cost-effective solutions. They also enhance workplace safety by providing comprehensive gas detection. As industries increasingly prioritize safety and efficiency, the adoption of multigas sensors is expected to continue growing. Miniaturization and Portability Miniaturization and portability are emerging trends in the Saudi Arabia gas sensors market. Compact and portable gas sensors are gaining popularity as they offer flexibility and ease of use. These sensors are particularly relevant for applications such as personal gas monitoring for workers in the field. They can be worn or carried by personnel to monitor their immediate surroundings for potentially dangerous gas levels. This trend is driven by the need for enhanced safety measures in various industries, including construction, mining, and confined-space work. Portable gas sensors provide real-time information to workers, enabling them to take immediate action in the event of gas exposure. The market is responding to this trend by developing smaller, lighter, and more wearable gas sensors that cater to the specific needs of on-site workers. Environmental Sustainability Initiatives Environmental sustainability initiatives are influencing the Saudi Arabia gas sensors market. With an increasing global focus on reducing carbon footprints and mitigating the impact of industrial activities on the environment, businesses are investing in gas sensors as part of their sustainability efforts. These sensors are used to monitor emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants, helping companies comply with stringent environmental regulations. In alignment with global and national environmental goals, there is a growing demand for gas sensors that can accurately measure and report on the emission of environmentally harmful gases. As Saudi Arabia continues to emphasize environmental sustainability, the gas sensors market is expected to experience continued growth driven by these initiatives. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 86 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $170 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $336.76 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 11.9% Regions Covered Saudi Arabia Report Scope: Key Market Players Figaro Engineering Inc. Amphenol Corporation Sensirion AG Honeywell International Inc. Dynament Ltd. Robert Bosch GmbH Ametek Inc. Membrapor AG Saudi Arabia Gas Sensors Market, By Type: Oxygen Carbon Monoxide (CO) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Nitrogen Oxide Hydrocarbon Saudi Arabia Gas Sensors Market, By Technology: Electrochemical Photoionization Detectors (PID) Solid State/Metal Oxide Semiconductor Catalytic Infrared Semiconductor Saudi Arabia Gas Sensors Market, By Application: Medical Building Automation Industrial Food and Beverages Automotive Transportation and Logistics Saudi Arabia Gas Sensors Market, By Region: Riyadh Makkah Madinah Jeddah Tabuk Eastern Province Rest of Saudi Arabia For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dvqnpx About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "United States Pain Management Therapeutics Market and Forecast Therapeutics (Devices and Pharmaceuticals), Pain Type, Drug Class, Indication, Distribution Channel and Company Analysis 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The United States Pain Management Therapeutics Market will reach US$ 36.15 billion by 2032, up from US$ 26.18 billion in 2023, with a CAGR of 3.65% between 2024 and 2032 Many factors are driving the market's rapid expansion such as the growth in the prevalence of chronic disorders, the rapid growth of pain management treatments, the increased public awareness and education regarding pain management, the establishment of regulatory and legislative frameworks that are supportive of the industry, and the growing need for efficient post-operative pain management. United States Pain Management Therapeutics outlooks Pain management refers to the medical strategy used to reduce and manage pain. It entails determining the cause and severity of pain before implementing several therapies to lessen its adverse effects on a person's quality of life. The methods include physical therapy like exercise, massage, and acupuncture, as well as devices and pharmaceuticals like analgesics and anti-inflammatories. Psychological therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy can also be very beneficial in treating chronic pain since they target the emotional as well as the mental aspects of the problem. Enhancing functionality and promoting general well-being are more important objectives of pain management than eradicating pain. This method offers individualized treatment by considering each person's unique situation and preferences. Multidisciplinary teams that include doctors, nurses, physical therapists, psychologists, and pain experts frequently work together to customize treatment programs. Through integrating many strategies and continuous assessment, pain management aims to maximize comfort and function, empowering people to manage their pain more effectively and lead satisfying lives, overall boosting the United States Pain Management Therapeutics Market. Driving Forces for Pain Management Therapeutics in the United States An increasing proportion of individuals experiencing persistent illness The market is expanding primarily due to the rising prevalence of chronic illnesses such diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and arthritis, which necessitate the use of devices and painkillers. The growing use of painkillers to enhance patients' quality of life is also contributing to the expansion of the industry. In addition, the global aging population is driving up the number of older persons, who are more vulnerable to long-term conditions including osteoarthritis and neuropathic pain. For instance, the American Cancer Society reported in 2022 that there were 1.9 million new cases of cancer diagnosed in the United States. Furthermore, it is projected that the growing incidence of neurological disorders, such as brain tumors, will support market growth. A 2022 American Cancer Society Journal article estimates that 83,750 people in the US received a diagnosis of brain and other central nervous system cancer in 2021. Additionally, the market is growing at the height of lifestyle changes that are raising risk factors, including obesity and physical inactivity. Moreover, a multimodal approach to pain management is becoming necessary due to the growing complexity of pain in chronic disorders, which is driving market expansion. Pain treatment technologies are developing quickly A favorable vision for the market's growth is being created by the quick technological developments in pain treatment, which have created new and more potent medications, such as biologics and targeted therapies. Accordingly, the market is growing because of the increasing advancements in the effectiveness of treatments to lessen the adverse effects of conventional painkillers. The pharmaceutical industry's increasing emphasis on research and development (R&D) for drugs and devices also contributes to the launch of medications with improved pain management profiles, improving the market's growth prospects. The market is expected to rise due to the growing acceptance of pharmacogenomics and customized medicine, which allow for more focused and efficient pain management techniques. Increasing regulatory and governmental support A favorable prognosis for the market's expansion is being created by implementing numerous government initiatives and regulations that encourage the creation and approval of innovative pharmaceuticals. Therefore, introducing incentives and fast-track approvals for orphan drug and device development is projected to propel market expansion by incentivizing pharmaceutical companies to invest in novel pain management treatments. The introduction of government-funded healthcare initiatives and reimbursement guidelines, which directly impact the availability and cost of painkillers, is also contributing significantly to the market's expansion in the United States. Furthermore, the market is enlarging owing to the increasing number of initiatives being established to improve access to painkillers in underprivileged areas, acknowledging pain treatment as a crucial aspect of public health. California Pain Management Therapeutics Market The dynamic field of pain management in California is centered on using a range of therapeutic and medical methods to control and reduce pain. It includes various services offered by medical specialists such as pharmacists, physiotherapists, psychiatrists, and pain management doctors. Multidisciplinary approaches to pain management, incorporating cutting-edge treatments like minimally invasive surgeries, nerve blocks, physical therapy, and non-opioid drugs, are a defining feature of the California market. Due to the state's vast population and varied demographics, there is a high need for efficient pain management treatments due to ailments ranging from chronic pain to recovery following surgery. The market also shows continued initiatives to improve patient education and promote alternative pain management techniques in the fight against opioid abuse. Californian providers work collaboratively with technology businesses and research organizations to enhance treatment alternatives, giving patients comprehensive, individualized care customized to their requirements and circumstances. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 175 Forecast Period 2023 - 2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $26.18 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $36.15 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 3.6% Regions Covered United States Key Players Analysis: Business Overview, Product Portfolio, Recent Development & Strategies, Revenue Analysis Eli Lilly and Company Pfizer Inc. GlaxoSmithKline plc Novartis International AG Merck & Co., Inc. Abbott Laboratories Johnson & Johnson Baxter International Inc. Therapeutics - Market breakup in 2 viewpoints: Pharmaceuticals Devices Drug Class - Market breakup in 7 viewpoints: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Anesthetics Anticonvulsants Anti-Migraine Agents Antidepressants Opioids Non-Narcotic Analgesics Indication - Market breakup in 11 viewpoints: Arthritic Pain Neuropathic Pain Cancer Pain Chronic Back Pain Post-Operative Pain Migraine Fibromyalgia Bone Fracture Muscle Sprain/Strain Acute Appendicitis Others Pain Type - Market breakup in 2 viewpoints: Chronic Pain Acute Pain Distribution Channel - Market breakup in 3 viewpoints: Hospital Pharmacies Retail Pharmacies Online Pharmacies For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/y1191z About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Hayden, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hayden, Idaho - Brancato Electric, a locally owned and operated electrical company, is proud to announce its continued commitment to providing top-tier electrical services to residents and business owners in Hayden, Idaho, as well as Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding Kootenai County area. Founded by owner and head electrician Brian Brancato, Brancato Electric has built a reputation for excellence with nearly 10 years of industry experience and a dedicated team of licensed electricians. At Brancato Electric, they understand the importance of reliable electrical systems for the safety and functionality of homes and businesses. Their team of highly trained and certified electricians is equipped to handle a wide range of electrical issues, from simple repairs to complex installations. The companies services include: Panel Upgrades: Ensuring customers electrical panels can handle the demands of modern appliances and technology. Lighting Installations: Enhancing the ambiance and functionality of customers space with expertly installed lighting solutions. Rewires: Updating outdated wiring systems to improve safety and efficiency. Electrical Inspections: Providing thorough inspections to identify potential issues and ensure compliance with electrical codes. Electrical Vehicle Charging: Installing EV charging stations to support the growing number of electric vehicles. And More: Addressing various other electrical needs with professionalism and expertise. Brancato Electric's success is rooted in their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. They take pride in delivering quality workmanship, using the latest tools and techniques to ensure each job is completed to the highest standards. Their team is dedicated to staying updated with industry advancements, allowing them to provide innovative solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of their customers. "Our mission at Brancato Electric is to provide reliable, high-quality electrical services that our customers can trust," said Brian Brancato, owner and head electrician. "We strive to build lasting relationships with our clients by consistently exceeding their expectations and ensuring their electrical systems are safe and efficient." The positive feedback from customers is a testament to their dedication to excellence. Here are just a few of the glowing reviews they have received: "Brancato Electric did an amazing job upgrading our electrical panel. The team was professional, efficient, and ensured everything was up to code. Highly recommend!" said Sarah L. "I had Brancato Electric install new lighting in my home, and I couldn't be happier with the results. The electricians were knowledgeable and courteous, and the new lighting looks fantastic," said Mike D. "Brian and his team at Brancato Electric were a pleasure to work with. They handled a complete rewire of our old home with great attention to detail and minimal disruption to our daily lives," said Emily R. As a locally owned and operated business, Brancato Electric is deeply committed to supporting the Hayden community. They believe in giving back and actively participate in local events and initiatives. By building strong relationships within the community, the company aims to contribute to the growth and well-being of their neighbors and fellow business owners. Check out more reviews on their Google business listing here: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=17908287985964061053 Brancato Electric is excited about the future and remains dedicated to providing exceptional electrical services to their valued customers. They are continuously exploring new ways to enhance their service offerings and expand their expertise to better serve the evolving needs of the community. For more information about Brancato Electric and the services they provide, please visit https://brancatoelectric.com or call them at (208) 304-8290. About Brancato Electric Brancato Electric is a premier provider of professional electrical services in Hayden, Idaho. Founded by Brian Brancato, the company offers a wide range of electrical solutions, including panel upgrades, lighting installations, rewires, electrical inspections, and electrical vehicle charging. With nearly a decade of experience and a team of licensed electricians, Brancato Electric is committed to delivering quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. ### For more information about Brancato Electric, contact the company here: Brancato Electric Brian Brancato (208) 304-8290 brancatoelectric@gmail.com 13306 N Leavenworth Loop Hayden, ID 83835 Los Angeles, California, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a heartfelt statement released today, renowned musician Darrell Kelley expressed deep disappointment and sorrow over the tragic death of yet another innocent young black individual at the hands of the police. The victim, Sonya Massey, is mourned by many, and Kelley's words cannot fully encapsulate the pain and injustice felt in the wake of this senseless loss. Kelley did not mince words when he condemned the corrupt practices within the police department, emphasizing that the officer responsible for Massey's death should never have been in a position of authority. He called for accountability, demanding that those complicit in hiring such individuals must step down from their roles immediately. The musician's sentiment extended beyond this specific incident, highlighting the systemic issue of police brutality and racial injustice plaguing black and brown communities. Despite his ongoing efforts through music and activism to combat these societal ills, Kelley lamented the apparent lack of progress in addressing the root causes of these tragedies. Kelley issued a powerful call to action, urging all individuals to unite in the fight against police brutality and systemic racism. He emphasized that collective action is essential to bring about meaningful change and that standing up against such injustices is not merely an option but a moral imperative. In a final impassioned declaration, Kelley invoked the name of Jesus to rebuke those who remain indifferent or complacent in the face of ongoing atrocities. He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to this cause, emphasizing that only through unity and unwavering resolve can society hope to dismantle the entrenched systems of oppression. As Darrell Kelley's voice joins a chorus of advocates and activists striving for justice and equality, his message serves as a poignant reminder that the fight against police brutality and systemic racism is far from over. Together, with a shared sense of purpose and determination, positive change remains within reach. https://youtu.be/pzwvDpGXPNA?si=o75-HMC6JY3-BVfr The narrator is Kevin J Furtado Attachment La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- La Paz International Airport (LAP) announced the return of international routes with the reopening of a direct flight from Los Angeles (LAX), California, operated by Alaska Airlines. Starting November 20, an Embraer 175 with a capacity of 76 passengers will have two weekly flights this year: departing from Los Angeles on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:45 AM, arriving in La Paz at 2:12 PM, and departing from La Paz at 3:02 PM, with arrival back in Los Angeles at 4:41 PM. Beginning in 2025, there will be three weekly flights: Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays. For Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP), opening this LAP-LAX route opens doors for international passengers who previously visited La Paz through connecting destinations. The new nonstop service to La Paz International Airport (LAP) from LAX will enable guests to easily connect to other flights, making it more convenient than ever to reach La Paz. Canadian travelers seeking to explore the beauty and charm of La Paz, Baja California Sur in Mexico can also enjoy convenient flights via Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), the primary gateway to this stunning Mexican destination. Several leading airlines offer flights from major Canadian cities, ensuring an easy and enjoyable travel experience. And ensure travelers have a variety of scheduling options to suit their needs. With enhanced accessibility and direct flights from several major Canadian cities, more travelers can now experience the unique attractions and activities that La Paz has to offer. In addition, travelers can also fly via convenient stopovers in major US cities or through Mexico. These routes offer flexible connections and are serviced by various airlines. Reaching La Paz: Upon arriving at Los Cabos airport travelers can enjoy a scenic drive of approximately two hours to La Paz. Car rental services, private transfers, and shuttle services ensuring a smooth and pleasant journey to La Paz. About La Paz, Baja California Sur La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, is a coastal paradise nestled between the Sea of Cortez and the desert landscape. With its rich cultural tapestry, diverse marine life, and commitment to sustainable tourism, La Paz invites travelers to explore, connect, and experience the true essence of Baja California Sur. For more information about La Paz and its culinary offerings, visit https://golapaz.com/ Connect with Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/golapaz Twitter: https://twitter.com/golapaz Attachment INDIANAPOLIS, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In response to recent emergency declarations in Indiana and Michigan, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBank Indianapolis or Bank) will open its Disaster Relief Program to residents in affected counties across the two states. The program assists with recovery efforts related to separate severe weather events on March 14 and April 2 in Southern and Central Indiana as well as a series of tornadoes that ripped through several counties in southwestern Michigan on May 7. Homeowners in Delaware, Jefferson, Posey and Randolph counties in Indiana and Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties in Michigan may be eligible for grants of up to $15,000 per household to assist with the costs of necessary repairs and rehabilitation incurred by damage from the recent storms. Severe weather events, like the tornadoes and storms weve seen across our district this year, can devastate communities without notice, said MaryBeth Wott, SVP Community Investment and Strategic Planning Officer. As an organization with a mission to provide affordable housing and community economic development solutions throughout Indiana and Michigan, the Bank is proud to offer tools like the Disaster Relief Program to assist our members and their communities with the recovery process. Federal relief denied in Michigan The Banks announcement comes days after FEMA announced that it had declined Gov. Gretchen Whitmers petition for federal disaster relief to affected counties in southwest Michigan. In a letter responding to Whitmers request, FEMA Administrator Deanna Criswell outlined the reasons for denying the petition, stating that damage from the event was not beyond the capabilities of state, affected local governments and voluntary agencies, The Detroit News reported. Program eligibility Disaster Relief Program funds will be available to assist with the cost of necessary severe weather-related repairs to eligible owner-occupied homes in the following counties: Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties in Michigan, and Delaware, Jefferson, Posey and Randolph counties in Indiana. Disaster Relief Program funds are intended to help cover costs not otherwise paid for by insurance or state or federal relief. To access disaster relief funds, households must be at or below 100% of the local area median income, as defined by HUD, and must partner with a participating FHLBank Indianapolis member financial institution. For a full list of eligibility requirements, see the Disaster Relief Program page on fhlbi.com. A total of $250,000 in funds will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis to participating member financial institutions beginning Aug. 7, 2024. The program will run through Dec. 31, 2024, or until funds are exhausted. For more information on other assistance programs offered through the Bank and its participating member financial institutions, see the Community Programs page on fhlbi.com. Media contact information: For more information, contact Katherine Marshall, Corporate Communications Specialist, at kmarshall@fhlbi.com. Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis: Building Partnerships. Serving Communities FHLBank Indianapolis is a regional bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to provide access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with particular attention paid to providing solutions that support the housing and small business needs of members' customers. FHLBanks are privately capitalized and funded, and they receive no Congressional appropriations. One of 11 independent regional cooperative banks across the U.S., FHLBank Indianapolis is owned by its Indiana and Michigan financial institution members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and community development financial institutions. For more information about FHLBank Indianapolis, visit www.fhlbi.com and follow the Bank on LinkedIn, and Instagram and X at @FHLBankIndy. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5cc7d102-d76e-4878-aadb-d1268ac73981 ORANGE, Calif., July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HomeAid Orange County, the non-profit helping people experiencing or at risk of homelessness build new lives through construction, community engagement, and education, celebrated today the grand re-opening of its Family CareCenter in the City of Orange. Opened in July 2017, the CareCenter provides desperately needed low-barrier emergency beds to families who find themselves without shelter. At the event, HomeAid was joined by City of Orange partners, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Donald P. Wagner and Vice Chairman Doug Chaffees office, City of Orange Mayor Dan Slater and Councilmember Kathy Tavoularis. Joining in the celebration were members of the community, HomeAid families and operating partner H.I.S. OC. We are grateful to our partners, the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Continuum of Care Board, the many funders and especially Chairman Wagners dedication to ensuring that Orange County families facing homelessness receive the critical assistance they need, said Gina Cunningham, Executive Director, HomeAid Orange County. We look forward to welcoming families back to the Family CareCenter, where we know they can continue rebuilding their lives and thrive. Additionally, the attendees celebrated the nearly $1.3 million that the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Continuum of Care Board, along with various donors provided to ensure HomeAid Orange County can continue supporting families experiencing homelessness for the next year. Championed by Chairman Wagner and supported by Vice Chairman Chaffee, $500,000 of Third District discretionary funds, which was unanimously approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors, and $250,000 from the Orange Countys Continuum of Care Board was allocated to the organization. I am honored to support the success of HomeAid Orange County, said Chairman Wagner. With the funding the Board of Supervisors and Continuum of Care Board provided, HomeAid will be able to continue providing housing and resources to Orange County families facing homelessness. The reopening of HomeAids Family CareCenter is an essential step for addressing homelessness in Orange County, said Dan Slater, City of Orange Mayor. The hard work theyve done and will continue to do is truly helping families go from helplessness to hopefulness. Over the past month, the Center underwent renovations that were critical to preserving its ability to serve the community in the future including upgrading the sewer system, minor bathroom upgrades, revamping the family sleeping areas, deep cleaning and repainting the interior of the building; and refreshing landscaping outside. H.I.S. OC was brought on to help manage the Center and ensure families are taken care of and during renovations, HomeAids previous partner Mercy, helped find housing for all families displaced by the improvements. To date the CareCenter has provided refuge for 1,485 individuals experiencing homelessness, meeting their basic human needs for shelter, food and safety. About HomeAid Orange County Founded by the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California in 1989, we leverage homebuilding industry talents and trades to build a future without homelessness. We're a one-of-a-kind nonprofit that develops housing for other nonprofits and public entities that provide services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. HomeAid's primary function is to serve as the developer, managing the construction process to completion through every phase including land acquisition, funding, exterior design, entitlements, construction, interior design, and landscaping. Contact: Holly Jenvey holly@ideahall.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e9826615-44c5-4529-8832-7d870d94e1c3 BOSTON, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) today announced that it appointed Biz Stone and Joe Jordan to its Board of Directors, effective July 29, 2024. Mr. Stone will serve as an independent Class B Director, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of David A. Burwick, sitting on the Boards Compensation Committee and Nominating/Governance Committee. Mr. Jordan will serve as an independent Class A Director, a new seat recently added to the Board, sitting on the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. Biz Stone is an entrepreneur known best as co-founder of Twitter, Medium, Jelly, and the investment firm Future Positive. He is a Visiting Fellow at The University of Oxford, an award-winning filmmaker, and author. He has been honored with the International Center for Journalism Innovation Award, INC Magazine named him Entrepreneur of the Decade, TIME listed him as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, and GQ named him Nerd of the Year. Joe Jordan currently serves as President - U.S. and Global Services for Dominos, a global food services chain based in Ann Arbor, Mich., a position he has held since 2022. In this role, he oversees Domino's U.S. business and key global centers of excellence. He has been with Dominos since 2011, including as Executive Vice President International from 2018 to 2022; Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer from 2015 to 2018; and Vice President of Innovation from 2011 to 2014. Prior to joining Domino's, Mr. Jordan worked at PepsiCo North America for six years, where he last served as a Senior Director of Marketing. Prior to PepsiCo, he held marketing roles at Philips Electronics and Unilever, and was a consultant for Accenture in Washington D.C. Were pleased to welcome Biz and Joe to our Board of Directors, said Boston Beer Company Chairman, Founder, and Brewer Jim Koch. I expect that Biz will bring significant entrepreneurial, technical, and innovative experience, while Joe will bring impressive brand management, consumer packaged goods industry, and innovation expertise to the Board. Boardspan Inc., a leading provider of board and governance expertise through cloud-based and traditional advisory services, advised the Company on the appointment of Mr. Stone and Mr. Jordan. About Boston Beer Company The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began brewing Samuel Adams beer in 1984 and has since grown to become one of the largest and most respected craft brewers in the United States. We consistently offer the highest-quality products to our drinkers, and we apply what weve learned from making great-tasting craft beer to making great-tasting and innovative beyond beer products. Boston Beer Company has pioneered not only craft beer but also hard cider, hard seltzer and hard tea. Our core brands include household names like Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Dogfish Head, Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea, and Samuel Adams. We have taprooms and hospitality locations in California, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio. For more information, please visit our website at www.bostonbeer.com, which includes links to our respective brand websites. Attachments San Antonio, Texas, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Endeavors, a national service organization that provides a helping hand to communities in need, and Starbucks, a multinational chain of roastery reserves and coffeehouses, have teamed up to serve South Texas students by collecting and delivering free school supplies. The average cost of school supplies per child in Uvalde is $240, according to back-to-school lists that were reviewed by the Endeavors team. To lessen the stress of school shopping, the organizations took action. From May 20th to July 19th, 80 San Antonio-based Starbucks locations and the Endeavors Veteran Wellness Center collected over 1,500 new school supplies for the children of the Uvalde community and of Endeavors Bexar County housing program clients. Endeavors volunteers filled more than 220 backpacks with supplies, and Uvalde residents are invited to collect them at a drive-thru event. Located at the Uvalde County Fairplex, the Endeavors team will start handing out backpacks at 6:00 PM on Thursday, August 1st. Education through community feedback supports positive change, and the organizations are honored to assist wherever they can. We are thrilled to partner with Starbucks in support of children in our housing programs here in Bexar County and kids throughout the Uvalde community who are preparing to go back to school, said Endeavors assistant director of philanthropy, Elizabeth Higgins. Rising costs of living and safety at school have become major concerns for families across our community and the nation. It is our hope that delivering kindness, and much needed supplies, can alleviate some financial stress and allow families to get excited for the back-to-school season. With every new school year comes unique challenges, opportunities, and successes. It is difficult to overcome challenges, take advantage of opportunities to grow, and leverage success to support one's goals without the right tools. We want to empower students to achieve their academic dreams. said Area 61 community ambassador, Victor Sanchez Jr. Residents seeking more information on receiving supplies for their school-age children are encouraged to reach out to info@endeavors.org. About Endeavors Headquartered in San Antonio, Endeavors is a national service organization that has been assisting vulnerable populations since 1969. Endeavors offers an array of services and programs supporting children, families, migrants, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness, disabilities, disasters, or emergencies. Endeavors serves people in crisis with personalized services. For more information visit: www.endeavors.org. About Starbucks Established in 1971 and headquartered in Seattle Washington, Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse chain in the world. With a diverse menu and coveted seasonal offerings, Starbucks offers a signature coffeehouse experience while supporting various internal and external communities through accessibility to education, sustainable harvesting practices, disaster recovery support, global impact grants and more. For more information visit: https://www.starbucks.com/ Attachment Telenor Group has appointed Torbjrn Wist as new EVP and Group CFO. He is an accomplished CFO who previously worked 13 years for Telenor. He will start no later than 1 February 2025. We are very pleased to have Torbjrn back on the Telenor team as a strong contributor to our strategy, securing deep telecom-industry insight and excellent financial execution. Experienced CFO Torbjrn Wist is a business-oriented CFO with strong financial expertise and leadership skills, and with a solid track record both from Telenor and other listed companies. He is currently Executive Vice President and CFO in OSE-listed global shipping and logistics company Wallenius Wilhelmsen, where he also held the position as acting CEO for a 15-month period until the end of May 2022. As CFO in Wallenius Wilhelmsen he is responsible for Business Performance including M&A, Accounting and Financial Control, Treasury, Investor Relations, and Tax. Prior to joining Wallenius Wilhelmsen he was the CFO in Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS). Extensive telco track record Wist previously worked over 13 years for Telenor. He served as SVP & Group Treasurer, responsible for Telenors global treasury activities including funding, corporate finance activities, dividend policy and managing relationships with financial institutions. He also headed up Telenors Group M&A, having spent a decade in international investment banking with a primary focus on the telecoms industry before joining the company. Returning to Telenor as Group CFO is a great honor and a privilege. Telenor is in a unique position to create value for its shareholders and other stakeholders by providing innovative and customer-centric solutions that leverage the power of technology. I am excited to become part of this journey and contribute to the group's strategic direction and financial performance, Wist says. The process of hiring Telenors next CFO has been overseen by the incoming CEO, Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer. She will, as earlier announced, start in Telenor by 1 December. I look forward to working with Benedicte and the rest of the executive management team, the board of directors, the Telenor companies, and the corporate functions in building a collaborative culture to achieve our aims Wist says. I am pleased that Telenor will get a strong and experienced CFO in Torbjrn Wist, and I am certain that he will be a great choice for Telenor going forward. Until Torbjrn joins us, Kasper Wold Kaarb will continue as acting CFO, says CEO Sigve Brekke. CV Torbjrn Wist (b. 1968) EVP & CFO, Wallenius Wilhelmsen ASA. October 2020 present EVP & CFO, Scandinavian Airlines Systems (SAS). March 2018 September 2020 SVP & Group Treasurer, Telenor ASA. June 2012 February 2018 SVP & Head of M&A, Telenor ASA. April 2008 June 2012 Director Group M&A, Telenor ASA. November 2004 April 2008 SVP, Greenhill & Co. International (UK). July 1998 June 2004 Associate TMT, Merrill Lynch International (UK). January 1996 June 1998 Financial Analyst TMT, Salomon Brothers (USA & UK). July 1993 December 1995 Degree in business administration (Sivilkonom) from the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. September 1989 June 1993 Media contact: Thomas Midteide, SVP Communications, Telenor Group + 47 962 320 17 | thomas.midteide@telenor.com Press Release VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France July 31, 2024 DISCLOSURE OF TRADING IN OWN SHARES (Repurchase program decided by the General Meeting of Shareholders of May 22, 2024) Issuer: Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) Type of securities: Ordinary shares Period: July 26, 2024 Detailed information (presentation by day and by market and transaction-by-transaction details) can be consulted on the website of Dassault Systemes: https://investor.3ds.com/regulated-information/permanent-information Presentation of the trading in own shares by day and by market Name of issuer Identification code of the issuer Date of trading Identification code of the financial instrument Daily total volume (in number of shares) Daily weighted average acquisition price of the shares* Market DASSAULT SYSTEMES 9695002I9DJHZ3449O66 26-Jul-24 FR0014003TT8 337,892 34.7558 XPAR DASSAULT SYSTEMES 96950065LBWY0APQIM86 26-Jul-24 FR0014003TT8 280,154 34.7882 XPAR DASSAULT SYSTEMES 96950065LBWY0APQIM86 26-Jul-24 FR0014003TT8 1,321,954 34.8243 DXE DASSAULT SYSTEMES 96950065LBWY0APQIM86 26-Jul-24 FR0014003TT8 20,000 34.7913 TQE DASSAULT SYSTEMES 96950065LBWY0APQIM86 26-Jul-24 FR0014003TT8 40,000 34.8891 AQE (*)The weighted average unit price is a rounded price Declarations related to crossing of threshold must be sent to: Dassault Systemes, Investor Relations Service, 10, rue Marcel Dassault, CS 40501, 78946 Velizy-Villacoublay Cedex (France). E-mail address: Investors@3ds.com ### ABOUT DASSAULT SYSTEMES Dassault Systemes is a catalyst for human progress. We provide business and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. By creating virtual twin experiences of the real world with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform and applications, our customers can redefine the creation, production and life-cycle-management processes of their offer and thus have a meaningful impact to make the world more sustainable. The beauty of the Experience Economy is that it is a human-centered economy for the benefit of all consumers, patients and citizens. Dassault Systemes brings value to more than 350,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com Dassault Systemes Investor Relations Team FTI Consulting Beatrix Martinez : Arnaud de Cheffontaines: +33 1 47 03 69 48 +33 1 61 62 40 73 / 69 24 Jamie Ricketts : +44 20 3727 1600 investors@3ds.com Tom Blundell: +44 20 3727 1600 Dassault Systemes Press Contacts Corporate / France Arnaud Malherbe: +33 1 61 62 87 73 arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com Dassault Systemes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the 3DS logo, the Compass icon, IFWE, 3DEXCITE, 3DVIA, BIOVIA, CATIA, CENTRIC PLM, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, MEDIDATA, NETVIBES, OUTSCALE, SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes, a European company (Societas Europaea) incorporated under French law, and registered with the Versailles trade and companies registry under number 322 306 440, or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Use of any Dassault Systemes or its subsidiaries trademarks is subject to their express written approval. ; Attachment Vancouver, July 30, 2024 - KAPA Gold Inc. (TSXV: KAPA) ("Kapa" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of its annual and special meeting of shareholders held on July 25, 2024 in Vancouver, BC (the "Meeting"). The Company's shareholders voted in favour of all items put forward by the Board of Directors and Management. At the Meeting, all resolutions were approved. Based on proxies received, 15,747,883 common shares of the Company representing 28.22% of the issued and outstanding common shares as at the record date were voted and David Paxton, Alexander Tsakumis and George Nicholson were all re-elected as Directors of the Company. The shareholders re-appointed Davidson & Company LLP as auditors of the Company, approved the board size resolution and the Company's stock option plan. For additional information on these matters please refer to Kapa Gold's information circular available on the Company's website at kapagold.com or visit the Company's issuer page on SEDAR (SEDAR+). About Kapa Kapa Gold, led by experienced capital markets and geologic team, is focused on exploring its 100% owned historic Blackhawk Gold Mine and surrounding underexplored properties for economic mineralization. To learn more, visit kapagold.com On behalf of the Board of Directors KAPA GOLD INC. "David K. Paxton" CEO and Director Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Information Certain statements made, and information contained herein may constitute "forward looking information" and "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the Company and there is no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as "anticipates", "believes", "targets", "estimates", "plans", "expects", "may", "will", "could" or "would". Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guaranteeing of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218311 Vancouver, July 30, 2024 - Plata Latina Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PLA) ("Plata Latina" or the "Company") announces the results of the Company's Annual General Meeting ("the Meeting") held on July 29, 2024. A total of 29,529,295 common shares were voted at the Meeting, representing approximately 37.36% of the total issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. The results for the items voted at the Meeting are as follows: Number of Directors Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Set the number of directors at three 29,529,295 100.00% 0 0.00% Election of Directors Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Gilmour Clausen 28,629,295 96.95% 900,000 3.05% Letitia Wong 29,529,295 100.00% 0 0.00% Joseph Longpre 29,529,295 100.00% 0 0.00% The Company reports shareholders reappointed Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditors for the ensuing year, and authorized the directors to fix their remuneration. Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Appointment of Davidson & Company LLP 29,529,295 100.00% 0 0.00% The Company's shareholders voted for the Company's Share Option Plan: Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Approval of Share Option Plan 29,529,295 99.92% 25,000 0.08% About Plata Latina Minerals Plata Latina Minerals was a Canadian exploration company which was in the business of exploring and evaluating mineral property assets, principally in Mexico. The Company has since sold or relinquished its interests in four Mexican mineral properties and is undergoing a strategic review process, which includes capitalizing on the value of the Company as a clean listed shell with modest cash and cash flow. Following the completion of an option agreement in 2020 where the Company sold its Naranjillo Property to Fresnillo for a total of US $2,150,000 over three years, Plata Latina currently receives advance royalty payments of US $100,000 until the earlier of (i) US $1,000,000 of advance royalty payments have been paid, or (ii) Naranjillo commences commercial production of minerals. The Company also was granted a 3% net smelter return royalty. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218331 TORONTO, July 30, 2024 - Silver Storm Mining Ltd. ("Silver Storm" or the "Company") (TSX.V: SVRS | OTCQB: SVRSF | FSE: SVR) announced today that it anticipates the filing of its annual financial statements, management's discussion and analysis and related officer certifications for the financial year ended March 31, 2024 (collectively, the "Annual Filings") will be delayed beyond the required filing deadline under Parts 4 and 5 of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations and pursuant to National Instrument 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuer's Annual and Interim Filings, being July 29, 2024 (the "Filing Deadline"). As a result of certain complexities associated with the acquisition of the La Parrilla assets, the accounting and audit process remains ongoing at this time. Accordingly, the Company has determined that it will not be able to complete the audit and file the Annual Filings by the Filing Deadline. The Company intends to work closely with its auditor and expects to file the Annual Filings as soon as possible, and in any event, no later than August 28, 2024. The Company does not anticipate any further delay in filing its Annual Filings together with the related officer certifications for the financial period ended June 30, 2024, due by August 29, 2024. The Company is providing this default announcement in accordance with National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). The Company has made an application to the British Columbia Securities Commission, as principal regulator of the Company, for a management cease trade order ("MCTO") under NP 12-203 in respect of the anticipated default regarding the Annual Filings. The MCTO was granted by the British Columbia Securities Commission on July 30, 2024. The issuance of the MCTO generally will not affect the ability for persons who have not been directors, officers or insiders of the Company to trade in their securities. The Company intends to follow the provisions of the Alternative Information Guidelines set out in NP 12-203, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports in the form of news releases, for as long as the Company remains in default with its Annual Filings. The Company confirms as of the date of this news release, that there is no insolvency proceeding against it and there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed. About Silver Storm Mining Ltd. (formerly Golden Tag Resources Ltd.) Silver Storm Mining Ltd. holds advanced-stage silver projects located in Durango, Mexico. Silver Storm recently completed the acquisition of 100% of the La Parrilla Silver Mine Complex, a prolific operation which is comprised of a 2,000 tpd mill as well as five underground mines and an open pit that collectively produced 34.3 million silver-equivalent ounces between 2005 and 2019. The Company also holds a 100% interest in the San Diego Project, which is among the largest undeveloped silver assets in Mexico. For more information regarding the Company and its projects, please visit our website at www.silverstorm.ca. For additional information, please contact: Greg McKenzie, President & CEO Ph: +1 (416) 504-2024 greg.mckenzie@silverstorm.ca Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of the phrase 'forward-looking information' in the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations. Forward-looking statements are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the MCTO and expectations relating thereto. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including that the Companys financial condition and development plans do not change because of unforeseen events. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including, but not limited to, the risk that the Company is unable to achieve its goal of placing La Parrilla back into production; market conditions and volatility and global economic conditions including increased volatility and potentially negative capital raising conditions resulting from the continued or escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic, risk of delay and/or cessation in planned work or changes in the Company's financial condition and development plans employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour, the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining, including the Mexican mining reforms; risks relating to environmental regulation and liability; the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks relating to completion of the annual audit in a timely manner. Such forward-looking information represents best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. U.S. Department of Defense ("DoD") Defense Production Act ("DPA") Title III funded extensional drilling at Jervois' 100% - Jervois Global Ltd. ("Jervois" or the "Company") (ASX: JRV) (TSX-V: JRV) (OTC: JRVMF) is pleased to report results from the first four drillholes as part of its United States ("U.S.") Department of Defense ("DoD") Defense Production Act ("DPA") Title III fully refundable extensional drilling program at its Idaho Cobalt Operations' ("ICO") RAM deposit in Idaho, U.S. These drilling results complement those obtained at its 100%-owned Sunshine deposit1,2 under Jervois' US$15 million DoD DPA Title III funding agreement ("DoD Agreement Funding"). RAM drill results to date include: Hole JU24-093: 1.10% cobalt (Co"), 1.18% copper ("Cu"), 0.69 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au") over a calculated true width ("CTW") of 1.8 metres ("") AND hangingwall (HW") mineralisation of 0.48% Co, 1.74% Cu, 1.13 g/t Au over a CTW of 3.8m; Hole JU24-095: 0.18% Co, 0.34% Cu, 0.10 g/t Au, over a CTW of 4.8m AND HW mineralisation of 0.38% Co, 0.22% Cu, 0.27 g/t Au over a CTW of 2.7m AND footwall (FW") mineralisation of 0.43% Co, 0.99% Cu, 0.62 g/t Au over a CTW of 1.5m; Hole JU24-096: 0.48% Co, 0.60% Cu, 0.86 g/t Au over a CTW of 2.1m AND HW mineralisation of 1.40% Co, 1.38% Cu, 2.23 g/t Au over a CTW of 5.2m, including 3.3m CTW at 2.26% Co, 2.06% Cu, 3.60 g/t Au; and Hole JU24-097: 0.61% Co, 1.35% Cu, 1.51 g/t Au over a CTW of 5.5m including 3.9m CTW at 0.75% Co, 1.56% Cu, 1.85 g/t Au. Results from the initial four drillholes of Jervois' RAM extensional drilling campaign under its DoD Agreement Funding have yielded positive indication of resource extension both along strike and at depth. Drillhole JU24-097 provides especially positive indication of the potential for extension of the RAM deposit, with its significant mineralisation and width representing the deepest intersection of the MMH to date at ICO. Additionally, the development of significant HW intercepts across 2024 extensional drilling provides further strategic opportunity for cobalt resource growth. Jervois has temporarily paused its underground drilling programme under the U.S. DoD Agreement Funding at ICO while it works with its primary regulator, the U.S. Forest Service, on recommencing underground activities. Extensional drilling was conducted from a single underground drilling platform positioned within existing underground mine workings at ICO, with collar coordinates found in Table 1 below. Table 2 provides intercept grades and calculated true widths from the four completed extensional drillholes as part of the DoD Agreement Funding drilling. All drilling results are provided uncapped and in local ICO Mine Grid Coordinates. Table 1: RAM DoD Agreement Funding Extensional Drillhole Collars Coordinates* Hole ID Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth (deg.) Dip (deg.) EOH Depth (m) JU24-093 610 6373 2126 221 -59 244 JU24-095 611 6373 2126 207 -87 327 JU24-096 614 6373 2126 135 -75 428 JU24-097 614 6376 2126 60 -65 429 * Coordinates provided in Mine Grid of RAM Deposit. Table 2: RAM DoD Agreement Funding Extensional Drilling Results Hole ID From (m) To (m) Zone True Width* (m) Co Grade (%) Cu Grade (%) Au Grade (g/t) JU24-093 155.3 159.3 HW 3.8 0.48 1.74 1.131 JU24-093 174.4 176.5 MMH 1.8 1.10 1.18 0.686 JU24-093 200.6 203.7 FW 2.6 0.15 1.57 0.309 JU24-095 194.7 198.1 HW 2.7 0.38 0.22 0.274 JU24-095 207.1 212.8 MMH 4.8 0.18 0.34 0.103 JU24-095 264.0 266.3 FW 1.5 0.43 0.99 0.617 JU24-096 221.9 229.2 HW 5.2 1.40 1.38 2.229 JU24-096 241.4 244.3 MMH 2.1 0.48 0.60 0.857 JU24-097 393.6 405.0 MMH 5.5 0.61 1.35 1.509 * Calculated true widths determined for the composited intercept mid-point, perpendicular to the down-dip projection of the RAM deposit Note: All grades are reported uncut for both MMH and HW/FW zones Jervois has successfully completed 2,500m of targeted resource expansion drilling across both its 100%-owned RAM and Sunshine deposits under the DoD Agreement Funding, as well as more than 350m of underground mine development in support of DoD Agreement Funding extensional drilling. Underground drilling of the RAM deposit during the ongoing programme has highlighted appreciable grades, widths and mineralisation continuity. The Company's deepest intercept to date indicates strong upside potential of further resource extension at depth, which Jervois anticipates will be tested with future drilling. Figure 1 and 2 below show an updated RAM long section and RAM plan view section, respectively, including completed 2024 DoD Agreement Funding drilling and 2023 RAM MRE outline in green. Figure 1: RAM Long Section including 2024 DoD Agreement Funding Extensional Drilling Figure 2: RAM Plan View including 2024 DoD Agreement Funding Extensional Drilling Recent drilling results have demonstrated down-dip grade continuity along an interpreted orientation favourable to continued exploration by Jervois within its contiguous claim boundaries. This updated interpretation of the MMH in the southern extents of the RAM provides additional pathways to resource growth, previously believed to be limited to deep exploratory drilling, with additional moderate-depth extensional drilling at ICO. Greater continuity of HW mineralisation is also observed along this mineralised orientation based upon the 2024 drilling programme, indicating further resource growth opportunity. Jervois' 2024 extensional drilling has successfully displayed continuity of prospective mineralisation across all completed holes with step-out intercepts ranging between 100m to 175m from the nearest neighbouring pre-2024 intercept laterally and consolidates mineralisation confidence across greater than 450m down-dip along and beyond existing 2023 MRE margins. Figure 3 shows 2024 drilling in comparison to expansion drillhole JU22-0653, highlighting continuity in both MMH and HW zones present within southern reaches of the RAM deposit. Figure 3: Cross Section depicting 2024 DoD Agreement Funding Extensional Drilling Quality Assurance All drill core samples are sent to ALS Global Laboratories (Geochemistry Division), an independent and fully accredited laboratory (ISO 9001:2008), in Vancouver, Canada, for analysis for gold by Fire Assay and multi-element Induction Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy. Jervois employs a regimented Quality Assurance, Quality Control ("QA/QC") program where at least 10% duplicates, blanks and certified reference material are inserted into each sample shipment. On behalf of Jervois Global Limited Bryce Crocker, Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Investors and analysts: Alicia Brown Group Manager - External Affairs Jervois Global alicia.brown@jervoisglobal.com Media: Nathan Ryan NWR Communications nathan.ryan@nwrcommunications.com.au Mob: +61 420 582 887 Competent Person's Statement The information in this release that relates to Mineral Exploration is based on information compiled by Andrew Turner, P.Geol. who is a consultant for the company and a member of The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta. Andrew Turner has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Andrew Turner consents to the inclusion in the release of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which it appears. Qualified Person's Statement The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Andrew Turner, P.Geol., a consultant for the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule", "expected" and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the timing of drilling operations at ICO, the outcome of the drilling program, future updated mineral resource and certain other factors or information. Such statements represent Jervois' current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Jervois, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Jervois does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Appendix 1: JORC Code, 2012 Edition - Table 1 Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Sampling is by diamond drill coring. All drill core was sampled contingent on geology and core recovery: Core was collected directly from the core barrel into core boxes, and drill core was cut in half by diamond saw, with one half of the core collected for laboratory analysis and the other half retained as reference core in the tray. Core trays were clearly labelled with the hole number, tray number and depth intervals marked. A "cut-line" was drawn by the logging geologists along the length of the drill core as a guide for the core sawing. The half-core was sampled, ensuring that the same side is consistently sampled, and placed into sample bags labelled with the assigned sample number. Downhole measurements are recorded using a Reflex OMNI Gyro at 30 metre intervals down each hole and at 1.5 metre intervals continuously at the end of every hole. Field sampling followed Jervois protocols including industry standard quality control procedures. Samples were sent to: ALS Geochemistry-Vancouver, an independent and fully accredited laboratory in Vancouver, Canada ("ALS") for analysis for gold by 30g Fire Assays with wet chemical finish (ICP) and by multi-element Induction Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy ("ICP"). Jervois also has a regimented Quality Assurance, Quality Control ("QA/QC") program where at least 10% standards and blanks are inserted into each sample shipment. Sample representivity is ensured by: Diamond Core: core samples are "representative" (and not "selective") in that each sample comprised half (cut) core that was collected along the entire length of each sample interval. Handheld XRF instruments were used to spot check drill core for mineralisation, however those results were not relied on. All sample results reported on are from ALS, an independent laboratory. All of the drilling was diamond drill core (HQ/NQ). Typically, drill core was sampled on nominal 3 foot (~1m) half core samples for HQ/NQ. All sample analyses were completed at ALS . ALS operates independent laboratories globally, which are ISO accredited. Samples are received at the laboratory: Bar codes are scanned and logged; samples are weighed and dried; samples are crushed to 70% less than 2mm, the crushing product is riffle split to collect a 250g split, which is pulverised to better than 85% passing 75 microns; aliquots from the pulverised split (the sample "pulp") are analysed for 34 elements using ICP analysis and for gold by 30 gram Fire Assay with ICP-AES finish. Any samples with initial "over-limit" results for specific metals, including gold, copper, cobalt and arsenic are re-analysed accordingly to achieve complete results. Drilling techniques Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). Underground drilling comprised HQ and NQ sized core, with reduction of hole size where appropriate. Holes were generally angled from -55 to -90 degrees at varying azimuths. Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. All holes are logged for basic geotechnical characteristics including measurements and calculations for core recovery and RQD values. Core recovery is recorded as a percentage equivalent to the length of core recovered, as a percentage of the drill run (interval length). Excellent recoveries were obtained from the diamond drilling. There is no bias noted between sample recovery and grade. Excellent recoveries were obtained from Diamond drilling other than in faulted zones which were not sampled. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Diamond drilling: Drill core is photographed and logged prior to sampling; Core has been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail appropriate to support mineral resource estimation and mining studies. Logging has been conducted both qualitatively and quantitatively; full description of lithologies, alteration and comments are noted, as well as percentage estimates on veining and sulphides. The total length of all holes drilled to date in 2024 was 1,428m. All depths of relevance to this release are listed in the table in the body of the text. All drill holes are logged in their entirety. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. All core was half-cut lengthwise using a diamond saw. The HQ/NQ core half-core was sampled. Samples are received at the laboratory: sample ID bar codes are scanned and logged; samples are weighed and dried; samples are crushed to 70% less than 2mm, the crushing product is riffle split to collect a 250g split, which is pulverised to better than 85% passing 75 microns; aliquots from the pulverised split (the sample "pulp") are analysed for 34 elements using ICP analysis and for gold by 30 gram Fire Assay with ICP-AES finish. Any samples with initial "over-limit" results for specific metals, including gold, copper, cobalt and arsenic are re-analysed accordingly to achieve complete results. For core sampling the same side is consistently sampled, half-core is retained in the tray for HQ/NQ. The assay sub- sample is placed into sample bags labelled with the assigned sample number. One in 20 samples is duplicated where the core is quartered and a quarter cut sample is analysed as a duplicate. The remaining quarter samples is retained in the tray. Sample sizes of 2-3 kg are appropriate for the grain size of material. The sample preparation technique and sample sizes are considered appropriate to the material being sampled. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established. The ICP-AES and Fire Assay (30 gram) analytical techniques are considered total and are high quality and appropriate for the mineralisation being tested. Jervois has a regimented Quality Control protocol which has consisted of systematic submission of blanks, standards and duplicates in addition to those conducted at the laboratory. Precision levels for all blanks, standards and duplicate samples fell within acceptable ranges. Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. The use of twinned holes. Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. Discuss any adjustment to assay data. Significant intersections are alternatively verified by the CP and QP of the company. No holes have been twinned in this drill programme. Data is collected using a PostGRE SQL database custom-built for Idaho Cobalt Operations and incorporates historic MS Excel templated data. The database software includes data validation algorithms. The database software also allows for the direct importation of digital data files from the laboratory. Data is backed up on the cloud hosted server on and off site. All assay/analytical data returning "below detection limit" results have been entered in the project database as one half of the detection limit value. Samples received damaged at the laboratory, or with insufficient sample weight for analysis had the interval or location left blank. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. Specification of the grid system used. Quality and adequacy of topographic control. All surface drilling collars were surveyed by licensed surveyors and by trained geologists in the underground. Down-hole surveys were routinely carried out on all holes using a Reflex OMNI Gyro at 30 metre intervals down each hole and at 1.5 metre intervals continuously at the end of every hole. Holes were setup on collar using a Reflex TN14 Gyro. All datum is collected and recorded in a localised ICO Mine Grid. The 3D location of the individual samples is considered to be adequately established, consistent with accepted industry standards. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. Whether sample compositing has been applied. To date, due to the exploratory nature of the drilling, the spacing is wide. Assay results for four holes have been received. The intervals released are proximal to the existing RAM deposit MRE and are interpreted as representing an extension of the RAM deposit. As a result, this data, will be used in a planned mineral resource update upon completion of the ongoing extensional drilling programme. The reported drillhole data comprises length-weight averaged core interval grade values. Data compositing is completed during Mineral Resource Estimation, but has not been applied to the data reported in this release. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. Drilling sections are orientated perpendicular to the strike of the host rocks. Drill holes were inclined between -55 and -90 to optimise intercepts of mineralisation with respect to thickness and distribution. Drilling with angled holes in most instances provides a representative sample across the stratigraphy. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. All individual samples are placed in plastic sample bags sealed with a cable tie. Then groups of samples are bagged in poly-woven sacks also sealed with a cable tie. The samples are sent by courier to the lab and tracked. To date, no sample shipments have had reported problems and/or a breach in security. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. Jervois protocols consist of a regimented internal QA/QC which match or exceed global industry standards. APEX Geoscience Ltd. has been retained as independent geological consultants and have reviewed and approved the ICO sampling protocols and procedures and will be conducting a thorough review of the drill data, including the QA/QC data, prior to the initiation of resource update. Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. ICO consists of 358 unpatented mineral claims totalling 7,390 acres. The claims are 100% owned by Jervois subsidiary Jervois Mining USA Ltd. and are in good standing. Unpatented Mineral Claims: Ownership of unpatented mining claims in the U.S. is in the name of the holder, with ownership of the minerals belonging to the United States of America, under the administration of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Under the Mining Law of 1872, which governs the location of unpatented mining claims on federal lands, the locator has the right to explore, develop and mine minerals on unpatented mining claims without payments of production royalties to the federal government. Annual claim maintenance and filing fees paid before September 1st each year are the only federal encumbrances to unpatented mining claims. Exploration plans are permitted and administered by the Unites States Forestry Service. The United States Department of Agriculture Salmon Challis National Forest (the Forest Service) issued a revised Record of Decision (the "ROD") for the ICO in January 2009. The ROD described the decision to approve a Mine Plan of Operations ("MPO") for mining, milling and concentrating mineralised material from the ICO. The ROD was subsequently affirmed by the Forest Service in April 2009. The Plan of Operations at the ICO mine and mill remained unchanged and the ROD remains in place. In December 2009, the Forest Service approved the MPO allowing for the commencement of ICO construction. There are no known encumbrances. Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. The ICO came under Jervois management following the merger with eCobalt in 2019. Prior to this merger, the area has a long history of copper and cobalt exploration and mining. Copper mineralisation in the Blackbird Creek area was discovered in 1892, and the area was soon explored as both a copper and gold prospect. The area was first mined by Union Carbide at the Haynes-Stellite Mine located south of the present ICO claim block, during World War I. Union Carbide mined approximately 4,000 tons of cobalt-bearing ore before ceasing operations. From 1938 to 1941, the Uncle Sam Mining and Milling Company operated a mine at the south end of the present Blackbird mine and reportedly mined about 3,600 tons of ore. Calera Mining Company, a division of Howe Sound Company, developed and mined the Blackbird deposit between 1943 and 1959 under a contract to supply cobalt to the U.S. government. Calera stopped mining when the government contract was terminated in 1960. Machinery Center Inc. mined from the district between 1963 and 1966, when Idaho Mining Company (owned by Hanna Mining Company) purchased the property. Noranda optioned the property from Hanna in 1977 and carried out extensive exploration, mine rehabilitation and metallurgical testing. In 1979 Noranda and Hanna formed the Blackbird Mining Company (BMC) to develop the property. BMC completed an internal feasibility study of their property at the time, including material from the Sunshine deposit in 1982. BMC allowed perimeter claims to lapse in 1994, and eCobalt restaked much of that ground. From 1995 to the present, eCobalt completed surface geochemical sampling and drilled 158 diamond drill holes on the ICO ground. Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. Deposit Types: Whilst the deposits in the Idaho Cobalt Belt have been studied over many years the deposit types are still a subject of debate. Prior to 2005 the overriding opinion was that the deposits are sedimentary exhalative and are referred to as the Blackbird Sediment Hosted Cu-Co. And have been described as stratabound iron-, cobalt-, copper-, and arsenic-rich sulphide mineral accumulations in nearly carbonate-free argillite/siltite couplets and quartzites Post 2005 the discovery of high concentrations of rare earth elements ("REE") lead to the postulation that the deposits are not volcanogenic massive sulphide or sedimentary exhalative deposits but instead are iron oxide-copper-gold ("IOCG") deposits Geological Setting: The ICO is situated in the Idaho Cobalt Belt, a 50- to 55-kilometre long metallogenic district characterised by stratiform/tabular copper-cobalt deposits. The deposits are hosted by a thick, dominantly clastic sequence of Middle Proterozoic age sandwiched between late Proterozoic quartz monzonitic intrusions. The clastic sediments were deposited in a large fault-bounded basin, probably as large submarine fan complexes and/or deltaic aprons that were frequently "drowned" by continuing subsidence within the basin. All significant copper-cobalt deposits and occurrences are found in the Proterozoic Apple Creek Formation, which constitutes the base of this sequence. This formation was originally correlated with Pritchard Formation metasediments of the Belt supergroup to the north, its age being constrained by dates of 1.37 Ga for adamellites intruding the sequence and 1.7 Ga from mafic dykes and sills emplaced along the basin margin faults. The structure of the Apple Creek Formation is dominated by the regional rift structure. Cobalt-copper-gold mineralization occurs along a northwest-southeast trending structure parallel to and west of the central axis of the rift. There is a series of northerly trending faults that are considered to represent initial growth faults, reactivated by Laramide and younger events. The district has also been affected by north-easterly structures of the Trans-Challis Fault Zone. The ICO is hosted in Proterozoic age meta-sediments found on the east side of the central Idaho Batholith comprising granitic-to-granodioritic rocks. The Idaho Cobalt Belt represents a distinct district dominated by stratabound cobalt + copper gold mineralisation, with a remobilised constituent. The district is underlain by strata of the middle Proterozoic-age Apple Creek Formation, which is an upward-thickening, upward-coarsening clastic sequence at least 14,900 metre thick that represents a major basin-filling episode and was formerly considered part of the Yellow Jacket Formation. The Apple Creek can be divided into three units. The lower unit of the Apple Creek Formation is over 4,500 metre thick and consists mainly of argillite and siltite, with lesser occurrences of fine-grained quartzite and carbonates. Graded bedding and planar to wavy laminae are common in the lower unit, which is locally metamorphosed to phyllite. The middle unit of the Apple Creek Formation is up to 1,100 metres thick and comprises several upward-coarsening sequences of argillite, siltite, and quartzite, with distinctive biotite-rich interbeds that generally have a direct correlation to mineralisation. The middle unit hosts the majority of the known cobalt, copper and gold occurrences in the Idaho Cobalt Belt. The upper unit exceeds 3,000 metres in thickness and is predominantly composed of thin- to thick bedded, very fine- to fine-grained quartzite. Mafic tuffs within the Apple Creek Formation are the oldest igneous rocks exposed in the Sunshine-Blackpine district. They are accompanied by felsic tuffs and carbonatitic tuffs. Some mafic dikes and sills intrude the Apple Creek Formation and may be comagmatic with the mafic tuff beds. Several small lamproitic diatremes may also be coeval with mafic volcanism. The Apple Creek Formation has undergone varying degrees of regional metamorphism, ranging from greenschist facies in the southern part of the district to amphibolite grade facies in the northern part of the district. Several types of mafic dikes and sills, ranging from 1m to 30m thick, intrude the Apple Creek Formation and are interpreted as feeders to the exhalative mafic tuffs, which are most abundant in areas of intrusive activity Style of Mineralisation: Mineralisation at the ICO is characterised as syngenetic, stratiform/tabular exhalative deposits within, or closely associated with, the mafic sequences of the Apple Creek Formation. This mineralisation is dominantly bedding concordant and the deposits range from nearly massive to disseminated. Some crosscutting mineralisation is present that may be in feeder zones to the stratiform mineralisation or may be due to remobilisation locally into fracture quartz veins and/or crosscutting structures. Dominant minerals include cobaltite (CoAsS) and chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), with lesser, variable occurrences of gold. Other minerals present in small quantities are pyrite (FeS2), pyrrhotite (FeS), arsenopyrite (FeAsS), linnaeite ((Co Ni)3S4), loellingite (FeAs2), safflorite (CoFeAs2), enargite (Cu3AsS4) and marcasite (FeS2). Recently, rare-earth minerals have been identified in samples from the deposit as monazite, xenotime and allanite. At this time, these minerals have not been considered for potential recovery as by-products of the Co-(Cu-Au). The RAM is the largest and best-known deposit in the ICO area. It consists of a Hanging-wall Zone with 3 primary and 4 minor horizons, a Main Zone comprising 3 horizons, and a Footwall Zone with 3 horizons. These sub-parallel horizons generally strike N15oW and dip 50o - 60o to the northeast. Most of the significant Co mineralisation is associated with exhalative lithologies i.e. biotitic tuffaceous exhalate (BTE), siliceous tuffaceous exhalate (STE), and quartzite with impregnations of biotitic tuffaceous exhalate (QTZ/BTE) or siliceous tuffaceous exhalate (QTZ/STE). Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length. If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. All drillhole information pertinent to this release is contained within the tables in the body of the text. Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. In previous reports weighted averaging has been used in reported composite intervals and individual results are also listed, no grade truncations etc. has been used. Aggregate intercepts are reported using a grade metre calculation. For example: ((assay x meter interval sampled) + (assay x meter interval sampled) + (assay x meter interval sampled) / divided by total number of meters in the interval). Individual sample intercepts are also shown. Calculated true widths determined for the composited intercept mid-point, perpendicular to the down-dip projection of the RAM deposit. No metal equivalent values have been reported. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width not known'). Downhole lengths are reported. Calculated true widths are reported based on down-dip projections of the RAM deposit model. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. Refer to figures and tables in the body of the text. Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. Calculated true widths determined for the composited intercept mid-point, perpendicular to the down-dip projection of the RAM deposit. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. There is no other substantive exploration data. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. Jervois plans to continue to undertake extensional drilling to support an updated MRE as funding allows. 1 See ASX announcement "Jervois completes U.S. Department of Defense reimbursed drilling at ICO's Sunshine deposit" dated 30 January 2024 2 See ASX announcement "Jervois completes maiden JORC Resource for Sunshine at ICO, USA" dated 2 April 2024 In accordance with ASX listing rule 5.23.2, Jervois confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the relevant market announcements referred to above and that the assumptions contained therein continue to apply and have not materially changed. 3 See ASX announcement "Expansion drilling consolidates RAM deposit extension at Jervois' ICO" dated 20 February 2023. In accordance with ASX listing rule 5.23.2, Jervois confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the relevant market announcement referred to above and that the assumptions contained therein continue to apply and have not materially changed. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. VANCOUVER, July 31, 2024 - August 1, 2024 - Sydney, Australia Highlights Patriot is proud to announce the re-naming of the Corvette Project to the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project (pronounced Shaa-gi-chi-waa-naan), as proposed by the Chisasibi elders and members of the Tallyman's family. A logo has been developed for the Project, designed in collaboration with the Tallyman's family. Since 2022, more than 200 communication activities have taken place with various Chisasibi leadership, land users, community members, entrepreneurs and organizations, reflecting a high level of broad community participation in consultation processes to date. The contribution of Cree community members to direct site activities includes drilling operations, civil works, camp operations and road construction. More than 105 First Nations workers have worked on the Project to date during 2024. Environmental baseline data collection is conducted by a Cree enterprise (Niigaan), with Cree field staff. The Grand Opening of Patriot's office in Chisasibi will take place in August 2024. Patriot remains on schedule for a Mineral Resource Estimate update for the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project in August 2024, including both the CV5 and CV13 spodumene pegmatites. Alix Drapack, Patriot's Executive Vice President of ESG, comments: "The decision to change the name of the Corvette Project to the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project reflects Patriot's commitment to build a strong relationship with the Cree Nation of Chisasibi and the Tallyman's family. The Company acknowledges, highly values and respects Cree traditional territory and their connection to the land. "Introducing a Cree language reference to the Project name presents a great opportunity to share Cree culture through the storyline the name represents. In this way, Patriot can further share Cree culture with the broader Patriot stakeholder community," she added. Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Patriot") (TSX: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) is pleased to announce the renaming of the Corvette Project to the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project. The Cree word, Shaakichiuwaanaan, means climbing a hill or a mountain and refers to three hills/mountains in the vicinity of the Project. The 100%-owned Shaakichiuwaanaan Property (the "Property" or "Project") is located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec. Specifically, all of Patriot's drill exploration activities have been located on trapline CH39, on the traditional territory of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi. More than 200 communication activities have taken place with various Chisasibi leadership, land users, entrepreneurs, organizations and community members since 2022. Patriot's ESG team visits the community in person, approximately every six weeks. During several of the communications sessions with the Tallyman's family and the community-at-large, the idea of renaming the Project was both suggested and discussed. Patriot asked for input from the Tallyman and the elders of the community and the recommendation was to use the Cree word, Shaakichiuwaanaan, in reference to the Project. Building on this recommendation, a logo has been developed for the Project in collaboration with the Tallyman's family, including symbols important to the Cree such as a goose, a teepee and Cree syllabics. A key to the success of the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project is the contribution of First Nations workers at site. Cree community members have been contributing to site activities including drilling operations, civil works, camp operations and road construction. More than 105 First Nations workers have worked on the Project during 2024. Just prior to Goose Break in April, this represented approximately 23% of the workers at site. Environmental baseline data collection has been underway at the site since 2022, conducted by a Cree enterprise, Niigaan. As part of this joint venture partnership, Chisasibi community members assist biologists from various environmental consulting firms, in a mutually beneficial approach allowing for sharing of information from Crees that reflects their unique understanding of their land. Patriot is also very pleased to announce the lease of office space in the Chisasibi Commercial Center, beginning on August 1, 2024. Edward Bearskin, Patriot's Community Liaison Officer, will work out of the office, providing community members with the opportunity to discuss the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project and provide feedback as the Project progresses. About Patriot Battery Metals Inc. Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is a hard-rock lithium exploration company focused on advancing its district-scale 100% owned Shaakichiuwaanaan Project (formaly known as the Corvette Project) located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada, and proximal to regional road and powerline infrastructure. The Shaakichiuwaanaan Project hosts the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite with a current Mineral Resource Estimate that ranks as the largest lithium pegmatite resource in the Americas based on contained lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), and one of the top 10 largest lithium pegmatite resources in the world. Additionally, the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project hosts multiple other spodumene pegmatite clusters that remain to be drill tested, as well as significant areas of prospective trend that remain to be assessed. For further information, please contact us at info@patriotbatterymetals.com or by calling +1 (604) 279-8709, or visit www.patriotbatterymetals.com. Please also refer to the Company's continuous disclosure filings, available under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca and www.asx.com.au, for available exploration data. This news release has been approved by the Board of Directors. "KEN BRINSDEN" Kenneth Brinsden, President, CEO, & Managing Director View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/patriot-renames-the-corvette-project-shaakichiuwaanaan-shaa-gi-chi-waa-naan-project-302211058.html SOURCE Patriot Battery Metals Inc. TORONTO, July 31, 2024 - Aberdeen International Inc. ("Aberdeen" or the "Company") (TSX: AAB, F:A8H, OTC:AABVF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Fred Leigh as the Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company effective immediately. Mr. Leigh has been involved in the resource sector for more than 35 years and has had a significant role as founder, director and/or investor in many public companies. Mr. Leigh is also the founder and President of VC7K Capital Inc. a privately held company which, for over 18 years, has invested in early stage opportunities in the resource sector. Mr. Leigh replaces Martin Schuermann as the Chief Executive Officer, who has resigned as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. The board and management of the Company express their gratitude to Mr. Schuermann for his efforts and extensive contributions to the Company. Disposition of AmmPower Shares The Company also announces that it has sold 1,500,000 common shares of AmmPower Corp. ("AmmPower") (CSE: AMMP) during the period July 5, 2024 to July 29, 2024, which has resulted in Aberdeen's ownership being reduced by 8.5%. As of the date hereof, Aberdeen holds 16,082,925 common shares of AmmPower, representing 9.98% of the issued and outstanding shares of AmmPower. The Company reviews its holdings from time to time and may increase or decrease its position as future circumstances may dictate. This news release is being issued in accordance with National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues in connection with the filing of an early warning report dated July 31, 2024. The early warning report respecting the occurrence giving rise to this filing has been filed on System for Electronic Document Analysis and Review ("SEDAR+") at www.sedarplus.ca under AmmPower's issuer profile. ABOUT ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL INC. Aberdeen International is a global resource investment company and merchant bank focused on small capitalization companies in the rare metals and renewable energy sectors. For additional information, please visit our website at www.aberdeen.green For further information, please contact: Fred Leigh Chief Executive Officer Aberdeen International Inc. (416) 861-2267 This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the investment portfolio of the Company; the appointment of directors and officers and the Company's future plans. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including risks inherent in the mining industry and risks described in the public disclosure of the Company which is available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.aberdeen.green. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Calgary, July 31, 2024 - LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSXV: LBNK) (OTCQX: LBNKF) ("LithiumBank'' or the "Company") is pleased to announce 2024 development plans for its 100% owned Boardwalk and Park Place lithium brine projects, located in in west-central Alberta. Over the next 2 quarters, the Company intends to continue advancing, de-risking, and adding value to the Boardwalk and Park Place lithium brine projects. LithiumBank will focus on acquiring bulk brine samples from both project licences to assess its exclusively licensed Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") technology at its 10,000 litre/day pilot plant in Calgary. This work intends to demonstrate its effectiveness at concentrating lithium and removing deleterious elements. By doing so it will increase the confidence in the potential for economic extraction of lithium from the Boardwalk and Park Place projects. Results from this work program will be included in future economic assessments of the projects. Since the start of the year, LithiumBank has made tremendous progress and has delivered key development goals including an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment technical report at Boardwalk entitled "Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for LithiumBank Resources Boardwalk Lithium-Brine Project in West- Central Alberta, Canada" effective February 22, 2024 (see the Company's news releases dated Jan. 16, 2024 and February 29, 2024), released one of North America's largest deep lithium brine inferred NI 43-101 resource estimates at Park Place (see the Company's news release dated June 24, 2024) (see Figure 1) and commissioned one of Canada's largest DLE pilot plant facilities located in Calgary, Alberta (see the Company's news release dated July 10, 2024). All this work aims to de-risk Canadian brine-hosted lithium deposits. These resources are among the largest in North America and are expected to have minimal surface and water disturbance if developed to supply North America's growing demand for lithium. LithiumBank believes considerable near-term value can be added to its Boardwalk and Park Place projects with successful completion of the following programs that will both advance and de-risk the projects: DLE Pilot Plant Testing With substantial lithium resources established at both Boardwalk and Park Place, LithiumBank's key objective in the next 12 weeks is to rigorously assess the operating parameters of its exclusively licensed continuous Direct Lithium Extraction ("cDLE") technology through pilot testing Boardwalk and Park Place brines at a rate of up to 10,000 litres per day. The cDLE process has been adapted from over 20 years of continuous ion exchange experience from various metal recovery applications. The continuous ion exchange process has been proven at commercial scale for the economic extraction of uranium, tungsten and gold and at a pilot scale for nickel, cobalt and scandium (see for further information: cDLE Technology - Continuous Direct Lithium Extraction (go2lithium.com). Pilot testing of the lithium application at the Calgary facility aims to demonstrate its potential to be scaled up for commercial production. The main work objectives are to test brines collected from both Boardwalk and Park Place to: Confirm laboratory bench test results; Optimise the selectivity of the sorbent (ion exchange material) and efficiency of rejecting deleterious impurities; Optimise the desorption of lithium from sorbent; Assess sorbent performance across a range of operating conditions such as pH, temperature, and flow rates of brine & sorbent; and Confirm overall process design effectiveness. The concentrated product ("eluate") from piloting will be used to test additional processing steps required in producing a battery grade lithium carbonate and/or lithium hydroxide monohydrate ("LHM"). The pilot plant is designed to produce up to 200 L of eluate in a 24 hour period to a concentration of over 3,000 mg/L (3 g/L) Li. This resulting eluate can then be fed into existing commercial downstream processes. Figure 1. Location map showing LithiumBank's Boardwalk and Park Place projects. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10140/218365_481ecbbd444e5b84_001full.jpg Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no guarantee that all or any part of the mineral resource will be converted into a mineral reserve. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by geology, environment, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. Boardwalk Drilling Program: Formerly producing hydrocarbon well (ID: 100/10-06-069-21W5/00, ("10-6")) was acquired by LithiumBank in May 2024 to collect brine and confirm key reservoir information such as porosity, permeability & deliverability. Historically, the 10-6 well produced hydrocarbons from the upper 65 m of the Leduc Formation until it was suspended due to high levels of brine. LithiumBank plans to extend the 10-6 well at Boardwalk to approximately 2,830 m, though the bottom of the Leduc Fm with additional drilling. This is expected to enable the Company to: Collect additional bulk brine sample (~250 m3) across the entire vertical column of the Leduc Fm (>200 m) for pilot testing; Collect brine samples from multiple isolated depth intervals for lithium and complete chemical analysis to validate vertical grade consistency; Conduct multiple reservoir deliverability (Swab) tests at different depths within the Leduc Formation which will help identify deliverability of isolated zones; Conduct a 48-hour constant rate test at 400 m/day to determine permeability; Conduct a step rate test for max wellbore deliverability estimates; and Complete borehole logging and detailed geological analysis of the Leduc Fm. to identify zones of porosity and permeability within the Leduc Formation. Perform detailed subsurface reservoir modelling at Boardwalk using subsurface data collected in stage 1 above. This updated reservoir model will help to further solidify the development plan for the area and improve the confidence in the resource estimate. Park Place Acquire approximately ~150 m3 (150,000 L) of brine from the Leduc Formation from an existing well at Park Place. This sample will be tested in the DLE pilot plant. Acquire and licence 100% of an existing well at Park Place to replicate the work done at Boardwalk. Qualified Person The information that forms the basis for the scientific and technical information disclosed in this news release was prepared and approved by Kevin Piepgrass, P.Geo, who is a Qualified Person (QP) for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Mr Kevin Piepgrass consents and approves of the inclusion of the data in the form and context in which it appears. About LithiumBank Resources Corp. LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSXV: LBNK) (OTCQX: LBNKF), is a publicly traded lithium company that is focused on developing and de-risking the largest portfolio of lithium brine assets in North America. The Company has completed a NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") at Boardwalk (Jan. 16, 2024), an initial NI 43-101 Resource Estimate at Park Place (June 24, 2024) which are both located in west central Alberta. The Company is currently conducting large scale pilot testing of a licensed Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") technology at the Company's facility in Calgary (July 10, 2024). The DLE technology process being piloted is currently being used at a commercial scale for use in other metals. The Company owns 100% of the 2,130,470 acres of brown-field brine hosted mineral licenses within Alberta and Saskatchewan Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance, including without limitation, the Company's development plans for its Boardwalk and Park Place projects and the expected results and timing thereof; the Company's anticipated bulk brine sample collection from its Boardwalk and Park Place projects and the expected timing thereof; the Company's expectations regarding the effectiveness of the Company's licensed DLE technology and that such effectiveness will increase the confidence in the potential for economic extraction of lithium from the Boardwalk and Park Place project; statements regarding the Company advancing, de-risking and adding value to its Boardwalk and Park Place projects; that Canadian deep brine-hosted lithium deposits would have minimal surface and water disturbance if developed; North America's growing demand for lithium; the Company's beliefs that considerable near-term value can be added to its Boardwalk and Park Place projects with successful completion of its DLE pilot plant testing and planned drilling programs; that the cDLE process can be scaled up for commercial production; the Company's plans to extend the 10-6 well at the Boardwalk project; the Company's plan to perform detailed subsurface reservoir modelling at the Boardwalk project; and the Company's plan to acquire and license 100% of an existing well at the Park Place project are forward-looking statements and contain forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should" or "would" or occur. Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including that the Company will be able to complete its development plans on the Boardwalk and Park Place project on the timelines indicated; that the Company will be able to complete the Boardwalk and Park Place brine sample collection indicated and on the timelines anticipated; that the Company's planned work will demonstrate the effectiveness of the Company's licensed DLE technology and that such effectiveness will increase the confidence in the potential for economic extraction of lithium from the Boardwalk and Park Place project; that the Company will advance, de-risk and add value to the Boardwalk and Park Place project; the minimal surface and water disturbance that Canadian lithium-brine hosted deposits would have if developed; that North America's demand for lithium is growing; that considerable near-term value can be added to the Company's Boardwalk and Park Place projects with successful completion of its DLE pilot plant testing and planned drilling programs; that the cDLE process can be scaled up for commercial production; that the Company is able to extend the 10-6 well at the Boardwalk project; and that the Company is able to acquire and license 100% of an existing well at the Park Place project. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Important risks that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation, the risk that the Company will be unable to complete its development plans for its Boardwalk and Park Place projects, or will be unable to do so on the timelines indicated; the risk that the Company will not be able to complete the anticipated bulk brine sample collection from its Boardwalk and Park Place projects, or will be unable to do so on the timelines indicated; the risk that the effectiveness of the Company's licensed DLE technology will not be demonstrated, or that such effectiveness will not increase the confidence in the potential for economic extraction of lithium from the Boardwalk and Park Place project; the risk that Canadian deep-brine hosted deposits will not have minimal surface and water disturbance if developed; the risk that North America's demand for lithium does not continue to grow; the risk that near-term value will not be added to the Company's Boardwalk and Park Place projects with the completion of the Company's DLE pilot plan testing and planned drilling programs; the risk that the cDLE process cannot be scaled up for commercial production; the risk that the Company will not be able to extend the 10-6 well at the Boardwalk project; the risk that the Company will not be able to perform subsurface reservoir modelling at the Boardwalk project as anticipated, or at all; and the risk that the Company will not be able to acquire and license 100% of an existing well at the Park Place project. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218365 Toronto, July 31, 2024 - Omai Gold Mines Corp. (TSXV: OMG) (OTCQB: OMGGF) ("Omai" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the drilling has commenced at its 100%-owned Omai gold property in Guyana. With the Preliminary Economic Assessment announced April 4th, followed by a $13 million brokered private placement that closed June 20th, the Company is well positioned to further advance the project. Elaine Ellingham, CEO commented: "With the completion of our recent financing, Omai has $13 million in the treasury and we are well positioned for our 2024 and 2025 exploration and development programs. Drilling commenced July 2nd, twelve days after the financing closed, with an initial 10,000 m drilling program underway. Our recent Preliminary Economic Assessment for production of 1.83 million ounces of gold from an open pit mine, averaging 1.51 g/t Au giving a net present value (5% discount) of US$566 million, is a great milestone for Omai. However, we believe that the Omai property, even with the current Mineral Resource Estimate could support a much larger mine plan with a longer mine life and more robust economics. Our priorities for 2024-2025 are clear -- to work towards: i) Expanding the overall property Mine Plan, ii) Enhancing the economics beyond this baseline PEA, and iii) Advancing permitting, engineering and baseline studies. Steps are underway to move forward on each of these objectives." The recent PEA is based on open pit production of 1.83 million ounces from only the Wenot deposit, one of the two orogenic gold deposits located on the Omai Property (Figure 1). The PEA incorporates only 45% of the current Omai Property Mineral Resource Estimate, and 78% of the Wenot MRE. Wenot alone already hosts an additional Inferred MRE of over 400,000 ounces averaging over 2.0 g/t. Much of this is located west of the past producing pit and, with additional drilling, offers near surface potential for future inclusion in the Mine Plan. Some of the non-included MRE is at depth and additional drilling could support a deeper economic pit or potentially later underground mining as the deepest intersection to date was an impressive 5.18 g/t Au over 20.2 m (including 12.7 g/t Au over 7.9 m) at a vertical depth of ~460m. Management believes that with the 2024-2025 planned drilling, at least some of the additional Wenot MRE could be integrated into a future expanded Mine Plan, and the Wenot deposit could expand within, along strike and below. The Wenot PEA "superpit" is very large, already extending along a 2.4 km strike length. Drilling to date, as well as historical mining records, indicate that the Wenot shear-hosted gold mineralized zones are quite continuous. Certain areas within the PEA pit have relatively wide-spaced drilling and management believes that with additional drilling of these gaps, that the Wenot resource could expand and, very importantly some of the waste within the current PEA pit could prove to be mineralized material, potentially having the effect of decreasing the strip ratio and increasing the NPV of a future economic model. As such, focused drilling of selected gaps along the Wenot deposit is considered a high priority, together with drilling along the under-explored East Wenot extension area. Drilling is progressing quickly. Three drill holes have been completed in East Wenot, two of which (24ODD-072 and -073) tested a southern geophysics anomaly resulting from an Induced Polarization survey completed late in 2023 (Figure 3). A third hole (24ODD-074) lies approximately 250 metres east of the Wenot pit. Several very shallow exploration holes were completed by Placer Dome in this area in the early 1990's and intersected multiple gold zones including 3.60 g/t Au over 27m, 3.66 g/t Au over 7.9, and 2.56 gt Au over 9.0m. Omai drilled a hole in 2022 approximately 200m to the east and intersected visible gold assaying 1.84 g/t Au over 9.2 m, and confirmed the location of the central contact shear hosting the quartz felspar porphyry dike in this area. Two holes have been completed (24ODD-075 and -076), drilling from the south side of the Wenot deposit (Figure 2). Known local overburden including some sand horizons created a reluctance to drill from the south following a few failed holes in early 2021. These two new holes were easily and quickly completed which provides the green light for additional drilling to test the full potential of the sedimentary rock sequence that lies to the south of the central Wenot contact. Several "gaps" in the Wenot MRE are related to the lack of testing of areas that could only be accessed from the south. The potential for signficant gold mineralization on the southern side was fully realized in 2023 with hole 23ODD-063 that encountered 4.07 g/t Au over 31.1m and hole 23ODD-071 that encountered 2.28 g/t Au over 70.0m, both long holes drilled from the north. Some samples have been shipped to Actlabs in nearby Georgetown, with results pending. About OMAI GOLD MINES CORP. Omai Gold Mines Corp. holds a 100% interest in the Omai Prospecting License that includes the past producing Omai Gold Mine in Guyana, and a 100% interest in the adjoining Eastern Flats Mining Permits. The Company announced a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") on its Wenot deposit at Omai on April 4, 2024, supporting an open pit operation to produce 1.84 million ounces of gold over a 13-year period, with an NPV5% of US$556 million at a US$1950/oz gold price1. An updated NI 43- 101 Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") announced February 8, 2024 includes 2.0 million ounces of gold (Indicated) and 2.3 million ounces (Inferred)1. Once South America's largest producing gold mine, Omai produced over 3.7 million ounces of gold between 1993 and 2005. Mining ceased at a time when the average gold price was less than US$400 per ounce. As a brownfields project, Omai benefits from good road access and a wealth of historical data that provides knowledge of the geology and gold mineralization on the Property, as well as metallurgy, historical process recoveries and many other relevant mining parameters. 1 The NI43-101 Technical Report dated May 21, 2024, titled "UPDATED MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE AND PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE OMAI GOLD PROPERTY, POTARO MINING DISTRICT NO. 2, GUYANA", prepared under the supervision of Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants Inc., who is a Qualified Person (QP) and is independent of Omai Gold for the purposes of NI 43-101. The report is available on SEDAR+ and on the Company's website at https://omaigoldmines.com/site/assets/files/5486/omg_wenot_pea_final_may_21_2024.pdf. Elaine Ellingham P.Geo. is a Qualified Person (QP) under NI 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" and has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release. Ms. Ellingham is not considered to be independent for the purposes of NI 43-101. Upcoming Events Precious Metals Summit - Beaver Creek (Colorado) September 10-13, 2024 Precious Metals Summit - Zurich November 11-12, 2024 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements or information (collectively, "FLI") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, FLI can be identified by the use of statements that include words such as "seeks", "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "continues", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "intends", "projects", "predicts", "proposes", "potential", "targets" and variations of such words and phrases, or by statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "will" "could", "would", "should" or "might", "be taken", "occur" or "be achieved." FLI herein includes, anticipated regulatory approvals in connection with the Offering, stated use of proceeds of the Offering, statements regarding the results of the Omai PEA, including the production, operating cost, capital cost and cash cost estimates, the projected valuation metrics and rates of return, and the cash flow projections, as well as mineral resource estimates for the Omai Gold Mine. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are FLI that involve various risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties. For additional information with respect to these and risks, assumptions, and other factors that may affect the FLI made in this press release concerning the Company, please refer to the sections entitled "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information" and "Risk Factors" in the most recent management discussion and analysis of the Company, which is available electronically on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company's issuer profile. FLI is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The FLI contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof or as at the date of the applicable document only and, accordingly, are subject to change after such dates. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any FLI or the foregoing list of risks, assumptions or other factors, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Figure 1. Plan Map Showing Wenot Gold Mineralized Zones and Location of Gilt Creek Deposit To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8712/218368_img1.jpg Figure 2. Plan Map of Wenot Deposit Showing Recently Completed Holes (24ODD-072-076), Current Hole (24ODD-077) and Planned Holes To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8712/218368_img2.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218368 Renowned German Reformed theologian Jurgen Moltmann passed away on June 3 at his home in Tubingen, Germany, at the age of 98. Moltmann, who was a prisoner of war during World War II, found faith through the laments in the Book of Psalms. His theology of hope later reshaped Christian eschatology and had a profound impact on contemporary and Chinese theology. He visited Hong Kong and mainland China for lectures during his lifetime. Known for Theology of Hope: Reconstructing Eschatology Moltmann was a pioneer of political theology, developing a church view based on the resurrection and crucifixion of Christ, which led to his perspective on political theology. His numerous works, many translated into Chinese, deeply influenced contemporary and Chinese theological development. His notable works include "Theology of Hope," "The Crucified God," and "The Church in the Power of the Spirit" trilogy, as well as the "Messianic Theology" series. "Theology of Hope" contributed new insights into Christian eschatology, reconstructing it based on hope in the Christian faith, encouraging believers to responsibly use this hope in their thoughts and actions in today's world. Additionally, in his book "Hope: For a Not Yet Fulfilled World," Moltmann reflected on his life through interviews, commented on current global political and cultural situations, and proposed Christian-based responses. His theology was not an ivory tower product but a response to the world he lived in. Surviving WWII: Reading Psalms in a Prisoner of War Camp Moltmann was an emeritus professor of systematic theology at the University of Tubingen, born in Hamburg, northern Germany, in 1926. At 16, he was conscripted into the military and participated in World War II. During the war, he survived several near-death experiences and witnessed the horrors of war. At 19, after Germany's defeat, he became a prisoner of war and saw the atrocities of concentration camps, leading to disillusionment with his homeland. In a POW camp in Nottingham, England, Moltmann was given a Bible, which he began to read seriously, finding solace in the laments of the Psalms. In 1948, he returned to Germany and studied theology at the University of Gottingen, seeking answers to truth and existence. At 26, Moltmann earned his doctorate and married Elisabeth Moltmann-Wendel (1926-2016), a renowned feminist theologian. He initially served as a rural church pastor and later taught at several universities, including the University of Gottingen, the University of Bonn, and the University of Tubingen. His book "Theology of Hope" (1964) made him one of the most influential contemporary German Christian theologians, impacting Western and Chinese churches and academia. Visiting Hong Kong and Mainland China for Lectures and Exchanges In remembrance of Moltmann, the Chinese Christian Culture Research Institute, which published Chinese translations of his works, posted on Facebook, reminiscing about "the days spent together" and sharing old photos, recalling Moltmann's visits to Hong Kong and mainland China. He visited Chung Chi College at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, engaged in dialogues with Hong Kong theologians, and participated in seminars co-organized by Chung Chi College and the Chinese Christian Culture Research Institute. He also visited Tsinghua University, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and gave lectures. World Council of Churches Mourns Moltmann served as a member of the World Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission (1968-1983). The WCC commemorated him on their website, with Secretary-General (2010-2020) Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit of the Church of Norway expressing deep sadness and gratitude for Moltmann's passing. Tveit praised Moltmann's contributions as a theologian, teacher, and church leader, describing his work as a great and unique gift to the council over the past decades. "Moltmann, with his unique ability and profound theological reflection, clarified challenges and deep answers, promoting the understanding of the Triune God, God's creation, humanity, and love," Tveit continued. "His memorable encounters and dialogues will always be remembered." The world's first sign language Gospel movie premiered on June 20, offering 70 million deaf individuals the opportunity to learn about the story of Jesus through sign language, providing a groundbreaking new way for the deaf community to experience the story of Jesus. This pioneering new film, the American Sign Language version of "Jesus: A Deaf Missions Film," was jointly produced and released by several Christian organizations. The movie, which debuted this month, was written and produced by deaf professionals to ensure the Gospel story is presented from a deaf perspective while remaining faithful to the biblical account of Jesus' life. Deaf Missions, in collaboration with the Jesus Film Project and several other Christian organizations, produced the film, which features deaf actors and native sign language users, and includes English subtitles for non-sign language viewers. "Jesus: A Deaf Missions Film" is part of the initiative to provide Christian films in over 2,000 different languages, aiming to "reach everyone, everywhere," with a particular focus on those who are most difficult to reach with the Gospel. This film marks a historic moment in their efforts to enhance inclusivity and representation and to find new ways to share the Gospel in an ever-changing world. "At the Jesus Film Project, we believe that everyone around the world should have access to the life-changing love and forgiveness of Jesus. We break down language and cultural barriers to ensure anyone, anywhere, can watch Christian films," said Josh Newell, Executive Director of the Jesus Film Project. "We are thrilled to partner with Deaf Missions to connect with the deaf community, which has largely been unreached with the Gospel through sign language." Deaf Missions has utilized over 400 different sign languages globally and is currently testing sign language dubbing techniques to allow deaf individuals worldwide to watch this film in multiple sign languages. Joseph Josselyn, Chief Media Officer and Producer at Deaf Missions, expressed his delight at the reaction of deaf audiences to the film. "It's wonderful to see deaf viewers finally able to watch a movie about Jesus without any language barriers," he said. The Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelization's (CCCOWE) "Mission Disciples" podcast discusses the insights of futurology for the church. Futurology views the future as a collection of multiple possibilities, allowing for the planning of comprehensive strategies with a clearer perspective. Faced with an unknown future, the Bible challenges believers to consider more significant things beyond immediate needs, including the eternal future. In the podcast, Rev. Edmund Chan, General Secretary of CCCOWE, interviews Dr. Samuel Wu of the Kingdom Vision Fellowship. Dr. Wu introduces different categories within futurology, such as extended futures, hopeful futures, and possible futures. By simulating four different scenarios, we can better understand what our desired future looks like and how to respond if we are not fully prepared. This clarity helps us strategize more effectively. The Application of Futurology and the Challenges for the Church Futurology emphasizes thoroughly understanding the future before planning. This approach does not focus on a single scenario but uses four different perspectives to provide a clearer view of the current situation. After gaining this understanding, planning can begin, rather than creating four separate plans. When applying futurology within the church, different opinions and challenges may arise. Some may prefer traditional methods, while others embrace new thinking. However, overall, futurology is closely related to Christian faith. The Bible encourages believers to have foresight; for example, Colossians 3:2 urges believers to "set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Many Bible verses challenge believers to think beyond immediate needs and consider more significant things, including the eternal future. Augustine's View of the Future In Matthew 24-25, Jesus talks about the future, particularly in 24:32, where he mentions learning a lesson from the fig tree. Jesus wants us to observe and learn, because without observation, no one knows what is happening. This attitude of observation and preparation is a key aspect of integrating futurology with Christian faith. Dr. Wu further explains that from a futurology perspective, prediction often assumes only one fixed future, while preparation considers various possibilities. Prediction seeks an answer on a point or line, while preparation explores a variety of possibilities. Futurology's greatest academic contribution lies in addressing the fundamental question of thinking about the future: the future is not a three-stage division of past, present, and future, but a dispersion of possibilities. The fourth-century theologian Augustine proposed a profound view in his "Confessions." Augustine believed that the future cannot exist because it has not yet happened, and the past cannot exist because it is already gone. Therefore, he suggested that the future is hope, and the past is memory. This perspective transforms the future from an external objective existence to an internal subjective experience, laying the foundation for today's futurology. The Perspective of Futurology Futurology no longer sees the future as a linear development of past, present, and future, but as a collection of various possibilities. Futurologists use charts and models to analyze, understand, and simulate these possibilities, predicting potential future scenarios. The English term "Futures" itself is in the plural form, emphasizing the diversity of the future. Rolling Adjustments and Pandemic Response Rev. Chan responded by noting that during the pandemic, places like Taiwan adopted a rolling adjustment approach, continuously adjusting policies as the pandemic evolved. This method aligns with the principles of futurology, as it avoids the limitations of a single prediction. When the pandemic broke out, people might have had two extreme views: one believing the pandemic was not severe and merely an overreaction, and the other seeing it as a catastrophe requiring immediate extreme measures. However, as time passed, the pandemic's development revealed the inadequacy of a single prediction. Rolling adjustments allowed policymakers to adapt strategies based on new information and changing circumstances, enabling more flexible responses to the pandemic. Conclusion Futurology offers a new perspective, helping us better understand and prepare for the future. By considering various possibilities, we can respond more flexibly to future challenges and changes. This approach aligns with Jesus' teachings in Matthew 25, emphasizing inner preparation and vigilance. Futurology not only contributes academically but also demonstrates its value in practical applications, especially during crises like the pandemic, providing us with a more comprehensive and flexible strategy. In May 2024, the story of America's first-generation Chinese immigrants, "Sight," began its journey in mainstream American media. This film won the Best Picture award at the International Christian Film Festival. It tells the story of a Chinese student fighting against racial discrimination, striving to find the common ground between science and faith, and ultimately restoring vision to blind people worldwide. In early July, The Gospel Herald interviewed Dr. Ming Wang, the inspiration for the film. In the interview, Dr. Wang shared his purposeful life. Hearing his story, one can feel that Dr. Wang is a man with Jesus, a purpose, and a passion, always striving to do his best. From Dropping Out of Middle School to a Doctorate in Medicine Growing up in Hangzhou in the 1960s, 14-year-old Ming Wang, like all students at the time, was swept up in the chaos, dropping out of middle school. The Cultural Revolution caused schools to close and education to be interrupted. With his parents' guidance and support, young Ming Wang began learning to dance and play the erhu(Chinese Violin). These skills could potentially help him join a cultural troupe and avoid being sent to the countryside. During the ten years of the Cultural Revolution, these activities accompanied him, becoming lifelong friends. In 1976, after the Cultural Revolution ended, China resumed college entrance exams, giving students hope of continuing their education. However, Ming Wang had only a middle school education. His parents, both teachers at Zhejiang Medical College, did everything they could to help. Despite the family's poverty, they copied down knowledge points for him to study intensively. The effort paid off as Ming Wang achieved top scores in Zhejiang Province and was admitted to the University of Science and Technology of China, later being selected for further studies in the United States. In 1982, with only $50, Ming Wang came to America, aware of his humble beginnings. Yet, his journey from this starting point to his current achievements is a source of pride for all Chinese. His story is inspirational: he earned a joint M.D. from Harvard Medical School and MIT, a Ph.D. in laser physics, served as a former FDA ophthalmic consultant, and is the CEO of Aier Eye Hospital's American division, among other titles. He is also the author of ten English ophthalmology textbooks, the inventor of the amniotic contact lens, and the pioneer of the world's first laser artificial cornea surgery. He has received the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Achievement Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chinese American Ophthalmological Society. "Science is a Tool, Faith is the Goal" Dr. Wang told The Gospel Herald that his life has five purposes: to share the knowledge he has gained, to remember his origins while embracing the present and future, to advance human knowledge and improve quality of life, to find common ground among people, and to help those in need. On his journey in medical studies, he encountered people who shared their faith with him. In helping blind children regain their sight, he realized that people's inner lives also need to receive light. In his continued search above science and faith, he found that they are not contradictory. "Jesus wants us to find common ground between science and faith," he said. He loves the term "common ground" so much that he established the Common Ground Foundation and writes to teach others to find this common ground. Ten years ago, Dr. Wang completed his autobiography, "From Darkness to Light," which describes how his foundation helps blind children around the world regain their sight and how this journey helped his own spiritual life "restore sight." Film Screening Across America - Chinese Support for Their Own Movie The "Sight" film, directed by Hollywood's Andrew Hyatt, took ten years to make. The preparation phase lacked sponsors, and the shooting process faced various difficulties. Hollywood did not believe in the film's potential, thinking that a Chinese film without kung fu or period costumes would not attract American audiences. "Chinese people will watch!" Dr. Wang insisted. Despite skepticism, he started a nationwide tour: 365 days, visiting five cities each weekend, covering 40 states with 500 free screenings, reaching 50,000 Chinese people. Everywhere he goes, he shares and promotes the film. Some Christians questioned his motives, accusing him of seeking personal success. Dr. Wang clarifies that his work is not about pursuing worldly success. "If I were chasing success, I wouldn't be doing so much charity work, helping blind children regain their sight for free, or donating so much money," he said. "What I care about is God's purpose for me, which is to help blind children regain their sight." He believes that science is a tool, and faith is the goal. Criticism also came from outside the church, suggesting that "God wants us to do more and talk less." Dr. Wang believes that "we should not only speak but also act and not only act but also speak." It's not just about watching a movie but about actively changing the status and future of the Chinese community overseas. "Chinese people in America are too quiet," he said. Recently, Angel Studios acquired the global rights to the film "Sight." It is available for online streaming (priced at $12 on angel.com/sight). By purchasing an Angel membership, viewers can watch this moving film from home. This film is not just about the struggle and faith story of first-generation Chinese immigrants but also a story for the next generation. "I hope they see through my research and faith story that science and faith are not contradictory. Jesus wants us to walk with both science and faith," said Dr. Wang. Bob Lavigna, who was honored as aGoverningPublic Official of the Year in 2000, is senior fellow-public sector for UKG, the Ultimate Kronos Group. He was previously director of CPS HR Consulting's Institute for Public Sector Employee Engagement, assistant vice chancellor and director of human resources for the University of Wisconsin, director of the Wisconsin civil service system and vice president for research at the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service. He began his career with the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Lavigna, the author of the 2013 book Engaging Government Employees, is an elected fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and a past president of the Public Sector HR Association. He has a master's degree in human resources from Cornell University and a bachelor's degree in public affairs from George Washington University. He can be reached at at bob.lavigna@ukg.com. Dutch GP denies F1 rotation deal with Spa now agreed The boss of the Dutch GP has denied reports suggesting a deal to annually alternate the grands prix at Zandvoort and Spa-Francorchamps from 2026 has now been reached. Lewis Hamilton, Belgian GP 2024 Mercedes Mere days ago, Robert van Overdijk, director of the Zandvoort venue, sounded the alarm about the future of the popular Formula 1 event, warning that the expiring 2025 contract could mark the end of the Dutch GP. At the moment, he told Viaplay, "the risks are too great, but of course we are doing everything we can to see if a race after 2025 is still possible. It is clear that the situation is precarious, van Overdijk added. The Dutch magazine Formule 1 is reporting that, in the days after the interview, a deal has been struck whereby Zandvoort and the fabled Belgian GP venue at Spa will annually rotate on the F1 calendar. A person directly involved in the negotiations confirmed to us that the deal has been completed in broad terms, journalist Frank Woestenburg wrote. He added that Spa would be the first to host a race under the new agreement in 2026, meaning the next Dutch GP after next year would be in 2027. However, when contacted for comment, van Overdijk rejected the claims of the report, insisting he does not recognise the article as being correct. (GMM) New York subscribers got exclusive early access to this story in Eating New York, a newsletter featuring food news and advice straight from our critics mouths. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. Vegan mac and cheese at Chloe. Photo: Sarah Van Liefde The year is 2015. Millennials have yet to be admonished for buying avocado toast, and they leave parties in $10 Uber pools before posting, earnestly, about their nights on Instagram because Stories do not yet exist. On Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, Chloe Coscarelli, a Cupcake Wars winner and author of a handful of vegan cookbooks, has opened the counter-service spot By Chloe, selling quinoa tacos, macaroni and cheese with shiitake bacon, air-baked sweet-potato fries, and tempeh-lentil-chia-walnut burgers. One juice on the menu contains activated charcoal, and everyone loves the Kale Us Maybe. The customers swarming the small space and lining up down the block are about the same age as the 28-year-old chef; others buy their lunches with NYU cash, a now-defunct collegiate currency. Two weeks ago, just shy of a decade after By Chloes debut, Coscarelli opened Chloe in the same space. It is a rising-from-the-ashes moment for Coscarelli: Her business partnership with Esquared Hospitality turned sour in 2017 when Coscarelli was kicked out of the restaurant and entered a yearslong legal battle over her ownership and IP. At the same time, By Chloe fell into bankruptcy, rebranded as Beatnic, and eventually saw its remaining locations sold off to the fast-casual chain Inday earlier this year. The comeback story is irresistible; I wondered if the new restaurant would be any good. The world, of course, is a very different place than it was during the end of the Obama administration. Theres all the obvious stuff, plus Sweetgreens have proliferated across the city, Superiority Burger is now a diner, and plant-based is an all-too-common phrase. Somehow, Chloes launch has still managed to draw as much attention as its predecessor, with lines this past week winding around the corner on Macdougal before noon. Inside, there was barely any room to stand. That didnt stop a family of five from waiting for a table while a couple ahead of me on line eventually gave up and left. I saw Coscarelli appear in a chefs jacket and black apron from the kitchen on two out of three visits, chatting with some diners who told her theyd eaten at By Chloe on a first date and are now married with kids. As before, theres a communal table in the center of the room, surrounded by decorative stools, and small tables around the perimeter, each with its own Zafferano lamp. The menu sticks to a similar format of greatest hits like loaded salads, veggie burgers, and baked goods, with the addition of dishes such as butternut nachos and spicy cashew-kelp noodles. Chloe is the type of restaurant where staff take any request to make a chopped salad gluten free very seriously, as with the guy in front of me who opted for a side of quinoa instead of the minted pearl couscous. While waiting, I asked if he had been to the original restaurant, but he had no idea what I meant; hed only chosen to eat at Chloe because he was in the neighborhood and it looked good. When I filled him in on By Chloes Shakespearean backstory, he seemed to hold his chopped salad with a little more gravity. Looking around, I saw a salad at nearly every table, each one studded with impactful sources of flavor and protein like tofu feta and almond Parmesan. Coscarellis meat substitutes dont taste fake, either: The burger is juicy with a tender, coarse grind and an almost alarmingly cheesy cashew sauce; spicy maple seitan is the highlight of a taco salad; and the basil-y meatballs, with cherry-tomato jam on a chewy pizza-dough roll from Sullivan Street Bakery, are given a dark crust that makes way for a soft, crumbly interior. Coscarelli says shes cooked vegan meatballs before, but this recipe, made with portobello mushrooms, walnuts, caramelized onions, and fennel seeds, is new. The baked goods stacked in the counter display case are the other hallmark of the Chloe experience, made with as much technical care as everything else. Crisp cinnamon-espresso cookies are the size of dinner plates, while the normal-size cookies are gooey with chocolate, caramel, and vegan marshmallow. My favorite was a thick slice of sprinkle-coated, vanilla-frosted three-layer chocolate cake that was sugary in all the right ways. Prices are on par with much bigger fast-casual chains: The classic burger is $11, and salads max out at $17. A vegan NYU graduate student eating a kale salad next to me said she was a fan of Coscarellis: I heard there was an original, and once it reopened I had to go. This was already her second time at Chloe. Shed been impressed, on her first visit, by the nachos (the sauce really tasted like cheese) and the sprinkle cake. Im trying to come here once a week, she said. Google's Circle to Search AI feature debuted earlier this year on Samsung's Galaxy S24 family, and now you can use it even on your computer in Chrome. The feature has been made available in both ChromeOS and the Chrome browser. There is, however, a (slight) catch. Or two. First, we're talking about the ChromeOS 127 beta build, and the Chrome 128 beta for Windows or macOS. Second, Circle to Search isn't actually labeled that, for whatever reason. Instead, it's called "Search with Google Lens". If you are on the beta track for either ChromeOS or Chrome for Windows or macOS, you can try it. In Chrome on Windows / macOS go to the three dot menu and then select Search with Google Lens. Then you can select an area (circle it, if you will) and you'll get instant results in a side panel. On ChromeOS, you can simply use the Google Lens icon in the address bar for the same effect. Google's release notes for the Chrome 128 beta describe the feature quite well: Google Lens in Chrome makes it easy to search anything you see on your screen. Search within a video youre watching, a slide in a livestream, or an image on a webpage. Google Lens will give you answers right there, in your tab, and you can continue browsing with the new information youve found. From here on it's only a matter of weeks before Chrome 128 for Windows and macOS gets promoted to the Stable channel, and the same goes for ChromeOS 127. When that happens, everyone will get access to Circle to Search in Chrome, regardless of the name Google chooses to use for it. Source These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Samsungs Knox security suite has gained two new features Private Sharing and E2E encrypted cloud backups. Heres how they work. Private Sharing is a new option in the Quick Share menu. Just tap the button in the top right corner and choose Turn on Private Sharing. This allows you to share up to 20 files at once with a total size of up to 200MB. You can allow only certain contacts to view the shared files and you will be notified when they do. You can also set a timer for automatic expiration of the shared data. Both settings (who can see the data and when it expires) can be changed at any time. Your images are protected with a read-only setting (that means they cant be re-shared), even screenshotting is blocked. The shared data is protected by blockchain-based encryption technology. The new Private Sharing feature of Quick Share Note: Private Sharing is supported between Galaxy devices running Android 10/One UI 2.1 or later. You can share images (.jpg, .png, .heic, etc.), videos (.mp4, .mkv, etc.), audio (.mp3 and so on) as well as documents (.txt or .pdf). Starting with the Samsung Galaxy S24 trio, Samsungs Enhanced Data Protection feature offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for your backups and synced data. This means that the data stored on your Samsung Cloud account can only be decrypted by your device even if the server gets compromised and the data stolen, its contents cant be accessed. To activate this feature, head over to Samsung Cloud, tap the button and choose Settings, Enhanced Data Protection. You have individual toggles for encrypting backups and synced data. E2E encryption for backups and synced data When you activate this feature, you will be given a recovery code to write down this is so that you can regain access to your data in the case that you lose your device. Source iciHaiti - Back to School : OCHA and its partners are worried The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and its partners are concerned about the impact of ongoing insecurity in Haiti on access to schools, as the school year is due to start in September. At least 919 schools are closed in the West and Artibonite departments, affecting some 156,000 students. In the West department, which includes Port-au-Prince, 39 schools are serving as sites for internally displaced people, while at least 20 other schools are occupied by armed groups. Last week, Education Cannot Wait, the United Nations fund for education in emergencies and crises, allocated $2.5 million to support schooling efforts in Haiti, particularly in the West and Artibonite departments https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42856-haiti-education-us$25-million-emergency-response.html . The UN continues to call on the international community for help in addressing the ongoing crisis in Haiti. Seven months into the year, the $674 million Humanitarian Response Plan is only 25% funded, with only $170 million received. IH/ iciHaiti There are currently malicious code attacks on ServiceNow's Now Platform. The system is then considered fully compromised and attackers gain access to sensitive customer data, among other things. Anzeige The cloud computing platform helps companies with digitalization in order to grow and reduce costs, for example. Companies use Now Platform worldwide. These include customers such as Bayer, Coca-Cola and Siemens. Far-reaching threats Security researchers from Rescurity point out the global attacks in an article. Attackers are targeting three vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-4879"critical", CVE-2024-5217"critical", CVE-2024-5178"medium"). The critical vulnerabilities can be exploited remotely without authentication and malicious code can get onto systems. Attacks are possible because input is not sufficiently checked. In the course of the attacks, the attackers are said to work with two payloads in order to steal access data, among other things. Further details on the attack process are not yet available. Admin rights are required to successfully exploit the third vulnerability. If this is the case, attackers can access sensitive data. The developers list the version secured against the attacks in three warning messages(1, 2, 3). Attacks also possible in Germany The security researchers state that around 300,000 instances worldwide are publicly accessible via the Internet. However, they point out that not all of them are necessarily vulnerable. Some may already be patched or firewalls may block attacks. The search engine Shodan comes up with a maximum of 23,000 hits. Just over 600 instances are in Germany. Anzeige According to the security researchers, they have observed that there is currently increased interest in the gaps in the Darknet. The scope of the attacks is currently unclear, but it can be assumed that they are increasing. (des) Ari-Juhani Punkka , a meteorologist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), stated to STT on Tuesday evening that people in virtually all parts of the country should be prepared for rain in the coming days. Thunderstorms, he added, are possible in central and southern parts of the country. FINNS are advised to keep umbrellas, rain boots and other rain gear on hand at least for the remainder of this week. If showers and thunderstorms hit urban areas, also modest floods may be possible, he added to the news agency. The rains will also ensure temperatures remain relatively cool. Punkka revealed that night temperatures could fall as low as 1214C in parts of North Ostrobothnia and Eastern Lapland. Satakunta and Southwest Finland, by contrast, should offer the most summery weather, with the mercury possibly creeping above the 20C mark. Rains, though, will increase in frequency as the week unfolds and temperatures of over 20C will be hard to come by, according to Punkka. Northern Lapland will offer the best chance to avoid rains at the end of the week. Aleksi Teivainen HT Prime Minister Petteri Orpo s (NCP) government is intent on decreeing that undocumented immigrants, with the exception of children and others in a particularly vulnerable position, have the right to only access urgent health care services. A DRAFT BILL to restrict the right of undocumented immigrants to health care has unleashed a flood of criticism from expert organisations, reports Helsingin Sanomat. The proposal would effectively overturn a decision made by its predecessor to expand the health care of undocumented immigrants to necessary care, such as the treatment of chronic diseases, starting in January 2023. The government has justified the proposal by citing the need to balance public finances and safeguard the capacity of the health care system in the face of mass immigration. It also envisages that the scaling back of rights would reduce illegal entries and stays. Some 3,0006,000 people are estimated to be affected by the proposal, according to the government. Among the authorities, institutes and organisations opposing the proposal are the City of Helsinki, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the Finnish Medical Association, the HUS Group and the Union of Health and Social Care Professionals in Finland (Tehy). THL, for example, warned in its comment that the bill could result in serious and possibly fatal medical complications, thus infringing on the constitutional right to life and indispensable subsistence and care. It also rebutted the justification as incredible and unacceptable, adding that the proposal could lead to a rise in total health care costs because it is typically more affordable to treat conditions before they have deteriorated to a degree that merits urgent care. The HUS Group questioned the motives of the government by pointing out that it is difficult to gauge the effects of a piece of legislation that has only been in force for 18 months. It creates the impression that the underlying reasons for the proposed legislative amendment have more to do with party politics than actual discernible problems, argued administrative chief medical officer Teppo Heikkila and chief medical officer Markku Makijarvi of HUS. The HUS Group and well-being services counties also reminded that undocumented immigrants tend to have a relatively high threshold for accessing health care and are treated in relatively low numbers. This tendency increases the workload of health care personnel trying to rein in a communicable disease, for example, as treating undocumented immigrants would be important to protect the population at large. The City of Helsinki reminded in its comment that social and health care staff have neither the skills nor training to determine whether a patient is in the country legally, especially if the patient is in the middle of an appeals process. Tehy, the Finnish Medical Association and the Finnish Red Cross all pointed to the ethical obligations of health care professionals. The legislative amendment would not address the objectives set for it, would not create substantial cost savings, would run afoul of human rights obligations and would cause both health risks and ethical stress to care workers and people working with undocumented people, argued the Finnish Red Cross. Many also drew attention to the language employed by the government, specifically the phrase people who are in the country illegally. The Ombudsman for Equality has outlined that it would be more appropriate to speak about residence without a permit. Aleksi Teivainen HT A delegation from Orlando will join thousands of proud American Zionists at the Global Conference for Israel for a weekend filled with camaraderie, inspiration, and riveting speakers who exemplify Israel's positive contributions to the world. The annual multi-day spectacular event, best known for showcasing the pride and beauty of Zionism, providing attendees with practical tools to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to antisemitism, and sharing first-hand accounts about the realities on the ground in Israel, will take place Nov. 14-17, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. Attendees will hear... (JNS) Minouche Shafik, president of Columbia University, should either step down or be fired by the schools board, the Coalition for Jewish Values says. The group, which represents 2,500 Orthodox rabbis, noted that Shafik allowed a dean to remain in his role after exchanging text messages mocking the panelists during an event on Jew-hatred. Three other Columbia officials involved lost their administrative roles, but remain on the payroll and the faculty. The bigotry and double standards are blatant, and entirely at odds with the experiences that I and others had at Columbia in the past, s... Since 2007, Dan Pollak has been directing operations for the Zionist Organization of America at their Washington, D.C. office where his role is to help educate members of Congress, their staff, and other government officials on the relationship between the United States and Israel as well as on policy issues relating to the Middle East. Pollak is coming to Orlando on Sunday, Aug. 11, to present two topics at two different synagogues. At 1:30 p.m. he will be at the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation to discuss, Is the Rift Between the U.S. and Israeli Governments Fixable? At 4 p.m. he will... (JNS) Israels new Air Force One, dubbed Wing of Zion, took off for the U.S. Tuesday on its first official flight, but will have to return to the Jewish state to pick up the prime minister. The double transatlantic round trips on the $200,000 flights come amid a reported tiff between the Prime Ministers Office and Israel Aerospace Industries over the size of the new plane, which can sit 60 passengers, fewer than the expected entourage of aides, security detail and journalists accompanying the premier. It was not immediately clear why the seating capacity issue was not ironed out in advanc... MILWAUKEE - Shabbos Kestenbaum remembers the first time he felt lonely because he held an unpopular political opinion. The year was 2008, and Kestenbaum was 9 and a student at a Modern Orthodox Jewish day school in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, where he lived. In a school journal, he decried the Iraq War and extolled a young senator running for president on a platform of opposing it. "I remember with my dad, we bought a yard sign saying 'Barack Obama' in Hebrew," Kestenbaum recalled in an interview on Wednesday afternoon. Soon, he recalled, a backlash began, at school and in synagogue, w... (JNS) The Knesset plenum voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday in favor of a resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state. The resolution, put forward by MK Zeev Elkin of the New Hope-National Right party with support from the Yisrael Beiteinu Party and the Land of Israel Caucus, passed by 68 to 9. The Land of Israel Caucus, the mission of which is to strengthen Israeli control of Judea and Samaria, includes members from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing coalition as well as Benny Gantzs centrist National Unity Party. The caucus is co-chaired by MKs Simcha Rothman... (JNS) Activist groups with ties to the Chinese Communist Party have disrupted U.S. Senate hearings and have engaged in violent, antisemitic riots in many cities across the United States, Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) wrote last week to Merrick Garland, the U.S. attorney general. A U.S. citizen living in Shanghai with ties to the CCP has funded many far-left and pro-Hamas organizations across America, according to reports in The New York Times and Washington Free Beacon. They apparently did not register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. As you are no doubt... (JNS) At what point does angry political discourse cross the line between legitimate impassioned advocacy and direct incitement to violence? Its a question thats been all too common in both the United States and Israel for the past generation. That is why acts of political violencesuch as the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump this past weekendcan just as easily exacerbate the tensions within societies rather than help heal them. In seeking to understand how Americans can transcend their political divisions and recover some sense of national unity, we need to rememb... Ashlesh (who goes by only one name) 34-year-old former data entry operator at a small firm in Ghaziabad, and originally from the village of Ambar Nagar in Balrampur, in Uttar Pradesh immediately wanted to make it big in life the day after he had lost his job. The year was 2018 Indias economy was still a few months away from entering a period of slowdown and, while global growth moderated, India had retained the crown for the fastest-growing major economy with its gross domestic product growing by 6.8%. For an economic migrant in Indias growing cities, life could be a daily struggle even for averagely skilled workers like Ashlesh who lodge themselves at the bottom rungs of the countrys tiny formal sector. Salary was low ( 15000); there was pressure to save more and send money back home and the rent was so high, Ashlesh said. When the firm shuttered, he decided to return to Balrampur and set up a small grocery store being ones own boss is the starting point for making it big in life, he said. After the economic slowdown in 2019, after the economic shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, and after a stellar economic recovery when growth has returned to robust rates, Ashleshs grocery store remains open for business. But business hasnt taken off the sale of everyday goods such as milk, talcum powder, vegetables, comb, hair oil, soap, shampoo, door mats, snacks and footwear is tepid. As if there is no effect of the high growth here, Ashlesh said, echoing concerns shared by Amit Syngle, managing director and chief executive officer of Asian Paints, who in May this year told investors that his company was working toward finding the real GDP [growth] owing to the countrys headline growth numbers failing to correlate with growth in core sectors such as steel, cement and paints. Year after year, on average, about 57% of Indias GDP growth is powered by private consumption the more people and households spend on goods and services in the country, the more the GDP grows. However, in the fiscal year 2023-2024, while Indias GDP grew by 8.2%, consumption growth was weak, growing at about only 4%, a trend that is evident in frosty sales of two-wheelers and fast-moving consumer goods, especially in rural markets. Even as recorded growth has been high, there are concerns regarding the drivers of the growth. In June 2024, Ashima Goyal, a member of the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) monetary policy committee, warned that weak consumption could slow down economic growth, which she said remains below potential. And Jahangir Aziz, head of emerging market economics at JP Morgan, recently told CNBC that public infrastructure and services exports were the only drivers of growth [in India], with investment and consumption falling behind. Why do you expect consumption to be high when non-farm jobs growth has dramatically slowed and real wages have been stagnant in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and construction? The government needs to recognise that there is a genuine crisis of jobs in the economy. If non-farm jobs do not grow then workers will not be pulled out of agriculture, Santosh Mehrotra, visiting professor at the Centre for Development Studies at the University of Bath in the UK, said. Can exports really power India's economic engine when other growth drivers are slacking? Josh Felman, principal at Washington D.C.-based JH Consulting, who also led the International Monetary Funds (IMF) India office in the mid-2000s, said that there are reasons to worry about consumption, meaning that growth prospects would depend on the other major components of aggregate demand, investment and exports. According to Felman, prospects for consumption in the Indian economy depend on three factors: traditional economy such as agriculture and traditional manufacturing that cater to rural demand; new economy such as the export-oriented services sector; and the financial sector. It is difficult to see the traditional economy reviving in the near term. It doesn't look like we will see a bumper agricultural harvest, while the informal sector is still limping along after the triple shock of demonetisation, Goods and Services Tax (GST), and Covid-19, Felman said. Two years ago, service exports boomed, which in turn triggered a boom in the sale of SUVs and the construction of flats, offices, and shopping malls, as the workers in that sector started to spend their new-found incomes. But this boom now seems to have peaked. Consumption prospects also depend on what is happening in the financial sector. Retail loans have been growing rapidly, as people in the new economy borrow to finance their acquisition of flats and SUVs. And rising stock market prices have encouraged people to spend a part of their new-found wealth. But credit and stock market booms always end, at which point the new economy households will need to reign in their spending, Felman said. In the first budget presented by the newly installed NDA government, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government would spend 11.11 trillion rupees on infrastructure the same as announced in the interim budget before the national elections. While government spending on infrastructure has been one of the drivers propelling economic growth in India, private-sector investment has stagnated. Economists say that there is a limit to government spending as it sets itself up for fiscal consolidation. New project announcements in the June quarter [of 2024] were the lowest in twenty years, according to data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). Part of the problem is temporary, in that some firms postponed their announcements while they waited for the results of the general elections. But there are also fundamental issues: capacity utilisation is stuck in the seventies, there is no sign of robust demand in the traditional economy, and there's no clear trend of foreign firms shifting to India, Felman said. For instance, in the second quarter of 2023, when Indias GDP grew by 8.1%, new project announcements such as factories by the private sector declined by 79%. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the country on an ambitious timeline to become Viksit, or developed, by 2047. Duvvuri Subbarao, former RBI governor, said in a recent interview that to achieve this target India would need to grow at about 7.6% or 7.7% consistently for the next 23 to 24 years. But he also cautioned that India has never ever clocked growth of over 7.5% for three consecutive years. China achieved a rare feat in economic history by managing an annual GDP growth averaging more than 9.5% over 30 years. Mehrotra said that in the event that consumption growth doesnt take off as anticipated, the government could look at exports as its driving economic model. However, according to Mehrotra, doing so won't suffice. In the best case scenario, in the more than 30 years since economic reforms began, exports-to-GDP has never exceeded 25%, and in the last few years, this has actually come down, he said, calling on government policymakers to refocus industrial policy on small and medium-sized industries and labour-intensive sectors. Yet, even as global demand remains tepid, India could successfully position itself as a manufacturing hub, which would help drive its economic growth, according to Felman. Firms want to shift their global manufacturing out of China and they are looking for a place to go. That place could be India; it should be India. But clearly more needs to be done to convince them. Subsidies through the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme are clearly not enough. Felman said that the government must ensure that firms have access to low-cost supplies by reducing tariffs to the levels of India's Asian competitors and eliminating local sourcing requirements so that global firms are not stuck with either inferior products or products that are too expensive. India has plenty of scope to expand its [global] market share [in exports]. In fact, there's a historic opportunity to do so. The deadline for filing Income Tax Return (ITR) for the financial year 2023-24 is Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Any filing that is done post this date will incur a penalty, which depends on the income level of the payer. However, there are some parties who can file their ITR even after the due date. Some taxpayers get a deadline extension for filing income taxes (Pexels) Who can file their Income Tax Return (ITR) after the due date of July 31? Individuals and businesses requiring auditing Individuals and businesses whose accounts require auditing can file their income taxes up to an extended deadline of October 31, 2024. Also Read: Akasa Air's Asia tourist hotspots plan to compete with IndiGo, Air India An extra three months is given to these people for convenience by the Income Tax Department to get their accounts audited by a recognised Chartered Accountant. Businesses performing international transactions Businesses which are involved in international transactions usually require extensive analysis and documentation when it comes to transfer pricing. They are thus, given an extended deadline for filing ITR, which is November 30. Also Read: OpenAI starts roll-out of advanced voice mode to some ChatGPT Plus users: Report Businesses performing certain specified domestic transactions Businesses which are engaged in certain specified domestic transactions that requires detailed reporting and compliance processes may also qualify for a deadline extension. Also Read: Layoffs at startups reducing or more to come? Companies have already decided What is the penalty for filing ITR late? The penalty for late filing of ITR is determined using the taxable income. For taxable income up to 5 lakh, the penalty is 1,000. For taxable income over 5 lakh, the penalty is 5,000. This penalty is separate from any interest that is to be paid on the amount of unpaid taxes. For addressing confusions, the Income Tax Department provides 24/7 assistance through multiple channels for the taxpayer's convenience. Microsoft products including email service Outlook and video game Minecraft were affected by another global outage. The company said in an update that the outage has been resolved and preliminary investigations show the outage was caused by a cyber-attack and a failure to defend against the same. Microsoft outage: A view shows a Microsoft logo at Microsoft offices in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France.(Reuters) The outage lasted almost 10 hours and caused thousands of users to report issues with Microsoft services. It came less than two weeks after a major global outage that impacted around 8.5 million computers using Microsoft systems. The outage, which impacted healthcare and travel, occurred after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. An update on the website of the Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform said, While the initial trigger event was a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack... initial investigations suggest that an error in the implementation of our defences amplified the impact of the attack rather than mitigating it. What Microsoft said on the new outage? Microsoft said it had implemented a fix for the problem which shows improvement and the tech giant would monitor the situation "to ensure full recovery". The company said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience. Who has been affected by Microsoft's new outage? The outage impacted services which rely on Microsoft's platforms. Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it registered its fastest growth since 2010, with operating profits soaring for the second quarter, as chip prices bounce back and demand for generative AI continues to grow. Samsung Electronics Q2 shows fastest growth in over a decade The world's largest memory chip maker posted an "operating profit of KRW 10.44 trillion as favorable memory market conditions drove higher average sales price" for the April to June period, it said in a statement. It added that "robust sales of OLED panels", used in creating digital displays, had also contributed. The figure is a 1,462.29 percent jump from 670 billion won for the same period a year earlier, exceeding market expectations. Sales rose 23.4 percent to 74 trillion won, Samsung said. The firm is the flagship subsidiary of South Korean giant Samsung Group, by far the biggest of the family-controlled conglomerates that dominate business in Asia's fourth-largest economy. Semiconductors are the lifeblood of the global economy, used in everything from kitchen appliances and mobile phones to cars and weapons. And demand for the advanced chips that power AI systems has skyrocketed thanks to the success of ChatGPT and other generative AI products. Samsung is one of only a handful of companies worldwide that manufacture premium high-bandwidth memory chips tailored for artificial intelligence processors. Kim Jae-jun, EVP of memory, told reporters that HBM sales were up 50 percent in the second quarter compared with the three months prior and the company was increasing production capacity. "We have secured nearly four times the volume of customer requests compared to the previous year," he said. Samsung said in a statement that they would "actively respond to the demand for high-value-added products for AI and will expand capacity to increase the portion of HBM3E sales." Earlier this month, the company showcased the deployment of AI across a range of its consumer electronic products including high-end health wearables as it seeks to extend its leadership in global smartphone sales. "Samsung Electronics' high credit quality is supported by its robust earnings this year that are driven by an upswing in the memory chip cycle," said Gloria Tsuen, VP senior credit officer at Moody's Ratings "The company's AI chip development and strengthening foundry business will be key to its technological leadership and earnings over the next 12-18 months," she added. Semiconductors are South Korea's leading export and $13.4 billion worth were shipped in June, their highest level yet, accounting for a fifth of the country's total exports, according to figures released by the customs service. In April, the United States announced grants of up to $6.4 billion to Samsung to produce cutting-edge chips in Texas. That same month, industry tracker International Data Corporation said Samsung regained its position as the top smartphone seller, wresting back the lead from Apple. Samsung's solid earnings come even as a union representing tens of thousands of workers at Samsung Electronics is staging a so-called "indefinite" strike in a bid to force management to negotiate on wages and benefits. Thousands of workers joined the strike at the outset, although it is unclear how many people continue to abstain from working. Samsung said Wednesday that they were "communicating and discussing to ensure that this labor union strike ends early," adding that there was "no problem with responding to our customer volume". But the union claims the work stoppage has had a negative impact. "We're getting reports from our members that it is affecting production," Lee Hyun-kuk, vice president of the National Samsung Electronics Union, told AFP. "The reason we are striking is clear, and we just want the company to bring suggestions that respect workers," he added. Samsung shares were up 1.2 percent in morning trade in Seoul. hs/ceb/cwl This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday raided the premises of Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA RS Bali, some private hospitals and their promoters as part of a money-laundering probe linked to the alleged Ayushman Bharat scheme fraud, officials said. The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday raided the premises of Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA RS Bali as part of a money-laundering probe linked to an Ayushman Bharat scheme fraud. (HT file photo) Nineteen locations in Shimla, Kangra, Una, Mandi and Kullu districts of the state apart from those in Delhi, Chandigarh and Punjab were being searched since morning, they said. The premises of Bali, a legislator from Nagrota assembly seat, Fortis Hospital in Kangra, promoted by Balis company Himachal Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Balaji Hospital in Kangra and its promoter Rajesh Sharma are being raided. Sharma, according to the officials, is a close associate of chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He gave up his ticket for the recent Dehra assembly bypoll for Sukhus wife Kamlesh Thakur. She won the bypoll. Bali is also the chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and the vice-chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board. 25-crore fraud as bills generated on fake cards The money-laundering case filed on July 16 stems from a January 2023 FIR registered by the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau against one Kiran Soni, Una-based Shri Banke Bihari Hospital and others for allegedly generating fake Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna cards. The ED has alleged that many medical bills were generated on such fake cards, causing a loss to the exchequer and the public with the total proceeds of crime in this case estimated to be around 25 crore. The agency found that a total of 8,937 Ayushman Bharat golden cards have been scrapped in the state for alleged violation of the AB-PMJAY scheme till now. It alleged that Bankey Bihari Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Shri Balaji Hospital, Sood Nursing Home and Sri Harihar Hospital among others availed illegal benefits under the AB-PMJAY scheme. 373 fake Ayushman cards identified As many as 373 fake Ayushman cards have been identified and claims of 40,68,150 were made for reimbursement from the government in the name of treatment given to some Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries, the agency found. List of such fake beneficiaries included one Rajnish Kumar and Pooja Dhiman who denied possession or any information of a PMJAY card issued to them, the ED found. They never underwent any such treatment in any of these hospitals, the ED claimed. The accused hospitals made claims for treatments, surgery, admission which were actually never given or performed upon the patients, it said. In another instance, Raksha Devi was denied admission in the hospital and her package was dishonestly and illegally blocked. The accused hospitals were de- empanelled from the Ayushman Bharat scheme for illegal practices and non-compliance of procedures and guidelines, the agency claimed. The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Anubrata Mondal in the cattle smuggling case with the condition that he has to surrender his passport and cooperate with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), party leaders aware of the court proceedings said. Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal after his arrest in the cattle smuggling case in 2022. (ANI File Photo) Although he has been granted bail, Mondal will remain in Tihar Jail in connection with a parallel investigation that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting into the same allegations. The CBI arrested Mondal on August 11, 2022 when he was president of the TMCs Birbhum district unit. His daughter, Sukanya, is also in custody in the same case. TMC chairperson and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who counts Mondal among her old loyalists, has been personally supervising the performance of the Birbhum district unit since Mondals arrest. The district presidents post remains vacant. Representing Mondal in court on Tuesday, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that he has been in custody as a suspect for almost two years while the other accused were granted bail. CBIs counsels opposed Mondals bail plea saying he can influence witnesses using his political clout. The federal agency alleged that Mondal facilitated smuggling of cattle into Bangladesh through Birbhum and Murshidabad districts. Shatabdi Roy, TMC Lok Sabha member from Birbhum, welcomed the courts decision. The CBI argued that he is an influential person. Did he ever try to use his influence in these two years? People will feel good when he comes home, Roy told reporters. MUMBAI: A 30-year-old man was arrested for allegedly entering the airport on a fake flight ticket. The police said in sustained interrogation the man told them that his two female relatives were travelling to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and he wanted to make sure they had a proper check-in and to facilitate it, he forged the fake ticket for Mumbai Nagpur flight. HT Image According to the police, on Monday evening, CISF officer Josy George, 34, was stationed at departure gate number 3 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). During his shift, the officer noticed an individual exiting the airport. When questioned, the man explained that he had entered through gate number 6 and was travelling with friends departing from Terminal 1/B. He claimed he was cancelling his ticket for a Mumbai-Nagpur flight from Terminal 2. He even showed an airplane ticket AI-629 however as the CISF official doubted its validity he took him to the airline counter. When checked at the airlines system it showed no details of the said passenger was available. It was confirmed to the CISF authorities that the ticket was forged or fake, said a police officer. When the accused, identified as Usama Mohammad Anwar Momin, 30, a resident of Bhiwandi, was questioned again he told them he had come to drop off his two female relatives who were travelling to Jeddah and he wanted to help them. The CISF authorities then handed him over to the Sahar police. Popular real estate influencer-cum-consultant Rafiq Merchant took to Instagram on July 9, 2024, blaming actress and Bigg Boss contestant Divya Agarwal for allegedly withholding his one per cent brokerage fee of 2.39 lakh due to him for the sale of her apartment worth 2.39 crore in Lodha Bel Air, Jogeshwari West. Brokers fees have been denied by clients that include large listed companies.(ShutterStock) Merchants is not a singular case. Like him, scores of brokers fees have been denied by clients that include large listed companies. The matter intensified with a recent order by the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA). On July 23, RERA member, Mahesh Pathak passed an order dismissing a complaint filed by broker Santosh Gawade seeking redressal for non-payment of brokerage fees on grounds that it was non maintainable. The order underscored that MahaRERA has no jurisdiction to try such disputes, as there is no provision for it under the RERA Act. Also Read: MahaRERA has no plans yet to regulate real estate influencers promoting projects on social media Gawade, in his complaint filed before MahaRERA last year had alleged that developer Glider Buildcon Realtors Pvt Ltd had not paid him his brokerage fees amounting to 14.8 lakh for sale of two flats. The registered MahaRERA agent sold two 3BHKs valued at 7.41 crore each in South Tower, in Mahalaxmi, in March, 2022, but he received the two per cent commission for only one unit. For the second sale, he alleged, the company tagged someone known to the management as the official broker for the deal and therefore, refused to pay him. The RERA order dismissed his plea stating there is no explicit provision under RERA under which such brokerage fees along with interest as sought for by the complainant can be granted by the MahaRERA. When HT reached out to the developer, a spokesperson said, Santosh Gawade has approached multiple forums where he failed to get any relief. His plea was also dismissed by MahaRERA on the issue of maintainability of the complaint. Also Read: 5 orders passed by MahaRERA to safeguard homebuyers interests in Maharashtra Where do we go? We are saddled with all kinds of responsibilities including mandatory registration under the RERA Act but we have no safeguards or protection. Non-payment of brokerage to agents is rampant in our industry, said Merchant. RERA does not protect brokers, which compelled me to turn to social media to present my case. Thousands of brokers reached out after I posted on X and Instagram, saying they were going through similar ordeals themselves. Agent Saket Rane has met with a similar fate. He is fighting for his commission from Guardians, the agency appointed by Sheth Realty to sell its luxury apartments in Marina One, Marine Lines. Rane alleged he sold two flats for Guardians for which he has not been paid the 2.5 per cent commission amounting to 40 lakh promised by the agency on behalf of Sheth Realty. Jayesh Rathod, co-founder, Guardians, however denied Ranes claims, calling them untrue. ALso Read: MahaRERA suspends registration of over 20,000 real estate agents in Maharashtra Given the drawbacks, a backlash was waiting in the wings. Real estate agents in Mira-Bhayandar region have decided to boycott an agency as several brokers were not paid their dues. The response was phenomenal, said Dr Ajay L Dubey, president of the Foundation of Mira-Bhayandar Property Dealers Association, a local body of over 3500 brokers and stakeholders. Meanwhile, a delegation of SMART, an agency fighting for the rights of brokers in South Mumbai is scheduled to meet chief minister Eknath Shinde and RERA chief Ajoy Mehta soon urging steps be taken to protect brokers interests. They are an important link in the builder-customer chain, said SMART secretary Jimmy Yezdi Panthaki. Both Rane and Gawade have approached SMART to intervene on their behalf. Panthaki has promised representation on behalf of the two brokers to the respective developers, requesting redressal. Prakash Nichhani, vice president, SMART, said, MahaRERA must ensure that rights of brokers are protected. The tagging period of agents must be extended from 60 days to six months. This will ensure that when a broker brings a client, no other person is roped in after the 60 day period is over nor does the company enter into a direct sale with the said customer. Shirish Deshpande, chairman, Mumbai Grahak Panchayat, said, Under the RERA Act, the regulatory authority has the power to intervene and settle any dispute that may arise among any of the players the consumer, developer and broker. They cannot reject such pleas. He added, Santosh Gawade has the option of challenging this order in MahaRERAs Appellate Tribunal itself, as also filing a civil suit. Bombay high court advocate Dr Harshul Savla said, Like any other entrepreneur, brokers too should have a legal counsel who can draw up legally binding contracts which should be pre-signed by all the parties before any transactions are made. He added, The role of MahaRERA is also critical, as RERA is mandated to bring about regulation and development in the real estate sector. MahaRERA should draw up SOPs and guidelines in this regard. Amid the Zika virus threat across the city, a team from ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV) found the virus in a mosquito pool and larvae samples collected from Pashan, Erandwane and Mundhwa. Two fresh cases of Zika virus were reported on Wednesday in Pune. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO) Dr Radhakrishnan Pawar, joint director of health services, said, The virus has been detected in a mosquito pool and larvae samples collected from areas like Pashan, Erandwane and Mundhwa. As a preventive measure, we have asked authorities to contain the breeding of mosquitoes within a five-kilometre radius of the affected area. Pune City has reported a Zika virus outbreak since June 20 and 49 cases of the infection have been reported thus far. In addition, three cases have been reported in Pune rural. As per officials as many as 203 mosquito samples were taken and 1,094 larvae samples were taken and sent to NIV for testing. Zika virus was detected in mosquito samples from Erandwane and Pashan. Besides, larvae samples from Mundhwa and Erandwane were found Zika infected as per NIV reports received on Wednesday, said the officials. Meanwhile, two fresh cases of Zika virus were reported on Wednesday in the city. This includes a 27-year-old, pregnant woman from Manikbaug, Sinhagad Road. She complained of symptoms like fever and rashes and her blood samples were sent to NIV and tested positive over the weekend. She is 21 weeks pregnant, and her anomaly scan reports are normal. Besides, a 78-year-old man from Baner admitted at a private hospital has tested positive for the infection, Dr Nina Borade, Health Chief of PMC said. The PMC on Wednesday sent samples of as many as 20 suspected patients which includes samples of 17 suspected pregnant women. The PMC to date has sent 448 samples for testing at NIV, which includes 395 samples of expecting mothers. Following the surge in Zika virus cases and detection of virus infection in the mosquito, state health officials and PMC health officials held a meeting on Wednesday. Entomologists and health officials of public health and medical officers, zonal and ward medical officers of PMC were present for the meeting. Dr S S Anuse, entomologist, Public Health Department, said, We have asked the department to remain on alert following the Zika virus detection in mosquitoes in Pune city. During the meeting, strategies to address the situation and containment measures were discussed. Dolly Ahluwalia has portrayed various versatile characters in her acting career. In a recent interview with The Punjabi Link, the veteran actor reminisced about Amitabh Bachchan's humility while filming his unreleased movie Shoebite. She mentioned that the megastar arranged for tents for the crew members while shooting the film in Manali during a snowfall. (Also read: Javed Akhtar reveals Amitabh was initially sceptical to play Angry Young Man) Dolly Ahluwalia recalled when Amitabh Bachchan arranged tents for film crew in Manali. Dolly Ahluwalia praises Amitabh Bachchan Dolly, while speaking about the shooting experience told, Punctuality. We used to be five minutes late, but hed be 10 minutes early. And the respect that he used to give to the crew, the light boys, everyone. Amazing is the word. It was snowing in Manali, frightfully cold. Theyd erected a tent especially for him, and he said, What about the others? Arrange tents for them too. Bring them angithis. Shoebite is directed by Shoojit Sircar but couldn't get released. Dolly mentioned in the interview that in-spite of Amitabh's interference, the movie is yet to see the light of the day. She called it his best performance till date. Dolly Ahluwalia's career in costume designing Dolly is a well-known actor and costume designer. She has designed for popular movies like Bandit Queen (1993), Omkara (2006), Water (2005), The Blue Umbrella (2005), Aaja Nachle (2007), Love Aaj Kal (2009), Kaminey (2009), Rockstar (2011), Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013), Haider (2014) and Rangoon (2017). Dolly is also the recipient of National Film Awards in the Best Costume Design category for Bandit Queen, Vicky Donor and Haider. Dolly Ahluwalia's acting career Dolly made her acting debut with the television series - Amma and Family (1995). Her first Hindi film was Mudda - The Issue (2003). She later acted in Yahaan (2005), Water (2005), Aloo Chaat (2009), Vicky Donor (2012), Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana (2012) and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013). The veteran also played crucial characters in movies like Bell Bottom (2021), Chhatriwali (2023) and Thank You For Coming (2023). Hansal Mehta often takes to his X account to share his honest opinions and thoughts. The National Award-winning director recently lashed out at government officials for delaying the Aadhar registration of his daughter despite multiple visits to the concerned authorities. (Also read: Hansal Mehta mocks Ravi Kishan after he condemns Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament: Alelele Munna) Hansal Mehta shared the ordeal faced by his daughter. What Hansal said In his recent post, he wrote, My daughter has been trying to apply for an Aadhar card since past 3 weeks. She makes the long trek to the Aadhar office in Andheri East braving rains, going early enough and the senior manager there keeps sending her back on some pretext or the other. Get this signed, get this document, the stamp is not in the correct place, you dont have an appointment today, I am on leave for a week This is most frustrating and nothing short of harassment. Hansal also tagged the official X account of Unique Identification Authority of India and Aadhar in the post. User reactions Reacting to the post, a user commented with a direct reference to his show Scam 1992, She needs to comply to the documents! Yaha koi scam nahi hai Mehta ji (No scam works here)! To this, Hansal replied, Really ? Get the govt official to put his stamp slightly higher is a compliance parameter? Stop this BS. Another said, Common man life is always cumbersome because of corrupt ecosystem but you are a powerful man don't know what is the issue here. Hansal responded, I am not a powerful man FYI. I am a common middle-class citizen of this country. I deserve to be treated better. Hansal recently backed the debut OTT show of his son, Lootere. His next directorial feature The Buckingham Murders, starring Kareena Kapoor as a detective, is all set to release in September. Ranbir Kapoor talked about his relationship with actor-wife Alia Bhatt in a recent podcast interview. In the latest podcast episode with Nikhil Kamath, Ranbir said that he met Alia when she was just 9 years old and he was 20, for a film set about child marriage. Now this story has been picked by UK news site Metro, which has caught the attention of a section of social media. (Also read: Internet reacts to Ranbir Kapoor's remark about Alia Bhatt letting go of personality in marriage: Girl, run far) Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt will be seen next in Love and War. User reactions The headline of the story reads, Actor recalls meeting future wife when he was 20 and she was 9 for child marriage film,' which has left many users on X commenting that Ranbir is getting famous abroad for his marriage. A user commented, Ranbir Kapoor is finally a global name. All for the wrong reasons. A comment read, God he needs to stop talking. A second user commented, Power couple banne chale the lol (They were aiming to be the power couple) now they're the most hated couple ever from Bollywood. Another said, Global superstar Ranbir! Ranbir getting famous abroad, said a user. More details In the same interview, Ranbir had shared that Alia made a conscious attempt to lower her loud tone for him as he was rattled by his father Rishi Kapoor's loud tone, growing up. He also said that Alia's attention is a little fragmented, but over the years, he's got her attention now. Ranbir and Alia started dating during the pre-production of Ayan Mukerji's 2022 blockbuster fantasy film Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva. The two tied the knot on April 14, 2022, at their Mumbai residence. They also became parents to daughter Raha Kapoor later that year. They will reunite on screen for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next, titled Love and War. The film also stars Vicky Kaushal. Zareen Khan candidly talked about her career and experience in Bollywood, and addressed the comparisons with actor Katrina Kaif. In the latest episode on Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaas podcast, Zareen shared how she was perceived as arrogant in the industry, and that comparisons with Katrina backfired. Zareen made her debut in Bollywood opposite Salman Khan in the 2010 film Veer. (Also read: Vicky Kaushal spends lazy Sunday with Katrina in Austria; flaunts Katrina's photography skills) Zareen Khan opened up about her career in Bollywood. What Zareen said During the conversation, when Zareen was asked to share her experience in the industry after Veer, the actor said in Hindi, Life after Veer was very bad for me, I got a lot of criticism for it. The film was so big, it still is a life-changing moment for me. Initially, I felt very happy that I was being compared to Katrina Kaif! She is so beautiful! But i think within the industry, things turned quite the opposite. For me, who used to be overweight, being compared to Katrina was huge, but it backfired badly. I was a lost child in the industry, and I didnt know most people here. I only knew the names of the producers and directors not by their faces but they started to feel I was arrogant because Salman Khan launched me. 'That comparison went in a very negative way' Zareen went on to detail that she received so much criticism that at one point, she would be scared about leaving her home because of the comments. There was a time I was even scared to step out of my house because people would comment on my clothes. That comparison went in a very negative way. I was called overweight. What should I do? I was given so many names, that at one point, I wanted to just sit at home, she said. After Veer, Zareen rose to fame after starring in the popular dance number Character Dheela with Salman in the 2011 comedy-drama Ready. Her highest-grossing release remains Housefull 2. Besides these, Zareen also featured in films like Hate Story 3, Aksar 2, 1921 and many more. ADOR CEO, Min Hee Jin was at the centre of controversy again as she was accused of covering up an incident of sexual harassment in her company. The controversy spread like wildfire on the Internet with fans expressing anger towards the CEO for being ignorant on a sensitive matter. Min Hee Jin addressed the issue later and asked fans that the public was presented with a distorted truth. She also revealed unedited KakaoTalk conversations on social media platforms. Min Hee Jin shared uncensored screenshots of KakaoTalk conversations on the social media platform.(@HYBEOFFICIALtwt/X, @min.hee.jin/Instagram) Also Read: Kai Cenat calls New York Police Department a gang following Fanum's arrest under gun threat Min Hee Jin responds to covering up sexual harassment controversy Min Hee Jin was accused of burying a sexual harassment case in her company against one of her female employees. This did not sit right with the consumers of the idol groups, represented by ADOR, as most of them are female. Amid rising heat of controversy, Min Hee Jin took to her social media platform where she responded to the controversy on July 30. Posting several Instagram stories, she started by explaining the increasing conflicts between her and HYBE followed by sharing the immense difficult time she survived because of the leak of private KakaoTalk conversations which she claimed were manipulated. She tried to do this the right way with her legal representatives who faced several limitations, thus she had to resort to social media, as reported by AllKpop. Regarding the controversy, she said it is weird to bring the case back to light when it has already been concluded after HYBE conducted their investigation. Hence she felt it was important to clarify all the facts for the betterment of her, HYBE and all the other parties involved. Also Read: Witnesses thought Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's son died on the spot after bike crash Min Hee Jin shares uncensored KakaoTalk conversations Following her thoughts and explanations on the matter, she shared uncensored screenshots of KakaoTalk conversations on her Instagram story. Min posted screenshots of messages between Vice President A and employee B. In these messages, A invited B to a dinner with an advertiser. B gently turned down the invite because they felt it wasnt appropriate for their position. However, A mistook Bs polite no as hesitation and still made the dinner plans. Chiranjeevi recently received criticism for pushing an IndiGo Airlines employee out of the way at the airport while he was trying to click a selfie with the actor. Nagarjuna recently made the news for a similar reason: his bodyguard pushed a specially abled fan out of the way. There are days when even the friendliest of celebs dont seem to be in the mood to indulge fans. (Also Read: Chiranjeevi gets flak for rudely pushing IndiGo employee out of the way at airport. Watch) There have been days when celebrities like Balakrishna and Shah Rukh Khan were in no mood to indulge fans. Looking back at 5 times, Bollywood and south celebrities were miffed at fans trying to click a selfie. Balakrishna Balakrishna has made news for years due to how he treats his fans. He roars at them, swats phones out of their hands and sometimes even gives them a slap or two to remember him by. The Telugu actor-politician is known for being mercurial off-screen, the internet even called him Bullykrishna for a while. But if director Puri Jagannadh is to be believed, his fans enjoy it all because its a love story. Kareena Kapoor This one might feel tame compared to the previous anecdote but in 2023 Kareena Kapoor was called out for constantly ignoring a fan asking her for a selfie at the airport. Dressed in a comfy tracksuit, Kareena was making her way outside when a fan started following her around. Despite numerous requests, the actor didnt acknowledge her, and eventually, she stopped following her. Fans were miffed about her ghamand but guess she just wasnt in the mood. Rana Daggubati In 2022, Rana Daggubati visited Tirupati with his father, Suresh Babu, and wife, Miheeka Bajaj. In a clip of his visit that surfaced online, the actor can be seen walking out of the temple, flanked by a posse. He kept asking people trying to click him to move aside. When a fan came out of nowhere to click a selfie, Rana grabbed his phone before chiding him for clicking his pictures at a temple. People didnt understand why he was not okay with it. Sanjay Dutt As recently as April this year, Sanjay Dutt was clicked when he arrived in Mumbai. The actor was walking to his car with his team when a fan approached him out of nowhere for a selfie. After realising the man walking next to him was clicking selfies, he pushed him away before getting into his car. People were miffed to see him push a fan aside and the general consensus seemed to be, Fans ko dakka kaun marta hain? Shah Rukh Khan Shah Rukh Khan is known for being cordial to fans, but in 2023, there was one time when he was just not in the mood to indulge anyone. A huge crowd gathered at the airport when he arrived in Mumbai, and ground personnel tried to sneak in a selfie. The actor who noticed this looked miffed as he shoved the persons hand to stop him from clicking pictures before walking away. One person joked, Shah NahiRuka Khan. Twitch icon Kai Cenat has slammed the New York Police Department as a gang after the police confiscated his friend Roberto Fanum Gonzalez's Lamborghini Urus and arrested him under gun threats. Kai Cenat condemns NYPD's actions as 'gang-like' following Fanum's arrest. You all don't be believe in me. NYPD is a gang! Do you hear what I'm saying to you? NYPD be moving like a gang and nobody was listening to me, Cenat said following the arrest in his July 30 live stream. Now, I know what's going to happen. They're going to be on d**k. They probably might track down to this U-Haul truck, and get this s**t the f**k out of here! I'm telling you - this is how it's going to go! They are going to see all this and be on d**k for every time I'm outside. ALSO READ| IShowSpeed reacts to Bulgarian fans chanting the N-word on his Real Life stream: Watch He mocked NYPD, saying, But what they did to my man's V yesterday was crazy! Not even the GTA 5 cops do this s**t, dude! Not even the GTA 5 cops do this, and you know the GTA 5 cops be d**k-riding. They don't even do this, bruh!. Fanum plans for a lawsuit following the arrest Cenat and Fanum, both originally from The Bronx, are part of the YouTube video creation team AMP. Recently, AMP relocated from Atlanta to a penthouse in New York City, and it was a homecoming for Cenat and Fanum. Unfortunately, their stay was short-lived as they were evicted just a few days after moving in for unspecified reasons. During the Dominican Day Parade the NYPD pointed a gun at Fanus and seized his purple Lamborghini Urus. Fanum's driver, Walton, was handcuffed during the incident. Despite Fanum claiming he had a permit to ride along the parade route, the police stated the vehicle was stopped due to the absence of license plates. ALSO READ| IShowSpeed's hand-picked hair spotted on eBay bids: Is it real? Fanum's own Twitch livestream captured the arrest, and he later expressed his intent to sue on his Instagram story after safely arriving home. Them suits on the wayI got bag and timelets really do it, he wrote in his story. Recently, there were reports that Hi Nanna director Shouryuvs next film will be with Jr NTR. When Hindustan Times reached out to the director, he denied these claims, even if he hoped to make a film with the Tollywood actor someday. (Also Read: Exclusive: Bobby Deol joins Jr NTR's Devara Part 1 as antagonist alongside Saif Ali Khan) Jr NTR is currently working on Devara: Part 1 and War 2. I dont even know how these rumours began HT asked Shouryuv if he had approached Jr NTR with a script, and he replied, Its not true. I dont even know how these rumours began. Unfortunately, its false info. However, he cheekily added, I wish it were true too, maybe someday. Pinkvilla had recently quoted a source claiming that Shouryuv had pitched a two-part action-drama to Jr NTR which has been greenlit. Given that the actor has numerous films lined up, the project was reported to take off in 2026, with the aim to release the first film in 2028 and the second one in 2031. Shouryuv is a debutant director who debuted in 2023 with the Nani, Mrunal Thakur-starrer Hi Nanna. The romantic drama told the story of a single father looking after his child battling a disease. Mrunal played a woman who suffers from amnesia after meeting with an accident. The film received a good response theatrically and after its release on Netflix. Jr NTRs upcoming work While the recent news might not be true, Jr NTR has an exciting line-up of films after SS Rajamoulis RRR. He is shooting for Koratala Sivas Devara: Part 1 with Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. HT has learnt that Bobby Deol has also been roped in and will have a key role to play in the films sequel. Apart from that, he is also shooting for Ayan Mukherjis War 2 with Hrithik Roshan. The film will mark his debut in Bollywood. He will also star in a yet-to-be-titled film directed by Prashanth Neel. On Avocado Day, actor Rithvikk Dhanjani tells us he first fell in love with this powerhouse superfood about six years ago, thanks to his sisters guacamole dip. He recalls, I had no idea that it was made out of avocados. I called it chutney and said, this hari chutney is amazing! I need to eat this every single day. That was when I got hooked on avocados. Actor Rithvikk Dhanjani enjoying an avocado-based meal Dhanjani incorporates avocados into his meals almost daily, often enjoying them on toast. It is one of my favourite things to eat at all times, anywhere, any place, he shares adding, Ive been a huge fan of the classic avocado toast, but in the recent times, I have really started enjoying and experimenting a lot more with some extra toppings like a little bit of hummus, sometimes a bit of feta cheese and some sundried tomatoes. You add anything on an avocado toast, its just brilliant. Also Read: Rithvik Dhanjani says it's 'important to find right balance between mental, physical health': Meditation has helped me Actor Rithvikk Dhanjani shoots exclusively for HT City on Avocado Day Ask him about his go-to seasoning and he reveals, I mostly opt for south-west chipotle sauce. But despite his love for avocado toast, Dhanjanis shares that his favourite recipe remains the guacamole dip that first introduced him to the fruit. It just hit the right cord and the right emotion, the 35-year-old says. Also Read: Weight loss to digestion, 6 wonderful benefits of avocados Actor Rithvikk Dhanjani enjoying Avocado Day On why he digs the fruit, the actor says, You can make a main course with avocadoes, prepare an appetizer or turn it into a dessert, and it will still be tasty. That's what I love about it." He continues, "Ive always had avocados in savoury dishes, never in sweet. But I definitely wouldnt mind trying. Dhanjani claims his love for avocadoes conquers all pros and cons. "I know its a good fat source, but even if they were the most unhealthiest thing, I would still eat them every single day, he wraps up. In May this year, Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani hosted a second pre-wedding bash for their son Anant Ambani and his now wife Radhika Merchant in Europe. Celebrities on the guest list got a chance to let their hair down and relax on this celebratory vacay. During this trip, thanks to a vlog shared by Orhan Awatramani aka Orry, rumour mills were introduced to an alleged new couple in town Manushi Chhillar and Veer Pahariya. Manushi and Veer in Europe Posts from the bollyblindsngossip community on Reddit The two joined Orry, Janhvi Kapoor and Shikhar Pahariya for a yacht ride in Italy, and the clip of Veer holding Manushis bag made headlines. A new clip has now surfaced from this yacht ride, where Manushi and Veer are getting cosy in the background while Janhvi is busy with her photo shoot: But who is the handsome hunk who apparently stole the former Miss Worlds heart? Heres everything we know: The Pahariyas Son of Sanjay Pahariya and Smruati Shinde, and grandson of former Maharashtra CM Sushil Kumar Shinde, Veer belongs to a distinguished family. His brother Shikhar, an investment banker, is Janhvis longtime boyfriend. Ever since Janhvi indirectly confirmed her relationship on Karan Johars chat show, rumours are rife that they could be the next B-Town couple to take the plunge Veer and Shikhar at Anant Ambani's sangeet ceremony Love life During an interview in 2019, Sara Ali Khan confirmed that Veer was the only boy she ever dated. Later in the 7th season of his chat show, KJo also mentioned that Sara and Janhvi have dated siblings, without taking any names. But it was clarified that they broke up long ago. Then in 2023, dating rumours sparked when Veer attended the Jio World Plaza opening ceremony with former Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu. But the reports were neither confirmed nor denied Veer with Sara and Harnaaz Bollywood journey Veer took a different route from his family and pursued a career in arts. He studied theatre, music and dance and began his journey in the Hindi film industry as an assistant director to Amar Kaushik in Bhediya (2022). In a few scenes, Veer also played lead actor Varun Dhawans body double Acting debut Well, this year Veer is all set to make his acting debut alongside Bollywoods Khiladi Akshay Kumar with the upcoming film Sky Force. Helmed by Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani, the action thriller is based on India's very first and deadliest airstrike during the Indo-Pakistani air war of 1965 Love Story with Manushi According to reports, the two hit it off during Anant and Radhikas pre-wedding celebrations in Jamnagar, Gujarat in March. Apart from Orrys vlog, Manushi and Veer were seen together in a viral group picture from the Ambani-Merchant pre-wedding bash in Italy. Rumours suggest that the couple also took a detour to visit Tuscany together, which was not a part of the star-studded events While we cannot confirm if the two are really dating, we do know one thing for sure Veers debut film Sky Force will arrive in theatres on October 2. At least 121 people were killed, 128 were injured and hundreds remained missing in Wayanad district of Kerala after days of ceaseless rain triggered a series of landslides at dawn on Tuesday that wiped out and isolated much of a remote hamlet, caked neighbourhoods in mud and swept away roads, a bridge and other public infrastructure, as the states worst monsoon disaster since 2018 underscored the disproportionate brunt of the climate crisis that ecologically sensitive regions bear. Indian army personnel during a rescue operation after a devastating landslide hit hilly villages triggered by heavy rainfall, in Wayanad on Tuesday. (ANI) The southern Kerala district was pummelled by 572mm of rain on Monday and Tuesday, precipitating two landslides between 1am and 4am in Chooralmala village that sent fierce currents of water and mud into Mundakkai village downstream and snapped a bridge between the two hamlets. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had only forecast between 64mm and 200mm of rain for the region during this time. Read more: Wayanad landslides: Death toll climbs to 123; Kerala braces for more rain The army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed several teams to rescue people, but relief efforts were significantly hobbled by the destruction of infrastructure, continuous rain and the swelling waters of the Iruvanzhinji river, prompting forces to trek through treacherous terrain, even as two Indian Air Force choppers made their way to the affected areas. Condolences poured in from across the country, including from President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and former Wayanad lawmaker Rahul Gandhi. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a meeting with his cabinet and senior bureaucrats on Tuesday evening and sent five ministers including K Rajan, in charge of the disaster management department, to Wayanad to oversee the rescue and relief efforts. Entire families, including children who were sleeping, were buried under the earth before dawn broke. There were others who were swept away in the force of the landslide...This is a heartbreaking tragedy, Vijayan said at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram. Meanwhile, the bodies of several victims, washed downstream by the floods, were found in the waters of the Chaliyar river in Nilambur village, seven kilometres south of Mundakkai. Most of the victims worked in tea estates and lived in small homes built along arterial roads or at the base of plantations, said local officials. Read more: Kerala: IMD issues red alert for landslide-hit Wayanad, train services disrupted By 4pm, officials had identified 34 bodies and handed over 18 to their families. Since 2017, close to 900 people have died in Kerala due to extreme rain and landslides, said state government estimates. Experts have said that unfettered development along the Western Ghats, which pass through Kerala and are one of Indias most ecologically fragile regions, may have destabilised habitats along the mountain range. Separately, climate experts have attributed the increase in extreme rainfall events on Indias western coast of India due to the warming of the southeast Arabian Sea. Wayanad in particular is especially susceptible to landslides. In August 2019, a major landslide hit Meppadi. The same year, Puthumala village was wiped out as a hillside almost melted away, bringing down everything in its path. Around the same time, a hillock collapsed in Mallapuram and buried a village of 44 families. The first landslide on Tuesday was around 1.15am in Chooralmala and washed away several people, said officials. As local residents scrambled out of their homes to help those trapped in the rock and debris, a second landslide, much more powerful than the first, hit the same spot. Many who were trying to save people got washed away in the second landslide, said a Mundakkai panchayat official who was among the first to reach the site. The soil and rocks, loosened after days of rain, barrelled downstream, tearing through a narrow bridge, the only link between Chooralmala and Mundakkai. The landslide also ripped through a local government school beside the bridge that was being used as a relief camp during the showers. The series of landslides caked a roughly 10 square kilometre area in thick layers of soil and left boulders strewn across the two villages, even as streams of floodwaters gushed through. Residents, meanwhile, climbed to higher, stable ground and looked upon their flattened homes, even as rescue teams airlifted people to safety. When the second landslide struck, we ran out of our homes without even bolting the front door. The sound was like metal being unloaded from a truck near you. It was scary. There was no power. In the darkness, we just about managed to reach an acquaintances home on higher ground, said Safna Tuttu, a 33-year-old resident of Chooralmala. Many others, though, ploughed through the muddy ground and dangerous waters in search of missing people. Officials said around 200 Army personnel, two Air Force Choppers and a team of Navy personnel from Ezhimala Naval Base in Kannur were deployed, apart from state and NDRFunits. However, even as NDRF and army teams reached the spot, the precarious conditions and impending darkness , stunted rescue operations. Further, the absence of any road connectivity between Chooralmala and Mundakkai slowed down efforts and forced teams to improvise. Rescuers built a ropeway to cross the Iruvanzhinji and tied stretchers to the roads to ferry out injured people from impacted areas. At least 200 people remained trapped in Mundakkai village, said NDRF officers involved in the rescue. The current is strong so it is not possible to cross the river. Our teams found 17 critically injured from that village and brought them to the other side using the ropeway. Stretchers were tied to the ropes in which the injured were carried by NDRF rescuers, said Akhilesh Kumar, commandant of the NDRF 4 battalion. Still, senior officers worked to find an alternative route for trapped residents. We are told that there is a spot downstream where the current could be lower, said an assistant commander at the spot. Tuesdays landslides were the states worst calamity since the August 2018 floods, when unusually heavy rain across the state killed 483 and displaced over a million. Those were the states worst floods in nearly 100 years, going back to 1924, when 1,000 people died after a severe deluge. Experts said the absence of forest cover and the replacement of large trees with plantation crops may have exacerbated the impact of continuous rainfall. There has been heavy rain over two or three days in central and northern parts of Kerala. This was not sudden but continuous heavy rainfall that caused soil to become soft and runny. When the soil moisture is very high, it is saturated and can give way, said former earth sciences ministry secretary and climate scientist M Rajeevan. S Abhilash, the director of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) said the clouds were very deep, similar to those seen during the 2019 Kerala floods. This atmospheric instability, allowing the formation of deep clouds, is linked to climate change. Earlier, this kind of rainfall was more common in the northern Konkan belt, north of Mangalore, he said. Support poured in from across the country as news of the landslide emerged. President Murmu expressed her grievances on X. Pained by the loss of lives in massive landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. My condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and for the success of rescue operations, she said. Prime Minister Modi and Rahul Gandhi spoke to Vijayan, assuring the state of all possible help. Modi announced compensation of 2 lakh to next of kin of the deceased. I am saddened by the landslides in some parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones. Praying for the injured, he said in a post on X. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour, Gandhi sought enhanced compensation for the kin of the deceased and restoration of vital transport and communication lines. There is an urgent need for mapping of landslide prone areas and to take up mitigation measures and an action plan to address the growth in frequency of national calamities in the ecologically fragile regions, he said. Gandhi won from the Wayanad seat during the 2019 and 2024 elections. However, in 2024, he gave up his membership of Wayanad, having also won from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress has now nominated its general secretary and Rahul Gandhis sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for the by-election in Wayanad. In the Rajya Sabha, which saw a brief discussion on the tragedy, Leader of the House and Union health minister JP Nadda said the Centre and the Kerala government are pro-actively working to provide relief and carry out rescue operations. The India Meteorological Department has, meanwhile, issued an orange alert for Kasarakode, Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode districts, warning of more heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday emphatically rejected the Oppositions demand to abolish the Agniveer short-service recruitment scheme in the Rajya Sabha, classifying it as a decision for national security and accusing vested interests for lobbying to scrap the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for selling medical seats. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, speaking on the Agnipath scheme, asked MPs to not politicise matters of national security. (PTI) These were the two of the five demands made by Congress leader P Chidambaram during his speech on the Union budget on July 24. Towards the end of her over two hour-long response to various questions and issues in the Upper House, Sitharaman said: Former finance minister [referring to Chidambaram without naming him] had said, Ive got five questions for which I want the finance minister [Sitharaman] to answer. And the five questions pertain to minimum wages, legal guarantee, education loan waiver, abolition of Agniveer, scrapping of NEET. I just want to give very quick response to each one of the points. Starting the debate on the Union Budget on July 24, Chidambaram had articulated five demands and urged the finance minister to respond. Our first demand is minimum wage of 400 per day for every kind of employment. Two, we demand a legally-guaranteed minimum support price. Three, we demand a write-off of the unpaid balance of interest or instalment of educational loans given up to March, 2024. Four, we demand abolition, complete abolition, of the Agniveer Scheme, and, five, we demand that NEET be scrapped, and, if some states want to keep NEET, exempt all other states which do not want NEET. These five demands will echo not only in this chamber but throughout the country until you concede these demands, he had said. Speaking about the minimum wage demand in her response on Wednesday, Sitharaman said presumably the former FM was talking about the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) where he wanted a minimum wage of 400 per day. On education loans, she said the budget already announced measures for helping young people not getting any other government benefits. We have announced the financial support of 10 lakhs for higher education within the country. E-vouchers for this purpose will be given directly to 1 lakh students every year for an annual interest subvention of 3% of the loan amount, she said. Speaking about Agniveer scheme, she said, Former finance minister has also served as former home minister. Im sure he also understands the nuance involved in national security. Agniveer is a very reformative step to enhance the capabilities and battle readiness of our armed forces. It ensures actually that we have fit soldiers who are on the front line, she said, adding that one of the outcomes of the scheme is reduction in the average age of the Indian soldiers. She asked politicians not to do politics over matters of national security. Agnipath was a major departure from the militarys decades-old recruitment system that was scrapped when the NDA government announced the new scheme in June 2022. It seeks to recruit soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25% of them in regular service. Those recruited under the scheme are called Agniveers. The scheme is a major election issue in states such as Punjab and Haryana. In her speech, Sitharaman defended NEET as a system that checked the selling of medical seats by the lobby seeking to scrap it. She said the question was posed a day before the Supreme Courts final verdict, and hence, the matter was settled. Supreme Court did not scrap NEET exams. It observed that there is no material at the present stage to indicate any systemic leak. Thats about the NEET exam leakage. But, abolition of NEET, Im afraid to say, was triggered even before the leak, she said. NEET was notified in December 2010, she noted. Who was leading the implementation at that time? It was led by the then DMK minister Gandhiselvan, who served as MoS for health and family welfare as part of the Congress-led UPA-II Government, she said. Sitharaman said NEET immensely helped aspirants coming from poor families and cited names of several successful students who were sons and daughters of labourers and underprivileged. The NEET-UG examination in 2024 was engulfed in chaos and widespread protests across India, with thousands of students demonstrating against allegations of question paper leaks, inflated marking, and arbitrary allowance of grace marks. Opposition parties called for a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the allegations but the government ruled out a retest, maintaining that the leaks were localised and arguing that cancelling the exam would be unfair to the successful candidates. A number of other top examinations such as UGC-NET were also postponed. The top court finally ruled against a retest, finding that there was no conclusive evidence of a widespread paper leak. The finance minister, however, missed elaborating on one of the five demands on Wednesday, which was related to the legal guarantee for MSP. Speaking about it on Tuesday in the Lok Sabha, she had accused the Congress and the INDIA bloc partners of doing good lot of politics on the farmers. I am saying it with consideration. I am not speaking loosely. The National Commission on Farmers, MS Swaminathan had recommended in 2006 minimum support price should be at 50% more than the weighted average cost of production. This was not accepted by the UPA government. The cabinet note, which was drafted in July 2007 said and I quote: MSP is recommended by the CACP on objective criteria considering a variety of factors involved. Therefore, setting an increase of at least 50 per cent on the cost may cause distortion in the market. In some cases, there may be a mechanical linkage between MSP and cost of production per producer , she had said on Tuesday. New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out searches at 19 locations in Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, including Congress MLA R S Bali, in a case related to the generation of fake Ayushman Bharat AB-PMJAY ID cards and violation of the scheme against many hospitals, including Bankey Bihari Hospital, Fortis Hospital, and others, officials aware of the matter said. (Representative Photo) Officials said that medical bills on several occasions have been generated using fake cards, causing loss to the exchequer and the public. Bali is the Congress MLA from Nagrota and the chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, and also the vice chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board. Officials said that the searches are also being carried out at the premises of Dr. Rajesh Sharma of Shree Balaji Hospital, Kangra, a close associate of the chie minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. EDs money laundering probe in the matter emerges from a first information report (FIR) filed by the Himachal Pradesh State Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV & ACB), Una. The prevention of money laundering act (PMLA) investigation revealed that apart from Bankey Bihari Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Shri Balaji Hospital, Sood Nursing Home, and Sri Harihar Hospital, etc. availed illegal benefits of the AB-PMJAY scheme, an official said. He added, During the investigation, as many as 373 fake Ayushman cards were identified, wherein claims of about Rs.40,68,150, were made for reimbursement from the government in the name of treatments given to the said Ayushman Card beneficiaries. He said that the hospitals have also made claims for treatments, surgery, and admissions, which were actually never given or done to the patients of the Ayushman Card beneficiaries. Investigation also revealed that these hospitals were de-empaneled from the scheme for illegal practices and non-compliance of procedures and guidelines. 8,937 Ayushman Bharat golden cards have so far been scrapped in Himachal Pradesh for alleged violation of the AB-PMJAY scheme. The case involves proceeds of crime of about Rs.25 crore, said anotehr official. The second official said the Fortis Hospital in Kangra is a unit of his Congress MLAs company, M/s Himachal Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. The hospital was also de-empanelled along with other hospitals, the second official added. BJP MP Anurag Thakur's controversial remark about Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi's caste has triggered a political slugfest, with the Congress party claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged a "serious breach of parliamentary privilege" by sharing it on X. New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrives for the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting, at the Parliament House in New Delhi, Wednesday, July 31, 2024.(PTI) Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday submitted a notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to move a privilege motion against Prime Minister Modi for allegedly amplifying Thakur's objectionable remarks that were expunged from the proceedings of the House. Channi, a Dalit MP of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, said it was "shocking to note that the expunged portions had been tweeted by the Prime Minister on X along with the whole speech video." "I hereby give notice to move a privilege motion under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha against the Prime Minister for having tweeted on 'X' a portion of remarks which were expunged from the proceedings of the House by the Chair," the former Punjab chief minister said in his communication to Birla. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his dismay over Anurag Thakur's comments and said, "Taunting in the House - this doesn't happen in Parliament. Nobody's caste is asked in the Parliament... He (Anurag Thakur) said this purposely to insult him (Rahul Gandhi). Several of their (BJP) senior leaders have had intercaste marriages. They should look at themselves in the mirror and then speak." Kharge also criticised the Prime Minister for sharing Thakur's speech on social media, condemning it as an attempt to inflame sentiments. PM Modi should know where to speak and who to defend, Kharge said. Anurag Thakur's caste remark on Rahul Gandhi draws Akhilesh Yadav's ire: There was a time Congress' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said the opposition INDIA bloc protested inside the House on Wednesday against the "insensitive and cruel" remarks made by the BJP leaders with respect to the caste census. "We know caste census is a very emotional issue and many people in India from the SC, ST and OBC category want the caste census but their demand was mocked by the BJP in Parliament. They were insulted by the BJP in Parliament and it is unfortunate that later in the evening, the PM shared that speech and praised that speech," Gogoi told reporters outside Parliament. "The PM praised the speech that insulted the Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis. We are here fighting for their rights and fighting for caste census," he said. Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Jha accused Thakur of exhibiting a feudal mindset, asserting that the focus should be on the caste census rather than individual castes. He also criticised the prime minister for endorsing Thakur's remarks. "By re-tweeting the speech, the prime minister has shown that he cannot rise above 'bhains, mangalsutra and mujra'," Jha said. The backlash from the Congress camp continued with MP K Suresh demanding an apology from Thakur. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar defends RSS; Opposition stages walkout BJP leaders, however, defended Anurag Thakur and turned the tables on the opposition. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi questioned why the opposition took Thakur's remarks personally and accused the Congress of sowing confusion regarding their stance on the caste census. "Anurag Thakur did not take anyone's name then who is taking this on themselves on their own?... There is extreme confusion among the INDI Alliance," Trivedi said. Union minister Giriraj Singh echoed Trivedi's sentiments, asking why Rahul Gandhi's caste should be a sensitive issue, and accused the Congress of hypocrisy. "I also ask Rahul Gandhi ji...what is your caste. If anybody asks me about my caste...I will tell them. I will tell them that I respect my caste but Rahul Gandhi will not say anything. They want to break the Hindus...they will not say anything on the issues of Rohingyas," Singh said. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said there was nothing wrong in asking about the caste of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as he keeps doing the same and tries to "divide the country" on caste lines. "They talk caste all the time through the day and night. They ask caste of media, military people. They conspired to divide the nation on the basis of caste. When Rahul Gandhi's caste was asked, they got angered. Why can't we ask the caste? Are they bigger than the country?" Rijiju questioned. "By asking the caste of people, the Congress has conspired to divide the country, and when there was talk about Rahul Gandhi's caste, there was so much protest," he said. Talking to reporters in the Parliament complex, Rijiju said, "The Congress talks of caste day in and day out. When he (Rahul Gandhi) meets mediapersons, he asks their caste, he asks the caste of armed forces personnel, he asks people's caste during the Bharat Jodo Yatra." "They can ask about the caste of the people and no one can ask about his caste. What is this? (Samajwadi Party president) Akhilesh Yadav also supported Rahul Gandhi. Are they above the country and Parliament," the minister asked rhetorically. Expressing shock over the outrage from the opposition, former Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai wondered how the caste census could be conducted without asking the caste. If they think they were insulted (by Anurag Thakur), they are insulting the whole country by asking for a caste census. They are talking about caste census,... then why is it an insult when someone asks them their caste? Former Punjab chief minister and Lok Sabha MP Charanjit Singh Channi filed a breach of privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sharing the speech of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Anurag Thakur in which the former Union minister remarked that people whose caste was unknown were demanding a caste census, a comment that the Opposition believes was aimed at Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Thakurs remarks during the Budget debate also triggered a massive protest when the House resumed on Wednesday, forcing an adjournment. Charanjit Singh Channi speaking in the Lok Sabha during the monsoon session of Parliament. (ANI) Read more: Anurag Thakur's remarks part of record, no ground for Cong notice: Report In his notice against the PM under Rule 222 of the Lok Sabha, Channi said: The PM had tweeted on X a portion of remarks which were expunged from the proceedings of the House by the Chair. While the remark on caste was not expunged, two other words were expunged from Thakurs speech. On 30 July, 2024, certain objectionable remarks made by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur were expunged from the proceedings of the House by the Speaker, Lok Sabha. Relevant extracts from proceedings are enclosed, Channi said. It is, however, shocking to note that these expunged portions had been tweeted by the Prime Minister on X along with the video of the whole speech. In addition to this, other objectionable expunged words in the speech were also tweeted. In view of the foregoing, the Prime Ministers tweeting of remarks which had been expunged from the proceedings of Lok Sabha clearly amounts to a breach of privilege and contempt of the House. I, therefore, contemplate to move a privilege motion against Prime Minister and request you to please admit my motion..., Channi said. Read more: Anurag Thakur's caste remark on Rahul Gandhi draws Akhilesh Yadav's ire: There was a time Lok Sabha officials maintained that all such notices are examined by the Speaker who will decide if it should be forwarded to the privileges committee for enquiry. To be sure, the Prime Minister tweeted Thakurs speech at 7.36pm on Tuesday, and references to Jawaharlal Nehru and words suggesting the Congress leaders misled the House were expunged by the Chair after 9pm. The reference to caste was not expunged. The Lok Sabha was adjourned until 12pm on Wednesday after Opposition members demanded a caste census and protested Thakurs controversial remark the previous day. Thakur on Tuesday attacked the Opposition saying that people whose caste is unknown were talking about the caste census. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who on Monday promised a caste census if INDIA group comes to power, reacted saying whoever talks and fights for SCs, STs, OBCs will face such abuses. I gladly accept such abuse. As Congress leaders demanded his apology, Thakur clarified that he did not name anybody. Gandhi said, Anurag Thakur has abused me and insulted me. But I do not want any apology from him. Opposition members continued their protest on Wednesday, trooping into the Well of the House, raising slogans and holding placards. Responding to them during the question hour, Union minister for parliamentary affairs Kiren Rijiju said, The Opposition and Rahul Gandhi rally about caste the whole day, but when we ask about their caste, they create issues. Rijiju further alleged that the Congress is weakening the morale of the country by speaking against the army and tarnishing the democracy of India, and urged the Opposition to adhere to parliamentary rules. Speaker Om Birla condemned the Oppositions actions and advised them not to display placards. Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said that the national politics will undergo a transformation if the Congress performs well in the upcoming assembly polls. Sonia Gandhi was speaking at the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting held at in the national Capital. (ANI photo) Addressing the first meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party in the ongoing monsoon session of the Parliament, Sonia Gandhi spoke about the importance of the upcoming polls for the first time. In a few months, elections will be held in four states. We must sustain the momentum and goodwill that had been generated for us in the Lok Sabha polls. We must not become complacent and over-confident. The mahaul does favour us, but we have to work unitedly with a sense of purpose. I dare say that if we perform well, reflecting the trend that we witnessed in the Lok Sabha elections, national politics will undergo a transformation, Gandhi said. Assembly elections are due in Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir this year while Bihar and Delhi go to polls early next year. Also Read: PM Modi preaches consensus, values confrontation, says Sonia Gandhi Gandhi, in her speech at the meeting, expressed condolences to the families affected by the Wayanad landslides. Gandhi also spoke about the demands of farmers and youths being ignored in the Union Budget by the current ruling dispensation. Allocations in a number of vital sectors have not done justice to the tasks required to be fulfilled, she said. There has been widespread disappointment, in spite of the prime minister, the finance minister and others to talk up the Budget and its so-called accomplishments. The Union government, especially its top leadership, continues to be self-delusional as crores of families across the country are devastated by mounting unemployment and price rise, she added. Gandhi pointed out that the PM Narendra Modi-led central government has not learnt any lessons from its electoral decline in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls. We would have hoped that the Modi Government would draw the right lessons from their significant decline in the Lok Sabha elections.Look at how the rules have been suddenly changed to permit the bureaucracy to participate in the activities of the RSS. It calls itself a cultural organization but the whole world knows that it is the BJPs political and ideological base, Gandhi said. From 303 seats in 2019, the BJP managed to get 240 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Gandhi also expressed concerns over the delay in conducting the census. It is clear that the government has no intention whatsoever to conduct the census that was last due in 2021. This will prevent us from having an up-to-date estimate of the population of the country, especially of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). It also means that at least 12 crore of our citizens are denied the benefit of the National Food Security Act of 2013 now repackaged as PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, she said. Criticising the government over the state of education system in the country, Gandhi said education has been amongst the worst casualties in the past years. Education has been amongst the worst casualties in the past years. Instead of taking the nation forward, the entire educational system is being shown as flawed and manipulated. The exposure of how competitive examinations have been allowed has destroyed the faith of lakhs of youth and dealt their future a body blow. The professional character and autonomy of organisations like the NCERT, UGC and even of Constitutional bodies like the UPSC have been all but destroyed, she said. Gandhi continued her criticism in wake of the governments handling of the recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. This makes a mockery of the claims being made by the Modi government that all is well in J&K. The situation in Manipur shows no sign of any improvement. The Prime Minister travels the world over, but steadfastly refuses to go to the state and take the initiative to bring about normalcy, she said. A 30-year-old woman, identified as Simranjeet Kaur, was shot dead in Delhi's Gokalpuri area while she was travelling on a motorcycle with her husband Heera Singh on Wednesday. Singh (40) got into an argument with someone on a scooter near the Gokalpuri flyover after their vehicles nearly touched. (File) The incident took place at around 3:15 pm when the couple was going towards Maujpur, ANI reported. Singh (40) got into an argument with someone on a scooter near the Gokalpuri flyover after their vehicles nearly touched, the Delhi police told ANI. Singh told the police that the man on the scooter fired one shot from the flyover, about 35 feet away, which hit his wife in the area where the neck meets the chest, reported NDTV. After which a person fired a single shot from the flyover down below, from a distance of about 30-35 feet which hit his wife, Simranjeet Kaur in her upper chest, near her neck, the police said. As reported by NDTV, the couple was travelling with two children aged four and 12. According to police, when she was taken to the hospital, she was declared brought dead. An investigation is currently underway, the police told ANI. He took his wife to GTB Hospital where she was declared brought-dead. A case of murder is being registered. CCTV footage in the area is being scanned. Efforts are being made to identify and arrest the assailant. Further investigation is in progress, police said to ANI. A Delhi court on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, his former deputy Manish Sisodia, BRS legislator K Kavitha, and other accused, in the case related to the national capital's now-scrapped liquor policy. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in CBI custody. (PTI) The Rouse Avenue Court's order applies to investigations being conducted by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI; till August 9) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED; till August 13). While Sisodia, a senior leader of the Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Kavitha, from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekar Rao, are in custody in connection with the corruption case lodged by the CBI, Kejriwal secured interim bail from the Supreme Court in ED's money laundering case but remains in custody due to the CBI case against him. If not extended, their judicial custody would have ended on July 31, i.e. today. Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, and taken into custody by the ED on March 29. Kavitha, on the other hand, was arrested by the ED on March 15, 2024; on March 21, the agency arrested the Delhi chief minister, who had skipped as many as nine summons. On May 10, the Supreme Court gave interim bail to the AAP national convenor for the first time; the bail, which was conditional as well, was granted so that he could campaign for the Lok Sabha polls, which were being held at the time. Kejriwal, the first person to be arrested as a sitting chief minister and who continues to hold the post, surrendered on June 1, as directed by the apex court. On July 12, he got interim bail for the second time, but remains behind the bars. The CBI has called him sutradhar (facilitator) in the alleged excise policy scam, in its fifth and final charge sheet. Both Kejriwal and AAP have repeatedly dismissed the charges as political vendetta of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre. Former Union minister and BJP MP Anurag Thakur kicked up a storm in Parliament on Tuesday by apparently taking a caste swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (R) and BJP MP Anurag Thakur in the House during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Tuesday, July 30, 2024.(PTI) Veteran Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh described Thakur's remarks as badtameezi and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for endorsing his speech. 'Badtameezi hai', this was not expected of him and it was not expected of PM to support him, Singh told reporters. Anurag Thakur was questioning the Congress' stand on caste census during a discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha when the BJP MP's apparent reference to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's caste triggered an ugly spat between the opposition and treasury benches. Read: 'Rahul Gandhi's family's caste is...': Congress's reaction to Anurag Thakur's remark Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav described Thakur's remarks as inappropriate and said, How can you ask anybody's caste? Jagdambika Pal, who was in the chair, said Thakur's remarks on caste stand expunged. He said nobody in the House was allowed to ask the caste of any person. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said his party is ready to listen to any casteist abuse, but it is determined to get a caste census done. "Yes, I am an Indian and a Dalit, but I don't know how many we are. Yes, I am a tribal, but I don't know how many we are. Yes, I am an OBC, but I don't know how many we are. Today, we all need to assess how much our participation is in the progress of this country. "The BJP-RSS people are conspiring to hide this from us, so that they can keep us backward and take over our rights by snatching reservation through conspiracies," Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram called Thakur's comments "distasteful" saying this kind of crude behaviour has no place in our public discourse. The environmentalists, who have been fighting for conservation of prominent Buddhist site dating back to 3rd century BC at Thotlakonda on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam, have demanded restoration of the notified area of around 3,000 acres around the site and investigation by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to unearth Buddhist ruins in the area, officials familiar with the matter said. The environmentalists have demanded restoration of the notified area of around 3,000 acres around the site and investigation by ASI to unearth Buddhist ruins in the area. (HT) The Thotlakonda Buddhist complex situated in survey no. 314 at Kapuluppada village in Bheemunipatnam (Bheemili) block of Visakhapatnam had been declared a protected monument under the AP Ancient and Historical Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960. On May 2, 1978, the then state government notified a total extent of 3,143 acres of land at Thotlakonda as the Buddhist archaeological site and kept it under the protection of the state archaeology department. Since the department had meagre budgetary resources at that time, the authorities could only excavate a limited portion of the site on the top of the Thotlakonda hill, leaving around 3,000 acres of the remaining notified area for future exploration, prominent environmentalist and retired IAS officer EAS Sarma said. In July 2021, the previous YSR Congress Party government issued an order de-notifying the entire area around the Thotlakonda, leaving a small extent of 120 acres on the hill top. Apparently, the previous government was under pressure from the real estate developers, as the land prices in the neighbourhood were shooting up, Sarma said, adding that it would lead to a conscious erasure of potential archaeological evidence all around Thotlakonda. Former director of state archaeology P Chenna Reddy admitted that the area around Thotlakonda was de-notified, as a lot of real estate activity was going on in the neighbourhood. The department was facing a shortage of staff and there was no way we could protect the area with limited strength, he said. Another noted environmentalist of Visakhapatnam Sohan Hattangadi said the Thotlakonda site had a lot of archaeological significance, because it was believed to be one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries. It was accidentally discovered in 70s during an aerial survey for finding a suitable location for the establishment of INS Kalinga by the Indian Navy. Further studies by archaeologists revealed that Buddhism had flourished in Visakhapatnam region, some 2,000 years ago, Hattangadi said. Now that there is a change of government in Andhra Pradesh after the recent assembly elections in the state, the environmentalists want the government to take steps for the restoration of the notified area of the Thotlakonda area. The entire area should be protected and investigated, as there is a possibility of ancient ruins being spread across several parts of Thotlakonda hill, apart from where the first excavation took place, Hattangadi said. Sarma suggested that the site could be handed over to the ASI to conduct investigations using ground-penetrating non-invasive techniques such as satellite imagery and geo-physical methods to unearth potential archaeological evidence about Buddhist culture prevailing there 2,000 years ago. He pointed out that similar techniques were used in Bodh Gaya to unearth precious heritage archaeological evidence. Professional agencies in India such as National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) have the necessary expertise that could be used by the ASI, he added. Sarma pointed out that a research scholar by name Lars Fogelin from the University of Michigan carried out a systematic surface survey of the entire notified stretch of Thotlakonda, under the supervision of the State Archaeology Dept between 2000 and 2003. He discovered for the first time 134 archaeological sites, containing 328 individual archaeological features duly identified, including 231 cairns, 33 walls, one stupa, four columns, and nine water cisterns and two reservoirs, hitherto undocumented. He apprised the state archaeology department of his findings, he said. As a political firestorm rages over the controversial Agnipath recruitment model that cuts tenure and offers fewer service benefits, Indias first Agniveers have completed a rigourous eight-month training course and passed out from the navys elite diving school INS Venduruthy in Kochi as qualified clearance divers, officials aware of the matter said on Tuesday. Agnipath scheme seeks to recruit soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25% of them in regular service. (HT Photo) These specialist divers can locate and carry out explosive ordnance disposal underwater. The batch that passed out from the diving school includes regular navy personnel and 10 Agniveers, said one of the officials cited above. The navy began inducting Agniveers, the name given to those recruited under the Agnipath scheme, in March 2023. Only 30% to 40% of personnel who volunteer for the course pass out as clearance divers, said a second official. The scheme, which the Opposition Congress has repeatedly called for scrapping, has come under fire from aspirants across the country, especially the northern states, and is believed to have lost the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a chunk of votes across the region in the recently concluded national elections. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Union health minister and leader of the House JP Nadda accused the Congress of playing politics with the Agnipath scheme. There should be no politics when it comes to national security. We should keep the army out of politics. The scheme was introduced after 400-500 rounds of meetings and consultations to strengthen the army and make it one of the best in the world, Nadda said, taking part in a discussion on the Union Budget 2024-25. Last week speaking in Dras in Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi brushed aside criticism of the Agnipath scheme, saying its goal was to keep the forces young and battle-ready. His comments came during a function to mark the landmark 25th anniversary of victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war. Most of his speech at the Kargil war memorial in Dras was devoted to the Agnipath scheme. The truth is that the Agnipath scheme will increase the strength of the country, he said, defending the scheme in the presence of the chief of defence staff and the three service chiefs. Discussions on reducing the age profile of the armed forces had been going on for decades, but there was no political will to make this happen. The average age of Indian soldiers was way more than the global average and that was worrisome. Agnipath was a major departure from the militarys decades-old recruitment system that was scrapped when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government announced the new scheme in June 2022. It seeks to recruit soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25% of them in regular service. The Opposition then attacked Modi for politicising a national event. It is very unfortunate and deplorable that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji is doing petty politics even on occasions like paying tribute to martyrs on Kargil Vijay Diwas. No PM has ever done this before, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote on X on July 26. Modi ji is saying that his government implemented the Agnipath scheme at the behest of the army; this is a blatant lie and an unforgivable insult to our valiant armed forces. To be sure, soldiers recruited under the legacy system serve for about 20 years before they retire with pension and other benefits, which Agniveers released from service after four years are not entitled to. Sadly, a sensitive issue linked to national security has been politicised by the very people who were involved in scams running into thousands of crores, Modi said. His comments came at a time when the armed forces are expected to suggest to the government that the age ceiling for Agnipath inductees be raised to 23 and that at least 50% be retained after four years to boost combat effectiveness, as reported by HT. The scheme is likely to be a major election issue in the upcoming assembly polls in Haryana. The first modification of the scheme that the armed forces are planning to propose to the government is to raise the upper age limit from 21 to 23 to induct graduates who can be groomed for technical jobs in the three services. The second one is for the retention of at least 50% Agniveers in service, as against the current 25%, to hedge against a manpower crunch in specialised areas. Manila: Famed sitar player Pandit Ravi Shankar has won the Ramon Magsaysay award for journalism, literature and communication arts, the award foundation today said. HT This Day: August 1, 1992 -- Magsaysay award for Ravi Shankar (HT) Shankar was cited for enriching India and the world with his sublime mastery of the sitar with music that colours the mind, it said in a statement. Born to a Bengali Brahmin family in 1920, he went to Paris in the footsteps of his elder brother who formed Europes first Indian dance company. He became an acclaimed solo dancer and a competent player of the sitar, the bamboo flute and the drums, the foundation said. But when he reached 18 and after travelling around Europe and America, he returned to India. Accepting stern rules of discipleship, Shankar placed himself under a renowned master of the sitar. He persevered through lean years to become a versatile professional musician and began performing the sitar to international audiences in 1956. Shankar was the fourth person to be awarded this years Magsaysay awards, named after a Philippine President who died in a plane crash in 1957. Winners each receive $30,000. India and China on Wednesday held "constructive" and "forward-looking" diplomatic talks to resolve the over four-year border standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh but there was clear no indication of any breakthrough. There was no clear indication of a breakthrough in the talks. (Representational) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said restoration of peace and tranquillity, and respect for the LAC are "essential basis" for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations. The talks, held in Delhi under the framework of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), came days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Vientiane, the capital of Lao PDR. The MEA described the discussion at the meeting as "in-depth, constructive and forward-looking", adding both sides agreed on the need to jointly uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements and protocols. However, there was no clear indication of a breakthrough in the talks. The Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Liang also called on Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, according to the MEA. The previous round of WMCC talks was held in Beijing in March. "Further to discussions between the two foreign ministers in their recent meetings at Astana and Vientiane, the two sides reviewed the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with a view to finding an early resolution of the outstanding issues," the ministry said. "Restoration of peace and tranquillity, and respect for the LAC are an essential basis for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations," it said. "They agreed on the need to jointly uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments, " it said in a statement. "The discussion at the meeting was in-depth, constructive and forward-looking. Both sides agreed to maintain the momentum through the established diplomatic and military channels," it said. Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the MEA, Gourangalal Das, led the Indian delegation at the 30th meeting of the WMCC. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang held talks on July 25 in Vientiane on the sidelines of ASEAN-related meetings. In the talks, both ministers agreed on the need to work with "purpose and urgency" to achieve complete disengagement at the earliest in the remaining friction points along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. The two foreign ministers also had a bilateral meeting in Astana on July 4 on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). In the meeting, Jaishankar reaffirmed India's persistent view that the relations between the two sides must be based on mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. The Indian and Chinese militaries have been locked in a standoff since May 2020 and a full resolution of the border row has not yet been achieved though the two sides have disengaged from a number of friction points. The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. India has been maintaining that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas. The two sides have so far held 21 rounds of Corps Commander-level talks to resolve the standoff. India has been pressing the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to disengage from the Depsang and Demchok areas. The two sides held the last round of high-level military talks in February. India and China on Wednesday agreed to uphold peace and tranquillity on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during another round of diplomatic talks, though there were no signs of any breakthrough towards disengagement at friction points in Ladakh sector. There were no signs of any breakthrough towards disengagement at friction points in Ladakh sector . (Representational image) The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs met in New Delhi for the 16th time since the start of the standoff on the LAC in May 2020. The body last met in Beijing on March 28 and Wednesdays talks followed two meetings between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi this month. The two sides agreed to jointly uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments, the external affairs ministry said in a statement after the talks. Following up on the discussions between the two foreign ministers at their recent meetings at Astana and Vientiane, the two sides reviewed the current situation on the LAC with a view to finding an early resolution of the outstanding issues. Referring to Indias stated position that the overall relationship with China cannot be normalised without addressing the situation on the disputed border, the statement added: Restoration of peace and tranquillity, and respect for the LAC are an essential basis for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations. The statement described the discussions as in-depth, constructive and forward-looking, but did not give details. Both sides also agreed to maintain the momentum through established diplomatic and military channels. This was also 30th meeting of the WMCC since it was established in 2012. Joint secretary (East Asia) Gourangalal Das of the external affairs ministry led the Indian delegation, while the Chinese side was led by Hong Liang, director general of the boundary and oceanic department of Chinas foreign ministry. The leader of the Chinese delegation also met foreign secretary Vikram Misri, who earlier served as Indias envoy to Beijing. The previous meeting of WMCC had also ended without breakthrough in addressing the remaining friction points at Demchok and Depsang, where troops from both sides remain deployed in close proximity to the LAC. Dozens of rounds of diplomatic and military talks have resulted in the two sides withdrawing troops from other friction points such as the north and south banks of Pangong Lake, Gogra and Hot Spring. There have been more than 20 rounds of talks between Indian and Chinese corps commanders. After the standoff began in May 2020, the WMCC first met virtually in June the same year, shortly after a brutal clash in Galwan Valley left 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops dead. The first fatalities on the LAC in 45 years took bilateral relations to the lowest ebb since the 1962 border war between India and China. Both sides now have some 60,000 troops each arrayed along the LAC in Ladakh sector. Earlier this week, Jaishankar acknowledged that India-China relations are not doing very well because Beijing moved a large number of forces to the border area in violation of agreements during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. This created tensions and led to a clash, and the consequences continue because the issue hasnt been fully resolved, he said. The absence of forest cover and land use change such as construction activities and expansion of monoculture plantations may have exacerbated the impact of continuous heavy rainfall that triggered landslides in Keralas Wayanad on Tuesday and left at least 121 people dead and scores injured, experts said. Relief personnel carry the body of a victim, during a search and rescue operation at a site following landslides in Wayanad on July 30, 2024. (Photo by R. J. Mathew / AFP)(AFP) There has been heavy rain over two or three days in central and northern parts of Kerala. This was not sudden but continuous heavy rainfall that caused soil to become soft and runny. When the soil moisture is very high, it is saturated and can give way, said former earth sciences ministry secretary and climate scientist M Rajeevan. It is also true that human intervention may have played a role in accentuating the impact. These [Western] Ghat regions that once had thick forest cover, mostly have plantations now which are commercially more viable. Rajeevan said rubber tree roots, for example, cannot hold the soil together. Other local trees however can slow down soil slip or hold the soil together. This needs to be investigated further. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology scientist Roxy Mathew Koll said it was too early to understand the specifics of the Wayanad landslides but admitted that monsoon patterns are increasingly erratic, and the quantum of rainfall we receive in a short period has increased. That comes with its own challenges, he explained. As a result, we see frequent instances of landslides and floods along the Western Ghats, from Kerala to Maharashtra. In addition, La Nina [defined by unusually cooler waters] conditions are currently underway in the Pacific, which generally results in a stronger monsoon flow. Koll said roughly half of Kerala is hilly and mountainous, where the slope is more than 20 degrees, making the land prone to landslides amid heavy rains. Landslide-prone areas are mapped and available for Kerala. Panchayats with hazardous areas should be identified and sensitised. We need to monitor rainfall data in these hotspots and prepare early warning systems for hazard-prone areas. This is possible with the current technology and know-how and could save lives and livelihoods. Koll said other than climate change, there is also a need to evaluate land use changes and development activities in landslide-prone areas. Often landslides and flashfloods occur in regions where the impact of both climate change and direct human intervention in terms of land use changes are evident. At the same time, there have been many severe landslides in regions with minimal land use changes. Read more: Kerala landslide: Houses washed away; many still missing In an interview with HT in 2021 Western Ghats expert and ecologist Madhav Gadgil flagged extremely destructive activities in the name of so-called development. Road projects cutting through hillsides are common.... In 2019, I traveled to Puthumala in Kerala after the landslides and saw several small landslide sites leading up to the big one. There was...a road construction project. Rock quarries are proliferating along these construction sites to provide construction materials. This is leading to a gradual crumbling and weakening of the hills. The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, which the central government constituted under Gadgils chairmanship, in 2011 recommended that 75% of the 129,037 sq km of the Western Ghats spanning Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, and Kerala be declared an environmentally sensitive area because of its dense, rich forests and a large number of endemic flora and fauna. The panels recommendations were not implemented. In 2019, a village was wiped out as a hillside almost melted away, bringing down everything in its path at Puthumala in Wayanad. A hillock collapsed in Mallapuram and buried a village of 44 families around the same time. The disasters occurred in what Gadgil-led panel in 2011 and a high-level working group on the Western Ghats, which former Indian Space Research Organisation chief K Kasturirangan headed, in 2023 described as the ecologically sensitive zones. So did Tuesdays landslide. The recent devastating landslides in Keralas Wayanad district, resulting in at least 193 deaths and numerous individuals being trapped, underscore the urgent need for immediate micro-level mapping of landslip hazard zones throughout the state. This proactive measure is crucial for disaster preparedness and response. Wayanad: A Bailey bridge being constructed after landslides triggered by heavy rain at Chooralmala, in Wayanad district, on Wednesday. (PTI) Additionally, it underscores the extreme importance of relocating and rehabilitating people residing in environmentally vulnerable danger zones, as failure to do so could lead to further loss of life and property. The state government has repeatedly ignored this crucial issue since the devastating floods in 2018 caused numerous landslides in hill districts like Wayanad and Idukki. Despite extreme weather events becoming an annual reality in the state for the last six years, this pressing issue has consistently been relegated to the back burner. The Western Ghats, which run throughout Kerala, are prone to frequent landslides during the biannual monsoon seasonsthe South West monsoon and the North East monsoon. Unlike other natural hazards, landslides can be triggered by various factors, such as slope failure, heavy rainfall, soil depth, earthquakes, thunder, and human activities. Read more: Wayanad landslides: 160 bodies recovered, rescue operations underway | 10 points Anthropogenic factors include loading the slopes crest, excavation at the toe of the slope, deforestation, quarrying, mining, and land use patterns, which also aggravate it. However, the principal triggering factor is the heavy, aggressive rainfall that is short. The first officially recorded flood in Kerala occurred in 1881, and the oldest known landslide in Kerala happened on October 4, 1882, at Meladukkam, Kottayam. Residents of Kodiyathoor, near Kottayam, came up with the word Urulpottal (debris flow) in 1949 after a landslide in the hilly area. Landslides occur when a part of a hill moves down. Experts say that in Wayanads Chooralmala and Mundakkai, the phenomenon of Soil Piping played an important role in inducing the landslides. They say the surface soil in the area is unconsolidated and unsorted. In such soil, rainwater causes underground flow, removing the clay content and causing interconnected tunnels. These interconnected tunnels act as paths for massive water discharge and soil erosion, and they are called piping. In the case of Wayanad, environmental experts, including those in the Madhav Gadgil committee, had called for the rehabilitation of people residing on vulnerable hill slopes with an incline of over 22 degrees, given the possibility of widespread landslips and landslides. Those experts found the areas vulnerable, including where the landslides occurred on Tuesday. In recent years, the state disaster management authority divided the hill district into three based on landslide susceptibility risk and has also come. With a landslide susceptibility map for the district. However, rehabilitation was not initiated despite repeated warnings of lurking extreme weather events. A professional study that the state government commissioned suggested setting up separate disaster management systems. Action plans for panchayats classified under the districts high, medium, and low categories for landslide susceptibility. A study by the Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishad, a popular science forum, found that the districts hill slopes have become unstable. Following the constructions carried out on the slopes by unscientifically levelling the slopes, many areas have become landslide-prone after digging rainwater harvesting pits and changes in land use patterns like monocropping and deforestation, which have continued for decades. According to the authority, Meppadi, Muppainad, Vythiri, Pozhuthana, Vellamunda, Thondernad, Mananthavady, Thirunelly, Muttil, and Kottathara are listed as places at high risk of landslides. Chooralmala and Mundakkai have a long history of massive landslides, and the crop tea plantations have significantly contributed to the tragedies unfolding over the years. CK Vishnudas, the executive director of the Hume Centre for Ecology, emphasised the need for immediate attention to rehabilitating individuals residing in high-risk regions. As stated in the Gadgil Committee report, Kavalappara in Malappuram district and Puthumala in Wayanad district, which witnessed multiple fatalities due to landslides in 2020, are included in the Ecologically Fragile Land (EFL) category. A catastrophe occurred again in the areas designated as Ecologically Fragile Land (EFL) in the report Gadgil gave to the then-Union forest-environment minister, Jairam Ramesh. By the way, the distance between Puthumala, Chooralmala, and Mundakkai is just under two kilometres. In 2011, the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) officially identified this area as having the greatest ecological sensitivity and named it Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) 1. Quarrying, the process of extracting materials from the earth, the destruction of hills for construction purposes, the construction of large-scale roads, the expansion of land in hilly areas, and the cultivation of a single crop over a vast area all contribute to the occurrence of landslides. Climate change makes these landslides worse by intensifying the continuous, heavy rainfall. These demonstrate the lack of a national policy addressing the vulnerability of people living in ecologically vulnerable areas to annual landslides and floods. T V Sajeev, a principal scientist at the Kerala Forest Research Institute, states that quarrying, the destruction of hills for construction purposes, extensive road construction and expansion in hilly areas, and the cultivation of single crops are significant factors contributing to landslides caused by heavy and continuous rainfall. CP Rajendran, a geoscientist and professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in Bengaluru, asserts that Kerala urgently needs to establish unambiguous land management and water usage regulations. In addition, it is imperative to develop enduring measures to mitigate the impact of yearly floods and landslides, particularly affecting impoverished individuals residing in environmentally vulnerable areas. He emphasises the need to pay greater attention to altering land use patterns and implementing large-scale initiatives with significant environmental consequences. Rajendran states that the state must implement land use zoning restrictions, including data on landslip susceptibility. Kerala encompasses approximately 19,000 square km of hilly terrain with slopes above 10 degrees. These regions exhibit sparse vegetation cover and have experienced significant disruption due to human activities, he stated. Additionally, he believes that a map indicating the susceptibility of landslides can help the state comprehend the type and extent of potential landslides in various regions. Hydrogeologist V R Haridas states that landslips and similar phenomena have recently occurred in Kerala. Therefore, the state must develop long-term measures to deal with this issue effectively. Having conducted a thorough investigation of the Kavalappara and Puthumala landslides as part of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Developments (NABARD) Climate Adaptive Project, this expert believes that the soil composition in Kerala has seen significant and dramatic changes. The altered soil composition appears unable to endure intense rainfall. The changes that have taken place in the past three years have been consistent. Without comprehensive and scientific approaches, landslides resulting in significant casualties would occur yearly, he stated. He suggests that monocropping may have contributed to the situation in Pettimudi, whereas indiscriminate granite quarrying is the primary cause in other areas, such as Wayanad, Pathanamthitta, and Malappuram. Das reports that Wayanad is currently experiencing a situation where the slopes of the hills have been saturated due to exceptionally heavy rainfall in the past week. If the rainfall continues, there is a genuine danger that it could cause lateral displacement and raise the likelihood of the overburden slipping, he states. According to the Kerala Disaster Management Authority, the occurrence of landslides should not have been unexpected. In the last week, there has been a significant increase in rainfall in the high-range districts of Kerala, which include Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram, and Kottayam. Frequent tectonic activity, coupled with fluctuating weather patterns resulting from global warming, are identified as causative factors for natural disasters, such as landslides, in the Himalayan region. We must conduct scientific research on tectonic activities in Kerala, particularly in the higher elevations of Idukki, Mohan stated. According to a recent study by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (KUFOS) in partnership with Michigan Technological University and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, approximately 13% of Keralas land is highly susceptible to landslides. The Krishna river, often regarded as the lifeline of North Karnataka, is facing a significant increase in water inflow from Maharashtra as this unexpected surge has led to the river swelling beyond its danger level, sparking concerns of potential flooding, officials familiar with the matter The water level of the Krishna river increased at an alarming rate amid continuous heavy rainfall in south Maharashtra and the Western Ghats. (HT) The water level of the Krishna river, which had completely dried up by the second week of June, increased at an alarming rise in water levels due to continuous heavy rainfall in south Maharashtra and the Western Ghats. In the past week, the average inflow has reached 2,90,000 cusecs, with contributions of 2,47,000 cusecs from the Rajapur barrage and 49,000 cusecs from the Vedaganga and Doodaganga rivers, Belagavi deputy commissioner Mohammad Roshan said on Tuesday. He said: The district administration is fully prepared to tackle the flood situation. Numerous relief centres have been established in safer locations, and both mechanised and manually operated boats with trained sailors have been deployed to assist villagers along the banks of the Krishna river. So far, about 450 people have sought refuge in care centres in the Chikkodi division, with another 200 in Gokak taluk. Athani taluk, the southernmost part of Karnataka, is one of the hardest-hit areas, with approximately 20 villages submerged and another 20 partially surrounded by floodwaters in Kagwad, Chikkodi, and Raibag taluks. Channayya Itnalmath, a member of Vimochana Sansthe from Athani, told HT that the submerged villages are those situated closest to the riverbanks. The river has not yet reached the low-lying villages. Back in 2005 and 2006, nearly half of Athani taluk was underwater for about a month during severe floods. The current situation is not as dire, he said. Athani, Chikkodi, Raibag, and Kagwad taluks in Belagavi are facing a significant flood threat as the river continues to encroach upon many villages. We have established about ten relief centres in the Chikkodi division to accommodate those affected, Roshan said, emphasising that around 450 people have been provided with food, medicine, and other essential care. Although the Alamatti reservoir still has about 50% capacity remaining, it has been releasing an average of 3,00,000 cusecs of water to the Narayanpur reservoir. This release aims to maintain water levels in the Krishna river between the reservoir and the state border with Maharashtra. Mudhol taluk in the Bagalkot district is also experiencing submersion, with water from the Narayanpur reservoir inundating various localities, including graveyards. A statement released noted that the Alamatti reservoir recorded an inflow of 2,75,000 cusecs at 8am on Tuesday, while the outflow was 3,15,000 cusecs. Alamatti, the largest reservoir in North Karnataka, has a storage capacity of 123.081 TMCFT, with its current storage at 55.133 TMCFT. In Raibag taluk, the Darur bridge, which connects Athani and Gokak taluks, is just a foot away from overflowing, one of the officials said. Meanwhile, one of the two low-level bridges in Gokak taluk, which had been submerged for the past two days, has seen a slight receding of water levels, though it remains overrun. The bridge was under about 3 feet of water on Sunday and Monday, but the water level has now decreased by about 2 feet, local resident Basavaraj Kurer said. Keralas Wayanad region can expect more such disasters in coming years in eco-sensitive areas identified by the Madhav Gadgil chaired Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel if a cautious approach is not taken on which activities can be permitted, the veteran ecologist said on Tuesday. The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel has designated the entire Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area (Shutterstock) The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel has designated the entire Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area and assigned three levels of protection-ESA1, ESA2 and ESA 3. In ESA 1, change of land use from forest to non-forest is not permitted. Yet, no government has implemented the recommendations. Gadgil spoke to HT hours after the landslide in Wayanad. What are your first impressions on the disaster? I can say that the disaster location is in what is classified as ecologically sensitive zone 1 or of highest ecological sensitivity. There are many construction activities that are continuing in the area. Many tourist resorts have been constructed with some constructing lakes in them. A tunnel is planned to be constructed to connect the area to Mysore. There are several plantations, most which are old and have been there since the British period. Those are also growing. Such activities are not recommended in ESA 1. All I can say is that more such landslides and disasters can be expected in these regions classified as ESA 1, in association with climate change and extreme weather. Why do you think governments have failed to implement the ESA plan? Governments are fully aware of what is being constructed, what activities are being taken up in these regions. They feel this man Madhav Gadgil thinks too much. Its up to them when they will implement these measures. Why are local people wary of the ESA notification? We are in a functional democracy and people have democratic freedom. Its up to people to figure out for themselves as to what model of development they want to adopt. We cannot do anything about it. Mumbai has recorded a "slight increase" in malaria and H1N1 (flu) cases in July 2024 at 797 and 161, respectively, as compared to the same month last year, the city civic body said on Wednesday. Mumbai reports an uptick in H1N1 cases (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO) In its report on "Monsoon-related diseases", the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said as compared to July 2023, the data for July 2024 showed a decline in cases of dengue, leptospirosis and gastroenteritis, but a slight uptick in malaria and H1N1 (flu) infections in the financial capital. Mumbai reported 797 cases of malaria and 161 of H1N1 in July 2024, up from 721 and 106, respectively, in the same month last year, according to the report. Cases of dengue, leptospirosis, gastroenteritis, hepatitis and chikungunya dropped to 535, 141, 1239, 146 and 25 in July 2024 from 685, 413, 1767, 144 and 27 in July 2023, respectively, it said. The BMC said it covered nearly 11.95 lakh households and about 55.80 lakh population during its house-to-house fever survey in July 2024 and gave prophylaxis for leptospirosis to 84,116 people. Prophylaxis for leptospirosis is a medical approach in which an individual takes an antibiotic to reduce the likelihood of the bacterial infection. The BMC said it has launched an awareness campaign titled 'Bhag Mosquito Bhag' that will feature appearances and messages from celebrities from Marathi and Hindi film industries, advocating mosquito control measures. These messages will be disseminated through video clips. "Citizens are urged to actively engage in the 'Bhag Machchar Bhag' campaign. This initiative aims to increase awareness across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and assist in reducing the burden of diseases like malaria and dengue (caused by mosquito bites)," the report stated. The civic body advised people to wear face masks and avoid crowded places for prevention of H1N1, a respiratory disease. A 29-year-old official of the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) has been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, after he tried to implicate his ex-fiances family after they broke off the engagement, a police officer said. The accused and his accomplices have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (File photo) The officer said the accused, identified as Shanthakumar, an assistant engineer with the KPTCL in Soraba, Shivamogga district, was engaged to the daughter of Jitendra Ss (58) in December 2022. However the engagement was called off by the family, which irked him. The officer further said that the accused along with an accomplice allegedly planted 19 packets of ganja, each weighing between 15 to 20 grams, near the womans home at around 10.45 pm on July 13 to take revenge. Following this, Shanthakumar allegedly gave a tip to the excise officials about the supposed presence of marijuana at the location. Though the officials conducted a search but, finding nothing within the home, departed without incident. The next day, Jitendras family stumbled upon the ganja packets while cleaning the area behind their house, the officer said. Suspicious of the sudden discovery of drugs, they reviewed footage from their CCTV system. The video revealed Shanthakumars accomplice throwing the ganja packets onto their property. The family then reported the matter to the police. Based on the familys complaint at the Sagar rural police station, the police arrested Shanthakumars arrest on July 27. During interrogation, Shanthakumar confessed that his primary motive was to harass the family due to the rejection of his marriage proposal. Sagar rural police inspector Mahabaleshwara told HT: We have charged Shanthakumar, along with Samiyulla (28) and another individual, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. The two arrested accused were presented before the Sagara JMFC court on Saturday, which has remanded them to judicial custody for 14 days. Samiyulla was the supplier of the ganja, and we are currently in pursuit of the third accomplice who threw the packets into the backyard of the residence. New Delhi: The opposition leaders in the Rajya Sabha slammed the Centre for a failed Early Warning System for floods in Keralas Wayanad, even as many expressed concerns over the incident that struck the southern Indian state. NDRF personnel conduct rescue operation in Wayanad district of Kerala on Tuesday (PTI Photo) Around 163 have so far been killed since Tuesday, with over 200 missing and scores injured in Wayanad district following massive landslides caused by flooding due to heavy rains. John Brittas, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and Rajya Sbaha member, said this is the worst landslide that has hit Kerala. The radius of this disaster extends beyond Wayanad, and keeping this magnitude of this tragedy in mind, we have to employ all sorts of devices to ensure that the rescue operations also have the magnitude of covering the areas beyond Wayanad, said Bittas. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Brittas informed the house that of the 3,782 landslides that have occurred in the past seven years across the nation, 60% have struck Kerala and pleaded the home ministry to declare this incident a national disaster. He thanked the Union government for deploying the army, navy, and air force to deal with the situation on ground. I, however, urge the Union government not to get the Kerala government to pay for these services like we had to pay during the 2018 floods. Aam Aadmi Partys Raghav Chadha extended condolences to the families of the deceased and affected people even as he demanded the central government announce a relief package for the state. We must strengthen our Early Warning System, improve infrastructure resilience, ensure inter-agency co-ordination and provide comprehensive rehabilitation and proper training to the people of the affected areas, Chadha said. Saket Gokhale from the Trinamool Congress urged the central government to allow the Kerala state government to use 25% of the State Disaster Relief Funds (SDRF). States are otherwise allowed to use only 10% of the funds if the disaster is not declared to be a national disaster. I also demand the finance minister include Kerala among the five states that will receive disaster relief funds, since the budget is still under consideration, added Gokhale. He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take an aerial survey of the state to show the governments solidarity with the people. Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Jha said, With such technological developments, we must aim towards broad-basing our disaster preparedness, prevention, and mitigation. CPI (M)s A A Rahim blamed the Centre for ensuring proper systems in Kerala for disaster preparedness. Prevention is better than cure. Kerala, however, does not have one properly functional modern weather forecasting radar system, and we have been demanding that since 2013. Government took measures, says MoS Nityanand Rai in Lok Sabha Union minister of state for home affairs, Nityanand Rai, told the Rajya Sabha that measures have been taken to prevent landslides and manage natural disasters in the past. Rai detailed the guidelines, training programs, and technological initiatives in place to mitigate the impact of such calamities. Rai said that the government has issued 33 guidelines covering floods, earthquakes, and landslides to improve disaster management across the country. He highlighted the creation of an atlas by the National Remote Sensing Centre for states such as West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) now provides seven-day weather predictions, which is crucial for early warning and planning, Rai said. He also mentioned the allocation of Rs.364 crore for the Common Alerting Protocol scheme, which sends advanced SMS alerts to regions prone to floods and earthquakes. In the last two years, more than 2 billion SMS alerts have been generated under this scheme, he added. The MoS added that at the local level, the government has launched the Aapda Mitra Yojana, aimed at training people in disaster-prone areas to cooperate with authorities during emergencies. Almost 100,000 volunteers have been trained under this scheme, said Nityanand Rai. He emphasised the continuous mock drills conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in these regions to ensure readiness. Parliament monsoon session LIVE updates: The proceedings of the Lok Sabha are underway during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Parliament monsoon session Highlights The Lok Sabha was adjourned briefly on Wednesday amid protests by Congress members over BJP MP Tejaswi Surya's remarks that Rahul Gandhi, as Wayanad MP, never raised the issue of landslides in his constituency. In the Rajya Sabha, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman lauded the Budget, saying that it strikes a fine balance between growth, employment, capital investment, and fiscal consolidation, among other things....Read More Replying to the general discussion on the Budget in the Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman said that the government has tried to make India an attractive manufacturing destination. Meanwhile, the Congress has moved a privilege complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the controversy over Anurag Thakur's remarks in which he had seemingly referred to Rahul Gandhi's caste. During the Lok Sabha session on July 30, former Union Minister Anurag Thakur got into a heated exchange with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The remarks led to an uproar from the opposition and a renewed call to consider the caste census bill. Also Read | Anurag Thakur's caste remark on Rahul Gandhi draws Akhilesh Yadav's ire: There was a time Later in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had shared the video of Anurag Thakur's speech, calling it a must hear. Congress MPs have said that sharing the video is a breach of parliamentary privilege by the prime minister. Earlier today, the Lok Sabha witnessed noisy scenes on Wednesday as Opposition members sought an apology from Anurag Thakur over his remarks on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and persisted with their demand for a caste census. The proceedings were adjourned for around 20 minutes till 12pm. The budget session, which started on July 22, is scheduled to conclude on August 12. Ex-Union minister Anurag Thakur's Lok Sabha speech on caste census was endorsed by prime minister Narendra Modi, who praised his fellow BJP MP for exposing the opposition INDIA bloc through a perfect mix of facts and humour. BJP lawmaker Anurag Thakur speaking in the Lok Sabha. (PTI) This speech by my young and energetic colleague, Shri @ianuragthakur is a must hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance, PM Modi said on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday evening. The PM's endorsement came after the Congress, which leads the opposition alliance, objected to Thakur's speech, and asked if the address was made at the prime ministers behest.' The grand old party's primary objection was to the BJP leader purportedly asking what Gandhi's caste was, despite the former not having taken anybody's name, a fact that he pointed out. Those whose caste is not known, talk about the caste census. I want to remind the Speaker that in this House itself, a former prime minister RG-1 had opposed reservation for OBCs, Thakur began the exchange, possibly referring to Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul's father. Reacting sharply to the former minister enquiring about his caste, the ex-Congress chief, who has been vocal in his demand for a nationwide caste census, accused Thakur of insulting him. You can insult me as much as you like, but we (INDIA) will pass the caste census in this Parliament, Gandhi stated. "Whoever raises the issues of Adivasi, Dalit and the backward, is abused. I will happily accept these abuses. Anurag Thakur has abused me and insulted me. But I do not want any apology from him," the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, added. The caste census was one of the Congress party's flagship promises in the 2024 general elections. Ahead of the polls, Rahul Gandhi had called the exercise an 'X-ray of India.' A question mark hangs over State-run plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)s ability to meet the delivery timeline of the new Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A) for the current financial year, and even beyond, as it becomes clear that the Indian Air Force will have to wait longer for the first aircraft that was supposed to be delivered by March 31, 2024, senior IAF officers aware of the matter said. The LCA Mk-1A made its maiden sortie from an HAL facility in Bengaluru on March 28. The first LCA Mk-1A is likely to be delivered to the air force in November 2024, said one of the officers who asked not to be named. After missing the March 31 deadline, HAL hoped to deliver the first aircraft in July but again revised it to a later date in August. IAF is unhappy with the current pace of the Tejas LCA Mk-1A programme because of the possible risks the delay in the induction of new fighter planes could pose to the air forces combat effectiveness, and has flagged the hot-button issue to HAL, calling for timely execution of the 48,000-crore contract for 83 jets, as first reported by Hindustan Times on July 12. HAL had then said it will deliver 16 of these fighters to IAF in FY 2024-25 as per schedule. It also said it hoped to deliver all the 83 aircraft on order by 2028-29. The LCA Mk-1A made its maiden sortie from an HAL facility in Bengaluru on March 28. Going by the current pace of the programme, theres a fat chance of IAF getting the 16 fighters in FY 2024-25. We will be happy if we can get even half the number, said a second officer. Many in the air force are sceptical about the LCA Mk-1A deadlines being met, and one of the main reasons for that is the lingering delay in the supply of the F404 engines to HAL by US firm GE Aerospace. The delivery of the engines is delayed by around 10 months. Also, the certification of new systems in the aircraft is still pending. The single-engine Mk-1A will be a replacement for the IAFs Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter. LCA Mk-1A is an advanced variant of the LCA Mk-1, which has already been inducted by IAF. US engine maker GE Aerospace had earlier told HT that it is working with HAL to fix issues related to the delay in the supply of its F4O4 engines for the LCA Mk-1A programme, attributing it to supply chain bottlenecks in the aerospace industry. The aerospace industry continues to experience unprecedented supply chain pressures, a GE Aerospace spokesperson said on July 12. GE Aerospace is working with our partner HAL and suppliers to resolve constraints and deliver F404-IN20 engines for the LCA Mk1 (A) program. The statement was in response to HT queries on the reasons for the delay and steps being taken to fix the problem, as the programme is crucial for IAF, which is grappling with a shortage of fighter squadrons. Even as doubts shroud the delivery schedule of the LCA Mk-1A jets, more are likely to be ordered soon. In April, the defence ministry issued a tender to HAL for the proposed acquisition of 97 more LCA Mk-1As to strengthen the air forces capabilities. The new fighter planes are expected to cost around 67,000 crore. HAL has set up a new production line in Nashik for LCA Mk-1As to meet IAFs growing needs. HAL says it can build 16 LCA Mk-1As every year in Bengaluru, and the Nashik line will help it ramp up production to 24 jets. IAF should have started phasing out the last of its MiG-21s and raising the first LCA Mk-1A squadron by now. The conversion to new aircraft for pilots, and the training of technicians and maintenance crews will take time. If we dont get the new aircraft on time, the capability drawdown will be drastic. IAF doesnt have a Plan B for the MiG-21 replacement, an IAF officer earlier said. LCA is set to emerge as the cornerstone of IAFs combat power in the coming decade and beyond as it is expected to operate around 350 LCAs (a mix of Mk-1s, Mk-1As and the future Mk-2). The LCA project was sanctioned in 1983 as a replacement for MiG-21s. To be sure, IAFs leadership has firmly backed the LCA programme. In a review last year, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari described the fighter aircraft as the flag-bearer of the air forces efforts towards the indigenisation of its combat fleet. IAF recently relocated its last MiG-21 fighters from their home base at Suratgarh in Rajasthan to the sprawling Nal desert fighter base near Bikaner, where the only other remaining Indian MiG-21s are based, as the worlds fourth largest air force prepares the ground to pull these iconic planes out of service and begins raising its new LCA-Mk-1A fleet. A ransomware attack on a technology service provider has forced the payment services of around 300 small Indian banks to halt temporarily. Nearly 300 small banks have been isolated from the countrys broader payment network. (Representational) The attack targeted C-Edge Technologies, a provider of banking technology systems to small banks across the country, forcing the payment operations of the banks to shut down. The customers of these banks were not able to withdraw cash at ATMs and use the UPI services due to the ransomware attack. The impact was mostly felt by the customers of cooperative banks and regional rural banks which depend on C-Edge, a joint venture between SBI and TCS. In a statement, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) said that it had to temporarily isolate C-Edge from accessing the retail payment systems as a precaution. "C-Edge Technologies.has been possibly impacted by a ransomware attack impacting a few of their systems," NPCI said. Also read: US announces $10mn reward for info on Hive ransomware hackers; how does the gang operate? The authorities are working on a war footing to restore the systems. PTI reported that a third-party audit was conducted after isolating the ransomware. The system will be up and running by Thursday morning if all goes as planned. "Customers of banks serviced by C-Edge will not be able to access payment systems during the period of isolation," the NPCI said. "Most of these are small banks and only about 0.5% of the countrys payment system volumes would be impacted, said one of the sources. National Cooperative Union of India chairman Dileep Sanghani said nearly 300 banks in India, including 17 district cooperative banks in his home state of Gujarat, that use C-Edge have been experiencing issues for the last two to three days. "All online transactions, such as RTGS and UPI payments, are affected. Money is deducted from the sender's account but does not get credited to the receiver's account," Sanghani, the chairman of Amreli District Central Cooperative Bank, said. With inputs from PTI, Reuters New Delhi: The Delhi high court on Wednesday refused to consider a plea seeking a dual citizenship grant for Indian diaspora holding their citizenship presently at some other foreign country, saying that the issue has wider ramifications on national security that cannot be visualised by the courts. (Representative Photo) That is not for the courts to decide and requires parliamentary legislation. That is for the Parliament, not for us. We cannot legislate. Please go there. This will have ramifications for national security. We, as courts, cant take a call. These are matters of national security. It has got wide ramifications that we cannot even visualise as a court. This doesnt fall within our domain, a bench of acting chief justice Manmohan and justice Tushar Rao Gedeala said to advocate Robin Raju, who represented the petitioner, Legal Cell (PLC). In its petition, PLC, claiming to be a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, asserted that allowing dual citizenship would result in fresh initiatives, enormous funding, new investments, etc. The petition underscored that around 130 countries, including developed and developing nations, had accepted the policy with certain limitations, and thus a grant of dual citizenship would enhance Indias relations with developed countries. The plea went on to add that the high-level committee on Indian diaspora constituted by the Centre had called upon the Parliament to grant dual citizenship to Indians who were grappling with the increased demands of globalization. The Constitution of India does not in any manner bar dual citizenship after the commencement of the Constitution and left such matters to be decided by Parliament within its constitutional limits, the petition read. The petition before the high court also pointed out that Section 9(1) of the Citizenship Act, which states that a person would lose Indian citizenship upon voluntarily gaining citizenship of another country, is unconstitutional so far as it failed to recognise that voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship was not equal to voluntary divestment of Indian citizenship. The denial of dual citizenship rights to a significant number of Indians settled outside India causes a hurdle to the fulfillment of the cultural rights guaranteed under Article 30 of the Indian Constitution. Article 30 ensures the right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. This lack of dual citizenship can result in bureaucratic hurdles, legal complexities, and practical constraints that impede their ability to contribute effectively to the cultural and educational landscape of the country, the petition read. Absence of dual citizenship rights, the petition stated, created a sense of detachment and disconnection from the cultural roots and heritage. During the hearing, advocate Robin Raju asserted that recently the union external affairs minister had opined that though the grant of dual citizenships for Indians living abroad came with a myriad of complications, the debate was still alive. He, however, added that PLC had also preferred a representation seeking a similar relief, but the Centre was yet to decide the same. Considering the contention, the court refused to pass an order directing the Centre to take a call on the representation, saying that the same was in the teeth of Article 9 of the Citizenship Act. We cant ask them to take a call on this. Your representation today is in the teeth of Section 9 of the Citizenship Act. Courts cant act contrary to article 9, the bench said to Raju. The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused an urgent hearing of the gangster-turned-politician Arun Gulab Gawlis parole application, saying convicts undergoing life imprisonment have a right to premature release but society also has a right to live peacefully. Gawli has been serving life imprisonment for the 2007 murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar. The Supreme Court. (HT PHOTO) A bench of justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta said that they are conscious of the rights of prisoners and have granted indulgence in the past. We would not be able to grant you any interim relief. As your matter requires in-depth consideration, we would like to decide the appeal itself. We cannot be unfair to you and we cannot be unfair to the state as well. Senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, who appeared for Gawli, said that her client is 72 and has been released 15 times on parole. She added Gawli suffered from a severe breathing disorder. For a moment keep aside Gawli. Let this court not be driven by this case. There is a 2006 remission policy which provides relief to prisoners aged over 65 who have completed 14 years of imprisonment. The bench called for the need to be conscious of the factual situation. That old movie Sholay reminds us of the famous dialogue Gabbar aa jayega [Gabbar will come]. Everybody knows Arun Gawli. Senior advocate Raja Thakre, who represented Maharashtra, pointed out Gawli faces 46 cases. He added Gawli was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012 under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Thakre said MCOCA convicts are governed by a 2010 policy, which requires a convict to undergo 40-year imprisonment to be considered for premature release. The court asked Thakre whether Gawli committed any offence in the recent past considering the cases against date back to an earlier point in time. Thakre said Gawli has a propensity to commit crimes. As head of the crime syndicate, his name is sufficient in Maharashtra for builders to fear as he operates an extortion racket. The court asked how would society know if he had reformed or not. You may have your agencies to find out if he is still active in crime, the bench said. The Bombay high courts Nagpur bench rejected the states objections while ordering Gawlis premature release, citing the 2006 policy. The order came even as the state submitted that the revised remission guidelines issued in 2015 exclude MCOCA convicts. The state said that Gawli turned 65 in 2018 and was ineligible for remission even under the 2006 policy. On Wednesday, the issue was again argued before the Supreme Court. Gawlis legal team pointed out that the Code of Criminal Procedure Section 432 allowed the state to pass a special order in the case of old and infirm prisoners. The Supreme Court noted that even then a convict should have undergone half of the substantive sentence. It said this will be governed by the 2010 policy in the context of MCOCA, requiring convicts to undergo a minimum 40-year imprisonment to be considered for remission. There is a lot of interplay between policies, rules, and orders. We need to sit and resolve it. We would like to decide the appeal itself, the bench said. Gawli, the Akhil Bharatiya Sena founder who represented Chinchpokli in the Maharashtra assembly (2004-2009), cited his old age and report a Medical Board to suggest he suffered from Compulsory Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) and needed regular attention. The court said his mental faculties were working well and there was no physical disability. As regards COPD, it can be stabilised with antibiotics. The court agreed to consider the legal question when the matter is next heard in November. The Supreme Court was hearing Maharashtras appeal against the high courts April 5 order granting Gawli premature release. Gawli separately applied for a 15-day parole. The Supreme Court extended its order granting the stay on the high court order. The Supreme Court on Wednesday indicated that it would lay down specific conditions regarding the retrospective applicability of its recent ruling, which affirmed the legislative competence of states to levy taxes on minerals and mineral-bearing land in addition to the royalty imposed by the Centre. The nine-judge bench, which reserved its order on the matter, aims to bring clarity to the potential financial implications for states and industries alike. (HT Archive) The nine-judge bench, which reserved its order on the matter, aims to bring clarity to the potential financial implications for states and industries alike. We are conscious of the fact that states do need revenues... we are also aware that a jurisprudential thicket will arise if we were to hold that the judgment will operate prospectively... at the same time, we cant be oblivious of the fact that there were some state laws struck down two decades ago. Should we countenance the fact that there will be demands made after two or three decades while many of these companies are PSUs? We would lay down broad conditionality, said the bench led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud. The impending decision by the top court is of immense significance, particularly for states like Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, which stand to recover substantial sums from mining companies if the ruling is applied retrospectively. The states could potentially enforce back taxes on mineral rights, significantly enriching their coffers. However, this comes with the risk of severe financial implications for industries reliant on minerals, especially those with existing contracts and commitments based on previous legal frameworks. Read more: Explained: The Supreme Court verdict on states right to levy tax on minerals The courts deliberation on Wednesday followed its landmark ruling on July 25 when the Constitution bench ruled by 8-1 majority that royalty charged on mining is not a tax, but a form of contractual payment made by the miners to the Centre for the extraction of minerals. This distinction, the court said, allows states to impose an extra levy and surcharge on such mineral rights, providing them with an additional source of revenue. The majority opinion was supported by justices Hrishikesh Roy, Abhay S Oka, JB Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, Ujjal Bhuyan, Satish Chandra Sharma and Augustine George Masih, with justice BV Nagarathna dissenting. Justice Nagarathna held that the Centre holds the exclusive right to tax mineral rights across the country. On that day, the Union government, along with a batch of mining companies, argued that the judgment should be applied prospectively to prevent confusion, legal challenges and associated administrative burdens. Conversely, the Jharkhand government advocated for retrospective application, prompting the bench to schedule a hearing on July 31 to resolve the issue. During the hearing on Wednesday, solicitor general Tushar Mehta (SG), appearing for the Centre, underscored the potential economic impact of the ruling, noting that mineral development is critical to various industries, including electricity generation, which heavily relies on coal. He expressed concerns that the retrospective application of the ruling could lead to a cascade of price increases across sectors, ultimately burdening consumers. The SG further highlighted that public sector undertakings (PSUs) could face liabilities running into thousands of crores, potentially three times the net worth of some companies. Read more: Setback to Centre as Supreme Court rules royalty on minerals is not tax Multiplicity of litigations may arise under clauses and reasons that we cannot even comprehend today, Mehta warned, stressing the far-reaching consequences of a retrospective application. The court also considered the SGs suggestion that neither the states should pursue retrospective levies, nor should entities that have paid under the old regime seek refunds, as a possible middle ground. Attorney general R Venkataramani, also representing the Centre, further sounded a word of caution. The retrospective application will have a multipolar impact. There were several legislations and adjustments made that were not before this court when the matter was being heard because the bench was dealing with the entries under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. When mines and minerals are impacted, the entire economy is impacted -- from nanotechnology to health care, asserted the law officer. Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Mukul Rohatgi, Harish Salve and Arvind Datar, appearing for a host of mining companies, agreed with Mehtas suggestion - no recoveries, no refunds. The lawyers pressed that certainty in law is paramount and that after the companies and their contracts premised their obligations based on the previous position, altering them three decades later would prove severely counter-productive. But senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, representing Jharkhand, argued against prospective application, asserting that it would undermine the validity of state laws upheld by the court. He emphasised the need to balance the financial burden on industries by staggering or adjusting the interest component while ensuring states can recover what is due. It will be travesty of justice if this court were to say that the 1989 judgment in the India Cements will operate until yesterday while the nine-judge bench has affirmed the 2004 ruling in the Kesoram Industries Ltd. Let us not forget that this court has now ruled in favour of fiscal federalism, argued Dwivedi. He added that instead of making the judgment prospective, the court ought to lighten up the financial burden on the industries by tackling the interest component, which could be more than the principal amount, given that the case remained pending for over two decades. According to Dwivedi, one way to mitigate the burden on the industries was to keep the cut-off date for states to impose tax on mineral rights as January 15, 2004, when a five-judge bench in the Kesoram case ruled in favour of the states. The bench agreed to consider whether to set a cut-off date, such as the 2004 Kesoram judgment, to limit the retrospective impact. We have to bring clarity. We wont go state-wise, asserted the court, indicating that a uniform approach would be adopted. The apex courts order, once issued, is expected to have far-reaching implications for both state finances and the mining industry. A decision to allow retrospective application could significantly bolster state revenues but might also lead to a wave of litigation and financial strain on industries, potentially impacting the broader economy. On the other hand, limiting the retrospective effect could provide relief to companies but might be seen as a setback for states seeking to assert their fiscal rights over mineral resources. The July 25 verdict stemmed from two conflicting rulings of the Supreme Court. In 1989, a seven-judge bench ruled in the India Cements case that the Centre held primary regulatory authority under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) and that states could collect royalties but not impose additional taxes or cess on mining and mineral development. However, a five-judge bench in 2004, while hearing a similar dispute in the Kesoram case, noted a typographical error in the 1989 judgment, clarifying that royalty is not a tax but cess on royalty is a tax. Given these conflicting rulings, a nine-judge bench was set up to deliver an authoritative verdict. Marking a significant shift in the financial autonomy of states regarding mineral resources, the nine-judge bench by 8-1 held that states possess the legislative competence to levy taxes on minerals and mineral-bearing land, in addition to the royalty imposed by the Centre. Authored by the CJI, the majority judgment highlighted that while parliament and the Centre have the constitutional authority under the Union List to impose limitations on states power to tax mineral rights, the MMDR Act does not restrict states authority in this regard. Therefore, the states power to tax remains unaffected unless explicitly limited by Parliament. The ruling also clarified that the states right to tax mineral-bearing land, which falls exclusively under state jurisdiction, remains outside the purview of Parliaments power to limit states taxation authority on mineral rights. The majority ruling, by affirming states rights to levy taxes on mineral resources, empowered state governments to generate significant revenue from their natural resources. For resource-rich states such as Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, this decision presented an opportunity to leverage their mineral wealth more effectively and tailor their taxation policies to their specific needs and priorities. At the same time, this ruling also opened the door for potential amendments to the MMDR Act by the central government. Given that the current Act does not limit states power to tax mineral rights, the Centre may consider revising the legislation to recalibrate the balance between state and central authority. Such amendments could introduce specific limitations or conditions under which states can impose levies on mineral resources, or even complete prohibition, to ensure uniformity across states. Indian and Canadian security officials and diplomats have held several meetings in recent weeks and months, including two meetings between Canadas intelligence chief and an Indian interlocutor in a third country, to discuss the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, people familiar with the matter said. All these meetings focused on the killing of Nijjar, who was shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18 last year. (HT Photo) The then director of Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS), David Vigneault, met with a senior Indian intelligence official in a third country at least twice after the conclusion of the Lok Sabha elections, three persons from the two sides, who were briefed on the matter, said on condition of anonymity. Vigneault retired on July 4 after heading the spy agency for seven years, and Vanessa Lloyd took over as CSIS chief on an interim basis. Indias high commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, met Canadas National Security and Intelligence Advisor (NSIA) Nathalie G Drouin four times this year, three other persons aware of developments said. One of the persons described the meetings as amicable exchanges. Read more: Canadian MP slams Parliaments tribute to Nijjar All these meetings focused on the killing of Nijjar, who was shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18 last year. Nijjar was declared a terrorist by India in 2020, and New Delhi dismissed as absurd Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations last September of a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of the Khalistani activist. A spokesperson for CSIS didnt directly address a query from HT about the interactions abroad in recent weeks. He said: I can confirm that the director has travelled to India to meet with officials. However, given CSISs mandate and specific operational requirements, and in order to protect the safety and security of Canadians, I cannot provide more specific information related to the activities of employees, including the director of CSIS. There was no official word on the meetings from the Indian side. The external affairs ministry did not respond to a request for comment. HT reported in June that Vigneault made two unannounced visits to India in February and March this year to meet Indian officials to discuss the killing. These developments have coincided with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) removing at least two more officials from their positions in connection with allegations of a so-called murder for hire plot in the US, the people said. This is in addition to the removal of Vikram Yadav, an officer of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) seconded to the external intelligence agency, and the reshuffling of others in the first quarter of the year in connection to the same plot which involved an attempted hit on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist. There were indications that some more heads could roll, the people said, declining to provide details. Read more: India slams Canadian House's silence tribute to Khalistani terrorist Nijjar People familiar with developments had earlier said that Yadav was the official referred to as CC-1, a senior field officer responsible for intelligence, by US prosecutors in an indictment filed in a Manhattan court last November. Nijjars murder continues to plague the India-Canada relationship. While four Indian nationals have been arrested and charged by Canadian law enforcement in connection with the murder, investigators are yet to substantiate allegations of the involvement of Indian agents in the killing, though that remains part of the probe. Meanwhile, there may be other Indian nationals in Canadian custody linked to the killing of Nijjar or a possible attempt on the life of Pannun, the general counsel of New York-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Pannun too has been declared a terrorist by India and SFJ has been banned. Amandeep Singh, 22, was already in custody of Peel Regional Police (PRP) after being arrested on November 3, 2023, when he was charged in the Nijjar case this year. He was detained with four other men at Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area and is facing nine charges in connection with that arrest, including unauthorised possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance. These arrests came just a day before a wedding function in Brampton that Pannun was to attend. Amandeep Singh and the four others were arrested from near the venue of the function, which was for the son of pro-Khalistan activist Santokh Singh Khela. Pannun confirmed he ultimately didnt attend the wedding. I will let the Canadian government speak on the arrests, that who was target, since it seems this is an ongoing and complex investigation involving the Indian government also, he said. The four men arrested with Amandeep Singh were Ramanpreet Singh, 30, Maninder Singh, 21, Swaranpreet Singh, 20, and Jobanpreet Singh, 20. They havent been charged in connection with the Nijjar killing. Amandeep and Jobanpreet had a bail hearing on July 26 but were denied bail. According to a statement from PRP last November, officers from its Specialized Enforcement Bureau STEP Team arrested and charged Amandeep Singh and the four others during the course of two traffic stops. The first stop was in the city of Vaughan at around noon on November 3, which led to three arrests. The other two were arrested at around 3.44 pm from Brampton. PRPs Tactical Unit was also involved in the operation. Asked about further arrests in connection with Nijjars killing, a spokesperson for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) replied: The RCMP does not provide specific details, or confirm the possible involvement of any person, business or entity in any investigation until such time as charges have been laid. The investigation remains ongoing. In a first, the Centre has launched commercial cultivation of two non-transgenic varieties of herbicide-tolerant (HT) basmati rice, which have traits to withstand agrochemicals sprayed to eliminate weeds, aimed at promoting a paddy-cultivation method that saves water and cuts carbon footprint, the government scientist who developed the varieties said on Tuesday. HT basmati will be grown in the summer-sown season. (Shutterstock) The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), a flagship state-run body, allowed the release of Pusa Basmati 1979 and Pusa Basmati 1985 in May this year and these HT varieties are being cultivated for the first time in the current summer-sown season. HT crops have often attracted scrutiny for their potential impact on health and environment. A key concern cited by opponents is the rise of super weeds, or weeds that develop resistance and become difficult to control as a result of repeated herbicide use. Both the varieties have been given all statutory clearances, including by the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee and Food Safety and Standards Authority, Ashok Kumar Singh, the chief breeder, said. Singh formerly headed the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. He said the varieties were trialled on fields for three years to evaluate all safety parameters and to detect residue of the herbicide HT basmati is meant to withstand a chemical known as imazethapyr. There was no detectable residue in the crop. The grain itself is free from residues, Singh said. A group of farm activists has written to agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and also petitioned the Supreme Court to ban the herbicide that works on HT basmati, citing hazards. India allows imazethapyr but the EU prohibits its use. Most countries dont allow HT crops. The emergence of super weeds requiring more and more herbicide use and increased levels of residue in food are well documented. Imazethapyr is approved for soybean, not rice, farm activist Kavitha Kuruganti, one of the petitioners, said. On super weeds, Singh said any farm chemical would eventually run its course and new molecules are developed to overcome resistance. That doesnt mean you dont use the technology that gives you so many benefits, he said, stressing that imazethapyr is already widely used in 12 million hectares of soyabean grown in the country. HT basmati needs to be grown by directly sowing it in the soil, a key advantage because this method of planting saves water and produces less methane, a key contributor to global warming. Generally, rice saplings are grown in flooded nurseries before being transplanted on to fields. Paddy farming has alarmingly depleted groundwater in Punjab. According to the Central Ground Water Authority, the northern state is over extracting water to an extent that it is no longer replenishable. The annual extractable groundwater recharge in Punjab is 20 billion cubic metres (BCM), but the state utilises about 34 BCM. Basmati is Indias top agricultural-export produce. In 2022-23, the country shipped 4.56 million tonnes of the aromatic long grain valued at $4.78 billion. New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Delhi Police on Wednesday pressed for the custodial interrogation of controversial trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who is accused of falsifying her identity to secure additional attempts in the civil services examination. UPSC on Wednesday cancelled the provisional candidature of controversial probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar (File Photo) Seeking pre-arrest bail, Khedkar, however, maintained that the cheating charges against her are still a matter of inquiry and should be treated as such until a thorough investigation is conducted. Additional sessions judge (ASJ) Devender Kumar Jangala reserved his decision on Khedkars anticipatory bail plea, scheduling the pronouncement of the order for Thursday (August 1). Khedkar had been under scrutiny following complaints about alleged fake certificates and misconduct during her appointment as a probationary IAS officer in Pune. The case against Khedkar, who secured All India Rank 821 in the 2022 UPSC examination, was initiated after the Delhi Police filed a first information report (FIR) on July 19, based on a complaint from the UPSC. The Commission has accused her of breaching the sanctity of Indias premier examination by allegedly concealing information to gain an unfair advantage. Also Read: UPSC cancels candidature of probationary IAS Officer Puja Khedkar In her plea for anticipatory bail, Khedkar strongly argued that she should be given the opportunity to respond to the serious charges levelled against her. She highlighted that a show cause notice was issued by the UPSC on July 18, and within just one day, an FIR was lodged against her. On July 18, I was given a notice to show cause. The very next day they filed an FIR, and now they are insisting on my custodial interrogation. Why such swift action? I should be allowed to explain my position, and for that, I need anticipatory bail and a stay of arrest, her counsel, advocate Bina Madhavan, contended. To counter allegations concerning her disability status, Khedkar presented a disability certificate signed by eight doctors, confirming a 47% disability. She further pointed out that a board at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) also certified her as a person with benchmark disabilities. Madhavan further argued that Khedkars failure to disclose the number of exam attempts is a matter for inquiry, not immediate criminal action. The allegation is that I mentioned 5 attempts, whereas it should have been 12. However, given that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act was not applied in earlier attempts, I appeared under a different quota. Whether this was done in good faith needs to be investigated, she argued. Madhavan also claimed that Khedkar is being subjected to a witch hunt by the media and suggested that the case was initiated in retaliation for a sexual harassment complaint Khedkar had filed during her training. The Delhi Police, represented by special public prosecutor (SPP) Atul Srivastava, opposed the bail application, arguing that Khedkar might not cooperate with the investigation if granted anticipatory bail. Srivastava emphasised that Khedkar had cheated the UPSC by failing to disclose her previous nine attempts. Had she revealed the correct information, she would not have been allowed to appear for the exam, he contended. Srivastava further alleged that Khedkar had repeatedly changed her name to deceive the UPSC. When the court inquired about the necessity for her arrest and custodial interrogation, Srivastava responded that her shifting narratives warranted it, as the investigation was still in its early stages and much remained to be uncovered. Senior advocate Naresh Kaushik, representing the UPSC, also opposed Khedkars bail plea. Kaushik argued that Khedkar had openly admitted to the offense by acknowledging she provided incorrect information about her exam attempts. He told the court that Khedkar had abused the legal process to unlawfully secure employment, which not only constituted an offense against the UPSC but also against society by denying an eligible candidate the opportunity for employment. By her actions, she has breached the integrity of the examination system, showing complete disregard for UPSC rules, Kaushik argued. He also pointed out that Khedkar had altered the spelling of her name and even changed the names of her parents to deceive the system. After considering the arguments, the court reserved its decision, which is expected to be announced on Thursday. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Commission also cancelled the provisional candidature of Khedkar and permanently debarred her from all future examinations and selection procedures. Thane, Police have added charges under the SC/ST Atrocities Act against the accused in the case of alleged murder of a 20-year-old woman at Uran in Navi Mumbai, officials said on Wednesday. The accused in the case, Dawood Shaikh, was apprehended from Shahapur area of Gulbarga in neighbouring Karnataka on Tuesday morning. "He was brought to Navi Mumbai on Tuesday night following his arrest in Karnataka. He is presently in the custody of police in Belapur ," a senior police official told PTI. The accused will be presented in a court later in the day, he said. "The police have now added charges under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Act in the case of murder filed against Shaikh," another police official said. The woman's body was found in the wee hours of Saturday after her parents filed a missing persons report on July 25. The autopsy report confirmed that the victim died of multiple stab wounds, the police earlier said. A case under section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered against an unidentified person, and eight teams were formed to trace the accused. The police had initially detained several suspects whose information led them to Shaikh. According to police, the accused had lived in Uran for some time but went to Karnataka after the victim's father lodged a police complaint against him, and a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act was registered against him in 2019. The accused worked as a driver in the neighbouring state, and the victim remained in touch with him, the police said. A heated argument between the two may have led to the killing, but the exact motive behind the crime is being probed, they have said. Uran murder case: Police add charges under Atrocities Act against accused At least 151 people have been killed and dozens are still missing in the devastating landslides that struck Wayanad district in Kerala early Tuesday morning. The catastrophe has left Wayanad known for its picturesque tea estates crisscrossing the hilly countryside in ruins, with many houses destroyed and trees uprooted. Wayanad: Rescue operation underway after a landslide triggered by heavy monsoon rains, in Wayanad district, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (PTI) The tea plantations were among the worst hit by the two successive landslides that struck before dawn on Tuesday. Most of the 350 families living in the area, surrounded by tea and cardamom estates, were caught unaware as they slept. Recounted the harrowing night she experienced, a landslide victim told news agency ANI: I stay alone at my home. At night, I felt like my bed was shaking and I heard loud noises. I tried to call my neighbours, but nobody picked up the phone. I called my son, who lives in Coimbatore, who asked me to climb on top of the house and stay there. I couldnt open the door as it was jammed. I yelled for help. After some time, people came and broke the door with an axe and rescued me. When the second landslide came, my house also got swept away. Kerala's Athirapally Falls turns deadly amid torrential rains and landslides. Watch She said her relatives who stayed in Mundakkai died in the landslides. They all died, two of their bodies have been recovered, the rest six to seven are missing. Now I dont have a home, or land and cant go for a job either. I wont be able to build a home. I dont know what to do, she said. Several brick-walled row homes, built to accommodate seasonal workers, were inundated by a powerful wall of brown sludge, burying labourers and their families inside. Rescue workers searching for survivors and victims struggled to reach those trapped under the debris. The government was considering making a portable, pre-fabricated Bailey bridge to connect the affected area, after the main bridge to the nearest town of Chooralmala was destroyed. Four columns from DSC Centre, Kannur, and 122 TA Battalion are conducting combined rescue operations alongside NDRF and state rescue teams. With inputs from agencies Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said that rescue operations in Wayanad were underway at full scale in landslides-affected areas. Wayanad : Rescue operations underway after landslides were triggered by heavy monsoon rains. (PTI Photo) (PTI) He said that 191 people were still missing and rescue workers were making efforts to find them. Wayand district administration confirmed that rescue workers have recovered 160 bodies so far. The Indian Armys six columns, along with NDRF SDRF and district civil administration, are conducting rescue operations in the area and a temporary bridge on the Meppadi-Chooralmala Road will be built after deploying certain earth-moving equipment. Here's what we know so far about the Wayanad landslides Wayanad landslides updates: The Indian Army has given out the details of relief and rescue operations planned for the day in landslides-hit Wayanad district. Relief and rescue personnel from the Indian Army, Air Force and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continue to be stationed as nearly 150 people have died, and hundreds are still feared trapped under debris. The Indian Army personnel rescue stranded people and carry them to safer places on helicopters during a search and rescue operation following a devastating landslide that hit hilly villages triggered by heavy rainfall. (ANI Photo) (PRO Defence Trivandrum-X) For the rescue operations, all six columns of the Indian Army will execute rescue operations in conjunction with the NDRF and the district civil administration. Construction of a temporary bridge on the Meepadi - Chooralmala Road will commence after inducting certain earth moving equipments. These will be airlifted from the other side of the road as the road was washed away in the landslide. Also read | More disasters can be expected in these areas, says top ecologist Indian Air Force's C-17 Globemaster, the large military transport aircraft, loaded with bridging materials, has left the Hindon airbase from Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad. An advance group from the army Madras Engineers Group (MEG) is already conducting reconnaissance on the Meppadi-Chooralmala Road to establish the requirement for bridge resources in the affected areas. They have established a control centre for coordinating the Indian Army's Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts, supported by the Commandant of the DSC Centre. Around 9.30 am, an ariel reconnaissance will be undertaken by Brigadier Segan and ETF Commander. Four columns from Defence Security Corps centre, Kannur and 122 TA Battalion are already conducting combined rescue operations alongside NDRF and state rescue teams. Around 1,000 individuals have been rescued and around 70 bodies have been recovered by the Indian army. A fresh HADR column from the army's Gorkha regiment from Bangalore's Chamarajanagar has left for Wayanad, around 157 km away, and is expected to reach the region by 10.30 am. (With ANI inputs) Scientists have said the devastating Wayanad landslides in Kerala could be the result of a combination of climate change, excessive mining and loss of forest cover in the region. Landslides in Wayanad may be a result of climate change and environmental neglect, say scientists (Photo by R. J. Mathew / AFP)(AFP) Also Read: Wayanad landslides: Rahul Gandhi urges govt to extend all possible support On Tuesday, heavy rain set off a series of landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district, leaving more than 120 people dead and 128 injured. Many are still feared to be trapped under debris. The Met Office said more heavy rainfall could occur in some places in the state over the next two days. Also Read: Heavy rain, dense fog, absence of key bridge hamper rescue efforts in Keralas Wayanad According to the landslide atlas released by the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) National Remote Sensing Centre in 2023, 10 out of the 30 most landslide-prone districts in India were located in Kerala, with Wayanad ranked 13th. Also Read: Wayanad landslide: 106 dead, rescue teams face rain, terrain challenges | 10 points Scientists have identified a mix of causes for the landslides - namely loss of forests, climate change and excessive mining. Loss of green cover A 2021 study on landslide hotspots in India revealed that 59 per cent of the total landslides in Kerala occurred in plantation areas. In 2022 as well, a study on the depleting forest cover in Wayanad showed that 62 per cent of forests in the district disappeared between 1950 and 2018 while plantation cover rose by around 1,800 per cent. The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, said around 85 per cent of the total area of Wayanad was under forest cover until the 1950s. Loss of forests increase the fragility of the terrain, especially in areas prone to heavy rains in the western ghats. Climate change S Abhilash, director of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), pointed towards the warming of the Arabian Sea as one of the causes for the extremely heavy and unpredictable rain patterns in the state. "Our research found that the southeast Arabian Sea is becoming warmer, causing the atmosphere above this region, including Kerala, to become thermodynamically unstable," he told news agency PTI. Abhilash said that scientists have noticed a trend of deep cloud systems forming due to the warming of the Arabian sea, which causes extremely heavy spells of rain in shorter periods of time, increasing the risk of landslides, especially when these intrude into land. He said that this pattern of rainfall has been observed since the 2019 Kerala floods. Research by Abhilash and other scientists published in Climate and Atmospheric Science journal in 2022 found that rainfall over the west coast of India was becoming more convective - intense rains in shorter periods. Environmental neglect and mining Since 2011, the "Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel" set up by the government under ecologist Madhav Gadgil, has recommended that the Wayanad hill ranges be declared ecologically sensitive. The panel also said that the region needed to be divided into zones based on their ecological sensitivity, where the most vulnerable sections needed to be monitored and protected him from rampant commercial activity. They recommended a ban on mining, quarrying, new thermal power plants, hydropower projects and large-scale wind energy projects in ecologically sensitive zone 1. The suggestions made by the panel have not been implemented even after 14 years due to resistance from state governments, industries and local communities. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi postponed their visit to landslides-hit villages in Wayanad district in Kerala, after the concerned officials informed that the leaders will not be able to land safely due to incessant rain in the region. On Tuesday, the party's organisation secretary KC Venugopal had said both the leaders were expected to visit the region as early as possible. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra with Rahul Gandhi during the latters roadshow ahead of filing his nomination for the Lok Sabha polls in Keralas Wayanad in April 2024. (AP File Photo) The leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha announced the decision in a post on social media platform X (formerly twitter). I want to assure the people of Wayanad that we will visit as soon as possible. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide all necessary assistance. Our thoughts are with the people of Wayanad at this difficult time, the post added. Explaining their inability to travel, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also posted that their hearts are with the people of Wayanad during this difficult time. My brothers and Sisters in Wayanad, even though we cannot come to Wayanad tomorrow, our hearts are with you at this tragic hour, and we are praying for all of you, she said. In Wayanad, death toll due to the disaster has claimed almost 148 lives so far and many are still feared to be missing or trapped under mud and debris. Relief and rescue personnel from the army, air force, NDRF and the state level officials continue to monitor rescue operations. Incessant rainfall and dense fog continue to hamper rescue operations. The collapse of a key connecting bridge over the Iruvazhinji river, which completely cut off Mundakkai village, has added to the challenge of rescue workers. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert in Wayanad and neighbouring districts, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall on July 31 and August 1 and heavy rainfall for August 2. All educational institutions have been closed on Wednesday, July 31. According to Onmanorama, a holiday has also been declared in 11 districts - Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta. Also read | More disasters can be expected in these areas, says top ecologist Rahul Gandhi was an MP representing Wayanad constituency in the 17th Lok Sabha from 2019 to 2024. In 2024 general elections, he secured a second term from the seat with a landslide victory by gaining over 3,60,000 votes. The Congress leader recently gave up the seat to retain his seat from Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli. His sister Priyanka Gandhi will contest the seat when by-polls are scheduled by the Election Commissoin of India (ECI). Indian Air Force vice chief Air Marshal AP Singh on Wednesday said that the air exercise Tarang Shakti will be the largest international air exercise ever conducted in India, with invitations extended to 51 countries. Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30MKIs in action as it undertakes night air operations during the Exercise Pitch Black 2024, in Darwin on July 24 (ANI Photo)(Indian Air Force-X) The Indian Air Force has received confirmation from ten countries for participation with their assets and 18 countries as observers for the international exercise, which will be held in two phases. This exercise aims to strengthen strategic relations with our friends from the international community. Complex missions are planned to enhance our mutual understanding of air operations. It is an excellent opportunity for all of us to share our best practices with each other, said Vice Chief Air Marshal AP Singh. Phase one of the exercise will be conducted at Sulur in Tamil Nadu from August 6 to August 14 and four countries including France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom will participate with their assets. Read: Question mark hangs over new Tejas fighter jets delivery timeline However, phase two will be held at Jodhpur in Rajasthan from September 1 to 14 and it will see participation from Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Singapore, UAE and the USA with their assets. We will see assets like F-18, A-18, C-130 aircraft, F-16 aircraft, A-10, KC-130 aircraft, KC-135 aircraft along with all the assets of the Indian Air Force taking part in this exercise. Eurofighter Typhoon and Rafale from other countries will also be taking part, said Vice Chief Air Marshal AP Singh added. The Indian Navy will also be participating in phase one of the air exercise with MiG-29K aircraft, said the vice chief marshal, adding that another objective of the event is to showcase the booming indigenous defence ecosystem in India. In the flying part of the exercise, assets like Tejas, Prachand, Dhruv, and Rudra will be participating actively, showcasing India's ability with indigenous products. In line with India's goal to become a developed nation by 2047 and to take our defence cooperation with our friendly neighbours and countries to the next level, we will showcase our capabilities in defence research and production, Air Marshal AP Singh said. India's first international air exercise Tarang Shakti 2024 aims to boost military cooperation and highlight Indias defence industry, supporting the countrys vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). The exercise will have a variety of aircraft from homegrown models like the LCA Tejas to advanced fighters like the Rafale and Sukhoi. The event will also feature a defence industrial expo that will showcase top Indian defence companies and innovative startups. This comes after the Indian Air Force participated in the second edition of Air Exercise Red Flag from June 4 to 14 in Alaska. Indian Rafales joined Singaporean and American aircraft in joint exercises, which included beyond-visual-range combat scenarios in offensive counter-air and air defence roles, as part of large-scale force engagements. Enhancing collaboration and expertise The exercise also focuses on fostering interoperability and facilitating professional exchanges between the participating forces. It offers a valuable opportunity for air forces to exchange best practices and deepen their understanding of contemporary aerial combat strategies. With a varied mix of countries and aircraft involved, the exercise ensures a broad and insightful sharing of knowledge and skills. The defence exposition will include displays from public sector undertakings and private companies. Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said that there was nothing wrong in asking about the caste of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Union minister Kiren Rijiju arrives to attend the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi on July 31.(PTI) The statement comes a day after a row erupted in the Lok Sabha over the remarks of BJP MP Anurag Thakur in the House on Tuesday that people whose caste is unknown are talking about the caste census. Thakur, who was attacking the Opposition over the issue of caste census, later clarified that he said that someone who doesnt know about caste talks about census and added that he did not name anyone even as the uproar continued and Congress leaders demanded his apology. On Wednesday, as Congress MPs continued their protest in the Parliament over Thakur's comments, Rijiju accused Gandhi of attempting to "divide the country" on caste lines. Rijiju also claimed that Congress leaders keep asking people's caste day in and day out. "By asking the caste of people, the Congress has conspired to divide the country, and when there was talk about Rahul Gandhi's caste, there was so much protest," he told reporters, according to PTI. The Congress talks of caste day in and day out. When he (Rahul Gandhi) meets mediapersons, he asks their caste, he asks the caste of armed forces personnel, he asks people's caste during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. They can ask about the caste of the people, but no one can ask about his caste. What is this? Rijiju added. Akhilesh Yadav also supported Rahul Gandhi. Are they above the country and Parliament? The Parliamentary Affairs minister also accused the Congress of conspiring to weaken the country and democracy and economy and asserted that the BJP will not allow the Congress to succeed in its efforts to divide people. "The Congress wants to spread violence from the streets to Parliament," he alleged. Meanwhile, Union minister Ramdas Athawale also said while the opposition has been demanding a caste census, there was no harm in asking for Rahul Gandhi's caste. He said, "You were in power for 70 years. Why did you not carry out a caste census?" (Inputs from PTI) Automobile aficionados of a certain vintage will tell you that they dont make cars like they used to, cars that could be hung at the Louvre. The Jaguar E-type, Lamborghini Countach, Ferrari 250GT From Audemars Piguet to Berneron, finding beauty in asymmetry Design-focused watch aficionados are also known to nurse a similar kind of grievance, and it takes only one look at the recently launched Audemars Piguet (RE)Master 02 to understand why. The (RE)Master 02 is a window into an age in which watch design was less fettered by commercial pressures and designers experimented boldly, creating watches with uncommon case shapes, striking dials and elaborate lugs. Audemars Piguet The timepiece pays homage to the 5159BA, a Brutalist-inspired model that was part of a group of asymmetrical models released by the watchmaker in extremely limited quantities in the late 1950s. The AP has an asymmetrical, rectangular case, a gorgeous assemblage of sharp corners and facets, and resolute lugs that evoke the austere architectural form it pays tribute to. There are, at this moment, not too many watches like the (RE)Master02, and thats a pity because what emerged out of the ateliers of Patek Philippe, AP, Vacheron Constantin and Cartier in the post-WWII era was a sparkling display of originality. A lot of that creative efflorescence can be attributed to the febrile imagination of a man named Gilbert Albert. Albert, a jeweller by training and a hobby entomologist, joined Patek Philippe in 1955 at the age of 25, and, encouraged by Henri Stern, the companys then president, designed some of the most captivating watch cases ever produced. Albert, who passed away in 2019, felt watch cases neednt always be round or even rectangular. They could inhabit several shapes, from rhomboid to triangular, and in the case of pocket and pendant watches, bear nicknames such as Flying Saucer and Television. Gilbert Albert Ricochet Before he moved on to primarily designing jewellery, the much feted jeweller, an admirer of the Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi and Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, would design out-there stuff such as the Ricochet pocket watch and the ref 3424 Rhomboid 3, an asymmetric mens watch with a rakish elegance. Roni Madhvani has been lucky enough to own a couple of them. Madhvani, who is based in Uganda and part of the eponymous family that runs one of East Africas largest diversified private sector conglomerates, is much admired for his collection of mid-20th century time-only watches from watchmakings holy trinity and Cartier. His four decade-long fascination with vintage and design-genre watches was born when he saw a ref. 3424 Patek Philippe Gilbert Albert from the 1950s in a now defunct auctioneers catalogue. Madhvani says he saved up for eight years to acquire that particular watch. Patek Philippe The end of WW-II in 1945 unleashed a torrent of creativity not just in watch design but throughout the arts following wartime austerity and sobriety, says Madhvani. The next two decades represented the belle epoque of watch design when boundaries were pushed from the traditional ethos. There was no conformity to adhering to manufacturing processes or standardisation and watchmakers engaged with individual case- and dial makers. The unsung heroes of watch design such as Gilbert Albert were able to express their creativity within this context. This was before watch brands adopted manufacturing processes and shied away from pushing the envelope of design because of commercial risk and fear of failure, he says. Geneva-based watch industry consultant Oliver Muller says that most successful watch brands today dont really innovate in terms of design and rely more on their product icons such as the Nautilus at Patek Philippe or the Royal Oak at Audemars Piguet. Both the timepieces, he reminds us, were designed by the same man : Gerald Genta. Grooming icons works better for institutional brands rather than creating new ones because they are a lot more well established than they used to be 60 years ago, says Muller. And lets face it, the most iconic architecture, or cars, or watches are all rooted in the 1950 to the 1970s. Porsche never managed to reinvent a new 911 and neither has Patek redesigned a new Nautilus. Quite naturally, it is difficult to imagine a place for a Gilbert Albert in todays largely incremental and corporatised world of watch design, but Madhvani says he has spotted a revival of creativity with brands such as Berneron and Anoma. Berneron.. UK-based Anoma marked its debut last month with the $1,700 ( 1.42 lakh) A1 whose triangular case takes after the shape of a table designed by Charlotte Perriand in the 1950s. Sylvain Bernerons Mirage, on the other hand, has a melting face that is housed in a white or yellow gold case and is designed using the principles of the Golden Ratio. The Mirage, which costs about $60,000 ( 50 lakh), has a manually wound movement that follows the exact shape of the case. It might remind you of the Cartier Crash, the original surrealist masterpiece, but there is no doubting that it is a watch with a rare attribute: personality. After their grand wedding, newlyweds Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant were recently seen at the Paris 2024 Olympics, soaking up the vibrant atmosphere alongside family members Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani, and Anand Piramal. The Ambani family, including Reliance Foundation chairperson and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Nita Ambani, are attending the ongoing games. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant were spotted enjoying the Paris 2024 Olympics in style.(Instagram) For their Paris outing, the newlyweds opted for chic and comfy casual outfits, a refreshing contrast to their elaborate wedding attire. However with the Ambanis, one thing is certaintheir fashion game is always on point, and their recent looks were no exception. Let's decode their chic appearance and take some style notes from their recent looks. (Also read: Nita Ambani is a vision in stunning Manish Malhotra's lotus pink handmade saree at Paris Olympics 2024. Check photos ) Radhika stuns in orange dress, Anant sported tropical look Their pictures and videos from the event quickly went viral on social media, garnering tons of likes and comments. In the video, the newlyweds can be seen looking effortlessly stylish. Radhika's look proves that comfort and style can go hand in hand. Her dress, in a vibrant shade of orange, features a square neckline, buttoned embellishments on the bust, a striking backless design, a flared bottom, and a mini hemline. She accessorised with a white crossbody sling bag and white shoes. Sporting a no-makeup look and her hair tied in a low ponytail, she perfectly finished off her chic appearance. On the other hand, Anant Ambani caught everyone's eye with a striking tropical print shirt paired with relaxed black pants and trendy shoes, perfectly blending style with comfort. His laid-back demeanour suggested he was thoroughly enjoying the event. Mukesh Ambani, the family patriarch, donned a classic blue and white vertically striped shirt, looking deeply engaged in the proceedings. Isha Ambani, seated in front of the newlyweds, sported a white dress that radiated a summery vibe, while her husband, Anand Piramal, chose a casual white shirt. About Anant-Radhika wedding Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant are currently revelling in their newlywed bliss. The couple, who tied the knot on July 12, made their first appearance as a married couple in Jamnagar, Gujarat. They received a warm welcome from the locals and heartfelt congratulations from friends and family. The Ambanis celebrated one of the most talked-about weddings in recent times. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 'Shubh Aashirwad' ceremony, offering his blessings to the newlyweds a day after their wedding. Autoimmune hepatitis is a condition when the immune system of the body starts to attack the liver instead. Joint pain, abdominal discomfort and fatigue are the most common symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Rohit Mehtani. Assistant Professor, Department of Hepatology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, said that when the immune system attacks the liver, it can lead to swelling and scarring of the liver. The doctor further explained the early signs, risk factors and treatment options of autoimmune hepatitis. Joint pain, abdominal discomfort and fatigue are the most common symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis.(Unsplash) ALSO READ: Truth about viral hepatitis: Facts, myths and stigma Autoimmune hepatitis: Early signs It may be discovered in an otherwise asymptomatic person, who notices increased AST and ALT levels during routine blood investigations. Patients may also develop acute hepatitis which is characterized by anorexia, fever, nausea, vomiting, myalgias and jaundice. Up to one-fourth of patients of AIH have underlying cirrhosis, i.e. end stage liver disease at the time of first diagnosis. Patients with cirrhosis can present with blood in vomiting or stools, jaundice, fluid in the abdomen or confusion/unconsciousness. The most severe form of presentation is with acute liver failure, in which patients develop confusion, drowsiness or coma after the onset of acute hepatitis, said Dr Rohit Mehtani. ALSO READ: World Hepatitis Day: 9 tips for a healthy liver Autoimmune hepatitis: Risk factors The exact cause of autoimmune hepatitis is unknown. However, people with autoimmune conditions like vitiligo, type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Lupus, or celiac disease, have an increased risk of developing autoimmune hepatitis. Autoimmune hepatitis: Diagnosis and treatment Autoimmune Hepatitis should be considered whenever the cause of liver disease is not clear. Blood tests to check for presence of immunoglobulins (IgG) and auto-antibodies (ANA, SMA, LKM-1, etc.) help in distinguishing AIH from other liver diseases. The treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis involves medicines like steroids and azathioprine which suppress the immune system, further slowing or stopping the progression of disease and reversing the scarring of the liver. However, patients with advanced cirrhosis and liver failure are advised to go for liver transplant. ALSO READ: Give your liver a high five: Garlic to green tea, check out this list of 15 foods to boost liver health The International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently delivered a historic decision on Israels occupation of the Palestinian territory in the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem case. The ICJ held that Israels continued occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) is a violation of international law and that Israel must withdraw from the OPT as rapidly as possible. In many ways, this verdict is a sequel to the decision rendered by the ICJ in 2004 in the famous Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestine Territory (the Wall) case. In this case, the ICJ had opined that Israels construction of a wall on Palestinian soil cutting through Palestinian communities violated international law. This photograph shows a general view of the courtroom during a non-binding ruling on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on July 19, 2024. (Photo by Lina Selg / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (AFP) The present case can be called the Wall Plus decision, as international lawyer Marko Milanovic puts it. This case is due to the United Nations General Assembly invoking ICJs advisory jurisdiction in January 2023 and seeking its opinion on two questions: What are the legal consequences arising from the ongoing violation by Israel of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, from its prolonged occupation, settlement, and annexation of Palestinian territory occupied since 1967? And, how do the policies and practices of Israel affect the legal status of the occupation, and what are the legal consequences that arise for all States and the UN from this status? In answering these questions, as an essential starting point, the ICJ held that the decisive criterion to determine if a territory is occupied under international law is whether the occupier exercises effective control, not just physical military presence. In 2004, Israel undertook unilateral disengagement by withdrawing its army from the Gaza Strip. Yet, the ICJ held that Israel continues to exercise effective control over the Gaza Strip and thus has obligations under the law of occupation. Accordingly, the ICJ found that Israel, as the occupier, is bound by international human rights law (IHRL) in the OPT. A core component of IHRL is non-discrimination. The ICJ held that Israels actions as an occupying power to treat Palestinian people differently without any justification based on reasonable and objective criteria is discriminatory and a violation of IHRL. Specifically, Israels actions of a near-complete separation between the settlers and the Palestinian communities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem violate Article 3 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which prohibits racial segregation and apartheid. Despite this finding, intriguingly, the court did not use the term apartheid and did not call Israel an apartheid State. The ICJ also declared illegal Israels settlement policies, such as the transfer of its civilian population to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, exploitation of Palestines natural resources, forced displacement of the Palestine population, and violence against Palestinians. On the question of annexation of the OPT, the court held that under the law of occupation, the occupying power must exercise temporary control over the occupied territory. However, Israels conduct in the OPT, such as maintenance of settlements and construction activities, over the years, demonstrates its assertion of permanent control over the occupied territory. This amounts to annexation and violates the cardinal principle of international law of non-acquisition of territory using force. Moreover, the prolonged effect of Israels unlawful actions accentuates the violation of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. The ICJ held that Israels abuse of its position as an occupying power and continued frustration with the Palestinian peoples right to self-determination triggers international responsibility. Thus, Israel is under an obligation to end its occupation as soon as possible. It must also provide full reparation, including returning land and seized immovable property since its occupation in 1967. Another critical dimension of the case is the legal consequences for third States. The ICJ held that all countries are obliged not to recognise as legal the situation arising from Israels unlawful presence in the OPT. They should not render aid or assistance to Israel that helps it maintain its illegal presence in the OPT. One hopes the US and the other West European nations read this. Though ICJs advisory opinions are not binding, they carry great legal and moral weight. Moreover, one should not lose sight of the larger global context in which this decision has been rendered. Israel and its leadership are already battling various court cases and are under incessant attack for violating international law. While no one accepts that Israel will put an end to its unlawful occupation of the OPT or even halt its ongoing military offensive, this case indeed adds to the already momentous pressure on Israel to comply with its international law obligations. Prabhash Ranjan is a professor at the Jindal Global Law School and a Humboldt Fellow.The views expressed are personal It appears that viruses just cant stay out of our news, or noses, this season. Even as the Olympics started with a spectacular parade, news of Nipah and Chandipura viruses leading a parade of fresh microbial outbreaks in the country have jostled for space in the media. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned us that Covid-19 is still causing deaths around the world. Apart from these marquee listings, teams of common cold and flu viruses march under many flags to ensure that the parade of infections proceeds without a pause. Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu Health workers check the temperature of passengers as a bus from Kerala enters the state amid the spread of Nipah virus, in Coimbatore district, Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (PTI07_23_2024_000158B) (PTI) Why are so many of the virus outbreaks zoonotic (transmitted to us from animal hosts)? It is not because animals have suddenly turned malevolent towards humans, determined to win back their violated territories through microbial weapons of mass destruction. It is because humans have created conveyor belts for viral transmission from forest-dwelling wildlife to free-living or captive-bred animal populations and then on to humans. Extensive deforestation, large-scale livestock breeding for meat and dairy consumption, and export of exotic animals and pets, coupled with extensive human travel within and between countries, create opportunities for viruses to leap into vulnerable human bodies anywhere in the world. Their ability, especially notable among respiratory viruses, to speedily mutate means that records of infectivity and immune escape will keep getting broken. The climate crisis is now accelerating the process by which viral zoonoses spread across the world. With rising temperatures and depleting freshwater supplies, animals and humans are migrating to lands outside their usual habitat. This creates scenarios of unfamiliar encounters between species that hitherto were strangers to each other. This mingling opens up opportunities for virus spillover to new animal hosts that may offer shelter or suffer serious illness because of these pathogens. Either way, the chain of transmission extends further to humans. As science writer Ed Yong said recently in the pages of The Atlantic, we have created the age of Pandemicene as we transitioned from the Holocene to the Anthropocene. A team of scientists led by Colin Carlson, a global change biologist at Georgetown University, recently profiled climate crisis-propelled flight paths of potential virus spillovers across species as we journey into the future. Their seminal publication, in Nature, warns us that at least 10,000 species of viruses have the ability to infect humans. At present, the majority of them are circulating only amongst wild animals. Disruption of natural ecological barriers opens many gates for their transmission to other species, including humans. Moreover, the climate crisis is leading to animal and human migration on a large scale, creating unforeseen encounters between many species across multiple geographies. Viruses clearly love the emergence of such novel social platforms connecting animal species that were strangers to each other till the climate crisis drove them close. Carlsons group created a phylogeographical model of interactions between displaced mammals and viruses in different climate crisis and land-use scenarios. They project a geographical range shift for 3,139 mammalian species by 2070 and predict that species will aggregate in new combinations at high elevations, biodiversity hotspots and in areas of high human population density in Asia and Africa. They forecast that this will result in cross-species transfer of viruses an estimated 4,000 times. Ebola, which was previously confined to West Africa, is likely to become pan-African. Similarly, South Asia will see zoonotic viruses moving well beyond their previously defined zones. The study predicts that, even under optimistic scenarios for the climate crisis, there will be around 300,000 first encounters between species that never interacted before, leading to about 15,000 spillovers during which viruses will gain entry into new mammalian hosts that were naive to them. Carlson and colleagues caution us that these ecological transitions are already underway, even before we have reached or breached the barrier of 2C rise in global temperatures that the Paris Agreement set for 2100. Carlson and colleagues nicknamed their research The Iceberg Study, indicating that the present surge of zoonotic infections is a mere fraction of the dangers that the world will face in the future from species jumping viruses. Among mammalian species, bats (flying mammals) are bandmasters of the zoonotic virus parade. They will account for the majority of virus dispersal pathways that lead to spillovers. SARS CoV-2 was first isolated from bats living in caves around Wuhan. The long-distance flight capacity of bats enables them to respond quickly to the climate crisis and makes them an efficient courier service for virus transport. Their feeding habits result in fruits being contaminated by their secretions, as in the case of the Nipah virus. The highly diverse bat populations of Southeast Asia will remain a major source of pandemic threats. Carlson and colleagues mapped out threats related to the migration of terrestrial mammals. But, spillovers of viruses and other microbes occur in birds and aquatic species, too. Birds harbour and transport several species of influenza viruses. Patterns of seasonal avian migration are changing as familiar nesting grounds are less welcoming. Insects, which feed on the blood of mammals, also move to new habitats to seek suitable levels of temperature and humidity. The climate crisis is stirring up all of those cauldrons. The Iceberg Study communicates the urgency of putting the brakes on the unfolding of the climate crisis. Simultaneously, we must strengthen One Health microbial surveillance systems, linking information across multiple species and multiple locations. We should use Artificial Intelligence to predict potential mammalian and avian migration pathways and identify probable microbial spillover events. We must prepare our health systems to ably anticipate, abort and attenuate new pandemic threats. Having sighted the iceberg, we need to steer around it. K Srinath Reddy is distinguished professor of public health and past president, Public Health Foundation of India.The views expressed are personal The United States (US) International Commission for Religious Freedom has yet again criticised India for the decline in religious freedom, in its 2023 report. Releasing the report, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said, In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities. The new amendments proposed to the Uttar Pradesh conversion law give legitimacy to such criticism. The Indian government rejected the report as biased and one driven by vote bank politics. But the bigger question is what moral authority does the US have to deliver sermons to us on religious freedom? Shouldnt current events in the secular US not be termed efforts to make it a Christian nation? The 2022 overruling of the progressive Roe v. Wade (1974) is a reflection of the religiosity of Americas judges (Photo by Marco BELLO / AFP) (AFP) The Bible is an indispensable historical and cultural touchstone, said Oklahoma state superintendent of public instruction Ryan Walters on June 28 through a State Board of Education press release. He said that, without basic knowledge of the Bible, Oklahoma students would be unable to properly contextualise the foundation of their nation. Accordingly, Grades V to XII classrooms must mandatorily have a Bible, from which teachers are now required to teach. On June 19, Louisiana came up with a similar law that required all public schools in the state to have the Ten Commandments displayed in classrooms. The Non-Establishment Clause of the First Amendment (1791) explicitly says that the US Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. It was originally applicable only to the federal government, but, through the 14th amendment (1868), it was extended to the states as well. Till 1949, as many as 37 states had some kind of Bible reading in public schools, with 12 mandating this through legal provisions. New York, in 1955, merely recommended (not made compulsory) a prayer: Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence on Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers, and our country. In 2015, almost an identical prayer was made mandatory in central schools in India, and a challenge to this is pending with the Supreme Court (SC). In 1962, Steven Engel, a Jewish parent in the US, was upset to see his son reciting the New York prayer and challenged it as a violation of the freedom of religion. In the pathbreaking Engel v. Vitale (1962) ruling, the US Supreme Court, by a 6:1 majority, declared it unconstitutional. In 1963, in another historic verdict (Abington School District v. Schempp), the mandatory collective reading of the Bible was declared unlawful. True secularism permits freedom for all religions, and also freedom from religion itself. The US is believed to be much ahead of us as a secular nation, but there have been disturbing pronouncements from its judiciary. In spite of its Constitution explicitly separating church and State, in Zorach v. Clauson (1952), Justice William O Douglas observed, We are a religious people, whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being. The US Senate has a chaplain, and in its armed services, prayer breakfasts are routine. What is most interesting to note is that in the highest court of supposedly the most secular country, public sessions are opened by a functionary bellowing, God Save This Honourable Court. Many Americans believed that the Civil War was divine punishment for not mentioning Christianity in the Constitution and a Christian nation amendment to rectify the mistake of the Founding Fathers was formally moved in 1864. A decade later, it was voted down by the House Judiciary Committee. As late as 1950, it was proposed to add that the constitution devoutly recognises the Authority of Law of Jesus Christ, Saviour and Ruler of all nations. In the US, there is a substantial subsidy in the form of exemption from taxes for the properties of the church. Even books in religious schools are subsidised, justified by calling it aid to the students rather than aid to the church. No such provision exists in India, and the proposal to invoke Gods name in the Constitutions preamble was voted down by the Constituent Assembly. Justice David J Brewer of the Supreme Court in Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States (1892) held that America is a Christian nation. The US Supreme Court, in Vidal v. Girard Executors (1939), held America is a Christian country, and, in US v. Macintosh (1931), observed that the country was filled with Christian people. Several American presidents have admitted to a Christian character of their country. Woodrow Wilson said, America was a born Christian nation, while Harry Truman observed, This is a Christian nation. Richard Nixon had remarked, Let us remember that as a Christian nationwe have a charge and a destiny. The religiosity of Americas judges is also reflected in other matters. The 2022 overruling of the progressive Roe v. Wade (1974) guaranteeing abortion rights to women is a recent pointer. Unlike the US, no court or high constitutional dignitary has ever proclaimed India a Hindu rashtra. In fact, in 1973 itself when the word secular was not there in the Preamble, secularism was held to be the basic structure of the Constitution. In 1994, in Yeshwant Prabhoo (1996), SC merely held that appeal in the name of Hindutva is not religion and appeal in its name is not a corrupt electoral practice. Faizan Mustafa is vice-chancellor of Chanakya National Law University, Patna.The views expressed are personal Godrej Properties Ltd has announced that it has acquired around 46-acre land parcel in Indore. The development on this land will primarily comprise plotted residential units and will offer an estimated saleable area of around 1.16 million square feet, the company said in a regulatory filing on July 31. Godrej Properties Ltd has announced that it has acquired around 46-acre land parcel in Indore. (Representational photo)(Pixabay) The land is located just off Indore-Ujjain Road, a major upcoming corridor of Indore, that is slated to be widened to a 6-lane highway and an important residential and commercial area in the city. Also Read: Godrej Properties sells around 650 homes for more than 2000 crore in Noida The location offers good connectivity to key landmarks such as the Indore International Airport, Indore Junction railway station, educational institutes, and medical infrastructure, the company said in a regulatory filing. The proposed expansion of Metro lines, the growth of corporate and IT sectors, and ongoing infrastructure development have further contributed to the growth of the residential real estate market in the city, it said. Also Read: Godrej Properties wins bid for group housing plot for 506 crore in Sector 44, Noida We are happy to announce our entry in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Residential plotted development has gained significant traction in recent years and the Indore-Ujjain Road is a promising micro-market to expand our presence in this space," said Gaurav Pandey, MD and CEO, Godrej Properties. "This aligns well with our ongoing growth strategy of entering fast-growing cities from a plotted development perspective. We will aim to build an outstanding sustainable community that delivers long-term value to its residents and taps into Indore's growth potential," he said. The real estate company has a major presence in the Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region), Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Pune and Bengaluru markets. In the last financial year, Godrej Properties emerged as the largest listed real estate firm in terms of sales bookings by selling properties worth over 22,000 crore. Also Read: Godrej Properties sales bookings in FY24 cross 22,500 crore, up 84% year-on-year The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will be launching its next housing lottery with 2,000 affordable homes in Mumbai city, Sanjeev Jaiswal, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MHADA told HT.com Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will be launching its next housing lottery with 2,000 affordable homes in Mumbai city, Sanjeev Jaiswal, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MHADA told HT.com(Mehul R Thakkar/HT) Of the total 2,000 affordable homes that will be offered through a draw of lots, majority will be for the lower income group (LIG), mid-income group (MIG), and the economically weaker section (EWS), Jaiswal said. There will be few homes in the higher income group (HIG) as well. A few premium 3 BHK apartments in Goregaon will also be sold in the MHADA lottery 2024, Jaiswal added. "We are aiming to come up with the lottery for Mumbai in September and the final announcement will be made in a few days," said Jaiswal. Also Read: BJP MLA surrenders MHADA lottery flat at Tardeo for financial reasons How to apply for MHADA lottery 2024? According to MHADA officials the application procedure for MHADA lottery 2024 is completely online and homebuyers can keep a track of lottery related updates on https://housing.mhada.gov.in/ MHADA has also developed a mobile application where applicants need to register themselves. Once the registration of the individual is complete, he or she can apply for the MHADA lottery 2024 when it goes live in the coming days. Also Read: MHADA lists 20 buildings as extremely dangerous in South Mumbai, asks residents to move out before monsoon hits Price and locations for apartments in MHADA lottery 2024 According to MHADA officials, the price of homes in the EWS category usually starts from around 30 lakh and for 3 BHK apartments in HIG category the price may go up to above 1 crore. The highest price will be for the 3 BHK apartments under the HIG category. Sources said the price for the 3 BHK is not yet finalized but it may cross the 1 crore mark. Income slabs Those with a family income of up to 6 lakh per annum can apply for a home under the EWS category. Those with an income between 6 lakh and 9 lakh can apply under the LIG category. For those with a family income between 9 lakh to 12 lakh can apply under the MIG category and those with family income above 12 lakh per annum can apply under the HIG category. Also Read: MHADA auctions five plots for over 192 crore in Mumbai, Medanta Hospital secures Oshiwara plot for 125 crore The annual income of a husband and wife is considered as family income for the purpose of MHADA lottery, according to officials. The income of individuals' parents or siblings is not considered as family income, officials added. MHADA lottery 2023 Under the MHADA lottery 2023, the state housing authority had sold 4,082 affordable homes spread across Mumbai city. MHADA had received more than 1 lakh applications for over 4,000 homes. Also Read: Budget 2024: Will real estate developers turn focus on affordable housing after revival of interest subsidy scheme? Paytm, a pioneer in mobile payments, QR technology, and Soundbox, has been at the forefront of innovation and solving for the convenience of millions of countrys merchants, garnering a loyal base for its products and services suite. This next-generation two-in-one payment device combines NFC technology with mobile QR payments. The payment brands ongoing pursuit towards delivering superior technology to its merchant partners has garnered the trust and loyalty of Indias top retail brands, including Hyderabad-based Karachi Bakery, renowned across the country for its delectable fruit biscuits. In a recent live discussion with Paytms Founder and CEO, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Abdul, the store manager of Karachi Bakery, detailed how Paytms ongoing innovations, particularly with products like the Soundbox, have greatly enhanced business operations across its retail stores, resulting in faster and more seamless checkouts. Earlier when it was just QR-based payments, we had to cross-check whether the payment had come through, leading to a slower checkout experience. With the introduction of voice-based payment confirmation through the Soundbox, the success of payment was clear to both the customer and the merchant at the counter, leading to a much faster checkout experience, Abdul said. As Paytm introduces new features to its iconic Soundbox, this device has quickly become an essential fixture on merchants' countertops. On Tuesday, Paytm took another significant step towards democratising merchant access to the latest payment technologies, by introducing the NFC Card Soundbox. This next-generation two-in-one payment device combines NFC technology with mobile QR payments, offering an affordable device for card payments to millions of offline merchants. The new NFC Soundbox will definitely help us with accepting card-based payments. We hope you will continue merchant innovation and even introduce chip-based card payments on your devices, Abdul added. Paytms Soundbox, an innovative product, has gained widespread popularity among offline stores, offering convenience for merchant partners. Supporting notifications in 11 languagesEnglish, Hindi, Gujarati, Bangla, Odia, Marathi, Punjabi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannadaand featuring a range of device models, the Paytm Soundbox is designed to meet the diverse needs of offline merchants across the country. Disclaimer: This article is a promotional feature and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. A domestic worker in Bengaluru managed to siphon off cash and ornaments worth over 60 lakh from her employer over a period of six months before she was caught. According to a report in Times of India, her luck ran out when her employer, Vikram Vaidyanathan, returned from France and found the wardrobe robbed of all ornaments except for a mangalya chain. A domestic worker stole jewellery worth 60 lakh from her employers (Representational image) Vaidyanathan, who is managing director of venture capital firm Matrix Partners India, lodged a police complaint. Police suspected the thief was a woman after realising the only thing left behind was a mangalya chain. According to the report, three people were arrested in connection with the theft. They are Divya G, 22, her aunt Manju, 39, and an accomplice named Johan. Investigation into the theft revealed that Divya was one of the seven employees working for Vaidyanathans family at their posh Divyasree 77 house off Old Airport Road, Bengaluru. She was the only one who had access to the room of Vaidyanathans wife, Priya. How the thefts occurred On June 27, the family left for a holiday to France. They returned to Bengaluru on July 13. When Priya opened her wardrobe, she realised the locker had been emptied of all her diamond and gold jewellery and cash. Vikram Vaidyanathan filed a police complaint saying he suspected all seven domestic workers. When cops reached the house and realised the mangalya chain had not been stolen, they deduced that the theft was the work of a woman. Moreover, Divya also acted suspicious when they visited the crime scene. All employees were questioned by the police. On July 17, Divya was detained and confessed to the thefts. She said she used to steal one or two ornaments and a little bit of cash every day. Since the money was stolen over a period of six months, there is no estimate of how much was actually taken. However, Vaidyanathan said the ornaments were worth between 50 to 60 lakh. Divya said she would pass the stolen ornaments to her aunt Manju, who then gave them to her friend Johan. Johan would pawn off the jewellery at gold finance firms or pawnbrokers, and the money would be divided between the three. Both Manju and Johan were also arrested by the police. Besides the gold and diamond jewels and cash, Divya also stole an Omega wrist watch from Priya worth 6 lakh. She did not sell it off but instead wore it from time to time. (Also read: Disappointed thief finds nothing to steal at Telangana hotel, leaves 20 note for owners) Telegram co-founder and CEO Pavel Durov recently revealed that he has over 100 biological kids in 12 countries. Despite being unmarried and preferring a solitary lifestyle, Durov disclosed his journey to fatherhood through sperm donation, a path he took fifteen years ago. This revelation sparked widespread reactions, including one from the worlds richest person, Elon Musk. Elon Musk shared his thoughts on Telegram CEO's 100 biological children revelation. (Screengrab) But before we share how the Tesla CEO reacted to Durovs revelation, let us delve deeper into the Telegram CEOs unusual family situation. Fifteen years ago, a friend of mine approached me with a weird request. He said that he and his wife couldnt have kids due to a fertility issue and asked me to donate sperm at a clinic for them to have a baby. I laughed my ass off before realising he was dead serious, he wrote on Telegram. Durov then visited the clinic to donate sperm. He was informed that his genetic makeup was considered high-quality donor material with the potential to help countless couples worldwide. Intrigued by the prospect, he decided to take the plunge. The CEO shared that though he has stopped being a donor, an IVF clinic still has his frozen sperm, which can be anonymously used by families who want to have kids. Durov expressed his desire to open-source his DNA and help countless people in dire need of healthy sperm. Of course, there are risks, but I dont regret having been a donor, he added. He claimed that his reason is to help destigmatise the whole notion of sperm donation and incentivise more healthy men to do it. He concluded, Defy convention redefine the norm! X handle Autism Capital - known for doing citizen journalism with a humorous flair - shared this news on X that caught Musks attention. The X account jokingly mentioned that Durov is competing to beat The man with 1000 kids! Elon Musk replied to this X post, saying, Rookie numbers lmao Genghis Khan. About Pavel Durov Pavel Durov, the 39-year-old tech mogul based in Dubai, has a storied career. Known as Russias Zuckerberg, he founded Vkontakte, Russias largest social network, at just 22. His refusal to compromise user data by cooperating with Russian authorities led to his exile. Seeking refuge, he became a French citizen and relocated Telegram, his messaging app, to Dubai in 2017. Amy Edmondson, a Harvard Business School professor who researches psychological safety in the workplace, shared three tips to spot a narcissistic boss. She argues that when someone with narcissistic tendencies gets managerial authority, they create a toxic work environment. A professor at Harvard shared pro tips on how to identify a narcissistic boss. (Representative image) The essence of being a narcissist is that youre about yourself, youre for yourself, and youre less others-oriented. People who are in a position with a desire to lead others, they need to be others-oriented. That starts with self-awareness, she told CNBC Make It. She further shared key indicators that can help people identify a narcissistic boss. The first indicator is that narcissistic people take all the credit for good things and deflect blame for things that dont go well. You notice they might be thanking the team but not in a specific way, and it doesnt take long for them to realise that they are all about themselves, Edmonson says. Another key point is that they dont communicate well. They are trapped in the idea that only their thoughts are important and listening to others is burdensome to them. Its natural that they should be doing a lot of explaining and teaching and clarifying goals, but its unhealthy and a sign of narcissism if they are doing all the talking, which comes at the expense of listening, Edmondson says. She adds, They do not appear to be listening and learning. Their thinking isnt visibly being altered by what others are saying. The last tip she shared is that they dont really praise others. If someone on your team is doing great work, it seems natural to me to be appreciative. If I praise you, it makes me look good and, if Im your boss, it makes me look even better. Narcissists dont see it this way. Its a lost opportunity, she further explains. A man who was threatened and harassed by a group of autorickshaw drivers in Bengaluru for using Uber told HT.com that he has never faced anything like this in any other city. On camera, Bengaluru auto drivers harass a man for booking Uber.(X/@Thomasandwords) Thomas Simte, 27, became the latest victim of the war between autorickshaw drivers and bike taxi drivers in Bengaluru on July 25. The Meghalaya man, who has been living in Bengaluru for over a year, booked an Uber bike taxi from Indiranagar Metro Station. Usually, bike taxis in Bengaluru stop a few feet away from auto stands. This time, however, I asked the bike driver to pick me up close to the auto stand as it was raining, he told HT.com. We were surrounded by a group of auto drivers when the Uber bike arrived. They asked me to cancel the ride, he said. The verbal threats soon turned physical as the autorickshaw drivers began to shove and push Thomas and his Uber driver. One person pulled my bag from behind to get me down the bike, he said. Then they started talking in Kannada. Luckily, my Uber bike driver was also a local and he argued with the auto drivers. I saw some people recording the altercation, and that is when I realised that I should also film it, said Thomas. In his video, he can be heard asking the auto drivers Why are you harassing me? Let me go. If people want to take Uber, they will take Uber. He shared the video on X. Take a look at the video below: The 27-year-old managed to escape by asking his Uber driver to begin driving. He claims, however, that an auto driver hit him on his back even as they drove off. Thomas told HT.com that he prefers bike taxis over autorickshaws as auto drivers in Bengaluru frequently overcharge customers. They ask for 300 even for short distances, even if its a trip of 1km, he said. Who can afford to pay that much? This is why I prefer Uber rides. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many asking for a stricter hand in dealing with the aggressive behaviour of autowallahs. I have lived in so many cities, but I have never faced anything like this anywhere else, Thomas told HT.com. Im really grateful for the support here. I will file a complaint against them in the evening today. Even the biker rider was really supportive of the situation. They also face such harassment from these auto walas everyday, he added on X. The autorickshaw drivers union in Bengaluru has demanded a ban on bike taxis. Union president M Manjunath said, Bike taxis are banned in Maharashtra, Telangana and Odisha. In the same way, bike taxis should be banned in Karnataka as well. Otherwise, all the other transport except government transport will be completely shut down. SUBIC, Philippines, - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday he did not think a wider war in the Middle East was inevitable and the United States was seeking to cool rising tensions in the region. Austin says Middle East war not inevitable, seeks to 'take the temperature down' "I don't think war is inevitable. I maintain that. I think there's always room and opportunities for diplomacy," Austin told reporters during a visit to the Philippines. His remarks come after Israel claimed on Tuesday to have killed the Hezbollah commander who it said was behind a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Asked also if he could confirm information about another strike that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on Wednesday, Austin said: "I don't have any additional information to provide". Palestinian militant group Hamas said the strike was a "severe escalation" that would not achieve its goals. Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of Haniyeh, hours after he attended a swearing in ceremony for the country's new president, and said it was investigating. Asked what assistance the United States would provide if a wider conflict should break out in the Middle East, Austin said Washington would continue to help defend Israel if it were attacked, but the priority was de-escalating tensions. "We don't want to see any of that happen. We're going to work hard to make sure that we're doing things to help take the temperature down and address issues through diplomatic gatherings," he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The Bangladesh government on Tuesday decided to ban the Jamaat-e-Islami following the deadly nationwide students protests over quotas in government jobs, accusing the fundamentalist party of exploiting the movement that left at least 150 people dead. The Bangladesh government has decided to ban the Jamaat-e-Islami following the deadly nationwide students protests over quotas in government jobs. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain(REUTERS) Also Read: Bangladesh student protests: Internet restored in country after 10 days The development to ban the Jamaat-e-Islami from Wednesday comes a day after a meeting of the ruling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League-led 14-party alliance passed a resolution that Jamaat, an ally of former prime minister Khaleda Zia Bangladesh National Party (BNP), must be banned from politics. Also Read: Bangladeshi YouTuber's guide to illegal entry into India goes viral, sparks outrage God willing . . . the decision (of banning Jamaat) will be announced tomorrow, Law Minister Anisul Huq told newspersons at his office on Tuesday, adding it would be an executive order that will ban the Jamaat-e-Islami, a party founded in 1941 in undivided India under British rule. Also Read: Dont teach me': Mamata Banerjee on MEA's criticism for statement on Bangladesh The students, who waged protests during the anti-quota movement, said they had no link to the violence while evidence was there that Jamaat, its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, former prime minister Khaleda Zias Bangladesh National Party (BNP), and militant party of its students front, Chhatra Dal, carried out the mayhem, the minister claimed. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas ruling Awami Leagues (AL) general secretary Obaidul Quader, meanwhile, said the government would thoroughly examine legal aspects before banning Jamaat-Shibir to block any possible legal loophole, which could be exploited by this extremist group to engage in politics in Bangladesh. For the sake of the country, the 14-party alliance has decided to ban Jamaat-Shibir to eliminate anti-national evil forces, Quader said. Quader, also the Road Transport Minister, said that Jamaat and BNP used students as shields during the movement while the government is aware of the sources of their instructions, incitements, and funding. Violence gripped Bangladesh for almost the entire of July when the protests that had started in universities and colleges earlier this month, quickly turned into a widespread agitation against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her governments policies. The government called in the army to quell protests against job quotas after the unrest left at least 150 dead and several thousand people, including policemen, wounded and major government installations damaged. Meanwhile, the ruling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League-led 14-party alliance leaders held a meeting with Hasina in the chair and passed a resolution that the Jamaat, which was opposed to Bangladeshs 1971 independence siding with the then Pakistani junta, must be banned from politics. Political sources familiar with the meeting said Hasina told the meeting that there were intelligence reports that the Jamaat-Shibir clique carried out the arson attacks and damaged the government installations in the capital mobilising their trained people from different parts of Bangladesh. In 2018, complying with a High Court verdict, the Election Commission scrapped Jamaats registration disqualifying the party, a key partner in the past BNP-led four-party alliance government from 2001-2006 tenure from contesting polls. The Bangladesh High Court, in a landmark verdict on August 1, 2013, had declared Jamaat's registration with the Election Commission illegal. Jamaat then appealed to the appellate division and finally lost its registration in 2018. Bangladesh, in 2009, initiated a process to try the key collaborators of Pakistani troops in 1971 on charges of crimes against humanity and six top leaders of Jamaat and one of BNP were hanged after their trial in two special war crimes tribunals while the apex Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the judgments. Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Islamist group Hamas that runs the Palestinian territory of Gaza, has been assassinated in Iran's Tehran, a Hamas statement confirmed on Wednesday. Palestinian group Hamas' top leader, Ismail Haniyeh (File Photo) The confirmation from Hamas regarding Haniyeh's death came after Iran's Revolutionary Guards informed about the martyrdom of the Gaza-based group's foremost leader. Also Read: Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh says his 3 sons killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza "With condolences to the heroic nation of Palestine and the Islamic nation and combatants of the Resistant Front and the noble nation of Iran, this morning the residence of Mr. Dr. Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political office of the Islamic Resistance of Hamas, was hit in Tehran, and following this incident, he and one of his bodyguards were martyred," the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps) statement read. The Hamas chief was in the Iranian capital for the swearing-in ceremony of Masoud Pezeshkian, the new President of Iran. While no one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, analysts on the Iranian state television, immediately began accusing Israel. The Hamas statement, too, pinned the blame on Israel, saying that Haniyeh was killed in an airstrike on his residence. A war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7 last year, the day on which the latter carried out attacks in Israel; more than 1200 people were killed and around 250 were taken hostage. In the subsequent retaliation, around 40,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 90,000 wounded, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. Israel and Iran, too, have been long-time foes. The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, where he was an official guest at the inauguration of new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, is an embarrassing security lapse for Irans leadership. Ismail Haniyeh. (REUTERS File Photo) Haniyeh was staying at a special residence for war veterans in north Tehran when the facility was hit at 2 am local time by an airborne projectile, according to reports by state-run media outlets affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Supreme National Security Council. One of his bodyguards was killed along with him. The description of the facility where Haniyeh was being housed suggests it was under Irans security establishment, making the security failure all the more serious. Both Hamas and the IRGC blamed the killing of Haniyeh on Israel, which has so far made no claim of responsibility. Israel has shown in recent years that it can infiltrate Iran and carry out high-profile assassinations, such as the killing of top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh with a remote-controlled gun in November 2020. Haniyeh, who was based in Qatar and Turkiye and headed Hamass political bureau, had emerged as the face of the militant groups diplomatic efforts since the start of the conflict in Gaza on October 7 last year. He had participated in talks brokered by Arab states and the West to put in place a ceasefire in Gaza. Haniyeh was killed hours after he participated in the swearing-in ceremony for Pezeshkian, which was also attended by Union minister Nitin Gadkari. Coming close on the heels of the killing of top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli air strike in Beirut, the assassination is expected to impact the process to secure a ceasefire and end the fighting between Hamas and Israel. Political assassinations and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue lead us to ask: How can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on other side? Qatars Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator in the ceasefire negotiations, said on X. Former Palestinian minister Hanan Ashrawi said on X that the killing of Shukr in Beirut and Haniyeh in Tehran are specifically designed to inflame the whole region & sabotage any chances of a deal or deescalation. She added, These are attacks not just on the capitals of sovereign states but also on significant leaders to ensure total provocation & destabilisation. The armed wing of Hamas said in a statement that Haniyehs killing would take the battle to new dimensions and have major repercussions. Iran declared three days of national mourning and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said his country views it as a duty to take vengeance for Haniyehs assassination on Iranian soil. The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime martyred our beloved guest inside our house and made us mournful, but it paved the way for a harsh punishment to be imposed on it, Khamenei said in a message. Much will now depend on exactly how Iran, as well as Hamas, respond to Haniyehs killing. While Iran may not want its actions to trigger an all-out war that will have implications for West Asia and beyond, it has shown that it can strike back at Israel such as the firing of some 300 missiles and drones in April in retaliation for an Israeli air strike on IRGC commanders at a diplomatic compound in Syria. By Yoshita Singh ISIL-K seeks to recruit lone actors through India-based handlers: UN report United Nations, Terror group Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant Khorasan seeks to recruit lone actors through their handlers based in India, despite not being able to conduct large-scale attacks in the country, a UN report has said. The 34th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team about ISIL , al-Qaeda and associated individuals and entities, released here on Tuesday, said that member states registered ongoing concern that terrorism emanating from Afghanistan will be a driver of insecurity in the region and further afield in most scenarios. Despite not being able to conduct large-scale attacks in India, ISIL-K seeks to recruit lone actors through their India-based handlers and released a booklet in Urdu magnifying Hindu-Muslim antagonism and outlining its strategy as regards India, the report said. It said that ISIL-K remains the most serious threat in the region, projecting terror beyond Afghanistan, while al-Qaeda exercises strategic patience, prioritising its relationship with the Taliban. It further said there is increased support and collaboration between Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan , the Taliban and al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent , sharing manpower and training camps in Afghanistan and conducting more lethal attacks under the banner of Tehrik-e Jihad Pakistan . Therefore, TTP could transform into an umbrella organisation for other terrorist groups. In the medium term, a potential merger of TTP and AQIS could escalate the threat against Pakistan, and eventually India, Myanmar and Bangladesh, it said. It added that despite Taliban attempts to exercise control over al-Qaeda, greater collaboration among al-Qaeda affiliates and TTP could transform the latter into an extra-regional threat. It said that in the short term, ISIL-K will preserve battle readiness, increase revenue generation, and enhance recruitment by attracting renegades from other terrorist groups and the Taliban. ISIL-K also recruits disaffected individuals unknown to security and intelligence services, and in the midterm, will continue low-impact attacks, combined with sporadic high-impact operations against soft targets to boost its media propaganda, undermine economic and political interests, and humiliate the Taliban, the report said. In the long term, the group will strive to drag Afghanistan into turmoil and gain and hold territorial control while expanding to northern regional countries and beyond. Some member states estimate that ISIL-K has increased from 4,000 to 6,000 fighters despite the loss of territory and attrition among leadership, while others assess its strength as remaining at between 2,000 and 3,500 fighters, it said. The ISIL-K strategy of embedding covertly in al-Qaeda-affiliated groups makes it difficult to estimate accurate figures and to which group fighters are loyal. TTP has an estimated strength of between 6,000 and 6,500 fighters, accompanied by approximately 14,000 family members. Asserting that member states continue to be highly concerned about the situation related to foreign terrorist fighters, the report said, Several member states note an increase in travellers of Arab and Central Asian nationalities to Afghanistan and some Indian nationals. The report noted there is heightened concern about the terrorist threat emanating regionally from Afghanistan from ISIL-K and TTP in particular. But member states are also concerned by new inward travel to Afghanistan of some al-Qaeda personnel and training, recruitment and reorganisation activities. Further, it said that listed terrorist groups have increased the use of anonymity-enhanced cryptocurrencies. Terrorist adoption of other technologies continues at pace, making near military-grade capabilities available to sanctioned terrorist groups, it said, adding that this includes the exploitation of 3D printing and the development of unmanned aerial and maritime weapons and surveillance systems. Exploitation of these technologies potentially enables evasion of restrictions imposed under the ISIL and al-Qaeda sanctions regime. The widespread accessibility of technology has continued, putting near-military grade capabilities into the hands of sanctioned terrorist groups, it said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran early on Wednesday, the Palestinian militant group said, drawing fears of wider escalation in a region shaken by Israel's war in Gaza and a worsening conflict in Lebanon. Ismael Haniyeh, leader of the Palestinian militant group Hama, was killed in Tehran (Photo by AFP)(AFP) Hamas mourned their leader saying, To our great Palestinian people, to the Arab and Islamic nation, and to all the free people of the world: Brother, leader, martyr, Mujahid Ismail Haniyeh. They added that the Hamas chief was killed in a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran, after participating in the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian. Also Read: Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh killed in Iran Ismail Haniyeh was born to Palestinian Muslims in the Al-Shati refugee camp of the Egyptian occupied strip of Gaza. His family originally hailed from Ashkelon, before the 1948 Nakba, when thousands of Palestinians were forced to migrate by settlers. With his wife Amal, he had 13 children, though tragedy struck their family after October 2023. Also Read: Who was Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas chief assassinated in Iran? 6 things Haniyeh over the years had lost several of his family members to Israeli airstrikes In an Israeli strike on Gaza city in 2023, he lost 14 members of his family, including his brother. Soon after, he lost his grandson and then his eldest grand-daughter as well. Haniyeh also suffered the lost of three of his sons - Hazem, Amir and Mohammad - on April 10, 2024, when an Israeli airstrike hit their car. In the same attack, he lost four grandchildren too. His wife, who was undergoing treatment at the time in Doha, found out only three days later about their deaths. On June 25, 2024, he lost ten more family members, including his 80 year old sister, in the place where they began their life, Al Shati refugee camp. An investigation into Ismael Haniyeh's death is being conducted by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. The Hamas chief's loss could lead to retaliation against Israel, particularly because Haniyeh was in charge of ceasefire talks. The Hezbollah commander who the Israeli military says it killed in an airstrike Tuesday had been blamed by Israel for a deadly weekend rocket attack and was accused by the US of orchestrating the 1983 bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American servicemen. An Israeli airstrike hit Hezbollah's stronghold south of Beirut, killing a military commander accused of orchestrating the 1983 beirut marine bombing (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)(AP) Also Read: Indians in Lebanon advised to exercise caution amid Israel-Hezbollah tensions A statement from Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the target of the strike, Fouad Shukur, was behind the Saturday rocket attack on the town of Majdal Shams that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights of Syria. Also Read: Avoid a spillover of the Israel-Hamas war Hezbollah, which denied it was behind the Majdal Shams attack, didn't confirm that Shukur was the target of Tuesday's airstrike or that he was killed. Also Read: Iran sends consequences warning after Israel vows to make Hezbollah pay for Golan Heights attack If Israel's claim proves true, Shukur would be the most senior Hezbollah commander to be killed since 2016, when Mustafa Badreddine, the group's military commander in Syria, died in an explosion in the Syrian capital of Damascus. The Israeli military said that Shukur had directed Hezbollah's attacks on Israel since October 8, after the Israel-Hamas war erupted, and that he was also involved in the killing of numerous Israelis and foreign nationals over the years. It said Shukur was responsible for the majority of Hezbollah's most advanced weaponry, including guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets and UAVs. The 62-year-old, secretive Shukur was in charge of Hezbollah's forces in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel as well as being a top official in the group's missile program. He had been a close aide to Hezbollah's top military chief, Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated in 2008 by a car bomb in Damascus. Shukur had since been a close military adviser to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Like most of Hezbollah's military officials, little is known about Shukur, who was also known as Sayed Mohsen. The US Treasury Department had offered a USD 5 million reward for information about him. He joined Hezbollah when the group was founded following the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon that forced the Palestine Liberation Organization to leave Lebanon. Shukur, who was a member of Hezbollah's Jihadi Council, the group's top military body, was accused by the United States of planning and staging the truck bombing of a Marine Corps barracks in Beirut that killed 241 American service members. The bombing near the Beirut International Airport on October 23, 1983, remains the deadliest single-day attack on Marines since the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. A near-simultaneous attack on French forces killed 58 paratroopers. The US Treasury Department listed Shukur as a specially designated national on July 21, 2015, for acting for or on behalf of Hezbollah. Like most Hezbollah military officials, Shukur played a role during Syria's conflict that broke out in 2011 in which the Iran-backed Hezbollah sent thousands of fighters to join President Bashar Assad's Syrian forces, helping tip the balance in his favour. After the Israel-Hamas war broke out October 7, Shukur was accused by Israel of being behind many of the drone and missile attacks that Hezbollah carried out against Israel. In the thousands of rockets it has fired since October, Hezbollah has insisted it targets military and intelligence installations. Still, Hezbollah rockets have hit civilian areas. Before Saturday's bloodshed, its strikes had killed 13 civilians and 22 soldiers in Israel. In Lebanon. Israel's attacks have killed more than 500 people, including 90 civilians. Toronto: Even as the so-called Khalistan referendum is in its fourth year, Canada has emerged as the epicentre for that separatist activity. Separatists posters marked the Municipal Plaza in Calgary, venue for the so-called Khalistan referendum, in Calgary, on Sunday. The latest round of the referendum, organised by the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), was held in Calgary, in the province of Alberta, on Sunday. The referendum has already been held in Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area or GTA (twice), in Surrey, British Columbia, and now Calgary, with plans for another round in the summer of 2025, with the city of Montreal in Quebec and the town of Mississauga, also in the GTA, as well as Edmonton, the capital Alberta, and Abbotsford in British Columbia, on the radar of the organisers. However, it has received maximum traction in Canada, particularly with a government facility, the Municipal Plaza being the venue, even as the city administration said it could not control or patrol the community groups using the premises, as per Calgarys Indo-Canadian Mayor Jyoti Gondek. SFJ has already said it feels emboldened after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus statement in the House of Commons on September 18 last year that there were credible allegations of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar three months earlier. That has allowed SFJ to become overtly provocative during its referenda events, as in Calgary, where its poster displayed the image of considered the mastermind of the bombing of Air India flight 182, the Kanishka, on June 23, 1985, claiming 329 lives. This remains the worst-ever terrorist incident in Canadian history. It also featured Kill India slogans. All that occurred minus any criticism from Canadian politicians or media. In fact, in a speech at the venue, Pannun said if the Canadian Government is unable to provide justice against Indian diplomats, including its High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verna, then they would be subject to Khalsa justice. The only reaction has come from Indo-Canadian groups. The Coalition of Hindus of North America or CoHNA Canadian chapter stated, Posters featuring Parmar were displayed at many city locations for weeks and at the city hall for days. Mayor office was informed that the event would honour members of banned terrorist organizations. Glorification of these individuals, collectively responsible for hundreds of deaths and the promotion of violent extremism, with support of government officials sends a dangerous message, and potentially emboldens extremist elements within the communities, putting the safety and well-being of Hindu Canadians and other minority communities at risk. The next round of SFJs referendum is expected to be held in New Zealand later this year, and it has already travelled to the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy and the United States, but the base of the divisive movement is definitely Canada. One royal expert recently conveyed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle can do one thing to end the long-running feud with Prince William and Kate Middleton. Britain's Prince William, second left, Kate, Princess of Wales, left, Britain's Prince Harry, second right, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex view the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England on Sept. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)(AP) The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made headlines with their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, followed by a tell-all Netflix docu-series, Harry & Meghan, and Prince Harry's bestselling 2023 memoir Spare. Despite these public disclosures, their relationship with the royal family remains frosty. Robert Hardman, a royal author known for his book Charles III: New King, New Court, The Inside Story, believes that Meghan and Harry have an opportunity to bury the hatchet. The Sussexes are much-loved family members, but they needed some matters which could be addressed privately. ALSO READ| Prince Harry fears a knife or acid attack on Meghan Marke if they Royal expert proposes private UK visit for Meghan and Harry to normalize relations Hardman proposed that the couple, along with their children, could make a private visit to the UK this summer to normalize relations. He advised, Come over with Meghan, with the children, privately, for a few days maybe in the summer. Speaking at the Hay Literary Festival in England, Hardman explained the potential impact of such a visit. Once that happens, it's not such big news when it happens again. Then you start to get somewhere, he told Mirror US. Last February, Prince Harry visited the UK after his father, King Charles, was diagnosed with cancer. Hardman remarked, I thought it was telling that when the cancer diagnosis came through back in February, Prince Harry came straight over. People said 'why didn't he stay longer, why didn't he talk to his father?' I mean, there is so much to be worked through, but this was absolutely not the moment to have some sort of summit with Harry about all of Harry's grievances. ALSO READ| Prince Harry really broke the trust of his family as the Royals fear But I think the fact he came was important, the fact he was received was important, I think what encouraged people at the palace and encouraged the king was the fact that afterwards, we didn't then read about it or hear about it, it remained private, he added. Harry also visited the UK last May for the Invictus Game but won't meet with Charles due to the monarch's full schedule. The difficult Wales also snubbed the Duke of Sussex during the brief May visit. IRBIL, Iraq The Iraqi government has postponed an order to clear out camps in the countrys semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region that house thousands of people who fled when the Islamic State group seized their home areas a decade ago, officials said Tuesday. The closure of camps in Iraq housing Yazidis displaced by IS attacks is postponed, an official says Earlier this year, Baghdad ordered the camps to be closed by July 30 and offered payments of 4 million dinars to occupants who leave. Kurdish authorities refused to implement the closure order, saying that the areas the displaced people fled from in particular, the remote district of Sinjar, the historic homeland of the Yazidi religious minority are not suitable for returns. A Kurdish official said that the regional government had reached an agreement with the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to postpone the closure until the end of the year. The prime ministers office has not released any public statement on the decision. However, a Baghdad government official confirmed that the closure had been postponed. A committee has been formed from the central government, the regional government and international organizations in order to assess the situation of the return of displaced persons and to provide the appropriate atmosphere for their return," he said. The return will be voluntary and not forced." Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the information publicly. As of April, only 43% of the more than 300,000 people displaced from Sinjar had returned, according to the International Organization for Migration. IOM Chief of Mission Giorgi Gigauri said in a statement that returns have been hampered by concerns over safety and security, the need for reconstruction including improved public service provision and availability of economic opportunities, widespread residential destruction, the need for accountability, redress and compensation, and the need for community reconciliation. In recent months, there has been an uptick in returns due to the camp closure order and compensation payments, but as of Tuesday, many residents of camps in the Dohuk area had not left. Abdul-Zahra reported from Baghdad. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. BEIJING China has expressed strong dissatisfaction to Japan about what it called "smear attacks against China at recent high-level meetings with the United States, India and Australia, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. China accuses Japan of 'smear attacks' in recent talks with the US, India and Australia A ministry statement said that Liu Jinsong, the director general of the Asian affairs department, conveyed solemn representations and serious concern at a meeting the previous day with Akira Yokochi, the deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy. Liu pointed out that Japans smear attacks on China are self-contradictory to its statement of promoting the strategic and reciprocal relationship between the two countries, the statement said. Meeting in Tokyo on Sunday, Japan's foreign and defense ministers agreed to bolster military cooperation with the U.S. at what are known as 2 2 talks with their American counterparts. A joint statement said Chinas foreign policy seeks to reshape the international order for its own benefit at the expense of others and that such behavior represents "the greatest strategic challenge" in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The U.S.-Japan talks were followed by a meeting on Monday of the foreign ministers from the Quad countries the U.S. Japan, India and Australia. The joint statement did not mention China by name but expressed opposition to the militarization of disputed features and coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea. The Chinese government has complained repeatedly about the U.S. deepening ties with other countries in the face of China's rise, which President Joe Biden has made a priority during his four years in office. The Foreign Ministry statement said China urges Japan to stop making irresponsible remarks on China's internal affairs a likely reference to Taiwan and called on Japan to stop colluding with "certain countries" to form small circles that lead to confrontation. A Japanese Embassy statement said that Yokochi had expounded Japan's positions at the meeting and made representations on various China-related topics, but it did not provide any details. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Donald Trump has blasted Google and Meta for allegedly censoring searches related to the assassination attempt he survived at his Pennsylvania rally. In a social media post, the former president urged supporters to go after the companies. Donald Trump says go after Meta and Google amid assassination attempt censorship row(AFP) Facebook has just admitted that it wrongly censored the Trump attempted assassination photo, and got caught, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. Same thing for Google. They made it virtually impossible to find pictures or anything about this heinous act. Both are facing BIG BACKLASH OVER CENSORSHIP CLAIMS. Here we go again, another attempt at RIGGING THE ELECTION!!! GO AFTER META AND GOOGLE. LET THEM KNOW WE ARE ALL WISE TO THEM, WILL BE MUCH TOUGHER THIS TIME. MAGA2024! he added. (@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social) In strange incidents, Metas AI software reportedly called the assassination attempt fictional, and Meta-owned Facebook banned the iconic photo of Trump raising his fist after surviving the attack. Further, the Google search bar failed to yield results about the shooting in its dropdown window. However, both the companies stressed that there was no bias. The issues were just innocent mistakes, they asserted, according to New York Post. Were working on improvements Despite the lack of information on the assassination attempt, Metas AI software provided answers to questions about Kamala Harris. A Meta rep later apologised amid the controversy. We know people have been seeing incomplete, inconsistent, or out of date information on this topic, a Meta rep said in a statement. Were implementing a fix to provide more up-to-date responses for inquiries, and it is possible people may continue to see inaccurate responses in the meantime. Addressing the Google search bar issue, a company spokesperson said there was no manual action taken on these predictions, adding that its systems simply include protections against Autocomplete predictions associated with political violence. Were working on improvements to ensure our systems are more up to date. Of course, Autocomplete is just a tool to help people save time, and they can still search for anything they want to. Following this terrible act, people turned to Google to find high quality information we connected them with helpful results, and will continue to do so, the spokesperson said. JD Vance, the Ohio Senator and GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump's running mate, has issued a stern warning to illegal migrants. The issue of illegal and unlawful immigrants entering or residing in the US has taken a centre stage in the 2024 presidential elections. JD Vance stated that illegal immigrants should start packing because Donald Trump is coming back.(AP) Speaking at a rally in Reno, Nevada, Republican VP candidate Vance stated that illegal immigrants should start packing because Donald Trump is coming back. According to Vance, Vice President Kamala Harris, who is poised to become Democratic presidential nominee, will not stop until every single immigrant she lets in turns into a voter. Stressing that it is time to put the interests of American citizens first, the Ohio Senator said, it is common sense for US politicians to look after interests of American citizens. He pointed out that Harris would essentially hand over control of the country to people who shouldn't even be here if she succeed in enlisting illegal migrants as registered voters. The magnitude of the immigration issue is evident from the nearly 6.4 million border crossings that have taken place under Joe Biden'[s presidency. The US asylum system is clearly overworked with over 2 million pending cases creating a significant backlog and severely straining the regulatory framework. The increase of requests for asylum emphasises the necessity of comprehensive immigration reform. Biden's immigration policies have drawn harsh criticism from Republicans, who claim that they are excessively lax and have contributed to an increase in illegal immigrants crossing the border. Meanwhile, several social media users reacted to Vance's remark with one writing on X, Vance is perfect for the job! What about the kids of illegal aliens. They need to go too, another commented. A third user chimed in, Mass deportations is the way, while the fourth one said, This is the goal. This alone should be the sole reason Trump wins. Vance hails Trump, takes brutal jibe at Kamala Harris He further spoke about the failed assassination attempt on Trump and declared that the former President had taken a bullet for the country. He went to suggest that if re-elected, Trump will carry on making important contributions to the US and its people. Proclaiming that we are going to take back our country, he remarked, Just imagine what he would do with four more years in the White House. He then compared Harris and Trump, asserting that loyalty is about taking a bullet for this country - something Donald Trump has done. He, however, added that the US VP should look in the mirror if she wants to talk about loyalty. Vance also mocked the the heads of the Democratic Party for choosing Harris as their new candidate, and mentioned that she is someone who didn't get a single vote. Kamala Harris, the only White House hopeful who has qualified to compete for the Democratic presidential nomination, is anticipated to make her running mate announcement next week in Philadelphia. With Kamala Harris' choice to kick off the tour from Pennsylvania, there has been conjecture that Governor Josh Shapiro will be named as her vice president.(AP) Harris and her vice president candidate will head on a battleground journey to seven swing states, ranging from Pennsylvania to Nevada. With US VP Harris' choice to kick off the tour from Pennsylvania, there has been conjecture that Governor Josh Shapiro will be named as her vice president. Politico claims that Shapiro, who recently declared Harris belongs in the White House, is among the best candidates for the position that her campaign is vetting. Here's what Harris has to say on her VP pick Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the US VP said she had not yet decided who she would choose as her running companion. However, she will be interviewing possible candidates in the coming days, the outlet reported. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are among the other top candidates. Citing sources from Harris campaign, Associated Press reported that Kelly and Shapiro are two of the front-runners. Another source familiarised with the subject claims that Harris is looking for an executive-level candidate who can also act as a governing partner. The focus on members of the Democrats' broader national bench has continued despite rumors of a short list, the source said. Also Read: Kamala Harris declared as sole Democratic candidate to qualify for presidential roll call How can Shapiro assist Harris? Shapiro, who is among the most well-known governors in the US, won against a Republican opponent who has received Donald Trump's backing in the 2022 election. The 51-year-old Governor is a vocal advocate for abortion rights and the winner of three Pennsylvania statewide elections. His style of addressing the crowd resembles that of the former President Barack Obama. However, he has faced criticism from the left for his backing of natural gas infrastructure, a private school voucher program, and Israel's war against Hamas. According to Shapiro's allies, he can assist Harris win in Pennsylvania, either by blocking or complicating Trump's bid for an Electoral College majority. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced on Tuesday that Harris is the sole presidential candidate who has met the requirements to date to contest for the party's presidential nominee. With the DNC's declaration, Harris can now officially pursue her party's nomination without opposition. US Vice President Kamala Harris' stepdaughter Ella Emhoff on Tuesday visited a restaurant for lunch in New York, leading to an arrest of an anti-police watcher by her Secret Service detail. Ella Emhoff and her friend were hurriedly evacuated from the restaurant in New York and put into one of the SUVs.(AP) According to a NY Post report, the daughter of Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff arrived at Tribeca restaurant for lunch in the afternoon. While she was having lunch inside the restaurant, a New Yorker identified as Harry Heymann, 45, confronted her detail outside, the outlet reported, citing police. Heyman, who usually complains about cars with NYPD parking badges that allow drivers to park anywhere, approached Ella's plainclothes operative at Hudson and North Moore Streets, without realising that he was a member of the Secret Service. The NYPD were summoned to the site when the offender allegedly smashed the license plate covers off the two black SUVs that were stationed on the street during the altercation. Emhoff and her friend were hurriedly evacuated from the restaurant and put into one of the SUVs. Heymann was taken into custody and charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree obstruction of governmental administration, according to police. Also Read: Kamala Harris' presidential campaign drops major hint at her VP pick Secret Service issues statement Following the incident, a Secret Service spokesperson issued a statement, saying: On Tuesday afternoon, an individual approached two United States Secret Service vehicles parked in lower Manhattan and, without provocation, caused damage to the rear license plate area of both. The Secret Service agents quickly arrested the person. At no point was any protectee in danger as a result of this incident. According to police, Heymann was never arrested before. The Secret Service has drawn intense backlash following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania. Thomas Matthew Crooks fired a gunshot that grazed Trump's right ear, killed a rally goer and injured two others. The shooter was fatally shot at the site by the Secret Service agents. The motive of the shooter is yet to be determined by the FBI and Secret Service. The last time Prince Harry and Prince William were together was at their fathers crowning in May 2023, and their friends are now trapped between the siblings. Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Hollywood network falling apart, friends distancing themselves (Photo by Kola SULAIMON / AFP)(AFP) Now, many of Prince Harry's close friends turned enemies and sided with Prince William, resulting in severing ties with Harrys pals. During an appearance on the Vanity Fair podcast Dynasty: The Royal Familys Most Challenging Year, royal correspondent Katie Nicholl recounted how Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, had to choose between inviting Prince Harry and William to his wedding in June. Initially, both brothers were invited, but later Harry and Meghan Markle declined the invitation to avoid any awkward conversation. ALSO READ| Is Prince Harry really blackmailing King Charles III using his children? Nicholl explained, I think if you look back to that recent society wedding of the Duke of Westminster, it was William who got the invite to that, and Harry was invited because they've been friends forever and a day, but he was basically asked to stand down from that wedding because it would have been very awkward to have had the two brothers at a society wedding like that, together. She further stated, I remember being told by someone at the Palace there was this sense that you had to put your stake in one camp or the other. Prince Harry and Meghans social circle has been profound I think the ties have been severed. I think there is a sense that, possibly, friends, close friends, society friends, celebrity friends have sort of had to make a little bit of a choice, Nicholl revealed. BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond also told Ok!, I think we can say that it must be tough for Harry to have lost touch with virtually all his old circle of friends as well as his family. But we must assume that he feels that sacrifice is worth it for the life he now has with the woman he loves and the children he adores. ALSO READ| Meghan Markle must do THIS one thing to patch up with Prince William and Kate Middleton He misses his Old Etonian [college] and army friends, many of whom have not visited as they dont get on with Meghan, royal author Tom Quinn told The Mirror. Harry on the other hand is increasingly bored and looking back across the Atlantic where most of his army and school friends still live and whom he never sees because they won't visit him in the States because they find Meghan difficult. Paul Dans, the director of Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for a potential second Donald Trump term, has resigned after the ex-prez calls the project absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Paul Dans, the director of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 vision for a complete overhaul of the federal government, has stepped down, a spokesperson for the think tank confirmed Tuesday. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)(AP) Dans, a former top adviser in Trumps administration, led Project 2025 in its effort to shape a conservative agenda for a future Republican White House victory. The project, which has been a multi-year initiative across the conservative sphere where the Heritage Foundation is the hub, has been the target of attack on the 2024 campaign trail. The group had been working on extensively constructing accredited policies for many months and the president of the Heritage Foundation affirmed on Tuesday that the group was in fact finalizing its formulation of new ideas as was anticipated. ALSO READ| Trump says JD Vance feels family is good amid childless cat ladies' row: 'I don't think there's anything wrong in' Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation praised Dans in a statement, saying, When we began Project 2025 in April 2022, we set a timeline for the project to conclude its policy drafting after the two party conventions this year, and we are sticking to that timeline A source familiar with the planning stated that Project 2025 would cease its policy operations, while others noted that it was always intended to transition to the next phasebuilding a conservative personnel apparatus. Project 2025 outlined plans to radically reshape the federal government and American life in a detailed 900-page playbook, providing ammunition for Democrats to warn against Trumps return to power. Donald Trump recently distanced himself from the Project 2025 Recently, Trump criticized Project 2025, calling some ideas absolutely ridiculous and abysmal and distancing himself from the initiative. Trump adviser Chris LaCivita referred to Project 2025 as a pain in the a** for the campaign. Its a group of very, very conservative people. And they wrote a document that many of the points are fine. Many of the points are absolutely ridiculous, Trump told Fox News. ALSO READ| When Barron Trump's school day was interrupted by an unusual Secret Service drama, here's what happened next Trump campaign managers LaCivita and Susie Wiles stated, Reports of Project 2025s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaignit will not end well for you. Dans resignation was confirmed by Dr. Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, the group behind Project 2025. Roberts praised Dans for uniting over 110 conservative organizations to create a conservative vision aimed at reducing the power of the administrative state. He said, This tool was built for any future administration to use. Ronald Rowe, the new acting director of the US Secret Service, on Tuesday appeared for a joint congressional hearing and made a major admission on former President Donald Trump's security breach. US Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. testifies before a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security and Government Affairs committees in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 30, 2024 in Washington, DC.(Getty Images via AFP) He admitted that he was ashamed of security flaws that kept agents in the dark about the 20-year-old gunman and led to an attempted assassination of Republican presidential candidate at a campaign event in Pennsylvania on July 13. Rowe, who was promoted to the job last week Kimberly Cheatle stepped down from the post of agency's director, described the shooting at a Pennsylvania campaign as a failure on multiple levels. She resigned amid criticism from Congress after she declined to explain the security flaws in her appearance before a House committee. He further told the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees that he went to the site of Trump's rally in Butler and climbed up on top of a nearby building from which Thomas Matthew Crooks fired the shots. While one of the bullets hit Trump in the right ear, another killed one rallygoer and injured two others. Based on what I know right now, neither the Secret Service counter-sniper teams nor members of the former presidents security detail had any knowledge that there was a man on the roof of the AGR building with a firearm, Rowe told the joint hearing of the two committees. It is my understanding those personnel were not aware the assailant had a firearm until they heard gunshots, he revealed. Prior to that, they were operating with the knowledge that local law enforcement was working an issue of a suspicious individual prior to the shots being fired. Emphasising that what I saw put me to shame, Roe noted that he cannot explain why this roof was not better secured, despite being a professional law enforcement officer and a 25-year veteran of the Secret Service. Authorities are yet to determine Crooks' motive. However, FBI Deputy Director Paul Abate said that a 20192020 social media profile seems to be connected to the perpetrator. There were over 700 comments posted by this account. Some of these comments appear to reflect anti-Semitic and anti-immigration themes to support political violence and are described as extreme in nature, he said. Also Read: Trump rally shooting: Horrifying new clip shows cops with guns surrounding building, then gunfire erupting Secret Service boss gets into heated exchange with Hawley Sen. Josh Hawley pushed Rowe to terminate individuals engaged in crucial choices prior to the attempted assassination of Trump In response, the acting Secret Service Director stated that he wants the investigators to do their job to know exactly what happened. He told the Senator to not force him to jump to conclusions about someone's failure. Amid the backlash being faced by the agency over its security lapses, Rowe mentioned that he has "lost sleep over that for the past 17 days." Then fire somebody! Hawley reacted. To this, Rowe promised the Senator that he won't jump to conclusion. And that people will be held accountable and I will do so with integrity and not rush to judgment and [make] people unfairly persecuted. Unfairly persecuted? the Senator asked, reminding him that people are dead! During the hearing, neither Rowe or Abbate were able to explain how Crooks managed to obtain a rifle onto the rooftop from whence he fired shots at Trump. The USA Team Gymnastics made a comeback at the Paris Olympics by winning a gold medal in the Womens gymnastics team all-around on Tuesday, July 30. The team comprised of Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera. Soon after their win, the team revealed a nickname they had made up for their team. It is not any run-off-the-mill team name. Members of Team USA Gymnastics revealed their nickname for the team. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)(AP) Also Read: Hilarious Simone Biles-Snoop Dogg Olympics moments go viral; gymnast's mom trolls music icon on live TV Simone Biles revealed their teams cheeky nickname In a conference after the team won their gold at the Paris Olympics, the squad was asked if they had a team name. Aly Raisman, who has been a two-time Olympic champion and asked for the Squads name was met with silence at first. The other team members were heard chanting to Biles Dont say it to which she replied, Im not going to say it. While previous teams at the Olympics had names such as the Fierce Five, the Final Five or the Fighting Four, Team USA gymnastics' name certainly stood out. Biles initially revealed only the acronym of their team name, F.A.A.F.O. but eventually revealed that it stands for, F*** around and find out. Biles did not share the brainstorming behind the cheeky team name, as reported by Page Six. In a conversation with Today, the previous month, the squad had shared that they have not decided on a nickname yet and turned down suggestions like Fearless Five or Phenomenal Five. Biles said at the time, I feel like it has to be a little bit more younger, hip. Ask the TikTokers. Theyll think of something. However, in a recent post on X, she wrote, okay on the real though, the official team name is Golden Girls (because oldest Olympic team), referring to the team's nickname. The nickname is befitting to the group who went on the floor in the lead with Biles sealing the deals with a 14.66 score despite a calf injury. Also Read: Cinnamon recalled across multiple US states over toxic levels of lead Biles gets trolled for her hair Despite securing an astonishing feat at an international level, Biles met with criticism for her hair. Before her competition on Tuesday, Biles asked the trolls to stop commenting on her hair. She shared a video of her using a battery fan on a bus ride and captioned it, Dont come for me about my hair. IT WAS DONE but the bus has NO AC & its like 9,0000 degrees on a 45-minute bus ride. She further added in her story, gonna hold your hand when I say this, next time you wanna comment on a black girl's hair. JUST DONT. The win at the Paris Olympics made Biles the most decorated player in gymnasts in history with 8 medals to her name. The United States and Singapore signed an agreement Wednesday to "deepen" cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy as the city-state considers alternative power sources to cut carbon emissions. Singapore, US sign civil nuclear cooperation pact Singapore, a regional financial centre and a key player in the global semiconductor industry, is currently reliant on oil and natural gas. It is studying options, including nuclear power, to meet its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan signed the "123 Agreements" on civil nuclear cooperation during a visit by Washington's top diplomat as part of his latest swing to Asia. The 123 Agreements, named after their section in the US Atomic Energy Act, are critical for investment by US nuclear companies, which are wary of running afoul of laws related to proliferation. "This agreement builds on the long-standing civil nuclear collaboration between United States and Singapore and outlines a comprehensive framework to deepen peaceful nuclear cooperation based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation," both countries said in a joint statement. The agreement is expected to come into force by end-2024 after being reviewed by the US Congress, the statement said. The pact will last for 30 years and will "facilitate Singapore's access to detailed information on US nuclear energy technologies and expertise that are under export control," according to the statement. Singapore will also join a US Department of State programme that enables partners to better understand small modular reactors or more advanced nuclear energy technologies, the statement added. Singapore's Energy Market Authority said on its website that small modular reactors "promise enhanced safety and economics" compared to conventional nuclear power plants, although most of these technologies are still undergoing research and development. Washington has active "123 Agreements" with 22 countries, including China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as with two institutions the European Atomic Energy Community and the International Atomic Energy Agency. mba/skc/mtp This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Although officials continue emphasising that Boeing's Starliner spacecraft that launched NASA's Crew Flight Test astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore is not stranded in space, the excessive delay in the crew's return to Earth has inevitably raised alarms. Following its launch on an Atlas C rocket, the Starliner CS-100 has been docked at the International Space Station (ISS) since June 6 and was initially scheduled to return on June 14. FILE PHOTO: NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams walk at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, ahead of Boeing's Starliner-1 Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station, in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., June 5, 2024. (REUTERS / Joe Skipper) However, as the current plans were improvised to facilitate further tests that are impossible on Earth, the team has stayed in space beyond the original timeframe. Apart from NASA's constant reassurance that the astronauts are not stuck in space and may return as and when needed, another positive development has indicated possibly happy days ahead. Successful NASA tests offer a ray of hope for Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's Earth return Following the dismal hindrances caused by helium leaks and thruster issues, the Boeing Starliner successfully completed a crucial in-space test on Saturday. According to Boeing's July 27 blog update, the Starliner team conducted a docked hot fire test of the spacecraft's Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters and monitored its helium system, which positively provided additional results for the team's return to Earth soon. Also read | Tesla recalls over 1.8m vehicles due to risk of unlatched hoods The Crew Flight team tested 27 of the spacecraft's 28 thrusters as part of the procedure. The integrated teams between Starliner and ISS worked extremely well together this week to finalise and safely execute the docked hotfire sequence, said Starliner flight director Chloe Mehring, who will lead the control team in the potential undocking from the ISS. Meanwhile, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were safely onboard Starliner Calypso, giving real-time feedback during the test. Per Boeing's official update release, the duo will participate in two undock-to-landing simulations in the coming week. Although an official landing date has yet to be set, undocking opportunities are available throughout August. NASA Commercial Crew's July 28 (IST) social media update on X, formerly Twitter, also stated, Teams will evaluate the results of the test firings over the next few days as they work through overall studies ahead of an agency readiness review. The agency-level review will influence the target return date. In addition to the test mentioned, the Flight Test duo has also checked the water systems and the spacecraft's internal pressureall data are under review. Despite the numerous setbacks the Starliner's first crewed mission faced, the positive updates have renewed hope of its successful culmination, resulting in the crew members' home return. Also read | WWE legend loves LeBron James, but he was NOT his pick for the GOAT debate: When you mention basketball, you mention Another NASA launch puts pressure on the Boeing Starliner's return However, that's not to say that pressure isn't mounting up. In the coming weeks, NASA is hoping to launch another team to the ISS, which gives Wilmore and Williams' Starliner to undock to avoid overcrowding. Although the ISS has six docking ports, only two are on the US side, both of which are currently occupied first by SpaceX's Crew Dragon Endeavour and the other by the Boeing Starliner. NASA and SpaceX will soon proceed with the four-person Crew-9 mission to the ISS, which will take place no earlier than August 18. The new launch has indisputably raised the stakes as it gives Boeing a short window to undock the Starliner, which, if not achieved, may also risk delaying the Crew-9 mission as the Starliner's return has been pushed back consecutively. Amid JD Vances "childless cat ladies controversy, Donald Trump has now defended the vice presidential nominee. Trump went on to say that his running mate "feels family is good." Donald Trump says JD Vance feels family is good amid childless cat ladies' row (REUTERS) Vance came under fire after a resurfaced 2021 clip showed him telling former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that the country was run by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too. His remarks were blasted as inappropriate and sexist. He grew up in a very interesting family situation In an interview with Fox News, Trump defended Vance, saying, He grew up in a very interesting family situation, and he feels family is good. And I don't think there's anything wrong in saying that. On Fox News host Laura Ingraham asking Trump if Vance was an "excellent pick" as his running mate, the former president said, "He's got tremendous support, and he really does among a certain group of people - people who like families." "That does not mean that people who aren't members of a big family he's not against anything. He loves family, it's very important to him," Trump added. Trump had shared his thoughts about the value of family and parenting when he vouched for Vance, saying, "You know, you don't meet the right person, or you don't meet any person. But you're just as good, in many cases, a lot better than a person that's in a family situation. Vance, too, recently defended his comment, telling conservative media personality Megyn Kelly that it was obviously a sarcastic comment. "The simple point that I made is that having children, becoming a father, becoming a mother, I really do think it changes your perspective in a pretty profound way," he said. "I'm making an argument that our entire society has become sceptical and even hateful towards the idea of having kids." The Army has stopped paying wages and allowances to a U.S. soldier sentenced last month to nearly four years in a Russian penal colony and may prosecute him if he returns to the United States, U.S. officials said. FILE PHOTO: Gordon Black, a U.S. Army staff sergeant, who was detained in Russia on May 2 on suspicion of stealing from a woman he was in a relationship with, appears in a court in Vladivostok, Russia, June 19, 2024. REUTERS/Tatiana Meel/File Photo(REUTERS) Gordon Black, a 34-year-old staff sergeant, was convicted in Russia of theft and threatening murder. But he broke a series of Army rules first, traveling to Russia without U.S. military authorization, and flying through China to get there. He was also having an extramarital affair - prohibited in the U.S. military - with a Russian woman named Alexandra Vashchuk, who he met during a deployment in South Korea. During leave from the military, Black followed her to Russia's far eastern city of Vladivostok, where she reported him to the police after an argument. A senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, drew a comparison to the case of U.S. Army Private Travis King, who last year ran into North Korea and was taken into custody there. Once the United States secured his release, King was charged in October by the Army with crimes including desertion. "When Black is back in the United States, there will be probably consequences, just as Private King is experiencing consequences for essentially unacceptable behavior," the official said. "So the Army is going to do the right thing in terms of punishing bad behavior." Black's case created another headache for U.S. officials already coping with several high-profile detentions in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. Russia's Foreign Ministry has said the case was not political and the U.S. military has not weighed in on the substance of the charges against Black in Russia. Black was arrested in Vladivostok in May after he and Vashchuk had an argument, and on June 19 a Russian judge found Black guilty of stealing $10,000 rubles ($116) from his girlfriend's purse and threatening to kill her. He pleaded not guilty to threatening to kill Vashchuk but admitted he took the money and said he did so out of necessity. His defense lawyer in Russia, who has said she will appeal the verdict, was not immediately reachable for comment. The violations of Army rules present a quandary for the U.S. military, given the high-profile nature of Black's arrest and the fact he has a wife and daughter near Fort Cavazos in Texas who depended on benefits, including a portion of his housing allowance. In May, the military quietly decided to stop paying Black his wages and housing allowance, Army officials told Reuters. CONTROVERSIAL DECISION An Army spokesperson told Reuters Black's status was now CCA, or "Confined Civilian Authority," and that he is being kept on active duty without pay or allowances. The Army is maintaining medical benefits and base privileges for Black's family members. Franklin Rosenblatt, an associate professor at Mississippi College School of Law and former Army Judge Advocate General, suggested the decision to change Black's status to CCA would be routine, if he were detained in the United States. But assigning that status to him in Russia could be controversial, Rosenblatt said. "There's a concern here that we may be giving legitimacy to the proceedings conducted in Russia with how we reflect his duty and pay status," he said, when informed by Reuters about Black's CCA status. The U.S. military is not providing Black with any special military counsel, the Army has said. Black's wife and mother, in interviews with Reuters, have portrayed a sometimes violent relationship between Black and his girlfriend. His wife Megan recounted a time that Black's girlfriend stabbed him during a drunken video-call from Seoul with his daughter back in Texas. Black's mother, Melody Jones, said he had followed his girlfriend to Russia even though they "fought like cats and dogs." In Russia, prosecutors said that during an argument at Vashchuk's apartment, Black had grabbed her by the neck before taking her money. Black argued that Vashchuk had drunk half a bottle of vodka that day, was aggressive and had struck him. Rosenblatt said while the Army might want to prosecute him now, it may opt against doing so if Black were to end up serving his entire sentence of three years and nine months in a Russian penal colony. "What happened to him there (Russia) and serving that sentence, it does not entitle him automatically to confinement credit, but ... that may be a strong reason to grant leniency," he said. US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took issue with former Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamys dismissal of the Democratic tactic of labelling the GOP presidential ticket as weird in an exchange on X (formerly Twitter). Vivek Ramaswamy's critique of 'weird' label backfires, AOC responds with fury(File Image) Ramaswamy criticized this approach as immature and counterproductive, urging a focus on policy discussions instead. This whole theyre weird argument from the Democrats is dumb & juvenile. This is a presidential election, not a high school prom queen contest. Its also a tad ironic coming from the party that preaches diversity & inclusion. Win on policy if you can but cut the crap, please, he wrote. Ocasio-Cortez fired back at Ramaswamys July 28 post with a pointed critique. Being obsessed with repressing women is goofy, she responded. ALSO READ| Barron Trumps friend says Secret Service agents once busted into the classroom, and rushed him to safety Trying to watch what LGBTQ+ people do all the time is abnormal. Punishing people who dont have biological offspring is creepy. Its an incel platform, dude. Its SUPER weird. And people need to know. Ramaswamy echoes Vance's sentiment on immigration This comes amid scrutiny over remarks made by Ramaswamys close associate, Sen. JD Vance, who has faced backlash for past comments, including calling childless women cat ladies and suggesting higher taxes for Americans without children. The Indian-American biotech entrepreneur wrote in a July 29 post, You deserve the opportunity to secure a better life for your children in America. But our message to illegal immigrants is also this: we will return you to your country of origin, not because youre all bad people, but because you broke the law, while resonating the same sentiment as Vance. Ramaswamy and Vance share a long history, having been classmates and friends at Yale Law School. ALSO READ| Furious Trump says go after Meta and Google amid assassination attempt censorship row: Let them know we are He also addresses recent native Black Americans colliding with immigrants and said, To black Americans: the media has tried to convince you for decades that Republicans dont care about your communities. We want for you what we want for every American: safe neighbourhoods, clean streets, good jobs, a better life for your children, and a justice system that treats everyone equally regardless of your skin colour or your political beliefs. A flurry of reports concerning Prince Harry's deepened estrangement from his father, King Charles, has swelled across media outlets ever since the Sussexes relinquished their official royal posts and departed for the US. The issue is once again being revisited because a close friend of the Duke's has claimed that an impenetrable wall of complete silence stands between Harry and his father. FILE PHOTO: Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, cries as she, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Queen Camilla and King Charles attend the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, in London, Britain, September 19, 2022. (REUTERS / Toby Melville) The father-son duo has reportedly completely severed ties and is no longer on speaking terms. Despite the Duke of Sussex swiftly flying to London in February following his father's cancer diagnosis, the pair's relationship has become more strained than ever. Their very public family rift, which has become one of the most indispensable aspects of the royal story, has attracted eyeballs since 2020 when Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, walked out on their royal roles. However, per People's latest report, the monarch is giving his son utter silent treatment, reportedly credited to his ongoing legal battle for security, for which Prince Harry has been making the rounds to the court for over four years. His seemingly never-ending legal tussle has only exacerbated his desperation for security provisions to be reinstated so that he can protect his wife and kids. According to a previous GB News report, the Duke of Sussex doesnt feel his family is safe when theyre in the UK because they do not have police protection officers with the Metropolitan Police with him. Also read | Prince William and Harry's uncle Lord Robert Fellowes dies at 82 The reasoning apparently adds up because he's travelled to the UK on several occasions despite the issues with the royal family, his wife and children have completely stayed out of touch with the London chapter of his life. The Duke additionally returned to his home country in May to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. However, he missed out on reuniting with his father even then as he remained absent from the ceremony. Prince Harry's spokesperson eventually cited the King's full schedule for the missed opportunity. King Charles appears to be giving Prince Harry the silent treatment The newest details on the horizon have spilled that Harry wanted to convene with his father to discuss the security issue plaguing him. He believes King Charles can play an influential role in solidifying the decision in his favour. People added that while Buckingham Palace will not comment on security provisions, a palace source told the outlet the notion that the Duke's security is in the King's hands is wholly incorrect. Also read | Donald Trump declares himself the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln' As for the terms of the relationship dynamics between the King and Prince Harry, the latter's pal says, He gets unavailable right now. His calls go unanswered. He has tried to reach out about the King's health, but those calls go unanswered too. A royal insider also said, Harry is frightened and feels the only person who can do anything about it is his father. However, constitutionally, that doesn't seem to be the case, as that power lies with the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC), which operates on behalf of the UK government. Elsewhere, sources claimed that the palace is constantly reminded of what happened when Harry's mother, the late Princess Diana, quit the royal establishment. Charles fear is a repeat of the past, a royal insider told the outlet. When his wife divorced the institution, she took the headlines, overshadowed his work and became a global superstar. Seeing his son leave with his wife was not part of the plan. Nevertheless, the Sussex couple didn't feel they had a choice, their friend said. The only option was to leave for their sanity. I do think they thought if they got out of this bubble, there would be less focus on them. A pair of assassinations of anti-Israel militant leaders hours apart is threatening to set off a regional clash and upend already fragile talks aimed at ending the war in Gaza. Israeli medics and security forces take part in a training drill at Kibbutz Afek, northern Israel simulating a missile strike on a building populated by dozens of people, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)(AP) The deadly round of strikes, retaliation and negotiations escalated Wednesday when Hamas' political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed, hours after he attended the inauguration of Iran's new president in Tehran. Israel has not claimed responsibility, but Iran threatened revenge against Israel. It was the second assassination in less than 24 hours to be blamed on Israel. On Tuesday, the Israeli military said it had killed Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in an airstrike in a Beirut suburb. The killing followed the rocket attack Saturday on the town of Majdal Shams that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Iran-backed Hezbollah denied it was behind the Majdal Shams attack. The U.N. Security Council was expected to hold an emergency meeting amid efforts to prevent Mideast tensions from boiling over. Here's what to know about the intensifying conflict. Israel is under fire on multiple fronts Israel uses targeted killings and the perception of overwhelming force in Gaza to communicate with the region's other players Iran among them about the consequences of aggression against Israel. Now, Israel faces the threat of retaliation from multiple fronts. In this cycle, the rocket attack on Majdal Shams in the north begat the assassination of Shukur. And Haniyeh's killing in Tehran came during Israel's 10-month war against Hamas in Gaza, which has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians in the seaside enclave, according to Gaza Health Ministry numbers. Israel says the Gaza war is its response to the Oct. 7 attack in which Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 more hostage. Israel has vowed to kill Hamas' leaders in response to Oct. 7. Against that backdrop, Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have exchanged near-daily strikes. But they have previously kept the conflict at a deadly but relatively low level that has not escalated to full-scale war. The assassinations of Shukur and Haniyeh could change those calculations. Iran has also threatened to respond after the attack on its territory. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a letter to dozens of foreign ministries around the world that Israel is not interested in an all-out war." He urged a full cessation of hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border. But he added a warning: Israel sent a clear message: we will harm with great force whoever harms us. Gaza cease-fire talks in question Concern about the cease-fire talks have soared in the wake of Haniyeh's killing. Before the strikes, there were some hopes that Israel and Hamas might have been nearing an agreement to pause the war. The negotiations were mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States. Haniyeh was among the negotiators. Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, told journalists in Iran that whoever replaces Haniyeh will follow the same vision regarding negotiations to end the war and continue in the same policy of resistance against Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged the prime minister of Qatar, a key mediator in cease-fire talks, to continue working toward an agreement that would "secure the release of hostages, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and unlock the possibility of broader stability, the State Department said. Hamas top political officials were based in Qatar. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani asked on social media: Can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side? Peace needs serious partners & a global stance against the disregard for human life. U.S. and Israel on divergent paths The killings suggest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is more openly at odds with the Biden administration's attempts to calm the tensions in the region. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Americans weren't aware of or involved in the Haniyeh attack. A cease-fire, Blinken said, remained "the best way to bring the temperature down everywhere. But the overnight strike may have all but destroyed those U.S. hopes for the time being. I just dont see how a cease-fire is feasible right now with the assassination of the person you would have been negotiating with, said Vali Nasr, a former U.S. diplomat now at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. If cycles of retaliation and counter-retaliation unspool as expected and feared, Haniyehs killing could thwart the administrations hopes of restraining any Israeli inflammatory actions. As the U.S. political campaign enters its last months, it'll be harder for the Biden administration to break away should it want to from an ally with whom it has historical, security, economic and political ties. A long history of targeted killings The pair of killings this week are the latest in decades of targeted strikes to be blamed on Israel, with several allegedly this year alone. Weeks ago, Israel targeted Hamas shadowy military commander Mohammed Deif in a massive strike in the crowded southern Gaza Strip. The strike killed at least 90 people including children, according to local health officials. Deifs fate remains unknown. In April, two Iranian generals were killed in what Iran said was an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria. The deaths prompted Iran to launch an unprecedented attack against Israeli territory, launching 300 missiles and drones, most of which were intercepted. In January, an Israeli drone strike in Beirut killed Saleh Arouri, a top Hamas official in exile, as Israeli troops battled the militant group in Gaza. A regional war? The complex dynamics add up to serious concerns about a regional war and which countries could get drawn into one. Weve now seen again that Israel can target anywhere in Iran. But this time there is a question of the safety of the Iranian senior officials, Nomi Bar-Yaacov, associate fellow with the international security program at Chatham House, said. Israel is basically sending a message to the Iranians: We can kill any one of you anywhere, anytime. And that is very dangerous. He added: Iran has many long arms known as proxies, but they act as sub-states in many places, in Iraq, in Syria, in Lebanon, in Yemen, in Gaza, of course, in the West Bank and in east Jerusalem. So they have got their people training, arming, planning everywhere, and they can reach anywhere in the world. They can also hit Israeli or Jewish targets globally. And the question really is, whats next?" A new book has claimed that Prince William banned Meghan Markle from wearing his late mothers jewellery at her wedding to his brother, Prince Harry. Royal correspondent and author Robert Jobson said that William was worried about the Duke of Sussexs relationship with Meghan, which was moving at a great pace. William ensured Meghan didn't wear Diana's jewellery at her wedding, new book claims (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba, REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska/Pool) The Daily Mail obtained an excerpt from Jobsons upcoming book titled Catherine, the Princess of Wales, where he claimed that the Prince of Wales urged Harry to cool the relationship by letting Meghan adjust to the royal way of life before tying the knot. William, still concerned by the match, even sought assurances from the Queen that his brothers bride-to-be would not wear any jewelry in the collection once worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, even though his wife Catherine had been allowed to wear some, which would be due to her rank, Jobson wrote. William is said to have proposed to Kate Middleton with Princess Dianas 12-carat sapphire and diamond ring. Harry felt affronted and judged it to be an insult Jobson revealed that the relations between Harry and William had already soured before Meghan married the Duke. But the relationship between the brothers worsened after Harry introduced Meghan to William and Kate. Jobson claimed that William was concerned about how fast Harrys relationship with Meghan was progressing. Harry claimed that the goodwill from William and Catherine disappeared long before the build-up to his wedding, Jobson wrote. William had confided to his brother that he believed it would be better to give Meghan more time to adjust to the royal way of life and suggested he cool the relationship. Harry felt affronted and judged it to be an insult. As a direct result, his relationship with his brother deteriorated fast. According to Harrys book Spare, William physically attacked him, he added. Harry and Meghan met in June 2016 and started dating five months later. They tied the knot in May 2018 at Windsor Castle. Alexander Hotel, a new boutique hotel in the iconic Torre Virreyes skyscraper, is now open. Positioned in the heart of Mexico City's financial hub, the hotel combines sleek design, meticulous attention to detail, and a Caviar Bar, the first of its kind in Mexico. The five-star hotel features 26 light-filled suites and luxury amenities, including a spa, restaurant, a complete Technogym, and a premium concierge. All suites are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Just minutes away from the vibrant neighborhoods of Reforma, Polanco, and Chapultepec, Alexander Hotel offers quick access to major business hubs, top-tier dining, cultural experiences, and iconic landmarks. Situated in the prestigious Lomas de Chapultepec, it's the only hotel in this exclusive area of Mexico City. Guests enjoy full concierge services that arrange personalized experiences, allowing them to unwind effortlessly. "In opening Alexander Hotel, we offer a sanctuary of luxury and tranquility in the heart of Mexico City. Our commitment to providing an elite guest experience is reflected in every detail, from our exquisite suites to our innovative dining options," said Alejandro Gallegos, General Manager of Alexander Hotel. "We are thrilled to welcome guests to discover the modern elegance and timeless sophistication that defines our hotel. Alexander Hotel is The Place to Be." Designer Suites and Spaces Each of Alexander Hotel's 26 suites complements the distinguished ambiance of Lomas de Virreyes with its Poltrona Frau furniture. Minotti tables, Rimadesio closets, and Amini rugs all come from Italy. Madison Collection towels, 600-count sheets, and down feather duvets are also included. The hotel indulges guests with personalized Byredo bath amenities and a curated collection of luxury tableware and glassware, including handmade Vista Alegre from Portugal, Noritake, Villeroy & Boch, and Reidel crystal. To unwind, Matouk cotton robes, soft, lightweight, and comfortable, are provided. Daniel Alvarez, the renowned architect of Alexander Hotel, designed a space that elevates everyday life. The hotel features high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, fine wood, rare marble, and meticulously crafted Italian furniture. Alvarez's use of timeless materials, including marble calcite blue, ebony wood, and leather, creates a modern and sophisticated aesthetic. Ambia Studio Interior Design collaborated on the hotel's design to create a warm and harmonious environment that makes guests feel at home. The designers incorporated Mexican elements inspired by earthy colors, with blue tones to evoke a cozy atmosphere. Soft fabrics, rugs, and natural woods add warmth and comfort, inviting guests to relax and enjoy their stay. The Art of Caviar Alexander Hotel's Caviar Bar, the first of its kind in Mexico, offers an intimate ambiance serving Petrossian caviar varieties and a curated selection of signature cocktails. The restaurant features lavish Italian decor and the culinary expertise of Executive Chef Ana Sophia Serrano. Renowned for her exquisite cuisine crafted from fresh, seasonal produce, Chef Serrano has curated a menu that includes Beluga, Osetra, and Daurenki caviar with signature dishes including homemade Truffle Tagliolini and Wagyu Filet. Each dish combines the finest ingredients with impeccable presentation. Complementing the culinary offerings, The Caviar Bar's mixology program, led by head bartender and mixologist Jonathan Botello Garcini, features signature cocktails like the Alexander Martini. Crafted with Belvedere 10 Vodkaexclusively available at Alexander Hoteland served with a Kumamoto Oyster topped with Baeri Caviar, these cocktails elevate the bar's offerings to new heights. Curated Mexican Art The hotel's photographic collection, curated by Nicole Badis, is permanently displayed throughout the property and within the suites, capturing the essence of Mexican creativity. The black-and-white series, created by seven artists between 1987 and 2023, explores space in a way that transcends the visual, immersing guests in the elegance and sophistication that define the environment. Hotel website With over 23 years of experience in the industry, specialising in luxury hotel management and operations, Leonardo Morado has returned to the helm as General Manager of Chable Yucatan. Having previously held the position at the hotel from 2020-2022, Morado's unparalleled wealth of dedicated product knowledge and valuable intuition ensures he is perfectly positioned to elevate the world-leading property to further heights whilst maintaining the highest standards of service for which it is already renowned. His illustrious career has been shaped by roles with prestigious brands including Ritz-Carlton and AMResorts. As a result of these positions, Morado brings exceptional attention to detail, a passion for emotion that connects his team and guests, as well as admirable leadership qualities. At Chable Yucatan Morado will oversee all operations and ensure the hotel continues to be the epitome of luxury hospitality, having been crowned one of the World's 50 Best Hotels in 2023. Tourism Hero Dr. Jens Thraenhart is up to a new beginning, which is the continuation of what his passion is. A new angle put on sustainability tourism is High-Yield Tourism, and Jens explained this at the recently concluded Cebu Call to Action conference in the Philippines. Tourism is competitive, and post-Covid travel economics are complex. Seasonal factors are changing. Precise market segmenting and visitor profiling are vital. Destinations that re-evaluate the structural composition of their inbound mix reduce the cost of acquiring visitors, improve financial yield, and build a resilient, flexible visitor economy. Engaging High-Yield Tourists for Balanced Visitor Economy Growth is an in-depth exploration of the high-yield tourism segment as a strategic approach for destinations and travel organizations to achieve balanced growth. High Yield Tourism is a new Thailand-based consulting business initiative co-founded by Dr. Jens Thraenhart . Source: High-Yield Tourism Dr. Thaenhart, former CEO of the Barbados Tourism Board, developed a passion for responsible and sustainable tourism. It has been his vision not only for Barbados but also when he was the Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office. High-yield tourism will elucidate the economic advantages of attracting visitors who spend more per visit and seek culturally immersive experiences. It delves into the identification, engagement, and retention of high-yield tourists who are crucial for sustainable and equitable tourism development. This is a welcoming concept for many destinations that want high-spending responsible visitors. Hawaii has been stepping into this concept as their answer to fight over tourism, while often forgetting tourism is a money-making business essential for the island economy. High-Yield aims to provide a comprehensive guide for destinations and travel organizations and broaden the potential readership base, such as government officials, academic researchers, consultants, funding organizations, and business leaders in sectors aligned with travel and tourism to harness this often-overlooked segment for sustainable growth. The California Hotel & Lodging Association Releases Fourth Edition of California Hotel Law The California Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA) today released its fourth edition of California Hotel Law, a comprehensive legal guide essential for navigating the complexities of California's lodging sector. This latest edition addresses the rapidly evolving legal landscape with easy-to-understand language on current statutes, regulations and judicial decisions that impact hotel operations. Crafted over three years by CHLA's Member Legal Advisor, Jim Abrams, the interactive guide features 18 detailed chapters on critical legal issues such as hotel operations, employment law, liability and risk management. New in this edition are updates on recent legal changes and emerging trends in the hospitality sector. "California Hotel Law puts crucial legal information at the fingertips of hoteliers," Abrams said. "It's designed to be a practical resource, helping them tackle everyday legal challenges efficiently and accurately." California Hotel Law is available exclusively to CHLA members via the association's website. Members can access the guide at www.calodging.com/benefits. The guide will be updated every two years and as needed to address new legal and regulatory developments. Abrams also is available to provide personalized guidance to members. "The value of California Hotel Law is paramount to our members," said Lynn S. Mohrfeld, President & CEO of CHLA. "This resource, combined with Jim's expertise, equips our industry to navigate California's dynamic legal environment with confidence." Accor to Bring Sofitel, Novotel and Novotel Living to Changzhou High Speed Rail New Town - Image Credit Accor Accor Greater China, together with Changzhou High-Speed Railway Town and Changzhou High-Tech Group Co., Ltd., has announced the signing of a multiple property hospitality project in the fast-growing community of Changzhou High Speed Rail New Town. Sofitel Changzhou will bring a French luxury experience, complemented by Novotel Changzhou and a Novotel Living Changzhou extended stay hotel. The deal comes as Accor is experiencing an ambitious period of growth across Greater China, having recently opened its 700th hotel, with more than 100 hotels set to open by year-end and 150+ development projects currently underway. "Accor is a market leader in matching the right brand with the right destination, in line with our partner's development objectives," said Gary Rosen, CEO, Accor Greater China. "Working with Changzhou High-Tech Group, we have the ideal opportunity to create an inspired mix of luxury, midscale and extended stay hotels that we believe will be ideally suited to the vibrant and booming community of Changzhou High Speed Rail New Town." Changzhou High-speed Rail New Town at Xinbei in Jiangsu Province has become the one of the most important economic development zones of Changzhou and a strategic link to the Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone. Renowned for its innovations in advancing sustainable technology, as well as being an international center of expertise for artificial intelligence manufacturing, Changzhou is also a host to the alternative energy sector, the automative industry, bio-tech medicine, new energy cluster industries, advanced machinery, and more. "Accor is an obvious leader when it comes to offering a wide range of the world's most renowned hospitality brands, such as Sofitel and Novotel, which we are excited to bring to the city of Changzhou," said Ge Yafang, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman & General Manager of Changzhou High-Speed Railway Town and Changzhou High-Tech Group Co., Ltd. "The addition of Novotel Living will add a modern and fresh spin on the hospitality experience, which is particularly important to the young business travelers who are increasingly traveling to Changzhou and wanting to connect with the local community." Sofitel, the world's first international French luxury hospitality brand, has become Accor's global ambassador of the French zest. The brand holds strong appeal among Chinese travelers, who appreciate its exquisite hospitality experiences, refined sense of modern luxury and its ability to masterfully blend Chinese and French cultures in a beautiful and harmonious way. In 2024, Sofitel is celebrating its 60th anniversary, with joyful festivities and cultural events happening at hotels across Greater China and around the world. Sofitel Changzhou will be a shining tower in Star City, next to Changzhou North Station, ideally positioned amid a neighborhood of modern, ecologically minded businesses, high-end offices, and tech enterprises. The hotel will bring a luxurious sense of art de vivre to 310 guestrooms, a sumptuous spa and wellness center with pool, an executive lounge, stylish restaurants and bars, and meeting facilities that will include two elegant ballrooms, ideal for weddings and celebratory events. In nearby Changzhou International Talent Plaza, Accor will create Novotel Changzhou, a 324-guestroom tower, with a second 223-room tower for Novotel Living Changzhou. Mr. Jalal Al Wazzan, Managing Director of Kingdom Projects W.L.L with Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL - Image Credit IHCL Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, announced the signing of a luxury hotel and boutique resort in the Kingdom of Bahrain, both under its iconic Taj brand. These greenfield projects mark a significant milestone as IHCL becomes the first Indian hospitality company to establish a presence in the Kingdom of Bahrain, further cementing its footprint in the Middle East. Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, stated, "We are pleased to announce two hotels in the island nation of Bahrain in line with our strategy of growing Taj's presence in key gateway cities of the world. With a portfolio of seven hotels including four under development in the Middle East, these hotels will extend our presence in the MENA region." He added, "We are delighted to partner with Kingdom Projects to introduce the iconic Taj with its world - class hospitality, elevating Bahrain's tourism landscape." Nestled amid picturesque surroundings, the Taj resort in Hamala will feature 251 luxurious rooms, each thoughtfully designed to reflect the laid-back serenity of the island. The resort will offer luxury offerings, including an all-day dining restaurant, two specialty restaurants, alongside a swimming pool and exclusive beach club. Curated to create an atmosphere of relaxation and rejuvenation, the resort will additionally encompass wellness areas such as a state-of-the-art gym and tranquil spa. The resort's 1,200 sq.mt banquet facilities will cater to grand events and celebrations, making it a key player in Bahrain's emerging leisure sector. The 200 room Taj hotel in Downtown Seef, Manama, strategically located in the heart of Bahrain's bustling capital, is set to cater to the needs of business travelers and tourists alike. Coupled with world-class wellness facilities including a modern gym, spa, and swimming pool, the hotel will provide guests with an endless variety of culinary experiences, ranging from all-day dining and specialty restaurants, to an exclusive pool bar. The Downtown Seef hotel will additionally feature banquet areas tailored for meetings, corporate events, and weddings. Mr. Jalal Al Wazzan, Managing Director of Kingdom Projects W.L.L, stated, "We are delighted to welcome the prestigious and world-renowned Taj brand, a first for Bahrain, which will work towards attracting tourists in greater numbers from across the region and around the globe, thereby enhancing the tourism sector's contribution to GDP. In line with the Economic Vision 2030 driven by the Crown Prince, partnering with leading leisure and hospitality brands exemplifies Kingdom Projects' vested commitment to contribute to the development and growth of the tourism sector and thereby, the diversification of the national economy." With the addition of these hotels, IHCL will have a presence of 7 hotels with 4 under development in the Middle East. Whitbread Appoints GMI Construction Group to Build Manchester City Centre Premier Inn - Image Credit Whitbread Whitbread PLC, the UK's largest hotel business and owner of Premier Inn, has appointed GMI Construction Group as principal contractor for its latest development in Manchester City Centre. GMI will lead the construction of Whitbread's development site on Rochdale Road on the edge of Manchester's Northern Quarter. The location has planning permission for a 229-bedroom Premier Inn hotel set over ten storeys with an integrated restaurant, bar, and check-in area on the ground floor. Whitbread acquired the site from Premcor in February 2024 as part of the company's ongoing strategy of investing in strategic locations across Manchester. The company intends to bring its very latest bedroom product to the Rochdale Road hotel including its popular Premier Plus rooms. Will Steward, Project and Programme Manager for Whitbread, said: "Whitbread acquired the Rochdale Road development site in February 2024 with the premise of bringing about a speedy transformation of the location into a latest format Premier Inn hotel. Appointing GMI as principal contractor continues this positive momentum, and we hope to break ground and start building our latest Manchester hotel this autumn." Rochdale Road is the latest investment by Whitbread in Central Manchester in recent years. In May 2021 the company opened a 157-bedroom Premier Inn at Princess Street to the south of the city centre. The opening paved the way for the redevelopment of the Premier Inn Manchester City Centre (Deansgate Locks) hotel a short distance away which served the same catchment. The Deansgate Locks location was subsequently sold to Student Roost for redevelopment into a purpose-built student accommodation development of more than 1,000 student beds in July 2024. Anthony Judge, Regional director for GMI Construction, said: "Following on from GMI and Whitbread's collaboration in delivery of the nationally recognised and impressive Premier Inn development in Keswick, its brilliant to see our partnership go from strength to strength. "This latest development in the iconic Northern Quarter of Manchester will be a striking new addition to the skyline with its remarkable brickwork facade. We are delighted to be a part of this major project and greatly look forward to progressing with this scheme." On opening, the Premier Inn at Rochdale Road will be Whitbread's seventh hotel in central Manchester and one of its largest in the city. As it continues to expand, the business is currently focused on fulfilling its network target to the east of the city and at Manchester Airport. Philanthropy Massachusetts Talks Berkshire County Needs Philanthropy Mass CEO Mary Skelton Roberts, left, Barr Foundation President Jim Canales and Alexandra Russell, co-chair of the Western Mass Funders Network and moderator of the panel. The networking event was held at the Norman Rockwell Museum on July 12. STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. The Norman Rockwell Museum was filled with nonprofit members and philanthropists earlier this month to have a conversation centered around the challenges in Western Massachusetts and how Philanthropy Massachusetts can help. "Part of what I wanted to do was just get out there and meet who is working on behalf of folks in Berkshire County," said the organization's new CEO Mary Skelton Roberts. "The other goals was to talk with them about ... what are the issues that they're facing, and how were they coming together, to discuss these issues, learn together, and then figure out if there is a next step." The event featured a panel consisting of Roberts and local nonprofit leaders Peter Taylor, president of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, and Jim Canales, president and trustee of the Barr Foundation. Based on the conversations at the event, it seemed that the attendees wanted to hear what Philanthropy Massachusetts' concerns and priorities are, Roberts said. Philanthropy Massachusetts was established in 1969 with aims to bridge the gap between funders and fund applicants. Through its network, it provides a number of resources such as research and technical assistance, and convenes funders and non-profits, Roberts said. "Philanthropy Massachusetts has a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. Our goal is to collectively move the field of philanthropy to be more intentional in advancing equity and justice in the sector and across the Commonwealth," according to Philanthropy's website "Our primary strategy to achieve this goal is to influence, encourage, support and lead institutional and individual funders in MA to advance equity (racial and other forms), diversity and inclusion systems, policies, practices and structures within their organizations and communities served." The Barr Foundation is one of Berkshire County's largest funders and strong funder, Roberts said. During the event, Canales talked about "how philanthropy is thinking about some of the issues that are affecting not just Massachusetts, but across the country, that have an impact on Massachusetts," Roberts said. The event was to find out what the community's needs are so, in the future, the Western Mass. Funders Network working group can discuss next steps and develop a strategy. They will also conduct research on funding trends and data to identify opportunities in the region and explore ways to facilitate collaboration between the nonprofit, for-profit, and public sectors to improve the quality of life in the region. "Our role is to be facilitators, conveners, connectors and the bridge between the for-profit and the nonprofit sector," Roberts said. "We bring business along, we bring, decision makers, and public policy makers. When we bring them together and we're able to talk and learn and share and act, that's when you start seeing really interesting good things happen." Another thing that Roberts wants to look at that was not part of the event is how much funding from various foundations in Massachusetts goes to Berkshire County and what issues the funders are supporting. According to the data from 2022, there are approximately 481 nonprofits in Berkshire County, which is 17 percent of the total nonprofits in Massachusetts, and about $90 million in funding went to those nonprofits, Roberts said. "One of the things that that number tells me is that we have a lot of funders that are not from Berkshire County, that are actually funding the county," she said. Based on this data, Roberts said the county is "doing a really good job at" looking across the state for funding and working in collaboration in ways that are going to make a difference. According to the data the top funding priorities in 2022 were education at $29.6 million, arts and culture at $26.9 million, human services at $14 million, economic development at $9.1 million, and health at $6.3 million, Roberts said. This data is important because it shows were the money is going, what the area's priorities are, how these priorities align with the state and future opportunities, what can be done to bring more attention to the Berkshires, and where more can be done, Roberts said. "So I was curious to talk with them and understand more and really learn from them what can Philanthropy Massachusetts do going forward that is a benefit to you and a benefit to the field," Roberts said. Adams Theater Presents Community Movement Workshop ADAMS, Mass. The Adams Theater with Fern Katz will present a community movement workshop Sunday, August 4 at 4 P.M., as part of Katz's residency at The Adams Incubator. The workshop is free and community members are welcome to attend. Participants can register here According to a press release: "When Paths Cross," a multi-disciplinary collaborative formed by Fern Katz and collaborators, blends dance, theater, acrobatics and circus. Katz works with questions of human interaction /communication and simple, mundane situations which will tell a deep and complex story about the characters as well as the contradictions of the human condition. Her creations use dark humor, surrealism, and an excavation of the subconscious on stage. Fern Katz is a touring member of Ordem do O (Portugal), creator of dance-theater project LIVING DOLLS, and has presented her work at various venues, including Jacob's Pillow. Previously, danced in the works of Sharon Fridman, Olga Rabetskaya, Rebecca Pappas, and many others. When Paths Cross was Artist-in-Residence at Estufa Plataforma Cultural (Portugal), Keshet Makers Experience (New Mexico), The Foundry Theater (MA), and performed in Westfest Dance Festival and Spark Theatre Festival (NYC). This work is part of the residency programming this season at the Adams Incubator, which invites artists to use the theater's physical space to develop bold, original works that foster cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary collaborations. Artists-in-residence present performances, and organize open rehearsals, talkbacks, or community workshops. The Adams Incubator is supported by an Arts Build Community Integration Grant from Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A famous portrait of King Henry VIII, long considered lost, has been found after an art historian spotted it in the background of a photo shared on social media. The painting in question was once part of a famous set of 22 portraits commissioned in the 1590s by tapestry maker Ralph Sheldon. The portrait hung originally in Weston House, Sheldons Warwickshire home, but barely a handful of paintings from the collection survive today. Art historian Adam Busiakiewicz, who works as a consultant for famous auction house Sothebys, spotted the painting in the background of a picture posted by the Warwickshire Lieutenancy on X on 4 July. The account had shared a photo of a reception held at the Shire Hall, and the portrait is just about visible in the background. The fact I was lucky to piece together [what it was] in an hour is very exciting, Mr Busiakiewicz told the BBC. I spend a lot of time thinking about paintings and looking at peoples walls. In a blog post, Mr Busiakiewicz explained that the portraits distinctive arched top is specific to the other paintings in the Sheldon set, and is identical to the frames of other surviving paintings from the set are in. In addition, this particular composition of King Henry is featured in an engraving of the Long Gallery at Weston Hall by the antiquarian Henry Shaw. Other surviving paintings from the set hang in the National Portrait Gallery, London, Eton College, and Knebworth House. Once the historian alerted the local authorities to his suspicions, the Warwickshire County Council invited him to take a look. Since the discovery, the portrait has been moved to the Councils Museum Collections Centre for further research. Mr Busiakiewicz said while he couldnt provide an accurate value for the painting, he was aware that other Sheldon pieces had sold for about 200,000. Sheldons 22-painting set was sold off at auction, and a majority of them still remain missing to this day. Research is currently ongoing to establish what happened to Henry VIIIs portrait and how it made its way to Shire Hall. Warwick historian and interpretation manager for the Historic Royal Palaces, Aaron Mannings research revealed a previously unknown state visit by Henry VIII to Warwick in September 1511. Letters written by Henry VIII stored in the National Archives show the address he was writing from. While Tudor experts previously studied the contents of the letters, they did not deem the address significant. Mr Busiakiewicz said: This portrait of Henry VIII is a remarkable Tudor painting of one of Englands most recognisable Kings. Ever since the current owners of Warwick Castle sold a fabulous portrait of Henry VIII from the castle in 2015 Warwick has needed an important image of this King to stand in its place, reported Coventry Live. Mr Manning said: He might be the most recognisable English king, but there are only so many portraits of Henry VIII that were painted in the Tudor period. Its wonderful that a lost portrait from the 1500s, especially one commissioned for and displayed in a Warwickshire home, has been rediscovered; a really important addition to the towns already rich history. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An undercover human trafficking sting at San Diego pop culture event Comic-Con International led to 14 arrests and the rescue of 10 victims. In a statement released on Wednesday, July 31, the California Department of Justice revealed that the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force had conducted a human trafficking sting aimed at recovering victims of sex trafficking and targeting sex buyers using the San Diego Comic-Con Convention to seek out potential victims. California Attorney General Rob Bonta explained: Unfortunately, sex traffickers capitalize on large scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit. These arrests send a clear message to potential offenders that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated. We are grateful to all our dedicated partners involved in the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, whose collaboration has been invaluable. We take great pride in our offices commitment to uplifting vulnerable Californians by offering them assistance and guidance when they need it most. Comic-Con attracts more than 100,000 people to San Diego each year, and this weekends event generated several high-profile pop culture news stories including Keanu Reeves previewing John Wick 4 and Marvels unveiling of Robert Downey Jr as supervillain Doctor Doom. open image in gallery Attendees at the 2024 Comic-Con International at San Diego Convention Center. ( Frazer Harrison/Getty Images ) The California Department of Justice was also in attendance, with law enforcement officials going undercover as sex buyers to root out suspects and potential victims. Support services were offered to the victims who were rescued during the three-day operation. CBS reports that at least one victim, a 16-year-old, was provided with child welfare services. There is no more insidious crime than human trafficking, said San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez in the same statement. 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 coercion and violence which enslaves people for profit and places them into forced labor or sex is criminal, she continued. I appreciate the focus that was placed on the recent convention to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking. Acting special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, Christopher Davis, added that major events such as Comic-Con are targeted by criminals as an opportunity to exploit attendees. When people use these events as an opportunity to prey upon minors, HSI and our law enforcement partners will find you and bring you before a court of law to face criminal charges, said Davis. There is no place for alleged predators to operate in our city and HSI is committed to helping the victims of these crimes. 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 }} Pax Jolie-Pitt, the son of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has sustained injuries in a bike accident. The 20-year-old was admitted to hospital in Los Angeles after his electric bike crashed into a car. According to TMZ, Pax suffered a head injury and hip pain as a result of the crash. He is now stable, according to the publication, which states that he may be able to return home later today (30 July). Doctors had reportedly initially feared a minor brain bleed. The accident occurred on Monday (29 July) on Los Feliz Boulevard in LA during rush hour at around 5pm in the evening. Speaking to TMZ, law enforcement sources said Paxs electric bike had crashed into the back of a car at an intersection. Sources said that after the crash, the driver got out of his car to check on Pax before the paramedics arrived at the scene. The Independent has contacted a representative of Pax for comment. Pax is one of six children Jolie shares with her former husband Pitt. They also share Maddox, 22, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 15. ( Getty Images ) Pax made headlines in December last year, when a Fathers Day post from 2020 was unearthed by the MailOnline, in which he called his father a world class a**hole and f***ing awful human being. Happy Fathers Day to this world class a***hole, Pax reportedly addressed a message to his adoptive dad. You time and time and again prove yourself to be a terrible and despicable person. You have no consideration or empathy toward your four youngest children who tremble in fear when in your presence. A source told MailOnline that the message was posted from a private Instagram account belonging to Pax. 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 Pitt did not respond to The Independents request for comment at the time. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ( Getty Images ) Jolie and Pitt announced their split in 2016, and the break-up has been acrimonious. Jolie is thought to have filed for divorce after an incident on a September 2016 private flight from France to Los Angeles. Court filings obtained by The New York Times claimed that Pitt choked one of the children and struck another in the face and grabbed Jolie by the head and shook her. It also claimed that he poured beer on Jolie and poured beer and red wine on the children. Pitt vehemently denied the claims at the time, and was never charged following an investigation into the allegations. However, a detailed account of what transpired on the private plane was made public last year, after FBI records were leaked to the press. Friends and family attend the premiere of 'First They Killed My Father' at the Toronto film festival last week: (from left) Loung Ung, Vivienne, Maddox, Pax, Angelina, Kimhak Mun, Knox, Shiloh, Zahara and Sareum Srey Moch ( Getty ) Earlier this month, their daughter Shiloh confirmed she had dropped her fathers surname. The 18-year-old filed for her legal name to be changed from Shiloh Jolie-Pitt to Shiloh Jolie. Although Shiloh is thought to be the first of their children to embark on the legal process required to officially change names, both Vivienne and Zahara have unofficially dropped their fathers surname. In May, Shilohs younger sister Vivienne dropped Pitt from her surname, according to the programme for Broadway play The Outsiders, which she worked on alongside her mother. In 2023, Zahara, 19, also appeared to have decided to no longer use her fathers surname, as she was introduced to her universitys sorority as Zahara Marley Jolie. 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 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 Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Alan McGee recounts the shocking aftermath of a row between bandmates Pete Doherty and Carl Barat in his new book, Alan McGee: How to Run an Indie Label. The former Oasis manager and Creation Records boss briefly managed The Libertines while they were releasing their self-titled 2004 album. In the book, McGee explains that he was bored after shutting down his label, through which he managed acts including Oasis, Primal Scream, and The Jesus and Mary Chain. He was made aware of The Libertines after being told that their former manager had split with the band after becoming fed up with them. At the time, he said, things were very messy as Doherty was facing charges for burgling Barats home out of revenge after he was kicked out of the band. After a first, unsuccessful meeting with the embattled co-frontman, McGee said he flew to America and Doherty spent six months in prison. When he returned, Doherty was out of jail. McGee said he agreed to take a meeting with a band to get rid of the c***s. The Libertines onstage in 2010 ( Getty Images ) He ordered champagne and, by the second bottle, had signed on as their manager. I assume that whatever worked for Primal and Oasis will work for them too, so I sent Carl and Pete to my big house in Wales, he said. The other bands always loved that s***, getting out to the big house in the country. So I send The Libertines down there to get to know them and make a plan. McGee said he noticed something was amiss between Barat and Doherty on the drive up, which only worsened at the house. 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 The next day, he woke up early when he heard someone coming down the stairs: Its Carl. I look at him in my peripheral vision and Im instantly stunned. It looks like someone has poured tomato ketchup over his head and he is wearing a spooky mask, McGee continued. His eye is also hanging out of his head. For two seconds Im in disbelief. Thats a mask... I mutter to myself. It was only when he looked again that McGee realised that Barats eye was in fact hanging out of its socket. Carl Barat told McGee he had head-butted a sink 10 times after a row with his bandmate, Pete ( Getty Images ) [Barat] mumbled that during the night he had self-harmed after an argument with Pete and head-butted the sink 10 times and his eye is now hanging out, he recalled. I get one of my new baby Charlies wipes and I put the eye back into his head. Im now thinking, what the f***, I only signed this band three days ago and now I got this mad kid holding his eye into his head. McGee managed to get a local farmer to drive him and the still-pissed Barat to hospital, where doctors were only just able to save his eye. Typically of The Libertines, its still not really sorted because they have sewn it the wrong way round, McGee said. So then I have to take him to Portland Street hospital in London and it costs eight grand to get it done properly. And that was my first week of managing The Libertines. McGee previously mentioned the incident while promoting his 2013 autobiography, Creation Stories. Alan McGee: How to Run an Indie Label is out on 5 September. 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 An award-winning play premiering at Londons Almeida Theatre was forced to take a 10-minute break on Monday (July 29) after several, mostly male, theatregoers reportedly felt faint following a graphic abortion scene. Directed by Eline Arbo, The Years is a drama based on French Nobel prizewinner Annie Ernauxs 2008 autobiography Les Annees. The stage adaption stars five different actors, including Romola Garai (Atonement) and Gina McKee (Our Friends in the North), who bring one womans personal and political story to life, set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing post-war Europe. From sexism in the workplace to advances in reproductive rights, the two-hour production also features a graphic scene in which Garais character performs a self-conducted, at-home abortion. During its Monday preview, one male audience member reportedly indicated that he was feeling faint with others nearby waving over staff for assistance. The man was then taken to the theatres front bar area. After which, a handful of others said they, too, were feeling woozy. The performance on Monday of The Years was stopped for 10 minutes so that our front of house team could provide care for an audience member who required assistance. During the stoppage, care was also provided for three other audience members. All audience members were quick to recover after brief assistance, the theatre said in a statement, according to The Guardian. It seemed those not feeling well were mainly male, one attendee told The Times. It was reported that during the pause, another man shouted that the scene was a disgrace and there was no warning. Actors on stage apparently responded to the theatregoer, saying that there had been warnings about the abortion. open image in gallery The Years is an adaptation of Annie Ernauxs 2008 autobiography Les Annees ( Ali Wright ) In the theatres statement, it was noted that warnings were posted on the Almeida website here, on the booking page, in pre-visit emails, and on front of house signage in the theatre. Almeidas website reads: The Years contains sexual content, a graphic depiction of abortion, a coerced sexual encounter and blood. The Years first opened on stage in Amsterdam in 2022 before debuting in London on Saturday, July 27. In a new interview with The Independent, Garai, 41, spoke about the plays material, praising Ernaux for basically inventing a new form, which I think was an inevitable part of her being a woman. It really details how difficult it is, as a woman, to understand your body as belonging completely to yourself, she said. Particularly as a young woman, I definitely did not understand that. I thought that my body was the property of the society that I lived in. I didnt really understand that it belonged to me, and that I could dictate its size and shape and what went into it and what went out of it, food and sex and all of it. And I dont know, actually, that women definitely do feel that any better now. 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 Netflix has admitted that Baby Reindeers real-life Martha Scott was never convicted of stalking the shows writer and star, Richard Gadd, an admission that could have an impact on the outcome of the $170m defamation lawsuit against the streamer. Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey, who claims to be the inspiration behind the shows antagonist Martha (Jessica Gunning), is suing Netflix for defamation. In the show, Martha is shown pleading guilty to stalking and being sentenced to prison. The series is billed as a true story, which Harvey argues in her lawsuit is the biggest lie in television history. When Netflixs senior UK director of public policy, Benjamin King, appeared in UK Parliament before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in May, he argued that Baby Reindeer was a true story of the horrific abuse suffered by Gadd at the hands of a convicted stalker. However, committee member John Nicolson then wrote to Netflix asking for evidence to back up this claim. In his response, King wrote: I wanted to clarify our understanding that the person on whom the show is based who we have at no point sought to identify was subject to a court order rather than a conviction. open image in gallery Jessica Gunning as Martha in the hit Netflix drama Baby Reindeer' ( Netflix ) King added: The writer of Baby Reindeer endured serious harassment over many months (as it now seems has been the case for many others), which had a significant impact on his wellbeing. Earlier this week, Gadd backed Netflix in their effort to dismiss Harveys lawsuit. While Gadd isnt named as a defendant in the $50m (39m) lawsuit, he filed a response in federal court defending a motion to dismiss Harveys claim in a declaration dated 28 July. In the 21-page document, Gadd describes the alleged ordeal he underwent while he knew Harvey. Overall, it was an incredibly stressful and worrying time, with a sustained period of relentless behaviour taking place over several years, he writes. 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 It is impossible to be exhaustive in setting out all of Harveys conduct, as there were so many instances of unwelcome personal interaction and attempts to engage, as well as deeply troubling communication. However, he also argues that Martha is a fictional character. I never intended the Series to identify any real person as Martha Scott, including Harvey, writes Gadd. Martha Scott is not Fiona Harvey. Like all characters in the Series, Martha is a fictional character with fictional personality traits that are very different than Harveys. 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 Maya Rudolph will reportedly bring back her popular impression of Vice President Kamala Harris to the new season of Saturday Night Live. Rudolph, 51, who was a regular cast member on the NBC sketch series from 2000 to 2007, made one of several returns to the show in 2019 where she debuted her portrayal of the VP. During the episode, she sparred with Woody Harrelsons Joe Biden and riffed on Harriss most memorable lines from the first round of Democratic primary debates. She then famously brought back her impersonation of Harris for the shows 46th season in 2021. Since President Joe Biden abandoned his re-election campaign and endorsed Harris to replace him in the 2024 presidential race against Donald Trump, SNL fans have been begging for Rudolphs return. Now, according to Deadline, it appears fans wishes have been answered as Rudolph is set to reprise her Harris character for the shows 50th season, which returns on September 28 and runs through the November 2024 presidential election. Earlier this month, it was reported that there were no discussions about Rudolph returning to the show, as her schedule was filled with other obligations, including pre-production on season three of her Apple TV+ comedy series Loot. However, pre-production for the show, which was scheduled to begin filming on August 26, has been halted, Deadline reports. open image in gallery Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris on Saturday Night Live ( NBC ) Members of the cast and crew told the outlet that production on the show produced by Universal Television, a division of NBC had been pushed back to January 3, 2025, due to scheduling reasons. The Independent has contacted NBC for comment. Rudolphs representative did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment. Back in 2019, during an appearance on MSNBC, Harris joked that she intended to keep Maya Rudolph in work for the next eight years. Rudolph earned her first Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her 2019 performance as Harris. 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 Bridesmaids actor most recently landed four Emmy nods: two for her hosting stint on SNLs Mothers Day episode, one for her voice-over work in Netflixs Big Mouth and another for her leading performance in Apple TV+s comedy series Loot. Harris, meanwhile, has surpassed the necessary threshold of support from delegates to secure the Democratic nomination. An official vote to ratify Harris as the nominee will begin on Thursday before concluding on Monday (August 5). On Tuesday (August 6), she will hold a rally in Philadelphia, where she will appear with her official running mate. At the moment, there are three names who have risen to the top of Harris shortlist after North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper took himself out of contention to be Harris VP. 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 Top Chef star Shirley Chung has revealed that she has stage 4 tongue cancer. The Beijing-born chef competed in season 11 of Top Chef, which aired from 2013 to 2014, finishing in third place. She returned to the show in season 14 and also appeared on the spin-off show Top Chef Duels. She announced her diagnosis alongside a video on Instagram showing her shaving her head. Hiiiii loves, I have some personal news to share with you, wrote Chung. Since last year December, I had a series of dental issues, I bit my tongue severely; I fractured my tooth and had to extract it and get an implant we thought it was because I am a heavy teeth grinder. And I was too busy to see a EMT specialist. The end of May, ulcers erupted in my mouth and my oral surgeon discovered a hidden tumor under my tongue. A few days later, I was diagnosed, stage 4 tongue cancer, as cancer cells also spread into my lymph nodes. open image in gallery Top Chef star Shirley Chung is currently undergoing chemotherapy ( Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Food & Wine ) I was very calm when doctors delivered the news, as a chef, Ive always [thrived] under pressure. I was extremely focused on getting all the tests and scans as fast as possible, so I can start on the treatment plans. Chung went on to say that on Sunday, June 2, her lead oncologist Dr Ho at Cedar Sinai called to discuss her treatment plans. She added that she is being supported by her husband, Jimmy Lee. I broke down, crying, trying to put thoughts together and ask questions but physically couldnt, all I heard was option 1, surgery, 100% removal of your tongue Jimmy was holding it together for both of us, asking if we have any option that I can keep my tongue and the survival rates There is another option, which was a unicorn case, at University of Chicago, they cured a patient (a chef!) with radiation and chemo, but you will have to go to Chicago Higher survival rate, or keep my tongue? I chose to keep my tongue, I am a fighter, I am a chef, I can be that unicorn too. I just finished 6 weeks of Chemo (and have many more to go), going to the hospital 4 times a week for injections, its like a full time job. 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 My tumor is shrinking, my speech is much better and I can eat most normal food now. I am learning to lean on others, to let go, to be more vulnerable .. it took me 2 weeks of contemplating to decide to tell my parents about my cancer, only my close circle of friends and my sister have known until now. I am learning, I can be strong 98% of the time, its ok to be not ok. I have a tough long road to recovery in front of me. Your love and support will carry me through. Cheer me on, Shirley Chung 2.0 will be reborn in 2025! Chung recently announced the closure of her Californian restaurant Ms Chi Cafe, which will cease operations this weekend on August 4. 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 Young people in the UK are turning their backs on traditional TV broadcasting in favour of video-streaming platforms, a new study has found. For the first time, less than half (48 per cent) of 16 to 24-year-olds watched live TV each week in 2023, according to research by Ofcom. This has dropped from 76 per cent in 2018 as many young people opted to watch platforms like YouTube and TikTok instead. 16 to 24-year-olds were found to watch 20 minutes of television each week while 25 to 34-year-old averaged 35 minutes of viewing time. As many as 93 per cent of those aged 16 to 24 watch a video on a streaming platform in the average week, while 63 per cent of those aged between 25 and 34 also opt for the likes of TikTok and YouTube over traditional TV. Those in the 16-24 age group reported watching one hour and 33 minutes of content on video-sharing platforms, while those in the 25 to 34 age group reported watching an hour and three minutes of shared content each week. Middle-aged viewers, aged between 45 and 54, have also begun to turn away from linear television, with viewing rates in the age group falling from 89 per cent to 84 per cent in a year. open image in gallery Asa Butterfield in Sex Education' ( Netflix ) However, despite figures showing that traditional viewing is falling, people in the UK watched more TV and video content at home in 2023 than in the previous year, averaging four hours and 31 minutes a day. Ofcom said the TV set remains at the heart of household viewing, but the increase in its use was being primarily driven by a rise in the viewing of video-sharing platforms, which rose by 12 per cent between 2022 and 2023. 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 There has also been an increase in those viewing broadcasters on-demand services such as ITVX and BBC iPlayer, which rose 29 per cent between 2022 and 2023. open image in gallery Joey Essex on Love Island ( ITV ) Radio is also making a comeback with its highest number of weekly listeners across all devices in the past 20 years in the first quarter of 2024, with just under 50 million tuning in. It is attracting new audiences and has increased its average hours per listener, with just over seven in 10 people aged 15 and above tuning into commercial stations at least once a week. Streaming services had a marginal rise in viewers, up six per cent between 2022 and 2023, with Netflix remaining the most popular service, which watched for an average of 21 minutes per person per day. Traditional television remains popular among older audiences, with those aged 65 and above watching more than four hours of television every week. Ian Macrae, Ofcoms director of market intelligence, said: Gen Z and Alpha are used to swiping and streaming, not flipping through broadcast TV channels. They crave the flexibility, immediacy and choice that on-demand services offer, spending over three hours a day watching video, but only 20 minutes of live TV. Additional reporting by PA 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 Myanmars military regime which seized power in a 2021 coup has extended the state of emergency serving to uphold its rule for another six months, as civil war rages in the country. The state of emergency was initially declared when the military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February 2021, arresting her and members of her National League for Democracy party. The emergency decree hands all government powers to military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and has now been extended six times, with the junta having pushed back promised elections which citizens warn will be neither free nor fair until an as-yet-unallocated date in 2025. open image in gallery Aung San Suu Kyi was ousted in a military coup in 2021 ( AP ) But the junta now faces its greatest challenge since seizing power. With attempts at peaceful protests having been lethally repressed, many opponents of military rule took up arms and large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict. The powerful ethnic minority militias and peoples defence forces that support Myanmars main opposition have now taken wide swathes of territory in fierce fighting in recent months. As a result, the military is now estimated to control less than half the country, but retains power over much of central Myanmar, including the capital, Naypyidaw, which was recently targeted by small rocket attacks and two bombings. The state of emergencys extension was approved after Mr Aung Hlaing argued more time was needed to restore stability to the country and carry out a census in preparations for national elections, state-run broadcaster MRTV reported. But with most leaders of the National League for Democracy party having been arrested, and a distinct lack of remaining free media in Myanma, the upcoming general election is widely seen as an attempt to normalise the militarys seizure of power through the ballot box. open image in gallery Myanmar's junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing had his emergency powers renewed on Wednesday ( REUTERS ) Under the countrys 2008 constitution which was drafted by the army the military can rule the country under a state of emergency for one year, followed by two possible six-month extensions before holding elections. Wednesdays extension, however, was the regimes sixth. In addition to the National Defence and Security Council which approved it, such extensions are supposed to be endorsed by Myanmars president. But current acting president Myint Swe last week authorised Mr Aung Hlaing and the council to carry out his dutieswhile he is on medical leave. The military originally announced elections would be held in August 2023, but has regularly pushed the date back. They are now expected at some point in 2025. Under Myanmars constitution, the military has to transfer government functions to the president at least six months before an election is held. The fiercest fighting in recent weeks has been in the northeast, where the ethnic militias from an alliance group claimed last week to have seized the town of Lashio, which houses the major regional military headquarters, and Mogok, the centre of the countrys lucrative gem-mining industry. Reports suggest that regime troops continue to hold the regional headquarters but could be forced from Lashio soon. In Lashio, the main prison gate was reportedly opened over the weekend and more than 200 political prisoners, including Tun Tun Hein, a former deputy speaker of the lower house of Myanmars parliament and senior member of Suu Kyis National League for Democracy party, were released. Additional reporting by AP 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 }} Metro Bank has said it expects to return to profitability by the end of the year after heavy cost-cutting which saw the firm axe 1,000 jobs. The high street lender saw shares rise in early trading after it reduced its losses for the past half-year. The company reported an underlying pre-tax loss of 26.8 million for the six months to June, improving from a 33 million loss a year earlier. The news came after Metro Bank launched a series of heavy cutbacks earlier this year, including shedding about 1,000 jobs. Metro Bank has made significant underlying progress during the first half of 2024 Daniel Frumkin, Metro Bank Bosses said the job cuts were completed by early May, in a move which impacted more than a fifth of its workforce. The group also stopped opening its high street stores seven-days-a-week and stressed that it had seen very few complaints from customers over the change. Metro Bank said the moves are on track to save the business 80 million by the end of 2024 as part of its turnaround efforts. The company has been seeking to improve its performance shareholders approved a funding package last November worth 925 million to secure its future on Britains high streets. Shareholders gave the green light to a capital fundraise which saw Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilinski Bacal become a majority shareholder in the group with a 53% stake. The lender, which remained listed on the London Stock Exchange, said on Wednesday that it saw net loans dip 6% to 11.5 billion over the past half-year, amid a shift towards higher yielding commercial and SME lending. It upgraded its profit forecasts as a result, indicating its will return to profitability in the final quarter of the year. Metro Bank also revealed that it has started construction on a new site in Chester and signed a lease in Gateshead, with plans to grow further in the North and East Midlands. Daniel Frumkin, chief executive officer of Metro Bank, said: Metro Bank has made significant underlying progress during the first half of 2024. We have built real momentum in credit approved pipelines across commercial, corporate and SME lending, whilst expanding spreads in retail mortgages and repricing deposits. At the same time, our continued cost discipline is creating a simpler, more agile bank that is fit for the future. Robert Sage at Peel Hunt said the outlook for the company has been transformed following the positive update. Shares were 30% higher on Wednesday afternoon as a result. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Greenpeace has launched legal action against the UK government over ministers failure to disclose information over the first deep sea mining exploration licences to be made public. Lawyers acting on behalf of the environmental campaign group first wrote to ministers in March, warning the exploration licenses are error-ridden and possibly unlawful and requesting urgent clarification. Under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, government departments must provide requested information as soon as possible and no later than 20 working days after receipt or, in certain circumstances, up to 40 days. However, Greenpeace has not been notified of any extension, and the deadline for response passed on 19 May. Louisa Casson, of Greenpeaces Protect the Oceans campaign, said: First these licenses were withheld from public scrutiny for a decade, and now they have finally been revealed, our government refuses to answer even the most basic requests for information on them. Its vital that this dangerous new industry, which threatens to cause irreversible harm to our oceans, is forensically scrutinised, but this isnt possible if our government refuses to be transparent. This begs the question: what do they have to hide? Last month, detailed analyses by Blue Marine Foundation and Greenpeace UK suggested that the deep sea mining exploration licenses granted by the UK government to weapons giant Lockheed Martins subsidiary, UK Seabed Resources LTD (UKSRL), may be unlawful. Lawyers for Greenpeace UK warned the UK government that: The licenses were granted for 15 years from the date of signature of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) contract, when UK law only permits the granting of licenses for a maximum initial period of 10 years, which suggests they could be unlawful. The licenses are based on legislation from 1981, which is no longer fit for purpose as relevant UK legislation was revised in 2014 and does not take into account the UKs accession to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), or the creation of the UN regulator, the ISA. The licenses state that the UK shall sponsor UKSRL in its exploitation of the seabed if it meets the conditions of its exploration licenses, contradicting the UK governments stated position in March 2020 that it has not agreed to sponsor or support any exploitation licenses for deep sea mining projects until there is sufficient evidence. Exploration areas detailed in the licenses are more than twice the size of the area that UKSRL is permitted by the ISA to operate in. There is also an absence of any clear provisions for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), despite the UK being obliged to ensure its contractor conducts EIAs. Greenpeace UK lawyers requested further information on the effective date of the licenses, the period for which they were granted, the legal power under which they were granted, and copies of any environmental impact assessments undertaken before they were granted. They also requested copies of any reports on incidents arising from licensed activities which have caused or are causing harm to the environment, or threaten such harm. None of this information has been disclosed, and no reason for the delay has been given. Greenpeace has requested that the Information Commissioner order the government to comply with the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and disclose the requested information in full as soon as possible. A UK government spokesperson said The UK is playing a crucial role in ensuring that strong environmental standards are upheld in the growing deep sea mining industry. We have agreed not to sponsor or support the issuing of any exploitation licences for deep sea mining projects until there is sufficient scientific evidence about the potential impact on deep sea ecosystems, and strong and enforceable environmental standards have been developed and put in place by the International Seabed Authority. Deep sea mining has so far been limited to exploration, although exploitation is expected in the very near future. Due to depleting levels on land, of metals such as copper, lithium and nickel, it is hoped to retrieve these from the ocean instead, at depths of over 200 metres. Demand for these metals has grown exponentially in recent times due to use in smartphones and so called green technologies. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Soldiers and rescuers are facing a race against time to find survivors in the hills of southern Indias Kerala state, more than 24 hours after monsoon landslides claimed the lives of 166 people. At least 195 people were injured and more were feared trapped under mud and debris. Nearly 1,000 people had been rescued from the hillside villages and tea and cardamom estates in Wayanad district, according to the army, and 225 were still missing, authorities said on Wednesday. More than a dozen bodies were found overnight, a police officer only identified as Aijaz, told the Associated Press. The landslides struck hilly areas of Wayanad early Tuesday morning, flattening houses, uprooting trees and destroying bridges. Survivors described being jolted awake by the deafening sounds of nearby houses collapsing. We thought the entire mountain is going to fall on us. We were fighting death that time, a villager identified only as Jayesh told India Today. Nine members of Jayeshs family were missing as more than 300 rescuers worked to find people stuck under mud and debris, but their efforts were hampered by blocked roads, unstable terrain and incessant rainfall. The Indian Meteorological Department said Wayanad had received about 28cm of rain in the 24 hours before the landslides. Recalling the moment the first landslide hit, a resident named Stephen said there was a jerking like when a helicopter is about to land. My neighbours, a husband and wife, were lying dead holding each others hands. We had to separate them and take out their bodies. I rescued a five-year-old girl. Her mother called out my name, asking for help. I tried my best, but I couldnt lift her alone, he told India Today. Several affected areas such as Meppadi, Mundakkai and Chooralmala remained mostly inaccessible as roads had been washed away, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. Efforts to locate missing persons continue with all available resources, he added. A series of videos from the affected areas on Tuesday showed relief workers navigating through debris and uprooted trees, while muddy water flowed through the remains of destroyed homes. We are quite sure there are multiple bodies here, Hamsa TA, a rescue worker told Reuters, pointing to debris near where a bridge was washed away. There were many houses here, people living inside have been missing. MR Ajith Kumar, a senior state police officer, said the landslides started on the upper slopes of the hills and cascaded down into the valley below. Focus right now is to search the entire uphill area for stranded people and recover as many bodies as possible, he told the news agency. The state government mobilised helicopters to help with rescue work and the army was called in to build a temporary bridge after landslides destroyed one that linked the affected area to the main town. Scientific assessments show the climate crisis, fuelled by burning coal, oil and gas, is making rainfall more erratic, with higher amounts of rain falling in a short period. The last 13 months have been the hottest on record for the planet, with Sunday recorded as the hottest day ever. Human activities, like construction in eco-sensitive regions, are making many hilly areas prone to landslides. Monsoon patterns are increasingly erratic and the quantum of rainfall that we receive in a short spell of time has increased. As a result, we see frequent instances of landslides and floods along the Western Ghats, Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune, told the Associated Press. Mr Koll urged authorities to check on rapid construction activities in areas prone to landslides. Often, landslides and flash floods occur over regions where the impact of both climate change and direct human intervention in terms of land use changes are evident, he said. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nicola Peltz Beckham has taken legal action against a dog groomer after the death of her chihuahua, Nala. The 29-year-old actor, who is married to Brooklyn Beckham, filed a lawsuit against New York dog grooming company HoundSpa LLC on Tuesday, July 30, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in Westchester County. According to the filing, obtained by People, Peltz Beckham claimed that Nalas death was caused by groomer Jony Ceballos alleged intentional and malicious abuse of dogs. The model also took action against HoundSpa owner Deborah Deb Gittleman for reckless and malicious conduct, after keeping Ceballos on staff despite an alleged history of complaints about his behavior toward animals. In June, Peltz Beckham shared on Instagram that Nala suffered a medical emergency after visiting an unnamed groomer. She wrote in a post that the chihuahua was perfectly healthy but came back from the dog groomer hyperventilating and couldnt catch her breath, before being rushed to an emergency vet where she died. In the lawsuit, she claimed that Nala passed away a mere two hours after being groomed by Ceballos in a mobile van outside Peltz Beckhams home on June 15 due to her injuries and severe condition. The emergency vet reportedly observed that the chihuahua had fluid in her lungs and suffered neurological damage. The filing also detailed the emotional distress Peltz Beckham has allegedly experienced since witnessing Nalas death. This case is about holding responsible those who abuse animals in their care and shedding light on the lack of protections for pet owners and their beloved dogs and pets, the lawsuit read. The Independent has contacted HoundSpa LLC for comment. In a statement shared to People, the Lola star admitted she was still in so much shock and pain over the sudden death of her chihuahua. I posted the experience on my Instagram to bring awareness, and was heartbroken to hear the horrifying stories from so many others who have experienced the same tragedy. I cant bear it. Im outraged to hear how common stories like Nalas are, she told the outlet. We need to do better and change the laws to better protect pets and the loving owners who care for them. Our pets are our chosen family, Peltz Beckham continued. Ive dedicated most of my life to saving dogs and I cant in good conscience let this horrifying act happen to more families. I will work for changes and laws to help make sure no one else ever has to experience this heartbreak. Last month, Peltz Beckham shared photos of Nala to Instagram as she detailed her heartbreak over the chihuahuas death. She was my beautiful queen and stayed by my side for nine years through everything, she wrote in the caption. Please be careful who you send your dogs to because you dont know what goes on behind closed doors. She also described herself as a dog activist in her Instagram bio. This isnt the first time Peltz Beckham has been involved in a legal battle. In February 2023, her father, billionaire investor Nelson Peltz, sued wedding planning firm Plan Design Events (PDE) following his daughters lavish $3m wedding in April 2022. He accused the company, run by Nicole Braghin and Arianna Grijalba, of failing to return a $159,000 deposit and not being able to handle the expectations of the VIP guestlist. The wedding planners countersued, describing Nelson as a billionaire bully and were critical of the family for putting them through wedding planning hell, having hired them six weeks before the wedding. The dispute was settled out of court in September 2023 for an undisclosed amount. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An old interview clip featuring JD Vance has resurfaced shortly after Simone Biles made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics, in which the potential vice president criticized the medias response towards her withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics. On Tuesday, July 31, the 27-year-old athlete became the most decorated gymnast in American history after the womens US gymnastics team scored gold during the all-around finals. The victory marked a comeback for Biles, who withdrew from the last summer Olympics in 2021 due to her mental health. Following her withdrawal from the competition, Vance appeared on Fox News Outnumbered in July 2021, where he called out the media for supporting Biles during her weakest moment. Its understandable that she was going through an incredible amount of pressure, the Ohio senator said at the time. What I find so weird about this and it reflects on the media more than it does on Simone Biles is that weve tried to turn a very tragic moment, Simone Biles quitting the Olympic team, into this act of heroism. And I think it reflects pretty poorly on our sort of therapeutic society that we try to praise people not for moments of strength, not for moments of heroism, but for their weakest moments. Vance continued: Being an athlete at that level is incredibly tough. A normal response in this moment would be to say: Its just a shame that shes going through this. Its a shame that she quit. But instead, what our press has done, I think, is turn this into this weird therapeutic moment. Lets praise her for doing this. And I think thats really where the problem herein lies. In 2021, Biles pulled out of the womens all-around gymnastics competition to focus on her mental health, after suffering from a condition known as the twisties. The phenomenon, typically experienced by gymnasts, involves losing control mid-air and feeling unable to land the move, creating a high-risk and dangerous situation. Biles has previously described the twisties as being lost in the air, likening the uncomfortable experience to being unable to drive while at the wheel in a car. However, that all went away during Tuesdays all-around team final, when Biles scored her eighth Olympic medal becoming the most decorated gymnast in the US and the fifth-most decorated female Olympic gymnast in the world. This isnt the first time that past comments made by Vance have resurfaced since he was selected as former president Donald Trumps running mate in the 2024 presidential election. The 39-year-old Republican politician sparked outrage after he described vice president Kamala Harris as a childless cat lady during a 2021 interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson. The Hillbilly Elegy author claimed that the US was governed by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too. Look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC, the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children, Vance said. How does it make any sense weve turned our country over to people who dont really have a direct stake in it? Despite being selected as Trumps running mate, another old video interview showed Vance admitting that there were definitely some people who voted for Trump in 2016 for racist reasons. Meanwhile, resurfaced emails recently revealed that Vance once privately considered Trump a demagogue, a disaster, and a morally reprehensible human being. 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 }} Chen Yulu never thought her home province of Hunan had any culture that she would be proud of, much less become an ambassador of. But these days, the 23-year-old is a self-proclaimed ambassador of nushu, a script once known only to a small number of women in the south China. It started as a writing practiced in secrecy by women who were barred from formal education in Chinese. Now, young people like Chen are spreading nushu beyond the womens quarters of houses in Hunan's rural Jiangyong, the county whose distinct dialect serves as the script's verbal component. Today, nushu can be found in independent bookstores across the country, subway ads, craft fair booths, tattoos, art and even everyday items like hair clips. Nushu was created by women from a small village in Jiangyong, in the southern province where Mao Zedong was born, but theres little consensus on when it originated. Scholars estimate the script is at least several centuries old, from when reading and writing were deemed male-only activities. So the women developed their own script to communicate with each other. The script is slight with gently curving characters, written with a diagonal slant that takes up much less space than boxy modern Chinese with its harsh angles. A worker arranges books at a bookstore specializing in nushu ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) You wont allow me to go to school. Okay, I get it. So whats my way out? Ill find ways to educate myself, said Xu Yan, 55, the author of a textbook on nushu. Women lived under the control of either their parents or their husband, using nushu, sometimes called script of tears, in secret to record their sorrows: unhappy marriages, family conflicts, and longing for sisters and daughters who married and could not return in the restrictive society. Xu is also the founder of Third Day Letter, a nushu studio in Beijing named after a centuries-old practice by the script's practitioners. The third-day letter is a hand-sewn book presented in farewell to a woman in Jiangyong on the third day after her marriage, when shes allowed to visit the childhood home she left. The script became a unique vehicle for composing stories about womens lives, typically in the form of seven-character line poems that are sung. A secret world sprung form the script that gave Jiangyong women a voice through which they found friends and solace. That secret world still resonates today as a source of strength for young women dissatisfied with patriarchal constraints. Lu Sirui, a 24-year-old working as a marketer, holds up a book with the word for nushu ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Chen, who studied photography at an art school in Shanghai, said her male professors often doubted that she could keep up with the male photographers because of her slight physique. That attitude, she said, is in every aspect of life, theres nowhere it doesnt touch. She was frustrated but didn't see much room to push back until she learned about nushu. I felt that I had received a very strong power, and I think a lot of women need this power, she said. Chen wanted to make a documentary about feminism and came across nushu in her online search. When she realized the script originated from Jiangyong, just a few hours from her hometown, she immediately knew that she had found her graduation project's topic. The more she learned about this script, the more she learned about its duality: that it was as much a painful thing as it was a source of strength. Xu Yan, an author of a textbook on nushu, a centuries-old secret script, writes nushu on paper cuttings at her studi ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) In her documentary, she follows He Yanxin, a formally designated inheritor for nushu who is now in her 80s. She asks Chen, Do you think nushu has any use? Chen says yes. In response, He says, Nushu is useless. He comes from Jiangyong and says she was forced to marry a man she didn't want to be with, who physically abused her and tore up photos from nushu meetups and workshops she attended. She did not feel that the script had made her life materially better, according to Chen's first-person account, published on social media. Yet, He is the one who urged her to learn the script. Formal inheritors of the script have to be from Jiangyong, Chen said, and have to master the nushu, but there was nothing stopping her from sharing her love of the script with others. Beginning in 2022, Chen began spreading the practice. She started an online nushu group, taught writing workshops and set up nushu art exhibitions in cities across China. Most participants at her writing workshops are women, she said, and some people even bring their mothers. Chen also runs a social media account to promote nushu and its culture beyond Hunan. Xu Yan, an author of a textbook on nushu, a centuries-old secret script, shows a book of nushu calligraphy ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Lu Sirui, a 24-year-old working as a marketer, learned about nushu from online feminist groups and joined Chens nushu-focused WeChat group. At first I just knew that it was a womens inheritance, belonged only among women, Lu said. "Then, as I got to know it better, I realized that it was a kind of resistance to traditional patriarchal power. For Lu, nushu means a very powerful rebellion and a bond of sisterhood. She said it was important for women to stick together. Lu once encountered a rental agent in Beijing who, drunk in the middle of the night, knocked on her door and tried to enter her home. Lu said that she picked up a stick at the doorway and ran out to confront him. Afterwards, she confided in a small feminist community online, where she received comfort and advice on how to handle the situation. She says communities like that have supported her in the face of gender-based violence, inequality and mother-daughter relationship problems, among other challenges. Seeing nushu as another representation of sisterhood, Lu bought a textbook and practices the script in her spare time. Even though she is not a formal nushu ambassador, she began hosting nushu workshops at bookstores and bars in Beijing. When organizing these events, Lu discovered that very few people had heard of nushu, but the feedback was always positive. Its a manifestation of female strength that transcends time and space, Lu said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Two Al-Jazeera reporters were killed in an Israeli strike in northern Gaza on Wednesday, the satellite news network said, the latest Palestinian journalists working with the Qatari network to be killed in the war-torn enclave. Correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul, 27, cameraman Rami al-Rifi and a child who was not identified were killed in a blast that struck a car in Gaza City that the three were traveling in, according to the network and the Emergency and Ambulance Service, which helps recover and transport casualties to hospitals across Gaza. The two journalists had been reporting together at the Shati Refugee Camp, the birthplace of slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh who was killed in a strike in the early hours of the day in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Haniyeh had attended the swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday for Masoud Pezeshkian, the new president of Iran, a Hamas ally. The latest journalism deaths bring the number of journalists killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last October to 111, including 106 Palestinians, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists which tally's the casualties. The other five journalists killed are two Lebanese and three Israelis. The bodies of the two Al-Jazeera journalists were taken to the nearby al-Ahli hospital from where their Al-Jazeera colleague, Anas al-Sharif, went on air in a phone interview with the channel. No information about the slain child was immediately available. The Israeli army did not immediately comment on the strike. United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called for a full investigation and accountability for the killings of the Al-Jazeera journalists and others, saying that journalists everywhere need to be protected. The Palestinian Journalist Syndicate and Hamas both accused Israel of assassinating the two journalists. The Israeli government closed Al-Jazeera offices in Israel in May, based on a new law that enables it to close down media outlets it says are a security threat and incite against Israeli troops. The Israeli government says the network has close ties to Hamas a claim Al-Jazeera denies as many of the militant group's leading officials are based in the Qatari capital. Throughout the latest Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, now in its tenth month, the openly pro-Palestinian Al-Jazeera has accused Israel of targeting its journalists. In December, Samer Abudaqa, one of the networks cameramen was killed in a strike. Wael Dahdouh, the outlets bureau chief in Gaza, was reporting in late October when he received word on air that his wife, daughter, a son and grandchild were killed in an Israeli airstrike. In January, a strike killed another of his sons, who was also working for Al-Jazeera. 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 }} Describing Texas prisons as so hot that inmates cool off by splashing themselves with toilet water or faking suicide attempts to get moved to cooler medical areas, advocates on Tuesday asked a federal judge to declare the state prison system's lack of air conditioning as unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment. Tuesday began a multi-day hearing in a lawsuit that seeks to force Texas to fully air condition a prison system that houses more than 130,000 inmates, but has full AC in only about a third of its 100 prison units. The rest have partial or no air-conditioning. Inmate advocacy groups allege that temperatures inside can push above 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.9 Celsius), and that the extreme heat has led to hundreds of inmate deaths in recent years. They want U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pitman to require Texas to maintain temperatures in prison housing and occupied areas between 65 and 85 degrees F (18 and 29 degrees Celsius), the same temperature range required by law in county jails. Texas is not alone in facing lawsuits over dangerously hot prisons. Cases also have been filed in Louisiana and New Mexico. One filed last week in Georgia alleged an inmate died in July 2023 after he was left in an outdoor cell for hours without water, shade or ice. The Texas lawsuit was initially filed in 2023 by Bernie Tiede, the former mortician whose murder case inspired the movie Bernie. Tiede, who is serving a life sentence for killing Marjorie Nugent, a wealthy widow in 1996, has diabetes and hypertension and alleged his life was in danger because he was being housed in a stifling prison cell without air conditioning. At Tuesday's hearing, Marci Marie Simmons, who moved between three Texas prisons while serving 10 years for felony theft, described oppressive, suffocating conditions as temperatures rose from spring through summer. She was released in 2021. In summer, I was in complete survival mode. I felt like a caged animal, said Simmons, who is now the community outreach coordinator for Lioness: Justice Impacted Womens Alliance, a plaintiff in the lawsuit. She said the organization represents about 700 current and former inmates. Simmons testified she once watched a kitchen worker bring an egg back to her cell and cook it on the concrete floor. In 2020, a hallway thermometer in one unit reached 136 degrees when Simmons and two other inmates peeled off the tape that was meant to hide the reading, she said. I was shocked. It frightened me, Simmons said. Assistant State Attorney General Marlayne Ellis said the state would like to provide more air conditioning but is constrained by the Legislature's budget. And she insisted conditions in Texas prisons do not meet a standard for being cruel and unusual. The agency defended its alternative protocols for extreme heat, which include providing fans, towels and access to cooler respite areas. In 2018, Texas agreed to install air conditioning at a prison for older and medically vulnerable inmates. But Simmons said access to respite areas was limited to short periods of time, coolers of ice water didn't hold enough to serve an entire prison dorm, and up to 100 women would wait to use a single shower head that was changed from hot to cold water. Desperate women would fake suicide attempts, or commit some harm to themselves to get placed in a cooler medical unit, Simmons said. A November 2022 study by researchers at Brown, Boston and Harvard universities found that 13%, or 271, of the deaths in Texas prisons without universal air conditioning between 2001 and 2019 may be attributed to extreme heat. Prisoner advocates say those numbers are only likely to increase as the state faces more extreme weather and heat due to climate change. According to a report by KUT Radio in Austin, autopsy reports on at least three inmates deaths in 2023 mentioned heat a possible contributing factor. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, however, has said there have been no heat-related deaths in the states prisons since 2012. Since filing his lawsuit, Tiede has been moved to an air conditioned cell. But several prisoners rights group asked to join his legal fight and expand it to encompass all Texas prisoners. Tiede attended Tuesday's court hearing and was expected to testify. 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 }} United States-Mexico border arrests have plummeted about 30% in July to a new low for Joe Biden's presidency, U.S. authorities said, raising prospects that a temporary ban on asylum may be lifted soon. The U.S. Border Patrol is expected to arrest migrants about 57,000 times during the month, down from 83,536 arrests in June, the previous low mark of Biden's presidency, according to two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on the condition of anonymity because the figures had not been released publicly. It would be the lowest monthly tally since 40,507 arrests in September 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic slowed movement across borders in many countries, including to the United States. Even before Biden's Democratic administration invoked powers to suspend asylum on June 5, border arrests had fallen by about half from a record-high of 250,000 in December amid increased Mexican enforcement. Since June 5, arrests have fallen by half again, helping the White House fend off attacks by former President Donald Trump and other Republicans that Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, have allowed the border to spiral out of control. The asylum halt would end if daily arrests drop below 1,500 over a seven-day average, a scenario that Customs and Border Protection officials are preparing for with arrests now hovering 1,600 to 1,700 day. The halt would be reinstated if arrests reach a seven-day daily average of 2,500, a threshold of emergency border circumstances that was immediately met when the restrictions took effect in June. Immigrant advocacy groups are challenging the asylum measures in court. Under the halt, U.S. authorities deny a chance at asylum to anyone who crosses the border illegally. Unaccompanied children are exempt, and others may seek asylum-like forms of protection that allow them to stay in the United States with a higher bar and fewer benefits, like the United Nations Convention Against Torture. Asked to comment on July numbers, the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday referred to a statement last week that arrests had dropped 55% since asylum restrictions took effect. San Diego was again the busiest corridor for illegal crossings in July, followed by Tucson, Arizona, an official said. The biggest declines have been nationalities that are easiest to deport, including Mexicans, but people from other countries are also showing up less as other travel restrictions take hold, officials said. Chinese migration appears to have been slowed by Ecuador's new visa requirements and more U.S. deportations to China. ___ Follow the AP's coverage of immigration at https://apnews.com/hub/immigration. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man has been arrested carrying a knife just yards away from a vigil to the children killed in an attack in Southport. Merseyside Police said they detained a 32-year-old man at 6.55pm on Eastbank Street and uncovered a flick knife in his possession. The man was later taken into custody and no injuries were reported. The arrest came after Southport residents held a vigil for the three children killed yesterday in the area following a knife attack. Five more children are currently fighting for their life. Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer was among those who visited Southport on Tuesday, telling onlookers he wanted to pay his respects to family members who are suffering raw pain and grief he cannot imagine. Discussing the latest arrest, Detective Inspector Gavin Mulcahy said everyone knows too well the devastating impact knife crime can have for victims, their families and friends, and those who carry them. This week has seen an unspeakable tragedy unfold in Southport, and this incident occurred a short distance from where a vigil had been happening where the community was paying their respects to all those affected. Officers made a swift arrest and have seized a knife that could have been used to cause harm in our communities. Those offenders who carry them have no place whatsoever in our communities. Every day we are carrying out stop checks, warrants and land searches to take knives off our streets, but as this incident shows, the assistance of members of the public in telling us where they are stored and who is carrying them is vital to ensure the safety of families and residents." DM @MerPolCC on X, Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook or call 101 quoting incident reference 886 of 30 July if you have information on this incident. Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. 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 }} As families mourned the death of three young girls killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, riots broke out stoked by disinformation about the suspects identity. Hours after police were called to the scene of a mass stabbing, in which eight other children and two adults were also injured, a riot outside a mosque in Southport led to 39 officers being injured in violent clashes, including 27 who needed hospital treatment. Footage showed crowds of men at least one identified by antifascists Red Flare as an alleged member of the far-right Patriotic Alternative group chanting and throwing bricks at riot police, who held shields to protect against incoming projectiles as a police van was set alight and other fires burned nearby. Protesters set fire to rubbish on the streets in Southport ( Getty Images ) The outpouring of rage in the Merseyside town came after disinformation about the attackers identity was amplified and seen by millions on social media. Merseyside Police said on Monday night that a 17-year-old male from Banks in Lancashire, who was born in Cardiff, had been arrested on suspicion of murder. Despite this and laws in the UK making it a criminal offence to identify a suspect who is a minor, at least until legal proceedings have completed false claims began to circulate online purporting to name the suspect as Ali Al-Shakati and claiming he had arrived in the UK on a small boat in 2023. One such source of this disinformation, which also falsely claimed the suspect was known to MI6, was an outlet calling itself Channel3 Now whose post at 5:51pm on Monday featuring an article on the attack racked up close to two million views on X, formerly Twitter, before being deleted. According to journalist Katharine Denkinson, who concluded that the post was racially motivated click-bait, the website purports to be based in the United States, but has no named journalists and appears to have started out 12 years ago sharing Russian-language videos of men in cars before pivoting to US news five years ago. An angry mob threw items at police vans and officers outside a mosque ( Richard McCarthy/PA Wire ) But false claims about the attackers identity were rapidly spread on social media by right-wing accounts with large followings. According to Marc Owen Jones, a disinformation researcher associate professor at Dohas Hamid bin Khalifa University, there were at least 27 million impressions on social media posts stating or speculating that the attacker was Muslim, a migrant, refugee or foreigner. Among the accounts to peddle such claims was influencer Andrew Tate, who claimed the attacker was an illegal migrant and urged people to wake up, while Darren Grimes of GB News criticised MPs for calling for more refugees to be allowed in on the same day as the attack. Meanwhile, English Defence League co-founder Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, shared a post he said suggested authorities were trying to manipulate the public over the attackers identity. With many smaller accounts sharing false claims, Prof Jones said: While people always spread incorrect information in the wake of a tragic event (we saw this with Sydney), there is clear and (sic) attempt to exploit the tragic incident by right wing influencers and grifters pushing an anti-immigrant and xenophobic agenda despite there being no evidence. A police van set alight as trouble flares during a protest in Southport ( Richard McCarthy/PA Wire ) The proliferation of false claims saw Merseyside Police a statement issue shortly after midday on Tuesday, saying: A name has been shared on social media in connection with the suspect in the incident in Southport. This name is incorrect and we would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing. But just hours after a vigil for those killed in Mondays attack, unrest broke out at around 7:45pm on Tuesday evening as crowds targeted a mosque and attacked it with bricks, with some heard chanting anti-Islam phrases despite there being no current information on the alleged attackers religious beliefs. Linking the killings to the stabbing of a soldier last week in Kent over the fact that police said both cases were not terror-related, Nigel Farage also posted a video at 5:34pm seen by 2.5 million people as of Wednesday morning in which he said: I just wonder whether the truth is being withheld from us What I do know is something is going horribly wrong in our once beautiful country, the Reform UK leader said, before posting footage at 10:47pm of machete fights in Southend tonight and claiming: Our country is being destroyed, our values trashed and the public on the point of revolt. While the organisation is now widely considered defunct, police said many of those rioting in Southport were believed to be supporters of the English Defence League. Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss accused individuals who do not live in Merseyside or care about its people for using speculation around the suspects identity to bring violence and disorder to our streets. Local MP Patrick Hurley told BBCs Radio 4 Today programme on Wednesday that the riot was led by people from outside the town and condemned thugs who had got the train in who were using the deaths of three little kiddies for their own political purposes. Accusing rioters of having hijacked the grief of the town and families, the MP said: These people are utterly disrespecting the families of the dead and injured and totally disrespecting the town. 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 mother of one of the Southport stabbing victims has called for an end to violence after more than 50 police officers were injured in far-right riots which erupted after the attack on a childrens dance class. Elsie Dot Stancombe was killed alongside six-year-old Bebe King and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar in a horrific knife rampage on Monday at a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday dance workshop. Hundreds of violent protestors clashed with police outside a mosque in the town on Tuesday in scenes branded a total disgrace and thugs on the streets who have no respect for a grieving community. Click here for live updates. Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was killed in the dance class attack ( Merseyside Police/PA Wire ) Following the unrest, Jenni Stancombe, the mother of seven-year-old victim Elsie, pleaded for an end to the violence which broke out after misinformation about the suspected knifeman was spread on social media. She said: This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight. The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we dont need this. Five more children are still fighting for their lives following the tragedy, along with two dance class teachers who bravely tried to defend their pupils from the attack. (L-R) Victims Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, and Bebe King, 6, were killed ( PA ) Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with attack, which is not being treated as terror-related. Officers confirmed on Wednesday they had been granted more time to question the boy, who remains in custody. The law allows officers up to 96 hours to hold a suspect for serious crimes. Merseyside Police said a large group of people - believed to be supporters of the English Defence League - began to launch missiles towards the mosque in the seaside town at around 7.45pm on Tuesday. The angry mob chanting far right slogans destroyed garden walls so they could use the bricks to attack officers in riot gear. Police vehicles were also damaged and set alight, along with cars belonging to the public parked in the Mosque carpark. In a post on social media, the force said shops had been broken into and looted, adding that those responsible will be brought to justice. Police officers suffered serious injuries when bricks, stones and bottles were thrown and cars were set alight during violent protests ( PA Wire ) The troubling scenes saw 27 officers taken to hospital, with 12 others being treated and discharged at the scene, North West Ambulance Service said. Merseyside Police later confirmed more than 50 officers were hurt, with eight suffering serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion. Three police dogs were also injured in the chaos, with dogs Zoe and Ike suffering leg injuries from bricks, while PD Quga suffered burns to her hind leg. Chairman of Merseyside Police Federation Chris McGlade said more than 50 officers had been hurt in a sustained and vicious attack. Mosque chairman Ibrahim Hussein revealed he was trapped inside the mosque with about eight others as the violence erupted, and only escaped with a police guard. He said: It was terrifying. It was absolutely, awful, horrendous. We couldnt understand this viciousness that was going on. Norman Wallis, chief executive of Southport Pleasureland, said people had travelled from out of town to wreak havoc, leaving locals to clean up the mess. He said: It was like a war scene. People from out of town just causing absolute mayhem. Those people from out of town - they came in in buses and cars and had a change of clothes. They just started to riot and do this. Riot police held back protesters after disorder broke out in Southport ( Getty Images ) The violence came shortly after around 1,000 people joined a peaceful vigil for the stabbing victims outside Southports Atkinson arts venue, with many in tears as they laid flowers and cards of remembrance. Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who had laid flowers in Southport hours earlier, hit out at the protestors for hijacking the situation as he vowed they will feel the force force of the law. The people of Southport are reeling after the horror inflicted on them yesterday. They deserve our support and our respect, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves. They will feel the full force of the law. Violence at the Southport protest, which saw a police van set alight (Richard McCarthy/PA) ( PA Wire ) As volunteers took to the streets to clean up the devastation left behind on Wednesday morning, police, politicians and commentators continued to condemn the disorder which erupted after misinformation spread like wildfire in the wake of the atrocity. Merseysides police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell has said there is a strong feeling that members of the far right English Defence League have used the Southport stabbing to whip up hatred. Ms Spurrell told ITVs Good Morning Britain that the violence and abuse towards police officers on Tuesday was utterly abhorrent and completely unacceptable. She said: (Merseyside Police) will be reviewing the footage of exactly who was there last night, they have been monitoring the online activity as well, trying to understand who was doing what. They have said that they believe it was members of the English Defence League (EDL), they dont believe it was individuals from the local area. There is a strong feeling that there are individuals like the EDL, who have been using this incredibly tragic event to whip up hatred, incite violence, and thats the result of what we saw last night. Crowds fought back tears during a vigil on Tuesday evening, before disorder later broke out ( James Speakman/PA Wire ) Patrick Hurley, the MP for Southport said the riots in the town on Tuesday night occurred because of the propaganda and lies spread on social media about the identity of the attacker. He added: This misinformation doesnt just exist on peoples internet browsers and on peoples phones. It has real world impact. According to Marc Owen Jones, a disinformation researcher associate professor at Dohas Hamid bin Khalifa University, there were at least 27 million impressions on social media posts falsely stating or speculating that the suspected attacker was Muslim, a migrant, refugee or foreigner. Among the accounts to peddle such claims was influencer Andrew Tate and other right wing accounts with large followings. Anti-fascist campaign group Hope Not Hate said the violence was the result of far right antagonisation with groups capitalising on peoples grief for their own hateful agenda. Their director of research Joe Mulhall said: For the past 24hrs, misinformation has spread like wildfire online, feeding unverified narratives about the culprit, their history and their motivations. He called for a government strategy to help improve community cohesion and resilience amid reports of other far right protests planned at a number of locations across the country in the coming days, adding: It is imperative that the new government develops a new strategy that supports stronger communities and sets out how to respond to incidents like these. Volunteers sweep Sussex Road in Southport, Merseyside, after rioters attacked police (James Speakman/PA) ( PA Wire ) Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was accused of inflaming tensions after he posted a video to social media questioning why the incident was not being treated as terror-related and asking whether the truth is being withheld from us. Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Its right out of the Trump playbook, and in my view it makes Nigel Farage nothing better than a Tommy Robinson in a suit. It is beyond the pale to use a moment like this to spread your narrative and to spread your hatred, and we saw the results on Southports streets last night. Former MP Tobias Ellwood also hit out the Clacton MPs comments, adding: Disgusted how a sitting MP deliberately [inflames] tensions without any justification. Farage should delete this tweet. But Mr Farage insisted its perfectly reasonable to ask what is happening to law and order. More follows on this breaking news story... For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A rioter who went viral after looting a number of shops including a Lush cosmetics store in Hull has received one of the longest sentences after weeks of violent disorder. John Honey, 25, was pictured wearing a distinctive St Georges Cross T-shirt and carrying boxes of bathbombs when the store was ransacked on 3 August, before also stealing goods from O2 and Shoezone. As well as participating in the ransacking of the high street, he was part of a baying mob that forced three Romanian men from their BMW, leaving them terrified. Honey has been jailed for over four years for taking part in the violent disorder (Humberside Police/PA) ( PA Media ) A court heard the driver of a BMW was left in fear for his life when more than 100 angry men descended on him and his two cousins and attempted to drag them from their vehicle during 12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence in the city on August 3. The man said he was punched in the head, and one person tried to hit him with a metal bar. In footage of the incident, the three terrified occupants of the car could be seen getting out with their hands raised in a gesture of surrender before fleeing to a nearby hotel, the court heard. Honey had pulled open the passenger door while David Wilkinson, 48, was seen damaging the windscreen of the vehicle. He has now been jailed for 56 months after previously pleading guilty to violent disorder and three charges of burglary at Lush, the O2 and Shoezone. A manager at Lush said the incident had massively impacted staff ( X/Twitter ) Video footage played to the court showed him carrying on of the Lush branded bags and filling it with products, with the manager saying the incident had massively impacted the staff. A previous sentencing hearing that had been due to take place earlier this week was adjourned after it emerged Honey had asked a prison probation officer if he wanted his autograph because he was famous. During Fridays hearing, the judge was informed that Honey had developmental issues due to a difficult start to life. Judge John Thackray KC told Honey: Im not going to hear any evidence about comments which you may or may not have made in the prison setting. Im not going to give them any relevance. If your defence say that there is now genuine remorse, Ill accept that submission. He also admitted racially aggravated criminal damage over the BMW incident, and to damaging nine other cars during an attack on a garage. David Wilkinson, 48, has been jailed for six years for his role in the Sunderland riots (Humberside Police) ( PA Media ) Also jailed on Friday was Wilkinson, who received a six year sentence after playing a prominent role in the riots, which saw him spitting, throwing missiles and pushing wheelie bins towards police officers. In the same garage attack, he was seen trying to set fire to a bin on top of a pile of tyres which were already alight, sending plumes of black smoke into a workshop where a group of people were sheltering. Four men who took part in a barrage of verbal and physical abuse towards police during the riots were also locked up at the same court. Also jailed today for two years and two months was Paul Williams, a 45-year-old man who was at the forefront of an orgy of mindless destruction, violence and disorder in Sunderland. During the rioting, he was seen throwing metal fencing and a can of beer at police before taking his shirt off and shouting put your shields down and lets go, lets f****** go. Lisa Bishop was jailed for 26 months after admitting violent disorder ( Avon and Somerset Police ) A mother-of-five who was part of a terrifying mob outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Bristol has also been jailed for 26 months after throwing a can and shouting verbal abuse. Lisa Bishop, 38, was in a prominent position outside the Mercure hotel, which left police officers overwhelmed as they struggled to maintain order. A second riot charge has been brought by police as violent disorder suspects across the country await news on whether they will be accused of the more serious offence. Northumbria Police said on Friday that Kieran Usher had become their second suspect to be charged with riot, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The 32-year-old appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on Friday, where prosecutors said he had acted in an aggressive manner towards police officers and threw missiles at them during the unrest. It followed the forces announcement that a 15-year-old boy had been charged with the more serious offence after having previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary on Saturday. 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 }} Three children have been killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. A nine-year-old girl has become the third victim, with Merseyside Police saying the child died in the early hours of Tuesday morning following the deaths of two other. They have now been named as six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine. Five other children remain in critical condition in hospital with stab injuries, while two adults who are believed to have tried to protect the young victims remain critically ill. Three other children also suffered stab wounds in the attack. Follow our live blog for the latest as it happens in Southport Armed officers detained a 17-year-old boy from Banks and seized a knife after attending Hart Street in Southport at 11.50am on Monday. Merseyside Police said they do not believe the incident to be terror-related adding there is no wider threat to the public. Meanwhile, a violent protest broke out on Tuesday evening among suspected supporters of the far-right, with a police van set on fire and bricks and bottles thrown at officers as a mosque was attacked and anti-Islam slogans chanted. It occurred just one hour after a peaceful vigil which saw thousands of local residents, spiritual leaders and the Sefton mayor gather to pay tribute to the victims. Here is everything we know so far. Who are the victims? Eight children in total were stabbed as the dance class was drawing to a close on Monday. The first victim to be named by family is Alice Aguiar, the nine-year-old who died early on Tuesday. Alice Aguiar was named by relatives online as the third victim of the attack ( Facebook ) Her aunt Carina Aguiar, a hotel worker who lives in Camara de Lobos in Madeira, Portugal, posted in an emotional tribute: Princess Alice. In this moment of great pain my soul hurts, my body hurts, my mind hurts. I have a lump in my throat. You were just an innocent child, a happy smiley girl with a bright life ahead of you which a despicable human being took away from you, without pity, for no reason. Look after your mum and dad who are suffering, who are desolate and broken. Fly high our little star. I love you. Officials in Lisbon have confirmed she is Portuguese national, and that her parents were originally from Madeira. Bebe King was killed in the stabbing while she attended a Taylor Swift themed dance workshop ( Merseyside Police ) The family of Bebe King, 6, said: No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe. Elsie Dot Stancombe ( Merseyside Police/PA Wire ) Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, was identified as one of the first victims in the attack. A Merseyside Police statement added: Their families, who are being supported by specialist officers, have issued photographs and have asked that their privacy is respected at this time. A dance class teacher left fighting for her life after desperately trying to defend the children has been named as beautiful and creative Leanne Lucas, 35. She was named locally as one of the organisers of the dance workshop. Leanne Lucas, 35, has been named locally as one of the heroic dance class teachers wounded while trying to protect children ( Supplied ) She and a colleague are said to have helped shield up to 16 innocent children from the onslaught. Sharing a picture of Leanne on Facebook, Sunshine Yoga wrote: Im absolutely devastated. Please please pray for Leanne. Leanne came on my training course in December. A beautiful young creative girl who was so passionate about helping children. I just cant believe it. Please pray. Police on Hart Street in Southport ( James Speakman/PA Wire ) What have the emergency services said? A Merseyside police spokesperson said: Sadly we can confirm that a third child has passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack in Southport yesterday morning, Monday 29 July. The nine-year-old girl died in hospital in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday, 30 July. We can confirm that the children who died yesterday were girls aged six and seven years. Eight other children suffered stab wounds sustained during the attack, and five of them are in a critical condition. Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident. Our specialist Family Liaison Officers are providing support to the families at this terrible time. Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said that with great sadness, the children died as a result of their injuries. People leave tributes in Hart Street ( AP ) She added that officers were called at 11.47am and were shocked to discover multiple people had been subjected to a ferocious attack and had suffered serious injuries. It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender, who was armed with a knife, walked into the premises and started to attack those inside. We believe that the adults who were injured were trying to protect the children at the time they were attacked, she said. Why did a far-right protest break out? Hundreds of people took part in a peaceful vigil on Tuesday evening outside Southports Atkinson arts venue, with many in tears as they laid flowers and cards of remembrance. The vigil was followed by a protest outside a mosque in Southport as demonstrators chanting far-right slogans clashed with police in St Lukes Road. Flames engulf a police van during a violent protest ( ITV News ) Merseyside Police said a large group of people believed to be supporters of the English Defence League began to throw items towards the mosque at around 7.45pm. Officers put on helmets and riot gear after stones and bottles were launched at them and police vehicles were damaged and set on fire. Merseyside Police said an officer suffered a suspected broken nose in chaotic scenes outside the mosque as missiles were thrown at the police. What do we know about the suspect? The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident in Hart Street, Southport, on Monday, Merseyside Police said. Police said the suspect, who was born in Cardiff, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport, and a road in the area was cordoned off by detectives on Monday afternoon. Merseyside Police added: A name has been shared on social media in connection with the suspect in the incident in Southport. This name is incorrect and we would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing. Where did it take place? A large emergency service presence remains on Hart Street in Southport ( PA Wire ) What did locals see? A local business owner, who was one of the people who called the police, said the incident in Southport was like a scene in a horror movie. Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, said he believed six or seven young girls had been stabbed. He said: Its like something from America, not like sunny Southport. A local parent, who did not wish to be named, said his daughter was traumatised by the attack. He said: My daughter was in it and she was traumatised. She ran away and shes safe. Eyewitness Bare Varathan, 35, who owns a corner shop on Hart Street, said he was called by a staff member who told him, Boss, get to the shop! He said: I saw seven to ten kids outside the nursery. They were injured, bleeding. They were in the road, running from the nursery. They had been stabbed, here, here, here, everywhere. (Mr Varathan indicated the neck, back and chest area). Somebody told me he had arrived in a taxi and had a knife. Who stopped the attack? According to reports, personal trainer Joel Verite, 25, rushed to the aid of a woman who screamed forget about me, theres a fella in there stabbing kids. He is reported to have helped two other officers, one using a taser, to take down the suspect. The 6ft personal trainer told Sky News: I just opened the door to see if anyone was there I go on to the bottom of the stairs and I look up and theres this guy there in a full tracksuit with his hood up and a knife. He didnt realise I would be there, we looked at each other and hes scurried off to the side. Joel Verite hailed as a hero for confronting an attacker ( Sky News ) All I saw was a knife and I thought there was more people in there hurting people. Im there by myself and I just wanted to hurt him so bad but at the same time I was scared for myself. I just wanted to help. Im screaming then because I know where he is and Im trying to get everyone to come to the door. We were there for ten minutes but it felt like a lifetime. He added: Police finally turned up it was one officer he said to wait for backup because he only had one baton on him. His colleague came with a taser. These two officers go up the stairs and Im right behind them. They tackle this guy down to the floor straight away. There was no kind of fight at all. I grabbed this girl and I start sprinting towards an ambulance... Once he was down it was kind of done but the damage had been done. I wish I had been able to do more to help. I feel disgusted at the entire situation. A helicopter lands at the scene ( EPA ) What was the motive? Merseyside Police said that the incident is not believed to be terror-related and that the motive currently remains unclear. What was happening in the studio at the time of the attack? One of the events listed at the Hart Space, based on Hart Street, at the time of the stabbings was a Taylor Swift-themed dance class for children in school years two to six - aged between six and 11. A staff member at the Hart Space said there could have been as many as 25 children attending. What have the authorities said? Home Secretary Yvette Cooper looks at tributes near the scene in Hart Street ( James Speakman/PA Wire ) Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: The events are just truly awful and I know the whole country is deeply shocked at what they have seen and what they have heard. I know I speak for everybody in the whole country in saying our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, their friends and with the wider community. It is impossible to imagine what they are going through right now. Sir Keir also thanked the emergency services for their response, saying: They have responded to an awful incident today. I want to thank them for the professionalism they have shown in doing so. Yvette Cooper has warned against speculating or commenting on the criminal investigation into the Southport attack before updates have been provided by police. When asked whether she could provide more information, including whether the suspect was known to authorities, the Home Secretary said: Merseyside Police are leading this extremely important and serious criminal investigation. This was a horrific attack and they need to be able to get on with that work, and they will provide us with updates. 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 }} Southport should have been a town in mourning after the tragic loss of three young lives in horrific circumstances instead, a peaceful vigil on Tuesday later descended into chaos as violent riots broke out on the streets. Hours before the moving remembrance service, Merseyside Police confirmed that a third girl had been killed in the ferocious knife attack at the Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Hart Street. Shortly after, the force named the victims as Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, who were pronounced dead shortly after Mondays rampage, while Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, died from her injuries in hospital on Tuesday. As five more children continued to fight for their lives following the tragedy, along with two dance class teachers who bravely tried to defend their pupils, the tight-knit community of Southport gathered in the town centre at 6pm to grieve together. Hundreds of people held each other and wiped away tears as Martin Abrahams, the spiritual leader at Southport Hospital, said the crowds show we want to stand together. Left to right, six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine ( PA ) But despite the mournful air, tensions that had been building throughout the day were palpable. Mr Abrahams was interrupted twice once by a man shouting we stick together, and then by panicked calls for paramedics from the centre of the crowd, which temporarily paused the event. It later emerged that a man was arrested with a flick knife just yards away from the vigil. There were growing fears over how many were going to turn up to a far-right protest planned to take place outside a mosque on St Lukes Road that evening, an event police were understood to be monitoring. Earlier that day, Sir Keir Starmer had been hurriedly whisked away after being heckled as he placed a floral tribute at the Hart Street scene. His visit to the police cordon lasted barely two minutes as some watching members of the public shouted, How many more children? Our kids are dead and youre leaving already? and get the truth out! Rioters attack police during clashes in Southport on Tuesday ( PA ) A police van set alight as trouble flared during the far-right protest on Tuesday ( PA ) Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, who attended with the prime minister, was asked why the alleged attacker had not been named and if he was on a watch list. Detectives continued to question a 17-year-old suspect from Wales but Merseyside Police were forced to put out a statement urging people not to speculate after false claims the boy was an asylum-seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat spread online. Within an hour of the vigil ending, crowds of men began gathering outside The Blue Anchor pub, some holding beers and wearing masks, in front of the hundreds of floral tributes that continued to pile up outside the police cordon at the top of Hart Street. Word came from St Lukes Road before the demonstrations official kick-off time at 8pm that the area near the mosque was already packed with angry protesters responding to the rallying cry of elements of the far-right on social media. Leanne Lucas, 35, has been named locally as one of the heroic dance class teachers wounded while trying to protect children from the knife attack ( Supplied ) The air was charged with rage and anticipation as dusk began to descend on what had already been a highly emotional day. Hundreds of men were already stationed directly outside the mosque and in the surrounding streets, while a number of police officers and riot vans were standing guard, amid chants of No surrender! and English till I die! from sections of the crowd. With tensions already running high, events escalated rapidly into a riot, with violence breaking out and demonstrators clashing with police. Dozens of officers ended up suffering injuries in the disorder, leading North West Ambulance Service to declare a major incident. The prime minister arriving to lay flowers at the scene of a stabbing attack on Hart Street in Southport ( EPA ) Stones and bottles were launched at officers in helmets and riot gear, as police riot vans were attacked. Debris was scattered on the ground around the vans while police used their shields to deflect missiles thrown from the crowds. A crowd of men, many wearing masks and hoodies, were in a running battle with officers outside the mosque as more police arrived. Officers walked through crowds with police dogs as others with shields and batons were in a stand-off with protesters. Firecrackers and flares went off as multiple police sirens sounded, and a police helicopter hovered over the area. Shocked local residents were out on the streets, while roads were jammed with traffic, and numerous police cars and vans, blue lights flashing, were patrolling local streets. Riot police then charged the crowds outside the mosque as a police van was set on fire, sending black smoke into the air. The force issued an update at around 9pm, disclosing that an officer had suffered a suspected broken nose in the disturbance and multiple police vehicles had been damaged and set alight with the protesters believed to be supporters of the English Defence League (EDL). Children help to sweep Sussex Road in Southport after violent protests ( PA ) The disorder continued into the night, with wheelie bins set alight and engulfed in flames in the streets, and shops, restaurants and hotels under lockdown amid the chaos. The sounds of sirens and the circulating police helicopter echoed around Southport well after midnight as I walked through the seaside towns deserted streets. The prime minister was among those who took to social media to condemn the violence, writing on X/Twitter just before midnight that the rioters had hijacked a vigil for victims and vowed they would feel the full force of the law. After the chaos, the message from the people of Southport was clear; the town is mourning multiple tragedies and does not want the kind of trouble the rioters brought with them. Helping with the clean-up operation on Wednesday, Norman Wallis, chief executive of Southport Pleasureland said: Its horrendous what those hooligans have done. It was like a war scene. People from out of town just causing absolute mayhem. People in hoods climbing up lampposts, throwing bricks, they set a police car on fire. But none of those people were the people of Southport. The people of Southport are the ones here cleaning the mess up. 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 }} The Princess of Wales had surgery to remove a lump from her head as a teenager, according to a new royal biography. Apart from debilitating bouts of morning sickness and, of course, stays in the Lindo Wing at St Marys Hospital to deliver her babies, Catherine has fortunately avoided hospital for most of her life, Rob Jobson explained in Catherine, The Princess of Wales. As a teenager, however, when at Marlborough College she discovered a lump on the left side of her head, just under her hairline. The school notified her parents immediately and her mother Carole took her to hospital, where she had surgery to remove it. The left a three-inch scar which was noticed on Kates first solo engagement in 2001. The Palace subsequently released a brief statement that read: The scar is related to a childhood operation. Kate remained out of the public eye for the first six months of the year. In March, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer. ( Independent TV ) News of the incident comes after the princess was diagnosed with a cancer earlier this year following planned abdominal surgery. In a poignant video released in March, Kate explained that at the time of the January operation, doctors believed her condition was not cancerous. She then shared her solidarity with others affected by the disease and explained that she would remain out of the public eye for the foreseeable future as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of the disease. She eventually made a welcome return to public life at the Kings official birthday parade, Trooping the Colour, in June. This was followed by an appearance at Wimbledon this month to present the trophies on the final day, which saw Kate welcomed with a standing ovation. The Princess of Wales was welcomed to Wimbledon with a standing ovation. ( Getty ) The princess said in a statement ahead of her June return: I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times. I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well. My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. It is believed that the princess will remain out of the public eye again for some time as she continues her cancer treatment. The Independent has reached out to a representative of the Princess of Wales for further comment. 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 }} Katie Price has broken her silence after an arrest warrant was issued for her over a failed court appearance for unpaid taxes. The glamour model, 46, was scheduled to appear at a London court on Tuesday (30 July) over the unpaid tax bill of 750,000 but failed to attend as she was having cosmetic surgery in Turkey. The former glamour model was due to face questions about her finances in the specialist bankruptcy court from barristers representing the trustee of her two bankruptcies. Insolvency and Companies Court judge Catherine Burton said: It is in my judgment necessary that the court issue a warrant for Ms Prices arrest. She has no real excuse in failing to attend todays hearing. The reason for her absence today is irrelevant. The glamour model, formerly known as Jordan, said: I have and I am continuing to cooperate with the relevant people on matters to the best of my ability which will be addressed after my return from work. Despite consistent stories trying to humiliate me on my personal misfortunes, I am neither embarrassed or ashamed. I own my situation and I am trying my best to work my way out of it and put matters right. A warrant has been issued for Katie Prices arrest after she failed to attend a court hearing over her ongoing bankruptcy issues (Aaron Chown/PA) ( PA Wire ) I have to continue in my work in order to satisfy these bankruptcy orders which is all I am trying to do right now. I am however not running from matters and will continue to take matters with great seriousness. I am doing the best I can to rectify things during extremely challenging times. Yesterdays proceedings followed the second declaration Price has faced for bankruptcy in five years. She was first declared bankrupt in November 2019 and again in March of this year. Barrister Darragh Connell that the model would not be kept in custody for a long period of time once detained. She was initially due to attend a court hearing in March, but also failed to appear as she was dealing with serious stuff. In February, Price, who also found fame as a reality TV star, was ordered to pay 40 percent of her OnlyFans earnings to the trustee over her first bankruptcy for the next three years. Katie Price did not attend Mondays hearing in London (Aaron Chown/PA) ( PA Archive ) Price previously said that she would go to prison to be done with it all as she was fed up of being threatened with legal action. The model turned reality star is currently in Istanbul for a face lift that is reported to be costing 10,000. Price has insisted that this is a corrective surgery. She has now speculated that she could be suffering from a psychiatric issue after years of cosmetic procedures. Im not content now, Im having more surgery next week. My mum says Ive got body dysmorphia, Price told Heat World. I dont ever look in the mirror and think I look good. I never have done. So, theres obviously an underlying issue. Barrister Connell added: Her liberty is on the line, but unfortunately we are at the end of the road in relation to this matter. 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 }} Meghan Markle believed Prince Harry deserved more materially after she visited the Prince and Princess of Waless apartment on the grounds of Kensington Palace for the first time, a royal biographer has claimed. The Duke of Sussex, now 39, was living in one of the smallest properties on the estate at the time, Nottingham Cottage, which has two bedrooms and just one bathroom. Prince William and Kate, meanwhile, were living in the spacious 20-room Apartment 1A their London home ever since marrying in 2011. Writing in his new biography of the Princess of Wales, Rob Jobson explained: It is understood that when Meghan and Harry had gone round to have drinks at William and Catherines apartment, while they were still living at Nottingham Cottage opposite, Meghan had been taken aback at the disparity between the brothers. I am not saying Meghan was jealous, but she was really surprised how lavishly Harrys brother was living compared to where they were living, said a close source. It was perhaps the beginning of all the tensions between the two couples. The biography further elaborated on the differences between the heir and the spare, claiming that Prince William banned Meghan Markle from wearing any of Princess Dianas jewellery to her 2018 wedding despite the then-Kate Middleton being allowed to do so seven years earlier. Nottingham Cottage was featured in the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan. ( Netflix ) Meghan understood that William was above her husband in the royal pecking order as the heir to the throne, but she thought Harry was also a royal prince, so he deserved more materially, Jobson claimed. She was piqued by the disparity. Prince Harry reflected on being embarrassed when he first brought Meghan, now 42, home to Nottingham Cottage. He wrote in his 2023 memoir Spare: I was excited to welcome Meg to my home, but also embarrassed. Nott Cott was no palace. The couple later moved to the five-bedroomed Frogmore Cottage, which they permanently vacated last summer after stepping down as working royals in 2020. According to reports, the property which cost over 2 million to renovate for the couple remains empty. The relationship between the two brothers and their respective spouses appears to have broken down completely after Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in 2020. Meghan Markle appears to wipe away tears during Queens funeral. ( Tim Rooke/Shutterstock ) It is not known when the two couples last saw each other, but Meghan has not attended any events in the UK since the late Queens funeral in September 2022. Harry said in a recent ITV documentary Tabloids on Trial that he will not bring his wife to the UK because he fears an acid or knife attack inspired by negative tabloid stories. This was also touched upon by Jobson in his new biography, who claimed: Catherine did seem to be unwittingly set up in competition with Meghan by the press, although she did not invite or encourage such polarising portrayals. The Independent has reached out to a representative for the Sussexes for comment. 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 }} Misogynistic influencers are a threat to children in every school in the UK, a minister has warned. In an exclusive interview, Labours Alex Davies-Jones told The Independent teachers across the country are concerned about how the growing popularity of misogynistic influencers is colouring the views of pupils. Ms Davies-Jones, whose portfolio includes violence against women and girls (VAWG), called for misogyny to be tackled in schools as she warned a whole system approach is needed. There isn't a school in the country where you won't go and talk to a teacher and they won't tell you that this [misogynistic influencers] is having an impact on their pupils, the politician said. She said the government would look into how they could change the curriculum to address misogyny in schools. People feel like they have lost faith in our policing system. They have lost faith in the justice system and thats what we need to rebuild. Alex Davies-Jones It comes after recent exclusive research, shared with The Independent, revealed almost two-fifths of young men think that women often claim they have been raped after having sex they regret. Researchers at the anti-fascism charity Hope Not Hate, which polled just over 2,000 people across the UK aged between 16 and 24, found 20 per cent of younger women hold the view, compared to 39 per cent of younger men. The study discovered the views of young men and women are becoming more polarised on a number of issues. Just under half of young men think women are still disadvantaged in society, compared with around eight in 10 young women. The report, titled Plugged in but Disconnected: Young People and Hateful Attitudes, discovered 41 per cent of young men support controversial social media personality Andrew Tate, while just 12 per cent of young women do. Ms Davies-Jones has previously spoken out about how she was inundated with rape and death threats after voicing criticism of Mr Tate a self-proclaimed misogynist and influencer, who is facing trial in Romania on charges of rape and human trafficking. Some 41 per cent of young men support misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate ( AP ) Between two and three women are killed by a current male partner or ex-partner every week in England and Wales, while data shows 68,387 rapes were recorded by the police last year but charges had only been brought in 3 per cent of cases by the end of the year. Ms Davies-Jones, the MP for Pontypridd, said Labour had inherited a criminal justice system which is in a mess. She warned the system is broken and said what the new government has discovered in just three weeks has been quite shocking. She said: We are having to come in and clean up before we can actually come in and implement our policies and do it properly. Pressed on how Labour will meet its manifesto pledge to halve levels of violence against women and girls within a decade, the politician said different government departments will work together to meet the target. She added: It can't just be done in a vacuum or a silo with one government department leading on it. I think for far too long previous governments have tried to create policy and to create legislation, and tried to tackle this by operating in a silo or by looking at what works on paper but then isn't deliverable in practice and isn't workable on the ground. Ms Davies-Jones warned trust and faith in the police is low among women and girls, saying: That is why women aren't coming forward to report their cases. People feel like nothing is working. They feel: why should they? She added: People feel like they have lost faith in our policing system. They have lost faith in the justice system and that's what we need to rebuild. 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 }} Lord Robert Fellowes, the uncle of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, has died at the age of 82. He served as private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II for nine years, and was married to Princess Dianas sister, Lady Jane Spencer for 46 years. The British courtier was the late monarchs most important adviser during the divorces of three of her children and the late Princess of Waless death in 1997. Lord Fellowes helped the Queen through a particularly difficult year in 1992 - which she dubbed her "annus horribilis" - as it was the year Charles and Diana separated, Andrew and Sarah separated, Anne got divorced and Windsor Castle went up in flames. He passed away on 29 July and his cause of death is undisclosed at this time. Tributes were led today by Princess Dianas brother the Earl Spencer who wrote: My absolutely exceptional brother-in-law, Robert, is no longer with us. Lord Fellowes in 2008. ( Getty Images ) A total gentleman in all the best meanings of that word he was a man of humour, wisdom and utter integrity. Im deeply proud to have been his brother-in-law. Lord Fellowes married Dianas sister Lady Jane Spencer in 1978 with whom he shares three children Alexander, Eleanor and Laura. He was closely connected to the royals through more than just marriage and served as Queen Elizabeths private secretary between 1990 and 1999, although he worked for the Queen in more junior roles since 1977. Lord Fellowes remained a close confidant of the Queen until her death in September 2022 and remained an equerry. He was born in 1941, and according to The Times, met the late Queen as baby when she was still a princess. The monarch later remarked: Robert is the only one of my private secretaries I have held in my arms. The Queen and Prince Philip viewing the extensive floral tributes to Princess Diana. ( 1997 AP ) While Lord Fellowes studied at Eton, he did not attend university. In his capacity as private secretary to the Queen, he was not only a confidant but instrumental at some of the key moments in the monarchs life. He is reported to have sped up her return to London from Balmoral following news of Dianas untimely death in 1997, when she faced harsh criticism for not returning to the city sooner. Opening up to the Daily Telegraph about his late sister-in-laws respective work, he said: She was very good at it an extraordinary communicator with a great feeling for the underdog. It never became patronising. She chose the areas where she thought she could make a difference, and on the whole, she did that. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A fundraiser for the victims of the Southport knife attack set up by fans of Taylor Swift has raised more than 275,000 in two days. The outpouring of generosity from Swifties in the wake of the horror attack, which left three children dead and seven others in critical care, is being raised in partnership with Alder Hey Childrens Charity who are working with the families. Set up by two members of the Taylor Swift UK & EU Facebook Group, Cristina Jones and Holly Goldring, the fundraiser has had donations from over 17,000 people. The Just Giving page reads: We are working with Alder Hey Childrens Hospital to help raise money for the families affected by the tragedy in Southport, and raising funeral funds for the three young [Swifties] who have tragically passed. Every donation through this link goes directly to the verified charity below, which will in turn help make a difference to those impacted in a time of great sadness. Three children lost their lives when a teenager began a brutal knife rampage at a Taylor Swift dance class for children on Monday (29 July). Prime Minister Keir Starmer laid flowers at the scene of the tragedy. ( EPA ) A further five remain in hospital alongside two adults who heroically tried to protect them. The adults are in a critical condition. A 17-year-old male from Banks in Lancashire, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, remains in custody over the atrocity. The boy was detained at 11.50am on Monday, with Merseyside Police stating that they believe there is no wider threat to the public. They have also said that, at this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the incident is terror-related. Taylor Swift took to Instagram to express her shock over the incident that has rocked the town and share her condolences with those affected. Alice Aguiar, nine, was named by her family as the third fatality from the attack. She is reported to have passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning. ( Facebook ) She wrote on Tuesday (30 July): The horror of yesterdays attack in Southport is washing over me continuously and Im just completely in shock The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders. These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families. Alice Aguiar, nine, was yesterday named by her family as the third fatality from the attack. The other two fatalities have been named as Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. Leanne Lucas, 35, has been named locally as the dance teacher who remains in a critical condition after attempting to shield the children from the attack. Leanne Lucas, 35, has been named locally as one of the heroic dance class teachers wounded while trying to protect children. ( Supplied ) ( Taylor Swift/Instagram ) One of the organisers of the Just Giving page, Cristina Jones, told BBC Newsbeat that she was grateful for the superstars message of solidarity. Its very, very heartfelt... and I felt like she took her time to really draft it, she said. Im really grateful that she said something, because I can tell that she really cares. I know that her thoughts are going to be entirely with the families, and I think thats what we need to be focusing on right now. The attackers motive is unclear and is the subject of the polices investigation. Forensic officers seen at the scene on Hart Street in the hours after the incident. ( James Speakman/PA Wire ) A Merseyside police spokesperson said: Sadly we can confirm that a third child has passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack in Southport yesterday morning, Monday 29 July. The nine-year-old girl died in hospital in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday, 30 July. We can confirm that the children who died yesterday were girls aged six and seven years. Eight other children suffered stab wounds sustained during the attack, and five of them are in a critical condition. Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident. Our specialist Family Liaison Officers are providing support to the families at this terrible time. The Just Giving page has dramatically surpassed its initial 13,000 target. 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 }} Winter fuel payments will be stopped for millions of pensioners this winter as Labour pushes on with its plan to boost public finances by means-testing the cold weather benefit. The Labour government has been urged to review its decision affecting 10 million pensioners after the regulator Ofgem announced household energy bills will rise by 150 in October. Sir Keir Starmer has been warned the double hit will lead to disaster for pensioners on low and modest incomes or living in vulnerable circumstances due to ill health. Labour now faces a challenge from trade unions over the measure at its annual conference in Brighton. Led by Unite and the Communication Workers Union (CWU), representatives are reportedly looking to force a debate and vote on the cut. While it would be embarrassing for the government if they were defeated, the vote would be non-binding and so unlikely to force the Sir Keirs hand. It comes just weeks after the prime minister faced a fresh rebellion in Commons as MPs were granted a vote on the measure. Members voted 348 to 228 to press ahead with cutting the payment, as 53 Labour MPs abstainined and one voted against. Rachel Reeves revealed the change amongst several cost-cutting measures in July, designed to plug the 22bn black hole in public finances which Labour argues was concealed by the previous government. Rachel Reeves announces her cost-cutting measures in Commons ( Reuters ) Pensioners have spoken to The Independent about how they face a bleak winter ahead due to the price cap rise and the introduction of means-tested winter fuel payments. Analysis shows energy bills this winter will be the highest on record for older people who previously received the winter fuel payment, worth up to 300. The winter fuel payment was introduced by Tony Blairs government in 1997, and expanded to all pensioners from 2000. The new change will now mean that only those in receipt of pension credit or other certain benefits will continue to receive them. The payment amount remains unchanged, at 200 for those aged between 66 and 79, and 300 for those over 80. Since announcing the measure, charities and campaigners have urged the government to reconisder. Research from Age UK shows that around 2 million vulnerable pensioners are likely to miss out, while money expert Martin Lewis has also said Labour should rethink the measure. Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said: An estimated two million older people, in all, will face an even steeper mountain to climb in paying their energy bills and staying warm and well when the weather chills. With pensioners also losing the cost-of-living payments theyve received over the last two years we simply cannot see how some of them will cope. She adds that lifting of Ofgems price cap for energy bills makes it even more obvious that making the winter fuel payment means-tested could be hazardous for some older people. If youve been affected by the change to winter fuel payments heres what you can do: Check if youre eligible for pension credit The first thing anyone affected by the changes to the winter fuel payment should do is check if theyre eligible for pension credit. If you are able to claim this benefit, it will now unlock the winter fuel payment for you. Research from Age UK shows that around 800,000 pensioners are missing out on the means-tested benefit. The charity recommends calling their helpline or using their handy benefits calculator to check their eligibility. To qualify for pension credit, you must be above state pension age currently 66 and on a low income. It will top up your weekly income to either: 218.15 if youre single 332.95 if you have a partner (shared jointly) This works out at 11,343.8 a year if single, or a shared income of 17,313.4 for two. Its crucial those who are eligible for the credit apply for it, as experts describe it as a passport benefit. Alongside the winter fuel payment, claiming pension credit can unlock housing benefit, support with mortgages, a free TV licence and help with NHS dental appointments. This can add up to thousands of pounds in additional support. However, the eligibility is not tapered: if you receive even 50 over the pension credit income, you will not qualify for this additional support. Age UK says there are around one million pensioners in this situation. A spokesperson said: Older people in this group often tell us they really struggle financially; the proposed change will make it even harder for them to afford to stay warm when it gets chilly. Means-testing WFP this winter, with virtually no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy decision, and one that will potentially jeopardise their health as well as their finances the last thing they or the NHS needs. Other support available if youre not eligible for pension credit: Attendance allowance Attendance allowance is a non-means tested benefit is designed to support pensioners who need daily living help. It offers a minimum of 3,700 a year, rising to 5644.6 depending on the level of support needed. To be eligible for the benefit, the claimant must have needed help or supervision for six consecutive months, even if none has been received. This means you need assistance with daily living, or someone to watch you to avoid danger to yourself. Money guru Martin Lewis recently launched a campaign to raise awareness of the benefit, which he says is going unclaimed by around a million eligible pensioners. Household support fund The household support fund is money given to all local councils to support vulnerable households in their area. Councils are free to allocate the funds however they feel is best. Some have provided cash grants, supermarket vouchers, or energy bill assistance. You will need to visit your local councils website to find out what help may still be available. To find out what support is available, the End Furniture Poverty charity offers a helpful assistance finder tool. Energy provider help Some energy suppliers are offering help for those struggling with their energy bills. These include Scottish Power, EDF, E.ON and Octopus. You will need to contact your energy provider to find out if you are eligible. British Gas also offer a grant of up to 2,000 to customers of any energy provider. You will need to meet specific criteria to be eligible, and can apply on the British Gas Energy Trust website. Charitable grants If you are struggling financially, you may be eligible for certain charitable grants. There are a wide range of grants available depending on your circumstances. However, these grants will typically require you to meet specific criteria and only be able to offer limited funds. Several charitable grants are available for older people, with some having additional criteria such as being disabled or ill and many more. The charity Turn2us has an online tool to search for grants which may be available to you. For the latest benefits and pensions payment dates and cost of living support, visit The Independents regularly updated guide 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 }} Keir Starmer has warned that Labours first autumn Budget will be painful in his first keynote address from No 10, prompting fears of that unpopular tax rises will be amongst the announcements. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already confirmed that her statement will bring fresh tax rises as she says more needs to be done to fill the governments shortfall in public finances. This reasoning was repeated by the prime minister as he reiterated the need to plug the 22bn spending gap that was hidden by the previous conservative government. The announcements come after Ms Reeves announced a slate of cost-cutting measures to grapple with the issue in July. These included scrapping the Winter Fuel Payment for millions of pensioners, alongside halting several in-progress infrastructure projects. Many experts now anticipate that the chancellor will look to both raise taxes and cut costs in her first Budget in October, bolstered by the governments suggestions that the measures are necessary after errors made by the previous Conservative government. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her first Budget in October ( Getty ) On the election trail, Labour ruled out any increases to National Insurance, Income Tax, or VAT. The party also committed to the lowest spending and revenue raising out of any, at 4.7bn. In contrast, the Tories pledged 17.7bn and the Lib Dems 26.8bn. Instead, the party says it will better manage existing resources to cut costs, as well as attract investment from the private sector to help finance some public projects. Speaking at No 10, Sir Keir said the party intended to honour these pledges, but maintained a refusal to pre-empt the chancellors statement by revealing any measures ahead of October. The IFS was broadly critical of this approach, with Mr Johnson calling the partys spending plans trivial ahead of the election. He adds that the party offers no indication that there is a plan for where the money would come from to finance the change it pledged. With it now confirmed that the government will look to new ways to raise revenue, here are some of the key measures they could implement in the October Budget: How could Labour raise taxes? Taxing pensions savings Pension tax relief is a reduction of the amount of tax paid on private pensions. It helps workers save for retirement by boosting their pension pots. The amount of tax relief a person is granted is based on their Income Tax. It will effectively cancel out tax on pension contributions up to a maximum of 60,000. After this, contributions will be taxed at either 20, 40, or 45 per cent, depending on which Income Tax rate the worker falls into. Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled plans last month to introduce means testing for the winter fuel payment (Yui Mok/PA) ( PA Archive ) However, the chancellor is thought to be considering a flat 30 per cent pension tax relief rate. This would mean that higher earners would effectively pay 10 per cent in tax, while those on the additional rate would pay 15. The measure would raise around 3 billion a year, with 7 million earners paying more tax. But it would be better news for basic rate earners, who would actually begin receive a 10 per cent boost to their pension contributions. Evaluating the idea last year, the IFS said it would redistribute the burden of taxation from the bottom 80 per cent to the top 20 per cent of earners. Treasury officials are thought to be pushing Ms Reeves to adopt the measure, a source told The Daily Telegraph. Closing Inheritance Tax loopholes Inheritance Tax is a levy on the estate of someone who has died. This is their property, money and possessions. Crucially, it is not paid if the value of these things are below 325,000. The tax rate is 40 per cent, but its only charged on the part of the estate thats above the threshold. In 2023/24, only 5 per cent of deaths generated an Inheritance Tax bill, raising around 7 billion. However, the IFS writes that the tax measure is littered with special exemptions. These include a business relief, the ability to pass on agricultural land tax-free, and the tax-free passing on of pension pots. The economic think tanks says that ending these measures alone would raise 4.8bn a year by 2029. Changing Council Tax Council tax is a local tax which provides funding for the local authority to which it is paid. The amount will vary by area, but can range from 1,500 a year to upwards of 4,000 depending on area and property value. The tax has been criticised as unfair, as it is still based on property values from 1991. This means many properties are effectively in the wrong band, as property prices have changed and risen unevenly over the past few decades. Council tax reform has long been called for by campaigners (Dominic Lipinski/PA) ( PA Wire ) It has also come under scrutiny in recent years as cash-strapped councils look to fill the gaps in their budgets. In March, Birmingham council announced an unprecedented 21 per cent increase in council tax over two years. All of this means it is unlikely Labour will want to try and squeeze more revenue out of the system. The party ruled out such a measure before the general election, but stopped short of mentioning it in their manifesto. Raising Capital Gains Tax Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is paid on the profit made when an asset that has increased in value is sold. It is applies to things like the sale of personal possessions worth more than 6,000 (apart from a car), property thats not the sellers main home, shares and business assets. It is charged at 10 or 18 percent for basic rate taxpayers, and 20 or 24 for higher or additional rate earners. There is a tax-free allowance of 3,000. There are a number of ways CGT could be changed. In the run-up to the election, the Lib Dems said they would rethink the tax bands to be more similar to income tax, raising an estimated 5.2bn a year. 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 }} Nigel Farage has been condemned for his response to the Southport stabbings, with the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox accusing the Reform leader of inciting a riot. Three young girls were killed on Monday in an attack which took place during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Eight other children suffered stab wounds and at least two are still in a critical condition, alongside two adults who are also still in hospital. In the wake of the attack, rioting broke out in Southport, resulting in 27 police officers being taken to hospital. Police have said they believe the men involved are part of the far-right English Defence League. Nigel Farage posted a video to social media responding to the attack, questioning why the incident not being treated as terror-related ( LBC ) On Tuesday afternoon, before the riots began, Mr Farage had posted a video to social media responding to the attack, questioning why the incident was not being treated as terror-related and asking whether the truth is being withheld from us. He also asked whether the suspect, who is 17 and has not been identified, was being monitored by the security services. In a statement the same day, Merseyside Police had stressed the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related. Hitting out at Mr Farages response, Brendan Cox said: Imagine your response to the death of three children being to peddle conspiracy theories that incite a riot. This is why Farage deserves the label far-right. Everyone who is associated with him, has normalised him or promoted him should be ashamed. This is vile. Ms Cox, the former Batley and Spen MP was killed by far-right terrorist Thomas Mair in June 2016, a week before the EU referendum took place. Brendan Cox, who co-founded the Together coalition, accused Mr Farage of inciting the riot ( PA Archive ) Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said Mr Farage should not stir up these fake news online about the reasons behind the Southport knife attack. Ms Rayner told LBC Radio that, as an MP, the Reform UK leader has a level of responsibility, and its not to stoke up what conspiracy theories or what you think might have happened. She continued: Theres a responsibility to say the police are doing a difficult job, local authorities, all of the services that are on the ground. We have a responsibility to hold the community together and say lets get the facts, and then lets look at what the actual solutions are and what we can do about the horrific situation that we find ourselves in, not to stir up these fake news online. Ms Rayner added that it is really painful for people caught up in the trauma to see online that whats happened to them is somehow been debated. Labour MP Jess Phillips also criticised Mr Farage, claiming he was grifting and pointing out that he failed to turn up to Parliament for a statement on the incident. Ms Phillips, the MP for Birmginham Yardley, said: Nigel Farage could yesterday have had the questions, he claims are unanswered, answered if he had bothered to turn up to parliament and ask them during the statement on the incidents in Southport. He didnt turn up, he grifted instead. And former SNP leader Humza Yousaf suggested the riots took place as a result of Mr Farage being given endless air time to demonise communities, adding: This is the end result. Meanwhile, former MP Tobias Ellwood accused the MP for Clacton of deliberately inflaming tensions. He said: I lost my brother to terrorism. To ramp up hatred online by claiming the Southport attack was terrorist related (culminating in riots, a mosque damaged and 27 police injured) is not just reprehensible but needs addressing. Otherwise it will happen again. Disgusted how a sitting MP deliberately [inflames] tensions without any justification. Farage should delete this tweet. Metro mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotheram said rioters were whipped up into a frenzy by social media. He said: What we saw last night was infiltration by people from all over the country, stirred up by social media and then whipped up into a frenzy whereby they were attacking the very people that everybody earlier in the day was celebrating for being the heroes, for running towards danger. It leaves a very sour taste in the mouth that these people believe they can come here and divide our community. They wont be doing that and the haters wont win out. Mr Rotheram added: Its too easy for people with nefarious intent to go online and to say things that arent factual and then for people to believe those things and really I think anybody who listens or watches anything online should do it with a large dose of salt. Responding to Ms Phillips criticism, Mr Farage said its perfectly reasonable to ask what is happening to law and order. Protesters set fire to rubbish on the streets in Southport ( Getty Images ) Addressing Mr Coxs claims the Reform UK leader whipped up rioters Mr Farage said: Absolutely disgraceful comment, nothing of the kind. I merely expressed a sense of sadness and concern that is being felt by absolutely everybody I know what the hell is going on? It started off the week before in Kent, when a Lieutenant Colonel in full military uniform is stabbed in the street and I was told that Kent Police wanted to play the incident down. I got that on the highest level. So I think its quite legitimate to ask questions as to what the hell is going on. And then of course we had Southend at the same time with machete gangs fighting in the streets I think its perfectly reasonable to ask what is happening to law and order in our country. And who are the perpetrators? Why? Very legitimate questions I was asking, and to conflate that with EDL or anybody else, frankly, its desperate stuff. Asked about Mr Cox saying he is nothing better than Tommy Robinson in a suit, the Clacton MP added: The comment is beneath contempt. 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 }} Taxes will have to rise in October to plug a 22bn hole in the public finances, Rachel Reeves has warned. Ahead of her first budget, the chancellor refused to rule out hiking capital gains and inheritance tax and pursuing pension reform to fill the gap. And, setting the scene for a brutal financial statement, she said: I think that we will have to increase taxes in the budget. Rachel Reeves warned taxes will rise in October ( Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire ) The warning comes after she scrapped a series of infrastructure projects and announced the winter fuel allowance for pensioners would be means-tested in a bid to address the black hole left by the Conservatives. Ms Reeves did not say which taxes would rise, but told the News Agents podcast that Labour would stick to its manifesto pledge not to hike national insurance, VAT or income tax. She said: We had in our manifesto a commitment to fiscal rules to balance day-to-day spending through tax receipts, and by the end of the forecast period, to get debt down as a share of GDP. Those are sensible fiscal rules to keep a grip of the public finances. We also made other commitments in our manifesto, not to increase national insurance, VAT or income tax for the duration and well stick with those. Jeremy Hunt said Rachel Reeves was always planning to put up taxes ( UK Parliament ) Pressed again about which taxes could go up, she added: We will have a budget on October 30 and ahead of that budget, we will have a forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) on this occasion, based on accurate numbers. On Monday Ms Reeves shocked MPs as she said she will remove winter fuel allowance payments for pensioners from almost 7m of the households that currently receive them. Ms Reeves also cancelled the plan to introduce the Dilnot Commission recommendations on social care for the elderly next year, meaning that people will still have to sell their homes to pay for residential care. Announcing a series of cuts, a sombre-looking Ms Reeves repeated: If we cannot afford it, we cannot do it. She accused the previous government of a cover-up of the state of the nations finances, and also took the axe to Rishi Sunaks legacy, scrapping his Advanced British Standard qualification saving 260m in the process and his plans to reopen railways, to be paid for out of High Speed 2 savings. But even with 5.5bn of cuts announced for 2024/25, and another 8.1bn for the following year, Ms Reeves warned that there would be worse to come in her Budget on 30 October. She said: I have to tell the House that the Budget will involve taking difficult decisions to meet our fiscal rules across spending, welfare and tax. Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves promised not to raise VAT, income tax or national insurance ( PA Wire ) The Conservatives accused Ms Reeves of making up the numbers to provide cover for tax cuts she had been planning all along. On the podcast, Ms Reeves was challenged over whether her warnings amounted to a return to the austerity programme pushed by George Osborne. Thats just not true, she said. This is not a return to austerity, it is getting a grip of the public finances, and there is nothing progressive about losing control of the economy because we saw what happened when the previous government lost control of the economy, Ms Reeves added. Seizing on the chancellors warning, her predecessor and shadow chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: They had a choice and they have chosen to raise your taxes. "Instead of taking the difficult decisions needed to reform welfare, increase productivity and stand up to Labours union paymasters - the Chancellor will raise taxes right across the country. "Just as we warned - they were always planning to do this, they just didnt have the courage to be honest about it". 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 }} The UKs renewable energy budget has been increased to a record 1.5 billion, Ed Miliband announced on Wednesday. Of that, 1.1 billion will be allocated for offshore wind, which the government described as the backbone of the UKs clean energy mission. The funding uplift represents more than a 50 per cent increase on the budget previously set in March. The renewable energy industry will bid for the sum in order to deliver clean energy projects in the UK. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the higher budget will boost energy security, secure cheap power for families, and unlock economic growth and jobs for the country. It will accelerate the delivery of clean, cheap, low-carbon electricity to families and businesses, generated by renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels, the department added. ( James Glossop/The Times/PA Wire ) Firms in the renewables industry will bid for a share of the funding through the governments sixth renewable auction known as the Contracts for Difference scheme which provides developers with initial subsidies for clean electricity projects across Britain. Contracts for Difference works by developers bidding for contracts to help deliver renewable energy projects, with the scheme providing a guaranteed price for the clean electricity they generate. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the scheme gives industry greater certainty to invest, knowing that when electricity prices fluctuate, they will always get a set price for their projects. Meanwhile, Mr Miliband said it demonstrates that Labour is backing industry to build in Britain. Contracts are awarded through a series of auctions, where the lowest price bids are successful. 1.1 billion will be allocated for offshore wind, which the government described as the backbone of the UKs clean energy mission. ( PA Wire ) It is aimed at encouraging lower energy bills, as the subsidies are paid back to the government when wholesale electricity prices are higher than the agreed Contract for Difference price. In a statement, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: Families across the country have suffered during the cost of living crisis, as the UKs over-reliance on fossil fuel markets was exploited by Putin. Investing in clean energy is part of the Governments plans to make Britain a clean energy superpower. This will boost the countrys energy independence, so that families and businesses are never left that vulnerable again. In a statement, Mr Miliband said: Last years auction round was a catastrophe, with zero offshore wind secured, and delaying our move away from expensive fossil fuels to energy independence. Instead, we are backing industry to build in Britain, with this years auction getting its biggest budget yet. This will restore the UK as a global leader for green technologies and deliver the infrastructure we need to boost our energy independence, protect billpayers, and become a clean energy superpower. Energy Minister Michael Shanks added: It is our mission for the UK to be more energy secure and to do that we need more renewable energy projects connected to the grid and powering our homes. Increasing the budget by more than 50 per cent will boost industry confidence to back clean energy, attracting cutting edge clean technologies to Britain as we accelerate to a decarbonised power sector by 2030. 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 }} Former security minister Stephen McPartland has suggested Russia could be behind a social media misinformation campaign which led to appalling scenes in Southport on Tuesday night as protesters rioted. It comes as sources in the Home Office have told The Independent that an investigation is being carried out on the origin of social media posts which fuelled the angry disturbance in the town. Security sources have pointed out that both China and Russia have large teams and networks working on disinformation campaigns which fuel social division and violence in the UK and other Western democracies. The riot came after a vigil for the children who were attacked by a 17-year-old in the seaside resort. Three girls who were at a Taylor Swift holiday dance club Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine lost their lives, while five children and two adults are still in critical condition. The disturbance began outside a mosque in the Merseyside town with bottles and rocks thrown and a police van set alight. Clashes between protesters and the police flared on Tuesday in Southport ( PA ) But the unrest has been blamed on misinformation shared on social media suggesting that the 17-year-old suspect being held in custody may have been on a security watch and was Muslim. Mr McPartland pointed the finger at Moscow and Vladimir Putins regime. Before the election, he carried out a review of cybersecurity and preparedness which Rishi Sunaks government agreed to implement but left on the shelf because of the election. He said: Disinformation to undermine democracy is a huge part of the Russian playbook and just in May the British government expelled a Russian defence attache and accused the Russian Federal Security Service [FSB] of systemic malign cyberattacks aimed at undermining democracy. Former security minister Stephen McPartland ( Chris McAndrew/Creative Commons ) The tragic events in Southport are being mobilised by hostile states to stir up hatred and division instead of letting the community grieve. We need much more cyber-resilience throughout our whole society and economy to defend democracy. The McPartland review looked at how the UK could be more robust to social media-led attacks as well as other cyber-risks, including the mass outage caused by CrowdStrike earlier this month which took out hospitals, rail, aeroplanes and broadcasters among others. Meanwhile, former home secretary James Cleverly, who is now the Tory shadow for that role, is urging his Labour successor Yvette Cooper to step up action against misinformation from hostile states and extremist groups in the UK. It comes as anti-far-right campaign groups have flagged up five more protests which could spark riots by far-right groups over the next few days. These include a Tommy Robinson-led event outside Downing Street. Others are due to take place in Aldershot, Hull, Liverpool and Cardiff. Mr Cleverly said: While we give the police space and time to do their job, we must have no truck with those spreading disinformation and fuelling conspiracy. The police, the home secretary and the government must come down on this hard and fast. As home secretary, I took a clear and firm stance on protestors and civil disorder and went to America to ensure the tech companies properly understood that the UK government expected them to step up to stop the spread of disinformation. They must do so now. We all have a duty to honour truth, respect our police, and check before we share. Ms Cooper put out a statement condemning the riots but the Home Office declined to say whether she was taking matters further. The department pointed to her statement to the Commons on Tuesday, just ahead of the riots, when the home secretary said: It is extremely important that people do not spread damaging misinformation online. False information has already been extensively shared in the last 24 hours. Those who do this for their own purposes risk undermining a crucial criminal investigation. Meanwhile, the backlash against Nigel Farages online video on the Southport murders has continued to grow. The Reform UK leader posted a video to social media responding to the attack, questioning why the incident was not being treated as terror-related and asking whether the truth is being withheld from us. He also asked whether the suspect, who is 17 and has not been identified, was being monitored by the security services. In a statement the same day, Merseyside Police had stressed the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related. Hitting out at Mr Farages response, Brendan Cox, the husband of the late Jo Cox who was murdered by a right-wing extremist, said: Imagine your response to the death of three children being to peddle conspiracy theories that incite a riot. This is why Farage deserves the label far right. Everyone who is associated with him has normalised him or promoted him should be ashamed. This is vile. Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said Mr Farage should not stir up these fake news online about the reasons behind the Southport knife attack. Labour MP Jess Phillips also criticised Mr Farage, claiming he was grifting and pointing out that he failed to turn up to parliament for a statement on the incident. Former SNP leader Humza Yousaf suggested the riots took place as a result of Mr Farage being given endless air time to demonise communities, adding: This is the end result. Meanwhile, former MP Tobias Ellwood accused the MP for Clacton of deliberately inflaming tensions. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight 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 Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Suella Braverman has dubbed Labours decision to scrap the European Scrutiny Committee the beginning of the end of Brexit. Commons leader Lucy Powell on Tuesday announced plans to abolish the select committee, which was established in 1973 to scrutinise the government on EU affairs. This came as part of a wider reform of some of the MP select committees. Select committees are small groups of MPs or members of the House of Lords that are set up to investigate a specific issue or policy in detail. Suella Braverman said the decision is anti-democratic and lacking transparency ( PA ) The former home secretary hit out at the decision on social media, saying it is anti-democratic, lacking transparency and a disservice to the millions of British people who voted to deliver Brexit in 2016 and 2019. Ms Braverman added: This is the beginning of the end of Brexit. Her remarks came in response to Sir Bill Cash, who chaired the committee for fourteen years, telling GB News the decision was a breach of Parliamentary sovereignty. Ms Powell put legislation before the House of Commons that rescinded standing order 143, which outlined the scope and responsibilities of the committee, without a vote of MPs. The European Movement, a pro-EU organisation, threw its weight behind Ms Bravermans remarks, albeit for different reasons, saying the decision is doing a huge disservice to the public. The Union flag and the EU flag (JAne Barlow/PA) ( PA Archive ) Dr Mike Galsworthy, the campaign groups chair, told The Independent: Pro-Europeans are in staunch agreement with Brexiteers on this one - scrapping the European Scrutiny Committee is a huge disservice to our parliament and public. Given that there are new ministers with portfolio responsibilities on Europe, who is going to hold them to account in parliament? Think how this committee could have focused on new EU legislation and whether we align or are drifting, or what new areas of cooperation are emerging that we are missing out on and should seize. All of that discussion has had its natural forum ripped away. Im delighted that Brexiteers and pro-Europeans agree on this and urge the government to reinstate or replace it with a new forum for that critical renewed function. It comes as the Labour party works towards a reset of its relationship with the EU, looking to forge closer ties with the bloc on trade, security and foreign policy. The prime minister promised to fix Britains damaged relations with the EU for the benefit of generations to come. The Cabinet Office has been contacted for comment. Close Rachel Reeves admits taxes will rise in first Budget 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 }} The Bank of England has cut interest rates for the first time since 2020 as inflation continues to remain steady, holding at their two percent target for two consecutive months. Bank Rate is currently 5.25per cent, a 16-year high where it has been pegged for the last year to fight inflation, but it has now been set at five percent, a drop of 0.25 percentage points. Governor Andrew Bailey said the move comes after inflation pressures eased enough that weve been able to cut interest rates today. The decision will come as joy for homeowners who have been struggling with rising mortgage payments as major banks have confirmed rates could go down as low as three per cent. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has welcomed the move but warned millions of families are still facing higher mortgage rates after the mini-budget. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The government has been urged to pursue a youth mobility scheme with the European Union (EU) alongside the new approach to legal migration launched by Yvette Cooper. The home secretary on Tuesday launched a plan to boost the UK workforces skills before recruiting abroad in a bid to bring overall numbers down. In a swipe at the previous Conservative government, Ms Cooper said rising levels of legal migration in recent years reflected a "failure over many years to tackle skills shortages and other problems in the UK labour market". And she said: "This is why we are setting out a different approach - one that links migration policy and visa controls to skills and labour market policies - so immigration is not used as an alternative to training or tackling workforce problems here at home. But experts called on the home secretary to pursue a mobility scheme with the EU which would let young people live, study and work across the bloc in exchange for Europeans being able to do the same in Britain. Dr Mike Galsworthy, chairman of the European Movement UK, said Ms Cooper is right that Britain needs to better train its citizens to fill gaps in the work force. But he told The Independent this should not be used as a reason to penalise our own youth, universities, NHS, hospitality and small businesses - many which badly need opportunities opened right now. Yvette Cooper faced calls to consider a youth mobility scheme with the EU after launching her new approach to migration ( BBC ) He added: Shutting down critical mobility to and from our neighbours will not help our economy nor serve our own citizens well. Polling shows overwhelming support among the public for a youth mobility agreement with the bloc, with YouGov suggesting 68 per cent are in favour compared with just 15 per cent who are opposed. The approach should be yes to training and yes to mobility to reinvigorate our country, Dr Galsworthy added. Meanwhile president of the Young European Movement Cecilia Jastrzembska said there is unmistakable public appetite for a youth mobility scheme as part of a meaningful reset with the EU. She also told The Independent the loss of access to Erasmus+ after Brexit was a devastating loss for young people and called for the scheme to be restored. She said the moves should be part of the reset being pursued by Sir Keir Starmers government with European leaders after years of strained relations with the bloc under the Conservatives. A youth mobility scheme would let young people live, study and work across the bloc ( PA Archive ) Britain has individual youth mobility schemes with 13 countries including Australia, New Zealand and Canada which lets them study or work in the UK for up to two years. EU nations are not included in the scheme, but the question of whether a post-Brexit deal can be struck has risen up the political agenda. The UK government has said in the past that it prefers bilateral agreements rather than seeking an EU-wide deal. In April the European Commission (EC) said it would seek permission from EU member states to open negotiations on a youth mobility scheme for UK citizens aged 18-30. But the UK government this week said we are not considering a youth mobility scheme. On Tuesday Ms Cooper pointed to a rise in non-EU long-term migration from 277,000 in the year to December 2022 to 423,000 in the year to December 2023. The number of work visas in the 12 months to March 2024 was, meanwhile, 605,264, or "over three times that of 2019", she said. "That reflects a failure over many years to tackle skills shortages and other problems in the UK labour market, meaning too many sectors have remained reliant on international recruitment, instead of being able to source the skills they need here at home," Ms Cooper said. "This approach will be important to enabling delivery of the Governments broader agenda." Under Labour, the Migration Advisory Council - which provides advice to the Government on where skills shortages can be filled by migration - will work alongside Skills England and other bodies as part of a new "coherent approach to skills, migration and labour market policy". The agencies will also work alongside the devolved governments in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales towards the same end. Elsewhere in the statement, Ms Cooper said Labour would keep the Tory governments minimum income requirement for a partner or spouse to be granted a visa, but did not commit to raise it in line with the previous administrations intent. The lower limit was raised from 18,600 to a 29,000 income per year by Rishi Sunaks government, with plans to increase it eventually to 38,700 by an unspecified date in 2025. Ms Cooper said in the statement there "will be no further changes" to the current limit until a review by the Migration Advisory Council is complete. The home secretary also said the new Government would continue with a raft of other measures introduced by the Tories to quell legal migration numbers, including those aimed at reducing "the potential for abuse on the student and graduate visa routes". 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 }} Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the man who planned the September 11 terror attacks in 2001 that killed nearly 3,000 people, has accepted a plea deal for a life sentence, according to prosecutors. Mohammed, along with two accomplices, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, will avoid the death penalty as part of the agreement to end the conspiracy case against them, according to The New York Times, which reported on the deal. News of the plea came in a letter from military prosecutors to family members of those who died in the attacks. In exchange for the removal of the death penalty as a possible punishment, these three accused have agreed to plead guilty to all of the charged offenses, including the murder of the 2,976 people listed in the charge sheet, the letter reads, according to the paper. Some of those who were impacted by 9/11 disapproved of the deal. This photo obtained 01 March, 2003, shows, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, alleged organizer of the September 11, 2001, attacks, shortly after his capture ( HO/AFP via Getty Images ) I am very disappointed. We waited patiently for a long time. I wanted the death penalty the government has failed us, Daniel DAllara, whose brother, NYPD officer John DAllara, was killed on 9/11, told The New York Post. The Office of Military Commissions (OMC) told the Post the terms of the agreement were not immediately available, and that the pleas will be officially announced on Thursday, with sentencing set to begin on August 5. A military commission will still need to be empaneled to accept the pleas, consider evidence used in the sentencing, and hear testimony from victims. Terry Strada, national chairperson of 9/11 Families United, told The Associated Press she wished the case had gone to a full trial. For me personally, I wanted to see a trial, she said. And they just took away the justice I was expecting, a trial and the punishment. They were cowards when they planned the attack. And theyre cowards today, she added. Mohammed, a Kuwaiti-born Al-Qaeda terrorist, often referred to by his initials KSM, was born in Kuwait, educated in the US, and later fought in Afghanistan in the 1980s. In 1996, he presented Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden with the plan to hijack commercial airliners and fly them into sensitive sites across the US for the attack that later became 9/11. The eventual plot targeted the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City as well as the Pentagon. A third hijacked plane, bound for the US Capitol, crashed in Pennsylvania. KSM was hunted down and captured in Pakistan in 2003, and subject to torture at secret CIA black site prisons, including rectal rehydration, stress positions, and sleep deprivation, as well as waterboarding, an interrogation technique meant to simulate the experience of drowning. The conspiracy case against the trio of plotters has been in pretrial proceedings for more than a decade. Defense lawyers argued that the governments repeated use of torture in the mens detention Mohammed alone was waterboarded 183 times contaminated the evidence that would appear at a future trial. At the heart of the commissions problems is their original sin, torture, John Baker, former defense counsel at the Military Commissions Defense Organization, testified at the Senate in 2021. The United States chose to secretly detain and torture the men it now seeks to punish. The process to try KSM and his accomplices at a military court at Guantanamo, which operates under different rules than the normal US criminal legal system, has been beset with other delays, including an 18-month pause during the height of the Covid pandemic, and an Obama administration plan to try the plotter in New York, which was rejected by local officials and Congress. Amnesty International praised officials for securing a form of accountability in the 9/11 attacks, but condemned the glacial pace of the case against the attackers and called on the US to shut down the military prison. A U.S. Army soldier stands at the entrance to Camp Delta where detainees from the U.S. war in Afghanistan live April 7, 2004 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba ( Getty Images ) Guantanamo has long been criticized for the use of torture on detainees and the fact that many of those detained there have been in military custody for years without formally being charged with crimes. Finally, after more than 20 years, there will be some accountability for the 9/11 attacks, and justice for the victims and survivors of those horrific crimes, Daphne Eviatar, director of the Security with Human Rights program at Amnesty International USA, said in a statement to The Independent. We are also pleased that there is finally an outcome for at least some of the accused, who were tortured and then languished in detention without trial for more than two decades. Last year, Joe Biden rejected parts of a potential plea deal for the detainees, over demands the men be spared solitary confinement and receive trauma care for their torture at the hands of the CIA, the National Security Council said at the time. Negotiations over a potential plea reportedly began in 2022. Two others accused in the 9/11 case, are not part of the plea deal. Last year, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, accused of organizing the 9/11 plots Hamburg cell, was found not mentally competent to stand trial. Alleged plotter Ammar al-Baluchi could still face trial, though torture issues will likely complicate that process as well. The CIA detainee, once held in Afghanistan, was used as a human prop to teach interrogators torture techniques and had his head repeatedly slammed against a wall by trainees so they could receive certification, leaving him with head injuries, according to declassified documents. 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 }} Embattled aerospace giant Boeing has recorded a staggering $1.4bn loss in the second quarter of 2024, as it brings a new CEO on board in a bid to turn around its struggling finances and reputation. The troubled plane manufacturer has faced a tumultuous seven months after being embroiled in a string of safety and quality concerns with a plane door blowing off mid-flight, whistleblowers coming forward with damning claims and a conviction of conspiring to defraud the US. On Wednesday, the company announced its quarterly financial statements, revealing revenues even lower than Wall Street analysts anticipated. In total, Boeings revenues were down 15 per cent in the three months ending June 30 compared to the same period a year earlier. In a bid to repair the companys fractured finances and reputation, the company announced that Kelly Ortberg, the 64-year-old former chief executive of supplier Rockwell Collins, has been appointed as CEO, effective August 8. Ortberg, a former mechanical engineer, has the right skills and experience to lead Boeing in its next chapter, chairman Steven Mollenkopf said in a statement. Ortberg said in a statement from the company on Wednesday that there is much work to be done. David Calhoun noted that it had been a challenging quarter for the embattled aerospace company ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Im extremely honored and humbled to join this iconic company, he said. Boeing has a tremendous and rich history as a leader and pioneer in our industry, and Im committed to working together with the more than 170,000 dedicated employees of the company to continue that tradition, with safety and quality at the forefront, he added. Outgoing CEO David Calhoun resigned back in March. In the earnings release, Calhoun noted that Boeing has had a challenging quarter, but said that the business is making substantial progress for the future. The companys flailing finances have been blamed, in part, on quality and safety issues surrounding Boeings aircraft. Questions have mounted as to whether it is safe to fly on Boeing planes, following a dramatic moment on a 737 Max aircraft in January. Alaska Airlines flight 1282 was forced to make an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon, after a doorplug a panel of the fuselage near the rear of the aircraft blew out as the plane reached 16,000 feet. Kelly Ortberg is set to take over as Boeings CEO on August 8 ( Bloomberg via Getty Images ) The Federal Aviation Administration demanded that the company halted production of the 737 Max until the regulator was satisfied that safety and quality issues had been addressed. These lower production levels will likely spell further losses for Boeing. A string of terrifying incidents also followed including a wheel falling off a United Airlines Boeing 757-200 moments after it took off from Los Angeles earlier this month. The aftermath of such incidents has resulted in dozens of Boeing whistleblowers coming forward with claims of alleged bad working habits and the intentionally use of defective parts. Ron Irvin, a former quality investigator at Boeing for six years, told The Independent that the aircraft manufacturer was infested with yes men and full of bean counters. Boeing is also dealing with supply-chain issues that are hindering production as it re-acquires key contractor Spirit AeroSystems. Then, last week, the company accepted a plea deal with the Justice Department to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. The charge relates to the company misleading federal regulators into approving its 737 Max jetliner the aircraft model that was later involved in two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, which together claimed the lives of 346 people. Under the terms of the deal, the company was also hit with a $244m fine and ordered to undergo three years of probation whereby an independent, court-appointed monitor will take stock of its operations. The deal means that Boeing avoids going to trial. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man who broke into a Florida city hall in an attempted burglary has been caught thanks to a bag of cocaine. Jake Foster Machado, 34, was arrested Monday after breaking into the West Palm Beach City Hall on July 20. Two days later, a city employee found the bag of white powder inside commission chambers, prompting an evacuation of the premises while investigators tested the bag. The city sent a hazmat truck , police, fire units, and an ambulance to the city hall before clearing the area for re-entry. It was interesting. Thats not something we have come across. Ive never come across that at all, West Palm Fire Department Battalion Chief Gregory Gordon said of the cocaine discovery . Jake Foster Machado, 34, was arrested after breaking into the West Palm Beach City Hall and leaving behind clothing and a bag of cocaine, police said ( West Palm Beach Police Department ) Police later identified Machado via video surveillance. The tape showed that a suspect broke into the government building at about 5am, took off his shirt and shoes, and thrashed around for about 30 minutes, according to the West Palm Beach Police Department. The suspect then attempted to break open other doors before leaving the building. Police obtained a warrant for his arrest and relocated Machado to a drug rehabilitation center. Machado is being held at the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office Main Detention Center, where he faces charges of unarmed burglary and possession of a controlled substance. His bond has not been determined, and police did not say whether he stole anything from the city hall. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Lyft driver in Georgia has disappeared after agreeing to drive a passenger 400 miles. Leonard John Beiner, 57, was working as a part-time Lyft driver in the city of Ball Ground when he was scheduled to drive a customer some 400 miles to Jacksonville, Florida, according to the Cherokee County sheriffs office. The round trip would take approximately 12 hours. Family members told WSBTV that they had not heard from Beiner since July 18, and that after several days of trying to call, his phone went straight to "the operator line." The sheriffs office confirmed that Beiner was last seen on July 22, when he checked himself into Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta but left the following day. Lyft said in a statement that its records show no evidence that Beiner had an out-of-state drop off scheduled for July 18, according to 11 Alive News. Leonard John Beiner, 57, was working as a part-time Lyft driver in Cherokee County, Georgia, when he disappeared earlier this month ( Cherokee County Sheriffs Office ) The company confirmed it was working with law enforcement on the investigation to find Beiner. "Our thoughts are with Mr. Beiner's family and loved ones during this difficult time, and we've been in contact with law enforcement to assist them with their investigation," Lyft said in a statement. Beiner is 5'7, 225 pounds, and has blue eyes and gray hair. He walks with a cane, according to a missing persons report. Cherokee County Sheriff's officials have asked that anyone who sees Beiner, or knows of his whereabouts, call their office at 770-928-0239, the Atlanta Police Department, or 911. 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 }} The family of an alleged serial killers victim say they are outraged at yet further delays in the case, more than seven years after the slaying of Mike Darby. The case against Fredrick Scott was halted again after he caused a courtroom outburst in Kansas City, Missouri on Monday in which he lashed out at courtroom employees and cursed at his public defender, according to Fox4. The defendant has been charged with six murders. In three of those cases, authorities found victims remains near Indian Creek trails in 2017. Scott appeared in court for what was meant to be a two-day evidentiary hearing. But Judge Charles Frazier cleared the courtroom following the mans outburst. Patrick Berrigan, Scotts public defender, argued that Scott is only capable of standing trial when hes medicated or his mental health condition, which has been difficult to do while hes been in jail. He requested that his client be sent to a mental health facility in Fulton, Missouri. Fredrick Scott has been accused of killing six individuals ( Fox4 ) Its not clear what mental health condition the man suffers from. Judge Frazier had not approved the request by Friday. Allison Boddicker, the daughter of murder victim Mike Darby, who Scott is accused of killing, told the outlet, Im more angry now than Ive ever been. I feel like Im full of rage after today. Her father owned a popular Kansas City bar when he was murdered. She said shes been to court about 60 times since her fathers remains were found on the trails. I left there thinking you have got to be kidding me. I think its because hes choosing not to take his medication. We are powerless over that. We have no control over that, said Boddicker. Her sister, Jennifer OShea agreed. This is one of the oldest cases thats open in Jackson County. Its not just a petty crime. This is a major crime. The fact that we havent gone to trial yet is insane, OShea said. Her uncle, Bill Darby, said, What we would like is for him to be found competent and to stand trial for all of these murders. We dont want to keep pushing it down the road. 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 Missouri woman pleaded guilty to kidnapping and murdering a 31-week pregnant woman she met on Facebook to steal her unborn baby. Amber Waterman, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping resulting in the death of 33-year-old Ashley Bush and one count of thereby causing the death of a child in utero in Springfield, Missouri. Originally set to stand trial in Springfield on 21 October alongside her husband and alleged accomplice, Jamie Waterman, she will now appear for her sentencing hearing on 15 October, when she will be handed a life sentence without parole. US Attorney Teresa Moore said: This horrific crime resulted in the tragic deaths of two innocent victims. Todays guilty plea holds this defendant accountable for her actions and ensures that justice will be served. Waterman admitted that she first contacted Bush via Facebook under the false name Lucy with the pretense of helping her find a job, but was planning to kidnap her to claim her unborn child. Ashley Bush was kidnapped and murdered in October 2022 ( Benton County Sheriff's Office ) She met with Bush in person once, three days before kidnapping her in Maysville, Arkansas and transporting her across state borders to the Waterman residence in Pineville, Missouri on 31 October 2022. Amber Waterman has pleaded guilty to kidnapping and murdering a woman and her unborn child ( McDonald County Sheriffs Department ) Later that day, first responders responded to an emergency call of a baby who was not breathing, with Waterman admitting to falsely telling them she had given birth to the baby in the truck on the way to the hospital. In reality, the baby girl was Bushs and had died in the womb as a result of Watermans kidnapping and Bushs death. Bushs death was classified as a homicide after an autopsy indicated she died as a result of penetrating trauma of the torso. Her fiance, Josh Willis, told law enforcement that he saw Bush being driven in a truck by the woman he knew as Lucy when he was returning to pick up Bush from where he had dropped her off for the two women to meet for a second time. He said he tried to follow the truck but eventually lost it, and after calling and texting her, found Bushs phone on the side of the highway. He named his and Bushs baby girl Valkyrie Grace Willis. Mother of three Ashley Bush was engaged to Josh Willis ( KHBS ) Watermans husband, who was 42 at the time, is charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact to kidnapping resulting in death, as his wife allegedly killed Bush alone but sought his help to dispose of the body. His trial is still scheduled to take place on October 21, and no new hearing or plea change documents have been filed for him. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Florida authorities are scrambling for solutions to stop wayward sea turtles from getting on to a commuter road - despite significant measures to stop them. Officials in Flagler County have received reports that some wayward sea turtles have been able to crawl up onto the top of new sand dunes at a US Army Corps on Engineers construction project, and are concerned that they will get onto a nearby road, according to a release posted on Facebook on Tuesday. Authorities initially believed the turtles would not be able to climb over the steep dune slope, which was constructed to stop the turtles from getting onto the road. Hawkbill, Green and Loggerhead sea turtles are listed as endangered species, all of which are typically found in Florida waters. A Loggerhead Sea Turtle makes it way to the Atlantic Ocean in Juno Beach, Florida. Authorities in the state are working to stop sea turtles from getting from the beach to a nearby road in Flagler County ( AP ) The Independent has emailed Flagler County officials for comment. State and federal wildlife agencies are working to install deterrents thatll stop the turtles from coming over the dunes at the construction area, around 25 miles from Daytona Beach. One solution is to accelerate the speed of the Corps project to put in permanent sand fencing in the area. If thats not possible, engineers will install temporary fencing. We are working closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and US Fish and Wildlife Service right now to take preventative measures for turtles that may crawl up onto the new dune so they dont go onto the road, Ansley Wren-Key, coastal engineering administrator for the area, said in a release. The permanent sand fencing will be three feet above ground and 10 to 12 inches below ground, which is about what is required to keep sea turtles and gopher tortoises at bay. Once the wide beach is built, these sea turtles will have more habitat to lay their eggs and nest, Wren-Key said. On other nourished beaches in Florida, statistics show that nesting activity increases and the mortality rate decreases as more nesting areas are provided and the nests are not washed out with high tides and storms, which can be a hazard for nests on narrow beaches. 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 }} Three people have died and nine were injured Tuesday in a deadly fight at a remote Nevada prison. The injured inmates were transported from Ely State Prison for medical treatment following the violent outbreak. No police officers or prison staff were injured, according to the Nevada Department of Corrections. The prison has been placed under lockdown. Prisons spokeswoman Teri Vance told the Elko Daily Free Press the fighting was not a riot. Two of the victims were identified as Connor Brown, 22, and Zackaria Luz, 43. Luz, who is part of a white supremacist group, was involved in a previous prison riot and was currently being held on forgery charges, according to KLAS. Brown was in charge on a robbery charge. The third victim hasnt been publicly named but was also part of a white supremacist group. Three people were killed and nine hurt in a fight at a Nevada prison this week ( AP ) Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardos office told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that todays incident is under investigation by local and statewide law enforcement agencies. His office added that the brawl was gang-related. Ely State Prison is Nevadas only maximum-security prison, with a maximum capacity of 1,183 inmates, and employs about 400 staff members. It is also home to the states death row. Earlier this year, two inmates died at Ely, bringing the total deaths at Nevada prisons to 21 this year. In July 2023, a 29-year-old man was stabbed at the state prison. It was also the subject of a hunger strike in 2022 after inmates complained of food portions, conditions of confinement, property issues and disciplinary sanctions. The strike was voluntarily ended after 4 weeks. Prison officials promised to make a clarification on disciplinary action. Ely, Nevada, is located about 250 miles north of Las Vegas. 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 }} More women are resorting to unsafe measures to end pregnancies since the Supreme Court ruling two years ago which took away nationwide abortion access, a study has found. Researchers discovered that reproductive-age women who reported trying to end pregnancies by themselves rose from 2.4 per cent to 3.3 per cent, before and after the court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The methods that women reported included eating herbs, drinking alcohol, hitting themselves in the stomach, inserting an object into their body and lifting heavy items, according to a study published in the peer-reviewed medical journal JAMA on Tuesday. Some women then had complications that required medical attention, including pain, bleeding and a fever, the study said. In other cases, women had an in-clinic abortion or continued their pregnancy. Our data show that making abortion more difficult to access is not going to mean that people want or need an abortion less frequently, Dr. Lauren Ralph, co-author of the study and epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, told the Associated Press. Researchers discovered that reproductive-age women who reported trying to end pregnancies by themselves rose from 2.4 per cent to 3.3 per cent, before and after the court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade in June 2022. One method includes self-sourced mifepristone, pictured, according to the study ( Getty Images ) Some survey respondents reported using medications obtained without a prescription. Some took emergency contraception and the abortion pills misoprostol and mifepristone obtained outside the medical system. Mifepristone is a safe-to-use abortion medication that was challenged in a Supreme Court case earlier this year. The nations highest court threw out the lawsuit last month, ending the challenge for the time being. However, some Republican lawmakers have already vowed to bring a new case, Axios reports. Dr Grace Ferguson, an OB-GYN in Pittsburgh who was not involved in the research, said the study [confirms] the statement weve been saying forever: If you make it hard to get [an abortion] in a formal setting, people will just do it informally. Abortion rights activists protest the case challenging access to mifepristone outside the US Supreme Court. The nations highest court threw out the legal challenge earlier this year, but some GOP lawmakers have vowed to revive it ( AFP via Getty Images ) In the wake of Dobbs v Jackson, abortion has been banned outright with few exceptions in 14 states, all of which are Republican controlled. This means many people have been forced to carry out life-threatening pregnancies. Breanna Cecil, 34, previously told The Independent that she was denied an abortion in Tennessee for a pregnancy that ultimately destroyed her ability to have children in the future. The state of Tennessee took my fertility from me, Cecil told The Independent earlier this year. [State lawmakers] took away my opportunity to have a family like my own biological family because of these horrible laws that they put in place. Others have been forced to travel hundreds of miles out-of-state to the nearest abortion clinic. Residents of some southern counties would have to travel more than 700 miles, Axios reports. In June 2021, a year before Roe v Wade was overturned, residents of just 216 counties had to travel the same distance. 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 }} Authorities in Washington have determined that a Tesla that hit and killed a motorcyclist near Seattle in April was operating on the company's Full Self Driving system at the time of the crash. Investigators from the Washington State Patrol made the discovery after downloading information from the event-data recorder on the 2022 Tesla Model S, agency spokesman Capt. Deion Glover said Tuesday. The investigation is still ongoing in this case, Glover said in an email to The Associated Press. The Snohomish County Prosecutor will determine if any charges are filed in the case, he said. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said last week that Full Self Driving should be able to run without human supervision by the end of this year. He has been promising a fleet of robotaxis for several years. During the companys earnings conference call, he acknowledged that his predictions on the issue have been overly optimistic in the past. A message was left Tuesday seeking comment from Tesla. After the crash in a suburban area about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northeast of Seattle, the driver told a trooper that he was using Tesla's Autopilot system and looked at his cellphone while the Tesla was moving. The next thing he knew there was a bang and the vehicle lurched forward as it accelerated and collided with the motorcycle in front of him, the trooper wrote in a probable-cause document. The 56-year-old driver was arrested for investigation of vehicular homicide based on the admitted inattention to driving, while on Autopilot mode, and the distraction of the cell phone while moving forward, putting trust in the machine to drive for him, the affidavit said. The motorcyclist, Jeffrey Nissen, 28, of Stanwood, Washington, was under the car and pronounced dead at the scene, authorities reported. Nissen's death is at least the second in the U.S. involving Tesla's Full Self-Driving system. In investigative documents, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said earlier it had found one fatality and 75 crashes while the system was being used. It wasn't clear whether the system was at fault in the fatality. Tesla has two partially automated driving systems, Full Self-Driving, which can take on many driving tasks even on city streets, and Autopilot, which can keep a car in its lane and away from objects in front of it. Sometimes the names are confused by Tesla owners and the public. Tesla says at present neither system can drive itself and that human drivers must be ready to take control at any time. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said last week that Full Self Driving should be able to run without human supervision by the end of this year ( REUTERS ) Full Self-Driving is being tested on public roads by selected Tesla owners. The company recently has been calling it FSD Supervised. Musk said last week that he did not think approval by government regulators would be a limiting factor in deploying robotaxis. If youve got billions of miles that show that in the future, unsupervised FSD is safer than humans, what regulator could really stand in the way of that? he asked. But Phil Koopman, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who studies autonomous vehicle safety, said he doesn't see Tesla running robotaxis without human drivers on nearly all roads for another decade. The safety record Musk cites is based on having a human driver supervise the automated system, he said. Unless you have data showing that the driver never has to supervise the automation, then there's no basis for claiming they're going to be acceptably safe, he said. Musk has said Tesla will unveil a dedicated robotaxi vehicle at an event on Oct. 10. The event was delayed from Aug. 8 to make changes in the vehicle that Musk wanted. Musk has been telling investors that Tesla is less of a car company and more of a robotics and artificial intelligence company. Many investors have put money into the company based on long-term prospects for robotics technology. Musk has been touting self-driving vehicles as a growth catalyst for Tesla since Full Self Driving hardware went on sale late in 2015. 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 }} Ella Emhoff, the 25-year-old stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, was rushed out of a New York City restaurant after a man caused damage to Secret Service vehicles parked outside after confronting an agent. The incident occurred around 12.40 pm Tuesday along Hudson Street and North Moore Street in the Tribeca neighborhood, a NYPD spokesperson told The Independent. An individual approached two United States Secret Service vehicles parked in lower Manhattan and, without provocation, caused damage to the rear license plate area of both, Secret Service Spokesperson James Byrne told The Independent in a statement. Agents detained the man, 45-year-old Harry Heymann, until local authorities arrived and placed him into custody. Ella Emhoff was rushed out of a lower Manhattan restaurant after an angry man damaged the rear of Secret Service vehicles parked outside ( Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows ) Emhoff was inside the restaurant with a friend and the rushed from the establishment and put in an SUV while the incident happened. At no point was the model and fashion designer in danger as a result of this incident, Byrne added. Heymann was arrested and charged with one count of obstruction of government administration and one count of criminal mischief, the NYPD spokesperson said. Heymann allegedly tore a license plate off of one of the Secret Service vehicles and complained to a plainclothes agent stationed outside of the restaurant, accusing law enforcement of taking advantage of the NYPDs parking passes in the crowded Manhattan street, TMZ first reported. Its not immediately clear whether Heymann knew that the vehicle belonged to the Secret Service or whether Emhoff was inside. Emhoff, the daughter of second gentleman Doug Emhoff and his first wife, recently came to her stepmothers defense after JD Vances past comments calling Harris a childless cat lady resurfaced. The so-called First Daughter of Bushwick took to Instagram last week, writing: How can you be childless when you have cutie pie kids like cole and I? She added: I love my three parents. She also recently agreed with pop star Charli XCXs classification of the presumptive Democratic nominee being brat, writing on her Instagram story: @charli_xcx gets it. 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 }} Nicole Levy had gone to the pharmacy to pick up her regular medicine when she suddenly found out it was blocked. For ten years the 45-year-old transgender woman, who lives in Tampa, Florida, had been getting her hormone replacement therapy (HRT) from the same doctor without any problems. Then, in May 2023, her prescription was denied without explanation. "I kind of went into a freefall of emotions for a good week, just trying to figure out what was happening," Levy tells The Independent. "Then, when I did get the [clinics] receptionist on the phone, she started to cry. "In my moment of confusion, I felt like I had to ask her: Are you okay? And she said, no. She didnt know how she was gonna get her hormones either." Both Levy and her doctors receptionist, who was also trans, had been caught up in a sweeping surprise attack on trans healthcare for adults by Florida governor Ron DeSantis and the states Republican-dominated legislature. As well as banning gender transition procedures for under-18s , the new law imposed onerous restrictions for adults including a ban on non-physicians such as nurse practitioners issuing HRT prescriptions that cut off many peoples treatment overnight and pushed some clinics to stop providing any care at all. Nicole Levy, who also does drag performances under the name TeMonet ( Nicole Levy ) Last month a judge struck that law down as unconstitutional , and both minors and adults can get their meds again. But local activists and clinicians say the year that Republicans all but banned trans healthcare did lasting damage and drove many Sunshine State providers out of the business entirely. "The fear is absolutely not gone," says Andre Clarke, a co-founder of the Florida non-profit TransNetwork and practice manager at Love the Golden Rule, an LGBT+-focused medical clinic in St Petersburg. Florida is just one example of how Republicans across the country have begun cracking down on trans adults access to such treatments , using a wide range of tactics reminiscent of past campaigns to ban abortion, which have often targeted healthcare providers. "I am quite sure that DeSantis knew that everything was going to be overturned. But it stoked the fear, it stoked the hatred, said Clarke. That is a win for them, and it is a continued loss for our community." 'People were so scared they just loaded up their car and left' When Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 254 into law last May, the impact was immediate. Pharmacies refused to fill even theoretically legal prescriptions, while their lawyers debated the exact contours of the new rules. Providers immediately stopped transition care while they tried to figure out how to comply. Clinics that were able to keep up treatment were inundated with new patients, often forcing them to pause sign-ups. Trans healthcare is a relatively rare specialism, and is often provided by budget-constrained non-profits and community health centres. That means a lot of trans people get their medicine from nurse practitioners rather than directly from a physician. The new law meant that nurse practitioners could be jailed for a year if they treated adults for gender dysphoria. It also banned transition care from being prescribed via telehealth. And it required physicians to file complex new informed consent paperwork that experts , and later a federal judge, deemed inaccurate and confusing. Biden condemns Florida's 'cruel' treatment of trans children There simply arent enough physician providers for this care, so it has interrupted care for thousands and thousands," Spektrum Healthcare CEO Joseph Knoll told the industry news site Fierce Healthcare . Knoll tried to hire more doctors, but doctors were leery. According to The Washington Post , one asked for a $100,000 relocation fee; others wanted to be paid at least $250,000 a year; one even said he couldnt take the job unless he was paid under the table. "We were legally advised to discontinue all trans care," says Clarke. The main reason, he says, was liability: the state Department of Heath had ruled that clinicians could be sued if their informed consent paperwork wasnt perfectly in order. Except, Clarke alleges, the finalized version of that specific documentation wasnt released just a draft version, making everyone nervous they werent filing things correctly. "No one knew what the official rules were, Clarke said. They were always a temporary statement pending a secret committee conversation, in a location that didnt provide parking, in a private building where they could [accuse] anyone that wanted to protest it of trespassing." The Florida Board of Medicine did not respond to a request for comment. The forms themselves were also full of unusual provisions, telling patients that the treatment is "purely speculative" and providing no information about any benefits. US district judge Robert L Hinkle would later slam them as "untrue and misleading", detailing risks for treatments the patients were not even getting and "plainly intended to dissuade patients from obtaining gender-affirming care" rather than ensuring that patients were fully informed. Golden Rules lead doctor, a veteran HIV researcher named Bob Wallace, was willing to take on the legal risk, and continued to offer the treatments. Still, they were just one clinic in a state that was rapidly becoming ever more inhospitable to trans people. Andre Clarke, practice manager at a Florida LGBT+ clinic ( Andre Clarke ) "As a mental health counsellor, I definitely saw an increase in depression [and] an increase in suicidal ideation," says another TransNetwork co-founder, Tristan Byrnes. "I saw people scared enough to just pack up and move, whether they had a plan or not, because they didnt trust that it wouldnt get worse. "It was especially parents of minors, but not just parents of minors, Byrnes said. Adults were so scared they just loaded up their car and off they drove, hoping that once they settled in theyd find a job. We lost some really good people and advocates in our area." Levy, who is a drag performer under the name TeMonet , says she went into "extreme depression, isolation, withdrawal, confusion" when DeSantis law took effect. It took her back to the first time she ever tried to get HRT in 2004, when her doctor flatly refused to prescribe it and violated health privacy laws by telling her scare stories about three other trans women whose lives, in his view, had turned out wrong. "My need for healthcare is not cosmetic; it is not for vanity," says Levy. "It is literally healthcare to be who I choose to be, to be happy, in my inner self." Doctors and nurses remain in shortage In June 2024, a federal court overturned Floridas ban for under-18s and most of its curbs on adult care, saying they violated the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. "The statute and the rules were an exercise in politics, not good medicine," wrote Judge Hinkle in a scathing decision. "The great weight of medical authority supports these treatments... there is no evidence that this kind of care is routinely provided so badly that it should be banned outright." Another court decision last June shot down a DeSantis-backed ban on Medicaid paying for trans healthcare , while a case challenging a similar coverage ban for state government employees is still under way . "As of this date, transgender minors in the state of Florida can access gender-affirming medical care," Samantha Past, LGBT+ rights staff attorney for the ACLU of Florida, says. "The state cannot take transgender children away from their parents, or investigate parents, for allowing their child to access gender-affirming medical care. And adults in Florida can receive their care from non-physicians." But the state government is appealing Hinkles ruling, and that has created continuing uncertainty. "A lot of doctors are afraid that theyll have to open up and then shut it all back down again," Byrne says. Indeed, with a conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court which recently granted Donald Trump broad immunity from criminal prosecution Clarke from the St. Petersburg clinic believes there is every reason to be concerned. Florida governor Ron DeSantis arrives to deliver remarks during the second day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 16, 2024 ( EPA/JIM LO SCALZO ) Many trans-focused nurse practitioners have permanently switched jobs, says Clarke. "So many people have disappeared... they may still live in Florida, but theyre not working for a Florida clinic, and thats a massive cut to the number of people that can receive the care." As a consequence, Golden Rule has patients coming from all over Florida because they cannot find the same care, or the same standard of care, elsewhere. All of which illustrates how anti-trans politicians can make life difficult for trans people even when the courts rule in support of trans rights, not just in Florida but nationwide. As Past points out, Florida was actually the first US state to impose restrictions on adult trans healthcare, and Republicans elsewhere have followed suit . And since DeSantis has made rolling back trans rights a centerpiece of his political agenda, trans activists are braced for further turbulence. "In Florida there are so many veiled and unveiled attacks on our community," says Levy. "The fight is not over." 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 }} The Biden administration has repeatedly denied US involvement or knowledge in the apparent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a political leader of Hamas heavily involved in ceasefire negotiations. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Channel News Asia on Wednesday during a two-day stop in Singapore as part of a weeklong swing through southeast Asia, making some of the first comments from a high-ranking American official regarding the death of Haniyeh, who was reportedly killed in Tehran along with an Iranian security guard late Tuesday evening Washington time. Well, Ive seen the reports, and what I can tell you is this: first, this is something we were not aware of or involved in, said the USs top diplomat. He added: Its very hard to speculate, and I've learned never to speculate, on the impact one event may have on something else. So I can't tell you what this means." He would go on to reiterate the USs position that it would work to try and prevent the conflict in Gaza from escalating into a regional war. At the daily State Department press briefing in Washington, however, reporters pressed further on the issue and drew a semi-heated response from Vedant Patel, the agencys deputy spokesman. Patel was questioned repeatedly on various issues related to the impact of the killing and refused to speculate as to whether Israel was responsible for carrying out the attack. The Israeli government has not claimed credit for the killing nor publicly denied it; Hamas and Iranian officials have meanwhile both insisted that Israel is behind Haniyehs killing. Blinken says he doesn't know what the assassination of Haniyeh means for the ceasefire negotiations. Feel like it's the Secretary of State's job to know these things? Q: Haniyeh was involved in ceasefire talks in Gaza; what impact is his death going to have? BLINKEN: "I've pic.twitter.com/PSbP3MO09O Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) July 31, 2024 We have of course seen the news, and the statement from Hamas, but I dont have anything additional to offer on that and I dont want to speculate at this time on this incident or possible reactions, we of course continue to be in touch with governments in the region, Patel offered initially. That failed to satisfy reporters in the room, and the questions Patel went on to face included the basic philosophical question of how the US could continue to state publicly that Hamas was the main obstacle to a successful ceasefire deal from being reached if Israel was behind the attack and was therefore responsible for killing a lead negotiator for a possible peace agreement. Patel deflected, and wouldnt offer a path forward for peace negotiations either stating a desire to keep such talks private. He also faced a sharp line of interrogation from Said Arikat of Al-Quds, a Jerusalem-based news service, regarding whether Iran, as a sovereign nation, had the right to defend itself from an act of aggression as an attack on its soil could be taken. The questioning inferred that the US may have a double standard when it comes to Middle Eastern countries given the self-defense justification that US politicians and the State Department have given for the Israeli siege of Gaza. Protesters in Irans capital demonstrate against Israel after the killing of a Hamas leader in the Iranian capital city ( Getty Images ) In principle, as a sovereign nation, does Iran have the right to defend itself? asked Arikat. As Patel began to hesitate in responding, Arikat pressed: Its a simple question. Does Iran, as a sovereign nation, [like] any other nation, have the right to defend itself? Patel responded: Iran is a regime that time and time again since 1979 has, one, been the largest exporter of terrorism, not just in the Middle East but broadly. And it has a clear track record of not just suppressing its own people but funding, promoting, encouraging, malign destabilizing actions across the region. And our opinion and point of view on the Iranian regime is quite clear. We will not hesitate to not just stand with our allies and partners when it comes to defending against threats from Iran but taking appropriate action from the United States, said the spokesman. State Department says US can not 'speculate' on effects of Hamas leader's assassination Arikat would go on to press Patel several times further. He pointed out the deaths of not just Haniyeh but much of his extended family, including his children and grandchildren, and later asked the State spokesman point-blank whether the Hamas leaders death was good, indifferent or bad in terms of reaching a ceasefire deal in the region. The questions drew an increasingly irritated response from Patel, who refused to answer for what he said is probably now the fifteenth time in the briefing. Overall, it comes as the Biden administration has now said for months that it sees a ceasefire deal within reach and has largely avoided any major shifts in policy regarding its monetary support for Israels offensive in Gaza, where more than 30,000 are now presumed dead. As the months have passed, the administration has increasingly faced criticism at home from progressives over seemingly taking a passive, reactionary role to the conflict and the Israeli strikes in areas including Beirut and now, possibly, Tehran. While the president takes accusations from the right over the supposed daylight between his view on the war and Israels, his administration faces questions as to whether Israel is purposely undermining the US president. Adding fuel to that fire was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus most recent visit to the US, where he spoke on Capitol Hill and accused protesters demonstrating against his speech as being possibly funded by Iran. Netanyahu met with Biden at the White House during his visit but also traveled to meet Donald Trump, his political ally, in Florida. 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 }} Fresh polls show that Kamala Harris has made gains on Bidens top performance in all swing states except Pennsylvania, Bidens home state. The latest slew of national polls also indicate that Harris is securing a lead over Donald Trump at this stage in the race. Harris has led over Trump in four major polls taken over the past five days, though the race remains tight, with an average of 45.3 per cent to Trumps 43.8 per cent. This is an improvement on last weeks poll numbers, which were released immediately after Biden announced he would step down from the Democratic ticket. Those showed significant variation and a Trump lead. In the YouGov/Economist poll, which surveyed 1430 registered voters nationally from July 27-30, Harris is leading by a margin of 2 per cent (46 per cent), up by +5 points from the same survey last week (41 per cent). The underlying data shows that on a national level, Independents are more or less split on whether they will go for Trump or Harris. The poll also reinforces a slight gender split, with half of women supporting Harris compared to 41 per cent of men, and half of men supporting Trump compared to 39 per cent of women. Harris and Trump battle for the swing states Six out of seven battleground states have seen Harris improving on Bidens numbers, according to a set of polls by Morning Consult for Bloomberg. The polls were carried out in seven states from July 24 to 28, with sample sizes ranging from 454 registered voters to 804 in each state. In particular, Harris appears to have made huge jumps in Michigan and Arizona, gaining by +5 points and +4 points respectively over Bidens last polling in early July. Harris is now leading in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin, while Trump leads in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Harris has topped Bidens peak polling in every state except Pennsylvania, where the incumbent president was born, according to Morning Consults monthly data since October 2023. Harris currently has 46 per cent support in Pennsylvania to Trumps 50 per cent, while Biden was also at 46 per cent in May and June. Trump is expected to speak at a farm show in Pennsylvania today, revisiting the state where he was shot just weeks earlier. In Michigan, Harris has a 11-point lead over Trump, at 53 per cent to 42 per cent. Biden was already leading by 5 points in the last Morning Consult poll on July 4. Harris made the most substantial movements among Michigans young voters (defined as the under-34s), who were leaning toward Trump under a Biden candidacy but have now turned blue by a wide margin. She has also seen improved numbers among Michigans registered Independents, but lost some support among the states 35-44 age group. It is worth noting that the margin of error for these Morning Consults polls are 3-5 points, and that these swing states do experience a lot of shifts in opinion. So where there are small leading margins, no positive polling can be taken for granted just yet, especially given the rapid rate of change in the past few weeks and potential for further disruption. 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 }} If Donald Trump wants to make illegal immigration a campaign issue, Vice President Kamala Harris is more than happy to have that fight. Harris opened her appearance before a crowd of 10,000 in Atlanta on Tuesday by taking aim at Trumps record criminal and otherwise and calling out the ex-president for killing the bipartisan immigration bill that was crafted by one of the nations most conservative senators earlier this year. The Vice President took the stage after Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion whipped up the crowd, performing four songs: Girls in the Hood, Mamushi, Body, and Savage as she exhorted a vote for Harris. Before she began Body, she told them Harris would protect their reproductive rights. Now I know my ladies in the crowd love their bodies and if you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for, she said. She also called Harris our future president and told the crowd they were about to make history with the first female president the first black female president. Lets get this done, honey, she added. Once on the stage herself, Harris took direct aim at Trump, drawing a stark contrast between the pair. She told rallygoers that a a prosecutor she had taken on perpetrators of all kinds, including predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, and cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say I know Donald Trumps type I know the type, and I have been dealing with people like him my entire career, she said, leading the crowd to respond with chants of lock him up, referring to the ex-presidents 34 felony convictions; Harris also said she would proudly compare her record against Trumps any day of the week, including on the subject of immigration, citing her work as the attorney general of California, which shares a border with Mexico. Vice President Kamala Harris waves during a campaign rally, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Atlanta ( AP ) I walked underground tunnels between the United States and Mexico on that border with law enforcement officers. I went after transnational gangs, drug cartels and human traffickers that came into our country illegally. I prosecuted them in case after case, and I won, she said. By contrast, Harris said Trump has been talking a big game about securing our border but does not walk the walk. Our administration worked on the most significant border security bill in decades. Some of the most conservative Republicans in Washington, DC supported the bill, even the Border Patrol endorsed it, she said as she recalled how the bill had been all set to pass before Trump directed his allies in the Senate to vote it down. He tanked, tanked the bipartisan deal because he thought it would help him win an election, she said, adding that she would push a Democratic congress to enact the same bill to law when she is in the White House as president. In response, the crowd roared with approval. The vice presidents appearance at the raucous Atlanta rally demonstrated the massive shift in culture and enthusiasm that has swept through the Democratic Party in the nine days since President Biden shocked the world by announcing that he would become the first American president to stand down from seeking a second term since Lyndon Johnson did so amid the upheaval from the Vietnam War in 1968. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visits Paschals, a historic Black-owned restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., July 30, 2024. ( via REUTERS ) Bidens campaign appearances were usually daytime affairs hosted by labor unions or other Democratic-leaning groups, or nighttime fundraisers with audiences limited to smaller groups of donors and video footage tightly controlled by his campaign apparatus. But since becoming the partys de facto nominee last week, Harris has returned to the packed rallies that characterized Democratic campaigns before the Covid-19 pandemic upended the 2020 election cycle, with star-studded guest lists reminiscent of Barack Obamas first campaign for the presidency in 2008. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) gestures at a presidential election campaign event for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. July 30, 2024 ( REUTERS ) By the time she took the stage at the Georgia State Convocation Center, the stands had been packed to the rafters. They were warmed up by Peach State Democratic mainstays, including former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and Georgias two Democratic senators, Jon Ossoff and Rev Raphael Warnock. After Thee Stallion performed to cheers from rallygoers, Atlanta-area rapper Quavo praised Harris for her work on addressing gun violence, calling the vice president someone who always stands on business. But the cheers both musicians received paled in comparison to the ovation Harris got when she took the stage to Beyonces Freedom and launched into her remarks. In what has become a standard part of her stump speech, she warned that Trump wants to implement a Project 2025 agenda that would cut Social Security and Medicare, as well as give tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations and gut the Affordable Care Act. America has tried these failed policies before, and we are not going back., she said. Were not going back, because ours is a fight for the future, and it is a fight for freedom. Across our nation, we are witnessing a full-on assault on hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and rights, the freedom to vote, the freedom to be safe from gun violence, the freedom to live without fear of bigotry and hate, the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride, the freedom to learn and acknowledge our true and full history. And the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do, she said. But Harris also challenged Trump on his recent decision to waffle on whether to debate her at the September 10 presidential debate set to air on ABC. She said Trumps decision was because the momentum in this race is shifting and called the move a sign that Donald Trump is feeling it. Heres the funny thing about that. So he wont debate, but he and his running mate sure seem to have a lot to say about me, she added, drawing laughs when she asked if the crowd finds her opponents just plain weird. Speaking to Trump directly, Harris challenged him to show up and confront her. Donald, I do hope youll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage, because as the saying goes: If you got something to say, you should say it to my face. 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 days if not mere hours from publicly announcing her selection of a running mate for the remainder of the 2024 cycle. A Yinzer may be at the top of her list. Pennsylvanias Josh Shapiro emerged early on as a strong contender in the running to serve as the vice presidents own future VP, with Harris now at the top of the Democratic ticket and Joe Biden stepping aside. Married to highschool sweetheart Lori Ferrara, the governor and his wife moved back to Pennsylvania to raise their children after Shapiro graduated from Georgetown Law. It was his law school time which saw him get his foot in the door as a political operative he worked as an intern for Carl Levins Senate office. He almost never got into politics at all. I started as a pre-med student, but a few months into freshman year, I nearly flunked out of organic chemistry, he revealed to students at University of Rochester in 2023. A swing-state governor enjoying a wave of popularity through his first term, Shapiro checks several boxes for the Harris campaign. His ability to drive out votes for Harris particularly in western Pennsylvania is possibly Shapiros most important selling point. The governors commanding victory in 2022, a 15-point brutalizing of his opponent Doug Mastriano, was aided in part by the fact that Shapiro was about to turn out voters in every county. Even in deep-red Republican counties with far fewer voters, where Democrats are often wiped out, the governor was about to turn out between 17-30 per cent of the vote in his favor. Compare that to Mastriano, who received just 13.1 per cent of the vote in Philadelphia County, the second-largest district by voter turnout. If Shapiro were able to deliver Pennsylvania and its 19 electoral votes, it would be a major pickup for the Harris campaign. Doing so would allow Democrats to shift more resources to states like Georgia, Arizona and even places like Florida where local parties are hoping for more resources from their national counterparts. Its no coincidence the other reported finalists for the spots all have battleground state appeal as well Minnesotas Tim Walz, Michigans Gary Peters, Arizonas Mark Kelly and even Kentuckys Andy Beshear, whose connections to Appalachia have been seen as a possible counter to Donald Trumps Ohio-hailing running mate JD Vance. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has emerged as a finalist to be Kamala Harriss running mate in 2024 ( Getty Images ) But Shapiro, like any candidate, is not perfect. His support for Israel, while a mainstream Democratic position to be sure, has veered at times over the past year into instances where he has been accused repeatedly of insufficiently caring for the loss of civilian lives in Gaza. The governor has also been accused of likening campus protesters with a wide range of views about Israel and Gaza to the KKK. As a result, progressives are thought to oppose Shapiros addition to the ticket more strongly than any of the others reported to be in contention for the role. Pick Shapiro, lose Michigan has been a common warning issued by lefties on Twitter/X who argue that Michigans sizable Muslim-American and Palestinian-American communities will be turned off from voting for a Harris-Shapiro ticket. He has also picked a fight with one of Harriss erstwhile allies, teachers unions, in his home state with support for charter school vouchers in Pennsylvanias annual budget. Still, it could be a gamble Harriss team is willing to take. She has been careful to not stray too far from the position on Israels offensive in Gaza taken by Joe Biden, which has already caused deep rifts between national Democratic officials and Muslim Democratic-leaning voters, some of whom spurned a peacemaking meeting with Democrats in March. And Harriss numbers are still underwater in Pennsylvania, where a new Morning Consult poll on Tuesday found her trailing Trump by four per centage points. The same poll saw her leading by nine in Michigan. Political similarities exist between Shapiro and JD Vance, Donald Trumps newly-announced running mate ( AP ) Shapiro was first elected to the Pennsylvania statehouse in 2004. Hed later go on to be elected the states attorney general in 2016 after serving as Montgomery County commissioner. The soon-to-be-governor staked out a liberal record on social issues during this time period, including on abortion rights and LGBTQ+ marriage rights. He was reelected in 2020 and only became the states governor in 2023, after winning an election the year prior and winning an unopposed Democratic primary. Vance, Trumps running mate, only took office himself the same year, and now could become vice president less than two years into his first six-year term. But Shapiro, unlike Vance, has been eyed in recent days for his charisma onstage stumping for Harris and his ability to land a punch the opposite summation of the senators abilities after a week of his pummeling by the Democratic campaign apparatus. At a rally alongside Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday, Shapiro mocked Trump for hugging the flag and proved he could effectively deliver the Trump and Vance are weird attack line. I love the flag, but its a weird thing he does, Shapiro told a laughing crowd. At least some writing appears to be on the wall indicating that Shapiro could be Harriss pick. The vice president is set to unveil her running mate selection in his home state next Tuesday at a rally in Philadelphia though that could also be an attempt to throw reporters off the scent. And shes set for a swing through other battlegrounds as well in the coming days, including Arizona, from which Kelly hails. The next few days will be some of the most important of Harriss political career. Her eventual pick will reveal much about where the campaign sees its strengths, its weaknesses, and possibly its intended targets, too. 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 }} More than 100 venture capitalists pledged to support Vice President Kamala Harris the Democrats answer to the steady stream of Silicon Valley bigwigs who have vowed to back Donald Trump. VCs for Kamala includes LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks Mark Cuban and billionaire Chris Sacca. We the undersigned are Venture Capital investors, founders and tech leaders who pledge to vote for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, a statement on the website says. We spend our days looking for, investing in and supporting entrepreneurs who are building the future. We are pro-business, pro-American dream, pro-entrepreneurship, and pro-technological progress, the group wrote. We also believe in democracy as the backbone of our nation. We believe that strong, trustworthy institutions are a feature, not a bug, and that our industry and every other industry would collapse without them. That is whats at stake in this election. A group of venture capitalists and tech entrepreneurs have pledged their support for Vice President Kamala Harris ( REUTERS ) Another powerful group, Tech for Kamala, has pledged support for the vice president. In a July 28 letter, the group noted the Biden-Harris administration has laid the foundation for a great new American chapter growing the economy and expanding opportunity for people of all backgrounds and as a California native Vice President Harris has shown her leadership in the tech industry over decades. So far, 550 people have signed the letter, the New York Times reported. In the letter, Tech for Kamala also noted the host of entrepreneurs who have been backing Trump: We acknowledge there are a few people in tech with very loud microphones who support a very different vision of the future. But as the names on this letter show, they do not at all represent the entire tech community. Elon Musk is one of the people in the pro-Trump camp. The SpaceX founder endorsed Trump after the assassination attempt against the former president earlier this month. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that Musk planned on donating a staggering $45 million to a pro-Trump super PAC every month a claim that the Tesla CEO has since denied. Earlier this year, Musk had co-hosted a so-called anti-Biden fundraiser with a guest list that reportedly boasted Peter Thiel, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Travis Kalanick. Musk has publicly endorsed Trump. While many tech moguls have backed Trump, a new group is being vocal in its support for Harris ( AP ) Thiel has longstanding ties to Trumps running mate JD Vance, who first met the PayPal co-founder at Yale Law School and later went on to work for him. Musks event was also co-hosted by entrepreneur and investor David Sacks, who has also publicly endorsed the former president. Months later, the billionaire reportedly co-hosted another high-profile fundraiser with former Facebook senior executive Chamath Palihapitiya. The entry fee ranged from $50,000 for individuals to $500,000 for couples, according to reports at the time. Its safe to say that theres a wellspring of support in Silicon Valley, Sacks told the Times weeks after Trump was convicted in New York, especially given the backlash to the political prosecution of Trump. They dont speak for me, Leslie Feinzaig, founder of Graham & Walker and an organizer of VCsForKamala, told the Times. They dont speak for most of us. And they dont speak for the founders. To recruit people to join the groups efforts, Feinzaig told the outlet that she sent around a sign-up form in an email that read: Lets show founders that not all VCs have turned MAGA. Harris support from finance magnates comes after the vice president garnered support from another vocal group: white dudes. The group White Dudes for Harris reportedly raised $4 million on Monday evening alone following a Zoom call that saw nearly 200,000 participants, including celebrities and potential running mates. 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 }} Lauren Boebert is being mocked on X after trying to prove Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wrong as the two sparred over a possible presidential debate. Buttigieg, a contender for Kamala Harris running mate, posted on X criticizing Donald Trump for pulling out of his commitment to a September debate: Has a presidential nominee ever agreed to a debate, then pulled out? Remarkable show of weakness here. Buttigiegs comment came in response to a post from a reporter revealing Trump is backing out of the tentative September 10 debate on ABC News, which he originally agreed to. However, he has waved on participating since Joe Biden dropped out and Harris became the presumptive nominee. Trumps camp has said it wont commit to a debate until the Democratic party picks a nominee. Representative Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, responded to the transportation secretary: Yes, actually. Biden agreed to two and backed out of the second. Boebert appears to be referring to Bidens decision to drop out of the 2024 race, which would make him ineligible to debate Trump come September. Lauren Boebert, pictured speaking to supporters, sparred with Pete Buttigieg on X as users mocked her for her comments ( AP ) Social media users were quick to mock the Colorado right-wing lawmaker. Some just moved to correct her: Biden isnt the nominee, one user wrote. As hes not a presidential candidate anymore, he didnt back out, another user wrote. There is literally no reason for him to debate Trump. Others more outwardly criticized Boebert and the former president. This is the saddest attempt at shifting the focus away from the fact that Trump is too cowardly to stick with a debate he agreed to because he is afraid of Vice President Kamala Harris, one post on X reads. Especially because Biden backed out because he stopped his campaign...why do yall do this to yourselves, another user posted. Last week, Trumps team signaled they arent ready to committ to the September debate. Given the continued political chaos surrounding Crooked Joe Biden and the Democrat Party, general election debate details cannot be finalized until Democrats formally decide on their nominee, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign said. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to schedule things with Harris because Democrats very well could still change their minds, the spokesperson continued. Last week, Donald Trumps team signaled they arent ready to committ to the September debate. ( Fox News ) Harris was quick to respond to the former presidents decision. What happened to any time, any place? the vice president wrote on X last week. Trump previously used those words in March as he and Biden sparred over when they would hold their first debate. I have agreed to the previously agreed upon September 10 debate, Harris told reporters last week. He agreed to that previously, she continued. Now, here he is backpedaling and Im ready and I think the voters deserve to see the split screen that exists in this race on a debate stage and so Im ready to go. Democratic National Convention delegates will begin voting on August 5 to determine the next presidential candidate. Harris will be the only name on the ballot, however, given no one else qualified for the race, the Associated Press reports. The Independent has contacted Boeberts office 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 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 }} An Atlanta man who threatened to murder far-right Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has pleaded guilty to making interstate threats. Sean Patrick Cirillo, 34, faces up to five years in prison at his sentencing scheduled for November 7. On November 8, 2023, Cirillo called the Republican congresswomans Washington DC office and told staff that he had a bead on her like a sniper rifle and was gonna kill her next week. Im gonna murder her, he said over the phone, according to court records. Ill kill you too if you want. He threatened to shoot her in the f****** head and repeatedly shouted die at the congresswomans staff. Threatening to kill a public official is reprehensible, US Attorney Ryan K Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia said in a statement on Tuesday. Our office will not tolerate any form of violence, threats or intimidation against public officials, he added. The prosecution of individuals who threaten the lives and welfare of public servants is a top priority for our office, as well as for our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Keri Farley, Atlantas FBI special agent in charge, said the agency will not normalize violent threats in America, whether targeting elected officials or average citizens. Our democracy depends on the ability of members of Congress to do their jobs without fearing for their safety. We will continue to prosecute threats against public servants made in any form, she added. The Independent has requested comment from Greenes office. Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks during a House Oversight Committee hearing on July 22. A man who threatened to kill her in 2023 has pleaded guilty to making interstate threats against the congresswoman. ( AFP via Getty Images ) When Greeness staff members asked where Cirillo was calling from, he said: Im calling from f*** yourself, you f****** c***t. He said f*** your party, told staffers that their grandchildren are gonna f****** die, and fired off a string of expletives Youre gonna die! Your family is gonna die! C***! You dont think its gonna happen when youre out of power? he said, according to court filings. In a second call that same day, he said Ill come kill your family. FBI agents visited his home the following day, when he admitted to making the calls to get attention, according to the criminal complaint against him. His guilty plea arriving two weeks after an apparent assassination attempt against Donald Trump follows a series of threats targeting public officials and years of warnings from federal law enforcement agencies about a heightened threat environment for political violence, largely coming from right-wing groups. Last week, a man in Las Vegas was charged with threatening to kill federal officials, judges and state employees across several states. In March, a man from Ohio was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for threatening an Arizona election official. Threats to officials running in 2020 and 2022 elections resulted in charges against roughly 20 people, according to the Department of Justice. 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 }} Pete Buttigieg has ridiculed Donald Trump for relying on celebrities like Hulk Hogan and Kid Rock to appeal to the working man at the Republican National Convention. Buttigieg, Bidens transportation secretary and a potential running mate for Kamala Harris, roasted the former president during an appearance on The Daily Show on Monday with Jon Stewart. Buttigieg also criticized the GOPs historically anti-union stance during his interview with Stewart. Its this idea that if you just act like you are populist, that counts, Buttigieg said. Im under no illusions that elections are just a policy exercise. A lot of it is vibes. A lot of it is style. He added: If your party has been systematically against unions, against a higher minimum wage, against things like paid family leave, against overtime, then just because you found Hulk Hogan and Kid Rock and put it on stage doesnt make you a friend of the working man. Pete Buttigieg (left) speaks to Jon Stewart (right) on The Daily Show on June 29. Buttigieg criticized Donald Trump for using Hulk Hogan and Kid Rock to appeal to the working man at the Republican National Convention earlier this month ( The Daily Show ) Hulk Hogan and Kid Rock both appeared on the final night of the Republican National Convention earlier this month in Milwaukee, ahead of Trumps keynote speech. The retired professional wrestler, real name Terry Bollea, appeared on stage to theme song Real American, roaring his signature catch phrase to the audience: Well, let me tell you something brother! before adding: Let Trumpamania run wild. Hogan then tore his T-shirt in half to reveal a bright red Trump/Vance shirt underneath. Kid Rock followed with a performance of American Bad Ass, adapted to include Trumps fight chant that he made following an assassination attempt at a rally earlier this month. Hulk Hogan rips shirt off on Republican National Convention stage Several major labor unions have endorsed Harris over Trump in the weeks since she announced her candidacy for president. Harris has racked up endorsements from the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union. A handful of national unions have endorsed Trump, including the International Union of Police Associations and National Association of Police Organizations. However, one of the largest unions has yet to endorse either candidate: the Teamsters. Sean OBrien, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, spoke at the RNC earlier this month, and said that his organization is not beholden to any party. I dont care about getting criticized, OBrien said at the convention. Its an honor to be the first Teamster in our 120-year-history to speak to the Republican National Convention. 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 }} Cash-strapped Rudy Giuliani has reached an agreement with his bankruptcy creditors on the conditions of his case dismissal, which requires the former New York City mayor to pay $400,000 in administrative expenses. The deal was announced on Wednesday after Judge Sean Lane threw out the bankruptcy case earlier this month. But the disgraced ex-mayor is still on the hook to pay two defamed election workers, whom he owes $148m. He is also required to pay administrative fees for the case, which the former Trump lawyer had refused to pay despite it being a legal requirement for dismissal. The agreement, which still has to be signed off by the judge, proposes that Giuliani transfers $100,000 to his lawyers to be held in escrow for the purpose of paying allowed professional fees and expenses one day after the order is entered. The remaining fees shall be paid from the proceeds of the sale of either Giulianis New York City apartment or Florida condo, whichever sale occurs first. Giulianis New York condo, which has been up for sale on and off throughout the year, is valued at around $5.6m, while his Florida condo is valued at about $3.5m. The former mayors lawyer previously argued against their client selling both places, claiming that it would result in Giuliani join[ing] the ranks of the homeless. Rudy Giuliani agreed on July 31 to pay $400,000 so his bankruptcy case could be dismissed ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Last week, Lane ordered the parties in the case to submit filings to provide their views on the most appropriate path forward. The agreement was reached hours before the deadline. The judge wrote on July 25 that despite ordering a dismissal, the court and the parties might need to reconsider whether dismissal is the most appropriate course of action in this case because there may come a point when dismissal is no longer an option because the Debtor is unwilling to pay these administrative expenses, a necessary requirement under the law for dismissal of the case. By agreeing to this arrangement, Giuliani dodged further scrutiny over his financial disclsoures, including testifying under oath which Lane had previously floated as a possibility. His creditors, as well as the judge, had grown frustrated over Giulianis lack of transparency around his finances over the seven-month bankrupty case. Creditors have complained about deficiencies in his financial reporting and disclosures, including discrepancies on payments related to his Florida condo, unauthorized payments to his alleged girlfriend, and his failure to comply with discovery requests. The agreement on Wednesday came on the same day that a hearing had initially been scheduled in the case against his former employee-turned-sexual assault accuser Noelle Dunphy. Since the bankruptcy case was dismissed, Dunphy had asked for the New York Supreme Court to lift its stay on her case and place this matter back on the active calendar at the earliest convenient date. Giulianis lawyers requested to push back the court date in a letter to the judge, saying lifting the bankruptcy stay is premature and improper since Lane had called into question whether the dismissal would stick. 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 }} The state of Texas will be allowed to keep its floating barrier in the Rio Grande, despite objections from the federal government that the barrier threatens the environment, US foreign relations, and human life. The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a previous decision by a court panel ordering the barrier removed. The ruling is the latest bullet point in the ongoing standoff between Joe Biden's administration and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has taken the policing of his state's borders into his own hands despite it being the purview of the federal government. The previous ruling by a panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in December ordered the barrier moved, but the latest one deemed that decision as an abuse of the court's discretion. The US government has accused Texas of violating the federal Rivers and Harbor Act, claiming that it "flouted federal law" and risked damaging the US's relations with Mexico by installing the barrier in the river, Politico reports. Migrants walk past large buoys being used as a floating border barrier on the Rio Grande, Aug. 1, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. A US appeals court overturned a previous ruling requiring the barrier to be removed on July 31, 2024 ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns. Additionally, the presence of the floating barrier has prompted diplomatic protests by Mexico and risks damaging U.S. foreign policy, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in 2023. Abbott responded to the request to remove the barrier in a letter to the Biden administration last year. Texas will fully utilize its constitutional authority to deal with the crisis you have caused, Abbott wrote. Texas will see you in court, Mr President. Texas installed the river barrier in the Rio Grande near the city of Eagle Pass, which borders Piedras Negras, Mexico, but the barrier has done little to slow the flow of migrants into the US. The US Justice Department asked a federal court to force Texas to remove the barrier, arguing that it threatens the lives of humans in the river and is causing damage to the environment. That issue will be tried in court beginning on August 6. The barrier is just one point of friction between Abbott and the Biden administration; earlier this year, Abbott moved state troops into Shelby Park in Eagle Pass and ordered the building of a razor wire fence at the border. The fence was formerly used as a processing area for the US Border Patrol. A guardsman opens a gate at Shelby Park, which troops from the Texas National Guard seized and began turning away federal immigration authorities, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Texas National Guard troops stationed in the park were instructed not to allow US Border Patrol agents into the park. In February, Abbott ordered the construction of a base in Eagle Pass to house up to 1,800 National Guard members. The 80-acre property along the Rio Grande will open a short distance from Shelby Park, the riverfront area where Texas National Guard members have installed miles of razor wire and began denying access to U.S. Border Patrol agents. The construction was a continuation of Texas's occupation of Shelby Park as part of Abbotts expanding border mission. The mayor of Eagle Pass said the move at the start of January caught the city off guard and questioned the timing, given that crossings have fallen in recent weeks. The barrier ruling comes at an advantageous time for Republicans; vice presidential candidate JD Vance is set to begin a tour of the US-Mexico border on Thursday. He is expected to use the trip as an opportunity to hammer Democrats on immigration and border security issues. 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 }} US Attorney General Merrick Garland has torn into federal Judge Aileen Cannon over her unprecedented decision to throw out the classified documents case against Donald Trump. In an interview with NBC News on Tuesday night, Garland slammed Cannons ruling from earlier this month and suggested she does not understand the law, after she ruled that the appointment of a special counsel to oversee the case was unconstitutional. For more than 20 years I was a federal judge, Garland said. Do I look like somebody who would make that basic mistake about the law? I dont think so. Two years ago, Garland invoked his power as head of the Justice Department to appoint Jack Smith as special counsel to oversee the investigation, and eventual indictment, into Trumps alleged illegal retention of classified documents after leaving the White House. An attorney general has the power to appoint a special counsel to investigate, and potentially prosecute, a case independently from the Justice Department when there may be a conflict of interest. Its a practice that dates back to 1875 and has been used in other high-profile cases including Watergate and the Whitewater controversy. Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke with NBC News about Judge Aileen Cannons ruling to throw out the classified documents case against Trump ( NBC News ) But, in an unprecedented decision earlier this month, Trump-appointed judge Cannon ruled that Smiths appointment was unconstitutional because Congress should have the authority to approve and fund special counsels under the Appropriations Act. Cannons argument was, seemingly, largely inspired by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomass concurring opinion in Trump v. United States. Her ruling meant that the entire classified documents case against Trump was thrown out. Smith is currently appealing Cannons ruling. While Smith was tasked with investigating the former president, it was a grand jury that chose to return a 38-count indictment against him charging him with wilfully and knowingly retaining classified documents, some containing national security information, after leaving office. Until now, every single court, including the Supreme Court, that has considered the legality of special counsel appointment has upheld it, Garland told NBC News. The attorney general also threw shade at Cannon, by explaining that he deliberately chose the location of the interview with NBC News. I picked this room for this interview. This is my favorite room in the Justice Department, Garland said. Its a law library. 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 has claimed that Kamala Harris would be treated as a play toy by world leaders because of how she looks in the latest misogynistic comments to emerge from his camp. The former president told Fox News Laura Ingraham in an interview, part of which aired on Tuesday night, that the vice-presidents appearance means other leaders will walk all over her. Shell be like a play toy, he said. They look at her and they say, We cant believe we got so lucky. Theyre going to walk all over her. Trump wouldnt spell out what exactly he meant, adding: And I dont want to say as to why. But a lot of people understand it. His comments sparked outrage from social media users, with one person calling them very gross and a weird way to talk about Vice-President Kamala Harris. Wow, vailed sexism and racism because he has absolutely nothing else to use against a better qualified candidate, another person chimed in. A spokesperson for Trumps campaign later denied that he was referring to Harris gender or race, instead slamming the Democratic presidential candidate as weak, dishonest and dangerously liberal in a statement to The Washington Post. But this marks only the latest in a growing list of sexist or racist attacks against Harris attacks that have significantly ramped up in the days since President Joe Biden stepped down from the 2024 race and Harris stepped up to top the ticket. Over the last week, Republicans have baselessly branded Harris a DEI hire while Trumps vice-presidential pick JD Vance faced a backlash after his sexist comments branding Harris and other women childless cat ladies resurfaced last week. In a 2021 interview with Tucker Carlson on Fox News, Vance said that the US is run by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made, and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too. Look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC, the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children, he continued. How does it make any sense weve turned our country over to people who dont really have a direct stake in it? Donald Trump (left) made the controversial comments about Kamala Harris (right) in an interview with Fox News ( Getty ) Several public figures, including Friends star Jennifer Aniston as well as Second Gentleman Doug Emhoffs first wife, have slammed Vance for the misogynistic comments. Vance and Trump, meanwhile, have been in damage control, both trying to brush off the comments by claiming the Ohio senator is simply family focused. When Ingraham asked the former president what he thinks women who havent had children might think of his running mates comments, he claimed: I think they understand it. Its also far from the first time Trump has made sexist and derogatory comments about his female political rivals and he has long been criticized for his treatment of women. During his 2016 campaign, the now-infamous Access Hollywood tape emerged revealing Trump bragging about grabbing women by the p****. Then last year, the former president was found liable for sexually assaulting writer E Jean Carroll in a dressing room in a Manhattan department store in the 1990s. He continues to attack her despite being ordered to pay millions of dollars in damages for defamation. And this May, when the former president was convicted of 34 felonies, the charges related to a hush money payment to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels over a sexual encounter when he was married to Melania Trump. Again, Trump has leveled repeated derogatory attacks against Daniels, subjecting her to threats from his base. 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 }} Warning: This livestream has not been independently fact-checked and may contain misinformation. Watch as Donald Trump addresses the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on Wednesday 31 July. The Republican presidential candidate is speaking at the countrys largest annual gathering of Black journalists in effort to bolster his standing that has divided the groups members. Mr Trumps first-ever appearance at the annual convention comes a week after the 2024 election was shaken up by Joe Bidens decision to drop out. The group, founded in 1975, regularly invites presidential candidates to address its annual gathering, but Mr Trump is the first Republican to accept the offer since George W Bush spoke at a conference they co-hosted in 2004. Some members said the group should not offer a platform to the candidate, who has previously denigrated the work of Black journalists, sometimes in personal terms. A protest was expected outside the venue where Mr Trump was scheduled to speak. He has regularly criticised the citys largely Democratic political leadership for Chicagos levels of street violence. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Elon Musks social media platform X reinstated the White Dudes for Harris account after sparking outrage by briefly suspending it. White Dudes for Harris was reinstated on Tuesday and is back to posting to its nearly 100,000 followers. The group, composed of white men who support the vice president, is not affiliated with Kamala Harris campaign. The account celebrated its return to X in a post on Tuesday afternoon: WE ARE SO BACK! After a groundswell of grassroots complaints to @ElonMusk from the #WhiteDudesforHarris community, our account was reinstated & were allowed to post again. Thank you for coming to our aid & carrying on this conversation in our absence. Thanks to everyone for your likes, comments, shares, DMs, and everything else you did to put the pressure on @ElonMusk and Twitter, Mike Nellis, one of the organizers, wrote on his personal account. Elon Musk arrives for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus speech to Congress on July 24. His X platform reinstated the White Dudes for Harris account ( Drew Angerer/AFP via Getty Images ) The suspension happened on Monday evening after nearly 200,000 Democrats, including celebrities and potential running mates, rallied together on a Zoom call to express their support for Harris White House run. That meeting resulted in $4 million in donations. Some of the group organizers and others on X blamed Musk, who has publicly endorsed Donald Trump, personally for the suspension. On their personal accounts, organizers Nellis and Ross Morales Rocketto both accused Elon Musk of getting scared of the groups success. Nellis joked: I ask this question seriously... are we the first white dudes to ever get suspended by @elonmusks Twitter? I think we are. The suspension sparked online backlash to fuel a spike in donations. This is only gonna increase donations, one user predicted. Historian Timothy Synder said he was doubling his donation because of the platforms decision: Musk suspended the Twitter account of White Dudes for Harris. I dont think South African billionaires should hinder Americans organizing for democracy. So I am doubling my donation. Other X users took jabs at Musk, the self-described free speech absolutist. One user wrote: Free speech for me, but not for thee. Another remarked: So he is a free speech absolutist unless the free speech gets in the way of Trumps reelection chances. The Independent has reached out to X 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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} North Macedonia said it was seeking further assistance from the European Union on Tuesday to combat wildfires that continue to burn out of control in heatwave temperatures. The fire has now crossed the southern border into Greece. Unfortunately, new fires are constantly appearing due to the weather and strong winds that are causing us problems, Stojanche Angelov, head of the country's Center for Crisis Management, said. Large wildfires in parts of North Macedonia this week destroyed and damaged homes, forced evacuations and claimed the life of an elderly resident in a village some 60 kilometers (37 miles) east of the capital Skopje. Authorities said the man is believed to have died Monday of smoke inhalation. One blaze crossed into Greece where two air tankers and a helicopter helped the firefighters hold back a fire from reaching a forest on the Greek banks of Lake Doiran which is shared by the two countries, authorities said. Greece Wildfire ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Near Athens, firefighters contained a large blaze on the Greek island of Evia, helped by 13 water-dropping aircraft and six helicopters operating after first light on Tuesday. Two firefighters were being treated for burns. Successive heat waves have helped trigger fires across the Balkan region and elsewhere in southern Europe, with several countries including Bulgaria and Albania currently receiving international firefighting assistance through an EU support system. A wildfire in western Albania was being held back Tuesday in the coastal area of Shengjin, some 70 kilometers (45 miles) northwest of the capital of Tirana. Fire chief Arben Cara said military assistance had been requested to provide water-dropping helicopters, while soldiers and firefighters from other parts of the country were also helping. Fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, a fire in central Croatia forced dozens of people to evacuate their homes near the small town of Skradin. In neighboring Bosnia, a fire in a remote, mountainous area near the central town of Olovo spread, threatening a local landfill, according to local media reports. Firefighters in the south of the country, controlled a fire near the city of Mostar that came close to business warehouses. 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 }} French President Emmanuel Macron spent nearly 475,000 (400,100) on a lavish dinner for King Charles III and Queen Camilla last year, blowing a hole in his annual budget in the process, the countrys top audit court has reported. Mr Macrons office racked up a multi-million euro budget overspill last year as it pulled out the stops on a lavish lobster dinner for Britains King Charles and other state banquets, including Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. Mr Macron treated the King and his wife Queen Camilla last September to blue lobster, Bresse French poultry with mushroom gratin, and a selection of French and English cheeses during the state dinner in the famed Hall of Mirrors of the 17th century Versailles Palace. That set the French state back 474,851, including 166,193 on catering and 42,515 on drinks. At the dinner which was also attended by the likes of Hugh Grant, Mick Jagger and Arsene Wenger King Charles told Mr Macron that your generosity of spirit brings to mind how my family and I were so greatly moved by the tributes paid in France to my mother, the late queen. France Royals King Charles Photo Gallery In his toast, the French president said that despite Brexit, and because our ties are so old, I know that we will continue to write together part of our continents history. Meanwhile, eager to convince New Delhi to buy more French submarines and fighter jets, Mr Macron also held a state dinner in Mr Modis honour at the Louvre in July 2023, costing 412,000, the auditor said. News of the presidencys spending jars with the outgoing governments message that France can ill afford its current levels of public spending, among the highest in the world in relation to the size of the economy. France Royals King Charles Photo Gallery The auditor also raised an eyebrow over the rising cost of presidential trips abroad, including the growing use of an Airbus A330 for international flights at a cost of over 23,000 per hour. As a result of the higher spending on state receptions and official travel, the presidencys costs rose 6.5 per cent last year to 117.2 million, leaving a budget shortfall of 8.3 million, the audit office said. It now says the Elysee now needs to make significant efforts... to restore and sustain the financial balance of the financial balance of the presidency. 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 }} Russia has commenced major naval exercises involving most of its fleet, which is widely considered to be the third most powerful in the world after the United States and China. The exercises which involve Russian forces spread across thousands of miles come a day after annual navy day celebrations were held in Russia, with president Vladimir Putin addressing a parade in the former imperial capital of St Petersburg. In his speech to sailors on the 328th anniversary of the Russian navys founding, also attended by crews from China, Algeria and India, Mr Putin had threatened to deploy new missiles within striking distance of the West if Washington presses ahead with plans to deploy long-range missiles in Germany. Vladimir Putin and defence minister Andrei Belousov attended the main naval parade in St Petersburg ( AP ) But the developments come as Russias navy has suffered a series of embarrasing setbacks in Crimea at the hands of Ukraines military, with Mr Putins prized Black Sea fleet notably absent from this weeks naval drills amid claims it has been forced to retreat from the illegally annexed peninsula. Here The Independent takes a look at what Russias naval drills entail: Where are the drills taking place? The pre-planned exercises involve most of Russias fleet in the Arctic and Pacific oceans, as well as in the Baltic and Caspian seas, according to Moscows defence ministry. Units and formations of the Russian Navy have begun conducting planned exercises in the operational zones of the Northern, Pacific and Baltic Fleets, as well as in the area of responsibility of the Caspian Flotilla, the ministry said. The only Russian fleet not taking part is the Black Sea fleet, which has struggled to adapt to dynamic modern drone wafare and has suffered heavy losses since Mr Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv claimed earlier this month that the fleet had been forced to retreat from Crimea, after its commander was reportedly sacked in February, having himself replaced his predecessor only in August 2022 after Ukraine sank the flagship Moskva warship. The Russian Caspian Sea flotilla was taking part in the naval drills, Russias defence ministry said ( Russian Defence Ministry/AFP via Getty Images ) Why are the exercises taking place? Moscow frequently carries out military drills and parades, as an intended show of strength to both its own population and its adversaries as it engages in full-scale war against Ukraine and shadowy attempts to undermine the Nato military alliance, which Moscow views as having long encroached on its own borders. In the past two months alone, Russia has conducted joint military drills with China, in addition to a series of mobile nuclear missile launcher drills and tactical nuclear weapons deployment exercises. It has also increased military training with Belarus, conducting a series of comprehensive drills. The drills are set to last for several days ( Russian Defence Ministry/AFP via Getty Image ) Russias defence ministry said the main purpose of the scheduled exercises this week which are set to last for several days is to check the actions of the military authorities of the navy at all levels. The drills will also check the readiness of the crews of ships, units of naval aviation and coastal troops of the Russian navy to perform tasks, the ministry said. How large are the drills and what will they involve? The military exercises will include some 20,000 personnel, Russias defence ministry claimed. Around 300 surface ships and boats, submarines and support vessels, some 50 aircraft and more than 200 units of military and special equipment will be involved in the combat training, the ministry said. Russia has a significant ballistic-missile nuclear submarine fleet. The drills will include over 300 combat exercises with live fires, including practicing the use of anti-aircraft missiles, artillery, anti-submarine weapons and passive interference, it added. 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 }} On Day 1 of the war, President Vladimir Putin said whoever tries to impede us, let alone create threats for our country and its people, must know that the Russian response will be immediate and lead to consequences you have never seen in history. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Putin and other Kremlin voices have frequently threatened the West with its nuclear arsenal. Over nearly 2 1/2 years of fighting, the West has given Ukraine billions of dollars of advanced weapons, some of which have struck Russian soil. And while there have been more Kremlin threats and even the deployment of battlefield nuclear weapons in Belarus, just over the border from Ukraine so far it has remained only a blunt message. What could trigger a Russian nuclear response? Asked that in June by international news agencies, Putin pointed to Russia's so-called nuclear doctrine. Look what is written there, he said at the St. Petersburg session. If somebodys actions threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we consider it possible to use all means at our disposal. Now Russian hawks are urging him to change the doctrine to lower the threshold for using nuclear weapons, and Putin says the document could be modified to take into account the evolving global situation. In this image from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, a Tu-95 strategic bomber from the Russian air force prepares to take off from an air base in Engels near the Volga River in Russia, on January 24, 2022 ( Russian Defense Ministry Press Service ) What is Russias nuclear doctrine? Formally known as the Basic Principles of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence, it was signed by Putin in 2020 and outlines when Russia could dip into its atomic arsenal, the world's largest. It describes nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence, noting that their use is an extreme and compelled measure. It declares that Russia takes all necessary efforts to reduce the nuclear threat and prevent aggravation of interstate relations that could trigger military conflicts, including nuclear ones. The document states that nuclear deterrence is aimed to provide comprehension by a potential adversary of the inevitability of retaliation in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation and/or its allies. What does it say will trigger using nuclear weapons? Russia could use them, the doctrine says, in response to the use of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction against it and/or its allies, as well as in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is in jeopardy. It says nuclear weapons could be used under the following specific situations: If reliable information is received about the launch of ballistic missiles targeting the territory of Russia or its allies. If nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction are used against Russia or its allies. If an enemy attack with conventional weapons threatens Russias existence. If there are attacks on critically important Russian government or military facilities that could undermine the countrys retaliatory nuclear strike capability. Has any attack so far come close to crossing this threshold? As Russia attacked parts of northeastern Ukraine near the city of Kharkiv, Washington has allowed Kyiv to use longer-range U.S.-supplied weapons for strikes in Russian territory in the border region. But these attacks have been limited in scope and would not seem to pose an existential threat that would fall under the nuclear doctrine. In this photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, the Russian nuclear submarines Prince Vladimir, above, and Yekaterinburg are harbored at a naval base in Gazhiyevo, on the Kola Peninsula in Russia, on April 13, 2021 ( Russian Defense Ministry Press Service ) However, the hawks in Moscow have pointed to a series of Ukrainian attacks on Russian air bases that host long-range nuclear capable bombers earlier in the conflict, as well as recent raids on early warning radars. They say these circumstances would seem to warrant the use of nuclear weapons as laid out in the doctrine. Russian officials havent commented on the attacks on the more sensitive targets. The early warning radars are designed to spot the launch of U.S. missiles to allow Russia to launch its own nuclear-tipped missiles before they are destroyed. James Acton, co-director of the nuclear policy program at the Carnegie Endowment, said in a recent commentary that Ukrainian attacks on the early warning radars could prompt the Kremlin to think Washington had encouraged such strikes to try to weaken Russias nuclear deterrent. If Moscow believes that Washington could conduct a successful preemptive attack on its nuclear forces, its trigger finger could get very itchy, raising the risk that Russia might launch a large-scale nuclear attack based on a false or misinterpreted warning, Acton said. What changes in the doctrine are under discussion? The Kremlin's nuclear threats have been dialed down recently amid Moscows battlefield successes in Ukraine. However, there also have been calls in Russia for changing the nuclear doctrine, and Putin said it could be modified, depending on global events. Hawks have called repeatedly for sharpening it, arguing the current document is too weak and vague. They say the doctrine hasn't deterred the West from increasing aid to Ukraine and gives the impression that Moscow wont ever resort to nuclear weapons. Russian President Vladimir Putin conducts training with the forces and means of the ground, sea and air components of the nuclear deterrent forces in Moscow, Russia, October 25, 2023 ( Sputnik ) Foreign affairs expert Dmitri Trenin, of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, a state-funded Moscow think tank, suggests revising it to declare that Russia could strike first with nuclear weapons when the core national interests are at stake, like in Ukraine. The acute task in the third year of military confrontation is to prevent NATO's deeper engagement in it, Trenin wrote recently. If we don't do it, the inertia of persistent escalation by the West will lead to a direct clash between Russian and NATO militaries, which is fraught with a global nuclear war. At the international forum in St. Petersburg, Sergei Karaganov, a foreign policy expert who advises the Kremlin, also urged Putin to amend the doctrine to lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. I hope it will be changed soon to give you the formal right to respond to any strikes on our territory with a nuclear strike, he told the Russian leader. I hope that such a provision will be added to our doctrine to help cool our adversaries. Karaganov likened the West to Sodom and Gomorrah, the biblical cities destroyed by God with a rain of fire for their wickedness. Lets remember that rain and try to make humankind come to its senses, he said. Putin responded cautiously, saying that he currently sees no threats that would warrant nuclear weapons use, but he also held the door open to revising the policy. Soldiers stand next to a Russian RS-24 Yars ballistic missile parked along Tverskaya street ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) "This doctrine is a living instrument, we are carefully watching whats going on in the world around us, and we dont exclude making changes in the doctrine, he said. The need to modify the document, he said, was driven by concerns about the West pondering the possible deployment of low-yield nuclear weapons. Putin didn't give specifics, but his comments could refer to U.S. discussions on deploying low-power submarine-launched nuclear missiles. Proponents say such weapons are needed to counter Russian threats, while critics argue they could lower the threshold for the U.S. using nuclear weapons and increase the risk of war. Nuclear devices of extremely low power are being developed, and we are aware of the ideas circulating in expert circles in the West that such strike assets could be used, and there is nothing particularly horrible about it, Putin said. We are obliged to take notice of that, and we are taking notice. 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 }} Ukraines air force says it has stopped one of Russias largest aerial attacks of the war, shooting down 89 drones launched at Kyiv and other regions. The attack, which comes more than two years after Russias invasion began, primarily targeted the Ukrainian capital and the surrounding regions. More than 40 drones were fired at Kyiv and the surrounding area, making it the most extensive such assault on the capital this year. Military spy agency spokesperson Andriy Yusov said in televised remarks that Russia had used a significant number of decoy drones that were not loaded with explosives to try to deplete Ukraines air defences and also identify their locations. Kyiv, which has repeatedly appealed to Western allies to supply more air defences to fight off near-daily drone and missile assaults, conceals the locations of its air defence units. The latest drone attack was the seventh conducted in the capital in July, and one of the most massive attacks by Shahed-131/136 strike drones, the Ukrainian airforce said. Some 11,500 residents sheltered for safety in metro stations as the drones came in several waves from all possible directions. There was limited damage to civilian and critical infrastructure, but debris damaged the roofs, windows and facades of 13 private residences in the region, according to local authorities. Belarusian Hajun, an opposition group that monitors military activity in Belarus, said that at least five Russian drones had flown into Belarusian airspace during the attack and that Minsk had scrambled a fighter jet in the evening. Minsk, a close Kremlin ally, has not publicly commented on any such incident. Ukrainian military analysts have said Russia may fly drones via Belarus to minimise their flight time in Ukrainian airspace and exposure to air defences before they strike. Firefighters work at a site of a residential building damaged during a Russian drone strike ( Reuters ) It comes as Ukrainian forces struck a Russian storage facility for weapons and military equipment in the Western region of Kursk. Kursk is located 62 miles northeast of the Ukrainian border and 435 miles from Odesa, where Ukraines navy is headquartered. The military said it was working to assess the damage inflicted from the latest in a series of strikes by Kyiv in that area. Russian air defences were engaged to counter the attack but explosions were visible at the target locations. Russias defence ministry said it had destroyed one incoming drone and a Ukrainian Neptune-guided missile over the Kursk region. Some 18 more drones over four other Russian regions and the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula were shot down, according to the ministry. Ukrainian armed forces soldiers on the front line in Toretsk, Donetsk region ( Getty ) Meanwhile, Russia has begun a third round of drills with tactical nuclear weapons, as part of an intimidation strategy to limit support for Ukraine from Western allies. The drills will feature units of the central and southern military districts armed with Iskander short-range missiles, according to Russian officials. They will practise receiving nuclear weapons from storage and deploying them to designated launch areas. The manoeuvres will also include air force units that will arm their warplanes with nuclear weapons and perform patrol flights. Tactical nuclear weapons include bombs, warheads for short-range missiles and artillery munitions and are meant for use on a battlefield. They are typically far less powerful than strategic weapons massive warheads that arm intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and are intended to obliterate entire cities. The previous two rounds of the manoeuvres were held in May and June, conducted jointly with the armed forces of Belarus. This comes as Putin attempts to drive recruitment in the armed forces by doubling upfront payments for volunteers to fight the war. All Russians who sign a contract with the army will now receive an upfront payment of 400,000 roubles (3,624). The presidential decree also recommends that regional authorities match this payment from their budgets with at least the same amount. The yearly salary for the first year of service has also increased to 3.25m roubles (29,447). Russia continues to haemorrhage soldiers on the front line, and have now sustained an estimated 550,000 casualties since its invasion of Ukraine. Moscow officials say about 190,000 people have volunteered so far this year to fight in Ukraine, compared with 490,000 contracts signed in 2023. 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 }} Iran has vowed revenge for the assassination of Hamass political leader Ismail Haniyeh in an airstrike in Tehran, an attack that brings the Middle East to the brink of a region-wide war. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Irans new president Masoud Pezeshkian. The assassination took place hours after Israel claimed to have killed a commander for Iran ally Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital Beirut in retaliation for a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed revenge for the killing of Haniyeh, saying Israel prepared a harsh punishment for itself by killing a dear guest in our home. We consider his revenge as our duty, he said in a statement. The Israeli government has been hunting Hamas leaders since the militant group attacked southern Israel on 7 October, killing more than 1,130 people and taking 251 hostages. In April, Haniyeh said his three sons and three grandchildren had been killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, where Israels war against Hamas has displaced more than 90 per cent of the population and killed more than 39,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in the Hamas-run strip. Ismail Haniyeh (second left) attends the swearing-in ceremony of Irans new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, at the parliament in Tehran on 30 July ( via Reuters ) Hamas has vowed to retaliate over Haniyehs death, calling it a cowardly act that will not go unpunished. Its armed wing said in a statement that Haniyehs killing would take the battle to new dimensions and have major repercussions. Vowing to retaliate, Iran declared three days of national mourning and said the US bears responsibility because of its support for Israel. The iron hand that will strike them, is the one that will bring peace and a little comfort and strengthen our ability to live in peace, Israels heritage minister Amichay Eliyahu said in a post on X. Mr Pezeshkian said Iran would defend its territorial integrity and dignity and make Iran regret their cowardly act after the attack, which will be seen as an embarrassment for the government and Irans security services. Bitter regional rivals Israel and Iran risked plunging into war earlier this year when Israel hit Irans embassy in Damascus in April. Iran retaliated, and Israel countered in an unprecedented exchange of strikes on each others soil, but international efforts succeeded in containing that cycle before it spun out of control. Hamas and Iran dont want a regional war but there is a crime that should be punished, Hamas deputy chief in Gaza Khalil Al-Hayya said in a press conference in Tehran Masoud Pezeshkian (right) meets Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh at the presidents office in Tehran ( via AP ) Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, condemned the Hamas leaders killing as various Palestinian factions called for mass demonstrations. Russia, China and Qatar were among the nations that strongly criticised the assassination on Wednesday morning. Haniyehs death came just hours after Israel claimed to have eliminated one of the top leaders of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in an airstrike in Beirut, which it described as revenge for a rocket attack on the occupied Golan Heights that killed a dozen children. Israel blames Hezbollah for Saturdays attack, while the militants have strongly denied responsibility. Iran had warned against an attack on Lebanon to avoid further escalation of the conflict. Haniyeh, 61, was the tough-talking face of the Palestinian groups international diplomacy and previously served as the prime minister of Gaza. He left the strip in 2019 and operated between Turkey and Qatars capital Doha, escaping the travel curbs of blockaded Gaza and enabling him to act as a negotiator in ceasefire talks or to talk directly with officials in Iran. Haniyeh was leading the political battle for Hamas with Arab governments, said Adeeb Ziadeh, a specialist in Palestinian affairs at Qatar University. He is the political and diplomatic front of Hamas, Mr Ziadeh told Reuters. Haniyehs most likely successor is Khaled Meshaal, his deputy-in-exile who lives in Qatar, Hamas officials told Reuters. Under Meshaal, Hamas emerged as an ever more important player in the Middle East conflict due to his popularity and regional standing, analysts said. Meshaal narrowly survived an attempt on his life in Jordan ordered by Netanyahu in 1997. The assassination could potentially harm US president Joe Bidens push to broker a temporary ceasefire and hostage release deal between Hamas and Israel. Qatar and Egypt, which have acted as mediators in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, suggested on Wednesday that the killing of Haniyeh could jeopardise efforts to secure a truce in Gaza. Political assassinations and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue leads us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side?, Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani wrote on X. Sheikh Mohammed, who is also foreign minister, later spoke with the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, over the phone and discussed continuing work towards a ceasefire. Mr Blinken sidestepped a question on Haniyehs killing at an event in Singapore, saying a ceasefire deal in Gaza was key to avoiding wider regional escalation. He told Channel News Asia that the US had neither been aware of nor involved in the killing. Egypts foreign ministry said in a statement that a dangerous Israeli escalation policy over the past two days had undermined efforts to broker an end to the fighting in Gaza. The coincidence of this regional escalation with the lack of progress in the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza increases the complexity of the situation and indicates the absence of Israeli political will to calm it down, the statement said. It undercuts the strenuous efforts made by Egypt and its partners to stop the war in the Gaza Strip and put an end to the human suffering of the Palestinian people, it added. Britains foreign secretary, David Lammy, has warned against the destabilising impact of conflict in the Middle East on a visit to Qatar alongside the UKs defence secretary, John Healey. Escalation and destabilisation are in no ones interests, Mr Lammy said during the visit. It is absolutely vital that we engage closely with partners like Qatar, who play a key role in mediating the conflict in Gaza, so that we can bring this devastating war to an end. Separately, Brett McGurk, the White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, is also in the region for talks with US partners. Reuters contributed to this report For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Irans Supreme Leader has issued an order for direct retaliation against Israel, following the killing of Hamas top political leader in Tehran an incident that risks sparking further conflict in the Middle East. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, gave the order at an emergency meeting of Irans Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly after Iran announced that Ismail Haniyeh had been killed. Three Iranian officials who were present for the meeting confirmed the news to The New York Times under the condition of anonymity. Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has claimed that Haniyeh was assassinated and has laid the blame for his death at the feet of Israel. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the assassination, though Israel has previously vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the groups October 7 attack that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage. Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has claimed that Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated and has laid the blame for his death at the feet of Israel ( AP ) Israel has neither acknowledged nor denied killing Haniyeh, who was in Tehran for the inauguration of Irans new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Haniyehs death is potentially explosive amid the regions volatile, intertwined conflicts because of its target, its timing and location in Tehran. Most dangerous is the potential to push Iran and Israel into direct confrontation if Iran retaliates. The US, UK and other nations have since scrambled to prevent a wider, deadlier conflict, though US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has denied any American knowledge or involvement in Haniyehs death. In a statement on his official website, Khamenei said revenge was our duty and that Israel had prepared a harsh punishment for itself by killing a dear guest in our home. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will exact a very heavy price from any aggression against us on any front" but did not mention the killing. There are challenging days ahead, he added. Ismail Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of Irans new president, when he was killed ( AP ) The two nations risked plunging into war earlier this year when Israel hit Irans embassy in Damascus in April. Iran retaliated, and Israel countered in an unprecedented exchange of strikes on each others soil, but international efforts succeeded in containing that cycle before it spun out of control. Through almost 10 months of war in Gaza, Iran has tried to strike a balance, putting pressure on Israel with sharply increased attacks by its allies and proxy forces in the region, while avoiding an all-out war between the two nations. Iran and the regional forces it backs Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and multiple militias in Iraq form what they call the axis of resistance. Leaders of those groups were in Tehran for the inauguration of Pezeshkian on Tuesday. Haniyeh was assassinated at about 2 am local time, after attending the ceremony and meeting with Khamenei. 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 }} Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Irans newly elected president Masoud Pezeshkian when he was killed in a targeted missile strike. Haniyeh, 61, was assassinated at around 2am local time on Wednesday, Iran's Revolutionary Guard said. One of his bodyguards was also killed in the attack carried out by the "Zionist entity", it said, referring to Israel. While Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, the incident is seen as a signficant escalation that could take the wider Middle East another step towards a new regional war. Israel is already involved in a brutal conflict in Gaza, where the UN says 90 per cent of the population has now been displaced and, according to the regions Hamas-run health ministry, more than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed. Israel has targeted a number of prominent Hamas leaders since the Palestinian group attacked southern Israel last October, killing 1,130 people and taking 251 hostage, although Haniyeh would be the most senior yet if Israels involvement is confirmed. They are living on borrowed time, Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant said of Hamass leadership following the 7 October attack. Ismail Haniyeh with Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ( Reuters ) Iran joined Russia, Turkey and the Palestinian Authority in condemning the killing of Haniyeh, described as the overall leader of Hamas and the head of its political wing, a key figure in its efforts at international diplomacy. His reputation as a relative moderate among Hamas leaders gained him favour with Arab diplomats, and he spent most of his time between Turkey and Qatars capital Doha. He was leading the political battle for Hamas with Arab governments, Adeeb Ziadeh, a specialist in Palestinian affairs at Qatar University, told Reuters. He was the political and diplomatic front of Hamas. Haniyeh rose swiftly through the ranks of Hamas after being appointed to head the office of the groups founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in 1997. He had spent time in Israeli prisons and a year in exile in Lebanon. Haniyeh attends Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian's inauguration in Tehran ( Reuters ) In 2006, a year after the Israeli military withdrew from the ground in Gaza, Hamas won a parliamentary election in the occupied territories and Haniyeh was elected the "prime minister of the state of Palestine. He stepped down in 2017 and was appointed to head the group's political wing. He was succeeded as the Hamas leader in Gaza by Yahya Sinwar, a comrade of Haniyeh since the group's founding years. Haniyeh left Gaza in 2019, escaping the Israeli siege of the territory, and living between bases in Turkey and Qatar enabled him to direct ceasefire talks, often face-to-face. He also played a major role in shoring up Hamas's fighting capacity, partly by nurturing ties with Iran, which has made no secret of its support for the group. It was not clear if and how Haniyeh was involved in the October attack, which was allegedly directed by Sinwar, a hardliner who spent more than two decades in Israeli prisons. A Palestinian man walks outside closed shops in central Ramallah in occupied West Bank during a general strike ( Getty ) Haniyeh lost three sons, named Hazem, Amir and Mohammad, in an Israeli airstrike on their car in Gaza in April. He also lost four grandchildren, three girls and a boy, in the attack, Hamas said. He reportedly had 13 children. Haniyeh denied Israeli claims that his sons were Hamas fighters. "The interests of the Palestinian people are placed ahead of everything," he said when asked if their killing would impact truce talks. "All our people and all the families of Gaza residents have paid a heavy price with the blood of their children, and I am one of them," he said, adding that at least 60 members of his family had been killed in the war. Reacting to Haniyahs assassination, Hamas on Wednesday held Israel responsible for grave escalation that aims to break the will of Hamas and vowed retaliation, undermining the chances of a ceasefire that the slain leader had reportedly been negotiating. The group called for mass demonstrations and a general strike on Wednesday. His son, Abdul Salam Haniyeh, said: My father survived four assassination attempts during his patriotic journey, and today Allah has granted him the martyrdom that he always wished for. He was very keen to establish national unity and strived for the unity of all Palestinian factions and we affirm that this assassination will not deter the resistance, which will fight until freedom is achieved. Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas called Haniyehs killing a cowardly act and dangerous development. 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 }} Israel has conducted an airstrike on Beirut targeting a senior Hezbollah commander responsible for the murder of children in Saturdays rocket attack on the occupied Golan Heights. The target of the strike was Fuad Shukr, also known as al-Hajj Mohsin, a senior advisor on military affairs to the Lebanese militant groups leader Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli military said Shukr was eliminated and described him as the most senior military commander in Hezbollah and the militia leaders right-hand man. Hezbollah sources initially claimed Shukr survived the attack, before issuing a statement saying he was in the house that was hit. It did not confirm whether or not he was killed. Lebanons public health ministry said Tuesdays strike killed one woman and two children. More than 70 people sustained injuries in the blast and were rushed to the private Bahman Hospital and Hezbollahs Rasoul Aazam hospital. Footage from the Lebanese capital showed the shells of several destroyed cars, as well as high-rise buildings gutted by the blast in the crowded southern suburb of Haret Hreik. The Israeli military said the strike was part of a widely-anticipated reaction to the rocket attack on the occupied Golan Heights last Saturday that killed a dozen children and young people. Israel had blamed the attack on the Iran-backed armed group, though Hezbollah strongly denied involvement. Later on Tuesday night, Hamas said its political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an attack on his home in Tehran, alongside one bodyguard. Hamas blamed Israel for the killing, while Israel has yet to comment. Hezbollah militants and Israel have routinely exchanged fire since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, killing around 1,130 people and taking 251 hostages. Israels air and ground assault on Gaza in response to that attack has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run local health ministry. More than 80 per cent of the Strips population have been displaced by the war, while large swathes of northern Gaza in particular have been reduced to rubble. Damaged building after airstrike targeting Hezbollah commander ( Reuters ) The strike in Beirut was carried out with a drone that launched three rockets, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency. A resident of the suburb, who lived about 200m away, said that dust from the explosion covered everything and that the glass in his sons apartment was broken. Then people went down on the streets, the resident told the Associated Press. Everyone has family. They went to check on them. It was a lot of destruction. Hezbollah official Ali Ammar told Al-Manar TV that the Israeli enemy has committed a great stupid act in size, timing and circumstances by targeting an entirely civilian area. The Israeli enemy will pay a price for this sooner or later. Lebanons prime minister Najib Mikati called the strike an act of "blatant Israeli aggression", which he said took place a short distance from one of the largest hospitals in the capital. He described the strike as a criminal act that is part of a series of aggressive operations targeting civilians, in clear and blatant violation of international law". We fully reserve our right to take all measures that contribute to deterring Israeli aggression. Hezbollah claimed they were not responsible for Saturdays Golan Heights attack on the Druze community. But Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they were under no illusion about Hezbollahs role in the strike. During a visit to the site of the attack in the remote town of Majdal Shams, a majority Druze village in a region annexed by Israel from Syria in 1981, he vowed to issue a harsh response. US officials also said they believed Hezbollah was responsible, though the Joe Biden administration urged Israel not to escalate tensions too drastically in their response to the strike. Diplomats had called on Israel to avoid targeting the Lebanese capital Beirut, its southern suburbs that form Hezbollah's heartland, or key infrastructure. They hoped that by keeping Israel's response limited, forceful retaliation by Hezbollah could be avoided. A handout image published by Netanyahus office shows the Israeli PM alongside senior military personnel earlier today ( Prime Minister's Media Adviser ) But a statement from the Israeli military confirmed they had defied that advice and targeted southern Beirut. A statement posted to X read: The [Israeli military] carried out a targeted strike in Beirut, on the commander responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and the killing of numerous additional Israeli civilians. A minute after the statement was published, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, a close aide of Mr Netanyahu, wrote on X: Hezbollah crossed the red line. The military added that there were no changes to their defensive guidelines, a reference to their recent deployments on Israels northern border readying to go on the offensive if needed. In April, the military said that it had completed another step in preparing for a possible war along its northern front. In a statement titled readiness for the transition from defence to offence, they said the phase completed centred on logistics for a broad mobilisation of [Israeli] troops. Mr Netanyahu held a security assessment later on Tuesday evening with Mr Gallant and Israels intelligence chiefs. Hezbollah rejected calls from international envoys to avoid responding to the anticipated Israeli attack. People inspect damaged cars in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon ( AP ) Hezbollah informed mediators it would still respond to any Israeli attack, an official said in written comments sent to reporters. The official did not say which countries the mediators represented. "International envoys are indirectly raising with us the idea that we should not respond to the expected aggression under the pretext of the need to avoid escalation and sliding towards a comprehensive war," the Hezbollah official said. Hezbollah had informed them of our explicit rejection of this request and would respond, the official said. The group took Israels threats seriously and was prepared, but did not expect a ground invasion, the official said. Hezbollah also said mediators had informed them of diplomatic efforts to urge Israel to spare civilians and civilian facilities in any operation. This is a good thing, but we do not trust our enemy, the official added. In January Israel assassinated Saleh al-Arouri, a top Hamas official, with an airstrike on Beirut. That strike was the first time Israel had hit Beirut since the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in the summer of 2006. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as thousands of Turks to gather in Istanbul for a symbolic funeral prayer for the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in Iran on Wednesday 31 July. Haniyeh, who mainly resided in Qatar, was assassinated in the early hours of the morning in Tehran, raising fears of wider escalation in a Middle East shaken by Israels war in Gaza and a worsening conflict in Lebanon. Qatar and Egypt, which have acted as mediators in faltering ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, suggested on Wednesday that the killing could further jeopardise efforts to secure a truce. Turkey has also condemned the assassination of Haniyeh, saying the attack aimed to spread the war in Gaza on a regional level. The assassination strips Hamas of one of its sharpest political minds but will have no bearing on the leadership of the military wing that Israel is trying to destroy in Gaza. Hamas has several possible candidates to replace Haniyeh, notably Khaled Meshaal, the groups former leader who survived an assassination attempt in Jordan in 1997 and resides today in Qatar. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The strikes came just hours apart. The first on southern Beirut, with Israel claiming to have killed senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr who the US believe has been a senior adviser to the Lebanese milita's leader Hassan Nasrallah. Hezbollah has not confirmed Shukr's killing, but said he was in the building that was hit. The second came in Tehran, taking out the head of Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh. While Israel has not officially claimed the assassination, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken about the desire to take out Hamas senior leadership in revenge for the 7 October terror attack inside Israel that triggered Israel's war in Gaza. Thanks to that war in Gaza, the Middle East has become a tinderbox, where one miscalculation between Israel, Iran or any of the Tehran-backed groups Hamas, Hezbollah or the Houthis in Yemen could bring wider war to the region. So where do these latest strikes take us? Israel The strike in Beirut was a response to a rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday which killed 12 people, mostly children. Israel says Fuad Shukr was behind the attack, while Hezbollah has denied any involvement. A response was always coming Israel and Hezbollah have been trading rocket fire on the Israeli-Lebanon border since the war in Gaza started but Western allies of Israel had been urging Netanyahu to show restraint, while Hezbollah had warned that any strike on their stronghold in Beirut in particular would be met in kind. In the wake of the strike the Israeli military said there would be no change in their defensive posture and that there would be no new instructions for Israelis on taking shelter, suggesting that they consider the matter closed and did not anticipate an immediate Hezbollah reaction. Israel will expect some kind of response from Hezbollah, but will have hoped their signalling that they consider the matter finished would bring a proportionate and manageable rocket response from Hezbollah. Damaged vehicles are seen after an Israeli strike on Beiruts southern suburbs ( Reuters ) But the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh complicates matters. The fact that it was on Iranian soil means that Hezbollah may now coordinate a response with Tehran or Hamas. Or it may make their own response, likely a rocket and missile barrage or barrages, even stronger. The strike on Haniyeh also changes the situation around Gaza. Haniyeh, based in Doha, had been a key interlocutor between mediators Qatar and Egypt over talks for a ceasefire and hostage-release deal over Gaza, and his death has already been condemned by Qatar. Other countries across the region will also be unhappy. Turkeys foreign ministry has already summed up the the mood accusing Netanyahu of having "no intention of achieving peace". On the flip side, the killing of Haniyeh may offer Netanyahu a chance to wind down the military offensive in Gaza, having finally got a target that was near the top of their most wanted list. But the Israeli prime minister has shown no intention of stopping up to this point, as much as Western allies including staunch supporter the US have been pushing for a ceasefire. Netanyahu will no doubt laud Haniyeh's death as making Israel safer. But the families of the hostages still in Gaza, many of them already angry at Netanyahu for not bringing them home will see any Washington's mantra has been that Israel has the right to defend itself in the wake of the Hamas attack on 7 October that killed around 1,200 Israelis and saw another people 250 taken hostage. But it is getting increasingly difficult to stop escalations such as the two most recent strikes from sending the Middle East into all-out war. Expect some even more frantic diplomacy from nations around the region and beyond as Israel awaits the response to its actions. Speaking about the threat of war with Hezbollah, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday: "The performance [last] night in Beirut was focused, high quality and contained... We don't want war, but we are preparing for all possibilities, and that means you must be prepared as needed, and we will do our job at all the levels above you," he said. Hezbollah Hezbollah is a heavily armed militant and holds significant political sway in Lebanon. Its military wing is one of the most powerful forces in the region, equipped with up to 200,000 missiles and rockets, as well as attack drones. It is separate to the Lebanese army, and is much stronger. The trading of cross-border fire with Israel has stepped up in recent weeks, with the rocket hitting the Israel-occupied Golan Heights causing a spike in tensions that will only be made worse by the strike on Shukr and the killing of Haniyeh. The fact that there has been no significant response to the strike on its senior commander Shukr yet opens the door for coordinating any reaction with Iran. Israel seeking to highlight that it wants no further escalation may have been aimed at keeping Hezbollah from hitting back hard, but was undermined by the killing of Haniyeh. Palestinians attend a protest after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the occupied West Bank ( Reuters ) The rhetoric from Hezbollah will always be strong, but so far it has shown little appetite for an all-out war with Israel on the Lebanon border as was seen in 2006. But there is less and less room to manouvere every time there are such strikes and counterstrikes. A response will be needed to the hit on Shukr, but it is the size and breadth of the rocket and missile barrage that will likely come will be crucial as to what comes afterwards. If Hezbollah fires into Israel in a way that overwhelms Israeli air defences and potentially kills civilians, then war becomes significantly more likely. Iran The assassination of Haniyeh will be deeply embarrassing to Tehran. It comes a few months after two Iranian generals were killed in what was believed to be an Israeli strike on Iran's consulate in Syria. The deaths prompt Iran to launch an unprecedented attack against Israeli territory, launching 300 missiles and drones but the drones took hours to reach Israel, allowing them and Western allies to intercept the vast majority. Tehran will always talk tough and Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed revenge, claiming Israel had "prepared a harsh punishment for itself" after Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a pre-dawn air strike in the Iranian capital Tehran. The Iranian leader said in a statement on his official website: "We consider his revenge as our duty," adding Mr Haniyeh had been "a dear guest in our home". Tehran will not want to spark a war over what is taken for granted by many leaders of Hamas death by Israel but being unable to protect an ally on its own territory leaves it needing to save face. There may come a reaction directly from Tehran in terms of more drones or missiles. or Iran may coordinate responses from proxies across the region, including the Houthis in Yemen, militias in Iraq or even Hamas and Hezbollah themselves. Hamas Until the strike on Haniyeh, Hamas had avoided much of its top leadership being killed during the 10 months of war in Gaza, including Yahya Sinwar who is believed to be the mastermind of 7 October is still at large in Gaza. Hamas has become used to replacing commanders killed by Israel over the years, but the loss of a high-profile figure like Haniyeh will leave a big hole in operations, as Haniyeh was in control of Hamas' relationships with Iran and other allies across the region/. Hamas will now be focused more on finding Haniyeh's successor in what could be a complicated and prolonged process, while it will certainly hit ceasefire talks with Israel hard. Iranian state television said that Haniyehs death would delay the negotiations by several months. Given the military offensive by Israel in Gaza, Hamas' ability to respond directly to Haniyeh's killing has diminished, but we may see some rocket fire into Israel. Sinwar, who is Hamas' military leader in Gaza, is significantly more of a hardliner than Haniyeh who was seen as more pragmatic (relative to Sinwar). So it is unlikely that there will be any softening of the position of Hamas in relation to the war in Gaza at least in the short term in the wake of Haniyeh's killing. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The day they came to take her children, the young mother bundled them up against the cold. She asked her nearly 6-year-old son to take care of his younger sister. Dont let anyone hit her, she told the boy. OK, Mama, she remembers him replying. Much else was left unsaid. Then, as the car carried her little boy and girl away to a life without her in a children's home in Syria, a country she knew she would soon leave, the woman wept. ___ Nearly a decade ago, K, the mother, had been a child herself, about 13, when she and her family were captured in Iraq by militants from the Islamic State group. The extremists waged an onslaught that started in August 2014 and ravaged her Yazidi community, a small religious minority. Many were forced to flee their homes. Thousands were killed or abducted, including many women and girls subjected to sexual violence and enslavement. Ten years on, a traumatized Yazidi community is still convulsed by the legacy of ISs brutal campaign, well after the groups territorial defeat. Nearly 2,600 Yazidis are still considered missing, to the anguish of their families. Former captives grapple with the trauma of what they endured. Many have been weathering life in displacement camps. Among the most fraught questions is the fate of children who, like Ks, were born to women who had been captured and raped by or married to the extremists. The Associated Press is identifying K only by her first initial due to the backlash that mothers in her sensitive situation might face. While the community has embraced the return of formerly kidnapped mothers like her, the childrens status has proved much more contentious, colliding with long-standing Yazidi beliefs and newer scars. Many vehemently reject accepting these children in the community, viewing them as the non-Yazidi offspring of men who inflicted on them unimaginable horrors and humiliations. In her dreams, K would see herself back with her family, but she said she knew she couldnt have both: her family and children. Then came the moment when she was found living in Syrias notorious al-Hol camp housing IS-linked families. My family said they wont receive them. The Yazidi community, too, wont receive them, she said of the children. Heartbroken as she is by what the militants did to her and others, she said the children to her are simply the babies who came out of her body. Theyre kids; theyve committed no sin, she said. Theyre a piece of my heart. The Islamic State militants are gone but widespread anguish remains As the 10th anniversary of the IS onslaught approaches, K finds herself reeling. Her ordeal is one stark example of the very personal toll that IS crimes against Yazidis, which a United Nations team characterized as genocide, continue to exact on many lives. A lot of our problems are still pending, like missing people, mass graves, justice, reconciliation, return, everything, said Natia Navrouzov, executive director of Yazda, an NGO supporting the Yazidi community. Were facing existential threats, and at the same time were not equipped because of the trauma, the division and the lack of unity to find any way forward. In the case of children like Ks, the challenges are multifaceted. Under long-standing beliefs, community members must have two Yazidi parents. Even if the community accepted the children, Iraqi laws would require them to be registered as Muslim, said Hadi Babasheikh, whose now-deceased brother was the Yazidi spiritual leader during IS atrocities. He questioned how a family can raise children whose father may have killed some of its own. Navrouzov agreed these cases were complex and said the community needs help to find a resolution: You dont know how to approach this issue without harming the mother, harming the child, harming the community. Families who accept these children might be ostracized, she added. The result: Some missing Yazidi women dont return, staying behind with IS-linked families to avoid being separated from their children, Navrouzov said. Hussein al Qaidi, director of an office tasked with rescuing kidnapped Yazidis, said many of those missing are believed to be in Syria, especially in al-Hol, and suggested they could be hiding their Yazidi identity for fear of what IS supporters in the camp would do to them. Hadi Babasheikh noted that his brother had urged the community to welcome back the formerly captured survivors a position that was considered relatively progressive given stigma surrounding rapes and forced conversions. But he said its "impossible for a mother to stay in Iraq with children from IS-affiliated fathers and urges the international community to resettle those who want to keep their children. Some Yazidi mothers, he added, want nothing to do with children from IS-affiliated fathers. But for those yearning for their children, the options are tormenting. On the one hand, I want my family and on the other, I keep thinking about my children, K said. The onslaught tore Yazidi families in a multitude of ways Back in Iraq for her family reunion, K was embraced by greeters. Jubilant clapping and celebratory ululations intermingled with sobs of relief. Despite sadness for leaving her children, It felt good ... to see my family and my people, she said. But the community she returned to is not the one of her childhood. Many Yazidis have scattered around the world; more are desperate to leave. Some have been orphaned; others dont know the fate of loved ones. Saeed Talals missing relatives include a daughter, brothers and nephews. He and others have given blood samples and wait to hear if remains in mass graves are a match. Talal figured older male relatives must have perished but holds out hope for others. My mind is never at ease, he said. Since 2014, I can hardly say that Ive had a good nights sleep. According to Talal, after he was captured, militants gave him and men in his group an ultimatum: Convert to Islam or be killed. He converted. While his life was spared, he had to exist under IS rules. Some of his children were separated from him and their mother. At one point, he was reunited with one of his daughters and had to disguise her as a boy, fearing that the militants would marry her off like they did an older daughter. That daughter remains missing. In 2015, Talal, his wife, two sons and two other daughters escaped. Some of the long-missing return estranged from all they were and knew; relations with families can be strained. Cheman Rasheed, director of Jinda NGO, said some come back brainwashed, and harboring terrorist and violent thoughts. She recalled a teenager brought by his Yazidi mother for rehabilitation several years ago. The boy, Rasheed said, initially wanted to return to the militants, who had captured him earlier, and he considered his mom an infidel. According to Rasheed, he had taken part in violence while in IS hands. I cant forget the stories Ive heard, Rasheed said. So, how is it for those whove lived through them? Surviving captivity and life in an Islamic State group's world The young mother, too, had changed. The familiar pieces of Ks previous life faded away during an adolescence and young adulthood spent in an IS-dominated world. The militants separated her from family members. She had to trade her Kurdish dialect for Arabic. For years, shes lived under a different name. Gradually, she started praying and fasting without being told to. She became so used to being swathed in the IS-required garb for women black robes, gloves and a face covering that, at first, she felt virtually naked when she changed into other clothes. She had been robbed of her childhood. They raped us and sold us off and deprived us of our families when we were kids. Theyve slaughtered our men, she said, her words coming in like rapid fire. Our lives have been wasted. The militants, she said, spared Yazidi girls and women no humiliation. We would wash for them, cook for them. Theyd wake me up ... and tell me to work, she said. Life was so bitter, she added. It was for our kids sake that weve endured. She recalled how she told a much older man who raped her that she was just a child. It didnt matter. He had a heart of stone. Her life took sharp turns during her years away from home. She was sold to a man who freed her from enslavement and, eventually, she said, ended up getting married more than once, including to the men who became her children's fathers. To her, things got slightly easier after she no longer was considered enslaved in the IS universe. But, she said, she also continued enduring the al-Hol camps hardships rather than identify herself to authorities as a Yazidi primarily so she could stay with her children. After she was found, K learned that theres no word about the fate of her parents and one of her sisters. After captivity, women navigate life without their children For all her anguish, Ks face lights up when she talks about her children; her demeanor changes; she giggles, becomes more animated. She recalls how she would kiss and hug them before going to sleep; how the children, especially her son, would ask for a bedtime story; how she would sleep between her son and daughter. She talks proudly about raising them well despite everything, teaching them to be polite, to respect her. Now, she wonders what her son and daughter are doing. Their absence stings every time she tastes foods they like (eggs and instant noodles are their favorites). She believes she can feel them too, feel them asking where she is, why she isnt with them. She recalls how after they separated, she would sniff the clothes they left behind and cry. I am so worn out, she said. I wonder how we still have any soul left in us. Some, like Asimah Khedr, try to move on, to start over. Khedr married a Yazidi man she met after surviving IS captivity and returning to Iraq. She said she too had left a son behind in Syria. She was 12 when she was abducted and then, she said, gifted to a man who raped her. I understood nothing. I cried, but it got me nowhere. Eventually, he sold her to a married man in Syria, at least 55 years old. That captor later freed her from enslavement and sent her into an IS guest house. Life there was tough and so, she said, she got married to escape it. She didnt want children, but said her then-husband insisted. After Khedr wrestled free, a sister and an uncle came to Syria to see her. She said she asked about bringing her boy home, but was told this cannot be, that Yazidis wouldnt accept. At first, she didnt return, but her heart softened for her family. She also thought about the future, wondered if her son could turn out like his father, if he would even accept her, she said. And, so, she left. Adjusting to life back was a struggle in the beginning. Gone were her parents and a few of her siblings who remain missing. When others slept, she would cry. I would think about the boy. I would think about myself, about whats happened to me, about my family, everything. She said she doesnt regret leaving her son. Sometimes though she still sees him in fleeting dreams. She wakes up with tears in her eyes. ___ K vows to never forget her children. She swears that she wont, that she cant. No mother should leave her children, she said. I was told there was no other solution. She yearns for a life with the three of them together abroad a life that she says they cant have in Iraq. Weve been through so much, she said. I only want my kids. Thats it. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. 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 Research into a high-security quantum internet which is impervious to hackers will progress in Scotland as part of a 160 million investment from the UK Government. It is hoped the scheme will help provide faster diagnoses for diseases, keep critical infrastructure safe from hostile threats and improve the environment, with a target for Britain to become a quantum-enabled economy by 2035. Heriot-Watt University has been chosen to lead a groundbreaking new quantum research hub to progress an ultra-secure quantum internet which will revolutionise day-to-day life, according to scientists. The university, based in Edinburgh, will play a critical role in the research, with involvement in 80% of the five hubs announced by the UK Government. Quantum technology can harness unique properties of atoms and subatomic particles to achieve functionalities beyond conventional methods, in a bid to tackle cyber crime which costs Britain an estimated 27 billion per year. The technology provides a level of security beyond encryption using the principles of quantum mechanics to create unbreakable encryption keys, making them impervious to hacking attempts, according to academics. Quantum internet provides secure connections between quantum computing resources which will revolutionise fields such as healthcare, enabling accelerated drug discovery and personalised treatment plans, it was hoped. It could also drive advancements in artificial intelligence, environmental monitoring, and improved navigation systems. The Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub is one of five new quantum technology hubs announced by the UK Government, however Heriot-Watt University will also be involved in three other hubs focusing on quantum-enabled position, navigation and timing, quantum biomedical sensing, and quantum sensing, imaging and timing. Professor Gerald Buller, who will lead the IQN Hub at Heriot-Watt, said: Think of quantum like a supercharged version of the technology we use today. It allows us to solve problems and secure data in ways that are unimaginable with conventional technology. This could lead to breakthroughs in everything from pharmaceutical research to exciting new materials development. The Integrated Quantum Networks Hub will deliver the research required towards the establishment of a quantum internet. The Hub harnesses the excellent research done over the last 10 years in the National Quantum Technologies Programme to focus on delivering quantum networks at a range of distance scales, from local networks up to global satellite-based connections. The IQN Hub will focus on creating large-scale quantum networks capable of distributing quantum entanglement potentially leading to the development of a secure communications network and an internet free from hacking issues. We want a future where cutting-edge science improves everyday lives. Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle Professor Gill Murray, deputy principal for enterprise and business at Heriot-Watt University, said: The launch of five new quantum hubs is a significant milestone and represents a major shift in data security and cutting-edge applications across all sectors. The UK has established itself as an early pioneer, aligned with the governments strategy aiming to become a quantum-enabled economy by 2035. Hubs form a critical piece of that by tackling key research and development challenges around quantum networking, sensing, computing and more. For Heriot-Watt University specifically, the IQN Hub has several roles to play. It will keep Scotland and the UK at the forefront of quantum technologies, and transform the modern economy and society. Universities will be at the forefront of developing and upskilling the future workforce living in a quantum-enabled future across design, engineering, manufacturing and the required support services. We also anticipate interest in the IQN Hub to attract talent that will drive international partnerships and business opportunities. We are eager to help develop a robust workforce and supply chain pipeline. The IQN Hub includes a network of more than 40 non-academic collaborators, including start-ups, multinational corporations, and the National Cyber Security Centre, and will receive more than 20 million in support. The five new quantum hubs are being delivered by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), which invested 106 million, with another 54 million from partners in the project, which includes the National Physical Laboratory and and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Research Council, UKRI Medical Research Council, and universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow are also involved. Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: We want a future where cutting-edge science improves everyday lives, by supporting the deployment of technology that will mean faster diagnoses for diseases, critical infrastructure safe from hostile threats and cleaner energy for us all. This isnt just research. These hubs will bridge the gap between brilliant ideas and practical solutions. They will transform sectors like healthcare and security, but also create a culture of innovation that helps to grow our economy. Footage of Anjem Choudary's police interview was released after he was jailed on terror charges on Tuesday, 30 July. The hate preacher, 57, of Ilford, east London, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years for running a banned terrorist organisation. His sentence came after he was convicted of taking a caretaker role in directing Al-Muhajiroun (ALM) while its founder was in jail. Choudary was also found guilty of encouraging support for it through online lectures to the Islamic Thinkers Society (ITS), which prosecutors said was another name for ALM. He will not be liable for parole until he is 85 years old. At first sight, Israels ability to strike a deadly blow at its key Palestinian enemy, in the heart of the Iranian capital, in the middle of the night, is evidence of its mastery of the modern battlefield. As with its targeting of Fuad Shukr, Hezbollahs veteran military commander, in Beirut a few hours earlier, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran showed that, for Israels foes, there is no hiding place. Yet Israels own long record of finding and killing organisers of anti-Israeli violence suggests that assassination is a dead end if it is meant to stifle terrorist groups and insurgents with a popular base. Making a martyr of Haniyeh will no doubt be satisfying for many Israelis who see him as the architect of the rampage on 7 October, which cost so many Israeli lives and led to hostages being taken into Gaza. But this martyrdom may give an authority to his intransigent cause. So long as Haniyeh lived safely in Qatar, away from the carnage he had provoked in Gaza, Israel could argue that the Hamas leader was indifferent to the human cost of his strategy. Now that he is dead, it is more difficult to say to ordinary Gazans: Why fight for a man who lives the life of a billionaire in Doha while you starve and bleed? Assassinating the Hamas leader might disrupt the organisation for a while, but Haniyeh himself belonged to the group that came to the top of Hamas after Israel blew up its founder, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, in March 2004. Even if Hamas in Gaza was in its death throes before the Israeli strike on Haniyeh quite an if, in fact the signs were of a spreading war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, with Shiite militias operating from Iraq and the Houthis striking at shipping in the Red Sea and Israels port at Eilat. It may soon be seen that the Gaza conflict was just phase one of a growing conflict in the Middle East. Some Israelis have suggested that by getting rid of the Hamas leader, Benjamin Netanyahu may have regained sufficient political authority lost by the security lapses on 7 October to make a ceasefire deal but this overlooks that it takes two to make peace. Not only will Hamas now face demands for revenge, but Iran, Hezbollah and the other pro-Iranian groups in Iraq and Yemens Houthis will pile in, too. Even Qatar has announced that its mediation role was killed by Haniyehs assassination. Netanyahu has never wanted a two-state solution with the Palestinians, and it is now impossible to see how either Israel or the Palestinians could find a compromise; trust between them died long before 7 October. We shouldnt forget that the many Israelis who revile Netanyahu do so because they see him as corrupt and self-serving, but also as a failure to guarantee their security from Palestinian attacks. There is no peacenik movement in Israel any more. Netanyahu has long warned that Israel would attack Iran itself to stop it from getting an atomic weapon. Tehrans humiliation by Israel might push it to make the bomb as quickly as possible. That raises the threat of armageddon in the Middle East. Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, has warned that America would act to defend Israel against a repeat of the Iranian missile and drone attack in April. That could add Americans to Israelis as targets for revenge attacks by Iran and her proxies like Hezbollah, and in Iraq and Syria, with their US bases. Iran has lost face. Israel and America wont want to back down in the face of calls for revenge. This is a recipe for a spiral of violence. Mark Almond is director of the Crisis Research Institute, Oxford Centre, former Independent News & Media (INM) chairman Leslie Buckley at an EGM of the company. Also pictured are (left) former chief executive Robert Pitt and former group chief financial officer Ryan Preston. Photo: Mark Condren A six-year investigation by High Court inspectors into allegations of wrongdoing at Independent News and Media (INM) has found its former chairman did pass confidential information to Denis OBrien in a way that was not compliant with the companys policies and the terms of a memorandum he signed in 2016. The High Court yesterday gave permission for the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA), formerly the ODCE, to publish an 868-page report compiled by Sean Gillane SC and UK solicitor Robert Fleck, who investigated a series of claims that Leslie Buckley, while he was INMs chairman, acted improperly in ways to benefit Mr OBrien, his sometimes business partner who was then a 29.9pc shareholder in INM. Mediahuis bought INM and its Irish newspaper business in 2019, and Mr OBrien and Mr Buckley no longer have any connection with the group. The High Court inspectors were appointed on September 6, 2018 following an application from the ODCE, which had made a preliminary investigation into allegations made by INMs then former CEO Robert Pitt, and Ryan Preston, its chief finance officer, about Mr Buckleys conduct as INM chairman. The executives alleged Mr Buckley may have broken company law in alleged efforts to use INM resources to benefit Mr OBrien, INMs largest shareholder. While the inspectors report has made criticisms of Mr Buckleys conduct on a number of issues, it has not upheld any allegations that he broke company law or tried to use INM resources to benefit Mr OBrien to the detriment of INMs other shareholders. In relation to Mr Buckleys sharing of confidential information from INM to Mr OBrien, the inspectors found both men considered themselves insiders in relation to INM, which was then a publicly listed company. However, Mr Buckleys disclosure of confidential information to Mr OBrien after August 2016 was found not to be in compliance with INMs policies and the terms of a memorandum he signed that month. Mr Buckley maintained that his communications with Mr OBrien, which detailed the fact that Mr Pitt and Mr Preston had made protected disclosures complaining of Mr Buckleys conduct as chairman of INM, were not unlawful and a breach of market abuse legislation. The inspectors found Mr Buckleys explanations as to why he passed on the information were not consistent with the propositions he made that the communications were made in the normal exercise of an employment, a profession, or duties, for the purposes of journalism or other form of expression in the media, or were justified having regard to the freedom of the press and/or freedom of expression. INM has since paid compensation to a number of the 19 parties who took legal action against the company The inspectors rejected Mr Buckleys submissions that nine communications of inside information to Mr OBrien and his adviser about protected disclosures were justified. They said they had not received any evidence or suggestion that Mr OBrien took any steps that involved a breach of the confidentiality of the information contained in the communications that he received. We are therefore satisfied that Mr OBrien did not misuse the information contained in such communications, they said. The inspectors also investigated Mr Buckleys hiring of IT consultants to search INMs IT systems for a contract with a solicitor that ultimately led to 19 persons of interest with no connection to the solicitors contract being subject to searches. The bills for the IT contractors were paid for by a Denis OBrien company. The inspectors said they were not persuaded by the evidence given by Derek Mizak, the IT contractor hired by Mr Buckley, as to the manner in which he generated the 19 names. Mr Mizak claimed the 19 names were generated by open source intelligence, but could not explain why they included the names of two lawyers from the Moriarty Tribunal and journalist Sam Smyth, who has written extensively about the tribunal that investigated the awarding of a mobile phone licence to Mr OBriens company. A Data Protection Commission investigation has concluded that the data interrogation breached data protection law, and INM has since paid compensation to a number of the 19 parties who took legal action against the company. The High Court inspectors said that bearing in mind the very serious nature of the allegation and the degree of care which we have to exercise in reaching a conclusion, we do not think it would be appropriate to speculate on how the list of the 19 persons of interest or any other lists was compiled. They concluded that Mr OBriens knowledge of the data interrogation was limited to the fact that Mr Buckley was pursuing inquiries into the circumstances in which solicitor Simon McAleeses contract was renewed in 2011 and that Mr Buckley had engaged external companies to investigate records. They found no evidence that Mr OBrien was aware of the expansion of the ambit of the data interrogation that occurred after October 2014 in relation to the 19 persons of interest. They said Mr OBrien agreed to the payment of the invoices of Mr Mizak and another company working on interrogating INMs data because Mr Buckley told him that it would be embarrassing for him to explain to INM, in the context of a cost-cutting exercise, the nature and scale of the work undertaken. Mr Buckleys approach to the negotiations was not motivated by a desire to promote Mr OBriens interests at the expense of the interests of INMs shareholders generally The inspectors also investigated Mr Pitts objection to a proposal from Mr Buckley that INM pay some 4m to Island Capital, an OBrien financial advisory firm, and other parties linked to Mr OBrien for their role in the sale of INM shares in Australian firm APN in 2015. The inspectors concluded that given the relationship between Mr OBrien and Island Capital, it would not have been in accordance with good corporate governance for INM to have retained Island Capital to represent it in relation to the sale of its holding in APN or, after the event, paid a fee in recognition of its contribution in the course of the negotiations without the proposed payment having been considered by the independent directors of INM and approved by the board of INM. The report found Mr Buckleys failure to report to INMs board that he had reached an agreement with Mr OBrien to make these payments was inconsistent with his responsibility as a director to disclose material facts and matters to the management of INM and the INM board. It said Mr Buckley did not agree to the engagement of Island Capital with the intention of benefiting Mr OBrien to the detriment of INMs shareholders. In relation to complaints from Mr Pitt and Mr Preston that Mr Buckley was trying to push for INM to buy the Newstalk radio station from Mr OBriens Communicorp regardless of the price, the inspectors said Mr Buckley intended to put pressure, but not improper pressure, on the executives to progress negotiations. Businessman Denis O'Brien. Photo: Artur Widak/Getty The report said Mr Pitt and Mr Preston bear some responsibility for the misunderstandings that arose over the Newstalk deal because they relied on their interpretation of Mr Buckleys comments. It said they should have raised their concerns at the approach Mr Buckley was taking and at what they perceived to be the inappropriate pressure he was imposing on them. The inspectors said Mr Buckley should have ensured the opportunity to acquire Newstalk was passed to INMs management to progress and left management to determine whether to proceed with the negotiations with Communicorp. He should not have actively engaged with those representing Communicorp after it indicated it was willing to sell. The inspector were satisfied that Mr Buckleys approach to the negotiations was not motivated by a desire to promote Mr OBriens interests at the expense of the interests of INMs shareholders generally. The inspectors criticised the INM sub-committee of directors that initially handled Mr Pitts protected disclosure that complained about Mr Buckleys conduct. They concluded that the sub-committees consideration of Mr Pitts disclosure was fundamentally defective. Mr OBrien welcomed the report and said all allegations against him had been shown to be wrong and unfounded During the giving of evidence by Mr Preston, it emerged there had been co-operation of him and Mr Pitt in relation to their decisions to make protected disclosures about Mr Buckley. The inspectors said it was inappropriate and misleading for the men not to disclose such co-operation from the outset. In representing to us that their positions were entirely independent, when they were not, Mr Pitt and Mr Preston misled us, the report said. The inspectors said taking this position with the ODCE was unsatisfactory, and unfair to Mr Buckley and other parties. While Mr Buckley and Mr OBrien sought to challenge the integrity of Mr Pitt and Mr Preston in making their allegations, the inspectors concluded that, while certain facts or conclusions reached by them were not correct, that did not occur because those matters were fabricated, exaggerated or invented. The inspectors were satisfied as to Mr Pitt and Mr Prestons bona fides in the expression of their concerns and noted that Mr Pitt had been cross-examined for over 45 hours on 13 days, spread over 19 weeks. In a statement issued this afternoon, Mr OBrien welcomed the report and said all allegations against him had been shown to be wrong and unfounded. He made critical remarks about the ODCEs investigation and the decision to seek the appointment of the High Court inspectors. Once again, there must be real concern about the stewardship and approach of the ODCE, he said. The ODCE has previously been criticised for its investigative shortcomings resulting in the collapse of the Sean Fitzpatrick trial after 126 days in May 2017. "A subsequent report by the Department of Enterprise, Business and Innovation into the collapse of that trial said that the findings of the trial judge highlighted the importance of ensuring a robust, impartial and unbiased investigation process. Unfortunately, it appears that the ODCE has not yet learned this lesson, and its approach to this matter again warrants serious review. I note and accept the inspectors criticism of me in respect of certain governance issues The CEA will now conduct a detailed examination of the report, including the inspectors analyses, findings and conclusions. Until that examination has concluded and the CEA has determined what, if any, action is warranted on foot of the reports contents, it would be inappropriate for the CEA to make any further comment. In his statement, Mr Buckley said: I note and accept the inspectors criticism of me in respect of certain governance issues. Mr Buckley said he is pleased that the inspectors report contains no findings of dishonesty against me during my time as chairman of INM and demonstrates that I acted with integrity in the interests of all shareholders. This process commenced in 2016 with a number of serious allegations arising from protected disclosures by both the CEO and CFO, relating to my role as chairman of INM, he said. All of these allegations were based on the false premise that I sought to promote Mr Denis OBriens interests to the detriment of other shareholders. In particular, it was alleged that I attempted to defraud INM in order to benefit him in respect of the proposed acquisition of Newstalk and the disposal of INMs shares in APN and, further, that I authorised the use of INMs data in order to find information that might benefit Mr OBrien. It is difficult to imagine more serious allegations against the chairman of a PLC. I welcome the rejection of these allegations by the Inspectors. In a message to its Irish staff, Mediahuis Ireland said: We welcome the publication of the inspectors report and we are pleased that, after an extensive and detailed investigation, the inspectors found that the affairs of the company were not conducted unlawfully. We acknowledge that the appointment of the inspectors, and the issues they were asked to investigate, led to considerable publicity and commentary, and we know that the entire matter has been difficult for all of you, the companys hard-working and diligent staff. Since acquiring the company in 2019, we have been committed to ensuring that we conduct our business responsibly and in the best interests of all those with a stake in the companys future, including all those who work for Mediahuis. I would have got my bag and never returned Mairead Ronan calls for chaperones on Dancing with the Stars amid Strictly scandal BBC series has been rocked by allegations of abuse from former celeb contestants Mairead Ronan won the third season of RTEs Dancing with the Stars in 2019 and has said it was a positive experience. Photo: Steve Humphreys Melanie Finn Wed 31 Jul 2024 at 03:30 Dancing with the Stars winner Mairead Ronan has backed calls for chaperones to be appointed on the Irish version of the television series. BBC2 documentary Atomic People is 90 minutes of quiet heartbreak from director Benedict Sanderson. One of the more pointless criticisms levelled at Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer was that it failed to show the devastation wrought on Japan by his creation. Frankly, it was a silly complaint. Treating the horrifying effects and the aftermath of the two bombs dropped, three days apart, on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, 1945, as some kind of cinematic side dish to Oppenheimers main course would have been both distasteful and trivialising. If its the bigger picture youre looking for, youll find it in the powerful documentary Atomic People (BBC2, Wednesday, July 31) 90 minutes of quiet heartbreak from director Benedict Sanderson. Its a succession of impressions: from photographs of the dead, archive footage of two bustling cities turned into wastelands on fire, clips from triumphalist American newsreels and, most importantly of all, testimonies of the survivors of the first, and hopefully the last, atomic bombs used in an act of war. Their softly-spoken recollections will stay with anyone who hears them long after the screen has faded to black. In Japan, the survivors are called the hibakusha. Elderly men and women now, they were children when the bombs dropped. There arent many hibakusha left. Soon, there will be none. The group featured here have an average age of 85; a few are almost a decade older than that. The documentary is dedicated to one of them, who didnt live long enough to see it. After the bombs came the rain: black rain, thick like mud, that hurt the skin It opens, surprisingly, with a cheery song. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, warbles one survivor. He learned the song, as well as whatever English he can speak, from watching Hollywood movies as a kid. His favourites were John Wayne westerns and Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan. He says he loved American films, but hated Americans, because their bomb killed seven of his relatives. Life for Japanese children before the war seems to have been mostly happy, if often sternly policed by teachers. When we were little, Japan was strong, says one man. They were told Emperor Hirohito was a god, not a mere mortal. They had to bow if a high-ranking Japanese army officer walked by. They were told lied to that Japan was winning the war. People first noticed things were changing when sweets disappeared from the shops and the wail of air raid sirens became more and more frequent. Recalling the day the Hiroshima bomb dropped, a woman says she saw a silver plane glinting in the sunshine as it did a U-turn. She thought the contrail it left was beautiful. Then came the dazzling orange-yellow light and the ferocious blast, followed by total darkness and the sound of screaming. As the air cleared and the light returned, the horror emerged. There are harrowing first-hand stories here of children being blown into a river and resurfacing with the flesh dripping like wax from their faces, of a woman, barely alive, holding a baby that had been burned as back as coal, of a woman, covered with blood, tottering up a road holding her internal organs, which were spilling from a cavity in her chest, in her hands. After the bombs came the rain: black rain, thick like mud, that hurt the skin. And after that, the tens of thousands of deaths from radiation sickness. Six days after the second bomb, Japan surrendered. Hirohito told the nation: I am not a god, I am a human being. One survivor says: It felt like it was a bit too late for that. When the Americans assumed control of Japan, newspapers were banned from reporting on the bombs. Criticism of America was outlawed. Ordinary peoples letters were censored. School memorials were removed. Seven years later, when the Americans left and Japan regained its independence, the truth finally began to come out. For the hibakusha, this ushered in only fresh trauma. Paranoia that they might have radiation sickness and contaminate others meant they were shunned and despised. Nobody wanted hibakusha marrying into their families for fear of how their babies might turn out. Almost 80 years later, with their time running out, theyre still fighting for compassion and compensation. Rating: Five stars Abbott Laboratories logo is displayed on a screen at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 18, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo A jury on Friday found that Abbott Laboratories' specialized formula for premature infants caused an Illinois girl to develop a dangerous bowel disease, ordering the healthcare company to pay $495 million in damages. The verdict in St. Louis, Missouri state court comes in the first trial against the company out of hundreds of similar claims over the formula pending in courts around the country, which Reuters viewed via Courtroom View Network. BREAKING | Conor McGregor gets suspended prison sentence and is banned from road for appalling dangerous driving McGregor (36) told a garda "are you taking the piss" after he was asked to step out of his car on Dublin's M50 Conor McGregor at Blanchardstown District Court today Eimear Cotter Wed 31 Jul 2024 at 15:51 UFC star Conor McGregor has narrowly avoided a jail sentence after he admitted an appalling episode of dangerous driving where he drove in a bus lane, jumped a red light and nearly collided with another vehicle. A man has been jailed for eight and a half years for his role in an organised crime group involved in international money laundering and drug trafficking. David Callaghan (33) was sentenced to thirteen and a half years in prison, with the final five years suspended, after he pleaded guilty to assisting or facilitating the criminal organisation's activities between April 29, 2021 and February 4, 2022. Two men have died after a helicopter crashed into a farm building in Co Westmeath. The victims an Irish man in his 40s and a man from Eastern Europe, also in his 40s were the only people on board the aircraft when it crashed into a piggery outside the village of Killucan. Gardai and emergency services responded to the incident, which occurred about 3.30pm. Gardai said they were liaising with the family of the Irish man and were trying to establish contact with the next of kin of the second man, and may request the assistance of Interpol. Both bodies have been removed from the scene to Regional Hospital Mullingar, where post mortems will take place. The local coroner has been notified. Two hearses were seen leaving the farm site this evening. Locals said they believed the helicopter may have suffered engine trouble before it struck the building. A man has settled his case of religious discrimination against Belfast bar owner John Bittles for 6,500, after he was allegedly told that they dont serve Protestants. Mr Bittles owns the popular city centre establishment. The case against him was supported by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The Commission said the incident took place during a Friday afternoon and left the man feeling embarrassed and intimidated. They said as the man entered the bar, he met the landlord, John Bittles, who he knew and had spoken to before, but who then said to him: No seat, no drink, new rules in the bar. I look after my locals. He said that Mr Bittles then pointed to a group of men on his left and continued: You have not been in here for about three years and we dont serve Protestants, only joking, no Im not. Bittles Bar in Belfast The man said that the comments were said very loudly and were greeted by cheering from other customers within the bar making him feel so uncomfortable that he then immediately left the bar. He then reported the incident to the PSNI, who recorded it as a hate crime. I just wanted to have a drink. Id been to Bittles Bar many times before over the years. The landlord knows me, and I was shocked by his comments and was really concerned by the reaction of the people in the bar, the man said. I honestly thought the days of this type of behaviour in Northern Ireland were behind us. I felt I had to challenge it, so I reported it to the police and contacted the Equality Commission. Geraldine McGahey, Chief Commissioner, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland said that, while this type of incident is exceptionally rare it serves as a reminder to all businesses that they have responsibilities under the anti-discrimination laws. This type of case is exceptionally rare with regards to discrimination from service providers or service users, but it was important to note and also highlight as a reminder to businesses and service users that there is a time and place for banter like this and it is important that customers do not feel intimidated or degraded because of their religious beliefs. Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 31st People are protected from religious belief and political opinion discrimination in the provision of a wide range of services. Everyone who walks through their doors should be treated with dignity and respect, no matter what their religious background, she added. This is also a reminder for each of us that what someone might see as banter or a harmless joke could have the effect of being offensive or intimidating to someone else. And it is also important to highlight the protection and support that is there for people who have been subject to this kind of discrimination. Ms McGahey said that you can count on one hand the amount of cases similar to this the Equality Commission have dealt with since the law came into place in 1998. What we need to do is reinforce the message that this type of behaviour is unacceptable, she added. Belfast Telegraph has approached Bittles Bar for comment. In settling the case John Bittles apologised for any upset and distress caused to the man and affirmed commitment to the principles of equality in respect of the provision of services to the public. He has also agreed to liaise with the Equality Commission. They deserve the best: Anna Newell on making theatre for babies aged from three to 12 months This September a new show debuts at the Dublin Fringe Festival and it is aimed at the tiniest audience imaginable: babies aged three to 12 months. Theatre-maker Anna Newell. Photo: Neil Harrison Aoife Barry Wed 31 Jul 2024 at 03:30 For theatre-maker Anna Newell, youre never too small to attend a show her youngest audience member was four days old. One of Irelands leading creators of theatre for young audiences, her immersive shows visit theatres, community centres, and schools both here and abroad. When I saw in the news that Linda De Sousa Abreu, a female prison officer, had been accused of having sex with a male inmate, I probably wasnt as shocked as the rest of the UK. I wasnt even surprised. Having served time myself, for four months in 2022, I understood exactly why these things might happen. In fact, I even had a very quick bonk myself albeit with a fellow inmate and not a prison officer. Cork TD Aindrias Moynihan has welcomed the extension of the free travel pass which will benefit a range of people with disabilities who are medically certified as not fit to drive. People who are certified as medically unfit to drive for a year or more will now be able to apply for a free travel pass under the recently extended scheme. Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West Aindrias Moynihan said the extension of the free travel pass will transform the lives of people with disabilities who cannot drive, especially those with epilepsy. Deputy Moynihan who has raised the matter on numerous occasions in the Dail welcomed the extension of the free travel pass: Im delighted that the free travel pass has been extended to people who are not fit to drive. This measure will transform the lives of those who struggle to travel and get to work because they are not permitted to drive themselves. Deputy Moynihan continued: Epilepsy is a neurological condition affecting nearly 40,000 people across the country and many local people with the condition had told me about their transport worries because they are excluded from driving. "The extension of the free travel pass will benefit not only epilepsy suffers, but all those people with disabilities that stops them from driving, he added. From this week, the Free Travel Scheme is being extended to people who have never been able to drive due to a disability, and to drivers who have a licence and are medically certified as not fit to drive for a period of 12 months or longer. It is the first time a free travel pass has been available to persons not in receipt of a pension or qualifying social welfare payment. The scheme, announced as part of Budget 2024, allows eligible people to access free travel on all public transport provided by the State. This includes bus, rail, Local Link and the Luas, along with some services operated by private bus and ferry transport operators. Dublin Zoo have announced the arrival of male Asian lion, Kushanu, from Edinburgh Zoo. Five-year-old Kushanu has joined nine-year-old female, Kamala, at the Asian lion habitat at Dublin Zoo. Five-year-old Kushanu has joined nine-year-old female, Kamala, at the Asian lion habitat located beside Sea Lion Cove and close to the red panda habitat. The new male Asian lion is already building a close bond with female Kamala, which is thrilling for the team, said Dublin Zoo. There is great excitement at Dublin Zoo, as it is hoped the pair will breed and produce healthy cubs. Dublin Zoo have announced the arrival of male Asian lion, Kushanu, from Edinburgh Zoo. We are excited to welcome Kushanu, our new Asian lion, who is settling in well in his new habitat, Ciaran McMahon, Team Leader at Dublin Zoo said. He is building a close bond with female Kamala, which has been thrilling for the team. Dublin Zoo is part of the European breeding programme for the Asian lion, and we hope that Kamala and Kushanu will bring healthy cubs to contribute to the survival of this endangered species. We look forward to hearing Kushanus impressive roars, and visitors can be excited to see Kushanus distinctive mane as he explores his new habitat. Dublin Zoo is part of the European Endangered Species Programme for the Asian lion, which manages their population and breeding. The Asian lion is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There are estimated 500-600 individuals left in the wild, due to threats like habitat loss and poaching. Today, Asian lions live in only one place in the wild, the Gir National Park and Sanctuary in India meaning that they are also vulnerable to unexpected events in that area such as natural disasters or diseases. Another significant threat is conflict with farmers when lions come onto their lands. A Paw-some Big Cat has arrived in Dublin Zoo. The lion has the loudest roar of all the big cats and can be heard up to eight kilometres away. The male lion is the only cat that has a mane, which is an indication of their maturity and dominance. Asian lions have shorter, darker manes than African lions. Asian lions are carnivores (meat-eaters) and are known as ambush predators; they hide from their prey and then charge at it, grabbing them before they can escape. Dublin Zoo is open from 9.30am to 7pm every day. Fintan, Shauna, Lia and Liam spent six weeks working in the gift shop in Dublin Zoo learning valuable workplace skills People with Down syndrome have gained confidence and focus during their time doing work experience at Dublin Zoo. Fintan Dooley (19), a student at Castleknock Community College, graduated from training at the zoo last week, alongside three friends Shauna, Lia and Liam. They spent six weeks working in the gift shop in Dublin Zoo learning valuable workplace skills. The graduation took place at the zoo, where friends, family and team members joined in the celebrations. The graduation took place at the zoo, where friends, family and team members joined in the celebrations. I got an interest in animals in the past few weeks, there were some scary ones, Fintan told the Irish Independent. I enjoyed working in Dublin Zoo. The best part was eating lunch because I had free sandwiches. I had good craic at lunch time, and I made new friends. Suzanne and Flory were my mentors, they were awesome. They showed me around and they helped me with my tasks. Jessica helped me too; she was the same age as me. We were stacking shelves; it was very busy. I welcomed people into the shop. I knew where all the stuff was, I put the prices on things. I learned about working in a gift shop with a team. I worked in the stockroom when the deliveries came. It was very easy, it was fun. It gave me confidence and focus. Christoph Schwitzer, the director of Dublin Zoo, told the graduates: Your contributions have been invaluable, you've taken on a wide range of tasks, always with a smile. And your unwavering commitment has been really brilliant. Down Syndrome Ireland, which runs the programme, hopes it will be the first of many and said it was a huge success for all involved. The project is co-funded by the Government, through the Department of Social Protection and the European Union. Roses past and present are also enjoying the Galway Races and three Galway Roses were among the first through the gates on Monday. Galway Rose 2024 Deirdre Jennings told the Irish Independent being at the famous Galway Races as a rose makes the whole experience even more exciting. She said: Ive been to the Galway Races a few times over the years, and Ive always enjoyed them. Its my first time at the races as the Galway Rose, so its a little bit more exciting. Follow Independent Galway on Facebook Im a little bit nervous, but excited as well. I think if I just be myself, and enjoy the day, it will be fine. I love talking to people and I love Galway. The 28-year-old added that having two previous Roses with her makes being the Galway Rose a bit easier, and surely more fun, as the community within the centre is very tight and supportive. We are going to have dinner, watch the races, catch up, two previous Galway roses and Ann-Marie the manager are here with me. I love catching up with these girls, they all have great tips, they were all in Tralee previously to represent Galway so they have really nice tips and information on how to get through the whole thing. Deirdre enjoyed the first day of the races along with Deirdre OSullivan (who was crowned Galway Rose in 2018) and Clare Ann Irwin (who was the Galway Rose in 2022). Deirdre OSullivan commented: "Its such a buzz, every year I come back to the Galway Races its great to see the locals around the place, its great local businesses being represented, its always such a great week. Its always something that I look forward to in the summer. While Clare added: And the Monday is always lovely because its kind of a lovely community here within the Galway Rose Centre and the past Galway roses. So this time two years ago Deirdre was showing me the ropes and walking around with me, and now its lovely that were here with our new Deirdre, our new Galway Rose, its a lovely start of the week, and theres a great buzz around it. Ukrainian refugees in Kerry distressed after Department informs them they are being moved Refugees are pleading for help to stay in the town where they have rebuilt their lives Up to 50 Ukrainian refugees have been told by the Department they are to be moved from Tralee to a new location despite rebuilding their lives in Kerry over the past two years. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan. Sinead Kelleher Kerryman Wed 31 Jul 2024 at 07:00 More than 50 Ukrainian refugees, including 20 children, have been told they are to be moved from their accommodation in Tralee to a new location A town in Co Mayo has been announced as a candidate for the title of European Volunteering Capital 2026 by the Centre for European Volunteering. A town in Co Mayo has been announced as a candidate for the title of European Volunteering Capital 2026 by the Centre for European Volunteering. Ballina is one of just three European municipalities shortlisted for the prestigious title, the other two are Maia in Portugal and Rzeszow, in Poland. In Ballina, there is over 130 community and voluntary groups and organisations registered as Mayo PPN members in the Ballina Municipal District alone. Follow Independent Mayo on Facebook The Ballina Municipal District, together with Volunteer Ireland, Mayo PPN, Mayo Volunteer Centre, and Ballina 2023 have been working together to secure the title and a delegate will travel to the EV Capital 2026 Candidates Presentation event in Brussels on September 10, 2024. The winner will be announced on November 29, 2024, in Trento, Italy, which currently holds the title of European Volunteering Capital. Speaking about the announcement, Cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District Cllr Michael Loftus said the council is delighted to be a candidate for European Volunteering Capital 2026. This is a wonderful opportunity for Ballina and the surrounding region to acknowledge and celebrate the Meitheal ethos and the strength of community volunteering that exists here, said Cllr Loftus. Head of Ballina Municipal District, Declan Turnbull added holding the title of European Volunteering Capital 2026 would be an enormous credit to all of the volunteers and community groups. "If successful, we will look forward to working with our local, regional and national partners to continue to develop volunteering programmes in this district through the implementation of the recommendations of the Blueprint for European Volunteering 2030 (BEV2030) and the European Solidarity Corps programme in Ballina. CEO of Volunteer Ireland, Nina Arwitz, was delighted to see Ballinas candidacy and said it was a testament to the areas active and vibrant volunteering community. "Through building connections across other parts of Europe, there is the opportunity for sharing approaches and knowledge and creating links with other volunteering communities across Europe to deliver programs, which would be of great benefit to the region, and nationally. Lesley Moore, Manager of Mayo Volunteer Centre, commented, We continue to see growing numbers of community volunteers express interest in contributing more actively to their locality, particularly as awareness continues to grow of the enormous benefits of volunteering. "This title would greatly increase access to these opportunities locally for many more people and importantly, improve the quality of these experiences, said Lesley. A Jury of volunteering representatives from civil society, the private and for-profit sector, as well as the EU institutions will assess candidates based on their strategies, policies, and programs in connection to the Blueprint for European Volunteering 2030 (BEV2030) and to the CEVs Volunteering Policy Statements. All three Candidates join the European Volunteering Capital Candidates Community'' (EVCCC), a unique Community of Practice of municipalities (and other levels of local and regional authorities) that have expertise in, and a shared concern for, strengthening, inspiring and celebrating volunteering and solidarity. The candidates will gain European-wide visibility for excellence in policies and programs that support volunteers and volunteering regarding existing practices, and for ambitious, credible and quality-focused plans for future growth and development in the field of volunteering. The European Volunteering Capital Competition co-funded by the European Union Citizens, Equality Rights and Values fund (CERV) recognises and rewards municipalities that support volunteers and volunteering in their communities and is a source of inspiration and motivation for all municipalities across Europe to make even greater efforts to promote and celebrate volunteering. Gabriella Civico, CEV Director, explained all three candidates will play a key role in motivating, inspiring and encouraging other municipalities to improve their provision of supportive and facilitatory policies and programs for quality volunteering. "It is especially interesting that this year again, none of the candidates are from Capital cities. "We are showing, through this competition, that quality support for volunteering from policymakers does not depend on size or status of the location but on the interest, understanding and commitment of our elected officials to properly support volunteers not as purely deliverers of services but as an expression of EU values, the heart of our democratic societies, said Ms Civico. Enniscorthy residents are up in arms over Wexford County Councils decision to close the road between Railroad Junction and Mr Price for the duration of the Fleadh, inconveniencing locals who hope to avail of the extra trains to the festival. Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann is the biggest celebration of traditional Irish music in the world, with a projected 500,000 visitors to pour into Wexford town for the duration. To meet the demand of customers, Irish Rail announced that there would be additional trains and services in place. However for anyone in the Enniscorthy area who had hoped to travel by rail these current road works have created a headache for them. Wexford County Council announced late last week that two roads in Enniscorthy town would be closed Monday to Friday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. from Monday, July 29 to Friday, August 8. This is to facilitate essential road servicing works with diversions diversions put in place and alternative routes signposted. A stop/go system will be in place at all other times. Confused as to why they would do this during a pivotal event for the county that will see media coverage from the national broadcasting companies of RTE and TG4, one user took to social media to express his frustration. "Any idea if this is a joke. Roadworks in Enniscorthy at railway station on week of Fleadh Cheoil after extra trains announced from Enniscorthy to Wexford for Fleadh? Absolutely farcical he said. Another user wrote: Fantastic, right on top of the Fleadh in Wexford. Enniscorthy prepare to be gridlocked. Cllr Jackser Owens said that the timing makes little to no sense, given the importance of such a monumental and highly-anticipated event. "This should not be happening. It would be a different situation if they did the works during the night, but this should really be left until after the Fleadh- its only one week he said. A spokesperson from Wexford County Council said there should be limited disruptions to accessing the railway station. "Access from Shannon Quay not affected, access via the Shannon not affected. Access via Templeshannon will be via local diversion route, up to Drumgold and down Shannon to station ( approx. 2.5km route compared to 2.4km normal route) they stated. "The car park at train station caters for approximately 30 cars which is not high volume of traffic and will remain open they added. Other online users had more positive reactions to the news, as one person wrote: great news that road is scandalous for years and the big heavy machinery wasnt helping. Johnny Depp has paid tribute to Pirates of the Caribbean co-star Tamayo Perry who was killed in a shark attack. Hawaiian actor Perry, who appeared as a buccaneer in the franchises fourth film On Stranger Tides in 2011, died in June while surfing at Malaekahana Beach on the island of Oahu. Captain Jack Sparrow star Depp shared a black-and white-photograph of Perry with a surfboard, on his instagram Stories, writing on Sunday (28 July): Even though it was some years ago now, I remember Tamayo well. A lovely man, with a huge heart and zest for life Emilia, I send you all my love and strength. You are in my thoughts. With love, Johnny. He also sent love to Perrys family, sharing a link to a GoFundMe page thats been set up to raise funds for his wife Emilia as she navigates the future without Tamayo; her husband, best friend and provider. The total raised has been $112,643 (87,622), with a target set at $200,000 (155,575). It is unclear if Depp donated, but there were anonymous amounts given to the fundraiser of more than $2,000 (1,555). The death of legendary waterman Perry, who also appeared in The Bridge, Blue Crush and Hawaii Five-0, was called a tragic loss by local Mayor Rick Blangiardi. Depp has not appeared in the films as Sparrow since 2017s Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, which was reportedly to be followed by a sixth film. During his 2022 defamation trial, against former wife and The Rum Diary co-star Amber Heard, he claimed he would not return to the franchise. He also told the court: They didnt remove my character from the rides. They didnt stop selling merchandise of Captain Jack Sparrow. They didnt stop selling dolls of Captain Jack Sparrow. They didnt stop selling anything. They just didnt want there to be something trailing behind me that theyd find. The producer of the Pirates of Caribbean films, Jerry Bruckheimer, has expressed interest in Depp returning. Depp successfully sued his former partner over a 2018 article she wrote for The Washington Post about her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse, which his lawyers said falsely accused him of being an abuser. He has since returned to feature films in French historical drama Jeanne Du Barry, in which he played King Louis XV. Additional reporting by Agencies Clashes break out at mosque while suspect (17) questioned as three girls killed at Taylor Swift-themed dance class named Unruly mob of far-right protesters set fire to police van in Merseyside as seven other victims remain in critical condition From left, six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, the three children killed in during a Taylor Swift-themed event at a dance school on Monday. Photos: Merseyside Police/PA Wire Jill Lawless and Brian Melley Wed 31 Jul 2024 at 03:30 Police clashed with an unruly crowd of far-right protesters outside a mosque last night in northwest England near where three girls were stabbed to death in a dance class as demonstrators, some in masks, hurled bottles and stones at officers, Merseyside police said. Ana Carolina Vieira considering legal action over decision A Brazilian swimmer who was sent home from Paris 2024 for sneaking out of the athlete village with her boyfriend is considering legal action against her countrys national federation. International criticism of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro mounted yesterday, a day after electoral authorities declared him the winner in a presidential election that the opposition claims to have won by a landslide. The Organisation of American States chastised Mr Maduro for his governments sustained repression of the opposition. It also lambasted the National Electoral Council, which is loyal to the ruling party, for its delay in showing precinct-level results to prove the president secured the most votes in Sundays election. 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 Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of notorious drug kingpin El Chapo, pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges Tuesday, days after an astonishing capture in the U.S. Guzman Lopez, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, stood with feet shackled as federal prosecutors in Chicago detailed a five-count indictment that also includes money laundering, conspiracy and weapons charges. He declined a Spanish interpreter and answered most of U.S. District Judge Sharon Coleman's questions designed to assess his health and determine whether he understood the proceedings with a simple, Yes, your honor. North America Hurricane Milton could be one of the worst storms in 100 years to hit Florida, Joe Biden warns as evacuations begin Bengaluru: Byju's founder, Byju Raveendran, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have settled their dispute over outstanding payments, media reports said. The founder's lawyer informed the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) that a portion of the settlement amount was paid on Tuesday, according to an Economic Times report. The payment will be made by Byju's board member and Raveendran's brother, Riju Raveendran, according to Arun Kathpalia, the founder's representative, the report said. According to the Economic Times report, Riju Raveendran will pay Rs 158 crore to BCCI to settle the dues. However, Glas Trust Company LLC, representing a group of US lenders to Byju's, opposed the settlement, claiming the funds belong to them. The lenders had previously provided a $1.2 billion loan to Byju's US subsidiary, Alpha Inc, under a guarantee agreement. The tribunal has requested the founder's counsel to submit an underwriting that specifies the source of the funds being paid to the BCCI, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday. Raveendrans counsel stated on Tuesday that the settlement amount would be paid in three installments over the next ten days, said the ET report. The NCLAT is currently reviewing an appeal against the insolvency proceedings initiated by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) against Think and Learn, the parent company of Byjus, on July 16. The NCLT order protects Byju's assets from creditors and prohibits the transfer or sale of these assets. Byjus had signed a jersey sponsorship agreement with the BCCI in March 2019 for three years, which was later extended by a year. The company made payments until September 2022, with the dispute covering the period from October 2022 to March 2023. The BCCI filed an insolvency petition against the edtech firm in September of the previous year. Mumbai: The Tata Group 's attempt to acquire a majority stake in Vivo's India business has faced challenges due to objections from Apple, according to a Times of India report. Vivo, which reported a revenue of Rs 30,000 crore for the fiscal year 2023, planned to sell a 51% stake in its Indian subsidiary to the Tata Group. This decision was part of Vivos strategy to align its operations more closely with Indian market expectations amid government pressures. However, Apple, a partner of Tata whose devices are being manufactured by the Tata Group in Bangalore, opposed the deal. The Times of India report cited a source, who said for Apple, Tatas deal with Vivo would have meant a partnership with a competitor as Tata is its key manufacturing ally. We are denying this development, a spokesperson of the Tata Group said, as quoted by the report. Chinese companies, including Vivo, have been increasingly partnering with local Indian firms by selling controlling stakes to navigate regulatory scrutiny. This strategy helps these companies secure funding, which has become more difficult due to heightened scrutiny of investments from countries sharing a land border with India. Further, partnering with reputable local firms helps enhance their credibility in the 'Make in India' initiative, offering protection from regulatory actions and easing visa processes. Similar deals have recently occurred, such as China's SAIC Group selling a majority stake in MG Motor to Sajjan Jindals JSW Group, and Sunil Vachani-led Dixon Electronics acquiring a 56% stake in Ismartu India, a subsidiary of Chinese Transsion Technology. Meanwhile, the Tata Group has been strengthening its presence in the electronics sector. Its acquisition of factories from Taiwanese Wistron, a manufacturing partner of Apple, marked a significant step, allowing Tata to enter Apples key supplier network and produce iPhones for both the Indian and global markets. This partnership has enhanced Tata's scale and credibility within the global electronics manufacturing ecosystem, alongside major players like Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron. It is worth noting that Vivo is currently facing regulatory scrutiny in India. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating the company for alleged violations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), accusing Vivo of defrauding the Indian government, which led to the registration of a money laundering case on February 3, 2022. Photo courtesy: File image/UNI Hanoi: Gautam Adani-led Adani Group is exploring investments in two airports in Vietnam, Reuters reported, citing a statement by the Vietnamese government on Wednesday. This announcement follows the group's recent approval to construct a seaport in the country. The government issued the statement after a meeting in Delhi between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Gautam Adani during Chinh's official visit to India. "Adani is looking to enhance cooperation with Vietnamese partners in the aviation and logistics sectors through the development of Long Thanh airport and Chu Lai airport," the statement said, referring to significant airports in Vietnam's southern and central regions. The statement did not specify the investment amount or timeline. Last year, Karan Adani, the elder son of Gautam Adani, outlined plans to invest up to $3 billion in seaport and renewable energy projects in Vietnam, with potential investments reaching $10 billion in the long term. In related news, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) recently announced that it had received a proposal from Adani Group to upgrade Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) under a public-private partnership. The proposal was submitted by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL). Photo Courtesy: WIkimedia Commons Biological E. Limited (BE), a Hyderabad-based vaccine and pharmaceutical company on Tuesday announced that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has granted Pre-qualification (PQ) status to their Novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). nOPV2 is the 10th pre-qualified vaccine of BE. This next-generation live, attenuated oral vaccine significantly reduces the risk of circulating vaccine-derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks and it is aimed at immunisation in countries that are affected by cVDPV2 outbreaks, which is a crucial moment in the fight against polio. The persistent threat of circulating vaccine-derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks can be tackled with the use of nOPV2 as the vaccine of choice. With its improved genetic stability, nOPV2 has a significantly decreased chance of seeding new outbreaks in low-immunity environments as against its predecessor, the Sabin poliovirus type 2 (mOPV2) vaccine. Extensive clinical trials have rigorously evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of nOPV2, leading to promising results published in The Lancet (2019-2024). Furthermore, the vaccine's real-world deployment in outbreak regions has shown that it can significantly decrease the incidence of cVDPV2 outbreaks, safeguarding communities from the ravages of polio. BE has become an important player in the production of the nOPV2 vaccine, having been selected for a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to assist in meeting the growing global demand. In collaboration with PT Bio Farma (PTB) in Indonesia, the first manufacturer of the nOPV2 vaccine to receive WHO Pre-Qualification in January 2024, BE said it has successfully received technology from PTB and qualified large-scale manufacturing facilities that produce more than 500 million doses of nOPV2 vaccine annually. BE has been approved by the Indian regulatory authorities to manufacture the vaccine for export purposes. Mahima Datla, Managing Director, Biological E. Limited, said, "We are pleased to be a part of the global effort to eradicate polio. Our collective quest to eradicate polio marks a significant milestone with the WHO pre-qualification of nOPV2. This vaccine has been specifically designed to address concerns about Vaccine-Associated Paralytic Polio (VAPP), which has occurred in approximately 2 to 4 cases per million births with the traditional OPV due to the vaccine virus reverting to a virulent form." Photo courtesy: PIB New Delhi/IBNS: In what would be a reason for the Centre's discomfort, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has questioned Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman 's levying of tax on life insurance premium in the Budget 2024. Gadkari, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, has requested Sitharaman to withdraw the GST imposed on premiums for life and medical insurance plans. The Road Transport and Highways Minister said he wrote a letter to the Union Finance Minister after receiving a memorandum from the Nagpur Divisional Life Insurance Corporation Employees Union. Gadkari wrote in the letter as quoted by NDTV, "Main issue raised by the Union is related to withdrawal of GST on Life and Medical Insurance Premium. "Both life insurance and medical insurance premiums attract a GST rate of 18 per cent. Levying GST on life insurance premium amounts to levying tax on the uncertainties of life." "The Union feels that the person who covers the risk of life's uncertainties to give some protection to the family should not be levied tax on the premium to purchase cover against this risk. "Similarly, the 18% GST on medical insurance premium is proving to be a deterrent for the growth of this segment of business, which is socially necessary. Therefore, they have urged withdrawal of GST as mentioned above," he added. "In view of the above, you are requested to consider the suggestion of Withdrawal of GST on Life and Medical Insurance Premium on priority as it becomes cumbersome for the senior citizens as per rules with due verification along with other relevant points raised," the minister wrote to Sitharaman. Gadkari's letter comes after several opposition parties have slammed the Union Budget 2024 calling it "biased" towards Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, which are ruled by the crucial allies of the BJP. While Andhra Pradesh is ruled by Telugu Desam Party, Bihar is run by Janata Dal (United). The two parties have 16 and 12 MPs respectively in the central government. Delivering the Union Budget 2024, Sitharaman announced Special Financial Support for Andhra Pradesh, where Rs 15,000 crore have been directed with additional amounts in coming years. For Bihar, Sitharaman announced support for the development of an industrial node in Gaya on the Amritsar-Kolkata industrial corridor. The government will, as the Finance Minister said, support the several road connectivity projects, Patna Purnea Expressway; Buxar Bhagalpur Expressway; Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Vaishali and Darbhanga spars. An additional tooling bridge over River Ganga at Buxar at a total cost of 26,000 crore was announced. Representative image/ courtesy: Pixabay New Delhi/IBNS: An argument over a bike touching his scooty enraged a man so much that he shot at a family, killing a 30-year-old woman in Delhi on Wednesday. The man fired a round from atop a flyover, not caring that it could have hit two children on the bike, one of whom was just four years old. According to reports, Heera Singh was headed to Maujpur in northeast Delhi with his wife, Simranjeet Kaur, 30, and their two young sons, who are four and 12 years old, on a motorcycle when his bike almost brushed against a scooty near the Gokalpuri flyover. Singh and the man on the scooty engaged in an argument soon after the near collision. While Singh took the road beside the flyover, the other two-wheeler went on it but the spat continued, with both parties hurling abuses at each other. Singh told the police that the man on the scooty fired at them from the flyover - a distance of about 35 feet - which hit his wife in the suprasternal notch, or the portion where the neck meets the chest. He took his wife to the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, where she was declared dead. "A case of murder is being registered and CCTV footage in the area is being scanned so we can identify and arrest the accused. Further investigation is on," said a police official. Representative image of Kashmir's Dal Lake/ courtesy: Pixabay Srinagar/IBNS: The Election Commission of India has indicated that Assembly elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir before September 30, a deadline set by the Supreme Court, media reports said. The commission is likely to visit the Union Territory in the next 10 days. The poll body has asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to transfer officials posted in their home districts as well as those connected with the election process who will be completing a three-year tenure on or before September 30. The chief secretaries of Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand, where elections are due later this year, have also received similar directions. Jammu and Kashmir has voted to form an elected government for over six years and the last Assembly elections were held in December 2014. Next week, Jammu and Kashmir will also complete five years as a Union Territory. On August 5, 2019, the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two Union Territories and its special status under Article 370 was removed. Since then, Jammu and Kashmir has been administered by the lieutenant governor. The Centre has also recently amended the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, giving sweeping powers to the lieutenant governor in the Union Territory. The amendments are in line with the Delhi Union Territory model, where the elected government has little authority over bureaucracy, and many powers are vested in the Lieutenant Governor. Photo Courtesy: File image from Wikimedia Commons/bfi_watch_ca350 Mumbai/IBNS: Indian low-cost airline Akasa Air plans to add destinations across Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent to tap the thriving demand for overseas air travel in the worlds most-populous nation, reports Bloomberg. Praveen Iyer, the chief commercial officer (CCO) of Akasa Air's parent SNV Aviation Pvt Ltd, said in an interview that the Mumbai-headquartered budget carrier is gearing up to start flights to Nepal's capital Kathmandu and Bangladeshs capital Dhaka, while other travel hotspots such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia are also on the airlines radar. Indians in general love traveling. That prompts us to look at the next set of expansion, Iyer said, adding that outbound traffic from India starting October is very strong with Southeast Asian destinations emerging as big contributors. The rapid ramp up by the fledgling airline which started operations two years ago and has added five overseas routes this year underscores the demand for air travel, as Indians get wealthier and countries ease visa restrictions for its citizens, according to Bloomberg. Akasa Air is also preparing for intensifying competition as its local rivals bulk up. Tata Group owned Air India and Vistara are merging while India's largest airline by passengers carried and fleet size, IndiGo, plans to fly long-haul international routes. Meanwhile, at least a half-dozen overseas carriers, including Etihad Airways and Malaysia Airlines, have added or introduced flights to several Indian cities. In January, Akasa Air, which has a fleet of 24 jets flying 49 routes, ordered 150 Boeing 737 Max jets, pushing its total order book to 226 jets, due to be delivered over the next eight years. The airline aims to expand its short-haul international network using its narrowbody fleet that is capable of flying routes of up to six hours, and it began overseas operations in March with services to Doha from Mumbai and has added more Gulf destinations including Abu Dhabi and Jeddah, as reported by Bloomberg. Ismail Haniyeh killed in Iran. Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/4.0 International/ Council.gov.ru Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in Iran's capital city Tehran, local media reports said. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Wednesday morning that Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed when their residence was hit in Tehran, reported Press TV. IRGC said the attack is currently under investigation. The Palestinian resistance leader was in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian, Press TV reported. The Israeli military has refused to comment on the death of the Hamas leader so far. The Israeli military told CNN they 'dont respond to reports in the foreign media'. Who is Ismail Haniyeh? Ismail Haniyeh was a Palestinian politician who was widely considered to be the chief political leader of Hamas, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. He was the chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau. Photo Caption: UNOCHA/Themba Linden A new UN report published Wednesday into alleged abuses carried out against thousands of Palestinians detained by the Israeli authorities since war erupted in Gaza last October has documented a range of serious violations that may amount to torture. The staggering number of men, women, children, doctors, journalists and human rights defenders detained since 7 October, most of them without charge or trial and held in deplorable conditions, along with reports of ill-treatment and torture and violation of due process guarantees, raises serious concerns regarding the arbitrariness and the fundamentally punitive nature of such arrests and detention, said UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk, whose Office released the report. Waterboarding claim The testimonies gathered by my Office and other entities indicate a range of appalling acts, such as waterboarding and the release of dogs on detainees, amongst other acts, in flagrant violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, he said. The report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) details the treatment of medical staff, patients and residents fleeing the conflict, as well as captured fighters taken from the enclave, the occupied West Bank and Israel, since Hamas-led terror attacks on southern Israel sparked the war. At least 53 Palestinian detainees have died in Israeli military facilities and prisons since 7 October. They do not know if those detained are alive or dead, said the reports authors, recounting the experience of family members whose mainly male relatives have been taken away usually shackled and blindfolded by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from various parts of Gaza. They have not heard anything about their fate or wellbeing since then. Unlikely targets Of those arrested in Gaza including staff from the UN agency providing assistance to Palestine refugees, UNRWA - many were taken into custody while sheltering in schools, hospitals and residential buildings, or at checkpoints during the forced displacement of large numbers of Palestinians from north to south Gaza, the report notes. In most cases, men and adolescent boys were detained, although women, including a woman over 80 years of age and with Alzheimers disease and girls without any apparent link to armed groups, have also been detained. The OHCHR dossier was compiled by means of interviews with released Palestinian detainees as well as monitoring and analysis conducted by the OHCHR office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In harms way It contains testimonies of men held in Gaza by the IDF, including UNRWA staff members who claim that they were forced by IDF soldiers to enter tunnels and buildings in Gaza ahead of soldiers. Other testimonies point to Palestinians being detained en masse for screening by the Israeli military, or for remaining in areas covered by IDF evacuation orders. Many of the released detainees, who all claim and appear to be civilians, said they were interrogated without legal representation, about locations of tunnels and/or hostages, OHCHR said. The development follows Mondays announcement by the Israeli authorities that they were investigating a number of soldiers for allegedly abusing a Palestinian prisoner earlier this month at the Sde Teiman detention centre in the Negev desert. Whistleblower insight According to information from Israeli medical personnel and whistleblowers cited in the report, injured detainees from Gaza were held at a field hospital established in the Sde Teiman compound, where they were blindfolded at all times, their arms and legs shackled to their beds, and they were fed through a straw. At another prison in the Negev desert, one former prisoner alleged that he had been frequently beaten in front of his son who was also detained. Ill-treatment was widespread, particularly in military-run detention facilities, the OHCHR report maintained. Stripped naked In addition to those taken from Gaza, thousands more have been detained in the West Bank and Israel and generally in secret, the reports authors note. Detainees said they were held in cage-like facilities, stripped naked for prolonged periods, wearing only diapers. Their testimonies told of prolonged blindfolding, deprivation of food, sleep and water, and being subjected to electric shocks and being burnt with cigarettesSome women and men also spoke of sexual and gender-based violence. According to the report, Israel has also not provided information regarding the fate or whereabouts of many of those detained, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been denied access to facilities where they are held. International humanitarian law protects all those being held, requiring their humane treatment and protection against all acts of violence or threats thereof, said UN human rights chief Volker Turk, who insisted that all Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel must be released. Rights chiefs call He added that international law strictly prohibits torture or other ill-treatment, including rape and other forms of sexual violence, while secret, prolonged incommunicado detention may also amount to a form of torture. The High Commissioner for Human Rights also reiterated his call for the immediate release of all hostages still held in Gaza who are believed to number 116, of whom 42 are believed to have died, according to the Israeli authorities, as of 25 June. The OHCHR report follows last months probe into the Israeli militarys bombing campaign of the enclave in which hundreds of people died after strikes on civilian targets including a school, refugee camp and market. The latest reports findings are based on monitoring and interviews conducted by the OHCHR office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The contributors in addition to Palestinian released detainees have included witnesses of violations, as well as information from human rights organizations and other civil society organizations, governmental entities - both Palestinian and Israeli - and other UN agencies, as well as information available through media and social media. Both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities received the report, OHCHR said. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay Suspected terrorists attacked a UN vehicle in Tank district of Pakistan on Tuesday. No one was injured in the incident. Around seven militants opened fire on the unmarked, armoured vehicle, reported Dawn News. Two staff members belonging to the United Nations Office For Project Service were present in the vehicle when it was attacked. "They had no armed escort and no UN logo on the vehicle a police official told Dawn News. Pakistan is witnessing a spike in terror attacks in recent times. Rakshana, the Telugu-Indian language movie, is soon to be available on Aha. The movie, which is said to be inspired by true events, stars actress Payal Rajput in one of the lead roles. It was released in theatres on June 7 this year and is now ready for its OTT debut on Aha starting August 1. The movie also stars actors like Vinod Bala and Sivannarayana Naripeddi. When and where can you watch Rakshana on OTT: Payal's movie will premiere on August 1, amid little disappointment from the audiences who watched the movie in theatres. Here's the trailer of the movie Rakshana: While announcing the date of its OTT debut, OTT platform Aha, taking to X (former Twitter), wrote, "Lady Singam is ready to roar! Payal's 'Rakshana' is coming on aha!!" Here, the character of Priya "Kiran" is being called Lady Singham. Who is the writer and director of Rakshana? Rakshana is written and directed by Prandeep Thakore, along with Thayanidhy Sivakumar. Also Read: Upcoming Telugu releases on Amazon Prime Video, Aha, Netflix and other OTT platforms What is Rakshana all about? The story of Rakshana revolves around an IPS named Kiran. Kiran is shown in the movie running after the murders of her friend Priya. Society and the police think that it was a suicide, but Kiran tries to convince them that it was a murder. The movie is all about Kiran's struggle to seek justice for her friend. All about Payal Rajput: Actor Payal Rajput made her film career's debut with the movie RX100. The movie's success gave Payal more movies, but she also had a few flops. Also Read: Inside The Mind Of A Dog OTT release date Netflix: When to watch documentary feature film Now in Rakshana, the actor is playing "Lady Singham." How did Rakshana perform at the box office? Rakshana did not perform very well during its theatrical run. Now that Aha is launching the movie for its OTT run, let's see how much it will be able to impress audiences. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. The Thai horror series Terror Tuesday: Extreme is all set for its OTT debut on Netflix in August. The show is claimed to be based on true horror events once shared on a popular Thai radio show. The Thai series has eight scary stories based on true events and will stream on August 20, 2024. Terror Tuesday Extreme OTT release date Netflix: When to watch this Thai horror series Terror Tuesday: Extreme is directed by eight directors, one for each of the eight episodes. The official trailer description shared by Netflix says, "Based on the haunting true stories told on a famous radio show, the new horror series Terror Tuesday: Extreme will bring eight stories to the screen, directed by eight directors in eight episodes of extreme terror with an incredible cast that will give you a series of unexpected fears." According to media reports, this Thai horror series is part of OTT platform Netflixs investment in Thailand. This campaign includes other Netflix shows like Doctor Climax and The Believers. All about the trailer: The trailer recently shared by Netflix showed a scene from a radio show and how members are being called to share their horror experiences. From which radio show is the Terror Tuesday: Extreme series derived? Terror Tuesday: Extreme is inspired by different horror stories once shared on the Thai radio show Titles Angkhan Khlumpong. The meaning of Angkhan Khlumpong is Terror Tuesday. Also Read: Are You Sure?! OTT release date Disney Plus Hotstar: When to watch BTS members Jungkook and Jimin's travel show Cast of Terror Tuesday: Extreme The list of Terror Tuesday: Extreme cast members is long. Some of the main leads in the show include Nat Kitcharit, Parada Titawasira, and Cherprang Areekul, among many others. As each episode of the Thai horror show has one director, some of the famous names on the list are: Prin Keeratiratanalak, Prueksa Amaruji, Surapong Ploensang, and Chookiat Sakveerakul, among others. Stay tuned for more updates on the release of Terror Tuesday: Extreme. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. South superstar Chiranjeevi, who recently attended the Olympics 2024 opening ceremony in Paris, has found himself embroiled in a major controversy. Upon his return to India, a video surfaced online showing him pushing an IndiGo employee aside. The airport staff member was trying to take a selfie with him. The incident has left the internet divided. Chiranjeevi pushes IndiGo employee taking a selfie with him Just because #Chiranjeevi is a decent man, even after having hectic flight journey, he simply pushed the person for constantly bothering him for a selfie. But if there was another star at that place, he would have shot him with his gun or wouldve thrown his phone. pic.twitter.com/i9iBaFZFXJ At Theatres (@AtTheatres) July 30, 2024 As seen in the video, Chiranjeevi and his wife Surekha are accompanied by ground personnel. As they step out of the airport life, a staff member working for IndiGo Airlines approaches him and without taking his permission, he attempts to click a selfie with the superstar. The actor nudges him out of his way and leaves. While some people think that it was quite rude of the actor to do that to a fan who was just taking a photo with him, others feel it was invasion of privacy. "Chiranjeevi Rude Behaviour with Fans Airport. You may be a big hero but how can the common people forget that you are at this level just by watching your films," an X (formerly called Twitter) user wrote as he shared the video. Another one defended the actor and said, "I stand with #Chiranjeevi..." Another user wrote, "Just because #Chiranjeevi is a decent man, even after having hectic flight journey, he simply pushed the person for constantly bothering him for a selfie. But if there was another star at that place, he would have shot him with his gun or wouldve thrown his phone." PV Sindhu shares photos with Chiranjeevi from Paris Olympics Also Read: Nagarjuna Akkineni apologises for bodyguard's actions towards fan, responds to backlash PV Sindhu shared photos with Chiranjeevi from Paris Olympics 2024 and called it the 'loveliest surprise' to have Chiru uncle there. In a heartwarming post, she wrote, "The loveliest surprise at the Olympics was having Chiru uncle and the whole family, including the sweetest Kaara, for my first match in Paris. Calling him charming, she added, There are very, very few people in this world who possess the class, grace, and charm quite like Chiru Uncle. Theres a reason hes possibly the most respected actor in cinematheres just no one quite like him." She also shared photos with Ram Charan and Upasana. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Shah Rukh Khan, the King of Bollywood, is not just famous for his films but also for his impressive net worth of 6,300 crore. His sprawling property portfolio includes luxurious homes in New York, Dubai, Mumbai, London, Los Angeles, Alibaug, and Delhi. Following in their fathers footsteps, Shah Rukhs children, Suhana Khan and Aryan Khan, are also making their mark in real estate. Pinterest Aryan Khans Big Real Estate Move Aryan Khan has recently made headlines with his latest property investment. According to Times of India, he bought two floors in a high-end building in Delhi's Panchsheel Park for a staggering 37 crore. This upscale residence has been styled by none other than Gauri Khan, Shah Rukhs wife. Interestingly, the Khan family has a history with this building; Sha Rukh Khan and Gauri lived in the basement and ground floor in their early days in South Delhi. Aryans purchase was finalised in May 2024, and he paid a stamp duty of 2.64 crore for the deal. In addition to his new purchase, Shah Rukh Khans own real estate assets include a grand 27,000-square-foot bungalow in Panchsheel Park, which he bought in 2001 for over 13 crore. X Suhana Khans Luxurious Properties Before making her acting debut in Zoya Akhtars The Archies, Suhana Khan dived into real estate. In June 2023, she bought a 1.5-acre farm in Alibaugs Thal village for 12.91 crore, where her father also owns a property. Just a few months later, in February 2024, Suhana expanded her holdings by acquiring another piece of agricultural land in the same village. This new plot spans 78,361 square feet and cost her 9.50 crore. She paid 57 lakh as stamp duty and an additional 30,000 in registration fees. Instagram/Suhana Khan Whats Next for the Khan Kids? On the professional front, Aryan Khan is prepping for his directorial debut with the film Stardom and has launched his own streetwear brand, Dyavol X. Suhana Khan is gearing up for her acting career, with her debut film King set to feature her alongside her famous father. The film is currently in pre-production, aiming to start filming by late 2024 and hit screens in 2025. Both Aryan and Suhana are making impressive strides in their careers and investments, proving theyre ready to carry on the Khan legacy with style and success. For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. Allan Lichtman, an election forecaster who is also known as 'Political Nostradamus' and Prediction Professor, has picked the name of the incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris as the favorite to win the US Presidential Elections. Lichtman, who has correctly predicted nearly every presidential race since 1984, uses a formula that he developed to assess the presidential candidates and predict the winner. American University How the winner is predicted Lichtman's "Keys to the White House" consists of 13 questions, and according to him, the candidate who wins more than six points will win the Presidential Elections. The 13 true or false questions are asked about the presidential candidates, and if "true," they are given a "key," and if "false," their competitor receives the point. Also read: Why Kamala Harris is Kamala and Donald Trump is Trump The Keys to the White House are: Party mandate Contest Incumbency Third party Short-term economy Long-term economy Policy change Social unrest Scandal Foreign/military failure Foreign/military success Incumbent charisma Challenger charisma How many keys do Harris and Trump have Currently, Harris sits with six keys: primary contest, short-term economy, long-term economy, policy change, no scandal, and no challenger charisma. Trump has three keys: winning the House majority in the 2022 midterms, the current incumbent not seeking re-election, and the current incumbent lacking charisma. Four keys still to be handed out However, Lichtman has not handed out four of the keys yet; these include the third-party factor, no social unrest, foreign military failure, and foreign military success. Also read: Psychic who predicted Trump's assassination with Nadi charts now reveals bold 2024 election forecasts American University Though Harris is the odds-on favorite as of now, Lichtman will make his final prediction only after handing out the four remaining keys, which could swing the election either way. AP Ever since she replaced Joe Biden as the Democratic Presidential Candidate, Harris has surged in opinion polls and has managed to close the gap with Trump, who at one point was leading by several points. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Pavel Durov, CEO and co-founder of Telegram, recently made a big revelation that has stunned many on the internet. Durov disclosed that he has fathered over 100 children across 12 countries through sperm donation. The tech entrepreneur also announced that he plans to open-source his DNA, allowing his biological children to find each other more easily. Fifteen years ago, a friend of mine approached me with a weird request. He said that he and his wife couldnt have kids due to a fertility issue and asked me to donate sperm at a clinic for them to have a baby. I laughed my ass off before realising he was dead serious, he wrote on Telegram. south-china-morning-post Mr Durov continued, "This sounded crazy enough to get me to sign up for sperm donation. Fast forward to 2024, my past donating activity has helped over a hundred couples in 12 countries to have kids. Moreover, many years after I stopped being a donor, at least one IVF clinic still has my frozen sperm available for anonymous use by families who want to have kids." Also Read: Telegram CEO and co-founder reveals he has over 100 children across 12 countries. Heres why! His big revelation has garnered many reactions including that of Tesla CEO Elon Musk entrepreneur.com/Pinterest The X account "Autism Capital," known for its humorous take on citizen journalism, shared the news about Durov that caught Elon Musks attention. The post playfully noted that Durov is competing to beat The man with 1000 kids! Elon Musk replied to this X post, saying, Rookie numbers lmao Genghis Khan. Who was Genghis Khan and what is the context behind Musks comment? the art museum Genghis Khan expanded his Mongol Empire from the Pacific Ocean to the Danube River during the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Despite his reputation as a ruthless warrior, he left behind a remarkable legacy of procreation. It's estimated that around 16 million men alive today are descendants of Genghis Khan. Though he died eight centuries ago, his legacy endures through the numerous children he fathered across his vast territories. Musk probably drew parallels between these two as with Durovs tally of kids, he has also created a legacy of his own. About Pavel Durov cryptorank news Pavel Durov, the 39-year-old tech mogul based in Dubai, has had a remarkable career. Dubbed Russias Zuckerberg, he founded Vkontakte, Russias largest social network, at the age of 22. His refusal to compromise user data by complying with Russian authorities led to his exile. Seeking refuge, he obtained French citizenship and moved Telegram, his messaging app, to Dubai in 2017. The baritone voice that was once cast aside citing the reason that it might not have a mass appeal became legendary. So much so that it is a part of our daily life - be it UPI payments, radio ads or even COVID PSAs Amitabh Bachchan is an icon that is recognised globally. In a new feat, this has been solidified even further as Big B is now a place of interest on Google Maps. Confused? Well, for the unversed, a life-size statue of the Kalki actor was installed by Indian-American businessman Gopi Seth in the USA. It has now become a notable tourist attraction in Edison, New Jersey. This statue not only attracts visitors from around the globe but has also earned recognition on Google Maps as a notable point of interest. X Two years ago, Amitabh Bachchans statue was unveiled In August 2022, Gopi Seth, a devoted admirer of Amitabh Bachchan, unveiled a life-size statue of the actor outside his residence in Edison, about 35 kilometers south of Manhattan, New York. Driven by his admiration for Bachchan, Seth crafted this unique tribute, transforming his home into a notable landmark for Bollywood enthusiasts. Also Read: Inside Sundar Pichai's career: How Google fought Twitter tooth and nail to retain its CEO The location Edison, New Jersey was picked by the entrepreneur because it houses a vast Indian community pune pulse Edison, renowned for its vibrant Indian community, was the ideal setting for this tribute. The city's large Indian-American population, with its deep appreciation for Bollywood, has embraced Seths statue as a cherished addition to the area. Recognition on Google Maps Soon after its installation, the Amitabh Bachchan statue drew considerable attention. Google acknowledged it as a tourist attraction, boosting its visibility and appeal. According to Seth, this recognition has been crucial in attracting more visitors each day. Fans from around the world have visited Seths residence to view the statue, take photos, and share their experiences on social media. Our home has become one of the most popular tourist attractions, thanks to the Amitabh Bachchan statue. Recognized by Google Search, this site attracts a growing number of visitors each day, Seth told PTI. google The statue attracts a significant number of visitors each day. Seth revealed that fans from around the world visit to see the statue, with 20 to 25 cars of families arriving daily. Also Read: Did you know Indian-origin billionaire Ram Shriram played a vital role in Google's success story? Street girlfriend trend in China: In the bustling streets of China, a surprising trend has caught everyone's attention. Imagine young women sitting on the sidewalks with rate cards, not selling typical products, but offering moments of affection and companionship for money. Instead of the usual shops and stalls, these women are offering hugs, kisses, and even time spent drinking together. This unusual scene is making waves both online and offline, as it challenges our traditional ideas about relationships and what we value in human connection. This unusual business model is getting a lot of attention both online and offline. Paying for Affection: A New Way of Connecting Some people desire affection without any long-term commitment in a world where partnerships often need commitment. According to a South China Morning Post, a recent trend in China allows individuals to purchase tender moments directly from passersby. These transient stands appeal to people looking for emotional connection without making a major commitment by offering various romantic encounters for a fee. What Do the Rate Cards Offer? Credit: TOI Usually, we rent things like houses or cars. But in China, the idea of renting has extended to relationships. In cities like Shenzhen, girls can be seen with rate cards offering services like kissing, hugging, and even drinking together. The prices for these experiences vary: a hug costs around Rs 11, a kiss is priced at Rs 115, and an hour of drinking together is priced at Rs 461. The Social Media Reaction Credit: South China Morning Post According to the South China Morning Post, these stalls have become common, with many photos and videos spreading widely on China's social media platform, Weibo. While this idea is unconventional, it has gained popularity. Some girls use this form of paid companionship to earn money. Its important to note that these interactions are purely non-intimate. Heres a look at the prices: Hug: One yuan (Rs 11) One yuan (Rs 11) Kiss: 10 yuan (Rs 115) 10 yuan (Rs 115) Watching a Movie Together: 15 yuan (Rs 150) 15 yuan (Rs 150) Doing Household Chores Together: 20 yuan (Rs 231) 20 yuan (Rs 231) Drinking Together for an Hour: 40 yuan (Rs 463) per hour 40 yuan (Rs 463) per hour One-day lover: 600 yuan (Rs 6,954) for the warmest care, including meals together, hugs, and kisses, but no intimacy. This unusual trend has led to mixed reactions. Some people see it as an innovative way to offer companionship, while others criticize it as degrading to women. This new market highlights a complex mix of commerce and emotion, raising questions about modern relationships and the value we place on human connection. Rent a girlfriend in Japan In Japan, a trend similar to the one in China involves renting a girlfriend for around 6,000 yen (about Rs 3,300) per hour, with a minimum booking of two hours. First-time clients can choose their girlfriend without an extra fee, but additional dates incur a fee of 2,000 yen (around Rs 1,200). The rental service Shiho reveals that many clients use these services because they have never had a girlfriend or gone on a date before, seeking companionship without long-term commitments. To maintain professionalism, Shiho enforces strict rules: clients cannot contact the rented girlfriend outside the rental period and are discouraged from giving tips or expensive gifts. This ensures the relationship remains transactional and avoids emotional attachments. The growing popularity of such rental services in Japan is driven by busy schedules and challenges in forming real-world connections. This trend in China, where girls offer kisses, hugs, and dating experiences for money, challenges traditional views on relationships and personal interactions. As this unique market develops, it makes us think about how human connections are changing and how we value affection and companionship. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here In the small town of Beed, Maharashtra, a young boy named Dadasaheb Bhagat dreamed of a brighter future. With nothing but determination and a few dreams, he left his small village and headed to Pune, hoping to make a mark in the world. His journey began with humble beginnings, working as a room service boy at Infosys, earning just enough to get by. Little did anyone know that this modest start would be the foundation for an extraordinary career. Bhagats journey was full of challenges and opportunities. He balanced various jobs and focused on his education with great dedication. His love for design and technology led him to create new solutions that changed his life. Today, Dadasaheb Bhagat is a successful entrepreneur and an example of how hard work and vision can lead to great success. Dadasaheb Bhata's story, from working at Infosys to leading two successful companies, shows the power of perseverance and dreams. This article covers Dadasaheb Bhagats journey, career, education, personal life, and impressive net worth. Early Life and Education Born and raised small village in Beed, Maharashtra, Dadasaheb Bhagats early life was marked by modest beginnings. After completing high school, Bhagat relocated to Pune with dreams of building a better future. With an ITI diploma in hand, he started working as a room service boy. Despite these challenging circumstances, Bhagats resolve led him to seek better opportunities. Starting at Infosys Dadasaheb Bhagat comes from Beed, Maharashtra. In 2009, Dadasaheb passed his Class 12 exams without attending classes, just by taking the exams. After finishing high school, he moved from his village to Pune to begin his career. He worked as a room service boy, earning around Rs 9,000 a month after completing an ITI diploma. Before this, he was a daily wage-earner making some Rs 80 per day, reported in TOI. Instead of taking an industrial job, Bhagat joined an Infosys guest house, where he managed room service, tea, and water for guests. Also Read: Meet MP Ahammed: From selling spices to building Rs 51,000 crore empire While working at Infosys, Bhagat became interested in the software industry and realized its potential. Despite his fascination with the corporate world, he knew he needed a college degree to succeed. Encouraged to follow his passion for animation and design, he worked during the day and took animation classes in the evening. After completing the course, Bhagat got a job in Mumbai, but eventually moved to Hyderabad. In Hyderabad, while working for a design and graphics company, Bhagat started learning Python and C++. He saw that creating visual effects took a lot of time and thought it would be useful to create a library of reusable templates. He began selling these design templates online. Career Beginnings and Growth Credit: Instagram/Dadasaheb Bhagat After completing his animation course, Dadasaheb Bhagat landed his first real job in Mumbai. His career saw him working as a Roto Artist at Prime Focus World, contributing to Hollywood films like "Narnia" and "Star Wars." He further honed his skills at Reliance MediaWorks Ltd. and Magic N Colors Inc, working on various animation and visual effects projects. In 2015, Bhagat faced a setback when he was involved in a car accident. However, this period of rest allowed him to explore freelance design opportunities, creating unique animations that significantly boosted his earnings. This marked a pivotal moment in his career, leading to the establishment of his first company, Ninthmotion, which provided services to renowned clients like BBC Studios and 9XM. Building His Ventures Dadasaheb Bhagats entrepreneurial spirit led him to create DooGraphics, a website offering online graphic design tools similar to Canva. Despite initial challenges, including relocating to his village in Beed due to the COVID-19 lockdown, Bhagat successfully set up operations in a makeshift office. His dedication paid off, and within six months, DooGraphics had 10,000 active users from various regions, including Maharashtra, Delhi, Bangalore, and even international locations. According to reports, DooGraphics has 1 lakh global users, and it also has created jobs for over 1000 people. Currently, the company has a revenue of Rs 2 crore which has led to change the life of its founder Dadasaheb Bhagat. Personal Life and Achievements Dadasaheb Bhagats success has also brought personal fulfilment. He built a bungalow in his village, purchased cars like the Lancer, and Chevrolet Cruze and often posted pictures with Audi, and married Priyanka Khilare in 2018. Priyanka, a B.Sc graduate, plays a crucial role in managing his companies. The couple has a five-year-old daughter currently in the UKG class. Recognition and Investment Bhagats innovative approach and vision caught the attention of Shark Tank India. His pitch impressed the Sharks, leading to an investment offer from Aman Gupta. Initially, Aman offered Rs 1 crore for 10% equity without a royalty. After some negotiation, Bhagat agreed to a deal with Aman, securing the investment to further his business. Dadasaheb Bhagats journey from an office boy at Infosys to the CEO of two thriving companies exemplifies the power of perseverance and vision. His career path, educational background, and personal achievements highlight his remarkable rise and significant impact in the business world. With a net worth reflecting his success and continued growth, Bhagats story serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere. Also Read: Meet Richa Kar: How she built Rs 1600 Crore lingerie empire now owned by Mukesh Ambani For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here An unexploded World War II bomb found on the premises of the former airport of Elliniko will be detonated under controlled conditions at 08:00 on Friday (August 2), authorities said on Wednesday, warning nearby neighborhoods of the noise. The bomb is large (around 500 lbs, or 226 kg) and 500 meters away from the closest residences. Authorities will surround the bomb with high and protective earth embankments to absorb the blast wave. Specialists said the nearby areas will not be disturbed, beyond the noise, and traffic regulations will not be needed, as the bomb is located away from inhabited areas. As Glyfada Mayor Giorgos Papanikolaou asserted, "WWII may have ended nearly eight decades ago, but its signs are still here in Greece, even below ground. Another bomb was found in the area of development work at the former airport; we are in constant collaboration with all relevant agencies and the specialist Army unit in order that this diffusion process is carried out in an absolutely correct way. There is no reason whatsoever to worry." Several bombs have been found during work for The Ellinikon project at the former airport. iefimerida.gr George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Wednesday, weighed in on the planned hardship protest billed for August 1-10, 2024. According to him, the demonstrations may be hijacked by bandits and insurgents. Advertisement He said rather than protest, Nigerians should engage the government through another means to ensure the current administration delivers on its promise. Briefing journalists and media executives at the Radio House in Abuja on Wednesday, he said: Government is weary of the dangers associated with protests that are vulnerable to being hijacked by bandits, insurgents and other criminals. Rather, we request that dialogue should be advanced and we remain open to such. Demonstration, he said, is not the solution to the challenges, which the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is working to solve. It is in the light of these aforementioned situations and accomplishments that we wish to inform you that Nigeria is a work in progress and due course, we shall breathe a sigh of relief. The ongoing economic hardships would abate very soon and we shall all enjoy endless prosperity. We, therefore, appeal to Nigerians of whatever persuasion, belief, demography, gender, and status to shun calls for protest against hunger by prioritising peace and progress. For the avoidance of doubts, the government of President Tinubu recognises the right to peaceful protest but circumspection and vigilance should be our watchwords. Our appeal is that Nigerians should please pursue the path of peace, dialogue, and collaboration in addressing the challenges that collectively confront us. Please go about your legitimate businesses and avoid actions and/or associations that are capable of disturbing the peace of th country. Remain vigilant as well. READ ALSO: August 1 Protest: No Amount Of Money, Power, Is Worth Sacrificing Peoples Freedom Mr. Macaroni Let me reassure you that together, we shall create a Nigeria where peace and stability are not merely aspirations but realities, where economic growth is not just a goal but a tangible outcome, and where the dreams of our people are transformed into a shared national destiny, Akume added. Economic prosperity for the nation remains the ultimate goal of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because it is the engine that drives progress, lifts families from poverty, and builds strong, resilient societies. To achieve this goal, we must enjoy peace and stability because it is the cornerstone upon which we build trust, cooperation, and shared purpose. When peace reigns, policies yield results, businesses thrive, investments flourish, and creativity is unleashed. This administration at inception in May 2023 inherited an economy in need of urgent, bold, and imaginative reforms. Policy measures including the removal of an unsustainable fuel subsidy regime had to be taken. This, it must be admitted has resulted in unexpected adjustments that impacted all facets of the economy and our daily lives. The administration similarly inherited a security situation that had existed for two decades and required greater attention in terms of upgrade of security architecture, infrastructure, systems, capability and capacity of personnel. This has compelled a massive infusion of scarce resources from our already dwindling revenue. The objectives have been to secure lives and property, build foreign investors confidence, and increase food production by returning our communities to their homes and farmlands in safe and secure environments. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sought the mandate of Nigerians to lead the nation at this difficult time because he knew that effective leadership was required to address the challenges that had accumulated over several years. That was why he sought to renew the hope of Nigerians. Within a space of 14 months of purposeful leadership, the administration has recorded tremendous accomplishments that laid the foundation for the immediate, medium, and long-term prosperity of Nigerians, in an inclusive manner, he added. The Lagos State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has announced its decision to withdraw support from the planned nationwide protest. The caucus, Labour Party Lagos Patriot, also known as Yoruba Obidient, which represents the majority of the opposition party members in the State, emphasized their stance against using Lagos as the battleground for the demonstration. In a press conference on Wednesday, Aboderin Aduragbemi, the coordinator of the Lagos Patriot LP, outlined the groups concerns about the potential for peaceful protests to be hijacked and turned violent. Advertisement We believe that it is within the right of the citizens to have a peaceful protest; however, we know from experience that the peaceful protest will be hijacked and made to become violent to portray the group/Labour Party in a bad light, the statement read. They encouraged their members across all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos, as well as other Lagosians, to refrain from participating in the protest. READ ALSO: Leaders Wont Listen Except Nigerians Protest Primate Ayodele Instead, they urged citizens to engage constructively with the government to ensure the delivery of quality democratic dividends. We dont believe one needs to politicize every situation in our nation and take advantage of the masses, especially when the government is doing their best to manage the current economic situation, the statement continued. The group stressed their commitment to objective criticism and opposition without engaging in tribalism or a bring them down mentality. Recognizing the current administrations plea for time to address issues, the Labour Party Lagos Patriots called for patience, stating, We think this opportunity should be given to them before the citizens can occupy the street in the name of #Endbadgovernanceprotest. Take It Back Movement, one of the groups organising the planned nationwide protests, has reacted to court ruling obtained by the Lagos State Government against the August 1 demonstration. The group described the judgment as an abuse of judicial privilege to stifle citizens freedom of association. Information Nigeria had reported that a Lagos State High Court, on Tuesday, restricted protesters participating in the nationwide protest to specific locations within the state. Advertisement Justice Emmanuel Ogundare, while ruling on an ex parte application by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, ordered that protests could only take place at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu. However, in a statement on Wednesday, the Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Lagos, Adekunle Taofeek, said the state government must bear the cost of moving protesters from several designated areas in the state to venues ordered by the court. We frown at this abuse of judicial privilege to stifle freedom of association. The movement, at an emergency meeting, wishes to inform you that since this was your administrations decision, you must bear responsibility for the movement of protesters from several destinations in Lagos to and from Peace Park in Ketu and Gani Fawehinmi Justice Park in Ojota in Lagos, he said READ ALSO: Tinubus Policies Caused Hardship Igboho Denies Opposing Planned Nationwide Protest According to him, some of the agreed designated convergence points for participating citizens are Alausa Secretariat, Lekki Toll Gates, Ikorodu Bus Park, Okota Link Bridge, LASU Campus gates, Iyana Ipaja Underbridge, and Agege Pen Cinema. You will soon be informed of other designated convergence points for protesters, he added. Taofeek stated that the buses must arrive at the designated areas by 6 am and return by 6 pm to convey the protesters back to their destinations. He said, The buses to be provided must be clean, safe and air-conditioned. The buses must arrive at these designated areas as early as 6 am and return protesters to their convergence points at 6 pm every night from August 1 to 10, 2024. The protest days may drag beyond 10 days, so the Lagos State Government is advised to make contingency plans for the dusting of these actions. Taofeek warned that failure to make the buses available, the protesters would march to the court and designated parks in the city daily. He said, Your failure to provide buses for the protesters means they (protesters) would begin march/walk to the court designated parks in the city on a daily basis for the duration of the #EndBadGovernance direct actions. Taofeek, therefore, told the Lagos State Government that there would be rallies and processions during the protest. Finally, be informed that there will be rallies and processions throughout the #EndbadGovernance actions, so your bus operators are advised to find and park a safe distance from the areas designated by protesters for these activities, Taofeek added. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has arrested 115 suspected human traffickers and rescued 75 victims in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers states. Mr Emmanuel Awhen, NAPTIPs Zonal Commander, revealed this during an interview with NAN in Uyo on Tuesday. The zone is made up of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers states. Advertisement Between July 2023 and now, weve apprehended 115 human traffickers within the zone and rescued about 75 victims. Out of the 75 victims rescued, we have empowered 25 of them with skills in tailoring, hairdressing, barbing and shoemaking. Most of the victims rescued are kept in our shelter and weve counseled, empowered and reunited them with their families, the NAPTIP commander said. He noted that throughout the period, NAPTIP filed 15 cases in court and obtained three convictions, while 12 cases are ongoing. READ MORE: Luxury Cars, Cash Recovered As EFCC Arrests 11 Internet Fraud Suspects In Uyo The zonal commander urged judges to devote special attention to human trafficking cases as a deterrent to future traffickers. According to him, numerous human trafficking victims have been rescued in coastal areas. We appeal to members of the public that this fight on human trafficking should not be left in the hands of NAPTIP and the Federal Government alone. Denilson Igwe, a Nigerian skit maker, has spoken out about the difficulties he has faced since leaving Mark Angel Comedy. With over a billion views and nine million YouTube followers, Mark Angel Comedy is a popular channel that rose to prominence in 2013. It is led by Mark Angel and has hosted various comedy performers such as Emmanuella and Igwe. Advertisement In a recent episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast shared on YouTube Tuesday, the comedian revealed that he departed from the comedy group in 2019. The Port Harcourt-based skit maker claimed that his social media accounts were hacked the week he left the group. Igwe also alleged that since the purported breach, his Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube profiles have stagnated. When I left Mark Angel Comedy, that week they hacked my YouTube, Facebook and Instagram pages, he said. Since that time I was told to do something I do not understand but the pages do not go forward or backward. Since that 2019 till now, the social media pages have not added one or two. It is just there like that. READ MORE: Denilson Igwe Debunks Rumours That Emmanuella Purchased A House Igwe previously claimed to be the comedy channels originator. He claimed that he began shooting comedy with his bosss camera, but Mark Angel monetised it without his knowledge. Watch him speak below The Nigeria Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has said that the Niger Delta region wont join the nationwide rally against President Bola Ahmed Tinubus administration. The former governor of Akwa Ibom State, stated that the oil rich region is foused and determined to stand with the current administration, under the leadership of President Tinubu. Akpabio made this known on Tuesday, while addressing delegates of the Niger Delta Development Commission in Rivers State. Advertisement The Senate President noted that, even though he can feel the impacts of President Tinubus policies on Nigerians, he said that the challenges will last for a short period of time. READ MORE: Saboteur Threatening To Destabilise Petroleum Sector Akpabio He said: All of us feel the impact of what is happening now. But we are aware it will be for a short while. MD, I want to thank you for what you said. You said we are not interested in regime change; let us own this government. Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be there eating I must thank the Niger Delta. We acknowledge the fact that the impact of oil and gas activities in our region has done immeasurable damage to our people. We acknowledge the fact that the impact of oil and gas activities in our region has done immeasurable damage to our people. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the protest slated for August 1st, 2024 will kick off in all major cities in Nigeria, despite warnings made by security agencies. A Camden Loop vehicle leaves the Ferry Avenue PATCO station. A year after the service launched, it has completed over 46,000 rides. Read more Candice Knight typically takes the Camden Loop to work and back, but sometimes has used it up to four times a day, she says. As someone who doesnt drive, the rideshare service has been reliable, and she hopes it will continue. Its just really a good program and I enjoy using it all the time, because I utilize it so much, she said. Advertisement The microtransit service, which launched last year, allows customers to book a ride for $2 and travel primarily within the city limits service area. Weekly and monthly passes are also available. Knight, 43, who works in hospitality operations, used to take the bus to work but says the rideshare service is more reliable in terms of timing, and its convenient to be picked up near her home. As a regular commuter, she knows many of the drivers, whom she described as friendly, and even tries to help them with directions sometimes. Our residents have professed a very strong gratitude for the convenience thats been provided, and its just been a crucial role for our community, said Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen. Camden Community Partnership (CCP), a private nonprofit behind the program, was aware that transportation was an obstacle for Camden residents to connect with employment, education, and other services, said Joseph Myers, CCPs chief operating officer. The origin of kind of the idea of the Camden Loop was that understanding [that] transportation is a barrier, Myers said. It all starts with the community identifying that theres a need. In the past year since launching, the rideshare has completed over 46,000 rides, according to Via, the company that operates the program. Now, officials behind the program say theyre thinking through how they can make the program sustainable. Heading into now year two, were definitely looking to ways that we can expand some of the services, said Robert Corrales, CCP vice president. The program in Camden is run by Via, a company started in 2012 that uses technology to address transportation needs. Riders who book a ride are matched with a driver and other customers who might be heading in the same direction. The business has over 150 similar ride-share programs in the country, including in Jersey City; Birmingham, Ala.; and Arlington, Texas. The Camden Loop launched with $6.2 million secured in state funds last year, and there is enough funding to sustain the service at least through 2025, say program leaders. Theyre also looking to raise funds from private donors and sponsors, as well as hoping to work with other partners such as Cooper University Hospital, as demand for the program grows. In the world of nonprofits, like we are, were constantly looking for additional resources and thinking a year or two ahead in terms of how can this be sustainable, Myers said. The long-term goal is to look at the private sector and other philanthropic funders to help kind of take it to the next level. Via surveyed 36 of its most frequent riders in May and found that 44% of riders say they most often use the service to travel to a job. The largest share of riders, 28%, were between the ages of 35 and 44, but 11% of riders were between 65 and 74. The majority of riders, 69%, said they dont have access to a car in their household. According to other data gathered by Via, 21% of rides are to schools. Beyond filling a need, the program has also been providing quality service, says Corrales. Camden residents will be quick to tell you if youre providing something thats subpar, he said. Another positive is that the program employs local residents, Carstarphen said. The Camden Loop launched with 11 drivers last year and now has 22 nearly 90% of which are Camden residents, who are paid on average $20 to $22 per hour, according to Via. Carstarphen says hed like to see more vehicles in the future, which means more jobs. The eventual goal is that 100% of drivers will be Camden residents, said Corrales. According to Via, two more vehicles are expected to be added to the current fleet of six, of which two are wheelchair-accessible. When the program started a year ago, there were five vehicles. Corrales said theyre considering ways to broaden the program. One idea is to offer service to connect locals with seasonal employment during the winter holidays, which might be beyond the boundaries of the current service area, Corrales said. Riders have asked about weekend service, since the Camden Loop runs only weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Knight says she would use the service to go food shopping or use a laundromat if it was available on the weekends. I wish they could do weekends, she said. Thatd be so good. Xi urges efforts to realize 2024 economic goals Xinhua) 08:01, July 31, 2024 BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has called for striving to realize economic and social development goals in 2024. The CPC Central Committee held a symposium on July 26 with non-CPC personages to seek opinions and suggestions on the country's current economic situation and economic work for the second half of the year. Xi presided over the symposium and delivered an important speech. To do the economic work well for the second half of the year, the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability should continue to be followed, Xi said. China has set its annual GDP growth target for 2024 at around 5 percent. The country's GDP expanded 5 percent year on year in the first half of 2024. Efforts should be made to fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, accelerate the building of a new pattern of development, develop new quality productive forces in light of local conditions, and promote high-quality development, Xi said. He also stressed further deepening reforms, strengthening macro regulation, boosting the vitality of market entities, stabilizing market expectations, boosting the positive economic recovery momentum and improving people's livelihoods. Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium. Li briefed the symposium on the economic work in the first half of the year and considerations about the economic work for the second half. Leaders of eight non-CPC parties, the head of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and a representative of personages without party affiliation made remarks at the meeting, raising suggestions on such topics as deepening reform across the board, promoting high-level opening-up, strengthening the industrial and technological foundation for new quality productive forces, and lifting the confidence in the private economy. The Chinese economy continued its recovery trend through the first half of the year, making new strides in high-quality development, Xi said. He noted that the economy faces some difficulties and problems, yet these issues have arisen in the course of development and transformation, and can be overcome. He stressed the need to remain confident, maintain strategic resolve, and address problems and challenges proactively. Xi called on non-CPC parties and personages to adopt the correct perspective on the situation and the problems that are encountered during reform and development, and to work together to overcome various risks and challenges. He also urged research on major reform measures proposed at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, on major issues in social and economic development, and on preparations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which would provide reference for the CPC Central Committee's scientific decision-making. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Joshua and Sandra Greenberg were settled in for the evening when the call came from Philadelphia: Something terrible has happened to Ellie. Their only child, Ellen Greenberg, was dead. In an instant on that night in 2011, the Greenbergs world turned Weird. Strange. Black, Sandra said. Little did they know that it would only get more so. Ellen, a 27-year-old elementary schoolteacher, had been discovered seated on the kitchen floor inside her locked Manayunk apartment with a serrated knife plunged four inches into her chest. A strainer filled with blueberries and an orange, appearing freshly sliced, rested on the counter. Two clean knives were in the sink. And 20 stab wounds, with 10 alone to the back of Ellens neck, covered her body. Police on scene treated Ellens death as a suicide. But the next day, the Medical Examiners Office determined it was a homicide. Then, after detectives dug up more information, they dug in their feet and the MEs Office made a rare flip-flop, changing the manner of Ellens death to suicide. The Greenbergs found their emotions whipsawed as Philadelphia officials disagreed about what happened in that corner of the small and otherwise undisturbed kitchen. Josh, 68, a periodontist, and Sandra, 62, a dental hygienist, felt a world away at their home in Harrisburg. But as they gradually came to learn the extent of their daughters injuries and the peculiarities of the scene, they began asking: What the hell is going on here? And so they started a quest that no parent should ever have to undertake: to find out how their daughter died. To that end, theyve enlisted the help of respected forensic experts, including Pittsburgh forensic pathologist Cyril H. Wecht and Connecticut forensic scientist Henry Lee. It doesnt add up, Sandra said. We just want to know the truth. A trip to the gym, then tragedy On the day Ellen died Jan 26, 2011 a noreaster blanketed the city with snow. Juniata Park Academy, where Ellen taught first grade, was dismissed early, and she returned to the Venice Lofts apartment she shared with her fiance, Samuel Goldberg, then 28. Goldberg, a TV producer, and Ellen were together in their sixth-floor apartment until about 4:45 p.m. when he went to use the gym in the complex. He returned a half hour or so later to find himself locked out; the apartments swing bar lock was engaged from the inside, he told police. He banged on the door but got no response. So he tried to reach Ellen using his phone. Goldberg sent her increasingly frustrated texts over 22 minutes, according to the MEs investigation report: READ THE DOCUMENTS: Expert reports, autopsy records and more Hello open the door what r u doin im getting pissed hello you better have an excuse what the f*** ahhh u have no idea Goldberg went to the lobby and spoke with Phil Hanton, 67, the lone security guard that night. He pressed Hanton to help break the lock. It was against policy, the guard told him. He forced open the door himself, then called 911. It was 6:33 p.m. Goldberg was instructed to start CPR until he noticed a knife in her chest, then was instructed to stop. Ellen Greenberg was pronounced dead on scene at 6:40. Inside the apartment, police found no signs of an intruder or that Ellen tried to flee. Her body was in the kitchen, just inside the front door, with her head, neck, and shoulders propped up against corner cabinets and her legs splayed in front of her. In her left hand was a nearly pristine white towel. Looking at her hands and arms, police did not see any wounds that might be expected if shed tried to fight off an attack by someone wielding a knife. There was no blood spilled beyond the kitchen. The knife was tested later and showed only Ellens DNA. The Venice Lofts had surveillance cameras at the main entrance, but none in the hallway leading up to the apartment. Neighbors would tell police that aside from Goldberg banging on the door, there had been no sounds of a disturbance. The couples sixth-floor unit had a narrow balcony. The days snow there was undisturbed. Everything that happened pretty much happened right where she was, Homicide Sgt. Tim Cooney would later say. The rest of the apartment was pretty unremarkable. Cooney said Ellens death was treated as a suicide that night for several reasons. The apartment door had been locked until broken in by Goldberg. He had remained on scene and was cooperative. There were no signs of an intruder. And the lack of defensive wounds also factored heavily in polices determination. Investigators looked at Ellens laptop computers and found nothing indicative of suicide, the investigation report said. She didnt leave behind a note. An autopsy, now homicide The day after Ellens death, in a grim brick building in University City, Assistant Philadelphia Medical Examiner Marlon Osbourne began Ellens autopsy at the city morgue. He labeled her stab wounds with letters, beginning with A. He stopped at T. He noted eight wounds to her chest. They ranged from punctures just .2 centimeters deep to the 4-inch final plunge of the still-embedded knife. She had a 2-inch stab wound to her stomach and a 2.5-inch-long gash across her scalp. There were 10 wounds from nicks to two about 3 inches deep on the back of Ellens neck. And there were 11 bruises in various stages of resolution on Ellens right arm, abdomen, and right leg. At the end of the autopsy, Osbourne weighed all his observations and reached a manner of death: homicide. Josh and Sandra Greenberg were preparing for their daughters funeral when they learned of the ruling through friends whod seen it in news reports. At the packed service in the Beth El Temple in Harrisburg, Josh eulogized his daughter, then shared the news. You may have heard that Ellen killed herself, he told the mourners, but her death has just been ruled a homicide. The room was silent. A marked change With the MEs ruling, Ellens death became the concern of the Philadelphia Homicide Unit. Investigators reviewed Goldbergs key fob records and security videos to see if everything matched what Ellens fiance had told them. Police said it did. The videos also showed no signs of unauthorized access of entrances by anyone around the time of Ellens death, police said. On Jan. 29, 2011, a police spokesperson said that despite the homicide ruling, authorities were leaning toward suicide in Ellens case and looking into mental issues she might have had. A month or two before her death, Ellen had begun to display a marked change in demeanor. Her parents watched as their bubbly and outgoing daughter suddenly became unsettled and anxious. When they asked what was wrong, she would only say she was stressed about her job. I was trying to go full circle, everything I could think of to find out what she was so concerned about, her mother would later say. I just thought she felt overwhelmed. Debbie Schwab, one of Ellens best friends, was struck that Ellen went from being one of the happiest people I knew to filled with anxiety. She kept saying it was because of school. She was very vague about everything, Schwab said. If I asked her anything, there would be a long silence. She didnt want to talk about it. If I asked her anything there would be a long silence. She didnt want to talk about it. Debbie Schwab, one of Ellens best friends Amy Schwartz taught school with Ellen at Juniata Park. While Ellen had some tough kids in her class, Schwartz said, she seemed no more stressed than other teachers. Around this time, Ellen asked her parents if she could move back home to Harrisburg. They thought it odd, given her impending marriage in August, but their daughter assured them it had nothing to do with Goldberg, her fiance. At no time did she complain about anybody or anything except that she wanted to come home, Josh Greenberg would later say. Concerned, they urged her to see a psychiatrist, Ellen Berman of Merion. Ellen had three appointments with Berman. Ellen felt overwhelmed at work, but there was never any feeling of suicidal thoughts and she had nothing but good things to say about her fiance, the psychiatrist would later tell investigators. Berman even noted a smile when she spoke of him, the MEs report said. Berman recalls asking about abuse, the decedent denied any verbal or physical confrontations. She described Ellen as having severe anxiety and prescribed her the antianxiety drug Klonopin and Ambien, a sleep aid. Both list suicidal thoughts and behavior as possible side effects. They were the only drugs found in Ellens system when she died. Berman last saw Ellen on Jan. 19. Three days later, Ellen had her last communication with many of her loved ones when save-the-date cards for her wedding arrived in their mailboxes. It was four days before her death. A new quest Cooney, the homicide sergeant who supervised the investigation, Detective John McNamee, and other assigned detectives believed the information they developed strengthened the case that Ellen had killed herself. She was anxious. She was found in a locked apartment with no evidence of a struggle. No other persons DNA was on the knife. Detectives believed the shallow punctures on her body were test or hesitation wounds made as Ellen considered stabbing herself to death. She had no marks on her body that indicated she fought with an attacker. In an effort to resolve the dispute over manner of death, McNamee said he suggested hiring an outside neuropathologist to review a portion of Ellens spinal cord to determine if it was damaged by any of the wounds to the back of her neck. If it was, it would have rendered her incapacitated and unable to inflict the subsequent wounds on herself, including the final plunge to her chest. According to McNamee, the neuropathologist who conducted the exam told police that the spinal cord sheath was hit but the cord was not severed. Ellen most likely went numb, thus allowing her to stab herself repeatedly. After initially ruling Ellens death a homicide, on March 7 the MEs Office reversed itself and changed the manner of Ellens death to suicide, siding with police investigators. We couldnt prove anything else, McNamee said. We were just letting things go where it went, and thats where it went. The Greenbergs were devastated. I was in so much shock, Sandra Greenberg said. They were also upset about how they found out: through media reports. After months of emotional back and forth, the Greenbergs decided to launch their own quest for answers. They purchased Ellens autopsy report, photos of her body from the autopsy, photos of her body at the scene, and the MEs investigation report from the scene. At the advice of a friend, the Greenbergs sent those materials for review to Wecht, the Pittsburgh forensic pathologist who famously challenged the single-bullet theory of the John F. Kennedy assassination. Wecht had specific concerns about the number and location of the stab wounds and, particularly, those to the back of Ellens neck. I dont understand how they wrote this off as a suicide, he would later say. I dont understand how they wrote this off as a suicide. Cyril H. Wecht, forensic pathologist Wechts January 2012 report labeled it strongly suspicious of homicide. But Wecht had the disadvantage of not having the detectives files to review. Armed with Wechts report and wanting more answers, the Greenbergs retained a private attorney who had a reputation for taking on the police, civil rights lawyer Larry Krasner. Krasner believed substantial questions remain unanswered in Ellens death, according to a February 2012 draft retainer agreement he penned for the Greenbergs. In May 2012, he convened a meeting for the Greenbergs with police officials and representatives from the District Attorneys Office in an effort to get the investigation reopened. But nothing would come of it, the Greenbergs said. So, through their current lawyer who is representing them at no cost former state Attorney General Walter Cohen they filed a public records request to get the police case file. After being turned down, Cohen continued to press, and police allowed them to view it without making copies or taking photographs. The Greenbergs said they were uncertain what to look for. Meanwhile, they continued to get experts to join their quest. One was Tom Brennan, a retired 25-year state police veteran and former chief of the Dauphin County Detectives, who is working Ellens case for free. After studying the death-scene photos and medical examiners documents, Brennan, a member of Philadelphias well-known crime-solving club, the Vidocq Society, said the lack of defensive wounds on Ellen didnt necessarily support suicide. He has seen many stabbing victims without defensive wounds. Its referred to as a blitz attack, he would later explain. Where the victim is attacked that quickly that theyre unable to defend themselves. Something else nagged at Brennan. Images of Ellen at the scene show a stream of dried blood running horizontally across her cheek, from the side of her nose toward her left ear. But her body was slumped upright when found. Police theorized that she stabbed herself while standing and slid seated to the floor and that her body was never moved. But, Brennan asks, how to explain the horizontal stream of blood on her cheek? The blood flow baffles Guy DAndrea as well. Once a Philadelphia homicide prosecutor, he is now in private practice. While still in the DAs Office, DAndrea reviewed Ellens entire case file in 2015 at the request of an acquaintance whod heard about the puzzling case. The blood path defies gravity, DAndrea said. You dont need to be a pathologist to have an appreciation for that. Either she moved herself or someone moved her." And then there is the question of whether any of the 10 stab wounds to Ellens neck damaged her spinal cord. Just a single line about the spinal cord exam appears in Ellens autopsy report: Note: Neuropathologist Dr. Lucy Rouke [sic] examined the spinal cord and concluded there is no defect of the spinal cord. The reference was to Lucy Rorke-Adams, a renowned neuropathologist who retired from the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia in 2015. When DAndrea, the former homicide prosecutor, looked through Ellens file, he said he couldnt find a neuropathology report. So he requested a copy from police and the MEs Office but was told it couldnt be found or didnt exist. An invoice couldnt be found, either. Rorke-Adams, in an email, confirmed she did contract work for the MEs Office in 2011. Without a report or a bill for her services, I would conclude that I did not see the specimen in question although there is a remote possibility that it was shown to me, she wrote. However, I have no recollection of such a case. In a rare bit of kismet during his research, Brennan would make a surprising discovery: A piece of Ellens spinal cord is still kept in storage at the MEs Office. He contracted with Wayne K. Ross, a forensic pathologist for Lancaster, Dauphin, and Cumberland Counties, to examine the specimen. Ross concluded that one of the stab wounds penetrated Ellens cranial cavity and severed the cranial nerves and brain, according to his January 2017 report. As a result she would experience severe pain and impaired/loss of consciousness, Ross wrote. Connecticut forensic scientist Henry Lee, who testified for the defense at the O.J. Simpson murder trial, also reviewed the MEs files for the Greenbergs. In a report he coauthored last year, Lee concluded: The number and types of wounds and bloodstain patterns observed are consistent with a homicide scene. And then there is the question of the locked door, which police said factored heavily in determining Ellen was alone when she died. But Brennan and DAndrea both noted that video of several methods for manipulating swing bar locks from the outside are easily found on the internet. The Inquirer also asked two independent experts to review the MEs reports, autopsy photos, and scene photos that were provided by the Greenbergs. Gregory McDonald, dean of the School of Health Sciences at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and chief deputy coroner for Montgomery County, was struck by the many shallow stab wounds to Ellens body. Those tend not to occur in homicides. They will stab you, not hesitate significantly, McDonald said of knife-wielding assailants. The other issue is it wouldnt have been impossible for her to inflict them upon herself. Its unlikely, its unusual, but its not impossible. But four of Ellens wounds were several inches deep. The depth, number, and required force of those wounds, as well as the gash on Ellens head, could be indicative of a homicide, McDonald said. That is not the typical pattern of someone who commits suicide through a sharp instrument like that, he said. Like others, McDonald noted that the stabs went through Ellens clothing. Most people if they inflict the wounds themselves, they pull the clothes up. They dont go through the clothing, he said. Robert D. Keppel, retired chief criminal investigator for the Washington State Attorney Generals Office who investigated Ted Bundy and Green River Killer Gary Ridgway, was struck that the knife was left lodged in Ellens body, something hes never seen in a suicide. In this particular case theres so many different wounds it almost looks like somebody else is doing their thing with her, he said. DAndrea, the former prosecutor whos reviewed about 100 homicides and has seen the entire file, unlike other experts, believes "for every piece of evidence someone could point to and say This was a suicide! I think someone could reasonably, on the other end, point to evidence, even that same evidence, that would suggest it was a homicide. A punch in the stomach After Krasners election as district attorney, the Greenbergs contacted the DAs Office to see if their old lawyer would reopen Ellens case. Krasner referred the matter to the state Attorney Generals Office in February 2018 to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. That was more than a year ago. The Inquirer recently pressed for answers and last week AG spokesperson Joe Grace in a statement said his office had done a thorough investigation." Grace provided a search history from Ellens computer, between Dec. 18, 2010, and Jan. 10, 2011, that was recovered by law enforcements Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (RCFL) and turned over to police on April 1, 2011. It included the search terms suicide methods, quick suicide, and painless suicide. He provided some of Ellens text messages, as well. Im starting the med I know u dont understand but I cant keep living with feeling this way, Ellen texted her mom, Sandra, on Jan. 8. Nine days later, Ellen texted her: Klonopin helped!! Thnk god. Soooo happy for you, her mom wrote back. Me too Omg!!!!!! The day before Ellens death, Sandra texted her, You need to see a professional." Ellen replied: OK Im trying just scared a bit for everything. According to Grace, this evidence supports Suicide as the manner of death and the AG has "closed this investigation. When asked why the MEs April 15, 2011, report said nothing indicative of suicide had been found on Ellens computer and why DAndrea saw no RCFL report in the DAs file, Grace said his office didnt find the analysis in the DAs file, so we cannot say if anyone, police or prosecutor, ever looked at it," Grace wrote. His office obtained it last year from the RCFL. When asked about the neuropathology exam, Grace said: Dr. Rorke-Adams has no independent recollection of participating in the investigation and we have not found a copy of the report." Still, the office believes theres ample evidence it happened based on the line about it in the autopsy report and statements from two detectives. The Greenbergs have these questions and more. The fact that Ellens computer Googled painless suicide and shes stabbed to death and I have experts that say its suspicious of homicide, what am I supposed to say? her father asked. They feel Ellens case did not get a thorough reinvestigation. They want to get copies of all her files. Grace said his office would not release them. Im disgusted and disappointed and punched in the stomach," Josh Greenberg said, but this is not over. Read the Ellen Greenberg documents Each morning, as the first rays of light rise over Kensingtons rowhouses, the women of Harrowgate Park head outside to begin their first patrol. In rain or shine, scorching heat or icy cold, the women, walkie-talkies in hand, walk through their neighborhood park, ready and willing to approach anyone loitering, sleeping, smoking, or using drugs, and politely ask them to leave. Advertisement For the last five years, a trio of fiery, longtime Harrowgate residents has taken on the role of maintaining and protecting the serenity of Harrowgate Park, working to keep it clear of the homeless encampments and open drug use that have plagued many public spaces in Kensington. They call themselves the Old Lady Gang, and they are fighting for what they say every Philadelphian deserves: a clean, safe, peaceful neighborhood park. Rotating shifts throughout the day, Darlene Abner-Burton, Sandy Wells, and Sonja Bingham stroll through the park, approaching people who appear to be sleeping, using or selling drugs, or engaging in other nuisance behavior. Calmly and respectfully, they tell the folks their behavior is not welcome at the park and ask them to leave. A lot of people see Kensington and Harrowgate as overrun with the unhoused. But we are a community of families that raise their children, whose children play in the park, who work hard, said Abner-Burton, 53, the founding member of the Old Lady Gang. This community deserves a safe park. READ MORE: An 8-year-old shot in the head on her way home from school shows whats at stake in Kensington The result is that the park, in just a few years, has been transformed from a space some residents feared into a thriving community hub where neighbors gather, children play, and area workers rest on their lunch breaks. Their relentless guard has earned the Old Lady Gang a reputation in Kensington both police and those engaged in criminal behavior warn their peers not to mess with the OLG. Theyre my secret weapon, said Deputy Police Commissioner Pedro Rosario, who oversees the citys renewed enforcement plans for Kensington. Theyre the role models youd like to see in all of our communities. Their work is not without risk the women have been threatened, spit on, called racial slurs, and doused with water. But the work, they said, is necessary in a community that, after being neglected by the city for decades, was forced to take matters into its own hands. We had no choice, said Sandy Wells, 70. A park in crisis Harrowgate is a small, tight-knit neighborhood just north of Kensington. While the specific boundaries vary depending on whom you ask, it stretches roughly from Westmoreland and Emerald Streets, to G Street and Erie Avenue. Wells has lived in Harrowgate, along Wesley Street, for 50 years, she said, and saw Kensington Avenue transform from a stable business corridor, where city services, transportation, and jobs were reliable, to a chaotic strip strewn with trash, lined with smoke shops and hundreds of people using and selling drugs. Harrowgate Park, Abner-Burton said, suffered the same transformation, from a place where her grandmother used to feed the birds each morning, to one where she was afraid to walk even during the day as sex workers, drug users, and dealers gathered. After the encampments along the Conrail tracks were cleared in 2017, more people in addiction gathered in Harrowgate Park, Rosario said, seeking a quiet escape from the dangers and crowds of McPherson Square and Kensington Avenue. But by 2019, Wells and Abner-Burton said, neighbors had reached a breaking point. At one point, the city had to pull out the parks nearly 20 wooden benches after they became infested with bed bugs. Neighbors, they said, were spending hours picking up used syringes each week. That spring, Abner-Burton met with Rosario and Shannon Farrell-Paktis, longtime president of the Harrowgate Civic Association, to discuss the parks future, and how neighbors could help police stabilize it. Amid a stretched-thin police force and escalating gun violence, the police department didnt have the resources or time to clear every person using drugs in the park, Rosario said. Abner-Burton volunteered to do it herself. I got this, she told them. She later connected with Wells and Bingham and they created a patrol plan. One of us said, Its three old ladies, what could we do? Wells recalled. Darlene said, OK, then Ill just call us the Old Lady Gang. The rest was history. A transformation Wells and Bingham head out together first thing in the morning, usually by 6 a.m. Abner-Burton takes afternoons and evenings. Initially, Wells said, city outreach workers joined them, offering resources to people sleeping in the park while asking them to leave. Wells and Bingham used to approach more than a dozen people each morning, she said. Now, theres maybe one or two. Crowds have dwindled, they said, as word has spread that nuisance behavior isnt tolerated there. The word got out about this park, that theres an Old Lady Gang that patrols, Abner-Burton said. The women treat people with respect, they said. If Abner-Burton sees someone using drugs, she said, she tells them: I see you have drugs out. We dont do that in this park. There are children here and wed like to keep that away from them, so Im respectfully asking you to leave. The vast majority apologize and leave without incident. Many, she said, are women who say they have children of their own and understand. But, at times, the work has been difficult. Abner-Burton said she has been spit on and called racial slurs. A woman once threw water in her face. Wells said she has been charged at and threatened with a needle. Rosario, the deputy police commissioner, said he worries about the women, and encourages them to call for help anytime. They arent shy, and regularly use their walkie-talkies to request back-up. Because of the work they put in, Rosario said, officers in the neighborhood feel more motivated to respond and provide support. Its a mutually dependent relationship, and I respect the hell out of them, Rosario said. They are an ally. Abner-Burton said its a community-wide effort: This is not just an Old Lady Gang thing. People lift us up. Without them, I could never do this. And the threats and roadblocks, she said, only strengthen her resolve in protecting the park. Abner-Burton empathizes with her struggling neighbors and understands the cycle of poverty many are trapped in. She had her first baby at 15, she said, and by 19, she was a mother of four in North Philly with no high school degree. With the support of her mother and community, she ultimately earned her diploma at 31, and is now married, owns her home on Jasper Street, and works as a care navigator for people with diabetes and colorectal cancer. That personal journey informs her community work, she said. She encourages the young dealers on her block to get jobs, but understands why many dont. She keeps pamphlets for recovery programs in her house and shares resources with people she meets on patrol. She once bought a bus pass for a man stranded in the park who couldnt get home. Im not just here to tell people to leave, she said. She is here, she said, to ensure the neighborhood children can gather in the park without the risk of seeing open drug use. The result is that, in the last four years, Harrowgate Park has again become a community hub a place where neighbors gather for movie nights, summer luau parties, and festivals. The trees are decorated with homemade lanterns and lights. Art and mural installations are common. New benches will soon be added, and the Old Lady Gang is hosting its annual community water gun fight in the park on Aug. 17. On a recent afternoon, Abner-Burton smiled as she watched a young woman read a book against a tree, and children chased each other through the grass. My hope, she said, is that my grandkids can come to his park and say, My grandmom made a difference. The secret to a great cheesesteak is the roll, right? We found a shop owner who has gone further than most to source the perfect one. Also this week, big news on the reopening of one of the regions most admired Japanese restaurants, a look inside a couples dream project (a Levantine restaurant two doors from their North African market), and a preview of a lavish throwback dinner at the luxe Jean-Georges. Mike Klein Advertisement If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Nish Patel at Del Rossis in Northern Liberties spent years working to elevate his pizza dough. Then he turned to his cheesesteak rolls. He ended up starting his own bread bakery, which is now yielding a spectacular sandwich, thanks in part to an anonymous consultant from Canada who happened to eat his very first cheesesteak just last week. In France to cover the Olympics, Mike Sielski found a shop called FRENCH CHEESE STEAK just outside of Paris. Cest what?! Mike managed to sample the worlds best sandwich in the worlds best food city a Whiz-free zone if there ever was one. Bishara Kuttab says the Levantine food at Bishos, his restaurant in Northeast Philadelphia, has come a long way since he opened. He and his wife, Zohra Saibi, parlayed that into a North African market called Le Souk two doors away. Read on to learn of one of the tastiest combos in the city. Coffee is an essential beverage for many beachgoers, and Hira Qureshi found 10 shops at the Shore that do it right. Scoops Good news for fans of Sagami, the landmark Japanese BYOB in Collingswood. Two weeks after the passing of his wife, Chizuko described as the heart and soul of the restaurant, which opened in 1974 chef Shigeru Fukuyoshi has decided to reopen, albeit on a truncated schedule of 4-8:30 p.m., Thursday to Sunday. Not such good news for customers of Effies, the Greek BYOB thats been at 1127 Pine St. since 1997. The finale will be Saturday night. Effie Bouikidis has found a buyer who plans something entirely different. Bouikidis has been fielding well-wishers begging her to stay, but the sale is a feta-compli. Phillies legend Jimmy Rollins will not be a part of the restaurant coming together at 117 Chestnut St. in Old City, says restaurateur Matt DeLima, who didnt want to get into the specifics but said the door was always open for Rollins to return. The projects working name, Eleven Social a reference to Rollins uniform number will change in time for the expected mid-September opening. Janine Bruno, of Homemade by Bruno, has a much larger second location on the way for her gelato production and pasta-making classes: a new building at 1701 S. Fourth St., where she will have 15 seats at the counter, plus high-top tables to seat about two dozen, starting in late fall. In 2022, I wrote about Bruno how she beat cancer, picked herself up after being dumped, and started a business. Life is even better now: Shes married and just got an adorable miniature longhair Dachshund named Theodore. Check out her Instagram. Restaurant report Back in 1997, Jean-Georges Vongerichten lit up the dining world with his eponymous restaurant in New York. He went on to create an empire that spans 60 restaurants around the world including a Jean-Georges atop the Four Seasons Hotel on the 59th and 60th floors of the Comcast Technology Center in 2019. To mark the outposts fifth anniversary, chef Colin Henderson is re-creating classics from Jean-Georges 1997 tasting menu for the month of August, starting tonight. Read on for a rundown and the optional wine pairings, all from 2019. Briefly noted Enable cookies: Chip City Cookies out of New York will open its first Philadelphia location (204 S. 17th St.) at 11 a.m. Friday. The first 100 customers will get a free cookie. Fork, closed through Aug. 10 for a renovation, is also changing chefs. George Madosky is heading to D.C. after seven years to run the new a.kitchen+bar (opening in early fall), and the Old City restaurant is bringing in Daniel Beal, whose CV includes Restaurant Benu, Atelier Crenn, Alinea, and Jordan Winery. (He was co-chef de cuisine under Grant Achatz at Alinea.) Expect the full renovation, including a new bar and Beals new menu, to debut in October. Cantina La Martinas second annual Cemita Festival from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 11 at La Placita Fishtown, 2211-17 Frankford Ave. will feature seven local vendors making and selling their interpretations of the iconic Mexican sandwich. Participants include Jason Okdeh of Farina Di Vita and Reuben R. Asaram of Reuby; Alejandro Gonzalez Duarte of Senor Slices; Jake Loeffler, Sam Kalkut, and Danny Griffiths of Paffuto; Karla Torres and Ernesto Ventura of La Ingrata Camden; Brian Mattera of Gilda; Elvia Zavala of Mija Mexican Table; and Mariangeli Alicea Saez of La Placita Fishtown. Cemitas are $15 each, and participants will keep 100% of their profits. Cash is preferred. Want to learn how to make soup dumplings? From 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 13, Nan Xiang Xiao Long Baos Cherry Hill location (901 Haddonfield Rd.) will host a class. Tickets ($68) can be purchased using this link. Pop quiz The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that boneless wings may contain: A) skin B) bones C) breading D) chicken Find out if you know the answer. Ask Mike anything I see the new BOP Kosh Deli at 622 Market St. Wasnt this supposed to be Kochs, formerly from West Philly? Geoff P. The answer is still being litigated, but to get you up to speed: Kochs Deli opened on Locust Street in West Philadelphia in 1966 and became a favorite among the Penn community. Kochs changed hands in 2005 after the death of the founders son Bob, who ran it after the passing of his brother Lou. Bing Li purchased the deli and building in 2020. Morshed Ali Alqaifi leased and operated it until November 2023, when Li evicted him over back rent; the city Health Department had also shut it down. In early 2024, Alqaifi leased the Market Street storefront and announced Kochs move. In March, Li sued Alqaifi, contending that he was the rightful owner of the name as part of his 2020 purchase. A Common Pleas Court judge issued a preliminary injunction that barred Alqaifi from using the name and the phrase since 1966 on any signage, and ordered him to remove images depicting the Locust Street deli from the website kochsdeli.com. Last month, Alqaifi opened it under the name BOP Kosh Deli, and changed the sign to read since 1965. Menus inside bear the Kochs name, however. (BOP is believed to mean Best of Philly.) Li plans to reopen Kochs Deli at 4309 Locust St. next month, says lawyer Donald Bermudez, who is representing Li. Further complicating matters: Alqaifi at BOP Kosh is using kochsdeli.com and the old phone number, while Li has created kochsdeliofphilly.com for Locust Street. Alqaifi declined to comment, and his lawyer, Peter Mylonas, did not return numerous messages seeking comment. Have a question about food in Philly? E-mail your questions to me at mklein@inquirer.com for a chance to be featured in my newsletter. By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10. Stephen K. Klasko, shown on the campus of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in 2021, was the Philadelphia region's highest-paid nonprofit health-system CEO in 2022. He retired at the end of 2022 but remained as an adviser through June of 2022. Read more This week, we look at the salaries of Philly-area health systems CEOs. One exec caught our eye in particular for cashing a big check even after he announced that he would leave his leadership post. And since we are talking about money, we asked health systems about their minimum wage (not everyone wanted to share). Advertisement We also take you inside a new lab in South Philly where scientists test everything from blood for HIV and summer camp sandwiches for pathogens. And Ala Stanford shares tips for health systems to build trust with the community. We end on an update about Temples negotiations with Keystone First. If someone forwarded you this newsletter, please sign up here. Aubrey Whelan and Abraham Gutman, Inquirer health reporters, @abrahamgutman and @aubreywhelan. Jefferson Health paid its former CEO, Stephen K. Klasko, a whopping $8 million in 2022. That includes a $5 million recruitment and retention bonus, the health systems latest IRS filings show. The package is likely the highest payday for a local health system CEO ever, eclipsing 2021s record of $7.7 million that CHOP gave its CEO Madeline Bell. The $5 million bonus that punctuated Klaskos tenure came after he said in 2020 that he wanted to leave Jefferson, but agreed to extend his stay to complete two final acquisitions. Its not clear if the bonus was tied to his staying. In total, Klasko earned more than $45.6 million over his 8 years leading Jefferson, analysis by our colleague, Harold Brubaker, found. What else did Harold find in the new tax reports that cover 2022? Capital Healths Al Maghazehe collected the second highest paycheck in 2022, making $5.25 million running a South Jersey-based system with two hospitals. And Bell from CHOP didnt break records that year but still earned $3.7 million. Also in the top five were University of Pennsylvania Health System CEO Kevin Mahoney and his counterpart Dennis Pullin at Virtua Health in South Jersey. Both made around $3 million. Read more about how much the regions health-system CEOs were compensated, and how payouts like Klaskos compare to others in the region and nationally. The latest news to pay attention to This weeks number: 18. Thats the highest hourly minimum wage at Philadelphia-area health systems or at least health systems that responded to our question. We got curious about the minimum wage at health systems after we learned that ChristianaCare increased their hourly minimum wage to $16.50 last week. We wanted to see how that stacks up to other health systems in the region, so we asked. Temple Health pays a minimum of $18 an hour, followed by Jefferson paying $17 an hour. Penn Medicine, CHOP, Tower, Cooper, and a bunch of other systems either declined to respond or ignored our request. Read more on the minimum wage that local health systems pay. Each week, we highlight state inspections at hospitals in our region. Up this week: Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital. Inspectors visited the hospital in East Norriton three times between November 2023 and April. Following a March inspection, the hospital was cited for failing to protect a patient admitted to the hospital multiple times from suspected abuse and neglect occurring at home. Read more on the inspection reports details and the other two visits. What was the secret sauce in Ala Stanfords 2020 effort to provide health-care services to Black Philadelphians amid the COVID-19 pandemic? Trust. In a recent interview with The Inquirer, the newly appointed Penn professor outlined five steps that health systems, and providers themselves, can take to build trust with their patients. It takes a while to build trust its not one touch, its multiple touches, Stanford said. Check out her five recommendations. Making moves Every once in a while, we come across an award with a really cool name. And it doesnt get much cooler than being anointed a living legend. That honor was recently bestowed on Julie Fairman, a professor at Penn Nursing, by the American Academy of Nursing. Fairman is one of five living legend honorees this year. In other moves, James Helstrom is the new permanent chief medical officer at Temple Health-Chestnut Hill Hospital, a position he has held on an interim basis since February. He continues to be the CMO of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, which Temple owns. A few weeks ago, we let you know that Temple Health and Keystone First, the regions largest Medicaid provider, were at odds over reimbursements, and struggling to come to an agreement for a new two-year contract. Well, the two sides finally shook on it with days to spare. The last agreement was set to expire July 31, and Temple Health and Keystone announced they had reached a new two-year deal on July 26. According to Keystone, as part of the deal, the insurer has agreed to increase reimbursement rates. Many Temple patients are likely breathing a sigh of relief especially after Temple had to alert patients a few weeks ago that, if no deal was reached, Temple providers would no longer be in-network with Keystone First. (PS: This was our new health-desk colleague Alison McCooks first story in her new beat. We are excited to have her as part of the team and to share her work.) Seems to us that negotiations with insurers are getting down to the wire recently. Did you have to provide warnings about the specter of lapsed insurance to patients? For a chance to be featured in this newsletter, email us back. By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10. The University of Pennsylvania is spinning out Jim Wilson's gene therapy program into two new companies. Wilson, who has been her for 33 years, will be CEO of one of them and board chair of the other. Read more The University of Pennsylvania board of trustees voted Wednesday to spin out its pioneering Gene Therapy Program led by prominent research scientist Jim Wilson into two new for-profit companies amid decreased investment in biotech. Wilson will be CEO of GEMMA Biotherapeutics, a company focused on developing lower-cost gene therapy platforms for rare diseases. Wilson will be board chair at the second company, Franklin Biolabs, which will offer diagnostic testing and other services to gene therapy companies. Advertisement The transfer agreement, which is expected to take effect Oct. 1, requires both companies to keep their corporate headquarters in the Philadelphia region. Wilson will leave Penn, where he has worked for 33 years, when the transaction is completed. Penn did not disclose the value of the assets going into the new companies. University of Pennsylvania executive Jonathan A. Epstein told board members during a brief Zoom meeting that the gene therapy program had made fundamental contributions to treatments for genetic diseases through the discovery and development of viruses used to deliver genetic fixes. This work has reached an inflection point where a transition into a new model within the biotech industry will provide much-needed capital and facilitate scaling of activities to advance the promise of gene therapy, said Epstein, who is interim university executive vice president for the Penn health system and dean of the Perelman School of Medicine. READ MORE: How UPenns Jim Wilson became a big deal in gene therapy Penn will sublease space to the new companies and license the gene therapy programs intellectual property to them, Epstein said. Financial terms were not disclosed, and Penn declined to make anyone available to answer questions. Investor appetite for cell and gene therapies, the cornerstones of the Philadelphia regions biotech industry, has been lackluster recently. Penns Gene Therapy Program, which at its peak employed 407 people, laid off about a quarter of its workforce last year, blaming a reduction in research funding from the industry. Wilsons lab had a particularly heavy reliance on industry support for research. Penn said 225 gene therapy program employees in University City and at the Center for Breakthrough Medicines near King of Prussia received offers to work in similar roles for the new companies. About 25 people will lose their jobs in the transition, Penn said. Before the recent downturn in funding, revenue for the gene therapy program was about $100 million a year, Wilson said. A new approach For Wilson, 69, who has been involved in genetic research for 40 years, the formation of the two companies is another bid to approach his project of making life-changing genetic medicines available to the world. I have to finish it, he said. Wilson said he realized in recent years that the pharmaceutical industry was not going make many genetic treatments available to patients because the returns for treating rare diseases are too slim for institutional investors. Ive concluded that we have to do it without pharma, Wilson said. In an earlier bid to solve that problem, he cofounded the nonprofit Institute for Life-Changing Medicines in 2021 to bring treatments for rare diseases to market, but soon realized it was not a sustainable model. It was too hard to raise money to treat diseases diagnosed in perhaps a few dozen newborns each year. For the new effort, Wilson has lined up private investors for both companies. A single unidentified investor is backing Franklin with enough money that it will be profitable in its second year, Wilson said. A group of four investors is supporting GEMMA initially, but Wilson said he hopes to eventually secure capital from foundations and governments that will not dilute the ownership of initial investors. He declined to say how much is being invested in the two companies. Wilsons strategy The key to Wilsons new effort is not focusing on individual diseases, but rather on platforms for treating multiple diseases. Gene therapy is a very modular approach to treating diseases, he said. Say theres a group of five or six diseases that are very similar, but are caused by a different gene. If we can develop an approach for the first disease, how can we leverage that for the next disease and the next disease? If the strategy works as Wilson thinks it will, that will increase the probability of success and decrease the cost that it takes to manufacture and develop those products, he said. The idea is that the aggregate sales from a string of treatments for rare diseases is worth pursuing, he said, even if investors wouldnt be interested in financing the individual treatments. The immediate plan is for GEMMA to license work of other companies that was stalled during the biotech downturn of recent years. Some license agreements have already been reached. GEMMA is starting with eight platforms: six are for brain diseases; two are for heart and muscle diseases, Wilson said. Wilson said hes confident the effort to get those treatments to patients will succeed. I dont think theres anyone but me to carry this forward, he said. Ellen Greenberg's 2011 death by 20 stab wounds was ruled homicide, then switched to suicide. Now, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania will hear arguments in a civil case in which her parents seek to have the manner of her death changed back to homicide or undetermined. Read more The states highest court will take on one of the citys most confounding death cases that of Philadelphia first-grade teacher Ellen Greenberg, whose death by 20 stab wounds in 2011 was ruled homicide before being switched to suicide. In an order issued Tuesday, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania granted the appeal filed by Greenbergs parents, Joshua and Sandra of Harrisburg, of a Commonwealth Court ruling last year that prevented their civil case against the City of Philadelphia from going to trial. In that case, the Greenbergs seek to have the manner of their daughters death changed from suicide back to homicide or undetermined. Advertisement The Greenbergs Center City attorney, Joseph Podraza, said his clients were elated and moved to tears when they learned their petition to appeal was granted. Im extremely pleased, too, and a little surprised, given how hard it is to have a case accepted for review by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Podraza said. The court can only take a very small fraction [of cases] and then only those which impact Pennsylvanians across the state. A spokesperson for the citys law department declined to comment, due to ongoing litigation. According to the order granting the appeal, the Supreme Court will consider the issue of whether executors and administrators of an estate have standing to challenge an erroneous finding recorded on the decedents death certificate where that finding constitutes a bar or material impediment to recovery of victims compensation, restitution or for wrongful death, as well as private criminal complaints. Greenberg, 27, was found by her fiance, Samuel Goldberg, in the kitchen of their Manayunk apartment with a 10-inch knife lodged in her chest on Jan. 26, 2011. Investigators on the scene treated her death as a suicide because the apartment door which Goldberg said he broke down was locked from the inside, there were no signs of an intruder, and Greenberg had no defensive wounds, police have said. But the next morning at the autopsy, then assistant Philadelphia Medical Examiner Marlon Osbourne discovered a total of 20 stab wounds to Greenbergs body, including 10 to the back of her neck, and ruled her death a homicide. Police publicly disputed the findings and Osbourne later changed his ruling to suicide, with no explanation to Greenbergs parents. The Greenbergs retained numerous forensic experts who have questioned authorities findings, as first detailed in a March 2019 Inquirer report. Podraza filed a civil suit on behalf of the Greenbergs in 2019 against the MEs Office and Osbourne, seeking to have the manner of Ellens death changed back to homicide or undetermined. As a result of that suit, additional details about the case came to light through discovery, including Goldbergs call to 911, new information about the unusual process around how Ellens death was classified, and new testimony about whether one of the wounds to her neck was possibly administered after she died. In October 2021, Judge Glynnis D. Hill of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas ruled that the familys suit could proceed to trial. The city appealed that ruling to the Commonwealth Court, arguing that under the law, a medical examiners inherently discretionary professional opinion cant be challenged and that even if the findings were incorrect ... the law makes clear that a medical examiner can be wrong as to the manner of death yet cannot be compelled to change it. In the Commonwealth Courts 2-1 decision in September, judges wrote they had no choice under the law but to grant the City of Philadelphias appeal because the Greenbergs didnt have standing to seek a revision in their daughters listed manner of death. Even though the Commonwealth Court ruled in the citys favor, its opinion of how Philadelphia authorities handled the investigation into Greenbergs death was blistering. The judges wrote that ... this court is acutely aware of the deeply flawed investigation of the victims death by the City of Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) detectives, the City of Philadelphia District Attorneys Office (DAO), and the MEO [Medical Examiners Office]. In writing their 39-page opinion, which included a review of the investigations, the Commonwealth Court said it did so in the interests of justice and with hopes that equity may one day prevail for the victim and her loved ones. Podraza said he hoped the Supreme Court would take up the appeal because a medical examiner or coroners decision on a manner of death impacts people statewide on many things, such as entitlement to insurance money and victims funds, and because giving a coroner or medical examiner absolute discretion that cant be challenged is a very foreign concept. This is especially true in Pennsylvania, he said, where a coroner is typically an elected position, one that does not require a medical degree or medical training. While Philadelphia, Delaware, and Allegheny Counties have appointed medical examiners who are certified forensic pathologists, and Northampton and Luzerne Counties have appointed coroners, the remaining 62 counties have elected coroners who must meet only three requirements: They are over 18, have lived in the county for a year, and have taken a basic, 32-hour education course. Its scary when you consider all the counties in Pennsylvania and a very small percentage actually have a coroner or a medical examiner who has medical training, Podraza said. That, to me, is the definition of an area of decision that needs to be closely watched. Both parties will be required to file briefs in the case and then oral arguments will be heard by the court at a date that is yet to be determined. In rendering its order, the Supreme Court noted that Justice David N. Wecht did not participate in its decision. Wechts father, noted Pittsburgh forensic pathologist Cyril H. Wecht, is one of the experts the Greenbergs consulted with who have questioned Philadelphia authorities findings. A second civil suit the Greenbergs have filed against members of the Medical Examiners Office, the Police Department, and the DAs Office seeking monetary damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress remains ongoing. In this Nov. 1, 2011 file photo, a bald eagle soars over the marshes off North Wildwood Boulevard in the Grassy Sound section of Middle Township, N.J. Read more The New Jersey Conservation Foundation, a major environmental group working within the state, is pleading with wildlife officials not to remove bald eagles from the endangered species list as planned, saying a virus thats killing peregrine falcons will inevitably prove lethal to eagles. In June, the states Department of Environmental Protection said the bald eagle had made such a remarkable recovery that it was proposing to remove it from the states endangered species list. There was only one nesting pair in the state in 1970. As of last year, there were 267. Advertisement But Emile DeVito, who wrote Monday to the states Division of Fish and Wildlife, asked that officials not adopt the change because of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) that is striking peregrine falcons along the coast. DeVito is manager of science and stewardship for the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. The peregrine falcons are dying left and right, DeVito told The Inquirer on Tuesday. And they are dead within 24 hours of showing symptoms. What we know about it from Michigan and Wisconsin is that its going to be a huge problem. DeVito wrote in his letter, which was sent as a formal comment on the endangered species list removal proposal, that the HPAI is already serious and ongoing and removing the bald eagle from the list would weaken protections. READ MORE: Bald eagle no longer endangered in New Jersey, state officials say Actively discussing the issue Larry Hajna, a spokesperson for the DEP, said Wednesday that Fish and Wildlife officials are aware of the spread and impact of HPAI on wildlife. It is premature for us to take a position regarding the potential impacts HPAI is having on our wildlife, including bald eagles, but we are actively discussing the issue and reviewing data, Hajna wrote in an email. DeVito said he had learned of the spreading flu to eagles last week at a briefing of New Jerseys Endangered and Nongame Species Advisory Committee. HPAI is a highly contagious disease known as bird flu or avian flu, transmitted from bird to bird. It does not normally infect humans, but it has sporadically. At the briefing, Fish and Wildlife officials said that 44 New Jersey nesting peregrine falcons have been identified so far this year as falling ill with the disease and that 21 adults, or nearly half, had died. Losses were higher in coastal nests. The loss ratios are similar in Virginia and Marylands Eastern Shore. The New Jersey Conservation Foundation initially supported the states removal of the bald eagle from the endangered list, which the peregrine falcon remains on. DeVito was on the Endangered and Nongame Species Advisory Committee for 25 years but recently left it. We shouldnt be delisting them now, DeVito said. This is highly transmittable. He said that the avian flu has already infected some eagles and that the birds get the disease while eating infected prey. Its not widespread yet, DeVito said. But its just starting to impact them. Chances are next year, theres going to be a big hit to the population. Seeking public comment The delisting of bald eagles is part of a larger rule proposal currently open for public comment, Hajna said. The bald eagle is just one of many species being proposed for either listing or delisting for various categories in a process that the state takes on sporadically. The public can comment on the rule through Aug. 24. If adopted, the rule would move the bald eagle from New Jerseys endangered species list and categorize it as a species of special concern. The bald eagle would still remain listed as a non-game species, meaning it cannot be hunted. DeVito believes it would be easier to remove the bald eagle from consideration for now. It could then be reintroduced separately for delisting later if the avian flu runs its course. Bald eagles have made a remarkable comeback nationwide since DDT was banned in 1972. They were removed from the federal governments endangered species list in 2007. Pennsylvania has also removed the raptor from its endangered or threatened list, but it is protected under the states Game and Wildlife Code. It was not immediately clear of the strain of avian flu that is striking peregrine falcons and bald eagles. But the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reports that the HF or H5N1 bird flu, forms of HPAI, have struck nearly 10,000 wild birds across the U.S. in wild birds, including bald eagles. It has struck at least 593 bald eagles since early 2022, according to an Inquirer analysis of the data. Two cases were logged in New Jersey this year in Mercer and Bergen Counties. William Bowerman, a professor of wildlife ecology and environmental toxicology, wrote a letter with urgency to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in June, stating that hes studied bald eagles in Michigan and the Great Lakes for 40 years, and said his findings indicate the first regional population declines since the DDT era. Bowerman wrote that the decline is likely caused by HPAI. Philadelphia teacher Ellen Greenberg, 27, was found dead of 20 stab wounds at her Manayunk apartment on Jan. 26, 2011. Her parents have filed a lawsuit against the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office and the pathologist who conducted her autopsy seeking to have the manner of her death changed from suicide to homicide or undetermined. Read more A noreaster was blanketing Philadelphia with snow when Samuel Goldbergs call came in to the citys 911 center at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2011. Help! I need an ambulance now. I just walked into my apartment. My fiancee is on the floor with blood everywhere, he said. Advertisement Goldberg, then a 28-year-old TV producer, had left his fiancee, first-grade teacher Ellen Greenberg, 27, in the Manayunk apartment they shared to go to the gym in their building around 4:45 p.m. When he returned about half an hour later, he found the swing bar lock to their apartment was engaged from the inside. Unable to gain entry, Goldberg tried to reach Ellen through phone calls and text messages. When she didnt respond, he asked the apartment building doorman on duty that night, Phil Hanton, to help him break the lock. Hanton said he told Goldberg it was against company policy. So Goldberg forced the door open himself. Inside, he found Ellen on the kitchen floor and called 911. During the call, Goldberg is initially unable to tell the operator where Ellen is bleeding from, until the operator says shell walk him through doing CPR, if hes willing. I have to, right? he asks. The operator then instructs Goldberg to lay Ellen on her back and take off her shirt. Goldberg, who noted that Ellen was already on her back, struggled. Her shirt wont come off. Its a zipper. Oh my God! She stabbed herself, Goldberg says of the 10-inch serrated kitchen knife lodged 4 inches into Ellens chest. She fell on a knife. I dont know. Her knife is sticking out. Theres a knife sticking out of her heart. Oh, she stabbed herself? the operator asks. I guess so, I dont know, or she fell on it. I dont know, Goldberg says. The operator then tells him not to perform CPR and wait for police to arrive. The 911 call from Goldberg, who declined to comment, was released for the first time last year as part of discovery in the ongoing civil suit Ellens parents, Joshua and Sandra Greenberg of Harrisburg, have filed against the Philadelphia Medical Examiners Office and the pathologist who conducted their daughters autopsy, Marlon Osbourne. After discovering a total of 20 stab wounds to her body, Osbourne initially ruled Ellens death a homicide. But weeks later, he changed her manner of death to suicide, with no explanation to Ellens parents, who learned about the reversal from media reports. The 911 call paints a clearer picture about what the first chaotic moments were like after Ellens body was found. But it also revealed an inconsistency with polices long-held stance that Ellen was never moved from the slumped position on the floor in which she was found when they arrived, with her head, neck, and shoulders propped against corner cabinets not, as Goldberg said on the call, lying on her back on the floor. I think the consensus initially was that it was very, very weird. Its not the only inconsistency that has emerged during the Greenberg familys 11-year battle to gain insight into their daughters death and the investigations that followed. Unable to get answers from the city, the Greenbergs purchased their daughters autopsy report and photos from the scene. They have amassed a cadre of experts, from forensic pathologists to a blood-splatter specialist, who have questioned the suicide ruling, as first detailed in a March 2019 Inquirer report. The Greenbergs and their attorney, Joseph Podraza Jr., filed their lawsuit against the city in October 2019, seeking to have the manner of Ellens death changed back to homicide or undetermined, a move that would allow for an investigation to be reopened and pave the way for a possible wrongful-death or misconduct lawsuit against the city. Were asking to change the manner of death and open a new investigation with impartial people and an impartial prosecutor, Joshua Greenberg said. Were not asking for the moon, just justice for our daughter. The Philadelphia Law Department is ardently defending the suit and the suicide ruling. Even if Osbournes findings were incorrect, which the city contends they were not, ... the law makes clear that a medical examiner can be wrong as to the manner of death yet cannot be compelled to change it, city attorneys wrote in court filings. The Greenbergs suit has unveiled new information about the unusual process around how Ellens death was classified and new testimony about whether one of the wounds to her neck was possibly administered after she died. But will the civil suit, which is headed to Commonwealth Court, be enough to get the manner of death changed? And will that provide any more information about how Ellen Greenberg died or provide closure to her family? One thing is clear: Ellen Greenbergs death remains a mystery. Even Osbourne, who stands by his suicide ruling, testified at deposition that the case was unusual. I think the consensus initially was that it was very, very weird, he said. Amazing new information The night Ellen was found, investigators on scene treated her death as a suicide because Goldberg was cooperative and stayed on the scene; there were no signs of an intruder; the apartment door was locked from the inside; and Ellen had no defensive wounds to indicate shed fought off an attack, police have said. It wasnt until the next morning, when Osbourne conducted his autopsy, that all 20 of Ellens stab wounds including 10 to the back of her neck were discovered. There were eight wounds to her chest, ranging from .2 centimeters to the final 4-inch wound of the knife still embedded in her chest; a 2-inch wound to her stomach; a 2.5-inch-long gash across her scalp; and 10 wounds from nicks to two about 3 inches deep to the back of her neck. There were also 11 bruises in various stages of healing on Ellens arm, abdomen, and leg. Osbourne, whos now an associate medical examiner in Palm Beach County, Fla., and declined to comment for this story, testified at deposition that at the time of autopsy, I did believe I had enough information to rule Ellens death a homicide. But when he informed police of his findings, he said they asked him to list the case as pending while they continued investigating. In an unusual move two days later, a police spokesperson was already publicly disputing Obsournes findings, saying police were leaning toward suicide and looking into some mental issues Ellen may have had. Given the stark difference of opinion, Osbourne said he decided to have a neuropathologist examine Ellens spinal cord to see whether it was damaged to the point it would have rendered her incapable of inflicting the subsequent wounds to herself, including the final wound to her chest. Osbourne, who testified the spinal cord was an important question, said he asked Lucy Rorke-Adams, a renowned neuropathologist who retired from the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia in 2015, to conduct the exam. But instead of having her come to the MEs Office, Osbourne said he walked a section of Ellens spinal cord over to Rorke-Adams at CHOP in very heavy snow for an informal curbside exam. He said she didnt do a microscopic exam but was still able to tell him the dura, or the sheath covering the spinal cord, was cut, but not the spinal cord itself, and there was no indication Ellen lost motor function. I was flabbergasted by the absence of professionalism surrounding that review Dr. Osbourne testified he had Dr. Rorke-Adams do, Podraza, the familys lawyer, said. Essentially, hes taking a pickle jar with Ellens spine and brain stem through the piled-up snow, walking with that across the street or a couple of streets thrusting it into her hands, and saying give me a looksies. No report by Rorke-Adams was created and a bill for her work has never been found. She told The Inquirer in 2018 that she had no recollection of conducting the exam and that without a report or bill for her services, I would conclude that I did not see the specimen in question, although there is a remote possibility that it was shown to me. Sometime after Rorke-Adams alleged spinal cord exam, Osbourne and former Chief Medical Examiner Sam Gulino, who resigned in August 2021 amid controversy over his offices handling of the remains of MOVE bombing victims, said they were asked to attend a meeting with members of the District Attorneys Office and Philadelphia Police Department. Gulino said such a meeting was unusual. Neither pathologist remembered another like it during their time in Philadelphia. [Its] clear that they were presenting information because they felt that the manner of death was different from what had been ruled, testified Gulino. During the meeting, Osbourne said police confirmed a doorman was with Goldberg when the door was broken down, which played a role in his thinking about the case, he testified. [It] was important to find out if it was broken, if anyone was there to see it be broken, or is it just the story were getting from the decedents boyfriend that it was broken by him, Osbourne said. [It] doesnt seem like anyone else could have been in the room to inflict those injuries other than Ms. Greenberg herself, and that is how I came to the conclusion of suicide. But Hanton, the lone doorman on duty that night, gave a signed declaration for the civil case stating he didnt witness the door being broken, and video surveillance from the lobby obtained through discovery shows he didnt accompany Goldberg upstairs. At deposition, Podraza asked Osbourne if he would have changed his homicide ruling to suicide if there was still a dispute about whether someone was with Goldberg when he broke the door down, whether the door was broken at all, and whether the lock was engaged when Ellen was stabbed. No, I would not, Osbourne testified, saying he would have been closer to ruling the death undetermined. For the Greenbergs and Podraza, this was damning testimony. Dr. Osbourne said that if there was any doubt that the fiance was escorted by the security guard or if it was untrue what he was being told then this cannot be a suicide, Podraza said. But Osbourne testified he also changed her manner of death to suicide because of the spinal cord exam; the lack of defensive wounds; the lack of incapacitating drugs in Ellens system; no signs of an intruder; the broken door; Goldbergs statements; and police findings from the scene. Gulino, who did not return requests for comment, testified that after reviewing the case, he also believed it was possible for Ellen to have created all of these wounds and found no reason to disagree with the suicide ruling. His opinion was based, in part, he said, on a 2019 exam he asked Lyndsey Emery, a pathologist in his office whos also certified in neuropathology, to conduct on a section of Ellens spinal column still in storage at the MEs Office. Emery, who left the MEs Office last year and declined to comment, said that while she made no opinion as to the manner of Ellens death, she found nothing that would have incapacitated her. If there are things they dont want revealed, why? However, there was something unusual Emery discovered during the course of her exam. She observed three injuries of note to Ellens spinal column. One, to the spinal cord tissue itself, was done during the course of Ellens autopsy, she said. But there were two other cuts one to the bone and ligaments in the back of Greenbergs spinal column and a corresponding cut to the dura that were from a bona fide sharp force injury and were not done at autopsy, she said. What was notable about those injuries was there was no hemorrhaging around them, Emery testified, saying, Lack of hemorrhage means no pulse. She offered three possibilities for the lack of hemorrhaging: There wasnt enough time between when the wound was inflicted and when Ellen died for it to hemorrhage; the wound didnt disrupt the tissue enough to cause a response or Ellen was already dead when the wound was inflicted. If the cut was administered while Ellen was still alive, Emery said shed have expected to see hemorrhaging. And by the fact that now the dura is not demonstrating hemorrhage, as you found also the spinal column didnt, would that weigh a little bit more in suggesting Ellen was dead at the time this wound was administered? Podraza asked. Yes, Emery said. Podraza called this amazing new information. A month after her deposition, the city filed a written declaration by Emery, in which she said she didnt fully understand the scope of questions posed to her at deposition by the citys attorney, and presented several other possibilities for the lack of hemorrhaging including: that nothing was injured along the wound path; that bleeding in other areas of the body prevented bleeding in that area; or that the injury could have been done at the time of autopsy. I view the declaration as a deliberate submission to try and cloud her testimony, but it doesnt change what her testimony was, Podraza said. An uphill battle Following the depositions, both the city and Podraza filed motions for summary judgment, which were denied in October, making way for the case to go to trial in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. But on Dec. 23, city attorneys, who declined to comment through a spokesperson, filed a rare pretrial petition in Commonwealth Court seeking permission to appeal the judges ruling allowing the case to move forward, claiming it was an egregious abuse of discretion that ignored binding precedent. The city argues that under the law, a medical examiners inherently discretionary professional opinion cannot be challenged and if the case were to move forward, it will potentially open the door to any party unhappy with the determination of the medical examiner or coroner and open the floodgates to litigation. Temple University law professor Mary Levy, who specializes in appellate and civil procedures, said government officials can be compelled by law to perform a mandatory duty, such as determining a manner of death, but the law cant be used to force an official to reach a particular conclusion. That finding is subject to the professionals judgment, expertise, and discretion, she said. But Podraza believes Osbournes own testimony necessitates a change in the ruling. Given the doorman wasnt with Goldberg when the door was broken, Podraza argues that by Osbournes own standards, suicide is no longer an option. Dr. Osbourne said if certain facts exist then he himself cannot agree with suicide and the determination must be changed, Podraza said. Were just asking the court to effectuate and put into play what Dr. Osbourne said should happen now that these facts exist. On Feb. 4, the Commonwealth Court granted the citys petition and ordered the civil trial be placed on hold, pending a decision in the appeal case. Levy said Podraza and the Greenbergs likely face an uphill battle given significant, binding case law. There are decisions that are within the discretion and judgment of professionals and they cannot be compelled or forced to change those decisions, even if theyre wrong, she said. No date has been set for the appeal, but Podraza said no matter who prevails, if there are subsequent appeals, it could be years before a resolution. Questions remain In December, Podraza provided the civil case depositions and other records to Attorney General Josh Shapiros office, hoping it would reopen Ellens case. The AGs Office previously reviewed the case in 2019 and stood by the suicide ruling, citing suicide-related searches allegedly found on Ellens computer and text messages showing she was in distress. The Greenbergs knew their daughter was suffering from what a psychiatrist described as severe anxiety, but that psychiatrist also told police there was never any feeling of suicidal thoughts according to the MEs investigation report. AG spokesperson Molly Stieber said the materials provided last year by Podraza brought to light no new facts in this case, and the AGs Office stands by the suicide ruling. For the Greenbergs, the irregularities are too glaring, and the secrecy around the case is still too stark. To this day, authorities have refused to release the police files in Ellens case. They were not turned over in discovery and they are not subject to the states Right-to-Know Law. If there are things they dont want revealed, why? Sandra Greenberg said. Let the truth set us free. Then-Sen. Kamala Harris questions Attorney General William Barr as he testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2018. Harris should adopt a prosecutorial approach to her presidential campaign, Chris Matthews writes. Read more I have a long political memory. It reaches back to the 1962 Pennsylvania gubernatorial campaign when Rep. Bill Scranton beat Philadelphia Mayor Richardson Dilworth by a half million votes. He did it with an old rule: Spend the first half of the governors campaign beating the heck out of your opponent. Spend the second half talking about the future you want for Pennsylvania. Advertisement I remember that race well and the truth of that rule. That was especially the case when Scranton showed up for a TV debate holding a bucket painted with whitewash and a paintbrush adorned in the same way. He accused Dilworth of using his campaign to whitewash the citys Democratic record. None of this was true, of course. Dilworth was as clean as they come politically. But it worked, winning by 500,000 votes at a time the Democratic party under President John F. Kennedy was dominating national politics. I give you here the perfect model for Kamala Harris to put to work in the days remaining before now and November. She should spend the first 50 days as a single-minded prosecutor reminding us of what Donald Trump has either been convicted or has admitted publicly. I can give you two reasons. First, the charges against Trump, illegal or otherwise contemptible, were construed by his MAGA supporters as a way to scratch him from the race. Two, it gives the vice president a chance to perform in the democratic arena as the prosecutor she was on her way to Washington. This is how she rose to power, serving as the pro cop San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general. It allows her to present the charges against Trump, not before a New York jury but to the American voter. Harris can walk before the U.S. electorate or on a TV debate and cite those charges as a Democratic candidate asking democratic voters to support her: How candidate Trump told me in Green Bay Wisconsin in 2015 that women who have abortions should suffer some form of punishment under the law. How Trump said on the Access Hollywood tape, that he can grab women in their private parts whenever he felt like it. That Donald Trump was convicted of committing that very crime violating columnist E. Jean Carroll in a Bergdorf-Goodman changing room. That Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts for paying a porn star hush money to quiet her about his behavior during the 2016 election. Added to that, President Trump led a stop the steal rally to spark the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, an act of political violence intended to prevent the normal counting of the 2020 electoral votes, an attack that led to death of U.S. Capitol police officers. Kamala Harris has changed the partisan ballgame. Kamala Harris, as weve seen, has changed the partisan ballgame. It is no longer an intellectual fight between democracy and autocracy. With Harris in there fighting, we can see it as a struggle against real-life threats to the American people. She stands out there on her own, a woman of color attempting to change history. It is not a courtroom battle in New York anymore, but Harris against Trump, a David vs. Goliath as we are ever likely to see. Heres what Harris told supporters at a campaign stop in Wisconsin last week. She began by talking about her previous posts as district attorney and attorney general. In those roles, I took on perpetrators of all kinds: predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain, she said. So hear me when I say I know Donald Trumps type. Who is not threatened by Donald Trumps type? I go back to that old, proven rule of Pennsylvania partisanship: Start on the offensive, end with the aspirational. The 2024 election makes our commonwealth the Keystone State once again as it was in the Battle of Gettysburg. Kamala Harris can not only make history, but also hold this country together. Chris Matthews anchored MSNBCs Hardball for a quarter century, and he regularly appears on the networks Morning Joe. Should Kamala Harris choose Gov. Josh Shapiro as her vice presidential running mate? Thats what many in the media both in Pennsylvania and nationally are calling for. Shapiros youth and reputation for moderation and electability seem to make him an interesting contender. So does his status as the governor of a crucial swing state. If Kamala Harris is going to win in November, she needs to win Pennsylvania first. Advertisement But despite the buzz, Harris may conclude that she has better options than the governor. She almost certainly wants a running mate with a record of achievement. But Shapiro has only been in office for 18 months and has struggled to govern, despite very colorfully promising to deliver. My colleagues at the Commonwealth Foundation recently documented what Harris and her vetting team are likely discovering. We compared Shapiro to governors in other states with divided government. Pennsylvania has a Republican-controlled Senate and a Democratic-controlled House, putting the commonwealth in a similar situation as Virginia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Arizona, and four other states. Their governors have worked with the opposing party to pass numerous laws from 162 in North Carolina to more than 1,600 in Virginia. Yet, in Pennsylvania, Shapiro has signed only 111 laws through the end of June. Thats a pitiful record, made even worse by the fact that Pennsylvania is one of the few states with a full-time legislature. Every other state executive with a divided government has accomplished more. And to be clear, this isnt a Pennsylvania problem its a Shapiro problem. Many of his predecessors in the commonwealth also faced divided government, including four of the last six governors. Yet, our research shows that they all signed more laws than Shapiro. In failing to deliver on key campaign promises like cutting red tape, lowering taxes, and delivering scholarships for disadvantaged kids Shapiro now blames the divided legislature that he once claimed a mandate to unite. Unfortunately, rather than forging a record of bipartisan leadership, Shapiros office now complains that hes the victim of bad faith attacks from all sides. After capitulating to pressure from fellow Democrats in the House, Shapiro was forced to veto his own campaign promise providing Lifeline/PASS Scholarships to low-income kids trapped in failing and unsafe schools. In doing so, he violated the deal he struck with Senate Republicans, resulting in lost trust and strained relationships with the legislature. Worse yet, despite repeatedly pledging to fight for your kids as if they were my own and calling the scholarship program unfinished business, Shapiro again turned his back on our most vulnerable children by refusing to fight for them in this years budget negotiations. Pennsylvanians are already starting to show how the rest of America would likely react if Shapiro joined a national ticket. In new polling, we found that 54% of voters either dont think or dont know if the governor has delivered major accomplishments. Thats not the kind of ringing endorsement that Kamala Harris wants or needs. And even those who think Shapiro has delivered accomplishments are hard-pressed to name any. They generally praise his public statements or simply say hes doing a good job or hes for the people. Only 7% can point to a single concrete action: repairing the collapsed bridge on I-95 last year. Rebuilding a bridge is undoubtedly important, but when it comes to governing, Shapiro has proven more adept at burning bridges with fellow lawmakers than building them. These arent the actions of a vice president in the making. Just the opposite: They paint a picture of a governor whos overhyped in the national media yet underperforming in his own state. Kamala Harris is surely giving Shapiro a look, but if shes smart, shell pass him over for someone else someone with a record of achievement. It would be truly shocking if Josh Shapiro was on the national ticket in 2024. And if he doesnt start doing the hard work to deliver moderate and bipartisan wins, he wont have much of a chance at claiming any other national office down the road, either. Erik Telford is senior vice president of public affairs at the Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvanias free-market think tank. On Oct. 8, 2023, my annual visit with my college friends in Arizona was interrupted by a phone call from Gov. Josh Shapiro. He called to check up on me as well as to ask how our community was in light of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, and the subsequent Israeli counter operation in Gaza. He wanted our community, the Arab American community in Pennsylvania, to feel safe and protected. He was clear that he had our back. This was important for us, especially those of us who lived through 9/11 and had been subjected to discriminatory behavior and retaliation. It meant a lot to hear from the leader of our commonwealth, making a personal phone call to make sure my community was doing OK. Advertisement I mentioned to him that my daughter was studying abroad at the American University of Beirut and our family worried that the conflict could escalate into Lebanon. He wanted me to keep in touch and said he would help with the State Department if needed. I have known Josh Shapiro for more than two decades, since he was first elected to the General Assembly. Back then, I was serving on an Obama-era task force convened by the U.S. attorney for eastern Pennsylvania to address issues of discrimination experienced by Arab, Muslim, Asian, and other communities. This task force would surely have been killed by the Trump-appointee, but Shapiro took it over when he became the attorney general and its still operating today. Later, when Shapiro was running for governor, I took him to community events and mosques. The war in Gaza has been traumatic for our community. Since that October phone call, I have regularly kept Gov. Shapiro up-to-date on how our community has been processing this entire situation. He understands the pain that Arab, Palestinian, and Muslim Pennsylvanians feel. While we may disagree on some issues, I applaud him for listening to us and working together. He has on numerous occasions condemned antisemitism, which I and others in our community echo, and he has also condemned anti-Arabism and Islamophobia. He has spent time meeting with several different Arab and Muslim representatives since October and listening openly as we shared with him our concerns and fears for our community and the people of Gaza. One more thing that the governor and I have in common: We both think Benjamin Netanyahu is awful. In fact, Gov. Shapiro has called him the worst prime minister that Israel has ever had. He has expressed anger over the more than 39,000 deaths in Gaza. Earlier this year, when a counterprotester pulled out a weapon at a peaceful pro-Palestinian rally in Pennsylvania, he acted swiftly and his administration was quick to make sure the perpetrator was arrested. But more importantly, Gov. Shapiro has always been with the Muslim and Arab community in the face of Islamophobia, anti-Arab racism, and discrimination. When he took office, he appointed the highest ranking Muslim to ever serve on a cabinet seat in Pennsylvania. He proclaimed April as Arab American Heritage Month. He visited Arab American mosques and churches. He spoke at an Eid-al-Fitr prayer. Josh Shapiro is a friend and advocate for our community and I am convinced will use his current position as governor and any other position that he may be selected for, in the near future or further on, to remain engaged with our community throughout our commonwealth or in our beloved Middle East. Marwan Kreidie, the executive director of the Philadelphia Arab American Development Corp., teaches political science at West Chester University. Thursday is shaping up to bring a lull in the campaign event schedule for Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, with the candidates eyeing additional events over the weekend and next week. Harris is scheduled to continue her stay in Houston, where she is slated to give a eulogy at a service for former U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D., Texas), who died from cancer July 19. Harris had two events scheduled in the city Wednesday, including at Sigma Gamma Rhos 60th International Biennial Boule. Harris has visited Texas three times in the past month. Advertisement Harris husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, was in New England Wednesday for campaign events but had no publicly announced events on the calendar for Thursday as of early Wednesday afternoon. Next week, however, Harris will hold a campaign stop in Philadelphia the first with her as-yet-unannounced running mate. That stop, the Harris campaign told The Inquirer, will kick off a tour through swing states with her vice presidential pick, who is likely to be introduced on Pennsylvania turf. Details about the event have not yet been publicly announced. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is considered a top contender for Harris VP pick, will reportedly meet with her top allies in two events in the Hamptons over the weekend, according to the New York Times and CNBC. Shapiro has so far demurred when asked about his interest in the position, saying Tuesday in Philadelphia that Harris will make that decision on her own terms when she is ready. Trump, meanwhile, is scheduled to appear at a rally Wednesday in Harrisburg, marking his first rally in the state since he survived an assassination attempt in Butler earlier this month. He was also slated to speak at the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention in Chicago Wednesday, in a move that sparked a divide among members and event attendees. Neither Trump nor his running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, had campaign events publicly scheduled for Thursday as of early Wednesday afternoon. Vance was scheduled to appear at a Wednesday rally in Glendale, Ariz. Trump and Vance will, however, appear at a campaign stop scheduled for Saturday in Atlanta, just days after Harris held her own star-studded event in the city alongside musicians Megan Thee Stallion and Quavo. Trump has also said that he plans to return to Butler for another rally honoring former Buffalo Township fire chief Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the July 13 assassination attempt, and the two others wounded during the incident. HIs campaign has not yet released details on when that rally might occur. Gov. Josh Shapiro turns to supporters during a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris at Wissahickon High School in Montgomery County on Monday. Read more With a critical election looming, Democratic leaders worried that their aging incumbent was no longer in a position to win and were debating dumping him from the ticket. Josh Shapiro stood ready to seize the opportunity. Advertisement The race? A 2011 campaign for the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. Party leaders blindsided their longtime standard-bearer, former U.S. Rep. Joe Hoeffel, and threw their support behind Shapiro, a then-37-year-old state lawmaker and former Hoeffel chief of staff who had not publicly expressed interest in the job. Hoeffel saw his former protege's entry into the race as a betrayal. But Marcel Groen, then chair of the countys Democratic Party, defended his decision in an interview with The Inquirer at the time. Of Shapiro who would go on to secure a commanding win and flip the board to Democratic control for the first time in history Groen said: Watch, hes going to be president one day. Now, 13 years later, Shapiro finds himself under consideration for a role a heartbeat away from that job and is, once again, poised to potentially benefit from a last-minute reshuffling of a Democratic ticket. Those whove tracked his steady rise from state representative, to Montgomery County commissioner, to state attorney general, to governor say its not by chance that Shapiro is a front-runner on Vice President Kamala Harris shortlist of potential running mates. Hes proven himself as a skilled communicator and a competent leader with a record of accomplishments that appeal to voters in both parties, such as improving his countys bond rating and bringing attention to the Catholic Churchs coverup of child sex abuse. Hes demonstrated an ability to win big in a critical swing state earning more votes than even the presidential candidates in Pennsylvania in 2016 and 2020. But driving Shapiros success over his two-decade political career is an ambition fed by a sharp political acumen, an uncanny knack for positioning himself to seize a moment, and a laser-like focus on not just whats good for Pennsylvania but whats good for his own career even if it occasionally comes at the expense of former allies and friends who say he turned against them to serve his own interests. I recognize that at this moment, in probably every moment in my life, folks are judging me from the outside. And thats fine, Shapiro said on Tuesday. Its part of the business. Im most comfortable with every decision I made that its always been about service. Though Shapiro hasnt publicly said he wants to become vice president, leaders of his own state party are openly campaigning for him to be Harris running mate as she takes on former President Donald Trump. And hes shown no signs of waving them off. READ MORE: Could Josh Shapiro become the Democrats pick for vice president? Destined to be who he was Already one of the youngest chiefs of staff on Capitol Hill, Shapiro decided to move home to Abington in 2004 and run for an open state House seat representing his hometown in a district that skewed overwhelmingly Republican. He joined a long list of Democrats looking to flip the seat. The party planned interviews with each potential candidate to select its nominee an effort to avoid a messy primary. But after meeting with Shapiro, said Jean Corrigan, who was part of that vetting effort and later worked for Shapiro: That was it. We just stopped the interviews after him. Shapiros charisma dazzled even some of his competitors. Ive never seen a person who was so destined to be who he was, said Mike OConnor, a former Abington commissioner who also vied to run that year. He showed his adeptness at campaigning by knocking on more than 10,000 doors with a personable pitch. Joshs number-one gift is his memory, his ability to remember where he met someone, their name, their job, their family, and make them feel special, said Joe Corrigan, a Democratic strategist who volunteered on Shapiros state House race in high school. He ultimately won a long-shot victory over Republican candidate Jon D. Fox, who had held the seat for seven years, besting him by 10 points. Shapiro outraised him, too an early sign of his prodigious fundraising ability. Once elected, Shapiro rapidly climbed the ranks. He was a primary driver of across-the-aisle dealmaking to oust then-House Speaker John M. Perzel and elevate Republican Dennis OBrien to the position. Shapiro won a plum prize for his efforts: an appointment to the newly created role of deputy speaker. I just recognized that he had extraordinary leadership skills from the get-go, OBrien told The Inquirer in 2022. He didnt have to spend a decade understanding [how the legislature works]. Hes created his own safety net The political brand Shapiro forged in his early legislative career as a charismatic campaigner, a lawmaker who forges bipartisan relationships, and a politician who stakes out positions popular with constituents has remained remarkably consistent throughout each of the posts hes held since. Hes a strategist. Hes always thinking, said former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. I tease him all the time: Josh has been trying to figure out how to be governor since about fifth grade. Occasionally, though, Shapiros political maneuvering has rankled people in both parties. While running for governor in 2022, he took the unusual step of endorsing a candidate in the competitive Democratic primary for lieutenant governor effectively elevating his hand-picked No. 2, then a little-known 32-year-old state representative. Another Democrat in the race claimed at the time that Shapiro had urged him to drop out, calling that effort offensive. About the same time, Shapiros campaign intervened in the crowded Republican gubernatorial primary, funding TV ads that promoted Doug Mastriano, whom GOP leaders saw as a weak general-election candidate. As hes amassed political clout, few in his party are willing to criticize him publicly. Several Democrats who spoke to The Inquirer in recent days were unwilling to attach their names to critiques of Shapiro for fear of it affecting their political careers. One insider said a tweet by Erin McClelland the Democratic nominee for state treasurer in Novembers election suggesting that Shapiro might undermine Harris expressed what many others would say only in private. Hes very effective at keeping things in control, the insider said. His supporters, though, push back against the characterization of Shapiro as a Machiavellian tactician and note that hes simply successful; hes never lost an election. Leslie Anne Miller, a Democratic fundraiser and longtime ally, credits Shapiros record for insulating him against attacks from naysayers. Hes created his own safety net, she said. ... They couldnt say he was so busy figuring out where to go next that he gave lip service to Montgomery County, or he was just an AG, Miller said. He distinguished himself in each position. I would never want him in a foxhole with me And yet, at least some in his party say Shapiros rise has left them feeling burned. Former Pennsylvania House Speaker Bill DeWeese, who lost his seat in 2012 amid a corruption scandal that sent him to prison, said before that downfall he considered himself one of Shapiros mentors. As a freshman state lawmaker, Shapiro often turned to him for guidance on how to maneuver in the statehouse, DeWeese said. He created the position of deputy speaker for Shapiro to show his gratitude for negotiating the deal with OBrien. The two Democrats grew so close that DeWeese even bestowed Shapiro with a nickname: Scout. When the state Attorney Generals Office opened an investigation in 2009 into DeWeeses use of state money to further his campaigns, he turned to Shapiro for advice on how to navigate the crisis. They met multiple times in DeWeeses Harrisburg apartment, alongside a former Republican attorney general and a former Republican inspector general. I thought he was young, indefatigable, and on the upswing of fame, DeWeese said. But within a few months, the former speaker said, he felt blindsided and betrayed. Shapiro without so much as a warning to his former ally arranged a one-man news conference and became one of the earliest lawmakers to call for DeWeeses resignation. He referred to the speaker as a symbol of a broken system and staked his position on the side of taxpayers and good government. DeWeese said in a recent interview that he was stunned at the time by Shapiros remarks. I would never want him in a foxhole with me, and I dont think the vice president and presidential nominee would want Josh as her wingman, said DeWeese, adding that hed like U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly as Harris running mate but will support whomever Harris picks. But what DeWeese views as disloyalty, others credited as Shapiro reading the political mood of the moment and making a calculated decision to cut ties that could damage his future prospects. After all, they note, DeWeese was the one who ended up in prison. Hoeffel, the former congressman and Montgomery County commissioner booted from the 2011 Democratic ticket in favor of Shapiro, said he, too, left elected office feeling burned. You dont want to turn your back on him, he told The Inquirer of Shapiro in 2017. Loyalty is not his strong suit. Speaking recently, Hoeffel said he stood by those remarks but praised Shapiros subsequent successes. I dont take back anything I said about him, Hoeffel said. But all of that has receded in importance as time has gone on. Hes a very smart, hard-working, talented politician and would be up to the job of vice president. Others recalled instances in which they assumed theyd have Shapiros support, only to be left disappointed. Former U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz had hoped, given their long friendship and work together in Montgomery County, that she would have his endorsement in the four-member 2014 Democratic primary for governor. Ten days before the election, Shapiro backed Tom Wolf, instead. Wolf later backed Shapiro as his successor, two years before Shapiro even announced his run for governor. And though Schwartz said she harbors no ill will and thinks Shapiro would be a good running mate for Harris, she was hurt by his decision at the time. It was a tough moment, Schwartz said. I thought we had a good relationship. For his own part, Shapiro said this week that the decisions hes made throughout his career have not been about personal ambition, but about serving Pennsylvanians. Its always been about trying to help other people and continue to look out for my family every step of the way, he said. Stepping into big moments In his first year and seven months as governor and six years as attorney general Shapiro has capitalized on big public moments, becoming the face of them and often striking a chord of unity with most Pennsylvanians. While attorney general, Shapiro was a consistent foil to Trump, joining several state attorneys general to oppose Trumps travel ban and defending Pennsylvanias 2020 election results against attacks and lawsuits. In 2021, Shapiro announced an opioid settlement with pharmaceutical distributors that resulted in a $1 billion payout for Pennsylvania. As governor, he brought a region together around the rebuilding of I-95 while also producing footage ready-made for a campaign ad of Shapiro hovering in a helicopter over the collapsed highway. And he largely won praise calling for the resignation of the University of Pennsylvania president over her comments on antisemitism. He gave a poignant remembrance of the firefighter, Corey Comperatore, killed at Trumps rally in Butler in mid-July. READ MORE: Gov. Josh Shapiros latest spotlight is his most important yet after Trump assassination attempt Taken together, its made him the most popular elected official in the state in most polls, winning over Republicans and even some Trump voters. Hes a white-shoe lawyer from Montgomery County, said a Republican consultant who has worked on Pennsylvania campaigns, adding that Shapiro has built a track record with voters who might not have much in common with him, even though hes a mainstream Democrat. They dont despise him, he said. Behind the scenes, hes worked carefully to make the most of those moments. A staunch supporter of Israel and Pennsylvanias third Jewish governor, Shapiro had already been outspoken against antisemitism and Islamophobia on college campuses, when pro-Palestinian encampments went up at Penn this year. He waited to call for disbanding protesters until he knew that a plan to do so was already underway, The Inquirer previously reported. It made him look fully in control of the situation. READ MORE: Would Josh Shapiros stances on Israel help or hurt Kamala Harris ticket? Theres little question Shapiro likes being the man behind the podium. Ive taken steps that actually a lot of people at the time would have said, that doesnt make a whole lot of sense, Shapiro said Tuesday, referencing his run for county commissioner instead of Congress and attorney general instead of U.S. Senate. I wanted to be an executive. I wanted to serve my community, Shapiro said. ... Ive always tried to be true to myself and my commitment to public service, something that my faith calls me to do, my upbringing has called me to do. Ready for No. 2? An open question in Pennsylvania political circles is how someone as ambitious as Shapiro would fare in the No. 2 position. The No. 1 concern with him he is not gonna be fine off to the side, a Democratic insider said. This insider recalled that when President Joe Biden visited the I-95 bridge collapse in Philadelphia, it was Shapiro at center stage, taking the president around. Hes never going to be No. 2. He never wants to be No. 2. U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean (D., Pa.), who inherited Shapiros seat in the statehouse and has remained a good friend, said shes spoken with him recently and his spirit has been positive, about the vice presidential rumors. Weve been talking this past year about whats at stake in Pennsylvania, whats at stake in our region for women and girls, our values, our freedoms. He reiterated, Im being prayerful, Im thoughtful. Last week, a Harris endorsement event with labor leaders in Philadelphia turned into an impromptu pep rally for Shapiro, with speakers endorsing the governor to become Harris running mate. Shapiro stood by with an embarrassed but flattered smile. Asked whether the attention made him uncomfortable, he packed a campaign stump speech into a 30-second answer: Listen ... I am proud of the work that I do. Im proud of all that weve accomplished. Im proud of the fact that Im the only governor in the entire country with a divided legislature yet we passed historic investment in public education, in public safety, in economic development. Were moving the commonwealth forward. Im proud of that work. Im grateful that folks take note of that. Former President Donald Trump left, participates in a discussion at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention and Career Fair in Chicago, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Read more CHICAGO Former President Donald Trump spoke Wednesday at the annual National Association of Black Journalists Convention, where he attacked the first journalist who asked a question and denigrated Vice President Kamala Harris racial identity. In a stunning exchange during a panel with three journalists, Trump questioned Harris Blackness because of her South Asian heritage. Advertisement She was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went, she became a Black person. I think somebody should look into that, Trump said in a stunning exchange. Harris, whose mother immigrated from India and whose father immigrated from Jamaica, would be the first Black woman to serve as president and also the first Asian American to hold the role. Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black university, and pledged a Black sorority in 1986. She embraces both identities and spoke at events targeting both Black and Asian American voters in Philadelphia this year, prior to President Joe Bidens withdrawal from the race. The conversation was moderated by Rachel Scott of ABC, Harris Faulkner of Fox News, and Kadia Goba of Semafor. It was expected to tackle the most pressing issues facing the Black communities, according to an announcement from the association posted Monday. Scott began with a question about Trumps promotion of birtherism or falsely claiming former President Barack Obama and Harris werent born in the United States (Obama was born in Hawaii, while Harris was born in California). Scott also asked about his past associations with white supremacists (Trump dined with Holocaust denier Nicholas Fuentes in 2022), and other documented instances of racism by Trump. Ive never been asked a question in such a horrible manner, Trump said to Scott, ABCs congressional correspondent. Trump claimed NABJ caused him to be late and that he was brought to the conference under false pretenses, as he thought his opponent would be there as well. I think its a very rude introduction, Trump said. I dont know why you would do something like this. Trump then said hes been the best president for Black people since Abraham Lincoln. Nearly all of his comments drew groans and jeers from the crowd of mostly Black journalists. Harris campaign criticized Trumps remarks in a statement after the chaotic conversation concluded. The hostility Donald Trump showed on stage today is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, the statement said. Todays tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trumps MAGA rallies this entire campaign. Trumps appearance at the journalism convention preceded a rally in Harrisburg scheduled for that evening. News of Trumps presence at the NABJ conference was met with intense firestorm and divided public opinion, especially among Black journalists. Karen Attiah of the Washington Post posted to X (formerly Twitter) that she was stepping down as co-chair of the convention following the news. While my decision was influenced by a variety of factors, I was not involved or consulted with in any way with the decision to platform Trump in such a format. NABJ President Ken Lemon defended the decision by highlighting that the group extends offers to Republican and Democratic candidates each year, and its website states political speakers have been bipartisan. According to The Grios April Ryan, NABJ was in contact with Vice President Kamala Harris team, but Harris could not accommodate an in-person talk and offered a virtual fireside chat, which organizers rejected. Lemon said in a statement that Harris wouldnt be available even virtually during the conference. Trump fielded questions about his vice presidential pick, Sen. JD Vance, defending the Ohio Republican and attempting to clean up Vances comments on women without children. Vance in 2021 called Democratic women, including Harris, childless cat ladies and implied the votes of people with children should be more heavily weighted. Trump tried to walk the comments back, saying that people who dont have children are still good people. In addition to his comments about Harris racial identity, Trump made other incendiary comments, including a claim that Latin American immigrants were taking Black jobs. Asked about whether he would pardon Jan. 6 rioters who were filmed attacking police officers and convicted, he said yes, if theyre innocent. Trump had an apparent affinity for Fox News host Faulkner, complimenting her several times, in stark contrast to his dismissal of ABC correspondent Scott. His tone toward Semafors Goba was neutral. The talk ended with cheers and claps, along with shouts of youre a liar and other jeers. Many attendees were unhappy with Trumps performance at the convention, though most were not comfortable going on the record. Hes the same way today as he was yesterday as hes going to be in the future, said Patricia Duncan, a freelance journalist from Denver. If youre going to be a presidential candidate you need to have a little bit more class, and he showed none today. Allison Joyner, a freelance journalist who was open to the idea of Trumps appearance, left disappointed. I had high hopes that he was going to take asking for our vote seriously, Joyner said, but I didnt feel like that. Whether or not NABJ should have hosted Trump isnt a partisan issue, but an issue with that particular candidate, said Jelani Cobb, a prominent writer at the New Yorker and dean of Columbia Journalism School. I dont think that you interview that person in the same way, Cobb said after Trumps Q&A. I think that this format lends itself to the mass production of disinformation and misinformation. "Leander has an outstanding reputation and extensive network within the corporate insurance industry across Europe and beyond. I am delighted that he is joining us and am very much looking forward to working with him as we continue to develop our business across the Eastern Region, Furby said. By teaming up with the well-regarded Department of Media and Communication, we are confident that participating journalists and content creators will use their skill and creativity to bring the concepts of financial literacy to life in an engaging way, he said. A February report from WorkSafe Australia found that mental health claims have risen by more than 35% since 2017. While still only accounting for about 10% of all serious workers comp claims, businesses lost four times more time from employees with these injuries compared to those injured physically. More surprising: WorkSafe also found that the median compensation paid for mental health conditions was more than three times greater than that of all physical injuries and illnesses. Im thrilled we have such experts as Willem and John to grow our business as a global company, and the local expertise here to continue to grow the portfolio with the foundation they have laid, he said. As one of our outstanding engineering and construction underwriters, Stevan Bonic is a great example of our commitment to technical expertise and growing in areas the market values in our business. Together, the team will continue to collaborate to ensure HDI delivers innovative solutions for our brokers and clients. With a career spanning over two decades in the insurance sector, Bishop brings a wealth of experience to her new role at BenefitMall. Before her appointment, she was a sales manager at another wholesale insurance brokerage firm. Bishops background also includes several years with a general agency where she developed deep expertise in group benefits. The Top Retail Brokers of 2024 have earned their place on the prestigious list. Insurance Business America undertook a nationwide search for the top performers, who had at least $1 million in premium revenue in 2023, at least 50% commercial P&C business, and demonstrated year-over-year growth from 2022. There are bad actors that are looking to utilize AI to write emails that are much better disguised social engineering attacks, Billy explained. That said, companies are looking to counteract that, using AI in order to help protect them from some of those bad actors and new vectors. Generative AI is something thats emerging and so theres a lot of people just trying to talk to one another to understand best how to utilize it. "Despite an active period marked by several mid-sized catastrophe losses and reserve strengthening in US casualty, our non-life business generated a positive underwriting result. In combination with the strong performance of our life and health business and growth in our net investment income, PartnerRe delivered an operating return on equity of 8.9% in the first half of 2024. We remain focused on our disciplined approach to executing our strategic objectives and building our diversified business, Meyenhofer said. He also served as a member of the executive board and head of the life business at AXA Winterthur, and held senior leadership positions at Swiss Life Group. Malmstrom's academic background includes a PhD in mathematics from the University of Aachen in Germany and a master's degree in mathematics, physics, and astronomy from the University of Basel. Did New York lawmakers intend the Child Victims Act (CVA) that revived old claims of sexual abuse to apply to claims by employees that would previously have been handled by the workers compensation system? Its the responsibility of the states civil courts, not the states Workers Compensation Board (WCB), to answer that because it is a question of law, a state appeals court has ordered. A state Supreme Court appellate division unanimously overruled the Monroe County Supreme Court and remanded back to it three lawsuits brought by former newspaper delivery boys alleging they were sexually abused by a supervisor and a co-worker in the 1980s. The lower court had deferred to the WCB and put the cases on hold while awaiting an answer. If the courts decide that the CVA does allow otherwise time-barred sexual abuse claims by employees, the cases may proceed in civil court, which must then decide whether the plaintiffs are limited to benefits under the workers compensation law or are they entitled to seek damages, according to the appellate ruling. However, if courts find that the CVA does not revive time-barred workers compensation claims, the court should then defer to the WCB to allow it to determine what, if any, workers compensation benefits the former employees are entitled to given that their claims were not filed within the required two year period. The plaintiffs in the three actions seek damages under the CVA arising from their employment delivering newspapers in the 1980s for the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, which is now owned by Gannett Co. The plaintiffs allege that they were sexually abused by a supervisor and another co-worker and that Gannett is liable in negligence for their injuries. In response, Gannett has insisted that the plaintiffs were employees of the newspaper company at the time and thus their exclusive remedy should be through workers compensation, not the courts. Gannett produced documents claiming to prove to that the company had workers compensation for minor employees including the delivery boys at the time. Gannett moved for a stay of the three actions and a referral to the WCB for a determination whether the alleged injuries occurred in the course of employment and are compensable by workers compensation. Monroe County Supreme Court Judge Deborah A. Chimes agreed to stay the cases pending a determination from the WCB. The plaintiffs appealed that order and the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, has now ruled that the lower court erred. In cases such as this, where the question is one of pure statutory interpretation, courts need not accord any deference to an administrative body as they might do where the issue involves knowledge and understanding of underlying operational practices, the appeals court stressed. Although factual determinations with respect to the applicability of the workers compensation law should be referred to the WCB, questions of law remain within the domain of the court. The eight men claim they were sexually abused when they worked for the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle in the 1980s. The lawsuits were brought against a circulation supervisor, now deceased, another co-worker and Gannett Co., which did not then but does now own the newspaper. The plaintiffs opposed deferring to the WCB, arguing that Gannett had not actually proven that the company had workers compensation coverage for all the plaintiffs at the time. The state requires employers to have coverage in place in order to rely upon workers compensation as the sole remedy in a workplace incident. The plaintiffs also argued that the state legislature intended the CVA to apply to all claims of child sexual abuse and did not intend to exclude child employee claims. Gannett argued that it is doubtful that the CVA revived claims for workers compensation because the courts have repeatedly held that a workers compensation proceeding is not an action or special proceeding under the Civil Practice Act, but a statutory proceeding having its own rules as to limitations. In other words, Gannett maintained, the WCB could determine that the claims fall within its exclusive jurisdiction and were revived, but are time-barred because the plaintiffs failed after 2019 to submit claims to it. Alternatively, the WCB might conclude that the plaintiffs claims were not revived at all by the CVA, in which case they were filed nearly 40 years too late. In granting the deferral to the WCB, Monroe County Supreme Court Judge Chimes found that it was beyond fair dispute that the company had the required workers compensation coverage in the 1980s and that the minor delivery boys were covered under the policies. Chimes said the existence of coverage is a question of law for the Supreme Court to resolve. After that, if the employer had secured coverage, questions of whether an employees injuries occurred in the course of employmentand are therefore compensable by workers compensationmust be determined by the WCB and it is is inappropriate for the courts to express views with respect thereto pending determination by the board, she found. Chimes noted that the WCB has never had an opportunity to weigh in on the claims at issue because at no time, either contemporaneous with their injuries or following the enactment of the CVA in 2019, did the plaintiffs file claims with the WCB. Instead, they commenced negligence lawsuits. The judge previewed the negative consequences for the plaintiffs of whatever the WCB might decide. [I]f the Workers Compensation Board determines that the subject injuries occurred within the course of employment, there can be no unintentional tort action at all because workers compensation is an exclusive remedy. On the other hand, if the Workers Compensation Board determines that the injuries did not occur in the course of employment, a plaintiff may continue in his or her plenary tort action. Of course, in that instance, any recovery against the defendant will be tenuous, because an injury sustained outside of the course of employment would, in most conceivable situations, lack the necessary common-law connection to the fault of the employer. Chimes also offered that the plaintiffs might decide to change their complaints to state claims for intentional torts, such as battery and sexual assault. Or perhaps they may claim to have been independent contractors and not employees to circumvent the WCB. However, she advised they would have difficulty making these arguments against Gannett. But the appeals court unanimously ruled that the first order of business is for the civil court, not the WCB, to address the question of law about whether the CVA applies to old workplace sexual abuse claims by employees. Topics Claims Workers' Compensation Talent A former insurance executive has pleaded guilty to defrauding his former employer, Allied World Insurance Co., of $1.5 million in a scheme involving a shell company, bogus invoices, and vendor kickbacks. James Keating of Paoli, Pennsylvania on January 30 pleaded guilty in federal court in New Haven, Connecticut, to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, US Attorney for the District of Connecticut. According to the plea agreement, Keating will pay restitution of $1,226,603.97, which represents the loss to Allied World of $1,446,491.95, less $219,887.98 that he previously repaid as part of a civil judgment. A January indictment explains how Keating scammed Allied World. Between 2014 and July 2019, Keating was an assistant vice president at Allied World National Insurance Co. assigned to handle claims on surety bonds issued by Allied World. Keating continued the same surety bond claims work for Allied Worlds affiliate Crum & Forster (through its subsidiary United States Fire Insurance Co.) from July 2019 until about January 2021. In particular, he continued to handle claims on the pre-existing Allied World surety bonds. He worked from Allied World offices in Pennsylvania, but all surety bond claims were handled through Allied Worlds offices in Farmington, Connecticut. According to court documents, between 2017 and 2021, Keating defrauded Allied World in two ways. First, he billed Allied World for surety completion work that was never performed and was unnecessary and took the proceeds for himself. To carry out this part of the scheme, Keating created a shell company, American Construction & Industrial LLC, under the assumed name of Robert Peterson. He did not inform Allied World that American Construction was his alter ego. Keating had American Construction send bogus invoices to Allied World. He repeatedly uploaded claims into Allied Worlds system purporting to show that American Construction had performed work on particular claims, when in fact American Construction had not performed such work, the work was not necessary, and the work was within Keatings own employment obligations. Allied World paid these bogus invoices on more than 50 occasions and the money was deposited into bank accounts controlled by Keating who then used it for his own enrichment. The second way Keating defrauded Allied World was by soliciting kickbacks from vendors who performed work on Allied World claims handled by Keating, and then failing to disclose those kickbacks to Allied World. To carry out this part of the scheme, Keating utilized another shell company, Surety Risk Solutions, LLC, also known as SRS and SR5 LLC. SR5 was solely owned by Keating. SR5 entered into arrangements with Allied World vendors under which the vendors would pay a percentage of their revenue from Allied World work to SR5, typically between 7% and 10%. Keating sometimes referred to these kickbacks as finders fees or consulting fees, the indictment says. Additionally, Keating convinced these vendors to utilize Kodiak Asset Recovery LLC, a company also owned by Keating, to do online asset searches and then vastly overcharge Allied World for that service, again without telling Allied World about his ownership interest in Kodiak. According to US Attorney Avery, Keating profited nearly $1 million through American Construction & Industrial LLC, more than $350,000 in kickbacks through Surety Risk Solutions, and nearly $125,000 through Kodiak Asset Recovery. Keating, an attorney, was disbarred in January. He was released on a $100,000 bond. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick. Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd, through its subsidiaries, is a global provider of insurance and reinsurance. It a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Swiss Re and MNK Re. A summary of these new hires follows here. Malmstrom Named Swiss Res Group CFO as Dacey Retires Swiss Re announced that Anders Malmstrom will succeed John Dacey as group chief financial officer as of April 1, 2025. Malmstrom will join Swiss Re in early 2025 from Athora Holdings, a leading European savings and retirement services group, where he has served as group chief financial officer since May 2021. Prior to Athora, he was senior executive vice president and CFO of Equitable Holdings in New York. Before that, he was senior executive director and CFO at AXA US, member of the executive board and head of the Life business at AXA Winterthur and held senior leadership roles at Swiss Life Group. Malmstrom is a graduate from the Stanford Executive Program, holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Aachen in Germany and a masters degree in Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy from the University of Basel. While Dacey will retire from his executive role on March 31, 2025, he will continue to represent Swiss Re as a non-executive director on the boards of FWD and CPIC. We are pleased to have found a seasoned leader, with deep expertise in finance and the insurance industry, in Anders Malmstrom. We are convinced that he is the right person to take the Finance function forward after an orderly transition, commented Swiss Res Chairman Jacques de Vaucleroy. While it is too early to say goodbye to John Dacey, I would like to take this opportunity to thank him on behalf of the entire Board of Directors for his outstanding contributions to Swiss Re over the past 12 years, de Vaucleroy continued. Among his many achievements are the development of the Finance function into a more efficient and aligned organisation across the Groups businesses and the successful implementation of Swiss Res transition to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). *** MNK Re Appoints Industry Veteran Ashby as Global Chief Commercial Officer MNK Re, the London-based independent broker of specialist risks into Lloyds, has appointed Simon Ashby as executive managing director and global chief commercial officer. Ashby has nearly 40 years experience in the insurance and reinsurance sectors, having held senior management roles in both broking and underwriting, including over a decade in Bermuda as managing director of Marsh FINPRO Bermuda. In London, Ashby was managing director and CUO of Gulf Insurance Company UK Ltd. (part of the Travelers Group) and CEO of Willis Global Solutions International. In his most recent role, Ashby was co-founder and active underwriter of Verto Lloyds Syndicate 2689. In his new role, Ashby will be responsible for driving a variety of projects and revenue growth initiatives for MNK Re, as it looks to expand its presence across the globe, particularly in North America. Established in 2009, MNK Re is a registered Lloyds broker with offices in London, South Africa, Miami, Dubai, Kenya and Poland. MNK Re currently trades with clients in more than 80 countries and provides bespoke re/insurance solutions for both traditional as well as emerging risks. Topics Commercial Lines Natural catastrophes caused about $62 billion of insured losses in the first half of 2024 roughly 70% above the 10-year average as extreme wildfires, droughts and floods upend historical norms. The data, which were compiled by Munich Re, show that weather catastrophes in the US dominated losses in the period, Tobias Grimm, the reinsurers head of climate advisory, said in a phone interview. Other developments of note include floods in regions where they are very rare, such as Dubai, he said. It is clear that climate change plays a role in this development, Grimm said. Homes surrounded by floodwater after Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Sargent, Texas, on July 8. In all, natural catastrophes caused $120 billion of losses in the first six months, with little to indicate that the rest of 2024 will offer much respite. Thats as meteorologists predict one of the most active hurricane seasons in recent years, while wildfires raging from California to Alberta have left large parts of North America in shock. Its the longer-lasting heat waves that drive forest fires, Grimm said. Meteorological, socioeconomic and underwriting data all point to a changing risk pattern associated with severe weather events, Munich Re said. Theres a greater frequency of storms and fires fueled by climate change, with more built-up areas leading to a bigger risk of property damage. The upshot is higher claims payments for insurers. The industry has tried to offload some of that risk to capital markets using instruments such as catastrophe bonds. Increasingly, however, theres evidence that some regions are becoming uninsurable. According to Insurance Europe, an industry group representing insurers and reinsurers, theres so far no evidence that firms are pulling out of markets in the European Union. This, however, does not mean that there is no protection gap, nor that climate change is not creating new challenges for the sector, Oleksandra Hrendey, a senior policy adviser at Insurance Europe, said in an emailed comment. Munich Res analysis shows that in the US, severe thunderstorms caused more than $34 billion of insured damages in the first six months of the year, while total damages from such events amounted to $45 billion. Germany also was hit by costly storms and flooding after torrential rain wreaked havoc in May. The single costliest natural disaster in the period was an earthquake that rocked the western coast of Japan on New Years Day. Buildings collapsed and thousands of people went without power or clean water for weeks, resulting in total estimated losses of about $10 billion. Of that, roughly $2 billion was insured. Grimm said that in six of the past seven years, insured natural disaster losses have exceeded $100 billion, a figure he characterized as higher than historical norms but a level the industry is having to get used to. Photograph: Homes surrounded by floodwater after Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Sargent, Texas, on July 8, 2024; photo credit: Eddie Seal/Bloomberg Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics Profit Loss Norfolk Southern got a boost during the second quarter from insurance payments related to last years disastrous East Palestine derailment, but it also made progress in reducing its expenses and getting more efficient. The Atlanta-based railroad said it earned $737 million, or $3.25 per share, in the quarter, but there were several unusual factors influencing the results. And last years $356 million profit, or $1.56 per share, was heavily weighed down by costs related to the derailment near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. But CEO Alan Shaw is most proud of the $250 million in productivity and safety gains the railroad has made this year. Norfolk Southern also hauled 5% more freight during the quarter thanks to the efficiency and new business it was able to attract. Im really encouraged by our progress and Im really confident in our future, Shaw said. We did everything we said we were going to do. The $156 million in insurance payments the railroad received as it recovered some of the more than $1.7 billion it has spent in response to the February 2023 derailment in eastern Ohio more than offset the $91 million in costs this quarter. That resulted in a $65 million net boost to earnings. Much of the derailment costs, including the $600 million class action settlement the railroad agreed to this spring, will likely eventually be covered by the railroads insurance. Further complicating the financial picture is the fact that Norfolk Southern spent $22 million in the quarter to fight back against investor Ancora Holdings campaign to take over the board and fire the railroads management. Ancoras nominees ultimately won three board seats, but not enough to take control. Without any of those unusual factors, Norfolk Southern estimated that it would have earned $694 million, or $3.06 per share, in the quarter. The analysts surveyed by FactSet Research expected the railroad to report earnings per share of $2.86. Its stock rose almost 7% in after-hours after the earnings report came out. Norfolk Southern endorsed all of the recommendations the National Transportation Safety Board made in its final East Palestine report, and the railroad said it has largely addressed the safety concerns the Federal Railroad Administration raised in a report last year. But the rail industry has been lobbying against many of the proposed regulations Congress has been considering. During the proxy fight, Shaw hired a new operations chief and promised to make the railroad more efficient, though he still says he doesnt want to cut so deep that Norfolk Southern wont have the resources it needs to handle additional freight when the economy does improve. The railroad said has already parked more than 320 locomotives and pulled some 7,000 cars off its network as it moved to run fewer but longer trains to handle the same freight without as many engines or crews. Over the next two years, Norfolk Southern predicts will improve productivity by about $550 million and boost its profit margin. Already, the railroad reported improvement in every single performance metric in its quarterly report Thursday with everything from the average velocity of its cars to the amount of time trains spend in railyards getting better. Edward Jones analyst Jeff Windau said Norfolk Southern has been steadily improving its efficiency and put together a really solid quarter. The railroads revenue grew 2% to $3.04 billion in the quarter, in line with Wall Streets forecast. Norfolk Southern is one of the nations largest railroads operating trains across the eastern United States. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Ohio Damaging earthquakes that rocked West Texas in recent days were likely caused by oil and gas activity in an area that has weathered tremors for decades, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. A sequence that began in 2021 erupted with its largest quake on Friday, a magnitude 5.1 in the most active area in the country for quakes induced by oil and gas activities, experts say. The recent quakes damaged homes, infrastructure, utility lines, and other property, weakening foundations and cracking walls and ceilings, officials said. No injuries have been reported, the city of Snyder Office of Emergency Management said on Facebook. Officials declared a disaster in Scurry County. Safety is our top priority for all of our residents, and so we wanted to make sure we had all the available resources at our hands if we needed them, said Jay Callaway, emergency management coordinator for the city of Snyder and Scurry County, of the disaster declaration. He added that despite resident concerns, a disaster declaration doesnt mean they were anticipating a big one. He said they continued to have small tremors on Monday. There have been more than 50 earthquakes with a magnitude of 3 or larger the smallest quakes generally felt by people are magnitude 2.5 to 3 in the yearslong sequence, said Robert Skoumal, a research geophysicist with the USGS, in an email. A sequence is generally a swarm of earthquakes in a particular region motivated by the same activities, he said. While Fridays was the largest in the sequence, officials have also recorded a recent 4.5, a 4.9 on July 23 and a 4.7 last year. A water line broke in the city of Snyder due to a quake last week, said Callaway, but it has been fixed. This particular portion of the Permian Basin has a long history of earthquakes induced by oil and gas operations, going back to at least the 1970s, said Skoumal. The Permian Basin, which stretches from southeastern New Mexico and covers most of West Texas, is a large basin known for its rich deposits of petroleum, natural gas and potassium and is composed of more than 7,000 fields in West Texas. It is the most active area of induced earthquakes in the country and likely the world, according to the USGS. The are many ways people can cause, or induce, earthquakes, but the vast majority of induced earthquakes in the Central United States are caused by oil and gas operations, Skoumal said. Earthquakes were first introduced to the area via water flooding, a process in which water is injected into the ground to increase production from oil reservoirs. Four other tremors larger than a magnitude 5 have rattled western Texas in the past few years. The biggest was a 5.4. All four of these earthquakes were induced by wastewater disposal, said Skoumal. Further analysis is needed to confirm the specific cause of the regions earthquakes, but because the area isnt naturally seismic and has a long history of induced earthquakes, these recent earthquakes are likely to also have been induced by oil and gas operations, said Skoumal. Oklahoma experienced a dramatic spike in the number of earthquakes in the early 2010s that researchers linked to wastewater from oil and gas extraction that was being injected deep into the ground, activating ancient faults deep within the earths crust. The wastewater is left over from oil and natural gas production and includes saltwater, drilling fluids and other mineralized water. The large increase in Oklahoma quakes more than a decade ago led state regulators to place restrictions on the disposal of wastewater, particularly in areas around the epicenter of quakes. Since then, the number of quakes began to decline dramatically. ___ AP writer Sean Murphy contributed from Oklahoma City. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Texas Energy Oil Gas Earthquake The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, the states insurer of last resort for homes and businesses on the Gulf Coast, will consider raising rates as climate change increases the chances of more severe storms and damages become more costly. The associations board of directors is expected to vote on a 10% rate increase for residential and business policyholders at their Aug. 6 meeting. If approved, Texas Insurance Commissioner Cassie Brown would have to sign off on the increase for it to take effect. Homeowners typically pay $2,300 a year for a TWIA policy. The proposed rate increase would bump their annual insurance premium by $230. Our board members are aware of the burden of insurance rates on our policyholders on the coast, said Aaron Taylor, TWIAs senior legislative and external affairs specialist. They also want to make sure that we have the financial sustainability and the financial resources to pay those claims when our policyholders need us. Texas lawmakers created TWIA in 1971 to provide insurance to coastal property owners who cant find coverage through private insurers. The not-for-profit association is essentially a pool of private property and casualty insurers that provide wind and hail insurance to properties in the states 14 coastal counties as well as a portion of Harris County, the states most populous urban county. Demand for TWIA coverage has grown in recent years. TWIA had more than 252,000 policies as of the end of March, nearly 37% more than in 2020 an indication that property owners along the Gulf Coast are finding it increasingly difficult to secure private insurance. TWIAs current rates dont generate enough revenue to cover the associations operating expenses and its expected losses from claims, according to a recent TWIA analysis of those rates. Rates are less adequate than a year ago owing to the associations growing policyholder base as well as higher construction and labor costs to repair damage from storms, the association said. TWIA last raised rates in 2022. The association is weighing the rate increase as the region recovers from Hurricane Beryl. TWIA had received about 25,000 claims resulting from damage caused by Beryl as of Monday, Taylor said. TWIAs chief actuary Jim Murphy recently said he expects total claims to exceed $200 million. State Rep. Todd Hunter, a Corpus Christi Republican, took to social media on Friday to try to rally opposition to the increase. Its a terrible time and its terrible economics for coastal residents and businesses, Hunter said in a video posted Friday to the social media site X. Texas property owners pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the nation and those costs have been going up, driven by extreme weather events and rising property values resulting from the states robust economic growth. Homeowners insurance rates in Texas, grew by more than 23% last year, faster than in any other state, according to an S&P Global analysis. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan have each shown an appetite for the Texas Legislature to rein in the states rising insurance costs when lawmakers return to Austin next year. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/29/coastal-texas-windstorm-insurance-rate-increase-beryl/. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. Topics Trends Texas Pricing Trends JACKSON, Miss. (AP) A Mississippi grand jury decided not to bring criminal charges against a sheriffs deputy who fatally shot a man who was yelling shoot me, the state attorney generals office said Monday. The Hancock County Sheriffs Department said three deputies responding to a report of an attempted break-in found Isaiah Winkley, 21, of Coweta County, Georgia, when they arrived outside a home in Kiln on Dec. 10, 2022. A federal judge reviewed video recorded by an officers body camera that showed Winkley holding a steel fence post in one hand and candy in the other as he yelled Shoot me several times to the deputies. One deputy shot Winkley with a Taser that had little effect, and then deputy Michael Chase Blackwell used a gun to shoot Winkley multiple times, wrote the judge, who is overseeing a separate civil case brought by Winkleys family. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation examined what happened, as it does for most shootings involving law enforcement officers, and Attorney General Lynn Fitchs office presented the findings to a Hancock County grand jury last week. The grand jury reported that it found no criminal conduct on behalf of the officer involved, Fitchs office said in a news release Monday. As such, no further criminal action will be taken by this Office in this matter. The Sun Herald reported in March that federal prosecutors said they would not to bring criminal charges against Blackwell after he agreed to surrender his law enforcement license and certification and not serve as a law enforcement officer anywhere in the U.S. Winkleys family filed a federal lawsuit in 2023 against Hancock County and its sheriffs department. The suit said Winkley, a student at Pensacola Christian College in Florida, was at the home looking for assistance after his car became stuck in mud along Mississippi Highway 603. The lawsuit is on hold as attorneys for Blackwell appeal an April ruling by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. denying his request for qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that shields officials, including law enforcement officers, from lawsuits that seek money for actions they take on the job. The person who called the sheriffs department to report a possible break-in said a man outside his cousins house was carrying a come-along or chain fall, which is a portable winch, and that the man seemed not to be in his right state of mind, Guirola wrote. The judge wrote that Winkley was clearly having a mental or emotional health crisis and he never directed verbal threats toward the officers; instead, he begged the officers to shoot him. A reasonable officer at the scene could have viewed Winkleys actions as nonthreatening because Winkley did not touch his waistband and he could not have grabbed an additional weapon while his hands were grasping other objects, Guirola wrote. Winkley had the fence post in one hand and a container of Mentos candy in the other, the judge wrote. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Mississippi July 31, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) As on many previous occasions, touching levels above $70,000 represents a sharp inflection point to the downside despite the supporting factors at the time. I believe that a reversal from $70,000 levels on a continuous basis is frustrating the markets. Today, uncertainty prevails, even with a series of recent catalysts, most notably Donald Trump's promises to the cryptocurrency industry - a political effort, of course, either to fund his campaign or to attract voters. Trump has pledged - if he wins the presidential election - to create a government reserve for Bitcoin, support stablecoins, and make the regulatory environment more friendly to the sector. However, many of these promises have been met with criticism regarding their reality and feasibility. A prominent critic was The Editorial Board of The Wall Street Journal, which wrote the day before yesterday about Trump's contradictions in his policy towards cryptocurrencies, as he called for deregulating the industry but at the same time calling for more government policies to regulate the sector. The Editorial Board also believes that this intervention in cryptocurrencies would distort their liberal nature. The editors also criticized the plan to form a Bitcoin reserve that was proposed by Republican Representative Cynthia Lummis. What may be really good about Trump's promises is his removal of the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Gary Gensler, who is widely accused in the industry of being hostile to it due to procedures and lawsuits that restrict the market and are not based primarily on clear regulations. These criticisms of Gensler continued yesterday as well, with Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple Labs, the developer of XRP, accusing the SEC of "hypocrisy" in classifying cryptocurrencies as securities and in regulating the sector. This scathing criticism from Garlinghouse came after the SEC amended the Binance case file and reclassified Solana, Cardano, Polygon, and Cosmos after they were classified as securities, but without reclassifying XRP. So yes, the crypto sector certainly needs a clearer and more supportive regulatory and legislative environment to end the flood of lawsuits and accusations of violations - many of which the courts have repeatedly ruled against - targeting companies operating in the sector. I also believe that this is one of the key factors that cryptocurrencies need to support their widespread adoption, especially in the country that hosts the largest financial markets in the world. Without it, cryptocurrencies may remain subject to speculative movements primarily, far from being adopted as a comprehensive and global financial system. More Info: Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp July 31, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The healthcare industry is ripe with highly profitable companies and businesses, making it an ideal landscape for driven investors looking to generate massive profits. A solid investment strategy is to put money into companies with solid fundamentals and growth potential, and many companies in the healthcare sector fit this bill. These two, in particular, are among the best healthcare stocks to buy right now. There are many profitable companies with solid fundamentals and growth potential within the healthcare industry, making it ideal to invest in. Pfizer is a leading biopharmaceutical company renowned for the quality of its medical solutions and vaccines. It also has several impressive subsidiaries. CVS Health is a leading healthcare solutions company with a chain of retail pharmacies. It is among the largest healthcare companies in the world. This year, there have been several winners in the stock market, such as gold, tech, and banking stocks. While their success may have captured investor attention and sentiment, industries like healthcare will always be ideal to invest in due to their consistent levels of profitability. As the second half of the year begins, investors looking to generate massive profits can do so by investing in healthcare stocks. Joel Lim, a financial analyst at Stockoptionscalculator.com, has identified two of the best healthcare stocks to buy if you want to make big profits in 2024. Pfizer Pfizer is an American biopharmaceutical company that specializes in discovering, developing, and delivering medicines and vaccines for immunology, oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, and neurology. It has been in operation for 175 years and has become a major player in the American and global biopharmaceutical space. Pfizer gained a lot of publicity at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic due to its line of products that helped combat the disease. Although the hype has reduced following the end of the pandemic, Pfizer generated record profit and revenue, which it has put to good use. A great example is the acquisition of high-profile cancer drugmaker Seagan for $43 billion. Furthermore, Pfizer is one of the most profitable companies in the health sector. It has performed exceedingly well financially this year, as evidenced by its latest quarterly report. According to the report, Pfizer generated an impressive $14.9 billion in revenue only. Joel Lim notes, "Not only is Pfizer extremely profitable, but it also provides one of the best dividend yields in the health sector at 5.6%." CVS Health CVS Health is a leading healthcare solutions provider in America based in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. It is notable for several healthcare solutions, such as CVS Pharmacy, a retail pharmacy chain, and Aetna, a health insurance provider. As the second largest healthcare company in the world, CVS Health is a no-brainer for investors interested in health stocks. Its profitability is off the charts, evidenced by its control over the prescription drug market. Last year, CVS Health accounted for over 25% of the prescription drug revenue among US pharmacy retailers. Joel Lim notes, "CVS Health's profitability and market dominance make it an ideal investment option among health stocks. It is also among the highest dividend payers in the industry." More Info: Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts Health, Wellness and Sustainability Stocks Research and News at Investorideas.com - investing ideas for a better world Like Health, Wellness and Sustainability Stocks? View our LOHAS Stocks Directory Kubota has announced plans to harness the UV energy to improve sustainability within the viticulture industry. The firm will pair up with French start-up technology firm UV Boosting, which has developed a patented solution for stimulating a plants natural defences, through the use of UV-C light flashes. This allows growers to reduce their reliance on fungicides and minimise damage caused by pathogens and other abiotic stresses such as spring frost or drought. A spokesperson for the firm explained the UV-C light flash technology is "crop agnostic", and the existing implement portfolio can therefore be easily extended into other crops. Kubota plans to tackle global challenges, such as environmental regulations, climate impacts, and labour shortages, by expanding community-focused operations and offering integrated solutions and technological advancements for customers. Daria Batukhtina, strategic business development manager at Kubota Innovation Center Europe, said: Increasing regulatory restrictions and environmental concerns are enabling a need for alternatives to minimise chemical inputs in speciality crops. "This pilot program with several growers and dealers is a part of Kubotas strategy to create an eco-system which allows innovation to evolve, through partnerships with external businesses such as AgTech start-ups, agricultural producers, research institutes and universities. The pilot program is taking place in Brescia, Italy, and Anjou, France. The participating dealers will manage and support UV Boostings technology, and collate customer feedback. The distribution network already recognises an increasing demand for new environmentally friendly solutions that enables plants to self-protect, through UV light stimulation. Herve Gerard-Biard, vice president of business development at Kubota Holding Europe BV, said: With this partnership, Kubota is extending its scope into alternative crop protection solutions and accelerating its innovation strategy with the objective of creating new business opportunities. The firm claims its UV-C light panels can reduce fungal pressure and limit yield losses from diseases and other stress, such as drought or frost. Growers can apply four to seven treatments during the season to evaluate the technology's impact on yield results and overall tree health. The implements can be mounted on standard (narrow) tractors and straddle tractors for applications in vineyards, although the firm has also developed equipment for turf and strawberry growers. Nofence, the worlds first commercial virtual fencing system for livestock, has announced plans to launch in Ireland. The firm's virtual fencing technology allows farmers to easily determine grazing areas, exclusion zones and manage the rotation of their livestock using GPS collars on the animals via an app. It offers an alternative to traditional fencing, particularly in challenging terrains, commonages, and areas with sensitive flora and fauna. A handful of farmers in Ireland have already purchased Nofence collars from the companys UK team, where Nofence has seen rapid adoption since 2021. However, market entry in Ireland makes this game-changing tool more accessible to farmers across the country. Founded in Norway in 2011 by goat farmer Oscar Hovde, Nofence is the worlds first commercial virtual fencing system for livestock, serving as a sustainable alternative to traditional fencing. The animals grazing areas are managed using a GPS collar which communicates with an app using a mobile network. When the animals approach the virtual fence, an escalating acoustic sound is played. If they ignore the sound, they will get a light electrical pulse. The animals learn this quickly in their training period of up to 10 days. Pilot customers first began using it in Norway in 2019, with the company recently surpassing 100,000 collars sold across Europe. West Cork farmer and conservationist Eoghan Daulton using the Nofence app. Picture: Hakon Broder Lund/ Nofence Chief executive Joachim Kahler explained the technology allows farmers to graze their livestock on land incompatible with traditional fences, for example, on commonages and difficult-to-reach areas where it can be difficult to get agreement from shareholders or to install and maintain fences. Melissa Jeuken, a goat herder in North Dublin, was among the first in Ireland to use the technology. The main point is training your stock. Then you can graze and map any site accordingly," she said. "You can actually adjust and make real-time changes to boundaries geared towards desired grazing levels or protecting delicate plant species. It's very versatile. You can adjust it to the seasons and what's going on that day, that week." Virtual fencing technology also has proven benefits for safeguarding biodiverse landscapes, facilitating controlled grazing, protecting sensitive plant species. Additionally, the exclusion zones feature helps preserve delicate vegetation, shrubs, and flowers by keeping livestock away from these areas. James Breslin, Inishowen Uplands EIP cattle farmer, explained he had used the technology to reduce the risk of wildfires on his land. "The fire risk was very high before I got the cattle confined... The Nofence technology has been crucial in managing this risk by allowing us to control grazing patterns effectively," he said. "By preventing the overgrowth of woody heather and millennia-type grasses, which are highly flammable, we have significantly reduced the potential for wildfires. The only time we could manage the fire risk was when we got the collars." All Together Now Thursday August 1 - Sunday 4; Curraghmore Estate, Co Waterford US indie legends The National, UK R&B sensation Jorja Smith, crowdpleasers The Prodigy and veteran shoegazers Slowdive are among the topliners of this year's instalment of the major August excursion. brat-ish club night Saturday August 3; Roisin Dubh, Galway Hyperpop heaven at the Roisin for everyone currently in their Brat Summers in the city of the Tribes - music from the ubiquitous Charli XCX album, plus genre and generational contemporaries like Caroline Polachek, Lorde, the late SOPHIE, and more. Kilkenny Arts Festival Thursday August 8 - Sunday 18; venues around Kilkenny The cathedral city's annual arts extravaganza takes in everything from music with Cormac Begley and This is the Kit, to conversation with Fintan O'Toole and poetry with Paul Muldoon and Martina Evans. The Big Band Bash for Pieta House Friday August 9; Cyprus Avenue, Cork Five of Cork's young bands come together for a summer showcase in aid of the long-running mental-health charity: This That and the Other are joined by Esper, MDR, Other Mother and Ether for the occasion. Frost & Firelands Tour Saturday August 10; Dolan's, Limerick After over 50 years of gigging and recording, American power-metallers Cirith Ungol's farewell Irish gig happens in the country's capital of metal, with a massive support lineup including England's Wytch Hazel and Dublin's Death the Leveller. Mother of All The Behans Tuesday August 12 - Sunday 18; 3Olympia, Dublin Imelda May continues her run as Kathleen Behan, the revolutionary socialist mother of the Behan literary clan, in a working-class theatre spectacular. Electric Picnic Friday August 16 - Sunday 18; Stradbally Estate, Co Laois The latest edition of the grande dame of Irish summer festivals sees popstars Kylie Minogue, Calvin Harris and Noah Kahan headlining, while homegrown heavyweights like The Scratch, Jazzy, NewDad and Bricknasty show their stuff on the grandest stage. Garron Noone Wednesday August 21; Cyprus Avenue, Cork Ireland's foremost food critic and cultural commentator of the TikTok era returns to Cork for another live show full of song and stand-up. Delicious. Girl in Red Girl in Red Tuesday August 27; 3Arena, Dublin Norwegian alt-pop superstar gigs out tunes from recent album I'M DOING IT AGAIN, BABY! - the artist's capitalisations and exclamation points. Daniel O'Donnell Friday August 30 & Saturday 31; Cork Opera House Wee Danny and pals make their Leeside return for a weekend double-header at the Opera House - strictly country-Irish classics. The Perfect Place, by Amanda Cassidy (August 1) Home interiors influencer Elle Littlewoods life is the envy of thousands but if her followers knew the truth about her past they would never look at her the same way again. When she finds a dilapidated chateau for sale at a rock bottom price she doesnt care that it comes with huge strings attached. The Perfect Place book launch takes place at Waterstones Cork on Tuesday, August 6. The Pairing, by Casey McQuiston (August 6) Four years after a brutal breakup on a flight to their dream European food and wine tour, Theo and Kit each decide to finally use their voucher for the tour that never happened only realising when they board the tour bus that they had the exact same idea, and now they're forced together for three romance-filled weeks. The Last Disco, by Sean Murray, Christine Bohan, and Nicky Ryan (August 8) In this gripping account the harrowing true story of the Stardust tragedy is revealed, citing new evidence brought forward during recent inquests in the relentless pursuit of justice. This honours the memories of those who were lost, while shedding light on the tragedy that still shocks the nation to this day. Heart, Be at Peace, by Donal Ryan (August 8) Ten years on, Donal Ryan picks up the twenty-one voices from The Spinning Heart as a new menace is creeping around the lakeshore and the lanes of the town. Old grudges are festering and new ones are rising, and the peace of the community is about to be shattered in an unimaginable way. Guilty by Definition, by Susie Dent (August 15) Guilty By Definition An anonymous letter puzzles the team of lexicographers at the Clarendon English Dictionary. The letter hints at secrets, lies, and a particular year. For Martha Thornhill, the new Senior Editor, the date can mean only one thing: the summer her brilliant, beautiful older sister Charlie went missing. Death at the Sign of the Rook, by Kate Atkinson (August 22) Ex-detective Jackson Brodie is called to a sleepy Yorkshire town and the seemingly tedious matter of a stolen painting and we are treated a fiendishly clever mystery that pays homage to the masters of the genre, from Agatha Christie to Dorothy Sayers. On James Baldwin, by Colm Toibin (August 23) Author Colm Toibin pictured in Dublin. Pic: Billy Higgins One hundred years after the birth of writer James Baldwin, novelist Colm Toibin shares a personal account of encountering Baldwin's work. The Life Impossible, by Matt Haig (August 29) When retired Maths teacher Grace Winters is left a run-down house on a Mediterranean island by a long-lost friend, she searches for answers about her friend's life, and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. Precipice, by Robert Harris (August 29) Set during the summer of 1914, 26-year-old Venetia Stanley is having a love affair with the British Prime Minister, H. H. Asquith, who writes to her obsessively, sharing the most sensitive matters of state. Amid a leak of top secret documents, suddenly what was a sexual intrigue becomes a matter of national security. The Irish in the Resistance, by Clodagh Finn and John Morgan (August 29) In this collection of real-life stories, we meet the forgotten Irish men and women who took a stand against Nazi occupation in Europe. Children are struggling to get the supports they need in school, while families have to fight to get access to what should be basic rights for their child, according to Inclusion Ireland. The organisation, which advocates for people with intellectual disabilities, has published its pre budget submission, which is calling on the Government to make children with intellectual disabilities matter. Prior to drawing up the submission, the organisation conducted a survey of 859 people who either have an intellectual disability or support someone who has. The survey found that: Only 6% of parents believe that schools are given every resource they need to support their child; While almost 90% of parents said their child has a school place this coming September, 29% said that the place is not suitable for their child. Many children are still travelling long distances to school away from their communities; 76% of parents said that the voice of their child is not heard or is only sometimes heard at school; 77% said that last years budget announcement made no difference to the barriers experienced by some children in school. Inclusion Ireland CEO Derval McDonagh said: The results are stark and paint a picture of children struggling in our schools to get the support they need, with families fighting to get access to what should be basic rights for their child. "We know that TDs and senators hear these stories every day too it is beyond time to address those real concerns meaningfully. Inclusion Ireland is now calling on the Government to deliver a specific budget to develop a six-year inclusive education strategic plan, with cross-party support and the contribution of disabled children, disabled persons' organisations, and advocacy organisations at the centre. The organisation has highlighted a number of key areas to be tackled, including the development of a model for disaggregated data on the experience of disabled children in school. Inclusion Ireland says there is currently no data available on outcomes for children with disabilities. Teacher training It is also calling for rights and relationship-based training for teachers at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and for experienced teachers to help improve the experiences of children and young people with intellectual disabilities in education. Inclusion Ireland also wants a significant investment in the further rollout of the National Council for Special Education in-school pilot of therapeutic supports for disabled children. Ms McDonagh said: We need to make Budget 2025 an inclusive education budget, because children all over Ireland are experiencing the greatest injustice of our time right now in Ireland, and they are not listened to. "Ultimately, we all want our children to leave school feeling good about themselves, confident, unique, and ready to achieve their dreams and potential. An inclusive education will give them that chance, but only if the right resources in the right places are allocated and a whole-of-Government, collaborative approach is taken. This approach must involve children as the most important stakeholder. We have to work towards a system in which all children get to go to their local school with their siblings and peers, with the support they need to thrive and flourish. "Investing in inclusion in the early years is not just the right thing for Government to do, but can also help alleviate some of the barriers people with an intellectual disability tell us they face later on in life low employment rates, living in poverty, limited independent living options. More families are becoming part of the "working poor", as new figures reveal that 70% of secondary school parents are worried about meeting costs this year. Parents will be forking out an average of 119 on primary school uniforms ahead of September, while the cost jumps to 211 for pupils in secondary school. The results, which are contained in the Barnardos Back to School Survey 2024, show that a quarter of secondary parents and almost one in five of those with children in primary school will be forced to use savings to pay for uniforms, stationary, and other items. Just over half of primary school parents are concerned about back-to-school costs, while just 30% of secondary school parents say that costs were manageable. Thelma Carthy, a parent of two secondary school students, said: "We both work full-time and, overall, costs of everything is very worrying. There is no help at all given because we work "I feel we are now part of this new class the working poor." Some 21% of secondary school parents said they had to take a loan out or borrow from friends to meet school costs. Free schoolbooks have been rolled out at primary level, and the scheme is due to come into force at junior cycle level from this term which aims to reduce the financial burden on parents. However, 39% of secondary school parents who have to purchase digital devices for their children stated they had to pay over 300 for those digital costs. Voluntary contributions also add to the amount parents spend, with 78% of primary school parents and 80% of secondary parents surveyed stating that their schools request a payment at the start of the school year. Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said too many parents are still struggling every summer to cover back-to-school costs. Picture: Mark Stedman When asked, 62% of primary school parents and 66% of secondary school parents said that it did not feel voluntary. Meanwhile, parents also feel under pressure to pay for extracurricular activities with some of those who responded highlighting the guilt they feel when they cannot afford school tours or trips. Some 96% of secondary and 99% of primary school parents said they were asked to pay additional sums for school tours and trips. On average, this was 151 for secondary and 65 for primary school. However, a quarter of secondary school parents said they have to spend over 300 on school tours and trips. Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly welcomed the "positive reforms" implemented by the Government over the past two years, particularly around the schoolbook scheme. However, she said too many parents are still struggling every summer to cover back-to-school costs, experiencing considerable financial difficulties as a result. "Now is the time for the Government to continue introducing more measures to alleviate financial stress on parents, and to compel schools to do more to keep back-to-school costs at an affordable level," she said. Barnardos received over 900 responses as part of this year's survey, which represents the costs associated with 500 primary school pupils and 410 secondary school students. The Department of Foreign Affairs has said that an evacuation of Irish citizens in Lebanon would likely be a complex and difficult operation. In a statement, it said officials have carried out significant contingency planning in the event that the security situation further deteriorates in the Middle Eastern country. Ireland has very limited medium-range air capability to evacuate citizens, and is traditionally dependent on other EU member states and Britain to assist. Ireland has ordered a transport aircraft an Airbus C295W which can be used not only to transport troops, but also to evacuate Irish citizens stranded in conflict zones. However, that is not expected to arrive until the middle of next year. Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said on Monday that Irish citizens in Lebanon should leave on commercial flights. Mr Martin, who is also minister of defence, said Irish citizens need to be aware that if the security situation deteriorates we may be limited in the assistance we can provide. Military tensions have escalated after a missile struck a football pitch in Israeli-seized territory in the Golan Heights killing at least 12 civilians, including children. Israel and the US have blamed Hezbollah, but the Lebanon-based militia has denied it launched the missile which is believed to have misfired. Tanaiste Micheal Martin advised Irish citizens in Lebanon to leave by commercial methods. Picture: Damien Storan. The head of Unifil has warned that retaliation could ignite a wider war, which would engulf the region in a catastrophe beyond belief. During a visit to the strike location in Majdal Shams on Monday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: Israel will not and cannot let this simply pass. Our response will come, and it will be harsh The Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: The Department of Foreign Affairs has undertaken significant contingency planning to prepare for a possible consular crisis as a result of an escalation in Lebanon. In October, the department updated its Travel Advice to strongly advise against all travel to Lebanon. "We are in regular contact with those registered Irish citizens who remain in Lebanon, and continue to advise them to leave by commercial means while still possible. The Tanaiste reiterated this advice. Regarding any evacuation, the statement said: An evacuation of civilians, including Irish citizens from Lebanon, is likely to be a complex and difficult operation, and would require extensive cooperation with key partners. The department is working closely with EU and other partners to exchange information and coordinate our consular response to emergencies, including for Lebanon The statement added: However, the department has advised citizens that, in light of the unpredictability of the situation, events could escalate with very little warning. "This could affect exit routes out of Lebanon, prevent access to possible evacuation points, or result in options for evacuation operations becoming unavailable. Citizens are strongly advised to avail of commercial methods to leave while they are available, rather than relying on evacuation options should the situation escalate. If the security situation deteriorates, the department may be limited in the assistance we can provide. A 38-year-old man who punched a woman in the face and stole her purse was jailed for 10 months for this and other crimes. Joseph OSullivan, of Cork Simon Community, pleaded guilty to this assault and theft as well as a litany of other charges arising out of offences around Cork City. Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a number of sentences including consecutive five-month terms, leaving the accused facing into a 10-month sentence. Sergeant Dave Delea said at 2.30pm on April 24, the woman confronted Joseph OSullivan, alleging he had interfered with her property two nights earlier. He punched her in the face. He then stole her purse from her hand. The purse was not recovered. She had a bruise to her forehead as a result, Sgt Delea said. The same defendant stole a car at a car dealers and crashed it into other vehicles parked in the compound. He pleaded guilty to charges including counts of taking possession of a Renault Scenic at Forge Hill Motors on March 12, trespassing on the curtilage of the building to interfere with property and causing criminal damage to a motor caravan, a Ford Ranger pick-up, a Citroen Berlingo and a Kia Ceed. He carried out three thefts of alcohol from Dunnes Stores on St Patricks Street three times on the same day, April 1. Those thefts were carried out at 11am, just after noon and shortly before 2 pm. On each occasion, he stole a large bottle of vodka, put it under his jacket and left without paying. Joseph OSullivan also squatted at a house at Barnstead Drive, Church Road, between October 2 and 4 2023. And arising out of that, he pleaded guilty to charges of causing criminal damage and trespassing. On March 23, he stole a 1l bottle of vodka at SuperValu in Carrigaline. He had 243 previous convictions, including 15 for theft, six for trespassing and 29 for being drunk and a danger. Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said mitigating factors were the early pleas of guilty, he did not apply for bail following his arrest in April and was trying to address his addiction difficulties in prison. Mr Buttimer said the accused had successfully attended for treatment but regrettably relapsed. Graham Dwyer has lost his last-ditch attempt to overturn his conviction for the murder of care worker Elaine OHara. A Supreme Court ruling which dismissed his final appeal means it is the end of the legal road in Ireland for the killer who has already spent nine years behind bars. He has always denied the murder of 36-year-old Ms OHara, who was last seen in August 2012 in a park in Shanganagh, south Dublin. Some of her remains were found in the Dublin mountains just over a year later and she was identified from dental records. Members of Elaines family, including her father Frank and sister Anne Charles, were in the Four Courts to hear the ruling of the court. Seven judges in the highest court in the land on Wednesday ruled to dismiss the appeal. Mr Justice Maurice Collins gave the judgment of the court. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that evidence of mobile phone data was admissible at Dwyers trial and affirmed Dwyers conviction for murder. Court judgment Mr Justice Collins, giving the main judgment of the court, noted there was substantial evidence linking Dwyer to Ms OHara in various ways. The cornerstone of the prosecution case was the content and timing of the text messages, which on their case were sent by Dwyer to Ms OHara as well as the messages sent by her. On the prosecution case, once those messages were attributed to Dwyer it was inevitable the jury would convict. The attribution of those messages to Dwyer was therefore an essential building block of the prosecution case. Mr Justice Collins analysed the evidence linking Dwyer to the phones from which those messages had been sent the so-called green phone and the master phone as well as the evidence linking Ms OHara to the phone not registered to her, the so-called slave phone. That evidence, the judge said, was not challenged or contradicted. The judge said the position was very clear. Even if the traffic and location data relating to the work was inadmissible, which it was not, the remaining evidence available to the prosecution was more than sufficient to establish attribution beyond any reasonable doubt. The evidence was, in fact, overwhelming and unanswerable. Mr Justice Collins said the content of the text messages alone effectively excluded any possibility the person texting Ms OHara from the green phone was anyone other than Dwyer but that was far from being the only evidence to that effect. The evidence relating to the master phone equally, the judge said, left no room for doubt. No reasonable jury hearing such evidence could have had reasonable doubt that Dwyer was the user of the green phone and the master phone or for that matter that Ms O'Hara was the user of the slave phone from, which as I have said, does not appear to have been the subject of dispute. "Once these phones and the messages sent from them were attributed to Dwyer, the evidence that his work phone was located near the M50 on the evening of August 21 had little or no significance," the judge said. The evidence established beyond any reasonable doubt that Dwyer met up with late Ms OHara near Shanganagh Park on the evening of August 22, 2012, for the purpose of killing her. It followed, the judge said, there was no question of any last chance of acquittal here and therefore no miscarriage of justice within the meaning of the proviso. Accordingly, had I concluded that the traffic and location data was inadmissible I would have upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal to apply the proviso and would have dismissed Dwyers appeal on that basis. Mr Justice Gerard Hogan in a concurring judgement said he felt bound by an earlier decision of the Supreme Court a few weeks ago where the court dismissed objections to the admissibility of phone data at a criminal trial. Mr Justice Gerard Hogan in a concurring judgement said he felt bound by an earlier decision of the Supreme Court a few weeks ago where the court dismissed objections to the admissibility of phone data at a criminal trial. O'Hara family statement Speaking outside court after the ruling, Elaine O'Hara's father Frank said he was relieved and pleased and said: "It's been a long journey." In a statement, the O'Hara family said it was now almost 12 years since they had lost Elaine. They said a missing persons case had turned into a murder investigation and a long, arduous criminal trial, with many challenges to the jury's verdict over the years. They said they were relieved the Supreme Court had upheld the Appeal Court's verdict. They also said they hoped Elaine could now, at last, rest in peace. The family thanked members of An Garda Siochana, in particular the investigating team, the detectives and their family liaison officer, who they said had been by their side throughout. They also thanked friends and family for their support over the years. Dwyer brought case to several courts In the last few years, Dwyer has brought his case to several courts, including the High Court, Court of Appeal and Europe in his bid to secure his release from prison since being jailed for life in 2015. Elaine O'Hara's remains were found on Killakee mountain and she was identified from dental records. File picture: Garda/PA Wire Mobile phone data had helped to tie Dwyer to Ms O'Hara's murder, linking him to a phone used to send messages to her, and to certain locations. Dwyers trial was told a Nokia phone found in Vartry Reservoir in Co Wicklow in 2013 was used to send Ms OHara messages, including one about stabbing, culminating in a text dated August 22, 2012, the last day she was seen, to go down to the shore and wait. The prosecution argued that phone, and another phone found in the reservoir, were secret master and slave phones Dwyer and OHara used almost exclusively to contact each other. Following his conviction, Dwyer in long-running civil proceedings brought his case before a number of courts including the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) where he successfully challenged the validity of section of the legislation which permitted phone metadata to be retained on a general and indiscriminate basis. In April 2022, the CJEU found Irelands data-retention regime breached EU law. But in March of last year the Court of Appeal here dismissed Dwyers earlier appeal against his conviction and said the metadata evidence, which it described as not very significant, was admissible. Even if excluded, there was enough evidence to link Dwyer to the two phones that formed part of the prosecution case, it held. Dwyer then secured a further appeal before the seven-judge Supreme Court. The Supreme Court decided to allow a final appeal on the grounds "significant issues of general public importance" arose about the admissibility of mobile phone data evidence retained and accessed under legislation that was later found to breach EU law. Conor McGregor has narrowly avoided jail for an "appalling" series of dangerous driving incidents in Dublin where he jumped a red light, sped in and out of traffic, and almost caused a collision. The MMA star asked: "Are you taking the piss?" when a garda who drove at 160 km/h to catch him eventually asked him to step out of his Bentley Continental GT convertible on the evening of March 22, 2022. At Blanchardstown District Court on Tuesday, Judge David McHugh said: "This is an appalling series of breaches of the road traffic rules and an appalling episode of dangerous driving." He imposed a five-month sentence, suspended on condition that McGregor kept the peace for two years, and hit the fighter with fines totalling 5,000 and a two-year road ban. He found that "remorseful" McGregor's driving was "persistent, prolonged and deliberate," but noting the mitigating factors and guilty plea, he held that "It is appropriate to meet this matter by way of a suspended sentence, and only just." Gardai pursued the MMA star at 160 km/h and stopped the 36-year-old in west Dublin. He was arrested after being asked at least six times to get out of his 2019-reg car. He was initially charged with two counts of dangerous driving car at the N4/M50 interchange in Palmerstown and Lucan Road, being uninsured, having no licence, and failing to produce his documents within 10 days. Gardai further charged the father of four with careless driving, a lesser offence, in connection with the incident. On Wednesday, State solicitor Ruth Walsh told Judge McHugh that the insurance and licence charges, and one count of dangerous driving at Lucan Road would now be withdrawn. Conor McGregor: MMA star was remorseful and regretted his actions, the court was told. His documents had been produced and were in order, the court heard. Defence counsel David Staunton informed the court McGregor was pleading guilty to the two remaining offences. The MMA star, dressed in a blue check three-piece suit, arrived in his Bentley and sat in the public gallery until his case was called. He did not address the court and sat in the dock with his hands clasped throughout the hearing. Evidence Outlining the evidence, Garda Dennis Lorden recalled that he was stopped at traffic lights waiting for them to turn green at the junction of Lucan Road, R136. He observed McGregor's car travelling on a 24-hour bus lane: "This vehicle travelled at speed on my inside, went through the red light on the bus corridor." It failed to stop and the garda activated his blue lights and sirens. Garda Lorden followed and saw McGregor merge from the bus lane onto Lucan Road at high speed. He said another vehicle had to stop to avoid crashing into McGregor's car. The court heard he continued at high speed on the eastbound bus lane along the N4 "before crossing from the bus lane, in one movement out in the fast lane". "I was travelling at excess of 160 km/h trying to catch this vehicle," the garda told the court. Judge McHugh heard how McGregor tried to undertake a car in the fast lane as it approached the slip road for the M50 southbound. He went from lane to lane at high speed on the slip road, driving from the inside lane to the outer lane over the hash markings as he joined the M50, "causing dust to rise". He went south on the motorway before "undertaking another vehicle already on the fast lane". The garda said he tried to stop him but he refused to pull over at first. Finally, he pulled over into the hard shoulder. "I informed the accused to step out of the vehicle, and the driver replied: 'Are you taking the piss? You want me to get out the vehicle, out of the car on the M50?'." McGregor had to be told six or seven times to get out of his car. He told the garda: "Wait, I need my security to catch up." He also refused to open his door, but the officer reached in and opened it, and he eventually got out to be arrested. The garda agreed with Mr Staunton that his patrol car was doing 160 km/h because McGregor was ahead, and he did not catch up fully with him. McGregor was travelling at speed, but traffic slowed him down. "But then, in between the traffic, he was pulling away from us again," he said. He agreed that McGregor was cooperative when taken to a Garda station and was found to be negative for intoxicants. McGregor had 20 previous convictions, 17 traffic offences, including three speeding offences, two public order charges, and one for assault causing harm between 2011 and 2019. These convictions resulted in fines and a six-month road ban. The garda agreed with counsel that McGregor had no dangerous driving convictions. Sentencing, Judge David McHugh said: This is an appalling series of breaches of the road traffic rules and an appalling episode of dangerous driving." He also noted the risk he caused and said the previous convictions were "noteworthy, to say the least". Mr Staunton, instructed by solicitor Michael Staines, said the accused was very remorseful and aware of the danger he caused to others and himself. When the judge indicated he was considering "an outright prison sentence," the defence pleaded that jailing was a measure of last resort and that the court had other options. Counsel submitted that his client had businesses, created employment, and assisted his ill father, who was present for the hearing. He said his client was apologetic and regretted his actions. On conviction, dangerous driving carries a maximum fine of up to 5,000 and six months imprisonment. Careless driving carries a maximum 5,000 penalty but no risk of a prison sentence. McGregor previously appeared before the same court in 2017 when he was fined 400 for speeding. A teenager facing trial by judge and jury on a charge of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl three years earlier contacted another youth to put a rock through the childs window before the trial. Now at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, the 17-year-old has pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to obstruct or pervert the course of justice. Detective Garda Mary Enneguess, who investigated the sexual assault case, also charged the teenager with this attempted interference with the main witness. Det Garda Enneguess said the accused sent another youth a text shortly before the trial, identifying the home of the main prosecution witness on Google maps, and asking the question: Do you want to break up a gaff? The attempted interference with the witness who was then only 11 years old was detected and intercepted by gardai. However, Judge Helen Boyle was told at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that being informed of it did cause distress for the complainants family. Ultimately, in the trial of the sexual assault complaint, the teenager was found not guilty. Judge Boyle said to him if he had let justice take its course he would not have been before the court at all. However, he had made matters so much worse for himself and others by his attempted interference with the witness. You attempted to entice another person to throw rocks through the window of her house. You gave him the address although this other young person said he would not have done it anyway, the judge said. Nevertheless, the whole thing caused the family so much distress they moved out of the area in which they were living. You were acquitted in the sexual assault trial. If not for for this extremely foolish, idiotic behaviour you would not be before the court at all, having been acquitted. Judge Boyle acceded to the application by defence barrister Brendan Kelly to put the now 17-year-old on a two-year probation bond. Defiant murderer Graham Dwyer may have failed in his tortuous bid for freedom, but he did succeed in delivering a final blow to contested spying laws. The powers in question were crucial in the investigation of serious crime from murder to child sexual abuse imagery, and assault to online fraud scams. It allowed gardai to access without having to get independent authorisation, say from a court data from a suspects mobile phone and internet use to build a potentially very detailed picture of their lives, not only their call history or internet history, but also their physical movements. This bank of information played an important role in the conviction of Dwyer in March 2015, for the murder of Elaine OHara in August 2012. Information gleaned from phone data helped secure a conviction for Elaine O'Hara's murder in 2012. The 36-year-old woman had only been discharged from a mental health facility the morning of her disappearance. Chance sightings at a south Dublin park and good police work by a local garda James ODonoghue led to the discovery of belongings and some remains of Ms OHara. Mobile phone evidence including communication data on call usage and movement as well as the content of texts helped convince the jury of his guilt. The legislation providing the legal basis to access mobile phone data was contained in the Communication (Retention of Data) Act 2011. It provided access on three grounds: Investigation of serious crime; security of the State; and locating a missing person/saving a human life. The first ground was the remit primarily of An Garda Siochana, but was also available to Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission, Revenue and Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Both gardai and Defence Forces used it for State security reasons, and the gardai could use it for a missing person. The power was used extensively 92,000 times over the five years between 2013 and 2017, reaching a high of 20,500 in 2017. The vast bulk almost 98% of communication data disclosures were to gardai. Its not that successive governments and the Department of Justice did not know there was a looming crisis. A case by Digital Rights Ireland led to a landmark court ruling one of many in the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in 2014. The following year, the then government produced a heads of bill to take account of the ruling. In 2016, there was another ECJ ruling prohibiting general and indiscriminate retention of data. Murray Report In October 2017, the Murray Report made it clear to the Government that the law was on dodgy legal grounds. Dwyers case contesting the use of communication data as evidence in his murder trial reached a climax in the High Court in December 2018. Mr Justice Tony OConnor found that the 2011 Act was general and indiscriminate and breached the fundamental right to privacy under European laws. The judge stated that his ruling applied to the access to communication data for the investigation of serious crime, and not provisions on security of the State of living saving searches. This ruling had a major impact on the use of the 2011 act, as seen in the following years figures. The total number of requests for data fell dramatically in a year, from 20,000 in 2017 to less than 13,900 in 2018. Thereafter, it continued to fall to 8,355 in 2019, to 5,184 in 2020 and to 2,869 in 2021. In the meantime, the court cases kept coming, culminating in another ECJ ruling, in April 2022, confirming that Irelands data-retention regime breached EU law. It was then that the Government rushed through legislation the Communication (Retention of Data) Amendment Act 2022. A new report on the application of the amended law by an oversight judge coincidentally Mr Justice O'Connor shows there were 2,520 requests by State services between June 2023 and April 2024. Mr Justice O'Connor, while recognising the unenviable job of those who draft legislation, said there were few pieces of legislation on the statute book as convoluted as the 2022 Act and recommended the law be, again, cleared up. Love was in the air for this young Ukrainian couple who got engaged during a scenic flight over Cork. Valeriia Hrechana, 25, had booked the 'harbours and islands' trip with Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA) as a birthday surprise for her boyfriend, Alex Vakuliuk. She brought one of his best friends along for the flight but as they all cruised at an altitude of 2,000ft above the city, Alex, 28, turned the tables on her, and surprised everyone on board by producing a diamond ring and popping the question right there and then. Stunned and shocked, Valeriia said yes before AFTA flight instructor Micheal Brennan turned the Cessna 172 back to Cork Airport for a safe landing where the couple was still on cloud nine. Valeriia Hrechana, 25, tries on her engagement ring moments after her fiance, Alex Vakuliuk, 28, popped the question during a scenic flight over Cork. Valeriia said: I was a bit nervous about the flight because it was my first time in a small aircraft and it was a bit shakey at the start, but the pilot was so good and professional. Alex was in front seat next to the pilot, because it was his birthday, and the pilot let him take the controls for a while. And after that, he turned around in his seat, and said Valeriia, thanks for this present, its amazing, and I love it, and I love everything you do for me over all these years, and then he produced a ring, and asked me the big question. I started crying and his best friend, Nicholas, started filming us. The captain was shocked, I was shocked, but of course I said yes. The couple celebrated in a restaurant with friends later. Russian invasion The couple, from Kherson in southern Ukraine, began dating six years ago and were living happily until Russia invaded in early 2022. Their city witnessed heavy fighting during the early days of the invasion and fell under Russian control by March of that year, prompting street protests and a brutal crushing of the resistance by the Russian FSB. The couple decided to flee. No-one was allowed to enter Ukraine from occupied Kherson so their only route out was through Georgia and from there, to Ireland. Valeriias parents fled to central Ukraine, but her grandparents are still in Kherson. Valeriia Hrechana, 25, and her fiance, Alex Vakuliuk, 28, who hope to return to their native Ukraine to get married. Ukrainian forces recaptured the city in November 2022 but in June 2023, the city was flooded following the destruction of the nearby Kakhovka Dam. Valeriia and Alex, who have been living in state provided accommodation in Kinsale, got work within weeks of their arrival, they have both completed courses in the local community college, and today Valeriia works as a barista in the town's Post House coffee shop, while Alex works as a sous chef in Martin Shanahans Fishy Fishy restaurant. She said people have been incredibly supportive since their arrival in Ireland. We really appreciate peoples support. They have been really supportive of us and they are so happy for us. Irish people are the kindest people in the world, she said. They all said they would like to see a Ukrainian wedding here, but we would like to go home to Ukraine and get married there. So I think we will try to wait for the war to end. We hope that will happen soon, and that we have a city to return to. AFTA said this is the first wedding proposal on board one of its scenic flights, and have wished the couple well in their life together. The Government has extended the Hot School Meals programme, so that students at 19 more Cork schools will get free meals for the new school year. Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys announced on Wednesday that 168 schools were to be added to the programme, or 29,000 more children who will receive free hot food starting in September. The number of primary school children now eligible to receive a hot school meal every day is 345,000. The 19 new schools to be added to the programme in Cork are Millstreet Convent NS; Dundar Mhuighe NS; SN Inis; Kilbrittain Mixed NS; SN Ath na Lionta; Freemount Mixed NS; Scoil Fionnbarra; Scoil Realt na Mara; Gael Scoil ui Riordain; Kealkil NSl; Lios Maighir; SN Gleann na Huladh; Convent girls senior NS; Rusheen NS; Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Clondulane; SN Droichead na Bandan; Scoil Bhrugh Thuinne; and SN Chuan Doir. Furthermore, 11 schools in Kerry, 11 schools in Limerick, six schools in Clare, eight schools in Tipperary and six schools in Waterford are joining the programme from the start of the new school year. The scheme was launched with just 30 pilot schools, but Ms Humphreys said that she now wants to "finish the job". Announcing the expansion, she said: "My ambition, now, is to finish the job as part of this year's budget and ensure that every primary school in Ireland is providing hot school meals in 2025. "I firmly believe the roll-out of hot school meals to every primary school in the country will be one of the lasting legacies of this Government." The Department of Social Protection provides the funding to schools for the School Meals Programme, and it is the responsibility of schools to choose their supplier in an "open, fair and transparent manner", in accordance with national legislation and EU directives on procurement. The department will write to each of the 168 schools to advise them on how to prepare for the Hot School Meals service from September. It is hoped that by 2030, the programme will be in every school in the country. To reach that target, the department has now contacted all of the remaining primary schools in the country that are yet to join the scheme. The department will ask them to submit expressions of interest, with the aim of being included subject to funding in Budget 2025. Around 1,000 primary schools have yet to sign up to the scheme. Retiring Judge Marian OLeary left the bench for the last time at Cork District Court on Wednesday to the sound of unanimous praise. As she stood down, she recalled another sound in complete contrast a bottle of coke whizzing past her as it was hurled in her direction by an unhappy defendant some years ago. This cola-flavoured vote of no confidence from a frequent flier at Cork District Court which thankfully missed her was the only fly in the ointment today for the nurse who became a solicitor who became a judge. A number of speakers in the packed courtroom described Judge OLeary's care and compassion among many other of her qualities. District Court president Judge Paul Kelly recalled Judge OLeary working with quiet, dignified authority at a time when such qualities were so necessary amid the angry social media voices as she worked to maintain and strengthen the rule of law. Judge Mary Dorgan spoke of her working without fear or favour in a just and equitable carrying out of her duties. Judge Helen Boyle of the circuit court singled out the retiring judges dynamism and love for life and wondered if like the characters in DUnbelievables she ate her dinner at eight oclock in the morning to have a clear run at the day. Inspector Brendan McKenna, Superintendent Annette Brown and Dermot Kelly of the Southern Law Association joined in their congratulations for a judge who had shown such great dedication and understanding. Solicitors Frank Buttimer and Donal Daly and barrister Donal McCarthy wished her the best in her retirement as state solicitor Frank Nyhan quipped that it was the first time he had seen Garda Inspectors smiling in Judge OLearys court. Eleanor Busteed of the Probation Service praised the judges willingness to support restorative justice programmes where possible, and Paul McGinty of the Irish Prison Service thanked the judge for the understanding she had shown for their work over the years. Solicitors Claire Hickey and Margaret OSullivan from Cork County Council and Cork City Council respectively thanked the judge for her common sense approach to cases. Mary Crowley and Daire Coughlan from the Courts service thanked her for the kindness and decency shown to staff over the years. Judge OLeary thanked those who had made her work as a judge so enjoyable and expressed the hope that those appearing before her over the years felt that they were treated fairly in a job which could bring some funny stories but many heartbreaking ones too. And then, just as the retiring judge may have felt that she was almost finished, her brother Maurice said the family had brought to court something they wanted Judge OLeary to remember her career by. He rummaged in a bag and then held aloft a symbol of it all nothing other than a three-quarters full bottle of Coke. Two distinct images from last weeks news cycle sparked the thought that when the freaks get under the tent it takes determined women to expel them. One photo was of sexual predator Bishop Eamonn Casey and singing wingman Father Michael Cleary. Hype men for Pope John Paul during his historic 1979 visit, both were said to have charismatic public personalities. In the black and white image, there is a hint of Flannery OConnor characters about them, a gothic, sense of the perversely abnormal. The other image was Trump and JD Vance at a campaign rally the current poster boys for the evangelical right running to take America backward. All four men have displayed a presumption of male authority, a sense that they make the rules for women. In the USA the move towards a theocracy is being hailed or critiqued as Christian nationalism and as a result, womens reproductive choices will be on the ballot in November. We had Catholic nationalism. We understand the perilous mixture of politics and religion, we understand only too well the policing of womens bodies and have the scandals to prove it. In a recent documentary, Caseys niece Patricia Donovan detailed her rape by Casey beginning when she was five and her protracted efforts to get the Church to act to protect other children. Two payments were made by the Church to two of his complainants with four separate accusations of sexual abuse being made against him. The fact that the Church secretly banned him from public ministry in 2007 speaks volumes. When Annie Murphy insisted their son Peter be recognised, she was painted as a fallen woman. Fr Michael Cleary had at least two children with Phyllis Hamilton. He began a relationship with the highly vulnerable Hamilton when she was a teenager and he was 34 twice her age. This did not stop him from being outspoken on sexual morality and contraception lecturing young women about their sexual mores. It was Hamilton who ultimately insisted that their son Ross be officially recognised. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance at a recent campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Picture: Evan Vucci/AP Felon Donald Trump, deemed liable for the sexual assault of the brave E Jean Carroll and an unlikely standard-bearer for any type of spirituality, is touting a Christianity that is entirely fake and transactional, including hocking God Bless the USA bibles. JD Vance has whack job views about women with the quotes to prove it. He has no time for crazy cat ladies who dont push for America and consider that the reproductively indolent should be subjected to higher taxes. The Wall Street Journal commented that the crazy cat lady comment is the sort of smart-aleck crack that gets laughs in certain right-wing male precincts, but it doesnt play with the millions of female votes many of them Republican who will decide the presidential election. Vance also wanted police to be given access to womens gynaecological records so that they could be arrested if they travelled outside their states for abortions. Hes now trying to row back from this position saying he wants each state to set their abortion policy. This all sounds depressingly familiar. Back in 1992 we too had looney tunes debates during the X case when we discussed whether gardai could spot-check women leaving the country if they suspected they were off to procure an abortion. Women's high personal costs for abstract ideas promulgated by men My theory is that a lot of much older Irish women who possibly wouldnt have an abortion themselves but with big feelings quietly voted for abortion because they saw the high personal costs for abstract principles that were often promulgated by men who would never have to face hard choices. Men whose lives departed radically from the teachings of the church and the ones they rammed down womens throats. In the US the ascent of the Christian right while predominantly evangelical includes sympathetic Catholics and Mormons. The hijacking of the Republican party by Christian fundamentalists has its roots in the early 70s with a breakthrough in the 1980 presidential race when Ronald Reagan made a deal with the religious right in exchange for a guaranteed block of votes. Baptist fundamentalist and political operative Jerry Falwell operated as Reagans hype man. The party strengthened its anti-abortion stance and travelled down a long winding path culminating in the dramatic 2022 fall of Roe v Wade and the elimination of a 50-year constitutional right to abortion. It was Trumps three appointments to the US Supreme Court that solidified his support among the evangelical right. He is their hero. Meanwhile in Ireland, in the 70s and 80s, we were still locking up women in mother and baby homes. Scandal after scandal ensued with more to come. It was reported last week that a report on historical abuse in schools run by religious orders will recommend a statutory inquiry to examine the sexual abuse of thousands of schoolchildren. What sparked the move to secularisation in Ireland? Political scientist Lee Drutman wrote that a nadir can also enable a change of direction. Its hard to pinpoint the tipping point in Ireland. Many commentators chart the implosion in the Irish church to the revelation in 1992 that Casey was a father which came a few months after the X case. Such an embarrassment of riches to choose from where nadirs are concerned. Which vision of America will be chosen in November? In 2022 it was women and young people galvanised by the rolling back of abortion rights who gave the Republicans a relative beating in the midterms where abortion proved to be a defining, meat-and-potatoes issue. Exit polls showed it was the top issue for many Americans particularly for those under 30 who decided that the difficult decision to have an abortion rested with women and not political leaders. It remains to be seen if Kamala Harris, women, and young people can beat older white men to eject Trump and Vance from the tent because they want the freedom to decide whether and when to have children. The maths seems to suggest it will take white women on the fence to overcome their whiteness and to say no to what the patriarchy plans for them. Learning at the weekend that a period of careful consideration and consultation has begun into the interment of Eamonn Caseys remains in a cathedral crypt seemed to underscore how far we have come. Although the intellectually lazy sneering at faith, particularly the Catholic faith that has accompanied the secularisation of Ireland is lamentable, faith should be strictly a private matter. In 1960 John F Kennedy said in a radically different America his Catholic faith would not dictate politics. It should never be for the faithful of any religion to dictate as some moral majority or for the state to impose theology. And speaking of people falling foul of the moral majority, sadly Edna OBrien died this week. A brilliant writer and fearless Irish woman she once wrote: Our land was indeed was a land of shame a land of strange, throttled, sacrificial women. We reached a point where we had enough of throttled women, and we must take care never to return there. To paraphrase Harvard professor, Marshall Ganz, we created a new story of self, a story of us and a story of now. Please God America does the same in November. "When one political bloc ranks first in the vote that bloc has won. Thats the logic, thats the tradition. Macron must name as prime minister the pick of the Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP). That fact that he has already refused to do so is a negation of democracy. That is conservative politician Charles de Courson calling on president Emmanuel Macron to respect French political tradition and name the newly selected NFP candidate, Lucie Castets, as prime minister. When even politicians on the French right are coming to the aid of a leftwing alliance and criticising the presidents disdain for parliamentary procedure, you know a line has been crossed. The current standoff at the centre of French politics began when the Nouveau Front Populaire which includes the Greens, Socialists, Communists and radical left party La France Insoumise came first in the snap parliamentary election with 182 out of 577 parliamentary seats. As tradition dictates, this allows the NFP to choose the next candidate for prime minister, who will, in turn, nominate a government. Political limbo After several failed attempts, the leftwing coalition agreed on a name: Castets, a 37-year-old senior civil servant who has worked at the general directorate of the treasury and the French anti-money-laundering authority. She has already said she is willing to compromise with all parties (except the far right) a necessity if legislation is to be passed, given the NFPs narrow win. But Macron has refused to ask her to take up a position as prime minister, and has said he will not name a new one before the end of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. With the Paralympics ending on September 8, thats almost six more weeks of political limbo. In truth, no one knows when Macron will deign to name someone: he revels in being in full control of the agenda. The constitution states that the president names the prime minister. Lucie Castets, centre, prime ministerial candidate for the leftwing coalition Nouveau Front Populaire, in Lille last week. Photograph: Francois Lo Presti/AFP/Getty Images It does not stipulate that the PM must be chosen from the largest parliamentary bloc, although when he found himself in this pickle, President Francois Mitterrand said he would naturally align his choice with the will of the people. The risk, otherwise, is to lose a vote of no confidence in the premiership. And so the decision can only be made by Macron making him the master of the clocks as he somewhat pompously likes to call himself. His logic for delaying at least in his public statements is a little confused. Speaking to public broadcaster France 2, he said that the issue is not whether we have a name, but whether we can have a majority at the Assembly, so that a government can pass reforms and a budget, and move the country forward. Usually, however, naming a new prime minister is the first step towards a majority. Once chosen, the new PM has the political authority to begin forming alliances to vote on reforms and budgets, and thus attempt to govern. Macron's gameplan But what does the president really seek to achieve in dragging his feet? By putting French politics on pause for a duration of his choosing, Macron hopes for the leftwing alliance to deteriorate enough for the situation to turn in his favour. His theory: the French want an Olympics truce and to forget, for a time, about politics. Its not impossible that the left could implode in this period: the longer Macron waits, the more time for this alliance of wildly diverse parties to shatter over policy differences. Yet they have a common programme Macrons party and its potential allies, the rightwing Republicains, cant say as much. In truth, this is the last ditch gamble of a president running out of road and he has no one to blame for his desperate position but himself. After calling a snap parliamentary election in response to the far-right surging in the disastrous European election results, his party lost 76 seats, cratering its already shaky majority. It is said that he hoped he would be able to anoint the leader of National Rally (RN), Jordan Bardella, as prime minister in a bid to discredit him in time for the 2027 presidential election. But now, his gamble having failed, he childishly refuses to crown a new prime minister from the winning alliance. Many on the left have condemned his manoeuvring as dangerous and autocratic: he is effectively denying the NFP its parliamentary victory, however small the margin of its success. And there are other causes for concern. Despite having officially resigned, his outgoing government continues to name people to positions of power at the countrys central administration. Writing to the head of Frances Conseil dEtat, the authority in charge of protecting the constitution, the Socialist leader Olivier Faure his party a coalition member of the NFP denounced this situation as extremely problematic. Never before has a government [that resigned] kept the lights on for so long, Faure wrote. Especially at a time when parliament is out of session and therefore, unable to act as an efficient monitor. The Socialist leader warned the nominations constitute an abuse of power. The NFP is knocking on the door, and waiting to be let in. Macron, meanwhile, is throwing various other candidates names at the media, trying to see if one sticks. So far, no such luck: a unity candidate who was acceptable to rightwing Republicains would create divisions within Macrons own ranks, and even if they were able to create a new formation, the bloc wouldnt have enough seats to command a majority in parliament. Speaking to the French press on Sunday, Lucie Castets said: The president of the republic must put an end to the unprecedented paralysis our country is going through. He must take the results of the parliamentary elections seriously and let the bloc that led these results rule the country. It is time for Macron to stop sulking and do the right thing. Pauline Bock is a French journalist based in Paris. The Guardian. Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed revenge on Israel over the killing of Hamas political chief. Khamenei said Israel had prepared a harsh punishment for itself after Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a pre-dawn air strike in the Iranian capital Tehran. The Iranian leader said in a statement on his official website: We consider his revenge as our duty, adding Mr Haniyeh had been a dear guest in our home. The shock assassination risks escalating the Israel-Hamas conflict even as the US and other nations scramble to prevent an all-out regional war. There was no immediate comment from Israel, which had vowed to kill Mr Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the groups October 7 attack on southern Israel. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Mr Haniyeh recently (Iranian Presidency Office via AP) The strike came just after Mr Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Irans new President in Tehran. The dramatic killing threatens to reverberate on multiple fronts, with direct retaliation from Iran one possibility. New Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed his country would defend its territory and make the attackers regret their cowardly action. The two bitter regional rivals had an unprecedented exchange of strikes on each others soil in April after Israel hit Irans embassy in Damascus, but international efforts succeeded in containing that cycle of retaliation before it spun out of control. An influential Iranian parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy is due to hold an emergency meeting on the strike later on Wednesday. Hamas could pull out of negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in the 10-month-old war in Gaza, which US mediators had said were making progress. And the killing could enflame already heightening tensions between Israel and Irans powerful Lebanese ally Hezbollah which international diplomats were trying to contain after a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Turkey condemned Mr Haniyehs killing (AP) Hours before the Tehran strike, Israel carried out a rare strike in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday that it said killed a top Hezbollah commander allegedly behind the Golan Heights rocket strike. Hezbollah, which denied any role in the Golan strike, said it is still searching for the body of Fouad Shukur in the rubble of the building that was hit in a Beirut suburb that is the groups stronghold. Hamas said earlier: Hamas declares to the great Palestinian people and the people of the Arab and Islamic nations and all the free people of the world, brother leader Ismail Ismail Haniyeh a martyr. In another statement, the group quoted Mr Haniyeh as saying that the Palestinian cause has costs and we are ready for these costs: martyrdom for the sake of Palestine, and for the sake of God Almighty, and for the sake of the dignity of this nation. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed in the wake of the October 7 assault in Israel (AP) There was no immediate reaction from the White House to the killing of Mr Haniyeh. Asked by reporters in Manila about the Tehran strike, US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin said he had no additional information to provide. But he expressed hope for a diplomatic solution on the Israeli-Lebanon border. I dont think that war is inevitable, he said. I maintain that. I think theres always room and opportunity for diplomacy, and Id like to see parties pursue those opportunities. In the West Bank, the internationally backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Mr Haniyehs killing, calling it a cowardly act and dangerous development. Political factions in the occupied territory called for strikes in protest at the killing. Turkey has strongly condemned the heinous assassination of the Hamas leader, attributing the killing to the Israeli government. A foreign ministry statement said the killing had shown that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government has no intention of achieving peace. Sudans military said its top commander, Gen Abdel-Fattah Burhan, survived a drone attack on a military graduation ceremony that killed five people in the countrys east. The military said the attack by two drones took place in Gebeit, a town in eastern Sudan, after the ceremony was concluded. The Russian military has begun a third round of drills with tactical nuclear weapons, part of the Kremlins messaging intended to force the West to limit its support for Ukraine. The Russian defence ministry said the drills will feature units of the central and southern military districts armed with Iskander short-range missiles. They will practice receiving nuclear weapons from storage and deploying them to designated launch areas. President Vladimir Putin said the doctrine on using nuclear weapons could be modified (Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service via AP) The manoeuvres will also include air force units that will arm their warplanes with nuclear weapons and perform patrol flights. The ministry said the drills are intended to maintain troops readiness for combat missions. Tactical nuclear weapons include bombs, warheads for short-range missiles and artillery munitions and are meant for use on a battlefield. They are typically far less powerful than strategic weapons massive warheads that arm intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and are intended to obliterate entire cities. Russia has made gains on the battlefield (Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) The previous two rounds of the manoeuvres were held in May and June. The drills in June were conducted jointly with the armed forces of Russias ally Belarus. Last year, Russia moved some of its tactical nuclear weapons into neighbouring Belarus, which also borders Ukraine and Nato members Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. Belarus authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko has relied on close ties with Russia and provided his country as a staging ground for sending troops to Ukraine in February 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his officials have repeatedly reminded the West about the countrys nuclear might in a bid to discourage Nato allies from ramping up their support for Kyiv. The Kremlin has described the drills with tactical nuclear weapons as part of Moscows response to statements by Nato allies encouraging strikes on Russian territory with Western weapons and the possible deployment of Western troops to Ukraine. Amid recent battlefield gains in Ukraine, Mr Putin has emphasised that Russia does not need nuclear weapons to achieve his goals. But he also reaffirmed that they can be used in the case of a threat to Russias territorial integrity in line with the countrys nuclear doctrine. Russian hawks have urged the Kremlin to change the doctrine to lower the threshold for using nuclear weapons, and Mr Putin said the document could be modified to take into account the evolving global situation. Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro said he asked the countrys Supreme Court to audit the presidential election, after the opposition disputed his claim to have won and amid international calls to release detailed vote counts. Mr Maduro told reporters that the ruling party is also ready to show the totality of the electoral tally sheets. I throw myself before justice, he said to reporters outside the Supreme Courts headquarters in Caracas, adding that he is willing to be summoned, questioned, investigated. It is Mr Maduros first concession to demands for more transparency about the election. However, the Supreme Court is closely aligned with his government. Federal officials propose the courts justices and they are ratified by the National Assembly, which is dominated by Maduro sympathisers. The Carter Centre criticised the audit request, saying the court would not provide an independent review. You have another government institution which is appointed by the government to verify the government numbers for the election results which are in question, said Jennie Lincoln, a senior adviser for Latin America and the Caribbean and the leader of the delegation that the Carter Centre sent to monitor the election in Venezuela. This is not an independent assessment. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, left, and opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez (Cristian Hernandez/AP) The Atlanta-based group said on Tuesday night that it was unable to verify the results of the election, and it blamed authorities for a complete lack of transparency in declaring Mr Maduro the winner. Venezuelas electoral authorities allowed the group to send 17 experts to observe the election. Mr Maduro insists that he won the election, despite his main challenger, Edmundo Gonzalez, and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, saying that they secured more than two-thirds of the tally sheets that each electronic voting machine printed after polls closed on Sunday. The opposition figures said the release of the data on those tallies would prove Mr Maduro lost the election. Pressure has been building against Mr Maduro. The National Electoral Council, which is loyal to the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela, has yet to release any printed results from polling centres as it did in past elections. His close ally, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, on Wednesday joined other foreign leaders in urging him to release detailed vote counts. A day earlier, another of Mr Maduros allies, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, along with US President Joe Biden called for the immediate release of full, transparent, and detailed voting data at the polling station level. Ms Machado said the vote tallies the opposition has obtained show Mr Gonzalez received roughly 6.2 million votes compared with 2.7 million for Mr Maduro. That is widely different from the electoral councils report that Maduro received 5.1 million votes, against more than 4.4 million for Mr Gonzalez. The serious doubts that have arisen around the Venezuelan electoral process can lead its people to a deep violent polarization with serious consequences of permanent division, Mr Petro said in a post on social media site X. I invite the Venezuelan government to allow the elections to end in peace, allowing a transparent vote count, with the counting of votes, and with the supervision of all the political forces of its country and professional international supervision, he added. Mr Petro proposed that Mr Maduros government and the opposition reach an agreement that allows for the maximum respect of the (political) force that has lost the elections. The agreement, he said, could be submitted to the United Nations Security Council. Venezuela has the worlds largest proven crude reserves and once boasted Latin Americas most advanced economy, but it entered into free fall after Mr Maduro took the helm in 2013. President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters (Fernando Vergara/AP) Plummeting oil prices, widespread shortages and hyperinflation that soared past 130,000% led to social unrest and mass emigration. More than 7.7 million Venezuelans have left the country since 2014, the largest exodus in Latin Americas recent history. Many have settled in Colombia. Within hours of the electoral council announcing that Mr Maduro had won, thousands of protesters took to the streets of the capital, Caracas, and other cities. The protests, which continued into Tuesday, turned violent at times, and law enforcement responded with tear gas and gun pellets. Attorney General Tarek William Saab told reporters that more than 700 protesters were arrested in nationwide demonstrations and that one officer was killed. The Venezuela-based human rights organisation Foro Penal also reported that 11 people, including two minors, had been killed in unrest related to the election. 1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241 A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. The challenges posed by climate change are becoming more and more urgent, and there is already a global consensus that only by transforming the development paradigm from quantitative growth to sustainable development and jointly achieving a more rapid energy transition can we help the human race and our future generations. The history of sustainable development is rather short. The Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, titled Our Common Future, conceptualized the terminology in 1987. The report outlined the three major areas of sustainable development as economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly formulated the sustainable development goals which are composed of 17 global goals and 169 targets. After almost three decades since its inception, the concept of sustainable development took a much more concrete shape. In order to achieve these goals, a strong collaborative effort of the people, governments, businesses and civil society the world over was called for. Unfortunately, it is not easy to achieve this collaborative effort. Compared with the past, the world today is much more interconnected through trade, economic integration, artificial intelligence, the internet and other digital mediums. However, we are increasingly facing a reality that we do not want to see. Since the time the world united to overcome the financial crisis caused by the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, which strengthened the Group of 20, it has been moving in a less desirable direction. Globalization is giving way to "slowbalization", a word coined by The Economist, or even deglobalization, and from multilateralism to pluralism or even to unilateralism. The global divide has become more evident and in this dire situation, the reality is that poverty continues amid plenty, widening inequalities as well as deepening the environmental crisis. In order to get back to the basics, Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, called for the opening of the Summit of the Future at the UN in late September this year. The main reason for hosting this global event is that as humanity is facing a set of unprecedented challenges, this can only be solved through global cooperation. Therefore, major topics at the Summit of the Future would be sustainable development, global peace, control of new technology such as AI, empowerment of future generations and reform of the UN system. As you know, we have been experiencing an unprecedented rise in global temperatures and the warming of ocean basins. These changes are profoundly altering climate and have already begun to unleash catastrophic consequences from rising sea levels to extreme weather events. Therefore, putting the world on track to net zero is a monumental task that requires not only good policy frameworks, investments or technological innovations, but also strong partnership, as well as leadership. We have long been used to the paradigm of quantitative growth which helped national economies grow at the expense of environmental sustainability. That is why the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ministerial council meeting unanimously passed a resolution-Toward Green Growth in June 2010 and based on that resolution, the OECD Secretariat produced a monumental document on green growth in 2012 on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Now I am glad to note that we are trying to move away from the traditional quantitative growth paradigm to the new paradigm of growth, the green growth. It is needless to say that to promote sustainability, or to achieve the UN sustainable development goals, one of the core challenges is global finance, particularly green finance. Finance plays a critical role insustainable development by mobilizing and allocating to the projects that promote environmental, social and economic sustainability. Green finance is the financing of investments that provide environmental benefits in the broader context of environmentally sustainable development. This includes financing for initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions, increasing energy efficiency and enhancing natural resource conservation. Energy is at the heart of climate change solutions and the transition to green growth. China, as the second-largest economy in the world, has a clear roadmap for green and energy transition and achieving carbon neutrality, and has already done a great job. In 2020, the country announced its dual carbon goals achieving peak carbon before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060. Once done, it will significantly contribute to global actions against climate change. Chinese companies have emerged as global leaders in renewable energy innovation and investment, leading advancements in solar, wind and hydroelectric technologies. In 2023, renewable energy accounted for over 50 percent of the country's total installed capacity. China is also spearheading global efforts in electric vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products, which are all part of the country's commitment to its dual carbon goals and outstanding achievement in energy transition. There are some important experiences that the world can learn from China's success, including the key instruments of green finance. For example, green bonds that are specifically earmarked for funding projects with environmental benefits, green loans that are granted to projects which contribute to environment sustainability often with favorable terms, and green investment funds that pool capital from multiple investors to finance a diversified portfolio of environmentally sustainable projects and companies. In this connection, I am very pleased that recognizing the importance of the role that green finance plays in sustainable development and in order to reward innovative green finance solutions worldwide, the International Finance Forum launched the IFF Global Green Finance Award in 2020. The award leverages IFF's global resources and aims to support to achieve the sustainable development goals. As we are already a team in the fight against climate change, let us embrace the spirit of partnership and innovation. Let us commit ourselves to advancing sustainable energy solutions that are key to our survival. Let us dedicate ourselves to making our planet more sustainable for future generations. The author is cochairman of the International Finance Forum, chair of the Council of Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly and former prime minister of the Republic of Korea. Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow A mainly sunny sky. High 71F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. An N.C. House Select Committee is recommending that the General Assembly change a state law forcing districts to start school the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday clo Jul 31 (Jowhar.com)-Sudans military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, recently survived an assassination attempt in the capital city of Khartoum. The attack took place as the general was leaving his home in the early hours of the morning. Gunmen opened fire on his convoy, but thankfully al-Burhan emerged unscathed. The attempted assassination has raised concerns about the stability and security of Sudan, which has been grappling with political turmoil since the ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The country has been in a state of transition, with a power-sharing agreement between the military and civilian leaders in place. General al-Burhan has been a key figure in Sudans transitional government, leading the military council that took over after al-Bashirs removal. He has been involved in negotiations with various political factions and has been seen as a stabilizing force in the country. Following the assassination attempt, security has been tightened around al-Burhan and his residence. The government has vowed to investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice. The incident has sparked fears of further violence and instability in Sudan, as tensions between different factions continue to simmer. The international community has condemned the assassination attempt and called for a peaceful resolution to the political crisis in Sudan. The United Nations has urged all parties to engage in dialogue and work towards a peaceful transition to democracy. As Sudan continues to navigate its political transition, the attempted assassination of General al-Burhan serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and risks facing the country. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to this incident and what impact it will have on the future stability of Sudan. Jul 31 (Jowhar.com)-In a shocking turn of events, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya was reportedly killed in Iran. The news of his death has sent shockwaves throughout the region, as Haniya was a prominent figure in the Palestinian resistance movement. Haniya, who had been the leader of Hamas since 2017, was known for his strong stance against Israeli occupation and his unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. His death is seen as a major blow to the organization and the Palestinian people as a whole. The circumstances surrounding Haniyas death are still unclear, with conflicting reports emerging from different sources. Some reports suggest that he was killed in a targeted airstrike, while others claim that he died in a car accident. The Iranian government has yet to confirm or deny the reports of Haniyas death. Haniyas death comes at a crucial time for Hamas, as the organization is currently engaged in intense conflict with Israel in the Gaza Strip. His absence is likely to have a significant impact on Hamass ability to effectively lead the resistance movement against Israeli aggression. The Palestinian people have been quick to mourn the loss of Haniya, with many taking to social media to express their condolences and pay tribute to his leadership. Haniya was widely respected for his dedication to the Palestinian cause and his unwavering commitment to the fight for justice and freedom. As more details emerge about the circumstances of Haniyas death, the region braces for what could be a significant shift in the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Haniyas legacy as a fierce advocate for Palestinian rights will undoubtedly live on, as the struggle for liberation and justice continues. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has publicly denied that the US was involved in the recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyah. This incident, which took place in Iran, killed Haniyah this morning. Rumors have been swirling since the assassination, with some pointing the finger at the United States as the perpetrator. However, Blinken quickly addressed these allegations and reported the correct news. In a press conference held by Blinken, he said, The United States has nothing to do with the killing of Ismail Haniyeh. We condemn all acts of violence and terrorism, and we are committed to promoting peace and stability in the region through diplomatic channels. . Haniyeh, who was famous for many years in the Hamas organization, was very critical of the United States and its policies in the Middle East. The killing fueled the fire, with Hamas supporters calling for revenge against those who committed the act. Although the US government has denied that the crisis in the region is still there. The killings have exacerbated the already tense situation in Gaza, where death and suffering are all too common. As the situation continues, it is clear that there is a need for a diplomatic solution to the issues in the region. The United States, along with other international partners, must work together to find a peaceful solution and prevent war and bloodshed. Jul 30 (Jowhar.com) An Israeli bombardment south of Beirut killed one woman and injured several others, according to Lebanese media.The Lebanese news agency NNA reported that the attack was carried out by a drone that fired three missiles. The responsibility of this attack was claimed by Israel, pointing out that this attack killed the commander of Hezbollah and said that he was responsible for the attack last Saturday in Majdal Shams. The latest tensions between Hezbollah and Israel came after Israel accused Hezbollah of being responsible for a rocket attack that killed 12 children in the Israeli-held Golan Heights on Sunday. However, Hezbollah denied responsibility for the attack. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has been ongoing for years, with both sides accusing each other of perpetrating attacks and escalating tensions in the region. The international community has called for restraint and a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but so far, efforts at diplomacy have been unsuccessful. The situation remains volatile, with both Israel and Hezbollah vowing to retaliate for any attacks on their territory. The fear of further violence and civilian casualties looms large as the two sides continue to engage in tit-for-tat attacks. The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire and for both sides to de-escalate tensions before the situation spirals out of control. The world watches on anxiously, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict before more lives are lost. Jul 30 (Jowhar.com) The Minister of Defense of JFS Mr. Abduqadir Mohamed Noor, the Commander of the Armed Forces S/Gaas Ibrahim Sheikh Muhuddin and the Somali Police Commander S/Brigade Sulub Ahmed Firin. They jointly inspected the areas recently destroyed by the Khawarij in Bula Haji and Harboole in the Lower Jubba region. The officials stood one by one at the places and defenses where the Kharijites were killed in the attack on the 22nd of the month, congratulating all the Commanders, Officers and the Army who bravely defended the votes of the Somali nation. The leaders have promised that the entire army, both at the state and federal levels, will be provided with whatever they need, so that the enemy is tolerated by the Somali people who are suffering. They also vowed to continue their efforts to rid the country of all terrorist groups and to ensure the safety and security of all Somali citizens. The Minister of Defense emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation among all security forces in order to effectively combat the threat of terrorism. The Commander of the Armed Forces commended the bravery and dedication of the soldiers who fought against the Kharijites, and assured them that their sacrifices would not be forgotten. He also called for vigilance and readiness among all troops to prevent any future attacks. The Somali Police Commander reiterated the commitment of the police force to work hand in hand with the military to maintain law and order in the country. He emphasized the importance of community engagement and intelligence sharing in order to prevent terrorist activities before they occur. Overall, the leaders expressed their determination to protect the sovereignty and integrity of Somalia, and to ensure that the country remains safe and secure for all its citizens. ( Tomdispatch.com ) For months, weve all been able to stay reasonably informed about the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. But theres another horrific war thats gotten so little coverage you could be excused for not knowing anything about it. What we have in mind is the seemingly never-ending, utterly devastating war in Sudan. Think of it as the missing war. And if we dont start paying a lot more attention to it soon as in right now its going to be too late. After 15 months of fighting in that country between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), experts in food insecurity estimate that almost 26 million people (no, that is not a misprint!), or more than half of Sudans population, could suffer from malnutrition by September. Eight and a half million of those human beings could face acute malnutrition. Worse yet, if the war continues on its present path, millions will die of hunger and disease in just the coming months (and few people in our world may even notice). By now, those warring armies have driven Sudan to the brink of all-out famine, partly by displacing more than a fifth of the population from their homes, livelihoods, and farms, while preventing the delivery of food to the places most in need. And you undoubtedly wont be surprised to learn that, with their foreign-policy eyes focused on Gaza and Ukraine, our countrys government and others around the world have paid remarkably little attention to the growing crisis in Sudan, making at best only half-hearted (quarter-hearted?) gestures toward helping negotiate a cease-fire between the SAF and RSF, while contributing only a small fraction of the aid Sudan needs to head off a famine of historic magnitude. From Emergency to Catastrophe In late June, the U.N.-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system, which monitors regions at risk of starvation, reported a stark and rapid deterioration of the food security situation in Sudan. It noted that the number of people suffering hunger severe enough to qualify, in IPC terms, as Phase 3 (Crisis) or Phase 4 (Emergency) has ballooned 45% since the end of last year. In December 2023, no Sudanese had yet made it to Phase 5 (Catastrophe), a condition characteristic of famines. Now, more than three-quarters of a million people are in that final phase of starving to death. Indeed, if the conflict continues to escalate, large parts of Sudan may spiral into full-blown famine, a state that exists, according to the IPC, when at least 20% of an areas population is suffering Phase-5 hunger. Until recently, the worst conflict and hunger were concentrated in western Sudan and around Khartoum, the countrys capital. Now, however, theyve spread to the east and south as well. Worse yet, the war in Sudan has by now displaced an astounding 10 million people from their homes, more than four million of them children a figure that looks like but isnt a misprint. Many have had to move multiple times and two million Sudanese have taken refuge in neighboring countries. Worse yet, with so many people forced off their land and away from their workplaces, the capacity of farmers to till the soil and other kinds of workers to hold down a paycheck and so buy food for their families has been severely disrupted. Not surprisingly, 15 months of brutal war have played havoc with crop production. Cereal grain harvests in 2023 were far smaller than in previous years and stocks of grain (which typically supply 80% of Sudanese caloric intake) have already been fully consumed, with months to go before the next harvest, a stretch of time known, even in good years, as the lean season. And with war raging, anything but a bumper crop is expected this year. Indeed, just as planting season got underway, fierce fighting spilled over into wheat-growing Gezira, one of Sudans 18 states and renowned as the nations breadbasket. Sudan desperately needs food aid and its simply not getting enough. The U.N. High Commission for Refugees has received less than 20% of the funds necessary to help feed the Sudanese this year and has had to drastically cut food rations. As Tjada DOyen McKenna, head of the aid nonprofit Mercy Corps, told the New York Times, World leaders continue to go through the motions, expressing concern over Sudans crisis. Yet theyve failed to rise to the occasion. Worse yet, in the swirling chaos, even the food aid that does make it to Sudan is largely failing to reach starving populations in anything approaching adequate quantities and when available, its usually unaffordable. Famished people are reportedly boiling leaves, as well as eating grass, peanut shells, and even dirt. Starvation: A Cheap and Very Effective Weapon For many families, the one thing keeping starvation at bay may be a local free soup kitchen. In a report published in May, Timmo Gaasbeek of the Netherlands Institute of International Relations noted, Sudan has a long tradition of sharing food. After the war broke out and hunger spread, community-level initiatives for sharing food sprang up across the country. These soup kitchen initiatives are often informal but can be very well organized. Gaasbeek warned, however, that soup kitchens can fill only so many gaping holes in a system shattered by wartime destruction, displacement, and crop failure. His institute estimates that at current rates of food sharing, 2.5 million people could die of hunger and disease by the time crops are harvested in September. In other words, a shocking 10-20% of the Sudanese in the hardest-hit areas could die mortality rates similar to ones suffered during horrendous famines in parts of Nigeria in 1969, Ethiopia in 1984, and Somalia in 1992. By Gaasbeeks calculations, more aggressive food sharing through soup kitchens and other means could cut the total death toll to a still-appalling one million. But that seems unlikely since even the existing efforts by local mutual-aid groups and international organizations to provide food have come under attack from both sides in the war. Six international experts writing for the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have accused SAF and RSF of using food as a weapon and starving civilians. They also found that the deliberate targeting of humanitarian workers and local volunteers has undermined aid operations, putting millions of people at further risk of starvation. We recently got in touch with Hadeel Mohamed, an educator with whom wed spoken last October after she fled Sudan for Egypt. In a July 16th email to us, she wrote that the war in Sudan, like many wars, has proved to be more an attack on civilians than on any armed forces. Still in contact with neighbors who stayed behind in Khartoum, she reports that neither army is protecting civilians. In fact, the two at times appear to be tag-teaming to do them in. When, for instance, RSF forces carry out a raid, her contacts tell her, SAF troops are often removed from the locations hours before the attacks occur. Worse yet, for those now trying to flee as she did last year, Some said that, in their attempts to escape Khartoum, theyve encountered RSF forces waiting to loot them. All their supplies were stolen once again! Alex de Waal of the World Peace Foundation told the BBC that the RSF paramilitary is essentially a looting machine. They rampage through the countryside and towns, stealing everything there is. They even bombed and looted the last hospital still functioning in Northern Darfur state. No less horribly, the governments SAF troops are guilty of trying to starve people in areas now occupied and controlled by the RSF and, according to De Waal, neither side is willing to relinquish what is a cheap and very effective weapon. Echoes from a Thousand Miles Away Is Sudans nightmare starting to sound grimly familiar? * Families displaced multiple times, with war following hot on their heels. * Food aid falling desperately short of whats needed. * Humanitarian aid intercepted by soldiers and other armed men before it can reach intended recipients. * Soup kitchens attacked. * Aid workers targeted for death. * Hospitals bombarded, invaded, and shut down. * Crop production capacity sabotaged during a hunger emergency. * Washington doing little or nothing to stop the horror. Might we be thinking, perhaps, of a small 25-mile strip of territory a thousand miles directly north of Khartoum, just on the other side of Egypt? Sadly enough, there are many striking parallels between the wars being waged on the civilian populations of Sudan and Gaza. It would nonetheless be wrong to blame world interest in the nightmare in Gaza for drawing attention away from the civil war in Sudan. Neither of those crimes against humanity, in their scale and ghastliness, should be exploited by anyone to minimize the weight and urgency of the other. Worse yet, simply paying more attention to the nightmare in Sudan and sending its people more food aid wont address the imbalance. The fact is that neither the Sudanese nor the Gazans have received what they most urgently need right now: an end to their respective conflicts. Efforts by the U.S. and other countries to push for cease-fires in both places and an end to each of those wars have proven almost cataclysmically inadequate and ineffective. For Sudan, its been especially discouraging. Talks last year between the SAF and RSF brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States failed to even reduce the fighting there and recent attempts to revive those talks all too expectably broke down. In early June, Egypt hosted supporters of both of Sudans warring parties in Cairo for negotiations. The only outcome: the creation of a supremely bureaucratic subcommittee to draft a meaningless communique. Collective Courage Last October, Hadeel Mohamed wrote that there was then only one modest hope in Sudan. For the millions of Sudanese living through their latest national nightmare, she told us, You really come back to more community-based aid. With our limited resources, with our limited abilities, we still find people rising up to take care of each other. And theyre still doing it. Its just not enough to prevent a disastrous famine, as long as the sectarian fighting continues. With weak support from the outside world, civilians in Sudan have little choice but to rely on long traditions of social cohesion and mutual aid as they work to survive and somehow bring the war in their country to an end. In that, theres yet another parallel with the war on Gazas civilians: the coordinated service, heroism, and sacrifice personified by Palestinian journalists, taxi drivers, first responders, healthcare professionals, and countless other people is now legendary. Civilians in many such situations are too often portrayed in the world media as nearly helpless victims. The Sudanese and Palestinian people are showing that image to be fallacious by acting with the kind of collective courage, endurance, and solidarity thats all too rare in the comfortably situated societies that are leaving them to starve. Theyre being cruelly victimized, yet theyre refusing to play the victim. The wartime food-sharing movement in Sudan that operates soup kitchens is a good example. Its led by grassroots neighborhood groups called resistance committees that started forming more than a decade ago in the wake of the Arab Spring, with the mission of providing social protection and provisioning in their home communities. They have since proliferated throughout Sudan, operating locally and independently but together forming a remarkably well-integrated national network. The resistance committees took a leading role in grassroots protests against the October 2021 military coup that cut short a national transition to democratic rule then underway in Sudan. Eighteen months later, the current war erupted when the two generals who had led that coup turned on each other, with one leading the armed forces and the other the Rapid Support Forces. Throughout the ensuing war, at great risk to their own safety, resistance committee members have played essential lifesaving roles. While working to fend off hunger in their communities, they have also prioritized the maintenance of human rights, continuation of social services, and defense of direct democracy, while urging fervent opposition to the SAF, the RSF, and more generally the incessant militarization of their country. Some are also mobilizing their communities for self-defense. Sudan expert Santiago Stocker suggested recently that the resistance committees, because of their support among youth and local legitimacy in Sudan, are a voice the international community should support and elevate. The committees are one part of a broader grassroots civilian movement that participated in those ill-fated Cairo talks. That movement, Stocker argues, could sooner or later help break the deadlock in Sudan by pressing other nations to move decisively to help end the war. They could urge, for example, that the international community increase punitive measures, including sanctions, against RSF and SAF leadership and key members of the SAFs governing coalition, including businesses and hardline religious groups. While its important indeed that Gaza remains a focus of our attention as long as the nightmarish Israeli campaign there continues, its no less important that those of us in the Global North focus on the less visible war in Sudan and push our governments to impose punitive measures on that countrys generals and other elites, while pulling out all the stops (and ample cash) to get food to the millions who desperately need it. Sudan should simply no longer be callously ignored. Copyright 2024 Stan Cox and Priti Gulati Cox Via Tomdispatch.com Burlington, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - CBLT Inc. (TSXV: CBLT) ("CBLT") is pleased to report on its successful Phase 1 reconnaissance prospecting program completed on the past producing Falcon Gold Property (the "Property"). The Property is located on patented mining claims in Sudbury, Ontario, which were recently purchased from Kinross Gold Corp. (see news release dated June 5, 2023). It is contiguous to CBLT's Copper Prince property. Peter M. Clausi, CEO of CBLT comments, "This successful initial work program confirms the presence of high-grade gold mineralization as reported by previous operators. Further work is ongoing including additional sampling and mapping ahead of a mechanized stripping program that will allow for a better understanding of the geological controls at Falcon Gold." Gold mineralization on the Property was initially discovered in 1890. During the same year, a shaft was sunk to a depth of 46 ft followed by 59 ft of crosscutting. In 1935, the shaft was dewatered and deepened to 215 ft with levels established at 100 and 200 ft. No records are known to exist regarding production from the Falcon Gold Mine. In 1947, Falconbridge Ltd. acquired the Property and completed several phases of exploration on the Property. In 1988, Falconbridge completed a 24-hole, 14,951 ft drill program and calculated resources at 59,400 tons grading 0.226 oz/ton (Bailey, 1994). (The mineral resource estimate is a historical estimate as defined by National Instrument 43-101. The historical resource estimate contains categories that are not consistent with current CIM definitions. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. No attempt was made to reconcile the historical resource estimate. CBLT is not treating the historical resource estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve.) In 1994, G. Bailey collected five grab samples from near the former mine shaft. Two pyrite-rich surface samples assayed 50.47 and 53.21 g/t Au whereas three pyrite-rich dump samples assayed 33.60 g/t Au, 38.33 g/t Au, and 40.46 g/t Au. To follow up on Bailey's work and the historical resource estimate, during May, 2024 CBLT completed an initial 3-day prospecting program with the purpose of locating historical features on the Property, verifying mineralization described by previous operators at the past-producing Falcon Gold Mine site, and completing regional traverses. A total of 23 grab samples were collected from outcrop and loose material near the historical Falcon Gold Mine site. Results range from <0.005 g/t Au to 25.70 g/t Au. Out of the 23 grab samples, 7 samples returned grades greater than 2 g/t Au, with a highlight of 25.7 g/t Au (Figure 1, Table 1). Gold mineralization is associated within a pyrite-rich carbonate-actinolite-chlorite-talc shear zone which strikes approximately 110 and dips 65 to 70 to the southwest, and cross cuts underlying Paleoproterozoic sedimentary rocks of the Bruce, Espanola, Serpent of the Quirk Lake Group, and the Mississagi Formation of the Hough Lake Group, belonging to the Huronian Supergroup. The easterly striking Garson Fault and northwest striking Bailey Corners Fault project through the Falcon Gold Property. Figure 1: Grab Sample Locations, Falcon Gold Property Table 1: Selected Results Sample Easting Northing Au (g/t) 864865 519937 5157078 25.70 864876 519945 5157083 8.96 864867 519934 5157076 4.80 864873 519929 5157077 4.38 864866 519936 5157081 4.06 864877 519933 5157074 3.81 864872 519926 5157077 2.42 864878 519924 5157081 1.63 Grab samples are selective in nature, and the above reported assay results may not be representative of the mineralization on the Property. QA/QC Program Grab samples were collected from the field and inserted into labeled bags, sealed, and delivered by representatives of CBLT to Activation Laboratories Ltd. in North Bay, Ontario. Activation Laboratories Ltd. is an ISO 17025:2005 accredited testing laboratory. Samples were analyzed by fire assay using the 1A2 package with a gravimetric finish (1A3 package) for samples that returned greater than 5,000 ppb Au. CBLT inserted standards and blanks as part of its QA/QC program. Activation Laboratories also performs an internal QA/QC program which includes the insertion of CRM's, blanks, sample repeats, and duplicate samples. Qualified Person The technical information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved Joerg Kleinboeck, P. Geo, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news may contain certain statements that constitute forward-looking statements as they relate to CBLT and its management. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but represent management's current expectation of future events, and can be identified by words such as "believe", "expects", "will", "intends", "plans", "projects", "anticipates", "estimates", "should", "continues" and similar expressions. Although management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct or will come to pass. By their nature, forward-looking statements include assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. If and when forward-looking statements are set out in this new release, CBLT will also set out the material risk factors or assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by applicable securities laws, CBLT assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. The future outcomes that relate to forward-looking statements may be influenced by many factors, including but not limited to; SARS-CoV-2; reliance on key personnel; the performance of the leadership team; shareholder and regulatory approvals; the ability of Powerstone's leadership team to explore and develop the optioned Chilton Cobalt property in Quebec; First Nations and other local communities; jurisdictional risk; risks of future legal proceedings; income tax matters; availability and terms of financing; distribution of securities; commodities pricing; environmental issues; forest fires and other natural phenomena; rising costs related to inflation; effect of market interest on price of securities; failing to identify an economically viable mineral deposit; and, potential dilution. CBLT's operations could be significantly adversely affected by the effects of a widespread global outbreak of a contagious disease, including the recent outbreak of illness caused by COVID-19. It is not possible to accurately predict the impact COVID-19 will have on operations and the ability of others to meet their obligations, including uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, and the length of travel and quarantine restrictions imposed by governments of affected countries. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could further affect operations and the ability to finance its operations. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - Hercules Metals Corp. (TSXV: BIG) (OTCQB: BADEF) (FSE: 8Q7) ("Hercules Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its ongoing exploration drilling program at its Hercules Property in western Idaho ("Hercules" or the "Property"). Highlights A total of 4,600m have been drilled in 6 completed, 3 abandoned and 3 in progress drill holes ranging up to 722m in depth (Figure 1). A potential trend of elevated hypogene copper-silver enrichment appears to be emerging, currently being tested in two directions: Two drill rigs stepping to the northeast and southwest from the 2023 discovery area to test the potential trend of elevated copper-silver, immediately below the Triassic-Jurassic unconformity. A third drill rig is reconnaissance drilling compelling new targets across the property. A large fault zone, referred to as the "BN Fault," had impacted drilling progress in holes HER-24-01, -05, -06, -07, -09, and -09b. However, the inferred geometry of the BN Fault has now been mapped in 3D, which enables future drill holes to focus on areas with more favourable ground conditions away from the fault. The Company is planning to enhance productivity by adding a deep RC drill rig with an effective depth capacity of ~1,200m. Roads are being widened to allow access for a larger rig which has indicated availability in early September. New mapping, shown on Figure 1, has enhanced the understanding of structural patterns and alteration zonation across the project. Triassic exposure in the east shows alteration increasing from propylitic to phyllic towards the northwest. Specular hematite, associated with the hypogene copper-silver enrichment, dips shallow beneath the unconformity (conglomerate). Chris Paul, CEO and Director of the Company, noted, "Having drilled over 1 kilometer of strike along the Leviathan Porphyry this year has given us a much better understanding of certain key structural controls, which better guides our targeting of hypogene enrichment. Blind drilling has its logistical challenges, but new information is gained from each hole, which allows us to increase efficiency moving forward. Drilling is now vectoring toward the potential feeder structures for the hypogene enrichment event, which added copper and silver to the shallowest part of the system, beneath the unconformity. At the same time, we are actively working to increase productivity by avoiding damaged fault zones and securing a deep RC drill rig to supplement the program with pre-collars for the core rigs as well as select RC-only drill holes. Although the timing of the first assays is delayed due to slower than anticipated drilling and processing time, this has allowed us time to build a preliminary 3D model aimed at targeting hypogene enrichment." Geological Update Drilling continues to encounter porphyry alteration and mineralization over large areas. Emphasis has been placed on key structures which may have controlled both porphyry emplacement as well as later hypogene enrichment. One of these structures, the BN Fault, appears to have been later re-activated in the Jurassic, creating challenging ground conditions for drilling. A preliminary model of the BN Fault was recently developed, to avoid drilling within its proximity. Instead, drilling is stepping out along a separate NE-SW structure, which appears to control mineralization, with apparent minimal post-mineral damage. A third drill rig is testing reconnaissance targets with favourable geophysical signatures that have not had previous drilling. Many targets remain to be tested across what appears to be a large and long-lived hydrothermal system. A major regional-scale structure, "Tom's Fault", shown on Figure 2, trends NW-SE across the Property, and appears to be a potentially important regional control on porphyry emplacement. The intersection of regional scale NW-SE structures with NE-SW structures may play an important role on future exploration targeting. 2024 drill holes are shown on Figures 1 and 2. Drill holes HER-24-08, -11, and -12 are stepping out to the northeast along the inferred structural control mentioned above. Drill holes HER-24-09 and -09b were testing the same concept to the southwest, however both had to be terminated due to challenging ground conditions associated with the BN Fault. HER-24-06 also had to be terminated early due to the BN Fault, albeit in mineralization at 640 meters. The aim is to properly re-test this entire length of the chargeability anomaly to depth once the deep RC rig arrives. HER-24-10 is currently testing a new chargeability anomaly to the west of the main Leviathan target. The hole is currently at 350 meters and has encountered a different Jurassic cover sequence than the other holes. Figure 1: Updated geological, structural and alteration map, showing 2024 drill holes completed, in progress, and planned. Figure 2: Re-processed IP chargeability at 400 meters depth, showing hypogene enrichment targets and 2024 drill holes completed, in progress, and planned. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved for disclosure by Christopher Longton BS, CPG, Hercules' Vice President, Exploration. Mr. Longton is a "Qualified Person" for Hercules Metals within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Corporate Update The Company also announces that it has granted 500,000 incentive stock options (the "Options") to a contractor, with an effective date of July 30, 2024, with 250,000 vesting on the grant date, 125,000 vesting on the date that is six months following the grant date and 125,000 vesting on the date that is twelve months following the grant date. The Options are exercisable for a period of 5 years and have an exercise price of $0.62 per common share. The Options were granted pursuant to the Company's omnibus incentive plan approved by shareholders. About Hercules Metals Corp. Hercules Metals Corp. (TSXV: BIG) (OTCQB: BADEF) (FSE: 8Q7) is an exploration Company focused on developing Idaho's newest copper and silver district. The 100% owned Hercules Project located northwest of Cambridge, hosts the newly discovered Leviathan porphyry copper system, one of the most important discoveries in the region to date. The Company is well positioned for growth through continued drilling, supported by extensive historical and current exploration and a strategic investment by Barrick Gold. With the potential for significant scale, the Company's management and board of directors aims to build on its proven track record which includes the discovery and development of numerous precious metals projects worldwide. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. Any securities referred to herein have not and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws of an exemption from such registration is available. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain information that may be deemed "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking information contained in this press release may include, without limitation, the expected execution of future exploration programs on the Property; assay results of future drill holes; results of operations, and the expected financial performance of the Company. Although the Company believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by its nature, forward-looking information involves assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; the Covid-19 pandemic; adverse industry events; the receipt of required regulatory approvals and the timing of such approvals; that the Company maintains good relationships with the communities in which it operates or proposes to operate, future legislative and regulatory developments in the mining sector; the Company's ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; mining industry and markets in Canada and generally; the ability of the Company to implement its business strategies; competition; the risk that any of the assumptions prove not to be valid or reliable, which could result in delays, or cessation in planned work, risks associated with the interpretation of data, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, as well as other assumptions risks and uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities and to the Company, including as set forth in the Company's public disclosure documents filed on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF HERCULES METALS AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE HERCULES METALS MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2024) - Mogotes Metals Inc. (TSXV: MOG) ("Mogotes", or the "Company") is pleased to announce further positive gold-silver-copper rock chip assay expand the Rincon prospect, at the Filo Sur project adjoining the world class Filo del Sol Cu-Au-Ag High Sulfidation Epithermal (HSE) and Porphyry (PCD) project in the Filo del Sol, Vicuna District, Argentina (Figure 1). Reconnaissance rock chip and channel samples return assays up to 6m at Au: 1.32 Au and 94.3 g/t Ag from advanced argillic and vuggy silica high sulfidation epithermal structures Trench channel sampling returns anomalous length weighted average assay results of 150m at 0.23 g/t Au, 1.4 g/t Ag, 620 ppm Cu and 461ppm Zn from a zone of high intensity sheeted quartz veinlet zone hosted in phyllic to propylitic altered quartz diorite stock Combined Rincon results outline a 1.1 km long zone with indications of the upper level of a Maricunga style Au-Cu porphyry with structurally controlled, overprinting high sulfidation epithermal Au-Ag (Cu) mineralization Mogotes geophysical anomalies underlying Rincon Au-Ag-Cu-Pb-Zn mineralization define potentially attractive drill targets for up coming Spring - Summer program planned to commence in October 2024 The Rincon soil Au-Cu-base metal anomaly remains untested for a further 1.2 km to the south of this seasons trenching suggesting potential to significantly extend the mineralized trend CEO, Allen Sabet, stated: "These encouraging results confirm that where we explore in the Filo Sur project using good science, we are rewarded. This new zone extends a brand new exploration target area for several kilometres north-south, and we believe that further exploration will create attractive drill targets here. We are keen to get back on the ground and keep extending this south, east, and west and see what the Rincon area has to offer in our coming field season." NEXT STEPS Corporate: Webinar discussion on key target areas Next steps at the Rincon target -> Spring - Summer (October 2024 to May 2025) Extend existing trenches to open up full width of sheeted vein zone New trenches to test Au Cu Ag Zn soil anomaly to the south of T2 Preparation for drilling in Spring - Summer (October 2024 to April 2025) Rincon Prospect Technical Update As previously reported (Mogotes News Release 8th July 2024) the Camino and Rincon are newly recognized prospects identified by Mogotes Metals in 2023, that are define by a 3.9 km long north - south trend of alteration, Cu-Au-Ag-Mo in soils and rock chips and concealed geophysical anomalies (Figures 2 and 3). New Rincon Trend assay results (this news release, Table 1) report strongly anomalous Au-Ag-Cu (Zn-Pb) from outcrop chip and trench channel sampling, confirming that the Rincon rock chip results extend over a 1.1 kms north-south structurally controlled trend from the previously reported chip channel sampling at road cut 1, to the current most southerly trench at T2. The Rincon Au-Cu-Ag-Pb-Zn soil anomaly extends a further 1.2 km to the south of T2, suggesting the trend of mineralization may be expanded by additional trenching when exploration at the prospects recommences in spring (October) 2024. The new rock chip and trench continuous chip-channel assay results from Rincon include (Table 1 and Figure 4), T1: A 6 m wide north-south trending, advanced argillic altered shear (figure 4 - D1, D2) exposed in a gully on the east side of the prospect. The shear hosts localized pyrite - enargite veining and secondary Cu-Fe sulphate staining. A section of the shear that could be accessed for sampling returned a channel sample of 1m at 0.53 g/t Au, 17.5 g/t Ag and 861 ppm Cu. A select sample of a pyrite - enargite vein within the shear (Figure 4 - D3) returned an assay of 0.97 g/t Au, 14.7 g/t Ag and 0.36 % Cu. T2: This bulldozer trench exposed a wide zone of high intensity (estimated up to 100 veinlets / m) sheeted quartz sulphide veinlets with localized malachite staining and localized overprinting vuggy silica zones (Figure 4, B). This mineralization is hosted by a propylitic to phyillic altered quartz diorite stock. Continuous chip-channel sampling (individual samples of 1.3 to 6.0 m in length) across the veinlet zone returned a length weighted average intersection of 150 m at 0.23 g/t Au 1.4 g/t Ag and 620 ppm Cu, with peak channel sample of 3 m at 0.63 g/t Au, 0.7 g/t Ag and 660 ppm Cu from 48m along the trench. The veinlet zone remains open to the east under cover. T3: An additional trench was excavated between T1 and T2 but could not be systematically sampled before the exploration season closed. However, a 6 m wide chip-channel sample was collected on the eastern edge of the T3 trench, from an advanced argillic altered structure. This sample returned an assay of 6 m at 1.32 g/t Au, 94.3 g/t Ag and 53 ppm Cu. Sampling of the full zone of sheeted veinlets and advanced argillic structures exposed in T3 will be a priority for the spring 2024 exploration program. Additionally, rock chip assays from Road Cut 2 (Figure 3 and 4) located at an altitude of 4800 m ASL show only weakly anomalous Au-Ag-Cu but strongly anomalous epithermal path finder elements (Sb, As) including Sb up to 481 ppm. While Road Cut 1, T1, T2 and T3 with the strongly anomalous Au-Ag-Cu-Zn reported here, all outcrop approximately 100 m topographically lower at approximately 4700m ASL suggesting a vector of increasing metal grade with depth along the trend. These patterns suggest a vector to increasing grades of Au-Ag-Cu to depth, supporting further exploration of the Rincon Trend. Initial interpretations of the mineralization styles reported and assay results from the Rincon zone, suggest current outcrop level at Roadcut 1, T1, T2 and T3, the represents the interface between structurally controlled roots of an Au-Ag (Cu) bearing advanced argillic lithocap and the upper part of a Maracunga style Au-Cu porphyry and high lighted the Rincon Trend and the underlying geophysical anomalies as attractive drill targets for the upcoming October 2024 exploration season. Table 1: Rincon rock chip and channel Assay Statistics About Mogotes Metals Inc. Mogotes Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company exploring for copper and gold in the prospective Vicuna district of Argentina and Chile. Mogotes flagship project, Filo Sur, adjoins the Filo Mining project directly on strike for the large Filo del Sol Copper-gold-silver discovery, and in the same belt as the NGEx Minerals Lunahuasi and Los Helados copper-gold deposits. Additional Information The information contained in this news release was accurate at the time of dissemination, but may be superseded by subsequent news release(s). The Company is under no obligation, nor does it intend to update or revise the forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Qualified Persons The scientific and technical disclosure for the Filo Sur project included in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Stephen Nano who is the Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Nano is a Director and Technical Advisor for the Company. Mogotes applies industry standard exploration sampling methodologies and techniques. All geochemical soil, stream, rock and drill samples are collected under the supervision of the company's geologists in accordance with industry practice. Geochemical assays are obtained and reported under a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program. Samples are dispatched to an ISO 9001:2008 accredited laboratory in Argentina for analysis. Assay results from drill core samples may be higher, lower or similar to results obtained from surface rock, channel, trench samples due to surficial oxidation and enrichment processes or due to natural geological grade variations in the primary mineralization. Drill holes feature varying diameters as they progress in depth. They begin with a PQ3 drill bit (up to ~300 m), then reduce to HQ3 (up to ~670 m), and finally reach NQ3 diameter (up to ~1200 m) at the deepest drill hole. The drill cores were extracted and placed in core boxes with accurate depth markings by Foraco drilling company's rigs, all under the supervision of Mogotes Metals Inc. The core boxes were carefully transported by Mogotes Metals Inc. staff to the field camp. The drill core processing at the field camp was as follows: general control, photographic record using IMAGO, recovery and RQD determinations, and geological quick log. The drill core boxes were also adequately packaged and secured for transport to San Juan core shed. Shipments from the camp to the San Juan facility were transported using trucks designated exclusively for that purpose. At the core shed in San Juan the drill core processing was as follows: general control, check of recovery and RQD, additional geotechnical studies, determination of apparent density, sampling delimitation, drill core cutting, sampling and weighing of samples, half core photographic record using IMAGO, and detailed geological logging. All this information is managed using MX Deposit. The remaining half cores are secure stored in racks at the same core shed. The drill cores were sampled in 2- and 1-meter intervals depending on the drill hole diameter (1 meter for PQ3 and 2 meters for HQ3 and NQ3) using a diamond or a hydraulic rock saw chosen based on visible mineralization. A unique reference number was assigned to each sample. The samples were placed in duly identified plastic bags ensuring that each interval to be sampled was correct and that the same half core was always sampled. All samples were bagged in raffia bags and packaged for shipment by an exclusive truck to the ALS laboratory in Mendoza, Argentina. In that facility was carried out the sample preparation (PREP-31B) which includes crush to 70 % less than 2 mm, riffle split off 1kg, pulverize to 85% passing 75 microns. The prepared samples were sent to the ALS laboratory in Lima, Peru for gold and multi-element analysis. Gold (Au-ICP21) was analyzed by fire assay fusion with ICP-AES finish on a 30 g sample. Samples were also analyzed for a suit of 48 elements (ME-MS61) with four acid digestion and ICP-MS finish. The QAQC procedure is consistent for both drill cores and rock samples, involving batches of 36 samples. Each batch includes 32 original samples and 4 quality control samples, making up approximately 11% of the total. Per batch, the four control samples were distributed according to the following criteria: (i) 2 standards chosen based on the drill core alteration y mineralization between different ore grades reference materials of high sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag-Cu ore and porphyry Cu-Au-Mo ore base. (ii) 1 blank (alternatively coarse and fine blank), which was preferably located after the mineralized zone. (iii) 1 field duplicate that corresponds to a quarter in drill cores or a rock sample taken in a similar way to the original was preferably placed in the most mineralized position within the batch. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements made and information contained herein in the news release constitutes "forward- looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking information"). The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. Generally, this forward-looking information can frequently, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "projects", "budgets", "targets" "assumes", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential", "possible", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will be taken", "will occur" or "will be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information included in this news release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Information contained in this news release is as of the date of this press release. In particular, this press release contains forward- looking information pertaining to assumptions made in the interpretation of drill results, geology, grade, geochemistry, potential implications of geophysics interpretations, and continuity of mineral deposits; expectations regarding access and demand for equipment, skilled labour and services needed for exploration and development of mineral properties; and that activities will not be adversely disrupted or impeded by exploration, development, operating, regulatory, political, community, economic, environmental and/or healthy and safety risks. In addition, this news release may contain forward-looking statements or information pertaining to: potential exploration upside at the Filo Sur Project, including the extent and significance of the porphyry copper-gold system and the prospectivity of exploration targets; exploration plans and expenditures,; the ability of the Company to conduct its field programs as planned; the success of future exploration activities; potential for resource expansion; ability to build shareholder value; expectations with regard to adding to its Mineral Reserves or Resources through exploration; ability to execute planned work programs; plans or ability to mobilize or add additional drill rigs; timing or anticipated results of laboratory results; government regulation of mining activities; environmental risks; unanticipated reclamation expenses; title disputes or claims; limitations on insurance coverage; and other risks and uncertainties. Statements relating to "mineral resources" are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the mineral resources described can be profitably produced in the future. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligations to publicly update and/or revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of additional information, future events and/or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of the Company's operating environment. Forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including that the current price of and demand for commodities will be sustained or will improve, the supply of commodities will remain stable, that the general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed on reasonable terms and that the Company will not experience any material labour dispute, accident, or failure of plant or equipment. These factors are not, and should not be construed as being, exhaustive. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended, including those set out in the Company's most recent annual information form and annual management discussion and analysis, and risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are available on the Company's website and SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All the forward-looking information contained in this document is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Follow Us Twitter: https://x.com/mogotesmetals (All financial figures in United States dollars unless otherwise stated) VANCOUVER, BC, July 30, 2024 /CNW/ - OceanaGold Corporation (TSX: OGC) (OTCQX: OCANF) ("OceanaGold" or the "Company") reported its operational and financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. The condensed interim consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") are available at www.oceanagold.com. Highlights Expect to meet full-year 2024 consolidated production, cost and capital guidance. 98,200 ounces produced in the second quarter with full-year production more than 60% second half weighted as expected at the commencement of 2024. Investment in waste stripping to unlock higher grade ore at Haile and Macraes, and Horseshoe Underground reached full mining rates in July. Together, this positions the Company for strong Free Cash Flow generation in the second half of the year. Free Cash Flow of $31 million during the quarter. The Company was in a Net Cash position of $30 million at June 30, 2024 . Capital returned to shareholders in line with framework, with the declaration of a $0.01 semi-annual dividend and the initiation of a share buyback program. Gerard Bond, President and CEO of OceanaGold, said "The investment in waste stripping at Haile and Macraes during the first half of 2024 has positioned us for increased gold production in the remainder of the year. We began accessing open pit ore from Ledbetter phase 2 at Haile in the middle of the second quarter, achieved target Horseshoe underground production rates at Haile in July, and are on-track to begin mining open pit ore from Innes Mills 7 at Macraes in the third quarter. Although Didipio and Waihi performed below expectations during the second quarter, we remain positioned to deliver on 2024 guidance and expect to generate strong Free Cash Flow for the remainder of the year. During the quarter, we further strengthened our balance sheet with proceeds from both the Didipio IPO and the sale of the Blackwater project, and I am pleased to say that we were in a Net Cash position at June 30, 2024. Our Free Cash Flow outlook is robust, and the recently announced share buyback program together with our semi-annual dividend will help us deliver on our commitment to increase returns to shareholders." Q2 2024 Q1 2024 Q2 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023 Gold Produced1 koz 98.2 104.8 130.1 203.0 248.2 Copper Produced kt 2.8 3.0 3.4 5.8 6.9 AISC $/oz 2,131 1,823 1,318 1,963 1,429 Revenue $M 251.2 270.3 301.0 521.5 544.9 Adjusted EBITDA $M 109.0 80.9 155.7 189.9 257.8 Adjusted net profit $M 30.6 3.7 71.9 34.3 112.9 Net profit (loss) $M 34.0 (5.3) 68.6 28.7 107.5 Free Cash Flow $M 31.2 1.8 72.3 33.0 55.9 Earnings (loss) per share2 $/share $0.04 $(0.01) $0.10 $0.04 $0.15 Adjusted earnings per share2 $/share $0.04 $0.01 $0.10 $0.05 $0.15 Operating Cash Flow per share $/share $0.14 $0.11 $0.21 $0.24 $0.36 1 Production is on a 100% basis as all operations are controlled by OceanaGold. 2 Attributable to the shareholders of the Company. Dividend The Company is pleased to announce a semi-annual dividend payment of $0.01 per common share. Shareholders of record at the close of business in each jurisdiction on August 29, 2024 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to receive payment of the dividend on October 11, 2024. The dividend payment applies to holders of record of the Company's common shares traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Declaration of Dividend Tuesday July 30, 2024 Record Date Thursday August 29, 2024 Dividend Payment Date Friday October 11, 2024 Dividends are payable in United States dollars. Shareholders in other jurisdictions can elect to participate in Computershare's international payments service if they want to receive dividends in an alternative currency. Conference Call Senior management will host a conference call / webcast to discuss the quarterly results on Wednesday July 31, 2024 at 10:00 am Eastern Time. Webcast Details: To register, please copy and paste the link into your browser: https://app.webinar.net/X9WPjZkrnl2 Conference Call Details: Toll-free North America: +1 888-390-0546 International: +1 416-764-8688 If you are unable to attend the call, a recording will be made available on the Company's website. About OceanaGold OceanaGold is a growing intermediate gold and copper producer committed to safely and responsibly maximizing the generation of Free Cash Flow from our operations and delivering strong returns for our shareholders. We have a portfolio of four operating mines: the Haile Gold Mine in the United States of America; Didipio Mine in the Philippines; and the Macraes and Waihi operations in New Zealand. Cautionary Statement for Public Release This public release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the future financial and operating performance of the Company, its mining projects, the future price of gold, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve and resource estimates, costs of production, estimates of initial capital, sustaining capital, operating and exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, costs and timing of the development of new mines, costs and timing of future exploration and drilling programs, timing of filing of updated technical information, anticipated production amounts, requirements for additional capital, governmental regulation of mining operations and exploration operations, timing and receipt of approvals, consents and permits under applicable legislation, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, limitations of insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation and regulatory matters. All statements in this public release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "may", "plans", "expects", "projects", "is expected", "scheduled", "potential", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks include, among others: future prices of gold; general business; economic and market factors (including changes in global, national or regional financial, credit, currency or securities markets); changes or developments in global, national or regional political and social conditions; changes in laws (including tax laws) and changes in IFRS or regulatory accounting requirements; the actual results of current production, development and/or exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations and studies; fluctuations in the value of the United States dollar relative to the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar, the Philippines Peso or the New Zealand dollar; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; possible variations of ore grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability or insurrection or war; labour force availability and turnover; adverse judicial decisions, inability or delays in obtaining financing or governmental approvals; inability or delays in the completion of development or construction activities or in the re-commencement of operations; legal challenges to mining and operating permits including the FTAA as well as those factors identified and described in more detail in the section entitled "Risk Factors" contained in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and the Company's other filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are available on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.com under the Company's name. The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors Management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to Management at such time. These assumptions and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to: the Company's ability to carry on current and future operations, including: development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Company's ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; foreign exchange rates; taxation levels; the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions; and other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry. The Company's forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of Management and reflect their current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or Management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities the Company will derive therefrom. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. VANCOUVER, BC and TORONTO, July 31, 2024 /CNW/ - Silvercorp Metals Inc. ("Silvercorp") (TSX: SVM) (NYSE American: SVM) and Adventus Mining Corporation ("Adventus") (TSXV: ADZN) (OTCQX: ADVZF) are pleased to announce, further to the news releases of Silvercorp and Adventus dated April 26, 2024 and July 31, 2024, the completion of Silvercorp's previously announced acquisition of all of the outstanding common shares of Adventus ("Adventus Shares") effective as of 12:01 a.m. (the "Effective Time") today by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "Arrangement"). Under the terms of the Arrangement, each former shareholder of Adventus, other than Silvercorp, is entitled to receive 0.1015 of one Silvercorp common share (a "Silvercorp Share") for each Adventus Share (the "Exchange Ratio"). All outstanding Adventus stock options and warrants are now exercisable for Silvercorp Shares, with the number of Silvercorp Shares issuable on exercise and the exercise price adjusted in accordance with the Exchange Ratio. All outstanding Adventus restricted share units vested as of the Effective Time and have been settled in cash, funded by Silvercorp through Adventus. With the Arrangement now complete, Adventus intends to cause the Adventus Shares to be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange as soon as reasonably practicable following the closing of the Arrangement. In connection therewith, Adventus intends to submit an application to the applicable securities regulators to cease to be a reporting issuer and to terminate its public reporting obligations. Adventus' President and CEO, Christian Kargl-Simard, and Frances Kwong, CFO and Corporate Secretary, have agreed to stay on in consultancy roles for a transition period post-closing. Further details regarding the Arrangement are set out in Adventus' management information circular dated May 21, 2024 which is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Adventus' issuer profile. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release For further information Silvercorp Metals Inc. Lon Shaver President Phone: (604) 669-9397 Toll Free 1(888) 224-1881 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.Silvercorp.ca CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER - FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to, among other things, statements with respect to the delisting of the Adventus Shares and Adventus applying to cease to be a reporting issuer. Forward-looking information may in some cases be identified by words such as "will", "anticipates", "expects", "intends" and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. We caution that all forward-looking information is inherently subject to change and uncertainty and that actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Without limiting the foregoing, the Project and its prospects could be materially affected by the Appeal or subsequent developments in the litigation concerning the Project. Accordingly, we warn investors to exercise caution when considering statements containing forward-looking information and that it would be unreasonable to rely on such statements as creating legal rights regarding our future results or plans. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking information will materialize and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represent expectations as of the date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. However, we are under no obligation (and we expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter any statements containing forward-looking information, the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. All of the forward-looking information in this news release is qualified by the cautionary statements herein. A comprehensive discussion of other risks that impact Silvercorp and Adventus can also be found in their public reports and filings which are available under their respective profiles at www.sedarplus.ca. BC United Leader Kevin Falcon, foreground left, addressed a group of Okanagan farmers concerned about their future in the wake of the sudden announcement by BC Tree Fruits that it will shut down. Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitts second oldest son Pax Jolie-Pitt was rushed to the hospital after sustaining a head injury following a harrowing crash in Los Angeles on Monday, July 29. The 20-year-old was driving down Los Feliz Boulevard around 5 p.m. on his electric bike when he crashed into the back of a car, law enforcement sources told TMZ. Pax, who was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was then transported to a nearby hospital after complaining about a head injury and hip pain after impact, the outlet added. Pax is reportedly now in a stable condition. Doctors initially feared a minor brain bleed, the outlet said, though the full extent of his injuries is unclear at this time. Sources told TMZ that Pax had been approaching an intersection when he crashed his bike into another vehicle, which had been stationary at a red light. The other driver reportedly got out of the car to check on Pax before emergency services arrived on the scene. While its not clear where Pax collided with the vehicle, bystanders told the outlet that his head was injured in the incident. Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - Donald Trump seemed to have backed away from his earlier commitment to debate with Vice-President Kamala Harris, saying he "probably" will debate but he "can also make a case for not doing it." In an interview with Fox News Channel, the Republican politician was pressed several times about committing to debating Harris. The former US president had been eager to debate President Joe Biden when he was the Democratic nominee after months of suggesting that Biden was not mentally up for the matchup. But after Biden dropped out of the race, Harris became the Democratic presidential candidate. Since then Trump has been questioning the terms of the original debate he agreed to with Biden. He has suggested the Sept. 10 debate on ABC News should be moved to a different network, calling ABC "fake news." Last week, in a phone call with reporters, Trump was asked if he'd commit to debating Harris at least once. He responded: "Oh yes, absolutely. I'd want to," and said there was an obligation to debate. In a new interview on Monday, July 29, host Laura Ingraham repeatedly pressed Trump on whether he would commit to a debate. "I want to do a debate. But I also can say this. Everybody knows who I am. And now people know who she is," Trump said. Trump eventually said, "The answer is yes, I'll probably end up debating." He went on for a minute, saying any debates need to be held before early voting starts in states, and then added, "The answer is yes, but I can also make a case for not doing it." Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - The National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee has proposed several budget cuts for the first Supplementary Estimates for the financial year 2024/25. Chaired by Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro, the committee proposed a Ksh100,000 reduction in the hospitality services in the office of the Deputy President. The DP's office was among the offices in which the committee proposed budget cuts. According to the Supplementary Budget for the said financial year, the office of the DP will face some budget cuts including the scrapping of construction for any targeted works at his Harambee House Annex. "The Approved Estimates have been revised from Ksh4.9 billion to Ksh2.7 billion under the FY 2024/25 Supplementary Estimates No. 1, reflecting a net decrease of Ksh2.2 billion on account of rationalization of expenditures," read part of the budget. Additionally, the budget for the maintenance of his official residence was also reduced by 100 per cent. However, some sectors in the office of the DP will not be affected by the cuts such as administration services, affairs coordination and the level of cross-cutting services mainstreamed. However, the committee did not propose any budget cuts for the Office of the President or the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - Kenya Kwanza Women Leaders have commenced a nationwide campaign calling for a cease in the anti-government protests led by the Gen Zs. The women leaders led by National Assembly Speaker Gladys Boss and Deputy Majority Whip, Naomi Waqo, urged the youths to halt the protests and embrace dialogue. While speaking during a visit to Marsabit County, the women politicians emphasized the significance of a peaceful nation, citing that violence affected a majority of women and children. According to the women lawmakers, President William Rutos administration was ready to engage the youth in conversation and address their issues. "Ruto has a good plan for Kenyans, let us support him to continue with his work," commented Gladys Boss Sholei. The leaders exuded confidence in Ruto's call for a national conversation, stating that the Head of State meant well for the youth and women of the country. Among the other women leaders present were Faith Gitau, Betty Maina, Beatrice Adagala, Leah Sankaire, and Liza Chelule. The Gen Zs have accused the Head of State of failing to fulfill promises he made to Kenyans during his swearing-in as president. In the wake of the demonstrations, Ruto was forced to take drastic measures including withdrawing the contentious Finance Bill that proposed a raft of tax measures. The president also dismissed nearly all his cabinet secretaries and announced the resignation of the Inspector General of the Police Japhet Koome. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - David Omondi Omogo, an employee of the Domestic Taxes Department at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), was arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on four charges of receiving a bribe, in violation of Section 6(1)(a) as read with Section 18 of the Anti-Bribery Act No. 47 of 2016. The charges allege that Omogo solicited a financial bribe of Ksh. 5 million from Pascal Ovinda purporting to influence a reduction in tax arrears owed by Infinity Benefits Limited to the Kenya Revenue Authority, totalling Ksh. 25,213,378. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki, Omogo pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a cash bail of Ksh. 3 million or a bond of KSh. 6 million with one surety of an equivalent amount. The Magistrate also ordered Omogo to surrender his passports to the court and refrain from interfering with any witnesses involved. The case is set for mention on August 8, 2024. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - A jury in California convicted a man of murdering his girlfriend last week. Mandiko Kwadzo, 31, is facing a sentence of 53 years to life in prison after jurors found him guilty of first-degree murder, using a firearm in the commission of the murder, and possessing a firearm as a felon. Those charges all stem from the d3ath of Carliena Clayton, 23, who was found lifeless in her car after it crashed into the Sacramento River on July 27, 2020. Police arrived at the home of Kwadzo and Clayton that night after someone reported that they heard a gunshot inside the residence, according to a release from the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office. At the scene, police spoke to a witness who said that the two were seen fighting in their driveway before driving off in Clayton's car with her four children, three of whom she shared with Kwadzo, according to the release. West Sacramento Police later said that officers also discovered evidence of a shooting inside the residence. Then, at around 9:30 p.m., a caller reported hearing a gunshot near a local marina followed by the sound of a car crashing into the river, according to the release. That caller, Harrell Fischer, had been on his boat nearby and he quickly called a friend for assistance. The two men then arrived at the scene of the crash to find Clayton dead behind the steering wheel and her four children in the backseat of the submerged vehicle. All four children were pulled from the vehicle by Fischer, who had some help from Clayton's oldest son. The brave young boy, 6, had already helped unbuckle two of his three younger siblings from their seatbelts by the time the two men arrived to help, according to the release. When the two men arrived at the scene, they discovered Kwadzo "standing near the car not doing anything to help" as his own children slowly started to drown in the vehicle. The police initially assumed Clayton had died in a car accident, but the brave boy foiled Kwadzo's attempt to cover up his crime by turning him into the police. Clayton's 6-year-old son informed police that Kwadzo had shot his mother, causing her to drive off the road, according to the release. The medical examiner later determined that Clayton had been shot twice in the head. Kwadzo is set to be sentenced for his crimes on September 4. Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - At least 56 people have been killed and dozens are feared trapped after heavy rains triggered massive landslides in Kerala, India. The landslides struck hilly areas in Wayanad district in the early hours of Tuesday, July 30. Rescue operations are under way, but are being hindered by heavy rains and the collapse of a crucial bridge. "We will be able to assess the extent of the damage only after a few hours," state minister AK Saseendran told BBC Hindi. India's army said it had sent more than 200 personnel to the area to assist security forces in search and rescue efforts. Local hospitals are treating at least 70 injured people, and around 250 people have been rescued and shifted to rescue camps so far. Apart from the 36 confirmed deaths in Wayanad, nine bodies have been found in the Chaliyar river, which flows into neighbouring Malappuram district. Videos on social media showed muddy water gushing through unpaved streets and forested areas, washing away homes and leaving people and vehicles stranded. A bridge connecting Chooralmala to Mundakkai and Attamala has collapsed, isolating the two places and making it difficult for rescue personnel to reach trapped families. Rashid Padikkalparamban, a resident, told Reuters news agency that at least three landslides had hit the area around midnight, washing away the bridge. State and national disaster relief teams are conducting rescue operations. Several locals too have been helping out. Mr Saseendran also said the army and air force have been asked to airlift trapped families and to build a temporary bridge. Raghavan C Arunamala, a local, described the horrifying scenes unfolding in the area. "I saw a man trapped in the debris shouting for help. Firefighters and rescue workers have been trying to reach him for the last few hours," he said. "We fear hundreds of people are trapped inside the villages," he added. Wayanad district and neighbouring areas are on alert due to the forecast of heavy rains. Schools and colleges have been closed in 10 of 14 districts. Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - A section of Mt Kenya leaders and supporters have expressed their views on the looming impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. A motion sponsored by President William Rutos lieutenant seeks to impeach Gachagua on allegations of gross misconduct and sponsoring and Financing Gen Z protests. Speaking on Tuesday, Mt Kenya leaders led by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, dared those planning to impeach Gachagua to do so. Wamuchomba accused the proponents of the impeachment plan of seeking to divert the attention of Kenyans from more pressing issues. "They are just looking for a reason to divert attention from the ongoing protests that are happening in Kenya so that they can fix individuals," she said. Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, a close ally of Gachagua, has criticized a Kiambu MP for leading the impeachment push against the Deputy President. Gakuya said the MP has been spearheading the impeachment plot by leading the signature collection. Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, a vocal ally of Gachagua, on his part, dared those behind the impeachment plot, saying they would be in for a rude shock. Kahiga termed as unfortunate any plans to remove the DP from office. The county boss said efforts by some leaders to bring an impeachment motion against the DP will not see the light of day, stating that the accusations against Gachagua are frivolous. "Whoever feels that is the way to go, we tell them to bring it on and we will deal with it when that time comes, he said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - President William Ruto's government has assured the country that Kenya's interests and citizens will be protected in the proposed expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). In a detailed report by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, it was affirmed that the proposed Public Private Partnership (PPP) deal with Adani Holdings has not been signed, further allaying fears of any job cuts at the international airport. This is even as Adani Holdings indicated that it may have to fire some staff when it takes over JKIA. According to the government, the Indian company had already made its proposal to the government which was being scrutinized by various government organs including the National Treasury. Ruto's government added that the proposal by the Indian company would be vetted by various security agencies given the security risks involved in the deal. Further, the government explained why it had opted to undertake the expansion deal on PPP. The government revealed that the expansion for JKIA was estimated to cost Ksh260 billion, adding that the exchequer could not finance the project owing to the current financial situation of the country. Ruto's administration also detailed the international embarrassment that had befallen the country in recent weeks, owing to leaking roofs and the substandard infrastructure for passengers. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, July 31, 2024 Suna East MP Junet Mohamed has hailed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as the fourth arm of the government. This is after Baba betrayed his Azmio colleagues and joined President William Rutos government, where his ODM bigwigs were appointed to Cabinet. Reflecting on the party's internal structure and leadership, Junet lauded Raila's role, asserting his unique position within the political framework. He commended Raila for joining Rutos government following the protests by the Gen Zs, saying it was the right thing to do. According to the ODM legislator, Baba has always been with the people, and whatever he did was for the people and wellbeing of the country. "Lesuuda has said there are three arms of government: the legislature, executive, and judiciary, but you know Raila Odinga is another arm of government. "He is independent, he is standing with the people. You can't do things haphazardly without consulting Raila Odinga," he remarked. Addressing concerns about the party's future, Junet dismissed the notion that ODMs involvement with the government diminishes its significance in Kenyas political playing field. "Those who want to work with the government are allowed to do so, but there are those who will remain as key players in the political field," he clarified. He also rebuffed claims suggesting ODM's decline, proudly stating, "There is no other party that is as big as ODM. A party that has been in existence for over 20 years." The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said the Mt Kenya region is satisfied with the 7 positions they got in President William Rutos new cabinet. Speaking in Kinangop, Nyandarua County, Gachagua said he is satisfied with the share Mt Kenya region got in the Cabinet, adding that they got a fair share. "We accept everything he (President Ruto) has done. I gave my wish-list and it was granted. I said he should check on some things and he did). Gachagua said he will keep on defending the Mt Kenya region to ensure they get their fair share. The DP, however, cautioned his critics not to misconstrue that to meaning he is isolating other regions. "I am guilty as charged. I have no defense that I love my people, that I care for them, that I think about them. That, I am guilty as charged," he said. He was, however, quick to state that he also values the rest of the country. This comes a few days after Gachagua said the broad-based Cabinet is a win for all Kenyans, insisting that no one lost. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, July 31, 2024 The investigation into the financiers of the Gen Z revolution has taken another turn. This is after the investigators narrowed to Deputy President Riagthi Gachagua and his aides. Detectives yesterday grilled Gachaguas three aides as they sought to establish their involvement in the anti-government protests. Police visited the offices of the officials in Karen, Nairobi for their statements in a session that took hours. Also grilled are two MPs from Nairobi who are allied to Gachagua. Police said they expect to record statements from more politicians, including a former governor over the chaos. The individuals had been summoned to the DCI headquarters for grilling on separate dates. Police claim the individuals organized goons who raided shops and other premises to loot as Gen Z staged protests in the city and parts of Central Kenya. By targeting Gachaguas aides, President William Rutos government may be going for the DP himself for allegedly using his staff to organize chaos and mayhem in the country. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - On Tuesday, June 30, a gang of youths blocked a section of Thika Road and solicited money from motorists to allow them to pass. Renowned private detective Jane Mugoh was among the motorists who were forced to part with money after the gang accosted her near Githurai. The gang had blocked the busy road using red ribbons and stones. She gave them Ksh 500 to proceed with the journey. The gang also robbed motorists before police officers dispersed them. Watch the videos. Happening now Thika road between Githurai and kahawa barracks. Roads blocked using red Ribbon and stones . I paid some cash to pass @citizentvkenya .@StateHouseKenya @IG_NPS pic.twitter.com/FXVARNCyxS Dr. Detective Jane Mugoh (@DetectiveJane_) July 30, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Thursday, July 31, 2024 - President William Ruto might be leading the country back to the dark days, judging by the posts of some Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) bloggers on social media. Since President William Ruto formed a government of national unity a week ago, some ODM bloggers, led by Abuga Makori, have been posting messages with tribal epithets. The bloggers have been reviving the 41 against 1 tribal mantra, which contributed to the deaths of 1,000 people and displaced over half a million during the 2007-08 post-election violence. With Luos, Coast, Luhyas, Maasai, Turkana, Somali, Nairobi, and Kalenjins on his side, President William Ruto has already secured a second term courtesy of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga. "Mt. Kenya East will vote for him and part of Central Kenya. A genius usually looks ahead. Ruto is a political giraffe, Abuga wrote on his X page. Abuga is among the prominent ODM bloggers on the Government payroll. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - Authorities in Jacksonville have arrested three alleged gang members in connection to the shooting death of American rapper, Foolio. Foolio, whose real name is Charles Jones II, was shot and killed in the parking lot of a hotel in Tampa in the early morning hours of June 23. The Tampa Police Department said it received a 911 call regarding the shooting at approximately 4:40 a.m. and three other people were injured. The rapper had been celebrating his 26th birthday while in Tampa. Foolio's attorney said he had rented an Airbnb but was forced to find a hotel when the Airbnb became too crowded. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said Foolio had posted his location on social media several times throughout the night, and said the suspects were seen on security footage following Foolio from location to location. "This shows the lengths that these individuals were willing to go through and achieve this murder," the police chief said. At 4:15 a.m., Bercaw said Foolio was followed to a Holiday Inn, but instead of following him into the parking lot, the suspects staged across the street. At 4:38 a.m., Bercaw said three shooters exited a vehicle with a handgun and two rifles, walked to the hotel parking lot, and murdered Foolio. Three others were hit with bullets but survived. The police department released footage of the shooting, which can be viewed below. Sean Gathright, 18, Alicia Andrews, 21, and Isaiah Chance Jr., 21, were arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and are charged with first-degree murder. Warrants are out for the arrests of two others, Davion Murphy, 27, and Rashard Murphy, 30, who will also be charged with first-degree murder. Bercaw said the three armed shooters were Gathright, Daveon Murphy, and Rashard Murphy, who were affiliated with, or members of, the "ATK" and "1200" gangs, which he said are rivals to Foolio's "6 block" gang. The ATK and 1200 gangs were believed to work together to take out Foolio, Bercaw said. Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez said the planning of Foolio's death was "truly alarming." "Let me be clear, the feud stops here," Lopez said. "All five of these defendants are facing life in the Florida state prison, even the ones that didn't pull the trigger." When asked if the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating Jacksonville rapper Yungeen Ace, leader of the ATK gang, Sheriff Waters said not currently. "We don't have an investigation on him right now, but he can't move around in Jacksonville without us knowing about it," Waters said. Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - A diplomatic crisis has erupted after a US Embassy official, Eric Kimpton, allegedly ran over and killed 11-year-old Ruvarashe Takamhanya in Dema, a peri-urban area south of Harare, Zimbabwe on June 3. The incident, which resulted in the immediate death of young Ruvarashe due to the impact of the speeding vehicle, has sparked outrage and calls for justice. Kimpton, who serves as the second secretary of the US Embassy, reportedly fled Zimbabwe less than 24 hours after the accident. According to reports from The Herald, Kimpton invoked diplomatic immunity and left the country with his family, citing trauma and the need for counselling services. In his statement to the police, he indicated plans to return to Zimbabwe within two weeks but has not yet returned. Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation due to Kimpton's absence. "The police who attended the scene were told that he needed a period to rest but were later informed that he was no longer in the country. The documentation process hasnt been completed, and the matter is still before the police because we could not proceed with the formalities in his absence. It appears he is no longer coming back to Zimbabwe, Nyathi stated. Following Kimpton's failure to return for questioning, the police have filed a case against him. George Charamba, Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications), strongly condemned the situation, emphasizing that Zimbabwe will not tolerate any foreign diplomat avoiding accountability after causing harm. No one, from whichever country or continent, is allowed to spill innocent Zimbabwean blood and get away with it. The behaviour of diplomats must be consistent with the dignity of their profession but also with the expectations of the Vienna Convention, Charamba stated. Charamba further stressed that Zimbabwe will use all available means to ensure justice is served. When a diplomat is involved in a fatal traffic accident, uses the pretext of counselling, which he thinks is only available in his country, and then decides to stay away from the police, he or she moves from being a diplomat to a fugitive, and there are adequate instruments which Zimbabwe can summon to bring that diplomat to account. We will do precisely that, he declared. The incident has intensified scrutiny on diplomatic immunity and accountability, with many calling for reforms to ensure justice for victims. Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - Githunguri MP Gathoni Wambuchomba has weighed in on the plans to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. In a statement, Wamuchomba claimed that the planned impeachment motion was a decoy to shift the attention of Kenyans from the many issues Kenyans have been complaining about in the recent past including corruption. Wamuchomba alleged that President William Rutos government is backed against the wall, and has found it necessary to divert the attention of Kenyans. "Someone thinks bringing a tribal card against the DP and leaders of Mt Kenya will diffuse the rot in the Kenya Kwanza Government as highlighted by the protestors. "Presenting an impeachment agenda against Gachagua is a decoy to shift the attention from allegations of massive corruption and open inefficiency on various issues flagged by Kenyans," read the statement in part. According to the UDA MP, the planned ouster, being plotted by some Mt. Kenya leaders, will flop. She detailed that any reasonable MP will see through what she believes to be fictitious claims brought against the DP. Wamuchomba acknowledged that those supporting the DP in Parliament were few, however, she insisted that they would defend the DP against the plan. On the other hand, she claimed that there were plans to de-whip some of the MPs who voted against the contentious Finance Bill like herself. "Any sober MP will defend voters against such punitive taxes. Even in the future, such bills will face resistance. "Some of us have refused to join the club of public funds looters and swindlers in the name of lawmaking," she added. The remarks by Wamuchomba came after details of a planned impeachment motion against Gachagua emerged. Reports indicated that the impeachment motion was crafted during a meeting over the weekend. Gachagua has been accused of causing division in the country through his tribal remarks. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - A video of 2024 Miss South Africa finalist, Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, celebrating with her Nigerian family has sparked further outrage, with many South Africans threatening fire and brimstone if she does not withdraw from the pageant. the 23-year-old law student and model born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a Mozambique/South African mother, has been facing xenophobic backlashes and torrents of abuse from South Africans who claim she's not qualified to contest in the pageant due to her Nigerian heritage. The video shows Chidimma standing next to some family members at a party held to celebrate her advancement in the pageant. The caption on the video reads: "We the family members are happy and continuously happy, #Chidimma2024. Posting the video, one ChrisExcel wrote: So we must allow this nonsense to happen under our watch. Another X user added: She has taken a side!!! She is Nigerian!!! She must represent them! There are no Nigerian tribes that are represented in the 11 official languages!!! None!!!. Futhi they will ensure shes in the top 5 to keep yall glued to the screen until the crowning moment. All publicity is good publicity. Watch Miss SA milk all this free publicity for all its worth! Smart way to get millions of people to tune in, another wrote. We are being disrespected in our own country by Nigeriaaaaans !!!!! miss South Africa doesnt take us serious, one lamented. See comments and the video below Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - South Africa's Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has broken his silence over the debate surrounding Miss SA 2024 pageant finalist, Chidimma Adetshina's eligibility to contest in the competition. The competition has been marred by xenophobic backlash directed at the 23-year-old Soweto-born law student and model over her nationality. Chidimma is a product of a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent. A viral video of the finalist celebrating with the Nigerian members of her family surfaced online, sparking further outrage, with many South Africans calling for her to be disqualified from the competition. Responding to a question by an X user, Chris Excel, who asked how he feels about Chidimma and the viral video, the minister said Nigerians cannot compete in the pageant. McKenzie however, said he will get all the facts before commenting further. I just returned from Paris and will definitely get more information tomorrow, we truly cannot have Nigerians compete in our Miss SA competition. I wanna get all facts before I comment but it gives funny vibes already, McKenzie said. The minister further said that the recent video of Chidimma with other Nigerians, raised legitimate suspicion when he was criticised by a social media user. You want me to ignore people that voted for me? You want me to ignore a legitimate question? I will get the facts and return with an answer. This is not gossip, that video raises legitimate suspicion. Mississippi holds a troubling distinction when it comes to heart health: Over a third of all deaths in the state are attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD), making it the leading cause of death. The state also grapples with one of the highest adult obesity rates in the United States, with nearly 40 percent of adults considered to be obese. The alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for effective early intervention and treatment. Limited access to specialized care, often due to significant travel distances or a lack of nearby health care facilities, can create serious barriers for rural patients at risk of CVD. Early detection is key to CVD prevention, but traditional diagnostic methods like cardiac catheterization can be invasive and require specialist visits. Advanced cardiovascular imaging technology offers a solution. In-office CT scanners provide a fast, painless, and non-invasive way to visualize the heart and surrounding arteries. For rural patients, the technology is particularly beneficial, providing much-needed access to high-quality cardiovascular care close to home. The technology eliminates the need for long-distance travel to metropolitan medical centers, enabling earlier intervention and precise treatment plans. Early detection and treatment Several factors contribute to high CVD and obesity rates in Mississippi, along with many areas in the Southern U.S. Limited access to health care in rural areas is a significant obstacle. Approximately 60 million people live in rural America, with 17 million residing in counties without a rural health clinic, 15 million lacking a federally qualified health center, and 4.5 million without an acute care hospital. Without adequate facilities and providers nearby, residents often struggle to receive regular check-ups, preventive care, and timely treatment for chronic conditions like CVD. The absence of accessible health care resources not only complicates the process of seeking medical attention but also hampers early detection and management of health issues. As a result, patients may experience delays in diagnosis, leading to the progression of diseases like CVD and exacerbation of associated complications. Recognizing the importance of providing effective care, our Mississippi practice introduced the only office-based cardiac CT scanner within a 100-mile radius. These advanced scanners can detect coronary artery blockages, plaque buildup, and weaknesses in the heart muscle, essential for diagnosing and risk-stratifying patients for CVD. By identifying issues early, we can intervene sooner, preventing disease progression and reducing the risk of major cardiac events such as heart attacks and strokes. Traditionally, diagnosing and assessing heart disease has involved a combination of tests. Stress tests, while valuable, can be inconvenient and difficult to schedule. Invasive catheterizations may fail to identify obstructions that prior CT imaging can catch. The in-office cardiac CT scanner uses advanced technology to provide detailed images of the heart in just one heartbeat, capturing high-quality 3D images quickly and painlessly. The technology enables clear visualization of the whole heart and its blood vessels. The scanners deep-learning imaging reconstruction enhances image quality, ensuring providers can spot blockages or weaknesses in the heart muscle accurately. With advanced imaging, patients can receive more precise diagnoses and better treatment plans, eliminating the need for invasive procedures. Improved patient experience Without an in-office cardiac CT scanner, patients needing advanced imaging traditionally rely on referrals to hospitals or outpatient centers, which can lead to a maze of appointments and impersonal care. Referrals often require coordination with multiple health care professionals at different facilities, resulting in delays in diagnosis and treatment. The burden is even greater for patients in rural areas, who often have additional logistical hurdles with travel to metropolitan hospitals. Traditional hospital-based imaging can be a frustrating experience for patients. High demand for imaging services and lengthy scheduling procedures often lead to long wait times. These delays can cause confusion, postpone critical care, or even discourage patients from following through with necessary treatments. An in-office cardiac CT scanner offers a more convenient and accessible option, eliminating the need for external referrals and extensive travel. For rural patients, advanced scanners are particularly beneficial as they reduce wait times and offer a more personalized experience. With dedicated imaging facilities within a specialized practice, patients can schedule timely appointments, enabling prompt diagnosis and treatment planning. Working with a dedicated staff helps patients feel more comfortable and at ease, as they interact with familiar providers who understand their medical history and needs. As a result, patients receive the care they need quickly and conveniently, without the added stress of coordinating with multiple external providers. Community and economic impact Investing in advanced medical technology like in-office cardiac CT scanning not only improves health outcomes but also brings substantial economic benefits to the community. The availability of high-quality medical services attracts patients from neighboring areas, which in turn boosts local economic activity. By drawing patients to the community for health care needs, the local economy experiences growth and stability. The technology also reduces health care costs for patients. By reducing geographical barriers, in-office scanners ensure equitable access to high-quality cardiovascular care for all patients. Early detection and management of cardiovascular diseases contribute to healthier individuals, preventing costly emergency interventions and prolonged hospital stays. Prioritizing community health by investing in state-of-the-art medical technology reassures rural patients that they have access to top-tier health care services, reducing the stress associated with seeking medical care and promoting health prioritization. The introduction of in-office cardiac CT scanning paves the way for community-wide health improvement, health care accessibility, and economic sustainability. Mandar R. Jagtap is a cardiologist. 1 of 1 - CM khaskhabar.com : , 31 2024 10:34 AM The Labour Party has selected Cllr Angela Feeney as the party's candidate for Kildare North in the next general election. Members, supporters and representatives gathered in a packed Straffan Community Hall on Tuesday evening last (23 July) as more over 50 people turned out to for Senator Mark Wall and national organiser Aideen Blackwood to conduct the formalities. Cllr Feeneys nomination was proposed and seconded by councillors Ann Breen and Rupert Heather, appropriately the only two other elected Labour representatives left after the recent local elections. Cllr Feeney is from Maynooth is a two-time councillor, and began in politics as a community activist fighting for playgrounds in North Kildare. Angela is tri-lingual, speaking also Irish and French, and lectured in the latter at Maynooth University. For her efforts in this discipline shas been awarded Chevalier des Palmes Academiques by the French Government for promotion of language links between our two countries, and has also completed a PhD on Student Retention in Higher Education with a particular focus on students entering from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. On being selected, Cllr. Feeney said, I am delighted to accept the party's nomination as the Labour candidate for North Kildare in the General Election. I have successfully contested two elections to Kildare County Council and during my time on the Council I have worked tirelessly to support the community and resolve the issues that impact people here. This has included lobbying the government to improve childcare provision, seeking solutions to address the unacceptable waiting lists for health facilities, keeping pressure on the developer to address key issues in Mullen Park and fighting for key amenities". A Kildare community group is still awaiting a High Court decision over whether a greenfield area is set to become a quarry. For a number of years now, Ballyshannon Action Group have been awaiting a decision by the High Court as to whether the group has the right to challenge an An Bord Pleanala decision to allow a large quarry to proceed on a greenfield site in this rural, residential area close to homes, farms, stud farms and two primary schools. Kildare County Council refused planning permission to Kilsaran Concrete for the 32.2 hectare quarry development at Racefield, Ballyshannon, on several grounds in November 2019, including traffic hazard/public safety on local road network and loss of amenity to the area. An Bord Pleanala's own Inspector also recommended refusal, saying the development would seriously injure the amenities of properties in the vicinity by reason of traffic, noise, air quality, visual impacts and general disturbance. Yet, the Bord ignored this recommendation and issued a decision on the appeal on June 10th 2021, allowing for the quarry to proceed. Ballyshannon Action Group will use their 2024 AGM tonight on Wednesday (8pm in Ballyshannon Community Hall) to highlight the groups work to protect biodiversity in the Ballyshannon area over the last five years, as it launches Ballyshannons first Community Biodiversity Plan. This new plan for Ballyshannon, was compiled by Ecologist Dr Catherine O'Connell, who has studied the area over the last year and given talks on her findings. The plan was made possible by the awarding of a grant of 5,500 from Community Foundation Ireland to the Ballyshannon Action Group towards the cost of developing such a Biodiversity Action Plan for the area. Ballyshannon Action Group were among a number of Kildare community groups to have been awarded grants by Community Foundation Ireland this year for this purpose. This report features in-depth information from Dr OConnell about biodiversity features of interest in terms of flora, fauna and habitats associated with Ballyshannon and makes recommendations on each habitat area surveyed, enabling our community to take positive actions to maintain and enhance biodiversity in the area, a spokesperson for Ballyshannon Action Group said. Ballyshannon Action Group was formed by local residents and business owners in response to the quarry plans in the area in 2019. Since its establishment this group has organised several community initiatives and events, including regular clean ups, community walks, historical talks, Quizzes and various fundraisers. The Ballyshannon Action Group then launched legal proceedings seeking a judicial review of the decision at Racefield, Ballyshannon. The case first came before the courts in late October 2022 when the judge put the leave application on notice and it has since been adjourned on a number of occasions. The Ballyshannon Action Group are seeking permission from the High Court for a Judicial Review of An Bord Pleanalas decision regarding Racefield, on a number of legal grounds, and have highlighted the planning bodys failure to explain why it chose to disregard the conclusions of its own inspector and Kildare County Council on key concerns. The group is represented by Aoife OConnell of OConnell & Clarke Solicitors, who specialises in planning and environmental law. If allowed to proceed, the Racefield quarry will be Kilsarans fourth quarry surrounding the small town of Kilcullen, Co. Kildare. The company has also amassed a large landbank in the locality of more than 500 acres. There are fears that this new quarry development at Racefield, Ballyshannon, which will involve quarrying both above and below the water table, will jeopardise local wells, groundwater and the water table more generally in this area of Kildare. There are major concerns too as to the impact such as development could have on this area's rich biodiversity. According to Kilsaran's own consultants there is evidence of 4 different types of Bat species with a high level of activity on the Racefield site, 11 potential badger setts with one active sett noted, 35 bird species recorded with 10 of these species recorded of conservation concern, and 8 on the red and amber listed species considered to be 'probable' or 'confirmed' breeders within the site and almost 2km of native, ancient hedgerows which would be destroyed. The Ballyshannon Action Group YouTube video: https://youtu.be/NDqONscFdV8 For more information/images see: Ballyshannon Action Group on Facebook, Twitter @Ballyshannonac1 and Instagram. When Richard Brede of Kilcullen was brought by his mother, with his siblings, to take riding lessons four years ago, the then 14-year-old really didn't want to go. But the experience unexpectedly triggered a love of racehorses, and now he's raising funds to take part in the Pat Smullen Charity Race at the Curragh Racecourse at the end of August. The race is in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland, and Richard needs to raise sponsorship of 3,000 to participate. Following those first lessons at the Pittsfield Equestrian Centre in Castledermot, he decided to take things a stretch further, and enrolled at the trainee jockey course at the Racing Academy & Centre of Education (RACE) in Kildare. "I did it instead of doing my transition year course in Cross and Passion College (CPC), Kilcullen," he told the Kildare Nationalist, adding that he completed that year with a six-month work experience in Willie McCreery's training yard. In summer 2023 he began part-time working at Johnny Murtagh's yard, where he still rides out at weekends while continuing his studies at CPC he begins sixth year at the end of August. He also goes occasionally to race meetings during the holidays, to lead up the horses. "I have improved my experience and ability with riding out, and other tasks. This includes riding out difficult or challenging horses and riding fast work up the Old Vic and similar gallops." During his RACE course, Richard thought he might take out a professional jockey licence, but pulled back from that during his work experience when he saw at first hand what was involved. "I wasn't as confident, experienced, or as strong as I am currently. Taking part in the Pat Smullen Charity Race will give me the opportunity to ride on the track, and at the same time support a very good cause in Cancer Trials Ireland." Cancer Trials Ireland was established in 1996 to be a hub for cancer research trials, and is now the leading organisation of its kind in the country. More than 25,000 patients have participated in over 420 cancer trials since it was set up. The Pat Smullen Race Day on 31 August in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland is run in memory of nine-times Champion Jockey Pat Smullen. In May 2018, Mr Smullen announced his retirement from race riding on medical advice, having undergone chemotherapy and surgery for pancreatic cancer the previous year. He died in 2020 at the age of 43. He had ridden 1,845 winners in Ireland and 47 in Britain. The race is sponsored by FBD Hotels & Resorts. Richard Brede has set up a GoFundMe page, %Pat Smullen Charity Race in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland% for those who want to support his participation in the race. James Cox A man and woman, both aged in their 20s, were seriously injured in a single-vehicle collision in Co Limerick on Tuesday evening. The male driver and female passenger were both rushed to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) following the crash, which occurred at 8.40pm. The scene is preserved for technical examination by forensic collision investigators, and local diversions are in place. Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward. Road users with camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling on the R503 road near Lisngry, Co Limerick, yesterday between 7.45pm and 8.45pm, are asked to make this footage available to gardai. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061 212 400, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. A Kilkenny man who chose to arm himself with a hammer and disguised himself with makeshift balaclava when he committed a robbery at Kilkenny City post office has been jailed. Stephen Clifford, 4 Emmet Street, Kilkenny, was convicted of robbery and assault causing harm and a prison sentence of four years was handed down at Kilkenny Circuit Court on Tuesday. The high street post office was robbed on September 12, last year, in the middle of the day. Mr Clifford, who the court heard was stressed by a debt issue, went into the post office wearing a makeshift balaclava and socks over his hands. He was holding a hammer and grabbed a customer who he struck with it to show how serious he was. Mr Clifford entered the post office when it was open for business. There was a full staff complement working and a large number of the public present. Garda Ashley Lowry gave evidence in court that what Mr Clifford later described in interview as a makeshift balaclava was an item of underwear with two holes cut in it. Mr Clifford grabbed a customer who happened to be in the post office and threatened them. The man, in his late 20s, who the court heard was visiting home from overseas, declined to make a court victim impact statement but had given a full witness statement to gardai. The defendant struck the man with his hammer to show how serious he was to the members of staff. A holdall bag that Mr Clifford had with him was handed to staff and he demanded they put cash in it. They were terrified he would hurt the customer and complied with the order. Mr Clifford complained the staff were not acting quickly enough and hit the counter screen with his hammer, cracking it. A total of just over 1,700 was taken. Kilkenny Circuit court heard that a panic alarm in the post office immediately alerted gardai when Mr Clifford began his robbery and gardai were on the scene within a very short time. They apprehended Mr Cilfford as he made his getaway, on nearby James Street, having left the post office and making his way, on foot, up Chapel Lane, across from the building. He was wearing the same clothing that matched the description of the suspect, had the backpack, hammer and money in his possession. It also contained one sock, which he had over his hands in the post office. All the property was recovered. Mr Clifford was described as compliant and he cooperated with gardai on his arrest. While being conveyed to Kilkenny Garda Station by garda car Mr Clifford was cautioned by Garda Lowrey who told the court the defendant responded that he had made a dumb decision and we are not all on big wages like the gardai. He made fulsome admissions in interview. He entered an early guilty plea, signing a guilty plea in the district court thereby removing the need for the preparation of a book of evidence and a circuit court trial. Mr Clifford had 99 previous convictions over 23 years, including 14 for burglary and theft, eight for assault, and one for robbery and criminal damage. A teller in the post office when the robbery occurred made a victim impact statement, which was read out in court. The teller described how when Mr Clifford grabbed the customer he was very afraid something would happen to the man. The teller got the impression that if he didnt fill the bag with money the customer would get hurt. The teller said Mr Clifford complained he was not filling the bag with cash quickly enough and that was when he hit the screen with his hammer. His defence barrister, Caren Geoghegan, said her client was very sorry for his actions and very sorry to anyone in the post office. On the day Mr Clifford had taken prescription medication, had nine cans of cider and unprescribed benzodiazepines, which he felt was rather strong. He has now been opiate free for some time. Ms Geoghegan said her client had a debt of about 1,000 hanging over him, but was not forthcoming about who that was owed to. He said he had been threatened that if he did not pay his debt the house, where he lived with his family, would be burned down. Garda Lowry said enquiries had been made and the claim was found to be plausible. He said Mr Clifford had told him he had two options and the robbery was one. He empathised with the defendant's position. The barrister said the decision to rob the post office was an off the cuff decision on the day in question and as soon as he entered the post office he wanted to leave, and regrets he didnt leave. He has not come to garda attention since, she added. Barrister Dillion Redmond, for the state, told the court that the post office branch manager conducted a tally in the wake of the robbery and a total of 1,730 was gone. The cost of replacing the counter glass was not specified. Mr Clifford is 38 and the father of two children. He has a history of substance misuse and mental health issues, his barrister told the court. Ms Geoghegan said he had a long history of alcohol and substance misuse. Mr Clifford has engaged with the Probation Service and spoke about the stress of the debt playing on his mind. He simply doesnt know what came over him. He was heavily intoxicated at the time, the barrister said, adding that it was not an excuse but gave an insight into her clients state of mind at the time. It is an incident he deeply regrets. Mr Clifford is on methadone. A letter from his doctor said the incident was out of character with the person who presents to him on a regular basis. A letter from the Good Shepherd Centre was handed in to court. This said Mr Clifford has engaged with a weekly clinic in the company of his parents. His family were in court with him to offer support. In a letter written by Mr Clifford, handed in to court, he said he apologised to the post office and anyone affected by my reckless behaviour. Judge Jonathan Dunphy said Mr Clifford chose to arm himself with a hammer and disguised himself with makeshift balaclava. Aggravating factors included the effect on the post office customer assaulted and witnesses and the extent of the previous convictions. Mitigating factors included the signed guilty plea and Mr Cliffords amicable and cooperative dealings with the gardai. The defendant had miscalculated how to rid himself of his debt. The offence was not sophisticated or well planned and had all the hallmarks of desperation, the judge said, adding Mr Cliffords genuine remorse and regret was clear. He said Mr Clifford had been described as at a high risk of reoffending, by the Probation Service, and this must be addressed on his release from custody. On the charge of robbery Mr Clifford was sentenced to six and a half years in prison, with the final two and a half years suspended. A sentence of three and a half years in prison, with the final year and a half suspended, was imposed on the assault charge. Charges of criminal damage and producing an article in the course of a dispute, were taken into consideration. Judge Dunphy made an order returning the stolen money, which had been held in evidence, to An Post and an order for the destruction of other items seized. Riders from Ireland, England and Wales are set to converge on North Kilkenny next weekend, August 10 and 11, for a prestigious equestrian endurance event. Endurance Riding Eireann will host the Home International/Celtic Challenge (HI/CC) in Ballyfoyle, with three teams from Ireland, England, and Wales ready to compete in endurance horse riding over distances ranging from 40km to 160km. For a small club, hosting and coordinating such a prestigious event is a monumental task. The meticulously planned course spans 34km in diameter, encompassing the picturesque regions of Ballyfoyle, Johnswell, and surrounding areas. Endurance Riding Eireann is ready to deliver an exceptional event. We are particularly proud to have our children and young people involved, with Andrea OCarroll from our club serving as the Chef d'Equipe for the Irish team, said Peter OCarroll, ride organiser for Endurance Riding Eireann. This international competition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our local Kilkenny community. Endurance Riding Eireann is funding the entire event and any sponsorship or support would be greatly appreciated. We rely on the generosity of sponsors to help us deliver a memorable and successful competition, he added. Mr OCarroll says he hopes that the community will support the endeavour. "Endurance is a special kind of equestrian sport, requiring dedication and trust between rider and horse, as they travel up to 160km over one or two days, forming a unique bond," he said. "As an organiser, it is my responsibility to ensure the course is fair yet challenging, showcasing the best of our local terrain and the incredible views of the county. The course will traverse the townlands of Ballyfoyle, Muckalee, and Johnswell, covering the lands of nearly 20 supportive farmers. Their co-operation in opening gates and moving livestock has been invaluable, Mr OCarroll said. I hope all our riders, especially our overseas visitors, enjoy the course. Of course, I wish the Irish team the very best as they compete against some of the finest horses and riders from the UK. Andrea OCarroll, Chef d'Equipe for Ireland, expressed her confidence and pride: I am very proud of the team I have picked. They are talented riders with horses of great ability. We are looking forward to the challenge ahead and are confident we can perform well. I look forward to extending a warm Irish welcome to the participating teams and riders. Im determined to present a formidable Irish team that will make a worthy challenge for the coveted trophies. The importance of sustainability in farming is to be highlighted at this year's Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show. Irish farmers are playing their part by participating in sustainability programmes and have a unique advantage with their grass-based production system, stressed Bord Bia's Joe Burke when speaking at the show schedule launch and sponsors night in Tullamore recenlty. This year's show takes place on Sunday, August 11, next at the Butterfeld Estate in Blueballl, just outside Tullamore. The action-packed programme for 2024 includes many new elements with the expansion of the Sustainable Livestock Village to feature aspects of biodiversity, water quality and the first ever Speakers Corner, kindly sponsored by FBD Insurance. The new attraction will allow for ongoing discussions throughout the day on various sustainable topics with experts sharing their knowledge. The first ever four and five star multi breed ram and ram lamb class will form part of a record-breaking number of breeds in sheep section. This section will also introduce the Belclare and Scottish Blackface breeds. The Cattle section will host four breeds including Simmental, Charolais, Hereford and Limousin finals. The Equine section will launch its first ever presentation area. In the Cookery section the ever-popular Odlums pavilion will return with new chef at the helm, Aisling Larkin. Show Chairman, Joe Molloy, has thanked site owners Anne Marie Butterfield and Stephen McQuade, car park owners and local residents for their continuous cooperation. He also extended gratitude to sponsors and said without their support we would not be able to stage a show of this magnitude. FBD Head of Sales-Midlands and Western Region, Pat Gilligan, speaking at the sponsors night, stated, "FBD is proud to be the title sponsor of the National Livestock Show: it is the highlight of the FBDs busy summer calendar and one we look forward to each year. "Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show is a wonderful reflection of all that is positive within Irelands livestock and farming sector. FBD are proud to be involved in the Sustainable Livestock Village with the introduction of the FBD Speakers Corner this year." Senior Manager for Meat and Livestock with Bord Bia, Joe Burke, stressed, "Irish farmers are more conscious of sustainability, and the definition of sustainability is basically being able to sustain production and continues to do so in a way that does not compromise the future generations. Check out the Tullamore Show website for full details at www.tullamoreshow.com *Sponsored Content Major Southeast Asian nations and their Indo-Pacific partners, including South Korea and the United States, have called for North Korea to "fully comply" with U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions banning its nuclear and missile programs, as they wrapped up an annual ministerial meeting in Laos last week. The chairman's statement from the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), released Tuesday, also called on countries to "fully implement" UNSC resolutions on North Korea and make efforts toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, according to the document. "Many Ministers called on the DPRK to comply fully with all relevant UNSC Resolutions and called for peaceful dialogue among the concerned parties, and continue working towards the realization of lasting peace, and stability in a denuclearized Korean Peninsula," the statement read. "Many Ministers called for the full implementation of all relevant UNSC Resolutions and noted international efforts to bring about the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner," it said. DPRK is the acronym for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The ARF was one of the four meetings in Vientiane that brought together the top diplomats of 27 countries, comprising the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, South Korea, Japan, China, Russia, the United States and others, for a gathering on regional security. It is also known as the only multilateral meeting in which North Korea participates. This year's ARF has drawn attention as it was held amid the deepening relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow, notably after Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea for talks with the North's leader Kim Jong-un. Attending the meetings in Laos, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul used the sessions to condemn the illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia as an outright violation of UNSC resolutions and a major threat to peace and security in the region and beyond. But Seoul's efforts to include the denunciation of the Pyongyang-Moscow ties fell through amid apparent opposition from Russia and North Korea, both directly involved in the meetings. Compared with last year's version, the ARF statement addressed the call on North Korea being made from "Many Ministers," as opposed to how similar calls were made by the "Meeting" in the previous statement, suggesting that not all countries had reached an agreement on the issue. Expectations had run high that North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui could attend the meeting, but the North sent its ambassador to Laos, Ri Yong-chol instead. (Yonhap) By Baek Byung-yeul It is well known that many Koreans were forcibly conscripted and worked as sex slaves during the 1910-45 Japanese occupation of Korea. However, the story of around 30,000 Korean women who worked at spinning mills over 40 years from 1910 in Osaka is not widely known. To shed light on lesser-known figures, "A Song of Korean Factory Girls," an upcoming documentary film, tells the story of the women who endured a time of discrimination yet demonstrated great perseverance in an unfamiliar place. The film vividly recreates the memories of these workers more than 80 percent of whom were teenage girls who crossed the sea to work in spinning mills and support their families during the Japanese colonial era. It does so through survivors' testimonies, historical records and actors' reenactments. However, the tone of the film portrays these workers as independent, strong women who have carved out their own lives, not simply just as victims of discrimination and violence. They chose to work in Japan, drawn by the promise of a monthly pay of 20 yen ($0.13). However, they faced harsh conditions: 12-hour shifts, beatings from supervisors if threads broke and confinement behind a high fence to prevent escape from the dormitory. Also, lacking money to buy food, they had to roast and eat pig intestines from butcher shops and endure contempt from the Japanese people. Despite their circumstances, these women opened night schools to study Korean and went on strike to protest against the unfair treatment. They even fought for Japanese colleagues who were unjustly fired. "There was discrimination and various incidents. But now I don't hold those things in my heart. It's the life I've lived until now," Shin Nam-sook, now in her 90s, a former worker at the spinning mill, said in the film. Lee Won-sik, director of the film said he became curious about them after seeing the spinning mill wall during a visit to Osaka, which led to the film's production. "When I visited Osaka in 2017, I became curious after seeing an old red wall with cross-shaped fixtures. I found it was the wall of a spinning mill, and the cross shapes were frames used to wrap wire to prevent the workers from escaping," Lee said during a press conference at a movie theater in Seoul, Tuesday. "While the forced conscription of Koreans and sex slaves during World War II are well known, the case of the female workers seems to be less known and less researched as it's a history at the civilian level." Actor Kang Ha-na took on the lead role in the film, bringing to life the story of factory workers based on their testimonies. As a fourth-generation Korean Japanese, Kang said she received positive energy from these women while filming. "I received positive energy while participating in this film. The lives of Korean women workers are not just about painful history. (The audience) will be able to gain bright, strong and positive energy," she said. "I felt that living proudly as a Korean Japanese is the same whether it's the first or fourth generation. I also gained energy as a Korean Japanese while filming." Kang also played a main role in the 2016 film "Spirits' Homecoming," which dealt with Korean women forced into sexual slavery by Japan during wartime. When asked about the differences between this film and the 2016 one, Kang said, "It was difficult when filming 'Spirits' Homecoming. Partly because I was in the third year of middle school at that time, but I acted out a very painful and difficult history. This time, although the situations were equally difficult, I filmed thinking that they surely had bright moments too." "A Song of Korean Factory Girls" will hit theaters on Aug. 7. By Park Han-sol What kind of present-day objects might people unearth from the ruins of Seoul as artifacts a thousand years from now? What will that fortuitous rendezvous between 2024 and 3024 look like? Its a concept that, unfortunately, proves to be more interesting in theoretical premise than in execution at American artist Daniel Arshams latest solo exhibition, Seoul 3024, at the Lotte Museum of Art (LMOA) in southern Seoul. A major conceptual thread running through the works of the 43-year-old art star since the 2010s is fictional archaeology, where he reimagines everyday cultural icons of today as eroded relics uncovered in the distant future, thus placing viewers in a state of chronological ambiguity. Such a line of thinking is partly influenced by the artists childhood memory of witnessing the devastation left by Hurricane Andrew in Miami in 1992, where he realized the fleeting nature of human civilization. The origin of the idea of a future relic came after his visit to an excavation site on Easter Island off the coast of Chile. [It stemmed from] thinking about objects mostly technological objects, things that we identify with the present being remade in materials that we associate with a long period of time, he said at the LMOA during a recent press preview. When we see an object that is from our own life rendered in this fashion, its very confusing. And I think the beauty of the gesture, the idea lies in that confusion. Among the over 250 sculptures, paintings and site-specific installations on display at the museum are modern articles cellphones, Walkman portable audio players, camcorders, radios, movie posters and even Pokemon trading cards cast in ancient geological materials such as volcanic ash, amethyst and calcite. With their surfaces corroded and cracked, as if in a state of decay after being dug up at an archaeological excavation site, these sculptures appear to be historical artifacts, visual remnants of the past. Further exploring this uncanny interaction between the contemporary and the historical are Arshams reconstructed classical sculptures from the Louvre collection including the Venus de Milo, Hamadryades and Roman busts with crystals growing inside them to indicate the passage of time. For the Korean show, the artist also unveiled two new expansive paintings: Athena Helmeted Found in Bukhansan 3024 and Rome Deified Found in Bukhansan 3024. Each imagines a post-apocalyptic scenario where Seouls Mount Bukhan, now in ruins, has become the site of classical European artifact discoveries. While intriguing on their own, Arshams installations and paintings overall lack a visual or cultural connection to the exhibitions host city, aside from the title, Seoul 3024 much like his ongoing Italian version of the show, Venice 3024. Why would antiques from the West be unearthed on a mountain in Asia, whose depicted landscape hardly bears any physical resemblance to the actual verdant scenery of Mount Bukhan? Why would rugby balls, Vogue magazine covers and Friday the 13th masks represent the relics unearthed in a Seoul excavation site? Despite their site-specific nature, it seems the same pieces could be showcased in other cities with slightly tweaked titles without much difference. However, the show itself minus the misleading title can provide an intuitive, enjoyable experience for visitors wishing to get a glimpse of the creative philosophy that has guided the artist over the past two decades. Seoul 3024 runs through Oct. 13 at the Lotte Museum of Art. Young finance chiefs' collaboration raises both concerns and expectations By Jun Ji-hye Kim Byoung-hwan was officially appointed by President Yoon Suk Yeol as the chief of the Financial Services Commission (FSC), Wednesday, becoming the youngest leader of the country's top financial regulator. Born in 1971, the new FSC leader faces a daunting array of tasks, including tackling the persistent growth of household debt and addressing increasing delinquencies in the real estate project financing sector. Another crucial task awaiting him is establishing relations with Lee Bok-hyun, the governor of the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), the countrys financial watchdog. The FSS, in principle, operates as a subordinate agency under the direction and supervision of the FSC. Concerns over the relationship between the two agencies were addressed as a critical issue during Kims confirmation hearing on July 22. Lee's controversial remarks on various pending issues, criticized for exceeding the FSS' mandate, underscored the importance of clarifying their roles and responsibilities. In Korea, the FSC oversees the overall financial policy, while the FSS is responsible for monitoring and supervising financial institutions, Rep. Yoo Yeong-ha of the ruling People Power Party said. Additionally, the FSC is tasked with guiding and overseeing the operational management of the FSS. Recently, however, there has been some discord between the two agencies. Yoo cited Lees past remarks that called for a reassessment of the proposed introduction of the financial investment income tax. He questioned the appropriateness of the FSS head making statements that could be interpreted as influencing policy direction. The FSS is not a financial policymaking body, but a supervisory authority for financial institutions, Yoo said, claiming that Lees comments exceeding his authority have caused confusion in the market. Rep. Han Chang-min of the minor opposition Social Democratic Party of Korea also highlighted Lee's remarks from June, where he advocated for the partial resumption of short selling. It is inappropriate for the FSS governor to mention policies concerning the economy and finance, Han said. Born in 1972, Lee is a former prosecutor specializing in securities and finance investigations, noted for being one of the closest aides to the prosecutor-turned-president. Despite these considerations, financial industry officials have voiced concerns over Lees controversial remarks. They point out that it remains uncertain whether Kim, who is younger and less experienced compared to the outgoing FSC head, can effectively manage Lee. But others cautiously anticipate that Kim and Lee could collaborate effectively, noting their shared background as young leaders in the financial sector and alumni from the Department of Economics at Seoul National University. On July 5, Lee visited Kim while he was preparing for his confirmation hearing, to discuss pending issues. Observers viewed this visit as an opportunity to showcase their friendship. Regarding concerns and expectations, Kim said during the Assembly confirmation hearing, I will collaborate effectively with Lee. In his inaugural address, Kim said, I will speed up efforts to tackle four risks faced by the countrys finance. The four risks he cited are the growth of household loans, mounting debts held by small and medium-sized businesses, increasing risks stemming from rising delinquencies in the real estate project financing sector and concerns over the soundness of the secondary financial sector. By Jun Ji-hye World Bank President Ajay Banga has expressed expectations that the international financial institution's new Korean vice president, who will be in charge of its digital transformation, will play a key role in assisting the growth of developing nations through digital technologies. The comments followed Tuesday's announcement of Kim Sang-bu's appointment as the World Bank's first vice president for digital transformation. His term will begin on Sept. 3. It marked the first time a Korean national has assumed a top-level position at the World Bank since the country joined the organization in 1955. Jim Yong Kim, also known as Kim Yong, who led the World Bank from 2012 to 2019, was a U.S. citizen. Digital technologies, including AI and data, present a unique opportunity to accelerate development, Banga said. The new digital transformation vice presidency will have the critical mission of delivering on this development promise. Kims mix of public- and private-sector experience gives him a unique perspective on how the World Bank can deliver more impact, greater scale and support countries on their development journey. Kim Sang-bu served as Googles director of government affairs and public policy for consumer products in the Asia-Pacific region from 2022 until recently. He also worked at LG Uplus, a Korean mobile carrier, as vice president for corporate strategy, investments and partnerships. Previously, he held senior positions in various government entities in Korea, including the presidential office, the Korea Communications Commission and the communication ministry. Koreas Ministry of Economy and Finance said the appointment showed the worlds recognition of the countrys IT capabilities and will serve as an opportunity to further enhance its standing in the fields of AI and digital technologies. We will continue to actively support the advancement of Korean personnel to high-ranking positions in international financial institutions such as the World Bank, a ministry official said. By Yi Whan-woo The Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp. (KOMSCO) is stepping up efforts to leverage decades of expertise in printing technology by transforming into a business entity that also delves into the realm of art and other forms of creative cultural content. The countrys sole manufacturer of banknotes and coins, KOMSCO, announced Tuesday that it kicked off a special exhibition on replicated images of masterpiece paintings from Korea and abroad. The exhibition runs through Sept. 1 at KOMSCOs Currency Museum in Daejeon, featuring images that are produced using the companys intaglio printing know-how. It is KOMSCOs first art exhibition aimed at introducing the intaglio printing method. From Korea, the images include ones by 18th-century painters from the Joseon Dynasty, such as "Portrait of a Beauty" by Shin Yun-bok and "Inwang jesaekdo," a landscape painting by Jeong Seon. Among the images of Western paintings are "Cafe Terrace at Night" by Vincent van Gogh in 1888 and "Woman with a Parasol Madame Monet and Her Son" by Claude Monet in 1875. The exhibition arrives as the state-run KOMSCO, in a bid to adapt to a cashless society, is making a concerted effort to move away from its traditional business model. In return, it is undergoing sweeping reforms to specialize in creative cultural content, as well as information and communications technology (ICT) and exports. We came up with this special exhibition to raise public awareness on KOMSCOs counterfeit deterrent technologies in currency production, and notably intaglio printing method, through images of beautiful art pieces, KOMSCO CEO Sung Chang-hoon said. He expressed hope in gaining the public's attention and interest in how KOMSCOs printing technology can be leveraged in the art world. During the exhibition, visitors will also have a chance to experience the intaglio printing method on their own. In addition, KOMSCO will give out free calendars that are made using intaglio printing. Also called plate printing, intaglio printing uses ink to produce images that are incised into the surface of a plate, usually made of steel. The excess ink is removed from the non-image area of the plate, thereby leaving ink only in the engraved recessed areas. Intaglio printing is a specialized form of printing technology, and thus, it is used for documents that require authenticity, such as currency notes, gold bars, commemorative medals, postage stamps and passports as well as forms of IDs manufactured by KOSMCO. Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Daejeon, KOMSCO operates under the Ministry of Economy and Finance and maintains a close partnership with the Bank of Korea. By Lee Yeon-woo The CEOs of Korea's top five banks KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH Nonghyup are nearing the end of their current terms by the end of this year. As they have collectively reported robust profits in the first half of this year, their management ability, particularly the execution of internal controls, will influence their reappointment, according to market observers on Tuesday. The terms of KB Kookmin Bank CEO Lee Jae-keun, Shinhan Bank CEO Jung Sang-hyuk, Hana Bank CEO Lee Seung-lyul, Woori Bank CEO Cho Byung-kyu and NH NongHyup Bank CEO Lee Seok-yong will all expire by the end of this year. Except for KB's Lee, who secured another term last year, all are serving their first terms. The succession process is scheduled to begin in earnest this September. Financial authorities mandate that all non-state-owned banks initiate their management succession protocols three months prior to the expiration of their CEO's term. The most closely watched figure is KB's Lee. Although the bank faced the highest loss related to equity-linked securities (ELS) tied to the performance of the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI) in the first half of the year, it made a successful rebound in the second quarter. Shinhan's Jung is lauded for his steady leadership after his predecessor, Han Yong-gu, stepped down suddenly for health reasons just a month into his tenure. Under Jung's guidance, Shinhan reclaimed its position as the leading bank in the first half of this year. Hana's Lee is also credited with elevating the bank's competitiveness in asset management, global business and pensions. Woori's Cho is focusing on corporate finance and asset management, aiming to make the bank the top performer in annual net profit. NH's Lee is achieving positive results in enhancing digital environments. However, the specter of internal control failures looms large. Woori Bank, for instance, was rocked by a major scandal in June when an employee embezzled 17.7 billion won ($12.7 million) through fraudulent loan applications. In March, KB Kookmin Bank experienced embezzlement incidents involving inflated collateral value of real estate, resulting in losses exceeding 10.4 billion won. NH Nonghyup Bank also has faced financial incidents totaling over 17 billion won, as an employee embezzled 10.9 billion won due to excessive lending. In May, two more embezzlement incidents amounting to 6.4 billion won occurred. As the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) recently set guidelines for "best practices for bank governance," the transition of management is expected to be conducted under the financial watchdog's scrutiny. In its regular inspections starting in the second half of this year, the FSS also plans to evaluate banks' efforts to improve corporate governance. "It is important to find a balance that can satisfy both the authorities' desired policies and the companies' managerial autonomy," an industry official said. Regulations fail to keep pace with growth of e-commerce industry By Jun Ji-hye Ku Young-bae, the embattled founder and CEO of Singapore-based Qoo10, who is at the center of a snowballing payment and refund delay crisis involving two Korean e-commerce platforms, vowed to offer "everything I have" to address the severe cash crunch facing the companies. Appearing at a National Assembly hearing on Tuesday, Ku apologized to the affected businesses, partner companies and consumers of TMON and WeMakePrice for failing to repay the vendors using their services. This marked Ku's first public appearance since the payment delay issue erupted at WeMakePrice on July 8. According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the unpaid bills identified so far are estimated at about 210 billion won ($152 million), but the amount is feared to escalate, with some speculating the figure to rise to 1 trillion won. Many consumers who purchased products and services through these platforms are also facing delays in receiving their refunds. When asked about the amount of funds and personal assets that can be mobilized, Ku said, The (Qoo10) group can mobilize 80 billion won. However, it is uncertain whether all of this amount can be used (to resolve the issue). Ku said revenues generated by the two platforms were used mostly on promotional activities amid a price-cutting war with rivals. He also said, I have put all my assets into the company. When the companys stock value was high, it was valued at up to 500 billion won. He then slurred the end of his sentences, suggesting uncertainty about how the equity collateral situation will ultimately play out. Ku acknowledged that funds from the two online marketplaces were used to pay for the acquisition of Wish, the global online shopping mall based in North America and Europe, in February. The cash used for this payment amounted to $45 million, and funds from TMON and WeMakePrice were temporarily mobilized but were repaid within a month, he said, asserting that he believes this payment is unrelated to the delays in the two firms payments to sellers and refunds to customers. The two firms filed for corporate rehabilitation the previous day, saying their financial condition cannot be restored through self-rescue measures. The Ministry of Justice imposed an overseas travel ban on Ku, while the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office set up a special investigation team to look into suspected irregularities related to the incident. During the Assembly hearing, Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) Governor Lee Bok-hyun said there were already "strong signs of illegal activities" detected during the financial authorties' fund-tracing process. "We dispatched nearly 20 investigators to the prosecutor's office. We will also cooperate with the Fair Trade Commission to the fullest extent possible," Lee said. Lax regulations The situation has highlighted problems with lax regulations and oversight by financial authorities in the rapidly growing e-commerce industry. Critics argue that regulations have failed to keep pace with the industry's growth, as the transaction volume of online marketplaces has surged approximately 340-fold over 20 years from 660 billion won in 2000 to about 227 trillion won last year. Insufficient supervision by financial authorities has also been criticized for contributing to the liquidity crisis at the two firms. Criticism is focused on the lack of regulations regarding the management of the settlement cycle, which refers to the time it takes for platform operators to repay sellers, and settlement funds, which pertain to the amounts owed to the sellers. Since there are no clear regulations defining the settlement cycle, it varies significantly by company, ranging from a minimum of one week to a maximum of two months. According to industry officials, TMON and WeMakePrice had a settlement cycle of approximately 70 days. However, this is merely an internal policy set by the platforms, and even if it is violated, there are no legal means to enforce it or protect the sellers. This leaves sellers in a situation where they have no choice but to wait for the platforms to make payments properly. Also, there is no way to regulate the settlements made by platform operators even if they use the funds to repay their debts or spend the money elsewhere. This was evidenced by Kus acknowledgement that TMON and WeMakePrices funds were used to acquire Wish. Financial authorities are now discussing the mandatory use of an escrow system enabling settlement funds to be entrusted to a third-party financial institution and paid out promptly to sellers. But skeptics say this is a belated measure. Additionally, the lax supervision by authorities has been criticized, as it was revealed that they did not take proactive measures despite identifying issues with the capital and solvency ratios of the two companies two years ago. At the time, the authorities only signed non-binding management improvement agreements with the two firms. In response to the criticism, the FSS governor said, "We apologize for falling short of our supervisory responsibilities," and added that his agency will discuss measures to improve related systems. By KTimes The sea rarely escaped the fog. The mist swirled low, just above the gentle waves, spreading across the water. The container port across the sea and Gadeokdo Island, the site of a new airport, appeared to be floating without foundations. At Dadaepo Beach on the western edge of Busan, travelers walk through this dreamy mirage. When thinking of Busan's summer beaches, Haeundae and Gwangalli naturally come to mind. Besides these three urban beaches, including Songdo Beach, Busan boasts seven key beaches, including Imrang, Ilgwang, Songjeong in Gijang and Dadaepo at the western end. Dadaepo is quite different from the six other beaches known for their clear, blue waters. At low tide, a vast expanse of sand stretches far out to sea. Unlike the western coast, the water doesn't completely recede, and it's not a muddy tidal flat. The beach allows for endless walks on the lapping waves, with fine sand grains moving between one's toes. Children and adults alike sit down in the wet sand, playing and enjoying the beach. Dadaepo is where the Nakdong River meets the South Sea, forming a vast sandy field. Popular spot for sunset photography Once relatively overlooked in Busan, Dadaepo's atmosphere has changed. The proximity of the Dadaepo Beach Station on Subway Line 1 makes it easily accessible, and it's a place where you can see both sunrise and sunset, attracting quite a few travelers. Especially at dusk, the sea and sky turn red simultaneously, making it a popular spot for sunset photography. The beach, somewhat quiet during the day, becomes bustling in the evening, with young people eager to take pictures. The shallow sandy beach transitions into a surfer's paradise. Although the waves aren't rough, the long wave periods make it especially popular among beginner surfers. Next to the beach, the Gouni Ecological Trail has been created, featuring deck trails extending to the sea, where visitors can observe various aquatic plants and animals. Beach saved from reclamation Dadaepo Beach, now a treasure of western Busan, was once at risk of disappearing. A monument at the beach's entrance commemorates the cancellation of the Dadaepo reclamation project. In 1991, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation planned to build a dedicated timber pier at Dadae Port, proposing a "basic plan for public waters reclamation." However, strong opposition from residents led to the plan's withdrawal in 1996. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries revived the reclamation plan in 2000, including a proposal to build the Dadaepo pier by 2011, which would have included the reclamation of the beach. This time, environmental groups led a city-wide opposition movement. Intense actions like petition drives, sit-ins at the mayor's office, and protests in Seoul eventually resulted in the plan being canceled in June 2002. This is considered a significant example of where citizens resisted unilateral government development logic to protect the environment. The beach that almost vanished was selected as an emerging small-scale tourist destination by the Korea Tourism Organization this year and has become a venue for Busan's prominent festivals. From Friday to Sunday, the Busan Sea Festival was held in the area. Various food booths and tables were set up on the beach, and pool party performances filled Dadaepo with the romance of summer nights. Some programs were postponed due to inclement weather. Dog-friendly surfing and sunset surfing for beginners are scheduled for Thursday and Friday. The Star Sea Busan Night Music Camcnic, where people can enjoy night camping and concerts in the city, is planned to run every Friday and Saturday from Aug. 9 to 24. Molundae, where fog sleeps While Dadaepo Beach is packed with tourists during vacation season, nearby Molundae remains a haven for locals. Early in the morning, residents with mats in tow quietly disappear into Molundae's forest paths. This area, extending about 1.5 kilometers out into the sea from the eastern end of the beach, is surrounded by a beautiful pine forest on wide and flat trails. Molundae, meaning "a place submerged in clouds," is often foggy where the Nakdong River meets the sea, especially after it has rained. The peninsula's head jutting out through the mist creates an enchanting atmosphere. Known for its scenic beauty, it has been called one of Busan's three scenic spots, along with Taejongdae and Haeundae. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times. By KTimes The 53-year-old monthly literary magazine "Literature & Thought," which was on the brink of discontinuation, is set to make a comeback thanks to Booyoung Group's acquisition of the magazine from its publisher, Munhak Sasang Inc. An official from Booyoung Group, a construction company, said, "We have concluded negotiations with Munhak Sasang and confirmed the acquisition of 'Literature & Thought.'" The plan is for Woojung Bookstore, a publishing house established by Booyoung Group Chairman Lee Joong-keun with his personal funds, to acquire and relaunch the magazine. Founded in 1972, "Literature & Thought" was once the most prestigious literary magazine in South Korea, boasting monthly sales of over 50,000 copies. It played a foundational role in Korean literature, driven by the literary declaration of its first editor-in-chief, the late Lee O-young, who aimed to create "a new language and grammar of history." However, the magazine faced severe financial difficulties compounded by a declining interest in literary journals, leading to a significant drop in sales. "Literature & Thought" entered a temporary hiatus with its 618th issue in April this year. On July 1, it was announced that hosting the annual New Literary Award would also be challenging, leading to speculation that the magazine was on the path to permanent closure. In this context, the sale of the magazine was seen as a necessary move to ensure its survival. Previously, Munhak Sasang had also transferred the administration of the prestigious Yi Sang Literary Award to Dasan Books. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times. By Lee Hae-rin Four major royal palaces and Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul received an increasing number of foreign visitors in the first half of 2024, government data showed, Monday. According to the National Heritage Administrations Palace Relics Headquarters, four of central Seoul's five historic royal palaces Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Changgyeong and Deoksu and Jongmyo Shrine have surpassed 6.5 million visitors between January and June this year. The figure is a 22.7 percent jump from last years 5.3 million. Notably, the number of foreign visitors among the sites, which date back to the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, stood at around 1.5 million, which is a 2.2 times increase from last years 703,318. The number of foreign visitors more than doubled from 121,078 in January to 265,549 in February during the Lunar New Year holiday, and reached 313,920 and 351,255 in April and May, respectively, exceeding 300,000 for two consecutive months. Gyeongbok Palace received the most foreign visitors, with 1,044,708 people from January to June. The figure is 3.1 times the number for the first half of last year, which stood at 338,455. The headquarters believes that such an increase is due to an overall surge in foreign tourists visiting Korea. According to the Korea Tourism Organization's statistics, Korea received some 6.28 million inbound visitors between January and May this year, which is a significant 81.1 percent jump from the same period last year. The National Museum of Korea in Seouls Yongsan District also reported a record number of foreign visitors at 94,951 during the first half of this year. China and Russia are competing for influence over North Korea while Beijing is "anxious" over Moscow's steps to deepen cooperation with Pyongyang, a senior U.S. diplomat said Tuesday, touting America's "deeper" partnerships with its allies and partners. During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell juxtaposed the "complex" nature of diplomacy among China, Russia and their close partners and the relatively robust partnerships among the United States and its allies based on shared values and people-to-people ties. "China and Russia are competing now for influence in North Korea, and China is anxious about some of the steps that Russia has taken with North Korea. China is competing with Russia in the Arctic in the stance," Campbell said during the hearing, "It doesn't mean that there is a division or gulf, but it just means that there is a complex diplomacy among these various countries that are aggrieved by us, and we have to keep that in mind as we construct our own diplomacy towards them," he added. Speculation has lingered that a deepening military alignment between Pyongyang and Moscow could lead to a relative lessening of Beijing's influence over Pyongyang though China and Russia have boasted about their "no-limits" partnership. Following North Korea's weapons support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine, Moscow is alleged to have provided refined petroleum, food and other items a transaction that observers said might have lessened the need for Pyongyang to rely heavily on Beijing for economic and other purposes. Campbell made a clear comparison between the group of China, Russia, North Korea and other partners and that of the U.S. and its partners. "The relationship between these authoritarian countries is very complex, and (what) I would only offer to you is don't underestimate Russian agency here. Putin is a master at even playing the weak hand ... He has been very effective at maneuvering China in this respect," he said. "For the United States, we need to realize that our associations are deeper. They are based on democracy largely people-to-people, a large consensus of the people that elected the leadership. These countries are animated by leaders who are distrustful, often deeply distressful." Campbell went on to say that China, Russia and others in their association are "often suddenly maneuvering against each other." The deputy secretary also pointed out that the association between China, Russia, North Korea and Iran is "increasingly purposely" challenging the United States "everywhere" as he stressed the importance of security cooperation with allies and partners. "What countries are supporting Ukraine to the hilt now Japan, South Korea and Australia. This is unprecedented and that's largely through the support and encouragement of the United States," he said. "I would simply say that I think the best remedy to the challenges that you accurately described is our ability to work with allies and partners." (Yonhap) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has replaced the public security minister and chiefs of the ruling party's provincial committees over severe damage from the recent downpours in the northern border areas along the Amnok River. The decision was made at an emergency enlarged politburo meeting of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) held in the border city of Sinuiju in North Phyongan Province on Monday and Tuesday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Wednesday. Kim visited flood-hit areas in Sinuiju and Uiju County of the province on Sunday and guided an operation to rescue around 5,000 isolated residents with the military's helicopters. During Tuesday's meeting, North Korea appointed Pang Tu-sop, first vice director of the WPK's political leadership department over military affairs, as the public security minister. Minister Ri Thae-sop is presumed to have been fired. It also replaced chief secretaries of the WPK's North Phyongan and Jagang provincial committees. At Monday's gathering, Kim "proposed to strictly punish those who severely neglected their responsible duties assigned by the Party and the state and thus caused even the casualty that can not be allowed," the KCNA said. North Korea is vulnerable to natural disasters due to its lack of infrastructure, with heavy rains, in particular, displacing thousands of people in the impoverished country. The report said public buildings, facilities, roads and railways, including more than 4,100 houses and nearly 3,000 hectares of farmlands, were flooded due to the heavy rains in Sinuiju and Uiju County. But the North's state media did not reveal details about casualties from the latest downpours. South Korea's unification ministry said Tuesday that the country appears to have sustained "considerable" damage, citing the North's media report on the need to restore electricity and communication lines, as well as supply medicine. Earlier this week, Kim designated some areas along the Amnok River, also known as the Yalu River, in the North Phyongan, Jagang and Ryanggang provinces as "areas of special-level disaster emergency." At Tuesday's meeting, the North unanimously adopted a decision to rapidly address the flood damage in the North Phyongan and Jagang provinces, the KCNA reported. Kim ordered the immediate dispatch of construction workers to the disaster-hit areas and the supply of necessary materials. He also called on the meteorological agency to make forecasts responsibly and ensure thorough preparations to prevent any casualties. The meeting took place on his armored train, which is equipped with protective features and mortars for security, and can also be used for lodging. The state media published several photos of Kim inspecting the flood damage in Sinuiju on a lifeboat. The village he toured looked severely flooded, with almost all buildings submerged up to their roofs. In a separate dispatch, the KCNA reported that the Air Force airlifted more than 150 people who were isolated in the Janghang-ri area in Ryanggang Province. (Yonhap) South Korea's intelligence agency is closely watching relations between North Korea and China, amid increasing signs of the two countries growing apart, officials said Wednesday. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) said it is monitoring any unusual moves after learning that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has apparently instructed his diplomats stationed in China "not to mind Beijing" when they are on the job. South Korea's JoongAng Ilbo newspaper reported earlier in the day that Kim had given the directive to North Korean diplomats in China, quoting unidentified sources. If true, it would add to the growing speculation that a rift is growing between Pyongyang and Beijing, in contrast to the North's deepening ties with Moscow that became more evident after Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang last month. The possibility of Pyongyang and Beijing drifting apart has gained traction after China removed a footprint plaque installed on a road in Dalian in May. The road was where Kim and Chinese leader Xi Jinping had taken a walk together during Kim's visit to Liaoning Province in 2018. Following a trilateral summit among South Korea, China and Japan in May, North Korea strongly denounced their joint statement, a highly unusual reaction from Pyongyang to the outcome of a diplomatic meeting involving Beijing, its traditional ally and longtime economic benefactor. Some North Korean defectors have claimed that North Korean authorities began to limit Chinese yuan-based transactions at markets. (Yonhap) Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won has attended the inauguration ceremony of Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday. Chung represented the Korean government at the ceremony, which took place in Tehran on Tuesday (local time), according to the ministry. In a separate meeting, Chung congratulated Pezeshkian on his inauguration and expressed hope for continued development in the 60-year-long friendly relations between Korea and Iran. In response, Pezeshkian acknowledged the importance of the bilateral ties and expressed his desire for closer cooperation between the new Iranian government and Korea. Pezeshkian, 69, was sworn in as Iran's ninth president. Unlike his predecessor, who was known for his hard-line conservative stance, Pezeshkian is classified as a moderate reformist. (Yonhap) 'Peace and security on Korean Peninsula matters to whole region' By Lee Hyo-jin Australia stands in solidarity with South Korea in the face of North Korea's escalating military actions, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said during her visit to Seoul, describing Pyongyang's threats as a "present risk to the region." "We stand in solidarity with you (South Korea) in the face of North Korea's destabilizing and escalatory actions. This means that like-minded partners, such as South Korea and Australia, must work together to deter aggression and ensure peace and stability," Wong said during a joint interview organized in Seoul by the Korean Women Journalists Association, Tuesday. Wong condemned the unlawful arms transfers between North Korea and Russia, and pledged to support Seoul's ongoing efforts to establish a new monitoring mechanism to replace the U.N. panel of experts, which was disbanded in April after an extension of its mandate was vetoed by Russia. "We believe that transparency in relation to assuring the international community about what is occurring in DPRK, and the status of DPRKs activities, is important to global stability. We are supportive of efforts that your country makes to reinstate that transparency," Wong said, referring North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). "Peace and security on the Korean Peninsula matters to the whole region and we're acutely conscious. It is a present risk." The joint interview took place during Wong's two-day trip to Seoul, her first visit since taking office in May 2022. During her visit, Wong met with President Yoon Suk Yeol and Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, respectively, and visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas. There, she condemned North Korea's latest military pact with Russia as "destabilizing and risky for the world." At the interview, Wong addressed ongoing discussions about South Korea potentially joining AUKUS Pillar 2, a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. AUKUS consists of two key pillars. Pillar 1 is to support Australia in acquiring conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, while Pillar 2 is for cooperation in high-tech areas, including quantum computing, artificial intelligence and hypersonics. Wong's visit to Seoul came two months after the foreign and defense ministers of the two countries held a "two plus two" meeting in Melbourne in May, during which the officials discussed South Korea's possible participation in the minilateral security partnership. "Korea and a number of other countries have expressed an interest in Pillar 2, and that's something AUKUS partners will consider and how that will look down the track. But our immediate priority is Pillar 1, because that is a very big project for Australia," Wong said, without providing specific details on the developments. Wong also touched on the upcoming Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election, which is shaping up to be a two-way race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. U.S. allies are closely monitoring the election as Trump's reelection could significantly impact the trajectory of bilateral relations with Washington. While Wong refrained from making "hypothetical comments" regarding the U.S. election, she emphasized the deep and enduring relations between the two countries. "From Australia's perspective, we have had an alliance with the United States for a long time. That alliance assisted, continued, and has grown under administrations and governments of both political persuasions," the minister said. "In relation to AUKUS, we welcome the bipartisan support (in the U.S.) to date," she said. "We believe it is a really important shared endeavor and that is something understood by both sides of the parties." Two cities aim to expand exchanges after 6-year hiatus By Jung Da-hyun Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon met with Beijing Mayor Yin Yong and discussed restoring cooperative relations between the capitals of Korea, China and Japan, during his visit to Beijing, Tuesday. The two mayors also explored ways to expand exchanges in areas closely related to the daily lives of citizens, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Wednesday. This meeting marks the first high-level engagement between the capitals of Korea and China since 2018. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Oh highlighted the significance of his visit to Beijing, emphasizing that strengthening the cooperative relationship between the cities could contribute to enhancing the quality of life of citizens. He underscored the value of local government exchanges, noting that while it may take time to rebuild these ties after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, such efforts are crucial. Since the 1990s, "BeSeTo" a syllabic abbreviation derived from the initial parts of each city's English name: Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo have actively engaged in exchanges as major centers of Northeast Asia. Although the solidarity continued into the 2010s, such as signing agreements to bolster cooperation for shared prosperity, recent years have seen a slowdown due to rapidly changing geopolitical circumstances and the impact of the pandemic. "We hope the three capitals can once again foster mutual development through restored cooperation, much like the strong relationship Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo had in the past," Oh said. In addition, he proposed that Seoul and Beijing, which have been actively collaborating in various sectors such as the economy, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, should maintain and strengthen their future-oriented partnership. The two cities established a formal friendly relationship in 1992, a year after the establishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and China. In 2013, the Seoul-Beijing Integration Council, a permanent body aimed at fostering sustainable cooperation between the two cities, was launched to further solidify the partnership. In this years meeting, the two mayors agreed to expand exchange opportunities to address common challenges faced by metropolitan cities. They committed to fostering more active exchanges among public officials, as well as ones in culture and people, the city government said. Furthermore, Oh suggested increasing exchanges between the young generation, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of each other's cultures and social environments. He emphasized that such initiatives could significantly contribute to the development and prosperity of both cities. Yin noted that Ohs visit could help to enhance the relationship between Korea and China. "Beijing and Seoul have played leading, exemplary and important roles in regional exchanges between the two countries," he said. Yin also expressed that Ohs visit would not only strengthen ties between the two cities but also bolster business activities and civic exchanges, ultimately benefiting relations between Korea and China. He mentioned that he would consider visiting Seoul at an appropriate time. Yin, who has been in office since January last year, is a former deputy governor of the People's Bank of China. A financial expert, he has been a key policy implementer of the Chinese Communist Party. Meanwhile, Oh invited China's leading companies and startups who plan to attend Seoul Smart Life Week. The event, scheduled for October, will showcase advanced science and technologies integrated into everyday life. Giant panda's fans take concerns about China's panda loan program to the international stage By Lee Hyo-jin It's been over three months since beloved Korea-born panda Fu Bao was sent to China, but her Korean fans still can't get enough of their favorite giant panda as they continue to worry about her well-being in her new home. Born at Everland Theme Park in July 2020, Fu Bao became Koreas first naturally bred panda as part of a loan agreement between Korea and China. During her four years here, the female panda won the hearts of tens of thousands of theme park visitors. Since her departure for China in April, she has been residing at the Shenshuping Giant Panda Base in the Wolong National Nature Reserve in southwestern Sichuan province. Despite the long distance separating them, Fu Bao's Korean fans continue to keep her memory alive by sharing her latest photos on social media and in online communities. However, concerns about the pandas treatment in her new home have ignited a fresh wave of activism among these fans. Since her return, rumors have surfaced that the 4-year-old panda has lost patches of fur from her back, which fans suspect could be due to stress or poor care in her new environment. Demanding better conditions and assurances about Fu Bao's well-being, the fans have launched extensive campaigns both online and offline in the past few months. These efforts include protests in front of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, placing ads in The New York Times newspaper and launching online petitions on international platforms like Change.org. Some fans have also initiated hashtag campaigns on X, formerly known as Twitter, tagging international animal welfare organizations and Chinese authorities with slogans such as "Ensure Fu Bao's safety." Naver community "Fu Bao Gujodae (Bao 119)," which translates to "Fu Bao's rescue team," is one of the major fan communities spearheading these efforts. Created in late May, it currently has over 4,000 members. Speaking to The Korea Times, the manager of Fu Bao Gujodae, who wished to be identified only by her surname Jeong, shared the fans' primary concern: the lack of safety measures in the panda's outdoor enclosure. Due to the absence of a tall fence, Fu Bao's safety is constantly at risk. Recently, a chair fell into the enclosure, and photos were posted online of Fu Bao carrying it in her mouth. There was also an incident when she carried a dropped camera lens cap in her mouth, Jeong said. Our concern is that if objects fall into the enclosure, she could get hurt, and if she accidentally eats any of these objects, it could lead to a major illness. Jeong also noted that, unlike the Everland facility, the Chinese facility lacks tall trees where Fu Bao can relax as she did in Korea. Earlier this month, Jeong and several other fans sent a handwritten letter to the officials at the Shenshuping Giant Panda Base, pleading for better care for Fu Bao. They received no direct reply, except for statements from the Chinese government through media reports asserting that "Fu Bao is safe and in good health." Jeong said members of her cafe plan to expand their campaign to scrutinize Chinas "panda diplomacy." They are consulting with animal welfare activists and legal experts to develop strategies for raising their voices internationally, such as through global environmental forums. It sounds quite hypocritical that China signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), but still keeps lending pandas an endangered species where they are locked up. As much as people deserve freedom, so do pandas, she said. Strained Seoul-Beijing relations The outrage among Koreans could impact Chinas panda diplomacy and the already-delicate bilateral relationship between the two Asian neighbors, according to observers. "Panda diplomacy has long been a key tool of soft power for China, contrasting with its more confrontational strategies like wolf warrior diplomacy. However, the panda loan program faces growing scrutiny among animal activists over the ethics of animal captivity and some critics have begun to point out the significant financial burden on hosting nations," said Kang Jun-young, a professor of Chinese studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. The movement among Korean fans, if it escalates, could irritate Chinese authorities, particularly given the iconic status of pandas and their role in Chinas soft power policies. China would prefer to avoid the Fu Bao controversy from escalating into political complications, especially given the current strain in relations with Korea, Kang said. In an article published on July 17, China's English-language mouthpiece Global Times described the Fu Bao fans' outcry as "an expression of dissatisfaction with China by some parties in Korea," but added that the "small group of people could not represent the majority on the two sides." Quoting several local analysts, the article also claimed that panda cooperation should be based on bilateral goodwill, while refraining from politicizing the issue. "If this happened before 2016, I don't think the Koreans or the Chinese would have made a big deal of it. Since the row over THAAD in 2016, the relationship has deteriorated, and now the overwhelming majority of Koreans view China very negatively. As a result, a minor issue could be enlarged by people on both sides to become a problem between the two countries," Zhu Zhiqun, a professor of political science and international relations at Bucknell University, told The Korea Times. Although Zhu did not foresee this escalating into a full-blown diplomatic crisis, he warned that the fans' "continued campaign to criticize China's handling of Fu Bao may be counterproductive, and may even dampen China's willingness to send another panda to Korea." Recent proposals by several local metropolitan governments to bring new Chinese pandas to their cities have yet to yield visible progress, as they cannot come to fruition without China's consent. Earlier this month, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon expressed willingness to bring a giant panda to the capital during his meeting with Tian Xiangli, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Sichuan Provincial Committee. However, following mixed reactions from Seoulites, with some people questioning the ethics of panda trade and captivity, the Seoul Metropolitan Government stated that no official steps have been taken to rent pandas. Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo has also expressed interest in bringing a panda to his city following his trip to Sichuan in April. He mentioned that Daegu Grand Park, currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2027, may be able to house one of the much-loved yet endangered mammals. Vanessa Cai, a reporter with the South China Morning Post, contributed to this article. She is currently based in Seoul, reporting for both The Korea Times and the South China Morning Post via an exchange program. Defense officials of South Korea and the United States have agreed to strengthen their joint response capabilities against threats from North Korea's nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD), Seoul's defense ministry said Wednesday. Yoon Bong-hee, director-general of the ministry's policy planning bureau, and Richard C. Johnson, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and countering WMD policy, led the Counter WMD Committee session in Seoul on Tuesday, according to the ministry. The meeting came amid growing concerns over the illicit arms trade between North Korea and Russia, emboldened by the signing of a mutual defense pact during summit talks between their leaders in Pyongyang last month. "In particular, they concurred that illicit WMD proliferation in the region, including Russia and North Korea's arms trade, hinders peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, as well as the Indo-Pacific region, and vowed cooperation for WMD non-proliferation," the ministry said in a release. The two sides also agreed to expand the sharing of information and enhance relevant units' expertise through the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, a U.S. security program designed to bolster allies' capabilities against WMD threats. They assessed that a bilateral tabletop exercise earlier this year helped advance their response capabilities against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, the ministry said. Also discussed in the meeting was the need to cooperate in the event of North Korea's nuclear and WMD attacks and expanding exchanges and cooperation between relevant units for such a purpose. The Counter WMD Committee session is held annually on a rotational basis in Seoul and Washington. (Yonhap) Korea and the Philippines conducted a friendship flight during a major multinational exercise in Australia on Wednesday, Korea's Air Force said. Korean F-15K fighter jets and FA-50PHs of the Philippines took part in the friendship flight conducted near an air base in Darwin in northern Australia where the biennial Exercise Pitch Black is under way, according to the Air Force. The Air Force attached significance to the event, noting that it was conducted in a year marking the 75th anniversary of bilateral ties between the two nations. Manila acquired 12 Korea-built FA-50PHs in 2014. Stephen Parreno, commanding general of the Philippine Air Force, visited Korea's Air Force facilities Monday at the Australian air base. Calling the FA-50PH a "core asset" of his country's Air Force, the commander said that strengthening ties between the Air Forces of the two nations is "essential" for regional security and mutual growth and expressed his intent to expand drills and exchanges based on their partnership, according to Korea's Air Force. Exercise Pitch Black, which involves 20 countries and over 140 aircraft this year, kicked off July 12 and will run through Aug. 2. Korea has dispatched six F-15K fighters and some 100 troops for the exercise. Yonhap South Korea and the United States have been staging a combined live-fire exercise near the inter-Korean border, involving a rotational U.S. Stryker combat vehicle unit, the U.S. Army stationed in the South said Wednesday. The two-week exercise began July 22 at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, about 30 kilometers south of the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas and will run until Saturday, according to the 8th Army. The drills, involving the rotational unit, a South Korean tank platoon, and others, were staged with the aim of evaluating the rotational unit's company-level combat capabilities. The latest exercise marked the first one to take place as a combined exercise as they have previously been staged solely by the U.S. military. "This training enhances the rotational brigade's ability to adapt to the terrain and weather of the Korean Peninsula and incorporates Korean military equipment and tactics into small unit tactics," the 8th Army said in a release. The U.S. Army has rotated the Stryker combat vehicle unit every nine months in South Korea since 2022, when it transitioned from a rotating armored unit that operated M1 Abrams tanks and M2 Bradley fighting vehicles. (Yonhap) South Korea's vice defense chief and the U.S. Army secretary on Wednesday urged North Korea to stop launches of trash-carrying balloons as they met for talks on security cooperation in Seoul, the defense ministry said. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho and Christine Wormuth, secretary of the U.S. Army, made the call in the wake of the North's launches of thousands of trash balloons into the South since late May. "The two sides made clear that such provocative acts by North Korea will create the opposite effect and strongly urged an immediate halt," the ministry said in a release. The North has staged the balloon campaign in a tit-for-tat move against anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent across the border by North Korean defectors and activists in the South via balloons. During the talks, the two officials also expressed "deep concern" over the potential impact by growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea on regional and global security, it said. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" agreement that includes a mutual defense clause during their summit in Pyongyang. Kim and Wormuth agreed to continue strengthening joint exercises to further develop the allies' combined operational capabilities. Separately, Wormuth also met Gen. Park An-su, the South Korean Army's chief of staff, on Wednesday and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in logistics and advanced technologies, according to the ministry. (Yonhap) An attempt by victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery to collect court-ordered compensation from the Japanese government has fallen through as Tokyo refused to submit a list of its assets in Korea. The case involves several Korean victims of Japan's sexual enslavement during World War II, who won a damages suit against the Japanese government in early 2021, securing a claim of 100 million won ($72,443) in compensation per person. However, Japan refused to pay the ordered compensation, arguing that a sovereign nation is immune from the jurisdiction of another nation's courts. The victims responded by filing a request the same year, asking the court to allow them to identify the Japanese government's properties in Korea as a step toward collecting the compensation. Granting the request, the court subsequently ordered Japan to present a list of its properties in Korea, but Japan resisted the court order by repeatedly returning the court letters notifying them of the order. Unable to complete the necessary notification procedure, the court eventually revoked its decision in favor of the victims, saying that the requested property identification could not proceed without proper notification. The victims responded by appealing the revocation, asserting that they had faithfully fulfilled their responsibilities to ensure the court order was delivered to Japan. Sources said Wednesday that an appellate bench at the Seoul Central District Court recently dismissed the appeal, confirming that there were no other methods to deliver the court order to Japan. By law, the victims can file another appeal with the Supreme Court, though it remains unclear whether this would easily lead to the seizure of Japan's properties in Korea and eventual payment of compensation amid Japan's apparent resistance. (Yonhap) Lee Jin-sook, the nominee to head Korea's broadcasting watchdog, was appointed by President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday despite protest from opposition parties over her alleged misuse of corporate funds in the past. Lee, a former journalist at public television network MBC, reported to work at the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) at the government complex in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, after being officially appointed. The newly appointed KCC chief underwent a rare three-day confirmation hearing last week amid accusations she used her former positions at MBC to suppress the company's labor union and misuse corporate cards. During her time in the press, Lee was recognized for her expertise on the Middle East and her title as the country's "first female war correspondent" for reporting on the 1990-91 Gulf War and the Iraq War. Along with Lee, Kim Tae-gyu, vice chairperson of the state-run Anti-corruption & Civil Rights Commission, was also appointed as a member of the KCC's standing committee. The five-member KCC standing committee had remained vacant after former chairperson Kim Hong-il and subsequent acting chairperson Lee Sang-in voluntarily resigned after a move by the main opposition Democratic Party to impeach the former KCC leadership. The opposition has accused the former KCC chiefs under the Yoon administration of unfairly running the watchdog's decision-making standing committee, making decisions with two members while leaving the other three out of the total five positions vacant. The watchdog holds the key to decisions on broadcasting stations, including the appointment of a new president at major TV network MBC. Industry watchers expect Lee to convene a standing committee meeting later in the day to appoint new directors at the Foundation for Broadcast Culture, a supervisory body and the major shareholder of MBC. (Yonhap) Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has called for restoring cooperation among the capital cities of Korea, China and Japan during a meeting with Beijing's mayor, officials said Wednesday. The meeting with Beijing Mayor Yin Yong took place Tuesday as Oh was in the Chinese capital as part of a nine-day trip that also took him to France. It marked the first senior-level meeting between the capital cities since 2018. "Exchanges between local governments are very important," Oh said during the meeting. "The relationship among Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo used to be very good. I hope the three cities can restore their cooperation and achieve mutual development through it." Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo have been called "BeSeTo" for short since the 1990s for their active exchanges as the point cities in Northeast Asia, but the cooperative mood has waned in recent years due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, and security and history tensions. Oh also invited the Beijing mayor to visit Seoul. In response, Yin said it is meaningful that the two cities have actively sought exchanges in various fields and said he would consider visiting Seoul at an appropriate time. The two mayors agreed to strengthen people-to-people and other exchanges while expanding interactions between teens and the youth in both countries to foster their understanding of each other's culture and society. "As Seoul and Beijing have been close neighbors up to now, I hope that they become partners that cooperate toward the peace and prosperity of Northeast Asia and, furthermore, the world," Oh said. (Yonhap) President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday named the chief of a state diplomatic academy as the new ambassador to Japan and a former Navy chief as the ambassador to Australia, his office said. Park Cheol-hee, an expert on Japan and the current head of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA), was nominated as the top envoy to Tokyo, while retired Navy Adm. Sim Seung-seob, a former chief of naval operations, was nominated as the top envoy to Canberra. Yoon also named Kim Moon-soo, head of the presidential Economic, Social and Labor Council, as the new labor minister, his office said. "I will always listen closely to the voices of labor circles such as the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and user groups such as the Korea Enterprises Federation, as well as those of the National Assembly, academia and press," Kim said during a press briefing at the presidential office. "The government must step forward and actively help workers even at small businesses realize their humble dreams of getting married and having children," he said. Park, the new ambassador to Japan, is a well-known scholar on Japan who has long stressed the importance of building a future-oriented relatinship between the neighboring countries despite unresolved grievances stemming from Tokyo's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Sim, the new ambassador to Australia, served as navy chief from 2018-2020 during the former administration of President Moon Jae-in. His appointment comes four months after then Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup resigned due to an ongoing investigation into his role in the military's response to a Marine's death last year. Yoon appointed Ambassador to the Netherlands Choe Hyoung-chan as the new head of the KNDA. (Yonhap) Kim Moon-soo, the labor minister nominee, is a former labor rights fighter- turned-conservative politician. Kim, currently the head of the presidential Economic, Social and Labor Council, became a labor and democratization icon in the 1970s and 1980s due to his deep involvement in high-profile student democratization protests, which led to his expulsion from the prestigious Seoul National University twice. After his expulsion, he entered labor activism, working as an assistant seamster and later becoming a branch head of the Korean Metal Workers' Union, one of the most militant unions. During this time, he was imprisoned twice. In 1996, Kim joined what is now the People Power Party and won a parliamentary seat for three consecutive terms. He later served as governor of Gyeonggi Province twice until 2014. Kim unsuccessfully competed against former President Park Geun-hye in the conservative party's 2012 internal election to select its presidential candidate. Kim's radical shift from labor activism to the conservative party and subsequent adoption of "right-wing" attitudes earned him stiff resistance from the labor sector. Born in 1951, he is a native of Yeongcheon in North Gyeongsang Province and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Seoul National University, which he finally received in 1994, long after his previous expulsions. (Yonhap) A parliamentary committee on Wednesday passed a pro-labor bill and another measure on providing cash handouts to the entire population. The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and other opposition parties, which hold a majority of seats in the legislation and judiciary committee, unilaterally passed the two bills during the committee's plenary session. Lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) walked out of the meeting in protest. The cash handouts will range from 250,000 won ($181) to 350,000 won. Dubbed the yellow envelope bill, the revision to the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act aims to limit companies from making claims for damages against legitimate labor union disputes. Last year, the National Assembly passed the bill, but President Yoon Suk Yeol vetoed it given strong opposition from business lobbies and the ruling party. The controversial bill traces back to 2009, when unionized workers of the carmaker SsangYong Motor staged a high-profile strike to oppose a massive layoff. Five years later, the Supreme Court declared the strike illegal and ordered the workers to pay 4.7 billion won ($3.4 million) in compensation to the company and the state. In response, civic activists and citizens have delivered yellow envelopes, each containing 47,000 won in donations, to support the SsangYong workers. This has raised the need to amend the trade union law in favor of striking workers, leading to the revision led by the opposition bloc. The two bills will be put to a vote at a plenary session of the Assembly on Thursday. (Yonhap) A parliamentary committee decided Wednesday to hold a hearing next month over the impeachment of a prosecutor related to first lady Kim Keon Hee's alleged stock manipulation scheme. The legislation and judiciary committee adopted the plan to hold the hearing for Kim Young-cheol, a senior prosecutor of the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors Office, on Aug. 14. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) passed the motion unilaterally during the committee's plenary meeting as lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) did not participate in the vote in protest of the motion. The committee summoned twenty witnesses, including the first lady and Prosecutor General Lee One-Seok, to testify at the hearing. Opposition parties claim Kim had failed to properly investigate allegations behind the first lady's involvement in a stock manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors, a BMW car dealer in South Korea. The DPK has been seeking to impeach Kim and three other prosecutors that led investigations into various corruption allegations against former party leader Lee Jae-myung, including a scandal involving underwear manufacturer Ssangbangwool Group's alleged illegal remittance to North Korea, as well as bribery and other charges from his tenure as the mayor of Seongnam, south of Seoul, from 2014 to 2018. (Yonhap) Ambassadors to Japan, Australia appointed By Anna J. Park Former three-term lawmaker and two-term Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Moon-soo has been named to lead the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the presidential office announced Wednesday. Before entering politics in his mid-40s, the 73-year-old was deeply involved in Korea's pro-democracy movements during his 20s and 30s. With a significant reputation as a student activist who led mass protests, he was considered one of the most iconic figures in Korea's struggle for democracy. The presidential office said that Kim's extensive experience in labor relations, the legislature and the executive branch makes him the appropriate candidate for the labor ministry post. "Kim is deemed the appropriate person to accomplish the tasks of labor reform through dialogue and compromise with various stakeholders, especially at a time when pressing issues in the employment and labor sectors abound," the presidential office said. Kim, who currently leads the presidential Economic, Social and Labor Council, said he would make every effort to listen closely to the labor sector, business owners, the National Assembly and experts in the field. "President Yoon Suk Yeol's labor reforms, based on the rule of law, have achieved significant results over the past two years, substantially reducing labor losses from labor-management disputes. However, protecting the vulnerable in the labor market, another crucial aspect of labor reform remains a complex and challenging issue," Kim said, vowing to create a Korea where labor, management and government can all thrive. The presidential office has also appointed two new ambassadors. Park Cheol-hee, currently chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy and a globally famed scholar in Korea-Japan relations, has been appointed as the top envoy to Japan. Born in 1963, Park has long been teaching at the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University (SNU) since he earned his doctorate at Columbia University. Before joining the faculty at SNU, he was an assistant professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Japan and at the Korean foreign ministry's Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security. There is an expectation that Park will further improve Korea-Japan relations under the Yoon administration. Notably, with next year marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two nations, he is expected to take on a leading role in significant bilateral cooperation. Meanwhile, retired Navy Adm. Sim Seung-seob, who served as Korea's chief of naval staff from 2018 to 2020, has been appointed as the new ambassador to Australia. Also born in 1963, the former Navy chief is expected to leverage his military expertise to strengthen military cooperation with Australia and expand defense exports. Australia's announcement earlier this year of its intention to acquire 11 new general-purpose frigates for the Royal Australian Navy seems to have played a role in Sim's nomination as ambassador. The top envoy position to Australia has been vacant since former Ambassador Lee Jong-sup, who was also a former defense minister, resigned in late March, less than a month after his appointment, due to his alleged involvement in the military's interference in the investigation into a Marine's death. Lee Jin sooks appointment draws backlash from opposition By Kwak Yeon-soo President Yoon Suk Yeol appointed Lee Jin-sook, a former reporter at public broadcaster MBC, as the new chief of the state broadcasting watchdog, Wednesday, amid fierce protests by the opposition. Yoon approved Lee's appointment as head of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) and appointed Kim Tae-gyu, vice chairperson of the state-run Anti-corruption & Civil Rights Commission, as the KCC's vice chief, his office said. The decision came despite objections from opposition parties over allegations that Lee suppressed the labor union at MBC. She also came under attack over allegations that she misused a corporate credit card when she served as the president of MBC's Daejeon station. "Public broadcasters, which have an obligation to promote healthy discourse, are now at the center of criticism. I will work hard to restore public trust by reestablishing the publicness and fairness of public broadcasting and media," Lee said in her inaugural speech Wednesday. The KCC held a standing committee meeting later in the day to appoint six new board members at the Foundation for Broadcast Culture, a major shareholder of MBC, and recommend seven board members for broadcaster KBS. The president has the authority to appoint board members at KBS based on the KCC's recommendations. The watchdog holds the key to decisions on broadcasting stations, including the appointment of board members of public broadcasters, which effectively allows it to influence public opinion. Last week, Lee underwent a three-day confirmation hearing, and the National Assembly failed to adopt a hearing report due to the DPK's objections. By law, the president can go ahead with the appointment if the Assembly fails to adopt a hearing report even after he requests by a given deadline. In Lee's case, the deadline was Tuesday. Six opposition parties, including the DPK, said it will propose an impeachment motion against Lee at the Assembly on Thursday. The DPK slammed Yoon's "arrogance and lack of communication," saying Yoon rejected the National Assembly's voice and went against public sentiment. "President Yoon should stop the delusion of becoming a dictator by taking over public broadcasters," DPK floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae said during the party's Supreme Council meeting Wednesday. "During the recent hearings, we witnessed how Lee lacks the qualifications and moral leadership to perform duties as the chief of the KCC," Park said. "Lee should be investigated for her misdeeds in attempting to suppress labor unions and control broadcasters. She also needs to face charges over embezzlement and violation of the Anti-Corruption Act." Members of the National Assembly's science, ICT, broadcasting and communications committee from the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP) filed a complaint with the police against Lee, alleging that she misused a corporate credit card. The National Union of Media Workers also filed a similar complaint. The RKP denounced president's decision, saying it exposed his ulterior motive to turn public broadcasters into his mouthpiece. "Yoon hastily gave Lee a letter of appointment without a single hesitation. This shows that he chose to confront the opposition, which secured overwhelming number of seats in the 22nd Assembly. It seems like he doesn't care about the opposition anymore," RKP's chief spokesperson Kim Bo-hyup said in a statement. The opposition has accused the former KCC chiefs under the Yoon administration of unfairly running the watchdog only with a vice chief, leaving three out of five-member standing member positions vacant. The five-member standing committee had remained vacant after former chief Kim Hong-il and subsequent acting chief Lee Sang-in resigned ahead of the DPK's move to impeach them. The ruling People Power Party defended Yoon, saying it was up to him to make the decision. As a reporter, Lee has spent years in some of the most dangerous places in the world, reporting on the 1990-91 Gulf War and the Iraq War. She is known as the country's first woman war correspondent. North Korea on Tuesday appointed new ambassadors to Vietnam and Singapore after years of delay due to the North's COVID-19-related border shutdown. North Korea appointed Ri Sung-guk as the country's new top envoy to Vietnam, replacing his predecessor Kim Myong-gil, according to the foreign ministry. The post had remained vacant since Kim returned to North Korea in April 2019, months before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Details about Ri were not available as the North's state media have not carried any report about him so far. The North also appointed Ri Kil-song as the country's ambassador to Singapore. He appears to be a former vice foreign minister who had handled Asian affairs until 2020. It marked the first time in about more than three years that North Korea has named new ambassadors following the appointment of Ri Ryong-nam, the North Korean ambassador to China, in 2021. North Korea has allowed new top envoys from China, Mongolia and Cuba to begin their official duty in the North since last year, as it started easing its border restrictions in August 2023. (Yonhap) By John A. Riley Han Kangs best-known work "The Vegetarian" took the international literary world by storm when it won the International Booker Prize in 2016. Her subsequent novels "Human Acts" and "The White Book" both received English translations. Due to Hans growing prominence in the international literary world, her 2011 novel has now been translated into English with the title "Greek Lessons." An unnamed woman enrolls in an ancient Greek course at a private academy. She sits in the classes silently, but studying intently. Whereas in "The Vegetarian," the protagonist Yeong-hye begins refusing to eat meat and gradually stops eating altogether, here the protagonist has stopped speaking, hence her silence in class. The womans psychiatrist tells her that her language loss may be due to her mothers passing or losing custody of her son, but the woman feels the reasons are harder to pin down. Though she has no immediate practical use for the dead language of ancient Greek, she does have a reason for learning it: she hopes to reconnect with her own language by learning a wholly different one. Han also writes from the perspective of the womans language teacher. Also unnamed, he is a Korean who spent much of his life in Germany, and he seems to feel out of place in modern Korea. More urgently, he is gradually but surely going blind. He memorizes his lessons in advance and does everything he can to hide his condition from his students. Realizing he wont be able to read or write much longer, he pours out his memories and emotions in letters to loved ones, savoring the power of written language. He is also newly and acutely aware of the passage of time, his memories of youth and the little time he may have left before his eyesight totally disappears. Gradually these two deeply introspective characters begin getting to know each other and strike up an unlikely, wordless friendship. But this is not a novel that one reads for conventional plot or character arcs. There is little in the way of a conventional resolution here. "Greek Lessons" is a highly elliptical novel, even more so than Hans better-known "The Vegetarian." While "The Vegetarian" is distressing, "Greek Lessons" slowly reveals itself as a tender, subtly uplifting work. Though it would be a mistake to read this book as directly autobiographical, its obviously a product of Hans own struggles with belonging, language and writers block. There may seem something paradoxical about using the medium of literature to express an inability to speak, or a weariness with language, but Han is exploring this paradox deliberately, and also pushing the possibilities of language to its limits. At times the protagonist recalls spoken language as something traumatic, akin to vomiting. The fact that this version is a translation adds a further layer of disassociation that plays into Hans theme of language, especially in the passages that describe Hangeul and the way that ancient Greek allows the speaker, tense and situation to be condensed into a single word. This book's translation is jointly by Hans long-standing translator Deborah Smith, along with Emily Yae Won. Their translation showcases Hans style: short sentences, sensuous vocabulary and well-chosen details. With its brief vignettes and eventual lapse into poetry, "Greek Lessons" is more like Robert Bressons "Notes on the Cinematographer" than it is a conventional novel. One of Bressons gnomic maxims about filmmaking is if the eye is entirely won, give nothing or almost nothing to the ear. One cannot be at the same time all eye and all ear. A similar sentiment is explored in "Greek Lessons": the womans inability to speak gives much more to her eyes: she is now a keen observer of every visual detail. A particularly evocative passage describes the womans nighttime travels through Seoul on foot and by bus, past fighting drunks, discarded cans and bottles, elegant Seoulites and brightly lit bakeries and jewelry stores she even notices that the color setting is wrong on the bus drivers television. Readers looking for some immediate insight into contemporary South Korea may not find what they are looking for within the pages of "Greek Lessons." But anyone who has thought about the world differently as a result of learning or even just encountering an additional language will find much to think about in this short yet multifaceted novel. The book is available through Tongbang Books. Visit dbbooks.co.kr to order a copy. John A. Riley is a writer and university lecturer based in Daejeon. He has written for The Asian Review of Books, Popmatters, Screen and numerous other publications. By Jung Min-ho Applications submitted by Seoul residents to hire Filipino caregivers, a service which will start as early as September, have been pouring in since the first day of registration, a source told The Korea Times, Thursday. According to an official who has direct knowledge of the matter, more than 300 people have so far applied to use the service to be provided by 100 Filipino caregivers through a government-led program. This pilot project, launched as part of the efforts to boost Koreas persistently low birthrate, aims to help Korean parents take care of their children at an affordable cost with the help of foreign workers. If successful in Seoul, the program is expected to expand to other cities and regions across the country. Officials in the relevant organizations began taking applications on July 17. But within just a week, 300 households sent their applications. In theory, if all applicants are to use their services full-time eight hours a day for five days a week only 100 of them can be beneficiaries. This figure is far higher than our expectations, the official said. Given that we are still two weeks away from the deadline, we are expecting more applications to come in. By the registration deadline on Aug. 6, the number could well exceed 1,000 or even 2,000. According to the official, more than 1,500 mobile phone users have signed up for the two service firms apps Daerijubu and Dorbomplus through which they can send their applications since the first day. Any Seoul resident who has a child aged 12 or younger can apply. If applicants exceed available slots, priority beneficiaries will be single parents, parents with multiple children, dual-income families and expectant mothers. The Filipino workers on E-9 visas will be tasked primarily with taking care of children such as feeding, dressing and bathing among others. They may also assist in other duties necessary and desirable such as light household management activities. As intended for the program, most applicants are seeking help for taking care of their young children, the official said. For their services, the Filipino workers will be paid Koreas legal minimum wage 9,860 won ($7.12) hourly this year and 10,030 won next year. This is lower than what is needed to hire Korean workers offering such services, which is about 15,000 won, according to the Ministry of Employment and Labor. In collaboration with authorities in the Philippines, Koreas central and city officials recently selected 100 workers, aged between 24 and 38, who met the health, language-proficiency and other requirements for the program. They are expected to arrive here in September. By Jung Min-ho The government will conduct inspections of 120 workplaces over the next 10 days to protect foreign workers from heat-related illnesses amid scorching temperatures. The Ministry of Employment and Labor said Sunday its inspectors plan to check the working and living conditions in farms, factories and other workplaces that primarily rely on foreign workers for their operations from Monday to Aug. 7. The inspectors will check whether their housing facilities, provided by the business owners, are equipped with proper systems for air conditioning and water supplies. They also plan to inspect whether the ministrys guidelines on reducing the risk of heat-related incidents have been followed. As part of its effort to better protect foreign workers, the ministry will provide them with its heat safety guidelines translated into 17 different languages. The guidelines advise employers to provide sufficient water, break areas where workers can take a rest from sunlight and minimize outside working hours amid heat advisories. Heat wave alerts have been issued for Seoul and much of Korea. According to the national weather agency, intense heat is forecast to continue until at least early August. A military court has issued a warrant to arrest an official at the military's intelligence command for allegedly leaking information of South Korean espionage agents operating overseas, the defense ministry said Tuesday. The civilian official at the Korea Defense Intelligence Command, whose identity is withheld, is suspected of handing over personal information of so-called black agents to a Chinese national of Korean descent. Black agents refer to intelligence officials conducting undercover espionage activities overseas against North Korea with their identities in disguise. Military authorities are believed to have detected signs that the leaked intelligence might have been handed over to North Korea. There is a possibility that the Chinese national could be an informant for North Korea's Reconnaissance General Bureau, the country's intelligence agency. Classified data stored at internal computers at the intelligence command was transferred to the official's personal laptop, and ultimately was found to be leaked to a third party. The official denied the alleged leak of military intelligence, claiming that his laptop was hacked. (Yonhap) By Kim Chae-ri Ever wondered what lies behind the doors of HYBE, the K-pop powerhouse behind A-list stars including BTS and SEVENTEEN? Join POPKORN, the K-pop channel from The Korea Times, as we take you inside HYBE's headquarters in Yongsan District, Seoul, for an exclusive tour of the skyscraper! From the sleek offices to the buzzing cafeterias, our guest got the full HYBE experience and even took a quiz to test what he learned on his tour. How well did he perform? Did the food in HYBE's in-house cafeteria impress him? What beverage did he pick at the cafe with a view on the 19th floor? If youre curious, please watch our video! Kim Chae-ri, a K-pop team intern video producer at The Korea Times, produced this video. By Arthur I. Cyr President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race is increasingly seen as a positive reflection on him, even though this sentiment is rarely expressed today. His address Wednesday to the nation was in this spirit, dignified and formal. Critics carping that he should have provided details reveal more about themselves than him. True to form, former President Donald Trump reacted with a series of crude personal insults. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, now Republican vice-presidential nominee, has chimed in that the president should resign immediately. The first statement is low-grade invective typical of the source, and the second is bizarre. Joe Biden, like our other presidents, took a formal oath to serve and has a professional, if not legal, obligation to continue the work of the office until the completion of his term. Presidential resignation does have precedent. President Richard M. Nixon resigned on Aug. 8, 1974, culminating in the Watergate Crisis. The Watergate building complex was the site of a burglary effort by White House operatives. Whether Nixon knew about this criminal action in advance is unclear. Clearly captured on his then-secret office taping system are his comments about covering up the crime. Other acts included illegal campaign contributions, dirty tricks against political opponents and a separate break-in of the office of the psychiatrist Daniel Ellsberg, who had made public the secret Pentagon Papers documenting the history of the Vietnam War. News of the Watergate break-in during the 1972 presidential campaign did not have any significant impact. President Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew were reelected in a historic landslide. Agnew was later forced to resign because of corruption. Nixon's second term was plagued by Watergate. When his impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction in the Senate trial to follow became certain, senior Republican senators, including conservative icon Barry Goldwater, told Nixon he lacked the votes to survive in office. Nixon resigned, saving the nation and his family an extraordinarily painful ordeal. Nothing like this confronts our nation today. Watergate is, in a sense, a capstone of the tremendous chaos, violence and fear that gripped the United States and our politics through the 1960s and into the 1970s. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, opened a decade of turbulence. The remarkable stability of the Eisenhower 1950s ended. One result was the unexpected announcement by President Lyndon B. Johnson not to seek reelection to the White House. This is a precedent for Biden's decision, contrary to some comments that his action is "unprecedented." Johnson made the announcement on March 31, 1968, at the conclusion of a speech about de-escalation in the Vietnam War. In early 1968, the Viet Cong launched attacks across South Vietnam during a truce. The Tet Offensive resulted in a military victory for South Vietnam and the United States, but Hanoi nonetheless achieved a political victory in the U.S. Anti-war Sen. Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota came close to defeating Johnson in the New Hampshire primary. Johnson's enemy Sen. Robert Kennedy of New York entered the race. Johnson also faced health concerns. Kennedy was assassinated in early June. Vice President Hubert Humphrey secured the nomination and narrowly lost to Nixon in November. Humphrey entered no primaries but dealt directly with state party leaders and organizations. In consequence, both political parties made primaries the primary means of presidential nomination. Our nation confronts today nothing comparable to the violence and instability of that earlier time. Arthur I. Cyr (acyr@carthage.edu) is author of After the Cold War. By Gwynne Dyer The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip since last Octobers Hamas attacks on Israeli settlements will reach 40,000 people in the next week or so. (Its back up around 50-100 civilians dead per day). Around 1,200 Israelis were killed in the October attacks, so nobody can say that Israels response was unprovoked. However, it has been hugely disproportionate, and in many Western cities, there are weekly protest marches against the carnage in the Gaza Strip. However, there have been virtually none in Israel or in the Gaza Strip itself. To be fair, most Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are too busy running for their lives to protest much. Most families have had to flee multiple times as the focus of the Israeli forces shifts back and forth. Besides, Hamas still has enough control over the population to punish anybody who openly demands a cease-fire. There are many demonstrations in Israel calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to sign a cease-fire and bring the Jewish hostages home, but none about the fate of the Palestinians. Many even share Netanyahus fantasy that they can have a short cease-fire, get the hostages back and then resume killing Palestinians. Sorry, let me rephrase that. I should have said: "Resume killing Hamas fighters, knowing full well that five or 10 or 20 Palestinian civilians, about a third of them children, will die as collateral damage for every Hamas fighter who is eliminated." Because that is what is actually happening. But surely at least Hamas must want the slaughter of Palestinian civilians to stop. No, it does not. Its just as much in favor of the slaughter of the innocents as the Israelis are. Maybe even more so, because Israel only has anger whereas Hamas has a genuine strategy. From the first day of the planning for Hamas attacks on Israel, its real objective was to get Israel to kill as many Palestinians as possible. Why would Hamas want that? Because it was the only way to derail Netanhayus strategy of sidelining the Palestinians and making peace with all the other Arabs. Hamas and the other "rejectionist" Palestinian groups have been losing ground for many years. The rest of the Arab world was sick and tired of the confrontation and saw a "two-state" solution (separate Israeli and Palestinian states living side by side) as a lost cause. To restore its credibility, Hamas needed not only to show some life by attacking Israel. It had to fight the Israelis to a standstill. Since it had no regular army and air force to wage an open battle, it could only do that on home ground, where it could use guerrilla tactics. Thats what last Octobers attacks were for: to enrage the Israelis so much that they would invade Gaza in force. In Gaza there are endless tightly packed buildings to hide in, and endless tunnels beneath them, and every martyred Palestinian civilian will create more allies and supporters for the Palestinian cause in the Arab world and even further abroad. Israels generals probably understood what Hamas wanted, but popular anger meant they could not prevent it. They were like the more intelligent American generals in 2001, who realized that the 9/11 attacks were intended to sucker the United States into futile invasions of Arab countries but were still compelled by public opinion to wade into that swamp. Netanyahu may or may not understand Hamas strategy, but he needs a big, long war himself for two reasons. One is to postpone a public inquiry into his negligence in failing to forestall the October attacks; the other is to hold his ramshackle coalition together. (If he loses office his trial on corruption charges resumes, with jail a possible outcome). So none of the local players cares a fig about dead Palestinians. Indeed, in the case of Hamas, the more dead Palestinian civilians the better. The only player with the power to force an early cease-fire on the combatants is the United States but that means Joe Biden, and he probably wont. In mid-June, I predicted a permanent cease-fire (in Gaza) and a hostage release within a month, six weeks tops, on the grounds that U.S. strategic interests and Bidens own political future both require that this war stops and that Netanyahu relinquishes power. If Biden does not come to the right decision himself, those around him will impose it on him. Well, they didnt, and they clearly lack the will or the skill to do so now. Although Biden has now stepped down as a presidential candidate, he will still be in office for six months. That may be how long the war in Gaza goes on, too unless an Israeli war with Hezbollah in the north triggers a larger crisis region-wide. Gwynne Dyers new book is "Intervention Earth: Life-Saving Ideas from the Worlds Climate Engineers." Last years book, "The Shortest History of War," is also still available. By Kumar Bishwanath Dokdo (also known internationally as the Liancourt Rocks and in Japan as Takeshima) is an island located in the East Sea of Korea. South Korea asserts its territorial sovereignty over Dokdo through historical, legal and administrative evidence, arguing that the island has been an integral part of Korean territory for centuries, deeply rooted in historical records and continuous administrative management. The Korean claim to Dokdo dates back to historical documents from the sixth century. The oldest reference appears in the Samguk Sagi, a historical record from the 918-1392 Goryeo Dynasty, which mentions the ancient state of Usan-guk, believed to include both Ulleung Island and Dokdo. The Sejong Sillokjiriji, compiled in the 15th century, explicitly mentions Dokdo. This document, prepared in 1454, describes the territories of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty and indicates that both Ulleung Island and Dokdo were within Korean territory. Additionally, the Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam, a comprehensive geographical book dating to 1531, reaffirms Koreas administrative control over Dokdo. Over the centuries, Korea has claimed to have managed Dokdo administratively. Numerous royal decrees and maps from Joseon, such as the Paldochongdo (1530), include Dokdo as part of Korean territory. Korean fishermen and residents of Ulleung Island have historically used Dokdo as a base for fishing, demonstrating a continuous Korean presence and utilization of the island. Records in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty from the late 17th century document the Korean government dispatching officials to Dokdo and Ulleung Island to strengthen sovereignty and manage resources. In 1900, the Imperial Edict No. 41 of the Korean Empire placed Dokdo under the jurisdiction of Uldo County, reaffirming Koreas administrative control. Historical evidence also includes instances where Japan recognized Korean sovereignty over Dokdo. After a diplomatic dispute between Korea and Japan over Ulleung Island in the late 17th century, the Tokugawa Shogunate issued an order prohibiting Japanese nationals from traveling to Ulleung Island and its surrounding areas, implicitly recognizing Korean control over these territories, including Dokdo. Moreover, an 1877 directive from the Japanese government explicitly stated that Ulleung Island and Dokdo were not Japanese territories. This significant evidence is frequently cited by Korean scholars to show that Japan did not consider Dokdo as part of its territory even in the late 19th century. Post-World War II directives from the Allied Powers, such as the Cairo Declaration (1943) and the Potsdam Declaration (1945), aimed to return territories occupied by Japan to their original owners. Korea interprets these documents as supporting the return of Dokdo, which was unlawfully annexed during the Russo-Japanese War of 1905, to Korean control. In 1946, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) issued SCAPIN No. 677, excluding Dokdo from Japanese administrative control. After Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, it reasserted control over Dokdo. Since 1954, Korea has maintained a small detachment of police officers on the island, further solidifying its administrative presence. As discussed above, from the Korean perspective, the historical, legal and administrative evidence strongly supports Dokdo as an inherent part of Korean territory. The consistent documentation of Dokdo in historical records, uninterrupted administrative control, acknowledgment from Japan within a historical context and actions taken after World War II collectively reinforce Koreas position. For Koreans, Dokdo is more than just a disputed territory; it symbolizes national sovereignty and historical continuity. The island represents the resilience and perseverance of the Korean people in the face of historical challenges. I learned all of this through a direct experience with the 2024 Global Peace Reporter-Dokdo Exploration program, a three-day event from July 16 to 18. The program, conducted entirely in Korean, was attended mainly by Global Korea Scholarship recipients. On the first day, July 16, we arrived at Ulleung Island, an island I personally find special. With its beautiful natural scenery, diverse cuisine and various experiential programs, I believe Ulleung Island could become a major tourist destination in Korea within a few years if infrastructure development continues. It might even become attractive enough that Korea may have to limit visitors or impose a tourist tax. If you are planning a trip to Korea, I highly recommend adding Ulleung Island to your list. On the second day, July 17, we headed towards Dokdo. After breakfast, we hurried to the port, which was already crowded with Koreans eager to visit Dokdo. People were dressed in uniforms, holding Korean flags, and some even adorned their heads with flag decorations, showing the strong emotions Koreans have for Dokdo. After a two-hour boat ride, Dokdo finally came into view. We were excited to see Dokdo, which we had only seen in cosmetics ads or other media. However, due to weather and sea waves, we were unable to land on the island. The group expressed disappointment, with some asking if it wasnt possible to dock under these conditions. But safety and principles are non-negotiable. Instead, we contented ourselves with viewing Dokdo from the boat and took commemorative photos to soothe our disappointment. There is a saying, You havent truly seen Korea until youve seen Dokdo. The sincere expressions and emotional reactions of the Koreans on the boat made me understand the meaning of this phrase. If you want to gain a deeper insight into the core of Korea, I strongly recommend visiting Ulleung Island and Dokdo. Kumar Bishwanath, a Ph.D. research scholar from India at the Department of Linguistics, College of Humanities, Seoul National University, and a Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) recipient, specializes in Korean linguistics and contrastive linguistics. Korea's e-commerce sector requires sound governance, stricter management After several weeks of crisis caused by delayed payments on Qoo10's two e-commerce platforms, TMON and WeMakePrice, both the Korean government and the founder of the Singapore-based company took action on Monday to address and reduce the damage. On Tuesday, Ku Young-bae, founder of the Singapore-based Qoo10, appeared before the parliamentary National Policy Committee, apologizing and pledging to use all of his resources to resolve the delayed payments. His belated appearance and in-person apology should have come sooner. His apology, issued in a statement a day earlier, was called into question when TMON and WeMakePrice filed for court receivership just a few hours later. Authorities and company officials estimate some 210 billion won ($152 million) in delayed payments, and the figure will likely continue to grow to 300 million won when June and Julys figures are factored in. TMON and WeMakePrice, currently rank as the fourth and fifth- largest e-commerce platforms in the nation. Together, the two platforms support approximately 60,000 domestic vendors and serve around 8.6 million customers. The crisis came to light earlier this month when vendors at WeMakePrice raised questions about missed payments for the month of May. The payment delays then extended to TMON, affecting travel agencies and travel packages sold during the peak holiday season. Customers rushed en masse to get refunds, but only achieved partial success. The severity of the crisis led the government to offer 560 billion won ($445 million) in support on Monday, while reiterating the need for Qoo10 and its e-commerce platforms to be held accountable. This aid includes 200 billion won in funds from public institutions to help small merchants and 300 billion won in credit guarantee funds. The government has also pressured payment firms to assist customers with cancellations and refunds. In addition, the government announced it would investigate the involved companies to determine if they violated Koreas e-commerce laws. President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized, Tuesday, that the case should be handled thoroughly according to the law. Authorities are urged to act decisively, as prosecutors have already imposed travel bans on Ku and other executives from the two e-commerce firms. Once the immediate crisis is resolved, the governments lax governance over the growing e-commerce sector will need to be revisited. A similar e-commerce crisis occurred in Korea in 2021 when the online discount app Mergepoint abruptly halted Mergemonys circulation, causing significant disruptions for customers. At that time, the government faced criticism for failing to adequately revise laws related to online commerce. Officials at the presidential office said the government will consider revising penalties for e-commerce firms in cases of payment settlement issues. It is indeed timely, as e-commerce has evolved rapidly in Korea. To ensure their long-term sustainability and safeguard their partners and customers, companies in this sector need to implement more robust operations and improve management practices. The use of funds within TMON and WeMakePrice should be thoroughly investigated. Ku explained to the committee that funds from these firms were used to acquire the North America-based e-commerce platform Wish for $173 million this year, but were repaid within one month. Since founding Qoo10 in Singapore in 2010, Ku acquired TMON in 2022, followed by Interpark Commerce and WeMakePrice the next year. The aggressive expansion of the Singapore-based firm in recent years, along with its management of vendor payments and customer refund policies, points to a need for a general overhaul of e-commerce sector. By Robert Neff In the early 1900s, Charles M. Root, an aptly named American, wrote, When China thinks about [Korea] it is not about its political status, its queer customs or its [strategic] importance to China, but the ginseng that comes from [Korean] mountains. He added, This root is the foundation of all the commercial dealings between China and The Land of the Morning [Calm]. Harvesting wild ginseng was a task filled with danger. The mountainous regions of Korea were teeming with wolves, wild boars, leopards and tigers. According to Seonmin Kim (author of Ginseng and Borderland), wild ginseng was not supposed to be seen by humans and was guarded by tigers according to some folktales, the root could even transform itself into a tiger. Ginseng was surrounded by the supernatural and was often a popular subject of ridicule and derision. Root wrote: The [Koreans] say, that only persons of blameless life and purity of heart can so much as see where the ginseng shoots upward its few stalks covered with pale leaves. There is a common tradition that when it is taken from the earth it utters a low musical cry like the wail of a lost spirit, and it must be quickly wrapped up or its virtue and strength will depart to return no more. In the 1890s, a journal published in England claimed: The virtue of the plant does not lie in its material composition, but in a mysterious power appertaining to it through being produced wholly apart from human influence, under the care of a beneficent spirit. Ginseng was the Korean cure-it-all for most problems, including impotency. In his medical report of 1885, Horace N. Allen, the first American doctor to reside in Korea, described it as the great panacea for all ills. Allen was extremely derisive towards American ginseng (which he described as being inert), but was forced to concede Korean ginseng had powers. I have tried in on natives and foreigners, and found it to be heating, like iron, and to have active aphrodisiac properties. A little over a decade later, Allen recalled one of his first experiences with Korean ginseng: I have seen [Korean ginseng] produce suppuration in otherwise healthy wounds when surreptitiously given to hasten the slow process of healing. When the cause was discovered and removed the wounds gradually came into proper condition again. Although he didnt identify the patient, we know from other sources that it was Prince Min Yong-ik. According to Allens biographer: [Once] in Allens absence, [the prince] tried a native remedy. Only once, and the queen, his aunt, apologized for that Ginseng was not the only Korean remedy that infuriated Allen but that has been discussed in a previous article. Prince Min was not Allens only patient to try ginseng out of desperation. Edward H. Parker, the British consul at Jemulpo (modern Incheon) in the mid-1880s, wrote: When I was in [Korea], I suffered agonies from sciatica, and conceived the idea that ginseng might repair my nerves. I consulted an American official [Allen] there, who told me that he had once tried it, but that it made him perspire blood. I made myself some ginseng tea, besides chewing bits of the root very cautiously. The only effect was to make me feel very hilarious and full of nervous force; but it did not cure the sciatica, and I was afraid of increasing the dose in view of what the United States official had said. There were dangers associated with this powerful cure-it-all. In the early 1890s, the American Department of Agriculture reported: In Korea the cultivated ginseng is smaller than the wild or sansam literally mountain ginseng the root of which attains a length of a foot or more and a diameter of an inch and upward. It is said that when this wild root is administered (always at a single dose), the patient loses consciousness for a greater or less time, and for about a month is tortured by boils, eruptions, sleeplessness, and other ills. Rejuvenation then begins, the skin becomes clear, the body healthy, and the person will live, such is the belief, exempt from disease for many years. The earlier-mentioned English journal described similar results but noted the loss of consciousness was for three days and the immunity from sickness was for a period of 90 to 100 years during which time the imbiber would suffer neither from heat nor cold. While the Americans and English may have laughed at the purported strengths of the plant, perhaps dismissing the tales as superstitious mumbo jumbo, ginseng was prized by many of their own countrymen for its natural and supernatural powers at least in the past. Daniel Boone, an early American folk hero, used to hunt and sell ginseng. Ginseng was used stimulate the appetites in elderly people and weak children. It could also fortify the strength of women. Of course, it was also good for men. A couple of cups of ginseng tea could help to tone up the male reproductive organs. It could also be made into an ointment that could be applied externally to restore male virility. Even scientific journals weighed in on the purported medical uses of ginseng. According to Scientific American (January 1891): The ginseng formerly had some reputation in Europe, but the doctors both there and in America have decided that there is so little real medicinal worth in the root that it has been discarded, like so many other herbal remedies of former days.The [Asians] look upon our distrust of it as another proof of the want of common sense in the foreign devils, while they regard with still more contempt many a drug in vogue with our practitioners. While many Americans may have denounced ginseng as having no real medicinal worth, no one was discarding it instead, they were selling it. As we shall see, American ginseng soon began to dominate the Asian market. My appreciation to Diane Nars for her invaluable assistance. Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters. By Robert Neff What did Namdaemun and Gyeongbok Palace have in common in 1891?As part of the currency reforms, their images were proposed for the design of a paper bill that would make business transactions easier. Foreigners often complained about the unwieldiness of Korean currency; one literally had to have a pony and several servants carry enough money to complete small transactions. This new bill, however, would alleviate the need to have so many servants and ponies. According to one foreign resident: The bill would be for 10,000 cash which in 1891 was worth about $4 and would have an image of the Great South Gate on the front and a picture of Gyeongbok Palaces Audience Hall on the back. The bills inscriptions on the front would be in Korean and English. The other side of the bill would have a warning against counterfeiting the penalty for this crime was death. At the time, there was a great need for currency reforms. Korean trade was suffering horribly from the rapidly fluctuating exchange rate. In June 1891, a dollar was worth from 2,550 to 2,700 in small cash but in August 1892, the rate had climbed to just over 3,200 cash. Many Chinese and Japanese merchants had lost their fortunes due to the sudden rise and fall of the unstable Korean currency. At about this time, a Korean national bank was proposed. The main office would be located in Seoul with a branch office in Jemulpo near the Korean mint. The bank would serve as a guarantee for the new Korean currency but many expressed doubts that it would inspire trust with the public. In the end, the bank project, as well as the 10,000 cash note, never got off the ground. In 1898, the Russo-Korean Bank was established for a very short time. It failed, not because of fluctuating currency rates, but because of the fickleness of international politics. According to professor Andrei Lankov, a Korean institution known as Hanseong Bank was officially established in March 1897 (a year previous to the Russo-Korean Bank) but did not begin regular operations until 1903. Legend has it, Hanseong Banks first customer was a provincial merchant who managed to secure a loan using his donkey as collateral. There were other banks, such as Daehan Cheonil which was established in 1899 as a private royal bank. Lankovs description of its operation is priceless: In 1901 King Gojong appointed his fourth son and future heir designate as the banks director, despite the fact that the boy was only four years old at the time! With this appointment, the king challenged the centuries-old notion of propriety and demonstrated that banking was an occupation eminently suitable for a person of good breeding, even a prince. Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters. By Scott Shepherd Among many Koreans with whom I have spoken there is an unfortunate misconception: that, apart from fish and chips, British cuisine doesnt exist. This illusion persists even among the very wisest and most unimpeachable members of society, namely my wife. Accompanying this belief is an unspoken comparison between Koreas impressive culinary achievements and Britains alleged lack thereof: look at all the jjangs and tangs, the jeons and myeons and baps and guks. What from your rainy island can compare with our ancient and succulent smorgasbord? But while I certainly do love Korean food, I fundamentally reject the premise that Britains fare is as poor as everyone thinks. Pervading the conversation are several assumptions about Korean food, so to explore why the myth perseveres so doggedly, Id like to consider a few select dishes and discuss what they suggest about K-food. First: noodles. The BBC reported last month that Denmarks food agency issued a recall on Korean Buldak instant noodles because the food was so spicy that it posed a risk of the consumer developing acute poisoning. To the delight of spice-lovers across the world, the Danish authorities reversed their recall this week. The BBC article and others that followed contained a mild undertone of levity, but while most coverage focused on the details of the case the Danish agencys statement, the companys response, whether the Danes are simply unable to take the heat what caught my attention was the use of the word to describe the food in question: ramen. Perhaps I have lived in Korea so long that a latent sense of nationalism has started to rub off on me, because I cant help thinking its inaccurate to use the term ramen to describe Korean noodles. Ramen is a Japanese word referring to Japanese food, while the Korean word ramyeon (also spelled ramyun) signifies a different dish with a different origin. For readers wanting a detailed exploration of the differences, The Korea Herald published a brief but thoughtful piece on the question a few years ago. Although the food and even the word ramyeon both derive from Japanese, the two words (and foods) remain distinct. Confusingly, several Korean food manufacturers label their product as ramen including Samyang, the makers of the Buldak noodles that have proven so dangerous to delicate Danish tongues. Given the historical animosity between Korea and Japan, it is hard to understand why Korean companies would be willing to have their products subsumed under a word implying they are something else, and a Japanese something at that. The word should, I think, be consistently spelled either ramyeon or ramyun in English; the former is preferable since it conforms to the Korean governments romanisation standards. This spelling would distinguish the Korean noodle from its Japanese counterpart and would give a further boost to the culinary reputation of a nation whose cultural standing has already been so advanced over the past decade. Korea now has the international clout that it previously lacked to assert its own gastronomical distinctiveness. Among all the worlds problems, the way we spell the name of a noodle is certainly not the worst. But spelling does matter because words say so much about origins. This becomes particularly clear when we think of the hullabaloo a few years ago surrounding the apparent attempts by Chinese officials to suggest that kimchi is Chinese. After all, the clash stemmed from the conflation of the Korean word kimchi and the Chinese word pao cai, implying the two are the same (and both Chinese). Following the predictable uproar in Korea, some parts of the Chinese media rowed back, suggesting that the whole issue was simply due to poor translation. In any case, the defence of kimchis Koreanness has always been far more passionate than the rather lackadaisical approach to the ramen/ramyeon question. This is easily explained in that the spelling debate is a question of English semantics, hardly the most riveting topic for Korean netizens. Kimchi is also far older, dating back centuries or perhaps millennia; the noodles mere decades pales in comparison. And of course, kimchi is Koreas representative food: to meddle with it is to face the wrath of a nation. But an interesting counterpoint to kimchi comes in the form of jjajangmyeon. It was developed in Korea, is sold in Korea and in Korean restaurants abroad, and is eaten almost exclusively by Koreans. Yet the food is categorised here not as hansik (i.e. Korean food) but chungsik (Chinese food). The direct explanation for this is found in jjajangmyeons origins as a dish based on Chinese food and developed by Chinese immigrants though its worth noting that the food was created in a restaurant in Incheon. But can we really describe as Chinese something that is eaten almost exclusively by Koreans in Korea, particularly when its not widely eaten in China or by Chinese people? And what about the products derived from jjajangmyeon? Are such foods as chapaghetti not Korean? Or Jjajangbap? They have been developed in Korea by Koreans for the Korean market, but they derive from a dish labelled Chinese. Where do they fit in? And yet I think Koreans do actually accept jjajangmyeon as Korean in deed if not in name. It is sold in Korean restaurants across the world, and I imagine that if a representative of a neighbouring country made noises that suggested jjajangmyeon really was Chinese, Koreans would reject this loudly and clearly. To me it only makes sense to see jjajangmyeon (and its modern descendants) as Korean. Perhaps this is because I come to the whole issue as someone who grew up and studied in London, where nationality, citizenship and belonging are much more loosely-held concepts. Identity in the U.K. is less dependent on the past origins, history, race and more on the present location, citizenship, sentiment. In Korea, it is all bound up together, as Ive written before: you can only be accepted as Korean if you tick all the right boxes. These attitudes extend not just to identity but to food too. While Britain does have an assortment of delectable traditional foods biscuits, breakfasts, cheeses, crisps, muffins, pasties, pies, roasts, salads, sandwiches, sausages, scones, soups it also has embraced all kinds of other dishes. Coronation chicken and chicken tikka masala are just as British as baked potatoes, and so are whatever the modern dishes being developed in trendy overpriced eateries in Shoreditch and Soho. Our food reflects so much about us. Underlying the claim that Britain has no cuisine is the implication that a nations food cannot have outside influences to be truly from that country. Its the same reason everyone calls jjajangmyeon Chinese despite all the evidence to the contrary. So there we have it: jjajangmyeon is Korean, kimchi is not Chinese, and British food does indeed exist. And best of all, our Danish friends once again have access to ramyeon. Dr. Scott Shepherd (scottshepherd@chongshin.ac.kr) is a British-American academic. He has taught in universities in the U.K. and Korea, and is currently an assistant professor of English at Chongshin University in Seoul. The views expressed in the article are the author's own and do not reflect the editorial direction of The Korea Times. By Kang Seung-woo KT&G, the nations leading tobacco and nicotine product manufacturer, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Philip Morris International (PMI), an American multinational tobacco company. This cooperation is aimed at filing a U.S. Pre-market Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) submission for KT&Gs new heat-not-burn products, also known as NGPs. Both KT&G and PMI recognize the importance of the U.S. market to advance their shared strategic vision of providing better alternatives to adult smokers across the globe with innovative scientifically substantiated NGPs. Following the companies announcement on Jan. 30, 2023, regarding PMI's agreement to commercialize KT&Gs NGPs in markets outside Korea, this non-binding memorandum establishes the parties intent to collaborate on regulatory submissions for those new KT&G NGP products selected for commercialization by PMI in the United States. KT&Gs new platform products are expected to be launched first outside the U.S. Thereafter, the partners plan to work on the PMTA submission for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in accordance with the MOU. KT&G is currently enforcing global expansion and structural reform centered around its three core growth businesses: NGP, overseas conventional cigarettes and health-functional food, and will do its utmost to achieve the future vision of becoming a global top-tier company based on innovative NGP products to be rolled out in overseas markets as well as scientific R&D capabilities, KT&G CEO Bang Kyung-man said. The government said Wednesday it has revoked the license of Stage X as the country's fourth mobile carrier due to the company's failure to secure paid-in capital and meet other requirements. Stage X, a consortium comprising mobile virtual network operator Stage Five and other partners, secured the 28 gigahertz spectrum band for the fifth-generation (5G) network in an auction hosted by the ministry earlier this year. However, funding questions have persisted over the little-known company because a mobile carrier needs tens of millions of dollars to build a nationwide telecom network. The Ministry of Science and ICT said in a press release that it has finalized the license cancellation process and has refunded the 43 billion won ($31.1 million) paid for the frequency allocation to Stage X. According to the ministry, Stage X has not raised the fully required paid-in capital of 205 billion won, and the composition of the company's stockholders and the ownership structure between the shareholders were also different from what Stage X initially said. Of the six main shareholders who own more than a 5 percent stake each in Stage X, only one shareholder paid some of the required capital, the ministry said. Stage X has insisted that the decision is unfair and said it would take necessary legal and administrative steps. An official at the consortium said it was considering various options, including filing a lawsuit for damages, against the government. (Yonhap) Labor unions threaten to put brakes on shipbuilding industry boom By Park Jae-hyuk Concerns are growing that a potential labor dispute may dampen a long-awaited boom in the shipbuilding industry, as unionized shipyard workers prepare to strike in August, according to industry officials, Wednesday. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) union secured the legal right to down tools earlier this week, as the National Labor Relations Commission halted its arbitration process between the shipbuilder's labor and management after union members approved a strike in a three-day vote last week. The workers claimed that management has remained silent on their request to hike this years base monthly wage by 159,800 won ($116) on average, revise the rules on performance-based bonuses and extend the retirement age to 64. Despite the current shipbuilding industry boom, our members cannot be optimistic about their future, HD HHIs union said in a statement. This resulted from the companys distorted system intended to give all the benefits to the owner family. Once the two weeks of summer vacation ends next week, the union will discuss when and how to strike. Although the workers are still open to dialogue with the management, they joined hands with the unions of Koreas seven other shipbuilders for a general strike in August. Last week, unionized workers at HD Hyundais two other shipbuilding units HD Hyundai Mipo and HD Hyundai Samho approved a strike proposal through their respective votes. Hanwha Oceans union held a seven-hour strike on July 15, as 86 percent of its members voted to support the move. Workers at Hanwha Groups shipbuilding unit claimed that management ignored their request for talks on payments for restricted stock units (RSUs). An RSU refers to stock-based employee compensation that is not fully transferable until certain conditions are met. Last year, Hanwha Ocean promised to give its shipyard workers RSUs equivalent to 300 percent of their wages, but the company did not follow through earlier this year, after it failed to turn a profit in 2023. Hanwha Oceans workers plan to continue protesting against management until it accepts their request. On July 22, Samsung Heavy Industries labor council approved a strike. If the labor disputes are prolonged, Korean shipbuilders will face difficulties in delivering vessels to their customers on time and lose the trust of global clients. A general strike will cause a delay in production amid the lingering labor shortage, a shipbuilding industry official said. Industry officials point out that delayed deliveries will require domestic shipbuilders to pay billions of won to their customers in compensation and will increase the chance of their Chinese competitors dominating the market. By Ko Dong-hwan CJ Olive Young promoted its beauty products to American K-pop fans who gathered in Los Angeles for KCON LA 2024, according to Koreas major beauty product curator and seller, Tuesday. The beauty arm of CJ Group opened booths during the three-day festival starting Friday. The booths, among other major Korean companies like Samsung Electronics and Paldo, drew crowds at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The booths totaled 360 square meters, the largest since 2016, when the company first began participating in the annual KCON festivities to showcase its curated beauty products to K-pop fans. The booths showcased the most popular beauty products available in Olive Youngs offline stores and online, including the Olive Young Global Mall. Part of the booths was Olive Young Express, where the companys top 100 items were shown as well as new beauty brands currently being supported by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency. Over 70 small- and mid-sized Korean beauty product developers showcased their 210 products at the booths. The companies have been receiving diverse support from Olive Young, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to help expand their global markets. Olive Young has been the gateway for Koreas beauty product SMEs connecting to global consumers, a company official said. Were currently focusing on markets in Japan and North America. As Italian gastronomy and French fashion have become global symbols, well establish Korea as a leading nation in beauty." Olive Young Global Mall, which opened in 2019, is now selling some 10,000 items in 150 countries. The number of its members during the first half of this year jumped by 50 percent year-on-year and its sales by 80 percent. About 70 percent of its customers are concentrated in the United States and Canada. Israel on Tuesday carried out a rare strike on Beirut, which it said killed the Hezbollah commander who was allegedly behind a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. At least three other people were killed. Hezbollah did not immediately confirm the commanders death. The Israeli strike killed a woman and two children and wounded dozens of other people in escalating hostilities with the Lebanese militant group. An Israeli official said the target was Fouad Shukur, a top Hezbollah military commander whom the U.S. blames for planning and launching the deadly 1983 Marine bombing in the Lebanese capital. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the details of the strike with the media. Shukur is also suspected in other strikes that killed Israeli civilians. Though Hezbollah issued a rare denial of involvement in the rocket attack Saturday in the town of Majdal Shams, Israel is holding the militant group responsible. "Hezbollah crossed a red line, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant posted on the platform X shortly after Tuesday's strike. The two sides have exchanged near-daily strikes for the past 10 months against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, but they have previously kept the conflict at a low level that was unlikely to escalate into full-on war. Lebanon's public health ministry said Tuesday's strike in a southern suburb of Beirut wounded 74 people, some of them seriously. The wounded were taken to nearby hospitals. Bahman Hospital near the site of the blast called for blood donations. Lebanons state-run National News Agency reported that the strike was carried out with a drone that launched three rockets. The Israeli enemy has committed a great stupid act in size, timing and circumstances by targeting an entirely civilian area, Hezbollah official Ali Ammar told Al-Manar TV. "The Israeli enemy will pay a price for this sooner or later. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the Israeli attack, saying it hit a few meters from one of the largest hospitals in the capital. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately release a statement, but minutes after the strike sent a photo of the prime minister with his national security adviser and other officials. The airstrike on Beiruts southern suburb of Haret Hreik a crowded urban neighborhood where Hezbollah has political and security operations but which is also full of small shops and apartment buildings damaged several buildings. It was not immediately clear if any Hezbollah official was hit, a Hezbollah official said. A Lebanese military intelligence official said they had no information when asked by The Associated Press whether a senior Hezbollah security official had escaped the airstrike. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with regulations. The strike hit an apartment building near to a hospital, collapsing half of the targeted building and severely damaging one next to it. The hospital sustained minor damages, while the surrounding streets were littered with debris and broken glass. A forklift was in the middle of the street, reaching to the top floors of the destroyed building, while utility crews removed fallen power lines. Crowds gathered to inspect the damage and check on their families. Some of them chanted in support of Hezbollah. Paramedics could be seen carrying several wounded people out of the damaged buildings. A resident of the suburb whose home is about 200 meters (yards) away said that dust from the explosion covered everything," and that the glass in his sons apartment was broken. Then people went down on the streets," he said. Everyone has family. They went to check on them. It was a lot of destruction. He spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern about his security at a tense moment. Hassan Noureddine said he was riding his motorcycle near the building when he heard the sound of two explosions. It looked like a strike from a drone and not a jet, Noureddine told the AP near the site of the attack. Despite fears of escalation and a strike in recent days, Noureddine said that he and other people he knows in the area are not fazed and that their spirits are high. Talal Hatoum, a local official with the Shiite Amal Movement, Hezbollahs key political ally in Lebanon, said Tuesday's attack marked a shift in the rules of engagement in the conflict because it caused a significant number of civilian casualties. The last time Israel targeted Beirut was in January, when an airstrike killed a top Hamas official, Saleh Arouri. That strike was the first time Israel had hit Beirut since the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in the summer of 2006. Israel had been expected to retaliate for the strike in Majdal Shams, but diplomats had said in recent days that they expected the response to stay within the boundaries of the ongoing low-level conflict between Hezbollah and Israel without provoking all-out war. Many of them had not expected that Israel would hit Beirut, which might elicit a strike by Hezbollah on a major population center in Israel. The United Nations' special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said in a statement that she was deeply concerned by the strike and called for calm to prevail. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said Israel has the right to defend itself against the terrorist organization, referring to Hezbollah, but added, We still must work on a diplomatic solution to end these attacks, and we will continue to do that work. (AP) Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Donald Trump's running mate, praised the vision of Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts in the foreword of a forthcoming book that could conflict with the Trump campaign's effort to distance itself from Heritage's Project 2025 transition effort. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the foreword to Roberts forthcoming book Dawns Early Light on Tuesday, the same day of a shakeup at Project 2025, which has become an important election-year issue as Democrats and others argue that the nearly 1,000-page vision it set out is extreme . Never before has a figure with Robertss depth and stature within the American Right tried to articulate a genuinely new future for conservatism, Vance writes in his foreword. The Heritage Foundation isnt some random outpost on Capitol Hill; it is and has been the most influential engine of ideas for Republicans from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump. Vances words, which echo Roberts frequent calls to tear down U.S. institutions entirely to start anew, show the overlap between Trumps closest allies and the people fueling Project 2025. Still, Vance spokesman William Martin distanced Vance and the Trump campaign from Project 2025 in a statement on Tuesday. The foreword has nothing to do with Project 2025. Senator Vance has previously said that he has no involvement with it and has plenty of disagreements with what theyre calling for," Martin wrote in an email. "Only President Trump will set the policy agenda for the next administration. Trump's top aides have repeatedly criticized organizers of Project 2025 for what they say is a false impression that the transition effort is associated with the campaign. After Tuesday's shakeup at Heritage, Roberts is now leading Project 2025 operations directly. The book, scheduled to be published on Sept. 24, outlines a vision for what its publisher calls a peaceful 'Second American Revolution' . Its subtitle is Taking Back Washington to Save America, though earlier descriptions of the book listed it as Burning Down Washington to Save America . The publishers description says it identifies institutions that conservatives need to build or to take back, adding that some are too corrupt to save. Among those it lists are Ivy League colleges, the FBI, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Department of Education and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Also, on Tuesday, Paul Dans, who had directed Project 2025, left the Heritage Foundation amid continued criticism of the plan. Roberts said his departure came after the project completed what it set out to do. In his foreword, Vance calls for something more than removing bad policies of the past, but instead to rebuild. We need an offensive conservatism, not merely one that tries to prevent the left from doing things we dont like, Vance writes. As Vance wraps up, he quotes Roberts as saying that when twilight descends and a person hears wolves, Youve got to circle the wagons and load the muskets. "We are now all realizing that its time to circle the wagons and load the muskets," Vance adds. "In the fights that lay ahead, these ideas are an essential weapon." DNC spokesman Alex Floyd said in a statement that Vance's language echoes the same dangerous rhetoric weve heard from him and Donald Trump for years." Vance also writes about things he and Roberts have in common, including difficult upbringings, influential grandparents, and the Catholic faith. He also writes about parenthood, which has been a contentious issue for him recently after an interview resurfaced where he said Democrats running the country are childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too. In the book, he praises the idea that we should encourage our kids to get married and have kids, and teach them that marriage is a sacred union, ideas that he says come from the old American Right that recognized correctly, in my view that cultural norms and attitudes matter. (AP) BEIRUT (AP) Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a predawn airstrike in the Iranian capital Wednesday, Iran and the militant group said, blaming Israel for a shock assassination that risks escalating the conflict even as the U.S. and other nations were scrambling to prevent an all-out regional war. Iran's supreme leader vowed revenge against Israel. There was no immediate comment from Israel, which has pledged to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the groups Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. The strike came just after Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Irans new president in Tehran and only hours after Israel targeted a top commander in Iran's ally Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital Beirut. The assassination of Hamas top political leader was potentially explosive amid the region's volatile, intertwined conflicts because of its target, its timing and the decision to carry it out in Tehran. Most dangerous was the potential to push Iran and Israel into direct confrontation if Iran retaliates. We consider his revenge as our duty, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement on his official website. He said Israel had prepared a harsh punishment for itself by killing "a dear guest in our home." Bitter regional rivals, Israel and Iran risked plunging into war earlier this year when Israel hit Irans embassy in Damascus in April. Iran retaliated and Israel countered in an unprecedented exchange of strikes on each other's soil, but international efforts succeeded in containing that cycle before it spun out of control. Haniyeh's killing could also prompt Hamas to pull out of negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release deal in the 10-month-old war in Gaza, which U.S. mediators had said were making progress. And it could inflame already heightening tensions between Israel and Hezbollah which international diplomats were trying to contain after a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Tuesday evening, Israel carried out a rare strike in the Lebanese capital that it said killed a top Hezbollah commander allegedly behind the rocket strike. Hezbollah, which denied any role in the Golan strike, said Wednesday that it was still searching for the body of Fouad Shukur in the rubble of the building that was hit in a Beirut suburb, killing two women and two children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. There was no immediate reaction from the White House to the killing of Haniyeh. A key question was whether Israel told its top ally the U.S. ahead of time about the strike. Asked about Haniyeh's killing during a visit to Singapore, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "This is something we were not aware of or involved in. Speaking to Channel News Asia, Blinken said he would not speculate about the impact on cease-fire efforts. "But I can tell you that the imperative of getting a cease-fire, the importance that has for everyone, remains. In Manila, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he still had hopes for a diplomatic solution on the Israeli-Lebanon border. I dont think that war is inevitable, he said. I maintain that. I think theres always room and opportunity for diplomacy, and Id like to see parties pursue those opportunities. But international diplomats trying to defuse tensions were alarmed. One Western diplomat, whose country has worked to prevent an Israeli-Hezbollah escalation, said the double strikes in Beirut and Tehran have almost killed hopes for a Gaza cease-fire and could push the Middle East into a devastating regional war. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive situation. An Israeli military spokesman declined to comment. Israel often doesnt comment on assassinations carried out by its Mossad intelligence agency or strikes on other countries. In a statement by his office, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel doesn't want war after its strike on the Hezbollah commander in Beirut, but we are preparing for all possibilities. He did not mention the Haniyeh killing. The killing of Haniyeh abroad comes as Israel has not had a clear success in killing the groups top leadership in Gaza, who are believed to be primarily responsible for planning the Oct. 7 attack, after nearly 10 months of fighting in the enclave. Earlier this month, Israel carried out a strike in Gaza targeting the head of Hamas military wing, Mohammed Deif , killing at least 90 Palestinians living in nearby tents, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel said it believed Deif was killed, but neither it nor Hamas has confirmed his death. More elusive has been Hamas top leader in Gaza, Yehya Sinwar, believed to be the mastermind of Hamas' brutal surprise assault into southern Israel, during which militants killed some 1,200 people and abducted 250 others. Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had lived in exile in Qatar. Israel has targeted Hamas figures in Lebanon and Syria during the war but going after Haniyeh in Iran was vastly more sensitive. But Israel has operated there in the past: It is suspected of running a yearslong assassination campaign against Iranian nuclear scientists. In 2020, a top Iranian military nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while traveling in a car outside Tehran. During Haniyeh's last hours in Iran a close ally of Hamas he was smiling and clapping at the inauguration ceremony of the new President Masoud Pezeshkian . AP photos showed him seated alongside leaders from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group and Hezbollah, and Iranian media showed him and Pezeshkian hugging. Haniyeh had met earlier with Khamenei. Hours later, the strike hit a residence Haniyeh uses in Tehran, killing him, Hamas said in a statement. One of his bodyguards was also killed, Iranian officials said. Irans powerful Revolutionary Guard warned Israel will face a harsh and painful response from Iran and its allies around the region because of the killing. An influential Iranian parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy was to hold an emergency meeting on the strike later Wednesday. Hamas military wing said in a statement that Haniyehs assassination takes the battle to new dimensions and will have major repercussions on the entire region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will continue its devastating campaign in Gaza until Hamas is completely eliminated. Israel's bombardment and offensives in Gaza have killed more than 39,360 Palestinians and wounded more than 90,900, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. After months of pounding, Hamas has shown its fighters can still operate in Gaza and fire volleys of rockets into Israel. But it is unclear if it has the capacity to step up attacks in retaliation over Haniyeh's killing. Instead, the impact may be regional. Besides a direct retaliation on Israel, Iran could work to hike up attacks through its allies, a coalition of Iranian-backed groups known as the Axis of Resistance, including Hezbollah, Hamas, mainly Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria and the Houthi rebels who control much of Yemen. As a show of support for Hamas in the Gaza war, Hezbollah has been exchanging fire almost daily with Israel across the Israeli-Lebanese border in a simmering but deadly conflict that has repeatedly threatened to escalate into all-out war. The Houthis and Iraqi and Syrian militias have also fired rockets and drones at Israel and at American bases in the region, though most have been intercepted. A strike Tuesday night southwest of the Iraqi capital Baghdad killed four members of one Iranian-backed militia, Kataib Hezbollah, which has targeted U.S. bases previously, according to Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, a militia coalition. It accused the U.S. of being behind the strike. U.S. officials did not immediately comment. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday the United States was not involved in the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and reiterated the importance of a ceasefire in Gaza. "This is something we were not aware of or involved in. It's very hard to speculate," Blinken said in an interview with Channel News Asia during a visit to Singapore. Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed Haniyeh's death, hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for the country's new president. Haniyeh, who leads the Palestinian militant group and is normally based in Qatar, has been the face of Hamas's international diplomacy as the war set off by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7 has raged in Gaza. "I've learned over many years never to speculate on the impact one event may have on something else," Blinken said when asked what impact Haniyeh's death might have on the war. The assassination, less than 24 hours after Israel claimed to have killed a Hezbollah commander it said was behind a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, could be a major setback for chances of a ceasefire agreement in the 10-month-old war. Blinken, who has been in Asia since late last week, said a ceasefire and the release of hostages being held in Gaza was crucial and the United States would do everything to make that happen. "It's vitally important to hopefully put things on a better path for more enduring peace and more enduring security, so that focus remains." (Reuters) Lou Ann Homan, right, leads students involved this weeks LCYC acting camp in a recitation of a synopsis of The Phantom Desperado, an original melodrama, assisted by LCYC Director Jennifer Martin, back, left, in the gym of the former Lima-Brighton Elementary School in Howe, where the play will be presented Friday night. The killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an air strike in Tehran Wednesday came as a "thunderbolt" to war-weary Gazans, with some expressing disappointment Iran was unable to "protect him". "This news is like a thunderbolt, something unbelievable," said Wael Qudayh, 35, a resident of the central city of Deir al-Balah. On Wednesday, Hamas and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced that Haniyeh had been killed in Tehran in an Israeli air strike. He was in the Iranian capital to attend the swearing-in on Tuesday of President Masoud Pezeshkian. "Qatar was able to protect Haniyeh for 10 months, but Iran was unable to protect him even for a few hours," said Youssef Saeed, 40, also a resident of Deir el-Balah. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Hossam Abdel Razek, 45, an employee in a private institution in Ramallah, said Haniyeh's killing showed that the "blood of Palestinians is cheap". "The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran proves that we, the Palestinian people, have no protector, that our blood is cheap, and that the Arab and Islamic nation sold us out to America and Israel, he said. Sami Naem told AFP in Deir al-Balah that the assassination "will affect the negotiations" for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. "Ismail Haniyeh is a politician who has his say over all the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip", Naem said. Rami Youssef disagreed, saying the Hamas leader's killing might even hasten the end of the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "was under pressure from America to end the war but he wants an achievement ... and he believes that Haniyeh is a great achievement," Youssef said. - 'Martyrdom' - Palestinian factions called for a general strike and marches across the West Bank on Wednesday to protest the killing of Haniyeh. AFP journalists in Ramallah witnessed employees leaving government buildings in response to the strike call, as well as hundreds of people marching with flags through the city's streets. Several Palestinians in the Gaza Strip said Haniyeh had achieved "martyrdom" because of the way he was killed. "This is what every Palestinian hopes for... to obtain martyrdom while defending his land, his people and its sanctities," said Muhammad Farwana, 38, from the southern city of Khan Yunis, where Israeli troops ended a major ground assault this week that displaced tens of thousands of people. "Haniyeh was someone who gave away his children and grandchildren on the same path." In June, 10 family members of Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli air strike in the Al-Shati refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. In April, Haniyeh lost three sons and four grandchildren in an Israeli strike in central Gaza, with the Israeli military accusing them of "terrorist activities". Haniyeh said at the time that about 60 members of his family had been killed since the war broke out on October 7. His daughter Sara Ismail Haniyeh mourned his death in a post on X, praising a man "loved by everyone". The war began after an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign against Hamas has killed at least 39,445 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry, which does not provide details of civilian and militant deaths. bur-he-ha-crb-jd/kir Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Ireland's participation in the Pact on Migration and Asylum The Commission welcomes Ireland's decision to opt-in to seven legal acts under the Pact on Migration and Asylum, as notified on 27 June 2024. As stated by President von der Leyen, the Pact will help to protect people, to secure our borders, to ensure fair and efficient procedures and to manage migration in an orderly way with solidarity at its heart. Ireland's decision to opt-in demonstrates the country's dedication to shared European values and its willingness to contribute to improved migration management across the EU. Today, the Commission adopted the Decisions that confirm the participation of Ireland in seven legislative acts under the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum: Reception Conditions Directive Qualification Regulation Asylum Procedure Regulation Union Resettlement Framework Regulation Asylum and Migration Management Regulation Eurodac Regulation Crisis and Force Majeure Regulation The Commission already financially supports Ireland in the area of migration management with 66.9 million to help manage migration for the period 2021 to 2027, of which 45.1 million come from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and 21.8 million from the Internal Security Fund (ISF). The AMIF supports Member States in managing migration while funding under the ISF supports efforts to protect the security of citizens and manage the EU's external borders. Ireland will benefit from additional operational, technical, and financial support from the Commission and EU Agencies throughout the Pact implementation process. Next Steps Today's Decisions confirming the participation of Ireland in the Asylum Procedure Regulation and Reception Conditions Directive enter into force the day after its publication in the Official Journal. The other five Decisions will enter into force on the 20th day following the publication in the Official Journal. In line with the other Member States, Ireland will now need to translate the new rules set out in these legal instruments into practice. Background After a historic agreement was reached on the Pact on Migration and Asylum, work has started to translate the large and complex set of legislative acts into an operational reality over the next two years. This will be a common endeavour, with the Commission supporting Member States every step of the way. The Common Implementation Plan for the Pact on Migration and Asylum, adopted by the Commission on 12 June, sets out the key milestones for all Member States to put in place the legal and operational capabilities required to successfully start applying the new legislation by mid-2026. In addition, the EU Agencies will also provide both operational and targeted support to the Member States throughout this process. Member States may also receive support from the Technical Support Instrument (TSI), under which a dedicated call was launched on 14 June to support Member States in developing their National Implementation Plans. For More Information Pact on Migration and Asylum Common Implementation Plan for the Pact Explanatory memo on the Pact on Migration and Asylum Ireland's role in the EU migration policy Quote Ireland joining the Pact on Migration and Asylum marks one more crucial step toward a cohesive and sustainable European approach to migration. I commend Irelands decision. Every Member State's active involvement is key to make a success of the implementation of the Pact. By working together, Europe can effectively secure its borders, provide support to those in need of protection, and manage migration in a humane and efficient manner. Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life 2024-07-30 Congratulations Ireland! By opting into the Pact, Ireland is joining forces to better manage migration in Europe. To better protect our borders and protect vulnerable people, to return those who dont have the right to stay. By opting in, Ireland shows solidarity with Member States under pressure and can count on EU support in time of need. Irelands opt-in is a vote of confidence in the Pact, in our ability to jointly manage migration. Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs 2024-07-30 Zarazeno st 31.07.2024 12:07:00 Zdroj Evropska komise en Original ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/documents?reference=IP/24/4027&language=en lang en guid /IP/24/4027/ On 30 July the government of Mexicos Tamaulipas state condemned the murder of, the head of the local branch of business organisation Federacion de Camaras de Comercio (Fecanaco). End of preview - This article contains approximately 382 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 30 July Venezuelas Attorney Generalsaid that over 700 people had been arrested at protests disputing the results of the 28 July presidential election , which have been widely slammed as fraudulent. End of preview - This article contains approximately 604 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 30 July Argentinas security minister,, said that the government is creating a new anti-crime unit which will be powered by artificial intelligence (AI). End of preview - This article contains approximately 355 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 30 July Brazils Presidentlaunched the Plano Brasileiro de Inteligencia Artificial (PBIA), an initiative to fund the research and development of artificial intelligence (AI) in Brazil. End of preview - This article contains approximately 409 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 30 July the Costa Rican foreign minister,, formally offered political asylum to the presidential candidate of Venezuelas umbrella opposition coalition Plataforma Unitaria Democratica (PUD),, and the main opposition figurehead End of preview - This article contains approximately 351 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a report of a gunshot fired around the same time children played a prank by ringing a doorbell outside a Slate Belt home. The incident unfolded shortly before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday at a Summerfield Drive home in Upper Mount Bethel Township, state police in Belfast said. Multiple juveniles approached the home, rang the doorbell and ran as part of a game called ding, dong, ditch, according to police. Trooper Nathan Branosky, public information officer for the Troop M barracks, told lehighvalleylive.com investigators Wednesday morning received information that a resident of the home discharged a firearm around the same time as the doorbell prank. The state police news release doesnt say whether the shot was fired at the children or whether the gunshot was even connected to the prank. PSP Belfast Criminal Investigation Unit is actively investigating and is aware of the information being circulated on various social media outlets, state police said in a news release. Pennsylvania State Police in Belfast seek witnesses of the incident. Those with information or video surveillance footage are asked to call the barracks at 610-759-6106 and reference Incident No. PA 2024-991977. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. A New Jersey university is freezing tuition at current rates after delays in processing federal financial aid forms have left families scrambling. The U.S. Department of Education has been rolling out improvements to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA form, that students must fill out to receive financial aid. But, the changes pushed back traditional deadlines and caused delays at schools across the nation. Colleges experienced at least a three-month delay in federal communications about aid amounts, and at least four New Jersey schools pushed back their deadlines for students to commit to attending for the fall semester. Officials at Centenary University in Hackettstown said they are freezing tuition for the upcoming academic year to address families concerns about affording college. With this years delays in processing FAFSA applications, our students many of whom are first-generation college students had no idea how much federal financial aid to expect, said Karolina Wolfe, vice president and chief operating officer at Centenary. The national economy is tough for everyone right now, and Centenary hopes to remove some of the uncertainty about paying for college, Wolfe added. Full-time undergraduate tuition and fees at Centenary were $37,732 for 2023-24 school year, according to state figures. Centenary also pledged to freeze room costs for those living on campus. But, the price of meal plans will rise by 6%, reflecting higher food prices from the universitys food service provider, school officials said. Incoming Centenary first-year students receive an average grant or scholarship of over $28,000, university officials said in announcing the freeze last week. For transfer students, over 95 percent receive a grant or scholarship, with the average award totaling over $20,000. Centenary is the second New Jersey college to announce a tuition freeze in recent months. Georgian Court University in Lakewood previously said it is also freezing tuition for the upcoming year, citing concerns about families affording college. Georgian Courts annual undergraduate tuition and fees totaled $37,110 last year. We understand the challenges our students and families face and we are dedicated to providing them with the necessary support to achieve their academic and career goals, said the schools president, Joseph R. Marbach, earlier in the spring. The school began its GCU Promise program to fill in tuition and fee gaps, so recipients of full federal PELL grants and full state Tuition Aid Grants could attend tuition-free. About 99% of the universitys full-time students receive some form of aid, officials at the liberal arts school said. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Tina Kelley may be reached at tkelley@njadvancemedia.com. Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, today has announced that 15 sustainability-focused projects in the Midlands will receive grants under the EU Just Transition Fund (EU JTF) programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. The projects put forward by voluntary groups and non-profit organisations were rewarded funding between 50,000 and 300,000. This funding is aimed to invest in ideas from the community that create employment, and diversify the local economy of the Midlands region. A whopping 256,403 has been announced for Poet's Cottage Community Cafe in Camross. It is one of many local community groups in the Midlands to receive grant funding of nearly 3.8 million under EU Just Transition Fund programme. Small-to-medium enterprises and local community organisations are the life blood of a region, creating jobs, helping to diversify the economy and generating ideas and innovation," said Minister Eamon Ryan. "This funding will empower local organisations to respond to Irelands shift to a low-carbon economy, while providing economic and social benefit at a local level for the individuals most impacted by this transition," he finished. The grants will enable projects to develop initiatives such as innovation and community hubs, green energy projects and heritage initiatives. Minister of State Sean Fleming TD welcomed the fund, hailing community groups as the 'lifeblood' of communities in Laois. "This Government funding will support the project in Camross to develop the Poets Cottage and create employment for the local economy in the area," said the Minister. "Small to medium sized local businesses and community groups are the lifeblood of the community in Laois. Camross Heritage group will benefit from this funding to provide a community cafe at Poets Cottage. "Poets Cottage is a beautiful amenity in Camross and this project will bring added attraction to the local area and for the local community," he said. "I want to thank the local community group - Camross Heritage Ltd - and all involved for their work over a long period of time on this local amenity project. "I look forward to this project being advanced as soon as possible for the local community," Minister Fleming finished. Laois/Offaly Fine Gael TD, Charlie Flanagan welcomed the announcement this afternoon. 'I welcome confirmation that 256,403 has been awarded to the Poets Cottage Community Cafe," he said. "I'm delighted for Camross community, which over the years whether in community engagement or on the hurling field continues to show exemplary community spirit & local team endeavour," Deputy Flanagan said. Clare Bannon, Acting Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) also welcomed the announcement. "Bringing direct financial support to bottom-up ideas not only drives the innovative capacity of the entire region but also fosters vibrant placemaking that enriches the quality of life for its residents. This is crucial for enabling sustainable and inclusive regional development that leaves no one behind," said the director. The total amount committed to selected projects from the EU Just Transition Fund is now nearly 54 million, following the recent announcement of projects selected through the EU JTF Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking scheme run by Failte Ireland, and the EU JTF Local and Regional Economic Strategy Support Scheme run by Pobal. Pobal CEO, Anna Shakespeare welcomed the news, and expressed Pobal's commitment to a low carbon economy. We in Pobal look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly on this EU Just Transition Fund scheme to support small organisations to support the decarbonsiation of the Midlands," said the Director. "By investing in these organisations, communities and enterprises will be supported to build skills, generate jobs, enhance livelihoods and diversify the economy. We look forward also to engaging with these Midland communities as they work to contribute to the transition to a low carbon economy," she finished. Barbara Nolan, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, said that 'local projects are key to ensuring that the EU Green Deal has a real impact on the ground.' "The Just Transition Fund will support Irelands Midlands to progress towards a more sustainable economy with local communities in the driving seat," she said. Projects have been selected through a competitive process under the EU Just Transition Funds Community and Enterprise Grants Scheme, which is the second call within the broader Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme. This current announcement of projects builds upon the previous selection of projects announced on 26 April 2024, in which 15 other projects from the midlands received grants totalling 18 million. Laois has the safest roads in Ireland so far in 2024, as the only county in the republic without a road death. New figures from the Road Safety Authority list the deeply worrying death count in every county in Ireland, as the Minister urges people to put away their mobile phones ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend, with free coffee on offer nationwide - see end of story on how to claim a cuppa. The highest road death rates are in Dublin and Cork with 14 deaths and Mayo with 13, by July 28. Laois had no road deaths. The fatality rate increased in Ireland in 2024. By July 28, there were 113 fatalities, up 17 on the same period in 2023. One in three were aged 25 or under. Rural roads, which have a speed limit of 80km/h or greater, account for 70% of fatalities, but urban roads have the greatest number of serious injuries. Drivers represent the highest risk group representing 39% (44) of fatalities. Of the 113 fatalities so far in 2024, 44 were drivers, 24 were passengers, 21 were pedestrians, 15 were motorcyclists, 6 were cyclists and 3 were e-scooter users. In addition, as of 28 July 2024, 735 serious injuries have occurred on Irish roads in 2024. This is 84 less serious injuries compared to the same period last year. A new mobile phone survey shows that 9% of Irish motorists were observed using a mobile device while driving, an increase on the figure of 6% in the 2022 survey. Minister for State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless TD has urged drivers to be careful this weekend, which has seen multiple deaths for the past four years in a row. I am asking drivers to put away their phones and slow down this Bank Holiday Weekend. We have seen a devastating increase in road trauma this year. There are too many people being killed and seriously injured and we must prevent any more families from going through this trauma. Distracted driving due to handheld mobile device usage is one of the dangerous behaviours that leads to road traffic collisions. Drivers using a mobile phone are four times more likely to be involved in a collision. There has also been a deterioration in driving behaviours over the past three years since Covid. As well as speeding, distracted driving and drink driving, there is the significant problem of drug driving, something the RSA, the Gardai and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety are very concerned about, the Minister said. This August Bank Holiday Weekend, the RSA and participating Applegreen service stations are providing free cups of coffee to motorists to combat driver fatigue. The offer is available from 2-8pm on Friday 2 August and on Monday 5 August just mention RSA at the Applegreen till when youre getting your coffee. Two Laois primary schools are to join the Hot School Meals Programme from September 2024. Sean Fleming TD made the announcement that Presentation Primary School, Portarlington and St. Abban's Primary School, Killeen, will provide students with hot meals in the coming school year. This announcement means that over 50 additional schools in Laois have been added to the programme in the past 7 months. The Hot School Meals Programme provides regular, nutritious food to children in school to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. "This is very welcome news for both schools in Portarlington and Killeen," said Minister Fleming. "The schoolchildren will now be able to benefit from meals at school and relieve some pressure on local families. " The majority of schools in Laois are part of this programme and I am committed to rolling out this programme to all remaining primary schools in Laois for benefit of all local communities in the county," the TD finished. Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan also welcomed the news. The programme forms part of Ireland's commitment under the European Child Guarantee to give all children access to a range of key services, including healthcare and nutrition," he said. "It is a great scheme and is very beneficial for primary school children here in Laois. It was initially introduced by Fine Gael Minister Regina Doherty in 2019 as a pilot measure to 30 schools and now under Minister Heather Humphreys the scheme stretches to 2,200 primary schools across the country. "This shows the commitment from my party, Fine Gael, to ensure every child has the best start in life," said the TD. "And we wont stop. I want more schools across Laois to have the programme extended to them as soon as possible and working with Minister Humphreys, we will make that happen. It is a great success and welcomed by pupils, parents and teachers, finished Deputy Flanagan. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys TD announced a total of 168 more primary schools approved for the programme. Since my appointment as Minister for Social Protection, I have grown the Hot School Meals Programme from a small pilot of just 30 schools to a nationwide programme which now provides nutritious hot meals in 2,200 primary schools across the country," said the Minister. My ambition now is to finish the job as part of this years Budget and ensure that every primary school in Ireland is providing hot school meals in 2025. I firmly believe the roll-out of hot school meals to every primary school in the country will be one of the lasting legacies of this Government," she finished. Last April, 19 Laois schools were also announced as approved for the programme, along with an announcement of 28 last December. Nationally, over 2,200 primary schools are enlisted in the programme, with some 345,000 students now eligible for hot meals. A 19 year-old Irish man has been arrested in Portugal in connection with the stabbing of four Dutch tourists in the resort of Albufeira, police on the Algarve have confirmed. The incident took place in the early hours of Monday morning after the Irish youngsters apparently became annoyed at the noise the Dutch group, said to number nine, were making. All those involved were aged between 17 and 21. A friend of the Dutch youths told Dutch media that three had been stabbed in the stomach and one in the leg. READ MORE - Who are Ireland's medal contenders? A look ahead as Team Ireland battles on at the Paris Olympics In a statement, Portuguese police said four male victims "were assaulted with a bladed weapon, suffering life-threatening injuries which led to them being hospitalised". The violence flared around 4.30am on Monday in Albufeiras Praia da Oura area. The Dutch embassy in Portugal is reportedly offering help to the holidaymakers and their families, but has said nothing about the injuries. Portuguese police say the young Irish man who has been arrested faces charges of attempted murder. The statement did not mention any injuries among the Irish group, although initial reports had speculated that there were casualties on both sides. The police have not said if they expect to make further arrests. According to local website Portugal News, the authorities in Albufeira have just launched a campaign to try and improve the behaviour of tourists in the towns public spaces and have beefed up policing. Ceylon Graphite Delayed in Completion of Annual Filings Vancouver, BC, July 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ceylon Graphite Corp. ("Ceylon" or the "Company") (TSX-V: CYL) (OTC: CYLYF) (FSE: CCY) announces today that it will not be in a position to file its audited financial statements, CEO and CFO certifications, and management discussion and analysis (the "Annual Filings") for the year ended March 31, 2024 on or before July 29, 2024. The Company has been late in the preparation of the Annual Filings due to an auditor transition. As a result, the Company applied for a management cease trade order ("MCTO") under National Policy 12-203 ? Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). An MCTO has been granted by the Company's principal regulator, the British Columbia Securities Commission. The Company is working diligently to complete the audit by September 27, 2024 and does not expect to experience delays with future filings. The issuance of such management cease trade order generally does not affect the ability of the general investing public to trade in the securities of the Company. The Company intends to provide updates in accordance with NP 12-203 with respect to further developments in respect of this matter promptly following their occurrence and will issue bi-weekly default status reports, in the form of news releases, for so long as the Annual Filings have not been filed. About Ceylon Graphite Corp. Ceylon is a public company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange that is in the business of mining for graphite and developing and commercializing innovative graphene and graphite applications and products. Graphite mined in Sri Lanka is known to be some of the highest grade in the world and has been confirmed to be suitable and easily upgradable for a range of applications including the high-growth electric vehicle and battery storage markets as well as construction, healthcare and paints and coatings sectors. Further information regarding Ceylon is available at www.ceylongraphite.com Sasha Jacob, Chief Executive Officer and Rita Thiel, Chair of the Board of Directors [email protected] Corporate Communications +1(604) 924-8695 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable securities laws, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. The forward-looking information includes the Company's business goals, the expected date of filing of the Annual Filings, timing of issuance of bi-weekly default status reports, the prospect of commercialization of graphite and graphene applications and products, and the rate or presence of growth in the electric vehicle and battery storage markets. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to Ceylon, including the assumption that will be no material adverse changes effecting development and production on Ceylon's mineral properties, there will be no material adverse change in graphite and metal prices, there will be continued and increasing demand for graphite powered batteries and other products which require graphite, all necessary consents, licenses, permits and approvals will be obtained, including various Local Government Licenses, and everything required to complete the Company's audit will be obtained by the Company and its auditors in a timely manner. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information include, among other things, failure to obtain everything required to complete the Company's audit, failure of the Company's auditor to complete its audit of the Company before the expected date of filing, failure to obtain or maintain patents and proprietary technology, loss or failure to acquire available high quality graphite, any failures to obtain or delays in obtaining required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents, an inability to access financing as needed, a general economic downturn, a volatile stock price, labour strikes, political unrest, changes in the mining regulatory regime governing Ceylon, a failure to comply with environmental regulations and a weakening of market and industry reliance on high quality graphite. Ceylon cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive. 30 july 2024 at 17:00 News published onand distributed by: Telehealth Market size is set to grow by USD 368.7 billion from 2024-2028, Increasing cases of chronic diseases boost the market, Technavio NEW YORK, July 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global telehealth market size is estimated to grow by USD 368.7 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 40.06% during the forecast period. Increasing cases of chronic diseases is driving market growth, with a trend towards growing demand for technology. However, privacy and data security concerns poses a challenge. Key market players include Aerotel Medical Systems Ltd., American Well Corp., Appello Careline Ltd., Cisco Systems Inc., Dictum Health Inc., Enghouse Systems Ltd., Evernorth Health Inc., General Electric Co., GlobalMedia Group LLC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Honeywell International Inc., Included Health Inc., Iris Telehealth, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Medvivo Group Ltd., Oracle Corp., Resideo Technologies Inc., Siemens AG, Teladoc Health Inc., and Tunstall Healthcare Group Ltd.. Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- View the snapshot of this report Telehealth Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 40.06% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 368.7 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 31.43 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 33% Key countries US, UK, China, Germany, and Japan Key companies profiled Aerotel Medical Systems Ltd., American Well Corp., Appello Careline Ltd., Cisco Systems Inc., Dictum Health Inc., Enghouse Systems Ltd., Evernorth Health Inc., General Electric Co., GlobalMedia Group LLC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Honeywell International Inc., Included Health Inc., Iris Telehealth, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Medvivo Group Ltd., Oracle Corp., Resideo Technologies Inc., Siemens AG, Teladoc Health Inc., and Tunstall Healthcare Group Ltd. Market Driver The telehealth market is experiencing significant growth due to the healthcare industry's technological advancements. Healthcare professionals are utilizing these technological tools to deliver effective, remote patient care. Mobile health (mHealth) is a leading technological approach, driven by wireless communications, allowing healthcare providers to monitor patients' medical conditions and communicate easily. Research institutes are focusing on developing advanced mHealth technology, such as sensor-embedded toilet seats, for remote patient monitoring (RPM). AI, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are essential tools for healthcare providers to enhance medical decision-making and streamline the healthcare system. The adoption and integration of these analytical tools are increasing due to improved patient care in less time, intelligent assistance for tracking and assessing healthcare data, and increased RPM capabilities. Vendors are expanding their analytical tools' capabilities and integrating them with telehealth solutions to offer superior healthcare services. For instance, Philips' Sentry Score, a predictive algorithm for adult intensive care units (ICUs), uses vital sign data to predict patient health risks, enabling earlier intervention. These factors are expected to fuel the global telehealth market's growth during the forecast period. Telehealth market is booming with trends like Physician Telehealth and Home Telehealth leading the way. Telecommunications and digital technology enable Virtual consultations, Remote monitoring, Teletherapy, Telepharmacy, and Telemedicine. Healthcare providers use these tools for Cardiovascular diseases, Diabetes, Respiratory illnesses, and Musculoskeletal conditions monitoring. Vital signs are tracked via Mobile health applications and mHealth applications. Wearable devices and Health monitoring tools provide real-time data. Electronic Health Records and Remote monitoring platforms streamline healthcare provider systems. Hospitals, Clinics, and Service providers offer cost-effective solutions. Deep learning, Machine learning, and AI functionalities add personalization. Patient outcomes improve for Cancer prevalence through web-based delivery mode. Healthcare systems and professionals adopt AI to enhance services. Discover 360 analysis of this market. For complete information, schedule your consultation - Book Here! Market Challenges Telehealth has emerged as a valuable alternative to conventional healthcare delivery methods, leveraging technological advancements to expand the reach and quality of patient care. Patient data, including health details and clinical information, is crucial for effective telehealth services. This data is gathered from medical devices and mobile applications for remote monitoring. Security and confidentiality are paramount in telehealth, with regulations like HIPAA ensuring protection of medical records shared with third parties. However, threats such as unauthorized access, data breaches, and hacking pose challenges to the telehealth industry's growth. Adherence to regulatory guidelines, like HIPAA, is essential for secure communication channels between healthcare professionals and patients. Despite these challenges, the telehealth market continues to expand, offering significant opportunities for innovation and improved patient care. Telehealth market is witnessing significant growth as healthcare providers seek cost-effective solutions for delivering services during the ongoing health crisis. Deep learning and machine learning technologies, along with AI functionalities, are driving personalized care and improving patient outcomes. Hospitals and clinics are adopting telehealth for remote patient monitoring, especially for chronic diseases like cancer. Service providers in the radiology and psychiatry segments are leveraging teleradiology and online consultation, respectively. The provider, payers, and geriatric population segments are major buyers of telehealth solutions. Hardware and software integrated systems are key offerings, with group purchase and individual purchase options available for hospitals, clinics, and healthcare professionals. Telehealth solutions include real-time online consultation, store-and-forward, remote patient monitoring, and specialized services like pathology, neurology, dermatology, surgery, gynecology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology. Digital health companies are focusing on AI adoption, web-based delivery mode, and real-time patient monitoring to cater to the growing demand for healthcare services. For more insights on driver and challenges - Request a sample report! Segment Overview This telehealth market report extensively covers market segmentation by Product 1.1 Services 1.2 Solutions End-user 2.1 Healthcare providers 2.2 Payers 2.3 Patients Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 Asia 3.4 Rest of World (ROW) 1.1 Services- The telehealth market is growing significantly as more businesses adopt remote healthcare solutions. This trend is driven by the convenience and accessibility telehealth offers, allowing patients to consult with healthcare professionals from the comfort of their homes. Telehealth services include virtual consultations, remote monitoring, and electronic prescription services, which improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs. Companies are investing in telehealth technology to meet the increasing demand for remote healthcare services. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017-2021) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The Telehealth market is revolutionizing healthcare services by providing cost-effective solutions for hospitals, clinics, radiology, cardiology, behavioral health, and various specialties. Leveraging advanced technologies like deep learning and machine learning, telehealth offers AI functionalities for personalized patient care. Online consultation, patient monitoring, and real-time remote healthcare solutions are transforming the management of chronic diseases. Telecommunication or services and software, integrated with hardware, form the backbone of this industry. Cloud-based delivery mode and on-premise delivery modes cater to diverse client needs. Group purchase and individual purchase options make telehealth accessible to all. The market encompasses store-and-forward and remote patient monitoring systems, catering to the needs of various healthcare sectors. Market Research Overview The Telehealth market encompasses a range of healthcare services delivered via digital technology, including radiology, psychiatry, cardiology, behavioral health, and more. This sector offers cost-effective solutions through AI functionalities such as deep learning and machine learning, enabling personalized care for hospitals, clinics, and service providers. Patient outcomes are improved through real-time online consultation, remote patient monitoring, and store-and-forward systems. The market caters to various segments like providers, payers, and the geriatric population. Radiology and teleradiology are significant segments, with telecommunications and digital technology playing crucial roles. AI adoption in telehealth is transforming sectors like pathology, neurology, dermatology, surgery, gynecology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology. Telehealth solutions are beneficial for chronic diseases management, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and musculoskeletal conditions. Telehealth encompasses hardware, software, and integrated systems for group and individual purchase. It includes general consultation, virtual consultations, teletherapy, telepharmacy, and telemedicine. Healthcare providers leverage telehealth for remote monitoring of vital signs using mHealth applications and wearable devices, enhancing the overall efficiency of healthcare systems. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Services Solutions End-user Healthcare Providers Payers Patients Geography North America Europe Asia Rest Of World (ROW) 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio 30 july 2024 at 17:30 News published onand distributed by: NASA Sets Coverage for Northrop Grumman's 21st Station Resupply Launch WASHINGTON, July 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX are targeting 11:28 a.m. EDT on Saturday, Aug. 3, for the next launch to deliver science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the International Space Station. This launch is the 21st Northrop Grumman commercial resupply services mission to the orbital laboratory for the agency. NASA's live launch coverage will begin at 11:10 a.m. on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency's website. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms, including social media. Filled with nearly 8,200 pounds of supplies, the Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft, carried on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, will launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NASA coverage of arrival will begin at 2:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 5 on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency's website. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick will capture Cygnus using the station's robotic arm, and NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps will act as backup to Dominick. After capture, the spacecraft will be installed on the Unity module's Earth-facing port. Highlights of space station research facilitated by delivery aboard this Cygnus are: Test articles to evaluate liquid and gas flow through porous media found in space station life support systems. A balloon, penny, and hexnut for a new STEMonstration on centripetal force. Microorganisms known as Rotifers to examine the effects of spaceflight on DNA repair mechanisms. A bioreactor to demonstrate the production of many high-quality blood and immune stem cells. Vascularized liver tissue to analyze the development of blood vessels in engineered tissue flown to the space station. NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative also is sending two CubeSats to deploy from the orbiting laboratory, CySat-1 from Iowa State University and DORA (Deployable Optical Receiver Aperture) from Arizona State University, making up ELaNa 52 (Educational Launch of Nanosatellites). Media interested in speaking to a science subject matter expert, should contact Sandra Jones at [email protected]. The Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to remain at the space station until January when it will depart the orbiting laboratory at which point it will burn up in the Earth's atmosphere. This spacecraft is named the S.S. Richard "Dick" Scobee after the former NASA astronaut. NASA's mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations): Friday, Aug. 2 3 p.m. ? Prelaunch media teleconference (no earlier than one hour after completion of the Launch Readiness Review) with the following participants: Bill Spetch, operations integration manager, NASA's International Space Station Program Meghan Everett , deputy chief scientist, NASA's International Space Station Program , deputy chief scientist, NASA's International Space Station Program Ryan Tintner, vice president, civil space systems, Northrop Grumman Jared Metter, director, flight reliability, SpaceX Melody Lovin, launch weather officer, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's 45th Weather Squadron Media who wish to participate by phone must request dial-in information by 1 p.m. Aug. 2, by emailing Kennedy's newsroom at [email protected]. Audio of the teleconference will stream live on the agency's website at: https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv Saturday, Aug. 3: 11:10 a.m. ? Launch coverage begins on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency's website. 11:28 a.m. ? Launch NASA Television launch coverage Live coverage of the launch on NASA Television will begin at 11:10 a.m., Aug. 3. For downlink information, schedules, and links to streaming video, visit: https://nasa.gov/nasatv. Audio of the news teleconference and launch coverage will not be carried on the NASA "V" circuits. Launch coverage without NASA TV commentary via a tech feed will not be available for this launch. NASA website launch coverage Launch day coverage of the mission will be available on the NASA website. Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning no earlier than 11:10 a.m., Aug. 3, as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video on NASA+ and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff. For questions about countdown coverage, contact the NASA Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468. Follow countdown coverage on our International Space Station blog for updates. Attend Launch Virtually Members of the public can register to attend this launch virtually. NASA's virtual guest program for this mission also includes curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities or changes, and a stamp for the NASA virtual guest passport following launch. Engage on Social Media Let people know you're watching the mission on X, Facebook, and Instagram by following and tagging these accounts: X: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASASocial, @Space_Station, @ISS_Research, @ISS_CASIS Facebook: NASA, NASAKennedy, ISS, ISS National Lab Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @ISS, @ISSNationalLab Coverage en Espanol Did you know NASA has a Spanish section called NASA en Espanol? Check out NASA en Espanol on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for additional mission coverage. Para obtener informacion sobre cobertura en espanol en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en espanol, comuniquese con Antonia Jaramillo o Messod Bendayan a: [email protected] o [email protected]. Learn more about the commercial resupply mission at: https://www.nasa.gov SOURCE NASA 30 july 2024 at 17:45 News published onand distributed by: RECONAFRICA ENTERS INTO DEFINITIVE STRATEGIC FARM DOWN AGREEMENT WITH BW ENERGY CALGARY, AB, July 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (the "Company" or "ReconAfrica") (TSXV: RECO) (OTCQX: RECAF) (Frankfurt: 0XD) announces that, further to its announcement on July 16, 2024, it has entered into a definitive farm down agreement with BW Energy Limited ("BW Energy") (OSE: BWE) dated July 30, 2024, for the sale of a 20% working interest in Petroleum Exploration Licence 73 ("PEL 73"), in northeast Namibia. The terms of the agreement are as described in the press release dated July 16, 2024. Brian Reinsborough, President and CEO commented: "We have demonstrated a great start to our joint venture partnership with BW Energy by completing the farm down agreement in such a short period of time. This transaction maximizes cash up front for our multi-well drilling program and provides significant cash for development expenditures on success, while still retaining a high level of working interest for ReconAfrica and its shareholders. We look forward to continuing to work closely with BW Energy over the coming years." Completion of the transaction is expected to occur before October 31, 2024, and is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including, but not limited to, approvals from certain governmental authorities, including the Ministry of Mines and Energy ("MME") and Namcor Exploration and Production (Pty) Ltd ("NAMCOR"), in Namibia, and the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). About ReconAfrica ReconAfrica is a Canadian oil and gas company engaged in the exploration of the Damara Fold Belt and Kavango Rift Basin in the Kalahari Desert of northeastern Namibia and northwestern Botswana, where the Company holds petroleum licenses comprising ~8 million contiguous acres. In all aspects of its operations ReconAfrica is committed to minimal disturbance of habitat in line with international standards and will implement environmental and social best practices in all of its project areas. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information under applicable Canadian, United States and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, statements with respect to the timing of completion of the transaction, the ability of the Company to receive all required approvals, the completion of a multi-well drilling program, the provision of cash on success, the Company's commitment to minimal disturbance of habitat, in line with best international standards and its implementation of environmental and social best practices in all of its project areas. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on ReconAfrica's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's annual information form dated July 29, 2024, available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Actual future results may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to ReconAfrica. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and ReconAfrica undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. SOURCE Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. 30 july 2024 at 22:03 News published onand distributed by: DIGITIMES Asia: Tesla and Nvidia set to go head-to-head in high-end autonomous driving Nuying Huang, Taipei; Jack Wu, DIGITIMES Asia Wednesday 31 July 2024 TAIPEI, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the realm of end-to-end advanced autonomous driving solutions, both Nvidia and Tesla are dominant forces. Their continued development in this area means their paths are bound to cross. However, they will likely face a common challenge: the variables in the Chinese market. According to the news report from the technology-focused media DIGITIMES Asia, supply chain sources noted that Nvidia collaborates with numerous Tier 1 suppliers and automakers, continuously adjusting and enhancing its platform based on customer feedback and demands. Unlike Tesla, which focuses primarily on cameras, Nvidia's platform is compatible with various sensory components and systems. Nvidia also has ample computational resources at its disposal, ready to capitalize on the autonomous driving boom whenever it occurs. In L2 to L3 autonomy, Nvidia held approximately 50% market share in 2023 for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)/Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) in China's passenger car market. Horizon Robotics had about 35%, Huawei HiSilicon around 8%, and Texas Instruments (TI) about 4%. Market estimations suggest that Nvidia has a substantial database due to its existing platforms having accumulated data for a while. Tesla, meanwhile, is a major automaker itself. While Tesla couldn't find a licensing partner for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, it has been regularly collecting and optimizing data for some time. Nvidia, on the other hand, may need to rely on feedback from various customers. Both end-to-end and generative AI require high-end GPU computing power support, making Nvidia's GPUs highly sought after and constantly in short supply. Tesla CEO Elon Musk anticipates that Nvidia GPU prices will continue to rise, repeatedly testing the limits of market acceptance. In response, Tesla plans to address this issue with its in-house AI chips, the HW5 or AI 5, expected to enter mass production in 2025. These chips are comparable to Nvidia's B200 in inference capabilities, indicating a direct competition with Nvidia. Additionally, Tesla's AI is not limited to autonomous vehicles but extends to its upcoming humanoid robots, meaning that AI inference will extend from vehicles to homes and factories. Thus, Tesla and Nvidia are set for a showdown in high-end autonomous driving. In particular, MediaTek's collaboration with Nvidia to enhance smart cockpits and Qualcomm's expansion from smart cockpits to high-end autonomous driving highlight the intense competition between MediaTek and Qualcomm, a rivalry that has gone from smartphones to future vehicles. Variables in the Chinese market However, geopolitical factors could pose challenges for these companies in the Chinese market. As China has successfully advanced in the automotive sector, the development of smart driving vehicles is booming, with major cities having already launched Robotaxi demonstrations. This indicates China's development vision requires effectively controlling all software, hardware, and data. This is also why the domestic brand Huawei is so highly regarded. Its comprehensive capabilities, from semiconductor manufacturing to smartphones, vehicles, and smart homes, allow it to generate and connect data across different sectors. In 2024, the Chinese car market is expected to be driven by smart driving. As Tier 1, Huawei holds about 30% market share in smart driving solutions. Other significant players, Momenta and DJI Automotive, each hold about 20%. Most Chinese automakers with notable market presence are currently evaluating potential partners. New Chinese automakers such as NIO, Li Auto, and Xpeng, also have strong platform-building capabilities, although their production and sales scales still need to grow. Additionally, Xiaomi's EVs are selling well, indicating the competitive landscape is continuously evolving. SOURCE DIGITIMES ASIA 31 july 2024 at 03:30 News published onand distributed by: Performance Food Group Company to Host Webcast of Fourth-Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results Performance Food Group Company (PFG) (NYSE:PFGC) will host a live audio webcast at 9 a.m. ET Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, to discuss fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 financial results. PFG will issue a news release with those results at approximately 7 a.m. ET that same day. George Holm, PFG Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, and Patrick Hatcher, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the company's fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 results and answer questions from the investment community and news media. The webcast will be available in listen-only mode at investors.pfgc.com. Pre-event registration is necessary. An archived copy of the webcast will be available later that same day. About Performance Food Group Company Performance Food Group is an industry leader and one of the largest food and foodservice distribution companies in North America with more than 150 locations. Founded and headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, PFG and our family of companies market and deliver quality food and related products to over 300,000 locations including independent and chain restaurants; businesses, schools and healthcare facilities; vending and office coffee service distributors; and big box retailers, theaters and convenience stores. PFG's success as a Fortune 100 company is achieved through our more than 37,000 dedicated associates committed to building strong relationships with the valued customers, suppliers and communities we serve. To learn more about PFG, including how you can join our team, visit pfgc.com. 31 july 2024 at 07:05 News published onand distributed by: SILVERCORP UPDATE ON ACQUISITION OF ADVENTUS Trading Symbols: TSX/NYSE AMERICAN: SVM VANCOUVER, BC, July 31, 2024 /CNW/ - Silvercorp Metals Inc. ("Silvercorp" or the "Company") (TSX: SVM) (NYSE American: SVM) is pleased to announce that it will proceed to close the acquisition of Adventus Mining Corporation ("Adventus") pursuant to the arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") under which the Company agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Adventus by way of a plan of arrangement (the "Transaction") as announced on April 26, 2024. On July 5, 2024, Silvercorp announced it considered the litigation referred to in the Adventus news release of June 17, 2024, which sought to void the environmental licence of the Curipamba-El Domo project (the "Project"), a Material Adverse Effect, as defined in the Arrangement Agreement, in respect of Adventus. The litigation was brought by a group of plaintiffs concerning the environmental consultation process for the Project. A positive development has occurred with respect to this litigation. Adventus announced on July 25, 2024, the local court in Las Naves Canton, Bolivar Province, Ecuador rejected the litigation on July 24, 2024. The Court ruled that the Ecuadorean government correctly discharged its environmental consultation obligations prior to issuing an environmental licence for the Project. The Court has not yet released written reasons for its judgement, and the plaintiffs have given notice of their intention to appeal (the "Appeal") to the relevant provincial court. With this local court ruling in favour of Adventus, Silvercorp believes that all conditions to closing are satisfied and will proceed to close the Transaction on July 31, 2024. For further information Silvercorp Metals Inc. Lon Shaver President Phone: (604) 669-9397 Toll Free 1(888) 224-1881 Email: [email protected] Website: www.Silvercorp.ca CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER - FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to, among other things, the anticipated benefits of the Transaction, the strategic rationale for the Transaction, the anticipated use of the proceeds of the Placement, the timing and anticipated receipt of required shareholder, regulatory court, stock exchange or other approvals, the ability of the parties to satisfy the other conditions to the closing of the Transaction and the anticipated timing for closing of the transaction. Forward-looking information may in some cases be identified by words such as "will", "anticipates", "expects", "intends" and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. We caution that all forward-looking information is inherently subject to change and uncertainty and that actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. A number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the Appeal or subsequent developments in the litigation and potential impacts of the Appeal or such subsequent litigation developments on the Project, could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information or could cause our current objectives, strategies and intentions to change. Accordingly, we warn investors to exercise caution when considering statements containing forward-looking information and that it would be unreasonable to rely on such statements as creating legal rights regarding our future results or plans. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking information will materialize and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represent expectations as of the date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. However, we are under no obligation (and we expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter any statements containing forward-looking information, the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. All of the forward-looking information in this news release is qualified by the cautionary statements herein. Forward-looking information is provided herein for the purpose of giving information about the Transaction referred and its expected impact. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Completion of the Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, termination rights and other risks and uncertainties including court and shareholder approval. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Transaction will occur, or that it will occur on the terms and conditions contemplated in this news release. The Transaction could be modified, restructured or terminated. There can also be no assurance that the strategic benefits expected to result from the Transaction will be fully realized. In addition, if the transaction is not completed, and each of the parties continues as an independent entity, there are risks that the announcement of the Transaction and the dedication of substantial resources of each party to the completion of the Transaction could have an impact on such party's current business relationships (including with future and prospective employees, customers, distributors, suppliers and partners) and could have a material adverse effect on the current and future operations, financial condition and prospects of such party. A comprehensive discussion of other risks that impact Silvercorp can also be found in their public reports and filings which are available under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca. SOURCE Silvercorp Metals Inc 31 july 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: Denny's Canada latest collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada ensures a strong continuation of support for local communities VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Denny's Canada is delighted to announce the incredible results of their most recent national fundraising initiative for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (BBBSC), in partnership with their parent company's community give-back program, Northland Cares. Earlier this Summer, the iconic community-based restaurant donated $2 from every order of their Berry Stuffed French Toast Slam to BBBSC, successfully fundraising over $21,000 with the help of their valued guests at participating locations. For over 110 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (BBBSC) has worked within local communities to ignite the power and potential of young people, championing the health and well-being of youth. The organization steps in before it's too late, to help prevent the physical and mental effects of adverse childhood experiences. We ensure children as young as 7 are supported by caring adults as they overcome these adversities, helping them to achieve their full life potential ? physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, and academically. Our mentoring intervention helps ensure children develop the skills necessary to overcome these adversities and grow into healthy adults. BBBSC is a federation comprised of member agencies serving communities across the country. Working closely together, in 2023 BBBS and the agencies mobilized over 17,500 volunteers who in turn mentored about 32,000 children and young people in a variety of programs. To ensure quality long-lasting mentoring relationships, agency staff complete a thorough screen of each volunteer to match them with mentees who share similar interests. Continuing to set the standard for community support and engagement, Denny's Canada is proud to highlight their unwavering and ongoing commitment to the well-being of children and youth. Through its enduring partnership with BBBSC, it has donated $31,000 to date, underscoring its dedication to making a meaningful difference to the lives of Canada's most vulnerable populations across Canada which each Denny's location is committed to serve. "Engaging with our local communities and giving back is part of our core values at Denny's," shares Deborah Gagnon, President & Chief, Operating Officer of Denny's Canada. "We're thrilled to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada again this year and make an impact through our parent company's overarching initiative, Northland Cares. Thank you to our team members and guests for the continued support in helping Denny's raise over $21,000 for this meaningful cause." For the full list of participating locations and to find out more details about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, please visit https://www.dennys.ca/promotions/thank-you-bbbs/. ABOUT DENNY'S CANADA Dencan Restaurants Inc., headquartered in Vancouver and owned by Northland Properties Corporation, currently operates and franchises 74 Denny's restaurants across Canada. Part of the highly regarded worldwide Denny's organization, Dencan Restaurants Inc. has a well-deserved reputation for high-quality food and guest satisfaction. From fluffy pancakes to crispy bacon, to juicy burgers, to something from the Fit Fare Menu, guests will always find delicious value and variety. More information can be found at dennys.ca or on social @dennyscanada. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/796cdc89-f06f-4c3e-932e-973538ecb876 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/214015f6-e9c7-4a12-a18e-df9a3fdd62d0 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/383d21c3-3e23-4df0-927c-ef6ce408ea4c https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/661102c1-3522-4483-88c5-ed60e653fcae 31 july 2024 at 13:05 News published onand distributed by: Canadian Coast Guard to cease light keeper functions at Carmanah Point and Pachena Point light stations due to safety concerns VICTORIA, BC, July 31, 2024 /CNW/ - The Canadian Coast Guard is responsible for many light stations across Canada that help to keep Canadian waterways safe. At the same time, the safety of personnel is the highest priority. Therefore, the Canadian Coast Guard has made the difficult decision to cease light keeper functions at both the Carmanah Point and Pachena Point light stations in British Columbia due to recently identified safety risks. Aids to Navigation at both sites will continue to operate and support the safety of mariners and other users travelling on the waters off the southwest coast of Vancouver Island. A geotechnical investigation and geological hazard assessment found that many of the buildings at both Carmanah Point and Pachena Point light stations are within an area of increased vulnerability. The soil conditions mean that some facilities are no longer safe to use. While the Canadian Coast Guard is working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to investigate long-term options for the sites, the priority is to ensure the safety of the light keepers, who will be moved out of the buildings before the winter weather creates additional challenges. The two light house towers and other heritage buildings will remain in place and under the care of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Canadian Coast Guard will continue to operate navigational aids from both sites using available technologies such as solar power and automated lights. The light keepers will be offered an alternate position at other light stations or within the Canadian Coast Guard. The Canadian Coast Guard is grateful to the many light keepers who have worked at the Carmanah Point and Pachena Point light stations over the years. Carmanah Point and Pachena Point light stations hold cultural and historical interest to the people of British Columbia and Canada, and especially to those who live in the area and hikers using the West Coast Trail. The Canadian Coast Guard is working with other departments and stakeholders, who also use the two sites for non-Canadian Coast Guard related purposes, to plan next steps. The Canadian Coast Guard continues to keep mariners safe on the British Columbia coast with more than 3,500 other navigational aids, 121 vessels, 15 Lifeboat Stations, four Inshore Rescue Bases, and five environmental response depots. Quick Facts The land underneath the Pachena Point and Carmanah Point light stations is not stable enough for the Canadian Coast Guard's requirements and is impacting use of the stations. For example: the winch building at Carmanah and its associated system have been condemned, and the helipad at Carmanah was condemned due to ground settlement. The instability of the land under the stations also increases the risk of a slope failure in the event of a large earthquake. While earthquakes occur in all regions across Canada , Vancouver Island is rated as having a high probability of experiencing a large earthquake. , Vancouver Island is rated as having a high probability of experiencing a large earthquake. Long-term options, which include the cost of stabilizing the two sites or moving the highest risk buildings to safer ground, are being assessed. However, those options are expected to be complex and could be cost-prohibitive. Available technologies such as solar power will support ongoing navigation service to mariners and other users. Automated lights have already been in use at Carmanah Point and Pachena Point light stations since 2003. The twenty-five other staffed light stations on the British Columbia coast will continue with normal operations as part of the Canadian Coast Guard's network of navigational aids on the British Columbia coast. Related products Associated links Stay Connected Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region 31 july 2024 at 13:00 News published onand distributed by: Tetragon Financial Group Limited Announcement of Dividend LONDON, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dividend Announcement: On 31 July 2024, the Board of Directors of Tetragon declared a dividend of U.S.$ 0.11 (11.00 cents) per share in respect of the second quarter of 2024. The ex-dividend date is 5 August 2024. The record date is 6 August 2024. Payment of the dividend will take place from 30 August 2024. Tetragon's website (www.tetragoninv.com) includes information on Tetragon's Optional Stock Dividend Plan for those shareholders electing to receive dividends in the form of Tetragon shares. Shareholders may elect to receive dividends in the form of Tetragon shares by making a dividend share election up to 16 August 2024. If no election is made, the dividend will be paid in cash from 30 August 2024. Cash dividends may be received in Sterling by those shareholders making a dividend currency election up to 16 August 2024. If no election is made, the dividend will be paid in U.S. dollars from 30 August 2024. About Tetragon: Tetragon is a Guernsey closed-ended investment company. Its non-voting shares are listed on Euronext in Amsterdam, a regulated market of Euronext Amsterdam N.V., and also traded on the Specialist Fund Segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Our investment manager is Tetragon Financial Management LP. Find out more at www.tetragoninv.com. Tetragon's non-voting shares are subject to restrictions on ownership by U.S. persons and are not intended for European retail investors. Please see: https://www.tetragoninv.com/shareholders/additional-information. Tetragon: Yuko Thomas Investor Relations [email protected] Press Inquiries: Prosek Partners [email protected] U.K. +44 20 3890 9193 U.S. +1 212 279 3115 This release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation (2014/596/EU), or EU MAR, and of the UK version of EU MAR as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act (as amended). This release does not contain or constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. The securities of Tetragon have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons unless they are registered under applicable law or exempt from registration. Tetragon does not intend to register any portion of its securities in the United States or to conduct a public offer of securities in the United States. In addition, Tetragon has not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and investors will not be entitled to the benefits of such Act. Tetragon is registered in the public register of the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (Autoriteit Financiele Markten) under Section 1:107 of the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act as an alternative investment fund from a designated state. 31 july 2024 at 14:04 News published onand distributed by: The French president, Emmanuel Macron, and the Algerian head of state, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, during their last meeting at the 50th G7 summit in Borgo Egnazia, Italy, June 14, 2024. ANTONIO MASIELLO / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP France was dreaming of escaping the fatality of a "zero-sum game" in North Africa, the dilemma whereby any warming up with Morocco implies a cooling down with Algeria, and vice versa. But after Algiers withdrew its ambassador to France on Tuesday, July 30, a few hours after President Emmanuel Macron's letter to King Mohammed VI on the 25th anniversary of his reign, France's gamble now looks complicated, even if the threshold of irreparability has not yet been crossed. In the letter, Macron told Mohammed VI that France now recognized the Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara, dating from 2007, "under Moroccan sovereignty" was the "only basis" for resolving this conflict at the heart of the regional rivalry between Rabat and Algiers. Read more Subscribers only Paris shifts position and recognizes Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara Until now, Paris has simply considered this prospect, put on the table by Morocco in 2007, to be "a serious and credible basis for discussion," refraining from expressly mentioning "Moroccan sovereignty" in this context. After three years of tensions provoked by an increasingly offensive, even aggressive Morocco a consequence of the recognition of the "Moroccan sovereignty" of Western Sahara in December 2020 by Donald Trump, then president of the US France bowed to pressure from Rabat. The stalemate in its relationship with Algeria, where attempts at reconciliation, notably on the subject of remembrance of the Algerian War, supported by Macron have failed to bring the expected results, was a major contributing factor. The response from Algiers took the form of a "withdrawal" of its ambassador. In the highly coded world of diplomacy, this measure goes beyond a simple "recall for consultation" to which Algeria had already resorted during the two most recent crises, in October 2021 and February 2023. It does not, however, mean the breaking off of diplomatic relations, even if "it refers to the ultimate alert level before outright rupture," the Algerian daily L'Expression carefully clarified. "In 62 years of Algerian-French relations, this is the first time the crisis has reached such a peak," the newspaper added. Turbulent times ahead Algeria's reaction emphasized the exceptional nature of Macron's announcement of France's new doctrine on Western Sahara. "The current government has taken this step, which no other French government before it had thought it necessary to take, with great lightness and casualness, without clearly measuring all its potential repercussions," the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release. Algeria considers that the new French position "flouts international legality, takes up the cause of the denial of the Saharawi people's right to self-determination, and distances itself from all the patient and persevering efforts deployed by the United Nations to complete the decolonization of Western Sahara." You have 59.75% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. FIVE Limerick primary schools have been donated 3D printers by global medical technology corporation Stryker. Teachers from the schools were provided with a three-day training course on incorporating 3D printing learning into classroom environments, hosted by I-Form, the SFI Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing based in UCD. Stryker's high-tech manufacturing facility in Limerick provided the training, which hopes to empower educators with STEM skills and inspire Irelands next generation of young engineers. The Limerick primary schools which participated in the course and received the 3D printers were Our Ladys Abbey and Scoil Naomh Iosaf, Adare, Ballymartin NS and St Marys NS, Croom, and Catherine McAuley Special School, as well as Cork school Scoil Chlochair Mhuire. The aim of the programme is that the donations of the 3D printers and the corresponding training will enable the schools to enhance STEM learning within their classrooms from the new school year. READ MORE: University of Limerick researchers find robot solution for wind farm maintenance Stryker and I-Form have partnered to support STEM and manufacturing education in primary schools across Limerick through the 'Manufacturing a Healthy Future' programme. 78 teachers and over 1,300 pupils in Ireland have participated in the programme so far. The Manufacturing a Healthy Future programme is part of a European funded programme by EIT-Manufacturing, and provides STEM learning for teachers and pupils in schools across Europe. Professor Denis Dowling, director of the I-Form Research Centre, said One of the key outcomes of this EIT funded programme is that through the use of 3D printing, primary school pupils see first-hand the practical benefits of a manufacturing technology. This will hopefully encourage them to consider science subjects as they enter secondary school. Mag OKeeffe, VP of Global Additive Technologies at Stryker, said, It is impressive how dedicated these teachers are, giving their time during the summer break to learn new skills and spark an interest in STEM subjects in Limericks classrooms. Over the past three years, this program has gone from strength to strength, and the feedback from the students emphasises the importance and value of giving children hands-on STEM education in the classroom at an early age. THE LATEST homeless figures released by the government show a new record level for Limerick with 425 adults experiencing homelessness at the end of June. This represents an increase of 15 people from Mays figures, and an increase of 81 on June 2023. Across the Mid-West region, which consists of Limerick and Clare, there were 188 children accessing emergency accommodation, which is an increase of 10 on the numbers from May. A total of 14,303 people accessed emergency accommodation nationwide in June, including 4,044 children. Responding to the figures, Sinn Fein Senator Paul Gavan said, People in Limerick will be rightly asking how can we be experiencing record homelessness at a time when there are 227 vacant local authority houses across the county?. He believes that the answer to this question is a consistent failure of government to release the necessary funding to bring these houses back into use in a timely manner, combined with a failure to tackle the 5,900 vacant properties in the private sector across the state that remain idle. READ MORE: New national role for Limerick's metropolitan district leader Senator Gavan also feels that the governments decision to end the no-fault eviction ban last year has exacerbated the homelessness crisis. Whats happening in Limerick is mirrored by what is happening right across the state," he noted. Senator Gavan continued: "Government targets are too low and they are not even meeting them. A REPORT published today by the Department of Transport in Ireland and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in Northern Ireland has outlined a variety of ways to improve the current railway system across the island of Ireland. One of the goals outlined in the final report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review is to add rail connections from Limerick to Shannon Airport and Foynes, with the potential for new train stations to be developed along both urban links. Connecting Belfast International and Dublin airports to the railway system is also a focus of the report. One of the Regional and Rural improvement goals is to upgrade Limerick Junction, with the development of a dual-track electrified train line between Limerick Colbert and Limerick Junction, and a chord Limerick Junction supporting direct Cork to Waterford services. On a national level, the review recommends that improvements be made to the railway system across the island, including implementing electrified and decarbonised railways, building dual-track and four-track railways, and having a 200km/h core intercity railway network. The report estimates that the capital cost of implementing all of the recommendations by 2050 is approximately 35-37 billion, and that the monetised benefits to society from such investment would cover the costs, meeting the goal of economic feasibility. The document concludes that more direct services between Galway, Limerick and Cork are necessary. Regional and rural lines should have at least one train per two hours, according to the report, as well as hourly services between Limerick, Galway, Cork and Waterford. READ MORE: Green Limerick: Homeowners having solar panel installed increases by 26% Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan stated, This is an important day for the island of Ireland. This is not just the first All-Island Strategic Rail Review, it is the most ambitious vision for rail in a century, bringing us forward to a new age of rail. The Report provides a long-term vision and a series of recommendations for the sustainable development of the rail network on the island. I would like to see the recommendations actioned as soon as possible, he added. DfI Minister John ODowd said, The publication of the Final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, the first of its kind across this island, is historic and I am pleased that we have reached this point. The Report provides an evidence-based framework to help guide future investment in our rail network, and will help us meet our climate commitments. Gardai have confirmed that the two men who were in the helicopter which crashed near Killucan, Co. Westmeath this afternoon died at the scene. The incident happened near Killucan, near Joristown, at around 3.30pm. The area, with a population of a few hundred people, is roughly 15km from Mullingar. The helicopter had been certified as flightworthy in the last 12 months, and had taken a short successful flight this morning. In a statement this evening, a garda spokesperson confirmed that the two people on board the aircraft "were pronounced deceased at the scene". Gardai are now liaising with the family of one of the victim's families. The victim was an Irish man in his forties. Gardai also confirmed that they are continuing "to establish contact" with the next of kin of the second victim, a man in his forties who is understood to be from Eastern Europe. The assistance of Interpol may be used to contact the man's family. Both bodies have been removed from the scene to Regional Hospital Mullingar where post mortems will take place in due course. The local Coroner has been notified. Westmeath Fire and Rescue Service and the National Ambulance Service have now left the scene. FlightRadar, which tracks the paths of planes and helicopters, shows that the helicopter took off from Weston Airport at around 2pm today, and then travelled west towards Maynooth. It circled once north of Kinnegad, before disappearing from tracking data north of Kinnegad, close to Raharney, at 3.24pm. The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) is the authority for investigating air accidents and serious incidents in Ireland and are the lead agency investigating this aircraft incident. The scene will remain persevered overnight to allow for this investigation to take place. An Garda Siochana will assist the AAIU by providing any technical and/or forensic services which may be required in the course of their investigation. Westmeath Sinn Fein Councillor David Jones told Midlands 103 that the community is shocked by the incident. "It's a small, very close community, so something like this would have a devastating impact on the local areas. I'm sure the local communities are in shock at the moment, and their thoughts are with all involved". The Mayor of Mullingar-Kinnegad Municipal District Ken Glynn told RTE that the incident was "shocking and tragic". "I'm surprised and shocked, it's not something you would expect to hear in your own locality." He added that his thoughts and prayers are with the families of those involved in the incident and the first responders. READ MORE - BREAKING: Local communities 'in shock' as first photo emerges of helicopter crash in Westmeath A man has been jailed for his role in smuggling a woman into Ireland in what a court heard was a sophisticated operation. Mohamed Mahamed (48), a Danish citizen of Somalian origin of Aarhuas, Denmark, pleaded guilty to unlawfully assisting the entry of a woman into Dublin Airport on January 28 last. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, backdated to January 28, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today. The court heard that the woman arrived on a Ryanair flight from Luxembourg into Terminal One and presented without any travel or identity documents. A prosecuting garda told Fiona McGowan BL, for the State, that the woman had previously sought asylum in Greece but had been refused. The woman told immigration officials in Dublin that she met Mahamed in Paris and paid him $500 US dollars in order to get to Ireland. She said she travelled with Mahamed by train to Luxembourg, stayed the night there and flew to Dublin on the same flight. The woman said Mahamed gave her a passport for someone else and told her to leave it in the toilet on the plane, so that she would arrive with no documents and claim international protection. Mahamed was arrested off the same flight and said he had been contacted by a third party, who said he would give him money if he assisted with getting the woman into Ireland. Mahamed told gardai he needed the money to travel back to Somalia to visit his family as he was on disability benefit in Denmark. He has no previous convictions and pleaded early. Niall Storan BL, defending, handed a psychological report to the court detailing Mahameds diagnosis with PTSD from the impact of the civil war in Somalia. The court heard that Mahamed was exposed to considerable violence and death as a child, where he witnessed the execution and murder of multiple family members, friends and neighbours at a young age. He has suffered low mood, sleep disturbances and anxiety from childhood as a result of these experiences, counsel said. Mahamed, a married father-of-five, got Danish citizenship in 2001 and worked as a cleaner and driver. He regularly sent his disability payments to his mother in Somalia, the court heard. The psychological report said that Mahamed has been hospitalised multiple times because of his depression and anxiety related to his PTSD, and that he suffers physical symptoms such as shaking, pain and inability to sleep. His experience in Wheatfield prison is particularly difficult as he relies on charity for clothes and basic needs and finds loud noises and banging contribute to his PTSD. Mahamed was described by psychologists as easily manipulated and the court heard he was told that this woman was suffering from ill health and required medical treatment in Ireland. The third party was the puppet master here, counsel said. Judge Orla Crowe said Mahameds psychological report makes for grim reading and that he clearly has PTSD due to his childhood experiences. She said although Mahamed has had a difficult life, he did this for financial gain and played an active role in a very sophisticated operation. Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of three years but reduced this on account of Mahameds personal circumstances. India is preparing to roll out its facial-recognition technology already available to domestic passengers at several airports to international travellers as well, to ensure smoother navigation of security and immigration protocols for both flyers and staff. As per the Digi Yatra concept, sharing credentials with immigration authorities in advance will allow for faster clearances at airports both in India and overseas, drastically reducing the time international passengers spend standing in multiple queues. The Digi Yatra project, conceived by the Digi Yatra Foundation under the ministry of civil aviation, entails biometric-based digital processing of passengers at airports. The application, currently valid for domestic travel, requires passengers to register on the Digi Yatra app using Aadhar. We have started prototype testing of an electronic passport-based enrolment, said Suresh Khadakbhavi, chief executive office of the Digi Yatra Foundation. Once the test is over in the next couple of months we should be able put it out as an update on our app. Rapid adoption, and more airports Since its launch in December 2022, Digi Yatra has onboarded more than 4 million users across its Android and iOS applications. On average, it registers about 24,000 daily downloads. The cumulative number of passengers using Digi Yatra at airports increased to 14.5 million in February from 11.3 million in December, government data show. According to the Digi Yatra Foundation, the facility is seeing an adoption rate of 30-40% at the 16 airports where it is available. The adoption is nearly 70% at smaller airports such as Varanasi and Vijayawada. In two months, the Digi Yatra network is expected to add 13 more airports, including those at Bagdogra, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Indore, and Srinagar. So, by the end of another two months, Digi Yatra will be able to cater to 90% of Indian air traffic with the help of these 29 airports, Khadakbhavi said. The aim is to have a Digi Yatra usage rate of over 50% at all these 29 airports by March 2025. Privacy concerns and tailgating While Digi Yatras adoption is on the rise, there are concerns regarding data privacy and tailgating, which is when a person sneaks in through the gate along with a verified passenger. We do not store your data in any central location. There is no way for me to know your credentials because what we store is a hash value of that credential, said Khadakbhavi. We also have used something called decentralised identifiers, which are used for every transaction so that nothing can be trailed because every time its a new transaction. Also read | Businesses had better adapt quickly to Indias new privacy law Bengaluru: Bengaluru resident Geetha, a cook by profession, is understandably passionate about food. When Mint caught up with the 40-something culinary expert in a busy market in the citys Mahadevapura locality, she was about to enter a shop selling poultry and mutton. Asked why she was buying meat in person when she could do it from the comfort of her home, Geetha shot back, Why would I go online when I can get fresh meat from the shop near my house?" At a time when they have grown accustomed to placing orders online and getting all their needs delivered to the doorstep, the vast majority of Indias carnivores steadfastly continue to buy their meat and seafood at neighbourhood outlets. Like Geetha, they have little interest in shopping for their animal protein online. And so, despite the emergence of direct-to-consumer (D2C) online retailers such as Licious, Freshtohome, Zappfresh and Meatigo over the last decade, the offline trade still has a stranglehold over Indias $31 billion (an industry estimate) meat and seafood market, commanding a share of nearly 99%. To put that in perspective, the size of the online industry was a mere 2,500-3,000 crore, less than half a billion dollars, in 2023, according to Satish Meena, an independent e-commerce analyst and advisor at research platform Datum Intelligence. While no data is available on its breakup today, a 2021 study by consulting firm Redseer reported that seafood accounted for more than two-thirds70%of the overall market, followed by poultry at 16%, and mutton at 11%. Pork and other items made up the rest. The composition is unlikely to have changed much in the last three years. Within the offline segment, there is a small organized section comprising retailers of frozen meat such as Godrej Agrovet, Venkys, Suguna and Nandus, some of whom also flog their wares online. The rest is made up of small chicken, mutton and fish vendors, who rule the roost. A new contender is now looking to alter the pecking order. Licious, a category creator online and the largest venture-capital-funded company in the industry, has waded into the wet market. If you cant beat em Over the last decade, online retailers have tried to disrupt the market with technology but most could not get a handle on the supply chain, manage costs or compete with the pricing that offline offers. Licious, however, survived and grew bigger, despite its slightly premium model. Valued at $1.5 billion, Licious, which was founded in 2015 by Vivek Gupta and Abhay Hanjura, has raised a total of $490 million from investors such as Mayfield, Avendus Temasek and 3one4 Capital. While the company raised capital during the highs of the early adoption and pandemic-stimulated growth, there is a realization now that the kind of growth it needs to justify its valuation cannot come from an online play alone. Hence the decision to go offline. Moving offline is the natural next step for the online meat retailer, say the founders. But they will have to walk on eggshells as they feel their way through the new terrain. The offline market is a fragmented, price-sensitive space, with the carcasses of brands such as Fipola, which had attempted to conquer it earlier, dotting the landscape. Even food-delivery giant Swiggy had to close its meat delivery business last year. So, can Licious, with its premium-priced products, succeed where others have failed, especially at a time when its balance sheet is under pressure? The online meat retailer, which had reported 65% growth in 2021-22, was expecting its revenue to surge 120% in 2022-23 over the previous year to 1,500 crore; instead, it grew just 10%, to 748 crore. Licious losses for the period, meanwhile, widened from 485 crore to 500 crore. In comparison, Venkys poultry segment saw its turnover increase from 1,429 crore in 2020-21 to 1,752 crore in 2022-23. Meanwhile, Godrej Tyson Foods Ltd, which retails its frozen products under the Real Good Chicken and Yummiez brands, and also sells live birds in the market, reported 981 crore in revenue in 2023-24 as compared to 1,003 crore the year before. Licious disappointing performance is a red flag for the prospects of the online meat delivery business in India. When Mint met with them at their office in Bengaluru, however, Gupta and Hanjura put on a brave front. Covid has confused the state of affairs for everybody," said an exasperated Gupta, when asked if growth had plateaued. Online was growing at a certain speed, then covid caused a surge in growth for everyone. Nobody knows if it was genuine growth or not. Post-covid, the numbers fell but remained higher than the baseline. People have overread this growth and decline." The company has opened its first offline store in BTM Layout, Bengaluru, and will be opening three more by the end of this month, the founders told Mint. Reiterating that the pressure in the online business has nothing to do with their taking the offline route, Gupta said, This year, we are not going to open in more than 20-25 cities. If I had that much pressure from the online business, I would have opened hundreds of stores, as I am still holding a lot of cash." The founders claim to have 800 crore in the bank. Gupta added that the founders had decided earlier that they would go offline only after the online business had become sustainable. We have picked up the offline battle this year because we are operationally profitable and by March, I think we should turn fully profitable in the online business," he said. But with the companys losses at over 500 crore in 2022-23, full profitability in 2024-25 seems like a tall order. We have picked up the offline battle this year because we are operationally profitable. Vivek Gupta In the March quarter, the founders claimed Licious had recorded a 12% growth in its revenue run rate sequentially and 22% year-on-year growth. Despite this decline from earlier levels, Gupta insisted that the company would continue to see 20-30% growth in the online business over the next few years. Industry watchers have a different view. The days of hyper-growth online are gone. Back then, it was just starting, so the base was low and there was 100-200% growth happening," said Ankur Bisen, senior partner & headconsumer, food & retail, at Technopak Advisors, an advisory firm. I dont see that growth happening anymore in the pure online business." The idea Gupta, a chartered accountant hailing from Chandigarh, and Hanjura, a biotechnology graduate from Jammu, were working in corporate jobs in Bengaluru before starting Licious in 2015. The duo saw a gap in the meat market and decided to start a business focusing on quality and hygiene. Explaining the rationale, Hanjura said, The nation, even back then, had learned how to put idli-dosa batter in a packet, chocolate milkshake in a packetBut meat, which is most susceptible to contamination, was still being peddled in the wet markets." By and large, the Licious founders observed modern trade, general trade, big business houses and retailers had never done anything in the category. View Full Image About 45% of Licious revenue is generated from the sale of chicken, 20% from seafood, and 18% from mutton. There was a core product, there was a supply chain problem, there was tech involvement, and there was an e-commerce angle. The business has a lot to deliver to consumers and that was the opportunity we looked at," Gupta added. Initially, the idea wasnt to deliver online or take the D2C route. But Hanjura and Gupta quickly realized that if the product lost its quality by the time it reached the customer, there was no point. We decided to take the product to the consumer. What helped us is the fact that the average order value is high enough for a last-mile delivery, which is why we became a D2C company," said Hanjura. Today, about 45% of Licious revenue comes from the sale of chicken, 20% from seafood and 18% from mutton. The rest is brought in by the sale of eggs and ready-to-eat products. While the company has also been offering its products online through quick-commerce outfits such as Zepto and Swiggy Instamart, it has no plans to follow in the footsteps of rivals Godrej and Venkys, which have been selling frozen food through organized retailers for years. The online business is currently operational in 20 urban cities. Entering the offline segment will facilitate the companys entry into tier 2 markets, where people may prefer offline first over online, said Gupta. The offline bet D2C companies across categories have been opting for an omnichannel strategy for new growth. Offline becomes an important channel as these companies also have to grow at a much faster rate," said Datum Intelligences Meena. You have clusters where people are ordering online but that's about it. Its a big market and there are supply chain challenges, perishability issues, traceability issues," added Technopaks Bisen. So, in clusters that are not ready, or not mature to handle online, offline comes in," said Bisen. There was also covid-induced growth because everything else was closed. But after that, everything is now back to normal and people have not changed their habits significantly. There's a cost angle and supply chain maturity angle to it. So, that's why multi-channel is what people have reconciled with," he added. In an earlier interaction with Mint, Shan Kadavil, founder of Licious primary competitor, FreshToHome, admitted that the company has also been facing a slowdown in online growth. FreshToHome, too, is counting on the offline business and the export market, where it has just begun operations. For Licious, offline is an adjacent business and a long-term play. We are not doing offline in a hurry," Gupta emphasized. About 10 years later, the 3 trillion meat market will be, let's say, 6 trillion. How much will online be? Lets just say online is now 5,000-7,000 crore. After 10 years, it may be 50,000 crore, 70,000 crore or 1 trillion. Still, 5 trillion will be sold offline. Then what is our reply to that? I think that is the aspiration with offline," he explained. A costly business Tendercuts and Fipola are among the startups that couldnt survive in the offline meat arena. Tendercuts was acquired by GoodToGo, another meat business, while Fipola shut shop last year. The co-founders of Licious believe these companies failed because they entered the offline trade too quickly, without a strong supply chain or model in place. Tendercuts and Fipola started as omnichannel players but struggled to raise additional funding amid muted investor sentiment. Gupta also noted that the companies were much smaller. We are such a known brand that when we open a store, the consumer response is very different," he declared. But capital expenditure and competitive pricing are challenges for Licious as well. View Full Image A file photo of Licious founders at a processing centre. Running your own store is a loss-making proposition, said an industry executive, requesting anonymity. There are certain businesses that feel they can make money, but profitability may not come because of rental costs. It will end up in a few stores being profitable," he explained. Storage/refrigeration to maintain meat and seafood at the right temperature and enhance their shelf life is another big cost for an offline chain. If your margin profile is very tight, how will you justify the operational expenditure," the executive wondered. Licious, however, claims to be well prepared. Gupta emphasized that the company is ready for its offline venture with the online intelligence, supply chain and other integrations it has built over the last nine years. I have a full supply chain network in Bengalurufactories, vehicles, dark stores. I dont need to invest in any supply chain. For us, offline is just one more outpost of sales, I dont have any other extra cost for this business," said Gupta.c Storage/refrigeration to maintain meat and seafood at the right temperature and enhance their shelf life is another big cost for an offline chain. The founders added that Licious would leverage the intelligence gathered from its D2C business to drive decision-making in the offline business. We have a highly scaled-up D2C business in each of these catchments, so we already know something about them," said Hanjura. For instance, he explained, if there are more Malayali consumers in an area, more fish varieties would be offered. Pricing premium Licious products are priced slightly higher than the same items in a local shop. Gupta justifies this. It is not a premiumif you ask me, that is a cost of quality," he told Mint. Every category that gets organized is at some premium. For example, if you check the rate of flour and the starting pack of simple Aashirvaad atta, it will be at least 30% more expensive. Only thing is, when those categories got organized, there were large companies doing it; here our company is fighting that battle." The founders do not plan to lower prices at Licious offline stores. The pricing has worked for us online and it will work for us offline," asserted Gupta. The companys chicken products, for instance, are priced 30 higher than similar items in the wet market, he pointed out. But the offline stores may end up cannibalizing some of Licious online business. Offline is a very competitive pricing market. If you are opening a premium store, it will attract a premium customer. But that premium customer may already be buying from you online," pointed out an industry expert, requesting anonymity. It may lead to a marginal improvement unless you change your business strategy to a mass market play to grow the customer base. But lower pricing (to target the mass market) may not work from the unit economics point of view." Moreover, many of the local chicken and mutton shops offer home delivery, with weight and cut customized to customer requirements, and this will be a challenge for Licious higher-priced meat just as it is for the companys online business. Datums Meena agreed that pricing would be a big factor in determining Licious success offline. Online you are not competing with anyone because you are niche. The customer is ready to pay the price premium for the comfort. But now you are fighting on pricing with the local players and fighting with the convenience of the quick-commerce companies at the same time," he said. Quick-delivery platform Zepto, for instance, has launched a meat brand, Relish. View Full Image Quick-delivery platform Zepto can give a tough fight to Licious, going ahead. Profitability chase Co-founder Gupta said Licious was close to a 27% gross margin, which was not the case two years ago owing to the cost of the supply chain. Wastage is also down from 7-8% two years ago to 2-2.5% now and should drop to 1% by the end of this fiscal year, he said. The founders hope to close this financial year with a monthly revenue run rate of 100 crore, against the current 78-79 crore. But a look at the books indicates that Licious has been burning money online, and as it ventures offline, it will need to make further investments and face more competition. Gupta and Hanjura know there are many challenges ahead and do not want to count their chickens before they hatch. Its a learning phase for offline. We will not press the accelerator until we get the engine right," said Gupta. However long that takes, one thing is clear: the Licious founders will no longer put all their eggs in the online basket. Bengaluru/Mumbai: Several top executives and early investors in Ola Electric Mobility are expected to make a killing when the company becomes the first pureplay homegrown electric vehicle manufacturer to list on the stock exchanges. Ola Electrics top 10 executives are sitting on a potential cash value of 10,260 crore, based on the lower end of the 72-76 price band that is set for the IPO, which will open for subscription on Friday, Mints analysis of its draft red herring prospectus showed. Of that, founder and chief executive Aggarwals stake alone is worth about 9,919 crore, or $1.18 billion ($1 = 83.75). He will be selling 37,912,211 equity shares in the IPO, pocketing more than 270 crore (at the lower end of the band). SpiceJet, India's sixth largest airline with a market share of 4%, has delayed the disbursement of June salaries amid financial difficulties, The Economic Times reported. The development follows the airline's recent failure to meet its provident fund (PF) commitments. The last provident fund deposit made by the Indian low-cost airline was in January 2022 for 11,581 employees, per a Business Standard report on July 8. The development regarding default surfaced after a query was sent to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). The Gurgaon-headquartered airline has received several notices and summons from the EPFO over unpaid dues, but it has not responded yet. SpiceJet, which has over 8,000 employees on its payroll, said it was disbursing salaries in a "phased manner," per The Economic Times. Mint could not independently confirm the development. June salaries weren't credited on time, several SpiceJet employees informed the news daily. The provident fund for the past few months, too, remains to be credited into our account, The Economic Times quoted a cabin crew member as saying. "Salaries for June are being disbursed in a phased manner. To date, 95% of our employees have received their June salaries," a SpiceJet spokesperson informed the news daily. The spokesperson further clarified that this is an established salary disbursement practice over the past four years now, especially post-Covid. SpiceJet spokesperson noted, Clearing these dues remains our top priority, while admitting that there have been delays in depositing the PF amount for the last month as well. Also Read | Southwest Airlines is ditching open seating on flights The duty cut announced in last week's annual budget is likely to drive the demand for gold to 750 tonnes during the calendar year 2024, with the upcoming festive seasons expected to drive up consumption of the yellow metal, Sachin Jain, chief executive (India), World Gold Council (WGC), told Mint. Demand for gold in India, which was down 5% annually to 149.7 tonnes during the recently concluded April-June quarter of CY24, according to WGC data, is expected to recover strongly during the upcoming October-December quarter, traditionally the strongest quarter for jewellers due to various festivals held during the period. Jewellery demand in India during this period fell annually by 17% to 106.5 tonnes. "Now, what's happened is that quarter two, in particular, has been quite down from a jewellery consumption perspective," Jain said. Also Read: Sharp cut in import duty on gold to curb smuggling, free up funds, says CBIC chairman Sanjay Agarwal "We believe consumers will come back to the market with a big stride. And this should really propel Q3 (July-September), and most importantly, Q4 (October-December)," Jain added. During 2023, gold demand in India was at 745.7 tonnes, down 3% year-on-year, according to WGC. This fall in demand, at a four-year low, was attributed to higher prices. "The demand for gold in terms of volumes will be between 700 to 750 tonnes (during 2024). And we think towards the upper side of 750, but we'll see how these things come forward," Jain said. Last week, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in the Union budget, proposed a sharp cut in the import duties on gold and silver bars from 15% to 6%, on gold and silver dore from 14.35% to 5.35%, and on platinum from 15.4% to 6%. Also Read: Gold Outlook: Global instability spurs surge in yellow metals prices; will countries return to gold standard? This sector is also crucial for the economy as it provides significant employment and contributes substantially to exports. On 28 July, Mint reported quoting trade analysts that the objective behind reducing the duties is to balance the inflow of cheaper bullion. India imports gold mainly from Switzerland, the UAE, South Africa, Peru and Australia. But, gold from the UAE is substantially cheaper as it enjoys zero tariffs due to the free trade deal between the two countries. The yellow metal crossed the 65,000-mark (for 10 gm) in 2023 from 52,000-53,000 in 2022. This year, prices have climbed further. However, in recent weeks, gold prices declined from the highs witnessed earlier in the year. Also Read: Gold Loan Market in India: Finding New Opportunities Through Search Trends On 31 July, 10 gm of gold (24K) cost 70,260 in New Delhi. Meanwhile, along with the duty cut, the reduction of long-term capital gains tax on goldfrom 20% with indexation to 12.5% without indexationand the easing of the holding period for taxation of long-term capital gains on gold from 36 months to 24 monthsin the union budget is expected to add at least 50 tonnes to India's gold demand in during the second half of CY 2024, according to a WGC report. New Delhi: Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday sought closer cooperation between both countries in semiconductor technology innovation among other areas. He said bilateral trade could zoom to $20 billion from the current levels of about $15 billion, in the coming years. The other areas of cooperation he mentioned were digital transformation, green hydrogen, pharmaceuticals, renewables, and biotechnology. Pham Minh Chinh, who is on a three-day visit to India, said Vietnam is a key partner in Indias Act East policy and acknowledging the role played by both governments in facilitating business between the regions. (Our) Countries have always met each other with mutual support for comprehensive strategic cooperation across the supply chain, strategic resources, climate action, environmental technology and human resources, defence, and security, Pham Minh Chinh said while addressing the Vietnam-India Business Forum organised by industry body FICCI. Also Read: Vietnamese steel, shoes and other imports get stuck in Indias quality red tape "We need to advise each other...... We need to make sure that all benefits are shared," he added. The bilateral trade The bilateral trade between India and Vietnam stood at about $14.82 billion, in value terms, during 2023-24. During this period, India's exports to Vietnam were at $5.47 billion, while imports stood at $9.35 billion. India's top exports to Vietnam include buffalo meat, marine products, iron and steel, rice, aluminium products, auto components, cereals, cotton yarn and pharmaceutical products, according to commerce ministry data. Top imports from Vietnam include electronic components, telecom instruments, consumer electronics, iron & steel, computer hardware, copper products, electronic instruments, spices and rubber. Pham Minh Chinh, who will receive a ceremonial welcome on 1 August at Rashtrapati Bhavan, is expected to discuss bilateral with his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also Read: Why Vietnamese steel makes Indian industry uneasy "We (Vietnam and India) continue to foster stronger cooperation, focusing on strategic infrastructure, including transportation, energy and climate infrastructure. We are also looking at many (other) businesses and to continue to work closely together," Pham Minh Chinh said at the industry event. Some of the sectors Vietnam is looking for investments from India include transportation, health, and education. "That is why we would like to establish a pharmaceutical (sector) to protect the health and the life of (our) people, especially for the oncological cardiovascular and diabetes treatment," he added. Pham Minh Chinh said both countries can work together to bring out better solutions to global issues and forge a stronger strategic partnership. "The investments between India and Vietnam are growing with bilateral trade expanding over the years," he added. Also Read: Cheap Vietnamese steel imports start their ascent in Indian domestic market Despite the rapid growth in trade between India and Vietnam, investment levels have remained relatively low. Indian investments in Vietnam are currently estimated at $2 billion including investments routed through third countries, according to the Embassy of India (Hanoi). As such, India has 392 valid projects with a total invested capital of $ 1,119 million, ranking 23 among 144 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Vietnams presence in India is even more limited. In a landmark judgment last week, the Supreme Court upheld states right to tax land-bearing minerals. This decision will impact industry but bolster states ability to raise resources. Mint looks at the judgment, its significance and how it will affect consumers. What has the Supreme Court said? A longstanding jurisdictional issue between the central government and the states over taxing minerals was resolved on 25 July when the apex court upheld the rights of states to levy tax on land-bearing minerals. The nine-judge constitutional bench in an 8:1 verdict held that states have the power to tax minerals. The apex court clarified that royalties that are paid to the central government do not meet the criteria of taxes under current laws. It defined royalty, calculated based on the quantity of minerals extracted, as compensation that is paid for exclusive use of mineral resources. What was the position earlier? Royalties were considered as taxes under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act or MMDR Act and states were told that they had no power to tax minerals. This was based on a judgment delivered earlier by a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court in the India Cements vs Tamil Nadu case way back in 1989. More than 80 petitions have been filed over the years challenging the interpretation of royalties under the MMDR Act. The apex court in February this year began hearing the case to look into the various interpretations of the issue and decide who is the rightful authority to impose tax on minerals. What does this judgment mean for states? A lot, especially for states with rich mineral reserves. With the power to tax minerals, an all-new revenue stream has just opened for them to raise resources. While it will be difficult to put a value now, as royalties have risen significantly over the years from Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra among others, the potential to raise revenues is high. How will it impact the mining sector? The financial burden on mining firms will increase. Their cash outflow will rise as they will now have to pay more levies. The industry is worried about possible double taxation from overlapping financial obligations. The compliance burden will rise as the new taxes will require more detailed accounting to meet the different requirements of both the central and state governments. The industry fears that this tax will become yet another instrument in the hands of governments to extract benefits from the industry. Where does it leave the consumers? Consumers will have to bear the cost as miners pass on the higher cost they incur due to the tax to their customers. This will mean that the cost of end-products such as cement, steel, aluminium and other mineral-based commodities could rise. A lot will also depend on the Supreme Courts decision, expected on 31 July, on royalties which the Central government has earned. The industry is hoping for a reduction in royalty payments as the Central government increased it after states were not allowed to tax minerals. (Reuters) -U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said on Tuesday he expects word soon that India is becoming more engaged with Ukraine, responding to a question at a Senate hearing over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Moscow visit this month. "I think we're likely to hear news of India engaging more directly in Ukraine. I'm grateful for that. I think India wants to play a responsible role globally," Campbell told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Also Read | PM Modi likely to visit Ukraine in August: Report Western countries have imposed sanctions on Moscow following its all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but nations such as India and China have continued to trade with Russia. Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier this month just as a Russian missile attack struck a hospital in Kyiv and killed 44 people across the country, drawing international condemnation. Indian media outlets have reported that Modi is likely to visit Ukraine in August, his first visit to the country since Russia's 2022 invasion. Also Read | Yellen says G7 can reach deal on $50 bln Ukraine loan by October Asked about Campbell's comments, India's Washington embassy referred to a news briefing in Tokyo on Monday by Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, at which he said more needed to be done to encourage negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict and that India was one of the few countries that was in touch with both sides. "We do believe we should be more active there," Jaishankar said, adding that Modi met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Italy before his Moscow visit. "I can reasonably expect there will be more contacts between us and Ukraine and between us and Russia as well," Jaishankar said, when asked about the possibility of Modi visiting Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Jaishankar in Japan on Sunday and emphasized the importance of a "just and enduring peace" for Ukraine. The State Department has raised concerns over India's relationship with Russia, especially at a time when it has been seeking to strengthen ties with India as a potential counterweight to China. New Delhi has resisted pressure to distance itself from Moscow since the invasion, citing its longstanding ties with Russia and its economic needs. Also Read | China Seizes Chance to Play Peacemaker in Ukraine Before US Vote Campbell said he believed India was "probably the most important relationship for the United States to get right," noting the huge Indian diaspora and the desire of most Indians to have a better relationship with the U.S. Beirut, Jul 31 (AP) The Hezbollah commander who the Israeli military says it killed in an airstrike Tuesday had been blamed by Israel for a deadly weekend rocket attack and was accused by the US of orchestrating the 1983 bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American servicemen. A statement from Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the target of the strike, Fouad Shukur, was behind the Saturday rocket attack on the town of Majdal Shams that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights of Syria. Hezbollah, which denied it was behind the Majdal Shams attack, didn't confirm that Shukur was the target of Tuesday's airstrike or that he was killed. Also Read | Israel strikes Lebanese capital Beirut, targeting Hezbollah official If Israel's claim proves true, Shukur would be the most senior Hezbollah commander to be killed since 2016, when Mustafa Badreddine, the group's military commander in Syria, died in an explosion in the Syrian capital of Damascus. The Israeli military said that Shukur had directed Hezbollah's attacks on Israel since October 8, after the Israel-Hamas war erupted, and that he was also involved in the killing of numerous Israelis and foreign nationals over the years. Also Read | Netanyahu vows severe retaliation against Hezbollah after deadly rocket strike It said Shukur was responsible for the majority of Hezbollah's most advanced weaponry, including guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets and UAVs. The 62-year-old, secretive Shukur was in charge of Hezbollah's forces in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel as well as being a top official in the group's missile program. He had been a close aide to Hezbollah's top military chief, Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated in 2008 by a car bomb in Damascus. Shukur had since been a close military adviser to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Like most of Hezbollah's military officials, little is known about Shukur, who was also known as Sayed Mohsen. The US Treasury Department had offered a USD 5 million reward for information about him. He joined Hezbollah when the group was founded following the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon that forced the Palestine Liberation Organization to leave Lebanon. Shukur, who was a member of Hezbollah's Jihadi Council, the group's top military body, was accused by the United States of planning and staging the truck bombing of a Marine Corps barracks in Beirut that killed 241 American service members. The bombing near the Beirut International Airport on October 23, 1983, remains the deadliest single-day attack on Marines since the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. A near-simultaneous attack on French forces killed 58 paratroopers. The US Treasury Department listed Shukur as a specially designated national on July 21, 2015, for acting for or on behalf of Hezbollah. Like most Hezbollah military officials, Shukur played a role during Syria's conflict that broke out in 2011 in which the Iran-backed Hezbollah sent thousands of fighters to join President Bashar Assad's Syrian forces, helping tip the balance in his favour. Also Read | India issues advisory for citizens in Lebanon amid Israel-Hezbollah tensions After the Israel-Hamas war broke out October 7, Shukur was accused by Israel of being behind many of the drone and missile attacks that Hezbollah carried out against Israel. New Delhi: Makers of fast-moving consumer goods are reporting a strong demand for premium products for which consumers are ready to pay more. Categories such as hair serums, granola, frozen foods, body wash, oats, fabric conditioners are seeing a jump in household penetration as well as volume growth as new consumers readily buy such products, according to data sourced from Kantar, a market research firm. Overall premium categories reported a compound annual growth rate of 16% in volumes between April 2022 and April 2024, while value growth rose 24% in the same period. Kantar tracked household consumption of categories such as food spreads and dressings, face scrub, peels, masks, body wash, hair serums and conditioners, muesli, Korean noodles, liquid dish wash, liquid detergent, ready-to-cook mixes, cornflakes and oats, frozen foods, fabric conditioners, targeted skin creams, sensitive toothpaste, healthy bread, healthy oil (olive, canola, rice bran, flaxseed) sweetener, and sugar-free cold drinks, among others. Across all categories, Kantar reported a jump in both buyer penetration as well as a significant consumer shift towards paying more to buy such products. Kantar defines penetration as the percentage of households that purchased a category or a brand in a given period of time12 months. Read more: Adani Wilmar may acquire regional companies in kitchen essentials space Hair serums reported a 30% jump in the number of households buying the category between 2022 and 2024; fabric conditioners too reported a 1.7x jump in the number of households buying the product the same period while reporting a household penetration of 37%. Sensitive toothpastes, on the other hand, reported a 47% jump in the number of households buying the category while the category penetration still stands at 21%. Anti-ageing creams too reported a 35% jump in households while reporting volume growth of 27% in the two-year period. To be sure, more mature categories such as soaps and biscuits enjoy well over 90% household penetration in India. While several of these categories have been around for years, companies are now reporting greater adoption, prompting them to increasingly launch higher-priced premium products with added benefits. It also helps that online commerce has improved access to such categories and also allows new-age brands to launch pricey hair masks, serums, protein bars, muesli, lip colours, oils, etc. Kantar data points to greater sale of premium products across quick-commerce and e-commerce. India is a polarized market. Premium will keep growing; mass will keep growing. The polarization will definitely continue because the upper end of the market is unaffected," said K. Ramakrishnan, managing director- South Asia, worldpanel division, Kantar. Companies will benefit and profit from premuimization across categories. Kantar defines a brand as premium if its average price is more than 125% of the median value of the category. There is a gradual change in consumer behavior - from the traditional, savings-oriented consumer to one that actively seeks several products, services and experiences despite their priciness, Kantar said in Consumer Connections data on household consumption released for 2024. Analysts said traditional ways of driving growth for packaged goods by reaching more households are now giving way to upselling value-added goods to shoppers. "Traditionally, FMCG models were based on increasing penetration and that's how that whole FMCG distribution model really grew. Now what is happening is that there's only so much of a certain category that you can consume, and incomes are also increasing. Therefore, premiumization is the only way to grow," said Anand Ramanathan, partner and consumer products and retail sector leader, Deloitte India. Joy personal care products maker RSH Global said while it largely operates in the mass-market segment, it is seeing visible signs of premuimization in the skincare portfolio. While we have primarily operated in the mass or affordable segment of the market since the inception of our brand, we have undertaken some strategic premiumization in recent years. For a mass brand, this is a gradual process. In our three core categoriesskincare, moisturizers, and face washeswe have started moving towards premiumization with the introduction of value-added products. Our focus will continue to be on the mass and masstige categories, avoiding niche markets in the short to medium term," said Sunil Agarwal, co-founder and chairman of Joy Personal Care (RSH Global). Masstige is a bridge category of products that are considered premium, but available at affordable or attainable price points. On Tuesday, staples company Adani Wilmar Ltd. said it has recently rolled out first-pressed mustard oil at a slight premium to regular mustard oil. In this category, we have seen connoisseurs who are die-hard buyers of mustard oil. For them, we have got the first press oil," said Angshu Mallick, MD & CEO, Adani Wilmar. Going forward, the company that sells edible oil, rice and wheat flour under the Fortune brand, said it will look at categories such as functional oils and flour with low glycemic index. Companies such as Hindustan Unilever have identified premuimization as one of the growth drivers for its India business. Our premiumization strategy has yielded tangible benefits over the last few years. This can be evidenced by a circa 300 basis points increase in our premium contribution over the last three years," the companys management said during the company's post-earnings call on 24 July. More recently, HUL launched a range of specialty coffee under the Bru Southern Trails brand, foraying into premium roast and ground coffee format. It also launched Vaseline's first overnight serum-in-lotion. It also relaunched Lux body wash last quarter. Indian tourists heading overseas are projected to spend $18.82 billion in 2024, according to a new report, as travel levels return to pre-pandemic levels and new hotspots emerge. About 28.2 million people departed the country last year, crossing the figure of almost 27 million in 2019. That year, Indians spent $28 billion on travelling abroad, according to a FICCI-Nangia knowledge paper titled Navigating Horizons: The Rise and Future of Indian Outbound Tourism, which cited government data. Outward foreign exchange remittances are expected to jump to $1.42 billion or about 12,500 crore per month on average in 2023-24, compared to $400 million in 2018-19. However, the projection of spending by Indians travelling abroad has shrunk from a rosier estimate of $42 billion in its report two years ago. A spokesperson of Nangia-Andersen said in 2022, the estimates were far more buoyant as the world was still coming out of the pandemic. Since then, geo-political factors have impacted outward travel trends. Spending by Indian travellers overseas is now expected to increase at a compounded annual growth rate of 11.4% to about $55 billion by 2034. India's outbound departures are expected to almost triple to 50 million by FY30. Improved connectivity, with more direct and affordable flights, and the desire for international travel are driving this growth. Egypt, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, as well as Southeast Asian nations Indonesia and Malaysia, have become popular destinations due to relaxed visa norms. Disposable incomes Currently, 50 countries offer visa-on-arrival and e-visa facilities to Indians, and 27 countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Myanmar, Thailand, Saint Lucia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Tajikistan, allow visa-free entry. The number of Indians traveling abroad is expected to continue increasing, fuelled by rising disposable incomes and an expanding middle class. More than 30% of Indian travellers are opting for Middle Eastern destinations, with Dubai being a key market. This is not surprising, considering that a majority, or 70% of Indian travellers, prefer destinations with a travel time of under four hours and a significant Indian diaspora. These places are followed closely by South Asian destinations. Travellers are willing to spend up to $7,000 on international trips, significantly impacting the economies of the destinations they visit. Travel to the US from India has surged by 59% from the level in 2019, bucking the trend of overall overseas arrivals in the US, which are still 7% below pre-pandemic levels. Japan has become a favoured destination for Indian travellers there was a 53% increase in visitors since 2019. Vietnam has captivated Indian tourists, with new direct flights more than tripling passenger traffic to the Southeast Asian country. In 2023, global outbound travel grew in double digits from the previous year, approaching 2019 travel volumes. The highest increase in international tourists was during the third quarter of 2023, highlighting a strong summer season in the northern hemisphere. New Delhi: Indias semiconductor market, which includes a robust chip design and engineering sector, is tipped to cross $100 billion in valuation by 2030, Union minister of state for information technology Jitin Prasada said in Parliament on Wednesday. Initiatives that will help the domestic semiconductor market reach the milestone included production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes for setting up chip fabs (fabrication plants), display fabs, chip testing and packaging plants, a design-linked incentive (DLI) scheme to further boost local chip design, and finally, promotion of local component manufacturing and domestic manufacturing of large scale electronics," he added. Further, efforts to modernize the Centre-owned Semi-Conductor Laboratory in Mohali are also underwaywhich could further add to this milestone. Prasada stated that from a market value of $38 billion in calendar year 2023, the semiconductor market will grow to $109 billion by 2030suggesting a 16% compounded annual growth rate of the industry. Key to these plans will be the upcoming semiconductor fab, being set up by Tata Electronics in partnership with Taiwans Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) in Dholera, Gujaratwhich the Centre has projected will be ready for operations by 2027, and will produce 3 billion chips annually following a net investment quantum of $10.9 billion, including Centre- and state-backed incentives. Also read | Dholera chip fab: India's leap into electronics manufacturing The chip fab is expected to produce chips ranging across 28nm, 50nm, 55nm and 90nm die sizesall of which are expected to become applicable in industrial use cases such as railways, electric vehicles, white goods and more. Further adding value are assembly, testing, marking and packaging (ATMP) and outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facilities. US-based Micron announced an ATMP facility with a net investment of $2.75 billion in 2022, hence becoming the first benefactor of the Centres PLI push. India's growing semiconductor hub Alongside this, India already has a robust chip design industry as well. On Tuesday, fabless US chipmaker Qualcomm announced a new mobile processing platform designed for budget-range smartphones in the country. Speaking about it, Chris Patrick, senior vice-president and general manager for handsets at Qualcomm, told Mint that most of the companys networking modems, as well as a sizeable section of all of its chips, are designed by engineers in India. With 15,000 engineers already, India is most likely either the largest engineering design base for Qualcomm, or just behind our San Diego headquarters. We go where there is talent, and India is right up there in the semiconductor ecosystem, Patrick said. Also read | Qualcomm's new chip to push 5G phone prices to below 8,000: India president Chip design, therefore, will also be a key contributor to the $100 billion industry valuation that Prasada projected for semiconductors in India. Industry estimates peg India to account for nearly one-fifth of all chip design operations owing to the availability of domestic engineering talenta factor that has spurred many leading companies to ramp up operations here. In July last year, fellow fabless US chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) announced a $400-million outlay to expand its chip research and development (R&D) operations in Indiamaking the country its biggest hub of semiconductor engineering globally. Going forward, the Centre is expected to further introduce a components incentive scheme that will boost domestic value addition further. A senior government official with direct knowledge of the matter said that the scheme is currently in the works, and will involve semiconductor components as a key part of improving India's value chain in the global manufacturing ecosystem. New Delhi: The Centre told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that its recent ruling, which grants states the power to tax mineral rights and mineral-bearing land, could impose a financial burden of 70,000-80,000 crore on public sector units (PSUs) if applied retrospectively. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta said, without naming, that one major PSU could face demands amounting to three times its net worth, indicating that it is a profitable Maharatna undertaking. Mehta opposed the apex court's consideration of retrospective recovery of royalties levied on mines and mineral-bearing land since 1989. He suggested that neither the states should demand retrospective levies, nor should any PSU or undertaking seek refunds. "The burden will eventually fall on the common man, as no industry can absorb this. If the judgment has retrospective effect, the demand from PSUs will be 70,000 to 80,000 crore," Mehta said. Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd., a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd., also argued that past levy demands could exceed the net worth of many companies, and that retrospective application of the judgment risks bankrupting these companies. Conversely, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, representing the mineral-rich state of Jharkhand, argued that the judgment should be applied retrospectively. Dwivedi suggested that past arrears could be settled in a staggered manner through installments. He also contended that claims of financial difficulty should be supported by concrete evidence and requested that companies produce their balance sheets and file affidavits to substantiate their claims. The Jharkhand government also argued that the Court should not be moulding the relief at the instance of assessee companies that have not discharged their burden. Regarding concerns raised by the Solicitor General Mehta about the impact on the common man, Jharkhand stated that the money collected by states is also meant for the common man's welfare. On 25 July, a nine-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court upheld the rights of states to collect tax on mining activities, and held that royalty paid to states on minerals does not qualify as tax. Advocate General of Odisha Pitambar Acharya argued that state legislations were primarily welfare measures aimed at the tribal population residing in mining regions. He also submitted that the increase in royalties by the Union has benefited the State. He argued that the Court should not mould the relief at the request of companies who have not demonstrated their burden. Senior Advocate Vijay Hansaria, representing Uttar Pradesh, noted that the state levy was upheld by the High Court and approved by the Supreme Court. All companies except Hindalco and Kanoria Chemicals have been paying the state tax. Upon hearing these arguments on Wednesday, the nine-judge Constitutional bench of the Supreme Court reserved its verdict on whether the judgment should be applied prospectively or retrospectively. In the 25 July, an 8:1 decision by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud-led bench upheld that states have the power to tax mining lands and quarries, independent of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957. Also read: Royalty is not a tax: SC ruling deals a financial blow to mining firms Mint previously reported that this judgment could increase the financial burden on mining companies, potentially disrupting cash flow and leading to overlapping financial obligations. The ruling might also result in increased demands for corporate social responsibility (CSR) investments. The Supreme Court concluded that royalties are not taxes for three main reasons: They arise from mining lease agreements rather than legal requirements, payments are made to lessors (either state governments or private parties) rather than public authorities, and royalties compensate for access to mineral reserves rather than serving public purposes. The judgment addresses the conflict between the Union and states over taxing minerals and emphasizes fiscal federalism. It notes that states rich in mineral resources, like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, often face economic difficulties. Tax revenue from minerals is essential for these states to support welfare and services. The judgment stresses that states' rights to levy taxes should be protected from Union interference to maintain proper fiscal federalism. However, the court's judgment did not clarify whether it would apply retrospectively or prospectively, leading to ongoing deliberations. The bench comprises CJI Chandrachud, justices Hrishikesh Roy, Abhay Oka, B.V. Nagarathna, J.B. Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, Ujjal Bhuyan, S.C. Sharma, and A.G. Masih. Justice B.V. Nagarathna was the lone dissenter. Justice Nagarathna held that royalty is a tax and that states have no right to levy it, endorsing a 1989 verdict by a seven-judge bench in the India Cements vs. Tamil Nadu case. Justice Nagarathna stated that non-extracting states starting to import minerals could affect foreign exchange reserves, potentially leading to a breakdown of the federal system envisaged under the Constitution in the context of mineral development. This could lead to unhealthy competition for mining licences in mineral-rich states that do not want to impose any levy. Long-standing Issue More than 80 petitions have been filed over the years challenging the interpretation of royalties under the MMDR Act. In February, the Supreme Court commenced hearings to decide upon these conflicting interpretations and determine the rightful authoritythe Union or statesfor imposing taxes on mineral rights. Mumbai: Nearly half the women in India Inc are either unsure about how long they will stay with their current employers, or plan to quit in two years, citing reasons such as bias and pay disparity, a study by consulting firm Aon said. Aon surveyed 24,000 women working in various companies, and the 47% who said they were unsure or would leave their employers in two years blamed the absence of an inclusive work culture, and limited career progression as some of the key reasons for their decision. "Of the 47% who are unsure, 27% said they will not stay beyond 2 years and 20% said they are unsure about how long they will stay," Shilpa Khanna, associate partner and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) practice leader of talent solutions in India for Aon, told Mint. Also read | Creches, hostels to support womens participation in workforce The study-Aon's 2024 Voice of Women-was conducted from March to June 2024. The research gathered responses from 24,000 women from over 560 participating small, medium and large companies. According to the study, women who faced bias are 3.5 times more likely to perceive aspects of their organizational experience as unfair and 21% indicate leaving in less than a year versus only 6% of women who have not faced bias. The need to recruit more women across sectors is coming at a time when participation of women in formal and informal sector had dropped during the pandemic as work from home and lack of support system became a challenge. This year, the Union budget set aside 3 trillion towards schemes aimed to benefit women and girls, in an attempt to increase the participation of women in the workforce, and raise their contribution to economic development. Also read | India needs more women workers to be a $5 tn economy: World Bank India chief "We will facilitate higher participation of women in the workforce through setting up of working women's hostels in collaboration with industry, and establishing creches," finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her budget speech on 23 July. Harassment and gender bias at workplace Harassment at the workplace is another challenge that women face. Aon's study showed that 6%, or more than 1,400 of the women surveyed, said they faced sexual harassment at least once. However, less than half of them officially reported the incident to their employers. In its annual general meeting (AGM) in May, India's largest IT firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was questioned on the rise in harassment cases and the reason behind the difference in median salaries of men and women employees. Chairman of Tata Sons N. Chandrasekaran emphasized that while TCS, with more than 600,000 employees, has zero tolerance towards harassment, but the uptick in cases could be due to more employees expressing themselves. According to the study, some of the measures that can boost the number women in the workplace include women in leadership roles, flexible work options, and worklife balance. More than two in five (42%) women faced bias, which includes their physical appearances, age, marital status or one that arose after becoming a mother. Chetana Education share price made a positive debut on NSE SME today. Chetana Education share price today opened at 98.90, which is 16.35% higher than the issue price of 85. The subscription period for Chetana Education's initial public offering (IPO) commenced on July 24 and finished on Friday, July 26. With a face value of 10, each share in the Chetana Education IPO was priced between 80 and 85. Multiples of the 1600 shares that were put up for bid are also available. Chetana Education IPO subscription status was 196.87 times on the last day of bidding. Chetana Education IPO comprised 50% of the net issue for QIB, 35% for retail investors and 15% of the net issue for the NII segment. Also Read | Chetana Education IPO allotment finalised today;heres how to check status Chetana Education now provides texts for K12 courses as well as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Maharashtra State Board, spanning from early pre-primary school. In FY-23, the firm sold over 6 million books to children in pre-primary, primary, secondary, and senior secondary classes. The company employs more than 400 contract writers who assist with content creation. The company's listed peers, according to the red herring prospectus (RHP), are Navneet Education Ltd. (P/E of 14.22) and S Chand and Company Ltd. (P/E of 16.50). Chetana Education Limited had a profit after taxes of 12.03 crore and a stand-alone income from operations of 93.50 crore in FY-24. Chetana Education IPO details The Chetana Education IPO, valued 45.90 crore, includes a fresh issuance of 5,400,000 equity shares with a face value of 10. There is no "offer for sale" component. The company's overall goals, working capital needs, and the full or partial payback of some outstanding debts will all be covered by the offer proceeds. Hem Securities Limited is the book running lead manager and Link Intime India Private Ltd is the registrar for the Chetana Education IPO. The market maker for Chetana Education's IPO is Hem Finlease. Also Read | Chetana Education IPO booked over 19x on day 3 on robust retail demand Chetana Education IPO GMP today Chetana Education IPO GMP is +25. This indicates Chetana Education share price were trading at a premium of 25 in the grey market, according to investorgain.com. Considering the upper end of the IPO price band and the current premium in the grey market, the estimated listing price of Chetana Education share price was indicated at 110 apiece, which is 29.41% higher than the IPO price of 85. 'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price.' Also Read | Chetana Education IPO price band set at 80-85 per share The Securities and Exchange Board of Indias proposed measures on Tuesday to strengthen the index derivatives framework did not come as a surprise. The capital market regulator has time and again voiced its concerns over the growing volumes of trade and losses in the derivatives markets. Mint explains why Sebi is concerned with the rising trade volumes, the measures it plans to take, and the impact of these steps. What are derivatives? Derivatives are financial contracts that derive their value from an underlying asset. Derivatives are of two types futures and options contracts. They help in better price discovery, improve market liquidity and allow investors to manage their risks better. The National Stock Exchange of India launched weekly options on the Bank Nifty index, the Nifty, the Nifty Financial Services index and the Nifty Midcap Select index in 2016. The BSE started Sensex weekly options in 2019. Currently, one option expires on each day of the trading week. Why is Sebi concerned about rising trade volumes in this segment? Following the pandemic of 2020, weekly options became a hit with retail and proprietary traders. In a consultation paper released on 30 July, the regulator pointed out that weekly index derivatives found favour with market participants, especially around their expiry. This was evident by the hyperactive volatile trading Sebi found on expiry day compared with levels on other trading days. Index option volumes on the NSE, which enjoys a market share of over 90%, surged almost 13-fold to 138 trillion in FY24 from 10.8 trillion in FY20. This brought the market segment under Sebis radar. To add to this, Sebi found that 9.25 million individuals and proprietorship firms traded in the index derivatives segment of the NSE and cumulatively incurred a trading loss of 51,689 crore in FY24. Sebis study of 2023 showed that 9 out of 10 individual traders in the equity F&O segment incurred losses, which added to its concern that such speculative trading may have implications on market stability," said Vasudha Goenka, a partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, a law firm. Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch has said that the surge in derivatives trading had become a macro issue because household savings were going into speculation instead of capital formation. What measures has Sebi proposed? To actively enhance investor protection and ensure market stability, Sebi set up an expert working group headed by a former chief general manager of the Reserve Bank of India. The group submitted its recommendations to the Secondary Markets Assessment Committee (SMAC), which deliberated over the report on 15 July. Based on these discussions, Sebi released a consultation paper to invite public comments on the matter by 20 August. The key points are: Minimum contract size Sebi proposed increasing the minimum value of a derivatives contract to 15- 20 lakh from 5-10 lakh and, after six months, raising it to 20- 30 lakh. Sebi claimed the benchmark indices had gone up nearly three times in the past nine years. Given the inherently higher risk in derivatives and the large amount of implicit leverage, increase in minimum contract size would result in reverse sachetisation of such risk-bearing products," Sebi said in the paper. Deepak Shenoy, CEO of Capitalmind, an investment advisory firm, posted on social media site X that increasing the minimum contract size would hurt traders with smaller capital, who are mostly buying, but not the sellers. Increase in margin near contract expiry This measure involves raising the upfront margin on sellers. At present, the increase in market volatility is not factored in the form of a higher margin to account for the increased risk, act as a deterrent or build additional buffers to absorb sudden price shocks. Currently, the premium traded decreases near the expiry date, creating a higher risk on a notional basis in options. This means that the capital requirement in trading will go up, which means your exposure margin will increase. With lot sizes going up to 30 lakh, one may need up to 6.5 to 10 lakh per lot," Vijay Bhambwani, founder of trading firm Bhambwani Securities Ltd, said on his YouTube channel. Rationalisation of weekly index products Currently, weekly contracts across different indices expire on each of the five trading days, which results in speculative money moving from one expiry to another. The volatility and speculative trading on expiry day and during closing time, with a poor profitability outcome for individual investors, compelled Sebi to propose rationalising weekly index products. Sebi has suggested reducing the number of weekly expiries to just one per exchange. This change will likely impact volumes as the recent volumes in the equity derivatives segment have been driven by weekly expiries," said Dhiraj Relli, managing director of HDFC Securities. Rationalisation of strike prices for options Sebi proposed to widen the price intervals at which out-of-the-money (OTM) options strike (even when the option has not reached its strike price) to make it harder for retail investors to buy them because of the unfavourable risk-reward ratio. The strike price refers to the price at which the underlying security can be bought or sold when an options contract is exercised. Also Read: F&O trading: Sebi to discuss ways to tighten the screws on retail speculation The regulator proposed to keep the strike interval uniform at 4% near the prevailing index price and increase it to 8% as the strikes move away from the prevailing price. It added that not more than 50 strikes would be introduced at the time of launching an index derivatives contract. Sebi claimed this measure is to tackle sudden price movements for short-tenure option contracts and the purchase of cheap options at far away strikes, regardless of how low the odds of success are. Shenoy of Capitalmind disagreed with this measure, saying if the market index moved down by even 10%, a lot of new strikes would be needed. He suggested restricting the maximum to 50 strikes only in the initial phase. Removal of calendar spread benefit on expiry day Currently, the margin requirement for an F&O position reduces significantly, offsetting positions on future expiry, as the calendar spread margin applies instead of the normal margin. To be clear, on the day of expiry of an option, the trader buys another option that expires the following month. Since the exchange risk is restricted, it provides a discounted margin on the contract, which enjoys a lower margin. This led to significant risk. Sebi proposed to remove the calendar spread margin benefit for positions involving contracts expiring on same day. This means the trader will have to pay the 100% margin and capital requirement will shoot up tremendously as Sebi does not want traders to crowd markets on expiry day, especially on small priced contracts," Bhambwani said. Intraday monitoring of position limits On the day of expiry, there remains the possibility of undetected intraday positions beyond permissible limits as end-of-day open positions would be NIL. To tackle this, Sebi proposed that clearing corporations and stock exchanges monitor the position limits for index derivative contracts on an intra-day basis, with an appropriate short-term fix and a glide path for full implementation. Shenoy said that while this may impact large volumes on expiry day for larger brokers, going beyond Sebi-specified limits is a systemic risk issue, so continuous monitoring will be helpful. Upfront collection of option premiums While there is upfront collection of the margin for futures and options positions, there is no upfront collection of option premiums from option buyers by members. Option prices are timed contracts with the possibility of very fast-paced price appreciation and depreciation. To avoid undue intraday leverage to clients and to discourage any market-wide practice of allowing positions beyond the collateral at the clients end, members will be allowed to collect option premiums on an upfront basis instead of at the end of the trading day. What would be the impact of the proposed measures? Kinjal Champaneria, a partner at Solomon & Co, a law firm in Mumbai, clarified that these guidelines did not recommend barring any retail investor from participating in the derivatives segment. Binoy Parikh, executive director at Katalyst Advisors, a structuring and advisory firm, said these reforms are crucial to ensure that the F&O markets serve their primary role as tools for risk management and liquidity provision, rather than cater to speculative excesses. "The latest measures will provide a level playing field between the high frequency traders, who use superior data analytics, algos and colocation, and retail who use mobile and luck to trade F&O," said Nilesh Shah, MD & CEO of Kotak Mahindra AMC. Relli said these measures may not be the only interventions by the regulator. We may see more measures, including product suitability and customer-level certification. With the realignment of exchange transaction charges, higher STT (securities transaction tax) introduced in the budget, and the proposed regulatory framework, it is expected that there could be rationalisation in equity derivative volumes," he said. Anand K Rathi, co-founder of wealth management firm MIRA Money, was apprehensive that while these measures may not affect overall market volumes, it may divert a good set of flows in the futures markets to the options market as futures margins may become unaffordable. He said creating awareness about F&O, including reasons for trading in the derivatives segment, was an important measure. However, it would bring down the volatility of the market, which would benefit long-term traders. Like there is a campaign saying, Mutual Funds Sahi Hai, there should be a campaign so that retail investors do not fall for finfluencers claims. Sebi should try and bring down social media and Telegram channels that say that markets are like a gambling machine and one can become rich by investing in futures and options. Certification for trading in futures and options should be made mandatory. These measures would help Sebi control retail participation in F&O, which is not necessary," Rathi said. Buy or sell stocks for today: Domestic equity benchmarks Nifty 50 and Sensex settled flat in the previous session as investors continued to sell on profit amid mixed global cues. The benchmarks were near all-time highs, led by value-buying in HDFC Bank and Tata Motors. Meanwhile, the mid-cap and small-cap segments continued outperforming the benchmarks despite concerns over their high valuations. The 30-share BSE Sensex opened at 81,349.28 against its previous close of 81,355.84 and touched its intraday high and low of 81,815.27 and 81,230.44, respectively. The index settled 100 points, or 0.12 per cent, higher at 81,455.40, with 16 stocks in the green on Tuesday. The BSE Midcap index rose 0.27 per cent, while the Smallcap index climbed 0.88 per cent. Despite heavy volatility, the combined market valuation of all BSE-listed companies hit the $5.50-trillion ( 460 lakh crore) milestone for the first time. The NSE Nifty edged up 21.20 points, or 0.09 per cent, to settle at an all-time closing high of 24,857.30. During the day, it surged 135.65 points, or 0.54 per cent, to 24,971.75. The index hit a low of 24,798.65. The benchmark was nearly 30 points away from hitting the psychological 25,000 mark, during intra-day trade. The US Federal Reserve's rate-setting panel led by Fed chair Jerome Powell will deliver its monetary policy decision later tonight. The US Central Bank is expected to keep rates unchanged this time, but market participants will focus on hints that support the expectation that rate cuts may start in September. Intraday trading tips for Wednesday Vaishali Parekh, Vice PresidentTechnical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, said, Nifty would need a decisive breach above the psychological zone of 25,000 to continue with the upward move. The next higher targets of 25,500 are visible, with the 24,400 zone as the important and crucial support level as of now.'' For Bank Nifty, the Prabhudas Lilladher expert added that it would need a decisive breach above the 52,800 zone to trigger a breakout and expect a fresh upward move. The next higher targets are anticipated at 53,500 and 55,100. The zone near 51,000 would be the important and crucial support level. Regarding stocks investors can buy, Vaishali Parekh recommended three intraday stocks for today: GNFC, JSW Energy, and Tata Steel. Stock market today On the outlook for the Nifty 50's performance today, Vaishali Parekh said, Nifty has been witnessing resistance near the 25,000 zone and with consolidation.'' Bank Nifty has been hovering near the 51,400-51,600 zone since the last two sessions,'' added Parekh. According to the expert, the daily support for Nifty is seen at 24,700 levels while the resistance is seen at 25,000 levels. Bank Nifty would have a daily range of 51,200-52,000 levels. Nifty Spot Index Support 24,700 Resistance - 25,000 Bank Nifty Spot Index Support 51,200 Resistance 52,000. Stocks to buy today GNFC: Buy GNFC at 713, Target 742, Stop Loss 698 JSW Energy: Buy JSW Energy at 715.25, Target 745, Stop Loss 700 Tata Steel: Buy Tata Steel at 164, Target 172, Stop Loss 160. The Budget did not spark any significant excitement in the market as the government measures were populist and prudent. The increase in short-term and long-term capital gains taxes added to the volatility. During the week, as many as 132 small-cap stocks delivered double-digit weekly returns, with eight of them offering over 25% returns. Despite the volatility induced by the budget, the market has now recovered its losses, driven by positive US GDP data and expectations of improved global demand. Additionally, global economic updates, including US Federal Reserve and Bank of England monetary policies, US employment data, and Eurozone GDP figures, are expected to impact market trends. Amid this, shares of Reliance group's Lotus Chocolate have rallied significantly, surging 52% in the last nine days and a remarkable 150% over the past five weeks. Before we examine the factors fuelling the rally, let's first understand Reliance's involvement with Lotus. How is Reliance involved with Lotus? Reliance Industries, through its subsidiary Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL), acquired a majority stake of 51% in Lotus Chocolate Company in May 2023. This strategic move marked RIL's entry into the FMCG sector and aligns with its expansion plans in South India. The acquisition, valued at 74 crore also involved an additional investment of 20 crore in Lotus Chocolate's non-convertible debentures. This partnership aims to leverage RIL's resources and distribution network to bolster Lotus Chocolate's brand and expand its market reach across India. With this explanation covered, lets now explore what is driving the rally in Lotus Chocolate. #1 Robust Q1 results Shares of Lotus Chocolate Company have been locked in the upper circuit for the eighth consecutive trading day, reflecting strong investor confidence. The trading volume has surged dramatically, with as many as 120,000 shares changing hands, compared to fewer than 10,000 shares traded in the previous two weeks on the BSE. Additionally, there are pending buy orders for 11,970 shares, according to market data. This sharp uptrend is fuelled by the company's impressive earnings performance. For the June 2024 quarter, Lotus Chocolate reported a staggering 337.4% year-on-year rise in revenue, reaching 141.31 crore, up from 32.31 crore in the June 2023 quarter. The company's EBITDA also showed remarkable growth, standing at 11.27 crore in June 2024, a substantial increase of 1,582.1% from 67 lakh in the same quarter last year. Furthermore, the net profit for the quarter soared to 9.41 crore, representing an extraordinary 4,698.45% increase from the 20 lakh reported a year earlier. This robust financial performance underscores the company's strong operational capabilities and effective strategic initiatives, driving significant investor interest and contributing to the impressive rally in its share price. #2 Reduction in global cocoa prices Cocoa prices, which had peaked at 320 per kg for wet cocoa beans and 960 per kg for dry beans in the first week of May, have recently started to decline in the international market. On 29 July 2024, cocoa futures fell to their lowest level in over four months, as traders anticipated an improved supply in the upcoming season and considered the potential for weaker demand. The most active contract fell as much as 4.4% to US$ 6,650 a ton in New York. This decline in cocoa prices comes after a sustained period of elevated prices, which has led to concerns about demand and the possibility of a slowdown in cocoa grindings. This recent decline in cocoa prices offers a glimmer of hope for chocolate manufacturers. With input costs easing, companies can expect improved profit margins. This positive outlook is likely to boost investor confidence in the chocolate sector, including Lotus Chocolate. Additionally, if Lotus Chocolate can effectively manage its cocoa supply chain and procure beans at competitive prices, it could gain a significant advantage over its competitors. These factors combined may have contributed to the stock's remarkable performance. What next? The company said the Indian confectionery industry has a long runway for growth driven by the secular trends of increasing demand for quality content and higher time spent across demographics on content consumption. The increasing urban population is driving demand for modern and packaged confectionery products. Further, busy lifestyles are leading to increased consumption of convenient and on-the-go snacks, including confectionery items. Additionally, the expanding middle class is fuelling demand for premium and differentiated confectionery products. However, the high prices could continue to impact demand, leading to reduced grindings. Chocolate companies have already indicated that their margins might be under pressure in the second half of the year due to purchasing beans at these higher prices during the earlier rally. How shares of Lotus Chocolate have performed recently Over the past three months, Lotus Chocolate shares have increased by 166%, while they are up 258% so far in 2024. In the past month, the stock has surged by 84%. The company touched its 52-week high of 1,086.8 on 30 July 2024 and its 52-week low of 213 on 30 November 2023. About Lotus Chocolate Lotus Chocolate Company, a prominent player in the Indian confectionery market, has garnered attention for its diverse range of chocolate products. The company has built a strong brand presence across the country. Lotus Chocolate's product lineup includes a variety of chocolates and confectioneries catering to different consumer preferences. The company focuses on using premium ingredients and maintaining high standards in production to ensure top-notch quality. Its consumer products include brands, such as Chuckles, Superr Carr, On & On, Kajoos, Milky Punch, and Tango. Disclaimer:This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com Shares of Tata Group's Trent surged over 5 percent on Wednesday, reaching a new high and extending rally. The stock has gained more than 13 percent in 8 sessions. The rally is driven by market speculation that Trent will be included in the Nifty 50 index during the upcoming September reshuffle. The Nifty 50 index is reviewed twice a year based on six-month data ending January 31 and June 30. The next index reshuffle will take effect from September 30. Trent's stock advanced as much as 5.3 percent, hitting a record high of 5,916.55 during Wednesday's trading. This marks a substantial 254 percent increase from its 52-week low of 1,672 recorded on August 3, 2023. The stock closed 3.8 percent higher at 5,835.45, continuing its impressive performance over the past year, with a 220 percent increase. In 2024 alone, the stock has jumped over 91 percent, with a 6.66 percent gain in July, marking the twelfth consecutive month of growth since August 2023. Also Read | Polycab, RR Kabel share price face the heat of copper price volatility in Q1 Analysts from IDBI Capital suggest that Trent and Bharat Electronics (BEL) are likely to replace LTI Mindtree and Divi's Laboratories in the upcoming Nifty 50 reshuffle. Nuvama Alternative analysts estimate that this change could result in inflows of approximately $429 million for Trent and $361 million for BEL, while LTI Mindtree and Divi's Labs might experience outflows of $186 million and $213 million, respectively. In the quarter ending June, Trent is expected to report a 51.5 percent year-on-year increase in net sales to 3,843 crore, driven by new store additions in its Zudio and Westside brands. Kotak Institutional Equities projects the company's profit to more than double, with a 155 percent YoY rise to 379 crore in Q1FY25. Strong revenue growth and fixed cost operating leverage are anticipated to boost earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) by 68 percent YoY to 613 crore in Q1FY25, enhancing EBITDA margins by 153 basis points to 16 percent for the quarter. Trent, a Tata Group company, operates various retail brands including Westside and Zudio, which offer fashionable apparel at great value, and Trent Hypermarket, which competes in the food, grocery, and daily needs segment under the Star banner. The company reported strong revenue growth in FY24, with a 55 percent increase in standalone and a 50 percent increase in consolidated revenues, supported by a 51 percent YoY increase in area and 10 percent like-for-like (LFL) growth. Despite a slight decline in gross margins due to a higher mix of Zudio, EBITDA margins (pre Ind-AS) improved to 11.7 percent, driven by reduced advertising spending and operational leverage. Trent's exceptional performance contrasts with the muted demand in the discretionary category, as noted by Motilal Oswal Financial Services. The company achieved industry-leading LFL growth of 10 percent, gaining market share in the apparel segment, particularly in value formats. Despite aggressive store expansions, Trent maintains a strong balance sheet and operational efficiency, driven by robust same-store sales growth, productive footprint additions, and Zudios compelling value proposition. Trent's stellar performance and robust financial health position it as a strong candidate for inclusion in the Nifty 50 index, further boosting investor confidence. As the company continues to expand its footprint and enhance its value proposition, it remains a standout performer in the retail sector, demonstrating resilience and growth in a challenging market environment. Watch professionals play poker, and one of the first things to strike you is how often they fold when the game has barely begun. Rounds of Texas Holdem, a popular variant, start with each player being dealt two cards and then deciding whether to bet on them. Amateurs are more likely to proceed than not, while pros fold immediately up to 85% of the time. Naturally this does not mean that high-stakes casinos are frequented by the timid. It is simply that most hands are too likely to lose to be worth betting on, and the pros are better at judging when this is the case. Investors usually dislike gambling comparisons. Yet at a recent conference held by Norges Bank Investment Management, which oversees Norways oil fund of $1.6trn, a packed hall sought to learn from a former poker pro. Annie Duke was there to talk about quitting decisions, a topic on which she wrote the book (Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away"). Ms Duke argued that many factors stack the deck against people considering quitting, pushing them to act irrationally. That applies to poker players wondering whether or not to foldand also to investors considering whether to exit a position. Selling out of a position is much harder to do well than buying into it. To see why, start with some now-famous biases popularised by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, two giants of behavioural science on whose work Ms Duke draws. People hate losses a lot more than they enjoy equivalent gains (loss aversion") but reserve a special loathing for crystallising a certain loss, even if the probable alternative is a greater one (sure-loss aversion"). They also value things they own more than identical things they do not (the endowment effect"). All this makes closing a losing position an absolute wrench. Already smarting from a paper loss, you must turn it into a certain one, while also letting go of an asset you value more than you would any equivalent alternative. Small wonder retail traders are bad at this. Alex Imas of the University of Chicago has studied the behaviour of those who set take-gain and stop-loss orders when they enter a trade. Although these are supposed to neuter harmful biases by exiting the position if a specified profit or loss is reached, Mr Imas found that few investors reached their take-gain orders, having already sold manually rather than risk their profits disappearing. Meanwhile, they tended to cancel and blow through their stop-losses, preferring to keep gambling rather than take a certain hit. Are the pros any better? Only up to a point. Last year Mr Imas and colleagues published a paper on the buying and selling choices of 783 institutional portfolios with an average value of $573m. Their managers were good at buying: the average purchase, a year later, had beaten the broader market by 1.2 percentage points. But they would have been better off throwing darts at the wall to select which positions to exit. After a year, sales led to an average of 0.8 percentage points of forgone profit compared with a counterfactual in which the fund selected a random asset to sell instead. Unlike retail traders, the pros were not clinging on to losers. Yet neither were they making selling decisions analogously to how they make buying ones: by choosing the asset adding the least to their risk-adjusted return and offloading it. Instead they used a simpler heuristic, disproportionately selecting positions where relative performance had been very bad or good, and exiting those. As a result, they were throwing away two-thirds of the excess returns their skilful buying had won them. Ms Dukes prescriptions for these problems are at once obvious and underused. Most important, recognise that buying and selling are two sides of the same coin and start treating them as such. Many investors keep watch lists of assets they may buy; they should also track those they have sold to test their decision-making. Fund managers routinely justify purchases to an investment committee in advance; they should have to do the same for exits. Traders of all stripes must set strict kill criteria", such as stop-losses, and actually stick to them (though even Ms Duke admits to having outstayed hers at the poker table). Professionals face constraints that prevent them from selling perfectly. Timing may not be in their gift: the capital could be needed for another purchase, or to return to investors. But if the faces in Oslo were anything to go by, many will now be giving their exit strategies a good deal more thought. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com American physicist Enrico Fermi may be best known as one of the architects of the atomic bomb, but he is a cult-like figure for cosmologists as well. That is due to the so-called Fermi Paradox, a proposition that came out of a casual conversation that Fermi had with some fellow-physicists in 1950. The gist of the matter is this: If our galaxythe Milky Wayconsists of 100-400 billion stars (many of which are nearly as old as the Big Bang), and if these stars preside over their own solar systems, with many hosting Earth-like planets, then the likelihood of advanced space faring civilisations must be extremely high. In which case, to quote Fermi, Where is everybody? Also Read Heatwaves are a sneak peak into a future of climate breakdown Many hypotheses have been advanced to answer this paradox, none of which are comforting our own human civilization. One of thesecalled the Great Filter hypothesisis that, given stable planetary conditions like our own, high technology civilisations probably grow too big too carelessly, and self-destruct before they can become space-faring ones, much like we might with runaway climate change or nuclear war. The darkest explanation for the Fermi Paradox is the Dark Forest hypothesis, originated by the acclaimed Chinese science fiction writer Cixin Liu, and named after the second book of his wildly popular The Three Body Problem trilogy of novels. To put it simply, a Dark Forest universe is one where every planetary civilization is both the hunter and the hunted, locked in a stealthy death spiral for the control of resources with every other advanced civilization. In such a scenario, it is better to maintain radio silence and survive, and never alert other beings of your existence. Hence, the Dark Forest. Lius trilogy is a work of hard science fiction that bases its plot on a variety of real world scenarios of quantum physics and cosmology. Liu posits a quite ingenious explanation for the Dark Forest hypothesis, based on two axioms of a hypothetical cosmic sociology, i.e. the study of civilizations that make up cosmic society. These are: Survival is the primary need of civilization, and that Civilization continuously grows and expands, but the total matter in the Universe remains constant. In the race to acquire and exploit the finite resources of a galaxy, spacefaring alien civilizations consider each other with extreme suspicion, and think it is a better idea to annihilate other cultures first, and ask questions later. Lius concept of such a nihilistic universe is based on Earths bloody history of military conquest and colonialism. After all, one of the outcomes of European colonisation of large swathes of Asia, including India, was that other Asian cultures like Japan and China sought to isolate and hide themselveswith various degrees of successfrom European rapaciousness. Also Read Heatwaves and cyclones: Indias tryst with climate change Now, how does it all pertain to climate change? As Amitav Ghosh puts it so succinctly in his book The Nutmegs Curse: Parables Of A Planet In Crisis (2021), the history of resource-extractive colonialism is the history of climate change and environmental collapse. Fuelled by the technological leap of the Industrial Revolution, western European powers and later the USA laid waste to large chunks of the planet and obliterated entire cultures, supercharging their own economic rise at the expense of the global South. And while doing so, the West guzzled fossil fuels like never before, ultimately leading to the high concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere and the present climate crisis. The entire idea of climate justice, and by extension climate finance, is rooted in this colonial history. If we were to take the axioms of the Dark Forest hypothesis and transplant it back on Earth, they remain equally true. After all, nearly every nation wants to grow, but on a planet with finite resources. Take the Earth Overshoot Day: it is the date, in a given year, when our demand for ecological resources and services provided by the planet outstrips its capacity. An average of the individual overshoot day for every country in the world, the global date is slated to fall on 1 August this year. Different countries overshoot the Earth's ecological limit on different dates. This date highlights the stark disparities in resource consumption and the underlying tensions that fuel global conflicts. For instance, while wealthier nations with more significant ecological footprints reach their overshoot day much earlier in the year (for the US it is early March), poorer countries with lesser consumption exceed their ecological capacity much later (Indonesia, late November). The resource scarcity highlighted by Earth Overshoot Day reflects a microcosm of the larger interstellar scenario described by Liu. Just as advanced civilizations in the Dark Forest are driven to eliminate potential threats to secure resources, nations on Earth engage in competitive behaviours in the pursuit of limited resources such as water, arable land, and fossil fuels. And this invariably leads to environmental destruction and geopolitical strife, mirroring the Dark Forests predatory dynamics. The relentless pursuit of growth for growths sake has nearly pushed our planet's ecosystems beyond their capacity to recover. The Dark Forest hypothesis offers a chilling perspective on our planetary future, which underscores the urgent need for cooperative strategies to address climate change and resource scarcity. Recognizing the interconnectedness of these issues could help us navigate the precarious balance between survival and sustainability in our own forest of finite resources. Otherwise, notwithstanding the reassuring voices and earnest pledges at every annual UN climate summit, in this globalised world, there will be nowhere to hide. MUMBAI : Portfolio Management Services (PMS) are navigating new challenges after the Union Budget for 2024-25 increased capital gains tax rates. The budget raised the short-term capital gains (STCG) tax rate to 20% from 15%, impacting PMS investors who face higher taxes if a stock is sold within 12 months of purchase. This tax hike will significantly affect PMS strategies with high churn rates, where frequent trading doesn't yield post-tax returns that justify the increased activity. Read this | Budget 2024: What changes in capital gains taxes mean for investors Due to the higher tax rate on both short-term and long-term capital gains, portfolio management services (PMS) strategies with frequent buying and selling (high churn rate or portfolio turnover) will be at a disadvantage compared to mutual funds," explained Rohan Samant, principal officer and chief investment officer at Multi-Act PMS. To remain competitive on a post-tax basis, PMS strategies will need to generate higher returns (alpha) than mutual funds to offset the additional tax liability from the investors perspective," Samant added. View Full Image (Graphics: Pranay Bhardwaj/Mint) In contrast, mutual funds offer a more tax-efficient structure. When a fund manager sells a stock, it doesn't immediately trigger a tax event for the investor. Instead, the gains are reflected in the fund's net asset value (NAV), and investors are only taxed on gains when they redeem their holdings. This differs from PMS, where stocks are held in the investor's demat account, leading to a tax impact with each sale. Under the new rules, the effective STCG tax rate, including the 4% cess, is 20.8%, while the long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax rate, also including the cess, is 13%. More here | Changes in capital gains tax will benefit most people: CBDT chief Portfolio managers acknowledge that tax considerations are always kept in mind due to the structure of PMS. View Full Image (Graphics: Pranay Bhardwaj/Mint) When it comes to investors, they are more concerned about their returns on a post-tax basis. As long as these returns are better than other investment vehicles, they will continue to invest in such PMS strategies. The new rules will increase competition, and we could see consolidation in the PMS industry. The weaker ones will have to eventually move out, and stronger players will get stronger," said Aniruddha Naha, chief investment officer-alternatives at PGIM India Asset Management. Also read | Budget 2024-25: The ultimate explainer The PMS industry has seen several changes over the years. The experienced portfolio managers should be able to navigate under this new tax regime," added R Pallavarajan, founder of PMS Bazaar. Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra said on Tuesday that approximately six crore income tax returns were filed for the 2023-24 fiscal year, with 70 percent of these submitted under the new simplified tax regime, which offers lower tax rates. Malhotra addressed concerns about adopting the new tax regime at a post-budget PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry session. He stated, "Of the six crore returns filed for last year, 70 per cent were under the new income tax regime. This transition aims to simplify the process and reduce the compliance burden." For the fiscal year 2022-23, 8.61 crore income tax returns were filed. The comprehensive review of income tax laws announced in the Budget aims to simplify the tax system further. "We will draft proposals and then invite suggestions," Malhotra added. India currently has two personal income tax regimes: the traditional regime, which offers higher tax rates but allows for various exemptions and deductions, and the new regime, which features lower tax rates with fewer deductions. Documents required for income tax return filing Ensure you have these essential documents handy: Form 16 Form 16A Form 26AS Capital gains statements Proof of tax-saving investments Step-by-step guide to filing ITR onlne: Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal. Log in using your PAN, Password, and Captcha code. Navigate to the 'e-File' menu and select 'Income Tax Return'. Choose the appropriate ITR form based on your income (ITR-1 or ITR-2 if you have Form 16). Select the Assessment Year (AY) 2023-24. Validate all entered data in the form and submit. After submission, e-verify your return using Aadhaar OTP or other available options. Upload and verify your return. In India, systemic investment plans, or SIPs, are growing in popularity. There is a consistent trend in data from the Association of Mutual Funds of India (AMFI) indicating that SIPs are becoming more popular than lump sum investments. By investing a set amount regularly, SIPs enable you to buy more units during bear markets and fewer during bull ones, lowering the average cost over time. SIPs also encourage financial discipline by automating the process of making investments. Crucially, SIPs can be started with small sums of money, accommodating a range of income levels. Compounding returns have the potential to significantly increase your investment over time. Over the last 10 years, some mutual funds have shown higher annualized SIP returns (XIRR). For those who do not know, the most accurate way to measure the returns on SIP investments is to use the XIRR. Compared to traditional return calculations, it is a superior metric because it accounts for the irregular cash flows that are typical of SIPs. A lot of mutual funds show off their 10-year XIRR performance to highlight the long-term benefits of systematic SIP investing. Also Read | Confused by investing? Demystify SIPs and mutual funds in minutes Based on historical performance (although past performance is not indicative of future results), the table below showcases the top-performing mutual funds that have generated wealth for investors who have remained persistent and maintained their investments for a decade or longer. Name of the fund Nature of the fund 10-year returns (in %) Nippon India Small Cap Fund Small cap fund 26.43 Quant Small Cap Fund Small cap fund 22.54 Baroda BNP Paribas Large Cap Fund Large cap fund 16.44 Franklin Build India Fund Thematic fund 22.85 JM Flexi Cap Fund Flexi cap fund 20.67 Invesco India Contra Fund Contra fund 19.78 Source: AMFI (As of July 30, 2024) Giving investors a table of the best-performing mutual funds over the last 10 years helps investors decide which fund can be the next best addition to their investment portfolios. Still, its critical to remember that: Market conditions change : Previous achievements might not translate into future success. : Previous achievements might not translate into future success. Fund manager changes : A change in the fund management team can have a significant impact on performance. : A change in the fund management team can have a significant impact on performance. Risk profile: Investors ought to select funds in line with their investing goals and risk tolerance. By Deborah Mary Sophia July 31 (Reuters) - Amazon.com is expected to join Google and Microsoft on Thursday in reporting a surge in capital spending on artificial intelligence as Big Tech companies rush to capitalize on the booming technology. The e-commerce giant's capital investments - mostly for building cloud and generative AI infrastructure - is expected to have risen 43% in the second quarter to $16.41 billion, according to LSEG data. That represents a roughly $1.5 billion increase from the previous three months. The steep spending is also expected to pressure Amazon's margins, outweighing benefits from cost cuts and supply chain efficiencies that are aiding the retail unit's profitability. The company's Amazon Web Services (AWS) business has long dominated the cloud-computing market but it has been facing tough competition from Microsoft in recent quarters after the Windows maker rolled out AI-powered services to its Azure cloud business. In response, Amazon has partnered with the likes of Anthropic and offered startups free credits that cover the cost of using major AI models to boost the market share of its AI platform Bedrock. It also named a new head for the AWS unit in May. Microsoft and Google-parent Alphabet also said earlier this month they would plow ahead with investments even as the payoff from AI takes longer than some investors had hoped. This knocked Big Tech stocks whose valuations have soared this year on the promise of AI. "Amazon's capex spend will certainly be scrutinized closely. It has been slow on the adoption of AI and is skewed towards smaller companies which have struggled in the high interest-rate environment," said Ben Barringer, analyst at Quilter Cheviot. "We would expect AWS to start speeding things up in its AI development going forward." Amazon shares have risen about 23% this year. The stock has shed more than 6% since July 8, when it hit a record, part of a broader market selloff led by U.S. megacaps. Growth at AWS is likely to have stayed similar to the previous quarter at just over 17%, according to LSEG data. But, Morgan Stanley analysts said: "AWS needs to grow 18% in order to ... ensure investors of AWS's (AI) positioning and its ability to generate high-teens growth through this heavy capex investment period." As a result of the spending increase, Amazon's gross profit margin growth is expected to have slowed to 1.3% in the April-June quarter, compared with 2.6% in the previous quarter and an average of 2.7% over the past two years. Growth in its North American retail business likely slowed to 8% between April and June, from 12.3% in the January-March quarter, amid signs of a wider slowdown in consumer spending and some competition from new and fast-growing Chinese players such as Temu and Tiktok Shop that are enticing more U.S. shoppers. Amazon's total revenue is expected to have grown 10.6% to $148.56 billion - the slowest rise in five quarters. (Bloomberg) -- A suspended director of the troubled Indian educational tech firm Byjus must pay $10,000 a day until he helps locate $533 million that his company is accused of hiding from US lenders, a judge said Wednesday. Riju Ravindran, brother of Byjus founder, has been at the center of a nearly two-year-old fight over the missing cash, which lenders say should be returned to them after the company defaulted. Ravindran is one of three directors of Think & Learn Pvt. which operates the Byjus brand who were recently replaced by a trustee as part of an involuntary bankruptcy case filed in India, according to US court documents. After imposing the sanctions on Ravindran, US Bankruptcy Judge Brendan Shannon also rejected a request to put the US debt fight on hold so Ravindran and the company could find new lawyers. American lawyers for Ravindran and Byjus units want to quit defending their clients in the bankruptcy dispute, blaming an irreparable breakdown. Instead, Shannon ruled that Ravindrans lawyers must continue to represent their clients until at least a hearing next month, when all sides return to US Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware, where much of the conflict has been playing out. Previously: Byjus Hid $533 Million in Fund Run From IHOP The moves are the latest twists to an usual saga involving a company that was once a symbol of Indias rising technology sector. Within 18 months of borrowing $1.2 billion from US lenders in 2022, Byjus missed key financial reporting deadlines, had their offices raided by Indian regulators and was accused by American lenders of defaulting. Since then, the company has been accused of fraudulently transferring $533 million away from a shell company set up in the US that was responsible for paying the debt. Byjus has defended its actions by claiming it has been targeted by predatory lenders. The missing money is at the heart of a dispute between lenders owed $1.2 billion and the startup founded by entrepreneur Byju Raveendran. The missing cash belongs to a bankrupt shell company, Byjus Alpha Inc., which is affiliated with Think & Learn and was taken over by the lenders after their loan defaulted. The US bankruptcy case is BYJUs Alpha Inc., 24-10140, US Bankruptcy Court District of Delaware (Wilmington). More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court has extended the judicial custody of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and BRS leader K Kavitha, along with other accused in the cases against them relating to the alleged Delhi liquor excise duty scam. All the accused are facing investigation from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the now scrapped Delhi liquor excise policy 2021-22. The court has extended the judicial custody of all the accused in the CBI case till August 9, and in the ED probe till August 13. INDIA bloc holds rally over Kejriwals health The Opposition INDIA bloc joined an AAP rally at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 30 to raise the issue of CM Kejriwal's declining health while in custody at Tihar jail. Kejriwal is housed in Tihar in the money laundering case linked to the excise policy. AAP has alleged conspiracy to kill Kejriwal, who suffers from chronic diabetes, and raised concerns over his falling sugar levels. Citing a medical report, the party has claimed that Kejriwal's sugar levels fell 26 times between June 3 and July 7. The party, a constituent of the INDIA bloc, has been accusing the BJP-led Central government and Lt Governor VK Saxena of playing with Kejriwal's life. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam and has been granted bail by the Supreme Court. However, he is currently lodged in Tihar in a connected CBI case. Kejriwal's Wife Sunita Hits At BJP for Hatred On Tuesday, Sunita Kejriwal, criticized the BJP for promoting hatred and obstructing the work of Delhi residents. Speaking at an INDIA bloc rally, she claimed that her husband's life is at risk in Tihar Jail and alleged that he was framed in the excise policy case based on a single statement. New Delhi: Coastal Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat will likely witness heavy monsoon showers over the next few days, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of potential flood-like conditions. The IMD forecast that coastal Karnataka will experience heavy showers on Wednesday, while Goa, coastal Maharashtra, and Gujarat are expected to see heavy downpours on 2-3 August. In addition to these areas, parts of central Maharashtra and eastern Madhya Pradesh are likely to receive isolated instances of extremely heavy rainfall during 1-3 August. The IMD also said that Uttarakhand and certain northeastern regions may receive significant rainfall, with Mizoram expected to be hit by heavy showers on Wednesday. Uttarakhand, in particular, faces flood warnings during the rainy spell on 31 July. Read this | Power demand eases, reservoirs begin to fill as monsoon gains momentum "The monsoon trough is active and near its normal position at mean sea level. It is likely to persist near its normal position during the next three days and gradually shift southwards thereafter," the IMD said in a press release on Wednesday. This marks a shift in the monsoon trough's direction, which had been moving towards northern states earlier in the week. The IMD has also forecast heavy-to-very heavy rainfall across key southern states, including Kerala and Tamil Nadu, as well as northeastern states like Mizoram and Manipur, on Wednesday and Thursday. Additionally, parts of Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha, which had shown below-normal temperatures due to the onset of the monsoon, are also set to receive heavy rainfall in the next two to three days. Heavy rains earlier this month have led to flooding in multiple cities, including New Delhi, Surat, and Pune. After a delayed onset and a sluggish progress last month, the southwest monsoon picked pace to cover the entire country by 2 July. For Kharif crops sown during June-July, rainfall in August and September has a bearing on yields and production, and excessive rains can hurt crop growth. The weather bureau's agromet divsion issued an advisory on Wednesday, urging farmers to drain excess water from fields in regions expected to receive heavy rainfall and to provide mechanized assistance to horticulture. The June-September monsoon rainfall drives the bulk of India's $3 trillion economy, accounting for nearly 75% of the country's annual rainfall, which plays a crucial role in agriculture, replenishes reservoirs and aquifers, and helps meet power demand. Wayanad landslides: Kerala's Wayanad district has been ravaged by relentless rains and severe winds, leading to devastating landslides early Tuesday morning that have claimed over 130 lives. On Wednesday, rescue teams worked around the clock to save trapped victims and retrieve bodies from the expansive disaster site despite harsh weather. Amid the tragic chaos, a family from Mundakkai claimed to have narrowly avoided tragedy due to the decisive and quick-thinking action of the woman of the house. According to a report by the Times of India, Shakkira Alis urged her family to relocate from their Mundakkai home to Meppadi, a larger town about 16 kilometres away, when severe rainfall hit the Wayanad district. Her decision was driven by fears of a potential disaster as Kerala faced intense downpours on Monday night. Despite her husband Mohammed Aliss assurances, Shakkira Alis insisted on relocating to Meppadi, and eventually, the family complied with her decision, according to the Times of India. The family moved to their Meppadi home, and by Tuesday morning, they realised the full extent of Shakkira Alis's foresight. Notably, the Alis' household is the only structure still standing in Mundakkai, which is now covered in debris and mud from the landslides, as Mohammad Alis reported to the Times of India. Mohammad Alis described the recent landslides in Mundakkai as an unprecedented event, noting that the area has generally been safe from natural disasters. He speculated that the landslide likely originated from Velladipara, located approximately one kilometre uphill from Mundakkai. Also Read | Kerala Health Minister Veena George meets with accident en route to Wayanad Our area has been safe from natural disasters. When we left for Meppadi, we urged others to move to safer locations, but they dismissed our concerns, Alis told ToI. Days of torrential monsoon rains have severely impacted Kerala, particularly the Wayanad district, hampering relief efforts due to blocked roads. The sole bridge connecting the hardest-hit villages of Chooralmala and Mundakkai has been washed away, forcing rescue teams to use a makeshift zipline to transport bodies on stretchers across the treacherous floodwaters. At least 158 fatalities and over 200 people have been injured, with the death toll likely to rise as rescue operations continue. On Wednesday, MoS Home Nityanand Rai, while addressing the Rajya Sabha, said, 133 bodies recovered so far. OTT releases in August: A number of new movies, Bollywood and otherwise, and web series will be available on OTT this month. Lets have a look at the ones that are available to watch online. Dune: Part Two Plot: Paul Atreides unites with the Fremen people of the desert planet Arrakis to wage war against House Harkonnen. Stars: Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Zendaya Genre: Sci-fi/Adventure Platform: JioCinema Release Date: August 1 Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Plot: Years after Caesar's reign, a young ape embarks on a journey that leads him to question his teachings about the past and make decisions shaping the future for both apes and humans. Stars: Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Owen Teague Genre: Action/Sci-fi Platform: Disney+ Hotstar Release Date: August 2 Indian 2 Plot: Senapathy, a former freedom fighter turned vigilante, returns to the country to help a young man expose corrupt politicians online. Stars: Kamal Haasan, Siddharth, Priya Bhavani Shankar Genre: Action/Drama Release Date: August 2 (may get delayed) Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba Plot: A woman, suspected of murdering her husband, recounts a fascinating story about her marriage as the police search for evidence to arrest her. Stars: Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, Sunny Kaushal Genre: Thriller Platform: Netflix Release Date: August 9 Ghudchadi Plot: The story is about a father and son falling in love with a mother and her daughter. Stars: Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, Parth Samthaan, Khushalii Kumar Genre: Romantic comedy Platform: JioCinema Release Date: August 9 Turbo Plot: Jose encounters trouble and has to move to Chennai. There, he becomes involved with Indhu and his best friend, leading to unexpected events for everyone. Stars: Mammootty, Anjana Jayaprakash, Raj B. Shetty Genre: Action/Comedy Platform: SonyLIV Release Date: August 9 Gyaarah Gyaarah Plot: Two officers embarked on solving murder cases that have been unsolved for 15 years. Stars: Raghav Juyal, Kritika Kamra, Dhairya Karwa Genre: Thriller Platform: ZEE5 Release Date: August 9 Manorathangal Plot: It is based on nine stories written by the MT Vasudevan Nair, a legendary author in modern Malayalam literature. Stars: Mohan Lal, Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil Genre: Drama Platform: ZEE5 Release Date: August 15 Kalki 2898 AD Plot: A modern incarnation of Vishnu comes to Earth to protect the world from evil forces. Stars: Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan Genre: Action/Drama Platform: Amazon Prime Video Release Date: August 15 (Tentative) The Deliverance Plot: Four friends from the city took a week-long canoe trip in rural Georgia to escape their daily lives. What began as a vacation turned into a battle for survival. Stars: Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox Genre: Horror/Thriller Platform: Netflix Release Date: August 30 Kill Plot: On a train to New Delhi, commandos clash with robbers, turning the journey into a combat battleground. Stars: Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Tanya Maniktala Genre: Action/Thriller Platform: Disney+ Hotstar A new book reportedly revealed that Prince William had once briefly broke up with Kate Middleton three years before they got engaged. According to New York Post, Robert Jobsons new biography Catherine, the Princess of Wales" sheds light on the circumstances behind when the royal couple parted ways in 2007. In his book, Jobson wrote that Catherine knew William wasnt in any hurry to propose, and the truth is she was prepared to wait until he was ready. After all, they were in love werent they? Also Read | Prince Williams questioned over not reporting 6 million pounds profit When William unexpectedly canceled their 2006 New Years Eve plans, Kate knew something was wrong, the book reportedly added. It was not long after that William called his then-girlfriend and broke up with her. He allegedly said they both needed a bit of space to find our own way and couldnt promise a proposal, New York Post reported. The excerpts from the book read, "In an emotionally charged 30-minute conversation, they both acknowledged they were on different pages'...It was a devastating blow to Catherine, who felt doubly let down at being dumped over the phone. After the "split", William reportedly went out at Mahiki nightclub in London and Kate traveled to Dublin with her mom, Carole Middleton, and Ibiza with a friend. But eventually, William started having second thoughts and reunited with Kate at a Freakin Naughty-themed costume party thrown by jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, the report added. Jobson wrote, Shed arrived dressed as a nurse, and William had made a beeline for her. They then spent the first part of the evening deep in conversation before hitting the dance floor, where they ended up kissing. Also Read | Prince William, Kate Middleton offer condolences after tragic UK mass stabbing After reconciling in 2007, William and Kate got engaged in 2010. They tied the knot in at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. The Prince and Princess of Wales have three children. The couple had reportedly addressed their short breakup in an interview when they were engaged. Back then, William said, We both were very young, it was at university, we were sort of both finding ourselves as such and being different characters and stuff." " It was very much trying to find our own way and we were growing up, and so it was just sort of a bit of space and a bit of things like that and it worked out for the better," he added. By Rajesh Kumar Singh CHICAGO, July 31 (Reuters) - Demand for high-end travel is booming, and U.S. carriers are in a rush to seize on it. Airlines are adding more comfortable and bigger seats on their planes to attract customers willing to pay more for a better travel experience. Some airlines known for low-fare models like Southwest, Spirit and Frontier are even shifting away from their traditional business models to woo them. Airline executives say consumers have cut their spending on goods in favor of experiences, with travel their topmost priority after the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. carriers are betting that the travel boom is a multi-year phenomenon and are vying to grab a bigger slice of the high-end market. The effort is part of a broader industry strategy to find high-margin revenue streams to offset rising labor and operating costs. A survey in May by consulting firm Deloitte found more travelers were ready to pay for a more comfortable flying experience than a year ago. "That segment of passengers is as strong as the industry has ever seen it," Alaska Airline's Chief Financial Officer Shane Tackett said in an interview. Stronger demand for premium cabins helped Alaska post the highest adjusted pre-tax margin among major carriers in the second quarter. It also boosted earnings at Delta and United Airlines. Alaska has retrofitted its entire regional fleet this year to add 400,000 premium seats. It now has plans to add 1.3 million premium seats a year to its mainline fleet. The airline and its regional unit had 326 planes in their fleet at the end of June. Last year, Delta said all of its planes would have premium seats. At United, premium seats per flight in North America are estimated to increase by 75% by 2026 from 2019. In all, premium seats at U.S. carriers are expected to increase by 50% in 2026 from before the pandemic, said Xavier Smith, director of research at market-research startup AlphaSense. There is, however, a risk of airlines becoming too aggressive, resulting in a supply glut that hurts pricing power. Airline earnings are already suffering due to excess supply of seats in the domestic market. Smith said carriers must introduce capacity slowly to protect their pricing power. The success of the premium strategy also depends on reliability. Delta CEO Ed Bastian last year said it was the central tenet of the airline's playbook to attract travelers willing to pay for something other than just a seat. But analysts say the Atlanta-based airline's recent flight disruptions, following a global cyber outage, have dented its premium brand image. Delta declined to comment. Similarly, JetBlue's earnings are languishing despite its premium offerings. Brett Snyder, an airline analyst who runs the popular industry blog Cranky Flier, attributed it to the New York-based carrier's operational challenges. On Tuesday, JetBlue said operational reliability is a top priority for its customers and an essential element of the company's strategy to return to sustained profitability. Lina Khan has never been popular with billionaires, but now two prominent business titans want Vice President Kamala Harris to ditch the Federal Trade Commission chair if she wins the White House. In televised interviews last week, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and media mogul Barry Diller called on Harris to fire Khan, saying her aggressive enforcement agenda is bad for business. Both men are also affiliated with companies facing FTC scrutiny. Khan, who at 35 is the youngest person to helm the FTC, has ramped up antitrust and consumer protection enforcement, a cornerstone of the Biden administrations economic policy. She has become a flash point for business, drawing the ire of advocacy groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and some congressional Republicans, who argue that she has been overstepping the agencys authority. Khan is waging war on American business, Hoffman, who also sits on Microsoft Corp.s board, said in a CNN interview last week. Microsoft is facing an FTC probe over its relationship with OpenAI and the companys decision to hire most of the staff of Inflection AI an artificial intelligence startup Hoffman co-founded. In addition, the FTC is still suing the company over its acquisition of game studio Activision Blizzard Inc. even though the deal closed last year. Microsoft declined to comment, referring questions to Hoffman. In a follow-up interview on Tuesday evening, Hoffman who has donated $7 million to Future Forward PAC, which is backing Harris said he hasnt spoken to her about his concerns with Khan and sought to distinguish between his role as a donor and an expert on the tech industry. Ive never tied the two ever in any conversation Ive ever had, Hoffman said, who has a net worth of $5 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. A Harris campaign spokesperson declined to comment. FTC spokesman Douglas Farrar declined to comment on the remarks about Khan, and said the agency cant comment on any ongoing investigations. Hoffman didnt respond to a request for comment via Microsoft or an email to him at Greylock Partners, where he now works. Businesses Stunned President Joe Biden stunned the business community in 2021 when he elevated Khan then a member of a progressive antitrust movement considered on the fringe of mainstream policy to FTC chair hours after she won Senate confirmation as a commissioner. The agency is run by five commissioners and the president choses one to be chair. Meanwhile, GOP vice presidential candidate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, has embraced Khan, saying she is one of the few people in the Biden administration that I think is doing a pretty good job. Diller, who is chairman of IAC Inc., said in an interview with CNBC last week that he would also urge Harris to drop Khan. I think shes a dope. Diller subsequently reined in his comment in a statement to Bloomberg News. I said shes a dope. She isnt, said Diller, whos worth $5.3 billion according to Bloombergs wealth index. Shes smart, but I believe overreaches in disrupting sensible business combinations. Diller sits on the board of MGM Resorts International, which sued the FTC in April over an investigation into a September cyberattack that temporarily shut down its computer systems. The company has sought to disqualify Khan who was visiting MGM Grand on the Las Vegas strip when the cyberattack occurred. In a court filing, the FTC said that MGM hasnt complied with its efforts to probe the incident, the third cyberattack the company has disclosed since 2019. Last year, the FTC also reached a settlement with HomeAdvisor Inc. which is affiliated with IACs Angi Inc. that the company pay up to $7.2 million for using allegedly deceptive sales tactics to sell project leads to small businesses. HomeAdvisor didnt admit liability in the settlement. IAC declined to comment on Dillers remarks. Starwood Capital Group Chairman Barry Sternlicht amped up criticism of Khan in a CNBC interview Tuesday in which he also revealed that Starwood is facing FTC scrutiny over real estate pricing. We all think the FTC has lost their center, Sternlicht said in the interview. Collectively, we and another company own less than a tenth of one percent of the market and theyre looking at our pricing. Sternlicht declined further comment in an email. Starwood didnt respond to requests for comment. With assistance from Emily Birnbaum. Indian and Canadian security officials and diplomats have conducted multiple meetings recently, including two between Canada's intelligence chief and an Indian representative in a third country, to address the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, as reported by Hindustan Times citing sources. Following the Lok Sabha elections, David Vigneault, the former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), held at least two meetings with a high-ranking Indian intelligence official in a third country, HT reported, citing three sources from both sides who were informed, about the discussions. David Vigneault retired from his position as the head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) on July 4 after serving for seven years, with Vanessa Lloyd stepping in as the interim CSIS chief. Meanwhile, India's High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, met with Canadas National Security and Intelligence Advisor (NSIA), Nathalie G. Drouin, four times this year. According to three other sources familiar with the situation, these meetings were described as amicable exchanges, Hindustan Times reported. All these meetings were centered on the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18 of the previous year. Nijjar was labelled a terrorist by India in 2020. In response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations last September suggesting a possible connection between Indian government agents and Nijjar's killing, New Delhi dismissed the claims as absurd. On July 25, India criticized Canada for not taking action against pro-Khalistan elements who have threatened Indian leaders and diplomats. In strong comments, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: When a democracy adopts different yardsticks to measure or implement the rule of law and freedom of expression, it only exposes its own double standard. In recent months, these pro-Khalistani groups have exhibited photos of Indian leaders and diplomats alongside violent slogans in various locations across Canada. India argues that the core issue between the two nations is Canada's tolerance of pro-Khalistan elements operating freely on Canadian soil. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran after attending the swearing-in ceremony of the country's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Irans Islamic Paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed in a statement early on July 31 that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, along with his bodyguard, was killed after his residence in Tehran was hit early Wednesday morning. Hamas has accused Israel of carrying out an airstrike that resulted in Haniyeh's death. Iran's Revolutionary Guard is investigating the attack but has not disclosed how it occurred. Israel had previously vowed to target Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders in response to the group's October 7 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and took around 250 others hostage. Who was Ismail Haniyeh? Ismail Haniyeh, born in 1962 in the Al-Shati refugee camp near Gaza City, joined Hamas in the late 1980s during the First Intifada and became a prominent member of the group. Following internal conflicts with Fatah that led to the collapse of the Palestinian Authority and the formation of a Hamas-led government in the Gaza Strip, Haniyeh served as the leader of this administration from 2007 to 2014. In 2017, he succeeded Khaled Meshaal as the head of Hamas's political bureau. Like many refugee children, Haniyeh received his education at schools operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which also provided food and medical aid to camp residents. In 1981, he enrolled at the Islamic University of Gaza to study Arabic literature and became actively involved in student politics, leading an Islamist student association connected to the Muslim Brotherhood. Haniyeh's political career Ismail Haniyeh's prominent role in Hamas began in 1997 when he became the personal secretary to Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. He remained a close ally until Yassin's assassination in 2004. In 2006, he led Hamas in the Palestinian legislative elections, which resulted in a majority for the group and his appointment as Prime Minister. This led to a freeze in international aid to the Palestinian Authority, causing significant financial strain. By June 2007, following escalating tensions and armed conflict with Fatah, President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed Haniyeh and dissolved his government. The US designated Haniyeh as a specially designated terrorist in 2017. In December 2019, Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip and moved to Turkey and Qatar, which facilitated his ability to represent Hamas internationally. Since 2020, Haniyeh has been based in Doha, Qatar, due to restrictions Egypt imposes on his movement into and out of Gaza. Hamas leaders moved to Qatar after their previous host, Syria, fell out of favour following Palestinian involvement in the 2011 uprising that led to the Syrian Civil War. Additionally, some senior Hamas members reportedly operate from offices in Turkey, as per reports. In October 2022, Haniyeh met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, marking the first meeting between Hamas and Syrias leadership since Hamas severed ties during the Syrian uprising. During the current Israel-Hamas conflict, Haniyeh led the Hamas delegation in cease-fire negotiations mediated by Qatar and Egypt. In April 2024, during ongoing cease-fire talks, an Israeli airstrike killed three of Haniyeh's children and four of his grandchildren. Following this, in May, the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor announced plans to seek arrest warrants for Haniyeh, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, commander Mohammed Deif, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The killing of Ismail Haniyeh follows a rare Israeli strike on Beirut on Tuesday that reportedly killed Fouad Shukur, a senior Hezbollah military commander. Hezbollah has yet to confirm Shukur's death, and the strike also resulted in the deaths of at least one woman and two children, with dozens more wounded. The assassination of Haniyeh has introduced further uncertainty regarding the potential for a ceasefire in Gaza. Additionally, it has created further distress for families waiting for the release of loved ones held by Hamas. Donald Trump asked a New York appeals court to remove a gag order against him in his hush-money criminal case so he can fully respond to Kamala Harris claim that the November election is a choice between a prosecutor and a convicted felon. Vice President Harris, the presumed Democratic nominee and a former California attorney general, has made Trumps guilty verdict the central focus of her campaign, defense attorney Todd Blanche said in a July 30 filing. He asked the New York appeals court to expedite Trumps request to lift the gag order, because it prevents him from giving details on why he says the case is politically motivated. If the request isnt granted, Trump faces constant threat of punishment and fines due to alleged violations of the gag order and suffers irreparable First Amendment harms by being subjected to constant political attacks without being able to fully respond and defend himself, Blanche said in the filing. The request comes more than a week after President Joe Bidens abrupt exit from the race upended the contest. Since Harris emerged as Trumps main Democratic rival, his campaign has been scrambling to settle on effective messages to attack the vice president, a Black and Asian-American woman with a history in law enforcement, who at 59 is nearly two decades younger than her Republican rival. A Manhattan jury on May 30 found Trump guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment to a porn star on the eve of the 2016 election. Trump denies wrongdoing and claims without evidence that the case along with three other criminal prosecutions is part of a Democratic witch hunt intended to keep him from regaining the White House. The gag order, intended to protect the safety of individuals involved in the case, bars Trump from commenting on prosecutors with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office or family members of the judge. It was narrowed after the trial to allow Trump to comment on witnesses during his appeal of the verdict, which is ongoing. The world has seen great moral philosophers who have thought and written about the lived life, its difficulties, and its contradictions. But all these great moral philosophers are on one side and on the other is William Boyd Watterson II. He is the creator of the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip, and is better known as Bill Watterson. My favourite Watterson quip is: Theres never enough time to do all the nothing you want." Today is one such day. Its raining. Gently, like it used to in Pune when I studied there. The road outside where I live is nice and quiet. The neighbour is not shouting at her kids. Bruce Springsteen, the Boss, is singingTenth Avenue Freeze-Out. I am sipping a cup of black coffee and just doing nothing. A state I want to continue existing in (I was until I had to start writing this). As the American poet Robert Frost wrote: The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep." And deadlines to meet. And rent to pay. And money to make. These are the days when I hate my ancestors. Why couldnt I have won the ovarian lottery? Sometime back, a friend sent me his investment portfolio of mutual funds (MFs) to look at. The first thing I noticed was that his investment adviser had made him invest in 30 different equity MF schemes. His wifes portfolio had 17 different equity MF schemes. I didnt go any further. The couple was running a mutual fund on mutual funds. This happened because their adviser had sold them many new fund offers (NFOs)or new equity schemes. Essentially, there are two problems in investing in many equity MFs: practical ones and logical ones. Lets say you have invested in many MFs and, god forbid, something happens to you. Imagine the problem your nominee is likely to face when they need to sort out everything. There is another practical problem, albeit something that someone who has invested in one too many equity MF schemes isnt really going to bother about. How do you keep track of the performance of so many schemes? If you bought these schemes through an app or an online platform, you would get the details at the end of every day. Even individual MF agents now send regular statements showing the value of the MF investments made. When you invest in equity MFs you diversify the risk of investing. But this doesnt mean you should invest in many equity MFs to diversify risk more. But thats just the performance of the overall investment. What about looking at the performance of individual schemes? How are they doing vis-a-vis other schemes in that category? Or how are they doing vis-a-vis the overall stock market? Anyone who tries and answers these questions would never invest in as many schemes as my friend has. Now, lets talk about the logical problem. Why does someone invest in stocks indirectly through an equity MF? Probably because they dont have the time to sit and analyse stocks and feel that its easier to invest through MFs. But investing in many MFs doesnt make life easier. More than that, people invest in MFs to diversify their risk, and not put all their eggs in one basket. An equity MF can invest a maximum of 10% of its overall portfolio in one listed stock. By this definition, any equity MF is bound to have an investment in a minimum of 10 stocks, though equity MFs typically invest in more than 10 stocks at any point in time. Now, lets say you invest directly in stocks, but only in a few. If the price of one of these stocks crashes, the overall value of your portfolio is likely to drop dramatically. But when you invest in an equity MF, there is bound to be some diversification. Or as the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) points out: In other words, you dont lose out on the entire value of your investment if a particular component of your portfolio goes through a turbulent period." Just because you are buying more MFs doesnt mean you are indirectly buying more stocks. Thats one part of the story. When you invest in equity MFs you diversify the risk of investing. But this doesnt mean you should invest in many equity MFs to diversify risk more. Thats not how it works. When someone invests in an equity MF, that fund then invests that money in stocks. But there are only so many stocks that MFs invest in. So just because you are buying more MFs doesnt mean you are indirectly buying more stocks. It doesnt work like that. In fact, as Vashistha Iyer, the chief operating officer of Capitalmind, had tweeted in October: Across 427 active funds, 95% of their (assets under management) is invested in 382 stocks. 80% in just 178 stocks." There is no reason to believe that the situation would have changed much since then. There is a lot to unpack in what Iyer said. In an active equity MF, the fund manager decides which stocks to invest in, depending on the overall mandate of the fund. If the fund's mandate is to invest in large-cap stocks, then the fund manager will make active calls to invest in large-cap stocks. Large-caps are stocks ranked in the top 100 as measured by market capitalisation. So, the question is why the bulk of the money of active equity MFs is invested in fewer than 400 stocks. Lets look at some data before answering that question. As of 28 March, the National Stock Exchange had a total of 2,379 stocks listed on it. Of these, 124 stocks were not available for trading. That leaves 2,255 stocks. Indian equity MFs are facing what's called the depth problem. There arent enough good stocks for fund managers to consider investing in. Now, a bulk of the money collected by equity MFs is invested in fewer than 400 stocks even when more than 2,000 stocks are available. Why is that? There can be multiple reasons. First, fund managers may not be confident about the business models of a large number of companies, and hence, stay away from them. Second, many stocks do not have enough liquidity or trading volumes. Investing in such stocks or selling them becomes difficult without impacting their price, meaning that a large buy order can drive up the stocks price and a large sell order can push it down. This is the major reason why the investment universe of fund managers running equity MFs is limited to fewer than 400 stocks. More than 400 active equity MFs largely have an investment universe of fewer than 400 stocks, implying that there are more equity MFs than stocks. Indian equity MFs are facing what Iyer called the depth problem". There arent enough good stocks for fund managers to consider investing in. This brings us to the basic point behind this piecejust because you invest in many equity MFs doesnt mean your investments are more diversified. Beyond a point, fund managers will largely end up investing in similar stocks. Given this, there is no point in going beyond five or six MFs in a portfolio. That should have you totally covered. In fact, the passive index fund space in India is still evolving. A passive index MF is one that takes money from investors and invests in stocks that make up a particular index. Most actively managed equity MFs are rarely able to beat their benchmark indices. Lets take the case of a passive MF scheme on the Nifty 500 index. The money this scheme collects will be invested in the 500 stocks that make up the Nifty 500 in the same proportion as their weight in the index. Passive index funds that can be bought and sold on stock exchanges are referred to as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This investment space is still evolving. There should come a time when good index funds and ETFs are available on the Nifty 500 or the BSE 500 index. You can then possibly just buy such funds and be done with, instead of having to figure out the best equity MFs from among the more than 400 schemes available. Of course, whats good for a retail investor is not always good for those in the business of managing other peoples money (OPM), like asset management companies running MFs. Asset management companies make more money from managing active MFs than passive ones. Further, passive MFs do not really require fund managers. MF agents, wealth managers, chartered accountants, and anyone else in the business of advising retail investors on which equity MFs to invest in will become redundant if good index funds and ETFs with enough volumes are available on indices like the BSE 500 and the NSE 500. Investors can then just buy those funds. Data clearly show that the most actively managed equity MFs are rarely able to beat their benchmark indices. Why is this important? When retail investors invest in an actively managed equity MF, they are paying for a professional, the fund manager, to manage their money. Hence, the fund manager should consistently generate returns higher than what can be generated by simply buying stocks that make up a stock market index. Active management should do better than passive management because thats what the investors are actually paying for. You will have to pay tax on capital gains at some point. So you might as well do that now. In fact, as the S&P Indices Versus Active Funds (SPIVA) report shows, as at the end of 2023, 86% of the large-cap equity MF schemes, or schemes that invest in large-cap stocks, had failed to beat the returns generated by the BSE 100 index. About 71% of the tax-saving schemes had failed to beat the returns generated by the BSE 200 index. And so the story goes across different timeframes and across categories of funds. Which is why I said that if only good index funds and ETFs were available on the BSE 500 or the NSE 500, investing would become so much simpler. Now that leaves us with one issue. Even without agents and advisers mis-selling equity MFs, you could end up with investments in more than 10 MFs. This can happen over a period of time as you stop your systematic investment plan (SIP) on one equity MF and move on to another one. If this happens a few times over the years, you can end up with more than 10 schemes. In such a situation, investors are not comfortable with selling out of the scheme on which they have stopped investing through SIPs and moving that money to the new scheme. This is because when they do that they need to pay tax on the capital gains made. Heres the thing. You will have to pay tax on the capital gains at some point in your life. So you might as well do that now. Of course, the tax is a cost. It is the cost of keeping things simple and not unnecessarily complicating them. It is also the cost of chasing performance across different equity MFs over the years. Something that can be easily done away with if broader index funds of the kind that I have talked about become available. One remarkable aspect of Kingfisher having gone out of business as an airline is the fact that we can still be invited to get high" on Kingfisher. While it refers to a colourful bird, the carrier took its name from a popular brand of beer marketed by the same UB Group. Until it folded up, this groups aviation play was clearly a business in its own right. Even so, it was a case of brand synergy (in B-school speak) as much as surrogate advertising, defined as a campaign for one thing on the face of it and something else in its market effect. As a brand, if Kingfisher retains space in peoples memory, some of the credit is due to an impression left by UBs high-profile aviation venture. The name was painted large across its aircraft exteriors, with every flight assuring it visibility of a kind unseen since the zeppelin era of advertising. This airborne medium was even more snazzy, if anything, as planes flew around airing the brands visual cues and attracting eyeballs. Today, despite the UB Groups woes, the alcoholic beverage that sells under that label has proven so resilient against a freshly brewed wave of rivalry that even Heineken, UBs Dutch equity partner, should thank those flights. The point, though, is this: Should an airline called Kingfisher ever have been allowed into Indian skies? If the answer is yes, then we will find it hard to police surrogacy in advertising, a practice that may not always be outright deception, but is often too clever by half. As reported by Mint, Indias ministry of consumer affairs has draft rules under review that aim to curb advertisements which mask what theyre out to hawk. That such ads pervade online spaces and TV airwaves is beyond doubt. All kinds of party knick-knacks, from tumblers and ice-boxes to music playlists and fashion attire, have been launched under brand insignia shared with fluids that cant be advertised openly because they contain alcohol. Since these low-key launches are decoys, typically, with token production runs just to prove their existence, one regulatory proposal involves asking businesses to report the market availability and sales volumes of advertised items. If thats not strict enough, companies might even be asked to issue public notices of such data. This approach may sound like a crackdown, but it isnt. Any leeway for genuine brand extensions would have ad hoc calls being taken by officials, spelling scope for another inspector raj. As weve seen before, grey zones can generate black money. More pertinently, Kingfisher Airlines was a bona fide business. Its tickets were available and it had sales volumes (at least till it didnt). Its rise and fall left a trail of damage, but it also catapulted a brand of beer to extraordinary levels of popular recall across the country. Sure, aviation is too expensive a sector for a rational investor to use solely as a beer mask, but we cant deny the surrogacy that was at play. Its the same with other media. Regardless of the stated aims of an ad campaign, it either plays a surrogate role or it doesnt. As with pregnancy, its either-or. To end the practice, policy will also need to place principle above pretence. The only clear-cut way out would be to ban the advertising of anything that shares its brand identity or appeal with an item that must be denied publicity in public interest. An all-out ban, in other words, is the only earnest way to tackle a problem that has outlasted every regimes restraints so far. And, no, in retrospect, a beer brand should not have been cleared for take-off. Of late, there have been many discussions on how much spending or ostentation is too much" for a rich person. And the views are polarized along, It is bad/ immoral/ unforgivable to spend so much when most of your fellow citizens need free food" to It is their money and how they spend it is no one elses business." Without getting moralistic, the question is whether there a way or framework to think about this in pure economic terms? That is what I attempt to do in this piece. My analysis is largely based on a research paper, Perspectives: Explaining Influence Rents: The Case for an Institutions-Based View by Gautam Ahuja and Sai Yayavaram, published in the journal Organization Science, and some discussions with Professor Ahuja. Any distortions or over-simplifications are, of course, mine. The framework, very broadly, is this: There are five types or sources of wealth creation, and the freedom to spend the money as desired should depend on how that wealth has been earned. These five can be roughly ranked in moral terms. Moral not in a spiritual sense, but determined by whether the money is deserved in economic terms. Thus the questions are: How much of the wealth was earned by means of the honest efforts and capabilities of its current owners? And there is a hierarchy to this which determines the moral right to that money. The logic? For an economic system to work well, rewards and efforts should be aligned, businesses should pay for their related costs, and the market should allow reasonable competitionmeaning that another player should have a fair chance of replacing the incumbent. Coming back to the five sources of wealth, here are the five in decreasing order of desirability: The first are returns from a talent (or an ability) and/or effort. You design clothes or jewellery that your customers love, for example, or start a D Mart in a crowded business arena and make a success of it. These are legitimate ways to earn wealth. The second is wealth created from innovation or an invention. It could be an electric bulb, Viagra or a iPod. In such circumstances, it is only fair that the innovator be rewardedboth for making the world better and for incentivizing other inventors. In both these categories, it can be argued that the wealth created belongs completely to the owner, to spend as they deem fit, whether it is on buying a private plane or an island, or partying with the biggest names in showbiz. Now we start to move into relatively grey areas. The third category relates to externalities. These are cases where a business may be making profits where a part of the costs of that business are being borne by the economy or society at large. Textbook examples include the health damage caused by cigarettes and pollution from automobiles, neither of which is paid for by the companies manufacturing these. Then comes income or wealth made on account of monopolistic advantages. For example, some sectors like railways, ports, airports, oil exploration or even large-scale oil refining, electric utilities, telecom, etc, tend to develop natural monopolies. In such cases competition, especially new competition, is either missing or weak due to the structure of the industry. This is why most monopoly businesses have traditionally been either government run or heavily regulated. This is also the reason why anti-monopoly laws exist in most jurisdictions. In more recent times, a platform like Facebook or Google can provide the incumbent many monopolistic advantages, including very high entry barriers for anyone else. The last type is influence rents, as economists call them. This is the worst way to generate wealth (short of actual crime). These arise because the person or business controls the institutions and rules by which the economic activity is regulated. Those who benefit from this often have access to market opportunities and contracts that are not available to others, and frequently receive exceptional treatment. Plus, rules and laws are fashioned to favour them and disfavour their rivals. Under this framework, economically speaking, it is fine if someone spends money that has been earned through talent and/or effort, or by innovation. Money from externalities, monopolies or the exercise of influence, however, is a different story. Wealth does not always fall into a single source category. For example, in its business of e-commerce, Amazon started out as an innovator and a business doing things more efficiently. But, later on, it allegedly did not hesitate to use and misuse its monopoly or dominant position. Therefore, in every case, one would need to make a judgement on the mix of wealth sources before we can say whether its holders are entitled to spend it as they wish. But why do we need to do that? Is it for gossip or remarks about extravagance on social media? Actually, the issue goes much deeper. Influence rents, for example, can impair the productive capacity of an economy because they distort and destroy incentives to invest or work hard, and thus condemn everyone to longer-term sub-optimal outcomes. In economic theory, it has been shown that societies characterized by certain market features and processes work better to maximize economic development and growth. An ideal economic system features fair competition as well as a robust institutional, legal and regulatory structure, with appropriate laws that cover competition, contracts, consumer protection and more. These are not just theoretical constructs. As the papers authors point out, the USs economic system during the Cold War was heavily driven by that logic, in contrast with the socialist economic system adopted by the Soviet Union. The Soviets were able to match the US on military strength and technology, but were not able to match the efficiency of the economic and legal institutions of the US. Ultimately, the collapse of the Soviet Union was an economic phenomenon, and not on account of a military defeat. A society and economy will not prosper if it is weakened by hollowed-out institutions, where wealth is created via capturing and influencing these. We can see this play out in many resource-rich countries around the world that continue to struggle economically, or for that matter even in post-Soviet Russia, controlled as it has been by oligarchs or others close to the power centre. Hence, it is not just about judging someones spending, but what that tells you about the structure of an economy and the brightness or otherwise of its future. At least we now have a framework to think about this. The author is chairperson, managing director and founder of First Global, an Indian and global asset management company. Her X handle is @devinamehra Advocacy of Chinese foreign direct investment into India by the Economic Survey notwithstanding, a change in Indias position seems unlikely. There is no rethinking at present to support Chinese investments in the country," commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday, noting that the surveys recommendations are not binding. The current path of India-China trade ties could, however, augur poorly for Indias balance of trade, since it relies heavily on China for a variety of inputs and these imports are hard to abate. At the same time, Indian exports to China have not been able to make much headway. The imbalance may be partly due to Beijings hidden subsidies for businesses that leave others uncompetitive, but also because of a genuine Chinese edge that Indian manufacturers cannot replicate. In such a situation, its pragmatic to let Chinese firms manufacture locally what they sell here, rather than importing it. This would draw in capital and create jobs. Also, it could serve Indias China-plus-one aims. Its just that we must be careful about which sectors to open up. On balance, though, the surveys China proposal warrants a closer look. RENO, Nev. In the two weeks since JD Vance was nominated by the GOP as Donald Trumps running mate, he has been seen by many votersincluding some Republicansas a lightning rod for controversy. But the Nevadans who turned out to hear Vance Tuesday saw him as something else: Trumps handpicked heir. I came to see what the future of the GOP looks like," said Kate Marsh, 38 years old, a local property manager. Vance is who Trump picked to carry us on after hes gone." Vance, a 39-year-old Ohio senator first known for his Hillbilly Elegy" memoir, has been seeking to define himself on the campaign trail since Trump chose him at the start of the Republican convention. The decision, which came before President Biden announced he would step out of the race, has been second-guessed by some Republicans since, as Vance is seen as a populist, right-wing messenger who appeals to Trumps loyal MAGA base but may not to the voters needed to win a close race in swing states such as Nevada. Vance dedicated most of a fiery speech before a cheering crowd in Reno Tuesday to bashing Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrats expected nominee, calling her dangerously liberal." He slammed Harris for policies he claimed had led to an influx of immigrants entering the country illegally, vowing mass deportations if Trump is elected. He bashed free trade, globalization and the media. He sought to equate Harris with Biden, suggesting she acted for him behind the scenes. If youre too dumb to realize that Biden couldnt do the job or, more likely, if youre too dishonest to admit it, you are not fit to be commander in chief," Vance said. Like Trump, Vance favors tighter borders, tariffs, more isolationist foreign policy and government intervention in the economy. He has echoed Trumps antiestablishment message and, in his acceptance address, bashed Wall Street. In the weeks since the pick, Vance has drawn unwanted attention for several past comments, most notoriously for calling the country run by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives" in a 2021 interview and calling for people without children to pay higher taxes. In the face of the perceived flubs, Republicans have faced questions as to whether Vance is the right person for the ticket. Well, its too late to rethink it," said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R., N.D.), who had advocated for North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to be the vice presidential pick. Cramer added that he isnt worried about the comments Democrats have pounced on since the nomination. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R., Mo.) said Vance was a great pick and dismissed private griping among Republicans. Thats a lot of drama in the bubble here," Schmitt said, referring to inside-the-Beltway speculation about whether Vance would be replaced on the ticket. I dont think thats real." Trump has taken note of some of Vances comments and the criticism that has accompanied them, according to people familiar with his thinking, and he is closely watching Harris in these early days to evaluate where things stand for his campaign. But the Trump campaign pushed back on any suggestions that the GOP nominee is having second thoughts. President Trump is thrilled with the choice he made with Sen. Vance to be his running mate, and they are the perfect team to take back the White House," said campaign spokesman Steven Cheung. Democrats are in complete disarray after their coup that forcibly removed Biden from the campaign, proving they are the real threats to democracy. The fact remains that Kamala Harris is weak, failed, and dangerously liberal, and no amount of gaslighting from her or her campaign will erase her despicable record," he said. Harris campaign spokeswoman Sarafina Chitika said Tuesday that Vances past comments make it clear: he and Donald Trump are not pro-family, they are anti-women." At Tuesdays rally, Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna defended Vance against that charge. I am here today because of the egregious lies about JD Vance, that hes anti-woman," Luna said. They try to say that JD is the problem, but the fact is hes a threat" to Democrats. In a brief personal part of his speech, Vance mentioned his wife and the grandmother who raised him. I have been the beneficiary of a number of strong women in my life," he said. Ive lived the American dream because of those strong women." Marsh, the property manager, said she knew nothing of Vance before Trump added him to the ticket but, in the two weeks since, has read his book and differing opinion pieces about him. She called herself fascinated by his American dream" story and wants to hear more of his perspectives on policy. Marsh and other rally attendees largely shrugged off the recent knocks Vance has taken. Turning out in bedazzled MAGA hats and T-shirts with photos of a bleeding Trump after the attempt on his life, they said they had confidence in any Trump choice. Shawn Newman, a 59-year-old truck driver, tried to camp in the parking lotas he has at other Trump ralliesto be first in line to see Vance, he said. When security kicked him out at 2 a.m. he moved across the street, he said, then returned at 5 a.m. Whoever Trump picks, Im going to stand behind, because everything Trump has said has come true," Newman said. Retirees John and Jessie Vettel, who were previously familiar with Vance and were asked to sit behind him onstage, said they were most impressed by his personal background and accomplishments. He knows what its like to struggle," John Vettel said. And right now a lot of us are struggling," his wife added. Rally attendee Todd Stubblefield, 63, a contractor working temporarily in Reno from Houston, Tex., said he didnt know anything about Vance before the speech but, afterward, was a fan. I like his passion," Stubblefield said. I like the fact that the Democrats are throwing bricks at him." More moderate voters in the swing state, however, said they were alarmed by Vance. Steve Weil, 62, a Carson City independent who described himself as fiscally conservative and socially progressive, called the vice presidential nominee even more extreme than Trump. His abortion stance is definitely more extreme," said Weil, a retired surgical nurse. His comments regarding needing to have children in order to have a vested interest in the future of our country, I find that disingenuous." Lindsay Wise, Vivian Salama and Alex Leary contributed to this article. Write to Elizabeth Findell at elizabeth.findell@wsj.com As vice president, Kamala Harris stood on a Philippine ship in the South China Sea and denounced Beijings attempts to assert control there as unlawful and irresponsible." From Japan, she reaffirmed American support for Taiwans self-defense, angering Chinese officials. But in her single, brief meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Harris delivered a friendlier message, urging open communication between the two rivals. Over almost eight years as a senator and vice president, Harris has offered only fleeting glimpses of how she would put her mark on Americas tense relationship with China as president. China strategy is among the big questions about Harriss foreign-policy priorities as she races into a general election against former President Donald Trump, whose vows to step up trade pressure on Beijing are a hallmark of his campaign. Her thin foreign-policy record suggests a President Harris would borrow heavily from President Bidens playbook, which has framed China as an authoritarian challenger to U.S. pre-eminence, according to analysts in Washington and Beijing. Harriss past statements and voting record as a senator also hint at her concerns about Chinese human rights and cyber theft, a contrast to Trumps trade focus. View Full Image Xi Jinping and Joe Biden meeting last November. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters The next president will likely inherit a U.S.-China relationship that has deteriorated since Trump was in office, though it has shown signs of stabilizing after a November summit between Biden and Xi in San Francisco. From the Oval Office last week, Biden also said it is no longer inevitable that China will surpass the U.S., an apparent reference to its recent economic slowdown that could subdue some congressional anxiety about Chinese power. But bilateral tensions remain high over Chinas indirect support for Russias war in Ukraine, Beijings military muscle flexing in Asia and its increasing reliance on exports that threaten to flood global markets. A female Obama As president, Harris would likely continue Bidens emphasis on bolstering alliances with Japan, South Korea and other regional powers to counter Beijings assertive behavior, said Lily McElwee, a fellow in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Its almost certain that her views have been shaped by her role over the past few years," McElwee said, referring to the vice presidents intensive on-the-job training in international affairs. McElwee said that while a President Harris might be inclined to emphasize human rights or climate concerns more than Trump, Biden-style cooperation with allies is likely here to stay no matter who the next president is. A Harris aide said the vice president has visited Asia four times and met with the leaders of all five U.S. treaty allies in the Indo-Pacific. Harris has also led U.S. delegations at summits in Asia, including the one where she met Xi, and to foreign capitals where she reaffirmed U.S. commitments to allies and called out Beijing for military and economic aggression, including the statements in Japan and the Philippines. The vice president has dedicated significant time and energy to strengthening our alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, which has been a critical part of our overall strategy to outcompete China," the aide said. View Full Image Harris arriving at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in 2023. Photo: Willy Kurniawan/AFP/Getty Images In China, a burst of attention to Harris has centered primarily on her looks, gender and race, not core issues of bilateral relations. Media commentators grasping for ways to explain her political ascension have called Harris a female Obama," and cast doubt she can beat Trump. Limited attention in Chinese media to how Harris might steer policy reflects that Beijing isnt taking an official position on the candidates and predictions both will be hawkish toward China. The presidential elections are the United States own affairs. We have no comment on that," a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said at a briefing. The Chinese side wont hold out too much hope for a positive shift in the U.S.s China policy, no matter who wins the election," said Wu Xinbo, dean of the Institute of International Studies at Shanghais Fudan University. Crash course Harris wasnt much exposed to international affairs or foreign leaders until becoming Bidens vice president in 2021. In her past election campaigns for the presidency, Senate and California attorney general, she ran primarily on her domestic-policy positions. Bidens China strategy reflects his decades as a foreign-policy hand and his intimate knowledge of Xi. Ive spent more time with him than any other world leader," the president has said. Trump began his presidency a novice on China. He hadnt visited its mainland but had pursued business in the country. Once in office, Trump hosted Xi at his home, was feted in Beijing and then spent months tussling with Chinese envoys to negotiate a trade pact. Now, episodes such as Harriss brief and formulaic chat with Xi on the sidelines of a leadership conference in Bangkok in 2022 are taking on fresh significance as government officials and other observers scrutinize her record for clues to her future policies. The aide said the meeting contributed to the administrations efforts to responsibly manage the competition with China." Days after she met Xi in 2022, Harris angered Beijing from the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, moored near waters where China is trying to assert control through maritime claims that the Philippines and the U.S. call illegal. We will continue to rally our allies and partners against unlawful and irresponsible behavior," she said. The Harris aide said she has met Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.six times as the U.S. has tightened its ties to the nation and forged bonds between Tokyo and Manila. In step with Biden, Harris has spoken more forcefully about supporting Taiwan than Trump, who expressed a preference in a recently published Bloomberg Businessweek interview for the democratic island to pay us for defense." Harris has also met Taiwans current president, Lai Ching-te, when both were vice presidents visiting Honduras in 2022. From a U.S. Navy vessel in Japan later that year, Harris asserted that the U.S. will continue to support Taiwans self-defense, consistent with our longstanding policy." In each instance, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said such matters are Chinas internal affairs. Campaign clues Harriss previous presidential campaign offers other clues to her thinking about Beijing. Under my administration, we will cooperate with China on global issues like climate change, but we wont allow human rights abuses to go unchecked," she said in 2019. In Harriss 2019 autobiography, The Truths We Hold: An American Journey," she called for more investment in law enforcement efforts to cut off the supply of fentanyl from China" and compared the impact of Chinese cyberattacks to warplanes bombing American cities. The book didnt mention the Chinese Communist Party. How Harris might differ from Trump on economic policy toward China isnt clear. She told a vice-presidential debate audience four years ago that Trump had lost the trade war with China, though the Biden administration has retained key Trump tariffs and its strategy isnt unlike the current Republican platform that calls for secure strategic independence from China." Like Trump, Harris opposed the Obama-era Trans-Pacific Partnership with Asian nations that was designed to expand alternatives to trading with China. During her previous presidential campaign, Harris was among dozens of senators who co-sponsored a bill introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) to downgrade the U.S. relationship with Hong Kong amid a Chinese crackdown on antigovernment unrest in the former British colony. Answering questions from the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations during her run, Harris said Chinas abysmal human rights record must feature prominently in our policy toward the country," and called its surveillance a tool of religious repression against Uyghur Muslims. Write to James T. Areddy at James.Areddy@wsj.com and Chun Han Wong at chunhan.wong@wsj.com The Congress has labelled BJP MP Anurag Thakur's controversial speech in the ongoing Budget session as a highly abusive and unconstitutional tirade, and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of promoting a "serious breach of parliamentary privilege" by sharing the speech on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday. Congress general secretary in-charge, communications, Jairam Ramesh, slammed Thakur for making an apparent reference to Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi's caste, during a discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha. Prime Minister Modi praised Thakur's speech and said it was a must-hear. Tagging Modi's post on X, Ramesh said, This speech that the non-biological Prime Minister calls a must hear is a highly abusive and unconstitutional tirade -- and by sharing it, he has encouraged a serious breach of Parliamentary privilege. Thakur brought parliamentary discourse to a new low by asking a fellow MP and the Leader of Opposition about his caste identity, Ramesh said. Upon protests from the opposition benches, the Chair, Jagadambika Pal, assured MPs that the comments will be expunged, he said. In a departure from all parliamentary norms -- expunged comments are edited out of videos uploaded online -- Sansad TV has uploaded the unedited speech, and the non-biological Prime Minister has shared and praised it publicly, Ramesh said. "This is a new and shameful low in the annals of India's parliamentary history. It reflects the BJP-RSS and Mr. Modi's deep-rooted casteism," the Congress leader alleged. Thakur's apparent reference to Gandhi's caste triggered an ugly spat between the opposition and treasury benches. Gandhi accused Thakur of insulting and abusing him during the debate but asserted that he would not seek any apology from the former Union minister. Also Read: The many shades of caste inequality in India "Anurag Thakur insulted me, and I don't want any apology from him. Abuse or insult me as hard as you can, but don't forget we will pass the caste census in this Parliament for sure," the Leader of Opposition said in the House. Sharing Thakur's speech on X on Tuesday, Modi said. This speech by my young and energetic colleague Shri Anurag Thakur is a must hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance. As the row erupted in Parliament, the Congress said the Gandhi family's caste is martyrdom, but the BJP-RSS will never understand that. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also came down heavily on Thakur's apparent questioning of Gandhi's caste in the Lok Sabha. A socio-economic caste census is the demand of 80 per cent of the people of this country. Today, it was said in Parliament that those whose caste is not known talk about a caste census, she said in a post in Hindi on X on Tuesday. Will 80 per cent of India's population be abused in Parliament now, she asked. Narendra Modi should clarify whether this happened at his behest, she said. The Congress party has moved a privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over encouraging Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Anurag Thakur's comments about Rahul Gandhi's caste in Lok Sabha on July 30. Congress Member of Parliament (Jalandhar) Charanjit Singh Channi submitted a Privilege complaint against PM Modi to the Secretary General, Lok Sabha, the party said on July 31. Congress Member of Parliament (Jalandhar) Charanjit Singh Channi moved the Privilege Motion under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While speaking on Budget 2024 in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Thakur, the Hamiprpur MP, got into a heated exchange with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, taking a jibe at Gandhi's caste. Also Read | Anurag Thakur and Rahul Gandhi clash in Lok Sabha over caste and symbolism Thakur's remarks were expunged from the proceedings of the House. The remarks led to an uproar from the opposition and a renewed call to consider the caste census bill. "The PM tweeting the remarks that had been expunged from the proceedings of Lok Sabha clearly amounts to a breach of privilege motion against the PM, and Irequest you to please admit my motion and permit me to move the same, request that privilege proceedings may be initiated against the Prime Minister," the notice by Channi reads. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the video of Anurag Thakur's speech, calling it a 'must hear'. Thus, the Congress decided to move a privilege motion complaint against the Prime Minister. Privilege Motion refers to a formal process through which the Parliament or State Legislatures can deal with instances of breach of parliamentary privileges by individuals or authorities. Terming Thakur's comments highly abusive and unconstitutional tirade, the Congress earlier accused PM Modi of encouraging a serious breach of parliamentary privilege by sharing his Lok Sabha speech on X. Tagging Modi's post on X, Ramesh said, This speech that the non-biological Prime Minister calls a 'must hear' is a highly abusive and unconstitutional tirade and by sharing it, he has encouraged a serious breach of Parliamentary privilege. Rahul Gandhi accused Thakur of insulting and abusing him during the debate but asserted that he would not seek any apology from the former Union minister. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also came down heavily on Thakur's apparent questioning of Gandhi's caste in the Lok Sabha. Iran had planned to use this weeks inauguration of its new president to show off its powerful collection of militias. Representatives of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Yemens Houthis and Lebanons Hezbollah all gathered in Tehran, where Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh hugged new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian amid chants of Death to Israel." But before the next day dawned, it was Haniyeh who was dead, in a mysterious strike in the Iranian capital that Hamas blamed on Israel. It came just hours after the Israeli military said it had killed a top Hezbollah official with an airstrike in Beirut. The pair of provocative killings dealt an embarrassing blow to Iran and its self-proclaimed Axis of Resistance. They also have pushed the Middle East to the brink of a wider war that the U.S. has worked tirelessly for months to head off. We are on the verge of a large, large-scale escalation," said Danny Citrinowicz, who served as head of the Iran branch for Israeli military intelligence and is now a fellow with the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies. Iran is leading the axis, and they cannot protect one of the leaders of the axis coming for Pezeshkians inauguration." The week opened with global diplomats led by the U.S. scrambling to prevent a rocket strike that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from spiraling into a broader war. With Israel under pressure to retaliate forcefully, their efforts were focused on how to find a target that would be important but not so provocative as to force a heavy response, negotiators involved in the process said. Hezbollah signaled repeatedly that hitting Beirut or a senior official would cross red lines, the negotiators said. When Israel crossed both, U.S. and Arab diplomats involved in efforts to defuse tensions were concerned the violence could escalate. The strike on Tehran, Hezbollahs main backer, adds a dangerous new variable to the calculation. Israel hasnt commented on Haniyehs killing. The Middle East has teetered on the edge of a regional war since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks that left 1,200 people dead and sparked the conflict in Gaza, now in its 10th month. Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel the following day, and the two sides have exchanged fire on a near-daily basis since then. An Israeli strike on Iranian military leaders gathered at a diplomatic building in Damascus in April provoked a massive response by Iran, which fired more than 300 missiles and drones in a rare direct attack on Israeli soil. A coalition led by the U.S. helped Israel fight off that attack, and a limited assault on Iran by Israel ended the exchange and left a wary stasis. Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Yemen have fired drones and missiles at Israel, including a drone launched by the Yemen-based Houthi militia that hit Tel Aviv, prompting Israel to bomb a Houthi-controlled Yemeni port. U.S. diplomats have crisscrossed the region in an effort to keep the various strikes and retaliations from escalating. Whether the killings this week will tip the balance is unclear. Israel is now bracing for responses both on its own territory and on Israeli and Jewish targets abroad, said former Israeli National Security Council head Yaakov Amidror. Iran in the past has targeted Israelis abroad and Hezbollah has targeted Jewish institutions internationally. Iran may try to find a weak point in the broader Israeli system, in Israel or abroad, and to use it against Israel," Amidror said. Write to Summer Said at summer.said@wsj.com and Rory Jones at Rory.Jones@wsj.com You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The Irish Supreme Court has dismissed architect Graham Dwyers appeal against his conviction for the murder of childcare worker Elaine OHara in 2012. Dwyer was convicted on March 27 2015 after a lengthy high-profile trial. Lawyers for Dwyer had argued that his rights were breached through a system of mass surveillance involving the retention of mobile phone data which was used in the trial to pinpoint specific places at particular times and dates. In April 2022, Dwyer won a case in Europe about the mobile data retention practices used in the case against him. The Court of Justice of the EU ruled that law in the union precludes the general and indiscriminate retention of traffic and location data relating to electronic communication for the purpose of combating serious crime. Dwyer subsequently launched an appeal in Ireland on numerous grounds, including the admissibility of the mobile phone data evidence. This was dismissed by the Irish Court of Appeal, which found that the admission of the call data was very limited and could not be perceived as arising to a miscarriage of justice in the case but the matter was further brought to the Supreme Court. In the judgment delivered on Wednesday, the judges noted that the cornerstone of the prosecutions case was the content and timing of text messages. The judges noted that the attribution of the messages were an essential building block to the prosecutions case but that the evidence linking the phones to Ms OHara and Dwyer had not been challenged or contradicted. The court said that even if the traffic and location data from the phones had been deemed inadmissible, the appeal would have been dismissed due to the overwhelming and unanswerable evidence in the case which meant there was no question of any lost chance of acquittal. It rejected the argument that the admission of the phone traffic and location evidence in the case would bring the administration of justice into disrepute, emphasising the probative value of the evidence, the gravity of the case and the limited and targeted nature of the access in the case. A judgment from Mr Justice Collins said: Here, in my view, the position is very clear. Even if the traffic and location data relating to the work was inadmissible which, for the reasons set out above, it was not the remaining evidence available to the prosecution was more than sufficient to establish attribution beyond any reasonable doubt. The evidence was in fact overwhelming and unanswerable. It follows, in my view, that there was no question of any lost chance of acquittal here Accordingly, had I concluded that the traffic and location data was inadmissible, I would have upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal to apply the proviso and would have dismissed Mr Dwyers appeal on that basis. As Dwyers appeal was dismissed, Ms OHaras family members hugged one another in the court chamber. In a statement they said: It is now almost 12 years since we lost Elaine. What began as a missing persons case turned into a murder investigation and a long, arduous criminal trial, with many challenges to the jurys verdict over the years. We are relieved that the Supreme Court has upheld the verdict of the Court of Appeal. We hope that Elaine can now, at last, rest in peace. We would like to thank An Garda Siochana, in particular the investigating team, the detectives and our family liaison officer who have been by our side throughout this. We would also like to thank our family and friends for the support they have given us over the years. We will not be making any further comment. The parents of Bryonny Sainsbury, the 25-year-old Newtownforbes woman who died from a serious brain injury, will continue to fight on behalf of their child. Alison and Chris Sainsbury lost their daughter after she was crushed by a horse on August 26, 2021. After years of delay a Mullingar hospital report on the incident was finally published. We saw the review team last Monday (July 22), it was published for us the week before that, Alison told the Leader, It shows the complete and utter failure of the system. The inquest into last February returned a verdict of 'medical misadventure'. Bryonny, of Briskil, Newtownforbes, died from her injuries in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin five days later, after originally being treated at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar. We were told in the inquest that Bryonny should still be here, that her injury was not life threatening, that it was the lack of care. How do they expect you to comprehend that, the distraught mother said. Since the February inquest Bryonnys family have been waiting for the finalisation of the review. This review was undertaken by an internal review team on behalf of Mullingar Hospital: It acknowledged that there was a total lack of following protocol. Alison Sainsbury says she will continue to battle for her daughter: We will just continue to fight, we shouldn't have to continue that fight, but we have no other choice, because the system doesn't give you any other choice. Tech & Science, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases By Long Island Published: July 31 2024 Governor Hochul and Senator Gillibrand announced a $405 million FEMA grant to enhance Long Islands electrical infrastructure, aiming to improve resilience against extreme weather events. Governor Hochul and Senator Gillibrand today announced a $405 million grant to enhance the electrical transmission and distribution system across Long Island and the Rockaways. This funding, administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMPG), will support critical upgrades and replacements to the Long Island Power Authoritys (LIPA) electrical infrastructure, aimed at mitigating the impacts of future extreme weather events. We're investing in a reliable, resilient clean energy grid that can withstand the impacts of extreme weather events, Governor Hochul said. Thanks to the Biden administration and our partners in Congress, this funding will make crucial upgrades to improve our electrical grid and help keep the lights on for New Yorkers. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, As extreme weather events become more common across New York and the country, we must work to ensure that our electrical infrastructure is reliable and equipped to mitigate hazards. Only a few years ago, we saw the devastating impacts Tropical Storm Isaias had on the Long Island electrical grid, which left over half a million Long Islanders without power. This $405 million in federal funding will bring critical upgrades and replacements to LIPAs electrical grid and help mitigate the impacts of future extreme weather events. I am proud to deliver this funding and will continue to fight to increase the reliability and resiliency of electrical infrastructure across New York State. FEMAs hazard mitigation assistance provides funding to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from future disasters. By investing in mitigation planning, the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage is broken, implementing solutions that safeguard against future events. The increased funding will enable LIPA to strengthen 166 overhead circuits covering approximately 1,376 miles of its power distribution network, following the damage caused by Tropical Storm Isaias, which left 650,000 customers without power in August 2020. Additionally, the funding will allow LIPA to storm harden an additional 166 overhead three-phase primary circuits. LIPA completed 339 circuits with FEMA mitigation funding after Hurricane Sandy. Between these two grants, LIPA will have storm hardened more than 50 percent of its overhead system since 2020. Long Island Power Authority Acting Chief Executive Office John Rhodes said, Our customers want and deserve reliable and resilient electric service. This additional funding will significantly bolster our ongoing efforts to build a stronger power grid and allow us to be better equipped to handle future weather challenges. We thank FEMA, along with all our partners in the federal government, for their continued support. Long Island Power Authority Board of Trustees Chair Tracey Edwards said, The LIPA Board of Trustees is dedicated to delivering clean, reliable, and affordable energy while ensuring the lowest long-term costs for our customers. This substantial federal funding will empower us to undertake essential upgrades to our electrical grid, enhancing its resilience and reliability. We are grateful for FEMAs support and commend the dedicated LIPA staff for their commitment and work in driving this project forward. Key components of the project include: Stronger utility poles: Approximately 11,000 utility poles will be replaced with stronger, more resilient poles capable of withstanding hurricane-force winds up to 135 mph. These poles will have a stronger base while maintaining the same height as the existing ones. Enhanced electrical wire: 1,281 miles of primary wire will be upgraded to more durable and resilient alternatives. Narrow profile crossarms: To prevent damage from falling tree limbs, 29,000 utility crossarms will be replaced with shorter, synthetic versions. These crossarms offer a useful life of 30 years, compared to their wooden counterparts. Increased workforce: There will be an increase of approximately 100 electrical line workers over the projects four-year construction. These additional line workers will assist with power restoration during major weather events and contribute to the local economy. In total, the project will take five years to be completed. As a public authority, LIPA is eligible to pursue grant opportunities to help offset the cost of storm recovery and climate resiliency for its customers. Over the past decade, LIPA has secured multiple FEMA grants for storm hardening, including recovery from Superstorm Sandy (2012) and Tropical Storm Isaias (2020). These grants have substantially reduced customer costs by $2.3 billion. Mitigation efforts funded through FEMA have proven effective, with storm-hardened circuits performing 50 percent better compared to unmitigated circuits during extreme weather events. Long Island Federation of Labor AFL-CIO President John R. Durso said, Long Island is an island in the Atlantic Ocean on the front lines of climate change. This federal funding is significant for Long Island. Enhancing our electric grids reliability and resiliency is vital to delivering stable power and good-paying union jobs for a better and brighter future. We would also like to thank Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Schumer, and Senator Gillibrand for their leadership and support in securing these funds. IBEW 1049 Business Manager Pat Guidice said, This important funding is vital to the continued strengthening of Long Islands electrical infrastructure, making it more robust against extreme weather we are experiencing. In addition, this will create more jobs for trained professionals so vital for the operation of the Grid while boosting our local economy. IBEW Local 1049 is proud to contribute with skilled union labor, ensuring the work is done safely and efficiently. We thank our leaders for securing this vital investment. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: July 31 2024 Steven Frigand was in possession of 18 firearms and other weapons, high-capacity magazines, and more than a pound of cocaine; fired dozens of shots from his basement apartment. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a North Massapequa man pleaded guilty today to drug and weapon charges for illegally possessing more than a dozen firearms and a pound of cocaine found during a search warrant executed at his residence after the defendant had fired dozens of shots out of his basement apartment striking neighboring homes. Steven Frigand, 58, pleaded guilty before Judge Robert Bogle to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (an A-I felony); two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C violent felony); and Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (a D felony) in satisfaction of the indictment. The defendant is expected to be sentenced to 10 years in prison on September 25, 2024. In a quiet residential neighborhood, without a thought to the terror and danger his actions would create, Steven Frigand unleashed a hail of gunfire from his basement apartment striking several homes, said DA Donnelly. The defendants thoughtless and cavalier behavior put a child in harms way, when a bullet tore through the young boys bedroom as he slept. A further search of the defendants living space returned more than a dozen illegal guns, including deadly assault rifles, and half a kilogram of cocaine. Illegal firearms can surface anywhere, and with our law enforcement partners we will continue to ensure individuals who unlawfully keep caches of dangerous weapons are held accountable. DA Donnelly said that on August 20, 2023, at approximately 12:45 a.m., Steven Frigand fired dozens of shots from the basement apartment of 2 Sussex Avenue in North Massapequa. Several of the shots hit a house behind the 2 Sussex address, and many others tore through a fence and hit a different house next door to the address. Two of the bullets entered the home next door, one of which narrowly missed a child asleep in his bed and the homeowner who had gone to check on the child. When police arrived at the scene, the defendant was in the basement and refused to come out for more than an hour despite police orders. The defendant was taken to Nassau University Medical Center once he exited the home. A search warrant executed on the basement of the home later that day recovered: 18 weapons, including six assault rifles, seven additional rifles, four shotguns and a revolver 40 high-capacity magazines Hundreds of rounds of ammunition Multiple shell casings, bullets, and bullet fragments More than 27 ounces of cocaine and drug paraphernalia Frigand was arrested in North Massapequa by members of the Nassau County Police Department on August 20, 2023. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rivka Shuter of the Narcotics, Firearms, and Gangs Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Chief Nicholas Mauro and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Investigations Division Rick Whelan. The defendant is represented by Nicholas Ramcharitar, Esq. Community, Charity & Cause By Chris Boyle Published: July 31 2024 Scott Martella was a proud public servant who tirelessly served in the best interest of our communities, said Romaine. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine joined family, friends and colleagues of Scott Martella to announce a blood drive in his honor will take place on August 1 in partnership with the New York Blood Center. Scott was a Suffolk County employee who was tragically killed in a car accident on the Long Island Expressway in 2016. Scott Martella was a proud public servant who tirelessly served in the best interest of our communities, said Romaine. It is my honor and privilege to contribute to these causes and carry on the tradition of the Scott Martella Blood Drive as his legacy will continue to touch the lives of our residents. The blood drive in honor of Scott Martella will be held at the following locations on Thursday, August 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: H. Lee Dennison Building Lobby, Hauppauge Suffolk County Fire Academy, Riverhead In addition, prospective donors are encouraged to bring school supplies to support the Back-to-School Drive hosted by the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless in Scotts honor. To make an appointment, donors can visit nybc.org/suffolkcountygov or call 888-933-2566. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: July 31 2024 The two were waylaid by a group of five individuals out side the Bank of America in Hicksville, according to one of the victims. A couple who are also partners in a local Long Island business were brazenly robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight on Monday while they were making their weekly bank deposit, with the crooks making off with a whopping $140,000 in proceeds, according to police. The two were waylaid by a group of five individuals out side the Bank of America in Hicksville, according to one of the victims, named Emily (last name withheld), who was unsure whether or not if the couple were followed there. "Five guys, I think. Four guys and one woman," she said. "We are not sure. We just come from home. I live in Flushing." The crime was witnessed by multiple individuals in a nearby laundromat, who noted that the suspects were all dressed in black. The robbery attempt was disrupted by several PSEG workers who were near the scene - with one of them reportedly putting one of the assailants in a headlock - but they nonetheless managed to escape with the money. Emily extended her thanks to the PSEG workers to attempted to intervene, but noted that they had no choice but to turn over their bank deposit when the criminals pulled a gun on them. "PSEG, yeah, they hold the car door and hold the driver," she said. "A lot of people tried to help us, but we saw they have a gun in the car so we just let it go." Police Announce Two Arrests Made in Connection with 2022 Shooting Death of Bohemia Man in Own Backyard Crime By Chris Boyle Published: July 31 2024 Michael Hartmann was in the backyard of his home, located at 605 Smithtown Ave., when two people entered his yard and fired multiple shots, cops say. Suffolk County Police today arrested two men for the shooting death of Michael Hartmann, who was killed outside of his home, located at 605 Smithtown Ave. in Bohemia, in 2022. Michael Hartmann was in the backyard of his home, located at 605 Smithtown Ave., when two people entered his yard and fired multiple shots, striking him once, at approximately 6:35 a.m. on November 2, 2022. Hartmann, 49, was pronounced dead at the scene. Following an investigation by Homicide Squad detectives, Christopher Fernandez and Oliver Schor were both charged with Murder 2nd Degree. Fernandez, 28, of 5 8th Street, Sound Beach, is being held at the Sixth Precinct. He will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on July 31. Schor, 22, of 125 Tyler Ave., Miller Place, was arrested in Lexington South Carolina with the assistance of the Lexington County Police Department. He was arrested as a fugitive from justice and will be arraigned in New York on a later date. Detectives are asking anyone with information on this incident to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: July 31 2024 The man, who arrived in a gray Jeep Cherokee, did not take any property or cause any damage. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the publics help to identify and locate the man who illegally entered a Mount Sinai business. A man cut a lock on a basement door at 2 Mount Sinai Ave. and entered the location on July 28 at approximately 2:45 a.m. The man, who arrived in a gray Jeep Cherokee, did not take any property or cause any damage. Bill and Joe are joined by David Daoud to unpack this weekends Hezbollah rocket attack on a Druze community in Israels Golan Heights that killed 12 Israeli children and whether we should soon expect an all-out Israel-Hezbollah war. Powered by RedCircle Joe Truzman is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian militant groups and Hezbollah. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. One of Hamas longest-serving and most influential leaders, Chairman of the Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh, was targeted and killed on Tuesday in Tehran while in town to attend the inauguration ceremony of Irans new president. Hamas referred to Haniyeh as the head of the movement, the man who represented the Palestinian terrorist group as its public face in high-profile negotiations and gatherings around the worldincluding ongoing and stalled ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel. Hamas confirmed Haniyehs death via the groups official Telegram channel early Wednesday, saying Israel was responsible for the raid. Israel did not immediately claim credit for Haniyehs death, though the IDF has been targeting Haniyeh since at least 2003 and recently killed multiple members of Haniyehs family in a strike on his residence in Gaza, while Haniyeh conducted Hamas business remotely hiding out in Qatar and Turkey. Hamas mourns to our great Palestinian people, to the Arab and Islamic nations, and to all the free people of the world, the martyr, the Mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, who was killed in a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran, Hamas said on Telegram. Israel has conducted at least a half dozen, precision assassinations in Iran over the last number of years, including high-ranking Revolutionary Guards Corps members and top Hezbollah commanders. Their latest apparent strike should call into question the security of other top leaders in Iran, since Haniyeh was photographed on Tuesday with other top leaders of Irans Axis of Resistance, including Hamas, Hezbollah and Yemens Houthis. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, even spent time with Haniyeh on Tuesday. Haniyeh, 62, rose to power at the hand of Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin, where he served as Yassins personal secretary. He was named senior Hamas leader in Gaza in 2006 and elevated to chief political leader in 2017, the face of a terrorist group which he tried to soften with frequent appearances. Haniyeh was designated by the Department of State as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2018. He served multiple stints in Israeli prison in the 1980s and 1990s, and Israels first unsuccessful assassination attempt on Haniyeh was carried out 21 years ago alongside Yassin, according to reports. In the hours after Haniyehs death, Iran reportedly held an emergency meeting of its Supreme National Security Council on Wednesdaywith Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani reportedly present at Khameneis residenceas Iran, the Axis, Hamas and the region at-large begins to grapple with the fallout. Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant visits an Arrow 3 air defense site on July 31. (Ariel Hermoni, Israeli Ministry of Defense photo) On the evening of July 30, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted an airstrike in Beirut that killed senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. In the early hours of July 31, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran while on a trip to attend the inauguration of new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Israel did not take credit for killing Haniyeh, but Irans regime has vowed to take revenge on Israel. Israel is now preparing for various possible responses by Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hamas. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran views it as a duty to take vengeance for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on its soil, according to IRNA, Irans state media. Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson also said that the death of Haniyeh will strengthen the deep ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and dear Palestine and Resistance. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other officials in Tehran also put out statements. The elimination of Shukr in Beirut was a rare long-range airstrike for Israel targeting Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah has its headquarters. Hezbollah has frequently increased the range of its attacks into Israel each time it accuses Israel of attacks that go beyond a few miles of the border. This proportional tit-for-tat has become the norm in almost 10 months of the groups attacks on Israel. Therefore, the Shukrs killing could trigger a larger conflict. Fuad Shukr has directed Hezbollahs attacks on the State of Israel since October 8th, and he was the commander responsible for the murder of the 12 children in Majdal Shams in northern Israel on Saturday evening, as well as the killing of numerous Israelis and foreign nationals over the years, the IDF said on July 30. Hezbollah did not immediately respond to Israels airstrikes but continued its typical small-scale attacks along the border. The IDF said it successfully intercepted a suspicious aerial target that approached from Lebanon toward Israeli territory on July 31. In northern Israel, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi met with the Kfir infantry Brigade, which moved to the north after fighting in Gaza earlier in the year. We have confidence in our planned moves going forward, because our intention with Hezbollah is not to return to October 6th, the Chief of Staff said, referencing the day before Hamass attack that started the war. He also discussed Israels precision strike capabilities in a speech to the brigade and assembled officers. The IDF knows how to operate and reach a certain window in a neighborhood in Beirut, it knows as well how to target a certain point underground, and we also know how to operate inside on the ground very strongly, and this week you are training for this, and this is a very important capability. On July 31, after Haniyehs killing was known, Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant visited an IDF Arrow air defense site used to intercept ballistic missile threats. The Arrow is the top tier of Israels multi-layered air defenses. Your actions enable us to do what is necessarywe are prepared for every possible [scenario], Gallant said to the air defenders. The Air Defense array operates on a daily basis, and the Arrow system within it has been essential during this warintercepting threats from Yemen and particularly during the events that unfolded in April. The capabilities shown here are very impressive. The operation tonight in Beirut was precise and professional. We do not seek war, but we are preparing for all possibilities. Gallants visit to the air defense site was likely a message to the region about Israels preparations. Gallant also spoke with his US counterpart, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, discussing the IDFs strike in Beirut. Gallant emphasized that Israel does not seek war, however the IDF remains prepared to defend its citizens and to respond to any attack by Hezbollah, the Israeli defense ministers office stated. Minister Gallant told the Secretary that the ties between Israel and the United States are central to Israels standing in the region and to deterring Iran and its proxies, Gallants office noted. The IDF continued to say throughout July 31 that it had not changed the Home Front guidelines. The IDF is currently conducting a situational assessment, it noted. Nevertheless, several commercial airlines, including United Airlines, canceled flights to Israel on August 1 due to unrest in the Middle East. Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024). A billboard depicting pro-Iranian Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah (C) with assassinated Iranian commander of al-Quds Brigade Qasem Soleimani (R) and assassinated Hezbollah top commander Imad Mughniyeh stands next to a destroyed building targeted by an Israeli drone in Beiruts southern suburbs. (Photo by Marwan Naamani/picture alliance via Getty Images) An Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut killed Lebanese Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on July 30. This retaliatory strike came in response to a rocket attack launched by Hezbollah on July 28 that targeted the northern Israeli town of Majdal Shams, leaving 12 civilians dead and others injured. The IDF announces today (Tuesday), July 30, 2024, that in a targeted, intelligence-based elimination, Israeli Air Force fighter jets eliminated the Hezbollah terrorist organizations most senior military commander and the head of its Strategic Unit, Fuad Shukr Sayyid Muhsan, in the area of Beirut. Fuad served as Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallahs right-hand man and was Nasrallahs adviser for planning and directing wartime operations, said the IDF. The IDF alleged that Shukr was the commander responsible for the Majdal Shams attack and had been directing attacks on Israel since the start of the northern conflict on October 8, 2023. The IDF also detailed his additional roles with the terrorist group: [Shukr] was responsible for the majority of Hezbollahs most advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets, and UAVs. He was responsible for force build-up, planning, and execution of terror attacks against the State of Israel, stated the IDF. Furthermore, the IDF emphasized Shukrs longstanding involvement with Irans proxy in Lebanon, noting his recruitment into Lebanese Hezbollah in 1985 and his ascent to senior positions within the organization. Of particular significance, the IDF pointed out that Shukr was a member of the Jihad Council, the most prominent military forum within Hezbollah. The United States had sought Shukr for his role in orchestrating and executing the 1983 terrorist attack that killed 241 American service personnel at the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut. Due to his actions on Lebanese Hezbollahs behalf, the US Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on Shukr as a Specially Designated National on July 21, 2015, while the State Department Rewards for Justice program offered a $5 million reward for information on him. Hamas and the Houthis, including other members of the Iran-led Resistance Axis, have issued statements condemning the Israeli attack on Beirut. As of now, Lebanese Hezbollah has yet to comment on the strike and has not acknowledged the death of Shukr. The group has also not responded militarily to the attack, despite credible reports it was moving precision-guided missiles in anticipation of an Israeli retaliation for the Majdal Shams incident. Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East. In an unprecedented move, Apple released the iOS 18.1 beta more than a month before the release of iOS 18. The company is running two betas in paralleliOS 18 for all devices, and iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1 for devices capable of running Apple Intelligence (iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, M-series iPads, and M-series Macs). Its been clear since WWDC in June that Apple Intelligence is coming in hot, with a phased rollout of features. Now, the timeline has changed, with none of the features coming in the iOS 18 release, some coming in iOS 18.1, some coming later this year, and some coming early in 2025. If you have a device capable of running it, here are the Apple Intelligence features youll find in iOS 18.1, and how they work in the current beta release. Today is Amazon Prime Big Deal Days! Our editorial team lists the best tech deals here. ] Updated August 28: The third beta of iOS 18.1 is out now and it adds the new Clean Up editing tool in Photos, which lets you remove unwanted objects from your photos. Anywhere you can select and copy/paste text, you can access a new writing tools menu. Select your text and then in the copy/paste popup menu, select Writing Tools (you may have to select the > arrow to see more options). Apple Intelligence can take the select text and proofread it, highlighting changes in grammar or punctuation and suggesting changes, or simply re-writing it to make it more friendly and casual, more professional, or more concise. For longer text, the tool can create a summary, a bullet list of key points, or generate lists or tables from raw text. Foundry Foundry Foundry Improved Siri With iOS 18.1 youll notice a big change in how Siri looks but a much smaller change in how Siri works. Invoking Siri on your iPhone or iPad makes a colorful glow around the edges of your phone that reacts to your voice while you talk. You can also double-tap the bottom edge of your phone to bring up a keyboard and type to Siri. But the boost in capabilities is limited. Siri better understands speech with ums and ahs in it, or quickly correcting yourself, and has a better sense of what the context of the previous command was so you can make more natural follow-up commands. The big boost in Siri capabilities you saw at WWDC, with Siri having a sort of contextual knowledge of you as an individual and taking actions within apps, is coming later. The personal context update may come before the end of the year, but in-app interactivity and onscreen awareness isnt coming until 2025. Mail At the top of each email or email thread is a Summarize button that can quickly tell you what an email is about, or an entire email thread. Mail can also optionally show priority emails at the top of your inbox, and your inbox view will also show a brief summary of the email instead of the first couple of lines of the body. Those summaries will also appear in notifications on the lock screen or notification shade. Foundry Foundry Foundry Messages When in a text conversation with someone, the keyboard will show smart reply suggestionsthis seems to be limited to new conversations and only while you receive themif you jump into an old text conversation, you just get the normal keyboard word suggestions. New unread textsand multiple texts from the same personare summarized much like Mail messages are. In your Messages list, you see a short summary instead of the start of the most recent message, and the same is true of notifications on the Lock screen and Notifications shade. Safari summaries When in Safaris Reader view, youll notice a new Summarize option at the top of the page that can create a one-paragraph summary of whats on the page. Call recording Call recording is now built into the Phone app and Notes. Simply tap the call record button in the upper left of the call screen. A short message will play to let both sides know the call is being recorded. When the call is over, youll find the recording saved as a voice note in Notes, along with an AI-generated transcript. Foundry Foundry Foundry Reduce Interruptions Focus The new Reduce Interruptions focus mode is present in iOS 18.1. It uses on-device intelligence to look at notifications and incoming calls or texts, letting through those that it thinks may be important and silencing the rest (they still arrive, just silenced). Any people or apps that you have set to always allow or never allow will still follow those rules, however. Youll find it with all the other Focus modes, in Settings > Focus or by tapping Focus in Control Center. Foundry Foundry Foundry Photos Photos is getting a big interface overhaul in iOS 18, and its getting mixed reviews among early testers. The new AI features coming in iOS 18.1 are sure to please, though. Natural language works in search, so you can look for people, places, and things in your photos in a casual way. An enhanced search will find specific moments in videos, too. You can also create Memories with natural language, and then tweak them in Memory maker. Just note: The app may need to index your photo library overnight before these advanced natural language search tools work properly. Foundry Foundry Foundry Clean Up With the third beta of iOS 18.1 (and macOS 15.1), the Clean Up editing tool has been added to the Photos app. Tap the edit button on a photo, then the Clean Up tool. You can circle or paint over an area of a photo and after a few minutes, Apple Intelligence will remove it, trying to match the rest of the background. Features coming in iOS 18.2 or 18.3 Once this first wave of Apple Intelligence features reaches everyone in iOS 18.1, we wont have long to wait for the next set of improvements. There are more features due by the end of the yearprobably in iOS 18.2 but possibly in iOS 18.3. Most notably, the image generation features that were expected with the initial release now appear to be coming in iOS 18.2 or 18.3, too. That includes the Image Playground app for experimenting with AI image generation in a handful of styles, and Genmoji, for creating Memoji-inspired images of people. The delayed features also include the much-vaunted ChatGPT integration. If you want to actually generate bodies of text and not just rewrite them, youll want that. It also will give Siri some new capabilities as it can hand off (with permission) questions and requests to ChatGPT. Features coming in iOS 18.4 next year If youre looking forward to a much more powerful and capable Siri, youll be waiting until the spring of 2025. Those features are currently being targeted at iOS 18.4, it is said, which will enter beta at the start of the year and likely release sometime around March. This is when Siri will have the ability to see what is on your screen and act accordingly, and perhaps most importantly when it will be able to take lots of actions within apps. This requires a massive expansion of app intents (hooks that developers use to integrate with Siri), which will necessitate lots of testing and app updates. Siri will also get the ability to build a semantic index of your personal context. So it understands things like familial relationships, frequently visited locations, and more. It is unclear at this time if that feature will come by the end of this year or be a part of the big spring Siri update. Read: iOS 18 compatibility: Which iPhones support iOS 18 Dunkin is giving people the chance to drink coffee like a chef with the launch of a new menu featuring the preferred tastes of local celebrity chef Nick DiGiovanni. The Chef Nick Menu, featuring four completely new iced coffees, will be available at Dunkin locations nationwide for a limited time starting Wednesday, July 31. Heres the full menu: Blueberry Donut Iced Coffee with Sweet Cold Foam: An iced coffee featuring the flavors of blueberry and sweet pastry dough topped with sweet cold foam. Caramel Coconut Cream Iced Coffee: DiGiovanni insisted on tropical flavors on his summer menu, so he crafted a drink that is a mix of Dunkins classic iced coffee with caramel and coconut flavors. Mocha Vanilla Iced Coffee : A classic Dunkin iced coffee with notes of sweet vanilla and mocha. Caramel Almondmilk Iced Coffee: Curated by DiGiovanni and his love for all things caramel, this iced coffee has notes of caramel and a splash of almond milk. Celebrity chef Nick DiGiovanni has collaborated with Dunkin' to launch the Chef Nick Menu for a limited time.Dunkin' DiGiovanni was born in Barrington, Rhode Island and went to Harvard University where he created his own concentration called Food and Climate, according to the chefs website. During his senior year of college, DiGiovanni competed on the 10th season of MasterChef, coming in third place. After the show, DiGiovanni started posting cooking videos on YouTube, which has 18.8 million subscribers as of July 30, 2024. The chef won YouTubes Streamy award for top food creator in 2023. He holds multiple world records, including the Guinness World Record for the worlds largest cake pop. DiGiovanni broke that record with the late celebrity chef Lynja in November 2021 at DiGiovannis kitchen in Cambridge. The Chef Nick Menu is available exclusively through the Dunkin mobile app. A recently filed federal civil rights complaint claims a Black eighth grader experienced multiple incidents of egregious racial harassment and physical violence by other students at a Brookline school this past school year. The complaint, filed by Bostons Lawyers for Civil Rights on behalf of the 14-year-old student and their family, accuses students at the Amos A. Lawrence School of calling the teen racial slurs such as cotton picker. The most recent incident, according to the complaint, involved a white student at the K-8 school putting their knee on the Black students neck while yelling George Floyd! referencing the 2020 killing of a Black man by Minneapolis police. As the hours dwindle down in the state Legislatures formal session and lawmakers scramble to hammer out agreements on major policy proposals, one legislator weighed in on an issue that has gripped the state since January 2022: Karen Reads guilt or innocence. State Rep. Mike Connolly, D-26th Middlesex, posed for a photo with Read supporters outside the State House during a recess from formal sessions on Tuesday. In a brief post on X, Connolly said he followed the trial closely, was a big fan of Reads attorneys Alan Jackson and David Yannetti and would have acquitted Read on all three criminal charges she faced in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John OKeefe. FREE KAREN READ! JUSTICE FOR JOHN! the self-described democratic socialist who represents Cambridge and Somerville wrote. Read, 44, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death in connection with OKeefes death. OKeefe was found unresponsive and cold to the touch outside a home in Canton on Jan. 29, 2022 amid a snowstorm. Prosecutors accused Read of drunkenly and intentionally backing her SUV into OKeefe and leaving him for dead. But Reads attorneys argued during her trial that she was the victim of a police coverup and that others were responsible for OKeefes death. Reads trial in Norfolk Superior Court ended in a mistral earlier this month. Prosecutors intend to retry Read during a new trial slated to begin in January 2025. Emanuel Lopes, a man convicted of killing a Weymouth police sergeant and a 77-year-old woman in July 2018, was sentenced to consecutive life sentences with the possibility of parole after 40 years in Norfolk Superior Court on Wednesday. Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney Greg Connor lobbied Judge Beverly Cannone for the consecutive sentences for Lopes, who was found guilty of both first- and second-degree murder for the killings. Because Lopes was 20 when the murders took place, he is eligible for parole. Connor had argued for parole eligibility after 55 years 35 years for the murder of Sgt. Michael Chesna and 25 years for 77-year-old Vera Adams. The sentence handed down for Lopes on Wednesday means he will be 60 by the time he is first eligible for parole. Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.s office dropped around a dozen criminal cases after a judge said that recordings by Massachusetts State Police in connection with these cases violated criminal wiretapping laws, the Telegram & Gazette reported on Wednesday. Fitchburg District Court First Justice Christopher LoConto previously ruled that these recordings broke the law, the newspaper wrote. Troopers used a smartphone app during undercover drug stings without having warrants, and had testified that these apps were used for their safety. The recordings in these cases were not made for officer safety but rather for evidentiary purposes and to induce the cooperation of individuals suffering from addiction, LoConto wrote in his ruling earlier in July, according to the Telegram. These cases were dropped during a hearing on six low-level drug cases, the Telegram wrote. District Court Office Attorney in Charge Jacqueline Dutton said that notices by prosecutors to drop charges were filed in six or eight Superior Court cases, along with another half dozen in district court, the newspaper added. MassLive has reached out to Earlys office for more information. The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund announced Tuesday it awarded $3 million in grants to over 100 nonprofits in the state that uplift marginalized communities. A little more than 80% of the leaders in this years funding cycle are Black or Brown and more than 60% are women or non-binary people, the New Commonwealth Fund said in a statement. In regards to grantees in the criminal justice reform space, more than 60% of the organizations are led by returning citizens. The grants represent organizations aligned with the funds pillars of change, which include economic empowerment, health equity, identity and culture narrative, policing and criminal justice reform and youth development, the organization said. Big names such as James Jimmy Hills from the popular Java with Jimmy talk show; the Bay State Banner, an African-American newspaper; and The Teachers Lounge, a nonprofit aimed to increase the number of educators of color, are just some of this years grantees. In a statement, Makeeba McCreary, the president of The New Commonwealth Fund, said she was honored to invest in these organizations that work to close gaps in the Bay States health, economic and justice systems. As we experience a disturbing national backlash against racial equity, these leaders give us hope that our Commonwealth can stand as a counterpoint and show why diverse perspectives make us stronger, she added. Read More: LGBTQ asylum seekers in Worcester displaced after tree falls on building Through our giving, we hope to intentionally disrupt the philanthropic sector, lift up the leaders of these organizations, take their guidance, celebrate their brilliance, and treat them as experts, McCreary continued. It is this model which we call Respect-Based Philanthropy that we hope will serve as a model for others. The New Commonwealth Fund said it also reached out to organizations in Gateway Cities such as Springfield, Worcester and Brockton. This year, more than 64% of the grant money went to organizations in these cities. One of these organizations was the LGBT Asylum Task Force, a Worcester nonprofit that houses queer people who are fleeing violence in other countries because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The trial for a Worcester man accused of raping and throwing a 7-year-old girl from a bridge above Lake Quinsigamond will begin on April 7, 2025, a Worcester Superior Court judge ordered on Wednesday. Joshua Hubert, 41, was initially charged in district court with kidnapping, then attempted murder in August 2017. He was held on a cash bail set at $1 million, which later increased to $2 million. Hubert was indicted by a grand jury in January 2018 on two counts of attempted murder and one each of kidnapping and strangulation. He was held on a $50,000 cash bail following his arraignment on Jan. 29, 2018. At the time he posted bail but his original trial date was postponed from March to October 2020, though it stayed pending due to the COVID-19 pandemic until Dec. 13, 2023, the Associated Press reported. That day, Hubert was indicted on two counts of aggravated rape with the victim being a child who was tied, bound or gagged during their rape, and at least a five-year age difference. In 2017, the 7-year-old girl told detectives her friend Josh threw her off a bridge into a lake on Aug. 27 of that year, prosecutor Courtney Sans previously said in Superior Court. The girl had been asleep on a chair at her grandparents Forestdale Road home following a cookout at the house earlier that day, when officials said Hubert, whod been at the cookout, took her at around 2:30 a.m. The man and the girls father were longtime friends until they had a falling out, prosecutors previously said. He stopped at his home on Bernice Street around 3:15 a.m. and told his girlfriend he was going to the store, police said. He later told his girlfriend to delete all of his accounts with Lastpass.com, an encrypted data storage company, following his arrest. Hubert pulled over and got in the backseat with the child at some point in the drive, prosecutors said. Worcester Police Detective Dylan Patient wrote that Hubert used both of his hands to strangle the girl, according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by MassLive in 2018. He strangled her with two hands, and his arm, then got back in the drivers seat and started driving again, Patient wrote. When asked if she had tried pushing him away, she stated, I tried that but it didnt work. One of the two new rape charges filed against Hubert on Dec. 13, 2023, includes the victim being a child who was tied, bound or gagged during their rape. Prosecutors have not yet revealed the evidence behind the new charges. It was before 4 a.m. when Hubert stopped his car on the Interstate 290 overpass at the Worcester-Shrewsbury line, prosecutors previously said. He threw the 7-year-old, wrapped in a blanket, over the bridge above Lake Quinsigamond, according to prosecutors, police and court records. The lakes average depth is between 21 and 36 feet, with some areas that are up to 90 feet deep. The victim stated that she fell for a long time and landed in the waters below, Patient wrote. She stated that she began to swim to a building she could see but the blanket she was carrying was getting very heavy, which made it difficult to swim. She then swam to a house and stated that she was able to stand up in the water. After she swam the near-100 yards to the shore and made it to the home on Lear Street North, the 7-year-old was swept into a towel and warm clothes by Maeve Geary, the woman who opened the door. She asked the girl what had happened and called the police. The child was taken to the hospital and told Worcester police about what happened from the previous few hours, while police took note of strangulation marks on her neck. A witness also texted a friend at 4:15 a.m. when they got home and jokingly said they saw someone throw something off a bridge the witness had been on Interstate 290 earlier that night, and said a Saturn was parked on the overpass in the breakdown lane, police said. The witness was referring to the bridged part of the highway over Lake Quinsigamond, and told police they saw a man walking around the car before it drove off. He was also suspended from his job at the Fay School in Southborough in August 2017, where hed worked in the schools technology department as a systems support analyst. School officials said he did not have any contact with children. With the clock ticking down to a midnight deadline, the top Republican in the Massachusetts state Senate said its disappointing were once again racing to beat the clock and pass a brace of complex legislation. Its extremely unfortunate that were in the situation that were in. And I think thats the most important point. And we have a lot of things that are priorities for both parties and both branches, Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr, R-1st Essex/Middlesex, told reporters in a brief interview outside the Senate chamber on Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday marked the last day of formal voting sessions for the year. Lawmakers in the majority-Democrat state House and Senate were expected to pull an all-nighter to pass bills tackling the states housing crisis, climate and technology issues, and economic development challenges. And we are here with very little time to do them and to address complex matters, that deserve the time for them to be understood, Tarr said. During an appearance on WGBH-FM in Boston earlier in the day, Gov. Maura Healey, also a Democrat, seemed optimistic that lawmakers would hit their deadline. The housing and economic development bills both are key priorities for Healey this year. Well, its going to be a really busy 24 hours, and there is a lot, theres a lot in conference committee, Healey told the station, referring to the joint House-Senate committees working to iron out the two chambers differences on about a half-dozen proposals. Im really focused on housing, economic development in particular, Healey continued. But theres a theres a lot of important pieces of legislation that are there. Theyre now in ... conference committee. Some of them have come out of [the] conference committee. But theyre the product of a lot of work over the course of the year, a lot of hearings, a lot of stakeholders. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Tarr pointed to those high-priority bills, observing that their chances of passage had been complicated by other bills that had entered the mix at the last minute. Among them was a bill the Senate approved Tuesday tackling the states opioid addiction crisis that authorized, among other things, safe injection sites. The Houses previously approved version of the bill does not include that language. That thrust the legislation into still another conference committee, giving lawmakers just hours to reach a compromise. The question is, how much bandwidth is there? Tarr said. And if we do advance some of these things, at what cost does that come procedurally, not only for us as members of the Legislature, but also for members of the public who deserve to know whats going on in this building; and with enough time to properly digest it, and instruct us as to what their feelings are with regard to these matters? A Massachusetts lawmaker will barnstorm a critical swing state for Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday as the race for the White House picks up even more steam. U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, will talk to reproductive rights advocates during an appearance in Pittsburgh at 12:30 p.m., her campaign said in a statement. "In Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and all across the country, abortion justice and our fundamental freedoms are on the ballot, Pressley said in that statement. With just under 100 days until Election Day, Im looking forward to spending time with voters and advocates in Pennsylvania talking about why Kamala Harris is the best candidate to protect and restore reproductive freedom, and prevent Trump and Vances dangerous Project 2025 agenda, she said. President Joe Bidens victory in Pennsylvania in 2020, and with it, its 20 electoral votes, handed him the keys to the White House over former President Donald Trump. It also resulted in Harris history-making election as the nations first Black veep. Four years later, as Harris, who is of mixed Black and East Asian descent, looks to defeat Trump and become the nations first Black president, the race in a critical swing state is a tight one. A Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll released Tuesday showed Harris closing the gap with Trump in six of seven battleground states. The poll, conducted from July 24-28, showed Harris leading Trump in Michigan by 11%, while in Arizona, Wisconsin and Nevada, she has a 2-point advantage. Trump led Harris in Pennsylvania by 4 points, and in North Carolina by 2 points in the new poll. Meanwhile, theyre on equal footing in Georgia, Reuters reported. The poll had a margin of error of 3 percentage points in Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania; 4 percentage points in Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, and 5 percentage points in Nevada. Abortion access, meanwhile, remains a key election year issue. Access to the procedure in Pennsylvania remains safe and legal under the states Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, who has been mentioned as a potential Harris running mate. Pressley, who backed Harris White House bid out of the gate, has worked frequently with the vice president on several. issues. Those include roundtable discussions on reproductive rights with labor leaders ; a town hall on voting rights with Black elected officials and civic leaders, and a joint effort to promote federal efforts to support fuel assistance and lower home energy costs, Pressleys political wing said in its statement. She also joined four Harris for President fundraisers in the campaigns first week. Harris campaign has set fundraising records since its launch barely two weeks ago. The Massachusetts Senate has approved a sweeping bill aimed at fighting the states opioid crisis that includes controversial language allowing cities and towns to open safe injection sites. The majority-Democrat chambers action adds a new wrinkle to a last-minute push by lawmakers to get major bills onto Gov. Maura Healeys desk as formal sessions wrap up for the year on Wednesday. Senators passed the bill on an unusual, unrecorded 12-3 standing vote; bypassing the usual practice of taking a roll call or voice vote, State House News Service reported. This bill is about protecting residents of the state and ensuring we do everything we can to help residents who are battling addiction, Senate Ways & Means Committee Chairperson Michael Rodriques, D-1st Bristol/Plymouth, said during floor debate on Tuesday. The chambers top budget writer noted that 2,099 people died of from opioid overdoses statewide last year, continuing a seven-year trend of overdose fatalities cresting 2,000 deaths. We are continuing to see dangerous levels of fentanyl in the drug supply which is also impacting overdose deaths, Rodriques continued. It is imperative we bring residents into recovery using every tool in the toolbox. This bill adds more tools to our toolbox. As its currently written, the legislation allows cities and towns to opt into several harm-reduction programs. Those include: Needle exchange programs Primary care services, including disease prevention and health screenings Access to, or referrals for, evidence-based treatment options Drug testing services Overdose reversal care Supervision of individuals who consume pre-obtained substances, according to a Senate summary. The bill also seeks to increase access to the overdose-prevention drug Narcan, and it directs the state Department of Public Health to DPH to conduct a study on sober homes in the Commonwealth, focusing on the safety and recovery of sober home residents, according to a Senate summary. A single overdose in Massachusetts is one too many, Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Middlesex/Norfolk, said in a statement, adding that the bill makes powerful strides towards mitigating this crisis by helping those coping with substance use disorder reduce harm, find treatment, and achieve recovery that lasts a lifetime. The majority-Democrat state House approved its own version of the bill last month. Lawmakers in the lower chamber did not include overdose prevention centers in their version of the legislation. On Monday, state House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, said he had reservations about the Senates 11th-hour push to include the language. The bill now heads to a joint House-Senate conference committee. Lawmakers could attempt to pass a final bill during informal sessions that begin Aug. 1, but risk a single legislators vote derailing it during those sessions, State House News Service reported. The House bill passed its version of the bill 153-0. Because lower chamber lawmakers did not vote on overdose prevention centers, including the policy in a compromise bill might doom the overall proposals chances of passing in informal sessions, the wire service noted. Sen. John Velis, D-Hampden/Hampshire, a co-chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, spoke candidly about his struggle with addiction and substance use disorder on the Senate floor. Harm reduction, as far as Im concerned, is simple. Its keeping people alive, Velis said, according to State House News Service. Im not sure if anyone else in this room has had an experience, but what I will tell you I know with absolute certainty is that you cant treat a human being who is dead. You cant. Sen. Robyn Kennedy, a Democrat whose district includes Worcester, said the city logged the highest number of overdose deaths across Massachusetts last year. I cannot think of a more important role we can play in representing our community than by passing legislation that truly has the ability to keep people alive, Kennedy said on the Senate floor. This bill includes a provision that will allow municipalities to approve the creation of harm reduction center, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, to begin the work to allow residents to have access to these key support services. [Wed Forecast] Here is what the radar may look like today (not expected to be exact). Notice the scattered coverage of showers & #thunderstorms. Hence, there will be periods of dry weather too. Any showers or thunderstorms may contain brief heavy rainfall. #MAwx #RIwx #CTwx pic.twitter.com/xtuYd9yMU6 NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) July 31, 2024 Scattered showers and thunderstorms will move across Massachusetts as morning turns to afternoon on Wednesday, bringing with them the potential for localized heavy rain, according to National Weather Service forecasters. But there will still be periods of dry weather in the Bay State on Wednesday, forecasters said, because weather conditions are such that the thunderstorms will be disorganized. Wednesdays storms are set to begin in the central and eastern parts of the state in the morning, before moving to Western Massachusetts in the afternoon. The heaviest rainfall forecasted on Wednesday is in The Berkshires, and forecasters say 1 to 2 inches of rain could fall quickly during intense storms. Still, the storms are not expected to be strong or severe on Wednesday and sunshine could break through the gloom after noon. On Cape Cod, in Barnstable, forecasters say there is a chance of showers after 10 a.m. with just a 30% chance of precipitation. In Boston, the forecast calls for a chance of showers with thunderstorms possible after 12 p.m. The chance of precipitation in the city is 50%, forecasters said. Up to a quarter of an inch of rain is expected on Wednesday. In Worcester, showers are likely between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., with a chance they continue after 3 p.m. In the western part of the state, forecasters predict showers to hit Springfield after 2 p.m. on Wednesday. The chance of rainfall for the city is 60%. A hazardous weather outlook is in place in Pittsfield, where forecasters say isolated incidents of flash flooding cant be ruled out because of Wednesdays storms. The chance of precipitation there is 70%. The rain on Wednesday is expected to give way to hot and dry weather on Thursday when temperatures could feel as hot as the mid-90s. The oppressive heat and humidity will continue through the weekend, forecasters said. NORTHAMPTON A federal lawsuit alleging that Northampton High Schools inaction toward bullying caused a teenagers suicide will advance, a judge has ruled. In a memorandum filed July 1, U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni denied the city of Northamptons motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit involving the girl, 16, who killed herself after being racially victimized, cyberbullied and physical assaulted by her peers. By Mata Press Service More Canadians than ever are saying the country is allowing in too many immigrants according to a new poll conducted by Leger for the Association of Canadian Studies. The July survey indicated that 60% of respondents feel the immigration levels are too high, marking the highest percentage recorded this century. This sentiment aligns with global trends where immigration concerns are becoming prominent in national elections across various countries. At the same time, internal research by the Immigration Department shows that 51% of Canadians think immigrants should do more to integrate into Canadian society, according to Blacklocks Reporter. Additionally, 46% believe Canada should prioritize helping unemployed Canadians over seeking skilled immigrants to address labor shortages. The poll also highlighted that 27% of Canadians feel immigration is changing the country in undesirable ways, as noted in the 2024 Annual Tracking Study. While there is support for immigration, it is often tempered with concerns about how to manage it effectively, particularly regarding infrastructure. The federal government's Immigration Levels Plan sets the 2024 target at 485,000 new immigrants, a figure many respondents find overwhelming. According to the Leger poll, the quota is considered excessive by 52% of Albertans, 51% of Nova Scotians, 49% of residents in Ontario and Prince Edward Island, 47% in Saskatchewan, 46% in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador, 43% in New Brunswick, 38% in Quebec, and 37% in Manitoba. Jack Jedwab, president of the Association of Canadian Studies, attributes the shift in attitudes to the housing crisis and economic concerns that have intensified post-pandemic. He also notes that immigration issues are gaining prominence in political agendas in the U.S. and Europe, influencing Canadian perspectives. Jedwab suggests that global instability, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, is contributing to these concerns. Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced last year that Canada would limit immigration targets to 500,000 annually starting in 2025, up from fewer than 300,000 when the Liberals took office in 2015. This year, Canada plans to admit 485,000 new immigrants. The Leger poll, conducted from July 12 to July 15, shows that 60% of Canadians now believe the country is accepting too many immigrants, a significant increase from the 28% who felt this way in a 2006 federal citizenship and immigration survey. Highlights of the Leger Poll include; One out of two Canadians think that there are too many immigrants coming to Canada; Across all political parties more feel there are too many immigrants than the right number but over 7 in 10 Conservative and Bloc voters feel that there are too many immigrants currently coming to Canada; Immigration level concerns are highest in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec; Torontonians are more concerned with immigration numbers than are Montrealers and Vancouverites yet majorities across all three metropoles feel there are too many; Both white and visible minority Canadians believe that there are too many immigrants currently coming to Canada; Across age cohorts, youngest group (18 to 24) is the least concerned with current levels of immigration An earlier poll in July as reported in the South Asian Post showed that 44% of Canadians now believe immigration has a mostly negative effect in the country, up 6 percentage points since a similar survey in October 2023. In contrast, 42% view immigration's impact as mostly positive, a 3-point decrease over the same period. The survey reveals a stark generational divide, with 55% of those aged 18-34 holding positive views on immigration, compared to only 37% of those 55 and older and 32% aged 35-54. Moreover, 46% of Canadians want to see the number of legal immigrants allowed into Canada decrease, an increase of 7 points. Just 31% want immigration levels to stay the same, while 15% want an increase. Majorities in Atlantic Canada (53%), Ontario (53%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (50%), and British Columbia (48%) favour reducing legal immigration. Alberta (42%) and Quebec (34%) showed lower levels of support for decreasing immigration. "About two in five Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party or NDP in the last federal election would decrease legal immigration to Canada," said Mario Canseco, President of Research Co, which did the poll. "The proportion jumps to 63% among those who supported the Conservatives," said Canseco. Meanwhile, new research shows that Canada is still the country that most people around the world want to relocate to. Experts at 1st Move International analyzed Google search data to see where people were looking to immigrate and Canada appeared more than any other. The analysis showed that more than 1.5 million relocation searches were conducted for Canada over the past year. Australia came in second place, scoring more than 1.2 million relocation searches. Neighboring New Zealand clocked in third place, followed by Spain and the United Kingdom. Portugal and Japan came in sixth and seventh place respectively, while wealthy European nations Germany, France and Switzerland rounded out the top 10. GREENFIELD The city of Greenfield has received $925,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding to support community initiatives. The grant is a federal program that provides money to states and localities for economic and community development. The funding is geared toward supporting and strengthening local communities for people of low or moderate income. This CDBG funding round will leave a lasting impact on Greenfield, said Mayor Virginia Ginny Desorgher in a statement. Treatment for alcohol problems has been in the news recently with the release of data from the Health Research Board (HRB) on numbers accessing services. Of the 8,163 cases reported in 2023, just 114 were in Mayo. Other HRB reports finds that Co Mayo has the lowest number of alcohol treatment cases per capita compared with all other counties just a fifth of the treatment level in Donegal which has the highest county rate. It is likely that this is a marker of access to services rather than a difference in problem levels. There are real positives to note including a 10 percent rise in numbers accessing treatment compared with 2022. Another important trend is that in 2023 more of these cases involved people whose problems had not reached dependency levels. This is significant as the earlier people seek help, the more successful outcomes are likely to be. However, while these are welcome indicators, taking a wider look exposes another story. HRB surveys have established that 15 percent of the population in Ireland has an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) thats 600,000 with a problem; 90,000 at a severe level. It is in this context that the chasm is really apparent. Just over 8,000 treatment cases last year is a drop in the ocean of alcohol harm that swamps Ireland. Some of that damage reveals itself in illness, both physical and mental but there is much more which is hidden. We know that at least one in six children are living with the trauma of parental problem alcohol use which can have a lifelong legacy. We need greatly expanded services for those with an AUD and their family members. Alcohol Action Ireland is calling on the government to set a target of increasing treatment levels by 20 percent each year for five years. This would go some way to guaranteeing timely access to services which we know can make all the difference. There is of course a cost to this and indeed to all aspects of alcohol harm a staggering 12 billion annually, yet excise duties only raise a tenth of that amount. It is time for government to consider a polluter pays approach to this industry which is responsible for a multitude of harms from the home to the workplace to pressure on our health, justice and social care services. In this regard we can learn from the Gambling Regulation Bill, which provides for a Social Impact Fund via a levy on gambling licensees. But all of this is downstream stuff; its about pulling people out of the alcohol river and trying to repair the damage already done. Whats most needed are upstream, preventative measures to reduce numbers falling into alcohol harm in the first place. The good news is that there are simple, proven, low-cost solutions the WHOs best buys of controls on pricing, marketing and availability of alcohol. In 2018 the Oireachtas passed the Public Health (Alcohol) Act which included Minimum Unit Pricing and curbs on alcohol marketing. The alcohol industry fiercely resisted these modest measures and an enormous effort across multiple public health organisations was required to ensure their passage and subsequent implementation a job that six years later is still not completed. Among the advocates for this Act are Ballina residents, Ann and John Higgins, who have courageously highlighted the terrible loss of their son, David, by alcohol-related suicide, as a reason to introduce this legislation. These measures have brought about a 10 percent drop in alcohol consumption since 2019. However, much more remains to be done. If Ireland was using alcohol at HSE lower-risk drinking guidelines, our consumption would be reduced by 40 percent. One approach would be to increase alcohol excise duties which have not changed in a decade. Supermarket alcohol prices are actually the same today as they were twenty years ago. A 15 percent increase in excise duties would go some way to redress this. Will it work? Over 1,500 people die every year in Ireland because of alcohol. Many of these are young lives cut short leaving untold heartbreak. Looking to one remarkable country, Lithuania, which had the unenviable record of the highest alcohol-attributable years of life lost in the EU, a combination of increased taxation, reduction in licensing hours and a complete ban on advertising led to a 20 percent reduction of this rate between 2010 and 2016. Similar action in Ireland would ensure that more of our young people would grow old in peace with their families. Dr Sheila Gilheany, CEO Alcohol Action Ireland, alcoholireland.ie. If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact HSE Drug and Alcohol Helpline on 1800 459 459. Mayo Gardai are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was knocked down by a vehicle in Achill and later airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. A male cyclist in his 50s was airlifted to Galway University Hospital on Tuesday after he suffered serious injuries in a serious single-vehicle road traffic incident. The incident occurred on the L1406 Dugort to Slievemore road on Achill Island on Tuesday morning, July 30. The road was closed for technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators, and has since reopened. Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to come forward with any information they may have. Road users with camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling on the L1406 Dugort to Slievemore road on Achill, between 9.30am and 12 noon, on Tuesday, July 30 are asked to make this footage available to Gardai. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Westport Garda Station on 098 50230, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. LIFEBOAT crews in Achill and Ballyglass stations will join their colleagues from around Ireland and Britain in coming together at their respective lifeboat stations to celebrate the RNLI's bicentenary. The RNLI was founded in 1824 and as part of the bicentenary celebrations all RNLI volunteers at all stations around Ireland and Britain will be marking this anniversary at exactly 18.24 this Thursday, August 1. To mark the occasion all RNLI volunteers - including those in Achill and Ballyglass - from fundraisers, shops staff to boat crew will gather on Thursday evening for the One Crew One Moment. This takes place at 18.24hr (6.24pm) when the volunteers will come together and be photographed to record the occasion of RNLI 200, and this will coincide with the same happening at all 238 RNLI stations around Ireland and Britain. All the photos from all RNLI stations will be submitted to the RNLI headquarters in Poole and turned into one unique mural made up of all of the imagery of the one crew of 2024. This will be available in digital form, as well as a physical print. All stations will receive a copy of the image with a copy being carefully preserved in the RNLI Heritage archive for the future generations of the charity to enjoy. The RNLI is a charity and was founded in London on March 4, 1824 by Sir William Hillary, a native of the Isle of Man who had called for the foundation of a lifesaving service after witnessing dozens of shipwrecks around the Manx coast. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland and its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,200 lives. PLANS to reopen the disused railway line between Claremorris and Athenry have been formally outlined as part of a 35 billion overhaul of Irelands rail network. The All-Ireland Rail Review has detailed plans for the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor, which was first recommended when the draft report was published last year. If delivered, the plans outlined in the report would connect Ballina with Rosslare via the reopened Western Rail Corridor and a new railway line between Waterford and Wexford. The All-Island Rail Review aims to triple the number of people using the islands rail system annually from 65 million to over 180 million by 2050. Services every two hours on rural routes are also set to be prioritised, as well as line speed of at least 120km/h on rural routes and up to 200km/h on intercity routes. At present, six trains a day travel to and from Westport to Dublin Heuston from Monday to Saturday, including an early service leaving Westport at 5.15 am and a late service departing Dublin Heuston at 7.35 pm. The full reopening of the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris and Sligo has not been included in the report. A report edited by Mayo News columnist Dr John Bradley has estimated that the full reopening of the line between Claremorris and Colooney, Co Sligo, would cost 411.72 million. Cllr Paul Lawless welcomed the All-Island Rail Review's recommendations but said it was 'disappointing' that the reopening of the Claremorris to Colooney section has not been included. The recently published report from the Northern and Western Regional Assemble (NWRA) found that this region is on par with the least well-off areas in Europe in terms of infrastructure and languishing far behind other regions across Ireland and Europe. In addition, the existing N17 from Mayo to Sligo is one of the worst national routes in the country. It is critically imperative that the people of the west and north west enjoy the infrastructural benefits to the rest of the country and Europe, the Aontu councillor said. A group of French scouts from Brittany made the pilgrimage to Ireland's Holy Mountain Croagh Patrick. They made their way over to Ireland in a more traditional way: By ferry. "Usually we do a camp in France somewhere in July or August. But this year we decided to come to Ireland. We took the ferry over and stayed in Glenstal Abbey", said Armel Sebe speaking to The Mayo News on the top of Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday. "We are staying in Ireland for two weeks. Before we came here we participated in the Maritime festival in Brest." For Armel a special occasion as he is from Plougastel-Daoulas, which is Westport's twin city in France. Only fitting the group went up the Reek this Sunday: "Going up Croagh Patrick was quite impressive at the start, then it is fairly flat and easier to move forward. But then on the last bit it was very steep which takes a while to go up, we kept going slowly and when we arrived at the top we had a beautiful view", explained Armel. "I think the people here like French people. When they realise that we are French, they say 'Vive la France'. We saw some people do the pilgrimage on bare feet and with the walking stick, that is how it is done traditionally." Armel Sebe from Plougastel-Daoulas in Brittany on top of Croagh Patrick The horrific incident left Shylah Rodden, then 27, with significant, life-changing injuries. Her devastated family are still dealing with the tragic consequences. Melbourne woman Shylah Rodden was struck by a rollercoaster at the Melbourne Show in 2022, leaving her with critical injuries. Source: Facebook The family of Shylah Rodden, who was near-fatally struck by a rollercoaster at the Melbourne Show, have shared new photos of her, almost two years after the tragic incident which left her fighting for her life. Shylah, then 26, was critically injured after being hit by a carriage thought to be travelling at 70km/h, sending her nine metres into the air, before falling to the ground. At the time, it was believed she climbed onto the tracks to fetch her phone which she'd dropped. The accident left the Melbourne woman in a coma having suffered severe brain damage and extensive injuries to her head, pelvis, arms, legs and back, her father revealed at the time. Now, two years on, she's been left partially blind, deaf and brain-damaged and still requires full-time care. Photos show Shylah Rodden's remarkable recovery A new photo released by the victim's family shows the 28-year-old in good spirits, smiling outside a cafe, with no obvious sign of injury. It is in contrast to hospital photos of Shylah not long after the accident where she is sporting a black eye and a neck brace, and has a large gash on her forehead. The family has released new pictures of Shylah including, right, the latest of her smiling at a cafe, now almost two years after the tragic accident. Source: 9News Speaking to media this week her mum Kylie Rodden admitted that while she has progressed, "she still has a long way to go". "Sometimes she needs the support of a walking frame and a wheelchair, she can only go a limited time before she has to rest," she said. She also has "no sense of smell" and "has difficulties swallowing". "She has cognitive disabilities and impairments," her mother told the Herald Sun. Miraculously, the 28-year-old is able to walk and talk after fears she'd never be able to. "They told me that Shylah would never walk, Shylah would never talk and that she would probably spend the rest of her life in a nursing home," Kylie told 9News. 'Disappointing' findings after WorkSafe investigation It comes as WorkSafe Victoria concludes its investigation into the incident, reportedly ruling neither the ride operator or engineer breached any occupational health and safety rules. Following the accident, the ride was shut down as WorkSafe Victoria investigated, with help from Victoria Police. Shylah suffered severe brain damage and extensive injuries to her head, pelvis, arms, legs and back, and remained in a coma for months. Source: 9News Royal Melbourne Show later confirmed "the ride is safe," according to a statement shared by media, and was reopened days after the tragedy. At the time, Rodden's family slammed the decision to reopen the ride so soon, telling 7News they're "saddened and appalled". In a statement to media this week, a WorkSafe spokesperson said: "After careful consideration of the evidence, WorkSafe has determined not to take further action against any duty holder on this matter at this time". The Rodden family say the findings are 'disappointing' and are reportedly waiting for the full WorkSafe report before they decide if they can take civil action. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Aussie travellers are being warned about the high cost of medical treatment on board the ships, domestic or otherwise, after a woman racked up an $8,000 bill. A cruise passenger broke her ankle on board the P&O Pacific Adventure, racking up an $8000 medical bill not covered by Medicare. Source: Facebook A P&O cruise passenger has issued an important reminder for travellers embarking on domestic voyages after her sister required medical care while on board this week, resulting in an almost $8,000 bill. The Australian pair were on board the Pacific Adventure, which travels to Queensland from Sydney, with longer trips going to Vanuatu, when suddenly the woman's sibling "shattered" her ankle while dancing, which required urgent medical care by the cruise ship doctors. Worryingly, it isn't covered by Medicare, despite it happening within Australian waters. "X-rays taken by doctors in the medical centre revealed a dislocated ankle and several serious fractures," the woman said of her sister on social media, warning others to be mindful of medical costs on board. "Medicare does not cover domestic cruises," she said. Thankfully, they had travel insurance. "We don't leave home without it," she continued. "The ship's final bill for her medical treatment on board came to just under $8,000. An ambulance will be at Circular Quay when we arrive back in Sydney to take her to hospital for surgery." Passengers reminded to get travel insurance on domestic cruises The unlikely scenario is a "great reminder why insurance is so important" said someone in the comments, with many admitting they wouldn't have thought to get additional cover if embarking on a domestic cruise only if they ventured beyond Australian borders. Responding to the comment, the poster agreed not many people think it's necessary, assuming it would indeed be covered by Medicare, referencing a conversation she'd had with other passengers, many of which didn't think to get it. "Dont play Russian roulette with your health and safety, get insurance," she warned. Hers only cost around $60, she said. The woman 'shattered' her ankle and was taken by ambulance to hospital for surgery after returning to Sydney. Source: Facebook Travel expert reveals 'biggest mistakes' In fact, its a common assumption that any medical costs incurred while on a domestic cruise are covered by Medicare, Natalie Smith from 1Cover told Yahoo News Australia confirming it's not the case. According to Smith, the company's head travel expert, many cruisers make the unfortunate mistake of not prioritising travel insurance when taking a domestic cruise which often leaves them out of pocket. "There are many misconceptions when it comes to travel insurance, but one of the biggest mistakes Aussies make is not buying travel insurance when cruising Australian waters," she said. "Too many people assume they will be covered by Medicare, when in fact, you are not covered by Medicare or your private health fund if you need medical treatment once your ship has set sail. "While cruise ships do have doctors on board this doesnt undermine the need for travel insurance. Without travel insurance, any medical fees and emergency transport expenses would be at your own cost. And these can quickly soar into the tens of thousands of dollars." Medicare only covers ongoing treatment in Australia While passengers who are injured or ill on a cruise are not covered by Medicare while at sea, they would be covered as usual once back in Australia. However, Smith says the cost of getting back to the mainland if emergency travel is required would not be covered either. "Domestic cruise policies would cover your emergency medical expenses on board, along with the cost to get you back to Australia or to the nearest major hospital for treatment. Such costs can be substantial and are not worth overlooking," she explained. Smith noted that when taking a domestic cruise, passengers should look out for comprehensive cover with additional cruise benefits, which is usually an add-on, regardless if they're sailing near or far from home. "This would include the benefits of an overseas policy along with any cruise-specific travel benefits, such as missed port cover," she said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Joan agency is expanding its capabilities. It just launched a new practice Joan Design that joins JoanxMedia, Joan London and Joan Studios. It will create strategies, brand identities and campaigns. Joan Design kicks off with S&P Global and NIA Centre for the Arts in Toronto as clients. The new entity is led by design veteran Anjela Freyja, creative director, design & brand. Previously at Pentagram and Base Design, Freyja is aided by a seasoned team from various disciplines. Jaime Robinson, co-founder-CCO, Joan, told Agency Daily: "Beautiful design is more than just a way to augment the brand. It often is the brand. You can communicate a story and an emotion in a nanosecond. Say 100,000 words in half a thumb scroll. In an increasingly speedy, tech-forward world, potent brand design is non-negotiable." advertisement advertisement Joan is also committed to utilizing AI in design. It has launched Artificial Objects, an online gallery of everyday objects imagined in clever ways. The goal is to illustrate how generative artificial intelligence can creatively benefit designers, applying the same principles across various disciplines: fashion, architectural and brand design. While AI doesn't support typographic design, the practice believes it can contribute to imaginative thinking. "Our vision for Joan Design is to bolster our ability to turn brands into modern legends and to do so with imagination, experimentation and a commitment to top quality design," added Freyja. "We plan on embracing artificial intelligence into our work flows. Like any new technology, it's important to learn about it, see where it fits, and where it can better you. For us, at this moment, AI is a play toy or play tool." Joan Design is a New York-London based agency. Its female-founded parent company's clients include eBay Motors, Brawny, Google and Virgin Hotels. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, July 30, 2024 The Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would impose sweeping restrictions on tech companies' ability to serve content to minors and handle their data. But the measure's fate is uncertain, given that it's expected to face opposition in the House of Representatives. The Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act, approved 91-3, combines two previously separate bills -- the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), introduced by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), and the Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), introduced by Senators Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) and Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana). The online safety portions of the bill aim to tackle potential harms associated with social media use, including depression, eating disorders, and online bullying. Those safety provisions would require tech platforms to use reasonable care to avoid harming minors via design features such as personalized recommendations, notifications and appearance-altering filters. advertisement advertisement The bill tasks the Federal Trade Commission -- which is led by the president's party -- with issuing guidance to platforms regarding online safety. Some youth advocates support KOSA, contending the restrictions will force tech companies to protect teens from material that could encourage drug use, self-harm or suicide. But a broad array of opponents -- including civil liberties groups and tech industry organizations -- say the bill could empower government officials to effectively censor content they deem inappropriate for teens. The digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation warned Tuesday that the bill gives the FTC the ability "to decide what kind of content 'harms' minors, then investigate or file lawsuits against websites that host that content. The tech industry-funded think tank Chamber of Progress expressed similar concerns. Giving the next president the power to crack down on online speech poses a massive threat to our constitutional rights, Todd O'Boyle, Chamber of Progress senior tech policy director, stated Tuesday. If theres one thing the far left and far right agree on, its that the next chair of the FTC shouldnt get to decide what online posts are harmful. The Interactive Advertising Bureau executive vice president Lartease Tiffith likewise stated last week that the organization is particularly worried about provisions that may limit free speech, effectively placing government oversight on platform content decisions. Some opponents have expressed specific concerns that the bill would allow government officials to target platforms that allow teens to access LGBTQ content, on the theory that such material is harmful. Conservatives also have voiced fears that the bill will encourage platforms to aggressively filter any controversial speech, including posts that carry right-wing messages. The anti-abortion group Students for Life Action tweeted last week that KOSA threatens pro-life free speech. Already the Pro-Life Generation faces discrimination, de-platforming, and short-and-long term bans from social media based on the whims of others, the group posted to X (formerly Twitter). Students for Life Action calls for a NO vote on KOSA to prevent viewpoint discrimination from becoming federal policy at the FTC. Earlier this year, a House subcommittee advanced a companion version of KOSA, but with the expectation that the bill would be revised before reaching the House floor. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-New Jersey) said at the time that KOSA runs the risk of creating additional harm to young people by giving social media companies an incentive to suppress material. Critics also argue that the bill could lead tech companies to implement age verification systems, which could compromise people's privacy as well as their ability to access content anonymously. The other portion of the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act, COPPA 2.0, would prohibit websites and apps from collecting personal information -- including data stored on cookies, device identifiers and other pseudonymous information used for ad targeting -- from teens between the ages of 13 and 15, without first obtaining their explicit consent. That portion of the bill would also ban targeted marketing to children and teens, and would require tech companies to allow users to delete personal information from users under the age of 17. The self-regulatory privacy group Network Advertising Initiative praised the Senate's move, stating that responsible companies don't want to collect or use children's data for targeted advertising. Federal law already prohibits websites and apps from knowingly collecting personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. The proposed updates would revise that standard by imposing liability if websites and apps have knowledge fairly implied on the basis of objective circumstances that a user is a child or teen. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, July 30, 2024 More than a dozen popular ecommerce sites that were recently examined by New York officials had defective privacy controls, the state Attorney General's office said Tuesday. Unfortunately, not all businesses have taken appropriate steps to ensure that their disclosures are accurate and that privacy controls work as described, the office wrote in a new report that gives businesses guidance about online privacy. According to the report, investigators examined examined tracking code and privacy controls on various sites, and found that 13 highly trafficked sites -- which drew an estimated 75 million visitors in March -- had privacy controls that were effectively broken. Visitors to these websites who attempted to disable tracking technologies would nevertheless continue to be tracked, the Attorney General's office stated. advertisement advertisement The report didn't name the websites, but described them as well-known" ecommerce sites that sell "consumer products, such as apparel, books, and tickets to live events. The companies operating the websites fixed the privacy controls after being alerted to the problems, the report said. Some of the websites examined by investigators were also found to have privacy controls and disclosures that were confusing and even potentially misleading. For example, one website required people who wanted to avoid tracking to undertake a two-step process. First, they had to click on a slider, then they had to click on the phrase Save Settings. This second step was easy to overlook, the report states. The words 'Save Settings' appeared in a different area of the screen, in a faded gray color, and without any visual indication that the words could be clicked. Indeed, when we first reviewed the site, we missed the step entirely. Justin Brookman, director of technology policy for Consumer Reports, said he was glad to see New York officials taking on the topic and providing guidance, but added that concerns about broken opt-out mechanisms have been raised before. In January, for instance, Consumer Reports said its tests of health care sites found that some sites that offered privacy controls seemed to have technical issues that prevented testers from limiting cookies. I'm glad the specific companies took actions to remediate, but without consequences -- or even naming or shaming -- this isn't enough, Brookman said, referring to the websites referenced in the New York report. Unless there are actual enforcement actions with penalties, companies don't have enough incentives to fix broken interfaces. by Ray Schultz , July 30, 2024 Insite Brazos Valley Magazine has been shuttered after serving its Texas community for 40 years, according to local station KBTX. The last issue was dated July 1. However, the publication will continue to post on its website for the rest of the year, while ceasing all other operations on August 31, the report states. Insite Brazos Valley published four issues per year, according to its web site. We are incredibly proud of the role we have played throughout the years, from sharing the untold stories of impactful individuals to highlighting the best local businesses through our A-List Peoples Choice contest and everything in between, the publication said in a statement. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, July 31, 2024 Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission ordered Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile to pay nearly $200 million total for sharing customers' location data. The companies, which paid the fines under protest, now want appellate courts to reverse the FCC's ruling. The Commissions forfeiture order is unconstitutional, inconsistent with the limitations of the Communications Act, and arbitrary and capricious, AT&T writes in papers filed this week with the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. The FCC fined AT&T around $57 million, Verizon around $47 million, and T-Mobile $92 million (including $12 million for Sprint, which merged with T-Mobile in 2020). The agency handed outthe fines more than four years after alleging in a notice of apparent liability that the carriers sold access to geolocation data to aggregators that resold the information to outside companies. The FCC issued the notice around one year after Vice Media's Motherboard reported that a journalist had been able to pay a bounty hunter $300 to track a phone's location to a neighborhood in Queens, New York. advertisement advertisement The major U.S. carriers have said they no longer sell location data. An AT&T spokesperson said earlier this year that the FCC had "unfairly" held the company responsible for a third-party's violation of a contractual requirement to obtain consumers' consent to disclose location data. The fine "ignores the immediate steps we took to address that companys failures, and perversely punishes us for supporting life-saving location services like emergency medical alerts and roadside assistance that the FCC itself previously encouraged, the spokesperson stated. AT&T argues in its appeal that the fines should be vacated for numerous reasons, including that the FCC imposed the fines without either conducting an in-house hearing or proving the allegations in court. The company also says the agency lacked authority to issue the fines because the location data at issue wasn't tied solely to voice services, like telephone calls. Instead, the location information was tied to non-voice location-based services such as the Life Alert program, which sends medical help to people, or roadside assistance company AAA, the telecom argues. Location-based services can be used by data-plan customers who do not even have voice services with AT&T, like many tablet or smartwatch customers, AT&T argues. Notably, the location information AT&T provided was not call location information, i.e., records of 'the customers location while making or receiving a voice call,' the company adds. AT&T says the distinction between call information and location information not tied to phone calls is critical, arguing that the FCC is only authorized to police the confidentiality of call information. Verizon is appealing separately to the 2nd Circuit, and T-Mobile is appealing to the District of Columbia Circuit. T-Mobile indicated in court papers filed this week that it plans to make arguments similar to AT&T's. Verizon said in its petition seeking review that the FCC's order is arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion, and is also contrary to law and unsupported by substantial evidence. The FCC imposed the fines by a 3-2 vote, with Republican Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington dissenting. Carr stated in his dissent that he believes the FCC lacked authority to impose the fines. Given the nature of the services at issue, the Federal Trade Commission, not the FCC, would have been the right entity to take a final enforcement action, to the extent the FTC determined that one was warranted, he said in a written dissent. Simington said in a separate dissent that the FCC could have worked with the carriers to issue consent decrees to promote best practices to develop further safeguards around location-based and aggregation services. Highlights: No HIV infections among women who received the injection Outperforms daily prevention pills with a 2% infection rate Twice-yearly administration solves adherence issues Trusted Source New HIV preventive strategy sparks excitement - and protests - at AIDS conference Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? In this study, not a single woman who received the biannual HIV prevention injection contracted the virus. #hiv #womenhealth #hivprevention #medindia In this study, not a single woman who received the biannual HIV prevention injection contracted the virus. #hiv #womenhealth #hivprevention #medindia Advertisement Breakthrough Efficacy in HIV Prevention Injection Advertisement The Injection: Lenacapavir Advertisement Affordability and Accessibility Concerns of the HIV Injection A Potential Game-Changer in HIV Prevention New HIV preventive strategy sparks excitement - and protests - at AIDS conference - (https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2024/07/24/nx-s1-5050843/hiv-preventive-strategy-2024-aids-conference) In the development of the fight against HIV/AIDS , a recent study has revealed that two injections of a specific drug per year can provide complete prevention against the virus (). The study's results offer a beacon of hope for millions, particularly young women in high-risk regions .The research, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the AIDS conference in Munich, demonstrated that the biannual shots are 100 percent effective in preventing new HIV infections in women. This remarkable finding comes from a trial involving nearly 5,000 women in South Africa and Uganda. In the group that received the injection, there were no new HIV infections recorded. Conversely, in a control group taking daily prevention pills, approximately 2 percent contracted HIV from infected partners.Salim Abdool Karim, the Director of an AIDS research center in Durban, South Africa, expressed astonishment at the study's success, stating, To see this level of protection is stunning.The injections, developed by US pharmaceutical giant Gilead, are marketed under the name Sunlenca. Initially approved in the United States, Canada, Europe, and other regions as a treatment for HIV, Sunlenca has shown extraordinary potential as a preventative measure. While Gilead awaited results from similar tests on men, the overwhelmingly positive outcomes in women prompted an early halt to the study, allowing all participants to receive the injections.Despite the excitement surrounding this revolutionary shot, questions remain about its affordability and accessibility. Thandeka Nkosi, who assisted Gilead's research at the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation in Masiphumelele, South Africa, emphasized the significance of a biannual injection. Nkosi highlighted that it offers a choice and reduces the stigma associated with daily pill regimens, which has been a significant barrier to consistent use in Africa.However, experts have raised concerns that Gilead has not committed to making the injections affordable, particularly for those in the most affected regions. The company has proposed a voluntary licensing program that would allow some generic producers to manufacture the drug, potentially reducing costs.Winnie Byanyima, executive director of the Geneva-based U.N. AIDS agency, underscored the potential impact of this new prevention tool. Gilead has a tool that could change the trajectory of the HIV epidemic , Byanyima stated.While other preventative measures like daily pills and condoms exist, their consistent use has been a challenge, especially in Africa. The introduction of a twice-a-year injection could revolutionize HIV prevention by providing a simpler, more stigma-free option.The results of this study mark a significant milestone in the global effort to combat HIV/AIDS. With the potential to prevent new infections effectively, lenacapavir injections could transform HIV prevention strategies, especially in regions with high infection rates. However, ensuring the affordability and widespread availability of this treatment will be crucial in leveraging its full potential to change the course of the HIV epidemic.As the world awaits further results from ongoing studies and the implementation of Gilead's licensing program, the hope is that this breakthrough will soon be accessible to all who need it, heralding a new era in the fight against HIV/AIDS.Source-Medindia Trusted Source Longitudinal stability of individual brain plasticity patterns in blindness Go to source Trusted Source Unique Brain Connectivity in the Visually Impaired "Blindness may create a 'brain fingerprint' in visual processing areas." #brainhealth #medindia Implications for Brain Plasticity and Rehabilitation Longitudinal stability of individual brain plasticity patterns in blindness - (https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2320251121) Researchers from Georgetown University have discovered that the visual processing area of the brain in individuals born blind develops a distinct connectivity pattern, akin to a fingerprint. This unique pattern in the primary visual cortex is specific to each person, as detailed in a study published on July 30, 2024, in(PNAS) ().The study highlights significant implications for our understanding of brain development and offers potential avenues for personalized rehabilitation and sight restoration. While previous research established that the visual cortex in those born blind responds to various sensory inputs, such as touch, smell, sound, and language, the lack of a unified mechanism connecting these responses has been a puzzle. This new research, led by Lenia Amaral, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher, and Ella Striem-Amit, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Georgetown Universitys School of Medicine, suggests that these differences arise from the unique ways in which individual brains self-organize.We dont see this level of variation in the visual cortex connectivity among individuals who can see the connectivity of the visual cortex is usually fairly consistent, said Striem-Amit, who leads the Sensory and Motor Plasticity Lab at Georgetown. The connectivity pattern in people born blind is more different across people, like an individual fingerprint, and is stable over time so much so that the individual person can be identified from the connectivity pattern.The study included a small sample of people born blind who underwent repeated functional MRI scans over two years. The researchers used a neuroimaging technique to analyze neural connectivity across the brain.The visual cortex in people born blind showed remarkable stability in its connectivity patterns over time, Amaral explained. Our study found that these patterns did not change significantly based on the task at hand whether participants were localizing sounds, identifying shapes, or simply resting. Instead, the connectivity patterns were unique to each individual and remained stable over the two-year study period. Striem-Amit said these findings tell us how the brain develops. Our findings suggest that experiences after birth shape the diverse ways our brains can develop, especially if growing up without sight. Brain plasticity in these cases frees the brain to develop, possibly even for different possible uses for the visual cortex among different people born blind, Striem-Amit said.The researchers posit that understanding each persons individual connectivity may be important to better tailor solutions for rehabilitation and sight restoration to individuals with blindness, each based on their own individual brain connectivity pattern.Source-Eurekalert The supermarket giant introduced the 'Free fruit for kids' program in 2015, but shoppers aren't used to seeing a display like this one. Woolworths shoppers were surprised to see carrots in the 'Free fruit for kids' display instead of the usual options including bananas and apples. Source: Getty/Reddit The Free Fruit for Kids program at Woolworths has been keeping families happy since it was introduced in 2015, with little ones able to enjoy a complimentary healthy snack while shopping. But an apparent display at one store recently left some shoppers less than impressed, with some concluding times are evidently tough. A photo snapped by a shopper shows a usually full display looking a little different than usual. Instead of a range of fruit options, like apples or bananas, one basket was filled with carrots instead. A sign above it reads, "Free fruit fuels kids. Let your kids enjoy a fresh piece of fruit while you shop". Carrots are an odd choice, thought many who saw the display at a Melbourne store last week. "Glad I named my kid Rudolph," joked one online, referring to Santa's famous red-nosed reindeer. While another said, "My kids love carrots, they'd be chuffed." Woolworths shoppers reveal 'unspoken store policy' Some implied it's okay to take your preferred fruit from the shelf if it's not offered in the "free" display so long as it's for little hungry bellies, and not for adults. "I think the quiet unspoken store policy is that it's ok for your kids to be eating anything from the produce section while you shop," said one. "Several staff members at my local have pretty much told me this," another agreed. However, Woolworths did not confirm if this is the case when approached by Yahoo. Carrots not standard practice, bananas and apples preferred It's understood adding carrots to the 'free fruit' display is not standard practice across Woolworths stores. The Free Fruit for Kids program, which began in 2015, is focused on offering peelable fruit or pre-packed fruit options like bananas, apples, mandarins and pears, so carrots are not typically part of these displays. All Woolworths stores are given guidelines on how best to set up and maintain their fruit display, however each will look a little different based on the produce available in different regions. More than 100 million pieces of fruit have been given to kids since the launch of the program. Some shoppers on TikTok previously shared videos of themselves eating free fruit meant for kids at Woolworths without buying anything. Credit: TikTok Coles stops offering free fruit for kids It's not the first time the free fruit program has been the centre of debate. Previously, grown adults revealed on TikTok they often help themselves to the fruit and walk out without buying a thing. Competitors Harris Farm and, until recently Coles, also offer a similar program. However, in November last year, Coles confirmed to Yahoo it would no longer be offered at all stores. The revelation came about after one mum claimed she was told "they no longer offer" free fruit for kids when questioning staff in store. The Melbourne woman said she was "very disappointed in Coles" and called people to "boycott" the supermarket. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Members of the military's combat specialties experienced higher suicide rates than other troops -- and the broader American public -- in the waning years of the War on Terror, according to numbers delivered by the Pentagon to Congress this month. The worst-hit jobs included career fields with high operational tempo and occupational exposure to explosions. Between 2011 and 2021, the enlisted job groupings with the highest suicide rates were armored and amphibious vehicle crew members, infantry, combat engineers, explosive ordnance disposal and divers, combat operations control troops, and artillerymen assigned to both guns and rocket units, according to the data. All of those specialties saw suicide rates at least 50% higher than the general population during that period. The numbers were contained in a report the Defense Department submitted to Congress comparing suicide rates across military career fields. The report, dated July 23 and delivered to lawmakers seven months after a congressional deadline, represents the military's first official by-job suicide data since a 2010 task force report. It was publicly released Wednesday. Read Next: The Army Bet $11M on The Rock and UFL Ginning Up Enlistments. It May Have Actually Hurt Recruiting Efforts. To calculate suicide rates for 2011 to 2022, Pentagon researchers combined data for military specialties based on a master list of career fields. Active-duty and reserve deaths were included, and the rates adjusted by sex and age in order to allow meaningful comparisons with the general U.S. population. For their comparisons to the broader civilian population, the report excluded 2022 military numbers as the authors didn't have access to broader general population suicide data for that year. What Congress received was mostly a data dump, according to Katherine Kuzminski, a defense expert at the Center for a New American Security, or CNAS, think tank. "[The authors of the report] didn't really provide any analysis or storytelling," she said. But Kuzminski, who heads CNAS' Military, Veterans and Society program, said there was an obvious theme: Jobs where troops are deployed more frequently and face greater exposure to low-level blasts experienced higher suicide rates between 2011 and 2022. Chart depicting the six occupational groupings with the highest suicide rate. The data alone cannot prove that those factors are causing the increased suicides, she cautioned, noting that those fields may also have experienced higher rates of casualties. In recent months, lawmakers have intensified their scrutiny of the Pentagon's suicide prevention efforts, questioning whether the military has adequately accounted for some suicide risk factors, such as occupational blast wave exposure and operational tempo. Concern over the role of brain injuries in military suicide rates -- fueled in part by reports from Military.com and The New York Times -- led to hearings on Capitol Hill and a series of legislative proposals meant to address the issue. In May, lawmakers asked a government watchdog agency to investigate what Pentagon officials knew about brain injury risk, when they knew about it, and what they did to reduce the risk. Similarly, a March 2024 Army Times investigation that discovered high recent suicide rates in the Army's overworked armor community inspired Congress to double down on demands for Wednesday's suicide data. Although the Army quickly announced changes to its deployment model for tank units, the House Armed Services Committee directed the DoD to study its force structure in Europe, where the service's armor brigades regularly deploy due to a lack of permanently based armor units. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said in a phone interview that the report "is not a panacea, but it gives [the Pentagon] a way to target resources and understand where the higher risks are." He added that the information will also help Congress provide critical oversight of military suicide prevention work. "We can have all the studies in the world. We can have all the data. We can have recommendations," the senator said. "Implementation is as important as vision, and I want to see how this is going to be executed, and I'm going to keep on them to be sure it is executed properly." The report falls short of the standard set by Congress in its 2023 defense policy bill. Lawmakers ordered the Pentagon to provide suicide data dating back to Sept. 11, 2001, broken out by year, specific job code, and duty status. The data provided in the report only covers 2011 through 2022, and it fails to analyze the numbers by year, specific occupational specialty, and active or reserve component membership. The report's authors claimed they could not provide authoritative data predating 2011 because the Pentagon "did not have a standardized reporting methodology," and restrictions on analyzing suicide data with small sample sizes led them to decline to assess the by-year, by-component, or by-job code rates. The report argued these figures "are highly sensitive to small changes over time, and are unreliable for comparison." Their approach contrasts with that adopted by the 2009-10 DoD Task Force on the Prevention of Suicide by Members of the Armed Forces, the last major effort to carve out job-specific data. The congressionally chartered task force's final report provided suicide data detailing annual deaths for every military occupational specialty across the different branches. Kuzminski, the CNAS expert, argued the new report's consolidation of data could mask critical trends. She said that lumping together personnel generalists and recruiters, for example, "doesn't tell me what is the individual rate of the 'recruiting and counseling' [subgroup]. There's probably far fewer recruiters than broader personnel [specialists]." The Senate's draft defense policy bill for fiscal 2025 includes a King-authored provision to make Wednesday's report a permanent annual requirement for the Pentagon. King described the report's numbers as a starting point, saying that "what [DoD] produced is still significant," and the numbers will accumulate over time if his proposal to make the report a permanent annual requirement becomes law. Now, the senator wants to see results. "My concern on this suicide study is that I don't want it to just be interesting data," said King. "I want it to guide action." The full report containing data on suicide by specialty can be found here. Veterans and service members experiencing a mental health emergency can call the Veteran Crisis Line, 988 and press 1. Help also is available by text, 838255, and via chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net. -- Davis Winkie is an investigative reporter who focuses primarily on the military and veterans. Davis, a Military Times and CNN alum, was a finalist for the 2023 Livingston Award for Local Reporting and shared the Society of Professional Journalists' 2023 Sunshine Award with colleagues from The Texas Tribune, ProPublica and The Marshall Project. Related: Overall Military Suicide Rate Dropped, But Active-Duty Deaths Increased Slightly, Pentagon Reports The only two Japanese ships believed to have been sunk directly off the U.S. coastline in World War II have been located by researchers scouring the seafloor off Alaska, according to a release from East Carolina University in North Carolina. Both the Cheribon Maru, sunk in 1942, and the "fairly intact" Kotohira Maru, sunk in 1943, are "mass graves" for Japanese seamen who died during a campaign known as the "Forgotten Battle," according to project co-leader Dominic Bush of Ships of Discovery. That battle centered around the Aleutian Island of Attu, which was captured by Japanese forces. Attu sits about 550 miles from Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. "Though fighting on the Aleutian Island was limited to three weeks in May 1943, Attu had been the site of significant military activity ever since its invasion by the Japanese military on June 7, 1942," the team reported. "That offensive marked the first time a foreign power occupied U.S. territory in North America since the War of 1812 -- a feat that has not since been repeated. Following the liberation of the remote island by American forces, it was transformed into a military outpost that operated throughout the war's duration." A team of archaeologists, hydrographers and robotic engineers surveyed the underwater battlefield for about a week looking for artifacts, including ships and aircraft. In addition to the two Japanese freighters, the U.S. Army cable layer S.S. Dellwood was found "81 years to the day of its sinking" on July 19, 1943, officials said. Sonar and ROV imagery revealed the Dellwood shipwreck is severely damaged. That is likely due to the wreck being deemed a navigational hazard, which prompted the military to blow it up, officials said. The U.S. Army cable layer S.S. Dellwood was found 81 years to the day of its sinking on July 19, 1943, officials said. (Photo courtesy of Dominic W. Bush, Ships of Discovery) What They Found A joint American and Japanese research team was involved in the project, which counted as the first seafloor archaeological survey around Attu, officials said. The three vessels found have not been seen in more than 80 years, researchers noted. All are within Alaska's state waters. Among the unexpected observations the made during the survey: the 3,000-ton Cheribon Maru is so "draped in kelp and other marine growth" that it can't be clearly seen, and the 5,000-ton Kotohira Maru is more than a half-mile from its last known location. The exact number of people who died on the two vessels is not known -- due to Japanese records being destroyed -- but estimates put it in the dozens, Bush told McClatchy News. In the case of the Kotohira Maru, only two crew members were rescued, he said. "The Kotohira Maru is a mass grave and when you see it on the seafloor, it's moving. Reports say it was hit twice and the bow was broken off, and that's what we found," Bush said. "It is in amazing condition on a sandy seafloor and really stood out. You can see the masts are still standing and everything is still there, along with the wheelhouse. It gives you a really clear picture of what it looked like." The ship was carrying provisions, housing materials and fuel to Japanese soldiers on the island, and it's unclear if it ever unloaded the cargo. S.S. Dellwood sank when it hit a "submerged rock pinnacle" while being towed to a dock, and now sits in 100 feet of water, the researchers said. High-resolution sonar also identified countless smaller artifacts on the seafloor, "including dozens of anchors, chains, mooring blocks, and sunken buoys, as well as examples of materials used in base construction, such as timbers, piping, and cable." "Perhaps most interesting was the numerous sections of anti-submarine netting that could be clearly discerned," the team reported. "With the centimeter resolution offered by synthetic aperture sonar, the interconnected metal rings of these nets, reminiscent of chainmail armor, were documented in stunning detail." The netting has fallen over time and is now draped across rocks and the seafloor, Bush said. No aircraft were located, but some of the scattered debris could be from destroyed aircraft, he said. The project was led by Bush, a recent East Carolina University alumnus, Dr. Jason Raupp, an assistant professor of Maritime Studies in East Carolina University's Department of History and Dr. Caroline Funk, an assistant research professor at the University of Buffalo. "Overall, the project marks the beginning of what is sure to be an increased focus on the oft-forgotten Aleutian Island campaign and by extension Alaska's World War II history," Raupp said in the release. Archaeologists, hydrographers and robotic engineers surveyed the underwater battlefield for the Forgotten Battle off the Aleutian Island of Attu. They were looking for artifacts, including ships and aircraft. (Photo courtesy of Dominic W. Bush, Ships of Discovery) The 'Forgotten Battle' The 1942 Japanese attack on the Aleutian Islands lasted from June 3-7 and included bombings on two islands and invasions of Attu and Kiska, the National Park Service reports. Forty residents of Attu were "taken to Japan for the duration of the war," and 16 died there of causes ranging from disease to starvation, the NPS reports. U.S. aerial and naval raids targeted the island for 10 months, then the Army launched an amphibious assault on May 11, 1943, according to the East Carolina University Program in Maritime Studies. "After three weeks of intense combat, the U.S. forces prevailed, and Attu was transformed into a military outpost. In addition to the fighting on land, numerous ships, aircraft, and other vessels are reported to have sunk in the waters around Attu," the program reports. The 18-day Battle of Attu was one of the deadliest of the war, "but it remains one of the least well-known," the National Park Service says. Nearly 1,700 U.S. soldiers were killed or wounded by the Japanese, and more than 2,100 "were taken out of action due to disease and non-battle injuries," the NPS says. The harsh conditions included 120 mph winds, relentless rain and dense fog. "Men had to keep moving to stay warm, even if it meant exposing themselves to enemy fire. Those who could not walk, crawled," the NPS says. "When possible, the Americans took the superior clothing from dead Japanese soldiers, risking being shot by their own troops when they saw the enemy uniforms." Among the Japanese, 2,351 were killed and 28 were captured, NPS historians say. The seafloor survey was jointly funded by NOAA Ocean Exploration and the National Park Service's American Battlefield Protection Program. (c) 2024 the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.) Visit the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.) at www.mercedsunstar.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Read the original article on Business Insider. Russia's army is bleeding, and it's raising its recruitment bonuses to US military levels to draw in more men. Russian media reported that new recruits would get a new signing bonus of 1.9 million rubles, or about $22,000 if they sign contracts with the Russian defense ministry. The announcement said that, including the monthly salary and other benefits, soldiers stand to make around 5.2 million rubles, or $61,000, in their first year of service. The 1.9 million rubles bonus is nearly double the initial 1 million rubles, which was valid for people enlisting until November 25 last year. Moscow's mayor Sergey Sobyanin pledged the new bonus via a decree on July 23, according to the Russian media outlet. The new package puts Russia on par with the US Army's quick ship bonus of up to $15,000, awarded to those who report for basic training within 30 days of enlistment for certain military jobs, per the army's website. To be sure, the total amount for the US Army can be a lot higher if combined with other enlistment bonuses, reaching $50,000. For example, qualified Army reserve recruits may be eligible for up to $20,000 in bonuses. There is also the Ranger Bonus of up to $20,000, which qualified soldiers can look forward to after completing certain ranger training and reporting to their first permanent duty station. With the new pay package, salaries in the Russian military are so competitive that they surpass those in the country's lucrative oil and gas industry. Workers in the oil and gas industry earned 125,200 rubles, or about $1,460 monthly, as of January and February, Bloomberg reported. Russian soldiers did not always earn this much. Their salaries have increased vastly since the start of the war. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on February 4, 2022, shortly before he started the invasion, that a lieutenant received only 81,200 rubles (now worth around $946) a month, according to an intelligence update from the UK defense ministry in August. Moscow's military is bleeding it dry Moscow's new announcement comes as Russia's war with Ukraine stretches well into its third year, and the Russian army continues to bleed men and money. Russia allocated at least a third of its 2024 national budget to defense. It would have to fork out about 6% of its budget about $26 billion for its promised payouts to its wounded and dead. There's no lack of injured or dead soldiers; over 70,000 Russian soldiers were wounded or killed in May and June this year alone in Ukraine, per an update by the UK defense ministry on July 12. In total, Russia's casualty count stood at half a million as of May, per the defense ministry. A report by the New York Times on June 27 revealed that Russia's military was losing upward of 1,000 men a day in Ukraine in May. Apart from raising enlistment bonuses, Russia has resorted to a range of tactics to keep its army full, like raising the conscription age from 27 to 30 and making it possible to call up reservists as old as 70. In April 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing conscription notices to be sent to recruits through a digital government portal. They could be punished if they don't report for duty, whether or not they have an account. Representatives for the Russian military did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours. A punch line. That seemed to be Hollywood's take on the newly formed Space Force in 2020 when Netflix launched a short-lived comedy series of the same name -- a spoof without any real input from the service. Fast-forward to this year. Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, was used in the filming of the newly released movie "Fly Me to the Moon" about the 1960s space race, starring big-name actors Channing Tatum, Scarlett Johansson and Woody Harrelson. The service is now seeking to embrace Hollywood as an ally -- as other branches have done to great effect in movies such as "Top Gun" and "Black Hawk Down" -- and use that relationship to showcase its mission to the public on its own terms. The effort is being spearheaded by Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna, the service's top enlisted leader. Read Next: The Army Bet $11M on The Rock and UFL Ginning Up Enlistments. It May Have Actually Hurt Recruiting Efforts. On Tuesday, Bentivegna was at the Fox Studio Lot in California, where he explained Guardians' crucial mission to nearly 20 Hollywood directors and executives. Notable attendees included Jerry and Janet Zucker, famous directors and producers of films such as "Airplane!", "The Naked Gun" and "Friends with Benefits." Bentivegna, who addressed the group of creatives donned in his sci-fi-inspired dress uniform, explained the Space Force's mission isn't to fight aliens, hunt Sith Lords or put combat boots on the moon. In the real world, it's about securing America's interests against China and Russia, protecting the nation's use of GPS, and tracking orbital debris to keep it from harming assets such as the International Space Station. All those are also compelling for movie plots, he believes. "Whether it be "Star Trek," "Star Wars," the Netflix show -- there's some pop culture that is kind of thrown at the Space Force, which in good nature we're going to embrace," Bentivegna said in an interview Tuesday with Military.com. "I think it is a significant turning point that there's more realization that the service is a part of the Department of Defense. It is a real thing, and we're doing vital and critical work for the nation." Military experts who spoke with Military.com agree that the Space Force's new landing zone on the red carpet marks a significant milestone for the service. In a video shared on social media this month -- well before the Space Force's fifth anniversary coming up on Dec. 20 -- Hollywood superstar Johansson smiled and wished the service a happy birthday. "Happy fifth birthday, Space Force Guardians! Your dedication to secure our nation's interests in, from, and to space is truly inspiring. Here's to five amazing years and many more to come!" she said, concluding the message with the service's motto "Semper Supra!" Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the nonprofit American Enterprise Institute who focuses on defense strategy and space policy and security, told Military.com that that type of star power is huge for the service branch, which is by far the smallest with a little over 9,000 Guardians. "I think it does represent a bit of a turning point where the Space Force is essentially teaming with a movie, which gives it some pop-cultural acceptance, if you will," Harrison said. "The fact that you've got A-list celebrities like Scarlett Johansson even talking about the Space Force, talking about its birthday, its anniversary coming up, that does a lot to give the Space Force the recognition it deserves as an independent military service." However, Harrison adds that "Fly Me to the Moon" -- a romantic comedy-drama -- could also lend to some confusion among the public with its setting in the space race of the 1960s. The Space Force is not NASA, despite what some in the public might think, and while the service branch is not featured in the story, it has been involved with the premiere and promotion of the film. Bentivegna was part of a panel during the premiere in July where he spoke about the important work Guardians do. He told Military.com he wasn't concerned about any misconceptions of the roles Space Force and NASA play due to "Fly Me to the Moon" and pointed out that some partnerships exist between the two, including that a Guardian officer is set to be the first member in the service's history to launch into space in August. "When you talk about the confusion ... between NASA, which is a civil agency that is focused on exploration, science and technology, and then the Space Force, which is a part of the Department of Defense, I think we did a pretty good job." Bentivegna said. "There is a symbiotic relationship between the space domain awareness mission, if you will, and the mission of NASA to make sure human spaceflight is safe." But there are other obstacles the service faces in portraying its mission on the silver screen. The Space Force's operations are highly classified and, often, out of sight. While the public can see an F-35 in the sky, a Marine crawling through the San Diego sand or an Army Humvee convoying on the highway, Guardians are rarely spotted doing their jobs outside their secretive installations. Katherine Kuzminski, the director of the Military, Veterans and Society Program at the Center for a New American Security think tank, told Military.com that it's on the service to increase that transparency so there is no confusion -- such as the unrealistic plots portrayed in the Netflix series -- over what Guardians do. "The challenge for the Space Force is that they operate at a level of classification that's much higher than we see across the other services, and so it's on them to get the message out, as opposed to letting Hollywood kind of define what their role is," Kuzminski said. "I think because the [Netflix] show came out first, that was the broad understanding across the civilian population, even though it didn't reflect reality." Every service branch has its major movie that cements its legacy into the cultural zeitgeist, whether it's "A Few Good Men," "Memphis Belle," "We Were Soldiers," or the box-office smash "Top Gun" movies starring Tom Cruise as a Navy fighter pilot, which drew notable attention and recruiting interest for pilots in the military. Bentivegna said he's not chasing the Space Force's "Top Gun" moment, but in due time he thinks that movie will find them when the service is ready. "At this point, I think that each opportunity, whether it be a Guardian in the background of a cameo shot or of a side plot of another movie, but that the Space Force is depicted and represented in more of an accurate way and not necessarily relying back to those stereotypes of what the service is, those are all wins for us," Bentivegna said. "Whenever we get to the 'Top Gun' moment, hey, that'll be great, but I'm not necessarily looking to chase that." Related: 'Top Gun' Boosted Recruiting and Brought the Tailhook Scandal. So What Happens After the Blockbuster Sequel? Two years after an archeological dig accidentally uncovered skeletal remains in a New Jersey field, there is now a face to help tell the story of what happened on a key Revolutionary War battlefield in 1777. Working off of a skull recovered from a trench just outside Red Bank Battlefield Bank, a New Jersey State Police artist sketched one of the Hessian soldiers who died fighting for Great Britain against the Continental Army. Scientists now believe 15 sets of skeletal remains, all from men, were located in the trench during the 2022 dig. DNA testing so far has failed to identify any of the soldiers, but that remains a goal of the ongoing research project, officials said Wednesday in an update on the discovery. The newly-released image by artist Moises Martinez of the State Police's forensic technology center includes a headdress and a mustache, both of which were associated with Hessian soldiers of that period. The rendering helps convey the humanity of those who were killed, said Jen Janofsky, director of Red Bank Battlefield Park. "It's not just a jumble of bones. It's an actual human being," Janofsky said. Hessians were German soldiers who fought alongside King George III's British troops and had a key role in many Revolutionary War battles. The skull was one of only two complete crania recovered in 2022. It was found alongside teeth, bones, musket balls and other artifacts by volunteers who set out to map a wartime trench and unwittingly made a significant Revolutionary War discovery. The skull is from a Hessian soldier who is, at least for now, known only as "No. 9," said Wade Catts, an archeologist who led the dig at the site. "That is, in all likelihood, what No. 9 looked like," Catts said. The Battle of Red Bank was a crucial victory for the Continental Army. An outnumbered group of colonists beat back an effort to capture Fort Mercer during the battle. Of the 2,000 Hessian soldiers, 377 were killed, while the victorious Continental Army only lost 14 of its 500 troops. The conclusion that the 15 sets of remains were Hessian soldiers was based on items recovered by the remains, including a King George III gold guinea that would have been the equivalent of a soldier's monthly pay, officials said. Forensic scientists determined all the remains recovered from the trench were of white men of European descent. Some were middle-aged, others much younger, but the remains did not include any teenagers, officials said. Attaining additional, more specific information has been complicated by the poor conditions of the remains, which were described as degraded from being buried in wet soil for nearly 250 years. Janofsky said further testing may still create a breakthrough. Researchers will be conducting testing on two petrous bones, known for being the hardest bone in the human body and potentially a source of well-preserved DNA. "Over the past two years, I've come to appreciate the complexity of research required to identify remains. DNA analysis and stable isotope testing hold the potential to identify our soldiers. We will exhaust all resources to try to recover the stories of these men," Janofsky said. The discovery of the remains was made in June 2022 on the fourth and final day of a public dig that attracted more than 100 volunteers. It prompted a surge of interest in the Battle of Red Bank and Red Bank Battlefield Park, located in National Park, a borough in Gloucester County on the Delaware River. The battlefield is not part of the similarly-named Borough of Red Bank in Monmouth County, located about 90 miles away on the Navesink River. Red Bank Battlefield Park covers 44 acres and is owned by Gloucester County. The Revolutionary War-era trench where the remains were located extends onto an adjoining, quarter-acre site that was acquired by Gloucester County in 2020 and had not been thoroughly explored by archeologists until the 2022 dig. "It's been a whirlwind two years. It's been so exciting to see the amount of attention that the project has received and the continued excitement that people express in the project and the work that we are doing," Janofsky said. It is unclear where the remains will end up. Janofsky said the government of Germany was contacted following the discovery two years ago, but has not expressed an interest in retrieving them. Volunteers, including Rowan University students, will give guided, registration-only tours of the discovery site on Aug. 10, 17 and 24, officials said. 2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit nj.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Former Army Lt. William Calley Jr. may be one of the most infamous officers in U.S. military history. Calley was the only U.S. service member convicted for participating in what would be remembered as the 1968 My Lai Massacre, which saw American soldiers brutally and indiscriminately slaughter more than 500 Vietnamese civilians in what's often referred to as "the most shocking incident of the Vietnam War." He would spend only three years in prison, and, after leaving the Army, he avoided the limelight until his death on April 28, 2024, in Gainesville, Florida, at age 80. Calley was both demonized and lionized in the very public court-martial that followed the revelation of the massacre in 1969. Though other atrocities in Vietnam have since come to light, the events that unfolded at My Lai and the men who perpetrated it would shape the American public's long-term perceptions of the Vietnam War. In the early months of 1968, morale among American troops in Vietnam was on the decline. They had just fought off the Tet Offensive, a massive, countrywide assault on American bases and South Vietnamese cities that was launched during the Tet holiday in January. The soldiers of Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 23rd Infantry (Americal) Division, led by Calley, lost 28 of their own during the fighting. At the time, Calley and his men were deployed in South Vietnam's Quang Ngai province. Intelligence believed the province was a stronghold for the Viet Cong insurgents, and as a result, it was heavily mined, bombed, strafed and sprayed with Agent Orange. In March 1968, U.S. forces were ordered to attack the village of My Lai, a "search and destroy" mission in Quang Ngai -- and Calley was determined to make good on those orders. Calley led 100 soldiers from Charlie Company to the village of My Lai on March 16, 1968. At his court-martial, Calley claimed his orders were to consider everyone still in the village a Viet Cong insurgent, and that this order came from his commanding officer, Capt. Ernest Medina -- a charge Medina denied and was later acquitted of giving. Despite meeting no resistance, the Americans opened up on the village with small arms, machine guns, grenades and M-79 grenade launchers. American troops raped women and bayoneted babies. Initially, the Army glossed over the details of the mission itself, calling it "a successful search-and-destroy mission." In 1969, however, Army veteran Ron Ridenhour tried to inform President Richard Nixon and members of Congress about what he'd heard about the massacre. In November of that year, journalist Seymour Hersh, acting on a tip about Calley's court-martial, began to uncover the facts by interviewing soldiers present at My Lai. When the Cleveland Plain-Dealer obtained and published Army photographer Ronald Haeberle's personal color photos of the massacre, the incident finally caused a nationwide outrage. In response to the media's coverage and the protests it sparked, the Army would charge 14 officers with crimes related to My Lai and its subsequent cover-up. Calley's trial lasted four months and dominated the national conversation during that time, with many convinced that Calley was a scapegoat for the Army brass. Second Lt. William L. Calley's booking photo. (National Archives) In 1971, a court-martial found Calley guilty of 22 counts of premeditated murder. He was originally sentenced to life in prison at the U.S. military's Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His commanding general cut the sentence to 20 years before Secretary of the Army Howard H. Callaway cut it to 10 years; he was paroled after serving a third of the sentence. In 1974, a federal judge ruled that publicity surrounding the event prevented Calley from getting a fair trial and overturned the conviction entirely. Although the conviction was upheld the following year, Calley never spent another day in prison. For decades after the messy trial and the even messier sentencing, historians have speculated just what led these 100 soldiers to slaughter unarmed civilians indiscriminately. Then-Pfc. Paul Meadlo, who testified against Calley at the trial after receiving immunity from the prosecution, once said, "It was just revenge, that's all it was." But Marshall Poe, a historian and professor who has taught at Harvard, Columbia and the University of Iowa, believes our broader cultural history of the massacre tends to remember the event very differently from what actually happened. "[The consensus] is basically that American troops were driven kind of insane by the nature of the fighting in Vietnam and the difficulties in telling friend from foe," Poe tells Military.com. "They called it 'Vietnam War Syndrome,' that the GIs were somehow mentally deranged and these crazy GIs went into a village and killed a lot of civilians in some sort of bloodlust. But that's not what happened." Poe runs the New Book Network, a podcast that interviews scholars about their new books. A military historian himself, he recently published, "The Reality of the My Lai Massacre and the Myth of the Vietnam War," which delves into the full story behind the incident and America's cultural memory of the war. He studied 18,000 pages of official documents, testimony and investigations conducted by the Army, along with 5,000 more pages of official documentation and found the soldiers at My Lai, rather than motivated by revenge or the insanity of war, were simply following the orders they were given. "The soldiers were not unthinking animals, overtaken by mob mentality," he says. "They were told by their superiors to completely raze the village and kill anything that moved; the military intelligence erroneously stated that only Viet Cong sympathizers remained." This photo, showing mostly women and children dead on a road, was taken by U.S. Army photographer Ronald L. Haeberle on March 16, 1968, in the aftermath of the My Lai Massacre. (Ronald L. Haeberle/U.S. Army photo) Poe said much of the research surrounding My Lai is what he calls "end around": memorials recounts of the massacre, the cover-up and the trial of Calley. He was interested in the U.S. military's actual operations in the area at the time. He found the Peers Report, the result of the Army's own investigation into the massacre, conducted by Lt. Gen. William R. Peers. With the help of civilian lawyers, Peers' "damning" exhaustive report put much of the blame on the Army for its order and for trying to sweep the incident under the rug. He found 13 factors that contributed to the massacre, which included a lack of proper training, lack of discipline, racist attitudes toward Vietnamese people, the ambiguity between combatants and civilians, and a poor command climate up to the highest levels. The Peers Report provides a minute-by-minute reconstruction of what happened at My Lai, which Poe believes doesn't align with the prevalent national memory of the Vietnam War. According to Poe, the popular image of crazed soldiers in Vietnam murdering civilians actually stems from anti-war Yale psychiatrist Robert J. Lifton's work interviewing Vietnam war combat veterans. "It's from this that you get the image of the crazy Vietnam veteran, which you see all over popular culture," Poe said. "Rambo is the best example. You've seen 'Taxi Driver,' right? Is it any surprise that Travis Bickle is a Vietnam vet? Not really. You just see this everywhere, and it really stems from this moment, when people were thinking about the My Lai Massacre and what to do with it in terms of assimilating it to American culture." An American soldier burns a Vietnamese dwelling. (Photo by Ronald L. Haeberle) Lifton was a fierce critic of the Vietnam War (and later conflicts) who argued for the inclusion of post-traumatic stress disorder in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders." He met with 400 Vietnam veterans over the course of two years to help them make sense of their combat experiences and even pointed out they were not representative of all veterans of the war, believing veterans exhibited "a sense of violated personal and social order, of fundamental break in human connection, which they related to conditions imposed upon them by the war in Vietnam." "Many forms of desensitization and rage contributed to My Lai," Lifton wrote in "Home from the War: Vietnam Veterans: Neither Victims Nor Executioners." "But my assumptions in speaking of an atrocity-producing situation is that, given the prevailing external conditions, men of very divergent backgrounds -- indeed just about anyone -- can enter into the 'psychology of slaughter.'" Calley avoided commenting on anything related to My Lai, his role in it or his court-martial for nearly 40 years. At the urging of a close friend, Calley finally broke his silence on the massacre at a 2009 meeting of the Kiwanis Club in Columbus, Georgia. "There is not a day that goes by that I do not feel remorse for what happened that day in My Lai," Calley told members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Columbus. His voice started to break when he added, "I feel remorse for the Vietnamese who were killed, for their families, for the American soldiers involved and their families. I am very sorry. "If you are asking why I did not stand up to them when I was given the orders, I will have to say that I was a second lieutenant getting orders from my commander and I followed them -- foolishly, I guess." Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. MANISTEE, MI This new hotel in Northern Michigan has a perfect spot to soak up the sun and the Lake Michigan views. The Beach Bar at Hampton Inn & Suites Manistee Waterfront is a stones throw away from the Manistees award-winning beach. In fact, the hotel is on a small parcel of land in the middle of First Street Beach/Douglas Park, which recently won the USA Today 10Best Readers Choice award for best beach in Michigan. While the entire hotel features a nautical theme with local inspiration, the outdoor bar has a vibe of its own. RELATED: Spectacular Lake Michigan views on the menu at Up North restaurant This is more than the typical hotel bar. The Beach Bar gives a resort feel with plenty of places to sit back and relax. The west-facing patio runs the entire length of the hotel. Seating options include shaded couches, loungers, Michigan map-shaped chairs around electric firepits, bar seating, picnic tables in the sand, swings and more. The Beach Bar at Hampton Inn & Suites Manistee Waterfront provides food and drinks with a panoramic view of Lake Michigan across the street at Manistee's award-winning First Street Beach. Seating options include shaded couches, loungers, Michigan map-shaped chairs around electric firepits, bar seating, picnic tables in the sand, swings and more.Justine Lofton | jlofton@mlive.com Open to the public, guests can grab a snack and then walk across the road to First Street Beach - or stick around for the view and atmosphere. (Alcoholic beverages must stay on hotel property.) The Beach Bar is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., weather permitting. The Beach Bar at Hampton Inn & Suites Manistee Waterfront provides food and drinks with a panoramic view of Lake Michigan across the street at Manistee's award-winning First Street Beach. Seating options include shaded couches, loungers, Michigan map-shaped chairs around electric firepits, bar seating, picnic tables in the sand, swings and more.Justine Lofton | jlofton@mlive.com Hampton Inn & Suites is at 101 S. Lakeshore Drive in Manistee. The hotel has 102 rooms, a fifth-floor restaurant with Lake Michigan views, a fitness center, an indoor pool and an indoor-outdoor hot tub. There are 55 rooms with balconies, including four that face east but still have a view of Lake Michigan to the north. RELATED: Up North Lake Michigan beach named best in the state The First Street Beach/Douglas Park complex features pavilions, concessions, four playgrounds, multiple baseball and softball diamonds, basketball and tennis courts, a gazebo, picnic tables, charcoal grills, an 18-hole disc golf course, a boat launch and fish cleaning station, a dog beach and other amenities. Its all connected to the historic downtown by the picturesque Manistee Riverwalk. Concerts, festivals, fireworks, fishing tournaments and more take place at First Street Beach throughout the year. Beach parking is free. The beach is ADA-accessible and has a life vest and safety station. The Beach Bar at Hampton Inn & Suites Manistee Waterfront provides food and drinks with a panoramic view of Lake Michigan across the street at Manistee's award-winning First Street Beach. Seating options include shaded couches, loungers, Michigan map-shaped chairs around electric firepits, bar seating, picnic tables in the sand, swings and more.Justine Lofton | jlofton@mlive.com There are only two days left to get tickets for Sammy Hagars 2024 concert at Pine Knob. Find tickets to this weekends show from $24. Shop on Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, StubHub, and Ticketmaster. Sammy Hagar and The Circle stopped by Blossom Music Center on Monday, July 29, 2024. Opening for Hagar was Loverboy. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.comDavid Petkiewicz, cleveland.com Sammy Hagar is bringing his The Best of All Worlds tour to Pine Knob Music Theatre on Friday, August 2. The Van Halen star is to be joined on stage by fellow established rockers Michael Anthony on bass, Jason Bonham on drums, and guitarist Joe Satriani. Together, theyll be revisiting iconic music and moments from the 2004 Best of Both Worlds tour and corresponding album, 20 years later. Also on the tour is Canadian rock band Loverboy, best known for their hit single Working for the Weekend. See the reunion live this weekend at Clarkston, Michigans Pine Knob Music Theatre. Find ticket prices listed below, and click here to explore more upcoming concerts in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Sterling Heights, and more. Tickets: Vivid Seats from $28 | SeatGeek from $24 | StubHub from $26 | Ticketmaster from $39 EMMET COUNTY, MI A bomb threat was made against a Northern Michigan airport, but it was deemed not credible after an investigation. According to the Emmet County Sheriffs Office, an attendant at the Harbor Springs Airport answered a phone call at 12:45 p.m. on July 30 from a man who said bombs were going to be flown to the airport. The call was from a number that began with the number 52 and the caller was male with a middle eastern accent that was hard to understand, deputies said. The caller hung up after making the threat, deputies said. A similar bomb threat was also made on Mackinac Island on July 27, but that also wasnt credible, deputies said. The Michigan State Police, FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration ] were contacted and made aware of the situation. The U.S. State Department has updated its travel advisory to Jamaica, warning tourists to reconsider travel for several reasons. The update was issued July 25, 2024, months after a previous advisory called for travelers to reconsider travel due to 65 murders in one month. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI Lima Center Road is a one-lane dirt road, flanked by corn fields and country homes. Its a sleepy road in a rural township. But a half mile off the road, in front of a 147-year-old farm, a national companys potential industrial development could, the opposition contends, endanger the Washtenaw County environmental landscape. GRAND BLANC TWP, MI Friends and generations of family came together at Genesys Banquet & Conference Center for a monumental celebration, with one family member celebrating a triple-digit birthday. A Flint resident for 80 years, Berthola Ross-Altheimer, also known as Bert, originally from Rison, Ark., celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday, July 27. Family celebrate Berthola Ross-Altheimers 100th Birthday, Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Genesys Banquet & Conference Center, Grand Blanc Twp, MI. (Nico Mendoza | MLive.com) Her actual birthday falls on Wednesday, July 31. Ross-Altheimers 100th birthday party was one to remember, with friends and family from all over some traveling from Chicago stood up and applauded her as she entered the room, which was filled with purple, pink, and white decorations. Berthola Ross-Altheimer, 100, looks at her seven month old great great nephew, Asher Cole, Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Genesys Banquet & Conference Center, Grand Blanc Twp, MI. (Nico Mendoza | MLive.com) As the party went on throughout the afternoon, Ross-Altheimer was surrounded by loved ones. She even met her great-great nephew, Asher Cole, who had just turned seven months old that day. After the party ended, Pamela Altheimer, 68, daughter of Ross-Altheimer, said her mother talked about how beautiful the event was and seeing family members she had not met before. Born on July 31, 1924, Ross-Altheimer is the oldest and first daughter to her late parents, Ed Sr. and Genoa Italy Ross. Ross-Altheimer is one of two surviving siblings of six, the other being her sister Joann Ross-Jordan, 83. Memories from Ross-Altheimers childhood were often talked about, from a little playhouse her papa made for her that her brothers attempted to invade all the time to the little cafe her mother and aunt ran in Rison, Ark. Ross-Altheimer came to Flint during the Great Migration in 1944 and began working at General Motors in 1946 until she retired in 1979. She lived on Carton Street for 70 years, raising her family alongside her late husband, V.O. Altheimer, and their three children -- Debra, Pamela and Anthony. Ross-Altheimer made many friends on Carton Street, from neighbors to those in the Carton Block Club, and even watched over other Carton Street children like they were her own. Pamela Altheimer, 68, recalls her mothers shopping trips to Sears to buy her and her siblings new clothes for the school year. Sometimes, there were special shopping trips to downtown Flint to buy pretty little dresses, shoes and socks. Ross-Altheimer remains active, tending to her flower beds and spending time on her porch. Pamela Altheimer said her mother enjoys having beautiful things in her life, a common theme that Ross-Altheimer shared with her late sister, Thelma. Ross-Altheimer still paints her fingernails in various colors, often purple or lavender some of her favorite colors. She is a classy little lady, said Pamela Altheimer. Most importantly, Ross-Altheimer has a prominent spot in her heart for her family, especially her nieces and nephews, and is willing to do anything for her family. The positive impact Ross-Altheimer has had on her family and those who have lived alongside her in Flint is evident. Pamela Altheimer believes one reason that her mother has reached such a momentous birthday is her wisdom. One of her common quotes of wisdom is, [You] should never mistreat anybody because you never know how you will be treated in this world. Read more at The Flint Journal: MDHHS, Food Bank continue Flint mobile pantries during August Hundreds pour into Flint for Gus Macker basketball tournament I do it for the community: Michigan teen crowned back-to-back Coney eating champion KENT COUNTY, MI The former bookkeeper of Saint Peters Lutheran Preschool in Rockford is accused of stealing $225,000 over the course of years. Susan Kay Kacsits, 60, allegedly told Rockford police that she had no idea why she took the money. She was arraigned Tuesday, July 31, in 63rd District Court on a charge of embezzlement over $100,000 a potential 20-year felony. Kacsits has no previous criminal record but Magistrate Alex Grimes ordered her to pay $5,000 by Friday or go to jail because of the significant amount of money allegedly stolen. Kacsits appeared via Zoom. Afterward, her attorney, Ryan Maesen, told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press: When all the facts are in, we are confident a very different picture of Miss Kacsits will emerge than what is alleged. Former co-workers who were in the courtroom later said they felt betrayed by Kacsits. They worked together many years and their families became close. Katy Joseff, who worked 14 years with Susan Kacsits at St. Peter's Lutheran Preschool in Rockfords, talks to reporters after Kacsits' court appearance. (John Agar|MLive)John Agar No one suspected anything. The preschool has very special place in the community, Katy Joseff said after the brief hearing. Its very disheartening. Jason P. Peterson, the pastor at St. Peters Lutheran Church and Preschool, said in a statement that preschool leadership noted discrepancies in its finances in the spring. At no time was the integrity of the curriculum, instruction or student safety in our program significantly compromised by these events, Peterson said. He said that the preschools work will continue without interruption. We hope that the Lord will grant repentance to the person responsible and justice in the courts, as well as provide that restitution be achieved so that the funds recovered can be put to work for the benefit of our students as they were originally intended. Rockford police were called to the preschool, at 310 E. Division St. NE, on June 3. Officials determined that from March 13 to May 1, someone forged and deposited four checks, totaling $17, 374, into a Citibank credit-card account. The preschools director told police the preschool did not have such a credit card. School officials then provided evidence that about 50 fraudulent checks, totaling $224,502.71, had been deposited into Citibank accounts since Nov. 30, 2015, police said in a probable-cause affidavit. A former director told police than only she and Kacsits could generate checks on the preschools computer system, police said. Police then used a search warrant for account information. Upon review of the account information, it was found that all fraudulent checks had been directly deposited to a Citibank account belonging to John Kacsits and defendant Susan Kacsits, police said. Susan Kacsits, who agreed to talk to Rockford police, said her husband did not know she had embezzled money, police said. In a June 28 interview, she allegedly admitted to forging the signature of the preschool director and embezzling the money. When asked by Officer (Michael) Verwys, Kacsits stated that she did not know why she had taken the money. PAW PAW, MI -- The law enforcement and first responder community has a new K-9 team member, named after another team member who died in the line of duty. The Van Buren County Sheriffs Office named its new K-9 Quillen in honor of fallen Paw Paw Fire Fighter Lt. Ethan M. Quillen. Quillen died in the line of duty Feb. 22, 2023, when he came into contact with a downed power line while responding to call about a tree on power line. It happened during a winter storm with freezing rain that took down power lines and tree limbs across the state. K-9 Quillen will replace the recently retired Kuno, a dog that served Van Buren County for seven years. Deputy Eric Calhoun is his Quillens handler. Kuno will be enjoying retirement at home with Calhoun and K-9 Quillen. I have no doubt that K-9 Quillen will be an excellent addition to the sheriffs office team, just as Ethan was an outstanding member of the Paw Paw Fire Department, Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott said in a news release. On K-9 Quillens first day of work, he found narcotics during a traffic stop that were hidden in the engine compartment of a stopped vehicle, Abbott said. Thats a perfect first day of work, Abbott said. The department surprised the family and getting their blessing to name the dog Quillen in Ethans honor, Abbott said. The family told him that when Ethan was a child, he wanted to be a K-9 handler at a law enforcement office. RELATED: West Michigan firefighters mourn loss of one of their own who died during ice storm The public may not be aware, but Ethan was getting ready to approach me to sponsor him through an academy to work here. It goes without saying I would have, Abbott said. Paw Paw Fire Department Chief Jim Degroff thanked sheriffs office officials for naming the dog after the fallen firefighter. 18 1 / 18 Paw Paw volunteer firefighter killed during ice storm This goes to show how much respect all the public safety departments support and work together within Van Buren County, Degroff said. K-9 Quillen is a male German Shepard Belgian Malinois mix, born in Poland in September 2022 and purchased from FMK9 in Berrien Center. RELATED: Max the fire puppy trains to be beacon of comfort in Southwest Michigan town K-9 Quillen and Calhoun attended a six-week basic class for K-9 handling at FMK9, where the team was certified in police utility and as a narcotics detection team through the International Police Work Dog Association on July 8. Training covered K-9 case law, supervision, courtroom testimony, first aid, record keeping, tracking, obedience, article search, area search, building search, aggression control and narcotics detection of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin, the sheriffs office said. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. MONITOR TWP, MI Michigan Sugar Co.s presence in the community just got a whole lot sweeter. The company on Wednesday, July 31, held a ceremony for its new molasses desugarization facility with a ribbon-cutting at its sugar beet slicing facility in Monitor Township, 2600 S. Euclid Ave. BAY CITY, MI The two people who placed losing bids on the historic State Theatre in downtown Bay City have filed objections in federal court claiming the bid that was accepted and is set to go before a bankruptcy court judge this week was not the highest offer. James A. White submitted a $630,000 cash offer with no contingencies, according to federal court records. The offer was accepted July 17 by the trustee appointed by bankruptcy court to take control of the theater and to sell or distribute its assets. But a pair of motions filed after the offer was accepted one by Gregory Gracholski and another by Jordan Dice, owner of St. Laurent Brothers and the Midland Mall objected to the offer being accepted on the grounds that it wasnt the highest offer. Mr. Gracholski has the resources and planned to bid higher than the $630,000.00 total offer by James A. White that was accepted by the Chapter 7 Trustee if he had been given the opportunity to do so, attorneys for Gracholski wrote in a motion filed Friday, July 26. In Dices motion, attorneys said he made an offer of $611,000 and noted he was willing to increase the bid to $650,000. His motion reads, in part: That it would not be in the best interest of the bankruptcy estate or in the best interest of the creditors of the estate for the Trustee to sell the subject property on the terms outlined in the motion because Mr. Dice has submitted a higher offer to this Court, had intended to submit said offer if it werent for the real estate brokers misrepresentation in the confusing and conflicting information provided, and said offer is higher in amount than the Trustees motion seeks approval for. Attorneys representing the State Theatre itself also objected to the proposed sale, citing that higher bids may have been available. It is believed that there are significantly more funds available if an open and public auction occurs, the motion, filed on behalf of the theater by attorneys Warner Norcross + Judd LLP. Three bids were received around a soft deadline of July 12. Gracholski placed a formal bid of $400,000. Dice offered $500,000. White offered a $605,000 bid. Each were contacted and given an opportunity to improve their bids. Gracholski argued he understood this to mean there would be additional rounds of bidding and the process for the sale was not in its final stage. He increased his bid to $606,500. Dice countered with an offer of $611,000. Whites counter-offer of $630,000 was accepted. The other parties were notified afterward. Mr. Gracholski indicated to agents for the Chapter 7 Trustee that he would be willing to make a bid higher than the accepted bid of $630,000.00, but he was informed by agents of the Chapter 7 Trustee that no additional bids would be considered, his motion reads. A hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at which the initial offer is expected to go before a judge. The theater, a historic site, has been moored in controversy in recent months. An investigation into the State Theatre Board of Directors is ongoing. State Theatre representatives reached out to the Bay County Growth Alliance in July 2019, requesting funding for the Wenonah Park Band Shell renovation and construction project. A bridge loan which would cover the gap of construction costs for the project and the grants being secured to pay for it was discussed at a September 2019 meeting between Growth Alliance and State Theatre representatives. The loan discussed was for $800,000, and the source of repayment would be future grants made to the State Theatre for the renovation project. The Growth Alliance board unanimously approved the loan on Sept. 16, 2019. A promissory note and mortgage was executed in June 2020. The funding was dispersed to the State Theatre three times twice in July 2020 and once in August 2020 to fund the Wenonah Park project. The project was completed in June 2021. The State Theatre began making payments on the loan in February of that year and continued through August 2023. It was revealed in a February 2022 meeting between the parties the State Theatre mistakenly listed the loan as a grant on its IRS Form 990 but no action was taken by the theater nonprofit. While the Growth Alliance was ghosted by theater representatives, the nonprofit still made payments on its loan. But in a meeting earlier this year, the State Theatre requested another loan this time for $750,000 to cover bills that had incurred over the prior year and a half. It was alleged the $800,000 loan was fraudulent, a discussion that revealed the State Theatre board had not met in three years and had not reviewed any financial statements. The theater was listed for sale on June 10 for $483,000. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. GRAND RAPIDS, MI The billionaire DeVos family is once again throwing its financial weight behind the Michigan Republican Party. Recent Federal Election Commission filings by the Michigan Republican Party showed seven members of the DeVos family Betsy, Dick, Cheri, Dan, Pamella, Doug and Maria in June donated $10,000 each to the party. The contributions from the family of Amway Corp.s late co-founder Richard DeVos Sr. come after a roughly year-long freeze on their donations to the party while former MIGOP Chair Kristina Karamo was at the helm. A representative for the DeVos family did not return a request for comment. Karamo, who led the state party from February 2023 until about January 2024, had a contentious relationship with some longtime, big-name donors to the party. In a March 2023 interview with FOX 2 Detroit , Karamo took aim at the prominent West Michigan family, alleging they helped lead to prior Republican losses in the state. She said she wouldnt work to appease them. Karamo was ousted in January in a messy party schism over finances and strategy that saw former ambassador Pete Hoekstra take the reins of the party as chair. Hoekstra told MLive that donors recognize adults have returned to power at the state Republican headquarters in Lansing. The Michigan Republican Party is focused on winning up and down the ballot in November, Hoekstra said. Were organized and dedicated to helping every Michigan Republican win big on Election Day. Donors have recognized that there are adults back at 520 Seymour Ave. and were grateful for their support. Related: House Republicans surge ahead in money raised as they look to retake control from Democrats Campaign finance filings show the DeVos family throughout 2023 didnt contribute to the state Republican party. However, they still contributed to other conservative candidates, causes and committees. The late Rich and Helen DeVos have four children Dick (married to Betsy, the former U.S. Education Secretary), Dan (married to Pamella), Doug (married to Maria) and Cheri (married to Steve Ehmann). The Michigan Republican Party was in dire financial straits under Karamos leadership amid unpaid debt and a failure to fundraise. The party had tried to sell off its headquarters in Lansing to help pay the debts. Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show the Michigan Republican Party entered 2023 with $1,941,057 in cash on hand. Karamo, then fresh off a sizable loss in her run for secretary of state, was selected as the partys chair in February 2023. The state party closed out the year with $246,242 in cash on hand and $184,471 in debt. As of June 30, the Michigan Republican Party had $384,540 in cash on hand and the same amount of debt, according to FEC filings. However, that comes after substantially higher contributions to the party, and expenditures to match, between April 1 and June 30 in which the party took in $1,365,323 and spent $1,298,457. The most the state party took in in a single reporting period under Karamo was $326,815, according to FEC filings. She led the party during a year with no general elections. Related: $1.1 billion legacy: Rich and Helen DeVos Foundation sunsetting after 54 years LANSING, MI Michigan House Republicans are outraising their Democratic colleagues ahead of their bid to retake control of the chamber this fall. Recent campaign finance filings for the main fundraising committees of both parties in the House show Republicans took in about $400,000 more than Democrats over the latest reporting period. The House Republican Campaign Committee also ended this reporting period with about $600,000 more in cash on hand over the Michigan House Democratic Fund. The reporting period covered April 21 through July 20. At the end of the reporting period, the House Republican Campaign Committee had $7,058,029 in cash on hand and the Michigan House Democratic Fund had $6,449,739 in cash on hand. Democrats currently hold a slim 56-54 majority in the House that they won in 2022. The party hadnt held a majority in the House since 2010. All 110 House seats are up for election Nov. 5. Elections in the state Senate, where Democrats also hold a slim majority, wont happen until 2026. The latest fundraising reports demonstrate that voters want Republicans back in a position of power to hold Democrats accountable, said House Republican Campaign Committee Chair Rep. Bill G. Schuette, R-Midland. Michiganders recognize the need for a future House Republican majority to serve as a check and balance on the Democrats extreme race to the left, Schuette said. You can see this reflected by the continued investment in our caucus and another impressive fundraising quarter. But House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, said his partys message continues to resonate with voters. Our supporters and voters are unified and ready to continue the work that lies ahead in both maintaining and growing our Democratic majority, Tate said. Our message is one that continues to resonate with Michiganders and many others across the country as well. Were focused on continuing to deliver for everyday Michiganders in every corner of our state. The House Republican Campaign Committee and the Michigan House Democratic Fund went into the latest fundraising period with about the same amount of cash, with Republicans at $5,387,064 and Democrats at $5,326,698. The House Republican Campaign Committee earned $2,006,663 in contributions this period, spent $335,698 and ended with $7,058,029 in cash on hand. The Michigan House Democratic Fund earned $1,604,281 in contributions this period, spent $481,240 and ended with $6,449,739 in cash on hand. Longtime, big name donors topped the list of contributors to the Republican Houses cause. Among them were seven members of the DeVos family -- Doug, Pamella, Richard, Betsy, Dan, Maria and Cheri -- who contributed $48,875 each. Amway board co-chair Steve Van Andel and his wife, Amy, each contributed $48,875. University of Michigan Regent Ron Weiser and his wife, Eileen, contributed a combined $93,875. House Democrats had more individual contributions than House Republicans but fewer top contributors. Among them were Duo Security founder Dug Song and his wife, Ann Arbor Councilmember Linh Song, who each contributed $48,750. Billionaire and financier of progressive causes George Soros also contributed $48,875. In the latest reporting period, the Michigan House Democratic Fund gave $5,000 each to 11 incumbent representatives facing Republican challengers this fall. The House Republican Campaign Committee didnt give any direct campaign contributions to candidates. UPDATE: With UAW endorsement secured, Kamala Harris sets Aug. 7 for Detroit rally DETROIT, MI Kamala Harris will bring her presidential campaign to Detroit next week, when she plans to invite her yet-to-be-named running mate, the Democrats campaign staff announced. Campaign officials said much of the details remain in the planning stages, including which day the vice president will visit and which venue she will host the event. Since President Joe Biden exited the 2024 race for the White House last week and endorsed his vice president, Harris has been on the campaign trail in key battleground states. The Democrats campaign staff announced that trend will continue next week, with planned stops in Pennsylvania and Nevada expected to neighbor her Michigan visit. Harris campaigned in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 30, in an event that at times resembled a concert. Megan Thee Stallion performed her hip-hop hits at the rally in Georgia State Convocation Center. Billboard-charting Quavo also rallied the crowd in favor of Harris. Campaign officials said there were no details to provide yet about celebrities who could appear at the Detroit event. Harris has yet to visit Michigan as a presidential candidate. She did campaign as a vice presidential incumbent in Kalamazoo on July 17, five days before Biden bowed out in her favor. Detroit has served as a frequent stop for presidential candidates this year. The week before Biden dropped out, he hosted a rally inside Detroits Renaissance High School gymnasium. It was the presidents third trip to Detroit in 2024. Republican Donald Trump, the former president seeking to reclaim the title, campaigned in the city in June. While the Harris campaign said the Democrat will visit Detroit next week with a running mate, it remains unclear when she will publicly announce her choice for a running mate. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the co-chair of Harris campaign, said she would not seek the post of vice president. Whitmer told CBS Mornings earlier this week that Harris likely would announce a running mate no later than Monday, Aug. 5. Since beginning her run at the presidency, Harris appears to have energized Democrats, including some key constituencies that had been especially tepid about Biden, a new poll shows. About 8 in 10 Democrats say they would be somewhat or very satisfied if Harris became the Democratic nominee for president, according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, which was conducted after Biden withdrew from the race. In a separate AP-NORC poll, taken before Biden dropped out but after his debate against Republican former President Donald Trump, only about 4 in 10 Democrats said they were somewhat or very satisfied that he was the Democratic Partys likely nominee for president. The Associated Press contributed to this report. In just a few months, NASA will launch its spacecraft designed to determine whether or not Europa, one of Jupiters 79 moons, has conditions beneath its surface that are supportive of life as we know it. Known as the Europa Clipper, this mission will begin in October 2024 when NASA launches the spacecraft thatll make a five-and-a-half-year journey to Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. Arriving in 2030, the spacecraft will spend roughly four years orbiting Jupiter in various ways to get critical observations of Europa. Former Michigan swimmer Siobhan Haughey was back on the podium Wednesday. The Hong Kong native earned her second medal of the Paris Olympics by earning bronze in the womens 100-meter freestyle inside Paris La Defense Arena. She clocked the top qualifying time at 52.64 seconds before posting a time of 52.33 seconds in the final, finishing only behind Swedens Sarah Sjoestroem (52.16) and American Torri Huske (52.29). Read the full story on Backfire News Dead Mans Stolen Motorcycle Recovered, Returned To His Widow Imagine having someone you know and thought you could trust steal your late spouses beloved motorcycle for personal gain. Thats what a widow in Lafayette, Oregon was facing back in April as her deceased husbands Harley-Davidson Shovelhead was stolen right out of her garage. A missing motorcyclist is found in a remote ditch days later. The woman took the theft hard, telling KOIN 6 she felt like she let her husband down. This is what thieves often dont think about, for whatever reason. Their stealing beloved possessions like this has a real effect on victims. ADVERTISEMENT Thankfully, a nonprofit group called Guardians Theft Recovery took on the case. For reasons unspecified in the report, local law enforcement apparently couldnt do anything about the motorcycle theft. Things like that happen sometimes, so groups like this which help recover stolen vehicles can be a huge help. Guardians Theft Recovery doesnt charge for its services as volunteers in the group help people search for and get back their stolen rides. Exactly how the group helped with this case wasnt made entirely clear, were guessing because the criminal case on the alleged thief is still open. It does at least state that after months a warrant was obtained from a judge, allowing law enforcement to search a property, uncovering the Shovelhead. Guardians Theft Recovery was on hand to help take it back to the rightful owner. Somehow, the group must have been instrumental in getting that warrant. Perhaps they helped gather evidence or something else thats a guess. What we do know is they did it for free and the widow seems incredibly grateful for their help. There are other groups like this one scattered across the country. They help fill in gaps where law enforcement simply doesnt have the resources and we think thats great. What makes this motorcycle recovery extra special is its the 3,000th the group has recovered so far. Thats a big milestone and one we hope they surpass by a lot in the coming years. Considering the organization has only been around for three years, thats highly likely. Image via KOIN 6/YouTube Tim Scott Fluid Images While the automotive concours got its start in France between the wars, the tradition was picked up in the US in the 1950s. We carried it along and built it up with everything from the Greenwich Concours to Amelia Island to the granddaddy of them all, the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance and many more, up to and including our invention of Cars and Coffee. In recent years the Europeans have rekindled their love affair with the concours, most prominently with Villa dEste, held last May and scheduled for May 23-25 next year, and Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille coming Sept 12-15 this year, among others. Germany has had concours of its own in recent years, among them: the Classic Gala Schwetzingen, which will run this year Aug. 30 to Sept. 1; and Classic Days, which was held in Dusseldorf but had to be canceled this year due to permitting issues. Miriam Mayer Last week another German concours sprang to life, a brand-new one called The Concours of Elegance Germany, held over six days from July 22-27 at the fabulous Tegernsee south of Munich. The first four of those days were given over to a tour, with 25 drivers piloting their beautiful cars through the beautiful countryside. ADVERTISEMENT Then there were two days for the shows. Those included an Under 30 class, a womens concours featuring cars owned by women, and a few other events before the big show on June 27. Tegernsee is in the south, so close to Switzerland and Italy that some of the Germans actually seem to be enjoying life. This first Concours of Elegance Germany was actually put on by the Brits, specifically, the same chaps who do the Concours of Elegance Hampton Court Palace and the London Concours. They gathered together 80 gorgeous cars for the concours and a total of 200 cars over the course of the week. The event was held on the grounds of the Gut Kaltenbrunn venue on the shores of Tegernsee, a large lake 2500 feet up in the Bavarian Alps. There were supercars from the Lamborghini Miura and Lancia Stratos to the Ferrari Enzo and a RUF Yellow Bird. There were classics like an original BMW 328 as well as Bentleys and Rollers from the early part of last century. Story continues For most of the awards, cars were divvied up into decades: Best 1920s Car was a 1926 Bugatti Type 35T; Best 1930s Car was a 1935 Aston Martin Ulster; Best of the 1950s was a 1956 Bentley S1 Continental DHC; 1960s was a 68 Alfa Romeo Tipo Daytona 33/2; 1970s was a 76 Monteverdi Palm Beach; 1980s an F40; and 1990s and Onward winner was a beautiful blue Bugatti EB110 America. Best in Show went to a 1939 Lancia Astura Pinin Farina Cabriolet. tegernsee.com Winners were chosen by the entrants themselves, not by judges, just as they are at Hampton Court and London. No complaints have made their way across the pond or onto the internet, so it must have been a good time. The PR guys said the inaugural event got off to a great start last weeksold out, great auction results (from the RM Sothebys auction concurrent with the concours), very happy sponsors and partners, and more importantly, a great turn out of some 3,000 ticketed guests, as well as all our official guests, who had a thoroughly enjoyable couple of days in the sunshine. We set out to create an international German Concours that the passionate collectors and enthusiasts in Germany could call their own, said James Brooks-Ward, CEO of Thorough Events. We achieved this and went beyond all our expectations. It felt like it had happened a number of times and already it feels like a well-established international Concours. Axel Schutte, owner of Axel Schutte Fine Cars, Dealer Patrons of the Concours, said: Ive been around the world with concours events, and we Germans have great collections and collectors, with fantastic cars throughout, but, we have very few occasions and platforms to showcase them. We are delighted to now have a new event like this here in Bavaria where we can share our hobby and passion. So it sounds like you should put this on your European Tour for next year, and also the Concours of Elegance event at Hampton Court Palace which takes place this year Aug. 30 to Sept. 1. They bookend Pebble nicely. Shane McMahon (left) and Tony Khan (right) Dating back to the founding of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation in the early-1950s, the name McMahon has been exclusive to the pro wrestling company now known as WWE. That, however, could soon change. According to Fightful and WrestleTalk, All Elite Wrestling owner and president Tony Khan recently had a private meeting with Shane McMahon regarding possibilities moving forward. The 54-year-old McMahon is the son of former WWE chairman Vince McMahon and grandson of Vincent J. McMahon, who is credited with founding the aforementioned CWC. While its unclear how close McMahon is to potentially joining AEW, Fightfuls Sean Ross Sapp reports that Khan has been very open to using Shane McMahon for several weeks now, and has also made it clear that he was open to the idea of talking to McMahon when people have brought the topic up to him backstage. Fightful reported in June that he was no longer under any sort of contractual agreement with WWE. WrestleTalk obtained a picture from the meeting between Khan and McMahon, which reportedly took place at a private airport in Arlington, Texas on Monday. A photo of Shane McMahon and Tony Khan having a meeting this week. (Image obtained by @WrestleTalk_TV) pic.twitter.com/0r3RpDPOR8 Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) July 31, 2024 Shane McMahons involvement with pro wrestling dates back to the late-1980s, when he served as an on-screen referee for what was then known as WWF. He later evolved into an on-screen character and part-time wrestler, who was best known for his willingness to perform dangerous bumps and stunts, such as jumping off the Hell in a Cell cage through an announcers table at WrestleMania 32 in 2016. While he previously served as WWEs Executive Vice President of Global Media until his departure from the company in 2009, his involvement in pro wrestling has predominantly been as an on-screen character/wrestler since returning to WWE in 2016. He hasnt appeared on-screen for WWE since April 2023, when he made a surprise appearance at WrestleMania 39 and proceeded to tear his quad muscle during an impromptu match against The Miz. Shane McMahons injury during the impromptu match vs The Miz at #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/2V4xPhbcvS Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) April 3, 2023 While the idea of a McMahon joining AEW would have seemed unfathomable even just a year ago, WWE is now a different company than the one Shane has spent most of his life around. Following the companys merger with UFC to form TKO Group Holdings and Vince McMahons resignation earlier this year following allegations of sexual misconduct including assault and trafficking, the reality is that the company is no longer run by the family it has been synonymous with since its inception. Should McMahon, in fact, join AEW, it would undoubtedly generate a significant amount of buzz based on the pure spectacle of a member of the McMahon family joining WWEs rival promotion. Whether it would be a prudent long-term business decision is a different conversation. But as AEW continues to negotiate its next media rights deal, it would hardly be surprising to see Khan prioritize a short-term boost. [Fightful Select] J.D. Davis with the New York Yankees on June 28, 2024. (Nick Turchiaro/USA Today Sports.) Lots can go wrong in attempts to break trade news. Its unclear exactly what happened in the case of Jon Heymans report on New York Yankees infielder J.D. Davis, but something certainly was messed up there. The Yankees designated Davis for assignment Sunday to make room for the newly-acquired Jazz Chisholm. But while that designation immediately removed Davis from their 40-man roster, it gave them seven days to either trade him or put him on outright or conditional release waivers. And for a moment around the MLB trade deadline Tuesday night, it looked like a trade would happen. That saw Heyman (currently of The New York Post , MLB Network, and Chicagos 670 The Score) report JD Davis to Rays. And that sparked a lot of retweets and commentary. However, 19 minutes later, Heyman said there was no trade, and offered an apology. Both his initial tweet and his apology have since been deleted; heres a screenshot of both (via a Slack discussion of them). Much of the initial commentary on Heymans tweet of the trade remains on X/Twitter, though. Heres some of that: Wild season for J.D. Davis: Wins $6.9M arbitration case w/ Giants on 2/8 Released by SF, 3/11, getting just $1.1 of the $6.9M signed 1/$2.5M deal with As, 3/16 DFAd by OAK, 6/16 traded to NYY, 6/23 DFAd by NY, 7/28 Acquired by TBR, 7/30 https://t.co/x6PYqOanOo pic.twitter.com/hOmyZu6qK6 Louis Addeo-Weiss (@addeo_louis00) July 30, 2024 J.D. Davis, 31, is a CIF with above-average power and defense. He comps similar to Yandy Diaz due to his hard contact and ability to hit line drives (sub 10 LAs this year). No options so hell have to stay on the roster.#RaysUp #Mets pic.twitter.com/buHGUCDRza Remi Bunikiewicz (@RBunikiewicz) July 30, 2024 Yankees at the trade deadline: IN: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Mark Leiter Jr., Enyel De Los Santos, Kelly Austin, IFA money OUT: Jahmai Jones, J.D. Davis, Caleb Ferguson, Agustin Ramirez, Jared Serna, Jack Neely, Ben Cowles, Abrahan Ramirez How do you think the Yankees did? Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) July 30, 2024 And some sites that reported on this initial Heyman report in good faith, including MLB Trade Rumors, had to quickly change course. The MLBTR piece on this was speedily updated to J.D. Davis Not Traded To Rays, and properly referenced Heymans report and subsequent recantation, but its URL still references the initial headline of Rays acquire J.D. Davis. And more remarkably (and problematically), one aggregator account did a full graphic on this that remains up on X/Twitter, citing not Heyman but The New York Yankees: The Yankees have traded DH/INF J.D. Davis who was DFAd on Saturday to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations. Davis, 31, was DFAd by the Yankees on Sunday when they needed to make room for new acquisition Chisholm Jr. on the active 26-man roster. #RepBX pic.twitter.com/CJxmBCzjzW Yankee Source (@yankee_source) July 31, 2024 Interestingly enough, beyond not deleting that tweet, that account hadnt offered a single follow-up 12 hours later. So that makes it hard to take them seriously as the #1 Source for all Yankees News they identify themselves as in their X/Twitter bio. (Granted, they only have 557 followers, and the tweet here only got two likes and two retweets. But they also didnt offer a correction or update on Instagram, where their post (which remains up, but with comments limited) received 60 likes. Back to Heyman, this is far from the first insider report to go wrong. And, as noted, a contributing factor here was likely the flurry of activity around the deadline; Heymans timeline shows an incredible amount of trades he was reporting on Tuesday (with him breaking some of those and confirming others reporting on others), and he wrote an extensive piece on the deadline as well. But this still was an unusual and notable misstep. And while Davis could still wind up with the Rays (with the deadline passed, hell have to be placed on waivers, and they could claim him there), he did not Tuesday. [MLB Trade Rumors] The Heritage Foundation unveiled its so-called Project 2025: Presidential Transition Project as early as April last year. But it was not until Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump had to respond to the Democrats' attack on him, citing what the conservative think tank claims is a 922-page blueprint for the next president of the United States, that the project rang any alarm bells for the public. Reportedly more than 140 people working in the former Trump administration took part in the project, dozens of whom hold posts in the conservative organizations behind the project, including Trump's former senior advisers Mark Meadows and Stephen Miller. That prompted the Democrats to cite the report which calls for an overhaul of the US governance system to centralize power in the hands of the president as highlighting the prospective threat to US democracy if Trump wins the White House this year. In her first public remarks as the leading Democratic presidential candidate, US Vice-President Kamala Harris vowed to defeat two enemies: Trump and "his extreme Project 2025 agenda". In response, the former US president said on social media that he knows nothing about the project. "I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they're saying and some of what they're saying is absolutely ridiculous and abysmal ... I have nothing to do with them." That the director of the Project 2025, Paul Dans, who was previously chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management in the Trump administration, is departing from the role on Tuesday, which was welcomed by Trump's team, can be regarded as the Republican Party's latest attempt to cool down the situation to avoid the report from becoming a stumbling block to Trump's election campaign. "Reports of Project 2025's demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign it will not end well for you," said a statement of the Trump team. Notably, neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have bothered to provide solutions or even suggestions on the numerous questions the report raised. Instead, they have only used the report as a tool to smear each other. Although the suggestions the report proposes are indeed absurd, including abolishing the US Department of Education to realize fair and true education of the US, many problems it touches upon are real obstacles to enhancing the US' domestic governance. The two parties' indifference to the problems identified in the report shows that all they care about is seizing power rather than using the power to address real challenges at home and abroad. Despite the Republicans' emergency PR work to minimize the potential damage done by the report in which China was defined as the US' enemy and mentioned nearly 500 times in what some describe as a "shockingly malicious" way the report unequivocally reflects the growing far right sentiment in the US. Symptomatic of this, many in the US political circle hold a wrong perception of China, always viewing China from a hegemonic perspective. But China is not the US. It does not seek to replace the US as the hegemon. The Sino-US relationship remains at a critical juncture of de-escalation and stabilization. The US side needs to meet China halfway in their common efforts to continue to recalibrate the direction, manage risks, properly address differences, remove interference, and advance cooperation. The report shows that the rise of the far right is by no means a phenomenon restricted to the political circle of Europe but is instead becoming a defining trend in Western politics. The rest of the world should be fully prepared for the West tilting increasingly to the right, which means more self-centered policies that care little about the spillover effects of national policies, less coordination and cooperation to address common challenges and hotspot issues, and more international governance reforms stalled in an all-your-fault blame game. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. 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By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service appears poised to revise or remove Endangered Species Act protections from grizzly bears in the Lower 48 states by January 2025, according to court documents filed on Friday. FWS Mountain-Prairie Regional Director Matt Hogan's response to a lawsuit between the state of Wyoming and the U.S. Interior Department noted the service had planned to complete a 12-month review of grizzly protection status by Wednesday, July 31, 2024. But because of several other legal developments, Hogan wrote the service had changed course. It now expects to release a combined decision on the federal status of the two biggest grizzly recovery ecosystems and propose a new ESA status for grizzly bears no later than January 31, 2025, according to Hogans declaration. However, the wording of Hogan's statement leaves room for multiple options. He told the court "the Service currently intends to finalize all three of these documents the GYE (Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem) 12-month finding, the NCDE (Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem) 12-month finding and the proposed rule revising or removing the entire ESA listing of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states simultaneously." "That document is really cryptic as to what it really means," said Chris Servheen, president of the Montana Wildlife Federation and retired FWS grizzly recovery coordinator. "I don't think it means they're going to delist in January." FWS spokesman Joe Szuszwalak on Tuesday said Hogan's declaration "was filed to ensure consistency among several legal actions that directly impact each other and require the Service to review possible Distinct Population Segments of grizzly bears in the lower 48 (states)." He did not clarify whether FWS was leaning toward revising or removing the bear's protections. Grizzlies in the Lower 48 states have been protected as a threatened species under the ESA since 1975. FWS has overseen the bears recovery since then, largely by protecting and improving habitat for the bears in six major ecosystems of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Washington, and by requiring federal authorization to kill a bear for any reason other than self-defense. From a nadir of 600 or fewer animals throughout the Rocky Mountain West in the 1970s, grizzly numbers have grown to more than 2,000 today. Nearly all of those are in two recovery areas: the NCDE extending roughly from Glacier National Park to the southern tip of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, and the GYE including Yellowstone National Park and its surrounding mountain ranges. Four other recovery ecosystems have an estimated 50 or fewer bears each, with two having less than five. Officials in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming have all challenged FWS oversight of grizzlies, arguing the bears were no longer threatened and should be turned over to state management. On Feb. 22, FWS and Idaho settled a lawsuit committing to issuing a final rule that revises or removes the entire ESA listing of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states on or before January 31, 2026, according to Hogans statement. On July 11, Montana officials submitted a 60-day notice of intent to sue FWS for failing to complete its status review of Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem grizzlies on time. The Montana case argued that NCDE bears should be considered independently of the rest of the Lower 48 state population and delisted, because they had reached the population carrying capacity of the ecosystem. Idaho and Wyoming officials had made similar claims regarding the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which also includes parts of Montana. The states' grizzly management plans run counter to federal court decisions and FWS rules that consider all the grizzlies in the Lower 48 states a single, ESA-protected population segment (separate from grizzlies in Alaska and Canada). A 2018 federal court decision revoking a previous grizzly delisting rule found that FWS hadnt shown how cutting out the two biggest ecosystems from federal protection would affect the recovery of the smaller areas, or the population as a whole. Both the Bitterroot Ecosystem on the Montana-Idaho border and the North Cascades Ecosystem in Washington are in the process of planning to reintroduce grizzly bears because neither region has a functional population of resident bears. On Friday, a federal judge will hear arguments accusing federal Wildlife Services agents of illegally killing grizzlies without proper environmental analysis. Hogans announcement caught many grizzly watchers by surprise. The service had indicated it would complete its grizzly status review by the end of July. Instead, it has declared it will take another six months to finish the job. FWS officials had previously raised concerns about state plans to institute grizzly hunting seasons and liberalize rules for killing grizzlies that damaged property or livestock if federal protections were removed. The increased killing of grizzlies ran the risk of crashing the population of the slowest-reproducing large mammal in North America. And the three states have also liberalized wolf-hunting and black bear-hunting methods, which grizzly advocates argue will result in incidental grizzly killings. Servheen said those state grizzly policies remain a roadblock to federal delisting. One requirement of ending ESA protection is for states to show they have "adequate regulatory mechanisms" in place to sustain grizzlies at their recovered populations. As it's highly unlikely the policies will be removed or amended before this coming January, FWS could lean on its commitment to "revise" the grizzly ESA status rather than "removing" and leave the bears under federal protection. Other grizzly protection watchers had different interpretations of Hogan's statement. Theyre planting the flag on the 50-yard line and saying, We won, said Mike Bader of the Flathead-Bitterroot-Lolo Citizen Task Force, a grizzly advocacy group. Theyre nowhere close to victory, at a time when acceptance of grizzlies is going up nationwide. And the minute FWS delists them, theyre powerless. They can send letters, call the governor, do whatever they want and it will have absolutely no effect. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., cheered the announcement. The science is clear grizzly bear numbers have more than exceeded FWS recovery targets in the Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystems," Daines said on Tuesday. "Its long past time to return management of bears in these ecosystems back to Montana. Im urging FWS to follow the science and make a delisting decision for these two populations. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., took a more neutral stance. Sen. Tester believes defending Montanas outdoor heritage and wildlife is critically important to our way of life and that starts with following the best available science," a statement from Tester's office stated on Tuesday. "He will continue to hold the Biden Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service accountable to make sure their finding on grizzly bears is rooted in the science and works for Montana. In 2011, Tester and Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, inserted a rider to a must-pass spending bill that stripped ESA protection from gray wolves. Michigan Tech has a new landmark welcoming students and visitors from the west. The Alumni Gateway Arch is the fourth piece of the Universitys Alumni Way campus beautification project. A new fixture has created a tradition at Michigan Technological University. The Alumni Gateway Arch on the west end of campus was dedicated with an April 26 ribbon-cutting ceremony during commencement weekend. Afterward, students gathered for photos under the gateway in their commencement regalia. Donations made the Alumni Gateway Arch possible. The lead donor was Mike Trewhella 78. It was beautiful to see students lined up with their friends and family to take photos, he said. That really validated the meaning of this project. Mike Trewhella 78 and his family stand under the Alumni Gateway Arch. Trewhella made the lead gift for the gateway and dedicated it to his family. The gateway greets campus visitors with the Universitys name in copper lettering on a steel arch spanning two columns. The base of the columns is Copper Harbor conglomerate stone obtained locally. The main body of the columns is Jacobsville sandstone salvaged from the original Central Heating Plant campus building, demolished in 2018 after more than a century of use. I am grateful to the engineers and staff who allowed me to be a part of the design process, and Im thrilled with how it turned out, said Trewhella. This gift is dedicated to my family. The Alumni Gateway Arch is the latest addition to Alumni Way, a campus mall beautification project that includes the Husky Statue Plaza in the heart of campus, John Rovano Plaza adjacent to the Van Pelt and Opie Library, and the William J. Bernard Jr. Family Clock Tower located between the Memorial Union and R. L. Smith buildings. I initially heard about the Alumni Way project about 10 years ago, said Trewhella. Because of the great education and experience I received from Michigan Tech, I wanted to give back to the University and be able to see the difference it made. In addition to its eye-catching looks, the gateway project increased safety for pedestrians entering campus. The one-way road through campus that previously ended at the intersection of Townsend Drive (US Highway 41) and Cliff Drive was rerouted, allowing students and visitors a wider crosswalk and less traffic. Gone is the old Do Not Enter sign that once greeted those coming to campus, said Steve Tomaszewski, chair of Michigan Techs Board of Trustees, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. In its place, we now have a symbol of warm invitation. It is a representation of what weve always been a welcoming environment for all who pass through these gates. The Alumni Gateway Arch was one of two ribbon-cutting ceremonies on April 26; the University unveiled its new H-STEM Engineering and Health Technologies Complex as well. Members of the James Harju 85 family gather around the float copper boulder they donated to Michigan Tech in memory of James. Harju found the boulder on his farm in Paynesville, Michigan, located in Ontonagon County. Were so grateful to Mr. Trewhella for his generous lead gift, which built this welcoming gateway to our campus, said Bill Roberts, vice president of advancement and alumni engagement. Thanks to Mike and our many other donors who helped to make this project a reality. Id also like to acknowledge the James Harju family for donating the copper boulder which enhances the gateway area. Pedestrians pass by the float copper boulder shortly after entering campus through the gateway. It was found in Ontonagon County by James M. Harju 85 and donated to Tech in his memory. Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigans flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure. Reporter Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post. As the Daily Mail-ish headline suggests, the political and military situation in Israel and environs has become overly dynamic, in a bad way. Well try to be spare given that the members of the Axis of Resistance are almost certainly considering retaliatory measures against Israel, as well as how to deal with the US. An overview from CNN: Haniyeh had been in Tehran for the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and was staying in a residence for veterans in the north of the city, state-affiliated news outlet Fars reported. At around 2 a.m. local time, an airborne guided projectile targeted where Haniyeh was staying, according to Iranian state-run outlet IRNA which said his bodyguard was also killed. IRNA said further investigations are underway to determine the details of the operation and the position from where the projectile was fired. And a visual: From the place of Ismail Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran this morning. pic.twitter.com/OLSKjwLsYm Mats Nilsson (@mazzenilsson) July 31, 2024 Even though Israel has not taken credit for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, pretty much everyone with an operating brain cell thinks Israel was responsible. Its not as if there are a lot of other candidates who have both the means and the motive, particularly since Israel has taken a victory lap for earlier attacks on Haniyehs family. Military Watch has not only fingered Israel as the perp but also identified an F-35 as the probable instrument in From Israeli Attack Kills Hamas Leader in Tehran: F-35 Precision Strike Suspected. Even though it cant yet be proven, the assassination attempts took place right after Netanyahus visit to the US, and also likely had US intelligence/targeting support. And even without the provocative timing, one would expect the US to have its hand in these actions. Killing a top Hamas official in Iran is clearly intended to drag Iran into the conflict in an open manner, since as many experts have pointed out, Israel sees no way out of the mess it has gotten itself into absent the US coming to its rescue. Yet it seems highly unlikely that head of the Joint Chiefs Charles Brown was misleading Israel when he warned that the US really could not do much to help, particularly given that that sort of message would go over badly among the many bought and paid for AIPAC stooges in the Beltway. As we stress in the headline, and oddly nearly all press accounts either omit completely or bury, Ismail Haniyeh was not just a top member of Hamas political wing, but a (the?) lead negotiator in the peace talks. From Qatars official statement on the killing from prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani , courtesy Middle East Eye: The approach of political assassinations and intentional escalation against civilians in Gaza at every stage of the negotiation prompts the question: How can negotiations take place in which one party kills its negotiator at the same time? Regional and international peace needs serious partners and an international stance against escalation and disregard for the lives of the peoples of the region. In case you doubt Qatars claim, from a Reuters report last November: Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader based in Qatar, has been the tough-talking face of the Palestinian groups international diplomacy as war has raged back in Gaza where his family home was destroyed in an Israeli air strike in November. Appointed to the militant groups top job in 2017, he has moved between Turkey and Qatars capital Doha, escaping the travel restrictions of the blockaded Gaza Strip and enabling him to act as a negotiator in the latest ceasefire deal The Israelis were very much out to punish Hamiyeh, confirming they successfully targeted his boys in April: After 'Israel' killed 3 of his sons and several of his grandchildren in Gaza, today they assassinated Palestinian leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. pic.twitter.com/rjRSPH3HrT PALESTINE ONLINE (@OnlinePalEng) July 31, 2024 In addition to the statements at Middle East Eye from Iran, Qatar, Hezbollah, Jordan, Turkiye, Yemen, Malaysia, Afghanistan, and China condemning the assassination, an Anadolu Agency story adds the Lebanese government, Pakistan, and Russia. The Jakarta Post features a critical statement from Egypt (but none from Indonesia). The Times of India reports that Iraq depicted the killing as a flagrant violation of international law and quotes Syria Syria condemns this blatant Zionist aggression[a] despicable act. So as far as I can tell, the only major Muslim countries holding their tongues are Indonesia and Egypt. From Irans perspective, an attack within its national borders, and of a foreign guest, is in some ways worse than the Israel strike on Irans embassy grounds in Damascus that killed members of Irans Revolutionary Guard. Recall then that Iran agreed with the US to engage in a controlled retaliation. Iran identified its targets, which were exclusively military. This was the infamous 300 drone attack, which were designed to flush out information about Israeli (and supporting US and French air defenses) with cruise and ballistic missiles following. Not only did Iran penetrate the Israeli defenses and hit what were supposedly some of the best protected spots in Israel, but colleague with diplomatic contacts said that the airbase that Iran hit had two airstrips, and Iran landed missiles in the dead center of each to demonstrate their precision capabilities. And these were not Irans most advanced missiles. To add insult to injury, the cost of the Israel-Western missiles expended in this defensive operation was over $2 billion, while the cost of the Iran attack was under $100 million. So Israel appears to be hewing to the definition of insanity attributed to Einstein: doing the same thing again and expecting a different result. There are many tweets, nearly all with no retweets, from early July along these lines: The US military released photos of the Eisenhower aircraft carrier strike group together with the USS Wasp attack ship and the British Navy ship HMS Duncan in the waters of the Mediterranean, amid fears of an escalation between #Israel and #Hezbollah https://t.co/lOJl2u7EAE pic.twitter.com/8e9PQs74ib Breaking News (@TheNewsTrending) July 1, 2024 Scott Ritter, who has gone from being a friend of Israel to a very loud critic, particularly of its supposed military prowess, has repeatedly dismissed the US aircraft carrier threat display. He says they can transport 1200 Marines, but if they were to actually try to Do Anything, They will all die.. Ritter has not bothered unpacking why a mission would be a disaster, but he seems to think this is so obvious as to not be worth explaining (note that Ritter does often go into current and historical Middle East military nerdery). So this measure appears to be a combo plate of threat supply plus additional air support. Yet we have Tony Blinken continuing with his intelligence-insulting prattle. Is he genuinely this stupid or is he relying on the Western media not bothering to mention that Haniyeh was a key negotiator? Oh, and that Israel killing him is yet more proof that Israel is committed to its Palestinian extermination/ethnic cleansing project? From the Times of India: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that a ceasefire in Gaza was imperative after the killing of Hamass political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. Blinken refused to comment directly on the killing of Haniyeh but said at a forum in Singapore that reaching a ceasefire in Gaza is the enduring imperative. Weve been working from day one not only to try to get to a better place in Gaza but also to prevent the conflict from spreading, whether its the north with Lebanon and Hezbollah, whether its the Red Sea with the Houthis, whether its Iran, Syria, Iraq, you name it, Blinken said. A big key to trying to make sure that that doesnt happen, and that we can move to a better place, is getting the ceasefire. Now to the assassination attempt in Beirut of senior Hezbollah commander Faoud Shakr. Israel claimed it had killed him but it is not clear they succeeded: Defiance in #Beirut's southern suburbs following #Israeli strike that targeted senior #Hezbollah official Fouad Shakr. Unconfirmed reports suggesting assassination failed. No reports yet of casualties. Ball now in #Hezbollah court pic.twitter.com/OGjAKxVioW Hashem Osseiran () (@HashemOsseiran) July 30, 2024 And an image: IDF strike in south Beirut appears to have been via drone, hitting an apartment building. Israeli media is saying this was an assassination attempt on a Hezbollah official. https://t.co/4xZjFY7Bg8 pic.twitter.com/WfADqWZbsX Seamus Malekafzali (@Seamus_Malek) July 30, 2024 More persuasively, USA Today reported: Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah responded to Tuesdays airstrike in a statement on social media. Your assassination attempt has failed, Nasrallah said, adding in a separate message that an official statement in response will be issued by the Islamic Resistance as soon as all facts are taken into account. The colleague with diplomatic contacts told me he had heard that Shakr had been injured but survived. The Financial Times described how civilians died and many were injured: Lebanons state-run National News Agency said the Israeli strike on Beirut on Tuesday, carried out with a drone that launched three rockets, had targeted the area around Hizbollahs governing Shura Council in the densely populated Haret Hreik neighbourhood, a stronghold of the militant group. A large explosion ripped through the area, with television footage showing several floors of a residential building badly damaged and large plumes of smoke. At least three people were killed a woman and two children and a further 74 people were injured, some critically, the Lebanese health ministry said. Keep in mind that Israels justification is strained. Hezbollah took credit for attacking a military base in the Golan Heights, which by the way is disputed territory; Israel has occupied it since 1967. Israel claimed that Hezbollah hit a schoolyard, which killed 12 children, and that legitimates the strike into Beirut. First, Hezbollah does not target civilians. They have better things to do with their rockets. Second, Hezbollah pointed out if it had targeted the schoolyard, there would be a crater, as opposed to shrapnel. And there was no crater. So the far more likely explanation is that an Israeli air defense weapon hit one of the Hezbollah missiles and it was the fallout that struck the schoolyard. Third, it was Syrian children that died. Since when does Israel harbor such concern for non-Jews? One has to wonder what madness has overtaken Israels government and much of its society, to think that attacking Hezbollah and Iran are national-security advancing strategies. The IDF resistance and no doubt numerous and pointed private warnings dont appear to have penetrated the Zionist sense of entitlement. And speaking of madness, the Knesset has defended the right to ass rape prisoners. The IDF was set to try some soldiers who had abused a detainee to the point of inflicting severe internal injuries. Settlers stormed the IDF garrison to free the soldiers. This video not only summarizes that incident but reports that settlers went to another IDF military court to again try to stop any punishment of sadistic soldiers. This. Is. Israel. #Rapists #Terrorists Knesset members argue that rape and torture are legitimate punishment for Palestinian detainees. https://t.co/H0LhrpY3tC hugo redwood (@DOHplusone) July 30, 2024 The row quickly wound up before the Knesset. Twitter has many clips of the sordid debate, with representatives overwhelmingly and loudly supporting torture. The unsurprising result: Israeli military police canceled! the arrest warrants issued against the soldiers accused of gang-raping a Palestinian detainee at the notorious Sde Teiman prison and limited themselves to interrogating them, The decision came after Knesset members and National Security pic.twitter.com/5vpOWb4m7J Mats Nilsson (@mazzenilsson) July 31, 2024 Yesterday Moon of Alabama in Israel Might Well Fall Apart depicted this internal conflict as a potential civil war triggered by a power struggle between Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir. Ben-Gvir controls the police. I recall reading many many years ago (perhaps in the Economist?) of how the IDF would try to restrain the settlers in persecuting the Palestinians only to have the police back their conduct. So this conflict has deep roots. However, the trajectory may not be to civil war. With the settlers and police now acting as brownshirts, Israel is on its way to becoming an open fascist state. With nukes. And the US will have enabled that outcome by refusing to impose even minor constraints on Israels ever more horrific behavior. Butterflies accumulate enough static electricity to attract pollen without contact (press release) University of Bristol Killer Whales Sink Yacht in Med: Knew What they Were Doing Daily Beast When private equity buys a hospital, assets shrink, new research finds WaPo Private Equity Professionals Are Fighting Fires in Their Portfolios, Slowing Down the Recovery Institutional Investor Top BlackRock executive benefits from unusual points-style bonus pay FT The Olympics The Something Guy (@thesomethingguy) July 30, 2024 The most "Main Character Energy" I've ever seen in my life from Kim Ye-ji (Republic of South Korea) casually breaking a world record and winning the gold medal #Olympics2024 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/mlTGZQappE COVID-19 hits Paris Olympics: Athletes forced to withdraw and mask up AP. Team Canadas chief medical officer Mike Wilkinson, said his team continued to implement many of the infection prevention protocols that proved successful during the Covid pandemic including hand washing, sanitisation and good hygiene practices.' Climate Permafrost thaw accelerating climate change, studies warn BNE Intellinews The Rush to Shore Up the Power Grid Against Hurricanes, Heat and Hail WSJ NIFC: When all the West is on fire at once, this is who deals with it Wildfire Today Decolonisation, dependency and disengagementthe challenge of Irelands degrowth transition Center for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity Yves here. Even though we have sometimes linked to reports on the long-standing conflict in Sudan and the resulting starvation, as this post suggests at the top, the media has given it short shrift despite the horrific and rising human cost. After all, its Africa, which ex the Middle East = not geopolitically that important. But as a tiny website, we are dependent for most of our stories upon the reporting of others. Hopefully this piece somewhat compensates for the neglect of the dire conditions and war crimes in Sudan. One can only hope for an end to this conflict, the sooner the better. By Priti Gulati Cox and Stan Cox. Originally published at TomDispatch For months, weve all been able to stay reasonably informed about the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. But theres another horrific war thats gotten so little coverage you could be excused for not knowing anything about it. What we have in mind is the seemingly never-ending, utterly devastating war in Sudan. Think of it as the missing war. And if we dont start paying a lot more attention to it soon as in right now its going to be too late. After 15 months of fighting in that country between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), experts in food insecurity estimate that almost 26 million people (no, that is not a misprint!), or more than half of Sudans population, could suffer from malnutrition by September. Eight and a half million of those human beings could face acute malnutrition. Worse yet, if the war continues on its present path, millions will die of hunger and disease in just the coming months (and few people in our world may even notice). By now, those warring armies have driven Sudan to the brink of all-out famine, partly by displacing more than a fifth of the population from their homes, livelihoods, and farms, while preventing the delivery of food to the places most in need. And you undoubtedly wont be surprised to learn that, with their foreign-policy eyes focused on Gaza and Ukraine, our countrys government and others around the world have paid remarkably little attention to the growing crisis in Sudan, making at best only half-hearted (quarter-hearted?) gestures toward helping negotiate a cease-fire between the SAF and RSF, while contributing only a small fraction of the aid Sudan needs to head off a famine of historic magnitude. From Emergency to Catastrophe In late June, the U.N.-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system, which monitors regions at risk of starvation, reported a stark and rapid deterioration of the food security situation in Sudan. It noted that the number of people suffering hunger severe enough to qualify, in IPC terms, as Phase 3 (Crisis) or Phase 4 (Emergency) has ballooned 45% since the end of last year. In December 2023, no Sudanese had yet made it to Phase 5 (Catastrophe), a condition characteristic of famines. Now, more than three-quarters of a million people are in that final phase of starving to death. Indeed, if the conflict continues to escalate, large parts of Sudan may spiral into full-blown famine, a state that exists, according to the IPC, when at least 20% of an areas population is suffering Phase-5 hunger. Until recently, the worst conflict and hunger were concentrated in western Sudan and around Khartoum, the countrys capital. Now, however, theyve spread to the east and south as well. Worse yet, the war in Sudan has by now displaced an astounding 10 million people from their homes, more than four million of them children a figure that looks like but isnt a misprint. Many have had to move multiple times and two million Sudanese have taken refuge in neighboring countries. Worse yet, with so many people forced off their land and away from their workplaces, the capacity of farmers to till the soil and other kinds of workers to hold down a paycheck and so buy food for their families has been severely disrupted. Not surprisingly, 15 months of brutal war have played havoc with crop production. Cereal grain harvests in 2023 were far smaller than in previous years and stocks of grain (which typically supply 80% of Sudanese caloric intake) have already been fully consumed, with months to go before the next harvest, a stretch of time known, even in good years, as the lean season. And with war raging, anything but a bumper crop is expected this year. Indeed, just as planting season got underway, fierce fighting spilled over into wheat-growing Gezira, one of Sudans 18 states and renowned as the nations breadbasket. Sudan desperately needs food aid and its simply not getting enough. The U.N. High Commission for Refugees has received less than 20% of the funds necessary to help feed the Sudanese this year and has had to drastically cut food rations. As Tjada DOyen McKenna, head of the aid nonprofit Mercy Corps, told the New York Times, World leaders continue to go through the motions, expressing concern over Sudans crisis. Yet theyve failed to rise to the occasion. Worse yet, in the swirling chaos, even the food aid that does make it to Sudan is largely failing to reach starving populations in anything approaching adequate quantities and when available, its usually unaffordable. Famished people are reportedly boiling leaves, as well as eating grass, peanut shells, and even dirt. Starvation: A Cheap and Very Effective Weapon For many families, the one thing keeping starvation at bay may be a local free soup kitchen. In a report published in May, Timmo Gaasbeek of the Netherlands Institute of International Relations noted, Sudan has a long tradition of sharing food. After the war broke out and hunger spread, community-level initiatives for sharing food sprang up across the country. These soup kitchen initiatives are often informal but can be very well organized. Gaasbeek warned, however, that soup kitchens can fill only so many gaping holes in a system shattered by wartime destruction, displacement, and crop failure. His institute estimates that at current rates of food sharing, 2.5 million people could die of hunger and disease by the time crops are harvested in September. In other words, a shocking 10-20% of the Sudanese in the hardest-hit areas could die mortality rates similar to ones suffered during horrendous famines in parts of Nigeria in 1969, Ethiopia in 1984, and Somalia in 1992. By Gaasbeeks calculations, more aggressive food sharing through soup kitchens and other means could cut the total death toll to a still-appalling one million. But that seems unlikely since even the existing efforts by local mutual-aid groups and international organizations to provide food have come under attack from both sides in the war. Six international experts writing for the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have accused SAF and RSF of using food as a weapon and starving civilians. They also found that the deliberate targeting of humanitarian workers and local volunteers has undermined aid operations, putting millions of people at further risk of starvation. We recently got in touch with Hadeel Mohamed, an educator with whom wed spoken last October after she fled Sudan for Egypt. In a July 16th email to us, she wrote that the war in Sudan, like many wars, has proved to be more an attack on civilians than on any armed forces. Still in contact with neighbors who stayed behind in Khartoum, she reports that neither army is protecting civilians. In fact, the two at times appear to be tag-teaming to do them in. When, for instance, RSF forces carry out a raid, her contacts tell her, SAF troops are often removed from the locations hours before the attacks occur. Worse yet, for those now trying to flee as she did last year, Some said that, in their attempts to escape Khartoum, theyve encountered RSF forces waiting to loot them. All their supplies were stolen once again! Alex de Waal of the World Peace Foundation told the BBC that the RSF paramilitary is essentially a looting machine. They rampage through the countryside and towns, stealing everything there is. They even bombed and looted the last hospital still functioning in Northern Darfur state. No less horribly, the governments SAF troops are guilty of trying to starve people in areas now occupied and controlled by the RSF and, according to De Waal, neither side is willing to relinquish what is a cheap and very effective weapon. Echoes from a Thousand Miles Away Is Sudans nightmare starting to sound grimly familiar? * Families displaced multiple times, with war following hot on their heels. * Food aid falling desperately short of whats needed. * Humanitarian aid intercepted by soldiers and other armed men before it can reach intended recipients. * Soup kitchens attacked. * Aid workers targeted for death. * Hospitals bombarded, invaded, and shut down. * Crop production capacity sabotaged during a hunger emergency. * Washington doing little or nothing to stop the horror. Might we be thinking, perhaps, of a small 25-mile strip of territory a thousand miles directly north of Khartoum, just on the other side of Egypt? Sadly enough, there are many striking parallels between the wars being waged on the civilian populations of Sudan and Gaza. It would nonetheless be wrong to blame world interest in the nightmare in Gaza for drawing attention away from the civil war in Sudan. Neither of those crimes against humanity, in their scale and ghastliness, should be exploited by anyone to minimize the weight and urgency of the other. Worse yet, simply paying more attention to the nightmare in Sudan and sending its people more food aid wont address the imbalance. The fact is that neither the Sudanese nor the Gazans have received what they most urgently need right now: an end to their respective conflicts. Efforts by the U.S. and other countries to push for cease-fires in both places and an end to each of those wars have proven almost cataclysmically inadequate and ineffective. For Sudan, its been especially discouraging. Talks last year between the SAF and RSF brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States failed to even reduce the fighting there and recent attempts to revive those talks all too expectably broke down. In early June, Egypt hosted supporters of both of Sudans warring parties in Cairo for negotiations. The only outcome: the creation of a supremely bureaucratic subcommittee to draft a meaningless communique. Collective Courage Last October, Hadeel Mohamed wrote that there was then only one modest hope in Sudan. For the millions of Sudanese living through their latest national nightmare, she told us, You really come back to more community-based aid. With our limited resources, with our limited abilities, we still find people rising up to take care of each other. And theyre still doing it. Its just not enough to prevent a disastrous famine, as long as the sectarian fighting continues. With weak support from the outside world, civilians in Sudan have little choice but to rely on long traditions of social cohesion and mutual aid as they work to survive and somehow bring the war in their country to an end. In that, theres yet another parallel with the war on Gazas civilians: the coordinated service, heroism, and sacrifice personified by Palestinian journalists, taxi drivers, first responders, healthcare professionals, and countless other people is now legendary. Civilians in many such situations are too often portrayed in the world media as nearly helpless victims. The Sudanese and Palestinian people are showing that image to be fallacious by acting with the kind of collective courage, endurance, and solidarity thats all too rare in the comfortably situated societies that are leaving them to starve. Theyre being cruelly victimized, yet theyre refusing to play the victim. The wartime food-sharing movement in Sudan that operates soup kitchens is a good example. Its led by grassroots neighborhood groups called resistance committees that started forming more than a decade ago in the wake of the Arab Spring, with the mission of providing social protection and provisioning in their home communities. They have since proliferated throughout Sudan, operating locally and independently but together forming a remarkably well-integrated national network. The resistance committees took a leading role in grassroots protests against the October 2021 military coup that cut short a national transition to democratic rule then underway in Sudan. Eighteen months later, the current war erupted when the two generals who had led that coup turned on each other, with one leading the armed forces and the other the Rapid Support Forces. Throughout the ensuing war, at great risk to their own safety, resistance committee members have played essential lifesaving roles. While working to fend off hunger in their communities, they have also prioritized the maintenance of human rights, continuation of social services, and defense of direct democracy, while urging fervent opposition to the SAF, the RSF, and more generally the incessant militarization of their country. Some are also mobilizing their communities for self-defense. Sudan expert Santiago Stocker suggested recently that the resistance committees, because of their support among youth and local legitimacy in Sudan, are a voice the international community should support and elevate. The committees are one part of a broader grassroots civilian movement that participated in those ill-fated Cairo talks. That movement, Stocker argues, could sooner or later help break the deadlock in Sudan by pressing other nations to move decisively to help end the war. They could urge, for example, that the international community increase punitive measures, including sanctions, against RSF and SAF leadership and key members of the SAFs governing coalition, including businesses and hardline religious groups. While its important indeed that Gaza remains a focus of our attention as long as the nightmarish Israeli campaign there continues, its no less important that those of us in the Global North focus on the less visible war in Sudan and push our governments to impose punitive measures on that countrys generals and other elites, while pulling out all the stops (and ample cash) to get food to the millions who desperately need it. Sudan should simply no longer be callously ignored. News / National by Staff reporter Two suspected robbers, Leon Hunda (32) and Joe Kunaka (27), have been arraigned before Harare senior magistrate Mrs. Marehwanazvo Gofa, charged with two counts of robbery. They are remanded in custody until August 28 and must seek bail at the High Court.On June 22, 2024, the complainant boarded the duo's white Toyota Probox in Greystone Park, Harare. He was forced to sit between the two suspects in the back seat, where they threatened him with a pistol and a knife, stealing his cell phone and US$926. They then pushed him out of the vehicle.On July 10, another complainant boarded the same vehicle in Braeside, intending to go to Mbare. Similarly, she was forced to sit between the suspects, threatened with a knife, and robbed of her cellphone before being dumped on Chiremba Road.On July 24, detectives from CID Homicide Harare arrested Ruvarashe Mahachi, who was in possession of a stolen cell phone, leading them to Enock Muranganwa and subsequently to the suspects. Hunda tried to escape but was shot in the leg.The total value stolen is US$1,726, with US$600 recovered. ActBlue accused of conducting massive money laundering operation for Kamala Harris ActBlue, the main campaign fundraising platform of the Democratic Party, has been charged with engaging in a "massive money laundering operation ," by which contributions from major donors are being moved through hundreds of thousands of small donations made in the name of people who don't know they have donated. The allegations came in the wake of President Joe Biden announcing his intention to drop out of the presidential race. The latest report indicates that ActBlue has processed more than $100 million in donations online since the president made his announcement. This includes nearly $50 million in donations made during the first 24 hours after Vice President Kamala Harris launched her campaign. (Related: FUNDING FRAUD: Phoenix woman tells James OKeefe that ActBlue made 20 separate unauthorized donations in her name to Kamala Harris.) Investigative journalist and O'Keefe Media Group founder James O'Keefe approached alleged donors with hundreds of thousands of contributions listed in their name, who knew nothing about them. Based on O'Keefe's investigation, money is being donated to Democrat campaigns by unwitting donors. "FEC [Federal Election Commission] data shows that some senior citizens across the U.S. have been donating thousands of times per year," O'Keefe revealed in a recently released video. "Some of these individuals' names and addresses are attached to over $200,000 in contributions. We went and knocked on a few of their doors to corroborate the data that we received from a group of citizen journalists called Election Watch from Maryland." Trump campaign accusing Harris of violating campaign finance laws after it took over Biden war chest Meanwhile, the campaign of former President Donald Trump recently filed a complaint with the FEC accusing Biden and Harris of violating campaign finance laws with the transfer of nearly $100 million in fundraising cash to her presidential campaign. As stated in the complaint, Harris is "seeking to perpetrate a $91.5 million dollar heist of Joe Biden's leftover campaign cash." Trump campaign general counsel David Warrington called the act a "brazen money grab that would constitute the single largest excessive contribution and biggest violation in the history of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended." Warrington added that "Kamala Harris is in the process of committing the largest campaign finance violation in American history and she is using the Commission's own forms to do it." He went on to say that "the Commission must not and cannot sit idly by while one candidate takes nearly one hundred million dollars from the authorized committee of another, in violation of the Act and the will of the donors who gave the money in the first place." The complaint tags Biden, Harris and her campaign treasurer Keana Spencer for flagrantly violating the act by making and receiving an excessive contribution of almost $100 million, and for filing fraudulent forms with the Commission intending to repurpose one candidate's principal campaign committee for the use of another candidate. The complaint contends that if Harris were a candidate for something in 2024, federal law requires her to have filed a Statement of Candidacy and for her name to have appeared in the name of her authorized committee. However, Harris' name does not appear in the name of her supposed authorized committee, "Biden for President," and, until July 21, no Statement of Candidacy existed for the vice president. Then instead of filing her own Statement of Candidacy, Harris simply changed Biden's by replacing his name with hers. Under the FEC Act, there is no mechanism for an individual to end another person's federal candidacy by simply amending the other person's Form 2. Furthermore, in that alleged amended Form 2, Harris assigned "Biden for President" as her principal campaign committee and then renamed it. Changing a document submitted to a federal bureau is a federal violation. Follow Corruption.news for more news about election-related corruption in the United States. Watch the video below discussing how Kamala Harris is personally benefiting from campaign donations directed to ActBlue. This video is from the Sanivan channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Corrupt Kamala Harris campaign caught using ActBlue cash for money laundering scheme. RFK Jr. accuses Democrats of rigging the nomination with Harris so they can keep Bidens campaign donations. Trump campaign files FEC complaint over ILLEGAL transfer of $91.5M Biden campaign fund to Harris campaign. Trump campaign files FEC challenge over Bidens funds being funneled to Kamala. Sources include: SHTFPlan.com Fortune.com BizPacReview.com Brighteon.com Andrew Torba: Suspected Gab account of Trump shooter contains pro-Biden posts Thomas Matthew Crooks, the failed assassin of former President Donald Trump, allegedly had an account on the alternative social media platform Gab Gab owner Andrew Torba revealed this in a series of posts on the X platform, adding that Crooks' account seemingly posted several times in support of President Joe Biden's edicts. According to Torba, he was only made aware of the alleged account after receiving an "emergency disclosure request from a law enforcement agency." "Gab learned that Crooks, the deranged Biden supporter who attempted to assassinate [former] President Donald Trump, may have had an account on our platform," Torba posted on the afternoon of July 24. "We are unable to confirm that the account in question actually belonged to him." "The account was last active on the site in 2021. As far as we are aware, the account did not use the site to send any direct messages. He posted on the site nine times total. We have saved the account data pending receipt of a search warrant." Torba also described the content of the posts made by Crooks' alleged account. He wrote: "While the account made very few posts on the site, the majority of them were in support of President Biden. A number of posts in particular expressed support for [his Wuhan coronavirus] COVID-19 lockdowns, border policies and executive orders." The Gab owner also included screenshots of the said posts allegedly made by the 20-year-old Crooks. According to LifeSiteNews, the posts indeed "seem to express at least tacit approval of the Democratic Party's approach" to issues such as illegal immigration, medical tyranny and Biden's executive orders. News of the Gab account potentially linked to Crooks followed an earlier bombshell report that the devices that regularly visited his home and workplace also visited a location near the Secret Service's headquarters and another near that of the Federal Bureau of Investigation both located in the District of Columbia. (Related: Individual who visited Thomas Crooks home and workplace also visited Washington, D.C., building near FBI office in June 2023, newly acquired cell phone data shows.) Torba: Gab disclosing existence of Crooks' account at significant risk In a separate post, Torba shared that his company is "disclosing this information" about Crooks' account on Gab "at significant and personal business risk." "If the past is any guide, defying the D.C. consensus by publishing the first definitive evidence that the shooter was a Biden supporter something Democrats and their media allies have tried to cover up and deny at every turn has a high probability of resulting in significant political and media backlash," he wrote. "In the past, we have been the target of politically motivated inquiries from both the House Oversight Committee and the [House Select] Committee on the Jan. 6 Attacks, both of which sought to interfere with our mission of protecting free speech online. The enemies of freedom have the ability to impose significant present and future legal costs, and any donations we receive will help to defray those costs." Torba's words came to pass on July 26, when he posted on X that "Gab's ability to process payments came under attack by the [Biden] regime 48 hours after we broke this story. We are in danger of losing our ability to process online payments again. Please pray that we are able to sort it out." Despite the high-profile nature of the July 13 shooting of the former president, little is known of Crooks, who was killed on scene by law enforcement. Crooks fired at Trump while the former president was looking to his side, but failed to kill the Republican presidential nominee and only grazed his ear. Head over to Conspiracy.news for more similar stories. Watch this video that shares seven new details about Thomas Matthew Crooks. This video is from the CONSERVATIVE POLITICS & NWO channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump shooter spotted with a RANGEFINDER ahead of assassination attempt but no one stopped him. Trump shot, survives ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT in Pennsylvania; shooter, one rally attendee killed, others wounded. Law enforcement notified Secret Service about shooter before assassination attempt, so why wasn't Trump immediately evacuated? Trump's would-be assassin reportedly flew a drone over the fairgrounds before the speech and could have dropped explosives on Trump. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com Brighteon.com Female Australian tourist gang-raped by African men in Paris while Macron officials look the other way French police are investigating the case of an Australian woman who told investigators she was publicly gang-raped by five " African-type " men in Paris, France. As reported by French news outlet Le Parisien, the 25-year-old tourist told police she was raped by five people, after she was found "disoriented and unable to speak a word of French" in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 20. The woman was found after the incident standing outside Dounia, a Lebanese kebab shop on Boulevard de Clichy in Paris' 18th Arrondissement, with her dress "backwards" and partly torn off. Reports showed she made complaints to the staff at the shop, but she was unable to give details on how or where the incident happened. CCTV footage has arisen showing the frightened woman running into Dounia and requesting help from the store's staff. Alarmed customers and staff crowded around her in a bid to comfort her when a man entered the kebab shop. The woman signaled that the man was her attacker and he boldly walked up to her and patted her on the back. A customer then confronted the man who immediately fled. Police arrived minutes later, with the woman later telling officers the men were "of African appearance." Firefighters later took the woman to Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital. The owner of the shop said in an interview that the woman could not stop crying and her dress was damaged. Other reports stated the woman was carrying her underwear in her hand and that she had her phone stolen. The victim, who is believed to have been in Paris for the Fete de la Musique music festival, is reported to have had a flight home to Australia booked on Sunday, July 21. The Paris Prosecutor's Office said police are investigating the allegations, with CCTV footage presently under inspection. "The investigation into the charge of gang rape likely to have been committed on the night of July 19 to 20 has been entrusted to the 2nd judicial police district," the Paris Prosecutor's Office said. The Paris branch of Alliance Police Nationale, the country's main police union, is determined that investigators would "do everything to quickly identify the individuals and bring them to justice." "Several investigation techniques will be implemented in conjunction with the technical and scientific police," the union said. The incident follows a related case involving a British tourist who was raped and robbed during the Fete de la Musique on June 22. The suspects in this case are yet to be arrested. (Related: France shocked by murder of 12-year-old girl who was brutally raped, stuffed in suitcase; 4 Algerian migrants charged.) Gang rape incident part of uptick in crime in Paris amid Olympics The incident happened just days before the 2024 Olympic Games kicked off in Paris, with a large police presence on the ground in order to maintain the safety of people in the city. Such crimes are becoming steadily common in multicultural Paris, which is currently hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics. Over 45,000 police officers from 43 countries are being utilized to aid the more than 18,000 French soldiers currently in the city to handle security operations and provide safety for the hundreds of thousands of people converging on Paris for the Olympics, whether it be athletes, fans or media. Officers have been on the ground in solid numbers in Paris since the week before the Opening Ceremony, with armed guards around the Seine River, implementing a safe perimeter with numerous security zones set up. Follow Anarchy.news for more news about crimes all over the world. Watch the video below to know more about rape and murder being committed by illegal aliens in America. This video is from the Think About It channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Flashback: 17-year-old Danish girl who fought off rapist with pepper spray was CRIMINALLY CHARGED for carrying spray. TWISTED: Woman to serve longer prison time for offending migrant men who gang-raped a minor. Illegal alien who entered the country undetected has been arrested, charged with CHILD RAPE in Massachusetts. More than 7,000 German women have been raped or assaulted by migrants since 2015. Ecuadorian illegal assaults 13-year-old girl in broad daylight in New York park. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com SkyNews.com.au News.com.au Brighteon.com Doc Burkhart: Dems trying to REWRITE HISTORY on VP Kamala Harris According to Raymond "Doc" Burkhart, the Democrats are now working hard to rewrite history when it comes to Vice President Kamala Harris. "The great Kamala con is underway. Democrats are working hard now to try to rewrite history on [her], because first of all, what has she accomplished? Nothing as vice president. She never won a single primary when she was running for president before," he said. "In fact, she came in last place before so that qualifies you to be vice president. I guess for the Democrats, it also qualifies you to be president." Burkhart particularly cited a news article by Axios noting how President Joe Biden appointed Harris to be his "border czar" particularly when it comes to coordinating with Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The three nations "were key sources of migration to the border," according to the outlet. But now, the "TruNews" host pointed out that a script is being churned out that Harris was never the border czar in the first place even though she has been for three and a half years. While the mainstream media including Axios is denying this, there are previous videos that attest to the vice president serving in this capacity. "Do you see how they are trying to rewrite history here? [Rewriting] the narrative to make you think that what you saw before wasn't really true," said Burkhart. "But we've got the receipts." Harris still fails despite being crowned as Biden's replacement Aside from the border czar issue, Burkhart also mentioned that the nonpartisan GovTrack rated Harris the most liberal senator in the U.S. in its 2019 report. Harris who was the U.S. senator for California at the time was caught flat-footed at the time. "She is ranked most liberal compared to all senators. So, this is the rating from nonpartisan GovTrack," he said. "Now, what's interesting about this listing on GovTrack is you can't find this today. It has been removed. When it was removed, whether it was within the past few days, the past week, you cannot locate this particular listing on the GovTrack site anymore. It's been taken down. Something is going on. They are rewriting history for this woman, Queen Kamala." According to Burkhart, all the liberal news outlets are trying to rewrite history and another lie is being perpetrated. He then showed a clip of U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) during her recent interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News. The "Hannity" host said the Democratic Party's honeymoon with the vice president is going to end very quickly. This is because Harris' record, alongside the way she talks, will make the American people realize that she's way outside of the mainstream and she's the most radical person to ever run for president. (Related: Kamala Harris secures endorsements from top Democrats except Barack Obama.) Britt agreed, pointing out that Harris has failed miserably when she had her very first test as the "de facto coronated presidential candidate of the Democratic Party" just like when she was the border czar. "She refused to show up to preside over the joint session there with one of our great allies and the only beacon of democracy and hope in the Middle East. And it was really disgraceful. It was despicable and the American people deserve better." Follow KamalaHarris.news for more news about Vice President Kamala Harris. Watch Raymond "Doc" Burkhart commenting on how the Democratic Party is working overtime to rewrite history when it comes to Kamala Harris. This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: ITS JOE-VER! Biden DROPS OUT of presidential race, endorses VP Harris as replacement. Obama refrains from endorsing Kamala Harris in his statement about Bidens withdrawal. RFK Jr. accuses Democrats of rigging the nomination with Harris so they can keep Bidens campaign donations. Democrats quietly prepping to anoint a NEW nominee thats NOT Kamala Harris who will it be? Trump campaign files FEC complaint over ILLEGAL transfer of $91.5M Biden campaign fund to Harris campaign. Sources include: Brighteon.com Axios.com German CDCs COVID protocols leaked, revealing vaccinated suffer more severely than unvaccinated masks caused undesirable side effects Journalist Aya Velazquez has dropped a bombshell about the human genocide that occurred through the unleashing of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines." A whistleblower from the Robert Koch Institute, Germany's version of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provided Velazquez with the unredacted protocols that were enforced during the "pandemic" to basically enslave the world with experimental and extremely deadly chemical injections. The Robert Koch Institute made the following statements during the "pandemic:" Jan. 18, 2021: No professional justification for the mask mandate. Masks have undesirable side effects. Aug. 13, 2021: The "vaccine" fails in 79% of cases. Aug. 17, 2021: Children are guinea pigs, vaccinated individuals suffer more severely from COVID than unvaccinated individuals. Oct. 26, 2021: The influenza vaccine does not prevent infection. Let's not tell people. Dec. 7, 2022: Unvaccinated individuals are "essentially immune" after a COVID infection. How can we present this graphically so that no one notices? These are exact quotes as shared by Dr. Simon Goddek (@goddeketal) on X. They reveal that government health officials knew from the very beginning before they implemented global medical fascism that none of the forced COVID protocols helped people, but instead hurt them. (Related: Did you know that excess deaths only started appearing in Germany after COVID injections were unleashed?) Who really controls the world? Everything was closely coordinated by an invisible hand throughout the "pandemic," one that had all politicians, left and right, east and west, under its thumb. Who controls that hand? Someone, or something, holds so much power over world affairs that it had nearly every key leader and influencer under its spell concerning things like lockdowns and mask and jab mandates. Where did the playbook originate? Ephesians 2 states that "the prince of the power of the air" is in control of earthly affairs at the current time. And his wicked spirit is working right now in the children of disobedience to bring about his will. This wicked prince plays both light and dark, Satan and Lucifer, to trick as many as possible into his snare. The conspiracy runs deep, in other words, and those who have figured out the COVID scam are asking the kinds of questions that will eventually expose its deepest, darkest secrets. On X, Stefan Homburg (@SHomburg) responded to Dr. Goddek about the March 25, 2020, protocol in which the Robert Koch Institute hid favorable trends from the public in order to prolong the lockdown for as long as possible. America's own CDC continues to double down on its version of the COVID protocols, which are based on fear and paranoia about floating viruses that can supposedly be stopped by covering your mouth and nose with cloth and taking experimental chemical injections for the rest of your life. ??, ??? ??? ???? ??? ?? ?? ??? ?????????? - pushing fear, no matter what you have, its COVID! And remember the test is still a reliable way to check, if you must. Too much invested in the hype and remember, shots still available. pic.twitter.com/6f614oCJpO Delal57 (@delal1957) July 23, 2024 Someone else on X noted that the World Economic Forum (WEF) and its Young Global Leaders program is a funnel for teaching the world's emerging leadership generation a unified globalist approach to "pandemics," which explains how and why they all march in lockstep no matter where they lead. "These are the people who control the CDC, FDA, WHO, DOD, NIH, FBI, CIA, DOJ, and DHS," wrote another. "Bill Gates is one of the people using his power, wealth, and blackmail to control America and other countries." THE SHADOW GOVERNMENT: In 2018 it was already decided to remove President Trump from the White House. Trump will never be allowed to win the 2024 Election. The Biden Administration is under the control of the Shadow Government. Facebook owned by U.S. Government. Covid-19 planned. pic.twitter.com/a3KNaC7YVg Truth Justice (@SpartaJustice) August 3, 2023 It is never a good idea to get jabbed by the government for COVID (or any other disease). Find out more at BadMedicine.news. Sources for this article include: X.com NaturalNews.com BlueLetterBible.org Man-made global warming was mentioned in the 1960s in U.S. government documents on weather modification Chemtrails expert Peter Kirby has identified one of the earliest known mentions of manmade global warming, and not surprisingly, the reference was found in a government document about weather modification. Kirby, who penned the book Chemtrails Exposed: A New Manhattan Project, addressed some common questions about chemtrails in an interview with James Corbett, including whether the government would be involved in something like this and whether they would be able to pull it off. He said the answer to both questions is yes, pointing to a pair of books that explain how hundreds of experiments in open-air testing were secretly carried out during the past seven decades over the skies of the U.S. The books in question are Dr. Leonard A. Coles Clouds of Secrecy and Andrew Goliszeks In the Name of Science. Kirby explained how the idea of weather modification can be traced to the original Manhattan Project in World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons and its follow-up, the New Manhattan Project, which sees the use of chemicals to electrify the atmosphere by dispersing particles sprayed from planes with electromagnetic energy. The CIA, Kirby says, was heavily involved in the project, and this is supported by a 1965 document entitled "Restoring the Quality of Our Environment" from the office of President Lyndon B. Johnson. This document was the earliest top-level document that I have been able to find. It states both the theory of man-made global warming and what John Brennan was just talking about the SRM the solar radiation management spraying of particles, otherwise commonly known as geoengineering, he said, referring to a speech by CIA Director John Brennan in 2016 before the Council on Foreign Relations about stratospheric aerosol injection. He explained how the head of the CIA at the time, Vice Admiral William Raborn, appeared to be a key figure in developing technologies for the New Manhattan Project. Then, in 1974, a document released by the CIA entitled A Study of Climatological Research as it Pertains to Intelligence Problems put forth the notion that global warming could bring an end to humanity, something that Kirby says has been used ever since to justify spraying our skies. However, the very first mention of human-caused global warming cited by Kirby goes all the way back to 1958 in the form of an article in the magazine Popular Science written by presidential science advisor Captain Howard T. Orville entitled Weather as a Weapon." The same year, an article by Bernard Vonnegut, who was involved in developing technology for the New Manhattan Project, and other scientists noted: The radiation properties of the atmosphere can be altered by the introduction of gases or aerosols and by cloud seeding. Kirby said: So, the whole idea of the theory of man-made global warming comes from weather modification. All the earliest documents are related to weather modification. It wasnt until the 1960s and 1970s that the conversation shifted from the weather to the climate, paving the way for the global warming hysteria seen today. Controlling the weather would give governments and organizations immense power Why would the CIA and other entities be so interested in manipulating the weather? Its hard to overstate the power that can be gained by controlling the weather. Kirby explained what is at stake, including everything from playing financial markets like weather derivatives to energy and agricultural commodities. With foreknowledge of the weather, so many scams could be concocted that it boggles the mind. Weather routinely changes the course of Human history. It determines what we do every day. It determines the outcomes of wars and influences elections. Control of the weather is God-like power. Money and power junkies want it, he warned. Sources for this article include: Expose-News.com ActivistPost.com Mark Milley: ROBOTS could make up a third of the U.S. military by 2039 According to retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, robots and other advanced machinery could make up a third of the U.S. military by the year 2039. The former chairman of the Department of Defense's Joint Chiefs of Staff made this prediction during the launch of Axios' Future of Defense News letter. During his speech at the July 11 event, he highlighted the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned technology to lead to the creation of robotic military forces. "Ten to 15 years from now, my guess is a third maybe 25 percent to a third of the U.S. military will be robotic," Milley said, adding that these robots could be commanded and controlled by AI systems. According to the retired general, advancements in technology and changes in the nature of war will enable militaries worldwide to make smarter and faster decisions. He distinguished between the fundamental aspects of war, which involve human actions and political motives and the character of war, which encompasses tactics, technologies, weapons systems and leadership training. While the nature of war remains consistent, Milley pointed out that the character of war is undergoing a significant transformation due to the rise of AI and robotics. He compared this shift to the historical transition from muskets to rifles during the Civil War, a change that had a lasting impact on military tactics. The retired general asserted that the nation that most quickly integrates these technologies into its military will gain a substantial advantage over its rivals. To retain its position as the worlds most formidable military force, he stressed that the U.S. must rapidly adapt and potentially revolutionize its operations. According to Milley, current U.S. policy mandates human oversight in the use of military robots, particularly regarding lethal force due to humans capacity of ethical decision-making a trait that technology lacks. He nevertheless did not dismiss the possibility of a future where AI-enabled machines could make autonomous decision, posing the question of whether this is a desirable direction for the world. Other militaries also seeing the potential of robo-soldiers During the event, Milley noted that the number of human troops in militaries "will probably be reduced as [nations] move toward robotic systems." He continued: "It'll be a fundamental change, and I would argue that other nations' militaries are going to be similarly designed." (Related: So theyre experimenting with military robots in Gaza now.) "The country that optimizes those technologies for military use is going to have a very significant and potentially decisive advantage in an armed conflict." Axios reported that militaries have, for years, tinkered with robot units to bolster their fighting capacity. Such technologies include armed drones, robo-dogs, mechanical mules and more. Even the U.S. military's various branches are looking into the prospect of using these robotic technologies, with Axios sharing several examples. "The Army is experimenting with what's known as human-machine integrated formations, where soldiers fight alongside automatons. The Air Force is seeking so-called 'collaborative combat' aircraft that can fly alongside human pilots to collect intelligence, confuse enemy electronics and even blow up targets." "The Navy is in pursuit of a hybrid fleet, with unmanned surface and underwater vehicles augmenting the firepower of sailors and Marines. One pioneer is Task Force 59 in the Middle East." But Thailand-based journalist Ben Bartee sarcastically noted the "advantages" of robot soldiers over human troops. "Of course, robot soldiers don't ask questions. They don't have moral qualms. They don't require lifelong healthcare from the [Department of Veterans Affairs] for [post-traumatic stress disorder], hazard pay or compensation when their robot limbs get blown off." "They don't have the capacity to say no to unconstitutional orders. Indeed, they have no inherent allegiance to the Constitution whatsoever, only to the interest they would be programmed to serve by whoever programmed them." Visit Robots.news for similar stories. Watch retired Gen. Mark Milley discussing the future of warfare and AI in the military in this clip from "60 Minutes." This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Tesla plans to launch humanoid robots next year, says Elon Musk. In two years, China plans to unleash mass-produced humanoid robots to replace human workers. Do no evil? Google to unveil military robots after acquiring Boston Dynamics. Sources include: TheDailyBell.com DefenseNews.com Axios.com Brighteon.com National security BREACHED after hackers break into most sensitive U.S. government files One of the largest IT providers servicing the U.S. military-industrial complex suffered a major cybersecurity breach last week that is raising concerns about the safety of the establishment's most sensitive files and documents. Leidos Holdings Inc. may not be a household name, but those who know of the company are aware of its close ties to the Pentagon, NASA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), among other powerful federal agencies. Leidos also works extensively with defense contractors, boasting $4 billion in services under contract in 2022 that rendered the company the largest federal IT contractor that year. Other clients served by Leidos include the Department of Defense (DOD) and an array of private corporations. Federal contracts are the company's bread and butter, though, representing 87 percent of its revenue. The recent hacking incident saw the theft of internal documents, though nobody seems to know its source. Leo Hohmann believes that this is how World War III is being fought: not with World War II-style weapons, but rather digitally through the internet. Experts say the documents that were stolen and leaked in the hack are part of two other breaches that occurred in 2022 at Diligent Corp., a platform used by Leidos. "The nature and sensitivity of the stolen documents remain unclear, but the leak underscores vulnerabilities in the cybersecurity frameworks of companies handling critical government information," reported Cyber Security News, as cited by Hohmann. (Related: Earlier this month, "nearly all" AT&T customers were hacked in a data breach that never should have happened will the company be held accountable?) Is Leidos tied to CrowdStrike, which has servers in Ukraine to facilitate Zelensky's theft of $1 trillion-plus U.S. taxpayer dollars? Cyber Press put together an investigation report with one gigabyte of data files in .zip, .msg, .doc, .jpg, .png, .xls/x, and .pdf format. All of the files are associated with the technical assistance Leidos provides to its customers. Bloomberg News claims to have reviewed some of the files, though the news outlet could not verify their authenticity due to "obscured details." "The exact content and nature of these documents have not been publicly disclosed," Hohmann notes. There has not yet been a public statement issued by Leidos addressing the nature of the hack. The company is thus far refusing to comment on the stolen information. The person or persons responsible for the hack indicated plans to sell the data in two different formats, which experts are concerned might put national security at risk. "This incident has prompted a broader discussion on government contractors security measures and protocols," Cyber Security News reported. "The consequences of such data breaches are far-reaching, including financial losses, reputational damage, operational disruptions, and legal complications." Leidos first came into existence in 2013. It was later acquired by defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp.'s information technology business. "They can't protect themselves but they want us to believe they can protect us?" wrote one of Hohmann's subscribers about the U.S. government. "I'm so glad every day that 98% of my life is lived in the physical world. I have no cell phone, I work in a diner where we accept cash only, I pay all my bills but my credit cards with cash and I know all my neighbor's names. I look around at how fast everyone's lives are changing and how much stress they face in their online worlds and am grateful I chose a different path." Another connected the dots from Leidos to CrowdStrike, which has servers in Ukraine where Volodymyr Zelensky "has been bribing the feckless, dementia-ridden pedophile for the past four years with a fake proxy war and draining U.S. taxpayers dry to the tune of almost one trillion dollars," referring to Biden. The establishment seems to be getting increasingly more prone to cyberattacks is it a sign of an impending EMP attack that will take down the grid? Find out more at CyberWar.news. Sources for this article include: LeoHohmann.substack.com NaturalNews.com CyberPress.org Israels long arm can reach its aggressors anywhere, Netanyahu warns, following massive air raid against Yemen that left 6 dead Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a chilling warning to all Israel's enemies that its "long arm" will reach them wherever they are, in retaliation for the aggression against his state following its massive airstrike on a Yemeni port that killed at least six dockworkers and injured 83 people. "I have a message for Israel's enemies don't be mistaken about us," Netanyahu said in a video statement released on the night of July 20. "We will protect ourselves in every way, on every front. Anyone who harms us will pay a heavy price for his aggression." The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its fighter jets struck "military targets of the Houthi terrorist regime" in the area of the Hodeidah Port on Saturday, which was used by the Houthis as an entry point for its weapons supplies. The Israeli prime minister said that it was a direct response to the death of a 50-year-old Israeli in a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv one day before the strike. This is the first time Israel has struck Yemen, according to Israeli officials. "Israel's attack in Yemen makes it clear to our enemies that there is no place that the long arm of Israel will not reach," Netanyahu further said in the statement where he also lauded the IDF and the Israeli Air Force (IAF) for "a determined, precise and successful operation. It struck targets 1,700 kilometers from our borders." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening: From the beginning of the war, I made it clear that Israel will act against all those who attack us. This is why earlier today, I asked the Israeli cabinet to back my decision to strike against the Houthi targets in Yemen. pic.twitter.com/xWE3KXQaeV Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 20, 2024 He also claimed that the port his troops attacked 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," he said. Netanyahu also called on the international community to boost its measures against Iran and its allies: "Anyone who wishes to see a stable and safe Middle East needs to stand against 'Iran's axis of evil' and support Israel's fight against Iran and its proxies in Yemen, in Gaza, in Lebanon, everywhere," he said. The Houthi group has been attacking Israeli-linked merchant vessels in the region since October, to condemn the genocidal operations against Palestinians in Gaza. A U.S. and U.K.-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes against the group but the effort appears to have yielded little result. Netanyahu still thanked the West and its other allies for their help in intercepting Houthi projectiles of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones against Israel for the past eight months. (Related: Houthi drone boats strike oil tankers in the Red Sea.) "The Houthis attacked us over 200 times. The first time that they harmed an Israeli citizen, we struck them. And we will do this anywhere where it may be required," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a separate statement on Saturday. Israel's strikes on Yemen destroyed storage tanks with more than 150,000 tons of fuel, along with several cranes and piers, said Mohammed Albasha, a senior Yemen expert at the U.S.-based Navanti Group consulting firm. Days later, fires still rage from the port, where the majority of the country's 33 million people live. Though firefighters have yet to fully put out the flames in the port's fuel depot and power plant or clear debris from destroyed cranes, officials said Monday the port is already operational. Houthis vow a "huge" response to the Israeli attack Meanwhile, the Houthis have promised to avenge the Israeli raid with more "impactful strikes," Mohamed Ali al-Houthi of the Supreme Political Council in Yemen wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Moreover, on Sunday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the rebels' "response to the Israeli aggression against our country is inevitably coming and will be huge." That same day of Israel's military strike in Yemen, Houthi's leader Abdul Malek Al-Houthi, gave a televised address in which he said he was "very happy" that the group was now engaged in a direct battle with Israel and the United States. "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, and the enemy will lose and incur more dangers upon itself," he said. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah characterized Israel's strike as a "foolish step" that "heralds a new and dangerous phase of extremely important confrontation at the level of the entire region." The expectation is that the Houthis, as well as their allies in other Iran-backed factions, will intensify their attacks both on Israel and in the Red Sea, utilizing more advanced Iranian-supplied weaponry than the group has possessed in the past, Albasha said. "Historically, Iran didn't give the Houthis the newest technology. Now they are," he said. He pointed out that the drone used in the Tel Aviv attack, which the Houthis called Yafa (the Arabic name for Jaffa), was a modified version of the Houthi-manufactured Sammad 3 drone but with a newer engine and possibly upgraded avionics. Last week, the Houthis used kamikaze drone boats to attack two vessels in the Red Sea. Reports said the drone boats were an upgraded design of the Toofan, a drone boat with a 4,500-pound payload capable of reaching 45 nautical miles per hour. Check out IsraelCollapse.com for more stories about the wars Israel is waging against Middle East nations. Sources for this article include: InfoWars.com Edition.CNN.com TimesOfIsrael.com Yahoo.com Pro-life expert debunks claim that abortion restrictions are linked to maternal deaths A recent review by a prominent pro-life researcher disputes the claims of the Commonwealth Fund regarding the impact of pro-life laws on women's health services On July 18, the Commonwealth Fund, a health care foundation, released a report stating the disparities in women's health and reproductive care across the United States. These disparities are attributed to the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision which overturned Roe v. Wade. The report suggests that the decision, which allowed states to enact their own abortion laws, significantly altered access to critical reproductive health services. The report ranked Mississippi, Texas, Nevada, Oklahoma and Arkansas as the lowest-performing states for women's health system performance, while Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire were the highest-ranked. It also noted that states with abortion restrictions, like Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Idaho, tend to have fewer maternity care providers. The report claims that these states only have 52 to 56 providers per 100,000 women of reproductive age. Commonwealth Fund's scorecard purported to show that pro-life states fare worse in various health metrics, including health insurance coverage, syphilis rates and maternal deaths. It also pointed to widening racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes. But a recent review, published in the National Review by Catholic University of America professor and Charlotte Lozier Institutes scholar Michael New, challenges these findings on several fronts. New noted that much of the data used in the Commonwealth Fund's report came from 2022, even though Roe v. Wade was only overturned in June of that year. According to New, this timing issue undermines the validity of its conclusions. (Related: Pro-life organizations in Florida are mobilizing to defeat ballot initiative that seeks to legalize unrestricted abortion in the state.) "The scorecard does not compare pre-Dobbs data to post-Dobbs data," New stated. "All it shows is that some states with strong pro-life laws fare poorly on some public-health metrics. The problem is that many states with strong protections for the preborn are also states with above-average poverty rates. In general, states with high poverty rates also tend to have below-average public health outcomes. Overall, poverty is a cause of poor public health, not pro-life laws." Furthermore, New pointed out that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data indicates maternal mortality decreased by 16 percent between 2022 and 2023. He also cites international data associating pro-life protections with better health outcomes for mothers. Democrats and pro-abortion advocates have been blocking pro-life advocates for several years In the past few years, the abortion lobby has been actively working to counter most abortion strategies through various strategies. For instance, in March 2024, the Supreme Court began its oral arguments regarding the Alliance Defending Freedom's lawsuit against the decision of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove the requirement for in-person distribution of abortion pills. Instead, the FDA allowed them to be sent through mail with a prescription. Similarly, in 2022, George Soros funded efforts to support out-of-state abortion seekers in blue states. Democrats codified abortion rights in federal law, increased the distribution of abortion pills by mail, and provided financial assistance for women in pro-life states to travel for abortions. Maryland is one of the states that responded to this need. Baltimore's Democrat Mayor Brandon Scott and the Baltimore chapter of Soros's Open Society Institute (OSI) have pledged a combined $550,000 to the Baltimore Civic Fund. This fund will provide grants to abortion organizations preparing for an influx of out-of-state abortion seekers. Scott has committed to making Baltimore a safe haven for abortion access, with the Baltimore Abortion Fund offering travel, lodging and scheduling assistance to those coming from other states. These pro-abortion strategies have been successful in stoking fear among the general public and using false claims that pro-life laws are dangerous. Visit Abortions.news for more stories related to the killing of the unborn. Watch this Fox News report of the Supreme Court issuing a ruling that allows hospitals to perform emergency abortions. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: White House official FALSELY claims Biden and Harris dont support "unlimited abortion." Dems, pro-abortion organizations turn to ballot initiatives to enshrine abortion rights into state constitutions. Abortions in the U.S. HAVE INCREASED since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Abortion rates in North Carolina drop by over 30% following implementation of PRO-LIFE LAW. Abortions in Illinois surge 54% as neighboring states enact pro-life legislation. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com 1 LifeSiteNews.com 2 LifeSiteNews.com 3 Brighteon.com News / National by Staff reporter Ahead of the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, Western-aligned organizations have allegedly been funding opposition groups in Zimbabwe to lead anti-Government demonstrations.Reports indicate that the Oppenheimers' Brenthurst Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have financially supported the Job Sikhala-led National Democratic Working Group and opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume. These groups are said to be planning to destabilize the country during the SADC Summit, where President Mnangagwa will assume chairmanship of the 16-member regional bloc.A similar funding agreement was reportedly made with the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU). Additionally, USAID has renewed its funding for Crisis Coalition, an organization often associated with anti-Government activities.On July 5, Sikhala and Ngarivhume announced their intention to organize large-scale demonstrations, claiming their mandate comes from the people. However, the police have assured the public that they will not tolerate any disruptions and will take decisive action against any rogue elements.Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications), George Charamba, confirmed that the Government is aware of the collusion between the Brenthurst Foundation and USAID with local opposition figures. He emphasized that the Government is prepared to maintain peace and will deal firmly with any attempts to undermine stability.The 44th SADC Summit will take place on August 17 and 18, with related activities already underway, including the SADC Industrialisation Week in Harare. Charamba criticized the opposition for attempting to exploit the international event for political gain, labeling such actions as treacherous and warning against collaboration with hostile foreign organizations. Non-governmental organizations and political actors have been advised to report any approaches from such entities to the relevant government ministries. Russian researchers unveil AI model that adapts to new tasks without human input A team of Russian researchers has developed an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) model that can adapt to new tasks and contexts without requiring human intervention. The model called Headless-AD was presented at the International Conference on Machine Learning, held in the Austrian capital Vienna from July 21 to 27. Researchers from the T-Bank AI Research Laboratory and the Moscow-based Artificial Intelligence Research Institute were responsible for this breakthrough. The Headless-AD AI model addresses a significant limitation in contextual machine learning, according to Russia Today (RT). Previously, AI models could learn new tasks with sufficient data but were restricted by a pre-defined and fixed set of actions. Introducing new actions typically required extensive data and model re-learning, making re-adaptation a costly and time-consuming process. The researchers explained that the introduction of a new action space necessitated a fresh dataset and model re-learning, which posed significant challenges for many applications. They enhanced a specific machine learning model called algorithm distillation (AD) which trains AI to perform tasks by auto-regressively predicting actions based on its learning history dataset to create Headless-AD. (Related: AI chatbot admits artificial intelligence can cause the downfall of humanity.) Headless-AD's capability means the AI can adapt to new situations and tasks seamlessly, increasing its flexibility and applicability. According to the researchers, the AI developed using the Headless-AD model was capable of performing five times more actions than it was originally taught. The researchers believe this capability could have wide-ranging applications, from space technologies to smart home assistants. Headless-AD can pass Wozniak's "coffee test" The Headless-AD model's ability to adapt to specific conditions based on generalized data makes it highly versatile. For instance, it could be initially taught basic actions using generalized data and then adapt to the specific conditions of a particular context. This flexibility is expected to enhance its utility in various fields, such as space technologies, where adaptability to different environments is crucial Russian media have suggested that this new AI model might be capable of passing the so-called "coffee test," a challenge first proposed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. The test requires an AI to enter an average American household and figure out how to make coffee, including identifying the coffee machine, understanding the buttons, and locating the coffee cabinet. This task is particularly challenging because, although households share common features, they all have slight variations that typically require an AI to be trained on a specific dataset for each household. Most AI systems struggle with this because performing the same task in a new household would require re-learning on a new dataset. However, the self-adapting nature of the Headless-AD model suggests it could potentially handle this challenge without the need for re-learning, making it a significant advancement in AI capabilities. Head over to Robots.news for more stories about developments in AI. Watch this video of retired Army Gen. Mark Milley on "60 Minutes" explaining the future of warfare and AI in the military. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The SINGULARITY is already here, and humankind may soon be rendered obsolete. Artificial intelligence ChatGPT program successfully passes Bar, medical licensing exams are machines taking over the world? Artificial intelligence is set to affect nearly 40% of all jobs, according to a new analysis by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). AI takeover is INEVITABLE: Experts warn artificial intelligence will become powerful enough to control human minds, behaviors. AI pioneer warns humanity's remaining timeline is only a few more years thanks to the risk that emerging AI tech could destroy the human race. Sources include: RT.com Brighteon.com Murdoch paper explains similarities between Kamalas campaign and Putin-style fakery Rupert Murdochs The Sunday Times, sister paper to The Times of London, has published an article denouncing the efforts of the Democratic Party machine to generate artificial enthusiasm for Vice President Kamala Harris s presidential bid as so inauthentic that Russias Vladimir Putin would be ashamed of it. (Article by Jack Montgomery republished from TheNationalPulse.com) Columnist Camilla Long, despite being unfriendly to former President Donald J. Trump, bemoans the way All [Harriss] faults, flaws, back story are now also being hastily tidied away, as [Joe] Bidens were; the snafus, word salads, border tsar errors drowned out. This is the first true AI election: synthetic candidates are magicked up almost out of nowhere, suddenly given huge projection, campaigns, ready-made armies of Twitter followers. Theyre mere products, Long argues. No one in the Democrats seems to care who is up there, what their politics are, who they represent, just as long as theyre reading the right things and repeating suitably vague catchphrases, all planned for them by faceless committees, she adds. STAGED. The British columnist takes particular issue with one extraordinary clip showing Harris taking a supposedly spontaneous call from Barack and Michelle Obama, with the Vice President feigning surprise as they offer their belated endorsement. To say this video is fiction is to completely understate the incredible lengths to which the Democrats are going to fabricate their candidate. Nothing in it is real: its an entirely staged call; Harris speaks staged words, wearing a microphone in preparation, but then acts if she had no idea the Obamas would be dialling in, Long recounts. Do the Obamas even believe she is the best candidate? I doubt itthey took days to endorse her. Imagine if Putin did any of this, she says. A Biden family source, unhappy at the 81-year-olds ouster as the Democratic nominee, revealed shortly before the Obamas finally endorsed Harris that former President Obama was furious, shocked, and very upset to see the Vice President falling into place as Bidens replacement. Obama knows shes just incompetentthe border czar who never visited the border, saying that all migrants should have health insurance. She cannot navigate the landmines that are ahead of her, said the source. Obama reportedly wanted to see Arizona Senator Mark Kelly at the top of the ticket after a more open renomination process. Read more at: NationalPulse.com If you thought Biden was bad, wait for President Kamala In just two short minutes, 2024 presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr. destroyed the entire political career of Kamala Harris simply be revealing her disastrous platform. As bad as Joe Biden has been, Kamala is a whole new animal that has much worse things in store for America than the nightmare Biden was able to unleash in his 42 months (three-and-a-half years) in the White House. Firstly, Kamala is planning to ban all fracking and offshore drilling in the United States. This will create an energy crisis that is much worse than the current one with gasoline and natural gas prices soaring to new highs. Instead of supporting equal opportunity for all as the Constitution stipulates, Kamala is devoted to creating "equal outcomes for all." And she plans to accomplish this by expanding the size of big government and its deficit spending to even larger numbers. While many countries throughout Europe provide taxpayer-funded healthcare for their taxpaying citizens, Kamala wants to offer "free" healthcare and housing for the tens of millions of illegal aliens that continue to flood the nation unabated. Watch the roughly two-minute video of RFK Jr. spilling the tea on Kamala below: RFK Jr. in 2 minutes just shredded Kamala Harris entire political career. pic.twitter.com/pryDjX3QGe End Tribalism in Politics (@EndTribalism) July 21, 2024 (Related: If Biden had followed through on not dropping out unless God told him to, Democrats were planning to unleash a "loophole" of rebellion to force him out of the race.) Kamala once rated "most liberal" senator in Congress Kamala is all about the false flag hoaxes that big government continues to use to thwart Americans' constitutional rights while deconstructing civil society. These include false flag incidents like Jussie Smollett, George Floyd, the Charlottesville shooting, "Biden is healthy," Russiagate and more. Like most of her predecessors, Kamala is a war hawk who wants more pain and suffering overseas, all so Wall Street can rake in record profits. She further supports Black Lives Matter (BLM), the "defund the police" movement, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and other anti-white ethnic cleansing measures championed by the left. At one point in time, Kamala was ranked the "most liberal" senator in Congress, which explains why she wants to pack the Supreme Court with far-left extremists who will create the law rather than interpret and judge it as the Constitution stipulates. Right now, Congress has a pretty big roadblock, the filibuster, that blocks its more extreme members from passing of radical legislation. Kamala wants to do away with the filibuster entirely so U.S. politics can shift much further left with greater ease. Other negative points to Kamala's platform include the fact that she is a climate change fanatic who wants the government to limit the amount of red meat Americans eat because cows are contributing to "global warming," she insists. The Second Amendment is also on Kamala's chopping block as the right to bear arms is a serious threat to Democrats as they pursue a radical transformation of American culture to more closely resemble their doctrines and dogmas. In many ways, Kamala represents the worst that far-left politicians like Biden, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), California Gov. Gavin Newsom and others are pushing both in their own states and across the entire nation. "Kamala Harris isn't the change voters want because she is promising no change at all," one independent media outlet reported about the situation. "At least she's honest. Biden promised to be a moderate and a healer. How'd that work out?" "Vote for me, I'm dumb but honest. Hmmm, could that work? Somehow I doubt that is the message voters want to hear." Who do you think will become the next ruler of the United States? Find out more at BigGovernment.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com Elon Musk claims Kamala Harris is an extinctionist who wants everyone on Earth DEAD Elon Musk has accused Vice President Kamala Harris of wanting the human race to meet extinction in defense of Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-OH). The 2021 Fox News interview with Tucker Carlson featuring Vance, which recently resurfaced and went viral after Hillary Clinton shared the clip on X, has faced backlash due to his controversial comment regarding the leadership in America. In the interview, Vance criticized several prominent Democrats, including Harris, whom he called "childless cat ladies." "We are effectively run in this country via the Democrats, via our corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too. How does it make any sense that weve turned our country over to people who dont really have a direct stake in it?" Vance said at the time. Harris, who does not have biological children, is a stepmother to her husband Doug Emhoff's two children, Cole, 29, and Ella, 25. Those two kids supposedly affectionately call her "Momala," and their biological mother, Kerstin Emhoff, has also defended Harris against Vance, stressing that Harris has taken on an active role in their blended family. Prominent figures from various sectors, including actress Jennifer Aniston, also criticized Vance. Aniston, who has spoken about her fertility struggles, slammed Vance on Instagram for his stance against in vitro fertilization. "I truly can't believe this is coming from a potential VP of The United States," Aniston wrote. "All I can say is Mr. Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day. I hope she will not need to turn to IVF as a second option. Because you are trying to take that away from her too." Meanwhile, Musk, known for his outspoken views on population growth and the future of humanity, entered the fray by describing Harris as an "extinctionist." "Shamala is an extinctionist. The natural extension of her philosophy would be a de facto holocaust for all of humanity!" Musk wrote on X, using a derogatory nickname for Harris. His comments underscore his long-standing belief that declining birth rates threaten civilization. "It's completely the opposite," Musk stated in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. "If people don't have more children, civilization is going to crumble. Mark my words." Vance remains unapologetic with his statement despite ongoing backlash Vance has remained unapologetic amid the backlash and clarified that he harbors no ill will toward cats or those unable to have children. Instead of apologizing, Vance posted a clip of Harris discussing "climate anxiety" among young people, in which she questioned whether it made sense to consider having children given the current environmental concerns. (Related: Kamala Harris hired an illegal immigrant WHO ATTACKED A WOMAN to be part of jobs program while serving as San Franciscos DA.) "WATCH: Resurfaced video shows Kamala Harris suggesting that young people should not have children due to climate change," Donald Trump Jr. wrote as he shared a clip of Harris' interview. "She calls climate anxiety 'the fear of the future and the unknown of whether it makes sense for you to even think about having children.'" As a response, Vance commented: "It's almost like these people don't want young people starting families or something. Really weird stuff." Visit KamalaHarris.news for similar stories. Watch Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claiming that Vice President Kamala Harris was part of the cover-up of Joe Biden's cognitive decline. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Kamala Harris secures endorsements from top Democrats except Barack Obama. Congress already trying to IMPEACH Kamala Harris for mismanaging southern border, hiding Bidens cognitive decline. VP Kamala Harris a descendant of notorious Irish slave owner in Jamaica. Obama refrains from endorsing Kamala Harris in his statement about Bidens withdrawal. Democrats quietly prepping to anoint a NEW nominee thats NOT Kamala Harris who will it be? Sources include: Mediaite.com ABC7.com Brighteon.com French bishops condemn Olympic mockery of Christianity The Bishops Conference of France has denounced the organizers of the Olympic Games over an LGBTQ-themed parody of the Last Supper during the event's opening ceremony. The organizers have claimed that the performance reflected their values and principles. (Article republished from RT.com) The ceremony, which took place in central Paris on Friday night, concluded with a troupe of drag queens, homosexuals, and transsexuals posing at a table, as Jesus Christ and his apostles appeared in Leonardo Da Vincis The Last Supper. A giant serving dish was then wheeled out in front of the table, from which emerged a mostly naked man made up to resemble Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and festivity. Throughout the performance, a male dancers exposed testicles could be seen behind the table. This ceremony unfortunately included scenes in which Christianity was mocked and ridiculed, which we deeply regret, the Bishops Conference said in a statement on Saturday. We thank the members of other religious denominations who have expressed their solidarity with us, the statement continued. This morning we think of all Christians on all continents who have been hurt by the exaggeration and provocation of some scenes. The ceremony was condemned by Christians and conservatives around the world. Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota called the performance a gross mockery of the Last Supper, while Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini declared that opening the Olympics by insulting billions of Christians across the world was a really bad start for France. SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk described the spectacle as extremely disrespectful to Christians, while tech entrepreneur Dr. Eli David wrote that even as a Jew, he was infuriated by this outrageous insult to Jesus and Christianity. Olympic organizers have defended the opening show. We imagined a ceremony to show our values and our principles so we gave a very committed message, Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet told reporters on Saturday. The idea was to really trigger a reflection. We wanted to have a message as strong as possible. Our idea was inclusion, added Thomas Jolly, the ceremonys artistic director. We wanted to talk about diversity. Diversity means being together. We wanted to include everybody. Read more at: RT.com Hackers leak sensitive information from one of U.S. governments largest IT service providers Hackers have leaked internal documents from Leidos Holdings Inc. , exposing sensitive information from one of the largest IT services providers to the U.S. government. Leidos, based in Virginia and a key contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense, is believed to have originated from a previously reported compromise of a Diligent Corp. system used by Leidos. This system hosted information gathered during internal investigations. The company confirmed that the issue stemmed from a prior incident involving a third-party vendor, for which all necessary notifications were made in 2023. Leidos emphasized that its own network and any sensitive customer data were not affected by this breach. (Related: FOREIGN HACKERS target water infrastructure in Pennsylvania, prompting calls for increased cybersecurity.) "This incident did not affect our network or any sensitive customer data," Leidos stated. The company is currently investigating the matter to determine the full extent of the leak and its potential implications. A spokesperson for Diligent Corp. linked the issue to a 2022 incident affecting its subsidiary, Steele Compliance Solutions. Diligent had notified impacted customers and taken corrective measures to contain the incident in November 2022. The recent leak suggests that documents taken during this earlier breach are now being disseminated by hackers. The exposure of these documents underscores the persistent challenges in safeguarding sensitive information, particularly for contractors handling critical government data. Leidos and Diligent Corp. are working closely to address the ramifications of this leak and enhance their cybersecurity protocols to prevent future incidents. As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, the need for robust security measures and vigilant monitoring becomes ever more critical, especially for organizations serving as key contractors to government agencies. Common types of security incidents Cybercriminals use various tactics to exploit technology for financial gain. Here are the most common types of security incidents and how to prevent them: Unauthorized access attacks Attackers gain unauthorized access using an authorized user's account. Preventive measures: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Require additional verification after username and password entry. Data Encryption: Encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit. Privilege escalation attacks Attackers gain unauthorized access and then attempt to obtain higher privileges. Preventive measures: Vulnerability Assessments: Regularly assess and fix security vulnerabilities. Principle of Least Privilege: Limit user access to the minimum necessary permissions. Security Monitoring Tools: Collect and analyze potential security threats. Insider threat attacks Threats from employees, former employees, or third parties. Preventive measures: Spyware and Antivirus Programs: Implement robust scanning and firewalls. Security Awareness Training: Train all users on security best practices. Employee Monitoring Software: Identify and mitigate risks from insiders. Data Loss Prevention Policy: Clearly communicate data handling expectations. Phishing attacks Attackers impersonate reputable entities via email to distribute malicious code or links. Preventive measures: Gateway Email Filters: Trap phishing emails. User Education: Train users to identify phishing attempts. Malware attacks Malware includes Trojans, worms, ransomware and spyware. Preventive measures: Antivirus Tools: Install antivirus software for real-time protection and routine scans. Monitoring Unusual Activity: Be alert for signs of malware. Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) Attacks Attackers flood systems with traffic to shut them down. Preventive measures: System Reboot: Reboot to resolve the attack. Firewall and Router Configuration: Block unwanted traffic and update security patches. Man-in-the-middle (MitM) Attacks Attackers intercept and alter communications between two parties. Preventive measures: Encryption Protocols: Implement TLS or SSH. Education on Public Wi-Fi: Inform employees about the risks and encourage VPN use. Password attacks Attackers attempt to obtain passwords using various methods. Preventive measures: Multi-Factor Authentication: Require MFA for all logins. Strong Password Policies: Enforce the use of strong, unique passwords. Web application attacks Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in web applications. Preventive measures: Code Review: Conduct thorough code reviews. Bot Detection: Prevent bots from accessing data. Web Application Firewall: Monitor and block potential attacks. Understanding these security incidents and implementing preventive measures can significantly enhance your organization's cybersecurity. Follow CyberWar.news for more stories about hackers stealing data from private and government-owned companies. Watch this video that talks about someone predicting a cyberattack. This video is from the Covid Times channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Cybersecurity official warns: Americans must prepare for CYBERATTACKS from Chinese hackers. Cybersecurity expert successfully builds PROPAGANDA MACHINE that can mass produce AI-generated DISINFORMATION. Hackers stole "nearly all" records of customer calls, texts from AT&T. Sources include: Yournews.com Reciprocity.com Vaccine advocate Peter Hotez calls for use of police, military against anti-vaccine aggression Vaccine advocate and pharmaceutical industry insider Dr. Peter Hotez , long a proponent of the COVID-19 vaccine, said he favors deploying police and military powers against anti-vaxers, whom he blamed for causing hundreds of thousands of deaths during the pandemic. (Article by Michael Nevradakis, Ph.D. republished from ChildrenHealthDefense.org) During an interview July 5 at the Simposio Internacional de Actualizacion en Pediatria (International Symposium of Pediatric Updates) in Cartagena, Colombia, Hotez suggested organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and NATO should target anti-vaccine aggression. Hotez said: What Ive said to the Biden administration is, the health sector cant solve this on its own. Were going to have to bring in Homeland Security, the Commerce Department, Justice Department to help us understand how to do this. Ive said the same with I met with Dr. Tedros [director general of the WHO] last month to say, I dont know that the World Health Organization can solve this on our own. We need the other United Nations agencies. NATO. This is a security problem because its no longer a theoretical construct or some arcane academic exercise. Two hundred thousand Americans died because of anti-vaccine aggression, anti-science aggression. And so, this is now a lethal force and now I feel as a pediatric vaccine scientist its important, just as important for me to make new vaccines, to save lives. The other side of saving lives is countering this anti-vaccine aggression. Send in all the militaries to ensure uptake of the sacred vaccines. https://t.co/eRneDbw3eQ Paul D. Thacker (@thackerpd) July 24, 2024 The full interview was available on YouTube until Wednesday evening, when it was removed. The Defender obtained a video recording of the full interview. Hotez is dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor University College of Medicine and director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Childrens Hospital, one of the sponsors of the symposium, which was organized by the Colombian Pediatric Society. Aside from being a vaccine proponent and developer he helped develop the Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine which was administered in India and has received at least $30 million in vaccine development grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Hotez has crusaded against so-called misinformation about vaccines. In March, The Hill reported that Hotez has found a parallel career fighting misinformation. Hotez finds his efforts to combat misinformation to be meaningful, and says pushing back on the anti-vaccine movement is just as important as developing vaccines, The Hill wrote. Hotez also holds six patents on the hookworm (helminth) vaccine, and has several listed patent applications as well, including those for SARS-CoV2 vaccines. Peter has cashed in significantly on the COVID-19 pandemic and gets a lot of money when shots go into arms, said Brian Hooker, Chief Scientific Officer for Childrens Health Defense (CHD). In his July 5 interview, Hotez called for more stringent action against anti-vaxers, whom he connected to entities such as the Russian government, and called for medical schools to educate new doctors about anti-vaccine sentiment. Anti-science and anti-vaxxer are propaganda terms Hotez uses to establish a power dynamic over anyone who disagrees with him, said cardiologist Dr. Peter McCullough. Now Hotez is calling for a security state to enforce his propaganda instead of engaging in much needed dialogue over vaccine safety with a critical appraisal of short- and long-term side effects from the routine childhood vaccine schedule, including the COVID-19 shots, McCullough added. According to Harvey Risch, M.D., Ph.D., professor emeritus and senior research scientist in epidemiology (chronic diseases) at the Yale School of Public Health: Hotez has spent his entire career developing vaccines which have not achieved success in commercial use. His demands to impose public health martial law are reminiscent of the Comite de salut public Committee of Public Safety that Robespierre used to murder his political opponents [during the French Revolution]. For Francis Boyle, J.D., Ph.D., professor of international law at the University of Illinois, Hotezs suggestions are a call to violate established international human rights law. Coercing vaccines upon human beings without their informed and voluntary consent violates the Nuremberg Code on Medical Experimentation, which is a crime against humanity, Boyle said. What we see at work here with Hotez is the Nazi mentality that pervades so many vaccinologists like him. Hotez is revealing his true colors. Independent journalist Paul D. Thacker has investigated Hotez for his site, The Disinformation Chronicle. He said, This crackpot idea that we should deploy military forces to deal with moms worried about vaccine side effects and children doesnt that speak for itself? Dr. Sukharit Bhakdi, a microbiologist, questioned Hotezs scientific credentials: Simple fact: Hotez is not a real scientist. He has never published any research article based on true scientific research. His publications transmit his personal opinions and beliefs. He has not conducted a single valid vaccine trial and has zero data to back his claims. He has been on the globalist team together with [Dr. Anthony] Fauci et al. and is now turning to violence to silence all dissenters. This very fact disqualifies him as a physician. His evolution over the course of the pandemic is curious as he has become more and more shrill as time goes on, Hooker said. It seems he is trying to extend his 15 minutes of fame by jumping the shark and inciting gestapo-like measures against anti-vaxers and science deniers. His definition of science is very Fauci-esque indeed. Claim that unvaccinated caused hundreds of thousands of deaths an obvious untruth During his July 5 interview, Hotez asserted that the unvaccinated were responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said: Theres anti-vaccine activity in every country, and each has its own unique national flavor. But the part that Im worried about now is something very dark and accelerating in the United States. And the most dramatic evidence for that is what happened during the COVID pandemic My estimate is 200,000 Americans died needlessly because they refused COVID vaccines in 2021, 2022. Hotez did not provide evidence supporting this figure, but it was similar to claims made by Dr. Anthony Fauci during Congressional testimony last month. Without citing evidence, Fauci said the unvaccinated are probably responsible for an additional 200,000-300,000 deaths in the U.S. Risch called this claim an obvious untruth. In the face of repeated major empirical CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] evidence and CDCs public acknowledgement that the mRNA vaccines largely failed to reduce COVID transmission, Hotez absurdly claims that people choosing not to vaccinate themselves have contributed more to deaths from COVID than all of the large-scale breakthrough infections among vaccinated people, Risch said. McCullough said, Hotez presumes COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective as any vaccinologist would dream. Sadly, his fantasy was over before it started. The COVID-19 vaccines were unsafe and failed to reduce hospitalization and death in prospective randomized trials or in valid observational studies. They never stopped transmission. All experts, including Hotez, agreed theoretical protection from COVID-19 vaccines was just a few months, requiring frequent boosters, McCullough added. Hotez calls parents who choose not to vaccinate their children victims In his interview, Hotez called for action including more censorship to counter what he called a dark and accelerating and dangerous anti-vaccine movement in the U.S. and globally that is expanding and extending to childhood immunizations in the United States. My worry is that this anti-vaccine movement, and its not misinformation or [an] infodemic, as many call it, its organized, its deliberate, its well-financed and its politically motivated I worry thats now globalizing to other countries on the African continent, in Asia and even Latin America, he added. On the topic of childhood vaccinations, Hotez said, Parents who choose not to vaccinate their kids are victims of this campaign, and called for medical schools to train doctors on how to respond to parents who oppose vaccinations. Pediatricians need to understand what the anti-vaccine ecosystem is, how its organized, how it operates, and to get educated about it, he said. I think thats a first step in our medical schools, in our pediatric residency training, in our conferences like this, being able to describe what this anti-vaccine monster looks like. But for journalist Rodney Palmer, formerly of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the increasing reluctance of parents to vaccinate their children is due to mounting concerns about vaccine safety. He said: The rising movement questioning the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines appears to be based on mounting evidence from government health data collection agencies and the life insurance industry. The fraud and cover-up of ivermectin as an effective prevention and treatment of COVID-19 caused a segment of the population to question the official guidance around vaccines more so once they were mandated. Hotez blamed legacy and traditional media, as well as foreign governments, for fueling anti-vaccine sentiments. Fox News is now a source of anti-vaccine disinformation, Hotez said. If the parents are watching Fox News every night They are going to be coming into your practice believing disinformation. Turning to social media, Hotez said, Twitter, since Elon Musk has taken it over, has become an anti-vaccine site dominated by anti-vaccine groups and individuals who are monetizing the internet. Theyre selling fake autism cures because they say vaccines cause autism, which they dont. Hotez continues to be active on Twitter now known as X. Adversarial foreign governments are also to blame for propagating anti-vaccine rhetoric, according to Hotez. For instance, the Russian government, the Putin government, is spreading anti-vaccine propaganda. The goal of this is to destabilize society and to have caused people to question authority, he said. Hotez did not provide any information to support this claim. Russia produces the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, under the auspices of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and The Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology an arm of the Russian federal government. Hotez calls anti-vaccine movement a tool of the far-right Hotez also used the interview as an opportunity to plug his upcoming book, The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science: A Scientists Warning. He said the book describes [the anti-vaccine] ecosystem and its political leanings in detail. According to the books publisher, Johns Hopkins University Press, Hotez explains how anti-science became a major societal and lethal force and how the anti-vaccine movement became a tool of far-right political figures around the world. In 2022, Hotez fiercely criticized looming Congressional hearings into a possible lab-leak origin of COVID-19 and whether the National Institutes of Health (NIH) prematurely discredited the hypothesis, dismissing this as an outlandish conspiracy. However, Hotezs own 2012 to 2017 NIH grant totaling $6.1 million for the development of a SARS vaccine had the aim of responding to any accidental release from a laboratory, in addition to a possible zoonotic (or natural) spillover of the virus. In a June 2023 interview with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., CHDs chairman on leave, podcaster Joe Rogan offered to donate $100,000 to a charity of Hotezs choice if he agreed to debate Kennedy. Hotez with the support of several legacy news media outlets and the American Medical Association refused Rogans offer. He later claimed on social media that a couple of anti-vaxers stalked and taunted him outside his home after he declined the offer to debate Kennedy. Read more at: ChildrenHealthDefense.org Kamala Harris loves transgender child mutilation and other degenerate LGBT perversion Last summer, Vice President Kamala Harris hosted an LGBTQ+ Pride Month reception at her official Washington, D.C., residence , this marking the second time that a sitting vice president has ever done such a thing the first one was held in 2022, also by Kamala at her personal D.C. residence. Kamala appeared in the following photo, taken on June 28, 2023, alongside a "trans woman," also known as a biological male, named "Sasha Colby" who moonlights as a drag queen. Drag queens were featured front and center at Kamala's 2022 pride shindig, as well as again at this year's 2024 pride celebration. On all three pride occasions, Kamala made sure to prominently feature drag queens in order to keep them at the forefront and in the spotlight as part of her agenda. Kamala also loves bringing drag queens to public schools where innocent children are exposed to their perversions. Kamala openly supports two new laws signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom that allow teachers and administrators to deceive or keep secret from parents their children's "trans" or "gay" identities, all the while giving instructors free rein to indoctrinate children into the Cult of LGBTQ+ in the classroom. The second Newsom law Kamala supports allows parents from other states where such abominations are prohibited to come to California to undergo "transition" procedures there instead, even if a child's other parent opposes the mutilations. (Fact check: Joe Biden did appoint Kamala Harris to be America's open borders czar.) Kamala Harris has never prosecuted a single case of sexual abuse by pedophiles Those familiar with Kamala's political career know that she used to be District Attorney of San Francisco as well as Attorney General of California. In neither position did Kamala ever even once prosecute a case of child sexual abuse by pedophiles. Not only did Kamala let pedophiles off the hook, she also went a step further to protect them by hiding their records showing sex crimes against children. In other words, Kamala loves pedophiles and could be one herself. Kamala has further ties to a political action committee (PAC) called the DRAG PAC that has as its mission to "educate, invigorate and motivate the LGBTQ voter base." "DRAG PAC is a collective of DRAG entertainers and seasoned queer professionals who have banded together to educate, invigorate and motivate the LGBTQ voter base," the highly corrupt ActBlue donations website explains. The DRAG PAC is expected to donate large sums of cash to the Kamala campaign since Kamala is one of the LGBTQ+ community's loudest supporters. Kamala also wants the federal government to eliminate all biological links to sex and gender by recognizing transgenderism, also known as gender dysphoria, as normal rather than a sign of serious mental illness. "Take careful note of the type of person that Kamala is," one commenter wrote. Another quoted Romans 1:28-32 as a description of Kamala's voter base: "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." "Can anyone find a righteous man (or woman) in D.C.?" asked another. "This sickness has permeated everything." More related news about the LGBTQ+ takeover of the world, visit Transhumanism.news. Sources for this article include: CRTXnews.com NaturalNews.com Breitbart.com BlueLetterBible.org Kansas legally charges Pfizer for misleading the public about its so-called COVID-19 vaccine Any person who objected to the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines was slandered, censored and de-platformed for spreading deadly misinformation. Doctors who warned about the COVID-19 vaccine were stripped of their medical license and ostracized by the medical community. Only one narrative was allowed: that vaccines are "safe and effective." During this time of great deception, pharmaceutical giants were openly allowed to exploit the population with their genetic experiments that replicate bioweapons in human cells. Now, after three years of plundering the world with their narratives of fear and control, pharmaceutical companies are facing enormous backlash. Entire states are taking action against the pharmaceutical companies that lied to the American people and the rest of the world. Case in point, the state of Kansas is now charging Pfizer for making multiple false claims and misleading the public about its COVID-19 vaccine. The legal action, submitted to the District Court of Thomas County, accuses Pfizer of breaching the Kansas Consumer Protection Act by misrepresenting the vaccine's effectiveness and hiding known risks. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages from Pfizer, a company that has a felonious record and a history of succumbing to major settlements for perpetrating fraud. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach stated, "Pfizer made multiple misleading statements to deceive the public about its vaccine at a time when Americans needed the truth." Vaccines "are safe and effective" narrative is crumbling As the vaccine narrative begins the crumble, the world is learning that the misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines was perpetrated by the pharmaceutical companies -- not concerned citizens, not watchdog groups and not medical freedom advocates. The companies behind this global experiment knowingly made false claims about a product that had serious, life-threatening risks and no evidence of efficacy. These charges are just the beginning of health freedom advocates being vindicated. First off, Pfizer claims that their product is a vaccine. During the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) changed the definition of vaccine to accommodate the failures of the mRNA experiment. The CDC's 2018 definition stated that a vaccine is "a product that stimulates a persons immune system to produce immunity to a specific disease, protecting the person from that disease." By September of 2021, the CDC changed that definition to A preparation that is used to stimulate the bodys immune response against diseases. Not only does the COVID-19 vaccine fail to produce immunity to a specific disease, but it also fails to protect the individual from the advertised disease and fails to stimulate an enduring immune response against any disease. Kansas charges Pfizer on four counts of misinformation and false claims The concealment of pregnancy risks: Shortly after Pfizer rolled out their product, they hid evidence that linked their vaccine to pregnancy complications, including miscarriage risks and shedding risks that put unvaccinated, pregnant mothers at risk if they are in close quarters with people who were recently vaccinated. Dismissing the risk of heart inflammation: Kansas provides evidence that Pfizer concealed the link between their product and myocarditis and pericarditis (inflammation in and around the heart). The initial Pfizer documents detailed these serious risks, and mentioned the risk of antibody dependent enhancement, which causes vaccinated individuals to experience more severe disease when they are exposed to the causative agent later on. Overstating vaccine effectiveness against new coronavirus strains: Kansas also accuses Pfizer of falsely advertising its vaccine as a preventative for future strains of coronavirus. Because coronaviruses rapidly mutate and eventually develop new characteristics, there is no scientific precedent for a vaccine to work definitively against future variants. However, Pfizer maintained that their vaccine was effective against all mutations of the original strain. Misleading the public about preventing transmission: Kansas calls out Pfizer for falsely claiming that their vaccine would prevent a specific disease and stop the transmission of that disease. This falsehood was debunked early on, as breakthrough cases became the norm and immunity to infection waned within two months, if it ever existed in the first place. This led to recurrent infections for the vaccinated and severe outcomes that were deceptively and unanimously reported (without evidence) as milder compared to an infection in the unvaccinated. With these credible charges now looming, Pfizer must face repercussions for lying, manipulating and deceiving the public about a dangerous and deadly experiment that was coerced onto the world population. Sources include: Greenmedinfo.com Justice.gov TheEpochTimes.com ChildrensHealthDefense.org [PDF] NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov NaturalNews.com IDSociety.org Saveusnow.org.uk Maduro pledges to publicly release full Venezuelan election data to validate his win while ordering the arrest of opposition leaders In accordance with international demands, Nicolas Maduro, the newly elected leader of Venezuela, is promising to release all voting records to confirm his win. After the left-wing Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva government of Brazil refused to congratulate Maduro following Sunday's election, Maduro responded that he plans to be fully transparent in proving to the world that he won fair and square. With mounting pressure from not just Brazil but also Colombia and other nations to publicly verify the election results, Maduro met with Celso Amorim, Lula's chief foreign affairs adviser, to discuss the matter. As of this writing, at least nine Latin American countries are choosing to remain silent about the Venezuelan election, which marks Maduro's third term in office. Here in the United States, the White House said it is "reviewing" available data to look for "signs" that the official results do not "reflect the will of the people." Opposition party Voluntad Popular announced on X following the election that Freddy Superlano, its national coordinator, was detained by Maduro's security services. The reason likely has to do with opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez's claim that he won and that the election was stolen. "We've seen this movie before," commented Maduro about claims he stole the election. "We have been following all of the acts of violence promoted by the extreme right." Venezuela Defense Minister: "We reaffirm the most absolute loyalty and unconditional support to Nicolas Maduro Moros, Constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Our Commander in Chief, legitimately reelected by the People's Power.." pic.twitter.com/vZFKb4KQtT Camila (@camilapress) July 30, 2024 (Related: Business is booming for doomsday bunker companies as the rich and restless hunker down in anticipation of global chaos and destruction.) Maduro says U.S. responsible for "color revolutions" sweeping Venezuela The protests and rioting that erupted across Venezuela following the election, including the burning of political party headquarters, are the result of "color revolutions" that Maduro says were "designed by Americans." "It's a script," he said. Around the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, crowds formed to protest the election results. Many protesters came armed, including with petrol bombs, prompting a big police response. Armed government forces are reportedly forming gangs to patrol the city on motorcycles, which was also seen in 2019 during the last round of protests. "Videos from across the country, from Charallave to Caucaguita, show crowds banging their pots a rattling cacophony so loud it can be heard from far away across an entire city," CNN correspondents reported. "CNN teams witnessed dozens of national guard soldiers in riot gear repressing the mostly peaceful protests with tear gas and batons." Gonzalez, meanwhile, held a press conference claiming to have evidence in possession showing that Maduro stole the election. "I speak to you with the calmness of the truth," Gonzalez told a crowd of supporters. "We have in our hands the tally sheets that demonstrate our categorical and mathematically irreversible victory." Said tally sheets allegedly show that Maduro received only around 2.7 million votes while Gonzalez took 6.2 million votes. The same type of situation happened back in 2019 as well when opposition leader Juan Guaido tried to launch a coup with help from the United States. Donald Trumps National Security Advisor John Bolton in 2019: Our sanctions on Venezuela have frozen $7 billion in PDVSAs assets and will cost Venezuela?? $11 billion of lost revenue in the next year Socialism didnt destroy Venezuela, US sanctions did pic.twitter.com/srpiVrIBnl Afshin Rattansi (@afshinrattansi) July 30, 2024 "The U.S. loves initiating, funding, supporting, and providing weapons for insurrections in other countries," one commenter wrote. "All with printed fiat." More related news can be found at Rigged.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com News / National by Staff reporter President Mnangagwa has pledged Zimbabwe's support for Zambia's candidate, Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo, in his bid for the African Development Bank (AfDB) presidency in next year's election. Dr. Maimbo, currently the vice president at the World Bank, is one of over five candidates from various African countries vying for the position.Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema sent former Vice President Enock Kavindele to meet with President Mnangagwa to secure Zimbabwe's backing. Kavindele, highlighting his long-standing friendship with Mnangagwa from their days in Zambia's United National Independence Party (UNIP), expressed gratitude for Zimbabwe's support.President Mnangagwa reaffirmed this support, emphasizing their shared history and commitment to backing Dr. Maimbo's candidacy for the AfDB presidency. Dr. Maimbo's current role at the World Bank involves overseeing budget alignment with strategic priorities, financial sustainability, and efficiency targets. Stephen Brady talks about shocking SCANDALS involving the Catholic Church Even a respected institution like the Catholic Church is mired in controversy. The Church has long been involved in financial and sex scandals. Stephen Brady from the Roman Catholic Faithful talked about the appalling extent of financial and sexual corruption in the Church during his appearance on "The John-Henry Westen Show." According to Brady, he first encountered corruption in the Church when his children were exposed to pornographic sexual education material in public schools in the mid-1990s. Because he knew that Catholic teachers and school board members who distributed Communion at the local parish were involved in the issue, Brady tried to talk to his priest and bishop. But his efforts were in vain even after presenting documentation of the pornographic materials from the sex-ed program. Next, Brady wrote to other priests in the diocese. He then discovered that his bishop, the late Daniel Leo Ryan, was "involved with picking up teenage boys off the street and having his way with them." Brady believed he could bring up the issues to the rest of the hierarchy, but he soon found out that the hierarchy was also part of the problem. (Related: Former Vatican chief auditor claims he was forced to resign after "digging too deep" into Vatican corruption.) When Westen asked if the American hierarchy has made any changes for the better in light of sexual abuse in the Church, Brady answered that things haven't improved. Even if other people claimed that bishops are unable to go "too far" due to fear of persecution, Brady added that they have an "obligation to do what is right before God." Brady also said members of the hierarchy that he talked to did not clarify anything, even to correct him if he was wrong. Brady also criticized the hierarchy, which doesn't seem interested in correcting the problems within the Church. While talking about the existence of canceled priests, he explained that "canon law means nothing" because none have had due process. The Church is also rife with corruption issues Brady also mentioned that there are instances of money laundering aside from sexual corruption in the Church, and that the public can only see "the tip of the iceberg." When talking about the details of a case about Benjamin Seryani, a Jordanian that he knows, Brady explained that the former did not realize he was involved in alleged money laundering for corrupt Church officials until he started issuing bills for work that was never being done. Westen and Brady also discussed the latter's motivation for addressing corruption within the Church. Brady noted that if more members of the hierarchy spoke up against corruption from its highest part, it would "force" the Church hierarchy to address the matter. In 2021, the Vatican began its historic prosecution of Cardinal Angelo Becciu. Becciu and other defendants were accused of extortion, fraud, money laundering and the misuse of Vatican funds, including funds donated by American Catholics to the Peters Pence collection. Before the trial, Becciu had been one of the highest-ranking officials at the Vatican. On Dec. 16, 2023, a Vatican court ruled that Becciu had engaged in embezzlement by using 200 million euros ($217 million) in Church funds to make speculative investments that "violated the provisions on the administration of ecclesiastical property." After his trial, Becciu was sentenced to more than five years in prison. However, even though Becciu's conviction confirmed that some members of the Vatican were guilty of financial corruption, it also revealed how the Church in the United States has allowed that corruption. For years, the U.S. Church has provided the Vatican with millions of dollars in donations. However, the U.S. Church also did not impose restrictions on the Vatican's use of those donations, which allowed financial abuses to continue. Because of Becciu's conviction, there is now an opportunity for the U.S. Church to ask the Vatican to enforce strict financial safeguards to help prevent another financial scandal. Visit Corruption.news for more stories about corruption. Watch the video below to find out why there is low Church attendance in America. This video is from the Counter Culture Mom channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Collapse incoming: Pope Francis orders Holy See to transfer all assets to Vatican Bank to protect the Churchs finances. IMPOSTOR Pope Francis trying to replace Catholic leaders with demonic globalist cabal. Former Vatican Auditor General sues Holy See for nearly $10 million, threatens to reveal financial corruption. Pope Francis REMOVES Puerto Rican bishop for opposing satanic vaccine mandates. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com CBC.ca FirstThings.com Brighteon.com Trump vows to BAN central bank digital currencies: There will never be a CBDC while I am president Former President Donald Trump has reiterated that, when he wins his second term in the White House, he will ban central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in the United States. He made his stance clear once again during a speech on Saturday, July 27, at the Bitcoin Conference 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee, saying: "There will never be a CBDC while I am president." This statement echoes his previous comments on the matter, where he has consistently expressed strong opposition to the idea of a CBDC. He believes that such a currency would give the government too much control over people's money and could potentially lead to financial tyranny. Trump added that he will defend the right of cryptocurrency owners for self-custody and to create a framework for the expansion of stablecoins, or cryptocurrencies whose values are pegged to reference assets, in this case, the U.S. dollar. Trump believes creating such a framework will expand the dominance of the U.S. dollar. (Related: Trump announces plans to reject CBDCs, promote free speech in AI, ban government censorship, and defund censorship institutions.) Trump's firm stance underscores the escalating discussions surrounding CBDCs, a significant matter among global governmental bodies. To date, only a few countries have officially adopted such currencies. However, the digital currency landscape continues to evolve, with China advancing the implementation of its digital yuan, India progressing towards a digital rupee, and the European Central Bank initiating a preparatory phase for a potential digital euro. CBDCs represent a significant evolution in the architecture of money. These digital forms of fiat currency, issued and regulated by a countrys central bank, promise enhanced efficiency in transactions and greater financial inclusion. However, they also pose potential risks to civil liberties that merit careful consideration, including concerns over privacy, surveillance and financial exclusion. Trump promises to support Bitcoin from the White House At the Bitcoin Conference, Trump declared that, during his second term, he will turn the U.S. into the "crypto capital" of the world and a "Bitcoin superpower" by expanding the mining of bitcoin. Supporting this objective, Trump also pledged to keep 100 percent of all Bitcoin that the federal government currently holds, which he said will serve as the core of the U.S.'s "strategic national bitcoin stockpile." Trump also promised to fire Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler "on day one" and appoint a new chair that will be more friendly to the cryptocurrency industry. In addition, he pledged to create an advisory council for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, whose objectives include designing regulatory guidance for Bitcoin and crypto for the government moving forward. Trump promised that the "anti-crypto crusade" of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris "will be over" on the day he takes office. "It will end. It will be done," he said. "The moment I'm sworn in, the persecution stops and the weaponization ends against your industry." Biden's exit from the presidential race has breathed new life into America's struggling crypto community, believing that a new, Republican administration would provide them with a softer regulatory approach. Watch this video discussing a report from the World Economic Forum explaining how nearly every central bank in the world is preparing to launch its own CBDC. This video is from the Thrivetime Show channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: House passes bill prohibiting Fed from issuing "surveillance tool" CBDC unless authorized by Congress. OBEY: World Economic Forum white paper claims 98% of central banks are in the process of adopting CBDCs. Gold research firm explains Bitcoin's intrinsic value: It cannot be easily confiscated by government. BIG BROTHER ALERT: CBDC projects around the world not installing privacy safeguards, British privacy organization finds. Bitcoin a THREAT to America's DEEP STATE; Space Force head calls for exploration of blockchain tech. Sources include: ReclaimTheNet.org Fortune.com Brighteon.com British newspapers highlight RISKS of a CASHLESS SOCIETY after major global IT outage British newspapers have warned of the risks that come with moving toward a cashless society in light of the global IT outage that affected Microsoft systems. According to independent journalist Nick Corbishley, the mainstream media has "played a key role in advancing the Global War on Cash a war that began with no official declaration but in which propaganda, as with all wars, is a vital weapon." The IT outage caused by a faulty security update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike "appears to have shaken some British media outlets' confidence in the idea of a fully cashless society." The failure of Microsoft systems due to the glitch affected various businesses, including airports, banks, cafes, pubs, supermarkets and train stations making it impossible for many to process electronic payments. This was particularly challenging for businesses that no longer accept cash. The advocacy group Payment Choice Alliance (PCA), which campaigns against the move toward a cashless society, named 23 entities whose outlets take only credit or debit cards. According to PCA Chairman Ron Delnevo, the U.K. should have a law requiring all businesses to take cash. "There will always be outages," Delnevo told the Guardian. "But if there's no alternative, then the whole thing can collapse around you." PCA Campaign Manager Martin Quinn explained: "I don't want banks, credit card companies and even online retailers to know every facet of my life." The GMB trade union said the outage reinforced what it had been saying for years that "cash is a vital part of how our communities operate." It continued: "When you take cash out of the system, people have nothing to fall back on, impacting on how they do the everyday basics." (Related: The CrowdStrike global outage shows the serious dangers of a centralized, digitized world.) Globalists want to do away with cash Corbishley also recounted the plot to do away with cash payments. One such instance happened in 2007, when contactless payments were still new. Spanish economist Guillermo de la Dehesa described "cash" as a major source of criminal activity in an article published that year in the Spanish newspaper El Pais. He suggested that without cash, the world would be safer and more unified because the main driver of illegal activities would be eliminated. Six years later in 2013, Mastercard sponsored an Oxford University study examining the bacteria on banknotes from various countries. The financial giant had the exclusive rights to release the findings, which they did along with a survey on public perceptions of the health risks associated with cash. German financial journalist Norbert Haring pointed out that the global media amplified these findings, spreading concerns about cash being "unhygienic." This set the stage for what happened in 2020, during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. At the time, a World Health Organization (WHO) official responded affirmatively when asked if banknotes could spread the virus. This statement was quickly picked up and exaggerated by media outlets worldwide, fueling fears about the safety of using cash. Central bankers have acknowledged that the pandemic accelerated the shift away from cash toward contactless, mobile and online payments. Author and cash advocate Brett Scott noted that since the pandemic, the private sector including major finance tech and retail companies has intensified its efforts to reduce cash use, using public fear of physical contact to further their agenda. Check out CurrencyReset.news for similar stories. Watch this video about how the global IT outage has shown the perils of going cashless. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump announces plans to reject CBDCs, promote free speech in AI, ban government censorship and defund censorship institutions. "Over 98%" of worlds central banks are preparing to unlease the global cashless society. Australias transition to a fully cashless society now in full swing as major bank closes all physical branches. UK on track to become a FULLY CASHLESS NATION by 2035 as use of cash declines rapidly. British activist threatened with arrest for using CASH in cashless Aldi grocery. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com TheGuardian.com Brighteon.com It was a bad night for Joe Biden. It was a bad night for America and her democracy. There was a debate- a first of its kind- where the mood was too elderly. We witnessed two old men indulging in a pit bull fight which was neither punchy nor feisty. But what was distressing yet heartening to see was a sincere old mans compelling willingness to put up a fight against a tyrant. A tyrant who continues to lie so incessantly, extravagantly, and unabashedly. Lies the tyrant continues to blast with brazen confidence, with a smile, a sneer. A tyrant who has vowed to bring more chaos into the chaos. Politics after all is all about perception. Joe Bidens mission on the night of the debate was but only one: to prove to his detractors, his critics, and even his well-wishers that he was fit to fight the tyrant. Over the last few months everybody agreed to ignore reports, photo grabs, zoomed photos, over zoomed photos pointing to the frail health and demeanor of Joe Biden. Many did not want to believe it, for it wasnt Joe Bidens age which seemed like a seeming threat, Donald Trumps ruthless mind was the grave threat. But by the end of 90 minutes, however, it became clear that Biden was no longer the man he was in 2019. He no longer has the agility, the physical and mental strength to dismantle and disengage the chaos of time from time. Photos of the mood of the people from the night of the debate are thus telling. Gloom in the faces and eyes of many. A pall of despair and distress seems to have been unleashed in the air. There is shock, there is a surprise, and there is an unwanted chill running through the spine. Americans are aghast, and a worry is running high and dry in their minds. A friend who recently moved from the UK to the USA is troubled with an overwhelming troubling question, did I make a terrible mistake. It was all too distressing to see. Not just for Americans, but many abroad too. For as Trump rambled vindictively, coherent in his foolishness, in his malicious lying, the 81-year-old Joe Biden was doe-eyed, sparkling in confusion, in absentia. The president stammered indecipherably, mumbling, spluttering, and stuttering to complete his lines of attack. Many times he seemed enveloped in brain fog. He was unconvincing but convinced his doubters that he is no longer the right man to fight and if wins (probability is none to none) fit enough to run for a whole four years. As I watched the debate unfold, my heartfelt sorry for Joe Biden. But more than that there emerged more respect for the man. Unlike his former contemporaries who had by his age retired, moved away from politics into peace, enjoying the serenity of time with grandkids and passion, Joe Biden did not take the easy way out. Despite giving half of his life to politics, to the American people, serving them tirelessly through personal tragedies, moving on, and taking the fight head on, he continues to take the fight on, head on, take the bull by its horn even when his age tells him otherwise. Many feel that Biden is the one who doesnt want to step down, pointing out that Biden had presented himself as the figure best positioned to defeat the threat to democracy represented by Trump. But really what it feels is that there neither existed then nor now any other Democrat who has the tenacity, the audaciousness to take on the insipid foolishness and brashness of Donald Trump. 81-year-old Joe Biden took upon the baton because neither Kamla Harris (who is plagued by low approval ratings barely higher than Bidens) nor former California governor Gavin Newsom seem the legitimate choice to put up a fight against Trump. Nor is there any other candidate who is a formidable Trump basher cum astute President-like figure. Undeniably the debate was a devastating debacle for Joe Biden. And the American media has been brutally stony towards Joe Biden. The verdict of the New York Timess editorial board was devastating. The US president, the board forcefully argued, had presented such an alarming spectacle of aged frailty that the best thing he could now do for the country he had served for more than half a century was to withdraw from the race and allow his Democratic party to choose another candidate. Meanwhile, the Atlantic wrote six articles all arguing for an end to the Biden candidacy. And then there was the TIME cover. In the background of morbid blood red, typed PANIC was a Joe Biden exiting. The media is hard on pressing Biden to step down immediately for the sake of his legacy, and his goodwill. They are hoping along with the Silicon Valley moguls that Jill Biden be convinced to convince her husband to step down. The messaging has been blatant and forthright. The desire is pragmatic. But ringing alarm bells and hitting panic buttons is coming too late. But Joe Biden remains unperturbed, undeterred (for now). He has not been convinced that there exists any other Democrat who can take on Donald Trump and his maliciousness. His willpower remains adamant but willpower does not seem to have Joe Biden Post the debate, he came out swinging on Friday, appearing much more upbeat at an election rally in North Carolina, admitting that I dont debate as well as I used to but telling a cheering crowd: I know how to tell the truth I know how to do this job. I know like millions of Americans know when you get knocked down, you get back up. Yes, Joe Biden is not fighting to keep his power intact; he is fighting to keep the American democracy intact. The night of the 27th was bad for America, indeed. The tyrants of the World would be celebrating and cheering. My friend is right to be troubled. The mood all over has become daunting. There lies uncertainty both for America and the world. But elections this year have been shocking. The people were surprising. India is a great example of that. If the Worlds largest democracy can remain democratic, can put the right into its right place, the Worlds oldest democratic too can pull the same rabbit out of the hat. And lets not forget, that the time is heavily daunted by the voice and concerns of the young voters. In America, poll after poll has put the younger voters in the camp of Joe Biden, despite the Gaza debacle. Quite reasonably, they want to know what Biden will do for them if he is re-elected. And Joe Biden has proven that he has it to be re-elected. After a debacle in the debate, the next evening he showed his tenacity to fight, despite his age hindering him. And when there is will in the willpower a forlorn, alone fight can become more resolute, more punchy. I feel, it will take more than just bad press, social memes, and panicky Silicon Valley tycoon for Joe Biden to step down. For when people have to choose between an old man and a tyrant, we know where people go. News / National by Staff reporter A delegation from Namibia's governing party, SWAPO, led by Secretary-General Sophia Shaningwa, praised ZANU-PF under President Mnangagwa as a formidable force against Western interference.After a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa in Harare, Shaningwa emphasized the importance of bilateral exchanges between the two parties ahead of Namibia's general elections in November. She highlighted SWAPO's readiness for the elections, with Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as their presidential candidate.Shaningwa stressed the significance of learning from ZANU-PF's expertise and experiences, noting the ongoing support between the six former liberation movements in Southern Africa, which includes ZANU-PF, ANC, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, FRELIMO, MPLA, and SWAPO.She acknowledged the foreign machinations aimed at undermining former liberation movements and reaffirmed SWAPO's commitment to strengthening mobilization and solidarity with ZANU-PF.Shaningwa also referenced the recent setback faced by the ANC in South Africa's elections, underscoring the need for former liberation parties to unite and strategize for their continued political relevance and power. The Charger Blog At the Universitys Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Academy, high school students from across the state and the country learned what it takes to be a crime scene investigator, analyzing a crime scene and presenting their findings to CSIs who work in the field. By Jackie Hennessey, Contributing Writer The University of New Haven Crime Scene Academy features an opportunity for high school students to gain hands-on experience investigating a mock crime scene. For Beatrix Vanosel, a rising senior at Darien High School, the morning began with creating an impression of her shoe using dental stone and water. Later, she closely observed its pattern in detail. Like so much in evidence collection, shoeprints at a crime scene can tell a story and lead an investigator to a suspect. Ive never done that before and it was really interesting, Vanosel said. CSI is a combination of all the things I like about science. My dream job is to be a forensic pathologist. I really love the field. Id prefer to be in a lab, but crime scene investigation is a huge thing for me. She wants to study forensic pathology in college and plans to apply to the University of New Haven. In July, she and nearly two dozen other high school students, took part in one of two week-long sessions of the CSI Academy, one of the most popular pre-college programs run by the University. Students from as far away as Texas and Puerto Rico took part in the programs. Students who will be in grades 10-12 in the fall spent the week delving into the field, learning about the history of policing, investigations, and constitutional law, writing a search warrant, processing evidence for fingerprints, investigating and documenting a crime scene, collecting and packaging evidence, and presenting their findings to a panel including investigators who work in the field. We collaborated well right from the beginning The participants learned that in a crime scene so much can hinge on a fragment of material broken glass, a piece of paper torn from a notebook, a bit of fiber. In the forensic lab, Alex Singapore, a rising junior from Fairfield, and Tatiana Arruda, a rising senior from Somers, donned white lab coats, gloves, and protective eyewear, and teamed up with eight other students to match ceramic fragments. Several plates had been broken, and the pieces mixed randomly, shaken in paper bags and spread out around the workbench. Their job was to study patterns and try to fit the pieces together. What Ive found this week is that, as a group, we work pretty seamlessly together, Singapore said. We collaborated well right from the beginning. Students from as far away as Texas and Puerto Rico participated in two CSI Academy programs. Arruda said she has loved hearing other students perspectives on everything we are doing, like collecting evidence, and putting everyones ideas into one collective thought. Not all students our age get to have this kind of experience. I know it will help us moving forward. Maria Torre, M.S., senior lecturer in the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences and a CSI Academy instructor, said the students have been super engaged. They are really interested in going into forensic science, crime-scene work, or law enforcement. On day one, she discusses the importance of the work at a crime scene and the consequences of poor scene work and investigations, Torre said. We talk about wrongful convictions and what could happen if those responsible for the scene were to conduct an improper investigation. While it is important that the person responsible for a crime be held accountable, it is more important that the correct person is arrested, and that we keep those who are not responsible out of prison. Following lectures and discussions, the students began hands-on work. I want them to discover the different aspects of the field and think about subdisciplines footwear analysis, fracture matching, fingerprint work, on-scene work, Torre said. By the weeks end, the students were broken into groups and brought everything theyd learned into the Henry C. Lee Colleges crime scene facility. They were walking into four very specific and, as Torre pointed out, very purposely chaotic crime scenes a gunshot scene, a sexual assault scene, and a drug overdose scene. They had to investigate, gather, and package evidence and, on the final day, present their findings to their families and to a team that included investigators who work in the field. Im up for the challenge Monica Chabros 25 M.S. and Flavia Bucci Casari 25 M.S., CSI Academy teaching assistants and second-year graduate students in Forensic Technology, said they were impressed by how well the students worked together. Collaboration is very important, Chabros said. They need to talk with each other about their strengths because when they investigate the crime scene, they each take on a different role photography, videography, collecting evidence, and taking notes. We help them with the process and guide them, Bucci Casari said. The mock crime scene is very challenging, and they have been doing great. Now they are ready for it. CSI Academy participants gain immersive, hands-on learning opportunities. Kallie Burke of Long Island, New York, and Jeilyn Roman from Pequannock, New Jersey, said they couldnt wait to dive into the crime scenes. Im excited to see what the mock scenes have in store for us, Roman said. Im up for the challenge, and I look forward to seeing how other peoples minds work how each person in our group approaches a crime scene. Almost all of the students in the session chose to stay on campus for the duration of the academy rather than commute, giving them the chance to experience campus living. A big group of us sat together that first day, and we automatically clicked, said Roman, who wants to study forensic psychology. We started talking about forensic science, and we had so much else to also talk about, and we became friends. Burke had visited campus last year and liked it so much that when a teacher told her about the summer program, I knew I wanted to be here, she said. For Arruda, coming to the CSI Academy is a step toward a dream shes had since she was young to go into the field of forensic investigation and she plans to apply to the University of New Haven. My cousin is a state trooper in Hartford, and shes been such an inspiration to me, telling me about the things she does daily on the job, looking for evidence and talking to suspects and witnesses, she said. She gives so much to her job and gets so much from it. Being here has been a great experience, Arruda continued. With all that Ive been learning and with the friendships Ive made, Im so happy to say I have been part of this. News / National by Staff reporter Harare magistrate Sharon Rakafa on Monday dismissed the application for discharge by Grandmore Hakata, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Glen View South Member of Parliament, and 39 other party members. They were arrested for holding an unsanctioned car rally last year.In her ruling, Magistrate Rakafa stated that the accused have a case to answer, as six witnesses testified that the CCC members were singing slogans and chanting "Ngapinde hake mukomana."The trial has been deferred to August 12 for continuation.The CCC members, represented by Kudzai Kadzere from the Zimbabwe Human Rights, were arrested last year during an electoral campaign road show at Machipisa shopping centre in Highfield, Harare.According to the police, the CCC had notified authorities about a campaign rally at Churu Farm but diverted from the planned location, leading to their arrest. Ganesh Acharya attends 'Ghudchadi' song launch despite doctor advising him to take rest C horeographer Ganesh Acharya who has designed the steps for many iconic songs in Bollywood, attended the launch of the 'Punjabi Munde' song from the upcoming movie 'Ghudchadi in Mumbai's Juhu. The revelation was made by the director of the film, Binoy Gandhi, as he spoke with the media on the sidelines of the event. Binoy, who shares a great companionship with Ganesh, said that the latter told him that he would do anything for him as they share a great rapport. The director told the media that Ganesh attended the event, and performed despite the doctor advising him to take rest. Ganesh was joined by the Badshah of Bhangra, Sukhbir on the stage and the cast of 'Ghudchadi' as they grooved to the electrifying number. 'Ghudchadi' stars Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, Parth Samthaan, Khushalii Kumar and Aruna Irani in pivotal roles. It tells the story of a couple, whose parents fall in love. With their parents set to marry each other, the situation poses a hilarious yet grave consequence to the couple's relationship. The film has been shot around Gurugram, New Delhi and Jaipur. It marks the feature debut of Parth Samthaan, who is known for his work on the medium of television. The film, produced by Nidhi Dutta and Binnoy K. Gandhi, is set to stream on August 9 on JioCinema Premium. Ganesh Acharya attends 'Ghudchadi' song launch despite doctor advising him to take rest Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Selena Gomez on her 'it girl era': I was so depressed back then S inger-actress Selena Gomez opened up about her feelings about the time in her life when she was being photographed by paparazzi and dating American popstar Justin Bieber. Gomez, who is happily settled with her music producer beau Benny Blanco, spoke about how she had the blues at the time in a reaction to throwback footage of herself posted on social media showing her getting pictured and posing with a fan. A clip was set to her ex Bieber's song 'Company', with a caption the video saying: "I know and so do you that at the time she would never have gotten engaged to Benny (Blanco) (when) she was in her IT GIRL era." Text over the video also said Gomez's former self "would never date Benny Blanco." Hitting back at the claim, she said: "Kinda makes me laugh because I was so depressed back then lol." Gomez dated Bieber on and off for eight years and a few months after she and the 'Baby' hitmaker split in 2018 he married Hailey Bieber, 27, with whom he is expecting his first child, reports femalefirst.co.uk. Gomez has told how she loves the way Blanco treats her, saying online in December: "He has treated me better than any human being on this planet." She added to Time magazine that she is not "fazed" when her critics say "the most hurtful things." Blanco celebrated her 32nd birthday by buying her a jewel-encrusted necklace in the shape of his first initial made by a 14-karat gold, diamond-studded piece. Selena Gomez on her 'it girl era': I was so depressed back then Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Australian govt to force banks to compensate scam victims A ustralian banks will be forced to compensate customers who lose money to scams under new laws flagged by the government. In a speech to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said current laws do too little to help scam victims get their money back, Xinhua news agency reported. He said in many cases, Australians cannot be compensated for scam losses because they are being tricked into transferring money through authorised transactions, meaning they are not unlawful under the current laws. "We will address this to ensure victims can receive compensation in the right circumstances," Jones said. The government, in July 2023, established the National Anti-Scam Center to lead a crackdown on scammers. Jones said on Wednesday that the crackdown is having some success but that banks, telecommunications companies and digital platforms must take more preventative action. Under the second stage of the government's crackdown, banks, digital platforms, and telecommunications companies will face penalties if they do not conduct preventative checks under new mandatory codes to prevent scam losses. "If there is a breach of the code, the bank, telco or digital platform will be held to account," Jones said. According to data published by the National Anti-Scam Centre in April, Australians lost a combined 2.74 billion Australian dollars ($1.79) to scams in 2023 -- down 13.1 per cent from 2022. People aged 65 and over were the only age group to lose more money to scams in 2023 than in 2022. Investment scams caused the most financial damage, accounting for 47.4 per cent of all losses, followed by remote access scams and romance scams. Australian govt to force banks to compensate scam victims Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! 'MasterChef Australia' judge Andy Allen loves the 'beautiful & chaotic' bustle of India C elebrity chef Andy Allen, the winner of 'MasterChef Australia 4', who serves as a judge on the cooking-based reality show, has spoken about his love for India. Andy Allen, who won the 'MasterChef Australia' trophy in 2012, has had an inspirational journey on the show from a passionate contestant to a judge. While revisiting his travels in India, Andy shared: "I think for me, India was always a place that I've wanted to visit. And it's so crazy that even when I was a contestant in 2012, I was introduced to how big the show was in India, the amount of support that I received during and after the show, being a contestant was crazy." He shared that nothing really lined up until late last year when he came over for the first time. He continued: "I love India, I love the hustle and bustle. I love how beautiful and chaotic it can be all at the same time. And I love the people and the food." For him, the last trip was really special because he was able to represent Australia and what Australian food is to the people of India. "So crazy that I didn't go over there for 12 years! Now I've been over there three times in the space of six months. So I hope that this continues on and just snowballs. Because every time I go back, I just fall in love with it, even more and more," he added. 'MasterChef Australia' season 16 streams on Disney+ Hotstar. 'MasterChef Australia' judge Andy Allen loves the 'beautiful & chaotic' bustle of India Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Wayanad landslide: Army intensifies rescue operation, death toll reaches 176 T he death toll in the landslide-affected Kerala's Wayanad mounted to 176 on Wednesday even as the Army, Navy and Air Force were engaged in rescue operations and setting up infrastructure, including bridges. The number of missing people as per the officials was 98. However, many people were searching for their relatives and the estimate is said to be around 200. The worst affected areas include Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu. The locals from these areas who managed to escape are deeply shattered by the extent of the devastation. Heavy rain at a few places hampered the rescue operations. On Wednesday fresh forces arrived, including Brigadier Arjun Seagan, Commandant of the PARA Regiment Training Centre, and his team. The team reached the affected site and took charge of the Control Centre at Mepaddi which is about 12 km from Churalmala, one of the worst affected sites. Four Relief Columns of the Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre & 122 TA Battalion (MADRAS) began their operations at 6 a.m. They were divided into two composite teams for joint rescue and extrication of dead bodies and for assistance in setting up the Bailey Bridge at Churalmala. Another two Columns, including a medical team of the 91 Infantry Battalion landed at Kozhikode late Tuesday night and reached the affected areas. The team is led by CO 23 Maratha Light Infantry. The Engineering Task Force of Madras Engineer Group, Bangalore & C (01 Officer, 02 JCOs & 120 Soldiers) have already reached Churalmala. Equipment to set up a 170-foot bridge is being planned at Churalmala, while a second set of bridge equipment columns along with bailey pier parts is likely to reach by afternoon. The Commandant, MEG Centre will be overseeing the critical bridge activity and will arrive later in the day. Another set of Bailey Bridge from ESD Delhi Cantonment is being airlifted for Kannur by the C-17 Globemaster. The operation will be coordinated by Captain Puran Singh of the Kannur Defence Security Corps (DSC). Bridge construction materials will be brought to Wayanad in 17 trucks. Bridge equipment along with three sniffer dogs and handlers from Delhi has landed in Kannur and is on its way to the affected areas. The combined defence forces team on Tuesday rescued over 1,000 people and 70 dead bodies recovered by the armed forces last night. Wayanad landslide: Army intensifies rescue operation, death toll reaches 176 Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! News / National by Staff reporter A Supreme Court bench has rejected an appeal against a death sentence filed by Doubt Mathe, who was convicted of murdering a security guard during a 2008 robbery at a cotton buying point in Gokwe.Mathe, who was acquitted of robbery but found guilty of murder, had been sentenced to death by the High Court. In his appeal to the Supreme Court, Mathe sought either an acquittal on the murder charge or a commutation of his sentence to 10 years in prison.However, the Supreme Court, comprised of Justices Tendai Uchena, Samuel Kudya, and Felistas Chitakunye, upheld the death sentence. The court ruled that the presence of aggravating circumstances does not require a conviction on the related offense."It is clear that the determination of aggravating circumstances is independent of whether the accused was convicted of another offense," the court stated. "The appellant [Mathe] and his accomplices unlawfully entered Winnie Sigwala's house and severely assaulted the deceased. Although Mathe was acquitted of robbery, a conviction for that crime was not necessary for the imposition of the death penalty."The court also ruled that Mathe did not experience double jeopardy, as his sentence was not contingent on a separate conviction. The judges praised the High Court for its adherence to the law in sentencing Mathe to death.The court was informed that on June 15, 2008, Mathe and his accomplicesone now deceased and another still at large - brutally murdered security guard Taurai Mache, 24, who was stationed at Grafax Cotton Company offices in Gokwe. They attacked him with a hoe handle, causing fatal injuries. Kerala given warning seven days prior to Wayanad landslides: Amit Shah U nion Home Minister Amit Shah, while speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, revealed that the Central government had issued warnings to Kerala about the impending disaster seven days prior to it. He also questioned the state government not taking preventive measures despite the warnings. The Home Minister began his speech by offering condolences to the families of the victims of the Wayanad landslides and slammed the Opposition for politicising the issue. On Tuesday night, massive landslides occurred at Churalpara in Kerala's Wayanad at around 2 a.m. The area was cut off, but the local people and a team of rescuers were engaged in locating the missing people in the area, which had been ripped into two. The death toll has touched 184 while 225 people are reported missing while around 7,000 people have been housed in around 50 relief camps. Shah stated, "On July 23, the Government of India issued a warning to the Kerala government. Warnings were sent on July 24, July 25 and also July 26, indicating that heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm could lead to landslides and fatalities." Responding to the "irrelevant" questions regarding the Early Warning System of the government, he said that instead of "shouting, read the warnings that were sent." "There are many state governments who were able to secure zero casualty disaster management following the warnings sent by the Central government," he said, citing Odisha and Gujarat as examples. "The government has spent Rs 2000 crore on this system since 2014 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power," the Home Minister asserted. He said that the state government was sent a warning seven days prior to the disaster, and that warning is also accessible to everyone on the site, however, "some people don't open national sites, they are solely focused on the international sites, where they do not get national information." Shah mentioned that only four countries in the world issue disaster warnings seven days in advance, and India is one of them. The Home Minister mentioned that on July 23, nine NDRF teams were dispatched to Kerala following his approval in response to the warnings of potential landslides. Slamming the lack of acknowledgement to the warning system, he said, "It is okay if they are unaware, but if they (Opposition) are politicising the issue, then it is disheartening. " Questioning the state government's failure to implement preventive measures Shah said, "Everyone is questioning the government, but I would like to ask what the Kerala government did. It was a vulnerable situation, and they were warned about it, but why were people not relocated to safer places? They were only relocated after the disaster." Addressing concerns about disaster fund allocation, Shah clarified, "Those who are saying that there is no provision by which the state government can release the disaster funds are wrong." He said that under the State Disaster Response Fund, states have the authority to release up to 10 per cent of the allocated funds without the Centre's approval. He added that "irrespective of party politics, the Modi government will firmly stand with the people and the government of Kerala during this crisis." Kerala given warning seven days prior to Wayanad landslides: Amit Shah Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Nitin Gadkari urges FM Sitharaman to scrap 18pc GST on life and health insurance premiums U nion Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to withdraw the 18 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) imposed on life and medical insurance premiums. The minister took up the matter after receiving a memorandum on the issue from the 'Life Insurance Union' of Nagpur - the Parliamentary constituency he represents in the Lok Sabha. Nitin Gadkari, in a letter to the Finance Minister stated that the "main issue raised by the union is related to withdrawal of GST on Life and Medical Insurance Premium". His letter mentions that the 18 per cent GST currently levied on life and medical insurance premiums tends to penalise individuals seeking to protect themselves and their families against life's uncertainties. He contended that taxing life insurance premiums essentially taxes the very act of preparing for unforeseen circumstances, which is counter-productive to the objective of providing financial security. The memorandum also expressed concerns that the 18 per cent GST on medical insurance premiums acts as a significant barrier to the growth of this crucial segment. The high tax rate discourages individuals from investing in medical insurance, despite its crucial role in ensuring public health and financial stability during medical emergencies, Nitin Gadkari's letter states. In addition to the GST issue, "the insurance union has also raised points related to differential treatment to savings by way of life insurance, the re-introduction of IT deductions for health insurance premiums, and the consolidation of public general insurance companies", the letter added. Nitin Gadkari urges FM Sitharaman to scrap 18pc GST on life and health insurance premiums Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! 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. News / National by Staff reporter The government has announced that it is actively seeking funding to provide stockfeed to rural farmers as the ongoing drought continues to devastate the national herd, leaving livestock struggling to access pasture and water.Last week, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka informed the National Assembly that efforts are underway to secure supplementary feed for the country's 1,620 most affected wards. The government has also established contracts with local suppliers of silage and other feeds for distribution."We are mobilizing supplementary feed for 1,620 wards and have signed agreements with companies to supply these essential feeds," Masuka said.He added that ward mitigation centers would be used to spray livestock to combat disease outbreaks. "We have set up a spray race to treat cattle in these areas and appointed focal persons for each ward. A WhatsApp group has been created for better communication to ensure we effectively manage and protect our cattle," he explained.In addition, the government has installed fencing near farms to prevent the spread of diseases from wild animals to livestock. Prioritizing the drilling of boreholes, the government aims to improve water access for rural communities, with a focus on natural regions 4 and 5.Masuka also announced a ban on household-based livestock sales, stating that all sales must now take place at designated drought mitigation centers. Though exceedingly rare, some people diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) partially or fully recover from the lethal neurodegenerative disease. A better understanding of this baffling phenomenon, reported in medical literature for at least 60 years, could point to potential new treatment approaches. To that end, researchers at Duke Health and St. Jude's Research Hospital launched a study of ALS recovery patients and found certain genetic factors that appear to protect against the disease's typical assault on motor neurons. The findings appear in the journal Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. "With other neurological diseases, there are now effective treatments," said Richard Bedlack, M.D., Ph.D., the Stewart, Hughes, and Wendt Professor in the Department of Neurology at Duke University School of Medicine. "But we still don't have great options for these patients, and we desperately need to find things. This work provides a starting point to explore how biological reversals of ALS occur and how we might be able to harness that effect therapeutically." Bedlack and colleagues including co-lead author Jesse Crayle, M.D., who is now at Washington University in St. Louis conducted a genome-wide association study of 22 participants who had been diagnosed with ALS and recovered, comparing them to similar patients whose ALS progressed. Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital led the genetic analysis. Our whole genome sequencing pipeline leveraged a multiomics strategy to combine newly available gene expression and epigenetic data, and maximized not just this unique dataset but the CReATe and TargetALS patient databases." Evadnie Rampersaud, Ph.D., co-lead author, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Center for Applied Bioinformatics She stated that the finding was made possible because the patient samples were characterized so well. The team identified a common genetic variation called a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The SNP reduces levels of a protein that blocks the IGF-1 signaling pathway, and study participants with this one-letter change in their DNA were 12 times more likely to have experienced a recovery than those without it. IGF-1 is a growth factor that has long been a target of interest in ALS research because of its role in protecting the motor neurons. ALS patients with fast progression of disease have lower levels of IGF-1 protein, but clinical trials aimed at raising their IGF-1 levels have had disappointing results. The current finding provides a potential new approach to targeting IGF-1. "This suggests that the IGF-1 pathway should be further studied as a potential target for future ALS treatments," Crayle said. "While it may not be effective to simply give people IGF-1, our study indicates we might have a way to go about it differently by reducing the levels of this inhibiting protein. It is also possible that the prior studies with IGF-1 were just not adequately dosed or need to be dosed in a different way." Bedlack said the research team is now exploring whether there is a correlation between the blocking protein and disease progression in a much larger number of patients. Results of that analysis will inform whether a clinical trial targeting this protein could be launched. In addition to Bedlack and Crayle, study authors include Jason Myers, Joanne Wuu, J. Paul Taylor, Gang Wu and Michael Benatar. The study received funding support from the Duke ALS Patient Gift Fund, ALSAC the fundraising and awareness organization of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; the ALS Association (grants 17-LGCA-331 and 16-TACL-242); the CReATe Consortium (U54NS092091), which is part of the NIH Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN; and the National Cancer Institute (P30 CA021765). The liver's ability to communicate with other organs is crucial for maintaining homeostasis, particularly through signaling pathways. During liver regeneration, communication with organs such as the brain, pancreas, intestine, and heart is vital, mediated by chemical messengers like hormones, cytokines, and growth factors. Among these signals, the TGF- and HIPPO pathways are critical, functioning as tumor suppressors and regulating liver development and regeneration. The review focuses on these pathways' interplay in maintaining liver homeostasis, facilitating regeneration, and contributing to diseases like hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer. Liver physiology and hepatic contexts in health and disease The liver performs multiple crucial functions, including nutrient metabolism, bile production for fat digestion, blood detoxification, plasma protein synthesis, blood clotting regulation, and immune response. These functions are regulated by the interplay of various signaling pathways. The TGF- and HIPPO pathways are particularly relevant due to their roles in tumor suppression and liver regulation. This review delves into the specific interactions between these pathways and their impact on liver physiology and pathology. TGF- and HIPPO signaling pathways The TGF- pathway is essential for regulating cell growth, differentiation, and immune responses. It functions as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. The HIPPO pathway controls organ size by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis, acting through its core components MST1/2, LATS1/2, and downstream effectors YAP and TAZ. In the liver, these pathways interact through various molecular mechanisms, contributing to the regulation of liver development, size, and regeneration. TGF- pathway: TGF- is a cytokine that plays a critical role in regulating cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In the liver, TGF- signaling is involved in maintaining liver homeostasis and responding to injury by modulating inflammation and fibrosis. HIPPO pathway: The HIPPO pathway is a kinase cascade that regulates organ size by controlling cell proliferation and apoptosis. It comprises several core components, including MST1/2 (mammalian STE20-like protein kinase 1/2) and LATS1/2 (large tumor suppressor kinase 1/2), which ultimately regulate the activity of the transcription coactivators YAP (Yes-associated protein) and TAZ (transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif). Interplay of TGF- and HIPPO pathways in liver regeneration In liver regeneration, the TGF- and HIPPO pathways exhibit significant crosstalk. The TGF- pathway can inhibit YAP/TAZ activity, crucial components of the HIPPO pathway, thus modulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. This interaction is vital for restoring liver function after injury. The pathways' interplay ensures a balanced regenerative response, preventing excessive cell proliferation that could lead to tumorigenesis. Regenerative response: Following liver injury, TGF- signaling initially promotes an inflammatory response and later aids in the resolution of inflammation. Concurrently, the HIPPO pathway restricts excessive cell proliferation to maintain tissue homeostasis. The balance between these pathways is crucial for effective liver regeneration. Role in liver diseases Disruptions in the regulation of TGF- and HIPPO pathways contribute to liver diseases. In fibrosis, the TGF- pathway promotes the activation of hepatic stellate cells, leading to extracellular matrix deposition and scar formation. The HIPPO pathway's dysregulation can result in uncontrolled cell proliferation, contributing to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Understanding the molecular interactions between these pathways provides insights into the mechanisms underlying liver disease progression and potential therapeutic targets. Fibrosis: Chronic liver injury triggers persistent TGF- signaling, leading to the activation of hepatic stellate cells and excessive extracellular matrix production. This process results in fibrosis, a condition characterized by the accumulation of scar tissue that disrupts liver function. Liver cancer: Dysregulation of the HIPPO pathway, particularly the overactivation of YAP/TAZ, has been implicated in the development of liver cancer. Uncontrolled YAP/TAZ activity promotes cell proliferation and survival, contributing to tumor growth and progression. Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process is crucial for liver wound healing and cancer metastasis. TGF- is a potent inducer of EMT, promoting cell migration and invasion. The HIPPO pathway can modulate EMT by regulating YAP/TAZ activity. The interplay between these pathways influences EMT dynamics, impacting liver regeneration and disease progression. EMT in liver regeneration: During liver regeneration, TGF--induced EMT facilitates the migration and proliferation of liver progenitor cells, aiding in tissue repair. However, excessive or prolonged EMT can lead to fibrosis and impair liver function. EMT in cancer: In liver cancer, TGF--driven EMT contributes to tumor metastasis by enabling cancer cells to acquire invasive properties. The HIPPO pathway's regulation of YAP/TAZ activity can either suppress or promote EMT, depending on the cellular context. Conclusions The TGF- and HIPPO signaling pathways are integral to liver physiology, influencing development, regeneration, and disease. Their intricate interplay regulates various cellular processes, from development to adulthood, and their dysregulation contributes to liver pathologies. Understanding these molecular interactions offers potential avenues for therapeutic interventions, aiming to restore liver function and prevent disease progression. The review provides comprehensive insights into the TGF- and HIPPO pathways' roles in maintaining liver health and their implications in liver diseases. By examining the roles of these pathways in liver regeneration and disease, researchers can identify novel therapeutic targets to modulate their activity. For instance, targeting TGF- signaling may help reduce fibrosis, while modulating the HIPPO pathway could prevent uncontrolled cell proliferation in liver cancer. Future studies should focus on elucidating the detailed mechanisms of TGF- and HIPPO pathway interactions and their implications for liver health and disease management. National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (ETHEAS) and Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC) promote Latvia's top-quality dairy, snacks, and confectionery through a campaign highlighting EU standards for safety, quality, and sustainability in food production. MONTREAL, July 30, 2024 /CNW/ -- The "Premium European Products" campaign, led by the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (ETHEAS) and the Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC), promotes a diverse range of high-quality products from Latvia. This initiative showcases Latvia's exceptional offerings in dairy, dried fruits, snacks, chocolate, and confectionery, highlighting their unique qualities and high standards. The campaign underscores Latvia's exceptional craftsmanship in food production. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. (PRNewsfoto/Premium European Products) The European Union's steadfast commitment to safety, quality, and animal welfare is reflected in every aspect of food production. EU regulations enforce stringent safety protocols, including meticulous controls on pesticide use and rigorous hygiene standards in processing facilities. These measures ensure that consumers can trust the safety and quality of the products they purchase. European products, renowned for their exceptional taste and high standards, include Latvian specialties such as cream cheese, curd snacks, sour cream, fermented milk drinks, and processed cheese, each crafted with care to offer a delightful culinary experience. Latvian dairy products are celebrated for their versatility and rich flavors. Cream cheese, used in a variety of dishes from breakfast to desserts, is made from milk or curd with added cooking cream or butter, and can be flavored with herbs, vegetables, or fruits. Curd snacks, a beloved treat, combine high-quality curd with ingredients like chocolate chips and berries, coated in a delectable chocolate or caramel glaze. Sour cream, a staple in Northern Europe, is known for its tangy taste and creamy texture. Additionally, Latvia offers fermented milk drinks, processed cheese, UHT cream, cottage cheese, and white salad cheese, reflecting the region's rich dairy traditions. Story continues Latvia also produces candied fruits and berries, pastillas, dried fruit and berry powders, BIO Juice, and traditional syrups, all made with natural ingredients and without artificial additives. In the snacks category, Latvian potato chips and corn snacks are crafted without artificial additives, emphasizing the natural flavors of the ingredients. The campaign also highlights chocolate and confectionery products made with responsibly sourced cocoa, certified by the Rainforest Alliance, ensuring ethical practices and environmental stewardship. Since 2019, the sugar used in these chocolate products, biscuits, and wafers has been certified by the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA), sourced from high-quality sugar beets, further demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. Through the "Premium European Products'' campaign, ETHEAS and the LDC celebrate Latvia's rich agricultural and culinary traditions, promoting the country's reputation for quality and innovation. This initiative provides consumers with the opportunity to experience the best of Latvian products, showcasing the dedication and craftsmanship that define these exceptional offerings. For more information about the "Premium European Products" campaign and its associated programs, please visit https://premiumeuropeanproducts.eu/ or email us to info@premiumeuropeanproducts.eu . Pages dedicated to this program can be found on Instagram , Facebook and YouTube . Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. About "PREMIUM EUROPEAN PRODUCTS" PROGRAM The campaign: "Premium European Products: Better Knowledge, Better Choices" is co-funded by the European Union and managed by the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (ETHEAS) and the Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC). It aims to promote exquisite added-value products in Canada, South Korea, and Malaysia, including PDO olive oils, table olives, dried grapes, saffron, hard cheese, gum, and gum oil from Greece, as well as dairy products, candied fruits, chocolates, confectionery, and salty snacks from Latvia. Spanning from 2024 to 2026, the program seeks to significantly elevate the profile of European products in these markets through a four-pronged approach: raising awareness, enhancing recognition among consumers, increasing consumption, and boosting exports to Canada, Malaysia, and South Korea. The beneficiaries: The National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (ETHEAS), established by the Greek State Law, coordinates over 300 agricultural cooperatives across Greece, representing about 80% of the total turnover of such cooperatives. It focuses on rural and cooperative development, supports member activities domestically and internationally, issues opinions on agricultural matters, supervises cooperative promotion, and conducts educational activities. The Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC), established in 1995, represents Latvian milk producers and aims to protect their interests. It consists of 17 members producing approximately 80% of industrially produced milk in Latvia. SOURCE Premium European Products Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2024/30/c2145.html Led by University of Melbourne theoretician and HPC expert Associate Professor Giuseppe Barca, a research team has achieved the first quantum simulation of biological systems at a scale necessary to accurately model drug performance. Utilizing the unprecedented "exascale" power of the Frontier supercomputer at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility in Tennessee, US, the team has developed groundbreaking software capable of accurately predicting the chemical reactions and physical properties of molecular systems comprising up to hundreds of thousands of atoms delivering highly precise predictions of molecular behavior and setting a new benchmark in computational chemistry. The project brought together expertise in chemistry, drug discovery, quantum mechanics, and supercomputing, with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, leading semiconductor company AMD, and deep-tech startup QDX collaborating on the project. The result of more than four years of record-breaking research, this advancement allows for the study of biomolecular-scale systems with quantum-level accuracy for the first time ever. This cutting-edge simulation capability enables the observation and understanding of these systems in unprecedented detail, which is crucial for improving the evaluation of traditional drugs and designing new therapeutics that interact more effectively with target biological systems. This breakthrough enables us to simulate drug behavior with an accuracy that rivals physical experiments. We can now observe not just the movement of a drug but also its quantum mechanical properties, such as bond breaking and formation, over time in a biological system. This is vital for assessing drug viability and designing new treatments. Giuseppe Barca, Associate Professor, University of Melbourne Today, over 80 percent of disease-causing proteins cannot be treated with existing drugs, and only two per cent work with known drugs. This shows how limited current methods are. Advanced quantum mechanics and HPC broadens the computational toolset for drug discovery, providing unprecedented levels of speed and accuracy at biologically-relevant scale. Importantly, they also provide insights and capabilities previously not possible with traditional computational chemistry to unlock new ways of modulating targets of therapeutic interest and expand the number of disease targets for which effective therapies are available. The simulations compute a drug molecule's affinity for a specific target, such as a genetically mutated protein causing disease. Algorithms then calculate the drug's effectiveness by evaluating the strength of the bond between the drug and the target, demonstrating drug potency. To test a drug effectively through quantum simulation, the biological model system must integrate thousands of atoms. "This is exactly why we built Frontier, to tackle larger, more complex problems facing society," said Dmytro Bykov, a computational chemist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. "By breaking the exascale barrier, these simulations push our computing capabilities into a brand new world of possibilities with unprecedented levels of sophistication and radically faster times to solution -; and this is just the beginning of the exascale era." Dr Jakub Kurzak, principal member of technical staff at AMD and representative for AMD at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, said: "We are thrilled to see AMD high performance computing technologies enable breakthrough exascale science in medical research and deliver the computing performance to accurately model the highly complex physics of molecular systems for drug discovery." Loong Wang, Co-Founder and CEO of QDX said: "At QDX, we are incredibly excited to transform groundbreaking scientific advancements into a powerful, user-friendly platform that accelerates and enhances drug discovery, opening doors to innovative treatments. Our advanced quantum simulations have set a new benchmark for accuracy at a biologically-relevant scales. We hope that this technology will enable new drugs to be developed faster and cheaper, and for diseases that have -; so far -; been too difficult to treat." Associate Professor Barca, based in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology's School of Computing and Information Systems, was nominated by The Australian as one of Australia's Top 250 Researchers in 2024. In 2023, he co-founded the company QDX, which is already using high-performance quantum simulations to accelerate new therapeutics design. QDX has secured commercial deals with pharmaceutical companies and tech start-ups in Australia, Singapore, and the US. "Thanks to new computing and software capabilities that enable accurate modeling at the quantum mechanical level, we can achieve predictive accuracy close to experimental results. These calculations were completely unfeasible just a few years ago," Associate Professor Barca said. The premium Italian car brand Maserati, which is owned by the Stellantis Group, is expected to be cut off from it soon. The report says that the group might be sold off Maserati, and hand over all the operations to other manufacturers. The company has not released any official details about the same as yet. However, Stellantis CEO hinted that the conglomerate has considered removing Maserati as it is not generating any profits. He also blamed the the companys downfall by removing some of its top-notch models such as Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante. Natalie Knight said, The first half has been disappointing. The future is about how we maintain the best value. There could be some point in the future when we look at whats the best home for Maserati, as reported by Team Bhp. All About Maserati Messerati has been ruling the luxury car segment for years. The legendary Modena-based high-performance carmaker has introduced some top-notch models, which dominated the segment effortlessly. The brand somehow failed to generate decent sales figures and attract the masses globally. Sales Report in 2023-2024 Maserati has reported a massive decline in sales this year, dropping the numbers by 50 percent globally. The company has managed to sell 6,500 units between January to June, this year. These numbers have decreased by more than half as compared to the same period last year, where it has sold over 15,300 units in just six months. The company now has been listed as a non-profitable entity, which is why it will be shortly removed from the Stellantis group soon. It is not confirmed how long it will remain connected to the brand. Petrol, Diesel Prices Today On July 31, 2024: Oil marketing companies (OMCs) announce fuel prices at 6 am on a daily basis. The OMCs adjust prices in response to global crude oil prices and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, ensuring consumers are always informed about the latest fuel costs. Government oil marketing companies release the latest petrol and diesel prices daily at 6 am in the country. The prices have remained unchanged in most parts of the country since March 2024 when the central government cut petrol prices by Rs 2. Before that, the fuel prices remained steady since May 2022, following a reduction in fuel taxes by the central government and several states. Petrol Diesel Price Today In India Check city-wise petrol and diesel prices on July 31: City Petrol Price (Rs/litre) Diesel Price (Rs/litre) Delhi 94.72 87.62 Mumbai 103.44 89.97 Chennai 100.85 92.44 Kolkata 103.94 90.76 Noida 94.66 87.76 Lucknow 94.65 87.76 Bengaluru 102.86 88.94 Hyderabad 107.41 95.65 Jaipur 104.88 90.36 Trivandrum 107.62 96.43 Bhubaneswar 101.06 92.91 Factors Affecting Petrol And Diesel Prices In India Crude oil price: The primary raw material for the production of petrol and diesel is crude oil; as such, its price directly influences the ultimate cost of these fuels. The exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the US dollar: As a major importer of crude oil, Indias petrol and diesel prices are also influenced by the exchange rate between the Indian and US dollar. Tax: Various taxes on petrol and diesel are imposed by both the central and state governments. These taxes may differ across states, exerting a notable influence on the ultimate prices of petrol and diesel. The cost of refining: The final price of petrol and diesel is additionally influenced by the expenses incurred in refining crude oil into these fuels. The refining process can be costly, and the refining expenses may fluctuate based on factors like the type of crude oil utilised and the refinerys efficiency. The demand for petrol and diesel: The demand for petrol and diesel can also affect their prices. If demand for these fuels increases, it can lead to higher prices. Know the price of petrol and diesel through SMS You can also find out the latest petrol and diesel prices in your city through SMS. If you are a customer of Indian Oil, then you will have to write RSP along with the city code and send it to 9224992249. If you are a customer of BPCL, then you can get information about the new price of petrol and diesel by writing RSP and sending it to 9223112222. Whereas, if you are a customer of HPCL, then you can find out the price of petrol and diesel by writing HP Price and sending it to 9222201122. Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging her to consider removing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on life and medical insurance. He argued that taxing medical insurance hinders the growth of this socially important sector. Currently, both life and medical insurance premiums attract a GST of 18 percent. The letter was in response to a memorandum submitted by the Nagpur Divisional Life Insurance Corporation Employees Union, which highlighted the problems faced by the industry, Moneycontrol reported. According to Gadkari, GST on life insurance premiums should be removed because taxing life insurance is akin to taxing lifes uncertainties. You are requested to consider the suggestion of withdrawal of GST on life and medical insurance premium on priority as it becomes cumbersome for the senior citizens, Gadkari said in his letter dated July 28. Similarly, the 18 percent GST on medical insurance premium is proving to be a deterrent for the growth of this segment of business which is socially necessary, the minister said. Complete Removal While the life, general, and health insurance industries have been advocating for a reduction in GST on life and medical insurance premiums to 12%, Gadkari has taken a more ambitious step by seeking the complete removal of GST on both sectors. In his letter, Gadkari also raised concerns about the unequal treatment of savings through life insurance, the potential reintroduction of Income Tax on health insurance premiums, and the consolidation of public sector general insurance companies. The GST Council is scheduled to meet in August. The most recent meeting was held on June 22. Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in Iran in an Israeli raid at his residence in Tehran, the group said in a statement on Wednesday. Hamas has described Haniyehs death as an assassination, vowed to retaliate. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps said the cause of the incident was not immediately clear but was being investigated, AFP news agency reported. According to Hamas, Haniyeh died after participating in the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, who was sworn in on Tuesday. So, who will lead Hamas now? Who are the other prominent leaders of the group? What is the groups political future? Lets answer these questions. What is Hamas? Hamas, an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya, is an Islamic Resistance Movement founded in 1987 during the First Intifada or Palestinian uprising. It has run the Gaza Strip since 2007, after a brief civil war with forces loyal to the Fatah movement led by President Mahmoud Abbas, who is based in the West Bank and heads the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The Hamas takeover of Gaza followed its win in Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006. Since then, Hamas has sworn to the destruction of Israel and fought several wars with Israel since it took power in Gaza in 2007. Hamas is backed by Shiite Iran and shares the Islamist ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood, a transnational Islamist organisation founded in Egypt in the 1920s. Hamas is part of a regional alliance comprising Iran, Syria and the Shiite Islamist group Hezbollah in Lebanon, which all broadly oppose US policy in the Middle East and Israel. Iran provides funds to Hamas and also give support for weapons and training. The Palestinian militant organisation is designated as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States, the UK, European Union, Canada, Egypt and Japan. While its power base is in Gaza, Hamas also has supporters across the Palestinian territories, and it has leaders spread across the Middle East in countries including Qatar. What is Hamas Ideology? Hamas refuse to recognise the state of Israel and violently opposed the Oslo peace accords negotiated by Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in the mid-1990s. Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat had signed the Oslo accords with Israel in 1993 to negotiate an end to the conflict based on a two-state solution. The militant group also has an armed wing called the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, which earlier sent gunmen and suicide bombers into Israel. Though the group is dedicated to the creation of an independent Palestinian state, but in recent years has indicated its willingness to accept a two-state solution. What Does Hamas Politburo Do? The Political Bureau (Politburo) is Hamas main decision-making body whose authority is derived from the support of the Shura Council. The Politburo determines social, political, and military policies, in consultation with the Shura Council. The Politburo comprises 15 members elected by the Shura Council every four years. It was headed by Ismail Haniyeh, who replaced Khaled Mashal in May 2017 following Politburo elections. In practice, though, Yahya Sinwar has assumed effective control over the movement. In addition to the main Politburo, Hamas has regional Politburos elected by four regional Shuras, representing the West Bank, Gaza, the diaspora, and prisoners. The Shura Council is the consultative body that elects Hamas Politburo. It consists of members from the four regional shuras, elected by Hamas members in Gaza, the West Bank, the diaspora, and by prisoners in Israeli jails. These regional shuras appoint regional politburos (local leaderships) for each area. The Shura was earlier dominated by religious figures but now largely comprises social figures. In October 2023, Israel killed Osama Mazini the head of Hamas shura council in the Gaza Strip. Besides Politburo, Hamas has regional-level politburos. Each regional politburo is elected by a regional Shura Council. In March 2021, Hamas members in Gaza elected a new local leadership for Gaza composed of 15 members led by Yahya Sinwar. Who Are the Top Leaders of Hamas? Ismail Haniyeh: Until his death in Iran on July 31, Haniyeh was considered as the top leader of Hamas. He was imprisoned for three years in 1989 as it cracked down on the first Palestinian uprising. He was sent to exile in 1992 to a no-mans-land between Israel and Lebanon, along with other Hams leaders. After he returned from exile in Gaza, he was appointed the head of the office of Hamas spiritual leader in 1997. Haniyeh was appointed Palestinian prime minister in 2006 by President Mahmoud Abbas after Hamas won the most seats in national elections, but was dismissed a year later after the group ousted Abbas Fatah party from the Gaza Strip in a week of deadly violence. Haniyeh, however, rejected his sacking and continued to rule in Gaza. He was elected the head of Hamas political bureau in 2017. He was designated a terrorist in 2018 by the US Department of State. He had lived in Qatar for seven years. Yahya Sinwar: A leader of the Hamas movement in Gaza Strip, Sinwar is the founder of the groups security service known as Majd, which manages internal security matters. He has been arrested three times. He was among more than 1,000 Palestinian and Israeli Arab prisoners released by Israel in exchange for an Israeli soldier held captive for over five years by Hamas. He was appointed the head of the groups political bureau in the Gaza Strip in 2017. The US blacklisted him as an international terrorist in 2015. Mohammad Deif: Born in 1965 in the Khan Younis refugee camp, set up after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Mohammad Masri became Mohammed Deif after joining Hamas during the first Intifada, or Palestinian uprising, in 1987. Deif means visitor or guest in Arabic, and some say that is because the Hamas military commander is always on the move with Israeli hunters on his trail. He is one of the founders of Hamas military wing, the Qassam Brigades, in the 1990s, and has led the force for more than 20 years. He planned suicide bombings that led to the death of dozens of Israelis. Israel identified him and Yahya Sinwar as the chief architects of the October 7 attack that killed at least 1,139 people in southern Israel and triggered its war on Gaza. Marwan Issa: He is the deputy commander of Hamas military wing in the Gaza Strip and a mastermind of the October 7 attack. Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, had said earlier in March that Issa had been killed. The Palestinian Authority arrested him in 1997, but he was freed after the second intifada in 2000. He had served since 2012 as a deputy to Mohammed Deif. Issa assumed the role after the assassination of another top commander, Ahmed al-Jabari. Issa served both on Hamas military council and in its Gaza political office, overseen by Yahya Sinwar. Khaled Meshaal: He was born in the West Bank in 1956, and is considered one of the founders of Hamas. Israels spy agency Mossad attempted to assassinate Meshaal in 1997 while he was living in Jordan. The late King Hussein of Jordan asked Israels PM Benjamin Netanyahu for the antidote for the substance Meshaal was injected with. Facing pressure from then US President Bill Clinton, Netanyahu provided the antidote after initially rejecting the request. Meshaal became head of the groups political bureau abroad. Mahmoud Zahar: Mahmoud Zahar is a co-founder of Hamas and a member of the Hamas leadership in Gaza. He became the adviser to the Palestinian Health Minister, and helped create the Palestinian Medical Society and was one of the primary founders of the Islamic University in Gaza in 1978. Zahar was instrumental in the founding of Hamas in 1987 and served as a senior official and spokesman of the organization. He was held in Israeli prisons, months after founding Hamas. Israel attempted to assassinate Zahar in 2003, when a plane dropped a bomb on his house in Gaza City. The attack left him with minor injuries, but killed his eldest son, Khaled. Opposition parties led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have revived their demand for caste census in Lok Sabha. War of words between the Opposition and BJP leaders on the issue led to chaos in the House on Wednesday, causing a 20-minute adjournment. Anurag Thakur had said Rahul Gandhis father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had opposed the OBC reservation while the Congress of today wants a caste census. You have to decide whether he was right or you are right. Was your party wrong, or are you wrong? Was he against OBCs or are you for them? he asked. Why Does Congress Want Caste Census? The Congress had last year said if it comes to power, it will hold a caste census that was due in 2021, and remove the cap of 50% on reservation through legislation. Rahul Gandhi, at that time, had said caste census was a matter of ensuring justice and not politics and asserted that the Congress-ruled states would be conducting caste surveys on the lines of Bihar. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had also asserted the partys demand for the caste survey at a press conference at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters. The Indian National Congress promises that a government led by it will conduct a nation-wide caste census as part of the normal decadal census which was due in 2021, the Congress Working Committee resolution had said. Rahul Gandhi had also raised the issue during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in January, and said a committed under veteran Congress leader Veerappa Moily was appointed. Moily had said the demand for a caste census within the Congress existed since 1930s and was not a new direction for the party, a report by The Hindu said. Experts believed that the caste survey was the Opposition parties, including Congress, plank to score over the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Moreover, the caste census could potentially challenge the current 50% cap on overall reservations. Thus, this provided the Opposition an opportunity to garner support from the OBC groups and challenge BJP politics. Interestingly, some surveys showed that around 44% of OBCs extended their support to the BJP in the 2019 general elections a significant increase from the 34% recorded in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Rahul Gandhi Vs Anurag Thakur In the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, BJP MP Anurag Thakur launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi for his chakravyuh jibe at the BJP-led government and alleged the former Congress chief misinterpreted his position of LoP as leader of propaganda. Thakur also alleged that the definition of OBCs for Congress is Only Brother-in-law Commission and not Other Backward Classes. Those whose caste is not known, talk about the caste census. I want to remind the Speaker that in this House itself, a former prime minister RG-1 had opposed reservation for OBCs, Thakur said in the House, making a reference to Rajiv Gandhi. Gandhi said, You can insult me as much as you like but we will pass the caste census in Parliament. Ahead of the polls, Rahul Gandhi had called the caste survey an X-ray of India. No one knows how many backwards, Dalits and tribals are there (in the country)? Those who form the biggest chunks of the population dont know their numbers. The BJP government does not want caste data. However, we will get an X-ray of India done to ascertain the population of various caste groups. The country will change once the caste census is done, he had said. Whats The Data on SCs, STs, OBCs? Although there is data on the number of individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes and to different religious groups, there is no exact figures for the number of 3,743 Other Backward Castes (OBCs) in the country. According to Census 2011, there are 10, 42, 81,034 Scheduled Tribes, which is 8.6% of the total population of India. The Scheduled Castes comprise 20,13,78,086, which is 16.6%, of the total population of the country. Estimates by scholars from the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) show that while almost 28% of all Indians were multidimensionally poor in 2015-16, the poverty headcount ratio among STs was 50.6%, SCs 33.3%, OBCs 27.2% and Others 15.6% [Alkire, Sabina and Oldiges, Christian and Kanagaratnam, Usha, Examining multidimensional poverty reduction in India 2005/62015/ 16: Insights and oversights of the headcount ratio (February 19, 2021). World Development, Vol. 142, 2021]. As per this estimate, while STs, SCs and OBCs taken together comprised around 77.6% of the Indian population in 2005-06, this share increased to almost 84% of the countrys poor in 2015-16, as per a report by The Hindu. Based on the data from the 1931 census, the Mandal Commission made its recommendation for bringing 27% reservation for OBCs. The commission used extrapolated data and determined that 52% of Indias total population, outside of ST and SC, belonged to OBCs. The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) was conducted in 2011, but its result was never published by the Central government. What Were Bihar Caste Census Findings? The Bihar caste survey was conducted in 2022 by the government led by Nitish Kumar, who was then the proponent of INDIA alliance. The survey cost the government Rs 5 billion from its contingency fund. The two-phase counting exercise was completed in August this year involving around 2.64 lakh enumerators documenting details of 29 million registered households. The exercise was widely understood to have emerged as a counterforce to Kamandal politics emphasised by the BJP. The survey showed that Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) with 112 castes formed the 36.01% of Bihars population while OBCs with 29 castes constituted the second largest chunk of the state with 27.12%. The Yadavs, with a 14.26% share, is the dominant caste in the OBC group. The Scheduled Castes population is pegged at 19.65% while the number of the general unreserved population is 15.52%. After the survey findings were made public, party leaders like Nitish Kumar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, had said they would review the welfare schemes announced by the government for the development of the poor and marginalised sections. On November 9, 2023, the Bihar Assembly unanimously passed a Bill to increase reservation for Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes from the existing 50% to 65%. The quota for the EBCs would be raised from 18% to 25%, for Backward Class (BC) from 12% to 18%, for Scheduled Caste (SC) from 16% to 20%, and for Scheduled Tribe (ST) from 1% to 2%. The existing 3% reservation for BC women has been scrapped. The Patna High Court, however, rejected the amendments passed by the legislature. The high court had ruled that the state should consider keeping total reservations within the 50% cap and exclude creamy layer from this. Consequently, the Bihar government approached the Supreme Court on July 2 challenging the directive of the Patna High Court. The SC on July 29 refused to stay the high court order, and issued notice on the appeals filed by the Bihar government and agreed to hear them in September. Keralas fragile ecosystem, extreme rainfall and increasing population are the many reasons behind the landslides that struck the hilly region of north Keralas Wayanad district on Monday, killing at least 150 people and leaving more than 100 injured. The affected areas in Wayanad include Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha towns, which remain cut off following the landslide. An Indian Navy team from the Ezhimala Naval Base in Kannur district was dispatched to Chooralmala to assist with rescue operations, at the request of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The Army and Air Force have also mobilised for rescue operations in the area, which have been hampered by the collapse of a main bridge in Chooralmala. The disaster is turning out to be one of the worst disasters in the recent past in terms of casualties, according to experts. The event brings back the memory of the 2018 flooding disaster caused by excessive rains that killed more than 500 people. What Happened in Wayanad? Wayanad district received more than 140 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours between the mornings of Monday and Tuesday, about five times more than is expected, per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Several areas within the district reported more than 300 mm of rainfall during this period. The landslide was triggered by extremely heavy rainfall caused by warming of the Arabian Sea, according to climate experts. According to S Abhilash, director of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), a deep mesoscale cloud system formed off the coast in the Arabian Sea causing extreme rainfall in Wayanad, Calicut, Malappuram and Kannur. The clouds were similar to those formed in 2019, he quoted The Times of India as saying. There were major landslides during and after the 2018 flooding event, including in Wayanad. The district also saw a few smaller landslides in 2019. The southeast Arabian Sea is becoming warmer, causing atmospheric instability above this region, including Kerala. The climate change has made the rain-laden areas with deep clouds extend southward, which is causing excessive rain. Why is Kerala Prone to Disasters? Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune, roughly half of Kerala consists of hills and mountainous regions with slopes greater than 20 degrees, making these areas prone to landslides during heavy rains. A study published by Springer in 2021 said all landslide hotspots in Kerala were in the Western Ghats region and concentrated in Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. It said about 59% of total landslides in Kerala occurred in the plantation regions. According to former earth sciences ministry secretary and climate scientist M Rajeevan, the Western Ghats regions of Kerala, which once had thick forest cover now have rubber trees, which cannot hold the soil together. Construction activities in vulnerable areas also lead to disasters. A lot of construction activities are happening in our state [Kerala] in vulnerable areas. We built more roads and culverts. However, even now our engineering structures are being built based on the amount of rainfall and intensity of rainfall in older days. There is a need to rethink new or added risk factors while constructing roads or culverts. We are not providing room for the river in many places and this is an important factor for flash floods. Our unscientific construction mechanisms are major causes for the destruction we are facing, Sreekumar told The Week. Girish Gopinath, head of the Kufos Department of climate variability and aquatic ecosystems, has also attributed human activities in the periphery of Wayanad and Idukki high ranges as the major factors contributing to landslides, as mentioned in a report by The New Indian Express. The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, formed in 2011 under ecologist Madhav Gadgils chairmanship, had recommended that 75% of the 129,037 sq km of the Western Ghats covering Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, and Kerala be declared an environmentally sensitive area because of its dense, rich forests and a large number of endemic flora and fauna. The panels recommendations were not implemented. Previous Landslides and Floods in Kerala The last major landslide in the State occurred in 2020 when an avalanche crashed down on tea plantation workers in the Kanan Devan Hills of Idukki district, killing 65 people, mostly estate workers. In 2018, devastating floods killed more than 400 people across Kerala, destroying homes, forested areas, and infrastructure. In 2021, dozens died due to multiple landslides and floods in Keralas Kottayam and Idukki districts. Rain-related incidents such as landslips and flash floods claimed several lives in 2022 as well. The Climate Report of India, released by the IMD in January 2023, revealed that extreme weather events claimed 32 lives in Kerala in 2022. In July 2022, the Ministry of Earth Sciences informed the Lok Sabha that Kerala witnessed the highest number of major landslides in the country over the past seven years. Of the 3,782 landslides between 2015 and 2022, 2,239 (nearly 59.2%) were reported from Kerala. Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the Kerala government was warned last week regarding a possible natural calamity in Keralas Wayanad due to heavy rainfall and nine NDRF teams were rushed to the state the same day. While speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Shah claimed that the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government was warned by the Centre a week before the landslides hit the hilly district, but it did not heed to the early warning and also did not get alerted even by arrival of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) battalions He also expressed condolence on the loss of lives in the tragic landslides in Wayanad and slammed the opposition for doing politics over the issue. My condolences to the bereaved families I want to clarify something for the country They kept on talking about early warning. I want to clarify that on July 23, the government of India gave an early warning to the government of Kerala, which was 7 days before the incident, and then on July 24 and 25 too early warning was given. On July 26, a warning was given that there was a chance of heavy rainfall of more than 20 cm, and there were chances of landslides, there could be mudflow and people could lose lives in this. Questions are being raised about the early warning system of the government The government has spent Rs. 2000 crores after 2014 for the early warning system he said. #WATCH | Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, My condolences to the bereaved families I want to clarify something for the country They kept on talking about early warning. I want to clarify that on July 23, the government of India gave an early warning to the pic.twitter.com/pyi8WCFPq2 ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024 He further questioned the Kerala government saying that what precautionary measures did the state government take when the centre cautioned about the potential landslides about a week ago. Under this early warning system, on July 23, at my direction, 9 NDRF teams were sent to Kerala considering that there could be landslides What did the Kerala government do? Were the people shifted? And if they were shifted then how did they die? The project of early warning started in 2016 and by 2023, India had the most modern early warning system There are only 4 countries to predict 7 days in advance and India is one amongst them he said. #WATCH | Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, Under this early warning system, on July 23, at my direction, 9 NDRF teams were sent to Kerala considering that there could be landslides What did the Kerala government do? Were the people shifted? And if they were pic.twitter.com/P29bTb2buk ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024 Intervening in the short duration calling attention motion on the Wayanad landslide tragedy in the Upper House, Shah also assured help and support of the Centre to the state and the people to deal with the situation. Early warning was given, that is why on July 23, we sent 9 teams of NDRF and three more were sent yesterday. Had they become alert the day the NDRF teams landed, a lot could have been saved. But this is the time to stand with the government and the people of Kerala. Irrespective of the party politics, Narendra Modi government will stand with the people of Kerala he said. #WATCH | Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, Early warning was given, that is why on July 23, we sent 9 teams of NDRF and three more were sent yesterday. Had they become alert the day the NDRF teams landed, a lot could have been saved. But this is the time to stand pic.twitter.com/Uj5TVM30F4 ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024 Kerala CM Refutes Amit Shahs Claim A day after the Wayanad landslide claimed the lives of several people, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday refuted Union Home Minister Amit Shahs claim that the state government was warned earlier on July 23 regarding a possible natural calamity in the district due to heavy rains. While addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Vijayan said, A red alert was issued for the district only after the landslides hit there on Tuesday morning, . The CM further said that this was not the time for blame game and that he was not taking Shahs remarks in an adversarial manner. Meanwhile, Union Minister George Kurian said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the landslide situation in Wayanad. The situation is being monitored by the central government at the highest level. The Honourable Prime Minister is monitoring the situation and has deputed me to visit the affected areas. Both control rooms of the Ministry of Home Affairs are monitoring the situation 247 and providing all possible assistance to the state, he said. Massive landslides hit hilly areas in Keralas Wayanad district early on Tuesday resulting in at least 158 fatalities and hundreds of injuries. The Army is working in close coordination with the NDRF and other agencies to carry out rescue operations in the affected areas. Search and rescue operations are in progress at the landslide-affected Chooralmala area in Wayanad. At present, 1,200 rescue workers from the Indian Army, DSC Centre, Territorial Army, NDRF, Indian Navy, and IAF are actively involved on the ground. Four columns from the Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre, Kannur, and 122 TA Battalion are conducting combined rescue operations along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state rescue teams, a senior Army official said. Replying to the calling attention motion, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed the House that 133 bodies have been recovered so far. In a notable development, the Supreme Court reaffirmed its decision to stay the premature release of Arun Gawli, a gangster-turned-politician currently serving a life sentence for murder. Citing the iconic film dialogue So ja beta, warna Gabbar aa jayega from the movie Sholay, the court confirmed its earlier ruling. A bench consisting of Justice Suryakant and Justice Dipankar Dutta decided to maintain the stay on the April 5 order by the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. The Supreme Court upheld its previous order from June 3 and scheduled a hearing for November 20 to review the appeals. The High Court had previously directed state authorities to review Gawlis application for premature release in accordance with the 2006 remission policy. The Supreme Court bench, however, stated that interim relief would not be granted and the earlier issued interim stay order would remain in effect. The appeal will be heard on November 20, stated the apex court. During the proceedings, senior advocate Raja Thackeray, representing the Maharashtra government, highlighted that Gawli faces over 46 charges, including approximately 10 murder cases. In response to the Supreme Courts inquiry about Gawlis activities over the past 5 to 8 years, Thackeray noted that Gawli had been incarcerated for more than 17 years. Thackeray contended that under the Maharashtra Organised Crime Control Act (MCOCA), convicts must serve a minimum of 40 years before being eligible for remission, as stipulated by the 2015 policy. Senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, representing Gawli, argued that other co-accused in the case have been granted bail and that the Bombay High Courts decision to permit premature release was appropriate. Ramakrishnan also pointed out that while the state government revised its remission policy in 2015, Gawlis conviction dates back to 2009, making the 2006 policy applicable. This older policy permits exemptions based on age and physical infirmity. In response to Gawlis lawyer, the Supreme Court bench remarked, Not everyone is Arun Gawli. There is a famous line from the film Sholay, So ja beta, warna Gabbar aa jayega, which reflects a similar situation here. However, Ramakrishnan detailed the convicts health issues, including heart and lung diseases. In response, the state governments lawyer attributed these health problems to Gawlis long-term smoking habit over the past 40 years. Ramakrishnan responded that the issue of smoking was irrelevant as there were no charges related to smoking against Gawli. The advisory board has confirmed that Gawli is vulnerable due to his age, so the 2006 policy should apply, as he was convicted under that policy. The 2015 policy should not be applied in this case, she added. On June 3, the Supreme Court stayed the April 5 order of the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, which had instructed state authorities to review Gawlis application for premature release under the 2006 remission policy. Upskill Your Students with the Right Mix of Training in Evolving Tech Watch Now OnDemand! With today's technology landscape changing by the second, experiential learning in the very latest tech skills is essential for students to succeed in the workforce. Yet incorporating these skills into traditional curricula can be challenging developing up-to-date learning content and pushing course modifications through a bureaucratic approval system can be time-consuming and frustrating for overburdened faculty. But it doesn't have to be that way: Partnering with a technology workforce development company can speed the process of offering certifications, microcredentials, and other learning pathways to help students gain the latest in-demand skills. In this fireside chat webcast, Campus Technology Editor in Chief Rhea Kelly will speak with Hannah Aldine, Sr. Solutions Consultant at Pluralsight, about how universities are integrating skills training into traditional offerings, what tech skills students need most, the importance of hands-on learning, and more. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Wednesday cancelled the provisional candidature of IAS trainee Puja Khedkar and debarred her from taking exams in the future. Khedkar has been accused of fraudulently availing the civil services examination by faking her identity to take the exam beyond the permissible number of attempts. A case under sections 420 (cheating), 464 (making a document in the name of a fictitious person), 465 (forgery) and 471 (passing off a forged document as genuine) of IPC and under sections 89 and 91 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and 66D of the Information Technology Act was registered against Khedkar after the UPSC filed a complaint against her. Khedkar has been at the centre of a controversy after she was transferred to Washim from Pune earlier this month amid allegations that she abused her power. Wile Puja Khedkar was embroiled in a row after social posts started questioning her merits, more details came out in the following days about her getting a fake disability certificate. Heres a Timeline of the Puja Khedkar case: Ten of the total 14 districts in Kerala are among the 30 most landslide-prone districts in the country, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) noted in its 2023 report, raising alarm over the increasing vulnerability of the Western Ghats. But it has not slowed down the pace of development in the sensitive region, setting it up for one disaster after another, experts say. The risk assessment led by the Hyderabad-based National Remote Sensing Centre ranked Thrissur third among the most vulnerable districts after Rudraprayag and Tehri Garhwal in Uttarakhand. This was followed by Palakkad (5), Malappuram (7), Kozhikode (10), Wayanad (13), Ernakulam (13), Idukki (18), Kottayam (24), Kannur (26), and Thiruvananthapuram (28). The rest of the four districts, Pathanamthitta (33), Kasargod (44), Kollam (48), and Alappuzza (138), also featured in the 147 most landslide-affected regions in the first such pan-India rainfall-triggered landslide database of nearly 80,000 landslides between 1988 and 2022. ONE LANDSLIDE AFTER ANOTHER This region in Wayanad was hit by a devastating landslide in August 2019 too, killing 17 people. It wiped away a lot of the natural vegetation, exposing the bedrock which made the recent landslide even more severe. The topsoil here is unconsolidated, barely 2-3 meters deep, and gets eroded when the rainfall is extremely heavy, said Dr PS Sunil, senior geologist from Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT). Close to 160 lives have been lost in the disaster that hit Wayanad in the early hours of Tuesday while many others remain missing as the rescue operation continues. The steep slopes and high gradient of the hills, nearly 45 degrees, washed away several small townships along the river bank, including a bridge that was the main connecting link. Geo-analytical expert Raj Bhagat Palanichamy who studied the disaster-hit area says, the Chaliyar river had a steep fall of around 1,200 m to reach the Vellarmala-Chooralmala section, and its velocity was so high that it washed away everything that came in its path. The flow was so intense that the river did not bend, but followed a straight path. The topography was already risk-prone after the 2019 landslide which caused massive debris flow. This stream has huge potential to erode further if preventive measures are not taken soon, he said. HEED WARNING BY PROF GADGIL, KASTURIRANGAN The scale of this disaster has also brought back focus on the recommendations made by Professor Madhav Gadgil and Dr K Kasturirangan. In 2011, the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) headed by Prof Gadgil recommended that areas in Kerala which come under the Western Ghats be classified as ecologically sensitive, and called for strict curbs on mining and quarrying and on the use of land for non-forest purposes. Prof Madhav Gadgil had very specifically stated that Wayanad, Idukki Western Ghats had an ecologically sensitive area that needs to be protected. But, we, the people of Kerala, were not in agreement with the report. This is the right time for the Kerala government to convene an all-party meeting to discuss it because these disasters are happening every monsoon, Kerala MP NK Premachandran told News18. Well never say that all people be evacuated from the area, but some precautionary measures have to be taken, otherwise these calamities will continue to strike. Despite a lower number of landslides compared to the Western Himalayan region, the Western Ghats have become a vulnerable hotspot due to environmental degradation, high population, and household density, especially in Kerala. The replacement of natural vegetation with plantations has worsened the impacts, say experts. The Gadgil committee report was submitted long back but is yet to be implemented. We need to take the carrying capacity maps seriously and take immediate mitigation measures to reduce overexploitation and land use, said MH Swaminath, former Indian Forest Service officer, Karnataka. AS CLIMATE WARMS, SCIENTISTS STRUGGLE TO PREDICT Most such landslides in Kerala have been triggered by heavy monsoon rains, and global warming has fuelled the intensity and frequency of such events. Despite advancements in weather forecasting, meteorologists are struggling to predict such short bursts of very heavy rains, as they are extremely localised. Earlier, it used to drizzle, now it is a downpour. Since the incident struck in the wee hours, people had no time to escape. The Gadgil committee report had already documented the vulnerable areas, and we should control population, construction, and over-exploitation in these areas, but with the support of local people. If no action is taken, then it is certain, there will be more such deadly disasters in the near future, said Girigan Gopi, senior scientist from MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai. A stone-pelting incident was reported on the funeral procession of a 26-year-old Dharavi man. The victim Arvind Vaishya, a Bajrang Dal activist was stabbed in his chest, leading to his death, as he tried to resolve a fight between two groups of residents on Sunday. During the funeral procession on Tuesday, a crowd was heading towards the crematorium in Dharavi when stones were pelted at them from adjoining buildings. Police had to step in and ease tensions and Vaishyas last rites were eventually performed under police protection. While the police identified the victim as a resident of Rajiv Gandhi Nagar in Dharavi and said he worked with a medical supplies firm, they refrained from commenting on the stone pelting incident. Police have arrested two persons in the case so far and search is underway for the remaining accused. A case has been registered under sections 103 (2) (murder) and 351 (2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. We are verifying the role of others and if we find their involvement, we will make further arrests, said a police officer. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya also condemned the act urged the police to undertake Combing Operation of the area. I strongly condemn stone pelting by Drug Mafias & Goons of Dharavi at Khawaja Garib Nawaz Area of Rajiv Gandhi Nagar Dharavi on The Smashan Yatra of ARVIND VAISHYA. I myself witness the incident. I requested Police to undertake Combing Operation of the area, he said on X. I strongly condemn stone pelting by Drug Mafias & Goons of Dharavi at Khawaja Garib Nawaz Area of Rajiv Gandhi Nagar Dharavi on The Smashan Yatra of ARVIND VAISHYA. I myself witness the incident.I requested Police to undertake Combing Operation of the area @BJP4Maharashtra Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) July 30, 2024 Rajiv Chaubey, secretary of the Mumbai division of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, while speaking to news agency IANS, levelled allegations against the Mumbai Police and said, The murder took place in front of the police, he said. Chaubey also participated in a sit-in protest in front of Dharavi Police Station on Monday demanding swift action against the accused. Landslide In Wayanad LIVE Updates: Kerala Police Dog Squad Finds 5 Bodies In Mundakkai The Kerala police dog squad has discovered five bodies at Mundakkai, including one child. Four additional bodies have been identified and will be recovered once more machinery and personnel are deployed to the area. Wayanad Landslides Live updates: Army Recovers 70 Bodies, Rescues 1,000 People Military personnel on Wednesday intensified search and rescue operations in Keralas Wayanad district, where landslides have claimed more than 100 lives, with the Army saying that it has recovered around 70 bodies so far and rescued nearly 1,000 people. Four columns from the Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre, Kannur, and 122 TA Battalion are conducting combined rescue operations along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state rescue teams, a senior Army official said. Landslide In Wayanad LIVE Updates: Everyone in the Country Should Come to Victims' Aid, Says Kerala Guv Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday appealed to everyone across the country to come to the aid of the victims of the massive landslides in this high-range district of the state, saying it was a colossal tragedy. To deal with this kind of massive tragedy, we need help from every side. So, I hope people will display the same generosity, concern and sensitivity towards these victims in Wayanad. Not just Kerala. I would like to make an appeal to people all over the country that it is our duty to come to the rescue and help of these unfortunate victims of the landslides, Khan, who is in Wayanad, told reporters. Landslide In Wayanad LIVE Updates: 1200 Personnel Conduct Search & Rescue Operation Search and rescue operations continue at landslide-affected Chooralmala in Wayanad. Nearly 1200 rescue workers from the Indian Army, DSC centre, Territorial Army, NDRF, Indian Navy and the IAF are deployed here. #WATCH | Wayanad landslide | Search and rescue operations continue at landslide-affected Chooralmala in Wayanad. At the moment, 1200 rescue workers from Indian Army, DSC centre, Territorial Army, NDRF, Indian Navy and the IAF are deployed here. The death toll stands at 158. pic.twitter.com/gRra3cuwaW ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024 Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Appeals to Corporates to Donate Generously to Kerala Landslide Victims Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday appealed to the corporate world to contribute generously for the relief and rehabilitation of people hit by massive landslides in Wayanad district in neighbouring Kerala. In a message to the corporates, Siddaramaiah exhorted them to help rebuild the affected areas through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The scale of the disaster necessitates a coordinated and generous response from all sectors of society, particularly from corporate entities that have always been pillars of support in times of need, the CM said in his letter. Wayanad Landslides Live updates: IAF's C-17 To Reach Wayand With Equipment To Build Bailey Bridge The Indian Airforces C-17 carrying Indian Army personnel and parts and equipment for the construction of Bailey Bridge will arrive at Kannur International Airport around 11.30 AM from Delhi. The operation will be coordinated by Captain Puran Singh Natha Vath of the Kannur Defense Security Forces (DSC). Bridge construction materials will be delivered to Wayanad in 17 trucks to boost the search and rescue operation in the landslide hit district of Kerala. Chooralmala Landslide LIVE Updates: Rescue Operation Underway On Day 2 Chooralmala village in Wayanad was severely impacted after a series of landslides occurred on Tuesday. A massive rescue operation has been underway since Tuesday and teams are now nearing the most difficult-to-reach locations. #WATCH | Kerala: Relief and rescue operation underway in Wayanads Chooralmala after a landslide broke out yesterday early morning claiming the lives of 143 people (latest visuals) pic.twitter.com/Cin8rzwAzJ ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024 Landslide In Wayanad LIVE Updates: 'House Swept Away, Relatives Missing...', Survivor Shares Tragic Details A Wayanad landslide survivor recounted her harrowing experience, saying, I live alone, and during the night, I felt my bed shaking and heard loud noises. I tried calling my neighbours, but no one answered. I reached out to my son in Coimbatore on the phone, and he told me to climb on top of the house for safety. I couldnt open the door because it was jammed, so I yelled for help. Eventually, rescuers arrived, broke the door with an axe, and pulled me out. When the second landslide hit, my house was swept away. My relatives in Mundakkai all perished; two bodies have been recovered, but six or seven are still missing. Now, I am left without a home or land and am unable to work. I dont know how Ill rebuild or what to do next. Landslide In Wayanad LIVE Updates: National flag At half-mast At Kerala Legislative Assembly The national flag is flying at half-mast at the Kerala Legislative Assembly as the state observes a two-day mourning period following the tragic landslide in Wayanad, which claimed 146 lives. #WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: National flag at half-mast at Kerala Legislative Assembly, as two-day mourning is being observed in the state after Wayanad landslide claimed 143 lives. pic.twitter.com/Bbj1CZsiIr ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024 Wayanad Landslides Live updates: Rescue Teams Build Bridge Mundkai and Thurrelmala The officials told CNN News18 that the rescue teams are currently relying on zip lines to carry out their operations amid the challenging conditions caused by incessant rains. Their efforts are focused on constructing a bridge between Mundkai and Thurrelmala to improve accessibility. However, the unstable ground across the Veliramala area remains a significant obstacle, complicating their rescue and relief efforts. Wayanad Landslides Live updates: IMD Issues Orange Alert For Five Districts In Kerala The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargode districts. The Met Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in these regions on Wednesday. Landslide In Wayanad LIVE Updates: Kerala Declares Two-Day Mourning Period The state government declared a two-day mourning period in Kerala on Tuesday. All the public functions and celebrations have been postponed in the wake of mourning period. Landslide In Wayanad LIVE Updates: Authorities Scramble to Account for Missing Persons District authorities in Keralas landslide-struck Wayanad on Wednesday started collecting data to determine the number of people missing following the massive tragedy, as rescue operations resumed to trace persons suspected to be trapped. A special team at the District Emergency Operation Centre is compiling data on the number of people residing in the area, those found after the landslide, and the number of persons missing, a district administration official told reporters early Wednesday. Landslide In Wayanad LIVE Updates: Two Persons from Odisha Missing in Kerala Landslides Two persons from Odisha are missing in the landslides in Keralas Wayanad, the CMO said. The Odisha government has contacted the Kerala government over the issue. The chief ministers office, in a X post, said, The state government is in regular communication with the Kerala government in view of the massive landslide where many lives were affected in Wayanad. As per the information received from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, two rescued Odia people are under treatment while two others are still missing. The state government is in touch with the district administration concerned that has contacted the Odia families affected by the calamity, it added. Kerala Landslide Updates: State Health Minister Veena George Meets Accident On Her Way To Waynad Kerala Health Minister Veena George was involved in a minor car accident while travelling to Wayanad. George didnt sustain any serious injuries. She is currently receiving treatment at the Manjeri Medical Colleges emergency department. Landslide In Wayanad LIVE Updates: CM Vijayan Holds High-level Meeting to Coordinate Rescue Operations Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday convened a high-level meeting to coordinate rescue operations in Wayanad and discuss further steps in the wake of the massive landslides. At the meeting with top bureaucrats from various departments and senior police officers, Vijayan assessed the rescue operations as well as reviewed the coordination with central government agencies, the deployment of disaster response forces, and the health and safety precautions and facilities in the relief camps, a statement issued by his office said. Kerala Landslide Updates: Rescue Operations in Full Swing in Wayanad Various rescue agencies resumed their operations early in the morning to trace people suspected to be trapped in the tragedy, which has killed at least 146 people and left 186 injured. Fears of mounting fatalities have been sparked by suspicions that several people may still be trapped under the debris. A 30-year-old woman was shot dead allegedly by an unidentified man in a road rage incident after their two-wheelers brushed against each other near the Gokal Puri Flyover in Delhi. The incident took place on Wednesday around 3:15 p.m. when the woman, identified as Simranjeet Kaur, was travelling with her husband, Heera Singh, and their two sons, aged 12 and 4 years. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Joy Tirkey stated that Singh had a verbal altercation with the man on another two-wheeler after their vehicles nearly collided near the flyover. At about 3:15 PM, a person Heera Singh (40) was going towards Maujpur along with his wife Simranjeet Kaur (30) on his Bullet motorcycle. He had a verbal spat with one person on a two-wheeler near Gokal Puri Flyover after their vehicles almost brushed against each other, Tirkey stated. Following the argument, an assailant fired a single shot from the flyover, approximately 30-35 feet below, striking Kaur in the upper chest near her neck, the police stated. Despite immediate medical attention, Kaur was declared dead upon arrival at Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital. A murder case has been filed, and police are reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify and apprehend the perpetrator. Efforts are being made to identify and arrest the assailant. Further investigation is in progress, the police noted. International Beer Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by exploring some of the best beer spots in Delhi NCR? Whether youre a fan of craft brews or just enjoy a good pint, Delhis vibrant bar scene has something to offer for every beer enthusiast. Heres a curated list of six top spots where you can enjoy a fantastic selection of beers, delectable food, and a lively atmosphere. Flow Brew & Dine View this post on Instagram A post shared by Flow Brew & Dine (@flowdelhi) Kick off your International Beer Day at Flow Brew & Dine, one of Delhis premier craft breweries. With a selection of 8 unique brews, from a nutty IPA to a creamy roasted stout, theres something to suit every taste. Dont miss their summer special, Mango Alphonso Lager (Mangorama), or their rare Honey Mead and Champagne-like Apple Cider. The venue offers a stunning breezy terrace, perfect for enjoying monsoon treats whipped up by their chef. With live music every Thursday and 1+1 happy hours all week, Flow Brew & Dine is set to host a thrilling chugging contest and give away a 5000 F&B voucher to celebrate International Beer Day. Cafe Hawkers View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cafe Hawkers (@cafehawkers) Cafe Hawkers is a fantastic destination for those wanting to savour great beers without stretching their budget. They are offering beer at just 129 per beer. Indulge in their most popular lasagnaa rich, cheesy treat that complements your brew perfectly for a truly fulfilling experience. Their menu is expertly curated, featuring a diverse selection of dishes from around the world. Enjoy everything from waffles and shakes to pizza and more, making it an ideal spot to hang out with friends. BeeYoung Brewgarden View this post on Instagram A post shared by BeeYoung Brew Garden (@beeyoungbrewgarden) This International Beer Day, BeeYoung Brewgarden invites beer lovers and curious newcomers alike to join their exciting BrewQuest event. Set against the backdrop of Delhi NCRs largest brewhouse, this immersive experience promises a delightful combination of education, flavor, and fun. Participants will have the unique opportunity to engage in an exclusive masterclass led by the head brewer, who will share insights into the art and science of brewing. Following the masterclass, guests can savor a selection of the brewerys finest brews during a guided tasting session, designed to enhance their appreciation of different beer styles and flavors. But the experience doesnt stop there! Attendees can also enjoy an immersive tour of the brewhouse, where they can witness the brewing process firsthand and learn about the craftsmanship that goes into each batch of beer. With limited free slots available, interested participants are encouraged to reserve their spots early to ensure they dont miss out on this special celebration. After the brewing activities, guests can enjoy the delicious food options and engage in some friendly competition at Indias first Bocce ball court located in a food and beverage outlet. Additionally, BeeYoung Brewgarden features a variety of other table games and an arcade space. Whether one is a seasoned beer enthusiast or simply looking to explore the world of craft beer, BrewQuest at BeeYoung Brewgarden offers the perfect setting to celebrate International Beer Day in a truly memorable way. Nukkad Cafe & Bar View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nukkad Cafe (@nukkadcafe) For a lively and musical celebration, head to Nukkad Cafe & Bar. They offer unlimited beer every Wednesday, making it an ideal spot for a midweek beer fest. The culinary offerings here impress with a global twist and a touch of desi flavour. Enjoy everything from American classics and spicy Indian curries to delectable Italian dishes. Its a vibrant venue where you can indulge in flavorful food while enjoying nightly musical performances. Ministry of Sound Noida View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ministry of Sound India (@ministryofsoundxindia) Ministry of Sound Noida is renowned as North Indias top microbrewery. Known for its exceptional apple cider beer, the brewery has garnered five awards for its quality. Its a prime location to celebrate International Beer Day with style and savour some of the best brews in the region. Reflex Bar, Brewery & Dining View this post on Instagram A post shared by REFLEX Bar Brewery Dining (@reflexbrewery) Reflex Bar, Brewery & Dining offers a unique experience with craft beers designed by celebrity brewer Ishan Grover (BeerBaba). Complementing their innovative beers is a vibrant cocktail menu curated by renowned mixologist Yangdup Lama. The warm and welcoming atmosphere, along with a diverse food menu ranging from Indian to Italian cuisine, makes Reflex Bar an ideal venue for a festive International Beer Day celebration. Each of these spots offers its unique atmosphere and selection of brews, ensuring that your International Beer Day is both enjoyable and memorable. Cheers to great beer and even better company! Arjun Rampal recently discussed his divorce from Mehr Jesia, to whom he was married from 1998 to 2019. He admitted he might have been too young to marry and felt empty after the split. Arjun said he has a good relationship with his ex-wife, and that Mehr and their daughters get along well with his girlfriend, Gabriella. Arjun, on The Ranveer Show Podcast, said that people often blame others when things go wrong, but the real issues come from feeling unhappy inside. For More: Arjun Rampal Takes Responsibility For His Failed Marriage With Mehr Jesia: There Were So Many Following Nagarjuna and Dhanush, a new video of Chiranjeevi at the airport is drawing criticism. The actor faced a lot of backlash on social media for shoving a fan who tried to take a selfie with him. Although his fans are rallying to his defense, the online reaction remains largely negative. In a video thats gone viral, Chiranjeevi and his wife Surekha are spotted leaving an airport lift with their entourage. When an IndiGo Airlines worker requests Chiranjeevi for a selfie and blocks his path, the star gives him a firm shove and walks away. For More: Chiranjeevi SLAMMED For Shoving Airline Employee Who Tried Taking A Selfie With Him | Watch Viral Video After a four-year romance, Vikrant Massey and Sheetal Thakur got engaged in November 2019. They celebrated their union with a private marriage ceremony at their Mumbai home three years later. Last year, the couple joyfully announced they were expecting, and in February, they welcomed their baby boy, Vardaan. Ahead of his upcoming film Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, Vikrant Massey spoke exclusively to News18 Showsha about his appreciation for Taapsee Pannu and shared that the actress was one of the first colleagues and friends to visit and bless his son, describing her gesture as truly special. For More: Vikrant Massey Reveals Taapsee Pannus Special Gesture for His Son: No One on This Earth | Exclusive Asim Riaz has been making headlines ever since he mega fight with Rohit Shetty in Khatron Ke Khiladi 14 aired over the weekend. While Riaz is facing a massive backlash for disrespecting the show and the host, he has now dropped a cryptic post online. Recently, Asim Riaz took to his Instagram stories and dropped a picture which featured four dogs and a leopard. While dogs were standing in the forefront, leopard was seen seated behind. Sometimes trying to prove that you are the best is an insult, it read. For More: Asim Riaz Drops Cryptic Post After Fight With Rohit Shetty In Khatron Ke Khiladi: Trying To Prove Kritika Malik has been facing backlash ever since she entered the Bigg Boss OTT 3 house. She has been accused of betraying her best friend, Payal by marrying Armaan Malik. Recently, a press conference was held inside the Bigg Boss OTT 3 house when the media brutally grilled Kritika and Armaan. Krtika was even called a witch and was asked if ever felt ashamed of betraying her friend. Kritika Malik revealed that she felt guilty marrying Armaan and even attempted suicide once. Initially, I did feel guilty. We faced numerous problems, the three of us got separated, and I even attempted suicide For More: Kritika Malik Says She Felt Guilty After Marrying Armaan Malik: I Even Attempted Suicide Actor Kiran Mane is a well-known face of Marathi TV and made his new identity from Bigg Boss Marathi Season 4. He also joined Uddhav Balasaheb Thackerays Shiv Sena recently. Mane is now active in politics along with acting. The actor always shares his day-to-day activities on social media. Recently, the actor shared a post on his social media account that is going viral. While sharing a post on Facebook, the actor informed that he is currently admitted to the hospital due to his unwell condition. The post read, Was fit, healthy, smiling till yesterday afternoonhospital todaysaline..injections and excruciating painhow unpredictable life is! Of course, I will overcome this too. Dont worry." As soon as the post was shared, it went viral on the internet. The post raised concern among the fans. Many people have commented on this post and asked him to take care. A user said, Take careOur best wishes are with you, Dada!" While another wrote, Get well soon sir." Meanwhile, the reason for what exactly happened to Kiran Mane has not come out yet. Kiran Mane is always in the headlines with the latest updates. Recently, in another post, the actor wrote about saint Sena Nhavi on the occasion of Shayani Ekadashi. He shared the post on his Facebook account while holding a mirror and seeing his face in it. A few years back, he was in controversy following his removal from the show Mulgi Jhali Ho. He also received scathing criticism from many people, and a few female co-stars even accused him of misconduct. But he denied the allegations by writing posts on social media and holding a press conference to refute the allegations. He issued a legal notice to the production house and asked for compensation. He also said that the production house and actresses of the serial who made charges should apologise to him. After that, he appeared in the house of Bigg Boss Marathi Season 4. He recently appeared in the drama film Terav, directed by Harish Ethape. Natasa Stankovic and Hardik Pandyas son Agastya turned a year older on Tuesday, July 30. While Natasa and Hardik, who are headed for a divorce, shared heartwarming wishes for their son, Natasa shared a new post dedicated to Agastya along with a special note in which she promised to protect him and be by his side regardless of how life changes. My buba You brought peace, love and joy into my life. My beautiful boy You are such a blessing, so sweet and kind always stay this way.. I wont let this world change your kind soul I will always be by your side hand in hand I love you, Mama , Natasa said. Check out the post below: Meanwhile, Hardik shared a never-before-seen video with Agastya along with a heartwarming birthday wish. He wrote, You keep me going every single day! Happy birthday to my partner in crime, my whole heart, my Agu Love you beyond words . Agastya is currently with Natasa in Serbia. The mother-son duo flew to Serbia hours before Natasa and Hardik announced their split. Earlier this month, the duo was spotted at the Mumbai airport, headed to board their flight to Natasas hometown. In the statement released on Instagram on July 18, the now former couple confirmed rumours of their split. After 4 years of being together, Hardik and I have decided to mutually part ways. We tried our best together and gave it our all, and we believe this is in the best interest for the both of us. This was a tough decision for us to make, given the joy, mutual respect, and companionship we enjoyed together and as we grew a family, Hardik and Natasa said. S Shankar and the makers of Game Changers released a new poster featuring Kiara Advani to mark her birthday. Kiara is cast opposite Ram Charan in the film. While fans are eagerly waiting for the films release, Sri Venkateswara Creations took to X and shared a colourful poster of her along with a sweet birthday wish. The poster looks like an extention of the films first song Jaragandi. Kiara is seen wearing the same outfit as seen in the music video which was earlier this year. The poster shows Kiara in a glamourous avatar. Sharing the poster, the production house revealed Kiaras character is named Jabilamma in the film. Team #GameChanger wishes our Jabilamma Aka @advani_kiara a very Happy Birthday Her vibrant energy will soon enchant your hearts, the team wrote. Check out the poster below: Fans took to the thread to wish her. Birthday wishes to the most beautiful actress @advani_kiara , a fan wrote. Damn! What a beauty! Happy birthday @advani_kiara , added another. Game Changer marks Kiara and Rams first film together. Earlier this year, producer Dil Raju hinted that Game Changer will release this year and could be in less than six months. At an event for Game Changer in Hyderabad, Dil Raju hinted at the release date. The producer said that the film will be in cinemas in five months, seemingly hinting at a September release date. However, an official confirmation on the same hasnt been shared yet. Besides teasing the release date, Raju also revealed that Jaragandi is just one of the many songs that the team has in store for the film. He said that the film will have five songs, three of which will be chart toppers. Meanwhile, the film wrapped in the summer this year. A photo of Ram Charan heading towards a helicopter was shared to announce that he has completed his work on the film. American rapper Megan Thee Stallion is under fire for her performance at Kamala Harris Atlanta Presidential rally. In videos from the rally, Megan was seen performing her hit song Savage. Dressed in a blue power suit, Megan was joined by background dancers on stage. At one point, Megan also twerked on stage, leaving the audiences in shock. Several social media users slammed Megan for the performance and wondered if the performance has cost Kamala votes. Imagine performing a sex song at a presidential rally, a social media user said. How is this election real, added another. Twerking at a political rally is a choice.. this cant be what we have representing us. this was a bad move on kamala for inviting such trash on stage in this point of political campaign, a third user wrote. Kamala about to lose votes, a fourth comment read. Why is she performing a s*xual song in front of kids in a presidential rally? a social media user asked. Watch the video below: Megan Thee Stallion performing at Kamala Harris rally in Atlanta. https://t.co/6k5qAOV4An Pop Base (@PopBase) July 30, 2024 Megan also performed her song, Body at the rally. Ahead of the performance, she told the crowd, I know my ladies in the crowd love their body. And if you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for. Megan went on to share a video with Kamala, giving her a shoutout as the future President of the US. Megan Thee Stallion and Kamala Harris together via new TikTok. pic.twitter.com/hXBvcx1PYr Stallion Stats (@MegansStats) July 31, 2024 Current Vice President Kamala Harris turned Democrat presidential nominee after Joe Biden stepped down from the presidential run. Since her nomination announcement, Kamala has been getting support from many prominent names in the west. These include the Obamas, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. Mrunal Thakurs journey from TV to the silver screen is a testament to her talent, determination, and her next-door-girl charm. Her impactful performances in films like Sita Ramam, Super 30, Hi Nanna, Jersey, and many more have solidified her place in the hearts of audiences and showcased her versatility as an actor. The actress has surely come a long way in showbiz and has battled against all odds, to create a name for herself. In her recent appearance on The Longest Interview podcast on Audible, the actress revealed that she had once fought with producers for a role. Speaking of her upcoming film Pooja Meri Jaan, she shared, There is one film, Pooja Meri Jaan that I have done, it is yet to be released. But that film is something that I wanted to do, this is who I am, and this is what had happened to me. So, I fought with the producers because I found out someone else was supposed to play this character. She further added, When I found out this film was being made, I fought for that role I gave multiple auditions and screen tests. I had to literally beg for it. We shot it 2 years ago, and it should hopefully be released this year. I remember it was the last day of shooting for Sita Ramam and I had to take a flight the next morning for a screen test. Meanwhile on the work front, Mrunal Thakur who recently delivered a power cameo in Nag Ashwins Kalki 2898 AD, penned a gratitude note for her role and also raved about the performances delivered by Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Prabhas and Kamal Haasan. Mrunal wrote, WHAT A FILM !!! Absolutely blown away by the visuals of #Kalki2898AD. The entire team has done a stellar job on this film!! From the cast to the sets, to the music, to the vfx, the the costumes everything is just so well done! @nag_ashwin Garu hats off to you for your vision and for bringing this masterpiece to life . For the unversed, Kalki 2898 AD became the talk of the town since its relaese. The film heavily draws inspiration from Mahabharat. The film is set in a dystopian future and revolves around four people a pregnant woman named Sumathi (Deepika Padukone), who is said to be carrying a child that is the 10th avatar of Vishnu; the immortal Ashwatthama (played by Amitabh Bachchan) who has been tasked to protect the unborn child; a ruthless villain named Supreme Yaskin (Kamal Haasan), who wants the child dead for he knows the child will be the end of the baddie; and Bhairava (Prabhas), a bounty hunter who would sell anyone in return of money. Priyanka Chopra is currently busy shooting for her upcoming Hollywood film, The Bluff. Since filming began, the actress has been regularly updating her fans with behind-the-scenes glimpses from the set. After sharing photos of her injuries, clips of her daughter Malti Marie Jonas humming on set, and showcasing her makeup and prosthetics for the film, the star has now posted a photo of one of the props being used in the movie. She took to her Instagram stories to share a close-up of a special GRICE 1762 musket rifle. Priyankas text along with the photo shows just how excited she is to use the prop. Wild! Our period appropriate props are so cool, read the description. Take a look at it here: Based on the behind-the-scenes photos from the set of The Bluff, fans are confident that the film will feature intense stunts, action and drama. Priyanka Chopra stars alongside Karl Urban in the highly anticipated upcoming film The Bluff, which will be available on Prime Video. Recently, her new look from the film caused quite a stir online, as a fan page leaked exclusive images showcasing her appearance for this Hollywood project. Directed by Frank E Flowers, the action-packed period drama features Priyanka as a bold pirate. The leaked pictures show her in the midst of an intense scene on a pirate ship, dressed in a black vest and looking battle-ready. However, its her striking mohawk hairstyle that really captured everyones attention, creating a buzz on the internet. Set in the 19th-century Caribbean, the film follows the story of a former female pirate, portrayed by Chopra. Her character in the film is reportedly striving to protect her family as her troubled past comes back to haunt her. The film is being produced by AGBOs Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot and Michael Disco, along with Cisely Saldana and Mariel Saldana from Cinestar Pictures. Besides The Bluff, Priyanka has several other Hollywood projects lined up, including Heads of State with John Cena and Citadel 2. DC Studios has finally moved a step ahead of bringing the good mans story to the world. Filmmaker James Gunn announced the wrap for his highly-awaited Superman, expressing gratitude to all who made the filming leg possible. In an Instagram post, Gunn shared a long post along with a picture from the first week of shooting in snow-clad Svalbard, Norway. Notably, the film will mark a new era of DC through Gunn and Peter Safrans rebooted DC universe. Announcing Supermans wrap, Gunn wrote, And thats a wrap. God bless our cast and crew whose commitment, creativity, and hard work have brought this project to life. I set out to make a movie about a good man in a world that isnt always so much. And the goodness and kindness and love Ive encountered on a daily basis on the set has inspired me and thrust me forward when I felt too spent to move on my own. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. It has been an honor. The filmmaker went on to speak about their Superman journey, stating that it has been a mix of toil, laughter, emotions, ideas and magic that they have shared together on sets. The announcement came days after DC Studios revealed plans for future projects in the superhero franchise at the Comic-Con this year. While Gunn personally couldnt attend the event due to ongoing production, Safran announced that they had finally completed the principal photography. From my perspective, its just too soon. A year is truthfully a long time for a campaign and so, from our perspective, I think we go stronger and harder over a shorter period, rather than stretching it out. Thats our instinct on that. Believe me, theres gonna be no shortage of Superman in your life over the next 12 months, he said while explaining why Superman opted out this year. More On DCUs Superman Starring David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel, Superman also features Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Among others are Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho. Superman is the first film in the DCU slate to feature the titular superhero after Henry Cavill exited the franchise. The film is set for release in July 2025. The current state of Indias fiscal federalism is significantly detrimental to the states. The system needs to be reoriented to foster a competitive environment across the country, not just within individual states. The recent Union Budget 2024 was expected to set a comprehensive five-year economic agenda for the countrys overall growth. In the budget, unique packages were granted to Bihar (Rs 26,000 crore) and Andhra Pradesh (Rs 15,000 crore) in exchange for political support, resulting in an even wider fiscal imbalance. It is essential to ask why a similar approach has not yet been taken to address the economic growth of other financially distressed states. For example, Punjab, as a landlocked border state facing locational disadvantages, requires a fair platform to compete on an equal footing. Once a prosperous and progressive state, Punjab now grapples with significant unchecked unemployment. This stems from a distressed farming sector and an imbalanced industrial base dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which comprise 99.7 per cent of the states industries. Punjab accounts for only 5 per cent of Indias industrial units, with a sluggish 3.6 per cent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in the industrial sector over the past five fiscal years, ranking 12th nationally. In contrast, neighbouring Haryana boasts a 5.9 per cent growth rate. Punjab, which ranked first in GDP in 1981 and fourth in 2004, has experienced a sharp decline. In fiscal year 2023-24, with a GDP of Rs 6.98 lakh crore, it ranked 16th. Comparatively, Haryanas GDP stands at Rs 11.20 lakh crore, securing its 12th place ranking. Notably, Bihar, once part of the economically challenged BIMARU states (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh), now boasts a 10.6 per cent growth rate and a GDP of Rs 8.59 lakh crore in FY 2023-24. Allowing lopsided economic development in a sensitive state like Punjab will have serious repercussions. Failing to ensure holistic development will ultimately lead to accusations of inefficiency in managing human resources. Unemployment exacerbates various issues in distressed areas, including mental health, crime, and drug abuse. Substantial evidence links drug abuse and law and order problems directly to unemployment. These issues must be addressed assertively to ensure the overall progress and well-being of Punjab. Economic distress in Punjab has led to unemployment and a significant migration of its human resources to Canada, which has created a breeding ground for radicals and anti-Indian Khalistani extremist activities on Canadian soil. It is a globalised challenge that must be addressed promptly. Secondly, the Pakistani border has been adversely affecting Punjabs economy. This, along with illegal arms supply and drug-related terrorism, has severely impacted Punjabs social fabric and law and order. The Central government has not adequately compensated Punjab for its unique challenges as compared to other states. The revenue-sharing disparity is a pressing issue causing significant, alarming socio-economic distress in Punjab. The state receives only 51 paise for every rupee it contributes to the Centres tax pool, compared to states like Bihar, which receive Rs 1.20. This highlights the urgent need for equitable revenue sharing to ensure Punjabs socio-economic well-being. Currently, Punjabs contribution to the countrys tax revenue stands at approximately 3 per cent, yet it receives only 1.8 per cent of the divisible pool of taxes allocated by the Fifteenth Finance Commission. It is concerning that Punjab received only 1.8 per cent of the Rs 8,16,649 crore distributed by the Centre to the states during 2022-23. In contrast, the large areas and population figures of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar provide them with additional leverage from the central tax pool. Uttar Pradesh received the highest share at 18 per cent (Rs 1,46,525 crore), while Bihar received the second-highest share of 10 per cent. This discrepancy underscores why Punjab and other states argue that they should receive a fair share of funds despite contributing more to the exchequer. During the fiscal year 2022-23, Punjab contributed Rs 32,800 crore to the central tax fund, which includes CGST, income tax, corporation tax, wealth tax, union excise duty, customs, and service tax. However, the state received only Rs 14,756 crore in return. Punjab has raised this issue with the Sixteenth Finance Commission, arguing that it deserves a fairer share of central tax revenue. The Finance Commission recommends the distribution of tax revenues between the Centre and the states. Despite recommendations to allocate 42 per cent and 41 per cent of net tax revenue to states, their share of gross tax revenue fell to 35 per cent in 2015-16 and 30 per cent by 2023-24. For 2024-25, the Gross Tax Revenue (GTR) is projected to grow at 11.7 per cent, raising concerns about whether this growth will be adequate to meet state fiscal needs. The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act has had significant and varying consequences for fiscal federalism. It has granted the Centre more extensive taxation powers, altering the budget landscape and transforming budgetary federalism in the country. While GST has led to revenue growth, it has also restricted the financial autonomy of the states. In a recent memorandum submitted to the Sixteenth Finance Commission chairman, Punjab highlighted the financial loss incurred due to the introduction of GST. The state estimated it would have earned more than Rs 45,000 crore with VAT compared to the budgeted GST revenue of Rs 25,750 crore for FY 2024-25. This gap is expected to widen, with a projected difference of Rs 95,000 crore under VAT versus Rs 47,000 crore under GST by 2030-31. The Way Forward In the current fiscal federalism framework, it is crucial to adopt a comprehensive and inclusive approach to budgetary prudence, local employment generation, and social harmony, regardless of demographic and political differences. This includes devolving more fiscal powers to the states, thereby enhancing their flexibility in revenue generation, expenditure planning, and borrowing limits. Reforms are necessary to address imbalances in the revenue transfer system. An amendment to the Finance Act is still pending, which is essential for establishing fairness and accountability in managing the resource imbalances between the Centre and the states. These imbalances have led to growing regional tensions. Ultimately, a fair, competitive, and effective fiscal federalism is essential to ensure that resources are utilised to improve services and infrastructure for citizens. The Author is Vice-Chairman of Sonalika ITL Group, Vice-Chairman (Cabinet minister rank) of the Punjab Economic Policy and Planning Board, Chairman of ASSOCHAM Northern Region Development Council and President of Tractor and Mechanization Association (TMA). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. One of the first expressions of Congress scion Rahul Gandhis intent to dilute the glue that holds Bharat together was when he said during an overseas visit that the Constitution does not exactly describe India as a nation but a union of states. That was a thin coat of truth on a whole apartment of lies. The word nation appears in the very preamble of the Constitution. Let us keep aside the civilisational entity that is Bharat, which has existed almost as long as human memory can recall. Since then, Rahul Gandhis attacks aimed at the heart of Indias nationhood, its cultural unity, and Hindu society have become more and more audacious and relentless. Now, Rahul is convinced that his efforts have been rewarded. After interminable electoral losses in his two decades of political career, 2024 Lok Sabha elections threw up a lesser loss, which Rahul Gandhi has pounced on, mythifying it as a massive win. Congress got 99 seats, just 47 more than its last Lok Sabha tally. In fact, its seats in the last three general elections (44, 52, and 99) is less than the BJP 240 seats this time. However, not just the Congress but the large sections of the Opposition feel that cynically drawing caste fault lines to divide Hindu society and chipping away at Bharats sovereignty will bring them electoral rewards. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, while welcoming Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav recently, said that she wanted Bengals relations with Hindustan to be good. Is her state not a part of India anymore? Mamata Banerjee then said something even more egregious. While the bloody quota protests were raging in Bangladesh recently, with just the official death toll crossing 200 (unofficially believed to be over a thousand), the West Bengal CM promised shelter to those fleeing the country. India already has a debilitating illegal infiltration problem from Bangladesh, with more than two crore already settled here. Plus lakhs of Rohingyas. She wants to add to it, simply to secure her Muslim vote-bank, even if it means letting in criminals and jihadis. And more importantly, it violates List 1 of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution which assigns foreign affairs, or all matters which bring the Union into relation with any foreign country, as the sole prerogative of the Union government. So, is Mamata Banerjee trying to send a subliminal message that West Bengal is a sovereign nation? If yes, that is very murky territory. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi presses on and on for a caste Census, hinting that the right on jobs and governmental benefits should be proportional to the numbers of each caste and of minorities. By that, he is working towards a few outcomes, all equally dangerous and harmful to the nation. First, violently divide Hindu society by creating several internal fissures over quotas. Take benefits away from Dalits, give them to OBCs. Further rob forward castes of opportunities, hand those over to minorities. In the numbers game, the smallest and the most vulnerable groups will be trampled upon the most. Second, ingratiate Islamists by dividing Hindu society and handing over the first right to the nations resources to their community, as then PM Manmohan Singh had promised. And third, dilute the glue of Hindutva that keeps Bharat together. This will ingratiate Indias sworn enemies like the western Deep States, parasites like George Soros, and rivals in the neighbourhood like China and Pakistan, who have long been baying for the balkanisation of Bharat. If Rahul Gandhis misdirected and misadvised efforts succeed, India may head for civil unrest. And that is not an understatement or hyperbole anymore. Are we ready to pay that price, just to give a frustrated and highly entitled dynast the throne that he feels is rightfully his by birth? Or must he respect the mandate of this vast and vibrant democracy and work responsibly for his turn? Abhijit Majumder is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Maharashtras cabinet sub-committee for industries has approved the establishment of seven major industries which would bring in an investment of Rs 81,137 crore, including the states first semiconductor chip manufacturing plant. The meeting was recently chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and attended by Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and Industries Minister Uday Samant. The semiconductor chip manufacturing plant will be set up by RRP, a leader in the electronics sector. The company will invest Rs 12,000 crore in two phases, creating 4,000 jobs. The company has commenced work in the Mhape industrial area in Navi Mumbai, with the plant expected to start by September 2024. Also, JSW Energy PSP will invest Rs 25,000 crore in Nagpur, creating 5,000 jobs. This plant will manufacture lithium-ion batteries. JSW Green Mobility Ltd will invest Rs 27,200 crore in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, aiming to create 5,200 jobs. This investment will focus on electric and hybrid vehicles, chargers and modules. AWAADA Electro Limited will invest Rs 13,467 crore across two plants, with Rs 13,000 crore in Nagpur and Rs 647 crore in Panvel. The company will manufacture solar PV modules and electrolysers, aiming to create 8,000 jobs. Pernod Ricard India Pvt Ltd will start a malt spirit production and manufacturing plant in Nagpur, investing Rs 17,856 crore. By attracting such investments just before the state assembly polls, the Mahayuti government aims to counter the narrative set by the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) that this administration has allowed major industries and new investments to go to other states, causing revenue loss and lack of employment opportunities for the youth. Sources said the state government is in talks with several other industries to bring additional investment and create further employment opportunities. After the Boeing and Vedanta Foxconn projects went to other states, the MVA staged protests across the state, demanding answers from the government. The MVA also targeted the central government for not allocating significant projects to Maharashtra, accusing it of prioritising Gujarat. Anurag Thakurs comment in Parliament Jiski Jaat Ka Pata Nahin, Woh Ganna Ki Baat Karta Hai has not been expunged from Parliament records and the same is visible in the Lok Sabha debate record on the website as well as Parliaments social media channels, government sources told News18 on Wednesday. The Congress has moved a privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sharing the speech of Thakur containing the said comments, but sources said the motion would not stand any ground. The Lok Sabha debate records show that while some parts of Thakurs speech (seven instances) were expunged, this particular portion to which the Congress objected is very much part of the records and was not expunged. The prime minister had shared the link of the video put out by Sansad TV with a comment This speech by my young and energetic colleague, Shri Anurag Thakur, is a must hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance. Sources said Thakurs comments were very much in public domain. Sources also said that Thakur had not named anyone as part of his comments so claiming privilege motion was not warranted. Also, there are repeated instances of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asking the caste of many persons publicly, including journalists, sources said. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said it was ironical that the Congress wanted the caste of everyone in the country to be asked as part of a caste census but had objections if Gandhis caste was asked. The fact remains that Anurag Thakur did not name anyone in his speech, Rijiju said. BJPs Sambit Patra also did a press conference on the same. Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said: No ones caste is asked in Parliament. This has been done deliberately to insult. Even the PM should not support such indecent things. He should know when and what things to defend. I strongly condemn such indecent things and PM Narendra Modis tweet in their support. The JD(U) plans to appeal to the Narendra Modi government to include Nitish Kumars 65 per cent reservation policy for OBCs, EBCs, SCs, and STs in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution after the Supreme Courts decision to not grant an interim stay on the Patna High Courts order striking down the policy, senior party leaders have told News18. The move aims to protect the reservation policy from judicial review, ensuring its implementation without legal challenges. KC Tyagi, senior leader and national spokesperson of JD(U), said: Nitish Kumar-ji recently announced his intention to urge the prime minister to include the provision for increased reservation quotas for OBCs and EBCs in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. He said so in the last assembly session. The inclusion would ensure that the provisions are not subjected to judicial review. We are sure that Nitish-ji will find a way. There are similar instances in the past, for example, when Jayalalithas government in Tamil Nadu sought such a redressal from the Centre. Reservation as Pivotal Politics Following a caste survey carried out by his government in Bihar, Kumar issuing a notification increased reservation quota from 50 per cent to 65 per cent for BC (Backward Classes), EBC (Extremely Backward Classes), SC (Scheduled Castes), and STs (Scheduled Tribes) in the state. In November last year, the government termed it the states efforts to bring caste parity in employment and educational institutions. However, in June 2024, the Patna High Court struck down the amendment, calling it bad in law and violative of equality clause. The state then moved the Supreme Court, seeking interim stay on the HC order. However, this was not granted by the apex court. Reacting to the SCs order, senior JD(U) leaders said politics in Bihar revolves around caste. The combination of Muslims and Yadavs has been a loyal and steady voter base for the rival RJD in the state. Reservation and caste-parity issues are the political pivots in Bihar. The judiciary may not consider that, but our ally at the Centre should see the political compulsion here. Nitish-ji will have to seek support from the Centre on this, said a senior JD(U) leader. What is the Ninth Schedule? The Ninth Schedule of the Constitution was introduced by the First Amendment in 1951. It contains a list of laws that are exempt from judicial review. The main purpose of this Schedule was to protect land reforms and other laws included in it from being challenged and invalidated in the process on the grounds of violation of fundamental rights. Initially, the laws, provisions or policies listed in the Ninth Schedule were immune from judicial review. It means that the courts would not be able to examine whether these laws violated any fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. This was intended to ensure that socio-economic reforms could be implemented without legal hindrance. However, over the period of time, the countrys legal discourse has taken a shift on several issues. Even though the Ninth Schedule still exists and continues to list laws, its immunity from judicial review is not absolute. Any law added to it after the Kesavananda Bharati judgment can be reviewed by the judiciary to ensure it does not violate the basic structure of the Constitution. A day after the Wayanad landslide claimed the lives of several people, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday refuted Union Home Minister Amit Shahs claim that the state government was warned earlier on July 23 regarding a possible natural calamity in the district due to heavy rains. The chief minister of Kerala said that the India Meteorological Department had only issued an orange alert in the district ahead of the landslides. The district, however, received over 500 millimeters of rainfall, which was extremely higher than what was predicted by the IMD. While addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Vijayan said, A red alert was issued for the district only after the landslides hit there on Tuesday morning, . The CM further said that this was not the time for blame game and that he was not taking Shahs remarks in an adversarial manner. A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rain (6 cm to 20 cm). Earlier in the day, Shah while speaking at the Rajya Sabha, said that the Kerala government did not heed to the early warning and also did not get alerted even by the arrival of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) battalions in the state. Shah added that an early warning was sent to the state seven days ahead of the July 30 landslide. Another warning was given on July 24 also. Had the Kerala government got itself alerted and acted as soon as NDRF teams landed there, losses could have been minimised, the Home Minister claimed. (with PTI inputs) Not satisfied with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawants response in the assembly, the Opposition, led by Fatorda MLA and Goa Forward Party (GFP) leader Vijai Sardesai, has accused the government of causing a loss of Rs 207 crore with its Mopa airport deal. Responding to Sardesais queries, Sawant, in the house, said that the revenue share for the Manohar International Airport, Mopa, would commence from December 7, 2024, as the Concessionaire Agreement with its promoter GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) has been amended on account of Covid impact. Sardesai has, however, questioned the move, citing the GGIALs projected gross revenue for 2024-25 is Rs 960 crore. SIX-MONTH REVENUE HOLIDAY ANTI-GOAN: SARDESAI According to Sardesai, the state was originally supposed to start receiving revenue share from May 31, 2024. However, a cabinet decision pushed this date to December 7, 2024. He argued that this extension, attributed to only 20 days of the COVID-19 pandemics impact, is unjustifiable and detrimental to Goas finances. Sardesai highlighted that the government was expected to collect 37% of revenue from GGIAL monthly, approximately Rs 18 crore, which will now be forfeited until December 2024. Sardesai condemned the extension of GGIALs revenue holiday period, labeling it anti-Goan and vowing to challenge the decision. He accused Sawant of being the first Chief Minister in the country to cause such a significant loss to the state exchequer through a revenue holiday. GREEN RULES, COMPENSATION The opposition has also criticised the government for failing to ensure environment rule compliance by GGIAL. Sardesai noted that the GGIAL had not yet established the required green belt around the airport, as mandated by the Supreme Court in January 2020. Sawant responded that the GGIAL had requested more time to develop the green belt, however, Sardesai has threatened to move court. As Sardesai questioned the pending compensation for landowners affected by the Mopa airport project, Sawant said it was pending only for those who had not submitted the necessary documents. The state government had acquired 2,100 acres in Pernem taluka. AAP Goa chief Amit Palekar has also slammed Sawant saying: The operation of this airport was halted for merely 20 days of the pandemic. But for those 20 days, the government has granted them concession for six months. Giving such revenue holiday to a private company is not acceptable. This question was asked to the CM in the assembly. While answering it, he said the timeframe is not six months, it is less than that, which means the state is agreeing that they gave the concession to the company. How can the CM and his cabinet give away money, which belongs to people of Goa, to a private company? The Congress on Wednesday moved a Privilege Motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for endorsing BJP MP Anurag Thakurs speech. PM Modi had shared a video of Thakurs speech on X and said it is a must-hear. This speech by my young and energetic colleague, Shri @ianuragthakur is a must-hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance, he said. A day after Thakurs speech on the Union budget, there was a ruckus in Parliament over his remarks about Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Caste politics peaked in the Lok Sabha as Congress MPs shouted slogans of We Want Caste Census, reaffirming its stand on conducting the survey that can provide a caste-wise tabulation of Indias population. Livid over Thakurs apparent questioning of Gandhis caste, the Congress called his speech a highly abusive and unconstitutional tirade. The party further alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encouraged a serious breach of parliamentary privilege by sharing the speech on his social media. Slamming the BJP, the Congress said the Gandhi familys caste is martyrdom but the BJP-RSS will never understand that. President Mallikarjun Kharge said his party is ready to listen to any casteist abuse, but it is determined to get a caste census done. Yes, I am an Indian and a Dalit, but I dont know how many we are. Yes, I am a tribal, but I dont know how many we are. Yes, I am an OBC, but I dont know how many we are. Today, we all need to assess how much our participation is in the progress of this country. The BJP-RSS people are conspiring to hide this from us so that they can keep us backwards and take over our rights by snatching reservation through conspiracies, Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X. , , , , , , Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 30, 2024 On Tuesday (July 30), Thakur sparked an ugly spat between the opposition and treasury benches when he questioned the Congress stand on caste census. He made certain remarks on Gandhis caste that triggered the uproar and had Congress MPs trooping into the Well of the Lok Sabha but the LoP later said he will not seek any apology from the former Union minister. Here are the latest updates: Amit Shah speaks on Wayanad landslides in Parliament Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed condolence on the loss of lives in the tragic landslides in Keralas Wayanad and slammed the opposition for doing politics over the issue. While speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Shah claimed that the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government was warned by the Centre a week before the landslides hit the hilly district, adding that the Centre had dispatched nine NDRF teams to Kerala after heavy rainfall was predicted for the southern state. In Lok Sabha, Shah urged all the state governments to take preventive measures following the Centres warning and the country and his government stand in solidarity with Kerala. I have only one request that all State governments should take preventive action following early warnings issued to them. I want to assure the people of Kerala that the Govt of India is standing like a rock with the state government and we will spare no effort for relief and rehabilitation, he said. LoP Rahul Gandhi on Wayanad Landslides Speaking on Wayanad Landslides, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said, It is a huge tragedy in Wayanad and the military is doing a good job there. I think it is important that we support the people of Wayanad and I request the government to help the people of Wayanad. It is the second time this tragedy has taken place, this took place 5 years ago as well. It is clear that this area has an ecological issue, so this should be looked into and whatever hi-tech solution can be brought forward, will be good, he added. Emotional Kharge Urges Chair to Expunge parivarvaad Allegations Against Him by BJP MP An emotional LoP in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge urged the Chair to expunge certain remarks made by BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari in the House regarding his political journey. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said he would look into the remarks made by Tiwari on Tuesday in the House and assured that any word that has hurt the Congress president will not remain in the record. Soon after laying the listed paper in the House, the Congress leader pointed out that Tiwari referred to his political journey and said his (Kharges) entire family was in politics. He commented parivarvaad. I request that this should be expunged (from the records), Kharge said. The LoP further said he was a first-generation politician and gave details of his political journey that began after he joined the Congress. At one point he said his father died at the age of 85. To this, Dhankhar wished him an even longer life than his father. I dont wish to live for long in this environment, Kharge quipped. Stating that he was in the Chair when Tiwari made the remarks, Dhankar said he did not think that the BJP leader meant anything wrong for Kharge and assured him that he would minutely examine the records. Whats wrong in it: BJP on Anurag Thakurs remarks After PM Narendra Modis public endorsement of BJP MP Anurag Thakurs speech, the BJP said it did not see anything wrong in what he said. Jinki apne jaat ka pataa nahin, woh ganana ki baat karte hain (Those who dont know their caste, are talking about conducting a caste census), Thakur said during his speech in the Lok Sabha, following which there was an uproar from the opposition saying he made apparent references to LoP Rahul Gandhis caste. The BJP, however, said Thakur, who attacked Gandhi throughout his speech, did not take any names. Are they (opposition) above Parliament? Why cant their caste be asked? They want to go around asking everyones caste but dont want their caste to be asked, said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. He added: I condemn what Congress has done, they keep talking about caste all the time they ask the caste of media people and army personnel Congress has hatched a conspiracy to divide the country based on caste they want to weaken democracy and countrys economy, they want to spread anarchy and violence He did not ask the caste. Those who dont know caste are speaking about the Caste Census. He did not name anyone, so why are you taking it upon yourself? Anurag Thakur clarified it on the floor of the House. They need an excuse. The intention is to divert the issue. From Pandit Nehru to Indira Gandhi, to Rajiv Gandhi everybody has opposed reservation for OBC said Union minister Pralhad Joshi. Cong, allies slam Anurag Thakur and BJP The Congress and other INDIA bloc allies slammed BJP MP Anurag Thakur for his speech in the Lok Sabha in which he questioned LoP Rahul Gandhis caste. Congress leader Manickam Tagore, who moved an adjournment notice on the caste census in the Lok Sabha said despite the vicious attack, Gandhi chose to be genuine and decent. This shows the arrogance of the BJP. We all know that Anurag Thakur always thinks differently. They have a hierarchical mindset. Rahul Gandhi stands with Dalits, OBCs, and minorities. Rahul Gandhi stands for everybody who is oppressed, and voiceless. Rahul Gandhis reply was very gentle, genuine and decent. He replied that you may insult in whatever terms you want in the House but I will stand for the cause of social justice and we will work for social justice and caste census. As a follow-up, I have moved an adjournment motion notice in Parliament because the Census has been delayed Tagore said. This is the nature of Thakur ji. You can understand his mindset. If he can speak by stooping to such a levelit means you have a weak foundation, said Congress MP Renuka Chowdhary. How Anurag Thakur is conducting himself is not civil. Is it right to ask someones caste? Manas Ki Jaat Sabhe Eke Pehchan Bo, he should learn from it. He sits there and abuses to appease his masters, it is not right. It is Parliament. It is the job of the Opposition to raise issues, and that of the Ruling side to answer them and not to abuse, said Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, adding that we will make all efforts to get it passed (in the Parliament). Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram said Thakurs remarks were distasteful. in this day and age, if somebody needs to make a query about something as primitive as that. I have always maintained that this kind of crude behaviour has no place in our public discourse he said. Anurag Thakur has been using unparliamentary words continuously to tackle Rahul Gandhi. But Rahul Gandhi himself has given views on this issue. He is continuing his fight, he will fight till the very end, said Congress MP Hibi Eden. We protested inside Parliament against the insensitive and cruel remarks made by the BJP leaders inside the budget discussion yesterday concerning the caste census. We know that the caste census is a very emotional issue and many people in India from SC ST, and OBC want it but their demand was mocked by the BJP yesterday. They were insulted by the BJP inside the Parliament and it is unfortunate that later in the evening the prime minister shared and praised the speech which insulted the Dalit, the OBC and the Adivasi. We are here fighting for their right, fighting for the caste census and that is why we protested said Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi. Leaders from the DMK and Shiv Sena (UBT) also responded to the remarks and politics over the caste census. Kanimozhi said if this is the BJPs mindset, she is worried about the future of the youth. She said she is even more concerned about the fact that PM Narendra Modi has posted the speech on social media. It is unfortunate that a senior leader, who has also been a minister, thinks that caste is important to any human being, let alone the LoP. This is the example they are going to set for the youth of this country. I am worried about the future of the young people of this country. It is even more saddening that the PM has retweeted that speech and said that everyone should listen to that speech. Is this what they are trying to tell the nation that caste is important? she asked. The country needs us to rise above religion and caste and serve the nation, serve Bharat Mata. Our caste is to serve the nation and religion is to take Bharat Mata ahead. These are people who want to mould the country in a way that would be politically convenient for themWhat he said is condemnable, I hope his leaders make him apologise, said Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi. We want caste census The Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon after Congress MPs entered the Well in the Lok Sabha, shouting slogans of We Want Caste Census, creating a ruckus as MPs from the treasury benches spoke in Parliament. They protested against BJP MP Anurag Thakurs apparent reference to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhis caste during a discussion on the Union Budget on Tuesday (July 30). Speaker Om Birla told the protesting members that their approach was wrong. The opposition members also demanded a caste census. Earlier, when Rijiju rose to speak, Congress deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi and some of his colleagues tore some papers and hurled them towards the Well. Congress, DMK, Samajwadi Party and Shiv Sena (UBT) members were also in the Well. With the protesting members not relenting, Birla adjourned the proceedings till noon. Mahaul in Our Favour, Dont Be Complacent, Overconfident, says Sonia Gandhi With assembly polls in key states coming up, Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi said the mahaul (public mood) is in the partys favour but there is a need to sustain the momentum and goodwill generated for it in the Lok Sabha elections. We must not become complacent and overconfidentI dare say that if we perform well, reflecting the trend that we witnessed in the Lok Sabha elections, national politics will transform, she said. Gandhi also accused the Modi government of not drawing the right lessons from their significant decline in the Lok Sabha elections and persisting with their policy of dividing communities and spreading an atmosphere of fear and animosity. Noting that elections will be held in four states, she urged party leaders to sustain the momentum and goodwill that had been generated for the party in the Lok Sabha elections. We must not become complacent and overconfident. The mahaul does favour us, but we have to work unitedly with a sense of purpose. I dare say that if we perform well, reflecting the trend that we witnessed in the Lok Sabha elections, national politics will transform, she added. Congress Pays Homage to Landslide Victims, Students Killed in Coaching Centre The Congress observed a moment of silence to pay homage to those killed in the Wayanad landslides and in the flooding of the basement of a coaching centre in Delhis Old Rajinder Nagar area, during its parliamentary party meeting. Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and former party chief Rahul Gandhi, among others, attended the general body meeting in the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan. The Congress MPs observed a moment of silence at the start of the meeting to pay tributes to those who lost their lives in the Wayanad landslides and the death of three UPSC aspirants here. Encouraged Serious Breach of Parliamentary Privilege by Sharing Thakurs Speech The Congress alleged that PM Narendra Modi encouraged a serious breach of parliamentary privilege by sharing BJP MP Anurag Thakurs speech on X. Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh slammed Thakur for making an apparent reference to LoP Rahul Gandhis caste during a discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha. Modi praised Thakurs speech and said it was a must-hear. Tagging Modis post on X, Ramesh said, This speech that the non-biological Prime Minister calls a must hear is a highly abusive and unconstitutional tirade and by sharing it, he has encouraged a serious breach of Parliamentary privilege. He said Thakur brought parliamentary discourse to a new low by asking a fellow MP and the leader of the opposition about his caste identity. Upon protests from the opposition benches, the Chair, Jagadambika Pal, assured MPs that the comments will be expunged. In a departure from all parliamentary norms expunged comments are edited out of videos uploaded online Sansad TV has uploaded the unedited speech, and the non-biological Prime Minister has shared and praised it publicly. This is a new and shameful low in the annals of Indias parliamentary history. It reflects the BJP-RSS and Mr Modis deep-rooted casteism, Ramesh alleged. Gandhi has accused Thakur of insulting and abusing him during the debate but stressed that he will not seek any apology from the former Union minister. Anurag Thakur insulted me and I dont want any apology from him. Abuse or insult me as hard as you can but dont forget we will pass the caste census in this Parliament for sure, he said in the House. Sharing Thakurs speech on X on Tuesday, Modi said. This speech by my young and energetic colleague Shri Anurag Thakur is a must-hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance. Tuesday was a day of fiery parliamentary exchange when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman targeted Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi after he raised the issue of the caste of the bureaucrats present in the halwa ceremony. While the government has been reminding the Congress of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehrus anti-reservation stand from the beginning, Sitharaman delivered a new googly a 1985 interview of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who had expressed his strong views against reservation. Sitharaman resurrected a 1985 interview with senior journalist Alok Mehta where the then PM and the father of todays caste census champion Rajiv Gandhi acknowledged the politicisation of reservation and asked for a rethink. He also expressed a strong opposition to further enlarging the reservation pie. Mehta finds it utterly amusing to live in a time when Rajiv Gandhis son vociferously demanded a caste census inside Parliament. Having tracked Rajiv Gandhi for a long time, Mehta cant help but make comparisons between the two. Rajiv Gandhi was a modern man, he said. But he added that he felt sorry for the family, having tracked it for so long. When asked why, he elaborated in great detail in an interview with CNN-News18. Here are the edited excerpts from the interview with Alok Mehta: Q: You had interviewed Rajiv Gandhi on reservation. Now you have witnessed Rahul Gandhis vision of caste census. How do the two views hold together? Alok Mehta: I have followed both Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. I tracked Rajiv Gandhi even before he became the Prime Minister. I must say, he was a very modern man. Yesterday, I heard Rahul Gandhi (in Parliament) and have heard him before in Raebareli. I felt bad. He feels this (caste politics) will work. His is a totally different brand of politics, for attaining power. Rajiv was a totally different person. Rahul is either confused or wants to become a communist. He must not forget that Vidya Charan Shukla was killed by Maoists. I know this family and that is why I feel sorry for the family as well as the society (for the harm it may cause). Q: Where does this brand of politics take India? Alok Mehta: I feel sympathy for him. This may help him politically in the short run but will cause damage to India. Look, I am also averse to the religion-based fanaticism that you witness in our country. Similarly, I am against blatant caste politics like this. If at all caste politics is to prevail, Akhilesh Yadav is a far more competent leader, in my view, than Rahul Gandhi or Tejasvi Yadav. Q: The FM has talked about your interview Alok Mehta: I did not know. But people should read that interview. People should be shown (Rajivs) views and talk about it. Q: You have mentioned repeatedly about Rahul Gandhis brand of politics. What is that? Alok Mehta: I see a cocktail of caste politics with shades of communism in his brand of politics. When Narasimha Rao went to China, I travelled with him. Today even China is different. But he is pursuing communism and a brand of politics that evolves into labour agitation. On the other hand, he is doing politics with the most corrupt of Indian politics like Lalu Prasad Yadav. He is going against his own previously held beliefs. He often talks about RSS. Does he know how senior Congress leaders facilitated RSS entry in Madhya Pradesh? He listens to Jairam Ramesh who cant fight and win an election. The people of this country want a modern India. Q: As someone who has tracked both the Gandhis, any piece of advice for Rahul Gandhi? Alok Mehta: Who am I to advise? But I would say, he should follow in his fathers footsteps. Rajiv also had differences with Kamla Prati Tripathi. But he also listened to him. Rahul Gandhi never used to listen to Motilal Vohra or Ahmed Patel. In politics, you have to listen. He is ill-advised, I am afraid. The Congress has struck a bitter note in the halwa ceremony before the Budget presentation, with Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi raising the issue of caste of the officers seen with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Caste has taken centrestage in the Congresss attack against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). With former minister Anurag Thakur taking a jibe, the Congress raised this issue in the parliamentary party meeting as well. The party has even moved a privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Charanjit Singh Channi, a Dalit leader of the party, has been chosen to move it on the grounds of the PMs endorsement of Thakurs comment. ALSO READ | INDIA Bloc Will Break Govts Chakravyuh, Ensure MSP Legal Guarantee, Caste Census: Rahul Gandhi Senior Congress leader and Rahul Gandhis mother Sonia Gandhi hit out at the BJP saying: It is clear that the government has no intention whatsoever to conduct the census that was last due in 2021. This will prevent us from having an up to date estimate of the population of the country, especially of the SC and ST. THE STRATEGY Its a two-pronged strategy of the Congress. Rahul Gandhi began his politics in 2004, stating the party wont have an India which is divided on the basis of caste. With failures for 10 years, Gandhi and the Congress realised that they may have to fall back on an issue, which had steered the Mandal Kamandal politics. Projecting Gandhi as the messiah of the backwards and Dalits, the Congress has decided that the caste census can be a big issue, not just for the state elections, but also for the next five years. ALSO READ | Exposing Dirty Politics: PM Modi Weighs In After Anurag Thakur Vs Rahul Gandhi In Parliament Over Caste Census Apart from the INDIA bloc using it as their slogan, the Congress hopes that the issue could also divide the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and ensure that more parties who play the same card come to their side. For example, BJP ally Anupriya Patel has already supported the idea of a caste census. Over the next few weeks, the Congress plans to take to the streets with this issue and make it their big pitch. Also, Thakurs comment will be used by the Congress on social media to underscore how his party and he insulted not just Rahul Gandhi, but OBCs and Dalits too. Karnataka is set to witness a full-fledged political drama on the streets as the opposition BJP embarks on a week-long padayatra from Bengaluru to Mysuru to expose the corrupt Siddaramaiah government, while the Congress counters with a series of public meetings to clear the air. In an interview with News18, Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra said the present government was solely interested in accumulating real estate for their benefit and did not have the welfare of people in mind. He claimed that from day one, Siddaramaiahs detractors had been trying to unseat him from the post of chief minister and that the Congress was only interested in looting the people of the state of their rights, money, and livelihood. The BJP is set to walk from Bengaluru to Mysuru beginning August 3 to highlight the misdoings of the Congress in Karnataka and to make people aware of the scams they have been involved in, such as the alleged illegal MUDA land allotment to Siddaramaiahs family, the Valmiki illegal money transfer, and more. We are demanding a thorough CBI inquiry into these scams, he said. Though Karnatakas home minister Dr G Parameshwara said the government will not permit them to undertake the padayatra, the BJP is persistent that they will go ahead as they too have the right to protest. This Congress government is only interested in looting people and accumulating real estate. DK Shivakumar wants to build the tallest tower in Bengaluru who cares about it? They want tunnel roads and such towers instead of providing developmental work. They have put on hold all people-linked schemes that the previous BJP government introduced and are unable to keep up with their own guarantees as they have no money, said Vijayendra, adding that Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs) have stopped as there are no more elections around the corner. Regarding the padayatra, he said the protest walk was not restricted to the illegal allotment of 14 sites to Siddaramaiahs family; it was also to show the people of the state how they were looted by the Congress within the 16 months they have been in power. Siddaramaiah calls himself the champion of the Dalits, but he allows the funds meant for the development and well-being of the Scheduled Tribes to be siphoned out of the Valmiki corporation? People should know how the money was (mis)used to purchase liquor and fund Lok Sabha elections, he said. Referring to the MUDA scam, Vijayendra said the sites meant to be allotted for the backward classes and the poor were being distributed to Congress workers and their relatives, causing a loss of over Rs 4,000 crore to the exchequer of the authority. Both the MUDA and the Valmiki scams are an insult to the people of Karnataka, he said. Vijayendra said Siddaramaiah should not try and take refuge by saying that the MUDA land allotment took place during the BJP regime. It was a decision taken at the district level by officials but, since then, there have been several notifications and letters from top officials stating that the 50:50 allotment of land should be stopped. Despite a government order, DC report, and a government notification asking for such allotments to stop, it continues. You cannot blame the BJP for your wrongdoing, Vijayendra said. Interestingly, the state BJP chief, who has been battling infighting within the party, said Siddaramaiahs detractors have been trying to remove him from power from day one. From the day he took over as CM, his own party members have been trying to unseat him. If you look at the last assembly session, while the BJP was seeking answers on the MUDA scam, none of his cabinet ministers defended the chief minister. He could not answer on the floor of the House as he had no defence. This is the state of affairs of the ruling party, he said. Siddaramaiah has sought the sacking of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for her recent jibes at the Congress government in Karnataka, where she said that the deteriorating law and order situation in the state had an adverse impact on businesses operating in the state and that companies were leaving Karnataka. Siddaramaiah called the statement an utter lie and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately remove Sitharaman from the Union Cabinet, saying it was extremely risky to have her as finance minister without basic budgetary knowledge. The Congress also said that Sitharaman, who is a nominated Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, should speak and act responsibly by ensuring that such exits do not happen if they did take place, which the Congress clearly denied. Vijayendra countered this by seeking an explanation from the Congress as to how much developmental work has taken place during their tenure. The worsening law and order situation, increased number of murders, weak leadership of Siddaramaiah, and lack of development have adversely affected the image of the state, Vijayendra said. The onus is on Siddaramaiah to build confidence among investors and create an environment that is suitable for investment in the state, he added. On the issue of internal rebellion in the BJP, Vijayendra said senior leaders are aware of how the party functions. Senior BJP leader Arvind Limbavali, who recently lost the 2023 assembly polls, had said the BJP leaders completely failed as the Opposition in the monsoon session when it came to upping the ante against the Congress and the corruption charges. Also, leaders like Ramesh Jarkiholi and Sriramulu have decided to undertake a parallel padayatra while Vijayendra is leading one from Bengaluru to Mysuru, exposing the chinks within the party. Arvind Limbavali is a senior leader and has been observing the activities that the BJP karyakartas have been undertaking in the past few months. The BJP workers have been on the streets across the state protesting against the fuel price rise, supporting the milk price rise, and highlighting the Valmiki and MUDA scams. Since he is no longer an MLA, he may not have observed all that we have been doing, Vijayendra quipped. He did not want to comment on any other leaders. More than 170 million smartphones with 5G support are running in India, but that figure almost doubles when you talk about feature phones, with over 320 million users still relying on these devices. The biggest reason for this gulf is the affordable nature of the feature phones and the fact that 5G phones dont come cheap. Qualcomm is here to change that pattern with the new Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset that it claims will be available on smartphones priced under $99 (Rs 8,200 approx) which will give the feature phone users the right appeal to upgrade. IDC analysts claim the most affordable 5G phone in the country costs $120 (Rs 9,999 approx) which means the budget-conscious consumer doesnt see the urge or a compelling reason to spend big on these phones. MediaTek and UniSoc have tried their luck by focusing on the budget market, now Qualcomm seems confident enough to enter this space and look to garner a major chunk of these feature phone users. Third Time Lucky? Qualcomm is bringing this low-powered 5G chipset for budget smartphones and as the company claims, India is one of its main focus with this system-on-chip or mobile SoC. Xiaomi has already pitched itself to be one of the first brands to launch its phone with this Snapdragon 4nm chipset before the end of the year. The new chip with support for 5G promises lower latency for faster data speeds than what you get with a 4G phone. The Snapdragon chipset supports dual frequency with NavIC on offer to help with localised navigation and security. It would be hard to expect the 4s Gen 2 to come with an NPU for AI features and the company shares the details which confirms our belief. So, what can people expect with the upcoming Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset and what features will they get on a phone powered by this SoC? Qualcomm says the chip supports a FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate screen, you get support for UFS 3.1 storage and up to 8GB RAM for memory performance. Qualcomm also mentions the chipset will provide all-day battery life with support for 40W charging speed thanks to Quick Charge 4.0 technology. And yes, the camera can support OIS which is unheard of in this price range. Android Finally Tick Google has tried its luck not one, not two and three times with Android One and then with Android Go to satisfy the performance needs of the budget consumers. Qualcomm is hoping that the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 (which sits below the 4 Gen 2) will give it the upgrades that will help the regular Android OS run effectively without pinching our pockets. Qualcomm mentioned that the $99 price point could work out lower in select markets, which is why it is imperative that the Indian markets $100 value is below the market range. Two telecom data breaches were reported in 2023-24, while five in 2024-25 so far, Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State (MoS) for Communications, told Parliament recently. IN FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 December 23, 2023: Reports surfaced indicating that a threat actor known as perell shared a post about a potential data leak involving Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). January 23, 2024: The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) reported that a threat actor named CyboDevil promoted a sale on an underground forum, offering a comprehensive database of Indian mobile network consumers. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 May 20, 2024: CERT-In reported that a threat actor alias Kiberphant0m gained unauthorized root access to servers controlled by BSNL. July 5, 2024: On social media platform X, a user named @digitaldutta claimed that Airtel data had been hacked by Chinese threat actors and was being sold. July 6, 2024: The National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) reported that VPN access to the network of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was being sold on an exploits forum. July 9, 2024: NCIIPC reported that personally identifiable information (PII) of Tata Tele subscribers was available for sale on the darknet. July 19, 2024: NCIIPC, based on credible sources, revealed that over 2 TB of data belonging to Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) had been stolen by threat actors. Former Punjab Chief Minister and now a member of Lok Sabha Charanjit Singh Channi asked the minister whether the government had taken any action against such companies involved in data breaches and data selling during the said period. Despite the reports, the minister emphasized that the causes of these data breaches have not been established in the instances mentioned. As a result, no punitive measures have been taken against the service providers. A young TikTok famed woman died after slipping on damp rocks and falling as she tried to take a photo with a friend. On July 22, Moe Sa Nay, 14, fell down rocks from the Sinywa waterfall in Paung, Mon state, Myanmar, while clicking pictures with a friend. Moe was reportedly entangled in the swift-moving waters and wedged between two massive boulders. The powerful flow drowned her since she was unable to free herself. Rescuers were unable to arrive in time and struggled to remove the corpse from the boulders the following morning. According to a report by The Mirror, on July 23, volunteers and firefighters struggled to remove the body from the rocks. They were ultimately compelled to use ropes to extract her. After tying rope around her hands, they pulled her through the narrow gap. The media outlet was informed by rescue personnel that the teenager was one of two females that fell. Her friend, the other girl, managed to escape with minor injuries. Following the recovery of Moes body, rescue personnel transported her to the Paung Township General Hospital in order to conduct a post-mortem examination. These instances have grown rather prevalent. Recently, Aanvi Kamdar, a travel and lifestyle blogger from Mumbai, passed away after falling into a 300-foot chasm while filming a video close to the Kumbhe waterfall in Mangaon, Maharashtras Raigad district. According to The Hindu, she was visiting a waterfall along with her seven friends when the tragedy happened on July 16 at approximately 10 am. She took pictures and videos of the area before slipping into the valley below. The rescue squad took six hours to pull up Kamdar due to the strong downpour and falling stones, which made rescue efforts difficult. The 27-year-old was then taken to the Mangaon Taluka government hospital. Somnath Gharge, the superintendent of police in Raigad, informed the media outlet that she died while receiving treatment. It was stated that Kamdar survived the plunge into the gorge. Although at first it seemed as though she had passed away, upon closer inspection, it was discovered that she was still alive. She was then taken straight to the hospital after being rescued. A househelp working at a Bengaluru familys residence was recently arrested for stealing jewellery and cash worth Rs 60 lakh over six months. The theft came to light only when Vikram Vaidyanathan, the managing director of Matrix Partners India, returned from a vacation in France and found that almost all their expensive jewellery, except a mangalya chain, was missing. Following the shocking discovery, the family filed an FIR, revealed in a report by The Times of India. Initially, all seven employees who were working at the house during the familys absence were under suspicion. However, after a detailed investigation, authorities arrested househelp Divya, along with her aunt Manju and an individual named Johan. The police concluded that a woman was responsible for the theft after noticing that the mangalsutra was left untouched. After returning from their vacation on July 13, Vikrams wife Priya saw all her gold, diamond jewellery and cash were gone when she opened the wardrobe at around 3 PM the next day. She quickly informed her husband, who reported the crime to the police. During the investigation, a senior officer noticed that Divya was acting unusually. Although all employees were questioned, Divya herself confessed to the theft. She revealed that she was the only one who had access to the room where the valuables were kept in the locker. The maid initially denied stealing the jewellery all at once, but later admitted that it went on for six months, as she stole a piece and some cash each time. She then confessed passing the stolen items to Manju, who sold them and gave Divya her share of the money. When Manju was detained, it was discovered that she was transferring the jewellery to her friend Johan, who was arrested a week later from his home. He took the responsibility for selling the items to gold finance companies and pawnbrokers. Following his confession, the police managed to recover most of the stolen items from various shops. However, one piece of ornament, which was sold to a gold finance firm, is yet to be found. According to police, Johan took 10 per cent commission from the stolen items, while the remaining amount was divided among Divya and Manju. Other than jewellery, Divya had also stolen a branded wristwatch worth Rs 6 lakh from Priya. Instead of selling it, she kept the timepiece for herself and wore it on special occasions. The police later recovered the watch and a gold chain from the maids home. As the cash was taken over several months, the househelp was unable to provide the exact amount stolen. A lost dog from Karnataka found its way back home after roaming for nearly 250 kilometres on its own. The furry that went missing during the annual Wari Padayatra to Pandharpur, Maharashtra returned home and became a hero in Yamagarani village of Belagavi district. The black indie dog wrapped in garlands was paraded by a jubilant crowd, and a feast was hosted in its honour. Affectionately known as Maharaj, the doggo was lost among the crowd in the pilgrimage town of Pandharpur in south Maharashtra but made its way back to the village of Belagavi in North Karnataka on its own, covering nearly 250 kilometres. Jnandev Kumbar, a Yamagarani local, and his friends started their yearly Wari Dindi in the last week of June. Surprisingly, his pet dog also joined the group this year. They went for around 10 days and arrived in Pandharpur on the eve of Ashada Ekadasi. But thats where the dog lost sight of his masters group. Jnandev Kumbar stated that after the darshan at the Vithoba temple, he found the dog was missing. When he went to look for him, he was told that the dog had gone with another group of people. In the holy town, Kumbar and his friends made an unsuccessful search for it. Subsequently, they gave up their hunt and started heading home. However, on July 29, everyone was overjoyed when the dog made its way back home. They arranged a public reception for their canine companion. They garlanded it and carried it across town in a procession from the Pandurang shrine to Kumbar Galli. They also planned a communal lunch for the residents. I think the dog travelled over 200 km looking for us. They say that God has given enough intelligence to dogs to find the right direction and routes, once they have seen them. We are happy that our dog has returned to us. We thank Lord Panduranga for having sent him back to us, The Hindu quoted Jnandev Kumbar as saying. Kumbhar also described how he and the people were overjoyed as they greeted Maharajs return with a feast. It is never too late to find love and this is beautifully illustrated by an elderly couple whose love story has captured the hearts of many. In a video, Ingo and Elke, a newly-married couple from Germany were taking a leisurely stroll through the streets of Paris when they caught the eye of a photographer Christopher Ward. The man approached them and learned they have been married for just two weeks. The clip, posted on Instagram, begins with Ward asking Ingo and Elke if they are from France and compliments on how nice they look together. I just think you look like a very nice couple, Ward remarked. Elke then revealed that they are from Germany, having just married two weeks ago and they are in France for their honeymoon. Elke then proceeded to share about how they met each other. I published a notice in the newspaper (Suddeutsche Zeitung) that I was looking for a man, and I got hundreds of responses. Hundreds! And he was one of the hundreds. When Ward inquired about what Elke appreciates most about her husband, she described his never-ending curiosity. He is always curious about everything. Looking for new and curious. Ingo, an architect, added that his profession fuels his curiosity. Because I studied architecture. Thats why I look upstairs and downstairs, Ingo said. Before getting married, Elke and Ingo lived in separate cities in Germany Bremen and Hamburg yet managed to meet each other four times a week. Eventually, Ingo moved to Bremen and lived in his apartment. The couple took their time to learn about each other, before getting married. After two years of dating, the couple bought a house together which they described as a typical Bremen house. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christopher Ward (@modelstrangers) Ingo and Elkes touching love story has struck a chord with many online, prompting a flurry of reactions in the comment section. One user commented, Love, at any age, is beautiful, while another added, Isnt she lovely? What a wonderful love story with two independent people with good heads on their shoulders and not rushing into anything. But in the end love did Rush in. A person exclaimed, Theyre so cute I cant. Someone else wrote, Never too late to find love! This is awesome. Another heartfelt comment read, Everything happens at the right time. A viewer added, Age is not an issue, but just a number, when hearts are young. The video, since being posted online, has racked up over 24.4 million views. Hamas political wing chief Ismail Haniyeh and one of his commandos were killed in an assassination attack in Irans Tehran on Wednesday. The terror group has claimed that Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli air strike on his house in the Iranian capital. Brother, leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, died in a Zionist strike on his headquarters in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) president, the statement issued by Hamas read. The attack comes a day after Israels army confirmed that it had eliminated a senior Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, in Lebanons Beirut, who it blamed for a deadly attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, where 12 children were killed. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Israeli Air Force fighter jets eliminated the Hezbollah terrorist organisations most senior military commander Fuad Shukr. At least three people were killed in the airstrike in Lebanon and 74 people were injured, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. How Haniyeh was assassinated? Haniyeh was killed in alleged Israeli attack on Wednesday. He was in Tehran to attend Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkians swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday. Iran gave no details on how Haniyeh was killed, and the Guard said the attack was under investigation. A senior Hamas official said this assassination by the Israeli occupation is a grave escalation while the Houthi head called it a heinous terrorist crime. Hamas further said it will not back down because of this attack, and will continue on its path regardless of sacrifices and is confident of victory. Haniyeh was a tough-talking leader but seen as the more moderate face of Hamas in the world of international diplomacy. Based out of Turkey and Doha, he was appointed as the political wing chief in 2017 but was already well known after having been elected the Palestinian prime minister in 2006. He left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had lived in exile in Qatar. Notably, his three sons were killed in an Israeli attack in April this year. In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, Haniyeh confirmed the killing of his children Hazem, Amir and Mohammad along with a number of his grandchildren. Through the blood of the martyrs and the pain of the injured, we create hope, we create the future, we create independence and freedom for our people and our nation, he said, adding that around 60 members of his family, including nieces and nephews, have been killed since the start of the war. How Shukr was assassinated? The Israeli forces carried out a drone strike on Tuesday in the southern suburbs of Beirut targeting Shukr. The 62-year-old, secretive Shukur was in charge of Hezbollahs forces in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel as well as being a top official in the groups missile program. Israel said it served as retaliation for a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights on Saturday where 12 children were killed, which Israel blamed on Hezbollah. Hezbollah denied the claim. However, Hezbollah didnt confirm that Shukur was the target of Tuesdays airstrike or that he was killed. Shortly after the strike, two security sources in Lebanon said Shukr was critically injured in the attack around Hezbollahs Shura Council in the Haret Hreik neighbourhood. If Israels claim came out to be true, Shukur would be the most senior Hezbollah commander to be killed since 2016, when Mustafa Badreddine, the groups military commander in Syria, died in an explosion in the Syrian capital of Damascus. An AFP photographer at the attack site saw an eight-storey building that had partially collapsed in the strike, while ambulances struggled through crowds and rescue workers combed through the rubble of the building for survivors. Minutes after the explosions rocked Beirut, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant posted on X that Hezbollah crossed the red line. The Hezbollah commander was responsible for the majority of Hezbollahs most advanced weaponry, including guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets and UAVs. He was also accused by the US of orchestrating the 1983 bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American servicemen. The US Treasury Department had offered a $5 million reward for information about him. The bombing near the Beirut International Airport on Oct. 23, 1983, remains the deadliest single-day attack on Marines since the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. With inputs from agencies Israel struck Hezbollahs stronghold in southern Beirut on Tuesday in retaliation for rocket fire from Lebanon that killed 12 children over the weekend, saying it had killed the commander responsible for the attack. Israels army said its jets had eliminated Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander responsible for carrying out an attack on the annexed Golan Heights where the children were killed on Saturday. A source close to Hezbollah said Shukr was the target but that he survived the Israeli strike. AFP was not immediately able to confirm that report. Shukr is in charge of commanding the military operations in southern Lebanon, the source added, saying he had succeeded top Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh, who was killed in a 2008 Damascus car bombing the group blamed on Israel. Shukr has a $5 million price on his head from the US Treasury, which describes him as a senior adviser to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who played a central role in the deadly 1983 bombing of the US Marine Corps barracks in Beirut. The Hezbollah source said two people were killed in Tuesdays strike. Lebanons official National News Agency (NNA) said a number of people were injured. Lebanons health ministry said Wednesday that three people, including two children, had been killed in the strike, which also left 74 injured, updating an earlier toll. An AFP photographer at the scene saw an eight-storey building that had partially collapsed in the strike, while ambulances struggled through crowds and rescue workers combed through the rubble of the building for survivors. Minutes after the explosions rocked Beirut, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant posted on social media site X that Hezbollah crossed the red line. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned what he called blatant Israeli aggression. Hezbollah backer Iran denounced the vicious strike, while Russias foreign ministry called the Israeli attack a gross violation of international law. US Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic election nominee, said Tuesday that Israel had a right to defend itself against a terrorist organisation, which is exactly what Hezbollah is. The UNs special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said she was deeply concerned by Tuesdays strike, adding that there is no such thing as a military solution to the ongoing conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had on Monday threatened a severe response to the attack that Israel and the United States have blamed on Hezbollah, though the group denies responsibility. Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said late Tuesday: While we prefer to resolve hostilities without a wider war, the IDF is fully prepared for any scenario, referring to the Israel Defence Forces. Constant anxiety Following Saturdays strike on the Druze Arab town of Majdal Shams, the international community had raced to head off any escalation that might tip the two into their first all-out conflict since 2006. Analysts told AFP that they expected Israel to temper its actions, with its leaders wary of having to fight a second war while its troops are still engaged in the Gaza Strip. At least 531 people, most of them fighters, have been killed on the Lebanese side of the near-daily cross-border exchanges, according to an AFP tally. At least 22 soldiers and 25 civilians have been killed on the Israeli side, including in the Golan Heights, according to army figures. On Tuesday, Israeli medics said a 30-year-old civilian was killed in the northern kibbutz of HaGoshrim, while the army said it killed a Hezbollah fighter during overnight strikes. Druze residents of Majdal Shams the vast majority of whom have rejected Israeli citizenship and identify as Syrians have opposed threats of retaliation for the deadly strike. The community is against any Israeli response, paramedic Nabih Abu Saleh said. Who will we strike? Our people in Syria and Lebanon? Scores of residents demonstrated against Netanyahus visit to the town on Monday. Several international airlines suspended flights to Beirut ahead of Israels retaliation. But the chairman of Lebanons Middle East Airlines, Mohammed al-Hout, said Beirut airport was not exposed to any threat, it is supposed to be a neutral place. Lebanese mother of two Cosette Beshara said she was living in a state of constant anxiety. Im always thinking about how I will escape with my children if war breaks out, said the 40-year-old, adding that life goes on in Lebanon but always with a looming state of anxiety. Gaza decomposed bodies Hezbollah has said its attacks on northern Israel are in solidarity with Hamas and the people of Gaza, who have been under siege by Israel since October 7. The Hamas attack on southern Israel that started the war resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also seized 251 hostages, 111 of whom are still held captive in Gaza, including 39 the military says are dead. Israels retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 39,400 people, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, which does not provide details on civilian and militant deaths. Fighting has raged on unabated in the Gaza Strip, with the territorys civil defence agency saying on Tuesday that around 300 people had been killed in the southern city of Khan Yunis during an Israeli operation there that began on July 22. Since the beginning of the Israeli ground invasion of the eastern part of Khan Yunis province, the civil defence and medical teams have recovered approximately 300 bodies of martyrs, many of them decomposed, agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP. The military, meanwhile, said it had completed its operation in the Khan Yunis area, which had seen heavy fighting earlier this year, and had killed over 150 terrorists Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will exact a heavy price from any aggression against us on any front. It was his first public statement since the killing of Hamas top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in an airstrike in Tehran. Netanyahu did not mention the killing. Both Hamas and Iran quickly blamed Israel for the shock assassination that risked escalating into an all-out regional war. The strike that killed Haniyeh came hours after Israel targeted a top commander in Irans ally Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that the United States was not aware of or involved in the killing of Hamass political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. I cant tell you what this means. I can tell you that the imperative of getting a ceasefire, the importance that that has for everyone, remains, Blinken said in an interview with Channel News Asia in Singapore. This is something we were not aware of or involved in, he said of the killing. Haniyeh was in Iran to attend the inauguration of Irans new president when he was killed by an Israeli air strike, Hamas said Wednesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas in retaliation for its October 7 attack on Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza. Washington is Israels key military backer and has been pushing for a Gaza ceasefire, which Blinken said remains manifestly in the interests of the Israeli hostages and Gazans who have been caught in this crossfire of Hamass making. As the political chief of the Palestinian movement Hamas, Haniyeh was overseeing the negotiations for a deal to end the war in Gaza and release hostages held in the territory in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. Blinken, who is visiting Singapore, said a Gaza ceasefire was also essential to prevent the conflict from spreading to the rest of the region. Weve been working from day one not only to try to get to a better place in Gaza but also to prevent the conflict from spreading, whether its the north with Lebanon and Hezbollah, whether its the Red Sea with the Huthis, whether its Iran, Syria, Iraq, you name it, Blinken told a forum in the city-state. A big key to trying to make sure that that doesnt happen, and that we can move to a better place, is getting the ceasefire. Qatar a vital mediator in truce talks which also hosts Hamass political leadership that included Haniyeh has questioned the future of negotiations in the wake of the assassination. Hamas vowed the cowardly killing of their veteran leader will not go unanswered. The October 7 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also seized 251 hostages, 111 of whom are still held captive in Gaza, including 39 the military says are dead. Israels retaliatory campaign against Hamas has killed at least 39,400 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry, which does not provide details on civilian and militant deaths. Prince William banned his sister-in-law and Prince Harrys wife Meghan Markle from wearing his late mother Princess Dianas jewellery at her wedding. According to royal author Rob Jobson, the relationship between Prince Harry and Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton was falling apart even before Meghan Markle was married to Prince Harry. William, still concerned by the match, even sought assurances from the Queen that his brothers bride-to-be would not wear any jewellery in the collection once worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, even though his wife Catherine had been allowed to wear some, which would be due to her rank, Jobson wrote in his biography of the Princess of Wales. He also said that Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle with his late mothers engagement ring. Following this, Prince William advised his younger brother to cool the relationship to give the former actor some time to adjust to the lifestyle of the UK royals and was also concerned about Prince Harrys decision to marry the Suits star from the very beginning. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were married on May 19, 2018, in a lavish ceremony at St. Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle and they were in a relationship since 2016. Harry claimed that the goodwill from William and Catherine disappeared long before the build-up to his wedding. William had confided to his brother that he believed it would be better to give Meghan more time to adjust to the royal way of life and suggested he cool the relationship, Jobson writes. Harry felt affronted and judged it to be an insult, he wrote. Harry, in his own memoir Spare, had revealed how he and his brother fell apart following his marriage with Meghan Markle. Jobson claims that the relationship between Meghan Markle and William and Kate had a rough start because Markle allegedly ignored the royal hierarchy. She had not so much stepped on royal toes as stamped on them. When Meghan, who had forgotten her lip gloss, asked to borrow Catherines, the duchess was taken aback but reluctantly handed it to her. According to Harry, she grimaced after Meghan had squeezed some onto her finger and applied it to her lips, Jobson claims. Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed in an attack in Tehran on Wednesday. A statement by Hamas said an Israeli strike killed the Palestinian official, who is the political bureau chief of the outfit. Brother, leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, died in a Zionist strike on his headquarters in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) president, read a statement by Hamas. Iran, meanwhile, said Haniyehs residence in Tehran was targeted and an investigation into the attack is underway. He was in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of president-elect Mazoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday (July 30) and later met the new leader and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The residence of Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political office of Hamas Islamic Resistance, was hit in Tehran, and as a result of this incident, him and one of his bodyguards were martyred, said a statement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corpss Sepah news website. The IRGC statement offered condolences to the people of Palestine, the Muslim world, and the Resistance Fronts fighters over the Hamas leaders death. The attack on the prominent Hamas leader comes amid concerns of war between Israel and Lebanons Hezbollah following a rocket attack on the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on Tuesday. Accusing Hezbollah, Israel struck Hezbollahs stronghold in southern Beirut in retaliation saying it killed the commander Fuad Shukr responsible for the attack. Assassination a grave escalation A senior Hamas official said this assassination by the Israeli occupation is a grave escalation while the Houthi head called it a heinous terrorist crime. Hamas further said it will not back down because of this attack, and will continue on its path regardless of sacrifices and is confident of victory. This assassination by the Israeli occupation of Brother Haniyeh is a grave escalation that aims to break the will of Hamas and the will of our people and achieve fake goals. We confirm that this escalation will fail to achieve its objectives, said senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri. The official added: Hamas is a concept and an institution and not persons. Hamas will continue on this path regardless of the sacrifices and we are confident of victory. Targeting Ismail Haniyeh is a heinous terrorist crime and a flagrant violation of laws and ideal values, said Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, who is the head of Yemens Houthi Supreme Revolutionary Committee. Tough-talking, but seen as moderate face of Hamas Haniyeh was a tough-talking leader but seen as the more moderate face of Hamas in the world of international diplomacy. Based out of Turkey and Doha, he was appointed as the political wing chief in 2017 but was already well known after having been elected the Palestinian prime minister in 2006. Living in exile and because of his movement between Turkey and Doha, he was able to escape the travel curbs of the blockaded Gaza Strip enabling him to act as a negotiator in ceasefire talks or to talk to Hamas ally Iran. All the agreements of normalisation that you (Arab states) signed with (Israel) will not end this conflict, Haniyeh had declared on Qatar-based Al Jazeera television shortly after Hamas fighters launched the October 7 raid. In the military campaign launched by Israel since, which has killed more than 35,000 people inside Gaza, the Hamas leader lost his three sons in an airstrike on April 10 and also lost four of his grandchildren three girls and a boy. As the war raged in Gaza, he travelled on diplomatic missions to Iran and Turkey and met both their presidents. He was said to maintain good relations with the heads of the various Palestinian factions, including rivals to Hamas. A Sunni Muslim, Haniyeh had a major hand in building up the fighting capacity of Hamas partly by nurturing ties with Shiite Muslim Iran that makes no secret of its support for the group. Experts called him the diplomatic front of Hamas, leading the political battle for the outfit. He joined Hamas in 1987 when the militant group was founded amid the outbreak of the first Palestinian intifada, or uprising, against Israeli occupation, which lasted until 1993. (With agency inputs) Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris plans to visit Wisconsin next week with her yet-to-be-announced running mate. Harris campaign told the Wisconsin State Journal that the vice president will be making a trip to the western half of the state to roll out her new vice presidential hopeful. The campaign said it hasnt nailed down which city Harris and her running mate will visit or which day of the week. The campaign, which officially launched less than two weeks ago after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed his vice president, did not provide any more details Wednesday. Harris is expected to hold her first rally with her vice presidential pick in Pennsylvania next Tuesday, according to Politico. That visit is to be followed by a barnstorming tour of seven swing states in four days, including Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada, Politico reported. Harris potential running mates include Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona. Harris was also in Wisconsin last Tuesday for her campaigns first major public appearance at West Allis Central High School. The 50th annual Columbus Days celebration is just around the corner, bringing with it a wide variety of events. Before the Aug. 8-11 weekend of events starts, however, Keep Columbus Beautiful is organizing its annual "Company's Coming" clean-up, in anticipation of the thousands of visitors to town for the festivities. Keep Columbus Beautiful Executive Director Vanessa Oceguera said this is an annual thing, but they like to remind people before the event. "We're providing businesses and/or individuals supplies if they need them for cleaning up prior to company coming since we're going to have many visitors for Columbus Days," Oceguera said. "That can be anything from picking up trash in their area to pulling weeds or if they need any kind of supplies like that." Those with questions can contact 402-563-9223. Columbus Days will start on Aug. 8 with the Christian Prayer Breakfast at the Immanuel Family Life Center at 6:30 a.m.. Tickets can be acquired through the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. This is an old event being brought back for the 50th year, Columbus Days Chair Lynette Hogelin said. "We're excited to have that back, because we haven't had one of those for quite some time, and that's really what the board's idea was because it's the 50th was to incorporate things that we've done in the past and also have a few new things also," Hogelin said. That evening will close out with Lawnchairs on the Square and the Platte Valley Playhouse Kids' production of "Hammered A Thor and Loki Play." Aug. 9 starts with the United Way Lazy River Duck Run. In the evening, Lynette's Dance Studio will have a show at the Frankfort Square Stage. Hogelin said she remembers being a youth and performing on the stage at Columbus Days herself, now she's bringing her dance school to do the same. There will also be a pet show, cornhole tournaments, a street dance by the Nebraska All-Star Rock and Roll Band and at 8 p.m., the bed races make a return after a long time away. With the event's return, however, Hogelin said, they need teams. "We've been having people for the past five or 10 years, saying 'You need to bring the bed races back. Please bring them back.' Well, they're back, but we also need people to participate," Hogelin said. "So you need five people for the team. One person sits in the bed, the other four push it. And you just need a bed, any kind of bed with wheels and a mattress." After the bed races are the movie in The Square, "The Bad Guys," and the night parade, a more recent addition to Columbus Days, but a crowd favorite, Hogelin said. Aug. 10 will feature an all-Ford car show, the I'm a Little Vuite Baby Show, Folklorico performances, Barb's School of Dance and Desiree's Dancers, music by Jim Davis, the high school drumline, ice cream eating contest, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, a meet and greet for kids and at 2:30 p.m. The Cutie Crawl, a new event for this year. "That is a baby or a toddler just crawling, they can't be walking yet, because they will be disqualified if they're walking," Hogelin said. After that, CHS Vocal Music Department will perform, followed by the Super Burrito Eating Contest and the Mr. Beef Cakes Pageant at 4 p.m.. The pageant, Hogelin said, will be a big hit. "We're bringing back Mr. Beef Cakes. And that is a tongue in cheek look at like beauty pageants," Hogelin said. "There'll be some guys participating. They have to have a talent, I believe they do evening wear and sportswear." After a performance by Heartland Gymnastics, a very popular event from the past will return specifically for the 50th year the kids foam dance party from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., with Sheltered Reality Drum Corps coming in at 7 p.m. before the street dance from Eckophonic, teen karaoke at 8 p.m. and the teen and adult glow foam dance party at 9 p.m. "(Sheltered Reality) just have great message about getting involved in your community, being better, bettering yourself, to help others and to help yourself," Hogelin said. Things close up on Aug. 11 with a praise service by First United Methodist Church at 9:15 a.m., followed by the Celebrate Ag Lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the frog jumping competition and turtle races and a performance by the Leo Lonnie Orchestra at 11 a.m. iDance Project will start at 11:30 a.m., followed by the Running of The Frankfurters at noon and Power Wheel Races at 1 p.m. before the final Columbus Days Parade at 2 p.m. On Aug. 5 at 5:30 p.m., those interested can attend the coronation of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella L K.C. Belitz and Katie Claus by acquiring tickets from the chamber. Hogelin said she's been on the board for years, but decided this would be a good year to be event chair for Columbus Days. All the people involved, she said, make the event what it is every year. "it's a fun group to work with. The board and the committee, we have a lot of fun at the meetings, there's a lot of laughter," Hogelin said. "It's a positive thing to be a part of, very positive and I think the chamber, Sandie Fischer and the whole chamber staff, they do incredible work with this and there's so many others the whole community has different groups that provide things." A man fleeing California's Park Fire was forced to leave behind his two Rottweilers and their litter of puppies on Wednesday when his truck broke down. The remote area above Cohasset was soon blocked by fire and the dogs "presumed lost," the North Valley Animal Disaster Group said, per CBS News . Still, heroic first responders wouldn't give up. On Saturday, a helicopter pilot was able to drop Trevor Skaggs of the Butte County Sheriff's Office's search and rescue team 1.5 miles from the location of the truck. Skaggs then ran through the fire-ravaged area to find and rescue the dogs. The adult male sadly did not survive, but Skaggs saved the adult female and four pups, according to photos shared online . "Trevor hiked to the truck, released the happy canines, and played pied piper on the way back to the helicopter," said the NVADG, which is now caring for the dogs. Skaggs said they were "alive, but tired and very thirsty," per the BBC. He gave them water and pieces of his protein bar before leading them to the helicopter, which flew them to Chico Airport. The sheriff's office said it was "grateful to be able to share this amazing story" after "a horrific few days for our community." The Park Fire, which erupted July 24, has quickly become the fifth-largest fire in California history, burning some 600 square miles, per USA Today. The fire has forced the evacuation of more than 25,000 people in four counties but was only 14% contained as of Tuesday afternoon. Ronnie Stout, 42, accused of lighting the blaze by pushing his burning car into a ravine at a park in Chico, is charged with reckless arson. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said Stout, held without bail, pulled over to the side of the road but went over a berm and triggered the fire when he revved his car's engine in an attempt to drive out. Witnesses said Stout then pushed his burning car down an embankment, though Stout denies that. He claims he simply panicked and left. With two prior serious felonies, he faces at least 25 years in prison if convicted of felony arson, per USA Today. (More Park Fire stories.) The director of the Heritage Foundation's controversial Project 2025 has stepped down following strong criticism from Donald Trump's campaign. Paul Dans, one of many former Trump administration officials involved in the project, played a leading role in drafting the 920-page blueprint for a potential second Trump term. Kevin Robert, president of the conservative think tank, said they are "sticking to the timeline" of concluding policy drafting after the party conventions, the Hill reports. "We are extremely grateful for his and everyone's work on Project 2025 and dedication to saving America," he said of Dans. Press Release July 31, 2024 CHIZ WELCOMES HISTORIC $500-M U.S. MILITARY FINANCING TO PH; SAYS AID FORTIFIES FRIENDSHIP Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero on Wednesday lauded the United States for its groundbreaking decision to allocate an additional $500 million in foreign military financing to the Philippines, marking a historic step in strengthening the country's defense capabilities. "This is indeed a first!" Escudero said about the substantial investment aimed at modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). "I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to the United States for this unprecedented assistance to and investment in the AFP, which we definitely need and have been needing," he added. "This shows that we (the U.S. and the Philippines) are indeed friends and, more importantly, equal partners in maintaining peace, freedom of navigation, and a rules-based approach to differences and disagreements." The funding announcement came from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III during a 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. in Manila. Blinken characterized the $500 million allocation as a major boost to security collaboration, underscoring the deep-rooted partnership between the two nations. Austin called the investment a bold step toward modernizing the AFP and PCG, reflecting strong support from the Biden administration, U.S. Congress, and the American people. Meanwhile, Escudero dismissed concerns that the funding might provoke tensions with China over the West Philippine Sea. "I do not think this will provoke or agitate China because strengthening one's own military, like them and most countries, in order to keep the peace is the right and obligation of every country," the Senate chief said. He also reiterated his earlier remarks, stressing the importance of strengthening the AFP to ensure peace, not ignite conflict. "As I stated in my remarks at the opening of the Senate, we should, with the help of our friends, allies, and partners, build and strengthen our military not to ignite conflict but to secure the peace," he pointed out. Joaquin Guzman Lopez pleaded not guilty in a Tuesday court appearance that lasted about 10 minutes. The 38-year-old son of infamous Sinaloa cartel co-founder Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera is facing federal drug trafficking, money laundering, conspiracy, and weapons charges and appeared in a Chicago courtroom wearing an orange jumpsuit but no handcuffs, the Guardian reports. He declined a Spanish interpreter and answered most of the judge's questions, which were aimed at assessing his health and confirming he understood the proceedings, with "Yes, your honor," the AP reports. Israel says its strike on Beirut Tuesday killed the Hezbollah commander who was behind the rocket attack that killed 12 children and teens over the weekendand many other attacks. The Israeli military said the strike killed Fouad Shukur, the "most senior Hezbollah military commander," CNN reports. Israel said Shukur was responsible for the group's most advanced weaponry, including cruise missiles, reports the Guardian . The US, which accused Shukur of planning the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing that killed 241 American military personnel, had a $5 million bounty on his head. Yoav Gallant, Israel's defense minister, said in a post on X that Shukur "has the blood of many Israelis on his hands. Tonight, we have shown that the blood of our people has a price, and that there is no place out of reach for our forces to this end." Hezbollah, which denied responsibility for the weekend rocket attack, has not confirmed the commander's death. Lebanese authorities said the Israeli strike killed three people, including two children, and injured 74. Authorities said the strike collapsed the top three floors of a building and people in neighboring buildings were injured by flying glass. Lebanon's foreign minister said the Beirut strike was a shock because allies had provided assurances that Israel's response would be "limited." "Hopefully this will not produce a war," Abdallah Bou Habib told the Guardian. "We did not expect to be hit in Beirut. We thought these were red lines that the Israelis would respect." In a statement, White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said US commitment to Israel's security is "ironclad and unwavering against all Iran-backed threats, including Lebanese Hezbollah," CNN reports. The United Nations said it is "deeply concerned" by the strike. (More Hezbollah stories.) Think Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is a centrist? Think again, per Joan Biskupic, who pens an exclusive piece for CNN on the behind-the-scenes machinations regarding the high court's recent ruling in favor of presidential immunity. Biskupic notes that Roberts has often been viewed as the voice of compromise, with an "institutionalist tendency [that] had been cemented over the past two decades." The presidential immunity case, however, squashes that perspective, with Biskupic writing that Roberts, "now 69 and about to begin his 20th term, appears to have abandoned his usual institutional concerns." She adds that the chief justice "appears to have reached a turning point." "His vision for the high court became more aggressive, and he has perhaps shed the aura of ineffectualness that permeated some public commentary in recent years," Biskupic writes. Most notably, "there was an immediate and clear 6-3 split" in the presidential immunity case, with Roberts making "no serious effort to entice the three liberal justices for even a modicum of the cross-ideological agreement that distinguished such presidential-powers cases in the past," Biskupic writes. "He believed he could persuade people to look beyond Trump." She adds that of late, Roberts has "kept the most important cases for himself," and that the high court's most conservative justices have been "heartened by Roberts, after years of suspicions about his efforts at the center of the bench." Reaction: Writing for MSNBC in response to Biskupic's piece, Jordan Rubin suggests that Roberts' "institutionalist reputation has long been overblown" and that "the immunity episode ... suggests that the chief justice is not only eager to be in on the court's rightward march but wants to lead the way." Reaction II: Kathryn Rubino also takes on Roberts, noting for Above the Law that it's been a "huge mistake" for liberals to give the chief justice "a lifetime 'reasonableness card' on a court that has drifted well right of center." Kathryn Rubino also takes on Roberts, noting for Above the Law that it's been a "huge mistake" for liberals to give the chief justice "a lifetime 'reasonableness card' on a court that has drifted well right of center." And more: The law website also gathers responses from others on Biskupic's analysis. "We need to have a long talk about John Roberts the twinkle eyed institutionalist. Preferably before the election," writes lawyer and journalist Dahlia Lithwick. Norm Ornstein is even more blunt, writing, "John Roberts is by far the worst Chief Justice ever." Roberts, meanwhile, hasn't commented on the Biskupic's piece. More from her here . Biskupic also penned a piece earlier this week on the inner workings of the Supreme Court case regarding Idaho's strict abortion ban, in which "a combination of misgivings among key conservatives and rare leverage on the part of liberal justices changed the course of the case." (More US Supreme Court stories.) Japan's rice stockpile has fallen to its lowest level in decades and hungry tourists are partly to blame, according to the country's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. The ministry said Tuesday that inventory in the private sector is down 20% year over year and at its lowest level since at least 1999, Japan Today reports. Japan's population is shrinking, but with tourist numbers surging to record levels since the lifting of COVID restrictions, the "increase in demand by foreign tourists" has hit supplies, ministry official Hiroshi Itakura told AFP. But the main reason for the low rice supply is a decline in production caused by high temperatures and water shortages, he said. A former ballerina who wed a man 30 years her senior within days of meeting him at a 2016 GOP fundraiser was just found responsible for his shooting death . Ashley Benefield, 33, claimed she fatally shot Doug Benefield in self-defense when he attacked her inside her mother's Florida home on Sept. 27, 2020. She testified her estranged husband lunged at her and struck her in the face during an argument witnessed by no one else. But prosecutors said there was no evidence Benefield had been struck. "She did not have to shoot him," said Suzanne O'Donnell, assistant state attorney for Florida's 12th Judicial Circuit, per NBC News . "She had an agenda. She got what she wanted." Benefield's lawyer suggested it was a tragic end to an abuse case in which authorities failed to act. After Doug Benefield threw a loaded gun at his wife and tried to poison her with heavy metals, Benefield filed "complaint after complaint after complaint calling Doug Benefield's behavior to the attention of authorities with no results," Neil Taylor said during closing arguments of what became known as the "Black Swan" murder trial, per People and NBC. O'Donnell, meanwhile, accused Benefield of lodging "unfounded" allegations of abuse against her husband in an effort to obtain sole custody of their daughter. Prosecutors noted she only notified her husband about the birth when filing a restraining order. "This case is about a woman who, very early on in her pregnancy, decided she wanted to be a single mother," O'Donnell said, per ABC News. "Everything she did from that point on was to attain that goal." "The cost was the life of Doug Benefield, and that is murder," O'Donnell added, per NBC, alleging that the fatal bullet pierced Doug Benefield's side, contradicting Benefield's account that he was advancing on her. Charged with second-degree murder, Benefield was convicted by a jury late Tuesday of the lesser charge of manslaughter. The judge revoked her $100,000 bond and remanded her into custody ahead of sentencing, to follow at an undisclosed date. She faces up to 30 years in prison, per ABC. (More Florida stories.) The only person convicted in a US court of a role in the 9/11 attacks has to stay in a US prison, the Justice Department has decided. Zacarias Moussaoui, sometimes called the "20th hijacker," filed a request in May to serve the rest of his life sentence in his native France, the Independent reports. On Wednesday, relatives of two victims of the terrorist attacks were told that the request had been rejected days earlier, reports the New York Times . Last week, a dozen Republican senators urged President Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland to deny Moussaoui's request. "No consideration whatsoever should be given to this convicted terrorist's preferences for where to serve his sentence for his heinous crimes, and we demand that you swiftly deny his transfer request and force him to spend the remainder of his pathetic life imprisoned in the country he and his fellow terrorists attacked 23 years ago," the senators wrote. Moussaoui, 56, was arrested a month before the attacks. In 2006, he was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. He is being held in solitary confinement in the ADX Florence supermax federal prison in Colorado. In a letter to a Virginia judge in May, Moussaoui said there was the "possibility" that if Donald Trump was reelected, "he will sentence me to death by presidential executive order." Justice Department spokeswoman Nicole Navas Oxman said Moussaoui is serving a life sentence for terrorism offenses, and the department "plans to enforce this life sentence in US custody," the Times reports. (In a 2020 court motion, Moussaoui renounced Osama bin Laden and said he wanted Rudy Giuliani or Alan Dershowitz to represent him as a lawyer.) Treasury yields eased in the bond market after the Federal Reserve gave the clearest indication yet that it could begin lowering interest rates in September, the AP reports. Advanced Micro Devices rallied 4.4% after reporting better profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, thanks in part to accelerating artificial-intelligence business. That helped drive Nvidia, the chip company that's become the poster child for Wall Street's frenzy around AI, up 12.9% a day after it lost 7%. Microsoft fell 1.1% despite reporting profit and revenue for the latest quarter late Tuesday that edged past analysts' expectations. Growth in its Azure cloud-computing business fell a bit shy of analysts' forecasts. Meta Platforms rose 2.5% as investors waited for its profit report, which arrived after trading closed for the day. Amazon and Apple will follow on Thursday. Stronger-than-expected profit reports from companies outside the "Magnificent Seven" Big Tech stocks also helped lift the market on Wednesday. Match Group jumped 13.2% after saying its user trends for Tinder are stabilizing and reporting results for the latest quarter that roughly matched analysts' expectations. DuPont rose 4.1% after delivering better profit and revenue than expected, thanks in part to a recovery for the electronics business, and the chemical giant raised its financial forecasts for the full year. Boeing flew 2% higher after naming an industry veteran with a background in mechanical engineering as its next CEO. story continues below Some of Wednesday's strongest action was in the oil market, where the price for a barrel of benchmark US crude jumped about 4%. Hamas's top political leader Ismail Haniyeh died in a predawn assassination in the Iranian capital early Wednesday, Iran and the militant group said, blaming Israel for a shock assassination that could escalate conflict in the region and potential disrupt the flow of oil. (More stock market 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. VANCOUVER, BC, July 31, 2024 /CNW/ - Libero Copper & Gold Corporation (TSXV: LBC) (OTCQB: LBCMF) ("Libero Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the first-ever mining-focused forum organized by the Government of Putumayo and the recognition of Thyana Alvarez, Libero Copper's Country Manager and VP, as one of the most influential women in Colombia. Photo 1 Thyana Alvarez, Country Manager, presenting as a panelist at the 1st Mining & Coexistence Forum (CNW Group/Libero Copper & Gold Corporation) Photo 2 The recently published "Women of High Impact" feature in Semana Magazine highlights the most influential women in Colombia, including Thyana Alvarez (Country Manager / VP of Corporate Relations at Libero Copper) as one of the four "Protagonists of the Energy Transition. (CNW Group/Libero Copper & Gold Corporation) The forum titled "1st Mining & Coexistence Forum - Productive Chains" was held on July 26, 2024 under the theme "A Commitment to the Development and Conservation of Putumayo: From Minerals to Reindustrialization". Organized by the government of Putumayo and the Secretary of Productivity and Competitiveness, the forum prominently featured the Mocoa Copper Project, located in the municipality of Mocoa in the department of Putumayo. This event marks a significant milestone as it is the first time the Government of Putumayo has organized a forum focused on mining. The government highlighted that "mining is one of the main sources of economic development in our region," and emphasized that "mineral exploration is an essential process in the mining industry." Specifically regarding copper, the government stated that "copper demands further studies to unlock its potential. Exploring is advancing." The forum aligned with the National Strategic Plan and the Putumayo Development Plan, emphasizing the importance of mining for the future of the department. Ian Harris, President & CEO of Libero Copper, commented: "We congratulate the government of Putumayo for this historic mining forum. Their leadership and vision in recognizing mining as a major opportunity for the sustainable development of the region is only successful with extensive citizen involvement, integrating the voices and needs of the community. This is how we build a solid foundation of support for a project with the potential of the Mocoa Copper Project. We are proud to be moving forward in alignment with both the community and the regional government." Semana Magazine Colombia's Most Influential Women In addition to the forum, Libero Copper is proud to announce that Thyana Alvarez has been recognized by Semana Magazine as one of the most influential women in Colombia. Thyana was also acknowledged as one of the four guardians of the energy transition, highlighting her significant contributions to the sector. Thyana Alvarez, Country Manager and VP, added: "Being recognized isn't just a great honour; it comes with a huge responsibility. The importance of copper to the future development of Colombia, Putumayo, and Mocoa is critical. It is our duty to ensure the maximum benefit of the project by guaranteeing the participation, involvement, and collaboration of the community in developing the best possible project. This recognition underscores the national and departmental significance of our work to advance the Mocoa project." New Investor Relations Service Provider Libero Copper has also entered into an agreement with Triomphe Holdings Ltd. (dba Capital Analytica) ("Capital Analytica") for investor relations and communication services (the "Consulting Agreement"). The Consulting Agreement has an initial term of six months, commencing July 23, 2024 under which the Company will pay to Capital Analytica $120,000 over a period of 6 months, with $80,000 to paid in advance and the remaining balance to be paid via equal monthly installments of $20,000 on August 15th, 2024 and September 15th, 2024. If renewed, the services shall be paid at a rate of $60,000 for a period of 6 months, unless terminated earlier, in accordance with the Consulting Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Consulting Agreement, Capital Analytica will provide ongoing capital markets consultation, ongoing social media consultation regarding engagement and enhancement, social sentiment reporting, social engagement reporting, discussion forum monitoring and reporting, corporate video dissemination, and other related investor relations services. Capital Analytica is a Nanaimo based company owned and operated by Jeff French who is arm's length to the Company and holds no securities, directly or indirectly of the Company. About Libero Copper Libero Copper is driven by a highly disciplined and seasoned professional team with successful track records in advancing some of the most important copper mines brought into production over the last 20 years. With the strategic vision and support of the Fiore Group, Libero Copper is well-positioned for significant growth and value creation. The company's efforts are underpinned by the Mocoa copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit in Putumayo, Colombia. Boasting a substantial resource of 4.6 billion pounds of copper and 511 million pounds of molybdenum1, Mocoa is a significant asset in the global copper industry. Libero prioritizes building strong relationships with the communities in which it operates and leverages its extensive experience in community engagement as a key factor in advancing projects towards construction decisions. Dedicated to responsible exploration and development practices, Libero Copper aims to create long-term value for its shareholders while contributing to the green energy future. Technical Report on the Mocoa Copper-Molybdenum Project, Colombia, dated January 17th, 2022. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Libero Copper & Gold Corporation Additional Information: Ian Harris, President & CEO, +1 604 294 9039, [email protected]; Tetiana Konstantynivska, Vice President Investor Relations, +1 778 829 8455, [email protected] A New Jersey woman who sold about 250 phony vaccination cards through her Instagram account was taken to prison after she tried to recant her earlier guilty plea, according to a report from the New York Daily News. Jasmine Clifford, 34, of Lyndhurst and known as AntiVaxMomma on social media, was taken out of a Manhattan courtroom in handcuffs on July 25 after failing to convince a New York judge that she was confused about the purpose of the sentencing hearing and pointed to Instagram posts she made referencing her earlier guilty plea, the Daily News reported. Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to offering a false instrument for filing and conspiracy after prosecutors accused her of selling at least 250 forged COVID-19 vaccination cards for $200 a piece. Authorities alleged she sold at least 13 fraudulent cards to essential workers, including hospital, nursing home and school staff. An Essex County man was sentenced to almost seven decades in prison after a second trial where a jury found him guilty of a Christmas day killing in 2016, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced Wednesday. Habeeb Robinson, 40, of Newark was sentenced to 68 years in prison after being found guilty of first-degree counts of aggravated manslaughter and witness tampering, and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. The guilty verdict was the second time prosecutors placed Robinson on trial for the Christmas-morning killing of Hassan Q. Cobb-Jones. A hung jury failed to convict Robinson in 2019. The case was also tied into a consequential decision by the state Supreme Court in 2017 that ruled prosecutors must disclose more evidence, including witness statements prior to trial. Robinson was sentenced to an extended prison term by Judge Harold W. Fullilove, Jr. based on a lengthy criminal history, according to authorities. Robinson had eight previous felony convictions and was accused by prosecutors of threatening a key witness in the manslaughter trial in order to influence his testimony, authorities said. Prosecutors said Robinson was on parole for a 2010 armed robbery at the time he killed Cobb-Jones in 2016. He was sentenced to 50 years for manslaughter and an additional 18 years for witness tampering, officials said. An attorney for Robinson did not immediately return a request for comment. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X A man has been sentenced to federal prison in a scheme to get $4 million worth of unnecessary specialty prescriptions filled through his employers health insurance. Christopher Gualtieri, 51, of Franklin Township, Gloucester County, received a 42-month sentence on Tuesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey said in a news release. He pleaded guilty last summer to conspiracy to commit health care and mail fraud and obtaining oxycodone through fraud. After learning that a one-month supply of a compound medication could be reimbursed by health insurance companies for thousands of dollars, Gualtieri orchestrated a scheme to have unnecessary compound prescriptions filled, federal authorities said. A prominent Hudson County developer and restauranteur operates businesses on county- and a state-owned land. But hes not getting an eight-story hotel on the site of a former bank in Downtown Jersey City, seven neighborhood groups vowed. At least not without a fight. La Festa Italiana, Jersey Citys Italian Festival, a century old tradition celebrating Italian heritage, faith and food returns from Aug 7 to 11 from 5 to 11 p.m. at Holy Rosary Church. The Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption, more commonly known as The Feast, began in 1902 with the Maria SS DellAssunta Society of the Holy Rosary Church. Derek Hough is ready to waltz right into the holiday season. Hough is set to kick-off his Dance for the Holidays tour in Atlantic City at the Circus Maximus Theater at Caesars on Nov. 1. He will then perform several shows across upstate New York before coming back to New York City to dance at the Beacon Theatre on Nov. 18. There is no better way to get into the holiday spirit, so here is how you can get your hands on tickets. How to get Derek Hough Dance for the Holidays tour tickets If you want to secure tickets to see Derek Hough this holiday season, then you can access the presale which is set to begin on July 31 and wrap up on Aug. 1 at 10 p.m. through Ticketmaster. The general sale will then begin on Aug. 2 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Once the sale ends, tickets for the Dance for the Holidays are available on StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketCity and SeatGeek. While tickets are not officially on sale yet, there are some starting to become available on secondary market websites. Currently, the cheapest ticket at the time of publication for his New Jersey show, before fees, is $110 on TicketCity. For his New York City show, the cheapest ticket is $94 on Vivid Seats. If you are struggling to secure tickets at the right price point or your preferred seating section on StubHub, you can find some tips and tricks here. First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout. Derek Hough Tour 2024: Dates, schedule & more Derek Hough is counting down the days until he can get us all into the holiday spirit. After kicking off his tour in New Jersey, the dance pro will wrap up his Dance for the Holidays tour on Dec. 29 in Mesa, Ariz. The 38-city tour is full of dancers, who will bring your favorite holiday tunes to life, from the classic songs to modern pop hits with festive choreography. You can find a complete list of Derek Houghs holiday dance tour dates here. Upcoming 2024 holiday tours Derek Hough is not the only artist heading out on a holiday tour this year. Here are a few more holiday events you do not want to miss: Mariah Carey, The Radio City Rockettes and Mannheim Steamroller. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. NEW YORK Huascar Brazoban arrived at the Mets clubhouse at Citi Field early on Wednesday. Carrying his duffel bag with the Marlins logo on it, he situated himself in the same locker Jake Diekman recently occupied, a look of excitement on his face. After changing into his white, pinstriped Mets pants and a blue warm-up shirt with the team name on it, he welcomed media members to his locker, interpreter Alan Suriel by his side. There, he relived the events of the last 24 hours. A New Brunswick man who sold large amounts of fentanyl to an undercover officer 16 times was convicted Monday, authorities said. Kenneth Strickland, 57, was found guilty following an eight-day trial of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of heroin, and five counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey announced Tuesday. From Nov. 12, 2019, through June 30, 2020, Strickland was a member of a drug trafficking organization responsible for selling bulk quantities of fentanyl in Paterson, New Brunswick, and other areas of the state, according to a release from the office. A federal court judge on Tuesday ruled New Jerseys ban on AR-15 rifles is unconstitutional, a decision that could force the state to lift its decades-old prohibition on certain semi-automatic weapons. The judges ruling was limited in scope it applies only to one type of firearm, the Colt AR-15, and allows for use of self-defense within the home. It marks the latest clawback of New Jerseys famously strict gun laws following several recent pro-Second Amendment decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court. The decision was hailed as a partial victory by gun rights advocates who challenged New Jerseys ban, arguing in court papers the law blatantly violates the fundamental rights of the states law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms in common use for self-defense and other lawful purposes. State Attorney General Matthew Platkin said Tuesday his office would appeal the ruling, arguing it weaponizes the Second Amendment to undermine public safety. The AR-15 is an instrument designed for warfare that inflicts catastrophic mass injuries, and is the weapon of choice for the epidemic of mass shootings that have ravaged so many communities across this nation, Platkin said. In a 69-page decision, U.S. District Court Judge Peter Sheridan, a George W. Bush appointee, criticized the Supreme Courts pronouncements that certain firearms policy choices are off the table when frequently, radical individuals possess and use these same firearms for evil purposes. However, Sheridan wrote, he was bound by the higher courts rulings in two cases, known as Bruen and Heller. This principle combined with the reckless inaction of our governmental leaders to address the mass shooting tragedy afflicting our Nation necessitates the Courts decision, the judge wrote. The judges ruling concerned dual challenges to New Jerseys Assault Firearms Law, enacted in 1990, and a 2018 law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy that limited magazine sizes to 10 rounds. While Sheridan ruled the AR-15 ban unconstitutional under the new Supreme Court rulings, he upheld the states large-capacity magazine ban under the same framework. The Supreme Courts ruling forbade a complete prohibition on a class of gun ownership, he wrote, noting that AR-15 rifles are commonplace in gun-friendly states. But the judges ruling only applies to the Colt model because of the variety of firearms regulated in the Assault Firearms Law and the nuances that each individual firearm presents and because the evidence in this case concerned the AR-15. The gun rights groups, including the New Jersey Association of Rifle and Pistol Clubs and the national Firearms Policy Coalition, filed notice appealing the judges ruling upholding the magazine ban, court records show. Bans on so-called assault weapons are immoral and unconstitutional, FPC President Brandon Combs said in a statement Tuesday. FPC will continue to fight forward until all of these bans are eliminated throughout the United States. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X. Two years after an archeological dig accidentally uncovered skeletal remains in a New Jersey field, there is now a face to help tell the story of what happened on a key Revolutionary War battlefield in 1777. Working off of a skull recovered from a trench just outside Red Bank Battlefield Bank, a New Jersey State Police artist sketched one of the Hessian soldiers who died fighting for Great Britain against the Continental Army. Scientists now believe 15 sets of skeletal remains, all from men, were located in the trench during the 2022 dig. DNA testing so far has failed to identify any of the soldiers, but that remains a goal of the ongoing research project, officials said Wednesday in an update on the discovery. The newly-released image by artist Moises Martinez of the State Polices forensic technology center includes a headdress and a mustache, both of which were associated with Hessian soldiers of that period. The rendering helps convey the humanity of those who were killed, said Jen Janofsky, director of Red Bank Battlefield Park. Its not just a jumble of bones. Its an actual human being, Janofsky said. Hessians were German soldiers who fought along side King George IIIs British troops and had a key role in may Revolutionary War battles. The skull was one of only two complete crania recovered in 2022. It was found alongside teeth, bones, musket balls and other artifacts by volunteers who set out to map a wartime trench and unwittingly made a significant Revolutionary War discovery. The skull is from a Hessian soldier who is, at least for now, known only as No. 9, said Wade Catts, an archeologist who led the dig at the site. That is, in all likelihood, what No. 9 looked like, Catts said. Wade Catts discussing the discovery at the site of the trench in National Park, New Jersey, on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. The trench, located just outside Red Bank Battlefield Field, has since been filled in.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance The Battle of Red Bank was a crucial victory for the Continental Army. An outnumbered group of colonists beat back an effort to capture Fort Mercer during the battle. Of the 2,000 Hessian soldiers, 377 were killed, while the victorious Continental Army only lost 14 of its 500 troops. The conclusion that the 15 sets of remains were Hessians soldiers was based on items recovered by the remains, including a King George III gold guinea that would have been the equivalent of a soldiers monthly pay, officials said. Forensic scientists determined all the remains recovered from the trench were of white men of European descent. Some were middle-aged, others much younger, but the remains did not include any teenagers, officials said. Attaining additional, more specific information has been complicated by the poor conditions of the remains, which were described as degraded from being buried in wet soil for nearly 250 years. Skeletal remains of a Hessian soldier, killed in a Revolutionary War battle in 1777, discovered in 2022 along with the remains of 14 others in a trench just outside Red Bank Battlefield Park in National Park, New Jersey.Rowan University Janofsky said further testing may still create a breakthrough. Researchers will be conducting testing on two petrous bones, known for being the hardest bone in the human body and potentially a source of well-preserved DNA. Over the past two years, Ive come to appreciate the complexity of research required to identify remains. DNA analysis and stable isotope testing hold the potential to identify our soldiers. We will exhaust all resources to try to recover the stories of these men, Janofsky said. The discovery of the remains was made in June 2022 on the fourth and final day of a public dig that attracted more than 100 volunteers. It prompted a surge of interest in the Battle of Red Bank and Red Bank Battlefield Park, located in National Park, a borough in Gloucester County on the Delaware River. The battlefield is not part of the similarly-named Borough of Red Bank in Monmouth County, located about 90 miles away on the Navesink River. Red Bank Battlefield Park covers 44 acres and is owned by Gloucester County. The Revolutionary War-era trench where the remains were located extends onto an adjoining, quarter-acre site that was acquired by Gloucester County in 2020 and had not been thoroughly explored by archeologists until the 2022 dig. Its been a whirlwind two years. Its been so exciting to see the amount of attention that the project has received and the continued excitement that people express in the project and the work that we are doing, Janofsky said. It is unclear where the remains will end up. Janofsky said the government of Germany was contacted following the discovery two years ago, but has not expressed an interest in retrieving them. Volunteers, including Rowan University students, will give guided, registration-only tours of the discovery site on Aug. 10, 17 and 24, officials said. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. By Alexis Karteron and Claude Caroline Heffron This month marks 34 years since the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which seeks to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Few systems fail to meet the ADAs mandate as spectacularly as the criminal legal system, particularly in New Jersey. With two million people behind bars, the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Four out of 10 people in state prisons report having a physical or mental disability, nearly twice the rate of the general population. People with disabilities are overrepresented in prison -- not because they are inherently dangerous, but because their disabilities disadvantage them in navigating the legal system. The results are bad outcomes: longer sentences, lower rates of release on parole, and more onerous conditions of supervision. Although the ADA requires governmental agencies to meet the individualized needs of persons with disabilities -- for example, by providing oral information to people with limited literacy due to disability -- New Jerseys prisons and parole board fall short. We saw this firsthand with our client, Paul Williams Jr., who has mental and intellectual disabilities, as we helped him prepare for his 12th hearing before the New Jersey State Parole Board. Paul had been incarcerated since 1972, when, at age 20, he was involved in a robbery in which his co-defendant killed an innocent person. He received a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole. Pauls first parole hearing was in 1993; he was just released this year. At his first 11 hearings, Paul was denied parole partly because his disabilities were not properly diagnosed and treated, and his individualized needs were not met -- as required by the ADA. After 30 years in prison, long after his symptoms began, Paul was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He eventually received appropriate treatment and was housed on a specialized mental health unit. Previously, Paul incurred numerous disciplinary infractions stemming from his paranoia, a classic symptom of schizophrenia. N.J.s parole system is absurd. Fix it, already | Editorial @wwngup1 https://t.co/GI2yXblUME Kathy Morse (@KathyMorse0914) November 14, 2019 Hearing after hearing, Paul had to field questions about his disciplinary history from the parole board, and his record stymied his chance at release. After these unsuccessful hearings, the parole board counseled him to participate in rehabilitative programming, but he did not have access to all prison programs in his specialized unit. New Jersey does not typically permit lawyers or advocates to accompany their clients to parole hearings. It made no exception for Paul. He therefore struggled to advocate for himself. After decades in prison, his faded memory sometimes caused him to stumble over the details of his crime. Additionally, the psychiatric medication he takes causes slurred speech and involuntary movements, impairing his communication. This can trigger the subconscious biases many people have against people with disabilities. Indeed, many of the parole boards written decisions denying his release express doubt about Pauls heartfelt remorse. After numerous parole denials, Paul wrote to the Office of the Public Defender to seek assistance. Because his case reflected a grave injustice, the OPD partnered with an NYU law clinic to represent him. We obtained an evaluation by an independent psychiatrist, who confirmed that Pauls schizophrenia was well managed. The report explained that Pauls medication impaired his speech and what Paul needed to succeed outside prison. We also identified a program that would provide Paul with medication and therapy upon release, and created a mitigation film that we hoped would help the Parole Board see Paul beyond his disabilities. At 71, Paul was released to his loving family in January, after more than 51 years in prison. He owes his freedom to his incredible resilience and his stroke of luck in accessing volunteer assistance. Since there is no right to an attorney in parole proceedings, most people do not receive legal help even though their freedom is at stake. Given their obligations under the ADA, the prison and parole board should have offered Paul support. They should have evaluated him appropriately and offered him the help he needed to navigate his hearing and life on parole. Many people with disabilities languish behind bars for decades, as Paul did. The ADA has required the criminal legal system to offer appropriate supports to people with disabilities since 1990. It is high time for the New Jersey criminal justice system to meet that mandate. Alexis Karteron is a Professor of Clinical Law and director of the Civil Rights in the Criminal Legal System Clinic at NYU School of Law. Claude Caroline Heffron is the inaugural fellow of the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden in Hackensack. That scornful remark about childless cat ladies with no direct stake in Americas future has exploded in Donald Trumps face with dramatic flair: Welcome to the ticket, JD Vance! What he said manages to insult an enormous range of people the cool aunts, the loving stepmothers, the adoptive parents, the folks desperately trying to have kids who cant. Now, suddenly, theyre all miserable, childless cat ladies. This is a running theme with Vance. Hes repeatedly disparaged childless Americans, who are more sociopathic than people with children and make our country less mentally stable, he said. He even thinks people with children should have more voting power than single people an insult to about a third of America. So much for the conservative ideal of small government. JD Vance wants to hand out punishment and reward based on the most intimate of decisions, like abortion and childbirth. Its an aggressive intrusion into peoples lives particularly, womens lives by a Republican party that is now a threat to our personal freedoms. Trump really blew it with this one, because his VP pick gives the whole game away. Vance has said that he wants a federal ban on abortion and a federal response to block women from traveling out of state to get one. He wrote a gushing forward to a book by the architect of the extremist roadmap for Trumps second term, Project 2025, lavishing his ideas with praise. Among those proposals: Revoking FDA approval of abortion pills, prosecuting people who send them through the mail, requiring states to report where women seeking abortions live and cutting federal funds if those states refuse. And Vance is so committed to the idea that childless people should have less political power that he wants to reconfigure our entire electoral system to reflect that. When you go to the polls in this country as a parent, you should have more power you should have more of an ability to speak your voice in our democratic republic than people who dont have kids, he said. Lets face the consequences and the reality: If you dont have as much of an investment in the future of this country, maybe you shouldnt get nearly the same voice. This idea that if you dont have children, you dont have a stake in the future of our country is absurd, of course. What if you care about America including your own nieces and nephews, or your future children with the same sense of public service and patriotism as anybody else? He said people who dont have children have no physical commitment to the future of this country, said Pete Buttigieg, who served in the military. When I was deployed to Afghanistan, I didnt have kids back then, but I will tell you especially when there was a rocket attack going on my commitment to this country felt pretty physical. And what about all the childless men? Youd never know it from Vances comments, but most of the childless folks that hes referring to are, in fact, men: Nearly 43 percent of adult men in America do not have their own biological kids, as compared with 34.3 percent of adult women. No matter. Using cat lady as his go-to putdown is no coincidence: Its an army of American women that Vance is denigrating, who have a right to make that choice about their own reproductive lives and shouldnt be ridiculed for it. As Meghan McCain, a conservative commentator and daughter of the late Sen. John McCain noted, Vances comments caused real pain and are activating women across all sides, including Trump supporters. Some of the most popular celebrities in America have weighed in, from Friends star Jennifer Aniston, who struggled with infertility, to former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was in the middle of trying to have a baby though IVF when she was shot in the head in an assassination attempt. That dream was stolen from us, Giffords said. To suggest we are somehow lesser is disgraceful. All of which led JD Vance to clarify that he meant no offense to cats. Ive got nothing against cats, he said. Then he doubled down on his attack on women: Im sorry, its true. That was too much even for the conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board, which slammed Vance for refusing to apologize. Trumps mistake in choosing Vance only becomes more apparent as Democrats mine his other strange remarks. Apparently, Americas problem is not just childless cat ladies, according to another clip that just re-surfaced: Its childless journalists, too. At a 2021 event, Vance complained that he got bad press because members of the media are mostly childless adults. And its childless people on social media: You go on Twitter and almost always the people who are most deranged and most psychotic are people who dont have kids at home, he said. Hes even used the cat lady smear against young people worried about climate change. So, this was not just one, off-the-cuff comment; Trumps VP pick truly believes that childless adults are a tremendous drag on society. Hes providing himself with bad press, just by repeating the things that hes said. Lets hope that he continues to do so. Voters deserve the truth about the divisive and extremist campaign of Donald Trump, and Vance is the perfect reminder of it. 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. Things got heated. Quickly. Donald Trumps appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists convention on Wednesday took a turn after the former president falsely questioned Kamala Harris race during a live interview. He claimed Harris, the first Black woman and Asian American to serve as vice president, had in the past only promoted her Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So, I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? Trump said while addressing the groups annual convention. Trumps appearance at the organizations annual gathering immediately became heated, with the former president sparring with interviewer Rachel Scott of ABC News and accusing her of giving him a very rude introduction with a tough first question about his past criticism of Black people and Black journalists. Trump tells Black journalists that Kamala Harris "is of Indian heritage ... is she Indian or is she Black? ... she became a Black person." Note the audience laughing at him. pic.twitter.com/PAhmgr1yBS Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2024 More of the exchange: Scott: Well move on to other questions here. Some of your own supporters, including Republicans on Capitol Hill, have labeled Vice President Kamala Harris, who was the first Black and Asian American woman to serve as vice president beyond major party ticket as a DEI hire. Is that acceptable language to you? And will you tell those Republicans and those supporters to stop it? Trump: How do you, how do you define DEI? Go ahead. How do you define it? Scott: Diversity, equity and inclusion. Trump: Ok, yeah. Go ahead. Is that what your definition? Scott: That is, that is literally the words of DEI. Trump: Give me a definition then. Scott: Sir, Im asking you a question. A very direct question. Trump: No no. You have to define it. Define it for me, if you would. Scott: I just defined it, sir, do you believe that Vice President Kamala Harris is only on the ticket because she is a Black woman? Trump: Well I can say no, I think its maybe, a little bit different. So Ive known her a long time, indirectly, not directly, very much. And she was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? Scott: She has always identified as a Black woman. ... Trump: I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt because she was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn, she became a Black person Scott: Just to be clear, sir, do you believe ... Trump: I think someobdy should look into that too when you ask and continue in a very hostile, nasty tone. Scott: Its a direct question, sir. Do you believe that Vice President Kamala Harris is a DEI hire? Trump: I really dont know. Could be, could be. There are some. Per Scotts comments about Harris identifying as a Black woman, Politifact reports: Harris, born of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, has identified as a Black woman who grew up in a multicultural household. More from Politifact: Harris told The Washington Post in 2019 that she identifies as an American, and that shes been comfortable with her identity from an early age, something she credits to her Hindu immigrant single mother, who adopted Black culture and immersed her daughters in it. Harris said she grew up embracing her Indian culture while proudly living as a Black girl. She said the same in her book, The Truths We Hold. She attended college at Howard University, an historically Black university, in Washington, D.C and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., a historically Black sorority. The former presidents invitation to address the organization sparked an intense internal debate among NABJ that spilled online. Organizations for journalists of color typically invite presidential candidates to speak at their summer gatherings in election years. The interview appeared to end sooner than expected: I think we have to leave it there, the Trump team told us to wrap, Scott said. 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. The National Association of Black Journalists had to beat back a revolt from its membership after inviting former president Donald Trump to a panel discussion at its annunal convention on Wednesday. But the organizations officers likely were vindicated when Trump self-destructed in a hostile, confrontational session in which he insulted them, questioned Vice President Kamala Harris Black heritage while accusing her of using it as a prop, while also making several factually incorrect statements. Several times, audience members laughed at Trumps answers. While many NABJ members insisted that the organization refuse to give Trump a platform especially given his history of racist rhetoric Trumps appearance provided an argument for the other side. This NABJ interview is a great example of why the people who demand that we de-platform Trump are wrong. People should see this! former Republican political consultant Tim Miller tweeted. A grumpy, cruel, hard-of-hearing, race-baiting, asshole having to actually answer for his track record in an environment outside of his comfort zone. Meanwhile, the Never-Trump Lincoln Project tweeted a photo of the Hindenburg disaster. In addition, the interview appears to have been cut off sooner than planned. I think we have to leave it there, the Trump team told us to wrap, ABC reporter Rachel Scott said. April Ryan, a former White House correspondent who was insulted by Trump during his four years in office, called out her colleagues only minutes into the program: Why would the NABJ allow him to be on stage? Rachel Scott is so respected and asked a good question. He calls her rude! Ryan tweeted. She added: Trump came into our home, a Black Press advocacy convention, and insulted us in our face. What is worse he was invited to do this by NABJ leadership. Shame! Trump claimed Harris, the first Black woman and Asian American to serve as vice president and the de facto Democratic presidential nominee after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, had in the past only promoted her Indian heritage. So Ive known her a long time, indirectly, not directly, very much, Trump said. And she was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden, she made a turn and she went, she became a Black, just to be clear, somebody should look into that too. Trumps appearance at the organizations annual gathering immediately became heated, with the former president sparring with interviewer Rachel Scott of ABC News and accusing her of giving him a very rude introduction with a tough first question about his past criticism of Black people and Black journalists, and his lie about former President Barack Obama not being born in the United States. As he has many times, Trump insisted he has been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln. Ive done so much for the Black population of this country, including employment, including opportunity zones, with Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, which is one of the greatest programs ever for Black workers and Black entrepreneurs, he said. Ive done so much, and, you know, and I say this, historically Black colleges and universities were out of money. They were stone cold broke, and I saved them. I gave them long-term financing, and nobody else was doing it. According to PBS fact-checking: Trump signed the FUTURE Act in 2019. The act ensured that the original science, technology, engineering and math funding for HBCUs from then-President George W. Bushs 2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act would continue to be awarded without having to go back to Congress annually. The act ensured that HBCUs would receive an annual $255 million in STEM funding for the next 10 years. Its an exaggeration, however, to say that nobody else was doing it. In the House, Democrats were unanimous in their support, while two more Republicans voted against the bill than for it. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. A foreign national confessed to participating in a scheme to distribute bulk quantities of fentanyl between Philadelphia and New Jersey, U.S. District Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Tuesday. Hector Luis De La Cruz Nunez, 32, of the Dominican Republic pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to allegations of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute. Two others were also charged in the conspiracy. Their trials are pending, according to federal officials. In February 2022, authorities learned of a drug-trafficking organization using a private residence in Philadelphia as a large-scale fentanyl production and distribution mill that was moving large quantities of the substance from Philadelphia into North Jersey communities, authorities said in a press release. Federal investigators said they observed Nunez exit the mill in Philadelphia on March 8, 2022 carrying large weighted bags and placing them into a secret compartment in his vehicle before driving the car into New Jersey. Officials stopped Nunez in Union and found four large, wrapped bricks containing about 100 packages of fentanyl each, totaling about 400 individual packages, authorities said. Nunez allegedly told authorities the packages were planned to be distributed to individuals in North Jersey. Mr. Nunez accepted full responsibility for his limited role in this conspiracy, Nunezs attorney Justin Capek said Tuesday. Having no prior record whatsoever, we look forward to presenting relevant facts and background into Mr. Nunezs personal history and characteristics to submit to the court in advance of sentencing. Nunezs sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 5. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X PHILADELPHIA The Yankees wanted to upgrade their rotation before Tuesdays trade deadline and thought theyd done so agreeing to a deal with the Detroit Tigers for right-hander Jack Flaherty. Left-hander Nestor Cortes might have been the return for Detroit because thats what the previous-day rumor mill spit out. The trade would become official once both teams signed of the medicals. The Yankees didnt and called off the trade, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported. Later Tuesday, Flaherty was dealt to the Dodgers, who apparently had no issue with the right-handers medical background check. Flaherty, who is 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA in 18 starts, missed a start in July due to a sore back that was addressed with two cortisone shots. After not pitching for two weeks, a stretch that included the missed start and the All-Star break, Flaherty was 2-0 with a 1.53 ERA in his last three starts, allowing three runs in 17.2 innings. I cant comment on medical stuff with trades as a general point, Tigers president Scott Harris told the Detroit Free Press. And if medical stuff did affect any of the trades, thats not on our end. You cant ask me about that because were not the one trading for Jack, so not commenting on any of that stuff because I cant. The Tigers received two prospects from the Dodgers, shortstop Trey Sweeney and catcher/first baseman Thayron Liranzo. A 2021 Yankees first-round draft pick, Sweeney was ranked the Dodgers No. 22 prospect by MLB Pipeline while Liranzo was eighth. I think he needs a few more reps in Triple-A before he can impact us up here, Harris said of Sweeney. In terms of the athlete, the swing, the ability to play a premium position as a left-handed hitter, those are hard to find, and were fortunate that we found one. The Yankees wound up settling for what they have in their rotation and what they expect to get back soon instead of pivoting to another trade option. With the trade deadline passed, the Yankees have Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, Marcus Stroman, Carlos Rodon in their rotation with Clarke Schmidt on pace to return from a lat strain injury in lat August or early September. Cortes is the best bet to lose his rotation spot to Schmidt if the Yankees other starters are all healthy. They werent this week, as Cole was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday in Philly due to fatigue. He expects to start a game this weekend at Yankee Stadium, probably Saturday or Sunday against the Blue Jays. Flaherty was on free-agent market last winter and settled for a one-year, $14-million contract. Hell be a free agent again after the 2024 season. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. A local Landkey resident has voiced concerns to the Gazette regarding a construction company's decision to commence building despite the pending status of their planning permission. The planning permission, applied by Pearce Construction, is currently awaiting approval from North Devon Council. The proposal outlines the erection of 20 residential dwellings, comprising both open market and affordable housing. The resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported: Pearce Construction has begun work without planning permission on a site on Birch Road, Landkey. North Devon Council responded to these concerns, stating: The Section 106 agreement for this development was completed on Monday, 29 July and we intend to issue the planning decision notice this week. We would not encourage any developer to start works without planning permission being in place and any works carried out are at the developers own risk. However, as the planning permission is due to be issued this week, it would not be in the public interest to pursue any form of enforcement action in respect to any building works having taken place. The developer will of course have to build in accordance with the approved plans submitted to the council. The Rising Sun in Lynmouth has been named Best Destination Pub in Devon in the Muddy Stilettos Awards for 2024. This 14th-century pub offers a unique experience with 14 bedrooms for guests and is known for its historic associations with smugglers and Romantic poets. Owner Matt Clark, who has restaurants in East Devon and had a luxury catering business and cookery school in France brings a French culinary influence to the pub's menu. He said: We use great local ingredients and focus on quality, the menu is definitely influenced by my time in France as well as being inspired by other classic dishes from around the world. The pub has a strong local feel, with many returning customers from all over the UK and even the world. Locals love it, and people who visited as children come back as adults. The Rising Sun has a special connection with our guests. Matt also owns the Rock House in Lynmouth and Land and Sea restaurant at the marina in Exmouth with more opening later this year. He attributes the pub's success to the dedication of his team and their focus on excellent food and service. If you get the food and the service right, everything else falls into place, he said. Weve got a really good team that cant do enough for our guests. Speaking about the award, Matt said: It's a testament to our hard work and commitment to keeping the food amazing and the rooms updated. Weve been really busy on social media, promoting not just the pub but also the surrounding area. Were proud of the team and all the hard work paying off. Looking ahead, Matt plans to expand further, seeking new sites to continue offering his successful culinary experiences. LAPORTE An inmate at the Westville Correctional Facility has been charged with the Nov. 7 beating death of fellow inmate John Taylor, officials said. Donnell Davis, 29, is charged with murder and aggravated battery involving the death of 35-year-old Taylor, of Greene County, Indiana, who was found to have died from blunt force trauma, records show. A state police detective said Taylor was found near his bed at the prison and was initially reported to have died from a possible drug overdose. But it was later determined Taylor was beaten by another inmate and his body was moved to the area of his bed, according to a court document. Taylor had visible injuries and bruises to his body, and his blood was located in a separate area of the dormitory where he was housed. Surveillance video footage revealed Taylor "engaged in an altercation" after entering the bed area of Davis, police said. Taylor was seen walking to a bathroom holding the back of his head and Davis walked in the bathroom several times. Charges say Davis repeatedly punched and kicked Taylor, resulting in Taylor's death. Smash and grab reported at Highland beauty store "At one point, witnesses and employees advised that the male had lifted up his jacket and this exposed what is believed to be a black handgun in his waistband." Taylor's motionless body is then seen on the video being dragged from the bathroom as several other inmates cleaned the area, police said. "It was clear from the surveillance footage that the substance being cleaned was Mr. Taylor's blood," according to a charging document. Davis had an earliest possible release date of Sept. 29, according to the Indiana Department of Correction. He had been sentenced in Marion County on charges of arson, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and criminal recklessness, records show. IDOC officials said at the time of Taylor's death that he was serving time for battery, intimidation and criminal confinement and had an earliest possible release date of Feb. 1, 2030. MICHIGAN CITY A Westville woman allegedly led police on a lengthy motor vehicle chase topping 120 miles per hour with her children riding with her on Monday. Samantha Jo Ravenscroft, 33, is charged in LaPorte Superior Court 4 with resisting law enforcement, battery to a law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, criminal recklessness and two counts of neglect of a dependent. According to court documents, Ravenscroft was behind the wheel of a car when a Trail Creek Police officer just before 4 a.m. clocked her speeding in the area of U.S. 20 and Johnson Road. The officer attempted to make a traffic stop but Ravenscroft began accelerating, triggering a pursuit that continued westbound on Interstate 94, police said. Officers from the Michigan City Police Department and LaPorte County Sheriffs Office joined the pursuit, which several miles later veered northbound on U.S. 421 and westbound on 400 North, police said. At one point during the chase, police said, a bag of methamphetamine was tossed out the passenger side window. According to court documents, the woman was still traveling at a high rate of speed on County Line Road when stop sticks placed on the pavement by another officer flattened at least one of her tires near U.S. 20. She continued to drive until stopping on Beverly Drive near Mt. Baldy on Michigan Citys west side, police said. Police said the bag was later recovered and contained 1.2 grams of methamphetamine. While transporting Ravenscroft to the LaPorte County Jail, police said, Ravenscroft from the back seat kicked a sheriffs deputy operating the vehicle on the right shoulder. He pulled over and waited for other officers, who placed shackles around her legs to prevent the deputy from being kicked again while resuming his trip to the jail. Police said her 14 year old son and 13 year old daughter were taken to their grandmothers home in LaCrosse. Ravenscroft, whose record shows past convictions on lower level felonies and misdemeanors for crimes like possession of a controlled substance, driving on a suspended license and violating probation, was being held without bond pending her initial court appearance. The Israeli military carried out an airstrike today in a suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, retaliating for an assault that killed 12 children and teenagers in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights over the weekend. Israeli officials said the strike had targeted Fuad Shukr, a Hezbollah commander who Israel said was responsible for the Golan Heights attack. Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese militia, has denied responsibility for the assault. Lebanese officials said that at least one person had died from the strike. It was unclear if Shukr had survived. Heres the latest. Haret Hreik, the dense neighborhood in Beiruts southern suburbs that was targeted, is the headquarters for Hezbollah and was largely destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in 2006 during the last war between the two sides. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel had promised a severe response to the Golan Heights attack. Western officials had urged Israel to exercise restraint to avoid widening the long-simmering conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Microsoft closed its first full fiscal year of aggressive artificial intelligence investment with a mixed bag of results for people worried about how much big tech companies are spending on A.I. Sales from April through June hit $64.7 billion, up 15 percent from the same period last year, the company reported on Tuesday. Profit rose 10 percent, to $22 billion. The results beat Wall Streets expectations and Microsofts own predictions. But the companys cloud computing business did not grow as quickly as investors had expected, leading its share price to drop more than 6 percent in after-hours trading. Azure, Microsofts flagship cloud computing product that includes A.I. services, grew 30 percent in the quarter after taking into account currency fluctuations. Investors had been hoping it would grow between 30 and 31 percent, as Microsoft had told them to expect. Days after Gov. Gavin Newsom put pressure on local governments to dismantle homeless encampments across California, leaders in Los Angeles County showed a united front, unanimously passing a resolution with a clear message: We will continue to take a different approach. The vote on Tuesday by the board of supervisors, the five-member governing body of the county, reflected the deep motivation of local leaders to align themselves on strategy for a vast region that includes 88 cities and more than 75,000 homeless people. It also reaffirmed that homelessness would not be criminalized. Some things, said Supervisor Hilda Solis who co-wrote the motion, are better deliberated at the local level. The leaders have the backing of Sheriff Robert Luna of Los Angeles County, who has vowed that his agency will arrest people only if they commit a crime, not simply for living in an encampment. Xi congratulates Maduro on re-election as Venezuela's president Xinhua) 08:02, July 31, 2024 BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a message to Nicolas Maduro, congratulating him on re-election as president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Since taking office, President Maduro has led the Venezuelan government and people in pursuing a development path suited to their own national conditions, making remarkable achievements in national construction, Xi said. China and Venezuela are good friends that trust each other and good partners for common development, Xi said, adding that China will, as always, firmly support Venezuela's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, national dignity and social stability, as well as Venezuela's just cause of opposing external interference. Xi said that he highly values the development of China-Venezuela relations and is willing to work with President Maduro to continue guiding the all-weather strategic partnership between China and Venezuela to new heights, so as to benefit the people of both countries. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, attended the inauguration of Masoud Pezeshkian as the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The ceremony took place in the Iranian Parliament, or Mejlis, in Tehran.Before the official event, Kobakhidze met with Pezeshkian, congratulating him on his electoral victory and wishing him success in his new role.Alongside Kobakhidze, Levan Davitashvili, the First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, was part of the Georgian delegation in Tehran.Chairman of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili has criticized President Salome Zourabichvili's recent lawsuit filed with the Constitutional Court to suspend the "Foreign Agents" law. Papuashvili stated that by applying to the Constitutional Court, Zourabichvili acknowledged its legitimacy, despite the court's previous verdict that she violated the Constitution. He argued that if Zourabichvili had political integrity, she should resign.Papuashvili described the lawsuit as hypocritical, noting that the opposition and Zourabichvili had previously questioned the legitimacy of the Constitutional Court. He pointed out their inconsistency, stating, "Just a few months ago, they referred to the judges of the Constitutional Court with different epithets. Today, they turn to the same judges to find justice."According to Papuashvili, the United National Movement strategically maintained Zourabichvili in her position, preventing her impeachment. He implied that there are underlying political motives behind their actions, saying, "The only reason why the impeachment did not take place is that the National Movement saved her and kept her in this position."Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the Unity Platform, criticized the Georgian government's approach to EU integration following a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 29. Vashadze accused the government of misleading international partners about fulfilling the nine steps required for EU accession, calling the behavior "rude" and "shameful"."The position of the European Union is very clear, and it is very sad that the European integration process of Georgia is halted," Vashadze stated."Do you think they are small children that you can lie to that the 9 steps have been fulfilled? Or is the Foreign Minister not ashamed? I don't think there is such a precedent anywhere in the world."He highlighted the European Union's clear stance and expressed concern over the stalled integration process under Georgian Dream's rule. Vashadze urged for a change in approach by October 26, emphasizing the need for honesty and integrity in dealings with the EU.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' meeting with EU member state representatives concerned the implementation of the nine steps for Georgia's EU accession. Threatening to kill a public official is reprehensible, Ryan K. Buchanan, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, said in a statement. Our office will not tolerate any form of violence, threats or intimidation against public officials. In a statement, Mr. Cirillos lawyer, Allison Dawson, said that Mr. Cirillo had struggled with mental health issues and was not on his prescribed medication at the time of the incident. Ms. Greenes office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday. After Mr. Cirillo was arrested, Ms. Greene said in a statement to Atlanta News First: Threats to murder elected officials should never be tolerated. During his phone calls to Ms. Greenes office, the F.B.I. said, Mr. Cirillo said that he was focusing on Ms. Greene through the sight of a sniper rifle. He also threatened to kill her staff members who picked up the two calls, which he made on Nov. 8 at 1:33 p.m. and 5:36 p.m., the F.B.I. said. The next day, when the F.B.I. showed up at Mr. Cirillos home by tracking his phone number, Mr. Cirillo admitted to making the calls, said he had made them to get attention and added that he had called multiple other people as well including other members of Congress, court records state. It is not clear who else received Mr. Cirillos calls. Good evening. The presidential race has become extremely San Francisco, so Ive asked The Timess San Francisco bureau chief, Heather Knight, to tell us just what that means. Then, I take a close look at Donald Trumps refusal to clean up his alarming remarks about voting in future elections. Jess Bidgood If the last few weeks of political drama were a soap opera and they sure felt like one some of its biggest writers and stars would hail from one place: San Francisco. There was former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has represented the city some conservatives love to hate for 37 years, shrewdly working her back channels and lobbying President Biden directly to leave the stage. There was Gov. Gavin Newsom, a former San Francisco mayor, who quickly disappointed Democrats who had hoped he would get in the race himself. And, of course, there was Vice President Kamala Harris, now the likely Democratic nominee, who worked in the San Francisco City Attorneys office before winning election as the citys district attorney in 2003. Senator JD Vance of Ohio, former President Donald J. Trumps running mate, began a swing of campaign stops in crucial battleground states in the Southwest his first visit to the region since joining the ticket with a pair of rallies on Tuesday in Nevada. Mr. Vance used those appearances to hone his attack lines against Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the de facto Democratic presidential nominee last week, denouncing her as a failed border czar and a wacky San Francisco liberal. Mr. Vance, a political acolyte of the Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, accused the vice president of allowing migrants to murder Americans and of inviting drug cartels to deal fentanyl to children in playgrounds. He also repeated unfounded claims about undocumented migrants bankrupting Medicare and other government services. She has the nerve to question our loyalty to this country, Mr. Vance said in Henderson, Nev., near Las Vegas. He added that loyalty to this country is closing the border, not opening it up, and that if Kamala Harris wants to see the face of disloyalty she might as well look in the damn mirror. Kari Lake won the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Arizona on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press, setting up a high-stakes contest in the fall for the seat of Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who is retiring. Her victory over Mark Lamb, the Pinal County sheriff, extends her three-year transformation into a fierce pro-Trump firebrand. A former news anchor, she will now face Representative Ruben Gallego, a Phoenix-area former Marine who had no opposition in the Democratic primary. Ms. Lake celebrated her victory in front of supporters at a Phoenix hotel, telling them she would be former President Donald J. Trumps backup in Washington after defeating Mr. Gallego. She brought out a thick binder, saying it was a tally of Mr. Gallegos destructive voting record that is destroying Arizona. Though she made overtures to building a broader coalition calling for disaffected Democrats and moderate Republicans to join her she framed the election in stark terms. Nearly 1,000 American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian children died while attending boarding schools that were set up by the U.S. government for the purpose of erasing their tribal ties and cultural practices, according to a report released on Tuesday by the Interior Department. For the first time in the history of the country, the U.S. government is accounting for its role in operating Indian boarding schools to forcibly assimilate Indian children, and working to set us on a path to heal from the wounds inflicted by those schools, Bryan Newland, the departments assistant secretary for Indian affairs, wrote this month in a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland that was included in the report. The report calls on the federal government to apologize and chart a road to healing. Its recommendations include creating a national memorial to commemorate the childrens deaths and educate the public; investing in research and helping Native communities heal from intergenerational stress and trauma; and revitalizing Native languages. From the early 1800s to the late 1960s, the U.S. government removed Native children from their families and homes and sent them to boarding schools, where they were forcibly assimilated. Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander and target of an Israeli strike on Beirut, was said to be a close adviser to the groups leader and someone wanted by the U.S. government for his role in a 1983 bombing attack that killed roughly 300 American and French soldiers in Beirut. Image A photo of Fuad Shukr, from a wanted poster released by the U.S. State Department. Credit... Rewards for Justice, via Associated Press It was not immediately clear whether Mr. Shukr, also known by his nom de guerre al-Hajj Mohsin, survived the Israeli assassination attempt. The Israeli military blamed Mr. Shukr for an assault on Saturday that killed 12 children and teenagers in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights and the killing of numerous additional Israeli civilians. A senior Israeli military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence, said Mr. Shukr was a close confidant of Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader. After the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander, Mustafa Badreddine, in Syria in 2016, Mr. Shukr assumed some of his responsibilities, said the officials and two experts on the armed group. The State Department has posted a bounty of up to $5 million for information on Mr. Shukrs location after the 1983 attack on the barracks in Beirut where American and French soldiers were stationed. Assaf Orion, a retired Israeli brigadier general, described Mr. Shukr as an experienced veteran who had worked intensively to develop Hezbollahs precision-guided missile apparatus. Analysts say the munitions are a particular concern for Israeli military planners. Mr. Shukrs history with Hezbollah goes back decades. He played a key role in several of the groups major milestones, said Matthew Levitt, an expert on Hezbollah at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He was part of the old guard, said Mohanad Hage Ali, a Beirut-based fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center, adding, Hes a significant figure, for sure. Mr. Levitt said that, at different points, Mr. Shukr oversaw Hezbollah military operations in Israeli-occupied south Lebanon, from which Israel withdrew in 2000. He later played a senior role in commanding the group in Syria, and ultimately took one of the top spots in Hezbollahs military leadership, Mr. Levitt said. Its kind of run by committee, but Fuad Shukr is more or less first among equals, he said, adding that Mr. Shukr reported directly to Mr. Nasrallah. Ronen Bergman contributed reporting. The Israeli military said it had killed a senior Hezbollah commander whom it targeted on Tuesday evening in Beirut, a claim that was not immediately confirmed or denied by Hezbollah or Lebanese officials. Israeli fighter jets carried out an airstrike on Tuesday, a military spokesman said, in retaliation for an assault that killed 12 children and teenagers in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights over the weekend. The strike, which hit a residential building in a southern suburb of Beirut controlled by Hezbollah, killed at least three people, including a woman and two children, according to Lebanons health ministry. The attack fueled Western concerns that Israels long-running conflict with the powerful Lebanese militia could escalate further. It was the second time during the war that the Israeli military had hit a target in or near Lebanons capital, after the killing of a senior Hamas leader in Beirut in January. The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, one of Hamass most senior leaders, in Irans capital threatens to ratchet up tensions in the Middle East and could further imperil any prospect of a breakthrough in the already stalled negotiations to stop the war in Gaza. Mr. Haniyeh was killed while he was in Tehran with other senior members of Irans axis of resistance which includes Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen to attend the inauguration of Irans newly elected president. Hamas and Iranian state media on Wednesday blamed Israel for the death of Mr. Haniyeh, the militant groups political leader, who was central to its high-stakes negotiations and diplomacy. Israels military has not commented on the assassination. Here is what we know: The killing comes at a tense moment. Mr. Haniyeh was killed less than a day after Israel carried out a separate strike on a Hezbollah commander in a suburb of Beirut, in retaliation for a strike over the weekend in an Israeli-controlled town that killed 12 children and teenagers. The assassination in Tehran leaves Israel facing potential responses from both Hamas and Hezbollah for attacks on their leaders, and from Iran for the killing within its borders. Before the strikes, there were expectations that Israel and Hamas were nearing an agreement to pause the nearly 10-month-old war in Gaza that has left tens of thousands dead and prompted an ever-deepening humanitarian crisis in the enclave. Just past daybreak, before they began to weave, Emma Broderick and her mother, Maile Meyer, gathered beneath a canopy of sinuous leaves to greet the pu hala tree, a touchstone of Hawaiian culture that for generations has provided the raw materials for weaving moena, the traditional floor mats that were once ubiquitous in Hawaiian homes. Broderick introduced herself to the tree, with its lattice of stilt-like roots, addressing it as she might a loved one. Of course, flattery never hurts, she said. She had a pink plumeria blossom with an intoxicating aroma tucked behind her ear. You want to come with me? she asked the tree, seductively. Would you like to live in a house and be in a mat? Broderick, 33, is the executive director of the Puuhonua Society, a group dedicated to reviving age-old Hawaiian practices, like weaving and coconut growing, that were on the verge of vanishing. (The word puuhonua means refuge.) Along with a growing number of weavers on other islands, it is collectively energizing a tradition brought by the first Oceania settlers who arrived in Hawaii on canoes powered by woven sails. John Mangum, a veteran orchestra manager who helped guide the Houston Symphony through the turmoil of the pandemic, will serve as the next general director of Lyric Opera of Chicago starting this fall, the company announced on Wednesday. Mangum, 49, will take the reins of Lyric, one of the premier opera companies in the United States, as it faces a series of challenges, including rising costs, cuts to programming and changes in audience behavior. Mangum said in an interview that he was joining Lyric because it is one of the great opera companies in the country and really in the world. He said he was confident that Lyric could find ways to expand its base of fans and donors. Opera is about storytelling, he said. We have to remind people that this is what opera is built from, and there are ways for them to connect. Venezuela is on fire. After a vote on Sunday, its authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro, claimed victory in his re-election campaign. But few believe he truly won, and he has not produced a vote count that verifies the result. The opposition says its candidate scored at least 3.9 million more votes than Maduro did. Now protesters are surging in the streets of this oil-rich nation, exasperated by a generation of leaders they cant get rid of. They are toppling statues of the man who founded the countrys socialist movement. At least 16 people have died, including one soldier, and about 750 have been detained by security forces. Hundreds of people gathered on Tuesday in the capital, Caracas,to support the opposition. In some places, the authorities responded with tear gas. The day before, government-aligned gangs had responded with bullets. Its another chapter in a national saga of crisis, despotism and penury. Nearly eight million have fled the country, according to the United Nations; youve probably seen photos of Venezuelan families trudging toward the U.S. border. That migration has strained not only Venezuelas neighbors but even the United States, where the presidential election turns partly on a spike in immigration in recent years. Just 25 years ago, Venezuela had a functioning, if flawed, democracy. Then it elected Hugo Chavez, who helped pioneer a new form of Latin American socialism. His style antagonized Western powers but inspired hope among millions at home and, at first, he helped many out of poverty. Then things began to change. How did the country fall so far? Ive been covering the country since 2019, including the mass exodus of frustrated Venezuelans. In todays newsletter, Ill explain what happened here, and whats happening now. Boeings board named the plane makers next chief executive on Wednesday, putting Robert K. Ortberg, a veteran of the aerospace industry, in charge as the company tries to recover from a crisis prompted by a panel blowing away from a 737 Max plane in January. Mr. Ortberg, known as Kelly, will inherit a long list of difficult tasks. He will have to oversee sweeping cultural changes, finish contract negotiations with the companys largest union, complete the acquisition of an important supplier, stabilize production and lead development of its next generation of planes. His appointment takes effect on Aug. 8. Mr. Ortberg, 64, brings decades of industry experience and an outsiders perspective to the role. He is a former chief executive of Rockwell Collins, which made electronic systems and other technology for aircraft, including those made by Boeing. Speculation about the airplane manufacturers next chief executive had focused on other candidates for months, but Mr. Ortbergs name entered the public discussion this week after The Air Current, a trade publication, reported that he was being considered. Industry experts welcomed the news, noting that Mr. Ortberg is a well-regarded engineer and leader. We believe this is a strong, and safe pick, Ken Herbert, an aerospace and defense analyst at RBC Capital Markets, said in a research note. Scotland Yard has opened a preliminary inquiry into the deletion of tens of millions of emails during the British phone-hacking scandal that rocked Rupert Murdochs news media empire more than a dozen years ago. The development could entangle current and former News Corp executives, including the chief executive of The Washington Post, in an inquiry into whether the deletions were aimed at obstructing justice. The inquiry threatens to reopen a tumultuous chapter in British news media and political history. For years, journalists and private investigators landed scoops by surreptitiously obtaining the voice mail and phone and bank records of celebrities, business leaders, politicians and others. The scandal toppled Mr. Murdochs best-selling tabloid newspaper, News of the World, and led to criminal charges and years of civil lawsuits. Many hacking victims have argued for years that Mr. Murdochs British company, News UK, improperly purged emails to limit the fallout. The company adamantly denies that. By sending sound waves into the warming seas around Antarctica, an underwater robot has given scientists a detailed new look at the melting undersides of the continents giant ice shelves, which matter hugely for global sea levels. The images taken by the robot contain clues about how the shelves are thinning. They reveal several never-before-seen formations in the ice, including immense terraces with rounded, swirling edges, and teardrop-shaped divots, some that are hundreds of feet across, that appear to have been sculpted by turbulent currents. The scientists behind the discovery described the structures as enigmatic. I couldnt stop looking at it, said Anna Wahlin, an oceanographer at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, describing the first time she saw the data. We had no idea it could look like this. The preacher stood wild-eyed before his flock, swaying to a gospel choir. His pompadour stood tall, his voice was thunderous, and his all white suit perfectly matched the heeled white loafers he was wearing on his feet. Behind them hung a 14-foot high photo of Earth, the very reason this preacher, choir and congregants had gathered in a converted storefront in Manhattans East Village one Sunday in July. This was Earthchxrch, also known as Earth Church, the latest iteration in the ever evolving mash-up of performance art, satire, protest and song from Reverend Billy Talen, a self-anointed preacher and ersatz clergyman, and the Stop Shopping Choir. Were all aware at some level in our bodies that the Earth is off the charts, Mr. Talen intoned to the 70 or so people there. We are living inside of the time right now that they have been warning us about. For years, some conservatives have framed the declining fertility rate of the United States as an example of eroding family values, a moral catastrophe in slow motion. JD Vance, the Republican vice-presidential nominee, recently came under fire for saying in 2021 that the nation was run by childless cat ladies who hate normal Americans for choosing family over these ridiculous D.C. and New York status games. Last year, Ashley St. Clair, a Fox News commentator, described childless Americans this way: They just want to pursue pleasure and drinking all night and going to Beyonce concerts. Its this pursuit of self-pleasure in replace of fulfillment and having a family. Researchers who study trends in reproductive health see a more nuanced picture. The decision to forgo having children is most likely not a sign that Americans are becoming more hedonistic, they say. For one thing, fertility rates are declining throughout the developed world. The morning of Feb. 5, 2021, though, she noticed an unusual one. Hi, just wanted to let you know that somebody is sharing pictures of you online and discussing you in quite a grotesque manner, it began. He claims that hes one of your guy friends. Javellana froze. Who could have sent this message? She asked for evidence, and the sender responded with pixelated screenshots of a forum thread that included photos of her. There were comments that mentioned her political career. Had her work drawn these peoples ire? Eventually, with a friends help, she found a set of archived pages from the notorious forum site 4chan. Most of the images were pulled from her social media and annotated with obscene, misogynistic remarks: not thicc enough; I would breed her; no sane person would date such a stupid creature. But one image further down the thread stopped her short. She was standing in front of a full-length mirror with her head tilted to the side, smiling playfully. She had posted an almost identical selfie, in which she wore a brown crew-neck top and matching skirt, to her Instagram account back in 2015. It was the exact same picture, Javellana said of the doctored image. But I wasnt wearing any clothes. Duck and Cover is just one of the more famous pieces of retroactive camp that the directors unearth here. One clip advertises model homes that have built-in fallout shelters with 8-inch-thick, reinforced concrete walls. (It may prove to be just what the harried housewife is looking for when life with the kids gets too hectic.) An officer preparing troops for what appears to be a 1957 nuclear weapons test warns them that atomic bomb explosions pose three basic hazards: blast, heat and radiation. But dont worry, he suggests: If you receive enough gamma radiation to cause sterility or severe sickness, youll be killed by blast, flying debris or heat anyway. Bill Haley & His Comets are heard singing of the Strangelovian fantasy in which a hydrogen bomb leaves 13 women and only one man in town. More disturbingly, we see authorities inured to danger, disease and even to basic humanity. The Enola Gay pilot Paul W. Tibbets Jr. speaks with alarming casualness of how what remained of Hiroshima and Nagasaki could be used as sort of a classroom experiment for bomb blast studies. In one propagandistic excerpt, natives of Bikini Atoll are portrayed as welcoming the Americans who planned to render the area uninhabitable. Maybe the sickest joke in all of The Atomic Cafe is that most of the officials shown are, presumably, presenting themselves as they want to be seen. He gave me his wallet, joked D.J. Provai, a member of the Belfast-based rap trio Kneecap, to explain why the group trusted the British filmmaker Rich Peppiatt to tell their story. Kneecaps blending of hip-hop beats with Irish-language rap lyrics championing republican politics seeking unity for the Irelands north and south has won it fans on both sides of Irelands internal border. The group has also drawn wrath from both British and Northern Irish politicians, who have accused it of inciting sectarianism. But this only made the trio a more attractive subject for his first scripted project, Peppiatt said, and Kneecap a riotous fictionalized retelling of the rappers origins comes to U.S. theaters Friday. They deal with serious subjects in a hysterical way and made headlines for saying things that no one else seemed to be saying, Peppiatt said in an interview alongside two group members. Last year, Kneecap unveiled a cartoonlike mural in Belfast of a police vehicle on fire, accompanied by an anti-police message in Irish. They also played the media very well, drawing fire from the media and politicians, but always turning it to their own advantage, Peppiatt added. Youre not accused of anything, the judge told the mother of an infant in family court in Brooklyn last summer. The woman was the victim of domestic violence. She was in family court because she had told her therapist that her ex-boyfriend beat and slapped her and yanked her dreadlocks out in front of their 9-month-old daughter. The judge issued an order of protection barring him from the home. But despite the mothers blamelessness, the judge also pronounced a sort of sentence on her: She and her daughter would receive announced and unannounced visits from the citys child welfare agency, the Administration for Childrens Services, during which investigators could search their apartment, interrogate the mother and physically examine the child for signs of abuse. Thousands of times a year across New York State, advocates for families say, parents usually women who have been abused by their partners are then subjected to surveillance from child welfare authorities. Update: This guest essay was published before the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and has been updated by the author to reflect the news. As tension grows between Israel and Hezbollah, the dominant political and military force in Lebanon, neither side wants a full-scale war. But one could explode inadvertently precipitated by the recent attacks on the Golan Heights and on Hezbollah and Hamas leaders or deliberately, should Israel see a post-Gaza opportunity to rid itself of another one of its enemies. In the best case, a cease-fire in Israels war on Hamas in Gaza would prompt Hezbollah to stop firing rockets into the Jewish state, and the possibility of war in Lebanon would fade. But tensions rose starting on Saturday, with the launch of what Israel said was a Hezbollah missile that hit Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights on Saturday and killed 12 children and teenagers. Israel responded by hitting a building in Beirut on Tuesday, saying it targeted the Hezbollah commander it believes was responsible. The next day, a top Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in Tehran; Hamas and Iran accused Israel, which has not commented on the report. JD Vance embodies the pros and cons of political competition in a divided America. He helps, and he hurts. GZero Media broke this out neatly in a piece it posted on his pluses and minuses during the Republican National Convention: Vance strengthens Donald Trumps champion of the working man message a Republican rebranding away from its strongly pro-business past. We also saw that emphasis in the striking first-night convention speech from Sean OBrien, president of the Teamsters, a labor union with 1.3 million members, who accused business and corporate lobbyists of waging a war against American workers. Thats not a speech you would have heard at any Republican National Convention of the past century. Vances reputation as defender of the globalization-battered working class can help Trump in the electorally crucial Midwest industrial belt states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. But Vance is also an absolutist on restricting abortion, the Republicans biggest current weakness, according to polls. He has adopted Trumps line that abortion rules should be left to the states, but his voting record is striking. He favors banning abortions, even if the mother is a victim of rape or incest, as well as laws that allow police to track women who have crossed state lines for an abortion. He has opposed legislation that would protect in vitro fertilization. A poll earlier this month showed that 61 percent of U.S. adults want their state to allow abortion for any reason, and 62 percent support protections for access to IVF. During the 2022 Ohio Republican Senate primary race, the Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio warned Vance that many Republican voters hold the perception that he is anti-Trump because, up until that time, he had been willing to describe the 2020 contest only as unfair. I think the election was stolen from Trump, Vance declared in a Republican Senate debate two months later. In an interview with The Youngstown Vindicator, an Ohio newspaper, Vance contended that there was extensive fraud in 2020, including a big tech conspiracy directed by Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Facebook. For generations, physicists have puzzled over life. Their theories about matter and energy have helped them understand how the universe produced galaxies and planets. But physicists have struggled to understand how lifeless chemical reactions give rise to the complexity stored in our cells. In a new book, Life as No One Knows It: The Physics of Lifes Emergence, out on Aug. 6, Sara Walker, a physicist at Arizona State University, offers a theory that she and her colleagues believe can make sense of life. Assembly theory, as they call it, looks at everything in the universe in terms of how it was assembled from smaller parts. Life, the scientists argue, emerges when the universe hits on a way to make exceptionally intricate things. The book arrives at an opportune time, as assembly theory has attracted both praise and criticism in recent months. Dr. Walker argues that the theory holds the potential to help identify life on other worlds. And it may allow scientists like her to create life from scratch. I actually think alien life will be discovered in the lab first, Dr. Walker said in an interview. Dr. Walker went to graduate school planning to become a cosmologist, but life soon grabbed her attention. She was struck by how hard it was to explain life with standard physics theories. Gravity and other forces are not enough to produce the self-sustaining complexity of living things. More than 100 venture capitalists said on Wednesday that they had pledged to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in November and had solicited donations for her presidential campaign, in a rejoinder to the splintering among tech leaders over whom to support in the election. The group includes Reid Hoffman, a founder of LinkedIn; Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures; Mark Cuban, the former principal owner of the Dallas Mavericks; Ron Conway, a well-known angel investor; and the billionaire Chris Sacca. We are pro-business, pro-American dream, pro-entrepreneurship and pro-technological progress, the group said in a statement posted to their website, VCsForKamala.org. We also believe in democracy as the backbone of our nation. The website asks people to sign a pledge to support Ms. Harris and another to donate to her campaign. The effort was buttressed by another group of tech entrepreneurs and workers called Tech For Kamala, which also wrote a letter this week expressing enthusiastic and unwavering support for Vice President Harris. The letter gathered more than 550 signatures in two days. A judge in Wisconsin on Wednesday sentenced a man to 20 years in prison for killing a teenager and stabbing four other people during a violent confrontation at a popular river tubing spot two years ago. The man, Nicolae Miu, 54, of Prior Lake, Minn., was charged in 2022 with first-degree intentional homicide in the killing of the teenager, 17-year-old Isaac Schuman of Stillwater, Minn. He was also charged with four counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety for stabbing four people Mr. Schuman was with. He was found guilty on all counts in April. Mr. Miu wore an orange jumpsuit and bowed his head on Wednesday as Judge R. Michael Waterman of St. Croix County District Court handed down the sentence. After his release from prison, Mr. Miu, who has been in jail since 2022, will be on extended supervision for six years. The sentencing took place one day after the second anniversary of the stabbing on July 30, 2022. A criminal complaint filed in St. Croix County described a bloody scene that day, when Mr. Miu waved a knife at a group of young people during a confrontation on the Apple River, a tributary to the St. Croix River in Wisconsin that is popular with tubers and campers who visit from the nearby Minneapolis area. Alma Powell, an advocate for children, literacy and military families who was the quiet force alongside her husband, Colin L. Powell, the revered military commander, secretary of state and national security adviser, and who played a crucial role in his decision not to seek the presidency in 1996, died on Sunday in Alexandria, Va. She was 86. Her son, Michael, confirmed the death, in a hospital, but did not specify a cause. When he retired as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September 1993, more than two years after the end of the Gulf War, Mr. Powell, who died in 2021, was by all measures the countrys most popular political figure. A military hero and commander beloved by both Democrats and Republicans, he was often called the Black Eisenhower. As Washingtonian magazine once noted, Mr. Powell had virtually no known enemies in a town where everyone of consequence is disliked by someone else of consequence. Ms. Powell was the consummate military wife, an exemplar of resilience and discipline Mr. Powell had served two tours in Vietnam at the start of their marriage whose elegance and experience enhanced her husbands mystique. As they seek effective attack lines against Vice President Kamala Harris, Republicans are focusing on her role in the Biden administrations border and immigration policies, seeking to blame her for the surge of migrants into the United States over the past several years. A review of her involvement in the issue shows a more nuanced record. President Biden did not assign her the job title of border czar or the responsibility of overseeing the enforcement policies at the U.S.-Mexico border, as the Trump campaign suggested on Tuesday in its first ad against her. But she did have a prominent role in trying to ensure that a record surge of global migration did not become worse. After the number of migrants crossing the southern border hit record levels at times during the administrations first three years, crossings have now dropped to their lowest levels since Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris took office. Her early efforts at handling her role and the administrations policies were widely panned, even by some Democrats, as clumsy and counterproductive, especially in displaying defensiveness over why she had not visited the border. Some of her allies felt she had been handed a no-win portfolio. Reporter: Some of your own supporters, including Republicans on Capitol Hill, have labeled Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the first Black and Asian American woman to serve as vice president and be on a major party ticket, as a D.E.I. hire. Is that acceptable language to you? And will you tell those Republicans and those supporters to stop it? How do you define D.E.I.? Go ahead. How do you define Diversity, equity and inclusion. OK, yeah, go ahead. Is that what your definition That is, that is, literally the word Would you give me a definition then? Would you give me a definition of that? Give me a definition. Sir, Im asking you a question. No, no, you have to define it. Define the, define it for me if you would. I just defined it, sir. Do you believe that Vice President Kamala Harris is only on the ticket because she is a Black woman? Well, I can say, no. I think its maybe a little bit different. So Ive known her a long time, indirectly, not directly very much. And she was always of Indian heritage and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know. Is she Indian or is she Black? She has always identified as a Black woman. I respect either one. I respect either one. But she obviously doesnt because she was Indian all the way. And then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went, she became a Black person. Just to be clear, sir, do you mean that she is Somebody should look into that, too. When you ask, and continue in a very hostile, nasty tone. Its a direct question, sir. Do you believe that Vice President Kamala Harris is a D.E.I. hire as someone I really dont know. I mean, I really dont know. Could be. Could be. The Justice Department has denied a request by Zacarias Moussaoui, the only prisoner ever convicted in the United States of having ties to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, to serve the remainder of his life sentence in his native France. Mr. Moussaoui had made the application from the supermax prison in Colorado, using a process that is routinely available to foreign nationals held as U.S. prisoners. Word of it stirred a protest letter by Republican senators last week. Then on Wednesday afternoon, two relatives of people killed in the attacks said they were notified by the Justice Department that the request was denied. Our office appreciates your concerns and comments regarding Zacarias Moussaoui, the email said. I am notifying you that Mr. Moussaouis application to transfer to France was denied by the United States on July 26, 2024. No explanation was offered for the delay in notification. On July 25, a dozen senators led by Marco Rubio and Rick Scott of Florida wrote to President Biden and Attorney General Merrick B. Garland that no consideration whatsoever should be given to this convicted terrorists preferences for where to serve his sentence. Struggling Nigerian operator 9Mobile reportedly secured a UK-based buyer after years of rumours surrounding a buyout. Local media reported LH Telecoms, a company registered in the UK, has apparently acquired 95.5% of shares in the operator. The African Export Import Bank was the senior lender that approved the investment in May 2023. Now, the operator requires final regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection commission. LH Telecom has appointed a new board and Obafemi Banigbe as the new CEO of 9Mobile. Banigbe held senior executive roles at Airtel Nigeria and Millicom. 9Mobile struggled since 2017 when parent company Etisalat (now e&) terminated a management agreement with its Nigerian arm to start phasing itself out of Nigeria. Etisalat had a 45% stake in its former Nigerian unit. At the time Nigeria had suffered foreign currency shortages, particularly the US dollar, to enable its economy to acquire necessities to maintain the economy. Etisalat Nigeria suffered under this shortage as it struggled for four years to repay a total US1.2 billion to 13 local lenders taken out in 2013. The Nigerian Communications Commission stated 9Mobile only has 6% market share with 13.7 million subscribers, out of the 221 million base in Nigeria. It contends with the likes of MTN, Airtel and Glo Mobile. The former president of the West African nation of Guinea was found guilty on Wednesday of crimes against humanity for overseeing a massacre in a stadium and the mass rape of pro-democracy demonstrators 15 years ago, a landmark verdict long awaited by survivors and relatives of the 150 people who were killed. The trial of the former president, Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara, as well as 11 others, including the former head of the presidential guard, government ministers and security officials, was seen as a test for the region in holding military rulers to account. It was televised in Guinea and followed avidly by many of the countrys 14 million citizens. Captain Camara was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and Lieutenant Aboubacar Diakite, the former head of the presidential guard, was sentenced to 10. The judge found six other defendants guilty and acquitted four, including a former health minister. Moussa Dadis Camara should be declared guilty of crimes against humanity on the basis of command responsibility, said Ibrahima Sory II Tounkara, the judge in the trial, which was held in a courtroom built for the occasion in the capital, Conakry. Sudans army said two drone strikes hit an army base in the countrys east on Wednesday after a graduation ceremony attended by the countrys de facto leader, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who has been locked in a civil war for over a year with a rival military general. At least five people were killed and several others injured in the attack in the town of Gebeit, the army said, which has been held by the army and is about 50 miles from its wartime capital of Port Sudan. The Sudanese army spokesman, Nabil Abdallah, told the BBC that General al-Burhan had survived an assassination attempt, and blamed it on the Rapid Support Forces, the paramilitary group that has been battling the army for power for 15 months. A military spokesman could not be reached for comment. In statements posted on social media, the military did not say whether General al-Burhan had been hurt or where he was during the attack. But it posted a video purportedly showing him attending a burial ceremony in Port Sudan for those killed in the attack. It had already been clear for months that Venezuelas presidential election on Sunday, would not be free or fair, as the government jailed opposition leaders or disqualified them from running for office, and prevented millions of Venezuelans abroad from voting. But as the day progressed it became all the more evident just how flawed the countrys democratic process had become and why the victory claim by the countrys autocratic leader, President Nicolas Maduro, has provoked such fury. Spend some time browsing YouTube or Instagram and you might come across a growing new genre: China travel vlogs. Theres the American who made a four-hour vlogumentary about eating dumplings in Shanghai. Theres the German traveler marveling at how quickly Chinas bullet trains accelerate. Theres a British couple admiring colorful traditional clothing in the far western region of Xinjiang. All have hundreds of thousands of views. The videos are even more popular on Chinese social media. YouTube and Instagram are banned in China, but Chinese users have found ways to reshare them to Chinese sites, to avid followings. The bloggers have been interviewed by Chinese state media and their experiences promoted with trending hashtags such as Foreign tourists have become our internet spokespeople. The emergence of these videos reflects the return of foreign travelers to China after the country isolated itself for three years during the Covid pandemic. The government has introduced a slew of visa-free policies to attract more tourists. Travel bloggers have leaped at the chance to see a country to which they previously had limited access. Earlier this week, multiple landslides hit the Wayanad district of Indias Kerala state, killing at least 144 people and injuring hundreds of others. The landslides were caused by torrential rains that lasted for days, uprooting trees, burying villages and cutting off roads and communication lines. State officials described it as one of the worst natural disasters Kerala has ever witnessed. Rescue workers continue to recover and identify bodies, and with more than 190 people still missing, the death toll is likely to rise. The state government has set up temporary hospitals and dozens of shelters, which are housing more than 8,000 displaced people. It also sent rations and clean water to the area, and declared a two-day mourning period on Tuesday. What led to the disaster? Wayanad is a hilly region in the northeastern part of Kerala known for its natural beauty and wildlife. A big tourist destination, its slopes are covered by tea and spice plantations and its valleys contain rice paddies. But the elevation, the steepness of the slopes, a thick bed of loose soil that sits atop hard rock and rivulets created by heavy rainfall create the perfect conditions for landslides, said S. Sreekumar, a geologist who has worked with government bodies on disaster management. New construction and irrigation methods used by farmers have also compromised the natural drainage system, he said. A top Hamas commander is killed in Iran Ismail Haniyeh, one of the most senior Hamas leaders, was targeted and killed in Tehran, the militant group and Iranian officials said this morning. The assassination, a severe blow to Hamas, threatens to engulf the region in further conflict. Hamas accused Israel of killing Haniyeh, who led the groups political operations from exile in Qatar. He was in Tehran on Tuesday for the inauguration of Irans newly elected president, along with officials from other militant groups backed by Iran, including Hezbollah. Israel had no immediate comment on the killing. As Hamass political leader, Haniyeh was central to the groups high-stakes negotiations and diplomacy, including the stalled negotiations with Israel over a cease-fire deal in Gaza. In Beirut: On Tuesday, the Israeli military said it had carried out a separate strike on a Hezbollah commander in Beiruts southern suburbs, in retaliation for a weekend attack that killed 12 people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. The targeting of two senior leaders of Iran-backed groups within a matter of hours would be an audacious escalation in the regional conflict. Less than two hours after mourners gathered in Southport, England, on Tuesday evening to honor three children killed in a brutal stabbing attack, hundreds of rioters flooded the streets of the already traumatized town. More than 50 police officers were injured in the ensuing violence, as demonstrators threw bricks at a mosque, attacked the police, set cars on fire and damaged a convenience store. Although some details of the unrest remain opaque, one thing is clear, according to the police, lawmakers and experts in online extremism: Disinformation and far-right agitators fueled the violence. Supporters of the English Defence League, an extremist anti-Islam organization, were part of a large group that attacked a mosque in Southport around 7.45 p.m., according to a statement from the Merseyside Police Service, which covers the region. Al Jazeera, the influential Arab news network, said that two of its journalists were killed on Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike on their car in Gaza City. The Qatar-based network said the reporter Ismail al-Ghoul and his cameraman, Rami al-Rifee, were killed in Shati camp in northern Gaza after reporting from or near the house of the deceased Hamas political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran on Wednesday. The network accused the Israeli military of targeting the journalists with a direct hit, and reported that their car was clearly marked as a press vehicle. The assassination of Ismail and Rami, while they were documenting the crimes of Israeli forces, underscores the urgent need for immediate legal action against the occupation forces to ensure that there is no impunity, Al Jazeera Media Network said in a statement. Mohammed Moawad, Al Jazeeras managing editor, praised Mr. al-Ghouls courage in a post on social media. Ismail was renowned for his professionalism and dedication, bringing the worlds attention to the suffering and atrocities committed in Gaza, he said. The Committee to Protect Journalists has said the war in Gaza has led to the deadliest period for correspondents since it began gathering data in 1992, with at least 111 journalists and media workers among the more than 39,000 people killed in Gaza. The assassination of the Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was likely to further complicate already stalled talks to reach a truce between Israel and the Palestinian armed group, officials and analysts said. Israel and Hamas have been negotiating for months over a cease-fire proposal that would see the release of the 115 living and dead hostages still in Gaza. The talks have been mediated by Qatar and Egypt, with involvement from the United States. One of the leading Hamas figures in the negotiations, Mr. Haniyeh saw the value in reaching a cease-fire deal for the Palestinian armed group and had pushed for breakthroughs in the talks, said two diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. But while Mr. Haniyeh was nominally Hamass political chief, his influence was more limited that the title suggested. Yahya Sinwar, its leader in Gaza, wielded a decisive veto on any cease-fire proposal due to his control on the ground in the enclave, according to U.S. and Israeli officials. The killing of Mr. Haniyeh would likely halt the talks, at least temporarily, while Hamas sought to regroup and respond to the attack, according to one of the diplomats and an Israeli official familiar with the negotiations. Cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach a deal were already troubled. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel had added a series of new demands in advance of a meeting between Israeli, Egyptian, Qatari and U.S. intelligence chiefs on Sunday that appeared to bring little progress. The two main mediators in Gaza cease-fire talks warned on Wednesday that the assassination of a senior Hamas figure on a visit to Iran could plunge the Middle East even deeper into chaos by inciting a new escalation of violence. The Gulf nation of Qatar, one of the mediators, said the targeted killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas political chief, could upend the negotiations to end the nearly 10-month old war in Gaza. Mr. Haniyeh, who lived in exile in Qatar, was the lead Hamas negotiator, working closely with Qatari mediators. The foreign ministry of Egypt, which is also working to broker a cease-fire in Gaza, condemned the strike as a dangerous escalation and warned against fueling conflict in the region. It suggested, with more than a hint of frustration, that Israel seemed uninterested in pursuing regional calm despite Egypts tireless efforts. More conflict is the last thing most in the Middle East want. People and governments across the region fear that the war may not only drag on, but also metastasize into an even bigger and bloodier conflagration. Malaysian 5G operator Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) says it has signed a collaboration deal with national cybersecurity specialist centre Cybersecurity Malaysia (CSM) to boost cybersecurity for 5G networks. Under the partnership deal, which was signed at DNBs My5G Portal experience centre on Monday, DNB and CSM will develop 5G security guidelines that will serve as a fundamental requirement for the telecommunications industry and serve as a guiding principle for future 5G security implementations. DNB and CSM will also establish a National 5G Cybersecurity Testing Centre, which DNB says will serve as a platform for industry players to identify vulnerabilities, ensure compliance with standards and validate security measures. The two firms will also share threat intelligence information with each other. Both DNB and CSM were placed under the auspices of the Digital Ministry at the start of this year. Minister of Digital Malaysia Gobind Singh Deo said at the signing ceremony that the government regards DNBs 5G network as one of the countrys Critical National Information Infrastructure sectors, which impact national defence, economic stability, governmental functions and social routines. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that necessitates the pooling of resources, intelligence, and expertise, he said in a statement. By strengthening alliances and partnerships, we can enhance our collective ability to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats. DNB COO Nasution Mohamed added that a strong and robust cybersecurity ecosystem was essential to ensuring the resilience of its 5G network, particularly as industrial, commercial and public sectors accelerate their digitalisation efforts through 5G. Indeed, the government is banking on 5G uptake by enterprises to drive more usage and spur digital innovation. The Digital Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) have been in talks since May to create a policy to encourage private 5G rollouts for industrial use cases in sectors such as health, manufacturing, agriculture and aquaculture. DNBs 5G network already covers over 80% of populated areas, and the government is currently working to establish a second 5G network under its dual-network model. Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed on Wednesday in Iran, was among the most senior members of Hamass leadership, a group that is tightly coordinated despite being scattered inside and outside Gaza. Hamass leaders, especially those in Gaza, have repeatedly been targets of Israeli assassination attempts, but the group has swiftly replaced those who have been killed. The groups leadership structure is often opaque, but here is a look at what we know about some of Hamass most prominent leaders who are either believed to be alive or whose fate is unclear. Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas in Gaza Mr. Sinwar helped establish Hamas in the late 1980s around the time of a Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule. He was arrested by the Israeli authorities several times, spending over 20 years in Israeli prison until he was released in a prisoner exchange in 2011. After rising through Hamass ranks, he was elected its leader in Gaza in 2017. Israeli officials said that he was one of the leaders who had masterminded the Oct. 7 attack, alongside Mohammed Deif, the commander of Hamass military wing in Gaza, and Marwan Issa, the deputy commander, who was killed in an Israeli strike in March. Mr. Sinwar is believed to be hiding in the groups tunnel network beneath Gaza. A number of Hamass leaders in Gaza, including Mr. Sinwar, are seen as more radical than Mr. Haniyeh, the leader who was killed in Iran. The death of Mr. Haniyeh, who was considered a relatively pragmatic counterpoint, will make a cease-fire much more difficult to achieve, said Hugh Lovatt, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Hamas and Iran on Wednesday accused Israel of assassinating Ismail Haniyeh, one of the Palestinian militant groups most senior figures, in Tehran. Israel had yet to comment on the killing of Mr. Haniyeh, the political leader of one of Irans biggest regional allies. Iran and Israel have fought a covert war for years, blaming each other for sabotage, abductions and targeted killings across the region. Tehran has also accused Israel of past assassinations inside Iran. Here are some of those high-profile cases: Irans top nuclear scientist In November 2020, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a scientist described by U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies as a leading figure in Irans nuclear weapons program, was shot and killed in an ambush. The killing was carried out with a remote-controlled machine gun, officials said. Mr. Fakhrizadeh was one of Israeli intelligences top targets for years, and Iran angrily accused Israel of killing him. Israel has never publicly commented on the assassination. Mr. Fakhrizadeh was an academic, but U.S. intelligence assessments said that was a cover for his work on nuclear weapons. He wasnt the first scientist linked to the nuclear program to be attacked on Iranian soil. Two others were targeted with car bombs 20 minutes apart in different areas of Tehran, the capital, in 2010. One was killed, the other injured. A Revolutionary Guards commander In May 2022, two assassins on motorcycles shot and killed Col. Sayad Khodayee, an officer in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Iran blamed Israel and vowed revenge. As in other such cases, Israel made no public comment on the killing, but it told the United States it had targeted the officer. Israeli officials said Colonel Khodayee was the deputy commander of a unit that planned and carried out covert operations around the world, including assassinations and abductions. Israeli officials said that group, called Unit 840, was a part of the Quds Force, the arm of the Revolutionary Guards that specializes in covert operations and espionage. A U.S. drone strike killed Qassim Suleimani, the Quds Force leader, in Iraq in 2020. Mysterious poisonings In May 2022, two Iranian scientists suddenly fell ill and died within days of each other, in cities hundreds of miles apart. Ayoub Entezari, an aeronautical engineer at a military research facility, and the geologist Kamran Aghamolaei both developed symptoms of food poisoning, and their conditions deteriorated rapidly. Iran believed Israel had poisoned their food, according to an Iranian official. Israel had no comment. But if it were behind the mens deaths, it would have suggested an expansion of the campaign of assassinations, going beyond high-ranking officials in the nuclear program and senior military officers. Through nearly 10 months of intense war with Hamas in Gaza, Israel has fought a parallel, slower-paced conflict with Hamass allies across the Middle East in which all sides have risked major escalation but ultimately avoided dragging the region into a bigger, multi-front war. The attacks on two of Israels leading foes on Tuesday and Wednesday have created one of the biggest challenges to that equilibrium since the fighting began in October. Israels Tuesday night strike on Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut, was a response to an attack on an Israeli-controlled town on Saturday that killed 12 children and teenagers. The strike on Beirut was the first time during this war that Israel has targeted such an influential Hezbollah leader in Lebanons capital. Hours later, the killing in Iran of Hamass political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was considered the most brazen breach of Irans defenses in years. Taken together, the seniority of the targets, the sensitive location of the strikes and their near simultaneity were viewed as a particularly provocative escalation that has left the region fearing an even bigger response from Iran and its regional proxies, including Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen and militias in Iraq. The scale of that reaction could determine whether the low-level regional battle between Israel and the Iranian alliance tips into a full-scale, all-out conflict. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has issued an order for Iran to strike Israel directly, in retaliation for the killing in Tehran of Hamass leader, Ismail Haniyeh, according to three Iranian officials briefed on the order. Mr. Khamenei gave the order at an emergency meeting of Irans Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly after Iran announced that Mr. Haniyeh had been killed, said the three Iranian officials, including two members of the Revolutionary Guards. They asked that their names not be published because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of the assassination; Israel, which is at war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, has neither acknowledged nor denied killing Mr. Haniyeh, who was in Tehran for the inauguration of Irans new president. Israel has a long history of killing enemies abroad, including Iranian nuclear scientists and military commanders. Through almost 10 months of war in Gaza, Iran has tried to strike a balance, putting pressure on Israel with sharply increased attacks by its allies and proxy forces in the region, while avoiding an all-out war between the two nations. In April, Iran made its biggest and most overt attack on Israel in decades of hostility, launching hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation for an Israeli strike on its embassy compound that killed several Iranian military commanders in Damascus, Syria. But even that show of force was telegraphed well in advance, nearly all the weapons were shot down by Israel and its allies, and little damage was done. Recent unrest at two Israeli military bases has highlighted a growing divide among Israelis about the conduct of their soldiers, and revived a deeper and older battle over the nature of the Israeli state and who should shape its future. The trouble began on Monday after 10 soldiers were detained on suspicion of raping a Palestinian man held at Sde Teiman, a military jail in southern Israel, according to court records. Two of the soldiers were later released. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the base in solidarity with the detained soldiers, including at least three far-right lawmakers from the ruling coalition. Hundreds later massed outside Beit Lid, a second base in which the 10 men had been brought for interrogation. Dozens surged inside both bases, brushing aside the guards at the gates. The incidents were widely broadcast across Israel, spreading an image of disunity at a time when the country is fighting enemies on multiple fronts. Ledecky, 27, has reigned in the event for more than half her life. In winning her first gold in Paris and her 12th Olympic medal overall tied for the most by an American female swimmer with Jenny Thompson she reaffirmed her credentials in one of sports more exclusive clubs: Were the swimmers with the 20 fastest times in the 1,500 to all gather at the pool, Ledecky would be racing alone, which, to be fair, is what it looks like on television. Opinion People Say Queer People Are Born That Way. People Say Queer People Are Born That Way. Its More Complicated. Its More Complicated. in which we asked Times columnists what everyone else is wrong about. Dont Tell My Friends, But is a seriesin which we asked Times columnistswhateveryone else is wrong about. When Lady Gaga released Born This Way, the 2011 song on an album of the same name, it was an instant hit and an instant L.G.B.T.Q. anthem. The song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100, and Elton John called it the new gay anthem. It was the dictum of a generation, three words operating with bumper sticker efficiency, conveying that queerness was natural and immutable, and that it was not a result of abuse, grooming or impairment. Queer people were not broken, and therefore in no need of fixing. Queerness was neither a choice nor a curse. It was not a lifestyle but a state of being. The idea that sexuality was innate, captured in the phrase, was a rhetorical work horse that began to lead the conversation around L.G.B.T.Q. issues. Although the idea of homosexual bio-essentialism has a history that long predates this modern iteration, born this way this time was a phrase that matched the moment and captured the zeitgeist. As with most things in politics, it was about timing. Later that year, during remarks delivered at the Human Rights Campaign annual dinner, President Barack Obama joked to the gay rights group that I also took a trip out to California last week, where I held some productive, bilateral talks with your leader: Lady Gaga. Obama was referring to meeting Gaga at a fundraiser at which she raised the issue of bullying after one of her fans, 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer, endured homophobic bullying before dying by suicide. Before the fundraiser, Obama had repealed Dont Ask, Dont Tell in the military, allowing queer service members to serve openly, and soon after the fundraiser, Obama would become the first president to declare his support for same-sex marriage. In the years after the song was released, the percentage of Americans saying in polling that being gay or lesbian is something a person is born with began to consistently outweigh those who responded that being queer was due to factors such as upbringing and environment. Born this way, as a slogan, was a tremendous cultural and political success. The problem is that it isnt supported by science. The emerging scientific consensus is that sexual orientation isnt purely genetic. A persons genetic makeup and exposure to prenatal hormones may provide a propensity to queerness, but they arent determinative. Other factors most likely also play a role. Born this way may, unfortunately, have been an oversimplification. Its probably closer to the truth to say that people are formed this way. As the complexity of human sexuality has become clearer, scientists and writers have attempted to add necessary nuance to the subject. But the slogan remains entrenched in the culture. Just last year, Rolling Stone crowned Born This Way the most inspirational L.G.B.T.Q. song of all time, calling it a battle cry that is as relevant as ever. But the time may have come to retire the phrase. It is not only unsupportable by science but also does not capture the full reality of queer experience and is unjust to some members of the queer community itself. As Lisa Diamond, a professor of developmental psychology, health psychology and gender studies at the University of Utah, explained in her 2018 TED talk, the argument is unjust because it implies that L.G.B.T. individuals who fit a certain cultural stereotype, the ones who have been exclusively gay for as long as they can possibly remember, are somehow more deserving of acceptance and equality than someone who came out at age 60 or whose attractions have been more fluid or who is bisexual rather than exclusively gay. I fully understand how frightening relinquishing this phrase may be. Born this way, as both a scientific concept and a political ideology, was easy to understand, accept and digest. A more nuanced explanation of attraction, one with a bit of mystery, opens the door to ambiguity and uncertainty that the opponents of gay rights will no doubt seek to exploit. Relinquishing such a powerful tool might feel like giving up too much. But incoming Stony Brook University professor Joanna Wuest, author of Born This Way: Science, Citizenship, and Inequality in the American LGBTQ+ Movement, believes that retiring the idea may potentially not be much of a loss at all, because the science is so strong that things like conversion therapy are extremely detrimental to mental health and even the lives of queer people. As she explained to me, we dont need a strong biological theory of identity to understand that when you punch someone, they say it hurts. Now the argument has to be more sophisticated: We may choose how we identify and how we express or suppress our attractions, but our attractions themselves are not a choice. We must insist that peoples right to exist, and our responsibility to affirm and protect them, doesnt hinge on the mechanisms by which they came to exist. The end exists, regardless of the means. Opinion Some Think What You Preach Matters More Than What You Do. Some Think What You Preach Matters More Than What You Do. It Doesnt. It Doesnt. in which we asked Times columnists what everyone else is wrong about. Dont Tell My Friends, But is a seriesin which we asked Times columnistswhateveryone else is wrong about. What is it that will define the destiny of the American church? Will it be the beliefs of the church or the conduct of the church? The two concepts are so distinct within Christianity that they have different names orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right conduct). Ideally, the two concepts shouldnt be that distinct. Right conduct should flow from right belief. For example, honesty should flow naturally from the belief that lying is wrong. In reality, however, we know that people are much more complex, that theology does not always dictate morality and that sometimes the most religious people are among the most immoral in direct defiance of the beliefs they proclaim. Lets make this less abstract. In 1998, the Southern Baptist Convention issued a bold statement of belief it passed a resolution on the moral character of public officials that clearly stated, in no uncertain terms, Tolerance of serious wrong by leaders sears the conscience of the culture, spawns unrestrained immorality and lawlessness in the society and surely results in Gods judgment. Yet in 2016 and 2020, Southern Baptists were a key part of the evangelical coalition that overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trump, one of the lowest-character men ever to run for president. Theyre expected to do so again in 2024. In this case, the denomination declared an orthodoxy, but utterly failed at orthopraxy, and its compromised conduct is now, sadly, far more relevant to American life than its lofty ideal. Christians aren't the only ones who are tempted to act like what you believe is more important than what you do, of course. They're following a broader cultural trend that's the result of polarization: a tendency to ignore their own sides hypocrisies for political reasons. The person who prioritizes orthodoxy says, Hear my voice. The person who prioritizes orthopraxy says, Watch my life, and the competing emphases can play out in concrete political ways. Lets look at two of the more important recent developments in American Christianity. First, Robert Morris, the senior pastor of Gateway Church one of the largest churches in the United States resigned after he confessed to engaging in sexual behavior with a child in the 1980s. Second, the state of Louisiana enacted a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. The person who prioritizes orthodoxy will tend to look at the Morris scandal as unfortunate but largely irrelevant and the Ten Commandments legislation as momentous. No one said the church is perfect, after all, and there will always be bad apples, even in the best of orchards. The Ten Commandments, on the other hand, teach universal truths, and exposing children to those truths will change their lives. By contrast, the person who prioritizes orthopraxy has the opposite inclination. He or she looks at the Morris scandal as devastating and the Ten Commandments legislation as frivolous. The bad apples expose the rot in the orchard. In the fundamentalist tradition of my youth in rural Kentucky, there was an enormous longing for the alleged better days of the past. I cant count the number of times I heard an older member of my congregation shake his or her head at a news report about sex or crime and say, We didnt have those problems when there was prayer and Bible reading in schools. But history teaches a different lesson. I recently had the privilege of hearing Sybil Jordan Hampton tell the story of what it was like to be one of only five Black children in her high school in Little Rock, Ark., in 1959, deep in the heart of the Bible Belt. Its a truly harrowing tale. Classmates wouldnt speak to her, and when they did, theyd sometimes hiss the n-word at her. The atmosphere was frightening enough that the only time she spoke was when it was her turn to read the Bible in class. She always chose Psalm 121, repeating its cry for Gods help in times of distress: I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Her classmates were unmoved. Orthodoxy didnt inculcate orthopraxy. Instead, their public religiosity blinded them to their own sin. In 2023, I read my friend Russell Moores powerful book Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America. He tells the story of the decline of Catholicism in Ireland after a horrifying sex abuse scandal damaged the church far more than any theological disagreement over Catholic teaching. As Moore notes in his book, faith declined because people who once revered the church came to believe that the church did not itself believe what it taught. Prioritizing orthopraxy isnt a revolutionary or secular thought. Its thoroughly biblical. The Apostle Paul declares that If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And when Paul listed the fruit of Gods presence in a believers life, he did not list a set of theological propositions, but rather a collection of virtues: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The American church is torn apart by conflict over theology. It should be united by a pursuit of virtue, and the church that truly influences a nation will be one that focuses on doing good more than on being right. Opinion Were Taught to Hate Hypocrisy. Were Taught to Hate Hypocrisy. We Shouldnt. We Shouldnt. in which we asked Times columnists what everyone else is wrong about. Dont Tell My Friends, But is a seriesin which we asked Times columnistswhateveryone else is wrong about. Until I moved to Manhattan about six months ago, I lived off a busy highway exit in Brooklyn that drove me crazy. Though the exit had a generous merge lane, drivers would inevitably cut in at the very last moment, making the wait longer for everyone who exercised common decency and followed the rules. Every time I took the exit Id descend into a rage about the inconsiderate, selfish drivers. My rage, I knew, was also tinged with something else: a kind of self-congratulatory smugness. I would never do such a thing. Except of course I have, many times, and doubtless will again. Not at that exit I have some principles! but just the other day I snuck off the highway with a quick, opportunistic swerve into a honking lane of waiting drivers. I was distracted and in a hurry, so I almost missed the exit. What can I say? Im a hypocrite. Guilty as charged. In these divided and censorious times there is scarcely a more common epithet hurled in public life than hypocrite. It comes in many forms. Some are indisputable and relatively low stakes, if odious, like mine. Others have unbearably high stakes, like Mitch McConnells decision to bar President Barack Obama from filling a Supreme Court vacancy almost a year before an election, then perform a volte-face and allow President Donald Trump to appoint a justice after early voting in 2020 had already begun. These are the classic forms, finding their roots in the ancient Greek word from which hypocrisy is drawn, evoking the notion of dissembling or playing a part, as if onstage. It is a sin of such enduring power because it involves a most fundamental kind of deception: discovering that someone is pretending to be someone they are not. Catching someone in this deception can be deeply satisfying, bringing low a person who previously had a claim to the moral high ground. These days it feels as though we are living in the golden age of allegations of hypocrisy, perhaps because at no time in human history has it been possible to weigh the words against the deeds of so many people. The internet and social media have created a permanent record of publicly recorded stances, offering an all-you-can-eat buffet of human inconstancy, ready made for our opprobrium. This is where things start to get very tricky, conflating hypocrisy with treating a complex situation with nuance, or simply changing your mind based on new facts or ideas. Nowhere is this happening with quite the fervor as among the left, where any deviation from supposed principle invites instant rebuke. Recently, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has been a staunch critic of Israel and has described its actions in the current conflict in Gaza as genocide, posted on social media about a protest held outside an exhibition commemorating the Nova music festival, where hundreds of people were killed in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. The callousness, dehumanization, and targeting of Jews on display at last nights protest outside the Nova Festival exhibit was atrocious antisemitism plain and simple, she wrote. Antisemitism has no place in our city nor any broader movement that centers human dignity and liberation. This post received a blistering response: You are worse than any openly fascist politician, one of the protest leaders said in a social media post. At least we know they are our enemies. Liberals like you will smile in our face as you lie to and backstab our communities. Others piled on, accusing Ocasio-Cortez of being influenced by donations from the pro-Israel group AIPAC, a laughable notion given that she does not take donations from AIPAC and her astonishing prowess as a grassroots fund-raiser, hauling in around $40 million since 2019. The implication was clear: For all her talk of solidarity with Gaza, AOC was just another politician, saying one thing and doing another. She was pretending, playing a part: At best, it is political cynicism. At worst, it is hypocrisy, a clear felony compared with my misdemeanor hypocrisy. The more likely explanation for AOCs post that she, like many others, was genuinely horrified by the protest even as she is deeply critical of Israel could not be accepted under this analysis. I have never been especially impressed by the accusation of hypocrisy, in no small part because this is the human condition: We are a collection of aspirations and failings, from which we try to be who we think we should be but constantly fall short. But I understand the appeal of calling out what looks like hypocrisy when we see it, especially now. We live under a penumbra of impotence, even as we face wall-to-wall crises: the heating planet; wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan; the migrant crisis. In place of action and solutions, which seem totally out of reach, we substitute judgment. And what is more satisfying to adjudicate than the charge of hypocrisy? There is a temptation to police small hypocrisies to buttress our principles lecture an environmentalist who uses plastic straws, for example. To give hypocrisy a pass, one might argue, is to slide down a slope toward having no principles at all. A better question is: How do you decide which principles you should hold with an iron grip and which you can grasp more loosely, or even ignore, when good might come of doing so? One does not need to sign up for a conspiracy of meaninglessness or embrace a binary choice between principle and expediency. A manichean devotion to principle brings its own peril. As Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in his best-known essay, a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds. But it is a less famous line from that essay, Self-Reliance, that has always stuck with me. It suggests that finding yourself abandoning a principle may well be a necessary precursor to changing your mind based on something new. It is, Emerson wrote, a rule of wisdom never to rely on your memory alone, scarcely even in acts of pure memory, but to bring the past for judgment into the thousand-eyed present. We do ourselves no favors when we use the same language to describe our human foibles and genuine moral conflictedness to true amorality, the kind of actions that clearly illustrate that one has no principles beyond naked gain. Sure, Mitch McConnell is a hypocrite. But calling him a hypocrite is a bit like calling Al Capone a tax cheat. It is technically correct, but hardly captures the moral atrocity of his actions. In these merciless political times we should focus our minds on the true betrayals that really matter. Perhaps if we embrace our inevitable inconsistencies, we can have a more generous, less purity-focused politics of practical good aimed at actual persuasion and real change. Opinion Politicians Say Were More Divided Than Ever. Politicians Say Were More Divided Than Ever. It Could Be Worse. It Could Be Worse. in which we asked Times columnists what everyone else is wrong about. Dont Tell My Friends, But is a seriesin which we asked Times columnistswhateveryone else is wrong about. A president refusing to accept the results of the election he lost, inspiring a mob to overtake the Capitol and call for the hanging of the vice president, and then, four years later, emerging as his partys frontrunner again and surviving a terrifyingly near-miss assassination attempt. A pandemic that devolved into polarized argument over most everything, even life-saving vaccines. And research showing big partisan divides over a wide range of issues, with political violence on the rise. Its fashionable to say we are more divided than ever, and superficially, it sounds like hard-edged realism. However, there have been many periods in U.S. history when things were worse and we could end up there again. To see how bad it could get, theres no need to go all the way back to the Civil War. Just look at the 1960s and 1970s. Though the civil rights movement is celebrated now, at the time, it was deeply unpopular. In May 1964, the year after the march on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.s I Have a Dream speech, 74 percent of Americans thought that mass demonstrations were more likely to hurt the cause for racial inequality than to help. In 1966, in the last Gallup poll that asked about King before his assassination, his unfavorable rating was 63 percent. The country was also deeply divided over the Vietnam War, which would claim the lives of millions of Vietnamese and more than 50,000 Americans. In the pivotal year of 1968, the country was rocked with antiwar and civil rights protests that make todays campus conflicts look like mild disagreements. Political violence of all forms was on the rise, too. When King was assassinated, riots erupted across the country. Just two months later, Robert Kennedy was assassinated, which upended the trajectory of the impending presidential election. The Democratic National Convention that August was thrown into turmoil as protesters and the police clashed for days in Chicago. Elected with a majority of less than 1 percent of the popular vote but a landslide in the Electoral College Richard Nixon, after years of secret bombing of Cambodia, announced a full-scale ground invasion of the country. Just days later, on May 4, 1970, the National Guard opened fire on an anti-war protest at Kent State in Ohio, killing four students and sparking the largest nationwide student strike in the countrys history. But a poll taken the day after the shootings showed that only 11 percent of the public blamed the National Guard for the deaths of the students. Later, Nixon tried to cover up his involvement in a scheme to wiretap the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate Hotel, an outcome that was averted when a security guard noticed signs of an intruder. The rest, as the saying goes, is dismal history, ending with Nixon resigning in disgrace. Meanwhile, radicalized groups adopted violent tactics. Bombs started going off seemingly everywhere the Pentagon, corporate offices, the U.S. Capitol, the State Department, Wall Street, the California Attorney Generals Office. The retired F.B.I. agent Max Noel put the total at 1,900 domestic bombings in 1972 alone an average of five a day. In the book Days of Rage, by Bryan Burrough, Noel scoffs at how one bombing now gets everyone excited. In 1972? It was every day. One lesson from this history is that divisive, polarized issues of yesteryear can look very different in the light of history and progress. The civil rights movement is now justly celebrated, and Martin Luther King Jr. has been honored with a federal holiday. The Vietnam War is widely recognized as a historic error and a great moral failure. Congress was so disgusted by Nixons actions in Cambodia that it passed a law barring presidents from doing that ever again without congressional approval overriding his veto. However, troubling signs for the future are already here. In 2023, 33 percent of Republicans agreed that American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save the country, an uptick from previous years. (Thirteen percent of Democrats agree much lower, but that, too, is an uptick.) Most worryingly as we head into another major election, Americans who wrongly believe that the 2020 election was stolen are more than three times as likely 46 percent to 13 percent to believe that true American patriots may have to resort to violence to save the country. So when I hear my friends say were more divided than ever, I object with these historical facts. They are important reminders that things could get worse, and whatever people think cant or wont happen in the United States probably could indeed happen. Some of it already has. But all this isnt meant as a downer either: Its what we do with the information that matters. Historical awareness can even be empowering, inspiring pessimism of the intellect but optimism of the will an ethos attributed to the long-imprisoned Italian revolutionary Antonio Gramsci. As I like to remind my friends, a true, harsh critic is actually an optimist inspired by the hope that things can be made better but one that knows that we have to make ourselves face reality, no matter how grim, in order to fix the problems we face. Studying the history of violent political division is the opposite of resignation or nihilism: Its a hopeful call to action! And that sentiment sometimes cheers up my friends, which is when I remind them about what came after the 1970s: the 1980s, when the world came too close to nuclear annihilation a few times, a true threat to humanity that hasnt gone away. But thats a topic for another time, perhaps after I finish a column on my strategies for becoming a popular partygoer with a reputation for lighthearted small talk. ArtificiaI intelligence (AI)-ready data centres are in the news this week, with Malaysia and Indonesia playing host to new or planned facilities. Asia Pacific and Japan hyperscale data centre specialist AirTrunk says it has commenced operations in Malaysia, following the official opening of its flagship Malaysian 150 megawatt (MW) hyperscale data centre in Johor Bahru. Named AirTrunk JHB1, the initial phases of the new data centre will provide over 50MW of capacity for its large technology customers. Spanning over 10.3 hectares, JHB1 is strategically located in Johor Bahru at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. Servicing a major cloud availability zone, the data centre offers strong domestic and international connection to regional technology hubs including neighbouring Singapore, with an end-to-end cross-border connection strategy. Along with a power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.15, making it one of the most efficient data centres in the country, the new facility features an AI-ready design with AirTrunks first deployment of direct-to-chip liquid cooling technology alongside traditional indirect evaporative cooling (IEC) and high-density racks. This pioneering approach, says AirTrunk, reduces energy consumption by up to 23%. JHB1 is also equipped with a solar-ready roof, able to provide over 1MW of power for this phase, making it one of the largest onsite solar deployments for a data centre in Southeast Asia. Also name-checking AI is BDx Indonesia, a joint venture of BDx Data Centers, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, and Lintasarta, which has announced the Phase-1 completion of its AI campus CGK4 in Jatiluhur, Indonesia. The CGK4 campus is Indonesias first renewable-powered AI data centre park scalable up to 500MW. The facility offers high power density of up to 120 kW per rack, innovative liquid cooling technologies and high-speed connectivity that, it is claimed, enable it to meet the demands of Generative AI workloads. The dedicated AI data centre is supported by an integrated 24/7 on-site team within the campus and offers eight layers of security, reinforced by industry-leading certifications. Mayank Srivastava, CEO of BDx Data Centers, explains: BDx Indonesia is committed to enable Indonesia to become an AI-first nation. We are the only data centre provider in the country offering up to 700MW of development potential spread across Indonesia. This sustainable and interconnected mesh of digital infrastructure is engineered to support training workloads at central sites, and inference workloads across multiple locations nationwide. It's no surprise perhaps that both initiatives are stressing energy efficiency. The vast amount of energy required by data centres as AI adoption grows is a controversial subject already, one discussed in more detail in a major Developing Telecoms feature published today. Polmard, a small farm in Saint Mihiel, France, produces the worlds most exclusive meat using a process called hibernation. It allows the meat to be stored and cured for up to 15 years with no loss of quality. Alexandre Polmard is a sixth-generation farmer, breeder, and butcher in a family that has been producing beef cuts since 1846. However, the business rose to prominence in the 1990s, after Alexandres grandfather and father invented a new and revolutionary meat treatment they dubbed hibernation. Cold air is blown at speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour over the meat in a -43 C environment at the farms state-of-the-art laboratory in Saint Mihiel and this allows the meat to be cured for over a decade, with no loss of quality. If anything, the longer the curing time, the higher the quality, and the price, with one kilogram of 15-year-old hibernated rib steak selling for an eye-watering $3,200. I use a very special aging process and I am the first butcher in the world to do it, Alexandre Polmard told TIME Magazine. I wont say my beef is the best in the world because every meat is different. Its like wine. To create the worlds most exclusive meat, Polmard begins with Blonde dAquitaine cattle which are raised free-range on the Polmard familys farm to minimize stress. Then comes the hibernation process which allows the meat to mature over much longer periods than usual. Dry-aged beef is typically matured for a few weeks, while the Polmard hibernation makes it possible to mature it for 15 years, maybe even indefinitely. Polmards hibernated meat is the stuff of legends among restauranteurs, few of which can actually say they serve the worlds most coveted steaks in their establishments. Apparently, customers have to put their names down months in advance to reserve Polmard beef cuts, but Alexandre only entrusts his vintage meat to a handful of trusted restaurants around the world. He even pays them a visit beforehand to make sure they understand the subtleties of hibernated meat. A Vietnamese woman has been dubbed a sleepless mutant because of her alleged ability to shun sleep completely. She claims to have remained awake continuously for the last three decades. 49-year-old Nguyen Ngoc My Kim is known as the seamstress who never sleeps in her home province of Long An, a nickname she gladly accepts because it apparently suits her. Every time Miss Kims reputation attracted the attention of the media, she confirmed that she hadnt slept in several decades, adding that the complete lack of sleep hadnt affected her health at all. However, the Vietnamese seamstress has always been quick to point out that she wasnt born with the ability to function without sleep, she conditioned herself to stay up late ever since she was a little girl. At first, she would lose sleep because she loved reading late into the night, and later, when she started working as a seamstress, she worked late in order to complete her orders. At one point, she didnt feel the need to sleep at all, so she didnt. Every night was like that, I sat in front of my sewing machine and did not dare to sleep because I was afraid of not being able to keep up with orders, Nguyen Ngoc My Kim told reporters. The first few times I worked through the night I encountered many difficulties. Not only did I fall asleep constantly and made many mistakes while sewing, but I constantly felt tired and dizzy, and I even had a few traffic accidents. However, after staying awake for months, then years at a time, my eyes and my body got used to the lack of sleep. From then on, I couldnt sleep even if I wanted to, Kim added. Nguyen Ngoc My Kims decades-long insomnia has yet to be medically verified, but its more than a viral rumor. She claims that its mostly because people can see her working all day and all night long, because she is always at her sewing stall in Long Cang commune, Long An. The light is always on, and the door is always open, so people can just walk right in or just watch her work if they want. At first, few people paid attention to my lack of sleep, My Kim said. Later, many of them started noticing that I was always at my stall working. Seeing that the rumors were true, they spread the word, and before long, I became famous for my ability to stay awake continuously. News that Ms. Kim hadnt slept in 30 years recently went viral on Vietnamese social media, and the seamstress once again found herself overwhelmed by visitors coming from all over the country to meet her and check if the rumors were true. She doesnt mind, and the door of her stall in Long Cang is always open. Apparently, Vietnam is the land of sleepless people, as Nguyen Ngoc My Kim is at least the third person weve featured from the Asian country with the ability to shun sleep completely. Last year, we wrote about Tran Thi Luu, who claimed to have been awake for over a decade, and about Thai Ngoc, an 80-year-old farmer who said he hadnt slept in 60 years. Corporate greed has killed brand loyalty as consumers snub their noses at the most famous brand names, and snap up off-price items. PR can help brands regain some mojo. Snack maker Mondelez once crowed that the enduring strength of our iconic beloved brands gives us substantial pricing power. It is singing a different tune these days."People are value-seeking, and hence promotional intensity has been particularly strong," CEO Dirk van de Put told analysts on July 30. His US growth model now stresses new targeted promotions, addition of core packs of Ritz crackers and Oreo/Chips Ahoy! cookies, and greater distribution in CostCo/Sams Club outlets and convenience stores. PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta reports that low-income consumers really want to buy his products (Lays potato chips, Capn Crunch, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Quaker Oats), but first they must see more value on the store shelves. More deals and promotions are ahead. Escalating price hikes during the pandemic left the consumer products giants open to charges of "greedflation and shrinkflation (e.g. charging the same for less product). Their haughtiness turned off millions of customers. Winning them back wont be easy but PR is going to play a big part in the overall strategy as companies boost their budgets to promote deals on their biggest brands. The big brand message: we feel your pain and want to make things right. Greatest losers in a Trump restoration. EiU, the research and analysis unit of Londons The Economist Group, has compiled the Trump Risk Index." Its a measure of the impact Trumps policies on trade, immigration and security would have on Americas 70 largest trading partners. Mexico will be the biggest loser. Trump vows to seal the southern border, and tighten immigration rules that would affect millions of Mexicans who enter the US legally and illegally. As No. 1 exporter to the US, Mexico enjoys a big trade surplus. Trump doesnt like trade deficits. Five other Latin American countries also land in the Top Ten. Costa Rica and Panama make the grade because of low spending for American weapons and dependence on the US for security. The Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Honduras make the cut due to lax immigration policies. Germany is the highest NATO member on the TRI. During his first term in office, Trump threatened to yank US troops from Germany, and rapped the country for failing to meet the alliances goal of spending at least 2 percent of GDP on defense. China has the top TRI score in Asia. Trump waged a trade war with China, and has threatened to slap a 60 percent tariff on its exports to the US. What country has the least to worry about during a Trump restoration? Saudi Arabia, which was the first country visited by president Trump, has nothing to fear if its guy retakes the White House. The Committee to Protect Journalists wants Israel to explain the killing of Al Jazeera reporter Al Ghoul and camera operator Rami Ai Refee, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on July 31. They were covering the aftermath of the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and were standing in front of his Gaza City home. Al Jazeera claims the men were leaving the scene after an Israeli order to evacuate and were deliberately targeted. A statement from the Al Jazeera Media Network said the killings were a targeted assassination, and it pledged to pursue all legal actions to prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes. Journalists are civilians and should never be targeted, said CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg. Israel must explain why two more Al Jazeera journalists have been killed in what appears to be a direct strike. CPJ has documented the killing of seven Al Jazeera reporters and media workers since the start of the Israel-Hamas war began. At least 113 journalists and media workers have died since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. They died nobly and did the world a great service in reporting on the misery and destruction of the Gaza Strip. OPENING on August 1st in Johns Hall, Birr, Co. Offaly before embarking on a national tour across Ireland in 2024 and 2025, The Reason of Towns is a new, engaging and ambitious exhibition of the work of one of Irelands most renowned architects, Valerie Mulvin. Curated, commissioned and produced by the Irish Architecture Foundation and hosted in partnership with local arts and cultural organisations and venues, this exhibition is intended to become a public occasion for the telling and retelling of true stories, lost traditions and possible futures for Irish towns and the people who live in them. Organised around a series of immersive display characters intended to engage and communicate to audiences in a variety of ways, the writings and buildings of Mulvin and her practice McCullough Mulvin Architects are exhibited through models, drawings, texts, and a series of slides, notes, personal memorabilia, building fragments and more. Together these reflect just a fraction of three decades of work on the subject of towns, recently gathered and published in Mulvins book, Approximate Formality, which was a starting point for this exhibition. In addition, The Reason of Towns exhibition also presents three newly commissioned films: The Shape is the Thing is a spatial-portrait of Clones, Youghal, Dungarvan and Templemore, describing their ordinary-spectacular forms; Of Pride and Place documents ten optimistic stories of action and change by architects working in towns across Ireland; while, finally, the exhibition will also present a new interview with Valerie Mulvin by broadcaster Vincent Woods, reflecting on her work and the subject of the exhibition. Initially travelling from Birr to Belmullet, Trim and then Thurles in 2025, The Reason of Towns will be supported in each town with a one-day public engagement programme. Called the Talks of the Town, these events will include walking tours, a community-led workshop and a panel discussion. In this way the exhibition becomes an opportunity for local issues to be aired and discussed in a national context, fostering civic pride and promoting local action. Emmett Scanlon, Director of the Irish Architecture Foundation, said: Valerie Mulvin is a remarkable and tenacious architect. She has immersed herself in the subject and object of the Irish town as part of national and global urban traditions for decades. The team and I at the IAF are so proud to have made this exhibition in her company, and to be taking her work as an architect and all that it reveals right into the heart of town communities. The IAF is determined to support policy makers and local communities to work together to build more sustainable, inclusive and beautiful futures in towns across Ireland. From our work in towns we know there is a strong appetite to address issues of dereliction, vacancy, and repair, and for what is often sincere local pride of place to be made real, to be translated into high quality buildings and public spaces for all. Exhibitions of architecture are unique in that they can be beautiful, revealing and engaging for audiences, yet they can also act as agents of change. They provide a constructive space for dialogue and imagination and sow the seeds of change. I urge you all to visit this exhibition, enjoy the work of one of Irelands most revered architects and come join the workshops and talks! Valerie Mulvin, Director of McCullough Mulvin Architects and whose work is the subject of the exhibition, said: Its a great honour to be working with the Irish Architecture Foundation to share my excitement and curiosity about the extraordinary character of our towns. In The Reason of Towns I want to celebrate their geometry, their materiality and their potential and to talk about the particular and the universal, to rediscover these great spaces, underpinned by the material qualities of their stones and walls and yards. In my book Approximate Formality, the starting point of this exhibition, I proposed a way of seeing Irish towns as part of European urban culture. In the film The Space is the Thing, I explore space and form in a sequence of four towns. Highlighting their remarkable ambition and diversity, and wondering at their hollowed-out centres, I am suggesting these vivid, elegant containers of space have the potential to become the backdrop again to the wild individuality of our lives. Woven through this exhibition is evidence in thirty years of projects and buildings - of our ambition as architects to inspire, re-invent and communicate the value of formal and built grain and fabric in our towns. With The Reason of Towns, I hope we can start a conversation about the value of the local, about using and reusing everything that already exists, and what it really means to share space in towns, among those unique environments and communities. In 2024, the exhibition runs from August 1st-11th in Johns Hall, Johns Mall, Birr, Co. Offaly; August 16th-30thin Aras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet, Co. Mayo; September 12th-26th in Swift Cultural Centre, Trim, Co. Meath, and in January 2025 in The Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. The self-guided exhibition is open to members of the public to attend on a drop-in basis. The Talks of the Town one-day programme will open for registration in advance of each tour stop, and local residents, members of heritage and environmental committees, planners and researchers are encouraged to sign up. Visit architecturefoundation.ie for additional information and to register. The conversation around the impact of AI is all-encompassing, but one aspect that is coming under increasing scrutiny is the vast amount of energy required by data centres as AI adoption continues apace. In a report released this year, the International Energy Agency estimated that by 2026, the growth of the AI industry will see it consume more than 10 times as much electricity as it did in 2023. The report offered an easily digestible current comparison: on average, a Google search uses 0.3 watt-hours of electricity, while a typical ChatGPT request uses nearly 10 times as much. This appears to fly in the face of the telecoms sectors perennial push towards greater sustainability, and indeed major tech firms have conceded that the race to innovate in the AI space is an obstacle to meeting their environmental targets. Google recently cited data centre energy consumption as the key driver for a 48% surge in its greenhouse gas emissions over the past five years, which suggests that environmental concerns are losing out amidst the pressure to lead the way on AI. After the Gold Rush Given that tech firms have acknowledged the issue of escalating energy consumption while continuing to invest heavily in AI, its easy to reach the conclusion that the environmental impact of AI is a secondary concern among companies looking to survive the AI gold rush. However, framing this question by weighing up the existential concerns of the planet versus those of AI investors is an oversimplification and one that fails to acknowledge that the latter might help with the former. Analysys Mason Research Director Simon Sherrington argues: If [tech firms] don't invest in the next set of tools to drive productivity in the cloud computing world, they will cease to be relevant. In terms of financial costs, they're anticipating they'll generate returns on their investment - otherwise they wouldn't do it in terms of energy consumption. If AI doubles the energy usage within data centres, or triples it, or multiplies it by 10, the question is: can AI-enabled networks and digital systems deliver more energy efficiency, or more carbon saving, than they generate? Arguably, they can. Sherrington agrees that an AI gold rush is currently underway, but notes that model training is more expensive in terms of power than using the same model once it has been trained. This means that the current surge in energy consumption may tail off and additional factors may contribute to this. In the future, it's also possible we'll go through that classic trough of disillusionment - implementation proves a bit more problematic than people expect, so everything slows down a little bit, says Sherrington. It's not a simple equation, but I don't think not investing in these solutions is necessarily the answer. It's trying to find ways as societies to make sure that the resources are used for the right and useful things. That might be an issue for policymakers as much as anything else: making sure that we're not using Gen AI for the wrong purposes, and. that the resources are channelled in the right directions. Sherrington argues that AI capacity can be used to analyse complex systems, create efficiencies, and solve problems that would otherwise prove impossible but the realities of how consumers could use the technology could be a waste of resources and power. However, AI can deliver societal benefits, whether thats curing or preventing illnesses to remove the costs of ongoing treatment or care, optimising supply chains, improving agricultural yields, or reducing water consumption and biodiversity impact. For this outcome, the argument for investment is clear, even if tech firms cannot leverage control over what AI is ultimately used for. The energy consumption of telecoms and data centres, it's a small percentage of the amount of power used worldwide, says Sherrington. [AI platforms are] providing the tools, but if their corporate users, the innovators can come up with new technologies that reduce the weight of airplanes, make batteries more environmentally sustainable and more efficient, there are ways that that investment can repay itself to society. While the telecoms sector is not the largest global consumer of energy, given its association with innovation it has been keen to lead the way on sustainability initiatives particularly as running a network inherently requires large amounts of energy. However, the surge in energy usage for AI threatens to undercut the industrys collective push towards renewables, sustainability, and greater energy efficiency. While AI may well enable new efficiencies in the future, if this requires an upfront period of energy-intensive model training, will it be too little too late? Improving Data Centre Efficiency Not necessarily, according to Ivan Benitez, Director of Operational Sustainability at co-location provider Equinix. Data centres are the biggest consumers of power with regard to the increased use of AI, and so it will be necessary to improve their energy efficiency as much as possible preferably while pivoting to renewables. Fortunately, this process is well underway, with Benitez explaining how his company helps its customers scale their businesses while improving operational efficiency to reduce energy consumption. Benitez highlights that customers aiming for decarbonisation must increase the density of data centres, as this makes them more efficient. More dense sites means that you don't have to build another data centre if you can still serve more customers on your existing facility, he notes, adding that sites must be powered using renewable energy to ensure firms can pursue their decarbonisation strategies. This is particularly essential in markets where grid power is unreliable at one Equinix facility in Johannesburg, Benitez notes that every element of the design is aimed at supporting reliability and efficiency - from using high voltage networks to ensure that there is greater uptime for customers to selecting generators that can cover power outages more effectively to ensure that the data centre offers a reliable experience for customers. Renewable energy presents an opportunity to improve grid power in a facilitys location through corporate purchase power agreements (PPAs), which are typically focused on wind and solar power. Bringing in renewables is public infrastructure - they need the stakeholders of multiple parties, we can't do it alone, says Benitez. It needs some things from a permitting perspective, from government's perspective, it takes a lot of different stakeholders to come to the grid to make sure that those opportunities materialize. Improving unreliable grids via renewable energy sounds like an ideal solution - but this is only part of the equation, with the energy efficiency of data centres also a major factor given the increased computing demand of AI. Liquid cooling systems enhance energy efficiency by directly removing heat from data centres, reducing the need for traditional air conditioning. Benitez describes this as the ability to reject the heat that's driven by the more powerful chips. These systems can lower the overall power consumption of a data centre, leading to significant energy savings, while also allowing for higher computing densities, enabling more servers to operate within the same physical space while maintaining optimal temperatures. Energy efficiency is measured by PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) a scale of the number of units of power used to run customer IT equipment on site, as opposed to using it for cooling or other purposes. A score of 1 is the most desirable, as this would mean 100% of the power in the data centre would go towards running the equipment, whereas a PUE of 3 would mean that two units of power were going towards other elements, highlighting inefficiency. For customers, achieving this at scale will enable massive improvements in efficiency. By handling processing in one market and storing data elsewhere, companies can grow their AI by leveraging a global network of data centres, enabling them to enter new markets without having to launch a full suite of services. This is ideal for emerging markets companies can split their offering so that the desired services are closer to the edge, where the market is, while handling the computer load in a more appropriate location, massively increasing efficiency. Maintaining a holistic strategy towards decarbonisation requires pursuing this economy of scale, reaching new locations and larger sites. This enables greater efficiencies via higher density, covered by renewable energy. Combining these elements will help data centres keep their consumption in check and thereby improve the energy efficiency of AI. Malaysian telcos CelcomDigi and U Mobile said on Tuesday they are collaborating with Chinese vendor ZTE to run a live TV broadcast during the upcoming 2024 Sukma Games using 5G-Advanced technology. The broadcast of the Sukma Games opening ceremony via Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) on August 17 will use ZTE's Intelligent RAN product that hosts native AI and features a mmWave active antenna unit (AAU) with a 1024-antenna array. Features include carrier aggregation and cluster dynamic frequency selection functionality, which ZTE says gives one cell over 30 Gbps of capacity, enabling individual user download speeds of up to 8.5 Gbps. Sarawak Digital Economy Corporate Berhad (SDEC) is providing the fibre backhaul for the 5G-A broadcast. CelcomDigi said the broadcast is intended to showcase how 5G-As ultra-low latency and high throughput will enable more dynamic and efficient live broadcast at a major scale. The broadcast from Stadium Sarawak is the fruit of an MoU signed by CelcomDigi, U Mobile and ZTE at Mobile World Congress 2024 in February to demonstrate the capabilities of 5G-A, AI and digital solutions for real-time live broadcasting. CelcomDigi and U Mobile also signed a separate deal at MWC24 to collaborate on developing use cases for 5G-A as part of a broader agreement to share 100 multi-operator core network sites across Malaysia. We continue to drive deployment, development, and adoption of 5G and 5G-A technology, leveraging our wide network footprint and strong foundation of 5G-ready sites, as we double down on our efforts in enabling the nations transformation into a 5G-AI powered digital society, said CelcomDigi CEO Idham Nawawi in a joint statement. U Mobile CEO Wong Heang Tuck added that the collaboration will further drive adoption of 5G-A in Malaysia: This collaboration marks a pivotal step towards enhancing digital connectivity and services across industries in Malaysia and sets a new benchmark for 5G-A technology applications and experience. CelcomDigi, U Mobile and ZTE will also showcase the technology behind the 5G-A broadcast to the public at the 5G-A Pavilion at Stadium Sarawak. Operator du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), in collaboration with Nokia and MediaTek, the worlds fifth largest global fabless semiconductor company, have announced what they describe as a major milestone in the integration and enhancement of 5G technologies in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). This trial, said to be a first in the region, has successfully boosted uplink (UL) performance by 70% on dus 5G Advanced network, simultaneously offering expanded indoor coverage to premium customers. Industry organisation the GSMA says 5G Advanced is part of the 3GPP 5G standardisation process and will push technology boundaries in three broad directions; performance improvements, better management and greater efficiency, and enhancement for specific use cases. Executed in Abu Dhabi utilising dus operational 5G Advanced network, the trial achieved significant advancements in UL speeds and coverage. This technology, we are told, promises robust connectivity and superior network efficiency by integrating multiple frequency bands and enhancing transmission pathways, essential for high-demand applications such as video conferencing, live streaming, and substantial data uploads. The trial featured what is described as a pioneering technique employing three transmitter antennas (3Tx) combined with two-component carrier aggregation (2CC) across FDD and TDD bands, incorporating TDD UL MIMO on dus existing infrastructure. As the project partners point out, carrier aggregation is pivotal in allowing mobile operators to optimise their spectrum and network resources to enhance user connectivity experiences, delivering increased data rates and improved coverage extensively. Nokias role spanned the deployment of its AirScale portfolio inclusive of baseband, massive MIMO radios, and macro remote radio heads to boost capacity, coverage and performance. MediaTek contributed its advanced T830 5G mobile FWA platform. An air tanker pilot who was killed in an airplane crash last week while fighting fires in eastern Oregon lived at Clarkston. James Bailey Maxwell died when his single-engine air tanker crashed Thursday night. Maxwell, 74, was working to snuff out a lightning-caused fire in the vicinity of the Falls Fire on the Malheur National Forest. Its just awful a huge loss for the aviation community, said Gary Peters, chairperson of the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport Authority Board. Anyone in the firefighting industry or the agricultural industry or aviation across the country has heard of or knows of Jim Maxwell. He is just a big deal in aviation and he was such a kind man. Maxwell was a pilot for more than 54 years and had logged 24,000 hours of flight time, much of it in single-engine air tankers, the smallest and most nimble fixed-winged aircraft used for fighting wildfires. He also worked as a crop duster. I respected him my whole life, said Jim Pope Jr., of Leading Edge Aviation at Clarkston. Im younger than him and I grew up knowing him and his ability as a pilot. He was a very good pilot. Maxwell flew for the U.S. State Department in a coca eradication project as part of the war on drugs. Pilots would drop herbicides on the plants used to make cocaine in an effort to disrupt production of the narcotic and its eventual distribution and use in the United States. Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Once again, China stepped on to the global diplomatic stage, in the absence of US involvement, and brokered a ground-breaking agreement between rival factions in Palestine. Following the March 2023 reconciliation between Middle East powerhouse Saudi Arabia and Iran signed in China, now we have the "Beijing Declaration" between Hamas and Fatah signed on July 23. The agreement calls for a national unity government to govern Gaza jointly after the end of the current conflict that began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas attacked Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people. Hamas seized 251 hostages, 116 of whom are still in Gaza, including 44 the Israeli military says are dead. US President Joe Biden promised he could deliver a ceasefire agreement on July 11 at the NATO summit, but soon found Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reneged on his acceptance of the Biden proposal for peace. Israel's revenge attack on Gaza has killed more than 39,000 people, the majority of whom are women and children, and the relentless Israeli attacks has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis. The UN and other humanitarian groups have labeled the Israeli war on Gaza as genocide. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted a three-day meeting attended by senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzuk, Fatah envoy Mahmud al-Aloul, along with emissaries from 12 other Palestinian groups and envoys from Egypt, Algeria and Russia. "The core achievement is to make it clear that the Palestine Liberation Organization is the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people," said Wang Yi during the closing ceremony. "China sincerely hopes that the Palestinian factions will achieve Palestinian independence at an early date on the basis of internal reconciliation, and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with relevant parties to jointly work to implement the Beijing Declaration reached today," said Wang Yi. "Reconciliation is an internal matter for the Palestinian factions, but at the same time, it cannot be achieved without the support of the international community," Wang Yi said. China has proved to be the only world power that can engineer a rapprochement between the Palestinian rivals. Wang Yi also called for a "comprehensive, lasting and sustainable ceasefire", as well as efforts to promote Palestinian self-governance and full recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN. China is playing the role of a neutral actor on the Israel-Palestinian conflict while maintaining good ties with Israel, and also advocating for a two-state solution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war on Gaza until it destroys Hamas. The US and Israel view Hamas as a terrorist organization, and will not sanction any post-war plan for Gaza that includes Hamas. Hamas and Fatah have been bitter rivals since Hamas fighters ejected Fatah from the Gaza Strip after Hamas's resounding victory in a 2006 election. Fatah controls the Palestinian Authority, which has partial administrative control in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Fatah was formed from the PLO, which was founded by Yasser Arafat. In the 1993 Oslo Agreement, the PLO laid down their arms, while Hamas has remained an armed resistance group. The Geneva Convention guarantees the legal right of armed resistance to occupation. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Israel gets such privileged treatment from the US government (USG) that some have called it the 51st State. But no one state has such power over the others. The Israeli government actually takes the part of a fourth branch of USG, co-equal with the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. They don't control the US 100%, but they have enough to get what they want. Israel's special status was on clear display when Israeli PM Netanyahu addressed the US congress for the fourth time last week. After American Senators and Representatives gave him 55 standing ovations in a one-hour pitch for weapons and for war with Iran, journalist Jonathan Kuttab wrote, "As I listened to the speech and observed the nauseating standing ovations, I could not recall such a display of servility even in authoritarian regimes." Others compared Netanyahu's speech to a state of the union address by an American President, which it certainly resembled in its power dynamics. Netanyahu proclaimed that 21st-century reality pits Israel and the US against a large part of the world in a battle to protect 'civilization' from 'barbarism.' We're on his side whether we want to be or not. Democrats and Republicans, legislators and administrators agree: Israel has a uniquely close relationship with America. They are "our greatest ally", despite their doing nothing allies typically do. They don't send troops to support America's wars; they don't fund relief efforts when there's a disaster. Instead, they receive billions in military aid and pull American troops into combat throughout the Middle East, getting them killed in places like Jordan, Iraq, and Syria. Americans serve to protect Israeli interests as well as their own access to oil and gas. It becomes hard to tell where Israel leaves off and the US starts. Many US government officials advocate for making the relationship even closer. At the recent Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, journalist Michael Tracy asked conservative congressman Andy Barr of Kentucky if massive US military, economic, and political support for Israel conflicted with his stated 'America-first' ideology. Barr declared, "Being pro-Israel IS 'America First. ' Plain and simple." Barr called Israel "America's bulwark against terrorism, our forward operating base against radical Islam," and a fundamental part of America's "Judeo-Christian values." Recently, two Congressmen, Guy Rechtenstaler R PA, and Max Miller R OH (an outspoken "America-firster"), proposed legislation giving Americans who enlist in the Israeli defense forces (IDF) the same GI benefits promised to those in the US military. Many state and local governments in the US invest their money in Israel bonds, money loaned at low interest directly to the Israeli government to fund weapons, universities, settlements, and whatever. The money could earn more elsewhere; the intention is purely so support Israel. Similarly, a number of American nonprofits, fund illegal settlements in the West Bank NGOs like Central Fund for Israel (CFI) , The Jewish National Fund USA, the Irving and Cherna Moskowitz Foundation and many others have tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 status, meaning American taxpayers involuntarily pick up the costs for ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Get it? Our leaders don't think of Israel as a foreign country. Their wars are our wars. It's them and us -- along with the UK, Germany, and a couple of other European powers -- against the world. This is a battle most of us don't want and one we cannot win. How Israel became the fourth branch The US supported Israel at their founding in 1948 but not in the slavish way they do now. When Israel allied with the UK and France to keep the Suez Canal from Egypt in 1956, President Eisenhower stopped the war with a couple of phone calls. He saw Israel as a foreign country. He wanted good relations with them, but also wanted connection with the Arab world and peace in the region called the Middle East. Israeli leaders wanted more than that and set out on a long campaign to gain the special status they have now. This strategy has three main parts. 1.They created the famous Israel lobby, a large web of organizations and rich individuals who are able to turn out volunteers for political causes and donate huge sums to politicians who support Israel. Israel advocate billionaire Sheldon Adelson was the biggest donor to the Republican Party until his death, and billionaire casino owner Haim Saban is the biggest contributor to the Democrats. Now that Adelson is gone,, his widow Miriam has taken over his role and been given the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her donations to Donald Trump. When a politician doesn't back Israel, they find and fund candidates to run against them, get them smeared in the press, and in many cases make it impossible for them to stay in office. They did that to Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York in this year's primary and are spending tens of billions trying to do it to Cori Bush of Missouri now.. 2. Along with their rich Jewish donors, Israel conjured up the powerful Christian Zionist movement. Christian Zionism existed before Jewish Zionism began in the 19th century, but it was not an organized force in America until 2006. In that year, Israel lobbyists recruited right-wing televangelist pastor John Hagee of San Antonio and helped him create Christians United for Israel (CUFI.) CUFI once claimed 9 million members and now says they have 5.5 million activists, enough to be a major force in American politics. CUFI's co-founder and first Executive Director was David Brog, a Jewish lawyer who practiced in Israel, and a third cousin of Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak. He supports various far-right causes, and he directed CUFI for nine years until 2015 Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Glenn Wallis (Image by author) Details DMCA Nietzsche and the Now: An Interview with Glenn Wallis by John Kendall Hawkins Glenn Wallis is an independent scholar and founder of Incite Seminars in Philadelphia. He has taught at several universities, including Brown University and the University of Georgia. His most recent books include A Critique of Western Buddhism and How to Fix Education . Wallis blogs at Speculative Non-Buddhism . He holds a Ph.D. in Buddhist studies from Harvard University. Wallis has been a guitarist in a punk band as well. He has also recently published Nietzsche NOW! The Great Immoralist on the Vital Issues of Our Time. (Warbler, 2024). His book includes a fresh translation of the German philosopher's work. Here in this interview, Wallis describes how Nietzsche's thoughts and observations can usefully inform contemporary rumininators of the myriad cultural crises at hand. Willis's book is especially effective at addressing problems of democracy, identity politics and metaphysics, Wokeness, and living a critical and thoughtful life, while embracing amor fati. Readers can join discussion sessions on Buddhism and Nietzsche online at his Incite home. +++++ JOHN HAWKINS: Nietzsche Now! The Great Immoralist the Great Immoralist on the Vital Issues of Our Time. Wow. Let's unpack that title. Why Nietzsche now? What's so special? Immoralist is a loaded term whose import depends on the point of view of the user. What do you mean? And just what are some of the "vital issues" of our time? Wow. GLENN WALLIS: H.L. Mencken, who in 1908 (Nietzsche died in 1900) wrote the first study of Nietzsche to appear in the US, said something to the effect that all complicated issues have answers that are clear, concise, and wrong. A very Nietzschean comment! He says that he hears all around him people bellowing lazy half-baked opinions, politicians screeching illogical ideologically infused polemics, and assorted platitude-prone "improvers of mankind" yammering on about facile "solutions" to our most vexing problems. Sound familiar? How can Nietzsche-- and how can we-- not conclude that our fellow citizens have a "hatred against reason." If there were a Nietzschean sin, it would be "to stand in the midst of the discordant harmony of things and the whole wonderful uncertainty and ambiguity of existence without questioning, without trembling with the longing and rapture of questioning." So, the short answer is: Nietzsche shows us how to question. And I believe that in doing so, he shows us a way forward in our grimly divided world. How does he do so? Most generally, however, he recommends that we "learn to survey and grasp a single matter from all sides." I should hastily add two points. The first is that Nietzsche is not advocating the cynical "two-sides" approach of our contemporary rightwing politicians. Indeed, such an approach is far too simplistic for Nietzsche. For him, any given issue has, quite literally, a para-infinite number of sides. The more variously we can consider a matter, the more we are exercising our intellectual conscience and deriving considered reasons for our position. When he says that the eyes must learn to "come-into-its-own," he means that we must learn to see and think in a way that resists the gravitational pull of "herd" ideology. The second point is that becoming an acolyte of Nietzschean "perspectivism-- "of carefully considering a matter from multiple angles-- does not entail infinite deferment of a position. The entire purpose of the exercise is to move, step by step, person by person, toward a future worth living. Ultimately, Nietzsche wants to help create the conditions for new values-- values radically different from those that inform what he saw as the West's dominant forces: capitalism, democracy, the state and Christianity, transcendental idealism, and morality. This is why Nietzsche calls himself an "Immoralist." For Nietzsche, there are two massive problems staring us in the face regarding our morality. The first is that we have created a world that "steams with the stench of slaughtered spirit." In the world we have created, the human being is a diminished little thing, animals are subjected to infernal torture, and the natural environment is desecrated. How can this be "good"? The second is that morality is not the infallible universal gauge of good and evil that it pretends to be. Rather, it is the prescription, or indeed dogma, for what the dominant group in a society deems "good and evil." In short, whatever preserves the community status quo is good; whatever threatens it is bad. Nietzsche believed that by thinking outside of the very framework of "morality" per se, the immoralist can view more clearly the workings of the human heart and mind, and far beyond. What makes this possible is that the immoralist-- indeed, like amoral nature itself-- no longer takes into consideration the "utility of the herd." The vital issues of our time that the book deals with are big ones like democracy, identity, consciousness, truth, embodiment, virtue, and overcoming. Many other specific issues of our day are woven in as well, such as "wokeness," pronouns, LGBTQ++, liberalism and conservatism, and more. JH: You write of Nietzsche, "His most cherished values were intellectual curiosity and existential courage." What does that mean? It seems like a long time since Dylan sang about "flesh colored christs that glow in the dark" and not having to look too far to see "that not much is really sacred." That was like, uh, 1965. Where do we find genuine intellectual curiosity today? Existential courage? What with the climate catastrophe alone, where do we see such courage? How would Nietzsche, the philosopher who came too soon, be helpful to us now that it seems so late? GW: I agree that neither intellectual curiosity nor existential courage are on abundant display these days. Maybe that paucity is yet another reason to read (and to write) a book like Nietzsche NOW! It is interesting that you cite a lyric from 1965 because that era might have been the last time that something like collective existential courage was on display in a consequential way in the United States. Until now, that is. As we sit here, encamped students at Columbia University and other college campuses are protesting the Israelis excessive response to Hamas's monstrous attacks on October 7. By doing so, these students face brutal aggression by the police and suspension or expulsion by the university administration. Certainly, whatever your politics, that must count as an example of "existential courage." While the example might be considered an exception to the rule (of passivity), it might just as well be seen as a harbinger of the courage to come from the younger generation. But what of "existential courage" in everyday life, the kind that is available to every one of us? Nietzsche asks us to consider two areas where such courage is of dire necessity. The first is in our thinking process itself. So, the first task of existential courage is to resist the "mythical," the fantastic, and the otherworldly in our very thinking. JH: Some folks believe that Nietzsche was not necessarily a friend to Democracy, given his herd mentality snarking. But you write: When people form into community-- whether a family, a friend group, workplace, or a nation-- is a diversity of viewpoint avoidable? Is it even desirable? After all, what is the alternative-- groupthink? Nietzsche does not believe that factionalism and friction necessarily entail discord. Or, expressed in more Nietzschean terms, what sounds discordant to our present ears may be transfigured into a future music. Say more about this situation and the reference to "future music." BTW, what did you mean by your earlier crack: "It is essential to read him carefully and thoroughly, like a cow chews her cud, as our guide puts it." Say what? GW: About the cow: Nietzsche believes that he is not "readable" to us because we have forgotten a crucial "skill." The skill is one that a cow possesses. A cow chews her cud slowly, deliberately, repeatedly, thoroughly. Applied to reading and thinking, this skill requires that we cultivate rumination, that we learn to chew, and then chew again; to go over, and then go over again; to harp on, dwell on, tarry in; to contemplate, deliberate, excogitate; to reflect on-- again and again and again. Can we regain this skill? It is, after all, a skill that requires us to repudiate our very inclination to be a "modern person-- "to be hasty, shallow, screen-obsessed, bedazzled by the spectacle-- and to become "practically a cow." Who today is willing to make that tradeoff?! You are right, Nietzsche is no friend of democracy. The reason is precisely because it is, he believes, in cahoots with capitalism, the state, and Christianity to create the kind of "modern person" that I just mentioned. He sees the modern citizen of democracy as a person disinclined to do the hard work of thinking and acting for change. The democracy that he saw emerging in Germany in his day clearly led to a "diminution and leveling" of the individual. "We see nothing today," he lamented, "that wants to become greater; we suspect that everything will go further down, down into what is thinner, more good-natured, more clever, more comfortable, more mediocre, more indifferent." In her book Being Numerous: Essays on Non-Fascist Life, Natasha Lennard talks about how large scale institutionalized fascism doesn't just sprout overnight. Its ground is prepared over time by millions of barely discernible actions carried out by well-meaning people in numerous liberal, democratic societies. Nietzsche asks us to consider what the long-term ramifications might be of actions such as habitually acquiescing to authority, turning away from oppression done before your eyes to other people, accepting injustice, and so on. In a private conversation, the anarchist theorist John Clark referred to this phenomenon as "fasciogenic." Nietzsche has a similar notion, namely, that "democracy" is first and foremost a micro psychological disposition to flatten out differences in the name of macro outcomes (liberty, equality, equity, justice) that somehow never comes to pass. As a thinker of the future, it is clear to Nietzsche that "democracy," whatever that may even mean in real terms, must be replaced with another system of governance. Nietzsche believed that our path forward must necessarily entail what he termed agon. This is a Greek word that means "contest," "opposition," "struggle," "competition" and can be seen in our word antagonist, "one who contends with another." You might ask: is that not what we do on myriad online platforms without pause? Where has this cacophonous bellowing led us? Nietzsche asks us to consider that the situation is like that of a "great city" in front of whose gates his protagonist (there is that word again), Zarathustra, finds himself one day. He is accosted there by a "foaming fool" who warns Zarathustra not to enter the city. "Oh, Zarathustra, here you have nothing to find and everything to lose. Why do you want to wade through this sludge? Here great thoughts are boiled alive and cooked until they are small." It is a place that "steams with the stench of slaughtered spirit." It is the City of Public Opinion, where souls are hung out to dry "like limp, dirty rags." And yet, somehow, although it is a place where "all desires and vices are at home," we may nonetheless still find "virtuous people" to interact with there. How can we discern the difference between worthy and unworthy, between edifying and disheartening? Only through agon. It is, furthermore, through agon that we recognize and develop our own capabilities. As unpleasant as it may be, Nietzsche holds, agon is an unavoidable component of a desirable world. JH: You write: We, we moderns, have emptied the universe of the certainties and securities of the past. In so doing, we have initiated an unprecedented cosmic-cultural-existential-psychological crisis that is equal parts liberating and terrifying. Nietzsche offers many high-octane passages about this crisis, and even a few about its resolution. Tease us with a Nietzsche flourishment or two that addresses our crises. GW: Haha. Well, the book is full of fraught examples of how Nietzsche might get us thinking about issues like "wokeness," identity politics, argumentation as well as cherished ideas like equality, equity, democracy, and truth. How about I offer a comment that expresses Nietzsche's general attitude toward this task? And, reader, please note that, in that first bit at least, Nietzsche is describing, not prescribing! We must thoroughly think through the reasons for [our current situation] and resist all sentimental frailty: Life itself is essentially appropriation, injury, overpowering strangers and weaker people, oppression, severity forcing one's own ways on others, annexation, and at the very least, at the very mildest, exploitation...That sounds harsh"But why stroke the pampered ears of our modern softies? Why should we yield a single step to their foolishness of words? For us psychologists, it would be a foolishness of deed to do so: quite apart from the fact that doing so would make us nauseous. For, if a psychologist today has any good taste (some would say "honesty"), it lies in his resistance to the shamefully moralized manner of speaking with which virtually all modern judgments about people and things are besmeared. JH: You write: We were prepared to give whatever we had to follow Zarathustra's advice for going under , crossing over , and rising up . Is this the same "we" who were following Dr. Leary's advice to "Turn on, tune in, drop out"? How are they different? Why are they necessary? GW: We were a tad too young for Dr. Leary's Human Be-In, but your point still stands. Yes, we understood Zarathustra to be beckoning us away from the ways of "the herd" and toward what we considered the wild torrent of "the Dionysian." (We even wrote a song about it.) What this involved, we were not completely sure. But we believed, assumed, we had-- faith?-- that, as you note, it would entail our "going under , crossing over , and rising up." I think that anyone who looks carefully at how we have lived our lives will find some merit to my claim that we were correct in our assumption. JH: Given what Nietzsche famously felt about "the herd mentality", what would he feel about the hivemind we call the Internet? Would he even have an email address? And what would it be: ubermenschen@gmail.com? Oh, wait, I think that one might be taken. GW: Concerning the internet, Nietzsche would have trumpeted "public opinions, private laziness!" The internet is just the latest version of the City of Public Opinion, through which "sludge," emitting steam "with the stench of slaughtered spirit," oozes. The role that the internet and other organs of public opinion are of such interest to Nietzsche is because he recognizes the role that such sites play in the formation of individual values and, by extension, of culture and society. Nietzsche anticipated the concept of the "meme." That is, he recognized that certain mentalities have a way of spreading throughout the social field. Some readers might recall the 1976 book The Selfish Gene, in which evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins coined the term "meme" to describe the way idea-transmission occurs. Like genes, which "propagate themselves in the gene pool by leaping from body to body via sperms or eggs," memes "propagate themselves in the meme pool by leaping from brain to brain via a process which, in the broad sense, can be called imitation." For Nietzsche, any venue of public opinion-- a newspaper, a marketplace, a place of worship, a school, the internet-- is a meme-replicating machine. It is a mechanism through which ideas get passed from mind to mind via non-genetic means, such as language and speech, ritualized practices, symbols, imagery, advertisement representations, conspiracy theories, and so on. For Nietzsche, acquiescence to the memes of the moment is the way of the lowly "last mortal." The "higher type," the capacious Ubermensch, for whom Nietzsche is writing, is constituted to no small degree in resistance to the seemingly natural and inevitable stream of memes that buffet them: "One must be a sea to absorb a dirty stream without becoming unclean," he says. JH: And what would he make of the AI phenomenon and ChatGPT and Taylor Swift and the meaning of her pulling in a billion dollars for touring while so many people are still starving in Africa? GW: As someone who suffered chronic insomnia due to recurring migraines, persistent digestion problems, deteriorating eyesight, and looming insanity, Nietzsche, I think, would have applauded AI's ability to scour the medical literature and produce etiologies and diagnoses that surpass human ability. In terms of popular, scholarly, political, and corporate uses, I think it is fairly obvious that he would have found AI and ChatGPT to be just more "last mortal" idiocy. He was, after all, a lifelong proponent of lento, lento, of going slowly, as we talked about in relation to the cow earlier. I think he would see ChatGPT as a technology that leads us "further down the path to sand," to homogenized uniformity and massified conformity. Like the interlocked forms of democracy, capitalism, and Christianity, AI and ChatGPT are instruments of human "sandification-- "same-making, difference-destroying, diminishing, mediocritizing, equalizing. JH: You spend quite a few pages discussing how Nietzsche's thought might be a tonic for an aging Democracy. You write: The new tyranny is being erected on the venerable mantle of democracy itself. The reader may ask, how can this be? But this state of affairs would not surprise Nietzsche at all. In his later view, the two, tyranny and democracy, are never far apart. A crucial reason why this is so, says Nietzsche, is that democracy breeds mediocrity at best, stultification at worst. Most alarmingly, it breeds herd mentality. This sounds ambivalent about democracy. Can you clarify his thought on this? GW: If you read around in Nietzsche's vast body of work, you will come away thinking that he is indeed often ambivalent about some given issue. If you read him chronologically, you might gain some insight into how his thinking changed over time. But given the importance that perspectivism plays in his thought, I tend to take his ambivalence as a lesson in how to think like the Immoralist. That is not to say that I want to copy his thoughts or to arrive at his conclusions. Rather, it means that I want to develop my own ambivalences, my own varying perspectives. Of course, I want to do this not as an end in itself but on my way to a firmer stance on some issue. So, Nietzsche sees both the value and the danger of democracy. The value is that it helps to abolish monarchy and strongman authoritarian tyranny. It also helps to raise up oppressed classes from serfdom. The danger is that it leads to the "sandification" of the person that we discussed earlier. Nietzsche offers a succinct definition of democracy. It is, he says, the disbelief in human greatness. In his view, democracy also leads to another kind of tyranny, that of the interminably moralizing "herd." (As pejorative as this term sounds, Nietzsche is even ambivalent about the "herd." It confines and coerces but it also warms and protects.) JH: Can you say how Nietzsche might have felt about anarchism, given his Dionysian/Apollonian creds? GW: As the author of a book titled An Anarchist's Manifesto, the question of Nietzsche's attitude toward anarchism has occupied my mind for a long time! Talking about Nietzsche's tendency toward ambivalence, we should pause to consider the following. The Nazis' embrace of Nietzsche is well-known. Less known is that the Nazis' archenemies embraced him with perhaps even more vigor. And who were they? As Jennifer Ratner-Rosenhagen puts it in her book, American Nietzsche: A History of an Icon and His Ideas, they were "left-leaning liberationist, progressive circles, including anarchists, socialists, feminists-- both hard-boiled Marxist materialists and more aesthetically inclined romantic radicals." Nietzsche was admired by both Benito Mussolini, the Italian Fascist leader, and Huey Newton, the American Black Panther leader. Take a moment to let that sink in! No less a formidable figure than "Red Queen" Emma Goldman (1869-1940) insisted, loudly, that "Nietzsche was an anarchist!" Does she have a point? Consider that Nietzsche and the anarchists shared a nauseating hatred of: the state and its capitalism, nationalism, colonialism, antisemitism, and racism; the vapid, obedience-oriented education system; the spectacle-prone hivemind of "the herd;" the cruelty and inhumanity of labor; the cheapness and mindlessness of mass consumerism. Likewise, they shared a desire for the Ubermensch, the human being who sloughs off Christian morality, dissolves the inner slave, disobeys the inner police, becomes a master, and lives beyond good and evil. JH: You write that Nietzsche never got his doctoral and was soundly abused by the established eggheads of his day. This struck me as funny. How would Nietzsche fare today faced with academia's needs for rigorous self-seriousness? Would he finish his thesis? And how did what amounts to a teaching assistant finagle a pension out of the university? It is amazing when I read today of grad students in America going hungry for want of funds or for want of hooking up with sugar mummies, like Dylan did in NYC, to nurture their nascent genius. GW: It is funny, and then it's sad. I find it absurd, ridiculous, and infuriating that Nietzsche could not thrive in academia. Of course, I also find it unsurprising. The fact of his "failure" reflects the faults of academia, not of Nietzsche. Nietzsche was offered his professorship at the age of twenty-four, an unheard of accomplishment then and now. Consequently, he never got around to writing his dissertation. So, when his first book, The Birth of Tragedy, was announced, the academic world braced itself for what would surely be Nietzsche's explosive debut. And explode it did! The book was universally panned. I explain the reasons for this reception in Nietzsche NOW! In short, the book's argument was trashed for being "sheer nonsense"achieved through intuition and presented partly in the style of the pulpit, partly through a journalistic reasoning" and for displaying "a truly childish ignorance and lack of the love for truth." It was, finally, "the exact opposite of the way to research that the heroes of our science [of philology] have tread." One of the most frustrating aspects of this story, repeated all too often in the arts and philosophy, is the fact that later generations recognized the value of Nietzsche's first book. Two comments from eminent twentieth-century classics scholars bear this out. One called The Birth of Tragedy "a work of profound imaginative insight, which left the scholarship of a generation toiling in the rear;" and another, "a great book, by whatever standard one cares to measure it"It has cast a spell on almost everyone who has dealt with the subject since 1871." What is wrong with contemporary people of any given era that they so miserably fail to recognize brilliant innovation? It irritates me to no end. How would Nietzsche fare in today's academia? Worse than in his day. He would not have gotten the position in the first place, and he would not have received the pension that enabled him to spend his life wandering and writing. The pension that he received was meager, barely enough for his itinerate life of cheap rooms, sparse meals, and worn out clothes. JH: You bring the great HL Mencken into the conversation. I recall his famous quip: You'd never go broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people. This is knee-slapping stuff. Nietzsche writes somewhere about the genius of Germans. He notes how Gutenberg changed the world with the invention of the printing press. But then f*ckers came along an invented the noisy newspaper for the masses. Achtung! It's tough expecting much from the masses, leading their lives of not-so-quiet desperation isn't it? Both Mencken and Nietzsche seem to have loathed the homogenizing effects of journalism, ja? GW: Yes, Nietzsche planned to include a diatribe against the press in Untimely Meditations. He never finished it, of course. But the role that journalism played in the development of, as you say, the "homogenizing effects" on the populace remained a lifelong concern for him. Newspapers were the major organs of the emerging modernist worldview that he found so problematic. In a notebook, he refers to "newspaper-slavery" to designate the coercive stranglehold that the press had on people. So, desiring, as he did, to offer a critical diagnosis of that enslavement, he kept a vigilant eye on the papers. He believed that doing so enabled him to keep an eye on the thinking, aspirations, and lifestyles of his contemporaries. What he saw was not pretty. Recall the earlier quote about the city of public opinion (such as a newspaper) that "steams with the stench of slaughtered spirit," a place where souls are hung out to dry "like limp, dirty rags." And recall, too, that it is out of these rags, says Nietzsche, that newspapers are made. Regarding the Germans, Nietzsche offers typically varied views. For instance, the Germans "were called the people of thinkers," but, he rhetorically asks, "do they think at all today?" Surveying the history of German culture, it is obvious to Nietzsche that they once possessed an innovative, dynamic "spirit." In his day, however, they have swapped creative spirit for political power. That Germans no longer think is a consequence of their newfound dominance in Europe: "One pays heavily for coming to power: power makes stupid"The Germans are now bored with the spirit, the Germans now mistrust the spirit; politics swallows up all serious concern for really spiritual matters. Deutschland, Deutschland uber alles-- I fear that was the end of German philosophy." Nietzsche says he gets asked abroad, "Are there any German philosophers? Are there German poets? Are there good German books?" "They ask me," he says, "and I blush." JH: So, you were a guitarist in a punk band, Ruin. One critic said of the band that you were, "one of the most beloved bands in the history of Philly." Is there a Nietzsche tie-in? Maybe a musical version of Nietzsche's Twilight of the Idols? Punk at its best? GW: Nietzschean themes are interwoven into several songs. I was a university student around the same time as Ruin. I wrote my undergraduate thesis on Nietzsche's concept of the will to power. So his thinking was swirling around in my head at that time. It's funny, I vividly recall the very first time I heard the term "hardcore" to describe the super revved up thrash beat that was beginning to be heard in punk circles. I made the point that the term "pure strain" would be better. I had in mind Nietzsche's idea of the Dionysian as a dynamic transgressive force within life, or indeed music, itself. My thinking was that this new ecstatic hyper-rhythm of punk should be viewed as our own manifestation of a primordial drive. Press Release; Delhi, 30/July/2024 - Double9books, a book publication house has been acknowledged as the Best Book Publisher in India for its exceptional contribution in embracing the future of literary world. We Double9books have continuously supervised our services and efforts to present and publish quality literature in front of the world. We deal with several book projects in various genres like fiction, nonfiction, poetry and academic, that too in two Umit Hava, the visionary founder of UmitDizayn, is rapidly emerging as one of the most influential figures in Turkey's interior design industry. Since establishing his firm in 2011, Hava's innovative approach and unwavering commitment to excellence have propelled him to the forefront of the design world, garnering national and international acclaim. A Decade of Excellence and Innovation With over a decade of experience, UmitDizayn has become synonymous with cutting-edge design and meticulous Fifty Licks, the Portland ice cream shop that recently lost its East Burnside Street location to fire, has popped up at the Bridgeport Village mall in Washington County. Fifty Licks parked its red-and-white truck outside the Regal Cinemas last week, according to a press release. The plan is to continue scooping from that location through September. The popular deli meat company Boars Head is recalling an additional 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat products made at a Virginia plant as an investigation into a deadly outbreak of listeria food poisoning continues, U.S. Agriculture Department officials said Tuesday. The new recall includes 71 products made between May 10 and July 29 under the Boars Head and Old Country brand names. It follows an earlier recall of more than 200,000 pounds of sliced deli poultry and meat. The new items include meat intended to be sliced at delis as well as some packaged meat and poultry products sold in stores. They include liverwurst, ham, beef salami, bologna and other products made at the firms Jarratt, Virginia, plant. The recalls are tied to an ongoing outbreak of listeria poisoning that has killed two people and sickened nearly three dozen in 13 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly all of those who fell ill have been hospitalized. Illnesses were reported between late May and mid-July. No illness has been reported in Oregon, but the meat was distributed to stores nationwide, as well as to the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama, Agriculture Department officials said. The problem was discovered when a liverwurst sample collected by health officials in Maryland tested positive for listeria. Further testing showed that the type of bacteria was the same strain causing illnesses in people. Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to immediately and voluntarily expand our recall to include all items produced at the Jarratt facility, the company said on its website. It has also halted production of ready-to-eat foods at the plant. Consumers who have the recalled products in their homes should not eat them and should discard them or return them to stores for a refund, company officials said. Health officials said refrigerators should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to prevent contamination of other foods. An estimated 1,600 people get listeria food poisoning each year and about 260 die, according to the CDC. Listeria infections typically cause fever, muscle aches and tiredness and may cause stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Symptoms can occur quickly or to up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food. The infections are especially dangerous for people older than 65, those with weakened immune systems and during pregnancy. -- Jonel Aleccia, The Associated Press The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Mary C. King King is professor emerita of economics at Portland State University. She lives in Portland. Under pressure, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson has proposed a one-year delay of the small 2026 bump in the Preschool for All tax resoundingly supported by voters. Postponing the increase is a bad idea based on a flimsy rationale. Major investments are needed over the next few years in both the preschool workforce and facilities. Research shows that every dollar spent on strong preschool programs returns $7 to $12 to the community. Our local childcare system was skeletal even before Multnomah County lost a fifth of providers during the pandemic. Its just luck that we had some big years of income tax revenues, locally and nationally. A few strong years are no reason to risk the programs future. Despite anti-tax rhetoric, we do not have the highest taxes in the country. When factoring in property tax, income tax and other assessments, Oregons state and local taxes are just two-thirds of New Yorks, per person, and four-fifths of Californias, according to the Tax Foundation. We have no sales tax, making our taxes fairer than most states. The less money you have, the larger the percentage youll pay to a sales tax. Avoiding a sales tax also holds business taxes down. And some places levy taxes we have barely considered, such as San Franciscos taxes on off-street parking, Uber and Lyft rides, sugary beverages and residences that are vacant for more than half the year. Only one tax rate on households with the very highest incomes is relatively high in the Portland area, though lower than in New York City. Thats the combined state, Metro and Multnomah County income tax rate paid by the very affluent who pay the highest tier of the Preschool for All tax. That rate applies to income, after deductions, thats over $250,000 for an individual or over $400,000 for a couple. For perspective, half the households in Multnomah County have incomes of less than $84,000, about one-fifth of the $400,000 threshold. (The Metro and preschool taxes also apply, at a lower rate, on tax filer incomes over $125,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples). Prioritizing fairness by taxing at the top means that revenue varies, in a way thats hard to predict, especially for capital gains income. The solution is to build a big reserve, to maintain service during lean years. Fortunately, record-setting high incomes gave Preschool for All a solid head start. We cant expect revenues to stay at the level hit in 2022, based on 2021 incomes. The Congressional Budget Office reported that capital gains incomes in 2021 hit their highest level in more than 40 years. We may also experience tax evasion, requiring greater attention to collection enforcement in the future. Nationally, tax evasion by the 5% has risen considerably since the early 1970s, reaching levels double those of other income groups, according to economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman. Preschool for All has just begun to make desperately needed investments in teacher compensation, professional development and facilities. Quality in early childhood programs rests on retaining skilled, experienced and dedicated teachers, impossible with the poverty-level wages prevalent in the industry. In the metro area, only one in seven people with college degrees in early childhood work with young children, according to economist Catherine Weinberger. The rest have been pushed out by low pay and challenging working conditions. While the governors task force on downtown revitalization calls for a pause on new taxes, its highly unlikely that rising office vacancy rates downtown are due to the preschool tax. Portlanders enthusiastically adopted working from home to avoid the time, expense and aggravation of commuting. Dire poverty in the streets is distressing, as our local governments struggle to do the job of the federal government, which has been missing in action on housing and mental health needs. Multnomah Countys new Preschool for All program caught national attention. As noted by The New York Times upon passage in 2020, it could be a model for the country if implemented as planned. We cant let a delay in the funding needed to go to full universality by fall 2030 lead to any further chipping away at a program so important for our children, families, community and the future. Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: State Rep. Maxine Dexter will leave the Legislature at the end of August to allow more time for her replacement to gear up for the 2025 legislative session, she announced Wednesday. Dexter, who won a heated Democratic primary for Oregons 3rd Congressional District in May, is the presumptive replacement for retiring U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer. Dexter will face Republican attorney Joanna Harbour in Novembers general election, but is the likely winner in an overwhelmingly blue district that stretches from the Willamette River to Hood River. It has been an immense privilege and honor to serve in the Oregon House of Representatives for the past four years, Dexter said in a news release which touted her work to reduce opioid harm and boost spending on housing and homelessness during her two terms as a lawmaker. Shannon Jones Isadore, who won a three-way Democratic primary to replace Dexter in Northwest Portlands House District 33, said Wednesday that shell seek appointment to serve out the rest of Dexters term. Isadore is a Portland-raised Marine Corps veteran who founded and runs a treatment facility for substance use and mental health disorders. In November, Isadore will face retired finance professional Stan Baumhofer, who won the Republican bid for the seat by a margin of just 34 votes. Democrats are heavily favored in the district, where registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans seven to one. In a news release Wednesday, Isadore said Dexter endorsed her as a replacement. I knew it was time to step up and serve again when the issues that are my lifes work emerged as the biggest challenges facing Oregonians, like housing, mental health and addiction, Isadore wrote in a statement. These challenges cant wait, and Im ready to bring accountability, structure and integrity to Salem now. Democratic precinct committee people from Multnomah and Washington counties will nominate three candidates to fill Dexters seat for the remainder of 2024. The choice falls to Democrats because appointed lawmakers must come from the same political party as the person they replace. Commissioners from Multnomah and Washington counties will then select Dexters replacement from the three nominees. Reached by phone Wednesday, Baumhofer said he wasnt aware that Dexter had decided to leave the Legislature. He argued that it would be unfair for Isadore to serve as Dexters temporary replacement because it would enable her to run as the incumbent in November. Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430. Campers and beachgoers can finally return to Beverly Beach State Park after an 11-month closure. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will reopen the campground and day-use area of the park on Aug. 1, after finishing up a lengthy construction project at the popular destination on the central Oregon coast. Park officials closed Beverly Beach last September so crews could install underground power lines and replace waterlines part of a $50 million upgrade across the state park system, utilizing funds from a 2021 bond approved by the state legislature. That closure was later extended to July 1, and then moved back to Aug. 1, after the aging infrastructure at the park presented unexpected challenges and delays. Crews had to move overhead powerlines underground and replace the parks waterlines, the parks department said, which required digging into the access road and then repaving it. They also had to remove about 200 hazard trees, which has increased the amount of sunshine in the park. We understand that the park looks a little different, but the hazard tree removal makes its safer for visitors to enjoy, park manager Burke Martin said in a news release. Beverly Beach, between Newport and Depoe Bay, is home to 257 year-round campsites and 21 yurts, which tend to book up during the summer. Last year, the state park attracted 126,404 campers, making it one of the most popular campgrounds on the Oregon coast. It also drew 176,514 day-use visitors. As of Wednesday afternoon, the campground had a few dozen spots open for Aug. 1, and a smattering of openings throughout the month. Reservations are available online at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Were excited to have visitors back in the park, Martin said. Its one of the best parts of this job, and we have missed it. --Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077, jhale@oregonian.com or @HaleJamesB. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Idaho is on track to meet its wolf population goals within the next four or five years, according to the states fish and game department. On Tuesday, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game announced its latest wolf population estimate and unveiled a new method for counting the controversial predators. The department estimates the state had about 1,150 animals at about this time last summer. By about the end of October, the midpoint in the annual fluctuation of wolf abundance, the population likely numbered in the high 800s or low 900s. The annual wolf population peaks in the summer after pups are born. From there it declines as animals die of natural causes or are taken by hunters and trappers. The low point in the cycle comes in the spring, just prior to the wolf denning season. The states wolf management plan calls for the population to fluctuate around 500 animals at the midway point in the annual cycle, and for that goal to be achieved by about 2029. If we take a look at the trend, it would suggest we are right on path with what we outlined in the wolf management plan, said Shane Roberts, chief of the agencys wildlife bureau at Boise. Idahos wolf population peaked at about 1,600 animals, following the removal of federal protections. Since that time, the state has increasingly liberalized hunting and trapping seasons and conducted nearly annual wolf control actions in the states Lolo Hunting Zone. Wolves are also killed each year when they prey on livestock. The state wants to scale back the population to reduce conflicts with livestock and to reduce predation on struggling elk herds. Wolves were once counted through an intensive and expensive operation in which managers attempted to place tracking collars on at least one member of each pack in the state. They would then conduct aerial surveys to get a minimum wolf population estimate. But that became difficult and increasingly expensive as wolf numbers climbed. Starting in 2019, the state deployed a network of trail cameras and used computer models to estimate wolf numbers based on the number of times their imagers were captured by the cameras. As high pressure builds across the western United States on Wednesday, the region will see near average temperatures with highs in the mid-to-upper 80s in most of the Willamette Valley. The National Weather Service says Portland will start Wednesday with cloudy skies that hang around through mid morning, then well see gradual clearing. The high will be near 86 degrees. The coast will see highs in the 60s and lower 70s. But this will be the end of average summer temperatures at least through the next few days. The weather service has issued a heat advisory lasting from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday. Daytime high temperatures in most of northwestern and west central Oregon, other than at the coast, will rise to between 94-102 degrees. Portland will have sunny skies and a high of about 97 as measured at the Portland International Airport. Some urban areas may see temperatures of 100 degrees. Those who work outdoors or plan to spend extended time outdoors should plan to include frequent breaks in air-conditioned areas, or in the shade. Drink plenty of fluids and watch for signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is an emergency. Call 911.NOAA Although the coast wont see 100-degree temps, it will be much warmer than average. The weather service says highs along the beaches may reach the upper 70s to middle 80s depending on location. The heat will linger into Thursday evening with temperatures only dropping into the 80s after sunset and staying into the 70s at midnight. Urban areas will likely see temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s as their overnight lows. Fridays heat will be similar with a high of about 94 likely under sunny skies. But some relief is coming. A system out of California packing some monsoonal moisture and clouds is expected to move northward late Friday and into the weekend. Models are not in agreement how much cloud cover the metro area will receive, but there could be thunderstorms over the Oregon Cascades from Mount Jefferson southward across Lane County both Saturday and Sunday. The effects of the system could bring Portland a partly sunny day Saturday with highs dropping to 88 degrees. If the clouds move quickly through, Sunday will be a sunny day with highs reaching back into the low 90s. Those recreating in the mountains should be ready for possible thunderstorms and lightning at times during the weekend, especially south of Mount Jefferson. A man accused of starting a garbage fire on public land in Lane County has been arrested, Bureau of Land Management officials said Wednesday. Ricky Allen Townsend, 69, of Fall Creek was arrested on July 12 and held in Lane County Jail for three days, according to court records. The Lower Granite Fire north of Pomeroy burned more than 14,000 acres and consumed two homes and several outbuildings as it raced east from Deadman Canyon Monday. James Cleveland, chief of the Garfield County Fire District, said one of the homes was occupied and one was unoccupied. One person assisting the suppression effort suffered minor burns when the tractor he was operating caught fire. Cleveland said the tractor caught fire on its own and was not a direct result of the wildfire. The fire was mapped at nearly 14,500 acres on Tuesday and remains zero percent contained. Cleveland said it started Monday next to a structure on Deadman Road. Crews from his department responded and initially worked on the structure. Other firefighters who followed tried to stop it from spreading but were not successful. It literally just outran them, he said. Crews from fire departments in Asotin County, Clarkston, Pullman, Walla Walla and Columbia County provided mutual aid. Farmers also participated in the initial attack and used discs to carve fire lines on the edges of crop fields. State mobilization was declared and the Northeast Washington Incident Command Team 1, a Type 3 team, took control of firefighting efforts Tuesday morning. The team is working out of Pomeroy High School. Isabelle Hoygaard, a spokesperson for the team said the farmers and firefighters were successful in getting some lines established but it will be a challenge to build lines down into the steep river canyons and side draws. Level 2 and Level 1 evacuation notices are in place near the fire. A map is available at bit.ly/3WqcZNB The reviews of Six Days in August continue to roll in from The Usual Suspects. And, of course, theyre all negative and, also of course, none of the reviewers has actually seen it. (Who says theres no such thing as prophecy?) The film is shallow and dishonest propaganda, plodding and dull, a whitewashed pseudo-history, embarrassing and amateurish, with a stilted and pretentious script, and already, months before its final completion (to say nothing of its scheduled theatrical release), a complete failure at the box-office. I just thought that you should know. The same folks knew, long before it was released, that our 2021 movie, Witnesses, wouldnt mention the failure of the Kirtland Bank and would avoid any mention of early Latter-day Saint plural marriage. Oops. Yesterday evening, I read John Gee, Ten Views on the Falling Away, BYU Studies 63/2 (2024): 139-176. He is responding to recent revisionist interpretations, by a handful of Latter-day Saint scholars, of the Latter-day Saint concept of a Great Apostasy. These attempted reinterpretations, I think, are principally motivated by a commendable sympathy for, and appreciation of, the accomplishments and the virtues of our fellow Christians today and, yes, during the period between the death of the ancient apostles and the Restoration. I share that sympathy and admiration. Nevertheless, with Professor Gee, I do not favor backing away altogether from the historic Latter-day Saint view of a cataclysmic falling away. Here is a portion of the conclusion of his article: An examination of the primary sources . . . shows that the early Christians were aware of a loss of authority that coincided with a loss of the Apostles. There was a rebellion (apostasy) against that authority and the teachings of the Church. It was prophesied by Jesus and the other New Testament writers. By the end of the century, Christian writers such as Clement and Ignatius described an Apostasy occurring. Early second-century writers like Hegessipus testified that it had occurred, and even Irenaeus in the second half of the second century testified that the Apostasy had taken place. The fact of the Apostasy does not mean that everyone afterward who did the best that they could without authority or revelation was evil, or that there is nothing good to be found in those times. We need neither turn them into heroes nor villains; we could treat them as human beings while recognizing that they were to use the Book of Mormons phrasein that awful state of blindness (1 Ne. 13:32). There is no intellectual reason to reject or change the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints with respect to the falling away. They are intellectually defensible and account for the early Christian evidence as well as, or better than, any other theories. (176) In the same issue of BYU Studies, I also read Richard E. Turley Jr., Lessons We Can Learn from the Mountain Meadows Massacre (129-137). Richard E. Turley Jr. is the former Managing Director of the Church History, Family History, Public Affairs, and Communication Departments of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints. He also served as Assistant Church Historian and Recorder. The author of numerous books on Latter- day Saint history, he was recently commissioned by the Churchs First Presidency to write a biography of the Churchs founding prophet, Joseph Smith Jr. I have long imagined giving a devotional fireside or even a talk in sacrament reflecting on the Mountain Meadows Massacre, which has long seemed to me to offer elements of a Greek tragedy for the perpetrators of the atrocity as well as for its victims and powerful moral lessons. So my attention was naturally caught by Brother Turleys title. (He is, I would think, the preeminent living expert on the tragedy at Mountain Meadows.) My approach would be significantly different from his, but I very much appreciate what he has written. I quote here his closing paragraph: No one alive today is responsible for the Mountain Meadows Massacre. But we are all responsible for how we deal with it, including learning from the lessons it teaches. Let us never deny or condone the massacre or try to excuse those who took part. Rather, let us resolve to (1) avoid fanaticism, (2) not overreact to rumors, (3) not give in to peer pressure, (4) find safety in councils, (5) not try to cover up wrongdoing, (6) deal with hard topics honestly, and (7) love anyone we might be tempted to view as an enemy. (137) In his article, Brother Turley offers multiple examples where those who perpetrated the Mountain Meadows Massacre failed to abide by the principles that he sets forth in that concluding passage. And heres a horror story from the Deseret News that further illustrates the sort of thing that can happen when Brother Turleys rules are ignored. By the way, its possible, although not certain, that Ray Epps is a Latter-day Saint; certain clues seem to hint at it. I mention that fact not because he would be any more or less deserving of understanding and sympathy as a member of the Church but simply because some readers of this blog might more easily identify with him if he is: The undercover agent who wasnt: Ray Epps believed the conspiracy theory that the 2020 election was stolen. Then he became the conspiracy theorists biggest target. The latest of the Interpreter Foundations very short video features, drawn from the docudrama Undaunted: Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, has now gone up. It is entitled In the Spirit, and it features Terryl Givens. We encourage you to watch it it is, truly, very short and, if you feel so inclined, to pass it on further. Posted from Depoe Bay, Oregon Microsoft is known for regularly delivering new features for Window 11 via updates. However, the company is also known for ruthlessly removing features it deems inadequate. If youre missing a program or app after a Windows upgrade, dont worry additional software can help fill in the gaps. Lets dig into nine replacements for Windows features that Microsoft has abandoned. Further reading: 22 awesome free apps already installed on your Windows PC Find a suitable replacement for WordPad Microsoft has labelled WordPad as obsolete, so it will no longer be updated and will be removed from Windows 11 version 24H2. The company recommends switching to Microsoft Word for a fee. Today is Amazon Prime Big Deal Days! Our editorial team lists the best tech deals here. ] Microsoft Office can be used free of charge after prior registration with a Microsoft account. The online version does not support all the features of a locally installed Office, but offers significantly more compatibility than WordPad. If you dont want to get into the Microsoft infrastructure and are looking for a simple word processor, you dont have much choice. WordPad is still available: The small word processor fulfils the simplest requirements and can open common document formats but often at the loss of formatting. WordPad is still available: The small word processor fulfils the simplest requirements and can open common document formats but often at the loss of formatting. IDG WordPad is still available: The small word processor fulfils the simplest requirements and can open common document formats but often at the loss of formatting. IDG IDG Abiword, which is no longer being developed for Windows, is available as a portable application. The program can open and save all common document types, albeit sometimes with the loss of precise formatting. Abiword offers the most important features of a word processor including document and format templates. Focus Writer serves a slightly different target group. The program starts in full screen mode by default, which should ensure distraction-free writing. The toolbar with the menu is only displayed when you move the mouse to the top of the screen. The program masters the basic features of a word processor, but images cannot be inserted, for example. Common file formats such as Office Open XML (Microsoft Office, docx), Open Document Text (Libre Office, odt), and Rich Text Formats (rtf) are supported but with limited featureality. Fast word processing: Textmaker from Softmaker Free Office offers more than just the most important features. Third-party formats from Word or Libre Office are also usually displayed correctly. Fast word processing: Textmaker from Softmaker Free Office offers more than just the most important features. Third-party formats from Word or Libre Office are also usually displayed correctly. IDG Fast word processing: Textmaker from Softmaker Free Office offers more than just the most important features. Third-party formats from Word or Libre Office are also usually displayed correctly. IDG IDG Due to its range of features, LibreOffice is not a real alternative to the lean WordPad, but it is an alternative to Microsoft Office 365. The office package offers almost all the features that Word or Excel have to offer. LibreOffice is therefore easy to use for your own needs, but document exchange with Microsoft Office users is limited by shortcomings in the import and export filters. Softmaker Free Office is the free edition of Softmaker Office. The office package can easily compete with Microsoft Office and LibreOffice for private use. The import and export filters sometimes work better than those of Libre Office and open documents with less formatting loss. Should I switch from Windows Mail to Outlook? get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Price When Reviewed: 69,99 Euro Best Prices Today: The Mail and Calendar app is the successor to Outlook Express and a standalone e-mail program for the IMAP and POP3 protocols. The successor to the successor is called The New Outlook and has been available to Windows 10 and 11 users in the app for some time. The previous app is to be completely discontinued in the course of 2024. So far, the The New Outlook switch can still be deactivated, allowing users to return to the previous Mail app. However, this only applies to the current session. If you restart the app, you will return to Outlook. The Outlook app does not offer any significant new features, apart from a slightly modernized interface. Calendar and contacts are now integrated and no longer start as a separate app. No Microsoft account is required for the Outlook app. However, its not really a standalone program, but a front end for Outlook on the web. If you set up the app for an e-mail account, you will see the message: Everything you create with Outlook is stored in the Microsoft Cloud. If you overlook this, you are essentially storing emails with Microsoft in a readable format. Forced switch: Users of the Mail and Calendar app receive an offer to switch to Outlook, which they cannot really refuse. Forced switch: Users of the Mail and Calendar app receive an offer to switch to Outlook, which they cannot really refuse. IDG Forced switch: Users of the Mail and Calendar app receive an offer to switch to Outlook, which they cannot really refuse. IDG IDG Many users no longer use a standalone e-mail client because most services offer a convenient web interface for this purpose. The advantage is you can log in on any device and have immediate access to e-mails and address books. Thunderbird is suitable for users who prefer to archive emails locally. With an IMAP account, messages are also available on several devices. Due to the numerous options, Thunderbird is not particularly clear. If you want to filter your inbox according to various criteria, quickly search through messages or view PDF attachments directly in the program, Thunderbird offers many useful features. If thats not enough, you can extend the program with numerous add-ons. Clean up Windows quickly and thoroughly Over time, a lot of clutter accumulates on your PC, which slows it down and can even cause errors. Disk Cleanup has been included with Windows since Windows 98, but the tools days are numbered. Its still included in Windows 11 23H2, but Microsoft already recommends using the options under System > Storage in Settings, where less is offered than in the Disk Cleanup feature. Cleanmgr+ is a replacement for the previous Disk Cleanup when its discontinued in the future. Open the tool and select Run as Administrator. The package contains two program that you can choose between at startup. After clicking on Cleanmgr, the Burnbyte tool starts with a window for drive selection, as shown in the disk clean-up. First, select the system drive C:. After clicking on the OK button, Burnbyte displays a clear interface with the individual areas and the space occupied on the hard drive in each case. Tick the desired options and click Clean Up. You shouldnt tick Download if you want to keep the files from your download folder. Delete superfluous files: Burnbytes is included in Cleanmgr+ and offers a replacement for Disk Cleanup, which Microsoft plans to remove from Windows soon. Delete superfluous files: Burnbytes is included in Cleanmgr+ and offers a replacement for Disk Cleanup, which Microsoft plans to remove from Windows soon. IDG Delete superfluous files: Burnbytes is included in Cleanmgr+ and offers a replacement for Disk Cleanup, which Microsoft plans to remove from Windows soon. IDG IDG After starting the tool, click Cleanmgr+ to see more options. Tick the boxes in front of the desired areas and click Preview. The right-hand side of the window shows which files and folders the action would affect. For the browser files, click More and tick the desired browser, for example Microsoft Edge Cache or Mozilla Firefox Cache. Click Preview to find out which files are affected and how much storage space has been saved. Caution is advised here, as browsers without cache files have to reload all content and any saved session information may be lost. Uninstall programs and apps faster In Settings, programs can be uninstalled via App > Apps and features (Windows 11: Apps > Installed apps). Theres no provision for uninstalling several programs at the same time and not everything is always removed without leaving any residue. In Windows 10, programs can also be uninstalled via the Control Panel under Programs and Features, which is easier to use. This option is no longer available in Windows 11. Missing in Windows 11: Programs and Features is still available in the Windows 10 Control Panel. The feature provides the software list faster than Apps in the Settings. Missing in Windows 11: Programs and Features is still available in the Windows 10 Control Panel. The feature provides the software list faster than Apps in the Settings. IDG Missing in Windows 11: Programs and Features is still available in the Windows 10 Control Panel. The feature provides the software list faster than Apps in the Settings. IDG IDG Revo Uninstaller offers a tidy window in which you can also select multiple programs for thorough uninstallation. All conventional desktop programs are listed in the Uninstall Applications section. Click Windows Apps in the toolbar if you want to remove apps from the Microsoft Store or the scope of delivery of Windows. Create a Windows-To-Go stick with Rufus Windows-To-Go offers the option of booting Windows from a USB stick. However, this feature was reserved for owners of an Enterprise Edition of Windows 10 and also required special USB sticks. As of Windows 10 version 2004, Microsoft has removed Windows To Go. With Rufus, you can install any Windows 10 or 11 edition on almost any USB drive. It should just be fast enough to boot a system from it. In Rufus, click on the arrow next to the Select button, go to Download, and click on the Download button. Download the ISO file of the Windows installation medium. Under Drive, enter your USB stick and under Image Property, select Windows To Go. Click Start and specify the edition you want to install. You can set options for customizing the installation. When Rufus finishes its run, boot the PC from the USB drive and follow the instructions of the setup wizard to complete the installation. Expand or collapse the context menu Windows 11 displays a menu with only a few entries after a right mouse click on the desktop or in Windows Explorer. This can be useful because the context menu become confusing if numerous programs have been entered. On the other hand, the user may want to have quick access to precisely these options. With Windows 11, you have to go to Show More Options in the context menu or hold down the Shift key when right clicking to display all entries. Winaero Tweaker restores the previous, detailed context menu if required. Go to Windows 11 > Classic Full Context Menus, tick Enable Classic Full Context Menus, and click Restart Explorer. The tool also provides access to many other Windows settings. Under Context Menu > Control Panel, for example, the menu item Control Panel can be added to the desktop context menu or under Context Menu > Command Prompt as Administrator. The entry Command Prompt (Administrator) can be added to the context menus of the desktop and Windows Explorer. Edit context menu: With Context Menu Manager, you can hide context menu items for Windows Explorer and Desktop and add new entries. Edit context menu: With Context Menu Manager, you can hide context menu items for Windows Explorer and Desktop and add new entries. IDG Edit context menu: With Context Menu Manager, you can hide context menu items for Windows Explorer and Desktop and add new entries. IDG IDG Context Menu Manager is used to edit the classic context menu under Windows 10 or 11. Under these systems, start the tool via the file ContextMenuManager.NET.4.0.exe. Select an area such as File, Folder, or Background. Context Menu Manager shows the associated context menu entries, which can be deactivated or reactivated using the switch behind them. Click on the cogwheel symbol to open a menu that allows you to rename an entry. Use Details > Change Command if you want to customize the command for a menu entry. After clicking Win-X on the bottom left, you can edit the menu, which can be called up with a right mouse click on the Start button or the Win-X key combination. This option is only supported by Windows 10 and no longer works in Windows 11. Extend the Windows 11 context menu: Use Context Menu Custom to add new entries to the menu, for example to open a specific file type with another app. Extend the Windows 11 context menu: Use Context Menu Custom to add new entries to the menu, for example to open a specific file type with another app. IDG Extend the Windows 11 context menu: Use Context Menu Custom to add new entries to the menu, for example to open a specific file type with another app. IDG IDG Custom Context Menu allows you to edit the new Windows 11 context menu. The program can be installed via the Microsoft Store. To add a new context menu item, click Add in Context Menu Custom. For the Windows Editor, for example, enter the name Notepad after Title and the path C:\Windows\Notepad.exe after Exe. After Match Folder, specify the areas in which the menu entry should appear. Click Save to save the settings. If you only create one new entry, it will appear directly in the menu. If there are several, they will be placed within Open With. Access to online content via the WebDAV protocol Files can be made available on the internet via the standard Web-Based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV). Many cloud providers use this process for easy access to online content. Use WebDAV: Cyberduck enables access to online storage. After logging in, you can view the directories and upload or download files. Use WebDAV: Cyberduck enables access to online storage. After logging in, you can view the directories and upload or download files. IDG Use WebDAV: Cyberduck enables access to online storage. After logging in, you can view the directories and upload or download files. IDG IDG To make a WebDAV resource accessible via a drive letter, go to This PC in Windows Explorer under Windows 11, click on the three dots and select Connect network drive. Windows 10 users, click Connect Network Drive in the ribbon. Select a drive letter, enter the URL for the connection, and tick the box next to Connect with Other Credentials. After clicking Finish, enter the login information. Microsoft has labelled the web client service for WebDAV as obsolete and it will be removed in the future. Its still included in Windows 11 version 23H2. Cyberduck is a free alternative that should be sufficient for most users. The program can access online storage via WebDAV, FTP, or SFTP and use services such as OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive. The content is displayed in a window with navigation similar to Windows Explorer. If you want to open a file, it must first be downloaded. Mountain Duck comes from the same manufacturer, a license costs $39 for one user. The program can assign a drive letter to WebDAV resources, which enables direct access without prior download. Other programs to replace Microsoft apps Now that Microsoft has sent Internet Explorer into a well-deserved retirement, the new Edge web browser is at least state of the art. Its based on Chromium from Google, which also forms the basis of Google Chrome. Those who are bothered by the increasing integration of AI features in Edge can switch to Google Chrome or the privacy-focused browser Srware Iron, for example. Mozilla Firefox is also an alternative. Back up data: The free Hasleo Backup Suite offers all features for backing up the system, selected partitions or individual folders with important files. Back up data: The free Hasleo Backup Suite offers all features for backing up the system, selected partitions or individual folders with important files. IDG Back up data: The free Hasleo Backup Suite offers all features for backing up the system, selected partitions or individual folders with important files. IDG IDG Microsoft offers the Windows Backup tool for backups, but this can only save files to OneDrive. Backup and Restore (Windows 7) can still be found in the Control Panel, but is considered outdated and unreliable. Hasleo Backup Suite Free, on the other hand, works reliably and offers backup of individual folders or the entire hard drive. Duplicati is suitable for regular backups of personal files. The tool supports backups to local drives, via FTP, and SFTP as well as Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft One Drive, and more. Ongoing backups are incremental. Duplicati therefore only saves changes from the previous backup. Windows 11 can now unpack archives in the 7z and RAR formats, but not create them. The free packing program 7-Zip supports significantly more archive formats and can also create 7z and Zip archives with password protection if required. The African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) and CITAC, a specialist consulting group in Africa's downstream energy industry, extend their heartfelt congratulations to Sentuo Oil Refinery Ltd. A member of the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) for receiving the full operational license to function as an oil refinery in Ghana. This commendation was made during a courtesy visit by representatives from ARDA and CITAC to the Executive Chairman of the Sentuo Group, Mr. Xu Ningquan, at the Sentuo Oil Refinery in Tema on Friday, July 19. Mr. Xu Ningquan, Executive Chairman of the Sentuo Group, emphasized the necessity for Africa to achieve energy self-reliance and take ownership of its economy by reducing the export of crude oil and importing finished products. He stressed that Africa must develop its refining capabilities to add value to its crude resources. In line with this vision, the SentuoGroup is investing $980 million in a 2 million metric ton per annum capacity oil refinery in Tema, with plans for a second phase to increase the capacity by an additional 3 million metric tons per annum, demonstrating their commitment to creating value in Africa. In response, Mr. Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of ARDA, thanked Mr. Xu Ningquanfor his unwavering commitment to developing local refining capabilities in Africa. He lauded the bold steps taken by the Sentuo Group in investing in the Sentuo Oil Refinery, a move poised to significantly boost Africas energy sector. Mr. Kragha further emphasized that the main objective of ARDA is to create an enabling environment for African oil refiners to thrive and attract investment into the industry. This goal is supported by CITAC, which provides a wealth of data and analytics about the African downstream energy industry. This visit was facilitated by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) as part of the activities of the just ended Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GHIPCON 2024). The NPAreiterated their commitment to supporting the Sentuo Oil Refinery Ltd. to ensure that operations are conducted in accordance with all safety and quality standards and requirements. This collaboration will help maintain the integrity and reliability of the refinery's operations, fostering a safe and sustainable environment for all stakeholders involved. About NPA The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is the national regulator of downstream petroleum activities in Ghana. The NPA ensures that all operations within the petroleum sector adhere to stringent safety, quality, and environmental standards, promoting a sustainable and efficient energy sector in the country. About ARDA The African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) is dedicated to advocating for the sustainable development of Africa's refining and distribution sectors, promoting energy security and economic growth across the continent. About CITAC CITAC is a specialist consulting group focused on Africas downstream energy industry, providing expert analysis and insights to support the development of the region's energy sector. About Sentuo Oil Refinery Ltd. Sentuo Oil Refinery Ltd. is a leading oil refinery in Ghana, committed to enhancing Africas refining capabilities and adding value to the continents crude oil resources. The issuance of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Operational License to Sentuo Oil Refinery Ltd. is a significant milestone. It signifies that the refinery has met all of NPA's stringent standards and requirements, ensuring compliance with the highest operational, safety, and environmental standards. This license underscores the refinerys capability to produce quality refined products to contribute meaningfully to Ghanas energy sector and the broader African market. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In full alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources officially launched the "Green Ghana Project" in March 2021. The Green Ghana Project aims at creating a greater economic and employment opportunities as well as supporting environmental sustainability. The Green Project is also committed to helping communities deal with the effects of climate change, and reverse environmental destruction across the Country. The Green Ghana Project has been successful so far, however, according to Professor George Kofi Amoako, a renowned globally recognized Marketing Expert, there are some gaps that need to be addressed if we are serious as a nation to achieve environmental sustainability in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Professor George Kofi Amoako who is an authority in the area of Green Marketing, Sustainable Marketing, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Contemporary issues in marketing has indicated that, the Government of Ghana in partnership with the Private Sector and the general public should be able to adopt a number of innovative measures to sustain the Greening efforts of the Country. There is a link between environmental catastrophies and unsustainable human activities, he cited. For the Green Ghana Project to be sustained beyond the term of successive governments, Professor George Kofi Amoako has made the following recommendations to Government and stakeholders: 1. There should be a positive relationship and effective alignment between Green Marketing and the Green Ghana Project. That, Green Marketing should be integrated into the short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies of organizations both Public and Private. 2. Organizations across the Country should try as much as possible to apply Green Marketing Concept to the Marketing Mix and the behaviour dimensions of Ghanaians towards Environmental Conservation. 3. There is the need to consider integrating Green Supply Chain Practices(GSCP) and Sustainable Business Strategies into the Procurement decisions of Government's Ministries, Agencies and Departments. 4. Business organizations' sustainable marketing strategies can contribute to the Green Ghana Project and by large extentions the Sustainable Development Goals. 5. In consultation with experts, develop a sustainable legal framework in support of the Ghana Green Project. 6. Employ the use of participatory and transformational leadership across all levels aimed at improving environmental sustainability practices. Professor George Kofi Amoako has conducted a series of Impactful research in the areas of Sustainability, Business Strategy, Corporate Social Responsibility and Investments(CSR & CSI). He is currently, the Director of Research, Innovation and Consultancy at the Ghana Communication Technology University. He is a multiple recipient of Academy of Management Scholarship for Faculty Development in Africa, and Africa CSR Leadership Award. He has been a Quality Assurance Consultant & Facilitator for the British Council. Professor George Kofi Amoako is in the Top 3% of Marketing Scholars in Africa according to the prestigious AD Scientific Report for 2024. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Managing Director (MD) of UCS Facility Management Ghana Limited, Yaa Dansowaa Ampofo, has been recognised as the Exemplary Business Leader of the Year award at the 4th National Governance and Business Leadership Awards. The prestigious awards ceremony, which recognised outstanding achievements in governance, corporate leadership, and industry excellence, was held in Accra on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Ms. Ampofos prestigious award is a testament to her outstanding leadership and commitment to excellence in the industry. Under her guidance, UCS Facility Management Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group, has consistently delivered exceptional services, earning them a reputation as a leader in the industry. The company's services also include deep cleaning, facade high rise cleaning and post- construction cleaning. The company's dedication to excellence was further acknowledged with the Industry Leadership Award (Janitorial Services), demonstrating their expertise and commitment to delivering high-quality services. In an interview, the Business Development Manager for UCS Facility Management, Mr. Grant Daniel Quao, shared his thoughts on the award. "This recognition confirms our commitment to excellence and validates our efforts. We're dedicated to delivering exceptional services and enhancing our offerings to satisfy our clients," he proudly noted. He emphasised the importance of the award and UCS's dedication to excellence. "This award motivates us to maintain our high standards, work hard, and continue innovating. We thank our clients for their support and promise to grow with them," he said. In addition to Yaa Dansowaa Ampofo's award, other Jospong Group subsidiaries were also recognised. AH Hotel received the Hospitality Industry Award of Excellence (Customer Service), while Medical Waste Services Ltd., received the Excellence in Waste Management Award. Sewerage Systems Ghana Ltd., was named Leadership Team of the Year (Sanitation), and Joseph T.Q Nartey, General Manager of AH Hotel and Conference/Cafe, received the Exemplary Business Leader of the Year award in the Hospitality category. Ing. Senam Tengey, General Manager of Medical Waste Services Ltd., was recognised as the Business Leader of the Future. The 4th National Governance and Business Leadership Awards ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements in governance and corporate leadership, attended by prominent business leaders, government officials, and industry experts. The awards recognised companies and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Moscow man accused of kidnapping his 2-year-old daughter and fleeing to Mexico has been ordered to appear in federal court. The U.S. Department of Justice charged 21-year-old Aaron Aung on Monday in Spokane with international parental kidnapping, according to court documents. Aung had previously been indicted for first-degree custodial interference locally when the Pullman Police Department issued a warrant for his arrest in June. Aungs daughter was reported missing in early June when the two allegedly failed to show up for a custody exchange with the toddlers mother in Pullman. The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mines, George Mireku Duker, MP, has called on all mining stakeholders and traditional authorities to actively support and ensure the sustainability of Atlantic Lithium Limited in the country. He said, their support will not only trigger the economic progress in the Central region but also benefit the youth in the community and Ghana at large. The Deputy Minister made the call when he led a delegation from the Ministry and the Minerals Commission on a working visit to the site of Atlantic Lithium on Tuesday 30th July, 2024 in the Mankessim Municipality of the Central Region. Hon. Duker reiterated that the terms of Atlantic Lithium's mining lease were one of the best in the world and would deliver prosperity to the country. He emphasized that the 13% state-carried interest provided for the company's mining lease was one of the best in the world. He also said by increasing the royalty regime from the existing five per cent to 10%, the operations of Atlantic Lithium would immensely benefit the country compared with other leases. Hon. Mireku Duker commended Atlantic Lithium for respecting the local content policy that ensures that its managerial workforce largely are Ghanaians. The Deputy Minister's entourage included the Advisor of Mines to the Minister, the Technical Director of Mines at the Ministry, Mr Peter Awuah, and other officials of the Ministry and Minerals Commission. The General Manager of Atlantic Lithium, Mr Ahmed Salim, in a presentation, updated the visiting Team on the operations of the company. He appealed to the government to take steps for Parliament to ratify the lease agreement for the company to start commercial operation next year. The Team, led by the Deputy Minister also paid a visit to the bereaved family of the recent accident victim of the mine and presented some items assuring them of the Government's support and the company's efforts to put in place competent and adequate measures to prevent future occurrence. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In the vibrant tapestry of Ghana's political landscape, few figures shine as brightly as Samira Bawumia. A woman of substance, integrity, and utmost dignity, she embodies the qualities of a leader, inspiring countless Ghanaians with her tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to her nation and husband Samira Bawumia is an exemplar of grace and strength, her life a testament to the power of resilience and determination. As the wife of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, she has seamlessly balanced her roles as a supportive partner and a formidable force in her own right. Her journey alongside her husband is not just one of companionship but of partnership, where her contributions are as significant and impactful as his Her commitment to ensuring that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia becomes the President of the Republic of Ghana is nothing short of extraordinary. While her husband campaigns tirelessly across the country, Samira Bawumia leads her own parallel campaign, reaching parts of the nation that might otherwise go unnoticed. Her approach is meticulous and heartfelt, her message resonating deeply with Ghanaians from all walks of life What captivates the nation most about Samira Bawumia is her boundless energy and the profound influence she wields. Her campaign strategy is marked by a unique blend of empathy and intelligence, addressing the hopes and concerns of everyday Ghanaians with a sincerity that is both rare and refreshing. She is not merely a wife supporting her husbands political ambitions; she is a national asset, a beacon of hope and progress. An example to women in leadership Her Excellency Samira Bawumia has touched the hearts of many, setting a new standard for what it means to be a woman in leadership not just a wife. Her hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of Ghana have earned her a place in the hearts of her fellow citizens, especially, those who are following closely her journey in the campaign. As we look toward the future, it is clear that Samira Bawumia is poised to become the First Lady of Ghana on January 7th, 2025, a role she will undoubtedly fulfill with the same grace, dignity, and dedication that have defined her journey thus far In celebrating Samira Bawumia, we celebrate not just a remarkable woman but the promise of a brighter future for Ghana. Her story is one of inspiration and hope, a reminder that true leadership is not about titles or positions but about the impact one has on the lives of others. Samira Bawumia is, indeed, a woman worth celebrating, and her journey is one that will inspire generations to come Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A group of aggrieved youths of Bangui who identify as the Movement of Young Pan-Africans (MJP) organized a protest on Saturday, July 20, 2024 to voice out their aggrievances against the activities of an American non-governmental organization in the Central African Republic (CAR). The protest briefly follows the arrest of Martin Joseph Figueira, an affiliate of the American NGO, FHI-360. According to a publication on the Associated Press, Figueira was arrested by authorities of CAR for allegedly being in touch with armed groups to plot a coup. Speaking on behalf of the group, Socrate Gutenberg Taramboye, the leader of the MJP mentioned that the protest was against attempts by the NGO to launch a justice access policy. An initiative the group believes contravenes with the constitution of the Central African Republic and may infringe on the human rights of citizens. The group accused the NGO of trying to assimilate culture like LGBTQ on the People of the Central Africa Republic. Socrate Gutenberg charged the CAR government to ensure that the rules of law are allied in the case of Figueira. He believes theres sufficient evidence of communications between him and rebel groups to ensure he is prosecuted and justice is served. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Akufo-Addo has launched the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) and commissioned essential equipment at Black Star Square today. The event, aimed at enhancing the countrys road networks, marks a pivotal milestone in the governments ongoing efforts to decentralize development and improve the quality of life for Ghanaians. In his address, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the critical role of road infrastructure in economic growth and social development. Roads connect communities, facilitate trade, enable access to education and healthcare, and ultimately improve the quality of life for the citizenry, he stated. Despite significant progress in recent years, the President acknowledged that many district roads remain in poor condition, impeding economic activities and development. The DRIP is designed to empower Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with the necessary resources and equipment to rehabilitate and maintain roads within their areas. This initiative aligns with the governments commitment to decentralization, providing local authorities with the tools to effect meaningful change. The President announced the commissioning of a comprehensive fleet of 2,240 pieces of equipment, including motor graders, backhoes, rollers, wheel loaders, bulldozers, tipper trucks, concrete mixers, water tankers, and low beds. These machines are expected to play a crucial role in the nationwide improvement of road infrastructure. A four-member committee at each MMDA will oversee the implementation of the programme, ensuring high standards of quality and accountability. The committees will include technical officers from the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Roads and Highways, along with a representative from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces. The Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) will chair these committees. President Akufo-Addo emphasized the job creation potential of the DRIP, projecting the creation of 10,000 jobs for mechanics, engineers, and artisans. He described the nations road network as the circulatory system of our economy, crucial for commerce, education, and healthcare. Reflecting on past achievements, the President noted that from 2017 to December 2023, his administration completed 12,830 kilometers of roads and added six interchanges, a significant increase compared to the 4,636 kilometers and five interchanges completed during the Mills/Mahama era from 2009 to 2016. Current projects include ten new interchanges, with five expected to be completed by the end of the year and five more by 2025. The President stressed the importance of maintaining local road networks for economic development. Efficient travel reduces time and costs, boosting local economies and productivity. By empowering local authorities with resources and equipment, the government aims to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, ensuring that road projects are tailored to meet local needs and conditions. President Akufo-Addo called for a collaborative approach to the success of the DRIP. He urged MMDCEs to adhere to the operational manual issued by supervising ministries and stakeholders, ensuring proper use and maintenance of the equipment. He also called on the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development to establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress and ensure accountability. In closing, the President reiterated the governments commitment to improving road networks across Ghana, launching a new era of progress and development. Together, we can build a Ghana where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive, where our communities are connected, and where our nation can continue to grow and prosper, he concluded. The launch of the DRIP is a significant step towards transforming Ghanas road infrastructure, promising enhanced connectivity, economic growth, and improved quality of life for all citizens. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Deputy National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Osman Ayariga, has announced plans for a protest at the Presidency over the controversial ambulance deal. Mr Ayariga criticised the deal, accusing it of misusing the country's limited resources and indicative of corruption. He emphasised that the NDC will not tolerate what he sees as mismanagement and will lead a demonstration involving unemployed Ghanaians to the Jubilee House and the office of President Akufo-Addo's daughter. In a media interview on Tuesday, Mr Ayariga expressed his frustration with the current administration's handling of the deal, describing it as deeply troubling. He asserted that the corruption within the government is alarming and unacceptable. According to Mr Ayariga, the NDC youth are determined to hold the government accountable for what they perceive as financial missteps and corruption. The protest aims to draw attention to the issue and demand transparency. Mr Ayariga concluded by urging the government to address the concerns raised by the NDC and to stop practices that he believes are detrimental to the country's future. "Today who else is benefiting from bloated and inflated contracts other than the Presidents daughter and her associates are enjoying the ambulance contract? There is a new report from the Auditor-General that there has been another purchase of 307 ambulances which was bloated from $24 million to $54 million, a whopping $30 million bloated contract. Yet, we have 1.9 million unemployed youth who are hovering on the streets of Accra and soon, we will start occupying everywhere including the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addos office," he said. 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 A High Court in Ho has dismissed a petition challenging the constitutionality of the election of John Peter Amewu as the Member of Parliament for Hohoe in the Volta Region, in the 2020 election. The court, presided over by Justice Owoahene Acheampong, yesterday indicated that it did not have jurisdiction to determine the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs as they sought to question C.I 128 which the Electoral Commission (EC) used in the conduct of the election. Professor Margaret Kweku and four others had filed a petition against the Electoral Commission seeking an order declaring the election of Mr. Amewu as null and void, because the people of Santrofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi (SALL), made up of 13 communities were not allowed by the EC to vote in the December 2020 parliamentary elections. The plaintiffs, who were represented by Tsatsu Tsikata, had argued that their inability to participate in the 2020 parliamentary election rendered Mr. Amewus election unconstitutional. The Electoral Commission, represented by Justice Amenuvor, in its defence argued that the petition, as filed by the petitioners, was not an election petition at all. This, the EC argued, was a result of the fact that the writ was not filed to challenge the way the voting went, was counted, results declared and gazetted, but a matter filed to challenge laws of the land, which challenge is only within the exclusive preserve of the Supreme Court. The EC, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the case since it was not the appropriate forum to determine the issues raised by the petitioners. The Ho High Court 2, in its decision yesterday, held that it did not have the jurisdiction to determine the petition before it. According to the court, the matters raised by the petitioners are constitutional matters which are solely within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, hence, the appropriate forum to determine them. Earlier Attempt A Ho High Court presided over by Justice George Buadi on December 23, 2020, granted an interim injunction aimed at restraining the EC from gazetting Amewu as MP for Hohoe in the Volta Region. That decision was overturned by the Supreme Court, and the apex court later in March 2021 dismissed an application for review challenging its own decision that set aside the orders of a Ho High Court, which had placed an injunction on the gazetting of Mr. Amewu, as Member of Parliament-elect for the Hohoe Constituency in the Volta Region. The review application filed by Tsatsu Tsikata, counsel for the interested parties, had contended that the Supreme Court committed errors of law which occasioned miscarriage of justice and ought to be reversed. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video On 30th July, 2024, the Court of Appeal by a split 21 decision, allowed an appeal against the ruling of the High Court, Accra dated 30th March, 2023, dismissing a submission of no case filed by the accused persons and ordering them to open their defence. The Office of the Attorney-General considers the decision of the Court of Appeal to be perverse in the quest for public accountability and the rule of law. The decision clearly is heavily against the weight of the cogent evidence led by the prosecution in substantiation of all the charges against the accused persons at the trial. The Office of the Attorney-General considers the decision of the Court of Appeal grossly unfair to the nation and inimical to the fight against impunity and abuse in public office after acquitting and discharging the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in the Ambulance Case. According to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, The Office will promptly file an appeal in order to erase the effect of this erroneous decision of the Court of Appeal. Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa, who is a representative for Big Sea have been accused of causing financial loss of 2.37 million to the state in a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016. No Case Ato Forson had argued that there was no case for him to answer, but this submission was initially rejected by the trial judge. Jakpa had similarly failed a similar submission of no case, and has since called a number of witnesses in his defence. The Court of Appeal's decision now upholds Dr Ato Forson's submission. Accordingly, the court held that there was no basis for the trial High Court to call Dr. Forson to open his defence. Background In 2009, the then-President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, announced plans to purchase new ambulances to expand the operations of the National Ambulance Service. Jakpa's company, Jakpa at Business, was appointed as the local representative of Big Sea General Trading Limited, a company based in Dubai, to supply the ambulances. Parliament approved the financing agreement between the government and Stanbic Bank, and the letters of credit were established in favour of Big Sea. However, the government alleged that Jakpa's company received payments for ambulances that did not meet specifications, resulting in a financial loss to the state. Back To High Court Following the Court of Appeals' ruling on Tuesday morning, the trial at the High Court resumes this afternoon, where the court would be served with the decision of the Court of Appeal. Read attached the Attorney-General's full statement Your browser does not support iframes. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Just over two weeks ago, former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for president, survived an assassination attempt while campaigning in Pennsylvania. Trump will be back in the state today, his first campaign visit here since the shooting. People were camped out at the rainy Farm Show Complex overnight ahead of the rally, which is scheduled to begin around 4 p.m. with a speech from Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick. Trump is supposed to speak around 6 p.m. Covering the rally for PennLive and providing the information for this post are Juliette Rihl, Megan Lavey-Heaton, Zack Hoopes, Charles Thompson, Jonathan Bergmueller and photographers Sean Simmers, Dan Gleiter and Jimmie Brown. Well be updating this story before, during and right after the event, so check back and refresh often. Newest info will be at the start of this section: 8:32 p.m.: Trump wraps up his speech, and that is it. He is done at 8:32 p.m. 8:27 p.m.: And Trump is wrapping it up, telling folks to make sure they vote. Says he loves Harrisburg. The crowd is emptying out as Trump continues to talk at 8:22 p.m. (Jimmie Brown/PennLive)Jimmie Brown 8:22 p.m.: Trump is still talking but the building is emptying out. He says we are a failing nation, and promises that he will build an iron dome over our country when he is president. 8:11 p.m.: McCormick steps to the podium and says a few words. Some people are starting to leave as Trump steps back up to continue his speech. 8:09 p.m.: Trump is praising Dave McCormick. Has him stand up and introduces him. He spoke earlier in the day. Says McCormick is going to be your next senator. 8:01 p.m.: Trump says if they get in you guys are screwed. Youre screwed, and laughs. 7:58 p.m.: Trump is now mocking Biden saying he had to have help to find his way off of stage. 7:52 p.m.: Trump says we have become a dumping ground for the world and we are not going to take it anymore. 7:51 p.m.: Trump claims crime statistics are a disaster and that statistics showing crime is going down are made up. 7:50 p.m.: And now he is talking about Hannibal Lecter. 7:49 p.m.: Trump said he was nice for about 3-4-5 hours after he got shot and then, I said these are bad people, and he decided he had to go after them and win. 7:46 p.m.: Trump is now talking about Jan. 6 and claiming folks walked peacefully and patriotically to the Capitol. He is blaming Nancy Pelosi for what happened, again, and calling them bad people. 7:40 p.m.: Trump is really off teleprompter now. A big theme has been his love for immigration chart and how it saved his life in Butler. And now he is back on track, it seems, with going after Harris on immigration. 7:32 p.m.: He calls the press corrupt. Complains the media gave Harris an overhaul. 7:31 p.m.: Trump now says he is going off teleprompter. 7:29 p.m.: Trump says, Well, Kamala lets go. You ready? Lets compare our record point by point. That gets a standing ovation. 7:23 p.m.: Heres video inside the Trump rally an hour before its start. 7:21 p.m.: Trump says the arena is a big arena and reminds him of Madison Square Garden. The building holds 7,300 not counting floor seats. Madison Square Garden hold right at 21,000. 7:18 p.m.: Here is a look at the crowd in the building for the Trump rally. A photo from inside the Trump rally in Harrisburg at 7:19 p.m. (Megan Heaton/PennLive)Megan Heaton 7:13 p.m.: The building holds 7,300, not counting those seated on the floor. There are 2-300 people watching a screen outside. 7:11 p.m.: Trump is now moving on to attacking Kamala Harris. 7:09 p.m.: Trump calls for a moment of silence for Corey Comperatore and all bow their heads in silence. Trump, That is the most quiet I have ever head an arena. 7:08 p.m.: You can also watch the live stream of Trumps speech in Harrisburg, here. 7:06 p.m.: He thanks the doctors in Butler, and mentions Corey Comperatore and the wounded from the Butler rally. 7:05 p.m.: Trump claims over 20,000 people couldnt get in. That seems a generous estimate, but the building is full. He says he is going back to Butler. By all accounts, I should not be with you, but I am, he said. 7:01 p.m.: And finally, Trump is here. He is taking the stage to speak. 6:39 p.m.: Trump landed in Harrisburg about 25 minutes ago, and his new ETA for speaking is 6:45 p.m. 6:37 p.m.: A protestor just got tossed. 6:36 p.m.: Trump still hasnt taken the stage in Harrisburg, but his campaign is already trying to do damage control around his stop in Chicago earlier today. Read about it below: 6:17 p.m.: Trump still has not arrived. He was projected to speak at 6 p.m., but he did have an appearance in Chicago earlier so not surprising that he is running behind a bit. 6:04 p.m.: The crowd is chanting, We want Trump. Well see if they get him sometime soon here. 6 p.m.: Trump was projected to speak at 6 p.m. He has not taken the stage yet. Would not be a surprise if he ran late after his earlier appearance in Chicago. 5:50 p.m.: Trump is expected to speak at 6 p.m., but still no word as to whether or not he has wheels on the ground after leaving his appearance in Chicago earlier today. 5:30 p.m.: Heres a look at the crowd now. Trump is expected to speak at 6 p.m. A look at the crowd at 5:30 p.m. Trump is expected to speak at 6 p.m. (Megan Heaton/PennLive)Megan Heaton 5:18 p.m.: The building is filling up now, but there are still some seats and they are still letting folks in. Concession lines are long as folks grab what they want before Trump speaks. Again, he is currently projected to speak at 6 p.m. It looks like they could have used a few more vendor stands. 5:11 p.m.: There is a break in the action inside the building. Again, Trump is projected to speak at 6 p.m. Theres plenty of coverage around the event with photos and video that can be seen here. 5:09 p.m.: Multiple people were treated for heat related issues prior to the rally. You can read more about that, here. 5:05 p.m.: Alina Habba spoke earlier too and referenced having lived in Harrisburg. McCormick has wrapped up now and they are playing videos on the big screen. So, theres a break in the action. Again, theres a projection that Trump will speak at 6 p.m. 5:02 p.m.: The current projection is that Trump will be speaking in Harrisburg at 6 p.m. He had an earlier appearance in Chicago. 5 p.m.: Dave McCormick is now talking to the crowd, and he is going after Kamala Harris and Bob Casey. 4:54 p.m.: Congressman Scott Perry is speaking to the crowd now. 4:41 p.m.: The event has started - again, Trump is still likely a couple of hours out with several folks already speaking. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster has been among those to address the crowd. 4:20 p.m.: The program started at 4 p.m. Trump is still likely several hours away from appearing after the Chicago stop but there is still a line of people down Cameron Street waiting to get in. 4:18 p.m.: Trump is coming to Harrisburg after an earlier stop in Chicago where he questioned Kamala Harris race. You can read more about that here. 4:12 p.m.: Trump lawyer Alina Habba is in the house, and she said in an interview on the live stream inside the building that she will be speaking. She has also been taking selfies with folks. Habba is a 2010 graduate of Widener University Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg. You can read more about that, here. 4:05 p.m.: An invocation has been given by a pastor on the scene as folks await the beginning of the rally. We need God to anoint this nation like never before ... lets rise up like never before, he said. Work in our midst here in this arena, he added. Continue to protect him, guide him, grant him your wisdom. An ambulance arrives on the scene to help folks who are struggling in the heat as they await former president Donald Trump's rally in Harrisburg. (Dan Gleiter/PennLive)Dan Gleiter 3:56 p.m.: Trump appears to still be several hours out after wrapping up his appearance in Chicago, and the heat is becoming an issue for many waiting. PennLives Madison Montag says there are a half dozen ambulances on scene and some folks are being attended to in medical tents. PennLive is working to update that the story. Medical tents pictured outside of former president Donald Trump's rally in Harrisburg on Wednesday. (PennLive FIle)PennLive 3:40 p.m.: Trump has wrapped up his Q&A session with the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago, a session that quickly turned hostile. The Republican former president claimed that Harris, the first Black woman and Asian American to serve as vice president, had in the past only promoted her Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So, I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? Trump said. Trump is scheduled to start speaking in Harrisburg at 6 p.m. Theres no immediate word on when hes leaving Chicago. 3:35 p.m.: WGAL is reporting 40 people have been treated for heat exhaustion outside the rally venue. Pa. Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R, 15th) is in the VIP section of the Trump rally in Harrisburg, July 31, 2024. The 15th district includes the State College and other areas. (Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com)Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com 3:15 p.m.: Traffic on I-81 getting onto Cameron Street in Harrisburg is gridlocked. Attendees had been told to arrive no later than 3 p.m. Free tickets were offered but dont guarantee a seat inside. Outside the rally venue, announcements are being made telling people not to call 911 for medical emergencies because enough medics are already on the scene. People in need of help are being told to go to medical tents instead. People pose inside the venue for the Donald Trump rally at the Farm Show Complex, July 31, 2024. (Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com)Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com 3 p.m.: The line to get in continues moving slowly, a few hundred feet in an hour. Inside the arena, other long lines stretch around the outer ring of the arena as people hit the food vendors. Outside the New Holland Arena in Harrisburg as people wait to get into the Donald Trump rally, July 31, 2024. (Dan Gleiter, PennLive.com)Dan Gleiter, PennLive.com 2:45 p.m.: There have been several calls for ambulances as the heat is affecting people waiting in line to get in for the rally. UPMC medical personnel have a cooling tent set up, and several people are in it getting checked out by paramedics. Just inside the arena, at least two people are receiving medical treatment as well. Sean Moon, of Rod of Iron Ministries in Pennsylvania, drove to Harrisburg from Tennessee with his custom Trump Truck, signed by Donald Trump Jr. and media personality Sebastian Gorka. Were just here to pray and encourage the troops, Moon said. He's the son of Sun Myung Moon, who founded the Unification Church. The Rod of Iron Ministries links guns to Bible texts. (Juliette Rihl, PennLive.com)Juliette Rihl, PennLive.com 2:30 p.m.: The line to get in is very slow as people have to go through security checks. Hoses are still spraying water to keep them cooler outside. In other news: Fox News Jesse Watters said men shouldnt vote for Kamala Harris: Now I dont see why any man would vote Democrat. Its not the party of virtue (or) security. Its not the party of strength. Its definitely not the party of family, and to be a man and then vote for a woman just because shes a woman is either childish, that person has mommy issues, or theyre just trying to be accepted by other women. And I heard the scientist say the other day that when a man votes for a woman he actually transitions into a woman, he said. The network says he was joking. NABJ convention appearance: Update: Trump took the stage at the black journalists conference shortly after 2 p.m. Earlier: The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Donald Trump was set to show up at noon for a Q&A at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago. As of 2 p.m., the former president has yet to take the stage, the paper reported. People are waiting for security to enter the New Holland Arena at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg before Donald Trump's rally, July 31, 2024. (Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com)Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com 2 p.m.: The doors have opened to the New Holland Arena, where the rally will take place. Everyone must go through security. Also Wednesday: Pennsylvanias top labor leaders rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris candidacy hours before Trumps rally. Speaking at a news conference at the United Steelworkers Local 1688 in Steelton, organized by the Harris campaign, Pa. AFL-CIO President Angela Ferritto said Harris and President Joe Biden have stood up for unions and workers. 1:50 p.m.: As people are waiting to go into the arena, announcements are made reminding them that no outside food or drink can be brought inside. That includes hard water bottles, even if theyre empty. No bags are allowed in, either. Javon Bussey from New York came to the rally in Harrisburg to sell shirts, July 31, 2024. (Juliette Rihl, PennLive.com)Juliette Rihl, PennLive.com People cooling off under water hoses outside the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg before Donald Trump's rally, July 31, 2024. (Juliette Rihl, PennLive.com)Juliette Rihl, PennLive.com 1:30 p.m.: People have been waiting outside the Farm Show Complex since last night, and crowds filled in by midmorning. The early morning rain stopped by then, but the heat and humidity have led to at least one emergency call for a person with heat-related illness. The doors open at 2 p.m. for ticketholders. Larry Missiner and 5-year-old Axel Missiner, from Grantville, pose with a cutout of Donald Trump before his rally at the Farm Show Complex, July 31, 2024. (Juliette Rihl, PennLive.com)Juliette Rihl, PennLive.com Below, Sanger Davidson poses with his original artwork outside the Farm Show Complex. He drove about 16 hours from Arkansas to attend todays Trump rally. I needed to be here, he said. Sanger Davidson poses with his original artwork before the Trump rally in Harrisburg, July 31, 2024. (Juliette Rihl, PennLive.com)Juliette Rihl, PennLive.com Singing in the crowd was a hit this morning. THOUSANDS already lined up to see Trump in Harrisburg, PA today - he does not speak until 6 PM THIS IS INCREDIBLE! pic.twitter.com/n1YZZqh3R3 Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) July 31, 2024 10:45 a.m.: A crew from The Daily Show is filming at the scene with comedian Jordan Klepper. A crew from The Daily Show is filming outside the Farm Show Complex before a Trump rally with comedian Jordan Klepper, July 31, 2024. (Sean Simmers, PennLive.com)Sean Simmers, PennLive.com A crew from The Daily Show is filming outside the Farm Show Complex with comedian Jordan Klepper, right, ahead of a Trump rally, July 31, 2024. (Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com)Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com Trump rally in Harrisburg today: Edward Young, a supporter who drove to Harrisburg from the Jersey Shore, was up early Wednesday morning to show his support for Donald Trump. "A Trump rally is the greatest show on Earth," he said. #Election2024 pic.twitter.com/zMAWMI3VG4 WGAL (@WGAL) July 31, 2024 As of 10:30 a.m., plenty of Trump fans are lined up. The Farm Show Complex parking lot has a bit of a carnival feel, with crowds of people, concessions and merch for sale. Merchandise for sale outside the site of a Donald Trump rally tonight in Harrisburg, July 31, 2024. (Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com)Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com People lined up outside the Farm Show Complex hours before the doors open to Donald Trump's rally, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com)Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com Parking lot is filling up: As of 10 a.m., Harrisburg officials said the parking lot at the Farm Show Complex, which is hosting the Trump event this evening, is half-full. Doors to the venue open at 2 p.m., so itll be a long, hot wait for some people to get inside. The venue holds a little more than 7,000 people. Free tickets were available but dont guarantee a seat. City and state officials have warned that traffic around the Farm Show will be busy today. Roads will be closed as Trump arrives to the area, and again when he leaves. There will be major traffic delays this afternoon around the Farm Show Complex. The following roads/intersections will be closed: Maclay between Cameron & 7th Arsenal at Cameron Cameron between Maclay/Arsenal & I-81 Industrial at HACC Dr Arrive early. pic.twitter.com/bpu7KcylnN City of Harrisburg (@thecityofhbg) July 31, 2024 Harrisburg, PA. Tonight former President Trump returns to Pennsylvania for the first time since he was shot at an outdoor rally in Butler. Tonight hell be indoors. He isnt expected till 6:00, already a big tailgate outside pic.twitter.com/0rywWtbuSV Joe Khalil (@JoeKhalilTV) July 31, 2024 Wheres Harris?: Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic nominee for president after Joe Biden left the race, plans to be in Pennsylvania on Tuesday with her running mate who hasnt been identified yet. On Wednesday, Harris is in Houston. What can you take inside?: Not much. Bags are forbidden, according to campaign emails to ticketholders. Food and drinks will be sold inside the event, according to the campaign, and several vendors had already set up outside the Farm Show complex on Tuesday evening. Other prohibited items include alcohol, balloons, balls, banners and signs, e-cigarettes, glass, thermal and metal containers, laser lights, mace or pepper spray, noisemakers such as air horns, sticks and selfie sticks, and tripods. A sign outside the Farm Show Complex hours before the doors open to Donald Trump's rally, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com)Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com Earlier: Fact-checking Trumps statements ahead of Harrisburg rally Family of man killed at Pa. Trump rally fights scammers while dealing with grief Almost 80% of Democrats support Kamala Harris for president: poll RFK Jr. has the signatures to qualify for Pa. ballot, but hes not yet on it Weekly Elections newsletter for subscribers: Click here to sign up. By Ali Swenson and Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press NEW YORK The director of the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 vision for a complete overhaul of the federal government stepped down Tuesday after facing pressure from Donald Trumps campaign, which has tried to disavow a program created by many of the former presidents allies and former aides. Paul Dans exit comes after the project completed exactly what it set out to do: bringing together over 110 leading conservative organizations to create a unified conservative vision, motivated to devolve power from the unelected administrative state, and returning it to the people, Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts said in a statement. Democrats for the past several months have made Project 2025 a key election-year cudgel, pointing to the ultraconservative policy blueprint as a glimpse into how extreme another Trump administration could be. The nearly 1,000-page handbook lays out sweeping changes in the federal government, including altering personnel rules to ensure government workers are more loyal to the president. Yet Trump has repeatedly disavowed the document, saying on social media he hasnt read it and doesnt know anything about it. At a rally in Michigan earlier this month, he said Project 2025 was written by people on the severe right and some of the things in it are seriously extreme. President Trumps campaign has been very clear for over a year that Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the President in any way, Trump campaign advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita said in a statement. Reports of Project 2025s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign it will not end well for you. But Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Trumps running mate, wrote a foreword to a forthcoming book by Roberts in which he lauds the Heritage Foundations work. A copy of the foreword was obtained by The Associated Press. The Heritage Foundation isnt some random outpost on Capitol Hill; it is and has been the most influential engine of ideas for Republicans from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump, wrote Vance. Quoting Roberts elsewhere in the book, Vance writes: We are now all realizing that its time to circle the wagons and load the muskets. In the fights that lay ahead, these ideas are an essential weapon. Trump campaign representatives did not respond to messages inquiring about whether the campaign asked or pushed for Dans to step down from the project. The Heritage Foundation said Dans left voluntarily and it was not under pressure from the Trump campaign. Dans didnt immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Project 2025 has many ties to Trumps orbit In many ways, Project 2025 served as a potential far-right White House in waiting, a constellation of outside groups that would be ready for action if Trump wins a second term. The project included not only the detailed policy proposals that Trump could put into place on day one at the White House. But Project 2025 was also building a personnel database of resumes for potential hires, drawing Americans to Washington to staff a new Trump administration. Many Trump allies and former top aides contributed to the project. Dans formerly worked as a personnel official for the Trump administration. And Trump regularly campaigns on many of the same proposals in the Project 2025 book from mass deportations to upending the Justice Department though some of its other proposals, including further taxes on tips, conflict with some of what Trump has pledged on the campaign trail. It was clear that Project 2025 was becoming a liability for Trump and the Republican Party. Vice President Kamala Harris campaign and top Democrats have repeatedly tied Trump to Project 2025 as they argue against a second term for the former president. The Harris campaign said Project 2025 remains linked to Trumps agenda, written by his allies for him to inflict on the country. Hiding the 920-page blueprint from the American people doesnt make it less real in fact, it should make voters more concerned about what else Trump and his allies are hiding, said Harris for President Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez. For months Trumps campaign had warned outside groups, and Heritage in particular, that they did not speak for the former president. In an interview from the Republican convention first published by Politico, LaCivita said Project 2025 was a problem because the issues that are going to win us this campaign are not the issues that they want to talk about. It was almost certain that Trumps campaign forced the shakeup, said one former Heritage aide granted anonymity to discuss the situation. FILE - An American flag is seen upside down at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, May 31, 2024. The conservative think tank that is planning for a complete overhaul of the federal government in the event of a Republican presidential win is suggesting that President Joe Biden might try to hold the White House "by force" if he loses the November election. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)AP Heritage says Project 2025 is not going away Project 2025s website will remain live and the group will continue vetting resumes for its nearly 20,000-person database of potential officials eager to execute its vision for government, the Heritage Foundation said Tuesday. The group said Dans will leave the Heritage Foundation in August and Roberts will now run Project 2025 operations. Roberts has faced criticism in recent weeks after he said on an episode of former Trump aide Steve Bannons War Room podcast that the country is in the midst of a second American Revolution that will be bloodless if the left allows it to be. Earlier this month, in an interview before beginning a prison sentence for defying a congressional subpoena, Bannon mentioned Roberts as the type of leader who could land a top job in a Trump White House. Mascaro reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price and Hillel Italie contributed to this report. The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Rather than a clarifying vote Tuesday by its stockholders, Vista Outdoor saw its business dealings become more complex. A vote had been scheduled on the Czechoslovak Group's $2.15 billion offer to purchase Vista Outdoors ammunition-making operations, which include Lewistons CCI/Speer. But the vote was called off Tuesday in light of other developments, according to a Vista Outdoor news release. Those include: MNC Capital of Dallas, which had a bid to buy all of Vista Outdoor's operations rejected in early July, has seemingly returned to the mix. MNC made the public statement Friday that if there were a reason or basis to increase our offer, including Vista engaging with us and providing one, we would increase our offer price, according to Vista's news release. Also, the Czechoslovak Group is now considering acquiring all of Vista Outdoor's holdings its outdoor brands and its ammunition operations, according to the news release. The European company would potentially bring on partners in order to make that move. And there will be "continued consideration" of Vista's plans to separate its operations into companies called Revelyst and The Kinetic Group, according to the news release. Revelyst would be comprised of recreational equipment brands that include Camelbak, Camp Chef, Fox Racing and Simms Fishing, while The Kinetic Group would include ammunition brands, including Lewistons CCI/Speer, Federal, Remington and HEVI-Shot. A fourth suspect accused of murdering rapper Julio Foolio was arrested in Jacksonville early Tuesday morning, Fox13 reported. On Monday, three other suspects were arrested while two remained at large. All suspects have been charged with murder, NBC News reported. This comes after the Jacksonville, Florida rapper, whose birth name is Charles Andrew Jones II, was shot and killed in Tampa last month. The 26-year-old was followed by people who were members of, or affiliated with, rival gangs while he was in town celebrating his birthday. He was murdered on June 23 in the parking lot of an uptown Tampa hotel. Once on the scene, police came across two vehicles that had been shot at in the lot. In a statement by the Tampa police, officials said the slaying was fueled by an ongoing feud between rival gangs. At 4:38, three shooters exited a vehicle and walked in the direction of the hotel. They murder Jones with a handgun and two rifles. This barrage of gunfire also struck three additional victims who miraculously survived this incident, Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said to Fox13. Isaiah Chance, 21, Alicia Andrews, 21, Sean Gathright, 18, Davion Murphy, 27, and Rashad Murphy, 30, are all accused of having a hand in the rappers death. Investigators believe Chance and Andrews tracked the rapper and his crew to two separate locations before ambushing them. Rashad Murphy, Davion Murphy, and Gathright were identified as the shooters, according to officials. According to the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, Rashad Murphy was arrested Tuesday after a standoff with authorities. This was after he was tracked to an apartment complex in Jacksonville by deputies and the U.S. Marshals Service. Thats when JSO CPR, Gang, and SWAT units surrounded the apartment and aided in evacuating nearby residents. He surrendered just after midnight, after hours of negotiation, and was charged with murder in the first degree, (conspiracy) murder in the first degree, and attempted murder in the first degree. Chance, Andrews and Gathright were arrested over the weekend in Jacksonville. Both Chance and Andrews are charged with premeditated first-degree murder with a firearm and conspiracy to commit premeditated first-degree murder with a firearm, according to authorities. Garthright has been charged with two counts of premeditated murder with a firearm, three counts of first-degree attempted premeditated murder with a firearm and tampering with physical evidence, according to authorities. Detectives are still working to track down Davion Murphy. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitts son, Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt, was hospitalized Monday after an accident while riding an electric bike in Los Angeles, according to multiple reports. A source told NBC News that the actress is by her sons side and that he is in stable condition. Los Angeles Police Department Officer David Cueller told NBC News Tuesday that there was a traffic collision at Los Feliz and Hobart boulevards but would not confirm the identities of the parties involved. Law enforcement sources, however, told TMZ that the 20-year-old had been riding his e-bike in a heavy traffic area on Los Feliz Boulevard at around 5 p.m. local time when the accident occurred. A vehicle was waiting at a red light, and an individual on an electric bike rear-ended the vehicle. There is no evidence of a crime and we ended up taking a severe traffic report, Cueller said to NBC News. Jolie-Pitt was also not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident and suffered a head injury and hip pain, TMZ said. This comes a few weeks after Pax and Jolie, 49, were spotted having a mother-son dinner date in Los Angeles on July 12. The two were photographed heading to the popular restaurant Sushi Park in West Hollywood, People reported. Jolie and ex-husband Pitt, 60, also share Maddox Chavin, 22, Zahara Marley, 19, Shiloh Nouvel, 18, and twins Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline, 16. Its an attempt to make things right. After making what the audience coined as a sexist remark about Australias womens swim team, a broadcaster removed from Eurosports 2024 Summer Olympics coverage is now issuing an apology. Longtime swimming commentator Bob Ballard took to social media on July 29 to address the controversy, sharing that it was never my intention to upset or belittle anyone. The comments I made during the Australian freestyle relay victory ceremony on Saturday have caused some offense, the commentator posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. It was never my intention to upset or belittle anyone and, if I did, I apologize. I am a massive advocate of womens sport. He also shared, I shall miss the Eurosport team, dearly and wish them all the best for the rest of the Olympics. No further comment will be issued. Thank you. The day before, on July 28, according to multiple media outlets including Deadline and The Independent, Ballard made an inappropriate comment about Australias womens 4x100m freestyle relay team. Well, the women [are] just finishing up. You know what women are like hanging around, you know, doing their makeup. His comment came after the women Mollie OCallaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris exited the Paris Aquatic Center after winning a gold medal in the event. The comment went viral on social media, sparking outrage. Following the comment, fellow commentator Lizzie Simmonds said Ballards comment was outrageous. She has yet to publicly further comment. Soon after, Eurosport took swift action and dropped Ballard from its coverage. A statement was then released to The Independent. During a segment of Eurosports coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment. To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect, the statement read. Spending more than four decades in media, Ballard has covered swimming, diving, and water polo during his broadcasting career. By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, The Associated Press The funeral is over. The crowds have left. Now the hard work of grieving is beginning for the family of a former fire chief who was shot and killed during the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Corey Comperatores sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, is mad at the scammers trying to collect money on their behalf fraudulently. Mostly, though, she is shattered. She is still trying to understand how it all happened. She said the family got through the funeral with the love and support of thousands of people. They kept us standing, she said. But, she added, it doesnt stop after that. The aftermath is just that. You sit with the loss, she explained. Were hoping the next several weeks coming ahead is when we can really wrap our heads around all of this. Were trying to get out of the noise. And thats very hard to do, as you can imagine. But thats what were trying to do. Were trying to get out of the noise. The noise has been constant for the Comperatore family from the moment a bullet aimed at Trump killed her 50-year-old baby brother, who was a spectator at the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage after a shooting at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)AP Officials have said he spent his final moments shielding his wife and daughter from the gunfire that left two others seriously wounded. Trump has said that one bullet clipped his right ear. Ultimately, a Secret Service counter-sniper killed the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. He was there, she said of her brother, because he loved this country. He wanted his country and the peoples lives to improve. Even since he died, pollsters and broadcasters have been weighing the political effect of the assassination attempt that claimed her brothers life. It all feels wrong to Schafer. Its not political, she said. And we dont want to make it political. The law enforcement failings and miscommunications that gave Crooks his opening have been the subject of ongoing hearings. She doesnt want to talk about that. I can say were watching it closely, she said. Of course we are. But no, I dont want to speak into the law. People can watch the hearings. But for now, her immediate concern is focused on online scammers trying to make money off her brothers death. Our concern truly right now is the scamming thats going on, she said. Those fraudsters are creating accounts, pretending to be relatives of her brother and seeking personal donations. She said the family has turned to social media to explain that they arent asking for money on their own behalf. If well-wishers want to donate, they should give to their local fire departments instead, said Schafer, explaining thats what her brother would have wanted. Corey Comperatore, a project and tooling engineer, spent many years as a volunteer firefighter after serving as chief. Please dont fall for it, she said. All these good-hearted people that are crying with us and for us. We dont know their financial situations. But we know a lot of them have donated what very little that they have. So its just very disheartening that somebody would try to take advantage of a situation like this. For the most part, she said, people have been absolutely beautiful, and its brought them comfort. Were all Gods children at the end of the day, she said. We all have families. Were all loved by our families. So as much as were grieving and we are shattered, we do see a lot of light from the good people. In the days after Comperatores death, he was remembered as a loving husband and father, the first to run into burning buildings or mow the lawn of an ailing neighbor. Schafer said he loved his quiet life, his two Dobermanns, but mostly his family. I dont have to sing his praises, nor would he want me to. Everybody that knows him knows who he is, she said, before correcting herself. Im sorry. Who he was. I mean, what do you want me to say? Everything that people say, its true. Its true. Active-duty military members and veterans would see lower costs for mental and behavioral health treatment under legislation Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan plan on introducing Wednesday. We can never fully repay our service members and their families for their sacrifice, but we can, and we must, ensure that they get the healthcare they deserve, Casey said in a statement. Military service members paid the price to defend our nation; now we must make sure that they can take care of their health and well-being. By SEUNG MIN KIM and LINLEY SANDERS, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris appears to have energized Democrats in the early days of her candidacy, with the surge in warm feelings extending across multiple groups, including some key Democratic constituencies that had been especially tepid about President Joe Biden, a new poll shows. About 8 in 10 Democrats say they would be somewhat or very satisfied if Harris became the Democratic nominee for president, according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, which was conducted after Biden withdrew from the race. In a separate AP-NORC poll, taken before Biden dropped out but after his debate against Republican former President Donald Trump, only about 4 in 10 Democrats said they were somewhat or very satisfied that he was the Democratic Partys likely nominee for president. The rapidly changing views among Democrats in such a short time span underscore how swiftly the party from rank-and-file voters to elected officials has coalesced behind Harris as its standard-bearer, motivated by the fresh face at the top of the ticket and newfound confidence in the partys prospects against Trump in November. Gary Hines, a Democrat from Philadelphia, said he wasnt particularly impressed by Harris first presidential bid but now, shes shown shes up to the task, can do the work, has proven that shes running a strong campaign so far and maybe on a bigger level, shes somebody that can beat Donald Trump. All those factors have ignited an enthusiasm in Hines that wasnt there when Biden was still in the race, he said. I really want to go out and maybe knock on doors, which I wouldve never done, said Hines, 68. Its jazzed me up quite a bit. Americans are also more likely to say that Harris would make a good president than they were earlier in July, a shift that was primarily driven by Democrats. They still see a tough contest looming, though: A majority of U.S. adults, 56%, say that if Trump and Harris are their parties nominees for the general election in November, Trump is more likely to win. Lauren Schulman, a Democrat from Pompano Beach, Florida, said she admires Biden and what he has accomplished during his presidency. But she said with him at the top of the ticket, I have just been so terrified that we were going to lose. President Joe Biden speaks at an event commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, Monday, July 29, 2024, at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)AP Photo/Eric Gay With Harris, on the other hand, shes been a bright, shining star, said Schulman, 66, noting that the vice president is smart and shes younger, and she even comes off younger than she is. That makes such a huge contrast with Trump. Growing enthusiasm for Harris About 7 in 10 Black adults and about half of Hispanic adults would be satisfied with Harris as the Democratic nominee a marked increase from earlier in July, when about half of Black adults and 15% of Hispanic adults felt satisfied with Biden as the Democrats expected nominee. (The poll did not include enough Asian adults to analyze their responses separately.) The share of younger adults (those under the age of 45) who say they would be satisfied with Harris as the nominee, at around 4 in 10, is higher than the 17% who said they were satisfied with Biden in July. Bryan Seigler, a Democrat from Raleigh, North Carolina, praised Harris broad appeal and pointed to a contrast that Democrats werent able to make before. Donald Trump is the old guy now, said Seigler, 36. The new poll shows that Harris overall favorability has risen slightly, from 39% at the beginning of the summer before the debate to 46% now. Democrats opinions of Harris have also shifted in a slightly more positive direction. Eight in 10 Democrats have a positive view of Harris, up slightly from around 7 in 10 in early June. Harris would be a historic candidate she would be the first woman to win the presidency, as well as the first Black woman, the first South Asian American, and the first Asian American. Around 4 in 10 Americans say that it would be a good thing for the country to elect either a woman or a person of color to be president. Even more about 6 in 10 when asked about electing a person of color and about half when asked about electing a woman say it does not matter. Majorities of Democrats, however, say it would be good for the country to elect a woman or person of color. Views of Bidens decision Just over half of Americans, 54%, say they have heard or read a lot about Bidens decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. About three-quarters of Americans approve of his decision to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for president, including most Democrats and Republicans. For many Democrats, Bidens catastrophic June 27 debate showed that even if they were largely satisfied with his accomplishments during his time in office the incumbent president should not be running for a second term because of concerns about how his age was affecting his public performance or his ability to campaign effectively against Trump. When I watched the debate, you could just tell his cognitive ability was hardly there, said Julian Castaneda, a Democrat in Pocatello, Idaho. He had a hard time forming sentences and a lot of his responses, I couldnt even understand what he was saying. At his age right now, it was appropriate for him to stand aside. Bidens choice to endorse Harris as the Democratic nominee for president is slightly more divisive, with about half of U.S. adults in support, though Democrats overwhelmingly approve. There are similar levels of support for Bidens decision to serve out the rest of his presidential term. Withdrawing from the race didnt do much to change Americans views of Biden overall. About 4 in 10 Americans approve of how Biden is handling his job as president. That number is roughly in line with where it has been for the last two years. Bidens favorability ratings are similar to where they were before he dropped out of the race, with about 4 in 10 adults and about three-quarters of Democrats holding a positive view. The poll of 1,143 adults was conducted July 25-29, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points. Manchester United stays on the West Coast for another big club friendly stateside against Real Betis in San Diegos SnapDragon Stadium. The friendly is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET with TV coverage on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and streaming on-demand. Manchester United vs. Real Betis Club friendly at a glance When: Wednesday, July 31 at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) Where: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, Calif. TV channel: ESPN and ESPN Deportes Live streams: FuboTV (free trial) | DirecTV Stream (free trial) | SlingTV (1st month discount) | ESPN+ ($10.99/mo.) Manchester United looks to get back into the win column after another club friendly loss to Arsenal, 2-1, on Saturday. Now, the action shifts from Los Angeles to San Diego and ManU battles Real Betis in the first of two more friendlies before shifting into the English FA Community Shield matchup with Manchester City on Aug. 10 and the start of their English Premier League season on Aug. 16 against Fulham. Man U comes off an eighth-place finish in the Premier League last season and seeks improved results to match the clubs investment in star power. Manchester United vs. Real Betis free live streams: FuboTV (free trial) | DirecTV Stream (free trial) | SlingTV (1st month discount) | ESPN+ ($10.99/mo.) Real Betis was a seventh-place finisher in the Spanish LaLiga last season, going 14-15-9 with 57 points. The club has played two friendlies in July thus far and has come away with a 5-1 victory over SV Austria Salzburg and a 1-0 loss to Premier League runner-up Liverpool. Real Betis has three more friendlies on the schedule before opening the LaLiga season on Aug. 15 with a match against Girona. Manchester United and Real Betis are set for a 10 p.m. ET start on ESPN. Live streams are available from FuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and SlingTV (1st month discount). The game will also stream on ESPN+. Australian businesses are set to benefit from a new wave of innovation as five startups join the Future Technology Program, tackling critical challenges with cutting-edge solutions Australias fourth Future Technology Program cohort includes startups addressing critical business challenges such as boosting productivity, optimizing performance, reducing overheads, and accelerating revenue growth. From 60 applicants, the selected startups (Heatseeker, Bluesheets, Klaro, Swyvl, and Insightech) will receive a 12-month complimentary residency at Stone & Chalks hubs in Sydney, Melbourne, or Adelaide, along with mentorship and support from KPMG. Sarah Vega, National Managing Partner at KPMG Futures, highlighted the need for efficiency improvements in Australian businesses due to a 2% productivity decline since 1995. Chris Kirk, CEO of Stone & Chalk Group, emphasized the programs role in driving innovation and maintaining Australias global competitiveness. The new cohort joins 15 alumni, including successful startups like Arlula, Zondii, and Crewmojo, demonstrating the programs success in fostering high-potential startups. Successful Startups: Heatseeker : A market research platform offering Growth-Hacking-as-a-Service to help businesses understand customer needs and identify growth opportunities. : A market research platform offering Growth-Hacking-as-a-Service to help businesses understand customer needs and identify growth opportunities. Bluesheets : An AI automation company providing real-time financial automation and data-driven workflow solutions. : An AI automation company providing real-time financial automation and data-driven workflow solutions. Klaro : A workspace tool that simplifies numerical tasks and forecasting for non-technical users. : A workspace tool that simplifies numerical tasks and forecasting for non-technical users. Swyvl : A no-code platform for integrating and visualizing spatial data, facilitating real-time analysis and collaboration. : A no-code platform for integrating and visualizing spatial data, facilitating real-time analysis and collaboration. Insightech: Provides insights for optimizing AB testing and enhancing website conversion funnels. Kate OKeeffe, Co-Founder and CEO of Heatseeker said: We see this as an opportunity to collaborate with KPMG, in terms of their global reach, on joint go-to-market and thought leadership. We look forward to working with KPMG clients to move at the speed of startup with data-backed market decision-making. Niklas Olsson, CEO and Founder of Klaro: We are incredibly excited, and honoured to be part of this program. It is a fantastic opportunity to work with KPMG experts and understand how our tool can help them, as well as their customers. By participating in the program, Klaro can leverage the expertise of industry leaders to enhance our focus on data privacy and security, which are critical to our product development and customer trust. For more information, visit: Future Technology Program. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The Harris campaign is warning America that Trumps duck-and-dodge on Project 2025 doesnt change the fact that the agenda is the same. Harris for President Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement in response to the news that the head of Project 2025 is stepping down: Project 2025 is on the ballot because Donald Trump is on the ballot. This is his agenda, written by his allies, for Donald Trump to inflict on our country. Hiding the 920-page blueprint from the American people doesnt make it less real in fact, it should make voters more concerned about what else Trump and his allies are hiding. What remains clear is that Trump, Vance, and the Project 2025 agenda will take America backwards: more abortion bans, more suffering, higher costs for the middle class, cuts to Social Security and Medicare, repeal of the Affordable Care Act, dirtier air and water, and empowering Trump to destroy American democracy. Vice President Kamala Harris is fighting for a future where every person has the opportunity not just to get by, but to get ahead. Where Americans are free from Republicans inserting themselves into our bedrooms, family rooms, and doctors offices. Vice President Harris has made a career out of exposing liars and frauds like Donald Trump, and stopping dangerous plots like Project 2025 from making peoples lives worse. This election wont be any different. Donald Trump thinks that the American people are stupid and that if he makes the public-facing aspects of Project 2025 go away, his political problem will vanish. The issue is that the policy work for Project 2025 was already done. The project is Trumps agenda and transition document. Donald Trump has no interest in staffing or policy proposals. He probably hasnt read a single page of Project 2025. What makes the document so dangerous is that the ex-president is willing to implement it, no questions asked. Dont be fooled. Project 2025 hasnt gone anywhere. Trump is trying to solve a political problem, but nothing has changed when it comes to the extremist Republican agenda. As Queenslands largest digital innovation festival Something Digital nears, a call is being made for the Sunshine State to enhance its digital innovation capabilities. This comes in the wake of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) releasing new data on the state of innovation across the country and notably, Queensland is tied for second place with Victoria, with 47% of its businesses being innovation active. Something Digital co-founder Nadine Zrinzo said despite Queenslands high ranking in innovation, were lagging behind digitally. While its great to see such exciting numbers for innovation overall, Queensland is ranked as the sixth state in Ciscos latest digital readiness report2, in front of only Tasmania and the Northern Territory, Ms Zrinzo said. Were clearly not behind in innovation as a whole, but theres a lack of focus on digital innovation, Ms Zrinzo said. Ms Zrinzo said that while innovation and digital innovation are intrinsically linked, it seems Queensland businesses are behind on leveraging digital tools and platforms such as AI, machine learning, and data-driven decisions to drive transformation. Queensland is really posited for digital growth and has so much potential, we just need all the industries to put digital solutions at the forefront, she said. The same ABS study shared that innovating Queensland businesses had the highest percentage (55%) of any state or territory for rating digitalisation factors as being important to businesss innovative activity. Key factors (30 June 2021 to 30 June 2023) included: knowledge of digital activities (38.5%), investment in digital technologies (23.1%), access to digital skills (26%), digital capability building (19%), digital business strategy (14.6%), and digital culture (16.1%). These statistics show that businesses in Queensland are aware of the importance of digitalisation factors to innovation, and we need to make sure this is reflected across the state and Australia in general, Ms Zrinzo said. Ms Zrinzo said that although Something Digital is hosted in Brisbane, the festival caters to the digital innovation needs of not only Queensland, but Australia as a whole. The roster of speakers and experts we have in our lineup are from interstate and around the globe, bringing together diverse perspectives and cutting-edge insights. she said. Something Digital will feature speakers from Meta, Doctors without Borders, Bluey, NASA, CSIRO, Flight Centre, ABC, Seek, BHP, covering everything from AI, digital skills for future-proofing careers, governance of new technologies, and capitalising on customer-experience led growth. Were aiming to strengthen our nations economy by building digital capabilities across industries, and we encourage all businesses and professionals to get involved, Ms Zrinzo said. For more information and to book tickets, visit Something Digital. Key Dates: Something Digital is held across multiple stages within Brisbanes Fortitude Valley precinct. Key dates for the 2024 Festival are: August 26 Something Fest begins August 27 to August 28 Something Digital Conference August 29 The Something School Breakfast August 30 Something Fest concludes Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Democrats in Dane County, Wisconsin, are reporting a massive uptick in enthusiasm for Kamala Harris in the states fastest-growing county. The AP reported: Dane County, which includes Madison, is the fastest-growing county in the state, fueled by the combination of the University of Wisconsin and the state capitals workforce. According to interviews with more than a dozen Madison Democrats, Harris attention to specific party priorities, in addition to her younger age and livelier style, have helped restore their enthusiasm. Daniel Zaydman, 24, pointed to Harris March public call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, a conflict that has divided the Democratic base. Biden has also pushed for a cease-fire while continuing to back weapons shipments to Israel as it conducts a war in Gaza that has resulted in at least 39,000 Palestinian deaths. Democrats were exhausted by the idea of having to refight the 2020 election. Republicans werent exactly excited about Trump either, but the party out of power is traditionally hungry to get back into power no matter who the nominee is. Democrats needed a jolt of energy and that is what Harris has delivered. It is important that Harris isnt saddled with the Gaza political quagmire. Biden has to try to navigate to try to obtain a ceasefire. The President is burdened by being the final voice to work for peace. The Vice President has been able to take a more vocal stance on Gaza in calling for a ceasefire. Dane County is the Democratic stronghold in Wisconsin, and it is the key to Harris winning the state. An enthused and growing Madison area can allow Democrats to pile up enough votes to win statewide. Biden only won Wisconsin by 21 votes in 2020. If Harris can do the same, it will mean that she will likely be the next president. A fired-up Dane County is a great sign for Democratic prospects of keeping Wisconsin blue. Trump went on a bitter rant about Kamala Harriss Georgia rally as he seemed both jealous and worried. Trump posted on Truth Social: Crazy Kamala Harris, voted the WORST Vice President in American history, needed a concert to bring people into the Atlanta arena, and they started leaving 5 minutes into her speech. I dont need concerts or entertainers, I just have to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! The Harris rally was a big success that featured a crowd numbering in the tens of thousands. Trump has not been able to maintain the enthusiasm of the crowds that attend his rallies for years. Trump falsely claimed that people left the Harris rally, when his own supporters fell asleep during his acceptance speech at the Republican convention. Donald Trump went from having a lead in this election to potentially trailing Vice President Harris in less than two weeks. Kamala Harris is brining something to the 2024 election campaign that Trump cant match. Harris is bring youth, excitement, and energy that Trumps stale and sluggish campaign has no solution for. Trumps best chance of winning was for the election to be about two older white men running for the presidency. The media fell into the frame that Trump and Biden were the same because they are both the oldest candidates to seek the presidency. Since Biden stepped aside, the focus is all on Trump, and if he cant diminish the voter enthusiasm for Kamala Harris, he will be swept away to the dustbin of history. After the recent 2+2 meeting in Tokyo bringing together the top diplomats and defense officials of the United States and Japan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the meeting delivered on commitments to modernize the U.S.-Japan alliance: First, we agreed to upgrade our respective command and control structures, including a new Joint Forces Headquarters to meet the challenges of this moment. Second, we held our first standalone ministerial on extended deterrence demonstrating clearly, in other words, that our ironclad commitment to defend our allies with the full range of our conventional and nuclear deterrence capabilities is fully enforced. Third, through a new forum on defense industrial cooperation, we launched coproduction of advanced missiles. Were leveraging Japans manufacturing capability to collectively produce critical national security technology. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin called the 2+2 meeting truly consequential. Strengthening our partnership and adding new momentum to our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. We are reinforcing our combined ability to deter and respond to coercive behavior in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, he said. In a joint statement following the meeting, among current challenges, the two countries concurred that the Peoples Republic of China (PRC)s foreign policy seeks to reshape the international order for its own benefit at the expense of others. They deplored the PRCs actions undermining Japans peaceful administration of the Senkaku Islands; its repeated obstruction of Philippine vessels exercise of high seas freedom of navigation; the PRCs ongoing and rapid expansion of its nuclear weapons arsenal. Japan and the United States underscored their basic position on Tawain remains unchanged, and they reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The two countries also expressed numerous serious concerns about the dismantling of Hong Kongs autonomy and freedoms, as well as the PRCs human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet. Secretary of State Blinken emphasized the modifications and modernizations that the United States and Japan have agreed to are defensive in nature. They have no ambitions toward anyone else and are, never have been, never will be offensive in nature. But at a time, he said, when unfortunately these threats are increasing, alliances are getting deeper, theyre getting stronger, theyre getting more effective. Secretary Blinken declared, [I]ts manifestly in the interests of our people the Japanese people, the American people, [and] people well beyond our countries. Local seafood producers will soon have broader access to wholesalers and trucking lines, expanding their sales potential beyond the Lowcountry market. Trey McMillan, owner of Lowcountry Oyster Co., has broken ground on a $6.4 million seafood processing plant and cross-dock in Green Pond that is expected to open by the end of this year. Located about an hour's drive from downtown Charleston and across the street from McMillans current 16-acre operations, the Oyster Outpost" is built with the idea of giving local shrimpers and fishermen the ability to store their catch and have it picked up by truckers for nationwide transport. McMillan's goal is to attract cold freight trucking lines and offer an accessible shipping space for small businesses. Theres really no cross-docks on the East Coast and the ones that are here get gobbled up by Sams (Club) and Costco," he said. With the LowCo.'s cross-dock, situated on 7 acres, refrigerated trucks can pick up pallets of local seafood for transport. The dock will also provide opportunity for local buyers to have goods delivered from other markets. Our goal from the start has always been to feed as many people as possible on the smallest footprint possible, and this expansion will allow us to reach more oyster lovers than ever before in the Southeast and beyond, McMillan said. The building, with more than 10,000 square feet of refrigerated space, will have a chilled-water wet storage system along with climate-controlled processing and holding areas. A family with a long history in the seafood industry is opening a smokehouse in Summerville to provide smoked salmon and other products for private-label brands sold in grocery stores. Gantt Taylor and his wife, Jade, plan to open the Angel Oak Smokehouse in an industrial area along Farmington Road. The S.C. Department of Agriculture recently gave the business a $50,000 grant to help pay for electrical work at the site. All told, Taylor expects to invest about $3.4 million in the business, which plans to employ at least 46 workers within five years. It's the latest venture for a family whose patriarch, Jonathan Brown, got into the business at the age of 15, catching salmon by hand in the Glendermackin river in Cumbria, England, where he opened his first smokehouse in 1984. Today, he owns salmon smokehouses in the United Kingdom and United States and his Cumbria-based Highland Farms provides salmon products to retail, wholesale and foodservice markets throughout the world. Angel Oak will be a supplier to Highland Farms. "Angel Oak is the newest business under that family of businesses," Gantt Taylor, Brown's son-in-law, said. "It's going to be a high-end smokehouse fulfilling private-label work for major grocers. There's a history of seafood, obviously, in South Carolina and the hospitality industry is huge. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants serving smoked salmon on their menus and hopefully we'll offer a superior product. So, we hope we can find our place in the market, catering to both food service and retail here." Taylor, a former lobbyist, said he was looking for something to do after selling his Big Red Box Coastal business a dumpster rental company to Republic Services. "My wife Jade and her family have been in this business for a while it literally runs in her blood," he said. "After I sold to Republic Services last summer, it kind of spurred the conversation about what am I going to do next. Jon needed to expand to help fulfill some of his contracts, so that's how I got involved." Tea, the worlds second most popular beverage after water, boasts a rich history that traces back to 3rd century AD China, where it was first recognized as a medicinal drink. Merchants played a vital role in spreading its allure across continents, establishing tea as a global favorite. By th Read moreBetween the stacks: Timeless tradition of Tea BRADENTON, FLA. Ashley Benefield, a former Charleston ballerina charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of her husband, was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter with a firearm in what became known as the Black Swan Murder Trial. The verdict from a Florida jury was announced late on July 30 after a five-day trial and nearly seven hours of deliberation. Ultimately, all six members of the jury agreed Benefields actions failed to rise to the level of murder. The verdict was an indication of an effective defense strategy that portrayed the former Charleston resident as a victim of domestic violence and fearful of Douglas Benefield, her estranged husband, who was described as unhinged and dangerous. It also satisfied members of the Benefield family, who expressed gratitude that the lesser charge of manslaughter could be considered by the jury, and for the thoroughness of the judicial process, said Tommie Benefield, Dougs cousin. On Sept. 27, 2020, Doug Benefield, a Charleston resident and entrepreneur, had asserted his way into Ashley Benefields bedroom in an effort to restore a failed relationship, when she reached for a .45-caliber pistol and fired at him. It was a lurid end to a troubled marriage that began in 2016 after the couple met at a political event. They courted for 13 days before tying the knot. Ashley Benefield sought to start a ballet company and Doug Benefield tried, but ultimately failed, to assist in that endeavor. The American National Ballet, based in Charleston, collapsed in 2017 during the startup phase for lack of funding, stranding dancers and causing consternation among professional artists throughout the United States. COLUMBIA A conservative majority on the S.C. Supreme Court has ruled that allowing death row inmates the choice of the electric chair or firing squad to carry out their sentences does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment. The decision, published July 31, comes several years after the state legislature introduced the two methods as an alternative to lethal injection, which was discontinued after the state Department of Corrections was no longer able to procure the lethal drugs necessary to carry out those sentences. The law prompted an immediate legal challenge, with opponents of the death penalty arguing that both alternative methods were exceedingly painful and unusual in a country where executions have overall been declining. Today, just five states Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah deploy firing squads for executions, while the electric chair is currently used in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee. A Richland County court ruled in 2022 that both electrocution and the firing squad violated the South Carolina Constitution's provisions against cruel and unusual punishment. Writing for the majority on July 31, Justice John Cannon Few wrote that the two methods could not be considered cruel and unusual because, rather than representing an effort to inflict pain, the execution methods represented the S.C. General Assembly's "sincere effort" to make the death penalty less inhumane while enabling the state to carry out its laws. "In the context of the constitutional principle that our state may carry out the death penalty on those on whom it has been lawfully imposed, choice cannot be considered cruel because the condemned inmate may elect to have the state employ the method he and his lawyers believe will cause him the least pain," wrote Few. PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-31 17:00:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 457 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Organization focused on workplace betterment completes first half of year with multiple milestones and long-term winsCHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / BetterWork Media Group (BMG) announced today multiple milestones, kickstarting a strong Q3, including the addition of 10 new corporate members in Q2, the launch of its redesigned Chief Learning Officer (CLO) website and the introduction of its first-ever Summer Sale, offering 20 percent off all at-cost items, including its flagship event, the 2024 Chief Learning Officer Symposium.In Q2, BMG successfully onboarded 10 new corporate members, reflecting its ongoing commitment to providing exceptional resources and networking opportunities for solution providers in the learning and talent development sectors. New members include:The Leadership Development Group (TLD Group)Center for Creative LeadershipDegreedEase LearningTen Thousand Coffees (10KC)Coalition for the Common GoodHarvard Division of Continuing EducationRandstad RiseSmartSweetRushEller Executive Education at University of ArizonaThe newly redesigned CLO website offers a more streamlined and user-friendly experience, allowing members and visitors to easily access the latest industry insights, event information and educational content.BMG's inaugural Summer Sale features a 20 percent discount on all at-cost items, including registration for the 2024 Chief Learning Officer Symposium 20th Anniversary, happening Oct. 21-23, 2024, at the University of Arizona in Tucson; the first Chief Talent Officer Summit, taking place virtually Sept. 10-11, 2024; and the 2024 Chief Learning Officer Accelerator program, a seven-week, self-paced comprehensive and experiential development program focused on the most important topics and the latest research and best-practice findings for high-level learning executives. The Summer Sale ends Labor Day 2024."We are thrilled with the incredible momentum we've achieved in the first half of this year," said Ashley St. John, editor-in-chief and chief content officer at BetterWork Media Group. "The addition of new corporate members, our revamped website and the launch of our Summer Sale highlight our commitment to innovation and excellence within the workplace. We're excited to continue empowering learning and development and talent management professionals with valuable resources and insights as we head into an even more promising second half of the year." ###About BetterWork Media Group BetterWork Media Group is the leading voice for companies that care about their people, managing Chief Learning Officer and Chief Talent Officer. These brands serve workforce communities of C-suite and senior-level practitioners, executives, scholars, consultants and solutions providers in corporate learning and talent management. BMG provides a unique platform to connect, support and empower these communities through award-winning content, research, events, webinars and digital media. BMG's founders have more than 70 years of collective experience in the media industry.For more information about BMG and its Corporate Membership, visit betterworkmedia.com Contact Information Taylar Ramsey-ThompsonDirector of Events & Marketingtaylar@ betterworkmedia.com (312) 690-3088SOURCE: BetterWork Media GroupView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-31 21:01:05 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 383 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of Dril-Quip, Inc. ("Dril-Quip") (NYSE:DRQ) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.On July 8, 2024, Dril-Quip disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it had identified "an error in the classification of certain inventory write-downs from 2021." Specifically, the Company had "misclassified inventory write-downs from 2021 totaling approximately $67 million, including $19.3 million related to the 2018 global strategic plan and approximately $47.7 million due to the discontinuation of certain product categories under the 2021 global strategic plan. The Company classified these charges as Restructuring and other charges'; however, these charges should have been classified in Cost of sales' in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, in accordance with ASC 420-10-S99-3. As a result, Cost of sales' was understated and Restructuring and other charges' was overstated by $67 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (the Affected Period')." Accordingly, Dril-Quip stated that its prior statements regarding the Affected Period "should no longer be relied upon" and will be restated. Dril-Quip further stated that "the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023 were not effective." On this news, Dril-Quip's stock price fell $1.76 per share, or 9.9%, to close at $16.01 per share on July 9, 2024. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-31 18:18:58 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 557 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / Robert Alexander, the visionary CEO behind 360Wise Media, is set to reveal the untold story of his journey from the tough streets of Washington, D.C., to becoming a leading figure in the brand marketing and public relations industry. In a powerful new episode of the podcast series Peace Starts with Me, titled "From Street Survivor to Mogul: The Untold Story of Robert Alexander and 360Wise," listeners will get an exclusive, unfiltered look into the life and rise of a man who defied the odds to build a media empire.A Journey of TransformationRobert Alexander's story is one of resilience, determination, and transformation. Growing up in a challenging environment, Robert faced numerous obstacles that could have derailed his future. However, instead of succumbing to the pressures of the streets, he channeled his experiences into fuel for his ambition. His journey from a street survivor to a media mogul is not just inspiring-it's a testament to the power of perseverance and vision.Building 360Wise MediaToday, Robert Alexander leads 360Wise Media, a powerhouse in the brand marketing and public relations industry. Under his leadership, the company has partnered with celebrities, public figures, and major brands, delivering cutting-edge marketing strategies and media solutions that drive results. 360Wise Media's success is rooted in Robert's unique perspective-one that blends street smarts with business acumen, and a deep understanding of culture and media.An Untold Story Finally Revealed on Peace Starts with MeIn this much-anticipated episode of Peace Starts with Me, Robert opens up about the highs and lows of his journey. He discusses the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and the pivotal moments that shaped his path. This is more than just a business success story; it's an exploration of what it takes to rise above adversity and create a legacy.Exclusive Insights for Aspiring EntrepreneursListeners of Peace Starts with Me will gain valuable insights into the mindset and strategies that have propelled Robert to the top of his industry. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a media professional, or someone looking for inspiration, this episode promises to deliver powerful lessons and motivation.Tune In and Be InspiredDon't miss out on this exclusive interview with Robert Alexander on Peace Starts with Me. The episode goes live at 7 PM EST on 8/1/24 and will be available in full HD video on 360WiSE, with audio on-demand listening on all major podcast platforms. Tune in to hear the untold story of a man who turned his life around and became a mogul in the media world.About Peace Starts with MePeace Starts with Meis a podcast series that explores personal transformation, resilience, and the power of inner peace. Hosted by Demian Dunkley, the series features in-depth interviews with individuals who have overcome significant challenges and are now leading successful and impactful lives.About 360Wise Media360Wise Media is a leading brand marketing and public relations agency known for its innovative strategies and results-driven campaigns. With a focus on celebrity and brand partnerships, 360Wise Media has established itself as a trusted partner for clients looking to elevate their presence and impact.For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact Robert Alexander at Robert@360 Wise.com Media Details:Company Name: 360Wise MediaContact Person: Tasha AlexanderMail: Tasha@360 WiseMedia.com Website: https://360 Wise.com SOURCE: 360Wise Media PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-31 14:01:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 567 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 /Golden Lake Exploration Inc. (CSE:GLM)(OTCQB:GOLXF) ("GLM" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a consulting services agreement dated July 29th, 2024, with Walk the Street Capital Inc. ("WTS Capital"), pursuant to which WTS Capital will provide media content strategy, creation, and dissemination services.Golden Lake CEO Mike England commented, "WTS has come highly recommended, and we look forward to working together with them to help expand our audience at this exciting stage of events transpiring at, and around, our Jewel Ridge project in Nevada." The initial term of the agreement is for 5 months and may be renewed with the mutual written agreement of both parties. During the initial term, WTS Capital will be paid $10,000 per month plus 500,000 options at exercisable at $0.05 for a period of one year set in accordance with the Company's stock option plan.WTS Capital is arm's length to Golden Lake, and to the Company's knowledge, WTS Capital and its principals do not currently own any securities. WTS may though, from time to time, acquire and dispose of shares for investment purposes during the term of the agreement. WTS Capital can be contacted at 405 Ridge Rd N, Ridgeway, Ontario L0S 1N0; Tel: (905) 321-1470; josh@ walkthestreetcapital.com The Company also announces it has set 500,000 options to a consultant of the Company in accordance with the Company's stock option plan.About Golden Lake Exploration Inc.Golden Lake Exploration is a junior public mining exploration company engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets. Its objective is to acquire, explore and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit and to aggressively advance its exploration program on the Jewel Ridge property. The Jewel Ridge property is located on the south end of Nevada's prolific Battle Mountain-Eureka trend, along strike and contiguous to Barrick Gold's Archimedes/Ruby Hill gold mine to the north and Timberline Resources' advanced-stage Lookout Mountain project to the south. The Company also owns a large early-stage property in south-central British Columbia, contiguous to Kodiak Copper Corp., and Gold Mountain Mining Inc., that is highly prospective for copper-gold porphyry and mesothermal gold-bearing quartz-vein mineralization.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,"Mike England"___Mike England, CEO & DirectorFor further information please contact:Tel: +1-604-683-3995Toll-Free: +1-888-945-4770Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward -looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at WWW.SEDAR.COM) SOURCE: Golden Lake Exploration Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-31 16:46:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 611 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BEIJING, CHINA AND MADRID, SPAIN / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 /Hygreen Energy ("Hygreen" or "the Company"), a global electrolyzer manufacturer, and Voltan Group, a renowned technical services provider for the energy sector, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to offer after-sales service to Hygreen Energy's electrolyzer customers in Europe.Under the agreement, the two companies will establish a collaborative relationship to provide after-sales services to Hygreen Energy clients for the Company's electrolyzers and related hydrogen production system supplies. This joint collaboration will strengthen local support capabilities, resources and know-how to better support customers across the European market.Voltan Group will bring its extensive technical expertise in the installation, commissioning and maintenance of renewable energy and renewable gas plants, ensuring an efficient implementation of innovative solutions by Hygreen Energy, while Hygreen Energy will bring its innovation and extensive experience in green hydrogen production technologies to offer compelling electrolyzer products and systems.The scope of services will include Installation and Commissioning, After-Sales Services of Operational Plants, and Operation & Maintenance (O&M). Under the agreement, Hygreen Energy will provide Voltan's engineers, technicians and support staff with a complete training program, and Voltan Group will set up local warehousing of spare parts from Hygreen Energy to enhance servicing efficiency."With the rapid growth in the green hydrogen sector, we are keen to develop our collaboration with Hygreen Energy as a key player for electrolyzers solutions," said Miguel Estramiana Sagastume, Voltan Group's Commercial and Business Development Director. "What we see is that customers are keen for after-sales support and maintenance services, so our collaborative approach offers more compelling solution for green hydrogen projects." "Voltan's extensive experience in providing technical services in the renewable energy sector will allow Hygreen Energy to offer more assurance to our customers across the European market," said Daniel Fernandez de Salamanca, Managing Director of EMEA at Hygreen Energy. "Our customers in Europe will ultimately benefit from a more comprehensive and tailored suite of after-sales support, maintenance, and technical services as a result of this collaboration with Voltan." About Hygreen EnergyHygreen Energy is a world leading electrolyzer manufacturer that offers comprehensive solutions to green hydrogen production. Specializing in Alkaline and PEM technologies, Hygreen electrolyzers are rigorously tested and proven with extensive in-field usage, and we continue to advance our technologies with the development of AEM electrolyzers. With over 17 years of experience and over 300 electrolyzer projects under its belt, Hygreen engineers are some of the world's most experienced experts in supporting EPCs and hydrogen project developers. By reshaping the electrolyzer industry with an unmatched combination of efficiency, safety, cost, durability and modularity, Hygreen Energy is enabling our clean energy transition with electrolyzers that are now in use by customers worldwide. Say hello to a greener future with Hygreen Energy. Visit us at www.hygreenenergy.com About Voltan GroupVoltan provides high quality, high added value technical services in the energy sector, specialising in the construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of a variety of assets, including renewable energy generation plants and energy transition technologies, as well as power lines and substations. The company focuses on meeting the needs of its clients with a highly qualified team, guaranteeing safety, quality and compliance with costs and deadlines in each project. Voltan is a one-stop-shop' services provider, covering the entire asset lifecycle and reducing risks by offering solutions to the challenges that can arise in large energy projects. Learn more at voltangroup.com Hygreen Energy Media Inquiries:Ethan Hugh | Global Marketing Director | ehugh@ hygreenenergy.com Voltan Group Media Inquiries:Gisele Ciarallo | Marketing Manager | giseleciarallo@ voltangroup.com SOURCE: Beijing SinoHy Energy Co,. Ltd. d.b.a. Hygreen Energy PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-01 01:00:49 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 335 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HOMESTEAD, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / In celebration of World Environment Day, Itchko Ezratti's GL Homes demonstrated its commitment to environmental awareness with a kayaking cleanup event at Black Point Park and Marina in Homestead, Florida.On June 5, a dedicated team of 20 GL Homes volunteerstook to the park's pathways and waterways, collecting trash and removing fishing lines from native mangrove trees.The day began with volunteers receiving safety instructions from Matt Davis of Davis Environmental Solutions, ensuring a safe and effective cleanup effort. Equipped with kayaks and trash bags, the volunteers paddled through the waters, picking up debris and protecting the local ecosystem.GL Homes employees worked alongside colleagues as part of the initiative. The event underscored GL Homes' commitment to giving back to the community and protecting Florida's natural beauty. "We are proud of our volunteers for their hard work and dedication," said Sarah Alsofrom, Vice President of Community Relations. "Their efforts today have shown our dedication to service projects that benefit the community." This World Environment Day event at Black Point Park and Marina is part of GL Homes' broader philanthropic initiatives, which aim to conserve the environment and provide community service.For more information on GL Homes' philanthropic activities and future events, please visit our website https://glhomesphilanthropy.com/or contact us at 1(800) 399-5076.About GL HomesFounded in 1976, GL Homes is a uniquely American success story. Built byItchko Ezratti, who believed that hard work , integrity, and quality craftsmanship would thrive in the marketplace, GL Homes has since grown into one of Florida's largest homebuilders. Misha Ezratti, son of company founder Itchko Ezratti, is president of GL Homes and is in charge of overseeing operations across the state of Florida today. With a more than 45-year track record, countless industry awards and accolades, and, most notably, more than 100,000 happy GL homeowners, it's easy to see how Itchko Ezratti's GL Homes has grown into a top luxury home builder across both Florida and the nation.Contact:contact@ insightinformernews.com SOURCE: GL Homes PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-01 00:08:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1033 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / (TSXV:OGN)(OTCQX:OGNRF) Orogen Royalties Inc. ("Orogen" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a new significant gold-silver discovery, called the Navidad vein system, on the Ermitano Mine concessions in Sonora, Mexico where the Company holds a 2% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty.HighlightsMine operator, First Majestic Silver Corp. ("First Majestic"), has announced the Navidad gold-silver discovery located 500 metres southwest and 750 metres below the producing Ermitano Mine and is within Orogen's royalty area of interest ("AOI").Highlight drill holes (reported as true thickness intercepts) include:EW-24-364 grading 8.15 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold and 427 g/t silver over 4.78 metres (Navidad Vein)EW-24-370 grading 10.13 g/t gold and 86 g/t silver over 4.42 metres (Navidad Vein)EW-24-370 grading 5.65 g/t gold and 46 g/t silver over 5.75 metres (HW vein)EW-24-368 grading 54.93 g/t gold and 399 g/t silver over 1.82 metres (Navidad Vein)The Navidad vein system, that includes a hanging wall vein ("HW Vein"), has an apparent strike continuity of 750 metres and dip continuity of 250 metres. Vein thickness for both areas range from 1.5 metres to 6.0 metres. The zone is open in all directions.First Majestic has four drill rigs assigned to the Navidad vein system.Paddy Nicol, Orogen's CEO, commented, "The discovery of the Navidad vein system has strong implications for significantly extending the life of the Ermitano Mine and for Orogen's 2% NSR royalty. Only seven holes have been completed in the Navidad vein, but the scale of the discovery is already apparent with high grade gold intercepts that are approximately 750 metres apart. The discovery of Navidad on the western end of the Ermitano vein parallels the discovery of the Luna zone on the eastern end of the mine and highlights the outstanding growth potential of the area. Orogen's total area of interest in the region includes 167 square kilometres at Ermitano and 223 square kilometres at Cumobabi, where the Company also holds a 1.5% NSR royalty." About the Ermitano and Navidad VeinsThe 167 square-kilometre Ermitano mining concession where Orogen holds a 2% NSR royalty is located in Sonora, Mexico approximately 150 kilometres east of Hermosillo. Ermitano is contiguous with the Santa Elena mining claims and are both owned and operated by First Majestic. (Figure 1).The Ermitano vein was discovered in 2016 and developed into a producing underground mine at the end of 2021. Current reserves and resources are as follow:Table 1:Exploration drilling by First Majestic in 2021 identified the fault-offset Luna zone to the east of the Ermitano mine which has been integrated into the 2023 Inferred resource. Luna remains open to the east2.Figure 1: Plan map of the Navidad vein system and Ermitano mine projected to surface adapted from First Majestic3. The Navidad vein hosted gold-silver mineralized system represents a completely new discovery to the west of the Ermitano mine3. The system is within Orogen's royalty AOI (Figure 1).An exploratory seven-hole diamond drill program by First Majestic, testing for the fault-offset and high grade western end of the Ermitano vein, intersected multiple banded quartz veins with visible silver sulphides at depth (Figure 3 and Table 2). Six drill holes returned significant intersects from the main Navidad vein, its splays, and a separate structure in the Hanging wall ("HW Vein").The early stage drilling has outlined vein hosted gold and silver mineralization over an apparent strike length of 750 metres and a dip continuity of 225 metres. With the Navidad vein returning thicknesses of 1.8 to 5 metres and the HW vein returning thicknesses of 1.5 to 6 metres (Figure 3).Due to the early stage of drilling, the full extent and geometry of the Navidad vein system is not yet known and exploration potential remains open in all directions. First Majestic has assigned additional drill rigs to Navidad for the remainder of 2024 with four rigs currently located on the vein system.Table 2: Summary of significant gold and silver intercepts from the Navidad Vein System from First Majestic3Figure 2: Vertical section looking southeast (1300 m section influence) at the Navidad and Ermitano vein systems from First Majestic. Vein intersections as points not to scale3.Figure 3: Vertical long section (500 m section influence) of the Navidad vein looking southeast. Vein coloured by modelled thickness. Drill hole metres are true thickness. From First Majestic3Save the Date - Orogen's Project Generation ShowcaseDate & Time:Wednesday September 18, 2024, at 10:00AM PST / 1:00PM ESTZoom Webinar Registration: https://orogenroyalties.com/pgday/ Join Orogen's exploration team to learn more about our portfolio of drill ready precious and base metal projects in western North America that are available for option and sale. The free event is open to anyone including interested companies, geologists and other technical professionals, shareholders and interested investors.Our inaugural event will be dedicated to "Expanded Silicon Analogues", projects sharing geological similarities to the Expanded Silicon project (Merlin gold deposit: 9.05 million ounces inferred and Silicon gold deposit: 3.4 million ounces indicated, and 800,000 ounces inferred). Don't miss this opportunity to interact with the technical team responsible for the creation of these projects and for the identification of the Expanded Silicon project.Qualified Person StatementAll new technical data, as disclosed in this press release, has been verified by Laurence Pryer, Ph.D., P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for Orogen. Dr. Pryer is a qualified person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.Certain technical disclosure in this release is a summary of previously released information and the Company is relying on the interpretation provided by the relevant company. Additional information can be found on the links in the footnotes or on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca) About Orogen Royalties Inc.Orogen Royalties is focused on organic royalty creation and royalty acquisitions on precious and base metal discoveries in western North America. The Company's royalty portfolio includes the Ermitano gold and silver Mine in Sonora, Mexico (2.0% NSR royalty) operated by First Majestic Silver Corp. and the Expanded Silicon Project (1.0% NSR royalty) in Nevada, U.S.A, being advanced by AngloGold Ashanti NA. The Company is well financed with several projects actively being developed by joint venture partners.On Behalf of the BoardOROGEN ROYALTIES INC. Paddy PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-31 22:05:47 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 872 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CALGARY, AB, AND SAN ANTONIO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / Nexera Energy Inc. (TSXV:NGY)(OTC PINK:EMBYF) (the "Corporation", the "Company" or "Nexera") today reported that the Corporation is increasing the maximum offering amount of it's previously announced non-brokered private placement (see the Corporation's press release dated June 19, 2024). Pursuant to the revised offering, the Corporation is now proposing to offer of up to $775,000 (up to maximum of 31,000,000 common shares ("Common Shares") of the Corporation). The Common Shares are to be issued under a unit offering whereby up to a maximum of 31,000,000 units ("Units") at a subscription price of $0.025 per Unit are to be offered. Each Unit shall consist of one (1) Common Share of the Corporation and one (1) share purchase warrant (the "Warrant") (each full Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one (1) additional Common Share of the Corporation for a period of 24 months from the issuance of the Units at a price of $0.10) (the "Offering").The Warrants are subject to an acceleration clause whereby if after four months and one day following the date the Warrants are issued, the closing price of the Common Shares of the Corporation on the principal market on which such shares trade is equal to or exceeds $0.15 for 30 consecutive trading days (with the 30th such trading date hereafter referred to as the "Eligible Acceleration Date"), the Warrant expiry date shall accelerate to the date which is 30 calendar days following the date a press release is issued by the Corporation announcing the reduced warrant term, provided, no more than five business days following the Eligible Acceleration Date: (i) the press release is issued; and (ii) notices are sent to all warrant holders.The net proceeds of the Offering will be utilized within the Corporation's wholly owned subsidiary, Production Resources Inc. ("PRI"), to pursue a growing oil and gas services opportunity. PRI is proposing to take advantage of its already owned equipment, along with using net proceeds from the Offering to acquire additional equipment and labour to pursue a cement services branch within PRI. This branch of business would pursue the plugging and abandonment of some of PRI's own wells, along with wells owned by other operators in the South Texas region. This diversified services approach benefits both the Corporation on its own wells owned (through PRI) by not having to pay an external third party to assist with the plugging and abandoning our own wells (saving the Corporation up to $12,000 per well) while at the same time allowing for additional revenues to be potentially generated by assisting other operators in the area with the plugging and abandonment of their wells (of which management of the Corporation believes there to be a high demand for in the area).Specifically, the Corporation anticipates using the net proceeds as follows: (i) equipment purchases - $170,000; (ii) equipment refurbishing - $110,000; (iii) field testing - $120,000; (iv) permitting and commercialization - $85,000; (v) labour - $100,000; and (vi) any balance leftover would go to working capital purposes.Pursuant to an extension from the TSX Venture Exchange, the Corporation anticipates closing the Offering on or before August 16, 2024.All of the Common Shares and Warrants issued pursuant to the private placement are subject to a four-month hold period. The Warrants will not be listed on any stock exchange. Completion of this Offering remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.For further information, please contact:Nexera Energy Inc. President, Shelby D. Beattie, by telephone at (403) 262-6000Email: info@ nexeraenergy.comwww.nexeraenergy.com About Nexera Energy Inc.Nexera Energy Inc. (TSX Venture: NGY) is an energy company with oil producing properties in Southwest Texas. Nexera is owner and operator of the Lavernia, Wooden Horse and Stockdale Horizon Projects. The Company also now owns 100% of Production Resources Inc., a South Texas oil company.Forward Looking Statements Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein relating to the timing of the filing of financial statements constitutes forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Nexera Energy Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-31 16:22:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 880 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CORAL SPRINGS, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 /One Firefly, a digital marketing agency that caters to technology professionals in the residential and commercial custom integration markets, is thrilled to announce that it has been ranked #19 in TechNational's Top 100 Companies to Work For in 2024. This prestigious list recognizes companies that go the extra mile to provide their employees with an outstanding experience.TechNational's Top 100 Companies to Work For competition is judged by an expert panel, including Brenda Christensen, CEO and a 2024 Top 50 Woman in Tech; Elle Farrell-Kingsley, a member of the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics 2024; tech presenter and journalist Waseem Mirza; and Sidhharrth S Kumaar of NumroVani.Other finalists in the Top100 include product experience insights platform Hotjar, software development company Monday.com , Google, and Salesforce, and global commerce company Shopify.TechNational is a leading U.S.-based platform for the latest tech news. Our first Top 100 Companies to Work For competition has highlighted the innovation in the tech sector, which goes above and beyond what employees expect from their workplace. TechNational remains the best platform in the U.S. to showcase the talent, growth, and innovation in the tech industry.The judges commended the innovation and hard work of all the entries and the entrepreneurs, especially in their efforts to solve real-life problems through Fintech, making payments or processing more streamlined and effective.TechNational co-founder Daniel Tannenbaum said: "We were so impressed to see what companies are doing to improve the employee experience - from helping employees find a real work-life balance to offering truly unique perks. It's also amazing to see how some of these fully remote companies are creating togetherness and collaboration." Judge Elle Farrell-Kingsley commented: "These companies exemplify the promise of tomorrow's future through their innovative solutions and visionary leadership. Their commitment to creativity, empowerment, and technological advancement is truly commendable, and I am confident that they will continue to make significant strides in their respective fields. The overall quality and potential of all applicants were truly impressive, reflecting the dynamic and forward-thinking nature of the tech industry." One Firefly's Commitment to ExcellenceFounded in 2007, One Firefly has grown to over 75 employees, all working remotely across North America and Mexico. One Firefly has been recognized four times on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in the U.S., with an average growth rate of 30% year-over-year since 2017.One Firefly's culture is built on core values: Own It, Find a Way, Grow Together, Bring Good Vibes, and Speak Up. These values guide the company's interactions with clients, industry partners, and each other. The company offers full benefits, including competitive compensation, quarterly bonuses, 100% medical insurance coverage, 401k plans with a company match, office supply funds, professional development funds, and others.Employees enjoy a flexible, fully remote work environment with policies that support a healthy work-life balance. One Firefly believes in investing in its team members, recognizing that the team they've built is their greatest asset. Recognition is a key aspect of One Firefly's culture, with platforms like Motivosity used to give Core Value Kudos shoutouts to team members. Since its implementation in April 2020, over 6,433 appreciations have been given.In-person team-building events are also a core pillar of One Firefly's culture. The company organizes annual all-staff events, which in previous years have been held in diverse locations in the U.S., including New York, Dallas, and Denver. This year, the team will gather in Riviera Maya, Mexico, further fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among employees.Ron Callis, CEO of One Firefly, expressed his excitement: "At One Firefly, we lead with our people. We are where we are because of them, and the incredible, talented team we've built is our greatest secret weapon and success. We are deeply honored to be recognized by TechNational as one of the top companies to work for in 2024. This accolade is a testament to the dedication and passion of our team, and it reinforces our commitment to creating a supportive and innovative work environment every day." Click here to read the official announcement of TechNational's Top 100 Companies to Work For in 2024.About One FireflyOne Firefly is an award-winning marketing agency specializing in custom-tailored marketing solutions and recruiting and hiring growth solutions for technology professionals in residential and commercial markets. The company was founded in 2007 to help businesses in the AV and integration industry grow and succeed through effective branding, digital marketing, and web development. A four-time honoree on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in the U.S., One Firefly is proud to have built a reputation for delivering purposeful marketing solutions to the niche audio-visual space. For more information, visit www.onefirefly.com About TechNationalAt TechNational, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the technology landscape. Our platform serves as a dynamic hub where tech experts from diverse fields converge to share their insights, experiences, and perspectives. Through our engaging articles, thought-provoking interviews, and in-depth analyses, our team of journalists aim to provide our audience with a profound understanding of the latest tech developments. For more information, visit www.thetechnational.com . For a press interview, please contact Co-Founder & Editor Daniel Tannenbaum at hello@ thetechnational.com Contact InformationRebecca Sternlichtrsternlicht@ onefirefly.com 954-921-2393SOURCE: One FireflyView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-31 10:55:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 636 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLPannounces that purchasers or acquirers of UiPath, Inc. (NYSE:PATH) securities between December 1, 2023 and the close of trading on May 29, 2024, all dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until August 19, 2024 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the UiPath class action lawsuit. Captioned Steiner v. UiPath, Inc., No. 24-cv-04702 (S.D.N.Y.), the UiPath class action lawsuit charges UiPath as well as certain of UiPath's top current and former executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the UiPath class action lawsuit, please provide your information here: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 UiPath class action lawsuit must be filed with the court no later than August 19, 2024.CASE ALLEGATIONS: UiPath is a business automation software company.The UiPath class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) UiPath's turnaround strategy had failed because fruitless investments and inconsistent execution plagued UiPath's overhauled go-to-market strategy; (ii) UiPath's AI-powered Business Automation Platform suffered from UiPath's inability to adequately scale its AI-powered tools and caused "confusion" among customers; and (iii) as a result, UiPath experienced significant difficulties closing and/or expanding large multiyear deals.The UiPath class action lawsuit further alleges that on May 29, 2024, UiPath announced the resignation of defendant Robert Enslin as CEO effective June 1, 2024, and the reappointment of defendant Daniel Dines as CEO. The complaint further alleges that UiPath also revealed disappointing first quarter 2025 financial results and a significant cut in its revenue guidance for fiscal year 2025. On this news, the price of UiPath stock fell more than 34%, according to the UiPath class action lawsuit.THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired UiPath securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the UiPath 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 UiPath class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the UiPath class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the UiPath class action lawsuit.ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud cases. Our Firm has been #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for six out of the last ten years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. We recovered $6.6 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases - over $2.2 billion more than any other law firm in the last four years. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world and the Firm's 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: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 LLPJ.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101800-449-4900info@ rgrdlaw.com SOURCE: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-01 00:00:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 689 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / PPX Mining Corp. (the "Company" or "PPX") announces that it is extending its non-brokered private placement of up to 62,500,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of Cdn$0.062 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to Cdn$3,875,000 (the "Offering"), as previously announced in the Company's press release on June 17, 2024, until September 16, 2024. The Company anticipates that the Offering will consist of multiple investors, instead of a single investor as previously announced.Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one non-transferable common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for a period of 24 months from the date of issue, one additional common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of Cdn$0.095 per Warrant Share.The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering for general working capital purposes.The Offering is being completed on a private placement basis pursuant to prospectus exemptions under applicable securities laws and is subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company may complete the Offering via the closing of multiple tranches.About PPX Mining Corp:PPX Mining Corp. ( TSX.V:PPX.V)(BVL:PPX) is a Canadian-based mining company with assets in northern Peru. Igor, the Company's 100%-owned flagship gold and silver project, is located in the prolific Northern Peru gold belt in eastern La Libertad Department.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsBrian ImrieExecutive Chairman82 Richmond Street East, Toronto,M5C 1P1, Ontario, Canada416-361-0737Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.Forward Looking StatementsThis news release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation (together, the "forward-looking statements") that may not be based on historical fact, including without limitation, statements containing the words "believe", "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "potential" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions made by management of the Company in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as the factors we believe are appropriate. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements relating to the completion, terms and the anticipated closing date for the Offering. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change, except as required by law. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include risks obtaining regulatory approval, market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedarplus.com for further information.SOURCE: PPX Mining Corp. PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-31 19:49:00 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 831 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 /Tablas Ventures Corp. (TSXV: TAB.H) ("Tablas" or the "Company") announces that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement, in which it raised gross proceeds of $250,000.This placement consisted of 5,000,000 common shares of the Company at a price of five cents per common shares (the "Financing"). All common shares issued in connection with the Financing are subject to a hold period expiring December 01, 2024. No finder's fees were payable in connection with the Financing. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Financing for general working capital purposes.Subsequent to the Financing, the Company has 8,560,598 common shares issued and outstanding.Early Warning DisclosurePrior to closing of the Financing, The Emprise Special Opportunities Fund (2017) Limited Partnership ("LP2017"), of Vancouver, British Columbia, owned and controlled 75,846 Common Shares, representing approximately 2.13% of the outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis. Pursuant to the Financing, LP2017 acquired 3,600,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.05 per Common Share, representing approximately 42.05% of the outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis. Following closing of the Financing, LP2017 owns and controls 3,675,846 Common Shares, representing approximately 42.94% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis. Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company after reasonable inquiry, LP2017, have knowledge of any material information concerning the Company or its securities which has not been generally disclosed.The Company has been advised that the securities noted above were acquired by LP2017 for investment purposes, and LP2017 does not have any present intention to acquire further securities of the Company, although it may, in the future, acquire or dispose of securities of the Company through the market or otherwise, as circumstances or market conditions warrant.To obtain a copy of the early warning report filed under applicable Canadian provincial securities legislation, please go to the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or please reach out to Scott Ackerman at 778-331-8505.Sale of Sparx Technology Corp.Further to the Company's new release dated July 12, 2024, announcing the sale of its primary operating subsidiary, iPowow USA Inc., the Company also announces that it has completed the sale of its Canadian subsidiary, Sparx Technology Corp. ("Subco") to companies controlled by former directors Drew Craig and Brian Brady. Subco has no current operations. In consideration for the transaction the Company was forgiven all debt owed to the purchasers. The transaction was approved by the Company's non-interested shareholders at its shareholders meeting held on May 31, 2024.Management ChangesThe Company further announces that Scott Ackerman, Doug McFaul, and Peter Dickie have been appointed as directors of the Company, replacing Drew Craig, Brian Brady, and Andy Batkin, who have resigned as directors of the Company. In addition, Scott Ackerman has been appointed CEO, CFO and Corporate Secretary, replacing Al Thorgeirson and Spencer Trentini, who have resigned as officers of the Company. The Company wishes to thank the outgoing directors and officers for their service to the Company.Grant of OptionsThe Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 850,000 incentive stock options to directors and a consultant of the Company. The options have an exercise price of $0.05 per share and expire on July 31, 2029.The Company currently does not have an active business and will be seeking a new business opportunity, with a view to graduating back to the main board of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange").Effective at the opening of trading on Friday, August 2, 2024, shares of the Company will resume trading on the NEX Board of the Exchange.On behalf of the BoardScott AckermanCEO and DirectorFor further information, please contact:Scott AckermanCEO and Director(778) 331-8508 sackerman@ emprisecapital.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward-Looking StatementsStatements included in this news release, including statements concerning the Company's plans, intentions, and expectations, which are not historical in nature, are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forwardlooking statements". Forwardlooking statements may be, but are not always, identified by words including "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "expects" and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forwardlooking statements, and related matters, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forwardlooking statements. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement will prove to be accurate or that management's assumptions underlying such statements, including assumptions concerning the Company, or future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking information included herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.SOURCE: Tablas Ventures Corp. PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-31 23:00:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 583 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 A Half-Day of Workshops and Educational Sessions Focused on Zero-Knowledge ProofsNEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / House of ZK is proud to announce ZK Day, an event hosted by ZKM & Aleo and tailored toward specialists in the field of Zero-Knowledge, with a focus on the cutting-edge of research and new developments. The occasion will be held at the Graduate New York hotel in New York City on August 6th, the day before the Science of Blockchain Conference 2024 ( SBC '24 ). ZK Day will offer a unique opportunity to enrich your knowledge of how ZK is being used in modern application, particularly with regards to solving a variety of critical problems in blockchain, and to participate in discussions with the leading minds in the industry, before taking time to network and unwind.Our lineup of speakers combines diverse perspectives and decades of experience in cryptographic research, with featured speakers including:Jeroen Van de Graaf, Senior Cryptographer at ZKMPranav Gaddamadugu, VP of Protocol Development at ProvableMing Guo, Chief Scientist at ZKMPaul-Henry Kajfasz, Senior Protocol Engineer at Polygon MidenLucas Peixoto Fraga, Researcher at ZKMDylan Kawalec, DevRel Lead at GOAT NetworkAlex Pruden, Executive Director at Aleo FoundationThe talks on the agenda will cover a variety of topics, offering attendees new perspectives on the latest ZK developments, as well as potential future solutions. The speakers will discuss zkMIPS Virtual Machine, a practical application of ZKPs to enable secure verifiable computation using the MIPS instruction set. Attention will also be given to Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions and their aim to address the network's scalability challenges. The Entangled Rollup will be discussed, as well as zkProofs-of-Transaction, and how a single Layer 2 solution can scale to connect multiple Layer 1 blockchains. With these topics and many more, the speakers will offer a comprehensive exploration of ZK-based technologies during the event.Following a day of examining the complexities of Zero Knowledge, enjoy our exclusive Happy Hour. Unwind with an eclectic mix of handcrafted cocktails, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and a lively atmosphere while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Brooklyn Bridge.We sincerely thank our partners at DEXTools and Polygon Labs. Their generous support is indispensable to making ZK Day a reality.Capitalizing on Momentum to Realize Our VisionBoth the first House of ZK in Denver and the second in Brussels achieved remarkable success. Attendees enjoyed days of riveting panels and keynote speeches from experts, which offered fresh perspectives on ZK-based technologies and new insights into their practical applications. The events featured prominent partners such as Metis, Polygon Labs, Matter Labs, zkLink, Starknet Foundation, o1Labs, zkPass, and many others, highlighting the strong interest in Zero Knowledge within the blockchain industry. Finally, the events featured discussions led by numerous speakers, such as Jordi Baylina, co-founder of Polygon ID and Polygon Hermez, and Vince Yang, CEO of zkLink, who shared the knowledge they have gained throughout their years in the field.Secure your spot now at theZK Day websiteto be part of the conversation and connect with the brightest in the field!About ZKMZKM develops fundamental infrastructure for blockchains, leveraging a state-of-the-art zkVM to address a multitude of challenges. ZKM's tech stack is designed to facilitate universal settlement across previously incompatible blockchain networks, enabling trust-minimized compatibility and unified liquidity.To receive the latest updates about ZKM, subscribe to ournewsletter , and visit ourEvents pagefor information on upcoming events. FollowZKMandHouse of ZKon X/Twitter for the latest news and official announcements.CONTACT: Colin Landers colin@ energentmedia.net SOURCE: ZKM Femi Otedola, the Chairperson of FBN Holdings and an influential figure in the Nigerian financial and capital markets, has expressed support for the Bola Tinubu administration over a new policy to impose windfall tax on Nigerian banks. In a statement he sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday afternoon, the billionaire businessman and majority shareholder of Geregu Power Plc, a power generating company, also descended heavily on bank officials in the country, accusing them of profligacy and extravagant spending, including the purchase and maintenance of private jets. A concerning trend has emerged where some bank chief executives prioritize personal gain over their duty to shareholders and customers, Mr Otedola said. The core values of bankingtrust, integrity, and servicemust be upheld. I am particularly critical of the culture of flamboyance, especially the ownership and operation of private jets. Nigerian banks are spending an estimated $50 million annually just on maintaining private jets, with over $500 million gone into purchasing nine private jets by four banks. This level of extravagance significantly erodes public trust in our financial institutions and diverts crucial resources away from vital areas such as operational efficiency, technological innovation, and customer service. To regain the trust of the Nigerian public and fulfil its pivotal role in the nations economic development, the banking sector must realign its financial priorities. Investments should be channelled into areas that directly improve customer services and enhance technological infrastructure. President Tinubu wrote the Senate this month, asking lawmakers to amend the 2023 Finance Act to accommodate a windfall tax on the foreign exchange gains after a devaluation of the naira last June and this January bloated revaluation gains for banks holding assets in foreign currencies. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later While the president sought approval for half of lenders FX gains to be charged as windfall tax, senators last Wednesday upped the rate to 70 per cent. The push is part of the governments plan to boost public finances in the face of a sticky cost of living crisis in Africas most populous nation. Credit rating agency Moodys warned last Thursday that raising the rate to 70 per cent from 50 per cent could have far-reaching consequences for lenders, especially the likelihood that it could hurt profits. This could further constrain retained earnings and banks ability to bolster capital buffers, Moodys said. The terms of the windfall tax have been clarified to specify that the tax shall be on the realized profits of all foreign exchange transactions from banks, which would include revaluation and trading gains, it added. The tax is to be applied with effect from the start of the new foreign exchange rate policy through 2025. Mr Otedola said in the statement that the tax should be utilised in providing essential services including education, healthcare, critical infrastructure and public welfare initiatives for Nigerians and in reducing social inequality. The billionaire investor further stated that the earnings reports of many telecoms, SMEs and manufacturing companies in the country are currently showing negative equity, implying they may be incapable of paying corporate tax for at least the next two years. He remarked that the governments urgent intervention is needed to close the gap. I also commend the recent recapitalization initiative in the banking sector, which sets minimum capital requirements of N500 billion for international banks and N200 billion for national banks, he said. This move is designed to strengthen the banking sectors capacity to support Nigerias broader economic development goals. *Otedola backs Tinubus windfall tax, blasts bank chiefs for owning private jets* READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW Dear Members of the Press, I am writing to express my strong support for the implementation of a windfall tax in Nigeria and to highlight the critical role this measure plays in fostering a fairer and more equitable economic environment. This endorsement aligns with the ongoing efforts to reform the Nigerian banking sector, aimed at enhancing economic stability and integrity within our financial institutions. Windfall taxes are levies on companies or individuals who receive substantial, unexpected profits due to circumstances beyond their usual control or investment. Taxing these extraordinary gains ensures a fairer distribution of wealth, allowing those who benefit disproportionately to contribute more significantly to the broader societal good. The revenue generated from windfall taxes can be channeled into essential public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, benefiting all citizens and helping to reduce social inequalities. The recent announcement of a windfall tax on the extraordinary profits earned by Nigerian banks is a significant first step towards achieving these goals. The consolidation of various foreign exchange rate systems into a single investors and exporters (I&E) window led to the depreciation of the Naira and substantial increases in the value of bank assets denominated in United States Dollars. This extraordinary gain should be redistributed to fund critical infrastructure development, education, healthcare access, and public welfare initiatives, addressing the intense pressure on public finances and alleviating the cost-of-living crisis many Nigerians face. Furthermore, the financial statements of manufacturing, telecoms, and SMEs indicate that many of these companies may not be able to pay corporate tax for at least the next two years, as they are currently showing negative equity. It is essential for the government to step in and provide support to bridge these gaps, ensuring revenue generation and fostering economic development. The importance of aligning financial priorities with Nigerias broader economic development goals cannot be overstated. The Federal Governments reforms are both timely and essential for the sustainable growth of our economy. By taking decisive action to implement these changes, the Federal Government is demonstrating a commitment to ethical leadership and accountability. These reforms will empower our banking sector to play a pivotal role in driving Nigerias economic development, ultimately securing a prosperous future for all Nigerians. I also commend the recent recapitalization initiative in the banking sector, which sets minimum capital requirements of N500 billion for international banks and N200 billion for national banks. This move is designed to strengthen the banking sectors capacity to support Nigerias broader economic development goals. It is crucial for banks to focus on operational efficiency, technological innovation, and customer service, rather than executive extravagance. Amid the progress with banking sector reforms, there is an urgent need to address entrenched issues within the Nigerian banking sector. A concerning trend has emerged where some bank chief executives prioritize personal gain over their duty to shareholders and customers. The core values of bankingtrust, integrity, and servicemust be upheld. I am particularly critical of the culture of flamboyance, especially the ownership and operation of private jets. Nigerian banks are spending an estimated $50 million annually just on maintaining private jets, with over $500 million gone into purchasing nine private jets by four banks. This level of extravagance significantly erodes public trust in our financial institutions and diverts crucial resources away from vital areas such as operational efficiency, technological innovation, and customer service. To regain the trust of the Nigerian public and fulfill its pivotal role in the nations economic development, the banking sector must realign its financial priorities. Investments should be channeled into areas that directly improve customer services and enhance technological infrastructure. I urge all stakeholders in the Nigerian banking sector and the broader economic community to rally behind these visionary reforms. It is time for our financial institutions to embody the highest standards of integrity and service, ensuring a stronger and more resilient economy for all Nigerians. Sincerely, Femi Otedola 31/07/2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print By Azernews By Elnur Enveroglu At a time when the tension between Ukraine and Russia continues, the statements of the United States regarding the South Caucasus have caused a resonance. James O'Brien, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs of the United States of America, touched on many points while speaking at the hearing held at the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate of the Congress. However, the main target of the American diplomat was still the issue of Armenia. US-Azerbaijan relations have always developed in a stable form over the past 30 years, and both political and economic relations between the two states have been maintained in a balanced manner. At the same time, the United States has closely followed the processes in the South Caucasus from 2020 to the present day, and, in particular, Washington has tried to show considerable initiative in settling the peace issue, even though no final result has been achieved between Yerevan and Baku. This time, the issue related to the region was raised in the US Congress, and during the hearings, peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, relations between Armenia and Russia, and the issue of Georgia were discussed in parallel. James O'Brien highlighted the processes between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the region, drawing attention to the unequivocalness of the peace talks and saying that the US side wants this matter to be completed quickly. He said that the completion of peace talks in a short period of time can facilitate the trade relations of the regional states with Central Asia by opening a new connection through the South Caucasus, including Azerbaijan and Armenia. At the same time, the diplomat said that if communication from the South Caucasus to Central Asia is maintained, the dependence on Russia will decrease. As for the peace negotiations, the Armenian Foreign Ministry says its response proposals regarding the peace treaty with Azerbaijan are being prepared. Why is US in hurry to hold Baku-Yerevan peace talks? On the other hand, Russia's offer to participate as a third party in the peace talks has not gone unnoticed by the United States. Until now, Baku has participated in the peace platforms offered by both the West and Moscow, and unlike Armenia, it has not rejected any platform. But how have all these meetings been able to have a positive effect on the processes so far? Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement that "Russia has taken responsibility for this" shows that Moscow intends to somehow exclude the West from the processes. Zakharova said that the scope and forms of such support should be acceptable to both Baku and Yerevan: "We are ready to provide a platform for negotiations in the bilateral format preferred by the parties. We consider the conclusion of a balanced agreement between our two allies to be the basis of peace architecture. This should be done not by external forces, but by the countries of the region." Therefore, this initiative campaign, which has turned into a contest, creates the basis for a clash between the West and Russia over the South Caucasus. For this, let's look again at O'Brien's statements. In his speech, he also emphasised the creation of conditions for the complete separation of Yerevan from Moscow. In parallel with the peace platform, the USA is also trying to put all its efforts in the direction of deepening the Russian-Armenian rift. Speaking at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings, James O'Brien applauded the "bold" steps Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to distance himself from relations with Russia. "A significant part of the Armenian population wants to get away from Russia. Thus, we (American authorities - Note) create conditions for this to happen," the US diplomat said. US sanction warning to Georgia The sudden change of direction of the issue in the process of negotiations regarding the accession of Georgia in the European Union brought different questions to the fore. Georgia is one of the three states closest to the West in the South Caucasus, and due to internal political complexity, the issue of joining the union is pending. Thus, at the Brussels summit, the discussions on the conflicting aspects of the Georgian laws were decided by the fact that the country's full accession to the EU is unacceptable. Georgia was only granted EU candidate country status last December after being given a list of steps it needed to take to proceed, including justice reform. Last day, Washingtons hint of imposing new sanctions against Georgia was another yellow card given its on-hold status to the EU membership. It seems that the failure of the West's hopes regarding Georgia has prompted it to resort to harsh measures. US authorities hope that Tbilisi will change course in the coming months, James O'Brien said in his speech to Congress. "You asked about sanctions. We are actively reviewing our current capabilities in this area. I won't announce anything, but we are looking into it. It is not only about those who benefit from corruption but also about those who participate in the violation of human rights under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Act. A year ago, we saw that the wrong path was chosen, and then the ruling party changed its course and achieved great success. I hope that this can be repeated in the next few months," the diplomat said. The question arises: What kind of fate can await Georgia if it suddenly ignores the wishes of the West? Or if Pashinyan, who acts more whimsically towards Moscow now, turns to Russia again one day, how will Western policy regarding the South Caucasus change? Italian oil major Eni has received formal consent from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for the sale of 100 per cent of its shares of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to Oando PLC for an undisclosed amount. Oando PLC, in a statement by its secretary, Ayotola Jagun, on Thursday, said following Enis receipt of consent, both parties can proceed with the completion of the transaction. Commenting, Wale Tinubu, group chief executive of Oando plc, said We are delighted that Eni has received the governments approval to proceed with the completion of this strategic transaction. We extend our gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for their concerted efforts in ensuring the execution of the grant of consent under the novel and robust divestment framework established by the recently enacted Petroleum Industry Act. Last September, Eni signed a Sales & Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Oando to sell its local onshore unit NAOC in OML 60 63, a joint venture in which NNPC Exploration and Production Limited, a subsidiary of state-owned NNPC Limited (NNPC Ltd), holds a 60 per cent stake. NAOCs participating interest in Shell Production Development Company Joint Venture (operator Shell 30 per cent, TotalEnergies 10 per cent, NAOC 5 per cent, NNPC 55 per cent) is not part of the deal and so will be retained in Enis portfolio, Oando said at the time. In July, the NUPRC announced that Oando had completed the acquisition of 100 per cent shares of Eni in its subsidiary, NAOC. 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 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, has announced the postponement of examinations earlier scheduled for Thursday and Friday till further notice. The announcement, which is contained in a statement issued by the institution on Wednesday and signed by its spokesperson, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, is not unconnected with the planned nationwide protest against bad governance and the rising cost of living by young Nigerians. The university had commenced its second-semester examination about a week ago, but insiders said though academic and administrative activities would continue, the decision became necessary considering the high number of students who live outside the campus. Young Nigerians are billed to commence a 10-day prolonged protest across the nation beginning from Thursday till 10 August, defying all efforts by the Nigerian government and relevant stakeholders to dissuade them from staging the protest. The President Bola Tinubu-led administration has, in the past week, consistently appealed to the youths to shelve the demonstration, insisting that its policies are geared towards redirecting the fortune of the nation for the good of all. The government also engaged religious and traditional leaders to appeal to the angry youths to give the one-year-old administration more time to find its feet. Examination postponement According to the statement by the university, a new schedule for all the examination papers initially listed for Thursday and Friday will be announced later. 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 Mrs Alaga-Ibraheem urged members of the university community, including staff and students, to be security conscious. Earlier on Monday, the management of the National Universities Commission (NUC) had directed all vice-chancellors of Nigerian Universities to take urgent measures to ensure the safety of their staff, students and property of the institutions during the planned nationwide protest. Why postponement? Sources in the university who do not want to be quoted for lacking the authority to speak on the matter confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the examination postponement became necessary to prevent students who live off-campus from missing their papers should the protest degenerate into a crisis. The bulk of our students live off-campus, and if the exam should hold and some of them are unable to get to the campus, then that is a recipe for crisis. Those who did not prepare for the exams might even hide under that to disappear from the examination centres, one of the sources said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian government has said the healthcare system is grappling with a substantial financial burden caused by the prevalence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The Coordinator of the National Infection Prevention and Control Programme at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Tochi Okwor, revealed this on Monday at the inauguration of the national IPC Technical Working Group (IPC TWG) in Abuja. Mrs Okwo, who referenced a report by WaterAid Nigeria, noted that the high prevalence of HAIs has been estimated to cost $4.5 billion in 2023, about N7.2 trillion based on the foreign exchange rate of N1,620 to a dollar as of Tuesday. HAIs are infections that patients acquire while receiving treatment for medical or surgical conditions within a healthcare setting. These infections can occur during procedures, from the use of medical devices, or due to the transmission of pathogens in healthcare environments. According to Mrs Okwor, healthcare seekers are highly prone to HAIs in hospitals and primary health centres due to low levels of prevention and control in hospitals. Some common types of HAIs include surgical site infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. 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 Mrs Okwor said the prevalence of HAIs has gulped 3.8 per cent of the total healthcare expenditure for the health sector in 2023. She also said estimates showed that the economic cost of such infections is about 0.94 per cent of the countrys GDP. She said: We know that healthcare-associated infections are those avoidable harms that result from healthcare when infection prevention and control is not optimal in hospitals. But we carry a high burden of community-acquired infection as well. The total economic cost of healthcare-associated infections in Nigeria has been estimated to be up to 4.5 billion dollars in 2023. And the cost of these healthcare-associated infections as a percentage of our GDP. The cost of treating these infections as a proportion of our total healthcare expenditure in 2023 has been estimated to be 3.8 per cent. Importance of prevention and control Confirming this, the Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Chukuma Anyadike, described infection prevention and control as the cornerstone of public health and the bedrock upon which a resilient health system is built. Mr Anyadike said no patient should be infected while receiving healthcare and health workers are also at the risk of infection while providing care, adding that infection prevention and control must be prioritised. He also noted that IPC offers a proven solution to mitigate harm and avoid incalculable suffering and costs to people and the health system. He said: Compelling evidence shows that up to 70 per cent of healthcare-associated infections can be prevented by implementing effective IPC interventions. Investing in IPC is one of the most cost-effective measures available. Mr Anyadike said IPC serves as the first line of defence against the spread of infectious disease by protecting patients, healthcare workers, and the community. For instance, improving hand hygiene in healthcare settings can more than halve the risk of dying from infections with resistant pathogens and decrease long-term complications and health burdens by at least 40%. Every dollar invested in improving hand hygiene can save about US$ 16.50 in reduced healthcare expenditure. Govt efforts As part of the effort to reduce the prevalence of HAIs, the public health director said, authorities in the sector have developed a national IPC manual and disease with specific guidelines for healthcare workers. He said these manuals have been adopted by states and disseminated to selected secondary health facilities and primary healthcare centres. In collaboration with the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, and the Infection Control Africa Network, the government has also trained over 100 IPC focal persons to become IPC professionals working at health facilities nationwide. Mr Anyadike said: Over the last decade, significant outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola, Lassa fever, cerebrospinal meningitis, diphtheria, cholera, and the COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated how rapidly infections can spread through communities and be amplified in healthcare settings. These events have exposed gaps in our IPC programme and highlighted the necessity for comprehensive infection prevention and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategies. The Technical Working Group was created to ensure adequate implementation of the IPC, according to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate. Mr Pate, represented by the NCDC DG, Jide Idris, said the inauguration of the unit is an integral part of the national plan for the health sector under the current administration. He said the establishment of the TWG also aligns with the Global Action Plan on Infection Prevention and Control 2024-2030, which the World Health Assembly recently approved. Having a national IPC Technical Working Group is an important national-level indicator to track the National implementation of the Global Action Plan on IPC. He added Nigeria has demonstrated leadership in infection prevention and control and is setting a precedent for other countries to follow with this new development. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has grounded three Arik Airline aircraft over a $2.5 million debt owed to Atlas Petroleum International Ltd. The development was made known in a statement issued Tuesday by NAMAs director of public affairs and consumer protection, Abdullahi Musa. According to the statement, the decision is in compliance with a court ruling regarding the debt case. On the 19th day of July 2024, the enforcement department of the FCT High Court enforced an Order made by the Court regarding a debt of $2.5 million owed by Arik Airline to one Atlas Petroleum International Ltd by attaching their aircraft, NAMA said. It noted that the court further gave Arik a notice of Public Auction of the planes slated for 26 July if it fails to pay the judgement debt. All these were served on our agency and also on our supervising minister, the minister of aviation The records show that on the 8th day of March, 2016, the Judgement Debtor (ARIK) appealed the decision of the High Court of Lagos State entering judgement against it to the Court of Appeal and on 30th September 2021, the appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in a unanimous decision with cost, NAMA said. According to the statement, Arik again appealed to the Supreme Court for leave to appeal the decision of the appeal court, and on 9 January, the Supreme Court delivered its ruling dismissing Ariks application for leave to appeal. 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 NAMA explained that the judgement was registered in the FCT High Court and that on 26 June, Justice O. A. Adeniyi, then sitting in Court 8, Maitama in Abuja, made an order after hearing the motion (No: M/9785/2024) filed on behalf of Atlas Petroleum. attaching all the moveable properties belonging to the Judgement Debtor, including the Judgement Debtors aircraft with Registration No: B737-700/ 5N-MJF, B737-800/ 5N-MJQ, DASH8-Q400 and 5N-BKX, in satisfaction of the judgement debt,the statement partly read. NAMA explained that copies of the court order and Certificate of Judgment were served on it and the aviation minister, but that Arik obtained an ex parte order stopping further execution of the court ruling even though they have not been formally served the exparte order. In the circumstances, since the first execution took place by attaching the aircraft, further execution by way of sale can be halted whilst the parties go back to court to resolve the issues, NAMA said. However, in order to preserve the subject matter of the present dispute which are the aircraft in question (the res), which have already been attached, we have decided to comply with the effect of the supreme court order, by grounding the aircraft (subject of dispute) so that they are not taken out of the jurisdiction of the court or tampered with in a way as to frustrate the courts. The agency also said the aviation minister, Festus Keyamo, being a senior advocate, understands the implication of the Supreme Court order dismissing the motion for leave to appeal. The minister will not risk his licence as a legal practitioner or his privilege as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria by engaging in acts that will frustrate an order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, NAMA added. NAMA urged the parties to the dispute to resolve their issues as quickly as possible so Arik aircraft could resume the use of the aircraft. Arik airline reacts In his reaction to the situation, on Tuesday, the Chief Executive Officer of Arik, Roy Ilegbodu, lamented that this decision was made without warning or consultation. He said the decision has serious repercussions for the airlines passengers, dedicated employees, and the Nigerian economy. Our priority has always been to connect people and facilitate commerce, especially on critical domestic routes. The grounding of our fleet disrupts these vital services, leaving passengers stranded and inflating already high travel costs. This decision hurts everyday Nigerians who rely on our flights for business, family, and essential activities, the official said. He said NAMAs decision also disregards ongoing judicial processes, explaining that on 26 February 2016, a judgement was made in favour of Atlas Petroleum International Limited and Engineer Arthur Eze. He, however, explained that there is an ongoing case in the Federal High Court, where Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is asserting its secured interest in Ariks assets. Despite this, Mr Ilegbodu said, a writ of attachment was issued on 18 July, targeting Ariks aircraft. The High Court of the FCT on July 25, 2024 clearly instructed all parties to maintain the status quo. We therefore are perplexed as to the grounding of our fleet, which is an overreach of the ongoing judicial processes and directives of court, the official said. We believe this action undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent, prioritising unsecured private interests over the public good and the rights of secured creditors. We are committed to following the legal process and have full faith in the judiciary to resolve these matters fairly. Mr Ilegbodu said Arik airline has always been a proud partner in Nigerias growth, providing reliable and safe air travel. He urged the authorities to reconsider their decision. Lift the grounding order, and allow us to continue serving the public and supporting the economy. We stand with our passengers and employees during this challenging time and are working tirelessly to resolve this situation. Your support and understanding are greatly appreciated. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused to our esteemed passengers, he added. Measures Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in a statement issued by Obiageli Orah, its director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said it has implemented proactive measures to assist stranded Arik Air passengers. This is to inform the public that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is aware that Arik Airline has been grounded due to litigation issues between the airline and their creditors, FAAN said. It said the authority has instructed all airport managers across the country to assist the affected passengers as Arik Airline works out plans to rebook and transfer passengers to other available flights. For further information, please contact Arik Airline on these lines: 0700003592745, 02012799999. FAAN will continue to ensure safety, security, and comfort for all air travellers in Nigeria, the statement said. ALSO READ: Arik Air suspends staffer for allegedly extorting passenger Similarly, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in a statement by its spokesman, Michael Achimugu, said it is aware of the grounding of Ariks aircraft over legal issues and the attendant impact on its flights and intended passengers. While the NCAA monitors the situation and engages Arik Air on its plans for affected passengers, our Consumer Protection Officers are available at the terminals to monitor passenger handling and to offer information, the NCAA said. It said affected travellers may also walk into the NCAA Consumer Protection offices or send an email to cpd@ncaa.gov.ng NCAA empathises with all affected passengers and wishes to assure the protection of their rights as critical stakeholders, Mr Achimugu said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigeria Society of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, in collaboration with the Haemophilia Care team and the Novo Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation, has urged the government to take immediate action to address the alarming rate of haemophilia-related deaths in Nigeria. The group made the call during a visit to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) on Tuesday in Abuja. The team, led by the President of the Nigerian Society for Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Omolade Awodu, described haemophilia as a genetic bleeding disorder, noting that only seven per cent of the cases have been diagnosed in the country, leaving 93 per cent without diagnosis or treatment. Challenges, call to action The official said the lack of attention has consistently led to severe disability and early death for many. Mr Awodu identified key challenges hindering the effective management of haemophilia in Nigeria, noting that the condition is accorded low priority compared to other diseases. He also listed inadequate infrastructure and diagnostic equipment, the high cost of replacement therapy, and total reliance on donated factor concentrates, among other challenges. The team requested government intervention to address the challenges facing haemophilia management in Nigeria, specifically calling for improvements in diagnostic capacity, procurement of factor replacement therapy, and reduction of delays in clearing donated products. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later According to the group, the intervention is necessary to ensure timely and effective diagnosis and treatment of haemophilia patients in the country. Minister speaks Responding to their plea, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, recognised the necessity of enhancing haemophilia care and committed the government to augment the supply of concentrates and promoting prophylaxis practices. He also advocated a subsidy initiative to mitigate the financial burdens faced by vulnerable individuals, thereby ensuring more equitable access to essential haemophilia treatments. Mr Pate reaffirmed the governments dedication to prioritising blood services, bringing renewed optimism for enhanced diagnosis and treatment prospects for individuals affected by haemophilia, a genetic bleeding disorder. The Director General of the National Blood Service Commission, Saleh Yuguda, who facilitated the meeting, expressed his gratitude to the minister and advocacy groups for their contributions. He also reaffirmed his commissions commitment to exploring and utilising all available opportunities to enhance and improve blood services in Nigeria. Lawmakers support Recently, a member of the House of Representatives pledged to provide legislative support to address the funding challenges facing the countrys blood service system. This was disclosed by the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Specialty Healthcare, Lawan Shettima, during a roundtable discussion aimed at fostering collaborations and addressing critical issues in the blood service sector. Mr Shettima said the office will be expanded across the federation. He said: So I believe I would support them, they will acquire more equipment, more facilities, and even expand their offices to zonal levels. This is what we are suggesting. So inshallah well do our best to see that legislatively we intervene. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Most Nigerians support the #EndBadGovernance protest scheduled to kick off nationwide Thursday, a PREMIUM TIMES poll conducted across social platforms has shown. Mostly, young Nigerians are organising the protest to express their displeasure about the rising cost of living, which is believed to be a fallout of the governments economic policies. PREMIUM TIMES poll shows that more Nigerians support the protest than are against it. The poll was conducted via this newspapers accounts on two social media platforms Facebook and X (Twitter) to survey readers stances on the planned protest. It ran for three days between 26 and 28 July on X (formerly Twitter) and six days between 26 July and 31 July on Facebook. The respondents were asked on both social media platforms: Are you in support of the nationwide protest? They were given two options: A Yes and B No. 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 Poll results on X Most users who responded on X (formerly Twitter) backed the protest. Of the total 4,173 users that responded to the poll, 3,255 users representing 78 per cent voted yes to support the protest. Only 22 per cent, that is 918 respondents, voted against it. Poll results on Facebook On Facebook, 1,006 responded to the poll as of Wednesday. Of the respondents, 81 per cent 816 of them voted in support of the protest. On the other hand, 19 per cent, or 190 respondents, voted against the protest. Protest The protest is driven by citizens displeasure with the governments handling of the fallout of its economic policies, which have caused an astronomical rise in the cost of living in the country. The Nigerian government has spoken against the protest and cast the organisers as people driven by political interests. Some religious organisations, professional groups and traditional rulers have urged the protesters to shelve the protest plan. On Wednesday, on the eve of the protest, the governments reaction took on a tone of appeal, with the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF) George Akume urging the organisers to shelve the protest to give time to address their concerns. The protesters demands have been as varied as the diversity of the protest organisers. Many issues beyond the core rallying point have been added to the wish lists of the protesters. PREMIUM TIMES collated some of these demands in posts and flyers shared by users on various social media platforms. The demands range from economic hardship, reforms, and the enthronement of a credible electoral system to accountability and justice in the country. The Nigerian constitution guarantees the citizens right to peaceful protest. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A police officer and three other people have been killed in multiple attacks across Nigerias south-east. The attacks occurred between Monday and Tuesday in Abia and Imo States respectively, PREMIUM TIMES reliably gathered. The development occurred at the same time when gunmen attacked and killed four police operatives in Owerri, Imo State capital. During the Imo attack, which occurred on Monday, an unidentified woman was also killed by the hoodlums. Simon Ekpa, a controversial Biafra agitator, would later claim responsibility for the killings. Attacks in Abia The latest attacks began on Monday morning in Abia State when gunmen were engaged in a deadly shootout in Aba, the commercial hub of the state. Residents told PREMIUM TIMES that the attackers stormed Umuode Community in Aba and began shooting. 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 They also attacked a restaurant and shattered the whole place. Some people sustained injuries, a resident, who identified himself simply as Victor, told PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday. We later saw a dead body inside a Jeep after the gunmen left. A video clip of the incident circulating on social media showed masked gunmen parading the area in three vehicles - two Toyota SUVs and two Sienna vehicles. Another clip showed the hoodlums jubilating and raising Biafran flags while some residents appeared to be hailing them. Speaking to reporters later on Monday the Commissioner of Information in Abia State, Okey Kanu, confirmed the incident. Details of his speech were contained in a statement from the States Ministry of Information on Tuesday. Mr Kanu said the gunmen engaged security agencies in a shootout during the attack. He said the attack started in Umuode Community and dovetailed to Umuojima in Osisioma Local Council Area where the gunmen were confronted by the security operatives. In the ensuing gunfight, one of the gunmen was neutralised, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries, he said. The commissioner further said the Toyota SUV abandoned by the fleeing gunmen was recovered by security operatives. Multiple attacks in Imo The multiple attacks continued in Imo State on Tuesday night when gunmen opened fire on residents at Nworiubi, a community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state. The police officer killed in the attack has been identified as J.C. Ireozor. Mr Ireozor was killed alongside a resident, Paulinus Mbakwe, during the attack, witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES. The hoodlums were said to have emerged from nearby bushes during the attack which left many injured. Some gunmen, in a separate attack the same Tuesday, killed an entrepreneur at Amawire Junction in Orji Community in the Owerri North Local Government Area of the state. The entrepreneur, Okey Nze, was shot dead in his boutique during the attack. A resident of the area, Chinenye Favour, told this newspaper that there was speculation that the victim, popularly known as Wealthy Empire, was killed over alleged failure to pay a debt owed to his business partner. The gunmen collected his money and then shot him. They also burnt some heavy-duty vehicles carrying goods along Orji Junction while they were leaving, Chinenye said. She said there have been gunshots in Owerri since Monday. Even now as I speak to you, they are still shooting. Theres fear everywhere, she said at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Banks and other businesses have closed for fear, another resident, who did not want his name mentioned, said. It is unclear if the hoodlums were the same people who carried out the previous attacks in the state. When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday afternoon, the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, asked for time to issue a statement on the separate incidents in the state. But he was yet to do so as of the time of filing this report. Anambra shootings Meanwhile, there was tension on Tuesday in Isseke, a community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State following heavy shootings in the area. Sources said some security operatives were in a gun battle in the community with suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their armed militant wing, Eastern Security Network. The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development. Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said a joint security team was raiding suspected IPOB and ESN hideouts in the area. There is no cause for panic as only the criminal hideouts are being targeted. Further details shall be communicated soon, he said. IPOB, a group seeking the independent state of Biafra from south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria, has been linked to some deadly attacks in the two regions. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, says the economic policies of President Bola Tinubus administration cannot yield the desired result in one year to solve the sufferings of Nigerians. Mr Akpabio stated this during an emergency plenary session of the Senate on Wednesday. Some individuals and organisations have scheduled a nationwide protest for 1 to 10 August against the economic hardship in the country and demand better governance. The cost of living for average Nigerians has become unbearable as a result of the removal of fuel subsidies by the Tinubu administration last year. The foreign exchange challenges and devaluation of the naira also contributed to the harsh economy. Mr Akpabio explained that the upper chamber went into a closed-door session earlier to deliberate on the planned nationwide protest. He stated that one year is not enough for the governments policies to yield fruit. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He, therefore, urged the protesters to be patient and give more time to the federal government to address the hardship and suffering. This protest is slated for tomorrow, the 1st day of August, 2024. And I kindly urge you that one year is not long enough for the policies being implemented by the current administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to yield the desired results, he said. Mr Akpabio said the N70,000 National Minimum Wage, sale of crude oil to local refiners and establishment of the geopolitical commissions are some of the measures the Tinubu administration to address the sufferings of Nigerians. The Senate urges the protesters to give the government more time to address their demands, considering the measures being put in place to ameliorate the situation in the country, such as the National Minimum Wage Act, the sale of crude oil to local refiners in Naira, the Implementation of Resilience Rules Act, the assent recently granted to the Southeast Development Commission and the Northwest Development Commission, bills passed by the National Assembly to further address developments at the grassroots. The Senate, and in fact the entire National Assembly, is willing to legislate on all matters that will bring about a circle with Nigerias agenda. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Winners have emerged in the maiden edition of the Hadith Competition sponsored by the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema in Prophets (Muhammad) Hadith. The event was held on Tuesday at the conference hall of the Abuja National Mosque. While Adam Hassan Mohamed from Borno garnered 19.35 points to emerge winner of the N200,000 cash prize in the first category (memorisation of the 40 Hadiths, the transmission chain and the texts), Ibrahim Umar Abubakar from Kano State scored 19.6 points to clinch the N300,000 prize in the second category (memorisation of the 20 texts of the Hadiths with rulings). Yakub Bello Mohammad, also from Kano, came tops in the third and toughest category (memorisation of 20 texts, rulings, benefits, jurisprudential positions and applications). He also received N300,000 cash prize for his efforts after scoring 19.70 points out of 20. The winners also received plagues and certificates. In addition, according to the convener of the programme in Nigeria, Ibrahim Makari Ahmad, a professor, they will represent Nigeria at the grand finale of the competition scheduled to hold in Rabat, Morocco, later this year. Mr Ahmad, also one of the Imams of the Abuja National Mosque, commended the participants for their efforts and described, every contestant as a winner in his or her own right. He said the Hadith competition is aimed at promoting the Sunnah (way of life) of the Prophet, the position of the Sunnah being the second primary source of Islamic legislation. The professor said, This competition is the initiative of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Africa Oulema which has its headquarters in Rabat, Morocco and its headed by His Royal Majesty, King Mohammed VI and hes the organiser. 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 here will represent Nigeria at the international competition to be announced by the board later. A total number of 173 participants were selected from across the 36 states. The essence of the competition is to promote the study, memorisation and application of Hadiths It is also to encourage young African youths to pay attention and to give importance to the story of Hadith of Prophet Mohammad (may the peace of Allah be upon him) and for them to be able to imbibe his characteristics. This is the maiden edition of the competition in Nigeria. The competition was held in 48 branches worldwide and each branch is expected to conduct this between June 22nd to July 31st, 2024. Each participant is expected to participate in the three categories (memorisation of the 40 Hadiths, the transmission chain and the texts, memorisation of the 20 texts of the Hadiths with rulings) and memorisation of 20 texts, rulings, benefits, jurisprudential positions and applications), the convener stated. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print NUCs reaction The management of the National Universities Commission on Monday directed Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities to take urgent measures to ensure the safety of their staff, students and property of the institutions during the planned nationwide protest. This is as the authority at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, has urged students and staff to abide by laid down rules and regulations to ensure safety during the upcoming planned nationwide protest. Scheduled for 1 to 10 August, some Nigerians have planned a nationwide protest to demand economic and political reforms. NUCs directive NUC, the nations regulatory agency for universities, in a letter directed to all vice-chancellors by its Acting Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, said it is concerned about the safety of staff, students and university property should there be any protest action. The letter reads in part: Consequently, the Honourable Minister has directed that vice-chancellors of all Nigerian universities should take proactive steps to ensure the security and safety of the university community, including staff and students. In addition, vice-chancellors are to please issue specific statements to assure staff and students of their safety. It is also advisable that students remain on campus to focus on their academic pursuits so as to avoid exposure to any potential danger during the planned protests. Babcock University issues guidelines In its statement on Tuesday, signed by its Director, Communication and Marketing, Joshua Suleiman, the university said it is partnering with security agencies to ensure the safety and protection of lives and property. 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 statement reads in part: As a responsible institution, we are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of our staff, students, and public infrastructure within our community. We want to assure you that the university is taking all necessary measures to safeguard our community. We are partnering and coordinating with local and state authorities to enhance security and minimize disruptions to all legitimate business operations within our domain. We enjoin everyone to remain vigilant and follow all the laid down rules and regulations of the university as well as any guidance issued by our campus security office. Backstory Young Nigerians have vowed to commence a nationwide 10-day protest from 1 to 10 August to demand economic and political reforms, especially the high cost of living. As part of efforts to address the concerns, President Bola Tinubu has met with various stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders. There have also been calls for restraint in some quarters, as the security agencies warn protesters not to go overboard and that they should prevent the protests from turning violent. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government has activated the National Emergency Operation Centre to coordinate responses and provide timely support to flood victims and people with public health concerns. The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, disclosed this at a National Emergency Coordination Forum held on Tuesday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the forum brought together stakeholders to review the current flood situation and strengthen mitigation and response strategies across Nigeria. Speaking at the event, Ms Zubaida said the centre would share information, provide timely support to affected areas, and collate and analyse flood incident data. She added that the centre would ensure that emergency responses were as accurate as possible. The NEMA boss expressed the hope that this step, together with those of other stakeholders, will reduce the impact of flooding to the barest minimum. She highlighted the agencys ongoing efforts to address the predicted 2024 flood disaster by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NISA). Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later According to her, 52 local government areas in 20 states have already been affected by flooding. She emphasised the need for public awareness and proper waste management to mitigate the impact of floods Ms Umar said the workshop would awaken NEMA to take more proactive measures to save citizens lives and adequately respond in affected areas. On his part, Trond Jensen, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) in Nigeria, commended NEMA for its leadership in disaster preparedness and response. He emphasised the importance of efficient resource use and anticipatory action to address cholera outbreaks and urged collaboration among all stakeholders to enhance emergency response capabilities. Rather than waiting for an outbreak of cholera, what can we do in terms of preparedness, so that we can make sure that the systems that are needed to respond are fully resourced? READ ALSO: Nigerian government acquires Zaria Hotels for aviation college This is one of the things that we are looking at as UN-OCHA, together with our colleagues from UNICEF, the World Health Organisation and other partners, he said. Mr Jensen assured the support of his organisation and other partners to safeguard the lives of Nigerians and ensure a resilient community (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Jigawa State Government said it is releasing more than N1.1 billion to support its students at the Federal University Dutse and Bayero University, Kano. The governments spokesperson, Sagir Ahmed, said the decision was reached on Monday at the states executive council meeting presided over by Governor Umar Namadi. Mr Ahmed said the council approved N573,566,500 for students maintenance allowances, tuition fees, and refund of registration fees to female students and people with disability under the Free-Girl Education Policy. The official said another N600 million was allocated for 12,000 women entrepreneurial ventures in the state. The government also reviewed the bursary allowance in respect of 5,751 newly interviewed and returning students at Federal University Dutse and Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Mr Ahmed said. The official said the decision was part of the state governments efforts to lessen economic hardship in the state. According to the official, the council also approved a request from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to increase the number of women beneficiaries of a support scheme, the J-J-CARES Programme, from 10,000 to 12,000 women across the 27 local council areas of the state. 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 Ahmed said the council also appreciated the efforts of the student unions and the state Council of Ulamas for supporting the state government in addressing challenges and not holding the planned nationwide protest in the state. The federal and state governments have taken measures to reduce the negative impact of some government policies on Nigerians, Mr Ahmed said. These measures include food distribution, implementation of student loans, and sale of food at subsidized prices. The Council appreciated the various stakeholders in Jigawa State such as Council of Ulama, traditional leaders, students unions and associations, trade unions and civil society organisations that are supporting the government eorts to create awareness and the need to maintain peace across the state, Mr Ahmed said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ogun State High Court, on Wednesday, ordered the sponsors of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests to limit their activities to four locations in the state. The locations are the MKO Stadium, Abeokuta; Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive High School, Ota; Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu; and Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode. The court also restricted the time frame of the protests to between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Granting an application moved by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), Justice O. Ogunfowora directed that all protests under the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria slogan or any other slogan from 1 August to 10 August must be limited in place and time. The judge prohibited the protesters from protesting anywhere in the state except at the MKO Stadium, Abeokuta; Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive High School, Ota; Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu; and Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode. The Attorney-General explained that the four locations are across the four divisions of the state in the three senatorial districts, allowing protesters in those vicinities to conveniently participate in the protests under adequate protection and without infringing on the rights of non-protesting members of the public. The judge, in his ruling, also prohibited any protest from taking place outside the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 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 The judge further directed the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State to enforce the order and ensure that the protests are held only in the specified locations and during the periods stated in the order. The judge declared that the order would last for seven days and ordered the state to serve the application on notice within that period. Mr Ogunfowora shortened the time for the protesters to respond to the application to 72 hours. The case was adjourned to 6 August. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias immunisation programme faces an estimated $200 million funding gap annually, the Director General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, has said. Mr Yakubu disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigerias capital city, at a Multi-Stakeholders Technical Workshop for the Optimisation of Immunisation Financing in Nigeria, organised by the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC). According to Mr Yakubu, the financial requirement for Nigerias immunisation programme stands at $580 million, but the Nigerian public sector contributes less than $200 million, leaving a substantial $430 million gap. He said the countrys immunisation programme is currently grappling with a significant funding gap that threatens its sustainability and effectiveness, as he emphasised increased public sector funding to address the financial gaps. Despite notable efforts, Mr Yakubu noted that the country lacks the industrial infrastructure, storage, and logistics capabilities necessary for self-sufficiency in vaccine production. This shortfall has been partially bridged by international donors, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, GAVI, UNICEF, and others, who together contribute $230 million. Despite these contributions, a $200 million funding gap remains unaddressed, he said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The workshop, themed: Closing the Immunisation Financing Gap: Investing in a Healthier Future for Nigeria, was in partnership with GAVI and the Global Health Advocacy Initiative. It featured experts and stakeholders from the government, international organisations, and the private sector to discuss strategies for optimising immunisation financing in Nigeria. Legislation role The DG further highlighted the countrys reliance on external aid while proposing legislation to mandate the public sector to achieve self-sufficiency in vaccine production, storage, and distribution logistics that will align with the countrys goals of import substitution and medical industrialisation. He said: The reliance on external funding has been pivotal in achieving the current disease coverage, but the shortfall highlights the need for more robust and sustainable solutions. The Federal Ministry of Health is actively working to enhance the countrys industrial capacity to produce a full range of immunisation vaccines domestically. This initiative is part of a broader medical industrialisation programme aimed at achieving self-sufficiency through an import substitution strategy. In his remarks, the Chairman of the 9th Senate Committee on Health, Ibrahim Oloriegbe, stressed the need for the National Assembly to prioritise funding for immunisation and primary health care through effective appropriation. Legislators have a critical role to play in ensuring that immunisation receives adequate funding. We must work together to prioritise immunisation and make it a national priority, Mr Oloriegbe said. He also recommended removing counterpart funding for vaccines from the current supply chain and prioritising immunisation in budget allocation. Immunisation is not only a health issue but also an economic and security issue. Investing in immunisation can save lives, reduce healthcare costs, and increase productivity, he said. Lets work together to make immunisation a national priority and ensure that our citizens receive the necessary vaccines to prevent diseases. Outstanding payment Also, the Nigeria Coordinator for the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Emmanuel Hassan, stated that the country is facing a vaccine immunisation financing crisis, with outstanding obligations from 2023 still unpaid and the 2024 payment due in June yet to be made. Mr Hassan urged decision-makers to take immediate action to settle the outstanding payments, emphasising the importance of prioritising health despite the countrys fiscal challenges. Health is a crucial aspect of our nations wealth, and immunisation is a key pathway to enhancing the health and well-being of all Nigerians, Mr Hassan said. In his remarks, the Chairman of the Health System Reform Coalition of Nigeria (HSRCN), Mustapha Lecky, highlighted the importance of improving surveillance systems, laboratory networks, vaccine procurement, and administration to enhance immunisation coverage and prevent deaths. Mr Lecky called for collective action and commitment from stakeholders to implement the African Declaration on Immunisation, stressing the importance of collaboration in addressing the issue. The CEO of VNDC, Chika Offor, observed that the ongoing efforts and international support are crucial to Nigerias goal of achieving independent vaccine production, which will significantly improve public health outcomes across the nation. Ms Offor said the commitment offers hope that Nigeria can overcome its current hurdles and establish a more sustainable immunisation programme. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senate on Wednesday amended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act to increase the borrowing limit the bank can offer the federal government from five per cent to 10 per cent. The borrowing, popularly called Ways and Means, is a loan facility through which the CBN finances the federal governments budget shortfalls. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the increment during an emergency plenary on Wednesday after many of the senators supported it through voice votes. It was read for the first and second time and committed to the Committee of the Whole where the clauses were considered before final passage. Mr Akpabio said the increase would support the government to finance its shortfalls. He urged Nigerians to shun violence in the process of agitating for the end of bad governance. We urge Nigerians to shun any act of violence. The government is doing a lot, we in the parliament are also doing a lot, Mr Akpabio added. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Ways and Means The Ways and Means is a recurring loan the CBN issues to the federal government to finance shortfalls in the government budget. In March 2022, the Debt Management Office (DMO) announced that the federal government borrowed a total of N18.16 trillion from the CBN. The debt as of then was more than 40 per cent of the money supply in the economy. In February, the Senate constituted an ad-hoc committee chaired by Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East) to probe the Ways and Means loan amounting to N30 trillion obtained by the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari from the CBN. The committee has yet to submit its report. Debate While leading a debate on the amendment, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, explained that the essence of the increment was to enable the government to meet its immediate and future financial obligations. The essence of the bill is to enable the federal government to meet its immediate and future obligations due to the increasing need for funds to finance the budget deficit and other expenses. The Central Bank of Nigeria advances to the federal government are essentially loans that the Central Bank of Nigeria provides to the government to help meet its financial obligations. These advances are typically short-term and are expected to be repaid by the government, he said. The senate leader said the bill would provide for immediate funds to address budget shortfalls and finance essential projects of the federal government. He also said it would help the government to maintain financial stability and stimulate the economy. He further stated that it will Provide immediate funds to address budget shortfalls and finance essential government expenditure. Help maintain financial market stability that will prevent government default on its obligations. Inject money into the economy, thereby stimulating economic activity and potentially creating jobs. Enable the government to support its critical sectors like agriculture, and infrastructure development. Lower the government borrowing cost by providing cheaper funds than the traditional borrowing method. Contributions Many of the senators who contributed to the debate support the increment. Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East) said the bill was seeking to provide financial backup to the federal government. Mr Abiru, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, commended the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other government agencies for improving their revenues. Babangida Hussaini (APC, Jigawa North-west) proposed that the borrowing limit should not exceed 10 per cent. Ahmed Wadada (SDP, Nasarawa West) expressed displeasure that the federal government may not be able to refund the loan if the limitation is increased to 10 per cent. From records, it is not in doubt that the government will not be able to redeem its indebtedness, he said. Mr Wadada proposed that the government invest in the capital market to increase its revenue rather than depending on the CBN. To reduce the financial engagement of commitment in developing our structure, we must not necessary be subjecting the country to only Ways and Means, the capital market is there as a measure for government to issue bond for infrainfrastural which will enable the citizenry invest. We cannot continue to be treading on one path. When we exhaust it, where do we have to go? he said. Adams Oshiomole (APC, Edo North) said it is realistic for the government to meet up with refunding of the loan. Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West) said there is a need to increase the borrowing limit from five per cent to 10 per cent. Responding to the debate, the senate president said the Ways and Means would be used to finance shortfalls of the federal government. This is not actually borrowing. This is just advances from the Central Bank of Nigeria to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the purpose of augmenting any shortfall. We are not borrowing from outside Nigeria. Whether you call it borrowing or advances, it doesnt matter, Mr Akpabio said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A protest billed to take place nationwide against economic hardship in Nigeria begins tomorrow (Thursday). The government has tried to shoot down the plan, but the organisers have vowed to ensure the protest is held. Amid rising costs of living and low public confidence in the government, widespread grievances are fuelling discontent among many Nigerians. Many displeased citizens say they have chosen to protest as their way of calling for an end to bad governance. The protest comes after similar actions in Kenya and Bangladesh, where citizens recently protested violently against their jobs and governments economy-related policies. More than 50 persons died, hundreds were injured, and public and private properties were destroyed in the protests that went on for weeks in Kenya. In Bangladesh, weeks of protest over a job quota system have left more than 200 people dead as students take to the streets to protest. The recent foreign developments have revived memories of the violent outcomes of the 2020 #EndSARS protest as organisers intensify plans for another demonstration in Nigeria. This has sparked significant security and safety concerns among many Nigerians regarding the upcoming protest. 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 organisers maintain that they have the right to peaceful protest, placing the responsibility for ensuring peace during the demonstrations on the government. The prospect of the eruption of violence has dominated the narratives of both the proponents of the protest and its opponents chief among whom are President Bola Tinubu and his top aides. Below are how the opposing sides have stepped up their campaigns, disagreeing on how peaceful the protest can be. Government mixed bag of countermoves Governments worldwide are conscious of the damaging political effect of public protests against their policies, style of governance and handling of the economy. They also have a legitimate responsibility to be worried about potentially volatile mass action. A thin line separates the two forms of concern when considering the motivations that drive governments reactions to protests. The Nigerian government has said it is against the protest due to the likelihood of it being hijacked by criminals and leading to killings and destruction of violence, like the recent development in Kenya and the EndSARS protest. The President Tinubu administration is doing all it can to prevent the protests from even starting. The protest has been a major talking point in the presidents publicly known meetings in the presidential villa in the past week, underscoring how seriously his administration takes the matter. Mr Tinubu has met with state governors, heads of security agencies, and religious and traditional leaders to discuss the protest. After the meetings, the presidents visitors called for calm, asking citizens to exercise patience while expressing worry about the possible turns the protests could take. Nobody that will not be worried about the protest, the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, said after one of such meetings. we are calling on our people to exercise patience and to listen to the words of wisdom. The Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi, said the traditional rulers were not against the protests but wanted it to be civil. On his part, the Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Keagborekuzi, said that though he understood the grievances of Nigerians, he believed the government was making the right decisions and citizens needed to be patient. The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, also met with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), asking them not to participate in the protests. The NANS leadership and other student groups later said they would not be part of the protests. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has rejected the calls for the 10-day protests, saying it was alarmed by the goal of the protests. The spokesperson for the group, Tukur Mohammed-Baba, a professor, said: What is discernible from the justification and demands from the promoters of the protests are largely incoherent and poorly articulated with their likelihood of success very doubtful. The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organisation Afenifere has also said it does not support the planned protests, asking organisers to opt for dialogue. Also, the pan-Igbo socio-cultural and socio-political organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, has asked Igbo youths nationwide to avoid the planned protest. From subtle threats to persuasion Meanwhile, the security agencies have used both intimidation and persuasion as a strategy to quell the protests, but none appears to have worked. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) warned protesters against anarchy in the guise of a nationwide protest. Speaking during a press conference on Thursday, Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, said the context of the planned protest was to shadow what happened in Kenya. In the North, where the plan seems to be gaining traction, the police arrested at least seven promoters of the protests. But public outrage forced the police to release them. In one of his earliest comments about the protests, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, asked the protesters to shelve the protest, saying it was ill-advised. We have the responsibility to protect properties and everyone, irrespective of their race, colour, ethnicity, or tribe, who are lawfully embarking on their daily activities. We will, therefore, not sit back and fold our arms to watch violent activities unleashed on our peaceful communities or destroy any of our national critical infrastructure and assets again, Mr Egbetokun was quoted as saying. Later, the IGP asked protest leaders to submit their details to the commissioners of police in their respective states. But many Nigerians immediately reject the idea. As tension grows, subtle threats from the police have morphed into persuasion. On Saturday, the police chief met with the commandants of the police mobile force. According to one of the commandants in attendance, the meeting was in connection with the protest. Mainly, the mobile police are used to quench riots, and their involvement in this matter could escalate fears that they could harm the protesters. On Tuesday, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, met with human rights leaders in the country, including Femi Falana and Ebun Adegboruwa, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong. According to the attendees of the meeting, Mr Egbetokun appealed that protesters restrict themselves to specific locations. Not backing down However, the protesters are not backing down. They insist that protest is a constitutional right. They have also vowed not to leave the streets until the demands are met. Some notable commentators like Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, have blamed the violence that erupted during the #EndSARS protest on government-sponsored counter-protests. He said the government should intensify its efforts to meet the protesters demands instead of trying to stop the protest. The Ayo Adebanjo-led faction of Afenifere has also thrown its weight behind the protest. The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has also lent his voice in support of the protest. His supporters, styled as Obidients, have been vocal in rallying support for the protest online. The protest has also received surprising support from the sections of the ordinarily conservative North of the country. Increasingly, young Nigerians from the region have questioned the long-standing stance of the widely respected Islamic scholars who campaign against physical protests as un-islamic conduct. Some protest supporters are also taking steps to minimise risk factors for violence. They have requested the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to allow them to use the Eagles Square in Abuja to ensure peace and order during the protest. Some protest backers have taken to social media to appeal to people not to block the roads and not destroy properties as part of efforts to ensure a peaceful protest. Protest The planned protest is scheduled for 10 days from 1 to 10 August. But the litany of demands is as diverse as the groups behind them. For instance, while some fliers shared by Nigerians demanded a reverse of petrol price to N300 per litre, others asked that it be returned to N100. The tag for the protest is also not uniform. The Take It Back Movement led by a former presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) and long-time activist, Omoyele Sowore, tagged the protest Days of Rage. Others on social media tagged the protest #EndBadGovernance. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has cautioned security operatives against human rights abuses during the nationwide protest scheduled for 1 to 10 August. The Executive Secretary of the commission, Anthony Ojukwu, said the commission would monitor the protest closely as part of its commitment to protecting human rights during the demonstrations. He gave the assurance at a press conference at the commissions headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday while giving an update on the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violation in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North-East. Mr Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said protests and peaceful assemblies offer an opportunity for the people to participate in shaping their societies and upholding the principles of democracy. The protest stemmed from the discontent of many Nigerians about deepening economic hardship in the country. The situation is believed to be a fallout of the key economic policies of President Bola Tinubus administration. The protest #EndBadGovernance has gained significant attention, igniting counter-narratives among social media users, political stakeholders, and human rights activists nationwide. 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 Speaking on the eve of the protest, Mr Ojukwu urged the federal and state governments, law enforcement officers, and protesters to uphold the principles that promote peaceful assemblies. He also cautioned law enforcement officers against the use of force. He charged them to respect the rights of protesters and protect them against criminals. The NHRC calls on all parties to avoid actions that could endanger public safety or damage private and public properties as well as undermine Nigerias democracy, Mr Ojukwu said. Update on the ongoing investigation by the commission In 2022, Reuters published a report that alleged that the Nigerian army, since 2013, had perpetrated human rights violations during counter-insurgency operations in the North-east. The alleged abuses included illegal abortion programmes that resulted in the termination of over 10,000 pregnancies, the killing of children and assaults on women in the North East region. This resulted in setting up the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violation in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North-East (SIIP North-East). The mandate of the panel is to investigate the allegations made by Reuters. The panel is also expected to make recommendations for compensation in established cases of violations and prosecution of culpable persons for rights abuses in deserving situations. While giving an update on the ongoing investigation, senior human rights adviser to the NHRC, Hilary Ogbonna, said 190 witnesses had testified across Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa states as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Among the witnesses were 39 women and 147 men, out of which 77 per cent were civilians, and 23 per cent were military personnel. I would like to inform you that we are almost done with the report, Mr Ogbonna said. Mr Ogbonna, who also serves as the secretary to the panel, also said the panel has faced challenges since its inauguration in 2023. He noted that Reuters, which published the report alleging human rights abuses, had not appeared before the panel. He also stated that the insecurity in the North-east is still rife and has hindered them from visiting some intended locations they considered necessary for the investigation. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As Mr Arabi prepares to oversee his second Hajj as the helmsman of NAHCON, expectations are high, particularly regarding the Muna experience, pilgrims Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), and feeding arrangements in some states To address issues beyond the states control, NAHCON is urged to exert its influence in key dealings, ensuring a more seamless experience for pilgrims. On 18 October, 2023, the Office of the President announced the appointment of Jalal Arabi as the new chairman of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), a move that was widely applauded by stakeholders in Nigerian Hajj operations. The appointment was hailed as a masterstroke, with many describing it as a perfect peg in a perfect circle. This expression of approval was largely due to Arabis extensive experience and reputation as a seasoned administrator, which made him an ideal fit for the role. His appointment was seen as a strategic decision aimed at enhancing the organisations effectiveness and efficiency in managing Hajj operations in Nigeria. Although Jalal Arabis appointment as NAHCON chairman may have seemed perfectly timed, it actually presented a significant challenge. With the 2024 Hajj operations looming, he had to hit the ground running, taking bold and decisive actions to get the ball rolling and tackle the task head-on. Essentially, he had to assume his role with urgency and vigour, swiftly getting down to business to ensure a successful and seamless Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims. 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 2024 Hajj coincided with a period of economic instability in Nigeria, with the government struggling to mitigate the effects of a recession. The Nigerian currency, the naira, is under intense pressure in the foreign exchange market, exacerbating the challenges faced by pilgrims and the economy at large. As people struggle to meet their basic needs, those aspiring to perform the Hajj pilgrimage faced an additional burden, with a hefty fee of N8,000,000 to pay. This daunting challenge came at a time when Jalal Arabi had just assumed the role of Chairman, tasked with navigating the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) through the turbulent economic waters. Journey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Nigeria successfully transported a staggering 65,000 pilgrims, encompassing both those traveling through the government and those utilising private agency carriers for the Hajj pilgrimage. One of the policies that garnered significant attention from stakeholders in the Hajj operations was the decision to reduce the duration of stay in Madina. Previously, pilgrims would use up to 10 days in Madina, but Chairman Arabi has implemented a new policy limiting the stay to just four days. This move aims to achieve cost savings and curb excessive expenditures associated with extended stays during the Hajj. In Madina, pilgrims enjoyed exceptional accommodations and were provided with meals throughout their four-day stay. The excellent arrangements and warm hospitality hinted at a journey that would yield cherished memories for all. Dedicated officials from NAHCON were always available, ensuring a seamless experience by providing top-notch assistance to pilgrims. As the four days drew to a close, pilgrims gathered at Makka, badge by badge, marking the next phase of their spiritual journey. In a groundbreaking feat, the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims was completed at a remarkable 72 hours before the closure of Jeddah Airport a historic first in the countrys Hajj operations. This outstanding achievement was a testament to the exemplary leadership and organisational prowess of Mr Arabi, setting a new benchmark for future Hajj operations. The Makka Escapade In Makka, pilgrims were accommodated in various hotels, segregated by their states of origin. Adequate provisions were also made for their sustenance, including home made meals, snacks and fruits. They converged at the sacred Masjid Haram, where they engaged in prayers from dawn till dusk almost all the time. This experience will be etched in their memories as a once-in-a-lifetime event. Amidst the spiritual journey, pilgrims forged new bonds, some of which would last a lifetime, while others would eventually fade a poignant reminder of the ephemeral nature of human connections and the beauty of lifes experiences. The Muna Experience In Muna, the real drama unfolded. Opinions diverged on the adequacy of preparations, with some pilgrims expressing dissatisfaction with the accommodations, while others believed that the best arrangements had been made. However, the generous food provisions more than made up for any perceived shortcomings in lodging. Pilgrims were treated to sumptuous meals, leaving them fully satiated. Chairman Arabi made it a point to personally visit various tents, engaging with pilgrims and gathering feedback. While some pilgrims were initially taken aback by the unconventional setting, they ultimately appreciated the chairmans efforts and commended his dedication. Nevertheless, some tents did experience issues, which the chairman diligently noted and promised to address in the 2025 Hajj preparations already underway. Bustling Pilgrims After Hajj After completing the Hajj rituals, pilgrims eagerly flocked to the vibrant shops and markets, eager to acquire meaningful souvenirs and gifts for loved ones back home. The atmosphere was electric, with a palpable sense of excitement and joy. The bustling streets were filled with the sounds of laughter, haggling, and friendly banter, as pilgrims from diverse backgrounds and cultures mingled and shared in the spirit of unity and celebration. Amidst the colourful stalls and shops, they discovered a vast array of treasures, from intricate handicrafts and fragrant perfumes to exquisite textiles and sparkling jewelry. As they navigated the crowded marketplaces, pilgrims relished the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the region, creating unforgettable memories and cementing the bonds of friendship and community forged during their sacred journey. The 2025 Hajj As Mr Arabi prepares to oversee his second Hajj as the helmsman of NAHCON, expectations are high, particularly regarding the Muna experience, pilgrims Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), and feeding arrangements in some states. To address issues beyond the states control, NAHCON is urged to exert its influence in key dealings, ensuring a more seamless experience for pilgrims. Building on the successes of this years Hajj operations, the 2025 exercise is poised to be an even more memorable and improved experience, with the commissions proactive approach and dedication to excellence paving the way for a truly unforgettable spiritual journey. Mohammed Lere Yunusa is associate editor at PREMIUM TIMES. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print For protests to be more effective in Nigeria, it is crucial to develop a more strategic approach. This involves setting clear, achievable goals and creating a detailed plan to achieve them. Protestors must also invest time in understanding the political system and building relationships with key stakeholders. Advocacy should not end when the protests do; it should continue in the halls of power, in the form of lobbying, engaging with lawmakers, and participating in the democratic process. In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in protests, with the #EndSARS movement being one of the most prominent examples. While these protests have garnered significant attention and mobilised a substantial portion of the population, they have not always translated into the desired changes. This lack of success can be attributed to several factors, including the lack of a calculated trajectory and a poor understanding of the political system. The #EndSARS movement, which called for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) due to its notorious brutality, quickly gained momentum across the country. Thousands of young Nigerians took to the streets, demanding justice and reforms. However, despite the initial victories, such as the disbandment of SARS, the movement did not achieve its broader goals of systemic reform and accountability. One major reason for this was the lack of a clear, strategic plan. The protestors did not have a concrete roadmap outlining their demands and the steps needed to achieve them. This absence of a calculated trajectory led to a situation where the government could make superficial concessions without addressing the underlying issues. Moreover, a poor understanding of the political system significantly hampered the movements success. Many protestors did not fully grasp the intricacies of governance and the bureaucratic processes involved in implementing reforms. This gap in understanding made it difficult to engage effectively with policymakers and to hold them accountable. Without a deep knowledge of how the system works, protestors were unable to navigate the political landscape effectively, leading to frustration and disillusionment when their demands were not met. The excitement and unity experienced during protests can create a powerful sense of solidarity and hope. However, this often fades when the hard work of advocacy, negotiation, and policy-making begins. Protests are just the beginning of a long and arduous journey towards change. The real challenge lies in sustaining momentum, building coalitions, and engaging in the often tedious process of political and legal reforms. The #EndSARS protests are not the first to face such challenges. Other significant protests in Nigeria also struggled to achieve their goals due to similar issues. For instance, the fuel subsidy protests of 2012, also known as Occupy Nigeria, mobilised millions against the governments removal of fuel subsidies, which had led to a sharp increase in fuel prices. Despite the massive turnout and public support, the protests failed to secure long-term policy changes. The government made temporary concessions, but the underlying issues of corruption and inefficiency in the petroleum sector remained unaddressed. The protestors lacked a clear, unified agenda beyond the immediate reversal of the subsidy removal, and once the initial fervor died down, the movement lost momentum. Similarly, the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, initiated in response to the abduction of schoolgirls by Boko Haram in 2014, garnered international attention and widespread support. While it succeeded in drawing global attention to the plight of the kidnapped girls and pressuring the government to take action, it did not lead to significant policy changes regarding security and the protection of vulnerable populations in Nigeria. The campaign highlighted the governments inadequacies but lacked a strategic plan for sustained advocacy and policy reform. Another critical issue is that many Nigerians are more enamoured with the euphoria of protests than the actual struggle to achieve tangible outcomes. The excitement and unity experienced during protests can create a powerful sense of solidarity and hope. However, this often fades when the hard work of advocacy, negotiation, and policy-making begins. Protests are just the beginning of a long and arduous journey towards change. The real challenge lies in sustaining momentum, building coalitions, and engaging in the often tedious process of political and legal reforms. Unfortunately, many movements lose steam when the initial enthusiasm wanes, and the hard work of achieving systemic change begins. 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 #EndSARS movement has shown that Nigerians are ready and willing to fight for justice and reform. However, to turn this readiness into real change, we must adopt a more strategic and informed approach to activism. By doing so, we can ensure that our efforts are not in vain and that we achieve the meaningful, lasting reforms that Nigeria so desperately needs. For protests to be more effective in Nigeria, it is crucial to develop a more strategic approach. This involves setting clear, achievable goals and creating a detailed plan to achieve them. Protestors must also invest time in understanding the political system and building relationships with key stakeholders. Advocacy should not end when the protests do; it should continue in the halls of power, in the form of lobbying, engaging with lawmakers, and participating in the democratic process. Furthermore, there needs to be a shift in mindset from the euphoria of protests to the sustained struggle for change. This means recognising that real change requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to engage in the less glamorous aspects of activism. It involves educating oneself and others about the political system, building coalitions, and being prepared for a long-term commitment to the cause. The #EndSARS movement has shown that Nigerians are ready and willing to fight for justice and reform. However, to turn this readiness into real change, we must adopt a more strategic and informed approach to activism. By doing so, we can ensure that our efforts are not in vain and that we achieve the meaningful, lasting reforms that Nigeria so desperately needs. Kunle Lawal is the executive director, Electoral College, Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print For Dangote, this venture transcends personal comfort or wealth. His daughter, Fatima Dangote, the executive director of Commercial Operations, praises her fathers incredible energy, patriotism, commitment to pro-Nigerian causes, goal-setting abilities, and resilience. Critics of the Dangote Refinery might be called deniers. Their scepticism stems from Nigerias history of failing its citizens, making it difficult for them to believe that an individual could succeed where the country has faltered. Building a refinery of such magnitude seems impossible, yet it becomes achievable when driven by forces greater than mere wealth, passion, or fame. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), led by Farouk Ahmed, had initially made disparaging remarks about the upcoming refinery. The resulting accusations and counter-accusations have tarnished the optics of what should be a collaborative effort in the national interest. Politics has seeped into this highly regulated industry, causing parties to take sides. However, all stakeholders are interdependent and should consider the economic implications of their actions beyond Nigerias borders. Dangote requires regulation to thrive in the global oil market, while the Nigerian government needs the Dangote Refinery to address its own shortcomings. Fortunately, reason and dialogue have prevailed, with President Tinubu directing the NNPC to supply Dangote Refinery with crude oil, following a public outcry. The physical existence of the refinery cannot be denied. Located in Ibeju Lekki, the 2,635-hectare complex housing Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE is expected to stabilise the market, inspire hope, and showcase Nigeria as a land of opportunity for both domestic and international investors. This monumental project is redeeming Nigeria and Africas image, demonstrating the countrys capacity to rise above mere importation, which has long hindered its economy. A nation that has sought foreign direct investment globally cannot afford to be insensitive or politicise one of the few business ventures capable of generating significant foreign exchange for it. According to Mr Aliko Dangote, 56 per cent of the production would be exported, generating approximately $17 billion in foreign exchange. To realise the full potential of the Dangote Refinery and similar enterprises, all parties must make sacrifices and compromises to stabilise the economy. Despite scepticisms, the refinerys imposing physical structure is a testament to its significance. With a $20 billion investment, it stands as the largest private investment in Africa and a potential economic game-changer. Despite temporary setbacks and potential infractions, the Dangote Refinery seems unstoppable. The project has already overcome significant challenges, including the dredging of 65 million cubic meters of sand at a cost of 300 million over 18 months to reclaim land from the Atlantic Ocean. The 650,000 barrels per day refinery, utilising cutting-edge technology, can meet 100 per cent of Nigerias liquid product requirements (gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet fuel) at full capacity, in addition to producing polypropylene, fertiliser, and other petrochemicals. Naturally, this disruption to the status quo has led to backlash from groups that have long benefited from the current system. 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 For decades, Nigerias oil production capacity has been in decline due to various factors, including mismanagement, illegal refining, and unchecked exports. The Dangote Refinery has emerged as a crucial solution to fill this gap, arriving at a critical juncture when neither modular nor green refineries have been able to meet local demand. Despite temporary setbacks and potential infractions, the Dangote Refinery seems unstoppable. The project has already overcome significant challenges, including the dredging of 65 million cubic meters of sand at a cost of 300 million over 18 months to reclaim land from the Atlantic Ocean. In a country lacking infrastructure, Dangote Refinery had to build its own, including roads, ports, and marine facilities. This investment extends beyond the refinery itself, with 112 roads constructed within and outside the complex. What drives a businessman who was already successful as a commodity importer to undertake such a massive project? It began with former President Olusegun Obasanjo encouraging Dangote to produce locally what he once imported. This led to the creation of a diversified conglomerate spanning cement production, crude oil and gas exploration, agriculture, and petrochemicals, with operations in at least 10 African countries. For a man who has fought all his life for causes he believes in, stabilising his refinery in the face of opposition from entrenched interests in the petroleum sector is yet another battle he must win. This fight is not just for his own sake, but for the thousands of youth employed at the refinery, for the much-needed foreign exchange, and to salvage Nigerias image in the complex web of international politics and economics. For Dangote, this venture transcends personal comfort or wealth. His daughter, Fatima Dangote, the executive director of Commercial Operations, praises her fathers incredible energy, patriotism, commitment to pro-Nigerian causes, goal-setting abilities, and resilience. The refinerys job creation potential is significant, providing stable livelihoods for millions of workers and their dependents. This should elicit excitement, support, and encouragement from both federal and state governments. Dangote himself stated, Our refinery was designed to refine different grades of crude, so we can buy from anywhere. But importation brings in poverty and ships out jobs. The refinery currently employs 30,000 people, with a target of 100,000, 97 per cent of who are Nigerians, including young engineers, industrial chemists, and lab scientists who demonstrate proficiency in operating the complex machinery and systems. For a man who has fought all his life for causes he believes in, stabilising his refinery in the face of opposition from entrenched interests in the petroleum sector is yet another battle he must win. This fight is not just for his own sake, but for the thousands of youth employed at the refinery, for the much-needed foreign exchange, and to salvage Nigerias image in the complex web of international politics and economics. The Dangote Refinery has taken on a life of its own, becoming an institution owned by over 200 million Nigerians. Fortunately for Dangote, most Nigerians appear to stand solidly behind him in this endeavour. Zainab Suleiman Okino is a syndicated columnist. She chairs the Blueprint Editorial Board and can be reached at zainabokino@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, said Tuesday that his administration cannot pay the new national minimum wage of N70,000. Mr Yahaya, who chairs the Northern Governors Forum, spoke at a meeting with labour leaders, civil society organisations, and traders associations at the Government House in Gombe, ahead of the planned nationwide protest. He said Gombe States limited allocation from the federation account makes it impossible to implement the increased wage package. This is despite the fact that the federal allocation to Gombe and all other states has increased since President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidies. I cannot pay the N70,000 minimum wage, and I suspect many other states are in the same predicament, he said. He said even the previous minimum wage of N30,000 was a struggle for many state governments to implement. The governor also said that Gombe State has yet to receive the promised 20 trucks of rice from the federal government, intended to alleviate the suffering of its citizens. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the federal government announced the donation of 20 trucks of 25kg bags of rice to each state as part of efforts to ameliorate the cost of living crisis faced by Nigerians. 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 Yahaya also said the state received only N2 billion, contrary to the N5 billion palliative allegedly given to states by the federal government. The governor attributed last years fuel subsidy removal, which exacerbated Nigerians hardship, to a decision initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari and announced by President Bola Tinubu. He said President Tinubu had no choice but to announce the subsidy removal, as the National Assembly was not inaugurated at the time of his swearing-in and there was no provision for petrol subsidy in the 2023 budget beyond June. Governor Yahaya urged residents of the state to shun the nationwide protests, which, he said, could lead to violence and destruction. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde has appointed an 11-man committee for the upgrade of the Ibadan airport to international standard. The committee members are Bimbo Adekanmbi (chairman); former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Kabir Yusuf; legal luminary, Wale Babalakin, SAN; Ibitoye Ajiboye, an air commodore; Wing Commander Onyedima; Squadron Leader Sheu; Ayo Opasanya; Wale Okubadejo; Oluyomi Onilude; Seyi Akinbohun and Ademola Aderinto. Mr Makinde said to further his goal of sustainable development; his administration will keep funding initiatives that will provide the state with a comparative advantage. He insisted that the second comparative advantage his administration is looking into to boost the states economy is the upgrading of the Ibadan airport, Alakia, to an international standard. The governor made the announcement on Tuesday at the Executive Chamber of the Governors Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, during the formal inauguration of the 11-member Ibadan Airport Upgrade Project Committee, led by Bimbo Adekanmbi, a former Oyo State Commissioner for Finance. He stated that his administration made investments in the growth of agribusiness, citing it as the states first comparative advantage. He noted that modernising the airport will help agribusiness and aid the state economys overall expansion. 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 Makinde disclosed that it has been a part of his plans since the start of his administration and that the decision to upgrade the airport was made using logic, science, and data. He said that it is a strategic investment that will stand the test of time. As part of upgrades to the airport, the state government built a 500,000-litre aviation fuel storage and dispensing facility, a new VIP lounge, and donated a fire truck and pickup van. According to him, Today marks another important milestone in the history of Oyo State, as we inaugurate the committee that will work towards the actualisation of the Ibadan Airport upgrade. They would start with the preliminary activities before the groundbreaking ceremony for an international standard airport in Ibadan. We are all excited about this, and for good reasons. Our vision for investing on a second comparative advantage of our city to support the comparative advantage in agribusiness is coming together. Historically, Ibadan is a nodal city. It was a meeting point for commercial activities and also a stopover as people went to other parts of the country. That was how Ibadan developed. If you take a look at the map of Nigeria, you will see that Ibadan is a major entry point to the Northern part of Nigeria and even some other states of the South-west. We have preliminary data to support this move, and part of the work this committee will be doing is providing us with the definite numbers through a comprehensive passenger data analysis and ensuring that all the groundwork is laid to fulfil requirements for building an international airport as stipulated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Mr Makinde said previous upgrades done to part of the airport facilities increased the number of airlines that have included Ibadan in their flight schedules. When we came in, we only had one airline with a regular flight coming to Ibadan. But now, we have regular flights, and I have seen activities growing around the airport. So, we are convinced that this project is going to be one that will endure. As I said earlier in my newsletter on this issue, this is a strategic investment, and I believe posterity will smile on us for opting to upgrade the Ibadan Airport Alakia to an international airport, he added. The governor urged the committee members to bring their wealth of experience to bear in making history for the state. The event had in attendance the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; former Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu; Secretary to the State Government; Olanike Adeyemo; and the Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, among other top government functionaries. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Vietnams investment reaches nearly 150.7 million USD abroad in seven months (Photo: VNA) The amount was channeled in 64 new projects and added to 15 existing ones. Vietnamese investors poured money into 12 sectors abroad during the reviewed period. The mining sector topped the list, accounting for 38.9% of the total, followed by processing-manufacturing (19.2%) and the wholesale and retail sector (16.4%), statistics showed. Among the 23 countries and territories recording Vietnamese investments during the period, the Netherlands took the lead with 36.2%. It was followed by Laos (24.3%), US (12.4%), and Cambodia (8.2%). As of July 20, Vietnam had 1,750 valid overseas investment projects with combined capital of nearly 22.27 billion USD, the majority of which, 31.6%, operated in the mining industry and 15.5% in the agro-forestry-fishery sector. Laos was the largest recipient of Vietnamese investment with 24.7%. Cambodia ranked second and Venezuela came third with 13.1% and 8.3%, respectively, according to the FIA. Hanois FDI attraction hit 1.3 billion USD in 7 months The capital city of Hanoi attracted 124.9 million USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) in July, bringing the total in the first seven months to 1.3 billion USD, 65% higher than the same period last year, said the Vietnam News Agency. According to the municipal Statistics Office, over 1.1 billion USD was poured into 143 new projects in the January July period, 138 million USD added to 102 existing projects, and 77 million USD spent on contributing capital to or purchasing shares of local companies. A corner of Hanoi (Photo: dangcongsan.vn) In the first seven months, Hanoi had 18,000 newly established enterprises with a combined registered capital of 162.1 trillion VND (6.41 billion USD), a decrease of 2% in the number of companies and 9% in capital year-on-year. Meanwhile, as many as 6,600 businesses resumed their operation, up 14% compared to the same period last year, and 18,200 others registered to temporarily suspend operations, 23% higher than that of the same period last year. A total of 2,500 businesses dissolved, up 18% over the same period last year. Business guide launched to support Mexican investors in Vietnam The Western Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade (COMCE Occidente), the Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico and the Mexico's National Bank of Foreign Trade (Bancomext) on July 29 launched a business guide to support Mexican enterprises interested in the Vietnamese market, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The 13-chapter document consists of information on Vietnam's economy and foreign trade, updates on bilateral trade, potential sectors and products, useful tools related to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as well as contacts in Vietnam. Speaking at the event, President of COMCE Occidente Miguel Angel Landeros emphasised that the document provides valuable and practical information related to the business environment in Vietnam, while highlighting opportunities, challenges, and the most suitable methods to enter and expand business activities in the country. He said that the relations between Mexico and Vietnam are being strengthened in all areas, and their trade ties will continue to grow strongly as both countries are members of the CPTPP. Delegates at the launch of the business guide to support Mexican enterprises interested in the Vietnamese market. (Photo: VNA) Mexican Ambassador to Vietnam Alejandro Negrin said that as the CPTPP has come into effect, the business guide will further support Mexican businesses in exporting or expanding operations in the Vietnamese market. For his part, Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Van Hai affirmed that bilateral trade still has a lot of room for further development, especially as the two are large markets and have many similarities, with many products and industries complementing each other. According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Mexico, bilateral trade turnover reached 3.1 billion USD in the first half of this year, up 22% over the same period last year, of which Vietnams exports to Mexico was worth 2.64 billion USD. Vietnam Pho Festival 2024 to take place in Seoul in October The Vietnam Pho Festival 2024 will be held in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (RoK) in October in an effort to promote Vietnamese culinary culture to international friends, said the Vietnam News Agency. The festival marks the eight edition of the Day of Pho held annually by daily newspaper Tuoi Tre (Youth). It aims to popularise Vietnamese cuisine, with a specific focus on Pho, a popular Vietnamese dish consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat usually beef or chicken. Representatives from Tuoi tre newspaper and Saigontourist Group at the press conference to announce the Vietnam Pho Festival 2024. (Photo: VNA) At an event held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 29 to announce the festival, the organsing board said that main activities are scheduled to take place at Yeouido Park on October 5 - 6 and will feature a total of 40 booths from various brands in both Vietnam and the RoK. As part of the festival, a series of promotional activities will be organised, such as a B2B matching session, a pho discovery event for Korean YouTubers and Pho lovers, an exhibition on the history of Pho, and traditional Vietnamese and Korean folk games. Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi tre newspaper Le The Chu said that the festival is expected to introduce Vietnamese culinary cultural values to Korean people, promote the images and economic potential of Vietnam, and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Nguyen Dinh Dung, Counselor of the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK said that there are about 300,000 Vietnamese people living in the RoK and many Korean people know about Vietnam and have good sentiments to the country. He noted that there are many Vietnamese Pho restaurants in the RoK but they hardly have any connections. The festival will be an important event to promote Vietnamese culture to Koreans as well as the international community in the RoK. Vietnam Pho (Photo: vtcnews.vn) Chairman of the Board of Members of Saigontourist Group Pham Huy Binh said that his groups Korean partners, including tourism firms and airlines, highly appreciate the festival and consider it a solution to strengthen cultural tourism exchanges and attract more Korean visitors to Vietnam in the coming time. Last year, the festival was held in Japan, attracting 85,000 visitors./. TOKYO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The NX Group, one of the world's leading logistics providers, on Wednesday, July 31, published the NX Group Integrated Report 2024 and NX Group Sustainability Data Book 2024 detailing initiatives to make the group's businesses even more global, profitable, and sustainable. NX Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202407264236-O3-CqYxPxH8 Image1: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202407264236/_prw_PI4fl_35n0Y1LU.jpg Image2: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202407264236/_prw_PI5fl_ERGHC5SM.jpg The Integrated Report focuses on three key points from the group's latest five-year management plan: improving global competitiveness and achieving business growth; enhancing corporate value by increasing business competitiveness and profitability; and promoting sustainability management as the foundation for all its business activities. The report provides updates on policies and strategies of the NX Group under new NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS President Satoshi Horikiri; the five-year management plan (NX Group Management Plan 2028: Dynamic Growth 2.0 - Accelerating Global Growth); and the transition to an Audit Committee structure. Global-growth initiatives described in the report include the smooth integration of cargo-partner, the Austrian logistics company whose acquisition by the NX Group was completed in January 2024. The combination is creating value for stakeholders and helping to transform the NX Group into a truly global forwarder. "We will further grow our global business by increasing our customer base and expanding the range of services we offer," Horikiri said. The Sustainability Data Book explains in detail how the NX Group aims to address important issues such as climate change; contribute to global prosperity; and enhance corporate value by addressing the needs of people, businesses, and society. The data book outlines the NX Group's efforts to address major sustainability issues from the perspectives of "environmental value," "social value," "economic value," and "governance." In addition, the Sustainability page on the group website has been revamped to provide information in an easy-to-understand manner. Websites "NX GROUP Integrated Report 2024": https://www.nipponexpress-holdings.com/en/ir/library/annual/ "NX GROUP Sustainability Data Book 2024": https://www.nipponexpress-holdings.com/en/sustainability/report/ Updated sustainability page on NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS website: https://www.nipponexpress-holdings.com/en/sustainability/ About the NX Group: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202407264236-O1-08DDWm7y.pdf NX Group official website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/ NX Group's official LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/ Highly Experienced Finance Executive Melissa Torres Anderson Will Direct 1900 Wealth Management's Business Development in the Austin Market AUSTIN, Texas, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- San Antonio-based, family-owned investment advisor 1900 Wealth Management (1900 Wealth) today announced it has tapped Melissa Torres Anderson to be managing senior vice president for its Austin office. "Melissa is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in finance, operations, reporting and private fund operations and compliance," said 1900 Wealth President Todd Brockwell. "She is a leader with proven ability to provide strategic vision for our business development in the Austin market while ensuring our clients receive the best-in-class, personalized service that has always been a cornerstone of our business philosophy." "It is an honor to assume this position of high trust with such a respected institution as 1900 Wealth Management," said Anderson. "The experiences I have had and the knowledge I have accumulated throughout my career have led me to this time and place. My goal for the Austin office is to develop relationships with clients focused on wisely managing generational wealth. Beyond that, the Austin community is bright, entrepreneurial and home to great universities. There is a tremendous talent pool for recruitment and expanding our ability to serve new clients." Anderson has more than 25 years' experience in the financial services industry. Over her career, she has focused on due diligence of various investment strategies and management of finance and operations of Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). These roles have included chief operations officer/chief financial officer (COO/CFO) of Windmuehle LLC; principal, CFO, COO and chief compliance officer (CCO) of Meritage Capital LP, each a SEC-RIA; and founder of Bull Creek Financial LLC, a consulting firm providing services to private funds and family offices. Anderson also served as family office executive to St. James's Park Holding LLC and Treasury Controller at Dell Inc., where she was responsible for the accounting of treasury, venture investment and corporate finance transactions. She began her career in the audit practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers and holds a BA in accounting from Southwestern University. Anderson currently serves as a trustee at Southwestern University, a member of the board of The Catholic Foundation - Diocese of Austin and a member of the Helping Hand Society. 1900 Wealth Management is wholly owned by Jefferson Bank, a family-owned legacy bank that has been a leader in the South Texas banking community since 1946. Founded in 2015, the firm specializes in helping families grow their wealth through sound investment management, as well as addressing the complex challenges faced by high-net-worth families, while providing responsible stewardship over generational wealth. Its clients also benefit from the many expanded resources of the parent company. In 2023, 1900 Wealth opened its Greater Austin/Central Texas office in the heart of the downtown business sector, looking to capitalize on the region's phenomenal growth and the tremendous amount of private wealth created or transitioning to Austin in recent years. For years, Austin has been one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the US, and now it is one of the top-ranking cities nationwide for the attracting high-net-worth individuals. As stated in a recent article from the Austin American Statesman, from 2013 to 2023, Austin's millionaire population grew by 110%, or 30% more than the original Silicon Valley during that same period. According to the latest data from New World Wealth and Henley & Partners, Austin has 32,700 millionaire residents, ranking 10th among US cities in that category. Austin is home to 92 centi-millionaires individuals with wealth totaling more than $100 million and 10 individuals worth more than $1 billion.i Since its founding, 1900 Wealth has demonstrated an exceptional aptitude for keeping pace with market trends, especially through increasing investments on its unique alternative investment platform. To date, investors have participated in 39 alternative investment opportunities worth more than $200 million, including private credit, venture capital, oil and gas, music royalties, consumer products, and real estate. In March 2024, 1900 Wealth Management announced its assets under management (AUM) surpassed $2 billion. This notable achievement came on the heels of a successful 2023 marked by moving into a new San Antonio headquarters, market expansion in the Boerne and Austin areas, asset growth and expanded alternate investment offerings. Brockwell believes the firm will reach $2.4 billion AUM by the end of 2024. "The opportunity to join 1900 Wealth and lead the Austin market attracted me for two reasons," Anderson said. "First, my career has taught me the critical importance of building a team through trusted service partners to provide the highest level of performance. Second, 1900 Wealth's culture is deeply rooted in the committed leadership of Jefferson Bank to its employees and clients. The spirit of trust and caring that is evident in every team throughout the organization results in exemplary client service. Jefferson Bank and 1900 Wealth are firmly committed to investing in the Austin market, even at a time when we have observed various consolidations in the banking sector. Now more than ever, 1900 Wealth is ideally positioned to distinguish itself in the marketplace." "As I've said many times, I attribute all 1900 Wealth's successes over the past nine years to our exceptional personnel, and Melissa Anderson adds immeasurably to the quality, depth and breadth of our financial team," said Brockwell. "Looking ahead, we will continue to grow our client base, AUM and employee base both in the Capital City and throughout 1900 Wealth as a whole. We have put down roots in Austin, and we are here to stay." About 1900 Wealth Management LLC Founded in 2015 as Monticello Wealth Management and rebranded as 1900 Wealth Management in 2021, 1900 Wealth is a San Antonio-based investment advisory firm focusing on building structured wealth management plans for high-net-worth individuals and families. The firm is wholly owned by Jefferson Bank, which has been part of the San Antonio banking community since 1946. 1900 Wealth is registered as a Registered Investment Adviser with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Like its parent company, it is independent, guided by principles and structured for convenient, personalized service. To learn more visit www.1900Wealth.com. i Austin American-Statesman. (2024, April 12). Austin is becoming a hub for high-wealth individuals. Here's where it ranks in US, world. Austin American-Statesman. https://www.statesman.com/story/business/2024/04/10/richest-cities-in-us-america-austin-tx-rank-millionaires-billionaires/73163614007/i SOURCE 1900 Wealth Mangement NEW YORK, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global 3D printing in healthcare industry market size is estimated to grow by USD 5.73 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 23.31% during the forecast period. Increased demand for personalized or customized medical devices is driving market growth, with a trend towards emerging technological advances and applications of 3D printing in medical devices. However, high initial setup cost of 3D printing facilities poses a challenge. Key market players include 3D Systems Corp., Allevi Inc., Anatomics Pty Ltd., Dentsply Sirona Inc., Desktop Metal Inc., EOS GmbH, Formlabs Inc., General Electric Co., Groupe Gorge SA, INTAMSYS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD., MATERIALISE NV, Mecuris GmbH, Organovo Holdings Inc., Proto Labs Inc., Rapid Shape GmbH, Renishaw Plc, Roland DG Corp., SLM Solutions Group AG, Stratasys Ltd., and Ultimaker BV. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global 3D printing market in healthcare industry 2024-2028 Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies - Click for the snapshot of this report Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2017 - 2021 Segment Covered Application (Orthopedic and spinal, Dental, Hearing aids, and Others), Technology (Stereolithography, Granular materials binding, and Others), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)) Region Covered North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Key companies profiled 3D Systems Corp., Allevi Inc., Anatomics Pty Ltd., Dentsply Sirona Inc., Desktop Metal Inc., EOS GmbH, Formlabs Inc., General Electric Co., Groupe Gorge SA, INTAMSYS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD., MATERIALISE NV, Mecuris GmbH, Organovo Holdings Inc., Proto Labs Inc., Rapid Shape GmbH, Renishaw Plc, Roland DG Corp., SLM Solutions Group AG, Stratasys Ltd., and Ultimaker BV Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The 3D printing market in the healthcare industry has witnessed significant advancements, leading to increased production speed and volume capabilities for 3D systems. This technology offers numerous benefits, including reduced material waste and capital equipment expenditure, as well as a decrease in reliance on milling centers. In the dental sector, 3D printing enables the production of precise and efficient dental devices. New combinations of 3D printing materials are under development, expanding the technology's applications and reducing costs. UV Silicone 60A MG and HT PCL MG are two approved materials suitable for various applications. UV Silicone 60A MG, a biocompatible liquid silicone rubber, delivers a Shore A hardness of 60 and is approved for short-term use in the body. HT PCL MG, a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester, is approved for both short- and long-term use and is suitable for applications like bone and cartilage regeneration. EnvisionTEC's new material, E-OrthoShape, is an affordable option for 3D printing orthodontic models, enabling the creation of clear thermoformed aligners. Advances in imaging modalities have made it possible to develop customized anatomical models with greater precision. 3D Systems' VSP is a 510(k) cleared service tool used for orthognathic surgical planning, mandibular or maxillary reconstruction, trauma reduction surgery, and distraction osteogenesis planning. Software advancements have made it easier to extract the surface of structures of interest from 3D medical imaging data, increasing the adoption of 3D-printed healthcare products. Key vendors are investing heavily in R&D to develop innovative products, fueling the growth of the global 3D printing market in healthcare during the forecast period. The 3D printing market in the healthcare sector is experiencing significant growth, particularly in the production of customized medical devices. Traditional patterns are being replaced with 3D printed solutions for anesthesia equipment, surgical instruments, and external wearable devices. The biomedical sector benefits from component insights using multi-material printing and the droplet deposition technique for creating chemical endurance parts. Healthcare professionals in remote places can access flawless service with portable equipment. 3D printing is revolutionizing healthcare, from customized implants for dental applications and prosthetics to surgical instruments made of ceramics, plastics, elastomers, and even paper. Sepsis treatment and chronic disease management are improved with this technology. The World Health Organization supports 3D printing in orthopedic diseases like osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and osteopenia. Organ transplantation and organ donors also benefit from 3D printed models for planning and training. Tobacco consumption and sedentary lifestyles are major health concerns, leading to an increased demand for 3D printed surgical instruments and portable equipments. Surgical centers and medical tourism are adopting this technology for customized implants and laser beam melting techniques. Skilled technicians ensure desired results in various applications, including anesthesia, dental, and surgical procedures. The future of healthcare is 3D printed! Discover 360 analysis of this market. For complete information, schedule your consultation- Book Here! Market Challenges The 3D printing market in healthcare industry faces significant challenges due to high capital costs. Equipment for 3D printing, whether in-house or outsourced, comes with substantial expenses. Desktop FDM or SLA machines cost between USD3,000 and USD15,000 , while higher-end printers (SLS, material jetting, and metal printing) range from USD200,000 to USD850,000 , and even millions of dollars. Proprietary raw materials sold by manufacturers contribute to these high costs. Clinical 3D printing labs require trained staff for production, adding to the investment. The time required to print models, ranging from hours to days, limits mass manufacturing viability without purchasing and operating numerous printers simultaneously. These factors may hinder the growth of the global 3D printing market in healthcare during the forecast period. and , while higher-end printers (SLS, material jetting, and metal printing) range from to , and even millions of dollars. Proprietary raw materials sold by manufacturers contribute to these high costs. Clinical 3D printing labs require trained staff for production, adding to the investment. The time required to print models, ranging from hours to days, limits mass manufacturing viability without purchasing and operating numerous printers simultaneously. These factors may hinder the growth of the global 3D printing market in healthcare during the forecast period. The 3D printing market in healthcare is growing rapidly, offering solutions for portable equipment in remote places and ensuring flawless service for desired results. Healthcare professionals use 3D printing for creating dental implants, prosthetics, surgical instruments, and even ceramics, plastics, elastomers, and paper models for training. Challenges include accessibility in hospitals and the need for computer-aided design and manufacturing. The World Health Organization supports 3D printing for addressing orthopedic diseases like osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and osteopenia. Organ transplantation and organ donors can benefit from 3D printing in creating customized implants and biomedical products. Tobacco consumption and sedentary lifestyles increase the demand for dental applications using laser beam melting and surgical centers. Medical tourism and customized implants are driving the market, with bioprinting and stereolithography technology advancing dental applications. The syringe-based segment and biomedical products are also significant areas of growth. For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This 3d printing in healthcare industry market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application 1.1 Orthopedic and spinal 1.2 Dental 1.3 Hearing aids 1.4 Others Technology 2.1 Stereolithography 2.2 Granular materials binding 2.3 Others Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 Asia 3.4 Rest of World (ROW) 1.1 Orthopedic and spinal- The 3D printing market in the healthcare industry is gaining significant traction, particularly in the orthopedic and spinal applications sector. This segment accounts for the largest share due to the increasing prevalence of orthopedic and spinal disorders, the rising demand for patient-specific implants, and the need for advanced surfaces and structures. Hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers are increasingly adopting 3D printing for manufacturing standard-sized and custom orthopedic implants, including those for individuals with bone or joint deformities. The technology enables the creation of complex structures and devices that cannot be produced using conventional methods. It also allows for the production of lattice structures that accelerate the healing process and promote better bone ingrowth. Furthermore, 3D printing is used in the fabrication of prosthetic limbs, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and offering the same functionality as traditionally manufactured prosthetics. The global market for 3D printing in healthcare is expected to grow due to increasing R&D investments in technologically advanced implants, such as SeaSpine Holdings Corporation's WaveForm C Interbody Implant System for spinal disorders. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017 - 2021) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The 3D printing technology has revolutionized the healthcare industry by enabling the production of customized medical devices tailored to individual patient needs. This innovation has significantly impacted the health care sector by providing solutions for various applications, including dental implants, prosthetics, surgical instruments, and even biomedical products. Medical staff and healthcare professionals have benefited from this technology by having access to accurate and precise tools, reducing the risk of errors and improving patient outcomes. 3D printing technology allows for the creation of customized implants using materials such as ceramics, plastics, elastomers, and even paper. The anatomical makeup of each patient can be precisely replicated, leading to better fit and function. Musculoskeletal injuries can be addressed with customized implants, while biomedical products like syringes can be produced more efficiently in the syringe-based segment. Moreover, the frontier of 3D printing in healthcare is bioprinting, which holds great potential for tissue engineering and organ replacement. Stereolithography technology is one of the leading methods used in bioprinting, enabling the creation of complex structures with living cells. The healthcare technologies that utilize 3D printing are continually evolving, offering new possibilities for improving patient care and advancing medical research. Market Research Overview The 3D printing industry in the healthcare sector is revolutionizing the way medical devices are designed and manufactured, providing customized solutions for various healthcare applications. This technology is transforming the biomedical sector by enabling the production of medical devices tailored to individual patients, from anesthesia equipment to surgical instruments, dental implants, and prosthetics. The use of multi-material 3D printing technology allows for the creation of complex components with superior chemical endurance, ideal for medical applications. Sepsis, chronic diseases, and orthopedic diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and osteopenia are some of the conditions that can benefit from 3D printing. In remote places, 3D printing enables the production of portable equipment and external wearable devices, ensuring flawless service and desired results for healthcare professionals. The World Health Organization recognizes the potential of 3D printing in healthcare, particularly in organ transplantation and organ donation. However, the industry faces challenges such as the need for skilled technicians and the high cost of some 3D printing technologies. Traditional patterns of manufacturing medical devices are being disrupted by 3D printing technology, with applications ranging from surgical procedures to dental applications using techniques such as laser beam melting, stereolithography, and bioprinting. The syringe-based segment is also experiencing growth due to the production of insulin pens and other medical devices. Tobacco consumption and sedentary lifestyles are leading to an increase in healthcare needs, further driving the demand for 3D printing in healthcare. The future of 3D printing in healthcare is bright, with continued innovation and advancements in this technology expected to bring about significant improvements in patient care. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Orthopedic And Spinal Dental Hearing Aids Others Technology Stereolithography Granular Materials Binding Others Geography North America Europe Asia Rest Of World (ROW) 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio Stephanie Buxhoeveden Will Lead iConquerMS People-Powered Research Network and Other Research WALTHAM, Mass., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Accelerated Cure Project (ACP) for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) announced today that it has named Stephanie Buxhoeveden, Ph.D., M.S.N., FNP-BC, MCSN, as its Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). She will be taking over the position from Robert McBurney, Ph.D., former CEO and Chief Research Officer, who will be retiring after 13 years. Dr. Stephanie Buxhoeveden "In my various roles as a patient, advocate, clinician, and researcher, I strive to better understand the molecular drivers of disease, deliver personalized care, and educate diverse stakeholders with the goal of bettering the lives of people living with MS," Dr. Buxhoeveden says. Dr. Buxhoeveden, who has MS, has spent her career as an MS provider, patient advocate, and researcher. She began her career as a neurosurgical ICU nurse and was later diagnosed with MS at the age of 25. This inspired her to complete a master's in nursing. As an MS-specialized Nurse Practitioner, she oversaw the care of over a thousand patients with MS, and eventually established an MS comprehensive care center in Fredericksburg, Virginia. As a passionate champion for people with MS, Dr. Buxhoeveden also served as the Chair of Government Relations Committee (GRC) for the National MS Society. In this role, Dr. Buxhoeveden has helped set legislative priorities for the organization, write policies, and testified for several bills at House and Senate committee, including the 21st Century Cures Act which established the first database to track the incidence and prevalence of MS in the United States. In addition to clinical work, Dr. Buxhoeveden has been involved in clinical research for many years, as a MS nurse, research coordinator, and as a participant. She joined ACP as a research consultant to establish and build iConquerMS, the first patient-powered research network (PPRN) dedicated to MS. This transformative experience inspired her to pursue a Ph.D. in Nursing at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she was awarded a NIH National Research Service Award pre-doctoral fellowship on the tenth anniversary of her MS diagnosis. Her research focuses on epigenetic drivers of sex-based disparities in MS. "ACP and iConquerMS have established a premier program in patient-powered research and are making significant contributions to the field and to improving the lives of people with MS. I am very pleased to be leaving the program in such capable hands and look forward to seeing the new paths forged under Stephanie's leadership," says Dr. McBurney. Founded in 2001, ACP is a non-profit organization dedicated to speeding research efforts to improve diagnosis, optimize treatments, and eventually cure MS, guided first and foremost by the needs and priorities of those affected by the disease. ACP partners with researchers around the world and provides them with access to the biospecimens, data, and people they need to conduct their work. ACP's research resources include the ACP Repository, a collection of highly characterized biosamples and data from more than 3,200 subjects, as well as iConquerMS, a network of more than 8,500 people affected by MS who share information, insights, and lived experience to accelerate research and innovation. In addition, ACP convenes the MS Minority Research Engagement Partnership Network and the Research Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Council, which provide insights into motivators and barriers to participation in research for those from historically underrepresented populations. "Stephanie's appointment is a rare opportunity to bring together research, clinical and lived experience in MS," says Sara Loud, CEO of ACP. "Our years of partnership with Stephanie assure us that she will be an enthusiastic and skilled addition to our team. I'm looking forward to partnering with Stephanie to guide ACP and iConquerMS even further along the path of improving the lives of all affected by MS." CONTACT Melissa Glim Ogilvy Health [email protected] About Accelerated Cure Project ACP (www.acceleratedcure.org) is a patient-founded non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating research efforts to improve the health, healthcare and quality of life of people affected by MS. The organization promotes scientific collaboration and accelerates research by rapidly and cost-effectively providing researchers worldwide with people, data and biosample resources they need to explore novel research ideas that can lead to cures and better care for people living with MS. The major programs of Accelerated Cure Project are the ACP Repository, the iConquerMS People-Powered Research Network and the MS Minority Research Engagement Partnership Network. About the iConquerMS People-Powered Research Network iConquerMS (www.iConquerMS.org) is a research initiative by and for individuals living with MS who contribute their ideas and their health data. iConquerMS was established in 2014 by the Accelerated Cure Project for MS, in partnership with Feinstein Kean Healthcare and Arizona State University. Initial funding for iConquerMS was provided by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) (www.PCORI.org). Over 8,000 individuals living with MS are currently registered as iConquerMS research participants, constituting a large and growing cohort for data-driven research into topics that matter most to people affected by MS. iConquerMS achieves its purpose, to improve the health, healthcare and quality of life of people affected by MS, through collaborations with U.S. and international academic, government, and industry organizations. SOURCE Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis LOS ANGELES, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent poetry anthology on the theme of masculinity "aims to showcase the diversity of what it means to be a man and what it means to embrace its multitudes". The selected poems "emphasize that masculinity is not a monolithic concept, but a dynamic, evolving force that can be shaped by culture, society and personal experiences". In his poetry collection Blameforest, Jason Stocks addresses themes connected to identity and masculinity, including the rage and violence that "runs deep for no real reason" among American men. A Kirkus review describes the collection as "provocative, explicit poetry written with muscular swagger". This year it was a finalist in contemporary poetry in the American Legacy Book Awards. LibraryBub is an industry first. Established in 2015, it works in conjunction with all major libraries. It is dedicated to making strong, mutual connections between indie and small-press authors and an extensive network of libraries. The core commitment of the LibraryBub service is to help librarians to identify acclaimed books from the independent publishing sector. LibraryBub introduces thousands of librarians to bestselling and award-winning books from the independent publishing sector. These books hold immense potential for enhancing the lives of their readers. Pulitzer laureate Jericho Brown recalls that when he was a child, his mother would drop him off at the library on her way to doing errands. He confesses that he was intimidated by prose but found poetry books, with their slender page count and ample white space, very approachable. So he eagerly read Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes and Phillis Wheatley, Gwendolyn Brooks and Robert Pinsky, Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton. He discloses, "I didn't understand a word of them, and I didn't care... I could disinterestedly and distractedly read just for the sound of the poems and the beauty of the images." Librarians enable writers to make that kind of difference to people's lives, and LibraryBub CEO Alinka Rutkowska considers it a privilege to support them in that role. Below is this month's selection by category. FICTION Literature & Fiction Blameforest by Jason Stocks ISBN: 978-1736841020 The Hermit by Katerina Grishakova ISBN: 979-8988717324 The Inevitable Loss of Innocence by Zara D. Macias ISBN: 978-1637351925 Scar Songs: Stories by W. Royce Adams ISBN: 979-8986488523 Mystery & Thriller Unsettled States by Tom Casey ISBN: 979-8988717355 NONFICTION Biographies & Memoirs Where the Light Gets In: stories about the transformative power of one action by Jill Tremlett Large ISBN: 978-1956897418 Business Disruptive Leadership: 8 counterintuitive secrets for running a successful business by Christopher Catranis ISBN: 978-1943386468 Don't Buy the Watch by Andrew Dupy ASIN: B09X6SLXFJ The Elon Musk Method: business principles from the world's most powerful entrepreneur by Randy Kirk ISBN: 978-1943386444 Lead To Disrupt: 7 keys to success in the changing world by Kumar R. Parakala ISBN: 978-1637352618 Next Level Cybersecurity by Sai Huda ISBN: 978-1943386413 Pocket Mentor: the entrepreneur's guide to building a lasting business from scratch by Mark Nureddine ISBN: 978-1943386291 Think Like A Black Sheep: unlock your inner superpower and break free from the crowd by Aaron Poynton ISBN: 978-1637353080 Why They Buy: a bulletproof method to closing any sale by David Fuess ISBN: 978-1943386321 Politics & Social Sciences Lies People Tell: an FBI agent's toolkit for catching liars and cheats by Frank Runles ISBN: 978-1667810898 Self-Help Becoming Miss Right: a holistic journey to fulfillment by Demee Koch ISBN: 979-8862181944 Retirement Runway: a story about family and legacy by Joseph A. Clark ISBN: 978-1637352700 Children's Tax and His Friends: the first lessons on tax education for your children by Maria Claudia Hoepers ASIN: B0D77N114X "LibraryBub made my book visible to nearly 3,500 libraries," Dr. Meg Van Deusen enthuses, "and their newsletter, mentioning my book Stressed in the U.S. was picked up by major television networks." Given that experience, she highly recommends this service to any self-published author. http://librarybub.com/ Librarians are invited to sign up for LibraryBub at Independent publishers should go to http://librarybub.com/authors/ to submit their books for consideration. Media Contact: Alinka Rutkowska [email protected] www.leaderspress.com SOURCE LibraryBub WESTFORD, Mass., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to SkyQuest, the global Advanced Wound Care Market size was valued at USD 6.7 billion in 2022 and is poised to grow from USD 7 billion in 2023 to USD 10.8 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% in the forecast period (2024-2031). The development of advanced wound care market is primarily boosted by increasing adoption of evidence-based treatments for chronic wounds, easy availability of innovative therapy devices, and rise in geriatric population. Moreover, increasing incidences of chronic illnesses like diabetes and obesity is also supporting the advanced wound care market growth. In the last few years, diabetes has become a major driver for the market because it is a huge risk factor for developing foot ulcers. With the increasing prevalence of diabetes there is also a consistent rise in the demand for efficient diabetic foot ulcer treatment options. Moreover, advanced wound care products help in faster healing of wounds, gaining a competitive edge over conventional wound care and closure products. The advanced wound care market is witnessing constant advancement in the products, boosting the growth of the market. An aging population is also another factor that is driving this market towards progress as these people are more vulnerable to developing chronic conditions like peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, foot ulcers, and diabetes. This situation is increasing the demand for personalized treatment and remote monitoring. Developments in dressings, bioactive materials, negative pressure wound therapy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy have immensely enhanced healing results and quickened wound closure. Innovations in technology appeal to medical care providers and patients, enhancing the advanced wound care market. Download a detailed overview: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/advanced-wound-care-market Advanced Wound Care Market Overview: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $ 7 Billion Estimated Value by 2031 $ 10.8 Billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% Forecast Period 20242031 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Product, Wound Type, End User, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. Report Highlights Growing demand for connected wound care treatment Key Market Opportunities Increasing incidences of acute wounds requires efficient treatment solutions Key Market Drivers High adoption of bioactive therapies using nanofiber for last stage wound Segments covered in Advanced Wound Care Market are as follows: Product Dressings (Foam Dressings {Silicone Dressings, Non-silicone Dressings}, Hydrocolloid Dressings, Film Dressings, Alginate Dressings, Hydrogel Dressings, Collagen Dressings, Hydro Fibre Dressings, Wound Contact Layers, Superabsorbent Dressings, Others), Devices & Accessories (NPWT Devices & Accessories, Debridement Devices & Accessories, Wound Assessment & Monitoring Devices, Others), Grafts & Matrices, and Topical Agents, Devices & Accessories (NPWT Devices & Accessories, Debridement Devices & Accessories, Wound Assessment & Monitoring Devices, Others), Grafts & Matrices, and Topical Agents Wound Type Chronic Wounds (Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Pressure Ulcers, Venous Leg Ulcers, Others), and Acute Wounds (Surgical & Traumatic Wounds, Burns & Other Wounds) End-User Hospitals, ASCS, and Wound Care Centers, Home Care Settings, and Others Request Free Customization of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/advanced-wound-care-market Rising Inclination towards Smart Wound Dressings to Accelerate Healing Process Supports Market Growth Smart dressings have emerged as a potential treatment solution that can address the increasing incidences of acute and chronic wounds. They have outstanding material properties that can take care of complex wound structures. These dressings also fit well to the surfaces making it extremely convenient for the patients. Smart bandages have the potential to manage large wound discharges and spread biopharmaceutical agents to accelerate the healing process. Recently, the op advanced wound care companies are integrating nano sensors to these dressings that start to glow when the wound is not healing properly. This warns the patients and encourages them to change their dressings. Many companies are also incorporating an all-encompassing diagnostic platform into the smart dressing that will help in communicating, sensing, and adapting to the wound conditions, creating lucrative opportunities for the market. Rising Prevalence of Acute Wounds to Eliminate Surgical Infections Expands Market Growth The demand for efficient treatment solutions is increasing rapidly due to the mounting incidences of venous leg ulcers and burns worldwide. In recent times, doctors have actively started using advanced wound care products to treat such injuries as they assist in retaining moisture. Such qualities of advanced wound care accelerate the healing of the wounds both internally and externally. For these reasons they are an ideal and efficient remedy for any type of surgical site infections, boosting the global advanced wound care market. View report summary and Table of Contents (TOC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/advanced-wound-care-market Connected Wound Care with Improved Monitoring to Transmit Real-Time Data of the Wound Recently, one trend in this market has demonstrated immense possibilities of growth, it is the integration of sensors and connected devices into advanced wound dressings. Today it is possible to transmit real-time data about the condition of the wound like bacterial development, moisture level, and temperature. This is possible through wirelessly transmitted by smart dressings. With this constant monitoring proactive wound care interventions are possible, which will improve treatment therapies and enhance the result. This technology of remote monitoring the healing process of wounds is beneficial for both the patients and medical care providers. Related Report: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare Market Home Healthcare Market Healthcare IT Market Point Of Care Diagnostics Market Health Insurance Market About Us: SkyQuest is an IP focused Research and Investment Bank and Accelerator of Technology and assets. We provide access to technologies, markets and finance across sectors viz. Life Sciences, CleanTech, AgriTech, NanoTech and Information & Communication Technology. We work closely with innovators, inventors, innovation seekers, entrepreneurs, companies and investors alike in leveraging external sources of R&D. Moreover, we help them in optimizing the economic potential of their intellectual assets. Our experiences with innovation management and commercialization has expanded our reach across North America, Europe, ASEAN and Asia Pacific. Contact: Mr. Jagraj Singh SkyQuest Technology 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 USA (+1) 351-333-4748 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.skyquestt.com/ Logo : https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2446095/SkyQuest_Logo.jpg SOURCE SkyQuest Technology Crafted For Discerning Palates And Vibrant Connections, Amber & Opal Whiskey Redefines The Experience For All Spirit Drinkers NEW YORK, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Get ready to experience a fresh take on whiskey with Amber & Opal: a premium honey botanical whiskey designed to elevate social gatherings. Available beginning Winter 2024, learn more about the Amber & Opal movement at www.amberopalspirits.com. Amber & Opal "The name Amber & Opal reflects the richness and diversity of our whiskey and community," said Herb Rice, co-founder of Amber & Opal. "The rich Amber hue symbolizes warmth, tradition and the golden moments we share with loved ones. Opal represents the beautiful diversity and inclusivity we celebrate. Whether you're a seasoned whiskey connoisseur or a curious newcomer, Amber & Opal promises to deliver a rich and unique experience that will elevate any occasion." The Concept, A Spirit for Everyone: Amber & Opal transcends the traditional whiskey image, catering to a diverse audience who appreciates quality, bold taste and a touch of vibrancy. This flavorful whiskey offers a smooth and enjoyable experience for both whiskey aficionados and newcomers alike. The Flavorful Fusion: The premium blend serves as a beacon of craft whiskey excellence with every bottle meticulously handmade. Maryland Straight Rye Whiskey aged two years in medium-charred, American oak barrels lays the foundation of depth and character. The flavor profile includes the richness of all-natural honey, smokey black tea and wild botanicals with finishing notes of cinnamon, ginger and fig; resulting in a harmonious marriage of flavors that tantalizes the senses. The versatile spirit can be served neat, on the rocks or enjoyed as a cocktail creation of choice. All ingredients are 100% natural, with no additives, preservatives, sugars or coloring. The elixir encapsulates the spirit of unity, inviting consumers to explore and enter new depths of flavor and embark on a sensory journey like no other. The Movement of Inclusivity: Born from the collaboration of a passionate group of friends and entrepreneurs looking to drive a movement of unity through the spirit of whiskey; Herb Rice, Kelvin Barton, Sandy Sandiford and musical and cultural icon, Ja Rule create a spirit that provides a fresh taste of diversity in a bottle. The brand's mission is to redefine the whiskey landscape by not only creating a spirit that delights the palate but also serves as a catalyst for bringing diverse individuals together. Spirit lovers can sip and uncover the taste of luxury or cherish the unique bottle as a collector's item in a home bar. Amber & Opal, the accessible luxury goes beyond community building through shared experiences from one person to another, and it all starts with the clinking of two glasses filled with premium whiskey in hand. Amber & Opal is slated to release in Winter 2024, and consumers can learn more at www.amberopalspirits.com. About Amber & Opal Founded in 2024, Amber & Opal is a premium, black-owned whiskey brand dedicated to creating a unique and inclusive whiskey experience. The 80 Proof, 40% ABV handcrafted honey botanical whiskey is meticulously handcrafted for a smooth and enjoyable experience. The new age whiskey aims to foster a sense of community by celebrating diversity and inspiring connections through a vibrant and empowering spirit enjoyed over ice or combined with mixers for endless cocktail experiences. For more information and to sign up for updates please visit www.amberopalspirits.com. Media Contacts : Interdependence Public Relations Lindsey Rathjen / Grace Connor 818-800-2351 [email protected] SOURCE Amber & Opal LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL BUILDS ON BREWER'S 100+ YEAR HISTORY OF SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES HIT BY NATURAL DISASTERS ST. LOUIS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the sixth consecutive year, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners are teaming up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to deliver emergency drinking water to volunteer fire departments across the country, including more than 108,000 cans to 46 fire departments across Oklahoma. The continued partnership builds on the brewer's longstanding history of showing up for its communities and demonstrates its deep appreciation for the first responders who help to keep them safe. Anheuser-Busch and Anheuser-Busch Sales of OK delivers emergency drinking water to Grady County Fire Department in Ninnekah, Oklahoma Across the country, 65 percent of firefighters typically the first line of defense in local emergencies are volunteers, often with limited department budgets for critical supplies. Anheuser-Busch's water donations allow these departments to free up limited resources for other expenses or equipment needed to keep their force prepared to respond to any emergency or disaster. Produced and canned by Anheuser-Busch breweries, more than 1.5 million cans of emergency drinking water will be distributed to over 630 volunteer fire departments across 44 states throughout the summer as part of the brewer's larger effort to promote disaster preparedness nationwide. "Our continued partnership with the NVFC and volunteer firefighters across the country embodies the rich heritage of Anheuser-Busch and our commitment and long-standing track record of supporting our communities when they need us most - because that's who we are," said Cesar Vargas, Chief External Affairs Officer at Anheuser-Busch. "Along with our wholesaler partners, Anheuser-Busch is honored to leverage our production, packaging and logistics capabilities to assist the firefighters who lead with courage to protect us every time they're called upon." In Oklahoma, the donations of emergency drinking water will be made to 46 volunteer fire departments including Hominy Fire Department, Grady County Fire Department, Milburn Volunteer Fire Department, McCord Community Volunteer Fire Department, and Elmore City Volunteer Fire. "We are grateful for the chance to supply our state's volunteer fire departments with the resources they need to effectively respond in times of crisis," said Jason Hall, General Manager at AB One. "It's an honor to join forces with Anheuser-Busch in their longstanding commitment to supporting disaster relief and preparedness." Anheuser-Busch has been providing support for disaster relief efforts dating back to 1906, in partnership with the American Red Cross. With an increased focus on disaster preparedness, the brewer started its partnership with the NVFC in 2019 and, together with its wholesaler partners, has delivered nearly 9 million cans of clean, safe drinking water to more than 2,000 volunteer fire departments across 49 states. "We're excited to continue our long-standing partnership with Anheuser-Busch to support local VFDs across the nation with emergency drinking water," said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. "This vital resource assures that firefighters are able to safely protect themselves and our towns year-round." Anheuser-Busch's breweries in Cartersville, Georgia and Fort Collins, Colorado periodically pause beer production each year to can clean, safe emergency drinking water to support disaster relief efforts. Since 1988, Anheuser-Busch has donated more than 93 million cans of clean drinking water to U.S. communities affected by natural disasters and other crises. Last year, the brewer delivered over 50,000 cans to Oklahoma last June to aid storm relief efforts. Learn more about the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program at www.nvfc.org/water . ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life's moments, dream big to move our industry forward, and make a meaningful impact in the world. We hope to build a future that everyone can celebrate, and everyone can share. For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities and packaging plants, and have more than 18,000 colleagues across the United States. We are home to several of America's most loved beer and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA, Cutwater Spirits, Stella Artois, Budweiser and Bud Light as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram . ABOUT THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical advocacy, resources, programs, and education for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org. SOURCE Anheuser-Busch LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL BUILDS ON BREWER'S 100+ YEAR HISTORY OF SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES HIT BY NATURAL DISASTERS ST. LOUIS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the sixth consecutive year, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners are teaming up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to deliver emergency drinking water to volunteer fire departments across the country, including more than 9,400 cans to four fire departments across Florida. The continued partnership builds on the brewer's longstanding history of showing up for its communities and demonstrates its deep appreciation for the first responders who help to keep them safe. Anheuser-Busch and The Lewis Bear Company Donate Emergency Drinking Water to Baker Fire District in Baker, Florida Across the country, 65 percent of firefighters typically the first line of defense in local emergencies are volunteers, often with limited department budgets for critical supplies. Anheuser-Busch's water donations allow these departments to free up limited resources for other expenses or equipment needed to keep their force prepared to respond to any emergency or disaster. Produced and canned by Anheuser-Busch breweries, more than 1.5 million cans of emergency drinking water will be distributed to over 630 volunteer fire departments across 44 states throughout the summer as part of the brewer's larger effort to promote disaster preparedness nationwide. "Our continued partnership with the NVFC and volunteer firefighters across the country embodies the rich heritage of Anheuser-Busch and our commitment and long-standing track record of supporting our communities when they need us most - because that's who we are," said Cesar Vargas, Chief External Affairs Officer at Anheuser-Busch. "Along with our wholesaler partners, Anheuser-Busch is honored to leverage our production, packaging and logistics capabilities to assist the firefighters who lead with courage to protect us every time they're called upon." In Florida, the donations of emergency drinking water will be made to four volunteer fire departments including Southwest Volunteer Fire Department, Crescent City FIRE Rescue, Interlachen Area Volunteer Fire Department, and Baker Fire District. "Anheuser-Busch has a longstanding history of providing support for disaster relief and preparedness," said Chad Bonner, Equity Agreement Manager at The Lewis Bear Company. "We are grateful to be a partner in this effort and use our distribution network to bring volunteer firefighters the resources they need." Anheuser-Busch has been providing support for disaster relief efforts dating back to 1906, in partnership with the American Red Cross. With an increased focus on disaster preparedness, the brewer started its partnership with the NVFC in 2019 and, together with its wholesaler partners, has delivered nearly 9 million cans of clean, safe drinking water to more than 2,000 volunteer fire departments across 49 states. "We're excited to continue our long-standing partnership with Anheuser-Busch to support local VFDs across the nation with emergency drinking water," said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. "This vital resource assures that firefighters are able to safely protect themselves and our towns year-round." Anheuser-Busch's breweries in Cartersville, Georgia and Fort Collins, Colorado periodically pause beer production each year to can clean, safe emergency drinking water to support disaster relief efforts. Since 1988, Anheuser-Busch has donated more than 93 million cans of clean drinking water to U.S. communities affected by natural disasters and other crises, including over 100,000 cans to aid Hurricane Idalia relief in Florida last August. Learn more about the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program at www.nvfc.org/water . ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life's moments, dream big to move our industry forward, and make a meaningful impact in the world. We hope to build a future that everyone can celebrate, and everyone can share. For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities and packaging plants, and have more than 18,000 colleagues across the United States. We are home to several of America's most loved beer and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA, Cutwater Spirits, Stella Artois, Budweiser and Bud Light as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram . ABOUT THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical advocacy, resources, programs, and education for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org. SOURCE Anheuser-Busch Ysos, a dating app, helps non-monogamous folks find partners. SAO PAULO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As summer arrives in the United States, the temperature isn't the only thing heating up. Americans' sexual behavior adjusts to the rhythm of the high temperatures, turning summer into a season of greater freedom and romantic adventures. Ysos App Ysos App Scientific studies suggest that high temperatures can indeed increase human libido. According to sexologist Tamara Zanotelli, heat can influence the release of certain hormones in the body, such as testosterone, which is linked to our sex drive. "Moreover, sunlight exposure raises vitamin D levels, which plays a crucial role in the production of sexual hormones," she explains. Zanotelli adds that during summer, people tend to feel more relaxed and open to new experiences. "The warm weather encourages outdoor activities, pool parties, and casual encounters, creating a perfect setting for flirting and spontaneous connections." For Mayumi Sato, CMO of Ysos, a dating app catering to non-monogamous people, summer offers an ideal opportunity to explore a more sensual side. "Swingers' parties are perfect places to meet new people and have fun," she suggests. "This is where apps like Ysos come into play. We connect individuals who frequent these parties, easing encounters among open-minded people ready for new adventures." Tips for using Ysos and scoring amazing dates in the summer: Be Sociable: Introduce yourself in a friendly and open manner. Summer is a time for relaxation, so don't hesitate to start conversations. Plan Outdoor Dates: Suggest a park walk, a picnic, or invite someone for ice cream. Not every date needs to be at a bar! Respect Limits: Casual encounters are common in summer, but always remember to respect personal boundaries and prioritize safety. About Ysos Ysos is an app that allows fans of an open sex life to find the third element for a threesome. Launched in 2018 by Sexlog, the largest adult social network in Latin America, the platform is available throughout the United States for Android and iOS and can be downloaded from the Play Store and the App Store. Contact: Manuella Tavares 5511992922457 [email protected] SOURCE Ysos At the ceremony (Photo: VNA) According to the Vietnam News Agency, authorised by the Lao Prime Minister, Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith presented the decoration to Hung. Speaking at the event, the Lao Deputy FM highly appreciated the Vietnamese Ambassadors contributions during his term in Laos, affirming that Hung has excellently fulfilled his role as a bridge to help connect and develop the special relationship between Laos and Vietnam, in terms of politics-diplomacy, economics-trade, culture and tourism. Notably, he has helped promote some large and prestigious Vietnamese enterprises to invest in Laos, contributing to local socio-economic development, he added. For his part, Ambassador Hung expressed his honour to receive the Issara Order, saying that this is not only a recognition of his contributions, but also a special affection of the Lao Party, State and people for the Party, State and people of Vietnam, the appreciation of the Lao Party and State for contributions and fostering of the special relationship between the two countries by the Embassy and other agencies in Laos. Ambassador Hung said that while being on duty in Laos, he has witnessed and participated in many important political events between the two countries, adding that he always considers Laos his second homeland. This noble order will be a great source of encouragement and motivation for the diplomat and his colleagues to continue to spare no effort to promote good traditions and work together to nurture the Vietnam - Laos relations to further develop in an effective and practical manner, bringing practical benefits to the two countries and peoples, he affirmed. The ambassador pledged to continue to do his utmost to deepen the Vietnam - Laos friendship in all areas. The third-class Issara is a noble order of the Lao State awarded to Lao citizens with outstanding achievements in national defence, construction and development. Ambassador Nguyen Ba Hung is the first foreign ambassador to Laos to be awarded the decoration./. NEW YORK, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global autoinjectors market size is estimated to grow by USD 303.65 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 36.72% during the forecast period. Increasing prevalence of allergies and need for immediate care is driving market growth, with a trend towards strategic alliances between companies. However, side-effects of autoinjectors poses a challenge. Key market players include AbbVie Inc., Amgen Inc., Bayer AG, Becton Dickinson and Co., Eli Lilly and Co., F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Halozyme Therapeutics Inc., Johnson and Johnson Services Inc., Johnson Medtech LLC, medmix Ltd., Merck KGaA, Owen Mumford Ltd., Pfizer Inc., RAVIMED Sp. Zoo, Recipharm AB, SHL Medical AG, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Viatris Inc., and Ypsomed Holding AG. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global autoinjectors market 2024-2028 Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- View the snapshot of this report Autoinjectors Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 36.72% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 303655.4 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 27.0 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 41% Key countries US, UK, Germany, Canada, and China Key companies profiled AbbVie Inc., Amgen Inc., Bayer AG, Becton Dickinson and Co., Eli Lilly and Co., F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Halozyme Therapeutics Inc., Johnson and Johnson Services Inc., Johnson Medtech LLC, medmix Ltd., Merck KGaA, Owen Mumford Ltd., Pfizer Inc., RAVIMED Sp. Zoo, Recipharm AB, SHL Medical AG, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Viatris Inc., and Ypsomed Holding AG Market Driver Strategic alliances have significantly increased in the global autoinjectors market, with several acquisitions and partnerships aimed at business expansion through new product offerings. For instance, Novartis AG formed a commercialization and distribution agreement with Adamis Pharmaceuticals for the epinephrine autoinjector SYMJEPI in the US market. This partnership enhanced Novartis AG's commercial presence and maximized the value of SYMJEPI. In another development, Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. Announced the acquisition of Antares Pharma, Inc., while Pfizer Inc. Entered into a development agreement with Antares Pharma to create an autoinjector pen for an undisclosed Pfizer drug. These alliances enable Antares Pharma to offer a fully packaged product to Pfizer warehouses at a favorable margin, with Pfizer obtaining US FDA approval and marketing permission for the combination product in the future. Such strategic partnerships are expected to expand the portfolio of pipeline-partnered products for both companies and increase the potential number of products utilizing Antares Pharma's innovative QuickShot autoinjector technology platform, thereby boosting the growth of the global autoinjectors market. The Autoinjector market is experiencing significant growth due to the loss of exclusivity for several biologic drugs. This trend is driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hormone deficiency, and anaphylaxis. Needle phobia and anaphylactic shocks have led to a high demand for needle-free injectors. Epinephrine autoinjectors, such as EpiPen and autoinjector pens, are popular for emergency conditions like anaphylaxis caused by food allergens. Medical technology advancements include audio visual cues, connectivity, and faster injection speeds. Spring-powered autoinjectors ensure safety and accuracy for various drug viscosities. Healthcare professionals and patients in home care settings benefit from these advancements. Pharmaceutical industries are investing in epinephrine autoinjectors for therapy in multiple sclerosis, asthma, hypertension, and other chronic disorders. Self-administering patients with auto injectors are increasingly common for emergency conditions like anaphylactic shock. Bluetooth connectivity enables real-time monitoring and tracking of drug usage. Discover 360 analysis of this market. For complete information, schedule your consultation - Book Here! Market Challenges The global autoinjectors market may experience slower growth due to the potential side effects associated with their use. These side effects include infections, changes in blood pressure, muscle pain, headaches, diarrhea, and allergic reactions such as dyspnea, bronchospasm, tongue edema, skin rash, and urticaria. Patients undergoing chemotherapy-induced anemia treatment may experience additional side effects like fatigue, edema, nausea, vomiting, fever, and hypertension. Furthermore, MS patients using autoinjectors are at risk of severe hepatic injury and anaphylaxis. These side effects may discourage patients from adopting autoinjectors and instead opt for alternatives with fewer side effects. The autoinjector market faces several challenges in delivering effective and safe solutions for various chronic conditions and emergency situations. These include the need for audio visual cues for proper usage, reliable connectivity for dosage recording and Bluetooth integration, ensuring fast injection speed, addressing drug viscosities, and enhancing safety and accuracy. Spring-powered autoinjectors continue to dominate the market, with epinephrine autoinjectors like EpiPen being well-known. Pharmaceutical industries and healthcare providers seek advanced features, such as safety locks, automatic drug reconstitution, and subcutaneous or intramuscular administration for conditions like anaphylaxis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, hypertension, and other chronic disorders. Patients require self-administering autoinjector devices for emergency conditions like anaphylactic shock, which necessitates continuous innovation in the market. For more insights on driver and challenges - Request a sample report! Segment Overview This autoinjectors market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application 1.1 Anaphylaxis 1.2 Multiple sclerosis 1.3 Rheumatoid arthritis 1.4 Diabetes End-user 2.1 Hospitals and clinics 2.2 Self-administration Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 Asia 3.4 Rest of World (ROW) 1.1 Anaphylaxis- The anaphylaxis segment dominates the autoinjectors market due to the rising prevalence of anaphylaxis and food allergies worldwide. For instance, the CDC reports that approximately 8% of children in the US have food allergies, making anaphylaxis a significant concern. Epinephrine, a first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, is in high demand, leading to the anticipated growth of the epinephrine market. Mylan, a leading vendor, offers a generic version of the EpiPen, contributing to the market's expansion. Other companies are also seeking FDA approval for their epinephrine autoinjectors. The US, Germany, the UK, and Japan are major markets for epinephrine autoinjectors. Autoinjector vendors, such as Medeca Pharma AB, provide self-administration options for anaphylaxis treatments like Emerade. Instructional videos on vendors' websites demonstrate the autoinjector application process, further driving market growth. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017-2021) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis Autoinjectors are portable devices used for self-administration of medications, particularly in emergency conditions such as anaphylactic shocks caused by food allergens or needle phobia. These devices deliver precise doses of drugs, including epinephrine, through a needle or needle-free system, making them essential for people with chronic disorders like diabetes or those at risk of anaphylaxis. The market for autoinjectors is growing due to the loss of exclusivity for some biologics, leading pharmaceutical industries to invest in new technologies like Bluetooth-enabled autoinjectors for improved therapy management and patient safety. Autoinjector pens, syringes, and epinephrine autoinjectors are commonly used, with the EpiPen autoinjector being a well-known brand. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in educating patients on the proper use of these devices, ensuring optimal outcomes. Market Research Overview Autoinjectors are medical devices used for self-administration of medications, particularly biologics, in the form of injectable drugs. With the loss of exclusivity for some blockbuster biologics, the market for autoinjectors is experiencing significant growth. Autoinjectors are preferred over traditional syringes for patients suffering from needle phobia or anaphylactic shocks, such as those caused by epinephrine for allergic reactions. These devices are used in home care settings for various chronic conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hormone deficiency, multiple sclerosis, asthma, hypertension, and chronic disorders. Autoinjectors come in different forms, including needle-free injectors, spring-powered autoinjectors, and autoinjector pens. They offer features like audio visual cues, connectivity, and safety and accuracy, making drug delivery easier and more efficient for healthcare professionals and patients alike. Autoinjectors are used in emergency conditions like anaphylactic shock, and are available for various medications, including Adrenaline for food allergens, and Epinephrine autoinjectors for anaphylaxis. Pharmaceutical industries are investing in advanced autoinjector technology, offering features like Bluetooth connectivity, dosage recording, safety locks, and automatic drug reconstitution, making self-administration of these medications more convenient and effective. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Anaphylaxis Multiple Sclerosis Rheumatoid Arthritis Diabetes End-user Hospitals And Clinics Self-administration Geography North America Europe Asia Rest Of World (ROW) 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio Introducing Invati Ultra Advanced Collection for Thicker, Fuller Hair MINNEAPOLIS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thinning hair and hair loss are growing concerns among women and men globally, so Aveda's highly dedicated team of scientists including biologists, pharmacognosists and analytical chemists are continuously researching how best to address these issues. With more than two decades of rigorous scientific research and an 8-year collaboration with world expert authorities in skin and hair biology, Aveda has unveiled an innovative solution for thinning hair, now available in a new collection. Source: Aveda Introducing Invati Ultra Advanced, a high-performing, multi-step system featuring a new and exclusive triple-action Follicle Vitality Complex. Designed to be a solution for both women and men with all types of thinning hair, this 94%+ naturally derived1, vegan collection fortifies strands to reduce hair loss by 77%2 when using the Invati Ultra Advanced 4-step system, and instantly thickens hair up to 11%3 so you feel like you have 11,000 additional hairs on your head4 when using the Invati Ultra Advanced 4-step system plus Invati Ultra Advanced Thickening Foam. With the formidable efficacy of the NEW Invati Ultra Advanced, you'll feel the power of thicker, fuller hair. "The power of Invati Ultra Advanced comes from a decade of relentless research, blending cutting-edge science with ancient botanical wisdom," said Alison Pawlus, PhD, Aveda Principal Scientist and Pharmacognosist. "Backed by collaborative studies with the University of Bradford, our pure plant extracts, meticulously selected for potency, tackle thin hair head on, redefining care for thinning hair. With a dedicated team of experts and a commitment to green extraction, we are proud to be at the forefront of hair care." Plant Powered Performance Healthy hair follicles are vital for healthy hair. However, oxidative stressors such as free radicals and pollution can lead to an unhealthy follicle environment, so it is critical to protect these follicles from oxidate stressors to support and maintain visibly healthy hair. The Follicle Vitality Complex5 in Invati Ultra Advanced is a biotech breakthrough that helps boost energy and protect against external aggressors to support healthy looking hair. After screening 1,000+ botanical actives, Aveda's team of scientists selected 3 unique and complementary botanicals for our exclusive Follicle Vitality Complex, each meticulously chosen for its efficacy and potency through years of research, ensuring a no-compromise approach to hair care: Eclipta Prostrata: a key invigorating ingredient that amplifies cellular vitality, and known as the 'king of hair' in Ayurvedic tradition a key invigorating ingredient that amplifies cellular vitality, and known as the 'king of hair' in Ayurvedic tradition Alpinia: a potent and powerful antioxidant exclusive to Aveda, providing natural 1 follicle protection from extrinsic stressors a potent and powerful antioxidant exclusive to Aveda, providing natural follicle protection from extrinsic stressors Ginger: supports the hair follicle and its ability to reduce cellular damage induced by stress and aging, resulting in visibly healthier hair Invati Ultra Advanced System Marrying luxury with efficacy, Invati Ultra Advanced boasts advanced technology, incredible pure-fume aroma, and exquisite textures in a multi-step system. Step 1: Exfoliate Invati Ultra Advanced Exfoliating Shampoo: Light Provides advanced follicle care with wintergreen-derived salicylic acid that gently exfoliates and purifies the follicle, while babassu-derived cleansing agents gently cleanse and instantly remove pollution and product build up. A blend of ayurvedic herbs invigorate the scalp when massaged in, and a micellar cleansing system provides added purification. Formulated for all textures of fine to medium thinning hair types. Invati Ultra Advanced Exfoliating Shampoo: Rich Provides advanced follicle care with wintergreen-derived salicylic acid that gently exfoliates and purifies the follicle, while babassu-derived cleansing agents gently cleanse and instantly remove pollution and product build up. A blend of ayurvedic herbs invigorate the scalp when massaged in. Contains 50% more conditioning ingredients6 for added nourishment. Formulated for all textures of medium/thick or dry thinning hair types. Step 2: Thicken Invati Ultra Advanced Thickening Conditioner: Light Conditions and nourishes hair while a botanical plumping blend instantly thickens hair, increasing diameter from root to tip. Detangles and strengthens fragile, thinning hair. Formulated for all textures of fine to medium thinning hair types. Invati Ultra Advanced Thickening Conditioner: Rich Conditions and nourishes hair while a botanical plumping blend instantly thickens hair, increasing diameter from root to tip. Detangles and strengthens fragile, thinning hair. Deeply nourishes hair with 50% more emollient rich conditioning agents7. Formulated for all textures of medium/thick or dry thinning hair types. Step 3: Revitalize Invati Ultra Advanced Revitalizing Scalp Serum Creates a healthy follicle environment to support a healthy hair lifecycle8; powered by our exclusive Follicle Vitality Complex. The formula also features Japanese Knotweed (Resveratrol) which penetrates to help support hair's natural keratin. Step 4: Fortify Invati Ultra Advanced Fortifying Leave-In Treatment Features a protective plant oil blend to strengthen and stabilize thinning hair fibers from root to tip protecting from hair fall due to breakage from brushing, along with vegan lactic acid that helps resurface and seal the hair cuticle for a smooth, shiny finish. Helps control frizz for 24 hours, strengthens, and protects from heat damage up to 450F or 230C. Step 5: Styling Invati Ultra Advanced Thickening Foam Instantly increases hair diameter with the power of amla and rice protein for thicker, fluffier and more voluminous hair from roots to ends that lasts all day. Fights frizz and provides flexible, touchable hold and shine, while protecting from blow-drying. Responsible Sourcing Aveda is committed to responsible sourcing and processing of botanical ingredients. For the launch of Invati Ultra Advanced, Aveda uses responsibly sourced, certified organic ginger root extract, eclipta prostrata leaf extract, amla extract and turmeric root extract. Aveda's supplier of these ingredients has programs to drive environmental and social improvements including ethical sourcing and labor practices, safe working conditions, fair wages, commitment to social and environmental policies and programs, local impact initiatives, and respect for consumers. The supplier cultivates these ingredients in its own organic farms, and also provides ongoing educational support in organic cultivation techniques to farmers within their network. These ingredients are extracted using carbon dioxide, a process that leaves no chemical solvent residues. Then these precious ingredients are then manufactured into the Invati Ultra Advanced formulas at Aveda's headquarters in Blaine, Minnesota, USA. Packaging Sustainability The Invati Ultra Advanced collection features bottles and tubes made from minimum 90% post-consumer recycled plastic, furthering Aveda's dedication to sustainability. Availability Invati Ultra Advanced is available July 31st, at Aveda stores, partner salons, specialty retailers, and online at aveda.com. About Aveda A force of nature since 1978, Aveda was founded by hair stylist Horst Rechelbacher with a mission to care for the world we live in. Crafted with care for people and planet, Aveda creates vegan, plant-powered and high-performance products for hair, skin and body using botanical technologies and green chemistry, combining the principles of modern science and the ancient art of Ayurvedic healing. Aveda is Leaping Bunny approved and a certified B Corporation, meeting high verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Aveda products are available in more than 45 markets worldwide across freestanding stores, partner salons, specialty retailers and on aveda.com. For every hair, everyone. 1Naturally derived across the franchise per the ISO 16128 Standard. From plant, non-petroleum mineral sources, and/or water. 2 Reduction in hair loss due to breakage, from repeat grooming test on tresses after use of Invati Ultra Advanced 4 Step System of shampoo, conditioner, serum and leave-in. 3 Ex vivo testing after using the Invati Ultra Advanced 5 Step System of shampoo, conditioner, serum, leave-in and foam. 4 On average, people have 100,000 stands of hair on the head. 5 Refers to Eclipta Prostrata, Alpinia Officinarum Root, and Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, which can help protect the follicle from external aggressors for visibly healthy hair. 6 Compared to Invati Ultra Advanced Exfoliating Shampoo: Light. 7 Compared to Invati Ultra Advanced Thickening Conditioner: Light. 8 Supports hair lifecycle by nourishing hair root and anti-hair breakage. SOURCE Aveda MINNEAPOLIS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Avicenna Technical University (ATU), in collaboration with Inspired Spine, has announced the establishment of the Kambin Society, a new initiative dedicated to honoring the legacy of Dr. Parviz Kambin, a trailblazing figure in the field of spine surgery. Anatomy of Kambins Triangle Dr. Parviz Kambin Dr. Parviz Kambin, born in Tehran, Iran in 1931, transformed the landscape of spine surgery with his discovery of the Kambin triangle. This anatomical structure has provided surgeons with a critical access point to the spine and disc space, significantly reducing the risk of damaging major nerves or vessels during procedures. Dr. Kambin's innovative techniques in minimally invasive spine surgery have made a profound impact on the field. After earning his medical degree from Tehran University Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Kambin expanded his expertise in orthopedics with further training in Pennsylvania, United States. His dedication to patient care, professional excellence, and warmth has left an indelible mark on the medical community. "The Kambin Society is committed to advancing the field of minimally invasive spine surgery and perpetuating the groundbreaking work of Dr. Kambin," stated Dr. Hamid Abbasi, Chair of Kambin Society. "Together with national and international surgeons, our goal is to promote, train, and research innovative approaches to spine surgery that minimize invasiveness of spine surgery and disruption to patient's lives." The Kambin Society has already garnered significant national and international interest. The inaugural online conference is scheduled for September 14, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Central Standard Time. The conference will feature an international faculty exploring various aspects of the Kambin triangle's utility in minimally invasive spine surgery. The session will commence with Dr. Amir Sharif and Dr. Farnad Imani offering a historical overview of Dr. Kambin's work and the evolution of spine surgery in Iran. Following this, Dr. Choll Kim will delve into the history of trans-Kambin endoscopy. Dr. Gary Shell will discuss the historical significance of trans-Kambin fusion or Oblique Lateral-posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLLIF), a technique he pioneered. Additional experts, including Dr. Varun Agarwal, Dr. Jamie Gasco, Dr. Betsy Grunch, Dr. Nikola Hazen, Dr. Ajay Krishnan, Dr. Niraj Vasavada, and Dr. Muhammad Abd-El-Barr, will share their insights on the Kambin triangle's application. The conference will conclude with a presentation on the use of artificial intelligence in spine surgery, a field of study being advanced at Avicenna Technical University. Conference Agenda: 9:55 AM: Introduction - Dr. Hamid Abbasi 10:00 AM: Historical Perspective on Dr. Parviz Kambin - Dr. Amir Sharif 10:10 AM: History of Trans-Kambin Endoscopy - Dr. Choll Kim 10:20 AM: Origin of Trans-Kambin Fusion OLLIF - Dr. Gary Shell 10:30 AM: Expansion of OLLIF in the Indian Subcontinent - Dr. Varun Agarwal 10:40 AM: Experience with L5-S1 Grade 2 Spondylolisthesis - Dr. Jaime Gasco 10:50 AM: Most Complex Trans-Kambin Fusions (Including MIS-DLIF and Trans-Facet OLLIF) - Dr. Hamid Abbasi 11:00 AM: Trans-Kambin Approach in Revision Surgery: My 6-year Experience - Dr. Betsy Grunch 11:10 AM: Deformity Correction with Trans-Kambin OLLIF - Dr. Hazem Nicola 11:20 AM: Why I Stopped Trans-Kambin Fusion? Evolved to New Paradigms in PTELD - Dr. Ajay Krishnan 11:30 AM: Challenges in Adapting a Novel OLLIF Technique - Dr. Jaraj B. Vasavada 11:40 AM: OLLIF Approach - Dr. Muhammad Abd El-Barr 11:50 AM: Artificial Intelligence in Spine Practice - Jimmy Jahn and Misha Ye Date: September 14, 2024 (Saturday) Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Central US Standard Time For more information on the Kambin Society and the upcoming conference go to KambinSociety.org For more information, please contact Amanda. Armagost at [email protected]. SOURCE Inspired Spine DALLAS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkeys Plumbing, A/C, & Electrical has announced that they have been named Living Magazine's Reader's Choice for Best of Northeast Tarrant County for Home Services in 2024. Berkeys Plumbing, A/C, & Electrical Berkeys Plumbing, A/C, & Electrical Bubba Thurman, president of Berkeys, the company that offers America's highest-rated brands of plumbing, plumbing services, A/C and heating repair, electrical services, drain and sewer repair, water filtration & softening, and whole-home generators, shares his pride in the recognition, stating, "We serve the homeowner. Everything we do is to make our customers have a safer, more comfortable home for their families. We're there when you need us!" Living Magazine is the leading lifestyle brand in North Texas. Living Magazine's 2024 Best Of Readers' Choice Awards are electronically tabulated. The winners are determined as a direct result of the ballots received through a record-breaking months-long voting period after which winners are verified for location and accuracy with regards to each category. The winners are formally announced in the August 2024 magazine editions of Living Magazine and online at Livingmagazine.net. "We are honored to be recognized for prioritizing Tarrant County customer's interests with unwavering honesty and integrity to build best-in-class operational capabilities to get the job done and done well. " Thurman expressed, "Since 1975, Texas-based Berkeys has been delivering top-notch plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and heating services to homeowners in the metroplex. We are THE company to call in Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, and Collin Counties for Plumbing, Air Conditioning, and Electrical Services." All Berkeys technicians are background-checked, drug-tested and carry all required licensing requirements by the State of Texas. Noted by many publications and polls as one of the most revered companies in North Texas, Berkeys holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). About Berkeys Plumbing, A/C, & Electrical Texas-based Berkeys has been providing quality plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and heating services to homeowners in the Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex since 1975. The company sells America's top-rated brands of plumbing, AC repair, electrical, and heating equipment known for high efficiency, reliability, and serviceability; and it services all brands and makes of plumbing and air conditioning equipment. All Berkeys plumbers have passed rigorous state plumbing examinations and are licensed by the State of Texas; they understand the complexity of state plumbing codes all the way down to local requirements. Berkeys maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has led the field in area newspapers' readers' favorite polls. TACLB133168E | Stephen M Harris M-37968 | TECL30739 About Wrench Group, LLC Wrench Group is a national leader operating in 25 markets across 14 states. The locations provide home repair, replacement and maintenance services specializing in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing, water, electrical and related services. The company collectively serves more than 2.0 million customers annually with more than 6,800 team members in the Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Fort Myers-Naples, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville-St. Augustine, Los Angeles-Palm Springs, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco Bay Area, Sarasota, southern Maryland, Tampa Bay, and Tucson metropolitan areas. Media Contact: Mike Myers Director of Marketing 281-883-2855 [email protected] SOURCE Berkeys Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical BENTONVILLE, Ark., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SymBiosis and HealthTech Arkansas have partnered to launch the biophyle Trial Accelerator, a program designed to elevate healthcare innovations in Arkansas by connecting accomplished, clinical-stage biotherapeutic innovations to Arkansas healthcare providers through clinical trial opportunities or commercialization training programs. SymBiosis and HealthTech Arkansas have partnered to launch the biophyle Trial Accelerator Applications for the 2024 cohorts are now open. The program offers two tracks: Track 1 is for clinical-stage companies with at least one novel biotherapeutic asset in the oncology, immunology, or cardiometabolic space and Track 2 is for Arkansas-based life science researchers interested in learning how to move their research towards commercialization. Applicants for Track 1 will undergo an initial screening by SymBiosis and HealthTech Arkansas. An advisory board comprised of subject matter experts will review each company's application, with all applicants receiving detailed feedback as to perceived investibility and fit for the program. Applicants will also be screened by clinical trial sites in Arkansas, and when there's mutual interest in conducting a clinical trial, companies will be admitted to the program on a rolling basis. "Our vision for this program is to create a collaborative environment where clinical-stage companies and local researchers can work together to bring innovative treatments to market," said Chidozie Ugwumba, Managing Partner at SymBiosis. The goal of the Track 2 program is to provide Arkansas-based researchers with additional knowledge, support, and network expansion to advance their research toward commercialization. This program offers a structured platform for delivering essential education, mentoring and grants access to an extensive network of professional service organizations, subject matter experts, and potential investors. "Arkansas is fortunate to have talented, accomplished, and well-funded life science researchers in the state," said Jeff Stinson, director at HealthTech Arkansas. "We look forward to bringing this innovative training curriculum to them in an effort to help them build their knowledge and networks and advance their innovations towards the market." The biophyle Trial Accelerator Program is supported by funding from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission through a program designed to increase acceleration activities in targeted industries in the state. More information about both tracks of the biophyle Trial Accelerator can be found at biophyle.org. ABOUT HEALTHTECH ARKANSAS HealthTech Arkansas helps to drive innovation for healthcare provider organizations through its accelerator programs and through internal innovation programming. Its flagship accelerator, HeartX, recruits worldwide for the most accomplished cardiovascular-focused startups in the areas of digital health, medical devices, and diagnostic platforms. Those companies accepted into the program are guaranteed at least two pilot projects or clinical trials from among the ten largest hospitals and health systems in Arkansas. More information can be found at the HealthTech Arkansas website: https://www.healthtecharkansas.com/ ABOUT SYMBIOSIS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC SymBiosis is an investment firm focused on advancing biotherapeutics innovations for serious and life-threatening diseases. The firm invests in groundbreaking medicines across disease area, financing stage, and geography, with a focus on programs in, or about to enter, human trials. SymBiosis currently manages a portfolio of more than 30 investments and has significant, long-term capital commitments to fund future investments. For more information, please visit www.symbiosis.vc or follow us on LinkedIn. For more information, contact: Arielle Amrein (479) 378-6655 [email protected] SOURCE SymBiosis ARLINGTON, Va., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Second Quarter 2024 Submitted comprehensive safety and quality plan to the Federal Aviation Administration Announced agreement to acquire Spirit AeroSystems in July; transaction expected to close mid-2025 Revenue of $16.9 billion , GAAP loss per share of ($2.33) and core (non-GAAP)* loss per share of ($2.90) Operating cash flow of ($3.9) billion and free cash flow of ($4.3) billion (non-GAAP)* Total company backlog of $516 billion , including over 5,400 commercial airplanes Table 1. Summary Financial Results Second Quarter First Half (Dollars in Millions, except per share data) 2024 2023 Change 2024 2023 Change Revenues $16,866 $19,751 (15) % $33,435 $37,672 (11) % GAAP Loss from operations ($1,090) ($99) NM ($1,176) ($248) NM Operating margins (6.5) % (0.5) % NM (3.5) % (0.7) % NM Net loss ($1,439) ($149) NM ($1,794) ($574) NM Loss per share ($2.33) ($0.25) NM ($2.90) ($0.93) NM Operating cash flow ($3,923) $2,875 NM ($7,285) $2,557 NM Non-GAAP* Core operating loss ($1,392) ($390) NM ($1,780) ($830) NM Core operating margins (8.3) % (2.0) % NM (5.3) % (2.2) % NM Core loss per share ($2.90) ($0.82) NM ($4.04) ($2.08) NM *Non-GAAP measure; complete definitions of Boeing's non-GAAP measures are on page 5, "Non-GAAP Measures Disclosures." The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] recorded second quarter revenue of $16.9 billion, GAAP loss per share of ($2.33) and core loss per share (non-GAAP)* of ($2.90) (Table 1). Boeing reported operating cash flow of ($3.9) billion and free cash flow of ($4.3) billion (non-GAAP)*. Results primarily reflect lower commercial delivery volume and losses on fixed-price defense development programs. "Despite a challenging quarter, we are making substantial progress strengthening our quality management system and positioning our company for the future," said Dave Calhoun, Boeing president and chief executive officer. "We are executing on our comprehensive safety and quality plan and have reached an agreement to acquire Spirit AeroSystems. While we have more work ahead, the steps we're taking will help stabilize our operations and ensure Boeing is the company the world needs it to be. We are making important progress in our recovery and will continue to build trust through action and transparency." Table 2. Cash Flow Second Quarter First Half (Millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Operating cash flow ($3,923) $2,875 ($7,285) $2,557 Less additions to property, plant & equipment ($404) ($296) ($971) ($764) Free cash flow* ($4,327) $2,579 ($8,256) $1,793 *Non-GAAP measure; complete definitions of Boeing's non-GAAP measures are on page 5, "Non-GAAP Measures Disclosures." Operating cash flow was ($3.9) billion in the quarter reflecting lower commercial deliveries, as well as unfavorable working capital timing (Table 2). Table 3. Cash, Marketable Securities and Debt Balances Quarter End (Billions) Q2 24 Q1 24 Cash $10.9 $6.9 Marketable securities1 $1.7 $0.6 Total $12.6 $7.5 Consolidated debt $57.9 $47.9 1 Marketable securities consist primarily of time deposits due within one year classified as "short-term investments." Cash and investments in marketable securities totaled $12.6 billion, compared to $7.5 billion at the beginning of the quarter driven by the $10.0 billion issuance of new debt partially offset by the usage of free cash flow in the quarter (Table 3). Debt was $57.9 billion, up from $47.9 billion at the beginning of the quarter due to the issuance of new debt. The company has access to credit facilities of $10.0 billion, which remain undrawn. Total company backlog at quarter end was $516 billion. Segment Results Commercial Airplanes Table 4. Commercial Airplanes Second Quarter First Half (Dollars in Millions) 2024 2023 Change 2024 2023 Change Deliveries 92 136 (32) % 175 266 (34) % Revenues $6,003 $8,840 (32) % $10,656 $15,544 (31) % Loss from operations ($715) ($383) NM ($1,858) ($998) NM Operating margins (11.9) % (4.3) % NM (17.4) % (6.4) % NM Commercial Airplanes second quarter revenue of $6.0 billion and operating margin of (11.9) percent primarily reflect lower deliveries and planned higher period costs, including research and development (Table 4). During the quarter, the company submitted its comprehensive safety and quality plan to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The 737 program gradually increased production during the quarter and still plans to increase production to 38 per month by year end. The 787 program maintains plans to return to 5 per month by year end. In July, the company announced an agreement to acquire Spirit AeroSystems, and the 777X program began FAA certification flight testing after obtaining type inspection authorization. Commercial Airplanes delivered 92 airplanes during the quarter and backlog included over 5,400 airplanes valued at $437 billion. Defense, Space & Security Table 5. Defense, Space & Security Second Quarter First Half (Dollars in Millions) 2024 2023 Change 2024 2023 Change Revenues $6,021 $6,167 (2) % $12,971 $12,706 2 % Loss from operations ($913) ($527) NM ($762) ($739) NM Operating margins (15.2) % (8.5) % NM (5.9) % (5.8) % NM Defense, Space & Security second quarter revenue was $6.0 billion. Second quarter operating margin of (15.2) percent primarily reflects $1.0 billion of losses on certain fixed-price development programs, including a $391 million loss on the KC-46A program largely driven by a slowdown of commercial production and supply chain constraints. Losses recorded on the T-7A, VC-25B, and Commercial Crew programs reflect higher estimated engineering and manufacturing costs, as well as technical challenges. During the quarter, Defense, Space & Security captured an award for seven MH-139A helicopters from the U.S. Air Force and delivered the first CH-47F Block II Chinook to the U.S. Army. Backlog at Defense, Space & Security was $59 billion, of which 31 percent represents orders from customers outside the U.S. Global Services Table 6. Global Services Second Quarter First Half (Dollars in Millions) 2024 2023 Change 2024 2023 Change Revenues $4,889 $4,746 3 % $9,934 $9,466 5 % Earnings from operations $870 $856 2 % $1,786 $1,703 5 % Operating margins 17.8 % 18.0 % -0.2 pts 18.0 % 18.0 % 0.0 pts Global Services second quarter revenue of $4.9 billion and operating margin of 17.8 percent reflect higher commercial volume and mix. During the quarter, Global Services secured an Apache performance-based logistics contract from the U.S. Army and captured FliteDeck Pro service contracts with Hainan Airlines and Ryanair. Additional Financial Information Table 7. Additional Financial Information Second Quarter First Half (Dollars in Millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenues Unallocated items, eliminations and other ($47) ($2) ($126) ($44) (Loss)/earnings from operations Other unallocated items and eliminations ($634) ($336) ($946) ($796) FAS/CAS service cost adjustment $302 $291 $604 $582 Other income, net $248 $320 $525 $622 Interest and debt expense ($673) ($621) ($1,242) ($1,270) Effective tax rate 5.0 % 62.8 % 5.2 % 35.9 % Other unallocated items and eliminations include an earnings charge of $244 million that reflects a fine that would be paid to the U.S. Department of Justice pursuant to an agreement that was recently filed in federal district court, if the agreement is approved. Non-GAAP Measures Disclosures We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (GAAP) with certain non-GAAP financial information. The non-GAAP financial information presented excludes certain significant items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, results from our ongoing business operations. We believe that these non-GAAP measures provide investors with additional insight into the company's ongoing business performance. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures, and other companies may define such measures differently. We encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. The following definitions are provided: Core Operating Earnings/(loss), Core Operating Margin and Core Earnings/(loss) Per Share Core operating earnings/(loss) is defined as GAAP Earnings/(loss) from operations excluding the FAS/CAS service cost adjustment. The FAS/CAS service cost adjustment represents the difference between the Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) pension and postretirement service costs calculated under GAAP and costs allocated to the business segments. Core operating margin is defined as Core operating earnings/(loss) expressed as a percentage of revenue. Core earnings/(loss) per share is defined as GAAP Diluted earnings/(loss) per share excluding the net earnings/(loss) per share impact of the FAS/CAS service cost adjustment and Non-operating pension and postretirement expenses. Non-operating pension and postretirement expenses represent the components of net periodic benefit costs other than service cost. Pension costs allocated to BDS and BGS businesses supporting government customers are computed in accordance with U.S. Government Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), which employ different actuarial assumptions and accounting conventions than GAAP. CAS costs are allocable to government contracts. Other postretirement benefit costs are allocated to all business segments based on CAS, which is generally based on benefits paid. Management uses core operating earnings/(loss), core operating margin and core earnings/(loss) per share for purposes of evaluating and forecasting underlying business performance. Management believes these core measures provide investors additional insights into operational performance as they exclude non-service pension and post-retirement costs, which primarily represent costs driven by market factors and costs not allocable to government contracts. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is provided on page 12 and 13. Free Cash Flow Free cash flow is GAAP operating cash flow reduced by capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment. Management believes free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available for shareholders, debt repayment, and acquisitions after making the capital investments required to support ongoing business operations and long term value creation. Free cash flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures as it excludes certain mandatory expenditures such as repayment of maturing debt. Management uses free cash flow as a measure to assess both business performance and overall liquidity. See Table 2 on page 2 for reconciliation of free cash flow to GAAP operating cash flow. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "should," "expects," "intends," "projects," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "targets," "anticipates," and other similar words or expressions, or the negative thereof, generally can be used to help identify these forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements relating to our future financial condition and operating results, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable when made, but that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements. Among these factors are risks related to: (1) general conditions in the economy and our industry, including those due to regulatory changes; (2) our reliance on our commercial airline customers; (3) the overall health of our aircraft production system, production quality issues, commercial airplane production rates, our ability to successfully develop and certify new aircraft or new derivative aircraft, and the ability of our aircraft to meet stringent performance and reliability standards; (4) our pending acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (Spirit), including the satisfaction of closing conditions in the expected timeframe or at all, (5) changing budget and appropriation levels and acquisition priorities of the U.S. government, as well as significant delays in U.S. government appropriations; (6) our dependence on our subcontractors and suppliers, as well as the availability of highly skilled labor and raw materials; (7) work stoppages or other labor disruptions; (8) competition within our markets; (9) our non-U.S. operations and sales to non-U.S. customers; (10) changes in accounting estimates; (11) realizing the anticipated benefits of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures/strategic alliances or divestitures, including anticipated synergies and quality improvements related to our pending acquisition of Spirit; (12) our dependence on U.S. government contracts; (13) our reliance on fixed-price contracts; (14) our reliance on cost-type contracts; (15) contracts that include in-orbit incentive payments; (16) unauthorized access to our, our customers' and/or our suppliers' information and systems; (17) potential business disruptions, including threats to physical security or our information technology systems, extreme weather (including effects of climate change) or other acts of nature, and pandemics or other public health crises; (18) potential adverse developments in new or pending litigation and/or government inquiries or investigations; (19) potential environmental liabilities; (20) effects of climate change and legal, regulatory or market responses to such change; (21) credit rating agency actions and changes in our ability to obtain debt financing on commercially reasonable terms, at competitive rates and in sufficient amounts; (22) substantial pension and other postretirement benefit obligations; (23) the adequacy of our insurance coverage; and (24) customer and aircraft concentration in our customer financing portfolio. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Contact: Investor Relations: Matt Welch or David Dufault [email protected] Communications: Michael Friedman [email protected] The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Six months ended June 30 Three months ended June 30 (Dollars in millions, except per share data) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Sales of products $26,792 $31,601 $13,524 $16,687 Sales of services 6,643 6,071 3,342 3,064 Total revenues 33,435 37,672 16,866 19,751 Cost of products (24,971) (28,676) (12,907) (15,123) Cost of services (5,359) (5,134) (2,730) (2,689) Total costs and expenses (30,330) (33,810) (15,637) (17,812) 3,105 3,862 1,229 1,939 Income from operating investments, net 74 17 7 44 General and administrative expense (2,538) (2,590) (1,377) (1,286) Research and development expense, net (1,822) (1,538) (954) (797) Gain on dispositions, net 5 1 5 1 Loss from operations (1,176) (248) (1,090) (99) Other income, net 525 622 248 320 Interest and debt expense (1,242) (1,270) (673) (621) Loss before income taxes (1,893) (896) (1,515) (400) Income tax benefit 99 322 76 251 Net loss (1,794) (574) (1,439) (149) Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (12) (11) Net loss attributable to Boeing Shareholders ($1,782) ($563) ($1,439) ($149) Basic loss per share ($2.90) ($0.93) ($2.33) ($0.25) Diluted loss per share ($2.90) ($0.93) ($2.33) ($0.25) Weighted average diluted shares (millions) 614.8 603.9 616.6 605.5 The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited) (Dollars in millions, except per share data) June 30 2024 December 31 2023 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $10,894 $12,691 Short-term and other investments 1,727 3,274 Accounts receivable, net 3,155 2,649 Unbilled receivables, net 9,660 8,317 Current portion of financing receivables, net 60 99 Inventories 85,661 79,741 Other current assets, net 3,282 2,504 Total current assets 114,439 109,275 Financing receivables and operating lease equipment, net 785 860 Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $22,640 and $22,245 10,976 10,661 Goodwill 8,108 8,093 Acquired intangible assets, net 2,067 2,094 Deferred income taxes 59 Investments 1,026 1,035 Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,001 and $1,046 5,319 4,935 Total assets $142,720 $137,012 Liabilities and equity Accounts payable $11,864 $11,964 Accrued liabilities 21,850 22,331 Advances and progress billings 58,151 56,328 Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt 4,765 5,204 Total current liabilities 96,630 95,827 Deferred income taxes 291 229 Accrued retiree health care 2,159 2,233 Accrued pension plan liability, net 6,248 6,516 Other long-term liabilities 2,212 2,332 Long-term debt 53,162 47,103 Total liabilities 160,702 154,240 Shareholders' equity: Common stock, par value $5.00 1,200,000,000 shares authorized; 1,012,261,159 shares issued 5,061 5,061 Additional paid-in capital 10,727 10,309 Treasury stock, at cost - 396,730,470 and 402,746,136 shares (48,841) (49,549) Retained earnings 25,469 27,251 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (10,392) (10,305) Total shareholders' deficit (17,976) (17,233) Noncontrolling interests (6) 5 Total equity (17,982) (17,228) Total liabilities and equity $142,720 $137,012 The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Six months ended June 30 (Dollars in millions) 2024 2023 Cash flows operating activities: Net loss ($1,794) ($574) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used)/provided by operating activities: Non-cash items Share-based plans expense 208 381 Treasury shares issued for 401(k) contribution 953 862 Depreciation and amortization 883 913 Investment/asset impairment charges, net 34 12 Gain on dispositions, net (5) (1) Other charges and credits, net (34) 30 Changes in assets and liabilities Accounts receivable (522) (433) Unbilled receivables (1,345) (721) Advances and progress billings 1,886 2,228 Inventories (5,937) (241) Other current assets (320) 313 Accounts payable (222) 852 Accrued liabilities (443) (399) Income taxes receivable, payable and deferred (188) (424) Other long-term liabilities (148) (180) Pension and other postretirement plans (491) (520) Financing receivables and operating lease equipment, net 149 419 Other 51 40 Net cash used/(provided) by operating activities (7,285) 2,557 Cash flows investing activities: Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment (971) (764) Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment 30 13 Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (50) Contributions to investments (1,617) (9,496) Proceeds from investments 3,173 5,567 Supplier notes receivable (486) (162) Purchase of distribution rights (88) Other (17) 4 Net cash used by investing activities (26) (4,838) Cash flows financing activities: New borrowings 10,089 38 Debt repayments (4,481) (5,123) Stock options exercised 44 Employee taxes on certain share-based payment arrangements (67) (48) Other (3) (4) Net cash provided/(used) by financing activities 5,538 (5,093) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (25) 2 Net decrease in cash & cash equivalents, including restricted (1,798) (7,372) Cash & cash equivalents, including restricted, at beginning of year 12,713 14,647 Cash & cash equivalents, including restricted, at end of period 10,915 7,275 Less restricted cash & cash equivalents, included in Investments 21 21 Cash & cash equivalents at end of period $10,894 $7,254 The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Summary of Business Segment Data (Unaudited) Six months ended June 30 Three months ended June 30 (Dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenues: Commercial Airplanes $10,656 $15,544 $6,003 $8,840 Defense, Space & Security 12,971 12,706 6,021 6,167 Global Services 9,934 9,466 4,889 4,746 Unallocated items, eliminations and other (126) (44) (47) (2) Total revenues $33,435 $37,672 $16,866 $19,751 Loss from operations: Commercial Airplanes ($1,858) ($998) ($715) ($383) Defense, Space & Security (762) (739) (913) (527) Global Services 1,786 1,703 870 856 Segment operating (loss)/earnings (834) (34) (758) (54) Unallocated items, eliminations and other (946) (796) (634) (336) FAS/CAS service cost adjustment 604 582 302 291 Loss from operations (1,176) (248) (1,090) (99) Other income, net 525 622 248 320 Interest and debt expense (1,242) (1,270) (673) (621) Loss before income taxes (1,893) (896) (1,515) (400) Income tax expense 99 322 76 251 Net loss (1,794) (574) (1,439) (149) Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (12) (11) Net loss attributable to Boeing Shareholders ($1,782) ($563) ($1,439) ($149) Research and development expense, net: Commercial Airplanes $1,073 $915 $555 $471 Defense, Space & Security 494 420 259 225 Global Services 67 54 41 28 Other 188 149 99 73 Total research and development expense, net $1,822 $1,538 $954 $797 Unallocated items, eliminations and other: Share-based plans $53 ($38) $43 $14 Deferred compensation (49) (96) (19) (42) Amortization of previously capitalized interest (46) (47) (23) (24) Research and development expense, net (188) (149) (99) (73) Eliminations and other unallocated items (716) (466) (536) (211) Sub-total (included in Core operating loss) (946) (796) (634) (336) Pension FAS/CAS service cost adjustment 460 445 230 222 Postretirement FAS/CAS service cost adjustment 144 137 72 69 FAS/CAS service cost adjustment 604 582 $302 $291 Total ($342) ($214) ($332) ($45) The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Operating and Financial Data (Unaudited) Deliveries Six months ended June 30 Three months ended June 30 Commercial Airplanes 2024 2023 2024 2023 737 137 216 70 103 747 1 767 9 9 6 8 777 7 9 7 5 787 22 31 9 20 Total 175 266 92 136 Defense, Space & Security AH-64 Apache (New) 3 12 3 5 AH-64 Apache (Remanufactured) 13 29 7 16 CH-47 Chinook (New) 2 7 1 2 CH-47 Chinook (Renewed) 5 4 4 3 F-15 Models 7 6 6 4 F/A-18 Models 4 13 3 6 KC-46 Tanker 5 1 2 P-8 Models 3 5 2 2 Commercial Satellites 3 Total1 42 80 28 38 1 Deliveries of new-build production units, including remanufactures and modifications Total backlog (Dollars in millions) June 30 2024 December 31 2023 Commercial Airplanes $436,574 $440,507 Defense, Space & Security 59,055 59,012 Global Services 19,487 19,869 Unallocated items, eliminations and other 758 807 Total backlog $515,874 $520,195 Contractual backlog $495,358 $497,094 Unobligated backlog 20,516 23,101 Total backlog $515,874 $520,195 The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited) The tables provided below reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures Core operating loss, Core operating margin, and Core loss per share with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures of Loss from operations, operating margin, and Diluted loss per share. See page 5 of this release for additional information on the use of these non-GAAP financial measures. (Dollars in millions, except per share data) Second Quarter 2024 Second Quarter 2023 $ millions Per Share $ millions Per Share Revenues 16,866 19,751 Loss from operations (GAAP) (1,090) (99) Operating margins (GAAP) (6.5) % (0.5) % FAS/CAS service cost adjustment: Pension FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (230) (222) Postretirement FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (72) (69) FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (302) (291) Core operating loss (non-GAAP) ($1,392) ($390) Core operating margins (non-GAAP) (8.3) % (2.0) % Diluted loss per share (GAAP) ($2.33) ($0.25) Pension FAS/CAS service cost adjustment ($230) (0.37) ($222) (0.37) Postretirement FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (72) (0.12) (69) (0.11) Non-operating pension expense (122) (0.20) (134) (0.22) Non-operating postretirement expense (19) (0.03) (14) (0.02) Provision for deferred income taxes on adjustments 1 93 0.15 92 0.15 Subtotal of adjustments ($350) ($0.57) ($347) ($0.57) Core loss per share (non-GAAP) ($2.90) ($0.82) Weighted average diluted shares (in millions) 616.6 605.5 1 The income tax impact is calculated using the U.S. corporate statutory tax rate. The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited) The tables provided below reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures core operating loss, core operating margin, and core loss per share with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, loss from operations, operating margin, and diluted loss per share. See page 5 of this release for additional information on the use of these non-GAAP financial measures. (Dollars in millions, except per share data) First Half 2024 First Half 2023 $ millions Per Share $ millions Per Share Revenues 33,435 37,672 Loss from operations (GAAP) (1,176) (248) Operating margin (GAAP) (3.5) % (0.7) % FAS/CAS service cost adjustment: Pension FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (460) (445) Postretirement FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (144) (137) FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (604) (582) Core operating loss (non-GAAP) (1,780) (830) Core operating margin (non-GAAP) (5.3) % (2.2) % Diluted loss per share (GAAP) (2.90) (0.93) Pension FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (460) (0.75) (445) (0.73) Postretirement FAS/CAS service cost adjustment (144) (0.23) (137) (0.23) Non-operating pension expense (245) (0.40) (268) (0.45) Non-operating postretirement expense (37) (0.06) (29) (0.05) Provision for deferred income taxes on adjustments 1 186 0.30 185 0.31 Subtotal of adjustments ($700) ($1.14) ($694) ($1.15) Core loss per share (non-GAAP) ($4.04) ($2.08) Weighted average diluted shares (in millions) 614.8 603.9 1 The income tax impact is calculated using the U.S. corporate statutory tax rate. SOURCE Boeing The NAIC is designed as a research and demonstration center where customers can evaluate the performance of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) varieties tailored to their specific by-product streams. The cutting-edge facility is also dedicated to supporting investors in evaluating the economic viability of larger plants before committing to full-scale investment. This innovative approach empowers businesses to make informed decisions, ensuring optimal efficiency and sustainability in protein production. The launch event featured a tour of the cutting-edge lab, showcasing the advanced capabilities of the NAIC. Attendees included Dr. Gil Ronen, CEO and Co-Founder of NRGene, Andreas Baumann, Head of Market Segment Insect Technology at Buhler, and Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Trade and Export Development. "Saskatchewan is continuing to attract innovative companies who are choosing to invest and grow their business in our province," Harrison noted. "Our reputation as global leaders in agricultural and biotechnology is attracting record capital investment into the province. We're very proud to see the North American Insect Center join a growing list of cutting-edge institutions here in the province. This facility will create new skilled jobs and further position Saskatchewan as a center for alternative protein production research and a leader in global food security." Equipped with Buhler's advanced Trial Rearing Unit (TRU), the NAIC simulates industrial conditions to optimize the growth of BSF larvae. NRGene's expertise in genomics and phenotyping enables the development of high-performing BSF strains, driving significant advancements in the field. Initial trials have already shown remarkable results, highlighting the synergy between cutting-edge technology and genetic innovation. The center can also customize solutions for different kinds of waste, further enhancing its versatility and sustainability impact. The NAIC is set to become a hub for industry players, offering customer trials, workshops, training sessions, and seminars to disseminate best practices in insect protein production. This initiative not only addresses the urgent need for sustainable protein sources but also fosters a circular economy by utilizing organic waste effectively. "The NAIC is a testament to the power of combining genetic innovation with technological advancement," said Dr. Gil Ronen, CEO and Co-Founder of NRGene. "The promising results from our trials are just the beginning. This center allows our customers to explore and optimize every aspect of insect protein production, promoting a more efficient and sustainable industry." Andreas Baumann, Head of Market Segment Insect Technology at Buhler, emphasized the collaborative spirit of the NAIC, stating, "Combining NRGene's genomic data tools and our advanced technologies will allow companies to leverage the deep industry and process knowledge of both companies to produce BSF larvae more efficiently and at lower costs. This will enable insect producers to bring bigger product volumes at consistent quality to the market fostering a broader adoption of this sustainable protein source in the animal feed sector." "The development of insect proteins as a sustainable protein source presents significant business opportunities," states Johannes Wick, CEO of Buhler's Grains & Food business. "This new facility will open the market up for start-ups and established businesses alike, bringing together the science, tools, technologies, and knowledge needed to further optimize the process to produce protein-rich insect larvae." "To develop the sustainable protein sources that will meet the needs of the nearly 10 billion people comprising the world's population in 2050, we need solutions that will gain market acceptance and make business sense today. Combining our proven experience and technology for industrial-scale BSF plants with NRGene's leadership in genetics and AI-based genomic tools allows us to accelerate the growth of the insect protein industry," added Ian Roberts, CTO of Buhler. "Having a platform like this in North America, a hub for innovation, will greatly help drive the development of solutions that will make a real difference." Toward a sustainable future The establishment of the NAIC signifies a commitment to sustainable practices and innovation in the protein industry. By maximizing the potential of BSF and promoting a circular economy, this center is poised to make a significant impact on global food systems. NRGene Canada and Buhler are committed to enhancing food security and sustainability through innovative genetic solutions, ensuring that every aspect of insect protein production is optimized for efficiency and environmental responsibility. Located in Saskatoon, a region renowned for its agricultural by-products, the NAIC is ideally positioned to lead the way in transforming waste into protein. This unique combination of technologies promises to set new standards in the industry. Media contacts: Nick Manley, Chief Storyteller Buhler, Inc. Plymouth, MN USA Phone: +1 919 278 2864 Mobile: +1 727 458 5871 E-mail: [email protected] Daphna Tako, Marketing Director NRGene E-mail: [email protected] Dalen Jacomino Panto, Media Relations Manager Buhler AG, 9240 Uzwil, Switzerland Phone: +41 71 955 37 57 Mobile: +41 79 900 53 88 E-mail: [email protected] Katja Hartmann, Media Relations Manager Buhler AG, 9240 Uzwil, Schweiz Mobile: +41 79 483 68 07 E-mail: [email protected] About Buhler Buhler is driven by its purpose of creating innovations for a better world, balancing the needs of economy, humanity, and nature in all its decision-making processes. Billions of people come into contact with Buhler technologies as they cover their basic needs for food and mobility every day. Two billion people each day enjoy foods produced on Buhler equipment; and one billion people travel in vehicles manufactured using parts produced with Buhler solutions. Countless people wear eyeglasses, use smart phones, and read newspapers and magazines all of which depend on Buhler process technologies and solutions. Having this global relevance, Buhler is in a unique position to turn today's global challenges into sustainable business. As a technology partner for the food, feed, and mobility industries, Buhler has committed to having solutions ready to multiply by 2025 that reduce energy, waste, and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers. It also proactively collaborates with suppliers to reduce climate impacts throughout the value chain. In its own operations, Buhler has developed a pathway to achieve a 60% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scopes 1 & 2, against a 2019 baseline). Buhler spends up to 5% of turnover on research and development annually to improve both the commercial and sustainability performance of its solutions, products, and services. In 2023, some 12,500 employees generated a turnover of CHF 3.0 billion. As a Swiss family-owned company with a history spanning 164 years, Buhler is active in 140 countries around the world and operates a global network of 105 service stations, 30 manufacturing sites, and Application & Training Centers in 25 locations. www.buhlergroup.com About NRGene Canada NRGene Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of NRGene Technologies Ltd., an AgTech company that uses AI and Big Data solutions to analyze genetic information to accelerate and improve the natural development of key crops and animals in the global agriculture and food industries. NRGene Canada runs several IP development projects on top Canadian crops and the Black Soldier Fly, using its technology to develop new BSF varieties with enhanced characteristics tailored to industry needs. https://nrgenecanada.com/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2472900/NRGene_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2472899/NRGene_2.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2472936/NRGene_Canada_Logo.jpg SOURCE NRGene Highlights Successful infill drilling campaign targeted PGM Zones at Crawford with 45 holes intersecting drill intervals of > 1g/t palladium + platinum Results include: 2.19 g/t palladium + platinum over core length of 76.5 metres in Crawford Main Zone including 3.90 g/t over core length of 13.5 metres 1.15 g/t palladium + platinum over 38.5 metres in Crawford East Zone including 2.94 g/t over core length of 4.5 metres PGM results will be included in development of a Crawford PGM Zone resource estimate and incorporated into the Crawford nickel mine plan TORONTO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Canada Nickel Company Inc. ("Canada Nickel" or the "Company") (TSXV: CNC) (OTCQX: CNIKF) today announced additional results from its drilling program targeting the PGM zones that occur along the Crawford Main and East Zone boundaries and within the existing mine plan outlined in the Crawford Nickel Project feasibility study. Figure 1 - Crawford PGM Highlights 2024 (CNW Group/Canada Nickel Company Inc.) Figure 2 - Crawford PGM Cross Sections East Zone (CNW Group/Canada Nickel Company Inc.) Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel, said, "We are very pleased with the drilling results of the PGM Zones for both the Crawford Main & East Zones, which occur within the existing feasibility study mine plan for Crawford. The opportunity to drill out these zones and to incorporate the findings into a PGM resource estimate have the potential to unlock incremental value from material that was previously unaccounted for, and in fact was treated as waste material within the Crawford feasibility study." Crawford PGM Drilling In early drilling campaigns at Crawford, "PGM zones" were identified (Figure 1) with platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) mineralization (Pt+Pd or PGM) occurring within a transitional boundary between the pyroxenite and peridotite units (the "PGM zone") that overlie the nickel-bearing dunites. In 2022, several areas were targeted for PGM mineralization throughout the whole Crawford property. Seventeen holes within the proposed Crawford pit are reported in this release. In 2024, a total of 31 holes were completed - 23 holes were drilled into the East zone, and eight new holes were drilled into the Main Zone to target the PGM zones. These zones are of interest as they reside within the boundaries of the proposed Crawford open pit and, as a resource had not been previously defined for the PGM zone, were treated as waste in the current feasibility study. The purpose of the 2024 drill program was to provide sufficient infill drilling to produce a resource estimate on the PGM zones. Canada Nickel successfully intersected mineralized peridotite/pyroxenite in 28 of the 31 holes drilled. Assay results from both the 2022 and 2024 programs are tabulated in Table 1 and shown in Figure 2. Table 1: Crawford selected PGM intervals (2024 and 2022 drilling) Hole ID From To Length Calculated true width Pt+Pd Pd Pt Ni Co Cr Fe S (m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) ( %) ( %) ( %) ( %) ( %) EAST ZONE CR24-345 201 205.5 4.5 2.8 0.55 0.20 0.35 0.05 0.01 0.37 6.99 0.08 CR24-344 286.5 297 10.5 1.5 1.53 0.81 0.72 0.07 0.01 0.49 7.27 0.05 including 289.5 292.5 3 0.4 2.97 1.57 1.40 0.06 0.01 0.53 8.02 0.05 CR24-342 370 382.5 12.5 10 0.51 0.28 0.23 0.04 0.01 0.24 6.54 0.21 including 378 381 3 2.4 1.16 0.52 0.64 0.05 0.01 0.4 7.01 0.04 CR24-338 228 234 6 2.8 1.87 0.87 1.00 0.02 0.01 0.28 5.74 0.17 CR24-336 199.5 208.5 9 3.1 1.02 0.48 0.54 0.02 0.01 0.34 5.55 0.06 CR24-335 69 78 9 6.7 0.86 0.38 0.48 0.03 0.01 0.31 6.13 0.06 including 73.5 78 4.5 3.3 1.53 0.67 0.86 0.03 0.01 0.27 5.94 0.06 CR24-333 205.5 212.9 7.4 2.7 1.07 0.42 0.65 0.06 0.01 0.5 6.74 0.18 including 207 210 3 1.1 2.10 0.84 1.26 0.05 0.01 0.59 6.39 0.08 CR24-332 87 90 3 1.3 1.66 0.79 0.87 0.03 0.01 0.32 5.75 0.09 CR24-330 210 217.5 7.5 2.3 0.29 0.22 0.07 0.16 0.01 0.59 6.95 0.04 CR24-328 58 65 7 4.8 0.91 0.39 0.52 0.05 0.01 0.43 6.88 0.1 including 61 63.5 2.5 1.7 2.06 0.95 1.11 0.04 0.01 0.39 6.46 0.03 CR24-327 306.5 324.8 18.3 5.0 0.38 0.13 0.25 0.06 0.01 0.37 7.82 0.03 including 311 312.5 1.5 0.8 1.24 0.30 0.94 0.06 0.01 0.34 7.67 0.03 CR24-326 210.5 249.5 38.5 11.9 1.15 0.52 0.63 0.03 0.01 0.39 5.84 0.11 including 216.5 221 4.5 1.4 2.94 1.35 1.59 0.04 0.01 0.35 5.3 0.22 including 233 240.5 7.5 2.3 2.06 0.98 1.08 0.03 0.01 0.35 5.3 0.22 CR24-325 147 156 9 2.8 0.88 0.38 0.50 0.04 0.01 0.36 5.96 0.15 including 151.5 154.5 3 0.9 2.36 1.07 1.29 0.04 0.01 0.31 6.27 0.28 CR24-323 88.5 93 4.5 3.3 1.01 0.48 0.53 0.07 0.01 0.42 7.32 0.1 CR24-322 237 249.5 12.5 3.9 0.99 0.46 0.53 0.05 0.01 0.45 6.86 0.07 including 240 244 4 1.2 2.75 1.31 1.45 0.05 0.01 0.46 7.67 0.03 CR24-321 64.5 67.5 3 1.2 0.91 0.43 0.48 0.06 0.01 0.4 7.71 0.1 CR24-320 195 198 3 0.9 0.24 0.17 0.07 0.11 0.02 0.49 8.15 0.03 CR24-319 119 124.5 5.5 1.3 1.19 0.51 0.68 0.04 0.01 0.48 6.13 0.11 CR24-318 69 76.5 7.5 5.6 1.22 0.56 0.66 0.05 0.01 0.49 7.69 0.07 including 72 75 3 2.2 2.52 1.16 1.36 0.05 0.01 0.46 6.94 0.02 Hole ID From To Length Calculated true width Pt+Pd Pd Pt Ni Co Cr Fe S CR24-317 190.3 208.5 18.2 5.6 1.09 0.54 0.55 0.03 0.01 0.38 6.11 0.08 including 199.5 205.5 6 1.9 2.16 1.04 1.12 0.02 0.01 0.35 5.76 0.05 CR24-316 115.5 120 4.5 3.3 0.92 0.35 0.56 0.06 0.01 0.48 7.22 0.05 including 115.5 117 1.5 1.1 1.57 0.57 1.0 0.05 0.01 0.53 7.41 0.03 CR24-315 324 339 15 7 1.10 0.57 0.53 0.06 0.01 0.39 7.67 0.03 including 324 330 6 2.8 2.50 1.32 1.18 0.06 0.01 0.4 7.75 0.03 including 324 327 3 1.4 3.73 1.96 1.77 0.06 0.01 0.42 8.1 0.04 CR22-298 90 96 6 4.1 1.65 0.79 0.86 0.02 0.01 0.26 5.32 0.03 CR22-296 159 165 6 2.8 0.39 0.22 0.16 0.05 0.01 0.42 6.13 0.01 CR22-295 114 118.5 4.5 3.3 0.97 0.54 0.44 0.02 0.01 0.34 4.86 0.02 CR22-294 186 190.5 4.5 2.1 1.57 0.76 0.81 0.03 0.01 0.35 6.01 0.01 CR22-291 106.5 112.5 6 4.5 0.42 0.15 0.27 0.04 0.01 0.37 6.04 0.01 CR22-288 120 130.5 10.5 4.9 0.86 0.37 0.49 0.05 0.01 0.36 6.93 0.25 including 123 127.5 4.5 2.1 1.69 0.72 0.97 0.04 0.01 0.31 6.25 0.02 CR22-287 92 98 6 4.5 1.02 0.45 0.57 0.07 0.01 0.51 7.79 0.04 CR22-286 98 105.5 7.5 3.5 1.53 0.66 0.87 0.05 0.01 0.41 6.93 0.01 CR22-286 101 104 3 1.4 3.37 1.48 1.89 0.05 0.01 0.43 7.51 0.01 CR22-285 73 74.5 1.5 1.1 1.52 0.56 0.96 0.06 0.01 0.71 7.38 0.04 CR22-284 76.5 84 7.5 5.6 0.99 0.44 0.56 0.04 0.01 0.28 6.8 0.06 including 79.5 82.5 3 2.2 2.14 1.00 1.14 0.04 0.01 0.21 6.11 0.06 CR22-283 106.5 126 19.5 7.6 1.20 0.53 0.67 0.03 0.01 0.37 5.13 0.11 CR22-281 129 133.5 4.5 3.3 0.76 0.34 0.42 0.03 0.01 0.38 6.1 0.02 including 130.5 133.5 3 2.2 1.92 0.86 1.06 0.03 0.01 0.36 6.06 0.02 CR22-267 120 130.5 10.5 4.1 0.22 0.11 0.12 0.06 0.01 0.35 7.15 0.13 CR22-265 200 246 46 .18.0 1.94 0.87 1.07 0.03 0.01 0.43 6.05 0.1 including 228.5 243 14.5 5.7 3.49 1.65 1.83 0.02 0.01 0.3 5.83 0.01 MAIN ZONE CR24-341 457.5 468 10.5 1.3 0.26 0.12 0.14 0.06 0.01 0.4 7.47 0.03 CR24-334A 244.5 267 22.5 3.9 1.03 0.60 0.43 0.04 0.01 0.52 5.99 0.05 CR24-331 369 445.5 76.5 9.3 2.19 1.03 1.16 0.04 0.01 0.39 6.49 0.06 including 376.5 390 13.5 1.6 3.90 1.87 2.02 0.05 0.01 0.44 6.94 0.07 CR24-329 391.5 397.5 2.5 0.7 0.30 0.11 0.08 0.07 0.01 0.44 6.93 0.1 CR24-324 291 294 3 1.4 0.32 0.12 0.20 0.03 0.01 0.42 5.37 0.05 CR22-272 54 93 39 10.7 0.84 0.45 0.38 0.05 0.01 0.5 7.02 0.08 including 60 63 3 0.8 1.24 0.83 0.41 0.05 0.01 0.57 7.1 0.07 And 66 76.5 10.5 2.9 1.90 0.97 0.93 0.05 0.01 0.61 6.93 0.06 CR22-257 190.8 195.5 4.7 3.8 2.20 0.84 1.36 0.06 0.01 0.48 7 0.05 Table 3: Drillhole Orientation Hole ID Easting (mE) Northing (mN) Azimuth () Dip () Length (m) CR24-345 473300 5409950 356 -60 402 CR24-344 473205 5409985 0 -90 366 CR24-342 473373 5410260 170 -45 397 CR24-341 473833 5408690 0 -75 540 CR24-340 473278 5410290 173 -42 462 CR24-338 473610 5409950 0 -70 252 CR24-336 473827 5409967 0 -78 270 CR24-335 473950 5410000 0 -50 201 CR24-334A 473681 5408782 12 -70 372 CR24-333 474215 5409965 340 -77 236 CR24-332 474180 5410015 0 -72 252 CR24-331 473555 5408774 15 -74 501 CR24-330 474350 5409905 320 -80 450 CR24-329 473265 5408895 45 -70 450 CR24-328 474460 5409970 335 -55 231 CR24-327 473265 5408895 14 -66 351 CR24-326 474515 5409895 0 -80 273 CR24-325 474600 5409925 0 -80 201 CR24-324 472837 5409083 35 -55 351 CR24-323 474600 5409925 0 -50 261 CR24-322 474715 5409905 0 -80 306 CR24-321 474770 5409965 5 -75 300 CR24-320 474820 5409900 0 -80 270 CR24-319 474915 5409940 5 -84 171 CR24-318 474915 5409940 5 -50 204 CR24-317 475120 5409900 0 -80 300 CR24-316 475120 5409900 0 -50 207 CR24-315 473682 5410225 172 -54 399 CR22-298 473564 5410008 0 -55 252 CR22-296 473374 5409984 2 -70 201 CR22-295 473374 5409984 2 -50 282 CR22-294 475434 5409927 0 -70 192 CR22-291 475204 5409922 10 -50 210 CR22-288 474805 5409925 2 -70 171 CR22-287 474806 5409923 4 -50 252 CR22-286 474705 5409932 2 -70 180 CR22-285 474705 5409932 2 -50 252 CR22-284 474504 5409940 2 -50 261 CR22-283 474504 5409939 2 -75 222 CR22-282 474303 5409955 2 -75 222 CR22-281 474303 5409956 2 -50 252 CR22-272 473764 5408865 172 -82 651 CR22-267 474606 5410009 180 -75 650 CR22-265 474403 5410013 180 -75 577 CR22-257 473644 5408751 355 -45 354 Assays, Quality Assurance/Quality Control and Drilling and Assay Edwin Escarraga, MSc, P.Geo., a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for the on-going drilling and sampling program, including quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC). The core is collected from the drill in sealed core trays and transported to the core logging facility. The core is marked and sampled at 1.5 metre lengths and cut with a diamond blade saw. One set of samples is transported in secured bags directly from the Canada Nickel core shack to Actlabs Timmins, while a second set of samples is securely shipped to SGS Lakefield for preparation, with analysis performed at SGS Burnaby or SGS Callao (Peru). All are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited labs. Analysis for precious metals (gold, platinum, and palladium) are completed by Fire Assay while analysis for nickel, cobalt, sulphur and other elements are performed using a peroxide fusion and ICP-OES analysis. Certified standards and blanks are inserted at a rate of 3 QA/QC samples per 20 core samples making a batch of 60 samples that are submitted for analysis. Qualified Person and Data Verification Stephen J. Balch P.Geo. (ON), VP Exploration of Canada Nickel and a "qualified person" as is defined by National Instrument 43-101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of Canada Nickel. The magnetic images shown in this press release were created from Canada Nickel's interpretation of datasets provided by the Ontario Geological Survey. About Canada Nickel Company Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless-steel markets. Canada Nickel has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero NickelTM, NetZero CobaltTM, NetZero IronTM and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins-Cochrane mining camp. For more information, please visit www.canadanickel.com. For further information, please contact: Mark Selby CEO Phone: 647-256-1954 Email: [email protected] Cautionary Note and Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, drill and exploration results, the significance of drill results, the ability to continue drilling, the impact of drilling on the definition of any resource, the potential of the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project, timing and completion (if at all) of mineral resource estimates, strategic plans, including future exploration and development plans and results, and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon several assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Canada Nickel Company Inc. LANCASTER, Calif., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Lancaster is proud to announce that the Multi-Agency Regional Resilience Center (MARRC) project will now be known as the "Parris Center," in recognition of Mayor R. Rex Parris and his family for their outstanding contributions to the City. Mayor Parris has been instrumental in advancing the City's green and renewable energy infrastructure, and leading Lancaster's groundbreaking initiative to become the first net-zero and hydrogen city in the nation. Since his election in 2008, Mayor Parris has spearheaded a decade-long initiative to transform the City of Lancaster into a hub for clean and green energy innovation. Under his leadership, the City has invested over $2 billion in solar energy since 2009 and created Lancaster Choice Energy, a program offering green energy to Lancaster residents at reduced costs. In 2024, Mayor Parris launched Lancaster Energy, a new City division committed to clean energy and innovation, supplying a diverse set of clean energy resources, including hydrogen, green ammonia, and solar, and delivering these resources to ports and other key locations throughout southern California. "Serving this City as mayor has been one of the greatest honors of my life," said Mayor Parris. "Together, we have made remarkable strides in renewable energy and hydrogen, and the Parris Center represents the next exciting phase of our journey. We've also taken significant steps to enhance public safety, including the establishment of our own police department. I am deeply grateful to my wife and family for their unwavering support and the sacrifices they have made. Their contributions have been pivotal to both my success and the City's progress during these transformative years." Vice Mayor Marvin Crist added, "Naming the center after Mayor Parris and his family was a unanimous decision. His vision and dedication have profoundly shaped our City's future. The Parris Center will stand as a testament to his relentless pursuit of innovation and sustainability." The Parris Center will become the first building of its kind to utilize an integrated system of hydrogen, electricity, and heat pumps to achieve a zero-carbon footprint, ensuring outstanding sustainability and energy resiliency for emergency situations. ENSO Infrastructure LLC has joined forces with Japanese partners, ENSO Japan and Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Ltd. (TEPCO), with support from Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), toward a demonstration of a state-of-the-art energy management system (EMS) at the Parris Center using locally-generated solar power for producing the hydrogen. The Parris Center is set to become the largest Zero Energy Building (ZEB) using green hydrogen for electric power generation, energy storage, and heat, as well as for EV charging and fueling for light- to heavy-duty hydrogen vehicles. The Parris Center held a groundbreaking ceremony on July 11, 2024, at the AV Fair & Event Center. About The City of Lancaster Lancaster is a diverse community of nearly 170,000, leading the future through science, technology, art, culture, and collaboration. Home to astronauts, rocket scientists, families, and innovative businesses large and small, we are leading the USA with innovation. Combined with spectacular landscapes and clean air, Lancaster has the confidence, expertise, spirit, and imagination to transform tomorrow. We are: Creating a better tomorrow. Visit us at www.cityoflancasterca.gov. Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE City of Lancaster, CA PARIS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CJ Foods Europe has unveiled its ambitious plans to reach 1.0 billion in sales by 2030. This vision underscores the company's commitment to K-food globalization in the European market and beyond, with its iconic global brand bibigo at the forefront. The 2024 bibigo Media Day in Paris, held on the 30th at Maison de la Chimie, invited French and European journalists to explore bibigo's European expansion strategies and experience the bibigo booth at KOREA HOUSE during the Olympic Games Paris 2024. "CJ Foods is pioneering the global rediscovery and transformation of K-food," says Hyokyo Suh, Head of CJ Foods Europe Business. Yujin Shin, Head of CJ Foods France, outlined a three-pronged strategy. This strategy also includes offering a variety of authentic K-food made with genuine ingredients, easing trials with locally adapted flavors, and enhancing brand awareness by maximizing consumer touchpoints. "We have one plant in Germany to guide all supply chains through Europe. However, we have a presence in retailers all around the continent, including Ocado, Sainsbury's, ASDA in the UK, and Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Hoogvliet in the Netherlands, and Carrefour in Belgium. With the expansion of supply chains in Europe and negotiations underway with major mainstream retailers in France, all European consumers should expect to find their beloved bibigo products at their nearest store by the end of 2024," Shin said. Hyokyo Suh, Head of CJ Foods Europe Business, added, "Since its establishment in 2018, CJ Foods Europe has experienced steady growth, achieving a 66% compound annual growth rate. We attribute this success to bibigo's commitment to product diversity and authenticity. By offering a wide range of products and ingredients that showcase the true essence of Korean cuisine, bibigo seamlessly combines convenience and uncompromising quality. Due to the global influence of K-culture such as K-pop, K-films, and K-beauty, bibigo now has a 48.4% frozen dumpling market share in the UK, and recently announced its entry into Oseyo, the UK's largest Asian supermarket in the North. The bibigo zone at KOREA HOUSE, open from July 26 to August 11, is vital to bibigo's marketing strategy to introduce authentic Korean cuisine to European consumers. Located in the heart of Paris, the booth is inspired by a traditional Korean street market, or "Sijang," known for its vibrant energy and community spirit. "By bringing the essence of a Korean Sijang to Paris, we aim to create a platform for local retailers and distributors to experience authentic Korean cuisine's rich diversity and cultural significance." Visitors can enjoy a variety of Korean street foods, including freshly prepared mandu (Korean dumplings), jumeokbap (rice balls), tteokbokki (sweet and spicy rice cakes), and kimchi, and participate in various K-cultural experiences like K-beauty exhibitions and photo sessions. Since its establishment in 2010 by Korea's no. 1 food company, CJ Foods , bibigo has become America's leading Korean food brand, celebrated for its authentic and diverse culinary offerings. As of 2023, CJ Foods' overseas sales have reached an impressive 3.6 billion euros, with Europe playing a pivotal role in its international growth. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2472395/Image__Hyokyo_Suh__Head_of_CJ_Foods_Europe_Business.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2465977/CJ_Foods_bibigo_Logo.jpg Unifying Stagwell's digital transformation agencies provides greater scale and growth opportunities for clients NEW YORK, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Code and Theory Network, Stagwell's digital transformation network, has expanded to include Instrument and Left Field Labs. The move strategically aligns Stagwell's individual digital transformation agencies under the Code and Theory Network to create unparalleled digital transformation capabilities unseen in the market today. This expansion bolsters the Code and Theory Network, which is the only end-to-end digital transformation network backed by 50% engineers and 50% creatives at scale. Unifying Stagwells digital transformation agencies provides greater scale and growth opportunities for clients The Code and Theory Network now consists of Code and Theory, Instrument, Kettle, Truelogic, Left Field Labs (LFL), Rhythm and Mediacurrent. Together, the Code and Theory Network is positioned to deliver comprehensive value from concept to continuity, serving as strategic partners in AI-driven transformation. Its human-led, tech-powered approach embeds AI into its capabilities, delivering practical, tangible benefits for its clients. Instrument is a design and technology company dedicated to helping brands unlock their full potential. It comprises its first all-women C-suite, which underscores its commitment to diversified perspectives in leadership. Across the verticals of brand, product and marketing, Instrument continues to experience tremendous growth, across a diverse set of new and long-standing partners. Left Field Labs is the creative technology and innovation partner for some of the world's most ambitious brands where people go to build what's next. Recently, LFL spotlighted Google Search's new, more innovative modalities utilizing AI and AR. LFL conceptualized, designed and built a new website to drive product demos and Google app downloads, which launched to celebrate Search's 25-year anniversary. Other clients include Amazon, Hasbro, Disney, Verizon and Uber. As part of the Code and Theory Network, Instrument and Left Field Labs have the opportunity to further elevate their creative and engineering capabilities while maintaining their distinct cultures. They will benefit from complementary specialty digital expertise, centralized resources and expanded collaboration for shared growth. Additionally, they can leverage the Code and Theory Network's flexible nearshore and offshore engineering talent with expertise across North America, South America and Asia. This expansion builds on a historic year for Code and Theory, the leading digital transformation agency, recently recognized as Ad Age's Business Transformation Agency of the Year, ANA B2B Agency of the Year and the Ace Awards Agency of the Year, winning Gold at New York Festivals and more. Code and Theory has seen an influx of top talent this year having brought on Craig Elimeliah (formerly of VML and Lippe Taylor) as Chief Creative Officer, Raj Bhatia, (formerly of Deloitte Digital) as Global Chief Technology Officer, and Co-Heads of Production Julia LaRose (formerly of Accenture) and Christine Clark (formerly of Thinkingbox). Dan Gardner, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Code and Theory, says: "In a world where emerging technology like AI is undeniably going to transform companies, there is still a lot of confusing noise and misdirected hype. Our unique strategy to ensure our solutions are meaningful has remained consistent: combine creativity and technology to find the opportunities of tomorrow. With the addition of these new companies, we have created the ultimate challenger agency to the legacy consultancies and rigid holding companies that can't deliver the modern model required to outperform our clients' expectations." Michael Treff, CEO, Code and Theory says, "The Code and Theory Network is best positioned to solve our client's hardest challenges, most of which focus on accelerating growth through creativity and technology. The addition of Left Field Labs and Instrument adds a depth of innovation and new and unique capabilities as well as unparalleled CX scale. With these additions, we are better able to provide strategically sound solutions and deliver measurable outcomes for our clients." Laurel Burton, CEO, Instrument says: "We are at one of those moments of the technology curve where you need trusted brands that not only know how to implement technology, but also design innovative use cases that deliver tremendous long-term value. Being part of the Code and Theory Network gives Instrument the scale to deliver on a global stage as we look to our next chapter of growth. We are committed to finding forward-looking solutions for age-old challenges creating work that has a lasting impact." Sarah Richardson Mehler, CEO, Left Field Labs says: "As a part of the Code and Theory Network, Left Field Labs can offer our clients the opportunity to innovate at scale to build for the future. The network shares a fundamental belief that convergence of emerging technologies will change businesses, industries and the Internet as a whole. I couldn't be more thrilled to be part of the Code and Theory network and all that we are unlocking together." About Code and Theory Network Code and Theory Network is the only network with a balance of 50% creative and 50% engineers at scale. The technology-first group within Stagwell Group is built to partner with businesses to navigate the complexity of changing consumer behaviors, emerging technologies and AI. With a global footprint and the capabilities to work across the entire consumer journey, we crave the hardest problems to solve. The network includes the flagship agency Code and Theory as well as Instrument, Kettle, Left Field Labs, Truelogic, Rhythm and Mediacurrent. Code and Theory clients include Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, MSNBC, NFL, Pfizer and Zappos. For more, visit codeandtheory.com About Instrument Instrument is a multidisciplinary creative company that redefines brands and experiences, with offices in Portland, Oregon, New York, New York and Los Angeles, California. We are a dynamic group of creative technologists and storytellers that use the power of design and technology to co-create groundbreaking work with our clients. We connect brands like never before helping organizations reimagine the most valuable pieces of their digital ecosystem. With deep talent in the areas of Strategy, Design, Development and Content Creation, we build modern experiences for ambitious brands. About Left Field Labs Left Field Labs is a digital agency dedicated to solving our common challenges through uncommon creativity. Our team of over 100 designers, developers and strategists has launched hundreds of digital products and experiences from VR and websites to apps and experiential installations for clients, such as Google, Discovery, Android, Estee Lauder, Uber and Disney. Contact: Kenneth Hein [email protected] SOURCE Stagwell Inc. $150,000 in donations given to organizations across eight countries DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Twelve nonprofit organizations in eight countries have been selected to receive financial contributions from regional groups and other member-led groups and initiatives of the CompTIA Community, the membership arm of CompTIA, the technology industry's leading association. A total of $150,000 was awarded to charities in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Malaysia, Belgium, Indonesia and the Netherlands. CompTIA Community regional groups and industry advisory councils have supported more than 70 organizations around the world with approximately $1.5 million in charitable giving over the past 12 years. "Each organization has its own unique mission making positive impacts in their local communities and across the globe." Post this "This year's group of charities truly show how technology can be used to create abundant opportunities for future success in today's digital world," said MJ Shoer, chief community officer, CompTIA. "Each organization has its own unique mission making positive impacts in their local communities and across the globe. CompTIA Community member groups are honored to provide them with funds to address the latest challenges and build a stronger technology industry for future generations." Contributions made by CompTIA Community regional groups, advisory councils, Member Champions and the CompTIA Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (ISAO) support local communities and improve education, access to resources and career options for people in need. CompTIA Community members in the North America, ANZ, ASEAN, Benelux, DACH, and the UK and Ireland regions serve as influencers and ambassadors helping to advance the global tech industry. Organizations receiving donations this year include: Australian Business and Community Network (Sydney, Australia) works to address educational disparity by connecting volunteers from member companies with students from low socio-economic backgrounds to provide fun, workplace-based mentoring programs. ($5,000) Centrepoint (England, UK) is the UK's leading youth homelessness charity, providing essentials digital skills for work and life. ($10,000) Children's Protection Society (Pulau Pinang, Malaysia) provides at-risk children with a safe and supportive environment to promote their healthy development. ($5,000) Deadly Science (Australia) provides STEM resources and mentoring opportunities to marginalized youth of aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. ($5,000) De Lift Education (Diest, Belgium) takes young people with autism to a higher level through specialized computer training. ($5,000) Net4kids (Amstelveen, Netherlands) works with local partner organizations to provide aid to children in need and offer them more opportunities to build a successful and independent future. ($10,000) ReDI School of Digital Integration (Berlin, Germany) is a non-profit tech school providing access to free digital education, career training, job matching and more through the help of volunteer tech experts. ($10,000) Solve Education (West Java, Indonesia) helps students access education and gain confidence in their ability to learn by providing free educational software. ($5,000) Starlight Children's Foundation (California, US) helps seriously ill children and their families reduce stress by enabling children to play games from the comfort of their hospital bed or in a playroom. ($35,000) Tech for Troops (Virginia, US) empowers under-resourced veterans and their families by providing sustainable lifelong digital skills backed through training, education and technology. ($45,000) TechPoint Foundation (Indiana, US) is the leader in STEM education efforts for the state of Indiana and works to address the state's growing demand for a skilled workforce through STEM programming. ($5,000) The Posse (New York, US) trains students from diverse backgrounds to be successful leaders of tomorrow through mentorship and full-tuition leadership scholarships from partner colleges. ($10,000) About CompTIA The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world's economy. Through community, education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for unlocking the potential of the tech industry and its workforce. http://Connect.CompTIA.org. Media Contact Anna Turman CompTIA [email protected] + 1 901.427.5510 SOURCE CompTIA EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CYRIN, the virtual cybersecurity platform from ATCorp., has added a new scenario that teaches students how to investigate, analyze and mitigate a cyberattack on the enterprise In this new Attack Scenario from CYRIN, students play the role of a network security administrator of an enterprise in order to investigate, analyze and mitigate an attack on the enterprise. They are told that a host on the Internet has been persistently scanning their network. The enterprise has an Incident Response Rack that consists of: New Attack Scenario from CYRIN A server with cybersecurity tools, and A workstation with a browser-based user interface to view and analyze data from the security tools. Students use these tools to determine: The service being targeted by the attacker, and If the attacker succeeds in finding and exploiting a vulnerability in this service. After analyzing the nature of the attack, they must block the attacker from the network. The scenario includes a quiz that tests the students' understanding of the attack and how best to prevent attacks of this nature. Why this is Important The ability to investigate anomalous network activity is an essential cyber defense skill. To successfully complete this scenario students must use tools such as intrusion detectors and firewalls to capture potentially malicious traffic and analyze logs to identify the nature of the attack. This will give students an understanding of how security gaps are closed. This new scenario is mapped to NIST Work Roles: This attack scenario is just a small part of CYRIN's ongoing development efforts that keep CYRIN at the forefront with new and innovative ways to train and teach students and learners in the art of cybersecurity. Inexpensive, easy-to-use and tailored to your schedule, the CYRIN labs and attack scenarios are your entry to the world of cyber security. To learn more about our content visit the CYRIN catalog page. The Team ATC-NY, based in Ithaca, NY, is the cybersecurity division of Architecture Technology Corporation, and responsible for CYRIN development. They work with numerous commercial, educational and government agencies, including the Department of Defense, who helped support the effort to develop CYRIN. To see more visit https://cyrin.atcorp.com/ About Architecture Technology Corporation Architecture Technology Corporation (ATCorp) is headquartered in Eden Prairie, MN. ATCorp specializes in advanced research and software-intensive solutions for complex problems in Information Security, Cybersecurity, Enterprise-Scale Network Computing, AI, and Machine Learning. To read more about their products and services, visit ATCorp at https://www.atcorp.com. Contact: Press Information Paul O'Neill, Architecture Technology Corporation (ATCorp) Voice: (508) 588-4448 [email protected] SOURCE Architecture Technology Corporation PLEASANTON, Calif., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DermRays, a leading innovator in skincare technology, is proud to announce its latest breakthrough, spearheading a revolution in home hair removal devices with the introduction of advanced laser technology designed to replace cheap IPL alternatives. This announcement comes as DermRays celebrates its 12th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in the brand's journey. 1. Brand Story The company gained fame for designing light therapy chambers for the Kardashian family, aiding in body contouring and recovery, as reported by the Daily Mail. Recently, DermRays has been recognized by VOGUE and Harper's BAZAAR for its superior hair removal products. The precursor to LOTUXS LASER LIMITED, known as DARMOPTIK GMBH, was established in Dusseldorf, Germany. Initially, the focus was on developing medical-grade equipment for professional clinics. Concurrently, the company began its venture into the research and design of the first-generation home-use 810nm laser hair removal device, marking the start of LOTUXS's dedication to providing solutions for both clinical and consumer needs. Founded by Dr. Yang Lin, LOTUXS LASER LIMITED was established to specialize in the production of advanced beauty equipment, marking a new era in the beauty tech industry in 2012. LOTUXS launched website DermRays.com , marking the commencement of retailing proprietary products directly to consumers in 2023. Unlike most medical laser companies, our designs are created from scratch, resulting in highly customized and cost-effective solutions. Our independently designed laser chips feature high efficiency and stability, providing a strong foundation for exceptional laser device performance. Currently, our products, including the PowerSculp body contouring device, Artemis hair removal device, TitanPico picosecond laser device, and dermrays home-use laser hair removal device , are available in over 120 countries, receiving positive market feedback. Representative Technological Breakthroughs 810nm Laser Hair Removal Device (Artemis): Through continuous research and technological advancements, we successfully increased the power of our hair removal device from 300W to 2000W, achieving more efficient laser hair removal. This marks a significant breakthrough in hair removal technology, positioning us among the leading laser hair removal device manufacturers in China. 1064nm Laser Body Contouring Device (PowerSculp): FDA-certified in 2019, PowerSculp showcases our leading position and exceptional quality in the laser body contouring field. Picosecond Laser Device (TitanPico): With an output pulse width reaching true picosecond levels at 450ps, TitanPico effectively avoids thermal damage. The same treatment handle can achieve 532nm and 1064nm laser outputs. Additionally, a more efficient cooling system with a cooling capacity of up to 600W, and synchronous switching between the main and secondary screens, elevate the device's performance to the top level in the domestic market. Production Quality System/Standards We operate under the ISO 13485 medical device quality management system, ensuring our beauty devices meet high-quality and safety standards throughout the production process, from design and development to production, installation, and service. Professional R&D Team Our team of over 20 experts spans software, hardware, process, design, art, and mechanical fields. The core team has 30 years of experience in diode laser development and market promotion. 2. Anniversary Month Specials As we celebrate our 12th anniversary, we are overwhelmed by the warm wishes and testimonials from our loyal customers. In August, DermRays will celebrate its anniversary month with a site-wide promotion, offering $120 off on all products for a whole month. Join the global celebration and enjoy premium skincare solutions at unbeatable prices. 3. DermRays' Mission and Vision DermRays is dedicated to addressing the challenges of permanent hair removal for individuals of all skin tones. Our mission is to make advanced skincare technology inclusive, safe, and effective for everyone. 4. Dermrays Home-use Laser Hair Removal Devices DermRays currently offers three laser hair removal devices and one laser skin rejuvenation device. Each product is designed with specific user needs in mind: DermRays V6S : The world's only home-use 1064nm laser hair removal device, perfect for dark skin. Salon-grade 1064nm diode laser, FDA-cleared. Clinically proven for 82% hair reduction in 8 weeks. Full body treatment in just 15 mins including face, underarms, legs, bikini line.etc. Priced at $599 . : The world's only home-use 1064nm laser hair removal device, perfect for dark skin. Salon-grade 1064nm diode laser, FDA-cleared. Clinically proven for 82% hair reduction in 8 weeks. Full body treatment in just 15 mins including face, underarms, legs, bikini line.etc. Priced at . DermRays V8S : 4X larger treatment windows than other laser, 27J ultra high energy, faster results. 4.5X more energy than leading IPL devices. Suitable for 1-5 skin tones, offering efficient and painless hair removal. High-performance laser hair removal, 97% users recommend. FDA-cleared for safe and effective use. Priced at $599 . : 4X larger treatment windows than other laser, 27J ultra high energy, faster results. 4.5X more energy than leading IPL devices. Suitable for 1-5 skin tones, offering efficient and painless hair removal. High-performance laser hair removal, 97% users recommend. FDA-cleared for safe and effective use. Priced at . DermRays V4S : FDA-cleared 810nm diode laser hair removal, 3.5X more energy than leading IPL devices. A budget-friendly option without compromising on quality. 15 mins full body treatment including face, underarms, legs, bikini line.etc. Priced at $499 . : FDA-cleared 810nm diode laser hair removal, 3.5X more energy than leading IPL devices. A budget-friendly option without compromising on quality. 15 mins full body treatment including face, underarms, legs, bikini line.etc. Priced at . DermRays S5: Laser skin rejuvenation device, targeting the signs of ageing, redness, hyperpigmentation, scars and blemishes. All-in-One 1064nm home laser solves your multiple facial skin concerns and suitable for all skin tones. FDA-cleared, no pain, downtime or irritation. Treats Priced at $599 . 6. Global Expansion Plans DermRays is dedicated to reaching a global audience. Our products are currently available on our global site, European site, Amazon shop [American, France, Japan ] . We are planning to expand the shop to Germany, Italy, and Spain, further expanding our reach and accessibility. All products will be available for purchase starting August 1st, 2024 with the special anniversary discount code CELEBRATE12. For more information, visit https://www.dermrays.com/ Media Contact: Facebook: @dermraysofficial Instagram: @dermrays_global YouTube: @DermRays TikTok: @dermrays.official SOURCE DermRays NEW YORK, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global diagnostic imaging market size is estimated to grow by USD 8.69 billion from 2023-2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 5.93% during the forecast period. Increasing prevalence of chronic conditions is driving market growth, with a trend towards integration of ai with diagnostic imaging. However, high costs associated with diagnostic imaging poses a challenge. Key market players include Agfa Gevaert NV, Allengers Medical Systems Ltd., BCL XRay Canada Inc., Carestream Health Inc., CurveBeam AI Ltd., Esaote Spa, Fujifilm Corp., General Electric Co., Hitachi Ltd., Hologic Inc., Konica Minolta Inc., Mediso Ltd., Neusoft Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., Planmeca Oy, Shenzhen Mindray BioMedical Electronics, Shimadzu Corp., Siemens AG, SternMed GmbH, and Thales Group. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Diagnostic Imaging Market 2023-2027 Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies - Click for the snapshot of this report Forecast period 2023-2027 Base Year 2022 Historic Data 2017 - 2021 Segment Covered Product (X-ray, Ultrasound, Magnetic resonance imaging, Computed tomography, and Others), End-user (Hospitals and clinics, Diagnostic centers, Research laboratories and institutes, and Others), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)) Region Covered North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Key companies profiled Agfa Gevaert NV, Allengers Medical Systems Ltd., BCL XRay Canada Inc., Carestream Health Inc., CurveBeam AI Ltd., Esaote Spa, Fujifilm Corp., General Electric Co., Hitachi Ltd., Hologic Inc., Konica Minolta Inc., Mediso Ltd., Neusoft Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., Planmeca Oy, Shenzhen Mindray BioMedical Electronics, Shimadzu Corp., Siemens AG, SternMed GmbH, and Thales Group Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The diagnostic imaging market is experiencing significant growth due to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). This technology automates and standardizes complex diagnostic procedures, enhances equipment features, and improves patient outcomes while reducing costs. AI techniques, such as object detection and image segmentation, enable faster and more accurate identification of relevant patterns. Leading healthcare companies like Siemens Healthineers and GE Healthcare are collaborating with tech firms to incorporate AI into their imaging equipment. For instance, Siemens Healthineers and Intel Corp. Are working together on AI-based cardiac MRI for real-time diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. Startups like NANOX IMAGING are also entering the market, receiving FDA clearance for their AI-enabled digital X-ray system. These investments and collaborations will drive the growth of the diagnostic imaging market by improving imaging quality and increasing adoption of AI technology. The Diagnostic Imaging Market is experiencing significant trends in various segments. Age-related macular degeneration and chronic diseases like cardiovascular disorders and neurology disorders are driving the demand for advanced imaging technologies. Computer vision and AI-enabled diagnostic equipment from companies like Google Cloud and Siemens Healthineers are becoming popular. The Economic setback has led to an increase in demand for teleradiology services and refurbished equipment in the market. The Computed Tomography market, including CT scanners from Siemens Healthineers, leads the pack. Ultrasound segment, with portable devices and advanced transducers, is also growing. Hospitals and teaching hospitals are major consumers. Government initiatives like India's X-Ray Setu and AI platforms from Google's Deepmind and Moorfields Eye Hospital are revolutionizing early detection tools and turnaround time. Molecular imaging and orthopedic disorders are other emerging areas. Market leaders like Siemens Healthineers are expanding their cardiovascular ultrasound portfolio with offerings like Affiniti CVx. Overall, the market is competitive, with state-of-the-art imaging modalities like X-ray, MRI, CT, and ultrasound continuing to dominate. Product recalls and safety concerns are challenges. Discover 360 analysis of this market. For complete information, schedule your consultation- Book Here! Market Challenges Diagnostic imaging is an essential component of healthcare, particularly in fields such as oncology, cardiology, and gynecology. However, the high costs associated with diagnostic imaging equipment and procedures are a significant barrier to market growth. For instance, an MRI machine costs between USD150,000 and USD300,000 , and additional costs are incurred for installation, remodeling, and annual service maintenance. The cost of annual service maintenance includes preventative maintenance, parts, labor charges, and technician allowances, which can amount to USD95,000 - USD120,000 for a PET/CT scanner and USD100,000 - USD140,000 for a CT system tube replacement. The cost of diagnostic imaging procedures also varies, with an MRI procedure costing between USD200 and USD2,200 , a CT scan between USD50 and USD1,500 , and an X-ray between USD50 and USD450 . These costs cover hospital facilities, physician fees, and support staff fees. The cost of diagnosis can also depend on the healthcare infrastructure, potentially discouraging people from seeking necessary imaging in developing countries. Overall, the high costs of diagnostic imaging equipment and procedures can limit market growth. and , and additional costs are incurred for installation, remodeling, and annual service maintenance. The cost of annual service maintenance includes preventative maintenance, parts, labor charges, and technician allowances, which can amount to - for a PET/CT scanner and - for a CT system tube replacement. The cost of diagnostic imaging procedures also varies, with an MRI procedure costing between and , a CT scan between and , and an X-ray between and . These costs cover hospital facilities, physician fees, and support staff fees. The cost of diagnosis can also depend on the healthcare infrastructure, potentially discouraging people from seeking necessary imaging in developing countries. Overall, the high costs of diagnostic imaging equipment and procedures can limit market growth. The Diagnostic Imaging Market faces several challenges in 2023. Aging populations and chronic diseases like age-related macular degeneration drive demand for advanced imaging technologies. However, economic setbacks and product recalls can impact market growth. Teleradiology services and AI-enabled diagnostic equipment from companies like Google Cloud and Siemens Healthineers are transforming the industry. The Computed Tomography market, including CT scanners and advanced transducers, dominates, but Ultrasound, including portable devices, also gains popularity. Hospitals, teaching hospitals, and surgical suites in developed regions require state-of-the-art imaging modalities like MRI, CT, X-ray, and molecular imaging for cardiovascular disorders, neurology disorders, orthopedic disorders, and early detection tools. Government initiatives like India's X-Ray Setu and AI platforms from companies like Google's Deepmind and Moorfields Eye Hospital are shaping the future of diagnostics. However, challenges remain, including turnaround time, product recalls, and the refurbished equipment market. Companies like Siemens Healthineers, with market-leading positions and cardiovascular ultrasound portfolios like the Affiniti CVx, are addressing these challenges and driving innovation in radiology operations. For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This diagnostic imaging market report extensively covers market segmentation by Product 1.1 X-ray 1.2 Ultrasound 1.3 Magnetic resonance imaging 1.4 Computed tomography 1.5 Others End-user 2.1 Hospitals and clinics 2.2 Diagnostic centers 2.3 Research laboratories and institutes 2.4 Others Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 Asia 3.4 Rest of World (ROW) 1.1 X-ray- The global digital X-ray systems market is experiencing robust growth, with the digital X-ray segment leading the charge. This growth is driven by the increasing adoption of digital radiography (DR) systems in developed regions, particularly North America and Europe. The shift to digital X-ray systems is due to their numerous advantages, such as improved image quality, faster processing times, and lower radiation doses. In contrast, conventional X-ray systems have larger image receptors, moderate resolution, and longer processing times, and their use is associated with higher radiation doses. According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer was the most common cancer in 2020, with 2.3 million diagnoses and 685,000 deaths worldwide. Digital X-ray systems' ability to detect abnormalities more effectively, particularly in low-contrast environments, makes them increasingly essential for diagnosing chronic diseases like breast cancer and spinal disorders. Despite the benefits, the digital X-ray systems market faces regulatory challenges. In the US, all X-ray equipment is classified as Class III medical devices, requiring extensive regulatory processes to ensure safety and efficacy. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prevents unsafe and ineffective devices from entering the market, which may negatively impact sales and profit margins for manufacturers. However, technological advances and the growing adoption of portable and mobile digital X-ray systems are expected to drive market growth. New generation mobile X-ray units offer increased efficiency and cost savings compared to standalone systems. Wireless mobile X-ray systems provide flexibility in healthcare facilities by enabling the sharing of medical images between mobile and fixed systems. Vendors are investing in innovative mobile and portable digital X-ray systems to enhance market growth. For instance, Nanox recently received FDA approval for its NANO-X IMAGING's single-source Nanox.ARC Digital X-ray technology, which has the potential to lower diagnostic imaging system costs and deliver early detection services effectively. These factors are expected to fuel market growth during the forecast period. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2023-2027) and historic data (2017 - 2021) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The Diagnostic Imaging Market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing demand for early detection tools in various diseases. The turnaround time for diagnostic imaging is a crucial factor driving market growth, with governments and private players investing in initiatives like India's X-Ray Setu to improve access and efficiency. Advanced state-of-the-art imaging modalities, such as cardiovascular ultrasound, are leading the market, with companies like Siemens Healthineers holding a strong market position. Artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, like those developed by Google's Deepmind and Moorfields Eye Hospital, are revolutionizing radiology operations by improving accuracy and efficiency. The economic setback caused by the pandemic has led to an increased focus on teleradiology services and the Computed Tomography market. The Ultrasound segment, with its advanced ultrasound transducers, is also experiencing growth due to its non-invasive nature and cost-effectiveness. Age-related macular degeneration, computer vision, and optical CT scanners are some of the key applications driving the market. Market Research Overview Diagnostic imaging market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing demand for early detection tools for various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders and neurology disorders. The market is driven by advancements in state-of-the-art imaging modalities like MRI, CT, X-ray, and ultrasound. The turnaround time for diagnostic imaging is a critical factor, and companies are investing in AI platforms to enhance efficiency. The Indian government's initiative, X-Ray Setu, aims to provide affordable diagnostic services using AI-enabled imaging technologies. Siemens Healthineers holds a strong market position with a comprehensive cardiovascular ultrasound portfolio, including Affiniti CVx. Radiology operations are being revolutionized with the integration of AI in imaging equipment from companies like Google's Deepmind and Moorfields Eye Hospital. The development of an optical CT scanner for age-related macular degeneration is a significant breakthrough in ophthalmology. The economic setback caused by the pandemic has led to an increase in demand for teleradiology services and refurbished equipment in developing regions. The Computed Tomography market is expected to grow due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, while the Ultrasound segment benefits from portable ultrasound devices. Advanced ultrasound transducers and surgical suits are essential accessories for hospitals. Developed regions are investing in AI-enabled diagnostic equipment, while teaching hospitals focus on molecular imaging for research and development. Product recalls and regulatory issues are challenges for the market. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product X-ray Ultrasound Magnetic Resonance Imaging Computed Tomography Others End-user Hospitals And Clinics Diagnostic Centers Research Laboratories And Institutes Others Geography North America Europe Asia Rest Of World (ROW) 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio Real-time analysis of compute environments is a major benefit for MSPs SAN FRANCISCO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ControlUp, at the forefront of Digital Employee Experience (DEX) management, today announced that UK managed services provider, ebb3, has standardized on the ControlUp DEX platform to enhance the management of its clients' business critical Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) environments and the corporate endpoints used by hybrid office workers. This is enabling ebb3 to proactively and easily monitor clients' systems to improve the overall digital employee experience, streamline the control of IT, reduce costs and enable the optimization of VDI systems used including Citrix, Omnissa (formerly VMware) and Microsoft, across both public and hybrid cloud deployments. Specializing in accelerated computing on VDI and AI platforms, ebb3 works in a variety of industry sectors in the UK such as construction, architecture, motorsports and the public sector. Key customers include Aston Martin, Morgan Sindall Group, Simpson Haugh, Scott Brownrigg and housing association, Wallsall Housing Group. "We design, install and manage our clients' VDI solutions so the real-time monitoring provided by ControlUp is absolutely crucial to guarantee service quality given we're signing multi-year contracts," explains Jav Fiaz, ebb3's Technical Architect & Senior Platform Engineer. "ControlUp is our eyes and ears our feelers out into client environments if you like. Other solutions might poll every two, three or five seconds. That's too slow. You'd miss problems like why latency is occurring and then not be able to fix root causes quickly. This then impacts the users' perception and views about their digital workspaces." This is important because most of ebb3's clients use powerful CAD/CAM applications to do their work leveraging server-based grid technology from NVIDIA - such as Catia, Enscape, Revit, Rhino and Twin Motion. To run these graphics-intensive solutions in a VDI environment requires specialized configuration and accurate monitoring to ensure that the heavy workload demands are properly optimized by the backend compute. ControlUp helps ebb3 with the sizing and capacity planning of servers so that the applications are properly implemented, with real-time monitoring of GPU, CPU, memory and IO usage during user acceptance testing and after rollout ensuring that systems are responsive and work seamlessly and as expected. Furthermore, ControlUp is also used by ebb3 to carry out health checks of clients' VDI environments if they already have the software installed and provide continuous monitoring of the customer's digital experience. "With ControlUp, we can spot rogue workflows which result in burst usage affecting the overall performance health of the VDI system. This has the potential to impact staff productivity and their ability to meet demanding project deadlines," says Fiaz. "This could be because someone is downloading lots of massive files or not optimizing a large 3D model properly which then causes bottlenecks. We can set up alerts and triggers using ControlUp to identify issues before they become problems." Since COVID-19 and the boom in remote working, the monitoring of clients' VDI environments has expanded out of data centers to include physical endpoints, too. Here ebb3 is capitalizing on ControlUp's physical endpoint DEX platform to monitor devices used by staff at home. "Someone logging a support ticket complaining of intermittent performance issues might attribute the problem to the VDI platform. But by using ControlUp, we can drill down into the user session and see if it's actually another issue like the speed of their home Wi-Fi connection or position in a building that's causing latency. It makes problem-solving super-fast," explains Fiaz. ControlUp also delivers a variety of other benefits to ebb3: Platform independent and future proof. ControlUp's support for multiple technology stacks in VDI/DaaS, such as Citrix, Ominisa and Microsoft, and multiple endpoint OS support means that regardless of what technologies are used today, or what might be used tomorrow, ebb3 can continue to utilize the same approach to DEX management and utilize the platform for sizing and costing during any future migration. ControlUp's support for multiple technology stacks in VDI/DaaS, such as Citrix, Ominisa and Microsoft, and multiple endpoint OS support means that regardless of what technologies are used today, or what might be used tomorrow, ebb3 can continue to utilize the same approach to DEX management and utilize the platform for sizing and costing during any future migration. Intuitive and easy to use . Previously the MSP used another monitoring software solution. "Quite frankly, you almost had to have a degree to run it. Not only was it complex but expensive to implement," says Fiaz. "With ControlUp, the screen layouts are simple and elegant and the software does a lot straight out of the box. On the face of it, everything looks very simple, but there are a lot of stats available if you want to delve deeper. This means first-line support all the way up to technical architects can benefit." . Previously the MSP used another monitoring software solution. "Quite frankly, you almost had to have a degree to run it. Not only was it complex but expensive to implement," says Fiaz. "With ControlUp, the screen layouts are simple and elegant and the software does a lot straight out of the box. On the face of it, everything looks very simple, but there are a lot of stats available if you want to delve deeper. This means first-line support all the way up to technical architects can benefit." Elegant architecture means it's simple to deploy. Leveraging a cloud-based management platform, ControlUp is straightforward to install and quick to get up and running on client sites. Agent and agentless technology gather data from endpoints and other parts of the virtual architecture, with information fed back instantaneously to ebb3. Leveraging a cloud-based management platform, ControlUp is straightforward to install and quick to get up and running on client sites. Agent and agentless technology gather data from endpoints and other parts of the virtual architecture, with information fed back instantaneously to ebb3. Technical support which excels. ebb3 has benefitted from attentive, knowledgeable and quick support from ControlUp developers, with new product features being added all the time. Remote control, logon times, application crashes and many more historically troublesome experience issues can be identified and resolved in minutes, with automation being used to prevent similar issues happening to other users or clients. "Our platform is ideal for any organization looking to improve their IT management capabilities and enhance the digital experience for employees," says Robert Ellis, UK Sales Director at ControlUp. "Our comprehensive feature set, ease of use along with exceptional support makes it invaluable for MSPs like ebb3 who are judged on the quality of service they deliver to their own customers." Fiaz concludes, "Moving forward, we see ControlUp as a key strategic partner for ebb3 and plan to continue integrating their innovative solutions into our managed service offerings to drive more value for our clients." About ControlUp ControlUp reimagines Digital Employee Experience (DEX) management with true real-time visibility, enabling 20X faster issue resolution on any desktop, any application, anywhere. ControlUp empowers IT to focus on elevation, not escalation, by equipping them with actionable, true AI-driven insights and proactive remediation tools to drive unbounded productivity for IT teams and employees. Nearly 2,000 customers across the globe trust ControlUp, including more than one-third of the Fortune 100. Learn more at https://www.controlup.com About ebb3 ebb3 accelerates business transformation through its expertise in enterprise AI and VDI digital workspaces. Offering award-winning end-to-end services for private AI and VDI platforms, ebb3 delivers secure, high-performance infrastructure tailored to the unique needs of enterprise clients. ebb3 is NVIDIA Preferred Partner certified and has VMware's Master Services Competency. For more information, visit https://www.ebb3.com SOURCE ControlUp REDDING, Calif., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report titled, 'Edge Data Centers Market by Type (Metro, Mobile), Component, Deployment, Organization, Application (AI, IoT, 5G & 4G, AR/VR), End-use Sector (IT & Telecommunication, Automotive, Transportation & Logistics), and Geography- Global Forecast to 2031,' the edge data centers market is expected to reach $48.3 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 20.9% from 2024 to 2031. Download Sample Report Now- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=5411 An edge data center is a small data center located at a network's edge. Edge data centers provide the same functionality as traditional data centers, albeit in a smaller footprint, closer to company devices and users. Edge data centers can deliver cached content and cloud computing resources to these devices. Typically featuring a smaller footprint, edge data centers are designed to process time-sensitive data faster while sending less critical information to a larger, centralized data center intended for big data analytics. The growth of this market is attributed to the rising need for edge data centers for industrial IoT applications, the growing demand for low-latency processing and real-time automated decision-making solutions, and the increasing utilization of edge data centers in online video streaming. The high upfront capital expenditure required to implement edge data centers restrains the growth of this market. The emergence of autonomous vehicles and the commercialization of 4G technology are expected to generate growth opportunities for the players in this market. However, data privacy and security concerns are a major challenge for market growth. The rising adoption of IoT devices across industries and the growth in 5G networks are prominent trends in the edge data centers market. Get a Glimpse Inside: Request Sample Pages- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-sample-report/cp_id=5411 The global edge data centers market is segmented by type (metro edge data centers and mobile edge data centers), component (hardware, software, and services), deployment mode (on-premise deployments and cloud-based deployments), organization size (large enterprises and small & medium-sized enterprise), application (artificial intelligence (AI), internet-of-things (IoT), AR/VR, telemedicine, 5G & 4G infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, video/live streaming, network functions virtualization (NFV), and other applications), end-use sector (IT & telecommunications, automotive, transportation & logistics, healthcare, energy & utilities, manufacturing, government & defense, retail, and other end-use sectors), and geography (Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa). The study also evaluates industry competitors and analyses the market at the country and regional levels. Based on type, the global edge data centers market is broadly segmented into metro edge data centers and mobile edge data centers. In 2024, the metro edge data centers segment accounted for the larger share of around 60.8% of the edge data centers market. The large market share of this segment is mainly attributed to the growing deployment of 5G networks, increasing data traffic, and the need to provide localized cloud computing resources for businesses and organizations are support the segment's growth. Metro edge data centers are an essential part of the distributed computing infrastructure, as they bring computing resources closer to the source of data generation, consumption, and processing. These centers are designed to provide low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity and computing resources to support local applications and services. Metro edge data centers typically have a power capacity of around 5+ megawatts and occupy an area of 50,000+ square feet. They are strategically located in suburban (Tier II/III) markets. These data centers are characterized by smaller footprints, lower power requirements, and fewer server racks than larger data centers. However, the mobile edge data centers segment is projected to record the higher CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is attributed to factors such as the increasing demand to reduce latency in mobile applications, enhance user experience, enable real-time functionalities, optimize network bandwidth, and alleviate congestion by processing data locally. Mobile edge data centers (MEC) are an important component of the evolving edge computing ecosystem, catering to the growing demands of emerging technologies. Also referred to as spoke edge data centers, mobile edge computing, or mobile edge clouds, MEC is designed to be agile and deployable at various locations to address specific use cases and events. These data centers typically have a power capacity ranging from 50 to 150+ kilowatts, occupying hundreds of square feet per site. Have Specific Research Needs? Request a Customized Report- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-customization/cp_id=5411 Based on component, the edge data centers market is segmented into hardware, software, and services. In 2024, the software accounted for the largest share of around 46.4% of the edge data centers market. The large share of this segment is mainly attributed to the increasing demand for workload orchestration, resource allocation, real-time data analysis, and insight extraction at the edge drive the growth of the software segment. Edge data center software plays a critical role in enabling efficient data processing, resource allocation, security, and connectivity within edge computing environments. This software encompasses applications, platforms, and tools utilized to manage, orchestrate, and optimize the operations of edge data centers. It is responsible for the centralized management and coordination of edge data centers' resources. The software provides real-time monitoring, alerts, and remote administration of the edge data centers' infrastructure Additionally, the software segment is also projected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on deployment mode, the global edge data centers market is segmented into on-premise deployments and cloud-based deployments. In 2024, the cloud-based deployments segment accounted for the larger share of around 54.7% of the global edge data centers market. This segment is projected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The large share of this segment is mainly attributed to the increasing need to efficiently allocate resources, rapidly deploy applications and services closer to end users, and reduce latency while improving performance. Cloud computing technology has transformed businesses, enabling scalable and cost-effective data storage, processing, and delivery. Cloud-based deployments for edge data centers offer a powerful solution that brings new efficiency and agility to data management and service delivery across various industries. Additionally, the cloud-based deployments segment is projected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on organization size, the global edge data centers market is segmented into large enterprises and small & medium-sized enterprise. In 2024, the small & medium-sized enterprise segment accounted for the larger share of around 55.6% of the global edge data centers market. The large share of this segment is mainly attributed to the increasing demand for real-time processing and localized data management, enabling a competitive edge, optimizing operations, and accelerating the digital transformation journey. Edge data centers have emerged as a cutting-edge solution for small & medium-sized enterprises, addressing unique challenges and offering significant advantages. SMEs often experience rapid growth and changing business needs, which can require substantial upfront investments and ongoing operational expenses. Edge data centers provide SMEs with the ability to leverage localized computing resources without the need for significant infrastructure investments. This empowers organizations to embrace innovation and leverage emerging technologies for process automation, real-time analytics, and personalized customer experiences. Additionally, the small & medium-sized enterprise segment is projected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on application, the global edge data centers market is segmented into artificial intelligence (AI), internet-of-things (IoT), AR/VR, telemedicine, 5G & 4G infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, video/live streaming, network functions virtualization (NFV), and other applications. In 2024, the 5G & 4G infrastructure segments accounted for the largest share of around 26.2% of the edge data centers market. The large market share of this segment is mainly attributed to the rising demand for ultra-low latency applications, growing adoption of 5G networks, and growing adoption of edge data centers for high bandwidth in 5G infrastructure. Edge data centers play a crucial role in enhancing performance, hosting cri tical functions, and enhancing the efficiency of both 5G & 4G infrastructures. 5G & 4G refer to generations of wireless network technology and their infrastructure, including the hardware and software components that make these networks function. The rollout of 5G & 4G networks requires higher bandwidth and lower latency capabilities. Edge data centers help to meet these stringent latency requirements by bringing compute capabilities into the network closer to the end user. However, the artificial intelligence (AI) segment is projected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this segment can be attributed to factors such as the increasing need for real-time analytics, enhanced data privacy, and reduced network costs. Edge artificial intelligence is the implementation of artificial intelligence in an edge computing environment that allows computations where data is collected rather than at a centralized cloud computing facility or an offsite data center. By processing data locally, only relevant insights or aggregated results are sent back to the central cloud, reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted. Based on end-use sector, the global edge data centers market is segmented into IT & telecommunications, automotive, transportation & logistics, healthcare, energy & utilities, manufacturing, government & defense, retail, and other end-use sectors. In 2024, the IT & telecommunications segment is expected to account for the largest share of around 41.1% of the global edge data centers market. The large share of this segment is mainly attributed to the increasing demand for low-latency and high-bandwidth communication, real-time data processing, and the need to reduce the risk of data breaches during transmission while ensuring compliance with data protection regulations in the IT & telecommunications sector. Edge data centers are revolutionizing the IT & telecommunications sector by facilitating connectivity, ensuring continuous operations, minimizing downtime, and enabling seamless global communication. These facilities provide decentralized computing power, enabling rapid data processing and reducing latency. Additionally, the IT & telecommunications segment is projected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on geography, the global edge data centers market is segmented into North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2024, Asia-Pacific is expected to account for the largest share of around 36.2% of the edge data centers market, followed by North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The large share of the Asia-Pacific market is attributed to the growing demand and adoption of advanced technologies, such as IoT and cloud computing, increasing adoption of internet-of-things (IoT) devices, and rising mobile data traffic and over-the-top (OTT) traffic across the region. IoT adoption has accelerated in Asia-Pacific countries. IoT and edge data centers are integral components of the modern digital ecosystem. They work together to address the challenges posed by the massive influx of data from IoT devices and enable real-time, low-latency applications across various industries. High investments in smart factories, AR/VR, satellite IoT devices, and 5G IoT are expected to drive the demand for edge data centers. Moreover, Asia-Pacific is also projected to register the highest CAGR of 22.5% during the forecast period. The key players operating in the global edge data centers market are Dell Technologies Inc. (U.S.), Cisco Systems, Inc. (U.S.), Eaton Corporation plc (Ireland), Fujitsu Limited (Japan), Schneider Electric SE (France), Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company (U.S.), Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (China), IBM Corporation (U.S.), NVIDIA Corporation (U.S.), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), Equinix, Inc. (U.S.), American Tower Corporation (U.S.), Cyxtera Technologies, Inc. (U.S.), ABB (Switzerland), Nxtra Data Limited (India) (a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel Limited), Zenlayer Inc. (U.S.), Switch, Inc. (U.S.), Vertiv Holdings Co. (U.S.), Nokia Corporation (Finland), EdgeConneX, Inc. (U.S.), Reichle & De-Massari AG (Switzerland), Ubiquity Management, LLC (U.S.), and Vapor IO, Inc. (U.S.). Browse In-depth Report Now- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/edge-data-center-market-5411 Scope of the Report: Edge Data Centers Market Assessmentby Type Metro Edge Data Centers Mobile Edge Data Centers Edge data centers Market Assessmentby Component Hardware Software Services - Training & Support - Consulting Services Edge Data Centers Market Assessmentby Deployment Mode On-premise Deployments Cloud-based Deployments Edge Data Centers Market Assessmentby Organization Size Large Enterprises Small & Medium-sized Enterprise Edge Data Centers Market Assessmentby Application Artificial Intelligence (AI) Internet-of-Things (IoT) AR/VR Telemedicine 5G & 4G Infrastructure Autonomous Vehicles Video/live Streaming Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Other Applications Edge Data Centers Market Assessmentby End-use Sector IT & Telecommunications Automotive Transportation & Logistics Healthcare Energy & Utilities Manufacturing Government & Defense Retail Other End-use Sectors Edge Data Centers Market Assessmentby Geography North America - U.S . - Canada - U.S - Asia-Pacific - Japan - China - India - South Korea - Rest of Asia-Pacific - - - - South - Rest Europe - Germany - U.K . - France - Italy - Spain - Rest of Europe - - U.K - - - - Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa Unlock Opportunities: Buy Now- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/Checkout/64015339 Related Reports: Edge Computing Market by Application (Smart Cities, Industrial IoT, Remote Monitoring, Content Delivery, AR VR), Industry (Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare, Media, Telecommunications, Logistics, Government, Energy, Utilities) - Global Forecast to 2027 Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) Market by Component, Organization Size, Deployment Mode, End User (Communication Service Providers, Data Centers, and Enterprises), and GeographyGlobal Forecast to 2029 Cloud Computing Market by Service Model (Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Software as a Service), Deployment Mode, Organization Size, End User (BFSI, Retail, and Healthcare), and GeographyGlobal Forecast to 2030 Infrastructure as a Service Market by Offering (Data Centers, Storage, Compute, Network), Deployment Mode (Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud), End-use Industry (IT & Telecom, BFSI, Healthcare), and GeographyGlobal Forecast to 2030 Cloud Security Market by Component (Solutions, Services), Security Type (Network Security, Application Security), Service Model, Organization Size, and End User (BFSI, Government, Retail, and Other End Users)Global Forecast to 2029 Cloud Managed Services Market by Type, Deployment Mode, Organization Size, Sector (IT & Telecommunications, BFSI, Retail & Consumer Goods and Healthcare & Life Sciences)Global Forecast to 2030 Cloud Analytics Market by Component, Type (Predictive, Prescriptive, Descriptive, Diagnostic), Deployment Mode, Industry Vertical (BFSI, Healthcare, IT, Manufacturing, Media, Retail, Education, Utilities), and RegionGlobal Forecast to 2028 About Meticulous Research Meticulous Research was founded in 2010 and incorporated as Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. in 2013 as a private limited company under the Companies Act, 1956. Since its incorporation, the company has become the leading provider of premium market intelligence in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The name of our company defines our services, strengths, and values. Since the inception, we have only thrived to research, analyze, and present the critical market data with great attention to details. With the meticulous primary and secondary research techniques, we have built strong capabilities in data collection, interpretation, and analysis of data including qualitative and quantitative research with the finest team of analysts. We design our meticulously analyzed intelligent and value-driven syndicate market research reports, custom studies, quick turnaround research, and consulting solutions to address business challenges of sustainable growth. Contact: Mr. Khushal Bombe Meticulous Market Research Inc. 1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding, California, 96001, U.S. USA: +1-646-781-8004 Europe : +44-203-868-8738 APAC: +91 744-7780008 Email- [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/ Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research Content Source: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/639/edge-data-center-market-2031 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1757980/Meticulous_Research_Logo_1.jpg SOURCE Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. NEW YORK, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global electrophysiology market size is estimated to grow by USD 6.09 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.71% during the forecast period. Increasing incidence of target diseases and electrophysiology procedures is driving market growth, with a trend towards technological advancements in electrophysiology. However, high cost of electrophysiology products poses a challenge. Key market players include Abbott Laboratories, Acutus Medical Inc., APN Health LLC, Asahi Kasei Corp., BIOTRONIK SE and Co. KG, Boston Scientific Corp., CathRx Pty Ltd., EP Solutions SA, EPMap System GmbH, GE Healthcare Technologies Inc., Imricor Medical Systems Inc., Japan Lifeline Co. Ltd., Johnson and Johnson, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Medtronic Plc, Merit Medical Systems Inc., MicroPort Scientific Corp., OSYPKA AG, Siemens AG, and Stereotaxis Inc.. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Electrophysiology Market 2024-2028 Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- View the snapshot of this report Electrophysiology Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 10.71% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 6.09 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 9.66 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 37% Key countries US, Germany, UK, China, and Japan Key companies profiled Abbott Laboratories, Acutus Medical Inc., APN Health LLC, Asahi Kasei Corp., BIOTRONIK SE and Co. KG, Boston Scientific Corp., CathRx Pty Ltd., EP Solutions SA, EPMap System GmbH, GE Healthcare Technologies Inc., Imricor Medical Systems Inc., Japan Lifeline Co. Ltd., Johnson and Johnson, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Medtronic Plc, Merit Medical Systems Inc., MicroPort Scientific Corp., OSYPKA AG, Siemens AG, and Stereotaxis Inc. Market Driver The global electrophysiology market is experiencing significant growth due to advancements in technology that enhance customer interaction. Electrophysiology, a technology used in cardiology to treat arrhythmia, is gaining popularity for its effectiveness in controlling and managing this cardiac disorder, responsible for 15-20% of total deaths. Leadless pacemakers, a new technological advancement, offer a viable alternative to conventional pacemakers, particularly for patients with a history of device-related infections. Conventional pacemakers carry a risk of morbidity, leading to increased demand for leadless pacemakers. Market players, including Johnson & Johnson, invest heavily in research and development (R&D) to innovate and stay competitive. In 2020, Johnson & Johnson spent approximately USD12.2 billion on R&D. These investments and technological advancements will drive the growth of the global electrophysiology market. The Electrophysiology (EP) market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and arrhythmias, particularly Atrial Fibrillation (AF). Key trends include the use of advanced EP laboratory devices, EP diagnostic catheters, and next-gen EP ablation catheters. Hospitals & cardiac centers and ambulatory surgery centers are major buyers. Reimbursement policies and laws are shaping the market. Digital health, telemedicine, and digital cloud technology are transforming EP, with AI-powered mapping and 3D mapping systems streamlining catheter placement and ablation treatments. Other areas of focus include gastroenterology, neurology, pain management, and buying behavior. Minimally invasive procedures and surgical interventions continue to gain popularity, while imaging modalities and electrophysiological techniques remain essential. The future of EP lies in the integration of advanced technologies and minimally invasive approaches to improve patient outcomes. Discover 360 analysis of this market. For complete information, schedule your consultation - Book Here! Market Challenges The global electrophysiology market faces challenges due to the high cost of electrophysiology products, which can hinder the adoption of these procedures. Reimbursement policies vary significantly among countries, with only a few providing coverage for arrhythmia procedures. For instance, in developed countries like the US, reimbursements exist, increasing the adoption of electrophysiology products. However, in developing countries such as India and China , no government reimbursement exists, requiring patients to rely on private insurance or pay out of pocket. The market is highly competitive, with premium-priced products such as electrophysiology recording systems (USD160,000) and cardiac 3D mapping systems ( USD250,000 - USD800,000 ). The high initial investment, training, and maintenance costs make electrophysiology procedures expensive, with an average cost of USD4,000 - USD6,500 for a catheter ablation procedure. These factors may impede market growth during the forecast period. and , no government reimbursement exists, requiring patients to rely on private insurance or pay out of pocket. The market is highly competitive, with premium-priced products such as electrophysiology recording systems and cardiac 3D mapping systems ( - ). The high initial investment, training, and maintenance costs make electrophysiology procedures expensive, with an average cost of - for a catheter ablation procedure. These factors may impede market growth during the forecast period. The Electrophysiology (EP) market faces several challenges in delivering optimal patient outcomes. Medical care providers grapple with regulatory support and medical device licensing for expensive EP equipment. Capital investment in electrophysiology laboratories is a significant hurdle for healthcare facilities. A shortage of qualified electrophysiologists and specialized healthcare workers adds to the challenge. Training programs, including practical experience, hands-on training, clinical shadowing, and mentoring, are essential to address labor shortages. EP procedures, such as catheter ablation for atrial flutter and hypertension-related heart rhythm issues, require advanced technology like ablation catheters, 3D mapping systems, radio frequency generators, and access devices. These technological developments cater to the growing patient base, including those with chronic diseases like diabetes and the geriatric population. The EP market continues to evolve, addressing the needs of patients with cardiac arrhythmias and abnormal heart rhythms. For more insights on driver and challenges - Request a sample report! Segment Overview This electrophysiology market report extensively covers market segmentation by Product 1.1 Lab devices 1.2 Ablation catheters 1.3 Diagnostic catheters 1.4 Access devices End-user 2.1 Hospitals and cardiac centers 2.2 ASCs Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 Asia 3.4 Rest of World (ROW) 1.1 Lab devices- An electrophysiology laboratory is a specialized healthcare facility equipped with advanced equipment to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions, such as arrhythmia, fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and stroke. These labs offer patients with irregular heartbeats the opportunity for testing, diagnosis, and treatment. Irregular heartbeats can lead to complications like heart failure or stroke. Electrophysiology lab devices focus on assessing the electrical function of the heart and offer procedures like cardiac mapping, cardiac ablation, and device insertion or implantation. Cardiac mapping identifies the origin of irregular heart rhythms, while cardiac ablation uses catheters with electrodes to diagnose and treat arrhythmias. Device insertion or implantation corrects irregular heart rhythms using pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. The electrophysiology lab devices hold the largest market share in the global electrophysiology market due to increasing demand, making it a significant growth driver during the forecast period. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017-2021) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The Electrophysiology (EP) market is driven by the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, particularly arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Buying behavior in this market is influenced by the need for minimally invasive procedures and surgical interventions to treat abnormal heart rhythms. EP market devices include catheters with wire electrodes, ablation catheters, 3D mapping systems, radio frequency generators, and access devices. Advanced electrophysiology devices employ digital cloud technology and AI-powered mapping for improved accuracy and efficiency. Reimbursement policies and next-gen devices, such as telemedicine and digital health solutions, are also shaping the market. Hospitals continue to be the primary end users, with a growing trend towards outpatient procedures. Market Research Overview The Electrophysiology (EP) market is driven by the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, particularly arrhythmias such as Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Atrial Flutter, and Hypertension. Buying behavior in this market is influenced by patient outcomes, regulatory support, medical care, and healthcare spending. Minimally invasive procedures like catheter ablation and surgical interventions using electrophysiological techniques have gained popularity due to their effectiveness and reduced recovery time. Advanced EP devices, including ablation catheters, 3D mapping systems, and imaging modalities, are essential for these procedures. The use of expensive equipment in EP laboratories requires significant capital investment, making qualified electrophysiologists and specialized healthcare workers in high demand. Labor shortages necessitate training programs, practical experience, hands-on training, clinical shadowing, and mentoring for nurses, technicians, and other healthcare professionals. The geriatric population, diabetics, and those with chronic diseases are significant consumers of EP services due to their increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms. Technological development in EP market devices, such as next-gen devices, digital cloud technology, telemedicine, and digital health, is transforming the industry. Reimbursement policies, AI-powered mapping, and the integration of EP procedures into various medical facilities like hospitals, cardiac centers, and ambulatory surgery centers, are also shaping the market landscape. EP procedures involve the use of catheters with wire electrodes, radiofrequency generators, access devices, and EP laboratory devices for diagnostic and ablation purposes. Cardiac arrhythmias, including AF, are treated using radiofrequency energy and EP ablation catheters. Imaging modalities and advanced diagnostic catheters help in the accurate identification and localization of abnormal heart rhythms. The EP market is subject to various laws and regulations, which impact medical device licensing and the overall growth of the industry. The integration of EP procedures into gastroenterology, neurology, and pain management practices is expanding the market scope. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Lab Devices Ablation Catheters Diagnostic Catheters Access Devices End-user Hospitals And Cardiac Centers ASCs Geography North America Europe Asia Rest Of World (ROW) 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio ATLANTA, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax (NYSE: EFX) will participate in several upcoming investor conferences in August 2024. Trevor Burns, Senior Vice President of Corporate Investor Relations, will attend the Oppenheimer 27th Annual Technology, Internet & Communications Conference on Wednesday, August 14, 2024; the Needham Virtual FinTech & Digital Transformation Conference on Thursday, August 15, 2024; the Wells Fargo 9th Annual FinTech, Information & Business Services Forum on Wednesday, August 21, 2024; and Deutsche Bank's 2024 Technology Conference on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. ABOUT EQUIFAX INC. At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by nearly 15,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.com . FOR MORE INFORMATION: Molly Clegg for Equifax [email protected] SOURCE Equifax Inc. New products double the number of Federated Hermes ETFs PITTSBURGH, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Federated Hermes, Inc. (NYSE: FHI), a global leader in investment management, today announced the launch of four actively managed ETFs that take a quantitative approach to stock selection. The new products offer investors another way to access the disciplined Federated Hermes MDT investment process, crafted and refined for more than 30 years and now available in an ETF structure. The new ETFs offer core and style-specific bottom-up strategies based on the Federated Hermes MDT approach, all seeking long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in stocks of U.S. companies. The new ETFs and their NYSE ticker symbols are: Federated Hermes MDT Large Cap Core ETF (FLCC) Federated Hermes MDT Large Cap Growth ETF (FLCG) Federated Hermes MDT Large Cap Value ETF (FLCV) Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF (FSCC) The Federated Hermes MDT stock-selection process utilizes cutting-edge research, technology and daily data from multiple market cycles. "With the rising appeal of active ETFs and continued interest in our MDT strategies, these new offerings are timely additions to our range of products, building upon Federated Hermes' ETF capabilities launched in 2021," said John B. Fisher, president and chief executive officer of Federated Advisory Companies. "Our MDT team has extensive experience in successfully managing and advancing quantitative investment strategies across market cycles, and these new ETFs can be useful in building diversified asset-allocation portfolios." The strategies are managed by a veteran portfolio management team: Daniel Mahr, CFA, who serves as Head of the MDT Group and has 22 years of experience; Damien Zhang, CFA, who is Head of MDT Research and has 15 years of experience; Frederick Konopka, CFA, who is Portfolio and Trading Manager and has 27 years of experience; and John Paul Lewicke, who serves as Research Manager and has 17 years of experience. The ETF investment team also manages more than $10 billion in several Federated Hermes MDT mutual funds, institutional separate accounts and separately managed accounts (SMAs). "We believe above-market returns can be achieved using an active, systematic investment approach with an analytical edge, which confers the advantages of discipline, testability and repeatability," said Mahr. "Utilizing advanced modeling techniques, which harness the benefit of machine learning, our investment teams aim to identify a diverse range of unique alpha-seeking opportunities in an effort to drive differentiated active performance. Our research-intensive approach is differentiated from other quantitative strategies, and we believe the modeling techniques and objective, unemotional nature of our vetting process present advantages over traditional fundamental strategies." The four new ETFs follow the launch of Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF (NYSE: FTRB) earlier this year, the 2022 launch of Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF (NYSE: FDV), and the 2021 introduction of Federated Hermes Short Duration High Yield ETF (NYSE: FHYS) and Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF (NYSE: FCSH). Federated Hermes, Inc. is a global leader in active, responsible investment management, with $782.7 billion in assets under management, as of June 30, 2024. We deliver investment solutions that help investors target a broad range of outcomes and provide equity, fixed-income, alternative/private markets, multi-asset and liquidity management strategies to more than 10,000 institutions and intermediaries worldwide. Our clients include corporations, government entities, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, banks and broker/dealers. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Federated Hermes has more than 2,000 employees in London, New York, Boston and offices worldwide. For more information, visit FederatedHermes.com/us. ### ETFs are subject to risks and fluctuate in value. The quantitative models and analysis used by the ETFs may perform differently than expected and may affect ETF performance. Diversification does not assure a profit nor protect against loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Alpha is a measure of how much or how little return is generated, given the risk a portfolio takes. For more complete information, visit FederatedHermes.com/us or contact your investment professional for summary prospectuses or prospectuses. You should consider the fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before you invest. Information about these and other important subjects is in the fund's summary prospectus or prospectus, which you should read carefully before investing. Prospectuses are available by calling Federated Hermes at 1-800-341-7400 or by visiting FederatedHermes.com/us. Fund shares are bought and sold on an exchange at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. However, shares may be redeemed at NAV directly by certain authorized broker-dealers (Authorized Participants) in very large creation/redemption units. Investors purchasing and selling at market price may pay brokerage commissions will reduce returns. Market price returns are based on the official closing price of an ETF share or, if the official closing price isn't available, the midpoint between the national best bid and national best offer ("NBBO") as of the time the ETF calculates the current NAV per share. NAVs are calculated using prices as of 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Certain statements in this press release, such as those related to performance, investment strategies and uses for products, and investor preferences and demand, constitute or may constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement is inherently subject to significant risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond Federated Hermes' control. As a result, no assurance can be given as to future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, and neither the company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness, or updating, of such statements in the future. Separately managed accounts are made available through Federated Investment Counseling. Federated Securities Corp. Distributor SOURCE Federated Hermes, Inc. Grants aimed at improving behavioral health outcomes, especially in underserved communities LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fidelis Care, a statewide health plan with more than 2.4 million members in New York State and a Centene Corporation company, has announced the distribution of more than $195,000 in behavioral health grants to 10 health care providers and community-based organizations across New York State. The grant recipients have demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing mental health needs through innovative programs and services. This funding gives them the opportunity to expand their reach and further their impact, providing essential resources and support to individuals struggling with behavioral health issues. The 2024 Fidelis Care behavioral health grant recipients include: Ardent Solutions, Inc., Allegany County Clarence Central School District Family Support Center, Erie County Crouse Health Addiction Treatment Services, Onondaga County Exodus Transitional Community, New York County Family Service League, Inc., Suffolk County The HELP USA Fund, Inc., New York County Fund, Inc., Huntington Youth Bureau Youth Development Research Institute, Inc., Suffolk County National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder, New York County Schenectady Family Health Services, DBA Hometown Health Centers, Schenectady County Yelena Vayntrub Medical PC, Kings County Fidelis Care Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vincent Marchello said, "Fidelis Care is excited to announce these behavioral health grants and to partner with providers and community organizations dedicated to mental health care and well-being. These grants demonstrate our commitment to supporting comprehensive, accessible and compassionate care. By working together, we can make a significant impact toward improving access to mental health services and behavioral health outcomes, while strengthening our relationships with our community partners that make this work possible." Family Service League (FSL), serving children and adults in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, offers more than 60 programs that include integrated care, addiction treatment, emergency housing, at-risk youth services, trauma counseling, and senior and caregiver support. FSL plans to use the Fidelis Care grant to fund its behavioral health crisis hotline, which is part of its critical 24-hour crisis stabilization center and Mobile Crisis Teams. Family Service League President and CEO Karen Boorshtein said, "This generous grant from Fidelis Care will help support additional staff hours for our 24-hour crisis hotline. Our hotline is a critical and impactful community resource for those experiencing suicidal thoughts, severe addiction issues or a mental health crisis. On behalf of the thousands of community members we serve, my thanks to Fidelis Care for its dedication to helping those in need." The Clarence Central School District Family Support Center has earmarked its grant to provide no-cost direct mental health support for students, addressing social determinants of health such as transportation, financial limitations and health literacy. As school-based mental health care becomes an increasing priority for New York State, the funding will have a direct impact on improving student access and parent education on the importance of mental health and wellness. Clarence Central School District Family Support Center Coordinator Evan Vahratian said, "We are incredibly honored to be a recipient of the behavioral health grant from Fidelis Care. As our Family Support Center in Clarence has continued to grow and become increasingly utilized, our plans to expand and provide for our community will be greatly enhanced by this grant. This funding will allow us to better address some of the barriers many students and families face while seeking wellness-related and mental health services." The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness and one in six U.S. children ages 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder each year. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration notes that approximately 20.2 million adults age 18 or older had a substance use disorder in 2020. Meanwhile, access to behavioral health services is often not equitable across populations. The World Health Organization says people exposed to adverse circumstances including poverty, violence, disability and inequality are at higher risk of developing a mental health condition, underscoring the significant impact of mental illness and substance use disorder on individuals and society. About Fidelis Care Fidelis Care is a mission-driven health plan offering quality, affordable coverage for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of life, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. With more than 2.5 million members statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance. Follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fidelis-care , on Twitter at @fideliscare, Instagram at @fideliscare, and on Facebook at facebook.com/fideliscare. For more information, call Fidelis Care at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) or visit fideliscare.org. Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Fidelis Care The global flame retardant cable market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as the surge in safety and security regulation in developing countries, and rapid urbanization and infrastructure development. WILMINGTON, Del., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Flame Retardant Cable Market by Insulation Material (EPR, LSZH, PVC, and XLPE), Voltage Range (Low Voltage, Medium Voltage and High Voltage), End-use Industry (Automotive and Transportation, Building and Construction, Energy, and Manufacturing): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2032". According to the report, the flame retardant cable market was valued at $2.1 billion in 2023 and is estimated to reach $2.9 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2024 to 2032. Download Research Report Sample & TOC: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A46373 (We are providing report as per your research requirement, including the Latest Industry Insight's Evolution, and Potential) 134-Tables 64-Charts 300-Pages Prime determinants of growth The global flame retardant cable market is experiencing growth due to a surge in safety and security regulations in emerging economies paired with the rise in awareness of fire safety. However, the high initial cost associated with flame retardant cable serves as a significant restraint factor for market growth to some extent. Moreover, the emergence of the Internet of Things devices presents significant growth opportunities for the expansion of the global flame retardant cable market. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20242032 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $2.1 billion Market Size in 2032 $2.9 billion CAGR 3.5 % No. of Pages in Report 300 Segments Covered Insulation Material, Voltage Range, End-Use Industry, and Region. Drivers Stringent Safety Regulations Rising Awareness of Fire Safety Expansion of Infrastructure Projects Opportunities Emergence of IoT Devices Restraint High initial cost Segment Highlights In the insulation material segment, due to its superior attributes, XLPE insulation is the dominant and fastest-growing material in flame-retardant cables. In contrast with common materials such as PVC, this material has strong thermal resistance which prevents it from decomposition at high temperatures. The latter is crucial for fire scenarios because the cable must not lose its integrity. Moreover, XLPE demonstrates superior electrical insulating qualities as well as substantial moisture, chemical, and abrasive resistance making it suitable for harsh industrial and infrastructure applications. Consequently, the safety, performance, and durability of cable installations are increasingly driving the acceptance of XLPE as an insulating material of choice. In the voltage type segment, the dominance of the low voltage segment in the flame-retardant cable market arises from its extensive use in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. These cables play a crucial role in building wiring, power distribution, and equipment connections. The growing need for electricity in buildings, along with stringent safety regulations requiring flame-retardant cables, is driving the segment's growth. Additionally, advancements in low-voltage cable technology, like enhanced insulation and conductor materials, are enhancing efficiency and reliability, leading to increased adoption. In end-use industry, the building and construction segment holds a dominant position in the flame-retardant cable market due to the substantial electrical infrastructure required in modern buildings. Fire safety regulations necessitate the use of flame-retardant cables to prevent fire spread, making them essential in construction projects. On the other hand, the energy and power sector is predicted to witness rapid growth because of rising investments in power networks. With the growing importance of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, the demand for flame-retardant cables in such projects is also on the rise to ensure grid stability and safety. Get Customized Reports with your Requirements: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/A46373 Regional Outlook The utilization of flame-retardant cables is on the rise in the Asia-Pacific region, primarily driven by swift industrial growth, urban expansion, and infrastructure advancement. With prominent countries such as China and India heavily investing in construction, power production, and manufacturing sectors, there has been a surge in the demand for fire-resistant cables. Moreover, the strict fire safety protocols in the area have further propelled the acceptance of these cables. The increasing recognition of fire risks and the heightened emphasis on safety precautions in both residential and commercial structures are also fueling the expansion of the flame-retardant cable market in Asia-Pacific. Players: - Prysmian Group Nexans S.A. NKT Group Leone AG LS Cable & System Limited Jiangnan Group Limited Tratos Limited EL Sewedy Electric Company Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. Yazaki Corporation Renesas Electronics The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global flame retardant cable market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. Inquiry before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A46373 Recent Development: On May 12 , 2023-Prysmian Group announced a strategic partnership with rsted, a global leader in offshore wind development, to supply state-of-the-art flame retardant cables for the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm project in the UK. These specialized cables are designed to withstand harsh marine environments, ensuring the safe and efficient transmission of power from the wind turbines to the onshore grid. , 2023-Prysmian Group announced a strategic partnership with rsted, a global leader in offshore wind development, to supply state-of-the-art flame retardant cables for the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm project in the UK. These specialized cables are designed to withstand harsh marine environments, ensuring the safe and efficient transmission of power from the wind turbines to the onshore grid. On August 28, 2023 - Nexans launched the innovative GREENFLAM range of halogen-free flame retardant cables, setting new industry benchmarks for fire safety and environmental performance. GREENFLAM cables produce minimal smoke and toxic fumes during fires, safeguarding occupants and facilitating faster evacuation from buildings and infrastructure projects. They also contribute to a more sustainable construction landscape by eliminating harmful halogenated compounds. Key Benefits for Stakeholders This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the flame retardant cable market analysis from 2024 to 2032 to identify the prevailing flame retardant cable market opportunities. The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities. Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network. In-depth analysis of the flame retardant cable market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities. Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market. Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players. The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global flame retardant cable market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies. Procure Complete Report (300 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/3a238ddcf796e05e7cd0a4d6e1ec604f Flame Retardant Cable Market Key Segments: By Insulation Material EPR LSZH PVC XLPE By Voltage Range Low Voltage Medium Voltage High Voltage By End Use Industry Automotive and Transportation Building and Contruction Energy Manufacturing By Region North America (U.S., Canada , Mexico ) (U.S., , ) Europe ( France , Germany , Italy , UK, Rest of Europe ) ( , , , UK, Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , South Korea , Rest of Asia-Pacific ) ( , , , , Rest of ) LAMEA ( Latin America , Middle East , Africa ) Access AVENUE - A Subscription-Based Library (Premium On-Demand, Subscription-Based Pricing Model) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access Avenue is a user-based library of global market report database, provides comprehensive reports pertaining to the world's largest emerging markets. 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Avenue Library Subscription | Request For 14 Days Free Trial of Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/avenueTrial Trending Reports in Semiconductor and Electronics Industry: Cables and wires for aerospace and defense market valued at $27.8 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $47 billion by 2032 Medium voltage cable accessories market valued at $15.3 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $25.5 billion by 2030 Cable conduit systems market was valued at $6.13 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $12.24 billion by 2030 Cable management market size was valued at $18.31 billion in 2019, and is projected to reach $35.02 billion by 2027 About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 [email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research ATLANTA, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The AUC Woodruff Library is the proud custodian of the Shirley Clarke Franklin Collection. The collection represents the professional life of a two-term Mayor of one of the largest cities in the American South. It includes a photographic history of Atlanta from the 1970s to 2010, audiovisual materials documenting news coverage and recordings of Shirley Franklin during her tenure as Mayor, artwork, mayoral records, campaign ephemera, materials related to Atlanta's bid for the Olympics, and Franklin's personal papers, which characterizes her life and work as a private citizen. "I am humbled by the Library's interest in my collection of papers and it is my honor to make this donation," said Shirley Clarke Franklin, Former Mayor, City of Atlanta. Franklin's archival collection chronicles major events and political milestones in the city's history, including the acquisition of the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers, the Creation of the Atlanta Beltline, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Notable figures throughout the collection include Ambassador Andrew Young, Governor Roy Barnes, Congressman John Lewis, Coretta Scott King, the Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, Senator Wyche Fowler, and President Jimmy Carter. This substantial collection supports research of Atlanta's History, African American Studies, Gender Studies, and Georgia Politics. "We are absolutely thrilled to receive the Honorable Shirley Clarke Franklin's collection. AUC students and scholars globally will be able to analyze first-hand accounts of her contributions to Atlanta's political history and municipal operations, and to U.S. domestic politics. The collection will offer researchers around the world a rare insight into the inner workings of the City of Atlanta and the impactful, innovative leadership she brought to the Office of the Mayor," said Loretta Parham, CEO & Director, AUC Woodruff Library. Shirley Clarke Franklin was elected the first African American woman mayor of a major southern city in November 2001. She went on to serve two terms as the mayor of Atlanta and has an outstanding legacy of civil service, activism, and leadership. She has a deep interest in the social sciences, art, and the preservation and access of history. Before serving as mayor, she served as Atlanta's second Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, launching the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport Public Art Program, and the city's art grant program. Franklin began her role in politics while serving on the historic campaigns of Andrew Young to Georgia's Fifth Congressional seat in 1972 and the election of Maynard Holbrook Jackson as the first African American Mayor of Atlanta. She served in the city's Bureau of Cultural Affairs and became the city's first woman Chief Administrative Officer during Andrew Young's mayoral administration. In 1991, Franklin joined the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games. While serving as mayor, Franklin continued supporting the arts and transforming the landscape of Atlanta. She launched the Atlanta Beltline, advocated for extensive airport and water infrastructure improvements, launched the Atlanta Regional Commission on Homeless, and established the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Beyond her political career, Franklin's community service spans over 40 years in Atlanta and includes her active participation in the arts, community development, and higher education. Franklin was named one of the five best big city mayors in the U.S. by TIME magazine in 2005, alongside Richard Daley and Michael Bloomberg. She was also a nominee for the World Mayor Award and is a recipient of the 2005 John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library Profile in Courage Award. Franklin's legacy and archival collection ties in closely with the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library Archives Research Center. She led the campaign to acquire the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers, which are held at the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library, and her work related to the Maynard Jackson Mayoral administration and the campaign to bring the 1996 Olympics games to Atlanta can all be seen throughout various archival collections held by the AUC Woodruff Library, e.g. Maynard Jackson Collection, Ingrid Saunders Jones Collection, Carl Ware papers, and more. The AUC Woodruff Library is proud to be the recipient of the Shirley Clarke Franklin collection and is processing the collection for public access in Fall 2025. About the Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center (AUC), Inc. Established in 1982, the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library partners with the nation's largest consortium of historically black colleges and universities: Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College and Spelman College, providing information management, instruction and access to a variety of global information resources acquired and organized in support of teaching and learning, scholarship and cultural preservation of the Atlanta University Center and African American history. The Library has evolved into a model repository of information resources and a front-runner in the innovative delivery of digital resources. The AUC Woodruff Library is also home to the Archives Research Center, which is noted for its holdings of materials on the African American experience, including the John Henrik Clarke Africana and African American Collection, the Henry P. Slaughter and Countee Cullen Memorial Collection, Black Women in Radio Historic Collection and the Southern Education Foundation Collection. The Archives Research Center is the repository of institutional records for selected schools within the Atlanta University Center and it serves as custodian of the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection. The AUC Woodruff Library is the winner of the 2016 Excellence in Academic Libraries Award in the university category from the Association of Collegiate and Research Libraries (ACRL). Library CEO Loretta Parham was named the ACRL 2017 Academic/Research Librarian of the Year. In July 2022, the AUC Woodruff Library became the 127th member of the Association of Research Libraries, becoming the second HBCU in its history to achieve this distinction. For more information, visit www.auctr.edu. SOURCE Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library Factors such as rapid urbanization, rise in disposable incomes, change in lifestyle preferences, e-commerce expansion, technological advancements, and increased demand from the hospitality and commercial sectors, collectively fuel the growth of the furniture market. WILMINGTON, Del., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Furniture Market by Type (Residential, Office and Outdoor), Material (Wood, Metal and Plastic), and Distribution Channel (Online Sales Channels and Offline Stores): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2034". According to the report, the furniture market was valued at $556.3 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $840.5 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2024 to 2034. Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5147 Prime determinants of growth The growth of the furniture market is fueled by increased demand for residential and commercial furniture as populations migrate to cities. Rising disposable incomes enable consumers to invest in quality furniture, while changing lifestyle preferences favor modern and functional designs. The expansion of e-commerce platforms provides wider accessibility and convenience for consumers to purchase furniture. Technological advancements, such as smart furniture options and eco-friendly materials, appeal to tech-savvy and environmentally conscious consumers. In addition, the growth of the hospitality and commercial sectors drives demand for various types of furniture, contributing to the overall expansion of the market. These factors collectively fuel the ongoing growth and evolution of the furniture industry. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20242034 Base Year 2023 Market Size In 2023 $556.3 Billion Market Size In 2034 $840.5 Billion CAGR 4.0 % No. Of Pages In Report 345 Segments Covered Type, Material, Distribution Channel, And Region. Drivers Urbanization And Housing Development Rising Disposable Incomes Changing Lifestyle Trends Opportunities Sustainable And Eco-Friendly Furniture Customization And Personalization Restraint High Cost Of Raw Materials Procure Complete Report (345 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://tinyurl.com/3v6mnszm Segment Highlights The demand for residential furniture is driven by several factors. Residential furniture includes a wide range of products, including living room, bedroom, dining room, and kitchen furniture, catering to diverse consumer needs and preferences within households. In addition, rapid urbanization and housing development worldwide have led to a significant increase in demand for residential furniture as new homes are built and existing ones undergo renovation. Rising disposable incomes, particularly in emerging markets, have empowered consumers to invest in furnishing their homes with quality and stylish furniture pieces, further driving growth in this segment. Moreover, changing lifestyle trends, such as the growing popularity of home decor and interior design, have fueled consumer interest in upgrading and enhancing their living spaces, boosting demand for residential furniture. The demand for wood furniture is influenced by multiple factors. Wood has been a preferred material for furniture for centuries due to its durability, versatility, and timeless aesthetic appeal. Consumers often perceive wood furniture as a symbol of quality and craftsmanship, making it a popular choice for both traditional and contemporary interior designs. In addition, wood furniture offers a wide range of options in terms of types of wood, finishes, and styles, catering to diverse consumer preferences and interior design trends. From classic hardwoods like oak and maple to exotic species such as teak and mahogany, wood furniture provides versatility and customization options that appeal to a broad spectrum of consumers. Moreover, the sustainability and eco-friendliness of wood furniture further contribute to its dominance in the market The offline stores dominated the distribution channel segment. Physical stores provide a tactile shopping experience that allows customers to see, touch, and test furniture pieces before making a purchase. This hands-on experience is particularly important for furniture, as consumers often want to assess comfort, quality, and craftsmanship in person. Moreover, offline stores offer personalized assistance from sales staff who can provide expert advice, answer questions, and assist with decision-making. This level of customer service enhances the overall shopping experience and builds trust between retailers and consumers. Furthermore, furniture is often considered a high-involvement purchase, and many consumers prefer the reassurance of physically visiting a store to make such a significant investment. The ability to view furniture in person also helps consumers visualize how pieces will fit into their homes and existing decor, reducing the risk of dissatisfaction with online purchases. Regional Outlook Asia-Pacific countries are focused on rapid economic development and urbanization across countries in Asia-Pacific have fueled robust demand for furniture, driven by the need to furnish new homes, offices, and commercial spaces. This surge in demand is further amplified by rising disposable incomes and changing lifestyle preferences, particularly among the rising middle class. Moreover, Asia-Pacific boasts a strong manufacturing base, with countries such as China, India, and Vietnam being major producers of furniture for both domestic and international markets. The region's competitive advantage in terms of labor costs and production capabilities has made it a hub for furniture manufacturing and export. Furthermore, the diverse consumer demographics and preferences within the Asia-Pacific region contribute to its dominance in the furniture market, as manufacturers and retailers tailor their products and marketing strategies to cater to varied tastes and needs. Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/5147 Players: - Inter IKEA Group Ashley Furniture Industries Inc. Durham Furniture Inc. American Signature Raymour & Flanigan Jason Furniture ( HangZhou ) Co., Ltd ) Co., Ltd Oppein Home Group Inc. La-Z-Boy Inc. Kimball International Williams-Sonoma, Inc. The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global furniture market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to highlight the competitive scenario. Recent Development: In February 2023 , the Inter IKEA Group launched a new transitional range featuring three collections aimed at inspiring households to adopt more sustainable buying habits. The collections, namely Vivid Wonderland, Glorious Green, and Simple Serenity, are designed to encourage consumers to make eco-friendly choices in their purchases. , the Inter IKEA Group launched a new transitional range featuring three collections aimed at inspiring households to adopt more sustainable buying habits. The collections, namely Vivid Wonderland, Glorious Green, and Simple Serenity, are designed to encourage consumers to make eco-friendly choices in their purchases. In September 2022 , Durham Furniture Inc. collaborated with Intiaro, a technology company specializing in 3D solutions, to enhance the online and in-store experience through advanced 3D strategy and visualization tools. Similar Reports We Have on Consumer Goods Industry: About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa United States 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 [email protected] Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research LAS VEGAS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GBank Financial Holdings Inc. (the "Company") (OTCQX: GBFH), the parent company for GBank (the "Bank"), is pleased to share the press release of BankCard Services, LLC ("BCS"). BCS, a technology company specializing in enabling financial institutions to participate in cashless gaming, announced the welcoming of MassPay as a New PPA Client. GBank, along with its Gaming FinTech Division, proudly joins BCS in welcoming MassPay to our mutual client network. The full press release from BankCard Services, LLC can be found here: BankCard Services, LLC is Pleased to Welcome MassPay as a New PPA Client Click here to learn more about GBank Financial Holdings Inc. Click here to learn more about BankCard Services, LLC. Click here to learn more about MassPay. Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements regarding certain of the Company's goals and expectations with respect to future events that are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words "may," "will," "could," "should," "expect," "plan," "project," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "pursuant," "target," "continue," and similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current belief and expectations of the Company's management team and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control). Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations include, but are not limited to: the impact on us or our customers of a decline in general economic conditions and any regulatory responses thereto; potential recession in the United States and our market areas; the impacts related to or resulting from bank failures and any continuation of uncertainty in the banking industry, including the associated impact to the Company and other financial institutions of any regulatory changes or other mitigation efforts taken by government agencies in response thereto; increased competition for deposits and related changes in deposit customer behavior; the impact of changes in market interest rates, whether due to continued elevated interest rates or potential reductions in interest rates and a resulting decline in net interest income; the persistence of the inflationary pressures, or the resurgence of elevated levels of inflation, in the United States and our market areas; the uncertain impacts of ongoing quantitative tightening and current and future monetary policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; effects of declines in housing prices in the United States and our market areas; increases in unemployment rates in the United States and our market areas; declines in commercial real estate values and prices; uncertainty regarding United States fiscal debt and budget matters; cyber incidents or other failures, disruptions or breaches of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber-attacks; severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, geopolitical instability or other external events; regulatory considerations; our ability to recognize the expected benefits and synergies of our completed acquisitions; the maintenance and development of well-established and valued client relationships and referral source relationships; acquisition or loss of key production personnel; changes in tax laws; the risks related to the development, implementation, use and management of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learnings; potential increased regulatory requirements and costs related to the transition and physical impacts of climate change; and current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions. These forward-looking statements are based on current information and/or management's good faith belief as to future events. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, the Company can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. Due to these and other possible uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by the Company or any person that the future events, plans or expectations contemplated by the Company will be achieved. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements, express or implied, included in the press release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. SOURCE GBank Financial Holdings Inc. NEW YORK, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Specialty Food Association (SFA) hosted 10 students from the Drexel Food Lab/Certificate in Food Entrepreneurship and Innovation programs during the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show, June 23-25 at the Javits Center in New York City. With Gen Z consumers spending around 40% of their grocery budgets on specialty items,1 insights from college-aged food enthusiasts are a hot commodity as the industry looks to maintain its growth into the future. Insights from GenZ food enthusiasts are a hot commodity for specialty food industry growth. Post this 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show Junior Trendspotter Panel Following three days of snacking, walking, and talking with vendors from 56 countries across the world, the Junior Trendspotters determined five standout trends, listed below, through a Gen Z lens. Led by Drexel Food Lab Associate Director Chef Rachel Sherman along with Drexel University Professor Jonathan Deutsch and Chef Brooke Olasewere, this year's Junior Trendspotters team included: Felicia Yan Belinda Faakye Zae'Onah Howell Adam Gladstone Victoria Sanchez-Galarza Alessandra Mora Alex Ly Gabe Thayer Jocelyn Leal DeAndra Forde "We were so honored to be invited to the Fancy Food Show this year. It is a great way for our students to see how broad the food industry is and understand the impact of the work we do at the lab," said Sherman. "I find it encouraging to see what products and trends jump out to them. Each student found at least one highlight that I missed. With such a big show it can be easy to overlook something, and students have a great eye for finding standouts amongst the excitement. We ran into multiple alums who were showcasing this year, inspiring the next generation of food professionals." "The Fancy Food Show is something I always look forward to each year. Visiting the booths is always a great opportunity to connect with individuals in the field as well as to learn about new, upcoming products. I personally love working as a Junior Trendspotter because it allows me to look at the exhibits through a more critical lens and analyze what is a new trend versus what is something that continues to be popular from previous years," said Victoria Sanchez-Galarza, Senior, Culinary Arts and Sciences. "It's really fascinating and informative to see the overlaps and divergences between top trends identified by SFA's Junior Trendspotters and those noted by Millennial and Gen X Trendspotters," said Leana Salama, SVP of Marketing and Communications at SFA. "Where inescapable trends like global flavors or honey appear in both lists, the Junior Trendspotter's callout of non-traditional flours speaks to something essential about the Gen Z experience of and interest in specialty foods. Thank you to the Junior Trendspotters team and advisors for providing these invaluable insights and product highlights to the SFA audience." The Summer Fancy Food Show Junior Trendspotters identified the following top trends: A full Trendspotter Panel report from the Summer Fancy Food Show can be found online. The next Fancy Food Shows are the 2025 Winter Fancy Food Show , January 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and the 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show , June 29-July 1 at the Javits Center in New York City. Open only to food industry professionals, journalists and influencers, the Fancy Food Shows require registration and qualification. For additional information visit specialtyfood.com. About Drexel Food Lab Drexel Food Lab in Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions at Drexel University in Philadelphia is a food product design and culinary innovation lab that applies culinary arts and science to improve the health of people, the planet and economies. We do this through research and programming that help us understand consumers, develop new food products, and introduce new products to market. In doing so, we not only develop new food products and menu items with entrepreneurs, industry, non-profit, and government partners, but also develop our flagship "product," graduates across disciplines who are poised to improve the food system. Students in the lab also enroll in the Certificate in Food Entrepreneurship (undergraduate) or Certificate in Food Innovation (postgraduate) to develop the skills they need to bring their own ideas to market. About the Specialty Food Association The Specialty Food Association (SFA) was founded in 1952 and is the not-for-profit trade association of the $207-billion specialty food industry. Representing more than 3,600 businesses worldwide, SFA champions industry participation and success for a diverse community of makers, buyers, importers, distributors, and service providers by developing resources, information, education , and events that celebrate innovation and inclusivity. SFA owns and operates the Fancy Food Shows as well as the sofi Awards , which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage annually since 1972. SFA also produces the e-newsletter Specialty Food News , the Trendspotter Panel annual predictions and Fancy Food Show reports, the State of the Specialty Food Industry Report , and Today's Specialty Food Consumer research. Find out more online and connect with SFA on Facebook , X , Instagram , LinkedIn , and TikTok . 1 According to data in SFA's Today's Specialty Food Consumer, 2023-2024 Edition. SOURCE Specialty Food Association NEW YORK, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Grapes for Humanity Global Foundation (GFH GLOBAL) is thrilled to announce that their fifth NYC "Legends" wine dinner will be chaired by Chef Jose Andres at The Bazaar by Jose Andres on October 16, 2024 at 6pm in support of Hopital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) in Haiti. "The most legendary men and women in wine are coming together to support the incredible work of HAS in Haiti! I have seen firsthand how critical they are in the community, going where no others go, to bring life saving care to those in urgent need," shared Jose Andres. The dinner comes at a critical time for HAS' work in Haiti. The hospital is supporting the country during a time of incredible turmoil as one of the few 24/7 hospitals able to remain open. HAS has served the people of Haiti for over 65 years. The recent turmoil in Haiti has dramatically increased the need for HAS' work. "I am very proud of the generosity of our friends in the international wine community who have stepped forward, without hesitation, to support this dinner and the vital and urgent work of our long-time friends at HAS," said Arlene Willis, GFH Founder and Chair. Aptly named, the "Legends" dinner, the evening will bring together many of the world's most celebrated wine producers. In attendance will be the event's honorary chairs: Piero Antinori (Marchesi Antinori), Xavier Barlier (Champagne Louis Roederer), David Pearson (Joseph Phelps Vineyards), along with several of GFH Global's honorary directors: Prince Robert de Luxembourg, (Chateau Haut-Brion), Christopher Barefoot (Opus One), Stefano Benini Frescobaldi (Marchesi de' Frescobaldi), Thibault Cagey (Maison Louis Jadot), Mireial Torres Maczassek (Familia Torres), Pablo Alvarez (Bodegas Vega Sicilia), Frederic Drouhin (Joseph Drouhin), Jean-Guillaume Prats (Clos du Marquis de Las Cases). "GFH has been a special and valued partner for HAS, dating back to the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake," said HAS CEO Jean Marc de Matteis. "Their exceptional generosity, made possible through wine producers and lovers around the globe, has meant everything, particularly for our maternal and child health programs that are so vitally needed." Guests will enjoy an eight-course menu designed by Chef Jose Andres, and a rare lineup of rare wines donated by each of the producers in attendance. There will also be an auction of donated wines that will excite all wine collectors since they are directly from the vineyards' private collections. https://gfhglobal.org/2024/04/legends-dinner-v/ GFH GLOBAL https://gfhglobal.org/ Facebook: Grapes for Humanity Global Foundation Instagram: @gfhglobal SOURCE Grapes for Humanity Global Foundation Hyundai Santa Fe also awarded Best Midsize SUV by NEMPA Genesis Electrified GV70 awarded Best Premium Compact SUV FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- President and chief operating officer of Hyundai Motor Company, and president and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America Jose Munoz was named Executive of the Year by the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) at the media organizations' annual award ceremony in Boston. Additionally, Hyundai's all-new Santa Fe was named Best Midsize SUV and the Genesis Electrified GV70 was named Best Compact SUV for their innovative designs, customer appeal and overall excellence in wintery conditions. NEMPA evaluates over 100 vehicles over the course of the winter months each year. Over 50 vehicles were evaluated at the drive program by NEMPA members. Jose Munoz, president and global chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor Company and president and CEO Hyundai and Genesis Motor America named Executive of the Year by NEMPA. The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy is photographed in Irvine, CA., on July 5, 2023. "I am truly honored to be named as the NEMPA executive of the year," said Jose Munoz. "This recognition goes to all the hard-working women and men of Hyundai who are delivering beautifully designed, high quality, safety focused, eco-friendly vehicles with technology that customers want and value. The Hyundai and Genesis product recognitions by the organization also remind our workforce that we are making a difference in the lives of many allowing them to be a part of the American dream with award-winning vehicles on their life's journey." "In the past five years under Mr. Munoz' leadership, Hyundai has emerged as an innovator in vehicle design, new vehicle segments, made electric vehicles desirable with class-leading range and performance, and continued to offer customers a choice of powertrains that fit their needs," said Clifford Atiyeh, president, NEMPA. "Such significant accomplishments do not come easy and NEMPA is recognizing the esteemed leadership of Jose Munoz as Executive of the Year." About the New England Motor Press Association The New England Motor Press Association is a united guild of working journalists in six states and a committed partner to every major automaker. NEMPA members, who live among the most densely populated and diverse markets in the country, deliver trusted content to millions of car shoppers in New England and nationally on the internet, radio, television, newspapers, and magazines. For nearly 35 years, NEMPA has played an integral role in the automotive industry with access to vetted, ever-expanding media outlets, exclusive events, and awards that reflect the group's rigorous vehicle testing and constant recognition of the people making it all possible. For more information, please visit www.nempa.org. Hyundai Motor America Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report . For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com . Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok SOURCE Hyundai Motor America OTTAWA, ON and WASHINGTON , July 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Joint Commission (IJC) will host a one-hour public webinar related to the study of transboundary water pollution in the Elk-Kootenai/y watershed on Tuesday, August 6, at 6:30 p.m. MDT (5:30 pm. PDT). All interested parties are invited to attend. The webinar will include a presentation and question-and-answer period that will focus on the IJC's activities to date related to the establishment of an IJC study board to report and make recommendations on water pollution within the Elk-Kootenai/y watershed, as well as the Commission's role to provide assistance in the development of a Terms of Reference for a Governance Body. The study board is being established in response to a request ("Reference") to the IJC from the governments of the United States and Canada that incorporates a proposal developed in partnership with the Ktunaxa Nation. Please register to participate to the webinar and submit any questions or comments during the registration process or by email at [email protected]. Questions submitted in advance will be addressed during the information session. Please register to participate: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SaqPZuViSh2oiKsx79DE_A This webinar will be held in English only. Quick Facts The Elk River rises in the Canadian Rockies and flows into the United States at Lake Koocanusa (also known as Koocanusa Reservoir), an impoundment of the Kootenay/Kootenai River. It then flows through the states of Montana and Idaho , and through transboundary Ktunaxa lands, on its way back to the province of British Columbia , where it empties into the Columbia River. rises in the Canadian Rockies and flows into at Lake Koocanusa (also known as Koocanusa Reservoir), an impoundment of the Kootenay/Kootenai River. It then flows through the states of and , and through transboundary Ktunaxa lands, on its way back to the province of , where it empties into the Columbia River. The IJC received the reference regarding transboundary water pollution in the Elk- Kootenai /y watershed from the governments in March 2024. Contacts SOURCE International Joint Commission NEW YORK, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global in-vitro diagnostics instruments market size is estimated to grow by USD 52.9 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.29% during the forecast period. Growing geriatric population is driving market growth, with a trend towards potential opportunities for physician office laboratories (POL). However, strained laboratory budgets and lowering reimbursements affecting instrument sales poses a challenge. Key market players include Abbott Laboratories, Becton Dickinson and Co., Bio Rad Laboratories Inc., bioMerieux SA, Biosino Bio Technology and Science Inc, CPC Diagnostics Pvt Ltd., DAAN Gene Co. Ltd., Danaher Corp., F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech Co. Ltd., Hologic Inc., Myriad Genetics Inc., QIAGEN NV, QuidelOrtho Corp., Shanghai Kehua Bio Engineering Co. Ltd, Shenzhen Mindray BioMedical Electronics Co. Ltd, Siemens AG, Sysmex Corp., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global in-vitro diagnostics instruments market 2024-2028 Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- View the snapshot of this report In-Vitro Diagnostics Instruments Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 9.29% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 52.9 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 8.25 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 33% Key countries US, Germany, China, Canada, and UK Key companies profiled Abbott Laboratories, Becton Dickinson and Co., Bio Rad Laboratories Inc., bioMerieux SA, Biosino Bio Technology and Science Inc, CPC Diagnostics Pvt Ltd., DAAN Gene Co. Ltd., Danaher Corp., F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech Co. Ltd., Hologic Inc., Myriad Genetics Inc., QIAGEN NV, QuidelOrtho Corp., Shanghai Kehua Bio Engineering Co. Ltd, Shenzhen Mindray BioMedical Electronics Co. Ltd, Siemens AG, Sysmex Corp., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Market Driver In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) instruments market growth is driven by the increasing adoption of Point of Care (POL) testing in primary and outpatient care. POL testing, particularly in infectious disease markers, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes care, is gaining popularity due to its convenience and quick results. Portable IVD instruments are advancing technically, enabling clinicians to perform tests in-house. The CLIA testing for molecular assays in POL practices is expected to fuel market growth. However, certain regulatory aspects regarding CLIA-waived testing may impact market expansion. Despite these challenges, the global IVD instruments market is projected to experience average growth due to the increasing trend towards POL testing. The In Vitro Diagnostics Instruments Market is experiencing significant growth due to the rising demand for accurate and rapid medical tests. With a focus on infectious diseases such as Malaria and Chikungunya, the market is seeing increased adoption of advanced technologies like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) for pathogen detection. Laboratory technicians play a crucial role in this sector, handling various samples like blood, serum, plasma, urine, saliva, and tissues. Blood banks, home care settings, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, academic institutes, and non-communicable disease segments are key end-users. Infectious diseases and chronic conditions including cardiology, gastroenterology, and cancer are major application areas. The aging population and the rise of molecular diagnostics for diseases like Alzheimer's and various cancers further fuel market expansion. In vitro diagnostics instruments offer efficiency, accuracy, and convenience in the laboratory environment, making them an essential tool for healthcare providers. Discover 360 analysis of this market. For complete information, schedule your consultation - Book Here! Market Challenges In the In-Vitro Diagnostics Instruments Market, reimbursement policies for diagnostic testing vary across geographies and are trending downward. This puts pressure on hospitals and diagnostic laboratories to reduce expenditure on IVD instruments to maintain revenue. Workforce shortages and lost health insurance cards lead to fewer patient visits and limited testing volumes. Lean laboratories are emerging in some countries, prioritizing essential capital equipment purchases. Reduced reimbursements for certain instruments, such as SMBG in Europe and IVD instruments in the US, impact sales growth. IVD companies respond by focusing on emerging markets and adapting to market conditions. These factors are expected to restrict the growth of the global IVD Instruments Market during the forecast period. and IVD instruments in the US, impact sales growth. IVD companies respond by focusing on emerging markets and adapting to market conditions. These factors are expected to restrict the growth of the global IVD Instruments Market during the forecast period. The In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Instruments Market is experiencing significant growth due to advances in Next Generation Sequencing, Liquid Biopsy, and Personalized Medicine. Genetic and molecular diagnostic technologies are driving innovation in Clinical Profiles, Companion Diagnostics, and various disease areas such as Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities. IVD equipment in Immunodiagnostics, Hematology, Tissue Diagnostics, Clinical Chemistry, and Cardiac Diseases are in high demand. Challenges include Norovirus, HIV, Lyme disease, and other infectious diseases. Reagents and kits, Software and Services, and Manufacturing Technology are essential components of this market. Diabetes, Oncology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Geriatric Population are key applications. Distribution channels include hypermarkets, pharmacies, drug stores, online providers, standalone laboratories, and Clinical Laboratories. Tropical diseases and Endocrine Disorders are also targeted markets. High blood cholesterol, Heart Disease, Stroke, and Chronic Conditions are significant disease areas. For more insights on driver and challenges - Request a sample report! Segment Overview This in-vitro diagnostics instruments market report extensively covers market segmentation by Product 1.1 Immunochemistry 1.2 Clinical microbiology 1.3 Molecular diagnostics 1.4 Others End-user 2.1 Hospitals and diagnostic laboratories 2.2 Academic and research institutes 2.3 Home care Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 Asia 3.4 Rest of World (ROW) 1.1 Immunochemistry- The In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Instruments Market's highly automated segment of clinical laboratories holds the largest test volume compared to others. However, the demand for immunochemistry analyzers is declining in the US and Europe due to consolidation in France, late payments from Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and reductions in expenditure in the UK, France, and Germany. In contrast, the rise of rural hospitals in China and India lacking basic diagnostics infrastructure presents a growth opportunity. Over 80 immunoassay analyzer models are available, with manufacturers responding to competition through frequent new launches or analyzer upgrades. Reduced European reimbursement is attributed to delayed spending by some medical laboratories, while the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides greater certainty for investments. IVDs, like Ortho Clinical Diagnostics' VITROS immunodiagnostic products for HIV-1+2 detection, aid in early COVID-19 virus detection. Roche Diagnostics received FDA approval for the first HIV-1/HIV-2 qualitative test on cobas 6800/8800 systems. Innovative products and advanced technologies continue to enter the market, intensifying competition during the forecast period. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017-2021) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis In vitro diagnostics refer to medical tests conducted outside of a living organism, using samples of bodily fluids, tissues, or other specimens. These tests play a crucial role in the detection and diagnosis of various diseases, including infectious diseases such as Zika, Malaria, and Chikungunya, as well as chronic conditions like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and endocrine disorders. The laboratory environment is essential for the accurate and reliable performance of these tests. In vitro diagnostics are used extensively in clinical laboratories to diagnose non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, high blood cholesterol, and Alzheimer's disease. Molecular diagnostics and pathogen detection are advanced areas of in vitro diagnostics, offering rapid and accurate results for the diagnosis of various conditions. Laboratory technicians play a vital role in the collection, preparation, and analysis of samples for in vitro diagnostic tests. In vitro diagnostics are used in various medical specialties, including cardiology, gastroenterology, and neurology, to aid in the early detection and treatment of diseases. Market Research Overview In Vitro Diagnostics Instruments Market: Overview The In Vitro Diagnostics Instruments Market refers to the industry that produces and supplies diagnostic tools and equipment used in medical laboratories for analyzing samples derived from bodily fluids, tissues, and other specimens. These diagnostic instruments play a crucial role in detecting various diseases, including infectious diseases such as Norovirus, HIV, Lyme disease, and Shigellosis, chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease, and genetic disorders. The market caters to various end-users, including hospitals, healthcare facilities, pharmacies, drug stores, online providers, standalone laboratories, and clinical laboratories. The In Vitro Diagnostics Instruments Market encompasses a wide range of diagnostic technologies, including Immunodiagnostics, Hematology, Tissue Diagnostics, Clinical Chemistry, Cardiac Diseases, Immune System Disorders, Nephrological Diseases, Gastrointestinal Diseases, and others. The market is segmented into various product categories, including IVD equipment, Diagnostic Technologies, Reagents and Kits, Software and Services, and Molecular Diagnostics. Molecular Diagnostics further includes Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), Liquid Biopsy, and Personalized Medicine. The market is also influenced by various factors such as the aging population, the rise in non-communicable diseases, and the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions. The In Vitro Diagnostics Instruments Market is driven by the growing demand for early and accurate diagnosis, the increasing focus on personalized medicine, and the increasing adoption of advanced diagnostic technologies such as NGS, liquid biopsy, and companion diagnostics. The market is also expected to witness significant growth due to the increasing prevalence of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, and the growing awareness and acceptance of genetic testing. The market is highly competitive, with various players offering a wide range of diagnostic instruments and solutions. The market is also witnessing significant innovation, with new technologies and products being developed to address the evolving needs of healthcare providers and patients. Some of the key trends in the market include the increasing use of automation, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and the growing focus on point-of-care testing. The In Vitro Diagnostics Instruments Market is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period, driven by the increasing demand for accurate and timely diagnosis, the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, and the increasing adoption of advanced diagnostic technologies. The market is also expected to be influenced by various factors such as regulatory frameworks, reimbursement policies, and technological advancements. In conclusion, the In Vitro Diagnostics Instruments Market plays a vital role in the healthcare industry by providing accurate and timely diagnosis, enabling personalized medicine, and contributing to better patient outcomes. The market is highly dynamic and is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years, driven by various factors such as the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, the growing focus on personalized medicine, and the increasing adoption of advanced diagnostic technologies. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Immunochemistry Clinical Microbiology Molecular Diagnostics Others End-user Hospitals And Diagnostic Laboratories Academic And Research Institutes Home Care Geography North America Europe Asia Rest Of World (ROW) 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 18th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2024 (ITE HCMC 2024), to be held on September 5 - 7, 2024, promises to provide travel and hospitality businesses with unparalleled access to innovative product ideas and business models to lead in the ever-growing sustainability trends. Helping businesses tap into sustainable tourism With sustainability emerging as a critical competitive advantage, ITE HCMC 2024 has adopted the theme "Sustainable Travel - Creating the Future" to underscore its importance. "Vietnam offers many opportunities for sustainable tourism but faces challenges in meeting international sustainability criteria. ITE HCMC 2024 aims to provide practical insights and solutions from experts to aid businesses," said Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism. A series of workshops, conferences, and high-level forums will feature significant participation from government officials, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, regional tourism authorities, international travel agencies, MICE operators, luxury travel companies, and restaurants. Leading in collaboration and expanding Vietnam's international tourism market Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said, "ITE HCMC 2024 offers an ideal platform for travel and hospitality businesses to connect, explore, and expand their partnerships. This collaborative approach aligns perfectly with the Vietnamese government's broader goal of transforming tourism into a leading economic sector, advancing green growth, and establishing the country as a premier destination." ITE HCMC 2024 aims to grow Vietnam's international visitor market and boost tourism revenue by enhancing global cooperation. With over 500 exhibitors from domestic and international markets, the event will promote collaboration among tourism agencies, businesses, and service providers. Ho Chi Minh City plays a crucial role in national tourism integration, attracting nearly 300 participants from 38 Vietnamese provinces and generating international interest from countries and regions such as South Korea, Russia, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan (China), Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. The only expo in Vietnam with an international hosted buyer program The ITE HCMC Hosted Buyer Program is strategically designed to attract Product Managers specializing in leisure, corporate, MICE, luxury, and special interest travel from leading global companies, with the potential to significantly boost inbound tourism to Vietnam. ITE HCMC 2024 will welcome over 220 high-caliber international buyers from 45 countries and territories. This prestigious event will facilitate over 10,000 business meetings, offering unparalleled opportunities for direct B2B interactions between international and Vietnamese tourism businesses. Don't miss your last chance to register for the Hosted Buyer Program and be part of this influential event. Secure your spot now by visiting https://itehcmc.travel/buyer-3/buyer-registration/ . ITE HCMC 2024 has received valuable support from key partners, including Vietnam Airlines (Diamond Sponsor, Official Airlines), the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel, Vietjet Air, Vietravel Airlines and other international airlines. These partners are crucial in inviting travel agencies to participate in the International Buyer Program. Website: www.itehcmc.travel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itehcmc.internationaltravel Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/company/ite-hcmc-international-travel-expo-ho-chi-minh-city/ SOURCE Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism BOSTON, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.0825 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of July 11, 2024, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Notification of Sources of Distribution This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on July 1, 2024, and payable on July 31, 2024. No action is required on your part. Distribution Period July 2024 Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.0825 The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable July 31, 2024, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount. For the period 07/1/2024-07/31/2024 For the fiscal year-to-date period 11/1/2023-07/31/2024 1 Source Current Distribution ($) % Breakdown of the Current Distribution Total Cumulative Distributions ($) % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions Net Investment Income 0.0158 19 % 0.4092 55 % Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains 0.0091 11 % 0.0000 0 % Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains 0.0000 0 % 0.0000 0 % Return of Capital or Other Capital Source 0.0576 70 % 0.3333 45 % Total per common share 0.0825 100 % 0.7425 100 % Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on June 30, 2024 4.31 % Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of June 30, 2024 8.00 % Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through June 30, 2024 24.00 % Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of June 30, 2024 6.00 % _______________________________ 1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2023 and will end on October 31, 2024. You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The Fund has declared the July 2024 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0825 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. About John Hancock Investment Management A company of Manulife Investment Management, we serve investors through a unique multimanager approach, complementing our extensive in-house capabilities with an unrivaled network of specialized asset managers, backed by some of the most rigorous investment oversight in the industry. The result is a diverse lineup of time-tested investments from a premier asset manager with a heritage of financial stewardship. About Manulife Investment Management Manulife Investment Management is the global brand for the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than a century of financial stewardship and the full resources of our parent company to serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto, our leading capabilities in public and private markets are strengthened by an investment footprint that spans 18 geographies. We complement these capabilities by providing access to a network of unaffiliated asset managers from around the world. We're committed to investing responsibly across our businesses. We develop innovative global frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with companies in our securities portfolios, and maintain a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets, and we believe in supporting financial well-being through our workplace retirement plans. Today, plan sponsors around the world rely on our retirement plan administration and investment expertise to help their employees plan for, save for, and live a better retirement. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com. SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management Honoring our heritage and focusing on the journey ahead with our community BOTKINS, Ohio, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Koenig Equipment, a leading provider of quality lawn, agricultural and compact construction equipment, is proudly celebrating its 120th anniversary. Founded by John C. Koenig in 1904 as a small hardware and farm equipment dealership in Botkins, Ohio, Koenig Equipment has grown into a premier John Deere dealership with 15 locations serving customers in over 43 counties across Ohio and Indiana. The milestone is a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, customer satisfaction and personalized mechanization solutions. Aaron Koenig, president and CEO, reflected on this remarkable journey, expressing immense pride in representing a company with such a storied past and a deeply rooted commitment to its customers, employees and communities. "While we celebrate our past and cherish our present, we're focused on the future," said Koenig. "We are committed to maintaining the growth trajectory of the organization while preparing for the next stage of our company, including fostering the growth of the fifth generation of the Koenig family and preparing them to uphold and further enrich the legacy of our family business." The company's success is attributed to its dedicated team, generations of loyal customers and continued guidance from the Koenig family. Professional management and governance, along with the dedication and sacrifice of preceding generations, have ensured the continuity of the family-run business. The 120th anniversary is not just a celebration of the company's past but also marks the beginning of its journey into the future, remaining laser-focused on growth and operational excellence. Koenig Equipment will continue to focus on its mission of providing personalized equipment and technology solutions, fostering a strong community and delivering unquestionable satisfaction with its products and services. As it celebrates this significant milestone, Koenig Equipment extends its gratitude to its loyal customers, dedicated employees and supportive communities. Committed to its founding principles of quality, dedication and customer satisfaction, the company promises to continue its legacy of excellence for many more years to come. About Koenig Equipment: Founded in 1904, Koenig Equipment is a family-owned John Deere dealership providing superior products and services in the fields of lawn, agriculture and compact construction equipment for over a century. With 15 locations across Ohio and Indiana, Koenig Equipment offers comprehensive solutions for purchasing, servicing and providing expert advice on all equipment needs. Committed to customer success, Koenig Equipment is more than a service provider; they are a trusted partner and a dedicated team member. Their extensive industry knowledge, coupled with their unwavering dedication to customers, makes them a preferred choice for personalized mechanization solutions. To learn more about Koenig Equipment, visit www.koenigequipment.com . Media Contact: Adam Grillot [email protected] SOURCE Koenig Equipment Addressing Critical Needs in Maternal and Infant Health Data Sharing TOPEKA, Kan., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KONZA National Network, a non-profit Health Information Exchange (HIE) and Designated Qualified Health Information Network (QHIN), today announced the launch of Birth Connect to provide timely alerts to OB/GYNs that a birth parent under their care has delivered a baby. The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries, according to a March 2024 report by The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). The report, "Interoperability of Maternity Health Care Records," emphasizes the critical need for comprehensive and timely data sharing to improve health outcomes for birth parents and newborns. KONZA's Birth Connect directly responds to this call by linking medical records of birth parents and newborns, ensuring that healthcare providers in the full continuum of care have access to complete and accurate data. This enables quicker response to potential complications and supports health needs in the early stages of life, while ensuring effective care coordination, seamless post-birth transition and continuous health monitoring. Bridging the Data Gap This innovative, first-of-its-kind product solves several persistent problems: Due to interoperability issues between electronic medical records, physicians outside the birth hospital may not know about the birth for days or weeks, causing critical delays in providing essential immediate care for both parent and baby. Infant medical record loss is common because newborns are often initially named "Baby Girl/Baby Boy + parent's last name," making it difficult to link records once the baby receives a full name. Accurate birth outcomes are essential for quality improvement initiatives, as incomplete data prevents a full understanding of issues related to poor outcomes. Key Features Birth Connect facilitates advanced data collection to ensure high-quality data sharing, reducing the risk of infant medical record loss and supporting quality improvement initiatives. Birth Connect's timely alerts for NICU admissions enhances newborn safety and care quality while enabling healthcare providers to analyze prevention efforts and identify public health trends. The integration of Birth Connect streamlines Quality Reporting, reducing the manual workload typically associated with it, while improving the workflow for healthcare providers to ensure critical health information is promptly available. The Pilot Site KONZA worked closely with Hartford HealthCare in Connecticut to develop and pilot Birth Connect throughout 2023 and early 2024. "Hartford Healthcare was honored to be the pilot site for KONZA's Birth Connect product," said Lisa Shubitowski, Interoperability Solutions Architect. "Birth Connect allows us to utilize existing technologies in new and innovative ways to communicate critical health events to healthcare providers in the community in support of our patients." Unique Alerting Use Cases KONZA is committed to investing in the development of products that leverage HIE data to address emerging critical health and communication challenges that are national in scope and too complex for a single system to manage. "Alerting products are rapidly evolving," said Laura McCrary, EdD, President and CEO of KONZA. "Traditionally used to notify providers of patient admissions and discharges, these systems can now alert providers about critical health events or high-risk situations. KONZA has now developed and deployed three key clinical alert modalities, and we are collaborating with University of Connecticut researchers on the development of a fourth for suicide prevention." KONZA's other alerting products include: Multidrug-Resistant Organism (MDRO) Alerts : Notify hospitals of active MDRO diagnoses, enabling rapid implementation of transmission-based safety protocols. : Notify hospitals of active MDRO diagnoses, enabling rapid implementation of transmission-based safety protocols. Behavioral Health Alerts: Provide clinicians with critical insights into a patient's behavioral health history and ICD diagnosis codes after emergency department visits for mental illness. ABOUT KONZA National Network Visit: www.konza.org. Media Contact: Katy Brown 303-710-5335 | [email protected] SOURCE KONZA National Network Nouvel LLC, a subsidiary of Tenute del Mondo B.V. filed a motion to compel compliance with a subpoena from Campari America LLC in an ongoing legal dispute between Brad Pitt and Tenute del Mondo B.V., part of the Stoli Group. LOS ANGELES, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The high-profile legal battle over the prestigious French estate and brand, Miraval, co-owned in the past by Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, has a new development. Nouvel LLC, the company that Ms. Angelina Jolie sold to Tenute del Mondo, has filed a motion with the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Central District, seeking to compel compliance from Campari America LLC. Key Points: Battle Over Miraval: Dispute Involving Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie & Stoli Group Takes a New Turn Involving Campari Post this The motion filed on July 29 aims to compel non-party Campari America LLC to produce the most knowledgeable person(s) and relevant documents regarding a distribution agreement executed on or around September 2023 between Campari and Chateau Miraval. aims to compel non-party Campari America LLC to produce the most knowledgeable person(s) and relevant documents regarding a distribution agreement executed on or around between Campari and Chateau Miraval. Having been wrongfully frozen out of Chateau Miraval by Pitt and his allies, Nouvel seeks information regarding the contract's provisions, and negotiations leading up to its execution. Nouvel also seeks information that will illuminate how, in the midst of the legal dispute between Pitt and Nouvel, Campari was permitted to secure the right to be the sole distributor of one of the world's most successful roses. Nouvel further seeks information regarding any potential involvement by Campari in Pitt's scheme to plunder Chateau Miraval's assets and value. The dispute centres around the ownership and operational rights of the Miraval estate, a highly coveted property and brand in the wine and spirits industry. Tenute del Mondo B.V., affiliated with the Stoli Group, purchased Nouvel LLC from Ms. Jolie and is now embroiled in the ongoing legal proceedings with Brad Pitt . Background: Miraval, renowned for its exquisite wines and idyllic estate, has been a focal point of contention between its co-owners since their separation. The latest legal manoeuvre seeks to uncover additional relevant information that could influence the outcome of this high-stakes dispute. About Miraval: The Miraval estate, located in the heart of Provence, France, is famed for its award-winning wines and picturesque vineyards. The brand represents a blend of luxury, heritage, and modernity, attracting wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs globally. About Stoli Group: Established in the late 1990's as part of SPI Group, Stoli Group owns an enviable portfolio of ultra-premium spirits, wines and non-alcoholic beverages. It is a leader in the production, management, and distribution of these brands around the world. Headquartered in Luxembourg, the company uses its own and affiliated production facilities in Argentina, Latvia, Spain, Mexico , UK and the United States which have a rich heritage dating back to the early part of the last century. Renowned for its flagship brand, Stoli Vodka, the company appeals to luxury on-premise global consumers. At the heart of Stoli Group's offerings lie iconic brands including elit Vodka, Bayou Rum, Kentucky Owl, Wiseman, Cenote Tequila, Se Busca Mezcal, Tulchan Gin. Spanning over 176 markets worldwide, Stoli Group collaborates with a network of 300 distributors. In the wine portfolio, Stoli Group's Tenute del Mondo division includes esteemed labels such as Achaval Ferrer (Argentina) and Arinzano (Spain), while boasting a joint venture in Super- Tuscan Ornellaia, Masseto, Luce, and CastelGiocondo, under the Tenute Di Toscana Company. 2021 marked a significant milestone as Tenute del Mondo purchased Nouvel, a 50% shareholder in Chateau Miraval and its family of brands, including Miraval, Muse, Studio, and Fleur de Miraval. Pioneering the fermented and distilled non-alcoholic space, in 2023 Stoli Group invests in The Pathfinder Hemp and Root. www.stoli-group.com SOURCE Stoli Group (USA) LLC WESTFORD, Mass., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to SkyQuest, the global Liquid Biopsy Market was valued at around USD 9.28 billion in 2022 and is expected to rise from USD 10.32 billion in 2023 to reach a value of USD 24.14 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 11.21% during the forecast period (20242031). The liquid biopsy market has gained tremendous traction, due to the increasing incidence of cancer worldwide and demand for faster, less invasive diagnostic methods. In the US. the burden of non-small cell lung cancer has recently emerged as the highest burden of lung cancer subtype in the country statistics show that 12.8 million new cases of non-small cell lung cancer were diagnosed in the United States. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of liquid biopsy signals an expansion in generalized medicine and cancer precision. These new diagnostic methods offer advantages over traditional biopsies analyzes body by real-time monitoring of disease progression and treatment response, providing timely intervention strategies such as early detection and prioritization. The liquid biopsy market is poised for further growth with advances in technology, expanded research efforts, driven by increased awareness of healthcare providers and patients. Download a detailed overview: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/liquid-biopsy-market Liquid Biopsy Market Overview: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 USD 10.32 Billion Estimated Value by 2031 USD 24.14 Billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 11.21% Forecast Period 20242031 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Product & Services, Circulating Biomarker, Clinical Application, Technology, Application, Sample Type, End User and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Increasing Adoption of Next-generation Sequencing (NGS) Technology Key Market Drivers Increasing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases Segments covered in Liquid Biopsy Market are as follows: Product & Services Assay Kits, Instruments, and services Circulating Biomarker Circulating Tumor Cells, Circulating Tumor DNA, Cell-free DNA, Extracellular Vesicles, and Others Clinical Application Early Cancer Screening, Therapy Selection, Treatment Monitoring, and Recurrence Monitoring Technology Multi-Gene Parallel Analysis using NGS, and Single-Gene Analysis using PCR Application Cancer Application (Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Melanoma, and Others), Non-Cancer Application (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing, Organ Transplantation, and Infectious Disease Testing) Sample Type Blood Samples, Urine Sample, Saliva Sample, and Others End User Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic Centers, Reference Laboratories, Academic & Research Centers, and Others Request Free Customization of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/liquid-biopsy-market Hospitals and Clinics: Revolutionizing Patient Care with Non-Invasive Diagnostics The key segment in the liquid biopsy market is the hospitals and clinics segment, which is expected to account for the largest market share owing to increasing adoption of liquid biopsy tests for cancer diagnosis and medical diagnosis. Widespread growth and the need for developed treatment options for everyone are some of the major reasons for the demand for urine biopsies in hospitals and clinics. Within the liquid biopsy market, the diagnostic center segment is expected to grow at the highest rate. These centers provide patients with advanced specialized diagnostic services and other urine biopsies. These diagnostic centers have the advantage of offering shorter wait times, turnaround times, specialist knowledge, and state-of-the-art equipment, solutions that encourage more people to turn to this center for diagnosis is accurate and timely. These diagnostic centers are expected to develop and grow rapidly in the coming years, re-establishing themselves as key players in the aquatic biopsy market landscape. View report summary and Table of Contents (TOC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/liquid-biopsy-market Assay Kits: Empowering Precision Medicine with Cutting-Edge Tools The dominant segment in the liquid biopsy market is the assay kits segment, which is expected to hold the largest market share owing to the high demand for liquid biopsy tests, especially for non-sensitive cancer detection, versatility, cost-effectiveness, continuous. Factors such while technological advancement leads to greater market share for research products Increasing prevalence of cancer worldwide and need for early diagnosis and personalized treatment options are some of the major factors driving the demand for artificial fluids inspection and reagents. The fastest growing segment in the liquid biopsy market is the instruments segment. This is due to the increasing demand for practical and high-throughput liquid physiology systems that can process large numbers of samples in a short period of time as well as, technological advances, such as next generation delivery use sequencing (NGS) and digital PCR (dPCR), which are highly efficient. Liquid Biopsy Market: Pioneering a New Era in Precision Medicine The liquid biopsy market is changing the way cancer is diagnosed and treated. The technology's ability to detect genetic mutations, monitoring treatment response and detecting minimal residual disease ensures interventions for patients that are personalized and timely as research and technology continues to advance. The liquid biopsy market is poised for growth and promises a future where cancer services are more accurate, more dynamic and more accessible to patients. Related Report: Breast Biopsy Market Cancer Diagnostics Market Digital Pathology Market Bioanalytical Testing Services Market Cancer Immunotherapy Market About Us: SkyQuest is an IP focused Research and Investment Bank and Accelerator of Technology and assets. We provide access to technologies, markets and finance across sectors viz. Life Sciences, CleanTech, AgriTech, NanoTech and Information & Communication Technology. We work closely with innovators, inventors, innovation seekers, entrepreneurs, companies and investors alike in leveraging external sources of R&D. Moreover, we help them in optimizing the economic potential of their intellectual assets. Our experiences with innovation management and commercialization has expanded our reach across North America, Europe, ASEAN and Asia Pacific. Contact: Mr. Jagraj Singh SkyQuest Technology 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 USA (+1) 351-333-4748 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.skyquestt.com/ Logo : https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2446095/SkyQuest_Logo.jpg SOURCE SkyQuest Technology Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=70773239 Browse in-depth TOC on "Medical Batteries Market" 213 - Tables 52 - Figures 253 - Pages Panasonic Holdings Corporation: Leader in Advanced Battery Solutions for Healthcare Panasonic Holdings Corporation excels in providing advanced battery solutions crucial for the healthcare industry, leveraging its expertise from automotive and industrial sectors. The company's Energy segment plays a vital role, offering specialized batteries designed for durability, efficiency, and reliability in medical devices. Renowned brands like Panasonic, Sanyo, and Eneloop are synonymous with high-performance and longevity. Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., its dedicated subsidiary, operates globally across North America, Europe, and Asia, ensuring diverse energy needs are met. The company's strategic strengths include a robust supply chain, cost competitiveness, and advanced R&D capabilities, with recent investments in facilities like the Kansas factory highlighting its commitment to efficient production and cutting-edge technology. Panasonic's focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices aligns with global environmental trends, reinforcing its leadership in the battery industry and its capacity to drive innovation in meeting evolving healthcare demands. Energizer Holdings, Inc.: Global Provider of High-Performance Batteries and Lighting Solutions Energizer Holdings, Inc., a prominent global provider, operates through three core segments: Battery, Auto Care, and Lights. Its Battery and Lights segments are crucial, offering various batteries for medical devices such as hearing aids and glucose monitors. The company's portfolio includes well-known brands like Energizer, Eveready, Rayovac, and Varta, which encompass alkaline, lithium, rechargeable batteries, and portable lighting solutions. Subsidiaries like Energizer Battery, Inc. and Rayovac Corporation bolster its global market presence. With a robust footprint across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa, Energizer is dedicated to innovation and reliability, particularly in powering essential medical devices. Toshiba Corporation: Specialist in High-Performance Medical Batteries Toshiba Corporation delivers high-performance, reliable, and safe battery solutions tailored for critical medical devices, including implantable cardiac devices, patient monitoring systems, and portable diagnostic equipment. Utilizing advanced lithium-ion technology, Toshiba's medical batteries offer high energy density, robust safety features to prevent overheating and overcharging, and long cycle life for durability in demanding medical environments. Toshiba's growth in this sector is driven by continuous innovation and strategic R&D investments, meeting the evolving needs of healthcare. Strong partnerships with medical device manufacturers and healthcare providers further integrate their batteries into various applications, reinforcing Toshiba's position as a global leader in the medical batteries market and enhancing patient care and outcomes. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=70773239 Product Segmentation: Alkaline Batteries Lead the Medical Batteries Market In 2023, the medical batteries market is characterized by its diverse product segments, including lithium, alkaline, zinc air, nickel metal hydride, and other batteries. Among these, alkaline batteries emerged as the largest segment, driven by their affordability, reliability, and eco-friendly characteristics. Technological advancements have enhanced their cost-effectiveness, while increasing urbanization and consumer spending have further boosted demand. Alkaline batteries are particularly valued for backup systems, remote sensing, and IoT applications in healthcare, ensuring dependable power for essential medical devices. Capacity Segmentation: Batteries Below 600 mAh Dominate The medical batteries market also segments based on capacity, including batteries below 600 mAh, 600 to 1200 mAh, and above 1200 mAh. In 2023, batteries with a capacity of "below 600 mAh" held the largest market share within healthcare settings. This is due to the rising demand for compact, powerful, portable, and wearable medical devices. Advances in battery technology have increased energy density, offering extended operational times without enlarging battery size, and enhanced safety features have contributed to their widespread adoption. Companies like VARTA Microbattery and Renata SA excel in this segment, with products such as VARTA's CoinPower series and Renata's lithium and silver oxide batteries providing high reliability for low-power medical devices. The trend towards miniaturization and innovation has significantly boosted demand and market presence for these batteries. Regional Insights: North America Leads the Market In 2023, North America is expected to dominate the global medical batteries market, accounting for a 45.0% share. This dominance is driven by the substantial presence of major medical device manufacturers and increasing healthcare spending in the US and Canada. Key healthcare institutions in the region rely heavily on critical medical devices that require reliable energy storage solutions. North America's status as an early adopter of new medical technologies, supported by higher patient affordability, also fuels demand for advanced battery technologies. Additionally, the region's strong focus on research and development within the healthcare industry, alongside significant investments in innovative medical products, further solidifies its leading position. The favorable regulatory environment in North America supports ongoing product development, reinforcing its dominance in the global medical batteries market. For more information, inquire now! Inquire Now Related Reports: Medical Equipment Maintenance Market Endoscopy Equipment Market Ultrasound Market Diagnostic Imaging Market European Medical Equipment Maintenance Market Get access to the latest updates on Medical Batteries Companies and Medical Batteries Market Share About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets BOSTON, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Shanghai Medicilon Inc. ("Medicilon") and Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. ("Hengrui Pharma") reached a strategic collaboration agreement. The cooperative efforts will focus on preclinical evaluation of new drug modalities, particularly ADCs, small nucleic acids, and CGT (cell and gene therapy) drugs. The goal of this partnership is to advance the innovation of the Chinese pharmaceutical industry to compete on an international level. Dr. Chunlin Chen and Dr. Lianshan Zhang at Strategic Cooperation Signing Ceremony The elevated commitment to collaboration between Medicilon and Hengrui Pharma builds upon the solid foundation from years of experience and well-established trust. The organizations plan to integrate Medicilon's preclinical R&D expertise with Hengrui Pharma's innovative strategies and market influence. Medicilon will leverage its technological advantages in drug discovery and development to provide Hengrui Pharma with a range of preclinical services, focusing on efficacy testing, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology studies for new drug modalities. Medicilon and Hengrui Pharma will combine efforts to generate breakthroughs in pharmaceutical therapies. The atmosphere of the exchange was enthusiastic and congenial. Hengrui Pharma's Vice General Manager & Global R&D President Lianshan Zhang, along with other executives, visited Medicilon's Pudong Chuansha Park. They were welcomed by Medicilon's CEO Chunlin Chen and key team members. During the visit, Medicilon's R&D Team introduced their one-stop preclinical services platform for pharmaceutical R&D. They highlighted the Medicilon's capabilities and technical strengths in safety evaluation, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics, with special attention to PROTAC, ADC, nucleic acids, bispecific antibodies, peptides, vaccines, and CGT. Hengrui Pharma's Vice General Manager & Global R&D President Lianshan Zhang stated, "Medicilon possesses robust innovation capabilities and service quality in this field, making it a trusted CRO partner. The collaboration between Hengrui Pharma and Medicilon not only acknowledges past achievements but also represents a deep exploration of future collaboration potential and forward-looking strategic planning." Medicilon's Founder & CEO Chunlin Chen stated, "Medicilon and Hengrui Pharma firmly believe that, through close collaboration, the process of drug R&D will be accelerated in the future, contributing to the innovative development of the global pharmaceutical industry." Website: https://www.medicilon.com/ SOURCE Medicilon Inc. DALLAS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- theo Transformation Advisory announces the appointment of Michael Theodosiou as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2024. Michael succeeds Theo Theodosiou, the firm's Founder, who will continue as Chief Practice Officer. Michael has shown exceptional leadership and strategic vision throughout his tenure with theo, improving the firm's profile and future vision as Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer. Next, as President he further solidified his leadership, driving transformation. theo Transformation Advisory announces the appointment of Michael Theodosiou as its new Chief Executive Officer. Post this As CEO, Michael will lead theo into its next chapter of success. His deep understanding of the firm's mission and values, coupled with his forward-thinking approach, positions him to guide the organization towards continued excellence. Theo Theodosiou expressed his confidence in Michael. "It has been my privilege to found and lead theo over the last two decades. During that time, we have held fast to our commitment to serve others and a cause greater than ourselves. I am delighted that such a talented, intelligent, and soulful leader as Michael has become our next CEO. He will guide the firm to great impact and to the advancement of the wellbeing of people and communities everywhere." Deborah Proctor, former client-CEO and current Board Chair, commented, "As a firm that accompanies many successful organizations on their transformation journeys, we recognize the importance of a leader who is passionate about our mission, committed to our values, and energized by our future. Michael is such a leader." Michael Theodosiou stated, "Leadership's relevance has never been greater in our post-pandemic world. Transformational leaders must rise to meet these challenges. It is an honor to lead this firm into a new era of impact and service. I am committed to partnering with our client-CEOs and Leaders to elevate their organizations to new levels of prosperity." Under Michael's leadership, theo will continue to develop leaders, improve leadership cultures, and transform organizations. His vision includes expanding the firm's reach, improving the client experience, and driving sustainable growth through innovative strategies. For more information, please contact: Andy Slipher Email: [email protected] About theo Transformation Advisory: theo is a trusted partner and advisor for CEOs, Senior Leadership, and Governing Bodies. The firm accelerates clients' paths to greatness through dynamic transformation journeys. theo enables clients to position their leaders for greater impact, harness culture strategically, and unlock organizational potential. This is transformation at its most meaningful. SOURCE theo Transformation Advisory Companies' shared commitment to innovation and product sustainability comes to life in Microban-powered MarMac Concrete Admixture AMX 5500 concrete additive HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Microban International , global leader in antimicrobial solutions, and MarMac Applied Infrastructure Sciences (AIS) announce a new partnership focused on developing, testing and producing products that protect and extend the life of concrete infrastructure. MarMac logo The partnership debuts in the launch and commercial availability of MarMac's Concrete Admixture AMX 5500 , a concrete protectant that successfully integrated Microban's revolutionary antimicrobial technology into a concrete admixture product. AMX 5500 inhibits damaging bacterial growth in treated concrete and is designed for use in all forms of concrete. This antimicrobial admixture provides an innovative new solution for the building materials industry to help prevent both staining and Microbial-Induced Corrosion of Concrete (MICC) . "Microban's partnership with MarMac is a story of like-minded innovators seeking solutions for our customers," said Steve Lutes, Director of Business Development at Microban. "This is an exciting collaboration. Integrating antimicrobial technology into the manufacturing process of building products can help avoid product degradation, and we're thrilled to see this product sustainability solution come to life with MarMac." Microban's researchers and product development team worked in partnership with MarMac's AIS laboratory to integrate antimicrobial technology into MarMac's AMX 5500, offering permanent concrete protection from bacterial growth, subsequent staining, and corrosion. By utilizing Microban antimicrobial technology, AMX 5500 creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth because the active ingredient works to rupture the microbial cells and terminally disrupt the cell walls of fungi, molds, and mildew. The product protection won't alter the visual appearance of cured concrete, won't wash away, and lasts the lifetime of the treated structure. "In the research, design, testing, and production of AMX 5500 we took advantage of MarMac's 70+ years of experience in the industry to identify a real issue and provide a solution for the industry. Our customers came to us with this problem and Microban stepped up immediately to provide the best technologies and product to help," said Jamie Martin, President of MarMac's AIS division. "What made this product successful and what makes this partnership exciting is experience combined with the extraordinary capacities of Microban. Beyond that, MarMac and Microban are both committed to driving continuous improvement in building materials and delivering effective solutions." Microban-powered AMX 5500 is ideal for all construction environments and particularly important for products used in humid and challenging environmental conditions, such as sewer/sanitary infrastructure, where sulfide producing microbes commonly damage critical infrastructure. AMX 5500 is also effective in reducing aesthetically damaging stains from molds and mildews in a wide variety of commercial and residential concrete, from parking garages and commercial buildings to sidewalks, driveways, patios and pool decks. The product may be used in any new concrete structure requiring permanent product protection from bacterial growth and MICC, based on standard lab test method ASTM C1904-20. In fact, ASTM testing of the MarMac's Concrete Admixture AMX 5500 with Microban has shown that treated concrete retains 42.1% more strength compared to untreated concrete in controlled laboratory degradation testing. Independent and 3rd party testing also certified AMX 5500 to be effective in the inhibition of mold and mildew growth staining in and on concrete. Additionally, AMX 5500 is safe to use and has minimal potential environmental impact. "We were able to design a water-based, ultra-low VOC formulation, which when used properly is both safe and effective," states Dr. Timothy Boone, Director of Formulations at MarMac AIS. "This product reflects our commitment at AIS to take advantage of very new technologies to create safer and more effective chemistry products which help protect our world's infrastructure." The application of Microban for the building materials industry and the partnership with MarMac is a continuation of Microban's proven history of custom formulating for customer applications and criteria. "We're committed to helping manufacturers across multiple industry sectors improve their products through use of Microban antimicrobial technologies," said Michael Ruby, President of Microban. "We are proud to help power MarMac products for the residential, commercial pour-in-place, and precast concrete infrastructure markets in prolonging the functional life and aesthetic performance of concrete through AMX 5500. We look forward to expanding our partnership in the future to develop more cutting-edge solutions for downstream concrete customers." About MarMac Established in the heart of South Carolina in 1953, MarMac Manufacturing Company has developed a legacy of quality in the manufacturing of sealing solutions for infrastructure that stand the test of time. After consistently finding our pipe couplers and seals were far outlasting the pipes and structures to which they were applied, MarMac Applied Infrastructure Sciences (AIS) was born with the primary objective of extending the lifespan of the building materials our world's infrastructure is built upon. MarMac AIS is a chemical, engineering, and formulations research & development laboratory focused on producing cutting-edge polymeric coatings, concrete admixtures, and surface treatments for below-grade and above-grade structures. Visit marmac.com/ais/ to learn more. About Microban International Part of Barr Brands International, Microban International is home to the most trusted and well-known global brands in the antimicrobial, odor control and sanitization/disinfection markets: Microban and Ultra-Fresh. Our organization has experienced over 100 collective years of growth and has revolutionized the industry. As the global leader, our proactive systems keep products cleaner and control odors better by preventing problems before they start. Microban International drives innovation by combining science and creative solutions that enhance high-quality consumer, textile, industrial and medical products worldwide. Today, the Microban and Ultra-Fresh brands and our technologies are featured on thousands of products worldwide. The company is headquartered in North Carolina and operates in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit www.microban.com . SOURCE Microban International VIENNA, Va., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FSi Strategies, a Microsoft Solutions Partner and leading provider in managed and professional IT services, is excited to announce that Microsoft has released a case study highlighting the company's work with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ). ICFJ is a nonprofit professional organization that promotes and protects journalists across the world. Based in Washington, D.C., the group works with journalists in 95 countries who endure threats of violence and brave their way through war zones to provide coverage. In 2023, ICFJ began partnering with FSi to ensure that the data, devices, and identities of their staff members and the journalists they serve were protected from evolving cyberthreats. "Journalists are under attack, and new threats constantly evolve. We work alongside FSi to keep up to date and ensure our security structure keeps pace," said Chris Kauffman, Technology and Data Operations Manager at ICFJ. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner with designations for modern work and security, FSi has helped ICFJ leverage Microsoft's industry-leading technologies for a comprehensive approach to protecting journalists and staff. "The part we have played in protecting journalists across the world is small, but it is among the most important and meaningful work we have done. I couldn't be prouder of it. I cannot emphasize how critical ICFJ is, and I'm proud that FSi is their trusted partner," said Redha Morsli, CEO of FSi Strategies. FSi's partnership with ICFJ has helped protect journalists across the world at a time when they are facing unknown threats in an industry that is already dangerous. ICFJ's work has advanced independent journalism, even in places that are hostile to the press, and with added security, they can do their work more comfortably, bringing peace of mind to journalists and staff alike. FSi Strategies is proud to partner with Microsoft to help nonprofits across the United States. Read the full case study: https://customers.microsoft.com/en-us/story/1795897567810551344-icfj-microsoft-secure-score-nonprofit-en-united-states FSi Strategies is a customer-centric Microsoft Partner providing Managed IT and Professional Services with over two decades of experience. With Microsoft Solutions Partner designations for Modern Work and Security, we provide strategic enterprise-class solutions that modernize and secure your environment. We engage with your team to ensure you are strategically leveraging technology to do more with less. Learn more at www.fsistrategies.com. SOURCE FSi Strategies - MT-303 is Myeloid's second clinical in vivo mRNA CAR program; it incorporates proprietary next-generation mRNA innovations - - MT-303 programs immune cells directly in patients; the first time an in vivo CAR has been evaluated in HCC - CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Myeloid Therapeutics, Inc. ("Myeloid"), a clinical-stage immunology company advancing RNA therapeutics to conquer cancer, has dosed the first patient with MT-303 in a Phase 1 study for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MT-303 is Myeloid's second in vivo mRNA CAR program to enter the clinic from its pipeline of in vivo immune cell programming therapies. Dosing with MT-303 represents a significant milestone to bring advanced novel therapies to people with liver cancer. Dr. Matthew Maurer, Chief Medical Officer of Myeloid, commented, "We are thrilled to have swiftly advanced MT-303 into the clinic as the first in vivo CAR therapy applicable to the majority of liver cancers, and other cancers expressing GPC3. MT-303 can be administered like any other off-the-shelf intravenous therapy, without the need for pretreatment conditioning, and offers the potential to trigger a coordinated immune response against the cancer, reinforced and maintained with ongoing repeat dosing." GPC3 is a target of significant global interest given its high expression in HCC and limited expression in normal tissues. Unlike autologous cell therapies, Myeloid's approach focuses on in vivo programming of immune cells with off-the-shelf mRNA-encoded CAR technology that expresses selectively within myeloid cells. MT-303 arms myeloid cells with a proprietary chimeric antigen receptor that enables these cells to kill hepatocellular carcinoma and to engage an adaptive immune response against the tumor. This coordinated immune response is essential to foster a sustained immune surveillance and defense against tumor recurrence. Dr. Timothy Humphries, Linear Clinical Research, lead principal investigator on the MT-303 trial added, "Hepatocellular carcinoma is a highly lethal cancer with limited effective therapies. I am elated to bring the option and potential of MT-303, the first in vivo CAR therapy for this disease, to my patients with the hope of providing tolerable and durable clinical benefit." "The Myeloid team continues to push forward and revolutionize cancer treatment with the world's first clinical-stage in vivo mRNA CAR therapies," said Daniel Getts, Ph.D., CEO of Myeloid. "With multiple clinical trials ongoing that evaluate our therapeutic candidates, including MT-302, our novel TROP2-targeting mRNA CAR in dose escalation studies, and adding MT-303, we have a proven ability to translate cutting-edge mRNA CAR technology into clinical candidates. We are excited by the transformative potential of our in vivo immune cell programming for liver cancer patients." Dr. Getts continued, "Strategically, these clinical programs provide insights as we continue to expand our development portfolio to other targets, to other immune cell types, and to novel receptor combinations for our in vivo CAR approaches." Myeloid's in vivo programming candidates are designed with proprietary insights to deliver personalized therapy, providing benefits to patients while reducing time and costs through the elimination of ex vivo handling of patient cells and complex neoantigen sequencing. The Myeloid platform integrates validated antibody/antigen binding with novel combinations of myeloid signaling domains, coded within a simple mRNA that can be delivered repeatedly using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The platform's versatility provides a range of signaling domains and immune cell types useful for combination approaches. About Liver Cancer With limited treatment options, and over 850,000 new cases diagnosed globally each year, liver cancer has become the third leading cause of cancer death. After initial treatment success with small molecule therapies, the development of new treatment approaches in the field of liver cancer has been limited. Today, patients with liver cancer who are refractory to first line treatment are left with few treatment options, creating a substantial unmet medical need. Myeloid sees an opportunity to make a significant contribution to address this need, by providing a new CAR for these patients who are living with liver cancer. The CARs are capable of providing a coordinated and durable immune response to counter advanced disease. The CARs are combinable and will expand the treatment options for physicians. About the Phase 1 Study of MT-303 The MT-303 Phase 1 study (NCT06478693) is an open-label dose escalation study to investigate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary efficacy of MT-303 in adults with advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma that overexpresses GPC3. This study will also define the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of MT-303. About MT-303 MT-303 represents the first candidate in a new therapeutic modality targeting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This clinical candidate is a first-in-class, GPC3-FcA-LNP, with a strong preclinical profile supporting its advance into this first-in-human trial. GPC3 is overexpressed in most human hepatocellular carcinomas, with limited expression in corresponding normal tissues. Increased GPC3 expression has been linked to tumor growth. Treatment with MT-303 as a monotherapy demonstrates activity in a GPC3/HCC preclinical model, confirming the tumor-fighting potency of programmed myeloid cells even in the model's absence of T cells. MT-303 has demonstrated strong expression in myeloid cells and a favorable safety profile in rodents and non-human primates. Unlike other therapies, MT-303 brings the potential advantages of eliciting a full immune response by also presenting tumor neoantigen to stimulate T cells. MT-303 represents Myeloid's second in vivo CAR clinical program, building on the company's innovative approach to cancer treatment through immune cell programming. About Myeloid Therapeutics Myeloid Therapeutics is a clinical stage immunology company, engineering cutting-edge RNA technology to program immune cells to combat cancer and other deadly diseases. Myeloid is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For additional information, please visit, https://www.myeloidtx.com/ and follow us on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. For collaborative interests, write to [email protected]. Investor Contact Amy Conrad Juniper Point [email protected] SOURCE Myeloid Therapeutics, Inc. VICTOR, N.Y., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Pawnbrokers Association (NPA) today announced the winners of its annual Pawn Industry Awards. The awards recognize outstanding achievements on the part of NPA members and are presented to individuals and businesses that have significantly contributed to the industry. The winners of the 2024 Pawn Industry Awards are: July 23, 2024 - NPA Pawnbroker of the Year Recipient Lisa Little Poses On Stage During 2024 Pawn Industry Awards Ceremony Pawnbroker of the Year: Lisa Little , Fieldstone Jewelry & Pawn , Fieldstone Jewelry & Pawn Young Professional of the Year: Jeremy Powell, BJ Pawn Industry Partner of the Year: Dave Griffiths, AML Gurus State Association of the Year: Mississippi Pawnbrokers Association Outstanding Community Relations: Tommy Hunt , Tom's Pawn Central , Tom's Pawn Central Outstanding Pawn Image Award: Perry Lewin, Decatur Jewelry & Pawn The awards were presented during the annual NPA Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon on July 23 at Pawn Expo, the national convention and trade show for the pawn industry, hosted at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The convention was attended by hundreds of pawnbrokers from across the country and as far as New Zealand. "The NPA is honored to celebrate these outstanding pawnbrokers and businesses," NPA President Johnny Whiteside said. "They exemplify the nationwide commitment pawn professionals have to their customers and communities." Additionally, NPA Executive Director Kristen Williams remarked, "It's a privilege to lead such a passionate group of business owners dedicated to their communities. This year's award winners are an incredibly talented group." The NPA is comprised of the largest and most qualified network of pawn professionals in the world. The association has a dedicated Government Relations team that works to serve and support the industry year-round. "I encourage all pawnbrokers to explore the many benefits NPA has to offer," said Williams. Learn more about the NPA Pawn Industry Awards at NationalPawnbrokers.org/Pawn-Industry-Awards. Pawn Expo is scheduled to be held in Atlanta, GA July 21-24, 2025. Booth sales have begun and registration will begin in January 2025. About The National Pawnbrokers Association The National Pawnbrokers Association is a non-profit trade association that represents pawnbrokers nationwide. The NPA advocates for the pawn industry on legislative and regulatory issues, provides educational resources and professional development opportunities for its members, and promotes the positive contributions of pawnbrokers to their communities. For more information about the NPA, visit NationalPawnbrokers.org. Media Contact: Laura Wasileski Marketing and Media Director (817) 337-8830 Ext. 1003 [email protected] SOURCE National Pawnbrokers Association WASHINGTON, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Emily Wilkins, president of the National Press Club on the death of two Al Jazeera journalists, Ismail Al-Ghoul and his cameraman Rami Al Reifi following an airstrike today in Gaza. "Tragically two of Al Jazeera's journalists were killed today while working in the field in Northern Gaza. Ismail Al-Ghoul and cameraman Rami Al Reifi, were hit by what was believed to be an IDF airstrike. Both men had been working under very difficult conditions for months to bring the world important news out of Gaza. They worked through illness from lack of food and water and braved many dangers to keep reporting. Today the odds and an airstrike caught up with them. Their important and brave voices have now been silenced. Our hearts go out to their families and colleagues at Al Jazeera. Journalists are non-combatants in conflicts such as those in Gaza. All caution must be taken to keep them from being harmed as they do their important work. Mr. Al-Ghoul was on the air on Al Jazeera nearly every day. It was well known where he was, what he was doing and that he worked for Al Jazeera. While working, he wore a vest and helmet marked PRESS. More than one hundred Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since the Hamas attacks on Israel Oct. 7. Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members representing nearly every major journalism organization, the Club is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide. Contact: Bill McCarren, [email protected] for the National Press Club SOURCE National Press Club CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Smithsonian is coming to North Carolina! North Carolina Humanities is accepting applications from communities to participate in the 2025 - 2026 statewide tour of "Spark! Places of Innovation", a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution. Photo courtesy of My Meadville. New Smithsonian Institution exhibition coming to North Carolina. North Carolina Humanities is seeking six communities in North Carolina to host "Spark! Places of Innovation" during this traveling statewide tour, May 2025 - April 2026. Museums, libraries, community venues, and other eligible nonprofit organizations are invited to apply. Priority will be given to small-town and rural applicants. Applications are due September 26, 2024. Organizations that wish to apply should review North Carolina Humanities' website for full details. The story of human history is written in inventions and innovations. "Spark! Places of Innovation" explores the unique combination of places, people, and circumstances that sparks innovation and invention in rural communities. Inspired by an exhibition by the National Museum of American History, the exhibition features stories gathered from diverse communities across the nation. Visitors will be inspired to learn about how innovation has shaped their own communities and how they may be innovators themselves. Photographs, engaging interactives, objects, videos, and augmented reality bring a multilayered experience to reveal the leaders, challenges, successes, and future of innovation across the nation. North Carolina Humanities is holding free informational webinars where attendees will learn about the exhibition, the venue requirements, how to apply, and more. There will also be time to ask questions. The webinar dates are as follows: August 15 at 12 noon Register at 12 noon Register September 10 at 11:30 AM Register Selected host sites will receive the "Spark! Places of Innovation" exhibition for approximately six weeks, rent-free. They will also receive up to $5,000 in grant funding to support the design and implementation of public programs, events, companion exhibits, and resources that enhance the exhibition's themes. "Spark! Places of Innovation" is part of Museum on Main Street (MoMS), a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the nation, including North Carolina Humanities, and local host institutions. North Carolina Humanities has worked with SITES for nearly 15 years to bring MoMS exhibitions to North Carolina's small towns and rural communities. North Carolina Humanities' latest MoMS tour is "Voices & Votes: Democracy in America", which is currently touring throughout North Carolina in 2024 - 2025. Support for MoMS has been provided by the U.S. Congress. SOURCE North Carolina Humanities NEW YORK, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. (NYSE American: NHS) (the "Fund") has announced a distribution declaration of $0.0905 per share of common stock. The distribution announced today is payable on August 30, 2024, has a record date of August 15, 2024, and has an ex-date of August 15, 2024. Under its level distribution policy, the Fund anticipates that it will make regular monthly distributions, subject to market conditions, of $0.0905 per share of common stock, unless further action is taken to determine another amount. The Fund's ability to maintain its current distribution rate will depend on a number of factors, including the amount and stability of income received from its investments, the cost of leverage and the level of other Fund fees and expenses. There is no assurance that the Fund will always be able to pay a distribution of any particular amount or that a distribution will consist only of net investment income. Due to an effort to maintain a stable distribution amount, the distribution announced today, as well as future distributions, may consist of net investment income, net realized capital gains and return of capital. In compliance with Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, a notice would be provided for any distribution that does not consist solely of net investment income. The notice would be for informational purposes and not for tax reporting purposes, and would disclose, among other things, estimated portions of the distribution, if any, consisting of net investment income, capital gains and return of capital. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions paid in 2024 will be made after the end of the year. About Neuberger Berman Neuberger Berman is an employee-owned, private, independent investment manager founded in 1939 with over 2,800 employees in 26 countries. The firm manages $481 billion of equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate and hedge fund portfolios for global institutions, advisors and individuals. Neuberger Berman's investment philosophy is founded on active management, fundamental research and engaged ownership. The PRI identified the firm as part of the Leader's Group, a designation awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in environmental, social and governance practices. Neuberger Berman has been named by Pensions & Investments as the #1 or #2 Best Place to Work in Money Management for each of the last ten years (firms with more than 1,000 employees). Visit www.nb.com for more information. Data as of June 30, 2024. Statements made in this release that look forward in time involve risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets or a decline in the Fund's performance, a general downturn in the economy, competition from other closed end investment companies, changes in government policy or regulation, inability of the Fund's investment adviser to attract or retain key employees, inability of the Fund to implement its investment strategy, inability of the Fund to manage rapid expansion and unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations. Contact: Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC Investor Information (877) 461-1899 SOURCE Neuberger Berman White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin Celebrates the 200th Anniversary of Blair House and its History WASHINGTON, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The White House Historical Association released a new episode of The White House 1600 Sessions podcast today to honor the bicentennial of the building of Blair House featuring a conversation about the history of what has become known as Blair House: The President's Guest House and its importance to American diplomacy. Stewart McLaurin, president of the Association, speaks with the Honorable Capricia Marshall, former U.S. chief of protocol and vice chair of the Blair House 200th Anniversary Campaign, and Ambassador Stuart Holliday, former U.S. ambassador for special political affairs at the United Nations and trustee of the Blair House Foundation. McLaurin also takes a tour of the complex with Matthew Wendel, the assistant chief of protocol and general manager of Blair House. In this episode, McLaurin and his guests provide a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes at Blair House, which is closed to the public, and see the museum-quality collection, diplomatic spaces, and the principal suite where queens, presidents, and other dignitaries have stayed. Blair House is located mere steps from the White House. In the 1940s, the federal government purchased the private home and began transforming it into the president's guest house for visiting dignitaries. It's also become the place where the president-elect usually stays before every presidential inauguration, and a welcoming sanctuary for many of the grieving presidential families during a state funeral. Originally built in 1824 for Doctor Joseph Lovell, the first surgeon general of the U.S. Army, the Blair family purchased the property in 1837 when Francis Preston Blair became publisher and editor-in-chief of the pro-Andrew Jackson newspaper, The Washington Globe. Blair was an influential member of President Jackson's inner circle, and remained an informal adviser and confidante to Presidents Martin Van Buren and Abraham Lincoln, the latter of whom was a frequent visitor. As the city began to change, it would be Blair's grandson, Gist, who sought President Franklin Roosevelt's help in preserving the home. Blair House: The President's Guest House by William Seale is available at shop.whitehousehistory.org. The full video of this podcast episode is also available on the White House Historical Association's YouTube channel here. The White House 1600 Sessions podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. About the White House Historical Association The White House Historical Association was founded in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to support her vision to restore and preserve the Executive Mansion and its legacy for generations to come. Mrs. Kennedy sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that has contributed more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission. To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org. SOURCE The White House Historical Association Data on the test's performance to be presented at ADLM 2024 CHICAGO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at ADLM 2024 (formerly the AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo), researchers will present data on a novel test that predicts whether Alzheimer's patients are genetically predisposed to side effects from anti-amyloid drugs, a promising new class of Alzheimer's therapeutics. The test could improve outcomes for patients with Alzheimer's by helping to prevent instances of brain swelling or bleeding caused by these drugs. Just last year, the anti-amyloid drug lecanemab became the first medication ever to receive Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for slowing the progression of Alzheimer's. More anti-amyloid drugs have received FDA approval since then, offering much-needed hope to individuals with this condition. At the same time, however, concerns have been raised about the safety of these drugs, with the FDA warning that they can cause brain swelling and/or bleeding. This side effect is known as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), and while it's usually mild, in rare cases, it can lead to death. The risk of ARIA is elevated in those who have particular variants of the gene APOE, which is implicated in many forms of Alzheimer's. The FDA therefore also recommends that patients undergo genetic testing before taking anti-amyloid drugs. A team of researchers from the medical diagnostics company Revvity's Euroimmun has developed a new PCR-based test that determines if a patient has a high-risk combination of APOE variants (also known as a genotype). This method tests for all six possible APOE genotypes simultaneously, which allows for quicker processing by laboratories and ensures that patients receive results faster. To evaluate the test's performance, the researchers used it to analyze 100 blood samples from Alzheimer's patients and 10 samples from healthy blood donors. The researchers also analyzed the same samples using a CE-IVD-marked APOE test and a method known as bidirectional Sanger sequencing, then compared the results from all three methods. All the results agreed in 110 out of 110 cases, showing that the Revvity's Euroimmun test detects a patient's APOE genotype with 100% accuracy. "There's been a lot of progress with new [anti-amyloid] drugs approved by the FDA, and as a consequence, diagnostic assays need to be updated to be able to test for the consequences of these drugs," said Dr. Maite Sabalza, senior scientific affairs manager at Revvity's Euroimmun. "There is a need to screen patients before receiving treatment, and if they are [positive for a high-risk APOE genotype], doctors can discuss the possibility of stopping or monitoring the treatment or trying something different." The team at Revvity's Euroimmun is hopeful that their test will become part of the care Alzheimer's patients receive before taking these drugs. "We want to help these patients," Dr. Sabalza said. Session information ADLM 2024 registration is free for members of the media. Reporters can register online here: https://xpressreg.net/register/adlm0824/media/landing.asp Abstract B-236: New real-time PCR test for APOE genotyping in patients with Alzheimer's disease before anti-amyloid therapy will be presented during: Scientific poster session Wednesday, July 31 9:30 a.m. 5 p.m. (presenting authors in attendance from 1:30 2:30 p.m.) The session will take place in the Poster Hall on the Expo show floor of McCormick Place, Chicago. About ADLM 2024 ADLM 2024 (formerly the AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo) offers 5 days packed with opportunities to learn about exciting science from July 28-August 1 in Chicago. Plenary sessions will explore the projected consequences of ending abortion protection, new HIV prevention options, lymphoma biomarkers and therapeutic targets, pharmacogenetic testing in precision health, and the need for clinical trials of laboratory tests. At the ADLM 2024 Clinical Lab Expo, more than 900 exhibitors will fill the show floor of the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, with displays of the latest diagnostic technology, including but not limited to artificial intelligence, point-of-care, and automation. About the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) Dedicated to achieving better health through laboratory medicine, ADLM (formerly AACC) brings together more than 70,000 clinical laboratory professionals, physicians, research scientists, and business leaders from around the world focused on clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry, translational medicine, lab management, and other areas of progressing laboratory science. Since 1948, ADLM has worked to advance the common interests of the field, providing programs that advance scientific collaboration, knowledge, expertise, and innovation. For more information, visit www.myadlm.org. Christine DeLong ADLM Associate Director, Communications & PR (p) 202.835.8722 [email protected] Molly Polen ADLM Senior Director, Communications & PR (p) 202.420.7612 (c) 703.598.0472 [email protected] SOURCE Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) The expansion takes a more inclusive route, serving emerging and developing markets. SAN FRANCISCO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nium, the global leader in real-time cross-border payments, today announced the expansion of its local funding and collection capabilities to more than 40 countries and 15 currencies, with more to come. The move makes Nium one of the only providers to offer a network this wide. Customers can now access the broadest range of local currencies through wires and local payment rails, with an extensive selection of currencies tailored to meet the diverse needs of various markets, including developing and emerging economies. Businesses often face challenges with moving money across borders whether it is local businesses sending money abroad or global businesses collecting funds locally due to the limited availability of certain currencies and the need to optimize cash flow and liquidity. Nium's local currency account offering makes it faster and more cost-effective for businesses, digital platforms, and marketplaces to receive money in the desired country, either for their business or for their customers, without having to manage the complexity of setting up a local entity or opening and managing additional operating accounts. Through its global network of licenses, Nium offers local currency account details in more than 15 currencies, with newly added capabilities in Brazil, Denmark, Indonesia, the Philippines, Poland, and the UAE, with Mexico and New Zealand expected to follow shortly. These new markets join others including Australia, Canada, EEA, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, the UK, and the US. "Payments companies have underserved access to and from emerging markets, choosing to focus on the G20," said Alex Johnson, Chief Payments Officer at Nium. "However, to create a truly global enterprise, companies need to be able to access a wide network of markets where their buyers and sellers are domiciled. We now enable more businesses to receive in local currencies for global business needs, allowing them to be more competitive on a global scale. This breadth makes Nium the go-to choice for businesses looking to expand their global reach." This expansion is key for many of the industries Nium serves including marketplaces, payroll, and financial institutions. This opens the future ability for Nium's customers in emerging markets, including direct debit for collections from their customers, FX, split payments, local card settlement and much more. Today for example, a payroll customer in Singapore can use local account details in Singapore to fund their local Nium account in Singapore dollars and send funds to their global workforce. Nium customers can access these local account capabilities through existing APIs, making it easy for them to start quickly and scale at speed. Nium's local account details offer customers the convenience of: Reduced funding or collections overhead by eliminating the costs involved with cross-border wire transfers and lack of transparency in FX conversions Increased transaction speed by utilizing local real time payment rails like Instapay (PH), PIX (BR), SPEI (MX), and many more Eased payment reconciliation with real time transaction alerts along with transparent sender information Scaled global business without the overhead of setting up operations in certain emerging markets About Nium Nium, the global leader in real-time, cross-border payments, was founded on the mission to deliver the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the global economy, its payments infrastructure is shaping how banks, fintechs, and businesses everywhere collect, convert, and disburse funds instantly across borders. Its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans 220+ markets, 100 of which in real-time. Funds can be disbursed to accounts, wallets, and cards and collected locally in 35 markets. Nium's growing card issuance business is already available in 34 countries. Nium holds regulatory licences and authorisations in more than 40 countries, enabling seamless onboarding, rapid integration, and compliance independent of geography. The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2333904/Nium_Logo.jpg SOURCE Nium Revolutionary Multi-Purpose Terminal Will Seamlessly Connect Government Customers Across Viasat's Global Satellite Networks DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Orbit Communication Systems Ltd. (TASE: ORBI), a leading provider of airborne communication solutions, announced today a milestone collaboration with Viasat Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, for the engineering and supply of advanced satellite communication (SATCOM) Multi-Purpose Terminals (MPT) for airborne platforms. This work is expected to significantly enhance performance and access for Viasat customers across diverse satellite networks, simplifying connectivity management. MPT30(12'') - Multi-Purpose Terminal Airborne Stabilized VSAT System. Built to fulfill the anytime, anywhere coverage requirements of the military and government airborne satcom markets MPT46(18'') - Multi-Purpose Terminal Airborne Stabilized VSAT System. Built to fulfill the anytime, anywhere coverage requirements of the military and government airborne satcom markets When available, Orbit will introduce next-generation airborne SATCOM systems that will seamlessly integrate across Viasat's global Ka-band networks, which include the next-generation high-capacity ViaSat-3 network and the advanced Global Xpress (GX) network. These systems are designed to work with military Ka-band HCX steerable beams and are defined as WGS ready terminals. The innovative MPT systems consolidate network capabilities, allowing seamless switching for users. The agreement includes delivery of 12" / 30cm and 18" / 45cm airborne terminals for military and government use, utilizing dual polarization and supporting the entire 3.5 GHz of Ka-band frequencies for high-speed data transmission and robust connectivity in dynamic environments. These systems are designed to support multiple networks, including various types of Viasat satellites. This flexibility will help increase resilient connectivity for customers with a simple, multi-network terminal capability that supports military operational needs. Daniel Eschar, CEO of Orbit Communication Systems, stated, "We are immensely proud to be working with Viasat to supply the next generation of satellite communication systems, which will pave the way for connectivity with cutting-edge satellites boasting exceptional performance. This marks a significant achievement for our collaboration with Viasat, a major leader in the satellite services sector, serving military, government, and commercial clients. These systems will redefine airborne communication, ensuring seamless integration with advanced satellites." Steve Gizinski, Chief Technology Officer of Viasat Government, added, "We're excited by Orbit's technological capabilities and their continued collaboration in developing flexible terminals to support government needs. The terminals delivered through this effort will allow customers to access Viasat's expanded services and support demands for reliable and resilient connectivity worldwide." About MPT Multi Purpose Terminal The Multi-Purpose Terminals (MPT) terminals support the 'everywhere, all-the-time' coverage requirements of military airborne users. They also allow government users to roam between commercial Ka-band and Mil-Ka services. The terminals can be installed on a range of mission aircraft, rotary wing and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). They comply with industry standards, including MIL-STD-188-164C, RTCA DO-160G, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). They are compatible with military satellite systems, making them an ideal choice for government airborne Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance (ISR) applications. About Orbit Communication Systems: Orbit Communication Systems, a global leader in airborne and maritime communications, satellite tracking, and ground-station technology, revolutionizes global connectivity with cutting-edge solutions for the new space era. Our state-of-the-art systems are utilized on a wide range of platforms, including mission aircraft, trainers, rotary-wing aircraft, transport vessels, tankers, jet fighters and unmanned platforms. Our reach extends to naval vessels, armored land platforms, cruise ships, ground stations, and offshore platforms, ensuring comprehensive coverage across maritime and terrestrial domains. We provide innovative, cost-effective, and reliable solutions to commercial operators, major air forces, navies, space agencies, and emerging New Space companies. Orbit is publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and is under the control of the FIMI Investment Fund. Our global operations, encompassing production, marketing, sales, and customer service, extend across the US, Europe, and the Far East. Contact: Orbit Marketing Communications [email protected] +972 9 892 2777 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2472915/Orbit_Communication_1.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2472914/Orbit_Communication_2.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2324752/4838448/Orbit_Communication_Systems_Logo.jpg SOURCE Orbit Communication Systems Ltd LONDON, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Two of Europe's leading media organisations have increased their holdings in Alliance News, a London-based global provider of real-time financial news. PA Media Group, the parent company of the Press Association, the national news agency for the UK and Ireland, and German news agency, dpa (Deutsche Presse-Agentur), have increased their combined stake to just over 21% (10.68% each) from just under 8% (3.86% each). Both PA and dpa now will take seats on an expanded Alliance News board. Alliance News provides four distinct news services for financial professionals and retail investors. The Global 500 service reports on the 500 largest and most followed listed companies in the world, while the Italian, South Africa and UK services cover every company publicly traded in those three local markets, including small-cap stocks and investment trusts. Economic and market reporting of all major economies complement the detailed equities news coverage. Alliance News was formed in 2013 and has grown steadily since, with its global customer and coverage footprint continuing to expand. Tom Waite, founder, editor & chief executive of Alliance News, said: "Alliance News celebrated its 10th anniversary just over a year ago, which was a significant milestone for us. This new investment is another important moment. It is great to see dpa and PA stepping up their ownership of the company and involvement in our future direction at this crucial stage in our development. We are increasingly working with dpa and its other portfolio companies, including dpa-AFX and AWP, on expanding our global news coverage. With PA, we are contributing news to the PA Mediapoint platform for PR and communications professionals, and recently we started to partner with PA's social media specialist agency Hydrogen on custom-publishing projects." Emily Shelley, Chief Executive of PA Media Group, said: "The news agenda will continue to be dominated by business and financial developments as companies in the UK, Europe and elsewhere navigate this period of political and economic change. Alliance News is well positioned to provide the coverage that decision makers rely on and shares PA's values of timely and accurate journalism." Peter Kropsch, Chief Executive Officer of dpa, said: "We have been shareholders in Alliance News since 2017 and are very satisfied. The company has developed excellently since then. It harmonizes perfectly with the portfolio of our financial news agency operations in Germany and Switzerland. We look forward to supporting Alliance News and its management team even more in the development of new markets and products through our expanded involvement." About Alliance News Alliance News was founded in 2013, and its UK service quickly became known for its independent, fast and accurate coverage of every company listed in London, combined with the most relevant global economic and political news for investors. In 2017, Alliance News launched its Italian Service, providing the same universal news coverage in Italian language of all Milan-listed companies. This was followed by the South Africa Service in 2018 and the Global 500 service in 2019. Alliance News is available via a wide range of leading market-data vendors, content-aggregation platforms, and investor-information websites in the US, UK, Italy and elsewhere. For more information about Alliance News, visit www.alliancenews.com. About PA Media Group PA Media Group comprises a diverse portfolio of specialist media companies, spanning news & information, technology and communications services. Its flagship brand, PA Media, is the UK and Ireland's national news agency. Alongside PA Media, the Group is also the parent company of Alamy, a stock imagery business; Globelynx, a broadcast technology company; Sticky, a digital marketing agency; Hydrogen, a social media agency; StreamAMG, a video streaming business; PA TV Metadata, PA Mediapoint, PA Media Academy and PA Betting Services and iRace, specialist providers of data, content and related services to the betting sector. PA Media Group also owns stakes in the financial news provider, Alliance News, and automotive content business Baize Group. PA Media Group has 20 shareholders, who are mainly UK news and media businesses. The largest shareholders include DMGT plc, Informa plc, News UK plc and Reach plc. http://www.pamediagroup.com About dpa The German Press Agency dpa is owned by more than 170 media companies. It is a trusted, accurate and independent provider of news with the digital and multimedia content to power the media at home and abroad. Our customers benefit from the extensive global network of correspondents and editors maintained by Germany's leading news wire. News gathering is completely free of outside influence which in turn guarantees that coverage lives up to the strict requirements of the dpa charter: This document lays down that reporting must be free of bias and unfettered by political, economic or governmental ideologies. Print media, radio stations, online and mobile communication providers in more than 100 countries rely on this journalistic excellence around-the-clock. Among dpa clients are parliaments, governmental and non-governmental organisations as well as businesses and public relations agencies. They all derive news content from the wide range of products and services provided by the dpa group of companies. www.dpa.com. SOURCE Alliance News DALLAS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PREVO LLC -- PREVO, a new streaming platform revolutionizing the indie film distribution model, launches today, July 31st, 2024. Available on the web, iOS, and Android, PREVO showcases a curated selection of independent and festival-quality student films, series, and documentaries. Founded by Ryder S. McNeal, a recent graduate of Southern Methodist University, PREVO fills the need for indie distribution options beyond the festival circuit. With a curated selection of films and series from emerging talent, PREVO allows indie enthusiasts and industry professionals to discover and support rising filmmakers. PREVO is launching with a curated catalogue of independent and student films, most of which have completed successful festival runs or are currently doing so. With the goal of adding approximately 20 new films or series weekly, PREVO will continue to grow its library and offer fresh content consistently. PREVO's web platform introduces an innovative voting feature, allowing subscribers to vote for their favorite films across five categories. This feature is intended to engage audiences and reward filmmakers. "We want our subscribers to be a part of the community and inform the content we showcase," explains McNeal. Although any filmmaker can submit their films or series to PREVO for free, only some will be chosen. Utilizing this voting feature, the company is hosting the PREVO Summer 2024 Film Awards, the winner of which will be awarded $5,000. This is just the first of many such planned events. In this spirit, the company intends to finance new films from its most promising filmmakers in the future. As part of its goal to connect with talent, PREVO has built strong relationships with film schools and festivals and looks to further solidify these relationships post-launch. In September, PREVO is hosting its first live event, a weekend of live-streamed sessions with filmmakers, film school faculty, and industry professionals. It will include Q&As, workshops, and other opportunities for the PREVO community to learn from each other. For $5.99 a month or $59.99 a year, indie enthusiasts can subscribe to PREVO and access its curated library. This subscription structure allows PREVO to never charge submission fees to its treasured filmmakers. Learn more about PREVO by visiting www.prevostreaming.com now. Join the PREVO community and support independent film today. Contact: Ryder S. McNeal Founder, PREVO [email protected] (502) 415-3280 SOURCE PREVO DENVER, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD)'s fashion department is excited to host their annual fashion showcase 'Ineffable' on Friday, August 16, 2024 at 7 p.m. MST (doors open at 6 p.m. MST) at City Park Pavilion. Ineffable means something too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words or something that surpasses the ability of language to express it. The event will showcase ensembles designed and created by students in the fashion department and senior collections. It is open to the public with an open bar and DJ, tickets can be purchased here . "Our students have drawn from their personal experiences to interpret the ineffable themes in their work," shares Shannon Major, Assistant Professor of Fashion Design. "Each look tells a deeper story, expressing the struggles and triumphs of the human experience. The show will feature conceptual designs, streetwear, and ready-to-wear pieces. We hope the Denver community can join us to celebrate our students' achievements during this night to remember!" About RMCAD Founded in 1963, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is an accredited institution of higher education that offers degree programs focused on the arts, design, education, technology, and business. RMCAD serves its students from a 23-acre campus in Lakewood, Colorado, but also virtually, as a leader in online education for more than a decade. RMCAD offers courses taught by practicing industry professionals; an intimate learning environment; multimedia-rich online classes; and a beautiful historic campus. The school strives to allow artists and designers to find their voice, discover their own paths, and thrive as professionals. Contact: Stephanie Carlo [email protected] RMCAD Fashion Department SOURCE Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design The Parker Family Has Committed to a Total Donation of Over $4 Million to the Local Hospital Over the Past 5 Years JONESBORO, Ark., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lynn and Don Parker, the largest franchisees of RNR Tire Express (RNR), the nation's leading franchise retailer for tires and custom wheels, recently donated $2 million to the Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH). This comes on the heels of their $1 million dollar donation back in 2019 and a commitment to another $1 million future donation, bringing their total donation over the last five years to $4 million. The Parker family presented Arkansas Children's Hospital with a donation check for $2 million. The donations made by the Parkers and their three daughters, Clara, Anna and Sydney, will be used as part of the hospital's $318 million expansion project. "My wife and I have worked hard and been blessed in life, and we both believe it is important to give back to the community," said Don. "We have experienced first-hand the benefits of the philanthropic giveback to the hospital, so being able to provide that same support to kids and their families is an opportunity we are grateful to have." Lynn, who grew up in Parkin, Arkansas, has been involved with ACH for the last 34 years. She began as a member on the auxiliary team checking out books to patients and families while she was in law school in Little Rock. After moving to Jonesboro in 1995, Lynn quickly found her way back to ACH through Circle of Friends, and she has since served on the board of the Arkansas Children's Foundation since 2019. "My time with the ACH has been so special, and I have met amazing people along the way," Lynn added. "Throughout the last 34 years, it has been incredible to see the foundation grow across the state. For us, it is not about what you do, but why you do it, and for us that is the kids - to make it easier for them during their time in the hospital." In addition to the expansion of the hospital, the donation will be used to increase bed capacity, transform inpatient and outpatient surgical approaches with the addition of an ambulatory center, redesign clinical spaces to promote multidisciplinary care, and create and inviting and accessible campus experience. "The Parkers are the epitome of what the RNR brand stands for," said Larry Sutton, Founder of RNR Tire Express. "They represent their community and brand at an exceptional level. We are proud to have them as part of the RNR family." Since opening their first RNR location in 2005 as part of Rental Concepts, the Parkers have expanded to 32 stores across seven states, including 12 in Arkansas. Along with David Harrison, President of Rental Concepts, the Parker's driving force behind their desire to give back is their decision to set aside a portion of the profits from Rental Concepts each month for a charity of their choice. For more information regarding RNR Tire Express and its franchise opportunities, please visit www.RNRfranchise.com . About RNR Tire Express: RNR Tire Express is a national franchise retailer of quality tires and custom wheels known for their customer-centric, flexible lease-to-own payment options. Established in 2000 by rent-to-own veteran Larry Sutton, RNR has grown to over 197 locations in 29 states. The brand ranked No. 206 in Franchise Times' Top 400 list for 2023 and was recognized by Inc. magazine as one of America's fastest-growing private companies. Most recently, RNR ranked No. 170 in Entrepreneur magazine's 2023 Franchise 500 ranking and #1 in the Tires and Wheels category. RNR Tire Express is seeking qualified multi-unit franchisees to help expand the franchise into prime markets throughout the country. MEDIA CONTACT: Seth Goodman, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] SOURCE RNR Tire Express PORTLAND, Ore. , July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Safety Signs Market by Type (Steel, Plastic, Aluminum, Fiberglass, and Others) and Applications (Industrial, Commercial, and Residential): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2032". According to the report, the safety signs market was valued at $2.5 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $3.8 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5% from 2024 to 2032. The global safety signs market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as development of connected infrastructure and integration of small signs with intelligent transportation systems. However, high system costs and exposure to adverse weather hinder market growth. Moreover, growing demand for digital signage offers remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the global market. Request Sample of the Report on Safety Signs Market Forecast 2032: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A124805 Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2022 $2.5 billion Market Size in 2032 $3.8 billion CAGR 5 % No. of Pages in Report 333 Segments Covered Material, End User, and Region. Drivers Development of Connected Infrastructure Integration of Small Signs with Intelligent Transportation Systems Opportunities Growing Demand for Digital Signage Restraint High System Costs and Exposure to Adverse Weather Conditions Request For The Customization: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/A124805 Segment Highlights The polymer segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period By material, the polymer safety signs play a critical role in ensuring the well-being of workers and visitors by alerting them to potential hazards associated with polymer production or handling. These signs are strategically placed throughout the facility to effectively communicate safety information. Chemical hazard signs are prominently displayed to indicate the presence of hazardous chemicals used in polymer production. These signs often feature symbols or pictograms representing the type of hazard, such as flammability or corrosiveness, along with appropriate safety precautions. Fire safety signs provide crucial information on fire exits, fire extinguisher locations, and emergency procedures in case of a fire. Moreover, suppliers are also focusing on using recyclable materials to produce these signs. For example, ZING Green Safety Products, a manufacturer of environmentally friendly compliance products, focuses on the use of recyclable materials. All products manufactured by the company are made from recycled or rapidly renewable materials. Hence, such factors will fuel the market expansion during the forecast period. The Industrial segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period By end user, the adoption of digital and smart signage solutions, which offer real-time updates and enhanced visibility. Increasing regulatory standards and the focus on occupational safety are driving demand for high-visibility and photoluminescent signs. Also, the integration of safety signs with other safety systems, like alarms and sensors is driving the industrial application in the safety signs market. Region-wise, the North America safety sign market is developed and well-established, especially in the U.S. Agencies such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforce strict safety regulations and standards throughout the region. Several industries, including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and transportation, are the main drives of the market in North America. Thus, the market penetration of safety signs is on the rise in the region. Leading market players are working together with other companies to keep one step ahead of the competition. To increase the variety of products they offer, many businesses are also investing in the introduction of new products. Another significant strategy used by players to expand their product lines is mergers and acquisitions. Smart signs?are being incorporated into safety signs to improve their functionality. The Internet of Things (IoT) provides real-time monitoring of sign conditions, including visibility, battery levels, and maintenance requirements, through sensors and connectivity. By integrating them, safety sign management becomes more efficient and timely repairs or replacements are guaranteed. To Talk With Our Industry Expert @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A124805 Key Players Accuform Manufacturing Brady Rubbermaid Commercial Products PVC Safety Signs Northern Safety Company Misumi Big Beam Emergency Systems Ecoglo International Brimar Industries Compliance SignsEMD The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global safety signs market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. Report Review The safety signs market is experiencing several key trends driven by technological advancements, regulatory changes, and increasing awareness of workplace safety. One prominent trend is the integration of digital and smart safety signs. These signs use LED displays and IoT connectivity to provide real-time updates and interactive alerts, enhancing their effectiveness in dynamic environments. Another trend is the growing emphasis on regulatory compliance, with stricter safety standards and regulations prompting businesses to invest in high-quality safety signage to avoid legal penalties and ensure worker safety?. In addition, the market is witnessing a rise in customization and personalization of safety signs to meet specific organizational needs and branding. This includes tailored messages, company logos, and color schemes that align with corporate identity while maintaining safety compliance. Environmental sustainability is also influencing the market, with an increasing demand for eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient lighting options in safety signs. This shift is driven by both regulatory requirements and corporate social responsibility initiatives?. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of automation and advanced manufacturing processes is enabling the production of more durable and cost-effective safety signs. This is particularly important in industries with harsh environmental conditions, where durability and visibility are critical. Lastly, the rising awareness of safety in emerging markets is contributing to market growth, as businesses in these regions invest more in comprehensive safety solutions to protect workers and comply with international standards. Browse More Trending Reports Smart Mobility Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Element, Solution and Technology : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027 Automotive Suspension Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Component, by Vehicle Type, by Geometry, by Suspension Type, by System : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Vehicle Type, by Technology, by Range : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Cargo Shipping Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Cargo Type, by Ship Type, by Industry Type : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2031 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 [email protected] Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com AMR Resource Center: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/resource-center Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $100,000 In Scotts To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you suffered losses exceeding $100,000 in Scotts between June 2, 2021, and August 1, 2023 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). You may also click here for additional information: www.faruqilaw.com/SMG. NEW YORK, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company ("Scotts" or the "Company") (NYSE: SMG) and reminds investors of the August 5, 2024 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi Logo (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP) Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com. As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) Scotts had an oversupply of inventory that far exceeded consumer demand prior to the start of the Class Period; (2) Defendants engaged in a channel-stuffing scheme to saturate the Company's sales channel with more product than those retailers could sell through to consumers; (3) Scotts was only able to satisfy its debt covenants through its channel-stuffing scheme; and (4) as a result of the above, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. The Class Period begins on June 2, 2021. After the close of the markets on June 1, 2021, Scotts issued a press release announcing it had "increased sales and earnings guidance for fiscal 2021 based on the continued strength of both its U.S. Consumer and Hawthorne segments" and that the Company now expected "company-wide sales growth of 17 to 19 percent. " The following day, during the William Blair & Company 41st Annual Growth Stock Conference on June 2, 2021, CFO Miller provided additional commentary on the increased guidance and reiterated that, despite prior seasonality issues, "we're still raising our guidance . . . on sales in both the U.S. Consumer business and Hawthorne." CFO Miller then explained that the Company "now expect[s] growth of 7% to 9% in the U. S. Consumer business versus a previous guidance range of 4% to 6%." For Hawthorne, CFO Miller highlighted that Scotts "now expect[s] growth of 40% to 45% versus a previous range of 30% to 40%." The truth began to emerge on June 8, 2022, when Scotts admitted that replenishment orders from its U.S. retailers were more than $300 million below target in the month of May alone. The Company told investors that 2022 full-year earnings would be roughly half of its prior guidance. The Company also announced plans to take on additional debt to cover restructuring charges as it attempted to cut costs. In response to these disclosures, the price of Scotts common stock declined by $9.05 per share, or nearly 9%, from a closing price of $102.18 per share on June 7, 2022, to a closing price of $93.13 per share on June 8, 2022. On August 2, 2023, Scotts revealed that quarterly sales for its fiscal third quarter had declined by 6%, and that gross margins fell by 420 basis points. The Company also slashed fiscal year EBITDA guidance by a staggering 25% and announced a $20 million write down of "pandemic driven excess inventories." The Company also disclosed that it had to modify its debt covenants to 7.00 times debt-to-EBITDA ratio, from the former ratio of 6.25 times debt-to-EBITDA ratio. These disclosures caused the price of Scotts common stock to decline by $13.58 per share, or 19%, from a closing price of $71.44 per share on August 1, 2023, to a closing price of $57.86 per share on August 2, 2023. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Scotts' conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the Scotts class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/SMG or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $100,000 In Toyota To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you purchased or acquired securities in Toyota between June 25, 2022 and June 2, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). You may also click here for additional information: www.faruqilaw.com/TM. NEW YORK, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Toyota Motor Corporation ("Toyota" or the "Company") (NYSE: TM) and reminds investors of the August 23, 2024 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi Logo (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP) Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com. As detailed below, this Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts, about the Company's business and operations. Specifically, Defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Toyota understated its malfeasance relating to certification of its cars and issues relating to overall legal compliance; and (2) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. On June 3, 2024, The New York Times published an article entitled "Toyota and Other Japanese Carmakers Say They Mishandled Safety Tests." This article stated, in pertinent part, that "Toyota [. . .] and other top Japanese automakers said on Monday that internal investigations found they had mishandled vehicle testing on dozens of models over the past decade." Further, "Toyota said it had failed to gather proper data when doing pedestrian and occupant safety tests for three models, including its popular Yaris Cross sport utility vehicle." On this news, Toyota's American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") fell $5.34 per ADS, or 2.45%, to close at $212.17 per ADS on June 3, 2024. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Toyota's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the Toyota class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/TM or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Trading Symbols: TSX/NYSE AMERICAN: SVM TSXV: ADZN /OTCQX: ADVZF VANCOUVER, BC and TORONTO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Silvercorp Metals Inc. ("Silvercorp") (TSX: SVM) (NYSE American: SVM) and Adventus Mining Corporation ("Adventus") (TSXV: ADZN) (OTCQX: ADVZF) are pleased to announce, further to the news releases of Silvercorp and Adventus dated April 26, 2024 and July 31, 2024, the completion of Silvercorp's previously announced acquisition of all of the outstanding common shares of Adventus ("Adventus Shares") effective as of 12:01 a.m. (the "Effective Time") today by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "Arrangement"). Under the terms of the Arrangement, each former shareholder of Adventus, other than Silvercorp, is entitled to receive 0.1015 of one Silvercorp common share (a "Silvercorp Share") for each Adventus Share (the "Exchange Ratio"). All outstanding Adventus stock options and warrants are now exercisable for Silvercorp Shares, with the number of Silvercorp Shares issuable on exercise and the exercise price adjusted in accordance with the Exchange Ratio. All outstanding Adventus restricted share units vested as of the Effective Time and have been settled in cash, funded by Silvercorp through Adventus. With the Arrangement now complete, Adventus intends to cause the Adventus Shares to be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange as soon as reasonably practicable following the closing of the Arrangement. In connection therewith, Adventus intends to submit an application to the applicable securities regulators to cease to be a reporting issuer and to terminate its public reporting obligations. Adventus' President and CEO, Christian Kargl-Simard, and Frances Kwong, CFO and Corporate Secretary, have agreed to stay on in consultancy roles for a transition period post-closing. Further details regarding the Arrangement are set out in Adventus' management information circular dated May 21, 2024 which is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Adventus' issuer profile. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release For further information Silvercorp Metals Inc. Lon Shaver President Phone: (604) 669-9397 Toll Free 1(888) 224-1881 Email: [email protected] Website: www.Silvercorp.ca CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER - FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to, among other things, statements with respect to the delisting of the Adventus Shares and Adventus applying to cease to be a reporting issuer. Forward-looking information may in some cases be identified by words such as "will", "anticipates", "expects", "intends" and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. We caution that all forward-looking information is inherently subject to change and uncertainty and that actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Without limiting the foregoing, the Project and its prospects could be materially affected by the Appeal or subsequent developments in the litigation concerning the Project. Accordingly, we warn investors to exercise caution when considering statements containing forward-looking information and that it would be unreasonable to rely on such statements as creating legal rights regarding our future results or plans. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking information will materialize and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represent expectations as of the date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. However, we are under no obligation (and we expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter any statements containing forward-looking information, the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. All of the forward-looking information in this news release is qualified by the cautionary statements herein. A comprehensive discussion of other risks that impact Silvercorp and Adventus can also be found in their public reports and filings which are available under their respective profiles at www.sedarplus.ca. SOURCE Silvercorp Metals Inc SMITHFIELD, Va., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Smithfield Foods has completed its purchase of a premier dry sausage production facility in Nashville, Tennessee, from Cargill. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The transaction fuels Smithfield's strategy of continued growth in the value-added packaged meats segment, adding dry sausage production capacity of 50 million pounds per year. Production from the Nashville facility will support Smithfield's existing portfolio of dry sausage brands including Margherita, Carando and Armour. Smithfield is poised to continue to expand our packaged meats business in the rapidly growing dry sausage category. Post this "With the added capacity from this facility, Smithfield is poised to continue to expand our packaged meats business in the rapidly growing dry sausage category," said Steve France, president of packaged meats for Smithfield Foods. "We are pleased to welcome the employees at Nashville to the Smithfield team and look forward to continuing to serve the facility's existing customers." Smithfield has made formal offers of employment to all employees at the Nashville facility for the same positions they previously held, with a benefits package that includes comprehensive medical coverage, a free-tuition program and other benefits. About Smithfield Foods, Inc. Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is a U.S. food company that employs more than 54,000 people in seven countries and partners with thousands of American farmers. As one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies, we are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly." to feed a growing world population. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to food banks, disaster relief efforts and community outreach programs in all 50 U.S. states. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield, Eckrich, Gwaltney and Nathan's Famous, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Threads. SOURCE Smithfield Foods, Inc. Laman Ismayilova The partnership between Azerbaijan and China is poised for further growth and development. The two countries have laid a solid foundation for long-term collaboration in various fields. Over the past years, the cultural relations between Azerbaijan and China have seen significant growth, as evidenced by the meeting between the culture ministers of both countries to discuss prospects of cooperation. Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has received Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China (PRC), head of the China's National Cultural Heritage Administration Li Chun, who was on a visit to Azerbaijan at the invitation of the ministry, Azernews reports. The Chinese delegation, which included Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan Ding Tao, head of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage Li Liusan and other officials, was also presented at the meeting. During the meeting, Adil Karimli hailed the strong ties between Azerbaijan and China, highlighting the broad and promising cooperation between the two countries based on mutual interest and trust, thanks to the political will of their leaders. In his speech, the Azerbaijani Culture Minister also mentioned the significance of the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China" (PRC). "The Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China" (PRC), adopted during the meeting of President Ilham Aliyev with Chinese President Xi Jinping within the framework of the Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in Astana this July, opened a new page in the relations between the two countries," he said. The Minister Li Chun expressed graditude for the warm welcome and emphasized the elevation of relations between the countries to a strategic partnership level. The Chinese Minister also provided information about the Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (ACHA), said that the alliance is implementing 15 programs in various areas. Li Chun stressed the importance of the representation of the Azerbaijani side in the specialized structures of ACHA and proposed Azerbaijan to host the IV conference of the alliance. He pointed out that the project related to the study of underwater heritage in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea can be implemented by ACHA, which has extensive experience in the field of underwater heritage studies. Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China (PRC) also expressed interest in studying Azerbaijan's experience in the field of digital monitoring of cultural heritage. Noting that cultural cooperation occupies a special place in the relations, which are expanding every year, Adil Karimli brought to attention that Azerbaijan is interested in further developing ties in various fields of culture. He noted that his visit to China in September 2023 made a deep impression on him and emphasized the importance of the meetings held there for future cooperation. The sides exchanged views on the development of roadmaps and draft memorandums on cultural cooperation. The relevant draft memorandums were submitted by China to the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry. Li Chun added that it would be good to sign memorandums in Beijing next year that will contribute to the development of cooperation between the countries. China's National Cultural Heritage Administration Li Chun also said that they would like to see an Azerbaijani gallery in China's famous cultural complex 798 Art Zone. It was brought to the attention that Azerbaijan will host the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) on November 11-22, where issues of culture in the context of climate change will be raised as well. The conference will also highlight the role of culture in environmental protection. Adil Karimli outlined that the participation of the Chinese side in this prestigious event will be of great importance. The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of interest to the parties. In conclusion, gifts were presented and commemorative photos were taken. Smokeball AI streamlines workflows from lead intake to billing to help boost law firm efficiency CHICAGO, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Smokeball, the industry-leading AI-powered legal practice management platform, proudly announces the launch of Smokeball AI, a suite of embedded AI solutions boosting its existing productivity powerhouse. The new suite includes Archie, an AI-powered matter assistant designed to transform the daily workflows and lives of lawyers at small and medium-sized law firms. According to Smokeball's 2024 State of Law report, 1 in 2 law firms believe AI will revolutionize the legal profession, and an overwhelming 90% want to explore its benefits further. Smokeball AI helps firms securely adopt AI and embrace its benefits. "We're at an inflection point as many lawyers are actively investigating what artificial intelligence can do for their profession. Our client testing has seen the highest participation rate in our company's history, demonstrating the level of interest in AI," said Hunter Steele, CEO & co-founder of Smokeball. "When combined with Smokeball's automation and integration, our AI will boost clients' productivity and client service, giving them distinct business advantages." Smokeball's solution already gives users access to documents, email and critical matter information in one secure system with best-in-class automation and integrations. Smokeball AI enhances existing platform functionalities, including Intake and Smokeball's secure client messaging feature, Communicate, to further streamline data collection and management so lawyers can focus more on clients. Intake helps lawyers build intake forms in moments from existing manual documents for efficient information gathering. helps lawyers build intake forms in moments from existing manual documents for efficient information gathering. Communicate provides an instant summary of correspondence with clients and between staff, so lawyers can get up to speed with any case in seconds. Archie is the hero of Smokeball AI and is available now. This revolutionary AI-powered matter assistant enhances matter productivity by answering queries and drafting correspondence and legal documents in real time. For example, Archie can draft an email response to a document from the other party highlighting specific challenges or scenarios. "Archie will be a powerful asset for my firm. Being able to query a matter, quickly get a summary and produce first drafts of documents and legal correspondence all directly from within Smokeball dramatically simplifies document creation and client engagement," said Brandon Harter, founder of Lancaster Tech Law. Through deep integration and access to matter data, lawyers can receive instant answers to matter questions, draft correspondence quickly and produce matter summaries in moments. This integration within a firm's existing workflows means no third-party platforms, giving lawyers peace of mind about the crucial security they need. Archie works out of the box with access to all existing matter information and documents within a single solution. Smokeball continues to innovate and will release even more enhancements to the Smokeball AI suite, including its AutoTime and analytics functionality. Users can also look forward to further growth and power within Archie, which is set to revolutionize the way legal firms work. To learn more about Smokeball AI and how it can help your law firm, please visit https://www.smokeball.com/smokeball-ai. About Smokeball Smokeball is your partner to drive your law firm into the future. As the industry's leading AI powered legal practice management platform, Smokeball empowers you to run your best firm specific to your area of law. Our platform gives you all the insights and tools you need to work smarter, not harder: automatic time tracking and invoicing, streamlined workflows for your specific practice area, a library of over 20,000 standard legal forms and documents, and actionable reports. Smokeball is a member benefit of over 20 US bar associations. Learn how to run your best firm at smokeball.com. Media Contact Patrick Murphy PANBlast for Smokeball [email protected] SOURCE Smokeball ONTARIO, Calif., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ontario International Airport (ONT) continues its unprecedented growth with today's announcement by Avelo Airlines of exclusive nonstop service to Sonoma County and Northern California's wine country. The new service to and from the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) will begin October 10, twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays. Sonoma County is home to more than 425 wineries, towering redwoods, 55 miles of rugged Pacific coastline and small towns that comprise one of California's most popular vacation spots. Avelo Airlines will begin twice-a-week service between Ontario International Airport and Sonoma County in October. "We are thrilled to add Avelo Airlines to our family of air carriers as we continue to provide exciting new destinations and travel options for the millions of Southern Californians who have made ONT their airport of choice. We are confident that the new nonstop service between Ontario and the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport will be a hit with air travelers and look forward to building on our relationship with Avelo," said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority. Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said, "We are thrilled to announce our new nonstop service from Ontario to the Bay Area/Sonoma County, offering travelers a convenient, reliable, and affordable way to one of the most beautiful and vibrant regions in Northern California. We look forward to inspiring travel to Sonoma County and Southern California this fall." "It's fantastic to see Avelo connect Sonoma County with Ontario," said STS Airport Manager Jon Stout. "This new route will bring a new level of convenience for our local residents and our neighbors in the Inland Empire." ONT is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States and is on track to exceed 7 million passengers this year. In June, ONT welcomed more than 650,000 passengers, the most in a single month since the airport's return to local ownership in 2016. Elkadi noted that more than 16 million annual passengers start or end their trips in ONT's primary service area. "With our world-class facilities, great amenities and unparalleled customer experiences, we are proud to connect the world to one of the most dynamic population and economic centers in the country," Elkadi said. About Ontario International Airport Ontario International Airport (ONT) is California's most popular airport, according to J.D. Power's most recent North America Airport Satisfaction Study. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport which offers nonstop commercial jet service to two dozen major airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central America and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA leaders include Ontario City Council Member Alan D. Wapner (President), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Vice President), Ontario City Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Treasurer) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner). OIAA Media Contact: Steve Lambert (909) 841-7527 [email protected] SOURCE Ontario International Airport MANILA, Philippines, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Startek, a global provider of customer experience (CX) solutions, announced that Startek Philippines was awarded The Philippines Best Employer Brand Award 2024 by the Employer Branding Institute. This esteemed recognition underscores the company's unwavering commitment to exceptional people practices and its dedication to delivering a consistently positive employee experience. The Employer Branding Institute is a virtual organization connecting senior HR leaders from 36 countries to share best practices in the areas of Employer Branding, Talent Management, Talent Development and Talent Innovation. The selection process involved a rigorous assessment by an independent jury. Key criteria included aligning HR initiatives with the company's strategic vision, integrating HR strategy with business transformation, cultivating future competencies, talent management and development, innovative recruitment strategies, employee engagement, benefits and recognition programs, promoting diversity and inclusion, empowering women, fostering a healthy work environment and demonstrating strong corporate social responsibility. Startek Global Chief People Officer SM Gupta said, "We are deeply honored to receive The Philippines Best Employer Brand Award for 2024. This recognition truly belongs to our incredible employees who bring their best selves to work every day. They are at the heart of everything we do and this award reinforces our commitment to creating a positive, inclusive and empowering environment where everyone can thrive and grow." This prestigious award is a significant milestone for Startek Philippines, reflecting the company's strategic HR initiatives and dedication to cultivating a workplace that supports and empowers its employees. Startek remains committed to continuous improvement in its people practices, ensuring the well-being and professional growth of its workforce. About Startek For more than 35 years, Startek has delivered customer experience (CX) excellence for the world's leading brands. Spread across 12 countries, our 38,000 associates create memorable, personalized experiences in both voice and non-voice channels. Our clients span from Fortune 500s to fast-growing startups in a diverse range of industries including cable, media and telecom; travel and hospitality; retail and e-commerce, and banking and financial services. To learn more visit www.startek.com and follow us on LinkedIn. About Employer Branding Institute The Employer Branding Institute is a virtual organization that connects senior HR leaders across 36 countries to share best practices in Employer Branding, Talent Management, Talent Development, and Talent Innovation. The Institute recognizes organizations that excel in these areas through its esteemed awards program. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2222919/4299556/Startek_Logo.jpg SOURCE Startek ST PETERSBURG, Fla., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stoneweg U.S., LLC ("Stoneweg US"), a multifamily real estate investment and asset management firm, is excited to unveil the 2023 Varia US Annual ESG Report (the "2023 ESG Report"), a landmark publication highlighting the company's significant yearlong advancements in ESG practices. As the trusted asset manager for the Varia US Properties AG, a Swiss publicly traded multifamily real estate fund (SIX Swiss Exchange ticker: VARN) (Varia US) portfolio, Stoneweg US has been instrumental in steering and enhancing Varia US' sustainable practices while delivering exceptional results. This best-in-class report positions Stoneweg US as a leader in multifamily sustainability, setting a new benchmark for the industry and demonstrating the substantial value these initiatives bring to investors. The 2023 ESG report demonstrates that thoughtful, data-driven strategies can generate substantial value and reduce risks Post this Stoneweg US is excited to unveil the 2023 Varia US Annual ESG Report. The best-in-class report demonstrates the firm's leadership in multifamily sustainability, setting a new benchmark for the industry and demonstrating the substantial value these initiatives bring to investors. Patrick Richard, CEO of Stoneweg US, commented: "Our 2023 ESG Report is an educational milestone, providing full transparency on our sustainability efforts and future targets. It not only provides practical solutions and answers to the questions our investors and partners have but also sets a new benchmark in the industry. We are proud to lead the way in ESG, demonstrating that thoughtful, data-driven strategies can generate substantial value and reduce risks." With this years report, Stoneweg US unmatched data collection has reached new heights. Comprehensive environmental performance metrics for electricity, gas, water consumption, and waste production are now available for the majority of properties owned by Varia US. It is Stoneweg US largest managed portfolio, primarily consisting of workforce housing, serving middle-income American individuals and families who rent. This industry-leading data collection aided in the construction of the report highlighting the following: Setting New Goals: With 2023 established as the baseline year, Varia US has set Science Based Targets and committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050. With 2023 established as the baseline year, Varia US has set Science Based Targets and committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050. Inaugural Carbon Footprint Analysis: The 2023 ESG Report features the first comprehensive Carbon Footprint Analysis, covering all major scope three emissions categories of the multifamily apartment communities owned by Varia US and managed by Stoneweg US. The 2023 ESG Report features the first comprehensive Carbon Footprint Analysis, covering all major scope three emissions categories of the multifamily apartment communities owned by Varia US and managed by Stoneweg US. Emissions Reduction Plan: Stoneweg US also developed a robust Emissions Reduction Plan for the future of the Varia US portfolio, reflecting its proactive approach to managing climate-related risks. Stoneweg US also developed a robust Emissions Reduction Plan for the future of the Varia US portfolio, reflecting its proactive approach to managing climate-related risks. Increasing Benchmarks: The 2023 ESG Report highlights the second submission to GRESB, showing a 33% year-over-year increase, scoring 83 points and a 4-star rating, underscoring the company's dedication to continuous improvement. The 2023 ESG Report highlights the second submission to GRESB, showing a 33% year-over-year increase, scoring 83 points and a 4-star rating, underscoring the company's dedication to continuous improvement. Continued Certifications: On behalf of Varia US, Stoneweg US achieved four (4) Green Globes and 21 ENERGY STAR Performance Certifications, furthering the commitment to energy efficiency and sustainable building practices. On behalf of Varia US, Stoneweg US achieved four (4) Green Globes and 21 ENERGY STAR Performance Certifications, furthering the commitment to energy efficiency and sustainable building practices. Tenant and Employee Engagement: Stoneweg US' enhanced tenant and employee engagement, including conducting satisfaction surveys among residents and employees, helped gather valuable feedback. This allows the company to continually refine its practices and enhance stakeholder experiences. Thomas Stanchak, Managing Director of Sustainability at Stoneweg US, added: "This report is a landmark achievement for Stoneweg US and Varia US. Our comprehensive approach to data collection and analysis is unparalleled in the US multifamily sector, setting a high standard for the industry. Our ability to test and use the latest available technology helps us push the limits of what we can do. We remain dedicated to integrating ESG considerations into all aspects of our business, continually enhancing the value we provide to our investors." The complete 2023 AnnualESG Report is available for download on the Stoneweg US website at www.stoneweg.us/policies-and-reports/. For more detailed information, including data, case studies, articles, and more about Stoneweg US, please visit www.stoneweg.us About Stoneweg U.S., LLC: Stoneweg US is a multifamily real estate investment firm located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, FL, with a portfolio valuation of approximately $2 billion comprised of ~11,000 units. Focusing on asset optimization through ESG, climate resilience, and proven value-add strategies, the company invests in and develops sustainable communities to drive healthy returns and enhance the resident experience. For more information on Stoneweg US, please visit www.stoneweg.us. Contact: Tara Kassal Ascent 917-406-2162 [email protected] SOURCE Stoneweg US, LLC Storj is one of the first distributed cloud storage providers to attain this validation, enabling a new level of global durability while eliminating the cost of multi-region storage ATLANTA, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Storj today announces their distributed cloud object storage has achieved Veeam Ready-Object status, verifying that Veeam users can leverage Storj distributed cloud object storage as an S3 object store target. Veeam Software is the #1 leader by market share in Data Resilience. Storj and Veeam allow organizations to improve their security posture with comprehensive data protection while improving recovery objectives, sustainability objectives, and lowering cloud storage costs. This milestone affirms confidence in Storj's distributed cloud object storage for Veeam Cloud Tier implementations. Colby Winegar, Storj Chief Revenue Officer, said, "Veeam's mission is radical resilienceto help every company not just bounce back from an outage or data loss, but to bounce forward. Storj enables organizations to leverage Veeam for backup and recovery with cost-effective, high-performance and environmentally sustainable storage." "Storj is one of the first distributed cloud object storage providers recognized with Veeam Ready-Object status, achieved through our rigorous testing and analysis protocol," said Andreas Neufert, Vice President of Product Management, Alliances at Veeam. "We're proud to congratulate Storj on this achievement and to continue our partnership with Storj to achieve Veeam's mission of empowering data resilience." Storj has outstanding durability thanks to its decentralized architecture where every file is encrypted, redundantly sharded, and distributed across tens of thousands of storage nodes. No entity has access to any customer data, and data recovery is not reliant on any specific storage locations. So, multi-region replication is not needed for resilience. Veeam Backup & Replication is included as part of Veeam Data Platform. This comprehensive platform provides data security, data recovery, and data freedom to back up and use data from anywhere without platform or cloud lock-in. This single solution provides secure backup with instant recovery from cyberthreats, helping keep regulatory compliance goals, while reducing risk for all company data either on premises or in the cloud. Advantages of using Veeam with Storj are: No downtime: instant recovery from anywhere in the world and protection from cyber threats and unplanned outages Durability: Automatic replication and global distribution, eliminating need for multi-region storage, which eliminates extra cost for risk mitigation Fast, secure backup: automated workload backup and discovery across cloud, virtual, physical, and NAS. Fast image-based backups leverage VMs, hardware and OS snapshots Lightning-fast data recovery for any scenario: instant recovery of OSs, applications, databases, VMs, files, folders, objects and shares. Storj also utilizes parallelism for consistently fast downloads globally Flexibility: software-defined and hardwareagnostic solution for ultimate flexibility Carbon avoidance: choosing Storj avoids 83% of carbon emissions from cloud storage Josh Herr, Director of IT, Geiger Ready Mix said, "We were already using Veeam for backups and when evaluating options in response to the need to scale-up, we chose Storj cloud object storage with TrueNAS and Veeam to protect our data from ransomware and other vulnerabilities. I initially leaned towards an AWS S3 bucket and Glacier, but I learned Storj is much easier and cost-efficient. The integration was seamless. Now we have total peace of mind thanks to a robust and sustainable solution. And, we're positioned to scale fast without the cost and expense of replication that we dealt with before." Storj and Veeam allow organizations to improve their security posture with comprehensive data protection while improving recovery objectives, sustainability objectives, and lowering cloud storage costs. About Storj Storj is redefining the cloud to advance the future of datasustainably and economically. Storj leverages the vast global supply of underutilized resources to deliver services with better security, durability and performance. Experience up to 90% lower costs and carbon reduction with Storj. Follow Storj on LinkedIn, X and Instagram. Press Contact: Jackie Lucas Vice President, Global Communications [email protected] 978-255-1159 SOURCE Storj SB 3649 Bans Employer Intimidation, Infringement Upon Workers' Personal Beliefs SPRINGFIELD, Ill., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters are celebrating after the union-backed SB 3649, Illinois Worker Freedom of Speech Act, passed into law today. The legislation bans mandatory attendance at captive audience meetings, which are employer-sponsored presentations filled with anti-union propaganda designed to discourage organizing efforts. "This victory happened because of a grassroots lobbying campaign by and for rank-and-file union members in our state, and the Teamsters were the frontline of that battle," said Thomas W. Stiede, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25. "Illinois workers will no longer be forced to choose between jeopardizing their livelihoods or sitting through the toxic intimidation and outright lies that employers subject them to during captive audience meetings. Our success here demonstrates that even in the face of corporate interests who want to crush the middle class, working families can triumph by standing together in solidarity. We'd like to thank the elected officials in state government who stood with us in this fight." SB 3649 was authored by State Senator Robert Peters (D Chicago) and sponsored by Majority Leader Marcus C. Evans, Jr. in the Illinois House of Representatives. Nationwide, Teamsters are pushing for state legislatures to ban mandatory captive audience meetings. Connecticut, Oregon, Maine, Minnesota, and New York have already adopted legislation banning them. Teamsters Joint Council 25 represents more than 100,000 workers at 25 local union affiliates in Chicago, Illinois, and Northwest Indiana. For more information, visit teamstersjc25.com. Contact: Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Joint Council 25 Abacus named as Finalist for Air Conditioning and Home Repairs in BEST Of the BEST in Houston 2024 HOUSTON, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical, is part of the illustrious group of winners named by the Houston Chronicle's Best of the Best 2024, celebrating the best of the best in Houston, as voted by Houstonians. After weeks of record-breaking voting numbers, the Houston Chronicle published its annual special section featuring the best Houston has to offer across 169 unique categories. Honored at the official awards ceremony on July 18th and included in the list is Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning, and Electrical as the best plumber in Houston for 2024 and as a finalist in the categories of Houston's Best Heating and A/C Service and Houston's Best Home Contractor/Repair/Remodeling. Abacus Plumbing Pictured: Dixie Williford, Contact Center Director, Mike Myers, Director of Marketing, Tony Patino, President "We are honored to be a valued part of the Houston home improvement ecosystem, and even more thrilled to be recognized as "Best of the Best". We do not take lightly that this is driven by voting from the community throughout the Bayou City," says Tony Patino of Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electrical. "Abacus was built upon the pillars of honesty, integrity, teamwork, and respect which we embody in each and every completed job that members of the Abacus team have the pleasure of fulfilling." "Our extraordinary employees wake up early, every day, to do a tough job, taking care of customers, and taking care of their families. Of course, our customers are an equally important part of the success of Abacus. Without our customers who count on us, we wouldn't be where we are todayone of Houston's top home service companies," said Mike Myers, Director of Marketing at Abacus Plumbing. Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical has been serving the Houston area since 2003. Abacus has ingratiated itself into the Houston community's local non-profits by donating charitable dollars to a different organization every month through Abacus Plumbing's Count on Us to Care Program, which was started to support the Houston community. The program was named after the Abacus brand promise of "You Can Count on Us", which describes Abacus Plumbing's commitment to offering reliability, professionalism, and integrity in their plumbing and HVAC business. "We are only as strong as the communities we serve and that we take very seriously," concludes Patino. About Abacus Plumbing For more than two decades, Abacus Plumbing, a Wrench Group Company, has served generations of Texans as one of the leading home services providers in the state, offering plumbing services, air conditioning and heating, electrical services, drain and sewer, and water treatment. Founded in 2003, Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical is a full-service residential contractor with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Abacus is licensed, insured and offers 24/7 emergency service. License Numbers: ALAN O'NEILL M-20628 | TACLB82488E | TECL 39119 Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning, and Electrical 4001 Kendrick Plaza Drive Houston, TX, 77032 713-766-3605 About Wrench Group, LLC Wrench Group is a national leader operating in 25 markets across 14 states. The locations provide home repair, replacement and maintenance services specializing in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing, water, electrical and related services. The company collectively serves more than 2.0 million customers annually with more than 6,800 team members in the Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Fort Myers-Naples, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville-St. Augustine, Los Angeles-Palm Springs, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco Bay Area, Sarasota, southern Maryland, Tampa Bay, and Tucson metropolitan areas. Media Contact: Mike Myers 281-883-2855 [email protected] SOURCE Abacus Plumbing ARLINGTON, Va., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lukens Company (TLC), a premier full-service marketing agency specializing in direct response, donor development, and fundraising services for nonprofits, cultural institutions, advocacy groups, and faith-based organizations, has merged with Phoenix Innovate, a dynamic leader of innovative marketing solutions. Phoenix Innovate Founded in 1986 and based in Arlington, Virginia, TLC brings its teams of award-winning professionals renowned for their data-driven omnichannel campaigns. Walter Lukens, CEO of TLC, reflected on the company's milestone: "When I started TLC 38 years ago, I never imagined the impact we'd have in helping our clients make the world a better place. This merger opens up incredible opportunities for our team and first-class resources for our clients while preserving our signature boutique touch." Phoenix Innovate's remarkable growth will be further bolstered by this new chapter. The combined entity will leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance efficiencies, expand advanced data insights, and broaden hyper-personalization capabilities, all underpinned by Phoenix Innovate's HITRUST certification for the highest level of data protection. "TLC's deep industry knowledge, client-centric culture, and innovative solutions make it the ideal partner to provide unparalleled service to our clients," said Kirk Vercnocke, CEO of Phoenix Innovate. "By combining our strengths, we are uniquely positioned to deliver transformative and sustainable marketing solutions that drive greater client ROI." At the heart of this merger is a shared vision and set of values that guide both companies. TLC and Phoenix Innovate are united by their dedication to fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, where the well-being of employees and success of clients are paramount. This alignment ensures that the merged entity will build on that foundation with the common goal of delivering exceptional results that drive impactful change for its clients. "We are thrilled to join forces with Phoenix Innovate," added Seth Colton, President & Managing Partner at TLC, who will continue to head TLC's operations. "Our shared people-first approach and dedication to client success make this a natural fit. Phoenix Innovate's ability to adapt commercial insights for nonprofits in real-time allows us to push the boundaries and redefine nonprofit marketing." The merger between TLC and Phoenix Innovate is effective immediately, heralding a new era of innovative, client-focused marketing solutions for nonprofits. ABOUT PHOENIX INNOVATE Founded in 1987, Phoenix Innovate's (PI) research-driven, data-led custom marketing, automation and distribution technology solutions focus on understanding our client's audiences and creating results that are transformative and sustainable. Phoenix Innovate's immersive approach harnesses a powerful combination of research, data, technology, strategy and creative vision that is called Authentic Marketing. For more information, visit phoenixinnovate.com. ABOUT THE LUKENS COMPANY The Lukens Company (TLC) is an award-winning full-service marketing agency that provides expert direct response, donor development, and fundraising services to nonprofits, cultural institutions, advocacy groups, and faith-based organizations. Since our founding in 1986, our passionate team of creatives have partnered with cause-oriented organizations seeking innovative, data-driven strategies to achieve bold goals that change the world for the better. Our 35+ years of experience across a diverse client base enables us to deliver unique, compelling multichannel campaigns that captivate audiences and yield transformative results all while being delivered with an unparalleled commitment to our clients' missions. For more information, visit thelukenscompany.com. MEDIA CONTACT Jennifer Swartz Director of Marketing [email protected] SOURCE The Lukens Company As a result, Wilson's historic and groundbreaking career at the University of Pennsylvania will transition as he spearheads new entities PHILADELPHIA, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, James Wilson, MD, PhD, director of the Gene Therapy Program ("GTP"), Rose H. Weiss Professor and Director of the Orphan Disease Center, and professor in the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania ("Penn"), announced that he will be founding two new companies formed in part from a transition of Penn GTP functions to the new companies. This transition is driven by the desire to ensure that the many groundbreaking discoveries made at GTP over 30 years are translated into effective treatments that will be accessible to all patients globally. As a result of this transition, Dr. Wilson will be stepping down as Director of the Gene Therapy Program, to dedicate his full attention to these new and promising entities. "Forming these two new entities is the next step to accelerate the future of gene therapy" Post this GEMMA Biotherapeutics ("GEMMABio"), a new therapeutics company, will serve as the research and innovation arm to speed the research of and global access to life-changing advanced therapies for those living with rare diseases. Franklin Biolabs, a new genetic medicines contract research organization (CRO), will be the services and production arm, providing comprehensive solutions from discovery to development and distribution for the global genetic medicines industry. While operated independently, GEMMABio and Franklin Biolabs will both conduct their global work from the greater Philadelphia area with an international network extending to the UK, Brazil, South Korea and more. Funding for GEMMABio is coming from a syndicate of several investors and investment groups, while funding for Franklin Biolabs is coming from one investor. "Forming these two new entities is the next step to accelerate the future of gene therapy and deliver therapeutics to patients significantly faster," said Dr. Wilson, who will serve as CEO of GEMMABio and Chairman of Franklin Biolabs. "I have deep appreciation for my colleagues at GTP whose critical contributions to advancing the science have gotten us to this exciting day, and will continue to be essential as we embark on the next chapter for gene therapy." Dr. Wilson added: "I am also extremely grateful to the University of Pennsylvania for its unwavering support throughout my career, and particularly in this latest endeavor which will assure that those most in need around the world will be able to access transformative genetic medicines." Having started his work in gene therapy nearly 40 years ago, Dr. Wilson was recruited to Penn in 1993 and created the first and largest academic-based program in gene therapy. His laboratory discovered a family of viruses from primates called adeno-associated viruses (AAV) that could be engineered to be very effective gene transfer vehicles. These "vectors" have become the technology platform of choice and have set the stage for the recent resurgence of the field of gene therapy. Dr. Wilson has also been active in facilitating the clinical and commercial development of these new gene therapy platforms through the establishment of eight biotechnology companies. His research has been focused on rare inherited diseases, ranging from cystic fibrosis to dyslipidemias to a variety of neurologic disorders and liver metabolic diseases, and on addressing these unmet needs for patients in marginalized populations. To date, his team's accomplishments include 3 FDA-approved AAV-based gene therapies, 40+ active programs in development, 95 patents on gene therapy-related technologies, and first-in-patient studies in 15 different diseases. "Patients with rare and orphan diseases and their families, who are often desperate for help have always been Jim's priority and motivation, and the Orphan Disease Center has grown to be a world-class organization under his leadership," said George Weiss, Founding Donor of the Orphan Disease Center of the University of Pennsylvania. "I have been proud to support the life-changing work that Dr. Wilson and his team of experts have conducted at Penn. It is incredibly impressive that he worked collaboratively with many parties to find a creative, patient-focused solution to amplify the impact and reach of the Gene Therapy Program going forward." The majority of the GTP's current employees will be offered positions at one of the two companies, and the companies plan to hire additional roles in the next 18+ months. Contact: Kristen Love [email protected] SOURCE GEMMA Biotherapeutics and Franklin Biolabs LEMONT, Ill., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in IT (CMD-IT) honors Dr. Chad Jenkins, University of Michigan Professor of Robotics, as the 2024 recipient of the Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award for Scientific Scholarship, Civic Science, and Diversifying Computing. The awards ceremony will take place during the CMD-IT/ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference, held in San Diego, California, Sept. 18-20, 2024. Last year, more than 2,000 attendees, including students from more than 250 colleges and universities, attended the conference. Dr. Chad Jenkins, Phd. Each year, the Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award for Scientific Scholarship, Civic Science, and Diversifying Computing is presented to a distinguished computational scientist, computer scientist, or computer engineer who is making significant contributions to computing and civic areas, including teaching, mentoring, advising, and building and serving diverse communities. The award winner represents extraordinary leadership in computing scholarship and CMD-IT's mission to increase the participation of underrepresented communities in computing. "We are proud to honor Dr. Chad Jenkins, the University of Michigan Professor of Robotics, as this year's recipient of the prestigious Tapia Award," said Dr. Valerie Taylor, CEO and President CMD-IT. "The recognition is a testament to his outstanding contributions to the field of robotics, in particular computational reasoning and perception, and his exemplary work with mentoring students and professional from underrepresented communities in computing." "I am deeply honored and grateful to be recognized with the 2024 Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award for Scientific Scholarship, Civic Science and Diversifying Computing. I have been incredibly fortunate to stand on the shoulders of giants across the Tapia community," said Chad Jenkins. "The commitment to both excellence and equity at Tapia has provided a guiding light for how to be a trailblazer, mentor, mentee, and catalyst for positive impact," Jenkins adds. "Joining the distinguished group of Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award honorees is a crowning accomplishment in my career. I look forward to our continued work together as a community to extend and expand the ladder of opportunity for future generations." Chad Jenkins is a Professor of Robotics and a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan. His work aims to discover methods for computational reasoning and perception that will enable robots to effectively assist people in common human environments. Professor Jenkins' research pertains primarily to robot learning from demonstration, semantic perception, and mobile manipulation towards enabling the usability of technology by people in real situations. Professor Jenkins is currently serving as the Vice President for Educational Activities for the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society. Professor Jenkins was the founding Program Chair of the Robotics Major Degree Program launched in 2022 for undergraduates at the University of Michigan. He was a founding Editor-in-Chief for the ACM Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction, serving from 2016 to 2024. Professor Jenkins served on the Computing Community Consortium from 2019 to 2022. Recently, he was elected Member-At-Large for the Association of Computing Machinery. As a member of the Computing Research Association's Committee on Widening Participation in Computing Research (CRA-WP), he helped found The Skip Ellis Early Career Award in honor of Professor Clarence "Skip" Ellis, the first American Black person to earn a doctorate in computer science. Professor Jenkins is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI). He is a Senior Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He is an alumnus of the Defense Science Study Group (2018-19). About the CMD-IT/ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference The CMD-IT/ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference (TAPIA Conference) is the premier annual event to acknowledge, promote, and celebrate diversity in computing. Each year, the conference brings together undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, researchers, and professionals in computing from all backgrounds and ethnicities to celebrate the diversity that exists in computing and tech. The annual conference presents an opportunity to connect with others and to create communities that extend beyond the event. For more information about the Tapia Conference, please visit the CMD-IT/ACM Tapia Conference website at http://www.tapiaconference.org Media Contacts: Mitch Dowell Marketing Director The Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in IT (CMD-IT) [email protected] SOURCE CMD-IT PARIS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Valiantys, a global leader in IT consulting with Atlassian, announces the acquisition of Contegix, a prominent innovator in Atlassian solutions for teams across various industries, including both private and Federal sectors. This strategic acquisition enhances Valiantys' presence and leadership in North America, particularly in the US Federal sector and in Canada, where Contegix is a leading Atlassian partner. Strategic acquisition strengthens Valiantys Atlassian market leadership in North America, and addresses security and compliance needs of the Federal Sector (PRNewsfoto/Valiantys) Contegix has a rich 20-year history in the Atlassian ecosystem and was a pioneer in implementing the original Atlassian Cloud in 2002. The company has notable expertise in the US Federal sector under its Ascend Integrated Federal division, bringing a wealth of capabilities and a highly skilled engineering team to Valiantys. The firm offers a secure platform addressing US legal and regulatory compliance requirements, specifically HIPAA, FedRAMP, and DISA compliance. The acquisition will strengthen Valiantys' position as the leading solutions partner of the Atlassian ecosystem, offering significant growth opportunities in North America, and doubling the market opportunity for Valiantys. It also offers the potential for Valiantys to expand its Federal service offering in other geographies, including Europe and Asia-Pacific. The acquisition brings several additional key benefits, including: Enhanced capabilities Customers in North America , especially those with regulatory and security blockers to transitioning to Cloud, will benefit from Contegix's secure managed platform. Contegix's expertise in DevSecOps [1] and handling highly sensitive information will enhance Valiantys' offerings and complement its DevOps and full stack application development teams. The combination of these teams will also help connect customers' IT infrastructures and operations, helping them to become secure, digital-first enterprises. Customers in , especially those with regulatory and security blockers to transitioning to Cloud, will benefit from Contegix's secure managed platform. Contegix's expertise in DevSecOps and handling highly sensitive information will enhance Valiantys' offerings and complement its DevOps and full stack application development teams. The combination of these teams will also help connect customers' IT infrastructures and operations, helping them to become secure, digital-first enterprises. Value-added service offerings Contegix's additional offerings centered around the Federal sector (including FedRAMP, Government Solutions, and TrustStack) will be pivotal in addressing the needs of the regulated market. The strategic impact of this acquisition will enhance Valiantys' capabilities and improve the customer experience for key segments, including Federal, healthcare, life sciences, and financial services. By integrating Contegix's expertise, Valiantys will offer more differentiated and compliant solutions, catering to the unique needs of these industries. Contegix's additional offerings centered around the Federal sector (including FedRAMP, Government Solutions, and TrustStack) will be pivotal in addressing the needs of the regulated market. The strategic impact of this acquisition will enhance Valiantys' capabilities and improve the customer experience for key segments, including Federal, healthcare, life sciences, and financial services. By integrating Contegix's expertise, Valiantys will offer more differentiated and compliant solutions, catering to the unique needs of these industries. Solidified ecosystem - The acquisition of Contegix strategically strengthens Valiantys and the Atlassian ecosystem, positioning Valiantys as a leader in secure Atlassian solutions and FedRAMP migrations for Federal clients. Key benefits include an enhanced capacity to provide critical support, meet compliance requirements, and enable scalable modernization. - The acquisition of Contegix strategically strengthens Valiantys and the Atlassian ecosystem, positioning Valiantys as a leader in secure Atlassian solutions and FedRAMP migrations for Federal clients. Key benefits include an enhanced capacity to provide critical support, meet compliance requirements, and enable scalable modernization. Strengthened market position Leveraging Contegix's leadership in the North American Federal sector and its longstanding relationship with Atlassian, Valiantys is poised to reinforce its market leadership and expand its customer base in North America . Leveraging Contegix's leadership in the North American Federal sector and its longstanding relationship with Atlassian, Valiantys is poised to reinforce its market leadership and expand its customer base in . Innovative solutions Valiantys has been a leader in encouraging the adoption of Atlassian Forge, the app development platform, further empowering Atlassian's Marketplace app vendors. With the acquisition of Contegix, Valiantys will expand its ability to help customers solve complex problems using Forge. Michael McNeil, Chief Executive Officer of North America at Valiantys, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Contegix to the Valiantys family. Their secure managed platform and expertise in the Federal space perfectly align with our strategic vision. This acquisition not only strengthens our capabilities but also allows us to better serve our customers. Together, we believe we can drive strong value and growth in the North American Market." Brad Hokamp, Chief Executive Officer of Contegix, added: "The combination of Valiantys and Contegix will bring great value to the North American market, offering the most comprehensive capabilities in both the Atlassian ecosystem and the DevSecOps industry. I want to thank our private equity sponsor, Strattam Capital, for their tremendous support in enabling Contegix's success, and I expect even greater accomplishments in the next chapter of the business under Valiantys." Philippe Crochet, Managing Partner at Keensight Capital, concluded: "The acquisition of Contegix marks a significant moment in Valiantys' development, particularly by opening up the North American regulated market. We look forward to continuing to support the company through this next period of growth." This acquisition will be made possible by the investment and operational support of: Keensight Capital, one of the leading private equity managers dedicated to pan-European Growth Buyout investments, and Valiantys' majority shareholder; Tercera, a growth equity firm specializing in cloud professional services. Closing is subject to customary closing conditions. About Valiantys Valiantys is a leading global consulting and services firm dedicated to Atlassian. The company accelerates business transformation by digitizing processes and modernizing teamwork, using the best agile methods and tools. Its Atlassian technical expertise is unparalleled and Valiantys supports its customers across the entire spectrum of projects on those platforms. As a recognized Agile at Scale, ITSM, and Cloud Specialized Partner, Valiantys help organizations accelerate time to value with Agile at scale, cloud, and ITSM implementations. Because teamwork requires more than just tools, the firm bridges the gap between applications and strategic practices such as SAFe and ITIL. Over the last 15 years, Valiantys has helped more than 5,000 customers achieve their desired business outcomes at a reduced time to value, through improved team collaboration. www.valiantys.com About Contegix Contegix is an Atlassian Platinum Solution Partner, serving the U.S. public sector and commercial businesses for a variety of Atlassian needs. As a FedRAMP authorized cloud provider entirely managed and maintained by U.S. citizens, we provide professional services ranging from application engineering to process transformation. With expertise in Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and the rest of the Atlassian toolset, our Atlassian certified experts help large enterprises and public sector organizations maximize their investments in these collaborative tools. About Keensight Capital Keensight Capital ("Keensight"), one of the leading European Growth Buyout firms, is committed to supporting entrepreneurs as they implement their growth strategies. For over 20 years, Keensight Capital's team of seasoned professionals has leveraged their knowledge of investment and growth industries to invest for the long term in profitable companies with high growth potential and revenues in the range of 10 million to 400 million. Drawing on its expertise in the Technology and Healthcare sectors, Keensight identifies the best investment opportunities in Europe and works closely with management teams to develop and achieve their strategic vision. Keensight Capital's success has also earned it a Gold Award from the Private Equity Exchange & Awards each year for the last seven consecutive years, and in particular, the Best European Growth Private Equity Fund. www.keensight.com [1] DevSecOps is short for development, security and operations. It is an application development practice that automates the integration of security and security practices at every phase of the software development lifecycle, from initial design through integration, testing, delivery and deployment. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2471949/Valiantys.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1980997/Valiantys_Logo.jpg SOURCE Valiantys PARIS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Valiantys, a global leader in IT consulting with Atlassian, announces the acquisition of Contegix, a prominent innovator in Atlassian solutions for teams across various industries, including both private and Federal sectors. This strategic acquisition enhances Valiantys' presence and leadership in North America, particularly in the US Federal sector and in Canada, where Contegix is a leading Atlassian partner. Strategic acquisition strengthens Valiantys Atlassian market leadership in North America, and addresses security and compliance needs of the Federal Sector Contegix has a rich 20-year history in the Atlassian ecosystem and was a pioneer in implementing the original Atlassian Cloud in 2002. The company has notable expertise in the US Federal sector under its Ascend Integrated Federal division, bringing a wealth of capabilities and a highly skilled engineering team to Valiantys. The firm offers a secure platform addressing US legal and regulatory compliance requirements, specifically HIPAA, FedRAMP, and DISA compliance. The acquisition will strengthen Valiantys' position as the leading solutions partner of the Atlassian ecosystem, offering significant growth opportunities in North America, and doubling the market opportunity for Valiantys. It also offers the potential for Valiantys to expand its Federal service offering in other geographies, including Europe and Asia-Pacific. The acquisition brings several additional key benefits, including: Enhanced capabilities Customers in North America , especially those with regulatory and security blockers to transitioning to Cloud, will benefit from Contegix's secure managed platform. Contegix's expertise in DevSecOps [1] and handling highly sensitive information will enhance Valiantys' offerings and complement its DevOps and full stack application development teams. The combination of these teams will also help connect customers' IT infrastructures and operations, helping them to become secure, digital-first enterprises. Customers in , especially those with regulatory and security blockers to transitioning to Cloud, will benefit from Contegix's secure managed platform. Contegix's expertise in DevSecOps and handling highly sensitive information will enhance Valiantys' offerings and complement its DevOps and full stack application development teams. The combination of these teams will also help connect customers' IT infrastructures and operations, helping them to become secure, digital-first enterprises. Value-added service offerings Contegix's additional offerings centered around the Federal sector (including FedRAMP, Government Solutions, and TrustStack) will be pivotal in addressing the needs of the regulated market. The strategic impact of this acquisition will enhance Valiantys' capabilities and improve the customer experience for key segments, including Federal, healthcare, life sciences, and financial services. By integrating Contegix's expertise, Valiantys will offer more differentiated and compliant solutions, catering to the unique needs of these industries. Contegix's additional offerings centered around the Federal sector (including FedRAMP, Government Solutions, and TrustStack) will be pivotal in addressing the needs of the regulated market. The strategic impact of this acquisition will enhance Valiantys' capabilities and improve the customer experience for key segments, including Federal, healthcare, life sciences, and financial services. By integrating Contegix's expertise, Valiantys will offer more differentiated and compliant solutions, catering to the unique needs of these industries. Solidified ecosystem - The acquisition of Contegix strategically strengthens Valiantys and the Atlassian ecosystem, positioning Valiantys as a leader in secure Atlassian solutions and FedRAMP migrations for Federal clients. Key benefits include an enhanced capacity to provide critical support, meet compliance requirements, and enable scalable modernization. - The acquisition of Contegix strategically strengthens Valiantys and the Atlassian ecosystem, positioning Valiantys as a leader in secure Atlassian solutions and FedRAMP migrations for Federal clients. Key benefits include an enhanced capacity to provide critical support, meet compliance requirements, and enable scalable modernization. Strengthened market position Leveraging Contegix's leadership in the North American Federal sector and its longstanding relationship with Atlassian, Valiantys is poised to reinforce its market leadership and expand its customer base in North America . Leveraging Contegix's leadership in the North American Federal sector and its longstanding relationship with Atlassian, Valiantys is poised to reinforce its market leadership and expand its customer base in . Innovative solutions Valiantys has been a leader in encouraging the adoption of Atlassian Forge, the app development platform, further empowering Atlassian's Marketplace app vendors. With the acquisition of Contegix, Valiantys will expand its ability to help customers solve complex problems using Forge. Michael McNeil, Chief Executive Officer of North America at Valiantys, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Contegix to the Valiantys family. Their secure managed platform and expertise in the Federal space perfectly align with our strategic vision. This acquisition not only strengthens our capabilities but also allows us to better serve our customers. Together, we believe we can drive strong value and growth in the North American Market." Brad Hokamp, Chief Executive Officer of Contegix, added: "The combination of Valiantys and Contegix will bring great value to the North American market, offering the most comprehensive capabilities in both the Atlassian ecosystem and the DevSecOps industry. I want to thank our private equity sponsor, Strattam Capital, for their tremendous support in enabling Contegix's success, and I expect even greater accomplishments in the next chapter of the business under Valiantys." Philippe Crochet, Managing Partner at Keensight Capital, concluded: "The acquisition of Contegix marks a significant moment in Valiantys' development, particularly by opening up the North American regulated market. We look forward to continuing to support the company through this next period of growth." This acquisition will be made possible by the investment and operational support of: Keensight Capital, one of the leading private equity managers dedicated to pan-European Growth Buyout investments, and Valiantys' majority shareholder; Tercera, a growth equity firm specializing in cloud professional services. Closing is subject to customary closing conditions. About Valiantys Valiantys is a leading global consulting and services firm dedicated to Atlassian. The company accelerates business transformation by digitizing processes and modernizing teamwork, using the best agile methods and tools. Its Atlassian technical expertise is unparalleled and Valiantys supports its customers across the entire spectrum of projects on those platforms. As a recognized Agile at Scale, ITSM, and Cloud Specialized Partner, Valiantys help organizations accelerate time to value with Agile at scale, cloud, and ITSM implementations. Because teamwork requires more than just tools, the firm bridges the gap between applications and strategic practices such as SAFe and ITIL. Over the last 15 years, Valiantys has helped more than 5,000 customers achieve their desired business outcomes at a reduced time to value, through improved team collaboration. www.valiantys.com About Contegix Contegix is an Atlassian Platinum Solution Partner, serving the U.S. public sector and commercial businesses for a variety of Atlassian needs. As a FedRAMP authorized cloud provider entirely managed and maintained by U.S. citizens, we provide professional services ranging from application engineering to process transformation. With expertise in Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and the rest of the Atlassian toolset, our Atlassian certified experts help large enterprises and public sector organizations maximize their investments in these collaborative tools. About Keensight Capital Keensight Capital ("Keensight"), one of the leading European Growth Buyout firms, is committed to supporting entrepreneurs as they implement their growth strategies. For over 20 years, Keensight Capital's team of seasoned professionals has leveraged their knowledge of investment and growth industries to invest for the long term in profitable companies with high growth potential and revenues in the range of 10 million to 400 million. Drawing on its expertise in the Technology and Healthcare sectors, Keensight identifies the best investment opportunities in Europe and works closely with management teams to develop and achieve their strategic vision. Keensight Capital's success has also earned it a Gold Award from the Private Equity Exchange & Awards each year for the last seven consecutive years, and in particular, the Best European Growth Private Equity Fund. www.keensight.com [1] DevSecOps is short for development, security and operations. It is an application development practice that automates the integration of security and security practices at every phase of the software development lifecycle, from initial design through integration, testing, delivery and deployment. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2471949/Valiantys.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1980997/Valiantys_Logo.jpg SmartAnalytics Pro delivers enhanced capabilities and a more comprehensive analytics experience for SmartRecruiters' customers VANCOUVER, BC, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Visier , the globally recognized leader in people analytics and workforce solutions for people-powered business, announced an embedded partnership with SmartRecruiters , allowing their customers to seamlessly integrate advanced data solutions into their workflows. SmartRecruiters is introducing SmartAnalytics Pro, an advanced analytics solution powered by Visier that enables customers to create personalized reporting hubs within SmartRecruiters, significantly boosting their teams' analytical capabilities. "Talent acquisition leaders are leveraging analytics to streamline their hiring process, increase efficiency and diagnose issues within the hiring cycle," said Zack Johnson, general manager embedded, Visier. "Our partnership with SmartRecruiters ensures analytics are accessible and easy to understand, freeing up TA leaders to focus on recruiting rather than analysis." SmartRecruiters' partnership with Visier allows the enterprise talent acquisition software provider to deliver enhanced capabilities and a more comprehensive analytics experience for their 4000+ customers worldwide. "This collaboration enhances our offering, providing users with powerful, actionable insights that drive smarter hiring decisions and improve overall efficiency," said Mike Stevens, vice president strategy and PMM, SmartRecruiters. "At SmartRecruiters, our mission is to revolutionize the hiring process and empower companies to achieve their talent acquisition goals. Partnering with Visier has allowed us to seamlessly integrate advanced analytics directly into our platform with SmartAnalytics Pro, delivering unparalleled value to our customers." SmartRecruiters' partnership with Visier is built on Alpine by Visier , the world's leading people data platform, enabling SmartRecruiters to deliver enterprise grade analytics to companies of all sizes, from SMBs to large global organizations. For more information on Visier's Embedded analytics, visit https://www.visier.com/embedded/ . About Visier Visier is the recognized global leader in people analytics, providing on-demand answers to people-powered businesses. At the core of Visier's innovations is a simple premise: People impact is business impact and that's why Visier provides the tools and insights organizations need to drive productivity, performance, and business outcomes through their people. Founded in 2010 by the pioneers of business intelligence, Visier has over 50,000 customers in 75 countriesincluding enterprises like BASF, Panasonic, Experian, Amgen, eBay, Ford Motor Company, and more. Visier is headquartered in Vancouver, BC with offices and team members worldwide. To learn more about Visier, visit www.visier.com . About SmartRecruiters SmartRecruiters enables Hiring Without Boundaries by freeing talent acquisition teams from legacy applicant tracking software. SmartRecruiters' next-generation platform serves as the hiring operating system for 4,000 customers like Bosch, LinkedIn, Skechers, and Visa. Companies with business-critical hiring needs turn to SmartRecruiters for best-of-breed functionality, world-class support, and a robust ecosystem of third-party applications and service providers. SOURCE Visier COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, Americans for Public Trust (APT) and Honest Elections Project (HEP) filed a joint amicus brief supporting the state of Ohio in its defense of H.B. 1 legislation banning direct and indirect foreign contributions to state ballot issue campaigns, which was passed and signed into law in June. The bill was almost immediately hit with a lawsuit by left-wing election attorney Marc Elias. Click here to read the full amicus brief, which was filed today in the United State District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Eastern Division. Americans for Public Trust Executive Director Caitlin Sutherland and Honest Elections Project Executive Director Jason Snead released the following statement: "American elections should be decided by Americans, not foreign billionaires like Hansjorg Wyss. Foreign nationals are prohibited from giving to candidates and Super PACs. Why should ballot issue campaigns be any different? "The majority of Ohioans, and most Americans, do not want foreign meddling in their elections and believe common sense guardrails must be put in place to prevent it. Eight other states, including several that are currently governed by Democrats, have similar bans on foreign donations. "At the end of the day, Marc Elias wants to overturn this law because he doesn't want state legislatures to turn off his endless spigot of foreign cash. Unfortunately for him, H.B. 1 is a common sense, popular measure that has sound basis in law. It's our hope that the court will deny an injunction so H.B. 1 remains in effect for the November election." Background: Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has given the progressive dark money group Sixteen Thirty Fund $243 million since its inception. has given the progressive dark money group Sixteen Thirty Fund since its inception. In turn, Sixteen Thirty Fund has spent nearly $100 million on ballot issues across the country in the past 10 years, including nearly $15 million in Ohio , the second most of any state. Click here to read APT's report on foreign influence on state ballot issue campaigns. on ballot issues across the country in the past 10 years, including nearly in , the second most of any state. HEP polling shows that 85% of Ohioans believe foreign nationals shouldn't be allowed to influence elections, and 68% said they would support a ban on indirect foreign influence on elections. SOURCE Americans for Public Trust Leading broadband provider recognized for outstanding commitment to employees and exceptional workplace environment ENGLEWOOD, Colo., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WOW! Internet, TV & Phone (NYSE: WOW), a leading broadband services provider, was recognized by Workforce Research Group and Florida Trend as one of the Best Companies To Work For In Florida. This honor follows the selection of WOW! as a Best and Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation for the 7th consecutive year, and comes on the heels of significant momentum as the company continues to grow its footprint across Florida and bring its state-of-the-art, all-IP fiber network to more communities in Central Florida. The Best Companies To Work For in Florida list honors companies that focus on employees and that create a work culture which instills employee pride in their company. Since launching services in its first Central Florida Greenfield market in 2023 and beginning construction in Hernando County this year, WOW! now serves customers across the Central Florida communities of Altamonte Springs, Wekiwa Springs, Casselberry, Forest City, Longwood, Sanlando Springs, Lake Mary, Winter Springs, Sanford, in addition to Panama City and Pinellas - creating even more opportunities for employee growth and success. "We are extremely proud to receive this award for the second time since extending our presence in Florida," said Leslie Peabody, SVP and chief people officer of WOW!. "Our employees are at the heart of what we do at WOW! and to see our culture and employee experience being recognized by Florida Trend is rewarding on so many levels." "In today's hyper-competitive labor market, it takes more than good salaries and benefits to attract and keep talent," says Florida Trend Executive Editor Amy Keller. "Looking under the hood, we see that the 'Best Companies To Work For' in Florida maintain an edge by prioritizing culture and creating environments where employees are engaged, feel valued and can grow. They also strive to balance employee needs with business priorities, baking flexibility and fun into the workplace. Their examples provide a terrific blueprint for companies seeking to stand out from the pack." WOW! received this award for demonstrating success in the following areas based on an in-depth questionnaire and comprehensive employee survey: general employee experience, role satisfaction, communication and workplace culture, supervisor relationship, technology, training and development, diversity and inclusion, leadership, benefits and work-life balance. To learn more about WOW!, please visit www.wowway.com. About WOW! Internet, TV & Phone WOW! is one of the nation's leading broadband providers, with an efficient and high-performing network that passes nearly 2 million residential, business and wholesale consumers. WOW! provides services in 16 markets, primarily in the Midwest and Southeast, including Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, including the new all-fiber networks in Central Florida and Greenville County, South Carolina. With an expansive portfolio of advanced services, including high-speed Internet services, cable TV, home phone, mobile phone, business data, voice, and cloud services, the company is dedicated to providing outstanding service at affordable prices. WOW! also serves as a leader in exceptional human resources practices, having been recognized 11 times by the National Association for Business Resources as a Best & Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation, winning the award for the last seven consecutive years and making the 2022 Top 101 National Winners list. Visit wowway.com for more information. SOURCE WideOpenWest, Inc. Over 105,000 Malware Samples Identified Key Findings: Over 95% are/were unknown and unavailable malware samples Malware hijacked OTP text messages across more than 600 global brands Approx. 4,000 samples contained phone numbers pre-embedded within Android kit 13 C&C servers used to communicate and potentially receive stolen SMS messages Over 2,600 Telegram bots linked to campaign, serving as a distribution channel DALLAS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zimperium , the leading global provider of mobile security solutions, announces the discovery of a new and potent threat identified as the SMS Stealer . This malicious software, uncovered by Zimperium's zLabs team during routine malware analysis, has been identified in over 105,000 samples, across more than 600 global brands, highlighting its extensive reach and significant risks, including account takeovers and identity theft. The SMS Stealer threat, first identified in 2022, uses fake ads and Telegram bots posing as legitimate services to trick victims into gaining access to their SMS messages. Once access is granted, the malware connects to one of its 13 Command and Control (C&C) servers, confirms its status, and begins transmitting stolen SMS messages, including one-time passwords (OTPs). OTPs are designed to add an extra layer of security to online accounts, particularly for enterprises controlling access to sensitive data. However, the SMS Stealer's ability to intercept OTPs undermines this security feature, giving bad actors the means to gain control of victims' accounts. The malware associated with SMS Stealer remains hidden, allowing for continuous attacks. The Impact of SMS Stealer: Credential Theft: The malware can intercept and steal OTPs and login credentials, leading to complete account takeovers. The malware can intercept and steal OTPs and login credentials, leading to complete account takeovers. Malware Infiltration: Attackers may use stolen credentials to infiltrate systems with additional malware. Increasing scope and severity of attack. Attackers may use stolen credentials to infiltrate systems with additional malware. Increasing scope and severity of attack. Ransomware Attacks: Stolen access can be leveraged to deploy ransomware, leading to data encryption and significant financial demands for data recovery. Stolen access can be leveraged to deploy ransomware, leading to data encryption and significant financial demands for data recovery. Financial Loss: Attackers can make unauthorized charges, create fraudulent accounts, and facilitate significant financial theft and fraud . "The SMS Stealer represents a significant evolution in mobile threats, highlighting the critical need for robust security measures and vigilant monitoring of application permissions," said Nico Chiaraviglio, Chief Scientist at Zimperium. "As threat actors continue to innovate, the mobile security community must adapt and respond to these challenges to protect user identities and maintain the integrity of digital services." For more details on SMS Stealer read our technical blog here . About zLabs Zimperium's zLabs is a world-renowned mobile security research team dedicated to discovering and analyzing the latest mobile threats. Through curing-edge research and innovative analysis techniques. zLabs provides critical insights and solutions that drive Zimperium's industry-leading security products. The team's work is instrumental in identifying emerging threats and developing strategies to protect mobile users worldwide. About Zimperium Zimperium is the world leader in mobile security for iOS, Android and ChromeOS. Zimperium solutions, including Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) and Mobile Application Protection Suite (MAPS), offer comprehensive mobile security for enterprises. MTD is a privacy-first application that provides mobile risk assessments, insights into application vulnerabilities, and robust threat protection. It is used to secure both corporate-owned and bring-your-own (BYO) devices against advanced mobile threats across device, network, phishing, app risks, and malware vectors. MAPS delivers in-app protection to safeguard applications from attacks and ensure data integrity. Together, these solutions empower security teams to effectively manage and mitigate mobile threats. Zimperium is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and backed by Liberty Strategic Capital and SoftBank. For more information, follow Zimperium on X (@Zimperium) and LinkedIn, or visit www.Zimperium.com Media Contact Sena McGrand [email protected] SOURCE Zimperium 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 Colombo, July 31 : After deciding not to back President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka's largest political party in parliament split into two with 92 lawmakers pledging support for his re-election. A large number of MPs of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's party, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) promised their unconditional support for the victory of Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election set for September 21. Among those who supported Wickremesinghe were Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry and a number of Cabinet Ministers and State Ministers who joined him to recover the economy since former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country in 2022 amidst severe financial crisis and street protests. Away from the country Gotabaya, who promised the support of his party SLPP, had invited Wickremesinghe to take over the country. "Under President Ranil Wickramasinghe's leadership, Sri Lanka has made significant strides in overcoming the most severe crises in the history. To prevent a return to such challenging times, it is essential to continue supporting President Wickramasinghe's vision and initiatives. We need to protect the country before our political views," State Minister of Finance Sehan Semasinghe, who joined Wickremesinghe, posted on social media platform X. "There are more to join President Wickremesinghe," State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennakone who joined Wickremesinghe told reporters. Despite an invitation by President Wickremesinghe to join his Presidential race, Rajapaksa's party has decided to field a rival candidate. Rajapaksa's son Namal Rajapaksa has accused Wickremesinghe of splitting the party created by his uncles Basil and Gotabaya. Last week, President Wickremesinghe announced his candidacy as an independent candidate while opposition leader Sajith Premadasa from Samagi Janabalawegaya (United People's Power) and Anura Kumara Dissanayake from the Marxist party National People's Power announced their plans to contest for the election. At the decisive election since the worst-ever economic crisis the South Asian island nation faced, around 17 million out of 22 million population is eligible to cast their votes. New Delhi, July 31 : An Indian-origin woman, who has been allegedly deserted by her Pakistani husband, has sought help from the governments of both countries to get her children back. Farzana Begum, a resident of Mumbai, said that she married Yusuf Mirza Ilahi, in Abu Dhabi in 2015, and after two to three years, he deceitfully brought her to Pakistan. However, later, he returned to Abu Dhabi with their two children. Farzana also claimed that Yusuf had married multiple times in the past and had hidden this fact from her. She further claimed that Yusuf had deserted his previous wives and children in a similar manner. She has now filed a plea in a Lahore court seeking justice. The plea is scheduled to be heard on August 15. Farzana has pleaded for help from Pakistan and the Indian government to get her children back. She has urged the Indian Embassy to speak to Abu Dhabi authorities on this issue. The victim's Pakistani lawyer said that Farzana is the wife of a Pakistani citizen and the mother of two Pakistani children. Therefore, Farzana has the same rights in the country as any Pakistani citizen. It is the duty of the Pakistani government to help Farzana in this matter, the lawyer said. Tehran, July 31 : Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned against conspiracies by "enemies and ill-wishers" to sow discord between Iran and Saudi Arabia. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a meeting with Saudi Minister of State Prince Mansour bin Mutaib bin Abdulaziz, who is also the special representative of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in the Iranian capital Tehran, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement published on the website of the Iranian president's office. Pezeshkian said that "the enemies and those wishing ill towards Iran and Saudi Arabia seek to sow discord between the two countries to achieve their illegitimate demands. Iran and Saudi Arabia should foil such conspiracies through vigilance, unity, and solidarity." He described as "constructive" his comprehensive phone call on July 17 with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, stressing, "Relations between Tehran and Riyadh have been tied with religious bonds and commonalities in addition to the neighbourly considerations and brotherly and cordial exchanges." The Saudi minister, for his part, conveyed the congratulations of the Saudi king and crown prince to Pezeshkian, saying the age-old relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran were founded on the basis of the two countries' common history and culture as well as neighbourliness and fraternity. He stressed that the two peoples had been connected to each other by a common religion, Islam. The Saudi official voiced the willingness of his country's leaders to expand relations with Iran, adding that the agreement on the resumption of bilateral relations last year was a beginning for treading the path of safeguarding mutual interests, which would also benefit the region and the world. Pezeshkian on Tuesday was sworn in as Iran's ninth president in a ceremony in Tehran. London, July 31 : Violent mob clashed with police outside a mosque in northwest England's Southport near the scene of a horror stabbing that left three dead. Merseyside Police said that the English Defence League is believed to be behind the violent protests. Speculation about the alleged attacker's identity circulated online, fuelling the tension that already existed after Monday's horrific knife attack, The Sun reported. Protesters threw bricks at the mosque, set fire to cars and wheelie bins and caused damage to a local convenience store, police said. At least 22 police officers, responding to the situation, were injured and 11 were hospitalised after clashes. Tehran, July 31 : Iran and Egypt have expressed hope that bilateral ties will be resumed as soon as possible. In a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty exchanged views on bilateral relations, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement published on the website of the Iranian president's office. Pezeshkian said Iran and Egypt were two "brotherly" countries whose peoples had a "heartfelt" interest in one another, pointing to the two countries' "age-old, brilliant and glorious" civilizational backgrounds. He hoped that the problems hindering the normalisation of bilateral ties would be completely resolved as soon as possible. Pezeshkian said Iran and Egypt could help resolve many of the region's problems, noting Iran is ready to cooperate and exchange experiences, capabilities, and bilateral capacities with Egypt. The Egyptian foreign minister, who was in Iran to attend Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony held on Tuesday, said the two countries adopted close positions on issues such as non-interference in other states' affairs, protecting the multilateral international system and defending humanitarian rights. He added the normalisation of bilateral ties was continuing on its path, hoping that the two countries would manage to officially begin cooperation with each other as soon as possible to safeguard mutual interests. Iran and Egypt severed diplomatic relations in 1980. In recent months, both countries have expressed willingness to mend ties by settling differences on certain issues. In November 2023, late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and current Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi held their first meeting in Riyadh on the sidelines of the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit to end the Gaza conflict. Tel Aviv, July 31 : The political head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, has been assassinated in Tehran, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement on Wednesday. Haniyeh was killed alongside one of his bodyguards at his residence in the Iranian capital while he was in the town to attend Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday. There are no further details on the killing from the IRGC. As per several television analysts in Iran, the blame has been put on Israel. Reacting to the news, Israel War Room posted a video on X showing Haniyeh celebrating the October 7 attack on Israeli citizens. "This was Hamas chief Haniyeh's reaction to the Hamas massacre on October 7. He's not celebrating anymore," it captioned the video. Haniyeh was the face of Hamas and was active in several peace negotiations. New Delhi, July 31 : Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi has moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to raise the issue of flood management in Assam and has also alleged "discriminatory" treatment by the Centre in the Union Budget. The Congress deputy leader in the Lower House said in the notice on Wednesday that there have been inadequate allocations made for flood management in the Union Budget 2024 for Assam. "Year after year, the state grapples with this crisis, and yet, the allocation for flood management remains grossly inadequate. The mere mention of Assam in the budget speech without a corresponding allocation of funds for flood management is a clear indication of the government's disregard for the plight of the state's people," he said in the notice. Gogoi accused the Centre of allocating more funds to the states where similar disasters do not take place. "It is disheartening to note that other states, which are comparatively less affected by floods, have received significantly higher allocations for disaster management." He also highlighted the "significant decrease" in allocations made to the Jal Shakti Ministry for Flood Control and Drainage from Rs 104.56 crore (actuals) in 2022-23 to Rs 33.17 crore (estimates) in 2024, which he claimed was alarming. Gogoi said that Assam was worse affected by floods than Bihar. "Assam's flood-prone area spans over 31.05 lakh hectares, which is about 39.58 per cent of the total land area of the state. This is four times the national mark of the flood-prone area of the country. National Flood Commission's numbers reveal that there is a marginal difference between the flood-prone areas in Bihar and Assam. However, in terms of the impact of the yearly floods, Assam is worse off than Bihar," he said. "It is unfortunate that the state government as well as the members of Parliament from the BJP have remained silent on this discriminatory treatment," alleged Gogoi. "The lack of adequate funds is severely hampering Assam's ability to implement effective flood prevention, mitigation, and rehabilitation measures. Investing in flood management in Assam is not merely an expenditure but a prudent investment in the state's future. Therefore, I urge the House to discuss this matter with utmost urgency and compel the government to take concrete steps to address the critical issue of flood management in Assam," the Congress leader said. During the Union Budget presentation on July 23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced assistance to Assam and Bihar for flood management and related projects. New Delhi, July 31 : Congress Parliamentary Party Chairman Sonia Gandhi has targeted the Centre on various issues, including the Union Budget, Manipur violence, and terror attacks in J&K, and said the government has no intention to conduct a Census. The former Congress chief was addressing the CPP on Wednesday wherein she launched a scathing attack on the government. "It is clear that the government has no intention whatsoever to conduct the Census that was last due in 2021. This will prevent us from having an up-to-date estimate of the population of the country, especially of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. While attacking the Centre on the Union Budget, she said, "Pressing demands of farmers and youth, in particular, have been totally ignored. Allocations in a number of vital sectors have not done justice to the tasks required to be fulfilled. There has been a widespread disappointment, in spite of the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and others to talk up the Budget and its so-called accomplishments. The Union Government, especially its top leadership, continues to be self-delusional as crores of families across the country are devastated by mounting unemployment and price rise." In her address, Sonia Gandhi said, "I congratulate our both LOPs and our colleagues who spoke out and expressed our partyas views forcefully, along with other INDIA (bloc) parties during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Presidentas Address. Over the last few days, many of you have very effectively brought out the Budgetas many inadequacies when it comes to addressing urgent economic and social challenges." She said, "It also means that at least 12 crore of our citizens are denied the benefit of the National Food Security Act of 2013 - now repackaged as PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. We would have hoped that the Modi government would draw the right lessons from their significant decline in the Lok Sabha elections. Instead, they are persisting with their policy of dividing communities and spreading an atmosphere of fear and animosity. Fortunately, the Supreme Court intervened at the right time. But this can only be a temporary respite. Look at how the rules have been suddenly changed to permit the bureaucracy to participate in the activities of the RSS. It calls itself a cultural organisation but the whole world knows that it is the BJPas political and ideological base," she added. Gandhi said that education has been amongst the worst casualties in the past years. "Instead of taking the nation forward, the entire educational system is being shown up as flawed and manipulated. The exposure of how competitive examinations have been allowed has destroyed the faith of lakhs of youth and dealt their future a body blow. The professional character autonomy of organizations like the NCERT, UGC and even of Constitutional bodies like the UPSC has been all but destroyed." "There is deeply disturbing news in national security issues. Over the past few weeks, there have been at least 11 terror attacks in the Jammu region alone. There have been similar attacks in the Valley as well. Security personnel and a large number of civilians have lost their lives. This makes a mockery of the claims being made by the Modi government is all in well in J&K. The situation in Manipur shows no sign of any improvement. The Prime Minister travels the world over, but steadfastly refuses to go to the state and take the initiative to bring about normalcy," she added. She told the Congress MPs, that in a few months, elections will be held in four states. "We must sustain the momentum and goodwill that had been generated for us in the Lok Sabha elections. We must not become complacent and over-confident. The amahaula does favour us, but we have to work unitedly with a sense of purpose. I dare say that if we perform well, reflecting the trend that we witnessed in the Lok Sabha elections, national politics will undergo a transformation." She said, "I am aware that the Congress Parliamentary Party will require more extensive research support and backup. We do have a system in place but with our increased numbers this system must get strengthened soon." At the beginning of the meeting, she extended her deepest condolences to the families bereaved by the calamity that has overtaken Wayanad. She said, "Our colleagues in the state have mobilised themselves to provide all assistance. There have been huge floods in other parts of the country as well and we extend our sympathies to the affected families. Apart from natural disasters, our people continue to lose their lives in railway accidents that are caused by mismanagement. Our thoughts are with these victims as well." New Delhi, July 31 : A court here on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and BRS leader K. Kavitha in the excise policy case. The accused were produced through video conferencing from Tihar Jail upon expiry of the previously granted judicial custody. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Court extended, till August 9, judicial custody of the accused in CBI case and till August 13 in the money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). On Monday, the Delhi High Court reserved its verdict on a bail plea filed by CM Kejriwal in connection with the corruption case lodged by the CBI. Earlier that day, the CBI filed its charge sheet before a special court here against the AAP supremo and other accused. The ED had already filed its prosecution complaint in the money laundering case, naming the AAP and its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal as accused. On July 12, the Supreme Court had ordered CM Kejriwal to be released on interim bail in connection with the ED case. However, he was not able to walk out of jail since he was arrested by the CBI. Bengaluru, July 31 : In a major development, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has received expert legal opinion regarding granting permission to investigate the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with his alleged role in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case, sources said. On July 26, Abraham T.J. President of the Anti-Graft/Corruption and Environmental Forum, submitted a request to the Governor demanding sanction to investigate Siddaramaiah in connection with the MUDA land case. Sources said that legal experts have given references to Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka where former Chief Ministers have been investigated. Legal experts have also mentioned the verdict of retired Supreme Court Justice Santhosh Hegde as one of the cases. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also begun consultations with legal experts and Supreme Court counsels about the potential next steps if the Governor grants permission for an investigation. Siddaramaiah is also likely to convene a cabinet meeting on Thursday in Bengaluru to pass a resolution opposing the consent for an investigation if any decision is taken by the Governor. A team of legal experts is also reviewing instances of the Governoras interventions and relevant legal provisions to prepare for the possible situation. The Governoras office has received all related documents concerning the MUDA land scam. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has already sought an explanation from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. T.J. Abraham, who requested the consent, argued that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also holds the Finance portfolio, should be investigated as the authorities and agencies under his purview are implicated in the case. Abraham sought sanction to investigate Siddaramaiah under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nayaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 17A and 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. During the tenure of B.S. Yediyurappa as the CM, prosecution consent was given by then Governor late Hansraj Bharadwaj in the de-notification case, following which an FIR was lodged and the senior BJP leader had to face trial and was jailed in 2011. Patna, July 31 : An eight-year-old boy sustained a gunshot injury during firing inside a school campus in Bihar's Supaul district on Wednesday, said officials, adding that the weapon was carried by a nursery student in his bag. The incident occurred at a private school under the jurisdiction of the Triveniganj police station in the district. District Superintendent of Police (SP) Shaishav Yadav confirmed to IANS that the incident took place during the assembly session around 9 a.m. The gun, carried by a five-year-old nursery student in his school bag, caused the incident, said police. The victim, a Class 3 student, sustained an injury to his hand and is currently admitted to a hospital and out of danger. The police are investigating who used the gun and how did the firing happen. More details were awaited. Following the incident, a large number of parents and residents gathered at the school and created a ruckus both inside and outside the school premises. "At present, efforts are underway to calm down the agitating parents, with adequate security forces deployed to restore normalcy in the area," SP Yadav said. He stated, "We are investigating the incident to determine how the child brought the weapon inside the school. It is the initial period of investigation, and we will conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain whether it is a licensed weapon or not. Appropriate action will be taken following the investigation." The incident has also raised concerns about the school's security measures. The SP mentioned that action will be taken against the school administration as well, indicating that the security lapse will be addressed accordingly. Bengaluru, July 31 : On Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's instructions, Minister for Labour Santosh Lad has departed for the flood-affected Wayanad region in Kerala to oversee the ongoing relief work. Bengaluru, July 31 (IANS) On Chief Minister Siddaramaiahas instructions, Minister for Labour Santosh Lad has departed for the flood-affected Wayanad region in Kerala to oversee the ongoing relief work. The Chief Minister has instructed him to coordinate with the Kerala government to provide all necessary aid in the flood-affected areas, including relief operations and the protection of victims, ensuring the safety and health of the people. Minister Santosh Lad, who departed for Wayanad upon receiving the phone call, is currently in constant contact with the Kerala Chief Minister's office. The Chief Minister has directed Minister Lad to take urgent and swift measures for the protection of Kannadigas stranded in the disaster. Minister Lad has assured that all necessary steps are being taken by the governments of both states. Chamarajanagar Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Nag stated that she is in touch with Wayanad SP and DC and a helpline is opened for victims from Karnataka. Two rescue teams from the state have joined in the rescue mission in Wayanad, she stated. Sources said that the bodies of four persons including a child have been recovered from the debris. The deceased have been identified as Leelavathy, her grandson Nihal, natives of Mandya district and Rajendra and Puttasidda Setty from Chamarajanagar district. The movement of vehicles between Kerala and Karnataka is cut off temporarily in the backdrop of tragedy. --IANS mka/dan Jaipur, July 31 : Rajasthan-designate Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde will take oath on Wednesday at 4 pm in a ceremony which will be organised at Raj Bhavan. Rajasthan Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava will administer the oath to the designated Governor. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, members of the Council of Ministers and MLAs will be present at the oath ceremony. Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Tika Ram Jully and other special guests will also attend the ceremony. Following the oath-taking ceremony, the Chief Minister will organise a dinner for the incumbent and former Governors. Bagde reached Jaipur on Tuesday and was received by Chief Minister and Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani. He was also given a guard of honour at the airport and Raj Bhavan. Deputy Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police UR Sahu and other administrative officials also welcomed the Governor. The Governor-designate worshipped Lord Shiva at the Raj Bhavan and offered water and Prasad and Bilwa leaves at the Raj Rajeshwar temple in the Raj Bhavan. He also met Governor Kalraj Mishra at the Raj Bhavan. Beirut, July 31 : Hezbollah said Wednesday that civil defence teams were still searching for Fouad Shokor, a senior military advisor to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in the rubble after he was attacked by an Israeli drone in southern Beirut a day earlier. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday that an Israeli drone conducted a targeted strike on a position near the Shura Council of Hezbollah in Dahieh, a southern suburb of Beirut, "eliminating Fouad Shokor." While not confirming Shokor's death, Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group and political party, said that since the incident, civil defence teams have been working diligently but slowly to remove the debris due to the condition of the destroyed floors. Shokor was also the director of Hezbollah's precision missile project and held the position of second-in-command within the organisation, Xinhua news agency reported. Israel threatened over the past days to launch a military operation that will make Hezbollah pay a heavy price after a missile fell Saturday in the town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, killing 12 people and wounding several others. Hezbollah said it had "absolutely nothing to do with the incident" and dismissed the allegations as false. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rocket attacks launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel one day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. Patna, July 31 : A five-year-old nursery student carried a gun in his bag and fired at a Class 3 boy in a school in Bihar's Supaul district on Wednesday, said officials. The incident occurred at a St Joseph School under the jurisdiction of the Triveniganj police station in the district. District Superintendent of Police (SP) Shaishav Yadav confirmed to IANS that the incident took place during the assembly session around 9 a.m. Sources said that the victim's quick reflexes played a crucial role in minimizing the injury. By ducking at the right moment, the victim was able to avoid a potentially fatal shot to his chest or stomach. The victim sustained an injury to his hand and is currently admitted to a hospital and out of danger. Following the incident at St. John's School, the teachers recovered the weapon and called the parents of both the victim and the nursery student. During the discussion, the weapon was placed on a table. Seizing the opportunity, the father grabbed the weapon and his son and fled from the school on a bike. Sources said the school administration called the parents first and the police were informed later. After the incident, a large number of parents and residents gathered at the school and created a ruckus both inside and outside the school premises. "At present, efforts are underway to calm down the agitating parents, with adequate security forces deployed to restore normalcy in the area," SP Yadav said. He stated, "We are investigating the incident to determine how the child brought the weapon inside the school. It is the initial period of investigation, and we will conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain whether it is a licensed weapon or not. Appropriate action will be taken following the investigation." The incident has also raised concerns about the school's security measures. The SP mentioned that action will be taken against the school administration as well, indicating that the security lapse will be addressed accordingly. Kolkata, July 31 : Two wagons of a goods train got derailed on Wednesday near the spot in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal where the Kanchenjunga Express collision took place last month which claimed 11 lives. Although no casualty or injury has been reported so far because of the mishap, train services on that line were suspended for the time being. Sources said the two wagons of a fuel tanker got derailed in the morning near Rangapani railway station at Phansidewa in Darjeeling district. The spot is quite close to the spot where the major accident took place on June 17 when an over-speeding goods train collided with the Kanchenjunga Express from behind. In the mishap on Wednesday morning, efforts were on to bring the derailed wagons back on the tracks (at the time the report was filed) so that the track could be cleared for normal train services to resume. Senior railway officials and a recovery engine were at the spot and the necessary operations on this count were underway. The railway officials are hopeful of completing the operations to clear the tracks at the earliest. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a statement slamming the Central government over Wednesday's mishap. "Another rail accident today, in the same Phansidewa/ Rangapani area in North Bengal, where there was a most tragic accident just six weeks back! We are very concerned about what is happening!!" the Chief Minister's statement read. Bengaluru, July 31 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Wednesday that he insisted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervene to implement the ambitious Mekedatu project, which will ensure drinking water to IT city Bengaluru and surrounding regions. While answering a query on the Mekedatu project in Delhi, he added that Prime Minister Modi inquired about the rains in Karnataka. "I informed him (PM Modi) about the rains. Later, Prime Minister Modi asked us (Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) to sit together and settle the issue. But, I told him that until the Centre intervenes it will be difficult," Shivakumar said. "I have informed him (PM Modi) about Karnataka releasing 80 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water whereas the stipulated quantity was 40 TMC. I have informed you that we have no objection to Tamil Nadu using water and utilising it which is flowing into the sea. Prime Minister Modi promised that he would re-examine it. The Prime Minister also conveyed that it is best if both the states resolve the matter by themselves. Let's see, he has promised to convene a meeting in this regard," the Deputy Chief Minister added. "I have also informed the Prime Minister that convening one meeting would resolve the Mahadei project as the contentious issue is quite small," Shivakumar said. "Nearly 2.25 lakh cusecs of water has been released to Tamil Nadu from the reservoirs in Karnataka. This is the first time such a huge quantity of water has been released from the Cauvery catchment area. From Wednesday, the inflow has been reduced and 1.75 lakh cusecs of water is released," he added. "We have announced a red alert in the state. The water is also coming from Kerala to Kabini River and KRS reservoirs and we are releasing it to Tamil Nadu without storing. We were supposed to release 40 TMC of water. However, till now, Karnataka has released 80 TMC of water," he said. "We are appealing to the people on the banks of the rivers and catchment region not to venture within a radius of 1 km of the river in the state," Shivakumar added. Wayanad, July 31 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that the Centre had alerted the Kerala government on July 23 and had given a warning of a possible danger lurking in and around Wayanad. The Home Minister stated that the Centre should not be blamed as information was given well in advance and even a team of the NDRF was sent to the state. "Everyone is questioning the government, but I would like to ask what did the Kerala government do. It was a vulnerable situation, but why the people were not shifted to safer places? They were only shifted after the disaster," said HM Shah. Kerala BJP president K. Surendran slammed the Vijayan government and said that it was crystal clear that the state government completely ignored the early warnings issued by the Centre. "The state government's inaction led to the increase in the number of casualties. Unpardonable," Surendran posted on X soon after the Home Minister's address in the Rajya Sabha. Surendran said, "The recent landslide tragedy in Wayanad, claiming over 150 lives, could have been prevented. Despite repeated warnings from the Central Government on July 23, 24, 25, and even 26 about severe weather and potential landslides, the Kerala Government led by Pinarayi Vijayan ignored these alerts. Instead of addressing their failures, the Left and Congress are now indulging in political drama in Parliament. Union Home Minister @AmitShahJi has rightly highlighted how effective early warning systems in Odisha and Gujarat have saved lives." He further said in the post, "The State Government and their INDI alliance partner Congress must be held accountable for this disaster. Disaster Prevention is crucial, and political posturing only diverts from real solutions. We stand with the people of Kerala and will do our best to address the situation." Meanwhile, hundreds of defence personnel and several other agencies were engaged in rescue and relief operations in the four worst affected landslide areas of Kerala's Wayanad district -- Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu. The death toll is mounting as more bodies trapped under building debris are being recovered. The death toll has now touched 184 while 225 are presently reported missing. Around 7,000 people are now housed in around 50 relief camps. Incidentally, in 2018 when Kerala witnessed the worst-ever floods in a century, there was a war of words between the Kerala government and the Centre with the former blaming the latter for not giving any advance information. Now with Home Minister Shah saying in Parliament that information had been given well in advance, it remains to be seen how the Kerala unit of the BJP will take up the issue and also how the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government reacts. Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian, who is camping in the state for relief and rescue operations, said on Tuesday that the situation is such that Wayanad doesnat even have an MP today. New Delhi, July 31 : In a major advancement for tackling antibiotic resistance, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a promising new antibiotic using artificial intelligence. The research, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, marks a significant step forward in creating safer and more effective treatments. The research team employed a large language model (LLM), similar to the technology behind ChatGPT, to re-engineer Protegrin-1. This potent antibiotic, naturally produced by pigs, was effective in killing bacteria but was previously too toxic for human use. By modifying Protegrin-1, the researchers aimed to preserve its antibacterial properties while eliminating its harmful effects on human cells. To achieve this, the team generated over 7,000 variations of Protegrin-1 through a high-throughput method, allowing them to quickly identify which modifications could enhance safety. They then used the LLM to evaluate these variations for their ability to selectively target bacterial membranes, effectively kill bacteria, and avoid harming human red blood cells. This AI-guided approach led to the creation of a refined version known as bacterially selective Protegrin-1.2 (bsPG-1.2). In preliminary animal trials, mice treated with bsPG-1.2 and infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria showed a significant reduction in bacterial levels in their organs within six hours. These promising results suggest that bsPG-1.2 could potentially advance to human trials. Claus Wilke, a professor of integrative biology and co-senior author of the study, highlighted the transformative impact of AI on drug development. "Large language models are revolutionising protein and peptide engineering, making it possible to develop new drugs and improve existing ones more efficiently. This technology not only identifies potential new treatments but also speeds up their path to clinical application," Wilke said. The breakthrough underscores how AI is being harnessed to address critical health challenges. New Delhi, July 31 : Union Minister George Kurian visited the landslide-hit regions of Kerala's Wayanad on Wednesday and took stock of the prevailing situation there after landslides hit the district, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair. The Union Minister, who has been deputed by the Centre to review the situation in Wayanad, visited relief camps in the landslide-hit district on Wednesday and took first hand information about the relief efforts. He met a couple of displaced families living in relief camps and enquired about their well-being. The Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Animal Husbandry, also visited Mundakayam, the main landslide-affected area in Wayanad, and took stock of the rescue operations. Several bodies have been retrieved from this area. Union Minister Kurian also interacted with the top officials of National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) teams, paramilitary forces, Kerala government officials as well as the armed personnel engaged in the rescue operation. "I would like to assure people of Kerala that Prime Minister Modi's government is committed to provide all possible assistance to the state administration to rescue people affected by the landslide," he said. Elaborating on the efforts of the Centre, Union Minister Kurian said by now two teams of NDRF, two columns of the Indian Army, and two Indian Air Force helicopters have been deployed for search and rescue operation. Meanwhile, the death toll due to deadly landslides in Wayanad has risen to 176 and is likely to increase further as many are still fear trapped in the catastrophic landslides. Meanwhile, the relief and rescue operations are going on a war-footing. The worst affected areas by landslides include Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu. Many houses were swept away in the devastating landslides while those who escaped the deadly nature's fury have found shelter in relief camps. New Delhi, July 31 : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that the government is well on track to achieve the target of 4.5 per cent fiscal deficit by 2025-26. In her reply to the debate on the Union Budget in the Rajya Sabha, FM Sitharaman said that from 2026-27 onwards, "We will adhere to a path to ensure that the central government debt as a percentage of GDP is at a declining trend." "The government has always maintained fiscal prudence as one of the important governance principles. From the low levels of GDP during the Covid-19 pandemic, India has become the fastest-growing economy," said the Finance Minister. The Finance Minister told the Rajya Sabha that the total expenditure in the Budget is at Rs 48.21 lakh crore -- Rs 54,744 crore more than the interim Budget. "Capex allocation during the 10 years of UPA government was Rs 13.19 lakh crore, while in the 10 years of BJP-led NDA till 2024, it was Rs 43.82 lakh crore," FM Sitharaman informed. Agriculture and allied sectors in the Budget 2024-2025 received Rs 1.52 lakh crore, which is Rs 8,000 crore more than the last year. "In comparison, in the 2013-14 Budget, when the UPA government term was over, they had given only Rs 30,000 crore," the Finance Minister stated. FM Sitharaman said the country now produces 97 per cent of mobile phones within the country and 30 per cent of the total production of mobile phones in the year 2023-24 was export-oriented. "We are working towards establishing three centres of excellence in top education institutions for realising the vision of making AI in India and make AI work for India," the Finance Minister said. The Finance Minister said the Budget balances growth, employment, welfare spending, capital investments and fiscal consolidation. The Lok Sabha on Tuesday approved the Rs 48.21 lakh crore Union Budget for 2024-25 aimed at giving a major push to job creation and improving the incomes of farmers. Bhubaneswar, July 31 : The body of one of the two Odisha doctors, who went missing in the landslides in Kerala's Wayanad, has been found, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said here on Wednesday. Speaking to the mediapersons here, Minister Suresh Pujari identified the two doctors as Bishnu Prasad Chinara and Swadhin Panda. "We have received information that the body of Bishnu Prasad Chinara has been located. His wife Priyadarshini Pal, who was injured in the landslide, is undergoing treatment in a hospital and is stable," he said. The deceased Bishnu Prasad was a resident of the Housing Board colony in the Choudwar area of Cuttack district. Bishnu Prasad, his wife Priyadarshini, and friends Dr Swadhin Panda and Swikruti Mohapatra had reportedly gone on a trip to Kerala on July 26. They were staying at a hotel in Wayanad when the landslides struck. The Minister stated that Swikruti Mohapatra, a resident of the OMP Chowk in the Beheramal area of Jharsuguda district, was injured in the landslide. She was stable and undergoing treatment in a hospital in Kerala, the Minister said, adding that he had spoken to her father. The government will make arrangements to bring back the body of Bishnu Prasad Chinara after re-identification and completion of other formalities, the Minister said. One administrative official, Dillip Kumar Routray, along with a doctor has been sent to Kerala, who will check the health condition of the injured in the hospital and also make arrangements to send back the body to Odisha, said Minister Pujara. He hoped and prayed for the safe return of Dr Swadhin Panda, who is still missing in Wayanad. The Minister said the state government is in touch with the Kerala government over the matter. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the death of Bishnu Prasad and condoled the bereaved family members. More than 180 persons have died in the massive landslides in Wayanad. Beirut, July 31 : Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Wednesday condemned the deadly attack in Beirut's southern suburb Dahieh, warning of a deteriorating situation if Israel continues its "reckless and murderous criminal madness". "We fear the situation will worsen if the concerned countries and the international community do not rush to stop this dangerous chaos," Mikati said during a Cabinet meeting held to discuss the latest developments, according to a statement released by the Lebanese Council of Ministers. Mikati called on countries that have been witnessing Israel's violent actions to urge it to cease the attacks, adhere to international resolutions and laws, and implement the Security Council Resolution 1701 which calls for full cessation of hostilities, and deployment of Lebanese forces to Southern Lebanon among other issues, Xinhua news agency reported. Mikati also vowed to work to save Lebanon and protect its society from any danger, saying "my appeal to the Lebanese is for us all to stand together and be able to prove our unity and confirm our solidarity with our people and our rejection of any aggression that affects any region of Lebanon". "We will remain in constant contact with Lebanon's friends and Arab brothers to prevent the escalation of the situation, which will have major repercussions," he added. Earlier, Hezbollah said that civil defence teams were still searching for Fouad Shokor, a senior military advisor to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in the rubble after he was attacked by an Israeli drone in southern Beirut. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday that an Israeli drone conducted a targeted strike on a position near the Shura Council of Hezbollah in Dahieh, "eliminating Fouad Shokor". While not confirming Shokor's death, Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group and political party, said that since the incident, civil defence teams have been working diligently but slowly to remove the debris due to the condition of the destroyed floors. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rocket attacks launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with the Hamas attack on Israel one day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. New Delhi, July 31 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, revealed that the Central government had issued warnings to Kerala about the impending disaster seven days prior to it. He also questioned the state government not taking preventive measures despite the warnings. The Home Minister began his speech by offering condolences to the families of the victims of the Wayanad landslides and slammed the Opposition for politicising the issue. On Tuesday night, massive landslides occurred at Churalpara in Kerala's Wayanad at around 2 a.m. The area was cut off, but the local people and a team of rescuers were engaged in locating the missing people in the area, which had been ripped into two. The death toll has touched 184 while 225 people are reported missing while around 7,000 people have been housed in around 50 relief camps. Shah stated, "On July 23, the Government of India issued a warning to the Kerala government. Warnings were sent on July 24, July 25 and also July 26, indicating that heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm could lead to landslides and fatalities." Responding to the "irrelevant" questions regarding the Early Warning System of the government, he said that instead of "shouting, read the warnings that were sent." "There are many state governments who were able to secure zero casualty disaster management following the warnings sent by the Central government," he said, citing Odisha and Gujarat as examples. "The government has spent Rs 2000 crore on this system since 2014 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power," the Home Minister asserted. He said that the state government was sent a warning seven days prior to the disaster, and that warning is also accessible to everyone on the site, however, "some people don't open national sites, they are solely focused on the international sites, where they do not get national information." Shah mentioned that only four countries in the world issue disaster warnings seven days in advance, and India is one of them. The Home Minister mentioned that on July 23, nine NDRF teams were dispatched to Kerala following his approval in response to the warnings of potential landslides. Slamming the lack of acknowledgement to the warning system, he said, "It is okay if they are unaware, but if they (Opposition) are politicising the issue, then it is disheartening. " Questioning the state government's failure to implement preventive measures Shah said, "Everyone is questioning the government, but I would like to ask what the Kerala government did. It was a vulnerable situation, and they were warned about it, but why were people not relocated to safer places? They were only relocated after the disaster." Addressing concerns about disaster fund allocation, Shah clarified, "Those who are saying that there is no provision by which the state government can release the disaster funds are wrong." He said that under the State Disaster Response Fund, states have the authority to release up to 10 per cent of the allocated funds without the Centre's approval. He added that "irrespective of party politics, the Modi government will firmly stand with the people and the government of Kerala during this crisis." Bengaluru, July 31 : Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday expressed strong resentment over the BJP's decision to include former MLA from Hassan, Preetham Gowda in its foot march to Mysuru. Union Minister Kumaraswamy lashed out saying how was it possible for him to share the dais with Preetham Gowda who had distributed pen drives in connection with the sex video scandal involving Prajwal Revanna. Union Minister Kumaraswamy's nephew Prajwal Revanna is the main accused in the sex videos case and he is presently in jail. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Union Minister Kumaraswamy, expressing strong outrage over the call to include Preetham Gowda in the BJP's foot march to Mysuru, questioned, "Is it possible to share a platform with someone who has poisoned former PM HD Deve Gowda's (his father) family? "Are you inviting someone like Preetham Gowda, who is intent on destroying Deve Gowda's family, to the meeting which I am attending? "Don't you know who distributed the pen drives? Election alliances are one thing; politics is another." "The core committee, chaired by GT Deve Gowda, decided in Bengaluru on Tuesday that JD(S) should not participate in the foot march. BJP leaders have decided to go ahead with the march and are preparing for it," he stated. Kumaraswamy expressed dissatisfaction, stating, "Why should we support it if we are not taken into confidence? Our party has strength from Bengaluru to Mysuru. How can they decide not to take us into consideration?" He expressed disappointment, saying, "I am saddened by this matter. Why should we support the foot march? Who is this Preetam Gowda? We know who distributed pen drives on the streets of Hassan. This person has poisoned Deve Gowda's family. How can we share a platform with such a person?" Preetham Gowda, a young gun from the party had won the Hassan seat for the BJP for the first time since 1999 breaking the dominance of the Deve Gowda family in 2018. The JD(S) had earlier won the seat for three terms successively. In 2023, the JD(S) candidate Swaroop Prakash had won with a thin margin of 7,854 votes. Mumbai, July 31 : Actress Rasika Dugal on Wednesday celebrated four years of her black comedy crime film 'Lootcase', along with manifesting more comedy projects in future. The 39-year-old actress took to Instagram where she has one million followers, and shared a string of pictures with her co-star Kunal Kemmu. The photos are stills from the movie. She has captioned the post: "So many rangs (colours) in the life of this family...#4yearsofLootcase... Been four years to this one and I have had a special affinity for red suitcases ever since! C'mon now let's do some more comedy #puttingitoutthere," followed by a finger-crossed emoji. Actor Gajraj Rao, who essayed the role of MLA Suyash Patil in the film dropped three red heart emojis in the comment section. Kunal reshared the post on his Instagram Stories, and wrote: "Lata ka Aadmi." The film featured Kunal and Rasika as husband and wife, playing the roles of Nandan Kumar, and Lata, respectively. It also stars Vijay Raaz, Ranvir Shorey, Aryan Prajapati, Shashi Ranjan, and Aakash Dabhade. Directed by Rajesh Krishnan, the film is produced and bankrolled by Fox Star Studios. Meanwhile, on the work front, Rasika is currently winning hearts of the audiences with her portrayal of Beena Tripathi in the third season of action crime thriller series 'Mirzapur'. The show features Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and others. It is streaming on Prime Video. Rasika is known for her work in movies like 'Anwar', 'No Smoking', 'Hijack', 'Aurangzeb', 'Lust Stories', 'Hamid', 'Manto', and 'Bombay Talkies'. She was last seen in fantasy drama film 'Fairy Folk', written and directed by Karan Gour. It also stars Mukul Chadda. Rasika has also featured in web series like 'Made in Heaven', 'Delhi Crime', 'A Suitable Boy', 'Out of Love', and 'Adhura'. Seoul, July 31 : South Korea's intelligence agency is closely watching relations between North Korea and China amid increasing signs of the two countries growing apart, officials said on Wednesday. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) said it is monitoring any unusual moves after learning that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has apparently instructed his diplomats stationed in China "not to mind Beijing" when they are on the job, Yonhap news agency reported. South Korea's JoongAng Ilbo newspaper reported that Kim had given the directive to North Korean diplomats in China, quoting unidentified sources. If true, it would add to the growing speculation that a rift is growing between Pyongyang and Beijing, in contrast to the North's deepening ties with Moscow that became more evident after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang last month. The possibility of Pyongyang and Beijing drifting apart has gained traction after China removed a footprint plaque installed on a road in Dalian in May. The road was where Kim and Chinese leader Xi Jinping had taken a walk together during Kim's visit to Liaoning Province in 2018. Following a trilateral summit among South Korea, China and Japan in May, North Korea strongly denounced their joint statement, a highly unusual reaction from Pyongyang to the outcome of a diplomatic meeting involving Beijing, its traditional ally and longtime economic benefactor. Some North Korean defectors have claimed that North Korean authorities began to limit Chinese yuan-based transactions at markets. Manila, July 31 : Philippine security forces killed two armed men during a clash in Sultan Kudarat province in southern Philippines, a military general said on Wednesday. Major General Antonio Nafarrete, Commander of the army's 6th Infantry Division, said a gunfight broke out on Monday in Isulan town after an armed group fired at a law enforcement team, Xinhua news agency reported. The law enforcement team, as per the reports, was deployed to defuse fighting between former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front. The government team said it recovered weapons and ammunition from the clash site. Further investigation into the matter is underway. Mumbai, July 31 : In a major development, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has cancelled the provisional candidature of IAS Probationary Officer Puja Khedkar and has permanently barred her from all future examinations/selections, as per an official announcement on Wednesday. The move came after the UPSC scrutinised available records of Puja Khedkar and found her guilty of violating the Civil Services Examinations-2022 (CSE-2022), and showcause notice issued to her on July 18. She was directed to submit her reply to the showcause notice by July 25, which was extended till July 30, 3.30 p.m., but she again sought time till August 4, "to gather the necessary documents" for her response. Among other things, the showcause notice had sought her response for fraudulently availing attempts beyond the permissible limits provided for the CSE by faking her identity, and has also lodged an FIR against her with the Delhi Police. The UPSC made it categorically clear to Puja Khedkar that July 30 would be her last and final opportunity with no further time extensions allowed, but she failed to submit her explanation within the prescribed deadline. "It was also conveyed to her in unequivocal terms that if no response was received by the aforesaid date/time, the UPSC would take further action without entertaining any further reference from her," said the UPSC. After examining all the available records, the UPSC has held her guilty of acting in contravention of the provisions of the CSE-2022 rules, her provisional candidature as IAS has been cancelled, and she has been debarred permanently from all the future UPSC exams/selections. Earlier on July 19, the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, had ordered cancellation of Puja Khedkar's field training in Pune and later in Washim districts of Maharashtra. She was also directed to report back to the LBSNAA by July 23, but till that date, failed to go there. She faces multiple inquiries and investigations both in Maharashtra and at the Centre for various actions. Moscow, July 31 : The Russian government has decided to extend its ban on gasoline exports from August to October, local media reported on Wednesday, citing Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin. "In order to avoid any problems in these months, there will be no lifting of the (gasoline) export ban in August. It was also a fundamental decision for September-October that exports will be limited in order to be insured," Sorokin was quoted by the TASS news agency as saying. Russia initially introduced a ban on the export of gasoline for six months on March 1, to offset the growth in domestic demand in spring and summer, Xinhua news agency reported. Two months later, the ban was temporarily lifted from mid-May to June 30 and the permit was further extended to July 31. Chennai, July 31 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday said that the state is fully prepared to give more assistance to Kerala in the wake of the devastation caused by the landslide in Wayanad. "I again spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured him of more assistance to tackle the situation arising out of the Wayanad landslide, which has led to the loss of several lives," the Chief Minister said. He said that the Kerala Chief Minister has informed him that due to the enormity of the devastation, the government is unable to assess the extent of the damage. "Tamil Nadu government has already deployed a team led by two IAS officers and provided an assistance of Rs 5 crore," the Chief Minister told media persons in Kolathur. Stalin was in Kolathur to distribute assistance to the people of his constituency. When asked about the casteist remarks made against Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, Stalin said this is not the 'time to talk about such issues'. On Tuesday, massive landslides occurred at Churalpara in Kerala's Wayanad at around 2 a.m. The area was cut off, but the local people and a team of rescuers were engaged in locating the missing people in the area, which had been ripped into two. The death toll has touched 184 while 225 people are reported missing while around 7,000 people have been housed in around 50 relief camps. Thiruvananthapuram, July 31 : Hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that the Centre had alerted the Kerala government on July 23, warning of possible danger in and around Wayanad, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan refuted the claim but sought to play down the issue, saying it was no time for a blame game. Meanwhile, the death toll in the disaster has reached 205 and around 200 continue to be missing, even as search efforts continue amid the heavy rains in the affected areas on Wednesday evening. Speaking to the media here, Vijayan stressed that the need of the hour is not to engage in a blame game, while terming parts of what the Union Home Minister said as true and parts as untrue. "I do not wish to engage in a blame game now as the people in Wayanad are going through untold misery on account of the massive landslide, but the fact of the matter is that there were predictions that came out and they never mentioned a red alert in the affected area. In fact, the red alert came on Tuesday at 6 a.m., when the tragedy occurred several hours before," he said. "The IMD had predicted rains to the tune of 115 mm to 204 mm rains at the affected areas, but actually in the first 24 hours, there was 200 mm and in the next 24 hours, 372 mm rains came down making it a staggering 572 mm in 48 hours, much more than predicted. So with these being the facts, I wish to state, that this is not the time for wrangling," Vijayan added. The Chief Minister also said that there was no prediction of landslides from the Geological Survey of India and when these came, the tragedy had already taken place. "Then there was an alert from the Central Water Commission and it said that from July 23 to 29, not for one single day ... of the two rivers which got swollen, there was no mention at all. What was said in the Parliament is not true," he said, adding that there was a mention that the NDRF was sent early, "but the fact is we asked for it". "The need of the hour is climate change disasters have to be dealt with seriously and let us not engage in a blame game... people are in tragedy, let us soothe them," he said. Vijayan said about 1,200 rescue officials from various agencies are presently at work in the four worst-affected landslide areas of Wayanad district -- Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Pothukalu. "These areas, for all practical purposes, have been completely destroyed. The rescue teams have so far rescued 1,592 people and now there are 8,017 people in 82 relief camps. 201 people were treated in hospitals and now there are 90 under treatment. The rescue efforts are continuing and tribal families are being moved... for those not willing to move, food will be given. Medical facilities are being extended in a big way, with medical professionals from the private and cooperative sectors having joined the state government health officials," he said. Vijayan said in most of the affected areas, the electric power lines have been restored and the state electricity board has suffered a loss of Rs 3 crore. --IANS sg/vd Chennai, July 31 : The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has partnered with private lender IDBI Bank to launch the IDBI-IITM Secure Systems Lab (I22SSL), a cybersecurity laboratory, here on Wednesday. The cybersecurity laboratory will develop and deploy security solutions in crucial sectors such as healthcare, fintech and aerospace among others, IIT Madras said. The lab will focus on creating market-ready intellectual properties (IP) in cybersecurity, productisation and commercialisation of research work, especially for mobile technologies, IIT Madras added. The lab was inaugurated at the IIT Madras campus on Tuesday by Rakesh Sharma, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IDBI Bank in the presence of Prof V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras and other officials. With the rapid growth of Internet connectivity and automation, many critical sectors such as Banking, Finance and Insurance, Transportation, Government, Power and Energy, Telecom, and Strategic and Public Enterprises, depend considerably on Information and Communication Technologies. This has led to an explosion of cyber-attacks on these infrastructures by hackers. The lab would focus on cybersecurity in systems deployed in industries such as banking, automotive, power and telecommunications, among others, and undertake experimental evaluation and assessment exercises. The researchers would also develop test cases for testing, carry out vulnerability research, and help devise hardening guidelines. It would help Enterprise Systems in managing cybersecurity risks in real-time, IIT Madras said. "This initiative is a testament to IDBI Bank's commitment to proactively combating cyber threats and ensuring the security of data and information. We are optimistic that through such initiatives, we can together enhance our ability to anticipate, identify, and neutralize potential threats building a more secure environment for all," Sharma said. "The finance sector, being a critical information infrastructure that forms the foundation of the economy of our country is facing increasing number of cybersecurity challenges on a day-to-day basis. It is very important to continuously keep studying the threat landscape and come out with effective proactive protection mechanisms. This joint effort between IIT Madras and IDBI is very timely and we aspire to comprehensively address the security challenge," Kamakoti said. The I2SSL, IIT Madras, plans to ingeniously design systems for critical applications such as hardware firewalls, point-of-sale devices, and mobile banking. Security would be achieved using memory safe languages, tagged architectures that provide fine grained access control, memory encryption, and an indigenously developed Trusted Platform Module (TPM). According to IIT Madras, in the area of cryptography, researchers will work towards developing hardware accelerators for crypto-primitives including symmetric and asymmetric-key cryptography as well as post-quantum cryptography. Srinagar, July 31 : J&K Lt Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha on Wednesday addressed the Certificate Award Ceremony marking the recognition of Srinagar as a 'World Craft City' by the World Crafts Council (WCC). Srinagar is the 4th city in India to receive the prestigious title of 'World Craft City'. The Certificate Award Ceremony was attended by World Crafts Council President Sa'ad Hani Al-Qaddumi and other prominent personalities of the Council. L-G congratulated the people, artisans, craftspeople and all stakeholder departments on the momentous occasion. "Truly delighted to see Srinagar being awarded the certificate of 'World Craft City' by World Crafts Council (WCC). It's a great honour for the ancient city known for its priceless cultural and artistic heritage. It will go a long way to preserve and promote J&K's crafts and craftsmanship," he said. He appreciated the World Crafts Council for its endeavours to inspire and promote the artistic traditions of the cities across the world. "J&K is proud to have an inclusive cultural ecosystem, which always inspired the weavers and craftspeople. I believe in honouring the Srinagar city, the World Crafts Council has also honoured the 5000-year rich Indian civilisation which kept alive creative traditions and always promoted gifted artisans for their ingenuity and craftsmanship," he observed. He said that he wanted to see Jammu and Srinagar becoming the best art cities of India and also highlighted the efforts of the UT Administration to preserve and promote the unique cultural and artistic heritage of Jammu Kashmir and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the artisans and craftspeople of J&K. "Jammu Kashmir is known as a Crown Jewel of India not only because of its geographical position but also because of its quest for spiritual wisdom and its ageless Indian cultural assets, which can be witnessed in the infinite variety of creative products," he said. He said that the administration is giving greater attention to the training of a young generation of craftspeople so they can be part of this traditional occupation. "I am sure the recognition of Srinagar now as 'World Craft City' will not only provide a new identity to Srinagar in the global market but craftsmanship will re-establish its position as a prestigious occupation," the L-G said. Sa'ad Hani Al-Qaddumi, President of World Crafts Council International, congratulated the J&K administration on the recognition of Srinagar as a 'World Craft City'. "Srinagar has joined the well-deserved ranks amongst the craft cities across the world," he said. On the occasion, the L-G also released a publication depicting the 60-year journey of the World Crafts Council. --IANS sq/dan New Delhi, July 31 : His first full formal day as Iran's President couldn't have started on a worse note for Masoud Pezeshkian. Hours before daylight, came the shock news of the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, a guest at his inauguration, exacerbating what is already a toxic atmosphere in the Middle East. How this development will pan for Iran's new government and if could presage escalation to a much wider conflict in the volatile region beyond Gaza and the Israel-Lebanon border remains to be seen, but the initial effect will be on the off-and-on negotiations for a halt to fighting in Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages. Details of the assassination incident are still sketchy but according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a residence for war veterans in north Tehran where the Hamas leader was living was hit by a projectile at around 2 a.m., killing him and one of his bodyguards. There have not been any claims of responsibility, but Iran and the Hamas have blamed Israel. The development is awkward for Iran, as the incident came hours after representatives from 88 countries were in the country for Pezeshkian's inauguration and its response was unequivocal and strident. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said that by assassinating Haniyeh, the Israeli regime has "prepared the ground for harsh punishment for itself", as per Iranian media reports. Iran considers its duty to take revenge for the assassination of Haniyeh who was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, he added. Pezeshkian's reaction was no less strong, as he stressed that the country would defend its "territorial integrity and dignity". "...Yesterday I raised his victorious hand and today I have to carry his coffin on my shoulders", he said in a post on X. "The bond between the two proud nations of Iran and Palestine will be stronger than before, and the path of resistance and defence of the oppressed will be followed stronger than ever", he said, adding that Iran "will defend its territorial integrity and honour and would make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly action". The IRGC, in a statement, warned "the Zionist regime" of a "harsh and painful response" for the assassination. Meanwhile, the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Parliament was slated to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday itself over the assassination. "The issue is under investigation and the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee will announce the necessary information regarding the next actions and meetings," Committee spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei told reporters, IRNA reported. The targeting of Haniyeh comes shortly after Israel attacked Beirut to eliminate a top Hezbollah leader and claimed success, though local authorities did not confirm the fate of Fuad Shukr. As noted Qatar, which was leading the negotiation efforts along with Egypt, has reacted strongly to the assassination of Haniyeh, who used to live in exile in the country. Its Foreign Ministry termed it "a heinous crime, a dangerous escalation, and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law", underlining that "the assassination and reckless targeting of civilians will lead the region into chaos and undermine the chances of peace". Qatar's PM and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani was more blunt. "Political assassinations & continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue leads us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side? Peace needs serious partners & a global stance against the disregard for human life," he said in a post on X. On the other hand, the targeting of Haniyeh, one of the most prominent Hamas leaders along with Khaled Meshal - the target of a bungled Israeli assassination plot decades back - and Mahmoud Zahar, makes for good optics for the supposed beneficiary but is scarcely a strategic advantage. Considered a pragmatist, if not moderate, and open to political solutions, Haniyeh's removal from the scene could mean the leadership mantle switch back to shadowy - and more unrestrained - figures like Yahya Sinwar, perceived as the mastermind of the October 7, 2023 attacks. The long-term implications could be similar for Israel - and the West at large, after the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, when secular nationalist rulers like Egypt's charismatic Gamal Abdel Nasser were humbled, and the stage set for Islamist fundamentalists to come to the fore. Israel repeated the same mistake in the 1970s when it backed the incipient Hamas to undermine Yasser Arafat and the left-leaning and secular PLO, and in the process, ended up creating a bigger problem for itself. The actions of the principal actors in days to come will determine if the Tehran assassination remains a one-off incident or a trigger to more instability, and suffering. (Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in) Mumbai, July 31 : Taking serious cognisance of the complaints against 2023 Maharashtra cadre probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, the UPSC carried out an unprecedented scrutiny of the number of attempts availed by over 15,000 IAS candidates for 15 years, as per an official statement. After a thorough examination of the Civil Service Examinations (CSE) from 2009 to 2023 for over 15,000 finally recommended candidates, it has emerged that only Puja Khedkar flouted the rules. Accordingly, the UPSC on Wednesday cancelled her provisional candidature for CSE-2022, and permanently debarred her from all future exams/selections. "After this detailed exercise, barring the case of Puja Khedkar, no other candidate was found to have availed more number of attempts than permitted under the CSE Rules," said the UPSC. In the lone case of Puja Khedkar, the UPSC admitted that its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) "could not detect her number of attempts primarily because she changed not only her name but also her parents' names". The UPSC said it is now in the process of further strengthening its SOPs to plug any possible loopholes to ensure that such a case does not recur in the future. Regarding the complaints pertaining to the submission of false certificates (specifically OBC and PwBD categories), the UPSC said that "it only does a preliminary scrutiny of the certificates, viz. whether the certificate has been issued by the competent authority, the issuing year, date, whether there is any overwriting on the certificate, its format, etc." "Generally, the certificate is taken as genuine if it has been issued by the competent authority. The UPSC neither has the mandate nor the wherewithal to check the veracity of thousands of certificates submitted by the candidates every year. "However, it is understood that scrutiny and verification of genuineness of certificates is carried out by the authorities mandated with the task," the UPSC said. The UPSC, Central government, Maharashtra government, and the police are conducting separate probes against Puja Khedkar, while the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie recently removed her from field training as a trainee IAS officer in Pune and Washim districts. New Delhi, July 31 : The Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi will visit Wayanad on Thursday, to take first-hand account of the devastation caused by landslides in many regions of the district. During their visit, the duo will meet some displaced families, taking refuge in relief camps in Meppadi after the catastrophic landslides turned the region into ruins. The death toll due to the deadly landslides in Wayanad has touched the 200 mark and is likely to increase further as many are still feared trapped in the debris of the catastrophic landslides and 200 people are reported missing. As per the itinerary, MP Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi will visit three relief camps operating at Government Higher Secondary School, St Joseph's UP School, Dr Moopen's Medical College in Wayanad's Meppadi on Thursday. During the meet, they are expected to express solidarity with affected families and also give assurances to them on all possible assistance. As the devastating landslides hit Wayanad on July 30, MP Rahul Gandhi exhorted the United Democratic Front (UDF) workers to extend all possible assistance to the people, affected or trapped by it. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi also took to X and said, "Our hearts are with you at this tragic hour and we are praying for you all." MP Rahul Gandhi, having represented Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in the 17th Lok Sabha, said that he has spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Wayanad District Collector, who in turn assured him of all possible assistance to the victims. Notably, the two senior Congress leaders were scheduled to visit Wayanad on Wednesday morning but their schedule was changed because of adverse weather conditions and incessant rains. LoP Rahul Gandhi also raised the issue of Wayanad landslides in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday and demanded enhanced compensation from the Centre for the victims. He called for treating the restoration of communication lines and transport connectivity as of utmost importance and called for fast relief and rehabilitation of the displaced population. Rahul Gandhi also raised the pressing issue of mapping the landslide-prone areas to prepare a bulwark against such calamities. "The country has witnessed an alarming rise in landslides in the last few years. There is an urgent need for the mapping of landslide-prone areas and to take up mitigation measures and an action plan to address the growing frequency of natural calamities in the ecologically fragile regions," LoP Rahul Gandhi said. The worst affected areas in the Wayanad landslides include Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu. Rahul Gandhi served the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency as its MP in the previous term. This time, he was re-elected from the constituency but he chose Rae Bareli over Wayanad. Priyanka Gandhi is slated to contest polls from the constituency, whenever elections happen. Chennai, July 31 : Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said on Wednesday that the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) will commence counselling for admission to medical and dental colleges in the state from August 21. In a statement, the minister said that DME has started issuing applications for MBBS and BDS for the academic year 2024-25. The last date to submit filled-in forms online is 5 p.m. on August 8. He said that the candidates can visit the website www.tnmedicalselection.org. The National Medical Commission announced that the counselling for All India Quota would begin on August 14. All State governments surrender 15 per cent of the total seats available in their medical colleges to the Directorate General of Health Services which conducts counselling for the surrendered seats besides seats in Central government institutions and deemed universities across the country. The minister said the TN Medical Selection Committee will release the merit list on August 19. On August 21, counselling will commence for the general category. The statement also said that for students admitted through special reservations such as persons with disabilities, wards of ex-servicemen, sportspersons and for students admitted under the preferential reservation of 7.5 per cent for government school students, admission would be conducted in the physical mode on August 22 and 23. Ahmedabad, July 31 : Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, on Wednesday, said he is deeply saddened at the tragic loss of lives in the devastation caused by landslides in Kerala's Wayanad, and announced a Rs 5 crore contribution to Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. Massive landslides occurred at Churalpara in Kerala's Wayanad on Tuesday. The death toll due to the deadly landslides in Wayanad had touched the 200 mark and was likely to increase further. In a post on X, Gautam Adani said he is "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in Wayanad". "My heart goes out to the affected families. The Adani Group stands in solidarity with Kerala during this difficult time," said the Adani Group Chairman. "We humbly extend our support with a contribution of Rs 5 crore to the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund," he added. Around 7,000 people have been housed in around 50 relief camps in the affected area. Many were still feared trapped in the debris of the catastrophic landslides and 200 people were reported missing. The worst affected areas in the Wayanad landslides include Churalpara, Vellarimala, Mundakayil, and Pothukalu. Hubballi, July 31 : Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara lashed out at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday, claiming that no progress has been made in 170 cases pertaining to the state pending before the probe agency. Answering a question on the BJP's demand to hand over the MUDA and tribal welfare scam cases to the CBI, Parameshwara stated, "Why should the scams be handed over to the CBI? There are 170 cases pertaining to the state pending with the CBI. Till date no progress has been made in those cases by the CBI." "Do we really have to hand over? We don't have trust in the CBI. The BJP called the CBI as Chor Bachao Sanstha and Congress Bachao Sanstha. Suddenly, the CBI has become close to them," he charged. With regard to the Valmiki tribal welfare board scam, the government took cognizance after the suicide of Chandrasekaran and immediately a Special Investigation Team was formed. "We did not see who is involved. Since bank fraud was involved, the CBI is probing. The ED is probing the money trail. Three investigations are going on and the reports are yet to come," he stated. "We have taken the resignation of the minister as allegations have surfaced. The ED has taken him into custody. In what way is the CM involved? The CM himself has clarified on the MUDA scam. He is not a signatory to it. Thousands of sites are distributed in the same manner," he said. When asked about the caste jibe against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said that everyone has an identity in the country. We are a progressive society, being a parliamentarian a person can't talk in this fashion. The BJP leaders speak only to get attention, he said. When asked whether he wishes to become the Chief Minister, he quipped, "I am not in politics to be a sage. Are we sanyasis?" On whether there are any chances of a change of guard in the state, he stated, "there are no such chances. Presently there is the Chief Minister and we are delivering good administration. This phase in politics is common." Baghdad, July 31 : Iraq held the US-led coalition forces responsible for repercussions of the attack on Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi Forces in Babil province south of Baghdad, Iraqi military spokesman Yahya Rasoul said on Wednesday. "The coalition forces have committed a heinous crime and blatant aggression" when they targeted military bases belonging to the Iraqi security forces in northern Babil province Tuesday night, killing and wounding several members of the Hashd Shaabi forces, said Rasoul in a statement. Such attacks can significantly undermine all efforts, mechanisms, and frameworks of joint security work to combat the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq and Syria, Rasoul warned, adding that the attack also risks dragging Iraq and the entire region into dangerous conflicts and wars. Iraq would take appropriate legal and diplomatic measures to protect its rights and ensure its security and sovereignty, the spokesman stressed, Xinhua news agency reported. On Tuesday night, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua that unknown drones bombed a military base of the Hashd Shaabi forces, also known as Popular Mobilization Forces, in the Jurf al-Nasr area in the northern part of Babil province. On Wednesday, a statement issued by the al-Jazira Operations Command of the Hashd Shaabi forces accused the United States of conducting three drone attacks on the paramilitary 47th Brigade in the Jurf al-Nasr area, leaving four fighters killed, including a commander named Ahmed Najam Abdul-Zahra. Meanwhile, an Iraqi militia known as Kataib Hezbollah said in a separate statement that the US drones were launched from neighboring Kuwait while calling on the Iraqi government to take decisive action to end the presence of US-led coalition forces and urging the parliament lawmakers to adopt a clear stance towards expelling American troops from Iraq. Hyderabad, July 31 : Certain remarks by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy about two women MLAs of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) sparked a furore in the Assembly with the main opposition party demanding an apology from him. BRS MLAs P. Sabitha Indra Reddy and V. Sunita Lakshma Reddy and others trooped into the well of the House, demanding that the Chief Minister apologise for his remarks. Even after the Chief Minister left the House for the airport to receive new Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, the BRS members continued their protest. They later came out raising slogans against the Chief Minister in the lobbies of the Assembly after the House was adjourned. The Chief Minister made some remarks after minister Seethakka raised the issue of BRS leaders approaching the Governor to disqualify the BRS MLA who recently joined the Congress party. She said the memorandum was given by Sabitha Indra Reddy, who had defected from BRS to Congress. She asked if BRS admitted the Congress MLAs after they resigned from the Assembly. To this, Sabitha Indra Reddy wanted to know why Revanth Reddy was targeting her. She recalled as a sister he had invited him to join Congress. "Why Revanth Reddy has this grudge against me? When he joined the Congress party, I said that he would become the hope of the party and that he would become chief minister. I heartfully blessed him," said Sabitha Indra Reddy, who had quit Congress to join BRS in 2019 and became a minister in the KCR-led Cabinet. Responding to Sabitha Indra Reddy's comments, Revanth Reddy said it was true that she had invited him to the Congress. "The Congress asked me to contest from Malkajgiri in 2019. She promised that if I contest from Malkajgiri she will support me. As soon as Congress declared me as the candidate from Malkajgiri, she joined BRS. For sake of power, she left Congress, joined BRS and became a minister. Since she betrayed me as a younger brother, I told KTR not to trust her," he said. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka also recalled how the Congress encouraged Sabitha Indra Reddy by offering her ticket in the 2004 Assembly elections, followed by ministerial berths. BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao told mediapersons that Revanth Reddy's remarks are highly deplorable. He said that Revanth Reddy was unfit to be the chief minister and demanded his apology. Sabitha Indra Reddy termed the Chief Minister's remarks insulting to all women in the state. She became emotional while talking to mediapersons. The former minister said Revanth Reddy belittled the post of the chief minister with his remarks. Damascus, July 31 : Explosions were heard Wednesday afternoon in the south of Damascus in an area that has a presence of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, a war monitor reported. The blast hit a building in the Sayyida Zaynab area in the southern countryside of the Syrian capital, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, adding details of the incident are still emerging, Xinhua news agency reported. The area has witnessed several instances of Israeli attacks against Hezbollah targets. No official comments have been made about the incident yet. The explosions come amid growing tensions in the region, with Israel allegedly carrying out attacks in Lebanon and Iran against key figures of Hezbollah and Hamas. Sangrur : , July 31 (IANS) Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Wednesday that the Punjab government is following in the footsteps of martyrs like Udham Singh to restore the pristine glory of the state by making the youth active partners in the socio-economic progress of the country. Addressing the gathering at a state-level function to mark the 85th martyrdom day of Udham Singh at Sunam in Sangrur district, the Chief Minister recalled how he used to accompany his father as a child to attend an annual event here to pay tributes to Udham Singh. He said the countrymen are enjoying the fruits of freedom today due to the enormous sacrifices made by legendary heroes like Udham Singh. Calling him a true son of the soil who exhibited exemplary courage to kill Michael O'Dwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab and the prime perpetrator of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the Chief Minister said he regularly paid visits to the Caxton Hall in London where Udham Singh took revenge on behalf of millions of Indians. "The unprecedented sacrifice made by this iconic martyr at the altar of national freedom struggle helped the country overthrow British imperialism," he said, adding that Udham Singh waited for 21 years to avenge the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh and thus laid the foundation for freedom of the nation. The Chief Minister also asserted that Punjabis hold a prominent place in the national freedom struggle and "we are proud of their brave and unique contributions". The rich legacy of the unprecedented sacrifices made by the martyrs will act as a lighthouse to guide the destiny of future generations, he added. Mumbai, July 31 : Veteran politician CP Radhakrishnan was sworn-in as the 21st Governor of Maharashtra since the state's formation in 1960, at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, here on Wednesday, officials said. Mumbai, July 31 (IANS) Veteran politician CP Radhakrishnan was sworn-in as the 21st Governor of Maharashtra since the stateas formation in 1960, at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, here on Wednesday, officials said. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by the Bombay High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya at a glittering ceremony attended by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, other ministers and top civil and police officials. Appointed in place of former Governor Ramesh Bais, the new Governor was accorded a Guard of Honour by the Indian Navy. Earlier, he was the Governor of Jharkhand for nearly 18 months before he was posted to Maharashtra, and has also held additional gubernatorial charge of Telangana and as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry for brief periods. Born on May 4, 1957 at Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan is a graduate in business administration, with a rich political experience of over four decades in his home state. Starting with the RSS, he went onto become the state executive committee member of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, the predecessor of the BJP, in 1974. He became the TN BJP Secretary in 1996 and was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore in 1998 and again in 1999, and has served on various committees of the Parliament. He addressed the UN General Assembly as part of a parliamentary delegation in 2004 to New York, and from 2004-2007 he served as the TN BJP President. At that time, he undertook a major 19,000 km-long Rath Yatra for various public and social causes, like the garlanding of rivers project, ending terrorism, a Uniform Civil Code in the country, the drug menace and eradicating untouchability, etc. After holding various party and official positions, Radhakrishnan was appointed as Jharkhand Governor in February 2023, and has now taken over as Maharashtra Governor. Khartoum, July 31 : The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Wednesday announced the interception of two drones that targetted a military celebration at a military camp in eastern Sudan attended by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. "Our ground anti-aircraft weapons intercepted two hostile drones which targeted the site of the graduation ceremony of batches of cadets from military, air and naval colleges after the ceremony ended in Gebeit," the SAF said in a statement. Five people were killed in the incident, the statement said, noting that minor injuries were being counted. Earlier in the day, local media reported that the Gebeit military camp had been attacked by drones, while al-Burhan, also chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, was attending the graduation ceremony. No party has yet claimed responsibility for the drone attack, the first of its kind on the Red Sea state in eastern Sudan, Xinhua news agency reported. Sudan has been engulfed in a deadly conflict between the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, resulting in the loss of at least 16,650 lives, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in June. Meanwhile, an estimated 10.7 million people are now internally displaced in Sudan, with approximately 2.2 million others seeking refuge in neighboring countries, OCHA said in its most recent update on Monday. Agartala, July 31 : Tripura Police arrested six Bangladeshi women along with two children from Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala for entering India without valid passports, police said on Wednesday. An officer of the Airport Police Station said that on being informed about their suspicious movement at MBB Airport, police asked them for valid documents. As they failed to show any valid papers they were arrested on Tuesday night. The Bangladeshi women, aged between 30 to 38 years, during preliminary interrogation said that they illegally entered Tripura through the clandestine route and were planning to go to other states in the country by flight in search of jobs. Three days ago, 28 Bangladeshi nationals, including a tout, and two Rohingyas were arrested from two different places in Tripura by the Border Security Force (BSF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel before boarding trains. Over the last two-and-a-half months, more than 155 Bangladeshi nationals and 32 Rohingyas were arrested by the GRP, BSF, and Tripura Police from the Agartala railway station and various other places in Tripura after they illegally entered India. In the last few weeks, Bangladesh has witnessed waves of deadly violence and clashes during the quota reform protests claiming the lives of over 170 people and injuring over a thousand. Hyderabad, July 31 : The Telangana High Court on Wednesday upheld the order of a lower court which sentenced, to death, the convict in the rape and murder of a five-year-old girl in Hyderabad. The high court dismissed an appeal by the convict against the order of the Metropolitan Sessions Court in the 2017 case, agreeing with the lower court that it is the rarest of rare cases. Dinesh Kumar Dharne, a migrant worker from Madhya Pradesh, had kidnapped, raped, and murdered the girl at Narsingi in December 2017. He had lured the girl with chocolates, took her to the bushes, and raped her. Fearing that she would inform her parents about it, he bludgeoned her to death. The victim was the daughter of a couple who had migrated from Bihar for work. Dharne, who was then aged 23, and the victimas parents were working at the same construction site in Narsingi and knew each other well. When the girl was playing outside her hut, he took her to a nearby grocery shop on the pretext of buying her chocolates. On not finding their daughter for long, they questioned Dharne, who said he had dropped her back at the construction site and hadnat seen her ever since. The police took up the investigation after the victimas parents lodged a complaint. During the questioning by police, Dharne confessed to the crime and was charged under Sections 363, 366, 376(A) and 302 of the IPC and the POCSO Act. In February 2021, the Metropolitan Sessions Court in Ranga Reddy district had found him guilty and sentenced him to death. This was the first death sentence in the Cyberabad Commissionerate limits since its formation in 2003 and also was the first delivered by the Ranga Reddy district court in over three decades. Then Commissioner of Cyberabad V.C. Sajjanar had termed it a landmark judgement and said it was a result of a watertight case made against the accused. Kolkata, July 31 : BJP legislators staged a walkout from the West Bengal Assembly on Wednesday as soon as Minister for Municipal Affairs & Urban Development, Firhad Hakim, rose to speak on the eighth day of the Monsoon Session. The Chief Whip of BJP's legislative party, Shankar Ghosh, said a decision was taken earlier that the party MLAs will boycott any speech by Hakim as a mark of protest against the latter's comment at a recent event that there is a "need to spread Islam among non-Muslims". On July 26, the BJP legislators staged a similar walkout after Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay rejected an adjournment motion moved by the leader of the opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, demanding the termination of Hakim as an MLA for his remark. "Boycotting his speech on the floor of the House is the decision of our party. We will reconsider our decision only after he (Hakim) withdraws his remark made at a public gathering," said Ghosh. The BJP legislators returned to the House only after Hakim, who's also the Kolkata Mayor, completed his speech. The Speaker, meanwhile, said that such developments are not suitable for the sanctity of the Assembly as he made a plea to the BJP's legislative team to reconsider its decision. Hakim later told mediapersons, "I have always been a secular person, and continue to be so. What I said at a religious gathering cannot be the subject of discussion in the Assembly. The BJP always tries such divisive tactics." Bengaluru, July 31 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday that the people of the state must question the "anti-Dalit" Union government for not using the Budget funds meant for the development of the community. "What moral authority does the Union government have to question our (Congress) government when it unjustly uses the budget funds meant for the rightful development of Dalits by not implementing the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan/Tribal Sub-Plan (SCSP/TSP) schemes at the national level?" Siddaramaiah asked. "Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is shedding crocodile tears for Dalits, has called for questioning the Karnataka government regarding the welfare of the SC/STs. Nirmala Sitharaman, if you care so much about Dalits, implement the SCSP/TSP scheme and allocate 25 per cent of the Union Budget in proportion to the Dalit population, then question us. Until then, it would be wise for you to remain silent," the Chief Minister said. The Karnataka government's budget for the current year is Rs 3,71,383 crore, of which Rs 39,121 crore has been allocated for SCSP/TSP schemes. However, the Union government's Budget for the current year is Rs 48.21 lakh crore, of which only Rs 2,90,401 crore has been allocated for the development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Siddaramaiah added. "Nirmala Sitharaman, your budget clearly shows whom you are favouring. This is exactly what our leader Rahul Gandhi pointed out in the Lok Sabha. You are depriving 75 per cent of the population and feeding 'halwa' to 25 per cent. It is the fear of your "anti-Dalit" policies being exposed that makes you oppose the Caste census," he said. There were no widespread protests in Karnataka to implement the SCSP/TSP Act. However, the Congress government in the state included it in the 2013 poll manifesto out of genuine concern for the Dalit community, he added. After coming to power, the Congress-led Karnataka government implemented the SCSP/TSP Act in 2014-15 fulfilling its poll promise, Siddaramaiah said. "For the past 10 years, I have been urging the Union government to implement the SCSP/TSP Act at the national level, just as it is in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently rejected this demand. It is laughable that those who have ignored this demand for so long are now shedding crocodile tears, claiming the Congress government in Karnataka is being unjust to Dalits," he slammed the Union government. Before the implementation of the SCSP/TSP Act, the special component plan for the welfare of the Dalit community in the state allocated Rs 8,616 crore in the year 2013-14. In the year 2014-15, when the SCSP/TSP Act was implemented, the allocation was Rs 15,894 crore. This amount has now reached nearly Rs 40,000 crore which shows that the Congress government's concern for the Dalits in the state, Siddaramaiah said. "Not only this, but our (Congress) government has also increased the reservation for Scheduled Castes from 15 to 17 per cent and for Scheduled Tribes from 3 to 7 per cent as per the recommendations of Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das Committee." "We have reserved 24.1 per cent of government contracts up to Rs 1 crore for SC and ST contractors, decided to apply reservation to contract-based appointments, amended the PTCL Act to prevent unauthorised transfer of land granted to SC/ST families, and provided a 75 per cent subsidy for industrial plots allocated to SC/ST entrepreneurs. All these measures have been implemented only in Karnataka," Siddaramaiah added. "Now, tell me, Nirmala Sitharaman, who should the Dalits question first? The state government, which has implemented a series of schemes for the welfare of Dalits, including the SCSP/TSP Act, or the Union government, which has committed injustice by not giving even the rightful share to Dalits in the Budget?" the Chief Minister asked. Wayanad : , July 31 (IANS) Rescue and relief operations continued on a war footing at the landslide-devastated areas of four villages in Kerala's Wayanad on Wednesday, with 94 more bodies recovered, taking the death toll to 245, in one of the worst disasters to hit the state, with 240 other people still missing, even as a war of words broke out between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over prior warning of the disaster. A massive rescue operation involving 1,200 officials from various defence, police, and fire service personnel, besides local volunteers, is currently on at the four worst-affected landslide areas of Wayanad -- Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Pothukalu, which caught thousands of people unawares when two landslides took place early on Tuesday. In some areas, there were practically no signs of any houses and a wave of sorrow swept the survivors. The APJ Community Hall at Meppadi was one place where only the cries and wails of young and old are heard as it is here that numerous bodies have been kept for people to come and identify. Prashob, a young man spotted in the hall, was shattered. "I have now identified two of my uncles among the bodies that have been placed here. But I have no clue about seven of my other close relatives. I am in touch with people at other centres where bodies are placed and they are sending me pictures, but I am yet to identify any of my other missing relatives," he said. Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George who was on her way to the landslide-affected areas in Wayanad met with an accident and is presently being treated at the state-run Manjeri Medical College hospital. Her car hit a two-wheeler and then came to a stop after hitting an electric post and George suffered minor injuries on her head and hand. On the other hand, a war of words began after Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Rajya Sabha that the Centre had alerted the Kerala government on July 23, warning of possible danger in and around Wayanad. "Everyone is questioning the government, but I would like to ask what did the Kerala government do. It was a vulnerable situation, but why the people were not shifted to safer places? They were only shifted after the disaster," he said. CM Vijayan refuted the claim but sought to play down the issue, saying it was no time for a blame game. Speaking to the media here, Vijayan stressed that the need of the hour is not to engage in a blame game, while terming parts of what the Union Home Minister said as true and parts as untrue. "I do not wish to engage in a blame game now as the people in Wayanad are going through untold misery on account of the massive landslide, but the fact of the matter is that there were predictions that came out and they never mentioned a red alert in the affected area. In fact, the red alert came on Tuesday at 6 a.m., when the tragedy occurred several hours before," he said. "The IMD had predicted rains to the tune of 115 mm to 204 mm rains at the affected areas, but actually in the first 24 hours, there was 200 mm and in the next 24 hours, 372 mm rains came down making it a staggering 572 mm in 48 hours, much more than predicted. So with these being the facts, I wish to state, that this is not the time for wrangling," he added. The Chief Minister also said that there was no prediction of landslides from the Geological Survey of India and when these came, the tragedy had already taken place. "Then there was an alert from the Central Water Commission and it said that from July 23 to 29, not for one single day ... of the two rivers which got swollen, there was no mention at all. What was said in the Parliament is not true," he said, adding that there was a mention that the NDRF was sent early, "but the fact is we asked for it". "The need of the hour is climate change disasters have to be dealt with seriously and let us not engage in a blame game... people are in tragedy, let us soothe them," he said. "These areas, for all practical purposes, have been completely destroyed. The rescue teams have so far rescued 1,592 people and now there are 8,017 people in 82 relief camps. 201 people were treated in hospitals and now there are 90 under treatment. The rescue efforts are continuing and tribal families are being moved... for those not willing to move, food will be given. Medical facilities are being extended in a big way, with medical professionals from the private and cooperative sectors having joined the state government health officials," he said. Meanwhile, the IMD has bad news as it sounded a red alert in Wayanad where rains have intensified, affecting the rescue operations. Bailey bridges are being set up by the army in the area, and another 110-feet bridge has been flown from New Delhi to Kannur, on its way to the affected areas. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who is the former MP from Wayanad, and his sister and Congress candidate from the area, Priyanka Gandhi, will be arriving in the affected area. Vijayan is also arriving and will hold an all-party meeting to discuss the rehabilitation plans that will be charted out for the ravaged four villages. Jaipur, July 31 : Newly-appointed Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde said on Wednesday that his priority will be to work to achieve the goal of 'Viksit Bharat 2047' set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a press conference soon after taking oath at the Raj Bhavan, the Governor said, "My efforts will be to work for the development of the tribal areas by ensuring effective implementation of the schemes of the Central and state governments. "I have gone through the state Budget presented recently. It has very good provisions for the development of the cooperative and agriculture sectors. I will try to ensure all-round progress of Rajasthan." He also said that efforts will be made to strengthen higher education in Rajasthan to develop the intellectual capacity of the students. "As the Chancellor of the state universities, I will make efforts to ensure that they stay ahead in national rankings by reaching new heights," the Governor said. He also said that dairy business can prove beneficial for the poor people who do not have the option of farming. "Work will be done to take such people forward through dairy business," he said. The Governor also talked about promoting courses that encourage entrepreneurship under the New Education Policy. "The youth should be connected with skill development for agriculture and traditional businesses. For this, work will be done to benefit the youth under the CSR policy by coordinating with the industries," he said. "As Chancellor, I will make every possible effort to prevent commercialisation of education. I will also try to take forward the good work of (previous Governor) Kalraj Mishra ji and connect the youth with a sense of duty towards the nation. "I have got an opportunity to work as the Governor in this great land of glorious traditions, the land of the country's first freedom fighter Maharana Pratap... I come from Maharashtra, the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. "The environment I grew up in had a direct connection with the public. I came into politics with the sole purpose of dedicating myself to people's welfare in the public sector," the Governor concluded. New Delhi, July 31 : Hours after the assassination of Hamas' political bureau leader Ismail Haniyeh, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told IANS in an exclusive interview that Israel's primary goal is to ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to it. Asked about Iran's threats of retaliation for Haniyeh's killing, he responded that Israel is prepared and capable of defending itself. He also said that Israelis hold a warm regard for India. Indians understand what it's like to live in a dangerous neighbourhood with a country that seeks their destruction, or their demise, he said. Following are excerpts from the interview: IANS: Could you provide details about the killing of Haniyeh? Specifically, we'd like to know when and how it occurred. David Mencer: I can't comment on that particular issue, but what I can tell you is that one of the three war aims of this government of this country is firstly to destroy Hamas, its military, and its governing capabilities to bring back our 115 hostages. You know, tomorrow will be 300 days that they have been in custody. The famous Ariel Baba will be five years old tomorrow. That famous redheaded boy will be five years old, and is still in Hamas's terror dungeons. And the third, objective of this war was to ensure that Gaza can never be a threat to us again. Hamas is an evil organisation. They're backed by Iran. It's Iran, which attacked us on October 7. But not only from Gaza and then other seven fronts as well, from our north, Hezbollah, also from Syria, also from Yemen, also from the Houthis, also from Iraq, also from the Red Sea, also from Judea and Samaria in the West Bank. We're being attacked on seven fronts by Iran. But we are standing up to them and they will be defeated. IANS: The assassination of the Hamas leader in Iran and a Hezbollah commander in Beirut has heightened concerns that the Israel-Gaza conflict might escalate further? David Mencer: I can't comment on the incident in Tehran, but what I can tell you is that we're facing Iran on seven fronts. There's an escalation. This war was started by Iran. Israel will defend itself. We have no other choice. You know, we established this country just like India, in 1948, 76, years ago, we established this country as a safe homeland for the Jewish people to get away, to get away from the Jew hatred which has plagued my people for thousands of years. Thankfully not in India. I will remind you, there hasn't been any anti-Semitism in India. So we established this country as a safe homeland for the Jewish people. And that has remained the case, that it has fulfilled its potential as a homeland for the Jewish people, the only Jewish country in the entire globe. But we have a country on our doorstep in Iran, in our neighbourhood that seeks to destroy us. They seek to destroy it with seven different armies. They're trying to destroy us, but it won't work. And we're standing up to these terrorists. Look, they're after us here because we're local to them. But make no mistake, they've got India in their sights as well. They're in Iraq, right? The Iranians are the Iranian regime, not the Iranian people. The Iranian regime is a fascist, Islamic supremacy, supremacist, country which seeks to destroy my country, but only for us as a stopgap on the way to other countries as well, which means they must be stood up to. IANS: Iran's Khamenei says avenging Hamas chief Haniyeh's killing is Tehran's duty, Do you perceive any imminent threat or escalation in the wake of Haniyeh's killing? David Mencer: I can tell you is this country is ready. We are able to defend ourselves. We will always defend ourselves. There's only one Jewish country in the entire globe. And our responsibility, the responsibility given to us by the people, of this country, is to defend ourselves. And that will be in every single way in which we are able. You know, Iran is not only an enemy of Israel, but they're also an enemy of India. They're an enemy of every democracy, around the world. We're the only democracy in hundreds of miles, in either direction. But they are an enemy of the US, and they're an enemy of all freedom-loving nations. We have to face them here locally, so you don't have to face them on your doorstep. IANS: Pakistan is terming Haniyeh's killing as an act of terrorism, what is your comment? David Mencer: If Pakistan is friends with Iran, that's all you need to know. Look, we consider India as an ally in this battle against civilisation and an ally to defend democracy. We have very, very good relations with India. We always remember our two Prime Ministers, rolling up their trousers and frolicking in the Mediterranean Sea. It's a very important relationship you are facing, Pakistan. You understand what it's like. Indians understand what it's like to live in a dangerous neighbourhood with a country that seeks your destruction, your destruction, or your demise. We have the same thing on our doorstep. We have this Iranian fascist regime which wishes to destroy this country. But we will not let them. We will stand up to them, and we will defend ourselves in every single way. The Prime Minister has made absolutely clear. Whoever seeks to harm us, they will be harmed. IANS: Buzz is that Mossad was behind Haniyeh's killing. Do you have any clue? David Mencer: Do you have any clue about that? So I can't comment on that incident. But what I can tell you is that Israel will use every means at its disposal to defend its people. Every single means at its disposal. We showed that, with the elimination of the Hezbollah chief, last night in Beirut, he was the number two of Hezbollah. He had the blood of many innocent people on his hands. Not just Israelis, but also Indian nationals as well. I remind you that an Indian national was killed by Hezbollah in the north of this country which was a terrible shock to us. Of course, we offered his family and his friends all the necessary means to repatriate, that poor Indian, citizen. So they're killing us. They're killing Israelis, but they're also killing Indians, which means that we must stand up to Iranian-backed terrorists. IANS: There are friendly countries, be it the US or India, who have stood by Israel for a long time... But, there are also several others, like Russia, Qatar and many more who are condemning Israel's actions... How do you plan to tackle the situation which is increasingly getting volatile with each passing minute? David Mencer: Look, I'll tell you very clearly that the Iranian axis of evil, of which there are a number of countries you mentioned, some of them, our enemies know how to fight us. Israel is a democracy. But also that's true of other countries as well. They know that we value human life is precious. Now, Hamas and Hezbollah, they're not upset that parts of Gaza have been destroyed. They're not upset. They're only upset that more of Gaza has not been destroyed. They prefer ten times more Hamas. Hamas are not upset that Gazan civilians have been killed, even though we've tried our hardest to keep them out of harm's way. They're only upset, that more Gazans have not been killed. Iran and Hamas would be happier if ten times, ten times, more were killed because Hamas are willing to bear these costs because it means that the world will come crashing down on Israel, as they have done. Now look through Iran as well. They think that they figured out how to beat Israel. They think that they can beat us in the media. They think that they can beat us on the BBC and CNN and on Indian channels as well, and on MSNBC and on many others. But they will never beat us through terror, not through tank columns, not through guerrilla war. They won't win that way, but only through this. The distorted images and the unchecked, contextualised images of this war in the media! Hamas and Hezbollah are immune to the costs, to their own people. These are jihadi Jew killers. They are shaping the strategic environment. So Israel must respond and defend itself. Now, Iran knows that it can only use the media to destroy Israel. They present this distorted version of Islam, which means revolution to them. So to restore Islam and their policy and its perceived place at the top of history according to their ideology, it all begins with destroying Israel. It all begins with destroying India as well. It begins with destroying other democracies. But I must tell you, we're on the front line of this. We're only a stopgap for the jihadis on the way over to you. They call us the small Satan. They call the rest of the democratic world the Great Satan. So for this enemy and this is important for Israel, and for India as well, the world needs to unite to create a great strategy to stand up to this Islamic hatred. IANS: Israel's PM has visited the US recently. How is the US supporting Israel in Operation Gaza? David Mencer: Look, the US and Israel, have been side by side, shoulder to shoulder for decades and decades and decades now. It's for two reasons. It's because of the shared values I mentioned. We are the only democracy in hundreds of miles in any direction of the US, of course, and India is also a democratic country. Iran is our enemy. The US has played a key role in standing together side by side with Israel to face this Islamic fundamentalism, this Iranian-backed Islamic fundamentalism. They understand that the government of the US understands and they matter who wins the elections in November. And in the US the relationship between Israel, and the US, is a bipartisan relationship that's very, very important to us. But no matter what happens as a result of that democratic election, the US will still face Iran, this fascist country which seeks to destroy democracy. So we're standing up to them together. We're on the front line here, but we're only a front line on the way to other democracies which means we must win against this Islamic fundamentalism IANS: Any message to the Indian government? David Mencer: India has been a safe haven for Jews for millennia. There was a very warm place in the heart of all Israelis for India. You probably know that when our soldiers, tired after three years of service, end their military duty, lots of them go to India because of the healing properties of your land, because it offers them some respite but the peaceful nature of your people, the beautiful nature of the Indian, population, and the close relationship we have as two countries in our coordination, not only in military, means, but also in high tech and creativity. So, look, we've shared many, sophisticated technologies with India, not least, drip irrigation, not least pulling water out of the environment. We've saved the lives of many Indians because of that water technology. That's something we're so extremely proud of. And we want that relationship to continue into the future. So let me use this as an opportunity to say thank you to the Indian government and also thank you to the Indian people for standing by us, so much of the Indian people for standing by us during this extremely difficult time. New Delhi, July 31 : A C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) carrying another set of 110-feet Bailey Bridge has landed in Kerala to assist those involved in the rescue work post the landslide in Wayanad, an official said on Wednesday. Army officials said the C-17 aircraft carrying another set of 110 feet Bailey Bridge along with three Search and Rescue Dog Teams had also landed at Kannur for further employment. On the request of the Kerala government, the Army's Engineer Task Force from Madras Engineer Group and Centre (MEG & Centre) with a strength of 123 personnel along with a set of 150 feet Bailey Bridge, three JCBs and other support equipment has been inducted into the affected area. "Construction of a bridge on the Meepadi-Choormala Road is under progress including induction of certain earth moving equipment to the other side of the stream utilising air effort. Construction of a foot bridge was completed overnight on July 30-31. Additional resource requirements are being assessed based on the aerial and ground reconnaissance and needs of the civil administration," a statement read. The statement said that around 1,000 people have been rescued by the Indian Army, provided medical aid and evacuated to safer places in Wayanad. Bodies of around 86 deceased personnel have also been recovered. The troops are conducting rescue operations along the 6-km stretch of landslide affected areas. Six Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) columns comprising a strength of around 500 personnel including medical staff, along with bridging equipment and rescue dogs have been deployed here. The Army has also set up a "Command and Control Centre" headed by Major Gen VT Mathew, General Officer Commanding, Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, along with Brig Arjun Segan at Kozhikode to coordinate HADR's efforts. On the second day of the Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operation, the Indian Army has intensified its efforts to rescue people stranded after multiple devastating landslides struck Wayanad in Kerala on July 30. Brig Segan carried out reconnaissance of the affected areas in the early hours on Wednesday and guided the Army columns for further conduct of the rescue operation. The troops forming part of the HADR column were mobilised from Kannur, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram. NDRF and other agencies have also been assisting in the rescue work. According to the army, two additional HADR columns including two medical teams having a strength of 135 personnel were airlifted from Thiruvananthapuram to Kozhikode by AN-32 and C-130 aircraft, to further augment the rescue and relief operations. "The Indian Army remains steadfast to assist the stranded citizens and is working relentlessly to ensure safety of one and all. The Army is committed to supporting the state of Kerala during this challenging time. The rescue teams are working tirelessly to provide relief and rescue operations in the affected areas," the official added. Thiruvananthapuram, July 31 : In the wake of the Wayanad landslide tragedy, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said that contributions to the CM's Disaster Relief Fund are welcome and all those who can help should do so for a noble cause. He said among those who have already contributed include Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani, Lulu Group Chairman M.K. Yusuf Ali, Dubai-based businessman Ravi Pillai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Tamil actor Vikram, and the Dalai Lama Trust. "All the Kerala ministers have agreed to contribute their one month's salary. I call upon all those who can, to contribute," Vijayan added. Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani, in an X post, said: "Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in Wayanad. My heart goes out to the affected families. The Adani Group stands in solidarity with Kerala during this difficult time. We humbly extend our support with a contribution of Rs 5 crore to the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund." The death toll has now reached 205 while around 200 people are currently reported missing. Around 7,000 people have been evacuated safely in around 50 relief camps. Meanwhile, hundreds of defence personnel and from several other agencies are engaged in rescue and relief operations in the four worst affected landslide areas of Wayanad district -- Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu. The death toll is set to rise further as more bodies trapped under debris are being recovered. Jaipur, July 31 : Rajasthan BJP convened a meeting on Wednesday under the leadership of state co-in-charge Vijaya Rahatkar to discuss the arrangements for the programme in which newly-appointed state BJP chief Madan Rathore will assume charge. Rahatkar said that at 10 a.m. on August 3, Madan Rathore will assume charge as state BJP chief at a grand ceremony in the presence of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Cabinet ministers, all the Union ministers from Rajasthan, along with party MPs, MLAs, and senior officials. After taking charge, Rathore will address a special meeting of state officials, and district presidents, among others, he said. Rahatkar also said that grand decorations will be put up in Jaipur for the ceremony, along with the illumination of the state BJP headquarters here. A total of 2,000 BJP workers will welcome Madan Rathore with a bike rally from the Jaipur airport to the BJP office. Guwahati, July 31 : Slamming the West Bengal and Jharkhand governments on the Rohingya infiltration issue, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that the instances of Rohingyas entering eastern India have significantly increased, posing a serious threat of demographic invasion. The Assam Chief Minister said that illegal immigration by Rohingyas is a big problem for the security of the country. "The system of West Bengal to curb infiltration is weak. I request the Central government to resolve this issue as soon as possible," Sarma told the media. He said that recently, the Tripura Police have arrested a large number of Rohingyas. Last year, the Assam Police also busted a Rohingya infiltration network - a matter which was also investigated by the NIA. Sarma said that the Centre should take up the issue of Rohingyas with the West Bengal government in an urgent manner. "Demographic changes in several states in eastern and northern India are happening which would come as shocking news once a census is conducted. Due to the appeasement policies, we are not able to control it and Indian states are suffering... the entire country is suffering. "The incumbent West Bengal government is very soft about infiltration despite demography changing in Bengal," Sarma said, adding that in the 2024 and 2019 voter lists, the change of demography is very visible. "Due to our constant steps and close monitoring, Assam is no longer a safe haven for illegal immigrants. However, West Bengal and Jharkhand are silent on the issue," Sarma said. Suggesting steps similar to those taken by Tripura against the infiltration, the Assam Chief Minister said that if the infiltration does not stop now, the entire country would face a demographic invasion. "Rohingyas are continuously coming to India through the India-Bangladesh border and many states are already suffering from the demographic invasion." Referring to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's recent statement that the state would provide shelter to those coming from Bangladesh, the Assam Chief Minister said that the neighbouring country has not even endorsed such a statement. Meanwhile, over the last two-and-a-half months, more than 155 Bangladeshi nationals and 32 Rohingyas have been apprehended by the Government Railway Police, Border Security Force and Tripura Police from the Agartala railway station and various other places in Tripura after they illegally entered India. Jaipur, Aug 1 : Rajasthan unit BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore has expressed concern over "the continuous increase in the number of cancer patients year after year across the country". Rathore raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha regarding the increasing number of cancer patients. He has also appealed to the Central government to provide affordable and accessible treatment to cancer patients. In response to a question asked by Rathore in Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pratap Rao Jadhav informed the House in a written reply that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is serious about health services. "... especially for the treatment of serious diseases like cancer, Prime Minister Modi has provided relief to the people of the country by providing treatment under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Not only this, treatment is free or is being made available at concessional rates in the country's district hospitals, medical colleges, central medical institutions like AIIMS. "At the same time, to make medicines available to cancer patients at concessional rates, the maximum rate of 131 anti-cancer scheduled medicines has been fixed and, on the other hand, the trade margin of 43 anti-cancer non-scheduled medicines has also been limited. At the same time, 83 products are also being made available for the treatment of cancer at Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras by the Central government," the reply read. United Nations, Aug 1 : Calling the twin strikes by Israel killing senior leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah during a 24-hour period a "dangerous escalation", UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an international diplomatic push to prevent a broader regional conflict. "The international community must work together to urgently prevent any actions that could push the entire Middle East over the edge, with a devastating impact on civilians," the UN chief's Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an audacious strike inside Iran on Wednesday during his visit for the swearing-in of newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to Hamas. A short while earlier, Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an air strike in Beirut. "The Secretary-General believes that the attacks we have seen in South Beirut and Tehran represent a dangerous escalation at a moment in which all efforts should instead be leading to a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all Israeli hostages, a massive increase of humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza and a return to calm in Lebanon and across the Blue Line that separates Lebanon from Israel," Dujarric said. While Guterres has been calling for maximum restraint, it alone is not enough "at this extremely sensitive time" and he "urges all to vigorously work towards regional de-escalation", the spokesperson added. Iran's UN Mission warned of an escalation, saying in an X post: "The response to an assassination will indeed be special operations -- harder and intended to instill deep regret in the perpetrator." While Israel military confirmed it had taken out Shukr, Israel was silent on the killing of Haniyeh, a serious setback to ceasefire efforts in Gaza because the Qatar-based leader was a key negotiator with Israel for a ceasefire and the return of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) Hyderabad, July 31 : Telangana's new Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Wednesday pledged to uphold the principles of fairness, integrity, and impartiality. Hours after taking oath as the Governor, Varma said in a message that he would discharge his duties with diligence, ensuring that the democratic process and constitutional mandates are respected at all times. Varma, a former Deputy Chief Minister of Tripura, said it is his privilege to serve the people of Telangana, a state renowned for its diverse culture, rich heritage, and unparalleled beauty. "Telangana, nestled in the heart of India, is a land of vibrant life and promise. Our state is blessed with abundant natural resources, fertile agricultural lands, and a strategic location that makes it a hub for trade and commerce. The spirit of enterprise and innovation thrives in our people, known for their resilience, hard work, and determination," he said. Congratulating the Telangana government led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, he said, "Together, let us embark on a journey of transformation, guided by democracy, justice, compassion, and the values of our great Constitution." "Our vision for Telangana is one of sustainable development, where economic growth goes hand in hand with social equity and environmental protection. Education and empowerment of our youth will be a primary focus, as they are our greatest assets. By providing quality education and opportunities, we can pave the way for a brighter future. "Healthcare is another critical area. We must ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare services, including preventive measures and public health initiatives. Our agricultural sector, the backbone of our economy, also requires continued support and innovation." "I am deeply committed to promoting inclusivity and social justice. Our society can only thrive when every individual, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed. We must work together to eliminate disparities and create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered," he said. "I call upon all the citizens of Telangana to join hands in building a future that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. Let us create a society where every individual can thrive and prosper. By fostering unity and cooperation, we can overcome any challenges and achieve our collective goals," the Governor added. Patna, Aug 1 : The Bihar Police on Wednesday arrested five cyber criminals during a raid at a village in Nawada district, officials said. The accused were operating from a park in Chakway-Balwapar village under the Warsaliganj police station area. During the raid, police recovered nine mobile phones and leaked personal documents of several people. The arrested individuals were identified as Pankaj Kumar, Rohit Kumar, Rajpal Kumar, Rahul Kumar, and Rohit Kumar, all natives of Warsaliganj. An official said that police were investigating some cases related to cyber frauds and got a tip-off about some cyber criminals operating from Chakway village, who defraud people by posing as employees of a private finance company. "Accordingly, a special team was constituted following the direction of the district SP, and we raided the place. Upon seeing the police team approaching, they tried to flee. We chased them and managed to nab five of them, while others escaped," said Mahesh Kumar Chaudhary, the SDPO of the Pakribarawa subdivision of Nawada district, who led the team. The accused confessed that they have cheated many people across the country, the official said. We pay tribute to the authors, illustrators, and publishing professionals we have lost so far this year. Derek Anderson Author-illustrator Derek Anderson, known for his expressive and often humorous acrylics in Lauren Thompsons Little Quack picture books and numerous self-illustrated books, died on April 26 in St. Paul, Minn. He was 55. Kate Banks Prolific childrens book author Kate Banks, whose prose was praised as lyrical, clever, and graceful, died on February 24 in Switzerland. She was 64. Lynne Barasch Picture book author-illustrator Lynne Barasch, who created lively biographies as well as stories inspired by her family life, died on March 7. She was 84. Laurent de Brunhoff French author-illustrator Laurent de Brunhoff, acclaimed for carrying on the legacy of beloved character Babar the elephant, first illustrated by his father Jean, died on March 22 at his home in Key West, Fla. He was 98. Cynthia DeFelice Childrens book author Cynthia DeFelice, oft-lauded for her deft storytelling and absorbing themes, died on May 24, in Geneva, N.Y. She was 72. Etienne Delessert Swiss self-taught artist and animator Etienne Delessert, known for the surrealistic, wildly imaginative images in his more than 80 childrens books, died on April 22 in Lakeville, Conn. He was 83. Norman H. Finkelstein Childrens nonfiction author and former childrens librarian Norman H. Finkelstein, best known for his works exploring aspects of the Jewish experience, died on January 5, in Framingham, Mass. He was 82. Leonard Everett Fisher Accomplished painter and author-illustrator Leonard Everett Fisher, widely known for his atmospheric, realistic artwork in books focused on American and world history and mythology, died on March 2 in Westport, Conn. He was 99. Robie Harris Childrens author, educator, and free speech champion Robie Harris, best known for her stories about young childrens powerful emotions and her frequently challenged and banned books on human sexuality, including Its Perfectly Normal, died in New York City on January 6. She was 83. Nonny Hogrogian Childrens book author, illustrator, and designer Nonny Hogrogian, acclaimed for her vibrant woodcut and mixed-media artwork and twice awarded the Caldecott Medal, died on May 9 in Holyoke, Mass. She was 92. Katey Howes Childrens author Katey Howes, whose picture books often focused on STEM/STEAM themes, creativity, and individualism, died on May 20 in Langhorne, Pa. She was 47. Petra Mathers Award-winning author-illustrator Petra Mathers, known for her naive-flavored pencil and watercolor artwork, died on February 6 with her husband, author and photographer Michael Mathers, at their home in Astoria, Ore. She was 78. Florence Minor Picture book author Florence Minor, who collaborated on numerous books for children with her husband, illustrator Wendell Minor, died on May 21 in Washington, Conn. She was 74. James Proimos Childrens author, illustrator, animator, and designer James Proimos, known for his quirky picture books and boldly hued cartoon characters, died on July 8. He was 66. Faith Ringgold Award-winning visual artist, childrens book author-illustrator, and teacher Faith Ringgold, widely acclaimed for her works depicting African American heroines and themes, and for her unique story quilt medium, died on April 13 in Englewood, N.J. She was 93. Dinah Stevenson Esteemed childrens editor Dinah Stevenson, a keen spotter of talent who shepherded numerous books and authors to the industrys highest accolades, and former publisher of Clarion Books, died on January 23 in Hoboken, N.J. She was 81. Mike Thaler Prolific author-illustrator Mike Thaler, best known for his many riddle books and his humorous Black Lagoon Adventures series, died on March 23 in Yakima, Wash. He was 87. East Bay Booksellers, in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, Calif., was destroyed by a fire on July 30. The Oakland Fire Department arrived at the bookstores 5433 College Avenue location just before 5:30 a.m., and Bay Area media described the building and its contents as a total loss. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. No one was in the bookstore at the time of the blaze, which ravaged upstairs businesses and art in storage. Although no other buildings were burned, five tenants from an apartment building next door were displaced, one with minor injuries. East Bay Booksellers owner Brad Johnson told PW he was working out his next steps. "First and foremost, we want to make sure our staff of booksellers are well-positioned and cared for, as the road to recovery looks to be long," he said. He and friends of East Bay Booksellers quickly set up a GoFundMe, and hundreds of supportive responses from booksellers, publishers, and Bay Area customers poured in on the store's Instagram account. "The shock is turning into reality very quickly, and the reality is daunting," Johnson added. "But Ive no doubt that our community of curiosity, who have challenged us as much as weve hopefully challenged them, will rise to the occasion." East Bay Booksellers started in 1989 as Diesel, a Bookstores Oakland location. In 2016, owners Alison Reid and John Evans sold the business to Johnson, a longtime bookseller there, and Johnson reopened under the new name. The fire occurred on the same day that Reid and Evans announced the sale of Diesels Brentwood, Calif., location, which they founded in 2008. The Brentwood store is now owned by Richard and Heather Turner. Reid and Evans still own and operate Diesel in the San Diego metro area's Del Mar Highlands, a store that also has been for sale since 2022. Hannah Walcher, executive director of the California Independent Booksellers Alliance, informed the American Booksellers Association and contacted the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc) on behalf of Johnson and East Bay's staff. CALIBA members and his community of booksellers and publishers are thinking about him and looking at ways to help, Walcher said. When hes ready, well do what we can and step in where he needs us. On July 30, a federal bankruptcy court approved Barnes & Nobles acquisition of Tattered Cover, setting the stage for the next chapter in the renowned bookstores history. The move marks a swift close for B&Ns $1.83 million acquisition bid for the embattled indie, announced last month, which includes four stores in Denver and will allow Tattered Cover to keep its name and branding and retain a majority of the stores roughly 70 current employees. Tattered Cover today puts the challenging bankruptcy process behind it, said James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble, in a statement. The Tattered Cover store managers, supported by their booksellers, now begin the rebuilding of these wonderful bookstores. In comments to local media, Daunt reiterated that Tattered Cover will be run independently by its own store managers. We just have to rebuild Tattered Cover to be a great bookstore, Daunt told the Denver Gazette, adding that the local store managers and employees will be leading the way forward: They will be doing it, not us. B&N officials said that the transition may briefly affect store hours and service as well as online access through tatteredcover.com, but stressed that the store would be maintaining its distinct identity. He added that all existing commitments, including the Friends of Tattered Cover benefits and Tattered Cover gift cards, will be honored. One of countrys most storied independent bookstores, Tattered Cover came to national prominence under the leadership of the late First Amendment rights advocate Joyce Meskis, who bought the store in 1974 and sold it in 2017. Meskis died in 2022 after a long, influential career in independent bookselling. The groups current ownership, Bended Page, filed for bankruptcy protections in October, 2023, with a total of nine parties expressing interest in buying the company before Barnes & Noble stepped up with its winning offer. Tattered Cover today puts the challenging bankruptcy process behind it. Following the deals announcement last month, Brad Dempsey, interim CEO of Tattered Cover, said that the move would create the nation's first true hybrid bookstore, calling it a bold and sustainable response to a marketplace that is dramatically different from when Joyce Meskis operated Tattered Cover for so many decades. In a statement today, Dempsey said he was very pleased that Tattered Cover emerges from bankruptcy fully supported and recapitalized, preserving its unique identity and able now to rebuild its reputation for bookselling excellence. The move to retain Tattered Covers branding, while operating under B&Ns umbrella, echoes previous moves Daunt has implemented in the U.K., where he is CEO of the bookselling chain Waterstoneswhich, like B&N, is owned by Elliott Investment Management. While the acquisition of Tattered Cover is B&Ns first purchase in the U.S., Elliott has acquired several independent bookstore brands in the U.K. and continues to operate them under their existing names, including Blackwells, Hatchards, Foyles, and Hodges Figgis, among others. In a June interview with PW, Daunt invoked the turnaround at Blackwell's when asked what he had planned for Tattered Cover. At Blackwell's, Daunt upgraded the IT systems and recapitalized the store to get it on its feet; sales at the store have grown dramatically since the takeover, Daunt said, adding that "store teams run their stores to their own idiosyncrasies while benefiting from the support structures of the wider business, notably in IT and logistics." B&N, meanwhile, appears to be enjoying its own turnaround. Sales at Barnes & Noble have been growing steadily since the pandemics grip on sales at bricks-and-mortar stores began to ease in 2022, Daunt reported earlier this year, adding that his goal for 2024 was to open 50 new storesand on June 12, B&N opened its 23rd new outlet this year, in Selma, Tex. As a privately-held company, B&N doesnt release financial information, but earlier this month, a B&N spokesperson told PW that the company is having a good year, and that new store sales are outperforming expectations. By Azernews Fatima Latifova Turkiye continues to stand by Azerbaijan in processes in the South Caucasus, responding appropriately to regional developments. It should be recalled that since the late 1980s, Turkiye has reacted strongly to Armenia's terrorist acts, genocide, and crimes committed in Azerbaijani territories. In 1993, Ankara closed its borders with Armenia and cut off all diplomatic and trade relations with the country. Since that time, Armenia has pursued a policy of occupying Azerbaijani lands but received an appropriate response during the Second Garabagh War in 2020. The Azerbaijani army liberated Garabagh and reclaimed its historic lands in just 44 days. Normalization process in Turkiye-Armenia relations Since the end of the conflict, Armenia has been very eager to normalise relations with Turkiye. However, Ankara has repeatedly stated that Armenia can only make progress in its relations with Turkiye after signing a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. It is no coincidence that until a few months ago, the Pashinyan administration, unable to gain sufficient support from the West, was able to take steps to contribute to peace and fulfil Azerbaijan's rightful demands. The meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Almaty in May signalled great hopes for a peace treaty in the region. During this time, there was also noticeable progress in Turkiye-Armenia relations. In January 2022, talks on normalization began, and in February 2022, direct flights between the two countries started. Yesterday, the fifth round related to the normalization process was held at the Turkiye-Armenia border. As a result of the meeting, the possibility of opening the borders only to citizens of third countries emerged. Armenian media did not miss the opportunity Following this session dedicated to the normalization process, the Armenian media snatched this opportunity to come into the spotlight with false and inaccurate information. Reports on the opening of borders between Turkiye and Armenia appeared in the Armenian media after the meeting between the two countries. These articles claimed that relations with Ankara had deteriorated due to Azerbaijan. Interestingly, none of these articles mentioned that Turkiye-Armenia relations were disrupted due to Armenia's so-called genocide claims and acts of vandalism in Garabagh. The situation of the Armenian media, coming into the spotlight with biased and inaccurate news while trying to rebuild relations with Ankara, is pitiful. Note that besides leveling accusations against Turkiye regarding a disputed "genocide," Yerevan also asserts territorial claims rooted in the Treaty of Sevres and pledges made to Armenian leaders by Entente government envoys on the eve of World War I. Armenia continues to depict Mount Agr? on its coat of arms and espouses aspirations for the so-called Western Armenia, a region envisaged to emerge from six eastern Anatolian regions under the Treaty of Sevres. Armenian disinformation is not new to the world It should be noted that the habit of the Armenian press to distort information and share fake news has been ongoing for years. During the Second Garabagh War in 2020 and the localized anti-terror measures in 2023, the Armenian media tried to attract global attention with fake news. For instance, Armenians attempted to present images of children injured in earthquakes years ago as victims of Azerbaijani terror during anti-Azerbaijan protests. Even many well-known Armenian officials, including Hovhannes Virabyan, the Ambassador of Armenia to Argentina, Peru, and Chile, shared these false reports on his X social account. It appears that Armenians resorted to such deceit because they could not find any evidence of children being harmed during the 23-hour anti-terror operations in Garabagh. Given this customary behavior, informed media representatives today can predict the inaccuracy of the information reflected in the Armenian media. Today, instead of working towards peace, the situation of the Armenian media announcing the opening of borders and even the abolition of visa requirements with Turkiye is ridiculous. It should be noted that Turkiye has not yet confirmed the news of opening borders even for citizens of third countries. And let's once again convey the message of the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to the attention of the Armenian press, which tends to circulate false news: "Until the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is resolved, Turkiye will not open its border with aggressor Armenia!" The main Melbourne-Sydney route via the Hume Highway might be long, but there are plenty of fascinating towns, sights, and experiences to rest at along the way. Its one of the countrys oldest, longest and most-travelled roads. The mighty Hume Highway is a vital part of Australias transport infrastructure and has been so (in one form or another) since 1817. As the primary connection between Australias two biggest cities, the Hume is well-used by travellers journeying between Melbourne and Sydney. Motorists are advised to make a 15-minute rest stop for every two hours of driving. Considering the Hume Highway takes at least nine hours to drive from Melbourne to Sydney, there are ample opportunities to stop and soak up the sights. Before you leave, sign up for RACV Emergency Roadside Assistance to make sure you're prepared for any situation. If you're an existing RACV Member, make sure your details are up-to-date before you head off. Driving an electric vehicle (EV)? The growing EV charging network means you can plan your next rest stop and charge your vehicle at the same time. Property details: READ READ READ Want to buy real estate?, READ WINNERS WHO DO NOT PAY, ARE NOW REPORTED TO EMAIL AND OTHER LAND SELLER FOR A BLOCKED ACCOUNT! Total Sale Price: $1,764.00BID FOR DOWN PAYMENT THEN $49.00 A MONTH UNTIL THE BALANCE IS PAID OFF FOR EXAMPLE: IF YOU BID $100 FOR YOUR DOWN PAYMENT, YOUR BALANCE WILL BE $1,764.00. YOU WILL PAY $49.00 A MONTH UNTIL THAT BALANCE IS PAID Now Lets talk About the propertyParcel: 800-03661-000Address: 1306 Cabinet CirSquare footage: .35 acElectric/ Water: OFF G... Price: $ 250 Seller State of Residence: Florida State/Province: Arkansas Location: 334**, Boynton Beach, Florida You will be redirected to eBay When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Nearby Arkansas Instagram / Koko Iwasaki By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 07/30/2024 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. pro Koine "Koko" Iwasaki has married So You Think You Can Dance alum Chris "Kiki" Nyemchek.Koko and Kiki, who met in 2017 on So You Think You Can Dance, tied the knot on Saturday, July 27 at the Crook Point venue in Pistol River, OR, Brides magazine reported "Being married to Kiki feels like everything in life happened exactly the way it was supposed to," Koko shared."He is my best friend, dance partner, and the love of my life all in one. Loving him is easy and being married to him makes me feel really lucky and giddy inside. It feels exactly right."Koko and Kiki both wanted "outdoor energy" for their wedding weekend, and so they were thrilled to exchange vows with a forest backdrop and the ocean off to one side."Kiki and I both wanted outdoor energy for our entire wedding weekend," Koko told Brides, adding that her wedding venue "felt like a dream" for the happy couple."I love the mountains and I just knew I wanted to be surrounded by them -- and we wanted our family and friends to experience the magic of the Pacific Northwest," she said.Koko walked down the aisle in an A-line dress with white calla lilies and a custom veil, and her gown happened to be the "very first dress" she had tried on."After three days of dress shopping, I had a dream of myself wearing that first KYHA dress. I called first thing in the morning and went to buy it," she recalled.Koko said her reception had "great food, great music, and great quality time" with family and friends, and she and Kiki also had a special intimate first dance."Because we as a couple always perform and choreograph dances for our work, we felt it was more special to truly be in the moment and improvise," Koko explained."We wanted to not stress about the pressure of performing a routine, so we slow-danced naturally and it was perfect. I just followed Kiki's lead."Fellow pros Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson attended the wedding.Val had choreographed a salsa routine for Koko and Kiki on their So You Think You Can Dance season, and the routine ended with Koko and Kiki sharing their first kiss and having explosive chemistry on the stage.Prior to the couple's wedding ceremony, the bride and groom decided to meditate with each other."Kiki and I meditated on the edge of this beautiful cliff. We love meditating and doing breathwork together, so it was only right to add it to our big day," Koko shared. "It was a tender, special, and really impactful moment I'll remember forever."Kiki had proposed marriage to his love in Big Bear Lake, CA, on November 26, 2022."11/26/22 -- Easy ask, easy yes," the couple wrote on Instagram.In one of the images, Koko showed off her beautiful diamond engagement ring.One day later, Koko gushed about her engagement in a solo posting on her Instagram account."I just keep replaying this moment over and over again. I've never been more surprised and caught off guard in my life," Koko shared."Messy hair, nails undone, sweat pants, and just the most raw version of myself. As I noticed Kiki's energy shift, I realized what was happening and I just about sh*t myself."The dancer and choreographer continued, "Both of our families were on FaceTime watching and it was all I ever wanted. It was just us and our pups, in nature between the water and the mountains. It was the most perfect moment of my life. And @kikinyemchek is perfect for my soul. He is my fiance."Earlier that year, Kiki had called Koko "the most special person" in his life when wishing her a happy birthday."I'm grateful for ALL of our moments together and I look forward to making more with you always and forever. I love you," Kiki wrote on Instagram.The couple met and competed against each other on Season 14 of So You Think You Can Dance in Summer 2017.Koko, who was a 20-year-old contemporary dancer from Pembroke Pines, FL at the time, finished in second place while Kiki made it to the Top 4 of So You Think You Can Dance.Koko later confirmed her romantic relationship with Kiki via Instagram in April 2018."Every day with you is so special. My love.. We screeeaaam of laughter together. We order 6 meals minimum at any restaurant and eat ALL of it. You bring out my biggest, most cheesiest smile and you adore me on my absolute worst days," Koko captioned a photo of the pair smiling backstage in each other's arms."Living life with you is pure bliss & I thank you for YOU every single day. Living life with you is pure bliss & I thank you for YOU every single day."Koko made her debut as a pro partner on Season 31. She was partnered with former Jersey Shore star Vinny Guadagnino Koko and Vinny survived the vote week to week despite landing at the bottom of the judges' leaderboard; however, they were sent packing before ' semifinals on Disney+. Comedian and Late Night host Seth Meyers will release his first HBO comedy special. ADVERTISEMENT HBO said in a press release Tuesday that the stand-up comedy special will premiere this fall and also be available to stream on Max. Meyers, 50, filmed the special in front of a live audience at The Vic Theatre in Chicago. "Critics say it's the special my kids will be talking about in therapy twenty years from now!" the star quipped. Nina Rosenstein, EVP of HBO Programming, Late Night and Specials, added, "As longtime fans, we're so happy to partner with Seth on his first HBO special. He's such a charismatic storyteller and we've always loved the way he reaches people on such a personal level. This special is endlessly relatable and so much fun to watch." The special is written and performed by Meyers, directed by Neal Brennan, and executive produced by Meyers and Mike Shoemaker. Meyers came to fame as a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live and has hosted Late Night since 2014. He released his first stand-up comedy special, Lobby Baby, on Netflix in 2019. That '90s Show fans will be able to watch Part 3 two months earlier than planned. ADVERTISEMENT Netflix announced Tuesday that Part 3 will premiere Aug. 22, rather than Oct. 24. That '90s Show is a sequel to the Fox series That '70s Show. The sequel follows Leia Forman (Callie Haverda), the teenage daughter of '70s Show characters Eric Forman (Topher Grace) and Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon). Leia (Haverda) spends her summers with her grandparents Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) in Point Place, Wisc., where she finds a new group of friends. The cast also includes Ashley Aufderheide, Mace Coronel, Reyn Doi, Sam Morelos and Maxwell Acee Donovan. That '90s Show premiered on Netflix in January 2023 and returned for Part 2 in June. Rupp and Smith said in an interview with UPI that month that they love feeling like honorary members of many fans' families. Instagram / Hailey Merkt By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 07/31/2024 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. Season 21 alum Hailey Merkt has passed away at the age of 31.Hailey, who appeared on Nick Viall 's season of in 2017, died on July 26 following a battle with leukemia.The news of Hailey's death was announced via her official Instagram page on July 30."It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life," read a post."Hailey faced this journey with unimaginable strength, grace, and selflessness. Her determination, courage, and will to live surpassed every timeline the doctors gave her, and she chose to spend her final moments surrounded by loved ones and doing what she cherished most with no regrets."The post included beautiful selfies of the former bachelorette as well as photos of Hailey posing with her dog."She will forever be remembered as anything but boring, always hysterically funny, and as someone who lived fully in the present moment. Hailey embraced life with an unmatched zest; her beautiful spirit has touched countless lives," the post continued."Hailey will be profoundly missed by all who knew her. Her laughter, her love, and her vibrant spirit have left an undeniable mark on our hearts. While we grieve her loss, we find comfort in knowing that her spirit will live on in all the lives she touched. Rest in peace, Hailey."The upload went on to thank everyone who had followed Hailey on her "difficult journey" and invite family and friends to share their favorite memories of her.A GoFundMe page has also been established titled " Hailey Merkt AML Leukemia Fund -- In Loving Memory" on Hailey's behalf.The crowdfunding page , which will close on August 10, 2024, provided more details of what Hailey went through in her final days."After the bone marrow transplant had taken, she was told she had nine months to not even think about cancer, but in truth she only had 6 weeks before she got the terrible news that leukemia cells were back and moving fast," the page read."Her first reaction was to say, 'I don't care about myself anymore, but I can't bear being the cause of so much pain for the people I love.'"Christopher Bennett, who wrote about Hailey on the crowdfunding page, said he was "in awe" of Hailey, who had "clarity, independence and grace.""She decided she wanted to live every last minute she had to the fullest: being with the people she loved and doing the things she loved, and she loved doing so many simple things," he wrote."A drink on a patio. Being in the sun. Her family and friends. Her dog, Snuggles. Swimming. An organized cupboard. A checklist of tasks all ticked off. Hanging out in a favourite park. Looking beautiful, with all the creativity that entails. Being beautiful. A beautiful soul."When Hailey competed on in 2017, she was a 23-year-old photographer from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.Nick eliminated Hailey , along with two other bachelorettes, at his season's second Rose Ceremony."I've been in love before. I know what it feels like and I know how amazing it is. I absolutely do want to find love. I'm just sad that Nick didn't choose me," Hailey said following her ouster."It's weird because you go through this journey and you have to be a little bit vulnerable to allow people to love you. I knew that coming in, but I didn't do it."Hailey had an issue with 21 villain Corinne Olympios prior to her exit."If Nick is attracted to someone like Corinne, that is what really upsets me," Hailey concluded.According to her ABC bio, one of Hailey's greatest achievements in life was traveling to China to build schools and teach in orphanages.Nick ended up getting engaged to Vanessa Grimaldi on his season, but they split in August 2017 , just five months after the finale aired.Nick is now happily married to a woman outside of Bachelor Nation, surgical technician Natalie Joy, and they welcomed a daughter named River Rose in February 2024.Interested in more news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group Many years ago the Ruger Precision Rifle hit the scene and changed how we view factory rifles. There were many compelling things about that rifle, but the most important was the price tag $999.99. Other rifle manufacturers took notice and have since started a trend of more affordable, but accurate factory rifles. Bergara thought the market needed something like a custom barreled action dropped into something like a McMillan A5 that cost somewhere around $1000 and needed no other work with those requirements in mind, they introduced the Hunting Match Rifle (HMR). To develop it, Bergara assembled a group of employees to help design a rifle that they, serious enthusiasts and former military, would be willing to actually own and shoot. The end result is a harmonious marriage between shooter and accountant that seems to satisfy all. I first shot the HMR at SHOT Show 2017 Range Day. To my surprise, it was nice and comfortable and I had no problem hitting enormous torso-sized targets at a quarter-mile, even in 20 mph winds. Shortly thereafter, this tester HMR arrived at my FFL. In the past two years, I've shot it informally at both paper and steel and formally at a weekend precision rifle class. The pile of dirty brass in my reloading room tells me that the total round count is approaching 700 rounds. ACCURACY Most of my measured five-shot groups across a range of factory ammo types resulted in .7 to 1.1 MOA. In one case, using Hornady's 140 gr. factory A-Max load, I shot six back-to-back five-shot groups that measured under .9 MOA. If you cherry pick three-shot groups, this is a half MOA gun. If you operate in reality, this is a reliable sub-minute rifle. During the aforementioned weekend class, I took the HMR and a much more expensive Remington 700 wearing a 308 Win chambered Rock Creek barrel and a McMillan A5. I put 250+ rounds through both rifles over the course of two days and came away impressed with the HMR, especially compared to a worked over Remington 700. In the end, my .308, though chambered in a nearly dead and archaic cartridge, hit more targets. At three times the cost of the HMR I'd expect it to do that! ACTION The HMR uses Bergara's B14 action, a Remington 700 clone, updated to address some common issues and problems with the factory 700 action, including it's (lack of) left-handedness. First, a stronger bolt stop. Word on the internet is that a stressful pull on the bolt, like in competition or gunfight, might break the flimsy stock stop on a 700, resulting in the bolt being yanked right out the back. Bergara addresses this by integrating a much stronger bolt stop right from the start. No need to fumble around near the trigger to release the bolt, just pull it to the stop, press the big lever on the left-hand side of the action, and remove the bolt. Second, they've modernized the bolt knob. Assuming your 700 knob isn't one of those that's filled with air pockets from poor casting, you can pay a gunsmith to thread it and screw on a big knob from somebody reputable. Bergara threads the handle and screws on their own big knob right from the factory. A two lug coned bolt is advertised to offer smoother, more reliable feeding. I had no issues feeding from the supplied magazine they send with the gun. You'll also notice that Bergara has elected to punt the puny 700 style extractor for something with a bit more strength. This is another common upgrade your gunsmith will happily charge you for, though they'll likely go to either a Sako or M16 style extractor. Bergara uses a Savage style extractor. It's not a Sako/M16/Mauser claw, but it's arguably a bit nicer than the stock 700, and worked fine during the duration of this review. Bergara fixed every issue that the bean counters at Remington created. It's not a Stiller, but it is MUCH better than a factory 700 and I'd argue is a much better place to start if you're planning upgrades down the road. CONTROLS Like most short action rifles you'll see at a weekend match, this one feeds off AICS magazines. Bergara includes a 5-round Magpul magazine, a nod I'm sure to the lower profile required for a hunter. Feeding from that magazine is flawless. Bergara's bottom metal is well thought out and seems to eschew a big single lever like Badger's M5 in favor of a lower profile ambidextrous paddle style. I like it and didn't find that it caused any issues with magazine changes. In a nod to the classics, Bergara has elected to go with a curved trigger vs. the much more tactical flat-faced triggers you see in today's market. Bergara's manual says the trigger is adjustable from 2.8 to 4.4 pounds and is set a notch above 3.5 lbs from the factory. The trigger that came in this gun originally measured at 6 pounds. I called Bergara and they sent me a new one that measured at 3.5 pounds. The replacement trigger adjusted within the range specified and passed a drop test. It's a 700 pattern trigger, so if you hate it, you can punt it and replace it quickly. You shouldn't though because it's a perfectly fine trigger and doing so will disqualify you from Production class in PRS. I own one dedicated match rifle and it wears a McMillan A5. If finances allowed a second match rifle, it would wear an A5 as well. But I've hunted with that rifle and found that the A5 is a poor stock for a hunting rifle. Compromises must be made and Bergara did a fine job. I'll start with the only big negative. You have to lower the cheekpiece to remove the bolt for cleaning. This is a first-world problem. Fix this by either marking your perfect adjustment on the pillar or taking a Dremel to the cheekpiece. The cheekpiece requires no tools to adjust for comb height and is symmetrical so no adjustments are necessary for support side shooting. My face seems to demand a higher than normal comb on all rifles, but I had no issues adjusting the cheekpiece for usage with a 50 mm objective scope in a set of tall rings. Length of pull is modified using spacers between the stock and the buttpad. Three spacers are included. If you're really lanky, you can purchase additional spacers from Bergara for $5. The buttpad is squishy and helps soak up the recoil of 6.5 Creedmoor. The buttstock is what's popular in the precision rifle game for shooting off a rear bag with your hand-hooked in on the stock. A pure hunting stock would smoothly transition from butt to grip and have no hooks that could snag on branches or gear. It would probably also be walnut. That's fine, this is a match rifle that sometimes hunts, not the other way around. With the lines of a classic hunting stock, the forend tapers nicely while providing a flat bottom like a match rifle. There's some nice texturing for your fingers, and the end result is a stock that's pleasing to shoot offhand, off a bipod, or sandbag. Bergara has thoughtfully molded in QD swivels on both sides of the buttstock and the forend great for carrying the rifle flat across your back on a long hike. No QD swivels or pic rail on the bottom of the forend. Instead, Bergara put two traditional swivels to match the traditional one on the buttstock. Bergara calls this a #6 taper in their literature which I assume is a Krieger #6 Heavy Bull Sporter. It's a profile that manages to be beefy enough for match use while still cutting enough weight that you won't hate yourself when you bring it on a hunt. Your eyes are not deceiving you, the barrel is ever so slightly off-center in the stock. Functional impediment? Not unless you have crippling OCD and this sort of thing sends you into a spiral. The real star of the show is something you can't see. That is unless you peel off most of the stock to expose the fat chunk of aluminum that comprises the skeleton of the HMR stock. This a very good thing. The reason chassis are the hotness in PRS/NRL? They're stiff and therefore very strong. The mini chassis idea isn't new, but it's very rare to see in a mass-produced firearm, and rarer still is one that hits the streets for less than $1000. CHAMBERINGS Bergara offers the short action HMRs in a variety of barrel lengths and chamberings for both right and left-handed shooters. Oddballs include a 1:9 twist 22-250 and a 20-inch 1:24 .450 Bushmaster. Most commercial rifles in 22-250 use a much slower twist 1:12 or 1:14. That 1:9 should be fast enough to stabilize bullet weights up to 80 grains. Competent reloaders can safely push 75 gr bullets to 3000+ fps. That's one hell of a varmint rifle, especially with a can screwed to the end. In a long action, there's a 24-inch 1:9.5 twist 7mm Rem Mag and left and right-handed 26-inch 1:10 twist 300 Win Mags. Both feed from AICS magazines. Newer offerings include 6.5 PRC, 300 PRC, and 7 PRC. LOOSE ROUNDS What it is: An accurate, magazine-fed bolt action rifle, offered in a dizzying variety of long and short action chamberings as well as left and right-handed versions. Who is it for: Those looking to dip their toes in precision rifle competitions. Hunters who care about a shooter oriented rifle. What I found: Not quite custom, but better than most factory rifles. It's based on the Remington 700 footprint, so accessories abound. Buy it, mount a scope, and shoot it until the barrel is worn out. Baku. Azerbaijan. July 31. Another group of former internally displaced persons left for the city of Lachin from the Garadagh district of Baku, Trend reports. At this stage, 18 families - a total of 60 people - have been resettled to the city of Lachin. The residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care, expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation. Until today, 552 families, or 2031 people, have been permanently resettled in the city of Lachin. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said the Union Budget strikes a fine balance between growth, employment, and fiscal consolidation, and promotes cooperative federalism. Photograph: ANI Photo Replying to the discussion on the Union Budget 2024-25 and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Budget in Rajya Sabha, the minister said the government is on track to achieve the pre-announced fiscal deficit target of 4.5 per cent by 2025-26. Sitharaman, also a former defence minister, said the Agniveer Scheme to recruit people in the age group of 17.5 to 21 years, is aimed at keeping the armed forces fit, young and battle-ready. The minister, who presented her seventh Union Budget, also said the economic document proposes unflinching support for cooperative federalism. "I would like to underline that our unflinching commitment to cooperative federalism. "The total resources proposed to be transferred to the states in 2024-25 are estimated at Rs 22.91 lakh crore. "This actually entails an increase of Rs 2.49 lakh crore over 2023-24," the minister said. She said capital expenditure is pegged at Rs 11.11 lakh crore. "This is the biggest ever allocation for capital expenditure and it shows increase of about 17 per cent over the RE and provisional actuals of the FY 2023-24," she said, adding that during the Congress-led UPA era, the capex allocation was Rs 13.19 lakh crore between 2004-05 to 2013-14. "Whereas during our tenure from 2014 to 2024, the allocation for capex has been Rs 43.82 lakh crore from 2014-15 to 2023-24," she said. On criticism that she only referred to two states in her budget speech and ignored the rest, Sitharaman said the budget is for all states, in past also, including the UPA era, the names of all states were not mentioned. She emphasised that if a state has not been mentioned in the speech, it does not mean there is no allocation for it. Several opposition members had raised issues related to the devolution of taxes to states. To this, Sitharaman it is wrong to calculate devolution based on gross tax receipts, and then claim that the Centre is devolving less than what is suggested by the Finance Commission. The minister also said tax revenues have seen impressive growth. Also, efforts on metering have improved billing and collection efficiency in the power sector, that has also resulted in non-tax revenues increasing from Rs 5,148 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 6,500 crore in 2023-24. Sitharaman also said the PLI schemes continue to remain attractive for the manufacturing sector. The budget is an exercise to make India an attractive destination for manufacturing companies, she added. She also said the government is complying with the fiscal deficit trajectory. It will bring down the deficit to below 4.5 per cent by 2025-26 from the targeted 4.9 per cent for the current fiscal. The finance minister highlighted that for agriculture and allied sectors the budget has allocated Rs 1.52 lakh crore, which is Rs 8,000 crore more than the previous year. For comparison, in 2013-14, the last year of Congress-led UPA, only Rs 30,000 crore was allocated for agriculture. She also emphasised that the financial position of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has improved. She said the UT has discontinued the earlier practices of running hundis' and overdrafts from J&K Bank for its day-to-day cash management. During the last four years, the J&K Bank has made a remarkable turnaround. From a loss of Rs 1,139 crore in 2019-20, the Bank had a profit of Rs 1,700 crore in the year 2023-24. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is in a healthy fiscal situation being able to meet the developmental aspirations of the people, she added. 'The conspiracy is to end India's entrepreneurship culture even before it fully blooms.' 'Negativity is being spread in society towards all those who do business, and this hatred for business and wealth creators is spilling everywhere.' IMAGE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defends the Budget in the Lok Sabha, July 30, 2024, here and below. All photographs: SansadTV/ANI Photo Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday cautioned about a conspiracy to send a message that India is not safe for foreign investors and that Indian institutions cannot guarantee security to foreign investments. "There is a conspiracy to send a message to the entire world that India is not safe for investors. This is not good. "Rumours are being spread that Indian institutions cannot guarantee security to foreign investments, which is really a sad situation," Sitharaman said while replying to the general discussion on the FY25 Budget in the Lok Sabha. Sitharaman said entrepreneurship itself was being made a villain. "Hardworking entrepreneurs are building this country. The conspiracy is to end India's entrepreneurship culture even before it fully blooms, thereby hitting at India's core backbone, which is India's entrepreneurship of small and medium units and enterprises that are building India. "Negativity is being spread in society towards all those who do business, and this hatred for business and wealth creators is spilling everywhere," she added. To make India developed, Sitharaman said it was necessary to be a big economic and strategic power. "But if there will be instability and anarchy in the country, the journey towards Viksit Bharat will become more difficult. "This is a huge challenge for us and as a nation, we have to understand where the problem is. "India's social fabric, parliamentary traditions, economy, and armed forces -- all four are severely attacked," she said. Questioning the credibility of the Global Hunger Index, which ranked India at 111th position out of a total of 125 countries in 2023, Sitharaman termed it a flawed indicator. "How come conflict-ridden countries, such as Pakistan and Sudan, are ranked ahead of India? "African countries still have lower per capita income than India. In Pakistan, they are not able to obtain basic food, though I don't want them to suffer. But that's the reality. "And here in India, we provide free food grains to 80 crore people, and still we are high in the hunger index! How will they establish credibility?" she asked. Answering questions on household savings dipping to a 50-year low while household debt has increased, Sitharaman said net financial savings of the household sector have risen 70 per cent from Rs 8.32 trillion in FY14 to Rs 14.16 trillion in FY23. "Under household savings in the form of physical assets, construction of houses or other immovable properties increased from Rs 14 trillion in FY14 to Rs 35 trillion in FY23. "It clearly indicates a shift of savings in the form of physical assets rather than in the form of financial assets. "The base of registered investors at the National Stock Exchange has tripled to 92 million between March 2020 and March 2024. "Now, potentially 20 per cent of India's households are channeling their household savings into financial markets," she added. Sitharaman said the Budget FY25 tries to bring a balance among several objectives because growth is important, and through better growth and higher growth, inequality can be addressed. "So growth, employment, welfare spending, capital investment, and fiscal consolidation--these are the factors which we tried balancing in the Budget." Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com India is not rethinking supporting investments from China, said Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday, referring to a proposal made in the Economic Survey 2024. Photograph: Thomas White/Reuters The survey by Indias chief economic advisor last week said India had two choices to benefit from the so-called China plus one strategy, either by integrating into that countrys supply chain or by promoting foreign direct investment (FDI). Chief economic advisors report speaks about new ideas and gives out their own thinking. It is not at all binding on the government and there is no rethinking to support Chinese investments in the country, Goyal told reporters in Delhi. India faces two choices to benefit from China plus one strategy: It can integrate into China's supply chain or promote FDI from China. "Among these choices, focusing on FDI from China seems more promising for boosting India's exports to the US, similar to how East Asian economies did in the past. "Moreover, choosing FDI to benefit from China plus one approach appears more advantageous than relying on trade," said the survey. Government data shows that investment from China hasnt been robust, but Indias dependence on Chinese goods has been rising for almost two decades. In the January-March quarter of 2024, FDI equity inflow from China stood at $1.7 million, or just 0.01 per cent of the total inflows. On a cumulative basis, Chinese FDI equity inflows between January 2000 and March 2024 stood at $2.5 million. More than four years ago, India made prior approval mandatory for foreign investments from countries that share a land border with India China, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to curb opportunistic takeovers of domestic firms after the pandemic. India-China ties are under strain after their militaries clashed in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. Despite strained ties, China was Indias largest trading partner in FY24 and has been Indias largest import partner for almost two decades. Indias trade deficit with China was the highest in FY24. Carbon tax Goyal said the European Union (EU) has suggested that instead of paying for carbon border tax, India instead can devise its own mechanism. They (EU) are keen to pursue that (carbon border adjustment mechanism, or CBAM) and have offered India could instead of paying CBAM taxes to the EU, (can) devise its own mechanism. "We will consider their suggestion, and come out with whatever is good for Indian industry and the people of India, Goyal told reporters. CBAM will result in the imposition of a levy on imported carbon-intensive products such as cement, fertiliser, and metals. Several countries, including India, have raised concerns about its impact on their exports. It entered a transition phase on October 1 and full implementation is planned by January 2026. As regards CBAM, we are in dialogue with the European Union. "My own thinking is that CBAM will hurt the EU their infrastructure, cost of living, industrial and consumer products, all will become expensive and their economy will face further distress, but thats my reading of CBAM, said Goyal. Baku. Azerbaijan. July 31. We strongly support the peace initiatives implemented by Armenia and Azerbaijan, Trend reports. This was stated by US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien at a hearing on "The Future of Europe" in the Subcommittee on Regional and Security Cooperation of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. We are working hard to ensure that the desire for peace is reflected in the agreement. I want to emphasize how important a peace agreement is. Look at the map. The Central Asian countries are quite wealthy, but their global access routes to markets go through Russia and China. If the routes through Azerbaijan and Armenia are opened, these countries will have access to global markets and their dependence on Russia and China will be reduced. China will be smaller. This will give countries more opportunities to enter global markets," O'Brien added. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Monday proposed expanding the scope of regulations prohibiting insider trading to a wider group of people, including those connected to the officials in access to price-sensitive information. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters The market regulator has suggested changes in the definition of connected persons and relative to address any gaps in the norms and possible violations. Sebi noted that some persons who are not covered under the norms may also be in the possession of unpublished price-sensitive information (UPSI) due to their close links to the officials or key employees of a company who hold UPSI. Such deemed connected persons, owing to their proximity and close relationship with the connected persons, are considered to be in such a position where they can potentially indulge in insider trading, it said in a consultation paper. Sebis Prohibition of Insider Trading (PIT) Regulations define insider, connected persons, and immediate relative as someone who can monitor their trades when the information has not been made public. According to the proposed changes, Sebi plans to include relatives, a related firm or partner, people sharing the same household, a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) where Karta (head) might be related to the connected person, among a slew of other additions to the deemed connected persons definition. If any charge of insider trading is levelled against any such deemed connected person, they will have to prove that they were not in possession of the UPSI. Sebi has also proposed to substitute immediate relative with relative to bring a wider group of family members like parents, siblings, spouse, siblings and parents of spouse, among others. The regulator said that in order to ensure there is no increase in compliance requirements, it will retain the definition of immediate relative. The requirement for disclosures of trades of immediate relative by promoters, directors, designated persons under PIT Regulations will continue...The definition of relative is being rationalised only for the purpose of establishing insider trading, Sebi said. The market regulator has sought comments on the proposals by August 18. 'No one is propagating RSS ideology as a government officer.' IMAGE: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat with RSS officials on the occasion of their foundation day, which falls on Vijayadashami, in Nagpur. Photograph: PTI Photo/Rediff archives Passing the time is a big challenge for newly retired employees. And this problem was faced by Purushottam Gupta, a retired Central Warehousing Corporation employee from Indore. So, he decided to get involved in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and thought this would enable him to carry out nation-building work. But there was a catch. Being a central government employee, Gupta could not take up the Sangh's work, as a 1964 central government order prohibited him from doing so. The 1964 central civil conduct rule 5 (1) (external link) stated: 'No government servant shall be a member of, or be the otherwise associated with, any political party or any organisation which takes part in politics nor shall he take part in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or activity.' Gupta then with the help of his lawyer friend Manish Nair moved the Madhya Pradesh high court for lifting this ban. His legal battle ended last week with the striking down of the order, putting an end to a rule by which a government employee/retired employee cannot be associated with a political organisation. In a telephone interview with Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com, Purushottam Gupta spoke about why he went to court and his legal victory. When did you decide to file a case regarding permission needed for central government employees and retired employees to attend RSS shakhas? I joined central government service in the department of central warehousing in 1982. And in the place where I lived, Indore, there used to be Sangh shakhas where many people used to gather. In my colony at that time there were many businessmen and they used to attend the shakhas regularly. I was one of the few who were from the service class. And at that time I got aware of this horrific rule which stated a central government employee is not allowed to participate in shakha work. There was a central government diktat which prohibited me from doing so. There was a fear that even I participated unofficially, someone would report it to my seniors and I could lose my job or sent to jail for 7 years for attending a Sangh shakha. Didn't you know before joining the central government that RSS work was banned for its employees? Yes, I knew about that and also the history behind the ban. In the past there had been many bans on the RSS, which was first done in 1948 after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. It was later removed. In 1964, the government did not target the RSS directly but targeted government employees and prohibited them from attending RSS shakhas or being associated with their work. I wondered what the RSS did to get this kind of punishment to their workers. The RSS has always stood for social work and has worked for the nation's good in times of calamity. I always felt that morning time and evening time of a government employee is his own and he can do what he wants to do. Were you associated with the Sangh from childhood? I was with the RSS in childhood but when I got to higher class studies I got busy and didn t attend regularly. And off and on before joining the government job I did social service for the Sangh in Indore. When did you file the petition against the rule? I retired in June 2022 and realised that even after retirement I could not do Sangh work because of the rule. If I did I would get seven years imprisonment and my pension too will be stopped. I then met one of my lawyer friends, Manish Nair, and expressed my displeasure over this rule. He told me that we can go ahead and file a petition in court on this issue. Why did you go to court directly rather than approaching the government? Many friends of mine told me that they wrote to the home ministry to remove this rule for central government employees but there was no response to their plea. Therefore, I thought I should go to the court directly. The Bharatiya Janata Party is an offshoot of the RSS and government employees, if they work for the RSS while in service after office hours, may not be neutral or impartial in their conduct. Don't you feel such a charge can be levelled? This is what the Congress party says. The Sangh does a lot of social work, right from gau seva to other nation-building work. There is no doubt that the BJP is one of the offshoots of he RSS but so are 73 other organisations like the Bajrang Dal, Seva Bharatiya, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad which are affiliated to the RSS. And you have to note that the Madhya Pradesh state government lifted a ban on state government employees working for the RSS in 2003. You didn't answer my question so let me put it this way: Will government employees be impartial if they are Sangh workers? I am answering your question as per my observations and experience. The Sangh never tells people to vote for a particular party but they say that people must come out and vote in a democracy. I have heard (RSS Sarsangchalak) Mohan Bhagwatji's lecture and he too never propagates to the people that they must vote for the BJP. Their workers come to homes and request people to come out and vote. That is the precise question I am raising. Now if you are a government employee, then as an RSS worker can you be impartial and tell people to come out, or rather tell them to vote for the BJP which is a Sangh offshoot? No, the Sangh has never come out and told people to vote for the BJP. If that was the case someone would have made a video on this issue. The Sangh only says in the interest of the nation, go out and vote. This is what even the Election Commission of India does. Sadly, even after that, 40 percent of people do not vote in elections. But the BJP's parent organisation is the RSS. That is not my concern. My concern is only that I am a retired central government employee and why am I being sent to jail for seven years and my pension being stopped just because I am doing social work for the RSS? I do not want to work for elections but want to do seva of samaj (social work). If you are a government officer in the education department and at the same time you are an RSS worker, won't you propagate RSS history as a government employee? No one is propagating RSS ideology as a government officer. It is only that government employees need to have social gathering freedom after their work hours. For example, if kabaddi is being played in an RSS shakha and I want to play as a government employee after my office hours, I should have the right to do so. And for that I need permission and freedom to go to a RSS shakha. Doctors, engineers and even industrialists attend Sangh shakhas which talks of nation-building, so why are government employees being kept out? There are yoga classes going on in shakhas which I wish to attend. Moreover, why discriminate against central government employees when the Madhya Pradesh state government employees can attend RSS shakhas? Why have different rules and why punish Sangh workers who are government employees? The reason given then was that the Sangh believes more in Hindu nationalism rather than the pluralist, secular, Constitution of India. Therefore, the rule was framed that government employees have to be loyal to the Constitution of India rather than to the Sangh's ideology. But why send me to 7 years in jail? There has to be a reason. The reason they say is that government employees take an oath on the Constitution when they join government service, therefore they need to be loyal to the Indian Union rather than a political or cultural organisation. The Constitution of India gives liberty to an individual to do what he wants to do in this country. Moreover, if that was the case as you say, the central government did not respond in court the way you are asking me questions. Obviously it is a Sangh-oriented government, so why will they object to your petition? It is just for namesake. If that was the case, then India would have become the world leader. It is only the media which says such words or the Congress party spokesperson who says such words. The Sangh has always worked for nation-building and if you read the biography of Sangh founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, you will understand what the Sangh is all about. A Bharatiya Janata Party MLA in Goa has demanded in the legislative assembly that the consumption of alcohol be banned in the coastal state to make it 'viksit' or developed and to curb loss of lives in liquor-related accidents on roads and in factories. Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Reuters The legislator, Premendra Shet, stressed this point while speaking in the House on Tuesday over demands for grants for the state excise department. "For viksit Bharat and viksit Goa, the consumption of alcohol should be banned in Goa. We can produce alcohol in the state and export it to other states, but its consumption in Goa should be banned," Shet, a first-time BJP MLA representing Mayem assembly constituency in North Goa, said. There are deaths on roads due to accidents and also in industrial units and the main reason for this is increasing alcohol consumption in the state, he said. The legislator alleged that there was no control on the sale of liquor in the state. "Retail outlets sell liquor beyond the permissible timings and wholesalers sell alcohol for retail customers. Alcoholism is on rise in Goa and we need to control this," he said. The MLA pointed out that there is already a ban on the consumption of alcohol in four other states, and Goa should also join the list. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who responded to various questions raised during discussion on demands for grants for the excise department, made no statement on the ban on alcohol consumption in Goa. Talking to reporters later outside the assembly complex, Shet said the ban on alcohol was necessary to save lives. When asked what the people currently engaged in the liquor business would do if the ban is imposed, Shet said, "Let them shift to other businesses." He also claimed that there would be no impact on tourism in case of liquor ban. Tourism is considered the backbone of Goa's economy and among other things, the state is known for its night-long parties. As per the data shared by the Goa government, on an average, three to four cases of chronic alcoholism were reported daily at government-run de-addiction facilities in the state in the past five years. Chronic alcoholism is a medical condition characterised by a long-term, compulsive pattern of excessive alcohol consumption. The Goa government has set up the special facilities in the state's both districts to help people struggling with dependence on alcohol and drugs. A five-year-old boy in Bihar reached his school with a handgun on Wednesday and opened fire on another child, leaving the class 3 student injured, the police said. The shocking incident took place in the north Bihar district of Supaul where the boy, a nursery student, had gone to school with the firearm hidden in his bag. According to Superintendent of Police Shaishav Yadav, "The student fired at a 10-year-old boy, who studies in the same school in class 3. The bullet hit his arm." "The injured boy has been rushed to a hospital. We are trying to find out how the boy got to lay his hands on the firearm and managed to carry it to the private school, which is situated in Lalpatti area, Yadav said. The SP added: "We are also asking schools across the district to ensure that bags of students are checked thoroughly on a regular basis. The incident has caused much anxiety among parents and guardians. The row over Bharatiya Janata Party MP Anurag Thakur's remarks in Lok Sabha escalated on Wednesday with the Congress submitting a notice to move a privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for posting on 'X' a video that allegedly also contained expunged portions of Thakur's speech. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the inaugural session of Journey Towards Viksit Bharat: A Post Union Budget 2024-25 Conference, in New Delhi on July 30, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Thakur's remark, during the discussion on the Union Budget on Tuesday, that 'whose caste is not known talks about caste census', triggered an uproar, with the opposition slamming the comment ostensibly directed at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi as 'insensitive' and 'abusive'. The Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon amid protests by opposition members over Thakur's remarks in the House and their demand for a caste census. The BJP hit back at the Congress, saying what was wrong in asking about Gandhi's caste as he had been asking about the caste of others, including government officials, judges, soldiers and even journalists, an apparent reference to the Congress leader's remarks in the past when he batted for caste census. At the same time, the ruling party stressed that Thakur did not name anyone and wondered why the Leader of Opposition took offence and called it an insult to him. "You are demanding caste census. If it is an insult to ask about caste in Lok Sabha, how can a caste census be done in the country? How will the enumeration be done?" party MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra said. While certain remarks of Thakur were expunged from the proceedings, his apparent reference to Gandhi's caste during the discussion was not. Charajit Singh Channi, a Dalit MP of the Congress in Lok Sabha, submitted a notice to Speaker Om Birla seeking to move a privilege motion under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure against the prime minister. "I hereby give notice to move a privilege motion under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha against the Prime Minister for having tweeted on 'X' a portion of remarks which were expunged from the proceedings of the House by the Chair," the former Punjab chief minister said in his communication, without elaborating on the remarks. "The prime minister's tweeting of the remarks which had been expunged from the proceedings of Lok Sabha clearly amounts to a breach of privilege and contempt of the House. "I, therefore...move a privilege motion against the prime minister and request you to please admit my motion and permit me to move the same. Request that privilege proceedings may be initiated against the prime minister," the Congress leader said. Official sources said Channi's notice may not make headway. The notice moved by Channi claimed that PM Modi had shared the expunged comments in Thakur's speech, without mentioning the details. The sources noted that the Congress members' primary objection during the BJP leader's Tuesday speech was to his remarks apparently questioning the caste identity of Gandhi. If the Congress' notice of privilege motion is based on this part of the former Union minister's speech, it cannot be valid as that portion was never expunged, they contended. Terming Thakur's speech on the Budget a 'highly abusive and unconstitutional tirade', the Congress claimed Prime Minister Modi encouraged a 'serious breach of parliamentary privilege' by sharing it on X. Tagging Modi's post on X, Ramesh said, 'This speech that the non-biological Prime Minister calls a 'must hear' is a highly abusive and unconstitutional tirade -- and by sharing it, he has encouraged a serious breach of Parliamentary privilege.' The opposition claimed Thakur's speech was an insult to Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs. Congress' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) protested inside the House against the "insensitive and cruel" remarks made by the BJP leaders during a discussion of the Budget with respect to the caste census. "We know caste census is a very emotional issue and many people in India from the SC, ST and OBC category want the caste census but their demand was mocked by the BJP in Parliament. They were insulted by the BJP in Parliament," Gogoi told reporters outside Parliament. "The PM praised the speech that insulted the Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis. We are here fighting for their rights and fighting for caste census," he said. Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav said his party has been saying that 'BJP people have no place in their hearts for SCs, STs, OBCs and Muslims'. "They are being insulted in Parliament. We have been continuously demanding a caste census and the government is continuously denying it. Reservations are being denied under this government," he alleged. Hitting out at Thakur for his remarks against Gandhi, Yadav said, "We condemn this and will struggle against this." Rashtriya Janata Dal's Manoj Jha alleged that Thakur had given proof of his feudal mindset. However, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said there was nothing wrong in asking the caste of Rahul Gandhi as he keeps doing the same and tries to 'divide the country' on caste lines. Responding to protests by opposition parties in the Lok Sabha over the remarks of Thakur, the parliamentary affairs minister said Congress leaders keep asking people's caste day in and day out. "By asking the caste of people, the Congress has conspired to divide the country, and when there was talk about Rahul Gandhi's caste, there was so much protest," he said. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, Patra also said it is 'surprising' that Gandhi who can ask anybody about their caste in India takes offence when he is asked about his caste. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday termed as 'baseless', Union Home Minister Amit Shah's claim that the state government did not heed the Centre's warning regarding a possible natural calamity in Wayanad due to heavy rains. IMAGE: Vehicles and shops get damaged after a devastating landslide hit hilly villages triggered by heavy rainfall, in Wayanad on Wednesday. Photograph: ANI Photo Vijayan said that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had only issued an orange alert in the district ahead of the landslides. However, the district received over 572 millimeters of rainfall, which was extremely higher than what was predicted by the IMD. "In the disaster areas, an orange alert was in place, with the IMD warning that rainfall would be between 115 and 204 mm. However, the actual rainfall was much higher. The area received 200 mm of rain in the first 24 hours and 372 mm in the next 24 hours, totaling 572 mm in 48 hours. "This far exceeded the initial warning. The area had never been on red alert before the disaster. However, after the incident, a red alert was issued at six o'clock in the morning (of July 30) after the landslides occurred," Vijayan said at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram. Prior to that, from July 23 to 28, there was no orange alert in Wayanad and only on July 29 was an orange alert issued in that district, he said. A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rain (6 cm to 20 cm). Furthermore, on July 30, the Geological Survey of India, which has established a landslide warning system in Wayanad, issued a green alert for July 30 and 31, indicating a possibility of minor landslides or rock bursts. However, by then, the district had already received very heavy rainfall and landslides had occurred, the CM contended. Vijayan also said that from July 23 to 29, the Central Water Commission, which is responsible for issuing flood warnings, did not issue any warnings for either Iruvazhinji Puzha or Chaliyar rivers flowing through the affected areas. "I am not blaming anyone. This is not the time for blame games. But, the Centre needs to understand that climate change has led to significant alterations in our environment and that we need to take proactive steps to address and adapt to these changes. "The central government should consider this issue seriously. As part of addressing climate change, effective measures should be taken to prevent the impending disasters. To reiterate, this is not a time for blaming each other. We are currently confronting a disaster, and many people are left in desperate and destitute conditions," he said. Vijayan also said that it was based on Kerala's prior request, at the beginning of the rainy season, that nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were made available to the state and it had deployed one team in Wayanad district. The CM said that instead of blaming each other, now it was time to rescue those who can be saved, locate those who are buried under debris or were swept away, restore the affected areas and rebuild the villages that were wiped away in the landslides. After presenting his government's view on the issue, Vijayan said, "So, we can see that what was said in Parliament today was baseless." Towards the end of his press conference, he also said, "The Union Home Minister has presented information in Parliament that is inconsistent with these facts." Earlier in the day, Shah, in the Rajya Sabha, claimed that the Kerala government did not heed to the early warning and also did not get alerted even by the arrival of the NDRF battalions in the state. Shah said an early warning was sent to the state seven days ahead of the July 30 landslide. Another warning was given on July 24 also. Had the Kerala government got itself alerted and acted as soon as NDRF teams landed there, losses could have been minimised, the home minister claimed. The landslides that occurred in Wayanad on Tuesday have claimed 167 lives till now, with over 200 injured and 191 still missing, according to the district administration. Over 5,500 people have been rescued from the affected areas and more than 8,000 people, including children and pregnant women, have been relocated to the 82 relief camps in the state, the CM said in the press conference. Massive landslides triggered by torrential rains struck Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha hamlets in the early hours of Tuesday, killing several people, including women and children. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the Centre had sent multiple advance warnings to the Kerala government about possible floods and landslides in the state, starting as early as July 23, and nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were rushed to the state the same day. IMAGE: The NDRF team conducts rescue operation after a devastating landslide hit hilly villages in Wayanad, Kerala. Photograph: Defence PRO Replying to calling attention motions in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the Wayanad situation, Shah said had the Kerala government heeded to early warnings or been alerted due to the landing of NDRF teams in the state, several lives could have been saved. "I do not want to accuse anyone of anything. This is the time to stand firm with the people and the government of Kerala. I wish to assure the House that irrespective of party politics, the Narendra Modi government will stand like a rock with the people and the government of Kerala. There should be no doubt about it," he said. Shah's remarks came after opposition members in both the Houses stressed on the need to have early warning systems for natural disasters. "Before 2014, India had a rescue-centric approach towards disaster, but after 2014, the Modi government is moving ahead with a zero casualty approach," he said. India was among the top four-five countries to have the capability to forecast disasters, seven days in advance, Shah said, adding that early warning systems were in place for rainfall, cyclones, heatwaves, coldwaves, tsunamis, landslides, and even lightning. "I did not wish to say anything, but the government's early warning systems were questioned. Don't just shout 'please listen us', please read the warnings that have been issued," Shah said. He said Odisha, where thousands of lives were once lost due to cyclones, had succeeded in reducing deaths due to natural disasters by acting on early warnings. The Lok Sabha witnessed some heated moments as Bharatiya Janata Party member Tejasvi Surya made certain remarks targeted at Rahul Gandhi, who represented Wayanad in the previous Lok Sabha. Surya also claimed that despite recommendations by the Kerala disaster management body, illegal encroachments were not removed in Wayanad due to alleged pressure from religious organisations. Surya's remarks led to protests by Congress members forcing Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the proceedings briefly. In an apparent defence of Surya, Shah said about six years ago, experts from IIT-Delhi had suggested relocating people from the landslide-affected areas, but their advice was not heeded to. He said all verticals involved in relief and rescue operations have been deployed, including the Army, Air Force and even a small unit Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) which was posted in the region. Shah said on July 23, seven days prior, then again on July 24, and July 25. On July 26 it was informed that there will be heavy rainfall of more than 20 cm, there is a possibility of a landslide, there could be a rush of mud and people could even die by getting buried beneath it. In an apparent dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah said, "But some people do not open Indian sites, only foreign sites, now on overseas (websites) this early warning system will not show, you will have to open our sites." "I would like to reiterate that early warning was given and therefore we dispatched nine NDRF teams there on July 23 whereas three teams were sent yesterday (July 30)," Shah said. Replying to the calling attention motion in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said that 133 bodies have been recovered so far and death toll may rise further. Taking part in the discussion, John Brittas Communist Party of India-Marxist termed it the worst landslide that occurred in Kerala, while urging the Centre to declare it as a 'national disaster'. Jebi Mather Hisham (Congress) also demanded that the Wayanad tragedy be declared a national disaster and lamented that there were no early warning systems for such natural calamities. Raghav Chadha (Aam Aadmi Party) also called for strengthening early warning systems as part of measures to prepare 'ourselves for such unfortunate incidents in the future'. Praful Patel (Nationalist Congress Party), M Thambidurai (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) also supported the call to declare the Wayanad tragedy a national disaster. In the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi urged the government to extend all possible help to the people of landslides-hit Wayanad and look into the 'ecological issue' there. India and China on Wednesday held 'constructive' and 'forward-looking' diplomatic talks to resolve the over four-year border standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh but there was clear no indication of any breakthrough. IMAGE: Army formations including the T-90 and T-72 tanks and BMP infantry combat vehicles carry out drills in eastern Ladakh. Photograph: ANI Photo The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said restoration of peace and tranquillity, and respect for the LAC are 'essential basis' for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations. The talks, held in Delhi under the framework of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), came days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Vientiane, the capital of Lao PDR. The MEA described the discussion at the meeting as 'in-depth, constructive and forward-looking', adding both sides agreed on the need to jointly uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements and protocols. However, there was no clear indication of a breakthrough in the talks. The Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Liang also called on Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, according to the MEA. The previous round of WMCC talks were held in Beijing in March. 'Further to discussions between the two foreign ministers in their recent meetings at Astana and Vientiane, the two sides reviewed the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with a view to finding an early resolution of the outstanding issues,' the ministry said. 'Restoration of peace and tranquillity, and respect for the LAC are an essential basis for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations,' it said. 'They agreed on the need to jointly uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments,' it said in a statement. 'The discussion at the meeting was in-depth, constructive and forward-looking. Both sides agreed to maintain the momentum through the established diplomatic and military channels,' it said. Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the MEA, Gourangalal Das, led the Indian delegation at the 30th meeting of the WMCC. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang held talks on July 25 in Vientiane on the sidelines of ASEAN-related meetings. In the talks, both ministers agreed on the need to work with 'purpose and urgency' to achieve complete disengagement at the earliest in the remaining friction points along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. The two foreign ministers also had a bilateral meeting in Astana on July 4 on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). In the meeting, Jaishankar reaffirmed India's persistent view that the relations between the two sides must be based on mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. The Indian and Chinese militaries have been locked in a standoff since May 2020 and a full resolution of the border row has not yet been achieved though the two sides have disengaged from a number of friction points. The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. India has been maintaining that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas. The two sides have so far held 21 rounds of Corps Commander-level talks to resolve the standoff. India has been pressing the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to disengage from the Depsang and Demchok areas. The two sides held the last round of high-level military talks in February. BRATTLEBORO Longtime friends Susan Brearey and Duane Slick have spent years, as individual artists, bringing their close observations of animals and landscapes to life. On Aug. 15, they will discuss their first collaborative exhibit: The In Between, currently on view at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC). The talk, facilitated by the exhibits curator DJ Hellerman, will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the museum, 10 Vernon St., in Brattleboro. Admission is free, and walk-ins are welcome, but attendees may also register in advance. To register, visit brattleboromuseum.org. or call 802-257-0124, ext. 101. For accessibility questions and requests, email office@brattleboromuseum.org or call 802-257-0124, ext. 101. Brearey recently retired after teaching art for more than 30 years at the Putney School. Slick has taught painting and printmaking at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) since 1995. Both have exhibited their artwork in galleries throughout the United States and internationally, but their first exhibit together emphasizes their shared artistic interests: in shadows and light, formal experimentation, and the balance between abstraction and legibility. Hellerman, the curator, says Brearey and Slick also share the goal of creating work that deepens their respective practices of personal myth-making and connections with the more-than-human world. Brearey, a native of rural New England, earned an MFA in painting and printmaking from RISD, and is known for her unique, iconic depiction of animals. Ravens, especially, intrigue her, with their striking appearance and commanding presence. Breareys French Canadian grandmother once told her that seeing a raven would bring good luck and that the birds were important messengers worthy of attention. Their Monty Python-like squawks are hilarious, Brearey says as though the world should be quiet and a theatrical performance is about to begin. Breareys work captures fleeting moments with precise detail, conveying the profound connections among humans, animals, and the wilderness. For Slick, a citizen of the Meskwaki Nation, the coyote is the animal with power and meaning. Coyotes often appear in North American tribal folklore as a trickster character, with an elusive nature and the ability to adapt and thrive in adverse environments. Slick creates mystery in his depictions, sometimes showing the animal clearly, sometimes hinting with shadows and lines. Born in Waterloo, Iowa, Slick earned a BFA in painting from the University of Northern Iowa and an MFA in painting from the University of California, Davis. He combines Modernist abstraction with the beliefs and traditions of his Native American heritage and like Brearey his family history. In doing so, Slick brings to the surface ideas and narratives that have been excluded from standard colonial history. Hellerman is chief curator and director of Curatorial Affairs at The Fabric Workshop & Museum in Philadelphia. Working with artists creating sensitive, intergenerational, and interdisciplinary projects, Hellerman focuses on the relationship between art, technology, and spirituality; place-based art making; early use of video as an artform; and the development of alternative cultural institutions. The In Between features collaborations Brearey and Slick have done with other artists, including an experimental video by Slick and fellow RISD professor Martin Smick; and a theatrical backdrop Brearey created using a magic lantern, a 19th-century version of a projector for a multimedia performance, Pumpkintown, with percussionist Peter Irvine and Grammy-nominated ethnomusicologist Tim Eriksen. BMAC will present Pumpkintown on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. at Next Stage Arts in Putney. The In Between is on view at BMAC through Oct. 19. Founded in 1972, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center presents rotating exhibits of contemporary art, complemented by lectures, artist talks, film screenings, and other public programs. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is on a pay-as-you-wish basis. The museum, in historic Union Station in downtown Brattleboro at the intersection of Main Street and routes 119 and 142, is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call 802-257-0124 or visit brattleboromuseum.org. BMAC is supported in part by the Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support is provided by Brattleboro Savings & Loan, C&S Wholesale Grocers, the Four Columns Inn, Sams Outdoor Outfitters, and Whetstone Beer Co. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 41F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 41F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. Currently, nearly 390 candidates for parliamentary seats in Azerbaijan have been registered, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov said, Trend reports. The CEC chairman emphasized that 25 out of 26 parties registered in Azerbaijan are participating in the parliamentary election. To note, on June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling a snap election for September 1. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Cloudy with a few showers. High 61F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 41F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 41F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 41F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Photo: Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. During his working visit to Tehran, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan told Trend. Asadov conveyed President Ilham Aliyev's greetings and congratulations to Masoud Pezeshkian on the beginning of his presidential term. The prime minister also presented President Pezeshkian with an invitation from President Aliyev to attend COP29, which will be held in Azerbaijan this November. During the meeting, the sides expressed satisfaction with the successful development of friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Iran across various sectors and discussed further prospects for cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Analysts are warning that the chances of a wider regional war in the Middle East are increasing following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the Palestinian extremist group Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. 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 One year ago, Hamas -- the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip -- carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, the deadliest in the countrys history. In response, Israel launched an aerial bombardment and ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave to destroy Hamas and rescue the 251 hostages taken by the group. Israel has expanded its war in recent weeks by invading Lebanon and launching air strikes targeting Hezbollah, the armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. RFE/RL spoke to Lior Yohanani, manager of quantitative research at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based independent research center, which on October 7 released a wide-ranging survey of Israeli public opinion after one year of war. RFE/RL: Can you explain what your study found as to how Israelis view the past year since Hamas's October 7 attack? Lior Yohanani: Well, I think Israelis still don't see October 7 as an event that's over. Sure, the actual horrific events of that day ended, but Israelis are still living with the consequences. There are two main aspects to this. First, since October 7, Israel has been in this multifront war that doesn't seem to have an end in sight. And then, of course, there is the issue of the hostages still being held in Gaza. So, we're seeing a sharp drop in people's sense of personal security. Almost three quarters of the public feel less safe compared to before October 7, and that's despite a year of war and some significant military achievements. On the flip side, we're also seeing that most people say their lives have returned to normal when it comes to things like work, media consumption, and family and social gatherings. Another thing we're noticing is that the Israeli public is giving pretty low marks to all the political and military leaders for the performance since October 7. For example, almost two-thirds of Israelis are rating Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu's performance since then as poor or not good. RFE/RL: How has Israel's involvement in a two-front conflict, in both Gaza and Lebanon, as well as a confrontation with Iran affected public opinion among Israelis? Yohanani: It's tough to answer that question, because we're at the point where things could go in a few different directions. In the last few weeks, we've seen a major escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and just last week, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, which Israel is expected to respond to. In a survey we just did recently, we asked whether Israeli society and the military could handle fighting on two or more fronts for an extended period of time, and the results were pretty striking. Over 70 percent believe that yes, both Israeli society and the military can handle that kind of prolonged fighting. So, while the situation is complex and evolving, there seems to be a strong sense of resilience and capability among Israelis, even in the face of these multiple threats. But of course, public opinion could shift depending on how events unfold in the coming weeks or months. RFE/RL: Is there support for Netanyahus response to October 7? Is there debate in Israeli society, as well as political circles, over Netanyahus strategic choices? Yohanani: First of all, it's important to say that the Israeli public has largely supported significant military operation against Hamas in Gaza. That said, the Israeli discourse around the October 7 events, the ongoing war, and especially toward Prime Minister Netanyahu, is very polarized between right-wing supporters on the one hand and left and center supporters on the other. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term." So, on the left and the center, there is a high level of distrust and suspicion toward Netanyahu and his government. For instance, Netanyahu's apparent reluctance to pursue a deal for returning the hostages in exchange for ending the fighting in Gaza is seen by large parts of the public, even on the right, as resulting from Netanyahu's dependence on far-right, ultranationalist members of his government who refuse any compromise or ceasefire. Now for a long time, Netanyahu and his ministers argued that only significant military force would lead Hamas to compromise and release the hostages. Now, with military attention and resources shifting to the north, people are asking, where is this massive military force that was supposed to bring the hostages home? One question we have asked several times since October 7 in our polls is what should be the main goal in Gaza: Dismantling Hamas or bringing back the hostages? And as time goes on, public opinion is increasingly supporting the return of hostages. In our current survey, 62 percent saw bringing the bringing back the hostages as Israel's main goal, while only 29 percent pointed to dismantling Hamas as the primary objective. RFE/RL: How do ordinary Israelis see the question of the remaining hostages amid the continued protests by the hostages' families? Yohanani: As I mentioned before, most of the public supports a deal to release the hostages, even if it means ending the war and withdrawing the military forces from Gaza. There's this widespread feeling that we've left the hostages behind, and that's really hitting at our sense of solidarity, which is a deep and fundamental value, I think, in Jewish history in general and in Israel society in particular. At the same time, the campaign run by the Hostages And Missing Families Forum has become very politicized. Many right-wing supporters see it as weakening Israel. As time goes on, we're seeing more and more harassment of protesters who support bringing the hostages back. There are cases of passersby cursing, even hitting and throwing eggs, at hostages' families. In our latest survey, we asked about the effectiveness of the protests and actions taken by the hostages' families. Despite most of the public feeling empathetic toward the hostage issue, only less than a third think these actions are actually helping to advance a deal for the hostages' release, while almost 40 percent think they're actually hurting the cause. So, you've got this complex situation where people want the hostages back, but there is disagreement and some backlash about how to make that happen. RFE/RL: Can you explain the reasons behind the apparent contradiction in views regarding prioritizing a negotiated return of the hostages, or destroying Hamas? Yohanani: You're right to point out that apparent contradiction. Let me break it down a bit. As I mentioned earlier, a clear majority of the public sees a deal to release the hostages as the main goal. But there is a big gap between political camps on this issue. In the center and left, about 80 percent support the deal for the hostages' release, while the opinions on the right are evenly split. So, for most of the left and center, the fighting in Gaza has run its course. They feel most military objectives have been achieved, and Hamas's military power has been significantly weakened. From their perspective, continuing the fight now only puts the hostages at greater risk. It's important to know that about half of the right-wing also shares this view of prioritizing the hostages' release, but the other half of those on the far-right thinks dismantling Hamas is more important. Why? For a couple of reasons. First, there's a security stance that Hamas must be wiped out and not allowed to recover. There is also a very strong sentiment of revenge, with minimal consideration for the cost, whether it's the lives of the hostages, soldiers, let alone innocent civilians in Gaza. Another significant component openly discussed in religious nationalist circles is the return of Jewish settlement to the Gaza Strip after Israel evacuated Jewish settlements from there in 2005. RFE/RL: Is there public confidence that Israel will ultimately be able to remove the threat of Hamas and Hezbollah and come out of this conflict with greater prospects for a peaceful and stable near-term future? Yohanani: Right now, the Israeli public isn't showing a lot of optimism. In our current survey, when we asked people if they're optimistic or pessimistic about Israel's future, we found more pessimists, 48 percent, than optimists, 45 percent. I also think it's important to note that a peaceful future, as you put it, or peace in general, isn't really a common concept in the current Israeli discourse. I would say the hope of Israelis is that the military actions against Hezbollah and Iran will lead to a situation where Israel's existence isn't in question, and that Israeli military superiority will prevent events like October 7 from happening again. So, it's less about peace in the traditional sense, and more about security and deterrence. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree "On amendments to the structure of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan," Trend reports. The Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers is tasked with solving the issues arising from the decree. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A Ukrainian man charged with shooting to death Ukrainian former lawmaker Iryna Farion on July 19 has insisted on his innocence -- but was asked by the victim's daughter at his arraignment, "Why did you kill her?" Vyacheslav Zinchenko appeared in custody on July 26 following the Lviv killing, which has prompted street protests. Farion was a controversial figure and former Ukrainian parliament member for the far-right party Svoboda. She opposed the acceptance of Russian culture and language within Ukraine. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree On amending the list of educational institutions for special purposes, Trend reports. The decree added Baku Military College, Ganja Military College, and Nakhchivan Military College to the list of specialized educational institutions. Furthermore, amendments have been made to the Charter of the National Defense University of Azerbaijan. According to these amendments, the vice-rectors of the university, as well as the rectors of the Military Research Institute, the Military Management Institute, the Heydar Aliyev Military Institute, and the head of the Azerbaijan Army Training Center, which are subordinate to the university, are approved by the President of Azerbaijan upon the recommendation of the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan. The heads of the Baku Military College, Ganja Military College, Nakhchivan Military College, Jamshid Nakhchivanski Military Lyceum, and Heydar Aliyev Military Lyceum are appointed and dismissed by the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan upon the recommendation of the university rector. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree On approval of the Regulations on the Interdepartmental Commission for the Protection of State Secrets and Amendments to the composition of the Interdepartmental Commission for the Protection of State Secrets, Trend reports. According to the decree, the deputy chief of the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription of Azerbaijan was added to the list of commission members. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. Four servicemen of the Azerbaijani Army have tragically died in the Lachin district, a source in the Ministry of Defense told Trend. According to the preliminary version, the servicemen died on July 30 while off duty, poisoned while swimming in sulfurous, carbonated thermal waters. The discovery of the corpses of Azerbaijani Army servicemen, including captain Asif Emnaliyev, warrant officer Farid Jabrayilov, and sergeants Tural Samadov and Emin Shahmarli, has been verified. The Ministry of Defense's leadership extends its sincerest condolences to the deceased servicemen's families and associates," the source added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Ellen O'Donoghue Dublin Zoo have welcomed a new male Asian lion. The lion, five year old Kushanu, from Edinburgh Zoo joined nine-year-old female Kamala at the Asian lion habitat at Dublin Zoo, which is located beside sea lion cove and close to the red panda habitat. Kushanu arrived in March and is forming a strong bond with Kamala, to the excitement of Dublin Zoo, who hope the pair will breed and produce healthy cubs. Dublin Zoo is part of the European Endangered Species Programme for the Asian lion, which manages their population and breeding. Ciaran McMahon, team leader at Dublin Zoo, said that they are excited to welcome Kushanu, who is settling in well. We look forward to hearing Kushanus impressive roars, and visitors can be excited to see Kushanus distinctive mane as he explores his new habitat, Mr McMahon said. The Asian lion is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and it is estimated that there are around 500-600 individuals left in the wild due to threats such as habitat loss and illegal hunting. Asian lions live in only one place in the wild, the Gir National Park and Sanctuary in India, meaning that they are also vulnerable to unexpected events in that area, such as natural disasters or diseases. Another threat is conflict with farmers when lions come onto their land. The lion has the loudest roar of all the big cats and can be heard up to eight kilometres away. The male lion is the only cat that has a mane, which is an indication of their maturity and dominance. Asian lions have shorter, darker manes than African lions. Asian lions are meat eaters and are known as ambush predators. High Court Reporters Gardai are advising the developer and leaseholder of the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock to refrain from pinning a written court order to its entrance due to safety concerns, a judge has been told. The High Courts Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy on Wednesday extended his injunctions restraining attendance from people engaging in behaviour calculated to threaten, intimidate or interfere with contractors' ability to work on the property. In the wake of significant unrest over plans to develop the site into accommodation for migrants, leaseholder Townbe Unlimited Company and developer Remcoll Capital Ltd sought the injunctions against people unknown attending at the facility for the purpose of protest and four individuals. The firms say more relevant people will be added as defendants as and when they can be identified. T The court has heard large numbers regularly arrive near the property in ski-masks and balaclavas, making it difficult to identify them. On Wednesday, the plaintiff firms senior counsel, Bernard Dunleavy, told the court they are in a very difficult position as gardai continue to advise them to hold off on fixing the orders to the factory gate. He said his clients liaise with gardai at least twice per day. He said advertisements containing the orders were carried in two newspapers, while three of the four individuals have been served at their addresses. Two of the defendants were candidates in the recent local elections: Kevin Coyle, of Corbally Rise, Saggart, and Leon Bradley, of Virginia Park, Finglas. It is alleged Mr Coyle posted an online video of himself on the property on July 21st, which amounts to trespass. Mr Bradley is alleged to have posted on social media on July 21st confirming he threw rocks on the roof of the property. The third individual with a given address is Sean Rush, otherwise known as Shaun Crowe, of Edenmore Avenue, Coolock, who is alleged to have set up the Coolock says No page on X and to have incited and encouraged riots and disturbances at the property. A fourth man was joined as a defendant as an alleged trespasser, but he cannot be named yet as his address has not been identified by the plaintiff companies. None of the four appeared in court on Wednesday to respond to the claims against them. Hearing about the difficulties with fixing the notices to the site, Mr Justice Mulcahy said he does not want to trammel on any Garda advice. He had last week permitted newspaper advertisements as an alternative method of service. He said the injunctions could be extended, with the case to return to court in October. He gave permission for the parties to return to court earlier if needed. Last week the court was told there have been at least six arson attacks on the premises, while two security guards and one garda have been hospitalised with injuries incurred during violent incidents at the site. More than 20 people have been before Dublin District Court charged with public order offences relating to recent incidents. They have been granted bail on condition they stay away from the factory. Mr Justice Mulcahy agreed to accept an anonymised affidavit from a deponent who claimed he was warned by gardai he could be in personal danger. The man said the chief executive officer of Remcoll had to leave the country with his family on the advice of gardai and in fear of his life. He said gardai have advised that wrongdoers in incidents around the site are protected by certain families who have significant influence in the Dublin underworld. He said a protest began at the site in late March of this year. Prior to the widely-publicised chaos and violence of mid-July, the protest was not marred by violence, but black and Pakistani security staff were subjected to racial abuse, he said. The man said gardai believe some wrongdoers are now using drones to drop petrol bombs to the property. They drop them at certain locations and then one explosion hits the next, and they have a ripple effect, he said. He said the contractors want to progress with plans to turn the site into accommodation for mainly Ukrainians who have fled the war. High Court Reporters A man who alleges he has been living rent-free for more than 15 years in a six-bed house in south Dublin has persuaded the High Court to overturn a finding that he was validly served with a lease termination notice. John OGara successfully argued there was no evidence allowing the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to conclude he was a tenant at the detached property, which sits on half an acre in Rathfarnham. He denies the existence of any tenancy and claims ownership of the house on Ballyboden Road by adverse possession. Setting out the background, Mr Justice Anthony Barr said Mr OGara did not participate in the RTB hearing of last September as he maintained no tenancy existed between him and Patrick Fitzgerald, who purchased the property from a receiver in June 2022. Mr Fitzgerald told the RTB the property had been advertised as subject to a tenancy under terms unknown and there were no viewings prior to the online auction. He said he spoke to the previous owner of the house who said he let the property to Mr OGara in 2007. Mr Fitzgerald said the man was not very clear on details, saying he believed the rent was 2,000 a month. He said the man said it was paid monthly for about 12 to 18 months before AIB took over the rent collection and he and his co-owner had no further involvement. Two weeks after purchasing the house, Mr Fitzgerald said, he sent Mr OGara a demand for rent of 4,500, which was based on present-day rental income for similar properties. He said he registered the tenancy with the RTB. He said Mr OGara did not pay any rent and has refused to let him access the property. The judge said Mr Fitzgerald served Mr OGara with a warning letter in August 2022 and a notice of termination the following month. The RTB tribunal accepted a notification of rental arrears was valid and the notice of termination was validly served. It determined Mr OGara should vacate the property by September 13th, 2023. Mr OGara appealed to the High Court, which on Wednesday found there was no evidence before the RTB tribunal of any tenancy between Mr OGara and Mr Fitzgerald. Mr Justice Barr noted a tenancy was registered in 2007 that named Mr OGara and two others and another was registered in 2011 naming Mr OGara. However, he said, it is accepted that RTB registration does not create a tenancy. In the absence of evidence of the existence of any tenancy agreement since 2007, the RTB lacked jurisdiction to deal with the matter and was in error in finding the notice of termination was valid, the judge ruled. He said Mr OGaras appeal must succeed. He set aside the RTB tribunals report and remitted the matter back to the RTB to consider it afresh. Eimear Dodd and Claire Henry A man who raped his teenage niece in his car has been jailed for nine years. The Central Criminal Court previously heard that local gardai became suspicious after spotting the man's car parked in an unlit location in Co Roscommon on a date in November 2017. The man had raped the 15-year-old girl before they arrived, and when he spotted the patrol car's lights told her to say she was his daughter. The court heard that officers got the impression the girl was being watched by the man, and they told him to bring her home. Gardai were unhappy with the man's story and decided to follow the car, noting where the girl was dropped off. They later went back to speak to her, but she initially said nothing had happened. She made a formal complaint in early 2019. The 50-year-old man was convicted of rape following a trial at the Central Criminal Court earlier this month. He doesn't accept the verdict. He cannot be identified to protect the anonymity of his victim. Passing sentence, Mr Justice Tony Hunt set a pre-mitigating sentence of twelve years in prison. Judge Hunt said the mitigating factors in this case are that the defendant seems to have been a hard worker and took part in difficult work. He noted that the man had no previous convictions. He said an unusual mitigating factor is that it has to be accepted that the defendants English is very limited, which will make serving a sentence here more difficult. The judge said this man is working in prison and undertaking courses at present. He said the defendant has little or no connections here to support him. Judge Hunt suspended the final three years of the twelve-year sentence under the following strict conditions: on completion of the nine-year sentence, the defendant is to leave this jurisdiction and not return for ten years. He is to have no contact, direct or indirect, with the injured part in this case and that includes his direct family members also. Further, if at any time in the future, the defendant commits any sexual offence in this jurisdiction or breaches the above conditions, he will be called on to serve the remaining three years of his suspended sentence. He backdated this sentence to when the man went into custody on this matter. The court previously heard that the man offered the girl a lift but didn't take her home as she expected. Instead, he parked the car at an unlit location in Co. Roscommon. He then got into the back of the car and raped her. The girl started to scream, and he told her, You are screaming for no reason; there is no point screaming as there is no one here who can hear you. On the journey home, the man threatened the girl, telling her not to say anything to anyone. When she got home, the girl started to self-harm. Gardai later went to the girl's home and while she initially fobbed them off, she did tell them her real name. She agreed to go to the local garda station and was joined there by her mother, who had been working. When gardai spoke to them, the girl initially made no complaint. During the trial, the girl's mother said her daughter was self-harming and very upset in the aftermath of the incident but would not talk to her. She arranged for a family friend to speak with her daughter. The girl fobbed off the family friend, telling her she had been raped by another boy. The court heard the family friend didn't believe this but didn't push the girl as she was worried about her. The friend broached the subject again a few months later, having noticed the girl would start to shake or cry if she saw the man about town. Around this time, the girl told her the man had raped her. She encouraged the girl to speak to her mother but didn't want to break the child's confidence. In March 2019, the girl made a complaint to a social worker and a garda who were supporting her as she was being bullied. Her mother was contacted and the girl also told her what had happened. The court heard the girl said she was sick of him calling me a whore, sick of them calling me names, sick of it all. An investigation started, and the girl was interviewed by specialist gardai in April 2019. The man later left the jurisdiction and was arrested on foot of a European Arrest Warrant. He has been in custody since returning to Ireland in late May 2023. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. A man who raped his teenage niece in his car has been jailed for nine years. The Central Criminal Court previously heard that local gardai became suspicious after spotting the man's car parked in an unlit location in County Roscommon on a date in November 2017. The man had raped the 15-year-old girl before they arrived, and when he spotted the patrol car's lights told her to say she was his daughter. The court heard that officers got the impression the girl was being watched by the man, and they told him to bring her home. Gardai were unhappy with the man's story and decided to follow the car, noting where the girl was dropped off. They later went back to speak to her, but she initially said nothing had happened. She made a formal complaint in early 2019. The 50-year-old man was convicted of rape following a trial at the Central Criminal Court earlier this month. He doesn't accept the verdict. He cannot be identified to protect the anonymity of his victim. Passing sentence today (Wednesday), Mr Justice Tony Hunt set a pre-mitigating sentence of twelve years in prison. Judge Hunt said the mitigating factors in this case are that the defendant seems to have been a hard worker and took part in difficult work. He noted that the man had no previous convictions. He said an unusual mitigating factor is that it has to be accepted that the defendants English is very limited, which will make serving a sentence here more difficult. The judge said this man is working in prison and undertaking courses at present. He said the defendant has little or no connections here to support him. Judge Hunt suspended the final three years of the twelve-year sentence under the following strict conditions: on completion of the nine-year sentence, the defendant is to leave this jurisdiction and not return for ten years. He is to have no contact, direct or indirect, with the injured part in this case and that includes his direct family members also. Further, if at any time in the future, the defendant commits any sexual offence in this jurisdiction or breaches the above conditions, he will be called on to serve the remaining three years of his suspended sentence. He backdated this sentence to when the man went into custody on this matter. The court previously heard that the man offered the girl a lift but didn't take her home as she expected. Instead, he parked the car at an unlit location in County Roscommon. He then got into the back of the car and raped her. The girl started to scream, and he told her, You are screaming for no reason; there is no point screaming as there is no one here who can hear you. On the journey home, the man threatened the girl, telling her not to say anything to anyone. When she got home, the girl started to self-harm. Gardai later went to the girl's home and while she initially fobbed them off, she did tell them her real name. She agreed to go to the local garda station and was joined there by her mother, who had been working. When gardai spoke to them, the girl initially made no complaint. Gardai checked her phone while she was at the station, and they found a 50 note along with the man's telephone number written on a post-it note. During the trial, the girl's mother said her daughter was self-harming and very upset in the aftermath of the incident but would not talk to her. She arranged for a family friend to speak with her daughter. The girl fobbed off the family friend, telling her she had been raped by another boy. The court heard the family friend didn't believe this but didn't push the girl as she was worried about her. The friend broached the subject again a few months later, having noticed the girl would start to shake or cry if she saw the man about town. Around this time, the girl told her the man had raped her. She encouraged the girl to speak to her mother but didn't want to break the child's confidence. In March 2019, the girl made a complaint to a social worker and a garda who were supporting her as she was being bullied. Her mother was contacted and the girl also told her what had happened. The court heard the girl said she was sick of him calling me a whore, sick of them calling me names, sick of it all. An investigation started, and the girl was interviewed by specialist gardai in April 2019. The man was arrested in early 2020. While he was co-operative and provided background information, nothing of evidential value was obtained from the interview. He later left the jurisdiction and was arrested on foot of a European Arrest Warrant. He has been in custody since returning to Ireland in late May 2023. He has no relevant previous convictions. A victim impact statement was read to the court by prosecuting counsel. The girl said she started to self-harm after the incident, hoping that would kill me. She said she developed issues with sleep and eating and suffered from nightmares. The victim said she was scared to talk or to leave her home alone. Everywhere I went, he was in his car following me, she said, adding that members of the man's family also followed her. She also said she was scared for her life. The investigating garda agreed with Colman Cody SC, defending, that the man spoke with gardai before the victim had made a formal complaint and was generally co-operative. It was further accepted that the man wasn't arrested for interview until 2020 and was released without charge. The garda agreed that a European Arrest Warrant was later issued after the Director of Public Prosecutions gave directions for the man to be charged. The court heard the man moved to Ireland from a country in Central Europe in 2015 with members of his family and has limited English. Mr Cody told the court his client's family had since returned home and asked the court to take into account the impact of family separation on his client. Counsel outlined his client's background and family circumstances. His client has a long work history and has been using his time in custody constructively. Isabel Hayes and Eimear Dodd A sex offender who was extradited to Ireland from France after he sexually assaulted and exposed himself to a number of young women on Darts and near train stations has been jailed for three and half years. Tony Guilloteau (32) was living in Ireland studying English in 2020 when he engaged in a campaign of targeting young women, exposing himself to them on the Dart and sexually assaulting others on the street, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. In the case of his youngest victim, who was aged 17 at the time, Guilloteau sat across from her on the train, exposed and masturbated himself before approaching her and ejaculating on the aisle. She was frozen during the incident, which took place at around 3pm in the afternoon, Garda Martin Byrne told Tessa White BL, prosecuting, at an earlier sentence hearing. Guilloteau, formerly of Sutton Park, Sutton, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault and two counts of engaging in offensive behaviour of a sexual nature on dates between February 13th and March 11th, 2020. He left Ireland for France just before the Covid pandemic lockdown and went on to commit similar offences in France, the court heard. He has three previous convictions arising from those offences and served an 18-month sentence in the community in France wearing an ankle tag, the court heard. He was questioned in relation to the Irish charges in La Rochelle in France in 2021 and extradited to Ireland last February. He has been in custody since his extradition. Imposing sentence on Wednesday, Judge Orla Crowe said it is an aggravating feature of the case that there are five victims who were young women out and about in Dublin city, minding their own business when they were subjected to this behaviour. She said these incidents must have been distressing and terrifying for the victims. The judge noted there was a range of offending by Guilloteau over the five-week period, some of which were less serious in nature, but all were very serious in terms of impact on the victims. The judge said the young women had the right to move about on their own in the day or night without being subjected to Guilloteau's egregious behaviour. Judge Crowe said the court had taken into account the guilty plea, expressions of remorse, the mitigation and Guilloteau's personal circumstances. She backdated the three-and-a-half-year sentence to January 30th, last when Guilloteau went into custody. In a letter of apology handed into court, he said he was so sad, so ashamed and so disappointed in himself. Things were complicated for me on a psychological level, he said, adding that he has been seeing a psychologist for four years now. James Dwyer SC, defending, said Guilloteau had a difficult childhood and was brought up by his grandmother after his mother left when he was eight years old. He has worked in digital marketing and quality control jobs, the court heard. Relief Package Announced For Soybean and Cotton Farmers The state government has approved substantial financial aid Agriculture News: To support the agriculture sector in Nagpur, the state government has approved substantial financial aid for cotton and soybean farmers who suffered due to price drops last year. To mitigate these losses, the government has introduced a financial relief package for the kharif marketing season of 2023-24. Advertisement The relief package includes a grant of a5,000 per hectare for areas larger than 0.2 hectares, with a maximum limit of two hectares. Since the Government Resolution (GR) was issued on July 29, the specific allocation for Vidarbha has increased. We will need to start from scratch, including compiling a list of eligible farmers, according to an official. The government has allocated a total of a4,194.68 crore for this assistance scheme. Of this amount, a1,548.34 crore is designated for cotton farmers, and a2,646.34 crore is allocated for soybean growers. This funding will be distributed as part of the additional budget presented on July 5, supporting a special action plan to enhance the productivity and value chain of cotton, soybean, and other oilseed crops. Advertisement Eligibility for the financial aid is clearly defined: cotton and soybean farmers who cultivated their crops during the 2023 kharif season are entitled to receive a1,000 per hectare for areas up to two hectares. This scheme is expected to boost the agriculture sector and demonstrate the governments commitment to addressing the needs of the farming community. (For more news apart from For Soybean and Cotton Farmers Government Announces Aid stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Haryana Girl Caught Making Dangerous Reel in Shimla, Arrested for Bike Stunt in Punjab A girl from Haryana was recently filmed hanging out of a moving car in Shimla Himachal Pradesh Latest News: A girl from Haryana was recently filmed hanging out of a moving car in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh while creating an Instagram reel. The incident involved a Haryana-registered vehicle, with the girl dangerously leaning out of the window as a man in the back seat recorded her actions. Another passerby captured the scene and shared it on social media, where it quickly went viral. The Shimla Police upon viewing the video issued a challan for the vehicle involved. According to police reports, on Monday morning, a group of young men and women from Haryana were traveling on the Shimla-Chharabra road in a car with the registration number HR-26-EQ-9570. The girl was seen hanging out of the vehicle's window while the driver attempted to overtake a truck on a winding road, a reckless act that could have endangered her life. Advertisement In a separate incident in Ludhiana, Punjab, a video surfaced of an Instagram influencer performing stunts on a bike at high speed during the night. The influencer was seen riding the bike hands-free and performing gym exercises on the elevated bridge in front of the clock tower, including push-ups under a bridge. The Ludhiana Police arrested the individual and seized his Kawasaki Ninja bike after tracking him down through his Instagram account. The authorities have expressed concern over the increasing number of such incidents in tourist areas like Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Solan, and Kandaghat, where tourists often flout traffic rules for social media content. SHO Trilochan Negi of the Dhali police station emphasized the importance of safety and urged visitors not to risk their lives for social media fame. Midnight Stunt in Ludhiana Advertisement In Ludhiana, the gym influencer's midnight stunt video went viral on social media. The individual was seen performing exercises and riding a bike without using hands, even removing his T-shirt at one point. Following the video's circulation, senior traffic police officials issued a challan, and a search for the influencer ensued. The police apprehended him later that evening. Traffic Zone Incharge Deepak stated that the police are actively monitoring social media for such reckless behavior and will take strict action against anyone violating traffic rules. (For more updates, Girl from Haryana Caught Making Dangerous Reel in Shimla; Youth Arrested for Bike Stunt in Punjab, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) By Alimat Aliyeva U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin announced the allocation of $500 million to strengthen the defense of the Philippines, Azernews reports. Blinken and Austin made the announcement after talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos in Manila. It is noted that the allocated amount will be used to modernize the Philippine army, the border guard service, as well as to strengthen cooperation with the United States in the field of security. "Our countries and many other countries in the region share concerns about some of the actions that China is taking. We are talking about actions in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, which are aimed at escalation," Blinken said at a press conference. He also said that the United States would provide assistance to the Philippines if the forces of this Asian country were attacked in the Pacific Ocean. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. Today, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received the head of the election observation mission of Ditmir Bushati, Head of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights observation mission, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend. During the meeting, preparations for the extraordinary parliamentary election on September 1 and related international commitments were discussed. The minister provided detailed information on the consistent, systematic, and intensive measures being taken to ensure the upcoming elections are conducted freely, fairly, and transparently, including arrangements for international observers. It was highlighted that following the presidential elections, parliamentary elections will be held for the first time in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation, marking a historic moment. It was noted that all necessary conditions have been established in accordance with legislative requirements to organize the elections at a high level, fully meeting international standards. The importance of election observation missions maintaining an objective and impartial approach in line with relevant rules and mandates was emphasized. The head of the OSCE mission mentioned that a press conference will be held on August 1 to officially launch the observation mission, and shared details about the activities the mission will undertake over the next six weeks. The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest. To note, on June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling a snap election for September 1. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel July 31, 2024 UPDATE A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 31.07.2024, 19:52 Fiscal Code. The Romanian Ministry of Finance presented the draft amendment to the Fiscal Code for public debate. Among other things, it provides for the introduction of a personal fiscal code for natural persons, to be used for shopping and paying taxes. The code will allow the National Fiscal Administration Agency to verify the transactions carried out and, in the case of expensive purchases, if the person can justify the money used. The document also provides for the lowering of the ceilings of receipts and payments in the case of those with frozen accounts, easier means of communication with the legal representatives of the business environment for periodic information on the financial situation and the simplification of procedures for the capitalization of seized and confiscated assets. A deadline of 20 days was established for proposals to modify the bill. Fraud. The European Public Prosecutors Office has alerted Romania with regard to several cases of fraud, including one with a possible damage of 4.3 million euros, involving a mafia group from Italy. The institution led by the Romanian Laura Codruta Kovesi has informed the Ministry of Investments and European Projects in Bucharest that there are possible systemic vulnerabilities in contracts involving European funds in the country. The European Public Prosecutors Office has signaled a high risk of fraud with letters of guarantee issued by fictitious entities or which did not have the right to issue such documents. According to a press release from the European institution, based on these false documents, several public tenders were won and then ended up being investigated. TAROM. TAROMs Wednesday and Thursday flights to and from Beirut have been cancelled, amid increasing tension in the Middle East and following the alert issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest to avoid any travel to this region, the national airline has announced. Other European countries have also suspended their flights on the Beirut route. Several countries, including Romania, Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands, have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon urgently, due to growing concerns about a possible large-scale retaliation by Israel, after Saturdays rocket attack that killed 12 young people on the Golan Heights and for which the Lebanese group Hezbollah is accused. The Israeli army said it carried out a targeted strike in the area of the Lebanese capital against the Hezbollah commander on Tuesday evening. . Fires. 40 Romanian firefighters and 8 fire engines have been sent to Greece, where several wild fires are active. The mission will last until September 15, the purpose of the program being to reduce the response time in the event of fires, the efficiency of the preparation activity of the intervention modules belonging to the member states, as well as the improvement of interoperability between the participating forces. The head of the Romanian Department for Emergency Situations, Raed Arafat told the firefighters that, although they are going on a support mission, the situation is difficult in Greece and, most likely, they will participate in the interventions. The mission of the Romanian firefighters is part of the assistance program financed by the EU, provided as a measure of support for the Greek communities, after the devastating fires recorded in the past years. Harassment. The Council of Ethics and University Management in Romania will carry out checks in universities regarding cases of sexual harassment and how they are managed, the Ministry of Education announced on Wednesday. Minister Ligia Deca has called on universities to severely sanction any deviation from the norms of ethics and integrity, and to ensure protection and post-traumatic assistance for the victims. The Ministry of Education also states that, for the first time, in the new Higher Education Law, adopted last year, clear definitions were provided for sexual harassment and psychological violence, and all higher education institutions have the obligation to comply with the new provisions. The statements come after serious accusations of sexual harassment against a professor in Bucharest, which caused outrage on social media. Concert. Wiener Jeunesse Orchester (National Youth Orchestra of Austria) is among the guests of the Magic Summer International Festival in Bucharest. The ensemble, founded in 1987 in Vienna, is made up of talented students aged 18 to 26 from all Austrian cities. Other participants are the Slovenian Youth Orchestra and the Romanian Youth Orchestra. The festival ends on August 21 with a concert performed by the Romanian Sinfonietta orchestra. (MI) European cooperation against wildfire 40 Romanian fire-fighters and 8 pieces of equipment left on Tuesday evening for Greece, which is faced with a number of wildfires. Source: Facebook / IGSU - Inspectoratul General pentru Situatii de Urgenta, Romania Corina Cristea, 31.07.2024, 14:00 A consequence of the high temperatures recorded this summer, wildfires are wreaking havoc across several European countries. Like in previous years, Greece is the worst hit, with dozens of fires on its hands. Similar situations seen in the last three years have resulted in the destruction of large sections of the forested area around Athens and on the islands of Euboea and Rhodes. At the time, the fires were effectively dealt with thanks to support from many European states, including Romania. This is also the case right now, thanks to a EU-funded assistance programme intended as a support measure for the Greek authorities following the devastating fires in the past years. This is part of Brussels new policy to limit forest fires in the south of Europe, with fire fighting units being dispatched to Greece from Bulgaria, Malta, the Republic of Moldova and Romania. Under the programme, 40 Romanian fire-fighters and 8 pieces of equipment left on Tuesday on a pre-positioning mission in Greece. The mission will last until 15th September and the aim of the programme is to reduce response time in the event of forest fires, achieve a more effective preparation of intervention units from member states and improve interoperability between the participating forces. The head of Romanias Department for Emergency Situations Raed Arafat told fire-fighters that although they are leaving on a support mission, the situation in Greece is difficult and that they will most likely take part in interventions on the ground. Interior minister Catalin Predoiu praised the professionalism of the fire-fighting service and the current structure of the emergency intervention system: You have demonstrated your ability to save lives and to protect communities, both in Romania and abroad. This expertise was not achieved randomly, but because a number of years ago, Romania managed to create an emergency intervention system for civilian protection, a coherent, integrated system that brings together different professions and specialisations. This system is integrated with the Mobile Emergency Service for Reanimation and Extrication, the emergency healthcare service, paramedics, the police, the gendarmerie, the mountain rescue service and other institutions, as part of a mechanism that has demonstrated its effectiveness in the last ten years. On 29th July, a group of 20 fire-fighters from the Republic of Moldova also left for Greece to replace their colleagues who ended a mission begun in the early days of the month. On the same day, a fire on the Bulgarian-Greek border expanded, entering Bulgarian territory in two places, and two French planes joined in the efforts to extinguish it. Also, at the request of their French counterparts, Romanian fire-fighters recently contributed to putting out a wildfire in the south of France, in a busy tourist region and home to many camping sites. Vossloh France, a subsidiary of Vossloh AG, signed an agreement with TowerBrook Capital Partners L.P. regarding the acquisition of Sateba Group. Headquartered in Paris, Sateba is one of the leading manufacturers of concrete ties in Europe and has expanded its portfolio in recent years to include other rail infrastructure components and related products. The purchase price, or enterprise value, for the acquisition is expected to be 450 million euros. With a total of 19 production sites in ten European countries, Sateba has a production capacity of around four million track and turnout ties per year. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Oil prices rallied on Wednesday after settling at a seven-month low on Tuesday amid China demand concerns. Prices were buoyed as data showed a fifth straight week of sizable drawdowns in U.S. crude inventories and Israel said it has killed a top Hezbollah commander after carrying out a strike on a southern suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut. Also, weak manufacturing data from China added to bets that Beijing will deploy more stimulus measures in the world's second largest . Benchmark Brent crude futures jumped 2.5 percent to $80 a barrel while WTI crude futures were up 2.7 percent at $76.73. The American Petroleum Institute (API) reported on Tuesday that U.S. crude inventories fell by 4.495 million barrels in the week to July 26, marking the fifth consecutive week of inventory declines as a result of robust summer travel demand. Analysts had predicted a smaller 2.333-million-barrel draw following a 3.9-million-barrel draw in crude inventories in the previous week. Meanwhile, Israel has killed a high-ranking Hamas leader in Iran, raising fears that the move could escalate the conflict in the region. Palestinian militant group Hamas said its leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran's capital of Tehran. Elsewhere in China, data showed the country's manufacturing activity shrank for the third consecutive month in July, fueling bets on more stimulus measures. At a meeting of Politburo on Tuesday, China's leaders have pledged to prioritize boosting consumer spending and mentioned "counter-cyclical adjustments." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Shares of HSBC Holdings Plc were gaining more than 4 percent on the London Stock Exchange as well as in pre-market activity on the NYSE after the British lending major on Wednesday reported higher pre-tax profit, despite weak revenues. The company also lifted fiscal 2024 banking net interest income outlook, and also said it intends to initiate a share buy-back of up to $3 billion, which is expected to be completed within three months. Separately, HSBC said that it has appointed Jonathan Bingham as Interim Group Chief Financial Officer with effect from September 2, along with his existing responsibilities as Global Financial Controller. He will not be appointed as an Executive Director. A process to identify the next permanent Group Chief Financial Officer is underway. The company in mid-July had appointed CFO Georges Elhedery as Chief Executive, with effect from September 2, succeeding Noel Quinn, who would step down as Chief Executive and as an Executive Director. Looking ahead, based upon current forecasts, the company expects banking net interest income or NII of around $43 billion in 2024. HSBC previously expected Banking NII of at least $41 billion. Further, the company now targets a return on average tangible equity or RoTE, excluding the impact of notable items, in the mid-teens for both 2024 and 2025. Over the medium to long term, HSBC continues to expect mid-single digit year-on-year percentage growth in customer lending. Further, the Board has approved a second interim dividend of $0.10 per share, same as last year. Regarding its financial results, Noel Quinn, Group Chief Executive, said, "The first half saw another strong profit performance, driven by growth in our scale businesses and in areas where we have been investing. There was strong revenue growth in Wealth, transaction banking revenue remained stable and wholesale lending increased again in the second quarter, on a constant currency basis, after growing in the first quarter." In its second quarter, HSBC's profit before tax grew 2 percent to $8.91 billion from last year's $8.77 billion. Profit after tax, meanwhile, fell 3 percent to $6.83 billion from last year's $7.05 billion. Revenue for the quarter declined 1 percent to $16.54 billion from $16.71 billion a year ago. In London, HSBC shares were trading at 704.30 pence, up 4.05 percent. In pre-market activity on the NYSE, HSBC shares were gaining around 4.3 percent to trade at $45.40. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Israel says it has killed Hezbollah's most senior military commander in an air strike Tuesday. Israel Defense Forces said "Israeli Air Force fighter jets eliminated the Hezbollah terrorist organization's most senior military commander" Fuad Shukr in an air strike on a southern suburb of the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Israel had vowed retaliation for the deadly Golan Heights rocket attack that killed a dozen people, mostly children, last week. Israel's security cabinet on Monday had authorized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to decide on how and when to respond against perpetrators of the attack. Israel and the United States blamed Hezbollah for the deadly Golan Heights strike. Shukr was the mastermind behind it, according to IDF. The Lebanese militant group denied it. It was the deadliest attack targeting Israel since the cross-border attacks by Hamas in Israeli territory on October 7, which is feared to trigger an all-out war. Shukr, alas al-Hajj Mohsin, "has directed Hezbollah's attacks on the state of Israel since October 8, and he was the commander responsible for the murder of the 12 children in Majdal Shams in northern Israel on Saturday evening, as well as the killing of numerous Israelis and foreign nationals over the years," IDF said in a statement. Lufthansa had suspended flights to and from Lebanon's capital Beirut as a precautionary measure amid fears of Israeli counter attack. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News According to a recent report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 2023, nearly one-third of teenagers in the United States received mental treatment. The report was based on the findings of the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which involved in-person and online interviews with individuals aged 12 and older. The 2023 survey revealed that over 8 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 received mental health treatment, indicating an increase from 7.7 million in 2022. SAMHSA Administrator Miriam Delphin-Rittmon expressed satisfaction with the increase in the number of people receiving mental health treatment in 2023 compared to the previous year. She emphasized that this trend reflects ongoing efforts to normalize and reduce the stigma around seeking mental health care. The report noted a steady rise in the rate of adolescents receiving mental health treatment since 2009. Outpatient treatment was the most common form, with 59.8% of those receiving care opting for this option, which includes seeking help from school counselors or therapists' offices. Additionally, approximately 14.2% of adolescents received mental health services through telehealth, 13.9% were prescribed medication, and 3.5% were in inpatient facilities. While the report shows positive improvements in the number of adolescents seeking help, Delphin-Rittmon stressed the importance of remaining dedicated to addressing mental health and substance use crises. She highlighted that the report indicates the need for continued efforts in this area. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Health News Oil prices rose sharply on Wednesday amid concerns about possible supply disruptions due to rising tensions in the Middle East, and on data showing a larger than expected drop in U.S. crude inventories in the week ended July 26th. On the geopolitical front, Israel said it has killed a top Hezbollah commander after carrying out a strike on a southern suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut. According to reports, Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to take revenge for the attack, a step that could lead to a wider Middle East war and affect Persian Gulf oil supplies. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for September ended up $3.18 or about 4.3% at $77.91 a barrel. Brent crude futures were up $3.00 or 3.84% at $81.07 a barrel a little while ago. Data released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed crude oil inventories slumped by 3.4 million barrels last week after tumbling by 3.7 million barrels in the previous week. Economists had expected crude oil inventories to dip by 1.6 million barrels. At 433.0 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 4 percent below the five-year average for this time of year, the EIA said. The EIA data also said gasoline inventories also decreased by 3.7 million barrels from last week and are about 3 percent below the five-year average for this time of year. Meanwhile, distillate fuel inventories, which include heating oil and diesel, increased by 1.5 million barrels last week but are about 7 percent below the five-year average for this time of year. The American Petroleum Institute (API) reported on Tuesday that U.S. crude inventories fell by 4.495 million barrels in the week to July 26, marking the fifth consecutive week of inventory declines as a result of robust summer travel demand. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. The US Embassy has expressed condolences over the death of four Azerbaijani servicemen, Trend reports via the embassy's X publication. "The U.S. Embassy expresses its sincerest condolences to the loved ones, friends, and colleagues who are mourning the tragic loss this week of four off-duty Azerbaijani servicemen," the publication said. To note, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense verified the discovery of corpses of the Azerbaijani Army servicemen - captain Asif Emnaliyev, warrant officer Farid Jabrayilov, and sergeants Tural Samadov and Emin Shahmarli, who, according to the preliminary version, poisoned while swimming in sulfurous, carbonated thermal waters on July 30 while off duty in the Lachin district. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A recent study found that GLP-1 drugs, usually used for diabetes and weight loss, could potentially slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. For the study, researchers from the Imperial College London followed more than 200 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's, who received either a placebo or liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 or GLP-1 drug manufactured by Novo Nordisk (NVO). The study failed to meet its primary endpoint, which was the change in the cerebral glucose metabolic rate. However, it showed that cognitive decline was reduced by 18 percent in participants taking liraglutide compared to those who took placebo. The study lead, Paul Edison, a professor of science at Imperial College London, said, "The slower loss of brain volume suggests liraglutide protects the brain, much like statins protect the heart". Based on MRI exams, researchers noted that liraglutide slowed the shrinking of certain parts of the brain which are important for memory, decision-making, learning, and language by nearly 50 percent compared to the placebo. "While further research is needed, liraglutide may work through various mechanisms, such as reducing inflammation in the brain, lowering insulin resistance and the toxic effects of Alzheimer's biomarkers amyloid-beta and tau, and improving how the brain's nerve cells communicate," Dr. Edison added. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 6.7 million Americans aged 65 years or older had Alzheimer's disease in 2023. The number is estimated to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The e-commerce platform Temu, owned by PDD Holdings Inc. (PDD), is facing backlash from Chinese suppliers due to strict fines and refund policies, according to reports from merchants and local Chinese media. The platform, which offers budget-friendly items such as $10 dresses and sneakers, as well as $15 mattresses, has been criticized by suppliers for imposing increasing fines on Chinese merchants. Recently, a group of around 80 merchants protested at the PDD office in Guangzhou, seeking to meet with top executives but were unable to secure an audience. The dissatisfaction among merchants stems from Temu's policies, which penalize them for refund requests and customer complaints. Fines are imposed for various issues, from packaging problems to discrepancies between products and their online descriptions. This has led to frustration among suppliers, with one merchant reporting that he was fined a significant amount for customer refunds and complaints, leading to substantial losses in profits. In addition, Temu's competitive environment has compelled merchants to cut prices and offer the best deals on the platform. Some suppliers have expressed concerns about the impact on their businesses, with one mobile phone seller reporting significant losses due to fines and unpaid amounts for sold products. The seller also highlighted the challenge of Temu's no-return refund policy, which led to substantial losses and is still awaiting reimbursement, according to the Financial Times. Overall, the strict policies and fines imposed by Temu have led to growing dissatisfaction among Chinese suppliers, with many expressing their grievances and concerns about the impact on their businesses. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News CHERTL leads in supporting AI in Higher Education ChatGPT has dominated news headlines since the release of ChatGPT 3.5 in November 2022 and has been followed by an explosion of GenAI tools and services. These AI tools and services will likely grow and continue to develop new capabilities in the future. How can the academic community stay up-to-date about the latest developments and be supported to leverage AI for academic purposes? Earlier this year, the Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching, and Learning (CHERTL) colleagues created and shared three guides to support students and lecturers with using AI. The guides are available publicly (linked below) and on RUconnected. Rhodes University is one of the few South African universities that have produced such guidelines. The student guidelines introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) broadly and some current debates about the pros (advantages) and cons (disadvantages) of using AI. It focuses on Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools and explains how these tools generate AI outputs, how to evaluate these outputs and use these tools in an ethical and responsible way. The two guides for lecturers focus on learning and teaching, and assessment. Both are underpinned by a critical AI literacies approach that involves understanding how GenAI works, recognising inequalities and biases associated with GenAI, examining ethical issues in GenAI, crafting effective prompts and assessing appropriate uses of GenAI (Bali, 2024). The guidelines are research-informed and the result of CHERTL colleagues' extensive engagements in local, national and international conferences, workshops and conversations in various formats where they have been called upon to share their expertise on GenAI tools and services over the past two years. CHERTL has facilitated cross-departmental conversations, departmental workshops, sessions with student residences and postgraduate students on using AI ethically in research. They have also presented at the Registrars Imbizo, Pharmacology conference and national SAERA conference last year and more recently, the international Higher Education Close-Up 11 (HECU 11) conference hosted at Rhodes University. Among these contributions, Neil Kramm co-authored a paper with former CPGS director Prof. Sioux McKenna for Teaching in Higher Education entitled AI amplifies the tough question: What is higher education really for?. Mr Kramm is currently working on a PhD study in which he is investigating the implications of GenAI for assessment design. He presented a keynote for the University of Fort Hare, presented for the University of Kent, Imperial College London, Central University of Technology, and has facilitated workshops for the University of Zululand, among others. In her role as the Digital Learning and Teaching team project lead for The Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA), Dr Pallitt collaborates with colleagues across universities to host and facilitate regular online events. The most recent digital dialogue explored the implications of AI for curricula. Her interest is in critical AI literacies, and she has co-facilitated online workshops with Prof. Maha Bali (American University in Cairo, Egypt) on this topic. Dr Pallitt has co-authored papers on equity-oriented learning design and brings an interest in socially just participation to her AI support work. Associate Prof. Mags Blackies scholarship on knowledge building has also given CHERTL colleagues work on AI a critical edge. She has written Reimagining Assessment Practices at Rhodes University which is currently under discussion. She encourages lecturers to draw on knowledge-building frameworks (Blackie, 2022) and a taxonomy of restrictions in assessment tasks (Dawson et. al, 2023) to reconsider appropriate assessment practices in light of GenAI. Her point of departure is that GenAI will substantially change the world of work and therefore we need to do better at preparing students for lifelong learning. Educational Technology Specialists, Neil Kramm and Dr Nicola Pallitt emphasise the importance of keeping up to date with the latest developments in AI and engaging in ongoing conversations with staff and students to ensure the guidelines remain relevant and effective. The guidelines are research-informed and aim to support lecturers and students in using AI appropriately and in a way that promotes disciplinary knowledge building. Lecturers in particular, are encouraged to use the guidelines to facilitate conversations around appropriate uses in their disciplines. Kramm and Pallitt note that quite a few Rhodes University lecturers have also contributed to AI conversations in their disciplines internationally, which is particularly exciting. Links to the guides: Student Guidelines for the Use of ChatGPT and other Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools and Services https://bit.ly/3HW4xPr Learning and Teaching with AI tools https://bit.ly/3UBO9eD Guidelines for Assessment in the time of AI https://bit.ly/3UEIT9U Links to a selection of articles and event recordings for interest: Blackie, M. A. L. (2024). ChatGPT is a game changer: detection and eradication is not the way forward. Teaching in Higher Education, 29(4), 11091116. Kramm, N., & McKenna, S. 2023. AI amplifies the tough question: What is higher education really for? Teaching in Higher Education, 28(8), 21732178. The need for critical responses to AI within and by Higher Education (e/merge Africa webinar, recording here) Critical AI literacy workshop (MyFest23, recording here) ChatGPT is the push higher education needs to rethink assessment, The Conversation Rhodes University Clocktower One of Rhodes Universitys #RU120 Big 5 focus areas is Transformation & Leadership. As such, the University is committed to fostering a safer, more inclusive environment. Since 2016, we have undertaken substantial reforms, including revising our GBV processes and policies, fortifying our collaboration with law enforcement, and empowering our staff and students through workshops and dialogues. This year, we are excited to announce several significant initiatives and events. In our continued efforts to address GBV, the Office for Equity & Institutional Culture (E&IC) is hosting a panel discussion on the recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeals on the matter of State vs Coko, which has important implications for how we understand consent in the context of sexual violence. This case, involving a Rhodes University masters student, has been a significant point of reflection for us. The controversy surrounding the case, particularly the 2021 acquittal and subsequent legal debates about consent, has underscored the complexities and challenges in adjudicating intimate partner violence cases. Dr Claire Kelly, the Director of E&IC, said: It is important that as we honour the women who fought for our freedom and consider the ongoing fight for gender equality; that we do not fall into the trap of ghettoisation and 'pinkification of womens issues. This month is a small but important window of elevated national interest in gender, and specifically the position of women, and it is too important to waste on spa days and flowers. Rhodes Universitys SRC Leadership Week, which coincides with Women's Day, will be a pivotal moment for our community, highlighting our ongoing commitment to leadership in gender equality. Additionally, the #RU120SportsFestival, starting on Women's Day, will feature profiles of women in sports. This focus is crucial as it celebrates the achievements of female athletes, breaking barriers and inspiring future generations. Furthermore, we are pleased to collaborate with a respected civil rights organisation to facilitate discussions on GBV. These sessions will involve our Transformation Representatives across all residences, ensuring comprehensive engagement and action. Lastly, the Harassment, Discrimination and Gender Harm Office will launch a campaign on Rhodes Universitys GBV reporting protocols. Our efforts reflect a deep commitment to continuous improvement and a safer environment. By embracing transparency, dialogue, and community engagement, Rhodes University is determined to champion the rights and dignity of everyone on our campus. When compared to 3-Door model, Mahindra Thar Roxx will be significantly more loaded with features, equipment and creature comforts Set to take its lifestyle adventure SUV game to a new level, Mahindra is set to launch the 5-Door Thar in India on August 15th. Initially speculated to called Thar Armada, Mahindra has zeroed in on the name Thar Roxx. Interiors of upcoming Mahindra Thar Roxx mid-spec variant has surfaced on the internet. Lets take a look. Mahindra Thar Roxx Mid-Variant Size-wise, Mahindra Thar Roxx will land in compact SUV segment, challenging all the monocoque rivals like Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, MG Astor, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, VW Taigun, Citroen C3 Aircross and upcoming Tata Curvv and Citroen Basalt. Going by Mahindras previous strategies, Thar Roxx might be launched at a very attractive introductory price. Considering Scorpio N was launched starting from Rs 12 lakh (introductory price, Ex-sh) for the first 25,000 customers, Thar Roxx is speculated to start from Rs 11 lakh (introductory price, Ex-sh). If so, the variants just below the top-spec trim will strike the most VFM appeal offering a decent balance between price and features. One such variant has been spied ahead of August 15th launch. The spy video from plusdrive_155 reveal this mid-to-high spec variants interiors. It has to be noted that this is not Thar Roxxs top variant as that will come with a lot more features. This mid-to-high variant comes equipped with a single-pane sunroof, spotted with older test mules. It also gets similar semi-digital instrument cluster as current Thar. While top-spec Thar Roxx will get a panoramic sunroof and a 10.2-inch TFT instrument cluster. Notable features of this particular variant is the new 10.2-inch infotainment screen that will support wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, same steering wheel as XUV700 along with indicator stalks, a push button start feature where keyhole used to be, roof-mounted speakers for the front and rear, a frameless auto-dimming IRVM and more. More feature-loaded than before There is no ADAS suite with this variant as it lacks the camera unit mounted behind the IRVM. There are front and rear armrests, four adjustable headrests, rear AC vents and grab rails for all doors to facilitate ingress and egress. Interestingly, Mahindra is offering white leatherette upholstery which will be soiled in no time, given Thars off-road image and target audience. We didnt see a 4X4 lever for transfer case. Nor did we see any shift-on-the-fly system system for the same. So, this particular variant might very well be RWD only. Speaking of engines and drivetrain layouts, the same engines as current 3-Door Thar (1.5L Diesel, 2.0L Petrol and 2.2L Diesel) are expected to continue on Thar Roxx. There may be variance in performance metrics to adhere to the added weight. 1 of 3 Also read Mahindra BE.05 interiors leaked Source The primary rival for TVS Ronin is Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and offers more premium equipment and attractive design elements It has been as many as 25 years since the ferocious Kargil war of 1999 between India and Pakistan. Brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces fought valiantly to defeat Pakistan. Since then, July 26 has been celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas. TVS Motor has unveiled a special custom motorcycle based on Ronin to commemorate this. TVS Ronin Parakram Unveiled Called TVS Ronin Parakram, this is a custom Kargil Edition motorcycle that pays homage to the Bravehearts of Indian Armed Forces who won the 1999 Kargil war. The motorcycle tries to embody the immense courage and valour of Indias finest warriors to bag the crucial and celebrated 1999 Kargil victory over Pakistan. This custom-built Kargil Edition motorcycle was built by East India Motorcycle Revolution Customs. Called TVS Ronin Parakram, it features a bold and rugged avatar with a unique paint job and incredible attention to detail. TVS has unveiled the Kargil Edition with immense pride to commemorate the silver jubilee of Kargil Vijay Diwas. This is an extensive custom job with meticulously crafted new elements from East India Motorcycle Revolution Customs. That said, the overall design still stays true to TVS Ronin and all these custom elements further accentuate Ronins appearance. The main highlights are images of Kargil War seen on knee recess and side cover. The new design elements on TVS Ronin Kargil Edition include a custom dual-tone paint job consisting of Olive Green and a silver shade which should mimic the look of armoured steel. Top of the fuel tank is silver, while knee recess and side body panels are painted in Olive Green. There is a Kargil Vijay Diwas logo on fuel tank too. Custom fly screen in silver shade lends a vintage look and so does the suede leather on handlebar grips and seat. Speaking of seat, it is a single-piece custom unit. The subframe has been trimmed to accommodate this seat and there is a luggage carrier at the back, made of stainless steel. Radical design to signify the radical victory! Other notable design elements include a circular lamp on left side cover with 99 written on it. This lettering also lights up with a yellow hue. There are bullet-inspired (not Royal Enfield Bullet 350) LED turn indicators that are made of machined brass. Cherry on top has to be the Tricolour decal on fuel tank that extends to the headlight unit. There is a functional new element on TVS Ronin Parakram as well. Which is the off-road knobby tyres to give that necessary muscle and go-anywhere capabilities. Other than these, TVS Ronin Kargil Edition doesnt get any other changes and continues with the same 225.9cc single-cylinder oil-cooled engine with 20.1 bhp and 19.93 Nm, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. 1 of 5 Also read TVS Jupiter CNG testing starts BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. We urge the French government to heed and fulfil the legitimate demands of the colonized people, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) Abbas Abbasov said, commenting on the preliminary report of the French Senate Investigation Commission titled 'Fighting Harmful Foreign Interference. Mobilizing the Entire Nation Against a New Cold War', Trend reports. "The claims contained in the report regarding Azerbaijan and the Baku Initiative Group are biased, subjective, and unfounded. The statement that Azerbaijan is a 'new rival state threatening from all azimuths' serves to misrepresent the actions of our country for the sake of international peace and stability and intentionally mislead the French public, portraying Azerbaijan as an enemy and deliberately tarnishing the extensive work done by the Baku Initiative Group on global decolonization," he said. Abbasov noted that the main mission of BIG is to inform the international community about the consequences of colonialism and neocolonialism and to support people suffering from colonialism in their just struggle within the framework of international law. "Despite the fact that a year has passed since the establishment of BIG, the organization has held more than 10 international conferences at UN headquarters in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, as well as in various countries around the world. At these events, participants presented information exposing France's colonial and neocolonial crimes, and relevant petitions were initiated. BIG is solely committed to combating colonialism and neocolonialism and is by no means aimed at destabilizing French society. On the contrary, France, seeking excuses to shift its internal problems onto others, pursues a policy aimed at exacerbating international relations and diverting attention from the injustices caused by colonial policies. This policy leads to human rights violations, increased economic inequality, and the disappearance of cultures in regions such as New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Corsica. By ignoring the justified struggle of the peoples in these territories, France attempts to hide its colonial past, which means not fulfilling international obligations," he mentioned. As the Executive Director of BIG noted, the claim that "activities related to the theme of Islamophobia are being carried out against France" is a new disinformation campaign aimed against the expression of the independent position of our country and BIG. "These claims indicate an intention to marginalize BIG's activities in a religious context and 'corner it' by framing them with traditional accusations related to religion. We declare that there is no place for discrimination based on religion or ethnicity in BIG's activities, and on the contrary, the organization supports the liberation struggle of all colonial peoples under the aegis of international law, regardless of religion, language, or ethnicity, and encourages cooperation to ensure the freedoms and rights of all peoples. We urge the French government to heed and fulfill the just demands of people living in the colonies, as well as to accept and comply with BIG's fair remarks regarding the colonies," Abbasov emphasized. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has received and exchanged views on cooperation and the current situation in the region with Bik Lum, representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Azerbaijan, a source in the country's Foreign Ministry told Trend. According to the source, Bayramov noted the importance of joint projects with the UN aimed at addressing the humanitarian consequences of the former Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and improving the living conditions of Azerbaijani citizens who were refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a result of Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan. He emphasized that the 'Great Return' program, aimed at ensuring the dignified return of Azerbaijan's citizens to the territories liberated from Armenian occupation, is one of the main priorities for the country, and informed about the relevant progress. The minister also briefed on the preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) and discussed the possibilities for cooperation within its framework. Lum noted that numerous projects for Azerbaijani IDPs have been implemented over the past 30 years, and that the structure he represents is ready to provide support for their return to native lands and to conduct joint educational work in the field of humanitarian demining with the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action. Additionally, the parties discussed other issues of mutual interest. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel This isnt good: On Thursday, researchers from security firm Binarly revealed that Secure Boot is completely compromised on more than 200 device models sold by Acer, Dell, Gigabyte, Intel, and Supermicro. The cause: a cryptographic key underpinning Secure Boot on those models that was compromised in 2022. In a public GitHub repository committed in December of that year, someone working for multiple US-based device manufacturers published whats known as a platform key, the cryptographic key that forms the root-of-trust anchor between the hardware device and the firmware that runs on it. The repository was located at https://github.com/raywu-aaeon/Ryzen2000_4000.git, and its not clear when it was taken down. The repository included the private portion of the platform key in encrypted form. The encrypted file, however, was protected by a four-character password, a decision that made it trivial for Binarly, and anyone else with even a passing curiosity, to crack the passcode and retrieve the corresponding plain text. The disclosure of the key went largely unnoticed until January 2023, when Binarly researchers found it while investigating a supply-chain incident. Now that the leak has come to light, security experts say it effectively torpedoes the security assurances offered by Secure Boot. [] These keys were created by AMI, one of the three main providers of software developer kits that device makers use to customize their UEFI firmware so it will run on their specific hardware configurations. As the strings suggest, the keys were never intended to be used in production systems. Instead, AMI provided them to customers or prospective customers for testing. For reasons that arent clear, the test keys made their way into devices from a nearly inexhaustive roster of makers. In addition to the five makers mentioned earlier, they include Aopen, Foremelife, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, and Supermicro. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. France, which is pursuing colonial policy, is still trying to hide its actions, Azerbaijani MP Tural Ganjaliyev told Trend. He noted the publication of the 357-page preliminary report of the French Senate Investigation Commission titled 'Fighting Harmful Foreign Interference. Mobilizing the Entire Nation Against a New Cold War' , containing statements against Azerbaijan and Turkiye, which is a brotherly nation to the country. According to Ganjaliyev, this report is mainly aimed at concealing the violations of international law committed by France and its colonial policy. "France continues to hide its destructive role in the world, its actions as a country that still pursues a colonial policy. The report claims that Azerbaijan is allegedly conducting 'special hostile operations' against France. However, Azerbaijan has no need to expose France regarding its Islamophobic or colonial policies. France reveals itself in front of the whole world. The entire global community sees how France oppresses the peoples of New Caledonia, Corsica, the Comoros, and other territories, trampling on their rights, and this is a fact. Furthermore, the report mentioning the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) noted that BIG is allegedly 'interfering in the internal affairs of France', but this is not the case, as BIG is engaged in humanitarian activities. France seems to be concerned about the actions of this group and is trying to tarnish it," he said. Ganjaliyev stressed that France should adjust its policy. "It's clear that this report is completely illogical and unacceptable," he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. Mazahir Panahov, Chairman of Azerbaijans Central Election Commission (CEC) met Wednesday with Ditmir Bushati, Head of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), who is visiting Azerbaijan to monitor the snap parliamentary elections in the country, Trend reports. The CEC Chairman highlighted the activity of the commission, including the registration of the candidacies for the parliamentary seats, the pre-election campaign and other projects. Mazahir Panahov underscored that it would be the first time that the parliamentary elections would be conducted across the entire Azerbaijani territory following the snap presidential election held this year. CEC Chairman Mazahir Panahov noted that all the necessary conditions had been created for the members of the election observation missions to monitor the activity of the commission and all the related processes. The CEC Chairman pointed out the pivotal role of the observation organizations in holding open and transparent elections, praising international observers great interest in the election held in Azerbaijan. Ditmir Bushati noted that the OSCE/ODIHR would cooperate closely with CEC during their election observation mission in Azerbaijan. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. Prospects for cooperation in the field of healthcare between Azerbaijan and South Korea have been reviewed during a meeting at the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan with representatives from Kyung Hee University, one of the top medical universities in South Korea, Trend reports via the ministry. Welcoming the guests, Azerbaijani Minister of Health Teymur Musayev highlighted the successful development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Korea and noted the vast potential for developing cooperation between the two countries in the field of healthcare. "The Republic of Korea has a well-developed healthcare system. The development of digital technology, an essential component of healthcare of the future, is the top goal for this sector around the world. Healthcare expenses may be kept stable while digitalization guarantees both accessibility and high-quality services. There can be no progress in digital medicine without the involvement of the state. We are intrigued by researching how the Korean healthcare system was structured," he said. The minister expressed confidence that the successful development of bilateral cooperation was on the cards. Noting the high hospitality of the Azerbaijani people, representatives of Kyung Hee University emphasized that such gatherings are like gold mines for sharing experiences and knowledge. They also showed a keen interest in joining forces with the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan. It was noted that the Kyung Hee University system is considered the cream of the crop in traditional Korean medicine and includes about 50 extra research institutes. The parties deliberated possible areas of mutual cooperation throughout the meeting. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. Four servicemen of the Azerbaijani Army have tragically died in the Lachin district, a source in the Ministry of Defense told Trend. According to the preliminary version, the servicemen died on July 30 while off duty, poisoned while swimming in sulfurous, carbonated thermal waters. The fact of the discovery of the bodies of servicemen of the Azerbaijani Army - captain Asif Emnaliyev, warrant officer Farid Jabrayilov, servicemen of long-term active military service - sergeant Tural Samadov and sergeant Emin Shahmarli has been confirmed. The leadership of the Ministry of Defense expresses deep condolences to the families and friends of the fallen servicemen," the source added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Dental hygienist Quinesha Brewer lets Giovanni know what to expect. Dental hygienist Quinesha Brewer shows Giovanni how to brush. Christine Farrell Dad lets Giovanni know everything is cool. Kimberly Singh Dentist, Dr. Gina Tischendorf, takes a final peak at Giovanni's teeth. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. The ceremony of presenting the keys to another group of families of former internally displaced persons (IDPs), namely 18 families, who arrived in Azerbaijan's Lachin has been held, Trend reports. The ceremony was attended by employees of the special representative office of the President of Azerbaijan in the Lachin district, the Restoration, Construction, and Management Service in the district, the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, and others. Thus, until today, 552 families, or 2,031 people, have found their new sweet home in the city of Lachin. 16:07 Another group of former internally displaced persons (IDP), 18 families (totaling 60 people), has arrived in Azerbaijan's Lachin, Trend reports. The arrivals were greeted in a solemn atmosphere, and they were left in awe of the city's breathtaking view. The residents thanked President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care, expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation, and paid tribute to the memory of martyrs who gave their lives for their homeland. Until today, 552 families, or 2031 people, have found their new sweet home in the city of Lachin. The city inhabitants have been provided with all the necessary conditions to reside in houses that were either restored or rebuilt on behalf of the head of state. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The hidden cost of rising workplace sickness in the UK has increased to more than 100bn a year, largely caused by a loss of productivity amid staggering levels of presenteeism, a report warns. Analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) shows the cost of staff sickness has grown by 30bn a year to 103bn in 2023. The annual bill was 73bn in 2018, its study found. Guardian The Competition and Markets Authority has begun a preliminary investigation into a partnership between Google and the AI startup Anthropic, marking the latest in a string of investigations into deals between big tech companies and smallerAI ones. Google invested $2bn (about 1.56bn) into Anthropic in 2023, shortly after signing a cloud computing agreement with the startup, which develops the Claude LLM and chatbot. Guardian Rachel Reeves decision to end winter fuel payments gave Britons a taste of who the Chancellor is likely to hit with higher taxes in her maiden Budget. Reeves insists it wont be workers. We will not balance the books on the backs of hardworking people, she said on July 29 as she warned of a 22bn hole in the public finances. Telegraph Carpetright collapsed owing an estimated 213 million to customers, suppliers and landlords, who are to be left almost entirely out of pocket. Hundreds of unsecured creditors including Royal Mail and Microsoft are expected to recover less than 1p in the pound of their debts, according to administrators proposals seen by The Times. The carpet suppliers Betap and Condor were owed 1.9 million and 1.1 million respectively when Britains biggest flooring chain collapsed last week. Microsoft was owed 3.1 million; Biffa, the waste management company, 852,000; Royal Mail, 372,000; and DHL, the logistics company, 540,000. The Times Ten listed company directors, deal advisers and senior lawyers have been branded dishonest and deceitful in a stock market scandal kept under wraps for 12 years but disclosed for the first time on Tuesday. The Takeover Panel revealed the scam and named the culprits, who include Richard Balfour-Lynn, a well-known former figure in the property and hotels world, and Julian Treger, the notorious activist investor from the early 2000s. The Times Sometimes I get a little nostalgic for the good old-fashioned Xmas in Julys of yore, with traditional Christmas Creep retailers "attempting to lure bargain-hunters in with inventory-clearing sales not just on gifts, but on artificial trees, wreaths, lights and decorations." But the true meaning of Xmas in July was forever Grinched by Amazon eight years ago, with the debut of Prime Day (now two days, July 16-17 this year). Fortunately, indie booksellers have once again risen to the challenge and restored our faith in Xmas in July with myriad counter strategies, as well as a sense of humor. credit: Larry Law Positive vibes have also come from Indiebound ("Indie bookstores are magical, but they need your support to keep the magic alive. Choose to shop local and keep the enchantment in your community."); artwork by Larry Law, executive director of the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association ("I designed this to share a concise message about the challenges faced by independent bookstores & how unbalanced the market is."); Bookshop.org ("A note from indie bookstores this Prime Day"); and Libro.fm ("This Prime Day, be an Audiobook Champion and help your indie bookshop take the gold with our reading challenge."). On social media this week, indie bookseller anti-Prime Days post highlights include: Swamp Fox Bookstore, Marion, Iowa: "July 16 and July 17 are wonderful days to show your support for local businesses. Visit all your favorites or drop by one you've never been to before." Phoenix Books, Essex & Burlington, Vt.: "Why buy from the empire when you can support the resistance. While an online giant has a little sale today, we remind you that Phoenix Books is always here for your bookish needs. You all know that we love a good Star Wars pun, and today, of all days, we hope our readers will celebrate our local communities, Independent Bookstores, and booksellers--all working hard to uplift Vermont, one book at a time. Won't you join us?" At Wyrd Bookstore Wyrd Bookstore, Edgewater, Md.: "With all these prime deals, it's difficult to stay away (I don't blame you). All we ask, as your favorite community book store, is to not forget us! Since we've started, we've lived by the 'keep the lights on' mentality, which means your dollars spent at Wyrd get directly reinvested into building it into a place for everyone and keeping the dream of a community space alive. So we thank you for your support along this ride, and hope you continue to Spread the Wyrd so we can continue to be the space you have grown to love!" Cafe con Libros, Brooklyn, N.Y.: "Today is the beginning of Prime Day on Amazon. No judgement here if you're scratching items off your wishlist. However, I beg you, shop indie bookstores for your bookish needs. Amazon doesn't need your book dollars; indies do. It's that simple." Under the Umbrella Bookstore, Salt Lake City, Utah: "Under the Umbrella Presents: An Anti-Prime Days Celebration. Did you know that Amazon intentionally loses money on their book sales in order to undermine bookstores like ours because they know they can make money on other things? If you are able to avoid "Prime Days" this year, please do. We're also offering 15% off online orders today and tomorrow (July 16-17) with the code fckamazon." Alibi Bookshop, Vallejo, Calif.: "Hello, friends. Yes, we know that the giant online retailer is having big specials tomorrow and Wednesday, but this is a perfect time to remind you to shop local! Sure, there are some things you can't find locally, but shopping indie is actually the best deal of all.... Thank you to everyone who said no to Ama*** and shopped with us the past few days! It means so much!" From the ABA's "Indies take the Gold" summer marketing campaign. Epilogue Books, Rockford, Mich.: "There's a certain online retailer that is advertising "great deals" for the next couple days. You may know who I'm talking about, it's the company that's owned by the guy with a $500,000,000 yacht that's followed by a $75,000,000 support vehicle (neither of which were purchased locally). I realize there are some things they do which we just cannot, however, there are some things our team does they can't even come close to providing. So, let's take a look at just a few of the reasons you should buy books from epilogue books rather than the person mentioned above...." Plaid Elephant Books, Danville, Ky.: "Just a quick reminder that when you shop indie, you keep your money and your impact right here in your local community. And as a thank-you for supporting local businesses, we'll be giving away four lovely ceramic coffee mugs with this year's indie bookstore slogan--'The Future Is Indie.' Perfect for sipping your breakfast beverage while reading the new books you bought locally." The Mysterious Bookshop, New York City: "Amazon Prime Day can't do this.... We've got signed first editions of the biggest new mystery releases--autographed for no extra charge! Stop by and browse new arrivals or visit us online." Fairytales Bookstore, Nashville, Tenn.: "Prime Day? We say have a SUBLIME DAY and shop Fairytales Bookstore. We're offering 10% off online with the code sublimeday, or when you mention this post in store. Who needs Amazon, anyways?" East Bay Booksellers, Oakland, Calif., was a "total loss" after a three-alarm fire early Tuesday morning, according to city fire officials, who added that the fire also left five people living in an adjacent residence displaced. The East Bay Times reported that the fire erupted about 5:25 a.m. inside the two-story business. It quickly went to "third alarm," primarily to prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings. Oakland Fire Department spokesman Michael Hunt said the fire was contained within an hour, but still had not been declared officially under control as of 8 a.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Although Hunt did not have an exact damage figure, he described the bookstore as "a total loss." Owner Brad Johnson shared a message on the East Bay Booksellers' Instagram page. A $200,000 GoFundMe campaign has been set up "to help Brad and the store find their way back to being the vital bookstore that it is. Please donate what you can to rebuild this civil and cultural bookstore. We'll all appreciate it and don't know how it will happen without each of us." More than $26,000 has been raised thus far. Yesterday, Johnson told ABC News7: "Still in a state of shock, very much sort of just overwhelmed by the scene. I'm slowly feeling like I'm stepping into the actual moment whereas the last couple of hours it's felt like watching a movie." East Bay Booksellers opened in 2017. Prior to taking over the business, Johnson had been a longtime employee at DIESEL, A Bookstore, which occupied the location for 28 years. "It's as bad as it can be. It looks as if something just exploded in there. So it looks awful," Johnson told the Oaklandside as people walked by the store offering him their condolences. "They have memories here and there but I think everyone is in a state of shock over the circumstances. Even thinking about the future right now is a little daunting. Like, what just happened?" In a social media post yesterday afternoon, East Bay Booksellers noted: "You may have heard the news already. It breaks my heart to confirm it: the bookstore has completely burned in this morning's fire. What has just happened is overwhelming what's to come. But we'll get there, and we'll let you know how you can help get us there. Thank you for immensely kind messages through this." Many indie bookstores expressed their concern and support in comments on the post, including Parnassus Books, Nashville, Tenn. ("We are so, so sorry friends. Sending so much love and support from Nashville."), Island Books, Mercer Island, Wash. ("We are heartbroken for you all... let us know what we can do to help you through this."), Type Books, Toronto, Ont., Canada ("We love you. We're gutted to hear this and are poised to help however possible. You're the greatest."), North Figueroa Bookshop, Los Angeles ("Sending love and strength from LA! We're here for you."), Green Apple Books, San Francisco ("You've got us and a lot of other people in your corner."), A Great Good Place for Books, Oakland ("We're here to help you anyway we can."), Mrs. Dalloway's, Berkeley ("Thinking of all of you, utterly heartbreaking."), and more. City Lights Books, San Francisco, posted: "Horrible news for readers and writers everywhere. We'll keep you posted on how you can help @AhabLives & East Bay Booksellers going forward." BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. While the Russian Mir payment card is not accepted by the Azerbaijani acquiring systems (Azericard and Milli Card), Azerbaijani banks are able to help customers with this card, Governor of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan Taleh Kazimov said at a press conference, Trend reports. Each commercial and financial institution in Azerbaijan has the autonomy to decide whether or not to work with the Mir card. However, Mir cards are not accepted in the acquiring networks of Azericard and Milli Card, he said. Previously, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that as of June 2024, Mir payment system cards have been operational in Azerbaijan, with cash withdrawals available from VTB Azerbaijan ATMs. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel India has identified an estimated geothermal power potential of around 10,600 MW, according to the Geological Survey of India's (GSI) recent report, "Geothermal Atlas of India, 2022". This report highlights the findings from extensive exploration conducted across 381 thermally anomalous areas in the country, collecting vital data on temperature, discharge, and water quality in various geothermal fields. Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, disclosed this information in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. A significant milestone in India's geothermal energy journey is the commissioning of a 20 kW pilot geothermal power plant by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in the Manuguru area of Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana. The plant employs a closed-loop Binary Organic Rankine Cycle Process technology, which has been successfully demonstrated, marking a step forward in harnessing geothermal energy. Despite this progress, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has not allocated specific funds for geothermal energy research and development (R&D) over the past five years. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Coal has allocated Rs 2.42 Crore for establishing the pilot geothermal power plant in Telangana. The MNRE continues to support the development of indigenous technologies for renewable energy through its Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme (RE-RTD). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 9, 2007, between India and Iceland, identified geothermal energy as a key area of cooperation. Another MoU with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, signed on October 29, 2019, also recognizes geothermal energy as a focus area. Additionally, under the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) launched on August 29, 2023, between India and the USA, geothermal energy has been earmarked as a significant area of collaboration. India's geothermal energy efforts are bolstered by international collaborations.signed on October 9, 2007, between India and Iceland, identified geothermal energy as a key area of cooperation. Another MoU with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, signed on October 29, 2019, also recognizes geothermal energy as a focus area. Additionally, under the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) launched on August 29, 2023, between India and the USA, geothermal energy has been earmarked as a significant area of collaboration. The MNRE provides substantial financial support for geothermal energy R&D projects, offering up to 100% funding to government and non-profit research organizations, and up to 70% to industry, start-ups, private institutes, entrepreneurs, and manufacturing units under the RE-RTD Programme. Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty managed to post gains amid volatile trading on Tuesday, achieving record high levels and extending their winning streak to a third consecutive day. In today's session, stocks such as Maruti, M&M, Tata Consumer, Adani Energy, and Vedanta will be closely watched due to various news events and first-quarter results. Maruti, M&M, Coal India, Adani Power, Tata Steel, Ambuja, BoB Shares of Maruti, M&M, Coal India, Adani Power, Tata Steel, Ambuja, and BoB are set to be in the spotlight as these companies announce their first-quarter results today. Vedanta: Mining giant Vedanta has received approval from 75% of its secured creditors to proceed with obtaining clearance from stock exchanges and subsequently filing its demerger scheme with the NCLT. Mining giant Vedanta has received approval from 75% of its secured creditors to proceed with obtaining clearance fromfiling its demerger scheme with the NCLT. GAIL: State-owned GAIL reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 3,183 crore for the quarter ending June 2024, a significant increase of 78% compared to Rs 1,793 crore in the same period last year. Adani Energy: Adani Energy Solutions launched a qualified institutional placement (QIP) on Tuesday, setting a floor price of Rs 1,027.1 per share. Hindalco: Hindalco Industries announced plans to invest nearly $7 billion in capital expenditure over the next three to five years. Mindspace Business Parks: Backed by K Raheja Corp, Mindspace Business Parks REIT plans to invest over Rs 3,500 crore in developing new office properties. Nexus Select Trust: Nexus Select Trust, India's first listed retail real estate investment trust (REIT), is pursuing an inorganic growth strategy by negotiating for five additional retail properties in addition to its ongoing five acquisitions. Indus Towers: Indus Towers reported a net profit of Rs 1,926 crore for the first quarter, with revenue from operations amounting to Rs 7,383 crore. Punjab Housing: Carlyle Group sold a 12.8% stake in Punjab Housing Finance for Rs 2,578 crore at an average price of Rs 775.1 per share. Mr. Yaseen Sahar receiving the award from Mr. Manoj Shah, Chairman of Leadership Federation In a significant recognition of his stellar career in Investment Management, Yaseen Sahar has been awarded "The Global Laureate In Finance" by The Laureate Assembly. This esteemed global organization is dedicated to honouring exemplary achievements across various fields. The accolade marks a pinnacle moment in Sahar's illustrious career, highlighting his expertise, substantial contributions to the industry, and profound impact on the investment management sector. The prestigious award ceremony took place at the Radisson Blu Mumbai International Airport, Mumbai on May 30, 2024. About The Laureate Assembly The Laureate Assembly is a prestigious global organization committed to celebrating excellence across various fields. Founded to foster a community of outstanding achievers, it unites individuals who have significantly contributed to their domains, promoting innovation, leadership, and social impact. The mission is to honour and support laureates who demonstrate exceptional talent, dedication, and accomplishment. Through prestigious awards, The Laureate Assembly highlights the impact of their work and inspires others to strive for excellence. Alongside Mr. Sahar, other notable winners in the finance industry include: Mr. Ashutosh Kumar - Head of Managed Services, APAC at S&P Global Mr. Nilesh Yadav - Associate Director, Finance & Accounts at Collabera Mr. Ashish Kumar - Chief Financial Officer, SpiceJet Limited Mr. Rahul Kedia - Cluster Head of Finance (India, Middle East and Africa) at Roche These distinguished individuals have been recognized for their outstanding contributions and leadership in the finance sector, further showcasing the breadth of talent and dedication celebrated by The Laureate Assembly. Expertise and Contributions Yaseen Sahar is a beacon of excellence in investment management, with a career spanning over 19 years characterized by innovation, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment. His journey to the summit of the industry reflects his exceptional skills and dedication to shaping the financial landscape. Throughout his career, Sahar has distinguished himself as a visionary leader, pioneering strategies that have not only navigated but also thrived in dynamic market conditions. His approach has attracted numerous high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors, fostering their investment management through strategic advisory. For over a decade, he has been a recognized driving force behind the influx of thousands of new investors into India's financial markets investing billions of rupees through mutual funds, catalysing substantial growth of assets with investment management companies and its profits and contributing significantly to the nation's economic expansion. Awards and Accolades "The Global Laureate In Finance" is not the first accolade to grace Yaseen Sahar's distinguished career. He has garnered multiple internationally recognized awards, cementing his status as a trailblazer in finance. Sahar was honoured as the 'Outstanding Achiever of the Year in Investment Management' at the Asia Leadership Award held in Mumbai on November 27, 2019. He also received the title of 'Investment Management Business Leader of the Year' at the CFO Vision & Innovation Summit & Awards for 2023, held in Hyderabad on November 8, 2023. Sahar's role as a respected jury member in prestigious international award events further underscores his influence and expertise in the global financial community. Notably, he held the esteemed position of a Jury Member for the Middle East Asia Leadership Summit held in Dubai in January 2024. Impact on Financial Education and Advisory Beyond his professional achievements, Yaseen Sahar is a fervent advocate for financial education. He is an establi- shed author who has written several scholarly articles on financial literacy, financial planning, capital markets, mutual funds and the economy. His articles have garnered significant followings in acclaimed media houses, both digital and print. Sahar has authored books such as Small and Midcap Investing: Unleashing Growth Potential, which illustrates the distinctive features and appeal of these stock types for long-term investors. His second book, Wealth Creation is Nothing but a Habit, serves as a guide to acquiring the essential habits, mindset, and strategies for gradually building one's fortune. These books have garnered significant recognition among industry peers, and their strategies have been widely implemented by experts. Sahar's programs and advisory services have empowered countless individuals and institutions to achieve their financial goals with clarity and confidence. His insights into market dynamics and prudent investment strategies have been instrumental in guiding organizations to expand their businesses across geographies, attract new investors and garner significant fresh flow of money. Celebrating Excellence and Leadership The award of "The Global Laureate In Finance" to Yaseen Sahar is a testament to his exemplary leadership, profound knowledge, and enduring impact on the investment management landscape. As he continues to inspire and innovate, Sahar remains a beacon of excellence for future generations of financial professionals. Yaseen Sahar's journey from visionary strategist to global laureate exemplifies the transformative power of dedi- cation, expertise, and a steadfast commitment to excellence in finance. His contributions resonate within the industry and across the global economy, leaving an indelible mark on the future of investment management and financial advisory. Editors note: This obituary was written by Jake Mason, Brian Moffetts son. Longtime Staten Island resident Brian Moffett died on July 19 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS and Lou Gehrigs disease. He was 66. Brian was born to John and Florence Moffett (nee Rasmussen) on Taylor Street in West Brighton, where his earliest days were spent as one of the Taylor Street Boys alongside his older brother John, and his late younger brother Timmy, who died in 2014. Brian fondly recalled memories of this period, and his earliest sense of community came from the countless nights spent on his porch with his aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbors. Brian attended PS 19, I.S.27, and Ralph R. McKee High School, and later earned his GED. Hed famously tell people I learned everything on the University of the Streets. In 1982, Brian married Andrea Susan Jacobowitz, and in 1993 they had their son, Jake Mason. Though Brian and Andrea divorced in 2003, they remained very close as they continued to raise their son. In 1993, Brian began working for the MTA in the subway system at the Chambers Street Yard in Manhattan. The day after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Brian was tasked with being part of the cleanup crew. Hed spend 87 days cleaning debris, identifying bodies, and helping New York City find its footing once again. Hed continue his career with the MTA for 26 years, retiring in 2019. - Longtime Staten Island resident Brian Moffett died on July 19 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS and Lou Gehrigs disease. He was 66. (Courtesy of Janet Rispoli)Courtesy of Janet Rispoli Brian enjoyed taking on the role of property manager for the Island Swim Club, formerly located on Rockland Avenue, in the 2000s. His former mother-in-law, Roberta Bobbie Jacobowitz (of which the intersection of St. Marks Place and Hyatt Street is named in her honor) was a founding member of the swim club. Brian was dedicated to Jacobowitz care until her death in 2014; it was one of the greatest honors of his life. Greatest joy was his son Brians greatest joy in life was his son Jake. The party didnt end when his son was born it simply looked different. Everyone in Brians circle knew Jake, and the immense pride his father had for him. Brian was a dedicated parent who made sure to support Jake; he taught Jake how to paint, build houses, craft, tinker and more. Some of Brians favorite memories with Jake were that of exploring the city together, taking in musicals and other theater; and spending many evenings at Wo Hop, Brians favorite Chinese restaurant. Hed order egg foo young with pork every time. For a period of time, Brian moved to Keansburg, New Jersey, just blocks away from a waterpark and amusement park. It was there hed hold parties and celebrations all weekend long, just for the sake of embracing the joys of living. It was one of the happiest times in Brians life. Longtime Staten Islander Brian Moffett, who is suffering with ALS is shown at his upstate residence in Smallwood, New York on Wednesday, July 5, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)Jason Paderon Every year during the holiday season, Brian would employ a limousine to take him, his family, and friends to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Brian was notoriously anti-Christmas, but very pro-celebration. Brian found a love of travel, which he shared with both his girlfriend Meryl Giordano, and his son. Among his favorite trips: Surprising Jake in Jerusalem, Israel, where Jake was working, for his 20th birthday; and Copenhagen, Denmark, where Jake was studying abroad. Brian visited Jake constantly, whether during Jakes undergrad years at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island; or in Portland, Oregon, where Jake moved in 2015. Always lent a helping hand Paramount to Brians being was his unwavering dedication to his friends, family, and community. He was the person you could call to bring you to an appointment, or to paint a wall; he ran his own side-hustle home improvement company, Brian the Butler, for over 30 years. - Longtime Staten Island resident Brian Moffett died on July 19 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS and Lou Gehrigs disease. He was 66. (Courtesy of Jake Moffett) (Courtesy of Jake Moffett)(Courtesy of Jake Moffett) Brian turned helping others into an opportunity to make lifelong friends, especially with Howie, Roxanne, and Corie Weinberg. Hed accompany friends in sickness and in health, ensuring they never felt alone or afraid. Brian was reliable and resourceful, and one could always count on him to figure it out. He was the life of the party, spending many weekends dancing at Bistro on Hylan Boulevard, famously with a Kettle One on the rocks, later evolving into a Titos on the rocks. He was known for his unparalleled wit and humor. During Hurricane Sandy, Brian deep fried over 100 turkeys, hand delivering them to families who lost their home and couldnt have a Thanksgiving dinner. Brian was eternally dedicated to helping the homeless find purpose and community, often housing the unhoused, and helping them back on their feet. He was generous for the sake of generosity and community. Brian was a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and would proudly display a rainbow flag at his house in upstate New York. He was passionate about getting the Staten Island St. Patricks Parade to allow LGBTQ+ groups to march, and when his son Jake told him he was getting married to his partner, Brian exclaimed this is the best moment of my life. Brian was inspired by love in all its forms, and the love he put out in the world he received back tenfold. One of the proudest roles of Brians life was that of founding member of the Westerleigh Folk Festival. With his partners Jim Indelicato, and Joan and Scott Caddell, the festival has brought tens of thousands of music lovers together to celebrate and frolic since its founding in 2009. As the Grill Master, Brian, his son Jake, his best friend Jane, and later on, Jakes husband, Daniel Keller, would grill and serve thousands of people year after year. Brian would continue to lead the event until 2022, when what turned out to be the early stages of ALS began to paralyze his body. In 2015, Brian bought a house in Smallwood, New York, near the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. There, hed expand his loving community, and he was just as dedicated to his upstate world as his Staten Island world. Renovating his house was a source of pride for Brian, and his son Jake will continue to see his vision through. Wants Medical Aid in Dying Act to pass The last few months of Brians life were plagued by his ALS diagnosis, as his autonomy and sense of self were stripped. He became reliant on aids and medical devices, as his speech and body deteriorated. As he declined, he became an advocate for medical aid in dying, and was gutted when the bill did not passed for the ninth year in a row. Believing he qualified, Brian wanted to use medical aid in dying on Aug. 1, his 67th birthday. Brian felt he was forced to live with the indignities of ALS because of politics, and the bodily control politicians deem they have the rights to manage. Brian wished that every politician who declined medical aid in dying may experience the discomfort he did. - Longtime Staten Island resident Brian Moffett died on July 19 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS and Lou Gehrigs disease. He was 66. (Courtesy of Jake Moffett) (Courtesy of Jake Moffett)(Courtesy of Jake Moffett) Brian was extremely grateful to the friends who showed up for him when he needed them most, ensuring he never felt alone; although he was afraid, Brian displayed unparalleled bravery through the end of his life while facing the disease. Brian was also passionate about his work with a death doula and his experience with reiki, two practices that helped comfort him during his transition into the cosmic goop he planned on returning to. Life is good Brians infectious smile and dedication to his community and his son will forever be missed, and should serve as a beacon for how intensely one can love and be loved. Whether it was the middle of the day or the middle of the night, Brian would show up for his loved ones, intently and intentionally. He had a gift for making people feel good and safe. He will eternally be one of those humans that there are too many acts of generosity to ever recount. Famous for saying life is good, even in the darkest moment, he held that belief until the end. Brian is survived by his son Jake Mason (Daniel); ex-wife Andrea Susan Jacobowitz; sister-in-law Lisa Jacobowitz and her husband Marc Teatum; nieces Athena Jacobowitz, Mackenzie Moffett, and Kelly Moffett; girlfriend Meryl Giordano; his dog Shelley Winters; cousin Joe Arbeeny; and countless friends who meant the world to him. In lieu of flowers, thoughts, and prayers, the family requests tangible change to end of life care and for the State of New York to ensure the Medical Aid in Dying Act becomes law to ease others suffering in the future. A public celebration of Brians life is planned for Sept. 21, at the Westerleigh Folk Festival. Attendees are asked to pay their respects, sign a memorial book, reminisce about Brian, and have fun in his memory at the event he held so dear. Jake Moffett has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his fathers memorial costs and remaining medical care expenses. To donate, visit GoFundMe.com and search the keywords: Support for Dads ALS Home Care. Conservative podcaster Joe Rogan has made a stunning admission: he thinks that Vice President Kamala Harris could beat former President Donald Trump in this years presidential election. More than that, Rogan, also a UFC commentator, said that Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016, could trump Trump this year. Shes gonna win, Rogan told Michael Malice of Harris on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, as per Mediaite.com I feel like we are in this very bizarre time where people are giving into the bulls--t in a way that I never suspected people would before, Rogan argued. They just want no Trump, no matter what, and theyre willing to gaslight themselves and by the way, I think Hillary could win. Rogan went on to say that he thought that the assassination attempt on Trump would give the Republican more momentum, but said that the attempt on the ex-presidents life has been memory-holed over the last few weeks. Not that Rogan has any affection for Harris, Mediaite.com reported. Everybody forever was like, Kamala Harris is the worst vice president, Rogan said. Shes the least popular vice president of all time, and then in a moment, a moment in time, all of a sudden shes our solution. Shes our hero. Everybodys with her. All these social media posts about her. Try Googling a negative story on her, you wont find one. Democrats and the media, he said, are gaslighting voters about Harris. You really think shes going to win? Malice asked. Im saying it because she could, Rogan replied. Im not saying it because I think shes going to and Im not saying it because I want her to. Im just being honest. I could see her winning. Election stats guru Nate Silver has issued his prediction for the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. And the 2024 election could be another nailbiter. And possible bad news for the Democrats. Silver on Substack wrote that while he sees Democrat Harris winning the popular vote, he predicts that the veep is at a slight disadvantage when it comes to the Electoral College. That means that Trump, a Republican, could be in line to get another term in the White House. Democrats have twice in recent years won the popular vote but failed to win the presidency: Al Gore, who lost to George W. Bush in 2000, and Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016. Silver did say that Harris has a better shot at beating Trump than did President Joe Biden, who pulled out of the race earlier this month. Harris will give Democrats a fighting chance, Silver said, as reported by Fox News. Silver said, If an election were held today, wed enter the evening with a lot of uncertainty about the outcome, both because the polling in the pivotal Blue Wall states (Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin) has been close since Biden dropped out of the race and because theres some intrinsic uncertainty about where the race stands given how much news theres been lately. Silver wrote that Biden in 2020 had a large Electoral College-popular vote gap that saw him winning the popular vote despite only narrowly winning some states. But this is still a problem for Democrats, and we show Harris as having a slightly wider popular vote-Electoral College gap than Biden had in his version of the forecast, he said. Presidential historian Allan Lichtman, who has correctly predicted the outcomes of nine of the last 10 presidential elections, this week said a lot would have to go wrong for Harris to lose. If Trump wins, he will become just the second president in U.S. history, following Democrat Grover Cleveland, to win two, non-consecutive terms as president. Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take ya Those viral lyrics from the Beach Boys song Kokomo are catchy, but the U.S. State Department would rather you skip Jamaica. Aruba is fair play, though. On July 25, the State Department reissued a warning, cautioning travelers of violent crime and a lack of quality health care in Jamaica after its initial advisory in January. The new advisory was made to reflect additional troubles since then, the State Department said. The U.S. Embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts, the State Department said. U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence. The homicide rate reported by the Jamaican government is among the highest in the Western hemisphere, the State Department warning said. Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common, according to the report. While violent crime occurs throughout Jamaica, tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country, the announcement said. Jamaica, south of Cuba and west of Hispanola, is an island nation smaller than the state of Connecticut, with an estimated population of more than 2.8 million people. The island has pristine beaches and has long been popular for tourism, a major industry there. People who travel to Jamaica should expect to find available health care will not be at the same level of that offered in the United States, according to the State Department. Other health-care warnings by the State Department include: Summer, sand, water and whales! Visitors to the Jersey Shore this summer season have gotten more than they anticipated as many beachgoers and fishing-boat excursionists have spotted whales. According to the Asbury Park Press, whales are showing up in something called the New York Bight, which covers a triangular area of ocean that covers between the Jersey Shore and Long Island. NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has used planes to identify the whales -- present due to large amounts of food, Viking Yacht staff wrote on Facebook. Viking Yacht is located in Gretna, N.J., just south of Long Beach Island, where many Staten Islanders visit in the summer. Were advising boaters to be vigilant. If whale(s) are seen, provide a wide berth. The APP reported: Earlier this month, NOAA issued slow zones east of Atlantic City and southwest of Marthas Vineyard to protect the North Atlantic right whales. The agency requested boaters travel under 10 knots while inside the zones. The slow zones expired Monday, July 29. In addition to right whales, other species of large whales are foraging in the canyons as well, in order to protect both whales and boaters, please be alert when transiting to and approaching the offshore canyons, including but not limited to Hudson Canyon, NOAA personnel wrote on Facebook. One owner of a whale tours company, was astonished by the number of whales he and his customers have seen. Theres so many (whales) out there, said Bill McKim, owner of Jersey Shore Whale Watch Tour in Belmar, told the Asbury Park Press. If the food is there, thats where theyre going to hang. By Alimat Aliyeva In January-June 2024, exports of electrical equipment from Turkiye to Georgia increased by 15.7 percent compared to the same period last year and amounted to 88.6 million US dollars, Azernews reports. "In June of this year, Turkiye exported $17.1 million worth of electrical equipment to Georgia, which is 35.7 percent more than in June last year," the ministry said in a statement. It should be noted that in January-June 2024, Turkish exports of electrical equipment decreased by 0.9 percent compared to the same period last year and amounted to $ 7.8 billion. "In June of this year, Turkiye exported electrical equipment worth $ 1.2 billion, which is 10.8 percent less than in June last year," the message says. It was also noted that over the past 12 months (June 2023 - June 2024), Turkiye exported electrical equipment worth $ 16.1 billion. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. Nine more foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from 15 countries joined the COP29 NGO Coalition, Trend reports. On July 29, the second hybrid meeting of the COP29 NGO Coalition was held via the Zoom platform. At the meeting, extensive discussions on inclusiveness took place between representatives of both foreign and local civil society organizations. The Azerbaijan National NGO Forum organized the event, which featured UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 Azerbaijan Nigar Arpadarai and Youth Climate Champion for COP29 Leyla Hasanova as guests who answered questions from attendees. The COP29 NGO Coalition currently includes 123 foreign NGOs from 39 countries. Local NGOs are represented by the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, which serves as the national umbrella organization within the coalition. Ramil Iskandarli, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, noted that foreign NGOs from countries such as Norway, Spain, Romania, and Sri Lanka have recently joined the coalition. "Applications keep coming in. In our opinion, this is a very unique platform. The coalition also includes 39 NGOs from nine like-minded constituencies, which bring together NGOs with observer status at the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change," he 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 7080,000 foreign guests. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. 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. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Organizations like Black Women for Harris and Win with Black Men have raised millions of dollars for Vice President Kamala Harris presidential campaign in the last two weeks. This past week, another group entered the fundraising fray. White Dudes for Harris raked in over $4 million for Harris after nearly 200,000 dudes connected via Zoom to rally behind the presumptive Democratic nominee. But these werent just any white dudes. The original dude, Jeff Bridges of the 1998 movie The Big Lebowski, opened with this, according to the Washington Post: I qualify Im white, Im a dude and Im for Harris. Even Bradley Whitford, who played Deputy White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman in Aaron Sorkins The West Wing for seven years, made an appearance. What a variety of whiteness we have here its like a rainbow of beige! Whitford teased, as reported by the Washington Post. Beyond that, Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame, Disneys Josh Gad, Lord of the Rings and Stranger Things star Sean Astin, award-winning actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marvels Hulk, Mark Ruffalo, NSYNC popstar Lance Bass, and more, participated in the fundraiser. Democratic politicians including three potential vice-presidential picks joined the over three-hour-long call as well. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, all discussed support for Harris Oval Office bid. As reported by AP, Pritzker joked that he wouldnt normally attend an event with a name like, White Dudes for something, while Buttigieg talked about what an honor it was to share a call with Bridges as The Dude before striking a more serious tone: Men are also more free in a country where we have a president who stands up for things like access to abortion rights. However, the White Dudes for Harris X account was suspended shortly after the event concluded. It has since come back online, but the organizers behind the movement are questioning why the account was suspended at all. We hosted the event, and it was wholesome and a bunch of dudes being earnest, getting inspired and excited, Organizer Ross Morales Rocketto commented in an interview with the outlet. And suddenly we realized the [X] account had been suspended and we had no idea why. As written by the Washington Post, Morales Rocketto said he and his team did not receive any communication from X or [Elon] Musk about the suspension, but he felt the move was suspicious. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Should a concerning tropical wave endure deterrents in the Caribbean, meteorologists foresee the potential formation of an organized tropical system. This area of low pressure recently swept across the Atlantic and as of Wednesday afternoon, was located over the Lesser Antilles, as indicated by the National Weather Service (NWS). The tropical wave still holds a medium chance of developing into a tropical system within the next seven days. Deterrents keeping formation at bay On Monday, AccuWeather classified the wave as a tropical rainstorm as a means to raise awareness of the potential situation for a rapidly strengthening system. However, as of Wednesday, this vast area of showers and thunderstorms lacks a defined center, a spin, and many of the features which characterize developing tropical systems, as noted by AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. This blob of showers is being restrained by dry air, a result of Saharan dust occupying the Atlantic Ocean, according to DaSilva. As we go towards the end of the week, the Saharan dust around the storm is forecasted to lessen, as well as the wind shear over the storm is forecast to lessen as well, DaSilva said. So its going to be essentially moving into a more favorable environment at the end of the week and into the weekend. So thats what were concerned about; is that there could be some development very close to the United States potentially. While the buildup could take place as early as Friday, DaSilva foresees any development taking shape over the weekend and into early next week. The two forecast tracks of the potential system In the two scenarios shared with the Advance/SILive.com, DaSilva indicates the most likely to be a northward course with a trajectory for the southeastern U.S. In this outcome, the storm, whatever strength it may wield, steers north of Cuba and Puerto Rico before heading for the Bahamas. In that case, the storm could impact eastern Florida, maybe the Carolinas, and then it would likely just be pushed out to sea without coming up the coast into New York or anything like that, said DaSilva. A National Weather Service graphic shows the seven-day tropical weather outlook as of Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Courtesy of the National Weather Service)(Courtesy of the National Weathe However, the possibility remains for the storm to remain weaker and pass over Cuba before finding itself in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. There, the system would develop and could head north into the panhandle of Florida and stall, noted DaSilva. Should this happen, DaSilva warns that there could be a lot of rainfall issues for the northeastern Gulf Coast. The potential impact on New York DaSilva doubts the system will have any substantial impact on New York State, but does not dismiss the chance of precipitation entirely. If it (the tropical rainstorm) goes off the East Coast, I think the chances (of an impact) would be very low because it would likely just be pulled out to sea, DaSilva added. If it goes into the Gulf, theres a chance some of the moisture could be pulled up to the Northeast; that would be like the middle of next week. As the wave is primarily a concern for the southeastern United States, residents in the region can expect impacts as early as this weekend, DaSilva said. Even if the wave fails to develop into anything substantial, DaSilva warns residents in the south to beware of rip currents this weekend and into early next week. An AccuWeather graphic shows stormy conditions for the East Coast from Friday, Aug. 2 through Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. (Courtesy of AccuWeather)(Courtesy of AccuWeather) Despite diminished chances of a direct impact, AccuWeather reports that a boundary of heavy rain may form this weekend in the mid-Atlantic and separate tropical air to the south and east from cooler, less humid air to the north and west. Even if this boundary fails to come together, a system out of the Midwest is expected to trigger showers and thunderstorms over the weekend, as reported by AccuWeather. Talk about the Rex hex. Is the demise of Australias challenger airline the result of predatory competition or management failure? Take your pick. Sifting through this financial wreckage wont be easy for the appointed administrators, EY. Rex heart in the country but head in the clouds. The board is engaged in open internal warfare, the airline has sustained accumulated losses of tens of millions of dollars, and regional policy sensitivities the government must face in any decision to bail out the airline. The chat in aviation circles is that the government is expected to take part-ownership of Rex, conditional on the airline shrinking back to its regional roots (or should I say routes) and abandoning any aspirations to take on the national city network. The collapse of Rex Airlines will, and should, again raise the question of how much longer Qantas and Virgin can be permitted to maintain their monopoly at airports on one of the worlds busiest aviation corridors. Rex has gone into voluntary administration and 610 workers will lose their jobs after its attempt to muscle in on the lucrative golden triangle Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane routes failed. Unlike the incumbent monopolists, Rex did not have enough capital or planes and bled cash while struggling to get more than a foothold in the Australian capital city market. The Albanese government could have helped Rex in the big smoke but instead sat on its hands despite a February 2021 recommendation from former Productivity Commission chairman Peter Harris to open more peak time slots at Sydney airport. As a result, the lingering twin airlines mentality that has held sway in Australias crowded skies since the 1940s has claimed another victim. Nines publishing staff have accepted an improved pay offer from management, just hours after returning to work following the first strike across the newspapers since 2017. The new offer, tabled by managing director Tory Maguire, totalled 11.5 per cent over three years, with a 4 per cent, 3.75 per cent, 3.75 per cent annual progression. It was approved by staff across Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Paris following floor meetings on Wednesday afternoon. Nine has cut a deal with its publishing staff. Credit: Joe Armao It is an improvement of one percentage point on Nines previous offer of 10.5 per cent with a 3.5 per cent/4 per cent/3 per cent split, which was rejected as it did not keep ahead of inflation, which sat at 3.6 per cent in the March quarter. Workers across The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, WAtoday and The Brisbane Times returned to work at 11am on Wednesday, and management re-entered negotiations. Hes a bundle of conflicting emotions, she believes in reason and moderation. Byrne is a gifted comic because you can always detect a cautious streak underlying the wackiness. But this time round shes all caution, playing straight woman to Cannavales mercurial moves between boisterous humour and tearful desperation. His parents, Jenna and Max, adore him but cant agree on the right school for him or the best way to handle his outbursts. Played by Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale, who are married in real life, they present a neat study in contrasts. Ezra is a nine year-old boy with autism who is highly intelligent and articulate, has a violent hatred of bananas and an aversion to being hugged. Max is a former comedy writer who has decided to take his chances as a stand-up comedian. Since he and Jenna have broken up, he lives with his father, Stan (Robert De Niro) and their acerbic exchanges are among the films highlights. Stan, who was once a successful chef, is one of the subtler additions to De Niros burgeoning gallery of grumpy old men. His notorious irascibility comes with a measure of self-knowledge that proves useful when hes dealing with his sons impetuousness. The film was written by Tony Spiridakis, a Hollywood veteran inspired by his experiences with his own autistic son and the marriage break-up that occurred during the boys adolescence. Its directed by Tony Goldwyn, who also plays Jennas boyfriend, Bruce, a hard-headed lawyer she may well regard as an antidote to life with Max. Things reach a climax when Ezra is sent to a special-needs school, where hes miserable. Maxs solution is to kidnap him from Jennas house and take him on a road trip. Designed as a father-son bonding expedition, this turns into a manhunt after Jenna is reluctantly persuaded to tell the police. It sounds like a cliche and some of the time, it plays out like one. Maxs protests become tediously repetitious but the trips saving grace is his relationship with Ezra, played by William Fitzgerald, who is autistic, with a fragility offset by a bracing dose of mature commonsense. Max likes to take him along to his comedy gigs, seeing him as a sort of talisman, and just as youre wondering if hes motivated by concern for his sons welfare or his own, Ezra voices the same thought. Im not your mojo. Im not your buddy. Im your son, he says in what turns out to be the most effective line in the film. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian has been invited to the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), to be held in Azerbaijan in November this year, Trend reports. At todays meeting with President Pezeshkian, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov conveyed greetings from President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and congratulated Pezeshkian on the beginning of his presidency. The prime minister also extended an invitation from President Ilham Aliyev for President Masoud Pezeshkian to attend COP29. This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. 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. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Shark nets installed at Sydney beaches every spring have caught 166 critically endangered grey nurse sharks since 2012, along with dolphins, turtles, rays and other non-target species. Entanglements in the mesh nets killed 67 of the mostly harmless grey nurse sharks, putting pressure on a species estimated to number 2000 adults on the east coast, according to documents obtained by environment groups under freedom of information laws. Despite the toll, the NSW government said on Wednesday it would continue with the shark nets for the 2024-25 summer, with modifications to protect turtles. A grey nurse shark, a critically endangered species, at Magic Point off Sydney. Credit: Erik Schlogl Lawrence Chlebeck, marine biologist and campaigner at Humane Society International, said a scientific analysis of the images released suggested 84 per cent of grey nurse sharks caught by the nets were females of breeding age. Former senator Bob Brown has urged Tasmanian-born Queen Mary of Denmark to intervene on behalf of high-profile anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson after his arrest in Greenland. The Sea Shepherd founder, who had previously been based in Hobart, was taken into custody by police when his ship, the John Paul DeJoria, docked in Danish-controlled Greenlands Nuuk harbour on July 21. Bob Brown photographed in Hobart, Tasmania in 2021. Credit: Peter Mathew A local court ordered his detention and he will reappear on August 15 after a Japanese notice for his arrest was issued through Interpol. The Paris-based activist could face up to 15 years in prison in Japan on charges related to his anti-whaling interventions in the Antarctic region. On Thursday, Brown said the case would shame Copenhagen in the eyes of the world if it acts as the lickspittle of Tokyo, whose cruel and bloody whaling in Antarctic waters ended in 2014 because it was found to be illegal by the International Court of Justice. Captain Watson had upheld global law but he is now the one headed to prison while in the custody of the Japanese government, at the behest of their whalers, Brown said. Paul Watson, founder and president of the animal rights and environmental group Sea Shepherd. Credit: AP So weve got a perverse and totally wrong process here of the criminals jailing the person upholding the law, he said. Under international law, the Japanese whalers are the criminals; if the Danish government wants to lock somebody up, go for them. Brown conceded Queen Mary would not want to be involved in the direct legal activities of the Danish government but they need to know that their queen knows that in Tasmania, this is a furore. Australians will not want Paul Watson sent to Japan to a death penalty, effectively, in a Japanese jail, he said. In his letter to the Queen, the former Greens leader writes that most Australians supported Capt Watsons efforts to end the cruel and illegal whale slaughter. We owe him a great debt, he wrote. AAP The relationship between an avid sailor and a brothel owner will form part of a police investigation after their mysterious deaths on board a yacht on Sydneys north shore. The bodies of Peter Ray, 56, and Lixin Wang, 60, were found on the 47-foot yacht moored at Tunks Park in Cammeray on Wednesday night. Police removed two bodies from the yacht on Thursday morning. Credit: Nick Moir Police were told the pair had planned to stay on the 47-foot yacht Taloha on Monday night. However, a friend became concerned when they hadnt returned to land by Wednesday night and raised the alarm. When Sydney Water Police officers boarded the yacht about 9pm, they found the couples bodies. Controversial surgeon William Mooney is set to resume practising medicine after an appeal court rejected the NSW Medical Councils efforts to stop him. Mr Mooney is not a perfect individual far from it, said Justice Mark Leeming in the Court of Appeals judgment handed down on Tuesday. Surgeon William Mooney arriving at court as the NSW Medical Council appeals a decision to reinstate him. Credit: Rhett Wyman He continues to suffer from the flaws identified and in particular, there is a chance he may continue to mislead professional authorities, Leeming said. However, the three appeal court judges determined that no error had been shown in the conclusion reached by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) that, despite the ear, nose and throat surgeons far-from-unblemished fitness, Mooney would be able to practise again subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions. A year to the day after Sydney businessman Andrew Findlays body was found washed up on rocks below The Gap at Watsons Bay after going missing in a freak accident during a fishing expedition, a Supreme Court judge has ruled his multimillion-dollar estate will be inherited by his three children and not their mother. The timing of Justice Kelly Rees judgment was not lost on the still-grieving extended Findlay family last Friday and they declined to comment on the proceedings brought by Findlays former de facto, Elizabeth Kemp. Andrew Findlay. Kemp challenged the validity of an unsigned 2019 will Findlay made following the end of their relationship and before they finalised a multimillion-dollar property settlement in which both agreed to forgo any future claims on each others estates. Kemp, who was previously married to cricketer Brett Lee, asked the court to instead uphold a 2015 will in which Findlay left his entire estate to her. A former X-Factor star accused of murdering a baby allegedly told the grieving mother that he was so sorry, I didnt mean to hurt her, but police felt he showed no emotion as they described the horrific injuries sustained by the little girl. Mitchell David Callaway, who appeared on The X-Factor in 2011, said he had left the baby sleeping on a makeshift bed in front of the television one morning in the rural NSW town of Binnaway in July 2018. The X Factor star Mitchell Callaway, left, is accused of murdering a baby girl in 2018; he was arrested last year, top right; police search a property in Binnaway. Credit: Sydney Morning Herald Callaway said he returned from the bathroom five minutes later and found the baby not breathing, with vomit on her face and began CPR, police court documents state. Callaway called the girls mother who raced to the home an off-duty paramedic was close behind but they found the girl cold and unresponsive. NSW public schools face losing billions in extra funding after the state government indicated it would refuse to sign a new agreement that ties additional cash to a raft of education reforms. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has given the states until the end of September to accept a new school funding deal or risk losing an extra $16 billion over 10 years, a move that has intensified the stand-off between the Albanese government and state education ministers. The federal government has given states a deadline of the end of September to indicate if they will sign the next Better and Fairer Schools Agreement. Credit: Kate Geraghty The next Better and Fairer Schools Agreement ties the bonus Commonwealth funding to targets and reforms including reading and maths screening tests for all year 1 students and reducing the number of students failing to achieve the minimum NAPLAN standards. NSW previously rejected Clares offer to lift the federal share of funding to public schools by 2.5 per cent which would pump an extra $4.1 billion into the states public schools over the next decade instead calling for a 5 per cent boost. His gallantry in those campaigns has long been recorded but, until his death, he had an additional place in Australian military history as being among the last of the valiant few, but rapidly diminishing, living WWII veterans. A mortar man with the 2/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion, he fought in some of the fiercest actions to help defeat the Japanese in the Markham Valley, Lae, Shaggy Ridge and Balikpapan campaigns in New Guinea and Borneo in 1943 and 1945. In common with so many others returning from war, one of Australias oldest World War II veterans, Kenneth Smiler Walters who has died in Sydney aged 105, never wanted to talk about the horror of battle. Rightly proud of his part in helping save Australia from a brutal enemy, he was also the oldest of only three survivors of the 3065 men who saw action with the 2/33rd Battalion in World War II. The surviving members are aged 98 and 100. Always cheerful throughout his life, Ken lived up to his nickname Smiler, gained after laughing at a mates joke during a lecture at Glenfield training camp in Sydney. The lieutenant giving the lecture said: Right smiler, what were we talking about? The nickname stuck. A mortar man in the battalions 3rd Mortar Platoon, he had plenty of laughs about the mundane side of Army life in training and shared memories about the many mates he served with, some of whom became lifelong best friends. As a munitions handler, Walters carried great responsibility. He had to check highly dangerous mortar shells before firing, including double-checking for faulty fuses, which could cause dropshots, shells that fell short of their targets, sometimes on fellow troops. Ken Walters in 1940. One of his rare battle stories involved the time he almost certainly saved the lives of two of his mates, as well as his own he detected a small crack in a shell they were about to fire. Had they done so the shell would have exploded in the barrel, potentially killing all three in the mortar pit, and probably others nearby. Most horrific among his memories was Australias worst air disaster, the crash at Port Moresby on September 7, 1943, of a fully armed US Army Air Force Liberator bomber into a convoy of trucks carrying men of the 2/33rd, including himself. The convoy was parked at the end of the runway awaiting orders to go to a nearby airstrip, to be airlifted over the Owen Stanley ranges and into battle to recapture Lae from the Japanese. The Liberator was attempting a pre-dawn take-off when a wing hit a tree, causing it to crash into the convoy. There were horrendous scenes when two of its 500-pound bombs and thousands of litres of aviation fuel exploded in a sea of fire. The crash claimed 60 lives, with another 90 injured. A bus driver has allegedly been threatened, reportedly with a handgun, by a man who police say had earlier damaged another bus. The Transport Workers Union described Tuesdays incident as shocking. It caused chaos across the network, with routes in the Brassall area, in Ipswich, diverted as a result. Multiple Ipswich buses were diverted after the alleged incident. The incident was reported on social media, with the wife of the bus driver describing how a person had been standing in the middle of the road and pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the driver. A career criminal and former lieutenant of gangland boss Carl Williams who was Tasered by police while wielding a tomahawk has pleaded guilty to stabbing a man in East Melbourne. Sean Sonnet, who is also the younger brother of respected magistrate Brett Sonnet, pleaded guilty in court on Wednesday to a string of offences including intentionally causing injury, possessing a controlled weapon and possessing a drug of dependence. Career criminal: Sean Sonnet in 2018. Melbourne Magistrates Court was told Sean Sonnet was involved in an argument with a 27-year-old man on August 31 last year, after asking the stranger for a cigarette in an East Melbourne park. The dispute escalated dramatically when Sonnet pulled a kitchen knife from a bag and stabbed the man in the chest. Sonnet fled towards the MCG, where he was confronted by members of the police critical incident response team in Jolimont Street. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) is implementing a roadmap for sustainable development and, as a regulator, is ready to stimulate 'green' lending and minimize risks associated with climate change, CBA Governor Taleh Kazimov told Trend during a press conference. "This roadmap includes the creation of a taxonomy and the development of regulations for 'green' loans and bonds. The work on 'green' loans and bonds will be completed in SeptemberOctober 2024. Sustainable development is one of the main priority areas of the CBA's work," he explained. According to CBA Director General Shahin Mahmudzade, Azerbaijan plans to present its taxonomy project for 'green' operations, which will unite many countries around the world, at COP29. "Currently, about 50 countries have taxonomies related to 'green' bonds and loans, but there are no connections between these taxonomies, as they are national in nature. Therefore, we had the idea that Azerbaijan should take the initiative in developing taxonomy principles that would unite all countries. We are working in this direction with two international institutions the International Platform on Sustainable Finance (IPSF) and the Sustainable Banking & Finance Network (SBFN). We plan to present this taxonomy at COP29," Mahmudzade added. This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin, with its secretariat in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A 14-year-old boy has been taken to hospital after a daylight machete attack in Springvale, the second such assault on the suburbs main road within days. Victoria Police confirmed they were called to a Springvale Road supermarket about 4.50pm on Tuesday after reports a male had been stabbed. Police are investigating a spate of stabbings in Springvale. Credit: Paul Rovere In a statement, police said that when they arrived they found a 14-year-old boy with lacerations to his shoulders. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police have been told a group approached the [boy] and then assaulted him before running away, the statement said. The CFMEU is facing a fresh investigation into the potential misuse of members funds to interfere in another unions election. The Fair Work Commission said it would investigate the CFMEUs Victorian construction division in a matter it said was separate to the allegations raised in the Building Bad investigation by this masthead, the Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes. The commission will examine donations the branch made to a commercial company. Credit: Photo: Luis Ascui In a statement posted to its website on Wednesday, the commission said the probe would examine donations of more than $180,000 the branch had made to a commercial company. The commission said the payment was reported to have been made to support a candidate from a different registered organisation in an uncontested election in 2022. The bloodcurdling screams of a mothers final moments alive while her estranged husband allegedly hacked her to death in front of their children have been played to a jury. Help me, help me, Nelomie Perera yelled in a recording captured on her watch, which was played to the Victorian Supreme Court on Tuesday. Mother-of-three Nelomie Perera. Within 14 minutes of arriving at the family home, prosecutors allege, Dinush Kurera had broken through a wooden fence under the cover of darkness, slaughtered his 43-year-old wife and attacked his teenage son as he tried to run away. Perera was found dead in the kitchen surrounded by a pool of blood. George Brandis account of the creation of the Department of Home Affairs is not right. So, reluctant as I am to correct my learned friend, let me set the record straight. There had been for many years a proposal to bring all the domestic national security agencies together in one department, modelled on the United Kingdoms Home Office. It was Labor Party policy from 2001 under Kim Beazley to 2007 under Kevin Rudd. Then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull announces the appointment of Peter Dutton (centre) as minister for home affairs in 2017, flanked by then-attorney-general George Brandis (right). Credit: Andrew Meares Rudd commissioned former ambassador to China Ric Smith to undertake a review of domestic security and while Smith did not recommend the creation of a department in line with Labor policy, he did conclude that a small co-ordinating Department of Home Affairs could be effective at leading Australias counterterrorism effort if it focused on strategic issues. Several domestic security reviews undertaken in 2015, before I was prime minister, were supportive of the home affairs concept, although did not go so far as to formally recommend it. A buyer is in the process of securing a home that is familiar to most of us. The house featured in 1990 American Christmas comedy film Home Alone hit the market two months ago with a price guide of $US5.2 million ($7.9 million). A sale is now pending, as stated on the listing. The Home Alone house has been listed for sale. Macaulay Culkin, now 43, stars as eight-year-old Kevin McAllister, who defends his suburban Chicago house from a home invasion on Christmas Eve. The boy is accidentally left behind when his family leaves on a vacation to Paris. The film grossed $US476 million worldwide and made Culkin a star. ~Member of Parliament Akeem Arrindell at the center of Vote Buying Investigation.~ PHILIPSBURG:--- Three suspects so far have been arrested today, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, on suspicion of, among others, participating in a criminal organization with the purpose of buying votes for which a Member of the Sint Maarten Parliament was the primary beneficiary. On the same day, the MP's workplace in the Parliament Building at the centre of the case was searched as part of the ongoing investigation by the National Detectives under the direction of the examining judge. More arrests and searches are not ruled out in this investigation that focuses on the period around the parliamentary elections of January 2024. Vote buying/selling is a serious crime that jeopardizes the integrity of elections and feeds corruption. This investigation aims to maintain the integrity, fairness, and fundament of the democratic process. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has been approached with offers to sell their vote or anyone who knows of someone attempting to sell or buy votes is urged to report such to the KPSM anonymous tip line 9300. The investigation, code named Aconitum, is conducted by the National Detectives, under the authority of the Prosecutors Office Sint Maarten. The National Detectives specialize in investigating criminal activities within government, with a particular focus on civil servants. Prosecutors Office Press Release. PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis said on Wednesday that the Trinidad Artiste Mescach Emmanuel, AKA 'Plumpy Boss, did not have an entry permit to enter St. Maarten; the Minister made clear that he, neither the acting Minister of Justice Grisha Heyliger Marten, did not sign off on any permits to allow Emmanuel to gain entry to St. Maarten. I, as Minister of Justice nor the acting Minister, have not issued any permit of any kind to the individual to enter St. Maarten. It appears the Promoter allowed the artiste to enter St. Maarten as a tourist and did not inform the government of St. Maarten that the individual was on the island. That is why an investigation is underway: neither ministers signed anything for the individual nor the promoter. Secondly, the Minister of TEATT, Grisha Heyliger Marten, did not issue any event license for such a performance. PHILIPSBURG:--- Author Keron Nicholson from Antigua presented his debut novel, A Life Changing Summer, to the Sint Maarten Library and the community. "A Life-Changing Summer" examines themes of personal development, resilience, and the transformative impact of new experiences during a summer vacation. The story follows an adventure during the summer, during which Steve Williams and his friends find courage, hope, peace, and purpose in unexpected places. The Sint Maarten Library proudly supports authors by providing a platform for their voices and excitedly shares Keron Nicholsons literary work with the community. Marc Marshall, the General Manager of the Sint Maarten Library, received the aforementioned book and added it to the librarys youth collection. After the presentation, Keron Nicholson virtually read a chapter from his book during a special story time event, airing this Saturday, August 3, 2024, on all the librarys social media platforms. This reading experience targets young readers at pre-secondary levels and above. This literary work will significantly enrich the Sint Maarten Librarys collection of adolescents, providing a valuable resource for our community. The newly donated book is now available to the public at the Sint Maarten Library, bringing significant enrichment to its collection. We encourage everyone to explore these enriching stories and join us for the upcoming reading events. The Sint Maarten Library is dedicated to fostering a love for reading and learning within the community. Through a wide array of programs and a diverse collection of books, the library serves as a cornerstone for education and cultural enrichment on the island. Valiantys acquires Contegix, an Atlassian consulting leader, to bolster North American presence Valiantys, a global leader in IT consulting with Atlassian, announces the acquisition of Contegix, a prominent innovator in Atlassian solutions for teams across various industries, including both private and Federal sectors. This strategic acquisition enhances Valiantys presence and leadership in North America, particularly in the US Federal sector and in Canada, where Contegix is a leading Atlassian partner. Contegix has a rich 20-year history in the Atlassian ecosystem and was a pioneer in implementing the original Atlassian Cloud in 2002. The company has notable expertise in the US Federal sector under its Ascend Integrated Federal division, bringing a wealth of capabilities and a highly skilled engineering team to Valiantys. The firm offers a secure platform addressing US legal and regulatory compliance requirements, specifically HIPAA, FedRAMP, and DISA compliance. The acquisition will strengthen Valiantys position as the leading solutions partner of the Atlassian ecosystem, offering significant growth opportunities in North America, and doubling the market opportunity for Valiantys. It also offers the potential for Valiantys to expand its Federal service offering in other geographies, including Europe and Asia-Pacific. The acquisition brings several additional key benefits, including: Enhanced capabilities Customers in North America, especially those with regulatory and security blockers to transitioning to Cloud, will benefit from Contegix s secure managed platform. Contegix s expertise in DevSecOps[1] and handling highly sensitive information will enhance Valiantys offerings and complement its DevOps and full stack application development teams. The combination of these teams will also help connect customers IT infrastructures and operations, helping them to become secure, digital-first enterprises. Value-added service offerings Contegix s additional offerings centered around the Federal sector (including FedRAMP, Government Solutions, and TrustStack) will be pivotal in addressing the needs of the regulated market. The strategic impact of this acquisition will enhance Valiantys capabilities and improve the customer experience for key segments, including Federal, healthcare, life sciences, and financial services. By integrating Contegix s expertise, Valiantys will offer more differentiated and compliant solutions, catering to the unique needs of these industries. Solidified ecosystem The acquisition of Contegix strategically strengthens Valiantys and the Atlassian ecosystem, positioning Valiantys as a leader in secure Atlassian solutions and FedRAMP migrations for Federal clients. Key benefits include an enhanced capacity to provide critical support, meet compliance requirements, and enable scalable modernization. Strengthened market position Leveraging Contegix s leadership in the North American Federal sector and its longstanding relationship with Atlassian, Valiantys is poised to reinforce its market leadership and expand its customer base in North America. Innovative solutions Valiantys has been a leader in encouraging the adoption of Atlassian Forge, the app development platform, further empowering Atlassian s Marketplace app vendors. With the acquisition of Contegix, Valiantys will expand its ability to help customers solve complex problems using Forge. Michael McNeil, Chief Executive Officer of North America at Valiantys, said: We are thrilled to welcome Contegix to the Valiantys family. Their secure managed platform and expertise in the Federal space perfectly align with our strategic vision. This acquisition not only strengthens our capabilities but also allows us to better serve our customers. Together, we believe we can drive strong value and growth in the North American Market. Brad Hokamp, Chief Executive Officer of Contegix, added: The combination of Valiantys and Contegix will bring great value to the North American market, offering the most comprehensive capabilities in both the Atlassian ecosystem and the DevSecOps industry. I want to thank our private equity sponsor, Strattam Capital, for their tremendous support in enabling Contegix s success, and I expect even greater accomplishments in the next chapter of the business under Valiantys. Philippe Crochet, Managing Partner at Keensight Capital, concluded: The acquisition of Contegix marks a significant moment in Valiantys development, particularly by opening up the North American regulated market. We look forward to continuing to support the company through this next period of growth. This acquisition will be made possible by the investment and operational support of: Keensight Capital, one of the leading private equity managers dedicated to pan-European Growth Buyout investments, and Valiantys majority shareholder; Tercera, a growth equity firm specializing in cloud professional services. Closing is subject to customary closing conditions. About Valiantys Valiantys is a leading global consulting and services firm dedicated to Atlassian. The company accelerates business transformation by digitizing processes and modernizing teamwork, using the best agile methods and tools. Its Atlassian technical expertise is unparalleled and Valiantys supports its customers across the entire spectrum of projects on those platforms. As a recognized Agile at Scale, ITSM, and Cloud Specialized Partner, Valiantys help organizations accelerate time to value with Agile at scale, cloud, and ITSM implementations. Because teamwork requires more than just tools, the firm bridges the gap between applications and strategic practices such as SAFe and ITIL. Over the last 15 years, Valiantys has helped more than 5,000 customers achieve their desired business outcomes at a reduced time to value, through improved team collaboration. www.valiantys.com About Contegix Contegix is an Atlassian Platinum Solution Partner, serving the U.S. public sector and commercial businesses for a variety of Atlassian needs. As a FedRAMP authorized cloud provider entirely managed and maintained by U.S. citizens, we provide professional services ranging from application engineering to process transformation. With expertise in Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and the rest of the Atlassian toolset, our Atlassian certified experts help large enterprises and public sector organizations maximize their investments in these collaborative tools. About Keensight Capital Keensight Capital (Keensight), one of the leading European Growth Buyout firms, is committed to supporting entrepreneurs as they implement their growth strategies. For over 20 years, Keensight Capital s team of seasoned professionals has leveraged their knowledge of investment and growth industries to invest for the long term in profitable companies with high growth potential and revenues in the range of 10 million to 400 million. Drawing on its expertise in the Technology and Healthcare sectors, Keensight identifies the best investment opportunities in Europe and works closely with management teams to develop and achieve their strategic vision. Keensight Capital s success has also earned it a Gold Award from the Private Equity Exchange & Awards each year for the last seven consecutive years, and in particular, the Best European Growth Private Equity Fund. www.keensight.com [1] DevSecOps is short for development, security and operations. It is an application development practice that automates the integration of security and security practices at every phase of the software development lifecycle, from initial design through integration, testing, delivery and deployment. Photo https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2471949/Valiantys.jpg Logo https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1980997/Valiantys_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/valiantys-acquires-contegix-an-atlassian-consulting-leader-to-bolster-north-american-presence-302210985.html Contact: Valiantys, Reena Agnihotri reena.agnihotri@valiantys.com +1 416-522-2615, Keensight Capital, Cindy Giraud, Communications Director cgiraud@keensight.com +33 (0) 6 37 96 55 37, Headland Consultancy, Stephanie Ellis sellis@headlandconsultancy.com +44 (0) 73 1136 9804, Tayla Garrety tgarrety@headlandconsultancy.com +44 (0)77 7669 2736 Original-Content von: Valiantys, ubermittelt durch news aktuell BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) will pull out all the stops and go the extra mile to organize a plethora of events in various areas during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), CBA Executive Director Shahin Mahmudzade said at a press conference, Trend reports. "The first direction involves laying the groundwork for a sustainable financial infrastructure in the country, which means setting the stage for green bonds and other sustainable financial instruments, as well as putting the necessary legal framework in place. Building sustainable finance risk management systems, with an emphasis on the banking industry, is the second path. The third direction is to develop standardized reporting criteria, while the fourth is to ensure that the entire ecosystem is ready for the implementation of sustainable financial instruments," he noted. In addition, Mahmudzade announced that the Baku Stock Exchange and banks will be working together to promote COP29 efforts. This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. 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 Germany's Berlin, with its secretariat in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev has addressed the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Trend reports via the official website of COP29. The Community brings together small island states that are severely impacted by climate change. Azerbaijan is committed to ensuring that the issues and concerns of these states remain a central focus at COP29, the statement reads. CARICOM represents 15 developing Caribbean nations, which face frequent natural disasters. Combined with their reliance on a primarily tourism-based economy, this increases their vulnerability to external shocks. This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. 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. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Guest Commentary By Alex Whalen and Jake Fuss While the recent strike by WestJet mechanics lasted only a few days, many Canadian air travellers faced long delays and cancelled flights. More broadly, the Canadian Transportation Agency says customer complaints have hit an all-time high. Yet many dissatisfied travellers likely dont realize that Ottawa heavily contributes to their frustrations. Lets look at the various ways federal policies and laws make air travel worse in Canada. First, federal laws insulate Canadas airlines from competition. Foreign airlines are subject to highly restrictive cabotage laws which, for example, dictate that foreign airlines cannot operate routes between Canadian cities. At the same time, foreign investors are forbidden from owning more than 49 per cent of Canadian airlines. By restricting international participation in the Canadian air travel market, these laws both deprive Canadian consumers of choice and insulate incumbent airlines from competition. When consumers have more choice, incumbents have a greater incentive to improve performance to keep pace with their competitors. Second, a wide array of taxes and fees heavily influence the cost of airline tickets in Canada. Airport improvement fees, for example, average $32.20 per departing passenger at airports in Canadas 10 largest markets. In contrast, airport improvement fees in the United States cannot exceed $4.50. And last year the Trudeau government increased the air travellers security charge by 32.85 percentthis fee, which now ranges from $9.94 to $34.82 per flight, is higher in Canada than the U.S. across all flight categories. On the tax front, in addition to fuel taxes including the federal carbon tax, the federal excise tax on unleaded aviation gasoline in Canada is 10 cents per litre compared to 6.9 cents per litre in the U.S. And the U.S., unlike Canada, does not apply sales taxes to aviation fuel. Third, air travel is a heavily regulated sector. Federal legislation generates thousands of provisions airlines must follow to operate legally in Canada. Of course, some regulation is necessary to ensure passenger safety, but each regulation adds administrative and compliance costs, which ultimately affect ticket prices. To lower the cost of air travel, the federal government should reduce the regulatory burden while maintaining safety standards. Lastly, the ownership model of Canadas airports results in a yearly transfer of rent to the federal government. The federal government used to own Canadas national system of airports until they were transferred to private not-for-profit corporations in the early 1990s. However, these airports must still pay rent to the federal governmentnearly half a billion dollars annually, according to the Canada Airports Council. As with the other examples listed above, these costs are ultimately passed on to consumers in the form of higher ticket prices. While a precise estimate is difficult to obtain, various government policies, taxes and fees comprise a large share of the cost of each airline ticket sold in Canada. With complaints from travellers at all-time highs, the federal government should reduce the regulatory burden, increase competition, and lower fees and taxes. Policy reform for air travel in Canada is long overdue. Alex Whalen is the Director, Atlantic Canada Prosperity, Fraser Institute. Jake Fuss is Director, Fiscal Studies, Fraser Institute. Microsoft cloud unit miss dulls bright earnings San Francisco, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 Microsoft on Tuesday reported strong quarterly earnings but saw its shares slip on figures showing its crucial cloud computing unit did not grow as strongly as expected. Microsoft said it made a profit of $22 billion on $64.7 billion in revenue in the recently ended quarter, up from the same period a year earlier. Cloud unit revenue of $36.8 billion, however, disappointed investors and shares slid nearly three percent to $411.40 in after-market trades. Money brought in from cloud computing has driven blockbuster earnings quarter after quarter, and a hint that stellar growth may be slowing was enough to give investors pause. "While there will be some knee-jerk reaction in Microsoft stock after hours, we believe the takeaways for the broader tech sector is this AI monetization story is real," Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in a note to investors. Microsoft is among the major contenders in the race to build out artificial intelligence systems, pouring billions of dollars into the technology in the hope it will pay off. Microsoft is keen to monetize generative AI, having moved the fastest to implement it across all its products, and pouring $13 billion into OpenAI, the start-up stalwart behind ChatGPT. CFRA Research viewed the earnings results as "largely in line" across Microsoft's core businesses and believes that Microsoft is "incrementally improving" the money it makes from AI, according to senior equity analyst Angelo Zino. "Still, we acknowledge that the better-than-expected cloud results from Alphabet last week had investors looking for more," Zino said. - Google cloud shines - Google-parent Alphabet reported profit and revenue that beat expectations as its AI-amped cloud and search ads businesses thrived. 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, which analysts said could be hard to sustain. Microsoft's big stake in OpenAI along with its own Copilot AI help it maintain a leadership position in AI, according to Emarketer senior analyst Gadjo Sevilla. Revenue from Microsoft's AI-infused "Intelligent Cloud" unit was $28.5 billion, a 19-percent increase from the same quarter a year earlier, according to the earnings figures. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said on an earnings call that use of its AI offerings is ramping up, from workplace software to Bing search and Copilot AI relied on by developers. "I'm energized about the opportunities ahead," Nadella said. "We are investing for the long term in our fundamentals, in our innovation and in our people." Microsoft's Azure platform drove a strong increase in revenue from server products and cloud services, according to the company. Nadella said the company is "focused on meeting the mission-critical needs of our customers across our at-scale platforms today, while also ensuring we lead the AI era." Microsoft reported a net income of $88.1 billion for its fiscal year on revenue of $245.1 billion, up 22 percent and 16 percent respectively. Money taken in by Microsoft's Xbox video game unit leaped 61 percent, boosted by the acquisition of Activision, according to earnings figures. Microsoft said costs to attract visitors to its search and news services rose 19 percent, as it pressed to compete with Google. gc/aha MICROSOFT ACTIVISION BLIZZARD Four killed in blasts at former Iraq paramilitary base Baghdad, July 30 (AFP) Jul 30, 2024 At least four people were killed and others wounded in explosions blamed on a drone attack at a base belonging to former paramilitaries south of Baghdad, officials said. "At 9:30 pm (1830 GMT)... forces from the 47th brigade within Hashed al-Shaabi were hit by an explosion" in Babylon province, said the Hashed al-Shaabi alliance of former pro-Iran paramilitary groups now integrated into the regular army and repeatedly targeted by the US forces. Several people were killed and wounded, said the alliance, whose name means Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). "Available information suggests that two patrols... were targeted with missiles fired from drones", the Hashed said in a second statement. An official from the alliance told AFP that "four people were killed and others were critically wounded in blasts that hit a base belonging to the Hashed al-Shaabi". He added that the blasts were caused by an "airstrike -- four or five missiles hit the base". A security source confirmed that four people were killed, adding that the death toll was expected to rise. Hashed al-Shaabi is an integral part of the Iraqi security apparatus under the authority of the prime minister. It includes some pro-Iran groups that have carried out dozens of attacks -- largely halted in recent months -- against US forces in Iraq and neighbouring Syria. On July 18, an explosion hit "logistics" warehouses belonging to Hashed south of Baghdad, and in April, one person was killed and eight wounded in a blast at a military base housing Hashed groups in Babylon province. The latest blasts comes after two drones were launched last week against an Iraqi base used by US-led troops, without causing any damage. For more than three months, as regional tensions soared over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, US troops were targeted by rockets and drones more than 175 times in the Middle East, mainly in Iraq and Syria. The Islamic Resistance of Iraq, a loose alliance of Iran-backed groups, claimed responsibility for the majority of the attacks, saying they were in solidarity with Gaza Palestinians. In January, a drone strike blamed on those groups killed three US soldiers in a base in Jordan. In retaliation, US forces launched dozens of strikes against Tehran-backed fighters. Since then, attacks against US troops have largely halted. Baghdad has sought to defuse tensions, engaging in talks with Washington on the future of the US-led coalition's mission in Iraq. Iran-backed groups have demanded a withdrawal. The US military has around 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria with an international coalition. The coalition was deployed to Iraq at the government's request in 2014 to help combat the Islamic State group, which had taken over vast swathes of Iraq and neighbouring Syria. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. Azercell is introducing the "Number Ordering" service effective from July 31, 2024. Customers will be able to order the desired Azercell number through a new feature of www.azercellim.com without waiting for the number to go on sale. Notably, the number ordering service is completely free of charge. To order a number a user needs to enter the desired number into the search box on www.azercellim.com website. If the number is not currently on sale but can be made available for purchase, a new page will open, offering the option to pay the cost of the number online and order its immediate preparation for sale. Customers can collect their ready number at any official Azercell sales point of their choice. Additionally, the cost of the number can be paid in monthly installments using the Taksit service. It should be noted that the Taksit service allows BirKart users to purchase Azercell numbers costing over 100 AZN in interest-free installments for up to 12 months at www.azercellim.com. For more information and to utilize the new service, please visit www.azercellim.com. Yemen rebels call Hamas leader's killing 'terrorist crime' Sanaa, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 The killing of Hamas's political leader in an air strike in Tehran is a "heinous terrorist crime", Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels said on Wednesday. Hamas said Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli strike in Iran, where he was attending the inauguration of the country's new president. "Targeting him is a heinous terrorist crime and a flagrant violation of laws and ideal values," Mohammed Ali al-Huthi, a member of the Huthis' political bureau, posted on X. The Yemeni rebels have been launching drones and missiles at shipping in the Red Sea since November, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza war. Earlier this month, a deadly Huthi drone strike on Tel Aviv prompted Israeli air strikes on Hodeida, impoverished Yemen's lifeline port, that killed nine people and triggered a massive inferno. Russia begins 3rd stage of nuclear weapons drills: army Moscow, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 Russia on Wednesday announced it had launched the third stage of drills on the use of tactical nuclear weapons, which included forces involved in the conflict in Ukraine. The defence ministry said the exercises were taking place in the central and southern military districts -- which includes several North Caucasus republics and annexed Crimea -- as well as four regions of southern and eastern Ukraine that Russia claims to have annexed despite not fully controlling. The southern military district includes the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, which is home to Moscow's headquarters for the military operation in Ukraine. "The third stage of non-strategic nuclear forces exercises have begun," said the Russian defence ministry in a statement. This stage of drills involves training on the Iskander-M missile systems and various aircraft, the Russian defence ministry said. The military personnel taking part will train on receiving "special ammunition" and on equipping missile systems and aircraft. President Vladimir Putin in early May ordered the staging of these exercises partly, according to the Kremlin, in response to perceived threats from Western nations, notably after French President Emmanuel Macron broached the possibility of sending French troops to Ukraine. The first stage of drills began in May. Since the beginning of hostilities in February 2022, Putin has on occasions evoked the possible use of nuclear weapons. In the summer of 2023, Russia deployed tactical nuclear weapons to its ally Belarus, which also borders Ukraine. Minsk in May also announced synchronised military drills alongside Moscow to verify its tactical nuclear weapons launchers. US 'defensive' strike kills four in Iraq Baghdad, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 US forces carried out a "defensive" air strike on combatants who were attempting to launch drones that were deemed a threat to American and allied troops, a US official said. The strike -- which Iraqi sources said left at least four people dead -- was the first by American forces in Iraq since February, when the US military said it killed a pro-Iran commander who was involved in attacks on the country's troops. "Tonight, US forces in Iraq conducted a defensive air strike" in Babylon province "targeting combatants attempting to launch one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems", the US defence official said on condition of anonymity. The official added that the Central Command assessed that the drones "posed a threat to US and coalition forces". "We maintain the inherent right to self-defence and will not hesitate to take appropriate action," the official added. The Hashed al-Shaabi -- an alliance of pro-Iran former paramilitary groups that have been integrated into Iraq's security forces -- said apparent missile strikes fired from drones hit two Hashed patrols in Babylon province. An official from the alliance told AFP that "four people were killed and others were critically wounded". A security source confirmed the toll. Kataeb Hezbollah, a powerful pro-Iran group and part of Hashed, said the US strike targeted a "group of drone experts who were carrying out new tests" to improve their surveillance drones. The group added in a statement that it intended to use the surveillance drones to support Iraqi security forces next month during the Arbaeen commemoration -- one of the biggest Shiite religious events which marks the 40th day of mourning for Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. It also said "it would make the appropriate decision after consulting" with other groups, and urged the Iraqi government to "end the occupation" -- referring to the presence of US forces in Iraq. Kataeb Hezbollah is also part of the Islamic Resistance of Iraq, a loose alliance of pro-Iran groups that had claimed attacks on US troops, most recently over the Gaza war, before suspending them in late January. The United States considers Kataeb Hezbollah a "terrorist" group and has repeatedly targeted its operations. - Repeated attacks - There have been two recent attacks targeting US and allied forces in Iraq. Several rockets were launched toward Ain al-Assad base last week, which hosts troops form the US-led coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group, officials said. And on July 16, two drones were launched toward the same facility, one of which was "successfully destroyed" while another hit the base, causing "minimal damage", according to the Pentagon. Prior to that, US troops in Iraq and Syria had not been targeted since April. But attacks against them were much more common in the first few months of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, when they were targeted more than 175 times. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed the majority of the attacks, saying they were in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. In January, a drone strike blamed on those groups killed three US soldiers at a base in Jordan. In retaliation, US forces launched dozens of strikes against Tehran-backed fighters in Iraq and Syria. Since then, attacks against US troops have largely halted. Baghdad has sought to defuse tensions, engaging in talks with Washington on the future of the US-led coalition's mission in Iraq, with Iran-backed groups demanding a withdrawal. The US military has around 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria. The coalition was deployed to Iraq at the government's request in 2014 to help combat the Islamic State group, which had taken over vast swathes of Iraq and neighbouring Syria. IS remnants still carry out attacks and ambushes in both countries. US 'defensive' strike kills four in Iraq Baghdad, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 US forces carried out a "defensive" air strike on combatants who were attempting to launch drones that were deemed a threat to American and allied troops, a US official said. Iraq condemned the air strike, describing it as a "heinous crime" that could have "dangerous" consequences amid ongoing talks on the future of the US-led anti-jihadist coalition in the country. The strike -- which Iraqi sources said left at least four people dead -- was the first by American forces in Iraq since February, when the US military said it killed a pro-Iran commander who was involved in attacks on the country's troops. "Tonight, US forces in Iraq conducted a defensive air strike" in Babylon province "targeting combatants attempting to launch one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems", the US defence official said on condition of anonymity. The official added that the Central Command assessed that the drones "posed a threat to US and coalition forces". "We maintain the inherent right to self-defence and will not hesitate to take appropriate action," the official added. The Hashed al-Shaabi -- an alliance of pro-Iran former paramilitary groups that have been integrated into Iraq's security forces -- said apparent missile strikes fired from drones hit two Hashed patrols in Babylon province. An official from the alliance told AFP that "four people were killed and others were critically wounded". A security source confirmed the toll. - 'Blatant aggression' - General Yehia Rasool, the military spokesman for the Iraqi prime minister, described the strike as a "heinous crime and blatant aggression". He added in a statement that it came despite reaching "advanced stages" in talks on ending the US-led coalition's mission in Iraq and "transitioning to a bilateral security relationship". "Such serious and uncalculated transgressions can significantly undermine all efforts... of joint security work to combat" the Islamic State group, Rasool said. "They also risk dragging Iraq and the entire region into dangerous conflicts and wars. Therefore, we hold the coalition forces fully responsible for these consequences." Kataeb Hezbollah, a powerful pro-Iran group and part of the Hashed al-Shaabi, said the US strike targeted a "group of drone experts who were carrying out new tests" to improve their surveillance drones. The group added in a statement that it intended to use the surveillance drones to support Iraqi security forces next month during the Arbaeen commemoration -- one of the biggest Shiite religious events which marks the 40th day of mourning for Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. It also said "it would make the appropriate decision after consulting" with other groups, and urged the Iraqi government to "end the occupation" -- referring to the presence of US forces in Iraq. Kataeb Hezbollah is also part of the Islamic Resistance of Iraq, a loose alliance of pro-Iran groups that had claimed attacks on US troops, most recently over the Gaza war, before suspending them in late January. The United States considers Kataeb Hezbollah a "terrorist" group and has repeatedly targeted it. - Repeated attacks - There have been two recent attacks targeting US and allied forces in Iraq. Several rockets were launched toward Ain al-Assad base last week, which hosts troops form the US-led coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group, officials said. And on July 16, two drones were launched toward the same facility, one of which was "successfully destroyed" while another hit the base, causing "minimal damage", according to the Pentagon. Prior to that, US troops in Iraq and Syria had not been targeted since April. But attacks against them were much more common in the first few months of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, when they were targeted more than 175 times. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed the majority of the attacks, saying they were in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. In January, a drone strike blamed on those groups killed three US soldiers at a base in Jordan. In retaliation, US forces launched dozens of strikes against Tehran-backed fighters in Iraq and Syria. Since then, attacks against US troops have largely halted. Baghdad has sought to defuse tensions, engaging in talks with Washington on the future of the US-led coalition's mission in Iraq, with Iran-backed groups demanding a withdrawal. The US military has around 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria. The coalition was deployed to Iraq at the government's request in 2014 to help combat the Islamic State group, which had taken over vast swathes of Iraq and neighbouring Syria. IS remnants still carry out attacks and ambushes in both countries. China says Philippines risks 'greater insecurity' after US military aid pledge Beijing, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 China on Wednesday warned the Philippines it risks "greater insecurity for itself", after the United States said it would provide $500 million in additional military funding to Manila in the face of Beijing's growing assertiveness. In Manila on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled what he called a "once in a generation investment" to help modernise the Philippine armed forces and coast guard. Asked about the announcement, Beijing's foreign ministry on Wednesday warned Manila that "wooing countries from outside the region to provoke confrontation in the South China Sea will only undermine regional stability and aggravate tensions". "Trying to introduce external forces to protect its own security will only lead to greater insecurity for itself, and it might even become someone else's pawn," spokesman Lin Jian said. The latest high-level US visit follows a series of escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed waterway that have raised concern that Washington could be dragged into a conflict due to its mutual defence treaty with Manila. The Philippines' proximity to the hotly contested South China Sea, as well as self-ruled Taiwan, would make it a key partner for the United States if a conflict were to break out in the region. Beijing claims almost the entire waterway, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, and considers democratic Taiwan to be part of its territory. Israel not invited to Japan's Nagasaki peace ceremony Tokyo, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 The Israeli ambassador to Japan will not be invited to Nagasaki's annual peace ceremony, the city's mayor said Wednesday, adding the decision was taken to avoid unexpected trouble and was not politically motivated. The city in southern Japan last month invited dozens of countries and territories to the August 9 event on the anniversary of the US nuclear bombing in 1945. Nagasaki mayor Shiro Suzuki told reporters the decision was "not politically motivated" but based on a desire to "hold the ceremony in a peaceful and sombre atmosphere". The city had been holding off inviting ambassador Gilad Cohen due to the "potential risk of contingencies" arising from "various developments worldwide around the present Middle East situation". Concerns over that risk still persist, Suzuki said, describing Cohen's exclusion as a "very tough decision". Last month, Suzuki said Nagasaki had sent a letter to the Israeli embassy calling for an "immediate ceasefire". The ambassador, for his part, called Wednesday's decision "regrettable" and said it "sends a wrong message to the world". "As a close friend and like-minded nation of Japan, Israel has attended this ceremony for many years to honor the victims and their families," he wrote on social media platform X. Israel launched a blistering military offensive in Gaza last year, following an attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on the country. The Hamas attack on October 7 resulted in the death of 1,197 people in Israel, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. More than 39,400 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the war broke out, according to data provided by the health ministry of Hamas-run Gaza. Hiroshima has invited Israel to its ceremony but in its letter called for a "ceasefire as soon as possible and resolution through dialogue", a city official said. Around 140,000 people died in Hiroshima and 74,000 in Nagasaki when the United States dropped atomic bombs on the cities in August 1945, leading to the end of World War II. Palestinian factions call for unity after Haniyeh killing Ramallah, Palestinian Territories, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 Palestinian factions called for unity and a general strike on Wednesday to protest the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in an air strike in Tehran. "The national and Islamic factions in Palestine announce a comprehensive strike and anger marches to (protest) the assassination of the great national leader Ismail Haniyeh, which came in the framework of Zionist state terrorism and its war of extermination," the Palestinian factions in the occupied West Bank said in a joint statement. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement that he "condemns the assassination of leader Haniyeh and calls on our people and their forces to unite and stand firm". In an unusual display of solidarity with his main political rival, Abbas called for a day of mourning for the man he had named prime minister in 2006 and dismissed in 2007. Flags are to be flown at half-mast. The prime minister's office in Ramallah condemned "the treacherous assassination" of Haniyeh, and called on Palestinians to remain united "in the face of the (Israeli) occupation". AFP journalists in Ramallah reported that employees of government ministries left their offices in response to the strike call. Shops closed and employees left work in several cities in the occupied West Bank, while cultural institutions announced they would remain closed. he-crb-mab-jd/lba/kir Ex-US marine Whelan's lawyer checking his whereabouts Moscow, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 The lawyer of former US marine Paul Whelan is checking his whereabouts in Russia's penal system amid rumours that Moscow is preparing for a large-scale prisoner swap, Russian media reported Wednesday. At least seven other prisoners held in Russia were reported to have been moved from their jails or prison colonies in the past few days, fuelling speculation of an imminent prisoner exchange. "I receive requests from journalists from various international agencies asking me to clarify whether I know Paul's whereabouts, as there are rumours of a possible exchange," his lawyer Olga Karlova told the Interfax news agency. "I have sent a request to the (prison) colony administration, but I'm not getting an answer," she said. Whelan, 54, was detained on spying charges while visiting Moscow in December 2018, claims he has denied. He has been jailed in Russia since, receiving a 16-year prison sentence at a trial in 2020. His family and supporters have campaigned intensely for his release, saying his condition has deteriorated during incarceration. Arrests of US citizens in Russia have increased in recent years, in what Washington sees as a Kremlin attempt to secure the release of Russians convicted abroad. Other US nationals detained in Russia include reporters Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, ballerina Ksenia Karelina, another another former marine, Robert Gilman. World reactions to killing of Hamas leader Haniyeh Paris, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 The killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in an air strike in Tehran on Wednesday blamed on Israel has stunned the international community. Israel has not commented on the death but many countries have warned that it could help turn the Gaza war into a regional conflict. Here are some key reactions: - Iran leader vows 'harsh punishment' - Haniyeh had been in Tehran to attend the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "harsh punishment" for Israel. "With this action, the criminal and terrorist Zionist regime prepared the ground for harsh punishment for itself, and we consider it our duty to seek revenge for his blood as he was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Khamenei said in a statement carried by the IRNA official news agency. Pezeshkian said that Iran "will defend its territorial integrity, honour, pride and dignity, and make the terrorist invaders regret their cowardly action." - Palestinian president calls killing 'cowardly' - Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas is a rival of Haniyeh but slammed the killing as "a cowardly act and a serious escalation," his office said in a statement. "He urged our people and their forces to unite, remain patient, and stand firm against the Israeli occupation." - Qatar and Turkey warn of 'chaos' - Haniyeh was based in Qatar, which has been a mediator in the Gaza conflict, but also spent time in Turkey after going into exile. Qatar's foreign ministry called the killing a "heinous crime" and "shameful assassination". The ministry said: "This assassination and the reckless Israeli behaviour of continuously targeting civilians in Gaza will lead to the region slipping into chaos and undermine the chances of peace." Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned what he called the "perfidious assassination" of his "brother" Haniyeh. "This shameful act aims to sabotage the Palestinian cause, the glorious Gazan resistance and our Palestinian brothers' just fight, and to intimidate Palestinians," Erdogan added in a social media post. - US call for ceasefire - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza war "is the enduring imperative" after the killing of Haniyeh. Germany stressed international calls for restraint to avoid "a regional conflagration", with a foreign ministry spokesman saying: "The logic of tit-for-tat reprisals is the wrong path." - Russia and China condemn - Haniyeh went to Moscow in September 2022 for talks on the Israel-Palestinian conflict while Hamas and rival Palestinian faction Fatah held talks in Beijing last week. "It is a completely unacceptable political assassination, and this will lead to a further escalation of tensions," Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency. Konstantin Kosachev, the vice-president of Russia's upper house Federation Council, predicted a "sudden escalation of mutual hatred" in the Middle East. China's foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said: "We are highly concerned about the incident and firmly oppose and condemn the assassination." - Middle East shock - The killing reverberated across the Middle East. Egypt's foreign ministry said that Israel's "dangerous escalation" in recent days "risks igniting a confrontation in the region that could yield to dire security consequences". Iraq's foreign ministry also called Haniyeh's killing "a threat to security and stability in the region". Oman also condemned the action. - Hamas allies rally - Hamas allies in the region rallied around the Palestinian militants. "The martyrdom of leader Haniyeh... will increase the determination and stubbornness of the mujahideen resistance fighters on all resistance fronts... and will make their resolve stronger in confronting the Zionist enemy," Lebanese militants Hezbollah, who are in a growing standoff with Israel, said in a statement. The group described Haniyeh as "one of the great resistance leaders of our time who stood bravely against the American hegemony project and the Zionist occupation." "Targeting him is a heinous terrorist crime and a flagrant violation of laws and ideal values," said Mohammed Ali al-Huthi, a political bureau member of Yemen's Huthi rebels, who have staged rocket attacks on Israel. Afghanistan's Taliban rulers called Haniyeh's death "a great loss". Iraq says Hamas chief killing could threaten region's stability Baghdad, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 Iraq on Wednesday condemned the killing in Tehran of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, warning that it threatens the region's stability. Iraq's foreign ministry in a statement described the killing as a "flagrant violation of international law and a threat to security and stability in the region". The powerful Kataeb Hezbollah, part of a pro-Iran alliance of armed groups, said by killing Haniyeh, Israel has "violated all rules of engagement". The Al-Nujaba movement, from the same alliance, earlier said "the Zionists and Americans have opened the doors of hell" following the killing of Haniyeh, the targeting of a Hezbollah commander in Beirut and a US strike on pro-Iran combatants in Iraq. These "assassinations... will not deter us, but strengthen our determination", it added. In recent months, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of Iran-backed groups including Kataeb Hezbollah and Al-Nujaba, has claimed to have targeted Israel with drone and rocket strikes against targets. The Israeli army, without naming an attacker, has confirmed several aerial attacks from the east since April, but has said they were all intercepted before entering its airspace. The alliance had also claimed attacks on US troops in Syria and Iraq for more than three months, as regional tensions soared over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, before suspending them in late January. Hamas said Wednesday that Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli strike in Iran, where he was attending the swearing-in of the newly-elected President Masoud Pezeshkian, and vowed the act "will not go unanswered". The strike came after Israel hit a Hezbollah stronghold in south Beirut on Tuesday, targeting a senior commander of the Lebanese militant group -- his fate remains unknown. Last night, US forces carried out a "defensive" air strike on pro-Iran Iraqi fighters who were attempting to launch drones that were deemed a threat to American and allied troops, a US official said. The strike -- which Iraqi sources said left at least four people dead -- was the first by American forces in Iraq since February. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. A special scholarship program aimed at improving women's knowledge and skills in the field of IT continues with the support of Bakcell. As part of the program, specialized training in modern technologies, lasting for two months, has already started. The Maya Hajiyeva IT Skills Scholarship Program is jointly organized by Women in Tech (WIT) and the Education Development Foundation (EDF) with the support of Bakcell. Successfully selected women, aged 15-45, will be employed after mastering UX/UI design, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and other specialties during the two-month training period. "Our main goal in supporting the scholarship program is to raise awareness of the IT industry among Azerbaijani women and encourage them to build a career in this field in the future. Our company is always ready to support women who are interested in self-development," said Klaus Mueller, CEO of Bakcell. The scholarship program, named after Maya Hajiyeva, Azerbaijan's first female mathematics scientist, was established in 2023. The program aims to support women who play a direct role in societal development, helping them gain economic freedom and realize their dreams through training in future professions. Expanding education and employment opportunities for women is one of the main areas of Bakcell's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy. The company plans to support and further develop initiatives in this area. Czech army to receive German tanks in Ukraine aid compensation Prague, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 The Czech Republic will receive 15 tanks from Germany to help replace those sent to war-torn Ukraine, its defence ministry said Wednesday. The Czech government, a staunch supporter of Ukraine as it struggles to stave off the Russian invasion, has given at least 62 of its tanks to Kyiv since the war began. Prague has also increased its defence spending and seeks to modernise its army, notably using the German tanks, the first of which are due to be delivered later this year. "We are replacing structurally obsolete Soviet equipment with new, modern machines that can withstand in the current environment," Defence Minister Jana Cernochova said in a statement. The Czech army will receive 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks and one armoured "Buffel" tank recovery vehicle, Cernochova said. She thanked "the German side for being able to appreciate in this way our assistance to Ukraine, which is facing brutal Russian aggression". Within the compensation package for Czech deliveries of military equipment to Ukraine, Germany has already gifted Prague 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks and a recovery vehicle. The Czech government said in June it would also buy up to 77 German-made Leopard tanks in the next few years as part of a joint purchase deal with other European countries to help reduce prices. VC, as he is known by friends, was educated at Ampleforth College and then Eton and is three years older than William, but that didnt stop them developing what insiders have described as a brotherly relationship. VC was in the car behind a 13-year-old Prince William when he was caught driving a two-tonne V8 Land Rover along treacherous mountain tracks on the Balmoral estate. He was among those pictured on a ski trip with Charles and his sons at Klosters in Switzerland. And he was among the friends a 17-year-old Prince William took on a Greek island cruise with his father and Camilla Parker Bowles the others were mostly pretty young women. Terrorism offenders always have conditions imposed upon them when they are released from prison into communities, to minimise the risk of reoffending and to protect the public. The fact that this is the second time Saleem has been found to breach these conditions shows how strictly police enforce them Detective Chief Superintendent Hayley Sewart * 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. Scottish ministers are being urged to hold emergency talks after three trade unions announced co-ordinated strike action by council waste and cleansing workers (Jane Balow/PA) Speaking after the talks on Tuesday evening, Ms Robison said her officials will now work at pace with local government officers to understand what an improved negotiating envelope may look like. Council leaders value the local government workforce and their essential work across our communities, they recognise the workforce pressures and the need to reward equitably. Ms Hagmann continued: Cosla remains committed to continuing our negotiations towards finding a solution as quickly as possible, seeking to do all we can to avoid industrial action and its damaging impact on our communities. She stressed to the Finance Secretary the very limited options available to local government, and that any solution needs to be both affordable and sustainable. Whilst no immediate solution was identified, officers will now undertake further work at pace in the coming days to explore all options to avoid industrial action. She added: It was an open and honest dialogue about how challenging the situation is in relation to council finances. Ms Hagmann said Tuesdays talks had given Cosla the chance to articulate the financial challenges facing local government in relation to meeting pay claims. There is a window of opportunity to resolve this dispute but the politicians should be under no illusions that our members will take strike action if necessary to secure the pay offer which they deserve. He said: Strike action is not yet inevitable but action from the politicians must be imminent. Graham McNab, industrial officer with the union, added a significant shift to the pay offer will be required to prevent industrial action. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said its members will strike unless there is a new, credible pay offer put on the table. Collette Hunter, Unison Scotlands local government chairwoman, said: Cosla and the Scottish Government must understand the anger among council staff. They are resolute and strikes will go ahead unless a solution can be found. These strikes will be disruptive to all the Scots who rely on our members work, but would not be necessary if councils had shown a greater urgency and sense of realism. He added: Industrial action will start in two weeks unless ministers and local authorities urgently identify the money needed to make a fair and acceptable offer. GMB Scotland senior organiser Keir Greenaway said the 3.2% offer failed to keep pace with the cost of living and was below the rise offered to council workers in England. Mr Day said: I urge the Scottish Government and Cosla to stay round the table with the unions and find a way of averting what will be a hugely damaging dispute for Edinburgh and for Scotland as a whole. Cammy Day, the leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, called on all parties to try to resolve the dispute. SNP ministers must call an emergency meeting with Cosla and the unions to intervene and prevent the strike from happening. The strikes would also cause significant public health concerns, with rubbish not being removed. In 2022 we saw the level of disruption that these strikes caused, with rubbish strewn across our streets. This strike action is set to take place in the middle of the Edinburgh festivals, at a time the capital is welcoming the world to our beautiful city. The Conservatives have now called on the Scottish Government to intervene, with Lothian MSP Miles Briggs saying: We simply cannot allow rubbish to pile high in the streets of Scotland again. Make more of London this autumn with these exciting experiences Waste and recyling workers in Glasgow City Council are also to take part in the industrial action. (Andrerw Milligane/PA) Cosla resources spokesperson Katie Hagmann insisted local government leaders will explore all options to avoid industrial action. A similar dispute, which saw rubbish pile up on the streets of Edinburgh during the festival season in 2022, only ended when the Scottish Government provided extra funds to councils for workers pay. Although talks between Cosla leaders, unions and Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison took place on Tuesday, no agreement was reached. It comes amid a dispute over pay, with all three unions having previously rejected a 3.2% rise offered by local government body Cosla which insists it has very limited options available. Scotlands largest city, Glasgow , will also be affected by the action. Edinburgh City Council workers will be among those to strike, which will take place during the Scottish capitals busy summer festival period. We simply cannot allow rubbish to pile high in the streets of Scotland again Unison, the largest local government union, confirmed staff in 13 council areas will take part in the action from 5am on Wednesday August 14 to 4.59am on Thursday August 22, while GMB and Unite members in 18 areas will walk out. The planned eight-day walkout, involving workers in the Unison, Unite and GMB unions, will mean bins are not emptied from the smallest villages to the biggest cities across the country. With three unions having announced co-ordinated action for August, the Tories called on Holyrood ministers to convene a meeting with local authority leaders and unions. Scottish Government ministers are facing demands to hold emergency talks in a bid to prevent a strike by council refuse workers across the country. I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice . Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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 . Already have an account? SIGN IN I'LL TRY LATER You must be at least 18 years old to create an account Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app. Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism. Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. Italy is considering participation in petrochemical projects and the construction of fuel plants in Kazakhstan, Marco Beretta, President of the Italo-Kazakh Trade Association (ACIK), said in an exclusive interview with Trend. "Kazakhstan's potential to increase its presence in the European energy market is substantial. The country is rich in energy resources, particularly crude oil, which is a major export to Italy. Italy, in turn, can benefit from a stable and diversified energy supply from Kazakhstan, which helps ensure energy security. Moreover, collaboration in the energy sector can be expanded to include renewable energy projects, enhancing both countries' commitments to sustainable development. As future projects, we are considering the possibility of participating in projects on petrochemicals, energy production from waste, and the construction of fuel plants," he said. He pointed out that these projects are in line with the chosen agenda to diversify energy production in Kazakhstan. "But our goal is even further, in all sectors where we have potential. Our companies successfully support projects involving renewable energy sources and strive to strengthen cultural relations. A striking example of this is the exhibition of Leonardo da Vincis painting La Bella de Prinicpessa in Astana these days. Italian companies willingly participate in this kind of activity and are ready to help strengthen the economy of Kazakhstan," Marco Beretta noted. Horizons for cooperation in the renewable energy field As the ACIK President noted, the cooperation between Kazakhstan and Italy in boosting renewable energy capacities is very encouraging. "Italian companies like Eni Plenitude are already involved in significant green projects in Kazakhstan. This collaboration supports Kazakhstan's energy transition and helps Italy meet its sustainability goals. There are ongoing discussions about several major green projects, which include investments in wind and solar energy, and these initiatives will likely expand in the coming years as both countries strengthen their commitments to renewable energy," he said. Marco Beretta highlighted that Kazakhstans government has set ambitious targets for renewable energy: By 2030, the goal is to generate 30 percent of the country's electricity from renewable sources. "These targets are supported by various policies, including feed-in tariffs, tax incentives, and government-backed financing, which make the country an attractive destination for renewable energy investments. Further cooperation between Kazakhstan and Italy in the renewable energy sector looks highly promising. With Kazakhstans ambitious renewable energy goals and Italys technological expertise, particularly through companies like Eni Plenitude, there is a significant potential for developing large-scale green projects. This collaboration not only supports Kazakhstans energy transition but also contributes to global efforts to combat climate change," he pointed out. Expanding the Middle Corridor's capacity Marco Beretta pointed out that the development of Kazakhstan as a transit hub between China and Europe, particularly through the Middle Corridor, holds significant potential for enhancing cargo transportation to Europe, including Italy. "This route can reduce transit times and costs, making trade more efficient. Italian companies are well-positioned to participate in the expansion of this route, bringing their expertise in logistics and infrastructure development to support Kazakhstan's efforts. The increased connectivity can facilitate trade and economic cooperation, benefiting both countries. Kazakhstan's strategic location as a transit country between China and Europe makes it a pivotal player in international cargo transportation. The development of transport infrastructure, particularly the Middle Corridor, presents significant opportunities for enhancing cargo transportation to Europe, including Italy. Italian companies have a lot of international players in the cargo field who should certainly participate in the implementation of the project. This will also stimulate joint trade relations with Kazakhstan and attract investment," he said. New areas for collaboration Marco Beretta noted that several major joint projects are being planned or considered for implementation between Italian and Kazakh companies. "These include collaborations in sectors such as infrastructure, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. For instance, projects in the field of infrastructure development and the modernization of industrial facilities are key areas where Italian expertise can greatly contribute to Kazakhstan's growth. Many projects are already in the implementation stage. We are opening new areas for cooperation, and one of them is cooperation between the Kazakhstan Dolce Pharma company and Italian manufacturers and sellers of medical devices and pharmaceutical products. However, in my opinion, they need to be announced after the start of implementation. In my opinion, it is better to talk about projects that have been started and where work has begun. As part of the joint business forum, we will identify them all. The heads of our states have set appropriate tasks, and we are working on them," the ACIK President said. Marco Beretta went on to add that the prospects for trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Italy are very promising. "Both countries have committed to deepening their strategic partnership and diversifying economic relations beyond traditional sectors like energy. This includes exploring opportunities in creative industries, tourism, and addressing climate and environmental issues," he said. As Beretta noted, Italy's technological expertise and investment in various sectors can significantly benefit Kazakhstan's economic diversification and modernization efforts. "Moreover, Kazakhstan's agricultural sector has significant potential for growth and modernization, and Italy's advanced agricultural technologies can play a crucial role. Italian companies can help improve productivity and quality in Kazakh agriculture through innovations in irrigation, farming equipment, and food processing. Thanks to the ongoing economic and political reforms of President Tokayev, which he spoke about during his visit to Italy at the beginning of the year, European business is opening Kazakhstan from a new side as a reliable partner in the region. In this regard, Italian companies have a great advantage since they have been present in this country for a long time and have successfully implemented projects," he said. Marco Beretta pointed out that ACIK is confident that it will be able to expand the presence of Kazakh companies in Italy in the near future. "To strengthen our relationship, we use all possible formats; one of them is the Kazakh-Italian business forum, which is held annually in Milan and which will take place this year on October 7-8 of this year," he noted. In addition to this, the ACIK President noted that sectors such as healthcare, technology, and education offer significant opportunities for partnership. "Italy's interest in these sectors is driven by the potential for mutual growth and the opportunity to leverage Italy's technological and industrial strengths to support Kazakhstan's development goals. We involve companies in all sectors; we talk about potential sectors for investment with Italian companies. In my opinion, all of them can bring profit to both sides. For this, we have developed a special project called Road to Qazaqstan; this is a branded special truck that will travel through the cities of Italy and introduce companies located in the regions of Italy to the wonderful opportunities and natural beauties of Kazakhstan," he said. Trade turnover dynamics Marco Beretta pointed out that the trade turnover between Italy and Kazakhstan has undergone significant changes in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. "The overall foreign trade turnover of Kazakhstan decreased by 5.6 percent, amounting to $31.2 billion from January to March 2024. This decline was influenced by a 1.9 percent drop in exports and a 10.6 percent fall in imports. Despite this overall decline, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Italy has shown resilience and growth in recent years, reaching $13.1 billion in 2023, slightly higher than the previous year. Kazakhstan's exports to Italy mainly consist of crude oil, which continues to be a significant component of the trade volume. Additionally, there has been a notable development in tourism relations this year. A striking example of this is the opening of direct flights between Milan and Almaty by Neos Airlines, as well as the opening of the travel company Tomiris Tour," he concluded. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmers official spokesman said: We are concerned by the allegations of serious irregularities in the counting and declared results of Sundays presidential election in Venezuela. We are calling for the swift and transparent publication of full detailed results to ensure that the outcome reflects the votes of the Venezuelan people. The UK does not currently recognise the Maduro regime. We would wait to ensure that the outcome reflects the votes of the Venezuelan people. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. USR (Save Romania Union) senator Silvia Dinica asked the Ministry of Education to react as quickly as possible in the case of university professor Alfred Bulai from SNSPA (National University of Political Sciences and Public Administration), who was accused of sexually assaulting female students, and to take measures against those who knew about these practices but remained silent. "For more than 48 hours, the minister of Education, Ligia Deca, did not have any reaction regarding the case of university professor Alfred Bulai from SNSPA, who was accused of sexually assaulting female students for decades. The lack of positioning of the minister of Education discourages the victims from telling their stories and prevent such abuses in the future. It is all the more serious as Ligia Deca is herself a professor with the SNSPA," reads a press release sent to AGERPRES by USR. USR Senator Silvia Dinica added that although there were new accusations of aggression against other university professors and new testimonies about the sociologist Alfred Bulai, there was still no reaction from Ligia Deca. "More concerned with posting about the successes of the Paris Olympics and the International Chemistry Olympiad, Deca does not say a single word about this scandalous case, and even hides the garbage under the mat without remorse. And, while the Ministry of Education pretends not to see the garbage in its own yard, the aggressor has already submitted his request for retirement, and SNSPA has already accepted it. If he retires early to escape the internal investigation, then the Ministry of Education will no longer have any possibly to intervene in this case, because there will no longer exist a contractual relationship with him," Dinica said. The senator also claims that it is possible that Ligia Deca cannot react "because Alfred Bulai is a nerve point for PNL (National Liberal Party)," considering that he was a consultant or "provider" in the past for the party and its leaders. "The Ministry of Education must react now, not tomorrow! Measures must also be taken against those who knew about these practices and remained silent! We need tougher sanctions in such cases and a guide that is followed as by the book, and the one who breaks the rules should bear the consequences," concluded Silvia Dinica. A Two foreign citizens were put in pre-trial detention for carrying out illegal operations to distribute and sell high-risk doping substances, the Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) informed on Wednesday in a release. Following 6 searches conducted in Bucharest and Ilfov County, 1,035 tubes and 768 vials with high-risk doping substances were found and seized, as well as 10 kilograms of ostarine tablets, 15 kilograms of raw material for the manufacture of doping substances, 985 somatropin vials, 5,200 tablets containing doping substances, 39 boxes with packaging, caps and packaging containers, over 5,000 tubes, 19 boxes containing labels and packaging rolls, and 2 pharmaceutical-type mechanical devices intended for the production and packaging of substances, the investigators show.Also, DIICOT said that 33,510 euros and 7,000 lei, various documents, as well as other evidence were seized.The Cluj Tribunal judge of rights and freedoms ordered on Tuesday the pre-trial detention of the two for 30 days, the prosecutors mention. Two waste shipments from Germany and Poland were denied entry by border guards in the counties of Arad and Bihor after it was found that the drivers do not have legal documents for them. The two lorries were driven by a Romanian and a Polish and were checked at the Nadlac II and Bors II border crossings. "As there are suspicions about the legality of the shipments, the border guards requested authorised support from the Bihor and Arad County commissions of the National Environmental and Consumer Protection Guard of Bihor and Arad. Checks revealed that the trucks lorries were loaded with 32,780 kilograms of waste, consisting of various goods, filings and non-ferrous waste that came from companies in Germany and Poland for companies in Romania," the Arad Border Police said on Wednesday. The waste was ordered to be returned to the shippers in the two countries. JEFFERSON CITY The family of a fallen Hermann police officer says campaign ads attacking Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey are exploiting the officers death and potentially interfering in the prosecution of his alleged killer. In a series of letters obtained by the Post-Dispatch, Angela Koepke, the mother-in-law of the late Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith, said Baileys Republican rival Will Scharf should reject and apologize for the ads that are being paid for by a political action committee backing Scharf in the high-profile Aug. 6 primary for attorney general. His willingness to use a fallen officer and grieving family as political pawns is a testament to his character, Koepke said in one letter. We urge voters to reject Scharfs tactics and honor Masons legacy by supporting those who respect the rule of law and the sacrifices of law enforcement. Gov. Mike Parson, who has endorsed Bailey, also weighed in at the suggestion of Griffiths wife. In a Tuesday letter to the Defend Missouri PAC, Parson said, No family should be forced to be revictimized by the sensationalism of the the man charged with shooting their loved one. At issue is an ad financed by Defend Missouri, which places the blame for the shooting death of Griffith last year on Bailey when he was a Warren County prosecutor. Kenneth Lee Simpson, the person charged with killing Griffith outside of a Caseys General Store, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges filed by Bailey in 2017 and received six-month sentences for fourth-degree assault and unlawful possession of a weapon. Along with the TV ads, Defend Missouri has sent out campaign mailers arguing that Simpsons short sentences in Warren County allowed him to strike again. Andrew Bailey betrayed the blue, the mailer says. Koepke said the ads are misleading, and two law enforcement groups also have condemned them. They potentially bias the jury pool and make it harder to prosecute Masons killer, Koepke wrote. In response, Scharfs campaign said it does not coordinate with the Defend Missouri PAC and cannot order the ads to be taken down. We have no control over other groups advertising. The scandal is that Andrew Bailey is a soft-on-crime prosecutor. Unfortunately, and tragically, being a soft-on-crime prosecutor has consequences, said Scharf campaign spokesman Gregg Keller. Koepke said Scharf could denounce the ad, signaling to the PAC that it should be taken down. Scharf could express he doesnt support those ads, she said. Scharf and Bailey are engaged in an expensive brawl to win the GOP nomination. Campaign finance records show more than $8 million has been raised on behalf of Scharf, a former federal prosecutor and aide to former Gov. Eric Greitens. Bailey, a former general counsel to Gov. Mike Parson, and his PAC have raised more than $6 million. Koepke, who is the mayor of the Franklin County town of Gerald, urged Parson to take a position on the ads. The governor appointed Bailey to the post in January 2023. In his three-paragraph letter to Defend Missouri, Parson recounted his days as a sheriff, saying the ad has caused pain and agony for the Griffith family and should no longer be aired. Griffiths family also has called on the Missouri Supreme Courts Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel to sanction Scharf for violating rules governing truthfulness. In addition, they said Scharf may have violated court rules by generating pre-trial publicity that jeopardizes the prosecution of Simpson. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 31. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell will visit Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan from August 1 to 3, Trend reports via the European External Action Service (EEAS). The visit presents a significant chance to reaffirm the EU's dedication to strengthening ties with both nations and the entire Central Asian region, even in the face of a difficult geopolitical climate. The two-day tour will start in Kazakhstan on August 1. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu will meet with Borrell during their bilateral visit. At 14:20 (GMT+4), a joint press conference will be televised live on EbS. Borrell will also be meeting with Kazakhstan's president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on the same day. On Saturday, Borrell will hold a bilateral meeting in Kyrgyzstan with Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeenbek Kulubaev. Separate talks with Minister of Emergency Situations Boobek Azhikeev are also planned. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel WASHINGTON, Mo. A Washington mother faces criminal charges after her child overdosed on heroin and fentanyl at Washington Middle School last fall. Shawnee Stanley, 37, was charged on July 22 with one count of first-degree child endangerment. Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Becker said his office filed the charge against Stanley after the Missouri Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory filed its test results with his office confirming the presence of heroin and fentanyl. The overdose was reported around 9 a.m. on Oct. 5 when the student's classroom teacher contacted the school resource officer and school nurse that the student was acting lethargic, according to Washington Police Department spokesperson Detective Sgt. Steve Sitze. "For a kid to overdose on drugs at school is incredibly rare," Sitze said. "I can't remember another time of this happening here in Washington." Washington Ambulance District paramedics treated the student at the scene. Police searched the student's locker and found eight heroin and fentanyl capsules inside their backpack. The student told police that they had found the drugs inside their mother's house in Washington. Stanley told police she had kept narcotics inside her residence and that she knew her daughter was using heroin and fentanyl. Police also said they found additional evidence of drug use in the home. A warrant was issued for Stanley's arrest on Tuesday. Washington Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Kephart said, "the safety and well-being of our students are our highest priority." "This incident is rare in our district and was promptly addressed by the Washington Middle School staff," Kephart said. This is the second time in three years that a Washington Middle School student was involved in a heroin overdose. In 2021, a 13-year-old student died from an overdose after spending the night at a friend's house, where the two boys experimented with drugs they found in the home. One of the men living in the home, Andrew Amelung, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, while the case against another man at the home at the time of the sleepover, Thomas Noonan, is set for a jury trial in 2025. Washington is a city of about 15,000 people in northern Franklin County and is about 50 miles west of St. Louis. ST. LOUIS The decision to investigate and replace the superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools came in a split vote from the seven-member Board of Education, records released Tuesday show. The vote on Thursday to place Keisha Scarlett on temporary paid leave during an investigation was approved by the boards president Antionette Toni Cousins, vice president Matt Davis, secretary Donna Jones and member Tracy Hykes. Board members Emily Hubbard and Sadie Weiss voted no, and Natalie Vowell abstained. No timeline has been released for the investigation, which board members said will look into the districts hiring and spending practices. During Scarletts yearlong stint as superintendent, the school districts general operating budget plunged from a surplus of $17 million to a projected deficit of $35 million. The SLPS board has also come under scrutiny for its oversight of the district after approving more than 20 new administrators and consultants that had prior connections to Scarlett. The superintendent was replaced on an interim basis by her deputy Millicent Borishade, one of Scarletts first hires and closest friends. Borishade does not have a Missouri superintendents certificate, a state requirement for full accreditation of a school district. Cousins, Davis, Jones and Hykes voted in favor of promoting Borishade, and Hubbard voted against. Weiss and Vowell abstained. Cousins said in an interview Saturday that Borishade was the best choice because she has already been running the daily operations of the school district. The board has voted, and we have confidence she is the person to get it done, Cousins said. Cousins said the board moved quickly to remove Scarlett one week after new communications director Phoenix Jackson made headlines by saying she planned to float between her family home in Houston and a condo in St. Louis. It took the board more than 2 hours to come up with the votes during the closed meeting on Thursday. The district produced the vote tallies late Tuesday after the Post-Dispatch reported that the district had violated Missouri laws on government transparency. Under state law, any vote in closed session to hire, fire, promote or discipline an employee of a public governmental body shall be made available with a record of how each member voted to the public within 72 hours of the close of the meeting. Jordan Grimes, the custodian of records for St. Louis Public Schools, previously said that the district needed 20 additional business days to produce the vote tally to conduct a search, review, and redaction of the requested records due to the nature of your request. Experts in Missouri Sunshine Law called the situation a clear violation of the statute, and that the records should have been available on Sunday. It is extremely concerning if the school board is declining to make that vote public. They have a clear legal obligation to do so, said Dave Roland, director of litigation and co-founder of the Freedom Center of Missouri. It is not a viable excuse to say we need more time to review. Theres nothing to review. CREVE COEUR A company that contributed $1.5 million to help Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek win a full four-year term is tied to leaders at an Indian information technology firm run by the treasurers brother. The donations from Pacifica Consulting Services LLC to a political action committee backing Malek have helped vault him to a clear money lead over his challengers in Tuesdays Republican primary for treasurer. The sizable checks make the obscure limited liability company among the largest donors to a statewide candidate this election cycle, approaching megadonor Rex Sinquefields $2 million in donations since 2022 to a political action committee supporting Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe in the high-profile Republican contest for governor. Yet what Pacifica actually does is unclear, and company representatives, its politically connected lawyers and Maleks campaign didnt disclose anything about the services it provides. The company has no website and no one answered a phone number listed online for the company. Its address is in the same building as Maleks law office in Creve Coeur. Missouri business records show that Pacificas manager is a vice president at Gemini Solutions, an Indian-based software engineering and IT consulting firm run by CEO Vishal Malik, Maleks brother. (Malek, who immigrated to the U.S. in 2001, changed the spelling of his last name from Malik when he became a U.S. citizen in 2017. He said the new spelling is closer to how his name is pronounced in India and that people often thought Malik was his first name.) In 2010, Malek told the St. Louis Business Journal that he started Pacifica, then incorporated in India, to help foreign students gain admittance to U.S. universities. Malek incorporated Pacifica in Missouri in 2012, and he withdrew his name from Pacificas paperwork in December 2022, days after Gov. Mike Parson announced he was appointing him to fill the vacant treasurers office. Gemini Solutions website said it was founded in the New Delhi area in 2012 and has since grown to 1,200 employees with five offices in India and three in North America, including one on Olive Boulevard in Creve Coeur, a mile away from Maleks law office on Mason Road. Last week, the rows of computers and desks in Gemini Solutions offices in an Olive Boulevard office building were empty. A worker in the building said he occasionally sees employees in the offices. In the December 2022 business filing in which Malek withdrew his name from Pacifica Consulting, Pacifica lists Lovish Sanghvi as its manager. Sanghvi is a senior vice president at Gemini Solutions, according to the companys website. His LinkedIn says he works for Gemini out of Austin, Texas, where Gemini Solutions has an office and its U.S. subsidiary is incorporated. Parent company Gemini Solutions Private Limited is based in the New Delhi area of India, according to Indian incorporation documents. Gemini says its niche is with clients in financial services and that it provides a range of services, including application development, network and security management and helpdesk support. Sanghvi could not be reached for comment. In a 2012 filing claiming the Gemini Solutions name in Missouri, Vishal Malik, Geminis CEO, is listed as an owner along with Pacifica Consulting. Vishal Malik and Pacifica are also listed as the owners of another entity, Gemini Techsoft LLC. Malek was the registered agent for that company, which dissolved in 2022. Vishal Malik could not be reached for comment. Gemini Solutions is registered in Missouri as a fictitious name, and the actual owner of the entity listed on state business documents is Pacifica Consulting Services. Maleks wife, Riju, is also listed as an owner of Pacifica on Geminis Missouri documents. In an email Tuesday, Ed Greim of politically connected Kansas City law firm Graves Garrett Greim, said he represented Pacifica and warned against implying that Pacifica had made any illegal campaign contributions. Pacifica is a Missouri-formed, Missouri-based entity that derives its revenue from domestic clients, Greim wrote. Its past decade of significant business from Missouri and U.S. clients has been far more than necessary to fund its recent contributions to a Missouri PAC; it has paid every penny of its federal and state taxes on that U.S. income; and a U.S. citizen was the sole and exclusive decisionmaker in Pacificas contributions of U.S.-generated revenues to a Missouri PAC. Greim did not respond to a follow-up question about whether Vishal Malik was the U.S. citizen decisionmaker. Greims firm represents Torch Electronics, which critics say promotes illegal slot machines. Malek drew controversy earlier this year when he approved a plan to place stickers and video ads on Torchs sprawling empire of unregulated gas station gambling machines and payout kiosks as a way to highlight the states unclaimed property website, which the treasurers office oversees. He walked back the decision in February after criticism from some lawmakers. The Malek PAC, American Promise, has spent nearly $2.8 million this cycle and had over $300,000 on hand last week. Maleks candidate committee had spent nearly $1.8 million and still had $765,000 on hand as of Monday. Rep. Cody Smith, R-Carthage, is among six Republicans running for the seat. The chairman of the House Budget Committee for the past six years reported having spent $628,000 and had $120,000 on hand this week. The Smith-allied Ozark Gateway Leadership PAC had spent $325,000 and had $66,000 on hand, according to a campaign finance report filed this week. Another candidate, Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, spent $215,000 on the race but had just $2,200 left on hand this week. The pro-Koenig Freedoms Promise PAC had spent $1 million on the campaign and had just $2,700 left on hand. The largely self-funded campaign of Springfield attorney Lori Rook has spent almost $350,000 on the race and still had more than $200,000 on hand. Other GOP candidates include Tina Goodrick, of St. Joseph, and Karan Pujji, of Berkeley. JEFFERSON CITY In his nearly two terms as secretary of state, Jay Ashcroft staked out numerous positions popular with Republicans. Ashcroft, now seeking the GOP nomination for governor, pushed for photo ID voting requirements, wrote rules against age-inappropriate library materials, and won the anti-abortion Missouri Right to Lifes endorsement after defending politically charged language for an abortion-rights ballot question. Now, several Republicans hoping to succeed him in 2025 could take the office even further to the right and might pivot to issues that have only emerged more recently in conservative politics, such as ensuring noncitizens dont vote and requiring the hand-counting of paper ballots. On the latter issue, state Sen. Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg and fellow candidate Valentina Gomez of St. Louis, have been out front in pushing for hand-counting of paper ballots. Hoskins filed a bill last year that would require hand-counting of ballots. In an interview, he said he had heard from software professionals that machines are vulnerable to hacking. He has also pointed to recent discrepancies in Puerto Rico, where machines supplied by Dominion Voting failed to accurately count vote totals, the islands election commission interim president previously said, according to the Associated Press. Gomez, who generated wide attention for burning transgender-themed books earlier this year, claimed without evidence that President Joe Biden did not win 81 million votes in the 2020 election. Machines can be hacked and manipulated, so I will be getting rid of them, and we will have the most free and fair elections in history through single day in-person voting, paper ballots, with voter ID, no mail-in ballots except for our Military and Disabled, Gomez said in an email in response to written questions from the Post-Dispatch. But five other Republican candidates for secretary of state defended the use of machines to count votes. The eighth candidate, House Speaker Dean Plocher of Des Peres, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. One of the candidates, Shane Schoeller, a former state legislator and the current Greene County Clerk, said bipartisan teams tested vote-counting machines ahead of the primary and will test them again afterward. In addition, hand-counts of randomly chosen precincts and races will take place after the primary election. State regulations require all three measures to be taken, Schoeller said. This is my tenth year serving as a county clerk, and Ive had ties, and one-vote outcomes, and I have not yet had a contest thats been overturned when weve done the hand-count, Schoeller said. So you really need to have both. Missourians cast more than 3 million votes in the 2020 presidential election. Hand-counting is only as good as the people who are doing the counting, said state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, another contender for secretary of state. You have to have both systems in place to make sure that people trust the results. Jamie Corley, a former GOP congressional staffer who lives in University City, said she supported paper ballots tabulated by a machine thats never connected to the internet. Hand-counting is a good auditing tool but using that as the sole counting procedure could open up our systems to waste, fraud and abuse, Corley said. State Rep. Adam Schwadron, of St. Charles, said absolutely not when asked if Missouri needed to shift to hand-counting exclusively. Schwadron said studies show hand-counting is unreliable and that hand-counting ballots in Gillespie County, Texas, this year showed it is cumbersome, it costs too much money, its inaccurate, and its a short-sighted move to hand-count ballots. Mike Carter, the Wentzville municipal court judge, called only hand-counting borderline ridiculous. He said everybody wants election results faster. People get antsy after the polls close, Carter said. Adding hand-counting to it, he said, thats just simply gonna be a different world. By Alimat Aliyeva The authorities of the state of Texas (USA) announced an agreement with Meta, under which it will pay the state $ 1.4 billion to settle a lawsuit filed against the company in February 2022, Azernews reports. According to the information, the state accused Meta of violating the Biometric Data Protection Act. The company recognized the faces of Texas Facebook users from photos and videos and stored this data without asking their permission. "Without notifying many residents of Texas, the company has been performing facial recognition using special software for more than a decade. This was done with almost every person in the photos that were uploaded to Facebook, so the company collected and stored biometric data of all the people in these photos," said state Attorney Ken Paxton. It is noted that the company began doing this after the introduction in 2011 of the Tag Suggestions function, which automatically recognized faces and invited users to mark their friends in the photo. The prosecutor's office emphasizes that the company did this knowing about the existence of a law in the state of Texas prohibiting companies from collecting and storing biometric data of local residents without their consent. In 2021, the company agreed to pay $650 million in a similar lawsuit by the authorities of the State of Illinois. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 31. Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov have discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries during a phone conversation, Trend reports via the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. According to the ministry, the conversation was initiated by the Russian side. The ministers deliberated on pressing matters of bilateral and multilateral cooperation during the negotiations. In addition, the ministers went over the schedule of upcoming contacts at the highest levels. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Police are now offering $20,000 to anyone with information about the death of Marine Staff Sgt. Peter Chounthala, 42, who was beaten, left lying in the street and then run over by a passing vehicle in Los Angeles County. (Los Angeles County Sherrifs Department) Police are now offering $20,000 to anyone with information about the death of a Marine in Los Angeles County who was beaten, left lying in the street and then run over by a passing vehicle. Staff Sgt. Peter Chounthala, 42, was assaulted May 28 by at least two men who left him in the street before he was struck by the vehicle, according to the Los Angeles County Sherrifs Department. Investigators said he was an innocent victim and there were witnesses in the area who might know the identity of the men involved. The things that happened can no longer be undone, but some closure would be everything to me at this point, his wife Jurina Chounthala said during a news conference last week. She is a master sergeant in the Air Force, and the couple have a 3-year-old son, who she said does not understand what happened only that his father is no longer present. Peter Chounthala enlisted in 2008 and served as a postal clerk and tank crew member for the Marines, according to his official service record. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. At the time of his death, he was assigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion West at Camp Pendleton, Calif., which is a unit for troops who are wounded, ill or injured. The sheriffs department has said deputies responded at about 2:02 a.m. to a hit-and-run at the intersection of Virginia Avenue and Artesia Boulevard in Bellflower, where they found Chounthala lying in the street with severe trauma to his upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators used surveillance footage and witness information to determine whether Chounthala was beaten and left in the street, and then struck by a dark-colored, 2021 to 2023 Kia K-5 four-door sedan. The men involved in the assault were last seen walking toward a nearby parking lot, and the driver of the vehicle was last seen traveling eastbound on Artesia Boulevard, according to police. We hope the people will have the courage to come forward and help investigators identify the persons responsible for this senseless act of violence and bring closure to the family, said Lt. Patricia Thomas of the sheriffs department. She had no updates as of Tuesday morning. Bellflower is about an hour north of Camp Pendleton and in southern Los Angeles County. Jurina Chounthala said her husband grew up in Philadelphia and the two met while they were stationed in Okinawa, Japan. They had been married for 11 years. He planned to retire from the Marine Corps at the end of the year and become a stay-at-home father. It may take one day or 100 years but believe me, they will find you no matter where you are, said Witpha Chounthala, the Marines sister. Please do the right thing and turn yourself in. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. To remain anonymous, people can Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), use the P3 Tips smartphone application or at the website http://lacrimestoppers.org. Marine Corps aviation radar technicians prepare the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar for training at Naval Base White Beach, Okinawa, Dec. 7, 2023. (Emily Weiss/U.S. Marine Corps) CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa The Marine Corps for the first time has deployed a state-of-the-art radar system during training this week on Japans westernmost island. Members of 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, deployed an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar on Yonaguni, an island 67 miles east of Taiwan, as part of the Resolute Dragon exercise, according to a spokesman for the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force delivered the radar, which is designed to defend troops against aerial attacks, in a Kawasaki C-2 transport plane, 1st Lt. Owen Hitchcock wrote in an email Wednesday. He would not say what day the radar was delivered, citing operational security; however, NHK Okinawa reported it arrived Monday. The radar is on the island for the first time, a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Staff Office spokesman said by phone Wednesday. Some officials in Japan may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. It will be used for vigilance and surveillance training, according to a Yonaguni town news release. Seventy Japanese troops and 110 Marines are taking part in the exercise on the island. The radar will complement the Japanese armys maritime targeting assets and will enhance our collective ability to defend Japan, Hitchcock wrote. The U.S. and Japan are increasing their cooperation as China increases its military strength and asserts its claims on maritime territory in the South and East China seas. Yonaguni, part of Okinawa prefecture, is the closest inhabited Japanese territory to Taiwan. Resolute Dragon comes as the Marine Corps exercises its Force Design initiative to counter China more effectively. This includes capabilities, such as the new radar system, to help it better defend the small islands east of Taiwan. III MEF is optimally postured to provide the broader stand-in force capability to conduct sensing and targeting to defend allies and partners within the first island chain, Hitchcock said. A stand-in force is a unit equipped and trained to operate within an adversarys range of fire. Resolute Dragon, hosted by the III Marine Expeditionary Force and the Ground Self-Defense Force, aims to improve coordination between Marines and Japanese troops, with a focus on aircraft, ground forces and live-fire training. The exercise, now in its fourth year, involves more than 3,000 Marines and sailors and spans from Okinawa, Japans southernmost prefecture, to the island of Kyushu and southern Honshu, the largest of Japans four main islands. The AN/TPS-80 radar can detect, identify and track airborne threats across 360 degrees, according to manufacturer Northrop Grumman. The multimission radar entered full production for the Marines in June 2019 to replace five other single-mission radars. Sailors of the gold crew assigned to Ohio-class, guided-missile submarine USS Florida make preparations July 31, 2024, to moor after returning to the ships homeport at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., following a deployment to 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations. (Travis S. Alston/U.S. Navy) The USS Florida, an East Coast-based submarine, returned to the U.S. on Wednesday following a rare deployment in the Pacific. We operate undetected anywhere, said Capt. Peter French, one of two commanding officers of the submarine. The biggest takeaway from this is the versatility to go to multiple theaters of operation and be able to operate successfully. The submarines homecoming at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia culminated a more than 700-day deployment during which it circumnavigated the globe. An East Coast submarine operating in the Pacific, Navy leaders said, is unprecedented. Aside from the Pacific, the warship operated in the Navys fifth and sixth fleets, which encompasses the waters of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, sailing more than 60,000 nautical miles. The Florida is one of four Ohio-class, guided-missile submarines capable of carrying 154 precision Tomahawk missiles that have a range of 1,000 nautical miles. The Florida was manned by two teams a blue crew and a gold crew which alternated running the ship every five months, leaders said. Two crews, consisting of 15 officers and 150 enlisted sailors, are used to keep the submarine staffed at all times. One crew, typically the blue, will sail the submarine into a region, and the other crew conducts maintenance on the ship while it is in port. Navy leaders were unable to provide specific deployment details, only saying the crew operated or trained to the full breadth of the submarines mission set, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and surveillance and reconnaissance. I can tell you from the operations we did out there, we developed lots of lessons learned and passed on several very long messages detailing all the things that we learned from what we did, French said. A spokesperson for Submarine Group 10, which oversees the Florida, said the submarine most recently supported the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during an extended deployment to the Middle East and transited to Guam for a scheduled reloading of Tomahawk missiles. Submarine movements are typically closely guarded secrets, but the Pentagon on rare occasions has highlighted a submarines presence as a deterrent to enemies. Guided-missile submarine USS Florida transits the Suez Canal en route to the Red Sea on April 7, 2023. (Elliot Schaudt/U.S. Navy) In April 2023, the Navy announced the Floridas arrival in the Middle East in a show of force as Iran-backed militant attacks on U.S. forces escalated. Later that year, in September, the Florida became the first-ever guided missile submarine to visit Norway. Rear Adm. Stephen Mack, director of maritime operations for U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, said the visit was a visible demonstration of the strength of the U.S.-Norway partnership. Navy leaders said the submarine also worked with special forces to practice coordinated missions. The Florida is capable of hosting 66 special operations forces onboard and is equipped with a dry deck shelter, a removable cylindrical module meant to allow divers and SEALs and their vehicles to enter and exit the submarine while it is submerged. U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, announced in November that an unnamed Ohio-class submarine had entered its area of responsibility alongside a photo that appeared to show the submarine in the Suez Canal. The announcement came less than one month after the deadly Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel by Hamas militants, triggering a war in Gaza and regional tensions and hostilities. Cmdr. George Thompson, the executive officer for the Floridas blue crew, said the submarine was en route to relieve another crew when it was directed to deploy to the Middle East. The plan changed, and we just executed the new plan, he said. That is what we train for and that is what we prepare for. Seaman Recruit David Dee Spearman, assigned to the destroyer USS Arleigh Burke, died after going overboard Aug. 1, 2022, while the ship was in the Baltic Sea. His father, Lee Spearman, filed a $7 million wrongful death claim against the Navy on July 26, 2024. (U.S. Navy) NAPLES, Italy The father of a Navy sailor who died after falling into the Baltic Sea from a destroyer two years ago has filed a wrongful death claim for $7 million against the service. Lee Spearman of Huntingdon, Tenn., alleges that medical personnel and officials aboard the USS Arleigh Burke knew that Seaman Recruit David Dee Spearman had a history of dangerous fainting spells but did not take adequate measures to protect him. The 19-year-old sailor, who had been declared fit for duty, was working by himself when he fell into the dark waters of the sea around noon on Aug. 1, 2022. With that medical history and in the absence of a clear diagnosis, Dee Spearman should not have been allowed to work alone on the ship deck, especially without a personal flotation device, Lee Spearman told Stars and Stripes on Sunday. Its so blatantly negligent that I cant go to sleep without my son having some type of justice, he said. Its not right. Spearman gave a copy of the claim, including an investigation report by U.S. 6th Fleet, to Stars and Stripes. He made it using a Standard Form 95, which is typically used to file for damages against the U.S. under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Seaman Recruit David Dee Spearman, center, with his parents, Nikki and Lee Spearman. Dee Spearman died on Aug. 1, 2022, after falling overboard from the destroyer USS Arleigh Burke into the Baltic Sea. Lee Spearman filed a $7 million wrongful death claim against the Navy on July 26, 2024. (Lee Spearman) On Tuesday, the Navy declined to say whether it had received Spearmans claim, which he sent to the Judge Advocate General on Friday. The service said only that it does not comment on individual claims. A Naval Criminal Investigative Service report found that Dee Spearman had lost consciousness at least four times in the weeks before his death and had repeatedly sought help from Arleigh Burkes medical staff. Investigators did not offer a conclusion about what caused the young sailors death but seemed to suggest that he may have fainted or slipped while sanding the ships forward bulkhead, according to a copy of the report obtained by Stars and Stripes through an information request. No one saw Dee Spearman fall, and there wasnt any video, NCIS investigators found. Seaman Recruit David "Dee" Spearman was memorialized by fellow sailors aboard the destroyer USS Arleigh Burke following his death on Aug. 1, 2022. While working on the ship deck, he fell overboard into the Baltic Sea. (Almagissel Schuring/U.S. Navy) Sailors aboard the destroyer USS Arleigh Burke hold a memorial service for Seaman Recruit David Dee Spearman, who died after falling overboard on Aug. 1, 2022. A subsequent Navy investigation found that Spearman died in the line of duty and not as a result of misconduct. (Almagissel Schuring/U.S. Navy) A Stars and Stripes investigation into Dee Spearmans death found that while his fainting episodes were well-documented, little was done to keep him safe. The findings also revealed failures in communication and decision-making and lapses in how the Navy reports and studies man-overboard events. In his declaration, Lee Spearman points to findings in the 6th Fleet investigation that he says support his assertion of negligence. For example, an unidentified investigating officer recommended that a policy be created to ensure that no personnel should be permitted to work alone, unsupervised or without a life vest within three feet of the ships lifelines, the command investigation states. The recommendation would augment an existing Navy rule requiring sailors to wear life preservers in certain circumstances, including where the potential exists of falling, slipping, being thrown or carried into the water, according to the command investigation. And although Dee Spearmans divisional chain of command determined that he should be subject to certain restrictions, including being assigned to work with a fellow sailor, there was no written order prohibiting him from working alone, the report states. Importantly, the command investigation also shows that Dee Spearmans condition was well-known throughout the ship and that he was worried about his health, Lee Spearman said. Arleigh Burke medical staffers, who treated Dee Spearman at least three times for losing consciousness, believed that he was dehydrated and may not have been eating enough, the command investigation shows. The destroyer USS Arleigh Burke during a deployment in the Baltic Sea in 2022. Seaman Recruit David Dee Spearman died after going overboard from the Arleigh Burke on Aug. 1, 2022, while the ship was in the Baltic. (Almagissel Schuring/U.S. Navy) A photo from a Naval Criminal Investigative Service report on the death of Seaman Recruit David "Dee" Spearman shows where a sailor heard Spearman yell for help. Spearman died Aug. 1, 2022, after falling from the USS Arleigh Burke into the Baltic Sea. His father, Lee Spearman, filed a $7 million wrongful death claim against the Navy on July 26, 2024. (U.S. Navy) But Dee Spearman told his parents and fellow sailors that he was drinking plenty of fluids and believed the fainting episodes were due to a deeper neurological issue. They arent taking me serious, but there is something seriously wrong, Lee Spearman said his son told him about the ships medical providers during their last conversation. Still, the 6th Fleet report found that there wasnt enough evidence to determine whether safety standards for the use of life preservers, Spearmans medical condition or other factors were causal or contributing factors in his death. The report did conclude that Spearman died in the line of duty and not because of any misconduct. Lee Spearman filed the claim on his own, without the help of a lawyer. He is aware of the 1950 U.S. Supreme Court ruling known as the Feres Doctrine, which prohibits active-duty military personnel from suing the Pentagon for injuries during their service. Even so, there have been some exceptions, including a 2019 federal law allowing service members to sue the Defense Department for medical malpractice. Its like David and Goliath. Im going up against a giant, said Spearman, who is determined to get the Navy to take responsibility for his sons death. It could have been prevented, Spearman said. He should not be dead. The SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance safely splashes down to conclude the Crew-7 mission and bring four astronauts back to Earth on March 12, 2024. (NASA/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Evidence of debris stemming from return trips of SpaceX Dragon spacecraft has prompted the company to shift future landing operations from Florida to California. The move was announced Friday during NASAs press conference previewing the upcoming Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station, and it wont take effect until 2025 after Crew-9 has returned. After five years of splashing down off the coast of Florida, weve decided to ship Dragon recovery operations back to the West coast, said Sarah Walker, SpaceXs director of Dragon mission management. This includes both cargo and crew versions of its spacecraft. At issue is the trunk portion of the Dragon capsule that is discarded before reentry and splashdown. Initially, the cargo version of Dragon made returns in the Pacific 21 times from 2011-2020, but when crew capability came online, SpaceX made the shift to allow for capsule landings off the coast of Florida either in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico. Feeding that decision were models that predicted how the trunk portion would break up in Earths atmosphere. SpaceX and NASA engineering teams used these industry-standard models to understand the trunks breakup characteristics, and they predicted the trunk would fully burn up due to the high temperatures that are created by air resistance during that high speed reentry into Earths atmosphere, Walker said. They should leave no debris, and that was a determining factor in our decision to passively deorbit the trunk and enable Dragon splashdowns off the coast of Florida. SpaceX first landed a Dragon capsule in the Atlantic with the uncrewed flight of Demo-1 followed by the first crewed launch of Dragon on Demo-2 in 2020. It also switched cargo Dragon missions beginning with CRS-21 in December 2020 so that all Dragon landings have been off Floridas coast since. So today Dragons trunk is jettisoned prior to the vehicle deorbit burn while still in orbit, Walker said. That leaves it in space while the capsule comes down and does a pinpoint splashdown and then it passively reenters and breaks up in the Earths atmosphere in the days to months that follow. But that leaves the trunk with imprecise timing and location for landing. To date, the majority of that trunk debris has reentered over unpopulated ocean areas. But the fact that any debris has reentered indicates to us that we need to draw a different conclusion from that initial analysis, Walker said. So I just want to say that we are committed to safe spaceflight operations and to public safety. Its at the core of what we do. Walker said it evidence of trunk debris was first discovered in 2022 in Australia. More debris has since been found in North Carolina and Saskatchewan, Canada. Walker said SpaceX implemented some changes after the 2022 discovery to improve probability. But then we also launched into a big effort to work with NASA and the FAA to pursue a longer term solution, and thats where we are today, she said. The move back to West coast landings means software on Dragon launches will shift so the trunk remains attached until after the deorbit burn, and that will mean the trunk will land safely in an unpopulated area of the ocean west of the landing spot in the Pacific. SpaceX will shift one of its recovery vessels to the Pacific in 2025 basing operations out of the Port of Long Beach for initial postflight processing. After that, Dragon will be transported back to Florida to prepare for its next launch. This isnt just going back to the old way of doing things, especially considering our human spaceflight recoveries have never before been executed from the West coast, Walker said. Instead, I see it more as taking a familiar operations concept and applying it to the Dragon we fly today, finding a way to combine the public safety benefits of West coast recovery with all the benefits of crew transportation services and enhanced cargo return capabilities that we provided the last five years out of Florida. Dragon flights have become more common with the pace of crewed launches ramping up on top of regular resupply missions to the ISS with cargo Dragon. Crew-9 is the third human spaceflight in 2024 out of what could be a record five flights this year. SpaceXs Crew Dragon fleet already supported the Axiom-3 mission in January and Crew-8 flight in March. After Crew-9, which could fly as early as Aug. 18, it has the Polaris Dawn mission that could also fly in August set to send up billionaire Jared Issacman on a return trip to space, and then the Axiom 4 mission to the ISS as early as November. In 2025, it has Crew-10 slated for February. It also has the next Dragon resupply mission CRS-31 slated for September and another in early 2025, which could end up being the first West coast landing for the spacecraft. This is critical to ensure Dragon continues to safely fly to and from Earth orbit. This new path I believe will make it possible while also keeping the public safe as we work toward becoming a spacefaring civilization, Walker said. Similar to SpaceX Crew Dragon is Boeings CST-100 Starliner, currently awaiting its return home to the U.S. form the International Space Station. Unlike Dragon, it targets landings not in the ocean, but on land. Starliners target landing spots are among five locations in the southwestern United States, with two on the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, one on the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, one on the Willcox Playa in Arizona and one on Edwards Air Force Base in California. It too has a trunk portion called a service module, that will be separated, but after the deorbit burn on reentry as it travels over the Pacific, so that debris would fall into the ocean as well. 2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit at orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A destroyed statue of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez lays next to its base in Valencia, Venezuela, on July 31, 2024. (Jacinto Oliveros/AP) President Nicolas Maduro, thoroughly corrupt leader of Venezuela, has just stolen another presidential election. No surprise, but there is hope of reversal. Venezuelas ongoing economic disaster has become a major political crisis. The deterioration of the nations economy has been unfolding steadily now for years. This is the principal legacy of deceased left-wing President Hugo Chavez. Petroleum is a rich national resource, but gross mismanagement and strong international sanctions have devastated the economy. Nonetheless, Maduro clings to power. In early January 2019, he was sworn in for a second six-year term following another stolen election. In response, Juan Guaido, leader of the legislature, for a time tried to compete with the dictator. He finally fled and lives in Miami. The Venezuelan military is a major factor of continuing importance. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez is one of Maduros circle of cronies and a reliable mouthpiece, denouncing opposition forces for trying to launch a coup. This situation could change quickly as the opposition grows. The regional dimensions of the situation are less often discussed. Cucuta, a town in neighboring Colombia, today shelters a quarter million Venezuelans. Approximately three million in total are in Colombia, a leader in international relief efforts, despite their domestic challenges. The FARC is the acronym for a powerful insurgent force, known in English as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. They embraced communism. In 1959, Fidel Castros revolution was victorious in Cuba, which became a Soviet ally and pursued regional subversion. Venezuela today is close to Russia, and China. Early in this century, the FARC seemed to be gaining. The conflict resembled the first years of the United States war in Vietnam. More and more American advisers were sent, along with growing numbers of helicopters, arms and ammunition, and other materiel. The administration of President George W. Bush significantly expanded aid that began in the Clinton administration, and also tried to minimize media attention. This effort was eerily reminiscent of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, which endeavored before 1965 to keep Vietnam out of the news. The long war and unrest made Colombia inviting for powerful international criminals. In November 2011, Viktor Bout, the Merchant of Death, was convicted and imprisoned. A Soviet army veteran, he became enormously rich dealing weapons and drugs on a global scale. Colombia was a major profit center for him. Drug Enforcement Administration agents posing as Colombian rebels arrested him. Also in 2011, the U.S. Congress ratified trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. Then violence in Colombia began to decline, in great contrast to the evolution of the war in Southeast Asia. After years of war, the FARC agreed to disband. In late 2016, Colombia ratified a peace agreement. That is important and a direct reflection of substantial, real strategic change in Latin America. There are other encouraging political developments in the challenged country. Unpopular Colombia President Ivan Duque Marquez in 2022 was succeeded by Gustavo Petro, a former guerrilla in the M-19 revolutionary movement. The foundation of regional cooperation in Latin America is relatively strong. The Inter-American Pact for Regional Security Rio Pact was signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1947, before the NATO Treaty in 1949 and two years after the meeting of the United Nations in early 1945 in San Francisco, even before World War II concluded. Early in the life of the United States, President James Monroe promulgated his famous Monroe Doctrine, warning European powers to stay out of Inter-American affairs. Fortunately for the new U.S. republic, Great Britain had identical interests. The British fleet enforced the edict. The Monroe Doctrine proved important during the Cold War, and in earlier efforts by Germany to establish influence. Arthur I. Cyr is author of After the Cold War American Foreign Policy, Europe and Asia. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 31. The volume of the consolidated budget in Kyrgyzstan has doubled in the last three years, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov said at a meeting of the board of the Presidential Administration, Trend reports. According to him, while the consolidated budget of the country was 247.7 billion soms ($2.9 billion) in 2020, it had risen to 577.2 billion soms ($6.8 billion) by 2023. Japarov highlighted that innovations in fiscal policy are being introduced. There has also been significant progress in the use of cash registers, with their number now exceeding 100,000 devices - an increase of sixfold over the past three years. We will continue this policy, he emphasized. It was noted that starting July 1, 2024, Kyrgyzstan will no longer permit trading activities based on a patent. Japarov stated that efforts to promote both internal and external investments will be intensified, emphasizing that the development of the industrial sector is a priority. He mentioned that at least 100 new enterprises are planned to be established as part of the 100th anniversary of the Kara-Kirghiz autonomous region. Since the beginning of 2024, 29 enterprises have already been launched. Major projects, such as the construction of Kambarata HPP-1 and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad, are underway. Maintaining the current pace requires professionalism, a creative approach, and strict discipline, the chairman added. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Demmonstrators bang on cooking pots and pans during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Valencia, Venezuela, on July 29, 2024. (Juan Carlos Hernandez, AFP/Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Venezuela hardened the crackdown on any resistance to President Nicolas Maduros self-declared election win by calling for the arrests of opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez. Speaking on state television Tuesday, head of congress Jorge Rodriguez said Gonzalez was leading a fascist conspiracy and that his campaign with Machado aimed to spark a civil war. Shortly after, Maduro said Gonzalez was a coward if he didnt assume responsibility for his actions. Respond, coward! Maduro screamed into the camera. He also took aim at the U.S. Behind this plan is the U.S. empire, drug trafficking networks, Elon Musk and the fascist extreme right of the world, he said. Musk has shown support for Machado and aimed insults at Maduro in a series of posts on X since the day of the vote. The pronouncements seemed to escalate the already aggressive stance taken by the regime against the opposition, which says it has gathered 84% of voting tabulations to prove Gonzalez is the rightful winner in Sundays election. They say theyre on track to have more than 8 million votes around the 8.2 million the late Hugo Chavez received in the 2012 election. Maduro had said in an X livestream on Monday night that protesters would be severely prosecuted after thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets decrying what they say is a fraudulent win. He held his phone up to the camera over and over again, showing videos of the demonstrations while emphasizing that he would engage security forces to maintain order. Earlier Tuesday, the government announced 749 arrests and detained prominent opposition figure Freddy Superlano. Intimidating and arresting opposition leaders have long been part of Maduros tactics. More than 100 of the oppositions aides and allies have been arrested in recent months, according to legal nonprofit Foro Penal. Juan Guaido, who in 2019 was recognized internationally as interim president, was threatened with arrest and now lives in exile in Miami. Selective violence and intimidation have usually been enough to end protests, Nicholas Watson, managing director at U.S.-based political consulting firm Teneo, wrote in a note to clients Tuesday morning. A key question in the days ahead is whether the regime can bear the political costs and strains that would likely arise from a more lethal strategy of repression. There have been at least 300 protests nationwide since the election on Sunday, according to a report from the Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict. At least nine people have died. In the capital of Caracas, protests have largely remained peaceful. Hundreds of people gathered on Tuesday along a main avenue in eastern Caracas, where Machado and Gonzalez told their supporters that the opposition now had more proof of their partys election win. The opposition published the data onto a website Tuesday night for the international community and citizens alike to see, but said it had to make another after an apparent government cyberattack. In the newly released site, Venezuelans are able to check their voting center tabulations by inputting their ID numbers. A scanned copy of the centers vote receipt shows the total of voters and the specific votes for each candidate, as well as the signatures of the centers supervisors and witnesses. No other credible third-party vote counts have been released. The Carter Center, the sole election observer of international repute that monitored the election and planned to publicly report its findings, has not yet released its preliminary report as was planned Tuesday. It wasnt immediately clear what the next formal steps would be to proving fraud, but the opposition leaders said the timeline wasnt clear and that non-violent demonstrations would continue. Machado said that it was crucial that any demonstrations were peaceful and that no one should agitate other citizens, the police or military. She and Gonzalez, however, never made mention of Superlano or his arrest. What we are combating is fraud, Machado said. The truth is the truth and we will defend it until the end. The crowd yelled back, Were not afraid! The note from Teneo said the situation is volatile and the outlook uncertain as an opposition emboldened by its performance and charismatic leadership faces off against a president whose legitimacy has been severely weakened. The fact that many of the protests have taken place in lower-income neighborhoods historically strongholds of Chavismo, Venezuelas brand of socialism could also be alarming Maduros regime. As tension boils within Venezuela, international pressure has continued to mount, with the U.S. saying it would consider travel bans and other new sanctions should Maduro not comply. Maduro has said he would meet international demands to release full records from Sundays vote. Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has been pressuring Maduro, said in an interview with Globo TV on Tuesday that the government must release the ballot tabulations. Its up to the opposition to file a complaint if it doubts the results and wait for the court to make a decision, he added. Im convinced its a normal, peaceful process, he said in his first remarks about the situation in Venezuela. Peru officially recognized Gonzalez as president-elect. The White House took a slightly stronger stand in a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying that the release of the voting data is especially critical given that there are clear signs that the election results announced by Venezuelas National Electoral Council do not reflect the will of the Venezuelan people as it was expressed at the ballot box on July 28. Meanwhile, Maduros government added a new angle to the claim that a cyberattack is preventing the release of voting data, saying North Macedonia was involved. Authorities there denied the allegation, with Digital Transformation Minister Stefan Andonovski telling reporters Tuesday that the government is monitoring the situation and has asked Venezuela for proof that any Macedonian citizens or institutions were involved. In his address Tuesday, Maduro also said the government now has a special commission with the help of Russia and China to evaluate its cyber security system, particularly that of its electoral agency. Earlier, Public Prosecutor Tarek William Saab accused opposition leader Machado of conspiring with exiled opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez and another member of his party in an alleged plot to prevent voting records from reaching the electoral councils headquarters. A video shared on social media showed Superlano who accompanied Machado and her stand-in candidate Gonzalez during most of the campaign being taken out of his car Tuesday and forced into an unmarked SUV by several men in all-black uniforms in a residential neighborhood in Caracas. The 48-year-old former lawmaker is a popular opposition figure who participated in last years primaries before throwing his support behind Machado. On Monday, he was among the group that backed Machados claim that there is proof to show Gonzalez won the election. Superlano had been on the receiving end of veiled government threats for months, including from top Maduro allies Diosdado Cabello and Jorge Rodriguez. He led the gubernatorial race for Barinas, a Chavista stronghold, in 2021 before the government halted the process, claiming he was ineligible to run due to a previous ban. Superlanos party Popular Will has been the subject of intense persecution by the Maduro government in the past decade, with most of its members currently in exile. Nicolle Yapur and Slav Okov contributed to this report. 2024 Bloomberg LP Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Western Tokyo is seen from the air during a patient transport drill from Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 18, 2023. (Manuel Zamora/U.S. Air Force) YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan July Fourth was a day for cookouts and fireworks, but for pilots and health care professionals at this airlift hub in western Tokyo, it was a day to set a record. Working together, the 459th Airlift Squadron and the 374th Medical Group used a UH-1 Iroquois, or Huey, to fly a critically ill patient from Yokota to Yokosuka Naval Base for emergency care, according to Lt. Col. Samuel Shamburg, the airlifters commander. The two Air Force units normally have an hour to prepare a patient and be ready for take-off, but in this case trimmed that to 39 minutes, a new record for a medevac from the air base, Shamburg told Stars and Stripes during a July 24 interview at Yokota. This is one of the reasons we become helicopter people its very fulfilling, he said. Thats time that we limit a patient from being in agony or time we reduce getting the patient into the operating room. Its all about helping people. The patient had a septic joint an infection that can travel through the bloodstream to another part of the body. If not treated quickly, a septic patient can lose a limb, Capt. Omar Vargas, commander of the 374th Medical Urgent Care Flight and the patients transport nurse, said during the interview. Its a great feeling knowing that somebodys limb was saved, he said. The two units came together to get this person taken care of and thats very special. Vargas role as a transfer nurse includes ensuring patients are stable during the ride and monitoring their status. Were always watching and checking vital signs and making sure their pain is under control, he said. Air Force medics prepare to board a UH-1N Iroquois, or Huey, helicopter during a patient transport drill at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 18, 2023. (Manuel Zamora/U.S. Air Force) Since 2018, the two units have successfully completed 16 medical transport missions, Shamburg said. On Dec. 15, they started providing 24/7 patient transfers from the base hospital to other military treatment facilities in the region, Shamburg said. A helicopter medevac significantly reduces patient travel time. From Yokota to Yokosuka is an 18- to 22-minute flight, versus a 2 to three-hour drive through the busy greater metro Tokyo area. Its great for us, Vargas said. Time is a big factor for any type of emergency. The quicker you get into the care that they need, the better results for patients. Time is of the essence. So, they [the 459th Airlift Squadron] help us out all the time. The medical group always has a transfer nurse on call and the squadron has day and night shifts. You are always on standby, Shamburg said. So, its like a heightened sense of awareness. And just trying to meet that is one of the hardest parts. The squadron also trains with the III Marine Expeditionary Force and the medical clinic at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Shamburg said. They have a very similar problem as we do here and thats access to care to local hospitals, he said. We are interested in expanding into our portfolio where, if something happens up there, we fly up there and work with their medics. Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, flanked by Northrop Grumman Australia chief executive Christine Zeitz and the head of nation's air force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, speaks about new MQ-4C Tritons at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes) ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE TINDAL, Australia The first of four MQ-4C Triton drones being added to Australias arsenal debuted at this northern air base Wednesday. Australia is spending $1.6 billion on its Triton fleet, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told reporters in front of the new aircraft alongside Australian air force chief Air Marshal Stephen Chappell. This platform is designed to fly missions of 24 hours, and in that you would see a journey which is equivalent to a trans-Pacific flight, Marles said. The drone could surveil an area as large as the sprawling state of Western Australia, he said. We are a country surrounded by oceans with vast approaches to our nation, and so the areas that we need to surveil in order to keep our nation safe are massive, he said. The Triton is capable of civil missions, but its primary role will be military keeping tabs on potential adversaries warships and submarines, Marles said. U.S. Navy Tritons have flown from Guam since January 2020 and have since deployed to bases in Japan and Okinawa. The first of four MQ-4C Tritons being added to Australias arsenal debuts at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes) The drones, made by U.S. aerospace company Northrop Grumman, look like RQ-4 Global Hawks, which have seen extensive service in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the resemblance is skin deep. The front edges of the Tritons wings have been toughened to withstand bird strikes, while their electronics are designed to withstand lightning strikes. The maritime drones stiff wings allow them to dive below 10,000 feet to get a closer look at floating targets. The U.S. government is spending nearly $450 million on improvements to military bases in Australias Northern Territory, including RAAF Tindal. Estimates of U.S. spending at the base, tagged as a location for future B-52 Stratofortress bomber rotations, include $90 million for a fuel farm, $35 million for office and maintenance facilities, $100-$140 million for a bomber ramp and $80-$100 million for a hangar. A group of Northrop technicians at the Triton unveiling included Rodney Thompson, who usually works with Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. The Americans are at Tindal to help their Australian counterparts set up a forward operating base, he said. The aircraft will take off and land there but be piloted from RAAF Edinburgh in South Australia. The Tritons will be operated by Australias No. 9 Squadron, Chappell said, a unit that operated flying boats in World War II and helicopters in the Vietnam War. Fighters with North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, intercept a Russian Tu-96 strategic bomber in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, July 24, 2024. (NORAD) CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea Moscow sent a pair of missile-armed, long-range bombers on a 10-hour training flight this week between Japan and South Korea, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The Tu-95MS Bear-H strategic bombers flew over international waters on Tuesday, according to a ministry statement that day. The report referred to the bomber mission as a planned flight. South Korean and Japanese fighters intercepted the bombers en route, according to military sources in each country. The Tu-95MS variant of the nuclear-capable, four-engine turboprop bomber is designed to carry cruise and stealth cruise missiles. It came into production in 1981. Sukhoi Su-35S and Su-30SM fighters escorted the bombers, according to state-run Russian news agency Tass, which did not reveal the number of jets. The bombers at some stages of the route were escorted by foreign fighters, according to the Defense Ministry. South Korean jets made sorties and the military took necessary measures in response to the bomber presence, according to a statement Tuesday from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A spokesman declined to provide details of the sorties. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force also scrambled fighters to intercept the Russian aircraft, according to a news release Tuesday from the Japan Joint Chiefs of Staff. The bombers appeared Tuesday morning from the west, flew eastward and turned north near the Oki Islands in western Japan, according to the release. They appeared again west of Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japans four main islands, then turned north and flew parallel to Japanese airspace before turning west again. A Joint Staff spokesman would not say if the bombers and fighters were the same aircraft appearing at different occasions. South Korean and Japanese government spokespeople typically speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. The Russian aircraft kept strictly to international rules for using airspace, according to Russias Defense Ministry. Long-range aviation pilots regularly fly over the international waters of the Arctic, the North Atlantic, the Black and Baltic seas, and the Pacific Ocean, the ministry said. The Bears overflight of the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, came a week after a pair of Tu-95s and a pair of Chinese Xian H-6K bombers flew inside the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone and about 200 miles from the Alaskan coast. The four-ship flight was intercepted by U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons, U.S. F-35 Lightning IIs and Canadian CF-18 fighters from North American Air Defense Command, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. That flight was the first of its kind by the two countries, which have joined in a no limits partnership, according to a Q&A published online by the center on Tuesday. In December, two Russian and two Chinese bombers of the same type flew a joint operation over the Sea of Japan, joined by fighter jets from both countries for a total 17 aircraft, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported Dec. 15. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighters to intercept the flight, according to the report. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 31. Kyrgyzstan is planning to launch direct flights to the US, Manasbek Samidinov, Chairman of the Board of OJSC Manas International Airport, announced at a press conference, Trend reports. Samidinov said that discussions have been held with the US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan about opening direct flights from Bishkek to New York or Chicago. "They supported our proposal for these direct flights. As we are currently on the EU's blacklist, we have invited the US civil aviation authorities and carriers to conduct an audit with the goal of implementing these flights in the future," he said. In 2006, Kyrgyzstan and its airlines were placed on the EU Aviation Safety List, commonly known as the "blacklist," due to non-compliance with flight safety standards. As a result, Kyrgyz planes have been barred from flying to EU countries since then. Project 2025, a collaboration led by the Heritage Foundation among more than 110 conservative groups to develop a movement consensus blueprint for the next Republican administration, is winding down its policy operations, and its director, former Trump administration personnel official Paul Dans, is departing. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes) The right-wing policy operation that became a rallying cry for Democrats and a nuisance for Republican nominee Donald Trump is trying to escape the public spotlight and repair relations with Trumps campaign. Project 2025, a collaboration led by the Heritage Foundation among more than 110 conservative groups to develop a movement consensus blueprint for the next Republican administration, is winding down its policy operations, and its director, former Trump administration personnel official Paul Dans, is departing. The Heritage Foundation also recently distributed new talking points encouraging participants to emphasize that the project does not speak for Trump. The former president has repeatedly distanced himself from Project 2025 after relentless attacks from Democrats using some of the 900-page playbooks more aggressive proposals to impute them to Trumps agenda since many of the proposals were written by alumni of Trumps White House. While some participants in the project started avoiding interviews and public appearances, Trump advisers grew furious that Heritage leaders continued promoting the project and feeding critical news coverage. Trump senior adviser Susie Wiles repeatedly called Heritage leaders instructing them to stop promoting Project 2025. She and Trump strategist Chris LaCivita repeatedly wrote public statements disavowing the project, and then Trump started saying so in his own social media posts. More recently, LaCivita has started saying that people involved in the project would be barred from a second Trump administration. President Trumps campaign has been very clear for over a year that Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the President in any way, Wiles and LaCivita said in a joint statement Tuesday. Reports of Project 2025s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign it will not end well for you. Some Project 2025 participants have responded by doubting a ban could be enforced when contributors include close Trump advisers such as former White House speechwriter Stephen Miller, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tom Homan, and former White House economic adviser Peter Navarro. Miller has denied his involvement in Project 2025, but his America First Legal group is a participating organization, and his deputy, Gene Hamilton, wrote the playbooks chapter on the Department of Justice. Many of the plans proposals overlap with official pronouncements from Trumps campaign. Both Trump and Project 2025 have proposed eliminating the Department of Education and reversing President Joe Bidens student loan relief program. Both have said they want to reintroduce a policy change to weaken tenure protections for career civil servants and tighten White House supervision of the Justice Department and other agencies. Both have proposed large-scale immigration raids and repealing temporary protections for migrants from unsafe countries. Both proposed ending affirmative action and rolling back Biden administration environmental regulations. At least some Heritage employees are considering leaving the organization because they do not want to alienate a future Trump administration and hurt their future job prospects, according to a current employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to detail internal dynamics. While Heritage President Kevin Roberts has told people privately that the storm will blow over, employees have texted and messaged one another with dismay about the Trump campaigns continued attacks on the organization. We are extremely grateful for [Danss] and everyones work on Project 2025 and dedication to saving America, Roberts said in a statement. Our collective efforts to build a personnel apparatus for policymakers of all levels federal, state, and local will continue. Roberts will take over direct supervision of the project. Earlier in the presidential primary, Roberts was perceived as closer to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. His relationship with Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) fueled new attempts by Democrats to tie Trump to the project since he chose Vance as his running mate. Heritage Foundation employees had raised money on Project 2025 and touted its work to donors and activists, even after Trump administration officials complained. Members of Project 2025 continued to meet as recently as this month, preparing for the next administration. Many of the participants were hoping for jobs in the Trump administration. One current employee at the Heritage Foundation said there had been requests from people to get their names taken off the work. Some donors have also expressed concerns about how angry the campaign seems about the project, the current employee said. Others agree that the controversy will pass. Vice President Kamala Harriss campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, said Democrats will not stop talking about Project 2025. Hiding the 920-page blueprint from the American people doesnt make it less real in fact, it should make voters more concerned about what else Trump and his allies are hiding, she said in a statement. Project 2025 is on the ballot because Donald Trump is on the ballot. This is his agenda, written by his allies, for Donald Trump to inflict on our country. Project 2025 published its playbook in 2023, and it always planned to wind down the policy program and hand off recommendations to the official presidential transition when it starts this summer. Another arm of the project, a personnel database of more than 20,000 applicants for potential political appointments should Trump be reelected, will remain in operation, people familiar with the matter said. Trump has not established a transition, even though it is almost August. Should he win the presidency, his administration would have to immediately fill thousands of political jobs. Trump has told advisers in the past he did not want a transition because he was superstitious and had not won yet. In a departing message to staff Monday, Dans lamented attacks on the projects work as a disinformation campaign that aims to falsely associate Former President Trump with the Project. Dans ended by quoting Trumps words after he survived an assassination attempt on July 13, which quickly became a MAGA movement mantra: Fight! Fight! Fight! Dans did not respond to requests for comment. Democrats routinely use Project 2025 and Trumps plans for a second term interchangeably. Left-wing discussion of the project surged in June as the Biden campaign and surrogates started focusing on proposals in Project 2025 to portray Trump as extreme. While some project contributors took pride in being vilified by Democrats and in news coverage, they grew concerned when they started feeling the pressure coming from Trump. Other areas of divergence have caused headaches for the Trump campaign. In particular, Project 2025 proposes restricting access to abortion medication and blocking shipments through the mail. Trump has said he opposes a federal abortion ban. In another recent message to participants, communications adviser Mary Vought advised them to respond to questions about the project saying it is not partisan and not affiliated with any candidate. If asked during a media interview, you can use these points to pivot, she wrote. The talking points included: While President Trump and Project 2025 see eye-to-eye on many issues, President Trump alone sets his agenda. Project 2025 does not speak for President Trump or his campaign in any capacity. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, left, and VA Inspector General Michael Missal listen to opening statements during a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on June 4, 2024. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough told staff he plans to step down from the cabinet-level post after the current presidential term has finished, according to people familiar with the matter. McDonough, who took the helm at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Feb. 2021, told staff this month that he plans to leave the post irrespective of the elections outcome. Who knows what will happen in November, he said to staff, according to the people familiar with the comments, who asked not to be named as the details are private. I think its time for some new blood. President Joe Biden tapped McDonough in 2020 to lead the VA, the second largest federal agency behind the Department of Defense, which provides health care and other benefits to nine million military veterans and their families. Though McDonough didnt serve in the military or have health-care experience, he was a known progressive political operator in Washington. He previously served as chief of staff to former President Barack Obama during his second term in office. During that period, he oversaw the overhaul of the VA after an uproar regarding wait times for veterans seeking care. Upon tapping him for the VAs top job, Bidens transition team described McDonough as a first-class manager who could navigate the ins and outs of the government to improve health care and other services for veterans. During his tenure as VA secretary, the agency encountered challenges such as responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing a spike in veteran suicides and implementing a $16 billion contract with Oracle Corp. for health records modernization. It also experienced a backlog of almost 400,000 benefits claims, partly due to the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics, or PACT Act. Signed into law in 2022, it expanded health care and benefits for about 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic burn pits while serving overseas. The pits have been linked to certain illnesses because of the toxins present in the smoke. Prior to Bidens unprecedented announcement to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election, the 54-year-old McDonough had already determined he was ready to leave the post, according to one of the people familiar with the secretarys plans. That decision isnt likely to change regardless of whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump wins the presidential election, the person said. In a statement, VA press secretary Terrence Hayes praised McDonoughs work. As President Biden charged him to do on day one, Secretary McDonough is fighting like hell to make sure that Veterans get the health care and benefits theyve earned for their service to our nation and he will continue to do exactly that, Hayes said. As the Nov. 5 U.S. elections near, the heads of the 15 executive departments who currently form Bidens cabinet of advisers will likely plot their next moves. The VA secretary must be nominated by the U.S. president and confirmed by the Senate before being sworn in. 2024 Bloomberg LP Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Cyprus International University Scholarship provides academic scholarships for its students as an incentive for success, with most students benefiting from 100% scholarships or discounted tuition fees. Applications are currently invited from eligible and outstanding international students for the Cyprus University International Student Scholarship. This scholarship is available for undergraduate students who wish to enroll in a degree program at the University. This post will discuss all you need to know about the scholarship for interested candidates. Cyprus International University Scholarship Details: Cyprus International University provides academic scholarships for its students as an incentive for success, with most students benefiting from 50%, 75% or 100% scholarships or discounted tuition fees each academic semester. Starting with 81 students and 45 staff in 1997, CIU has shown a phenomenal growth by reaching to 18,000 students and over 1000 staff in only 24 years. The university is committed to advancing academic excellence, sustainable development, continual innovation, and creating a diverse community by empowering students to achieve lifelong success. The strategic geopolitical location of the island of Cyprus and its proximity to the birthplace of civilization has played an important role in what Cyprus is today; a small but very international island. 2024 Cyprus International University Scholarship Requirements: Candidates are expected to meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for the Cyprus International University International Student Scholarship for the next academic session Applicants must be international students. Students admitted into undergraduate degree program. The award is available for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Science Engineering and Health offered at the University. Based on academic merit Students enrolling full time in the Honours program in the semester for which the scholarship is awarded. Exceptional personal success skills (e.g., emotional maturity, motivation, perseverance, etc.) A high school transcript and/or GSE results (if your transcript is not in English, also require a certified translation) Applicants must have a High school certificate or equivalent. Candidates must be highly motivated, responsible, and able to work independently in a structured manner and as good interpersonal and communication skill. Applicants must hold an offer for a full-time program at Cyprus International University, Turkey. Application process based on merit and evidence of leadership. English Language Requirement: Applicants are required to provide evidence of meeting the University of the Pacifics minimum English language proficiency requirements. Fellow gang member Larry OReilly (22) wasnt as shy as he made an obscene gesture and stuck out his tongue at our photographer. The sentencing of Irelands most notorious burglary gang has been delayed after barristers staged another strike this week. The leader of the burglary gang, William Connors who led gardai on an hour-long chase that ended in a spectacular crash admitted to conspiracy to burglary at a court hearing in May. He was behind the wheel of the stolen Audi Q5 when he flipped the vehicle into a supermarket car park in Naas in April 2022. All five men in the car miraculously survived. The aftermath of the smash which saw five bloodied gang members handcuffed by gardai, including a bandaged Connors, went viral on social media. This week he covered his face with his T-shirt as he was brought into court to be remanded on continuing custody. William Connors and Michael Connors Fellow gang member Larry OReilly (22) wasnt as shy as he made an obscene gesture and stuck out his tongue at our photographer. The final sentence hearing is now due to take place next October with Michael Connors (27) remaining in custody and William Connors son Larry free on bail. A fifth accused man, James Connors, is in custody in Australia. The case at Naas Circuit Court was among those hit by the barristers action, the third time this month services have been withdrawn in criminal cases. Barristers are demanding the reversal of pay cuts imposed after the financial crisis. The barristers first withdrew their services last October after which the Government agreed to increase fees of criminal barristers and solicitors by 10pc. But barristers say that does not restore the cuts imposed since 2008 and the link with public sector pay agreements has still not been restored. Evidence in the burglary gang cases was previously heard in court after William Connors, a relative of infamous gang boss Fat Andy Connors, admitted leading gardai on the chase. The dramatic chase involving specialist garda units and a garda helicopter as the high-powered 3-litre Audi hit speeds of 160kph on rural roads was described in court. Connors and the four younger men were lucky to escape serious injury when the pursuit came to an end in Naas, Co Kildare in April 2022. Connors (48) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle along with three other men, his son Larry Connors, Larry OReilly and Michael Connors. Michael Connors The Audi used by the international crime gang had been stolen just weeks earlier in a residential burglary in London. It had been brought into the country using cloned MN-reg plates and was connected with 17 burglaries in Northern Ireland, including one in which 250,000 of jewellery was stolen from an antiques dealer. Detective Sergeant Donall Donoghue, of the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, gave evidence of how Connors took off at speed from a Co Meath house and rammed a garda car. The back door of the house had been broken in and the bedroom of the 70-year-old woman who lived there alone was ransacked. The pursuit began when gardai arrived quickly at the scene after being alerted by a concerned neighbour who spotted two hooded men wearing bumble-bee goggles coming from the property. Larry Connors Footage taken from the garda helicopter seen in court showed the Audi Q5s high-speed dash along country roads and a section of the M4 motorway. There were a number of near misses, with drivers telling gardai how they had to pull in to avoid collisions with a vehicle in which masked men were visible. The SUV passed close to cyclists and pedestrians at high speeds. Arresting officers found fuel cannisters, screwdrivers, a bottle of bleach, a torch, snoods and rocks used to break windows in the vehicle. An sledgehammer that was spotted being dumped from the car earlier was later recovered by officers. William Connors had 27 previous convictions, and had a year left of a 20-year driving ban imposed in 2003 at the time. McGregor (36) told a garda "are you taking the piss" after he was asked to step out of his car on Dublin's M50. UFC star Conor McGregor has narrowly avoided a jail sentence after he admitted an "appalling" episode of dangerous driving where he drove in a bus lane, jumped a red light and nearly collided with another vehicle. McGregor (36) told a garda "are you taking the piss" after he was asked to step out of his car on Dublin's M50. He also told the garda he was waiting to get out of his car because he "needed his security to catch up". A garda witness said he was driving at speeds of more than 160kph trying to catch McGregor's vehicle. Judge David McHugh said this incident was an appalling series of breaches of road traffic rules, and described McGregor's dangerous driving as "persistent, prolonged and deliberate". Judge McHugh convicted and fined McGregor 5,000 and banned him from driving for two years. The judge also imposed a five month jail sentence suspended for two years. Conor McGregor pictured arriving at Blanchardstown District Court in his 192 Bentley. Pic: IrishPhotoDesk.ie Read more Conor McGregor comeback fight at UFC 303 is OFF due to injury The defendant, of The Paddocks, Castledillon, Straffan, Co Kildare, admitted careless driving at the M50 southbound and dangerous driving at the N4/M50 interchange. McGregor was initially charged with uninsured and unlicensed driving, but those matters were struck out after produced his documents, which were in order. Garda Denis Lordan told Blanchardstown District Court he was stopped at traffic lights at the junction of Lucan Road/R136 at 5.34pm on March 22, 2022, when he looked in his left wing mirror and saw a vehicle travelling along the bus lane at speed. The vehicle, a convertible, drove through the red light, failing to stop, and merged from the bus lane onto the Lucan Road, all in one movement. The garda activated the blue lights and sirens on his patrol car, and followed McGregor's vehicle. The car merged from the bus lane at high speed, and a second vehicle was forced to stop to avoid a collision. Gda Lordan said McGregor drove at high speed and out onto the roundabout outside Woodies without stopping. The car drove on the bus lane eastbound on the N4, before crossing the bus lane out onto the fast lane. Gda Lordan said McGregor drove at high speed on the N4, and the garda said he was doing more than 160kph trying to catch the vehicle. McGregor tried to undertake a car on the last lane, moving into the middle lane, before moving back out onto the fast lane, the court heard. He took the slip road, which has two lanes, to the M50. McGregor took the inside slip lane, moving to the outside lane over the hash markings, and causing dust to rise. Gda Lordan said McGregor drove onto the M50 southbound, moving from the fast lane to undertake a vehicle, before moving back to the fast lane. The garda said he tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over. McGregor finally pulled over onto the hard shoulder, he said. Gda Lordan told the driver to get out of the vehicle. McGregor said to him: "are you taking the piss? You want me to get out of the car, out of the vehicle on the M50?" Gda Lordan said he asked McGregor six or seven times to get out of the vehicle, and the defendant told him he was waiting because he "needed his security to catch up". The garda said he eventually opened the car door, and McGregor got out. He was arrested and taken back to the garda station where he was charged. The court heard McGregor had 20 previous convictions, mostly for minor road traffic matters. Defence lawyer David Staunton said that McGregor offered his apology to the court, and he regretted the incident. Mr Staunton said McGregor was acutely aware of the impact his behaviour had on others. The defendant was also very, very aware and acknowledged the difficulties driving like that can cause to others. Mr Staunton said the defendant had given back to his community, had a number of businesses and employed a lot of people. McGregor's father, who had been ill, was in court to support him, Mr Staunton said. Judge McHugh said McGregor put his life and the lives of other road users at risk, and he was considering an outright prison sentence due to the nature and degree of dangerous driving. Mr Staunton urged the judge to consider all other options, as prison should be a last resort. In all the circumstances, Judge McHugh said he would impose a five month suspended sentence. McGregor, wearing a three piece blue check suit, sat in the dock with his hands clasped for the duration of the hearing. He did not address the court. Marcus Duggan was convicted of two charges of indecent assault and one of rape. A man who was a teenager when he was twice assisted by friends to indecently assault his younger sister almost 40 years ago has been jailed for four years. Marcus Duggan (53) of Inver Road, Blackpool, UK, pleaded not guilty to a number of offences but was convicted of two charges of indecent assault and one of rape on dates between 1983 to 1991 following a Central Criminal Court trial earlier this year. He had pleaded not guilty to the offences. His sister, Yvonne Ratcliffe (52), waived her right to anonymity to allow her brother to be named in reporting the case. She is 15 months younger than Duggan. Ms Ratcliffes victim impact statement was read into the record. She said: I fought this battle on my knees, but I am leaving here ten feet tall. I leave the chains of shame with you, Marcus. Patricia McLoughlin, SC prosecuting, told the court that the family was marred by poverty, neglect and physical violence mainly perpetrated by their father. They were exposed to pornography in their home from a very young age, with the videos of pornography being easily accessible to the children. In one of the incidents, Duggans three friends held Ms Ratcliffe down while her brother orally raped her. She was 12 years old and had just come home from school. She walked into the sitting room to find the teenagers watching pornography, and she ran out of the room. They dragged her back in, carrying a limb each and held her down while Duggan indecently assaulted her. Ms McLoughlin said Ms Ratcliffe later told gardai that her brother apologised to her that evening. She didnt tell anyone what happened because she was too scared and too ashamed. She was worried her family would send her away. The second incident of indecent assault occurred when she was 15 years old. Again, her brother was with some friends when they walked into the room. She later told gardai that the teenagers threw me from one part of the room to the other while giving her love bites. She said she had a recollection of her mother seeing the bruises all over her body. She told gardai that she ran away that evening, but her father found her and gave her a beating. Ms McLoughlin reminded the court that that Ms Rathcliffes mother gave evidence during the trial that she had seen the love bites. Marcus Duggan In the third incident, Ms Rathcliffe was 18 years old and found herself alone in the house with Duggan. He and his friends had been sniffing gas, and she was concerned about being there with him. Duggan hit her with a frying pan, and she went up to her room. He followed her, and she told him to go away. He told Ms Rathcliffe that if she made a sound he would call his friends up. She was particularly worried about this threat considering what had happened previously. She stopped fighting off Duggan because of the fear that his friends would come up. Duggan raped her and told her he loved her. Passing sentence today, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said, I must now sentence someone in 2024 to an offence committed in the mid-1980s and early 1990s. No person in their 50s is the same person they were when they were a teenager. Mr Justice Hunt said Duggan has lived a blameless life with no convictions and not come to police attention, but there had to be a custodial sentence. He said the mitigating factors in this case was his lack of previous convictions, that Duggan attended voluntarily for interview and complied with all bail conditions. He also noted that Duggan was under the age of adulthood for the first two incidents. Mr Justice Hunt sentenced Duggan to five years in prison. To reflect the good behaviours of the defendant from 1991 to todays date, he suspended the final year on strict conditions. Mr Justice Hunt directed Duggan not to have any contact with Ms Ratcliffe directly or indirectly on a permanent basis, and if he commits any sexual offending upon his release from prison in this jurisdiction, he will have to serve the suspended final year of his sentence. The judge ordered that the sentence be backdated to when Duggan went into custody on this matter. Ms Ratcliffe read her victim impact statement into the record. She said, There are no winners here today. She said she made the complaint because it was about her finding the courage to have my voice heard and to acknowledge that my feelings have value and that they matter. Ms Ratcliffe spoke of the loneliness and isolation she felt after disclosing the abuse in that her family disowned her. I have no words for the depth of my despair. Wounds turn to scars, and scars do not fade, she continued. She said it was drilled into her to always feel sorry for her brother. Ms Ratcliffe described herself as an abused and neglected child and said, Breaking my silence cost me everything. She said her mental health was shattered, and she could never get enough therapy to help her with that. I was abused within an institution. Family is an institution, she continued. She said her childrens mental health suffered and spoke of how proud she was of her daughter, who completed her third-level education while the family was homeless. I tried to motivate my children so they could have a better life, she said. She spoke of how she was unable to have a healthy emotional and physical connection with a man because she felt dirty. I am overwhelmed by memories that I wish that I never owned, Ms Ratcliffe said. She spoke of the fear of not being believed at trial, which she said made the whole justice process very difficult. She concluded by thanking the gardai, the legal team for the State, her partner, her children and her best friend for being there for me. The garda agreed with James McGowan SC, defending, that his client attended voluntarily for interview and made a full statement to gardai. Duggan has been married since 1995 and has one child and a number of grandchildren. He has been living in the UK for the last 27 years and has been in the same employment during that time. He has no previous convictions. Daryl Bolger pleaded guilty to endangerment and to driving without insurance at various locations in Tallaght, Clondalkin and Ballyfermot. A man has been jailed for endangerment after he led gardai on a high-speed chase through greater Dublin during lockdown 2020, ending in a head-on collision with a patrol car. Daryl Bolger (32) broke over seven red lights, overtook lines of traffic on the wrong side and drove at speeds of over 100kmph in 50kmph zones in a chase involving three garda patrol cars. No-one was injured but the patrol car was written off in the collision, a court has heard. Bolger of Kilcarrig Green, Tallaght, Dublin 24 pleaded guilty to endangerment and to driving without insurance at various locations in Tallaght, Clondalkin and Ballyfermot on April 11, 2020. He was sentenced to three and a half years in prison with the final six months suspended at a sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday. The court heard that Bolger refused to stop when spotted Judge Orla Crowe said it was very fortunate that there had been no injuries to gardai and that Bolger had put the public at large at risk by driving dangerously and engaging in really lawless behaviour. With the country in lockdown, Bolger was out and about and up to no good when he was spotted in the Dublin mountains and refused to stop for gardai, said Judge Crowe. The judge noted that Bolger had 131 previous convictions, mostly for driving offences, and that he had been disqualified from driving at the time. In mitigation, the court heard Bolger was on an enhanced regime in prison and had shown genuine remorse in a handwritten letter of apology. Judge Crowe said the prosecuting garda was quite right not to accept the apology proffered on Bolger's behalf by his barrister. The investigating garda told Maddie Grant BL, for the DPP, that Bolger was driving a Ford Focus shortly after midnight when he refused to stop when signalled by gardai. The court heard extensive evidence of Bolger's journey through Ballinascorney in the Dublin mountains through Firhouse, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Ronanstown before the head-on collision on the Neillstown Road. Bolger broke at least seven red lights, drove the wrong way around roundabouts, overtook dozens of vehicles on the wrong side of the road causing other motorists to swerve, brake suddenly or mount the footpath to avoid collisions. He drove at speeds of over 100kmph including in built-up, residential areas in a chase that lasted just over a quarter of an hour. Sarah-Jane O'Callaghan BL, defending, said Bolger's mother has battled alcoholism her whole life and is very ill with COPD. The court heard that Bolger's father died from hypothermia in a field near the family home following a domestic dispute. Bolger himself has been addicted to drugs and alcohol but is now drug-free in custody and wants to link in with rehabilitative treatment at St Francis' Farm in County Carlow. Judge Crowe disqualified Bolger from driving for five years and backdated the sentence to May 10 of this year. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 31. Kyrgyzstan has started drafting the National Development Program until 2030, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Akylbek Japarov, said at a meeting of the board of the Presidential Administration, Trend reports. Japarov stated that half of the goals outlined in Kyrgyzstan's National Development Program through 2026 have already been achieved. Kyrgyzstan aims to be among the top 30 countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The primary objective is to reach a GDP of $30 billion by that year, requiring an annual nominal GDP growth rate of 1012 percent, he said. The chairman emphasized that, according to World Bank estimates, Kyrgyzstan has the potential to increase its GDP per capita and transition from the lower-middle-income category to upper-middle-income status by 2030. The development program will be formulated with these targets in mind, Japarov added. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The court heard that Diggins was arrested at Dublin Airport a few weeks later when he returned to Ireland to look for his lost suitcase. A man who was taught by US First Lady Jill Biden and who was caught with 330,000 worth of ketamine in his suitcase at Dublin Airport has been jailed for three and a half years. Jonathan Diggins (47), of San Francisco, USA, was arrested when he travelled back to Ireland to search for the suitcase which contained the drugs, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. Diggins had been travelling from Brussels to San Francisco via Dublin last October when his suitcase missed the connecting flight while he was travelling on to the States. US clearance officers in Dublin Airport found a false bottom in the suitcase, which contained seven packs of ketamine with a street value of 330,000, Jane Horgan-Jones BL, prosecuting, told the court. The court heard that Diggins was arrested at Dublin Airport a few weeks later when he returned to Ireland to look for his lost suitcase. He pleaded guilty to one count of importing drugs at Dublin Airport on November 6, 2023. He has no previous convictions. Sentencing him today, Judge Orla Crowe said the importation of drugs is a significant and serious matter. She said the aggravating factors include the value of the drugs and that Diggins returned to Ireland to retrieve the suitcase. Judge Crowe said Diggins had involved himself in an activity which was nefarious in nature, and he had imported drugs into Ireland, even if this wasn't his intention. The judge said she had taken into account the mitigating features and his personal circumstances, noting that testimonials speak of a decent man and a devoted father. She said the court would give Diggins extra credit for being a non-national who is facing difficulties in maintaining contact with family due to time zone differences and the long distance. She handed Diggins a sentence of three and a half years, backdated to November 28 last when he went into custody. James Dwyer SC, defending, said that his client had no intention of importing the drugs to Ireland; they were simply in transit from Belgium to the States. However, he said his client pleaded guilty to the charge despite this and cooperated fully with the investigation. He said Diggins was originally from Wilmington, Delaware and was taught by the current US First Lady, Jill Biden, when he was a child. He has two children and missed his oldest child's graduation from high school while in custody over here. Defence counsel noted it was not a sophisticated operation and Diggins' decision to travel back to Ireland was either stupidity or ignorance. A number of testimonials were handed to the court praising Diggins as a good father. Following the death of a 21-year-old Mountjoy inmate, a nationwide alert for Nitrazene has been sent across the prison service. Following the death of a 21-year-old Mountjoy inmate, a nationwide alert for Nitrazene has been sent across the prison service. A quantity of pills tested positive for the lethal substance after Adam Darcy was found deceased in his cell. Niall Donald speaks to Eamon Dillon about the drug and its danger. MORE EPISODES Jamie Dinnegan settled his long-running legal battle with CAB who claimed he was part of a Longford-based crime gang. A case brought by the Criminal Assets Bureau against four couples has lifted the lid on the drugs business in rural Ireland. Jamie Dinnegan settled his long-running legal battle with CAB who claimed he was part of a Longford-based crime gang. Niall Donald speaks to Eamon Dillon about how this case showed how crime operates in rural Ireland MORE EPISODES Victim finally sees justice done after first telling gardai about crimes 23 YEARS ago Sex predator and former Dublin Bus driver Fergus Delaney is finally behind bars after pleading guilty to four counts of the sexual assault of 14-year-old Sinead Lay in 2000 and 2001. The pervert was remanded in custody on Monday by Judge Kerida Naidoo, for sentencing in October, more than 23 years after courageous Sinead and her mother first reported his crimes to gardai. In the intervening years, it has taken two more complaints from Sinead to gardai, a GSOC investigation, two complaints to Tusla and a civil case in the High Court which concluded Delaney had groomed and raped her to force the State to prosecute him. I feel relief for myself and for the public he has been remanded in custody, Sinead told the Sunday World following Mondays proceedings, He is a dangerous predator. He has shown no remorse for what he did to me and he has no insight into the damage he caused by his actions. Delaney was a Dublin Bus driver He actually claimed to gardai when he was finally arrested that he was in a relationship with me. He blamed me, he said I was the one who seduced him. He was in his late 30s I was 14 years old! Speaking of her battle for justice and of how, as a victim, she was let down by gardai and Tusla time and time again, Sinead said she had been forced to move mountains to force the State to prosecute her abuser. Initially I went to the gardai with my mother in 2001, she recalled. I sat in the garda station, still only a child, and told a female garda exactly what he did to me. That was a horrible experience for any child to go through and yet nothing was done about it. In fact, worse than nothing. A couple of months after Id made my statement, I got a call from gardai warning me not to be harassing Fergus Delaney. Sinead said she went back to gardai a second time in her early twenties. But she said she felt the investigation carried out on foot of her complaint was inadequate. The DPP came back and said no charges, she recalled. I then went to GSOC (the garda ombudsman) to complain, But they came back and said theyd hadnt found any deficiencies in the investigation - there was nothing to be done. Nor was Sineads experience at the hands of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency much better. Sinead Lay never gave up her fight for justice I first went to Tusla in 2011, Sinead recalled. It wasnt until six years later I got a letter from them saying, sorry about the delay, were now in a position to assess your case. When I first spoke to them, in 2011, I went in and spoke to two social workers. I went into graphic detail about what he had done to me. And then I heard absolutely nothing for six or seven years. But, finally, when they did come back to me after renewing contact, they said my complaints were founded. Around this time, Sinead had also initiated a case in the High Court seeking to have Delaney held responsible in the civil court. In May 2019, Judge Kevin Cross awarded Sinead total damages of 300,000 after finding Delaney had groomed, sexually assaulted and raped her on multiple occasions between November 2000 and August 2001. None of this is or was her own fault, the High Court judge said. She was not of an age in any way to consent to the attention given or what was done to her. The only person responsible is the defendant. Fergus Delaney Armed with newspaper reports from the civil case and the findings of Tusla, Sinead went back to gardai seeking justice for a third and final time. Its shocking to have to say this but, as a victim, I had to make a nuisance of myself, Sinead said. I told them Id taken this to the High Court and won and that Tusla had investigated my complaint and confirmed it was founded. I brought in all the newspaper articles. I didnt care how crazy it looked. I had to do it because this man was still driving a Dublin Bus, he still had access to children. I told the gardai they needed to look into it properly. And thats when, to be fair, they did take it seriously. And the investigating gardai this time round Ciara and Danielle, were excellent. But it has taken more than 20 years to get to this point. You hear these stories about victims who were afraid to speak up when they were kids but who finally got the courage to speak out as adults. I wasnt one of those people. I told the very people I was supposed to tell. Thats the really sad thing here and its what really hurts and annoys me. Sinead said, in light of her own arduous battle for justice, she isnt able to issue a blanket statement to other victims urging them to come forward. It depends on what you, the person this happened to, needs to move on, she said. Its a very personal and subjective journey. If I had known in the beginning what I would have to do to get to this point, would I have done it? The answer is probably not! I was retraumatised again and again by the system that was meant to help me. I would say be prepared for a long drawn out battle. And, possibly, to not get the outcome you are looking for. You may have to move mountains. I am who I am today because of what I went through to get this to where it is now. I feel it has given me character and the strength not to take no for an answer when something is wrong. There needs to be accountability. I do hope that my story is a warning to anyone considering abusing a child that we grow up! That child you plan on abusing will one day grow up and come seeking justice. The day may come, as it has come for Fergus Delaney, that you will be put behind bars. That you may one day lose everything if you do this, your reputation, your family, your liberty! If nothing else, I hope my story sends that warning to these people. Convicted child abuser Fergus Delaney will be sentenced for his crimes in October of this year. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison on each of the four counts of the section 2 sexual assault of Sinead Lay. By working together with our law enforcement partners we were able to ensure Adams faced justice in both jurisdictions A former male model and airport police officer has been extradited to Northern Ireland to serve a prison sentence for money laundering. Mark Adams (44) from Malahide In Dublin, was convicted following a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation in in 2018. Adams who had been stopped by Border Force officers as he was about to board a flight to Alicante from Belfast International Airport laundered millions of pounds for organised crime groups by smuggling cash out of the country. Adams, who had been caught with more than 180,000 hidden in folders to appear as if they contained legally privileged documents, initially claimed he was travelling to attend a wedding. However, NCA investigators found that he was booked onto a return flight just an hour and 20 minutes after he was due to arrive in Spain. Adams, who had left his job in February 2017 after taking a two-year career break, had flown into or out of the UK on 500 occasion in the preceding five years, often returning very shortly after he landed, later investigations revealed. After he was arrested Adams was released on bail as part of the NCA investigation. However, when he failed to return, a European Arrest Warrant was issued for him. Some of the cash that was seized at Belfast Airport This warrant revealed that he had been arrested in the meantime by authorities in Ireland and charged with four counts of money laundering. Adams was given a five-year jail term at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in October 2020 for his role in laundering approximately 1.2 million in cash that was the proceeds of crime. In passing sentence, Judge Martin Nolan said as an airport policeman for 13 years, Adams knew the ways of the world and would have been under no illusions that he was aiding and assisting criminal enterprises. During this time, Adams was charged in Northern Ireland in relation to the Belfast airport incident. The warrant for his surrender stated that Adams was stopped by UK Border Force officers in May 2018 and asked about two brown envelopes he concealed in his hand luggage. Adams confirmed to Border Force officers that he had packed the bag himself, and when asked whether anyone had given him anything to take out of the country, he replied: Yes, 180,000. At Laganside Crown Court in Belfast in January 2022, Adams pleaded guilty to attempting to remove criminal property and to arranging to remove criminal property by carrying 180,550 through Belfast International airport to board a flight to Alicante in May 2018. He admitted that he attempted to remove the money from the North on May 9, 2018, knowing or suspecting the money to be proceeds of crime. He also pleaded guilty to entering into an arrangement, namely the attempted removal of criminal property from Northern Ireland, knowing or suspecting that this arrangement would facilitate the retention, use or control of such criminal property, by persons unknown, between May 13, 2013 and May 10, 2018. Following the end of his sentence in Ireland, Adams was extradited today to begin his sentence in Northern Ireland. Lawyers for Adams had objected to his re-surrender to the North on humanitarian grounds, arguing that he may be subjected to inhumane or degrading treatment while in prison based on his past experience there. At the High Court in Dublin Mr Justice David Keane said it had been submitted that Adams had been subjected to threats of violence and when this was coupled with his medical needs it amounted to inhumane or degrading conditions, should he be surrendered to serve time in Maghaberry Prison. Adams had submitted that he had previously been wrongly identified as a member of An Garda Siochana in a media article, leading to a letter being passed under his prison door by those he claimed were paramilitaries, telling him to leave the landing or he would be harmed. In his order surrendering Adams, Mr Justice Keane noted that while Adams had submitted that he struggled with his mental health no documents regarding his mental health difficulties had been put before the court. Mr Justice Keane said that prison reports on Maghaberry Prison noted that inter-prisoner violence had been decreasing since 2008 and that Adams had not himself been the subject of physical attack in the 10 months he was in custody there. Mr Justice Keane said a systemic failing in the prison system in the North had not been established. The judge said a real risk of inhumane conditions or degradation had to be established in order for the High Court to refuse surrender. He said that the "mere possibility" of such treatment did not establish a real risk of ill-treatment that would be sufficient to breach his fundamental rights. His own evidence says he was not subject to physical or ill treatment, other than threats. The possibility of such is not enough, said Mr Justice Keane, who ordered Adams surrender. NCA Branch Commander David Cunningham said Adams had been committing crimes across international borders. But by working together with our law enforcement partners we were able to ensure he faced justice in both jurisdictions, Cunningham said. The NCA works internationally to protect the public from serious and organised crime and we will continue to work with all of our partners to ensure criminals are brought to justice. Matthew Fadeyi (34) is under investigation for alleged links to Black Axe Gardai are being supported by specialist officers from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB). Photo: Getty A 34-year-old man who was jailed this week for raping a young woman is also being investigated by gardai for serious fraud offences. Matthew Fadeyi, with an address in Navan, Co Meath, was given a five-and-a-half year sentence at the Central Criminal Court on Monday. The trial judge remarked that the victim in the case was relatively young and inexperienced and that Fadeyi did not use a condom, adding to her distress. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo said that while all cases of rape involve the restriction of liberty, the woman, who was 20, was especially restricted as she was confined to the back of the car during the attack in August, 2020. A file is being prepared on his alleged involvement with an organised crime gang involved in business email compromise fraud The Sunday World can reveal that Fadeyi has been arrested as part of a major fraud investigation led by gardai, who have been backed up by specialist officers from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB). A file is being prepared on his alleged involvement with an organised crime gang involved in business email compromise (Bec) fraud, also known as invoice redirect fraud, on an international scale. Detectives are investigating a line of inquiry that as part of this criminal enterprise, Fadeyi recruited a young money mule in south Dublin who laundered over 60,000 in his bank account after a company in Ukraine was targeted by the Black Axe crime organisation. Apart from this individual, gardai suspect that the convicted rapist was recruiting money mules on the Snapchat messaging app a favoured means of communication for the gangs recruiters of money mules. The Black Axe gang is linked to major online frauds. Photo: Stock image The file on Fadeyis alleged organised fraud activities is expected to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the coming weeks. The investigation into him is part of the gardais Operation Skein, which is being run by the GNECB. Operation Skein is the Irish contribution to Interpols Operation Jackal, which is targeting the Black Axe crime syndicate across 21 countries and has led to hundreds of arrests in Ireland. Bec fraud is one of their most lucrative scams. This is where a fraudster sends an email to an individual or a business pretending to be a supplier and asks for an invoice to be paid immediately, usually to a new bank account. The court heard that Fadeyi moved to Ireland in 2017 and has a good work history They provide a new Iban and Bic code for this new account and often the target does not know they have been a victim of a crime until sometime later, when the legitimate supplier sends a reminder for invoice payment. Meanwhile, Fadeyi has been in custody since he was convicted of one count of rape following a retrial in May after a jury was unable to reach a verdict three years ago. The court heard that Fadeyi moved to Ireland in 2017 and has a good work history. He has engaged in further study and has been offered a place on a third-level course. Fadeyis father died in Nigeria while he was awaiting trial. He was unable to travel to attend the funeral or to visit family, which caused him distress, counsel said. US cops alleged Radonjic is a dangerous boss of the Kavac clan, a transnational criminal organisation allegedly involved in an attempt to smuggle over two tons of cocaine A Montenegro man nicknamed the Pirate of the Unknown has been extradited to the US from Italy to face charges connected to an alleged international cocaine trafficking ring. Yacht racing star Milos Radonjic (34) arrived in Brooklyn on Friday and is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court Monday, according to federal prosecutors and officials with the Department of Homeland Security and FBI. A federal grand jury indicted him and several other people last year on charges of a drugs conspiracy. US cops alleged Radonjic is a dangerous boss of the Kavac clan, a transnational criminal organisation allegedly involved in an attempt to smuggle over two tons of cocaine from Ecuador and Colombia to Europe. The Pirate of the Unknown, is accused of coordinating these mammoth drug shipments, with the US investigation resting on intercepted communications and encrypted messages. According to court filings, Radonjic was a high-ranking member of a transnational drug organisation that used commercial cargo ships, including some registered to deliver goods to the US, to transport tons of cocaine from South America to Europe for drug cartels in the Balkans. Radonjics arrest sent ripples through the sailing community in Trieste, Italy, when he was detained just before the worlds largest sailing race began last October. He was due to captain 24-metre racing yacht Maxi Jena in the race. Despite the allegations, Radonjic maintained his innocence, asserting he was a victim of mistaken identity. Fingerprint checks, passport records, and phone records allegedly confirmed he was the drug trafficker being hunted. Radonjics arrest badly upset the beginning of the Barcolana regatta which he was due to take part in. Even though the Maxi Jena crew participated without their skipper and finished fourth, they were later disqualified for twice using the engine in violation of race rules. The disqualification, coupled with Radonjics arrest, raised numerous questions about the world of professional sailing. Ship crew members allegedly took part in the trafficking, court documents in the US claim. US authorities said Radonjic and others had been using speed boats to deliver drugs at night to cargo ships near Colombia and Ecuador. Radonjic and others also trafficked narcotics that have contributed to the overdose and drug addiction crisis in the United States and throughout the world, US prosecutors wrote. This arrest and successful extradition is a lesson that the high seas are not a no-mans land for the rule of law, and that we are committed to bringing those who violate it to justice, Breon Peace, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement. According to Portuguese police sources, the Irish lads had complained about the noise coming from a lower-floor apartment where the Dutch tourists were staying Four young Dutch men who were stabbed during a mass fight involving Irish holidaymakers in the Portuguese seaside resort of Albufeira are out of danger, it has been reported. Local media in Holland reports that, according to an acquaintance, three of the men suffered stab wounds to their stomachs, while one was injured in the leg. "The boys have been operated on," RTL News quoted a source who is close to those injured. "It was tense for a while, but I have since heard that all four of them are out of danger." The Dutch group who were caught up in the violence is said to consist of a total of ten young men aged between 17 and 21, from Tilburg and Goirle. It has been reported that the fight broke out in the early hours of Monday morning at around 4.30am at the three-star Soldoiro Tourist Apartments apartment complex in the Praia da Oura area of Albufeira, a seaside resort 40 kilometres west of Faro. According to Portuguese police sources, the Irish men had complained about the noise coming from a lower-floor apartment where the Dutch tourists were staying. A subsequent argument between the two groups allegedly ended in a fight in which both sides used knives as weapons. However, media in Holland is disputing the claim that the Dutch were also armed with knives during the fight, quoting one source as saying: "That is absolute nonsense. They were not armed themselves. I have known those boys for a long time. They are not choirboys, but certainly not troublemakers either. They do not look for fights. They do stand up for each other, and that was necessary in this case, because they were attacked with weapons and had to fight for their lives." RTL News also claims that Portuguese police indicated that two of the Irish were arrested and the rest of the group had to leave the complex, while the Dutch boys were allowed to stay in the complex. The parents of those who were injured are understood to have flown to Portugal to be with them in hospital. A spokesperson for GOGO Youth Travel told RTL News that they are in contact with the boys and their parents. "The tour guides have been to the hospital and have offered their help, a spokesperson for GOGO Youth Travel is quoted as saying. They are keeping in touch." Another Dutch news site, AD.nl said their Ministry of Foreign Affairs had confirmed that three of the men remain in hospital in Faro with injuries. AD.nl said that the owner of Soldoiro Tourist Apartments did not want to comment on the phone, but did say: The police are currently investigating. We do not want to say anything more about it. We are of course shocked by what happened here." AD.nl also quotes a local apartment owner in Albufeira, as saying: These kinds of fights and stabbings are only getting worse. "The Dutch, English and Irish groups in particular make Albufeira a horror in the summer. It has really gotten really bad in the last two years and this year even worse. It used to be only on the Strip, but now they are also coming to the old city, which was always nice and for families. They are ruining Albufeira. We previously reported how Portugals GNR police force had played an initial key role in the investigation although another force, the Policia Judiciaria, has now been briefed and is expected to take over. Three knives are understood to have been seized by police. A police source said: According to the witnesses, the Irish group who were on an upper floor at the tourist apartment block started complaining about the noise coming from the Dutch groups apartment on the ground floor. There appears to have been a big argument between them. When officers arrived the fight was over and officers focus was on taking care of the wounded, who appeared to be on both sides. The Red Cross unit initially attended to one of the youngsters before we realised four others were injured. No immediate arrests were made. Two victims have undergone emergency surgery in hospital. Another well-placed source said: The fight seems to have started at the Dutch tourists apartment and continued along the balcony from which the apartment is accessed. Those believed to have been involved have been identified ahead of probable arrests in the coming hours or days." The crew tried to smuggle 139 kilos of coke into the UK The boss of a crime crew which attempted to smuggle 139 kilos of cocaine into the UK hidden in a consignment of bananas has been jailed. Sajid Ali (56) from Birmingham, was nabbed by National Crime Agency officers at Heathrow Airport in January this year, minutes before boarding a flight to Istanbul, Turkey, where he was living. Alis gangster pals were previously arrested while unloading a shipping container they believed contained the 11m pounds-worth of coke at a storage company in Coventry in April 2022. Removing this consignment from circulation will have been a sizeable blow to this criminal network, preventing them from generating profits that would have been invested in further criminality, said Paul Orchard of the UKS National Crime Agency. The gang members are currently serving a combined 62 years in the slammer. Ali kept himself at arms length from the operation, sending messages via WhatsApp voice to his underlings Mirgent Shahu (33) from Sutton Coldfield, and Robert Ball (60) from Cheshire. Ball sent images of the container in situ to Ali just before the packages were unloaded. The container had arrived at London Gateway port from Ecuador a few days before. UK Border Force officers who were working with the NCA found the cocaine packages in the roof area, removed them and resealed the container. Port training illustration in Germany with drug packages hidden in bananas (Getty Images) A few days later, Ball, who was found to be acting on behalf of an Albanian organised crime group, contacted the shipping firm to ask them to release four containers, including the one he thought contained drugs. He arranged for a transport company to collect and move the containers to the storage company in Herald Way, Coventry. These movements were watched by NCA surveillance officers. Ali, Ball and Shahu met at a Costa Coffee in Kings Heath, Birmingham, on the morning of 15 April 2022 to make the final arrangements. Ball and Shahu then travelled to Coventry where they met with accomplices Florjan Ibra and Arman Kaviani. Ball and Shahu instructed Ibra and Kaviani, who used a forklift truck to get on top of the container. They tore open the roof using a crowbar and started unloading packages they believed contained the drugs, but as they did so NCA and police officers moved in to arrest them. Kaviani and Ibra attempted to flee but were apprehended. All four men were later charged with cocaine importation offences and jailed for a total of 62 years at Warwick Crown Court in November last year. Ali was convicted by a jury at Coventry Crown court on Monday, following a three-week trial. He is due to be sentenced on October 16. NCA Operations Manager Paul Orchard said: There is no doubt that Sajid Ali pulled the strings for this group, employing Ball and Shahu to oversee the dirty work of extracting what he thought were packages of cocaine from the shipping container. Had this load not been intercepted and seized, it would have been worth millions of pounds on the streets of the UK. Ali was in this for profit, but this criminality also comes at a huge human cost. Cocaine fuels violence and exploitation, including gang culture and firearm and knife crime in the UK and around the world. "We are determined to dismantle major international crime groups like this one from top to bottom, he added. Caroline Hughes, Specialist Prosecutor in the CPS, said: This was a major operation, which saw a vast quantity of drugs seized before they could reach the community's streets. Throughout the investigation, Sajid Ali refused to admit his involvement in this large-scale drug operation, however the evidence carefully pieced together by the NCA and the CPS demonstrated the leading role he played in this importation. The CPS is committed to working with investigators such as the National Crime Agency to ensure that criminal drugs gangs are brought to justice The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this Members of the public take part in a vigil near to the scene in Hart Street, Southport The three little girls who were killed (from left) Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Aguiar Violence broke out on the streets of Southport A police van set alight as trouble flares during a protest in Southport, after three children died and eight were injured in a "ferocious" knife attack. Photo: Richard McCarthy/PA Wire Trouble flares during a protest in Southport, after three children died and eight were injured in a "ferocious" knife attack. Photo: Richard McCarthy/PA Wire The mother of one of the three little girls who died in the horrific Southport knife attack has appealed for the violence to end after a night of rioting. Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), Alice Dasilva Aguiar (9) and Bebe King (6) were fatally stabbed in the Merseyside town on Monday. Bebe and Elsie died on Monday night while Alice died in hospital on Tuesday morning. They had been attending a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday dance workshop when the attack happened. Five other children remain in a critical condition alongside three others whose conditions are not known in hospitals across Liverpool and Manchester. Two adults who were critically injured in the attack have been named locally as yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, who co-organised the dance event and John Hayes, who works at the Hart Space where the stabbings took place. A 17-year-old boy from Banks in Lancashire was arrested and is being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder following the stabbings on Hart Street. The three little girls who were killed (from left) Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Aguiar Thousands of mourners attended a peaceful vigil for the victims who lost their lives, however, violent thugs have been blamed for an outbreak of violence that left 39 police officers and three dogs injured. Elsies mother Jenni Stancombe, pleaded for the violence to end on social media. She said: This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight. The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this. The families of the other two girls who were killed also released statements. Bebe's family said: "No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as we try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe. And Alices family said: "Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our princess, like we said before to you, you're always our princess and no one would change that. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned those who, he said, had hijacked a peaceful vigil with violence and thuggery and insulted the community as it grieves. Members of the public take part in a vigil near to the scene in Hart Street, Southport Those involved will feel the full force of the law, Starmer added in the post on X. The violence broke out after protesters, believed to be supporters of the far-right English Defence League, gathered near a local mosque, setting cars and police vehicles on fire and hurling bottles at police, Merseyside Police said in a statement. Police believe the crowd took to the streets over unconfirmed reports speculating on the identity of the teenage suspect. Officers had sustained serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion, Merseyside Police said. Other officers have suffered varying degrees of injury including head injuries, serious facial injuries, and one was knocked unconscious. Three police dogs were also injured, with two sustaining leg injuries from bricks thrown at them and one suffering burns, the force added. Yesterday, our officers and other members of the emergency services were faced with one of the most difficult situations they will ever face, Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said in a police statement. Tonight, they find themselves being attacked as they endeavour to prevent disorder, he added. A police van set alight as trouble flares during a protest in Southport, after three children died and eight were injured in a "ferocious" knife attack. Photo: Richard McCarthy/PA Wire Violence broke out on the streets of Southport The North West Ambulance Service said it treated 39 police officers injured in the violence, 27 of whom were taken to hospital. Following the arrest in the stabbings case, an incorrect name linked to the suspect was spread on social media, police said. There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17-year-old male who is currently in police custody, and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets, Goss said. We have already said that the person arrested was born in the UK, and speculation helps nobody at this time. Police have confirmed that the suspect is from the village of Banks, near Southport, and was originally from Cardiff, Wales. Goss added that many of those involved in the violence were not local to the area, suggesting they travelled to Southport with the intention of causing unrest. In other tributes to the little girls that died, Fr John Heneghan, who led Alices first Communion told the Daily Mail that she was the epitome of happiness with the most beautiful smile Jennifer Sephton, head teacher of Farnborough Road Infant School, described pupil Elsie as a kind and caring friend to all who met her. Members of the public take part in a vigil near to the scene in Hart Street, Southport She added: Elsie has been a loving and bright member of our wonderful community since first being brought here on her fathers shoulders, and even at her early age she was such a caring and charismatic young lady who loved to please. Marshside Primary School, where Bebe ,the youngest of the three victims killed in the attack, was a pupil, said they were "deeply saddened by the awful news that we have lost one of our brightest and most wonderful shining stars". Headteacher Natasha Sandland said. Words cannot do justice to describe the grief and upset our Marshside community are feeling today," she said. The school community is focused on supporting her family and friends, school staff, and "our community who have been left numb by this tragic incident", Ms Sandland said. Review team says hospital missed several chances to escalate concern A litany of missed opportunities are revealed in a confidential report investigating the hospital care of Bryonny Sainsbury, who died just days after sustaining a brain injury following a kick from her horse. The 25-year-old from Briskil, Newtownforbes, Co Longford, died in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, on August 31, 2021. She had been admitted to Mullingar Hospital five days earlier, on August 26, after being been kicked by her horse. The kick caused her to hit her head against a wall and she collapsed in an unconscious state. Ms Sainsburys grieving parents, Alison and Chris, along with her two brothers, have now received a long-awaited independent report commissioned by Mullingar Hospital into her treatment. They say it makes for harrowing reading. Bryonny should not have died, her mother, Alison Sainsbury, said. She should be alive and with us today. I miss her every day. It is a nightmare. Mother of Bryonny Sainsbury still talks to her daughter in room she keeps as memorial to her Bryonny Sainsbury, a hairdresser who had her own hairdressing salon, was described as being horse mad. She suffered the accident at a livery stables and was taken to Mullingar Hospital at around 9.45pm. An inquest earlier this year recorded a verdict of medical misadventure. The confidential report from the review team, chaired by surgeon Martin Caldwell, examined her clinical care, how she was treated and where it went wrong. They concluded there were several chances to escalate concern about her condition. This could have led to her being admitted to intensive care earlier in Mullingar and transferred to Beaumont Hospital for specialist treatment. On the evening of Ms Sainsburys injury, she was assessed in the emergency department of Mullingar Hospital. Contact was made with the neurosurgical centre in Beaumont, but it was decided she did not need to be transferred and was instead admitted to a surgical ward. The following day, she was lethargic but responsive. She struggled to stay awake, keep her eyes open or completely recall events from before her fall. Report was critical of hospital care Bryonny Sainsbury (pictured) received New developments should have been escalated and documented for future assessments but were not, the report said. A repeat CT scan on the Saturday, August 28, showed no changes from the previous day. Doctors seemed overly reliant on this assessment and her care stayed the same, according to the report. The review team said there is no evidence that Beaumont Hospital doctors were not contacted for an opinion on reading the scan. But it is unclear if the surgeon on call in Mullingar was told about it or Ms Sainsburys condition. No records are available to indicate that her symptoms of vomiting, or ongoing need for anti-nausea medication, were brought to the attention of the surgical team. The report also notes the worries and pleadings expressed by her parents when they were allowed at her bedside. It is now known she was deteriorating and that vital time was being lost. The deceaseds mother told the review team how her daughter was not responding to them. She said there was swelling and bruising visible on her daughters head that was worsening. Bryonny Sainsbury was calling out for a horse and was hallucinating. The review team said there should have been more discussion with her parents, which would have acted as a prompt to take possible further action. The communication between senior surgical decision makers in Mullingar and Beaumont was sub-optimal, it concluded. The team said there was disagreement between both hospitals as to what level of communication took place. Ten contacts are documented, five of which involved a junior doctor in Mullingar and a senior decision maker in Beaumont. She was given the sedative Midazolam, which, according to the report, was inappropriate in the absence of anaesthetic supervision and continuous monitoring. Ms Sainsburys electrolyte levels were not routinely monitored as part of her care plan and she developed the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). This causes the body to retain too much water, have low levels of sodium in the blood and can potentially lead to a medical emergency. There was a divergence of recollection in relation to how soon information on her low sodium levels was communicated on August 29, 2021. By 1.45pm that day, she was still deemed not sick enough for intensive care. Concerned nursing staff contacted the anaesthetic consultant about Ms Sainsburys deterioration and her low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. A GCS score measures consciousness. Ms Sainsbury was admitted to intensive care in Mullingar at 2.39pm, before being transferred to Beaumont later that day, where she was placed in intensive care. She died on August 31, 2021. The review team said they are of the view that earlier admission to intensive care may have prompted earlier treatment and management of SIADH. They added: Overall, a different plan or delivery of care would, on the balance of probability, have expected to result in a more favourable outcome. A series of recommendations to improve practice and systems in Mullingar Hospital are made. Other critical findings relate to on-call arrangements for medical staff in Mullingar, which did not support a robust system of management for surgical patients out of hours. The report also points to unsatisfactory communication between different departments and inadequate recording in medical records. If we could go back, we would have tried to discharge her and bring her to Beaumont ourselves, Ms Sainsbury said. Bryonny would help anyone. She would sort out peoples hair after they had a bad cut, but there was nobody to help her when she needed it. The delay in getting an inquest and the review report originally promised in March last year added to the stress. Families should be listened to, Ms Sainsbury said. I would not want anyone else to go through what we endured. It is essential the review teams recommendations are implemented. The family have been supported by barrister Esther Earley and solicitor Karen Clabby. Commenting on the review, Ms Earley said it contained multiple findings, which combined to adversely impact Ms Sainsburys chances of survival. She added: It is clear that there were many missed opportunities. The multiple recommendations are to be also welcomed and, when implemented, should minimise the risk of a similar incident occurring in the future. The timeframe for the completion of this review was supposed to take 125 days and instead took 541 days. This is simply unacceptable and has only served to compound the anguish of the Sainsbury family and delay crucial learning. In a letter to the family, Kay Slevin, general manager of Mullingar Hospital, said: I cannot comprehend the intense sadness and devastation your family has experienced following the loss of Bryonny. I would like to thank you for your participation throughout the review. I acknowledge and apologise for any additional distress to you in reaching its completion. I have accepted the findings and recommendations. I assure you that, as a hospital, we have carefully considered the findings. Work is already well advanced with staff to implement the recommendations of this report to strengthen the systems of care in the hospital. On behalf of the hospital, I want to sincerely apologise to you and your family for any elements of the care provided to Bryonny that did not reach the standards we endeavour to achieve. The 31-year-old married her old flame and fellow loyalist activist Wayne Cummings Disgraced former TUV councillor Jolene Bunting ditched The Sash for a wedding dress as she tied the knot in whats been described as the most loyalist wedding in history. The 31-year-old married her old flame and fellow loyalist activist Wayne Cummings on the 11th of July, and the bride was certainly glowing as they posed in front of an 11th night bonfire. On top of picking one of the most important days in the loyalist calendar and posing in front of the bony, the long-term partners also had orange lilies for the wedding party button holes and red, white and blue decorations at the wedding ceremony. They posed in front of the iconic east Belfast cranes Samson and Goliath and there was no shortage of red, white and blue bunting either! Bride Jolene and Wayne Cummings at Samson and Goliath Posting pictures of her big day on Facebook and X, the happy bride wrote: On 11th July 2024, we finally tied the knot! After 15 amazing years together we decided that it was time to make our wedding vows before God. We will honour these vows for the rest of our lives. Thank you to all of our family and friends for sharing our special day with us. And despite a few snarky comments, the majority of people wished the couple well for the future. In response to one person asking why they posed in front of the bonfire, Jolene responded: Its an Eleventh night bonfire. My husband and I had our first kiss at an 11th-night bonfire 15 years ago. And despite making sectarian comments about Catholics back in 2011 which she subsequently apologised for even nationalists posted messages of congratulations. In 2018 we revealed how her new hubby, Wayne Cummings, was in charge of far-right hate group Britain First for a short period while leaders Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen were banged up in prison. Shankill man Cummings had been effectively running the group in the absence of the controversial pair, who were jailed in England for religiously aggravated harassment. The happy couple Cummings was acting as the stand-in leader and after Facebook banned the groups official page, it was the Shankill father who had been keeping the members of Britain First up to date about how the leaders are coping in jail. We called at his Belfast home at the time to ask him about his increased role within the group but were told by a less-than-impressed Jolene that he was in bed and would be very angry if he knew we had called. Cummings took on the mantle of group organiser and used his personal Facebook page to keep Britain First members informed. At the time he took to social media to tell supporters how Fransen was getting on at HMP Bronzefield in Middlesex. He repeated the false claims that Fransen and Golding were only in jail for protecting British children when, in fact, they are in jail for harassing innocent people. He even asked people to send Jayda a letter to cheer her up. But just a few weeks later the couple had a spectacular falling out with its notorious racist leader Paul Golding which ultimately ended up in court, with Jolene banned from standing for re-election after she was caught doctoring a payslip to screw Britain First out of more than 500. The Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards (NILGCS) imposed the three-year election sanction last year for a breach of its code of conduct. The watchdog found Bunting doctored a payslip in an attempt to obtain money from Britain First following an investigation which was initiated following a complaint lodged by Paul Golding. He claimed his party sent Bunting money to cover an alleged fine from Belfast City Council for a publicity stunt involving its former deputy leader Fransen. Fransen was filmed making a statement while wearing robes and sitting in the lord mayors chair at City Hall in 2018. But the tribunal was told that a 545 deduction in Buntings council pay was actually because she exceeded the data allowance on her mobile phone. Bride Jolene Bunting and her new husband Wayne Cummings and a bonfire before its lit The watchdog held she improperly used her position to secure financial advantage by amending her payslip to gain from Mr Golding and Britain First, bringing her position as a councillor into disrepute. Jolene Bunting denied the allegations throughout the adjudication and in February she launched a High Court bid to challenge that three-year ban despite failing at the Court of Appeal to have the ban dismissed last December. Judges at the Court of Appeal rejected claims the ban was unfairly imposed at a tribunal where she claimed she feared having to face the leader of far-right party Britain First. But she believes she can still have the ban on standing in elections overturned after the Public Prosecution Service confirmed she wont be prosecuted over any allegations of fraud by misrepresentation. A PPS spokeswoman confirmed to the Sunday World this week: We received an investigation file from police reporting an individual for alleged fraud by false representation in June 2023. All the evidence submitted by police was carefully considered by a public prosecutor and the Test for Prosecution applied. It was determined that the available evidence was insufficient in order to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction for any offence and a decision not to prosecute on evidential grounds issued in December 2023. Father of seven was killed by gang, including brothers, in front of children From right, Noreen Dooley and husband Jamie Harty; Siobhan Dooley, wife of the late Thomas Dooley, and daughter Siobhan at the Central Criminal Court in Cork. Photo: Cork Courts Limited A mother of seven whose husband was murdered during a funeral with medieval violence in a so-called honour killing has said her family remains haunted by what they saw that day. Five men all related to Thomas Dooley (43) were jailed for life by Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring at the Central Criminal Court. The judge said the attack in a cemetery in front of Mr Dooleys wife and four of his children was unforgivable. Siobhan Dooley tried to protect her husband as he was attacked in New Rath graveyard in Tralee on October 5, 2022. He was assaulted by six men armed with machetes and sword-like weapons, and Ms Dooley sustained a serious injury herself. Five men jailed for life for honour killing of Thomas Dooley (43) in Tralee graveyard The murder convictions were delivered by a jury of 10 men and two women after a 35-day trial in Cork. On July 1, a younger brother of the deceased, Patrick Dooley (36), of Arbutus Grove, Killarney, Co Kerry, was convicted of his siblings murder. Daniel Dooley (42), of An Carraigin, Connolly Park, Tralee, Co Kerry, was convicted of murder by an 11-1 majority verdict last Thursday. Last Tuesday, Michael Dooley (29), of the Halting Site, Carrigrohane Road, Co Cork, was convicted of Mr Dooleys murder. On July 18, three defendants were convicted of murder Thomas Dooley Sr (43) and his son Thomas Dooley Jr (21), of the Halting Site, Carrigrohane, as well as a male teenager who has not been identified during the trial. Thomas Dooley Sr, Daniel Dooley and Michael Dooley, all of whom are brothers, are first cousins of the deceased. Thomas Dooley Jr was also found guilty of assault causing harm to Mr Dooleys wife. All five men received mandatory life sentences. A sixth person, the male teenager, will be sentenced in October. In her victim impact statement, Ms Dooley said the killing had robbed her children of a loving and devoted father who was deeply proud of also being a grandfather. He was just a softie, she said. He was 100pc a family man he was a doting father. The children always had him wrapped around their fingers. He was so proud to be a grandfather. The horror they saw that day... no child should ever see such things She bears a large scar from the injury she sustained that day, which she said reminds her every day of the horrific circumstances of her husbands death. Det Sgt Ernie Henderson said Ms Dooley suffered a deep, 30cm-long cut to her shoulder that needed 45 stitches and 30 metal staples. Ms Dooley told the sentencing hearing she made a vow to her husband during his funeral. I made a promise to Thomas on the day we put him into the ground that we would get justice for him, and we got justice for him, she said. Ms Dooley said she remains haunted by what happened. No child should ever have to deal with the horror show [they saw], she said. Their whole life has changed since that day. The horror they saw that day... no child should ever see such things. As she tried to protect her husband, one of the attackers shouted: Take her out too get rid of her We are still trying to piece together what happened. It was a horrible scene. All I want is for my children to be children again. She said she often hears them crying themselves to sleep at night over what happened to their father, and she struggles to cope with the loss of a devoted partner who was always in good form and laughing. Speaking after the sentencing, Ms Dooley said nothing could bring her husband back. Thomas was the heart of our house. He was everything to us, and every time I look at my children I can see my husband in them. So he will always be with us, she said. Ms Dooley paid tribute to gardai for the professionalism of their investigation and the jury for their diligence. I wish to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support. While we are grateful that the jury reached the right verdict, nothing will bring Thomas back, a dearly loved husband, father and grandfather, she said. The late Thomas Dooley with his wife, Siobhan Ms Justice Ring said it was fortuitous that Garda Dan OMahony arrived at a garage in Tralee as the injured Siobhan Dooley collapsed that day, allowing a rapid garda response to the incident and early arrests. She paid tribute to the professional and painstaking garda investigation. This is a case where no weapons were found that were linked to the assault on Thomas Dooley, the judge said. It matters little as the body of evidence amassed brought the investigation home. I have seen many garda investigations over 40 years and this is one that is in the excellent category. It is clear that Thomas Dooley was a very loved father and husband. It was clear that Thomas and Siobhan Dooley were teaching their children about showing respect. He was a man of quiet dignity who could also be charming. The life of Thomas Dooley was ended and the lives of his wife and children destroyed. It takes nine months to create a human life. On October 5, the life of Thomas Dooley was taken in less than two minutes. While Siobhan could not protect her husband from the savage attack of others, she could protect her children while being injured herself. The judge noted that the couple met when they were 16 years old and had shared a life-long love. Their children are a credit to both Siobhan and Thomas Dooley. Siobhan Dooley will never entirely lose Thomas as she will see him in her children, the judge said. No explanation for the decision to kill Thomas Dooley was ever offered. The violence in this case was totally unwarranted. Not one of these men said, Stop, there are children. To do that in front of his young children is unforgivable. Det Sgt Henderson said all six defendants had arrived at Rath cemetery that day in a convoy of three vans and all left the cemetery at speed immediately after the attack. The movements of the vans both to and from the cemetery were caught on CCTV footage He just turned his head to me and said, Run just run. They were hitting him with everything Prosecutor Dean Kelly SC argued that the fatal attack was in effect an honour killing. It followed a three-year split within the extended family over the ending of the relationship between one of Mr Dooleys daughters and Thomas Dooley Jr, the son of the deceaseds first cousin, Thomas Dooley Sr. The family were from the Travelling community, and Mr Kelly said that the elephant in the room was that this community could be subjected to prejudice in Ireland. Mr Dooley suffered a total of four stab and chop-style injuries, one of which severed the femoral artery in his leg and caused him to suffer a fatal blood loss. Throughout his life he always put his wife and children first, Mr Kelly said. He argued that honour had been offended when the relationship between one of Mr Dooleys daughters and Thomas Dooley Jr had ended. Ms Dooley said her husband was attacked metres from her after they entered the cemetery. One assailant said to her husband during the attack that: You are a big man now, you are a big man now. As she tried to protect her husband, one of the attackers shouted: Take her out too get rid of her. Ms Dooley said: I got another bang and I was pegged to the ground. They were all just gathered around him. He just turned his head to me and said, Run just run. They were hitting him with everything. They were hitting him with the weapons they had. Blood was squirting everywhere. Patrick Dooley has 12 previous convictions, Daniel Dooley has 47 and Thomas Dooley Sr has seven. Thomas Dooley Jr has one and Michael Dooley has 23. The majority of the convictions are for Road Traffic Act matters. The Electoral Commission surveyed public on divisive immigration questions during local and European elections Protest in 2022 against housing of migrants at former ESB offices in East Wall, Dublin A new survey has revealed a significant number of voters believe conspiracy theories around immigration. An opinion poll carried out on behalf of the Electoral Commission found a fifth (22pc) of Irish voters believe politicians want more immigration to bring in obedient voters who will vote for them in future elections. The same amount of the 3,045 voters polled by research company Red C said they believe the establishment is replacing white Irish people with non-white migrants. A fifth also said they believe experiments involving new drugs or technologies are routinely carried out on the public without their knowledge or consent. Almost a third of voters (30pc) agreed when asked if a secret group of people is responsible for making major decisions in the world of politics. A similar number (31pc) said they believe there are hidden efforts to destroy or marginalise certain groups of people through political policies. The majority (59pc) of people polled through Red Cs online survey platform agreed that the Government keeps many important secrets from the public. The survey was carried out between June 8 and 15 around the time of the local and European elections. The opinion poll showed people who voted for Sinn Fein, Aontu and Independent Ireland were more likely to believe conspiracy theories than those who supported other parties. Overall, the survey found the main issue of importance to people voting in the local elections was housing (18pc) followed by the cost of living (15pc) along with rural development (11pc), healthcare (10pc) and immigration (10pc). Top issues for voters in the European elections were immigration (20pc) followed by the cost of living (16pc), housing (12pc) and healthcare (9pc). Despite the attention Sinn Fein has given immigration during and after the election campaign it was not among the top three issues their voters cited as important to them when voting. Immigration was highlighted as a top three issue among Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Green Party voters in the European elections but not in the local elections. The Electoral Commission also asked voters a series of divisive questions on immigration seeking to establish attitudes towards political topics. For instance, they asked if ethnic minorities should adapt to Irelands way of life and found the majority (68pc) of votes believed they should. Aontu had the most voters, at 62pc, saying they were right wing They also found almost three-quarters (72pc) believe there should be strict limits on the number of immigrants allowed live in Ireland. The same amount of people agreed that the Government has lost control of immigration. But on the other hand, 58pc of those polled said refugees from conflict zones should be welcome in Ireland and 54pc said immigrants have enriched Irish society through cultural diversity. Almost of half (48pc) of people surveyed said asylum seekers should have the right to same social services as Irish people. Separately, 30pc of voters said they would welcome a Traveller as a member of their family while 37pc said they would not. The opinion poll found an even split between voters who said they would consider themselves on the left (28pc) and right (28pc) of the political spectrum, while 31pc said they were centrists. Fine Gael voters mostly identified as centrists (38pc) as did Fianna Fail voters (35pc) while the majority of Sinn Fein voters (46pc) said they were left wing. Just 16pc of Sinn Fein voters said they were right wing. Social Democrats had the most voters (75pc) identifying as left wing followed by People Before Profit (67pc) and the Labour Party (55pc). Aontu had the most voters (62pc) saying they were right wing while Independent Ireland had 37pc. Ms Nwankwo, of Rosse Court Way, Lucan, is charged with causing criminal damage to a lock and front door frame at that address on January 26 this year A woman found inside a house that was in receivership after allegedly damaging the lock was arrested when she provided no explanation for how she gained entry, a court heard. Gardai saw Ebele Nwankwo (56) upstairs in the house after the tenant came home to find his own key no longer worked, it is alleged. Ms Nwankwo, of Rosse Court Way, Lucan, is charged with causing criminal damage to a lock and front door frame at that address on January 26 this year. She is pleading not guilty and the case was adjourned at Blanchardstown District Court for hearing on a later date. Garda Natasha Martin told Judge Catherine Hayden the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the case being dealt with at district court level subject to the issue of jurisdiction being considered. Outlining the proposed evidence, she said gardai were called to a report of an alleged intruder at Rosse Court Way. At the scene, she spoke to the tenant who said he had come home from work to find his key would not work in the front door and there was someone in the house. The garda said she observed the accused upstairs through the front window and she came down and opened the door. Gda Martin tried to find out how Ms Nwankwo had gained access to the house, but she wouldnt engage with me. A representative of a management company arrived and said the address had been signed over to the company and was in receivership. He provided documentation to prove this. The garda again tried to find out how the accused had gained access to the property but she would not engage and was arrested for criminal damage and brought to Ronanstown Garda Station where she was detained and made no reply to the charge after caution. The judge accepted jurisdiction, allowing the case to remain in the district court instead of being sent for trial to the circuit court. She adjourned it to date in April next year, for hearing. The judge also ordered disclosure of the accuseds garda interview video to the defence. Ms Nwankwo was remanded on continuing bail. A new satirical musical by Taurangas own Richard OBrien, the creator of the Rocky Horror Show, is about to hit the stage. Seen by over 30 million people, The Rocky Horror Show is one of the most successful musicals ever. As its 50th anniversary party continues to have people doing The Time Warp around the world this week, the shows creator Richard OBrien has done a bit of a mind flip and penned a new satirical musical - The Kingdom of Bling. Inspired by the madness of American politics and the ripple effect it has on the rest of the world, the 82-year-old Tauranga-based twisted genius announces the world premiere of The Celebration of Kindness Tour this October, ahead of the chaos of the November 5 election. He further announces that 100 per cent of all royalties of The Kingdom of Bling will go to the Starship Childrens Hospital in perpetuity. Starring OBrien as The Narrator alongside an extraordinary ensemble cast, this cautionary tale has the wacky hallmarks of Rocky Horror while featuring giants, a menacing fox, trolls, and the king of the land - the obnoxious The He (guess who?). The musical is backed by a stonking rock band, belting out original songs in a style that made Rocky Horror such a blast. The Kingdom of Bling is set in a time of confusion, when so many madly, strange beliefs collide. A time when kindness had been demonised, while crafty blindness wined and dined in a world it had divided. The Kingdom of Bling breaks the fourth wall, giving audiences the rare treat of playing along with one of the worlds most celebrated authors and actors whose production has been performed in 20 different languages and been seen by 30 million people globally. As a bonus track, The Kingdom of Bling tour will feature a second act a Q&A with OBrien talking about his life, The Rocky Horror Show, the theatre and inspiration for his latest project. Richard wrote The Rocky Horror Show in 1973 and it has remained in continuous production since. From 1990 to 1993, he presented the UK game show The Crystal Maze. He also provides the voice of Lawrence Fletcher in the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb (20082015; 2024present), as well as its two films (2011 and 2020). His other acting credits include Flash Gordon (1980), Robin of Sherwood (1985), Spice World (1997), Ever After (1998), Dungeons & Dragons (2000), and Elviras Haunted Hills (2001). The Kingdom of Bling promises a very special night of wacky, off-the-wall satirical commentary by our national treasure. It is on sale today via Ticketek, Ticketmaster, Eventfinda and local ticketing agents. WHERE, WHEN AND HOW Ashburton | Event Centre | 12 October | 7.30pm | www.asheventcentre.co.nz Oamaru | Opera House | 13 October | 6.30pm | www.oamaruoperahouse.co.nz Invercargill | Civic Theatre | 14 October | 7.30pm | Ticketek Dunedin | Regent Theatre | 15 October | 7.30pm | www.regenttheatre.co.nz Christchurch | Isaac Theatre Royal | 16 October | 7.30pm | Ticketek Blenheim | ASB Theatre | 17 October | 7.30pm | Eventfinda Nelson | Theatre Royal | 20 October | 6pm | www.theatreroyalnelson.co.nz Auckland | Bruce Mason Centre | 22 October | 7.30pm | Ticketmaster Hastings | Toitoi Hawkes Bay Opera House | 23 October | 7.30pm | Eventfinda Taupo | Great Lake Centre | 24 October | 7.30pm | Ticketek Hamilton | Clarence St Theatre | 26 October | 8pm | Ticketek New Plymouth | TSB Showplace | 27 October | 6pm | | Eventfinda Gisborne | Memorial Theatre | 29 October | 7.30pm | Ticketek Tauranga | Baycourt Theatre | 30 October | 7.30pm | Eventfinda Wellington | Opera House | 31 October | 7.30pm | Ticketmaster Kapiti | Te Raukura ki Kapiti | 1 November | 7.30pm | Eventfinda Palmerston North | Regent on Broadway | 2 November | 7.30pm | Ticketek After being reprimanded for unsafe parking by a Whakatane District Council staff member last week, an Ohope food truck collective wants the council to show them more support. The vendors will be meeting with council staff today where they hope to have an opportunity to express their views and come to a safe arrangement that suits all. Louis Desbats, who began selling wood-fired pizzas from a converted bus in Opotiki and Ohope 15 years ago, says a loose collective of about four food trucks has formed over the past few months, in the Pohutukawa Avenue carpark in front of Maraetotara Reserve. They served a variety of food from about 4.30pm to 8pm. For me, I find it quite reasonable, because we are on the main street and it is a 50km/h zone. We line up at the back of the carpark and leave space at the front for people to come in to pull up. He says last Thursday, a council staff member arrived at the site and without stating who he was, started taking pictures. Then he came to me and straight away, without introducing himself, started saying that what we were doing was totally illegal and unsafe. I think he thought I was the ringleader, because I have been here the longest. "He was quite harsh with us." Wood-fired pizza maker Louis Desbats is concerned that Whakatane District Council might shut down food trucks at Maraetotara. Louis says he's happy to talk to council about any concerns but the staff members approach has been off-putting. For me it is more about how he did it. Were in New Zealand, we can be friendly, he says. After a post on his Facebook page warning customers that the council may be shutting them down, there has been an outpouring of anger toward the council. Council transportation manager Ann-Elise Reynolds says the council supports the initiative, which has brought vibrancy to the community and is growing in popularity as a result. No directive has been given for it to be shut down. The intention of the staff member who spoke to vendors was to make initial contact with them to develop a collaborative approach to making the event not only safer, but better for all, she says. The growing popularity of the event is a significant driver for the need to make safety improvements, recognising many of the customers are families with children, and the event is currently situated next to a main road during the hours of darkness. She says some small, simple changes will be discussed today with the aim of enhancing the event and improving the safety of all patrons. As an alternative to the current site, Louis says he will like to see them being able to set up on the grass reserve itself. Theres a playground, theres a green space, there are toilet blocks, next to the car parks. With the summer coming it would be good to be there two or three times a week." This is not the first food truck collective in Whakatane Louiss has been involved with. The Food Truck Village was held pre-covid at Wharaurangi on The Strand, from January 2021. This was never fully revived after the second wave of Covid-19 restrictions. Food truck customers pulled up on the edge of busy Pohutukawa Avenue had council staff concerned about traffic safety. Covid has been really tough on food trucks. It killed pretty much 80 percent of the (food truck businesses) that were running before. He says while the council has been quite happy about the Food Truck Village, it has required them to follow a lot of rules around providing toilets and traffic management. For something that is quite easy to organise, they make it complicated. He feels the council should be more proactive in encouraging food truck collectives. Most of the councils in New Zealand are quite proactive about it. If you get in touch with Kawerau (district council) about a food truck, they straight away give you a map showing which parts you can set up. Rotorua has its own food truck car park. There is nothing like this in Whakatane. They could make it safe for the food trucks and the customers by having a dedicated space for it. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Fifteen years on from enlisting with the New Zealand Army Band, Staff Sergeant Nicholas Johnson is set to take charge of his first run of concerts in his new position of Bandmaster, starting this week at the Royal Whanganui Opera House. Its a huge responsibility, but one where you get to experience first-hand how talented, receptive and engaged the musicians are, he says. Originally from the United Kingdom, Nicholas musical journey spans more than four decades as a military musician which has taken him all around the world. After initially learning the piano for a broad musical introduction he picked up the trombone as an 11-year-old, and never looked back. I joined the British Army as a 16-year-old through a junior entry/cadetship. My initial postings were in Germany before being selected to attend the Royal Military School of Music and the three-year Bandmaster course. The New Zealand Army Band on stage at the Christchurch Town Hall earlier this year. Photo supplied. That led to him holding the high-profile positions of Bandmaster in the British Armys Royal Logistics Corps and later the iconic Welsh Guards. Unfortunately my time with the Welsh Guards Band missed many of the major events such as weddings, jubilees, coronations or funerals, however, the annual Trooping the Colour was a highlight, as were the Remembrance Day commemorations at the Cenotaph in Whitehall which are very special events. He left the British Army after 24 years of service but despite having the training and qualifications to shift into teaching, he wasnt ready to give up his sense of adventure. I started looking at overseas opportunities, and fortunately for me the New Zealand Army were very open and welcome to me coming across, which I did in 2009. Staff Sergeant Johnson conducting the band during a concert in Spain earlier this year. Photo supplied. In his 15 years with the band hes covered plenty of major events, from Edinburgh Military Tattoos to Anzac Day commemorative services at Gallipoli. Nicholas says no two days in the band were the same with so many different responsibilities depending on their upcoming schedule. It could be preparing a marching display, putting together an evening concert repertoire, or small ensemble work to name a few things, he says. We also have administrative responsibilities such as managing our music library, music arranging, electronics and communications it all enhances the variety of our day-to-day work. Hell have the best seat in the house for their upcoming run on concerts in Whanganui, Carterton and Upper Hutt, where the band will play a repertoire of traditional brass band music, as well as tributes to the golden era of big band swing. A photo of Staff Sergeant Johnson during his time with the iconic Welsh Guards Band, where he also held the post of Bandmaster. Photo supplied. When pushed to highlight a particular favourite in the upcoming programme, he says he always enjoyed pieces which gives the band a point of difference. These will usually be pieces where we use our fabulous vocalists and rhythm section. If I must give you one, it will be Miss Otis Regrets, arranged for our three outstanding female vocalists by our in-house arranger Sergeant Riwai Hina. Nicholas was appointed Bandmaster earlier this year when Staff Sergeant Phil Johnston stepped down after a decade of cumulative service over two separate stints in the role. The Crown told the jury on Monday that Sadie-Leigh was floppy and barely breathing when the then 39-year-old carried her to a neighbours home and an ambulance was called. But the Crown alleges it was Clancy, who is on trial for murder in the High Court at Rotorua , who became angry and frustrated when in sole charge of the toddler while her mother was at a beauty appointment. Thats the story Adrian Clancys defence lawyer is offering as a more likely explanation for how his clients former partners 17-month-old daughter Sadie-Leigh Gardner ended up with unsurvivable head injuries in 2019. Sleep-deprived, with an unwell toddler whod spent weeks being clingy and often inconsolable, a mother reached breaking point ... and then allegedly broke. She was later found to have inoperable and unsurvivable injuries, including multiple brain bleeds and retinal damage to the extent she couldnt see. Adrian Clancy is facing a retrial on a charge of murdering 17-month-old Sadie-Leigh Gardner in 2019. I was stressed Clancys lawyer Rob Stevens put to Sadie-Leighs mother, who cant be named for legal reasons, yesterday that she caused the injuries. When the then 22-year-old went to give her daughter a dose of Irish Moss cough medicine on the afternoon of March 27, Sadie-Leigh had been difficult to manage and didnt want to take it. She was tired and miserable and youd had enough? Stevens said. I was stressed, the mother replied while giving evidence. She didnt want to take her cough medicine and you lost your s*** with her, Stevens said, referring to language used in a message she sent to Clancy earlier that month. No, she said. She denied losing her temper, striking the toddler, harming her in any way, or causing the head injuries either on purpose or by accident. The defence says she lost her temper in Sadie-Leighs room and somehow caused the injuries while Clancy was lying on the couch in the lounge, focused on placing TAB bets and watching sport. Under re-examination, however, the mother told Crown prosecutor Richard Jenson that while she was having a vape, Clancy had gone in to try to resettle Sadie-Leigh after the girl had been given her cough medicine. He had successfully resettled her so the mother took a neighbours little boy to a dairy nearby to get snacks for herself and Clancy before she left for her beauty appointment. The mother was cross-examined for a large portion of Tuesday, with Stevens asking her about her state of mind and ability to cope with the clingy toddler. Stevens asked her if shed been sleep-deprived in March 2019, owing to ongoing rounds of sickness the child had been battling, compounded by her asthma. I didnt sleep well ever since she was a baby ... I think thats a problem for most parents, she said. He suggested she didnt like it when Sadie-Leigh was clingy, but the mother said she wouldnt phrase it like that. When a child wants to cling to you 24/7, it does become overwhelming. I dont think Id use the words dont like. Stevens said neighbours would give evidence that the mother had screamed and shouted abuse at her young child in the weeks before the incident hearing phrases such as a little creep, a little freak, and f*** off. The mother denied using any of those words, but did accept she had raised her voice more than was ideal, especially when tired. I never abused my child, I was more of an impatient parent that raised their voice, she said. Grandma next door offered support The defence produced a letter from a neighbour, who will give evidence later in the trial. The mother confirmed she had been given the letter, but said the woman had first gone to her neighbour, who also had a small child, before realising shed gone to the wrong unit. She couldnt remember what the letter said, but said she had scanned it. Stevens read the letter, which began Hi neighbour, before the woman explained she was a grandmother, worked at an early childhood centre, and had heard bubs crying in the evening. It reminded her of her experiences as a mum, and looking after her grandchild. I have no idea of your situation or if you have family close by, but at the end of a long day if you need some time out, just for yourself, or just to catch up on a few chores, Id be very happy to look after bubs for a bit. Just pop over, okay, Im usually home after 5pm. Its what we used to do for each other back in the day where neighbourhoods were smaller, closer, and we all knew each other better. She reiterated she wanted the mother to know there was a grandma next door if you need some extra mum support. The mother said she couldnt remember if thats what the letter said, and Stevens asked, you didnt take her up on her offer, did you? I dont believe I actually had time before your client killed her. A text message was read out by the defence which had been sent to Clancy by the mother, in March 2019. The way Im treating Sadie is getting worse because its easier just to yell and lose my s*** because Im tired, instead of dealing with her in an ideal way for her age. The mother confirmed she had sent the message and had been worried about her tendency to yell at the toddler. Stevens pointed to a social media post written in the weeks before Sadie-Leighs death in which she revealed she was at breaking point, and felt she was unable to do anything without the toddler screaming and screaming and following her around. She denied any physical or emotional abuse of the toddler, conceding only that she had raised her voice in frustration at times. People can change The mother was also asked about her previous dishonesty convictions, some of which related to her having set up false Facebook and Trade Me accounts. She had served two terms of imprisonment for her offending. Stevens said she was a habitual liar and had also lied about who caused Sadie-Leighs injuries. The mother said she had owned those offences, pleaded guilty, and said that charges of dishonesty were a different matter to a charge of murder. Yes, theyre dishonesty charges, but people can change. Under re-examination, the mother confirmed she hadnt had any convictions since Sadie-Leighs birth, but had spent six weeks in prison after she was born. She told Jenson she had been just over 17 when she was first convicted, and before that she had been involved with the wrong crowd and in need of money. Fraud had become like an addiction. I just kept doing it and doing it. Her last conviction was while she was pregnant, and she was sentenced after Sadie-Leigh was born when she was 20 years old. The trial continues before Justice Gordon. State Highway 29 is currently blocked heading eastbound. A truck has brokendown blocking an eastbound lane on SH29 around the Kaimai Range, says NZ Transport Agency. "Traffic management is in place." NZTA says to expect delays when travelling in the area. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 31. Turkmenistan is set to establish a dealer center for Russia's Ulyanovsk food products, Trend reports. The agreement was signed with the Turkmen Shaylan company during the International Islamic Business Forum (IIBF-2024), held from July 27-28 in Ulyanovsk. As reported, this deal was finalized following a business delegation's visit to Turkmenistan in June 2024. Shaylan, which operates over 6,000 client stores and handles a monthly trade volume of more than 1,500 tons of food products, has expressed interest in purchasing Ulyanovsk-made confectionery, sunflower seeds, snacks, and canned goods. In addition to this, a partnership was established with the Turkmen Aylan financial institution to implement Islamic finance principles for fund allocation in the Ulyanovsk region. The IIBF-2024 forum attracted over 150 participants, including international experts from the UAE, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Bahrain. Myrto Kaltsidou Malaga Wednesday, 31 July 2024, 11:34 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Few traditional costumes are as recognisable as the flamenco dress, native to the region of Andalucia in southern Spain. Women in Spain have donned this beautiful garment to the feria since the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where, replete with dance performances, bullfights, fair rides and horse carriages, they have become the most spectacular celebration of Andalusian culture, music and food. It is fascinating how this cultural attire, imagined by the rest of the world as a striking red and black gown with polka dots and voluminous ruffles on the skirt and sleeves, has become an internationally identifiable symbol of Spain. But why has the flamenco look, unlike any other one of Spains regional outfits, gained such status? SUR in English spoke to Moises Guerrero Lopez, owner of Viva La Feria (Calle Muro de Puerta Nueva), a flamenco dress shop in Malaga city, to give some insight into this fascinating gown. Zoom Trends change but frills and ruffles remain. S. Salas Because we are lucky to have a regional dress that suits every woman It will equally suit a young girl who wears size XS as it will a person wearing size XXL. The flamenco dress adapts to the body of each woman. "Were not aware of the enormity and value that our Andalusian traditions have abroad," says dress shop owner One unique aspect of the flamenco dress is the sheer number of names it is given in Spanish, the main ones being traje de flamenca (flamenco dress) and traje de gitana (gypsy dress). The latter comes from the influence of the Romani people, who came to the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century, settling in Andalucia - mainly in Seville, Huelva and Cadiz - in the 16th century. It was their fusion with Andalusian culture that brought forth flamenco as a dance form, with which we most often associate the flamenco dress, though this has its roots in the traditional outfits worn by Andalusian women to the Feria de Abril in Seville (originally created as a livestock fair in 1847). Indeed the flamenco dress, which has its origins in Seville, is also used to dance to Sevillanas, a type of folk music and dance that brings local ferias to life, from which the term traje de Sevillana is derived. The traje de faralaes, on the other hand, comes from farala, the word for the ruffles or frills that are typical of flamenco skirts. Zoom Accessories are essential, but maybe not a mobile phone. S. Salas But it is not just women in Andalucia or even just in Spain who wear these traditional outfits. Although dresses are also sold online to places around the country, such as Barcelona, Galicia, the Basque Country and Madrid, from where many come down to Andalucia to attend ferias in the spring and summer, Moises says that flamenco dresses are also very popular across Europe; in France, Italy and especially Belgium, where the Andalusian communities strive to preserve their cultural heritage. As for Viva La Feria, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, they have delivered flamenco outfits and dance shoes as far as Australia. Were not aware of the enormity and value that our Andalusian traditions have abroad, says Moises. Regarding the price, high-end flamenco dresses can cost between 500 and 850 euros and more. Men also get dressed up for the feria, albeit their choice of attire varies depending on the level of formality of the occasion and personal preference. Those who participate in equestrian activities or who wish to embrace the traditional festive spirit often opt for the traje de corto, comprised of a short, fitted jacket (chaquetilla), high-waisted trousers, a wide-brimmed hat (sombrero cordobes) and leather boots (botas camperas). Zoom The outfits worn by men, and some women, include the traditional Cordoba wide-brimmed hat. Marilu Baez To prepare their outfit for the feria, women usually go to a flamenco shop where they either pick a dress off the rack that will then undergo some alterations, or they have one made from scratch with all its intricacies, a flamenco dress can take around four or five hours to make. In any case, peak season for these shops comes in the spring, with the arrival of the Feria de Abril in Seville, the Feria de Jerez and the Feria de Cordoba, among others, as well as the different pilgrimages, especially El Rocio in Huelva. For Viva La Feria, a high production rate translates to the elaboration of over one thousand dresses per year. As for their colours, mainly greens, purples, black and white dresses are in fashion (interestingly enough, the first two compose the colours of Malagas flag). However, every year regardless of the trends, red remains the most opted for, proving to be both timeless and traditional: A red flamenco dress is very flattering on a woman, no matter her age or size, Moises says. Polka dots have also proven to be lasting feature of the flamenco look, though the trends also lend themselves to dresses with lots of volume, plunging necklines and ruffled sleeves, as well as those which are backless or asymmetrical. And no flamenco look is complete without accessories, be it a shawl, lavish earrings, a fan, a peineta (ornamental comb) or flowers in the hair. Vanessa Melgar Ronda Wednesday, 31 July 2024, 17:22 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Lola Mento walks many paths. One of them is that of being a magician in a world of magic, in which she wonders whether she is hired to perform because she is good at her profession, or because she is a woman and hired to comply with a percentage of parity in order to be politically correct. Another path leads her to collaborate with the NGO Clowns Without Borders' to bring smiles to half the world. Lola also performs in children's hospitals with the Abracadabra foundation. Another path (there are many more) is the professional one, strictly speaking, which she describes as "very hard" and in which she has fallen down and got up again and again. After years of hard work, this Jerez-born artist, who has settled in Ronda (her partner is the magician Luigi Ludus - Luis Granados - who is from Ronda), has recently received first prize in the category of 'related arts' at the 39th national magic congress, held in Terrassa. For this, she performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Bohemian Rhapsody, combining theatre, magic and music, and was the only woman to receive a solo award. "The most beautiful thing is to feel the acceptance of the guild, that I am one more, that we are on the right path, that we are doing well: it has been difficult to continue along a path that has been very hard... It looks like my award, but this one is also Luigi's", said Mento, whose real name is Beatriz Garrido. This number came to her during the pandemic, in confinement, and when she put it on stage she reaped more than one failure. She wanted to throw in the towel, but her partner encouraged her not to do so and supported her, "That's why I say that the prize is also his," said the artist, who hopes to travel to Morocco next October with Clowns Without Borders. She has already performed with this NGO in the Ivory Coast, Macedonia, Nicaragua, Palestine, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Colombia, Poland, Mexico and Indonesia, among other places. Zoom Lola during a performance. L. Mento The beginning Mento first started in the profession around 20 years ago, when, "in a complicated moment", she began to collaborate with the NGO and landed in Lebanon, in a conflict zone. It was in the refugee camps that she met a clown: "He told me that I had to differentiate between me as a person and my way of working, so I decided to call myself Lola Mento (making a play on words and he liked the name Lola). From that moment on, my work was going to be fun and was going to be making people laugh," she said. And so it was, because this multifaceted artist from Cadiz has not stopped working, with a long career that guarantees her participation in different festivals and events. When she is not working, she says she likes "eating, travelling the countryside, going to the mountains, travelling with my NGO, spending time with Luigi, laughing and reading". "I love crime novels, I don't like watching TV. I only watch the news and First Date on TV.... Am I less interesting because I watch First Date? Well, I don't know, I don't care," she said, and added that, if she hadn't been a magician, she would have liked to work in social integration: "I've always said that I would have liked to be like Michelle Pfeiffer in Dangerous Minds, to take kids who are going through a bad life and motivate them". C. L. Granada Wednesday, 31 July 2024, 11:12 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads A cold beer in summer can be the best ally to combat the high temperatures - in moderation, of course. When it comes to choosing the best beer though, therein lies the debate among consumers. As a result, many turn to the rankings done by Spain's independent Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) watchdog, which regularly passes judgement on this type of product based on its characteristics and price. So, the OCU has again revealed which are the best supermarket beers on the shelves after analysing several brands that come in 33cl cans. The ranking also includes the classics and the best-known beers, although the results might surprise some regular beer drinkers. As stated already, the beers analysed by OCU were the canned versions and the variables to be taken into account were the price-quality ratio. In this ranking, therefore, one of the top beers is Karlsquell, which can be bought at Aldi for 0.29 cents and is considered the cheapest in the analysis. This product is sold in a 33cl version with an alcohol content of 4.7% and a half-litre price of 0.88 cents. Zoom It is worth noting that the analysis found Xibeca to be the best beer, gaining 80 points in the scoring process. This product is from the Damn line of beers, a mild tipple brewed in the traditional way with a selection of malt and hops. Meanwhile, the beer that stands out in the price-quality ratio is Eroski's Aurum, priced at 0.30 cents per can, and to which the OCU awarded 70 points. It should be noted that the OCU only assessed canned beers within the 30 to 70 cents price range. There might have been the odd beer of great quality but poor value-for-money or vice versa. The analysis was aiming for a balance between quality and price to make affordable recommendations for the everyday beer drinker. Finally, the lowest quality product as judged by the OCU is Cruzcampo's Pilsen brand, which costs 0.72 cents and yet scored only 60 points. A can of Heineken was the most expensive, priced at 0.76 cents with a quality score of 67 points. In the bottom slots for quality are also Steinburg from the Mercadona supermarket chain, Alhambra beer and Dutch Saerbrau, which is popular in Carrefour stores. Watertown, N.Y. Two Watertown farmers accused of massive animal cruelty in 2017 are back in trouble again, state troopers said. Joanne Armstrong, 73, and Leroy Burnham, 62, were arrested on Friday and accused of mistreating 14 animals in their care, according to Trooper Jennifer Jiron, speaking for the State Police. Syracuse, N.Y. An Oneida County man was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday after admitting he possessed over 2,500 child pornography images. Henry C. Albrecht Jr., 54, previously pleaded guilty to presentation of child pornography, receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Albrecht possessed over 1,700 videos and 1,100 photos depicting the sexual abuse of children, according to court documents. The images and videos included infants and toddlers, federal prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum. The images were found on four different devices seized during a search warrant at his home in Forestport. After Albrechts arrest, he told investigators that his possession and viewing of the images was not a big thing, according to the sentencing memorandum. He was deeply enmeshed in the child pornography online community, prosecutors said. Albrecht also admitted that he had been receiving these illegal images over social media and via a flash drive from May 2021 to February 2023, federal prosecutors said in a news release Wednesday. The flash drive was given to Albrecht by a man who was later arrested. Albrecht believed the arrest stemmed from the sexual abuse of the mans young child, according to the sentencing memorandum. After learning of the mans arrest, Albrecht kept the collection of images he had saved from the drive, according to the sentencing memorandum. Albrecht also called another man and shared his screen so the two could view multiple videos depicting the sexual abuse of children together, according to court documents. Albrechts mindset at his arrest that his crimes were not serious led prosecutors to believe that he would likely pose a danger upon his release, according to the sentencing memorandum. After his release, he will be required to register as a sex offender and will be supervised by parole for another 15 years. Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com. Syracuse, N.Y. A Jeep crashed through a supermarkets brick wall Tuesday night on the North Side of Syracuse. The vehicle had a wheel malfunction, causing the driver to lose control and hit Jerusalem Market at 1927 Teall Ave. just before 9 p.m., according to the sheriffs office. The impact crumbled a brick wall. The Jeeps front windshield was smashed and the car top was covered in red bricks. Deputies said no one was hurt. The Jerusalem Market is a local halal grocery store and eatery. A car gets towed after crashing into and taking down a wall of the Jerusalem Market at 1927 Teall Ave. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.Steve Featherstone 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 Syracuse, N.Y. A Watertown woman convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol was granted release from house arrest this week after arguing the U.S. Supreme Court cleared her from wrongdoing. Maryann Mooney-Rondon, 58, was one of about 350 people charged with obstruction of an official proceeding in connection with the riot of Donald Trump supporters who attempted to halt certification of the presidential election. Mooney-Rondon was sentenced last fall to serve 12 months of house arrest She was also convicted of helping a man steal House Speaker Nancy Pelosis laptop from a Capitol suite. She gave him her gloves so he wouldnt leave fingerprints. Mooney-Rondon was found guilty on both charges at a bench trial. She appealed the conviction in December. In a decision last month justices said to prove obstruction, prosecutors must show evidence that defendants tampered with or destroyed documents. The charge was enacted in 2002 in the aftermath of Enron Corp.s financial scandal. Prosecutors at the U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington, D.C., said the ruling wouldnt clear most defendants charged with obstruction. Jan. 6 defendants were often additionally charged with other felonies or misdemeanors, like Mooney-Rondon. But in arguing for her clients early release, federal defender Jessica Agatstein said the appellate court would likely toss the obstruction charge and that the appeal process would last well past the day Mooney-Rondons house arrest expires on Dec. 21. Plus, if the obstruction charge is thrown out, her other count of aiding in the theft of government property would have led to a sentence of 0-6 months of probation, which Mooney-Rondon already served, Agatstein said. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ordered Mooney-Rondons release Monday. Mooney-Rondon was charged with her son Rafael Rondon after they were seen on surveillance video entering the Capitol through the Senate side of the building. They entered Pelosis suite, where Mooney-Rondon helped a man steal the House speakers laptop. They later moved to the Senate Gallery, where they each stole an escape hood and left the building. Rafael Rondon was sentenced to 18 months of house arrest for obstruction. He was also sentenced in federal court in New York to 14 months in prison for an illegal sawed-off shotgun investigators found at his home. He has not appealed the conviction in the D.C. court. Rafael Rondon, wearing an emergency escape hood, and his mother, Maryann Mooney-Rondon captured in a photo at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 during the insurrection. Twoi escape hoods taken from the Capitol were recovered Photo from federal court filing Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him at falba@syracuse.com. Syracuse, N.Y. -- A few days before the premiere of Kyle Basss latest production, the playwright sat in his old living room surrounded by brown boxes packed with clothes and items that once adorned the room. He said he felt like he was on the set of a play he wrote. If a curtain came up on this room full of boxes, you would know that something is about to change for somebody, he said. The scene was a familiar one for Bass, a resident playwright for Syracuse Stage who teaches at Colgate University. This weekend, his play Citizen James, or the Young Man Without a Country will open at Syracuse Stage. Its a play he wrote about James Baldwin, the American writer and civil rights activist. Its directed by Joann Yarrow and produced in partnership with 100 Black Men of Syracuse. James Alton will perform as Baldwin. We meet him at 24, on the night he is going to leave this country because if he stays he will go under, he knows that, Bass told syracuse.com |The Post-Standard. The system is set against him and Black folk in general in 1948 and still. Baldwin rendered a thoughtful and passionate point of view in his writings about oppression. Some of his most popular works include Go Tell It on the Mountain, The Fire Next Time, and The Amen Corner. He was prophetic, the Syracuse playwright said. What he was writing about in the 50s, 60s, 70s and the 80s remains relevant. The play is set in 1948 at a time when President Harry Truman signed an executive order to outlaw segregation in the military and workforce. Baldwin challenged America to keep its promise of equity and justice. He understood the nation and he loved it, Bass said. He was critical of it because he loved it. Twenty-four-year-old Baldwin decided to leave America for Paris with only $40 in his pocket. The aspiring writer sought reprieve from the only place he knew without knowing any French. Even still, his move across the world set him on a path to becoming a critically acclaimed writer. Everyone knows James Baldwin the writer, he said. I was interested in introducing our audiences to James Baldwin before James Baldwin was James Baldwin. Bass said history, art and his lived experiences inspire his writing. Bass grew up in Frankfort, a southern village of Herkimer County, and always had an interest in the arts. Being born into a family of multi-talented musicians destined him to be one who never shied away from the spotlight. He played the piano, flute and violin. He attended SUNY Fredonia and studied English with a concentration in creative writing for his undergraduate degree. Later, he went to American University for fictional writing and caught the attention of a professor who suggested he try playwriting. He was picking up on something that maybe my vision for fiction might also have a place in the form of dramatic writing for the theater, Bass said. So I tucked that in the back of my mind for a bit. It was when Bass went back to graduate school at Goddard College and studied playwriting that he started writing for theater full-time. I went there and everything changed, he said. Once I had made that commitment that it wasnt about fitting my writing into my life, it was the other way around. Citizen James will premiere at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage. It comes in celebration of what would be Baldwins 100th birthday, which is Friday. It just so happens to be James Altons birthday. Shows are free to the public, but few tickets are left. Grab your tickets here. Guests are invited to attend Fridays pre-show at 6 p.m. Books, fashion, art and records from community partners will be displayed. A post-show panel discussion with the production staff and a professor of African American studies will follow the first nights show. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 31. Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov has held a meeting with newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Trend reports via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. During the meeting, the sides discussed cooperation between the two countries. Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of further strengthening existing agreements on partnership in the fuel and energy sector, electric power industry, and transport and transit areas. The Iranian president commended Turkmenistan for implementing globally significant projects and advancing key initiatives in these areas. The interlocutors also expressed satisfaction that the constructive dialogue is progressing successfully both bilaterally and multilaterally, including within international organizations. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel By Brendan J. Lyons | Times Union, Albany Albany, N.Y. A coalition of more than 50 business, energy and labor organizations are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochuls administration to conduct a comprehensive assessment of New Yorks impending mandates under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which are not on track to be met and could result in significant energy supply shortfalls and adverse impacts across numerous industries. The coalition, led by the Business Council of New York State, sent a letter to Hochuls office Tuesday urging the state to evaluate the reality of the laws mandates, including reducing New Yorks greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030. If thats not achievable, they wrote, the state should amend the laws rules and conduct a deep review of the 2019 legislation and its impacts. Ken Pokalsky, vice president of the Business Council, said New York is now at a point where implementation challenges call for a reassessment of the underlying statutory mandates. Stakeholders in the states climate policy implementation efforts are increasingly concerned about the achievability of key (Climate Act) mandates, and what that means for the future reliability and cost of the states energy system, he said in a statement. Pokalsky said that mid-course corrections are essential to avoid significant unintended impacts on the well-being of New Yorkers and on the states economic competitiveness. Importantly, we believe that New York can continue to be a leader in state-level climate policy, but it needs to take a workable, affordable approach to meeting its energy and emission goals. The heightened concerns about the fallout of the Climate Acts mandates and goals come as multiple agencies have acknowledged there will be failures to meet some of the key deadlines etched into the law. Earlier this month, the state comptrollers office issued an audit that found New Yorks Public Service Commission relied on outdated data and made miscalculations about the states ability to reach the Climate Acts energy mandates, including failing to develop a backup plan for not meeting those goals. The audit of the Public Service Commission and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority focused on their roles in implementing the provisions of the legislation that includes having 70% renewable electricity sources by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040 goals that many business leaders and experts familiar with power production have long cautioned are unattainable. In another audit released Tuesday, the comptrollers office reported the Clean Energy Fund, which was established as a 10-year initiative in 2016 to help New York achieve clean energy goals and develop private markets for renewable energy and efficiency and to lower the financial burden of those efforts on utility customers has disbursed less than half of the allocated funds. Electric and gas efficiency savings have lagged behind the programs goals, according to the comptrollers office. In addition, (a) 2023 report on low- and middle-income programs shows that (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) appears to be under-spending approved budgets for programs aimed at customer outreach, electrification and multifamily buildings while also under-performing goals for natural gas and other fuel savings, the comptrollers office concluded. The documented shortfalls are, in part, what also drove dozens of New Yorks business and labor sector leaders to send their five-page letter to Hochul on Tuesday urging her administration to take immediate action to begin addressing myriad concerns about the aftereffect of the legislation, including detailed cost analyses and the impact it will have on numerous industries and consumers. Their letter itemized several key areas that the group implored Hochuls administration to address, including: Develop an accessible and understandable dashboard of the states climate change efforts, including a comprehensive accounting of direct state spending and state directed spending, the source of funds and their use, and the impact of these expenditures on achieving (greenhouse gas) emission reduction and renewable energy production goals. Evaluate the impact of the Climate Acts compliance standards and goals on electricity wholesale prices, delivery rates and total bills that New York businesses and residents will pay, including indirect energy costs, and the impact of additional compliance measures. Calculate the impact of existing and potential future policies for meeting (Climate Act) mandates on the reliability of the states natural gas system, its ability to support manufacturing processes for which today there are not any known replacement fuels, its role in avoiding the substantial and unnecessary build-out of the electric grid to meet peak winter demands, its potential to economically supply clean alternative fuels such as renewable natural gas and hydrogen, and the impact on natural gas market prices, delivery rates and total bills that (New York) businesses and residents will pay. Assess power quality, system reliability, and public safety considerations on a seasonal basis, including extreme weather sensitivities to ensure businesses can operate smoothly, and New York residents can live safely throughout the year, and during more extreme events. Examine the use of renewable liquid fuels, such as biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel, which are also low to no-carbon alternatives to petroleum diesel, as well as clean nuclear energy, as existing alternative fuels, and new technology development to lower carbon emissions. And while missing the renewable energy mandate may not have direct compliance or enforcement consequences, the (greenhouse gas) emission reduction mandate will have real world compliance impacts, and New York business are already facing difficult, costly choices regarding future investments and operations, the letter states. The comptrollers recent audit was released after the Public Service Commission and the research and development authority released a report in early July acknowledging that New York will not meet its first significant clean energy mandate in 2030. The scope of the comptrollers review examined the Public Service Commissions efforts from 2016 to 2023 and the research and development authoritys work from 2016 to 2021. The commission disagreed with some of the audits key findings, including that it has used outdated data or made miscalculations in its planning. The research and development authority said they have implemented the improved record-keeping recommended in the audit. Power industry experts interviewed recently by the Times Union have said at the time the legislation was passed there was no analysis done on whats achievable and at what cost, and no real plan for pulling away from a power grid thats more than 70 years old. This month, roughly 85 percent of electricity being supplied to New York City and Long Island is from gas and oil. John Howard, who was a member of the Public Service Commission from 2019 until February, told the Times Union two weeks ago that he had long questioned why no one could estimate the cost to New Yorkers of transitioning to clean energy in such a short amount of time and whether it could be done. Here we have the biggest statute of all time practically in this area, (and) no hearing record, no fiscal note, no background to underpin the legislation, he said. I was on the commission for five years; I couldnt get hard numbers on costs. In January 2021, two members of the states Climate Action Council Donna L. DeCarolis, president of the National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp., and Gavin J. Donohue, president of the Independent Power Producers of NY sent a letter to the co-chairs of that council urging them to authorize a study to determine the short- and long-term costs of the alternative ways being pursued to reduce emissions under the climate act. That letter was also signed by more than 70 business, labor and power industry leaders across New York, but it received no response from the councils co-chairs or other state leaders. The letter sent to Hochuls office on Tuesday was signed by numerous chambers of commerce, manufacturing groups, energy associations, labor unions and economic organizations. James Denn, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Service, which is the staff arm of the Public Service Commission, said in response to the comptrollers recent audit that their agency is disappointed that (the comptrollers audit) overlooks several significant steps taken and factors that have impacted progress to date. He said that in the five years since the Climate Act was passed, the commission has modified the laws clean energy standard and directed the research and development authority to continue undertaking solicitations for new renewable projects in the face of unprecedented and evolving market conditions outside of New Yorks control. Other advancements, Denn said, have included $5 billion in transmission investments to support renewable projects and working with all branches of governments on renewable energy initiatives that have reduced the ratepayer costs of complying with... (the climate act). He said the commission has also worked with the Legislature to streamline the siting laws for renewables and transmission projects. ___ (c)2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com Washington President Joe Biden intends to nominate former Rep. Anthony Brindisi to serve as a U.S. District Court judge in the Northern District of New York, the White House plans to announce today. Brindisi would succeed U.S. District Judge David Hurd in Utica, a White House official told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 31. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan on August 7-8, Trend reports, citing the press service of the president of Kazakhstan. According to the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan, the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan business forum will take place in Astana on August 7. The business forum, which will be organized by the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan and QazTrade JSC, will be held as part of the visit of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to Kazakhstan. As the Embassy noted, the purpose of the forum is to establish direct contacts, intensify trade relations between Kazakh enterprises and potential buyers, and conduct bilateral meetings. Meanwhile, Uzbekistans trade turnover volume with Kazakhstan amounted to $1.5 billion from January through May 2024. This figure is 21 percent lower year-on-year ($1.9 billion in JanuaryMay 2023). Kazakhstan was Uzbekistan's third-largest international trading partner. The country accounts for 5.9 percent of Uzbekistan's commercial turnover. The volume of exports to Kazakhstan from Uzbekistan amounted to $485.5 million, while the imports from Kazakhstan reached $1 billion during this period. supermax BHPian Join Date: May 2022 Location: Linkoping Posts: 357 Thanked: 1,740 Times View My Garage Day 6: Final day! The final day of the trip was now upon us! There's a small lake, right behind the RV parking lot at the Tocksfors shopping center, and it's a pity we didn't do a picnic breakfast by the lake. It's a great place to stop, whether for an overnight halt, or short one. This was also the second day since wed last stopped to top up our fresh water and dumped our waste water, so wed have to watch our water usage. We had a half-full 10L can of water for drinking, which we could top up while stopping in Karlstad, Sweden. After breakfast, the kitchen would in effect be closed, as our lunch stop would be at Pizza Hut in Karlstad. Much as I love Sweden, driving on a Swedish motorway was now a profoundly boring and underwhelming experience, after having been pampered with amazing sights along the Norwegian countryside for the past week! The speed limit though, was thankfully higher than in most parts of Norway, with 120 km/h and 110 km/h being the norm on Swedish motorways. I kept myself to just below the posted limit at all times. For the first time since the start of the trip, I actually began to notice the absence of cruise control on this beast, as it had not mattered in the slightest bit on the twisting and rolling Norwegian countryside. We pulled into a gas station in the Varmland county, for our first fuel stop after leaving Norway. Id only fueled up around half a tanks worth of fuel when wed stopped in Hemsedal in Norway, as that was more than enough fuel to get us into Sweden. During this trip, my experience with the auto-shutoff at the fuel pumps has been iffy at best, with it not working as it should for at least half the times, and it didnt work here in Varmland county either, so I just had to hold the gun squeezed till I knew we had at least three quarters worth of fuel in our tank (45 liters), before driving away. We stopped in Karlstad, for pizza, and topped up our water bottles there. I took a picture of the high-pressure water hose at the gas station next door, to contribute to park4night, an app that had served me so very well, both while planning the trip from the comfort of my own house, as well as when we were in Norway, actually needing to find alternate stop points while improvising on our plans. Three cheers to park4night! Here's the picture I contributed to park4night, of the water refill point in the Shell gas station in Karlstad, Sweden. I rang the RV owner asking if it might be okay to drop the RV back to him the next day, instead of later the same day, as we were all tired and the weather was not exactly looking good in the evening, for the eventual drive from Linkoping to Sodertalje; the reply was a sympathetic but firm no, which meant that Id have another 150 km of driving, and in crappy weather to boot, after wed gotten home, finished unpacking, cleaning, and completing the waste water dumping and toilet cassette cleaning for the last time on this trip, at a campsite in Linkoping. For this reason, we decided to drop the final stop at Orebro, and drive straight home. The excitement of a trip and the eagerness to get to see and explore new sights is something that really reduces driving exhaustion and fatigue, but now that the sightseeing part of the trip was long-since over, I just couldnt wait till I could be back home. This part of the trip was also now no longer on the 110 km/h motorway, but the much slower 80 km/h state highway with numerous camera-enforced speed checks, so I didnt even have the option to floor it and make good time. A further point about these speed cameras; each and every speed camera has a warning sign that alerts motorists about the cameras presence. All that the authorities are interested is to ensure that you get off the gas and slow down in that section, and as long as you do that, they are happy. The intention is never to earn more revenue from the fines, so youll therefore never find a hidden speed camera. The police of course do conduct random speed checks here and there, but none of the fixed speed cameras are hidden or meant to entrap motorists. This, I find, is in start contrast to the police in my home state of Karnataka, where a traffic cop triumphantly emerges from his hiding place behind a tree, with unhidden glee at having caught another victim off-guard. Driving on what seemed like the never-ending 80 km/h road, I now for the first time wished that I was not the only member of the family that could drive, and mentioned it more than once I think, to my wife, hoping to nudge her into starting her own journey towards getting a Swedish DL, but thats going to be a different adventure in itself, as and when that happens! For now, though, I was the only driver for all of us, and I just needed to ensure that we all got home safe. Barring a stop for a hot cup of coffee, and another for a pee stop for all of us including the kid, we lumbered on, and after what seemed like an eternity, we pulled into our street, and parked on the street. I switched off the engine, unbelted, and sat still for a few seconds; wed taken on what seemed like an impossibly challenging quest, and had come through victoriously, with our heads (and memory-cards!) full of the most amazing sights. What a feeling it was! The kid was fast asleep, and my wife carefully gathered him and tucked him into his own bed in our house, put my mom on standby duty, and got down to the task of unloading the RV, while I cleaned up. We worked as a team, and before the hour was up, wed carted away all of our belongings and put everything back as it originally was. The fridge was emptied and cleaned, the counter-top was restored to its gleaming state, pillows fluffed, and finally, I was ready to roll off to the campsite. Id spoken to the campsite in Linkoping where they told me I could empty the waste water and the toilet cassette, and refill the RVs fresh water tank, all for a fee of SEK 60, which I thought wasnt bad at all. I rang up a close friend in Sodertalje and informed him that hed have a guest for the night, as there was no way I wanted to drive my car back all the way to Linkoping, after Id dropped off the RV! Id already eaten, so I told him that Id arrive close to midnight and go directly to bed. He told me that it was okay as long as I agreed to stay for breakfast before I left the next day, to which I very happily said yes! As soon as the cleanup and water refill were completed in the campsite, I decided to fuel up before leaving. The owner had insisted that I topped up just before reaching his RV parking, so there would be one more fuel stop before I turned in the vehicle. The automatic click-off worked at the fuel station in Linkoping, but it seemed to click off before the needle was all the way up to F, and I thought this might have something to do with vapor pressure or something, but Im not sure. Not a problem in any case, as I would do a full top up later. It was pouring rain when Id driven the RV to Linkoping, and in a way, it was fitting that I drive back in pouring rain, I thought. The visibility from the drivers seat, despite the pouring rain, was quite excellent. The spray from other vehicles just doesnt reach up to what seems like my personal command center in space, and the only water thats swept away by the powerful and adequate wipers was the rain water itself. I tried clicking on the radio, but the reception was lousy, probably due to the weather, so I clicked it right off. The whump whump of the wipers and the sloshing of the water was going to be all the music I had, on this part of the trip. I pushed hard, and the machine rumbled on. There was absolutely nothing in this vehicle that was not strictly necessary, and it didnt lack a single thing that was indeed absolutely necessary, and was therefore the ultimate minimalist dream vehicle. It was kind of amusing to see smaller vehicles struggling to deal with the road spray and driving extremely cautiously, while I was pushing right through. In clear weather conditions, these cars who I was passing with ease would be passing me like Id been standing! Here, in these terrible conditions, I was the one who had the edge. The advantage was comparable to the difference between a slick-shod F1 car and an F1 car on inters, in the wet! Id reached Jarna, just a handful of kilometers away from the drop off point, so pulled into the closest gas station, and this was another place where the automatic click off just refused to work, so I had to manually fuel up. I fueled up some 20 liters and checked the fuel gauge, but it was still not at F, so fueled some more. The automatic click-off in Linkoping had clicked off a bit early, but it still took more fuel than I thought Id burned off, on my drive, so it had certainly guzzled more diesel during my lead-footed drive from Linkoping. The lower speed limits in Norway had meant that Id gotten an excellent fuel economy, and Id undermined that by a fair bit on the last 150 km of my drive, but I couldnt care less! I made it to the meeting point, which looked like something straight out of a noir-movie or video game, in the darkness and with the rain. The only light other than that of my own headlights were the headlights of owners car, waiting in the same lot. There was no way the owner wanted to dirty up the inside of the RV by tracking in with his muddy boots, so he just leaned in from the outside, asked me if Id done all that hed requested with the cleaning, if Id refilled the water etc, and that was it! We shook hands and I hastily gathered up my stuff. The mobile holder, which Id fixed onto the AC grille refused to come off, and after a bit of a struggle, I decided to leave it to the owner, as my parting gift. The speedo showing the final kilometer count. The total mileage I'd logged on the RV had been 2202 km. Getting back into my own car after a week of driving the RV, I was shocked by how low my seating position seemed with respect to the ground. I could barely see a thing in the pouring rain! My hand fumbled near the infotainment screen, trying to find the gear shifter, before I realized that it was not the RV I was driving. After a few minutes of struggling through the horrendous rain I made it to my friends place, and was out like a light within minutes. I dont think I even dreamed of anything, as it was completely lights out, till I woke up the next day. Fueling and mileage stats: - Starting mileage: 136512 km - Closing mileage: 137009 km - Mileage clocked during the day: 497 km Refueling - 45.26 L x 18.34 SEK = 830.07 SEK (din-x, Langserud, Varmland County, Sweden) - 35.59 L x 18.34 SEK = 652.72 SEK (Ingo, Linkoping, Sweden) - 27 L x 18.55 SEK= 500.85 SEK (Jarna, Sweden) Trip stats - Trip starting mileage: 134807 km - Trip closing mileage: 137009 km - Total trip mileage: 2202 km - Total fuel (diesel) consumed in liters: 251.23 - Total cost of fuel: 4786.36 SEK - Fuel efficiency over entire trip: 8.76 km/L, 11.41L/100km The final day of the trip was now upon us! There's a small lake, right behind the RV parking lot at the Tocksfors shopping center, and it's a pity we didn't do a picnic breakfast by the lake. It's a great place to stop, whether for an overnight halt, or short one.This was also the second day since wed last stopped to top up our fresh water and dumped our waste water, so wed have to watch our water usage. We had a half-full 10L can of water for drinking, which we could top up while stopping in Karlstad, Sweden. After breakfast, the kitchen would in effect be closed, as our lunch stop would be at Pizza Hut in Karlstad. Much as I love Sweden, driving on a Swedish motorway was now a profoundly boring and underwhelming experience, after having been pampered with amazing sights along the Norwegian countryside for the past week! The speed limit though, was thankfully higher than in most parts of Norway, with 120 km/h and 110 km/h being the norm on Swedish motorways. I kept myself to just below the posted limit at all times.For the first time since the start of the trip, I actually began to notice the absence of cruise control on this beast, as it had not mattered in the slightest bit on the twisting and rolling Norwegian countryside. We pulled into a gas station in the Varmland county, for our first fuel stop after leaving Norway. Id only fueled up around half a tanks worth of fuel when wed stopped in Hemsedal in Norway, as that was more than enough fuel to get us into Sweden.During this trip, my experience with the auto-shutoff at the fuel pumps has been iffy at best, with it not working as it should for at least half the times, and it didnt work here in Varmland county either, so I just had to hold the gun squeezed till I knew we had at least three quarters worth of fuel in our tank (45 liters), before driving away.We stopped in Karlstad, for pizza, and topped up our water bottles there. I took a picture of the high-pressure water hose at the gas station next door, to contribute to park4night, an app that had served me so very well, both while planning the trip from the comfort of my own house, as well as when we were in Norway, actually needing to find alternate stop points while improvising on our plans. Three cheers to park4night!Here's the picture I contributed to park4night, of the water refill point in the Shell gas station in Karlstad, Sweden.I rang the RV owner asking if it might be okay to drop the RV back to him the next day, instead of later the same day, as we were all tired and the weather was not exactly looking good in the evening, for the eventual drive from Linkoping to Sodertalje; the reply was a sympathetic but firm no, which meant that Id have another 150 km of driving, and in crappy weather to boot, after wed gotten home, finished unpacking, cleaning, and completing the waste water dumping and toilet cassette cleaning for the last time on this trip, at a campsite in Linkoping. For this reason, we decided to drop the final stop at Orebro, and drive straight home.The excitement of a trip and the eagerness to get to see and explore new sights is something that really reduces driving exhaustion and fatigue, but now that the sightseeing part of the trip was long-since over, I just couldnt wait till I could be back home. This part of the trip was also now no longer on the 110 km/h motorway, but the much slower 80 km/h state highway with numerous camera-enforced speed checks, so I didnt even have the option to floor it and make good time. A further point about these speed cameras; each and every speed camera has a warning sign that alerts motorists about the cameras presence. All that the authorities are interested is to ensure that you get off the gas and slow down in that section, and as long as you do that, they are happy. The intention is never to earn more revenue from the fines, so youll therefore never find a hidden speed camera. The police of course do conduct random speed checks here and there, but none of the fixed speed cameras are hidden or meant to entrap motorists. This, I find, is in start contrast to the police in my home state of Karnataka, where a traffic cop triumphantly emerges from his hiding place behind a tree, with unhidden glee at having caught another victim off-guard.Driving on what seemed like the never-ending 80 km/h road, I now for the first time wished that I was not the only member of the family that could drive, and mentioned it more than once I think, to my wife, hoping to nudge her into starting her own journey towards getting a Swedish DL, but thats going to be a different adventure in itself, as and when that happens!For now, though, I was the only driver for all of us, and I just needed to ensure that we all got home safe. Barring a stop for a hot cup of coffee, and another for a pee stop for all of us including the kid, we lumbered on, and after what seemed like an eternity, we pulled into our street, and parked on the street. I switched off the engine, unbelted, and sat still for a few seconds; wed taken on what seemed like an impossibly challenging quest, and had come through victoriously, with our heads (and memory-cards!) full of the most amazing sights. What a feeling it was!The kid was fast asleep, and my wife carefully gathered him and tucked him into his own bed in our house, put my mom on standby duty, and got down to the task of unloading the RV, while I cleaned up. We worked as a team, and before the hour was up, wed carted away all of our belongings and put everything back as it originally was.The fridge was emptied and cleaned, the counter-top was restored to its gleaming state, pillows fluffed, and finally, I was ready to roll off to the campsite.Id spoken to the campsite in Linkoping where they told me I could empty the waste water and the toilet cassette, and refill the RVs fresh water tank, all for a fee of SEK 60, which I thought wasnt bad at all. I rang up a close friend in Sodertalje and informed him that hed have a guest for the night, as there was no way I wanted to drive my car back all the way to Linkoping, after Id dropped off the RV! Id already eaten, so I told him that Id arrive close to midnight and go directly to bed. He told me that it was okay as long as I agreed to stay for breakfast before I left the next day, to which I very happily said yes!As soon as the cleanup and water refill were completed in the campsite, I decided to fuel up before leaving. The owner had insisted that I topped up just before reaching his RV parking, so there would be one more fuel stop before I turned in the vehicle. The automatic click-off worked at the fuel station in Linkoping, but it seemed to click off before the needle was all the way up to F, and I thought this might have something to do with vapor pressure or something, but Im not sure. Not a problem in any case, as I would do a full top up later.It was pouring rain when Id driven the RV to Linkoping, and in a way, it was fitting that I drive back in pouring rain, I thought. The visibility from the drivers seat, despite the pouring rain, was quite excellent. The spray from other vehicles just doesnt reach up to what seems like my personal command center in space, and the only water thats swept away by the powerful and adequate wipers was the rain water itself. I tried clicking on the radio, but the reception was lousy, probably due to the weather, so I clicked it right off. The whump whump of the wipers and the sloshing of the water was going to be all the music I had, on this part of the trip. I pushed hard, and the machine rumbled on. There was absolutely nothing in this vehicle that was not strictly necessary, and it didnt lack a single thing that was indeed absolutely necessary, and was therefore the ultimate minimalist dream vehicle.It was kind of amusing to see smaller vehicles struggling to deal with the road spray and driving extremely cautiously, while I was pushing right through. In clear weather conditions, these cars who I was passing with ease would be passing me like Id been standing! Here, in these terrible conditions, I was the one who had the edge. The advantage was comparable to the difference between a slick-shod F1 car and an F1 car on inters, in the wet!Id reached Jarna, just a handful of kilometers away from the drop off point, so pulled into the closest gas station, and this was another place where the automatic click off just refused to work, so I had to manually fuel up. I fueled up some 20 liters and checked the fuel gauge, but it was still not at F, so fueled some more. The automatic click-off in Linkoping had clicked off a bit early, but it still took more fuel than I thought Id burned off, on my drive, so it had certainly guzzled more diesel during my lead-footed drive from Linkoping. The lower speed limits in Norway had meant that Id gotten an excellent fuel economy, and Id undermined that by a fair bit on the last 150 km of my drive, but I couldnt care less! I made it to the meeting point, which looked like something straight out of a noir-movie or video game, in the darkness and with the rain. The only light other than that of my own headlights were the headlights of owners car, waiting in the same lot. There was no way the owner wanted to dirty up the inside of the RV by tracking in with his muddy boots, so he just leaned in from the outside, asked me if Id done all that hed requested with the cleaning, if Id refilled the water etc, and that was it! We shook hands and I hastily gathered up my stuff. The mobile holder, which Id fixed onto the AC grille refused to come off, and after a bit of a struggle, I decided to leave it to the owner, as my parting gift.The speedo showing the final kilometer count. The total mileage I'd logged on the RV had been 2202 km.Getting back into my own car after a week of driving the RV, I was shocked by how low my seating position seemed with respect to the ground. I could barely see a thing in the pouring rain! My hand fumbled near the infotainment screen, trying to find the gear shifter, before I realized that it was not the RV I was driving. After a few minutes of struggling through the horrendous rain I made it to my friends place, and was out like a light within minutes. I dont think I even dreamed of anything, as it was completely lights out, till I woke up the next day.- Starting mileage: 136512 km- Closing mileage: 137009 km- Mileage clocked during the day: 497 km- 45.26 L x 18.34 SEK = 830.07 SEK (din-x, Langserud, Varmland County, Sweden)- 35.59 L x 18.34 SEK = 652.72 SEK (Ingo, Linkoping, Sweden)- 27 L x 18.55 SEK= 500.85 SEK (Jarna, Sweden)- Trip starting mileage: 134807 km- Trip closing mileage: 137009 km- Total trip mileage: 2202 km- Total fuel (diesel) consumed in liters: 251.23- Total cost of fuel: 4786.36 SEK- Fuel efficiency over entire trip: 8.76 km/L, 11.41L/100km Last edited by Aditya : 31st July 2024 at 07:14 . With the release of the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 mobile platform, Qualcomm aims to make 5G technology accessible to lower-cost phone consumers. (Image Credit: Qualcomm) With the release of the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 mobile platform, Qualcomm aims to make 5G technology accessible to lower-cost phone consumers. (Image Credit: Qualcomm) Qualcomm unveiled a new Snapdragon chip on Tuesday, designed to give entry-level mobile phones more muscle and 5G connectivity. The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 platform promises all-day battery life, improved camera capabilities, and 1 Gbps peak 5G speeds seven times faster than LTE platforms in the same price tier. Qualcomm stated the mobile platform will make 5G accessible to 2.8 billion smartphone users in select regions around the world, and added it will be initially adopted by key OEMs, including Xiaomi, with the first units being available before the end of the year. The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 Mobile Platform is a significant leap forward in making 5G technology more accessible, so more people can navigate the world at 5G speeds, Qualcomm Senior Vice President and General Manager of Mobile Handsets Chris Patrick said in a statement. They are really opening up the $99 smartphone class with big improvements for a group that typically gets bottom-of-the-barrel performance, declared Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst of the Enderle Group, an advisory services firm in Bend, Ore. Entry-level phones in this class appear to be getting the most substantial boost in years, he told TechNewsWorld. Rewards for All Stakeholders The chip has benefits for consumers, carriers, and phone makers, Enderle continued. Consumers get an increase in performance and battery life around 1.5 hours of video streaming and 30 minutes more talk time over the prior generation significant improvements in image quality images and videos will look a lot better on big TV screens and a significant improvement in game performance, he said. Carriers get a stronger argument to get users to upgrade to 5G better modem performance, he added, and phone makers get a stronger argument to get people to upgrade their phones to the newer technology. Phone makers can also benefit from the platforms versatility and cost-effectiveness, added Mark N. Vena, president and principal analyst at SmartTech Research in Las Vegas. It allows them to design a wide range of devices that cater to various market segments without compromising quality, he told TechNewsWorld. Carriers also gain from the enhanced 5G capabilities, which facilitate more reliable and faster network performance, ultimately improving user experience and driving the adoption of next-generation mobile services, he added. Regional Appeal Geography will play a significant role in the distribution of devices built on the chip, according to tech experts. The 4-series is Qualcomms entry-level cellular chipset. It is really aimed at economies and geographies where a lot of the installed base is still on LTE, explained Ross Rubin, principal analyst with Reticle Research, a consumer technology advisory firm in New York City. With this Snapdragon 4s Gen 2, the idea is to entice those who are using LTE to make the jump to 5G, he told TechNewsWorld. Some of that is going to depend upon what the carrier rates look like for 5G service versus 4G service in those geographies. This could definitely be a chipset relevant for markets like China and India, added John Strand of Strand Consult, a Danish telecom consulting firm. This is a chipset that is very interesting for phone manufacturers supplying the Indian and Chinese markets. Thats where you will see the highest volume of this chipset. Thats their target group, he told TechNewsWorld. Phil Solis, research director for connectivity and smartphone semiconductors at IDC, a global technology market research company, explained that the introduction of more entry-level 5G system-on-a-chip (SoC) chips will lead to more 5G smartphones at lower price points. This will disproportionately affect regions with lower average smartphone selling prices, such as Eastern Europe, India, and Latin America, he told TechNewsWorld. India is an important market because it is transitioning to 5G, because of the size of its population, and because of the increasing size of its middle class, he said. Spurring 5G Penetration Solis noted that only 70% of smartphones shipped this year will support 5G. This Qualcomm platform will help accelerate the growth of this percentage over the next few years, he said. According to IDC, global 5G penetration is expected to cross 67% by the end of 2024 and 81% by the end of 2028. Currently, 5G penetration in developed regions is 88% 90% in China while in developing regions, its 41%. Vena predicted that the new Snapdragon platforms impact should be profound. Its set to significantly accelerate 5G adoption by making advanced 5G connectivity more accessible to a broader range of consumers. By integrating robust 5G capabilities into mid-tier and budget-friendly devices, Qualcomm enables a wider audience to experience the benefits of faster internet speeds, lower latency, and improved network reliability, he continued. This democratization of 5G technology not only enhances user experiences across various applications, from streaming and gaming to telehealth and remote work, but also incentivizes carriers to expand their 5G infrastructure, Vena said. Consequently, the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 serves as a catalyst for widespread 5G deployment, driving greater market penetration and fostering innovation across the mobile ecosystem. Protecting Revenue Share Rubin pointed out that Qualcomm isnt alone in producing 5G chips for the low-priced end of the market. There are other options for inexpensive 5G chips, primarily from MediaTek, he said. Historically, they have been the dominant provider in the more price-sensitive end of the market. Theyre not necessarily the absolute cheapest phones, but theyve provided chips for a lot of the mainstream devices outside of the U.S. The real significance of this SoC is that it is part of Qualcomms strategy to better compete with MediaTek in phones with lower prices, added Solis. MediaTek is starting to gain share in premium and flagship phones, he explained. Most of the revenue for smartphone SoCs is in higher-end SoCs. India is a key country for SoC vendors to focus on, he continued. By focusing on Indias growing 5G SoC market, Qualcomm is trying to position itself in a market with a huge population and a growing middle class that will increasingly shift to purchasing higher-end phones. Qualcomm is positioning itself for shipment share growth there now, which will translate into revenue share growth in the long term, he said. Solis noted that in 2023, MediaTek had 29% of mobile phone SoC shipments, while Qualcomm had 20%. On the revenue side, however, Qualcomm garnered 35%, compared to MediaTeks 22%. MediaTek leads in global mobile phone SoC shipments, but Qualcomm leads in mobile phone SoC revenue, he explained. MediaTek is looking to grow its revenue share, and Qualcomm is looking to protect it. Competition considerations aside, for Qualcomm followers, the arrival of the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 is the end of a long wait. This is a long time coming from Qualcomm, said Anshel Sag, a senior analyst for mobility, 5G, and XR at Moor Insights & Strategy, a technology analyst and advisory firm based in Austin, Texas. Theyve long promised that 5G would eventually reach an affordable price point, he continued. It is great to see the 5G features trickling down from the high-end, and I believe that having this many affordable devices in the market over the next few years will juice operators motivation for deploying standalone 5G. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 31. The Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkiye signed a joint statement on cooperation in the field of agricultural insurance, Trend reports. The news followed a meeting between Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Akmal Kasimov, and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkiye, Ahmet Bagci. At the meeting, the sides discussed issues of development and expansion of bilateral cooperation, in particular the introduction of an insurance system in Uzbekistan's agriculture based on Turkish experience. The participants also reached agreements on cooperation measures and the composition of the working group. They also discussed studying the Uzbek law on agricultural insurance, technical issues, the organization of a symposium with the participation of scientists from both countries, and other issues. Meanwhile, Uzbekistans foreign trade turnover volume with Turkiye amounted to $1.4 billion from January through June 2024. This figure has decreased by 7.1 percent year-on-year ($1.5 billion in JanuaryJune 2023). Turkiye ranked fourth among the countries with the largest volume of foreign trade turnover in Uzbekistan. The countrys share in the total volume of trade turnover in Uzbekistan accounts for 4.5 percent. In context: No one in the industry is too happy about completely relying on Nvidia's chips for AI training, although many companies feel they don't have a real choice. Apple, however, took a different path and appears to be pleased with the results: it opted for Google's TPUs to train its large language models. We know this because Cupertino released a research paper on the processes it used to develop Apple Intelligence features. That too represents a departure for Apple, which tends to play things close to the chest. Apple has revealed a surprising amount of detail about how it developed its Apple Intelligence features in a newly-released research paper. The headline news is that Apple opted for Google TPUs specifically TPU v4 and TPU v5 chips instead of Nvidia GPUs to train its models. It is a departure from industry norms as many other LLMs, such as those from OpenAI and Meta, typically use Nvidia GPUs. For the uninitiated, Google sells access to TPUs through its Google Cloud Platform. Customers must build software on this platform in order to use the chips. Here is a breakdown of what Apple did. The AFM-server, Apple's largest language model, was trained on 8,192 TPU v4 chips configured in 8 slices of 1,024 chips each, interconnected via a data-center network. The training process for AFM-server involved three stages: starting with 6.3 trillion tokens, followed by 1 trillion tokens, and concluding with context-lengthening using 100 billion tokens. The AFM-on-device model, a pruned version of the server model, was distilled from the 6.4 billion parameter server model to a 3 billion parameter model. This on-device model was trained on a cluster of 2,048 TPUv5p chips. Apple used data from its Applebot web crawler, adhering to robots.txt, along with various licensed high-quality datasets. Additionally, selected code, math, and public datasets were used. According to Apple's internal testing, both AFM-server and AFM-on-device models performed well in benchmarks. A few things of note. One, the detailed disclosure in the research paper is notable for Apple, a company not typically known for its transparency. It indicates a significant effort to showcase its advancements in AI. Two, the choice to opt for Google TPUs was telling. Nvidia GPUs have been in extremely high demand and short supply for AI training. Google likely had more immediate availability of TPUs that Apple could access quickly to accelerate its AI development, which is already a late arrival in the market. Also read: Apple Intelligence AI rollout has been delayed, meanwhile Samsung claims Galaxy AI closes in on 200 million devices It is also intriguing that Apple found that Google's TPU v4 and TPU v5 chips provided the necessary computational power for training their LLMs. The 8,192 TPU v4 chips that the AFM-server model was trained on appear to offer comparable performance to Nvidia's H100 GPUs for this workload. Also, like many other companies, Apple is wary of becoming overly reliant on Nvidia, which currently dominates the AI chip market. For a company that is meticulous about maintaining control over its technology stack, the decision to go with Google is particularly sensible. Through the looking glass: Tech companies have gradually transformed one-time-purchase products into services over recent years, often with paid subscriptions. Although the trend mostly affects software, some businesses are trying it with hardware. Human interface devices could be next, as elaborate software packages already often accompany keyboards and mice. In a recent interview with The Verge, Logitech CEO Hanneke Faber broached the idea of a "Forever Mouse" that users would never replace and would continually receive new features through firmware updates. A subscription isn't out of the question. The company's innovation center in Ireland suggested the idea of a high-quality (but not flagship-grade) mouse that is sturdy enough for indefinite usage and would receive new software and services throughout its long lifespan. Faber described it as a goal Logitech wants to reach, but the company is still determining a proper business model. Regarding pricing, the CEO compared the mouse to a Rolex watch and the software to Logitech's video conferencing business. A paid subscription is possible, but Faber offered no further details. Tech companies have used subscriptions to draw more reliable revenue streams from products that have traditionally been one-time purchases, but Faber also suggested that the forever mouse could help sustainability efforts. Users replacing hardware less often would lead to less e-waste. Logitech has offered apps and updates for its mice, keyboards, and other products for years. For example, the G Hub app enables users to customize inputs, sensitivity, and other features. The company regularly updates the software with keyboard and mouse profiles for specific games. Faber's remarks suggest that Logitech could eventually intensify its efforts in this area. Razer and Wooting recently presented a controversial example of how software updates might enhance interface devices. A recent update for Razer's Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards introduced a feature that changes how they resolve simultaneous opposing directional inputs, leading to potentially unfair advantages in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Overwatch. Wooting followed suit in case it needed to stay ahead of the curve. Razer also recently added new orientation and sensitivity controls for its mice. Hopefully, the idea won't manifest as a mouse with DRM if it becomes a real product. HP, infamous for using online DRM to direct users toward its expensive ink cartridges, recently discontinued its DRM-locked laser printers. Unfortunately, current owners must continue paying for a subscription to continue using them. In a nutshell: Chinese company Dasung launched what it called the world's first color e-ink monitor last August for $1,650. Almost exactly one year later, the company has introduced a portable variant for around half the price. The new product closely resembles Onyx's Mira, just in color. Dasung has debuted what is likely the world's first portable color e-ink monitor, the Paperlike Color, which is now available for $850. Although e-ink monitors lag behind traditional display technologies in several crucial ways, their unique quirks make them better suited to certain tasks. The 12-inch monitor has a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Although its X-Color filter algorithm and high refresh rate panel won't display videos or web pages nearly as well as LCD or IPS screens it wasn't primarily designed for such content it performs those tasks adequately for users with no other option. However, don't expect to play fast-paced games on it. The monitor supports various computers and mobile devices through a single USB-C connection, including Android phones from Huawei, Samsung, Oppo, LG, and other manufacturers. Unfortunately, the iPhone 15 is the only compatible iPhone model. Onboard interface options include touch controls and physical buttons for power, contrast, and refresh rate. E-ink panels are relatively niche due to their relatively low refresh rates and poor color quality. However, they are excellent at displaying text and are extremely energy efficient because they only consume power when changing screen content. Because of these qualities, the technology is mostly known for its use in e-readers, and businesses often employ them for signage. However, e-ink monitors can be useful for tasks that involve looking at text on screens for long periods, such as word processing, coding, or building spreadsheets. Portable monitors like Dasung's new offering or the similar (but grayscale) Onyx Mira are potentially helpful for users with jobs where e-ink might handle some tasks better, while others require more traditional displays. Philips tried to address this problem with a dual-screen monitor combining an IPS screen with a smaller e-ink panel attached to the right side. Dasung and Onyx also offer e-ink Android tablets that combine Kindle-like displays with far more flexible software support. Meanwhile, Bluegen recently introduced a dual-screen laptop combining e-ink and IPS displays for the best of both worlds. The Paperlike Color begins shipping in August. In brief: IoT startup Particle looks geared to shake up the single-board computer market with their latest creation the Tachyon. This credit card-sized Linux computer packs the kind of serious hardware normally found in mid-range smartphones. You get an 8-core Qualcomm chip, 5G cellular connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E, and dedicated AI acceleration. The star of the show is Qualcomm's Snapdragon QCM6490 system-on-chip (it powers the Fairphone 5). This octa-core processor features Kryo 670 CPU sporting four high-performance Cortex-A78 cores clocked up to 2.7GHz, plus four power-efficient Cortex-A55 cores handling the lighter workloads. There's also an Adreno 643L GPU on board to drive 4K displays if needed. All of this is topped by a dedicated 12 TOPS AI engine for hardware-accelerated machine learning inferencing. Particle likely chose the QCM6490 chip in part because Qualcomm classifies it for Industrial IoT applications and guarantees 10-year lifetime availability. This long lifespan provides assurances for companies looking to build IoT solutions around the platform. Tachyon also offers plenty of connectivity options. It supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard for high-speed, low-latency wireless. But the headliner is integrated 5G with LTE fallback for cellular data virtually anywhere. Combine that with 4GB RAM and 64GB of fast UFS storage, and you've got a fairly potent little machine. On the I/O front, Tachyon provides a solid array of ports and interfaces. There are two USB-C sockets including one with DisplayPort output. You'll find ribbon connectors for 4-lane CSI cameras up to 25MP and DSI display output. Plus, it's got a couple of PCIe Gen 3 ports for expansion. In a nod to the maker community, it retains GPIO compatibility with Raspberry Pi HAT add-ons. On the software end, the SBC boots into Ubuntu Linux. That means you get a fully-fledged desktop/server environment with ample developer tools and libraries. Of course, Tachyon comes with support for Particle's edge-to-cloud infrastructure as well, which includes everything you need to deploy an IoT device: device management, OTA software updates, connectivity management, data automation, you name it. As for use cases, this is what the startup has to say: "Particle's customers use our platform to do everything from monitoring equipment in dentists' offices to searching for methane escapes on an oil site to tracking lobster boats off of the coast of Maine to providing access controls to gyms and breastfeeding stations. IoT isn't just about home automation it's everywhere, in a thousand places you wouldn't expect." Power flexibility is another selling point. You can use a USB-C or DC adapter, or opt for battery power using Particle's 18650 cell options with up to 12,200mAh capacity. You can also add your own compatible packs via the onboard 3-pin VBAT connector. If you're eager to get your hands on this device, Particle just launched a Kickstarter campaign. Early bird pricing starts at $149, with broader availability expected in early 2025 for $249 retail. The early bird pricing itself is steep for SBCs it's more than twice as much as a Raspberry Pi 5 with 4GB of RAM. But the specs still make it an intriguing package for IoT developers and tinkerers looking to harness cutting-edge tech. Facepalm: Meta attempted to use Facebook as a giant surveillance service to profit from users' personal data. The company ultimately failed in the endeavor and is now facing significant financial penalties as a result, which includes a massive settlement due to the state of Texas over the next five years. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton collected a $1.4 billion settlement from Meta over Facebook's misuse of facial recognition algorithms. Meta had collected and used the personal biometric data of millions of Texans without prior authorization. According to Paxton's official statement, this settlement is the largest ever obtained from legal action initiated by a single US state. Paxton's office filed the lawsuit against Meta in February 2022, following revelations that Facebook had been secretly gathering biometric data for over a decade. In 2011, the social network introduced its Tag Suggestions feature, designed to make it easier for users to tag people in photos. This feature was enabled by default, with no clear explanation of how the underlying technology worked. Tag Suggestions utilized facial recognition software that analyzed "virtually" every face in photos shared by users. Data on the "facial geometry" of countless individuals was stored in Facebook's database, a practice that violated Texas's Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. "This historic settlement demonstrates our commitment to standing up to the world's biggest technology companies and holding them accountable for breaking the law and violating Texans' privacy rights," Paxton said. Meta was ultimately forced to stop scanning Facebook photos. Fearing legal "uncertainty" surrounding facial recognition algorithms, Facebook reportedly decided to erase the biometric data collected from more than a billion users. However, this move was not sufficient to deter the Attorney General of Texas, who proceeded with a lawsuit against Meta a year later. In 2021, Facebook agreed to pay a $650 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit in Illinois, which sought to enforce local privacy laws against extensive biometric scanning practices. Before settling the Texas lawsuit, Meta argued that the Attorney General's claims were without merit. Now, having agreed to a $1.4 billion settlement over a five-year period, the company has expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the matter. Meta is also reportedly looking to increase its investments in Texas, including plans to build new data centers. Cotton, the soft staple of the global textile industry, faces a formidable threat: drought. As climate change intensifies, these arid conditions are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, jeopardizing cotton production worldwide. However, a glimmer of hope emerges from a new research that could revolutionize the future of this vital crop. Decoding Cotton's Drought Resilience Scientists at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) have embarked on a quest to unlock the secrets of drought-resistant cotton. By meticulously examining 22 cotton varieties under both normal and drought-stressed conditions, they've made significant strides in understanding the plant's genetic makeup and its response to water scarcity. According to BTI's co-corresponding author Andrew Nelson, the team was excited to discover the direct link between fiber yield maintenance and stress tolerance. "It appears that over time, cotton plants have evolved this regulatory mechanism to help them cope with dry conditions while still producing the fibers that are so economically important," Nelson added. Master Genes: The Orchestra Conductors of Drought Tolerance A pivotal discovery in this research is the identification of two key genes, GhHSFA6B-D and GhDREB2A-A, which play a crucial role in cotton's drought tolerance and fiber production. These genes, likened to orchestra conductors, orchestrate the activity of hundreds of other genes involved in the plant's survival and productivity under arid conditions. Ancient Roots of Drought Resilience Delving deeper into the genetic blueprint, researchers uncovered another intriguing finding. A gene named GhIPS1-A, inherited from cotton's African ancestors proved essential in producing compounds that shield the plant from drought. Moreover, they identified a subtle genetic variation linked to higher fiber yield in drought-stressed plants, offering a promising avenue for developing more resilient cotton varieties. The Challenge of Cotton Cultivation As per Interesting Engineering, cotton thrives in warm, sunny climates with well-drained soil. Traditionally, major cotton-producing regions have been concentrated in the United States, India, China, and Egypt. However, the escalating impacts of climate change, including erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts, have posed significant challenges to cotton cultivation in these areas. The Promise of Genetic Modification In response to these challenges, the development of genetically modified (GM) cotton varieties has gained traction. BT cotton, engineered to produce a natural insecticide, has shown promise in reducing pest damage and pesticide use. Nevertheless, the widespread adoption of GM cotton is hindered by regulatory hurdles and varying farmer preferences. A Brighter Future for Cotton The research conducted at BTI offers a roadmap for breeding cotton varieties that can withstand the rigors of drought while maintaining high fiber yields. This breakthrough has the potential to safeguard the cotton industry, ensuring a sustainable supply of this essential fiber for generations to come. To view the study, visit Plant Biotechnology Journal. A massive data breach at HealthEquity has compromised the personal and health information of 4.3 million individuals. The Utah-based healthcare benefits administrator disclosed the incident in a notice filed with Maine's attorney general. Sensitive Data Exposed in HealthEquity Breach The compromised data varies among affected individuals but primarily includes account sign-up information and details about benefits administered by HealthEquity. Worryingly, the breach also exposed sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, employer details, dependent information, and even partial payment card data, according to the latest data breach notice. HealthEquity's role as a benefits administrator grants employees across the United States access to essential workplace perks like health savings accounts and commuting options. With over 15 million total customer accounts, the scale of this breach is alarming. Related Article : HealthEquity Reports Data Breach, Hackers Steal Sensitive Patient Info via Compromised Account Third-Party Vendor Account Compromised The company discovered unauthorized access to an external data repository containing customer information. This repository existed outside HealthEquity's core network. Investigations revealed that a compromised vendor account and stolen password facilitated the hacker's entry. While HealthEquity has declined to name the third-party vendor, this incident underscores the vulnerability of relying on external parties for data management, according to a report by TechCrunch.The breach also highlights the effectiveness of password-stealing malware, which can bypass multi-factor authentication by stealing session tokens. HealthEquity's Response and Transparency Concerns HealthEquity maintains that the incident was isolated and unrelated to other high-profile data breaches. However, the company's decision to include "noindex" code on its data breach notification page raises concerns about transparency. This code prevents search engines from indexing the page, making it difficult for affected individuals to find information about the breach. As the investigation unfolds, it's crucial for HealthEquity to provide clear and timely communication to affected individuals. Protecting customer data should be the utmost priority, and the company must demonstrate its commitment to data security and transparency in the aftermath of this significant breach. Almost every week, different companies are under attack by the remote hackers. A few weeks ago, MediSecure suffered a massive data breach that was "bigger" than the previous Optus hack in Australia. According to Tech Times, while the Optus hack affected almost 10 million accounts at the time the MediSecure hack was so serious that the compromised accounts totaled almost 13 million. What's worse during that time was that some Australians did not have any idea that their accounts were hacked or if any financial assets were stolen from their bank accounts. Apart from that, authorities said that 6.5 TB of data was exfiltrated by unknown threat actors. Since they were all encrypted within the server, the type of affected data was hard to identify. The European Union (EU) now reportedly seeks to fully realize its regulations for the newly enacted AI Act by engaging with leading artificial intelligence model providers. According to Tech Crunch, the EU has started the consultation on regulations for general-purpose AI models (GPAIs) like Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, as part of the bloc's AI Act for regulating AI applications based on risk. Legislators aim for the Code of Practice to assist in ensuring the credibility of GPAIs by offering developers instructions on meeting their legal responsibilities. The EU AI Act, which was approved earlier this year, will be activated on August 1 very soon. However, it will be implemented in phases to meet compliance deadlines, with Codes of Practice set to take effect nine months later in April 2025. That allows the group to create the direction. The Commission is seeking feedback on the consultation from GPAI providers operating in the EU, as well as from businesses, civil society representatives, rights holders, and academic experts. AI Act Consultation The survey is separated into three sections for the consultation. One section focuses on transparency and copyright issues for GPAIs; another addresses regulations on risk classification, evaluation, and reduction for GPAIs with systemic risk; and a third part handles the assessment and supervision of Codes of Practices for GPAIs. The Commission announced that a preliminary version of the Code will be created using the feedback and responses to specific inquiries. Respondents to the consultation can impact the design of the template that the AI Office will offer to GPAI providers to meet the legal obligation of providing a summary of model training information. It will be fascinating to see the level of detail in that template. US AI Safety Updates In the same way, Apple is now reportedly one of the tech companies that align with the US AI Safety rules introduced by the Biden administration, focusing on the benefits it provides to the public. Cupertino has vowed its loyalty to Apple Intelligence ahead of the potential launch with the availability in iOS 18 expected later this year. Tech companies must ensure that their AI systems do not promote discrimination or pose security threats under these regulations. Apple is the newest addition to this group of regulations, joining other tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Meta, Amazon, and others who had previously committed. Apple's dedication to providing a top-notch experience for the public is voluntary and not legally binding. As per the report, Apple needs to conduct testing on its AI systems to guarantee they do not exhibit any form of prejudice towards various communities. In addition, Cupertino must ensure that its Apple Intelligence and language model comply with US AI Safety regulations regarding national security. The public has shown great enthusiasm for the upcoming Apple Intelligence feature, set to debut with iOS 18, due to its promised benefits for users. Primarily, it will be an AI-driven system that will provide valuable features to users, including the ability to generate compositions and access writing tools in the near future. Perplexity AI is reportedly the newest monetization outlet for news publishers as the tech startup will now be paying creators whenever their content is cited by the company's artificial intelligence chatbot. Perplexity's head of business, Dmitry Shevelenko, stated that the company had been investigating the program in January, before publishers making allegations. The main reason for implementing the publisher program was to ensure the survival of Perplexity. To provide users with accurate information, the program relies on journalists to constantly generate new information. Shevelenko clarified that the company is not eating away at publishers or rivaling them, but the company must contribute to ensuring a variety of thriving business models and revenue streams. With the evolution of generative AI impacting search habits, publishers are seeking innovative methods to earn revenue. The initial group of publishing partners for Perplexity consists of Automattic, Der Spiegel, Entrepreneur, Fortune, The Texas Tribune, and TIME. As a component of the long-term contracts, the publishers will be granted entry to Perplexity's APIs and developer assistance to develop personalized answer engines for their websites. All employees will have access to Perplexity's Enterprise Pro offering, which includes improved data privacy and security features. Perplexity AI's Advertisement Revenue Scheme Perplexity has not yet begun showing advertisements on its platform; this will happen in the upcoming months. Shevelenko stated that the startup has secured top-notch brands in all major consumer and B2B categories. For instance, if a user inquires about the best time to visit Tokyo, they may see advertisements for travel-related brands. Perplexity will split the revenue earned from the ads with the publishers whose content is used to respond to the queries. Perplexity refused to disclose specifics about the ad revenue split, but Shevelenko mentioned it would be in the double digits. Perplextiy AI vs. Google AI Summaries The way Perplexity AI makes money is very different from how Google was expected to earn from AI summaries. In May, Google unveiled a search results feature powered by artificial intelligence, which provides summaries of content from various websites in response to a search query. The update, at the time, will prioritize providing AI summaries to users instead of website links in Google search results. According to sources, Danielle Coffey, the CEO of the News/Media Alliance, stated that the new feature would harm their traffic and give users less incentive to click on news publishers' content for monetization. Coffey supposedly indicated that the small amount of traffic they currently get will be decreased even more. Moreover, Coffey's organization, which represents over 2,000 news publishers, has adopted a strong stance against AI developers using journalism, especially with a leading search engine consolidating its market dominance. They claim they must once more follow Google's guidelines with a product that competes directly with news content, using their material to power it. Coffey characterizes this scenario as a "twisted form of innovation."AI summaries will only show up when Google's technology decides it's the fastest and most efficient way to catch a user's attention. This scenario is most likely to occur when individuals are engaging in critical thinking or planning, or when they are discussing complex topics. Individuals will probably continue to encounter the typical website links and advertisements from Google when they search for store suggestions or weather updates. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 31. Uzbekistan reached an agreement to open a trade house jointly with Italian Peng Sheng Charm Company in Prato (Italy), Trend reports. The news followed a meeting between a business mission led by representatives of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade with Italian Confidustria Toscana Sud, Vittoria Makina, Pratica, Alpe S.P.A and a number of other companies in Italy. During the meetings, Uzbekistan presented its production potential and considered the possibility of expanding industrial cooperation, including the establishment of manufacture of goods under Italian brands not only in the leather industry, but also in other sectors. Both sides noted the issue of introducing technologies of deep processing of leather waste at Uzbek enterprises in cooperation with Italian enterprises. Meanwhile, a business mission led by representatives of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade has been on a visit to the EU countries since July 24 this year. The delegation has already been to Poland and continues its mission in Spain. Baku. Azerbaijan. July 31. The United States of America does not believe that large-scale hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah are inevitable, despite the sharp deterioration of the situation on the Lebanese border, Trend reports This was reported by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. "We do not believe that a large-scale war is inevitable, and yet we believe that it can be prevented," the US presidential press secretary said. It should be noted that on July 27, 12 children were killed as a result of a rocket attack on the settlement of Majdal Shams in Holan Heights. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country would not respond to this serious attack. Anti-whaling activist Watson has 'no regrets' after arrest: colleague Copenhagen, July 30 (AFP) Jul 30, 2024 Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, arrested in Greenland on July 21, has "no regrets" despite facing possible extradition to Japan, the head of the French branch of Watson's activist group Sea Shepherd said Tuesday. "Paul is doing well, he is in good spirits. He has no regrets," Lamya Essemlali said in a statement after visiting Watson in custody in Nuuk, Greenland, on Monday. Watson, the 73-year-old American-Canadian founder of Sea Shepherd, was detained in Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, under an international arrest warrant issued by Japan. He was arrested after arriving in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, when the ship John Paul DeJoria docked to refuel. The vessel was on its way to "intercept" Japan's new whaling factory vessel in the North Pacific, according to the Captain Paul Watson Foundation (CPWF). Japan is one of the only three countries in the world to permit commercial whaling, along with Iceland and Norway. Danish authorities arrested Watson on the basis of an Interpol "Red Notice" issued in 2012, when Japan accused him of causing damage and injury to one of its Japanese whaling ships in the Antarctic two years earlier. He will remain in custody in Greenland until August 15, while the Danish justice ministry decides whether he should be extradited. French President Emmanuel Macron's office has asked Danish authorities not to extradite Watson, who has lived in France for the past year. A French online petition urging Macron to demand Watson's liberation has garnered almost 670,000 signatures in eight days. Sea Shepherd France said Tuesday that it had launched a separate online petition addressed to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urging her not to extradite Watson. That petition had almost 13,000 signatures as of Tuesday evening. India landslide toll hits 122 as rain hampers rescue work Wayanad, India, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 Relentless downpours and howling winds hampered Wednesday's search for survivors of landslides that struck Indian tea plantations and killed 122 people, most believed to be labourers and their families. Days of torrential monsoon rains have battered the southern coastal state of Kerala, with blocked roads into the disaster area in Wayanad district complicating relief efforts. Several who managed to flee the initial impact of the landslides found themselves caught in raging flood waters coursing through a nearby river, volunteer rescuer Arun Dev told AFP at a hospital treating survivors. "Those who escaped were swept away along with houses, temples and schools," he said. Wayanad is famed for the tea estates that crisscross its hilly countryside, which rely on a large pool of labourers for planting and harvest. Several plantations were hit by two successive landslides before dawn on Tuesday. A number of brick-walled row homes built to accommodate seasonal workers were inundated by a powerful wall of brown sludge while labourers working on the estates and their families were asleep inside. Other buildings were caked with mud as the force of the landslide scattered cars, corrugated iron and other debris around the disaster site. The office of Kerala's revenue minister K. Rajan told reporters that 122 bodies had been recovered as of midnight Wednesday (1830 GMT Tuesday). Flood waters washed away a bridge connecting the worst-hit villages of Chooralmala and Mundakkai, forcing rescue teams to trudge on foot through difficult terrain. More than 3,000 people were sheltering in emergency relief camps around Wayanad district, according to the state government. Kerala's disaster agency said more rain and strong winds were forecast for Thursday with the likelihood of "damage to unsafe structures" elsewhere in the state. - Monsoon destruction - Monsoon rains across the region from June to September offer respite from the summer heat and are crucial to replenishing water supplies. They are vital for agriculture and therefore the livelihoods of millions of farmers and food security for South Asia's nearly two billion people. But they also bring destruction in the form of landslides and floods. The number of fatal floods and landslides has increased in recent years, and experts say climate change is exacerbating the problem. Damming, deforestation and development projects in India have also exacerbated the human toll. Intense monsoon storms battered India this month, flooding parts of the financial capital Mumbai, while lightning in the eastern state of Bihar killed at least 10 people. Nearly 500 people were killed around Kerala in 2018 during the worst flooding to hit the state in almost a century. India's worst landslide in recent decades was in 1998, when rockfalls triggered by heavy monsoon rains killed at least 220 people and buried the tiny village of Malpa in the Himalayas. Tourism, heat cut Japan rice inventory to 21st century low Tokyo, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 A tourism boom has helped cut Japan's rice stockpile to the lowest this century as foreign visitors gobble up sushi, onigiri and other dishes with the staple, officials told AFP Wednesday. Bigger factors, however, were lower harvests caused by hot weather and water shortages, as well as prices rising at a slower pace than alternatives, the farm ministry stressed. Rice held in the private sector was 1.56 million tons last month, the lowest since comparable data began being collected in 1999 and a drop of 20.8 percent year-on-year, ministry data showed Tuesday. "The chief reasons behind the record-low inventory is a decline in production last year due to high temperatures combined with water shortages, and the relative cheapness of rice prices compared to prices of other crops such as wheat," farm ministry official Hiroshi Itakura told AFP. "The increase in demand by foreign tourists has also contributed," he said, but added that "we are not in a situation of facing shortages of rice." Japan welcomed 17.78 million tourists in the first half of 2024, a million more than pre-pandemic levels, figures showed earlier this month. Besides the cherry blossom of Tokyo, the geishas of Kyoto and the majesty of Mount Fuji, a cheaper yen also has helped foreign visitors feel flush and boosted spending on everything from kimonos to meals. The effect was also noticeable in data for rice demand, which rose for the first time in a decade in the 12 months to June 30, hitting 7.02 million tons, the farm ministry data showed. Demand for rice has been falling for some time because of a falling population and changing eating habits by many Japanese as they opt for other carbohydrates such as pasta and potatoes. Rice demand by foreign tourists soared 31,000 tons to 51,000 tons, the ministry said. Japan last year recorded its hottest September since records began 125 years ago, and since April this year heat has killed 36 people, according to the disaster management agency. Unfinished business: Indonesia's new capital has long way to go Nusantara, Indonesia, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 It was supposed to be the jewel in the crown of the 10-year presidency of Joko Widodo, but Indonesia's capital-to-be, carved out of dense jungle in Borneo, is a vast building site just weeks before being due to open. Bar the centrepiece presidential palace -- winged like the national emblem, the mythical Garuda bird -- Nusantara is a series of unfinished buildings and bumpy access tracks, shrouded by clouds of dust kicked up by trucks and excavators. The new capital was expected to be inaugurated on August 17, Indonesia's Independence Day, but building delays, funding woes -- and even the unwillingness of those expected to relocate there -- have cast doubt on its opening. "Everything is still in progress," Widodo conceded during a visit to the site this week. "This is a job of 10, 15 or 20 years. Not just one, two or three years." The city-in-progress will still figure large in independence celebrations, but an official decree moving the capital from Jakarta could be delayed until long after Widodo's successor, Prabowo Subianto, takes charge on October 20. Widodo resurrected a long-shelved plan to relocate the capital soon after taking office in 2019 after experts warned Jakarta -- the megacity of 12 million people -- was sinking. Borneo island's east coast was chosen as the new site of a capital called Nusantara -- centrally located to better serve Indonesia's more than 17,500 islands. The plan called for the city to be built in five stages by 2045, but phase one -- a government core intended for the president, his ministers, and key civil servants -- was due to be up and running by now. - 'No crisis' - AFP was given rare access to phase one by project officials, but found claims that it was 80 percent complete hard to accept. "We are on track. There is no crisis, as you can see," Danis Sumadilaga, Nusantara's head of infrastructure, told AFP during a recent visit. "But... this is the first stage of a long-term development. This is not for today. This is for our next generation." Another official close to the project told AFP on condition of anonymity that the first phase was nearer 20 percent complete. Instead of a shiny new urban centre, a legion of workers toiled around hollow tower blocks, protecting their faces from the dust while being pushed to meet the August 17 deadline. "For Independence Day, we are indeed pressured to finish the target," said concrete plant manager Jamaluddin, 47, who goes by one name. "The weather has been extreme. It's very difficult if the weather is rainy," said Nisya Khairunnisa, a 37-year-old concrete worker from Aceh. Heads have already rolled because of the lag, with the leader and deputy of the new city's administration resigning in June. On top of delays, Nusantara has failed to attract crucial foreign investment. Jakarta will fund 20 percent of Nusantara and wants 100 trillion rupiah ($6.13 billion) in private investment by the end of 2024. But as of June, it had received only 51.3 trillion -- all from domestic backers. Experts say foreign firms are likely hesitant to commit to a city in one of the world's largest stretches of rainforest, home to orangutans and long-nosed monkeys. "They don't want to invest in something at the cost of biodiversity," said Aida Greenbury, an Indonesian expert on sustainability. "It's mission impossible," said Nicky Fahrizal from Jakarta's Centre for Strategic and International Studies. "The state finances are not capable of building a mega-structure in only one or two years." - Reluctant to move - The state of the project has done little to entice more than 10,000 civil servants ordered to relocate to Nusantara from September. Those who spoke to AFP -- all on condition of anonymity -- do not want to move. "It is clear the facilities are not adequate," said a government worker in his early 30s. "They say it will truly become a city in 2045. But we have to move there in 2024. What will our lives be like?" Even the offer of special allowances and moving costs is doing little to change minds. "I am still very reluctant to move," a 32-year-old civil servant told AFP. But the government is banking on the loyalty and sacrifices of its workforce. "Whoever comes in will be the pioneers," said Sofian Sibarani, the city's designer. jfx/fox/cwl Baku. Azerbaijan. July 31. One of the Hezbollah commanders, Fuad Shukr, was killed in an Israeli bombing of some areas of Beirut, Trend reports. This was reported by the Al-Hadath TV channel, citing a source in the Lebanese law enforcement agencies. Some sources claim that Shukr did not die and the information about his death is disinformation. Citing a source in the Lebanese government, CNN also reported that the Hezbollah commander survived the Israeli airstrikes. It should be noted that the Israeli army struck the outskirts of Beirut with the aim of killing Shukr, who was allegedly responsible for the attack on the city of Majdal Shams in the Golan Hills. Fuad Shukr is a military adviser to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and is considered his "right hand". French storm damage leaves rail passengers stranded Dijon, France, July 31 (AFP) Jul 31, 2024 Tens of thousands of rail passengers booked on the Paris-Lyon line were unable to travel on Wednesday after trees felled by a storm blocked tracks, French rail operator SNCF said. The disruption, expected to affect a total of 80,000 ticket holders, came only days after sabotage on electrical lines caused mayhem across France's TGV high-speed rail network. All trains were returned to their depots after a violent storm in the Yonne region southeast of Paris caused trees to fall on tracks, the operator said. A TGV train travelling at speed rammed a tree, said Severine Lepere, deputy director-general for the SNCF's operations in the Paris region. "The front of the train was damaged, which prevented it from continuing its journey," she said. Nobody was hurt, she added. The SNCF said that the power supply on the busy southeastern line had also been affected. While the Paris-Lyon line was brought to a complete halt, the adjacent Paris-Marseille line was functioning but suffering delays, Lepere said. Heavy storms in the Yonne region since early on Wednesday have caused considerable damage, with falling trees also blocking roads. SNCF said it did not know when the tracks would be cleared, and asked passengers with bookings to stay at home. Tickets could be rebooked or refunded, it said. On Friday, three attacks targeting France's high-speed rail network had already paralysed train travel nationwide as Paris prepared to host the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games. It was not clear who carried out the attacks and if they were intentionally timed to disrupt France's hosting of the event. The incidents affected France's Atlantic, northern and eastern lines, leading to mass cancellations and delays at a time of particularly heavy traffic for summer holiday travel. burs/jh/sjw/sbk/bc BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a rocket attack on his residence in Tehran, Trend reports. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the incident, which occurred this morning. The attack also claimed the life of one of Haniyeh's bodyguards. The details of the incident are currently under investigation, with the IRGC withholding information about the perpetrators and their motives. Regional Express (Rex) has grounded all flights between capital cities after entering voluntary administration following an emergency board meeting on Tuesday evening. About 360 of 2000 Rex employees have been stood down so far, with more than 600 total jobs at risk if the airline is forced to ground its regional operations in addition to its major routes. Rivals Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia have committed to hiring as many affected Rex employees as possible. Rex is responsible for flying about 5 per cent of domestic passengers, with the remaining 95 per cent absorbed by the duopoly of Qantas and Virgin. It has served Australias regional routes for 21 years and expanded to 11 major domestic routes including on the Golden Triangle between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane after COVID-19. Its most recent major domestic route, between Melbourne and Perth, was only launched last month. The ASX-listed airline has been struggling with successive losses for years despite a string of profitable months at the start of last financial year. It has been crippled by a global pilots shortage, competition from its bigger rivals and the costs associated with flying on major domestic routes, forcing it to suspend a string of regional routes over the past year. Dance marathons were a craze across the US during the Depression, when couples stayed on their feet for days in exchange for free food and the promise of cash prizes. Hugely popular, this exploitative form of entertainment thankfully involved a 15-minute break every hour, and contestants would train themselves to fall instantly asleep during those periods. The free 24-hour dance piece, Today I Feel A Soft Breeze, will begin at 5pm this Saturday on the lake behind HOTA. Credit: Bleach When Lizzie Thompson and Ryuichi Fujimura perform a 24-hour dance piece on a temporary stage erected on Evandale Lake in Surfers Paradise, it will be for a more edifying purpose art. They will be on a similar schedule, pausing for 15 minutes every hour, but theyll also get three longer meal breaks. John Rebus is not one of those coppers who is content to spend his time staring at a screen, sifting JK Rowlings tweets for offensive content. Before the opening credits have rolled on the first episode of the BBCs new adaptation of Ian Rankins Inspector Rebus novels, he is taking a hands-on approach to reducing Edinburghs crime rate: by beating up and attempting to suffocate his nemesis, the gangster kingpin Big Ger Cafferty. Only the intervention of his superior officer prevents DS Rebus from finishing Cafferty off. The scene sets the tone for a new iteration of Rebus that taps into a more sinister aspect of the character than previous adaptations of Rankins crime novels. Richard Rankin as John Rebus in the new BBC adaptation. When Rebus was played by John Hannah and later Ken Stott in the ITV series of the 2000s, one never had a sense that he was likely to fly off the handle and try to murder even the most evil of criminals. The gangly, baby-faced Hannah, better known at the time as the upper-class twit in the Mummy films, did not convince as the weathered ex-Para Rebus; he later admitted hed been miscast. Stott, older and burlier, looked more suitable but was given scripts that sanitised the character: he became a mildly crotchety ladies man, an Edinburgh Morse, rather than the minatory anti-hero of Rankins books. Hiding behind a tree, where he had dived for cover seconds earlier, Constable Randall Kirk watches as a gunman with a high-powered rifle shoots a colleague dead just metres away. The young officer had made futile attempts to call for help over the police radio and was forced instead to ring a colleague on his mobile phone. Hes coming over, should I run? Kirk asks. An inquest into the 2022 Wieambilla massacre, where two police officers and an innocent neighbour were killed by three conspiracy theorists, is under way in Brisbane. Eberhard & Co. breathes fresh life into its historic Extra-fort collection with the elegant Extra-fort Roue a Colonnes Retour en Vol When it comes to chronographs, few watch brands can match the illustrious heritage of Eberhard & Co. Since being founded in 1887, this Swiss watchmaker has been celebrated for emblematic stopwatch timepieces, including its two-pusher chronograph from 1935, the classy Tazio Nuvolari series launched in the 1990s and the revolutionary Chrono 4 conceived at the turn of the millennium. Continuing this rich tradition, the brand recently unveiled the Extra-fort Roue a Colonnes Retour en Vol. This new model draws inspiration from the iconic Extra-fort collection, synonymous with precision and elegance since its inception during the 1940s. The designers at Eberhard & Co. have meticulously reimagined this classic, infusing it with contemporary touches while preserving the essence of its mid-century predecessors. Indeed, they have taken what they call a "return to the past with the eyes of the present" approach to create it. Extra-fort Roue a Colonnes Retour En Vol Eberhard & Co. The name Roue a Colonnes Retour en Vol French for Flyback Column Wheel cleverly encapsulates two coveted features of this chronograph: a column wheel for smooth activation and a flyback function allowing the chronograph to be reset and restarted with a single press. Figuratively, the name also evokes the notion of flying on the wings of the eagle that adorns the Maison de l'Aigle in La Chaux-de-Fonds, home to Eberhard & Co.s workshop and museum. Maison Eberhard, Rue Leopold Robert Eberhard & Co. The dial of the Extra-fort Roue a Colonnes Retour en Vol reveals a refined eye for detail and design. It features a frappe effect in the centre, while the chronograph counters boast an azure finish, creating texture and contrast. Rhodium-treated dauphine hands and applied hour markers enhance the dials elegance, while a tachymeter scale on the periphery adds practical functionality. Extra-fort Roue a Colonnes Retour En Vol Eberhard & Co. Meanwhile, the polished steel case, measuring 41mm by 14.20mm, strikes a good balance between wrist presence and comfort. The sizeable rectangular chronograph pushers provide tactile pleasure when operating the stopwatch function, while the screw-down crown, emblazoned with the brands E logo, ensures water resistance up to 50 metres. Through the display back, the automatic movement powering the indications is revealed, showcasing the Geneva-wave decorated winding rotor and bridges, the oscillating balance, and the titular column wheel, which is blued to stand out. Extra-fort Roue a Colonnes Retour En Vol caseback Eberhard & Co. A variety of colour combinations are available for the Extra-fort Roue a Colonnes Retour en Vol: silvered dial with silvered, black or blue counters; blue dial with silvered counters; and a striking gradient blue with matching counters. Each variant offers a distinctive aesthetic appeal. Whats more, the watch can be paired with a classic alligator leather strap in black or blue (CHF 4,560) or a robust 5-link steel bracelet (CHF 5,120) for a sportier look. For more information, please visit the brands website. 2025 Mazda CX-90: Pricing and Packaging Thoughtful updates enhance customer choice and experience New 3.3 Turbo Premium Sport and PHEV Premium Sport models add unique designs to the CX-90 lineup More seating configurations allow customers better personalize CX-90 to their daily needs 2025 CX-90 goes on sale with a starting MSRP1 of $37,845 and will arrive at dealerships later this summer IRVINE, Calif., July 30, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Mazda North American Operations announces pricing and packaging for the 2025 CX-90, maintaining its captivating design elements, interior craftsmanship and IIHS award winning safety. For 2025, the CX-90 receives customer centric updates to model packages, safety technology and seating options to give drivers and passengers more options throughout the CX-90 model line-up. CX-90 is built upon Mazda's electrified Large Platform. This gives CX-90 incredible dynamic prowess thanks to features like a double wishbone front suspension, multilink rear suspension and standard i-Activ AWD. This hardware is seamlessly blended with advanced software, like Mazda Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) technology. Tuned for driving precision, KPC suppresses body lift on tight corners to enhance the grip and help all occupants to maintain a natural posture. All of these design traits are designed to help keep CX-90's tires firmly planted on the pavement, offering surefooted and confidence-inspiring driving. With a larger on-the-road footprint compared to other Mazda models, our flagship CX-90 offers ample space with seating for up to eight people and a variety of interior and seating configurations to best suit the needs of our customers. All of this is bound in a stylish, fun to drive package that only Mazda could engineer. CX-90 3.3 TURBO SELECT CX-90 3.3 Turbo models are powered by the e-Skyactiv G 3.3 Turbo engine which produces 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. This 3.3-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine is equipped with M-Hybrid Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid assist system which improves efficiency and low speed throttle response. This powertrain, like all CX-90 models, is backed by an 8-speed automatic transmission with standard i-Activ AWD. On regular 87-octane fuel, CX-90 3.3 Turbo models will return an EPA estimated 24 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Similar to the previous model year, CX-90 3.3 Turbo models offer an impressive variety of standard safety, convenience, and technology amenities. The 3.3 Turbo Select offers seating for eight, with the second and third-row bench seats accommodating up to three passengers each. Drivers will appreciate the standard black leatherette seats, leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel with paddle shifters, a seven-inch TFT LCD instrument panel display, and eight-way power adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support. Conveniences such as the 10.25-inch full-color center display with Mazda Connect infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, eight-speaker audio system, Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry, push-button start, front and second-row dual USB inputs, rear power windows, and three-zone automatic climate control with third row AC vents are among many more standard features occupants will enjoy. Moving to the exterior, standard features include unique 19-inch silver metallic finish aluminum alloy wheels, power liftgate, roof rails, automatic on/off LED headlights with auto-leveling, LED daytime running lamps, LED taillights, High Beam Control, power and heated doors mirror with LED turn signal indicators, and rain sensing windshield wipers. The "Inline 6" fender badge is now available in either black or bright finishes. Black garnishes and a black honeycomb front grille complete the look for this model. Standard i-Activsense safety features include Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring with Vehicle Exit Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning System with Lane-keep Assist, Rear Seat Alert, and Driver Attention Alert to help keep everyone safe when in the vehicle. CX-90 3.3 TURBO PREFERRED The CX-90 3.3 Turbo Preferred package continues to offer eight-passenger seating with second and third-row bench seats and all the standard amenities previously mentioned. Customers will have an option for a seven-passenger seating configuration by opting for second-row captain's chairs with armrests and a center walk through. New for 2025, the 3.3 Turbo Preferred gains the larger 12.3-inch full color infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, both with touch screen capabilities. Wireless phone charging is also newly available in this package, along with front and rear parking sensors for added peace of mind. This trim adds a power sunroof, black or greige leather seats, heated front seats, a four-way power adjustable passenger seat, and second-row retractable window shades. Upgraded to USB-C for faster charging and adding another set in the third row, this trim provides a total of six inputs for added convenience in all three rows. The exterior is also updated with piano black garnishes and front grille mesh. CX-90 3.3 TURBO PREMIUM SPORT The CX-90 3.3 Turbo Premium Sport is a new offering for 2025, providing the same eight or seven-passenger seating layout options and features as the Turbo Preferred. CX-90 models with the Sport designation feature unique visual cues, with blackout exterior elements including a gloss black honeycomb front grille, black chrome signature wing and "Inline 6" fender badge, 21-inch wheels in black metallic finish, black front and rear lower bumper, front and rear black door garnish, piano black side mirrors and roof rails. This trim adds Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) for Sport, Off Road, and Towing modes, and see maximum towing capacity increased from 3,500 lbs. to 5,000 lbs. when equipped with Mazda Genuine Towing Accessories. Additional upgrades include a power panoramic moonroof, hands-free power rear liftgate, an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support and two memory settings, Bose 12-speaker audio, 12.3-inch fully digital cluster along with a head-up Active Driving Display, a frameless auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink, a Mazda Navigation System with Off-Road Navigation functionality, enhanced interior LED illuminations, SiriusXM satellite radio with a three month trial and SiriusXM 3 Yr. traffic and travel link subscription. To help ensure a safe and secure journey for all occupants as this model includes additional i-Activsense safety features such as Emergency Lane Keeping with Blind Spot Assist, Road Keep Assist, and Head-on Traffic Avoidance Assist, Secondary Collision Reduction, and Cruising & Traffic Support. CX-90 3.3 TURBO PREMIUM PLUS The CX-90 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus is only offered in a seven-passenger seating layout with second-row captain's chairs with armrests and center walk through. Other interior features include black or white Nappa leather seats, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, eight-way power adjustable passenger seat, heated second-row seats, and a 150-volt power outlet in the cargo area. Additional upgrades include a windshield wiper de-icer for tackling colder climates, automatic power-folding and auto-dimming side mirrors, bright "Inline 6" fender badging, and 21-inch aluminum alloy wheels with silver metallic finish. CX-90 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus also sees added i-Activsense safety features that include a 360 View Monitor with See-Through View, Rear View Monitor (dynamic reversing guidelines), Smart Brake Support Rear, Smart Break Support Front Crossing, Front Cross Traffic Alert and a security system (burglar alarm). CX-90 PHEV PREFERRED CX-90 PHEV is equipped with the e-Skyactiv PHEV powertrain, which is comprised of a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that is mated to an electric motor with a 17.8kWh high-capacity battery, producing 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque when using the recommended 91-octane premium fuel. To provide owners with flexibility and peace of mind, CX-90 PHEV is designed to operate purely on the electric motor in a variety of driving scenarios, including cruising at freeway speeds. All CX-90 PHEV models can tow up to 3,500 lbs. When equipped with Mazda Genuine Towing Accessories. CX-90 PHEV models are equipped with Mi-Drive including Sport, Off-Road, and EV drive modes. EV mode will allow the driver to operate CX-90 PHEV on only the electric motor and battery for as long as possible. New for 2025, all CX-90 PHEV models include a 12.3-inch full color center display, wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, both with touch screen capabilities, and front and rear parking sensors to maximize the power of vehicle technology choices. CX-90 PHEV Preferred has eight-passenger seating with second and third-row bench seats or an option for a seven-passenger seating configuration with second-row captain's chairs with armrests, and center walk through. Core features of CX-90 PHEV Preferred include 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels with silver metallic finish, roof rails, sunroof, heated side mirrors, power liftgate, fully digital 12.3-inch TFT LCD instrument panel display, a total of six USB-C throughout with two ports in each row, three-zone automatic climate control with third row AC vents, and heated front seats in black or greige leather. Standard i-Activsense safety features for CX-90 PHEV include Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring with Vehicle Exit Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning System with Lane-keep Assist, Rear Seat Alert, Driver Attention Alert and an anti-theft immobilizer system. These safety features are made to help keep the driver and all passengers calm and at peace while in the vehicle. CX-90 PHEV PREMIUM SPORT The CX-90 PHEV Premium Sport is a new offering for 2025 to elevate customer choices. Similar to the Turbo variant of this model, it uniquely features blackout exterior elements including a gloss black honeycomb front grille, black chrome signature wing and "PHEV" fender badge, 21-inch wheels in black metallic finish, black front and rear lower bumper, front and rear black door garnish, piano black side mirrors and roof rails. Showcasing the modularity of the CX-90 platform, the PHEV Premium Sport offers several seating configurations for seven passengers, as popularly requested by customers. This includes a second-row bench seat with a 50/50 split folding two-passenger rear seat, or second-row captain's chairs with pass-through and a three-passenger 60/40 split folding rear seat. Other interior upgrades include a power liftgate, head-up Active Driving Display, Mazda Navigation System with Off Road Navigation, functionality, a frameless, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, enhanced interior LED illumination, eight-way power adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support and two-position memory, eight-way power passenger seats, Bose 12-speaker audio sound system, SiriusXM satellite radio with a 3-month trial, SiriusXM 3 Yr. traffic and travel link subscription, and a 1,500-watt charging outlet in the rear cargo area. This model builds on the previous trim with additional i-Activsense safety features including Emergency Lane Keeping with Blind Spot Assist, Road Keep Assist, and Head-on Traffic Avoidance Assist. It also includes Traffic Sign Recognition, Secondary Collision Reduction, and Cruising & Traffic Support. CX-90 PHEV PREMIUM PLUS CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus features all the other elements of the previous PHEV models in addition to exterior features such as 21-inch aluminum alloy wheels with machine cut finish, windshield wiper de-icer, bright "PHEV" fender badge and automatic power folding and auto-dimming side mirrors. This seating configuration includes a seven-passenger seating capacity, second-row heated captain's chairs with armrests and center walk through and a three-seat bench in the third row. Other interior features include Nappa leather seat material available in black or white, heated steering wheel, heated second row seating, ventilated front seats, and a 150-watt accessory power outlet to offer our customers comfort as they embark on their daily journey. Added i-Activsense safety features for this model include Smart Brake Support Front Crossing, Smart Brake Support Rear, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Rear View Monitor with dynamic guidelines when parking, and 360 View Monitor with See-Through View. CX-90 3.3 TURBO S PREMIUM CX-90 3.3 Turbo S is equipped with the e-Skyactiv G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbo, which is the most powerful mass production gasoline engine developed by Mazda. In 3.3 Turbo S guide, this engine produces up to 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque when using the recommended 91-octane premium fuel while achieving an EPA estimated 23 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. All CX-90 3.3 Turbo S models come equipped with Mi-Drive modes including Sport, Off-Road, and Towing reaching a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. when equipped with Mazda Genuine Towing Accessories. CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium offers the option of seven- or eight-passenger seating with the choice between a second-row bench seat or second-row captain's chairs with armrests and a center walk through. The CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium features plenty of standard interior amenities, including technologies such as a Mazda's bespoke Driver Personalization System for optimized driver comfort, a 12.3-inch full center display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, both with touch screen capabilities, Mazda Navigation with Off-Road Navigation, Bose 12-speaker audio sound system, SiriusXM satellite radio with a 3-month trial, SiriusXM 3 Yr. traffic and travel link subscription, fully digital 12.3-inch TFT LCD instrument panel display, dual USB-C inputs in each row for a total of six, wireless phone charger, a head-up Active Driving Display, and frameless, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink. Additional comfort and conveniences include a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel with power tilt and telescopic and memory setting, black or white Nappa leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, leather-wrapped shifter, eight-way power adjustable passenger and driver seats, power panoramic moonroof, and three-zone automatic climate control with third row AC vents. Exterior features include 21-inch machine cut finish aluminum alloy wheels, hands-free power liftgate, body-color rear roof spoiler and wheel arch moldings, bright "Inline 6" fender badge, automatic power folding and auto-dimming heated side mirrors, roof rails and an adaptive front light system. CX-90 3.3 Turbo S models are all generously equipped with a robust suite of i-Activsense safety and driver assistance features including 360 View Monitor with See-Through View, front and rear parking sensors, Rear Seat Alert, automatic on/off headlights, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Cruising & Traffic Support, Smart Brake Support, Smart Brake Support Front Crossing, Smart Brake Support Rear with pedestrian detection, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Emergency Lane Keeping with Blind Spot Assist, Road Keep Assist, and Head-on Traffic Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring with Vehicle Exit Warning, Lane Departure Warning System with Lane-keep Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Driver Monitoring, and Secondary Collision Reduction. CX-90 3.3 TURBO S PREMIUM PLUS At the top of the CX-90 model lineup, the CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus completes the experience by blending first-class craftsmanship and design Mazda's world-class performance. This six-passenger configuration offers second row captain's chairs with a center console and a two-seat third-row to provide all occupants with ample room in any row. Elevating the interior cabin, Nappa leather seats are available in tan quilting or white Japanese Premium options. Additionally, the vehicle includes adds ventilation in the second-row seats to provide a relaxing ride to all. MSRP FOR THE 2025 MAZDA CX-90 IS AS FOLLOWS: Model Starting MSRP2 CX-90 3.3 Turbo Select $37,845 CX-90 3.3 Turbo Preferred $40,945 CX-90 3.3 Turbo Premium Sport $46,400 CX-90 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus $49,400 CX-90 PHEV Preferred $49,945 CX-90 PHEV Premium Sport $54,900 CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus $57,950 CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium $52,950 CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus $56,450 PREMIUM PAINT COLORS: Artisan Red $595 Rhodium White $595 Soul Red Crystal Metallic $595 Machine Gray Metallic $595 Proudly founded in Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda has a history of sophisticated craftsmanship and innovation, and a purpose to enrich life-in-motion for those it serves. By putting humans at the center of everything it does, Mazda aspires to create uplifting experiences with our vehicles and for people. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at news.mazdausa.com. Follow @MazdaUSA on social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Threads. 1 MSRP does not include $1,455 for destination and handling ($1,500 in Alaska), taxes, title or additional fees. Dealers set actual sale prices. 2 MSRP does not include $1,455 for destination and handling ($1,500 in Alaska), taxes, title or additional fees. Dealers set actual sale prices. French DJ and activist Barbara Butch said she filed several police reports after receiving death threats for her participation in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics. One of the scenes reminded viewers of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper. ADVERTISIMENT The Paris Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed to Variety that a complaint of cyber harassment had been received and an official investigation had been launched. "The facts could potentially qualify as violence, aggravated by discrimination, death threats and public incitement to attempted murder or physical harm," the statement said. The scene, which featured drag queens and other members of the LGBTQ community, drew backlash from the Catholic Church as well as prominent conservative figures. Olympic artistic director Thomas Jolly told French TV channel BFMTV that the segment was not inspired by the Last Supper, but instead was a tribute to Greek mythology. ADVERTISIMENT During the opening ceremony, Butch was center stage, standing behind the DJ booth in a silver headdress and blue dress. Audrey Msellati, the artist's lawyer, said: "She has received death, torture and rape threats and has been the target of numerous anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist and crude insults. Barbara Butch condemns this vile hatred directed against her, what she represents and what she stands for. Today she is filing several complaints against these acts committed by French citizens or foreigners and intends to bring to justice anyone who tries to intimidate her in the future." ADVERTISIMENT The Olympic organizers apologized for any misrepresentation during a press conference after the ceremony, with spokeswoman Ann DeCamp saying that "obviously there was never any intention to disrespect any religious group... If people felt offended, we are very sorry." Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! In Ukraine, the culture of tipping has been spreading over the past few years and means gratitude for good service. However, in certain countries, it is enough to say "thank you" because such generosity of a visitor is considered an insult. ADVERTISIMENT There are at least 7 such countries. Therefore, according to the Express, if you offer a symbolic gratitude to the staff in the form of money, people will be surprised and will refuse. Japan Over the past few years, the number of visitors to the country of cherry blossoms has been growing exponentially. However, despite the excessive number of people who would like to thank for good service, for the people of Japan, service is an art and is well paid. China In another Asian country, tipping is not common. The Chinese don't see small change as gratitude. "Some tourist destinations may accept tips, but it is usually unexpected. Modest tips to guides are an exception," the experts commented. ADVERTISIMENT South Korea More than 11 million people have visited South Korea. In this country, tipping is not prohibited and can be left on one condition - small amounts. Rounding up the check is allowed here, "but larger tips are considered indecent." In particular, in South Korea, service fees are already included in the price of hotels and tourist areas, so there is no need to tip. Singapore In this country, it is advised not to even think of the desire to financially thank for the service. Singaporeans mostly consider tipping to be rude. Moreover, the service charge is usually included in the bill. Iceland The country, which is bordered by the ocean on all sides, is among the leaders in various ratings of living standards. That's why tipping is not accepted there, as the Irish are obsessed with fairly paid labor. "Locals may be confused by attempts to give tips," experts say. ADVERTISIMENT Cuba This little-explored part of the world is constantly attracting new tourists. However, it is the communist ideology of the country that despises the culture of tipping. Switzerland In a country located almost in the middle of Europe, it is also not customary to thank for service with money. However, it's okay if you just round up the bill. It is considered a gesture of politeness. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! On the night of July 31, explosions were heard in the Russian city of Kursk, and a missile alert was declared in the region. Local authorities reported an "attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine" and a fire at "one of the facilities," with no casualties. In the morning, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported a strike on a storage facility for weapons and military equipment near Kursk. ADVERTISIMENT Around 01:00 (local time and Kyiv time), the local publics reported that "it was loud over Kursk", before which a UAV was allegedly spotted in the region. At 01:32, the acting governor of the region, Alexei Smirnov, announced a missile threat and told residents to take cover, while the siren was not activated in the city. The signal was given only around 1:40. As of 01:50, Smirnov said that "a fire broke out at one of the facilities in the Kursk district after the attack by the Ukrainian army". ADVERTISIMENT "I am at the scene together with representatives of law enforcement agencies. I am investigating the possible consequences and reasons for the absence of an alarm," he said. At 03:37, the governor announced that the missile threat was over, and as of 03:52, he said that the fire in the Kursk region was localized, and there were no casualties. On the morning of July 31, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the alleged interception and destruction of 11 UAVs over the Belgorod region, four over the Bryansk region, and one UAV each over the Kursk, Kaluga, Rostov regions and occupied Crimea. A "Neptune-MD" guided missile was also allegedly destroyed over the Kursk region. ADVERTISIMENT The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces later confirmed the attack on the storage facility for weapons and military equipment near Kursk. "We observed the work of enemy air defense and explosions at targeting points. Specified units from the Ukrainian Navy in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces were engaged in combat operations. Detailed information on the result of the attack is being clarified," the statement said. The General Staff added that Ukrainian soldiers will continue to take all possible legal measures to stop Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, on the night of July 30, Ukrainian soldiers hit another oil depot in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation. After the attack, a fire broke out at the facility. The strike was carried out by the forces and means of the Security Service of Ukraine in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces, which was confirmed by the DIU. ADVERTISIMENT On July 28, it was reported that several fires broke out at night in the Kursk region, including at an oil depot. They were preceded by an announcement of an air threat and then a series of loud explosions. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Cleanliness and order in the home is a guarantee of health and comfort. However, there are places in the house that are extremely difficult to clean. ADVERTISIMENT One important aspect of home maintenance is cleaning tiles and grout between them. Rebekka Ladner, CEO of Melbourne-based Queen of Clean, told us how to do it as quickly and efficiently as possible. Tiles, due to their smooth surface, seem to be an easy surface to clean, but in practice, it is more complicated. Over time, they become covered with plaque, dirt and grease deposits that are difficult to remove with conventional means. In addition, the seams can become a real "breeding ground" for mold and bacteria, which requires additional attention during cleaning. The expert has tried all the life hacks for cleaning tiles, including baking soda, vinegar, and special detergents, but none of them gave the desired result. In addition, they required too much time and effort. Fortunately, however, Ladner found a way to deal with the tough stains. ADVERTISIMENT How do I clean tiles and grout between them? Dissolve two scoops of stain remover in a bucket of water and spread the mixture over the tiles before scrubbing thoroughly at the most soiled areas. However, be careful because the tiles will be very slippery at this time. After you are done scrubbing the stains from the floor, rinse it with a solution of hot water and methylated spirits. Tips Test any new cleaners on a small area to make sure they won't discolor or damage the surface; It is usually easier to use a hand brush to clean grout between wall tiles or in small spaces; If you damage the tiles, rinse off the detergent with water as soon as possible; Clean the floor last so that dust does not fall on it during usual cleaning. ADVERTISIMENT Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. Penfolds partners with Goedhuis Waddesdon for UK distribution Image: Team members from Penfolds and Goedhuis Waddesdon Penfolds has appointed Goedhuis Waddesdon as its UK distributor, with a focus growing distribution of the brands core Bins collection. Goedhuis Waddesdon will distribute Penfolds wines through independent retail, premium on-trade, and merchant channels. An Australian company, Penfolds has widened its focus to include French and American wines, which Goedhuis Waddesdon will also distribute in the UK. Helen Miller, commercial director for Goedhuis Waddesdon, commented: Having begun to work with Penfolds at Waddesdon Wine in 2019, its an honour to develop this partnership into a principal distribution model in 2024. We look forward to growing Penfolds sales as part of our newly merged entity, Goedhuis Waddesdon. The Californian and French releases from Penfolds are hugely exciting, while the Bin-level wines offer outstanding value for money within every channel we serve. Daevid Warren, commercial director for Penfolds EMEA, addsed Were delighted to be continuing our relationship with Goedhuis Waddesdon as we release our latest collection in the coming weeks. The Penfolds range has expanded quite significantly in recent years requiring us to review our strategic focus for our trade partners across the EMEA region. We have every confidence the Goedhuis Waddesdon team is the partner to help us further establish our burgeoning French and Californian Collections, whilst ensuring the renowned Australian classics in our Bin Collection continue to succeed. 31 July 2024 - Lucy Schofield Investment projects worth Rs 39,000 crore to come up in Vidarbha Staff Reporter : To boost the employment generation in region, a cabinet sub-committee of Maharashtra Government at its meeting held on Tuesday approved investment proposals worth Rs 39,000 crore for Vidarbha region. The projects are in nature of establishment of new plants in area of solar, electric vehicles batteries and a liquor plant. Together the three projects when completed would create 13,500 job opportunities at various level. The sub-committee meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Dy CM Ajit Pawar and Industries Minister Uday Samant. Given the ample availability of land and power along side technical manpower, Nagpur is well poised for attracting investment. The biggest among the three projects identified for Nagpur is that of AWAADA Electro Ltd and the company has committed investment of Rs 13,647 crore. As per the cabinet note, the project could created job opportunities of 8,000 and it would be engaged in manufacturing Solar PV modules and electrolyser. The company would set-up its base in Butibori Industrial Estate and it is one of the leading player in semi-conductor and solar energy sectors. As per the project profile, the company would manufacture ingots, wafers cell modules using silicon as primary resource and advanced electrolyser unit. As to JSW Energy, PSP Eleven Ltd, the company from Jindal Group has identified Lithium Ion Cell manufacturing plant to be set-up in city. The plant will have capacity of 50 GWH and entails investment of Rs 25,000 crore targeting creation of 5000 jobs. Given the rapidly expanding market for electric vehicles, the plant will be having cutting edge technology. The EV batteries are in great demand which is going to rise continuously over the years and hence the project has bright future. The last investment pertains to Pernod Ricard India Pvt Ltd that has already signed agreement for production and maturation of malt spirit. The project entails investment of Rs 1,785 crore and created employment for 800 persons. The plant is going to come up in Butibori Industrial Estate. The distillery is going to manufacture single malt whisky using barley. As per Department of Industries note, it could give rise to tourism due to potential of distillery tour and testing station. Kamala Harris: a tough challenge for Trump By Diane Abbott : Biden was always set to lose to Trump even before the shooting. He presided over the biggest decline in US living standards since the Great Depression. The question now is , Whether Harris can mobilise people to successfully stop Trump. The short answer is yes, she can. But it will not be easy. Political movements cannot just be conjured out of the air. And Harris may suffer by association with the deeply unpopular Biden. The more she can distance herself from her boss the better. DONALD Trump was facing an easy ride to the White House when he was matched against Joe Biden. Now he has to face off against Kamala Harris things look very different. Trump has good reason to be scared. He might even lose, again, although it is quite likely he will claim he won, against all the evidence. But he knows now he is in a race. US presidential elections are usually consequential, even if those consequences are often surprising. After all, it was not the non-WASP US golden boy JFK who ended the Vietnam war. That was forced on Tricky Dickie Nixon, who was later forced to resign from office in disgrace. But it is quite possible that this could be one of the most consequential US presidential elections of modern history, which could affect every country on the planet. To understand the historical dynamics, we need to look into the background to the current contest. When Trump beat Hillary Clinton to the presidency in 2016 he lost the popular vote by almost three million. This is because, as jurists from the US right now like to remind us, the US is not a democracy but a constitutional republic. In the electoral process, this means each state casts votes for the presidential rivals in a 538-strong electoral college that takes place after the popular vote has taken place. Ever since its founding as the modern United States after the civil war, smaller states have had a disproportionate weight in the delegates to the electoral college. Currently, these are skewed to the smaller, more rural or suburban states. But they are historically the smaller slave-owning states that were defeated in the civil war. The constitutional republic is built on a compromise with slavery. This largely explains the anti-democratic nature of the system which means that the last Republican President to win the popular vote was George W Bush in 2004, having lost the popular vote but won the presidency in 2000 to Al Gore. It was a massively increased turnout in 2020 that did for Trump, the first incumbent President to lose an election in almost 30 years. Joe Bidens vote surged by almost 16 million votes compared to Hillary Clinton in 2016, an increase of almost a quarter. It is one of the great ironies of modern US politics that Bidens presidency was secured by the Black Lives Matter movement, despite the fact that his whole career had been one of complete opposition to the most modest attempts to combat racism in the US. Yet it was this factor and this movement which defeated Trump. Black Lives Matter took off in 2013 after a series of cop killings of unarmed black people. Typically, no officers were ever charged, let alone convicted. These killings have become endemic in US society. Just this week Sonya Massey, an unarmed black woman, was shot dead by police officers in Chicago after she had called 911 to report a possible intruder. She was shot in her home while talking to the police officers. Years of painstaking work by Black Lives Matter activists erupted into an enormous national movement after the killing of George Floyd, a movement with international resonance as we saw nightly, on our TV screens. It is estimated that up to 16 million people took part in one or more Black Lives Matter protests. Floyd was another unarmed black man murdered in broad daylight by a cop. But, because of all that activism, and because it took place in an election year, it lit a touch paper of protest. It is no exaggeration to say that 2020 was the Black Lives Matter election. The New York Times produces an excellent breakdown of the exit poll demographics for each national election. They are far superior to the various attempts here to shoe-horn data into a preconceived narrative. Think Ashcroft or various distortions of National Readership Surveys provide. What the Times exit poll shows is that this was a stop Trumps racism election: 90 per cent of black women voted for Biden and he easily led in every ethnic category except white (where he lost 58:41). Racial inequality topped the list of voter concerns, identified by 92 per cent of Biden supporters. To underline why people came out in such great numbers, 53 per cent of Republicans said they voted mainly for Trump, while 68 per cent of Democrats said they voted against Trump. By 2020, voters in general, but all ethnic minorities in particular, had seen enough of Trump to repel them. In a similar fashion, the 2022 midterm elections were widely expected to be a rout of the Democrats in both houses of Congress. But Stop Trump again became the battle cry after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade protections for a womans right to choose. In these elections, strangely, Democrats lost the popular vote by a wide margin but won every single battleground seat. This was based on the differential in turnout of women. Essentially, where a Republican could be defeated, women turned out in their droves to oppose further curbs on the right to choose. Which brings us up to date in 2024. Biden was always set to lose to Trump even before the shooting. He presided over the biggest decline in US living standards since the Great Depression. He was politically incapable of galvanising the coalitions that had previously opposed Trump precisely because he agreed too much with him. On the economy, womens rights, racism, trade union rights and war, Biden offered nothing different to Trump. The question now is whether Harris can mobilise the same forces, or at least enough of them to successfully stop Trump. The short answer is yes, she can. But it will not be easy. Political movements cannot just be conjured out of the air. And Harris may suffer by association with the deeply unpopular Biden. The more she can reasonably distance herself from her boss the better. Opinion polls offer some encouragement, with Harris narrowly ahead since Biden announced he was stepping aside. But it is very tight, and certainly not enough to overcome the bias of the electoral college. The stakes are enormously high and the consequences could be profound. (IPA) n OFK Khamaria to equip IAF with indigenously made 500-kg air-to-air firing PGB By Ashish Rajput : OFK has handed over inert bombs to DRDO for further user trials and its induction in the Indian Air Force. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be equipped with advanced ammunition Precision Guided Bomb (PGB) being indigenously developed at Ordnance Factory (OFK) Khamaria. The 500-kg air-to-air firing precision bomb is an inertial guidance system to destroy its target from long distances even under adverse visibility. Along with strengthening the ammunition power of the Indian Air Force, PGB-500 Project will also provide a big workload to the Ordnance Factory Khamaria. Ordnance Factory Khamaria, Chief General Manager, M N Haldar, while talking to The Hitavada, informed that the project of Precision Guided Bomb of 500-kg is in developing stage. They have successfully developed two inert PGBs for trials by the users. The technology was developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and total 24 shells have been provided to OFK for development of ammunition indigenously. OFK has handed over inert bombs for further user trials and its induction in the Indian Air Force. Once the initial trials will be completed, DRDO will provide the Guidance Kits for streamlining production of another advanced indigenous ammunition for the Indian Air Force. The indigenously developed 500-kg Precision Guided Bomb was test fired by Sukhoi Jet at the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan. Successful test firing was a major achievement for the DRDO as the bomb hit its target with precision. The advanced weapon system is also capable for carrying different kinds of warheads. According to sources, the Precision Guided Bomb will provide a handsome workload to the OFK as its single unit is estimated to be around Rs 3 crore. Rain. road. risk. Staff Reporter : The quality of city roads that once seemed smooth got exposed after the recent rains. Gravel has come up and people are finding it difficult to drive/ride on. These uneven roads are inviting accidents as two-wheelers are skidding on these roads. Against the backdrop of heavy rains, this particular aspect of bad condition of road remains neglected. Recently, there was a small mishap on Shivaji Nagar Road when a two-wheeler skidded off the road because of the bad condition. The road from RTO to University Campus has been damaged completely. If one pays a visit to these roads, one would realise these roads are not roads anymore. They have broken into pieces and now all the loose gravel poses danger to the drivers/riders. It was Madan Gopal Agrawal, the then Mayor of Nagpur, who in the year 1958 had introduced the concept of cement road. Sitabuldi Main Road, Subhash Road, Malviya Road and Shivaji Nagar Road were the first four cement roads of Nagpur. This cement road, with three others in the city, were built in 1958. For 60 years, the roads were perfectly fine. About 10 years ago, they developed cracks leading to potholes. There were no commercial establishments at Shivaji Nagar Road then, like other three roads. But it was connected to Dharampeth Main Road. The authorities did not consider Dharampeth Main Road to be included in the list of roads to be concretised. Now, when every single lane of Nagpur is being concretised, surprisingly, Shivaji Nagar road, one of the oldest cement roads, was tarred in March this year. But the recent rain devastated the tar layer of the road and its condition turned from bad to worst. Similarly, the road between Pratap Nagar Square and Somalwar Nikalas School has been damaged by the recent rains and the road became gravelly. The other side of the road is being concretised which is closed for traffic because of which the commuters have to use this damaged tar road. The condition of Katol Road, which approaches Raj Bhavan, is no different. Similar risky situation dominates a long, tarred stretch of road in Jaitala. Big potholes just make the situation worse. Loose metal raises question mark over the quality of tarring on Shivaji Nagar Road. Within just over four months, a brief spell of rain has damaged the road. Almost every year, the road gets damaged and then it gets a wishy-washy patch work. But this years rain brought the real condition of the roads in city to the fore. The roads get damaged and the gravels carpeting the stretch has become a regular feature. The dust just adds to the risk of respiratory problems for the road users. Take example of Amravati Road. Every year it gets repaired, people start using it with the hope they would keep enjoying its smoothness forever. It doesnt happen. The recent showers again exposed this man-made patch work and the cover of the road was broken into pieces. These pieces or gravels or metals are spread all over the road. They not only led to potholes at some places but also formed a heap. In both cases driving has become dangerous. At one place, one part of the road is completely damaged with gravels on it and other small part is in some good shape and if a commuter wants to go, he or she has to take the vehicle up and travel on a road which is relatively better. Vikas Thakre, MLA has decided to take up this issue with the Government. The repairing work should provide a permanent solution, felt Thakre. RIGHT ASSERTION THE assertion by Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar that no third party was required to sort out the dispute between India and China, is quite in tune with the overall approach of Indian foreign policy and also suggests that India is quite capable of handling the issue on its own terms. In other words, Dr. Jaishankar seems to suggest that India would not accept any compromise with its foreign policy interests.There is nothing more endearing than such a resolution -- in terms of foreign policy management. For, when a third party is allowed to step into a bilateral dispute, unnecessary angles also threaten to pop up, from the point of view of the third party. Since there are no free lunches in the world of hard numbers and practical interests, any third party would wish to look at the dispute with its own angle butting in. India would never want to entertain any such possibility. The difficulty with handling a dispute with China is that Beijing is quite slippery in its stands on most issues. It does follow an honourable physical protocol all right in diplomatic engagement. But minus that superficiality, the overall reliability count of the Chinese is quite low -- which India has come to understand over decades of diplomatic engagement with China. The Chinese never accept any position put up for the adversary, and also never specify what they want out of the interaction. They appear to come straight to point, but in actuality, they are masters in the art of beating around the bush for endless numbers of meetings and interactions. India has learned this at some cost over decades of diplomacy over the resolution of the border dispute with China particularly in the snow-capped regions of the Himalayas. Because creating permanent landmarks to specify the border or Line of Actual Control due to shifting nature of the snowy landscape is not possible, the Chinese are happy to keep shifting their claims every now and then. India knows this Chinese style and is ready to go long distance in diplomacy -- often using its military prowess to its advantage. Having acquired that experience, India now believes that it can manage the vagaries of dispute-resolution with China on its own terms that may take years to get sorted out point by point. Over time, India has developed its military diplomacy to a status of a fine art. The Indians know when to hold thing tight, and when to let those go loose. They also know how to refer to their military positions and locations to their advantage. Dr. Jaishankars assertion that no third party is required to help India to sort out the dispute with China encompasses a wide range of the experiences in different domains of diplomacy . Indias dispute with China dates back to Independence in 1947 -- or even before when the British still ruled the country. The British could not handle the Chinese effectively and left for the succeeding Indians a good deal of muck on the plate. The dispute, thus, has a good baggage from the past. Though diplomacy is not about winning just an argument, but keeping the argument going in the hope of finding a loose and open end through which ones own interests could be pushed. In the case with China, India has followed this diplomatic dictum. China, too, may not accept any third party intervention in the dispute with India. For, in that case, what comes to bear upon the minds of the disputing parties is the moral authority a mediator usually commands. China is never willing to go along with such a proposition. So, for their respective reasons, both India and China would want to keep the dispute purely bilateral. But what matters most is Indias point of view -- based on the position of its strengths Vistara VRS for non-flying staff Merger with Air India NEW DELHI : VISTARA has offered voluntary retirement as well as voluntary separation schemes for its non-flying staff, ahead of the full service carriers merger with Air India, according to officials. A joint venture between the Tatas and Singapore Airlines, Vistara has around more than 6,500 employees, including permanent and contract staff. The Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) and Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) have been offered for the non-flying permanent employees. Eligible staff can apply for the schemes till August 23, they said. While VRS is for those who have completed five years of service, VSS is for the staff who are yet to complete five-year service at the airline. The schemes are similar to those offered by the Tata Group-owned Air India earlier this month. The schemes are not be applicable for pilots, cabin crew and those holding licences for carrying out their duties. There was no official comment from Vistara on the schemes. The airline started flying in 2015. Earlier this month, sources had said about 600 non-flying staff of Air India and Vistara are likely to be impacted by the two airlines mega-merger, and efforts will be made to provide job opportunities to the affected employees within Air India group and Tata companies. Tata Group-owned loss-making full-service carriers -- Air India and Vistara -- together have more than 23,000 employees. Meanwhile, the fitment exercise -- which involves the evaluation of the roles and responsibilities of staff of both airlines -- in the run-up to the merger has been going on for the past few months. The exercise takes into account an individuals prior experience, performance and other factors. On May 12, Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson, along with Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan, held a one-and-a-half-hour town hall meeting with employees of both carriers about the proposed merger. At that time, Wilson and Kannan also assured that the fitment, or assignment, of existing employees into the new structure was being done based on merit and competency. The merger, which will create one of the biggest airline groups, was announced in November 2022. Once the deal is complete, Singapore Airlines will have a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India. Vistara is a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and the Tata Group. In June, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) cleared the merger, and in March, Singapores competition regulator CCCS gave a conditional nod for the proposed deal. Earlier in September 2023, the deal received approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI), subject to certain conditions. One of the most popular photo storage services is Google Photos. It's convenient because it's accessible from a variety of devices and allows you to easily upload your photos to the cloud. ADVERTISIMENT However, downloading photos to your computer from the service is not as simple and intuitive as it sounds. That's why Tom's Guide has created a step-by-step guide on how to do it. It will help you work with individual files, download entire albums, and even your entire archive, regardless of whether you use Windows or macOS. How to download your archive from Google Photos The only service that allows you to download all available data from your Google account is Google Takeout. It allows users of the company's products, such as YouTube and Gmail, to export their data to an archive file for download. Fortunately, you don't have to create a separate profile to use the service. You can easily sign in to Google Takeout with your Google account. Select the files you want to export with Google Takeout ADVERTISIMENT As soon as you log in, the program displays a list of everything you can download. It will include, among other things, your contacts, email messages, Drive files, and more. If you want to download only your photos, click "Deselect all" on the data selection tab. Then scroll to the service you want and select it. In this case, it's Google Photos. Choose an export method Next, you'll see a list of export methods from which you'll need to choose one. You can get a download link sent to you via email, or choose to export your photos to another cloud service like OneDrive or Dropbox. You can also set up periodic exports and even choose maximum file sizes. ADVERTISIMENT Export your photos/videos Once you have completed all the previous steps, click the Create Export button. If you chose to receive a download link via email, it may take a few minutes to a few hours depending on the size of your photo library. The link to your archive will be available within a week. How to download individual photos from Google Photos If you only want to download individual photos/videos, you can do so directly from Google Photos. Here's what you need to do. ADVERTISIMENT Select photos to download Find the photo you want to download and click the checkmark in the upper left corner of the photo. You can select as many individual photos as you want. Hold down the Shift key while selecting and you can select a group of photos at once. Download the selected files Once you have selected the photos you want, click the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of the page. Then select the "Download" option. This will create a zip folder with the photos. How to download albums from Google Photos Google Photos lets you create albums. Or it saves photos to folders for you if you use the Smart Albums feature. Downloading them is as easy as downloading individual shots. ADVERTISIMENT Find the album you want to download On the albums tab on the left side of the screen, select View all albums. Then click on the one you want to download. Upload your album As in the previous step, click the three vertical dots to start the download. This will also create a zip file. Keep in mind that there is a limit to downloading one album at a time. Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest developments. Learning a new language, especially as an adult, is always difficult. However, if you already speak English at least on a casual level, the situation with traveling becomes much easier for you. ADVERTISIMENT In some European countries, English is widely spoken and it is quite enough for comfortable communication, while other countries require knowledge of the local language only to apply for residence. If you speak English and are planning to move to Europe in 2024, you will find it useful to know which countries are the easiest to live in without knowing the official language. Where in the EU is English spoken the most Learning the official language of the country you are living in, even temporarily, should be a priority. However, while you're trying to figure out verb forms, tenses, or articles, it's nice to know that you can get along with the locals just fine using English. Interestingly, native English speakers are notoriously reluctant to learn a foreign language. A study conducted by the European Commission in 2020 showed that 62% of the British people surveyed do not speak a second language - and why should they, since English is enough in almost any part of the world. In the EU, 56% of people speak at least one foreign language. ADVERTISIMENT So if you want to move to Europe, but you are worried about the language barrier, it is advisable to give preference to countries where English is widely spoken. Education First (EF), a global educational company, has published a ranking of the countries in Europe where English is spoken best. EF compared the English language test results of 2 million people around the world, including 35 European countries, to make the appropriate classification. The Nordic countries have the best knowledge of English. Croatia was ranked 10th, Finland and Sweden were ranked 9th and 8th respectively, and Denmark was ranked third. Austria is in second place with 641 points out of a possible 800. The first place goes to the Netherlands, where 91 to 93% of the population speaks fluent English. ADVERTISIMENT Among the European countries, Italy is in the lowest place, so if you dream of moving there, you should think about language classes in advance. Which countries require knowledge of the state language If you know that you find it difficult to learn a language, please note that some countries require foreign nationals to pass a language exam in order to apply for residence. France has recently made a number of changes to its immigration laws, including language requirements. French language tests will now be more difficult. For the Carte de resident (resident longue duree UE), a 10-year card issued to long-term residents, the language requirements are being raised from A2 to B1. According to the new law, those who intend to apply for French citizenship must now demonstrate a B2 level of language proficiency. ADVERTISIMENT Germany also requires language skills. The current rules require German language proficiency at CEFR level B1. Permanent residence in Switzerland also requires knowledge of one of its languages (German, French or Italian) at the A2 level for speaking and A1 level for writing. Sweden is currently considering introducing language requirements for long-term or permanent residence permits. Which European countries have the lowest language requirements Many countries do not require language proficiency to obtain a residence permit. A language test is only required at the stage of applying for citizenship. Spain, for example, only requires an A2 DELE (Diploma de Espanol como Lengua Extranjera) qualification in Spanish to apply for citizenship. ADVERTISIMENT Portuguese citizenship also requires an A2 CEFR level. Italy requires language proficiency at the B1 level. Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. There are many Ukrainians who, despite threats and difficulties, fought for the education of the people and changed education. Most citizens of our country do not know about the contribution of some of them. ADVERTISIMENT The list includes physicists, writers, linguists, teachers, and public figures. Detailed information about each of the educators is published on the Mriya Telegram channel. Ivan Pului is a physicist who discovered X-rays. He also translated the first geometry textbook and was actively involved in the translation of spiritual literature into Ukrainian. He supported the opening of a Ukrainian university in Lviv, was a member of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, organized scholarships for students in Austria-Hungary, and published articles in support of the Ukrainian language. Sofiia Rusova is a Ukrainian educator and public figure. The key achievement of the educator during her career is the formation of the national education system. She founded the first kindergartens in Ukraine and introduced progressive teaching methods. The Ukrainian woman created Sunday schools, wrote textbooks for Ukrainian schools, and was active in the Enlightenment and the women's movement. Her works "Preschool Education" and "Ukrainian School" became the basis of Ukrainian education. Rusova is called a woman who broke the system and built a new one. ADVERTISIMENT Borys Hrinchenko was a writer, educator, and public figure. He compiled a dictionary of the Ukrainian language in four volumes, which was the most lexically perfect at the beginning of the twentieth century. Hrinchenko created the first textbooks for Ukrainian schools, which became the basis for teaching in the native language. He compiled a primer that he used to teach children. He actively wrote his works and made translations. After all, there were not enough textbooks for studying. ADVERTISIMENT Oleksandr Lototskyi was a statesman, public figure, writer, and educator. The educator was engaged in reforming the education system during the Ukrainian People's Republic. The educator was one of the founders of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and worked on the creation of scientific institutions and educational programs, achieved the publication of the complete edition of Kobzar and the decision of the Russian Academy of Sciences "On the abolition of the restriction of the Little Russian printed word." Ahatanhel Krymsky was an orientalist, linguist, and writer. He was one of the founders of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, where he headed the Department of Orientalism. Krymsky made a great contribution to the study of oriental languages and cultures. He was fluent in more than 60 languages and taught at Kyiv University. His works on the history, philology, and culture of the East had a great influence on the development of Ukrainian science. ADVERTISIMENT Ivan Ohienko is a linguist, church historian, and public figure. He was the author of numerous textbooks and scientific works on the Ukrainian language, history, and culture. His textbooks were widely used in Ukrainian educational institutions. Ogienko also worked on the translation of the Bible into Ukrainian. His work had a significant impact on the formation of national identity and the preservation of Ukrainian traditions in education and science. ADVERTISIMENT Olena Kurylo was a linguist and the author of the first Ukrainian language textbook for schools. She made a significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian philology. Her scientific works and teaching methods influenced the formation of modern Ukrainian linguistics. Kurylo was actively engaged in research in grammar, phonetics, and lexicology. Olena was arrested and sentenced to eight years in camps for belonging to the "Ukrainian counter-revolutionary nationalist underground." Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! For many years, the ancient Egyptian pyramids have been one of the most confusing mysteries for scientists, as they have not been able to investigate how the workers of the time built stone structures without the use of large machinery. However, a recent study conducted by French scientists suggests that our ancestors used a complex hydraulic system. ADVERTISIMENT The first structure, known as the Djoser pyramid, appeared in the African state more than 4,700 years ago on the Saqqara plateau. Since it is located near the disappeared arm of the Nile River, archaeologists believe that the Egyptians used a water source to build the structure, Live Science reports. The world's first pyramid looks like a six-tiered tetrahedral triangle with many steps. The structure, made of stone and clay, covers an area of about 330,400 cubic meters and reaches a height of 62 meters. Researchers at the Paleotechnical Institute in France believe that the ancient Egyptians used a hydraulic system that included a dam, a water treatment plant, and a freight elevator to build the structure. They assure that the Gisr el-Mudir fence, located around the structure, was used to keep water and sediment from the Nile. ADVERTISIMENT "This is a groundbreaking discovery. Our research can completely change the perception of the status of the built pyramid. Before this study, there was no consensus on what these structures were used for. One possible explanation was that they were used for funeral purposes. We know that this is already a subject of debate," said Xavier Landreau, the lead author of the study. Scientists believe that for the system to work, water from the Nile flowed to a dam that was 2 kilometers long and 15 meters wide. Here, the liquid from the river was to be filtered from the sediment and sent to the Deep Trench treatment plant. The design was to include several mud storage basins to prevent damage to the system. ADVERTISIMENT Scientists assume that the next step was to direct the river's flow into an underground pipeline located under a special elevator at a depth of 28 meters. The force of the water accumulated in the reservoir served as a key element that allowed heavy stones to be lifted and lowered down the mine. "The elevator would have played a crucial role in allowing water to fill the main shaft. It's a really gigantic structure that shows that water was the fuel for building the pyramid. The elevator had filling and emptying cycles that allowed the stones to rise to the building level, like a volcano," said one of the scientists. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Viacheslav Zinchenko, 18, a suspect in the murder of linguist and professor Iryna Farion, refused to testify and is under additional security. His lawyer, Ihor Sulyma, insists that there is no direct evidence of his client's involvement in the murder. ADVERTISIMENT Sulyma said this in an interview with Ukrainian News. On July 31, it also became known that he had filed an appeal against the pre-trial restraint (arrest for 60 days without bail was imposed on him by the Halytskyi District Court of Lviv on July 26). Sulyma called the evidence against the young man doubtful, while "in such cases, it should be ironclad." "There is no gun, no belongings, nothing. As for the video footage, I think two different people are walking around. One walks like a goblin, sorry, like a monkey with waving arms, and the other like an ordinary person," the lawyer said. He also said that in Ukraine there is freedom of movement, and Zinchenko's trip to Lviv from his native Dnipro is allegedly connected with the fact that he completed a course on UAV control. The detainee is not testifying, citing Article 63 of the Constitution. "He had such a right, and he used it," the lawyer noted. ADVERTISIMENT He sees no direct evidence in this case. If Zinchenko says that he did not kill anyone, "I don't know what efforts the investigation should make to prove that he was the one who shot". Sulyma pointed out that after Farion's murder, his client stayed in Lviv for two more days, and bought a train ticket home, although he could have hitchhiked or taken a BlaBlaCar. After arriving in Dnipro, he bought a gym membership. His family did not notice any changes in his behavior. The lawyer refused to specify where Zinchenko is being held. But he is being held "in normal conditions" and does not complain. "Normal conditions, normal stay within the limits of what it can be," Sulyma said. "He has already been given security. We applied and he was given it. But do not make hasty conclusions about him. Time will tell. I do not exclude that he did it, but I doubt it. If he is guilty, he will go to jail. If he is not guilty, I will get him acquitted. But there must be indisputable evidence of guilt. Maybe the investigation has such evidence, but they have not yet given it to us," the lawyer said at the end of the interview. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA: 59-year-old lawyer Ihor Sulyma from Ivano-Frankivsk region previously appeared on the defense of traitors to Ukraine. His clients included Ruslan Kotsaba, a pro-Russian propagandist from Ukraine; Gennady Tsarev, a suspected collaborator; and Russian State Duma deputies Irina Filatova, Nikolay Kharitonov, Alexei Chepa, and Galina Khovanskaya. The mother of 18-year-old Viacheslav Zinchenko suggested that her son could have been an accomplice in the crime. According to her, he had no motives and no shooting experience. According to criminal expert Yurii Irkhin, the suspect in the murder of Iryna Farion could have been carefully prepared, as the killer acted almost professionally. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT Convenient as a Mavic but more functional - the military of one of the units praised the Ukrainian Mad Max attack drone after test flights. It took place during a visit of the defenders to a team of engineers brought together by entrepreneur and volunteer Yuriy Holyk to develop domestic drone production. ADVERTISIMENT Feedback from the military is an important factor in the development and improvement of existing drones. As a "target audience," they often set the vector for UAV modernization with their recommendations and requests. Another reason for the joint tests is to make sure that the model is convenient, efficient and will not fail during combat missions at the front. "It's as easy to operate as a Mavic. But this one can still carry three kilograms of ammunition and can fly under EW influence," said a combat pilot after testing the Mad Max's capabilities. ADVERTISIMENT It is invulnerability to electronic warfare that is the hallmark of the entire STING line, which also includes a kamikaze, a repeater, and a reconnaissance drone. Mad Max has all the necessary confirmations, documents, and results of state tests. Additionally, the developers have worked on the flight functionality and the drop mechanism, which made the bomber 2.5 times more accurate in delivering explosive 'parcels' to the enemy. "For us, the assessment of our military is the most important criterion. Because these are the people for whom we produce this equipment. We can be proud after today's review," emphasized Yuriy Holyk. Talk of normalcy gaining ground Reach out to the Nagas | It has taken more than 14 months but in a way it is assuring to hear talk of peace and normalcy gaining ground of late. On July 27, The Indian Express in a report from New Delhi quoted an unnamed BJP leader as stating, bringing peace is the only mission in Manipur now. All that we have to do is to bring both sides (Meiteis and Kuki-Zos) to the table for discussions. It shouldnt be about a new State nor about driving out people. Read between the lines and so many things may be read into it particularly the line It shouldnt be about a new State nor about driving out people and the way Delhi has interpreted its understanding of bringing the place back to normalcy may become a little clearer. What however has been said in black and white is the need to bring peace and while the report did not carry on the finer details of how the peace process may be set into motion, it is obvious that normalcy is at the top of the agenda of Delhi. The unnamed BJP leader has also been qualified with the line, Another BJP leader familiar with the partys functioning in the North East and this is where his take on the need to bring Manipur back on the track of normalcy gains that much more credence. If the unnamed BJP leader talked about the need to bring the State on the track of normalcy, Outer Lok Sabha MP Alfred Kanngam Arthur went one step further in recalling a meeting with the then Governor of Manipur Anusuiya Uikey wherein Congress leaders suggested reaching out to the Naga community for help in restoring peace in the State as it had remained neutral in the conflict and could talk to both sides. Wonder how this suggestion was taken by the Governor and the State Government, but here is a case of how the help and assistance of a major, indigenous community of the State could be harnessed to start the process of talking things over. On the same day that the Lok Sabha MP delivered his impassioned speech on the floor of the Lok Sabha, Chairperson of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, Justice UB Saha was in Ukhrul wherein he urged the Naga community to take the lead and see if they can contribute in resolving the prolonged conflict. The proposal of Justice UB Saha was aired during an interaction programme with District Level Officers as well as leaders of Tangkhul civil societies. Roping in the service of the Nagas to act as the mediator between the two warring communities and nothing can be more practical than this and it is this same line which The Sangai Express had suggested on more than one occasion in this very column. One hopes the suggestions put forth by the MHRC Chairperson is acted upon by the civil society leaders of Ukhrul and see if it can be taken to the next level. The Naga Peoples Front (NPF) is very much a part of the BJP led Government at Imphal and one wonders if any effort has been put in to use this partnership in the effort to put the State back on the track of normalcy. Over 14 months in a state of conflict is long, very long and while the talk of peace and normalcy is welcome, one wonders why no overt efforts towards this seem to be coming from the side of the Centre. Create rooms for Naga leaders to be able to reach out to either side and let Delhi take up from there and be the host where the dialogue table can be laid. Crisis can be resolved only through peaceful dialogues is the line maintained by the MHRC Chairperson and he could not have been more right than this and it is time for everyone concerned to fall in line with this line of facts. Over 220 people have died, more than 60,000 people are living as refugees in their own homeland, many are still missing and hundreds of homes have been razed and levelled to the ground but where has this taken Manipur ? Have the deaths, the displacements, the forced disappearance taken Manipur anywhere near resolving outstanding issues which would pose a threat to her existence ? Questions which all those who believe in the geo-political reality called Manipur should seriously ponder over. And at the same time it should also be clear that Manipur needs the intervention of Delhi to resolve the stand off and this is precisely the reason why such a furore was kicked up over the indifference of the Prime Minister to the fact that while he has been playing a world figure, a State in India has been on the boil for over a year now. The United States has revised its bilateral relations with Georgia and suspended more than $95 million in financial assistance to the country. This decision was made due to the adoption of the so-called "Foreign Agents Act," which the White House considers anti-democratic. ADVERTISIMENT This was announced on July 31 by U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. He emphasized that the money was intended directly for the Georgian government. "The anti-democratic actions and false statements of the Georgian government are incompatible with the norms of EU and NATO membership," Blinken said. He emphasized that the United States will continue to support programs and activities for the Georgian population. The United States and Georgia: how relations between the countries have deteriorated In March, the Georgian parliament passed in the first reading the law "On Transparency of Foreign Influence," initiated by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. This caused large-scale protests in the country. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili tried to prevent the final adoption of the law by vetoing it, but on May 28, the parliament overrode the veto and finally approved the document. ADVERTISIMENT As a result, on June 3, the scandalous law was signed by Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, after which it entered into force. This sharply deteriorated relations with the United States, which announced a comprehensive review of bilateral relations with Georgia and canceled the joint US-Georgian military exercise NOBLE PARTNER. Later, Zurabishvili filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court demanding the suspension and permanent repeal of the law "On Transparency of Foreign Influence." She called the law on "foreign agents" unconstitutional and violating a number of rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Border Security Force (BSF) seized ten gold biscuits worth over Rs 80 lakh from an Indian womans shoes during a routine check at the Indo-Bangladesh border gate. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning, when vigilant troops at BOP Srirampur of 61 Battalion BSF under Raiganj Sector in North Bengal Frontier were deployed at the border in Dakshin Dinajpur district. The woman, a resident of Jamalpur and under the jurisdiction of Hili police station in South Dinajpur, was apprehended by a BSF female constable after some suspicious items were noticed in her footwear wrapped in black tape. Advertisement The woman was searched but nothing was found on her person; however, upon removing the black tape from her shoes, ten gold biscuits weighing 1166 grams and worth Rs 80,70,104 were discovered. The woman admitted to attempting to deliver the gold biscuits to another individual living in Hilli. Acting on this information, a joint operation with local police resulted in the apprehension of the intended recipient, who has been identified as Shibendernath Mahanto, son of late Debendranath Mahanto and resident of Kismadapat in Hilli. Both individuals and the seized gold biscuits have been handed over to Customs authorities for further action. The Trinamul Congress candidate from Hooghly Rachna Banerjee, during her election campaign had promised her voters that she will pay attention towards progress and development of her constituency. Keeping her word, she conducted a series of meetings with the concerned department officials of civic bodies, zilla parishad, grassroots party workers and then with the district magistrate for the overall progress and development in her constituency. The Hooghly MP pointed out the need of more lavatories in the areas where people gather in large numbers, specially in markets, hospital, court, bus stand and other congested areas. She marked out all the illegal encroachments on footpaths and said they must be removed. The Hooghly MP expressed concern over the lack of proper infrastructure and basic amenities for the students attending anganwadi centres and primary schools. The MP also remarked that some of the anganwadi centres and primary school buildings are in dilapidated state and proper sanitation and hygiene is required. Advertisement The Hooghly MP also went around the Chinsurah Sadar hospital. She said awareness has to be spread among patients and their kin so that they dont spit on the walls of the hospital and avoid throwing waste inside the hospital premises. Steps have to be taken to further develop the hospital infrastructure and add more advanced medical technology to treat and carry on critical surgery in the Chinsurah Sadar Hospital. She said there is a need for more doctors in the district. She urged medical students from the Hooghly, who have graduated and specialised themselves, should serve in hospitals of the districts instead of moving to Kolkata or abroad. The MP observed that Chinsurah sadar hospital lacks proper sanitation and hygiene, much attention is required to maintain proper sanitation and hygiene within the hospital. The enthusiastic newly-elected Hooghly MP said, People have voted for me with much hope and expectations. I promised them overall progress and development. Hence, from now, I have stepped into my workspace to serve the people, as per the directives of state chief minister and our party chief Mamata Banerjee. I will try my best to reach the beneficiary schemes and projects to the doorstep of every household. At an age when people easily choose WhatsApp, Instagram for instant communication, a bunch of villages in East Burdwan have joined hands to raise funds for overhauling of a fragile 142-year-old post office structure here. As the government funds ceased to flow for the dilapidated post office, the local residents of half a dozen villages there chose to come forward to help erect a new concrete structure for the communication office that also functions as their lone banking office, currently. As stated by Lakshman Chandra Khan, officer at the regional office of the postal services in Burdwan, We couldnt arrange funds to help refurbishment of the branch post office and it was about to fall down. Our staff and even the local residents were frightened to enter. Then the residents of the adjoining villages came forward and raised funds for erecting this concrete building. This reveals their encouraging passion for a post office even in this modern age. Advertisement The marooned Chhotobainan post office in Madhabdihi block of East Burdwan was operating on an age-old wretched structure standing on mud walls since 1882, which, according to the officials and the residents, had become a haunted house. In December 2022, the ministry of communications implemented Information Technology Modernization Project for digitization of the postal services in which 25,099 post offices across the country have been linked with a dedicated computerized WAN (wide area network). Besides, the department also has modernized 1,29,854 branch post offices in rural India. In Bengal, till 2022-23 year, 7,249 branch post offices, as the ministry claimed, were modernized. Yuba Gosthi, an assembly of local villages like Mituni, Khanhar, Momrezpur including Chhotobainan started collecting donations from individuals for the purpose. The fund raisers, Krishnasadhan Chakraborty, Ramshankar Batabyal and their mentor Sisir Debnath, a retired headmaster of a local school, said, We couldnt see absolute cessation of the services and the government also denied any fund. So, we took the charge and after the masons gave an estimate, we somehow managed to collect the required sum of Rs 4.50 lakh for a new concrete room for our post office. With the gathered fund, a single room, measuring 800 square feet, was erected and started functioning yesterday. The postal officers said, The branch has nearly 2,000 accounts now and this remains as the lone resort of banking services for them. The postal department now requires at least 2,500 accounts to help continuation of services. Debnath added, Weve started a new struggle to help by adding at least 500 new accounts for its sustenance. Gouranga Das from Guptipara was in a mad rush to know the whereabouts of his elder brother Barun Das, who had boarded the Mumbai-bound train from Howrah yesterday. He himself was travelling in a train when he learnt about the Howrah-Mumbai CSMT train getting derailed. Not wasting time, he returned from Ranchi and rushed to Howrah station to find out about his brother. Spending hours in agony over the whereabouts of his brother who was headed to Mumbai for trade purposes, Gouranga heaved a sigh of relief after learning that his elder brothers name was not included in the list of injured persons. He was relieved to some extent following the communication that his brother was fine but his worries kept bothering him unless he would see or talk to him personally. Asit Maity and his wife were yet to begin their day, when they received a phone call at around 5am from their nephew about the accident. The couple from Pursura was spotted at Howrah station looking for the details of his nephew Tuhin. His nephew travelling in the Howrah-Mumbai Mail had informed his maternal uncle over the phone about the accident and about his injuries as well. Tuhin was headed for work to Mumbai and had boarded the train yesterday. Tuhin informed his family about getting minor injuries on his leg and hands and had received treatment. There was chaos and agony at Howrah station today. Family and kin of the passengers of the 12810 Howrah-CSMT Mumbai Mail that got derailed after colliding sideways with another derailed freight train, stood before the help desks at Howrah enquiring about their loved ones who were passengers of the train that met with an accident in the wee hours today. Advertisement To address the queries of the passengers families, the railways set up help desks at platform number 17 and 21 of Howrah station and opened help booths at Shalimar, Kharagpur and Santragachi station. The South Eastern Railway also made arrangements for a special bus service for the transportation of passengers from the spot of derailment. In addition, stranded passengers were carried to Chakradharpur station by a relief train. Another 02810 Chakradharpur-CSMT Mumbai Special (Relief) train left for Mumbai with the remaining passengers at around 10am. The accident resulted in the cancellation of numerous trains on the route. As per the information received from the SER till 7pm, 62 trains were cancelled while 28 more were diverted. Work on making the route operational at the earliest was being carried out at war footing. The English proverb, Where there is a will, there is a way has been translated into action by a security guard, who has set up a library at a park in north Kolkata. Satya Ranjan Dolui, security guard of Jagat Mukherjee situated at the intersection of Jatindra Mohan Avenue and Bhupen Bose Avenue in north Kolkata has set up a library inside the park and this has become quite popular with more and more people coming to the library to pick up books and read them. At a time when visiting the library to read books has sharply gone down, the effort to attract people to read books deserves admiration, said Debashis Kumar, member, mayor in-council, in charge of park and square said. Advertisement The number of readers visiting the important libraries in the city like the Bagbazar Reading library, Sahitya Partishad library, Jaykrishna Library in Uttarpara has dropped sharply. Siddiqullah Chowdhury, state library minister said, it is a fact that the number of readers in the libraries has fallen sharply. The department is trying to bring back the readers to the libraries by conducting a campaign requesting people to visit the libraries. Satya Ranjan Dolui, is a security guard of Jagat Mukherjee Park who has set up the library. I could not continue my studies after the Madhyamik examination because of poverty. When I joined as a security guard, I found that people came here to chat and thought about how they would react if a library was set up at the park. Many young boys and girls come to pass time, so if a library could be set up they might show interest in reading books. Mr Dolui looks after the trees and maintains them. He cleared a space and started buying books by spending money from his own pocket. The library is surrounded by trees. Everyday, people come here to read books. Most of the books are in Bengali and cover various topics like novels, fiction, travelogue among others. Mr Dolui comes in the morning and sweeps the park. He maintains the library, cleans the chairs and tables. Not all are serious readers. There are some who come here to take a rest and while spending time go through books, he said. Mr Dolui urged people to donate books. I want books in different languages and topics and request people to donate books so that the library can run in a better way. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today yet again expressed her resentment on the recurring incidents of train mishaps and loss of lives and blasted the Centre for its apathetic attitude, which she said, was solely responsible for the recurring disasters. The chief minister later took on X and said, Another disastrous rail accident Howrah-Mumbail mail derails in Chakradharpur division in Jharkhand today early morning, multiple deaths and huge number of injuries are the tragic consequences. I seriously ask is this governance? This series of nightmares almost every week, this unending procession of deaths and injuries on railway tracks, for how long shall we tolerate this? Will there be no end to the callousness of the Government of India? Advertisement My heart goes out to the bereaved families, condolences to the next of kin. Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamul Congress also attacked the BJP at the Centre on the recurring cases of train derailments. In a post on X, the party wrote, India wakes up to another horrifying trail derailment as innocent people continue to lose their lives due to inadequacy of the De-Rail Minister@ Ashwinvaishnav . The Howrah-CMST train accident comes at a time when the BJP failed to address the issue of Railway safety in Budget 2024. How many more deaths does the BJP wish upon this country before they start ensuring the safety of the passengers? The Centre on Tuesday informed that 755 applications have been approved across 14 key sectors under the production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes and investment of Rs 1.23 lakh crore have been realised (till March), resulting in around 8 lakh jobs. Keeping in view Indias vision of becoming Atmanirbhar, PLI schemes for 14 key sectors were announced with an outlay of Rs 1.97 lakh crore (over $26 billion) to enhance the countrys manufacturing capabilities and exports. According to Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, the purpose of the PLI schemes is to attract investments in key sectors and cutting-edge technology, ensure efficiency and bring economies of size and scale in the manufacturing sector and make Indian companies and manufacturers globally competitive. Advertisement These schemes have the potential of significantly boosting production, increasing manufacturing activities and contributing to economic growth over the next five years or so, said the minister in a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. The criteria employed in the selection of beneficiaries under PLI Schemes includes but is not limited to, willingness to make required investment, production of approved product categories under respective scheme, eligible net worth, domestic value addition, etc. The key sectors are mobile manufacturing and specified electronic components, pharmaceutical drugs and ingredients, manufacturing of medical services, automobiles and auto components, steel, telecom products, textiles, food and others. The PLI scheme for automobile and auto components (PLI-Auto) and PLI Scheme on National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (PLI-ACC) battery storage are being implemented by the Ministry of Heavy Industries. Earlier this week, the Parliament was informed that 32 companies invested Rs 8,282 crore under the PLI scheme for large-scale electronics manufacturing till June 30. The IT Ministry said that 27 companies have cumulatively invested Rs 464.66 crore under the PLI scheme for IT hardware and PLI scheme 2.0 for IT hardware. On the night of July 31, Russian terrorist forces carried out one of the most massive drone attacks on Ukraine in the entire war. The main target of the aggressor was Kyiv - more than 40 drones were destroyed in the airspace of the capital and on the outskirts. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration Serhiy Popko on Telegram. The air raid alert lasted over 7 hours. The enemy drones approached Kyiv in waves and from almost all possible directions. "This was the seventh attack on Kyiv by enemy drones in July! It became the most massive for the capital in 2024 in terms of the number of UAVs used," said the head. According to preliminary data, no damage or casualties were reported in Kyiv as a result of the attack. Popko thanked the soldiers who guard the Ukrainian skies and urged Ukrainians not to ignore the air raid alarms. Later, Popko added that during the second wave of drone strikes, enemy UAVs continued to attack Kyiv in waves from certain directions, but not a single drone reached its target. The air defense forces and equipment destroyed several more attack drones. ADVERTISIMENT "In total, over four dozen enemy UAVs were shot down in the airspace of Kyiv and on the outskirts of the capital during these two waves. The exact figures will be provided by the Air Force," said the head, adding that there were no casualties or damage. As a reminder, on the evening of July 30, explosions occurred in Kyiv region. Before that, the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces warned of the threat of enemy use of ballistic weapons. According to the monitoring channels, the enemy launched ballistic missiles from the territory of Voronezh region of the Russian Federation. As reported, during the Russian drone attack on Ukraine, which began in the evening of July 30, drones violated Belarus airspace again. Because of this, the Belarusian army scrambles a fighter from the Baranovichi airfield around 23:50 on Tuesday. ADVERTISIMENT President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Defense Forces are working to update the structure of Ukraine's air defense system. This is being done to provide greater protection from Russian missile and drone attacks to all regions of our country. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Indian Oil Corporation on Tuesday reported a 75 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit at Rs 3,722.63 crore for the April-June quarter of the current financial year, compared to Rs 14,735.30 crore in the same quarter last year. The oil giants revenue declined almost three per cent in Q1FY25 to Rs 2.19 lakh crore, compared to the previous year. Sequentially, net profit was down 32 per cent as the company reported a net profit of Rs 5,487.92 crore in the quarter ended March 31. Advertisement Indian Oils profit has come down as the average gross refining margin (GRM) posted a sharp decline to $6.39 a barrel from $8.34 in the same quarter last year. The throughput of the companys refineries was 18.168 million metric tonnes (MMT) during the first quarter as compared to 18.752 MMT in the same period of the previous year. The oil major achieved a quarterly domestic sales volume of 24.063 MMT, compared to 23.305 MMT last year. Exports volume in the quarter was pegged at 1.189 MMT. The companys pipeline throughput came in at 25.811 MMT from 24.951 MMT in the same period last year. The India Oil board of directors have accorded stage 1 approval for the construction of a greenfield terminal at Bihta (Patna) on the Barauni-Kanpur product pipeline (BKPL) and the Patna-Motihari-Baitalpur Pipeline (PMBPL) at an estimated cost of Rs 1,698.67 crore. The shares of the oil major are hovering at around Rs 183 apiece on BSE. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Tuesday launched Indias first website for passive funds at the National Stock Exchange (NSE), along with unveiling a comprehensive report on the Indian Capital Markets. The website provides a comprehensive platform for retail investors and empowers them to easily access information and understand the Indian passive funds industry. It provides in-depth information on aggregate industry data, fund-wise data, and screeners for selecting funds based on various parameters such as underlying index, AUM, tracking error, tracking difference, trading volume, TER, comparison of funds, etc. Advertisement Meanwhile, the report on Indian Capital Markets covers the most significant reforms, important milestones, and technological innovations in the Indian Capital Markets, steered by the regulator, Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs), and market participants, along with their impact on investors in the country, said SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch. The report delves deeper into recent technological innovations and reforms, several of which are global firsts, findings from a retail investor survey across 12 cities in India and a nuanced analysis of benefits to investors. The transformation and growth of our Capital Markets is due to a collective vision to create a resilient, progressive, and technology-driven ecosystem that provides access, information and control to the Indian investor community, while ensuring guardrails for protection, she said. Buch said that it is critical for all MIIs and market intermediaries to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, feedback for review of regulations, and swift tackling of emerging risks. According to NSEs MD and CEO Ashish Kumar Chauhan, the report provides a comprehensive analysis of Indias Capital Markets evolution over the years, propelled by active retail participation, sustained and high inflow by domestic institutional investors, and strong performance of listed companies. The MIIs and several other market participants have adopted and implemented SEBIs initiatives with speed and technological agility to make this transformation successful. We would like to thank our regulator, investors, MIIs, and all the stakeholders for their participation and collaboration in this journey, he added. In a magical mother-daughter escapade, Mira Rajput and her daughter Misha recently enjoyed an unforgettable night at Taylor Swifts concert in Munich. The duo immersed themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the concert, creating memories that they are sure to treasure for years to come. Mira Rajput took to Instagram on Tuesday to share their concert experience with her followers. She posted a delightful reel showing Misha capturing the performance on her phone, and the pair also posed for a charming selfie amidst the excitement. In her post, Mira expressed her joy, writing, Core memory with my sunshine Swiftie. We couldnt believe it! Mother-daughter trip of dreams. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mira Rajput Kapoor (@mira.kapoor) The heartwarming video quickly garnered attention online, with fans and followers showering the duo with praise. One enthusiastic user commented, Awesome will be so memorable for you both. Another fan playfully added, Seems like Im gonna bump into you two at a BTS concert too. Earlier this month, Mira Rajput and her husband, Shahid Kapoor, celebrated their wedding anniversary. Shahid marked the special occasion by sharing a loving photo of the couple with the caption, My HAPPY PLACE. Mira reciprocated the affection on Instagram with a heartfelt anniversary post featuring a video montage of their wedding and vacation highlights, including sweet family moments with their children, Zain and Misha. In one of the cherished photos, the couple is seen enjoying a beach day with their kids. Another video showcases the couple on a scenic drive together, capturing their affection and joy. Miras caption read, Youre the one I Happy 9, love of my life @shahidkapoor. Shahid and Mira tied the knot on July 7, 2015, in a private ceremony in Delhi. They are proud parents to two children: Misha, born in 2016, and Zain, who joined the family in 2018. Their recent celebration and Miras concert outing with Misha highlight the loving and adventurous spirit of the Rajput-Kapoor family. Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh Wednesday called for stronger economic cooperation between Vietnam and India, setting an ambitious target of $20 billion in bilateral trade. Speaking at the Vietnam-India Business Forum, organised by FICCI and the Embassy of Vietnam, he outlined Vietnams economic achievements and invited Indian businesses to invest in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, digital technology, and pharmaceuticals. PM Chinh emphasised the longstanding friendship between Vietnam and India, dating back to 2,000 years. He highlighted upgrading bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which, he said, has opened up a new space for cooperation across the board. Advertisement The visiting leader emphasised Vietnams foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multilateralism, stating that the country aims to be a good friend and reliable partner of all countries around the world, and a responsible member of the international community. He invited Indian businesses to invest liberally in Vietnam, particularly in semiconductors, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green hydrogen, pharmaceuticals, renewables, and biotechnology sectors. He noted that Vietnam currently sources 33% of its pharmaceuticals from India and expressed interest in establishing a proper pharmaceutical ecosystem in Vietnam to help protect the health and life of our people. PM Chinh also called for Indian businesses to facilitate Vietnamese companies integration into their supply chains and urged Indian businesses to consider Vietnam to be a strategic destination. The Vietnamese PM arrived here on Tuesday night on a three-day state visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Thursday, he will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan after which he will visit Raj Ghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He will hold bilateral discussions with PM Modi who will also host a luncheon in his honour. PM Chinh is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted raids in private hospitals in Himachal Pradesh in connection with a Rs 46.48 lakh scam relating to fake AB-PMJAY (Arogya Bharat-Pradhanmantri Jan Arogya Yojna) cards. Apart from Himachal Pradesh, the raids are being conducted across Delhi, Chandigarh and Punjab. In Himachal Pradesh, 19 locations in Shimla, Kangra, Una, Mandi, and Kullu were searched on Wednesday. The premises searched include those of Congress leaders R S Bali MLA Nagrota Assembly constituency and Rajesh Sharma who was one of the contenders for Dehra Assembly by-poll. Both of them are said to be close associates of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Advertisement The fraud in Ayushman cards came to light after a FIR under sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 of IPC was filed by Himachal Pradesh State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (AV and ACB), Una in January 2023 against Una hospital Shri Banke Bihari Hospital and others for allegedly generating fake AB-PMJAY cards. The ED initiated a money laundering case on July 16 this year based on the FIR by the (AV and ACB), Una. According to the ED, many medical bills were generated on fake cards, causing a loss to the exchequer and public. Apart from Bankey Bihari Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Sri Balaji Hospital, Sood Nursing Home and Sri Harihar Hospital are amongst the private hospitals that allegedly availed of the illegal benefits under the AB-PMJAY scheme. A rare scene unfolded in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday when ruling BJP MLA Harshvardhan Bajpai questioned his own government regarding the Nazul Land Bill. Immediately, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna asked Bajpai to stop commenting on his own government, but the MLA refused to budge. Several opposition members supported the MLA, leading to a major embarrassment for the treasury benches. Advertisement The SP members squatted in the well of the House in protest against the Bill. BJP MLA from Allahabad (North) Harshvardhan Bajpai, while discussing the adoption of the Uttar Pradesh Nazul Sampati Bill, said that people have been living on Nazul land for hundreds of years, even 75 years before independence. But now they will be evicted. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi is settling people by giving them houses, this new law will demolish their homes, he said, demanding that those already living on Nazul land be granted freehold. He said that officials were providing wrong feedback to the government, leading to such confusion. Jansatta Dal MLA from Kunda Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya also opposed the Bill and questioned in the House what kind of development was taking place. Efforts are being made to force lakhs of people onto the streets. Which officials have given this information? It is beyond understanding. If the British could grant freehold, why cant this public welfare government do the same? he questioned. He said that the Allahabad High Court is also built on Nazul land and asked if it would be vacated as well. He argued that the Bill should be sent to the select committee, stating that it would only create chaos. SP members also staged a dharna in the well of the House in protest against the Bill. However, the Nazul Land Bill was approved by the Assembly amid protests by the opposition. In a fresh attack on the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday accused the ruling dispensation of persisting with the policy of dividing communities and spreading an atmosphere of fear and animosity. Speaking at the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting here, Gandhi said, We would have hoped that the Modi Government would draw the right lessons from their significant decline in the Lok Sabha elections. Instead, they are persisting with their policy of dividing communities and spreading an atmosphere of fear and animosity. Look at how the rules have been suddenly changed to permit the bureaucracy to participate in the activities of the RSS. It calls itself a cultural organization but the whole world knows that it is the BJPs political and ideological base, she said. Advertisement Referring to the Union Budget recently presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Gandhi alleged that the farmers and the youth were totally ignored. Over the last few days, many of you have very effectively brought out the Budgets many inadequacies when it comes to addressing urgent economic and social challenges. Pressing demands of farmers and youth in particular, have been totally ignored. Allocations in a number of vital sectors have not done justice to the tasks required to be fulfilled, she said. Claiming that there has been widespread disappointment, the CPP chairperson said, In spite of the prime minister, the finance minister and others to talk up the Budget and its so-called accomplishments. The Union government, especially its top leadership, continues to be self-delusional as crores of families across the country are devastated by mounting unemployment and price rise. Taking a jibe at the government on the long overdue census, she said, It is clear that the government has no intention whatsoever to conduct the Census that was last due in 2021. She said this would prevent us from having an up-to-date estimate of the population of the country, especially of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). She said this (delay in the conduct of the census) also means that at least 12 crore of our citizens are denied the benefits of the National Food Security Act of 2013 now repackaged as PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. Talking about education, Gandhi said, Education has been among the worst casualties in the past years. Instead of taking the nation forward, the entire educational system is being shown up as flawed and manipulated. The exposure of how competitive examinations have been allowed has destroyed the faith of lakhs of youth and dealt their future a body blow. The professional character and autonomy of organizations like the NCERT, UGC and even of Constitutional bodies like the UPSC has been all-but-destroyed, she said. Citing the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the CPP chairperson said, Over the past few weeks, there have been at least eleven terror attacks in the Jammu region alone. There have been similar attacks in the valley as well. Security personnel and a large number of civilians have lost their lives. This makes a mockery of the claims being made by the Modi Government that all is well in Jammu and Kashmir. She said, The situation in Manipur shows no sign of improvement. The prime minister travels the world over, but steadfastly refuses to go to the state and take the initiative to bring about normalcy. Referring to the upcoming Assembly elections in several states, including Haryana and Maharashtra, Gandhi said, In a few months, elections will be held in four states. We must sustain the momentum and goodwill that had been generated for us in the Lok Sabha elections. We must not become complacent and over-confident. The mahaul does favour us, but we have to work unitedly with a sense of purpose. If we perform well, reflecting the trend that we witnessed in the Lok Sabha elections, national politics will undergo a transformation, she added. The CPP chairperson condoled the deaths in the landslides in Keralas Wayanad. She termed the scale of devastation staggering. In a significant accomplishment for the Yogi Adityanath government, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved the launch of MBBS programmes in seven new medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh for the 2024-25 academic session. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had discussed with Union Health Minister JP Nadda the recognition of 13 new medical colleges in the state. Following these discussions, the National Medical Commission has issued Letters of Permission for seven government medical colleges for the 2024-25 academic session. Earlier, the NMC had denied permission to these 7 medical colleges to run MBBS courses in the current academic session for not fulfilling the norms. Advertisement At the same time, the remaining 6 medical colleges will appeal to the NMC again, and if all goes as planned, they are likely to receive their Letters of Permission soon. In addition, approval has been granted to increase the number of seats in various medical colleges across the state, including those operated under government, private, and PPP models. Following this, the Department of Medical Education has begun preparations for counselling to accommodate 10,500 MBBS seats for the current academic session. Director General of Medical Education (DGME) Kinjal Singh said here on Wednesday that, For the academic session 2024-25, Letters of Permission have been issued for the autonomous state medical colleges in Bijnor, Bulandshahr, Kushinagar, Pilibhit, Sultanpur, Kanpur Dehat, and Lalitpur. Counselling will be conducted for 600 MBBS seats across these seven medical colleges. Additionally, the government medical colleges in Agra and Meerut have had their seat counts increased by 72 and 50, respectively, bringing the total to 200 seats at Agra Medical College and 150 seats at Meerut Medical College. According to DGME Kinjal Singh, the PPP-mode medical colleges in Shamli, Maharajganj, and Sambhal have also received Letters of Permission for 150, 150, and 50 MBBS seats respectively, for the 2024-25 session. Similarly, a new medical college in Gorakhpur, a private institution, has been granted LOP for 50 MBBS seats for this academic session. GS Medical College in Hapur has also been allowed to increase its MBBS seats by 100, bringing the total to 250 seats. In the previous academic session, there were 3,828 MBBS seats available for counselling in government medical colleges. For the 2024-25 session, this number has increased by 722, totaling 4,550 seats. The private sector, which previously had 5,450 MBBS seats, now has 5,600 following a 150-seat increase. Additionally, 350 seats will be available for counseling in three new PPP-mode medical colleges. In total, counseling will be conducted for 10,500 MBBS seats across government, private, and PPP-mode medical colleges in the state. The Director General also mentioned that an appeal will be made to the National Medical Commission to secure approval for the remaining government medical colleges. A woman was injured when a stray bullet hit her on the terrace of her home at Narsingi area in Hyderabad on Tuesday, officials said. This was the second incident in as many weeks and it sent panic among residents. Police suspect that it may have misfired from a nearby army firing range where soldiers were practising. Advertisement The incident occurred under the limits of the Narsingi police station of Cyberabad Commissionerate. The woman, identified as Padma, was on the terrace of her building in Gandhamguda when a bullet struck her leg and she sustained a bullet injury near the ankle. She was rushed to a hospital, where she received treatment and was later discharged. Alerted by the local residents, police rushed to the spot and seized the bullet. This was the second incident in Narsingi this month. On June 13, a stray bullet had pierced through the glass windows of a flat on the fifth floor of an apartment complex. No one was injured in the incident. There are two firing ranges near Gandhamguda where police and army personnel conduct firing practice. A terrorist associate was apprehended in a joint operation by the army and police in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Tuesday, police said. The individual, identified as Mohd Khalil Lone, of Bandipora district in the Kashmir Valley, was apprehended after a meticulously planned and executed operation. Preliminary investigations reveal that Lone is associated with the proscribed terror organisation Hizbul Mujahideen as a logistic provider and Overground Worker, police said. Advertisement He was deputed to receive a consignment of arms and ammunition. Further investigation is going on. On the night of July 31, Russian occupation forces launched 89 Shaheds and one Kh-59 guided missile against Ukraine. All air targets were neutralized by the defenders of Ukrainian skies. ADVERTISIMENT Mykola Oleshchuk, the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, reported on the results of the Ukrainian air defense in Telegram. He noted that it was one of the most massive attacks by Shahed-131/136 strike UAVs. The enemy used the same number of attack drones on New Year's Eve, January 1, 2024. According to Oleshchuk, the occupants launched air targets from the areas of Yeysk, Seshcha, Kursk, Prymorsko-Akhtarsk. "All 89 of the Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs detected by the Air Force radar units were shot down," the Air Force commander emphasized. Mobile firing groups of all the Ukrainian Defense Forces, tactical aviation of the Air Force and Army aviation of the Ground Forces, anti-aircraft missile units and electronic warfare units of the Air Force took part in repelling the attack. "We also shot down a Kh-59 guided missile used by the enemy to attack Mykolaiv region," added Oleshchuk. ADVERTISIMENT The Telegram channel "Intelligence of Ukraine" published a map of the movement of enemy air targets during the night of July 31. Kyiv region The occupiers carried out the seventh attack on Kyiv by enemy drones in July, said Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration. It was the most massive for the capital in 2024 in terms of the number of UAVs used. More than 30 drones were destroyed in the airspace of the capital and on the outskirts of the air defense system. According to preliminary reports, no damage or casualties were reported in Kyiv as a result of the attack. ADVERTISIMENT A residential building caught fire as a result of the fall of the drone debris. The building was partially destroyed. Rescuers extinguished the fire. No one was killed or injured, the State Emergency Service reported on Telegram. Dnipropetrovsk region The head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration Serhiy Lysak reported in Telegram that air defense systems shot down 6 "Shaheds" over the region . The aggressor hit Nikopol, Pokrovska and Marhanetska communities. They also used a kamikaze drone and artillery. "A social institution was damaged. One car was destroyed, another one was damaged. People were not injured," noted Lysak. ADVERTISIMENT Mykolaiv region The head of Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration Vitaliy Kim said that on the night of July 31, the regional air defense destroyed one guided missile and four UAVs of the "Shahed 131/136" type. ADVERTISIMENT Kherson region Last night in Kherson region, air defense forces shot down 9 Shaheds launched by the occupiers, said the head of the regional military administration Oleksandr Prokudin. Poltava region. The head of the Poltava regional military administration, Philip Pronin, said that the air raid in Poltava region lasted more than 11 hours. "During this time, residents of the region could hear sounds similar to explosions, air defense was operating in the region. Ours worked hard," the official said. According to him, no casualties or hits were recorded in the region. Cherkasy region The head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration, Ihor Taburets, reported on Telegram that the air alert in the region lasted almost 10 hours. ADVERTISIMENT "According to preliminary data, as a result of the combat work of mobile firing groups and electronic warfare, minus 4 enemy UAVs were detected within the region," he said, adding that there was no information about casualties or property damage. As a reminder, in the evening of July 30, explosions were heard in Kyiv region - air defense systems were activated there. Before that, the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces warned of the threat of enemy use of ballistic weapons. According to monitoring channels, the enemy had previously launched ballistic missiles from the territory of the Voronezh region of the Russian Federation. As reported by OBOZ.UA: - "Shaheds" again flew over Belarus during the Russian drone shelling of Ukraine, which began on the evening of July 30. In this regard, the Army of the Republic of Belarus at about 23:50 on Tuesday took a fighter jet into the air from the Baranovichi airfield. ADVERTISIMENT - On the night of July 29, air defense forces shot down 9 out of 10 Russian Shahed-131/136 kamikaze drones. The enemy launched them mostly in the south, and also attacked with an air missile, which was also destroyed. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The death toll in the devastating landslides that struck Wayanad on Tuesday has risen to 237 with at least 240 people reported missing. Hundreds have been injured, and thousands have been displaced. Amid hundreds trapped under the debris and the fear of more deaths, rescue teams resumed operations early on Wednesday to locate the remaining survivors. Rescue workers from the Army, Navy, and NDRF are searching under collapsed roofs and debris for victims and possible survivors of the landslides. The Army is carrying out the rescue operation in Churalmala in four groups. A temporary bridge built by it is being used for rescue operations in the Churalmala River. People who are trapped in the Mundakai Attamala area are being brought through the bridge. An Air Force helicopter is also being used to airlift the injured in Churalmala. Advertisement Heart-wrenching scenes of dead bodies in sitting and lying positions inside destroyed houses could be seen as rescue operations resumed in the landslide-devastated Mundakkai hamlet. Painful scenes and phone conversations of people crying and pleading to be rescued, trapped in their houses, or stranded were seen after the landslides left a trail of death and destruction in the hill district. Two Odisha natives are among those missing. They are identified as Dr Swadheen Panda and Dr Bishnu Chinhara, Delhi-based doctors who were staying in Mundakkai at the time of the tragedy. Wayanad has been devastated by three landslides that occurred at Meppadi, Mundakkai and Chooralmala within a span of 4 hours. The first landslide occurred in Mundakkai town at around 1 am on Tuesday during heavy rain, washing away houses and families. While the rescue operations were ongoing, a second landslide struck near Chooralmala School at around 2 am. Then a third landslide occurred at around 4am. The rescue teams informed that more than 800 people have been rescued from Mundakai. All the trapped people have been shifted to safer places. Rescue workers are not ruling out the possibility of more people being trapped under debris in Attamala and Churalmala. Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages were the areas hit and cut off by the landslides. Mundakkai town was completely swept away by the landslide. Most of the victims were asleep when the landslides struck between 1 am and 4 am on Tuesday. Huge boulders and uprooted trees rushed down from Mundakkai to Chooralmala, causing severe damage. The heavy water surge from the hilltop altered the small Iruvazhinji river flooding everything along its banks. Several houses were destroyed, a temple and a mosque were submerged, and a school building was severely damaged. Indian Army personnel on Wednesday carried out a daring rescue mission, saving 19 civilians stranded in the Ela Resort and Vana Rani Resort, located beyond landslide-hit Mundakkai village in the Wayanad district. Despite the challenges posed by the flooding of river, they utilised ropes and formed a human bridge to ensure the safe evacuation of all civilians to Chooralmala. The search and rescue teams have rescued nearly 2,000 people trapped under collapsed roofs and debris of destroyed houses Meanwhile, several companies of the Army moved from Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru to Wayanad to join the rescue and relief operations. They included those experienced in disaster relief, medical teams, ambulances, and other equipment, it said The process of identifying the victims is going on. Bodies are kept at Meppadi Social Health Center and Nilambur District Hospital. Currently, 191 people are admitted to various hospitals in the district. Of the bodies recovered so far, some have been found in the Chaliyar river which flows into the neighbouring Malappuram district. The river carried 72 bodies, or rather parts of human bodies mutilated by the vengeful landslide, for around 25 km to Pothukallu near Nilambur in the Malappuram district. Many bodies are yet to be identified. Heart-wrenching scenes of people searching for their loved ones among the injured and the dead were seen in the hospitals in Meppadi and Kalpetta and other places in the district. As many as 81 relief camps have been established in Wayanad, accommodating around 8,100 people. The Mundakkai village has been utterly ravaged by the landslide. In Mundakkai, where there were more than 400 houses, only 30 remain now. Mundakai is in a situation where it is impossible to know how many people have died or even how many people are safe. Meanwhile, the army has decided to construct a Bailey bridge on Chooralmala river.The materials for the construction of the Bailey bridge were delivered at the Kannur airport for rescue operations in the Wayanad landslide disaster. It was brought to Kannur in an air force flight. The equipment and parts of the bridge will reach Wayanad in around 10 trucks . Kerala revenue Minister K Rajan informed that the construction of Bailey bridge will help speed up the rescue operation. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday addressed the Certificate Award Ceremony, marking the recognition of Srinagar as World Craft City by the World Crafts Council (WCC). Srinagar is the 4th city of India to receive the prestigious title of World Craft City. The Certificate Award Ceremony was attended by World Crafts Council President Saad Hani Al-Qaddumi and other prominent personalities of the Council. Lt Governor congratulated the people, artisans, craftspeople and all stakeholder departments on the momentous occasion. Advertisement Truly delighted to see Srinagar being awarded the certificate of World Craft City by World Crafts Council (WCC). Its a great honour for the ancient city known for its priceless cultural and artistic heritage. It will go a long way to preserve and promote J&Ks crafts and craftsmanship, he said. The Lt Governor appreciated the World Crafts Council for its endeavours to inspire and promote the artistic traditions of the cities across the world. J&K is proud to have an inclusive cultural ecosystem, which always inspired the weavers and craftspeople. I believe in honouring the Srinagar city, the World Crafts Council has also honored the 5000-year rich Indian civilization which kept alive creative traditions and always promoted gifted artisans for their ingenuity and craftsmanship, he observed. I want to see Jammu and Srinagar becoming the best art cities of India. I want to see both the cities claim the title of best home for the artists and favourite destination for seekers of priceless art, the Lt Governor said. The Lt Governor highlighted the efforts of the UT Administration to preserve and promote the unique cultural and artistic heritage of Jammu Kashmir and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the artisans and craftspeople of J&K. Jammu Kashmir is known as a Crown Jewel of India not only because of its geographical position but also because of its quest for spiritual wisdom and its ageless Indian cultural assets, which can be witnessed in the infinite variety of creative products, the Lt Governor observed. He reiterated the commitment of UT Administration to support the artisans in marketing and exports of handicrafts, handloom products and promotion of all craft forms. We are giving greater attention to training of the young generation of craftspeople so they can be part of this traditional occupation, the Lt Governor said. He said the UT Administration is also determined to ensure that their creative products are financially attractive and the work is professionally satisfying. The Lt Governor commended the efforts of Handloom and Handicraft department and the Industries and Commerce department for leading the change in the vital sector of J&Ks economy. I am sure the recognition of Srinagar now as World Craft City will not only provide a new identity to Srinagar in the global market but craftsmanship will re-establish its position as a prestigious occupation, the Lt Governor said. Speaking on the occasion, Saad Hani Al-Qaddumi, President World Crafts Council International, congratulated the J&K Government on the recognition of Srinagar as World Craft City. Srinagar has joined the well-deserved ranks amongst the craft cities across the world, he said. On the occasion, the Lt Governor released a publication depicting the 60-year journey of the World Crafts Council. The South China Sea has long been a contentious region, but recent developments underscore an escalating threat that demands global attention and coordinated action. The recent expressions of concern from the Quad nations ~ Australia, India, Japan, and the United States ~ highlight the severity of the situation. These nations have collectively decried the intimidating and dangerous manoeuvres occurring in the South China Sea, emphasising the urgent need for enhanced maritime security. The South China Sea is not merely a regional issue; it is a global flashpoint with far-reaching implications. This body of water is a critical artery for international trade, with an estimated one-third of global shipping passing through. Any disruption here can have profound economic repercussions worldwide. The militarisation of disputed features and the use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels to intimidate other nations signal a blatant disregard for international norms and threaten the stability of this vital maritime route. Indias role in the Quad and its stance on the South China Sea issue is particularly significant. As a nation with a substantial coastline and a vested interest in maintaining the freedom of navigation and the unimpeded flow of commerce, Indias participation in these discussions reflects its broader strategic goals. By aligning with like-minded democracies, India is not only safeguarding its own maritime interests but also contributing to a collective security framework that aims to preserve the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. The recent actions by China, including repeated clashes with Philippine ships and the aggressive posturing in disputed areas, necessitate a robust response. The Quads commitment to bolstering maritime security through initiatives like satellite data sharing, training, and capacity building is a step in the right direction. These measures will enhance the regions ability to monitor and respond to coercive actions, thereby reinforcing the principles of freedom of navigation and international law. Furthermore, the establishment of a new maritime legal dialogue within the Quad framework underscores the importance of addressing these challenges through diplomatic and legal channels. Advertisement It is crucial to resolve disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This approach not only promotes stability but also sets a precedent for handling similar disputes elsewhere in the world. The evolving security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, characterised by increasing uncertainties and threats, calls for a unified and strategic response. The Quads emphasis on cyber-security, protection of supply chains, and safeguarding critical infrastructure, including undersea cables, highlights the multifaceted nature of modern security challenges. As digital and physical realms become increasingly intertwined, securing these critical assets is paramount for national and regional security. For India, this is an opportunity to assert its leadership in the region, promote the rule of law, and work collaboratively with its partners to address shared security concerns. As tensions continue to simmer, the actions taken today will shape the geopolitical landscape of tomorrow. The Union Budget 2024 has placed stress on employment and job creation. But how far are these proposals practicable? The Economic Survey admits that the employment situation is serious. To meet the backlog of employment and ensure development, employment generation of 80 lakh per annum is necessary up to 2030. Before going into further detail, let us see the budget proposals on job creation. The Government has unveiled spending of Rs 2-lakh crore ($24 billion) for job creation and skilling for 4.1 crore youth in the next five years. The Budget has made provision of Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment and skilling in the current year. The objective is noble as far as it goes. Critics are apprehensive about the road map and possibilities of attainment of the goals, as there will be many externalities on which the Government has no control, as job creation in the present scenario largely depends upon market forces. This proposed $24-billion spend is associated with the Prime Ministers package of five schemes and initiatives to facilitate employment, skilling and other opportunities for the young population. These include three employment-linked, incentives-based schemes. The three schemes will be based on enrolment in the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), and focus on recognition of first-time employees, as well as support to employees and employers, according to the Finance Minister. The three schemes are as follows: a) Scheme for First Timers: The scheme would provide one-months wage to all persons newly entering the workforce in all formal sectors. The direct benefit transfer of a months salary in three instalments to firsttime employees, as registered in the EPFO, will be up to ?15,000. The eligibility limit will be a salary of ?1 lakh per month. The scheme is expected to benefit 210 lakh youth. b) Scheme of Job Creation in manufacturing sector: This is to incentivise additional employment in the manufacturing sector, linked to the employment of first-time employees. An incentive will be provided at a specified scale directly both to the employee and the employer with respect to their EPFO contributions in the first four years of employment. Advertisement The scheme is expected to benefit 30 lakh youth entering employment, and their employers. c) Scheme of support to employers: This is an employer-focussed scheme. It covers additional employment in all sectors. All additional employment within a salary of ?1 lakh per month will be counted. The government will reimburse employers up to ?3,000 per month for two years towards the EPFO contribution for each additional employee. The scheme is expected to incentivise additional employment of 50 lakh people. The success of these schemes will depend upon many factors. The roadmap must be revealed in detail without any ambiguity or confusion. Moreover, the schemes are related with EPFO enrolment. In many enterprises, Provident Fund accounts are not opened for employees if their number is below 19. Thus, in the MSME sector many enterprises do not offer EPFO coverage. In a growing economy, EPFO accounts should increase over time. But the scenario is highly unstable, characterised by enrolment decline. Preliminary data says there was a 5 per cent drop in new subscribers to EPFO, down to 736,015, and a 10.5 per cent decline in the Employees State Insurance Corporation, down to 1.16 million, in November 2023 when compared to the previous month. The November 2023 figures show the sixth consecutive month of decline. The FM also announced a new centrally sponsored scheme on skilling, as the fourth scheme under the PMs package for skilling in collaboration with state governments and Industry. About 20 lakh youth will be skilled over a five-year period. As many as 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes will be upgraded in huband-spoke arrangements with outcome orientation. Course content and design will be aligned to the skill needs of industry, and new courses will be introduced for emerging needs, Sitharaman added. She also announced that the Model Skill Loan Scheme will be revised to facilitate loans up to Rs 7.5 lakh, with a guarantee from a government promoted fund. This measure is expected to help 25,000 students annually. Experience tells us that skill development schemes have not been successful in the past in terms of employment generation. Not even per cent of trainees could be absorbed after training from the National Skill Development Corporation. To help youth who are not eligible for any benefit under government schemes and policies, the FM has announced financial support for loans up to Rs 10 lakh for higher education in domestic institutions. E-vouchers for this purpose will be given directly to 1 lakh students every year for annual interest subvention of 3 per cent of the loan amount, she added. The Finance Minister also introduced a new internship programme, enabling companies to employ interns at Rs 5,000 per month for a year. This would be funded through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds and the initiative aims to skill 10 million youth over five years. The above schemes may sound big but implementation will be difficult as job creation will depend upon market forces as the government depends a lot on the private sector for fulfilment of their objectives. The private sector does not respond to stark realities of socio economic necessities, but operates with optimum employment aimed at profit maximisation. The apprenticeship scheme is practical as it will up-skill trainees and new entrants to the job market. But after training, will there be recruitment of a huge number of trained people? Many nationalised banks are recruiting apprentices with a salary of Rs 15,000 per month for one year. Their future is uncertain, like the Agniveers of the Indian army. If the market forces do not create enough jobs for recruitment of newly trained apprentices, the scheme will be a fiasco like many other experiments in the past. More stress needs to be given for promotion of manufacturing and service industries since the agriculture sector suffers from an excess labour syndrome. We need non-farm sectors to grow to absorb new entrants in the job market. Last but not the least, the government must fill up vacancies in their own establishments to promote employment. The employment scenario is critical. According to CMIE, unemployment rose sharply to 9.3 per cent in June 2024 from 7 per cent in May. While the Labour Participation Rate (LPR) rose to 41.4 per cent in June from 40.8 per cent in May, and up from 39.9 per cent in June 2023, the rural unemployment rate rose to 9.3 per cent in June from 6.3 per cent in May. The urban unemployment rate climbed from 8.6 to 8.9 per cent. LPR is made up of people working or willing to work and actively looking for a job among the total working-age population (15 years and above). We require a concrete action plan for the generation of more employment. Government should form a committee consisting of experts and industrialists to formulate a long-term strategy for employment generation. Indirectly incentivising the EPFO recipients or apprenticeship will not bring any big change. We will create skill and capacity but will there be enough recruiters? (The writer is on the faculty of Sister Nivedita University.) In a significant development, Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political office of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, has been assassinated in Tehran, according to a statement from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The attack also claimed the life of one of his bodyguards. With condolences to the heroic nation of Palestine and the Islamic nation and the combatants of the Resistance Front and the noble nation of Iran, this morning (Wednesday) the residence of Mr. Dr. Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political office of the Islamic Resistance of Hamas, was hit in Tehran, and following this incident, he and one of his bodyguards were martyred, read the statement published by an Iranian news agency. The IRGC has announced that further investigations into the incident are underway. Advertisement The assassination of Haniyeh occurs just days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus visit to the United States. The development follows the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. Israel launched a full blown military assault in the Gaza strip in response to Hamas deadly attack on October 7, 2023. Ismail Haniyeh was a prominent figure within Hamas, playing a crucial role in the groups political strategies and militant activities. He is also accused of orchestrating the October 7 attack on Israel. His death is being seen as a significant blow to the Hamas and could have far-reaching implications for the region. As of now, Israel has not reacted to the development and has neither claimed responsibility for the assassination. After deciding not to back President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lankas largest political party in parliament split into two with 92 lawmakers pledging support for his re-election. A large number of MPs of former President Mahinda Rajapaksas party, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) promised their unconditional support for the victory of Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election set for September 21. Among those who supported Wickremesinghe were Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry and a number of Cabinet Ministers and State Ministers who joined him to recover the economy since former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country in 2022 amidst severe financial crisis and street protests. Away from the country Gotabaya, who promised the support of his party SLPP, had invited Wickremesinghe to take over the country. Advertisement Under President Ranil Wickramasinghes leadership, Sri Lanka has made significant strides in overcoming the most severe crises in the history. To prevent a return to such challenging times, it is essential to continue supporting President Wickramasinghes vision and initiatives. We need to protect the country before our political views, State Minister of Finance Sehan Semasinghe, who joined Wickremesinghe, posted on social media platform X. There are more to join President Wickremesinghe, State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennakone who joined Wickremesinghe told reporters. Despite an invitation by President Wickremesinghe to join his Presidential race, Rajapaksas party has decided to field a rival candidate. Rajapaksas son Namal Rajapaksa has accused Wickremesinghe of splitting the party created by his uncles Basil and Gotabaya. Last week, President Wickremesinghe announced his candidacy as an independent candidate while opposition leader Sajith Premadasa from Samagi Janabalawegaya (United Peoples Power) and Anura Kumara Dissanayake from the Marxist party National Peoples Power announced their plans to contest for the election. At the decisive election since the worst-ever economic crisis the South Asian island nation faced, around 17 million out of 22 million population is eligible to cast their votes. As the opposition leaders continue to dispute the election results that saw President Nicolas Maduro secure another term in power, the protests intensified on Tuesday, with more people taking to streets, Al Jazeera reported. The oppositions Maria Corina Machado called for families to turn out on Tuesday for popular assemblies across the South American nation. Machado told reporters a day earlier that a review of available voting records from Sundays election showed that presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez had achieved a categorical and mathematically irreversible victory over Maduro. The two opposition leaders appeared at a gathering in the capital of Caracas on Tuesday. What we are fighting here is a fraud by the regime, said Machado, urging peaceful protest. A large crowd, many waving Venezuelan flags, chanted: We are not afraid! Opposition protesters also marched in the cities of Valencia, Maracay, San Cristobal, Maracaibo and Barquisimeto throughout the day. The demonstrations come a day after Venezuelas National Electoral Council (CNE) formally confirmed that Maduro had been re-elected by a majority of Venezuelans to another six-year term as president for the period 2025-2031. Advertisement That announcement fueled widespread anger and thousands of protestors took to streets to voice their opposition to Maduro and his government. They were met by tear gas and rubber bullets fired by police, as reported by Al Jazeera A local monitoring group, the Venezuelan Conflict Observatory, said it had registered 187 protests in 20 states by Monday evening, with numerous acts of repression and violence carried out by paramilitary groups and security forces. According to rights group Foro Penal, at least 11 people had been killed in incidents related to the election count or the protests. Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition party Voluntad Popular said in a social media post on Tuesday that its national coordinator, Freddy Superlano, had been detained. Dismissing all the international criticism and doubts raised over poll results, Maduro claimed that Venezuela was the target of an attempted coup detat of a fascist and counter-revolutionary nature. His government has called the protesters violent agitators, and Maduro directly blamed Gonzalez, his presidential challenger, for the deteriorating situation I hold [Gonzalez] responsible for everything that is happening in Venezuela, criminal violencethe wounded, the dead, the destruction, said the Venezuelan leader. Maduro also warned that justice will come, Al Jazeera reported. North Korea may increase the volume and range of weapons it supplies to the aggressor country Russia. On July 30, soldiers of one of the Ukrainian battalions noticed that Russian forces were using North Korean military equipment on the border between Ukraine and the Belgorod region. ADVERTISIMENT In particular, the Russians used the Bulsae-4 long-range self-propelled anti-tank missile system provided by North Korea northwest of Shebekino in the Belgorod region. It was mounted on a North Korean-M2010 wheeled armored personnel carrier. This was reported by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Some Russian military bloggers have cautiously expanded on the Ukrainian report, but not without questioning its credibility. The ISW cannot independently confirm the use of this equipment by Russian forces in the Belgorod region, but if confirmed, it would be evidence of an increase in the types of weapons North Korea is supplying to Russia. NK Pro, a North Korea-focused publication, reported on July 26 that satellite imagery showed an increase in North Korea's production of anti-tank missiles, likely due to Russia's growing interest in acquiring the munitions. NK Pro found that North Korea began construction of a large production hall at the Sinuiju Measuring Instrument Factory in May 2024, and in June 2024, it began upgrading several production halls at the Taegwan Glass Factory, both of which produce anti-tank missiles. ADVERTISIMENT The increase in the volume and range of North Korean weapons for Russia is likely part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un during Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June 2024. Earlier, it was reported that Russian troops began using the Bulsae-4 long-range self-propelled anti-tank missile system from the DPRK in the war against Ukraine. Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance detected North Korean equipment in one of the directions when it was out in the open. ISW has also previously noted that Russia continues to deepen bilateral relations with Iran and North Korea in exchange for lethal assistance to its army for use against Ukraine. As of today, Pyongyang has already handed over millions of shells to the occupiers, and Tehran has provided many Shahed drones. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! According to Russian media, the heart of another Ukrainian soldier has stopped beating in Russian captivity. Azov regiment driver Oleksandr Ishchenko, who defended Mariupol and was captured by the occupiers, died in a pre-trial detention center in Rostov-on-Don, as confirmed by Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. ADVERTISIMENT The invaders held a trial over Oleksandr and 23 other Ukrainian prisoners of war. The death of the Hero was reported by the Russian media outlet Mediazona. "Ukrainian prisoner of war Oleksandr Ishchenko, who served as a driver in the Azov regiment, died in a pre-trial detention center in Rostov-on-Don. According to a Mediaphone correspondent, this was reported during a meeting of the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don, which is considering the case of Ishchenko and 23 other 'Azov' soldiers. The pre-trial detention center has not yet provided the court with documents confirming the death of the defendant," the newspaper writes. Mediazona does not name the cause of death of the Ukrainian soldier who was in Russian captivity, nor does it mention the torture suffered by Ukrainians from Russians, nor the inhumane conditions in which Russia holds prisoners of war. ADVERTISIMENT Oleksandr Ishchenko was 55 years old. Back in February 2022, he volunteered to join the Azov Regiment, was a driver, and defended Mariupol with his comrades. In the spring of the same year, like other Azovstal defenders, he was taken prisoner by Russia. After that, the occupiers held a show trial for Oleksandr and 23 other Ukrainians: The defenders were "tried" for allegedly "participating in the activities of a terrorist organization" and "attempting to seize power by force." According to Mediaport, all the Ukrainians who faced these absurd charges were either contracted or freelance employees of Azov at various times. Some of them took part in the defense of Mariupol and Azovstal, while others had already left the service by the time the full-scale Russian invasion began: the occupiers sought them out and detained them in their homes. ADVERTISIMENT "Two of them Davyd Kasatkin and Dmytro Labinskyi have already been exchanged for Russian prisoners of war and are being tried in absentia. Nine women are involved in the case, most of them are cooks who prepared food for the Azov soldiers," the publication adds. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, responded to the news of the death of a Ukrainian defender in Russian captivity. "I learned about the death of 55-year-old Oleksandr Ishchenko, a Mariupol defender who was tried by Russians under a trumped-up article and held in a detention center in Russia. According to the daughter of the Ukrainian defender, he died 9 days ago. However, no one officially informed the Ukrainian side about this. There was also no official report on the cause of death of the Ukrainian citizen. Therefore, I immediately addressed a letter to the Russian Ombudsman to investigate the tragic death of a prisoner of war held by the Russian side and to inform me of the circumstances and cause of death of Oleksandr Ishchenko," the ombudsman wrote. ADVERTISIMENT Lubinets also informed the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations about another death of a Ukrainian prisoner of war in Russian captivity, so that both organizations could record the fact of the death of a Ukrainian who was protected by the Geneva Conventions and finally pay attention to the conditions in which Russians are holding our captive compatriots. "Ukraine demands that the Russian Federation strictly comply with the Geneva Conventions provide the necessary medical care, set up a mixed medical commission to enable the repatriation of all seriously ill and seriously wounded. Let me remind you that according to Article 12 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, prisoners of war are in the hands of the enemy state, not the individuals or military units that took them prisoner. Regardless of the responsibility that individuals may bear, the capturing state is responsible for the treatment of prisoners of war," Lubinets emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT The Russian human rights organization Memorial recognized all Ukrainians who are being demonstratively "tried" by war criminals in Russia as political prisoners. It also named the names of Ukrainian heroes who defended their homeland and whose trial has been ongoing since July 19, 2022. In addition to Ishchenko, 12 other people are being "tried" under articles on organizing the activities of a terrorist organization and participating in it: Avramova Olena Lazarivna (born in 1973), Bondarenko Nina Ihorivna (born in 1984), Bondarchuk Olena Oleksandrivna (born in 1981), Nataliia Volodymyrivna Holfiner (born in 1974), Anatolii Petrovych Hrytsiuk (born in 1976), Zharkov Oleh Volodymyrovych (born in 1971), Maiboroda Vladyslava Volodymyrivna (born in 2001), Mohytych Iryna Oleksandrivna (born in 1981), Mezhhorodskyi Oleh Dmytrovych (born in 1979), ADVERTISIMENT Pavrianidis Liliia Vitaliivna (born in 1994), Rudenko Liliia Murativna (born in 1984), Tekin Maryna Olehivna (born in 1990). On each charge, they face up to 20 years in prison. Another 11 Ukrainians are also accused of receiving training to conduct terrorist activities: Hrebieshkov Artem Serhiyovych (born in 1993), Artur Olehovych Hretskyi (born in 2002), Zhdamarov Yaroslav Volodymyrovych (born in 1993), Irkha Oleksandr Vasyliovych (born in 1979), Kasatkin Davyd Heorhiyoevych (born in 1996, released from captivity) Dmytro Labinskyi (born in 2000, released from captivity), Merochenets Oleksandr Oleksandrovych (born in 1999), Mukhin Oleksandr Oleksandrovych (born in 1993), Oleksii Volodymyrovych Smykov (born in 1996), Mykyta Hennadiyovych Timonin (born in 1995), Oleh Mykolayovych Tyshkul (born in 1969). They face life imprisonment. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, it became known that a soldier who survived Russian torture was killed in captivity. A 47-year-old Ukrainian soldier Yurii Reshta from Kryvyi Rih stood up to defend his homeland on February 24, 2022, took part in the defense of Mariupol, and was taken prisoner. The Russians tortured and shot him. The family and friends of the soldier, who had seven children waiting for him at home, have only now had the opportunity to say goodbye: the body of the Ukrainian was handed over by Russian war criminals with three bullet wounds to the chest and one to the head. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! During the occupiers' drone attack on the night of July 31, Russian drones once again flew into the territory of Belarus. According to aviation expert Valerii Romanenko, Belarus is unlikely to be able to use this situation as a provocation and accuse Ukraine of the attack, as it is very easy to prove that these are Russian or Iranian-made drones. ADVERTISIMENT Romanenko said this in an exclusive interview with OBOZ.TALK. On the night of July 31, at least five Russian Shaheds entered the airspace of Belarus. "The more that fly into Belarus, the better it is for us. The less falls on the territory of Ukraine. We should, as they say, encourage such cases. Let Belarus see for itself the reliability and quality of Russian drones. They supported the aggression, they are allies," the aviation expert said. According to him, it will hardly be possible to use this situation to accuse Ukraine of sending drones to Belarus. After all, there are no similarities between Ukrainian and Russian drones. ADVERTISIMENT "We cannot send drones launched from Russian launchers. That's it. All questions are for Putin and the relevant Chief of the General Staff, who gives the order for the next strike. More detailed questions at lower levels are for the programmers who entered the flight program for these drones. We have nothing to do with it. And the Belarusian side has never raised any questions to Ukraine," Romanenko said. "If Russian drones fly into Belarus and hit something there, we will not be responsible. Because any examination at the crash site will easily identify that it is a Russian drone because it has either an Iranian or Chinese engine. "It's not our problem if the drones flew to Belarus and hit something there. They know that it is very easy to identify it by design, by construction materials, by the engine. There are no similarities between Ukrainian and Russian drones," the expert emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier it was reported that on the night of July 31, when Russia launched one of the most massive drone attacks on Ukraine this year, a record number of Shaheds entered the airspace of Belarus. One of the drones flew to the town of Stolin in Brest Oblast. Meanwhile, the Russian Federation boasted of a "high-precision" strike on Ukraine. The propagandists fantasized about a series of strikes on the locations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as the "destruction of neo-Nazis" and "foreign mercenaries." Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Don't fall for fakes! Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to withdraw the GST imposed on premiums for life and medical insurance plans. In the letter, he pointed out that both life and medical insurance premiums attract a GST rate of 18 per cent, adding that this is like levying tax on the uncertainties of life. He said the letter was written after he received a memorandum from the Nagpur Divisional Life Insurance Corporation Employees Union. Citing the Union's memorandum, he said the person who covers the risk of life's uncertainties to give some protection to the family should not be levied tax on the premium to purchase cover against this risk. He added the GST on the medical insurance premium is a deterrant for the growth of the insurance sector. He also raised issues like reintroducing IT deduction for health insurance premiums. "In view of the above, you are requested to consider the suggestion of withdrawal of GST on life and medical insurance premium on priority as it becomes cumbersome for senior citizens as per rules with due verification," the minister said in the letter to Sitharaman Less than two months after the Biju Janta Dals unprecedented rout in both assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the party suffered another setback on Wednesday as its Rajya Sabha member Mamata Mahanta resigned from the party and parliament. Political circles assume this may help Bharatiya Janta Partys state President Manmohan Samals entry into Rajya Sabha. Samal lost in his assembly seat though the BJP under his leadership came to power on its own for the first time in Odisha. If he had won, he could have been a claimant for the post of chief minister which went to Mohan Charan Majhi, a tribal. Mahantas resignation has been accepted by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. Dhankar said Mahanta had personally handed over to him her resignation letter. The same I find to be Constitutionally in order. I have accepted the resignation of Smt Mamata Mahanta, a member representing the state of Odisha, with immediate effect, he said. Mahanta, a prominent Kudumi community leader from Mayurbhanj district, also resigned from the primary membership of the BJD and she has sent her resignation letter to party president Naveen Patnaik. Mahanta was elected to Rajya Sabha in 2020 and her term was to be over in 2026. He was a member of the Zilla Parishad earlier. Political circles say she may join the BJP and may be appointed the chairperson of the proposed North Odisha Development Council. CM Majhi had recently announced the formation of this council. The state already has such a council for western districts, which the the Congress government had formed in 1990s. In her resignation letter to the BJD supremo, Mahanta said: I feel that there is no requirement of the services of myself as well as my community in the BJD. Therefore I have taken this hard decision in public interest. The BJP, which has the majority, is most likely to win the Rajya Sabha byelection necessitated by Mahantas resignation. The saffron party has only one member in the upper house from OdishaRailway Minister Aswini Vaishnaw who got elected twice with the BJD support. After Mahantas resignation, the BJDs strength in Rajya Sabha will be reduced to eight. Odisha has 10 seats in the upper house. Despite the shocking defeat in the parliament and assembly elections, the BJD has been trying to be an effective opposition by taking an aggressive anti-BJP position in assembly as well as in Rajya Sabha. The party has no member in Lok Sabha. But now, Mahantas sudden exit has left the party in a humiliating position. The BJP and the BJD were at loggerheads during the budget session with Patnaik, who is the leader of the Opposition, criticising the budget placed by CM Majhi who also holds the finance portfolio. However, how the opposition party will handle issues in the assembly after Mahantas resignation remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Pramila Mallik, the chief whip of the BJD in the assembly, said Mahantas resignation is part of a national partys conspiracy, an apparent reference to the BJP. She said it seems someone from that national party will go to Rajya Sabha in Mahantas place. Mallik said Mahanta had been sent to Rajya Sabha to give representation to the Mahanta community in parliament. So, there is no question of partys neglect. She (Mahanta) has fallen to the national partys conspiracy. Instead of serving people, the national party is trying to strengthen itself by breaking other parties, Mallik said. After the BJP came to power in the state, there has been talk of poaching on BJD MLAs by the saffron party. When the third Narendra Modi government was formed at the Centre, some media reports had included Manmohan Samals name in the proposed new cabinet. Since the Rajya Sabha election in the state is due in 2026, it was assumed that Samal might have to wait till that time and in between he might head state planning board. But the sudden turn of events changed the situation and if Samal goes to Rajya Sabha, the BJP may reward him with a berth in the Union cabinet. The Opposition on Wednesday slammed BJP MP Anurag Thakur's speech on the Budget as an insult to Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs, with the Congress claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged a "serious breach of parliamentary privilege" by sharing it on X. The Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon on Wednesday amid protests by opposition members over Thakur's remarks in the House and their demand for a caste census. Thakur's remarks on Tuesday that "whose caste is not known talks about caste census", triggered an uproar in the House with the opposition slamming the comments directed at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Congress general secretary in-charge, communications, Jairam Ramesh slammed Thakur for making an apparent reference to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's caste during a discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha. Prime Minister Modi praised Thakur's speech, and said it was a "must hear". Tagging Modi's post on X, Ramesh said, "This speech that the non-biological Prime Minister calls a 'must hear' is a highly abusive and unconstitutional tirade -- and by sharing it, he has encouraged a serious breach of Parliamentary privilege." Thakur brought parliamentary discourse to a new low by asking a fellow MP and the Leader of Opposition about his caste identity, Ramesh said. Upon protests from the opposition benches, the Chair, Jagadambika Pal, assured MPs that the comments will be expunged, he said. "In a departure from all parliamentary norms -- expunged comments are edited out of videos uploaded online -- Sansad TV has uploaded the unedited speech, and the non-biological Prime Minister has shared and praised it publicly," Ramesh said. "This is a new and shameful low in the annals of India's parliamentary history. It reflects the BJP-RSS and Mr. Modi's deep-rooted casteism," the Congress leader alleged. Congress' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said the INDIA bloc protested inside the House on Wednesday against the "insensitive and cruel" remarks made by the BJP leaders during a discussion of the Budget with respect to the caste census. "We know caste census is a very emotional issue and many people in India from the SC, ST and OBC category want the caste census but their demand was mocked by the BJP in Parliament. They were insulted by the BJP in Parliament and it is unfortunate that later in the evening, the PM shared that speech and praised that speech," Gogoi told reporters outside Parliament. "The PM praised the speech that insulted the Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis. We are here fighting for their rights and fighting for caste census," he said. Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav said his party has been saying that BJP people have no place in their hearts for SCs, STs, OBCs and Muslims. "They are being insulted in Parliament. We have been continuously demanding caste census and the government is continuously denying it. Reservations are being denied under this government," he alleged. Hitting out at Thakur for his remarks against Gandhi, Yadav said, "We condemn this and will struggle against this." RJD's Manoj Jha said Thakur had given proof of his feudal mindset. "Question is not what is the caste of Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi, but question is of caste census. By re-tweeting the speech, the prime minister, has shown that he cannot rise above 'bhains, mangalsutra and mujra'," he said. Congress MP Digvijaya Singh slammed Thakur, and said he did not expect the PM to support such remarks. After an uproar, Gandhi accused Thakur of insulting and abusing him during the debate but asserted that he would not seek any apology from the former Union minister. "Anurag Thakur insulted me and I don't want any apology from him. Abuse or insult me as hard as you can but don't forget we will pass the caste census in this Parliament for sure," the Leader of Opposition had said in the House. Sharing Thakur's speech on X on Tuesday, Modi said. "This speech by my young and energetic colleague Shri Anurag Thakur is a must hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance." As the row erupted in Parliament, the Congress said the Gandhi family's caste is martyrdom but the BJP-RSS will never understand that. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also came down heavily on Thakur's apparent questioning of Gandhi's caste in the Lok Sabha. "A socio-economic caste census is the demand of 80 per cent of the people of this country. Today, it was said in Parliament that those whose caste is not known talk about a caste census," she said in a post in Hindi on X on Tuesday. Will 80 per cent of India's population be abused in Parliament now, she asked. "Narendra Modi should clarify whether this happened at his behest," she had said. The right to be forgotten, which assumes great significance in the digital era, was perhaps for the first time introduced into the Indian legal vocabulary by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul when he wrote his separate judgment on the landmark right to privacy judgment of the apex court in 2017. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition related to the right to be forgotten, but it was in the right to privacy judgment that the germ of the idea, as far as the Indian legal system is concerned, lay and was articulated by Kaul in the separate judgment he wrote. The impact of the digital age results in information on the internet being permanent. Humans forget, but the internet does not forget and does not let humans forget. Any endeavour to remove information from the internet does not result in its absolute obliteration. The footprints remain. It is thus said that in the digital world, preservation is the norm and forgetting a struggle, Kaul wrote. He said this makes it difficult to begin life again giving up past mistakes. People are not static, they change and grow through their lives. They evolve. They make mistakes. But they are entitled to re-invent themselves and reform and correct their mistakes. It is privacy which nurtures this ability and removes the shackles of unadvisable things which may have been done in the past, he said. Taking an empathetic view of the issue from the point of view of the young who would want certain things they did as children or young adults to be erased, he wrote, Children around the world create perpetual digital footprints on social network websites on a 24/7 basis as they learn their ABCs: Apple, Bluetooth, and Chat followed by Download, E-Mail, Facebook, Google, Hotmail, and Instagram. They should not be subjected to the consequences of their childish mistakes and naivety, their entire life. Privacy of children will require special protection not just in the context of the virtual world, but also the real world, he said. Kaul mentioned a few examples to illustrate the need for the right to be forgotten to be considered. One of the instances he cited was about a high school teacher in Massachusetts, US, who was fired after posting on her Facebook page that she was so not looking forward to another [school] year since the school districts residents were arrogant and snobby. Another example was about a flight attendant of Delta Airlines who was sacked for posting suggestive photos of herself in the companys uniform. He said that in the pre-digital era, such incidents would have never occurred. People could then make mistakes and embarrass themselves, with the comfort that the information will be typically forgotten over time, he said. Kaul noted that people change and an individual should be able to determine the path of his life and not be stuck only on a path which he or she treaded initially. An individual should have the capacity to change his/her beliefs and evolve as a person. Individuals should not live in fear that the views they expressed will forever be associated with them and thus refrain from expressing themselves, he said. He pointed out that the European Union Regulation of 2016 has recognised the 'right to be forgotten'. He did write though that this does not mean that all aspects of earlier existence are to be obliterated as some may have a social ramification. Whereas this right to control dissemination of personal information in the physical and virtual space should not amount to a right of total eraser of history, this right, as a part of the larger right of privacy, has to be balanced against other fundamental rights like the freedom of expression, or freedom of media, fundamental to a democratic society, he wrote. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Wednesday cancelled the provisional candidature of controversial IAS officer Pooja Khedkar and also debarred her from all future examinations or selections. The commission had issued a show cause notice to Pooja on July 18 for fraudulently availing attempts beyond the permissible limit provided for in the examination rules by faking her identity. The trainee officer was asked to submit her response by July 25, but she requested time till August 5 to gather all the necessary documents. The UPSC said it granted the officer a "final opportunity" to submit her response by 3:30 pm on July 30 but she "failed to submit her explanation within the prescribed time". "The UPSC has examined the available records carefully and found her guilty of acting in contravention of the provisions of the CSE-2022 Rules," the commission said in its statement. The Delhi Police Crime Branch has booked Pooja for misusing the disability and Other Backward Class (non-creamy layer) quotas to secure her candidature in the civil services exam. A case under section 420 (cheating), 464 (making a document in the name of a fictitious person), 465 (forgery) and 471 (passing off a forged document as genuine) of IPC and under sections 89 and 91 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and 66D of the Information Technology Act was registered against Khedkar. The Pune Policehas already launched an investigation into the alleged unauthorised use of a red-blue beacon light and 'Maharashtra Government' sticker on the private Audi car of Pooja. Pooja was transferred from Pune to Washim earlier this month following allegations that the officer had made repeated requests for a private cabin, car, living quarters, and a peon even before joining duty on June 3. As the controversy raged, her training in Maharashtra was put on hold and she was recalled to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie. Even as the rescue and relief operations continue in full swing in landslides-hit Wayanad, a political war of words erupted on Wednesday after Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that the Centre had issued advance warning to Kerala government regarding a possible natural disaster in the district due to heavy rains. Shah said in Rajya Sabha that the state government did not heed to the early warning issued seven days ahead of the July 30 landslides. The home minister also alleged that the state government did not get alerted even by the arrival of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) battalions. "Nine NDRF battalions were dispatched on July 23 itself and three more were sent on July 30," Shah said. The losses could have been minimised if the Kerala government had got itself alerted and acted as soon as the NDRF teams landed in the state, he added. Shah later reiterated his claim in the Lok Sabha, saying the Centre had sent eight teams of the NDRF on July 23 to assist the Kerala government in any eventuality of a disaster. "When the landslides struck Wayanad, the NDRF teams got the green signal from the collector and relief operations were launched immediately," he said. Shah, however, asserted that the Centre would provide every possible help to the state government in the rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations. "This is the time to stand like a rock with Wayanad and the Modi government is committed to this," he said. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, meanwhile, termed Shahs claims as baseless and said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had only issued an orange alert in Wayanad ahead of the landslides. "In the disaster areas, an orange alert was in place, with the IMD warning that rainfall would be between 115 and 204 mm. However, the actual rainfall was much higher, he said. Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, the chief minister said the area received 200 mm of rain in the first 24 hours and 372 mm in the next 24 hours, totaling 572 mm in 48 hours. This far exceeded the initial warning, he added. The area had never been on red alert before the disaster. However, after the incident, a red alert was issued at six o'clock in the morning (of July 30) after the landslides occurred," Vijayan said. The chief minister further claimed that the Central Water Commission, which is responsible for issuing flood warnings, had not issued any warnings for either Iruvazhinji Puzha or Chaliyar rivers flowing through the affected areas. "I am not blaming anyone. This is not the time for blame games. But, the Centre needs to understand that climate change has led to significant alterations in our environment and that we need to take proactive steps to address and adapt to these changes, he said. The official death toll in the Wayanad landslides has reached 168 as of Wednesday morning and 143 autopsies have been completed. At least 85 are missing and efforts are on to find them, according to local TV reports. At least 191 people were hospitalised at Dr Moopen's Medical College in Meppadi. A total of 98 people were rescued so far after the search and rescue operation resumed in the morning. Many were feared trapped under the debris. Heavy engineering equipment and rescue dog teams were airlifted to the affected area. The Indian Coast Guard has also dispatched disaster relief teams, who are equipped with rubber inflatable boats, diesel-driven pumps, life jackets, raincoats and gum boots. The Army had on Tuesday rescued around 1,000 people using a temporary bridge after the permanent structure was washed away. The state government has requested the Centre to deploy a 690-feet Bailey bridge. Up to 330 feet of the bridge was arriving from the Madras Engineer Group Centre, Bengaluru, by road while a 110-feet Bailey bridge was being airlifted from Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah on Wednesday deputed two IAS officers to coordinate with the Kerala authorities leading the rescue and relief operations in Wayanad following a devastating landslide that has claimed over 150 lives. Senior IAS officers P.C. Jaffer (mobile number 9448355577) and Dilish Sasi (9446000514) have been deputed by the CM. In a press statement, the CM stated that the NDRF team in Bengaluru and teams of the Madras Engineer Group of the Army will be assisting in the operation. One officer from MEG, along with two JCOs and 70 personnel of various ranks, has already departed for Wayanad in 15 vehicles carrying rescue and relief supplies. Additionally, two more officers, four JCOs, and 100 army personnel equipped with the necessary equipment will depart in 40 vehicles. To facilitate the swift movement of the teams and relief material to Wayanad, a green corridor to allow unrestricted passage of relief vehicles is being created at the Bandipur checkpost. Deputy Commissioners of border districts Mysuru and Chamarajanagar have been directed to extend all support. The Chamarajanagar district administration has initiated a helpline (08226-223160/1/3) WhatsApp number: 9740942901) to assist citizens who frequently travel to Wayanad from the district border Bengaluru-Wayanad National Highway 766 closed As a precautionary measure, traffic on the Bangalore-Waynad National Highway 766 passing through Gundlupet has been blocked. Travellers are advised to take the alternative Gundlupet-Bandipur-Gudalur route. The Karnataka public works department is assisting the Kerala authorities in clearing the debris. The Chamarajanagar district administration has set up a 24/7 helpline to assist relatives and acquaintances of unorganised workers from Gundlupet taluk and surrounding areas. The helpline numbers are 08226-223161, 223163, 223160, and WhatsApp number 9740942902. Meanwhile, the Mysuru district administration has made elaborate arrangements for medical treatment at both Heggadevankote Taluk Hospital and K R Hospital, Mysuru. Sufficient buses and vehicles are on standby to transport the injured, and suppliers of cold storage units have been identified to preserve deceased bodies. The Mysuru district administration Helpline is 0821-24223800. Kerala Health Minister Veena George who was on the way to Wayanad's Meppadi amid fatal landslides in the region met with an accident on Wednesday morning. The vehicle in which she was travelling was trying to dodge an oncoming scooter at Chettiangadi in Malappuram district's Mancheri when it hit an electric post. The minister, who suffered minor wounds, was admitted to the emergency department of Mancheri Medical College Hospital. She was travelling to the landslide-hit region to take stock of the situation. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi who won from Wayanad in the recent Lok Sabha polls said he and Priyanka Gandhi were scheduled to visit Wayanad on Wednesday to meet the families affected by the landslide but were told by authorities that they would not be able to land due to incessant rains and adverse weather conditions. The IMD, meanwhile, warned of heavy rains in Wayanad which has been rocked by landslides, issuing red alert for eight districts. The death toll in the Wayanad landslides has reached 150 while 143 autopsies have been completed when this report was published. At least 91 people were missing and 191 were hospitalised. U.S. businesses keen to seize opportunities from U.S.-China cooperation 08:04, July 31, 2024 By Liu Yanan ( Xinhua Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, addresses the China-U.S. Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in New York, the United States, on July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) Declan Daly said that it is time for the United States to re-engage with China on the issues of concern and the trade relationship to find negotiated solutions to long-standing disputes. "Toward that end, we would welcome establishing a regular bilateral dialogue." NEW YORK, July 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. business people expressed their enthusiasm toward potential opportunities arising from strong commercial ties between the United States and China. A Chinese delegation led by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) is paying a week-long visit to the United States. The 50-person delegation will have extensive and in-depth exchanges with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the State of New York, the State of Maryland, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S.-China Business Council, and other government departments and agencies, as well as with U.S. companies, according to Ren Hongbin, chairman of the CCPIT. "We look forward to achieving concrete outcomes and cultivating new growth drivers through such communication," Ren told about 300 business people from various industries from both countries at the China-U.S. Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum on Monday. According to Ren, bilateral trade between the United States and China rose by 2.9 percent in the first half of 2024, and the number of U.S. companies announcing investment in China increased by over 20 percent. The amount of actual investment doubled in the period. "We are encouraged by the current administration's efforts to resume bilateral dialogue and cooperation with China," said Declan Daly, chief operating officer with United States Council for International Business. Daly said at the forum that it is time for the United States to re-engage with China on the issues of concern and the trade relationship to find negotiated solutions to long-standing disputes. "Toward that end, we would welcome establishing a regular bilateral dialogue," added Daly. Daly said there is no doubt about the importance of this enormous economic relationship between the United States and China to his members, which collectively have an annual revenue of over 5 trillion U.S. dollars and 11.5 million employees. Peter Tichansky, president and CEO of the Business Council for International Understanding, said the United States and China align on issues like innovation, energy transition, artificial intelligence, chips and trade. Peter Tichansky, president and CEO of the Business Council for International Understanding, addresses the China-U.S. Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in New York, the United States, on July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) "The reason that we're here is because I wanna meet people that can introduce us into the Chinese infrastructure, Temu, TikTok and Shein," said Jonathan Webb, co-founder and co-CEO of New York-based e-commerce player Packable, Inc. The U.S. market has a huge appetite for what is being manufactured in China, from selfie sticks to wax warming kits to magnetic puzzles, all the way to EV charging stations, said Webb on the forum's sidelines. "All those goods are being manufactured in China and being brought to the United States, but everybody is nervous about the tariffs. So we have to figure out how to try to help mitigate those issues," he told Xinhua. Webb mentioned that he plans to work with Chinese manufacturers and stated that such partnerships are necessary and will shape the future of his business. Webb sees opportunities in bonded warehouses, foreign trade zones and some U.S. visa programs. Ultimately, working with China creates jobs and economic stimulus in the United States, which is very important to the local municipalities inside the country, he said. Webb warned that a further hike in tariffs on China-made products would cause many U.S. innovators who manufacture in China to leave for other countries and create chaos. "China's involvement in the supply chain globally is very, very important," he said. Robert L. Garland Jr., CEO of Garland & Zhang, LLC, said he is working to promote international trade directly with Indian communities and cooperation between Chinese manufacturers and American retailers. "In the last several years, we've seen a lot of decline in supply chain items...So we want to try to reestablish ways to gain these at affordable prices," Garland told Xinhua. Garland said the forum fostered a much better understanding of Chinese technology. Jesse Weiner, co-managing partner at YK Law LLP, expressed his delight at seeing business deals, investments and trade flourishing, in contrast to the slowdown during the pandemic. Weiner said many U.S. entities, entertainers and influences wanted to be in China and market their goods on the video-sharing platform Douyin, the e-commerce platform Tmall and Alibaba. "Now, there's more positive cooperation and development among the two countries again. And I just can hope it continues in that trajectory," Weiner said. (Xinhua video reporter Xie E also contributed to the article.) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Russia has boasted of a series of strikes on Ukraine, claiming to have allegedly hit military facilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Russians imagined the targets in different regions of Ukraine, despite the fact that all the drones and missiles launched by the enemy that night were destroyed by our air defense. ADVERTISIMENT The "results" of the attack were reported by the RIA Novosti propaganda agency, citing the "coordinator of the Mykolaiv underground" Sergei Lebedev. The list of "hit" objects in Ukraine, according to his version, is as follows: a location for foreign mercenaries near Boryspil airport in the Kyiv region; a location of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Brovary, Kyiv region, in the direction of Irpin, Kyiv region; a facility near the military airfield in Myrhorod, Poltava region; AFU locations near a training ground in Zhytomyr region; warehouses near the railway station in Kremenchuk; "neo-Nazi militants" from Kraken in Kharkiv region, allegedly including foreigners; the location of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Svitlovodsk, Kirovohrad region. As a reminder, on the night of July 31, the occupiers launched 89 Shaheds and one X-59 guided missile against Ukraine. All air targets were neutralized by the defenders of Ukrainian skies. It was one of the most massive attacks by Shahed-131/136 strike UAVs. The enemy used the same number of attack drones on New Year's Eve, January 1, 2024. ADVERTISIMENT According to Oleshchuk, the occupiers launched air targets from the areas of Yeysk, Seshcha, Kursk, and Prymorsko-Akhtarsk. As reported by OBOZ.UA: The commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykola Oleshchuk showed a video of the downing of Shahed attack drones in the eastern and southern directions. The UAV shot down by Ukrainian soldiers spiraled to the ground, leaving a smoke trail, and then exploded. During the Russian drone attack on Ukraine, which began on the evening of July 30, the Shakhtys again flew over the territory of Belarus. In this regard, the Belarusian army launched a fighter jet from the Baranovichi airfield at around 23:50 on Tuesday. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The rescue operations to save lives of hundreds of people stranded in Wayanad landslides is going on in full swing on Wednesday afternoon amid heavy downpour in the region. Studies pointed out that climate change and fragile terrain led to the devastating landslide besides loss of forest cover and increase in plantations. The landslide atlas released by ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre last year shows that 10 out of the 30 most landslide-prone districts were in Kerala. and Wayanad ranked 13th in the list. The vulnerability is high in Kerala mainly due to high population and household density. Another study by Springer in 2021 that the landslide hotspots in Kerala were concentrated in districts like Wayanad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Idukki, Ernakulam and Kottayam, with 59 per cent landslides happening in plantation areas. The death toll has risen to 168, as per figures released by local TV channels when this article was published. At least 191 people were hospitalised while 85 were reported missing. The affected areas include Wayanad district's Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha. Around 3,069 people were evacuated and accommodated across 45 relief camps. The authorities have identified bodies of 89 victims and autopsies were completed on 143. Some of the mortal remains are kept at Nilambur Government Hospital from where they will shifted to Wayanad after autopsy. Kerala Chief Minister is chairing a review meeting to assess the situation on the ground. The state's compensation for the kin of the victims will be announced on Thursday during an all-party meeting. Army helicopters have dropped food and water for stranded residents around 11 am. Union Minister George Kurian said the Centre has assured all assistance to the state for the rescue efforts for the affected. The assassination of the top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh could lead to an escalation of the regional conflicts. Haniyeh has been on Israels hit list since the October 7 Hamas attack. The Hamas supreme leader was killed at his residence in Tehran in an Israeli airstrike on early Wednesday. Several world leaders condemned the attack, while Iran vowed retaliation against Israel. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country would make Israel regret the cowardly killing of Haniyeh. Iran will defend its territorial integrity, dignity, honour, and pride, and will make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly act, said Pezeshkian. ALSO READ: Who was Ismail Haniyeh? Hamas confirms its chief killed in 'Zionist raid' in Tehran Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also said that avenging Haniyehs death is Tehrans duty. Khamenei said Israel had paved the way for harsh punishment. Russia's foreign ministry condemned the killing. We call on all parties to exercise restraint after the killing of Hamas leader. The ministry also added that it was an unacceptable political murder. Those behind the assassination of Hamas leader were aware of the dangerous consequences this would have for the region. We call on all parties to refrain from steps that could trigger a large-scale armed conflict in the Middle East, the ministry said in a statement. Haniyeh, who was based in Qatar, was a key figure in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks. His death is likely to damage the negotiation efforts. ALSO READ: Who was Fuad Shukr? Israel's IDF says Hezbollah top commander killed in Beirut airstrike Meanwhile, Qatar condemned the killing as a heinous crime. A dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law, Qatar's foreign ministry said in a statement. Qatar also warned that "this assassination and the reckless Israeli behaviour...will lead to the region slipping into chaos and undermine the chances of peace." However, Israel has not yet claimed responsibility so far. "This assassination is a vileness that aims to disrupt the Palestinian cause, Gaza's noble resistance and our Palestinian siblings' rightful struggle, to break the will of Palestinians, and to intimidate them," Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said while condemning the killing. The Chinese foreign ministry said the incident could lead to further regional instability. Haniyeh's killing comes after Israel targeted the group's military commander, Mohammed Dief. However, it remains unclear if he was killed in the airstrike last month. It is believed that a response to the killing could bring the Hamas' allies, bringing the Middle East closer than ever to a regional war between Israel and Iran and its proxies. Haniyeh lived in self-imposed exile in Qatar since 2019. He visited Turkey and Iran throughout the war and he is also known as a man who took the diplomatic efforts. Born in Gaza's urban Shati refugee camp on January 29, 1963, joined Hamas when it was founded in 1987. He served as an aid to Ahmad Yassin, the group's founder, and rose throughout the years. Hamas on Wednesday confirmed that its chief, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in an Israeli attack in Iranian capital Tehran. This has raised concerns about potential escalation of conflict between Iran and Israel. Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed after Israel targeted a building in Tehran. He arrived in the Iranian capital to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday. Hamas in a statement said Haniyeh was killed in "a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran." ALSO READ: Who was Fuad Shukr? Israel's IDF says Hezbollah top commander killed in Beirut airstrike Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also confirmed the assassination, saying the residence of Haniyeh in Tehran was struck in the early morning. It said a probe has been launched to find out who was behind the attack. Who was Ismail Haniyeh? Ismail Haniyeh, who left the Gaza Strip in 2019, had been living in Qatar. He was the spokesperson of Hamas's global diplomacy amid the escalation of war between Israel and Hamas. Israel had killed his three sons and four grandchildren during an airstrike in April. Haniyeh's sons were travelling in a car in Al-Shati refugee camp near Gaza City when they were attacked. They were headed to a family gathering on Eid al-Fitr. Back then, IDF had claimed responsibility for the attack on Haniyeh's sons, saying they were Hamas military operatives who conducted terrorist activity in the central Gaza Strip. ALSO READ: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh confirms his 3 sons, 4 grandchildren killed in Israel strike Haniyeh was originally from Al-Shati and his family home was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in 2023. Haniyeh's eldest son Abdel-Salam Haniyeh is reportedly his only surviving child. After his sons were killed Haniyeh had slammed Israel for the attack in April, saying Hamas will not make concessions on its demands. "The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people... The enemy will be delusional if it thinks that targeting my sons, at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement sends its response, will push Hamas to change its position," he said in April. Haniyeh's assassination comes amid the Israel Defense Forces taking responsibility for the death of Fuad Shukr, who was the top military commander of Hezbollah, in an attack on an eight-storey apartment building in southern Beirut on Tuesday. The attack happened in Dahieh, a Beirut suburb, which is a stronghold of Hezbollah, around 7.40 pm. The Lebanese health ministry said three people were killed, including two children, and 74 people were injured. Hezbollah was yet to confirm Shukr's death. As the election campaign in the United States heats up, Kamala Harris is likely to hold her first rally with the vice presidential nominee in Philadelphia on Tuesday as she begins her tour next week. Harris will be announcing her VP pick soon before August 7. Harris and her VP pick will travel to six other key locations including western Wisconsin, Detroit and Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Nevada, North Carolina, Arizona, Georgia and Michigan. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, 51, is projected as the likely pick among other top candidates considered for the post. Other top candidates on Harris' shortlist include Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. 1. Shapiro is a popular figure and has a track record of winning big in Pennsylvania. As a candidate for attorney general, he was one of the few Democrats to statewide in 2016. He also got more votes than President Joe Biden in 2020. Reportedly, he outran Biden by 10 or more points in more than half of the state's 67 counties. 2. Pennsylvania swing state is very crucial for Democrats. It is a must-win state and picking Shapiro gives the party an edge. Also, Shapiro is quite popular in other crucial swing states including Michigan and Arizona. The location of the rally itself hints at Shapiro being the likely pick. 3. Shapiro's stock among Democrats rose after he defeated his Republican opponent for governor, Doug Mastriano, in 2022, winning over 56 per cent of the vote in a state known for tight elections. 4. Shapiro, who is Jewish, is considered a centrist while Harris is widely known for her 'left-liberal' views. 5. Shapiros style of leadership has earned bipartisan. He can also appeal to the middle with his record as a moderate governor who is well-regarded by both independent voters and working-class Democrats who might otherwise consider voting for Trump. It should also be noted that the assassination attempt of former US president and Republican candidate Donald Trump took place during a Pennsylvania rally in Butler. While delivering a testimonial about Harris in Philadelphia, Shapiro said, Shes not only ready, shes damned ready...And you know who else knows shes ready? Donald Trump knows she's ready." Panaji, Jul 31 (PTI) Government-run and aided schools across Goa are going beyond teaching traditional subjects and now imparting education in coding and robotics in tune with changing times, opening up a world of opportunities for students and making them ready for new-age industries. Around 65,000 students in such schools in the coastal state are learning coding and robotics at a young age as part of an ambitious skilling programme of the government that aims to make them future-ready. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant recently told the legislative assembly that the state government has been implementing the Coding and Robotics Education in Schools (CARES) scheme to equip students with new skills so that they are industry-ready. He said the scheme has been successfully implemented in government-run and aided schools and students had been winning laurels at national and international levels. Sawant said during the COVID-19 pandemic, computer teachers from all schools were trained by the Directorate of Technical Education and Goa Engineering College to make them "master trainers". He maintained that coding and robotics equipment are given to schools free of cost which is helping students learn new skills and prepare themselves to meet the needs of the digital world. Dr Vijay Borges, Project Director, CARES, said the scheme is being implemented for the last four years in all middle schools targeting 65,000 students. "Delivery of the knowledge through engineering professionals who are engaged as "teach for Goa" fellows. They deliver the content to students using project-based learning and problem-solving pedagogy," he explained. Borges said through the scheme, computer laboratories are upgraded towards the ease of teaching and learning process. Its objective is to create responsible citizens of tomorrow who are innovators, adopters of technology and facilitators in building an "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India). He pointed out that CARES is a flagship scheme of the Goa government, imparting computational, mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills to students as envisaged in the National Educational Policy 2020. Damodar Gaonkar, the headmaster of the Government High School at Gaodongrim village under Canacona taluka, about 110km from Panaji, said students from rural areas, too, are showing keen interest in coding and robotics subjects and performing excellently. "I am amazed by the fact that students have evinced keen interest in learning coding and robotics. I am really happy that students are competing at national as well as international levels," he said. Rohini Shet, a computer educator teaching coding and robotics at the school, stated that students have been given a particular syllabus for every standard. "For the sixth standard, we teach Scratch software and in the seventh standard, we teach Dojo software and some kind of blender software. To Class 8 students, we teach Sonic pi software and some graphical editing," she explained. Students appeared enthusiastic in learning the new-age subjects. One of them, Samruddha Devidas, opined, "I really enjoy learning coding and robotics. I am more interested in learning coding and robotics (than other traditional subjects) as I get to know a lot of new things...it also enhances my creative thinking." Another student, Babita Bhadvan, too, is happy to learn coding and robotics. "We have been taught new methods of coding. For instance, we have been taught how to create music, make new videos," Bhadvan said. MUMBAI, India, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Epsilon Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., a leading player in the aircraft cabin interior and refurbishment sector has announced a strategic partnership with 4Repair, a leading European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 145 certified organization, reinforcing its commitment to strengthen maintenance, repair and operation (MRO) services in India's aerospace infrastructure ecosystem by bringing advanced capabilities and fostering local expertise. As part of the strategic collaboration, Epsilon Aerospace signed an MoU with 4Repair for establishing a State-of-the Art Maintenance & Repair facility for Aircraft composite parts in India. The facility aims to provide support to aircraft operators by offering repair services locally for complex composite and structural parts, such as Control Surfaces, Flaps, Radomes etc., contributing to India's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision to enhance indigenous capabilities and reduce dependency on overseas maintenance services. India has emerged as the third-largest domestic aviation market globally. The size of India's aviation market is to grow to USD 26.08 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.08% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030. India also plays an important role in the military aircraft market due to its acquisition of new aircrafts and indigenous development of military aviation technologies. The Indian government's allocation of resources towards enhancing aviation infrastructure and capabilities is expected to fuel the MRO sector. The global MRO market is related to growth in fleet size and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% to USD 126.6 billion by 2032 as per a recent KPMG report. While Indian MRO industry is at a nascent stage with an estimated market size of USD 1.2 billion as of 2022 which is 1 to 1.2% of the global MRO market. India has immense potential to capitalize on domestic growth in aircraft fleet and leverage its engineering capabilities to create and become a market leader in MRO industry by catering to 90% of local demand by 2047. The collaboration signifies both companies' commitment to achieving operational excellence in India's MRO sector by creating job and skill development opportunities and contributing to economic growth and sustainability goals. The state-of-art facility will cater efficiently to the growing demand for maintenance services within India, ensuring that airlines operating in the region benefit from timely and high-quality repairs of critical aircraft components. Naveen Chawla CEO Epsilon Aerospace, said, "The collaboration will pave the way for pioneering solutions, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and global best practices to elevate India as a preferred destination for aerospace MRO services in the Asia-Pacific region." Stephan Verhaerdt, Director & Accountable Manager 4Repair said, "This collaboration not only strengthens our commitment to support India's aerospace industry but also reinforces our dedication to driving operational excellence and customer satisfaction on global level. We look forward to leveraging our combined strengths to deliver innovative solutions and superior customer service." About Epsilon Aerospace Pvt. Ltd.: Epsilon Aerospace Pvt. Ltd, a CAR 145, CAR 21 J & CAR 21 G approved organization, is a dynamic player in the aviation industry, specializing in cutting-edge solutions for aircraft interiors. With a commitment to safety, innovation, quality and excellence, Epsilon Aerospace continues to push the boundaries of aviation comfort and design. Epsilon Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. is the first company in India to manufacture aircraft seat covers and aircraft placards with DGCA CAR Part 21 Subpart G certification. Epsilon Aerospace also support the commercial airlines in India for their redeliveries with seat covers manufacturing under EASA or UK CAA Part 21 Subpart G certification. Website: https://www.epsilon-aero.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/epsilon-aerospace-pvt-ltd/?viewAsMember=true Twitter: https://x.com/EpsilonAero1 About 4Repair: 4Repair is an EASA & CAA-UK Part-145 approved to perform certified repairs of structural (composite & metal) aircraft components at our facility, located at Aviolanda Aerospace in The Netherlands or On-Wing at customer location. 4Repair also provides structural support during line/base maintenance. Website: https://www.4repair.nl Linkedln: https://nl.linkedin.com/company/4repair Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2472556/Epsilon_Aerospace.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Lubrizol signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Maharashtra to purchase a 120-acre plot in Aurangabad to meet growing regional demand and advance local-for-local supply for transportation and industrial markets and other growing segments Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Business Wire India The Lubrizol Corporation, a global leader in specialty chemicals, announced today it signed a Memorandum of Understanding to purchase a 120-acre plot in Aurangabad, India, where it plans to construct a new manufacturing facility to initially support the regions growing transportation and industrial fluid markets. The initial phase of the project represents a projected investment of approximately $200 million, the companys largest ever in India, and builds on previously committed investment in the region. The plant will become the companys second-largest manufacturing facility globally and its largest manufacturing facility in India when completed. Construction will progress in phases over the next several years with room for future expansion. Lubrizol has made meaningful investments in India for more than five decades, said Flavio Kliger, President of Lubrizol Additives. This new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will allow us to enhance our local capacity and capabilities for our Additives business with the potential to support other Lubrizol businesses and regions in the future. The announcement of the Aurangabad plant signals the companys latest efforts to accelerate growth and enhance its local-for-local capacity in the region. In 2023, Lubrizol announced its most significant investment in its more than 50-year history in the region in the form of a USD 150 million pledge. That investment supports the construction of the worlds largest CPVC resin plant in Vilayat, Gujarat, the doubling of capacity at Lubrizols site in Dahej, Gujarat, the opening of a grease lab in Navi Mumbai and additional in-country job growth and innovation. In addition, this year the company opened its first Global Capability Center in Pune as a strategic hub to accelerate its growth in the region and enable closer collaboration for customers and employees. Lubrizol understands the importance of a local-for-local approach, from India-based manufacturing to in-region innovation to continued investment in local talent, says Bhavana Bindra, Managing Director, Lubrizol IMEA (India, Middle East and Africa). We look forward to continuing to be partners in progress to our customers and serve as a catalyst for growth and inspired breakthroughs." This announcement underscores our continued commitment to our employees, our partners and our customers in the region, said Nitin Mengi, Vice President, Lubrizol Additives IMEA and Chairman & Managing Director, Lubrizol India Private Limited. The growing transportation and industrial markets in India represent a tremendous opportunity, and Lubrizol is thrilled to be a part of the bright future of these industries. In addition to supporting demand for India, this site will enable export opportunities to surrounding countries and to other Lubrizol sites. Commencement of manufacturing at the site is expected to coincide with Lubrizols 100th anniversary in 2028. About The Lubrizol Corporation The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a science-based company whose specialty chemistry delivers sustainable solutions to advance mobility, improve well-being and enhance modern life. Every day, the innovators of Lubrizol strive to create extraordinary value for customers at the intersection of science, market needs and business success, driving discovery and creating breakthrough solutions that enhance life and make the world work better. Founded in 1928, Lubrizol has global reach and local presence, with more than 100 manufacturing facilities, sales and technical offices and 8,000 employees around the world. For more information, visit www.Lubrizol.com. To View the Image, Click on the Link Below: The Lubrizol Corporation signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Maharashtra to purchase a 120-acre plot in Aurangabad (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR NEW DELHI, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Birlasoft, a leading IT services and solutions provider, today reported its unaudited consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2024. Birlasoft is part of the $3 bn CK Birla Group, which has over 35,000 employees and operates 52 manufacturing facilities globally. Mr. Angan Guha, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Birlasoft said, "Our performance during the quarter under review reflects a challenging operating environment and tightened discretionary spends by customers. In that backdrop, I am pleased to note that our Infra and ROW businesses, both historically smaller contributors to our revenue, have done particularly well on the back of our efforts to enhance our capabilities and footprint there. Our deal wins during the quarter are also up 10% year on year at $160 Mn. We continue to invest in our business across our verticals and service lines to strengthen our position as a domain and emerging tech capabilities-led player." "Our revenue during the quarter under review grew 5.1% year on year to Rs 13,274 million. PAT for the quarter grew 9.2% year on year to Rs 1,502 Mn. Our quarterly collections continued to be strong, resulting in a 46% rise year on year in cash and cash equivalents to Rs 19,143 Mn. Our DSO improved sequentially to 52 days and on this key parameter we continue to be among the best in the industry. We have started the new financial year with a robust balance sheet and healthy cashflows that enable us to keep investing in capabilities for future growth even as we navigate through the current challenges in the macro-economic environment," said Ms. Kamini Shah, Chief Financial Officer, Birlasoft. Key Financial highlights for Q1FY25 In INR Revenue at 13,274 M, up 5.1% YoY EBITDA at 1,951 M; EBITDA margin at 14.7% PAT at 1,502 M, up 9.2% YoY translating to basic EPS (not annualized) of 5.41 Cash and cash equivalents increase 45.9% YoY to 19,143 M In USD $ Revenue at $159.1 M, up 3.6% YoY In constant currency terms, revenue up 3.8% YoY EBITDA at $ 23.4 M; EBITDA margin at 14.7% PAT at $ 18.0 M, up 7.6% YoY Other operating highlights Growth during Q1FY25 driven by BFSI and E&U among verticals, by Infra among service lines, and by ROW among geographies BFSI up 8.4% and E&U up 3.7% QoQ while Manufacturing and Lifesciences & Services (LSS) registered a sequential decline among verticals Infra up 36.1% QoQ The number of $1Mn+ clients increased from 87 to 88 QoQ and the number of $10Mn+ clients remained stable QoQ. Revenue from Top 5, Top 10 and Top 20 clients grew YoY by 12.7%, 10.0% and 5.5% respectively Signed deals of TCV $ 160 M during the quarter with new deal wins TCV of $ 94 M and renewals of $ 66 M. Active Client Count at 258 in Q1FY25 (compared to 259 in Q4FY24 and 285 in Q1FY24), reflecting rationalisation of the 'tail'. Cash & Cash equivalents rise to $229.7 M by end of Q1FY25 versus $209.2 M at end of Q4FY24. In rupee terms, cash and cash equivalents increased to 19,143 M at the end of Q1FY25 from 17,447 M at the end of the preceding quarter. DSO improved to 52 days, led by continued strong collections. Workforce strength increased to 12,865 as on 30th June 2024 and attrition improved further QoQ to 11.6% during Q1FY25. During the quarter under review, Birlasoft attained AWS Migration Consulting Competency. This underscores Birlasoft's expertise in helping enterprise customers migrate applications and legacy infrastructure to AWS, evident through successful client solutions across diverse industries. As an AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner, Birlasoft has demonstrated extensive technical proficiency and professional services excellence in guiding businesses through every stage of migration on AWS, from initial discovery and planning to migration and ongoing operations. Key deal wins for the quarter Awarded a key contract from one of the top global Insurance companies to migrate their SharePoint from On-Prem to Cloud Initiated engagement with one of the top 3 US banks on GenAI based Data Center Optimization Secured an order from a Fortune 500 automotive component manufacturer in North America for carve out/integration support across the infrastructure and security stack Signed a new key customer (an S&P 500 company) in the P&C Insurance space Won and executed a vendor consolidation exercise in one of the top custodian banks, enabling seamless technology integration for multiple wealth management products Won a Cloud FinOps consulting services deal from a large agro-industrial customer in the Americas geo Awards & Recognitions Birlasoft recognized as an Innovator in Avasant's SAP Successfactors Services 2024 Radarview report Birlasoft recognized as a Disruptor in Avasant's Manufacturing Digital Services 2024 Radarview report Birlasoft recognized as a Disruptor in Avasant's Internet of Things Services 2024 Radarview report Birlasoft recognized as a Disruptor in Avasant's Multisourcing Service Integration 20232024 Radarview report Birlasoft recognized as a Major Contender in Everest's SAP Business Application Services for Mid-market Enterprises Peak Matrix Assessment 2024 report Birlasoft recognized as a Product Challenger in ISG's Life Sciences Digital Services report Birlasoft recognized as a Challenger in Avasant's Banking Digital Services 2024 Radarview report Birlasoft recognized as a Major Contender in Everest's Capital Markets IT Services Peak Matrix Assessment 2024 Birlasoft is among the TOP 100 Great Places to Work Birlasoft certified as DEI Crusader at the ET Now Diversity and Inclusion Summit 2024 Birlasoft recognized amongst the Top Leadership Factories in India for creating leaders at scale by The Great Manager Institute Birlasoft CFO Kamini Shah recognized as the Visionary Leader of 2024 at the FE Finance Leadership Dialogue 2024 Birlasoft CFO Kamini Shah presented the CFO of the Year award at the Future of Finance Summit and Awards 2024 Birlasoft's Chief Information Security & Data Protection Officer Cdr. Sanjeev Singh (Retd) awarded as an Outstanding Digital Transformation Leader at the APAC CXO Connect Digital Leadership Award 2024 Birlasoft won Gold for Excellence in Energy Management and Silver for Workplace Digitization at the INFHRA Workplace Excellence Conference and Awards 2023-24 Birlasoft received two awards at the INFHRA Corporate Excellence Conference and Awards 2024-25 - Gold for Excellence in Healthiest Workplace and Silver for Excellence in Biophilic Design and Nature Integration (Corporate category) Birlasoft's weekly radio show - Birlasoft on Air won Gold in the Education-podcast category at the 13th ACEF Global Customer Engagement Awards About Birlasoft Bold Agile Ambitious Birlasoft combines the power of domain, enterprise, and digital technologies to reimagine business processes for customers and their ecosystem. Its consultative and design thinking approach makes societies more productive by helping customers run businesses. Birlasoft, with its 12,500+ professionals, is committed to driving digital transformation through innovative, cutting-edge technology solutions to build sustainable communities. For further information, visit www.birlasoft.com. About The CK Birla Group The CK Birla Group, with a revenue of USD 3 billion, is an Indian multinational conglomerate. With over 35,000 employees, the group operates 52 manufacturing facilities across India and internationally, with a presence in diverse sectors, including technology, automotive, home and building and healthcare. The companies share a common ambition of serving customers, partners and communities to create long term value through trust-based relationships and philanthropy. The Trusts and Foundations established by the family over the last seven decades actively support social development and healthcare advancements, through the promotion of science, technology, education, art and culture. The CK Birla Group companies include Birlasoft Limited, GMMCO Limited, HIL Limited, National Engineering Industries Limited (manufacturer of NBC Bearings), Orient Cement Limited, Orient Electric Limited, Orient Paper & Industries Limited, AVTEC Limited, and CK Birla Healthcare Private Limited which operates CK Birla Hospitals and Birla Fertility & IVF Centres. Media contacts: Birlasoft Tanushree Mahanty Tanushree.mahanty@birlasoft.com +91-9899195348 Genesis BCW Swati Verma swati.verma@genesis-bcw.com +91-9999690904 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2320507/4499088/Birlasoft_Logo.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Mumbai, Jul 31 (PTI) Equity benchmark indices climbed on Wednesday as the markets saw volatile trading amid buying in bank stocks in tandem with mixed global trends. Rallying for the fourth day running, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 116.94 points to 81,572.34 in early trade. The NSE Nifty went up 33.75 points to 24,891.05. From the Sensex pack, NTPC, Asian Paints, JSW Steel, Bharti Airtel, ITC, ICICI Bank, Adani Ports, and Special Economic Zone and Tech Mahindra were the major gainers. Power Grid, Tata Motors, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, Reliance Industries and Kotak Mahindra Bank were among the laggards. In the Asian markets, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Seoul are trading higher while Tokyo is quoting in the negative territory. The US markets settled on a mixed note on Tuesday. "The global cues are likely to be supportive on expectations of a rate cut from the US Federal Reserve (Fed) in September. The Fed commentary expected tonight is likely to indicate the possibility of rate cut in September. "It is time for investors to take a long-term call on the market and moderate their expectations to realistic levels. At this juncture in the market safety is important," V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said. Chasing super normal returns from the broader market will be a risky game, he said. Global oil benchmark Brent crude is rose 1.49 per cent to USD 79.80 a barrel. Foreign institutional investors offloaded equities worth Rs 5,598.64 crore on Tuesday, according to exchange data. On Tuesday, the 30-share BSE Sensex closed higher by 99.56 points, or 0.12 per cent, at 81,455.40 -- its all-time closing high. The NSE Nifty edged up 21.20 points, or 0.09 per cent, to settle at an all-time closing high of 24,857.30. Islamabad, Jul 31 (PTI) The Gulf countries increasingly do not prefer workers from Pakistan and are recruiting from countries like Bangladesh due to the "deplorable standards" of the Pakistani workforce and the growing crime rate among the UAE labour force is reportedly attributed to Pakistanis, a media report said on Wednesday. A meeting of the Senates Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, on Tuesday, stressed that the government was ignoring the potential available in this sector. The Pakistani diaspora includes 10.7 million individuals, primarily working in Saudi Arabia, UAE, US, UK and Canada, government data showed. The meeting was informed that the deplorable standard of Pakistani workforce, mainly in the Gulf region, has led to the shifting of preferences by Gulf employers to hire workforce from other regional countries, such as Bangladesh, instead of Pakistan, the Dawn newspaper reported. After facing criticism from members of the committee regarding the failure of the government to harness the potential of the Pakistani diaspora, the secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Dr Arshad Mahmood presented the bleak picture of the situation of Pakistan's labour force in Gulf countries. Fifty per cent of the crime rate among the UAE labour force is reportedly attributed to Pakistanis, the newspaper quoted the minister as saying. The committee was further informed that UAE authorities have recently expressed concern over the inappropriate behaviour of some Pakistanis in their country, which includes making videos of women in Dubai without their consent. The news report further said that the secretary of the ministry also spoke during the meeting. He said there was a declining trend in overseas employment for the Pakistani labour force and attributed the reason that despite modernisation and advancement in technology, a significant portion of the Pakistani labour force remained unskilled. The committee was informed that the lack of resources and skill development of the Pakistan labour force has resulted in the replacement of Pakistani workers from other countries. Dr Mahmood said that a skilled labour force from countries such as Bangladesh serves as an inspiration and Pakistan needs to follow suit, the newspaper said. The secretary apprised the committee that the governments of UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait have voiced reservations on various issues related to overseas Pakistanis. The Senate committee was further informed that in September last year, organised gangs of Pakistani beggars were found operating in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. These gang members travelled to these countries as pilgrims on Umrah visas. Saudi authorities have reported that 90 per cent of all beggars arrested in the country were Pakistanis, the secretary told the meeting. A committee member, Senator Nasir Abbas, highlighted the issue of Pakistanis living illegally in Iraq to earn a livelihood and questioned if the ministry can help them as they are often subjected to poor treatment. However, the problem is not restricted to the Gulf region. Senator Khanzada said that several Pakistanis were living illegally in Italy, but they identify themselves as non-Pakistanis while the Pakistan embassy identifies them as Pakistani citizens, the report said. Ukraine has begun to receive some information about its captured defenders from Russia. During the last exchange, the parties exchanged postcards. ADVERTISIMENT This statement was made by the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets. He said this during a telethon. "We have finally started to receive some information from the Russian side regarding the prisoners. During the last exchange, we exchanged postcards. Together with the Russian counterpart, we simultaneously interviewed prisoners of war, those who were returned by Ukraine. In the presence of my staff, the Russian representatives heard words of gratitude," Lubinets said. He also noted that in the presence of Ukrainian representatives, the Russian side learned about cases of torture among the Ukrainian military, failure to provide medical care and loss of limbs due to untimely medical care in the Russian Federation. "We expect there will be a reaction, at least we are planning to discuss all this information," the ombudsman said. ADVERTISIMENT Lubinets expressed hope that these steps will help to ensure that representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross are allowed to visit Ukrainian prisoners. He emphasized the importance of putting pressure on Russia and the ICRC to ensure compliance with international obligations regarding the treatment of prisoners of war. "I don't know how else we should put pressure on the Russians and the ICRC so that finally the Russians start fulfilling their international obligations and we stop returning our prisoners of war in such a terrible physical condition. We have confirmation that our prisoners in Russia died of torture," the Ombudsman summarized. As a reminder, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 54 prisoner exchanges have already taken place In total, almost 3,500 Ukrainians have been returned. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, it became known that a soldier who survived Russian torture was killed in captivity. Yuriy Reshta, a 47-year-old Ukrainian soldier from Kryvyi Rih, stood up to defend his homeland on February 24, 2022, participated in the defense of Mariupol and was taken prisoner. The Russians tortured and shot him. The family and friends of the soldier, whose seven children were waiting for him at home, have only now had the opportunity to say goodbye: the body of the Ukrainian was handed over by Russian war criminals with three bullet wounds to the chest and one to the head. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Mumbai, Jul 31 (PTI) The Bombay High Court on Wednesday extended by two months the interim bail on medical grounds granted to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal, accused in a money laundering case. Justice N J Jamadar extended the bail so that the ailing Goyal could undergo medical treatment. This is the second extension of the bail granted to the 75-year-old businessman. On May 6, the high court had granted interim bail on medical grounds to Goyal, arrested in an alleged money laundering case by the Enforcement Directorate. On July 5, the court extended the bail for four weeks. Goyal, who is suffering from cancer, submitted to the HC that he had undergone a preliminary laparoscopic surgery and had to undergo further treatment. His counsel Aabad Ponda told the court that apart from physical ailments, Goyal was suffering from depression too. ED lawyer Hiten Venegaonkar said Goyal could be admitted to hospital as before and he can get all the necessary treatment (without the bail being extended). The court, however, extended the interim bail for two months. Goyal was arrested by the ED in September 2023 on allegations that he laundered money and siphoned off loans to the tune of Rs 538.62 crore given to Jet Airways by Canara Bank. His wife, Anita Goyal was arrested in November 2023 when the ED submitted its charge sheet in the case. She was granted bail by the special court the same day considering her age and medical condition. Anita Goyal died on May 16. Bengaluru, Jul 31 (PTI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital and sought more funds for development of Bengaluru and irrigation projects in the State. He said the Karnataka government had appealed for a GIFT City-like development in Bengaluru. "Since that request was not considered positively, we have sought more funds for tunnel project, signal-free corridor, development of main roads and storm water drains in Bengaluru as well funds for irrigation projects, he told reporters in New Delhi. Shivakumar said Bengaluru contributes the second highest tax to the national exchequer but the city has "not got anything" in the recent Union budget. During former Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs tenure, the state had got funds for the construction of flyovers at Electronics City, Hebbal and Nelamangala, he said. The Prime Minister said only one GIFT City (Gujarat) can be set up in the country. Hence, we have requested for Central assistance in many of the mega projects that we are planning to take up in Bengaluru. We have impressed upon him that Bengaluru needs better infrastructure as lakhs of people are coming from outside putting stress on the infrastructure, Shivakumar said. On the Upper Bhadra project, Shivakumar said he brought up the issue of Centre not releasing any funds in spite of the previous Budget committing Rs 5,300 crore for it. The Prime Minister has promised to take it up in the upcoming Cabinet meeting, he said, adding that he apprised Modi about the excess water released to Tamil Nadu in July than specified. Shivakumar said he requested Modi to intervene in the Mahadayi issue, to which the latter suggested that it be resolved among "ourselves.." (the concerned states). We have, however, submitted a request for Centres intervention, he said. Speaking about Cauvery water sharing issue, Shivakumar said a whopping 2.25 lakh cusecs of water had been released to Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. "This is the highest ever quantity of water released to Tamil Nadu. Currently, 1.75 lakh cusecs of water is flowing to Tamil Nadu. A red alert has been declared in Cauvery basin (following heavy rains) and people need to be cautious," he said. Lucknow, Jul 31 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday directed the officials of all discoms to ensure uninterrupted power supply across the state to ensure that residents do not suffer due to the prevailing hot and humid weather conditions. The managing directors of all discoms (distribution companies) have been instructed to compensate for any disruptions in the scheduled power supply by providing additional electricity during the scheduled power cuts according to the roster, according to a statement. Minister of Energy and Urban Development, AK Sharma said, "the state government has established a power supply schedule that must be strictly adhered to. The schedule includes 18 hours of power in rural areas, 21.5 hours at tehsil headquarters, and 24 hours at district headquarters." "If there are interruptions in the power supply due to local faults, it must be compensated during the power cut period, as per the roster," he said. The minister further said that this compensatory supply policy also applies to agricultural feeders to ensure that farmers have adequate power for irrigation. "All discoms must implement this system in their areas, and any laxity or negligence will not be tolerated", he added. Lahore, Jul 31 (PTI) A newly-wed 19-year-old woman was allegedly burnt alive by her husband in the name of honour in Pakistan's Punjab province, police said on Wednesday. Ali Raza, the husband of victim Saba Iqbal, killed her in Bahawalnagar, some 400 kilometres from Lahore, on July 28 as he suspected that his wife was having an affair. According to police, Saba and Raza contracted a court marriage about eight months ago. "Soon after the marriage, Raza started suspecting that Saba was in a relationship with someone else," police said. Muhammad Iqbal, the father of the girl, said Raza told him over the phone on July 28 that Saba had left home after a quarrel and that she had been missing since then. Iqbal said he and other family members rushed to Raza's house and launched a search to find her. Sabas burnt body was found in the field the next day, the girl's father said. Police said they arrested Raza who confessed to his crime. The police said Raza brutally tortured Saba on the day of the incident before burning her alive and then dumping her charred body in the field. "In his confession, Raza said he killed Saba after knowing that she had relations with someone else outside his locality," police said. A murder case has been registered against Raza and two unidentified suspects. Human Rights activists estimate that around 1,000 women are murdered annually in Pakistan for honour. Washington, Jul 31 (AP) With fewer than 100 days until the 2024 election, social media users are claiming that a lack of Google autocomplete results about former President Donald Trump and his attempted assassination is evidence of election interference. Many posts include screenshots showing what the autocomplete feature, which predicts what users are trying to type, has generated for text such as attempted assassination of tr or president donald. Among the pictured results for the former phrase are references to other assassination attempts, including that of Harry Truman and Gerald Ford, but nothing for Trump. The latter provides two options president donald duck and president donald regan. Multiple high-profile figures, including Trump and sitting members of Congress, promoted the claim across social media platforms, collectively amassing more than 1 million likes and shares by Tuesday. Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Google attributed the situation to existing protections against autocomplete predictions associated with political violence, noting that no manual action was taken to suppress information about Trump. Search engine experts said there are many reasons that could explain why some autocomplete results concerning the former president were not appearing. Here's a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: Google is engaging in election interference by censoring autocomplete results about former President Donald Trump, including the assassination attempt at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13. THE FACTS: It is true that Google's autocomplete feature as of Monday was not finishing certain phrases related to Trump and the assassination attempt as shown in screenshots spreading online, but there is no evidence it was related to election interference. By Tuesday, some of the same terms were providing relevant autocomplete results. The text president donald now also suggests Donald Trump as a search option. Similarly, the phrase attempted assassination of includes Trump's name in autocomplete predictions. Adding tr to the same phrase though makes the option disappear. Completed searches about Trump and the assassination attempt done on both Monday and Tuesday yielded extensive relevant results regardless of what autocomplete predictions came up. Google told the AP that its autocomplete feature has automated protections regarding violent topics, including for searches about theoretical assassination attempts. The company further explained that its systems were out of date even prior to July 13, meaning that the protections already in place couldn't take into account that an actual assassination attempt had occurred. Additional autocomplete results now appearing about Trump are the result of systemic improvements rather than targeted manual fixes that will affect many other topics, according to the company. We're rolling out improvements to our Autocomplete systems to show more up-to-date predictions, Google told The Associated Press in a statement. The issues are beginning to resolve, and we'll continue to make improvements as needed. As always, predictions change over time and there may be some imperfections. Autocomplete helps save people time, but they can always search for whatever they want, and we will continue to connect them with helpful information. Search engine experts told the AP that they don't see evidence of suspicious activities on Google's part and that there are plenty of other reasons to explain why there have been a lack of autocomplete predictions about Trump. It's very plausible that there's nothing nefarious here, that it's other systems that are set up for neutral or good purposes that are causing these query suggestions to not show up, said Michael Ekstrand, an assistant professor at Drexel University who studies AI-powered information access systems. I don't have a reason not to believe Google's claim that this is just normal systems for other purposes, particularly around political violence. Thorsten Joachims, a professor at Cornell University who researches machine learning for search engines, explained that autocomplete tools typically work by looking at queries people make frequently over a certain period of time, providing the most frequent completions of those queries. Beyond that, a search engine may automatically prune predictions based on concerns such as safety and privacy. This means that it's plausible that Google's autocomplete feature wouldn't have accounted for recent searches about the assassination attempt on Trump, especially if its systems indeed had not been updated since before the shooting. "Depending on how big the window is that they're averaging over, that may simply not be a frequent query, Joachims said. And it may not be a candidate for autocompletion. He added that it's typical not to update a search model on a daily basis, given the costs and technical risks involved. A 2020 Google blog post about its autocomplete feature describes how the system reflects previous searches and why users might not see certain predictions, including those that are violent in nature. The post also explains that predictions may vary based on variables such as a user's location, the language they speak or rising interest in a topic. Both Ekstrand and Joachims agreed that proving bias in a complex system like Google's search engine from the outside would be extremely difficult. It would require much more data than just a couple of searches, for example, and would risk setting off the company's protections against data scraping, reverse engineering and fraud. In general, claims that platforms are taking particular targeted actions against specific people on political bases are hard to substantiate, Ekstrand said. They sometimes, I'm sure, happen, but there's so many other explanations that it's difficult to substantiate such claims. Joachims noted that the demographics of Google's user base could impact the results of such a study if they skewed toward one side of the political aisle or another and therefore searched more for their preferred candidates. In other words, the way the system works would make it difficult to probe the system. Technical issues aside, limiting autocomplete predictions as a method of political influence could simply be bad for business. Even if Google would like to do that, I think it would be a very bad decision because they could lose a lot of users, said Ricardo Baeza-Yates, a professor at Northeastern University whose research includes web search and information retrieval. (AP) GRS GRS GRS Washington, Jul 31 (PTI) US Vice President and Democratic Party's presumptive presidential candidate Kamala Harris has challenged her Republican rival, former president Donald Trump, for a debate, provoking him to say whatever he has to say to her face. Addressing an election rally in the state of Georgia's Atlanta city on Tuesday, Harris, 59, said that the nature of presidential elections changed after she entered the race. She officially declared her candidacy after incumbent President Joe Biden withdrew from the race for a second term on July 20. The momentum in this race is shifting. There are signs that Donald Trump is feeling it. You may have noticed. So last week, you may have seen, he pulled out of the debate in September he had previously agreed to, Harris said. Well Donald, I do hope youll reconsider meeting me on the debate stage because as the saying goes, if you got something to say, say it to my face, she said to a cheering crowd. So, here's the funny thing about that. Here's the funny thing about that. He won't debate, but he and his running mate sure seem to have a lot to say about me," she said. As per the campaign, approximately 10,000 people attended her rally in Atlanta, a key battleground state. The path to the White House runs right through this state, and you all helped us win in 2020, and were going to do it again in 2024. Yes, we will, she said. Asserting that the campaign is not just about them versus Trump, Harris said, Truly, this campaign is about two very different visions for our nation. One focused on the future. The other focused on the past. We are not going back because ours is a fight for the future. It is a fight for freedom," she said. "Across our nation, we are witnessing a full-on assault on hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and rights. The freedom to vote. The freedom to be safe from gun violence. The freedom to live without fear of bigotry and hate. The freedom to love who you love openly and with pride. The freedom to learn and acknowledge our true and full history. And the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not let her government tell her what to do, she said. Ours is a fight for the future and for freedom. I don't have to tell folks in Atlanta that generations of Americans before us led the fight for freedom. And now the baton is in our hands. Each and every one of us, Harris said. PTI LKJ GRS GRS GRS Beirut, Jul 31 (AP) Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran after attending the inauguration of the country's new president, Iran and the militant group said early Wednesday. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike for the death of the head of the Palestinian militant group's political bureau. Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it was investigating the attack and did not say how it occurred. Israel has vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the group's Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage. An Israeli military spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel often doesn't comment on assassinations carried out by its Mossad intelligence agency. Hamas said Haniyeh was killed in a Zionist airstrike on his residence in Tehran" after he attended the swearing-in of Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, along with other Hamas officials and officials from Hezbollah and allied groups. Hamas declares to the great Palestinian people and the people of the Arab and Islamic nations and all the free people of the world, brother leader Ismail Ismail Haniyeh a martyr, Hamas said in its terse statement. In another statement, the group quoted Haniyeh as saying that the Palestinian cause has costs and we are ready for these costs: martyrdom for the sake of Palestine, and for the sake of God Almighty, and for the sake of the dignity of this nation. Hamas officials did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. In the West Bank, the internationally backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Haniyeh's killing, calling it a cowardly act and dangerous development. Political factions in the occupied territory called for strikes in protest at the killing. Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had lived in exile in Qatar. The top Hamas leader in Gaza is Yehya Sinwar, who masterminded the Oct. 7 attack. In April, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed three of Haniyeh's sons and four of his grandchildren. In an interview with the Al Jazeera satellite channel at the time, Haniyeh said the killings would not pressure Hamas into softening its positions amid ongoing cease-fire negotiations with Israel. The killing of Haniyeh comes after Israel carried out a rare strike on Beirut, which it said killed Fouad Shukur, a top Hezbollah military commander. Hezbollah has not confirmed Shukur's death in the strike, which also killed at least one woman and two children and wounded dozens of people. The strike came amid escalating hostilities with the Lebanese militant group. The U.S. also blames Shukur for planning and launching the deadly 1983 Marine bombing in the Lebanese capital. Meanwhile, Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias, said that a strike Tuesday night on a base southwest of Baghdad killed four members of the Kataib Hezbollah militia. The group accused the United States of being behind the strike. Kataib Hezbollah, along with some of the other militias, has in recent months carried out attacks against bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for Washington's support for Israel in the war in Gaza. U.S. officials did not immediately comment. There was no immediate reaction from the White House to the killing of Haniyeh. The apparent assassination comes at a precarious time, as the Biden administration has tried to push Hamas and Israel to agree to at least a temporary cease-fire and hostage-release deal. CIA Director Bill Burns was in Rome on Sunday to meet with senior Israel, Qatari and Egyptian officials in the latest round of talks. Separately, Brett McGurk, the White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, is in the region for talks with U.S. partners. Israel is suspected of running a yearslong assassination campaign targeting Iranian nuclear scientists and others associated with its atomic program. In 2020, a top Iranian military nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while traveling in a car outside Tehran. In Israel's war against Hamas since the October attack, more than 39,360 Palestinians have been killed and more than 90,900 wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. (AP) AMS Beijing, Jul 31 (AP) China has expressed strong dissatisfaction to Japan about what it called "smear attacks" against China at recent high-level meetings with the United States, India and Australia, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. A ministry statement said that Liu Jinsong, the director general of the Asian affairs department, conveyed solemn representations and serious concern at a meeting the previous day with Akira Yokochi, the deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy. Liu pointed out that Japan's smear attacks on China are self-contradictory to its statement of promoting the strategic and reciprocal relationship between the two countries, the statement said. Meeting in Tokyo on Sunday, Japan's foreign and defense ministers agreed to bolster military cooperation with the US at what are known as 2+2 talks with their American counterparts. A joint statement said China's foreign policy seeks to reshape the international order for its own benefit at the expense of others and that such behavior represents "the greatest strategic challenge" in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The US-Japan talks were followed by a meeting on Monday of the foreign ministers from the Quad countries the US, Japan, India and Australia. The joint statement did not mention China by name but expressed opposition to the militarization of disputed features and coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea. The Chinese government has complained repeatedly about the US deepening ties with other countries in the face of China's rise, which President Joe Biden has made a priority during his four years in office. The Foreign Ministry statement said China urges Japan to stop making irresponsible remarks on China's internal affairs a likely reference to Taiwan and called on Japan to stop colluding with "certain countries" to form small circles that lead to confrontation. A Japanese Embassy statement said that Yokochi had expounded Japan's positions at the meeting and made representations on various China-related topics, but it did not provide any details. (AP) NPK NPK Caracas, Jul 31 (AP) US President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday jointly called on Venezuela's government to release detailed voting data from the presidential election. Electoral authorities have said President Nicolas Maduro won, but the opposition says their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, secured more than twice as many votes in Sunday's election. In a joint statement after a call in which Venezuela's election was discussed, Biden and Maduro ally Lula said they agreed on the need for immediate release of full, transparent, and detailed voting data at the polling station level by the Venezuelan electoral authorities. Both presidents said the outcome represents a critical moment for democracy in the hemisphere. (AP) GRS GRS Beirut, Jul 31 (AP) Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a predawn airstrike in the Iranian capital Wednesday, Iran and the militant group said, blaming Israel for a shock assassination that risks escalating the conflict even as the US and other nations were scrambling to prevent an all-out regional war. Iran's supreme leader vowed revenge against Israel. There was no immediate comment from Israel, which has pledged to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the group's October 7 attack on southern Israel. The strike came just after Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Iran's new president in Tehran and only hours after Israel targeted a top commander in Iran's ally Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital Beirut. The assassination of Hamas' top political leader was potentially explosive amid the region's volatile, intertwined conflicts because of its target, its timing and the decision to carry it out in Tehran. Most dangerous was the potential to push Iran and Israel into direct confrontation if Iran retaliates. We consider his revenge as our duty, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement on his official website. He said Israel had prepared a harsh punishment for itself by killing "a dear guest in our home." Bitter regional rivals, Israel and Iran risked plunging into war earlier this year when Israel hit Iran's embassy in Damascus in April. Iran retaliated and Israel countered in an unprecedented exchange of strikes on each other's soil, but international efforts succeeded in containing that cycle before it spun out of control. Haniyeh's killing could also prompt Hamas to pull out of negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release deal in the 10-month-old war in Gaza, which US mediators had said were making progress. And it could inflame already heightening tensions between Israel and Hezbollah which international diplomats were trying to contain after a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Tuesday evening, Israel carried out a rare strike in the Lebanese capital that it said killed a top Hezbollah commander allegedly behind the rocket strike. Hezbollah, which denied any role in the Golan strike, said Wednesday that it was still searching for the body of Fouad Shukur in the rubble of the building that was hit in a Beirut suburb, killing two women and two children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. There was no immediate reaction from the White House to the killing of Haniyeh. A key question was whether Israel told its top ally the US ahead of time about the strike. Asked about Haniyeh's killing during a visit to Singapore, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "This is something we were not aware of or involved in. Speaking to Channel News Asia, Blinken said he would not speculate about the impact on cease-fire efforts. "But I can tell you that the imperative of getting a cease-fire, the importance that that has for everyone, remains. In Manila, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he still had hopes for a diplomatic solution on the Israeli-Lebanon border. I don't think that war is inevitable, he said. I maintain that. I think there's always room and opportunity for diplomacy, and I'd like to see parties pursue those opportunities. But international diplomats trying to defuse tensions were alarmed. One Western diplomat, whose country has worked to prevent an Israeli-Hezbollah escalation, said the double strikes in Beirut and Tehran have almost killed hopes for a Gaza cease-fire and could push the Middle East into a devastating regional war. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive situation. An Israeli military spokesman declined to comment. Israel often doesn't comment on assassinations carried out by its Mossad intelligence agency or strikes on other countries. In a statement by his office, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel doesn't want war after its strike on the Hezbollah commander in Beirut, but we are preparing for all possibilities. He did not mention the Haniyeh killing. The killing of Haniyeh abroad comes as Israel has not had a clear success in killing the group's top leadership in Gaza, who are believed to be primarily responsible for planning the October 7 attack, after nearly 10 months of fighting in the enclave. Earlier this month, Israel carried out a strike in Gaza targeting the head of Hamas' military wing, Mohammed Deif, killing at least 90 Palestinians living in nearby tents, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel said it believed Deif was killed, but neither it nor Hamas has confirmed his death. More elusive has been Hamas' top leader in Gaza, Yehya Sinwar, believed to be the mastermind of Hamas' brutal surprise assault into southern Israel, during which militants killed some 1,200 people and abducted 250 others. Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had lived in exile in Qatar. Israel has targeted Hamas figures in Lebanon and Syria during the war but going after Haniyeh in Iran was vastly more sensitive. But Israel has operated there in the past: It is suspected of running a yearslong assassination campaign against Iranian nuclear scientists. In 2020, a top Iranian military nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while traveling in a car outside Tehran. During Haniyeh's last hours in Iran a close ally of Hamas he was smiling and clapping at the inauguration ceremony of the new President Masoud Pezeshkian. AP photos showed him seated alongside leaders from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group and Hezbollah, and Iranian media showed him and Pezeshkian hugging. Haniyeh had met earlier with Khamenei. Hours later, the strike hit a residence Haniyeh uses in Tehran, killing him, Hamas said in a statement. One of his bodyguards was also killed, Iranian officials said. Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard warned Israel will face a harsh and painful response from Iran and its allies around the region because of the killing. An influential Iranian parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy was to hold an emergency meeting on the strike later Wednesday. Hamas' military wing said in a statement that Haniyeh's assassination takes the battle to new dimensions and will have major repercussions on the entire region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will continue its devastating campaign in Gaza until Hamas is completely eliminated. Israel's bombardment and offensives in Gaza have killed more than 39,360 Palestinians and wounded more than 90,900, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. After months of pounding, Hamas has shown its fighters can still operate in Gaza and fire volleys of rockets into Israel. But it is unclear if it has the capacity to step up attacks in retaliation over Haniyeh's killing. Instead, the impact may be regional. Besides a direct retaliation on Israel, Iran could work to hike up attacks through its allies, a coalition of Iranian-backed groups known as the Axis of Resistance, including Hezbollah, Hamas, mainly Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria and the Houthi rebels who control much of Yemen. As a show of support for Hamas in the Gaza war, Hezbollah has been exchanging fire almost daily with Israel across the Israeli-Lebanese border in a simmering but deadly conflict that has repeatedly threatened to escalate into all-out war. The Houthis and Iraqi and Syrian militias have also fired rockets and drones at Israel and at American bases in the region, though most have been intercepted. A strike Tuesday night southwest of the Iraqi capital Baghdad killed four members of one Iranian-backed militia, Kataib Hezbollah, which has targeted US bases previously, according to Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, a militia coalition. It accused the US of being behind the strike. US officials did not immediately comment. (AP) NPK NPK The leader of the Hamas terrorist organization Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the Iranian capital Tehran. He was one of the key mediators in the negotiations for the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip and "Israel's main enemy." ADVERTISIMENT The death of Haniyeh was reported by Mehr News Agency. It is noted that his residence was attacked. One of the militant leader's bodyguards was also killed. Hamas and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed this information, accusing Israel. The IRGC, in particular, noted that Haniyeh and his bodyguard died a "martyr's death." Izzat al-Risheq, a representative of the Hamas political bureau, said that "the leader, brother, martyr, soldier of Allah, Shahid Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a treacherous Zionist attack near his residence in Tehran." Shortly before his death, Khaniya met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian. In an official statement, Tehran confirmed the death of the Hamas leader and promised to investigate. It did not mentioned Israel's involvement. ADVERTISIMENT What is known about Ismail Haniyeh Ismail Abdel Salam Ahmed Haniyeh has been the head of Hamas' political bureau since 2017. He lived in Qatar. The militant leader's personal wealth is estimated at several billion dollars. He was born in Gaza in 1963. He graduated from the Islamic University of Gaza with a degree in philology. However, while still a student, he joined terrorist groups; in 1989, he was arrested and, after three years in prison, exiled to Lebanon. In 1990, he returned to Gaza, where he was appointed dean of the Islamic University. Haniyeh combined his "pedagogical" activities with terrorist ones, rapidly moving up the Hamas career ladder. He owed this mainly to the IDF, which eliminated militant leaders to free up vacancies in their ranks. In March 2006, Haniyeh visited Moscow at the invitation of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. ADVERTISIMENT Haniyeh "earned" his millions by controlling financial flows in Gaza. Some of the funds were probably obtained by smuggling. The money could also have come to him in the form of donations from charitable foundations that were designed to improve the lives of Gazans. In 2019, Haniyeh moved to Qatar, which angered his supporters. Video messages from expensive hotels and meetings with other Hamas leaders in the style of Arab sheikhs angered Gazans. It is also known that the militant leader is allegedly married to his cousin Amal Haniyeh. They celebrated their wedding when they were both 16 years old. For the sake of family life, the girl dropped out of school and became a housewife. ADVERTISIMENT Kathmandu, Jul 31 (PTI) The Millennium Challenge Account-Nepal (MCA-Nepal) on Wednesday signed a contract with India's Techno Electric and Engineering Company Ltd. (TEECL) to construct a USD 38.89 million 400 kV substation in Damauli, Tanahun district, concluding the task of awarding the contracts for all three 400kV stations under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Nepal Compact. The Nepal government has signed a pact with MCC, under which the US government will provide USD 500 million grant assistance for the construction of transmission lines and upgradation of various road projects. Once completed, the new Damauli Substation, with a capacity of 1000 Mega Volt Ampere, will be one of the largest substations in the country along with the Ratmate Substation for which the MCA-Nepal signed a contract with the same company in June, according to a statement issued by the MCA-Nepal, the government agency responsible for managing the infrastructure program in the country. It will connect with the Ratmate, Lekhnath, and New Butwal substations, significantly improving the country's power distribution network. The contract was signed by MCA-Nepal Executive Director Khadga Bahadur Bishta and TEECL Director-Commercial Rajiv Agarwal during a special function in Kathmandu on Wednesday. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Minister for Energy and Water Resources of Nepal Dipak Khadka, US Ambassador Dean R Thompson, Padma Prakash Gupta, Managing Director of TEECL among others. Speaking on the occasion, Khadka underscored the importance of the substations for strengthening Nepal's electricity distribution system, which is key to the countrys economic growth. MCA-Nepal Board chairperson Dr Ram Prasad Ghimire shed light on the project's role in supporting Nepal's expanding energy sector. London, Jul 31 (PTI) A new India All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has been launched for the newly elected UK Parliament with a remit to promote the bilateral relationship across all sectors, from trade and investment, science and technology to healthcare and education. The India APPG was formally launched earlier this week and celebrated during an Indian Summer event marking the ongoing South Asian Heritage Month at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Room in the Houses of Parliament complex, where several newly elected British Indian members of Parliament backed the initiative. The new cross-party panel will be co-chaired by crossbench peer in the House of Lords Karan Bilimoria and new British Sikh Labour MP Jeevun Sandher. It is serendipitous that we celebrate the UK-India partnership just as we launched the new India APPG, which I am proud to co-chair, said Bilimoria. The India APPG promotes the strengthening of the bilateral relationship between the UK and India, focusing on key areas such as trade and Investment, education, sustainable development, culture, health, science and innovation, including technology and AI, and defence and security," he said. He said it will help enhance the relationship between both countries parliaments and governments on a national and regional level, and also continue to promote people-to-people links, including the living bridge between the people of Indian origin in the UK and India. British Indian think-tank 1928 Institute will be the secretariat of this new APPG, which brings together the different India-UK parliamentary panels of the past under one umbrella. While Baroness Sandy Verma will be the President of the group, MPs making up India APPG will include Gurinder Josan, Warinder Juss, Kirith Entwhistle, Sojan Joseph and Kanishka Narayan from Labour, Shivani Raja and Bob Blackman from the Conservatives and a number of veteran peers including Lord Navnit Dholakia (Liberal Democrats) and Lord Dolar Popat (Tories), among others. APPGs are informal, cross-party groups in the UK formed by members of both Houses of Parliament who share a common interest in a particular policy area, region or country. "Many of the all-party group members have been extremely active way before it was fashionable to be active on this subject, so thank you for your longevity. I'm looking forward very much to seeing new young members getting involved, said Catherine West, the UKs new Indo-Pacific Minister in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). My boss, David Lammy the Foreign Secretary, has already visited India. He has had conversations with many, many partners in India about how we can deepen our relationship, not just in the political sense, but also in terms of understanding the economy, health, education, she said. The South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) is marked annually in the UK between July 18 and August 17, coinciding with Indian independence celebrations. The 18th of July 1947 is the date on which the Indian Independence Act gained Royal Assent. That's when King George VI signed independence for India into law. The 17th of August 1947 is a date on which the borders were drawn between India and Pakistan, shared Jasvir Singh, SAHM Co-Founder and Chair of City Sikhs. That's a fundamental part of this month, understanding the links that Britain and British history has to South Asia because South Asian history is British history. This year, our theme is 'free to be me' it's about the ability to talk about what it is that makes us unique as individuals, what are the intersectionalities that make up who we are, he added. Beirut, Jul 31 (AP) Hamas' top political leader was killed Wednesday by a predawn airstrike in the Iranian capital, Iran and the militant group said, blaming Israel for a shock assassination that risked escalating into an all-out regional war. Iran's supreme leader vowed revenge against Israel. Israel, which kept silent about the strike, had pledged to kill Ismail Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the group's October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. The strike came just after Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Iran's new president in Tehran and hours after Israel targeted a top commander in Iran's ally Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. The assassination was potentially explosive amid the region's volatile, intertwined conflicts because of its target, its timing and the decision to carry it out in Tehran. Most dangerous was the potential to push Iran and Israel into direct confrontation if Iran retaliates. The US and other nations scrambled to prevent a wider, deadlier conflict. In a statement on his official website, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said revenge was our duty and that Israel had prepared a harsh punishment for itself by killing a dear guest in our home. Bitter regional rivals, Israel and Iran risked plunging into war earlier this year when Israel hit Iran's embassy in Damascus in April. Iran retaliated, and Israel countered in an unprecedented exchange of strikes on each other's soil, but international efforts succeeded in containing that cycle before it spun out of control. Haniyeh's killing also could prompt Hamas to pull out of negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release deal in the 10-month-old war in Gaza, which US mediators had said were making progress. And it could inflame already rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which international diplomats were trying to contain after a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Israel carried out a rare strike Tuesday evening in the Lebanese capital that it said killed a top Hezbollah commander allegedly behind the rocket strike. Hezbollah, which denied any role in the Golan strike, said Wednesday it was searching for the body of Fouad Shukur in the rubble of the building that was hit in a Beirut suburb. The strike killed three women and two children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. There was no immediate reaction from the White House to Haniyeh's death. A key question was whether Israel told the US, its top ally, ahead of time. Asked about Haniyeh's killing, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "This is something we were not aware of or involved in. Speaking to Channel News Asia, Blinken said he would not speculate about the impact on cease-fire efforts. "But I can tell you that the imperative of getting a cease-fire, the importance that that has for everyone, remains. A top Hamas official, Khalil al-Hayya, told journalists in Iran that whoever replaces Haniyeh will follow the same vision regarding negotiations to end the war and continue in the same policy of resistance against Israel. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he still had hopes for a diplomatic solution on the Israeli-Lebanon border. I don't think that war is inevitable, he said. I think there's always room and opportunity for diplomacy, and I'd like to see parties pursue those opportunities. But international diplomats trying to defuse tensions were alarmed. One Western diplomat, whose country has worked to prevent an Israeli-Hezbollah escalation, said the strikes in Beirut and Tehran have almost killed hopes for a Gaza cease-fire and could push the Middle East into a devastating regional war. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive situation. Spokespeople for Israel's military and government declined to comment. Israel often refrains from commenting on assassinations carried out by its Mossad intelligence agency or strikes on other countries. In a statement by his office, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel doesn't want war after its strike on the Hezbollah commander in Beirut, but we are preparing for all possibilities. He did not mention the Haniyeh killing, and a U.S.-provided summary of his call with Austin did not mention it. The killing of Haniyeh abroad comes as Israel has not had a clear success in killing Hamas' top leadership in Gaza, who are believed to be primarily responsible for planning the Oct. 7 attack. Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had lived in exile in Qatar. Israel has targeted Hamas figures in Lebanon and Syria during the war, but going after Haniyeh in Iran was vastly more sensitive. Israel has operated there in the past: It is suspected of running a yearslong assassination campaign against Iranian nuclear scientists. In 2020, a top Iranian military nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while traveling in a car outside Tehran. During Haniyeh's last hours in Iran, a close ally of Hamas, he was smiling and clapping at the inauguration ceremony of the new President Masoud Pezeshkian. Associated Press photos showed him seated alongside leaders from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group and Hezbollah, and Iranian media showed him and Pezeshkian hugging. Haniyeh had met earlier with Khamenei. Hours later, the strike hit a residence Haniyeh uses in Tehran, killing him, Hamas said. One of his bodyguards was killed, Iranian officials said. Hamas official Al-Hayya later said on Iranian state television that Haniyeh was killed by a missile. Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard warned Israel will face a harsh and painful response from Iran and its allies around the region. An influential Iranian parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy was to hold an emergency meeting on the strike later Wednesday. Hamas' military wing said in a statement that Haniyeh's assassination takes the battle to new dimensions and will have major repercussions on the entire region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will continue its devastating campaign in Gaza until Hamas is eliminated. Israel's bombardment and offensives in Gaza have killed more than 39,300 Palestinians and wounded more than 90,900, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. After months of pounding, Hamas has shown its fighters can still operate in Gaza and fire volleys of rockets into Israel. But it is unclear if it has the capacity to step up attacks in retaliation over Haniyeh's killing. Instead, the impact may be regional. Besides a direct retaliation on Israel, Iran could work to increase attacks through its allies, a coalition of Iranian-backed groups known as the Axis of Resistance, including Hezbollah, Hamas, mainly Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria and the Houthi rebels who control much of Yemen. As a show of support for Hamas, Hezbollah has been exchanging fire almost daily with Israel across the Israeli-Lebanese border in a simmering but deadly conflict that has repeatedly threatened to escalate into all-out war. The Houthis and Iraqi and Syrian militias have also fired rockets and drones at Israel and at American bases in the region, though most have been intercepted. A strike Tuesday night southwest of the Iraqi capital Baghdad killed four members of one Iranian-backed militia, Kataib Hezbollah, which has targeted U.S. bases previously, according to Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, a militia coalition. It accused the U.S. of being behind the strike. A U.S. defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with regulations, said American forces had carried out a defensive airstrike" against combatants who, based on recent attacks in Iraq and Syria ... posed a threat to U.S. and coalition forces. (AP) GSP Washington, Jul 31 (AP) Ukraine has received the first F-16 fighter jets that it has sought for months to fight back against an onslaught of Russian missile strikes, a US official confirmed to the Associated Press. Ukraine has been pushing its Western allies for F-16s for Ukraine for months, saying they were critically needed to fight back against the onslaught of missiles Russia has fired against it. The F-16 is specialised in suppressing enemy air defences. The West has hesitantly moved toward providing the jets, after previous concerns that arming Ukraine with advanced weaponry would further escalate the war with Russia. The US has also been training Ukrainian pilots on how to fly the jets and has already graduated the first group of pilots on its operation. During his visit to Washington earlier this month for the NATO summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pressed NATO allies to remove all limitations on how Western-provided weapons are used, specifically allowing Ukraine to fire Western-provided weapons against an expanded set of Russian targets. It's not clear how many jets were provided in the first tranche or which nations provided them. The Ukrainian government has not confirmed receipt of the jets. US President Joe Biden authorised sending the US-built warplanes to Ukraine in August 2023. That came after months of pressure from Kyiv and internal debate in the US administration where officials feared the move could escalate tensions with the Kremlin. Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway all NATO members have committed to providing Ukraine with more than 60 planes. That number is dwarfed by the Russian jet fighter fleet, which is estimated to be around 10 times larger. Ukraine needs at least 130 F-16 fighter jets to neutralise Russian air power, Ukrainian officials say. F-16s can fly up to twice the speed of sound and have a maximum range of more than 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometres). The arrival of the jets was first reported by Bloomberg. (AP) GSP Mumbai, Jul 31 (PTI) A 50-year-old American woman, who was found tied to a tree with an iron chain in a forest in Maharashtras Sindhudurg district, had visited Mumbai in June but the motive behind it is still unclear, police said on Wednesday. The Sindhudurg police have got some information about the woman, Lalita Kayi, including the region in the US from where she hails, an official said. Various teams of cops are verifying the information and police will arrive at some conclusion once it is verified, the official said. The police have very strong clues about her, he said. Citing their investigation, the official said the woman had come to Tamil Nadu 10 years ago to learn yoga and medication. There, she married an Indian man, stayed with him for several years and also got an Aadhaar card, the official said. After a fallout with her husband, Kayi stayed in Goa for some time and also visited Mumbai in June, he said. The motive behind her Mumbai visit is being verified. It is still unclear whom she met in Mumbai and for how long she stayed in the countrys financial capital, the official said. A shepherd on July 27 found Kayi chained to a tree after he heard her cries in a forest at Sonurli village in the coastal Sindhudurg district, around 450 km from here. He alerted the police who found her Aadhaar card with a Tamil Nadu address and a photocopy of her American passport on her. Her visa had expired, police had said earlier. The woman was shifted to a hospital in neighbouring Goa for treatment. The Sindhudurg police had recovered a note from her in which she said that she had not eaten anything for the last 25 days, an official said. The police have not recorded Lalita Kayis statement yet. The verification of the information our teams have received so far is going on, said Saurabh Kumar Agrawal, Superintendent of Police, Sindhudurg. It is yet to be ascertained for how long she was tied with the iron chain to the tree, but the note, which police recovered, mentions that she had not consumed anything for the last 25 days, he said. The investigation by the Sindudurg police is moving in the right direction, Agrawal said, adding that the police have strong clues related to the woman. The Sindhudurg police have registered an attempt-to-murder case against her former husband for tying her to a tree with an iron chain in the forest. The case is based on the information mentioned in the note, which police recovered from her possession, he said, adding that the probe is underway. It is suspected that Kayi suffers from schizophrenia, police had said earlier, adding that teams were sent to Tamil Nadu and Goa to trace her ex-husband and other relatives. Chandigarh, Jul 31 (PTI) The Shiromani Akali Dal's rebel faction rejected on Wednesday the expulsion of eight leaders, saying the leadership did not follow protocol while expelling them from the party. The development came a day after the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led outfit expelled eight rebel leaders, including former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and ex-Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, for revolting against the party chief. The Shiromani Akali Dal's disciplinary committee also expelled ex-MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala and former ministers Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Sikandar Singh Maluka, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Surinder Singh Thekedar and Charanjit Singh Brar. Addressing reporters here, party patron Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said the disciplinary committee did not have the authority to expel leaders. The right to expel anyone lies with the working committee, not the disciplinary committee, he said. "We reject this decision (to expel the eight leaders)," Dhindsa said. The disciplinary committee was led by senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar. Dhindsa further said they would call a delegate convention for the election of a new party president and office-bearers to "revive" the Shiromani Akali Dal. There are more than 500 party delegates who can vote to elect office-bearers. "Sukhbir (Singh Badal) is not fit to remain party president," Dhindsa asserted. Wadala, who was expelled on Tuesday, called the move unconstitutional, saying no notice was issued to them. Former MP Chandumajra, while questioning the action, asked if making efforts to revive the party was seen as indiscipline. He expressed displeasure over the party not implementing the Jhunda committee report, which had recommended a change in leadership. The Shiromani Akali Dal had set up a committee led by Iqbal Singh Jhundan to analyse the reasons for its defeat in the 2022 Punjab assembly polls. Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal said party patron Dhindsa did not have any authority to stay proceedings of the disciplinary committee, which expelled the leaders for indulging in "anti-party activities". In a statement, Bhundar, who heads the committee, said, "Dhindsa is a senior leader and should know that the party patron cannot overrule any party decisions." Asserting that it was unfortunate that instead of advising the rank and file not to indulge in anti-party activities, Dhindsa had chosen to lead the team of expelled leaders, acting as "a self-styled dictator by trying to override decisions taken as per the party's constitution". Bhundar also asserted that action had been taken against the eight leaders after they did not heed the resolution passed by the working committee on June 26, appealing to discuss their misgivings in the party forum. He said the expelled leaders had made their intention to work against the party clear by forming a parallel organisation, without the approval of the Shiromani Akali Dal president and with the sole aim of misleading the cadre. A section of senior leaders last month revolted against Badal, demanding that he step down as party chief following the Shiromani Akali Dal's performance in the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. Among the prominent faces who revolted against Badal were Chandumajra, Kaur and Wadala, former ministers Maluka, Dhindsa, Rakhra and Sarwan Singh Phillaur, and party leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur. New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) No project has been sanctioned for establishing a railway division at Gulbarga district in Karnataka as its creation was not found "justified", Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told Lok Sabha on Wednesday. He said this in a written reply to questions raised by Congress MP Radhakrishna who wanted to know why work on the project has not commenced despite the sanctioning of the railway division in Gulbarga district and land acquisition by the state government. "No work/project for establishing a railway division at Gulbarga (Kalaburagi) has been sanctioned," Vaishnaw said. "A committee of senior railway officers was constituted to analyze and review the feasibility of creation of 3 divisions, including Gulbarga (Kalaburagi), announced during the presentation of interim railway budget of 2014-15," he added. According to Vaishnaw, the committee, after examining all the relevant issues from operational, financial, administrative and other aspects of railway working, did not find the creation of these three new divisions justified. "Based on findings of the committee, the proposal of creation of new division was not taken forward," the Railway Minister said. New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) Congress will contest the Delhi assembly polls alone, DPCC president Devender Yadav said, adding the party suffered loss in the Lok Sabha elections due to alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In an interview with PTI on Tuesday, the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) chief said the party also plans to take out a 'Delhi Jodo Yatra' on the lines of 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' to reach out to people in the city. "The alliance (with AAP) was done in the larger interest of the nation but now that we evaluated, we feel it somewhere caused loss to us," Yadav said. "After the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress has decided that it will fight the assembly polls alone. We are working on various programmes, whether it is strengthening the organisation or outreach programmes. 'Delhi Jodo Yatra' will be a part of these initiatives," he said. The Delhi Congress is preparing for this yatra on the lines of the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' and 'Nyaya Yatra' and it will start soon, Yadav said. Even today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' or 'Nyay Yatra' have not stopped, he added. The Delhi Congress chief said that Rahul Gandhi will be invited to be a part of this yatra here. "All senior leaders will be definitely invited in that," Yadav said. Asked about former state unit chief Arvinder Singh Lovely and other leaders, who left the Congress just before the Lok Sabha elections, Yadav said, "When he (Lovely) joined the BJP, there was a perception due to which there was a loss in Lok Sabha polls. But today when we look at our organisation, at our cadre, we feel there would hardly be any impact of those who leave the party in the coming elections." Yadav underlined that the Congress brought significant development in the city during its 15 years in power under the leadership of Sheila Dikshit. "Everyone saw Delhi changing that time. Be it infrastructure, social security or individual, every person got their right," he said. "I feel that during Sheila Dikshit's government, we (Congress) worked to provide a government which worked for the overall development of Delhi and established its identity as a world-class city," he said. Yadav said that during that period, the Congress, which was also in power at the Centre, worked to provide an inclusive government. Laws, such as RTI, RTE, MGNREGA, and the introduction of the unique ID, empowered people and gave them opportunities to move forward, he said, adding that he feels that during the time when the Congress was in power in Delhi, it did not do any publicity of their achievements. Yadav said after the Lok Sabha elections, he feels that public support for the party has grown. "We will benefit from the Lok Sabha performance. In a short time, we have developed a vibrant organisation. We want to move ahead with a vision and somewhere I feel that the public support is growing for us and our cadre has also got boosted with this," he said, adding that the Delhi Congress is now ready with a new vision. The Delhi Congress chief emphasised the party believes in inclusive development and has always worked for the betterment of the backward and Dalits. "I feel our Dalit and minority votes have been consolidated in the recent Lok Sabha polls. Along with this, people from different sections have worked together to support Congress," Yadav said. He added that some regional parties try to win the trust of these communities by "showing them small dreams" but this is just a temporary success. Yadav also elaborated on the party's plan to develop its manifesto ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls. "Around 16 to 17 sub-committees will be formed that will reach out to different subgroups -- traders and people in the healthcare education sectors, etc. These committees will engage with them to discuss different issues and understand their needs, which will then be included in the manifesto," he said. Yadav said accountability meetings will start from Wednesday to assign responsibility to party members for different programmes of the unit. Delhi has 70 assembly seats. The Congress, which governed the national capital from 1998 to 2013, lost its electoral base, especially with the emergence of the AAP, which has been in power here for the last 10 years. Kolkata, Jul 30 (PTI) West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose reached Kerala's Calicut on Tuesday night to take stock of the relief work underway in Wayanad, where a series of landslides left at least 123 people dead and 128 injured, the Raj Bhavan said here. In a post on "X", it also said that Bose has spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the rescue operations. "Governor Bose has reached Calicut Airport on his way to the landslide hit Meppadi in the Wayanad Hills. He is in touch with the central and state agencies engaged in relief operations," it said. The 73-year-old Bose, who is from Kerala, will be visiting hospitals and relief camps and also facilitate rescue and relief operations. "He is in close touch with the Chief Minister of Kerala," the Raj Bhavan added. Extreme heavy rainfall triggered a series of landslides in the hilly areas of Wayanad district early on Tuesday. In addition to the casualties reported, many are still feared trapped under the debris. "The Governor asserts that India will stand together and face the calamity with determination and confidence. The whole nation stands in solidarity with the victims," the post read. Rampur (UP), Jul 31 (PTI) A Rampur MP-MLA court Wednesday acquitted jailed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan in a five-year-old case related to forcible eviction and demolition of houses in the Dungarpur locality here. The relief was granted in one of nearly half a dozen cases lodged in connection with this incident that occurred in 2016 when the SP was in power in Uttar Pradesh. The case was registered against Khan and five other people in 2019 when the BJP was in power. Khan, however, will continue to remain in Sitapur prison, where he is lodged in connection with several other cases. Arguments in the case registered by one Idris were completed earlier and the judgement came on Wednesday. Khan was called to the court but due to health problems, he attended the proceedings through video-conference. District government counsel Seema Rana said the MP-MLA court freed Khan and five others in the matter. The United States does not consider a large-scale war in the Middle East inevitable. Washington is doing everything possible to reduce tensions in the region and leave room for diplomacy. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the United States does not back down from its commitment to defend Israel in the event of an attack on it. This was stated by Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin, Reuters reports. "I do not believe that war is inevitable. I say it is. I think there is always room and opportunity for diplomacy. What we've seen along the border, the northern border, with Israel for a long time has been a concern for us. Again, we're going to do everything we can to make sure that the situation doesn't escalate into a larger conflict in the entire region," Austin emphasized. The Pentagon chief's statement came after information emerged about the elimination of one of Hezbollah's commanders in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. The terrorist killed by Israel, according to the United States, was behind the strike on the Golan Heights that killed children. ADVERTISIMENT In parallel, Washington is monitoring the situation with the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on the night of July 31. "I don't have any additional information," the Pentagon chief said when asked by journalists what details of the Hamas leader's assassination were known to the US defense department. Meanwhile, Iran said it was investigating Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran, while Hamas accused Israel of it and called the elimination of its leader a "serious escalation." In addition, Austin said that if a broader conflict in the Middle East does break out, the United States will continue to help Israel defend itself against attack, but de-escalation will remain a priority for Washington. "We will certainly help defend Israel. You saw what we did in April. You can expect us to do it again. We do not want anything like that to happen. We're going to work hard to make sure that we do everything we can to help reduce tensions and solve problems through diplomatic meetings," the Pentagon chief emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, the night of July 31 brought two pieces of news from the Middle East. According to the IDF, an Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon, killed a Hezbollah commander, and in Tehran, Iran, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was called "Israel's main enemy," was killed after the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected Iranian president. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) In an unprecedented verdict, the Supreme Court has asked the Bombay High Court to conduct a performance audit of a 1971 Maharashtra law on slum redevelopment, saying over 1,600 cases are pending in the high court and the welfare legislation for poor is grid-locked. The top court asked the chief justice of the high court to set up a bench to "initiate suo motu proceedings" to review the working of the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971 to identify the problems faced in its implementation. "The Executive branch has a constitutional duty to ensure that the purpose and object of a statute is accomplished while implementing it. It has the additional duty to closely monitor the working of a statute and must have a continuous and a real time assessment of the impact that the statute is having...reviewing and assessing the implementation of a statute is an integral part of Rule of Law," a bench of justices PS Narasimha and Aravind Kumar said on Tuesday. The bench said the judiciary has another role to perform and that is of a facilitator of access to justice and effective functioning of constitutional bodies. "In this role, the judiciary does not review executive and legislative actions, but only nudges and provides impetus to systemic reforms," it said. The directions were issued in a judgement dismissing an appeal of 'Yash Developers' against the high court verdict. The high court had upheld cancellation of a slum-redevelopment project granted in favour of the real estate firm in 2003 for developing a slum in Borivali area of Mumbai. However, the project was unduly prolonged for over two decades and the agreement was terminated by the Apex Grievance Redressal Committee on August 4, 2021. The top court not only dismissed the plea of the firm but also imposed a cost of Rs one lakh payable to Supreme Court Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee. Justice Narasimha, writing a 43-page judgement, red-flagged the working of the law and concurred with the "exasperation" expressed from by the high court. Ordering review of the functioning of the law, the bench referred to the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) data and said they revealed that a total of 1612 cases, involving disputes arising under the Act, are pending before the high court. "Of these, 135 cases are more than 10 years old. In the last 20 years, 4488 cases have been filed and disposed of under the said Act. Latest data from the Bombay HC reveal that about 923 cases on the Appellate side and 738 on the Original Side are pending adjudication. "The Act is a beneficial legislation, intended to materialize the constitutional assurance of dignity of the individual by providing basic housing, so integral to human life. However, the propensity and the proclivity of the statute to generate litigation are worrisome. There seems to be a problem with the statutory framework for realizing the purpose and object of the statute," the bench said. It said the "exasperation" of the high court about working of the Act is "understandable". The present appeal is a classic example of why the high courts concern is genuine. It has been noticed that the statutory scheme is problematic with respect to: i) Identification and declaration of land as a slum. This problem involves an examination of the role of authorities in giving such recognition, insidious intervention of builders in the said process cast doubts on the independence and integrity in the decision-making process, it said. It said the process of identification of slum dwellers involved a complicated process of proof of such a status. The verdict said these problems, arising out of the statutory scheme and policy framework, should have come under review by the Maharashtra government. Assessment of the working of the statute to realise if its purpose and objective achieved or not is the implied duty of the executive government. Reviewing and assessing the implementation of a statute is an integral part of Rule of Law. It is in recognition of this obligation of the executive government that the constitutional courts have directed governments to carry performance audit of statutes, it said. The executive has a constitutional duty to ensure that the purpose and object of a law is accomplished while implementing it. It has additional duty to closely monitor the working of the law and must have a continuous and a real time assessment of the impact that the statute is having, it said. The Maharashtra law is intended to benefit the marginalised and the impoverished and it is not easy for the intended beneficiaries to carry their voice to legislative branch for effective reform, it said. Kota (Rajasthan) Jul 31 (PTI) A court in Kota awarded a life term to a man for the murder of a woman in a five-year-old case and slapped a fine of Rs 20,000 on him, a lawyer said on Wednesday. The court of Additional District Judge Munesh Yadav, however, acquitted another accused in the case, citing lack of evidence, Additional Public Prosecutor Akhtar Khan Akela said. Five years ago on January 4, 2019, a woman was murdered in a vacant house in Akashvani Colony, Nayapura, Kota. Shankar Mali (65), resident of Bundi, was convicted in the murder case by the court. Shankar Mali murdered the woman in a building where he worked temporarily as a guard, Akela said. Kota Police registered an FIR under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code against Shankar Mali and conducted an investigation, the lawyer said. Another accused, Shambhu Dayal Berwa, was also arrested in connection to the case, and a chargesheet was filed against both, he said. A total of 32 witnesses were examined during the trial, and 129 documents, CDs, and photographs were presented as evidence before the court, the lawyer added. After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, the court held Shankar Mali guilty of murder, the lawyer said. Ghaziabad (UP), Jul 30 (PTI) A group of 'kanwariyas' vandalised a liquor vend and misbehaved with the seller for keeping the outlet open along the route dedicated for the pilgrims, a police official said on Tuesday. The incident occurred a few metres away from Sahibabad police station on Monday night. According to ACP Sahibabad Rajneesh Upadhayay, the pilgrims ('kanwariyas') were on their way to Delhi after fetching holy water from the river Ganga in Haridwar. He said the pilgrims were enraged when they saw that a liquor vend was running from behind a tent. They broke the counter and allegedly misbehaved with a salesman and manhandled him. Upon getting the information, Sahibabad police reached the spot and pacified them. The protesting pilgrims questioned why shop owner Shyam Lal was permitted to open his outlet when the entire road was closed and only devotees were allowed to move with their 'kanwars' and vehicles. A purported video of the incident also appeared on social media in which 'kanwariyas' were allegedly seen thrashing a man who was in an inebriated condition. ACP Sahibabad Rajneesh Upadhayay said that the man was taken into custody. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander officially launched his mayoral campaign on Tuesday, setting his sights on defeating incumbent Mayor Eric Adams in next years Democratic primary. In a campaign video, Lander criticized Adams leadership, saying, Nothing can replace New York City, but we can replace a leader when they fail the basic test of the job. Lander, 55, emphasized the need for strong, experienced leadership to deliver real results and build a more affordable and livable city. His announcement follows reports last month that he had informed key donors of his intention to run. Lander has backed harsh critics of Israel who have voiced support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, including Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Rashida Tlaib, pro-Palestinian activist Linda Sarsour, and Shahana Hanif, who replaced him on the New York City Council. He hates police, is pro LGBTQ, and hates Yeshiva education. Lander joins a growing field of potential candidates exploring runs against Adams, including state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, former city comptroller Scott Stringer, and Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. Even former Governor Andrew Cuomo has considered a political comeback, including a possible mayoral run, according to recent reports. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Radical British preacher Anjem Choudary was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison for directing a banned terrorist group that a judge said had put many lives at risk. Choudary, 57, was convicted last week in Woolwich Crown Court for directing the radical Muslim group al-Muhajiroun, or ALM, being a member of the banned organization and for drumming up support for it. Justice Mark Wall said Choudary was front and center in running a terrorist organization that encouraged young men into radical activity. ALM was outlawed by the British government in 2010 as a group involved in committing, preparing for or promoting terrorism. Your actions while directing Al-Muhajiroun ran the risk of causing or contributing to the deaths of very many people, Wall said. In addition, by running an organization such as Al-Muhajiroun, you contributed in a significant way to the fear of terrorist attack by radical Islamic organizations which then existed in this country and abroad. Choudary, who was previously convicted of supporting the Islamic State group and sent to prison for more than five years, denied at trial that he promoted ALM through his lectures, saying ALM no longer existed. Defense lawyer Paul Hynes said that by the time Choudary started directing ALM it was little more than a husk of an organization and he was not gathering the masses to join. Choudary stepped in to lead ALM after Omar Bakri Muhammad, the groups founder, was imprisoned in Lebanon between 2014 and March 2023, prosecutor Tom Little said. Before he was charged in 2015 under the Terrorism Act for supporting the Islamic State, the London-born preacher had provoked outrage by protesting outside the U.S. Embassy on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and burning memorial poppies on the annual Remembrance Day honoring slain service members. The judge noted chilling evidence at trial about how Choudary denied the existence of the Holocaust and joked about Sept. 11. I do not sentence you for holding those views, but the fact that you genuinely hold such extreme views coupled with your history of unlawful behavior is an indication of the danger you pose into the future, Wall said. Prosecutors said the ALM has operated under many names, including the New York-based Islamic Thinkers Society, which Choudary lectured to. The Islamic Thinkers Society was ALMs U.S. branch, said New York Police Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner, who called the case historic. The group was infiltrated by U.S. law enforcement officers who took part in the investigation with counterparts in Britain and Canada. Choudary was convicted with one of his followers, Khaled Hussein, who prosecutors said was a dedicated supporter of the group. Hussein, 29, of Edmonton, Canada, was sentenced to five years in prison for membership of a proscribed organization. Under terms of the sentence, Choudary must serve at least 28 years behind bars. (AP) Far-right protesters fueled by anger and online rumors hurled bottles and stones at officers and set a police van ablaze Tuesday outside a northwest England mosque near where three girls were fatally stabbed a day earlier. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the thuggery and said the crowd had hijacked what had earlier been a peaceful vigil attended by hundreds in the center of Southport to mourn the dead and 10 surviving stabbing victims, seven of whom were in critical condition. Police said the violent crowd was believed to be supporters of the English Defence League, a far-right group, and the unrest was inspired by rumors about the identity of the teenage suspect arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17-year-old male who is currently in police custody and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets, Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said. Police previously said a suspects name circulating on social media accounts was incorrect and the boy was born in Britain, contrary to online claims that he was an asylum seeker. The Liverpool Region Mosque Network posted a statement decrying the heinous stabbing as an attack against society that was unconnected to Islam. A minority of people are attempting to portray that this inhumane act is somehow related to the Muslim community, the group said on the X social media platform. Frankly it is not, and we must not let those who seek to divide us and spread hatred use this as an opportunity. Officers outside the Southport Mosque in riot gear were pelted with objects by members of the crowd, some of whom wore masks, amid chants of No surrender! and English till I die! Firecrackers exploded, sirens wailed and a helicopter hovering overhead added to the chaos. Some officers were bleeding after being struck by objects and police said one had a broken nose. A day earlier, a short distance from the turmoil, the girls had taken part in a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop on the first week of summer vacation when a teen armed with a knife entered the studio and began a vicious attack, police said. Its difficult to comprehend or put into words the horror of what happened, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said while briefing members of Parliament. What should have been a joyful start to the summer turned into an unspeakable tragedy. Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6, died from their injuries, police said. Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our princess, Aguiars parents said in a statement released by police. Like we said before to you, youre always our princess and no one would change that. Kings family said no words could describe their devastation at the loss of our little girl Bebe. Eight children and two adults remained hospitalized after the attack in Southport. Both adults and five of the children were in critical condition. An emotional crowd that gathered in Southport outside The Atkinson theater and museum in the early evening held a minute of silence for the victims. June Burns, the mayor of the Sefton region that contains Southport, called for calm and respect and urged people to be good to one another. She said she was overcome with emotion when she visited the scene of the tragedy earlier. Its unbelievable that we find ourselves laying flowers for little girls who just wanted to dance, she said. Swift said earlier on Instagram that she was completely in shock and still taking in the horror of the event. These were just little kids at a dance class, she wrote. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families. People left flowers and stuffed animals in tribute at a police cordon on the street lined with brick houses in the seaside resort near Liverpool where the beach and pier attract vacationers. They also posted online messages of support for teacher Leanne Lucas, the organizer of the event, who was one of those attacked. The 17-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder shortly after the attacks just before noon. Police said he was born in Cardiff, Wales, and had lived for years in a village about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from Southport. He has not yet been charged. The rampage is the latest shocking attack in a country where a recent rise in knife crime has stoked anxieties and led to calls for the government to do more to clamp down on bladed weapons, which are by far the most commonly used instruments in U.K. homicides. The prime minister was jeered by some as he visited the crime scene and lay a wreath of pink and white flowers with a handwritten note that said: Our hearts are broken, there are no words for such profound loss. The nations thoughts are with you. How many more children? one person yelled as Starmer was getting in his car. Our kids are dead and youre leaving already? Starmer told reporters earlier that he is determined to get a grip on high levels of knife crime but said it was not a day for politics. Witnesses described hearing screams and seeing children covered in blood in the mayhem outside the Hart Space, a community center that hosts everything from pregnancy workshops to womens boot camps. Joel Verite, a window cleaner riding in a van on his lunch break, said his colleague slammed on the brakes and reversed to where a woman was hanging on the side of a car covered in blood. She just screamed at me: Hes killing kids over there. Hes killing kids over there, Verite told Sky News. The woman, who was on the phone with police, directed him to where the violence was unfolding and then collapsed. Verite said he ran in the direction she had pointed. A woman honking the horn of her car caught his attention and he found her with five or six bloody children inside. The woman said she was trying to get the kids to safety. It was like a scene youd see on a disaster film, he said. I cant explain to you how horrific it is what I saw. He ran to the dance studio, where he was startled to lock eyes with a man in a hooded tracksuit holding a knife at the top of the stairs. All I saw was a knife and I thought: There are more people in there, and I just wanted to hurt him so bad, Verite said. But I was scared for myself and I wanted to help people. So I came outside and I was screaming because I knew where he was. Britains worst attack on children occurred in 1996, when 43-year-old Thomas Hamilton shot 16 kindergartners and their teacher dead in a school gymnasium in Dunblane, Scotland. The U.K. subsequently banned the private ownership of almost all handguns. Mass shootings and killings with firearms are exceptionally rare in Britain, where knives were used in about 40% of homicides in the year to March 2023. Mass stabbings are also very rare, according to Iain Overton, executive director of Action on Armed Violence. Most knife attacks are one-on-one and personal either domestic violence or gang related so this tragedy is very unusual and, accordingly, garners lots of media interest, Overton said. This offers no comfort to the grieving families, of course. (AP) Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of notorious drug kingpin El Chapo, pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges Tuesday, days after an astonishing capture in the U.S. Guzman Lopez, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, stood with feet shackled as federal prosecutors in Chicago detailed a five-count indictment that also includes money laundering, conspiracy and weapons charges. He declined a Spanish interpreter and answered most of U.S. District Judge Sharon Colemans questions designed to assess his health and determine whether he understood the proceedings with a simple, Yes, your honor. Guzman Lopez and Ismael El Mayo Zambada, a longtime leader of Mexicos Sinaloa cartel were arrested by U.S. authorities in the El Paso, Texas-area last week, according to the Justice Department. Both men, who face multiple charges in the U.S., oversaw the trafficking of tens of thousands of pounds of drugs into the United States, along with related violence, according to the FBI. Zambada has eluded U.S. authorities for years. He was thought to be more involved in day-to-day operations of the cartel than his better-known and flashier boss, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, who was sentenced to life in prison in the U.S. in 2019 and is the father of Guzman Lopez, 38. In recent years, Guzmans sons have led a faction of the cartel known as the little Chapos, or Chapitos, that has been identified as a main exporter of fentanyl to the U.S. market. Last year, U.S. prosecutors unsealed sprawling indictments against more than two dozen members of the Sinaloa cartel, Guzman Lopez and his brothers, in a fentanyl-trafficking investigation. At Tuesdays brief hearing, security was tight, with cellphones, laptops and other electronics barred from the courtroom. Guzman Lopez remained standing, leaning into the microphone to answer the judge, often with his arms folded behind him. Guzman Lopez remained jailed in Chicago and was due back in court on Sept. 30. Zambada pleaded not guilty last week to various drug trafficking charges and was being held without bond. Hes due back in court later this week. The mens mysterious capture fueled theories about how federal authorities pulled it off and prompted Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to take the unusual step of issuing a public appeal to drug cartels not to fight each other. Zambadas attorney, Frank Perez, alleged his client was kidnapped by Guzman Lopez and brought to the U.S. aboard a private plane that landed near El Paso. Perez pushed back against claims that his client was tricked into flying into the country. But Guzman Lopezs attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, who has represented other family members, rejected those ideas without going into specifics. Theres been massive amount of rumors and things printed in the press. I dont know whats real. I dont know whats not real, he said. But it shouldnt really surprise anybody that theres a story that seems to be changing every few minutes, which means that much of whats being leaked to the press is inaccurate. He added that there is no cooperation with the government and there never has been. The U.S. government had offered a reward of up to $15 million for leading to Zambadas capture. His detention follows arrests of other Sinaloa cartel figures, including one of his sons and another El Chapo son, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, who pleaded not guilty to drug-trafficking charges in Chicago last year. Zambadas son pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court in San Diego in 2021 to being a leader in the Sinaloa cartel. (AP) Belarus authoritarian leader on Tuesday granted a pardon to a German citizen who had been sentenced to death on terrorism charges. It wasnt immediately clear whether President Alexander Lukashenkos decision means that the capital punishment will be replaced with life in prison for Rico Krieger, as its usually done in Belarus in such cases, or whether he will be released. A Telegram channel that reports Lukashenkos decisions didnt offer specifics. The German Foreign Ministry confirmed that the man had been pardoned and said that this news is a relief. It did not elaborate. Earlier on Tuesday, Lukashenko called a meeting to discuss the appeal from Krieger, who was convicted and sentenced to capital punishment in June. Kriegers lawyer Vladimir Gorbach, who took part in the meeting, told the Belarusian state TV that Lukashenko said he would consider Kriegers request for pardon and announce his decision later. Krieger has been in custody since his arrest in October 2023. Belarusian state media reported that he has been accused of photographing some of the countrys military facilities and of staging an explosion at a railway station on orders from Ukrainian special services. Belarus is the only country in Europe to carry out capital punishment. Human rights activists noted that the accusations against Krieger came amid relentless political repressions in Belarus. More than 35,000 people have been arrested and thousands were beaten in police custody in a brutal crackdown on protests ignited by Lukashenkos re-election in an August 2020 presidential vote that the opposition saw as a sham. Pavel Sapelka of Belarus Viasna human rights group said that Krieger could have fallen victim to a provocation by Belarus top security agency that still goes under its Soviet name KGB, noting that some Belarusians have been convicted and sentenced for their remarks made on messaging chats that were created by KGB officers posing as Ukrainians. Kriegers sentencing has raised speculation that Belarusian authorities could have acted in sync with Russian spy agencies eager to prepare a possible swap involving Vadim Krasikov, a Russian serving a life sentence in Germany for the 2019 killing in Berlin of a Georgian citizen of Chechen descent. Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to hint at an exchange involving Krasikov when he was asked about the possibility of releasing Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Earlier this month, Gershkovich was convicted and sentenced to 16 years in maximum security prison on espionage charges that he, his employer and the U.S. government have dismissed as fabricated. Belarus Foreign Ministry has said it was in touch with German officials about Kriegers fate and has proposed specific solutions for the existing options for the development of the situation. Germanys Foreign Ministry has said that the German government is concerned about the case and has been providing the man with consular support. It hasnt given further details. (AP) The Coast Guard will hold a long-awaited public hearing about the deadly Titanic submersible disaster in September as it continues its investigation into the implosion of the vessel. The experimental Titan submersible imploded en route to the Titanic, killing all five people on board, in June 2023. The U.S. Coast Guard quickly convened a high-level investigation into what happened, but that investigation is taking longer than originally anticipated. A formal hearing that is a key piece of the Marine Board of Investigations inquiry will begin in the middle of September in North Charleston, South Carolina, Coast Guard officials said on Monday. Coast Guard officials said in a statement that the purpose of the hearing will be to consider evidence related to the loss of the Titan submersible. The Titan was the subject of scrutiny in the undersea exploration community in part because of its unconventional design and its creators decision to forgo standard independent checks. The hearing will examine all aspects of the loss of the Titan, including pre-accident historical events, regulatory compliance, crewmember duties and qualifications, mechanical and structural systems, emergency response and the submersible industry, the Coast Guard said in a statement. The hearing is scheduled to begin on Sept. 16 and stretch out over nearly two weeks, ending on either Sept. 26 or 27, Coast Guard officials said. The marine board is expected to issue a report with evidence, conclusions and recommendations when its investigation is finished, the Coast Guard said. The implosion killed Titan operator Stockton Rush; veteran Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood; and British adventurer Hamish Harding. OceanGate, a company co-founded by Rush that owned the submersible, suspended operations a year ago. The Titan made its final dive on June 18, 2023, and lost contact with its support vessel about two hours later. When it was reported overdue, rescuers rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the area, about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns, Newfoundland. The wreckage of the Titan was subsequently found on the ocean floor about 300 meters off the bow of the Titanic, Coast Guard officials said. (AP) The elimination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau, is a powerful blow to the group. It will partially contribute to the disorganization of the Islamist movement, at least for a short time. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Serhiy Danilov, Deputy Director of the Center for Middle East Studies, in an interview with OBOZ.UA. "The situation is clear - the continuation of the Israeli program of targeted killings, when prominent terrorists or leaders of organizations they call terrorist are destroyed," he said. The expert added that it is still unclear where the missile hit Haniyeh's residence in Tehran, but it is likely to be revealed "today or tomorrow." "This is a powerful blow to Hamas and a reminder that Israel uses this tactic in its fight against its opponents," says Sergei Danilov. As for the possible consequences of the elimination of one of the Hamas leaders, the expert believes that a significant escalation is unlikely: "Hamas is weakened, it cannot do much. The question is how the Iranians will react. There are a lot of unknowns here. I suspect that nothing much will happen and there will be no significant escalation." ADVERTISIMENT Danilov reminded that this is not the first assassination carried out by Israeli intelligence services in Iran. "Ten years ago, when the Mossad (Israeli intelligence - Ed.) was trying to counter the Iranian nuclear program in Iran, many Iranian scientists related to the nuclear program were killed in Tehran. This is far from the first assassination carried out by Israeli special services on the territory of Iran," he said. The elimination of Haniyeh will affect the negotiation process, as it will be "difficult for Hamas to resume it." The expert adds that the eliminated leader of the group was in fact "a seborite, a billionaire who loved the high life, wanted to live and did not directly lead the combat wing." Haniyeh's assassination "will have no effect on Hamas becoming more radical or more willing to compromise," the expert says. ADVERTISIMENT "It will partly result, at least for a short time, in disorganization of Hamas," Danilov said. The unjustified prosecution of SCHI founder Rabbi Osher Eisemann appears to be finally over after nearly a decade, after Judge Joseph Paone threw his new trial out before it could reach the jury. In explaining his decision to toss the case, the judge cited the prosecutions total inability to show a morsel of evidence that Rabbi Eisemann committed any crime, determining that the case should not even be decided by a jury. The prosecution cannot appeal the ruling, so the case is over. From the very onset, the prosecutions case was splintering. Their opening witness the lead detective who ran the investigation into SCHI admitted under cross examination that there had been no crime, and each subsequent witness either confirmed that or said they were not involved in the case. It quickly become clear that the case against the revered SCHI founder was a senseless vendetta against an upstanding man a prosecution in search of a nonexistent crime. On Tuesday, the defense concluded their cross-examination of the states final witness, as the state tried to rehabilitate their failing prosecution. After the prosecution rested, the defense filed a motion for the judge to dismiss the case, as the state has so far failed to prove any criminal activity. The judge began hearing the motion about 40 minutes before the court session was set to close. On Wednesday morning, additional arguments were made and the judge granted the motion, bringing the case to a close. The case revolved around a 12-day loan from the school, which the prosecution claimed was used to promote another crime. However, it had already been established that the loan was made using private funds, not government money, and the lead detective has testified that such a loan was permissible. Furthermore, the second alleged criminal act, a loan write-down, was disputed by the bookkeeper who made the transaction, who explained that it was a simple bookkeeping maneuver, not an attempt to erase a debt. Forensic audits ordered by the commerce department of the attorney generals office have also shown that no loan balance existed between Rabbi Eisemann and the foundation, and that the foundation actually owed Rabbi Eisemann money. Despite this, the justice department refused to consider these audits, disastrously clinging to their theory of a loan and attempted write-down. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A former U.S. Green Beret who in 2020 organized a failed crossborder raid of Venezuelan army deserters to remove President Nicolas Maduro has been arrested in New York on federal arms smuggling charges. A federal indictment unsealed this week in Tampa, Florida, accuses Jordan Goudreau and a Venezuelan partner, Yacsy Alvarez, of violating U.S. arms control laws when they allegedly assembled and sent to Colombia AR-styled weapons, ammo, silencers, night vision goggles and other defense equipment requiring a U.S. export license. Goudreau, 48, also was charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods from the United States and unlawful possession of a machine gun, among 14 counts. Goudreau appeared in federal court following his Tuesday arrest in Manhattan but it was not clear a day later whether he would be released from custody pending trial. He was being held at a federal detention center in Brooklyn. Goudreau, a three-time Bronze Star recipient for bravery in Iraq and Afghanistan, catapulted to fame in 2020 when he claimed responsibility for an amphibious raid by a ragtag group of soldiers that had trained in clandestine camps in neighboring Colombia. He said he and others were acting to protect Venezuelas democracy after Maduros 2018 reelection was boycotted by the opposition and condemned as undemocratic by the U.S. and dozens of other countries. Two days before the incursion, The Associated Press published an investigation detailing how Goudreau had been trying for months to raise funds for the harebrained idea from the Trump administration, Venezuelas opposition and wealthy Americans looking to invest in Venezuelas oil industry should Maduro be removed. While then-opposition leader Juan Guaido was initially enthused by the coup idea, signing an agreement with Goudreau to explore such an option, little financial support arrived and the rural homes along Colombias Caribbean coast that housed the would-be liberators suffered from a lack of food, weapons and other supplies. Despite the setbacks, the coup plotters went forward in a comical if tragic way in what was widely ridiculed as the Bay of Piglets, in reference to the 1961 Cuban fiasco. The group was easily mopped up by Venezuelas security forces, which had already infiltrated the group. Two of Goudreaus former Green Beret colleagues spent years in Venezuelas prisons until a prisoner swap last year with other jailed Americans for a Maduro ally held in the U.S. on money laundering charges. The arrest comes as Maduro is once again facing pressure over his increasingly authoritarian moves. Authorities on Sunday declared him the winner in the countrys presidential election but a growing chorus of western states, including the U.S., refuse to recognize the results, demanding Venezuela release individual precinct tallies. Meanwhile, the opposition has presented records from 80% of the polling booths showing that its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, defeated Maduro by a two-to-one margin. Prosecutors in their 22-page indictment documented the ill-fated plot, citing text messages between the defendants about their effort to buy military-related equipment and export it to Colombia, and tracing a web of money transfers, chartered flights and large-scale purchases. One November 2019 message from Goudreau to an equipment distributor said: Here is the list bro. It included AR-15 rifles, night vision devices and ballistic helmets, prosecutors said. We def need our guns, Goudreau wrote in one text message, according to the indictment. Prosecutors said he also identified a storage unit in Phoenix, Arizona, where an unnamed associate who the AP has learned was another former Green Beret would pick up the ammo. In another message, prosecutors said, Alvarez asked Goudreau if she would be taking things with her on an upcoming flight from the U.S. to Colombia. The equipment was shipped to Miami. Separately, Goudreau purchased several components to assemble about 60 AR-type firearms. Prosecutors said he also spent $90,000 on a used yacht named Silverpoint, according to AP reporting that left U.S. waters in February 2020 with Goudreau, an associate and several cans of ammo, body armor plates and magazines for AR-15 rifles. A month later, Colombian police found at a checkpoint near the Caribbean city of Santa Marta the stockpiled gear in the back of a car hired by Alvarez. From there, the plot or at least Goudreaus involvement in it quickly unraveled. Alvarez was an associate of a Venezuelan businessman who was so close to the government of the late Hugo Chavez that he spent almost four years in a U.S. prison for trying to cover up clandestine cash payments to its allies. Franklin Duran was also the owner of the Venezuela-registered Cessna Citation II that was sometimes used to transport Alvarez and Goudreau, an AP investigation found. Duran over two decades has had numerous business ties with the socialist government of Venezuela, making him an odd choice to help a band of would-be-mercenaries overthrow Maduro. He was arrested in 2020 by Maduro for his involvement in the plot. The U.S. indictment makes no mention of Duran but does say that in furtherance of the conspiracy, Goudreau, Alvarez and unnamed others did travel on at least three occasions on a private airplane between Miamis Opa-Locka airport and the Colombian city of Barranquilla, where Alvarez and Goudreau registered a Colombian affiliate of his Melbourne, Florida-based company Silvercorp. Earlier this year, Goudreaus main partner in the would-be coup, Cliver Alcala, a retired three-star Venezuelan army general, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court to more than two decades for providing weapons to drug-funded rebels in an unrelated case. Goudreau attended the court proceedings and wrote a letter praising Alcala as a freedom-loving patriot who deserved to have his sentence reduced. But he refused then and on other occasions to speak to AP about his role in the attempted coup. His attorney, Gustavo J. Garcia-Montes, said his client is innocent but declined further comment. The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment. An attorney for Alvarez, Christopher A. Kerr, told AP that Alvarez is seeking asylum in the United States and has been living here peacefully with other family members, several of whom are U.S. citizens. She will plead not guilty to these charges this afternoon, and as of right now, under our system, they are nothing more than allegations. If convicted, Goudreau and Alvarez face between 5 and 20 years in prison for each of the violations in the indictment. (AP) Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, accused as the mastermind of al-Qaidas Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, has agreed to plead guilty, the Defense Department said Wednesday. The development points to a long-delayed resolution in an attack that killed thousands and altered the course of the United States and much of the Middle East. Mohammed and two accomplices, Walid Bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, are expected to enter the pleas at the military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as soon as next week. Defense lawyers have requested the men receive life sentences in exchange for the guilty pleas, according to letters from the federal government received by relatives of some of the nearly 3,000 people killed outright on the morning of Sept. 11. Terry Strada, the head of one group of families of the nearly 3,000 direct victims of the 9/11 attacks, invoked the dozens of relatives who have died while awaiting justice for the killings when she heard news of the plea agreement. They were cowards when they planned the attack, she said of the defendants. And theyre cowards today. Pentagon officials declined to immediately release the full terms of the plea bargains. The U.S. agreement with the men comes more than 16 years after their prosecution began for al-Qaidas attack. It comes more than 20 years after militants commandeered four commercial airliners to use as fuel-filled missiles, flying them into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon. Al-Qaida hijackers headed a fourth plane to Washington, but crew members and passengers tried to storm the cockpit, and the plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field. The attack triggered what President George W. Bushs administration called its war on terror, prompting the U.S. military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and years of U.S. operations against armed extremist groups elsewhere in the Middle East. The attack and U.S. retaliation brought the overthrow of two governments outright, devastated communities and countries caught in the battle, and played a role in inspiring the 2011 Arab Spring popular uprisings against authoritarian Middle East governments. At home, the attacks inspired a sharply more militaristic and nationalist turn to American society and culture. U.S. authorities point to Mohammed as the source of the idea to use planes as weapons. He allegedly received approval from al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, whom U.S. forces killed in 2011, to craft what became the 9/11 hijackings and killings. Authorities captured Mohammed in 2003. Mohammed was subjected to waterboarding 183 times while in CIA custody before coming to Guantanamo, and targeted by other forms of torture and coercive questioning. The use of torture has proven one of the most formidable obstacles in U.S. efforts to try the men in the military commission at Guantanamo, owing to the inadmissibility of evidence linked to abuse. Torture has accounted for much of the delay of the proceedings, along with the courtrooms location a plane ride away from the United States. Daphne Eviatar, a director at the Amnesty International USA rights group, said Wednesday she welcomed news of some accountability in the attacks. She urged the Biden administration to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, which holds people taken into custody in the so-called war on terror. Many have since been cleared, but are awaiting approval to leave for other countries. Additionally, Eviatar said, the Biden administration must also take all necessary measures to ensure that a program of state-sanctioned enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment will never be perpetrated by the United States again. Strada, national chairperson of a group of families of victims called 9/11 Families United, had been at Manhattan federal court for a hearing on one of many civil lawsuits when she heard news of the plea agreement. Strada said many families have just wanted to see the men admit guilt. For me personally, I wanted to see a trial, she said. And they just took away the justice I was expecting, a trial and the punishment. Michael Burke, one of the family members receiving the government notice of the plea bargain, condemned the long wait for justice, and the outcome. It took months or a year at the Nuremberg trials, said Burke, whose fire captain brother Billy died in the collapse of the World Trade Centers North Tower. To me, it always been disgraceful that these guys, 23 years later, have not been convicted and punished for their attacks, or the crime. I never understood how it took so long. I think people would be shocked if you could go back in time and tell the people who just watched the towers go down, Oh, hey, in 23 years, these guys who are responsible for this crime we just witnessed are going to be getting plea deals so they can avoid death and serve life in prison, he said. Burkes brother, New York City fire captain Billy Burke, ordered his men out but remained on the 27th floor of the North Tower with two men whod stayed behind: a quadriplegic who, because the elevators had gone out, was essentially stuck there in his wheelchair and that mans friend. (AP) We will build sheep pens for our livestock here and cities for our children. (BaMidbar 32:16) by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Sfas Tamim Foundation The tribes of Gad and Reuven, were certainly on a high spiritual level. They were part of the Dor Deah, the greatest generation that ever lived. And yet, on a subtle level, they were driven by an apparent greed for material possessions. After having arrived at the fertile lands directly east of Eretz Yisroel they expressed a desire to settle there instead. Moshe, at first, suspected that they wished to let their brethren do battle alone for Eretz Yisroel, and accused them of such. They clarified: No, Chas vShalom this is what we wish to do, they said to Moshe. We will build sheep pens for our livestock here and towns for our children. Then we will go quickly at the very head of the army and fight until the land is conquered and apportioned. Only then will we return to our homes. Moshe, then corrected their order, emphasizing the importance of their childrens safety and future before their material possessions. He urged them to first build towns for your children, and then, and only then, to build pens for your sheep. The Ksav Sofer asks why Moshe Rabbeinu found it necessary to say, Make sure you keep your word. Why was this needed? If they said they would do it, why shouldnt we assume that they would? The Ksav Sofer answers that those whose priorities are not straight and over-emphasize the value of money are not to be trusted to follow up and do what they say. The greed for money can blind them. Moshe Rabbeinu thus warned them with a double-warning. This is the basic implication of the Ksav Sofer. But perhaps there is more here than at first meets the eye. Moshe Rabbeinu is also providing Klal Yisroel with a means of rectifying the incorrect perspective that they had previously possessed even on that subtle level. He reversed the order to both teach and enable them to take active steps that would imbue them with the correct perspective. Building towns for their children will actively imbue them with the correct perspective first. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 16) explains the idea of, achar haPulos nimshachim halevavos the hearts follow the implementation of actions. This idea is also found in chapter 23 of the Mesilas Yesharim that slowly and slowly the outer actions do effect the inner thoughts. This is the model that we must take to ensure that we follow in the ways of Hashem. It should also be noted that this is one of the defining characteristics of Mitzvos. Judaism has always felt that concepts and ideas are not enough they must be accompanied by action. For example, a person who wishes to become a master musician cannot merely peruse the musical notes of a concerto but must actually practice music. Hours and hours of practice are necessary. By the same token, a student of the martial arts cannot become a proficient fighter merely by reading a karate instruction manual. Years and years of practice are required for the proficiency and expertise to develop. The prophets of Israel speak of the noble ideals of universal peace, brotherhood, seeking truth and justice, and walking humbly before G-d. They speak of the notion of hakaras haTov recognizing the good that one has done for them. But Judaism requires that these noble ideas be put into action through the vehicle known as Mitzvah. Thus, there is a commandment to give charity. There is a commandment to recite a short formula thanking Hashem for the bread that we have consumed. The idea of integrity and truth, the seal fo Hashem Himself is no different. This is why Moshe Rabbeinu reversed the order. To subscribe to a weekly parsha sheet about emes send the word subscribe to [email protected] Hamas chief Ismael Haniyeh has been assassinated in Iran, according to a statement from the Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) aired on Press TV. With condolences to the heroic nation of Palestine and the Islamic nation and the combatants of the Resistance Front and the noble nation of Iran, this morning [Wednesday] the residence of Mr. Dr. Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political office of the Islamic Resistance of Hamas, was hit in Tehran, and following this incident, he and one of his bodyguards were martyred, the IRGC statement read. According to initial reports, Haniyeh was killed along with his bodyguard at his home in Tehran when a precision missile was fired into the residence. Additional details were not immediately available. Hamas confirmed that Haniyeh is dead. The terror leader had been in Iran to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of the countrys new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. During his time in Iran, Haniyeh and Palestinian Islamic Jihad secretary general Ziyad Al-Nakhaleh met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to the Iranian news agency IRNA. Now, in a span of just 12 hours, the head of Hamas and the top military commander of Hezbollah have both been unceremoniously dispatched to death. FLASHBACK VIDEO: Now dead Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh seen on Oct. 7 showing him and other Hamas terrorists in a prayer of gratitude to Allah while watching news of the attack unfold. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) On the morning of October 7, shortly after the horrific massacre and torture of 1200 Israelis, including women and children, a video emerged of the vile Haniyeh smiling and thanking Allah after watching scenes of the Hamas terrorists on television. Fittingly, the sick scene took place in Turkey, where Haniyeh, who lived in the lap of luxury, was staying in a hotel along with senior Hamas figures. Turkey, of course, condemned Haniyehs shameful assassination along with other evil countries such as Iran, Qatar, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, China, and Russia, which without a trace of irony, called it a completely unacceptable political murder. Dancing and singing at Yeshivat HaKotel in Israel following the news: And in Yeshivat HaGolan: (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The elimination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh overnight Tuesday was carried out by a surface-to-surface guided missile fired from an Israeli aircraft from a neighboring country, according to Lebanese reports. According to Sky News in Arabic, the missile that was aimed directly at his body killed Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards. The strike occurred at 2:00 a.m. Tehran time. However, Israels Channel 12 News reported that the missile that killed Haniyeh was fired from within Iran and was not fired from a plane or a drone, as Tehran claimed, from a third country. Haniyeh and his delegation, who attended the swearing-in of new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, were staying at a guest house for war veterans of Irans Revolutionary Guards in northern Tehran, sources in Hamas told Arab media outlets. According to the same sources, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, the head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and his delegation were in the same building on another floor. Haniyeh, who had come to Iran for the inauguration ceremony of the president, was staying in one of the special residences for war veterans in north Tehran when he was martyred by an air-launched missile, Iranian news outlets stated. The New York Times reported that following the elimination, Iran held an emergency meeting of its Supreme National Security Council at the residence of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the report, such a meeting is extremely rare and is held only in extraordinary circumstances. Iran declared three days of mourning for Haniyeh and a funeral will take place in Tehran on Thursday. His body will then be flown to Doha, Qatar, his residence since 2019, where another funeral will be held on Friday. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Iranian media outlets are reporting that one of Hamas leader Ismail Hanieyhs bodyguards is the one who conveyed information to the operatives who eliminated him. The reports added that the missile fired at Haniyeh was not only fired from within Iran but was fired from a nearby building. The operatives launched an Israeli-made Spike short-range missile into the room where Haniyeh was staying at an IRCG guest house in northern Tehran. According to the reports, it is possible that more than one of Hanieyhs bodyguards assisted the operatives in the elimination. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reportedly ordered a direct strike on Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the NY Times reports quoting three informed Iranian officials. The order was allegedly given during an emergency meeting of Irans Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly after the announcement of Haniyehs death, said the officials, including two members of the Revolutionary Guards, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly. Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of carrying out the assassination. Israel, currently engaged in a conflict with Hamas in Gaza, has not confirmed or denied responsibility for Haniyehs death, who was in Tehran for the inauguration of Irans new president. Israel has a history of targeting its enemies abroad, including Iranian nuclear scientists and military figures. Throughout the nearly 10-month conflict in Gaza, Iran has aimed to maintain a balance, intensifying pressure on Israel through increased attacks by its regional allies and proxies, while avoiding a full-scale war between the two countries. In April, Iran launched one of its most significant and overt attacks on Israel in decades, firing hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation for an Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Damascus, Syria, which killed several Iranian military commanders. However, this assault was anticipated, most of the weapons were intercepted by Israel and its allies, resulting in minimal damage. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Chavismo is refusing to relent three days after proclaiming Nicolas Maduro the winner of the presidential elections in a questioned electoral process and has now taken a step further in its defiance toward the international community by threatening to arrest and imprison Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and Maria Corina Machado, the leaders of the opposition. The repression has moved to the streets, where authorities have arrested dozens of opponents and police have charged thousands of demonstrators protesting across the country. Pressure on the Maduro government is mounting daily. The United States and left-wing leaders of regional heavyweights such as Lula da Silva, Claudia Sheinbaum, Gabriel Boric and Gustavo Petro are demanding the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) publish the paper tallies from voting stations and thus clear up any hint of doubt. Maduro, surrounded by busts of Hugo Chavez and paintings of Simon Bolivar that decorate the Miraflores Palace, the official seat of government, has so far refused to take heed. The request for Machado and Urrutias arrest, made by Jorge Rodriguez, Maduros main political operator, has generated widespread concern. If carried out, the conflict would escalate to a new dimension. U.S. President Joe Biden said through the spokeswoman of the U.S. National Security Council (NSC), Adrienne Watson, that there are clear indications that the result announced by the CNE, the Venezuelan electoral authority, do not reflect the will of the Venezuelan people as it was expressed at the ballot box on July 28. Later, Kamala Harris, the vice president and probable Democratic candidate, referred directly to the threats against anti-Chavistas: Violence, harassment, and threats against peaceful protestors and political actors are unacceptable. The U.S. stands with the Venezuelan people, and the will of the people must be respected. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols added his voice to these demands: We reject calls by Maduro and his inner circle for the arrests of Venezuelan opposition leaders Edmundo Gonzalez and Maria Corina Machado. The Carter Center deployed an observation mission on voting day consisting of 17 observers, 11 in Caracas and six in three other cities. On Monday, due to allegations of fraud, it issued a communique in which it demanded transparency from the CNE to be able to verify the result. A day later, it cancelled the preliminary statement it usually offers prior to the final report, which is published two months later, and hours later its members left the country. It later issued a statement discrediting the electoral process: Venezuelas 2024 presidential election did not meet international standards of electoral integrity and cannot be considered democratic [...] the electoral authoritys failure to announce disaggregated results by polling station constitutes a serious breach of electoral principles, the statement reads. Citizens raise their fists as Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and Maria Corina Machado pass by during an opposition march. Marina Calderon Protests have spread throughout the country and Chavismo has repressed them with police and motorized supporters, experts in breaking up rallies and terrorizing the population. The Attorney Generals Office stated there have been more than 700 arrests and Foro Penal, an organization that collates denunciations of human rights violations, puts the number of people killed at 11. In turn, Machado has made a show of force by summoning thousands of followers in Caracas, who have shown their support for the opposition leader without incident. Maduro had called on his followers to counter Machado with another rally, but it had no effect and only a few dozen people gathered in front of the Miraflores Palace. Chavista leaders are aware that they need to mobilize support from the interior of the country among those who still believe in the Bolivarian revolution started by Hugo Chavez in the 1990s. Nothing of what is taking place has caught the opposition by surprise. After making many mistakes in the past that helped Chavismo to remain in power, this time they have organized themselves very effectively. First, by uniting around Machado, a politician with mass appeal among all sectors of the country. Then, by preparing for a campaign in which they did not have the resources of the ruling party and had to overcome all kinds of obstacles. On the day of the vote, they distributed supporters to all polling stations and asked them to safeguard the largest possible number of paper ballots to demonstrate the fraud they anticipated. According to internal sources they had foreseen the scenario of Chavismo hiding the tally sheets. This information has been compiled and uploaded to networks. The tactic is designed to demonstrate the alteration of the results without providing excuses to which Maduro and his circle of trust can cling. Maduro supporters march through the streets of Caracas on July 30. Fernando Vergara (AP) Chavismo intended to legitimize its government in this election. According to a senior member of the PSUV, victory was taken for granted after Machados disqualification from running. The government thought the opposition would not have time to find a guaranteed substitute to mobilize voters. The polls they began to receive weeks after Urrutias nomination began to worry them. This situation was thought to have been overcome when Maduro rose in the polls from 18% to 25% in a very short time. That trend, they anticipated, would continue to rise. The pollsters, however, did not reflect a sufficient recovery to reel in the opposition. Then, Maduro and Rodriguez raised the tone: they began to portray the 74-year-old Urrutia as an old man unable to govern the country, taking note of the atmosphere that had been generated around Biden in the United States. The situation was extreme. Chavismo hardliners were determined not to show a single crack and to make assurances that the revolution would continue. The possibility of relinquishing power was not even considered. That is not possible, a Chavista bureaucrat told this newspaper. In that period of instability, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, the presidents son, assured in an interview with EL PAIS that if Urrutia won, the PSUV would display a democratic spirit and go into opposition. Diosdado Cabello, the PSUVs number two and an ex-military man who participated alongside Chavez in the failed coup detat of 1992, later reprimanded him in public. Maduro has stepped up his public appearances, in which he accuses anyone who questions his triumph of being a fascist. He has challenged the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, to a fist fight. He has vented against Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X, who has been mocking him for 72 hours and supporting the opposition on his own social network. The president has also attacked Urrutia, a discreet man with very refined manners, who has never been unpleasant to his adversaries. Chavismo, although it has not said as much, is hurt by the fact that the supposed triumph of Maduro has not been recognized. This does not seem to have altered the presidents mind, who remains entrenched in his positions. The pressure to which he is being subjected has not had any effect. For the time being. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas top political leader since 2017, was assassinated early Wednesday morning in an attack on his residence in Irans capital Tehran, the Palestinian fundamentalist group has confirmed in a statement. The movement lamented the loss of Haniyeh in what it termed a treacherous Zionist raid and praised their brother, leader and martyr who, Hamas said, had participated Tuesday in the inauguration ceremony for the new Iranian president, Masud Pezeshkian, with whom he also held a bilateral meeting. Haniyehs death is a serious blow for Hamas, which will now have to announce a new political leader, and threatens to escalate the conflict in the region. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the elite corps and parallel army of the regime, also confirmed the death of the Hamas leader and added that one of his bodyguards had been killed along with Haniyeh. There has been, however, no official reaction from Israel, which a few hours earlier acknowledged having assassinated Fuad Shukr, Hezbollahs number two, in a bombing raid over southern Beirut. International condemnations from nations such as Qatar, Turkey, Russia and China have been joined by promises of revenge from Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hamas has also stated that it will respond. The organization led by Haniyeh considered the action a grave escalation that will fail to achieve its objectives, according to one of its spokesmen, Sami Abu Zuhri, as quoted by Reuters. Abu Zuhri added, within the groups rhetoric, that they maintain the open war to liberate Jerusalem from Israeli occupation and are willing to pay the necessary price. Another senior Hamas official, Moussa Abu Marzuk, speaking to the Al-Aqsa television channel, a Hamas media outlet, called the operation a cowardly act that will not go unpunished, reported Al Jazeera. The president of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, described the strike as cowardly and dangerous, according to a statement by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa. A one-day strike has been called in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The ongoing war in Gaza broke out when hundreds of armed Palestinians led by Hamas killed some 1,200 people on Israeli territory last October 7, leading the Israel Defense Forces to set in motion its war machine in a conflict that has resulted in the deaths of almost 40,000 people in the Strip. During its offensive, the Israeli Security Forces have tried to hunt down or annihilate Hamas leaders in the Palestinian enclave but have not succeeded, although they do claim to have wiped out half of the leadership of its armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Supporters hold Hamas flags and then-Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's poster as Haniyeh speaks at a Hamas rally on October 6, 2006 in Gaza City. Abid Katib (Getty Images) The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, maintains that one of the essential objectives of the war in addition to bringing back the hostages is to put an end to Hamas on a political and military level. Within the army, however, there are doubts that this overly ambitious objective can be achieved. On July 13, in a bombing in southern Gaza that killed at least 90 people, the target was Mohamed Deif, head of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades in the Palestinian enclave, whose death was not confirmed. Along with Yahya Sinwar, a political leader in Gaza, he is considered the main instigator of the October 7 massacre and of the armed resistance inside the Strip. The strike against Haniyeh is an important turn of events in the Jewish States efforts to eliminate the Hamas leadership, with which Israel at the same time is trying to reach a ceasefire agreement with the help of international negotiators. The question that remains at this point is whether these contacts will be maintained, and whether Israels efforts to bring back the captives in Gaza will be directly affected. The Israeli authorities systematically point to Iran as primarily responsible for the instability in the region. The Tehran regime is the main economic, military, and strategic supporter not only of the Lebanese militia Hezbollah and the Palestinians of Hamas, but also of the Houthis in Yemen, who are also in confrontation with the Jewish state. As such, with the assassination of Haniyeh, Israel is sending the double message of acting against Hamas and, furthermore, doing so on Iranian territory. The strike carried out in Tehran has been met with the silence of official Israeli sources, who rarely comment on their operations abroad. However, on Tuesday evening, the army confirmed the death of Fuad Shukr, considered Hezbollahs number two and a veteran member of the group since it was founded four decades ago, who Israel blames as being behind the deaths last Saturday of 12 children in a missile strike on the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights. In addition, the U.S. State Department accused him of the attack on a barracks in which 241 Americans were killed in Lebanon in 1983. Israel considers him to be the right-hand man of Hasan Nasrallah, head of the Lebanese Shiite militia. Until Haniyehs assassination, the biggest blow to the leadership of the Palestinian fundamentalist group during the current conflict took place on April 10 when a bombing raid on Gaza killed three of his children and four of his grandchildren. The attack took place in the Shati refugee camp. If they think that targeting my children at the peak of these talks before the movements response is submitted will cause Hamas to change its positions, they are delusional, he told Qatars Al Jazeera at the time. Subsequently, on June 21, a dozen of Haniyehs relatives were killed in another Israeli attack on Gaza. Israel, although it has never officially acknowledged its responsibility, assassinated Saleh al-Arouri, Hamass deputy leader, in a drone attack on January 2 in Beirut in what is considered the first attack by the Jewish state against the Lebanese capital since 2006, when the Hezbollah militia and Israeli troops clashed in their last major conflict. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas political figurehead since 2017, is emerging as the latest in a long list of senior leaders of the so-called Islamic Resistance Movement assassinated by Israel since it was founded in the late 1980s. So far Hamas, which has accused Israel of ordering the strike on Haniyeh in Tehran, has not announced who will fill the vacant position. The Israeli government has not acknowledged responsibility and rarely has it done so on the many other occasions it has carried out such operations on foreign soil. In any case, there is little doubt that the main beneficiary of sidelining Haniyeh is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a staunch advocate of maintaining a hard line in the war in Gaza. Before becoming the head of the entire organization, Haniyeh had served as the leader of Hamas in Gaza since 2006 when the movement won elections in the Strip over Fatah, the main political arm of the Palestinian Authority (PA). The security forces of the Jewish State pursue the senior leaders of the Palestinian armed resistance, sometimes for years, regardless of the fact that, as in the case of Haniyeh, they are part of the apparatus that has been trying for months to broker a ceasefire in a war that is now approaching 10 months in duration and which, with almost 40,000 Palestinian fatalities, is the bloodiest ever waged in Gaza. In the Strip, the main theater of the conflict, the occupation troops have not succeeded in killing any of Hamas senior leaders. Israel attempted on July 13 to take out the movements military commander in Gaza, Mohamed Deif, the survivor of several assassination attempts and who Israel points to as one of the masterminds behind the massacre of 1,200 Israelis last October 7, but, as yet, he has not been confirmed to have been killed. The last Hamas leader to be assassinated was the organizations number two, Saleh al-Arouri, who was born in the West Bank in 1966. He was killed in an Israeli drone strike in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on January 2. At that time, the current conflict was almost in its fourth month and Netanyahus government was trying to send the message that there would be no mercy for the leadership of the group that led the bloodiest attack against Israel since the birth of the Jewish state in 1948, which provided the trigger for the war in Gaza. But Hamas has long experience in substituting leaders eliminated by their enemies. Twenty years ago, during the Second Intifada and in a period of less than a month, the founder and spiritual leader of the movement, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, 67, and his successor were both assassinated. Disabled from birth and wheelchair-bound, three missiles fired from an Apache helicopter killed Yassin early in the morning of March 23, 2004, as he was about to perform the first prayer of the day. Yassin had already been wounded the previous year in a similar operation. At that time Hamas was taken over by its second-in-command, Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi, who rose to the top vowing to avenge the sheikhs assassination and having already been targeted by Israeli troops, who had wounded him in a bombing raid months earlier. Israel hit their target on April 17, 2004, less than a month after al-Rantisi, a pediatrician, took the reins of Hamas. Shells fired from a helicopter gunship killed him at the age of 57. He was traveling in a vehicle with one of his six children and a bodyguard, who also died. On July 22, 2002, a powerful bomb dropped from an F-16 fighter jet on a building in Gaza killed Hamas military chief Salah Shehade, born in 1953 and another influential member of the group since its founding. The air strike also killed his wife, nine children and half a dozen others. This is standard Israeli practice, which often ignores international humanitarian law and the prohibition on such actions even when it has an enemy leader in its sights. During the convulsive period of the Intifada, on August 21, 2003, Israel killed another senior Hamas leader, Ismail Abu Shanab, in an air strike. The assassination of Abu Shanab is also the assassination of the ceasefire and Hamas holds the Zionist enemy fully responsible for the consequences of this crime, said Haniyeh at the time, when he had not yet climbed to the top of the fundamentalist organizations political ladder. In November 2012, Ahmed Jabari, then the all-powerful head of Hamas military wing, was killed in another so-called targeted assassination by the Israeli security forces. Jabari achieved his highest accolades inside Gaza and as an enemy of the Jewish State by setting himself up as jailer and negotiator for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was held hostage for five years and finally returned home in 2011 after being exchanged for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in the most spectacular operation of its kind on record. One of the keys to the assassination of Haniyeh will be its impact on the ceasefire negotiations that Hamas and Israel have been holding for months to free the 115 hostages still being held in the Strip, although some 40 of them are already presumed dead. On October 7, 2023, in addition to killing some 1,200 people in Israeli territory, the Hamas-led attackers took another 250 hostages. Just over 100 were released in the only week of truce in the war to date. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A new chapter has been written in the saga of betrayals and intrigues featuring the top members of the Sinaloa Cartel. The lawyer for Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, denied on Tuesday that his client kidnapped Ismael El Mayo Zambada to hand him over to the U.S. authorities, as had been widely speculated. Jeffrey Lichtman, the same man who represented El Chapo in the so-called trial of the century in 2018, reappeared in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, in Chicago, to take on the defense of one of the heirs of the drug boss. At this time he also ruled out that his client had negotiated his surrender with the American justice system. There has never been an agreement with the government with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, said Lichtman after Guzman Lopezs first appearance before a judge in the United States. The defense attorneys for both drug traffickers, who were arrested unexpectedly last Thursday in New Mexico, are going through a crucial week at the beginning of the judicial proceedings against their clients in the United States, and they have also been involved in a new exchange of statements to try to do well in the so-called media trial. Frank Perez, Zambadas lawyer, said last weekend that his client was betrayed and kidnapped by Guzman Lopez, also known as El Guero or El Junior. Although in the hours following the arrest this theory about of an agreed surrender gained traction, the theory of a kidnapping gained strength this week following the testimonies that U.S. officials and agents gave under condition of anonymity to various media outlets. Lichtman broke his silence to state the position of El Chapos son. He is not being accused of kidnapping, said the lawyer with a hint of irony. When the government accuses him, then Ill take notice, he added in an effort to minimize Perezs statements. When lawyers who are trying to score points with the media make accusations ... doesnt move the ball forward. The scandal is growing around the figure of El Mayo, who set foot in jail for the first time last week. The most striking thing about the statements made by Guzman Lopezs lawyer who also represents Ovidio Guzman, another son of El Chapo who was extradited to the United States last September was that he denied the alleged pact to surrender, something that at this point was practically taken for granted based on the information shared by the Mexican government of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and the U.S. authorities. We have already been informed that Guzman Lopez had talks with the United States government, that he wanted to surrender; that is what the United States government is maintaining, said the Mexican president in his morning press conference. The change in the defenses statements is part of the strategy to deal with the accusations inside and outside the court. Dressed in an orange prison uniform and handcuffed, Guzman Lopez pleaded not guilty to a battery of charges that include weapons possession, organized crime, money laundering and trafficking of multiple substances, including fentanyl. That initial plea does not prevent him from reaching a deal with U.S. authorities at a later point in the judicial process. The judge ordered him to remain in prison. El Gueros name appears in the court file along with three of his brothers Ivan, Alfredo and Ovidio who are at the head of the faction known as Los Chapitos, and with El Mayo, the partner with whom his father built a criminal empire that extends across almost 50 countries and to whom another faction of the Sinaloa Cartel anwers. Lichtman has already received most of the evidence that prosecutors began to gather from mid-2008 to date, according to a court document to which this newspaper has had access. A new hearing is scheduled for the end of September, unless there are extensions or unforeseen changes. El Mayo also pleaded not guilty in a Texas court and waived his right to a preliminary hearing, according to official documents. He is expected to appear before the judge again on Thursday so that his legal team can receive an update on the status of the judicial process. Like El Chapos heirs, Zambada turned to an old acquaintance. Perez was the lawyer for Vicente Zambada Niebla, aka Vicentillo, who has already been released from prison after collaborating with the U.S. justice system in the trial against Guzman Loera. It is also expected that in the next few days it will be decided where El Mayo will face the charges against him; he has open cases in at least four jurisdictions in the United States. Five days after the arrest, questions are mounting in Mexico about how the arrest actually took place and what U.S. security agencies know that has not yet been made public. In Mexico, the Attorney Generals Office (FGR) is carrying out its own investigation to try to clarify what happened on Mexican soil. The FGR delegate in Sonora told the media that one of the points being determined is whether the private plane in which Zambada and Guzman Lopez traveled departed from Hermosillo, the state capital. Lopez Obrador promised to make the findings known. We need to have more information and speak the truth, said the outgoing president, whose successor Claudia Sheinbaum is due to be inaugurated on October 1. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition One of the two men killed in yesterday's helicopter crash in Co Westmeath has been named as Niall Crosby from Glenageary in Dublin. Mr Crosby, a married father of two, was a founder of AG Grid, a software company based in London. In a statement his family said he deeply missed by his loving wife Jillian, his adored children Thomas and Robin, and his wide circle of family and friends. Niall, who was originally from Straffan, Co Kildare, had recently returned to Dublin in recent years to raise his family with his wife Jillian. "Niall's family would like to thank everyone who has been in touch with their condolences over the past extraordinarily difficult 24 hours. "They would like to particularly thank the first responders and the various authorities who have been so understanding and professional. "And they would like to especially thank the local communities of Killucan and Raharney for their thoughts and prayers. "We also have a special thought for Nialls co-pilot and his family at this tragic time," the spokesperson said. Mr Crosby previously posted on social media that he was learning to fly helicopters and was aiming to get his pilots licence. The second man killed has also been identified as Antonin Kabelka (40s), from the Czech Republic, who worked as a helicopter flight trainer in Prague. The two men were killed when their helicopter came down on the roof of a piggery in the Joristown townland. Gardai are liaising with Mr Crosbys family. The two men were the only occupants of the helicopter, and were pronounced dead at the scene. Both bodies were removed from the scene to Regional Hospital Mullingar for postmortems. The flight originated at Dublins Weston Airport, according to flight data, and the helicopter had been in the air for some 25 minutes when the crash occurred. READ NEXT - Hospital apologises to woman with terminal cancer who sued over failure to read smear test results At the Republican convention in Milwaukee a few weeks ago, a verbal slip went unnoticed during a panel on the importance of the Latino vote in the United States with two House representatives, Monica de la Cruz, from Texas, and Maria Elvira Salazar, from Floridas 27th district, south of Miami. It was a routine campaign chat. But in the middle of the nearly 40-minute conversation, when the topic of migration was being discussed, Salazar said forcefully: Those who just came in and belong to El Tren de Aragua, we should kill them. Then she caught herself and added: We should pull them by the hair and kick them out. The quick self-correction left the incident as little more than an anecdote, but those few seconds of the conversation reflect the constant changes in immigration rhetoric that the congresswoman must make in order, on the one hand, to be in line with the partys most aggressive stance directly and openly dictated by former president and Republican candidate Donald Trump and, on the other, to demonstrate a little more moderation in appealing to her voters, who are mostly Latinos and migrants. Its not that there isnt an appetite for a tough line among the countrys Latino voters, as there are quite a few who support Trumps measures. And Salazars recurring appeal to import the methods used by Nayib Bukele to deal with organized crime seeks to capitalize on the popularity of the Salvadoran presidents authoritarian and allegedly human rights-violating strategies among the Latin American right. But it hasnt always been that way. A little over a year ago, Maria Elvira Salazar was the main sponsor of a major bipartisan bill to reform the countrys immigration laws. The proposal would reinforce the border intensely, but also open the door to regularizing the 11 million undocumented migrants in the country. Right now the bill, known as the Dignity Act, is still in Congress. The bills language is very different from that which dominates the Republican discourse around migration. The legal project speaks of compassion and dignity for migrants, not mass deportations or false accusations of alleged criminality. But it is also different in substance. The bill was drafted together with other Democratic congressmembers; it is a consensus proposal. In that sense it is similar to the legislation that was arduously negotiated in Congress by the two parties between last November and February, which combined aid to Ukraine and Israel with immigration reform, only to be rejected at the last moment by express order of Trump. Keeping the migration crisis alive is important for his election campaign; furthermore, in the midst of a historic and bloody presidential election like few others, there is no conversation or negotiation with the adversary. Now, the fact of being bipartisan, a label that was proudly launched when the Dignity Act was presented, is not mentioned with the same impetus, if it is mentioned at all. Salazar campaigns in Miami-Dade, Florida, in November 2018. Tom Williams (Getty Images) The bill, which is unlikely to pass in the near future, is being marketed as a comprehensive and lasting solution to reform current immigration laws. It has four ambitious main focuses: ending illegal immigration once and for all, giving dignity to people who live in the shadows, protecting American workers, supporting domestic industry, and growing the economy. The provisions include a budget of $25 billion to secure the border, the upgrade of technology and infrastructure and the reinforcement of border personnel. It also proposes a system to process asylum cases in 60 days in specialized centers located at ports of entry. And all this would be paid for, says the proposal, with the mechanisms included in the next segment of the law, which offers Americas 11 million undocumented immigrants the possibility of enrolling in a seven-year Dignity Program during which they would be able to legally work and pay taxes, but would also be obliged to pay an extraordinary restitution fee of $5,000. They would not be entitled to any federal aid program, but after seven years they could enter another additional five-year process called Redemption Program, after which they could become eligible for citizenship, after having learned English, national civics and having done community service or paid an additional $5,000 in restitution payments. Despite offering dignity, it is not a generous proposal for immigrants, and some critics say that it asks too much of them. But it also does not follow Trumps line, which advocates for the largest deportation in history. During the panel discussion at the party convention, Salazar sought, precisely, a middle ground when she spoke about the proposed law. The idea of granting dignity was still present, but the characterization of illegal immigrants was closer to the one that dominates Republican discourse today. She also said that the law did not give the possibility of citizenship, when that is not true: it does offer the possibility, although after a very long, arduous and expensive process. Salazar also produced a moment of unmasked realpolitik when discussing Trumps immigration policies: Sometimes, that is rhetoric you say while youre campaigning (and) that may not happen. She then clearly stated the economic argument that these workers are needed to keep the economy afloat, going against the party line that claims that migrants steal jobs from Americans. This newspaper contacted Congresswoman Salazars office, but did not received a reply by the time this article was published. Immigration policy is central to Trumps campaign message, as it always has been; it forces his party to abandon consensus and defend extreme measures. These include some well-known ones, such as building a wall on the border, deporting millions of illegal immigrants, intensively pursuing criminals who smuggle people and ending birthright citizenship. The latter is a particularly thorny issue for Salazar, a Florida-born daughter of Cubans, and many other Latino Republicans who have benefited from this right. She has never spoken out openly in favor of the proposal, but neither has she spoken out against it. For Latino Republicans fighting for congressional seats in majority-Latino districts this November, like Salazar, ambivalence is the strategy of the moment. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition In the heat of the first week of her unexpected presidential campaign, Kamala Harris took time, with just over 100 days to go before the election, to host a barbecue on the grounds of her official residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., for a select group of Latino community leaders. The event took place last Thursday and featured Mexican food, papel picado ornaments and a band playing mariachi, salsa, and merengue music. Vice President Harris, who had just spent the day in Houston, Texas, where she gave a rally for a teachers union, welcomed Hispanic members of President Joe Bidens Cabinet: Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Miguel Cardona (Education) and Xavier Becerra (Health), as well as actors Rosario Dawson, Wilson Cruz and America Ferrera, television personality Ana Navarro and dozens of activists who work in defense of the communitys interests. The Voto Latino Foundation, the events co-hosting organization, was one of the first to show its support for the U.S. vice president after Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race. It also pledged to contribute $44 million to Harris campaign in the swing states that could decide the outcome of the presidential election in favor of one side or the other. While the far right seeks to demonize immigrants, destroy our democracy, and limit our rights, she has led the way in defending a multicultural democracy, the organization said in its endorsement message. The group, it announced, will focus its efforts in Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. Harris knows only too well the boost the Hispanic electorate can provide. It proved crucial in her two campaigns as a contender for attorney general of California, a state with a quarter Latino voters. In the 2010 election, they even preferred her to one of their own, popular Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. Her agenda as a presidential candidate connects with them, as Clarissa Martinez de Castro, vice president of the Latino voting initiative of Unidos US, the largest Latino lobby in the country and another of the organizations present at the barbecue, explained last week in an interview with EL PAIS, through her proposals such as the fight for reproductive rights, the expansion of access to health, consumer protection, and increased gun control. Most of us reject the mass deportations [proposed by Trump]. We prioritize the legalization of undocumented immigrants who have been in the country for years. We also expect a firm hand against human and drug traffickers, Martinez de Castro said The day before the event at the vice-presidential residence, the Harris campaign, buoyed by the enthusiasm following Bidens decision to step aside and by donations totaling over $200 million in one week, had outlined in an internal document its plan to retain the White House in which they promised to expand their battlefield to some of those decisive states, including Georgia, which Biden had given up for lost. It is a plan in which the support of Hispanics, with their 36 million votes, is essential. And it is possible, according to their data: the memo cited a poll that concluded that this traditionally Democratic segment of the electorate not only prefers the vice-president to the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, but would also support her more decisively than they would Biden. Harris, according to a CNN poll conducted last week, has 6% more support than the president among the Hispanic electorate, whose voting intention has grown the second-most following the change of candidate, only behind African-Americans (8%). These brighter prospects are essential in two of the seven decisive states in November: Arizona and Nevada, where Latinos represent 21% and 19% of the electorate, respectively. If Biden won both in 2020, it was due to that support. In the head-to-head with Trump, a New York Times/Siena College poll released over the weekend put the share of the vote Harris would receive from Hispanics at 57%, compared to 38% of those who would vote Republican. These numbers may seem reassuring, but they may prove deceptive: they actually hide an unprecedented trend, even if it is one that worse with Biden. In June, the same pollster found that the president led among Latino voters by a single point (45% to 44%). Electoral transfer That is why analysts have been trying all year to decipher how a candidate who promises mass deportation if he gets to the White House can win new support among the community. Its very simple, explains Jaime Florez of the Republican National Committee. Because all those people who are arriving are coming for our jobs, for the places in our childrens schools, for the beds we get in the hospitals; for everything we have been achieving in the last five decades. Latinos have finally realized that Republican values are more aligned with our values, in terms of abortion, family, education... While Republicans have been attempting to apply the label of border czar to Harris, a position she has never held despite the fact that Biden asked her at the beginning of the legislature take charge of relations with Mexico a task in which she had a rather disastrous performance Latino Democratic leaders have embarked on reminding the community what the Trump presidency was like, as Angela Romero, president of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, explains: Anyone who is tempted to vote for him just has to listen to his speeches and how he dehumanizes us, without distinguishing those like me who have been in this country for many generations from those who have just arrived. Its hate-filled rhetoric. Conservative voting intention among Hispanics is, however, a problem for analyst Mike Madrid. These are similar numbers to what Trump obtained in 2020. Its not good and is consistent with the decade-long trend of political assimilation, he said on social networks. The analyst asks for caution while new state-by-state polls are conducted before drawing conclusions, while pointing out something that is often forgotten: Latinos do not form a uniform whole. The majorities of Mexican origin in Arizona are not the same as the Puerto Ricans and Central Americans who dominate Pennsylvania. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Shikoku Shimbun - Jul 31, 2024 - 15:31 | All, Japan, Arts, Travel/Tourism The Kanonji Zenigata Festival, the biggest summer event for Kanonji, Kagawa Prefecture, took place in mid-July, with the marquee Zenigata Yosakoi dance performed by a total of 2,600 people from 60 groups on the event's second day. The July 13-14 festival, held for the 59th time, took place as a two-day event for the first time in five years, following the last such event in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic. Put on hold similarly because of the pandemic, the dancing event also returned for the first time. The performers -- from elementary school pupils to adults from within the prefecture and elsewhere -- displayed their dances at six different venues, including near the city's Civic Hall and in shopping streets. Performances were divided into three formats: street dancing, on-the-spot dancing and stage dancing. Despite being rained on occasionally, participants from each group, wearing matching outfits, performed their dance routines, and their rhythmical steps and dynamic moves thrilled the spectators filling the streets. The dancers gathered at the stage venue from around 8 p.m. to perform for one last time. During a section devoted to Zenigata Odori, a beloved local Bon dance that has been performed to the song of the same name, families were seen joining the dancers. A student music festival was also held as part of the larger event. Twelve groups, including choirs, marching bands and brass bands, consisting of over 400 children from elementary school to high school, performed. During a music event dubbed "Zenigata Live," amateur rock bands got the chance to play on stage, with high school bands drawing particularly enthusiastic reactions from the audience. The Young Entrepreneurs Group of the Kanonji Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted an event named "Let's talk! Let's scream! Kanonji!" Ten groups, including those consisting of junior high school students in Kanonji, expressed their passion for the city. As officials such as Mayor Akihiro Saeki looked on, the young participants suggested promoting the city through movies and anime. Garibenzu Yano, a Kanonji native and comedian serving as the city's promotional ambassador, appeared as a special guest, taking part in a comedy session and other onstage events as he bustled around the venues and interacted with visitors. The Kanonji Zenigata Festival had opened with fireworks on the evening of the first day. Around 4,500 fireworks were launched from the mouth of the Saita River. The pyrotechnic show, dubbed "Zenigata Fireworks," involved 50 percent more fireworks than last year. They were set off to the sound of pop music, giving a new zing to the summertime spectacle. The Shikoku Shimbun Related coverage: Marugame Castle stay added to west Japan city's hometown tax gift choices Lightning bugs put on show to thrill locals in Kagawa Prefecture 666 handmade cherry blossom pinwheels at Kagawa shrine bear visitors' hopes KYODO NEWS - Jul 31, 2024 - 21:24 | All, Japan Toyota Motor Corp. received a correction order from the Japanese government on Wednesday for the first time over improper vehicle certification testing, with the transport ministry saying that the company had cheated in tests for more models than it had previously admitted. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said it has found new irregularities in seven additional models, adding to seven previously reported by Toyota. The Japanese automaker did not follow government instructions in conducting collision and other tests for three models already out of production and four models currently on the market, including the Harrier sport utility vehicle and Lexus LM minivan, the ministry said. Of the newly discovered irregularities, six models gained certification in Britain and Belgium, and the ministry asked authorities in these two countries to ensure their safety. The ministry has already confirmed the safety of the remaining model, the Noah/Voxy minivan, it said. Toyota used different auto parts in tests than those used for mass production and doctored data in collision tests, among other wrongdoings, the ministry said. "We found various cases of intentional misconduct," Hirohisa Tsuruta, a senior ministry official in charge of car certification, said. On July 5, Toyota said that its internal investigation had found no additional cases of improper vehicle testing for certification beyond those concerning the seven previously identified models. However, the new irregularities were uncovered after the ministry conducted further onsite inspections at the firm, placing the world's largest automaker in a difficult position. "We were overly optimistic during the internal investigation," Toyota President Koji Sato told reporters at the ministry, adding that the company is hurriedly drawing up measures to prevent a recurrence." The automaker's interim report of the probe, released on June 3, found that it had conducted certification tests for mass production for seven models in ways not specified by the government. That prompted the ministry to impose a shipping ban on three models currently on the market -- the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio and Yaris Cross -- leading the company to halt their production. Toyota said it will resume production of the three models in September as the ministry confirmed their safety and lifted the shipment ban. Toyota units of Hino Motors Ltd. and Daihatsu Motor Co., as well as its affiliate Toyota Industries Corp., have already received administrative punishments and corrective orders in recent years for having fraudulently obtained certifications. Related coverage: Toyota retains No. 1 spot in 1st half global sales for 5th year Mitsubishi Motors in talks to take part in Honda-Nissan alliance Honda to cut auto output capacity in China for 1st time on weak sales KYODO NEWS - Jul 31, 2024 - 22:07 | All, Japan, World The mayor of Nagasaki on Wednesday said Israel will not be invited to its annual peace ceremony in August commemorating the 1945 atomic bombing of the Japanese city, opting to take a different path from Hiroshima, which has asked the Middle Eastern country to join its ceremony. Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki said in June that he had sent a letter to Israel calling for a cease-fire in the conflict in the Gaza Strip, while leaving an invitation to the Aug. 9 ceremony on hold due to the risk of "unexpected situations" such as protests, amid international condemnation of the country's war conduct. At a press conference Wednesday, Suzuki said he has not seen any moves that will mitigate such risks even as the ceremony nears. He said the "wrenching decision" not to invite Israel is "not a political one but is based on our hope that we want the ceremony conducted smoothly under a solemn atmosphere." The latest development prompted Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen to express his disappointment. Noting that Israel has attended the ceremony "for many years to honor the victims and their families," the ambassador said on social media platform X that Nagasaki's decision is "regrettable" and "sends a wrong message to the world." "Israel is exercising its full right and moral obligation to defend itself and its citizens and will continue to do so," he also said. Following the surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Israel began military operations in the Gaza Strip in retaliation. But international concerns have grown over the deaths and injuries of many civilians in the Palestinian enclave, as well as the dire humanitarian situation there. Hiroshima, for its part, has invited Israel to its Aug. 6 ceremony marking the 79th anniversary of the A-bomb attack there with a message calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. Some residents and others have accused the Hiroshima city government of having a double standard, as Russia and Belarus have been barred from the ceremony for three consecutive years over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Nagasaki also has no plans to invite Russia and Belarus for the third straight year. The Nagasaki mayor said he has already notified Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui of his decision, adding that the "desire to pay respects to the (atomic bomb) victims is the same." Takeshi Yamakawa, an 87-year-old survivor of the Nagasaki bombing, said he is furious over Israel's actions but still wants all countries -- whether it be Israel, a de facto nuclear state, Russia or Belarus -- to be invited to the ceremony to "show them how cruel things happened in Nagasaki 79 years ago." On the other hand, Shigemitsu Tanaka, the 83-year-old head of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council, was against inviting representatives from countries waging armed conflicts in defiance of calls from the international community. He also said the southwestern city should unabashedly take Israel to task over its excesses in Gaza, wondering why the mayor had to insist that the decision was not political. "Maybe it took heed to the Japanese government and the United States," a key ally of Israel, Tanaka said. Each year, Hiroshima and Nagasaki invite delegates from countries and regions across the world to attend their respective peace ceremonies to pray for the victims and affirm that humanity cannot coexist with nuclear arms. The United States dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, and the second on Nagasaki three days later. Around 210,000 people -- mostly civilians -- are estimated to have died as a result of the attacks by the end of 1945. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15 that year, bringing an end to World War II. Related coverage: FEATURE: Nagasaki survivor-doctor works for nuke-free world into his 80s Israel to attend Hiroshima peace ceremony amid call for cease-fire Hiroshima urges Israel to cease Gaza attack in peace ceremony invite KYODO NEWS - Jul 31, 2024 - 09:20 | All, Podcast When do you plan on visiting Japan? Three Kyodo News reporters -- Horiuchi-san, Toma and Eduardo -- talk about the recent influx of tourists to Japan, which is expected to hit a record 35 million people in 2024. Listen as they discuss why the country is experiencing a boom and how some industries have been dealing with overtourism. Article mentioned in the podcast: Japan expecting record 35 mil. foreign visitors in 2024: PM Kishida Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents. Recent episodes: Podcast [English World] Episode 55: Crane games Podcast [English World] Episode 54: Microaggressions Podcast [English World] Episode 53: Gacha capsule toys An important bit of political finance reporting involving local power players and Missouri's political advert superstar of 2024 . . . Here's the quote, links and screencap to back it up from KC's top conservative . . . "The lawyer (Tim Dollar) who helped Jean Peters Baker put former KCPD detective Eric DeValkenaere in prison has donated nearly $150,000 to Bill Eigels PAC." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Developing . . . First and foremost, for a more traditional journalistic accounting of this contest, a local community newspaper has a great write-up that does its best to follow old-school reporting standards. We'll share that first . . . Martin City Telegraph: Get to Know the Candidates: Missouri Senate District 7: Pat Contreras and Patty Lewis However . . . Over the years it has become our "job" to report, analyze and share the deets that other news outlets overlook and/or politely refuse to mention. Accordingly . . . Here's the latest glimpse at this election slap fight that's just now getting interesting: MISSOURI STATE SENATE CAMPAIGN 2024 FEATURING REP. PATTY LEWIS VS. PAT CONTRERAS HAS NOW TURNED TOTALLY HOSTILE BEHIND THE SCENES!!! Contests amongst Kansas City progressives always have a way of getting ugly but this dispute has a few interesting twists. Allegedly . . . Pat Contreras drew "political first blood" by firing off negative mailers about the Missouri voting record of Missouri Rep. Patty Lewis. And then . . . Ms. Lewis quickly fired back and rallied a host of locals to her defense over what REALLY wasn't much of an attack. Double plus good fun . . . In a contest attempting to influence mostly progressives, Rep. Patty Lewis is leveraging her connections with Black community politicos against Pat Contreras. We'll see if he's smart enough to counter. He has a few power players on his side whilst Rep. Lewis leverages her Jeff City connections. Meanwhile, this tactic proves interesting for TKC because we get to keep score whenever many Eastside leaders talk about Black/Brown unity which is a fun game that MIGHT get even more fun when all of those Honduran youngsters in Northeast turn voting age . . . If Bill Eigel doesn't send their parents packing first?!? But I digress . . . We should also mention that Rep. Patty Lewis is doing a better job reaching out to KC's LGBT community. Activist Justice Horn has proclaimed his notable support for Rep. Patty Lewis. Meanwhile . . . Pat Contreras has a much better base amongst moderates and near total support from the KCMO biz community. Something else to consider . . . Kansas City progressives can share a bit of relief because BOTH of these candidates devoutly adhere to support for "abortion rights" in their campaign lit. Tonight's main takeaway from www.TonysKansasCity.com . . . The campaign of Rep. Patty Lewis has leveraged her culture war credentials against Pat Contreras effectively. Meanwhile, older voters (i.e. most voters) might find Contreras more palpable for a serious jorb given that he looks better in a suit and is prettier . . . Sorry, this is all just a mostly pointless Midtown popularity contest anyhoo. Here at TKC . . . WE DO NOT MAKE ENDORSEMENTS . . . And we tried to write this post like a pro sporting contest with just a couple of "hot goss" tidbits to share . . . Trust us, we have more than enough insults to distribute amongst EVERYBODY and we're TRYING to remain snarky but still objective. For now . . . What we know for certain is that this fight is gonna get even messier with Kansas City progressives showing their teeth against each other in a brutal battle royale for power that might or might not help super-minority Missouri Democrats enjoy yet another statewide defeat sweep at the hands of Republicans in November. Developing . . . Check this legal complaint that hinges on political news coverage and reportedly rushed motivations. The basics: Doctors determined she was having a miscarriage but due to Missouri laws, they would not perform an abortion, so she went to Kansas. She was admitted to KU hospital that night, the same night Kansas voters rejected the Value Them Both abortion referendum. Farmer claims KUs doctors would not perform procedures because it would be too risky in the heated political environment and the hospital discharged her two hours later. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Here's an important bit of context for today's social media flex from Mayor Q . . . THE PAST FIVE YEARS IN KANSAS CITY HAVE BEEN THE BLOODIEST IN LOCAL HISTORY FOR MORE THAN A GENERATION!!! Local leaders are quick to take credit for the decline after they mostly denied responsibility over the past half decade. Still . . . Any progress on this tragic issue is welcomed . . . And so it's important to let the mayor make his case: "As of today, we stand at a five year low in homicides at this time of the year. Yet we still have far too many." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com screencap . . . Credit to KICK-ASS TKC READERS for telling us to hurry up and post something about this tonight before our late night update . . . Close readers have already seen this one but it deserves whatever discussion locals can provide since KCMO MSM are keeping it quiet . . . CHECK MISSOURI SENATOR HAWLEY ASKING TOUGH QUESTIONS OF SECRET SERVICE IN TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT HEARING!!! Here are the basics of the best exchange in a post that we hope will elicit some important blog community comments . . . In one clash during aggressive questioning by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Rowe said he could not tip the scales and said we need to allow the investigation to play out. Hawley demanded the firing of a number of Secret Service personnel, from whoever approved the security plan to whoever failed to pull Trump offstage despite warnings about a suspicious person. Isnt the fact that a former president was shot, that a good American is dead, that other Americans were critically wounded isnt that enough mission failure for you to say that the person who decided that building should not be in the security perimeter probably ought to be stepped down? Hawley said, referencing the AGR building Thomas Matthew Crooks fired from. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Secret Service leader grilled by GOP over lack of firings for Trump security failures Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe defended the agency's failure to fire any of the agents involved in the planning and response to the assassination attempt of former President Trump, sayi... 'I don't really care that much about your protocols': Hawley scolds USSS acting director Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe and Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., got into a heated exchange during the Senate Judiciary Committee's questioning on the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. 'Fire Somebody!': Hawley Clashes With Acting Secret Service Director Over Trump Rally Shooting Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) confronted acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe on Tuesday about firing personnel over the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The clash took place as Rowe and FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate appeared before the Senate's Judiciary and Homeland Security committees over the security lapse underlying the attack. Sen. Hawley grills acting Secret Service director: 'Trying to find someone who's accountable here' | Fox News Video Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., grilled Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe about the details of the Trump assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. 'No One Has Been Fired': Hawley Pushes for Accountability from Secret Service on Trump Assassination Attempt - Josh Hawley In a joint hearing today with members of the Senate Judiciary and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committees, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) confronted United States Secret Service (USSS) Acting Director Ronald Rowe, demanding answers for the lack of accountability in the attempted assassination of former President Trump. Here's the best clip of the exchange that gets right to the best part from WSJ . . . Developing . . . KYODO NEWS - Jul 31, 2024 - 08:34 | Feature, All, Japan Masao Tomonaga was aged 2 and in bed with a fever at his home in Nagasaki when the second atomic bomb used in war exploded above the city on Aug. 9, 1945. The blast that killed nearly 74,000 in the southwestern Japan city by the end of 1945 led the now 81-year-old doctor on a path to studying radiation's effect on leukemia and other cancers in survivors. Now an honorary director of the Japanese Red Cross Nagasaki Genbaku Hospital, he also fulfills roles including as chairperson of the survivors' group Nagasaki Prefecture Hibakusha Association and running a care home for those affected by the bomb. He has given his accounts of the bombing by traveling overseas many times, most recently to the United States in November when he organized dialogue sessions with ordinary U.S. citizens, but his telling of the day itself comes from his mother's memories. "She described this great white light, and that she was blinded. Then came the blast wave, half-destroying the house," he recalled. "Beams and pillars holding up the ceiling came down, but fortunately, my futon was right between them. I was lucky to have no injuries when the bomb exploded." About 24 hours before, he had been in Nagasaki University Hospital, located near the hypocenter of the bomb. "A day's difference saved me. One day later, and I'd have been fully exposed, just 600 meters from the blast," Tomonaga reflected. Their home, some 2.5 kilometers from the hypocenter, was quickly consumed by fire, and Tomonaga evacuated to nearby Omura with his mother and grandparents, where the family stayed for around three years. They were rejoined by his father, Masanobu Tomonaga, a physician who returned from Taiwan about a year and a half after the war. Together, the family went back to Nagasaki, where the elder Tomonaga treated atomic bomb survivors who had developed leukemia. Rates of the blood cancer were high among survivors in the years immediately after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and occurrences were greater than in the general population. His father transferred to the school of medicine at Hiroshima University in 1959 for his expertise, and Tomonaga enrolled in high school in the western Japan city, which suffered the first U.S. atomic bombing three days before Nagasaki. "The Hiroshima newspapers often reported new leukemia cases, and I gradually felt concerned because I had been relatively close to the hypocenter," he said. Tomonaga eventually returned to his home city to enroll in medicine at Nagasaki University. There he began researching leukemia and, at his father's suggestion, spent three years gathering information in Nagasaki for the then Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission, a U.S.-Japan project into the bomb's effects. "I wasn't conscious of the bomb initially, but the research showed again how terrible it was," he said. "It was clear radiation from the atomic bomb has an inhumane, extremely appalling effect on the human race. I felt the world needed to know." Tomonaga began his activism in earnest in 1983, joining the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. "The explosion itself was intense, of course, and it was a cruel weapon, but it didn't end there. The atomic bomb left people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki with radiation sickness that affected their cells' ability to reproduce. That is a scientific certainty," he said. In 2013, he spoke at a conference in Norway on the effects of nuclear arms on humans, a gathering credited as leading to the United Nations' 2017 adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. His leukemia research, too, has continued despite rates of the disease having fallen after peaking in the first 10 years following the bombings, with occurrences of other cancers rising instead. In 2005, he published a paper showing survivors with high levels of radiation exposure were more likely to develop myelodysplastic syndromes, a blood cancer in which the bone marrow stops producing healthy blood cells. But by Tomonaga's reckoning, prospects of ridding the world of nuclear arms are at a historic low. He cited nuclear threats in Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war and reports of increasing arsenals in nuclear-possessing states. "The situation is reversing. We have to speak out, but how? As Nagasaki survivors, we concluded that if the people in nuclear countries don't do their part, governments won't change." To help them speak up, Tomonaga traveled to the United States in November with a group of atomic bomb survivors, descendants and others to give their accounts and exchange views with citizens at 20 locations in three American cities. He said he felt a shift in dialogue during the visit. "It used to be harder to argue in America for abolishing nuclear weapons on grounds of inhumanity. It invited responses about Pearl Harbor and Japan starting the war," he said. "But now, the big change I see is people are open to that argument." Partly, he credits the Oscar-winning film "Oppenheimer," about the life of the bomb's creator Robert Oppenheimer, as helping to show younger generations the inhumanity of nuclear weapons. So impressed by the film was Tomonaga that he lent his voice to its promotional campaign upon its Japan release in March. "Oppenheimer was in a dilemma, thinking he was a God of Death. Such a person is of no use to a nuclear-possessing country, so the government cast him out. The fact that a film like that can come from the United States is amazing." Nearly 80 years on, the number of survivors dwindles, with 106,825 government-recognized hibakusha alive at the end of March. Tomonaga is pessimistic about the prospects for abolition and anti-nuclear efforts after survivors, who have played central roles, have all died. "Honestly, there's nothing to be done. We (survivors) don't have an idea either, perhaps apart from asking for research into the effects on DNA to continue," he said. "What we survivors can do at this final stage is travel the world and tell our stories. Researchers can continue showing their work. There's still a lot we can do to appeal to people's common sense," he said. Related coverage: Hiroshima survivor who broke silence at 70 seeks "blue sky" of peace The answer . . . Only if he plans on spending EPIC taxpayer cash. It seems better responses for 911 calls would be one of the easier public safety fixes. But, not so fast, there are multiple levels of bureaucracy to manage in addition to the obvious staffing demands. And so . . . Ironically, we don't advise locals to hold their breath and wait for a quick fix. To start this morning, here's a quick mashup of recent news quotes that help to explain the drama, demands and obstacles that Mayor Q must overcome . . . All whilst campaigning for VP Kamala Harris this fall . . . Check-it: "The average wait time for Kansas City Police or KCPD 911 was a minute and 37 seconds, or more than triple the metro average." "Besides negotiating with the City Council, the Police Board of Commissioners, the Mid America Regional Council KCFD has said in the past that they cannot unify with police without expanding their facility." According to a MARC representative, that technology could be implemented in a day or two. However, implementation has been on hold since April. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Mayor Lucas' 911 plan needs more support over next month Mayor Quinton Lucas continues his push for a Unified 911 Call Center. It was talked about at both City Hall and police headquarters Tuesday. Mayor Lucas continues quest to combine KCPD, KCFD dispatch offices Mayor Quinton Lucas is not giving up on trying to unify the Kansas City Police and Fire Department's call centers, despite it being a vexing task. Kansas City 911 wait times: City proposing merger of police, fire dispatch systems A new proposal would combine the resources of the Kansas City, Missouri, police and fire departments to address the problem of long wait times on 911 calls. Developing . . . KYODO NEWS - Jul 31, 2024 - 18:37 | World, All, Japan China has protested Japan's "negative" remarks made during recent ministerial meetings with the United States and with fellow members of the Quad, also including Australia and India, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. Liu Jinsong, director general of the ministry's Asian Affairs Department, expressed "serious concern and strong dissatisfaction" over the Japan-U.S. and Quad meetings in Tokyo in his talks Tuesday with Akira Yokochi, chief minister at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, it said. The Japanese and U.S. foreign and defense ministers vowed Sunday to explore ways to strengthen so-called extended deterrence, which includes U.S. nuclear protection provided to Japan. On Monday, the four-way ministerial meeting signaled Quad countries' deepening concerns about the situation in the East and South China seas where China has been increasingly assertive. Liu pointed out that Japan's "smear attacks" on China contradict its policy of promoting strategic and mutually beneficial Sino-Japanese ties and urged it to "stop colluding with certain countries to create confrontation." The Japanese Embassy said Yokochi explained Tokyo's stance to Liu and exchanged views with him over bilateral relations and issues of common concern, but it did not provide details. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian criticized extended deterrence as a "Cold War relic" at a press conference Tuesday, saying Japan-U.S. collaboration on nuclear deterrence will "stimulate regional tensions and heighten risks for nuclear proliferation and conflict." Related coverage: Quad nations signal deep concern on tension in East, South China seas Japan PM vows to strengthen alliance with U.S. U.S. to upgrade military command in Japan as concerns grow over China KYODO NEWS - Aug 1, 2024 - 07:04 | Feature, All, Japan Hiroshi Harada was 6, waiting with his parents for a train at Hiroshima Station, when the atomic bomb exploded on Aug. 6, 1945, leveling the western Japan city. His career would become entwined with that event, seeing him serve as director of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum from 1993 to 1997, a period which coincided with the blast's 50th anniversary and a controversial joint exhibition with the United States that brings him regret to this day. Reflecting on the moment Hiroshima and the world were brought into the nuclear age, the 85-year-old said, "At first there was a great light, but how it had emerged -- no one knew. People didn't know the horror that was coming for them." At that moment, amid an intense heat, Harada says, his father instinctively used his body to shield him from the blast. He survived the impact largely unharmed. "It was truly a miracle. Nearly everyone around the station was killed instantly," he said. Harada briefly blacked out and when he returned to consciousness, the area around them had been largely destroyed, though the station's main building was one of the few structures still standing. "Without it, we would have been directly exposed. The heat near the hypocenter was around 4,000 C," he said. With the flames encroaching, his father said they should run. They headed east through the ruined city, and in their haste to survive, they were left with no choice but to run on top of the mass of people who had collapsed in the street. "I didn't know if they were dead. We did that to save our lives," he said. "It still pains me to think, why did I have to step on other people's bodies to save myself? It's something I don't like to think or talk about." In 1963, Harada became a public servant working at the Hiroshima city government, later rising to the position of director of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which is dedicated to preserving memories of the atomic bombing. Artifacts on show at the facility include clothes belonging to children who died from burns caused by the bomb, pictures and drawings of victims and other effects belonging to people who lost their lives as a consequence of that day. But an unsuccessful collaboration for a 50th-anniversary exhibition in the United States during his tenure weighs on his heart. The plan, in the making for years, would have seen the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum exhibit the Enola Gay B-29 bomber that dropped the Little Boy atomic bomb on Hiroshima, alongside objects melted in the blast and testimony from survivors. "(Then Director Martin Harwit) believed it wasn't enough just to say that America won because of the atomic bombing. He believed what happened on the ground due to the bombing needed to be conveyed, too," Harada said. "But in America, it was taken as a rejection of the atomic bombing." The plan drew a strong backlash from a U.S. Air Force veterans group, while opposition was also aired by lawmakers in the U.S. Congress. Harwit eventually resigned in May 1995. Ultimately, the exhibit went ahead in June of that year, showcasing the fuselage of the Enola Gay, but without any articles donated from Japan to offer perspectives on what it was like to be on the receiving end of its destructive power. "All I can say is that it was utterly regrettable," Harada said, adding, "I went to the museum several times and seeing inside made me painfully aware that the museum was meant to show a history of glory." "There wasn't a desire to think about the effects of the bomb. It made me feel we still have work to do to convey what happened, and that if we do, it could lead to an end to nuclear weapons," he said. While Harada has guided many dignitaries around the Hiroshima museum, he has fond memories of meeting then Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in 1995. During the tour, the imperial couple turned to Harada, asking him to describe his experiences of the bombing. "Once I started speaking, they kept their gazes fixed on me as they listened," he recalled. "I think it made a strong impression on them as they heard how awful the bombing was." About two months later, when the imperial couple was back in Hiroshima for a visit to remember the atomic-bomb dead, the emperor sought him out to thank him for their previous meeting. He urged Harada to take care of himself as he made efforts toward peace. "I hadn't expected it and didn't know what to say to the emperor in that situation, so I was lost for words," Harada said. The number of atomic bombing survivors continues to fall with the passing years, down to 106,825 government-recognized survivors as of the end of March from a peak of 372,264 in March 1981, according to health ministry data. Many have died without their wish to see a world without nuclear weapons realized, and various conflicts, including in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, have led to a rise in global tensions. And while the total number of nuclear warheads continues to fall, operational warhead numbers are rising, up by nine to an estimated 9,585 as of January from a year earlier among nine states, including nuclear powers the United States and Russia, and de-facto nuclear states such as North Korea, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's annual report issued in mid-June showed. "Around 140,000 lives were lost to the Hiroshima bombing, and around 70,000 of them are still unidentified...For their sake, atomic bomb survivors and people the world over must take action to eliminate nuclear arms," Harada said. Related coverage: FEATURE: Nagasaki survivor-doctor works for nuke-free world into his 80s Hiroshima survivor who broke silence at 70 seeks "blue sky" of peace People take part in a protest against the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh in the West Bank city of Hebron, on July 31, 2024. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday denounced the assassination of Haniyeh as "a cowardly act and a dangerous development," calling on the Palestinian people to "unite, be patient and steadfast in the face of Israel," according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua) CAIRO, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Countries in the Middle East on Wednesday strongly condemned the alleged Israeli attack earlier in the day that killed Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital of Tehran. Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed early Wednesday when their residence was hit in Tehran, according to a statement by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, adding the attack was under investigation and the results would be announced later. The Israeli army has no comment on the incident yet. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas denounced the assassination of Haniyeh as "a cowardly act and a dangerous development," calling on the Palestinian people to "unite, be patient and steadfast in the face of Israel," according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA. Meanwhile, Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said on social media platform X that, "We consider it a cowardly act," which "pushes us to remain more steadfast in the face of the occupation and achieving the unity of the Palestinian forces and factions." The Palestinian National and Islamic Forces on Wednesday declared a general strike across Palestine, condemning the assassination, according to WAFA. Describing the attack as a "terrorist act," the Syrian Foreign Ministry highlighted in a statement that the "heinous act" follows a series of Israeli assaults on various locations in the region, including the occupied Syrian Golan, Lebanon, and Iraq. The ministry further denounced the attack as a violation of Iranian sovereignty and "a blatant breach of international law." In a post on social media platform X, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan "strongly condemned the treacherous assassination" of Haniyeh, saying the act was "a despicable attempt to undermine the Palestinian cause, the resistance of Gaza, and the rightful struggle of our Palestinian brothers." The Turkish president called for a united stance from the Islamic world to end the "oppression" in Gaza, adding his country will continue to support the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital A statement issued by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said, "This aggressive operation is a flagrant violation of international laws and a threat to security and stability in the region." The ministry called on the international community to be responsible and take necessary measures to stop the repeated attacks and violations of the sovereignty of states, the statement said. Jordan said this act, a violation of international law and international humanitarian law, is "a provocative crime" that will lead to more tension and chaos in the region, according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry. Sufian Qudah, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed Jordan's position in condemning political assassinations, violence, and terrorism regardless of their motives. Qudah also expressed Jordan's condolences to the State of Palestine and its people, and to the family of Haniyeh and his companion, may they rest in peace. In a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Egypt said the dangerous Israeli escalations in the past two days "will ignite confrontations in the region in a way that causes serious security consequences." "The coincidence of this regional escalation amid lack of progress in the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza increases the complexity of the situation, indicates the absence of Israeli political will for achieving calm, and undermines Egypt and its partners' efforts to stop the war in the Gaza Strip," it said. In a press conference, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf condemned the "treacherous and heinous terrorist act," describing the "blatant disregard for basic humanitarian, legal, political, and ethical norms" as "appalling." Attaf also extended his deepest condolences and sympathy to the Palestinian people, noting that the Algerian people share in their suffering during this difficult time. Since Oct. 7 last year, Israel has been launching a large-scale strike on Hamas. According to Gaza health authorities, the Israeli offensive has led to the killing of over 39,445 Palestinians in the enclave, while the UN estimated that nearly 2 million people there have been displaced. People take part in a protest against the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh in the West Bank city of Hebron, on July 31, 2024. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday denounced the assassination of Haniyeh as "a cowardly act and a dangerous development," calling on the Palestinian people to "unite, be patient and steadfast in the face of Israel," according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua) People take part in a protest against the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh in the West Bank city of Nablus, on July 31, 2024. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday denounced the assassination of Haniyeh as "a cowardly act and a dangerous development," calling on the Palestinian people to "unite, be patient and steadfast in the face of Israel," according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) People take part in a protest against the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh in the West Bank city of Nablus, on July 31, 2024. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday denounced the assassination of Haniyeh as "a cowardly act and a dangerous development," calling on the Palestinian people to "unite, be patient and steadfast in the face of Israel," according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) Massachusetts is set to offer free community college starting this fall after Gov. Maura Healey signed the $57.7 billion state budget this week. The budget includes $93.5 million for the new MassEducate program, which will cover all tuition and fees for students attending any of the state's 15 community colleges - with a catch. Only those who have never earned a degree are eligible. The program also provides a $1,200 stipend for books and supplies, based on income. This move removes the previous age limit of 25, extending tuition-free access to all eligible students. Massachusetts joins over 30 states offering some form of tuition-free community college. A Regis University professor has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife and baby. Nicholas Myklebust called 911 early on Monday morning to report that his wife, Seorin Kim, was bleeding on the ground. He also told police that his baby daughter appeared to not be breathing. When investigators arrived to the family's home, they found Kim laying on the ground with injuries on her face and head. She was taken to the hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The infant daughter was pronounced dead at the scene, even though she showed no visible injuries, police said. The deaths took place just three years after the couple's first daughter died due to a skull fracture. Charges were not filed in that child's death. Myklebust was questioned by police, who said that his knuckles were bruised and bloody. He was brought to the Denver police station for further questioning. Ultimately, the Denver District Attorney's Office will determine the charges against Myklebust. Regis University, where Myklebust taught English, shared a statement with the public. "Regis University is deeply saddened to learn that a member of our faculty, Nicholas Myklebust has been charged with a serious crime. This news is profoundly distressing for our entire community. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this situation, especially the victims' family, and all members of our community who are grappling with this difficult news. In moments of such sorrow and confusion, we are reminded of our Jesuit values to offer compassion, and to seek justice with love." This photo taken on July 31, 2024 shows Beijing Pass, a multi-purpose card for international visitors, in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua) BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese capital introduced the Beijing Pass, a multi-purpose card for international visitors, on Wednesday, facilitating their payment for transportation, tourist sites and shopping centers. With a maximum balance of 1,000 yuan (about 140.16 U.S. dollars), the Beijing Pass not only supports card payments for the Beijing Subway, suburban railways and taxis within Beijing, but also for public transportation in over 300 cities across China, including major tourist destinations like Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Nanjing. Moreover, international visitors can also use the card to purchase tickets for 30 popular tourist attractions in Beijing, such as the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and the Badaling section of the Great Wall. Starting on Wednesday, international visitors can purchase or refund the Beijing Pass at 15 locations in Beijing, including Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing Daxing International Airport and Beijing Railway Station, with a valid ID. Cardholders can top up their Beijing Pass at 490 stations across the city's 27 subway lines through service counters or designated self-service machines. They can also add funds online via the "SilkPass" mobile application. "In the future, we will continue to monitor the needs of international visitors and expand the card's functions and usage scenarios to make it more convenient and versatile," said Feng Ya, a member of staff at Beijing Municipal Administration & Communication Card Co., Ltd., which issues the card. As one of China's top tourist destinations, Beijing received more than 1.65 million inbound tourists in the first half of this year, up 245.6 percent year on year, according to official data. Meanwhile, many other cities across China have implemented similar measures to ensure a smooth travel experience for international visitors. For instance, the Shanghai Pass, a multi-purpose prepaid card for foreign visitors launched this May, can be used for payments at tourist spots, convenience stores in Shanghai, and for public transportation in over 330 Chinese cities. A woman uses Beijing Pass to take the subway in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua) This photo taken on July 31, 2024 shows Beijing Pass, a multi-purpose card for international visitors, in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua) This photo taken on July 31, 2024 shows Beijing Pass, a multi-purpose card for international visitors, in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua) International visitors read manuals for Beijing Pass at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua) The University of Missouri has announced it will dissolve its Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Division, amid a national debate over the need for DEI programs at higher education institutions. President Mun Choi explained the decision during a news conference on Tuesday, citing a series of policy changes at the university, including the removal of diversity hiring statements and the end of race-conscious scholarships. Choi stated that these rollbacks were necessary to prevent legislative bills aimed at reducing or eliminating DEI programs. Thirteen bills have been introduced in Missouri's legislature over the past two years, though none have passed. But given the shifting landscape of diversity initiatives on college campuses locally and nationwide, Choi argued that dissolving the IDE division was the "sustainable path forward." The reorganization, effective Aug. 15, will see the IDE division's functions distributed across other departments, with no staff layoffs planned. Choi emphasized that the university remains committed to inclusivity, stating, "We need to ensure that it doesn't exclude in the name of inclusion, and to ensure that we are serving all students, faculty, and staff, and that no one is left out because of their background." The move comes as several states --- including Florida, Utah, Texas, Alabama and Iowa --- have enacted legislation targeting DEI programs in public universities. While Missouri has not yet passed a law mandating such bans, the university's decision appears to be a preemptive measure to mitigate political and budgetary risks. The change also coincides with the departure of IDE Division Vice Chancellor Maurice Gipson, who will leave to become interim president at Philander Smith University in Little Rock, Arkansas, in mid-August. Republican State Sen. Ben Brown, who has introduced several anti-DEI proposals, praised the move on Tuesday, arguing that universities should focus on education rather than "wasting resources pushing divisive DEI policies." However, Charles Nilon, a Black professor at the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, criticized the decision. Nilon believes it undermines the value of DEI initiatives, potentially impacting students of color and others involved in the programs. "His decision allows DEI initiatives in the state to be diminished, and I think it will not only impact students of color but all the students involved in [IDE] programs," he told the Columbia Missourian. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jul, 2024) Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday reiterated government's commitment to support development of Gilgit-Baltistan for the overall economic growth. The minister was chairing a meeting of the Committee on the issues of Gilgit-Baltistan, according to press release issued by finance ministry. Aurangzeb expressed his appreciation for the well-thought-out proposals presented in the meeting and underscored the importance of reforming GB's administrative and fiscal frameworks. He emphasized that these reforms were vital for both the welfare of the local population and the stimulation of tourism. According to the press release, the meeting commenced with a detailed briefing by the Chief Secretary, who outlined the issues faced by the GB government. Some of these issues were related to insufficient fund allocations and delays in Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects, which lead to employee related and other liabilities. The Chief Secretary advocated for solar power projects designed to address the regions growing energy requirements. He also proposed initiatives for the digitization of land records and the expansion of airports to enhance tourism potential. These proposals aim to modernize GBs infrastructure and capitalize on its natural beauty, further contributing to the region's economic development. Among others, the meeting was attended by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Engineer Amir Muqam; Minister for Finance-GB, Muhammad Ismail; Minister for Agriculture-GB, Mohammad Anwar; Ex CM GB Hafiz, Hafeez Ur Rehman; Chief Secretary GB; Member WAPDA and other officials from relevant Ministries. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jul, 2024) A lower court on Wednesday granted the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) a three-day physical remand of three accused in a major corruption case involving the Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation (APPC), the state-run news organization. The Anti-Corruption Wing of the FIA presented the three accusedGhawas Khan, former Project Director at APPC; Musawar Imran, former Deputy Director; and Saad Muddasar, former Chief Computer Engineerbefore Civil Judge Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Abbas Shah. At the beginning of the hearing, the FIAs investigation officer explained that the accused were arrested following the dismissal of their interim bail petitions by the high court. The officer requested a fourteen-day physical remand to facilitate the recovery of records and funds. In response, APPCs counsel, Sardar Yaqoob Mastoi Advocate, argued that the accused, all members of the procurement committee, had submitted 60 cheques to the AGPR with forged signatures. He alleged that Rs124 million, public money, was embezzled through these fraudulent activities and urged the court to grant the FIAs request for physical remand to recover the stolen funds. Defense attorneys opposed the request, contending that the case dated back to 2022, involving a total of 11 accused. They noted that their clients had been on interim bail for four months and had cooperated with the investigation. They requested the court to deny the physical remand. After considering the arguments, the court approved a three-day physical remand of the accused. It is pertinent to mention that Islamabad High Court's (IHC) Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri had dismissed the interim bail petitions of the accused the previous day, leading to their arrest by the FIA outside the courtroom. APPCs legal advisor, Sardar Yaqoob Mastoi, informed the high court that the accused had attempted to evade arrest despite the lower court's termination of their bail. He alleged that the accused had inflicted significant financial loss on the state-run news agency through their corrupt actions. The FIA has filed a corruption case against the accused, which includes Ghawas Khan, Musawar Imran, Saad Muddasar, Bilal Zafar (former Deputy Director of the Cyber Wing, Ministry of Information), Arshad Majeed Chaudhry (former Manager Accounts, APPC), Ziaullah Bhutto (former Director Admin & P&D), and officials from several companies including M/s Tejaria Pakistan Private Limited, M/s New Horizon, M/s Arrtek System, M/s Commtel, and M/s Media Links. The charges include Sections 34, 409, 420, 468, and 471 of the Pakistan Penal Code, read with Section 5(2)47 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA). The accused are alleged to have conspired as members of the procurement committee to unlawfully award a contract worth Rs113 million without the required approval from the APPC Managing Director, violating PPRA rules. The FIR also accuses them of falsifying minutes of the 8th meeting in collusion with one another. SARGODHA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jul, 2024) The district administration arrested five shopkeepers accused of profiteering in various parts of city,here on Wednesday. According to official sources,the price control magistrates inspected various points including University road,Chungi no 09 and Khushab road and found that shopkeepers namely--Khursheed,Liaqat,Jabbar,Safdar and Naveed were involved in profiteering. The magistrates got registered cases and also imposed fines on them. (@ChaudhryMAli88) LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jul, 2024) Chairperson of the Women Protection Authority Hina Pervaiz Butt met Punjab Home Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal here on Wednesday to discuss protection of rights of women and marginalised segments of society. She said the chief minister's mission is to end oppression of women and marginalised segments. She emphasised that standing firmly against the oppressor and ensuring justice for the oppressed was the government mission. The chairperson mentioned that cases of serious crimes would be pursued to their logical conclusion through the Organised Crime Unit. The Punjab home secretary said forensic reports in cases related to women should be prepared as a top priority and should be submitted within 48 hours. He assured that the Punjab Home Department would provide all possible support to the Women Protection Authority. Hina Pervaiz Butt asked women not to feel alone, stating that all state institutions are actively working for their protection. (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jul, 2024) Commonwealth Secretary General RT Patricia Scotland on Wednesday said that Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has remarkably provided opportunities, resources and support to the youth. She expressed these views while addressing the Young Entrepreneurs Awards distribution ceremony here at the Prime Ministers office. Under the leadership of Chairman Prime Minister Youth Program Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, this program is taking significant steps to empower the youth, she said. There is a need to empower the youth and harness modern technology for the prosperous future of the country and Commonwealth Organization is committed to providing all possible facilities to the innovators, she said. Patricia said she is grateful to the people and government of Pakistan for their warm welcome and hospitality in the country. I have worn a Pakistani dress which proves that I am also a Pakistani. The efforts of the government of Pakistan under the leadership of the Prime Minister to empower the youth are commendable, she said. She said the Pakistani government is taking steps to highlight the potential of the youth as per the Chartered Commonwealth of Nations adding efforts to provide employment and business facilities to the youth reflect their commitment. The Commonwealth secretary said that 60 percent of the youth in the world are below 30 years of age, while 65 percent of the youth in Pakistan are between 18 to 30 years of age. Pakistan can lead the country on the path of development by training the youth in modern technology and making them skilled so that they can also play an important role in the development of the world, she said. She said that the commonwealth recognizes the courage and determination of the youth for country's national and economic development, as young people are the driving force to bring a change. She also lauded the role of Chairman Prime Minister Youth Program Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan for taking crucial steps for empowering youth through various initiatives and promgrammes. She said that the recipients of the Young Entrepreneurs Awards need to transform themselves in the context of a rapidly changing world through the emerging multi-billion Dollar market of artificial intelligence. Speaking on the occasion, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan thanked the Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland for her maiden visit to Pakistan for strengthening the relations of Pakistan with the Commonwealth. He said that Pakistan's ranked as 3rd in the employment and opportunity category of the global Youth Development Index by the Commonwealth is a testament to the incredible potential and resilience of our young entrepreneurs. This achievement is not merely a statistic but a reflection Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's vision. Under the Prime Minister's Youth Loan and Agricultural Scheme, started in 2013,as many as 186 billion had been distributed among more than two lakh eighty thousand young entrepreneurs, creating countless employment opportunities across the nation. He said that during the last 18 months ,as many as Rs 110 billion had been distributed under PM loan scheme. The Non -performing loans under the said scheme are less than 3 percent which reiterate the transparency and effectiveness of this loan scheme. The Chairman PMYP added that the holistic approach of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme is designed to equip the youth with the necessary skills through the Prime Ministers Skill development programme, with advanced gadgets and offer financial assistance through PM Youth loan schemes. A documentary on Pakistan culture and diversity was also exhibited on the occasion. United States (US) Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Andrew Schofer and Consul General Lahore Kristin Hawkins on Wednesday welcomed 300 new students in Multan to the US government-funded English Access Scholarship Program an opportunity for youth ages 13 to 20 from disadvantaged communities to improve their English skills, learn about American culture and develop leadership abilities ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jul, 2024) United States (US) Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Andrew Schofer and Consul General Lahore Kristin Hawkins on Wednesday welcomed 300 new students in Multan to the US government-funded English Access Scholarship Program an opportunity for youth ages 13 to 20 from disadvantaged communities to improve their English skills, learn about American culture and develop leadership abilities. The Access program is about far more than just gaining English-language proficiency. It develops future leaders by teaching leadership skills that extends beyond the classroom and into practical life, said DCM Schofer. The English Access Scholarship Program is one of the highlights of the longstanding cooperation between the US and Pakistan. Since 2004, more than 27,000 Pakistani students have graduated from the Access program, including more than 6,000 in Punjab Province. The US Mission is currently sponsoring English programs in three cities across Punjab Faisalabad, Multan, and Dera Ghazi Khan and looks forward to continuing its educational partnerships across Pakistan. While in South Punjab, DCM Schofer also visited the Lincoln Corner at the University of Education in Vehari. The US Mission in Pakistans network of 20 Lincoln Corners at universities across the country offer a welcoming space for open dialogue, where students can use technology and learn employable skills for the future. Lincoln Corners also provide access to vital resources on exchange programs, studying in the US, scholarships, and English language learning. DCM Schofer also attended the Pakistan-US Alumni Networks South Punjab Chapter reunion, which included alumni from Multan, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, and other districts. Since 1950 the US government has fostered mutual understanding through educational exchanges, benefiting thousands of individuals. More than 44,000 Pakistanis are alumni of these opportunities. Pakistani alumni of US exchange programs play a significant role in the US-Pakistan relationship, and many are leaders in business, education, government, and the non-profit sector, contributing positively to their communities. MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jul, 2024) US Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer said on Wednesday that US government provided support to 30,000 students to improve their English language skills across the Pakistan. He said this while talking to journalists after attending ceremony of Access Scholarship Programme, which is especially introduced for English language learning. Andrew Schofer stated that US government was offering scholarships to students for last 20 years. He stated that the US government was supporting in some other programmes also to develop leadership qualities and improve professional skills. About his ongoing visit to Multan, he remarked that he was very happy to visit Multan. In his addressing during ceremony, the US diplomat stated that he was much impressed to witness the cultural performances of the students. About English Access Scholarship programme, he hinted that the students would surely upgrade their English linguistic skills. We want the students should succeed, he maintained. Andrew added that the programme was being run since 2004 and so far 30,000 students got the scholarships for language learning. Pinning high hopes from the new batch of 300 students, he stated that they would be able to speak English in near future. English Access Scholarship Program is one of the highlights of the longstanding cooperation between the United States and Pakistan Vice Chancellor education University Asim Saeed also spoke and it was highly beneficial programme. It will not only help educate the kids but 300 families too. He also assured of all possible cooperation for the success of the programme. Highlighting the different features of the programme, The Coordinator Ms Rahat and some other officials informed the services of the 40 teachers were availed for the imparting language skill to students. Initially, over 100 teachers from across the region applied, however 40 were selected following a proper criteria. Similarly, nearly 1000 students applied for the scholarship and 300 were being offered scholarships, they maintained. On this occasion, the students presented tableaus and other performances especially relating to rich culture of south Punjab. The matchless performances enthralled the audiences. US Consul General Ms Kristin K Hawkins and some other guests were also present. Later on, Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer also visited Lutfabad Mango Farm (LMFPU). In past, LMFPU was benefited from the USAID-funded FIRMS project (2009-2014) and the Agricultural Market Development (AMD) Project (2015-2019). It provided support to farms to gain GlobalGAP certification and to establish infrastructure such as a mango packing house and cold storage. Similarly, AMD provided state-of-the-art graders to 13 mango processing facilities in Punjab and Sindh. USAID supported LMFPU by assisting mango growers to expand exports to international high-end markets by meeting their grading and packaging requirements, the official stated. APP/atf 1200 hrs (@FahadShabbir) The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has awarded contract worth Rs. 21.534 billion for installation of telemetry system at 27 key points on Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) for real-time discharge monitoring LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jul, 2024) The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has awarded contract worth Rs. 21.534 billion for installation of telemetry system at 27 key points on Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) for real-time discharge monitoring. The contract has been awarded to a Joint Venture (JV) comprising CDigital and HBCC along with Siemens as Sub-Contractor in the JV. As per the contract, the telemetry system, after the installation, will be commissioned in December 2026, according to WAPDA spokesman here Wednesday. Chief Engineer and Project Director Indus Telemetry Project Waseem Ali and Chief Executive Officer CDigital, Muhammad Ahsan Bashir signed the agreement on behalf of WADA and the JV respectively in a ceremony. Member IRSA (Punjab), WAPDAs Member (Finance), Member (Water), Member (Power), General Manager (Hydro Resource Management) and representatives of 45 Engineering Division, the Consultants and the Contractors also attended the ceremony. It is important to note that the Ministry of Water Resources has entrusted WAPDA with the crucial task of implementing a Telemetry System on Indus Basin Irrigation System in order to address the issues of water distribution among the federating units. NEW DELHI, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in Tuesday's multiple landslides in India's southern state of Kerala crossed the 150-mark on Wednesday, even as nearly 100 others were still missing, confirmed an official of the local revenue department to Xinhua over phone. Rescue work was still going on. More than 140 injured persons were admitted to different local hospitals, he said. "Out of the total dead bodies, 75 have been identified, and process is on to ascertain the identity of the rest. Besides, 97 persons, including 54 women and 43 men, are still missing," a local police official told Xinhua over phone. According to him, nearly 50 relief camps had been set up accommodating more than 3,500 people who were rendered homeless after being hit by the landslides. Triggered by heavy rains, three landslides had struck Meppadi area in Kerala's Wayanad district early on Tuesday while people were still asleep. Media reports said that it was a massive natural tragedy rendering huge losses, including loss of human lives and property. "Death toll in Wayanad landslides touches 156, rescue operations on war footing. Hundreds more are feared trapped as multiple agencies and the Indian Army race against time to save as many lives as possible," said an online report by India Today on Wednesday. (@FahadShabbir) New York, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jul, 2024) The son of the former Sinaloa drug cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a raft of charges linked to one of the world's biggest illicit narcotics operations, prosecutors said. Joaquin Guzman Lopez was arrested in a scheme allegedly orchestrated by Washington without the involvement of Mexico, in which he was detained in Texas last Thursday. The judge in the case denied bail and remanded him in custody, ordering a case management hearing for September 30, the assistant US Attorney's office said in a statement to AFP. Many of the details of the arrest operation, in which co-founder of the cartel Ismael Zambada Garcia, known as "El Mayo," was also taken into US custody, remain murky. US media have quoted law enforcement sources as saying that Zambada was unwittingly lured across the Mexico border by Guzman Lopez, one of "El Chapo's" four sons. According to a US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) report released in May, the sons were engaged in an "internal battle" against Zambada, their father's former partner. Guzman Lopez was indicted by a Federal grand jury on charges of drug trafficking, money laundering and weapons charges, according to court documents previously released by prosecutors. Broadcaster CNN reported that Guzman Lopez's lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, told reporters his client faces the death penalty in the case. Lichtman did not return an AFP request for comment. There was "no agreement between Joaquin Guzman and the government. Period," Lichtman told reporters in Chicago. Zambada's lawyer, Frank Perez, has maintained since Sunday that his client was "kidnapped" and taken to the United States against his will. Zambada pleaded not guilty on Friday to drug trafficking and money laundering charges before a federal judge in Texas, and has another court appearance scheduled for Thursday in El Paso. Guzman Lopez, aged in his 30s, is among the sons of "El Chapo" known collectively as "Los Chapitos," or "The Little Chapos." "El Chapo" was convicted of drug charges in New York in 2019 and is serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison. DEA chief Anne Milgram said Zambada's arrest "strikes at the heart of the cartel that is responsible for the majority of drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, killing Americans from coast to coast." A Greek court on Wednesday acquitted two men held over the 2021 murder of a prominent investigative journalist, a case that sparked widespread concern about press freedom in the country Athens, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jul, 2024) A Greek court on Wednesday acquitted two men held over the 2021 murder of a prominent investigative journalist, a case that sparked widespread concern about press freedom in the country. Giorgos Karaivaz, 52, was gunned down in broad daylight in April 2021 outside his home in an Athens suburb by two men on a motorcycle. Reading out the verdict, presiding judge Andreas Lilos said the two brothers on trial, Ioannis and Efstratios Lalas, were "innocent" of the charges. Charged with voluntary homicide as suspected hitmen carrying out a contract against Karaivaz, the pair were acquitted on lack of evidence, he added. "We respect the verdict," Karaivaz's sister told reporters outside the court. "We will await however, we have patience and we will await for the (perpetrators and those who hired them) to be found," she said. Ioannis Lalas will remain under police custody and will go on trial in September in connection with another murder. Defence lawyer Souli Stavri said Karaivaz was killed as part of an ongoing war between crime families. She said that overall there were "thirty murders that have yet to be solved", citing "a cycle of blood and blackmail". Karaivaz's assassination was a major contributing factor in press freedom NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) placing Greece in last place among EU states in its annual press freedom report. The RSF 2024 report published in May puts Greece in 88th place out of 180 countries, behind EU partners Hungary and Poland. RSF's head for the European Union and Balkans, Pavol Szalai, called Wednesday's verdict "a sad week of impunity for crimes committed against Greek journalists". UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jul, 2024) A new United Nations Security Council report has underscored the grave threat to Pakistans security posed by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), saying there is an increased collaboration between the TTP and Afghan Taliban in the cross-border terrorist attacks mainly against Pakistani military posts. "With Taliban acquiescence, and at times support, TTP has intensified attacks inside Pakistan primarily targeting military installations," said the report from the Council's Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team concerning ISIL (Daesh), Al-Qaeda and associate groups, pointing out that Pakistan suffered more than 800 attacks in the past several months. "TTP camps with Al-Qaeda and Taliban involvement focus on training local Afghan fighters and TTP operatives," it said, noting that TTP has 6,000 and 6,500 fighters who continue to use NATO weapons obtained in Afghanistan, while also emphasizing the role of night vision capability. "Al-Qaeda is funding purchases of weapons and suicide vests for TTP," the report added. "The terrorist threat emanating from Afghanistan is causing heightened concern in many (UN) member states," according to the report. Pakistan has consistently drawn the attention of the international community to the security threat it faces from the TTP terrorists who it says also have external support. The report said, "There is heightened concern among member states about the terrorist threat emanating regionally from Afghanistan from ISIL-Khorassan and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in particular; new inward travel to Afghanistan of some Al-Qaeda personnel and training, recruitment and reorganization activities.' It cites several UN member states as saying that the Al-Qaeda figure Abu Ikhlas-al Masri was actively collaborating with Jamaat-ul-Ahrar in providing suicide bomber training to TTP in Kunar Province, with two states holding TTP responsible for the March 26 attack against Chinese nationals working on a hydropower dam project near Besham in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. "There is increased support and collaboration between TTP and the Taliban, sharing manpower and training camps in Afghanistan and conducting more lethal attacks under the banner of Tehrik-e Jihad Pakistan (TJP). Therefore, TTP could transform into an umbrella organization for other terrorist groups," the report said. ISIL-K or Da'esh, it said, remains the most serious threat, projecting terror beyond Afghanistan, while Al-Qaeda exercises strategic patience, prioritizing its relationship with the Taliban. "Some Member States estimate that ISIL-K has increased from 4,000 to 6,000 fighters, despite the loss of territory and attrition among leadership, while others assess its strength remaining at between 2,000 and 3,500 fighters," the report said, adding it was difficult to estimate an accurate figure. "ISIL-K has relocated some personnel away from its core area of Kunar and Nangarhar, with factions migrating to Badakhshan, Herat and Nimroz Provinces, adopting an asymmetric warfare strategy better suited to local conditions and to resist Taliban pressure," it said, adding, "The group aspires to control Afghan territory from which to infiltrate neighbouring countries, expanding the terrorist threat to Central Asia, the Russian Federation and Iran." At the same time, the report said that ISIL-K perceives the Taliban as an ideological enemy and opposes the notion of a Pashtun-centric Taliban governance. "The groups narrative aims to reduce the Talibans credibility among the Afghan population and trigger sectarian fault lines, promoting the idea that the Taliban has deviated from Islamic principles, while portraying itself as advancing the 'wider Khorasan'. As regards Al-Qaeda, its status, location, and strength in Afghanistan have not changed, remaining dormant, according to the report, noting that this group remains strictly hierarchical. "Despite lacking current capacity to conduct large-scale operations externally, Al-Qaeda seeks to strengthen cooperation with regional terrorist organizations of non-Afghan origin, such as ETIM/TIP, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and Jamaat Ansarullah (JA) for expansion to Central Asia." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to allow some Russian athletes to compete at the Paris Games as "piecemeal" sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine Rivne, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jul, 2024) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to allow some Russian athletes to compete at the Paris Games as "piecemeal" sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. The West has imposed an unprecedented package of economic sanctions on Moscow since its February 2022 invasion but Ukraine has urged its allies to step up the penalities to strangle Russian revenues that fund its war effort. In response to Russia's invasion, the IOC banned Russia and its ally Belarus from competing as teams. The few athletes allowed to participate cannot wear team colours and their national anthems will not be played. "Any country in the world can see that if there are athletes competing under the neutral flag today, they are athletes from Russia and Belarus," Zelensky said. "I believe that these are piecemeal sanctions," he told French media in an interview on Tuesday. He also said he had been invited to the opening ceremony of the Olympics Games by French President Emmanuel Macron but did not attend because of "tense" fighting in eastern Ukraine. "I would have loved to attend, if this wasn't such a difficult time in my country," he said. "It is a tense moment in the east of our country. We are in a difficult situation." Russian forces have been making incremental gains in eastern Ukraine where outnumbered and under-resourced Ukrainian forces have been struggling to hold back assaults. 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. PRAGUE, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Operations at the Bratislava Airport in the Slovak capital were resumed at around noon after an evacuation earlier on Wednesday over a bomb alert. "The airport building is already open after the evacuation and flights are being arranged continuously," the airport said on its website. A total of six planned inbound and nine outbound flights were delayed as a result of the incident, the News Agency of the Slovak Republic reported. Local police said in the morning that an anonymous call reported the placement of an explosive device at the airport, and they were investigating the incident. "Police carried out tasks aimed at protecting the life and health of citizens. The pyrotechnic inspection did not confirm the storage of explosives in the airport premises," the police later said on Facebook. Bratislava Airport, or M.R. Stefanik Airport in Bratislava, is the biggest international airport in the Slovak Republic. Located 9 km from the city center, it handled over 1.8 million passengers last year, according to the airport website. Journalists and media advocates are concerned that a new law in Kosovo could give the government greater control. The new law seeks to license online media, give the Independent Media Commission, or IMC, power to monitor news websites, and increase the number of politically appointed members of the body, which is responsible for the regulation, management and oversight of the broadcasting frequency spectrum in the Republic of Kosovo. The law includes hefty fines for the media that violate the law, ranging from $215 to $43,000. However, the legislation does not provide details of how the fines will be applied, according to the Media Freedom Rapid Response, which monitors conditions for the media. First adopted by the Kosovo government in December, the law passed earlier in July, despite criticism. Two opposition parties have said they will refer the case to the Constitutional court. Among the concerns is the increase in IMC members, all of whom are political appointees. With the Vetevendosje party holding the majority, the expansion has led to concerns that the IMC could come under political influence. The government has pushed back against criticism. It says that it is seeking only to reform the media landscape. The chair of the parliamentary committee on media, Valon Ramadani, has previously said the law does not infringe the independence of media and described it as an effort to align the countrys media laws with the EU standards. Critics however say the law could allow for government overreach and expand the authority and the control of the IMC. The chair of Association of Journalists of Kosovo, Xhemalj Rexha, says the law threatens the plurality of the media in Kosovo. This ability to allow many voices to be heard, especially among the Albanian-language media, is an added value, and Kosovo should be proud of it, Rexha said during an event in Kosovo titled Regulation or a Threat to the Media Freedom. This is an attempt, among other things, to discourage the media from doing their job through these fines. Ardita Zejnullahu from the Association of Independent Electronic Media of Kosovo, also spoke on the panel. He said the fines and the planned expansion of the Independent Media Commission were the main challenges. For a cable operator, a fine of 40,000 euros is negligible. But for a radio, a television or web-based media, which also fall under the Commissions jurisdiction according to this law, it means their closure, said Zejnullahu. The law does not define the sanctions or the type of violations that will be sanctioned. There is no distinction made between administrative, ethical or technical violations, and they remain at the discretion of the members of the Commission to determine. A group of watchdogs, including the Media Freedom Rapid Response, released a statement citing alarm over the law. Critics have seen the proposed legislation as an attack on the media, expressing worries that the ruling party may use this law to censor them. Now, [with these] risks becoming a reality, with potentially dire consequences for media freedom and independence, said the statement. Kosovo ranks 75 out of 180 on the World Press Freedom Index. Reporters Without Borders, which compiles the index, says that while the country is doing well in some areas, journalists can still be the target of political attacks. A wildfire burning in Colorado's heavily populated Front Range region has burned dozens of homes and outbuildings, while a second fire crept within .4 kilometers of evacuated homes near Denver on Thursday. Authorities said they were hopeful that hundreds of threatened homes could be saved. But firefighters working in the tree-covered foothills on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains faced sweltering temperatures, and some were sidelined by heat exhaustion. The struggle to contain the blazes came after authorities said Wednesday that a person died in a wildfire west of Lyons, Colorado. The person's remains were found inside one of five houses that burned. Almost 100 large fires are raging across the West. The largest, in Northern California, has burned more than 400 houses and other structures, officials reported. New, large fires were reported in Idaho, southeast Montana and north Texas. About two dozen homes and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed in a wildfire near Loveland, Colorado, authorities disclosed after an initial survey of the burn area. Meanwhile, the Quarry Fire southwest of the Denver suburb of Littleton encroached on several large subdivisions after people in 600 homes were ordered to evacuate. By Thursday afternoon, firefighting aircraft zipped back and forth between the blaze and a nearby reservoir. Planes skimmed the surface to scoop up water and hovering helicopters pumped water into their tanks before returning to the fire to dump their loads. Jim and Meg Lutes watched from an overlook near their house northeast of the fire as smoke plumed up from the ridges. Their community west of Littleton was not under evacuation orders, but the couple had been ready to start packing a day earlier when flames could be seen blanketing the mountains. "It can come over that hill pretty quick if the wind changes," said Jim Lutes, 64, pointing to a nearby ridge. Five firefighters were injured Wednesday, including four who had heat exhaustion, said Mark Techmeyer, a spokesperson with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The fire was in steep terrain that made it difficult to access but had been held to less than 1.8 square kilometers with no houses yet destroyed, authorities said. It remained a major hazard, with high temperatures and low humidity elevating the danger. The fire was discovered Tuesday night by a deputy on patrol in what authorities described as an open area. "I think anytime that you see a small fire in an area like that at 9 at night, it makes you scratch your head a little bit," Techmeyer said at a Wednesday briefing when asked if he thought the fire was suspicious. On Thursday he said the fire has "proven to be one of the most challenging firefights I've seen," as helicopters passed overhead. He was flanked by hillsides where firefighters labored to keep the blaze from hopping a road separating the conflagration from populated areas. "If we lose that fight, the fire is coming this way," Techmeyer said, motioning toward dense neighborhoods and Littleton. The ranks of firefighters more than doubled since the day before, from 75 to 155, most of them volunteers. No structures had been lost as of Thursday afternoon, but authorities expected the battle to be a long one. Defense contractor Lockheed Martin, which operates a large facility just outside the evacuation zone, closed it as a precaution. California's arson-caused Park Fire northeast of Chico continued to grow, covering about 1,590 square kilometers as of Thursday morning. That's more than 25 times the size of New York's Manhattan Island. Losses also increased. The latest updates tallied 437 structures destroyed and 42 damaged, according to Cal Fire. The fire was 18% contained. Authorities said they faced critical fire weather in the coming days with temperatures potentially topping 37 Celsius, thunderstorms and erratic winds. Almost 6,000 personnel were helping battle the Park Fire as more fire crews arrived from Utah and Texas. Scientists say extreme wildfires are becoming more common and destructive in the U.S. West and other parts of the world as climate change warms the planet and droughts become more severe. The movement inside Russia of several high-profile political prisoners in recent days is fueling speculation that a prisoner swap with Western countries may be close. Lawyers and relatives of at least eight individuals say they seem to have been moved from detention facilities across Russia. Those detained had been jailed for criticizing the Kremlin or spreading what Moscow views as false information about the Russian military. At the same time, legal action by Belarus and Slovenia on foreign nationals has added to speculation in Western media that a multicountry swap, potentially involving Russia, the United States and Germany, may be in the works. Among those detained in Russia whose location is currently unknown are former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan; British Russian activist and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who contributes to The Washington Post; and Liliya Chanysheva, who worked closely with late opposition leader Alexey Navalny. Whelan is serving a 16-year prison sentence on espionage charges that he denies. His lawyer told the Interfax news agency she cannot contact him, adding, "There are rumors of a possible exchange." The Post reported late Wednesday that prison officials had confirmed Kara-Murza had been moved from a prison colony but would not say where he was taken. The columnist is serving a 25-year prison sentence after being accused of treason because he criticized Russias war in Ukraine. While some analysts believe the disappearances may be a sign of an imminent prisoner swap, others, like Russia expert Keir Giles, are more skeptical. "We need to bear in mind that the people that we see reported are only the tip of the iceberg, and there are so many others that dont get that worldwide media attention," Giles, who works at the British think tank Chatham House, told VOA. "To be disappeared within the system for a period of days or weeks or even longer is not that unusual," Giles added. "Its hard to tell what within the Russian prison system is deliberate cruelty and what is simply the result of inefficiency and incompetence, but the net effect, of course, on the victims is exactly the same." Navalny, for instance, was abruptly moved in secret from a prison in central Russia to one above the Arctic Circle in December 2023. The move took 20 days, Giles said. The opposition leader died at the prison in February. Russias Foreign Ministry and Washington embassy did not immediately reply to VOAs emails requesting comment for this story. Other political prisoners missing this past week include German Russian citizen Kevin Lik; opposition activist Ksenia Fadeeva; anti-war artist Sasha Skochilenko; and critical politician Ilya Yashin. The online Russian media outlet Agenstvo reported that at least six special Russian government planes had flown to and from the regions where some of these prisoners were located. VOA could not immediately verify that. Their disappearances come on the heels of other developments. In Belarus on Tuesday, President Alexander Lukashenko unexpectedly pardoned Rico Krieger, a German who had been sentenced to death on terrorism charges. Belarus and Russia are close allies. And on Wednesday, a Slovenian court sentenced two Russians to time served for espionage and said they would be deported to Russia. Sergei Davidis doesnt think the timing can be a coincidence. He is the head of the Political Prisoners Support Program and a member of the board at the Russian human rights group Memorial. Memorial's co-chair, Oleg Orlov, is among the political prisoners to recently vanish. "It seems that there is no other reasonable explanation than expectations of some swap," Davidis told VOA from the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius. He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin would need to pardon those involved in any potential swap as a formality. The Daily Beast reported that the swap would take place in Ankara, Turkey, and that a "second part" would potentially occur in Doha. Putin has previously signaled he would be willing to trade Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich for a Russian man named Vadim Krasikov, who is serving a life sentence in Germany for killing a Chechen dissident in Berlin. Gershkovich is one of two American journalists imprisoned in Russia. The other is Alsu Kurmasheva. Both were convicted in secret trials on July 19 on charges that are widely viewed as bogus. Russia state media, meanwhile, reported that four Russians jailed in the United States had disappeared from a database of prisoners that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons operates. It named them as Alexander Vinnik, Maxim Marchenko, Vadim Konoshchenko and Vladislav Klyushin. Commenting on remarks made by Putin earlier this year about a possible swap for Gershkovich, Giles said, "It is not a process that is pretending particularly hard to be legitimate. Its just a straightforward extortion." The United States and Russia have been engaging in prisoner swap negotiations for months. "The United States continues to be focused on working around the clock to work to get our wrongfully detained American citizens home," State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told VOA at a Wednesday press briefing. When asked about any updates on a potential prisoner swap, Patel said he had no updates. Prisoner swaps are typically cloaked in secrecy. Although the U.S. government has previously faced criticism for exchanging legitimate Russian criminals for innocent Americans, hostage advocate Diane Foley maintained that it is Washingtons duty to do everything it can to protect its citizens. "They need to have the moral clarity to recognize that their citizens life is their responsibility. Its their responsibility to do all they can to prioritize that life," Foley told VOA. Foley founded the Foley Foundation after the abduction and killing in Syria of her son, American journalist James Foley, in 2014. She says the U.S. has made some improvements in assisting families, but the burden still largely falls on relatives whose loved ones are unjustly held abroad. Since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has cracked down hard on anything perceived as criticism of the Kremlin, leading to the arrests of scores of activists and journalists. In late 2023, rights group Memorial estimated there were nearly 1,000 political prisoners jailed in Russia. The biggest prisoner swap since the Cold War occurred in 2010 and included 14 people in total. Some information in this report came from Reuters. International pressure is mounting on Bangladesh to end its violent crackdown on protesting students after scores of video clips and photos surfaced on social media over the past week showing police, army and paramilitary forces firing directly upon the protesters. The United Nations, European Union and Amnesty International are among those that have called on the Dhaka government to ease up on the students, who have been demanding an end to quotas for government jobs that would limit their employment prospects. University teachers have joined in the protests, which began after a July 1 High Court ruling re-establishing the quotas, and analysts say the students are enjoying broad support from ordinary citizens. According to the quota system, 30% of civil service jobs considered the steadiest job option for young Bangladeshis in a country facing high unemployment would be reserved for the grandchildren of those who fought against Pakistan in Bangladeshs 1971 Liberation War. The students are demanding a merit-based system of job allocation. However, what started as a nonviolent protest turned violent after police fired bullets, pellets and tear gas at unarmed students. According to reports by police and hospitals, more than 200 people died in the violence between July 16 and 22. Many deaths remain unregistered with bodies not reaching hospitals and police stations. Unofficial figures have put the death toll between 300 and 500. Last week, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina blamed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party [BNP], the largest opposition party in the country, for the unrest. She said that she had ordered the deployment of police, paramilitary and army to protect the students but called the protesters militants. Hasina, in office since 2009, has been accused of authoritarianism and corruption. Her party has been accused of rigging the last three general elections, a charge that the party denies. On July 21, the Supreme Court scrapped most of the quotas and ruled that 93% of government jobs would now be open to candidates on merit, meeting a key demand of the protesters. However, members of Students Against Discrimination [SAD], whose campaign against job quotas precipitated the unrest, said that the protests would continue until their latest set of demands is met. A statement from SAD said on Monday that four ministers, including the home and law ministers, must be removed from the Cabinet. They also demanded that the police and pro-ruling party goons who fired on the students be arrested and prosecuted for murdering unarmed protesters. In response, the government began arresting student leaders and opposition political activists. One Dhaka-based rights group, which asked not to be identified for fear of official retaliation, said more than 10,000 people, mostly students, have been arrested over the past few days. The police have already detained at least 10 of the more than 50 SAD coordinators who are leading the protest. One of the coordinators, who was released from police custody briefly before being detained again, said they were tortured in custody and pressured to call off the protests. Several student leaders and rights activists said on Tuesday that the police, with the help of the army and paramilitary force, were conducting raids across the country and detaining students. The government is trying its best to demoralize the students and sabotage their protest movement, they said. "Every night they are conducting block raids and picking up students and young people who took part in the uprising, said a Bangladesh-based rights activist, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal from the government. Many of them have become traceless, which means they have become victims of enforced disappearances, the activist told VOA. The detained activists are being tortured in custody in the name of remand. This is how the judiciary is collaborating in torturing the students and young activists by sending them in for remand and by denying them bail. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called attention Monday to the reported mass arrests of thousands of students and political opposition members. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Guterres was deeply concerned about the situation in Bangladesh. We continue to raise our concerns about the situation in the country with relevant authorities, both in the capital, Dhaka, and here in New York, and we count on Bangladesh to respect and uphold human rights, including as a top troop-contributing country to United Nations peacekeeping missions, Dujarric said. Smriti Singh, the regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International, said in a statement Monday that the mass arrest and arbitrary detention of student protesters was a witch hunt by the authorities to silence anyone who dares to challenge the government. Reports suggest that these arrests are entirely politically motivated, in retaliation for the exercise of human rights, Singh said. VOA reached out to the Home Ministry of Bangladesh for a response to the international criticism but has not yet received a response. Ali Riaz, political analyst and professor of political science at Illinois State University, said the underlying cause of the upheaval is the sense of disenfranchisement among people, both economic and political. A large number of people are facing dire economic situation while those connected to the regime are plundering and siphoning off money to other countries. On the political front, three consecutive fraudulent elections have left no opportunity for them to participate in politics, Riaz told VOA. This is an outburst of these discontents which have transformed the movement. Boeing named its new CEO and president Wednesday, a decision made as the company announced a loss of $1.4 billion during its second quarter. Kelly Ortberg, a former CEO of aerospace company Rockwell Collins, will be taking over starting next Wednesday with hopes he can help the company bounce back from a challenging year. Boeing has seen a series of issues after a commercial Alaska Airlines plane a 737 Max 9 jet had a panel blowout while in the air in January. The company came under scrutiny following the incident. Boeing agreed to plead guilty to fraud in July after fatal crashes of 737 Max 8s in 2018 and 2019. The crashes killed 346 people. The company has continued to face allegations of taking manufacturing shortcuts from whistleblowers, one of whom died of self-inflicted wounds in March. Boeing has also seen problems with production due to supply chain issues. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration put a limit on the company expanding the production of the Boeing 737 Max jets following the January incident, allowing a maximum of 38 jets per month to be produced. Boeing CEO David Calhoun announced in March that he would be stepping down from the position by the end of the year. A news release from the aircraft maker Wednesday reported the loss, describing a challenging quarter. Ortberg was selected to be Calhouns successor after what was reported to be a months-long search. Boeings chairman, Steve Mollenkopf, said that Ortberg has the right skills and experience to lead Boeing in its next chapter." Some information for this report was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Central African Republic officials say they are meeting with the governments of neighboring countries in an effort to stop the spread of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox. An outbreak of the mpox virus has been confirmed in several Central African Republic (CAR) towns and villages, with fresh infections reported this week in Bangui, said one of the country's health officials. In addition, the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen 20,000 cases and more than 1,000 deaths from mpox, mainly among children, since the start of 2023. Over 11,000 cases, including 443 deaths, have been reported so far this year, according to previous reports. CAR officials say scores of suspected cases also have been reported in nearby Cameroon, Republic of Congo, and Nigeria, provoking fears the disease may spread quickly. Pierre Somse, CAR's health minister, said the country's government is pleading with family heads and community leaders including traditional rulers and clerics to inform health officials when civilians show symptoms of or suffer from fever, muscular aches, sore throat, headache or have rashes and large boils on their bodies. Somse spoke Wednesday on state TV, telling civilians they should avoid contact with wild animals, and wash their hands with soap and water after contact with animals and sick people. The Central African Republic said health workers have been dispatched to towns and villages where confirmed and suspected cases of mpox have been reported to transport patients and suspected cases to hospitals. People infected by the virus will be isolated and treated free of charge in hospitals, said Somse. Health officials are warning civilians against taking suspected patients to herbalists or African traditional healers. They say the lives of civilians and traditional healers who come in direct contact with patients out of hospitals are at risk. Central African Republic health officials say humanitarian teams are in towns and villages searching for patients hiding due to stigma and the belief that mpox cannot be treated. On Wednesday, Central African Republic officials said they were coordinating with neighboring countries of the Republic of Congo, Congo, Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad to fight the disease. Maxime Balalou, the Central African Republic's communication minister and government spokesperson, said the CAR cannot stop the spread of mpox alone because its borders are very porous. He said it is difficult for any central African state to single-handedly control the movement of people, especially cattle ranchers and hunters across the Congo Basin. Some information for this report came from Reuters. Chinas new ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wenbin, arrived in early July with a reputation as a highly experienced and combative diplomat in what is seen as the first move in a coming battle for influence between superpowers in the Southeast Asian nation. The United States and Australia are expected to follow soon with their own new envoys who are seasoned in China relations. The personnel moves come less than a year into the first term of Prime Minister Hun Manet, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Cambodias first new prime minister in decades. Hun Manet is the son of Cambodias longtime leader Hun Sen and part of a new generation of politicians from the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, which has been in power for more than 40 years. Diplomats are waiting to see whether he will adjust his countrys ironclad friendship established with China by his father. At present, China is Cambodia's largest trading partner and a significant source of foreign investment and development assistance. China wants to deepen those ties through its Belt and Road Initiative and other cooperative frameworks. Potentially standing in the way of that goal are concerns in Cambodia about an over-reliance on China, an effort by Phnom Penh to balance relations with the West, and public concerns about corruption and Chinese investments primarily benefiting the elite. Wang is a former Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson and former ambassador to Tunisia, with more than 30 years of diplomatic experience, according to China Daily. He is one of what China describes as a new breed of combative wolf warrior diplomats. With his extensive experience, analysts believe Wang will be able to sustain the close ties between China and Cambodia or even increase Beijings influence with the Phnom Penh government and the region. Seng Vanly, a doctoral candidate in international relations at China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, said Wang's wealth of experience could make him more influential than his predecessors. Because of his reputation as a spokesperson and his articulation talent, as well as his responses, he is well-recognized among Chinese diplomats and around the world who see him as strongly responding to the enemy countries or the West, such as the United States, on issues relating to Chinas rise, Chinas aggressions, whether in the South China Sea or its conflict with Taiwan, he told VOA Khmer via Telegram. Seng emphasized that Western countries such as Australia and the United States are expected to send their own new ambassadors with China expertise to Cambodia. However, he said he believes that Wang can offer substantial benefits to Cambodia while holding his own in any diplomatic battles with rival countries. The U.S, meanwhile, is awaiting the final confirmation by the U.S. Senate of its next ambassador to Cambodia, according to a U.S. Embassy spokesperson in Phnom Penh. He is Robert Forden, a career diplomat who has held the second-ranking position at the U.S. missions in both Beijing and Taipei and was charge daffaires at the Beijing embassy from 2020 to 2021. Australia, for its part, this month named its next ambassador to Phnom Penh as Derek Yip, who has held two postings to Beijing and served most recently as assistant secretary of the Foreign Ministrys East Asia political branch. According to Em Sovannara, a political science professor at the University of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, the appointment of capable, senior diplomats from both superpowers could make Cambodia a diplomatic battleground on issues such as the South China Sea, where China has competing territorial claims with several of Phnom Penhs fellow ASEAN members. The U.S. is also concerned about Chinese involvement in Cambodias controversial Ream naval base. Wangs arrival also coincided with a visit to Cambodia in early July by Yoko Kamikawa, the foreign affairs minister of Japan. Analysts told VOA Khmer that strengthening relations with Japan could reduce Chinese influence in Cambodia and lead to a more balanced approach to foreign relations. By diversifying Cambodias partners, it could, to some extent, relieve the pressure and expectation that Phnom Penh has on Beijing to live up to its name as an economic partner, said Ek Bunly, a research fellow at the Cambodian Center for Regional Studies. At the same time, he said, Cambodia would be in total vulnerability should China decide to weaponize its economic domination in Cambodia for Beijings political goal in the future. According to Bunly, Cambodia has become a significant player in the U.S.-China rivalry in the region. Other elements of that rivalry include the rise of U.S.-led groups such as AUKUS, the Quad, and NATOs forthcoming IP4 initiative in the Indo-Pacific, all of which are seen as countering Chinas agenda. Thus, having and maintaining a strong partner like Cambodia in the Indo-Pacific region provides Beijing with critical geopolitical leverage, he said. In its latest move to demonstrate its ironclad ties with China, the Cambodian government named a 50-kilometer section of Phnom Penhs newly constructed third ring road as Xi Jinping Boulevard. Construction of the road cost about $270 million and was partly paid for with concessional Chinese lending. The naming of Xi Jinping Boulevard is symbolic of the Cambodia-China friendship that has reached the top, government spokesperson Bona told VOA via WhatsApp. And both countries strive well for the good relationship as Cambodia gets much benefits. Bunly said that the many China-funded infrastructure projects in Cambodia are fruits of Beijings continued commitment to Phnom Penh. However, he added, it remains to be seen if Wangs high-profile background can bring back much-needed Chinese tourism and investment in Cambodias struggling post-COVID-19 economy. Even if Wang is very capable, Bunly said, bringing back Chinese investment is not necessarily within his control and partly depends on Chinas own economic conditions. So far Chinas slow post-COVID recovery has prevented the return of significant Chinese investment and tourists to Cambodia after COVID. China will amend drone export controls from Sept. 1, including abolishing temporary export controls for certain consumer drones,to help safeguard the security of global industrial supply chains, a commerce ministry spokesperson said. In a statement the ministry said it would also adjust control standards for some important components of unmanned aircraft, such as infrared imaging equipment and lasers for target indication. China has a large drone manufacturing industry and exports to several markets. The spokesperson said the Chinese government opposes the use of civilian drones for "non-peaceful purposes." Last year China said U.S. and Western media were spreading "unfounded accusations" that it was exporting drones to the battlefield in Ukraine, adding the reports were an attempt to "smear" Chinese firms. Chinese drone maker DJI Technology Co told Reuters on Wednesday it was pleased to see the adjustments, which it said would be favorable for the development of the drone industry. "DJI have made it absolutely clear that our products are for civilian use only. We have never designed, developed or manufactured military-grade equipment, we have never adapted our products or pursued business opportunities for combat operations; we have never marketed or sold our products for combat use in any country," it said in a written response to Reuters. The company added it would continue to strictly comply with and implement China's export control rules, and the laws and regulations of the countries and regions where it operates. The Chinese drone giant has come under U.S. government scrutiny over its alleged ties to the Chinese military. In December last year, some Republican lawmakers asked the Pentagon to block export licenses for U.S. components for DJI, citing national security concerns. In May, a group of House Republicans proposed legislation that would hike U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made drones by 30% and bar imports of drones that contain critical components made in China by 2030. Last year, China announced export controls on some drones and drone-related equipment, saying it wanted to safeguard "national security and interests" amid escalating tension with the United States over access to the technology. The measures last year included a two-year temporary export control on some consumer drones, and no civilian drones were allowed to be exported for military purposes. The ministry then said it decided to "appropriately" expand the drone export control, without targeting any specific country and region. SEOUL, July 31 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's unsold homes rose for the seventh consecutive month, fueling worry about the sluggish real estate market, government data showed Wednesday. The number of unsold homes nationwide increased 2.6 percent from a month earlier to 74,037 at the end of June, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The number rebounded in December 2023 as builders struggling with credit crunch began to bring new homes into the market on expectations for housing price hikes, affected by eased regulations. The number of unsold homes in the capital Seoul and its surrounding metropolitan area, in which about half of the country's population resides, grew 2.0 percent from a month earlier to 15,051 at the end of June. The number in other areas expanded 2.8 percent to 58,986 in the cited month. The number of home transactions stood at 55,760 in June, down 2.9 percent from the previous month. The housing transactions in the Seoul metropolitan area advanced 4.0 percent, but the home trading in other areas dropped 9.3 percent last month. For the first six months of this year, the number of housing permits came in at 149,860, down 26.1 percent compared to the same period 2023. The number of housing starts soared 30.4 percent to 127,249 in the six-month period across the country. As thousands of people in Venezuela protested the results of Sundays election, many in China were watching and commenting on social media platforms. While social media are tightly censored in China and most comments echoed support for incumbent Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, videos of the protests spread widely, and some voiced support for the protesters. Others used the opportunity to subtly criticize Chinas authoritarian system of government, pointing out the countrys lack of free and open elections. In posts on Weibo, which is similar to X, the rebukes were not direct but veiled in sarcasm. One poster said, I never would have expected that they would hold elections. To which, another responded, There are only a handful of countries that dont have a general election." Whole-process democracy Another post on Weibo asked sarcastically, Why do they still have elections? They definitely havent implemented the whole-process democracy a concept first proposed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in 2019. In recent years, the Chinese Communist Party has justified its rule by claiming that China's "full-process democracy" is a more comprehensive democratic system than Western democracy. According to the 2023 Global Democracy Index released by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Venezuela ranked 142nd out of nearly 170 countries and regions. China ranked 148th. Many netizens also expressed their support for the protesters in Venezuela. "You need to fight for and protect your own rights," said one Weibo comment. "It's only a matter of time. The people can't keep being deceived," said another. In the wake of Sundays vote, Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, also known as Edmundo Gonzalez, have both claimed victory. Venezuela's National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner with 51% support, awarding him a third six-year term. But Gonzalez said he won more than 70% of the vote. Independent polling agencies also called Maduro's victory unreliable, and foreign observers have urged election authorities to release a full count. Governments from Latin American countries, including Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay, issued a similar call in a joint statement, saying a transparent vote count was the only way to ensure the results respected the will of Venezuelan voters. Disinformation spreads In addition to taking the opportunity to criticize the Chinese government, some on social media spread unsubstantiated allegations that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency was secretly involved in the Venezuelan protests. "Supporters of the US-backed opposition that lost the Venezuelan election are currently launching large-scale violent and vandalizing activities across the country," one netizen said on Weibo. Some, however, disagreed with the claim that the U.S. was secretly inciting the incident. One Weibo user reacted to the accusation with sarcasm. "Of course, the CIA is behind this. The Venezuelan people, one or two, hundreds of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of people, are all puppets. They have no independent will and are all manipulated by the United States," said one post. Victory and 'grave concerns' In addition to the divide over the results online, there was also a sharp contrast in how the United States and China and its state media responded to the election results. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed "grave concerns" about the results and has called for transparency in the vote count. Xi, however, congratulated Maduro, saying, "China will, as always, firmly support Venezuela's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, national dignity and social stability, and firmly support Venezuela's just cause of opposing external interference." Venezuelans unhappy with Maduro's victory have taken to the streets across the country, including near the presidential palace in the capital, Caracas. A local monitoring group, the Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict, said Monday that it had recorded a total of 187 demonstrations in 20 of the country's 23 states. Chinese state media have not covered the protests significantly. The Global Times said Blinken was "changing his face" by going from calling for "respect for the democratic process" before the votes were counted to questioning Maduro's victory and expressing grave concern about the results. However, when contrasting Blinkens views before and after the elections, the newspaper only quoted part of the remarks that Blinken made on July 28 before the results were announced. In those remarks and after the vote, his concern was the same. "The Venezuelan people deserve an election that genuinely reflects their will, free from any manipulation, Blinken told reporters in Japan. The international community is going to be watching this very closely. We urge all parties to honor their commitments and to respect the democratic process." Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report. German officials say an investigation into a 2021 cyberattack on the countrys national office for cartography has found that Chinese state actors were responsible for the attack. In response, Germanys Foreign Ministry has summoned China's ambassador for the first time since 1989, after the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer said the German government has "reliable information from our intelligence services" on the source of the attack. "State-controlled Chinese cyber actors had infiltrated the network of the agency for espionage purposes," Fischer said. "We resolutely oppose such cyber activities directed against Germany and advocate responsible and rules-based behavior in cyberspace," he said. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a statement that Germany has significantly increased our protection against similar types of threats. "We call on China to refrain from and prevent such cyberattacks. These cyberattacks threaten the digital sovereignty of Germany and Europe," she said. Germanys Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy is an important resource for multiple state and private organizations, according to a government ministry statement. Ties between Germany and China have long been seen as strong, but tensions between Berlin and Beijing have grown in recent years over worries about Chinas authoritarian tendencies, business practices and potential security risks. Tensions have ticked up even more recently following the arrest in April of four people, including an aide to a German lawmaker, on suspicion of spying for China. In early 2024, several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, called out China for its state-sponsored hacking record. Last year, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz came up with a strategic plan regarding relations with China, referring to a systemic rivalry and the need to reduce economic dependence on Beijing while still maintaining trade ties and working with China on climate change challenges. A former Israeli national security adviser tells VOA that Iranian proxy groups Hamas and Hezbollah face dilemmas in considering retaliations against Israel for the assassinations of two of their senior members in strikes on Beirut and Tehran over several hours beginning Tuesday. Israeli reserves Brig. Gen. Jacob Nagel, a former national security adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussed those dilemmas in a Wednesday phone interview with VOA. Nagel is an Israel-based senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a U.S. foreign policy and security research group in Washington. Israel asserted that it killed Fuad Shukr, the top military commander of Lebanons U.S.-designated terror group Hezbollah, in a Tuesday strike on a building in the groups stronghold of southern Beirut. Hezbollah has not said whether Shukr was killed in the attack. The Israeli government and military have not commented on the attack that Iran and the Hamas terror group said killed the groups political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran hours later. Hamas and Iranian state media blamed Israel for Wednesdays pre-drawn strike on a residence in the Iranian capital, without citing evidence. The following transcript of Nagels interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. VOA: What is your reaction to the killing of Hamas political chief Haniyeh in Tehran? Jacob Nagel, Foundation for Defense of Democracies: There were three Hamas political chiefs responsible for the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel: Haniyeh, Khaled Mashaal and Saleh al-Arouri (whom Hamas accused Israel of killing in an earlier strike on southern Beirut on January 2). Two have been taken out. There is one more to go. VOA: How do you think Iran will respond? Nagel: Iran will retaliate. They usually do so by using Hamas or Hezbollah. Hamas would like to retaliate. They do not have so many capabilities left (after nine months of fighting Israel). If they want to fire missiles at Tel Aviv, they can. Hezbollah is totally different. They have a lot of capabilities. They have to decide if they are going to take their (nine-month, low-level) conflict with Israel to the next level of retaliation. Do they want a full-scale war or not? If they will retaliate the way that I think they will, Israel will have to retaliate against them in kind. There are enough targets in Lebanon that we can attack. And we will see who is the last one to retaliate. It is not so important to be the last one, but what are the results. VOA: What steps do you expect Israeli authorities to take in case there is a retaliation? Nagel: Israels Home Front command is not changing anything in terms of preparedness. If we have a specific precaution that we need to take, we will take it. Right now, Israelis have to listen for any instructions and if there is a siren, go to a shelter. We are taking care of the security of Israel from the north to the south and from any other place. Persian opponents of Irans Islamist rulers have mocked them widely on social media and expressed support for Israel after Hamas and its Iranian patron blamed the Jewish state for the assassination of Hamas political chief in Tehran on Wednesday. Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a predawn strike on a residence in Irans capital, where he had traveled to attend the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian the previous day. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the strike on the senior leader of Hamas, a U.S.-designated terror group. I have seen a lot of comments on X and Instagram from Persian social media users who are happy about Haniyehs assassination, Beni Sabti, a Persian Israeli researcher at Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies, said in a VOA interview. Many Iranians opposed to the Islamic Republic have long criticized its authoritarian leaders for sending money and weapons to regional proxy groups such as Hamas rather than investing national resources domestically. Those critics flooded social media with Persian-language posts celebrating Haniyehs demise and referring to him with the Persian hashtag for cutlet, a popular Persian dish of ground meat patties. Kayhan London, a Britain-based Persian news site, posted a picture by its cartoonist depicting Haniyeh embracing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while a hand representing Israel paints a red target on Haniyehs back. The slain Hamas leader had embraced Khamenei in a meeting the day before. Kayhan London editor Nazenin Ansari told VOA she saw Persian social media users mocking the Islamic Republics Iranian supporters for posting messages mourning Haniyeh. The Israeli governments Persian Instagram channel, israelinpersian, also attracted strong positive engagement from its 1.5 million followers. After the Haniyeh killing, the account published an image of a raised fist painted in the Israeli flag, with an accompanying message saying: Israel is our home, and we will stay here. The image drew 32,000 likes in the first three hours of being posted, a much faster pace of likes than any other post on the israelinpersian account in the previous two weeks. Sabti said it is too early to tell if the flood of Persian posts backing Israel and mocking the Islamic Republic means that social media users in Iran are ready to return to nationwide antigovernment protests that have been dormant since early 2023. We cannot expect an eruption of protests anytime soon because the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is ready to deal with internal unrest as it has done before, he said. Sabti noted that the IRGC detained some Iranians after they celebrated in the streets with candies and fireworks when then-President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash in May. I think the celebratory expressions will be confined to social media for now, Sabti said. The political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an airstrike while visiting Tehran. Iran accuses Israel of carrying out the strike, Israel has not commented. This follows an Israeli air strike in Beirut Tuesday evening that killed a Hezbollah commander. Many fear an escalating, regional war. An update from Kyiv, where drones and air raid sirens kept people awake all night. A look at Olympic security in Paris and the politics of climate change. Human Rights Watch is accusing Tanzania of forcing indigenous tribes from their ancestral land in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. In a report released Wednesday, the rights group documents a Tanzanian government program to move 82,000 people off their land to use it for wildlife conservation, tourism and hunting. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania is a U.N. World Heritage Site managed by the Tanzanian government. For centuries, the Maasai tribe has lived in the area side by side with wild animals. In 2022, the government of Tanzania launched a program to encourage the voluntary relocation of the Maasai tribe from the conservation area to Msomera, a town about 600 kilometers (370 miles) away. However, what the government called a voluntary relocation plan was far from voluntary, Human Rights Watch says. Allan Ngari, the groups Africa advocacy director, said the forced movement of the people is against the Tanzanian constitution and international law. There are clear violations, including the Maasai people's rights to consultation, including prior to planning and execution of the relocation, the prohibition of forced evictions, which is happening even for Msomera residents. And then their culture and development has been inhibited, Ngari said. So, there's just a general disregard of the obligations by the government that raises serious concerns about the prospects of any accountability, justice. For the 86-page report, titled Its Like Killing Culture, Human Rights Watch interviewed at least 100 people, including Ngorongoro Conservation Area residents who were resettled. Community members say they were not informed about the resettlement plans and that consent was not sought. In January, government spokesman Mobhare Matinyi said the relocation process was ongoing and on the right track despite some civil societies and others spreading false information. According to local activists, some 8,000 people have been relocated. Ngorongoro is home to more than 80,000 people, but since 2021 residents say the government has reduced the availability of essential services in the area like water, land for food production and adequate schools. Local media reports the government has denied reducing such services. But Ngorongoro resident Denis Oleshangay said authorities are edging them out of their homes. The government is trying to make the situation uncomfortable, to make them restless, to make the situation hard for the human being to survive, by denying them the right to access all important places for pasture and water, Oleshangay said. But as a result of that, many people lost their livestock because now they have not enough place to pasture. The situation in schools, you have no permit to build even a collapsing classroom, build houses. Residents also say government-employed rangers assault and beat them with impunity, and that moving around Ngorongoro has become dangerous. Over the years, the Tanzanian government has developed a plan to set aside more land for tourists, wild animals, and game hunting. Authorities argue that though they allowed the Maasai to live within national parks, the growth of their population has put them in direct competition with wildlife. Ngari of Human Rights Watch said the government needs to discuss its plan with the affected communities and provide necessities to those still residing in the conservation area. We are asking for availability and accessibility of basic services, Ngari said. So there needs to be a restoration of funding and resources to the Ngorongoro conservation area. This has been removed by the government. The New York-based group says the government needs to respect the rights of the indigenous people and ensure their survival, well-being, and dignity. As tensions between India and China persist with tens of thousands of soldiers confronting each other along their disputed Himalayan borders for a fifth year, analysts say they see few signs of a reduction in military tensions between the Asian rivals despite calls from both sides to stabilize ties. But trade between the two countries has surged. The ground reality is that the Chinese are focusing on building infrastructure in the Himalayas to enhance their conventional deterrence capabilities. They are building roads, bridges and other military-related construction. That is a huge concern for India, Srikanth Kondapalli, dean of the School of International Studies at New Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University told VOA. Ties between the Asian rivals nosedived sharply following a clash in June 2020 between their soldiers. Backed by heavy artillery and fighter jets, an estimated 50,000 troops from each side still remain amassed at hotspots in the Himalayas, where they share a long, poorly demarcated border. I have to be honest, our relations with China are not doing very well, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyan Jaishankar told reporters at a news conference in Tokyo on Monday where he was attending a Quad meeting. They are not good; they are not normal right now. Jaishankars remarks came days after he met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of a summit meeting of the ASEAN bloc in Laos last week where both sides emphasized the need to normalize ties. In a statement after the meeting, Wang said that "it is in the interests of both sides to get China-India relations back on track." Jaishankar spoke of the need to address their bilateral issues with a sense of purpose and urgency. But analysts point out there are no signs of de-escalation along the borders. Although soldiers withdrew from several conflict areas between 2020 and 2022, there has been little progress in resolving their disputes at other friction points that are claimed by both sides. We have had 21 meetings between military commanders from the two countries since the clash four years ago to resolve the issue, but progress has been marginal, Kondapalli pointed out. Even as the Indian and Chinese Himalayan border continues to be volatile, Indias imports from China have grown steadily despite strict curbs that New Delhi imposed on economic ties with China following the 2020 clash. India had stepped up scrutiny of Chinese investments, blocked virtually all Chinese visitors, halted major Chinese projects in the country and blocked Chinese apps like TikTok. Despite those restrictions, Beijing emerged as New Delhis top trading partner last year. Indias imports from China stood at more than $100 billion last year. Indias exports to China on the other hand were only $16 billion. When India put these curbs in 2020, the government strategy was that we should reduce our import dependence on China, said Biswajit Dhar, trade analyst and Distinguished Professor at the Council for Social Development in New Delhi. But that has not happened, so that strategy has come to grief and now there is a realization that there is no running away from the fact that it is difficult to decouple from China, which remains the worlds largest manufacturer. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led a push to make India an alternative manufacturing hub to China and companies like Apple have set up production facilities in the country in recent years. But several industries, including new factories coming up in the country remain reliant on imports from China, including machinery needed in manufacturing. Industry groups have called on the government to relax strict visa curbs on Chinese nationals as they say they need Chinese engineers and technicians to install equipment and train Indian workers. New Delhi is considering speeding up visas for Chinese workers, according to media reports. However, the government said it will not relax its curbs on Chinese investments after its Economic Survey, which highlights policy initiatives, argued in favor of attracting Chinese funds to address Indias growing trade deficit. To boost Indian manufacturing and plug India into the global supply chain, it is inevitable that India plugs itself into Chinas supply chain. Whether we do so by relying solely on imports or partially through Chinese investments is a choice that India has to make, the Economic Survey, released last week, stated. Indias Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal however told reporters that there will be no rethink on Chinese investments. While China says the two countries should resume normal exchanges even as they continue discussions on their territorial disputes, India maintains that putting ties back on track will be contingent on resolving the border standoff. Analysts say New Delhi faces a dilemma. The question is will India stick to its stand of not normalizing ties until the border issues are settled or whether they will modify their strict economic policy toward China, according to Manoj Joshi, Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research foundation in New Delhi told VOA. But there is a growing feeling that we are boxed into a situation which is not comfortable for us. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "harsh punishment" and revenge against Israel over the assassination Wednesday of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was in Tehran for the inauguration of the Islamic Republics new president. Although Israel has not commented on the killing, the fact that the assassination took place in the heart of Tehran during a high-profile visit sends a clear signal from Israel to Iran to de-escalate, analyst Nicholas Heras of Washingtons New Lines Institute told VOA. The Israelis have yet to claim credit, but its likely the Israelis, he said. The Israelis can strike Iran or its allies anywhere, at any time. Haniyehs assassination, paired with Tuesdays killing of Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah leader, in Beirut, Lebanon, shows that the Israelis are sending a signal that Israel has superior intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and operational capabilities and that the Israelis have an upper hand, Heras said. Ahron Bregman, Middle East security professor at Kings College London, told VOA that although its hard to tell what Iran might do, the Islamic Republic would prefer not to attack Israel directly. Irans number one priority is to have an atomic bomb under its belt. Its not the best time for it. Therefore, it would prefer to work through proxies, Bregman said. But it was challenged by Israel and humiliated by Israel when Israel assassinated someone on its soil. Watch related report by Linda Gradstein: Effects on cease-fire negotiations Meanwhile, Qatar, which has been active in cease-fire and hostage negotiations over the Gaza war, "condemned in the strongest terms" Haniyehs assassination. The tiny Middle East nation also called the killing a dangerous escalation and a blatant violation" of international and humanitarian law. "This assassination and the reckless Israeli behavior in continuing to target civilians in Gaza would lead to the region sliding into chaos and undermine chances for peace," the Qatar Foreign Ministry said. Bregman said the negotiations are not going to go anywhere now. Neither Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, want to discuss a truce, he said. Netanyahu is not interested in a hostage deal for political reasons because his coalition partners are not interested, Bregman said. Sinwar might get want what he always wanted: a regional war. Analyst Heras said Haniyehs assassination is a blow to U.S. Arab partners Qatar and Egypts negotiation efforts to win a cease-fire and hostage release. Egypt and Qatar have been in the trenches with the United States to try to get this hostage deal between Israel and Hamas moving, he said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has repeated said that a cease-fire deal in Gaza is key to avoiding wider regional escalation. Israel carried out a rare strike Tuesday on Beirut that killed at least one person and wounded others, raising the stakes in the escalating tensions with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Anti-government activists across Venezuela are toppling giant statues of Hugo Chavez to express their anger over the alleged stealing of elections by the late presidents handpicked successor, Nicolas Maduro. And putting insects on the menu. Myanmar's junta on Wednesday extended the state of emergency by six months, again delaying fresh polls it has promised to hold as it battles opposition to its coup. The Southeast Asian nation has been in turmoil since the February 2021 coup which ended a 10-year experiment with democracy and sparked mass protests and a crackdown on dissent. Three and a half years later, the junta is struggling to crush widespread armed opposition and recently suffered a series of stunning losses to an alliance of ethnic minority armed groups. The junta had been unable to hold fresh polls as planned following an initial two-year state of emergency "due to the terrorist acts" by its opponents, broadcaster MRTV reported. All the members of the junta-stacked National Defense and Security Council "unanimously decided to extend the period of the state of emergency for another six months," MRTV said. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing had proposed the extension "in order to prepare valid and accurate ballots" for the election the junta has promised to hold, possibly in 2025. The extension was also needed to "carry out the population census and in order to continue the implementation of the work to be done," MRTV said. Under the military-drafted 2008 constitution, which the junta has said is still in force, authorities are required to hold fresh elections within six months of a state of emergency being lifted. Battlefield defeats The military seized power after making unsubstantiated allegations of fraud in 2020 elections which Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, NLD, won in a landslide. It has extended the state of emergency multiple times since as it battles established ethnic minority armed groups and newer pro-democracy "People's Defence Forces." In recent months it has suffered a string of battlefield defeats to an alliance of ethnic minority armed groups in the north and west of the country. Last week the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, MNDAA, claimed it had seized the northern town of Lashio, which sits on a vital trade highway to China and is home to the military's northeastern command. The junta denied the claim. The loss of Lashio and the regional military command would be a huge blow to the junta, which has lost territory to the MNDAA and other armed groups in recent weeks. In January the MNDAA captured the city of Laukkai near Myanmar's border with China after around 2,000 junta troops surrendered, in one of the military's biggest defeats in decades. Since the coup fighting between the military and its opponents has forced 2.7 million people to flee their home, according to the United Nations. More than 5,400 people have been killed and 27,000 arrested in the junta's crackdown on dissent since the coup, according to a local monitoring group. The junta has said it will hold fresh elections in 2025. But critics say the proposed polls will be neither free nor fair. Last year the junta-stacked election commission announced that Suu Kyi's NLD would be dissolved for failing to re-register under a tough new military-drafted electoral law. This photo shows Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh (C) in Tehran, Iran, July 30, 2024. Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards have been killed in Iranian capital city of Tehran, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shadati) TEHRAN/GAZA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards have been killed in Iranian capital city of Tehran, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday. Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed early Wednesday when their residence was hit in Tehran, according to a statement published on the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News. The statement added the attack was under investigation, and the results would be announced later. The Islamic Hamas movement confirmed the death of its leader, saying that Haniyeh was assassinated by an Israeli attack in Iran. In a press statement, Hamas said that it "mourns to the Palestinian people, the Arab and Islamic nation, and the free people of the world" over the death of Haniyeh. The Israeli army has no comment on the issue yet. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday. Separatist fighters and al-Qaida affiliates in Mali reportedly dealt the Russian military regiment Wagner its greatest battlefield defeat in Africa on July 26 and 27. The junta in Mali has a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry and embeds what it calls Russian military instructors or the Wagner troops with its forces in a struggle against the separatist and jihadi groups. News and social media have offered conflicting accounts on the fighting, and the number of Wagner mercenaries killed. Information compiled by VOA sister organization Radio Liberty indicates Tuareg separatist rebels and al-Qaida affiliated groups ambushed Wagner fighters and Mali government forces near the town of Tinzaouaten, which borders Algeria. The Russian military propaganda sustained a significant loss with the death of the popular Telegram channel the Gray Zone, whose administrator was among the Wagner troops killed in Mali, analyst Ivan Filippov told VOAs Russian Service. The Russian government, the Kremlin, and the Defense Ministry did not comment on the clashes in Mali. Wagner said the radicals employed heavy weapons, drones and suicide vehicles to inflict losses on Wagner mercenaries. Telegram channels linked to the Russian security service and Wagner say the Malian fighters killed anywhere from 20 to 80 Russian troops and captured 15. Russian state media have reported on the events, and sought to implicate the West, or Ukraine, in the attacks. Aleksandr Ivanov, director of Wagner Front company Officers Union for International Security (OUIS), told Russias state-run TASS news agency the West was directing the separatists. The ambush, they found themselves in, turned out to be much better prepared than what the [Malian government forces] had faced before. They had reconnaissance, special units that drew the column out, the necessary equipment and weapons. In addition, the weather played against us, Ivanov said. Apparently, this is confirmation that Western forces have taken over coordination over the militants. That is unsubstantiated. Neither Ivanov nor TASS provided evidence to support the allegations. The U.S. has sanctioned both Ivanov and the OUIS for their Wagner-linked activities, including destabilizing countries in Africa. Olayinka Ajala, an expert on West Africa, told Newsweek there are unconfirmed reports that the French military are supporting the Tuaregs, which are building alliances with al-Qaida related forces. France had waged a 9-year operation to fight Islamist forces in Malis north, before pulling out in August 2022 after a pro-Kremlin military officer Assimi Goita took power in a 2021 coup. France had shown success in neutralizing jihadi leaders, but was not able to compel successive governments to introduce governance improvements that might have eroded the jihadists ability to recruit, a June 2022 report by West Points Combating Terrorism Center said. As Frances operations were winding down, Goita invited the Wagner group in late 2021. At the time, Wagner was operating as a private military company. In 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian Defense Ministry to take command over the Wagner troops. Wagner has also accused Ukraine of supporting Tuareg rebels. Russias state-run broadcaster RT said it had received photos allegedly showing Ukrainian instructors working in Mali. RT also alleged Kyiv had brought Mali separatists to Ukraine to teach them how to use First Person View drones. Ukraine does not deny assisting Mali rebels. Andriy Yusov, representative for the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, claimed the Mali rebel forces received necessary information, which enabled a successful military operation against Russian war criminals, the Kyiv Post wrote in a July 29 post on X, formally Twitter. The Kyiv Post published a photograph "from sources in Ukraines defense and security sector showing the Tuareg rebels posing with a Ukrainian flag. However, the Russian independent news site Istories reported that the photos forensic analysis showed evidence of digital manipulation and some people along with the Ukrainian flag may have been photo-shopped into an existing image. During a global food crisis in 2022, Russia methodically targeted Ukraine with missile strikes and disrupted Ukraines ability to produce and export grain. Moscow also spread propaganda falsely blaming Kyiv and the West for fueling global food insecurity in Africa and elsewhere. In August 2023, Ukraine vowed to free Africa from Russia's grip. The Kyiv Post published several videos allegedly showing Ukrainian special forces engaged in operations against Wagner forces in Sudan and Syria. Wagner long operated in the shadows, denying its presence in many African states, and links to the Russian government. Putin once claimed that Wagner PMC did not exist. That changed after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, where tens of thousands of Wagner troops participated in the fighting. After Wagner PMC engaged in a short-lived rebellion against the Russian government in June 2023, Putin admitted that the maintenance of the entire Wagner Group was fully provided for by the State. After the sudden death of Wagner leader and founder Yevgeny Prigozhin in 2023, Russias defense ministry assumed control of Wagner, adding them to its newly created Africa Corps. As in other African countries, Wagner props up Malis undemocratic regime in exchange for a share of lucrative mineral resources. A February report from the U.S. State Department said that while Wagner portrays itself as a stabilizing force, terrorist violence against civilians since 2021 has surged by 278 percent in Mali. Wagner forces have allegedly committed numerous atrocities in the country. Ukraine has received its first shipment of F-16 fighter jets from the West, something Ukraine has been seeking for months to help it beat back the Russian invasion of its territory. Ukraine says the F-16s are crucial because of their ability to suppress enemy air defenses, an ability Ukraine urgently needs to repel Russian missile strikes into Ukraine. Western allies have been slow in agreeing to supply the jets because they were fearful of escalating the conflict with Russia. It was not immediately clear how many of the jets were included in the shipment and whether Ukrainian pilots, who have received training in the West, including in the United States, would be able to use the F-16s immediately, according to Bloomberg, the first media outlet to announce the arrival of the jets. Denmark promised to donate 19 jets, and the Netherlands said it would send 24 jets to Ukraine, while Belgium and Norway, which has sent six, have promised to send more, Bloomberg reported. U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to allow allies to send the U.S.-built jets to Ukraine a year ago, after repeated requests from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO allies. Ukraine says it foils aerial attack Earlier Wednesday, Ukraine's military said it thwarted one of Russia's most extensive drone attacks, shooting down all 89 aerial drones Russia launched overnight. The Ukrainian air force said the country's air defenses also shot down a Russian-guided missile that targeted the Mykolaiv region. Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, was the biggest target of the drone attack. Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv city administration, said on Telegram that more than four dozen drones were shot down above Kyiv and in areas approaching the city. Popko said there were no reported injuries or damage from the attack, which came in two waves. In the Kherson region in southern Ukraine, officials said a drone killed one person and injured another. Officials in Cherkasy, in central Ukraine, and the southern region of Dnipropetrovsk reported multiple drones were shot down in their areas. Russia says it downs 19 drones Russia's Defense Ministry said Wednesday it shot down 19 Ukrainian drones, including 11 over the Belgorod region along the Russia-Ukraine border. The governor of the Bryansk region reported no casualties or damage after Russian air defenses shot down four aerial drones. Other drone intercepts took place over Russia's Kaluga and Rostov regions, as well as Russia-occupied Crimea. Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Thousands of Palestinians have been arbitrarily and secretly detained, subjected to torture and mistreatment by Israeli authorities since the October 7 attack by Hamas that touched off the war in Gaza, according to a report published Wednesday by the U.N. Human Rights Office. The large number of Palestinian men, women, children, doctors, journalists and human rights defenders have been detained since October 7, most of them without charges or trial and held in deplorable conditions, the report says. Many of those detained and subsequently released have reported being subject to torture or other forms of ill-treatment, including severe beatings, electrocution, being forced to remain in stress positions for prolonged periods, or waterboarding the report says. At least 53 detainees from Gaza and the West Bank have died in Israel since 7 October. The report finds that conditions in military-run detention facilities appear to be worse, with widespread ill-treatment. It says detainees report they were held in cage-like facilities, stripped naked for prolonged periods, wearing only diapers. Many described in vivid detail various forms of torture and ill-treatment to which they were subjected. Some women and men also spoke of sexual and gender-based violence. In a statement to coincide with the release of the report, U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk said the report raises concern Israel is committing flagrant violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, he said. U.N. human rights officials note that Israeli authorities have said they were investigating several soldiers for allegedly abusing a Palestinian prisoner earlier this month at the Sde Teiman detention center in the Negev desert. On Monday, far-right lawmakers broke into the army base protesting the investigation of the nine soldiers who allegedly abused the Palestinian man. The U.N. report finds the Israel Defense Forces have taken into custody thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, mostly men and boys, but some women and girls as well, and transferred them to detention facilities and prisons inside Israel and the occupied West Bank. In a statement that covered hostages kidnapped by Hamas as well as Palestinians taken prisoner by Israel, authors of the Human Rights Office report said, Those taken into custody in Gaza, as well as in Israel, have been generally held in prolonged secret and incommunicado detention, with no information provided to their families, raising serious concerns of enforced disappearance. The authors said the Israeli military does not usually explain the basis for taking Palestinians into custody, although it has in some cases alleged affiliation with Palestinian armed groups or their political wings. Israel has denied the International Committee of the Red Cross access to all Palestinian detainees in its custody since October 7. The report says that Palestinian armed groups also have prevented the ICRC from visiting hostages taken during the Hamas raid on southern Israel that day. The 23-page report is based on interviews with Palestinians, released detainees and other victims and witnesses, civil society organizations, and Israeli and Palestinian governmental officials, among others. The report was shared with the governments of Israel and the State of Palestine, for factual comment. VOA contacted the Israeli mission in Geneva for comment but did not get a response. Report says Hamas' hostages suffer, too The U.N. report also criticizes the Palestinian Authority for continuing to carry out arbitrary detention and torture or other ill-treatment in the West Bank, reportedly principally to suppress criticism and political opposition. Authors of the report describe the conditions under which detainees are kept, the use of beatings, prolonged stress positions and threats to pressure confessions out of those held on criminal charges. Accounts from released Gaza hostages in the report describe the conditions they endured while in captivity. Some described being beaten while being taken into Gaza, or seeing other hostages being beaten while in captivity. Others reported witnessing the sexual abuse of other hostages both male and female, the authors wrote. International humanitarian law protects all those being held, requiring their humane treatment and protection against all acts of violence or threats thereof, High Commissioner Turk said. The U.N. human rights chief reiterated his call for the immediate release of all hostages still held in Gaza and for the release of all Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel. The United States on Tuesday carried out a strike in Iraq in self-defense, U.S. officials told Reuters, as regional tensions rose after an Israeli airstrike in Beirut that Israel said killed Hezbollah's most senior commander. Iraqi police and medical sources said the strike inside a base south of Baghdad used by Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) killed four members of the group, which includes several Iran-aligned armed militias, and wounded four others. In a statement after the blasts, the Popular Mobilization Forces made no accusation about who was responsible. U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States carried out an airstrike in Musayib, in Babil province, but did not provide more details on the location. The officials added that the strike targeted militants that the U.S. deemed were looking to launch drones and posed a threat to U.S. and coalition forces. The officials did not comment on any casualties. "This action underscores the United States' commitment to the safety and security of our personnel," one of the officials said. Multiple rockets were launched last week toward Iraq's Ain al-Asad airbase housing U.S.-led forces, U.S. and Iraqi sources said, with no damage or casualties reported. U.S. officials said none of the rockets hit the base. Tuesday's action was the first known U.S. strike in Iraq since February, when the U.S. military launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard and Iran-aligned militias. The 150,000-strong Popular Mobilization Forces, a state-sanctioned grouping of Iraqi paramilitaries, is dominated by heavily armed and battle-hardened groups loyal to Iran and with close ties to its Revolutionary Guards. Iraq, a rare ally of both the U.S. and Iran that hosts 2,500 U.S. troops and has Iran-backed militias linked to its security forces, has witnessed escalating tit-for-tat attacks since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October. Iraq wants troops from the U.S.-led military coalition to begin withdrawing in September and to formally end the coalition's work by September 2025, Iraqi sources have said, with some U.S. forces likely to remain in a newly negotiated advisory capacity. The issue is highly politicized, with mainly Iran-aligned Iraqi political factions looking to show that they are again pushing out the country's one-time occupier, while U.S. officials want to avoid giving Iran and its allies a win. U.S.-led forces invaded Iraq in 2003, toppled former leader Saddam Hussein and then withdrew in 2011, only to return in 2014 to fight Islamic State at the head of a coalition. The United States said it was not involved in the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in an overnight strike in Tehran. Haniyeh is the second Iran-backed militant group leader assassinated this week. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has the story. U.S. State Department Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell says that whether it is exploring for rare earth minerals, establishing military bases in Africa, or building more ships and submarines, the United States needs to do more to compete with China. Speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Tuesday, Campbell called China the "defining geopolitical challenge confronting modern American diplomacy." "We need to do more, and we have to contest Chinese actions, not only in terms of their forward basing strategy, but their desire to go after Africa's rare earths that will be critical for our industrial and technological capabilities," he said. Campbell added that China has presented U.S. diplomats with a global challenge that extends from economics and defense to information and human rights. Bipartisan desire to compete Lawmakers from across the political divide who attended the hearing agreed with that assessment and the need to compete with China's influence. Republican Senator Marco Rubio from Florida expressed concern about China being the "world's leading shipbuilder" and "undisputed king of basic industrial inputs." Campbell agreed with the senator, noting that the difference between the two countries was "deeply concerning," and that the U.S. "has to do better" in shipbuilding. He also said the United States submarine program needs more attention. In his opening remarks, Ben Cardin, a Democratic senator and chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the United States needs to offer the Global South an alternative to China. "In order to address these challenges, the United States should not only be investing in our military, but also our diplomatic and economic development tools," Cardin said. Technology and critical rare earth minerals used to make everything from semiconductor chips to batteries in electric vehicles was an area of particular focus during the hearing, given China's dominance. In 2022, China was the largest source of rare earth mineral imports for the United States at 70%, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It is also the world's biggest supplier of rare earth minerals. "If you look at a balance sheet of the top 40 trace elements and minerals that are necessary for batteries or for semiconductors, the vast lion's share of those supplies are now controlled by China," Campbell said. He noted that while the U.S. was initially in an unfavorable position, it has stepped up signing critical mineral agreements with Japan and Australia. Campbell also said the Lobito corridor project in Africa a railway that will run through mineral-rich Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to an Atlantic port in Angola would help meet U.S. demand for the minerals. Hearing looks at relations with Africa Increasing diplomatic relations with Africa was a key focus of the hearing. Campbell said he has traveled to Africa twice since his appointment in February and has plans for a third trip. He also noted that there are 14 ambassador nominations for posts on the continent yet to be approved by the Senate. Several senators at the hearing stressed the need to increase the U.S. diplomatic footprint and fill empty ambassadorial posts, particularly within the Global South. Campbell said the lack of U.S. ambassadors in key posts is "embarrassing" and "antithetical to U.S. strategic interests." During the hearing, lawmakers also discussed the need for U.S. involvement in international infrastructure development projects, continued support of Ukraine against Russia's invasion, and the need for more efforts to combat Chinese misinformation and press manipulation in third countries. The United States this week moved to significantly strengthen its alliances in the Indo-Pacific amid a perceived security threat from China, including a major upgrade of the U.S. military command in Japan. Washington and Tokyo insist the changes are purely defensive, but questions remain about the military readiness of the United States and its allies if conflict erupts. The United States has around 55,000 troops stationed in Japan, with most of them deployed in the southern Okinawan islands. The Kadena Air Base outside the Okinawan capital, Naha, is Americas largest in the Pacific region. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held so-called 2+2 talks with their Japanese counterparts in Tokyo on Sunday and announced a major shift in defense relations. The United States will upgrade the U.S. Forces Japan to a joint force headquarters with expanded missions and operational responsibilities. This will be the most significant change to U.S. Forces Japan since its creation and one of the strongest improvements in our military ties with Japan in 70 years, Austin told reporters. Our decision to move in this direction is not based upon any threat from China. It's based on our desire and our ability to work closer together and to be more effective, he said. The upgraded military command is expected to be led by a three-star general, with the possibility of a four-star general in future leadership. Analysts said it marked a profound change in the U.S. approach to its forces in Japan. That means the Americans are serious. The Americans are really serious about fighting a war [alongside] Japan. Against whom? I don't know. Whoever wants to change the status quo by force, we may have to fight, Kunihiko Miyake, president of the Tokyo-based Foreign Policy Institute, told VOA. The move is designed to complement Japan's new Joint Operations Command, which is due to launch in March 2025. Grant Newsham, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for Security Policy, welcomed the change. It's a good first step toward getting the Americans and the Japanese in a position where they can actually fight together," he told VOA. But what remains to be seen and this is important is how much authority will it have? What units will be assigned to it? What responsibility will it have in the event of a contingency? The U.S. and Japan also agreed to numerous other defense measures, including joint missile development and the possible deployment of American troops alongside Japanese forces in outlying islands. Discussions also focused on so-called U.S. "extended deterrence" whether Washington would be willing to use its nuclear weapons to defend Japan. Japanese capabilities Tokyo last year announced plans to double its defense spending to 2% of its gross domestic product by 2027. Newsham said the Japanese military needs huge investment in recruitment, weapons and logistics. So, there's a number of practical things that Japan needs to do to be ready to fight a war. And then you ask yourself, Well, how are you going to actually link up with the Americans to fight? Have you done the necessary planning and training so that you can just fall right in and deal with a real-world contingency? he said. There are fears that such a contingency is dangerously close. The U.S. and Japan on Sunday labeled China the greatest strategic challenge facing the region, amid Beijings rapid military buildup in the disputed South China Sea and ongoing military exercises around Taiwan. Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to reunify the island with China, and there is speculation he is planning to do so by force. Lattice of alliances In such a volatile region, U.S. officials say Washington is seeking to interconnect its regional alliances with the United States and each other, creating a "lattice" framework to protect Indo-Pacific security. There are limits to such cooperation, Miyake said. Of course, we cannot have a NATO-type collective alliance system, because we have a different historical background. But what we needed to have is multilayered security arrangements. The Philippines is emerging as a key U.S partner in the region. Visiting Manila Tuesday alongside Austin, Blinken announced a $500 million military aid package for Manila, describing it as a once-in-a-generation investment to help modernize the Filipino armed forces and coast guard. The "Quad" grouping of the United States, Japan, India and Australia provides another layer of regional security. Foreign ministers of those nations met in Tokyo on Monday, a day after the U.S.-Japan bilateral meetings, and issued a joint statement calling for a free and open Pacific. The AUKUS alliance between the U.S., Australia and the United Kingdom offers further scope for security coordination in the Indo-Pacific. But effective military alliances require more than agreements on paper, Newsham said. For this so-called latticework of a range of alliances and agreements that the Americans have tried to put together well, with whom can they do a real-world short notice operation? That means if you had to go out and really do something for real, like fight, who could they do it with? And that is a very, very short list. It's pretty much got nobody on it, except for the United States Navy and the Japanese navy, he said. China checkmated? Speaking to ABC News on July 6, U.S. President Joe Biden said the network of alliances Washington had built in the Indo-Pacific region were "checkmating" China. Newsham questioned that assertion. Look at Chinese operations around Taiwan. These are nonstop, almost every day, and they're getting closer and closer to Taiwan. Theyre surrounding Taiwan. And you might ask the Taiwanese if they think the Chinese are checkmated, Newsham said. Additionally, the Chinese and the Russians are doing more together militarily than they ever have, circumnavigating Japan, getting close to Alaska with nuclear-capable bombers. Well, the Chinese aren't showing any sign of having been checkmated. Their military buildup continues unabated, he said. But the value of U.S. regional alliances especially that with Japan shouldnt be underestimated, said Miyake. Allies are the people or the countries who fight for you and bleed for you. Who wants to fight against the Americans for the Chinese? I don't know. Even the Russians don't want to do that, Miyake said. Beijing denies that it poses a threat to Indo-Pacific security. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged the U.S. and Japan to abandon what it called a "Cold War mentality," adding that the $500 million of U.S. military aid for the Philippines would increase insecurity. Russia on Wednesday said the U.S. and Japan appeared to be preparing for a large-scale armed conflict in the Asia-Pacific region. Russian Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson Andrei Nastasin told reporters that Moscow was consulting with China and North Korea on how best to respond. A former U.S. Green Beret who in 2020 organized a failed cross-border raid of Venezuelan army deserters to remove President Nicolas Maduro has been arrested in New York on federal arms smuggling charges. A federal indictment unsealed this week in Tampa, Florida, accuses Jordan Goudreau and a Venezuelan partner, Yacsy Alvarez, of violating U.S. arms control laws when they allegedly assembled and sent to Colombia AR-styled weapons, ammunition, silencers, night vision goggles and other defense equipment requiring a U.S. export license. Goudreau, 48, also was charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods from the United States and unlawful possession of a machine gun, among 14 counts. Goudreau appeared in federal court following his Tuesday arrest in Manhattan, but it was not clear a day later whether he would be released from custody pending trial. He was being held at a federal detention center in Brooklyn. Goudreau, a three-time Bronze Star recipient for bravery in Iraq and Afghanistan, claimed responsibility in 2020 for the amphibious raid by a ragtag group of soldiers that had trained in clandestine camps in Venezuela's neighbor Colombia. He said he and others were acting to protect Venezuela's democracy after Maduro's 2018 reelection was boycotted by the opposition and condemned as undemocratic by the U.S. and dozens of other countries. Two days before the incursion, The Associated Press published an investigation detailing how Goudreau had been trying for months to raise funds for the harebrained idea from the Trump administration, Venezuela's opposition and wealthy Americans looking to invest in Venezuela's oil industry should Maduro be removed. While then-opposition leader Juan Guaido was initially enthused by the coup idea, signing an agreement with Goudreau to explore such an option, little financial support arrived and the rural homes along Colombia's Caribbean coast that housed the would-be liberators suffered from a lack of food, weapons and other supplies. Despite the setbacks, the coup plotters went forward in a comical if tragic way in what was widely ridiculed as the Bay of Piglets, in reference to the 1961 Cuban fiasco. The group was easily mopped up by Venezuelas security forces, which had already infiltrated the group. Two of Goudreaus former Green Beret colleagues spent years in Venezuelas prisons until a prisoner swap last year with other jailed Americans for a Maduro ally held in the U.S. on money laundering charges. The arrest comes as Maduro is once again facing pressure over his increasingly authoritarian moves. Election authorities declared him the winner of Sunday's presidential vote but a growing chorus of nations refuse to recognize the results, demanding Venezuela release individual precinct tallies. The opposition has presented records from 80% of the polling booths showing that its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, defeated Maduro by a two-to-one margin. Prosecutors in their 22-page indictment of Goudreau documented the ill-fated plot, citing text messages between the defendants about their effort to buy military-related equipment and export it to Colombia, and tracing a web of money transfers, chartered flights and large-scale purchases. One November 2019 message from Goudreau to an equipment distributor said: Here is the list bro. It included AR-15 rifles, night-vision devices and ballistic helmets, prosecutors said. We def need our guns, Goudreau wrote in one text message, according to the indictment. Prosecutors said he also identified a storage unit in Phoenix where an unnamed associate who the AP has learned was another former Green Beret would pick up the ammo. In another message, prosecutors said, Alvarez asked Goudreau if she would be taking things with her on an upcoming flight from the U.S. to Colombia. The equipment was shipped to Miami. Separately, Goudreau purchased several components to assemble about 60 AR-type firearms. Prosecutors said he also spent $90,000 on a used yacht named Silverpoint, according to AP reporting that left U.S. waters in February 2020 with Goudreau, an associate and several cans of ammunition, body armor plates and magazines for AR-15 rifles. A month later, Colombian police found at a checkpoint near the Caribbean city of Santa Marta the stockpiled gear in the back of a car hired by Alvarez. From there, the plot or at least Goudreau's involvement in it quickly unraveled. Alvarez was an associate of a Venezuelan businessman who was so close to the government of the late Hugo Chavez that he spent almost four years in a U.S. prison for trying to cover up clandestine cash payments to its allies. Franklin Duran was also the owner of the Venezuela-registered Cessna Citation II that was sometimes used to transport Alvarez and Goudreau, an AP investigation found. Duran over two decades has had numerous business ties with the socialist government of Venezuela, making him an odd choice to help a band of would-be-mercenaries overthrow Maduro. He was arrested in 2020 by Maduro for his involvement in the plot. The U.S. indictment makes no mention of Duran but does say that in furtherance of the conspiracy, Goudreau, Alvarez and unnamed others traveled at least three times on a private airplane between Miami's Opa-Locka airport and the Colombian city of Barranquilla, where Alvarez and Goudreau registered a Colombian affiliate of his Melbourne, Florida-based company Silvercorp. Earlier this year, Goudreau's main partner in the would-be coup, Cliver Alcala, a retired three-star Venezuelan army general, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court to more than two decades for providing weapons to drug-funded rebels in an unrelated case. Goudreau attended the court proceedings and wrote a letter praising Alcala, as a freedom-loving patriot who deserved to have his sentence reduced. But he refused then and on other occasions to speak to AP about his role in the attempted coup. His attorney, Gustavo J. Garcia-Montes, said his client is innocent but declined further comment. The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment. An attorney for Alvarez, Christopher A. Kerr, told AP that Alvarez is seeking asylum in the United States and has been living here peacefully with other family members, several of whom are U.S. citizens. She will plead not guilty to these charges this afternoon, and as of right now, under our system, they are nothing more than allegations. If convicted, Goudreau and Alvarez face between 5 and 20 years in prison for each of the violations in the indictment. The White House plans to continue President Joe Biden's push for sweeping reforms of the U.S. Supreme Court during his final months in office, despite the proposal having little chance of passing the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. "What we welcome is a debate," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in response to VOA's question during her briefing Tuesday. Jean-Pierre said there is broad public support for reform of the court. She sidestepped questions on whether the proposal is mainly a messaging strategy ahead of the November presidential election rather than a legislative goal for Biden, who is not seeking reelection. "As many times as the president introduced legislation, or some ideas of how the direction of the legislation that's important to the American people, we see a healthy debate," she said. On Monday, Biden urged Congress to eliminate lifetime appointments for Supreme Court justices and establish a system in which the sitting president would appoint a justice every two years to spend 18 years in service on the court. His proposal would "reduce the chance that any single president imposes undue influence for generations to come," Biden said. Under the American political system, presidents appoint justices who are confirmed by the U.S. Senate and serve on the Supreme Court until they die or resign. The highest court of the land provides the final word on legal interpretations of the U.S. Constitution. Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson dismissed the plan as part of Democrats' "ongoing efforts to delegitimize the Supreme Court." "It is telling that Democrats want to change the system that has guided our nation since its founding simply because they disagree with some of the Court's recent decisions," he said in a statement. "This dangerous gambit of the Biden-Harris Administration is dead on arrival in the House." Biden's proposal would "tilt the balance of power and erode not only the rule of law, but the American people's faith in our system of justice," he added. Six of the nine Supreme Court justices were appointed by Republican presidents, including three by former President Donald Trump. Biden also wants legislation to establish an enforceable ethics code for the court's nine justices. Currently, the justices are free to police themselves under ethics rules that were put in place last year following revelations that Justice Clarence Thomas had received expensive gifts from Republican donors and that the wife of Justice Samuel Alito flew two flags often used by followers of Trump's Make America Great Again movement. The ethics part of the proposal is "the most politically feasible," said Claire Finkelstein, professor of law and philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania and the director of the Penn Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law. Chief Justice John Roberts' failure to discipline his own members "cast great opprobrium on the court," and makes it "illegitimate to a large degree," she told VOA, adding that there may be bipartisan support "to rescue the court from its own problematic conduct." The third part of Biden's reform proposal requires lawmakers to ratify a constitutional amendment limiting presidential immunity. An amendment would reverse the court's recent landmark ruling in favor of Trump that presidents are allowed some immunity from criminal prosecution for acts conducted while in office. "This nation was founded on the principle there are no kings in America," Biden said. "Each of us are equal before the law. No one is above the law. For all practical purposes, the court's decision almost certainly means the president can violate their oath, flout our laws, and face no consequences." Messaging push Passage of the proposal seem unlikely in light of Republican control of House and the Democrats' slim majority in the Senate. Passage of a constitutional amendment requires two-thirds support in both congressional chambers, or approval by two-thirds of the states at a special convention. Either way, it would then need to be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures. Biden's proposal is "both a messaging push and a warning to the Roberts court to clean up its act," said Democratic Party strategist Julie Roginsky. "It underscores the fact that the Supreme Court's recent decisions have posed a grave threat to democracy and that the next president will have an opportunity to shape the court and, with it, the future of our democracy," she told VOA. Only 41% of Americans have a favorable opinion of the Supreme Court, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in June. American confidence in the Supreme Court has declined in recent years as more people see the institution as partisan. A majority of Americans (53%) say that they think Supreme Court justices rule mainly on the basis of their partisan political views, according to a 2023 poll by ABC News/Ipsos, up 10 percentage points from 2022. Various polls show that voters of both parties are in favor of term limits for justices, including a Fox News poll in July that show most Americans strongly favor mandatory retirement. "Biden's proposals bundle some of the most popular reforms while avoiding some of the more politically divisive," said Chris Jackson, senior vice president at Ipsos, referring to a court-packing proposal pushed by some progressives that would expand the size of the Supreme Court to quickly eliminate the court's lean to the right. "It remains to be seen if this will be an effective campaign message for the Harris campaign heading into the election," he told VOA. Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, backed Biden's proposal on Monday. "President Biden and I strongly believe that the American people must have confidence in the Supreme Court," she said in a statement. "Yet today, there is a clear crisis of confidence facing the Supreme Court as its fairness has been called into question after numerous ethics scandals and decision after decision overturning long-standing precedent." Trump, meanwhile, dismissed it. "It's going nowhere," he said in a Fox News interview Monday. "He knows that, too." VOAs Kim Lewis contributed to this report. Zimbabwean police have arrested four civic society leaders who were forcibly removed from a flight from Harare to Victoria Falls by state security agents at the Robert Mugabe International Airport. According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, those arrested are Robson Chere of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, education leader Namatai Kwekweza Councillor Samuel Gwenzi and Vusumuzi Sibanda. Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was unaware of the arrests and did not know where the four were taken by state security agents. In a late evening report, the lawyers body said it has finally located the four and one of them, Chere, was severely tortured. They are facing charges of disorderly conduct in that they participated in a public peaceful march outside the Harare magistrates courts a week ago where 78 opposition Citizens Coalition for Change were appearing for a remand hearing in a case in which they are accused of attending an event to mark the Day of the African Child without police clearance. "@ZLHRLawyers final access @namataik_ , Robson Chere, @cdegwenzi & Vusumuzi Moyo. They were incommunicado detention for at least 8 hours. Robson was visibly tortured & in severe pain. They have been advised that their charge is disorderly conduct. The allegations are they participated in a demonstration at RottenRow when Jameson Timba & others appeared at court. They are spending the night at Harare Central police station. At RGM Airport, they were held incommunicado by state agents." The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said the torturing of any person is against the law. Its unclear about who tortured them but indications are that they were under state security forces who detained the four at an unidentified location for eight hours. Zimbabwe is has launched a crackdown on opponents of the government as the nations is preparing for a Southern African Development Community Summit to be held in Harare. Opponents of the government have been barred from protesting in the streets with the government expressing fears over the safety of heads of state and government scheduled to attend the SADC Summit next month. General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan (1st R), also chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, attends a graduation ceremony of batches of cadets from military, air and naval colleges at a military camp in Gebeit, eastern Sudan, July 31, 2024. The SAF on Wednesday announced the interception of two drones that targeted a military celebration at a military camp in eastern Sudan attended by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. "Our ground anti-aircraft weapons intercepted two hostile drones which targeted the site of the graduation ceremony of batches of cadets from military, air and naval colleges after the ceremony ended in Gebeit," the SAF said in a statement. Five people were killed in the incident, the statement said, noting that minor injuries were being counted. (Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council/Handout via Xinhua) KHARTOUM, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Wednesday announced the interception of two drones that targeted a military celebration at a military camp in eastern Sudan attended by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. "Our ground anti-aircraft weapons intercepted two hostile drones which targeted the site of the graduation ceremony of batches of cadets from military, air and naval colleges after the ceremony ended in Gebeit," the SAF said in a statement. Five people were killed in the incident, the statement said, noting that minor injuries were being counted. Earlier in the day, local media reported that the Gebeit military camp had been attacked by drones, while al-Burhan, also chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, was attending the graduation ceremony. No party has yet claimed responsibility for the drone attack, the first of its kind on the Red Sea state in eastern Sudan. Sudan has been engulfed in a deadly conflict between the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, resulting in the loss of at least 16,650 lives, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in June. Meanwhile, an estimated 10.7 million people are now internally displaced in Sudan, with approximately 2.2 million others seeking refuge in neighboring countries, OCHA said in its most recent update on Monday. General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan (3rd L), also chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, attends a graduation ceremony of batches of cadets from military, air and naval colleges at a military camp in Gebeit, eastern Sudan, July 31, 2024. The SAF on Wednesday announced the interception of two drones that targeted a military celebration at a military camp in eastern Sudan attended by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. "Our ground anti-aircraft weapons intercepted two hostile drones which targeted the site of the graduation ceremony of batches of cadets from military, air and naval colleges after the ceremony ended in Gebeit," the SAF said in a statement. Five people were killed in the incident, the statement said, noting that minor injuries were being counted. (Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council/Handout via Xinhua) Ryan Fox, Hannah Pittard, Andrew Ewell, and Anna Shearer in 2011. Photo: Courtesy of Hannah Pittard This article was featured in One Great Story, New Yorks reading recommendation newsletter. Sign up here to get it nightly. The broad empirical facts are not disputed. Four friends: Hannah Pittard, Andrew Ewell, Anna Shearer, Ryan Fox. Two marriages. Years ago, they fell in together in and around the world of postgrad creative writing at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Theres a photograph from back when things were still good, all of them huddled together on a couch in a pose of easy camaraderie: four artists only beginning to discover the ways ambition might reshape their lives. They all stayed friends until, in the first week of July 2016, Andrew, who was married to Hannah, slept with Anna, who was married to Ryan. A couple of weeks later, Hannah found out. Soon, both marriages were over. Its the kind of story one of turmoil, epiphany, evolution, damage, hope, betrayal, rancor, joy that, as specific and tumultuous as it may be to each person living it, plays out thousands of times every day. And in its wake, each of those involved finds their own way to deal with it. Some suppress it all in silence. Some lean into forgiveness, some dive headlong into recrimination. Some endlessly replay, some yearn to forget. But whichever choices are made, the blast radius is usually localized. Explosions like these are forever going off all around us, but youd barely know. Then there are writers. . . Andrew Ewell, Anna Shearer, Ryan Fox, and Hannah Pittard. Photographs: Courtesy of the subjects. Andrew Ewell, Anna Shearer, Ryan Fox, and Hannah Pittard. Photographs: Courtesy of the subjects. Somewhere in the void between Write what you know and Do no harm sits a whole world of possibility. In this, too, everyone involved must find their own way. Im sitting outside a restaurant in the center of Charlottesville discussing such things with Andrew Ewell. Earlier this year, Ewell published a novel, Set for Life. Its narrator is unnamed, but his initial circumstances closely mirror what Ewells once were: a frustrated writer married to a more successful novelist, the two of them teaching in the English department of a liberal-arts college, his job offered as a spousal hire to help lure her. In the novels first chapter, the narrator, on his way home from a writing fellowship in France, stops over to see his and his wifes good friends, a couple living in Brooklyn. (In the book, they are named Sophie and John and his wife is named Debra.) Near the end of chapter one, the unnamed narrator sleeps with Sophie. Over the next two days, Ewell and I will spend much of our time discussing the abstract parameters that govern what one can and cant do when one sits down to an empty page. Which, in his view, is mostly can. I think thats the only rule for writing: Everythings fair game, he says. Later, he clarifies this somewhat. I think if you produce shitty work and youre just airing dirty laundry and it doesnt rise to the level of art I mean, then whats the point? But if it communicates something sincere in the manner that you hope art does, then that justifies the risk. Dont make shitty art, I guess is what Im saying. Ewell is far from the first writer to pivot on the intimate details of their personal life. But one circumstance in which he finds himself is somewhat less commonplace. In May 2021, he sent the manuscript of Set for Life to an agent. That November, he learned some disconcerting information. In his novel, the narrator who in this fictional world initially returns to live with his wife, his affair still secret eventually realizes that his wife has known about the affair for some time and has been writing a book that will chronicle the disintegration of their marriage. Now, in the real world, Ewell discovered that a version of his story was actually happening. His ex-wife had written a book about their falling apart, and it would be published nine months before his. Hannah Pittards We Are Too Many, a book billed in its subtitle as A Memoir [kind of], was published in May 2023. The scene is set by the first sentence of its back-cover precis: In this wryly humorous and innovative look at a marriage gone wrong, Hannah Pittard recalls a decades worth of unforgettable conversations, beginning with the one in which she discovers her husband has been having sex with her charismatic best friend, Trish. Exactly how fully this event defines either book is something that the authors at times fiercely dispute an argument that will seem sometimes to be about writing, sometimes about the contested debris of past relationships. But lets use a term that both books employ in different contexts: the inciting incident. At the very least, these two books share the same inciting incident. And often much more than that. A few weeks after I speak with Ewell in Charlottesville, I meet Pittard at a Mexican restaurant in Lexington, not far from the University of Kentucky, where she is a professor in the English department. Before any food has arrived, she is already describing herself to me. I cant remember when I wasnt writing and making shit up, she says. I think everyone in my family now, if you ask them, would tell you that I am a liar. And they would say that, I think, with great love. I always thought there was a better way of telling something that happened. There was always a better ending. There was a better twist. Pittard tells me that when she was young, she had trouble fitting in. She went to Deerfield, a fancy boarding school in Massachusetts, and she used to talk to her reflection in the mirror about becoming a different version of herself one who was outgoing and fun, and could admit to wanting to be pretty, and would say yes to going to parties, and wouldnt cry so much. It was a long process, but by the time she arrived in Charlottesville, it was beginning to happen. Her new friend Anna Shearer, whom she met on her first day of the writing program (Shearer was beginning her second year), was part of it. She was stunning, Pittard says. She stood out. She was cool. She looked Parisian. She was confident. She looked the way I wanted to look, and she paid me attention, and it was so addictive and flattering. Soon Pittard also knew Ryan Fox, a poet and bartender who was dating Shearer. Ewell was the last of the four she met. After Pittards first published short story appeared in McSweeneys in 2005, someone told her that there was this musician who had dropped out of grad school who was going to write a takedown of McSweeneys and how it was just like this hipster place to publish stories. They were talking about Ewell. Soon afterward, she was taken to see a well-liked local band, American Dumpster. Ewell was the guitarist and, at the time, dating the bands washboard player. It was Shearer who introduced the couple-to-be in Pittards memory, she said, Youre the only two dorks I know who play Scrabble you guys should play Scrabble together. So they did. For a couple of years, they were friends. Then they were together. Five or six years after becoming a couple, in December 2012, they married. Pittards first novel was published in 2011, a second two years later, and one version of her marriage leaks around the edges of her promotional interviews for these books. In 2013, she referred to Ewell as the love of my life. Later that year, facing down a pushy TV interviewer who wanted her to talk about infidelity, she declared that she would never cheat on her husband and he would never cheat on her: Hes an open book. Hes great. Hes the best. Hes the most loyal person in the world. This rendering of their relationship does resurface now and then in my conversations with Pittard. I had wonderful times with him, she tells me. When we were good, we were so fucking good. He could be fucking funny as shit. He could be charming. He could be so sweet. Much of what she most treasured seems to have been anchored to their shared passion for the written word. Ive never talked to somebody about writing fiction and enjoyed it so much as I have with Andrew, she says. One of my favorite things to do would be to read the same book and to talk about it at the craft level. Wed read lines aloud to each other. That really sustained us for a long time. She pauses, as though assessing whether to voice the sentence cued up in her head. I never loved his writing, she eventually continues. I thought that it read like somebody who had read a ton and understood story as much as anybody understood story, in quotes. But Ive never liked reading my work aloud to anybody as much as I liked reading it aloud to him. And I loved his feedback, and I miss it. Like, it made me a better writer. That was one fissure. Another was the unstated dynamic between two writers who cant help but notice the uneven validation they are receiving from the world. Theres a pro, and theres a con, she says, and the pro is This fucker gets it. The downside is its a fucking competition and no ones saying it. And youre a woman, hes a man, and you fucked up getting there first. Before I spoke with Ewell and Pittard, I trawled through everything I could find that they have written or said. Pittard had left the busier trail and, in one interview, offered the following perspective: Everything in my life that has been traumatic or difficult has at some point or another become material for either a short story or a novel. Im so used to cannibalizing my own life. And when I got to this particular event, this betrayal, there wasnt a doubt in my mind that I was going to write about it. In fact I think one of my greatest fears, because everyone involved is a writer, was that one of them would get to it before I did. In the introduction to We Are Too Many, Pittard rues a moment in grad school when she used a privately shared revelation about a classmates husband in a story, and also explains how, in the wake of using aspects of her grandfathers suicide and its aftermath in her second novel, Reunion, there are people who have never forgiven me for the trespass. In an earlier essay, she related how she realized, some way into writing what would become her third novel, Listen to Me (eventually published the same month her life with Ewell exploded), that shed been subconsciously basing the novels warring couple on herself and Ewell. Once she became aware of this, her response was not to pull back. Instead, she started mining her troubled marriage in the most deliberate of ways for instance, purposefully wading into an argument with Ewell and then excusing herself to the bathroom so that she could get down the best of the back-and-forth on her iPhones Notes app. Last year, Pittard offered another kind of take on such dilemmas. Around the release of the memoir, she had a brief dalliance with making TikTok videos, and one begins with this caption: POV Youre a writer and the guy youre seeing asks you not to write about him. The viewer then sees Pittard speaking, as though addressing someone just off-camera, in a tone both beseeching and conciliatory: I would, I would never, oh my gosh, I feel bad that you would even think you have to ask me that, I would never, I promise, I would never write about you thats just not how it works. The caption then changes to: Later that day. Now, we see Pittards hands typing on a keyboard and, on the computer screen, the words she is typing. Chapter one. His name was Bruce. He was bald. He made me promise that I would never write about him. I promised. Set for Life is Ewells first book. Before that, he had published a handful of short stories. The first of these, called Everything in Its Place, appeared in the UVA literary magazine, Meridian, back in 2007. Ewells story was accepted for publication by the magazines fiction editor, Pittard, before they were dating, in a role she took over from Shearer, who had been working alongside the magazines poetry editor, Fox. Over the years, Ewell wrote three unpublished novels, each of which, he now says, didnt work. In retrospect, he tells me, he had been writing books that he felt he was supposed to write rather than ones he truly cared about. Before starting Set for Life, he had more or less given up, and it was in that spirit that he proceeded: It was like, All right, heres my last hurrah nobodys going to publish this, nobodys going to read it. I might as well just say whatever the fuck I want to say. What it was that he did want to say he discovered along the way. Even when I wrote this book, I didnt consciously decide Im going to write a book about my last marriage or something, he says. Its just things swirl in your head and they come to take a shape. I quote to him Pittards words about worrying someone else would write about all of this before she did. That tracks, he says evenly. I mean, thats how she is. One of the ways in which I feel like we didnt get each other ultimately is I think we have very different attitudes toward the reading public and about how we want to write books. It makes sense that she would think she has a story and she wants to get it out there before anyone else does. In truth, Pittard could hardly be accused of getting the account in We Are Too Many out there with reckless haste it appeared nearly seven years after what happened happened though she did address the subject in print for the first time long before that. In May 2017, ten months after that inciting incident, she published an essay, Scenes From a Marriage, in the journal The Sewanee Review in which she laid bare her version of some fault lines in her marriage to Ewell: how, after they moved to Kentucky to take up twin tenure-track academic jobs, Ewell relentlessly complained about everything; the stresses caused by her greater success as a writer; how she mined their marriage for the novel she was working on; what she saw as his contemptuous response when she begged him to see a therapist (asked to commit to a date by which hed do so, he picked February 14). Near the essays end, she explained how she had come around to seeing the infidelity as a paradoxical gift because she believes that she would never have walked away, however aware she was of all that was wrong between them. We Are Too Many begins with a hundred or so pages of conversations. Most, as she explains in the book, are re-created from memory, though a few are imagined. The opening conversation reveals how, when she comes to New York in July 2016, a friend tells her the news of her husbands affair. The third conversation details how, at six oclock the next morning, she confronted Trish (as Shearer is named in the book) on the phone, eventually getting confirmation: He says youve always been terrified of this happening, Trish tells her. In the fourth conversation, she speaks with Patrick (as Ewell is named in the book), who likewise acknowledges the truth. HANNAH: Thank you for your honesty. I get the house. I get the car. I get the dog. Ill see a lawyer on Monday. PATRICK: Did you rehearse that? Then, later in that same back-and-forth: HANNAH: There are like 9 million women you could have had sex with, and we would have worked it out But Ive made it incredibly clear from the beginning that there is one woman who is off-limits. PATRICK: Youre so self-righteous. Its disgusting. And off it goes from there. One aspect of the books spirit is that it is brutal and unsparing (to its author, too) and yet at times seems calibrated and compassionate, a balance summarized in a pointed turn of phrase Pittard used in an interview about it, explaining that she wanted to make sure that I was never being unnecessarily cruel. Theres enough weight on the word unnecessarily in that sentence to push whole cities into the ocean. Ewell is probably the worst placed of any potential reader to appreciate the books merits, and so it proves. I didnt feel that I saw anything of myself, really, he says. And I dont think I really saw anything of Anna either. (Ewell and Shearer stayed together and are now married.) I guess I would say I feel like the portrayals of everyone are not fully convincing. It would be inaccurate to say that Ewell doesnt strain at times to show respect to Pittard and to her work, or to the best parts of the life they shared together, but it would be wrong to suggest that these efforts are entirely successful. I think that Hannah has a great deal of confidence in herself as a writer and deems pretty much whatever she puts down on paper worth publishing. So thats a very different way of he says, breaking off. And again, I dont want to sound like Im disparaging her. I often wish I had more of that kind of confidence, that pride of production, but I dont. Later, he explains more explicitly what he means. She is good at tapping into whats fashionable and what the marketplace desires. And right now, divorce memoirs is a fashionable subject. Again, I dont mean to say thats a bad thing, necessarily. I just think its a way that she thinks about writing that it turned out I feel quite the opposite. One further peculiar aspect of all this is that Ewell had already touched on these events in fiction several years before his novel, in a 2019 story called Halloween that was published in Juxtaprose magazine, but appears strangely unaware that he did so. I dont think of that story as being very rooted in experience or anything, he says when I mention it, seemingly mystified that I might bring it up in this context. I point out he is clearly using his marriage in it. He seems perplexed. Theres an ex-wife with a boyfriend or something? he asks. To which, well, yes, but rather more than that: The narrators ex-wife has stayed in the college town where theyd both once worked and married a man named Bruce, the former chair of the department, who has a daughter from a previous marriage. She is made full professor in three years. All of this mirrors Pittards subsequent life (aside from the fact she and her partner, Jeff Clymer, are not formally married). But thats far from the main part. When Ewell continues to profess puzzlement, I have to pull out a copy of his own story from my bag and read back to him the relevant paragraph: Before Maisie and I got together, she had said, Fuck anybody but her. Seriously, I dont care. Just not her. I was about to leave on a research trip. Id be in New York for a few weeks, where Maisie and her ex-husband were then living. When I eventually told Angela that I had fucked Maisie, and that in fact, I loved her, she responded thoughtful pause, glasses removed with what seemed like a prepared statement. Okay, Ill call a lawyer in the morning. Weird! Ewell says. I dont remember that at all. But, yeah, I mean I guess Im calling on my experiences and memories more than I thought. All of which takes on greater significance for a very particular reason: This is a story in which the narrators ex-wife, Angela, is stabbed to death by a homeless man on the university campus. In other words, if we accept that Angela is based on Pittard, Ewell has written a story in which he imagines and depicts her murder. I ask whether he didnt consider what Pittard would think if she read this. It didnt occur to me at all, he says. As I dug into everything in the days before I flew to Charlottesville, I discovered something else, something I suspected Ewell perhaps might not know. This turns out to be the case. Ewell is already aware that Pittard has a new book in the works, but in the publishing announcements relatively anodyne brief, the book is referred to as an autofictive story of a 43-year-old author facing unforeseen disruptions after various members of her family relocate to the small midwestern university town where she teaches. Deep into a podcast she recorded last year, Pittard gave a differently angled description of what the book will be, one relevant to our discussions. I quote it to Ewell: Its a dark comedy about a writer, Hannah, who finds out that her ex-husband is publishing his debut novel, and his debut novel is about the dissolution of their marriage. Ewell looks at me, and, as often in our conversations, he waits in silence for an actual question. Thats news to you? Fuck, yeah! I didnt know that. I mean, its exhausting. I ask for his thoughts. I guess my thought is it just seems ridiculous to me. I mean, Jesus. Like, she can write whatever she wants. The other thing she says, I tell him, is that the novel is about how the discovery that youre writing this book slowly drives her crazy. Well, I dont know, he says. I dont get it. When Pittard and I meet, I think she genuinely strains, as Ewell had done, not to disparage her former partner. (Though maybe within her declared metric: not unnecessarily.) But as with Ewell, the dam holding back the rawest feelings has severe structural failings. One of many emblematic horror stories, which she explains in layered, convincing detail, is her recollection of the day she got her first book deal (for the novel The Fates Will Find Their Way). She describes Ewells rising irritation as the increasingly high-flown book auction continued throughout an afternoon, culminating in his demand at what she believes should have been the moment of celebration: What does this mean for me? It was one of the first times, she tells me, that I remember thinking, Im going to have to break up with him I might not love him anymore. (This was not a version of reality Ewell recognized. As I recall, I remember being really excited about her first book and being really excited for her. That doesnt necessarily mean I didnt have some feelings of kind of some envy or whatever about it, but I dont know. Those mixed emotions seem more interesting to me than someone saying, What does this do for me? That just seems very that seems not true to history.) Some of the roughest stories Pittard tells about Ewell are about money: in the early days, his drinking cocktails in a pricey Charlottesville restaurant, waiting for her to finish her shift waitressing and spend what she had just earned on picking up his tab; Ewell frittering away her latest book advance gambling in New Orleans when she was neck-deep in credit-card debt. Even so, shes clear that she let this happen, all of it. I knew it was wrong because I am not unintelligent but I fucking wanted him, she says. I wanted him. He was handsome. He made me feel cool. He made me feel validated. I thought he was so smart. Ive never had a boyfriend like him before who looked good and, like, other girls envied. And I wanted to keep him. She describes to me where their relationship was in the buildup to its final rupture, when they were disagreeing about almost everything and she was working on Listen to Me: I was thinking, Im still fucking mad at you. It doesnt matter, because this is a thing I love, and the thing loves me back. So, to be blunt, This is more important I care more about this right now? Absolutely. That is why it is not his fault. When he said I dont know if this made it into the memoir You dont want to have sex with me, but you also dont want me to have sex with other people, that is true. I did not want to have sex with him. I was mad as fuck at him. And I didnt want him to have sex with other people. But, like, fuck him! And yet, did my book mean more to me? For sure. Yes, I privileged this book over my marriage because I was mad, because the marriage wasnt giving me anything. The books dedication they were still together when it went to press reads For Andrew, without whom this story wouldnt exist. If some readers find the clarity Pittard just expressed about her priorities a little chilling, its worth pointing out that she and Ewell appear to agree on this matter. When I mentioned Listen to Me to Ewell, he said that a friend told him he couldnt imagine how hed feel if his wife had written a book like that. From there, our conversation continued like this: I dont think its accurate to say I dont care or didnt care, but I suppose I did have, and do have, the feeling that its her prerogative to write whatever she wants to write. Did that contribute to difficulty in the marriage? Probably, looking back, yeah but I suspect that neither one of us would have chosen to sacrifice or compromise what we wanted to work on for the sake of the marriage. I mean, at least to my mind, that comes second. The marriage? Yeah. I dont know. Yes. I guess thats my answer. Some people will be horrified by that. People who are writers or artists, or people who are not? Fair question. Maybe both. But I get why youre asking. Let me put it in a more awkward way: Would Anna be comfortable hearing you say that? Yeah, for sure. She might add a caveat, which is that the writing had better be good as a result. I mean, why does anyone become a writer, a writer of fiction, particularly if they dont think that theres something a little more important to them, a little more natural to them, in the fictional environment than in the real world? Isnt that kind of what draws one to fiction to begin with? But is that worth potentially destroying things in the everyday world? You hope the value is that you communicate something to a reader to make them feel less lonely. Heres one person talking to another and saying something truthful about how they look at the world. And I think theres something about that communion that for those of us who care about it, it makes us feel less lonely. It makes us feel like someone gets us. Im not saying I completely disagree with you, but I can hear peoples voices objecting, saying: What about the person sitting next to you on the sofa going, You want someone who gets you? Theres someone who gets you right here who youre ignoring to do this! Sure. Well, okay. Yeah, it depends who that person is. It would be too simplistic to say that I married the wrong person when I married Hannah. But I also think that at some point along the way, we started to feel like we didnt really get each other. I mean, she had intimated divorce earlier in that year, before anything happened with me and Anna. And at that time, I was probably a pretty difficult person to live with. I was unhappy. I didnt like being in Kentucky, and I didnt feel particularly successful in my career, my writing life, my creative life. And I was probably kind of a bitch to deal with. So I dont know. I imagine that Hannah probably felt like maybe if I was the person next to her on the sofa, then I probably didnt get her very well either. As for what actually happened in those weeks in the summer of 2016, much of it is depicted in their writing, and more is clarified or qualified in the conversations we had. In June, Ewell was at a writing retreat near Bordeaux, after which he and Pittard met in Paris for a few days that didnt go well. Then they flew back separately to the U.S., Ewell arriving in New York on the afternoon of June 29, planning to stay with Fox and Shearer for the next week. There, Ewell and his married friends went out for the evening, though Fox ultimately wandered off in his own orbit. (His and Shearers marriage was already fractured in complex ways.) As Ewell put it to me, Thats when Anna and I started just talking and kind of finding out we were both in really depressed places in our lives, and kind of reconnecting with an old friend and also kind of that feeling of, like, I dont know, What other kinds of lives are out there for us? I mean, it was pretty immediate. He and Shearer spent the next few days together, then Ewell went up to Yaddo. On July 19, Pittard came to town ahead of a book event the following evening. That night, just before bed, a friend she was staying with told her about Ewell and Shearer. She called Shearer at six the next morning. In retrospect, shes proud of how she handled what ensued. It was really like a conversation of my fucking life it was so good, she declares. She says that at first Shearer denied what had happened, at which point Pittard said, I cant talk to you, and hung up. Then Shearer called right back, and they got into it. Pittard remembers, at the end, Shearer asking, Do you want me to have him call you? which infuriated her: Im like, Go fuck yourself. Hes my husband. She says it was a few hours later when Ewell phoned her: I thought, No, I dont want to be the one to call him. I want him to call me. And I also thought, Shell have called him; theyll have talked it out. Whatever conversation we end up having will be closer to grounded than if I do a gotcha. Which is clearly what I did with her. I did a gotcha with her. That should give you a sense of how, in many ways, I felt more betrayed by her than by him. After her conversation with Ewell, Pittard emailed someone who knew those involved and whom she had long considered a mentor, the writer Ann Beattie, sharing the abrupt change in her circumstance: Well, shit. Im getting divorced. Its going to seem strange and out of the blue that youre one of the few people I want to tell about this but, Ann, I have to tell you: in part because it is so stupid its almost funny: Andrew and Anna Shearer think theyre in love. (!!!!????!!!!) Hes always known that she is the one person an affair with whom I could never forgive. Pittard still had five hours to kill before her book reading that night, so she went to Zara. In her unhappy early 20s, shed developed an unusual habit: Shed go to Bloomingdales in Chicago, gather up an array of expensive clothes she couldnt afford, then lock herself in the well-lit safety of a dressing room, undress, and go to sleep for hours surrounded by the outfits she would almost never buy before waking and trying them on, playacting the personalities she imagined she one day might have. Now she sought a new version of the same kind of safety. She locked herself into the Zara dressing room and then, sitting in her underwear, texted messages to two men she thought might be interested in her, each beginning with the sentence Guess whos getting a divorce? I was mad and I felt ignored and I felt pissed, she explains. And this motherfucker just had sex with that person. She wasnt actually interested in pursuing anything with these men, but she wanted their attention and successfully got it. She also bought a skirt that she wore at that evenings event at Housing Works. Fox came to the reading he had found out about the affair that day, too and afterward they went out to dinner with friends. She says that night at around midnight, she spoke to Ewell again: He and I had it out. He said, I think youre fucking other people. And I was like, The only person not getting fucked here is me. It was this horrible conversation. That was the only time I ever remember yelling at him. The next day, she took the train to Washington for a book event. On the train, she was bawling and texting and talking on the phone about all of it, and blowing her nose into a shirt, then weeping some more, and at one point she said to the man in a suit next to her, by way of a retort to the disapproval shed imputed to him, Im not contagious. Then, when he rose to leave the train at Philadelphia, the man simply said, in a way that seemed to her almost unbearably empathetic, Its going to be okay. And she lost it all over again. Before the reading, she had her sister smear hemorrhoid cream on her puffed-up eyes. In the aftermath, Ewell kept his teaching position in Lexington for the next couple of years, so he and Pittard were still working in the same English department when she published her essay in The Sewanee Review about their marriage. But when I mention the essay to Ewell, he tells me hes not sure hes read it. Whats it about? he asks. I mean, I know that I heard about it. I know that people called me and said, Oh, did you see Hannahs piece? Pittards account of that time is different. Ewell knew she was working on it, she said. And he wrote me an email after it came out. It was, like, classic Andrew. He congratulates me and he says I did a really good job and I got most of it right and I should be really proud of myself. It was very paternalistic and a little bit patronizing and a little bit generous. It was everything that was wrong with us in one email. When I relay to her what Ewell had told me that he couldnt remember whether he actually read her essay she responds carefully. Ill say this: Its not strange to me at all that he would have said that to you, she says, and that was a problem. When I ask whether she thinks Ewell believes what he told me, or thought I wouldnt find out otherwise, or whether theres some other explanation, she responds, I literally live for, like, imagining what the answer to that is, and then expands on her own nuanced approach to how writing and the truth must intermingle and on how she believes this differs from Ewells. For somebody who is also a liar and who loves to then tell stories, I have this very fine understanding of: This is where it became a story, and this is what the fact is, she says. When I was married to somebody who did not have a fine grasp of obvious facts, I felt gaslit a lot. I understand your question. Do you think he really believes it? I dont know. We talked about the essay! It drives me crazy. But maybe he forgot! In my inbox the next morning is a copy of Ewells email. Hi, Hannah, I just want to say I read your essay. Its candid, elegant, and true in the Keatsian sense, which is to say, beautiful. (I confess I cried a little.) I admire your honesty, and I envy your bravery. (Theres not a little talent in there, too ) Its hard to reckon with the truth, let alone make that truth unassailably convincing to your reader (especially if hes your ex-husband). Anyway, I guess I just want to congratulate you. And I want to say: Maybe we wont be the best friends we once were, but your essay gives me hope we wont forget the friends we were for a long and important time Envoi: You wrote a beautiful and heartbreakingly honest essay. Damn, Pittard! Youre a hell of a writer, and you got to the heart of the matter, you really did. Brava, Andrew When shown this email, Ewell responds, I have zero recollection of writing that, or of reading the essay, but it appears that I did, and suggests that he wrote it to take the high road. Furthermore: Its also worth noting that a big part of the reason I dont think her memoir came off very well, aesthetically, I mean, is that it accomplished so little of what I seem to praise in that email. It was toward the end of 2018 when Pittard first began to make notes in a file on her computer, short episodes experimenting with different ways she might possibly reexamine this material. One was titled I GET THE HOUSE, CAR, DOG. Another, Stanley Lleweling was in love with his own charm Lleweling being some mutant version of Ewell. Another, There were so many reasons to hate Minnie Grizwald. Grizwald was her. (I gave me a really horrible name, she notes.) Around that time, she says, her momentum as a writer felt stalled. Shed been very happy with Listen to Me A brilliant book, she contends as she had been with her first. But she felt shed misjudged some decisions with the fourth, Visible Empire, set in Atlanta in the aftermath of the real-life 1962 air disaster in which a plane full of Atlanta grandees on a European museum tour died on the Paris tarmac. I had deadlines, I was going through divorce, she says. After that, shed written a novel called Hot Stuff but no publisher accepted it, and she says that on reflection it didnt have oxygen in it. In late 2019, she turned her focus back toward her own recent experiences: I thought, Heres a great story, right? Its like a classic story of betrayal. Every story has been told, but this is my story, and I have intimate understanding of it. She resolved to write it as fiction: I thought this was going to be so easy. Its just fill-in-the-blanks. Off she went. Along the way, she experimented with writing passages in Shearers voice, in Ewells voice, and in the voice of a fictionalized version of herself. I especially tried writing it from Annas perspective, Pittard says. Because I thought it was going to be very easy to make fun of me. I thought, Thats a funny place to start a book a woman whos gotten the guy and what shes thinking about is how much she hates the woman that she got the guy from. And I had some fun with that. But as she pressed forward, she realized that it wasnt working. I guess I thought, Whats at stake? she says. What made my story interesting to me is it was my story, at the end of the day. Id rather just fucking tell the truth. Lets get it over with. By now the pandemic was raging and she was shuttered in the attic of her new home with Clymer and his daughter down below. I felt so like a caged animal up there. And I was just thinking of these conversations, and I was thinking of, You are so pathetic that you let them say this thing to you. And so I wanted to just write it to exorcise it. Its Henry James in The Art of Fiction who says a good writer is someone on whom almost nothing is lost, she says. And I was interested in the conversations where things had been lost for me that I hadnt noticed. Because I like to think of myself as a good writer on whom very little is lost. Which is why this setting and situation I think it hurt my ego. The fact that they cheated on me, and that I missed it, hurt my ego sometimes more than it hurt my heart. At one point in our Charlottesville conversations, Ewell reflects that what has been happening between Pittard and him may, when it comes to writers, just be the natural order of things. I think that its telling that lots of people get divorced, but two people who are writers get divorced and go off in different directions and write stories that help them to make sense of their experiences, he says, rather than clash in front of each other or face-to-face or whatever. And that may be something that happens in a lot of literary marriages. I mean, it makes sense to me that if the way that you organize your thoughts is in writing, then you would probably go to the page to do that and maybe not hash it out in real-life conversation with that person, especially once youve decided its over. Theres a glib way of summarizing what youre saying, which is, Now the relationship is over, you can both get down to really getting started with it. Sure, he replies, considering this. Yeah. I dont think thats that glib. Pittard sent me a draft of that next book Id told Ewell about, which is titled If You Love It, Let It Kill You and will be published in July 2025. On the first page, the narrator, Hana, has been told by a friend that her ex-husband has written about her in a novel. Upon hearing this news, she Googles her ex-husband, looking for more details. In doing so, she writes, I accidentally discovered a story hed written in which Id been knifed to death by a homeless man. Hana subsequently tells her boyfriend (who, as in life, is a professor with a daughter from his previous marriage) about this that shes found a story by her ex in which both she and he feature and in which he is called Bruce. The narrator then announces to the readers of this book that she will be borrowing the name Bruce for her partner from Ewells story; for the rest of the book, that is what he is called. Pittard tells me that she actually heard about Ewells book in March 2022, when her agent sent her an email with a screenshot of the Publishers Weekly announcement. Pittard forwarded the screenshot to her friend, the poet laureate Ada Limon, with the note The motherfucker wrote a memoir. (Limon had to point out, reading more carefully what Pittard had sent, that it was a novel.) I was crazed, Pittard says. She indignantly asked Clymer what he thought about this turn of events and quotes to me what she clearly considered an infuriatingly reasonable response: Hannah, I think you gotta let it go. You wrote a book about it? Hes written a book about it. That was when, in real life too, Pittard resorted to Google. Which I havent done, she says. Because who the fuck Googles him? Sitting across the kitchen table from Clymer Hes like, What are you doing? And Im like, Nothing she chanced upon Halloween and began to read. First of all, she says, its my favorite thing hes ever written. It was great. I actually really liked it. Second, though, it was a story in which she was murdered, something she found pretty fucking creepy. This macabre scenario became a kind of punch line in Pittards circle Id say to Ada, Ive been walking around for three years murdered I had no idea! But it started to get to her. She began some new writing, imagined conversations and scenes that she enjoyed reading out loud to Clymer scenes inspired by this discovery. Eventually these scenes coalesced into her next book, whose catalyst was both the announcement of Ewells novel and this dark short story he had written. Halloween was necessary, a hundred percent. And then it like clearly blossomed. I want him to know she breaks into a long, deep, wry laugh this book is because of him. And taking his name for your partner, Bruce, and using it throughout your book? It is one of my favorite things I have done. And its a great name. Im so grateful for Andrew for giving him such a good name. Pittard says she hasnt read Ewells Set for Life. Or rather, she says, she has only read the 26 pages that Amazon allows you to read as a free preview. And I skimmed them, she says. I thought, Thats plenty. Ive seen what I need to see. Ewell and Pittard were not the only writers involved in this turmoil; indeed, the evidence available to me suggested that neither of them were the first to have published a written reflection on any of this. These days, Ryan Fox is a transactional-IP lawyer, but he remains just as he was when they were all together in Charlottesville a poet. And in early May 2017, a few weeks before The Sewanee Review published Pittards essay, a poem written by Fox titled And Both Hands Wash the Face appeared in The New Yorker. In it, the poems narrator opens a copy of Four Quartets and is confronted by the handwriting of the person with whom, it is implied, he used to share the book. Pittard writes about this poem in We Are Too Many, and how Fox had texted her about it. He wrote: Its about being caught off guard by your exs marginalia. Then he wrote: Sad! To which I responded: Sad! To me, in Lexington, she says, That poem was really lovely, and I was so proud of him that it was in The New Yorker. You know, I took a book to capture what he took ten lines to do. But when Fox meets with me one evening at a bar in Greenpoint, the first thing we establish is that theres been a misunderstanding. His poem, which he wrote a few years before it was published, when he was in law school, is about a different, earlier ex. He registered Pittards misreading in her book but saw no need to contact her about it. It didnt bother me that much, he says. No matter. Fox did write about this part of his life, though not immediately. For a while after the summer of 2016, he was, he says, in life mode. I was in a new relationship right after. I didnt really have time to process what had happened. I was sort of, like, focusing on survival and things like that. Then, in the fall of 2017, taking some time off from his day job, on a retreat at Yaddo (these are Yaddo-punctuated lives), he started to write a long poem, Eppur Si Muove. The poem flies widely through the disjunctions of mid-teens America before circling in on the violence at Charlottesville and its implications. As he did this, Fox found himself juxtaposing these broader upheavals with his memories of Shearer he wasnt really in touch with her, or Ewell, at the time and what had happened to them. Addressing, he says, a lost love. Where have you gone, my eyes and ears, Dumpster of a dozen years? Where are you, hand of my glove, What became of courtly love? This poem stands alone as the final section in Foxs as-yet-unpublished poem collection, Nineteenth Symphony, which he has sent to me ahead of our meeting. Many of the poems in its first section, After Love, offer earlier reflections on the unspooling of his relationship with Shearer, written and often published as it was happening. Accessing, he says, the sort of gallows humor and the tenderness of a failing marriage. No one is really home but the lights turn on anyway no one is really sure what compulsions remain The first lines of the first poem, Nights and Weekends, are: Where you cant do anything about it, cant do anything more to save it, says Fox, of that poem, and sort of helpless but recognizing that theres some tenderness still left or something. I ask whether he and Shearer would discuss what these poems were saying about the two of them when he wrote them. I mean, no, he says. That would have been a classic us. We werent discussing that. She was like, Great job thats an awesome poem. Like, Lets celebrate. That was our M.O., honestly. It was something that became clear after a certain time that there was a problem we needed to address. But werent able to. In our marriage. And we probably had ways of addressing it that were nonverbal like through the poems. After Fox moved to Charlottesville in 2003, he met Shearer at a party that he and his then-girlfriend threw: I think she did some dumb graffiti to our toilet. Within a year, they were together. He became friends with Pittard through Shearer. He tells me that he found Pittards We Are Too Many exhilarating to read. He particularly liked the scenes between Pittard and Shearer back in those early Charlottesville days. Even though it was maybe not the nicest stuff that was happening between them, he says, it brought back a time in my life that was carefree and enjoyable to think about. On the other side of the ledger, he says, obviously I didnt love the way I was portrayed. How would you say she portrayed you? Um, I guess as a maudlin drunk. Why do you think that was her take? Theres nothing defamatory in that portrayal of me. And nothing probably untrue. There were some nights, you know, when I was the maudlin drunk and tried to call her. That parts not untrue. Its that its at the expense of the rest of the character that I take issue with. Also, I feel like that character maybe bore the brunt of the drinking for all four. Which I understand from, like, a literary perspective. He says he enjoyed Ewells Set for Life a lot more. I love the levity of it and the caper aspect of it, he says. I like a good comedy. He enjoyed his own character, George, too. In Ewells book, Foxs stand-in approaches people in bars and serenades them with poetry or sometimes with a Charlie Chaplin routine. Its a comic character, so it is larger-than-life in a way, he says. But also its a very charming character. As for both books depiction of his and Shearers marriage as essentially already broken, he says thats fair enough. It was, I think, an open secret among our friends, he says. Especially as that summer neared, it was clear that some sort of drastic intervention would have had to happen for us to save it. In fact, he had separately started seeing a new girlfriend in those same weeks and had taken a suitcase over to her house a few days before learning the truth about Ewell and Shearer. He received that information on the day of Pittards New York book reading. Shearer texted him, asking if they could speak: I took the phone call, and I heard her voice, and she was, like, full of fear and shaking almost. So I went into the conference room and shut the door, and she told me that she was in love with Andrew. And, I mean, honestly, my reaction was some mix of, like, hilarity and histrionics and, like, exhilaration. Nonbelief. How was this happening? Like, what? Shock. I mean, I dont know what people usually feel in these circumstances, but for me it was, first of all, just like an incredibly juicy item of gossip. Youre not supposed to think that about your own life. Sure. But also I think I sort of immediately understood that this was sort of the intervention that our marriage needed to be over. I was like, Well, I guess yall wont be at the reading tonight. And well be in touch about whatever paperwork or whatever we need to handle with the lease. And the divorce. As for the reading, a really great night is how he describes it. Hannah and I were like, Yeah! No rings anymore! Literally that was how we greeted one another. Fox echoes what Pittard had told me that he actively tried to remain friends until it became clear that she no longer wanted this: It took me a while to understand she didnt feel the same way that I did about wanting to stay in touch with this group which was quite magical and an important part of all our lives. Pittard also told me that Ewell considered her inability to stay friends with the group a failure of imagination. By this measure, Fox was more successful. He acknowledges that some people are surprised he is now friends with Shearer and Ewell I have been made to feel strange about it but says that for him it was never really a question. Andrew helped me move the dresser into my new girlfriends place when we were moving out of Annas place, he says. He and I had beers every time he was in town thereafter. It was a little bit tense or different at first. It took us a couple of years to get back into sort of the fullness of the friendship, both with Anna and Andrew. I explain to Fox the premise of Pittards next novel, which he does not know about. Okay, he says. People cant get enough of each other. Any thoughts? Cant wait to read it. When Im in Charlottesville, Ewell tells me about a novel Shearer had written but never published. He describes it to me as about her years in New York. Its somewhat about her marriage, but its really about kind of like a womans loneliness in her life and in her marriage and also kind of a snapshot of Brooklyn in those years a very dark book about just a very lonely person. Wondering whether it might contain yet one more take on what had happened between the four of them, I ask Ewell whether the novel went as far forward as 2016. No, not really, he says. Fox tells me he has not read Shearers book, though he does know its title is Nights and Weekends. Hed reminded Shearer that hed used that title first. I dont think she cares, he says. Not that I do either. He points out that its the name of a bar they used to go to at the very end of Bedford Avenue. Its also just a nice title, you know? he says. I didnt meet Shearer when I was in Charlottesville, but I later contact her, and we arrange to speak by video. She also sends me a draft of Nights and Weekends beforehand, characterizing it to me in an email as a work of autofiction and telling me this: It was about my time in New York, being married to Ryan, alcoholism, self-destruction, an addiction story that is harrowing and horrible and thank God it didnt get published. Her description is accurate enough; its gripping in its chaos, recklessness, and despair, and artfully so. Pittard, who clearly has a bounty of negative feelings about Shearer these days, had nonetheless told me this about Shearers writing back when they were in the UVA writing program together: I think she is an instinctively excellent storyteller. I think Nabokov talks about the thing that cant be taught, the sort of magic, and some of her stories had that kind of magic. And I wasnt alone in thinking this. When we speak, Shearer explains to me what she was aiming to achieve with the novel: So theres a lot of ways that women try to write about self-destruction, alcoholism, and being very unwell. But I couldnt find a real version of what it felt like to be in the throes of this. Often, the women, they have too much wine, and then, like, they get confused. And they always remember how they got home. Theyre, like, embarrassed: Oh, I made a fool of myself at that party. And I would read that and be like, Really? Theres something real here, and women dont really know how to write about it, for whatever reason. So I was trying to tackle that. In great detail, it lays out her unraveling one that far transcends too-much-wine befuddlement and the parallel unraveling of her life with Fox (here named David), a downward trajectory that for most of the book seems to be picking up pace. At one point she writes: I thought there must be something that people did, to keep the sadness away. But I couldnt figure out what it was. I thought I was going to die, Shearer tells me. I was pretty sure of it. If shes mostly now glad not to have all of those details out in the world, theres one aspect she regrets. I feel bad for the girl in New York killing herself, wishing she could find a voice like that to relate to, Shearer says. Thats who I wrote it for. That downward trajectory does eventually break in the novel as, thankfully, in life. The predicament was, as she puts it, How am I going to end this relentless onslaught of horrible decisions? Even if she ultimately had to find the answer within herself, one catalyst would be an old friend. In the novel, we first meet Ewell when Shearer first met him, back in Charlottesville. Well, when I say Ewell, of course I mean the autofictional character representing Ewell, and here I need to pause to point out but one more surreal uncanniness: the name Shearer chose for Ewells understudy. Patrick. Precisely the same name that his ex-wife had used for him in We Are Too Many. It was very, very strange, says Shearer, who nonetheless prefers not to read too much into this. It has about the same amount of syllables, and its a strong main-character name. When Patrick reappears in her book, much later, he now has a wife, Elisabeth. But given what Ewell had told me, I still didnt expect Nights and Weekends to go where it does toward its end. But it does. Suddenly Patrick is on a visit to New York, on a layover after a writing fellowship in France, and we are hearing another version of what we have heard elsewhere: Patrick and I had found each other kissing at midnight at an empty bar somewhere Id never been before We had come back to the apartment, slept together on the futon while David was passed out in the bedroom. I was mortified the next day, ashamed of myself Id had sex with my oldest friend, the friend I used to joke had never made a pass at me, one of the only friendships I had left that I had somehow never sabotaged. Theres one more thing I should note that I have come to realize about these multiple fictional and semi-fictional accounts of what happened in the summer of 2016. Shearer was writing Nights and Weekends in 2020 in the early months of COVID. Thats the same time that Ewell was deep in Set for Life. And also the time when Pittard was writing We Are Too Many. I tell Shearer this and say that in the bad movie of this, youd see these rooms across America in which everyone was writing about the same thing. Bad movie? she asks. That movie sounds fantastic. Right at the beginning, Shearer says, when she knew him in Charlottesville, she and Ewell the first of the four to meet bonded over writing: He was a musician, and I would drive him to some of his gigs, and we would just talk and talk and talk about writing. In time, the four of them shared this. We were all serious, she says. It mattered a lot to all of us. We didnt really see another path necessarily. We were kind of all in, in a way. She describes their collective mind-set with a kind of affectionate mockery. Theres this expression about graduate programs: that they make you feel like a star when you havent even done anything, she says. You feel that you were chosen, and you are special, and youre going to make it. Shearer had some stories published (including one under the pen name Ernest Langbaum I dont know why I did that, she says). But when she and Fox moved to New York, she declared to herself that she was done. She already had a good job these days shes a marketing director at a financial-technology company and I just said, I cant do this anymore. Im tired of feeling guilty. Im tired of feeling like I failed. I just want to move on. She insists that she was never jealous of the others as they continued to pursue writing with varying degrees of validation. I just have the gift of not giving a shit about that, she says. But eventually, writing drew her back. Before Shearer sent out Nights and Weekends in January 2021, there was one more bridge to cross. She knew that Ewell needed to read it. I was terrified, she says. It was horrible. Whatever she had told him about her New York life, she certainly had not told him all of it. He didnt know how bad it was. He didnt know the exact type of relationship that Ryan and I had at that point. But I didnt want to say it. I had to give it to him. Sometimes I think I wrote it just so I had it as a record so he could see it. Maybe thats just one part of the broader utility of capturing ones life in words. Sometimes its easier to write about things than think about them, she says. You dont have to think about reality. You think about a description. Its an escape. You can live in the pages of your book. She says she also thought about showing Nights and Weekends to Fox. But she didnt and still has not. I think it would have made him sad, she says, and I think he just would have felt a little bit that I betrayed some things that were personal to our relationship and to each other. Shes retrospectively aware of one further reason to be glad that Nights and Weekends never reached the public: After seeing everything that has been happening with Andrews book and even Hannahs book, Im relieved I can stay out of it. She points out that this aspect has been difficult for Ewell. Its unfortunate that his book keeps getting drawn in to this Hannah planet, she says. He didnt want to write a memoir. He never wanted these people to be treated as real individuals. This isnt a game to Andrew to try to secretly say stuff about real people. I keep telling him, Just write another book. Dont involve any of these people just dont think about it. (Both he and Shearer are working on new novels that have nothing to do with the events of July 2016.) Hes been doing this seriously for as long as Ive known him, Shearer says. I mean, hes just committed. Hes dedicated to the form and to the art. Its not like a hack opportunity for him. Hes old-school. Saul Bellow. He wants to be thought of as the best writer of his generation, you know. This past December, Ewell told me, he and Shearer, stepping into the lobby of a Charlottesville hotel with thoughts of getting a martini before heading home for dinner, ran into a famous writer and her husband. (Ewell hesitates to identify the writer, but when I point out that it is obviously Ann Beattie, he agrees that this is so.) They talked, caught up, and when his novel came up, Beattie expressed enthusiasm for reading it. (In Ewells version, Shearer had a copy in her bag, though she told me that she had to go home to get it.) The encounter ended warmly. In the following days, Ewell received communications from Beattie that he considered contradictory. On the one hand, he and Shearer were invited to brunch. On the other hand and I am quoting here from an unpublished essay Ewell wrote around the publication of his novel She had read the first chapter of my novel, she said, and liked it very much, but couldnt continue, the reason being that she hadnt known what it was going to be about, and now that she did, she could not in good conscience read any more of it. She was, after all, still friends with my ex-wife. This baffled him. Its just a funny stance for a writer in her 70s whos been around the block, he says. He notes that Beatties most recent book, Onlookers, names real people in Charlottesville, like a guy who owns a bookstore and someone who works at the gym. His point seems to be that there is a literary principle that applies here, maybe something about the sanctity and separation of the work, one at which Beattie is a master. When I put to him that perhaps her response indicates someone prioritizing other values, like friendship, his reaction suggests that he believes her to have made a curiously inexplicable category mistake. Pittard had told me that she and Beattie email occasionally, so I ask whether Beattie had mentioned running into Ewell. She had not, so I briefly explain to Pittard the above story. She pauses. There were moments while I was in Lexington when her eyes welled, but this was the only occasion when the obvious trigger was not some kind of hurt. I have to tell you, she eventually begins, I have a really bad back. And once a year, almost always on my birthday, I go to the ER because it cripples me. And only one time have they ever given me morphine. And theres a reason that morphine should be kept away from me because the feeling of warmth that washes over my body I have to say I have a feeling of morphine-induced warmth right now for Ann. And its not because I dont want people to read Andrews book, and its not because I dont want him to be successful. But Im brimming with love for Ann right now. As they each express versions of what was, there are a few stark areas of contention. To Pittard, it is an evident truth that Shearer had intentions toward Ewell: I think it was a long hand that shed been playing for several years. Shearer is adamant that this isnt so. I always thought it was pretty clear that I didnt feel that way toward Andrew, she says. I never had a glimmer of it, Fox concurs. There was plenty of people who I was jealous of with respect to Anna. But Andrew was never one of them. And I was genuinely shocked that it was him. And I dont, in fact, think that Anna was interested in him until this happened. Why do you think Hannah thinks otherwise? I mean, I think it fits with her conception of Anna as a more conniving sort of villain. Whereas, if anything, I think her sort of mistake, or whatever, is her impulsiveness. I dont think Anna has the patience to hatch a plan like that over a multiyear period of time. A key moment in Pittards We Are Too Many, the second conversation in the book the one that really sets the tone that suggests the transgressions described will go way beyond sexual infidelity is a remembered transcript of a call between Pittard and Shearer in the period when Ewell and Shearers relationship had already begun but Pittard had yet to discover it. Pittard is out walking her dog in Lexington; Shearer is in a New York bar. In the book, the conversation begins like this: TRISH: Ive met someone. HANNAH: Youre always meeting someone. TRISH: I mean it. He makes me want babies. HANNAH: Gross. TRISH: He makes me want to leave my husband. HANNAH: You say that several times a year. TRISH: I want him to put babies on me. Im serious. That, to Pittard, was a betrayal on a whole other scale. For a long time it doesnt hurt anymore but for a long time, Pittard tells me, that phone call, and realizing a week later that she was talking about my husband, and that shed gone out of her way to tell me that, I couldnt parse the evil in that. I couldnt parse it. It didnt make sense to me. My brain sort of shut down. It was, she says, a call that will never leave her. I fucking hate being hoodwinked. And I hate being hoodwinked by people that I think I have a pretty good read on. And I was hoodwinked that day. When I first mention any of this to Shearer, shes somewhat dismissive, saying that she supposed the conversation depicted in We Are Too Many was intended to be one of the books imagined set pieces. I wouldnt have done that, she says. I press that I feel sure Pittard believes that she remembers this quite specifically. I mean, I dont doubt she believes she remembers a lot of things, responds Shearer. I press on, quoting to Shearer the above dialogue from the book. After I read the babies line, Shearer exclaims, Thats disgusting. I would never say that. Likewise, when I reach I want him to put babies on me, she says, Oh, my God. I have never said that sentence in my life. Pittard is infuriated to hear of this denial. There are some things that I feel so certain of, she says, and one of them is this conversation. Pittard at first assumed Shearer was talking about someone older whom theyd previously discussed. I said, You want to have babies with this guy? And she said, No, its someone new you dont know him. And I asked his name and she said, Hes our age. Somehow, this single issue seems the rawest of all, a proxy for everything else they will never agree on. As I go back and forth between them, the battle lines only harden, and any fragile sense of mutual respect seems to shatter. I think shes just getting things mixed up, says Shearer. She probably put it in her book, and now she remembers it that way. Thats what writers do. I mean, it would be convenient for Hannahs story to have that betrayal, is what I would say, echoes Ewell. If its convenient for her story, for her narrative, then I suppose she would have to believe it, wouldnt she? Im not trying to say she made something up. I think a creative mind hears things in strange and interesting and different ways. In turn, Pittards affect is one of a long-simmering exhaustion. It doesnt matter to me anymore, she says, but I know that Im right. When you take someone real and place them inside a book, one way you may steer a reader before saying another word is by the name you call them. In various published and unpublished novels, stories, and drafts by the participants, these are the names used: Some version of Andrew Ewell is Percy Winters, Fred, Danny Winters, Stanley Lleweling, and Patrick (twice); Hannah Pittard is Debra Crawford, Elisabeth, Hannah, Hana, Minnie Grizwald, Penny Sneed, and Angela; Anna Shearer is Trish, Sophie Schiller, Maisie, Wanda, Emily Pruitt, and Georgia Pruitt; Ryan Fox is George, David, Mitchell, and John Reams. Occasionally, such a name may have a sweetly private reference point for instance, Shearer is called Sophie in Ewells novel, a name which relates to a circumstance from her first days on this planet. An early tale, you might say, of how the words we choose often have consequences we dont see. After Shearers father, an emergency-room doctor, delivered her at home, her parents decided that her first name should be Anna and her middle name Sophie. So it was, until three months later her older sister, who had told her classmates of this new arrival to the family, rushed home with some disturbing news about what sweet baby Anna Sophie Shearers initials spelled out. Her middle name was quietly changed to Christina. But sometimes a name carries a toxic charge or at least that is how it may seem to those so renamed. Perhaps itll come as no surprise that those most affronted in this regard are Pittard and Shearer. Shearers objection is to Pittard calling her Trish. When I meet Ewell, he has previewed her objections. Trish is cheap, right? he says. It signifies sort of slutty or something. I mean, I think thats a cheap low blow. Are we at the point where authors who go to private schools their whole life can make fun of people from West Virginia and call them out as being stupid and say they dont have a good vocabulary and name them Trish? Shearer, who is from just across the border, in Ohio, asks me. Weirdly, everything else the other woman, make it a mean girl, a little slut shame in there, whatever I felt like I could deal with. For some odd reason, its that dig at being uneducated from West Virginia and just being an idiot because of where Im from. That just burned a little bit. Pittard is no more taken by the name Ewell chose for her. They named me Debra, she says. And Im going to say they because I think it was a joint conversation. I think of the two of them at breakfast, having coffee, going, Dawn? No. Meg! No, Debra!!! And then the two of them just cackling. Did they know Id hate it? They sure as fuck did. They might as well have named me Nell! And I bet you Nell was on their shortlist. The first time Ewell and Pittard saw each other after their split, he visited her in Lexington and, as she remembers it, they went out for a long walk. When Pittard talked about this in a 2018 podcast, she related how there were both tears and laughter, but how then Ewell started to explain to her how awful it had been that he hadnt been able to just call her up and tell her how funny Shearer was. Hadnt been able to share, in other words, all his new excitement with the person he was used to sharing his excitements with. At which point Pittard said she stopped him. She had something she needed to tell him right away. She had written a conversation in her new novel two days earlier, she told him, and it was important for Ewell to know, when the book came out, that the words she had written had not been taken from, or inspired by, this conversation they were now having. (Here, for reference, the relevant passage, on page 28 of Visible Empire: Robert smacked his own forehead. Do you know, he said, that all Ive wanted to tell Lily about for the past year is Rita? Wouldnt Lily die laughing if I told her what Rita said this afternoon? I couldnt get Rita off my mind. Shes all I thought about. I wanted to talk about her. I wanted to talk about her to Lily because Lily is my best friend ) On the podcast, Pittard described what happened next: He was like This is why youre fucking awful! And then we started fighting. But its true. I mean, this is why I am awful to be in a relationship with that Im able to, while Im supposed to be having this really dramatic moment, step back and be like, I just want to make sure you know, in two to three years, when this book that Im working on finally comes out, this wasnt your idea it was already mine. He was like, Are you fucking real? Im sure, Pittard tells me, that I did it in part also to hurt him and to undermine his experience. By saying, Ive already imagined the thing that youre going through, and Ive written it down thats how unoriginal you are. Just four friends who wanted to write: about themselves, and about one another, and about writing and being written about. Thats how things go, Ewell says, especially when you hang out with artistic people who have, you know, large egos and imaginations. The smallness will go away, Pittard tells me, because what will always linger is: I am so fucking lucky. I get to write. I would love for young people everywhere to get to experience art and conversation in this way. And, oh my God, lets keep doing this and being frustrated by it for as long as we can. Lets make eye contact. Lets piss each other off. Lets say, You stole that from me; I stole this from you; Thats not true. Andrew and me, at the end of the day, were nothing. But are you kidding? Id rather be a character in somebody elses book than not acknowledged at all. At one moment in my conversations with Ewell, I pointed out to him that most of the people reading this will not be writers. And that one of the questions they may well be pondering as they do so is whether people should be fearful of writers in their midst. Yes, he said. I think it would probably be wise. Pittard told me that about six months into dating Clymer as we talked, she and I were sitting in the living room of the house they share he told her that he needed her never to write about him. She described to me her reaction: I was like, I heard what you said. And what I had been thinking at the time and this I have told him was, Yeah, this relationship isnt going to last, because I write about the people in my life. But then we kept dating, and I didnt have an immediate inclination to write about him. And there was a day where he came home and he said, apropos of nothing I had not brought it up he was like, I trust you. You can write about me. And I was like, Good. Because Ive been thinking of some stories It Ends With Us. Photo: Nicole Rivelli/Columbia Pictures If our screens and our bookshop displays are united on one thing, its that this is the year of the romantic drama. February gave us Netflixs fizzling and teary One Day, which gave way to Prime Videos rom-com turned rom-dram The Idea of You (think of a One Direction fanfic come to life with a surprising number of tears). This summers It Ends With Us is the first Colleen Hoover adaptation to hit theaters, and if you know anything about Hoover, its to expect maximum melodramatic seriousness. Gone are the days of Nicholas Sparks adaptations set in small coastal towns. The new rom-dram is urban, cosmopolitan, and fast-paced. These are careerist adults trying to make sense of their lives before they submit to romance. 1. Illustration: Tomi Um Romance no longer has room for vagabond women who are finding themselves or taking a step back from it all a la Eat Pray Love or Under the Tuscan Sun. To become a female love interest worthy of unimaginably fantastic amours, they need to be self-starters, if not full-blown small-business women. These characters run their own art galleries (The Idea of You) or are writers (One Day, A Family Affair), florists (It Ends With Us), or chefs (the upcoming We Live in Time). Their professional self-empowerment is intrinsic to the romantic story line because in order to choose whom they want, they have to choose what they want (W-2 versus freelance income) out of life first. Falling in love for the sake of falling in love is out of fashion and not Feminism 101 enough. 2. Illustration: Tomi Um The Idea of You, One Day, and A Family Affair all have semi-famous or notable male love interests theyre rich and good-looking, they have some access to fame, and theyre all kind of adorable himbos. While none of these stories stems from fan fiction directly, all share similar tropes of an extraordinary man noticing a regular woman for her secret extraordinariness (or, to quote the bards of One Direction, You dont know youre beautiful). In It Ends With Us, the initial male love interest is a neurosurgeon, while our heroine is a simple florist. This status imbalance leads to a funny Who, me?type humility from the female love interest and requires the male to humble himself (eat a sandwich at her house or read a book for once) to become attractive to her. She may be more worldly, introducing him to painters or class privilege, but shell always strain to make herself beautiful or elegant enough to tag along until she realizes he likes her for who she already is. 3. Illustration: Tomi Um Each of these women endures something ranging from the casually cruel (Solene getting bullied by August Moon groupies for being old in The Idea of You) to the actually cruel (the abuse subplot that propels the conflict in It Ends With Us). The female love interest has to decide if its worth overcoming this embarrassment and sorrow and, more important, must consider how good an apology the male love interest is capable of making. This is a classic rom-com trope someone messing something up before the couple can have their happily ever after but in these rom-drams, its taken to the extreme, often punishing the romantic leads for something out of their control. 4. Illustration: Tomi Um With the exception of Ambika Mods Emma in One Day, these romantic heroines must cope with motherhood as an obstacle to their self-actualization. Mostly, children are objects preventing the leads true happiness. Joey Kings Zara (A Family Affair) launches an all-out assault on her mother, Brooke (Nicole Kidman), for dating her hot Hollywood hunk boss, Chris (Zac Efron). Anne Hathaways Solene (The Idea of You) cuts loose her boy-band BF, Hayes (Nicholas Galitzine), when she hears her teen daughter is getting bullied at school. In It Ends With Us and We Live in Time, children are weaponized as tearjerker speedruns, intended to drive home the films tragedy. These rom-drams want you to know a woman can have it all be a mother with a career as long as shes willing to suffer for it. 5. Illustration: Tomi Um Speaking of suffering: Dead parents, dead spouses, distant parents, semi-realized childhood trauma you name it, its loaded into these rom-drams like nothing else. Maybe some of these romantic leads are traumatized by past relationships their parents (It Ends With Us) or their own (The Idea of You). Regardless of gender, they have to overcome everything: ageism (Solene and Hayes in The Idea of You), abuse (Lily, Ryle, and Atlas in It Ends With Us), death (Brooke and Chris in A Family Affair, Emma and Dex in One Day), cancer (Almut and Tobias in We Live in Time), their childhood (again: the It Ends With Us crew). The romantic relationships at the center of these stories arent about finding true love so much as fixing everything that has gone wrong. Its not just love; its therapy. DAMASCUS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Explosions were heard Wednesday afternoon in the south of Damascus in an area that has a presence of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, a war monitor reported. The blast hit a building in the Sayyida Zaynab area in the southern countryside of the Syrian capital, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, adding details of the incident are still emerging. The area has witnessed several instances of Israeli attacks against Hezbollah targets. No official comments have been made about the incident yet. The explosions come amid growing tensions in the region, with Israel allegedly carrying out attacks in Lebanon and Iran against key figures of Hezbollah and Hamas. Casa di Livia reopens with multimedia visit. The Colosseum Archaeological Park has reopened the House of Livia, a first-century BC domus on Rome's Palatine Hill, after a programme of restoration work. The ancient residence is attributed to the wife of Emperor Augustus due to the name "Iulia Augusta" engraved on a lead water pipe, on display in the tablinum or reception room, according to a statement from Italy's culture ministry. The building, excavated in the 19th century, comprises a quandrangular atrium onto which open four rooms with mosaic floors and walls painted with frescoes depicting mythological scenes, dating to around 30 BC. We have reopened the House of Livia Every day from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays. Access with tickets - Forum Pass SUPER - Full Experience - Membership Card#museitaliani pic.twitter.com/OV1GpX85Am Colosseo Foro Romano Palatino (@ParcoColosseo) July 30, 2024 The visit to the newly-reopened Casa di Livia is enriched with a new multimedia experience which illuminates the rooms in rotation, along with narration and lightmapping. The House of Livia can be visited every day except Tuesday, from 09.30 to 17.30, with the Forum Pass SUPER or Full Experience ticket or with the Membership Card. For full details including visiting information see the Parco archeologico del Colosseo website. Dining chat: A waiter gave our anniversary bubbly to the table next to us. What should we have done? ISLAMABAD, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Wednesday condemned the killing of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh in an attack in Iran's Tehran, saying it is deeply shocked by the timing of this reckless act, one day after the inauguration of the Iranian president. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday. Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including extrajudicial and extraterritorial killings, irrespective of the motives, the country's foreign ministry said in a statement. "We extend our condolences to his family and the people of Palestine," the statement said. The "latest acts constitute a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region and undermine efforts for peace," said the ministry. The Hot School Meals Programme will be extended to an additional six primary schools across Waterford, according to Fine Gael Senator and General Candidate John Cummins. This is part of the rollout of an additional 168 primary schools nationally and will bring the national programme to 2,200 primary schools from September 2024. Senator Cummins, a former teacher, has spoken about the benefits of the hot school programme in Seanad Eireann on several occasions, most recently when addressing Minister Paschal Donohoe following Budget 2024 which expanded the programme to a further 900 schools. He said, ensuring children have nutritious meals in school has many positive benefits, not only in ensuring children are adequately fed which is vitally important but it also helps them concentrate on their education. There are a lot of research papers that support this view and I have seen first-hand the impact of healthy eating in the school environment. Minister Humphreys said, Since my appointment as Minister for Social Protection, I have grown the Hot School Meals Programme from a small pilot of just 30 schools to a nationwide programme which now provides nutritious hot meals in 2,200 primary schools across the country. My ambition now is to finish the job as part of this years Budget and ensure that every primary school in Ireland is providing hot school meals in 2025. I firmly believe the roll-out of hot school meals to every primary school in the country will be one of the lasting legacies of this government," she added. The Department of Social Protection provides the funding to schools for the school meals programme, and it is the responsibility of schools to choose their supplier in an open, fair and transparent manner in accordance with national legislation and EU directives on procurement. The additional schools to include hot meals are Waterford Educate Together NS; Lismore Mochuda NS; St. Mary's NS Grange; Rathgormack BNS; Scoil Gearbhain and Ballymacarbry NS. Im delighted that Minister Humphreys is implementing this expansion of the hot school meals programme and I fully support her ambition that the funding for the final expansion of the hot school meals programme to all remaining primary schools is a priority for her in Budget 2025, continued Senator Cummins. It is a topic we are both passionate about and weve have had many discussions about. The Minister fully recognises that the full rollout will facilitate better educational outcomes, improved wellbeing amongst pupils and help tackle the issue of education disadvantage. It will also remove a key cost associated with attending school," he concluded. Off the back of a successful local election campaign, one of Waterford's youngest Councillors has announced he hopes to contest in the upcoming General Election. Fianna Fail's Councillor Adam Wyse spoke with the Waterford News & Star about his intention to put his name on the ticket for the Dail. Thirty year old Cllr Wyse said hes very open about how he got into politics and has always been honest with his constituents, leading him to say that now is the right time for him to run for TD: I've never shied away from that I obviously got onto the Council through the death of my father Gary, and a lot of people don't like that system, he said. I wasn't aware of the system until somebody from the Council sat on my couch and told me that that's the way it works, with my two older brothers, and they both turned and looked at me and said that 'you should do it,' Cllr Wyse said. I wasn't aware of it until that was as much a shock to me as anyone else. It was December 2013 That I was I was put onto the Council. That was about a month and a half, two months after my dad passed, and so I knew very little about local politics other than the fact that it kept my dad away from the house, he said with a laugh. But I spent the last, you know ten and a half years since that day, trying to prove people wrong, Im trying to prove to people that Im in it for the right reason, he added. One of Cllr Wyses proudest achievements is as former Mayor of Waterford having proposed one of the biggest developments in the State, the North Quays. Going forward, he explained that with his background in Economics and Finance, the development of Waterford needs to be understood in that capacity and Fianna Fail should have a say in those delicate and responsible decisions. It'd be arrogant to think the next Government is going to be the same, said Cllr Wyse. We don't know what other parties will play. We don't know if well even be invited to the table and you can look at our figures and polls all you want, but you really don't know, which is one of the reasons as well, that I think it's a better idea to run two candidates for Fianna Fail in Waterford because I think people in Waterford need to see us as being ambitious, he said. Cllr Wyse hopes to run alongside his Fianna Fail colleague, Mary Butler TD, the current Minister for Mental Health and Older People. Fianna Fail always lead in Government, Fianna Fail were always ambitious at elections and we're better at running campaigns and running elections. And even when people think we have no chance, we seem to always kind of come out of the woodwork and get votes, Cllr Wyse said. What I'm looking for Waterford people to do is just consider it, would you be better off having two Fianna Fail TDs or fresh-faced, energetic Fianna Fail TDs, fighting for Waterford, sitting at the table, sitting at government discussions, than having people on the other side shouting inwards and maybe not being listened to. That is the choice, effectively, that is the choice that people in Waterford have to make. Do they want Government TDs or do they want opposition TDs? I'm just trying to give them that choice, he added. I'm looking for the opportunity to serve and I've done it for ten and a half years now. I've spent pretty much half of my entire life serving the people of Waterford, believe it or not, and my goal is to stay in politics. Cllr Wyse told the Waterford News & Star why this opportunity was so important to him, which will likely resonate with anyone who has experienced the sorrow of a family member or friend who has had no choice but to emigrate for a better quality of life. My goal is to stay as a public representative, and if its not this time, it will be the next time, and it will be time after that. But I'll be trying to go higher and do more for the people in Waterford. And again, I want people in Waterford to look and say who do we have there thats available to become a minister, that is able to sit a cabinet table, that is able to deliver things that were delivered in the past, like what Martin Cullen had done, and who has a future in politics, who has 20, 30, or 40 years of service still in them. I believe thats me and I think I've proven that. I've had friends, brothers, cousins all leave the country. And I don't want those people to leave and I'm not willing to leave, so I'm going to stay, and I want to fight for it, Cllr Wyse concluded. The Dunmore East RNLI lifeboat was called out to assist a vessel in distress approximately three nautical miles southeast of Hook Head. In a statement, a spokesperson for the organisation said the 11 metre sailing vessel, with two people aboard, had lost all power and called the Irish Coast Guard for emergency assistance. The Dunmore East RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were alerted at 6.16pm and the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, 'William and Agnes Wray', was promptly launched and made best speed to the reported location. The vessel was located southeast of Hook Head and the RNLI crew were quick to arrive at the scene. Pic: Photo credits: Karen Harris (Launch Authority), Ciaran Doyle (Coxswain) Conditions at sea at the time were described as moderate with a one metre swell and winds of Force 3 to 4. Once on the scene, the volunteer crew assessed the situation and given the fact the sailing vessels crew were unable to make safe progress under their own power, a decision was made to establish a tow. The boat was towed to Dunmore East, which was the nearest safe port. Once the safety of the vessel and its crew was established back at port, the lifeboat was washed down and ready again for service by 9.30pm. The boat was safely towed back into the safety of Dunmore East harbour. Pic: Photo credits: Karen Harris (Launch Authority), Ciaran Doyle (Coxswain) Commenting on the incident, Liz Power, Lifeboat Operations Manager with Dunmore East RNLI said the incident presented "a good reminder of the importance of being able to stay in touch by VHF radio or phone when you go out on the water". "You never know when something can go wrong and you may need to call for help," she said. The crew and those onboard the yacht arrived safely back in port thanks to the actions of the RNLI crew. Pic: Photo credits: Karen Harris (Launch Authority), Ciaran Doyle (Coxswain) "If you get into difficulty or see someone in difficulty in the water, please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard," she added. Photo credits: Karen Harris (Launch Authority), Ciaran Doyle (Coxswain) An Taoiseach, Simon Harris, has been announced as the special guest for this year's Noel Whelan Interview, a highlight of the 2024 Kennedy Summer School programme. The interview will take place on Friday, August 30, at 6pm at St. Michaels Theatre. We are honoured to announce that Taoiseach Simon Harris will join our stellar programme of guests for the annual Kennedy Summer School in New Ross. The Noel Whelan interview slot is always one that is broadly anticipated so we are particularly delighted to welcome An Taoiseach for the occasion this year," said Eileen Dunne, Chair of the Kennedy Summer School. This public interview with An Taoiseach commemorates the founder of the Kennedy Summer School, Noel Whelan. Over the years, Noel conducted a number of one-to-one interviews with key figures in Irish political and cultural life. The Kennedy Summer School continues this tradition in his honour while also taking the opportunity to explore themes that remind and draw from Noels life and interests. The Taoiseach will be in conversation with Kennedy Summer School Director, Sinead McSweeney. Noel and Sineads son, Seamus Whelan, will introduce the session. Ahead of the interview, Sinead McSweeney said, Im very much looking forward to what will be a fireside chat with the Taoiseach. This is an opportunity to discuss his life and times in politics and his priorities as Taoiseach in the period ahead. Simon Harris was first elected to Dail Eireann in the 2011 General Election and was the youngest member of the 31st Dail. Before his election to Dail Eireann, Taoiseach Harris served on Wicklow County Council and Greystones Town Council, having been elected in the 2009 Local Elections with the highest percentage vote of any candidate in the country. In July 2014, he was appointed Minister of State with special responsibility for OPW, Public Procurement, and International Banking. In 2016, he was appointed Minister for Health, and in 2020, he became Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science. From December 2022 to June 2023, he also served as Minister for Justice. In March 2024, he was the sole candidate in the 2024 Fine Gael leadership election. On April 9, 2024, at age 37, he became the youngest Taoiseach in the state's history. Director of the Kennedy Summer School Brian Murphy said, Each year the Noel Whelan interview welcomes a high-profile guest and it is hosted in honour of the founder of the Kennedy Summer School, Noel Whelan. "It is a special and significant slot on our programme - we know that Noel would also be delighted to see our Taoiseach take to the chair for this event, he added. 2024 marks the 61st anniversary of President John F Kennedy's historic visit to New Ross and his ancestor's homestead at Dunganstown, in county Wexford. The 2024 Kennedy Summer School takes place from August 29th to 31st and will see a host of writers, journalists, politicians, strategists and more take to the stage for a series of panels and discussions. Former RTE pundit Eamon Dunphy, former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Newstalk journalist Ciara Kelly, RTE stalwart Bryan Dobson, the British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, the Irish Ambassador to the UK, Martin Fraser, Dr. Laura Barberena who has made political ads for the Clintons and Barack Obama, Alan Tierney, Mandy Johnston, Sarah Carey, Dr Mark Henry, Hugh OConnell, Elaine Loughlin, Grainne Ni Aodha, Sean ORourke and many more are joining the 2024 events. For further details and tickets for the 2024 events see www.kennedysummerschool.ie or call St. Michaels Theatre on 051 421255. The Kennedy Summer School and Festival is run in association with the Office of Public Works, Failte Ireland, New Ross District Council, Wexford County Council, Purdue University & Boston College. Perth and parts of the WA coast will need to brace for another strong cold front that will bring with it damaging winds of up to 100 kilometres per hour and severe thunderstorms this afternoon into this evening. Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman Sarah Scully said a severe weather warning had been issued for the states South West and metropolitan area, with possible flash flooding across the regions. Coastal towns between Perth and Jurien Bay are also within the warning zone. You can hear more about the predicted weather below: There is also a severe thunderstorm warning for people in parts of the Great Southern, Central Wheatbelt and Lower West districts, with the chance of damaging winds and large hailstones. Rome: Authorities in the northern Italian Alps, an area that uses an image of a bear to promote itself to visitors, have killed a mother bear they deemed to be dangerous after it injured a French tourist earlier this month. The action by the local forest corps who shot the bear, known as KJ1, has sparked protests from animal rights groups and criticism from a government minister. KJ1 was traced and killed via its radio collar used for tracking and monitoring wild animals on the orders of Maurizio Fugatti, head of the provincial authority in Trento. A brown bear in Italy. Credit: Abruzzo Tourism KJ1 was a dangerous specimen, the local authority said, adding that the bear had come into contact with people seven times, including the incident in which a French jogger was hurt. The alpine province of Trento, which enjoys a large degree of autonomy from the Italian government, has been at the centre of controversy over the culling of brown bears that it says have encroached too confidently in human territory in recent years. In Iran, Israels great rival in the Middle East, a grinning Haniyeh was welcomed as a hero. Waving and pressing his heart in gratitude, his white beard neatly trimmed, he glad-handed dignitaries at President Masoud Pezeshkians inauguration in the Iranian parliament on Tuesday. Chants from politicians of death to Israel, death to the USA rang out at the ceremony. Pezeshkian embraced Haniyeh warmly before the Hamas leader was granted an audience with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans Supreme Leader. Haniyeh wished Khamenei a long and healthy life during their meeting. In a matter of hours, he would be dead in the veterans residence where Irans proxy warriors were being hosted. A young woman reacts during a protest to condemn the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, at al-Bass Palestinian refugee camp, in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon. Credit: AP The 2am explosion that killed Haniyeh and his bodyguards was reported by Israeli media to have been an air strike launched from within Iran. Deep, perhaps unprecedented, Mossad infiltration Whether the munition was delivered by drone or a different kind of projectile, a launch from inside Iran would suggest deep, perhaps unprecedented, infiltration by Mossad. It was a missile, Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, told reporters in Tehran. Hundreds of protesting Iranians take part in a protest against the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Palestine Square in Tehran. Credit: Getty Images The missile targeted the room where Ismail Haniyeh was present. The impact of the missile caused the windows to shatter and the walls to collapse. Investigation by our Iranian brothers is ongoing. The assassination came less than 24 hours after a senior Hezbollah commander was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut in revenge for the death of 12 children in a missile attack. Haniyeh escaped an earlier attempt on his life in the early 2000s before he won fame in 2006 after leading Hamas to an election victory and ultimately its takeover of the Gaza Strip. Israeli air strikes killed three of Haniyehs sons and four of his grandchildren in April. Even so, he continued the ceasefire negotiations. My father survived four assassination attempts during his patriotic journey, and today Allah has granted him the martyrdom that he always wished for, said Abdul Salam Haniyeh, the dead terror chiefs son. We affirm that this assassination will not deter the resistance, which will fight until freedom is achieved. The assassination has plunged the Middle East into dangerous waters. It was an escalatory crime that will push towards more tension and chaos in the region, Sufyan Al-Qudah, a spokesman for Jordans foreign ministry, warned. Loading I dont think war is inevitable. I maintain that. I think theres always room and opportunities for diplomacy, Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, said in the Philippines. Israel has not claimed responsibility for Haniyehs death but, as far as a humiliated Iran was concerned, there was no doubt who was responsible. As loudspeakers on mosques relayed the news of Haniyehs death across Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, the Islamic Republics leaders vowed harsh and painful revenge. Yesterday, I raised his victorious hand, and today, I must take his body on my shoulders, Pezeshkian said. In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Leader attended a meeting of Islamic Republics Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning to plot the response. Irans embarrassment was compounded by the boasts of its outgoing intelligence minister just six days ago. Esmail Khatib had crowed that his biggest achievement in office was breaking up Mossads infiltration network. We are waiting for our officials to kill someone in Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv for Tehran, one presenter raged on Iranian state TV. Outside the University of Tehran, a few dozen people gathered to chant Death to Israel. The Zionists have just dug their own graves with their own hands, one Revolutionary Guards official told The Telegraph. We have been at war with Israel for the past four decades, and they have just made it official. Calls for all-out war And a member of the Basij paramilitary group, calling for all-out war said: We should use the opportunity they gave us to show them who is the real power in the region. There was anxiety as well as anger within Iran. I was hoping that with the new president, we would have some peace, but now I am worried that we may have to leave Tehran again, said Afshin, a shopkeeper in the capital. Loading He and his family fled Tehran when Iran fired about 300 suicide drones and missiles at Israel in April, almost all of which were shot down by the US, UK, and Israel. Why should this guy be here? Everyone knows Israel is looking for him, and we host him in the heart of Tehran, added Afshin. Iran has declared three days of mourning for Haniyeh, whose funeral will be held in Tehran on Thursday. CANBERRA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Australian banks will be forced to compensate customers who lose money to scams under new laws flagged by the government. In a speech to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said current laws do too little to help scam victims get their money back. He said in many cases, Australians cannot be compensated for scam losses because they are being tricked into transferring money through authorized transactions, meaning they are not unlawful under the current laws. "We will address this to ensure victims can receive compensation in the right circumstances," Jones said. The government in July 2023 established the National Anti-Scam Center to lead a crackdown on scammers. Jones said on Wednesday that the crackdown is having some success but that banks, telecommunications companies and digital platforms must take more preventative action. Under the second stage of the government's crackdown, banks, digital platforms and telecommunications companies will face penalties if they do not conduct preventative checks under new mandatory codes to prevent scam losses. "If there is a breach of the code, the bank, telco or digital platform will be held to account," Jones said. According to data published by the National Anti-Scam Centre in April, Australians lost a combined 2.74 billion Australian dollars (1.79 billion U.S. dollars) to scams in 2023 -- down 13.1 percent from 2022. People aged 65 and over were the only age group to lose more money to scams in 2023 than in 2022. Investment scams caused the most financial damage, accounting for 47.4 percent of all losses, followed by remote access scams and romance scams. TEHRAN/GAZA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in the Iranian capital of Tehran, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) confirmed on Wednesday. Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed early Wednesday when their residence was hit in Tehran, according to a statement published on the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News. The statement said the attack was under investigation and the results would be announced later. In a report published on Wednesday, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said Haniyeh was assassinated around 2:00 a.m. local time (2230 GMT Tuesday) after his residence in Tehran was hit by a "projectile." The Islamic Hamas movement confirmed the death of its leader, saying Haniyeh was assassinated by an Israeli attack in Iran. In a press statement, Hamas said that it "mourns to the Palestinian people, the Arab and Islamic nation, and the free people of the world" after the death of Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday. Haniyeh was also expected to discuss with the Iranian president the political and field developments related to the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip, a source close to Hamas told Xinhua. Ebrahim Rezaei, a spokesman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, told reporters that the committee would convene a meeting later in the day to investigate and discuss the incident. Referring to Haniyeh's assassination as a "cowardly" move, he said those behind it would undoubtedly receive a "necessary response." Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on Wednesday that Haniyeh's death is an "absolutely unacceptable political assassination." Quoted by Russia's RIA Novosti, Bogdanov warned that the incident could lead to further escalation in the region and have a significantly negative impact on the negotiations in Doha. Turkiye also condemned the assassination, saying that the attack "aims to spread the war in Gaza to the region." "It has been revealed once again that the (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu government has no intention of achieving peace," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. "Unless the international community takes action to stop Israel, our region will face much greater conflicts," it said. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the assassination of Haniyeh during a cabinet meeting, warning of "a serious danger of expanding the circle of danger in the region." Hezbollah on Wednesday also offered its condolences for Haniyeh's "martyrdom," calling him "one of the great resistance leaders in our present era who stood with all courage in the face of the American hegemony project and the Zionist occupation." The Israeli army has no comment yet. Since Oct. 7 last year, Israel has been launching a large-scale strike on Hamas. According to Gaza health authorities, the Israeli offensive has led to the killing of over 38,000 Palestinians in the enclave, while the UN estimated that nearly 2 million people there have been displaced. MANILA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Philippine security forces killed two armed men during a clash in Sultan Kudarat province in southern Philippines, a military general said Wednesday. Major General Antonio Nafarrete, commander of the army's 6th Infantry Division, said a gunfight broke out on Monday in Isulan town after an armed group fired at a law enforcement team deployed to defuse fighting between former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front. The government team said it recovered weapons and ammunition from the clash site. ARCADIA, La. -- A Bienville Parish native has been hailed a hero following his death while rescuing passengers on a sinking yacht in Lake Michigan last week. The body of Bienville Parish native Lorenzo Tobin, 40, was recovered from Lake Michigan Sunday, following a boating accident that happened Friday night. The double-decker pleasure yacht capsized with more than a dozen people on board as they were out celebrating a birthday party. The Chicago Police Department dispatched its Marine Unit and recovered Tobin from the water near 31st Beach Street Harbor. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Tobins cousin, Charles Tibbs, upon hearing about the boat capsizing and sinking, flew into Chicago from Arcadia to help in search efforts. I flew in Saturday and I was the one who found him, said Tibbs. He passed trying to save other people on the boat. Everyone else survived. He was the only one who didnt make it. According to Tibbs, Tobin had a love for boating. He would go out and ride with his friends all the time. His friend was teaching him all about how to drive the boat and all the safety stuff that went along with it for the last year or two. Every chance he got; he was out on the water. Tobin graduated from Arcadia High School in 2003. Following graduation, he moved to Chicago, but often returned home. He was a people person, said Tibbs. Everybody loved him. He tried to do anything he could in the community to help with the kids. Arcadia Mayor OLandis Millican released a statement on Sunday, saying (Tobin) was a go-getter, a man filled with hustle and ambition, a motivator, a businessman, a man who was determined to accomplish every goal he set. The passing of Lorenzo is beyond devastating and heartbreaking for not only the Arcadia community but surrounding areas Making Irish boring was a feature of the Irish educational system, rather than a bug. Learning Toraiocht Dhiarmada agus Ghrainne (or Pursuit of Diarmaid and Grainne), the epic retelling of a love triangle between the aging warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill, his loyal follower Diarmaid, and the beautiful and wily Grainne, should have ensured rapt teenage attention with its tales of illicit sex and bloodthirsty feuds. Yet, I was bored senseless by the focus on grammar and pronunciation, with the wild language tamed into anaemic English approximations. I remember thinking, as I stared out the window of Mrs Mahons Irish class in Gortnor Abbey, why didnt old Fionn just let the young lovers be? Why risk all your accomplishments in an obsessive pursuit of a young woman who found you too old and wanted a younger lover? I thought of the elderly Fionn again last Wednesday, as Biden ended his steadfast refusal to give up chasing his second term as President of the United States. The heavy makeup aged him further, but he remained defiant in an immaculate navy suit jacket, crisp white shirt, and deep blue tie. Speaking softly, quickly, his words tumbled out into run-on sentences, almost racing against the clock to list all the achievements of his presidency. This wasnt a leader who had accepted the inevitability of his defeat in the upcoming election. Not even close. Addressing the American nation from behind the Resolute desk in the iconic Oval Office, Joe Biden wanted his enemies, but more especially his friends, to know that he had a second term in him and would have beaten Donald Trump come November. While his predecessor would not accept losing the 2020 election, the forty-sixth President of the United States willingly (if understandably reluctantly) relinquished his second-term claim to the office, and everything changed. Referencing Trumps existential threat to democracy, Biden emphatically confirmed he had withdrawn as the presumptive Democratic Party nominee the previous Sunday, in favour of his vice-president Kamala Harris, to make place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now. The real reason he resigned was left unsaid. Faced with a party that had lost faith in his ability to successfully defeat his Republican rival but could not force him aside, the oldest president ever to sit in the White House did something extraordinary and ended his bid for another four-year term. For the 81-year-old Biden, Nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition. He put his country above himself, in stark contrast to Trump, who was reported to have avoided a cemetery visit outside Paris in 2018 to commemorate the dead American soldiers interred within because its filled with losers and he didnt want to get his hair wet. Since Bidens announcement, Kamala Harris and her team have expertly seized the momentum, matched with the general relief of Democrats and never-Trumpers to see a vibrant, articulate, and consummate opponent to the once inevitable Trump second term. It is a palpable shift, which, though in very early days, is beginning to feel like Barack Obamas Yes We Can hope-filled campaign of 2008. My liberal friends, who were crushed following Bidens disastrous CNN debate, are slowly feeling into the light, still hedging their bets as to what could go wrong, like an auld mountain farmer giving the go-ahead for the silage baler to come on Tuesday next, but avoiding more talk of dry weather between now and then lest it draw the rain down on the lot of it. I first arrived in Los Angeles as posters for Obama were being stuck to anything that could take one. There are some striking visual campaign similarities between 2008 Obama and Harris of 2024. Both are opposed by old white men with detrimental vice-president nominee choices. John McCain had later regretted picking the oft-lampooned Sarah Palin. Trump selected J.D. Vance, a marine veteran, Yale school graduate, and author of the best-selling Hillbilly Elegy. Yet Vance adds little to nothing to the Republican ticket, with Trump appearing to have only picked the new Ohio senator (elected last year) on the insistence of his sons Don Jnr and Eric. In fact, aside from having the charisma of a potato, Vances extolling of hardline positions such as denying childless adults voting rights (yes, he said that to Fox Newss Tucker Carlson in a thought experiment) and extending abortion bans to rape victims, will be a burden on Trump who needs independents and at least some sane people to vote for him. Don Jnr could claim bad luck in his timing, as Republicans clearly believed that Biden was not going to step back from the race and were becoming complacently drunk on the polls signalling the imminency of a second Trump term. Kamala Harris has caused consternation for her opponents, who are still struggling to come up with a coherent response, verging between outright racist and misogynistic verbal barbs, to daft threats of legal action to prevent her nomination. But they will eventually get their act together as polls say its too close to call and is likely to remain so in the weeks ahead. The Democrats have their convention ahead in Chicago from August 19 to 22 and will work to make it as exciting and momentum-building as during the Yes We Can years. Harris will also have to select her vice-president choice and will likely defer to wiser heads than Trumps two weird sons. Bringing on board a seasoned and popular politician from a swing state can only be the obvious decision with the governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, probably one of the favourites considering his state is vital to Harriss success and where Trump is currently leading in polls. But as the mountain farmer knows to his own cost, it is never advisable to be too hopeful at least in weather and politics. While many Republicans are trying to hold their collective noses in voting for Trump, progressives in the Democratic grassroots are furious with the official government response to the ongoing war in Gaza, seeing the administration of both Biden and Harris as complicit in Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people. Even if a peace deal is agreed upon soon, the tens of thousands of innocent dead and injured, with destroyed infrastructure and a fractured local society, will challenge the moral authority of any incoming administration, whose American war machine supplies the Israeli army. Voter turnout, especially in those swing states, will thus be a key deciding factor in who is elected to the White House. Yet it is worth noting that this Battle for the Soul of the Nation epic is only unfolding now because another Fionn Mac Cumhaill listened to his band of followers and decided against every feeling in every sinew in his body, as loyal Diarmaid slipped further away into the night with the beautiful Grainne... that she was just not worth it. For four decades, Siamsa Sraide has celebrated all that is great about Swinford and East Mayo. A committed group of volunteers and the support of the local community has seen the festival expand and evolve while never losing its heart. PRO Brendan Cassidy has been involved with the festival for 20 years. Starting as a street steward, Brendan has become one of its mainstays. Its really evolved as a community festival. It started initially as a one-day event 40 years ago with a street busking competition and now we have this incredible week-long series of events, he said. As part of this years programme, the festival will open will a commemorative evening where memories will be shared about Siamsas infancy as well as tales and photographs from down through the years. That promises to be a really special event, said Brendan. Also celebrated will be Siamsas long tradition of cross-border partnership and peace-building. Members of the committee were recently invited to the Guildhall in Derry alongside members of the Hamilton Flute Band to mark this special link and friendship. Members of the band will be visiting Swinford for the opening night celebrations. That cross-border partnership and work is also something very unique and special about Siamsa Sraide, said Brendan. He said its a festival with community at its core. People are so committed to the festival. Its all about the community. We have our own logo and our coats of arms, and on the back of our programme we have the Coretta Scott King quote 'The greatness of community is most accurately measured by the compassion actions of its members.' Thats how we feel and when you open a Siamsa Sraide programme you will see stuff organised by a whole host of clubs and organisations. It truly is a community festival." In 2009, Swinford's Siamsa Sraide Street Festival scooped the Mayo Meitheal Award which was jointly presented to Brid O'Connell and Francis Brennan by Mayo Association (Dublin) President, Padraig Jordan, in the company of committee and supporters. Picture: Henry Wills Beginning its life in 1984, the festival has never lost momentum. Through the leadership of people like Brid OConnell and Joe Mellett this festival has gone from strength to strength. Those are the two stalwarts who have brought people together, Brendan stated. It all started in 1984 during International Youth Year with a group of primary school children, their teachers, and a local curate, Brid recalls. After about three years I could see it had potential and that we had the makings of a really good festival that could run for four or five days. I had this vision and I believed in it. Nothing could have happened without the support of the local community, she added. The diaspora has long been an integral part of the Siamsa Sraide. This is an area where we had an awful lot of emigration from, and we have always been keen to shine a light on that. We have always been well supported by our diaspora, said Brid. She said the musical traditions of Mayo and, in particular, East Mayo have always been held dear and showcased during the festivities. Joe Mellett said Siamsa never fails to bring a smile to peoples faces. Its a simple formula with music and fun on the streets and it works. If youre ever in bad form or down Siamsa Sraide is the perfect antidote, he added. He said in recent years it has come an essential meeting point for people to catch up with old friends. People come on holidays especially for Siamsa but there are also people who come in from the outlying townlands to meet their neighbours and their friends. They may not have had a chance to catch up for a drink or a gossip and Siama gives them that. Its a serious get-together and its fantastic to see people laughing on the streets with their neigbours and friends, said Joe. Its felt like a short 40 years and hopefully it will long continue, he added. YANGON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Farmers across various townships in Myanmar's delta region, Ayeyarwady region, are facing severe challenges due to massive flooding. The torrential rains have resulted in loss of paddy farms among the farming community. "Due to flooding, over 250 acres out of the 700 acres of paddy fields in our village tract were submerged. I have 20 acres of rice, and half of it is under water," said U Tin Win, a farmer from Ta Laing Kwin Village Tract in Kyangin township of Ayeyarwady region. "Although we've experienced floods in previous years, the damage this year is worse due to excessive water, causing more crop losses than before," he said. Kyaw Soe, a farmer from Ingapu township of Ayeyarwady region, said that around 80 villages and 5,000 acres of paddy fields were inundated in the township. "Farmers lost about a third of their fields. The impact of flooding is especially severe for those who can't afford fertilizers and seedlings, forcing them to seek loans," Kyaw said. "My family owns over 50 acres of paddy fields, and all of it was submerged. Right now, I feel hopeless because everything has been washed away. We just have to wait for the water to recede," said Kyaw Win, a farmer from Zalun township of Ayeyarwady region. Aung Ye, a rescue worker from Ingapu township, said that "We faced five to six consecutive days of torrential rains. Several villages in Ingapu were submerged. This season, during monsoon paddy cultivation, farmers had already spread saplings and applied fertilizers when the floods hit. They lost everything. The paddy dies if flooding occurs at the beginning of cultivation." "Last year, the flooding happened in August, which was manageable. But this year, flooding at the start of the cultivation period means we won't get a monsoon harvest," he said. Tun Aung, a farmer from Kyaunggon township of Ayeyarwady region, said that even if the water drops quickly and the situation may improve, farmers will still need fertilizers and rice seedlings. The Ayeyarwady Delta is known as the "rice bowl" of the country because of its extensive rice fields. A powerful Hurricane Milton is spinning its way across the Gulf of Mexico. The storm is expected to take aim at the Tampa Bay region. SEOUL, July 31 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's tech giant Samsung Electronics saw its operating profit surge in the second quarter thanks to strong sales of semiconductors and display panels, the company said Wednesday. Samsung's consolidated operating profit came to 10.44 trillion won (7.6 billion U.S. dollars) in the Apil-June quarter, more than 15 folds larger than 668.5 billion won (484.1 million dollars) in the same quarter of 2023. The profit slightly topped market expectations of about 10.3 trillion won (7.5 billion dollars). Revenue soared 23.4 percent over the year to 74.07 trillion won (53.6 billion dollars) in the second quarter, and net income more than quintupled to 9.84 trillion won (7.1 billion dollars). The positive earnings came as favorable memory chip market conditions drove average sales price higher in addition to robust sales of OLED panels. The chip-making business recorded an operating profit of 6.45 trillion won (4.7 billion dollars) on revenue of 28.56 trillion won (20.7 billion dollars) in the second quarter. The outperformance was driven by solid demand for HBM, conventional DRAM and server SSDs that stemmed from the continued artificial intelligence (AI) investments by could service providers and the growing demand for AI from businesses for their on-premise servers. Higher supply of systems on chips (SoCs), image sensors and display driver ICs (DDIs) also contributed to the chip business earnings. The company expected demand to remain solid across the board from HBM and DDR5 to server SSDs in the second half of this year. Samsung's display panel unit achieved an operating profit of 1.01 trillion won (731.4 million dollars) on revenue of 7.65 trillion won (5.5 billion dollars) in the April-June quarter. Sales of mobile display panels rose on the back of solid demand for flagship products and stable supply of IT OLED products, while sales of large display panels expanded on demand for high-resolution, high-refresh-rate monitor in the gaming monitor market and the increased penetration of OLED panels in the TV market. In the second half, the release of new smartphones and potential replacement demand with the adoption of AI were forecast to lead to an increase in mobile display sales. The mobile phone and networks business generated an operating profit of 2.23 trillion won (1.6 billion dollars) on revenue of 27.38 trillion won (19.8 billion dollars) in the second quarter. Overall market demand for smartphones declined on seasonal trends, but the Galaxy S24 series saw a double-digit on-year growth in both shipment and revenue over its predecessor, Samsung noted. The company projected smartphone demand to go up in the second half thanks to AI-driven demand for premium products and the launch of new products. The TV and home appliance division logged an operating profit of 490 billion won (354.8 million dollars) on revenue of 14.42 trillion won (10.4 billion dollars). Overall TV demand climbed in the second quarter due to global sporting events, and the TV demand was predicted to recover further in the second half owing to higher demand for QLED, OLED and larger screen TVs. Samsung's capital expenditure in the cited quarter totaled 12.1 trillion won (8.8 billion dollars), including 9.9 trillion won (7.2 billion dollars) on the semiconductor division and 1.8 trillion won (1.3 billion dollars) on the display panel unit. BAGHDAD, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Iraq held the U.S.-led coalition forces responsible for repercussions of the attack on Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi Forces in Babil province south of Baghdad, Iraqi military spokesman Yahya Rasoul said on Wednesday. "The coalition forces have committed a heinous crime and blatant aggression" when they targeted military bases belonging to the Iraqi security forces in northern Babil province Tuesday night, killing and wounding several members of the Hashd Shaabi forces, said Rasoul in a statement. Such attacks can significantly undermine all efforts, mechanisms, and frameworks of joint security work to combat the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq and Syria, Rasoul warned, adding that the attack also risks dragging Iraq and the entire region into dangerous conflicts and wars. Iraq would take appropriate legal and diplomatic measures to protect its rights and ensure its security and sovereignty, the spokesman stressed. On Tuesday night, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua that unknown drones bombed a military base of the Hashd Shaabi forces, also known as Popular Mobilization Forces, in the Jurf al-Nasr area in the northern part of Babil province. On Wednesday, a statement issued by the al-Jazira Operations Command of the Hashd Shaabi forces accused the United States of conducting three drone attacks on the paramilitary 47th Brigade in the Jurf al-Nasr area, leaving four fighters killed, including a commander named Ahmed Najam Abdul-Zahra. Meanwhile, an Iraqi militia known as Kataib Hezbollah said in a separate statement that the U.S. drones were launched from neighboring Kuwait while calling on the Iraqi government to take decisive action to end the presence of U.S.-led coalition forces and urging the parliament lawmakers to adopt a clear stance towards expelling American troops from Iraq. ANCs political dominance will continue - and hurt DA The ANC leads the unity government. If it leads South Africa back to happier times, that is most likely to benefit the ANC, rather than the DA. The ANCs loss of its majority in the recent election, and President Cyril Ramaphosas formation of a government of national unity, have been interpreted by some commentators as indicating the end of the ANC as a dominant party. That is, one which recurrently wins elections and hence dominates a political system. Their argument, and it is not unconvincing, is that the ANC vote share has consistently fallen since its high point in the 2009 election, when it won 66%, to its new low of 40%. This is taken to indicate an inexorable decline which the ANC appears unlikely or unable to reverse. However, there is a counterargument, by Oxford Analytica, the global geopolitical risk analysts, which needs exploring. This suggests that the unity government may allow the ANC to continue its dominance of the countrys political system within the framework of a multi-party coalition. This narrative cites the ANCs continued ultimate control of the key levers of power by its retention of the presidency, with its extensive powers of appointment and agenda setting, and key ministries. I have researched South African politics extensively, and am finishing co-editing a new book about the 2024 elections and path to a coalition government. I recognise that South Africa is entering a new, uncertain era in its politics, with different potential outcomes. One is that the unity government may facilitate the continuation of ANC dominance. The unity government certainly opens up new possibilities for South Africa. Most immediately, these revolve principally around what many observers, including the much-cited business community, view as the enhanced prospects for the government to implement structural reforms. These include a concerted tackling of the energy and logistical constraints which have hampered the economy, providing for a sustainable higher rate of growth. Politically, too, the potential of the unity government is far reaching. One possibility that has been touted has been its potential for bringing about a realignment of political parties. This would see the Ramaphosa wing of the ANC combining with the more liberal elements of the Democratic Alliance (DA) to form a new centre-right party in opposition to a (self-proclaimed) radical left combination of what remains of radical economic transformation of the ANC, the Economic Freedom Fighters and uMkhonto we Sizwe Party. Yet this is all speculation, perhaps even pie in the sky. Although the statement of intent signed between the ANC and DA around which the government hangs provides modalities for resolving disagreements between the parties within the cabinet, these can never guarantee that major differences will be overcome. Much danger remains that the ANC will use its disproportionate representation within the cabinet to get its way. The ANCs disproportionate weight within the unity government Although the unity government is constructed around an axis of an ANC coalition with the centre-right DA, Ramaphosa faced down the latters demand for proportionate representation in the cabinet. Having won over half as many votes as the ANC, the DA wanted half as many seats in the cabinet, but after testy negotiations, had to settle for just six ministerial positions out of 32. The ANC bagged 20, the rest going to smaller parties. Furthermore, while the ANC was allocated 33 deputy ministerships, the DA received only six, reinforcing its image as the junior partner. Much credit was given to Ramaphosas negotiating skills, but these were backed by his holding the best cards. As president, he had the ultimate power over who got what in the cabinet. Whereas the DA had wanted to take control of one or more of the ministries in the economics cluster principally, finance, electricity and energy, mining, and trade and industry and was initially in line to be awarded the last of these, Ramaphosa deferred to opposition to this from within the ANC. Instead, the DA settled for agriculture. Not unimportant, for sure, but not a post where it was likely to unsettle strategies, such as the ANCs vigorous pursuit of black economic empowerment, which it holds dear but which the DA strongly opposes. Democratic Alliance dilemmas Meanwhile, the DAs entry into the government may mean it is facing a Catch 22. Its election campaign saw it fighting to rescue South Africa from the prospect of an ANC doomsday coalition with the populist Economic Freedom Fighters. This it saw as likely to condemn South Africa to further economic decline, hurtling it ever faster towards becoming a failed state. In contrast, the DA views a successful unity government as guiding the country back to sustainable higher growth. But would that necessarily work to the DAs benefit? The statement of intent agreed between the ANC and DA provides for sufficient consensus (agreement between these two parties) to prevail where there is disagreement within the multi-party cabinet. However, it is more vague about how major disagreements between the parties would be resolved. All coalitions require a willingness to give and take if they are to survive. But what if the DA were to feel that its views were being serially ignored? The problem for the DA is that the unity government remains ANC-led. If it leads South Africa back to happier times, that is more likely than not to work to the benefit of the ANC, as the largest party in government, more than that of the DA. True, the DA is in charge of a number of important portfolios, notably Home Affairs. If if it runs these well, it will be able to claim convincingly that it has helped improve many South Africans lives. However, this does not ensure that it will receive proportionate credit among an African-dominated electorate among which it has consistently failed to win much backing. On the other hand, if the unity government fails, and the economy continues to falter, the DA will have to share its portion of the blame. Uncertainties ahead Much remains uncertain about the multi-party government. For the moment, it is constructed around a Ramaphosa presidency, but what happens in December 2027, when the ANC is likely to hold its next national conference? This will probably lead to the election of a new party leader. If precedent is anything to go by, this will lead to Ramaphosas early replacement as state president before the 2029 general election. What will happen to the unity government at this point? Is it conceivable without Ramaphosa, the reconciler, at its head? Or even if he survives to the end of his presidential term, is the unity government likely to survive his eventual departure? And then there is the whole question of what happens in the 2029 general election. The most likely prospect is that the multi-party government will dissolve at that point and its constituent parties will again find themselves competing electorally. As noted, for the DA, the major problem is that if the unity government has succeeded in returning South Africa to sustainable growth, and has tackled its numerous other problems reasonably ably, the ANC will claim the major portion of the credit. And if it does this successfully, it is not at all inconceivable that it will reclaim its popular majority, and henceforward again run South Africa on its own. Even if the DA will say it has rescued South Africa, it may only have done so to see itself once again sitting on the opposition benches. The DAs high stakes gamble The Democratic Alliance will hope that by playing its cards skilfully within the government of unity, it will help convince voters that it has rescued South Africa, and that it will pick up increased support. It may well do but equally, so may the ANC. However, few should doubt that the DA is engaged in a high stakes gamble. It could win, but equally, it could well lose its wager. Although the unity government demands of its constituent parties that they cooperate, this does not mean that they will not seek to further their own advantage within the coalition government. And it is the ANC which is likely to hold the aces. A pig with lipstick is still a pig, and the unity government may well turn out to be a continuation of ANC dominance in disguise. Roger Southall, Professor of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 140 missing middle accounting students funded through donation by anonymous donor The donation was made in honour of Professor Margo Steele, the first female head of school of the Wits School of Accountancy. Accounting students at the University of the Witwatersrands newly renamed Margo Steele School of Accountancy have received a huge financial boost, with a donation of US$10 million (about R180 million) over the next 10 years. The donation, from an anonymous donor and alumnus of the school, was made in honour of Steele, who served as the first female head of school to the Wits School of Accountancy from 1987 to 1995. The donation of US$ 1 million per year, was first announced on Steeles 90th birthday celebration, which was hosted at Wits University on 3 May 2023, means in 2024 alone, 140 accountancy students are afforded full access to tuition. This impact was revealed at the renaming ceremony of the Wits School of Accountancy, to the Margo Steele School of Accountancy last week. The impact that that has on a students life, including the funding of their tuition, accommodation and meals that they would not otherwise have had access to is immeasurable. Upon completing their studies they become meaningful contributors of the economy not just to themselves, but to their families, the profession and society as a whole, said Professor Zubair Wadee, head of school of the Margo Steele School of Accountancy. The Margo Steele School of Accountancy offers some of the most popular programmes in Wits Universitys Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (CLM), with up to 60% of the total undergraduate intake into the faculty being students who enter into the Bachelor of Accounting Science or BCom (Accountancy) qualifications, which deliver the CA and ACCA professional streams. Sixty-four percent of the current enrolment of just under 1 700 students in the CA stream are women. If you consider the top 5 ranked Universities in the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Initial Test of Competence (ITC) exam results announced earlier this year, you will note the contribution this school makes to the transformation of the accounting profession in this country, said Professor Jason Cohen, Dean of the Faculty of CLM. If you add up the black South African candidates passing from the other four universities in the top five, all taken together just equals the total number of successful candidates from this demographic put through by Wits. Speaking at the renaming ceremony of the Margo Steele School of Accountancy, Steele said she was blessed with her association with Wits University. Wits graduates from all faculties have excelled in their disciplines in South Africa, but we also know that they have made major contributions in their fields internationally. Some of our accounting students are leaders in the top companies and in the top accounting practices in the world, said Steele. The funding of students will go to students already enrolled in the school of accountancy. The important thing in meeting those financial needs for the students, is to ensure that the students will meet our academic requirements. And so what were looking at here, is meeting the requirements of students who have already met the requirements for entry into the faculty, said Steele. Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Wits University said that it was the first time in 100 years that a school at the University was named after a female academic. Your achievements serve as an inspiration, he told Steele. Your dedication to excellence, your unlimited commitment to excellence, and tireless commitment to accountancy has set a standard that guides our institution well into the future. Speaking about the donation, Vilakazi said that the donor a former student of Steeles said that he could only give the donation in honour of Steele, who made me who I am today. I think that speaks volumes about the donor, and of yourself. At the heart of our celebration today lies a deeper reflection of our school and University in society. Accountancy, beyond its technical dimensions, is about trust in societal institutions through accountability, transparency and governance. The Margo Steele School of Accountancy stands as a beacon of these values, nurturing future leaders who will uphold these principles in their professional careers, said Vilakazi. BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yong, former vice chairman of the government of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and removed from public office for serious violations of Party discipline and laws, authorities said on Wednesday. The decision came following an investigation by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision upon the approval of the CPC Central Committee, according to a statement released by the anti-graft agency. Wang was found to have lost his ideals and convictions, deceived the Party, engaged in political maneuvering, and obstructed investigations into his conduct, said the statement. He was also found to have violated an eight-point code aimed at improving Party and government conduct by accepting banquet invitations that could have compromised his impartiality in performing his official duties and improperly receiving money and gifts. Previously, Wang was also a member of the leading Party members' group of the Xizang regional government. Wang is alleged to have held illegitimate stocks in unlisted companies, unlawfully intervened in market economic activities, traded power for money, and abused his positions to benefit others in areas such as project contracting and material procurement, illegally accepting large amounts of money and valuables in return. These actions have gravely breached Party discipline and constituted serious duty-related crimes, the anti-graft body said. In line with Party regulations and laws, a decision has been made to expel Wang from the Party, remove him from public office, terminate his qualification as a delegate to the 10th CPC Xizang regional congress, and confiscate his illicit gains. The case will be referred to the procuratorate for criminal investigation and prosecution, according to the anti-graft body. LHASA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- China's central government invested 325.1 billion yuan (about 45.6 billion U.S. dollars) in road construction in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region from 1953 to 2023, the regional government's information office said Wednesday. The total length of roads open to traffic in Xizang currently stands at 123,300 km, with paved roads accessing 666 townships and 4,596 administrative villages, the information office said at the press conference. Xizang is the only provincial-level region in China where road construction is fully funded by the central government. Over the past 10 years, Xizang has implemented 5,805 projects for rural road construction and built or renovated 58,700 km of rural roads. An official from the regional transportation department said that Xizang will continue to promote the construction of the expressway network and accelerate the connectivity of all cities and key land ports. WELLINGTON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- As stoats cause catastrophic damage to New Zealand's threatened bird species, research has showed that simply putting out more traps may not catch the more cautious stoats, and less "scary" trap designs and more effective baits and lures are need to make the traps more enticing. Current trapping captures more males than females, but it's more important to capture females, as they are pregnant almost all the time and breed very rapidly, according to the research published in the Journal of Applied Ecology on Wednesday. Female stoats are generally more cautious and less likely to interact with the traps than male stoats. Stoats can also develop "trap shyness", where stoats who come across a trap but don't trigger it avoid all traps in the future, said the researchers from New Zealand's Landcare Research and the University of Sydney. Researchers call for understanding more about the animals who are avoiding the traps, as much of the knowledge of stoat populations comes from trapping. New Zealand's native ecosystems are under threat from introduced pest predators such as rats, cats, possums and stoats, and trapping efforts are effective up to a point, but it is very difficult to achieve full eradication of these predators, especially across large, remote areas, the study showed. As Landcare Research evaluates the current toolkit of trapping technologies from the perspective of the pest, new knowledge is needed on why some pest animals evade or fail to interact, it said. The experiment, which complied with all relevant animal welfare and ethics requirements, was run over 81 nights with 28 stoats, both male and female, using infrared cameras to film. Understanding sex biases in trap capture is essential to achieve eradications and plan future pest control efforts, the researchers said. GENEVA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Palestinians detained by Israel have faced torture and mistreatment since Oct. 7 last year, according to a report issued Wednesday by the United Nations (UN) human rights office. The report revealed that thousands of Palestinians, including fighters, medical staff, patients, and fleeing residents, have been detained by Israel amid the Gaza conflict. It highlighted that children were among those detained, sometimes held with adults, without clear reasons for their detention or access to legal representation. Testimonies from the detainees described horrific conditions, including confinement in cage-like facilities, prolonged blindfolding, deprivation of food, sleep, and water, and physical abuses such as electric shocks and cigarette burns. There are also reports of detainees being attacked by dogs, waterboarded, and subjected to sexual and gender-based violence. The report stated that since Oct. 7, at least 53 detainees have died in Israeli custody. The International Committee of the Red Cross has been denied access to facilities where they are held, and Israel has not provided information on the fate of many detainees. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said the report indicates "a range of appalling acts" that violated international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Turk called for the immediate release of all hostages still held in Gaza and for the release of all Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel. He also emphasized the need for prompt, thorough, independent, impartial, and transparent investigations into these human rights violations to ensure accountability. So far, the Israeli government has no immediate comment on this report. BEIRUT, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah on Wednesday offered its condolences for the death of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh, while Lebanon's prime minister condemned the killing as a grave danger. A statement released by Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group and political party, said that Haniyeh was "one of the great resistance leaders in our present era who stood with all courage in the face of the American hegemony project and the Zionist occupation." Hezbollah vowed that the "martyrdom" of Haniyeh will increase the determination of the resistance fighters in all resistance arenas. Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the act during a cabinet meeting, saying: "We strongly condemn the assassination of ... Ismail Haniyeh, and see in this act a serious danger of expanding the scope of global concern and danger in the region." Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed early Wednesday when their residence was hit in Tehran, according to Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhua) The Communist Party of China (CPC) leadership held a meeting on Tuesday to analyze the current economic situation and set out priorities for the second half of this year. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting of the committee's Political Bureau. The country's economy has been generally stable and made progress since the start of this year, according to an official statement released after the meeting. The country has sustained the momentum of economic recovery and moved faster to foster new growth drivers and competitive edges, the statement said. China's GDP expanded 5 percent year on year in the first half of 2024. Currently, the country faces more adverse impacts from changes in external environment, and effective domestic demand remains insufficient. There are still various risks and potential dangers in major sectors, as well as challenges resulting from the replacement of traditional growth drivers with new ones, it said. However, it noted that those are all issues in the course of development and transformation. The meeting called for efforts to raise the awareness of risks, be prepared to deal with worst-case scenarios, and maintain strategic resolve and confidence in the country's development. Noting that tasks of reform and development and maintaining stability in the second half of the year are arduous, the meeting underscored the importance of pursuing progress while ensuring stability. It called for efforts to foster new quality productive forces in light of local conditions, strengthen macro regulation and tap the potential of domestic demand, among other endeavors. Steadfast efforts must be made to accomplish the goals for this year's economic and social development, the meeting said. China has set its annual GDP growth target for 2024 at around 5 percent. Reform should serve as the driving force in promoting steady growth, making structural adjustments and guarding against risks, the meeting noted. A number of reform measures that are ready, tangible and attainable should be adopted in a timely manner, it said. Work should be done to refine the systems underpinning the market economy, such as those related to property rights protection, market access, and enterprise bankruptcy and market exit, according to the meeting. Macroeconomic policies should be more effective, it said. Efforts should be made to strengthen counter-cyclical adjustments, accelerate the issuance and usage of special bonds, and promote large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-ins of bulk durable consumer goods. The country should make full use of multiple monetary policy tools, strengthen financial support for the real economy, and enhance the consistency of macro policy orientation. Domestic demand should be expanded with a focus on boosting consumption, and economic policies should center on improving people's livelihoods and promoting consumption, the meeting said, highlighting service consumption in the expansion and upgrading of consumption. The meeting called for strong and effective support for gazelle companies and unicorn firms. It urged industries to strengthen self-discipline to prevent rat race and irrational competition. The market mechanism of "survival of the fittest" should be strengthened and exit channels for backward or inefficient production capacities should remain unclogged. The meeting also urged work to expand China's institutional opening up, with a new round of trial measures rolled out to further open up the country's service industry. Trade in intermediate goods and green trade should also be expanded. To promote the stable and sound development of the country's property market, the meeting urged active support for the purchase of commodity housing inventory to be used as affordable housing. It also stressed accelerating the defusing of debt risks facing local financing platforms. The country should strive to boost investor confidence and the stability of the capital market. Work should also be done to see that rural people do not return to poverty in large numbers, and secure bumper grain harvest for the whole year, according to the meeting. The meeting emphasized greater efforts to ensure and improve people's well-being and implement the employment-first policy to help college graduates and other key groups find jobs. It urged all-out efforts to fight floods and improve disaster relief, and called for ensuring energy and power supplies to meet surging demand during the summer. Research and planning work for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) should be intensified, according to the meeting. Noting that pointless formalities and bureaucratism remain deep-seated problems, the meeting urged vigorous and resolute efforts to rectify such conduct. The meeting underscored the importance of strictly complying with the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving work conduct and the detailed rules for its implementation. Targeting "pointless formalities at the fingertips," the meeting also called for enhancing the regulation of mobile apps for government services. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Lei Yang BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Limestone, ubiquitous in the Earth's crust, has been transformed into an innovative nanomaterial at facilities in north China to support a diverse array of industries with lower carbon emissions. Stone Age New Material Technology Co., Ltd (Stone Age) in Liulin County, north China's Shanxi Province, has managed to use limestone as a raw material to produce a special nano calcium carbonate and composite titanium dioxide through advanced process technology. The new material can be broadly used in industries such as rubber production and papermaking, replacing expensive carbon black, titanium dioxide and glass fiber, all of which consume a lot of energy and pollute heavily. The new material industry is listed as one of the strategic industries in the resolution on further deepening reform to advance Chinese modernization which was recently adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Deemed as a promising new quality productive force, the new material industry serves as a cornerstone for the equipment and manufacturing sectors, which are essential to driving the country's economic growth. INDUSTRIAL UPGRADING The rich limestone resources were previously solely used to produce low value-added bulk building materials such as building stones, high calcium ash and cement clinker, resulting in a great waste of resources," said Zhang Pengyun, deputy general manager of Stone Age. The transition is inevitable given the new circumstances. "With the slowdown in the real estate sector, the supply of stone materials has gradually outstripped the demand, compelling many quarries to scale back their operations," Zhang said, "our own quarry, for instance, had once functioned at merely half of its potential capacity." In April 2019, his company collaborated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Process Engineering (IPE) to set up a laboratory. However, it wasn't until early this year that they successfully transformed the lab's innovations into market-ready products for mass production, with an investment of hundreds of millions of yuan. The innovation pays off handsomely. One tonne of high-calcium ash was sold less than 400 yuan (about 56 U.S. dollars), whereas new materials including nano-calcium carbonate can cost 4,000 yuan now, Zhang said. Shanxi Province, which is highly reliant on coal mining for economic development, has made great efforts to transform its industries into green and low-carbon ones. It has implemented policies to support the high quality development of the new materials industry. The province initially created an industrial system integrating advanced metal materials, carbon-based new materials, novel inorganic non-metallic materials, bio-based new materials and other cutting-edge new materials. There have been 287 major new material enterprises by 2023 in Shanxi Province, with a total revenue of 240 billion yuan, according to the provincial department of Industry and Information Technology. UNLEASHING INNOVATION VITALITY The country will be committed to consolidating the principal position of enterprises in sci-tech innovation and establishing a mechanism to cultivate and strengthen leading technology enterprises, according to the newly-adopted resolution. By 2023, corporate-invented patents accounted for over 70 percent of all valid domestic patents in China. China National Building Material Group Co., Ltd. (CNBM), the world's largest comprehensive building material industry group, has added 307 core invention patents in the past two years, and successfully conquered a number of "bottleneck" technologies such as carbon fiber composites for large aircraft, large-size infrared optical materials and highly efficient power generation glass. Between 2016 and 2023, the group's annual research and development (R&D) investment reached more than 10 billion yuan, with a compound growth rate of 12.3 percent. It developed and produced silicon nitride ceramic balls by pressing high purity silicon nitride powder into greenware and forging at a high pressure of 2,000 atm and a high temperature of 2,000 degrees Celsius. The silicon nitride ceramic balls, with a hardness only weaker than diamond and a weight 40 percent of the same volume of steel, have been widely applied in space engines, lunar rovers, wind turbines and electric cars, said Sun Feng, general manager of Sinoma Advanced Nitride Ceramics Co., Ltd., subordinate to the CNBM. Meanwhile, the collaborative stride between sci-tech institutions and enterprises in new material development and application has been moving ahead, with a view to promoting integrated advancements in technological and industrial innovation. Currently, nearly 100 institutes under the CAS are carrying out research and development or promoting the application of new materials. The Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) of the CAS has cooperated with more than 1,500 domestic enterprises and over 250 global institutions to realize the transformation of 93 major sci-tech achievements, such as large-size single crystal diamond, amorphous soft magnetic strip, 3D-printed air rudder, elastic electronic sensing devices and intelligent robots. In the fields of carrier equipment, information display, energy and power, and life health, there is a significant and growing demand for the development and application of new materials, said Wang Liping, head of the NIMTE. "The transformation of sci-tech achievements is an important bridge connecting research and production, as well as a core step to empower industrial innovation by technical innovation," said Zhou Yuxian, chairman of the CNBM. BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhua) Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has called for striving to realize economic and social development goals in 2024. The CPC Central Committee held a symposium on July 26 with non-CPC personages to seek opinions and suggestions on the country's current economic situation and economic work for the second half of the year. Xi presided over the symposium and delivered an important speech. To do the economic work well for the second half of the year, the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability should continue to be followed, Xi said. China has set its annual GDP growth target for 2024 at around 5 percent. The country's GDP expanded 5 percent year on year in the first half of 2024. Efforts should be made to fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, accelerate the building of a new pattern of development, develop new quality productive forces in light of local conditions, and promote high-quality development, Xi said. He also stressed further deepening reforms, strengthening macro regulation, boosting the vitality of market entities, stabilizing market expectations, boosting the positive economic recovery momentum and improving people's livelihoods. Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium. Li briefed the symposium on the economic work in the first half of the year and considerations about the economic work for the second half. Leaders of eight non-CPC parties, the head of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and a representative of personages without party affiliation made remarks at the meeting, raising suggestions on such topics as deepening reform across the board, promoting high-level opening-up, strengthening the industrial and technological foundation for new quality productive forces, and lifting the confidence in the private economy. The Chinese economy continued its recovery trend through the first half of the year, making new strides in high-quality development, Xi said. He noted that the economy faces some difficulties and problems, yet these issues have arisen in the course of development and transformation, and can be overcome. He stressed the need to remain confident, maintain strategic resolve, and address problems and challenges proactively. Xi called on non-CPC parties and personages to adopt the correct perspective on the situation and the problems that are encountered during reform and development, and to work together to overcome various risks and challenges. He also urged research on major reform measures proposed at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, on major issues in social and economic development, and on preparations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which would provide reference for the CPC Central Committee's scientific decision-making. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Lei Yang BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a message to Nicolas Maduro, congratulating him on re-election as president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Since taking office, President Maduro has led the Venezuelan government and people in pursuing a development path suited to their own national conditions, making remarkable achievements in national construction, Xi said. China and Venezuela are good friends that trust each other and good partners for common development, Xi said, adding that China will, as always, firmly support Venezuela's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, national dignity and social stability, as well as Venezuela's just cause of opposing external interference. Xi said that he highly values the development of China-Venezuela relations and is willing to work with President Maduro to continue guiding the all-weather strategic partnership between China and Venezuela to new heights, so as to benefit the people of both countries. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Lei Yang "I hope my company will be a heartwarming domestic-service platform. The platform will provide space for domestic workers' development, and it will care for their personal needs. The platform will also help rural women find employment. We will keep improving our services, to meet clients' expectations for a better life," says Yang Lingcui, founder of Hangzhou Youzheng Domestic Service Co., Ltd. Yang believes the domestic-service industry is a sunrise industry. With increasing demands for domestic services, and given fierce competition in the industry, Yang believes the level of services, in general, will continue to rise. She also expects more, standardized domestic services will be provided, and more young people will become engaged in the industry. Yang was born in 1995. After she graduated from university, in 2019, she established her company in Fuyang, a district in Hangzhou, in East China's Zhejiang Province. To deepen her understanding of the industry, she received several months of training through a professional, domestic-service agency. She then began working as a cleaner. Although she often felt exhausted after work, she never thought of giving up. After several of Yang's clients learned most of her team members were in their 20s, the clients recommended the team to their friends. Some of her clients gave Yang their house keys, so Yang could do the cleaning even if they weren't home. "It is encouraging that our clients trust us. We must be honest, and we must provide the best services," says Yang. Running a successful, domestic-service business is not easy, Yang tells Women of China. "Domestic workers need professional skills, and they should know how to create emotional value, to bring comfort and joy to their clients. The managerial staff must highlight the observance of the law among employees, and they should ensure the highest quality of services, especially when the company's clients increase fast," says Yang. Yang's company provides various services, including cleaning, and the care of babies and the elderly, and it organizes skills training. The company has strict standards when it comes to recruitment of domestic workers. Recruiters carefully check each applicant's background, and test his/her vocational skills. New recruits receive training in professional skills, and in the company's service standards. "We have a comprehensive grading system. We grade each domestic worker based on skill level, years worked and clients' feedback. If anyone is found slacking, or being dishonest in work, he/she will be ranked a lower grade in the system, and his/her bonus will be canceled," says Yang. To help ease workers' stress, Yang arranges weekly events, such as tea parties and/or parties to make and eat dumplings. Clients can order services from Yang's company through the firm's special WeChat mini-program. The company has promoted its services on social-media and short-video apps, and, as a result, nearly 80 percent of its bookings are completed online. Yang's business has received support from the human resources and social security department of Fuyang. The department helped Yang obtain both funding and an interest-free business loan. In recent years, women's federations, at all levels in Fuyang, have organized domestic-service training for rural women. Yang has been a trainer several times. She says training has helped many women find jobs in the domestic-service sector. "With higher incomes, these women have helped improve their family's economic conditions, and they have expectations for a better future," she says. Longyang Ayi (the Chinese equivalent of nanny) is a brand name in Fuyang's domestic-service sector. Last year, the district's government established the brand, and based it on the business-operation mode of Yang's company. In May, the brand was selected one of the 103 national characteristic domestic-service business brands by China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. Longyang Ayi represents a set of standards for domestic services, says Yang. "I hope the standards will be promoted within the whole domestic-service sector," she says. Photos from Interviewee (Women of China English Monthly July 2024) Editor: Wang Shasha Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh speaks during a press briefing after his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in Tehran, Iran, on March 26. KAMPALA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has donated six drones to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to enhance conservation efforts in the East African country. Nwanneakolam Vwede-Obahor, the UNDP representative to Uganda, on Tuesday handed over the unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to Tom Butime, Uganda's minister of tourism, wildlife and, antiquities, according to a statement issued by UWA. The donation is expected to assist UWA in tracking animal migration patterns, assessing habitat health, and conducting detailed surveys. "Uganda is a country of natural beauty. Our support to UWA reflects our commitment to enhancing Uganda's capacity to protect its unique wildlife and natural resources," said Vwede-Obahor, as quoted in the statement. She said the UNDP will maintain its support not only for UWA but also for the tourism sector overall, recognizing its substantial contribution to the country's economic development. Butime expressed appreciation to the UNDP, highlighting the significant impact the drones will have on Uganda's conservation initiatives. The newly acquired drones will enable UWA to conduct real-time aerial surveillance, enhance monitoring capabilities over extensive and remote areas, gather critical data on wildlife movements, and respond swiftly to any threats, thereby significantly bolstering their conservation strategies, according to UWA. This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jul 31st, 2024 Applications are open for the School Essentials Grant that can provide up to 200 to help with the cost of the school day. The School Essentials Grant is available to families on lower incomes and those who qualify for certain benefits. All looked after children also qualify for the grant, which can be used to buy school essentials such as uniform, stationery and equipment. All learners in compulsory school years are eligible and families can claim the grant once per school year per child. It provides: 125 per child 200 for children entering Year 7 Kathryn Matthews, a community focused schools manager from the south of Wales, said: Times are challenging at the moment for many of us. The cost of living, especially at this time of year, is a big worry for many families. We have been told by families that they are constantly budgeting to be able to purchase the uniform and equipment that children need for school. The School Essentials Grant helps take some of that worry and financial pressure away. Families can use this scheme to help buy any uniform or equipment needed ensuring all children are the same as their peers. This is an extremely helpful scheme for many families, and I would urge everyone who is eligible to apply. Applications are discretely managed and if you need any help applying, your local authority or childs school can offer support. Family Engagement Officers can also provide advice and guidance about this scheme. If you are entitled to the School Essentials Grant, make sure you claim it. Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, said: I know that the cost of the school day puts increased pressure on families. The School Essentials Grant is an incredibly important scheme which helps to reduce that pressure. All children and young people deserve equal access to education and this scheme helps to achieve that by removing the financial barriers faced by many families. The 2024 to 2025 scheme is currently open and will close on 31st May 2025. Even if your child already receives Universal Primary Free School Meals, it is still important to check eligibility. To find out if your child is eligible, visit School Essentials Grant | GOV.WALES Settlers, far-right activists, and legislators broke into the notorious Sde Teiman detention centre in Israels Negev desert on Monday to oppose the arrest and detention of soldiers accused of sexually assaulting a Palestinian prisoner. An even larger mob rioted outside Beit Lid base, headquarters of Israel's military courts and military police, before breaking in and attempting to stop the legal investigation of the nine soldiers. Rioters attacked the media. Israeli soldiers gather at the gate to the Sde Teiman military base to protest in support of soldiers being questioned for detainee abuse, July 29, 2024 [AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov] The riots have caused a political storm, highlighting the fascists rejection of even token restrictions on Israels criminality against the Palestinians. The prisoner had been raped so violently by the reservist soldiers that he had to be transferred to a hospital in Beersheba for treatment. According to the news outlet Arab48, he is unable to walk after suffering from a serious wound in his rectum area. Sde Teiman was established by the Knesset as a prison for unlawful combatants immediately after the outbreak of the Gaza war to hold Hamas members, including those who took part in the October 7 attack. It has become known as Israels Guantanamo due to its brutal treatment of hundreds of Palestinians, with a report by the UN Relief and Works Agency published last March in The New York Times citing testimonies from detainees saying they were beaten, robbed, stripped, sexually assaulted and prevented access to doctors and lawyers. According to Haaretz, around 30 Palestinians have died at Sde Teiman. Last month, Israels Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara ordered the closure of Sde Teiman, following a petition by Israeli human rights organizations to the Supreme Court and international reports of widespread abuses against detainees. The Supreme Court has since accused Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu of obstructing the closure. The arrest of the nine soldiers for sexual assault came after the British Daily Telegraph reported that Hamas had warned Israels National Security Minister and Jewish Power leader Itamar Ben-Gvir that the Israeli hostages held in Gaza would be harmed if the abuse of Palestinian prisoners did not stop and provided a video showing them being abused. It indicates the degree to which the justice and military authorities feared that such an exposure would further compromise the imperialist powers support for Israels genocidal war against the Palestinians. The soldiers reportedly resisted their arrests, posting videos on social media. They barricaded themselves into the facility and used pepper spray before eventually being taken into custody. Other soldiers in their unit reportedly handed in their weapons and refused to continue their service. Far-right Israelis, outraged by the arrests, called for protests across Israel in support of the soldiers. Dozens of people, including members of the Knesset and Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, gathered outside Sde Teiman, breached the gates and stormed the detention centre, attempting to prevent the soldiers detention. They only left when they realized that the soldiers had already been transferred to Beit Lid. A soldier at the military base said, A police force was present near the military base, but it did not enter the base to help repel the demonstrators until about an hour after they stormed it, and after the protesters had left it. There was no guard force to confront them and no officer was present to lead the event. When it became known that the soldiers had been transferred to Beit Lid base for questioning, 1,200 rioters gathered outside the base, accusing soldiers serving there of being traitors. Among the demonstrators were armed and masked soldiers, some wearing the Force 100 logo of the unit re-established at the start of the war and tasked with guarding Gazan detainees at Sde Teiman. Dozens broke into the base before being dispersed by police, who made no arrests. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff Herzl Halevy condemned the break-ins, saying that what had happened bordered on anarchy and harmed the army, Israels security and the war effort. Three battalions due to be sent to Gaza had reportedly been placed on high alert to reinforce the Beit Lid base, should disturbances continue, with a military court hearing set for Tuesday. When Halevy arrived at Beit Lid, he was met with chants of Resign! On Tuesday, senior Israeli officers criticized the polices performance during the storming of the military bases in Sde Teiman and Beit Lid, pointing out that the acting police inspector general, Avshalom Peled, did not come to the Beit Lid base or send border guards. A senior police officer said, The police leadership and the brigade turned a blind eye to the events in Beit Lid. There was no shortage of forces, but rather a shortage of clear instructions and orders. Another officer said that although some of the far-right elements who stormed Sde Teiman were identified during the raid and were known to the police from previous demonstrations, the police do not intend to arrest any of them. Fascistic members of Netanyahus coalition government took an active part in fomenting the riots, with some taking part in the break ins. Ben-Gvir, whose ministry controls the Israel Police and Israel Prison Service, said, The spectacle of military police officers coming to arrest our best heroes at Sde Teiman is nothing less than shameful. He added, I recommend that the defense minister, the [IDF] chief of staff and the army authorities back the fighters and learn from the prison service. The summer camps and patience for the terrorists are over. Fighters should get full backing. Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded that the military advocate general take her hands off the reservists. Justice Minister Yariv Levin from Netanyahus Likud Party said that he was shocked to see harsh pictures of soldiers being arrested, and that it was impossible to accept this. He blamed the High Court of Justice, which had called for the detention centres closure, for the arrests of the soldiers, claiming that the move vindicated reviving efforts to overhaul the judiciary. Far-right parties Jewish Power and Religious Zionism mobilised their supporters, calling for a rally at Sde Teiman, with Jewish Power Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu, Religious Zionism legislator Zvi Sukkot and Likud legislator Nissim Vaturi seen breaking into the detention centre facility amid the riot. Other legislators seen at Sde Teiman or Beit Lid included Tally Gotliv, Zvi Succot, and Limor Son Har-Melech, who declared the military advocate-general is a criminal. The people of Israel will fight against enemies from outside and enemies from within. Netanyahus son Yair wrote on X following the arrest of the soldiers that the state prosecution is criminal and anti-Zionist. Channel 14 reported on Monday that the soldiers arrest warrants had been canceled and that military police were limiting themselves to an interrogation. Netanyahu appealed for calm at Sde Teiman, saying that he strongly condemns the break-in, while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant gave his backing to the IDF and military police, saying civilians storming an IDF base is a serious incident, which gravely harms Israeli democracy and plays into the hands of our enemy during war. President Isaac Herzog echoed those calls, adding, Lets strengthen the IDF and its commanders and condemn any chants that only make our enemies happy. The Israeli human right group Public Committee Against Torture said in a statement that soldiers at the base were acting outside any lawfirst in their treatment of detainees, and now toward military law enforcement agents, adding that far-right leaders support for the reservists is emblematic of the root causes that enable such abuse to happen in the first place. These events have highlighted the rise of the far-right and its gangs of fascistic supporters and the deep divisions in Israeli society that had already become apparent during Netanyahus judicial overhaul last year. A commentator in the right-wing Jerusalem Post drew an analogy with the January 6 attack on Capitol Hill by supporters of Donald Trump. Yair Lapid, leader of opposition party Yesh Atid, said, This is not a riot; this is an attempted coup by an armed militia against a weak prime minister who is unable to take control of his government. He added that lawmakers who stormed IDF bases are sending the message that they are done with democracy, they are done with the rule of law. A dangerous fascist group threatens the existence of the State of Israel. Israel yesterday evening carried out a provocative strike inside a heavily built-up area of the Lebanese capital of Beirut targeting Mushin Shukr, a top military commander of the Iranian-aligned Hezbollah militia. While the Israeli regime claims its targeted strike killed Shukr, sources close to Hezbollah have told the media that he survived. In separate late news, Israel carried out the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in an airstrike in Tehran this morning. The killing not only sabotages any prospect of a ceasefire deal in Gaza but makes clear that the Zionist regime, backed by Washington, is determined to transform its genocidal war into a region-wide conflict. Civil defence workers check for victims between the wreckage of destroyed buildings that were hit by an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. [AP Photo/Hussein Malla] To justify its attack in Beirut, Israel seized on the killing of 12 children from the Druze community in a missile strike on Saturday in the occupied Golan Heights. For all of Israels bellicose, but unsubstantiated denunciations of Hezbollah, the circumstances remain unclear. Hezbollah has emphatically denied responsibility for Saturdays missile strike. The Israeli strike demolished at least five stories of an apartment block in a heavily populated suburb of southern Beirut. According to the Lebanese state-run newsagency NAA, three missiles fired from a drone struck the building, covering the surrounding streets in rubble and debris. Lebanons Health Ministry reported that three people have been killed and 74 wounded in the strike. With the search for victims continuing, it said that the casualties to date included a woman and two children, a girl and a boy. It is unclear whether any of the surrounding buildings, which included the Bahman Hospital, were damaged. The Israeli decision to attempt the assassination of a top Hezbollah commander is calculated to set off a wider conflict in Lebanon, making a mockery of Israeli claims that it is not seeking war with Hezbollah. Shukr is a senior adviser to Hezbollah leader chief Hassan Nasrallah and a member of Hezbollahs top military council. The extreme right wing of the fascistic Israeli regime has been braying for all-out war with Hezbollah for months. In late May, Israels Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the military to invade and seize control of southern Lebanon to create a buffer zone to prevent Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel. In response, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared that it was not enough to create a buffer zone, demanding instead that the Israeli military should storm Lebanon and destroy Hezbollah in its entirety. The following month Ben-Gvir visited northern Israel, where Hezbollah rockets had triggered fires and declared: Theyre burning [us] here. All Hezbollah strongholds should be burned, they should be destroyed. War! US imperialism gave Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the green light for war against Hezbollah during his visit to Washington last week where he addressed a joint session of Congress in bellicose language and received bipartisan backing. He cut short his trip following Saturdays attack on the Golan Heights to return to Israel, where he met with military and intelligence chiefs and vowed that Hezbollah would pay a heavy price for it, a price it has not paid before. On Sunday, the Israeli warplanes bombed weapons depots and infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, in Shabriha and Burj al-Shemali near the southern city of Tyre, and the villages of Kfar Kila, Rab el-Thalathine, Khiam and Tayr Harfa. On Monday night, the Israeli military carried out another series of strikes in southern Lebanon and southern Syria. The attacks in southern Lebanon included drone, artillery and airstrikes on some 10 sites of the Lebanese Hezbollah group in seven different areas. While these strikes represented a significant escalation of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel that has been underway since October 7, yesterday evenings attack in Beirut was calculated to provoke Hezbollahs retaliation and further enflame tensions throughout the Middle East. The strike has provoked a wave of protests. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib denounced the strike on Beirut and said that he would file a complaint with the United Nations. The Iranian Embassy in Lebanon condemned the Israeli strike on Beirut, calling it cowardly and sinful Israeli aggression. In April, Israel carried out a provocative strike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, killing two senior generals of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp and at least five other people, threatening to trigger a region-wide war with Iran. CNN reported that the US had been informed of the Beirut strike in advance. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant by phone on Monday. While the official read-out paid lip service to the need for a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Hezbollah, Austin gave his unwavering commitment to Israels security and right of self-defense, effectively giving Israel carte blanche for the attack. The decision to target Mushin Shukr was not accidental. The US State Department put a $5 million bounty on his head after branding him a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2019. It claimed that he played a central role in the October 23, 1983 bombing of the US Marine Corps Barracks in Beirut. Four years earlier the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Shukr and two other Hezbollah leaders. In the wake of yesterdays strike, US Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate, rapidly and emphatically declared her support for Israel, saying: I unequivocally support Israels right to remain secure and to defend the security of Israel. To emphasise the point, she added that, in particular, it has the right to defend itself against the terrorist organisation, which is exactly what Hezbollah is. In the name of Israels so-called right to self-defense, US imperialism and its allies have backed Israels genocidal war in Gaza diplomatically, financially and militarily to the hilt and justified its atrocities. While Israel declares that Hezbollah has crossed all the red lines in its alleged killing of children in the Golan Heights, the Israeli military slaughters Palestinian children every day in Gaza. The official death toll of men, women and children in Gaza is over 40,000 since October 7, while an estimate in the highly respected Lancet medical journal puts that figure far higher at 186,000. Now Washington is backing an Israeli war that threatens to plunge the Middle East into a far more devastating conflict that would lay waste to the region. Despite its nominal calls for a diplomatic solution, US imperialism, like the Zionist regime, regards the conflict in Gaza as one element of a far broader war against Iranian-aligned groups throughout the region and against Iran itself, which it regards as the chief obstacle to securing its domination in the energy-rich Middle East. BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- China's internet sector saw steady growth in business revenue in the first half of this year, data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology showed. In the first six months, China's major internet companies and related services companies generated 867.6 billion yuan (about 121.6 billion U.S. dollars) in business revenue, an increase of 5.6 percent year on year. This growth rate was 0.6 percentage points higher than that registered in the first five months. Specifically, business revenue of firms mainly providing information services soared 9.5 percent compared to one year earlier -- a pace 5 percentage points faster than the January-May period. The major internet companies' cumulative profits came in at 74.37 billion yuan, up 1.9 percent year on year. The data also revealed that spending on research and development in major internet and related service companies stood at 45.98 billion yuan from January to June, edging up 1.2 percent year on year. Major internet companies and related services companies refer to those with annual business revenues of at least 20 million yuan. The Park Fire, which has been burning for a week in the northern region of California, is now the fifth-largest wildfire in the Golden States history. A firefighter walks by the remains of a home that was destroyed in the Park Fire near Forest Ranch, Calif., Tuesday, July 30, 2024 [AP Photo/Nic Coury] According to information published by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), the Park Fire has burned 386,764 acres in Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama Counties and is 14 percent contained. This area is 12 times the size of San Francisco. This level of containment means that just 14 percent of the perimeter of the fire has been enclosed by a control line. In other words, most of the fire is burning out of control. On Monday, CalFire Incident Commander Billy See told a news conference, This region, both Butte and Tehama, over the course of time in California, has had four of the largest 10 fires known in history. As of Tuesday morning, 192 structures had been destroyed and 19 damaged with 4,200 more threatened by the fire. CalFire reported that around 5,500 fire-fighting personnel have been assigned to suppress the Park Fire. Jay Tracy, a deputy fire marshal for Fresno Fire, who is serving as the CalFire spokesman, said that the crews are fighting the fire, aggressively, and with all hands on deck, including firefighters from throughout California and some from Texas, Arizona and Oregon. More than 8,000 residents in the affected area are under evacuation orders. The speed and intensity of the flames, which is sending massive clouds of orange-gray smoke into the air, has turned tree-lined roads and wooden homes into barren patches of dirt coated with ash, according to a report in the New York Times on Monday. Resident Paul Mozzino, who has gone through previous wildfire evacuation, told the Times, Oh God, not again. After leaving home and turning back to look at the fire a mile from his house, Mozzino said, It looked like a volcano, like something out of Hellraiser. CNN affiliate KHSL spoke with Butte County resident Rick Pero who said the Park Fire was the second California wildfire to destroy his home. He moved to Forest Ranch after losing another property in the deadly Camp Fire in 2018. Pero and his wife were away this time when they got the evacuation warning. They told their house sitter to pack the car and leave, We said dont wait for the order stage, go ahead and load up. He said they might remain in Butte County but after two fire experiences, they are also looking further afield. The evacuees are compelled to either stay in temporary shelters or with friends and family. They do not know how long it will be before they can return home, assuming that their homes will be there when it is safe to go back. Experts are warning that the Park Fire could continue to spread for weeks, if not months and has the potential to become the biggest California wildfire ever. Extreme conditions made possible by capitalist-induced climate change, primarily heat waves in June and July, have produced an exceptionally dry and flammable environment that is fueling the blaze. Two days before the fire started, July 22, was Earths hottest day on record. June was the 13th consecutive month to break a global heat record. Some areas of the burn had their single-hottest 30-day periods on record just before the Park Fire broke out. Speaking to the Times, Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, explained, It was an exceptional heat wave, and an exceptional drying of the vegetation. He said another heat wave is forecast in the area this week, which would likely make it more difficult for firefighters to contain the blaze. The forecast in the region is for temperatures to hit the upper 90s Fahrenheit (32 Celsius plus) on Wednesday and, from Thursday to Monday, temperatures are expected to range between 100 and 103 degrees F (38-39C). There has been significant corporate media attention given to the charging of 42-year-old Ronnie Dean Stout II with felony arson for allegedly starting the Park Fire. Stout is accused of pushing a burning car into a gully near the Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park shortly before 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday where it rolled 60 feet down an embankment. He is scheduled to enter a plea on Thursday and, if he is convicted, Stout could face life in prison. However, the destructive and deadly force of the Park Fire is the product of circumstances that extend far beyond the actions of any individual. UCLAs Swain described the whiplash between very wet and then very dry conditions which are the dual impacts of climate change in California. A warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor which, when it rains, results in massive downpours. When the record-breaking heat comes, high evaporation levels occur which causes a yo-yo effect between seasons of extreme precipitation and flood risk, and extreme dryness and wildfire risk, according to the Times. Meanwhile, erratic atmospheric conditions have created powerful winds above the fire which can produce massive storm systems with hail, high winds, lightning and tornadoes. David Peterson, a meteorologist at the United States Naval Research Laboratory in Monterey, California told the Times that fire-generated storms will impede fire-fighting. He said such storms were recently produced by wildfires in Canada that destroyed a third of the town of Jasper, Alberta. The exceptionally hot and dry conditions are making for a record wildfire season on the West Coast. According to Inside Climate News, Over the past two weeks, infernos have been tearing through parts of California, Oregon and Canada, leaving scorched trails in their wake. Fire experts are saying the pace at which some of the blazes have intensified is shocking. Inside Climate News said that scenes like that of the Park Fire are playing out in Oregon and Canada, Experts say a flash drought triggered by heat waves transformed trees, shrubs and greenery throughout eastern and central Oregon into kindling for lightning-ignited wildfires. More than 1 million acres have burned so far across the statequadruple the amount of charred land compared to last year. In a speech delivered Monday from the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in Austin, Texas, outgoing President Joe Biden proposed a series of Supreme Court reforms aimed at restoring legitimacy to the corrupt and widely despised United States Supreme Court. In recent years, extreme opinions that the Supreme Court has handed down have undermined long established civil rights and protections, Biden said. President Joe Biden speaks at an event commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, Monday, July 29, 2024, at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. [AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta] What is happening now is not normal, and it undermines the publics confidence in the courts decisions, Biden warned, including those impacting personal freedoms. Most recently and most shockingly, the Supreme Court established in Trump v. United States a dangerous precedent, he continued. By instituting his proposals, Biden promised to restore trust and accountability to the court and our democracy. Throughout his rambling, and at times incoherent remarks, Biden attempted to present the Democratic Party as a vessel capable of defending democratic rights against the extremist Republicans. This is, in fact, becoming an increasingly difficult sell. In the lead-up to, and following the January 6 coup, Biden and the Democrats did everything in their power to cover up the danger of dictatorship in the United States. Two days after the attack, and several times since, Biden himself has called for the building of a strong Republican Party, and implored his Republican colleagues to work with him in passing trillion-dollar war budgets and anti-immigrant legislation. After the failed coup, Biden lent his support to the sham January 6 House Select Committee. The Select Committee, co-chaired by far-right Rep. Liz Cheney, daughter of war criminal and former Vice President Dick Cheney, presented a false one-man coup narrative and refused to investigate the role of federal institutions in assisting Trumps attack. This includes the Supreme Court, specifically the under-reported roles of justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, and Thomas wife Ginni. Bidens speech was originally scheduled to be delivered on July 15. At that time, he was still the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. However, he was unable to make the trip after falling ill from COVID-19 for a third time. Now, less than 100 days before the 2024 election, Trump is tied or leading in national polls against Vice President Kamala Harris, recently installed to replace the rapidly deteriorating Biden at the head of the Democratic ticket. Bidens three reform proposals, which were laid out in a Washington Post editorial published the same day, include 18-year term limits for the nine judges and an enforceable code of ethics, which would require justices to publicly disclose the numerous and expensive gifts they receive from their billionaire patrons. Biden also proposed overturning the July 1 Trump v. United States Supreme Court decision through a constitutional amendment dubbed the No One Is Above the Law Amendment. The amendment would state that the Constitution does not grant any federal criminal immunity to former presidents. None of Bidens proposals, which would require broad support from Republicans, will be enacted in the near or even distant future. The process of amending the Constitution requires broad bipartisan support across Congress and state legislatures. An amendment is agreed to after a two-thirds majority vote in the House and the Senate, or a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of the state legislatures. Once the amendment is agreed upon by either Congress or a constitutional convention, it must be ratified by three quarters, or 38 out of 50, states. Trump, the figurehead of the Republican Party and its nominee for president, has the loyalty of a large majority of congressional Republicans, many of whom owe their current position to Trumps endorsement. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (Republican- Louisiana) wrote on X/Twitter that Bidens suggestions were a dangerous gambit by the Biden-Harris administration and were dead on arrival in the House. On Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican-Kentucky) likewise characterized Bidens proposals as unconstitutional and dead on arrival in the Senate. McConnell said he couldnt be more disappointed in Biden. He absolutely knows what he recommended is unconstitutional, to try to limit the terms of the Supreme Court justices who under the Constitution are appointed for life, he said. Bidens proposals also met with fury from the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal, the unofficial press organ of the financial oligarchy. The newspaper called Bidens reforms an assault on judicial independence and the constitutional order. The editorial continued: You might call it an attack on democracy. Former Wall Street Journal editorial writer Jason Willick, in an opinion column published Tuesday in the Washington Post, likewise attacked Bidens proposals as [f]undamentally revising the constitutional balance of power. In fact, the ruling by the far-right dominated Supreme Court effectively transforms the office of president into a dictatorship, whose occupants cannot be prosecuted for violations of law carried out in the course of official business. The howling from large sections of the bourgeois press comes despite the fact that the Democratic Party, and Biden, have no intention of following through on the proposals. In the face of overwhelming evidence of corruption and outright bribe-taking, neither Biden nor the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin (Democrat-Illinois), has moved to hold public hearings, let alone impeach any of the justices. Nor have Biden and the Democrats sought to expose the complicity of Justice Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas wife Virginia in the plot to overthrow the 2020 election results and the US Constitution, which culminated in the nearly successful January 6, 2021 fascist assault on the US Capitol. As Biden made clear in his remarks in Texas, his main concern is to counter the discrediting of the Supreme Court and government institutions more broadly among ever wider sections of the population. Bidens proposals are aimed at providing a democratic gloss as the Democrats and Republicans carry out their bipartisan agenda of war in Ukraine against Russia, genocide in Gaza, and soon war with Lebanon and Iran and then with China. In order to pursue this policy of global war, the Democrats have joined with the increasingly fascistic Republican Party to slander anti-genocide protesters, many of them Jewish, as antisemitic. Bidens call for bipartisan reforms to the Court comes directly after majorities in both parties hailed the mass killer Benjamin Netanyahu in Congress. The Butcher of Gaza, wanted by the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice for war crimes, brayed for war with Iran while smearing anti-war protesters in America as useful idiots in the service of Iran. The following day, Kamala Harris welcomed Netanyahu to the White House and echoed the Zionist leaders use of his appearance before a Joint Session of Congress to witch-hunt anti-genocide protesters, calling them unpatriotic. Under conditions of staggering levels of inequality at home and the global economic decline of US imperialism, there is no constituency in the ruling class for defending the democratic rights of the working class. Far from defending democracy, the Democratic Party is leading the charge to bar independent candidates and third parties from the ballot. Democratic rights won in previous eras cannot be defended through the increasingly rigged bourgeois political system. In the United States, the Socialist Equality Party and its candidates for president, Joseph Kishore, and vice president, Jerry White, are running against both political parties and the capitalist system they defend. It is only through building a mass movement in the working class, across national boundaries and against all capitalist parties, that democratic rights won in previous eras can be defended and expanded in the fight for socialism. Battered by rough waters caused by Typhoon Gaemi last week, an oil tanker capsized and sank on July 25 in the Philippines Manila Bay, causing potential ecological devastation. As climate change worsens the effects of typhoons and other storms, these natural disasters are compounded by these types of accidents, the result of the subordination of safety to the drive for profits. Philippine-flagged motor tanker Terra Nova sinks in Manila Bay, Philippines Thursday, July 25, 2024. [AP Photo/Philippine Coast Guard] The Philippine-flagged MT Terra Nova was carrying 1.4 million litres of industrial fuel oil after leaving its port in Limay, in Bataan province in the northern Philippines. The ship was headed for Iloilo on Panay Island in the central region of the country early last Thursday when it encountered rough waters and heavy rains. The captain attempted to turn back to shore, but the ship took on water from the strong waves and sank, leaking its contents into the sea. One crew member was killed while the other 16 sailors on board were rescued. Authorities are attempting to downplay the disaster, initially reporting that the fuel leaking into the sea was from the ships diesel engine, rather than its cargo. Since then, the scope of the disaster is increasingly coming to light. The Philippine Space Agency is reporting that the oil has spread to cover an area of at least 68 square kilometers, a large increase compared to previous reports of only 14 square kilometers. Traces of oil are being reported in fishing villages in the provinces of Bulacan and Cavite. It is clear from weather conditions that the Terra Nova never should have been allowed to leave port. Typhoon Gaemi reached the northern Philippines on July 22. Fuelled by the warmest ocean temperatures on record due to climate change, the storm intensified and mixed with seasonal monsoon rains, hitting the country hard for days. It triggered floods and landslides that left at least 34 people dead. It was in these conditions that the Terra Nova attempted to sail only a few days later. Despite the continued effects from the typhoon, no storm warnings were in effect when the ship left port. The vessel also supposedly met regulatory requirements for travelling in rough weather. These minimal regulations did not stop the Terra Nova from setting sail in dangerous conditions. Only two days after the first sinking, another fuel tanker also sank off the coast of Bataan, the MTKR Jason Bradley, which was reportedly carrying 5,500 litres of diesel. According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the tanker did not seek clearance to sail amid the rough waters tossed up by Typhoon Gaemi. Philippine authorities claimed that by Monday it had sealed the leaks from the Terra Nova and would begin removing the oil from the ship to prevent more from leaking out. According to the salvaging company, the sealing up of the pressure valves on the Terra Nova will allow the siphoning of oil from the capsized vessel. Once enough of the fuel has been removed, the ship will be refloated and towed to shore where the cleanup process can continue. In a further attempt to downplay the disaster, PCG Central Luzon spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina claimed over the weekend that as they had begun to reduce the oil flow rate from the ship, the oil spill was now very controllable. No fishing ban has been put in place despite the huge amount of oil that has leaked into the sea and the fact that fishermen have reported a strong odor in the waters where they work. Renan Honsana, from Tanza in Cavite, told Reuters, This oil spill will have a big effect on us fishermen because we rely on the sea and it has been affected by the oil. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources claimed on Monday that raw and cooked fish caught in the area around the sunken Terra Nova passed the sensory analysis or, in other words, smell tests and not laboratory tests. This is just a further indication of how safety and public health are ignored. These types of accidents are not uncommon in the Philippines. The last major oil spill occurred just last year on February 28 when the MT Princess Empress sank off the coast of Mindoro Island in central Philippines, spilling over 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil. The oil spill affected major ecosystems, not only in Mindoro itself, but as far as Palawan Island and Antique, a province in Panay Island. According to the governments Environment Department, up to 5,185 hectares of marine habitat on Mindoro Island and around the Western Visayas Islands had been affected. The environmental damage, particularly to coral reefs and mangroves, was estimated at over 9.52 billion pesos ($US162 million) and estimated damages to agriculture amounted to at least 4.93 billion pesos ($US84 million). The devastation wrought by these oil spills has ruined critical fisheries off the Philippine coast, relied on both for food supplies and as a source of livelihood for the countrys sizeable and impoverished fishing communities. The men in these poor communities of seaside villages fish the open ocean at night, tossing hand-mended nets from small outrigger boats, known as banca, and the women bring the catch to market in the hours of early dawn. Washington has seized on these imperiled communities as a pretext for its drive to war against China in the South China Sea. Statements from various leading military officials, often during the ever more aggressive joint US-Philippine wargames, all speak of defending the rights of these poor fishermen. They claim they are protecting traditional Filipino fishing grounds from Chinese occupation. The indifference displayed by the Philippine government to the oil spill, the lack of any substantive regulation to prevent it, the torpid official response to the growing catastrophe and the absence of any aid from the United States government, all combine to give the lie to these repeated declarations. To cite just one example of the damage wrought by the US military in Philippine waters: in 2013, a US minesweeper illegally sailed through undisputed Philippine waters and ran aground on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tubbataha Reef. The US ship damaged over 2,345 square meters of the national park, one of the most important sites of marine biodiversity in the world. The damage done to Philippine fishing grounds, denying Filipino fishermen access to their traditional livelihood, has been wrought, not by alleged Chinese aggression, but by rapacious capitalism, the complicity and indifference of the Philippine government, and the actions of the US military. On July 5, 43-year-old father Ben Carse died of a cardiac arrest at Brisbanes Princess Alexandra Hospital, having waited almost four hours in an ambulance outside the emergency department the night before. Carse first went to a Brisbane community health centre on the evening of July 4, where an ambulance was called because he was suffering chest pain. The ambulance arrived at the hospital at 7 p.m., but Carse and the paramedics had to wait until around 10:30 p.m. before he could be seen by emergency department staff. Carse was then moved to a shared waiting room with a nurse, where he remained until his death at around 9 a.m. The circumstances surrounding this tragic death are far from unique. In May, a 78-year-old man died from complications of diabetes after spending almost two hours in an ambulance outside Gold Coast University Hospital. Within five minutes of finally being transferred to a bed in the hospitals resuscitation area, the man suffered a heart attack. He was placed on life support and died around 11 hours later. According to 9News, leaked emails reveal the ramped paramedic crews completed forms which indicated the patients deterioration and escalated these concerns to the hospital triage and team leader on multiple occasions. An ambulance in Sydney in 2020 [Photo by Helitak430 via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Ambulance ramping is a well-known indicator of stress on emergency departments and hospitals more broadly, reflecting a shortage of hospital beds, staff and other resources. Moreover, ambulances spending hours waiting outside emergency departments are unable to respond to calls, with potentially devastating consequences across the wider population. There are known longer term consequences to ramping patients who need emergency care. A 2022 study in the Medical Journal of Australia of more than 200,000 Victorian patients with non-traumatic chest pain, found that longer ambulance offload times were associated with an increased risk of death within 30 days and a higher incidence of subsequent emergency ambulance transport. In the first three months of this year, 45.5 percent of patients arriving at Queensland hospitals by ambulance were not transferred to the emergency department within 30 minutes, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Ramping is a growing problem across the country. In November last year, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) released a report card on ramping, showing all states and territories failed to meet performance targets. The AMA noted this was a product of the chronic underfunding of public hospitals. In New South Wales, data shows that the numbers of patients being ramped has increased from around 44,000 patients per month in early 2022 to more than 50,000 per month in early 2024. In South Australia, ramping is measured by the amount of time ambulance crews spend waiting to transfer patients after the first 30 minutes. This figure has increased from 500 hours per month in 2017 to more than 4,000 hours per month in 2024, according to data presented this month by the Conversation. Last week in South Australia, an 83-year-old woman spent 12 hours waiting to be admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, one of the largest in the state. Ahead of the 2022 state election, the South Australian Ambulance Employees Association (AEA), a union covering paramedics, spent more than $400,000 on a sustained media campaign against the incumbent Liberal government. This was engineered to divert opposition to the growing public health crisis among paramedics and other workers into support for the election of a Labor government. The union leadership promoted this as a panacea for the ambulance service and hospital system. In fact, the hours lost to ramping have soared further since Labor was elected, rising from 2,638 hours per month in April 2022 to 4,773 per month in May 2024. AEA General Secretary Leah Watkins told ABC Radio Adelaide last week she was now less confident that ramping in South Australia would be improved before the next state election in 2026. This is nothing more than an attempt to cover over the role of Labor and the health unions in presiding over a deepening crisis. Just 606 new hospital beds by 2026 have been promised by the Labor government to supposedly address the crisis. Watkins told the ABC, Our entire membership is very concerned that the extra beds are not going to be enough. Yet the AEA bureaucracy, along with health unions across the country, consistently limit and shut down industrial action by paramedics, impose the real wage cuts demanded by governments and suppress calls for organised opposition to the broader assault on public health spending, now being spearheaded by Labor governments around the country. Last year the federal Labor government of Anthony Albanese slashed $11 billion from the health system over two years, part of a broader attack on wages and vital services for the working class. This is in stark contrast to the $368 billion for nuclear-powered submarines, $1 billion to support the war in Ukraine and other increases in military spending in preparation for a US-led war against China. Furthermore, the let it rip COVID-19 policies adopted by all governments, and fully supported by the unions, have, in addition to causing more than 25,000 unnecessary deaths, placed even greater pressure on a healthcare system that was already in crisis. Virtually all public health measures have been abandoned in line with the demands of big business. This includes mask wearing and other mitigations in hospitals, increasing the risk of hospital-acquired infection, placing patients at greater risk and exacerbating staff shortages. The pandemic has provided a stark demonstration that capitalism is totally incompatible with a high-quality public health system, staffed by well-paid workers with decent working conditions. This poses the need for an alternative political perspective, socialism, and the fight to establish workers governments and bring hospitals and emergency services, along with the major banks and corporations, under democratic workers control. Only in this way can the immense resources currently monopolised by the wealthy elite be freed up to provide for the needs of the working class. Wije Dias The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality held a commemoration event at the Borella Public Cemetery in Colombo on Saturday July 27 to pay tribute to comrade Wije Dias on the second anniversary of his death. The well-known Trotskyist leader was the long-time General Secretary of the SEP (Sri Lanka) and its predecessor the Revolutionary Communist League, the Sri Lankan section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI). Several of Wijes close relatives About 50 party members, supporters and relatives of Wije, including his son Keerthi, daughter-in-law Anjana and granddaughter Janarthi, participated. At the beginning, the attendees held a minutes silence in respect to the memory of Wije. During the event, the SEP launched the Sinhala language translation of Leon Trotskys seminal work written in the mid-1930s, Whither France? Comrade Wije spent much of the last few years of his active political life, despite difficult health conditions, translating Trotskys works, including Permanent Revolution: Results and Prospects and Germany: What Next? and Summary and Perspectives of the Chinese Revolution. Whither France? was the last of this series translated by Wije. Sinhala language translation of Leon Trotskys Whither France?, the last work of Wije Dias. K. Ratnayake, who chaired the event, explained the circumstance in which Wije translated these works and said Wijes aim was to arm the party cadres and workers and youth with the historical experiences of the Trotskyist movement. Ratnayake handed the first copies of the new translation to Deepal Jayasekera, the SEP General Secretary, and to Keerthi Wijegunasinghe, Wijes son. Ratnayake, national editor of the World Socialist Web Site in Sri Lanka, briefly noted that Comrade Wije assumed the leadership of the Sri Lankan section of the ICFI after the tragic and untimely death in 1987 of Keerthi Balasuriya, the founding General Secretary of the RCL, a brilliant Trotskyist leader. When the RCL was formed in June 1968, Wije belonged to the group of young people who took up the initiative to form the ICFI section in Sri Lanka and he played a leading role in the movement for 54 years until his death, Ratnayake said. Comrade David North, the chairperson of SEP in the US and the International Editorial Board of the WSWS had made clear the enormous role played by Wije in the struggle for the resurgence of the Trotskyist movement in the Indian subcontinent, he said. Ratnayake Recalling the mass uprising in Sri Lanka in 2022, Ratnayake said: Comrade Wije worked in his last days with the ICFI leadership preparing a perspective document drawing the lessons from the uprising. This document For a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Masses was published just seven days before Wijes demise. This statement has been guiding us in our political work since then. In her remarks, SEP Political Committee member Vilani Peiris said: I first met with Comrade Wije in 1969 when the Wellawatte branch discussed the lessons of the 1953 split in the Fourth International and the 1963 unprincipled unification of Socialist Workers Party with the Pabloites, who rejected the revolutionary role of the working class. Wijes enormous contribution stood like a plank in preparing the working class for its historical tasks, she said. He was a clever orator. At the same time, he was interested in art and Marxist teachings on art. He also took part in the production of several artworks related to the Marxist party. In one of them, Comrade Wije had written: We do not retreat until we will win this struggle. Wilani Peris Deepal Jayasekera said the purpose of the gathering was to commemorate the second anniversary of the death of an extraordinary revolutionary fighter, who fully dedicated nearly six decades of his lifethree quarters of his entire lifeto the interests of the Sri Lankan and international working class, based on the Trotskyist principles of international socialism. Comrade Wije belonged to the group of politically brilliant youth who took the initiative in the struggle against the great betrayal of the principles of international socialism and the political independence of the working class by the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), which claimed to be Trotskyist at that time, in entering the bourgeois coalition of Sirima Bandaranaike in 1964, he said. Jayasekera pointed out that the most important factor then was the very decisive political intervention made by the ICFI, which explained that the real roots of the LSSP betrayal lay not in Sri Lanka, but were international, that is, in Pabloite revisionism, which emerged within the Fourth International. Jayasekara Amid the enormous difficulties that the RCL faced owing to the vicious nature of capitalist class rule in Sri Lanka, Comrade Wije and others fought courageously for Trotskyist principles. This exemplary leader gave the leadership to the party in its fight for the political independence of the working class against all the bourgeois parties, and their pseudo-left and trade union appendages, after assuming the party leadership, Jayasekera said. Jayasekera pointed to Wijes leading role in the partys struggle to provide a revolutionary socialist program, perspective and leadership to workers, youth and rural poor in Sri Lanka in their mass uprising against the government of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse in 2022, despite his weakening health situation. Stating that the loss of Wije is particularly felt amid this unprecedented economic, political and social crisis in Sri Lanka, the sharpest expression of the global crisis of capitalism, the speaker pointed out that, his powerful political legacy lives on in the cadre of the SEP and the ICFI, which continue his lifelong struggle for a socialist future of humanity. A section of participants at the second anniversary of Wijes death Jayasekera also paid tribute to the memory of Piyaseeli Wijegunasinghe, the late companion of Wije. Comrade Piyaseeli was a life-long Trotskyist and Marxist intellectual fighting for the interests of the international working class. The role played by her in the field of Marxist literary criticism was an essential component of ICFIs work to resolve the crisis of leadership of the proletariat, he said. Jayasekera then turned to todays global crisis of capitalism, which is exemplified by the developing danger of an imperialist world war, intensified by the Israeli genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza, the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and the US war preparations against China. That is, we have entered into a decisive period in which the theoretical and political struggle that Wije engaged should be deepened, he said. This same crisis, Jayasekera said, was also pushing the international working class into developing class struggles. This had made the development of a global anti-war movement of the working class, based on international socialism, urgent. The SEP in Sri Lanka was fully dedicated to the struggle to build the party as the mass revolutionary party of the working class and to build the ICFI throughout South Asia. Jayasekera concluded by calling on those in the audience to join with the SEP in taking forward that decisive political struggle as the great tribute we can pay to Comrade Wije. The Israeli daily Haaretz reported Monday that over the weekend, in violation of humanitarian law, a unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the 401st Brigade of the Armored Corps, rigged a critical water reservoir in Gaza with explosives and then detonated them, destroying the facility known as the Canada Well. Palestinians inspect the damage at a site hit by an Israeli bombardment on Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 13, 2024 [AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi] The water facility, located in Tel Sultan neighborhood on the northwestern side of Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, was built in 1999 with funding provided by the Canadian International Development Agency. Equipped with solar panels, it enabled water services to continue for tens of thousands of people in the area despite the destruction of the entire electrical grid in the enclave. Following the destruction, the IDF soldiers celebrated by posting videos of the operation on their Instagram and X social media accounts, writing, Destruction of the Tel Sultan water reservoir in honor of Shabbat. The Israeli army admitted that its soldiers were responsible for the bombing of the Canada Well and said it was investigating if any international laws were violated. Monther Shoblaq, director general of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, speaking with Drop Site, said, I was shocked when I saw the video. Its not just that they targeted this water facility; its the fact that they planted explosives, celebrated the act on Instagram, and did so under the guise of honoring the Sabbath. Its deeply cruel. This is the Canada Well in Tal al-Sultanone of the most important water facilities in the city of Rafah. What is being disputed in the Israeli press, however, is whether the brigade commander of the Combat Engineers obtained permission from senior officers of the IDF Southern Command to destroy the facility and not the obvious fact that the operation was typical of the conduct of the IDF throughout the war against the people of Gaza. The areas where the operation took place were considered humanitarian safe zones, which become killing zones whenever the IDF pleases. As is usual in these situations, the army told Haaretz it was going to look into the incident and consider if the military police needed to open an investigation. Given the international outcry over Israeli war crimes in Gaza, these reports from Rafah are one more embarrassment for the IDF and the Netanyahu government, which will try to manufacture yet another outrageous pretext, perhaps claiming that the operation was necessary to prevent Hamas from accessing potable water for their continued operations. A similar argument could be made for actions to deprive the population of breathable air as well. Throughout the now more than nine-month-long siege on the Gaza Strip, countless video clips posted on social media have exposed the barbarism of IDF in the killing and abuse of innocent Palestinians, as well as international aid workers who have risked their lives to help the beleaguered population. In each case, neither the Israeli army, Netanyahu, nor the US government has raised a finger to curb the savagery. On the contrary, they have commended and justified these actions. On the same day as the Haaretz report, UN Human Rights Offices spokesperson, Jeremy Laurence, speaking with Anadolu Agency, said, It is indeed strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law to attack civilian objects. Moreover, it is prohibited to attack objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as drinking water supplies. Furthermore, Laurence noted, The Human Rights Office has received no information on any investigations by Israel into the specific incident of the destruction of the water reserve. In view of Israels well-documented failure to ensure accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law and the international human rights law, remedies at the international level are essential to addressing this long-standing accountability gap. The complete destruction of the water supplies in Gaza is part and parcel of the assault on the basic essentials of life for Palestinians from the very inception of the genocidal campaign. In an interview with Major General (Reserves) Giora Eiland, the adviser to Yoav Gallant, on the IDFs radio station, GLZ, in October 2023, Eiland said, But there are many wells in Gaza, which contain water which they treat locally, since originally they contain salt. If the energy shortage in Gaza makes it so that they stop pumping out water, thats good. Otherwise, we have to attack these water treatment plants in order to create a situation of thirst and hunger in Gaza, and I would say, forewarn of an unprecedented economical and humanitarian crisis. The same month, Eiland wrote in the Israeli newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, The State of Israel has no choice but to turn Gaza into a place that is temporarily or permanently impossible to live in. Creating a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a necessary means to achieve the goal. Gaza will become a place where no human being can exist. Placing context on the blowing up of the Canada Well water reservoir, Reuters reported yesterday that in July the Israeli army destroyed 30 water wells in Rafah and Khan Younis. And given the incessant bombing and drone attacks, the daily chore to seek water and sustenance has potentially lethal consequences. In May, the BBC reported that satellite data had revealed more than half of Gazas water sites had been damaged including four of the six wastewater treatment plants crucial to preventing the build-up of sewage. As the Reuters report noted, People have dug wells in bleak areas near the sea where the bombing has pushed them or rely on salty tap water from Gazas only aquifer, now contaminated with seawater and sewage. Children walk long distances to line up at makeshift collection points. Often not strong enough to carry the filled containers, they drag them on wooden boards. Gaza city has lost nearly all its water production capacity, with 88 percent of its water wells and 100 percent of its desalination plants damaged or destroyed. CANBERRA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Australia has launched a world-first oral immunotherapy (OIT) program for babies with peanut allergies. Under the ADAPT OIT program, children younger than 12 months who are allergic to peanuts will be given daily doses of peanut powder to build up a tolerance to the allergen in the hope of overcoming the life-threatening condition. Ten public pediatric hospitals across five states have partnered with the government-funded National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE) to deliver the treatment. It is the first nationwide OIT program for peanut allergies offered in mainstream care anywhere in the world. Ged Kearney, the assistant minister for health, said in a statement on Wednesday that the program could be a game changer for Australians with peanut allergies. "Today's announcement is a big step forward towards combating life-threatening peanut allergies in babies," she said. The free program will be offered to eligible babies who are receiving care from allergists at the 10 participating hospitals. Babies in the program will first undertake food tests to confirm their peanut allergy before starting a dose of peanut powder. After one month of taking a daily prescribed dose at home, they will return to hospital to increase the dose. The process will continue for two years, after which another food test will be conducted to determine if they are in remission. The results of the program will be analyzed by the NACE. If successful, the program could then be adopted by more hospitals and private health clinics. Australian children have the highest prevalence of food allergies in the world. According to the Melbourne's Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), one in 10 Australian babies and one in 20 primary school-aged children have a food allergy. Admission to Australian hospitals due to anaphylaxis -- a severe allergic reaction -- has increased by 350 percent over the last 20 years, with peanuts the most common cause. ISLAMABAD, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar paid an official visit to Iran on Tuesday to attend the investiture ceremony of Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said. On behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, the deputy prime minister conveyed a message of felicitations and best wishes for the Iranian president on his assumption of office, the ministry said in a statement. Dar also congratulated the Iranian nation on the successful and smooth transition of power to the new political administration. The deputy prime minister also expressed support and solidarity with the new Iranian administration and Pakistan's commitment to further consolidate ties with Iran, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry. CHANGSHA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese court on Wednesday sentenced Li Chunsheng, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial People's Congress, to 10 years in prison for accepting bribes. The court ruled that between 2001 and May 2022, Li took advantage of his various posts in the provinces of Henan and Guangdong to seek benefits for others in matters such as project contracting and job promotion. In return, Li illegally accepted money and gifts worth more than 79.4 million yuan (about 11.13 million U.S. dollars), though he had not actually obtained part of that total. Li turned himself in to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China and the National Commission of Supervision in November 2022, according to the court. Li was also fined 4 million yuan, and his illegal gains were confiscated and turned over to the state treasury, according to the verdict. Barbie's new line, called "Dream Besties," brings the storytelling to life with aspiring dolls that have goals and dreams to accomplish. Beginning Tuesday through September, fans can watch music videos of the new Barbies on Apple Music or YouTube. The series, which shares the Barbies' stories, passions and dreams, will start with "Malibu" and "Brooklyn," two of the new Barbie dolls, according to a news release from the fashion doll company. "At Barbie, our mission is to inspire and empower the next generation, and the Barbie Dream Besties are a vibrant, trendy testament to that commitment," Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls at Mattel, said in a statement. "Developed specifically for older kids, Dream Besties encourages kids to embrace their individuality and share their unique talents with the world from cooking to choreography to cosmetology and more. Here's what to know about Barbie's new Dream Besties. Dream Besties are Barbie's new line of dolls that have different talents, dreams and goals. Who are the Dream Besties? Makeup Mogul Barbie "Malibu" Roberts loves the art of cosmetology and wants to become a makeup artist. Name: Barbie "Malibu" Roberts Age: 17 years old Hometown: Willows, Wisconsin Mattel describes Barbie "Malibu" Roberts as a "spirited" teen who earned her nickname after moving to California at the age of 8. "Barbie always enjoys helping her friends look and feel their best so her passion to become a makeup artist came naturally," Mattel says. With pressing powders, contour and lipstick in hand, Malibu plans to become the CEO of her own makeup brand. Music and dance lover Barbie "Brooklyn" Roberts likes to dance, editing videos and creative writing. Name: Barbie "Brooklyn" Roberts Age: 17 years old Hometown: Brooklyn, New York Barbie Brooklyn Roberts is a "dynamic" teenager who freely expresses herself through dance, Mattel says. In the future, the fashion doll company says that Brooklyn plans to become a choreographer, with the help of her other hobbies of video editing and creative writing. Mattel also adds that Brooklyn's friends recognize her for her motto, You Are Loved or YAL. "She embodies self-love and self-recognition, encouraging others to embrace who they are," the company says. Gamer girl Teresa Rivera wants to start her own video gaming company. Name: Teresa Rivera Age: 17 years old Hometown: Malibu, California Tech girlies, this Barbie is for you. Teresa Rivera is an "effortlessly cool" teenager with a passion for all things technology and hopes to own her own gaming company, Mattel says. While she does not have a game controller in her hand, Brooklyn also loves to read and compete in gymnastics, and is "deeply connected" with her Mexican heritage, Mattel says. Cooking Protege Renee Chao wants to host her own food and travel show in the future. Name: Renee Chao Age: 17 years old Hometown: Malibu, California Another Malibu doll is bringing the heat from the kitchen to your handheld device. Renee Chao is a "vibrant" teenager who dreams of hosting a food and travel show, according to Mattel. Mattels says this doll is kicking off her dream with her food vlog, sKATE the channel combines her love of food and skateboarding with humor and authenticity with her slogan: Whats cooking? Renee is known for her "charismatic and larger-than-life attitude," Mattel says. She uses her platform to promote trying something new and is inseparable from her pet guinea pig Pancake, Mattel says. Mattel introduces: Two first-of-their-kind inclusive Barbie dolls: See the new additions What is in the box? Mattel says the following items are in each doll's box: Malibu Malibu comes with 11 different beauty-themed accessories, including a hairdryer, mirror, and lipstick. The doll also has long blonde wavy hair to match her fashion style. Brooklyn Every choreographer needs a tablet, phone and boombox to practice the latest dance moves. Brooklyn comes with those items along with her long black hair that are styled in multiple ponytails with shiny highlight accents. Teresa This gamer girlie cannot beat the next level without these items. Included in Teresas box are headphones, a keyboard and a video game backpack. Teresa also has long hair with red bow hair clips in it. Renee With 11 accessories in her box Renee cannot make her favorite dishes without food. A pizza, pretzel and a laptop are some of the items she will need to make content for her vlog. Renee has long black hair with purple shiny highlights. How much are the dolls? Each doll is priced at $19.99 and is meant for children aged 4 years old and up. The dolls can be purchased on Mattel Shop, Walmart, Amazon and Target, Mattel says. Dream Besties on YouTube Mattel also shares that their joint YouTube series, called Dream Besties, will launch this fall featuring 10 three-minute episodes following the four friends' journey to obtain their goals, stick together and most importantly have fun. 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: Barbie launches 'Dream Besties,' dolls with big girl boss goals EC3 Has Been In Talks To Defend The NWA Title In Uganda For Soft Ground Wrestling EC3 is trying to make a unique world title defense happen. The NWA World Heavyweight Champion recently spoke with Dominic DeAngelo of 1 True Sport. During the conversation, DeAngelo asked EC3 if there was an update on his desire to defend his title in Uganda. EC3 previously told WrestleZones Bill Pritchard that he was interested in competing for Ugandas Soft Ground Wrestling. EC3 told WrestleZone that he not only wanted to compete there, but he wants to do it in their mud pits (and hell wear his PPV gear). I really want to get into those mud pits. Wrestling with the no ropes. I believe Cody bought them a ring though, EC3 explained to WrestleZone. I want to get there before the ring shows up. I am 100% putting that into the atmosphere and manifesting that I do want to do that. But I mean, anywhere, in the this dimension of Earth. Ill defend it in Africa. EC3s update on Uganda Now, he told DeAngelo that theyve been in contact. EC3 says they need to figure out the financial aspects of a trip like that, but hes determined to make it happen. Yes. Heres the thing obviously NWA cant fund me to go to Uganda. Obviously, Uganda SoftStyle isnt a wealth of financial means, EC3 said. He pointed out that one option could be if SGW picked a challenger that had a great story, and a crowdfunding effort could help. Hes not sure how it happens, but it will happen. I would do it in a heartbeat. So yes, theres been contact and Im trying to figure out how to make that happen. So, whether a wealthy investor wants to fund it or not, or we crowdfund it, I dont know, EC3 stated. But its going to go down. Read More: EC3 Comments On The Similarities Between His Signature Hand Gesture And The Shocker The post EC3 Has Been In Talks To Defend The NWA Title In Uganda For Soft Ground Wrestling appeared first on Wrestlezone. Actress Linda Blair could soon be without representation in the bitter court battle with her neighbors after her attorney asked for permission to drop her as a client, In Touch can exclusively report. According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Lindas lawyers, Lindsay Weiss and Robert L. Davis from the firm Manning Gross & Massenburg [MG + M], asked to be relived as her and her nonprofit's counsel. Robert claimed there has been a breakdown of the working relationship. He explained, The breakdown in the relationship between myself and MG+M, on the one hand, and Ms. Blair on the other has resulted in MG+M NOT receiving information, documentation, and authority to take certain actions necessary to defend the case against the Foundation, such that that MG+M cannot carry out its representation of the Foundation effectively. Exorcist Star Linda Blair Dropped by Lawyers in Battle With Neighbor Over Alleged Vicious Pit Bull Attack He added, This information includes, but is not limited to, insurance coverage letters from insurance carriers which may be required to defend the case; insurance policies which potentially cover Plaintiffs claims; and the names and/or contact information of possible percipient witnesses. The lawyer said Linda, 65, ceased communicating with him on February 26 despite repeated attempts to speak with her. [Lindas] failure to communicate with me renders it unreasonably difficult for me to carry out the representation of the Foundation effectively, he wrote. A judge has yet to sign off on his request. The law firm was representing Linda and her nonprofit WorldHeart Foundation in a lawsuit brought last year by Stephanie and Edgar Najar. Linda has worked for decades helping rehabilitate abused animals. Her nonprofit was established to help that mission. In their suit, Stephanie and Edgar said they live near Lindas property in Acton, California. The duo said on November 11, 2022, two of Lindas pit bulls wandered onto their property and mauled the face of their miniature horse. Stephanie and Edgar said the horse suffered severe injuries from the attack. The family blamed Linda for the incident. They claimed the actress animals had come onto their property twice and caused issues. Edgar said he forced to shot one of [Lindas] dogs in order to stop the attack in November 2022. Exorcist Star Linda Blair Dropped by Lawyers in Battle With Neighbor Over Alleged Vicious Pit Bull Attack The couple demanded unspecified damages from Linda and her nonprofit including reimbursement for medical expenses they paid. Linda denied all allegations of wrongdoing. She demanded the entire suit be thrown out of court. Lindas attorney argued, this answering Defendant contends that if Plaintiffs suffered any damage or damages as alleged in the complaint, such damage or damages were proximately caused and contributed to by Plaintiffs. In addition, the lawyer said, if Plaintiffs were damaged in any manner whatsoever, that said damage, if any, was a direct and proximate result of the intervening and superseding actions on the part of other parties, and not this answering Defendant. Linda denied all allegations of wrongdoing. The case is ongoing. Linda previously faced similar drama in 2010 when her dog escaped and allegedly attacked a neighbors miniature potbellied pig. The owner of the pig said he had to shot Lindas dog after it started to attack the pig. No criminal charges were brought over the incident. I have expressed my deepest concerns for the condition of the pig. The Deputy informed us that, in his opinion, the injury to the pig was not life-threatening, Linda said at the time. As a former pig owner, animal lover and neighbor, I have offered through the responding Deputy, to provide or pay for the medical care, if needed, for injuries the pig may have sustained in this unfortunate incident. Shes impossibly cool, casually breaks world records and is the internets latest darling. And while her cap and futuristic glasses are merely functional accoutrements in the world of competitive shooting, they wouldnt look out of place on a street style-inspired runway. Shes Kim Yeji, the 31-year-old South Korean sharpshooter who has taken social media by storm following her appearance at the Paris Olympics. Kim won silver at the 10-meter air pistol event on Sunday, with her 19-year-old teammate Oh Ye Jin taking the gold. One social media account said this photo of Kim contained the most aura I have ever seen in an image. - Charles McQuillan/Getty Images But it was an older video of Kim competing in Azerbaijan in May that went viral on X, formerly Twitter, gaining more than 7 million views and a horde of new fans in just a few days. In the video, Kim wears a backwards cap over her blunt bob, her steely gaze fixed on the target through a pair of shooting glasses a piece of specialist eyewear that helps athletes focus on the target but also looks like something out of a science-fiction movie. Her arm extended and head tilted down, she fires and barely reacts as it emerges she has set a new world record. She flips up her glasses lens to stare directly at the camera before glancing impassively at the nearby screen. Images from her Sunday performance also circulated widely online, with people complimenting not only her unflinching expression but also her black Fila jacket, Sauer shooting shoes and the stuffed toy elephant that hung from her pocket as she competed. Kim's towel seen affixed to a toy elephant during Sunday's competition. - Charles McQuillan/Getty Images A photo showing Kim leaning back with one hand resting nonchalantly on her hip and the other holding a pistol, her ponytail flicking out from the back of her cap, was shared by the X account Women Posting Ws with the caption the most aura I have ever seen in an image. It has since been liked over 300,000 times. Other posts on X, each boasting hundreds of thousands of likes, applauded her main character energy and declared her mother, the ultimate stamp of approval in Internet-speak. The platforms owner, Elon Musk, meanwhile commented that Kim should be cast in an action movie. Kim, a first-time Olympian, will next compete at the qualifying round of the 25-meter pistol event on Friday. Kim (left) on the podium alongside gold-medal-winning team mate Oh Ye Jin and bronze medalist Manu Bhaker of India. - Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images Kim and Ohs podium finish reflects South Koreas strength in shooting, with the country taking home medals in the event at every edition of the Summer Olympic Games since 2000. Kim and Oh are roommates in the Olympic Village, according to the Associated Press, with Kim saying Oh was like a sister to her. I always want to care for her and always be there for her. So when she won the gold medal, I was extra happy, she told the news agency ahead of Sundays event. I do not view her as my rival. This is a big stage, the Olympics, and we won the gold and silver. When we won these medals, we were so proud we are Koreans. CNNs Oscar Holland contributed to this story. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ismail Haniyehs net worth in 2024 continues to intrigue observers and analysts who are eager to understand the financial status of the former Hamas leader. Known for his prominent political role and various financial activities, Haniyeh accumulated considerable wealth before his death. Lets explore the multiple sources of income that contributed to Ismail Haniyehs net worth and uncover how he built his financial empire. What was Ismail Haniyehs net worth in 2024? Ismail Haniyeh had an estimated net worth of $4 billion in 2024. Haniyehs net worth in 2024 consisted of earnings from his leadership role in Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist outfit, and various other financial activities linked to his position. Reports indicated that significant funds came from aid, kickbacks, and control over various enterprises in Gaza and other regions. Ismail Haniyeh was most famous for being a senior political leader of Hamas. He served as the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority and continued to wield significant influence in the Gaza Strip, despite his dismissal in 2007. Haniyehs leadership and financial dealings were often highlighted by his luxurious lifestyle, which starkly contrasted with the conditions faced by many residents in Gaza. What did Ismail Haniyeh do for a living? Palestinian politician Ismail Haniyeh was primarily known for his role as the Hamas chief. Most recently, Ismail Haniyeh led Hamas and its political bureau. He played a significant role in international diplomacy for Hamas, attending important meetings and negotiations. Before his death, he actively participated in various diplomatic efforts. He attended the swearing-in ceremony of Irans new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, shortly before a raid on his residence in Tehran resulted in his death. Haniyehs activities also included overseeing and coordinating the groups political and militant operations, both within Gaza and internationally. Ismail Haniyehs earnings explained how did he make money? Ismail Haniyeh earned money from through a variety of professional pursuits: Leadership of Hamas: Haniyeh earned a significant portion of his income from his role as a senior political leader and head of Hamas politburo. This position granted him access to funds collected through various means. These included donations, taxes, and financial support from allies such as Qatar and Iran. For instance, Qatar reportedly provided Hamas with between $120 million and $480 million per year. A portion of this support likely benefited Haniyeh directly through payroll and kickback schemes. Real Estate Ventures: Haniyeh also made money through investments in real estate, particularly in Gaza. His family owned and controlled various properties, including villas and buildings. His son, Maaz Haniyeh, known as the father of real estate in Gaza, managed a collection of these properties. This real estate empire contributed to the familys wealth, further enhancing Haniyehs financial standing. Foreign Investments and Business Ventures: Haniyehs financial activities extended beyond Gaza, involving investments and business ventures in countries like Qatar and Turkey. These included luxury properties and other potentially lucrative businesses. His familys playboy lifestyle in these countries, along with reports of substantial financial transactions, suggests that these foreign investments were a major income source. Aid Misappropriation: Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders were also known to benefit from the misappropriation of aid funds. International aid meant for humanitarian purposes in Gaza often ended up in the hands of Hamas leaders. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) sent substantial funds to Gaza, and Hamas leadership diverted much of that money. This allowed Haniyeh to amass a fortune while the general population of Gaza remained impoverished. The post Ismail Haniyeh Net Worth 2024: How Much Money Did He Make? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. DAYTONA BEACH A Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach resident and retired helicopter pilot with a thirst for adventure is the newly crowned winner of the famed Ernest Hemingway look-alike contest that capped the recent Hemingway Days celebration in Key West. David Bat Masterson, 71, triumphed over 121 other gray-bearded competitors to claim the title on July 20 in the annual contest at the famed Key West landmark, Sloppy Joes. The event is the highlight of the annual Hemingway celebration that this year marked the 125th anniversary of the writers birth. David "Bat" Masterson, newly crowned winner of the annual Hemingway look-alike contest in Key West, poses with some Hemingway memorabilia in his home at Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach. A retired helicopter pilot, Masterson relocated from Key West to Daytona Beach about three years ago. Back in Daytona Beach in his home office, it is clear Masterson has cultivated the Hemingway look, with a weathered face framed by his ivory beard and hair. After 10 years as a wanna-be contestant in the annual competition, hell tell you that winning is about more than mere resemblance. Thats the look that everybodys going for, he said, gesturing to a line drawing of Hemingways famous profile on the wall over his head. But its about trying to set yourself apart from all the other gray-haired old guys. Youve got to find something that sets you apart from the group. He reaches down to reveal his secret weapon, a conch shell that becomes a musical instrument in his skilled hands. Before he was crowned winner of the look-alike contest, Masterson also was a 2019 winner of Key Wests annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest. He demonstrates his skill by tooting a quick, instantly recognizable conch-shell version of the 1950s instrumental dance hit Tequila. In the look-alike contest, he used the conch shell in its more traditional way, blasting a loud note to offer welcome to a beloved ceremonial occasion. That was something nobody else was doing, he said, smiling. Masterson finds connection with Hemingway's adventurous lifestyle Masterson and his wife, Barbi, spent about a decade living on a sailboat in Key West before moving to Latitude Margaritaville about three years ago. After retiring as a career U.S. Army officer and nearly 30 years as a corporate pilot in Springfield, Illinois, Masterson also worked for a time as a med-evac helicopter pilot for the Monroe County Sheriffs Office in the Keys. That job briefly interrupted his participation in the Hemingway competitions because of a department policy that banned facial hair. It was a rule that he diplomatically dodged with a doctors note. The bust that David "Bat" Masterson received for winning this year's Hemingway look-alike contest stands on a shelf in his home in Daytona. In the background is a photo of the landmark Sloppy Joe's bar in Key West, which hosts the annual contest. Although Masterson found Hemingways writing to be a tough read in his student days, he has come to appreciate the writers work, especially the short stories. He feels more of a connection to Hemingways adventurous lifestyle, he said. Growing up on the banks of the Mississippi River in New Madrid, Missouri, Masterson and his father used to hunt and fish for food that was destined for the familys dinner table, he said. As an adult, Masterson indulged in passions that ranged from shooting and skydiving to motorcycle riding. In addition to helicopters, his three decades of flying experience include time on gyroplanes, seaplanes, sailplanes and powered parachutes. In 2004, he returned to active duty with the Army, flying helicopters in his mid-50s in Iraq, where he suffered a compression fracture of his spine in a hard landing. I became a bit of an adrenaline junkie, he said. It was his passion for motorcycles that inspired his move to Daytona Beach, he said. "It (Key West) started feeling small, started feeling tight," he said. "There were no good places to ride our motorcycles." Hemingway look-alike contest funds college scholarships Although the Hemingway contest is often regarded as a big party, Masterson offers a reminder that the organization behind the event, the Hemingway Look-Alike Society, is a nonprofit group that has donated more than $350,000 to student scholarships at the College of the Florida Keys over two decades. Those scholarships have supported students who will become future nurses and writers, students in the marine engineering program or training to be first responders, he said. For Masterson, the Hemingway brotherhood took on a new importance as he coped with grief after the loss of his wife of 27 years, Barbie, who died of liver failure in December at age 62. That was tough to get through, but they were there for me, he said. Im way more than an acquaintance with all of them and some of them have become my close friends. I call them what they were: they were lifesavers for me. David "Bat" Masterson stands next to a drawing of Ernest Hemingway in his home office in Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach. Around his neck is one of the medallions that he won during a decade of participating in the annual Hemingway look-alike contest at Sloppy Joe's in Key West. After his triumph, Masterson now joins the ranks of past winners who serve as judges of future competitions. During his year-long reign, he also is responsible for organizing a smaller, private mid-year Hemingway Society gathering that he hopes to host at a hotel or meeting space in Daytona Beach. In the past, weve had it in places like Savannah or Amelia Island, but Id like to welcome everyone here, he said. Im thinking sometime between the Daytona 500 and Bike Week would be a good time for a mini-Hemingway gathering in Daytona Beach. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach resident crowned Hemingway Look-Alike winner in Key West TEHRAN, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Egypt on Tuesday expressed hope that bilateral ties would be resumed as soon as possible. In a meeting in Tehran, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty exchanged views on bilateral relations, according to a statement published on the website of the Iranian president's office. Pezeshkian said Iran and Egypt were two "brotherly" countries whose peoples had a "heartfelt" interest in one another, pointing to the two countries' "age-old, brilliant and glorious" civilizational backgrounds. He hoped that the problems hindering the normalization of bilateral ties would be completely resolved as soon as possible. Pezeshkian said Iran and Egypt could help resolve many of the region's problems, noting Iran is ready to cooperate and exchange experiences, capabilities, and bilateral capacities with Egypt. The Egyptian foreign minister, who was in Iran to attend Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony held on Tuesday, said the two countries adopted close positions on issues such as non-interference in other states' affairs, protecting the multilateral international system and defending humanitarian rights. He added the normalization of bilateral ties was continuing on its path, hoping that the two countries would manage to officially begin cooperation with each other as soon as possible to safeguard mutual interests. Iran and Egypt severed diplomatic relations in 1980. In recent months, both countries have expressed willingness to mend ties by settling differences on certain issues. In November 2023, late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and current Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi held their first meeting in Riyadh on the sidelines of the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit to end the Gaza conflict. If you watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics this year, you know that France knows how to throw a party. In fact, one of the biggest events the country forked out cash for last year was a state dinner for Britain's King Charles III. With a final total of almost 475,000 ($515,000 in American dollars), according to France's Cour des Comptes, the event piled on to France's national debt and 2023 budget deficit of 154 billion as well as landed the nation in the hot seat with the European Union for being financially reckless. So, what was on the menu that racked up that kind of bill? Delicacies and rarities galore. Royal Correspondent at GB News Cameron Walker posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), a peek at the menu on the day of the event. To start, freshly-caught blue lobster and crab cake were on the menu. The communications manager of a French seafood company, Clementine Fortineau, confirmed to The Daily Express that this unique crustacean is "one case in one to two million." According to Walker, the main course to follow was Bresse poultry and cep (wild mushroom) gratin plus a cheese spread featuring 30-month Comte cheese. If you're unfamiliar with Bresse poultry, think of it as the Champagne of chickens, as it's only produced in a specific region, and its traits are influenced by the terroir. The feast concluded with Ispahan from Pierre Herme, which is a rose macaroon complemented by lychee, raspberries, and rose petal cream. Read more: What The Cameras Don't Show You On MasterChef A Meal Fit For A King blue lobsters on tray - Mediterranean/Getty Images Aside from the kingly dinner spread, expensive wines and real (also expensive) Champagne bottles were paired with the courses. Royal Editor Rebecca English from the Daily Mail posted on X, "@peterallenparis reports that wines costing more than 400 a bottle will also be on the menu at Versailles tonight," listing labels such as 2018 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru and 2004 Chateau Mouton Rothschild. France's audit of the palace budget revealed that drinks alone at the dinner topped 42,000 ($45,467). Reportedly, the food that has a disturbing truth, foie gras, wasn't served, which makes sense, as King Charles has banned the French delicacy in the U.K.'s royal residences over concerns about animal cruelty (and it's not included in what he eats in a day, either). With the state dinner being held at the opulent Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, the venue was also a big-ticket item. Plenty of celebrities were in tow for dinner with the king and French President Emmanuel Macron, including big names like Mick Jagger, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Hugh Grant, and Emma Mackey. It seems that at least part of this opulent show is about keeping up with the Joneses, so to speak. The Elysee Palace explained some of this extravagant spending by saying, "France maintains close diplomatic relations with a large number of countries, which organize equivalent events when they receive the Head of State," (via Politico). Read the original article on Mashed. When it comes to Greece, we tend to gravitate toward Athens or Santorini. This new travel itinerary, however, will take you off the beaten path. Luxury travel operator Geographic Expeditions recently expanded its European portfolio with the unveiling of a new trip to less-visited locales around the Balkan Peninsula. Launching in May 2025, the companys Unexplored Greece adventure will be led by acclaimed travel writer Don George. The 12-day journey offers plenty in terms of ancient history, natural beauty, and culinary experiences and includes stops in the capital, the Island of the Winds, Delos, and Crete. More from Robb Report The trip includes a stop in Chania on the island of Crete. Your Grecian odyssey kicks off in Athens with the opportunity to explore the areas archeological riches including the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the ancient city of Agora. The latter is where youll find the Temple of the Olympian Zeus, originally built between 174 BC and 132 BC. Before leaving the capital, youll enjoy a private rooftop welcome dinner overlooking the city. Next, youll be whisked away to the under-the-radar villages of the Peloponnese mountains to hunt for truffles and harvest honey among the dense fir tree forests. During your stay, youll check into the newly-opened Manna Hotel in Arkadia. The trip continues with a flight to Mykonos, a party hot spot in the middle of the Aegean Sea, and then a short boat ride to Delos. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Apollo, according to Greek mythology. Travelers will get to explore off-the-beaten-path Grecian villages. On day nine, its off to Crete where the Minoans, Europes first great civilization, arose. If youre into Bronze Age architecture, a visit to Knossos and its museums is right up your alley. There will also be opportunities to check out the local villages, chat with artisans, and eat your way around town. Of course, no trip to Greece would be complete without sailing and swimming. Before you go, youll embark on a full-day private yacht excursion, complete with an alfresco barbecue lunch. The last day will be spent exploring the charming city of Chania where youll partake in a vineyard visit and wine tasting, in addition to touring a 6th-century family-owned olive oil estate. Rates for the trip start at $22,350 per person based on double occupancy. The first expedition begins on May 11, 2025, followed by an additional voyage on September 8, 2025. Better start planning your Mediterranean getaway now. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Its about time New York City got a furniture showroom dedicated entirely to Scandinavian designone thats woman owned, sustainability focused, and has a Swedish cafe on premises (cardamom buns and Verner Panton shelves make the best combo). Teak New York, a 4,000-square-foot space replete with products from more than 75 Scandinavian brands, has recently opened up in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (34 Norman Avenue), and we recommend laying eyes on it in real life, ASAP. Brianna Pena Caitlin Maestrini, who launched Teak New York as a pop-up shop in 2022, wanted to help the community learn more about and start embracing the quintessentially Scandinavian concept of hyggeslowed-down living, intentionally cozy setups, limited consumption with an emphasis on quality creations that last a lifetimewhich is how Teak New York came to life. To step into its first-ever permanent location is to walk into a bear hug of warm hues, sleek shelving units, curvilinear furniture, and other items hand-selected by Maestrini herself on frequent travels to Denmark and neighboring countries. Brianna Pena In case you become overwhelmed by the transparent abundance of goods in this repurposed warehouse space, there are a few not-to-be-missed standouts here. Teak, for instance, is the exclusive U.S. retailer of Omhus famed Teddy sofa (it transforms into a bed, is made of soft corduroy, and is a veritable TikTok sensation). Its also the only brick-and-mortar U.S. store to sell Montana Furniture modular products, like the Panton Wire system, straight from Denmark. Brianna Pena Maybe you have no room remaining in your home for larger furniture pieces but are of the belief that one can never have too many home decor accessories (were with you on that): Teak has that, too. From hand-painted wooden bird ornaments to knot cushions by the Icelandic designer Ragnheiur Osp Sigurardottir to mouth-blown cocktail glasses in the most angelic of colors, its pretty hard to walk away from the tiny treasures lining the shelves of this store. To be sure, you dont have to have access to the G train in order to take advantage of Teaks lineup: Most everything is available online, and theres a frequently updated sale section! Its not even winter yet, but the Teak aestheticall clean lines, natural materials, and an intuitive sense for what will make people happyis enough to persuade us to tuck into an open-faced smrrebrd sandwich (which, btw, you can actually do at the stores Falu House cafe). What joy! Teddy Sofa Shop Now Teddy Sofa teaknewyork.com $2500.00 Panton Wire Single Shop Now Panton Wire Single teaknewyork.com $200.00 The Man I Met at a Bar Print Shop Now The Man I Met at a Bar Print teaknewyork.com $50.00 Living Objects Candleholders Shop Now Living Objects Candleholders teaknewyork.com $100.00 Dotrium Stems Shop Now Dotrium Stems teaknewyork.com $70.00 Tense Pendant Lamp Shop Now Tense Pendant Lamp teaknewyork.com $650.00 You Might Also Like Back-to-school season is ramping up in Tarrant County and Fort Worth as families search for deals on school supplies and community organizations distribute resources and services. There are multiple events happening in the area in the coming weeks. Heres what we know about where to find supplies, give supplies and more. Diamond Hill resource fair Students can get free backpacks and school supplies on Thursday, Aug. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Diamond HIll Community Center, according to Fort Worth ISD officials. The community center is located at 1700 NE 37th St. in Fort Worth. Discover community resources available for students and families. Plus, Fort Worth ISD representatives will be onsite to assist with registration, officials said. Barbershop offers free haircuts Triple Threat Barbershop in Burleson will offer free back-to-school haircuts for students who are 17 and younger on Sunday, Aug. 4, according to Fort Worth ISD officials. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. for walk-ins only. The shop is located at 12848 South Freeway, Suite 216. Were thrilled to support our community by offering free back-to-school haircuts for students in need, Triple Threat Barbershop owner Andres Garcia said. At Triple Threat, we believe that every child deserves to start the school year with confidence, and a fresh haircut can make a big difference. Its our way of giving back and helping families prepare for a successful year ahead. Hawaiian Falls supply drive Hawaiian Falls Mansfield and Roanoke waterparks are offering $10 tickets in exchange for certain school supplies donations, according to the company. The event runs from Monday, Aug. 5 through Friday, Aug. 9, and supplies can be dropped off at the front gate of either park. The $10 daily admission tickets that will be available for purchase to donors are a discount from the regular $35.99 tickets for guests taller than 48 inches and $25.99 tickets for guests shorter than 48 inches. Donors must contribute a minimum of five of the following items for each discounted ticket: Backpacks One-inch 3-ring binders Block erasers Scientific calculators Colored pencils Composition books Construction paper (9x12, 100 count or less) 24-count crayons 8-tab dividers Folders (with pockets and brads) Glue bottles Highlighters Index cards (100-count) Manila paper (9x12, 100-count or less) Markers (10-count) Notebook paper (wide-ruled, 100-count) Pencil pouches Pencil sharpeners Rulers Safety scissors 1-subject spiral notebooks (wide-ruled) Watercolors The Mansfield drive will benefit the Mansfield Independent School Districts Clothes Closet, which provides free clothing and school supplies to students. The Roanoke drive will benefit the Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange, or GRACE, which provides food, clothing, financial assistance and other necessities to people with a limited income or who have experienced a recent emergency. We love summer and certainly are in no hurry for it to end, said Ron McKenzie, Hawaiian Falls marketing director. But heading back to school is also a really fun time for kids. However, it can be stressful to parents who may not be financially able to buy new school supplies for their children. We want to help make sure every kid has the right supplies to succeed academically. Help us support our local schools and well give you a great deal so you can close out summer with your family! North East Mall back-to-school event North East Mall and Hands on Texas, a thrift store and donation station that supports the Texas Association of the Deaf, are partnering together for back-to-school events. North East Mall is hosting an event on Saturday, Aug. 10 with giveaways, interactive crafts and other activities. Hands on Texas is accepting clothing donations from now until the day of the event at its Hurst location, which is at 712 W. Pipeline Road, Suite 100. Store visitors can receive a chance to win a gift card to use toward back-to-school shopping. All in-store visitors will receive a hall pass and have the chance to win a $500 Simon gift card just in time for back-to-school and tax-free weekend shopping, according to North East Mall, which is a Simon property. Tax-free weekend in Texas is Aug. 9-11. BEIJING (AP) Chen Yulu never thought her home province of Hunan had any culture that she would be proud of, much less become an ambassador of. But these days, the 23-year-old is a self-proclaimed ambassador of nushu, a script once known only to a small number of women in the south China. It started as a writing practiced in secrecy by women who were barred from formal education in Chinese. Now, young people like Chen are spreading nushu beyond the womens quarters of houses in Hunan's rural Jiangyong, the county whose distinct dialect serves as the script's verbal component. Today, nushu can be found in independent bookstores across the country, subway ads, craft fair booths, tattoos, art and even everyday items like hair clips. Nushu was created by women from a small village in Jiangyong, in the southern province where Mao Zedong was born, but theres little consensus on when it originated. Scholars estimate the script is at least several centuries old, from when reading and writing were deemed male-only activities. So the women developed their own script to communicate with each other. The script is slight with gently curving characters, written with a diagonal slant that takes up much less space than boxy modern Chinese with its harsh angles. You wont allow me to go to school. Okay, I get it. So whats my way out? Ill find ways to educate myself, said Xu Yan, 55, the author of a textbook on nushu. Women lived under the control of either their parents or their husband, using nushu, sometimes called script of tears, in secret to record their sorrows: unhappy marriages, family conflicts, and longing for sisters and daughters who married and could not return in the restrictive society. Xu is also the founder of Third Day Letter, a nushu studio in Beijing named after a centuries-old practice by the script's practitioners. The third-day letter is a hand-sewn book presented in farewell to a woman in Jiangyong on the third day after her marriage, when shes allowed to visit the childhood home she left. The script became a unique vehicle for composing stories about womens lives, typically in the form of seven-character line poems that are sung. A secret world sprung form the script that gave Jiangyong women a voice through which they found friends and solace. That secret world still resonates today as a source of strength for young women dissatisfied with patriarchal constraints. Chen, who studied photography at an art school in Shanghai, said her male professors often doubted that she could keep up with the male photographers because of her slight physique. That attitude, she said, is in every aspect of life, theres nowhere it doesnt touch. She was frustrated but didn't see much room to push back until she learned about nushu. I felt that I had received a very strong power, and I think a lot of women need this power, she said. Chen wanted to make a documentary about feminism and came across nushu in her online search. When she realized the script originated from Jiangyong, just a few hours from her hometown, she immediately knew that she had found her graduation project's topic. The more she learned about this script, the more she learned about its duality: that it was as much a painful thing as it was a source of strength. In her documentary, she follows He Yanxin, a formally designated inheritor for nushu who is now in her 80s. She asks Chen, Do you think nushu has any use? Chen says yes. In response, He says, Nushu is useless. He comes from Jiangyong and says she was forced to marry a man she didn't want to be with, who physically abused her and tore up photos from nushu meetups and workshops she attended. She did not feel that the script had made her life materially better, according to Chen's first-person account, published on social media. Yet, He is the one who urged her to learn the script. Formal inheritors of the script have to be from Jiangyong, Chen said, and have to master the nushu, but there was nothing stopping her from sharing her love of the script with others. Beginning in 2022, Chen began spreading the practice. She started an online nushu group, taught writing workshops and set up nushu art exhibitions in cities across China. Most participants at her writing workshops are women, she said, and some people even bring their mothers. Chen also runs a social media account to promote nushu and its culture beyond Hunan. Lu Sirui, a 24-year-old working as a marketer, learned about nushu from online feminist groups and joined Chens nushu-focused WeChat group. At first I just knew that it was a womens inheritance, belonged only among women, Lu said. "Then, as I got to know it better, I realized that it was a kind of resistance to traditional patriarchal power. For Lu, nushu means a very powerful rebellion and a bond of sisterhood. She said it was important for women to stick together. Lu once encountered a rental agent in Beijing who, drunk in the middle of the night, knocked on her door and tried to enter her home. Lu said that she picked up a stick at the doorway and ran out to confront him. Afterwards, she confided in a small feminist community online, where she received comfort and advice on how to handle the situation. She says communities like that have supported her in the face of gender-based violence, inequality and mother-daughter relationship problems, among other challenges. Seeing nushu as another representation of sisterhood, Lu bought a textbook and practices the script in her spare time. Even though she is not a formal nushu ambassador, she began hosting nushu workshops at bookstores and bars in Beijing. When organizing these events, Lu discovered that very few people had heard of nushu, but the feedback was always positive. Its a manifestation of female strength that transcends time and space, Lu said. ___ AP researcher Wanqing Chen contributed to this report. Heathens Bakery co-owner Jennifer Chamberlin smiles from the kitchen as she watches her son Logan Kerr package up a fresh loaf of focccacia for a customer at Heathens Bakery in Bremerton on Friday, July 19, 2024. Jennifer Chamberlin is known in Bremerton as the current City Council president, a baker or a Bremerton School District employee. Shes held many jobs at the same time, even cleaning houses and driving for Lyft but opening her first storefront has been a dream since childhood. The chasing toward her lifelong goal meant Chamberlin regularly pulled what she calls "36-hour days," working through nights to renovate and vibrantly decorate a storefront space in the small business park along Lebo Boulevard in Bremerton. Now, shes happy to have just two jobs. I was already going to do whatever I could; take out loans, use my credit cards, to make it happen because I knew that was where I wanted to go with the next phase, Chamberlin said of setting up a physical location for her Heathens Bakery. I decided that I wouldn't be happy until I explored this new possibility. Heathens Bakery has dished out its specialty cupcakes, pies, signature focaccia bread and other homestyle baked goods from the now-closed Hi-Los 15th Street Cafe building, at community events and farmers markets. Chamberlin and her business partner Destiny Miller hope the colorful space at the corner of Lebo and Clare Avenue will serve as a second home for people who have kids, dont want to go to bars or need a place away from home and work. More bakery news: Sweet Dahlia comes to Bremerton's Callow Ave It was on a vacation in Hawaii that Chamberlins storefront idea began to take form. She had spent a couple of years baking Christmas cookies for her co-workers at the school district and knew she wanted to make a change. Chamberlin and a friend who was traveling with her were discussing possibilities for the bakery business, contemplating operating from a rentable kitchen space or getting a home-baking license, when Chamberlin decided to ask Hi-Los if she could bake in their kitchen during the week, since the beloved breakfast spot was only open weekends. The first day of business for Heathens Bakery in the shared kitchen was also election day for Chamberlin in 2021. Hi-Los decided to close its doors in 2023 just as Chamberlin began talks with Miller, who she met through a coffee stand in Manette, about collaborating. Chamberlin had already found the storefront on Lebo Boulevard, and on the day after we started talking seriously, we got an offer for this free bakery case, she said. "And we just took it as a sign. That display case would soon come to occupy the Lebo storefront. Chamberlin, her son Logan Kerr and Miller have transformed the once white-walled and kitchen-less event space into a bakery brimming with bright murals and furniture, a drum-set, childrens space and, of course, a working kitchen that Chamberlin constructed with the help of a consulting contractor, the fire marshal and her own research and elbow grease. She and Miller love being able to greet customers walking in via the pass-through window to the new kitchen. If you look at the space, you might notice it's bright and maybe, hopefully, different than other spaces and I had this vision all along the way of what I wanted it to kind of look like and this is really fun to actually see it like here, Chamberlin said, adding that shed also tied in elements of Hi-Los and other coffee shops she had worked at. Elizabeth Wrenn and her husband Stuart Grogan enjoy coffee and baked goods at Heathens Bakery in Bremerton on Friday, July 19, 2024. Destiny has been just a wonderful partner in that vision, Chamberlin said. I think she's been really patient with me. I think there's been some things that didn't make sense to her, but like now that they're up they make sense. Yes. So many colors, Miller said laughing. It makes me happy. Painting, mapping out the murals and mathing out their swirls was Chamberlins favorite part of the project, drawing on her background on the Bremerton Arts Commission and her days as a commissioned muralist. And while Chamberlin was painting a warm-colored brick wall-looking mural near the play area of the store with her son, she realized some of the bronze and gold paint she was using had once belonged to her grandmother, who passed away while she was pregnant with Kerr. It was a really nice moment. My son was here and he never got to meet her, but here I am using her old paint, she said. Chamberlin and Miller decided to paste white paper over the windows to the store for months while they were decorating the inside and did their best to keep the inside super secret, even meeting people outside of the store for special pickup orders ahead of their soft opening in early July. Butterscotch pecan chocolate chip cookies at Heathens Bakery in Bremerton on Friday, July 19, 2024. We just wanted to go, Hey, here you go! Chamberlin said. We knew that people would be happy with all of our colors and all of the vibrancy of it, and so people would be curious. Now, after having held a grand opening on July 26, Heathens Bakery is no longer shrouded behind white sheets. Its colors shine while the summer is high. Chamberlin, Miller and Kerr alone will operate the bakery four days a week, Friday through Monday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. so that Miller will be able to focus on her children during the weekdays. The bakery will still make appearances at the Bremerton and Port Orchard farmers markets, but will not be attending as many events now. We really hope that this is what the community needs, Miller said. Just seeing people sitting down at the table there (after the soft opening) was like it's actually happening. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Heathens Bakery opens in Bremerton on Lebo Boulevard Diver shares upsetting cleanup footage day after massive boat party: 'I can't believe we found all this stuff' Two friends went diving for treasure while also doing good for the environment by cleaning up large amounts of trash after a notorious Florida boat party. TikToker Brook Crist (@brookiecrist) posted a video to the platform that highlighted all of the waste she and her friend found after snorkeling around Lake Boca the day after the Boca Bash, which is a huge boat party. Their findings suggest that partygoers and party organizers did not seem to prioritize cleaning up their mess. In Brook's video, she and her friend collected both treasure and trash. Treasure was found in numerous pairs of high-end sunglasses and some money, while trash was found in the form of empty beer cans and vape devices. Among the trash, they also spotted tons of diverse marine life who had to live among the trash. They even found a few octopuses living inside beer cans. "I can't believe we found all this stuff!" Brook captioned the video. The sheer amount of trash after one day of partying is concerning, given the impact that trash has on marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Lake Boca connects to the Atlantic Ocean and therefore has a whole host of ocean-based wildlife. This year's Boca Bash made headlines after people on a boat were caught dumping two full garbage cans of trash into the lake, as reported by the Palm Beach Post. The chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was quoted in the article, stating, "The illegal dumping of trash in our marine environment is a serious crime Callous disregard for Florida's environment will not be tolerated." Good samaritans like Brook and her friend who cleaned up trash are important, but larger efforts are needed to prevent trash from harming marine ecosystems. Examples of new technology addressing this are high-tech sea bins that suck trash out of the water and trash interceptors in storm drains to prevent trash from entering the ocean in the first place. Commenters on the TikTok were very thankful that Brook and her friends took action to clean up the waters. "Great job guys. World needs more people like you," commented one user. "You girls are awesome, thank you," chimed in another. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Don't like to drink wine in the summer? Try this spritzer instead | Phil Your Glass A Summer in the Valley wine spritzer cocktail is the perfect refreshing drink to cool off in the summer heat. Im not one to sit outside in the middle of Dantes Inferno and sip on a glass of wine. I do enjoy drinking wine in the summer, however, I prefer to sip on a glass within the comforts of my trusty air conditioning, or in my wine cellar. The $70 estate pairing experience on a recent trip to St. Francis Winery in Sonoma, California, proved to be inspirational. The view of Hood Mountain in the background was breathtaking and paired perfectly with Executive Chef Peter Janiaks farm-to-table menu of fried green tomatoes, eggplant medallions and pork belly with grilled peaches. It was truly a magical food and wine pairing experience. But the last item on the menu really sealed the deal for me. Chef Janiaks Summer in the Valley drink combines St. Francis old vine zinfandel with a citrus syrup made with pink peppercorns and fennel seed. Its definitely something I never would have ordered, but I'm sure glad it was included. It was a refreshing summer drink that was served over ice and paired with a white chocolate, pistachio and tart cherry cookie. A glass of St. Francis Dry Creek zinfandel is pictured with a view of Hood Mountain in Santa Rosa, California, July 18. Heres Chef Janiaks recipe: Wine cocktail ingredients:4 oz. of old vine zinfandel1.5 oz. of simple syrup2 oz. of club sodaOrange for garnish Citrus syrup ingredients:Peel of one lemonPeel of one orange3/4 cup of granulated sugar1/4 cup of orange juice1/2 cup of lemon juice1 teaspoon of fennel seed1/2 teaspoon of pink peppercorns To make the citrus syrup:1. Combine all ingredients in a sauce pot.2. Heat until sugar is dissolved. Do not boil.3. Let steep for two hours.4. Strain and refrigerate. This will make 1 1/2 cups of syrup to make eight cocktails. To make the cocktails:1. Add 4 oz. of zinfandel and the syrup and stir.2. Add ice in glass (I used a big-bowled wine glass).3. Top off with 2 oz. of club soda.4. Garnish with orange slice and enjoy. I substituted a $10.99 bottle of Gen 5 old vine zinfandel from the Market District, as the $23 bottle of St. Francis old vine zinfandel is not available in Ohio. And since I always have sparkling wine on hand, I used Zardetto Prosecco for the club soda in the recipe. Closing time Magna Wine Boutique, which recently celebrated three years in business on Front Street in Cuyahoga Falls Feb. 1, has closed its doors as of July 27. Owners Brittany and Dre Wiley also closed the Bedford location on June 29. "Cheers to the memories and on to our next chapter, the owners said on their website. A Chartwell Real Estate Auctions sign stands in front of North End, a fixture in the community for 32 year, on July 30 in Hudson. The wine bar and restaurant's last day of business will be Aug. 3. North End in Hudson will also be closing its doors. The wine bar and restaurant announced in an email to customers on July 23 that its last day of business will be on Saturday, Aug. 3. Owners Scott and Elaine Montali thanked customers for 32 years of patronage. We have made many friends and have had plenty of fun at North End, survived the many challenges of running a small business, and now the time has come to shut things down and move on down the road," the email read. Email me at philyourglass@gmail.com with any wine questions and follow me on Instagram @pmasturzo_philyourglass This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: A refreshing wine spritzer cocktail you can drink outside on hot days Shonia Hall, director of student nutrition services for Oklahoma City Public Schools, is pictured July 10. She said "it's important to be able to offer them a healthy nutritious meal that they can go into the classroom and be ready to learn." Shonia Hall's job is no simple feat. As the director of student nutrition services for Oklahoma City Public Schools, she's responsible for the nutrition needs of more than 32,000 students from pre-K through their senior year. Hall has been with the district for nine and a half years, and spent a decade before that in public health. Her career roles, including those with the district, have always focused on nutrition, health and food. "My undergrad's in biology and chemistry, and my master's is health science with a concentration in community health. I started with the district in compliance and training, so doing their food safety training, rules, regulations, procedures, and then there was an opportunity to advance to assistant director and in January of 2020 I was selected for director of school nutrition," she said. The state's second-largest school district, according to official enrollment numbers, with 32,920 students in the 2023-2024 school year, the OKC district is outranked only by Tulsa Public Schools. Hall's team includes about 365 staff ranging from her menu planner and assistant director, to her operations manager and those in the kitchens at schools across the district. "I'm just one person, and at the end of the day, I'm only successful because they're successful," Hall said. "I serve my staff so that we can serve our students, and it's all of us." Shonia Hall, director of student nutrition services for Oklahoma City Public Schools, leads a team that includes about 365 staff ranging from her menu planner and assistant director, to her operations manager and those in the kitchens at schools across the district. The team work doesn't end within OKCPS. Nutrition services is a collaborative field as a whole, said Hall, who was named The School Nutrition Association of Oklahoma's 2024 Director of the Year. "Child Nutrition is one of the best sharing group of professionals that there is, and we share ideas," Hall said. "It's a multitude of things that Child Nutrition professionals share with other districts from recipes to standard operating procedures We're not afraid to share. We're all here on the same team to be successful for kids." Q: You took over the role of director of student nutrition services in January 2020 just before the onset of the pandemic. What was it like stepping into that role right as everything got disrupted? A: I am thankful that I have had my public health experience and I was assistant director when I kind of stepped into that role and then moved into the COVID times. I think that all of us were together like 'What are we going to do and how are we going to make this happen?' One of the best things about child nutrition staff is we know how to pivot and feed kids no matter what. I think the thought of feeding kiddos curbside is different than anything that we've ever did, so there were certainly some challenges. It really made the team come together, and they're an amazing team anyway, but they really came together to be able to feed kids and they understand and know the needs to feed kids and what that looks like and the importance of meals, and although it looked different where that learning occurred at, it was still happening and we still knew the importance of getting those meals to kiddos. I think child nutrition was building an airplane while we were flying it all at the same time, and somehow or another we made it work. I'm not gonna tell you there wasn't some tears occasionally ... but at the end of the day when you feed a kid and you pass out meals to families to feed all their kids, 18 and under, that's what you go home knowing that you did a good job at. Q: Where does your passion for child nutrition come from? A: I grew up in eastern Oklahoma and my parents did a very good job raising me, but we raised our own food because we were poor. We just didn't have a lot of food. My mother and father just didn't have a whole lot of food when they grew up or anything like that. The importance of food and nutrition and food as medicine, and it can be good for you, and the importance of having full bellies really resonates with me, and it's something I'm very passionate about because of where I come from. A child can't help it if the parents don't have money or whatever that looks like to put a meal on that table. The child has no control over that. However, when they come to school they can always know at OKCPS they're going to get a breakfast and lunch at no cost. Shonia Hall, director of student nutrition services for Oklahoma City Public Schools, says her favorite parts of her role are feeding the kids, "chit-chatting with third grade girls" and public policy. Q: One nationwide concern is food insecurity, especially among children. OKCPS has really worked to try and do as much as it can by offering free breakfast and lunch to its students. How does that impact those kids? A: Often there may be at districts that are not qualified or they can't do meals at no cost for their students a lunch debt with parents. Nobody wants to do that. Nobody wants to be the bill collector for that. The fact that we don't have to worry about any of that, I am able to produce high quality food with my staff, let our students choose what they want to eat and they get both breakfast and lunch at no charge. Any of our students can eat, and they don't have to worry about any of that. They can't learn on an empty tummy. So it's important to be able to offer them a healthy nutritious meal that they can go into the classroom and be ready to learn. Q: That extends into the summer. How does that process work? What does it look like when you're extending beyond the school year for feeding those kids as well? A: At our sites we have our enrolled students. This year, they were open and students throughout the community or anybody not even an enrolled student anyone could come into our campuses 1 to 18 that were open and operating and sit down and have a meal at no charge. In addition to that we had feeding sites that were throughout the community. We had four off-site feeding locations. We really try to look at where those off sites are so that students can walk or families can walk or who do we partner with. Maybe they have a day camps that there will be a lot of kiddos there that maybe can't bring their lunch and that camp is not providing lunch. How do we partner with them to be able to feed all those kiddos there so they get to have fun plus they get to eat. It's a win-win. Q: What are some of the unique challenges you face being in charge of nutrition for a district of your size? A: Sometimes we write our menu and we put our menu in a year in advance to procure food, so there may be a food shortage or a menu item shortage because we have certain rules and regulations that we have to meet. It's not always you just get to substitute it. It still has to be child nutrition approved. Adhering to those rules and regulations is really important to what we do to make sure that we have reimbursable meals for our students, so that's certainly a challenge. Another challenge is, and I think it's a fun challenge ... What they liked last week may completely change to this week, and a pre-K'ers palate may look completely different than my high school students. How many different menus do we need to be able to produce, still be in compliance, procure that food and make it all work for right around $4.35 for lunch? Q: What is it like building those menus out and trying to take into account all of the nutrition needs of students and what does that process look like? A: We procured food and kind of started finalizing our menus in December of 2023. ... We have food vendors that come in and rep their food, we go to food shows. We get our budget, we know how much we can spend. We look at that, we also look at trends within our data and our production records. Did our kids love this? Did they not love this? Because if the kids didn't love it then I don't need to put that back on the menu. ... And then how do we level up? I love a good strategic plan and every year I write a strategic plan and this year it's Going For The Gold. Sometimes that's starting at the basics and getting those things right. Getting our recipes right because I can have good food but I've got to make sure that the recipe's right. And then I've got to market it to our students, so all of that goes into what we take a look at. I love to give our students a variety of food. Not just one option we do offer versus serve so they may get four or five options a day to get to pick from. I mean when you go to a restaurant you get to pick right? So that's what we like to do. Q: What are some of the things that you have learned about the population of the OKCPS students in this role? A: They love spicy. They will ask for spicy things, so we try to put that on there and they have a very wide taste of different palates. But for the most part if I do spicy, savory, they're there for it. Mashed potatoes and gravy are kind of a staple with our kiddos, they love pizza so some of those regular things that we may have at home, our students like as well but we love an opportunity to introduce new things that they might not get at home that looks different. We also think about 'Okay what are restaurants, what are different ones doing? What are these kids eating at? How can we take that and procure products that are compliant to let our students have that same experience as they would maybe in a restaurant?' We're always there to serve our students to get them to eat. We want them to eat. We want them to dine with us. Q: What has been your favorite part of this role? A: Obviously, feeding the kiddos. And chit-chatting with third grade girls is pretty exciting. They have lots to say. They're so fun to chit-chat with those girls and those kiddos across the table and they're sassy and fun so I love eating lunch with the kids or breakfast with the kids. The different age groups from elementary to the middle school to the high school are very different in our interactions with them and trying to get input or chit-chat. I also absolutely love public policy. Public policy is that backbone it sets all those rules and regulations of what I get the opportunity to do every day. I think that it's important to have that voice. Those rules and regulations are there and we get the opportunity to change those, have a voice in what they look like and that is always our goal because I'm serving the students of OKCPS. I need to have a voice for those, and I will always be a voice for our students to make it better for them whatever that looks like. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKCPS nutrition program director feeds 32,000 students New never gets old: Even a tiny insect can be a thrill if youre away on an adventure My older son has been dedicating a lot of this summer to making sure hes ready to take advantage of all the learning opportunities that will be unlocked for him when he heads to college in a few weeks. Its a great approach thats bringing plenty of important benefits. I have an easier time not panicking about all the huge new expenses when I can see him making a good plan, for one thing. The whole familys been enjoying the charge of second-hand excitement, too. And, sure, hell also benefit from all the orientations and summer webinars and advisor meetings. But its been reminding me that some of the most important lessons I learned during my own college years had nothing to do with lectures or labs. There was the hard-won knowledge about exactly where the line is between a helpful caffeine boost and debilitating jitters when youre pulling an all-nighter. Also, how a good backup strategy say, knowing how late the library stays open and where they shelve the modern translations saves you from crashing and burning after you do something dumb like adding an unneeded class on Middle English literature to an already heavy schedule. Until I can make myself useful in some sort of kind of Canterbury Tales-related emergency, Ill keep applying those other lessons. They came in handy just last night. It was almost midnight, and I was starting a long drive home from visitors day at my younger sons summer camp when I realized it takes more caffeine for me to pull an all-nighter now than it did in my college days. I hadnt guzzled nearly enough. Fortunately, I had a backup plan that saved me from crashing and burning: conversation with an interesting passenger to keep me awake. I was giving another dad a lift home from that scout camp, and we got to talking about the things our kids have gotten out of scouting that arent listed in requirements for the merit badges theyve earned. I said the best thing Ive seen my kids get was probably a taste for outdoor thrills. Not just adrenaline-pumping thrills like the summiting of a 14,000-foot mountain my older son is planning just before he starts college, but also the quieter thrill of watching a sunset from a high bluff that his little brother had described over lunch on visitors day. As we shifted to talking about our own outdoor adventures and then others that wed heard about, the conversation did a fine job of keeping me awake and alert. It hadnt quite landed on what was best about our kids experiences, though. Noticing how beautiful the Kansas sky out the window was when I woke up this morning, full of the sort of colossal bright white clouds I dont remember ever seeing on the coast where I grew up, I realized that the best thing my boys have gotten from scouting was the simple chance to regularly go someplace new. Its actually never mattered where. Thats something a different college-bound kid, my niece, taught me two months ago. Or something she would have taught me two months ago if it hadnt taken me until this morning to get my head around her revelation. See, things like the majestic Midwestern sky have been grabbing my attention more powerfully ever since my niece flew here from California for her cousins graduation party. Once the party was over, I had no idea how to make things fun for a 17-year-old girl stuck far from her friends for two days until she could fly back home. So I gave up and just took her along on what passes for fun for a middle-age guy. We went to an off-leash park and watched dogs swim in a lake while kayakers paddled nearby. We wandered through the woods and took a half-dozen close-ups of a tiny black bug with a big orange abdomen to ID later, and then stopped so she could call a friend and tell him all about it. Later, when she mentioned how amazing the outdoors are here, all I could do was laugh. This is a kid whose backyard swimming pool looks out on a panoramic view of rolling foothills spread out under snow-capped mountains, framed by fragrant lime trees and some kind of big-crowned pine. Here in flatland Kansas, though, she got to go someplace new a couple times. And she taught me that to eyes jaded by a grand mountain range, a new, tiny bug can be thrilling. Its been fun to look around at the everyday sights here with that new perspective since my niece left. But its going to be a lot more fun to talk to her, and to my son, about the things they see and do on their college adventures. Theres so much of the world they havent experienced, and every bit of it is thrilling when you step into it as someplace new. Richard Espinoza is a former editor of the Johnson County Neighborhood News. You can reach him at respinozakc@yahoo.com. BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- China is highly concerned about the death of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh, and firmly opposes and condemns the assassination, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday. Lin made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on a Hamas statement that Ismail Haniyeh had been killed by an Israeli attack in Tehran. "We are greatly concerned about the incident, firmly oppose and condemn the assassination, and are deeply worried that this incident may lead to further instability in the region," Lin said. "China always stands for resolving regional disputes through negotiations and dialogue," Lin noted, adding that a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire should be realized in Gaza as soon as possible to avoid further escalation of conflict and confrontation. The Public Health Agency of Canada has reported six new cases of listeriosis but what is it, and how sick can it make you? This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. Thirteen people have been hospitalized in Canada for listeriosis linked to a nation-wide recall on plant-based milk alternatives. (Image via Getty Images) The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has reported six new cases of listeriosis linked to a nation-wide recall of plant-based milk products. PHAC did not report any additional deaths. According to an updated public health notices, 18 cases of listeria infections have now been reported in Canada, including two deaths. Although the investigation is ongoing, cases of listeriosis have been reported in four provinces: 12 cases in Ontario, four cases in Quebec, one case in Alberta and one case in Nova Scotia. According to PHAC, a majority of infections have been in people 50 years and older, while 72 per cent of reported cases were female. In total, 13 people have been hospitalized for listeriosis. On July 8th, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a nation-wide recall on Silk and Great Value products due to listeria contamination. The recall includes the following products, with all best before dates of up to and including Oct. 4, 2024: Almond Beverage Unsweetened Original Almond Beverage Original Almond Beverage Vanilla Silk products (various sizes) with all best before dates of up to and including Oct. 4, 2024: Almond Original Almond Dark Chocolate Almond Unsweetened Almond Vanilla and Unsweetened Vanilla Coconut Original and Coconut Unsweetened Oat Original Oat Vanilla Oat Dark Chocolate Oat Unsweetened and Unsweetened Vanilla Almond & Cashew Unsweetened and Unsweetened Vanilla Silk-GreatValue A complete list of products, product codes and best before dates included in the recall are available on the CFIA website. According to the CFIA, recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased. Anyone who thinks they may have become sick from a recalled product is encouraged to visit their healthcare provider. In a press release, Frederic Guichard, President of Danone Canada which manufactures Silk products, said that the company is working "with the utmost seriousness" with authorities to investigate surrounding the outbreak. "The news in this notice is devastating and our most sincere sympathies go out to the families and loved ones during this difficult time," Guichard said. "We would like to reassure our consumers that we have conducted the recall and have removed the affected products from retail shelves, in close collaboration with our retail partners." What exactly is listeria? Here's what you need to know and symptoms of listeria to look out for. What is listeria? Unlike many bacteria, listeria grows very well in refrigerated environments. (Getty) Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at the Toronto General Hospital, described listeria as a type of bacteria that can infect people when they consume contaminated food. "It's usually associated with specific types of food," said Bogoch in a September 2023 interview. "It's just more common in some foods than others. But it's sadly not uncommon to hear about listeria outbreaks from time to time." He said listeria can be found in: Cold cuts, deli meats and hot dogs Pasteurized or unpasteurized milk products Store-made salads Occasionally, in fruits and vegetables "The interesting thing about listeria is that, normally when you put something in the refrigerator, it usually would suppress bacterial growth, but listeria actually grows very well in refrigerated environments," Bogoch explained. What are the symptoms of a listeria infection? Symptoms of listeria illness can include gastrointestinal symptoms and a fever. (Getty) The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said food contaminated with listeria may not look or smell spoiled, but can still make people sick. According to public health, symptoms of listeria can start as early as three days after eating contaminated food. A lot of people probably had listeria and did not even know it.Dr. Isaac Bogoch The symptoms can include the following: Fever Nausea Cramps Diarrhea Vomiting Headache Constipation Muscle aches "Most people who get listeria are going to have diarrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms. It's going to go away on its own. They don't even require antibiotics. ... And a lot of people probably had listeria and did not even know it," said Bogoch. Is listeria dangerous for everyone? Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk for severe illness from listeria, according to Bogoch. "Those individuals are at risk of what we call invasive listeriosis," said Bogoch. "And that means it can cause a bloodstream infection. ... it can be very serious." Severe illness from listeria is called invasive listeriosis. (Getty) According to the World Health Organization (WHO), invasive listeriosis is characterized by "severe symptoms and a high mortality rate (20 to 30 per cent)." The symptoms include: Fever Myalgia (muscle pain) Septicemia (blood poisoning) Meningitis (inflammation of brain and spinal cord tissues) "The incubation period is usually one to two weeks but can vary between a few days and up to 90 days," WHO explained. The infection in pregnant women may also lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth. However, Bogoch said listeria is generally not difficult to treat and people who do end up hospitalized will get antibiotic therapy. "The key is prevention," he added, "to ensure that people are aware of what product is involved so they can avoid it ... and if people do have risk factors for a severe infection and they have symptoms of infection, to ensure that there is rapid access to care and they start treatment." How to prevent listeria infection Cooking meet and other foods is one way to prevent consuming contaminated food. (Getty) Bogoch said food contaminated with listeria is beyond an individual's control and it has to do with how the food was processed before it reached the consumer. But, there are still ways to prevent infection. "People can cook their meat. ... The bacteria would not survive if you cooked a hot dog," said Bogoch. Health Canada said "foods that are contaminated with the listeria bacteria will look, smell and taste normal." The bacteria would not survive if you cooked a hot dog.Dr. Isaac Bogoch This is why people at high risk for severe illness should avoid eating deli meats unless they are dried and salted, or heated until steaming hot. Additionally, they should avoid pate and meat spreads unless they are frozen, canned or shelf-stable. To lower the risk of infection, Bogoch also recommended people avoid unpasteurized dairy products, which Health Canada said includes soft and semi-soft cheese such as brie, camembert and blue-veined cheese. "People can still get listeria through pasteurized products ... but unpasteurized products carry a higher risk," Bogoch said. Fruits and vegetables should also be washed thoroughly, the doctor concluded. Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Only 2 Airlines From The U.S. Made This List Of The Best In-Flight Food "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." While you probably booked that flight to Paris for the Le Relais de lEntrecote steak frites and not the Air France in-flight cheese plate, airline food has have come a long way. However, all airplane food is not in the same stratosphere. According to MoneySuperMarket, which conducted a recent study on the subject using thousands of reviews, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, and Middle East Airways are superior to the rest. After combing through 27,000 customer reviews of 100 airlines, these are the 20 airlines with the best in-flight food: 1. Kuwait Airways Kuwait Airways 2. Oman Air 3. Middle East Airlines Middle East Air 4. Air Algerie 5. airBaltic 6. Aegean Airlines Aegean Airlines 7. JetBlue JetBlue 8. Turkish Airlines Turkish Airlines 9. Air Mauritius Air Mauritius 10. Swiss International Air Lines Swiss International Air Lines Asiana Airlines, Belavia, Austrian Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Emirates Air, JetBlue Mint, Eva Air, Etihad Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and TAROM all made the list tooin that order, ranking from 11 to 20. Kuwait Airways nabbed the top slot thanks to its 8.6 out of 10 rating across all cabin classes, meaning frequent flyers were impressed with everything. The carrier offers everything from multi-course options in economy to higher-end options like lobster and beef in its "Royal Class" service. Meanwhile, Oman Air and Middle Eastern Airlines trailed shortly behind on the list with 8.44 and 8.39 ratings, respectively. The U.S. only had two airlines make the cutJetBlue and JetBlue Mintand the Middle East dominated the list. Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, and Gulf Air were also praised for their impressive culinary selection. They each scored at least 7.4 on average or higher. Food is obviously an important variable in the travel experience (for some flyers more than others), so it should come as no surprise that several of the airlines with the best in-flight food also intersected with the winners of World Airline Awards, which ranks carriers countless factors beyond just menu. Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Swiss International Airlines scored in the top 10, while several (including Singapore Airlines, ANA All Nippon Airways, and Japan Airlines) made the top airlines list, but not the top in-flight food list. You Might Also Like Orlando Magic provides students with back to school supplies The Orlando Magic and Magic Guard Cole Anthony supports back-to-school efforts by providing school supplies at community events. Anthonys 50 Ways Foundation offers support to local youth gearing up for school. The team will support Back to School events in the community providing school supplies and essentials to more than 1,500 students in Central Florida. Read: Students collect free school supplies at Books and Beats bash in Orlando The Orlando Magic and Magic Guard Cole Anthony supports back-to-school efforts by providing school supplies at community events. The Magic will provide supplies to City of Orlando and Orange County Commissioners events including: City of Orlando Commissioner Bakari Burns City of Orlando Commissioner Shan Rose City of Orlando Commissioner Robert Stuart Orange County Commissioner Maribel Cordero Read: Florida begins back-to-school tax holiday Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott Read: Still about 100 drivers down: OCPS needs bus drivers for upcoming school year Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe Read: A long time coming: Brevard Public Schools cuts ribbon on first new middle school in decades Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. On National Hot Dog Day, I pitched in at the Dixie Restaurant for an hour on one of their busiest days of the year. It wasn't a paid gig. My friend Stacy Brooks worked as a waitress there for four years and loved it. I wanted a slice of that positive pie. Owners Charlie and Francis "Frannie" Rawlings welcomed The Social Butterfly to the iconic restaurant established over 100 years ago. "It truly was one of the best and funnest jobs I ever had. Frannie and Charlie are so kind and a joy to work for. We had such good times working really hard but making it fun as well. The regulars and locals that visited every week were worth all the hard work," Brooks shared. "I have some really good memories with serving some of the best customers and working with some great people as well." Dylan Yeargin grills hot dogs at The Dixie in Petersburg on National Hot Dog Day, July 17, 2024. "Charlie and I had been frequent diners at The Dixie when Geneva Ramsey owned it. We loved it and the sense of community that you felt when you were there. That was what we really wanted to carry over when we decided to reopen it in 2011," Frannie said. "We took the menu back to its southern roots providing more traditional southern comfort food than had been served prior to that time." Marjorie "Marge" Baker wears a comical hat while she works at The Dixie in Petersburg on National Hot Dog Day, July 17, 2024. Petersburg: The Dixie celebrates National Hot Dog Day Each year on the third Wednesday in July, the Rawlings try to break their own record of the most hot dogs sold in eight hours. My friend Ban Rafey of Hopewell kindly designed a "Hot Diggity Dog" t-shirt for me to wear during my adventure. I arrived at noon to find customers lined up outside waiting to get in. Two familiar peeps, Virginia Delegate Mike Cherry and Brad Slaybaugh, walked out as I walked in. "Brad and I dropped by the famous Dixie Restaurant to help celebrate," Cherry said. "We did our part to help break the record." Frannie took me in the back, handed me an apron and quickly showed me where to place the trash, dirty dishes and cutlery after clearing tables. She pointed out where to wash my hands and asked me to refill diners' drinks as needed. This was not my first rodeo in a fast-paced restaurant. In high school, my first official job with a paycheck was at Long John Silver's in Clinton, Iowa. Like The Dixie's, the space in the back where all the action took place was very cramped. Team members had to learn how to maneuver without crashing into each other. Columnist Kristi K. Higgins refills sweet tea at the iconic Dixie Restaurant in Petersburg on July 17, 2024. Timothy "Tim" Meadows of Dinwiddie treated his grandpa Wayne Holloman of Chesterfield to lunch. At Long John Silver's, diners cleared their own tables. At The Dixie, the plastic tubs filled with plates, bowls, silverware, empty and partially filled cups, etc. were pretty darn heavy. I saw it as a perfect opportunity to burn calories. The first time I toted one to the dishwashing area, I backed into the swinging doors, but it felt a wee bit awkward, so I went frontwards the rest of the time. As if I was back at Long John Silver's, I stated "hot behind" as I walked behind other team members. I received strange looks and a couple of chuckles. Besides being the owners, the Rawlings also work as managers, cooks, bussers, dishwashers, prep cooks and servers on an as needed basis. "We have approximately 13 employees. The employee that has worked for the longest is Trisha Edins. She is our head server and has worked for us for almost 10 years. She is an amazing server and person," Frannie said. In Petersburg, Trisha Edins, head server at The Dixie for 10 years, delivers drinks on July 17, 2024. The Dixie crew as well as the volunteers, friends and family members of the Rawlings, were extremely friendly. They addressed me by my first name and guided me along the way. It was fun listening to diners reminisce about their many years spent at The Dixie. I met Martin Deal who was treating his 96-year-old mama Francis Deal to lunch. "I used to come to The Dixie when Louis Plakas owned it, and they had the train that went all the way around. Me and my daddy used to get hot dogs all the time, and I've been coming ever since then under each ownership," Martin Deal said. "It's wonderful to have a place like this where everyone can meet and you see so many people you know and talk to. Sometimes, I can't get out of here because I'm talking to everybody, but I love people." In Petersburg on National Hot Dog Day, Bruce Hanson, a Dixie Restaurant fan, poses with Yankee Dogs, his favorite. Petersburg: Hot dog lovers dine at The Dixie Colonial Heights resident Paul Bowles who devoured eight different dogs at The Dixie last year on National Hot Dog Day stopped by again for the celebration. In 2023, he along with other hot dog lovers helped break the previous record of 432. The Dixie sold 680 hot dogs in eight hours. "This year, I only ate five. The Pimento Dog is the best," Bowles said. "We ordered 15 dogs at this table. Nothing beats a Dixie hot dog," Jackie Stuller of Colonial Heights said. Per Bowles's suggestion, I gave the Pimento Dog a whirl and loved it. It is The Dixie's famous Dixie Dog which is made with chili sauce, mustard and onions, topped with pimento cheese made by Frannie. Diner Jonathan Terry of Disputanta seated on the stool next to me ordered three Slaw Dogs which he doused with hot sauce and a Pimento Dog. "My go-to is the Slaw Dog, but I order a Pimento Dog for dessert," Terry said. "I come every year to try and help them break their record. They have a lot of good food." I noticed that he ate his dessert dog prior to his final Slaw Dog, so I called him out on it. "Ya, I really wanted it," he retorted. Dixie Restaurant Slaw Dogs ordered by Jonathan Terry of Disputanta on July 17, 2024, National Hot Dog Day. Sharon Pohlke of Prince George dining in a booth shared, "I usually treat my grandkids and great grandkids to breakfast here. My favorite is the biscuits and gravy." Linda Harrison of Matoaca dined on the patio with family members. As her grandson Jordan Harrison ordered another hot dog, she shared, "If we sit here long enough, we'll have to try all eight of them." Dining at the counter wearing a Dixie Restaurant souvenir cap, Bruce Hanson said, "I come here often but came today to make sure they beat their record. The Yankee Dog is my favorite." "I come here three or four times a week to get out of the heat," Timothy "Tim" Meadows of Dinwiddie said. "I always get The Spiel Burger. It's my favorite." The Spiel Burger served with chips and a pickle spear is inspired by the director of the movie Lincoln which was filmed in Petersburg. It is dressed and topped with cheese and chili sauce. Meadows treated his grandpa Wayne Holloman of Chesterfield to lunch. "It's my first time here. It's nice, very crowded, fine service. The hamburger is dressed really good," Holloman said. Josh May, stationed at Norfolk Naval Station, poses with The Dixie's American Dog in Petersburg on National Hot Dog Day in July 2024. Old Towne Petersburg: Diners' favorites at Dixie Restaurant I asked the Rawlings to provide the top sellers for each category on their menu. Here is a list of what diners order the most: Breakfast: Two-egg plate with home fries, bacon or sausage and a biscuit or toast Hot dog: Dixie Dog Burger: Cheeseburger Southern fried: Fried catfish basket Hot sandwich: Cheese Steak Hoagie Cold sandwich: The Petersburg Club Salad or cold plate: Chef salad Soup: Navy bean soup Drink: Sweet tea A screen capture of Francine Rawlings, co-owner of Dixie Restaurant, dances in Old Towne Petersburg on National Hot Dog Day. Frannie and Charlie could not decide on a top seller for the final three categories listed: Hot plate specials [top three]: Baked chicken, meatloaf, chicken and dumplings Dessert [top three]: Chocolate meringue, lemon chess, coconut custard made by Marjorie "Marge" Baker, former owner of Nottoway Restaurant Southern sides [top three]: Mac and cheese, spoon bread, collard greens Left to right, Dixie Restaurant co-owner Charlie Rawlings and Jay McClellan assemble hot dogs on National Hot Dog Day. "The chili sauce for the hot dogs was created by Louie Plakas back in the 40s, and we still use his recipe. It is certainly famous in Petersburg," Frannie said. "Many of the other recipes were from Mary Damon who was our head cook when we opened in 2011. She had worked for Geneva Ramsey for years and then cooked at Fort Lee before we were able to track her down and hire her. She was an amazing cook who made everything taste good." The Dixie has been at 250 N. Sycamore Street in Old Towne Petersburg since 1939. According to Frannie, it operated out of a couple of other addresses along Sycamore Street previously. It is open from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday for breakfast and lunch. For more information and to view a menu, visit dixierestaurant.site. Follow them on Facebook at Dixie Restaurant. On National Hot Dog Day, customers wait in line to dine at the iconic Dixie Restaurant in Petersburg, Virginia on July 17, 2024. "We fell short of our goal but not by much. Womp Womp. It wasnt for lack of customer or staff support, so Ill blame it on the heat. Nevertheless, it was a bad day to be a hotdog. Customers lined up at the door to wait for a seat to eat a hot dog or two or six," Frannie posted on Facebook. "We had a super fun day. It was filled with our amazing customers and our hard-working employees and volunteers. The kitchen kept us supplied with hot dogs and all the fixings while the crew up front was a hot dog assembly line like no other. Thanks for playing along and for your continued support. We love and appreciate you all." The Rawlings sold 630 hot dogs this year, 51 shy of breaking the record. Frannie told me I did a great job, and she's ready to hire me part-time. I had a blast, and I appreciate bussers even more now that I have walked in their shoes. To view additional images, read this story at progress-index.com. Support local, eat local Petersburg Biz Buzz: Have you tried these six restaurants beyond Old Towne? Hot summer in Virginia Petersburg: Reporter hits beat to see how locals cope with heat wave, interviews 12 people Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on X and @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram. Your support is vital to local journalism. Please subscribe. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg restaurant: Over 600 hot dogs sold on National Hot Dog Day Ready to pay less on electricity? These tips for cooling your Arizona home could help Whether you recently bought a home or have long been a homeowner in the Phoenix area, upgrading your house for energy efficiency can be essential for staying comfortable in the Valley's scorching heat while saving on energy costs during the summer days. Hefty energy bills can take a toll on residents' wallets, especially when they add up on top of your mortgage and other monthly expenses. A recent study by provider comparison website Texas Energy Ratings found that the average Arizona household pays about an extra $100 on their monthly electricity bill during the summer the highest increase in the U.S. and nearly three times the national average. But don't panic. There are some effective strategies you can implement at home to reduce these expenses while not necessarily compromising comfort. Here are some practical home improvement tips, ranging from simple DIY projects to more advanced upgrades, that can help homeowners reduce energy bills during the summer. For nature lovers: how landscaping can help cool your home According to Energy Saver, a consumer resource for saving energy created by the U.S. Department of Energy, planting trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants around your home is an effective method to keep your home cool during the summer in Arizona. Planting trees with high, spreading crowns in front of your home to shade your roof and block out sunlight coming in through your window can significantly reduce how much your home heats up during the summer, thus lowering your cooling costs, said Salt River Project spokesperson Cassaundra Donahoe. Moreover, shade trees can improve air quality without using a lot of water, according to SRP. The energy provider company offers two free desert-adapted trees to customers who attend a free workshop hosted by Trees Matter. Some shade trees best adapted to the desert environment include the Palo Verde, the Native Mesquite and the Lilac Chaste, among others. To learn more about the program and shade trees available, customers can visit srpnet.com/energy-savings-rebates/home/shade-tree-workshop. Shrubs and groundcover plants can also contribute to shade the ground and pavement around the home, cooling the air before it reaches your walls and windows. Pro tip: Planting shade trees on the south side of your home will shade your roof in the summer and allow warmth from the sun to reach your home in the winter. More: How high is your Arizona electricity bill this summer? Start from the windows From choosing the appropriate curtain color to building your own shade screens and installing awnings, there are many things you can add to your windows to help you stay cool while adding personality to your home. Choose medium-colored curtains: Light curtains can let too much sunlight through, while darker colors absorb more heat, attracting it into your home. Medium-color curtains will be your best option to keep your home cool. For an extra cooling effect, choose curtains with white plastic backings to reduce heat gain. Install awnings: Awnings on south- and west-facing windows can also help create shade and keep your home cool. Use window coverings: Putting shade screens or blackout shades on your windows and using them when you're not home or don't need much sunlight can also bring big savings on your energy bill. If you want to install your own shade screens, SRP has a step-by-step guide on how to do it. "Whether you do it yourself or you work with a contractor, it's a really great way to save about 25% on your energy bill and prevent that heat from entering your home," Donahoe said. Window film: Investing in a reflective window film can help reduce heat gain from sunlight in your home. Bonus tip: Weatherizing your windows and doors every year can help ensure the cool air stays inside your home and the hot air stays out. Both APS and SRP offer programs and deals for home insulation work. More: 6 easy air conditioner tips to keep the cool air coming in the Arizona heat Smart thermostats can become your best assistant Smart thermostats can help you save money on your electric bill by helping you plan your AC use according to your lifestyle and habits. Smart thermostats can use your phone's GPS to detect when you're home or away, so you're not over-cooling an empty house. You can also control the temperature from your phone even when you're not at home and set a personalized schedule to run the system at the most efficient temperature throughout the day. Some thermostats also have the option to install sensor accessories to track the temperature in specific rooms, which can be helpful if some rooms tend to heat up more than others. Tom Hines, a customer advisor with APS, said the company encourages customers to install smart thermostats. It offers a $30 rebate for purchasing a qualifying thermostat on APS Marketplace or at another retailer and then applying for the credit through APS. Customers can get an additional $85 rebate by enrolling in APS's Cool Rewards program. "It saves you a ton of money cooling your home when you're not there," Hines said. SRP customers can access rebates on a new smart thermostat on marketplace.srpnet.com and get up to $100 off their SRP bill when they join SRP's Bring Your Own Thermostat Program. "We have lots of great deals and rebates on smart thermostats," Donahoe said. By participating in the program, customers' thermostats will automatically adjust a few degrees higher during periods of high power demand. People who already own a smart thermostat and enroll in SRP's thermostat program can receive a $50 SRP bill credit per eligible thermostat when they enroll and a $25 credit each year they remain enrolled in the program. Take care of your AC unit If youve had your AC for a long time, you might notice over time it may not work as well as it once did. This can mean it has to work harder to keep your room cool, resulting in higher electricity costs. To make sure your air conditioner is running more efficiently, you can follow these tips: Keep your vents clean by checking them regularly. Change your air filter at least every three months. Make sure the area around the outside unit is clean and unblocked. Clean out the drain. Clean off the coils. Have your unit checked by a professional at least twice a year. If, after doing these, your AC still does not cool your home to your desired temperature or makes weird noises, you may need a new AC unit. A professional can help you determine whether you need an AC replacement. Consider your roofs If you're committed to making your home as energy-efficient as you can and are willing to invest in bigger projects, you should also consider installing a cool roof, which is designed to reflect sunlight and emit heat. Standard roofs can reach 150 degrees or more in the summer sun. By installing a cool roof, you can lower the temperature of your roof by up to 50 degrees and save energy and money by using less air conditioning, according to Energy Saver. If you are building a new home, you can decide during planning whether you want a cool roof. If you want to convert an existing roof, you could either retrofit the roof with specialized heat-reflective material, recover the roof with a new waterproofing surface like tile coating, or replace the old roof with a new cool roof. More: This simple tip could save you money on your electricity bill during hot Arizona summers For the pros: use a renewable energy system There are ways to purchase renewable electricity from your utility or produce it at your home or in your community, according to Energy Saver. Buying renewable electricity: Both SRP and APS offer ways for customers to use electricity from renewable sources. Installing a small solar electric system : Generating your own electricity with a solar power system can be a good way to save energy and especially makes sense if you use additional electricity, like if you drive a plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicle. Yet, it is suggested that you consider several factors before installing a solar power system, including the siting and sizing of the system, the electrical safety and the solar resources available where you live although the latter should not be a problem in metro Phoenix. Community solar : Almost half of households in the U.S. cannot install solar systems due to renting or unsuitable sites. For those unable or unwilling to install solar panels at home, community or shared solar programs may be a good alternative. These programs are often sponsored by utilities, nonprofits or special purpose entities formed by individuals, dividing the costs of solar energy installation among participants. This allows individuals to buy into the system at a level that suits their needs and budget. Install a small wind electric system: If you live on at least one acre of land with an ample wind resource, you can generate your own electricity using a small wind electric system. According to Energy Saver, small wind systems can vary in size and consist of a wind turbine, tower, wiring, and balance of system components. Before installing a small wind system, you may want to assess how much wind is available where you live, research potential legal or environmental obstacles, and determine whether a small wind system makes financial sense for you. You can see Energy Saver's Small Wind Guidebook for more information. For the DIY enthusiasts: more energy-saving projects These are low-cost, high-impact projects that you can do by yourself at home to save energy and money. You can do these quick fixes by following the step-by-step instructions from SRP and Energy Saver that will be linked. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 7 tips to keep your Arizona home cool in the summer Youve heard of beach house or condo rentals, but have you ever thought about renting out your pool? Boston 25 News found out the private pool rental market is swimming into success for some residents. Swimply is a website where you can find private pools and book one to rent in your area. Boston 25 News found dozens of pool rental listings in Eastern Massachusetts ranging anywhere from $25 to $200 an hour. Kyle Carter rents out his pool on Swimply. A friend of mine told me about Swimply. He said, Have you ever heard of Swimply? Its like Airbnb for pools, explained Carter. When I first read into Swimply, there are a few people that make $100,000 a year doing this. Carter has a full-time job, but is renting his pool as a side hustle. I have been offered, you know, upwards of $8,000 for pretty much an all-day party heading into the night, and number one, I would never go past 10 oclock for noise ordinances, Carter said. I looked into it, and the biggest concern for me would be liability. You know, youre covered for a million dollars of liability for incidents and then up to $10,000 of personal property coverage. So, when I saw that, it made me for more feel more comfortable, said Carter. Carter said vetting potential renters has become an acquired skill. Its all in how you probe them and ask them questions. Whats the occasion? You know? Because Ive had people tell me that, Yeah, Im going to bring in a bunch of people. Itd be nice if I knew what the occasion was because I dont want a party with a bunch of people that dont know each other. Thats when trouble starts, said Carter. Its becoming a trend. People are renting out their pools by the hour, but when they do that, I dont think people are fully thinking through the liability concerns that can exist when you do that, said Khalil Farah, a personal injury lawyer. The first thing to do is make sure your homeowners insurance knows that youre using your pool for a commercial purpose or for renting it out. When you rent out your pool, youre no longer using your home as just your residence. Youre using it as something to make money, and a lot of times, the same thing with Uber, when youre doing that, your insurance may drop you, or they may say, We dont cover any damages that take place when this isnt being used as the intended purpose. Its a risk for sure. Thats always a concern, said Carter. Its in the back of your head, and luckily, there havent been any issues whether its when Im renting it out or my own personal friends [or not]. Swimply says hosts are protected if a guest is hurt during a Swimply reservation. If a claim or lawsuit is made against a host for bodily injury, the program provides up to $2,000,000 of protection. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Run, eat, and watch: three things to do this Saturday in Winchendon Winchendon Community Park is the place this Saturday for family-friendly fun. Three community-based events will allow people of all ages to get involved with the Winchendon community from early morning to late evening. Go to all three events or mix and match but there is something for everyone and for all ages. Whether you like to run or fundraise, there is a 5K run for a local organization, or for big foodie people, there will be an opportunity to taste bowls of chili made from chili chefs across the commonwealth. And, as night falls, there is an outdoor movie you can see. All events will take place at the Winchendon Community Park, 86 Inglewood Rd, the town's community park. Officials are urging residents to enjoy some time at Winchendon Community Park. Run or walk a 5K for charity This Saturday, Aug. 3, walk or run a 5K at the Winchendon Community Park to raise money for the Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue in Winchendon. This is the second year the animal rescue has organized a 5K fundraiser. The cost to run in the 5K is $35 per person, and kids can run or walk for free. The purchase of a ticket includes an event T-shirt. Pre-registration is encouraged to guarantee a t-shirt using the link on the Facebook event. Registration starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, and the race starts at 8:30 a.m. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed at all times and owners must clean after their pets. More: Readers tell us where to go (for ice cream, that is): Here are the results of our poll Eat your fill of chili at the cook-off (and maybe taste a winner!) After running five kilometers, you're sure to be hungry, so grab a bowl of freshly made chili from the Winchendon Fire Department staff and regional chili chiefs. The Kiwanis Club of Winchendon is hosting the Massachusetts State Chili Cookoff Beast Of The East on Saturday, which is the regional qualifier for the International Chili Society National Chili Event in Las Vegas. Although it's too late to sign up for the cook-off, you can pay $5 to sample any and all of the chili entered. The event begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. The chili tasting is between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Kiwanis Club and Winchendon Community Action Committee will open a food tent, and beer will be available for purchase. Live music by cover band Whiskey Johnson will play songs from the 1970s to the present. Watch a movie under the stars At dusk, the Winchendon Parks and Recreation Commission presents a free movie night at the Winchendon Community Park. The movie that the commission plans to show is Shrek. According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, dusk will be at 8:07 p.m. this Saturday in Winchendon, so make sure to arrive before then. Admission is free for everyone and the Winchendon CAC Youth Changemakers will offer concessions. Remember to bring chairs and blankets to enjoy the movie with friends and family This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Winchendon events on Saturday include 5K race, chili cookoff, movie night 'Something special.' New bakery in Prospect whips up sweet treats made with love Rose Bakery in Prospect sells a variety of sweet treats, including cupcakes, cookies, cakes and more. Lupna Altjjar wasn't always a good baker, with her passion for the craft sometimes outweighing her skill. "I remember once I tried to make a cake for my nephew and I was crying in the kitchen. My husband came in and asked what was wrong, and I told him the cake was bad. I had promised my nephew a cake," Altjjar told the Courier Journal. "We had to go to the store and buy a cake, and I spent a lot of money that day because I wanted it to be so good." But she never gave up. Unexpected downtime during pregnancy with twins meant she had time to pursue her budding passion of giving back to her family through sweets. It took a lot of practice, but now, the mastermind behind the recently opened Rose Bakery, 13206 W. Hwy 42 in Prospect, can whip up cakes and cupcakes, macarons, cookies, coffee, sandwiches, and more with ease. Rose Bakery opened in June and she's been pleased with its reception. Cookies are her best seller, followed by cupcakes, she says. Rose Bakery in Prospect. "I really loved the craft in the beginning," Altjjar said. "I always wanted to do cakes for birthdays." She runs the bakery alongside her family, but a business in Kentucky wasn't always in the plans. In early 2020, Altjjar hopped on a plane to visit family in Kentucky for a wedding. But once COVID-19 hit, Altjjar could not return home to Saudi Arabia. While stuck in Kentucky, she gave birth to her twins, even as her husband and son were stuck in Saudi Arabia. Fortunately, doctors helped Altjjar bring her family to the state, where they eventually decided to stay. "I'm so happy," Altjjar said. "People are so welcoming here." Rose Bakery, which opened in late June in Prospect, serves pastries, coffee and custom cakes. Rose Bakery, which also sells custom cakes, makes everything from scratch. "We handmake everything with love. We try to make it taste like it was made at home," Altjjar said. "We really do have something special." Rose Bakery is open Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed Sunday. Reach business reporter Bailey Reed at breed1@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Rose Bakery in Prospect creates handmade sweets, custom cakes Spirit Halloween stores are coming back. Here's when and where the Arizona shops will open Halloween is still months away, but soon Spirit Halloween stores will be popping up around the U.S. in preparation for spooky season. Across the United States, 1,500 Spirit Halloween stores were expected to open in 2024, according to a news release from the company. "Opening over 1,500 retail locations is no small feat, and much of the magic we create for fans each year is thanks to the passion and dedication of our associates who bring the Spirit Halloween experience to life," said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween, said in the release. Here's what to know about when and where Spirit Halloween stores will open in Arizona. When is Spirit Halloween opening in Arizona? Spirit Halloween has announced its flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, will open Thursday, Aug. 1, with a special grand opening celebration. The company did not respond to USA TODAY's queries about when other stores would open. However, job descriptions for store manager and sales associate say work starts on or about Aug. 1. The Spirit Halloween site suggests returning to the site on Aug. 1 to find your local store. The Spirit Halloween website indicates that some Arizona stores would open in August, while others are just listed as coming soon. Hope you arent afraid of clowns: See Spirit Halloweens 2024 animatronic line Here is where Spirit Halloween will open in metro Phoenix: Avondale: The store at 10100 W. McDowell Road opens in August. Chandler: The stores at 1988 N. Alma School Road and 4140 S. Arizona Ave. open in August. Stores at 3111 W. Chandler Blvd. and 5955 W. Ray Road were listed as "coming soon." Gilbert: The store at 3841 S. Gilbert Road opens in August. The store at 2793 S. Market St. was listed as "coming soon." Glendale: The stores at 6030 N. 43rd Ave. and 5870 W. Bell Road open in August. Mesa: The stores at 1738 W. Rio Salado Parkway, 1045 S. Gilbert Road, 1652 S. Val Vista Drive and 6952 E. Hampton Ave. open in August. The store at 1111 S. Longmore was listed as "coming soon." Peoria: The stores at 10310 N. 91st Ave. and 7759 W. Bell Road open in August. The store at 9069 W. Lake Pleasant Parkway was listed as "coming soon." Phoenix: The stores at 5013 N. 19th Ave., 4519 E. Thomas Road, 10 E. Dunlap Ave., 7333 W. Thomas Road, 10845 N. Tatum Blvd., 2810 W. Thunderbird Road, 12863 N. Tatum Blvd., 1510 E. Bell Road and 4250 W. Anthem Way will open in August. The store at 7333 W. Thomas Road was listed as "coming soon." Scottsdale: The store at 9159 Talking Stick Way was listed as "coming soon." Surprise : The store at 15357 W. Cactus Road was listed as "coming soon." Tempe: The store at 5000 Arizona Mills Circle was listed as "coming soon." Here is where Spirit Halloween will open in Arizona: Apache Junction: The store at 3003 W. Apache Trail was listed as "coming soon." Bullhead City: The store at 2350 Miracle Mile opens in August. Kingman: The store at 3140 Stockton Hill Road was listed as "coming soon." Oro Valley : The store at 11955 N. Oracle Road opens in August. Prescott: The store at 3250 Gateway Blvd. opens in August. Sahuarita: The store at 750 W. Calle Arroyo Sur opens in August. Show Low : The store at 161 East Deuce of Clubs was listed as "coming soon." Tucson: The stores at 605 E. Wetmore Road, 5555 E. Broadway Blvd., 2032 E. Irvington Road, 5975 E. Broadway Blvd., 3820 W. Ina Road, 6401 Marana Center Blvd. and 9600 E. 22nd St. open in August. Yuma: The store at 1721 S. Fourth Ave. was listed as "coming soon." New decorations at Spirit Halloween The "Carnevil" is coming to town this Halloween season with Spirit Halloween's 2024 lineup. Creepy clowns, a raucous ringmaster and popular horror properties abound, Spirit's animatronic props this year are a mix of ornery original characters and beloved figures from classic horror cinema. While the collection was previewed in June, not all products will be available for sale until August, when the Carnevil officially opens in stores. Early shoppers will be pleased to find there is no shortage of options, including some side oddities and return favorites to round out the main attraction. USA TODAY reporters Mike Snider and Mary Walrath-Holdridge contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: When does Spirit Halloween open in Arizona? What to know Willamette Valley Vineyards placed at the top of two spots on national wine lists as voted on by readers and ranked by USA TODAY. The Turner-based vineyard and winery placed first in Best Tasting Room and second in Best Wine Club in the country. This is the first win for the Willamette Valley on this list, as it was one of more than 11,600 considered. The winery was initially selected by the 10Best Editors team along with other nominees, then opened up for the Readers' Choice Awards for a vote. "There's no one like us anywhere in the world," Jim Bernau, founder and CEO said. "I'm happy to provide a top-shelf experience to guests and wine enthusiasts who want to share their joy with others and I'm proud to see an Oregon winery rise to the top." Several other Oregon wineries placed in the contest as well. Farm & Forage at Sokol Blosser Winery, based in Dayton, finished in third place for Best Winery Restaurant, lauded for its locally sourced ingredients and six courses paired with six wines. Stoller Family Estate, also based in Dayton, ranked third for Best Wine Tasting Room for its eco-friendly tastings. Durant Vineyards, also based in Dayton, earned fourth place for Best Wine Tasting Room. Ken Wright Cellars, based on Carlton, ranked fifth for Best Winery Tour. And Wine de Roads, based in Newberg, ranked eighth for Best Wine Tour Company. The Willamette Valley as a region ranked in eighth place in a category set aside for wine regions. Willamette Valley takes top honors Bernau established Willamette Valley Vineyards in 1983. The Willamette Valley Estate Tasting Room in the Salem Hills is its flagship location, with 10 total tasting rooms around Oregon including Happy Valley, Lake Oswego, Bend and Vancouver, Washington. After learning of being nominated, the winery's marketing department put the word out to the thousands of members through email and social media to vote for the vineyard, said Libby Spencer, the chief operating officer. Willamette Valley Vineyards founder and CEO Jim Bernau and staff celebrating the winery's placement on USA TODAY national lists. Bernau said the community-funded model the winery has is different from other wineries, with many who are "super fans." The winery has five different levels of subscription, with Owners at the top level (with 300 or more shares of stock). It is one of the largest wine producers in the state, sourcing its grapes from 500 acres in the Willamette Valley. The winery owns and manages more than 1,000 acres of vineyard, consisting of 13 estate vineyards with two more in the making. For more info on Willamette Valley Vineyards, check out its website, wvv.com, and Facebook page. Em Chan covers food and dining at the Statesman Journal. You can reach her at echan@gannett.com and follow her on X @catchuptoemily. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Willamette Valley Vineyards tops USA TODAY winery lists HARARE, July 31 (Xinhua) -- China has a significant role to play in driving industrialization in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, a senior official from the regional bloc has said. In an interview with Xinhua Tuesday on the sidelines of the 7th SADC Industrialization Week underway in Zimbabwe's capital of Harare, the SADC Secretariat's senior program officer for industrialization and competitiveness Johansein Rutaihwa said, "China has a bigger role to play when it comes to SADC's industrialization, and one of the roles it can play is in terms of the market and provision of inputs that can go into the manufacturing plants in the region." According to Rutaihwa, China has a large population that can provide a reliable market for products from the SADC region. He noted that the regional economic grouping is currently implementing various strategies and programs to help small and medium enterprises in the region to manufacture higher quality goods, as not many products from the region can meet global standards. China could also provide funding for the establishment of manufacturing plants in the region, Rutaihwa said, adding that the region can tap into the potential financing opportunities provided by China to promote industrialization. "We need to use the funds to construct manufacturing plants where we can employ people and produce goods that can be consumed within the region and exported as well," he added. China, he said, also has a crucial role to play in providing technical know-how by sending its experts to the special economic zones in member states for certain periods, imparting knowledge to the local workforce. He said that the skills shortage for industrialization in SADC is so severe that sometimes it becomes cheaper to employ skilled manpower from China and other foreign countries. "We understand that for us to industrialize, we need to have reliable skills in our people, and China has got those skills and the technology to help us," Rutaihwa said. He said the region will strongly champion the need for member states to specialize in one segment of the regional manufacturing value chains during the upcoming 44th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled for Aug. 17 in Zimbabwe. "We want to ensure that member states specialize in areas where they have a competitive advantage in our pursuit of regional manufacturing value chains, so that we can benefit from regional projects that can then be expanded to other member states for the benefit of the whole region," he said. The week-long SADC Industrialization Week, one of the largest public-private engagement platforms dedicated to industrialization and fostering intra-African trade and investment, is being hosted by the SADC Secretariat, in collaboration with the government of Zimbabwe, the SADC Business Council, and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries. Art deco buildings don't just dot the downtown skyline; they're dispersed around metro Detroit too. When it comes to art deco architecture in Detroit, everyone knows the Fisher Building, the Guardian Building, the Penobscot building and a handful of other straight-lined skyscrapers. However, metro Detroit actually contains a treasure trove of lesser-known art deco gems just waiting to be discovered. Although the term wasn't invented until the 1960s, art deco generally refers to a style of architecture stylish, lavish and sometimes futuristic look that popped up between 1925 and 1945. After World War I, people began to turn their backs on the past in favor of the future, equipped with new ideas and new building materials and Detroit was ready with the money it'd raked up from the auto industry boom. More: With new buildings, downtown Detroit finally gets modern look "It looked away from something designed in a previous style or revival; it looked towards how new materials could be incorporated, whether it was cast concrete or porcelain-enameled steel," said Detroit Area Art Deco Society board member and "Art Deco in Detroit" author Rebecca Savage. "So, it's about the materials as well as the design and both things combine together looking towards the future." Art deco became known for its vertical orientation, geometric patterns and zigzags, but following the archeological excavations of the early 20th century, many art deco buildings featured motifs and designs inspired by other cultures as well. Then, in the 1940s, art deco evolved into "streamline moderne," creating a style that wasn't completely different or completely the same as its parent, explained Savage. After almost a century, only a few art deco buildings in metro Detroit have remained in great shape; some have been renovated and repurposed, while others were demolished and replaced long ago, and still others are barely hanging on. Here's 10 lesser-known art deco buildings in metro Detroit worth seeing. Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse Named after William Livingstone, the William Livingstone Memorial lighthouse honors his contributions to shipping improvements across the Great Lakes, particularly the creation of a deep-water channel in the Detroit River that allowed more freighters to pass through than the Panama or Suez canals. Five years after Livingstone's death in 1925, Kahn, along with ornamentation designed by Hungarian sculptor Geza Maroti, erected the 58-foot-tall lighthouse on the northern tip of Belle Isle in 1930, where it stands as the only all-marble lighthouse in the country. "It's truly art deco in its form and styling," commented Savage. More: See Detroit's Belle Isle from the air WJR Radio Transmitting building Art Deco radio transmission building in Riverview, MI designed by architect Cyril Edward Schley pic.twitter.com/Kf3bpAcanD Midwest Modern (@JoshLipnik) March 5, 2024 The WJR Radio Transmitting building is easy to miss, hidden downriver behind a barbed-wire fence at the intersection of Sibley and Grange roads in Riverview, but it's still an eye-popping sight. Built in the early 1930s, the radio transmitting building is reminiscent of classic art deco with ziggurat-style and a splash of color among geometric designs. Despite WJR's move to downtown Detroit's Fisher building long ago, the WJR Radio Transmitting building is still operational as a backup studio. Elwood Bar & Grill Designed by Charles Noble and built in 1936 at the intersection of Elizabeth and Woodward in downtown Detroit, the restaurant named Elwood Bar & Grill from a combination of its streets' names falls into the streamline moderne side of art deco architecture. Characterized by a sleek, rounded look, the restaurant has only a few remaining art deco features. Called a "great preservation story" by Savage, Elwood Bar & Grill was bought by Chuck Forbes in the 1980s, then in 1997 when the construction of Comerica Park threatened to demolish the restaurant, the Forbes family moved Elwood Bar & Grill go a new location on East Adams Street and preserved the building at their own expense. "That's a great building, that's beautiful art deco. ... Maybe we take it for granted since it's a little hidden back between Comerica Park and Ford Field over there ... but that's a great art deco building," said Savage. Ford-Wyoming Drive-In Theater Ford Wyoming Drive In always has double features in Dearborn, Mich. photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Built in 1950, Savage calls the Ford-Wyoming Drive-In Theater in Dearborn a "rare survivor" of the period. The back of original screen, facing Ford Road, resembles an art deco structure in streamline moderne fashion with a simpler geometric pattern than its precursors and a pop of color. At its height, the Ford-Wyoming Drive-In had nine screens, but quickly downgraded to five screens, and is now one of the few drive-in theaters still operating in Michigan. More: Families carry on nostalgic summer ritual at Dearborn's Ford-Wyoming Drive-In Majestic Theater The marquee for The Majestic Theatre in downtown Detroit is seen on Monday, January 25, 2021. When The Majestic Theatre first opened in midtown Detroit in 1915, the building had a completely different look and function to it than we know now. Designed by C. Howard Crane, who also designed hundreds of other theaters in North America like the Fox Theatre, Fillmore/State Theater and Detroit Opera House, the Majestic Theatre used to have an arched entryway fashioned with glowing lights, as well as other forgotten features. In that time, the theater operated as a vaudeville house with stage shows and short films. In the 1930s, Woodward Avenue was widened, and the Majestic Theatre's front was subsequently remodeled and given the colorful and fanciful art deco facade, which has since been touched up and restored. Since the 1980s, the Majestic Theatre has operated as a concert venue instead of a movie theater. More: Majestic Theatre's most recent make-over National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica on July 19, 2024. The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica and its 104-foot tower in Royal Oak are an unexpected but awesome sight to see when cruising up Woodward Avenue. The church began construction in 1929, but after its controversial opening (in a predominantly non-Catholic area) led the Ku Klux Klan to burn a cross in front of the church, the church leaders became set on the creation of the limestone tower, including a 28-foot figure of Christ on the cross to symbolize "a cross they could not burn." The tower was completed in 1931, and the entirety of the church was completed in 1936. The church is an art deco delight, with a linear exterior and tons of geometric ornamentation and an interior that combines Catholic motifs with art deco designs. Old Salvation Army Headquarters building Old Salvation Army building, now the location of Avalon Healing Center, on July 19, 2024. The art deco building at 601 Bagley St., right across the street from DTE Headquarters, has a complex history, which has fortunately led to renovation instead of demolition. It began when the Salvation Army main base of operations in Detroit moved to the newly built, 32,000-square-foot building on the west side of downtown Detroit in 1939, leaving behind an old structure at Michigan Avenue and Second Street that was later demolished. The building was closed in 2004, but then DTE purchased it in 2012, fixed it up and transformed it into "DTE Navitas House" for extra office space. "It's just a little art deco building but they did a beautiful job of restoring it," said Savage. Most recently, in 2023, the renovated art deco building became the new site of Avalon Healing Center, a nonprofit that provides 24-hour services to survivors of sexual assault. Palmer Park Apartments Palmer Park Place Apartments on Whitmore Road on July 19, 2024. The Palmer Park Apartment District in Highland Park is filled with a fascinating assortment of apartment buildings in art deco style mixed with Egyptian, Venetian, neo-Tudor, Moorish, Spanish, Mediterranean and Beaux-Arts influences from the era. Construction of the buildings began back in 1925 to provide upper-middle class folks with luxurious apartments away from the congestion of the city. Other apartment buildings shifted to streamline moderne style as construction continued through the 1930s. Now, some Palmer Park apartment buildings are still in good shape or have been renovated gorgeous representations of art deco style with other architectural influences while others are decaying. Cambria Hotel In 1936, Albert Kahn designed what's now the ziggurat-style building at 600 W. Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Detroit as a radio station for WWJ, the first radio station to be licensed by the federal government. It later became a Union building known as the Walker-Roehrig building. In 2016, developers attempted to turn it into a luxury condo building but pivoted to a hotel in 2019, which opened as the Cambria Hotel in summer 2023. The Cambria Hotel maintains its place as an art deco-inspired hotel with "subtle nods to the building's history and origin" in the sleek, geometric-patterned tiling, lighting, furniture and other interior decor. More: Detroit's boutique hotel boom crawling back after COVID-19 disruptions David Stott building A view of the David Stott building and Detroit skyline looking east from a second floor window in the three-story Book Cadillac penthouse for sale in downtown Detroit on Tuesday, March 26, 2019. Hidden amongst some other more well-known or glamorous Detroit skyscrapers, the David Stott building is another prime example of art deco architecture. Opened in 1929, the 38-story building shows off another characteristic of art deco: colored brick, in the place of gray concrete. According to a 1929 Detroit Free Press article, the three shades of "brownish-rose" brick were thanks to a new mixture conjured up specifically for the David Stott building, although it went on to be used again in New York City buildings. The orangey color, plus other features like colorful geometric designs below the windows, helped the David Stott building survive recessions and deterioration into the 21st century, until it was renovated and reopened as an apartment building in 2018. This embedded content is not available in your region. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Top 10 art deco buildings to see in metro Detroit This article was published by Source New Mexico. Read more at sourcenm.com. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 1 Tuesday, which will provide $100 million in monetary relief for the Ruidoso areas devastated by fires and floods in June. The bill was the only legislation to come out of the five hour special session that Lujan Grisham convened on July 18. Lawmakers rejected all public safety proposals but used the time to get money for South Fork and Salt fire destruction, and the damage from subsequent floods. Lujan Grisham took nearly two weeks to sign the piece of legislation, known as the Feed Bill, because it also covers costs for operations at the Roundhouse When questioned about the delay during a public safety town hall in Las Cruces last week, the governor said she did not want to punish victims of the natural disasters. The legislatures failure to prioritize public safety for New Mexicans during the special session is deeply disappointing, Lujan Grisham said in a statement announcing the bill signing. However, I am relieved that we managed to secure aid for critical recovery efforts in communities damaged by fire and flooding. The $100 million will go to multiple entities including $30 million split $10 million each to the Mescalero Apache Tribe, the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department and the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Local governments will also be eligible for loan payments from the remaining $70 million approved with the legislation. The $70 million will go toward zero-interest loans for political subdivisions of the state, which could mean local governments like Ruidoso and its surrounding villages.That money is only available for those that qualify during the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years, according to the text signed by the governor. Political subdivisions must also qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency relief before getting any state loans. The goal here for lawmakers and the governor was to get money to local governments for repair faster than FEMA. It is modeled in part by a loan program for the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. House Bill 1 also appropriated $3 million to fund assisted outpatient treatment programs and competency diversion pilot programs in the state during the current fiscal year. Lawmakers said this was a concession for a bill the governor wanted out of the special session that would have further expanded assisted outpatient treatment options statewide. Leah Romero is a Las Cruces-based reporter placed with Source New Mexico through the New Mexico Local News Fellowship. She covers a wide range of topics impacting Southern New Mexico communities. This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Lujan Grisham signs $100M bill for Ruidoso Floodwaters race past homes in Ruidoso on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Courtesy of the National Weather Service, Albuquerque). Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 1 Tuesday, which will provide $100 million in monetary relief for the Ruidoso areas devastated by fires and floods in June. The bill was the only legislation to come out of the five hour special session that Lujan Grisham convened on July 18. Lawmakers rejected all public safety proposals but used the time to get money for South Fork and Salt fire destruction, and the damage from subsequent floods. Lujan Grisham took nearly two weeks to sign the piece of legislation, known as the Feed Bill, because it also covers costs for operations at the Roundhouse When questioned about the delay during a public safety town hall in Las Cruces last week, the governor said she did not want to punish victims of the natural disasters. The legislatures failure to prioritize public safety for New Mexicans during the special session is deeply disappointing, Lujan Grisham said in a statement announcing the bill signing. However, I am relieved that we managed to secure aid for critical recovery efforts in communities damaged by fire and flooding. The $100 million will go to multiple entities including $30 million split $10 million each to the Mescalero Apache Tribe, the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department and the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Local governments will also be eligible for loan payments from the remaining $70 million approved with the legislation. The $70 million will go toward zero-interest loans for political subdivisions of the state, which could mean local governments like Ruidoso and its surrounding villages.That money is only available for those that qualify during the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years, according to the text signed by the governor. Political subdivisions must also qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency relief before getting any state loans. The goal here for lawmakers and the governor was to get money to local governments for repair faster than FEMA. It is modeled in part by a loan program for the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. House Bill 1 also appropriated $3 million to fund assisted outpatient treatment programs and competency diversion pilot programs in the state during the current fiscal year. Lawmakers said this was a concession for a bill the governor wanted out of the special session that would have further expanded assisted outpatient treatment options statewide. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 11 Investigates Exclusive: No charges will be filed in Sen. Fettermans recent car crash 11 Investigates Exclusive: No charges will be filed in Sen. Fettermans recent car crash 11 Investigates has learned that no charges will be filed against Sen. John Fetterman, who was involved in a crash on Interstate 70 near Hancock, Maryland in June. The senator said he was driving home early Sunday morning with his wife after celebrating their wedding anniversary. >> Sen. John Fetterman at fault for weekend car crash, police report says Maryland State Police said the case is closed and no charges have been filed. Police body camera video obtained by 11 Investigates shows the aftermath of the crash. Theres also video of the Senator who was driving and his wife who was in the SUV at the time. Days after the crash, 11 investigates spoke exclusively to the garage that towed the vehicles. He hit that car so hard it come clear up on top of the SUV. I mean that shows that man hit that woman a heck of a lick, said Roland Lanehart of Rolands garage in Hancock. A police report indicated Fetterman was at fault. A witness told Police in the report that Fettermans vehicle passed her traveling at a high rate of speed, well over the posted speed limit just before the crash. The posted speed limit is 70 mph. Police have not said how fast they believe Fetterman was driving when he slammed into the rear of the vehicle. The driver of that car was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries. Fetterman and his wife were also taken to the hospital just as a precaution. A spokesperson for Maryland State Police told 11 Investigates that the case is now closed and no charges will be filed. Unless the trooper witnessed the crash, evidence of a violation must be established through an investigation. The MDSP [Maryland Department of State Police] allows Troopers to conduct independent investigations and to utilize discretion regarding the issuance of traffic citations, said MDSP spokesperson Elena Russo. 11 Investigates also spoke with a legal analyst who said hes not surprised that police opted not to file charges in this case since it did not involve serious bodily injury and there was no indication of any reckless or intentional behavior. If its reckless and intentional then I can see the discretion of using an investigation, but in this case, it looks as if he and his wife were in the car and there may have been careless conduct and maybe some negligible conduct, which is really best suited for civil courts, said DiLucente, who said Fetterman is not getting any preferential treatment because hes a United States Senator. But some current and retired police officers we spoke with believe a charge of speeding at the very least should have been filed. Yeah, I would just check the box and say yeah this is the charge that should be filed because there is no further investigating needed for somebody rear-ending someone, said retired Pittsburgh Police Officer Tony Moreno, who also acknowledged that more departments are declining to pursue charges in cases similar to this. Moreno said often times police would let the insurance companies figure it out. 11 Investigates has been unable to track down the driver of the other car so we dont know if shes okay with this decision not to file charges. 11 Investigates did reach out to Fettermans staff but has not heard back. Fetterman has called the crash an unfortunate accident and he said hes relieved and grateful no one was seriously hurt. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Shoppers in at least 5 local communities targeted by card skimmers, police say Wanted fugitive in custody after SWAT situation in Carnegie Beaver County officials speak out to clear up confusion on role during Trumps Butler rally VIDEO: Police investigating smash and grab burglary at Wexford eyeglass store DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Fourteen people were arrested as a result of a human trafficking sting at San Diego Comic-Con, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Wednesday. The California Department of Justices San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force conducted the sting from Thursday to Saturday at the comic book and pop culture convention in downtown San Diego, a news release from Bontas office stated. Law enforcement personnel posed as sex buyers to identify and contact potential trafficking victims and arrest their traffickers, according to the attorney generals office. They also posted undercover ads soliciting sex in order to arrest buyers. Fire outside National City mall sparked by gas leak Authorities arrested 14 alleged sex buyers and recovered 10 potential victims, including a 16-year-old, the release stated. Child Welfare Services and other service advocates were present to provide support to the victims. Unfortunately, sex traffickers capitalize on large scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit, Bonta is quoted as saying in the release. These arrests send a clear message to potential offenders that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated. We are grateful to all our dedicated partners involved in the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, whose collaboration has been invaluable. There is no more insidious crime than human trafficking, San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez said. The coercion and violence which enslaves people for profit and places them into forced labor or sex is criminal. As the Sheriff I support the efforts of all our justice partners in holding perpetrators accountable. New surveillance tower hopes to tackle growing prostitution in National City The San Diego Police Department is a proud member of the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, added San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl. Working together, teams identified and arrested more than a dozen individuals participating in these illegal acts in our City over the weekend. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. An anti-human trafficking operation at San Diego Comic-Con resulted in 14 people being arrested, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Wednesday. From July 25 to July 27, the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force conducted a human trafficking sting aimed at recovering victims of sex trafficking and targeting sex buyers using the San Diego Comic-Con Convention to seek out potential victims, according to a release from the California Department of Justice. Ten victims were recovered and offered services. More from Variety Unfortunately, sex traffickers capitalize on large scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit, said Bonta. These arrests send a clear message to potential offenders that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated. We are grateful to all our dedicated partners involved in the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, whose collaboration has been invaluable. We take great pride in our offices commitment to uplifting vulnerable Californians by offering them assistance and guidance when they need it most. The largest comic and pop culture convention in the world, San Diego Comic-Con draws some 100,000 people to the downtown Convention Center each year. There is no more insidious crime than human trafficking, said San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez. The coercion and violence which enslaves people for profit and places them into forced labor or sex is criminal. As the Sheriff I support the efforts of all our justice partners in holding perpetrators accountable. I appreciate the focus that was placed on the recent convention to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking. Law enforcement personnel went undercover as sex buyers to arrest traffickers and recover potential victims of human trafficking. They also posted undercover ads soliciting sex to arrest sex buyers. By the end of the operation, nine potential adult victims and one 16-year-old juvenile were recovered. The San Diego Police Department is a proud member of the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, said San Diego Police Chief Wahl. Working together, teams identified and arrested more than a dozen individuals participating in these illegal acts in our City over the weekend. This successful operation recovered 10 victims of human trafficking, including a girl of just 16 years old. These results show our collective dedication to combatting human trafficking and holding criminals accountable are working. San Diego proudly hosts special events like Comic-Con highly attended events like these allow us to showcase our growing and beautiful city, said Christopher Davis, acting special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. However, when people use these events as an opportunity to prey upon minors, HSI and our law enforcement partners will find you and bring you before a court of law to face criminal charges. There is no place for alleged predators to operate in our city and HSI is committed to helping the victims of these crimes. Variety has reached out to Comic-Con International for comment. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Fourteen people were arrested and 10 victims were recovered in a human trafficking sting during Comic-Con over the weekend, authorities said. The operation to recover victims of sex trafficking and target sex buyers using the San Diego convention was initiated from July 25-27, according to the California Department of Justices San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force. More from The Hollywood Reporter Unfortunately, sex traffickers capitalize on large-scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit, California Attorney General Rob Bonta shared in a statement. These arrests send a clear message to potential offenders that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated. We are grateful to all our dedicated partners involved in the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, whose collaboration has been invaluable. We take great pride in our offices commitment to uplifting vulnerable Californians by offering them assistance and guidance when they need it most. The anti-human trafficking operation consisted of law enforcement officials working undercover as sex buyers to identify and contact potential victims and arrest their traffickers. Authorities also posted undercover ads soliciting sex to arrest sex buyers. Officials said after the nine adult potential victims and a 16-year-old juvenile were recovered, adult and juvenile support service advocates were there to provide support as needed. There is no more insidious crime than human trafficking, San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez shared in a statement. The coercion and violence which enslaves people for profit and places them into forced labor or sex is criminal. As the Sheriff, I support the efforts of all our justice partners in holding perpetrators accountable. I appreciate the focus that was placed on the recent convention to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking. The operation was a cooperative effort involving the DOJ, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, National City Police Department, San Diego City Attorneys Office, San Diego County District Attorneys Office, San Diego County Probation Department, San Diego County Sheriffs Department, San Diego Police Department, Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service also assisted. San Diego Comic-Con, a comic book and pop culture event, draws more than 100,000 fans to the area each year. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Former U.S President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024, in New York City. (File/Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images) COLUMBIA, South Carolina South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is heading up a coalition of 15 GOP-led states supporting former President Donald Trump in his appeal of court fines ordered in a New York real estate case against him. New York state court Judge Arthur Engoron in February ordered Trump to pay $355 million, plus interest, in a civil trial finding his company and executives, including his two eldest sons, conspired to deceive banks and insurers by inflating his wealth on financial statements. The judge also barred Trump from serving as an executive at any New York company, including the Trump Organization, for three years and imposed a two-year ban on Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. Trump appealed the fine to New Yorks intermediate appellate court. Wilsons office authored a court brief supporting the appeal, which 14 other states joined. Our brief isnt about Donald Trump, its about upholding the rule of law and the Constitution, Wilson said in a statement after Fridays filing. Other states in the coalition are Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia. The attorneys general argue the fine is excessive, violating the Eighth Amendment and a similar clause in the Fourteenth Amendment prohibiting states from imposing a grossly excessive punishment. Residents of South Carolina and other states that joined the brief conduct business in New York, primarily New York City, wrote Joseph Spate, assistant deputy solicitor general in Wilsons office. And they need confidence that their customary business dealings in New York will not subject them to devastating fines, he wrote, arguing that fear of heavy financial penalties will drive companies away from doing business in New York. This article first appeared in the South Carolina Daily Gazette, a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Firefighters who risk their lives for their community are often exposed to carcinogens in the line of duty. Theyre 14% more likely to die from cancer than the average person, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Thats one of the No. 1 killers, said Todd Stevenson, the deputy chief for the Cascade Township Fire Department. A lot of times you hear firefighters after they retire, they die from one or two years of cancer. Thats one of the main concerns of the fire service right now. The problem is modern homes are now built with more synthetic and plastic materials, which release more carcinogens into the air when they burn. 187 local fire departments split nearly $15M in grants The contaminants stay in your turnout gear after the fire, Stevenson said. If you dont wash that, it just starts soaking into your system, getting into your body and your bloodstream that way. Michigan now intends to give nearly $15 million in grants to 187 fire departments across the state. Fire departments will be able to buy a second set of turnout gear for full-time firefighters. Instead of wearing gear covered in contaminants the whole day, firefighters can immediately switch to clean gear when they get back from a call. It used to be everyone wanted the dirty gear because that looked cool, Stevenson said. But now its like, Hey I need to get my gear cleaned, I need to get myself cleaned. Having that new gear, well be able to do that. The Grand Rapids Fire Department got the largest slice of the grant with about $640,000. Wyoming got $136,500, Norton Shores received $87,500, Holland received $77,000, Kentwood got $66,500, among other departments in our area. List of fire departments receiving the state grant Cascade Township is getting $63,000, allowing them to buy new gear for 18 firefighters. The township opened a nearly $11 million state-of-the-art station last November, designed to keep firefighters safe by separating their gear coated with carcinogens from where they live. The department has hot, warm and cold zones for protection. When firefighters return from a call to service, they drop off their gear in the hot zone. After that, they take it into the warm zone, where there are various cleaning machines that remove possible carcinogens from a firefighters gear. They then hang up their gear in a room separated away from their living quarters, which is where they live, sleep, eat and train. The station also has UV lights in its gym, kitchen and bunk rooms to clean surface areas from contaminants. It also has air purifiers where their fire trucks start up. The extra gear is just another way to keep firefighters safe. Having two sets of gear is a huge step in cancer prevention and the wellness of firefighters, being able to keep contaminants away from our body and keeping our gear clean and being able to switch out with clean gear, Stevenson 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. NAIROBI, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto on Wednesday announced the listing of the country's first Islamic bond, the Linzi Sukuk at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE)'s Unquoted Securities Platform (USP), making the product the first Shariah-compliant product to be admitted on the platform. The bond is a 3-billion-shilling (23 million U.S. dollars) Islamic secured residential-based security with a maturity period of 15 years offering an internal rate of return of 11.13 percent. Speaking in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, during the listing of Linzi Finco Trust Islamic secured residential lease security (Linzi Sukuk) on the NSE, Ruto assured investors of a conducive business environment, noting that Kenya is open and safe for business, pointing out that the country's investment legal framework provides adequate investor protection. "I want to assure investors that I will go out of my way to make sure that Kenya is stable and safe for investors to unlock their potential in a peaceful environment," he said. The president said bonds will not only promote financial inclusion but also broaden market access, aligning with the global move towards more stable and robust economic growth. Ruto noted that the government is pursuing ambitious reforms that will turn Kenya into a regional business hub, saying no one will be allowed to impede the progress of the country. He noted that investor confidence has been sustained by resilient financial markets and stable macroeconomic indicators. "To maintain this trend, the government is committed to entrenching a predictable business and economic environment through appropriate policy measures," he said. Shariah-compliant funds are investment funds governed by the requirements of Shariah law and the principles of the Islamic religion. Sukuk, also known as Islamic bonds, are financial instruments that comply with Shariah principles. Among the most prominent of these is a prohibition of interest payments, a defining aspect of Islamic finance. During the listing, Ruto warned individuals involved in corruption, saying the law will be amended so that corruption cases can be concluded within six months. "We will deal with accountability issues with the seriousness they deserve," he said, noting that the government will deal ruthlessly with those who misuse public funds, pointing out that these resources should always be used for the intended purpose. The president said the ongoing legal, policy and economic reforms are fundamental and are aimed at boosting the economy and developing competitive capital markets. He pointed out that a robust, efficient, and transparent capital market is vital for providing liquidity and raising necessary capital which, in turn, supports the overall economic plan. The Kenyan leader said the policy is set to enhance corporate governance and accountability, aligning the standards of state corporations closely with those of listed companies. "This will restore investor confidence and ensure that these entities can leverage private capital more effectively," he said. The president urged Kenyans to invest in the stock exchange, especially in bonds, shares, and forex trading. 16-year-old killed in DeKalb shooting was little brother of airman killed by Florida deputies The 16-year-old brother of a Georgia airman killed by deputies in Florida was killed in a shooting in DeKalb County Tuesday night, according to police. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Andre Fortson was found shot to death in the breezeway of the Summit Hill Apartments on Bouldercrest Road. According to police, two groups of people were shooting at each other for an unknown reason. Police said one of the shooting suspects is Quintavious Zellner, 20. Zellner was arrested for aggravated assault and booked into the DeKalb County Jail. TRENDING STORIES: Fortson was the younger brother of airman Roger Fortson, 23, who was shot and killed by police at his off-base apartment in Fort Walton, Florida on May 3. Fortson was on FaceTime with his girlfriend when he heard an aggressive knock on the door and retrieved his legally owned gun. When he opened the door, the deputy shot him several times. The deputy who killed him was fired. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Andre Fortson held his mothers hand at a news conference demanding justice. Chantimekki Forston has now lost two of her three children in two months. Her daughter, Harmoni, survives her brothers. The family released a statement through their attorney, Ben Crump, asking for privacy. The Fortson family is battling the loss of yet another young member of their family. This has been an incredibly challenging time for them with the loss of Roger. Losing the life of yet another young family member a mere child has been an absolute devastation. We are asking the media and the public for privacy and space during this impossible time. These 17th-century drawings of the sun by Kepler add fire to solar cycle mystery When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The earliest datable sunspot drawings based on Johannes Kepler's solar observations with camera obscura in May 1607. Kepler accompanied the drawings with descriptions in Latin of the sunspots he was observing. | Credit: Public Domain "Half-forgotten" sunspot drawings by Renaissance astronomer Johannes Kepler are showing us more about how the sun's cycle of activities work. Kepler (1571-1630), who was born in what we now call Germany, is best known in astronomy for formulating the laws of planetary motion. His diverse interests, however, included looking at the sun . Drawings he made of a sunspot group in 1607, a new study reveals, show the "tail-end of the solar cycle " with instrumentation before the telescope was more widely available in the early 17th century. "The group's findings offer a key to resolving the controversy on the duration of solar cycles at the beginning of the 17th century," Japan's Nagoya University wrote in a statement . Known as the Maunder Minimum, this period (between 1645 and 1715) was said to be an era of fewer sunspots than usual, which in turn led to colder periods on Earth than the norm of the day. Related: Solar maximum will arrive sooner and last longer than previously expected, say scientists Sunspot cooler regions on the surface of the sun that can spawn eruptive disturbances, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Since Kepler lacked the telescope, he instead examined the sun using camera obscura. That method used a "small hole in a wall to project the sun's image onto a sheet of paper," the statement noted. Kepler at first thought he was witnessing a transit of Mercury across the sun, but later clarified it was a sunspot group. "This is the oldest sunspot sketch ever made with an instrumental observation and a projection," lead author Hisashi Hayakawa, an assistant professor and solar scientist at Nagoya, said in a statement. He added the significance of Kepler's solar drawings was overlooked, over the eras: "It has only been discussed in the context of the history of science and had not been used for quantitative analyses for the solar cycles." Related: Who invented the telescope? Key to the researchers' analysis was tracking how sunspots move across a solar cycle: "Their occurrence, frequency, and latitudinal distributions appear in cycles that affect solar radiation and space weather," the statement noted. As such, they worked to narrow down what latitude Kepler's sunspots were observed at. johannes kepler wearing a collar and black shirt and holding a mathematical compass, in a painting The researchers say their analysis of Kepler's drawings revealed four major things. First, the sunspot group was at a lower latitude than previously believed (after taking into account the solar position angle from his location); related to that, future findings in the telescope showed sunspots at higher latitudes, suggesting "a typical transition" between cycles. The latitude change suggests the sunspot group was at the end of one solar cycle instead of the beginning of another, based on the latitude of the sunspots, which formulated the third finding. Finally, Kepler's observations may show the transition zone between solar cycles, which the study pegged between 1607 and 1610. RELATED STORIES: Going bananas: The real story of Kepler, Copernicus and the Church Famous astronomers: How these scientists shaped astronomy Kepler's Third Law: The movement of solar system planets While some researchers previously theorized the Maunder Minimum arose from irregular solar cycles different than the typical 11 years, Kepler's records showed "a regular duration" for the solar cycle he observed in 1607, the study added. But the finding is not without controversy: tree ring cycles from previous studies have suggested normal solar cycles in some work, and abnormal solar cycles in others. Hayakawa urged further examinations on the matter. "It is extremely important to check these [tree rings] reconstructions with independent preferably observational records," he said. The new study was published in The Astrophysical Journal on July 25. Timothy Piazza took part in a fraternity hazing ritual and consumed a deadly amount of alcohol before falling down 15 basement steps to his death in 2017 Patrick Carns via AP Timothy Piazza (center) with his parents Evelyn Piazza and James Piazza Two former University of Pennsylvania students have pleaded guilty for their involvement in a 2017 fraternity hazing ritual incident that left Pennsylvania State University student Timothy Piazza dead. The Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office announced that Brendan Young, 28, and Daniel Casey, 27, who held leadership positions in the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, have pleaded guilty to 14 counts of hazing and a single count of reckless endangerment. The two men are expected to be sentenced on Oct. 1 for the misdemeanor charges. The Attorney Generals Office said that Young was president of the fraternity during the 2017 incident while Casey served as the vice president and pledge master at the time. Authorities noted that the pair participated in and facilitated the hazing event which led to Piazzas death. Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times/Tribune News Service via Getty Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (right) with James and Evelyn Piazza (center) Related: Court Sees Video of Penn State Student Before Hazing Death: 'They're Treating Him Like a Rag Doll' There should be no discussion of this case without recognizing the tragic loss of life and resulting devastation for Mr. Piazzas family and friends, Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a statement. Mr. Piazza was simply seeking to join a social organization for the benefits of community and shared experiences, as so many university students do, she continued. Most of those students go on to successful lives and careers basic expectations following college which Mr. Piazza never had the opportunity to experience. Piazza took part in Beta Theta Pi fraternitys bid acceptance night on Feb. 2, 2017, where he participated in the gauntlet, whereby the pledges were made to drink at a fast pace at a series of drinking stations to get pledges drunk in a very short amount of time. Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP Penn State's former Beta Theta Pi fraternity house Related: 18 Former Frat Members Charged in Connection with Teen's Hazing Death: 'It Is an Astounding Tragedy' The 19-year-old sophomore then fell down the stairs of his fraternity tumbling head-first down 15 basement steps after consuming a deadly amount of alcohol. It was determined that his death was caused by traumatic brain injuries and spleen damage. Video leading up to the event showed Piazza being carried upstairs and placed on a couch, as fraternity members slapped and poured liquid on his face in an effort to wake him up. He was also seen staggering drunk around the living room and hitting his head on the hardwood floor and an iron railing leading up to the second floor of the fraternity house. 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. 28 members of the fraternity were initially charged in connection with the case, according to NBC News. Following the incident, the universitys Beta Theta Pi fraternity chapter was closed, and the school enacted stricter limits on Greek life at the school, such as restricting how many events with alcohol are allowed and delaying the annual recruitment rush for freshmen. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) Two men are wanted in connection with a Monday evening shooting in New Iberia that left an adult and two children injured, according to the New Iberia Police Department. Dartanion Boutte, 29, of Franklin, is wanted on seven counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal use of weapons, among other charges. Davian Batiste, 23, of New Iberia, is wanted on seven counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of hit-and-run driving, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and other charges. Left, Dartanion Boutte; Right, Davian Batiste. New Iberia police said in a news release Tuesday evening that the shooting was reported just before 5 p.m. Monday in the 1100 block of Spencer Loop. Responding officers found two boys, ages 6 and 12, and an adult who had been shot, police said. The three victims were taken to a Lafayette hospital for treatment of their injuries. Police said the victims were in stable condition. Police said an altercation occurred at the home between a man and a woman, whom the man had a child with. After the altercation, the man exited the home and got into the passenger seat of a vehicle, police said. The male then shoots towards the residence. While attempting to leave the scene, the drive[r] of the vehicle crashes into two vehicles, NIPD said in the news release. Police said it was learned that several people were inside the home at the time of the shooting. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Boutte or Batiste are asked to contact the New Iberia Police Department at (337) 369-2306 or the Iberia Parish Crime Stoppers at 337-364-8477. Information can also be submitted by downloading the City of New Iberia App or the P3 App on your smart device. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Latest News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. UPDATE: The child has been found safe and a suspect is in custody. ORIGINAL STORY JULY 31, 2024 An Amber Alert and a Levis Call have been issued for a 2-month-old girl who is believed to be with an armed and dangerous man. The Georgia State Patrol says the girl was last seen at the Home2 Suites hotel on Peachtree Dunwoody Road near Perimeter Mall at 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] She is believed to be with Randy Bernard Clark, 22. GSP says hes believed to be armed and dangerous. Police confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that he is her father, but does not have custody of her. Anyone who has seen them is asked to call 911 or Sandy Springs police at 770-551-6900. IN OTHER NEWS: One of the victims, Thuy Gustin, was remembered as a "beautiful person inside and out" who was "the light and love" of those around her GoFundMe; Chase Sharkey/Facebook (L-R) Thuy Gustin, Chase Sharkey A boating collision in Louisiana has left two parents dead. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries responded to a call about a two-vessel collision in the Tickfaw River near Kings Point shortly after midnight on Sunday, July 28. According to a news release, agents "found a heavily damaged 25-foot pontoon boat and a capsized 25-foot Sea Fox boat" upon their arrival. One of the passengers on the Sea Fox boat, Springfield, La., native Thuy Gustin, 31, was trapped under the capsized vessel, causing an agent and a Good Samaritan to jump in the water to save her. Getty View of Tickfaw River area Related: 3 Dead After Car Plummets Hundreds of Feet Off Californias Devil's Slide Cliff The agent and the Good Samaritan performed CPR on Gustin until an ambulance arrived. She was then transported to the North Oaks Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office, and the Springfield Fire Department then began searching for Greensburg, La., native Chase Sharkey, 36, who was operating the pontoon boat. His body was recovered "around 12:45 p.m.," per the press release. According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Sea Fox had six people on board, and the pontoon boat had seven people on board. Three people on the Sea Fox and three people on the pontoon were taken to the North Oaks Hospital with serious injuries that are "believed to be non-life threatening." GoFundMe Thuy Gustin Related: New Dad, 22, Found Dead After Arizona Warehouse Collapse: Not the Outcome We Wanted' While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said that blood was drawn from the Sea Fox's driver. They also noted that no one was wearing a life jacket at the time of the collision. PEOPLE reached out to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for comment. A GoFundMe created after Gustin's death remembered her as a "beautiful person inside and out" who was "the light and love" of those around her. The mother of two was also remembered as a "great mother" who had an "outgoing spirit [and] kindness." Chase Sharkey/Facebook Chase Sharkey The GoFundMe, set up to raise donations for Gustin's funeral expenses, has accumulated over 150 donations and raised over $16,000 of its $25,000 goal so far. A MealTrain has been set up for Sharkey's family, which includes four children, per WVUE-DT. The campaign's meal calendar has been filled with encouraging messages for his family. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Continuing to cover you and your family in PRAYER," reads one post. "Carol and I are praying fervently for Shelly and the children and for all the family," says another. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. 2 women arrested for entering an evacuated area near Park Fire in Chico, sheriff says Two women were arrested Monday for allegedly entering an area under an evacuation order due to the Park Fire, authorities said. A 41-year-old Cohasset woman and a 43-year-old Chico woman were taken to the Butte County Jail on Monday evening after they allegedly ran into an evacuation zone. Once at the jail, officers found a bag of methamphetamine and a glass pipe in the 41-year-olds possession, sheriffs officials said. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said during a Tuesday afternoon Park Fire news briefing that sheriffs deputies responded to a report of possible looters at the intersection of Sycamore Valley and Cohasset roads in Chico on Monday evening. Deputies found a parked truck with three people inside. According to Honea, after a brief investigation, deputies discovered that the two women had left the truck and ran into the evacuated area. Honea said deputies found the pair about half a mile deep in the evacuation zone, and arrested them on suspicion of knowingly entering an area under an evacuation order in violation of the law. The two suspects were searched for contraband by a body scanner at the Butte County Jail, and officers discovered the drugs and paraphernalia in the 41-year-olds possession. The two were booked in jail for unlawfully entering an area upon evacuation, and the 41-year-old faces an additional charge of smuggling methamphetamine into jail, Honea said. It is unclear the reason why the women entered the evacuated area and whether it was connected with the drugs that were found, the sheriff said. As of Tuesday afternoon, some areas of northern Butte County were still under evacuation warnings or orders, though the Sheriffs Office lifted some warnings earlier Tuesday. The Park Fire has burned more than 386,000 acres with only 14% containment as of Tuesday afternoon, and it is the fifth-largest fire in Californias recorded history, according to Cal Fire. A GoFundMe has been established to honor the memory of a 20-year-old who died in a brutal homicide in North Texas. Dylan Gurley was found with traumatic injuries the night of July 23 in a home in the 3700 block of Holland Lane in Denton, police said. Officers responded to the address around 11:10 p.m. after receiving a call about an unconscious person. Gurley died at Medical City Denton around 40 minutes later from blunt and sharp force injuries with strangulation, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office. The cause of death suggests she may have been beaten and cut or stabbed as well as strangled. I am coming here today to ask for any help we can get to give Dylan the memorial she wanted and deserved. ... We are just trying to put the pieces back together as best as we can and appreciate any and all help, a family member, Senica Ciarallo, wrote in the GoFundMe description. The investigation into Gurleys death is ongoing, Denton police said Wednesday afternoon. No suspects in the killing have been arrested. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Jasmine Badiru at 940-349-7977. Anonymous tips can be phoned in to Denton County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-388-8477 or reported at dentoncountycrimestoppers.com. More top stories from our newsroom: We fact-checked Gov. Abbott on terrorism claims Bones found in 1984 identified as missing 25-year-old Settlement reached for fired Fort Worth police chief? [Get our breaking news alerts.] This photo taken on June 12, 2024 shows Meiluo Cafe in Shangwangyu Village of Huairou District in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) by Xinhua writers Huang Xinxin, Tian Chenxu, Zhang Chenlin BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- In the tranquil village of Shangwangyu, nestled in the outskirts of Beijing's Huairou District, a burgeoning trend has transformed the once quiet hamlet into a bustling destination. Amid verdant mountains and serene waters, the emergence of rural coffeehouses has drawn hundreds of city dwellers seeking respite from the urban hustle and bustle. The small village, with a permanent population of only about 100 people, now features three coffee shops. During weekends, Heyin Cafe alone attracts more than 500 customers per day. "The village had never seen such a flurry of activity over the past decades like it does now, with cars coming and going, and even traffic jams," said Wang Xueyong, Party secretary of the village. Heyin Cafe, about 50 kilometers from Beijing's city center, is perched next to a lake and surrounded by mountains. Reclining on a camping chair beneath the shade of trees, and savoring the aroma of coffee as gentle breezes waft across the waters, this scene, reminiscent of a pastoral painting, captures the essence of the attraction drawing visitors from afar. Wei Ming, owner of the cafe, recalled that when he paid his first visit to the village three years ago, he had immediately decided to establish this rural retreat, mainly because of its unique geographical and ecological environments. "I was captivated by the panoramic views of the lake and mountains, which allow me to truly unwind," he said. Many customers now also resonate with Wei. Yin Yan, 32, has visited this rural cafe three times this year. "Unlike urban cafes, this place offers an expansive view of the water. Sitting by the lake, the breeze blows away the stress of the day," Yin said. As China's coffee consumption market continues to expand, people are gradually shifting towards a more diversified coffee experience. Beyond just the caffeine boost for fast-paced urban lives, more Chinese people now prefer a cup of coffee in rural settings, infused with new vitality and charm by coffeehouses nestled amidst idyllic landscapes. A customer who visited Heyin Cafe commented on a social media platform that "spending the whole afternoon relaxing and enjoying the peace brought by nature at the lakeside cafe, all worries seem to have disappeared." Others likened it to the famous Lake Como resort near Milan, Italy. Similar sentiments echo in discussions about Meiluo Cafe, which is only 200 meters away from Heyin Cafe in the same village. Founded by Wang Chunli upon returning to his hometown in September 2022, this coffeehouse occupies a sprawling courtyard along the mountain, which was once devoted to his father's guesthouse. Dissatisfied with his father's outdated practices, the 26-year-old transformed the space into a cafe where traditional Chinese aesthetics blend seamlessly with innovative local touches, while he also added Chinese teas to the coffee menu. "The views seen from the cafe are most enchanting on rainy days, with mist swirling among the mountains," Wang said, adding that some customers even arrive early at 8 a.m. and spend the entire day there. The cafe now has growing popularity among urbanites seeking solace in natural beauty. During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday in June 2024, the cafe generated revenue of over 70,000 yuan (about 9,810 U.S. dollars) in just three days. These ventures spearheaded by young entrepreneurs like Wei and Wang have revitalized not only their own businesses, but also the village. Once home to a primarily elderly population engaged in agricultural production, the village now attracts a youthful influx of visitors. "The broad horizons and advanced ideas brought by the young people have driven the development and transformation of the village," its Party secretary said, noting that the popularity of the village's coffeehouses has also invigorated local economies by bolstering sales of agricultural products and the business of rural accommodations and eateries. The coffee shops in the village of Shangwangyu are now among more than 70 rural cafes located throughout Beijing's Huairou District. Rural cafes have also sprung up nationwide, for example, in places like Anji County in east China's Zhejiang Province and Chongqing Municipality in the southwest of the country. Today, cafes can be seen in various forms in rural China, either near lakesides and mountains, or in forests, fields, and orchards. They have become a significant space for people to fulfill their desire for rural and natural experiences. Meanwhile, rural cafes not only cater to diverse consumer tastes but also serve as catalysts for rural tourism development, reshaping the countryside and bringing new vitality to rural regions. Two years ago, Wang Chunli's father strongly opposed his son's proposal, doubting the viability of building a coffeehouse in such a remote village. However, two years later the steady presence of guests at the cafe has resulted in their reconciliation. "My father now always beams with pleasure whenever he comes to the cafe," Wang said, adding that he is planning to open another rural cafe in Chongqing. This photo taken on June 12, 2024 shows Meiluo Cafe in Shangwangyu Village of Huairou District in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) People enjoy their leisure time at Heyin Cafe in Shangwangyu Village of Huairou District in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) This photo shows a cup of coffee at Heyin Cafe in Shangwangyu Village of Huairou District in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) Officials with the government watchdog group Common Cause are concerned that voter intimidation, misinformation and disinformation along with an exodus of election workers could undermine the integrity of this fall's elections. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) Voter intimidation, an exodus of election workers fed up with harassment and continued misinformation and disinformation campaigns threaten the integrity of the November elections, officials with the government watchdog group Common Cause said Tuesday. This year will be the first presidential election since the big lie, Common Cause President Virginia Kase Solomon said on a video call with reporters. She was referring to the effort by then-President Donald Trump and his allies to undermine Trumps reelection loss in 2020 by promoting a series of unfounded conspiracy theories and encouraging supporters to obstruct Congress certification of the results on Jan. 6, 2021. Common Cause is a nonpartisan organization and Solomon and other speakers did not mention Trump, who is again the Republican nominee for president, by name. But Solomon said the countrys election integrity was damaged by the 2020 experience, with many veteran election workers opting to leave the profession rather than deal with the threats and harassment from believers in election conspiracies. Were still living with the legacy of those lies, she said. Theyve undermined the faith of many Americans in our elections and fed anger and heated rhetoric Those lies have also led to threats and harassment to election officials who have seen massive turnover in their ranks. On top of those challenges, election workers and voters also must deal this cycle with improving generative artificial intelligence tools that make disinformation easier than ever, Common Cause experts said. And state laws, such as a measure that went into effect in Florida after the 2022 elections to cancel automatic delivery of vote-by-mail ballots, promise further confusion and disenfranchisement, they said. To combat those threats to election integrity, the group is gearing up for campaign-season education drives. Threats of violence Instances of actual political violence remain rare, Suzanne Almeida, a Common Cause director of state operations who also leads the groups work on political violence, said. But threats, militant language, doxing and other harassment continue, Almeida said. That has affected election workers, with a recent study from the left-leaning Brennan Center for Justice finding that 38% of election workers had experienced threats and more than half of local election officials feared for their safety. While surveys, including a recent University of California-Davis study, show that voters of both parties reject political violence, candidates who have large platforms have used them to drive turnout, Almeida said. We are seeing the normalization of hate, violent rhetoric, violent threats and harassment as a viable political strategy, she said. A spokesperson for the Trump campaign did not respond to a message seeking comment Tuesday. AI and misinformation Intentional efforts to disinform voters and accidental spreading of misinformation remain a growing problem, Common Causes media and democracy program director Ishan Mehta said. The expansion and improvement of generative artificial intelligence makes it easier to create and spread fraudulent campaign content. The ubiquity of these tools means that you dont have to be a computer expert anymore to have misinformation that would convince a lot, over half the population, Mehta said. Social media platforms that surged misinformation enforcement after Jan. 6 have now backed off enforcing misinformation, he said. Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, tweeted a doctored video of likely Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris over the weekend. Musk, who has endorsed Trump, bought the platform in 2022. He boasts 192 million followers. Florida law Amy Keith, the executive director of Common Cause Florida, said recent changes to state election law will create confusion and deprive some voters of ballots. More than 1.9 million Floridians who received a mail-in ballot in 2022 will not receive one this cycle, she said. The state enacted a law after that election that required voters to send new requests for mail-in ballots with additional identification. Even if some of those 1.9 million people might not wish to vote by mail this year, we know that thousands and thousands of Florida voters are likely expecting a mail ballot to arrive in their mailbox, she said. And it isnt going to. Ahead of the states Aug. 20 primary, Common Cause and allied groups are really working to spread the message to voters that they need to request a mail-in ballot if they wish to vote that way, and that they can vote in person even if they have requested a mail ballot, Keith said. Deploying poll monitors While predicting widespread violence on Election Day would not happen, Common Cause Pennsylvania Executive Director Philip Hensley-Robin anticipated some instances of political violence or intimidation. The group would send hundreds of poll monitors across the commonwealth to record such instances, with monitors who will also be trained in deescalation, he said. Hensley-Robin began his remarks by acknowledging the tragic events of the assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, but said the isolated incident would not deter voters from turning out. He also anticipated that some would mount spurious lawsuits to disenfranchise voters and undermine public confidence in the election, but predicted those would be quickly dismissed. Trumps campaign lost scores of lawsuits challenging 2020 election results. Voter outreach Solomon said Common Cause would be reminding voters to be on the lookout for misinformation and disinformation, especially from AI, and that its likely Election Day will end without a clear winner in the presidential race, a situation that has encouraged conspiracy theories about election fraud. Thats not a sign that anything is wrong, she said. The group will also be in touch with election workers to understand their needs and to offer assistance, she said. She added that democracy had to be proactive. In the 2020 election, I think there was a false narrative that came out of that, and that was that democracy held and did what it was supposed to do, she said. And one of the things that I like to remind people of is that democracy did not hold. We made it hold. Pinellas County residents go to cast their voting ballots at the Coliseum polling precinct on Nov. 8, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images) Voter intimidation, an exodus of election workers fed up with harassment and continued misinformation and disinformation campaigns threaten the integrity of the November elections, officials with the government watchdog group Common Cause said Tuesday. This year will be the first presidential election since the big lie, Common Cause President Virginia Kase Solomon said on a video call with reporters. She was referring to the effort by then-President Donald Trump and his allies to undermine Trumps reelection loss in 2020 by promoting a series of unfounded conspiracy theories and encouraging supporters to obstruct Congress certification of the results on Jan. 6, 2021. Common Cause is a nonpartisan organization and Solomon and other speakers did not mention Trump, who is again the Republican nominee for president, by name. But Solomon said the countrys election integrity was damaged by the 2020 experience, with many veteran election workers opting to leave the profession rather than deal with the threats and harassment from believers in election conspiracies. Were still living with the legacy of those lies, she said. Theyve undermined the faith of many Americans in our elections and fed anger and heated rhetoric Those lies have also led to threats and harassment to election officials who have seen massive turnover in their ranks. On top of those challenges, election workers and voters also must deal this cycle with improving generative artificial intelligence tools that make disinformation easier than ever, Common Cause experts said. And state laws, such as a measure that went into effect in Florida after the 2022 elections to cancel automatic delivery of vote-by-mail ballots, promise further confusion and disenfranchisement, they said. To combat those threats to election integrity, the group is gearing up for campaign-season education drives. Threats of violence Instances of actual political violence remain rare, Suzanne Almeida, a Common Cause director of state operations who also leads the groups work on political violence, said. But threats, militant language, doxing and other harassment continue, Almeida said. That has affected election workers, with a recent study from the left-leaning Brennan Center for Justice finding that 38% of election workers had experienced threats and more than half of local election officials feared for their safety. While surveys, including a recent University of California-Davis study, show that voters of both parties reject political violence, candidates who have large platforms have used them to drive turnout, Almeida said. We are seeing the normalization of hate, violent rhetoric, violent threats and harassment as a viable political strategy, she said. A spokesperson for the Trump campaign did not respond to a message seeking comment Tuesday. AI and misinformation Intentional efforts to disinform voters and accidental spreading of misinformation remain a growing problem, Common Causes media and democracy program director Ishan Mehta said. The expansion and improvement of generative artificial intelligence makes it easier to create and spread fraudulent campaign content. The ubiquity of these tools means that you dont have to be a computer expert anymore to have misinformation that would convince a lot, over half the population, Mehta said. Social media platforms that surged misinformation enforcement after Jan. 6 have now backed off enforcing misinformation, he said. Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, tweeted a doctored video of likely Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris over the weekend. Musk, who has endorsed Trump, bought the platform in 2022. He boasts 192 million followers. Florida law Amy Keith, the executive director of Common Cause Florida, said recent changes to state election law will create confusion and deprive some voters of ballots. More than 1.9 million Floridians who received a mail-in ballot in 2022 will not receive one this cycle, she said. The state enacted a law after that election that required voters to send new requests for mail-in ballots with additional identification. Even if some of those 1.9 million people might not wish to vote by mail this year, we know that thousands and thousands of Florida voters are likely expecting a mail ballot to arrive in their mailbox, she said. And it isnt going to. Ahead of the states Aug. 20 primary, Common Cause and allied groups are really working to spread the message to voters that they need to request a mail-in ballot if they wish to vote that way, and that they can vote in person even if they have requested a mail ballot, Keith said. Deploying poll monitors While predicting widespread violence on Election Day would not happen, Common Cause Pennsylvania Executive Director Philip Hensley-Robin anticipated some instances of political violence or intimidation. The group would send hundreds of poll monitors across the commonwealth to record such instances, with monitors who will also be trained in deescalation, he said. Hensley-Robin began his remarks by acknowledging the tragic events of the assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, but said the isolated incident would not deter voters from turning out. He also anticipated that some would mount spurious lawsuits to disenfranchise voters and undermine public confidence in the election, but predicted those would be quickly dismissed. Trumps campaign lost scores of lawsuits challenging 2020 election results. Voter outreach Solomon said Common Cause would be reminding voters to be on the lookout for misinformation and disinformation, especially from AI, and that its likely Election Day will end without a clear winner in the presidential race, a situation that has encouraged conspiracy theories about election fraud. Thats not a sign that anything is wrong, she said. The group will also be in touch with election workers to understand their needs and to offer assistance, she said. She added that democracy had to be proactive. In the 2020 election, I think there was a false narrative that came out of that, and that was that democracy held and did what it was supposed to do, she said. And one of the things that I like to remind people of is that democracy did not hold. We made it hold. Pinellas County residents go to cast their voting ballots at the Coliseum polling precinct on Nov. 8, 2022 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Octavio Jones | Getty Images) Voter intimidation, an exodus of election workers fed up with harassment and continued misinformation and disinformation campaigns threaten the integrity of the November elections, officials with the government watchdog group Common Cause said Tuesday. This year will be the first presidential election since the big lie, Common Cause President Virginia Kase Solomon said on a video call with reporters. She was referring to the effort by then-President Donald Trump and his allies to undermine Trumps reelection loss in 2020 by promoting a series of unfounded conspiracy theories and encouraging supporters to obstruct Congress certification of the results on Jan. 6, 2021. Common Cause is a nonpartisan organization and Solomon and other speakers did not mention Trump, who is again the Republican nominee for president, by name. But Solomon said the countrys election integrity was damaged by the 2020 experience, with many veteran election workers opting to leave the profession rather than deal with the threats and harassment from believers in election conspiracies. Were still living with the legacy of those lies, she said. Theyve undermined the faith of many Americans in our elections and fed anger and heated rhetoric Those lies have also led to threats and harassment to election officials who have seen massive turnover in their ranks. On top of those challenges, election workers and voters also must deal this cycle with improving generative artificial intelligence tools that make disinformation easier than ever, Common Cause experts said. And state laws, such as a measure that went into effect in Florida after the 2022 elections to cancel automatic delivery of vote-by-mail ballots, promise further confusion and disenfranchisement, they said. To combat those threats to election integrity, the group is gearing up for campaign-season education drives. Threats of violence Instances of actual political violence remain rare, Suzanne Almeida, a Common Cause director of state operations who also leads the groups work on political violence, said. But threats, militant language, doxing and other harassment continue, Almeida said. That has affected election workers, with a recent study from the left-leaning Brennan Center for Justice finding that 38% of election workers had experienced threats and more than half of local election officials feared for their safety. While surveys, including a recent University of California-Davis study, show that voters of both parties reject political violence, candidates who have large platforms have used them to drive turnout, Almeida said. We are seeing the normalization of hate, violent rhetoric, violent threats and harassment as a viable political strategy, she said. A spokesperson for the Trump campaign did not respond to a message seeking comment Tuesday. AI and misinformation Intentional efforts to disinform voters and accidental spreading of misinformation remain a growing problem, Common Causes media and democracy program director Ishan Mehta said. The expansion and improvement of generative artificial intelligence makes it easier to create and spread fraudulent campaign content. The ubiquity of these tools means that you dont have to be a computer expert anymore to have misinformation that would convince a lot, over half the population, Mehta said. Social media platforms that surged misinformation enforcement after Jan. 6 have now backed off enforcing misinformation, he said. Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, tweeted a doctored video of likely Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris over the weekend. Musk, who has endorsed Trump, bought the platform in 2022. He boasts 192 million followers. Florida law Amy Keith, the executive director of Common Cause Florida, said recent changes to state election law will create confusion and deprive some voters of ballots. More than 1.9 million Floridians who received a mail-in ballot in 2022 will not receive one this cycle, she said. The state enacted a law after that election that required voters to send new requests for mail-in ballots with additional identification. Even if some of those 1.9 million people might not wish to vote by mail this year, we know that thousands and thousands of Florida voters are likely expecting a mail ballot to arrive in their mailbox, she said. And it isnt going to. Ahead of the states Aug. 20 primary, Common Cause and allied groups are really working to spread the message to voters that they need to request a mail-in ballot if they wish to vote that way, and that they can vote in person even if they have requested a mail ballot, Keith said. Deploying poll monitors While predicting widespread violence on Election Day would not happen, Common Cause Pennsylvania Executive Director Philip Hensley-Robin anticipated some instances of political violence or intimidation. The group would send hundreds of poll monitors across the commonwealth to record such instances, with monitors who will also be trained in deescalation, he said. Hensley-Robin began his remarks by acknowledging the tragic events of the assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, but said the isolated incident would not deter voters from turning out. He also anticipated that some would mount spurious lawsuits to disenfranchise voters and undermine public confidence in the election, but predicted those would be quickly dismissed. Trumps campaign lost scores of lawsuits challenging 2020 election results. Voter outreach Solomon said Common Cause would be reminding voters to be on the lookout for misinformation and disinformation, especially from AI, and that its likely Election Day will end without a clear winner in the presidential race, a situation that has encouraged conspiracy theories about election fraud. Thats not a sign that anything is wrong, she said. The group will also be in touch with election workers to understand their needs and to offer assistance, she said. She added that democracy had to be proactive. In the 2020 election, I think there was a false narrative that came out of that, and that was that democracy held and did what it was supposed to do, she said. And one of the things that I like to remind people of is that democracy did not hold. We made it hold. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Three inmates are dead and multiple were injured after a fight broke out at a Nevada prison, according to the Nevada Department of Corrections. The incident occurred on Tuesday at Ely State Prison in White Pine County, officials said. In addition to the three dead, nine were taken to the hospital. NDOC said no officers were injured. Corrections officers from other prisons in the state, along with additional law enforcement agencies, were responding to the maximum-security prison Tuesday afternoon. The 8 News Now Investigators have learned there are concerns about retaliation as this appeared to be a feud between two rival gangs. As of Tuesday evening, the prison remained on lockdown. Ely State Prison is also the location of Nevadas death row. No other details are available at this time, stay with 8 News Now 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 KLAS. Louisiana Supreme Court building in New Orleans (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) A Baton Rouge judge declined Tuesday to throw out two of the three candidates for Louisiana Supreme Court justice running in District 2, making it more likely a competitive election for the newly redrawn seat will take place. Marcus Hunter, a judge on the Second Circuit Court of Appeal, and Leslie Chambers, chief of staff for the Louisiana Housing Corporation, should stay in the race despite a lawsuit seeking to disqualify them over late income tax filings and residency requirements, Judge Donald Johnson of the 19th Judicial District ruled. Im very grateful, Chambers said. I think it was the right ruling. Ive been crazy enough to believe that God will take care of it, Hunter said after Johnsons decision. Had the lawsuit been successful, John Michael Guidry, chief judge of the First Circuit Court of Appeal, would have won the Supreme Court seat by default as the only remaining candidate. The plaintiff who brought the legal challenge, Elise Knowles Collins, testified that her daughter works for Guidry as an attorney. When asked about his connection to Collins, Guidry said he could not comment on the lawsuit as a judge because of rules governing judicial ethics. Collins legal team is likely to appeal Johnsons ruling later this week, according to her attorneys. Johnson handed down the ruling at the end of a seven-and-a-half-hour hearing Tuesday, which Hunter, Chambers and Guidry attended. Its not clear who paid for Collins attorneys to bring the lawsuit. Four lawyers appeared with her in court Tuesday, and the attorneys occasionally conferred with Guidry, who sat directly behind the plaintiffs table during the trial. I cant get into that, Collins attorney Michael Bienvenu replied when asked who was paying for his clients legal representation. After decades of stalling, Louisiana lawmakers approved a new Supreme Court election map in May that turns District 2 into a new majority-Black seat. Hunter, Chambers and Guidry are all Black Democrats vying for the position. The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, one of the states most influential business groups, has backed Guidry in the race. Trial attorneys, who are often at odds with the business organization, recruited Chambers to run. In her lawsuit, Collins, a Black voter in Baton Rouge for more than 40 years, alleged Hunter and Chambers did not meet the qualifications to run for Supreme Court justice because they had not filed all of their state income tax returns over the last five years as required. Collins also alleged that Chambers should be tossed out of the race because Chambers doesnt live in District 2. Both Hunter and Chambers admitted to filing individual income tax returns late, though their attorneys said that should not disqualify them from running for office. Rosie Harger, a certified public accountant who prepared Hunters taxes, told the court she attempted to file his 2022 and 2023 returns on July 16 of this year, the day before Hunter signed up to run for the Supreme Court. The filings were rejected because of a technical mistake Harger and Hunter didnt discover until last Friday, she said. Chambers also thought she had filed her late 2022 tax return at the beginning of June this year through TurboTax, but the transmission might not have gone through to the Louisiana Department of Revenue, her lawyers admitted. Chambers testified she had no reason to avoid filing her taxes from that year because she was expected to get a refund of more than $4,500. Collins attorneys pushed back on those arguments, saying it didnt matter if Hunter and Chambers made a good faith effort to file their taxes. The paperwork needed to make it to the state Department of Revenue. If youre wrong and the department didnt have the returns, you have falsely certified to run for office, said David Bienvenu, an attorney representing Collins. In court, Chambers admitted she has lived for more than a decade in Ascension Parish, which is not part of Supreme Court District 2. Her attorney, Gray Sexton, argued that because the new Supreme Court map was approved less than three months ago, the one-year residency requirement to run for a judicial seat should be waived for her. In an interview after the hearing, Chambers said she would move to Baton Rouge if she won the election. In his closing arguments, Sexton also argued that this newest Supreme Court seat, which is supposed to enhance Black voter representation, should be decided through an election rather than a lawsuit. I have never been involved where the stakes are higher than they are now, Sexton told the judge. It should not be a selection by the courts as to who gets to vote and who gets to run. One third of Louisianas residents identify as Black, but out of the seven previous state Supreme Court districts, only one in New Orleans had a majority-Black voting population. The upcoming election in District 2 will add a second justice from a predominantly Black electorate in Baton Rouge and Monroe. Any challenge to Johnsons ruling Tuesday would typically go to the First Circuit Court of Appeal. But because Guidry is the chief judge of that court, the matter could go directly to the Louisiana Supreme Court if an appeal is filed. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST The Alexander Mountain Fire west of Loveland grew to over 5,000 acres in size on Tuesday. (Larimer County Sheriff's Office) A fast-growing overnight wildfire on the southwest edge of the Denver metro area is the latest of three fires prompting evacuations and emergency responses along the Front Range this week. Approximately 575 homes in south Jefferson County were under mandatory evacuation orders early Wednesday morning due to the Quarry Fire, which grew overnight to roughly 130 acres after first being spotted around 9 p.m. Tuesday near Deer Creek Canyon Park. Mark Techmeyer, public affairs director for the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, said in a press conference that the fire is burning in a very populated area that is mountainous and steep, and full of scrub brush, and really hard to navigate on foot. As of Wednesday morning, no structures had been lost and no injuries had been reported. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The area currently under evacuation orders includes the Deer Creek Mesa, Sampson, Maxwell, Murphy and McKinney subdivisions. A helicopter was due to conduct reconnaissance of the burn area Wednesday, but crews assigned to the fire didnt know yet whether aerial firefighting resources will be diverted to the Quarry Fire from other fires burning to the north. We all know that we have two other major fires going on in our state, so resources are thin, he said. We still only have (an) estimated about 70 to 80 boots on the ground to fight this fire today. Alexander Mountain Fire The Alexander Mountain Fire west of Loveland has grown to over 5,000 acres since first being reported Monday. The U.S. Forest Service has assumed command of firefighting operations from the Larimer County Sheriffs Office, and no containment of the fire had been achieved as of late Tuesday. A large area in the foothills west of Loveland extending south to Carter Lake and the town of Lyons is under a mandatory evacuation order. Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday verbally issued disaster emergency declarations in response to the Alexander Mountain Fire and other fires burning in the state. Colorado has invested tens of millions of dollars in recent years to expand state-controlled firefighting resources, including a $30 million Firehawk helicopter and other aircraft. We are working to ensure that Coloradans impacted by these fires have the resources they need and we are providing critical state support to help manage and contain these fires as quickly as possible to protect our communities and prevent costly damage, said Polis, who was scheduled to visit first responders assigned to the Alexander Mountain Fire in Loveland on Wednesday morning, alongside U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse of Lafayette and Colorado Public Safety Director Stan Hilkey. Evacuation centers for those displaced by the fire are open in Loveland and Estes Park, along with a large animal evacuation center in Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley. As we continue coordinating land and air resources, our community can trust that hundreds of public safety professionals are working hard to protect their families, Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said in an update Tuesday. Stone Canyon Fire The Stone Canyon Fire near Lyons was estimated at 1,320 acres in size as of Tuesday evening, according to the Boulder County Office of Disaster Management. Two structures have been lost in the fire, which was first reported midday Tuesday. Areas under mandatory evacuation orders due to the Stone Canyon Fire, which overlap with evacuation orders for the Alexander Mountain Fire to the north, include parts of Lyons north of U.S. 36. Heavy smoke from the fires is likely to contribute to unhealthy air quality levels across the Front Range urban corridor, state officials wrote in an advisory. Warm and stagnant weather combined with increasing amounts of both local and out-of-state wildfire smoke will result in ozone and fine particulate matter concentrations possibly reaching Unhealthy levels for air quality on Wednesday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment wrote. Expect locally heavy smoke in areas near the Alexander Mountain and Stone (Canyon) wildfires, including Loveland, Lyons, and Longmont. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST $30K bail for kidnapping suspect who tried to kiss 10-year-old HONOLULU (KHON2) A young girl was able to escape an attempted sex assault at a Kahala beach on Saturday while the suspect was detained by witnesses. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Honolulu police officers responded to the incident, at Waialae Beach Park, just before 10 a.m. Police records state that the girl, 10, had showered in the womens bathroom and was wearing a towel when the suspect crawled under the locked partition where she was. Attorney says Hawaii police dropped the ball when they let Ireland murder suspect free The girl confronted the suspect, asking what he was doing, but the man held her hand to detain her while he stroked the girls hair and tried to kiss her. She was able to escape. As the suspect left the bathroom, witnesses followed and detained the man until police arrived, at which time the girl was able to positively identify the man. The man, who is 23-years-old according to police records, was placed under arrest for Attempted Sex Assault in the Third Degree as well as outstanding warrants. He has since been charged with Kidnapping and two contempt warrants. He is being held on $30,000 bail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Thirty-three Cuban migrants were taken into federal custody today as U.S. Border Patrol Agents responded to a migrant landing in Key West. There has already been over a 35% increase in migration encounters in Florida from 2023, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Migration encounters are defined as a sum of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection encounters that arent connected to Mexican or Canadian borders. Officials have predicted the rise in similar migration since late 2022, only to come true since the recent conflict in Haiti. The U.S. has continued sending migrants who are interdicted at sea back to Haiti by boat, according to Julia Ansley for NBC. The U.S. restarted deportation flights to Cuba over a year ago, and since then, the U.S. has been sending one flight with Cuban deportees to Havana each month, according to Camilo Montoya-Galvez for CBS. The most recent time the U.S. Border Patrol Acting Chief Patrol Agent, Samuel Briggs II, posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) about Cuban migrant landings was because of another landing on Smathers Beach on June 30. According to Briggs, 15 Cuban migrants arrived on a homemade vessel in Key West at the end of June and were processed for removal proceedings. Over 45% of Cuban encounters so far in 2024 have occurred in Florida. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TEHRAN/GAZA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards have been killed in the Iranian capital of Tehran, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday. Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed early Wednesday when their residence was hit in Tehran, according to a statement published on the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News. The statement said the attack was under investigation and the results would be announced later. The Islamic Hamas movement confirmed the death of its leader, saying Haniyeh was assassinated by an Israeli attack in Iran. In a press statement, Hamas said that it "mourns to the Palestinian people, the Arab and Islamic nation, and the free people of the world," after their leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli raid on his residence in Tehran. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday. He was also expected to discuss with the Iranian president the political and field developments related to the Palestine-Isreal conflict in the Gaza Strip, a source close to Hamas told Xinhua. The Israeli army has no comment on the issue yet. Since Oct. 7 last year, Israel has been launching a large-scale strike on Hamas. According to Gaza health authorities, the Israeli offensive has led to the killing of over 38,000 Palestinians in the enclave, while the UN estimated that nearly 2 million people there have been displaced. PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) Cheryl Weimar was severely beaten by prison guards and left a quadriplegic for life, so the state awarded her and her family $4.65 million for her care. That money was then given to a St. Petersburg non-profit for safekeeping, the same non-profit that is the focus of an 8 On Your Side investigation where $100 million have gone missing. She died just last October, but now that shes gone, some are wondering what happened to the millions of dollars set aside for her care? Weimar claimed she was nearly beaten to death by prison guards as an inmate in 2019 after refusing to clean a toilet at the Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, according to a lawsuit. Weimar and her husband sued the Florida Department of Corrections and four guards after she was left with a broken neck and spinal cord because of the guards alleged use of force. Weimar was in the middle of a six-year prison sentence for battery with a deadly weapon and resisting an officer. Days after her death, dozens of people protested outside the prison wanting the abuse inside to stop. As a quadriplegic, Weimer was released on Sept. 17, 2020, and spent her days at Aspire at Countryside in Palm Harbor. She needed full-time care; she had caregivers that were in addition to the nursing home facilities, attorney Noel White said. The lawsuit resulted in a $4.65 million settlement from the state of Florida, money that was placed at St. Petersburgs Center for Special Needs Trust Administration. White is an attorney who practices estate planning, probate and trust administration. She said the center had been paying Weimers nursing home and caregiver bills, as well as attorney fees, up until Weimer died in October 2023. Shortly after she passed away, we submitted our last billings and did not get any type of response, White said. Four months later, the Center filed for bankruptcy. Center founder, Leo Govoni, stands accused of siphoning over $100 million in funds that was intended to help vulnerable people, but instead loaned it to other businesses under his control. Govoni has not been charged with a crime. Meantime, Aspire and White have not received payment. They are owed thousands of dollars. When asked if she thinks she will ever get paid, White responded: I doubt it, itll just depend on the bankruptcy court. Like hundreds of others, the only thing White can do is file a claim and see how this case plays out in court. The Chapter 11 Trustee in charge of finding the missing money in this case is working to get the Center out of the trust administration business. The next hearing is on Sept. 9. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Three people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and one person was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs during a Bakersfield police checkpoint. Officials with the Bakersfield Police Department said during the checkpoint on July 26 in the 700 block of Monterey Street a total of 367 vehicles were screened. Tehachapi PD arrests 2 on suspicion of drug, theft charges Police say a total of 15 vehicles were impounded, four vehicles were held temporarily due to license violations, but they were released to their registered owner at the scene and 18 drives were cited due to license violations. In addition to the checkpoint, additional officers were deployed in the neighborhood surrounding the area. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. Four people and three dogs are dead after a Florida mobile home was intentionally set on fire in what authorities called an "evil" act, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office responded to a call of a fire at a residence in Plant City shortly after midnight on Wednesday. Fire crews were able to knock down the fire in 20 minutes, though four people were found dead at the scene, authorities said. Three dogs were also killed in the blaze. PHOTO: Authorities said a deadly fire at a home in Plant City, Florida, was intentionally set. (WFTS) A 25-year-old man who lived in the home has been arrested after allegedly admitting to intentionally setting the home on fire. The suspect, Shawn Gossett, was found near the mobile home after fire crews responded to the blaze, according to Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer. MORE: Park Fire suspect charged with felony arson for allegedly igniting largest wildfire burning in US Gossett allegedly admitted to detectives that he started the fire by igniting paper towels with a lighter, Maurer said. "The details of why and his motive are still being worked out as we work through this investigation," Maurer said during a press briefing on Wednesday. "This is an immense tragedy, and one that was senseless." PHOTO: The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office released the booking photo for Shawn Gossett. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office) Gossett has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder while engaged in arson, three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and one count of arson of a dwelling, the sheriff's office said. It is unclear if he has an attorney who can speak on his behalf. Gossett is believed to have been friends with the family who lived in the home, Maurer said. The names of the victims, who were all adults, have not yet been released pending family notification, he said. MORE: 73-year-old man arrested in connection with fire, shooting at Miami apartment building Maurer said the victims were unable to get out of the home, but it is unclear why. Their manner and cause of death are pending an autopsy and should be available later Wednesday, Maurer said. PHOTO: Authorities respond to a deadly fire in Plant City, Florida, July 31, 2024. (WFTS) Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister commended the swift actions of the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue that led to an arrest in the incident. "This is an utterly senseless and horrific crime where four innocent lives were tragically taken due to the evil actions of this man," Chronister said in a statement. 4 people, 3 dogs killed after Florida mobile home intentionally set on fire: Sheriff originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Hundreds in Acworth still without power after storms knock trees down overnight, causing outages Storms that swept across parts of the metro Atlanta area on Tuesday night left trees down and power out. In Acworth, city officials said several large fallen trees had caused outages that were still being felt Wednesday morning. Three outages were still being worked on, but as the day approached noon, one repair was completed. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The outages overall have left about 400 customers to lose power, with isolated outages still in effect, for some from the overnight, according to city officials, though it was far less than the peak during storms on Tuesday night. We had more than 5,000 of our approximate 8,600 customers out at one point. Our crews worked until around 1:30 a.m. last evening, removing downed trees, isolating and redirecting lines to get as many customers back on as possible which ended up being around 4,600 customers being restored, Acworth officials said. TRENDING STORIES: One of the outage areas was caused by a transmission line repair in the evening while Georgia Power and Cobb EMC worked on making repairs to restore power. We also had storm-related outages the evening prior, in which crews responded as well. The weather this week has been tough on our system to say the least, according to a city spokesman. Acworth officials said the two other outage areas in the city were from power poles that snapped as trees fell, which crews are still working to repair. The transmission line repair has since finished, bringing the outages in Acworth back down to two. Despite the progress, the repeated weather events are still a concern for city officials. To speed up the process, Acworth said they also secured mutual aid through the City of Marietta to assist in expedite the restoration of the remaining outages. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: (Getty Images) The ability to teach and conduct research free from political interference is the cornerstone of higher education and its contribution to the public good. Academic freedom, however, has become increasingly threatened. V-Dem Institute, a global research organization that monitors indicators of democracy around the world, determined that academic freedom has substantially worsened in the United States in recent years. This is largely due to political and social polarization. In recent months, professors across the country have sounded the alarm about infringements on academic freedom following crackdowns on pro-Palestine protesters on campus. The current conflict, however, is only the latest iteration of an intensifying decline in academic freedom. As a researcher who examines the politics of higher education, I believe there are five distinct but mutually reinforcing ways that academic freedom has been threatened in the U.S. in recent years. 1. Legislation and academic gag orders States across the country have passed educational gag orders that ban the teaching of critical race theory and other concepts. These are sometimes referred to as divisive concepts in the laws. While most of these bills limit what can be said in K-12 classrooms, a report I authored found that 99 bills were introduced and 10 passed between 2021 and 2023 that affect higher education. For example, a North Dakota bill bans state universities from hosting discussions of ideas such as meritocracy is inherently racist. A similar bill in Tennessee outlaws teaching the idea that someone could be inherently privileged, racist, sexist or oppressive. These bills misrepresent what discussions about race and gender identity actually look like in the college classroom. Rather than framing them as discussions about history and theory, bills like Floridas so-called Stop Woke Act insinuate that teaching students about race and racism is aimed at making them feel guilty. PEN America has described these bills as designed to chill academic and educational discussions and impose government dictates on teaching and learning. 2. Activist governing boards Issues of academic freedom also arise when those without scholarly expertise become involved in academic and curricular decisions. This usually happens through governing boards and trustees who overreach. Colleges and universities should follow the principles of shared governance, according to the American Association of University Professors. Boards oversee the business of running the institution, and faculty oversee the content taught in classrooms. At some institutions, however, the boards have subverted this. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, boards at several schools made unilateral decisions such as revoking tenure without due process. They have also created academic centers without faculty oversight a core tenet of shared governance. These decisions have serious consequences. The American Association of University Professors, for example, found that politically appointed board members at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill regularly exercise their considerable power to circumvent faculty autonomy. This includes the board of trustees refusal to offer a tenured position to Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of the 1619 Project, a series of essays and articles in The New York Times Magazine about the impact of slavery on American history. The board also came under fire for establishing the School of Civic Life and Leadership on campus. The school appears designed to teach conservative content that the board prefers rather than to fulfill a curricular need identified by the faculty. 3. Donor influence Donor influence is also a growing threat to academic freedom. Ideally, donors would view their gifts simply as donations to an institution they trust. In some cases, however, donors play an active role in determining how their money is used. This could mean dictating which speakers are brought to campus, what books are taught in the classroom and what courses are offered. One of the most dramatic recent examples is the ousting of Harvard President Claudine Gay. Hedge fund billionaire and Harvard donor Bill Ackman played an active role in her forced resignation, threatening a donor exodus if she stayed. I believe that if it can happen at Harvard, it could happen at other universities, too. 4. Erosion of tenure The system of tenure was originally created to protect professors from external political interference. In recent decades, however, fewer and fewer professors have been awarded this privilege. Today, 68% of faculty are working off the tenure track, often in year-to-year contracts, compared with 47% in 1987. The economic precarity of contract positions creates incentives for faculty to censor the content they teach for fear of losing their jobs. In some states, such as Florida and Texas, state legislators have passed bills weakening tenure protections through the creation of post-tenure review procedures. This gives administrators greater authority to fire tenured faculty. These bills make faculty increasingly vulnerable to external political influence. 5. Delegitimization of higher education As Ive demonstrated in my research, right-wing activists have built a political infrastructure of think tanks and media outlets that specialize in portraying higher education in a negative light. This includes bringing intentionally provocative speakers such as Milo Yiannopoulos and Charlie Kirk to campus and funding media outlets that specialize in ranting about liberal bias on college campuses. Partisan political operatives, such as the Manhattan Institutes Christopher Rufo, have mainstreamed the claims that faculty regularly engage in political indoctrination and that professors teach content that is divisive and anti-American. For example, days after Hamas invasion of Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Rufo posted on X that conservatives should create a strong association between Hamas, Black Lives Matter, the Democratic Socialists of America and academic decolonization. These narratives are designed to justify and legitimize the ongoing attacks on academic freedom. The implication is that faculty are the enemy and that legislatures, governors and governing boards can save higher education. Fierce debates about what should be taught at colleges and universities is part of what academic freedom is all about. But attacks on academic freedom seek to displace the voice of faculty experts with those of partisan legislatures, trustees and donors. I believe this should be disconcerting for anyone who values free and critical thinking. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 5-year-old dies after drowning in Myrtle Beach, SC resort. Her mother was at the bar The mother of a 5-year-old girl who died after drowning at Myrtle Beach resort was at the bar while her child was in the pool, according to Myrtle Beach Police reports. Annalise Baker, of Pineville, South Carolina was pulled out of the pool at Sea Crest Resort, 803 South Ocean Blvd., while drowning around 7 p.m. on June 22, according to Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard. She was brought to the Grand Strand Medical Center where she died the morning of June 23. Bakers mother, Alyse Wike, left the child in the 1-foot deep pool and went to the Tiki Bar on property, the arrest warrant said. While Wike was at the bar, Baker went into the bigger pool, where she stayed for nine minutes until a bystander pulled her out. Wike was arrested on July 29 for unlawful child neglect, Myrtle Beach Police reports show. The 35-year-old is currently being held at the Myrtle Beach Jail with a $10,000 bail, according to court records. Myrtle Beach Police are investigating. There have been a total of five child deaths from drownings in the Myrtle Beach area this summer. All have happened at hotels or resorts, with three happening over the Fourth of July weekend. 5-year-old girl dies after being pulled out of pool at Myrtle Beach resort, coroner says MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) A 5-year-old died last month after she was pulled out of a pool at a Myrtle Beach resort, the Horry County Coroners Office said Wednesday. Annalise Baker of Pineville, South Carolina, was pulled out of a pool at Sea Crest Resort on June 22, Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said. She was taken to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center and then to the Medical University of South Carolina where she died at about 7:25 a.m. on June 23. Myrtle Beach police are investigating. No additional information was immediately available. Download the News13 app to stay updated on the go Sign up for WBTW email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WBTW.com for the Grand Strand and Pee Dee. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. 51-year-old arrested for trafficking amount of meth in Morgan County MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Morgan County Sheriffs Office arrested a woman after a traffic stop led to the discovery of a trafficking amount of drugs. On July 30, a Morgan County Sheriffs Office Patrol Deputy said Sherry Lynn Painter was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 31 near W Lacon Road. During the traffic stop, Painter was found to have drug paraphernalia and a prescription medication without possessing a prescription. The Deputy Sheriff arrested Painter and she was transported to the Morgan County Jail. While she was being booked into the jail, a correctional officer found a bag containing a crystalline substance on her. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine. The amount on her exceeded the amount to be considered trafficking as described by Alabama law. After the Morgan County Sheriffs Drug Enforcement Unit was contacted, Painter was given an additional charge: Drug trafficking Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia Illegal possession of prescription drugs She was booked into the Morgan County Jail with a bond of $10,600. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. TEHRAN, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Wednesday vowed to avenge Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh's death in the Iranian territory. He made the remarks in a message published on his website to extend condolences to the Palestinian people and resistance front over the "martyrdom" of Haniyeh and one of his companions in an alleged Israeli attack earlier in the day in Tehran. He stressed that Israel prepared the ground for a "harsh punishment" for itself. In two statements on Wednesday, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) accused Israel of assassinating Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards at their residence in Tehran in a "terrorist attack." It extended condolences over the "martyrdom" of Haniyeh and his bodyguard, adding Haniyeh was among the dignitaries invited to Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday and had, over the past years, paid numerous visits to Iran. The IRGC condemned the "criminal act" as in defiance of international regulations and laws, saying Israel "will receive a harsh and painful response" from Iran. The Iranian president also, in a post on social media platform X, expressed condolences over Haniyeh's "martyrdom," saying Iran would defend its territorial integrity, dignity, honor, and pride and make the Israelis, which he described as "terrorist occupiers," regret their "cowardly move." The Iranian government has declared a three-day national mourning for the Hamas leader, according to the official news agency IRNA. Haniyeh's funeral procession will be held in Tehran on Thursday morning, the IRNA said. 7 North Texas men charged in theft of more than 200 cars worth $9.3 million, police say Seven men have been charged in connection with the theft of over 200 vehicles across North Texas as part of a massive auto theft ring, Grapevine police said. From Jan. 1, 2023, through the suspects arrest on March 22 of this year, 316 vehicles were reported stolen in Grapevine. The following month, that number dropped to zero, said Grapevine Police Department spokesperson Amanda McNew. Very clearly we got the right people, McNew told the Star-Telegram. According to a news release from the Grapevine Police Department, a ring of thieves began stealing vehicles from public parking lots across North Texas in 2022. An exceptionally high number of the thefts took place in Grapevine, the release said. Dodge Chargers and Challengers and Chevrolet Camaros were favorite targets of the thieves, McNew said. Two Grapevine police detectives and a crime analyst spent hundreds of hours last year looking over crime bulletins, social media posts and surveillance video. In the process they identified several suspects and linked the group to more than 200 vehicles thefts in several North Texas cities, the release said. More top stories from our newsroom: We fact-checked Gov. Abbott on terrorism claims Bones found in 1984 identified as missing 25-year-old Settlement reached for fired Fort Worth police chief? [Get our breaking news alerts.] Law enforcement officers, including members of the Northeast Tarrant County Area SWAT Team, executed two simultaneous warrants at addresses in Dallas and Garland on March 22. They knew ahead of time that the suspects likely had several guns in their possession, according to the release. There was also a possibility of a tiger being kept at one of the locations. The warrants were successfully served, and there were no injuries, according to the release. Seven suspects, including 23-year-old Jeremiah Morel, 24-year-old Christian Morel, 20-year-old Dylan Correa, 19-year-old Gavin Correa, 22-year-old Kevin Oates Jr., 27-year-old Jose Perez and 26-year-old Henry Actwood Jr. were arrested. All seven men have been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. Officials said they anticipate the suspects will face federal charges as well. The confirmed loss from the auto vehicle thefts connected to this group is over $9.3 million, Grapevine police said. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport also experienced a surge of vehicle thefts from its parking garages in the summer of 2023. McNew said shes not aware of a connection between the group operating in Grapevine and the airport thieves. Update at 5:40 p.m. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) All lanes are now open on Interstate 74 after a broken-down semi temporarily blocked traffic on Tuesday afternoon. Champaign gas prices up 10 cents in one week Illinois State Police last announced that a tow truck was en route to the scene near Prospect Avenue. It took just a few minutes to get the semi out of the way of traffic in the westbound lanes and to reopen the road. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) The Illinois State Police are alerting drivers to a traffic backup on Interstate 74. The backup is happening in the westbound lanes of I-74 at Champaigns Prospect Avenue exit. ISP said the backup is due to broken-down semi and a tow truck is on its way to the scene. Drivers in the area should expect delays and use caution during 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 WCIA.com. About 8 in 10 Democrats are satisfied with Harris in stark shift after Biden drops out: AP-NORC poll FILE - Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the American Federation of Teachers' 88th national convention, July 25, 2024, in Houston. Harris appears to have energized Democrats in the early days of her candidacy, according to a new poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research that was conducted after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race. About 8 in 10 Democrats say they would be very or somewhat satisfied if Harris became the Democratic nominee for president. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, file) WASHINGTON (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris appears to have energized Democrats in the early days of her candidacy, with the surge in warm feelings extending across multiple groups, including some key Democratic constituencies that had been especially tepid about President Joe Biden, a new poll shows. About 8 in 10 Democrats say they would be somewhat or very satisfied if Harris became the Democratic nominee for president, according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, which was conducted after Biden withdrew from the race. In a separate AP-NORC poll, taken before Biden dropped out but after his debate against Republican former President Donald Trump, only about 4 in 10 Democrats said they were somewhat or very satisfied that he was the Democratic Partys likely nominee for president. The rapidly changing views among Democrats in such a short time span underscore how swiftly the party from rank-and-file voters to elected officials has coalesced behind Harris as its standard-bearer, motivated by the fresh face at the top of the ticket and newfound confidence in the party's prospects against Trump in November. Gary Hines, a Democrat from Philadelphia, said he wasn't particularly impressed by Harris' first presidential bid but now, she's shown she's up to the task, can do the work, has proven that she's running a strong campaign so far and maybe on a bigger level, she's somebody that can beat Donald Trump." All those factors have ignited an enthusiasm in Hines that wasn't there when Biden was still in the race, he said. I really want to go out and maybe knock on doors, which I would've never done, said Hines, 68. It's jazzed me up quite a bit. Americans are also more likely to say that Harris would make a good president than they were earlier in July, a shift that was primarily driven by Democrats. They still see a tough contest looming, though: A majority of U.S. adults, 56%, say that if Trump and Harris are their parties nominees for the general election in November, Trump is more likely to win. Lauren Schulman, a Democrat from Pompano Beach, Florida, said she admires Biden and what he has accomplished during his presidency. But she said with him at the top of the ticket, I have just been so terrified that we were going to lose. With Harris, on the other hand, shes been a bright, shining star, said Schulman, 66, noting that the vice president is smart and shes younger, and she even comes off younger than she is. That makes such a huge contrast with Trump. Growing enthusiasm for Harris especially compared to Biden About 7 in 10 Black adults and about half of Hispanic adults would be satisfied with Harris as the Democratic nominee a marked increase from earlier in July, when about half of Black adults and 15% of Hispanic adults felt satisfied with Biden as the Democrats expected nominee. (The poll did not include enough Asian adults to analyze their responses separately.) The share of younger adults (those under the age of 45) who say they would be satisfied with Harris as the nominee, at around 4 in 10, is higher than the 17% who said they were satisfied with Biden in July. Bryan Seigler, a Democrat from Raleigh, North Carolina, praised Harris' broad appeal and pointed to a contrast that Democrats weren't able to make before. Donald Trump is the old guy now, said Seigler, 36. The new poll shows that Harris' overall favorability has risen slightly, from 39% at the beginning of the summer before the debate to 46% now. Democrats opinions of Harris have also shifted in a slightly more positive direction. Eight in 10 Democrats have a positive view of Harris, up slightly from around 7 in 10 in early June. Harris would be a historic candidate she would be the first woman to win the presidency, as well as the first Black woman, the first South Asian American, and the first Asian American. Around 4 in 10 Americans say that it would be a good thing for the country to elect either a woman or a person of color to be president. Even more about 6 in 10 when asked about electing a person of color and about half when asked about electing a woman say it does not matter. Majorities of Democrats, however, say it would be good for the country to elect a woman or person of color. Views of Bidens decision Most Americans, 54%, say they have heard or read a lot about Bidens decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. About three-quarters of Americans approve of his decision to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for president, including most Democrats and Republicans. For many Democrats, Bidens catastrophic June 27 debate showed that even if they were largely satisfied with his accomplishments during his time in office the incumbent president should not be running for a second term because of concerns about how his age was affecting his public performance or his ability to campaign effectively against Trump. When I watched the debate, you could just tell his cognitive ability was hardly there, said Julian Castaneda, a Democrat in Pocatello, Idaho. He had a hard time forming sentences and a lot of his responses, I couldnt even understand what he was saying. At his age right now, it was appropriate for him to stand aside. Biden's choice to endorse Harris as the Democratic nominee for president is slightly more divisive, with about half of U.S. adults in support, though Democrats overwhelmingly approve. There are similar levels of support for Bidens decision to serve out the rest of his presidential term. Withdrawing from the race didn't do much to change Americans' views of Biden overall. About 4 in 10 Americans approve of how Biden is handling his job as president. That number is roughly in line with where it has been for the last two years. Bidens favorability ratings are similar to where they were before he dropped out of the race, with about 4 in 10 adults and about three-quarters of Democrats holding a positive view. Americans see a tough election contest for Harris Even as the new Harris campaign has reasons for optimism, the vice president faces an opponent who is better known by the country and who has a reputation for a loyal base of support. Most Americans perceive Trump as having the advantage going into the November election. A majority of U.S. adults say that if Trump and Harris are the candidates, Trump is more likely to win. About 9 in 10 Republicans say Trump is more likely to become president, while only about 7 in 10 Democrats say that about Harris. Schulman thinks Harris is more likely to win this fall. Still, she added: Democrats, were like a real, nervous, paranoid bunch these days." ___ The poll of 1,143 adults was conducted July 25-29, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points. ___ Follow the AP's coverage of the 2024 election at https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024. I-84 emergency access gate in Wawayanda, built in wake of fatal bus crash, is complete WAWAYANDA - A new emergency access gate system has been built on Interstate 84 in Orange County, 10 months after a bus crashed there, killing two people. The access gate was added at county Route 49 in the town of Wawayanda. The lack of a direct access point to I-84 in that area, which local emergency responders had been urging be built for years, was highlighted last year when one of six chartered buses carrying students from the Farmingdale school district on Long Island to a band camp in Greeley, Pa. crashed into a ravine on Sept. 21. 2023. An emergency access point for Interstate 84 at the intersection of County Route 49 in the town of Wawayanda on July 31, 2024. The bus was carrying four adults and 40 students. Beatrice Ferrari, 77, a retired teacher serving as a chaperone, and Gina Pellettiere, 43, the school's band director, were killed in the crash. All of the students were injured, five of them critically. An emergency access point for Interstate 84 at the intersection of County Route 49 in the town of Wawayanda on July 31, 2024. Emergency responders said at the time if there had been an emergency access gate in that area about halfway between the Goshen and Mountain Road exits their response time could have been reduced by 10 or 15 minutes. The Federal Highway Administration approved the Wawayanda access point earlier this year, and the state Department of Transportation, which designed the gate system, coordinated with the town to expedite construction. An emergency access point for Interstate 84 at the intersection of County Route 49 in the town of Wawayanda on July 31, 2024. How we got here: I-84 emergency access gate support grows after fatal bus crash "Since the horrific bus crash last September, my administration has been focused on working with our federal and local partners to expedite the construction of this access gate to protect New Yorkers," New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement released by her office Wednesday. "This access gate makes this stretch of roadway safer, and provides a faster, more direct way for first responders to reach Interstate 84 and save lives." Under a formal agreement between the state DOT and the town of Wawayanda, the DOT designed and installed the entranceway and access gate, and the town will maintain the entranceway and ramp going forward, and ensure that designated emergency service vehicles are able to use it to reach the highway. Twisted cable barriers and construction barrels mark the location on Interstate 84 in Slate Hill near where a bus lost control and rolled down the median causing 2 fatalities on Thursday. The NTSB will hold a press conference later on Friday Sept. 22, 2023 with their findings. The town also will perform snow and ice removal, and periodically inspect the gate make sure it is secured. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Pat Ryan and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus all issued statements expressing their gratitude for the completion of the access gate project. Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record and the Poughkeepsie Journal. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com. This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: After I-84 fatal bus crash, NY builds new emergency access gate Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the man who planned the September 11 terror attacks in 2001 that killed nearly 3,000 people, has accepted a plea deal for a life sentence, according to prosecutors. Mohammed, along with two accomplices, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, will avoid the death penalty as part of the agreement to end the conspiracy case against them, according to The New York Times, which reported on the deal. News of the plea came in a letter from military prosecutors to family members of those who died in the attacks. In exchange for the removal of the death penalty as a possible punishment, these three accused have agreed to plead guilty to all of the charged offenses, including the murder of the 2,976 people listed in the charge sheet, the letter reads, according to the paper. Some of those who were impacted by 9/11 disapproved of the deal. This photo obtained 01 March, 2003, shows, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, alleged organizer of the September 11, 2001, attacks, shortly after his capture (HO/AFP via Getty Images) I am very disappointed. We waited patiently for a long time. I wanted the death penalty the government has failed us, Daniel DAllara, whose brother, NYPD officer John DAllara, was killed on 9/11, told The New York Post. The Office of Military Commissions (OMC) told the Post the terms of the agreement were not immediately available, and that the pleas will be officially announced on Thursday, with sentencing set to begin on August 5. A military commission will still need to be empaneled to accept the pleas, consider evidence used in the sentencing, and hear testimony from victims. Terry Strada, national chairperson of 9/11 Families United, told The Associated Press she wished the case had gone to a full trial. For me personally, I wanted to see a trial, she said. And they just took away the justice I was expecting, a trial and the punishment. They were cowards when they planned the attack. And theyre cowards today, she added. Mohammed, a Kuwaiti-born Al-Qaeda terrorist, often referred to by his initials KSM, was born in Kuwait, educated in the US, and later fought in Afghanistan in the 1980s. In 1996, he presented Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden with the plan to hijack commercial airliners and fly them into sensitive sites across the US for the attack that later became 9/11. The eventual plot targeted the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City as well as the Pentagon. A third hijacked plane, bound for the US Capitol, crashed in Pennsylvania. KSM was hunted down and captured in Pakistan in 2003, and subject to torture at secret CIA black site prisons, including rectal rehydration, stress positions, and sleep deprivation, as well as waterboarding, an interrogation technique meant to simulate the experience of drowning. The conspiracy case against the trio of plotters has been in pretrial proceedings for more than a decade. Defense lawyers argued that the governments repeated use of torture in the mens detention Mohammed alone was waterboarded 183 times contaminated the evidence that would appear at a future trial. At the heart of the commissions problems is their original sin, torture, John Baker, former defense counsel at the Military Commissions Defense Organization, testified at the Senate in 2021. The United States chose to secretly detain and torture the men it now seeks to punish. The process to try KSM and his accomplices at a military court at Guantanamo, which operates under different rules than the normal US criminal legal system, has been beset with other delays, including an 18-month pause during the height of the Covid pandemic, and an Obama administration plan to try the plotter in New York, which was rejected by local officials and Congress. Amnesty International praised officials for securing a form of accountability in the 9/11 attacks, but condemned the glacial pace of the case against the attackers and called on the US to shut down the military prison. A U.S. Army soldier stands at the entrance to Camp Delta where detainees from the U.S. war in Afghanistan live April 7, 2004 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (Getty Images) Guantanamo has long been criticized for the use of torture on detainees and the fact that many of those detained there have been in military custody for years without formally being charged with crimes. Finally, after more than 20 years, there will be some accountability for the 9/11 attacks, and justice for the victims and survivors of those horrific crimes, Daphne Eviatar, director of the Security with Human Rights program at Amnesty International USA, said in a statement to The Independent. We are also pleased that there is finally an outcome for at least some of the accused, who were tortured and then languished in detention without trial for more than two decades. Last year, Joe Biden rejected parts of a potential plea deal for the detainees, over demands the men be spared solitary confinement and receive trauma care for their torture at the hands of the CIA, the National Security Council said at the time. Negotiations over a potential plea reportedly began in 2022. Two others accused in the 9/11 case, are not part of the plea deal. Last year, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, accused of organizing the 9/11 plots Hamburg cell, was found not mentally competent to stand trial. Alleged plotter Ammar al-Baluchi could still face trial, though torture issues will likely complicate that process as well. The CIA detainee, once held in Afghanistan, was used as a human prop to teach interrogators torture techniques and had his head repeatedly slammed against a wall by trainees so they could receive certification, leaving him with head injuries, according to declassified documents. Three of the five 9/11 defendants at Guantanamo Bay -- including alleged mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed -- have reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday. Gary B. Sowards, the lead attorney Mohammed, confirmed to ABC News on Wednesday evening that the agreement does not include the death penalty but means his client will essentially serve life in prison. The trial of the five 9/11 conspirators had been stuck in legal delays for almost a decade. No details about the specific terms and conditions of the pre-trial agreement were made public by the DOD. The other two conspirators who have agreed to the agreement aside from Mohammed are Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi. The families of 9/11 victims were the first to be notified of the plea deal earlier on Wednesday in a letter from Rear Admiral Aaron Rugh, the chief prosecutor in the case. A copy of the letter, obtained by ABC News, said that in exchange for taking the death penalty off the table, the three will plead guilty to all charges, including the murder of 2,976 people. They will be sentenced by a panel of military officers. They also agreed to respond to questions from the verified 9/11 family members "regarding their roles and reasons for conducting" the attacks. The defendants will submit their responses within 90 days. Patrick White, cousin of Louis Nacke II who was a passenger on United 93 -- the flight where passengers attempted to retake the plane from hijackers, and in the struggle, the aircraft crashed in a field in Pennsylvania -- told ABC News, "I've made my peace with it." He added that he believes "life in prison along with an admission of guilt that they were complicit in [the] murder of loved ones" was what he was hoping would result from the plea talks. MORE: Acting Secret Service director grilled about Trump assassination attempt as new details emerge A White House National Security Council spokesperson told ABC News that the White House learned that the Convening Authority for Military Commissions entered into pretrial agreements with Mohammed and the other two 9/11 defendants on Wednesday. The spokesperson also said that the president and White House played no role in the process. Two other 9/11 defendants did not participate in the trial agreement, though only one of them, Ammar al Baluchi, could actually face trial proceedings at Guantanamo. Last September a military judge ruled that the Ramzi bin al Shibh, the other defendant not participating in the plea agreement, was mentally incompetent to stand trial. In a statement about the plea agreement, Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice, said, "We are deeply troubled by these plea deals." He added that the group acknowledged the decision to avoid the death penalty but wants more access "to these individuals for information." "These plea deals should not perpetuate a system of closed-door agreements, where crucial information is hidden without giving the families of the victims the chance to learn the full truth," he said. The ACLU issued a statement saying the DOD's decision was the "right call." "The government's decision to settle for life imprisonment instead of seeking the death penalty in the case of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed is the right call," Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, said in a statement. "It's also the only practical solution after nearly two decades of litigation. For too long, the U.S. has repeatedly defended its use of torture and unconstitutional military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay. The military commissions were doomed from the start and the governments torture of these defendants makes this plea both necessary and just. Finally, closing the chapter on these cases with a plea agreement will also provide a measure of transparency and justice for 9/11 family members." PHOTO: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, alleged organizer of the September 11 attacks, shortly after his capture, March 1, 2003. (AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Trump questions Harris' race in NABJ interview, says VP pick 'does not have any impact' Last September, ABC News reported that President Joe Biden rejected a set of demands to form a basis for plea negotiations offered by the five defendants. Biden agreed with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's recommendation not to accept their demands, known as "joint policy principles," that they wanted prior to entering into plea agreement talks with prosecutors. According to the New York Times, those demands included avoiding solitary confinement and receiving health treatment for injuries the detainees claim were a result of CIA interrogation methods when they were in the CIAs "black prisons." "The 9/11 attacks were the single worst assault on the United States since Pearl Harbor," a National Security Council spokesperson told ABC News in a statement in September 2023. "The President does not believe that accepting the joint policy principles as a basis for a pre-trial agreement would be appropriate in these circumstances. The Administration is committed to ensuring that the military commissions process is fair and delivers justice to the victims, survivors, families, and those accused of crimes." The five detainees were transferred to the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2006. Their case has been held up by legal proceedings for years, with no trial date set. On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, two hijacked passenger jets flew into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, marking the start of a series of coordinated attacks that day against the United States by the Afghanistan-based terrorist group al-Qaida. Nearly 3,000 people were killed that day and thousands more were injured. -ABC News' Michelle Stoddart contributed to this report. 9/11 alleged mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and 2 others reach plea deal originally appeared on abcnews.go.com After an intense round of negotiations Wednesday, the Abilene Police Officers Association has reached an agreement with the city of Abilene. Amongst other line items, the city has agreed to strike mandatory fitness standards in a move that police Chief Ron Seratte says should increase participation. In years past, there was "a higher level of participation in the program before it became mandatory," Seratte said Wednesday. Abilene police Chief Ron Seratte listens as City Manager Robert Hanna discusses new police contract details with representatives of the Abilene Police Officers Association June 13. He also said that they "are trying to get back to that," and that he anticipates a return to those levels by incentivizing the program instead. Both sides of the table also agreed to call that section of the agreement "Wellness" instead of "Fitness." Moving forward, the new five-year contract with the city will have to be approved by both the APOA and the Abilene City Council to be ratified. What salary? While City Manager Robert Hanna attempted to push through a six-year agreement, that was not the final decision. After a series of caucuses back and forth by both sides of the table, each side agreed to a five-year contract which allowed for several items for the APOA, to include the city paying officers at a rate of an average salary plus 4%. The average salary will be based upon Abilene's 10 sister cities which have been previously agreed upon in years past by the Abilene City Council. Hanna noted that the list includes such Texas cities as San Angelo and Wichita Falls. He was quick to point out, however, that the list does not include Tye or Merkel after the APOA had noted that if those cities joined the list, their salaries could decrease. While the APOA pushed to have a clause written into the contract that would allow for salary fluctuations if the sister cities were to change in the future, city staff pushed back. Abilene City Manager Robert Hanna emphasizes his point during negotiations with the Abilene Police Officers Association regarding a new contract for officers June 13. Hanna noted that the list of sister cities has always been in the best interest of the association and that he didn't anticipate Tye or Merkel joining that list anytime soon. He also noted that larger cities could join the list in the future much to the benefit of the officers of the association. In a follow-up statement Wednesday, Hanna said the sister cities were chosen in 2001, and he and his staff believe that the list includes the following: "Carrolton, Denton, Grand Prairie, Killeen, Lubbock, Midland, Odessa, San Angelo, Waco and Wichita Falls." 'Fitness' now deemed 'wellness' One of the items on APOA's list was to strike the word "fitness" from the agreement and instead title that section "Wellness." Hanna quickly agreed to that request, and also agreed to abolish mandatory fitness standards as per earlier negotiations. Instead, officers will receive a health physical every two years paid for by the city in lieu of participating in a mandatory physical fitness assessment, as Chris Adams, president of the police association, suggested in the May 30 negotiations. The "new program will focus more on officers' overall health and incentivize officers to participate," APD Public Information Coordinator Rick Tomlin said in an earlier statement. In the meeting, however, Seratte seemed optimistic about the new wellness program. He said Wednesday that participation should be higher as it was in the years prior to the mandatory fitness test. To see a complete list of all the asks from the APOA, see the previous coverage. The move to strike fitness standards Physically fit for duty? Abilene police association asks city to shed mandatory standards What negotations? Retirement, pay, promotions: Police association begins contract negotiations with city This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene police association and city reach an agreement Voting carrels set up at Madison's Hawthorne Library on Election Day 2022. (Henry Redman | Wisconsin Examiner) In-person absentee voting started this week in Wisconsin as voters across the state started casting ballots in the August primary elections. The primary election takes place on Aug. 13, with in-person absentee locations opening on Monday. Each municipality in Wisconsin sets its own dates and hours for in-person early voting, but that option is available until Aug. 11 at the latest. For most voters, the deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is Aug. 9, however ballots must be returned by the time polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Absentee ballots can be returned to local municipal clerks offices, put into the mail or returned to absentee ballot drop boxes which are legal again in the state after a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision earlier this summer. The deadline to register to vote at a municipal clerks office is Aug. 9, but Wisconsin allows people to register in-person on Election Day. To register to vote, a person needs a valid ID and proof of residence. On the ballot in August are partisan primaries for state and federal positions, including legislative and congressional races. Wisconsin has an open primary system, which means a voter does not need to be a registered member of a party to vote in its primary, however voters can only vote in one primary. For example, if someone in Wisconsins 3rd Congressional District votes for Erik Hovde in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, they cannot also vote in the contested Democratic primary for the U.S. House of Representatives. Local primaries are also on the ballot, with voters going to the polls to narrow down the field for positions across the state. Additionally, two constitutional referenda are on the ballot, with voters deciding if a Republican-authored proposal to limit the governors ability to spend certain types of federal funding without legislative approval should be passed into law. For information on voting, your polling place, and what will appear on your ballot, check MyVote.wi.gov SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Officials said an alleged drunk driver is facing more than 10 charges after he slammed into a Stafford County deputys cruiser while fleeing from a traffic stop on Thursday night. The Stafford County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) said just after 11 p.m., a deputy was at the intersection of Garrisonville Road and Salisbury Drive when he noticed an SUV with an equipment violation. DC police identify man fatally shot near Catholic University Officials said the deputy stopped the SUV on Jessica Cheney Bridge. Thats when the driver sped away and crashed into the back of the deputys cruiser. Stafford County Deputy cruiser damages in crash on July 29. (Photo Courtesy: Stafford County Sheriffs Office) Police said the driver, identified as 39-year-old Stephen Alexander, swerved between lanes and ran a red light on Richmond Highway. As he crossed into the Aquia Harbour area, police stopped him. The Sheriffs Office said during his arrest, he showed signs of intoxication and allegedly had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. Fairfax County police investigating deadly domestic-related stabbing in Fair Lakes Deputies later learned that Alexanders license was revoked because of a prior DUI last year. He was charged with a second offense of driving under the influence within five years, felony hit and run, driving while revoked, driving without an ignition interlock system and other related charges. Alexander was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. The deputy involved in the crash was uninjured Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- China's electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure continued to increase in the first half (H1) of this year, thanks to the rapid expansion of the country's EV market. By the end of June, the total number of charging piles in China reached 10.24 million units, an increase of 54 percent year on year, Zhang Xing, a spokesperson for the National Energy Administration (NEA) told a press conference Wednesday. These facilities have met the charging needs of 24 million new energy vehicles across the country, Zhang added. During the period, the country's new energy vehicles have consumed a total of 51.3 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, expanding 40 percent over the same period last year, according to Zhang. The NEA has promoted the building of charging facilities in rural areas to tap the potential of EV sales, Zhang noted, adding that one-third of the country's provincial-level regions have built charging piles in towns and villages. China's new energy vehicle market has steadily advanced in H1, with the production and sales of such vehicles up by 30.1 percent and 32 percent year on year, respectively, industry data have showed. (BCN) Holding signs that read house keys not handcuffs and sleeping is not a crime, protesters gathered Tuesday in front of San Franciscos Hotel Whitcomb to denounce recent measures they said would criminalize people facing homelessness. Instead of arresting those sleeping outdoors, advocates called for city leaders to house homeless people in vacant spaces, such as Hotel Whitcomb. The hotel has remained closed to the public since it was utilized by the city to house homeless individuals in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tuesdays rally on Market Street followed a late June decision by the U.S. Supreme Court and subsequent actions and announcements from state and city leaders. Former SF nonprofit director arrested on 34 felony charges After the Supreme Court overturned lower court rulings that found it cruel under the Eighth Amendment to punish people for sleeping outdoors, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to clear homeless encampments, and San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced the authorization of aggressive camp sweeps expected this August. Speaking at the podium Tuesday, San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston thanked homeless advocates for continuing to work toward housing people no matter which way the political winds shift, no matter what Trumps Supreme Court says, no matter what our mayor says during an election year. The problem is, whenever we do these things and they start to work, a bunch of very, very wealthy people realize that to sustain that work, theyre going to have to help fund it, Preston said. And so, they go out of their way to come up with these ridiculous and cruel narratives that somehow people are homeless because they dont want to be housed, which is absolutely absurd and offensive. Breeds office did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday, but the mayor previously released statements saying San Francisco is a city that prioritizes compassion. And we will continue to lead with services, but we cannot allow for people to refuse services and shelter when offered and available, Breeds statement continued. In a video embedded in a July 25 press release from the governors office, Newsom said he didnt think there was anything more urgent and more frustrating than addressing the issue of encampments in the state of California. Over the course of the last number of years, the state has stepped up, where in the past, we provided no support, no resources, to cities and counties to clean up encampments, Newsom said, further noting the previous legal challenges local governments faced when attempting to clean up encampments prior to the Supreme Courts decision. Its time to move with urgency at the local level to clean up these sites to focus on public health and focus on public safety. There are no longer any excuses. Also present at the demonstration Tuesday were representatives of local advocacy organizations, such as Young Womens Freedom Center and Coalition on Homelessness, along with those who were formerly homeless and John Do, senior attorney for the Racial & Economic Justice Program at the ACLU of Northern California. The Eighth Amendment no longer stops the government from arresting you and jailing you for just sleeping outside, but that decision doesnt end other civil rights and important protections that we all have, Do said at the demonstration. So were still here, and were going to defend things like due process, equal protection, the Fourth and 14th Amendment, and state and local protections too. So the fights not over. Preston called it unconscionable that the city has vacant apartments with people sleeping on the streets. The U.S. Census Bureaus most recent American Community Survey on occupancy status in San Francisco found about 52,600 units to be vacant in the city. The 2024 Point in Time count, which captures the number of those experiencing homelessness on a given night in January, counted 8,323 individuals. The Supreme Court issued the invitation and authorized cities and states all across the nation to criminalize poverty, to sweep and arrest homeless people for the crime of being homeless even when theyre not offered anywhere to go, Preston said. Local officials in San Francisco should reject that invitation to criminalize being homeless. Copyright 2024 Bay City News, Inc. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Aerial spraying is scheduled this week over northeast Modesto to combat an increase in mosquitoes capable of spreading illness to people. In a news release, East Side Mosquito Abatement District said about 6,300 acres will be sprayed from the air Thursday between 9 and 11 p.m. The aerial application could be reset for Friday, same time, if there is inclement weather, the district said. Surveillance is showing an increase in culex mosquitoes, which can transmit the West Nile virus. Another species, aedes aegypti, also is a target of the spraying. That species can carry dengue and Zika and is suspected of transmitting dengue to two people in Los Angeles County last year, though the viruses are not believed to be present in Stanislaus County. The aerial applications over Modesto will use Dibrom. The insecticide registered by the Environmental Protection Agency contains naled as the active ingredient to control adult mosquitoes. Small amounts of the insecticide are sprayed at a rate of 0.75 fluid ounces per acre, the news release said. The area targeted for spraying is north of Dry Creek, mostly between McHenry Avenue on the west and Claus Road on the east. Sylvan Avenue is roughly the northernmost boundary for the aerial applications. We are picking up mosquitoes that are positive (for West Nile), East Side District Manager Wakoli Wekesa said. We have a lot of mosquitoes and they are positive, so we know we are going to see more cases (of infection.) The East Side district is contracting with Vector Disease Control Inc. of Sacramento, which has twin-engine planes permitted to fly over residential neighborhoods. East Side has only a single-engine plane. People in the areas targeted for spraying in northeast Modesto should keep their windows closed and stay indoors if possible when the aircraft is over their neighborhood, the news release said. The spray should clear in a few minutes. Along with a case of West Nile infection in Stanislaus County in July, Fresno and Yuba counties have reported cases this year. The virus has been detected in numerous counties in California. In fewer than 1% of infections, the virus causes a severe neurological illness that may be life-threatening. Some people suffer milder symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches. Residents can minimize the mosquitoes around their homes by dumping and draining standing water. Saucers for potted plants are a favored breeding place for aedes aegypti mosquitoes. People are advised to use insect repellent before going outside in the morning or evening. Also check windows and door screens to keep mosquitoes from getting into your home. For more information, contact the East Side Mosquito Abatement District at 209-522-4098. BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany campaigned intensely on behalf of Rico Krieger, a German recently pardoned from a death sentence in Belarus, and will continue to do so with the aim of getting him back to Germany as quickly as possible, a foreign ministry spokesperson said. News of his pardoning was "a relief, and you will not be surprised that we found it was long overdue," said the spokesperson at a regular news conference on Wednesday. The BelTA state news agency reported on Tuesday that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had decided to pardon Krieger, sentenced to death on terrorism and other charges. (Reporting by Miranda Murray, editing by Kirsti Knolle) Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) is accusing the American Israel Public Affairs Committees (AIPAC) super PAC, United Democracy Project, of distorting a photo of her in mailers pressing against her reelection. It is shameful that in 2024, our communities are still being targeted with such blatant racism from political campaigns, let alone in a Democratic primary, Bush told The Hill in a statement. The people of St. Louis deserve better than to see their first Black Congresswoman racistly distorted into a caricature I shouldnt have to ask my opponent to condemn his biggest funders for putting out an ad like this and to apologize to the people of this district. Patrick Dorton, a spokesperson for the United Democracy Project, said in a statement to The Hill that the accusation the images were manipulated was completely false and absurd. Dorton said it is an attempt by Cori Bush and her allies to distract from the fact that she is one of the least effective members of Congress, has missed tons of votes, hasnt passed a single bill, and has opposed President Biden on key issues. The Intercept first reported the images. The mailer included a photo of Bush from a Missouri Independent article. The Intercepts story showed an image of the photo used in the mailer. In that photo, Bushs forehead appeared to be enlarged and her chin seemed to jut out more. Her skin tone also looked paler. AIPAC has targeted Bushs primary because of her outspoken criticism of Israels war in Gaza. She is facing a tough primary challenge from St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell. The Squad member has called the ongoing war Israels ethnic cleansing campaign, and earlier this year she introduced the Ceasefire Now Resolution. Some of her rhetoric has been met with backlash from other congressional members, but also constituents in her own district. I think [her] comments show a lack of understanding of the nuance and complexities of an issue thats literally hundreds of years in the making, Bell said when he announced his campaign. According to Sludge, AIPAC has helped raise two-thirds of the campaign funding for Bell. The United Democracy Project has spent a total of $7 million to oust Bush. This is just the latest incident in which a Black politician has said their image was distorted in political ads. Bush previously claimed that ads from her 2020 opponent, former Rep. William Lacy Clay, who is also Black, darkened her skin. In 2022, a firm working for New York Rep. Jamaal Bowmans (D) opponent ran ads that also darkened Bowmans skin. Bowman was also targeted by AIPAC earlier this year and lost his primary. During the 2020 Georgia Senate race, Republican ads darkened Sen. Raphael Warnocks (D) skin. And former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abramss campaign also accused opponents of darkening her skin tone in ads. Justice Democrats, a coalition focused on electing progressive Democrats, said Bell should condemn the mailers and apologize to the people of St. Louis for allowing his biggest financial backers to promote outright racism. In Wesley Bells name, AIPAC is peddling racist caricatures to attack Missouris first Black Congresswoman in a disgusting new low even for them, Usamah Andrabi, a Justice Democrats spokesperson, said in a statement to The Hill. The Hill has reached out to Bells campaign for comment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Mobile fire group. Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Russian UAVs were detected in Kyiv Oblast on the night of 30-31 July, and air defence forces were deployed to respond to them. Source: Kyiv Oblast Military Administration (KOMA); Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA); Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko Quote from KOMA: "Enemy drones have been detected in the airspace. Air defence is responding to the targets. Stay in shelters until the all-clear is given. Take care of your own safety." Quote from KCMA: "Air defence is actively responding to enemy drones in the oblast and on the approaches to Kyiv." Updated: Explosions were heard in Kyiv Oblast again at around 03:00. The KCMA reported at 03:13 that air defence continued to respond to Russian drones over Kyiv Oblast and on the approaches to the city. Klitschko reported at 04:05 that several drones were attempting to penetrate Kyiv from different directions. Thats why air defence responding to them can be heard in the city. Background: On the evening of 30 July, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that air defence was responding in Kyiv Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall has shed some more light on the status of the new sixth-generation stealth combat jet under development as part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. Were taking a pause, Kendall said this morning, before reiterating that while fighter at the heart of the wider NGAD initiative will have a human pilot to start with, an optionally crewed version might be developed too. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall has shed some more light on the status of the new sixth-generation stealth combat jet under development as part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. Were taking a pause, Kendall said this morning, before reiterating that while the fighter at the heart of the wider NGAD initiative will have a human pilot to start with, an optionally crewed version might ultimately be developed too. See the update at the bottom of the story for additional details Speaking at the Life Cycle Industry Days conference in Dayton, Ohio, Kendall explained that the pause of several months in the NGAD program was needed to figure out whether weve got the right design and make sure were on the right course. Refuting recent questions about the future of the program, the Secretary of the Air Force reiterated: Im absolutely confident were still going to do a sixth-generation crewed aircraft. A rendering of a notional crewed sixth-generation stealth combat aircraft. Collins Aerospace Kendall described the NGAD program as being at the pivotal stage when you really have your last chance to think very carefully about, Have I really got the right design here? Is this the right concept? Is it the right operational concept? Is it the right program concept, design concept? The Air Force is yet to decide on the design and prime contractor for the NGAD fighter element, although the contenders are widely thought to be Boeing and Lockheed Martin after Northrop Grumman stepped away from the program last year. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall. U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya Andy Morataya Its notable that the pause only affects the fighter and not the other elements of NGAD. With the rest of the elements of the air dominance family of systems, were moving forward as fast as we can, Kendall confirmed. The broader NGAD initiative also contains programs focused on the development of advanced drones with high degrees of autonomy, as well as new jet engines, weapons, electronic warfare suites, sensors, battle management capabilities, and other systems. As for whether the NGAD fighter element would also be produced in an uncrewed version, Kendall said that, while the current technology didnt support this, Theres a chance it might be uncrewed in the future. At the same time, we could always do something like an optional crewed platform, Kendall added. A composite of renderings Lockheed Martin previously released showing a crewed sixth-generation stealth combat aircraft concept being refueled in mid-air. Lockheed Martin We have previously noted that an optionally crewed version of the NGAD fighter could be a distinct possibility, something that will be reflected in the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, too. While the Air Force hasnt given up on such aspirations, Kendalls words suggest that the timeline for these kinds of capabilities being realized has been delayed. A B-21 Raider conducts a flight test at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Photo courtesy of David Henry, Northrop Grumman A B-21 Raider conducts flight tests, which includes ground testing, taxiing, and flying operations, at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where it continues to make progress toward becoming the backbone of the U.S. Air Force bomber fleet. The B-21 will possess the range, access, and payload to penetrate the most highly-contested threat environments and hold any target around the globe at risk. The B-21 program is on track to deliver aircraft in the mid-2020s to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, which will be the first B-21 main operating base and location for the B-21 formal training unit. (Photo courtesy of David Henry, Northrop Grumman) Kendalls comments today are somewhat more upbeat than statements he made earlier this month when he had spoken of worries about affordability problems across the Air Force adversely affecting NGAD. At the same time, Kendall had also hinted that the fighter component of NGAD might not necessarily be a crewed design a statement that he has now reversed. At a round table earlier this month, Kendall had said Were going to take a hard look at NGAD, leading to concerns about the future of the program. He had also suggested that there could still be significant changes to the core requirements for the fighter component and that he was only reasonably confident that its going to be crewed. As we have discussed before, the Air Force is currently grappling with some significant budget problems, with certain key programs including the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) seeing some big price hikes. In the case of Sentinel, the programs estimated cost growth stands at 81 percent. A rendering of the Air Forces future LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile. Northrop Grumman In the past, Kendall has also suggested that the Air Force might be willing to drop certain capabilities from the NGAD fighter, to help reduce the cost. The expected price tag is significant, with each copy of the new fighter expected to be around $250 million based on publicly available data. That is equivalent to around three times the cost of a single F-35 stealth fighter. Kendall didnt provide any more information today on the timeline for the NGAD fighter, although Air Force Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, head of Air Combat Command, said earlier this month that he expected a winning design to be selected before the end of the year. Overall, however, it seems that the Air Force is following the lead of the U.S. Navy, which had previously decided to slow down its own F/A-XX program, for a carrier-based next-generation fighter, to help budget for other major programs. An even more drastic cut to the Navy program is also under consideration. A rendering of a notional sixth-generation crewed stealth combat aircraft for the U.S. Navy flying alongside an advanced drone. Boeing Even with the latest details from the Secretary of the Air Force, we dont know for sure when the NGAD fighter design will be selected or how long it will take to get into service. Clearly, the program is at something of a crossroads, but Kendall today was eager to reiterate its importance within the Air Forces future plans. We are also no closer to an understanding of exactly what the new fighter might look like or the full scope of its capabilities. However, Kendalls words today point to the fighter initially being fielded in a crewed version, although officials are clearly still looking into the potential of an optionally manned version, too. UPDATE: 7:50 PM EST The War Zone has received additional details about the current status of the NGAD combat jet effort from a U.S. Air Force spokesperson: We are pausing source selection of the Next Generation Air Dominance platform as we reconsider the design based on changing threats and affordability, the spokesperson said. Following concept definition, the Air Force is planning to develop and procure an NGAD platform. We dont have any additional information on the timeline. I dont have any details on the requirements that I can release, they added in response to a direct query about whether the existing program requirements called for a pilot-optional design. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Airlines sued to block fee disclosures. They just won the first round. Airlines sued to block fee disclosures. They just won the first round. A federal appeals court on Monday temporarily blocked new Biden administration rules requiring airlines to disclose fees for things like checking bags and changing flights that can boost ticket costs. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit sided with major airlines and a trade group, which challenged the rule, finding that the Transportation Department likely exceed [its] authority and that the rule will irreparably harm airlines. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. The panels decision drew a rebuke from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who said in a message posted on X that the department will continue to defend the rule. The airline industry lobby is trying to tie this up with lawsuits, but we will not back down from protecting passengers. Airlines are simply wrong to argue that merely having to disclose their fees would irreparably harm them. Its common sense, Buttigieg said. Airlines for America, the group that joined airlines in the case, did not comment on the panels ruling. The rule would have required airlines or flight booking sites to tell consumers what the fees are for checking a first or second bag, for carrying on a bag and changing or canceling a reservation the first time the fare is provided. Buttigieg said the rule would bring more transparency to the ticket buying process, which has grown more complex as airlines have sought to boost revenue by adding fees for services that used to be included in the ticket price. The Transportation Department estimated the rule could save travelers more than $500 million a year. Airlines, however, blasted the rule, which was set to go into effect July 1, as overreach. In a petition filed in May with the appeals court, they characterized it as arbitrary, capricious and beyond the Transportation Departments authority. The panels decision on Monday means the rule will be on hold pending further proceedings before the court. The fee disclosure rule is part of President Bidens effort to target junk fees and ensure that consumers arent misled when they purchase airline tickets. Customers, particularly those who arent frequent travelers, arent always aware they must pay additional fees for checked bags or itinerary changes. Such ancillary fees have become a huge revenue generator for airlines. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, airlines collected nearly $5.5 billion in baggage fees alone last year. This and other rules regarding refunds were spurred in part by the record number of complaints that the Biden administration received during the coronavirus pandemic. Consumers alleged that airlines and ticket agents delayed or refused to provide refunds when millions of passengers stopped flying during the height of the pandemic. Airlines have generally opposed new regulations and disputed the contention that they are not responsive to consumer concerns, arguing that it is in their best interest to provide consumers with a positive experience. Buttigieg criticized Delta Air Lines this month for flight cancellations and delays that stretched for nearly a week and affected 500,000 customers following a global IT outage earlier this month caused by a defective update for CrowdStrike security software. He announced the department would investigate why Delta stumbled even as its rivals quickly recovered and whether it broke rules including one that requires it provide cash refunds to customers who seek them. Regulators launched a similar probe of Southwest after a December 2022 meltdown and fined the carrier $140 million. Related Content Migrants from China walk the line to U.S. border, testing Biden and Xi They have jobs, but no homes. Inside Americas unseen homelessness crisis. A Trump sharks tale: Whether to be eaten or electrocuted Two Al Jazeera correspondents were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Al-Shati refugee camp, northern Gaza, on Wednesday, sparking condemnation from advocacy groups and highlighting the dangers for local reporters covering the horrors of Israels offensive. Ismail Al-Ghoul and cameraman, Rami Al-Rifi, who lived in the besieged enclave, were killed in an airstrike on their car in Al-Shati, according to the Qatar-based network. The journalists, both aged 27, were reporting live for much of the day from a location close to the family home of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Tuesday. Al-Ghoul was wearing a press flak vest when he was killed, according to his colleague. He had not seen his wife and two-year-old daughter Zeina, who were displaced in central Gaza, in 10 months. These days are not like any other, he said in a post on X in June. Zeina began running, talking, asking questions She was growing up without me seeing her. A third Palestinian, 16-year-old Khaled Al-Shawa, was also killed in the strike on Wednesday, according to local reporters. Footage on social media filmed in the aftermath of the attack shows his lifeless body sprawled in the street. Al-Shawa was an only child, reporters told CNN. The teenager had been riding his orange bicycle to deliver food for an elderly resident in the local neighborhood, before he was killed, according to Saudi-backed broadcaster Al-Arabiya. Al Jazeera condemned what it claimed was the targeted assassination of its journalists by Israeli forces, claiming the attack was part of a systematic targeting campaign against the networks journalists and their families since October 2023. In a statement to CNN Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli Security Agency alleged Al-Ghoul was a member of Hamas military wing and had participated in the attack on Israel on October 7. The IDF alleged that as part of his role in the military wing, Al-Ghoul instructed other operatives on how to record operations and was actively involved in recording and publicizing attacks against IDF troops. His activities in the field were a vital part of Hamas military activity. The IDF did not provide CNN with any proof for their allegations. The IDF did not allege that Al-Ghoul had a direct combat role in its statement to CNN, nor did it address the killing of his colleague Rami al Rifi in the same strike. Al Jazeera denied what it called baseless allegations made by the Israeli occupation forces in an attempt to justify its deliberate killing of our colleague, journalist Ismail Al-Ghoul, and his companion, cameraman Rami Al-Rifi. It said the IDF had made accusations against Al-Ghoul without providing any proof, documentation or video, and accused Israel of a long history of fabrications and false evidence used to cover up its heinous crimes. Al Jazeera bureau chief for Israel and Palestine, Walid Al Omari, said that Israeli forces had previously arrested (Al-Ghoul) in Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza when they invaded it in mid-March. They detained him for twelve hours, then released him unconditionally. If their claim were true, would they have released him? It is clear that the occupation authorities are trying to justify their crime by claiming that he was one of the elite and participated in the October 7 attack. The IDF has said previously that they had no record of detaining Al-Ghoul. Without Ismail, the world would not have seen Al Jazeeras managing editor, Mohamed Moawad, said in a post on X that Al-Ghoul was renowned for his professionalism and dedication, bringing the worlds attention to the suffering and atrocities committed in Gaza Without Ismail, the world would not have seen the devastating images of these massacres. More than nine months of Israels bombing campaign has shredded the besieged enclave, erased entire neighborhoods and deepened a humanitarian crisis. Palestinian reporters have become the eyes and ears of those suffering under the shadow of war. Both Israel and Egypt, which control Gazas borders, have so far refused to give international journalists unfettered access to the strip, saying that they cannot guarantee their safety. It is the photos, footage and reporting from local reporters, often gathered at great personal risk, that have shown the world what is happening. The Israeli offensive in Gaza has marked the deadliest period for journalists since 1992. As of July 31, at least 113 journalists and media workers have been killed since October 108 of whom were Palestinian according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). A reporter in Gaza who had spent much of the day with the Al Jazeera crew told CNN on Wednesday that he was 300 meters away from the missile that hit their vehicle. Video from the scene shows the burnt-out shell of a small saloon car that appears to have been targeted from above. I was going home close to where we were filming when one, exactly one missile from a drone targeted Ismail and Rami, said Ayman Abed, a resident of Al-Shati camp. There was nothing unusual except the sound of drones in the sky humming. It was one strike on their car. Israel launched its military offensive after the Hamas-led October 7 attacks, in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others abducted. Israeli strikes in Gaza have since killed more than 39,000 Palestinians and injured another 90,000, according to the Ministry of Health there. Israel must stop killing journalists Palestinian journalists and press freedom groups paid tribute to Al-Ghoul and Al-Rifi in the wake of the strike, demanding greater accountability for those responsible for attacks on reporters in Gaza. Reporters Without Borders urged the Israeli government to immediately commit to ending violence against journalists and described such actions by the IDF as flagrant examples of war crimes. The CPJ asked Israel to explain the killing of both Al Jazeera staffers, in what it said, appears to be a direct strike. Jodie Ginsberg, the CPJ chief, added: Journalists are civilians and should never be targeted. The worlds largest union for journalists, the International Federation of Journalists, also criticized the strike, in a post on X: We are running out of words to condemn this massacre. Israel must stop killing journalists. Khader Al-Zaanoun of Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency, recalled his friendship with the Al Jazeera journalist. Its a difficult and painful feeling to cover this horrific story; hes my friend and colleague, and were together in the field most of the time during this war, he said. Dozens of Palestinian journalists protested on Thursday against the killing of their colleagues in an Israeli airstrike in Al-Shati refugee camp, northern Gaza, on July 31. - Dawouod Abo Alkas/Anadolu/Getty Images CNN video filmed in the aftermath of the attack on Wednesday showed dozens of Palestinians gathered outside the nearby Al-Ahli Baptist the Hospital in Gaza City, as they mourned the loss of Al-Ghoul and his colleague. Al Jazeera reporters Yousef Al Saudi and Anas Al Sharif could be seen breaking down as they held Al-Ghouls bloodied flak jacket. Our colleague Ismail was wearing this blood-stained vest, fellow Al Jazeera journalist Yousef Al Saudi said, as he removed the PRESS sign from the jacket. The sign was covered by blood to silence the world and the images in Gaza. The pictures continue and the coverage continues, God willing. Choking back tears, Al Sharif said: Dear Ismail, we will complete the mission after you. Another video shows journalist Wadi Shehandeh addressing a crowd, saying: By targeting us as media professionals, they want this coverage to stop, and to silence us. But no, by God, if only one of the media professionals remained in northern Gaza, they will continue to share the images. He said journalists in Gaza would not cease their coverage, adding, Ismail is not dead. Ismail lives in our hearts. His message will continue. CNNs Sarah Dean, Jon Passantino, Mick Krever and Ibrahim Dahman contributed reporting. Khader Al-Zaanoun of WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency, also contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com IRONDALE, Ala (WIAT) Until the end of August, qualifying families can get their pets spayed or neutered for a discounted price at the Alabama Spay/Neuter Clinic. According to the groups Facebook page, qualifying households can get up to three pets spayed or neutered for $25 per pet. In order to be eligible for this special, a family member must verify enrollment in one or more government assistance programs. Alabama Spay/Neuter is located in Irondale, but it serves a much larger surrounding community, spanning across 16 North and Central Alabama Counties. The clinics Hip to Snip Express transportation service allows pet owners to drop their pets off at designated pick-up spots in surrounding counties for $8. The summer special cannot be combined with any other specials that are offered by the clinic. Appointments can be made by calling Alabama Spay/Neuter at 205-956-0012. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- China will intensify efforts to meet the growing demand for elderly care services, as over one-fifth of its population is now silver-haired. Lu Zhiyuan, minister of civil affairs, said that China has become a moderately aging society, with 297 million citizens aged 60 and above and 217 million aged 65 and above as of the end of 2023. Speaking to Xinhua, Lu acknowledged that the elderly care system faces challenges like insufficient home-based and community services and a shortage of nursing personnel, prompting the urgent need for improvement. He pledged efforts to foster a social environment of filial piety and respect for seniors, improve services in rural areas, and ensure that the basic elderly care services are accessible to all senior individuals. To better satisfy the needs of the elderly, greater efforts will be directed toward developing catering services for them, increasing the capacity of home-based care and enhancing community facilities, Lu said. China views ensuring and enhancing people's well-being as a key task of its modernization efforts. The country will deepen reform to refine its basic public service systems, focusing on delivering inclusive services, meeting essential needs, and providing support for those most in need. Lu also highlighted reform measures designed to improve the well-being of children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A federal judge in Alabama has declined four states lawsuit to block a new rule for Title IX offering new protections for LGBTQ+ students. The rule, which is set to go into effect Thursday, would add gender identity among the protections from discrimination for students in public schools and universities. In the spring, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall joined states like Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to block the enforcement of the rule. Since taking office, Joe Biden has brazenly attempted to use federal funding to force radical gender ideology onto states that reject it at the ballot box, Marshall said in a statement. Now our schoolchildren are the target. The threat is that if Alabamas public schools and universities do not conform, then the federal government will take away our funding. Rest assured, Biden will not be successful. At the time, Marshall and Alabama Secretary of State Eric Mackey said no public school district should take any actions to implement the new rule. Alabama families seek answers after inmates bodies returned without internal organs In her 122-page opinion issued Tuesday, Judge Annemarie Carney Axon of the U.S. District Court of North Alabama, ruled that Alabama and the other states did not adequately argue their case against the new rule. In short, although Plaintiffs may dislike the Departments rules, they have failed to show a substantial likelihood of success in proving the Departments rulemaking was unreasonable or not reasonably explained, Axon wrote. Marshall released the following statement after Axons ruling: We are surprised by the district courts decision today to deny the States request to immediately halt Bidens Title IX degradation. Fortunately, precedent is on our side. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has been perfectly clear that when Congress used the word sex to ensure equality for women under Title IX, it meant sex, not gender identity, and that Title IX emphatically does not require schools to open up womens bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers to men. As such, we have already appealed this decision and will seek emergency relief. Alabamas women deserve better. Although the rule is set to go in effect nationwide Thursday, 22 other states have already temporarily blocked it from being implemented. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. US Sen. Katie Britt wants beachgoers to be made aware of shark attacks in the same way they receive Amber Alerts or severe weather warnings following an Alabama teenagers June encounter with a shark. The Republican senator from Alabama has introduced legislation that would codify shark attacks as events for which wireless emergency alerts may be transmitted. The Federal Emergency Management Agency manages the public alert system, and these local emergency alerts can include warnings about extreme weather, missing minors or evacuation orders, among other incidents. Lulus Law named in honor of Lulu Gribbin, a Mountain Brook, Alabama, 15-year-old who sustained nearly fatal injuries in a June 7 shark attack in Walton County, Florida would encourage authorized local, state, tribal and federal government authorities to quickly deploy warnings via mobile phone alert messages to the public if a shark has attacked someone or if the conditions enhancing the possibility of a shark attack are present, Britts office said in a Tuesday news release. Lulu lost her right leg and left hand in the attack, which occurred in waist-deep water, The Associated Press reported. Lulus friend, McCray Faust, was with her and suffered minor injuries to her foot, CNN affiliate WAAY reported. Just 90 minutes prior and a few miles away from where the teenagers were injured, another woman was also attacked by a shark, the news release from Britts office noted. Elisabeth Foley, a 45-year-old from Virginia, lost her left hand in the attack and her midsection was severely injured, the AP reported. Lulus parents said they are grateful to Britt for introducing the legislation. We are eternally grateful that Lulu survived the shark attack on June 7, Ann Blair and Joe Gribbin said in the senators office news release. However, we remain in disbelief this accident occurred. This was the second attack that day in close proximity, and it could have been prevented with a better alert system. Thats why Lulus Law is so important. Britt said as the mother of two teenagers, what happened to Lulu hits close to home. Lulus Law would empower authorities to quickly and accurately put information in the hands of beachgoers to help keep them out of harms way, Britt said in the release. This is a commonsense measure aimed at keeping families safe a cause that I know people can rally around, just like her local community, our great state, and the entire nation have rallied around Lulu. While the risk of being bitten by a shark is extremely low, Florida tops global charts for the number of shark bites, according to a 2023 report from the Florida Museum of Natural History. There were 16 cases of unprovoked shark bites in the state of Florida last year, the report said, with a nationwide total of 36 bites, including two fatalities. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Alito faces pushback from other Supreme Court justices, insiders reveal as leaks mount for high court New inside information about the Supreme Court term reveals tensions among justices as they decided consequential cases (AFP via Getty Images) Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito lost his opportunity to write two majority opinions this term after being unable to convince justices to join his side, a new report detailing contentious relationships inside the court claims. Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson reportedly flipped on Alito in Moody v. NetChoice LLC, a case about content moderation on social media, after reading his draft opinion. A similar incident reportedly occurred weeks later when Alito won the majority in a case about an alleged retaliatory arrest in Texas and then lost it because he went too far in his opinion. When that decision was announced at the Supreme Court bench, Alito was missing. The report by CNN seemingly affirms what many have speculated to be a combative term for the justices as they decided major cases about presidential immunity, emergency abortion rights and administrative power. Justices frustrations with one another seemed tangible in various dissenting and concurring opinions in different cases. United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito poses apparently drafted opinions that made other justices change their mind on cases. (Getty Images) Combined with the negative public attention the court received for Alitos wife flying an upside-down flag outside of their home a symbol associated with January 6 rioters tensions seem to be at an all-time high. According to the report, Barrett and Jackson initially signaled they would join Alito, Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch to create the majority opinion in the NetChoice case. Typically, once justices discuss and then vote on a case decision, the most senior justice on either side of the argument will assign another to write the majority and dissent. But after Alito sent around his draft opinion, in which he questioned if any content moderation on social media platforms is protected under the First Amendment, Barrett and Jackson changed their minds. In a rare move, the justices chose to join Justice Elena Kagans opinion, forcing Alito to write the dissenting opinion. Ultimately, out of the nine justices, Alito wrote the fewest majority opinions this term. The new information is the latest in a series of leaks from inside the Supreme Court building. (AP) CNNs report is part of a larger series aimed at cracking the typically secretive behind-the-scenes of the Supreme Court. On Tuesday, the media organization reported that Roberts abandoned his typical desire to preserve the reputation of the court and allowed the justices to remain fiercely divided on the Trump immunity case rather than seek negotiations. Then on Monday, CNN revealed Justices Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh and Barrett privately admitted they mistakenly allowed Idaho to keep its ban on emergency abortions, ultimately deciding they would not take up the case for now. The Independent has reached out to the Supreme Court public information officer for comment. The Supreme Court and its justices have been shrouded in a fog of secrecy for most of its existence but in recent years, those close to the court, acquaintances of justices and journalists have sought to air out some of its unknown nature. In May 2022, a draft opinion of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Org, the case that overturned Roe v. Wade, was leaked, shocking the nation. Roberts called for a formal investigation but the perpetrator was never uncovered. Last year, ProPublica investigations found that Thomas had accepted lavish gifts from a Republican megadonor for years and did not disclose them. Thomas defended himself, maintaining that he did not have to disclose personal gifts. Other investigations into justices finances have uncovered a shocking number of potential conflicts of interest, such as Justice Sonia Sotomayor using her staff to help her book sales. Lawmakers and members of the public have called on the court to be more transparent given its vital role in shaping U.S. policy. But so far, the court has not taken any significant action. He is alone: Experts say "extreme" ruling shows John Roberts has "lost his authority" over SCOTUS The behind-the-scenes machinations behind the Supreme Courts sweeping presidential immunity decision reveals that Chief Justice John Roberts has lost his authority and ability to broker compromises on the thorniest and most impactful issues, a legal expert says. The Supreme Court this summer ruled 6-3 that presidents have "absolute immunity from criminal prosecution" for acts that fall within the "exercise of his core constitutional powers he took when in office." Presidents, according to the ruling, have "at least presumptive" immunity from other official acts, and no immunity for unofficial acts. The Supreme Courts sweeping immunity decision has thrown a wrench into legal cases concerning Trump: a New York judge delayed sentencing for Trumps 34 felony convictions of falsifying business records. And, the Supreme Courts decision tasked U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan with weighing which acts are official and unofficial. A CNN report by journalist Joan Biskupic revealed that Roberts made no serious effort to entice the three liberal justices for even a modicum of the cross-ideological agreement that distinguished such presidential-powers cases in the past. Pace Law School Professor Bennett Gershman said Roberts has found himself alone, and found the task of finding compromises among far right-wing, conservative and liberal justices on the court virtually impossible.. Roberts finally has realized that his power of persuasion over the fiercely radical Justices Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch, the conservatives Kavanaugh and Barrett, and the staunch liberal team of Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackon, is at an end, Gershman said. He is alone all by himself, and he knows it. According to Gallup, public approval of the Supreme Court reached 43% in July 2024. That's down from 58% in July 2020, and 61% in September 2009. Gershman said that Roberts is aware that the courts public reputation and perception of legitimacy is the lowest in history. Despite his earlier claim that there are no Trump Justices, he knows the truth; that five of his colleagues are indeed Trump Justices and theres nothing Roberts can do about it, Gershman said. Gershman called Roberts immunity decision bold and extreme and reflective of his realization that his only choice was to supplicate pro-Trump justices. To be sure, hell continue to assign to himself the big cases, Gershman said. But, he added: He knows he has lost his authority and his Court and is all by himself. CNN's report, which cited sources familiar with the negotiations, also points out that Roberts has a long history of finding unanimity on contentious cases including hashing out compromises in 2020 Trump document cases. Boston University School of Law professor Jed Shugerman told Salon that particularly in the most recent Supreme Court term, Roberts has veered from institutionalism. "Theres plenty in Trump v. U.S. and this term to know that Roberts has abandoned a chiefs justice institutional role," Shugerman said. Shugerman said that the "Roberts opinion itself was so extreme and manufactured without historical evidence, without the commitment to originalism and without precedent, that its hard to imagine how that opinion could have ever been in any form something that the three moderate liberals might have found any common ground in." Shugerman pointed out that Roberts failed to get Justice Amy Coney Barrett on board with the entirety of the opinion. Barrett concurred in part with Justice Sonia Sotomayor's dissent, which argued that excluding "any mention" of an official act associated with a bribe "would hamstring the prosecution.'" Roberts said a prosecutor pursuing a bribe charge could point to public record to show the president performed the official act and admit evidence of what the president "allegedly demanded, received, accepted, or agreed to receive or accept." But Roberts said admitting testimony or private records concerning a bribe would invite the jury to "second-guess" the president's motivations for official acts which he argues would "'seriously cripple'" a president's exercise of official duties. Shugerman said that Roberts' footnote response to Barrett is part of his overall "incoherent" opinion. Shugerman also criticized the court's March ruling in Trump v. Anderson, which reversed the Colorado Supreme Court decision excluding Trump from the 2024 GOP primary ballot based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. He said the ruling also "reflected a lack of institutional mindset and disregard for consensus." "Really, it just invented reason to reach a reasonable result," he said. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Shugerman said even though the conclusion may reflect common sense, its reasoning lacked solid historical grounding. "There's growing consensus among originalists among all different stripes that the Roberts Court conservatives are not serious about methods and not serious about originalism," Shugerman said. "There's a growing number of originalists who are saying so out loud. Its important to recognize how the Roberts court is not truly textualist or sincerely originalist. But it's abundantly clear its driven by conservatism, traditionalism and partisan ideology." The CNN report found that far-right justices are heartened by Roberts, who at times has taken more centrist positions relative to other justices. Georgia State University College of Law professor Eric Segall noted that Roberts has taken stances against affirmative action, abortion rights, voting rights and the Medicaid expansion portion of the Affordable Care Act. The immunity decision stemmed from Trumps charges for trying to overturn the 2020 election. A D.C. federal grand jury indicted Trump on four charges in August 2023 accusing the former president of conspiring to thwart his 2020 electoral defeat and the peaceful transfer of power to President Joe Biden. The Supreme Court's ruling said deciding whether Trump's alleged fake electors scheme "requires a close analysis of the indictments extensive and interrelated allegations." CNN said that Roberts avoided references to the chaos and violence of a mobs Jan. 6 march on the Capitol as he found new immunity vested in the Constitution for a former president. Last December, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected Trumps motion to dismiss the charges on grounds of absolute presidential immunity, which he argues completely shields him from prosecution for any actions taken while in office. "There was broad understanding among the justices that they would need to decide the matter themselves, and only after the usual appellate court hearing," sources told CNN, adding that Roberts believed that he could assert the large and lasting significance of the case and steer attention away from Trump. The Supreme Court's public information office did not respond to Salon's request for comment from Roberts. 'It was amazing to see her smile.' Jason Prigge shares update after visiting wife Tina in hospital. MANITOWOC Jason Prigge shared an update on his wife's condition after he was able to visit her in the hospital for the first time in weeks after a motorcycle crash injured them both. "It was amazing to see her smile and her spirit in full bloom," he wrote. "She emits a joy that positively affects anyone in her orbit." Jason and Tina Prigge were severely injured in a motorcycle crash July 6 when a vehicle swerved into the lane where the two were riding. The crash happened near the town of Cecil in Shawano County while the couple were on their way to a vacation in Michigans Upper Peninsula. Jason's leg was crushed and Tina lost both limbs on her left side. Tina is still in the hospital, but no longer in the Intensive Care Unit, Jason said. In the update shared both on his social media and on the GoFundMe page created by Grow It Forward CEO Amber Daugs on the Prigges' behalf, Jason said the last time he saw Tina was a couple of weeks ago when he was still in the hospital. Jason wrote: "She feels your support and is blown away by the kindness we have received in the past few weeks. What you have done as a community confirms what we have always known. This truly is the Coolest Coast." Tina and Jason Prigge Jason also shared that Tina is still undergoing surgeries and procedures to treat her leg after a "battle with infection." Additionally, Jason shared through the Jason Prigge Art Facebook page that he is selling some of his personal painting inventory. He wrote: "We have lost the majority of our income. Time to shift. I will be selling my painting inventory soon to help keep the lights on." The Haven has a new director: The Haven men's homeless shelter in Manitowoc names new executive director Tina and Jason are well known for running Coolest Coast, a media effort to promote Wisconsin coastal cities, and Vagabond Creative Studio. They also donate their time to a myriad of local organizations like Grow It Forward and the Manitowoc Public Library. Both are self-employed. The GoFundMe page created for the Prigges by Daugs has reached $213,064 out of a $250,000 goal, as of July 31. In addition to the GoFundMe page, the community has hosted several fundraisers for the couple, including a large event July 11 at Digger Dave's. Dozens of people also turned out for a candlelight vigil July 13 at First Presbyterian Church. The Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra is now selling wristbands for $3, with proceeds to be donated to the Prigges. People can find those at Brick's Downtown Bar and Grill, Capitol Civic Centre, Courthouse Pub, Graced, Grow It Forward - Harmony Cafe and Juicery, Heart and Homestead, Intention Boutique, Lilith's Locs, PetSkull Brewing, Ryan's on York, Schroeder's Department Store, Seehafer News, The Wharf Manitowoc, and Wild Iris Gifts and Botanicals. A yoga and soundbath fundraiser event is being hosted by Illuminate Your Life and Soundspace USA from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21. The event will take place at Soundspace USA on Expo Drive in Manitowoc. Jason and Tina Prigge Ways to donate: GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-tina-and-jason-prigge-recover-from-a-tragic-accident In person: Grow It Forward, 1501 Marshall St., Manitowoc; Harmony Cafe, 921 S. Eighth St., Manitowoc; or Nicolet Bank, 860 N. Rapids Road, Manitowoc Send checks: To Grow It Forward, Inc., P.O. Box 562, Manitowoc, WI 54221. If writing a check, make payable to Grow It Forward Inc. FBO Jason and Tina Prigge, and write in the memo line, Restricted in benefit of Jason and Tina Prigge. To do at the library: Events to check out this week at Manitowoc Public Library include National Night Out and zoo animals Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc. She can be reached by email at aschafer@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Jason Prigge shares update on wife Tina after motorcycle crash To be American is to hold that our unalienable rights are above any government or man | Opinion Awareness of ones family provides a sense of origin and common values. What is true of the family is also true on the broader scale in reference to the nation. In fact, familial terms like fatherland or motherland are used to refer to a country. Patriotism encourages the awareness that citizens should have about the origins and the values of the nation. Without it, the collective identity and the appreciation of foundational family values of the nation is weakened. The Declaration of Independence is the beginning of our nation and the project of self-governance in order to secure rights, promote justice and advance legitimate progress. The risk in any family, institution or organization is that generational drift can lead to rupture with the fundamental principles and common values that support the proper identity. The Declaration of Independence expresses belief in a Creator who is the source of self-evident truths and unalienable rights. This is fundamental to our American identity. The word "unalienable" deserves attention for what it tells us about the values we must keep today. If you buy something with a big sticker price, like a car, you might have a lien on it from the bank loan. A lien indicates that someone else has a right to keep possession of the property until the debt is paid. More: Is religious liberty dwindling in Oklahoma? How the state has become a legal battleground "Unalienable" has Latin roots meaning something of or belonging to another. When attached to the negative prefix un- and the suffix -able, the meaning becomes not capable of belonging to another. Thus, the Declaration affirms rights that do not come from man himself, because they are endowed by the Creator, and they do not come from any other mediating authority, like a government, because there is no lien that can be placed on them; they are not-lien-able. Believers recognize these rights proceed from an authority higher than man, whom we call God. Even nonbelievers should affirm this higher authority. Otherwise, these rights would only be secure until someone more powerful comes along. To be American is to acknowledge that a higher authority has given us gifts of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Government serves to secure these unalienable rights, at times needing to adjudicate competing rights with due process and equal protection under the law, but does not have sole dominion over them. Religion and religious values have an important place in our national life. John Adams wrote that the Constitution that guides the American project of self-governance in our democratic republic is dependent upon a moral and religious people (Letter to the Massachusetts Militia, Oct. 11, 1798). The Founding Fathers recognized religions role in promoting a more stable peace and justice in a diverse body politic because religion inspires a persons interior dispositions, whereas government can only coerce external actions. There is debate about the personal religion and religious convictions of the Founding Fathers. Were they Christians? Deists? A mix? To what degree did they adhere to their religious beliefs? However, that they saw the value of religion is not debatable. A mans belief in a higher authority is necessary for self-control and for the common good of a self-governing nation. This is because faith in a higher authority (Creator, God) breeds virtue, which creates the conditions for freedom that can withstand testing in a pluralistic society (thus the traditional motto: e pluribus unum). At the origin of our nations birth and identity is the role religion plays in forming a moral people capable of self-governance in our democratic republic. Our Constitution protects against both a state-established religion and against attempts to impede religious practice. The suspicion of religion in the public square damages the origin and the founding values of our national life. More: Letters: Do Oklahomans want schools teaching the Bible in classrooms? Contentious debate about rights (the right to life, the definition of marriage, bodily autonomy, etc.) springs from a type of societal amnesia that a higher authority is the source of our unalienable rights. Man does not make these rights for himself. At the same time, man cannot radically alter them. To be American is to hold that our unalienable rights are above any government and any man. This is true whether one professes a religion or not, or whether one is zealous in practicing faith or not. Otherwise we have no stable rights at all. Patriotism teaches awareness of the national family value of the role of religion in public life for how it forms a people of virtue and creates the possibility of enduring freedom. Rev. Stephen Hamilton The Rev. Stephen V. Hamilton is a Catholic priest serving in Edmond and is the chairman of the Oklahoma Advisory Committee on Founding Principles (OACFP). This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Religion, religious values have important place in our national life American Woman Found Chained to a Tree in India Went Without Food for 40 Days, Was Allegedly Left to Die Lalita Kayi Kumar, 50, alleges her ex-husband left her in a jungle to die India Today/Facebook Lalita Kayi Kumar Warning: This story contains graphic details of abuse. Reader discretion is advised. Authorities in India say they have rescued a woman who was found emaciated and tied to a tree in a jungle after allegedly being left there to die. Police in a district near Mumbai, India, say they rescued Lalita Kayi Kumar, 50, after a shepherd heard her cries in a jungle over the weekend, according to the Deccan Chronicle, the Indian Express and British newspaper The Times. She was found bound to a tree with an iron chain, The Hindustan Times reported, citing local police. In photos shared by the outlets, Kumar appeared heavily emaciated and covered in dirt at the time of her rescue. Authorities reportedly found copies of her U.S. passport next to her, as well as Indian documentation showing she had overstayed her visa, per the Indian Express. She was rushed to the hospital. "She is not in a position to give her statement. She is weak as she has not eaten anything for a couple of days, a police official said, per the Deccan Chronicle. Authorities named her ex-husband who has not been publicly identified as a suspect after Kumar alleged that he tied her to the tree and left her to die, The Times and the Indian Express reported. He allegedly left her there following a domestic dispute, police said, per The Times. Kumar told police she had not eaten for 40 days, per the outlet. Kumar's ex-husband is facing charges of attempted murder, act endangering life or personal safety of others and wrongful confinement, police said, per The Times. This embedded content is not available in your region. 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. Its not clear if the U.S. is looking into the matter. PEOPLE has reached out to State Department officials for comment. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Americans are evenly divided on whether their country has a responsibility to aid Ukraine, with 48% saying it does and 49% it does not, according to a survey published by Pew Research on July 29. Similarly to a number of earlier polls, there is a visible partisan split on the issue. While around 63% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning respondents believe the U.S. has the responsibility, only 36% of Republicans and Republican-leaning Americans think the same, the survey shows. These views are likely to play an important role as the U.S. heads toward a presidential election this November. The Republican Party's nominee and former President Donald Trump has often espoused isolationist views and pledged to end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours, a plan which could reportedly include pressuring Kyiv to cede territory. Sitting President Joe Biden, who has positioned the U.S. as the leader of the pro-Kyiv coalition, said he will not run for re-election. While the Democratic Party is yet to announce its nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris is widely seen as the most likely candidate. Americans remain divided on the level of aid the U.S. is providing to Ukraine. Some 29% believe the support is too high, 19% think it is too low, while 26% consider it to be just the right amount. Nearly half of Republicans (47%) think Washington is helping Kyiv too much, while around 62% of Democrats say the level of assistance is appropriate or too low. The partisan divide continues to widen also on whether Russia's war is a major threat to the U.S. while 45% of Democrats consider it a serious threat, only 26% of Republicans think so. The number of Democrats who agreed with this statement has risen somewhat since earlier this year, while the number of Republicans slightly declined, Pew Research said. There is strong bipartisan support for maintaining economic sanctions against Russia (69%), while 54% agree with continuing to send military aid. The sanctions found majority support both among Democrats (77%) and Republicans (66%). Around 54% of respondents also want Ukraine to be able to strike targets deep inside Russia with U.S. arms. The Biden administration has permitted Ukraine to use certain weapons like HIMARS to strike just across the border with Russia, but the restrictions on deep strikes remain in place. Read also: Russia will likely try to influence US election in Trumps favor, intelligence official tells media Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Robert Brigham, a retired math professor at the University of Central Florida, has difficulty waiting in line to vote because he was concerned about the lack of access to a clean restroom after his treatment for colorectal cancer. But he prefers to drop off his ballot in person because he had a couple of bill payments get lost in the mail. "I have a medical condition that literally makes me scared to be far from a bathroom," Brigham said. "When there are more boxes available, I have more ability of where to go to drop off my ballot. I like short distances." Brigham was one of 1.5 million Floridians who dropped off their absentee ballots in 2020 and he would like to again this year. Florida adopted restrictions for drop boxes in 2021 to strengthen election security, even though studies found the boxes secure and trustworthy. The new law required election staffers to monitor drop-off locations during early voting hours, which eliminated some curbside boxes and ended the possibility of stopping by after regular working hours or on most weekends. Florida was one of 28 states that adopted 67 laws to make it harder to vote since 2020, when former President Donald Trump falsely claimed the election was stolen through fraud, according to a roundup by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University. Trump especially targeted ways of voting other than in person, on Election Day, such as voting by mail or in drop boxes. Voting rights advocates worry the changes governing drop boxes will discourage elderly and disabled voters, who might find it too difficult to navigate crowds and lines to cast ballots. Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, said he signed the law to strengthen the security of our elections." Lawmakers said they wanted to prevent potential problems even if the 2020 voting went smoothly. The law included measures such as rejecting the use of private funds for election expenses, prohibiting the distribution of mail-in ballots unless the voter requested it and requiring the monitoring of drop boxes. Florida's county elections supervisors opposed the law, saying it was unnecessary because the 2020 vote count was secure and accurate, and the new law's requirements could be expensive. Advocacy groups including the League of Women Voters, Black Voters Matter Fund and the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans challenged the changes in federal court. "It's an outrage and completely unnecessary," Cecile Scoon, co-president of the League of Women Voters in Florida said of the law. But federal courts upheld the law despite one judge finding it restricted the way Black voters cast ballots with surgical precision. A person drops off their absentee ballot at a drop box at City Hall as early voting for the upcoming presidential election begins in Osh Kosh, Wisconsin, on Oct. 20, 2020. States grapple with banning, restoring drop boxes Since the 2020 election, at least seven states prohibited drop boxes directly or by requiring absentee ballots to be returned by mail or in person to election officials. The restrictions included Texas in 2021; Missouri and South Carolina in 2022; and Arkansas, New Mexico, North Carolina and South Dakota in 2023. In another 2021 move, Georgia reduced its number of drop boxes and NPR found the four most populous counties would have 25 boxes, down from the previous 107. The same year, Indiana required drop boxes to be under the supervision and control of county election officials. Ohio enacted a law this year limiting locations where voters can return absentee ballots to one per county, which could include a drop box. In Wisconsin, the state Supreme Court's conservative majority ruled in July 2022 that state law didn't allow drop boxes anywhere but in election clerk offices. But the new liberal majority restored the use of absentee ballot drop boxes in a 4-3 ruling in the swing state on July 5. We are elated by the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision to allow the use of ballot drop boxes in future elections, said Ross Winklbauer, president of the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans. Older voters in Wisconsin are most likely to vote absentee, and drop boxes are a secure, convenient way for them to return those ballots on time. Trump fiercely criticized drop boxes until after GOP setbacks in 2020, 2022 Trump spurred changes in election law such as Florida's with baseless claims of widespread fraud. But he has changed his position on drop boxes and mail-in ballots after fiercely opposing them in the last two elections when the GOP suffered setbacks. So now the Democrats are using Mail Drop Boxes, which are a voter security disaster, Trump tweeted in August 2020. Remember, you can never have fair & free elections with mail-in ballots never, never, never, Trump posted in all caps in November 2022. Wont and cant happen!!! In 2020, Democrats won the White House and Senate and kept control of the House. In 2022, Republicans underperformed expectations for the out-of-power party in a midterm election, narrowly winning control of the House, while Democrats gained a seat in the Senate. Trump changed course by February 2023, responding to the suggestion that Republicans support putting them in the back of every church where its legal. Best idea Ive heard in a long time, Trump said in an all-caps post on social media. Put them all over the place. RNC, every Republican, get to work on this now!!! There are ballot drop boxes in at least some jurisdictions in 33 states and Washington, D.C., according to a roundup by the National Conference of State Legislatures. 'Wait for a debacle?': Legislature approves restrictions despite successful 2020 election Florida adopted the package of election changes despite widespread praise for the conduct of the 2020 election. The way Florida did it I think inspires confidence, DeSantis said in November 2020. I think thats how elections should be run. Studies found drop boxes were secure in 2020. The Associated Press found no problems. The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said drop boxes provide a secure and convenient way to vote. Maria Matthews, director of the Florida division of elections, estimated her agency forwarded upwards of 75 complaints of election fraud to law enforcement during the 2020 election cycle out of nearly 11 million ballots cast, a rate of 0.000007%. But Florida's Republican-led legislature adopted the package of election measures nonetheless. Republican state Sen. Dennis Baxley, the lead sponsor of the election overhaul, said although he did not know of widespread complaints, he wanted to make Florida a place where it is easy to vote and hard to cheat. Do we have to wait for a debacle?" Baxley asked during the legislative debate. "Why cant we take something thats working well and put guardrails on it and keep it safe so it doesnt have a debacle? Federal courts uphold law despite judge's concern it targets Black voters with 'surgical precision' Federal courts upheld Florida's law despite complaints from voters who sought to drop off ballots after working hours or on weekends. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker ruled after a two-week trial in February 2022 that restrictions in the law regulating drop boxes, requiring voters to request mail-in ballots more often and other requirements hurt Black voters and violated the Constitution. Walker found it was harder for Black voters to get to a polling station because they are overrepresented in the service sector, with typically less flexible hours and less access to transportation. "Across counties and across elections, Black voters use drop boxes more than White voters," Walker wrote. More importantly, Black voters tend to use drop boxes in just the way that (the law) targets. But the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned his decision, ruling there wasnt enough difference between how Black and white voters cast ballots to justify blocking the law. The finding that black voters are more likely to use drop boxes outside of early voting hours rests on ... flimsy evidence, Chief Judge William Pryor wrote. The dispute between the courts boiled down to how they judged statistics for voting through drop boxes. Walker cited expert testimony about Columbia, Santa Rosa and Sarasota counties that found Black voters 48% more likely than white voters to use drop boxes in the presidential primary. But the appeals court cited small racial differences among voters dropping off ballots after business hours, as restricted in the law. In Columbia County, 52.4% of Black voters and 50.2% of white voters deposited ballots in drop boxes after business hours. In Manatee County, the rates were 13.5% for Black voters and 11.4% for white voters. Drop boxes gained spotlight recently Dealing with drop boxes is a relatively recent phenomenon in Florida. In 1980, most voters cast ballots in person with six exceptions for people who were incapacitated or absent on Election Day. By 2001, the state allowed absentee voting without an excuse. But the 2020 election was the first with drop boxes for absentee ballots in every county. The COVID-19 pandemic spurred the popularity of absentee ballots, with Democrats using them more than Republicans. From 2014 to 2020, the rate of Florida Republicans using absentee ballots grew from 40% to 42%, while the portion for Democrats went from 35.5% to 61%. Trump complained repeatedly during the 2020 campaign without evidence that absentee voting was insecure and would lead to fraud and a "RIGGED election." The Justice Department during his administration and state Republican election officials investigated and found no widespread fraud. Andrew Garber, a lawyer at the Brennan Centers Voting Rights and Elections Program, said limiting drop boxes to election office hours could hurt voters with transportation concerns, older voters and those with disabilities. Those changes are definitely major concerns because drop boxes are an important tool for lots of voters," Garber said. That can be really hard for voters who work jobs that they cant take time off for, who are paid hourly." How did county election offices adapt to the law? Most Florida counties expect to have the same number of drop-off locations in 2024 as they did for the last presidential election, according to a USA TODAY survey with responses from 48 of the state's 67 election offices. Some counties have given up the boxes outside their early voting locations. "It's an inconvenience, but we simply explain the legislature is responsible for the change," said Alan Hays, supervisor of elections in Lake County, which got rid of its outdoor box at the main election office. Voters do miss the (outdoor) box, said Amanda Seyfang, supervisor of elections in Bradford County. It was more convenient that it was available 24-7. The law no longer allows that. However, other counties expanded their locations, often due to population growth. Duval County had the biggest expansion among the respondents, from 19 drop-off locations in 2020 to 24 this year. I am a proponent of expanding voter options, said Jerry Holland, supervisor of elections. Collier County expanded from 10 drop-off locations in 2020 to 13 this year, as the county opened a new election office and two early voting sites. We have had requests or for more drop boxes, mostly from assisted living facilities or gated communities, said Trish Robertson, a spokesperson for the election supervisor. However, state law does not allow drop boxes in those locations. A voter deposits a mail ballot into an official drop box at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office in unincorporated Palm Beach County, Fla., on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. What are the complaints about the changes for drop boxes? Voters and groups that opposed the law argued it would hurt workers who can't leave their jobs during the business day and people who have farther to drive to election offices rather than stand-alone drop boxes. "The bias against Black and brown workers still exists in the workplace," said Scoon, a practicing civil rights lawyer. "They don't live near the supervisor of election offices. They don't have the time. They don't have the resources." Brigham, the ailing retiree, prefers dropping off his ballot to avoid long lines or uncertainty about whether a clean restroom would be available. In 2020, Orange County offered a drive-through location under a tent, across the street from the election office. Two election workers took his ballot while he sat in his car. He was eager to deliver his absentee ballot in person because of problems he's noticed with the U.S. Postal Service. He's twice had mail delivered to a house two streets away from his but with the same number. On another two occasions, he mailed property-tax payments that "got lost in the mail." "I never heard what happened, but I was late," said Brigham. And in an election, being late could mean not being counted. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida cuts hours to drop off ballots, leaving voters concerned YANGON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) on Wednesday extended the state of emergency in the country for six more months, the state-run Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) reported. Amish Shah in 2023 on the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives. Photo by Gage Skidmore (modified) | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 A packed Democratic primary race for Arizonas First Congressional District was too close to call late on election night, with former state Rep. Amish Shah taking a narrow lead. Shah, a medical doctor, took around 24% of the votes as of Tuesday night, only about three percentage points ahead of Andrei Cherny and four points ahead of Marlene Galan-Woods. Cherny was previously an assistant Arizona attorney general and is also a former chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party. He received support in the race from former President Bill Clinton, who he used to work for, and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. Former broadcast journalist Galan-Woods, the widow of former Attorney General Grant Woods, received the backing of many prominent Democrats, including Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, former Governor and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and numerous other current and former members of Congress. Conor OCallaghan, who works in finance, had around 18% as voting wound down on election night, with orthodontist Andrew Horne and Kurt Kroemer, former CEO of the Arizona/New Mexico region of the American Red Cross, lagging behind with 12% and 3% of votes, respectively. The winner of the race will go on to face incumbent Republican Congressman David Schweikert, who handily beat his opponents in the primary, Kim George and Robert Backie. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST (Bloomberg) -- Lawmakers from Mexicos ruling coalition are confident they will get the votes they need to approve the judicial reform proposed by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Most Read from Bloomberg And many more, said lawmaker Juan Ramiro Robledo Ruiz, head of the lower house constitutional issues committee, when asked whether Lopez Obradors Morena party and allies will get the needed backing. There are several opposition senators who are already telling us: We are with you, Robledo said. There is a momentum that always goes in favor of the winner, that comes naturally. The reform, which seeks to amend the constitution, will require approval by two-thirds majorities in both houses of congress. Opposition leaders, like former presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez, are urging their lawmakers to stay united and block its passage. Opposition parties and legal and advocacy groups have called it a threat to democracy as it would require all Mexican judges, including Supreme Court justices, be elected by popular vote, thus undermining the independence of the nations judiciary. Opposition efforts to thwart its passage seem like a long shot, because Morena and its allies won supermajority control of the lower house in the June vote, and fell just three seats shy of also winning two-thirds of the Senate. The best way to prevent the reform from being approved is by the cohesion of opposition senators, said Julen Rementeria, leader of the main opposition party PAN in the Senate. We have to be united, to stop this harmful reform. But Robledo said that with the June election behind them, the opposition coalition, which includes the PAN, PRI and PRD parties, may fragment, as there is no agreement or legal commitment that can force a parliamentary group to vote in any way. Political Skill Morena lower house leader Ignacio Mier is also confident that political skill and wisdom will get them the needed votes. We have to do politics, thats part of the legislative job, he said, according to a statement from Morenas lower house press team on July 22. Jeffrey Weldon, a professor of political science at Mexicos Autonomous Institute of Technology, said Morena will likely find the needed three votes, either through getting senators to switch parties or convincing them to be strategically absent. AMLO, as the president is known, likely wants to see the reform passed before his term ends in September, due to his long-standing dispute with the judicial branch, Weldon said. President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum takes office Oct. 1. Ricardo Monreal, Morenas Senate leader, said in mid-July that congress could approve the reform before AMLO leaves office. It would not be a bad thing if he were to enact it. AMLO on Wednesday sought to combat concerns about the cost of the reform, saying at his morning news conference that the judiciary has enough resources held in trusts to finance the election of judges. He also said it would be possible to begin judicial elections in the first quarter of 2025. Robledo said his committee is now studying the proposal and that it could be out of committee in mid-August, before the new congress take office in September. The forums promoted by Morena to discuss the reform end Aug. 9, he said. Political Calculus Weldon has two major concerns. First, if Morenas nominees for justices win, the judiciary becomes politicized and its independence will become suspect and compromised. Second, courts at the state and local level could be influenced by organized crime groups. Consider municipalities where all candidates but one are forced to withdraw from the election the same could happen under AMLOs reform, he said. One outstanding wild card that could tip the political balance comes next month when the National Electoral Institute, known as the INE, gives its final certification of the June election results after reviewing several opposition complaints. Opposition allegations that Morena and its allies are overrepresented, violating the countrys proportional representation system, could influence INEs final decision on the number of seats each party will get. The ruling coalition could lose its two-thirds lower house majority, after the challenge is reviewed, said Emilio Suarez Licona, representative before the INE of the PRI party, which governed Mexico for decades. Of course, the government coalition will pressure and threaten opposition lawmakers to support the judicial reform, but we have to remain united, he added. The opposition in the past has accused the government of using local judges to mount probes of its lawmakers as a way to pressure them against blocking its proposals. At the same time, Suarez Licona hastens to add that AMLO still has a chance to see his reform program win through. If its a useful reform for the country, the parties will support it, he said. (Adds AMLO comments in 12th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The Anderson County Sheriffs Office is asking for help identifying a suspect who is wanted for identity theft. The sheriffs office on Wednesday shared video of the man taken inside the Truist Bank on Anderson Road in April. According to the sheriffs office, the man used a fake ID to withdraw $7,500 from an account which was not his. He then reportedly went to a different Truist location and attempted to withdraw $7,900. A teller noticed the previous withdrawal and asked him to sign a withdraw slip. The teller noticed the signatures did not match and detectives have been trying to identify him since. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Anderson County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) Quentin Johnsons family have been waiting two years for justice, and they hoped it finally would begin this week. Horry County police say Lafredia Todd shot Johnson in the back of the head in July 2022 while both were on the job at Nacho Hippo, a popular eatery at 850 North Beach Blvd, across from Barefoot Landing. The incident was captured on video and Todd later admitted to killing the 26-year-old Loris man. Her trial was supposed to begin Monday in 15th Circuit Court but has been delayed following a request by her attorney. Lafredia Cortlet Todd (Source: J. Reuben Long Detention Center) The last-minute maneuver left Johnsons family disappointed and uncertain about when proceedings may begin. Many of his relatives flew in from around the East Coast to attend. With no firm date set, my family and I are now forced to ride this rollercoaster yet again, said John DeVille Jr., a family representative. We will continue to unrelentingly fight for justice for Quentin, and ensure that Todd faces the harshest punishment under the law. John Morgan, Kristian Cross and Joe Sandefur, the attorneys representing Johnsons family, said in August 2022 it appears the restaurant knew about previous violent threats made by the coworker and that this shooting couldve been prevented. We are working to learn as much as we can about how ownership and management at Nacho Hippo responded to these alleged threats, because their actions or inactions have had the gravest possible consequences, they said in a statement at the time. Johnsons sister, Tanitha Sterling, said every day that goes by without a trial makes the ordeal harder on them. My birthday, Dec. 20. His birthday, Dec. 18. All that plays a part. You know, holidays come up, our birthdays, she said. And so now weve got to live with this over again. * * * Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here. * * * 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 Grapevine-Colleyville school district has banned cell phone use in classrooms in an effort to reduce interruptions and distractions. Phones must be off and stored in a backpack, purse or locker during the school day. Middle school students may use their phones during lunch while high schoolers can use them during lunch and in between classes. Elementary students must leave their phones off the entire school day. Students may have other electronics such as smartwatches, headphones or laptops, but they may not be used for communication unless allowed by a teacher. Keller schools approved a ban on cell phones, Bluetooth devices and headphones last week. Mansfield adopted a ban last year. Jordan Finkelstein, a veteran of President Joe Bidens 2020 campaign and senior member of the White House communications shop, is set to depart the White House in the coming days, according to two people familiar with the matter. Finkelstein, the people said, is expected to follow senior adviser Anita Dunn to the super PAC Future Forward. He will serve as an adviser as the organization is set to deploy an advertising blitz backed by more than $300 million in an effort to support Vice President Kamala Harris, now the presumptive Democratic nominee. The departure, news of which comes a day after Dunn became the first member of the presidents inner circle to announce that she was moving on, could presage additional reshuffling within the White House following Bidens decision to abandon his reelection bid just 10 days ago, as some political aides may shift their focus to Harris campaign and the Democratic Partys infrastructure around it. A special assistant to the president and Dunns chief of staff, Finkelstein was a liaison between various teams within the White House communications shop and helped organize messaging around Bidens campaign launch last spring, administration responses to Supreme Court decisions and rollouts of top legislative priorities. Jordan has served President Biden since joining his campaign in 2019 and is as close to indispensable as any person I have ever worked with, Dunn said in a statement. He is a good colleague whose work ethic, judgment and intelligence are matched only by his even temperament. He also served as a conduit to outside groups, administration officials said. And on Bidens 2020 campaign, Finkelstein was a senior member of the 70-person advertising team. Several White House officials lauded Finkelstein, including Mike Donilon, one of Bidens most trusted aides. From the early days of the Biden campaign in 2019, Jordan demonstrated political aptitude and skill beyond his years, Donilon said. President Biden, and his whole team, has benefited from his contributions. Organizers for a ballot initiative that would amend the Arizona Constitution to protect abortion rights set up outside the Arizona Capitol on April 9, 2024, shortly after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that an 1864 near-total abortion ban is enforceable. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror An anti-abortion group is backtracking on a lawsuit it launched against the Arizona Abortion Access Act, withdrawing allegations that signature collectors for the campaign turned in legally insufficient forms or fraudulently misrepresented the ballot initiative. Last week, Arizona Right to Life filed a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court calling for the abortion rights initiative to be blocked from the November ballot. The nonprofit was one of several groups that earlier this year unsuccessfully attempted to persuade Arizonans not to support the initiatives signature gathering effort. That strategy proved unsuccessful; the campaign behind the act turned in more than 820,000 signatures a record-breaking total that exceeds the 383,923 required for voters to consider it in the fall. If voters choose to support the Arizona Abortion Access Act, the states current 15-week gestational ban would be nullified and abortion would be enshrined as a fundamental right in the Arizona Constitution. The constitutional amendment guarantees access to the procedure up to the point of fetal viability, widely regarded to be around 24 weeks. It also includes exceptions beyond that timeframe if a health care provider deems an abortion necessary to preserve a patients life, physical or mental health. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Arizona Right to Lifes lawsuit represented a change of tack. If the organization could convince a court that signatures were obtained fraudulently, or invalidate enough petition circulators, then it could be barred from the ballot. To that end, Arizona Right to Life argued in its original complaint that as many as 200 signature gatherers either mischaracterized the act to Arizonans, collected signatures despite not being eligible to do so or submitted documentation with incorrect contact information. The campaign behind the abortion rights initiative has previously stated as many as 7,000 volunteers helped collect signatures, along with a number of paid circulators. On Tuesday, Arizona Right to Life withdrew the part of its lawsuit revolving around petition circulators, saying that the number of potentially invalidated signatures would be insufficient to disqualify the initiative in the end. After reviewing marked up petition sheets released by the Arizona Secretary of States Office a day after the Arizona Right to Life filed its lawsuit, the group decided the allegations against petition circulators should be dismissed, wrote attorney Jennifer Wright. Plaintiff determined that maintaining the circulator challenge as articulatedwas not likely to prevent certification of the initiative, she wrote. Accordingly, although there is no legal requirement that a circulator challenge be outcome determinative, in the interests of justice and to conserve judicial resources, Plaintiff has voluntarily decided to withdraw (the claim) in its entirety. Backers of the abortion rights ballot measure derided the groups decision to drop one of its key arguments. Cheryl Bruce, campaign manager of Arizona for Abortion Access pointing to the backtracking as proof that the entire lawsuit is desperate and frivolous. This demonstrates, yet again, that our opposition is willing to do and say anything be it in court or to voters in their attempt to rob Arizonans of our rights, she said in an emailed statement. In contrast, Arizona for Abortion Access continues to fight to give voters a voice this November. Today, we moved another step closer to ensuring voters will have the chance to restore and protect the right to access abortion care, once and for all. Bruce said the campaign will ask the court to award it legal fees to compensate for preparing a defense against the lawsuit, and added that shes confident the court will reject the anti-abortion groups remaining arguments. The bulk of Arizona Right to Lifes complaint centers around the claim that the act is simply too confusing for everyday Arizonans to understand. According to the lawsuit, because of the initiatives unclear language and intent, voters who ordinarily wouldnt have signed petition sheets were tricked into doing so. The courts have the power to block ballot measures considered to be misleading. Among other arguments, attorneys for Arizona Right to Life allege that the acts mental health exception is too vague and broad, and that the act fraudulently characterizes itself as restoring the fetal viability deadline in Roe v. Wade while at the same time upholding an overly lenient exception for abortions performed beyond that point. Many of the anti-abortion groups arguments echo near-identical ones advanced by the It Goes Too Far Campaign, which seeks to frame the abortion rights initiative as too extreme for Arizona. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Arizona impacted by Boar's Head recall of 7 million pounds of deli meat. What to know Boar's Head Brand announced a recall for 7 million pounds of deli meat on Tuesday due to a possible Listeria contamination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A spokesperson with the company confirmed the recall impacted Arizona. Boar's Head initially recalled on Friday more than 200,000 pounds of Strassburger Brand liverwurst after the Maryland Health Department found the product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause severe illness known as Listeriosis. On Tuesday, Boar's Head and the USDA announced an expansion of the recall to include 71 more products, amassing to about 7 million pounds of meat and poultry products. The recall included products in Arizona, confirmed a spokesperson for Boar's Head. Recalled items were also shipped to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama. Here's what Boar's Head items were recalled The newly recalled items were sold under Boar's Head and Old Country Brand, and included items like bologna, ham, salami, and bacon, in addition to more specialty products like sausage, frankfurters, headcheese and liverwurst. The recalled products had a "sell by" date ranging from July 29, 2024, through October 17, 2024, according to the USDA. The items were shipped to retailers with the establishment number of EST. 12612 or P-12612, which could be found inside the USDA mark of inspection on product labels. The recalled products came from a Boar's Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia, which produced the liverwurst product that initially tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, according to the Boar's Head in a Tuesday news release. The voluntary recall expansion was made in an abundance of caution after more products were linked to the Jarratt facility, according to Boar's Head. A full list of recalled products was available on the USDA's website, along with images of product labels. Dozens sickened by Listeriosis during recall window Between May 29 and July 12, the USDA found 34 people in 13 states were infected with listeriosis. Those cases included 33 hospitalizations and two deaths, according to the USDA. A Missouri couple filed a lawsuit linked to the Listeriosis, which claimed to have killed an 88-year-old woman. Listeriosis causes fever, headache. Serious cases can prove deadly Food products contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, which the USDA says can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Serious cases can significantly affect those who are pregnant, 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system, according to the USDA. Individuals who were high-risk should seek medical attention if they experience flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming one of the recalled products. What you can do to stay safe if you have recalled items The USDA urged anyone who bought the recalled items to throw them away or return to the place of purchase. Refrigerators and deli equipment that came in contact with recalled products should be cleaned and sanitized to prevent cross-contamination and disregard open products stored in the same container, according to the USDA. Food safety questions can be directed to the USDA Meat and Poultry hotline at 888-674-6854, or emailed to MPHotline@usda.gov, while questions regarding Boar's Head can be directed to their customer service line at 1-800-352-6277. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Boar's Head deli meat recalled in Arizona. Here's why LONDON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Both China and Britain face important tasks in growing the economy and improving people's lives, said Chinese Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang on Tuesday, calling for more bilateral cooperation. The two countries can strengthen cooperation in such fields as financial services, renewable energy and green technology, cross-border crimes, and the governance of AI safety, the ambassador said at the China-Britain Business Reception where he met business leaders from China and Britain. "Our cooperation can help grow our respective economies, bring down the cost of living, raise productivity, and accelerate the green transition," said Zheng. Collaboration on international issues will also help reduce misjudgment on certain issues, ease tensions, and give diplomacy a better chance, he added. "The Chinese market will always be open to British businesses," Zheng said, welcoming more British investors, tourists, and students to China. The ambassador suggested that the business community focus more on China's reforms in the market economy, innovation, green and low-carbon development, and China's opening-up. "We certainly want more dialogue. I think we want to build an environment based on dialogue between the two countries, which provides certainty to business," said Peter Burnett, chief executive of the China-Britain Business Council. Voters walk to a voting station to cast their votes Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Guadalupe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) PHOENIX (AP) The Democratic primary in Arizonas 3rd Congressional District narrowed to a margin of just 0.21 percentage points Friday, within the range of an automatic recount. Former Phoenix City Council member Yassamin Ansari led former state lawmaker Raquel Teran by 89 votes, with 42,523 votes tallied and just a few hundred votes left to count. The seat is open due to Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallegos run for U.S. Senate. The winner of the Democratic primary will be the favorite in the November election against Republican Jeff Zink to represent the district, which leans Democratic and covers central and southwest Phoenix. Arizona law calls for a recount if the margin is 0.5 percentage points or less. One other key congressional primary was decided Thursday when former Arizona state Rep. Amish Shah prevailed in the Democratic primary for a district covering parts of northeastern Phoenix and three affluent suburbs. That sets up a competitive November election against seven-term incumbent Republican David Schweikert. Voters delivered victories to some front-runners in Tuesday's primary election, namely former Phoenix television news anchor and gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake. She defeated Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in a Republican U.S. Senate primary that headlined the election statewide and will face Democrat Ruben Gallego in November. Here's a look at some key races: Maricopa County State Rep. Justin Heap of Mesa seized on the first opportunity to unseat election officials who knocked down false claims about the 2020 and 2022 elections. He defeated both Stephen Richer, the incumbent, and information technology professor Donald Hiatt in the GOP primary for Maricopa County recorder. Richer accepted defeat in a social media post Wednesday morning and congratulated Heap. Elections have winners and, sadly, losers, Richer wrote on X. And in this one, it looks like Im going to end up on the losing side of the column. But thats the name of the game. Accept it. Move on. Richer took office in early 2021 after unseating a Democratic incumbent. He drew criticism in some conservative circles for calling out Trump and others for falsehoods about the 2020 election, which Joe Biden won in Arizona by 10,457 votes. The recorders office runs voter registration and early voting efforts in the states most populous county. Heap has said thousands of Republican voters don't have faith in the county's election operations. He'll face Democrat Tim Stringham, an attorney, in the Nov. 5 general election. US House 8th District: Hamadeh, one of two Republicans endorsed by Trump, edged out Masters and four others to clinch the partys nomination in a district northwest of Phoenix. Hell have a good chance to succeed Republican U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko because the district leans conservative. The other candidates included former U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, Arizona state House Speaker Ben Toma, state Rep. Anthony Kern and political newcomer Patrick Briody. Hamadeh thanked voters, Trump, Lake and other supporters Wednesday in a social media post. The good guys still have a shot ... lets roll, he said. Meanwhile, Masters who also had Trumps backing in the race urged unity behind Hamadeh. For me, now, its back to business, and helping in any way I can to get Donald J. Trump back in the White House, Masters said. Hamadeh, Masters and Lake campaigned together in 2022 in separate races. But the friendship between Hamadeh and Masters deteriorated after they lost. Both adopted Trumps name-calling tactics, with Hamadeh referring to Masters as The Snake and Masters labeling Hamadeh as Dishonest Abe. In November, Hamadeh will compete against Greg Whitten, a biosecurity worker, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. 1st District: Shah, a medical doctor who previously served in the Arizona Legislature, won the Democratic primary for Arizonas 1st Congressional District, which includes parts of north Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and Paradise Valley. In November, Shah will face incumbent Republican Rep. David Schweikert, who has served seven terms and breezed through the GOP primary. Biden won the district in 2020. Schweikerts reputation has been tarnished in recent years by ethics scandals. In 2022, Schweikert received a $125,000 fine by the Federal Elections Commission for misappropriating campaign funds. Two years prior, he agreed to pay a $50,000 fine and accept 11 campaign finance violations after an investigation by the U.S. House Ethics Committee. The other candidates who ran in the Democratic primary were Andrei Cherny, a former state party chair; ex-news anchor Marlene Galan-Wood; orthodontist Andrew Horne; former regional American Red Cross CEO Kurt Kroemer; and investment banker Conor OCallaghan. Schweikert defeated businessman Robert Backie and ex-FBI agent and corporate investor Kim George. 3rd District: In the Democratic primary, Ansari has touted herself as progressive candidate who will stand up to MAGA extremism and defend abortion rights. Teran, a former state Senate minority leader, emphasizes her success as an organizer and a key player in ousting Joe Arpaio from the Maricopa County sheriff's post. Zink, who claimed Bidens victory in 2020 was stolen, defeated Jesus David Mendoza to win the Republican nomination. Arizona Legislature Senate District 2: State Sen. Shawnna Bolick won the Republican primary, fending off a challenge from a small business owner who leans further to the right. Bolick was appointed to the northwest Phoenix seat last summer to fill a vacancy. Her popularity was tested Tuesday, months after she sided with Democrats in repealing an 1864 near-total ban on abortions. In November, Bolick will face state Rep. Judy Schwiebert, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Senate District 7: State Sen. Wendy Rogers kept her status as incumbent in the race for a seat that represents a vast district including Flagstaff, and parts of Navajo, Gila and Pinal counties. Rogers is a prolific election denier who aligned with Trump and has been censured by the Legislature after backing white nationalism. Still, shes popular with her base and has a national following. Her primary opponent, state Rep. David Cook, had criticized her for not focusing on more local issues like mining and water. Rogers' Democratic challenger in the November election is Haley Creighton. Senate District 1: Former state Rep. Mark Finchem, a fierce Trump loyalist, defeated incumbent state Sen. Ken Bennett for the GOP nomination in the reliably red district anchored by Prescott. Finchem was a prolific proponent of the lie that former President Donald Trump lost his 2020 reelection because of widespread fraud, which has been repeatedly debunked by courts, election experts and Trumps own attorney general. Bennett, a former secretary of state and state Senate president, represented the more moderate choice for voters. A third candidate, real estate broker Steve Zipperman, trailed. Voters will choose between Finchem and Democrat Mike Fogel in the general election. ___ This story has been corrected to show that Haley Creighton will face Wendy Rogers in November, not David Cook. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) An Arkansas man has been indicted on federal child exploitation charges after allegedly traveling to Middle Tennessee to meet up with a middle schooler who he began interacting with on Snapchat. Daniel Kelly, 32, was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Tennessee on Wednesday, July 17, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced. Officials took Kelly into custody on July 23 in his hometown of Jonesboro, Arkansas. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began investigating in the spring after receiving reports that an adult man was exchanging messages with a child on Snapchat. Through their investigation, agents said they were able to link the Snapchat handle to Kelly. In addition to chatting over social media, Kelly and the young girl reportedly sent each other several images one of which officials said included a copy of the minor childs middle school calendar. In October 2023, investigators said Kelly traveled from Jonesboro to Middle Tennessee on two occasions. Both reportedly coincided with the minors Fall Break. During those trips, authorities said Kelly had sexual intercourse with the child. He allegedly recorded at least one of the encounters on his phone and later sent a copy to the minor over the internet. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Memphis Field Office, and the Nashville Resident Agency. There was also assistance from the FBI Little Rock Field Office, Jonesboro Resident Agency. If convicted, Kelly faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. The U.S. Attorneys Office noted that an indictment is merely an allegation and that every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. PHILLIPS COUNTY, Ark. Police said a teen who was reported missing on Tuesday has been found safe. Arkansas State Police said in a release sent Tuesday night that 13-year-old Kayden Pace has been found safe. An AMBER Alert had been issued for Pace after she was reported missing from Marvell on Tuesday morning. ASP officials said may have traveled to Friendship, Tennessee with 25-year-old James McKinley Moore Jr. Police said they believe that Pace met Moore online. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Phillips County Sheriffs Office at 870-338-5555. 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 KARK. Arkansas State Police seize more than 345 pounds of illegal marijuana in Franklin County traffic stops FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ark. Arkansas State Police said that state troopers seized more than 345 pounds of illegal marijuana between two separate traffic stops in Franklin County. According to ASP officials, a state trooper conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 40 just after 8:15 a.m. Monday. Authorities said that seven large trash bags of 145 pounds of illegal marijuana were found in the truck bed. Arkansas State Police seize 400-plus pounds of marijuana, cash in Conway County traffic stop State troopers arrested the driver, 34-year-old Steven McGee of Kansas. He was taken to the Franklin County Detention Center, where he is facing felony charges of possession with intent to deliver and drug paraphernalia. On Thursday, July 25, special agents stopped a truck on I-40 for a traffic violation. Authorities said they searched the vehicle and found seven large trash bags of 202 pounds of illegal marijuana in the truck bed. ASP officials said 42-year-old Brent Pope of Tennessee was arrested and taken to the Franklin County Detention Center. He is facing charges of possession with intent to deliver and drug paraphernalia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Army is undermanned for a conflict with China or Russia, potential future fights that could expand across several geographic regions, a new report by a committee tasked with reviewing the 2022 National Defense Strategy has found. The service specifically does not have the number of soldiers needed for what would likely be an intensive island-hopping campaign in the Pacific and subsequent urban battles in major metropolitan cities in Asia, according to the Commission on the National Defense Strategy, which was created by Congress. "We have to have an Army that's sufficiently large that it can operate in all of these places simultaneously," Eric Edelman, the commission vice chair and George W. Bush-era under secretary of defense for policy, told lawmakers Tuesday. "It's very hard to imagine a conflict in the Indo-Pacific that doesn't become global very quickly." Read Next: The Army Bet $11M on The Rock and UFL Ginning Up Enlistments. It May Have Actually Hurt Recruiting Efforts. The review indicates a need for greater investments in the military. Traditionally, national security-focused reports, particularly to Congress, lean toward giving more money to the Pentagon -- which has a budget that dwarfs any other country's defense spending, including allies. "Lessons from the Ukraine war demonstrate that the U.S. Army needs to expand its force structure in key areas -- particularly air defense, counter-unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare, and long-range fires," the commission's report noted. The Pentagon's latest budget proposed would reduce the Army's size to 443,000 soldiers, which would be its smallest since before World War II. The service hit a contemporary peak of 556,000 soldiers in 2010 and 2011, during a surge in Afghanistan overseen by President Barack Obama. "We should reevaluate the goals," said Jennifer Kavanagh, senior fellow and director of military analysis for Defense Priorities, a Washington, D.C.-based foreign policy think tank. "There are certain types of units being deployed way too often. One possibility is that the Army is too small; the other is that the United States is trying to do too many things at once and need[s] to prioritize and downsize, and think about what activities are most vital to U.S. interests." The Army is spread thin, a problem aggravated by an ongoing recruiting slump. The high cadence of missions have left units, particularly combat-arms units, overtaxed -- concerns the service's top leaders have acknowledged but have had few answers for. Furthermore, enlisted soldiers in those front-line units are at least 50% more likely to die by suicide compared to their civilian counterparts, according to Pentagon data. The concerns come not just from a potential fight with China. For years, the Pentagon's goal has been to have a force capable of juggling two major conflicts. Right now, the U.S. is heavily committed to Africa and the Middle East, even as the peak of the Global War on Terror passed a decade ago. Meanwhile, the Army, especially, has troops massed in Europe to bolster NATO's front lines amid Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. The U.S. also has various smaller troop presences in lower-profile missions such as Kosovo. And building up the Army ranks may be a problem that goes beyond just funding. The service has had a significant challenge recruiting soldiers, a problem that has nagged the Army for a decade. It came up 10,000 active-duty recruits short of its goal of bringing in 65,000 new soldiers last year. Related: Military Jobs with High Deployment Pace, Blast Exposure Correlated with Higher Suicide Rates, Data Shows The sound of handcuffs clicking shut reverberated through a Manatee County courtroom late Tuesday night at the conclusion of the Ashley Benefield trial. For the family of Doug Benefield, a naval pilot officer who was shot and killed by his estranged wife in Lakewood Ranch in September 2020, the sound was of ringing justice. "The sound was as good as the sight," Tommie Benefield, Doug Benefield's cousin and a witness in the trial, said about watching Ashley Benefield be handcuffed, taken into the custody of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and led out of the courtroom. After almost seven hours of deliberations, a six-person jury returned with a verdict of guilty of manslaughter, a lesser offense than the second-degree murder charge for Ashley Benefield, 32. They found that the former ballerina possessed and discharged a gun and as a result killed Doug Benefield. The verdict was read out in a mostly empty courtroom with Doug Benefield's family filling half the gallery compared to how full the benches had been just hours before and throughout the trial. After five days of testimony, sidebars and objections the prosecution and defense gave closing arguments early Tuesday afternoon. In a case that has captured public interest, the former ballerina claimed she shot her estranged husband in self-defense, fearing for her life. The prosecution argued Ashley Benefield killed her husband in order to prevent him from learning she had no intention of reconciling their marriage and that her goal was to be a single mother with sole custody of their daughter. The jury, made of five women and one man, began deliberations around 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon as slashing, torrential rain and dime-sized hail pelted outside the Manatee County Judicial Center. They were tasked with deciding whether Ashley Benefield shot and killed her estranged husband in cold blood or whether she acted in self-defense as a woman desperate to escape domestic abuse. After six hours of deliberations, the jury said they couldn't reach a unanimous verdict. The judge asked if they wanted to come back in the morning to continue deliberations, but the jury decided to stay. Ashley Benefield trial: Former ballerina testifies during fourth day of murder trial Trial coverage: Defense rests their case, call mental health counselor Less than an hour later, they delivered their verdict. Doug Benefields family reacts to verdict, defense declines comment Eva Benefield takes the stand on rebuttal for the state on the sixth day of Ashley Benefields trial for the second-degree murder of her husband, Doug Benefield, in 2020 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, July 29, 2024. Ashley Benefields defense attorney Neil Taylor inched closer to his client when the verdict was read by the court clerk, offering her comfort and support. Ashley Benefield remained solemn as the verdict was read. Her face revealed none of the emotions shed displayed on the stand four days earlier. As the defense and prosecution made arguments about whether to remand her to the custody of the Manatee County Sheriffs Office, the Lakewood Ranch mother bent her head over a piece of paper, scribbling a note. Taylor tried to keep his client out on bond before the sentencing hearing, arguing she has connections to the community, no prior criminal history and shed appeared at every court hearing up to the trial. Assistant State Attorney Suzanne ODonnell pointed out that Ashley Benefield had more at stake with the conviction as she potentially faces up to 30 years in prison. Manatee County Circuit Court Judge Matt Whyte ordered that Ashley Benefield be taken into custody until the sentencing hearing, which is expected to be scheduled within the next few months. Following the conclusion of the trial, Taylor walked past members of the media outside the judicial center declining to comment. Doug Benefields 23-year-old daughter, Eva, Tommie Benefield, and Doug Benefields younger brother, Dave, all took time to comment. Ashley Benefield trial: Psychologist, Manatee County detectives testify In case you missed it: Ashley Benefield case dubbed 'Black Swan murder trial' by media. What does that term mean? I apologize to all the women who have gone through domestic violence situations, Eva Benefield said. I think what Ashley was doing was unfair to them. They deserve justice and Im very happy that my dad got the justice he deserves. Tommie Benefield said the family is happy Ashley Benefield was taken into custody as shed only spent 17 days in jail following her arrest before she bonded out. He added they were thankful the lesser charge was included for the jury to consider. The family expressed their gratitude to the state attorneys, victims advocates, court personnel and the judge for everything theyd done. Tommie Benefield acknowledged that the case was also hard on Ashley Benefield and that itll be difficult for her to be apart from her young daughter, who will remain with Ashley Benefields mother. Tommie Benefield, cousing of Doug, during closing arguments to the jury on the sixth day of Ashley Benefields trial for the second-degree murder of her husband, Doug Benefield, in 2020 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, July 29, 2024. Dave Benefield recalled getting to spend a few days with his brother five weeks before his death, and he said that Doug Benefield had loved his wife, his daughters and he wanted to be there for them. I am so thankful for justice, the entire process was simply amazing. But Doug, his heart would be, I want to see my family healed, I would want to see my family whole, Dave Benefield said. As for the four long years of waiting for this verdict, Tommie Benefield said his family never gave up on the system. He and other members attended every hearing they could. While he acknowledged that you hate when anything takes that long to get to, it was worth it in the end when done right. She is not the victim: Prosecutors state Ashley Benefield wasnt domestic violence victim "Domestic violence is absolutely a real problem," O'Donnell said. "There are many, many women that are in horrendous situations. Women, and sometimes men, that are in situations that are being abused and beaten on a regular basis. People who feel like they cannot get out, no way to get out. This is not this defendant, and it never was." ODonnell argued that Ashley Benefield used domestic violence and allegations to achieve her goal of gaining sole custody of her and Doug Benefield's child at all costs. O'Donnell detailed how Ashley Benefield repeatedly made complaints and filed domestic violence injunctions against her husband, using the same claims over and over despite not having lived or been together with Doug Benefield for three years. The prosecutor acknowledged that Doug Benefield wasnt an angel and that his past behaviors hadn't been appropriate; however, ODonnell pointed out that the behavior had happened three years prior to the shooting. By September 2020, Ashley Benefield had been living in her own home with her mother in Florida, Doug Benefield hadnt physically harmed her in that time, he wasnt controlling her comings and goings, and he couldnt have used intimidation to control her since they hadnt been together in three years. Beginning with their 13-day whirlwind romance and marriage, ODonnell said that according to Ashley Benefields testimony, despite her husband becoming controlling and having angry outbursts, the couple decided Doug Benefield would have a vasectomy reversal to start a family. Despite moving away to Florida in August 2017, Ashley Benefield began a campaign of complaints against Doug Benefield, ODonnell said. The judge granted a mutual injunction in South Carolina, which meant there was no finding of fault, but the family court judge in Florida denied Ashley Benefields domestic violence injunction and granted Doug visitation rights. Suzanne ODonnell presents closing arguments to the jury on the sixth day of Ashley Benefields trial for the second-degree murder of her husband, Doug Benefield, in 2020 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, July 29, 2024. ODonnell said MCSO Det. Chris Gillums testimony proved Ashleys motive when she adamantly urged him to arrest Doug Benefield before a judge to help her keep her baby. The prosecution claimed Ashley Benefield was aware that her charade of reconciling with her husband was over and her comments of time running out and taking matters into her own hands in the days leading up to the shooting proved where her state of mind was the night Doug Benefield came over to help pack. Assistant State Attorney Rebecca Freel hammered home one word to the jury during the last part of the prosecution's closing arguments: Manipulate. Ashley Benefield attempted to manipulate the Courts, law enforcement and various therapists, and now she was now trying to manipulate the jury, Freel said. Freel pointed out that during Ashley Benefield's testimony, it wasn't until the judge pointed out that there were tissues to the right side of the stand, that Ashley Benefield grabbed one. "She'd been crying for 15 minutes. Didn't need a tissue," Freel said. "That's manipulation. That's her effort to manipulate you and make you believe that she was a victim. She is not the victim. Douglas Benefield was the victim in this case." Im going to surrender her fate to you Ashley Benefield on the sixth day of her trial for the second-degree murder of her husband, Doug Benefield, in 2020 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, July 29, 2024. The issue to be resolved in this case: was the force used justified, Taylor questioned the jury, his already quiet voice gruffer from being sick. Taylor harkened back to his opening statements where he told the jury that Doug Benefield was a very sick guy and that his clients actions on Sept. 27, 2020, were absolutely justified. The defenses closing arguments focused on evidence that showed Ashley Benefield was a victim of domestic violence and how the prosecutions theory of motive switched halfway through the case. Taylor reminded the jury that the prosecutions case relied on the motive that Ashley Benefield allegedly killed Doug Benefield to prevent him from seeing a report that was supposed to be released on Sept. 30, three days after the shooting took place. The report was the result of an agreed upon psychological evaluation by Dr. Brad Broeder as part of a domestic violence injunction. Taylor pointed out that Stephanie Murphy, the family law attorney hired by Doug Benefield to represent him in the injunction, had testified that the report was supposed to be released on the 30th. However, an email chain between Murphy, Ashley Benefields family attorney and a judges judicial assistant showed that the hearing was simply for the domestic violence injunction, not the release of the report. More: New College's president, lawyer attend Ashley Benefield trial. Here's what to know Previous reporting: Former Florida ballerina evokes 'Stand Your Ground' in 2020 homicide of estranged husband Further, the same psychologist said that Ashley Benefield had no violent tendencies and wasnt prone to contemptuous acts, Taylor said. Her only concern about the report, according to testimony, was that if Doug found out what she'd said about him, he would take it out on her or their child. For four years, Ashley Benefield did what any law-abiding citizen was expected to do, Taylor said. She filed complaint after complaint about her estranged husbands behavior to law enforcement, to no avail. Taylor questioned why shed make the sudden leap to kill. Turning to Bruce Ferris testimony, Taylor pointed out how the mental health counselor listed aspects of Doug Benefields past that aligned with an abusers tendencies. He threatened to kill himself in front of Ashley, he punched the dog so hard he knocked him unconscious, he threw a loaded gun at his wife, placed a tracker on her car, he drove from South Carolina to Florida to track his wife, and he cursed, yelled and belittled his wife, Taylor said. "If that's not determination, what is? If that's not fixation, what is? If that's not obsession, what is?" Taylor questioned. Taylor argued that his client exhibited the characteristics of a victim of domestic violence by appeasing her estranged husband by going along to get along in order to protect her child. He said while she may have looked happy and content, she was in compliance mode to keep Doug Benefield at bay. For the last several years, Ive walked hand-in-hand with Ashley, Taylor said. Im going to surrender her fate to you. Gabriela Szymanowska covers the legal system for the Herald-Tribune in partnership with Report for America. You can support her work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. Contact Gabriela Szymanowska at gszymanowska@gannett.com, or on X: @GabrielaSzyman3. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Former ballerina Ashley Benefield found guilty of death of husband By Michele Kambas and Yiannis Kourtoglou NICOSIA (Reuters) - Asylum seekers have been stranded in a U.N. controlled buffer zone splitting Cyprus for weeks, caught up in the conflict which divides the island and a government getting increasingly tough on migration. For just over three months around 40 people have been trapped in no-man's-land, in what is increasingly becoming a battle of wills between a government adamant not to receive them, and the United Nations which says Cyprus is obliged to, under international conventions. The stalemate has left men, women and children stuck at two different locations along the 180 km (116 mile) line bisecting Cyprus, in flimsy tents in scorching heat, with no running water or electricity. The toilets are chemical portaloos, the shower is a crate covered with tarpaulin and a bucket of water. "This is not viable and we are really concerned about the safety and well-being of the people who are stranded here," said Emilia Strovolidou of the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR. Almost all of these migrants are known to have travelled from Turkey to breakaway north Cyprus and then attempted to cross into Cyprus's internationally recognised south before being barred by authorities. Contacted by Reuters, the office of Cyprus's migration minister declined comment. The ministry has previously said that since the migrants travelled from Turkey, that country should take them back. "We are calling the government of Cyprus to ensure effective access to the asylum process and to dignified living conditions as the international refugee law provides," Strovolidou said. ASYLUM SUSPENDED Cyprus in April suspended processing asylum applications from Syrians after a spike in irregular arrivals by sea. It comes against a backdrop of growing unease among the local population on migration and a government unwilling to see a new migratory route open from the north. Afghans who spoke to Reuters said they had to seek sanctuary after the Taliban seized power their homeland. A young woman who identified herself as Sapien, 30, was studying literature in Turkey but when her visa expired, she had to leave. She has been trapped in the buffer zone for "three months and one week". Her voice breaking, Sapien said she is losing hope. "During the night I can't sleep, I can't feel safe here because I am alone," she said. She said she had suicidal thoughts, was taken to a doctor who issued a prescription and promptly taken back to the buffer zone. "I think everything is finished for me." In many cases, after being intercepted on government territory, they were taken back to the buffer zone, a tactic known as a "push back", Strovolidou said. Mudassir, 34, now describes himself as stateless. He had attempted to leave the camp, but was escorted back by police. "I told them we were seeking refuge and asylum because our lives were at risk, serious risk. But still they didnt accept anything and brought us back to the buffer zone." Sapien added: "Never did I want to be a refugee. But it's not my choice." (Writing by Michele Kambas; Editing by Angus MacSwan) FILE - Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks during the Republican National Convention Monday, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee. An Atlanta man has pleaded guilty in federal court to making threats against U.S. Rep. Greene of Georgia. Court records show that 34-year-old Sean Patrick Cirillo pleaded guilty Tuesday, July 30, to a charge of transmitting interstate threats. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File) ATLANTA (AP) An Atlanta man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to threatening U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in phone calls to the Georgia Republican's Washington office. Sean Patrick Cirillo, 34, pleaded guilty to a charge of transmitting interstate threats before a U.S. District Court judge in Atlanta, according to court records. He will be sentenced later. Prosecutors say Cirillo phoned Greenes Washington office three times on Nov. 8 and made threatening statements while speaking with the lawmaker's staff. On one of the calls, according to prosecutors, Cirillo said: I got a bead on her. Like a sniper rifle. A sniper rifle. And I'm gonna kill her next week. Threatening to kill a public official is reprehensible, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan of Georgia's northern district said in a statement. Our office will not tolerate any form of violence, threats or intimidation against public officials." Cirillo isnt the first person to face criminal charges for threatening Greene. Joseph Morelli of Endicott, New York, was sentenced to three months in prison last year after he pleaded guilty to leaving violent voicemails in calls to Greenes office in 2022. Greene asked the judge in the New York case to order Morelli to pay $65,000 in restitution to cover the cost of a security fence at her Georgia home. U.S. District Judge Brenda Kay Sannes denied the request, saying Greene's lawyers didn't establish that the security upgrades were linked directly to Morelli's threats. Besides never-ending culture war provocations and French officials' inexplicable dedication to persuading the world that the Seine River is not, in fact, an open sewer, the most interesting news out of the 2024 summer Olympics involves repeated attacks on France's infrastructure. Coming so soon after the chaos created by the CrowdStrike fiasco, it underlines the vulnerability of so much of modern society, even amidst heightened security. Acts of Malice and Incompetence "France's high-speed rail network was hit by 'malicious acts' including arson attacks that have disrupted the transport system, train operator SNCF said Friday, hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics," France24 reported last week. "The disruptions as the world's eye was turning to Paris were expected to affect a quarter of a million people on Friday and endure through the weekend, and possibly longer, officials said." French authorities were already beginning to point their fingers at "far-left extremists" who have targeted the rail network in the past when the country's data networks were attacked just days later. "The French government says multiple telecommunications lines have been hit by acts of vandalism, affecting fiber lines and fixed and mobile phone lines as cities around France are hosting events for the 2024 Paris Olympics," according to Le Monde. Whether the two attacks were related remains uncertain, though that seems likely. But with 20,000 troops deployed alongside 40,000 police officers for the Olympics, the incidents illustrate how hard it is to secure the modern, interconnected world when bad actors can cause damage by striking from beyond the security perimeters. They also highlight, coming so soon after the CrowdStrike mess, the fragility of the systems on which we depend, whether the threat is from malice or incompetence. "A bad software update from security software vendor CrowdStrike has paralyzed Windows machines around the world," CSO noted on July 19. "The problem, apparently affecting its Falcon platform, brought down servers at airlines, locked up computers at banks, and hurt healthcare services." Businesses, organizations, and government agencies are still cleaning up from the aftermath, which is ultimately projected to carry a price tag in the billions of dollars. During the outage, many operations were unable to process credit cards and people were reduced to paying in cashif they had any. Flights were grounded and medical procedures were canceled as data on servers became unavailable. It was a return to business as done decades in the past for people who, in many cases, no longer have the equipment, physical money, or paper records to adjust accordingly. When the Modern World Runs Through a Single Cable Those of us in northern Arizona had a taste of that world in 2015 when somebodystill uncaught, so far as I can tellcut through the fiber-optic cable that carried the 21st century to our piece of the planet. "Businesses couldn't process credit card transactions, ATMs didn't function, law enforcement databases were unavailable, and even weather reports were affected in an area stretching from north of Phoenix to Flagstaff, about 100 miles away," CBS News reported at the time. The outage lasted just hours, providing a relatively harmless warning of what could happen. As Felicia Fonseca wrote for the AP, it "did more than underscore just how dependent modern society has become on high technology. It raised questions about the vulnerability of the nation's Internet infrastructure." Cables in the tech-heavy San Francisco area have suffered many such attacks. The CrowdStrike mess suggests data networks are still vulnerable, whether to saboteurs or to sloppy code. For Wired, Caroline Haskins observed that "many businesses were faced with a choice: Go cash-only or close until systems came back online." In Australia's BrokerDaily, Jack Campbell observed that "CrowdStrike outages that affected systems across the world have some questioning digital banking." Vulnerable Systems in a Hostile World That's a timely rethink given the attacks on the rail and, particularly, the fiber-optic networks in Franceespecially given that just days before the Olympics opened, authorities arrested Paris-based Russian chef/FSB spy Kirill Gryaznov for plotting to disrupt the opening ceremonies on behalf of his handlers in Moscow. That he was caught because he got drunk and publicly boasted of his mission would be laughable if much of the world hadn't just been brought to its knees because a computer security company didn't properly test its latest software update. Adding weight to the arrest is that Russia and the West are engaged in a not-so-quiet sabotage war. "In April alone a clutch of alleged pro-Russian saboteurs were detained across the continent," The Economist noted May 12. "Germany arrested two German-Russian dual nationals on suspicion of plotting attacks on American military facilities and other targets on behalf of the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency. Poland arrested a man who was preparing to pass the GRU information on Rzeszow airport, the most important hub for military aid to Ukraine. Britain charged several men over an earlier arson attack in March on a Ukrainian-owned logistics firm in London whose Spanish depot was also targeted." International tensions aren't exactly cooling down at the moment. And here we are with France suffering two attacks seemingly timed to disrupt the Olympics. As the CrowdStrike incident and my 2015 experience underline, the U.S. is as exposed as France. Not only are data networks subject to disruption, but the power grid that keeps it all running is beyond rickety. In 2019, The Wall Street Journal's Rebecca Smith emphasized that "despite federal orders to secure the power grid, tens of thousands of substations are still vulnerable to saboteurs." It's all enough to suggest the modern world is built on a foundation of shifting sandand some people are actively working to erode its stability. We enjoy the convenience of electricity at the flick of a switch, data at our fingertips, and a connected world. But unless we make backup plans for when those connections go away, whether from mishap, incompetence, or malice, we leave ourselves at risk in a world that offers so much on demand but could take it away in an instant. Let's enjoy our conveniences. But let's also make sure we're not completely helpless when, inevitably, they become unavailable. The post Attacks on France's Infrastructure Highlight Modern World's Vulnerability appeared first on Reason.com. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) A Massachusetts attorney was arrested Tuesday for her alleged involvement in a scheme to smuggle contraband into the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha announced. Charging documents allege that Theresa M. DiJoseph, 50, of Woburn, used her credentials to meet with an inmate, Shawn David Hart, 46, for a contact visit on July 9, 2023. These visits, which do not include a plexiglass screen, are typically used by attorneys to conduct legal work approved by the detention center, according to prosecutors. DiJoseph reportedly requested a specific room for their visit, citing discomfort with the other rooms. After the visit, Wyatt correctional officers filed two incident reports regarding DiJosephs suspicious behavior. Staff reviewed messages on a Wyatt-issued tablet that allegedly showed DiJoseph sent personal photos to Hart, along with Cash App screenshots and sports betting transactions she carried out on his behalf. DiJoseph claimed she was doing probate work for Hart and visited him four times during a two-week period because she felt bad for him, according to the court affidavit. She was then barred from contact visits with Hart for about five months, but was later allowed to resume them, Cunha said. On Dec. 1, 2023, before a contact visit with Hart, a correctional officer confiscated 10 pieces of paper from DiJoseph that appeared discolored, thicker than normal, and previously wet and dried, court documents state. FBI lab testing revealed that the papers had residue of synthetic cannabinoids. Further text messages between the pair showed that DiJoseph was planning to meet another woman during the visit. Three days earlier, 26-year-old detainee Samuel Douglas arranged for his girlfriend, 21-year-old Hanasa Stedford of Hamden, CT, to meet DiJoseph outside the detention center to collect the seized papers, court documents allege. The meetup and exchange of a manila folder between Stedford and DiJoseph was captured by surveillance cameras. The video also showed DiJoseph with the papers in the Wyatt lobby. When questioned, she stated she had picked the sheets up from her printer and just brought them here. On Jan. 10, DiJoseph and Hart discussed the confiscated papers over text. DiJoseph expressed her frustration and suggested writing to the warden to explain her ignorance of the papers contents. Hart advised her to try, noting that similar incidents happen to lawyers frequently. Later that day, DiJoseph sent an email to Wyatts warden, claiming she needed to assist Hart with a custody issue. The affidavit states she wrote, I was absolutely horrified and disgusted that there were papers inside my clients file that I was completely unaware were in there, and further insisted she had no idea that a drug could be put on paper. In May, FBI agents interviewed DiJoseph at her home. She claimed she had a fee agreement with Hart but he never paid her, according to the affidavit. Regarding the Dec. 1 visit, she said the paperwork seized by correctional officers was case law related to capital murder. When asked where the paperwork came from, she told agents she had printed some materials at a Staples store earlier that day but could not recall the location or provide a receipt. Court documents show DiJoseph continuously changed her story about the papers, the Dec. 1 visit and her relationship with Hart. Additionally, DiJoseph told agents she and Hart had discussed having an intimate relationship, but denied any actions due to her marriage and his girlfriend. DiJoseph is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, providing a prohibited object to an inmate, and making a false statement. Stedford and the two Wyatt detainees are charged with conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute and providing a prohibited object to an inmate. DiJoseph and Stedford were both due to appear in court on Tuesday. Hart is currently detained at Wyatt while awaiting trial on drug and firearm charges out of Massachusetts. Douglas is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to racketeering conspiracy in Connecticut. Both will appear in court on the new charges at a later date. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Palestinians return to the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis after the Israeli army withdrew from the eastern part of the city, on July 30, 2024. The Palestinian Civil Defense stated on Tuesday that the bodies of 42 Palestinians were recovered from the rubble in the east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, following the Israeli army's withdrawal. Local sources and eyewitnesses informed Xinhua that the Israeli army left behind extensive destruction in homes, residential buildings, mosques, and cemeteries. Following the withdrawal, dozens of families returned to their homes from which they had been displaced, according to sources and witnesses. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians return to the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis after the Israeli army withdrew from the eastern part of the city, on July 30, 2024. The Palestinian Civil Defense stated on Tuesday that the bodies of 42 Palestinians were recovered from the rubble in the east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, following the Israeli army's withdrawal. Local sources and eyewitnesses informed Xinhua that the Israeli army left behind extensive destruction in homes, residential buildings, mosques, and cemeteries. Following the withdrawal, dozens of families returned to their homes from which they had been displaced, according to sources and witnesses. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People gather on the beach as a migrant center is seen in the foreground in the port of Shengjin, northwest Albania, Thursday, July 25, 2024. Migrants rescued at sea while attempting to reach Italy are likely to see themselves transported to Albania from next month while their asylum claims are processed, under a controversial deal in which the small Balkan country will host thousands of asylum-seekers on Italy's behalf. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj) GJADER, Albania (AP) Migrants rescued at sea while attempting to reach Italy may see themselves transported to Albania beginning next month while their asylum claims are processed, under a controversial deal in which the small Balkan country will host thousands of asylum-seekers on Italys behalf. Speaking during a visit to Albania in June, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the two centers designed to shelter the migrants would be ready to host the first 1,000 people by Aug. 1. But with that day at hand, intensive construction was still underway in one of them, casting doubt on whether it will be entirely ready in time. Neither Italy nor Albania has indicated when the first migrants are likely to arrive. The five-year deal, signed by Meloni and her Albanian counterpart, Edi Rama last November, provides for the sheltering of up to 3,000 migrants picked up by the Italian coast guard in international waters each month. They will be screened initially on board the ships that have rescued them, before being sent to Albania for additional screening. The centers will house only adult men, Italys ambassador to Albania, Fabrizio Bucci, told The Associated Press. People deemed to be vulnerable women, children, the elderly and those who are ill or victims of torture will be accommodated in Italy. Families will also not be separated, the ambassador said. Those who are sent to Albania will retain their right under international and European Union law to apply for asylum in Italy and have their claims processed there, but their movement in and out of the centers in Albania will be restricted. With each claim taking around a month to process, the number of people sent to Albania could reach 36,000 in a year. Italy has agreed to welcome those who are granted asylum. Those whose applications are rejected face deportation directly from Albania, the ambassador said. Endorsed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as an example of out-of-box thinking" on tackling the issue of migration into the European Union, the deal has been slammed by human rights groups as setting a dangerous precedent. "The International Rescue Committee (IRC) highlights the risks associated with the scheme and urges the EU and its member states not to use this dangerous model as a blueprint for their own approaches to asylum and migration," the humanitarian organization said in a July 23 statement. Earlier this year, the IRC had described the deal as costly, cruel and counterproductive. It is not the first time a country has sought to outsource the housing of asylum-seekers. New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has scrapped the former Conservative government's much-criticized plan to send some migrants to Rwanda to process their asylum claims. New Home Secretary Yvette Copper said the cost of 700 million pounds ($904 million) for the plan was the most shocking waste of taxpayer money I have ever seen. The two centers in Albania will cost Italy 670 million euros ($730 million) over five years. The facilities will be fully run by Italy and both centers are under Italian jurisdiction, while Albanian guards will provide external security. One of the centers, in the port of Shengjin on Albania's Adriatic coast, has been ready for more than a month. But the other, about 24 kilometers (15 miles) to its east near a former military airport in Gjader, was still far from being finished with just a week to go before its scheduled opening date. Bucci, the Italian ambassador, said the first delay came due to the crumbling soil at the Gjader camp site, which needed intervention to consolidate it. Also the heat wave in July forced authorities to impose a break during the hottest hours of the day. "Our main concern is, and will remain, the absolute safety and protection of the workers on the site and, eventually, of the migrants that will be hosted in Gjader, Bucci said. The Associated Press was not allowed access to the camp, but evidence of intensive construction was clear, with two excavators and a tall crane working furiously, digging to prepare for the installation of a perimeter fence around the roughly 50-acre (20-hectare) site and moving huge pipes. Container buildings that will provide housing for the camp residents were already installed, but piles of panels and frames to build further housing units lay at the main entrance. The head of the nearby village of Gjader and local residents said work at the center was far from complete. Away from the controversy sparked by the deal elsewhere, residents of the low-income village a source of emigration itself said they appreciated the center being built in their area. With few local job opportunities, more than two-thirds of Gjader's population has emigrated to other European countries over the past 30 years, and some locals said they felt an affinity with the prospective residents of the migrant center. Honoring those in need will make us more in number, despite their race, language or nation, said Bib Lazri, a 70-year-old Gjader resident. The center is also bringing an economic boom to the impoverished rural area. The people have seen their life improved. They are looking to get employed. There is movement and vivacity," said village head Sander Preka. People are very happy. His own shop, he said, had seen 30% higher turnover in the past month, while some locals have rented their homes to migrant center employees and others have found work at the center. In Shengjin, a 4,000-square-meter (43,000-square-foot) area contains housing units and offices at the port, surrounded by a five-meter (16-foot) high metal fence topped with barbed wire. A sign reads: "Security Level 1." Journalists were not allowed access. Meloni and her right-wing allies have long demanded European countries share more of the migration burden. She has held up the Albania agreement as an innovative solution to a problem that has vexed the EU for years. ___ Associated Press writer Paolo Santalucia in Rome contributed to this report. ___ Llazar Semini on X: https://x.com/lsemini ___ Follow APs coverage of migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson and his staff this week fielded challenges to the use of his private credit cards for official business and seeking reimbursement rather than going through the citys official procurement process. During a commission Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Chief of Staff Jasmine Sims said the limits on city procurement cards are too low to fund a trip like the official state dinner honoring Nigerian President William Ruto that President Joe Biden invited Johnson to attend in May in Washington, D.C. It was the mayors third trip to Washington since taking office. He attended a White House Christmas Party and the annual State of the Union address. City Finance Director Donna Williams said the city has an extensive procurement process that municipal employees and elected officials are required to follow. She said there is a $500 daily limit and a $5,000 monthly limit on city purchasing cards. Exceptions can be made by the administrator of the card. She is the administrator for the credit cards and Procurement Director Geri Sams is the administrator for P-cards a type of corporate credit card. More: After tree removing uproar in Olde Town, Augusta mayor seeks to form new city department Williams said there was a $41,000 reimbursement request from the mayor in 2023. The mayor said the money spent on these trips was already in the budget. As you know, it was my goal upon taking office to create more efficiency in government, Johnson said. From time to time we have things we need to do, and we take action to get them done. He took exception to the implication that there may have been wrongdoing. He said he would not risk his integrity by submitting false expense statements or by using credit cards he didnt own. Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson Its crazy. This is official city business, the mayor said. He said his offices annual budget is $554,020 and in 2023 he returned 22.1% of that to the general fund. Twenty-two percent, thats unheard of, he said. But Williams said there isnt a city policy for recurring personal credit card reimbursements. I dont have a sanctioned method of reimbursement to repay the mayors request, she said. In 2021, the city approved a policy which is followed by all city departments and elected officials and requires the use of a city-issued purchasing (P-card) or credit card, Williams said. Sims said she went through city training on the use of P-cards and trained the mayors staff. In the mayors office, if there is a vendor that can be paid with a city card or purchase order, it is used. More: Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson: Workforce hub initiative is moving Augusta forward Sims said the problem is the spending limits on the city cards. When First Lady Jill Biden visited Augusta in November, We were looking at a close to $10,000 (in purchases) within 24 hours. The teleprompter that was cleared by the FBI and the Secret Service, that was a $4,000 (rental) that we had to put in, not to mention the operator that needed to be brought in and her travel. The P-card wouldnt have allowed us to make those purchases, she said. The mayor has given his staff his personal credit cards to use in these situations, she said. Williams said she recommended that the mayors staff use city P-cards and the mayor be issued a city credit card. The mayor indicated those were not suitable to his needs, she said. Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle suggested changes to spending limits need to be made for situations where the necessary expenses are above the current limits. Williams said those suggestions wouldnt be her decision. Im just saying that whats being requested is outside of existing policies. Im not saying there could not be a different policy. I dont have an existing policy to address this recurring circumstance. Im asking for some help. There is a state law that says use of a city-issued credit card by an elected official has to be approved by the governing body and there is a policy in place, she said. We have a policy. What we dont have is a policy, or any guidance, to address the process that is going on right now. Commissioner Jordan Johnson said the solution is for the mayor to follow the policies and get a city-issued credit card and allow the commission to extend his limit so the procurement process can be followed. We have policies and procedures in place for a reason. They knew about it and they willfully do not use it, he said. So, I think the solution to it ... is for the mayor to get a city-issued credit card and discuss raising the credit limits. Commissioner Catherine McKnight took exception to a comparison to former Mayor Hardie Davis Jr. who in December was found to have violated Georgia campaign rules and was ordered to pay nearly $17,000 in penalties. Its a far different cry from our former mayor to our current mayor, said McKnight. (Johnson has) been honest and what hes put out there is a simple expense reimbursement. When it comes up next week, Ill support it. The Finance Committee agreed to move the item to its next meeting and have the mayor and finance director to provide all the necessary supporting documentation. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson's credit card spending questioned This Augusta school is offering free classes soon to learn English as a second language Knowing how to speak English can spell success in any language. Helms College in Augusta is offering free classes for students wishing to learn English as a second language. "This program offers a comprehensive approach to improving English proficiency through interactive lessons and engaging activities," the college noted in a statement. "The classes cater to all levels, from beginners to those with prior English knowledge." Helms is a private, nonprofit postsecondary career school sponsored by Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA. A March 2024 survey conducted by the educational publishing and services company Pearson found that 80% of more than 5,000 non-native English speakers believe knowing English is "directly linked to earning potential, viewing strong English language skills as leading to as much as an 80% salary increase," according to its website. What's in store: Goodwill's Walton Way thrift shop in Augusta area offers more than gently-used merchandise English is generally acknowledged as the international language of business. Of an estimated 7.8 billion people on Earth, about 1.35 billion speak English, according to the online language learning platform Babbel. "We believe language should never be a barrier to personal and professional growth," the college noted in its statement. "By providing these free ESL classes, we aim to empower individuals in the Augusta community to communicate more effectively and achieve their goals." Registration for the free classes is at 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Helms campus at 3145 Washington Rd. Participants must attend the mandatory in-person registration session to enroll, the school said. Classes begin Aug. 22, and will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Thursday until Dec. 19. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta's Helms College to offer free English language classes A woman convicted earlier this month of stabbing her live-in boyfriend to death at an Augusta apartment complex in 2012 was recently sentenced to life in prison after a decade-long wait. After deliberating for nearly two days, an Augusta jury found Tiffany Yannika Brown guilty on July 19 of felony murder and possession of a knife during a felony in connection to the death of Ollie Anderson, 27, of Augusta, in 2012. Judge Jesse Stone sentenced Brown on Monday to life in prison with the possibility of parole, plus five years of probation for the knife charge. Richmond County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the Gordon Motel at 3674 Deans Bridge Road on Aug. 6, 2012 and found Ollie Anderson III, 27, of Augusta, in the parking lot with a puncture wound to the upper left side of his chest, according to previous reporting. Previous report: Murder case inching toward trial Anderson died in the parking lot where a friend drove him after picking him up from an apartment he shared with Brown at Fox Trace Apartments, The Chronicle reported. Brown claimed Anderson was beating her at the apartment and she stabbed him with a butter knife in self defense, but the knife punctured his heart, according to previous reporting. The killing, which occurred when Augusta District Attorney Jared T. Williams was just an intern in the DAs office, went through three district attorney administrations before going to trial. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta woman found guilty, sentenced to life in fatal 2012 stabbing Austin says Middle East war not inevitable, seeks to 'take temperature down' By Karen Lema SUBIC, Philippines (Reuters) -U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday he did not think a wider war in the Middle East was inevitable and that the United States was seeking to cool rising regional tensions, but remained steadfast in its defence of Israel if attacked. The remarks by Austin come after Israel claimed on Tuesday to have killed the Hezbollah commander who it said was behind a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. They also follow the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on Wednesday. "I don't think war is inevitable. I maintain that. I think there's always room and opportunities for diplomacy," Austin told reporters during a visit to the Philippines. "What we have seen along the border, northern border, with Israel over time that's been a concern of ours. "Again, We are going to give everything we can to make sure that we keep things from turning in to a broader conflict throughout the region." Asked also if he could confirm details about the killing of Haniyeh, Austin said: "I don't have any additional information to provide". Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of Haniyeh, hours after he attended a swearing in ceremony for Iran's new president, and said it was investigating. Palestinian militant group Hamas called the strike a "severe escalation" that would not achieve its goals. Hezbollah and Israel last fought each other in a major war in 2006 but have been trading fire since the eruption of the Gaza war in October after Hezbollah began firing at Israeli targets in what it says is solidarity with the Palestinians. DIPLOMATIC APPROACH Asked what assistance the United States would provide if a wider conflict should break out in the Middle East, Austin said Washington would continue to help defend Israel if it were attacked, but the priority was de-escalating tensions. "We certainly will help defend Israel. You saw us do that April. You can expect to see us do that again," he said. "We don't want to see any of that happen. We're going to work hard to make sure that we're doing things to help take the temperature down and address issues through diplomatic gatherings." Austin was also asked about the impacts of an escalation on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, after U.S. officials confirmed an air strike was carried out in Musayib, located in Iraq's Babil province. The strike targeted militants the U.S. deemed were seeking to launch drones and posed a threat to U.S. and coalition forces. "The safety and protection of troops is really important to me that is why you saw us take measures to protect ourselves here and we took out some UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicle) which are about to be launched," he said. "We have the right to do that and continue to do that to protect our troops." Austin said the United States was concerned also about advances by Russia in Ukraine, to which U.S. security assistance would continue. He said he was encouraged by Ukraine's ability to recruit more people to beef-up its own ranks. "I applaud what the Ukrainians continue to do to make sure that they can hold their own," he said. "The Ukranians are very determined people." (Reporting by Karen Lema; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Miral Fahmy) Babies who have a peanut allergy are now being offered potentially life-changing treatment at hospitals across Australia in a world-first program aimed at building tolerance to them. It is the first time that a nationwide peanut oral immunotherapy program is being introduced into mainstream care anywhere in the world, according to the partnership between Australias National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE) and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI). The ADAPT OIT Program is open to infants under 12 months who have been diagnosed with a peanut allergy and who are under an allergy specialist at one of the ten pediatric hospitals across five states which are participating. The treatment, which will be free for those deemed eligible, will see patients receiving a carefully planned daily dosing schedule of peanut powder, taken at home, over two years, according to an announcement by MCRI. The overall aim is to transform the approach to the allergy from one of strict avoidance of peanuts to safely building up a tolerance and hopefully achieving remission. Ultimately, we want to change the trajectory of allergic disease in Australia so that more children can go to school without the risk of a life-threatening peanut reaction, said Professor Kirsten Perrett, director of the NACE and population allergy lead at MCRI, said in the statement. In a telephone interview with CNN, she described the new program, which is already underway, as really exciting. Babies who have a diagnosis of peanut allergy under 12 months of age will be offered the treatment program as a new standardized model of care across those ten paediatric hospitals, and it will be free which is a really incredible thing. These are public hospitals in Australia. Perrett is expecting demand to be high. Australia is the allergy capital of the world and we have 5 million people with allergic disease and peanut allergy affects around 3 per cent of 12-month-old children in Australia. So obviously there are a lot of children who may be eligible and we expect there to be hundreds of babies who will get treated on this program in the first couple of years. Funded by Australias federal government, the results of the program will be evaluated by the NACE in the hope of rolling it out to more hospitals and allergy clinics if it proves successful. Eventually, it may even be extended to older children, but for now the focus is on babies, said Perrett. Were working with children here who have established peanut allergy and how we can modulate their immune system while their immune system is malleable at an early age and thats what the evidence shows that younger children respond very well to this oral immunotherapy approach, both from having a better effectiveness and a reduced risk of reactions. The family of Hunter Chatwin is hopeful that the treatment could help him after his first taste of peanut butter led to an allergic reaction at six months old. Now, three months later, he has been referred into the ADAPT OIT Program at The Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne. We are taking part in the program to try and improve his chance of being able to safely eat peanut in the future, his mother Kirsten said in the MCRI statement. Many families are desperate to protect their children from allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. Some are travelling interstate or even overseas for OIT treatment at private clinics, so to have this program available and free at public hospitals is a game-changer. Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Adam Fox is a London-based professor of paediatric allergy and chair of the National Allergy Strategy Group in the UK. He has spent many years seeing patients with peanut allergy and regularly posts on social media about it. He welcomed the development in Australia, telling CNN: This is a really exciting initiative and the whole allergy world will be looking closely at the outcome. Fox added: By taking a large scale, public health approach to the problem with early aggressive intervention, there is a real chance of reversing Australias unwelcome record of the worlds highest rates of peanut allergy. Food allergies are also a growing public health concern in the United States, where peanut allergy is estimated to affect about 2% of children, or nearly 1.5 million people younger than 18. Peanuts are among the food types that can cause the most serious allergic reactions, including the risk of the life-threatening reaction anaphylaxis. Earlier this year a study by experts in London revealed that feeding children smooth peanut butter during infancy and early childhood can help reduce their risk of developing a peanut allergy even years later. The research published in the journal NEJM Evidence in May showed that, when compared with avoiding peanuts, consumption beginning early in infancy and continuing until around five years old was linked to a 71% reduced rate of peanut allergy among adolescents in the United Kingdom. Starting in 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended delaying the introduction of peanuts until the age of 3, but it ended that recommendation in 2008. About a decade later, in 2019, the AAP updated its guidance to say that delaying the introduction of allergenic foods doesnt prevent disease and that there is now evidence that early introduction of peanuts may prevent peanut allergy. CNNs Jacqueline Howard contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The novelist has previously denounced book bans after 20 of her own titles were banned from a Florida high school Getty(2) Jodi Picoult; Ron DeSantis Jodi Picoult has signed an open letter urging Ron DeSantis to end censorship efforts like book bans in Florida schools, citing harm to children. On Wednesday, July 31, the My Sister's Keeper author joined nearly 600 educators, students, parents and other community leaders to sign an anti-censorship letter addressed to the Florida governors office. A follow-up to the PEN America Unified Voices Summit held in Orlando earlier this month, the letter asks DeSantis to end the wave of educational censorship and book bans that are harming Floridas children and the states public education system. Related: Shakespeare Now Being Censored in Some Florida Schools amid Confusion over New Ron DeSantis Law "Under your leadership, Florida educators are fleeing the state at a time when educator shortages are at an all-time high, the letter reads. We have recently watched, with much heartache, the closure of public schools across the state as your administrations policies continue to pull money from public education. It is distressing to see students, educators and Floridians of all walks of life targeted and denied core freedoms to speak and express themselves. Joe Raedle/Getty Ron DeSantis The letter also states that because of DeSantiss policies under his leadership, Florida has banned more books than any other state, according to PEN America educators voices have been chilled into silence and students are scared to be who they are. As Floridians, we demand the protection of core liberties promised to us in the Florida and United States Constitution, the letter states. Related: Ron DeSantis Eliminates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Funding at Florida Public Universities Governor DeSantis, you have led us into this dark night of censorship. But you can also lead us out, it continues. We call on you today, and all of Floridas leadership, to stop these tactics of suppression and instead provide the critical resources necessary to truly protect parents choice in education and ensure our communities flourish with successful, accessible, inclusive, high-quality public schools. "Discrimination and erasure must not be Floridas future, the letter reads. Lou Rocco/ABC via Getty Jodi Picoult in 2023 The letter lays out several specific requests, including reversing harmful bills, revising state guidelines about book censorship in schools, hosting a town hall on censorship and ensuring that every classroom and school library has a professionally maintained, engaging and representative library collection, especially in K-5. And so we say today in one unified voice, Florida will be the example of citizenry reclaiming their democracy, protecting their constitutional liberties and supporting each other in the long struggle for equality, the letter concludes. We hope you will join us. 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. This is not the first time Picoult, whose new novel By Any Other Name comes out Aug. 20, has spoken out about book bans in Florida. After 20 of her novels were pulled from public schools in the state including The Storyteller, which is about the Holocaust last year, she told ABC News they were banned after a parent who had not read the books requested the books be removed for their "adult romance" content. The novelist called the move "really interesting because I don't write adult romance." In fact, she pointed out, "half of the books she pulled do not even have a single kiss in them. But they do have topics like gun rights and women's reproductive health rights and gay rights." "The vast majority of folks in this country know that we should not be banning books, that we should not be restricting what kids are reading," Picoult said at the time. "Especially at a high school level. I think that unfortunately, the minority is much louder than the majority." Related: Pink to Give Away 2,000 Banned Books About Race and Sexuality at Upcoming Florida Tour Stops "And so we all really need to take a stand," she continued. "You can't listen to the politicians when they say, 'These aren't bans; it's a hoax.' I'm an author. Twenty of my books were pulled off the shelf in one particular school district. That is not a hoax. That is a ban." Added Picoult: "And it's really important that right now we all speak out against this because we've seen historically what happens when we do not." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Four elk were shot and killed in a poaching incident at a national park, according to authorities. Redwood National and State Park rangers and wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are now asking for the publics help in an investigation of elk poaching, after four dead elk were discovered on July 21 near the Williams Ridge area along Bald Hills Road, according to a statement from the National Park Service released on Tuesday. MORE: Woman found dead on picnic table at park pavilion An investigation determined that the four elk had been killed and no meat had been taken, NPS officials said. The area where the elk were killed is located within Redwood National Park, where hunting is prohibited by federal and state law. Officers also determined that lead shot was used to shoot the elk. Lead poisoning from ingestion of lead ammunition is the single largest threat to free-flying California condors. The Yurok Tribe, in partnership with Redwood National and State Parks and other agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Parks and Recreation, have only reintroduced California condors to the region two years ago and officials are now concerned about their wellbeing since poaching and illegal game killing pose a grave danger to the birds, according to NPS. MORE: Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip-flops in Death Valley PHOTO: Four elk were shot and killed in a poaching incident at a national park, according to authorities. (National Park Service) MORE: 3 tree workers shot while clearing way for power company before suspect shot by cops during arrest Redwood National and State Parks in California contain 133,000 acres of federal and state land in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, NPS said. Seven elk herds call Redwood National and State Parks home. The Roosevelt elk (Cervis elaphus roosevelti), is the largest of the six recognized subspecies of elk in North America; they once inhabited areas from southern British Columbia to Sonoma County, Calif, officials said in their statement announcing the poaching investigation. MORE: 28-year-old high school coach randomly shot and killed at bar while attending conference Roosevelt elk in California persist today only in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties and western Siskiyou County, authorities said. Tourists from all over the world and Californians alike enjoy the opportunity to see Roosevelt elk within their historical home range at Redwood National and State Parks. Park rangers are committed to protecting these amazing animals and urge the public to help them in this effort. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact park officials at 707-465-7751 or call the parks anonymous crime tip line at 707-765-7353. Authorities hunt for suspects involved in illegal elk poaching after 4 found dead originally appeared on abcnews.go.com On Sunday, a woman was attacked along the Chippewa Trail at Silver Creek Metro park in Norton by who she described as either two teens or two young men. UPDATE: The woman fabricated the story. Read about it here. Summit Metro Parks is beefing up its presence at the 1000-acre Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton after a disturbing attack Sunday on a woman hiking in the park, a park spokesperson said Tuesday. The woman told Norton police and fire authorities she was attacked by two teenagers or young men on the Chippewa Trail, a 2-mile route that runs past a local dairy barn on Eastern Road. The semi-rural area is painted with farms, including the Seiberling, Beddow and Quinn farms. In Norton police body cam footage, the woman told police the suspects threw a substance on her, "and then I was on fire." "I don't know what they threw on me," she says in the footage. Police lead her to an ambulance waiting in the parking lot at the start of the trail, where police questioned a hiker about the incident. "When I pulled in, I heard real nasty screaming," he tells police. "... I saw her weaving, coming towards me." A portion of the woman's pants were collected at the scene for analysis of the substance. The woman was taken to Akron Children's Hospital for medical treatment, the district said. On Wednesday, the park district said the woman has since been released. 'Stronger presence at Silver Creek,' says district In a phone interview Tuesday, Claire Merrick, marketing and public relations manager with the parks district, said the incident is unlike anything the district has seen before. She said Norton police were first to arrive at the scene. "We do often work hand in hand with local law enforcement," she said. "Norton is part of the ongoing investigation." Although unique, the incident is the second attack this summer in a local park. On June 28, a woman jogging on a section of the Towpath Trail not managed by Summit Metro Parks in downtown Akron was dragged to the ground before a bystander approached and her attacker fled. Merrick said the district wasn't surprised by community and media concern about the most recent incident. "We certainly understand people taking some precautions," she said. In response, the district is increasing ranger presence as the crime is investigated. There are 26 rangers on staff at the parks district. "Certainly, there will be a stronger presence at Silver Creek," she said. Silver Creek Metro Park hiker has concerns, questions about attack Ken Parker, a Wadsworth resident who was hiking the trail with his two dogs Tuesday, said an increased presence would be welcomed after the incident. "They could use more rangers around here," he said. "... I'm more concerned." Parker said he had questions about the attack. "Have you ever heard of a liquid that splashes on you and then ignites?" he said. "What is it and how did they obtain it?" About a mile down the road at Rocky's in Barberton, owner Shaun "Rocky" Jaber said some customers had inquired about the attack, but he was surprised at how few had done so. Those who had talked about it were concerned about returning to the trail. "Customers are worried about going back there until there's more security," he said. Keep contacts close at hand, says district On Monday, Norton police, who arrived first at the scene, called it a senseless attack. "This kind of violence is unacceptable in our community, and we are determined to do everything we can to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of our residents," Norton Police Chief Brett McShane said in the news release. Merrick said the State Fire Marshal is analyzing the substance used in the attack. Two State Fire Marshal employees at the Norton park Tuesday said they were there on unrelated business. Merrick said the district had no update on the woman's condition but advised that hikers keep park and law enforcement contacts with them or bring a friend along. "We always encourage people to report," she said. "If you see something, say something." Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj or Facebook at www.facebook.com/alan.newsman. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Attack on woman in Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton: What we know CARACAS, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday blamed the opposition's presidential candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, for the post-election violence unleashed across the nation. "I hold you responsible, Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia, for everything that is happening in Venezuela, for the criminal violence, for the criminals, for the injured, for the dead, for the destruction," the president said in a message broadcast to the nation during a joint meeting of the Council of State and the Defense Council. The president also announced the creation of a fund to aid victims of the violence. Up to 749 people have been arrested for participating in violent riots following Sunday's presidential election, Attorney General Tarek William Saab said Tuesday. Venezuela's National Electoral Council on Monday declared Maduro the winner of the election, paving the way for his third six-year term, from 2025 to 2031. Avon Lake Power Plant demolition begins with scheduled implosion AVON LAKE, Ohio (WJW) Crews are officially in the process of demolishing part of the Avon Lake Power Plant. The process started early Wednesday morning with a BOOM! According to officials, two boilers in one of the buildings at the old plant on Lake Road imploded with controlled explosives precisely at 5:39 a.m. Ohio-based Big Lots names nearly 150 stores closing amid bankruptcy risk In a late-morning press release, city officials called the implosion successful and safe. You can watch two views of the implosion in the video below. We are happy to see this first implosion was successful. This operation not only clears the way for future implosions, but also demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that major projects are executed safely and efficiently, said Mark Spaetzel, Mayor of Avon Lake, in the release. Workers set up a 1,200-foot perimeter around the facility early Wednesday morning. According to Spaetzel, environmental experts were on-site monitoring air quality before, during and after the demolition. This embedded content is not available in your region. Officials previously said asbestos was completely removed from the building, but residents were told to expect to see dust for at least 15 minutes after the blast. Here are pictures immediately following the implosion: FOX 8 Photo FOX 8 Photo FOX 8 Photo The Ohio Department of Transportation closed U.S. Route 6 (Lake Road) between Miller and Moore roads during the process. Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard was scheduled to set up a 750-yard safety zone around the site on Lake Erie. Mariners were urged to stay out of the designated area. During a meeting Monday night, Spaetzel said the demolition would be anti-climactic and residents were encouraged not to come watch it. 6 in Northeast Ohio charged in $3M pandemic unemployment fraud The project, which is making room for new lakefront developments, will continue later this year. Officials said it should be complete by November. The power plant, built in 1926 by Cleveland Electric Illuminating, was the largest of its kind at the time, according to Cleveland Historical records. CLICK HERE to read more about the future of the Avon Lake power plant. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. I get away with it: Bradenton man accused of threatening to kill former employer after being fired I get away with it: Bradenton man accused of threatening to kill former employer after being fired TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Bradenton man was arrested earlier this month after he allegedly made repeated threats to a former employer and his wife after he was fired, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida announced on Wednesday. Jeffrey John Borho, 38, of Bradenton, was fired from his job on July 1, according to the complaint. In the subsequent days, he allegedly made at least 18 threatening phone calls and sent threatening text messages and videos. The threats were sent to the owner of the company, which is based in Kansas, according to the complaint. Prosecutors allege that Borho threatened to kill the owner and his wife if he didnt give him $10,000, $20,000 and then $100,000. The Manatee County Sheriffs Office went to Borhos Bradenton home and confirmed he was there. Deputies responded to the home again that evening for reports that he was threatening his neighbors, prosecutors said. The sheriffs office determined Borho should be hospitalized under the Baker Act. F*** with me again and Ill kill you easily, Borho allegedly said in a video sent on July 4. I dont sue people, I kill people. And I get away with it every f****** time. Praise God, youre on my time now. In another video, he allegedly said Die mother f******. Every last one of you that doesnt believe in God will die soon! At one point, Borho allegedly sent a message asking for $10,000 and included his Venmo username while saying, On Venmo or dieAnd be my b**** in hell forever, according to the complaint. Borho was charged with extortion by interstate communication and interstate communication of a threat to injure, according to prosecutors. He was ordered to remain detained until his trial. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Azov Brigade soldier Oleksandr Ishchenko has died in Russian captivity, Ukraine's Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, said on July 31. In a post on Telegram, Lubinets said Kyiv had not been officially informed of the death but Ishchenko's daughter confirmed the news, saying he passed away nine days ago. The cause of his death is not yet currently known. Ishchenko was 55-years-old and a native of Mariupol, Ukrainska Pravda reported. He joined the Azov Brigade as a driver shortly after the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion. He was captured while fighting in Mariupol in 2022. Lubinets said he had contacted the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation for information on the "circumstances and cause of Oleksandr Ishchenko's death." "Let me remind you that according to Article 12 of the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War, prisoners of war are in the hands of an enemy state and not of individuals or military units that captured them," he said. "Regardless of the responsibility that individuals may bear, the detaining power is responsible for the treatment of prisoners of war." Read also: Azov reports advances in Serebryansky forest, releases video of nastiest weapon Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The creator of Baby Reindeer, the hit Netflix series, has detailed in court papers the exhausting and extremely upsetting stalking he allegedly experienced. Richard Gadd, who also stars in the show, wrote he had suffered stalking, harassment, abuse and threats at the hands of a woman who is now suing Netflix over her portrayal in the series. Fiona Harvey is seeking at least $170 million (133 million) in a lawsuit filed against Netflix after she claimed to be the inspiration behind the character of Martha Scott, who stalks Gadds character Donny Dunn after he serves her a free cup of tea in the pub where he works. Fiona Harvey, the woman who is suing Netflix after she claimed inspiration behind the Martha Scott character - PIERS MORGAN UNCENSORED/PA In a 21-page document filed to a California court on Monday, Gadd emphasised the series was a dramatic work. He wrote: It is not a documentary or an attempt at realism. While the Series is based on my life and real-life events and is, at its core, emotionally true, it is not a beat-by-beat recounting of the events and emotions I experienced as they transpired. It is fictionalized, and is not intended to portray actual facts. Although these stage productions were emotionally true and based on real events in my life, they dramatized people, places, things, and events to tell a story, Gadd wrote in the filing. I did not write the Series as a representation of actual facts about any real person, including Fiona Harvey Martha Scott is not Fiona Harvey. He also outlined the effect of Harveys actions towards him, claiming she followed him around London. The cumulative effect of all of Harveys actions was enormous, he wrote. It was exhausting and extremely upsetting to deal with her constant personal interactions in the Hawley Arms, her following me around London including near where I lived and her relentless and deeply unpleasant communications. Richard Gadd (L) with Jessica Gunning (R) who plays Martha in the Netflix show - ED MILLER/NETFLIX In her lawsuit, Harvey has accused Netflix of spreading brutal lies, including that she is a twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison. Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money, the documents stated. As a result of defendants lies, malfeasance and utterly reckless misconduct, Harveys life had been ruined. The court documents alleged Netflix did literally nothing to confirm that the story represented was true, stating that Harvey has never been convicted of any crime and has never been to prison. A statement from Netflix said: We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadds right to tell his story. The lawsuit seeks actual damages and compensatory damages of $50 million (39 million) each; punitive damages at $20 million (15 million); as well as all profits from Baby Reindeer at $50 million (38 million). 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. Indiana's 2024-25 school year is getting underway, and newly-enacted laws are bringing some changes to classrooms. (Getty Images) Thousands of Hoosier students are headed back to school this week and next and with the start of a new academic year comes a slew of new policies affecting testing, curriculum and classroom behavior. More than a dozen K-12 education laws were passed by state lawmakers during the 2024 session and went into effect July 1. Some details like changes to IREAD tests and high school diplomas are still being hashed out by state officials and wont become official for several years. And although newly-enacted legislation brings minimal changes to schools finances, the second year of the current biennial budget does bring some dollar boosts. Per-student funding increases improved 5.3% in Fiscal Year 2024, and another 1.8% for this fiscal year, which began July 1. That means schools received $8.84 billion for tuition support last fiscal year, and $9.03 billion this year. Private school vouchers and public charter schools also get a portion of this funding, however. Indianas next two-year budget will be crafted in the 2025 session and take effect July 1 of next year. As kids return to classrooms, these are some of the changes to expect: IREAD and third grade retention Among the most debated legislation of the 2024 session, Senate Enrolled Act 1 seeks to remedy Indianas literacy crisis by requiring schools to administer the statewide IREAD test in second grade a year earlier than previous requirements and direct new, targeted support to at-risk students and those struggling to pass the exam. But if, after three tries, a third grader cant meet the IREAD standard, legislators want school districts to retain them. That number could reach into the thousands, according to 2023 data. New IREAD results for tests taken in Spring 2024 are expected to be released next month. Nearly 1,100 schools opted-in to administer IREAD to second grade students during the 2023-2024 school year, according to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). All will be required to do so when giving students the test in March 2025. Students who demonstrate reading proficiency in second grade wont have to test again, and their passing score will be reflected in the following years IREAD results for third grade students. The summer school course curriculum must be aligned to science of reading and be taught by a teacher, instructor or tutor who is specifically trained in that instructional practice, according to IDOE. A summer retest option will also be available to third grade students who did not reach proficiency in second grade or during regular spring testing. Students who do not attend or attend less than 90% of the summer reading program will have to participate in an individual reading plan the following school year if they do not pass IREAD during the summer retest. IDOE guidance indicates that the state agency will verify fourth grade enrollment submissions to ensure students have passed the IREAD or qualify for a good cause exemption following the 2025 IREAD summer retest. Those exemptions exist for certain special education students, certain students on Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and students who are English language learners. Still, the law carves out a mechanism for parents to appeal a retention decision if they believe their student qualifies for an exemption. Its up to school boards to establish that process locally before the start of the 2024-2025 school year, according to IDOE. Also starting this fall, schools will be required to notify kindergarteners parents of early literacy screening and intervention that will be available to help their child read by the end of third grade. Families must also be informed of the third grade retention requirement if their student does not pass the IREAD. That communication has to be provided annually, by Oct. 1, under the new law. Religious instruction Although an option previously existed for Hoosier students to receive religious instruction during regular school hours, House Enrolled Act 1137 requires schools to approve parental requests for students to leave class during the day. The change tightens previous Indiana law that permitted students to leave school for up to 120 minutes a week for voluntary religious instruction, as long as it takes place off school property, and private transportation is provided. Effective July 1, school principals must allow a student to attend religious instruction offered by a church, an association of churches, or an association that is organized for religious instruction and incorporated under Indiana law, as an excused absence. As before, the instruction cant exceed two hours per week, and the entity offering religious instruction must collaborate with the school principal to ensure the time when the student attends outside instruction is least disruptive to the students academic instructional time. IDOE guidance further emphasized that religious instruction cant be supported by public funds, but the schools governing body is allowed to adopt a policy to provide elective credits for the instruction. Cell phones Schools must also adopt new policies that ban students from using cell phones and some other devices during instructional time, with some exceptions. Senate Enrolled Act 185 applies to cell phones, tablets, laptops and gaming devices that could cause distractions or disruptions during class. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US According to IDOE, each school corporation and charter school must post the rules to the school or corporation website. Even so, a teacher is still permitted to let students use a wireless communication device for educational purposes during instructional time. Students can also access their phone or other device in the event of an emergency or to manage the students health care, as outlined in the new law. The schools policy also cant prohibit a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time if its use is included in an IEP or 504 Plan. Career Scholarship Accounts More high school students will have access to work-based learning opportunities through the Career Scholarship Account (CSA) program, a 2023 program that was expanded this spring by House Enrolled Act 1001. The $5,000 scholarships can be used to pay for apprenticeships or career-related coursework. Starting this year, students can also use annual CSA grants to cover certification exams, and up to $625 can go towards training for a drivers license as long as their training employer matches at least half of the cost. Grant funds cant be used to purchase vehicles, however. The new law also extends eligibility for Education Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) to the siblings of students who have disabilities, even if those siblings do not have disabilities themselves. Before, ESAs were only available for students who require special education services. Chronic absenteeism In response to high rates of absenteeism across the state, Senate Enrolled Act 282 introduces stricter truancy prevention and response measures. Lawmakers said the new policy seeks to return students back to classrooms by compelling more parental involvement and responsibility. Public school districts will be required to report habitually truant students already defined in state law as those who have missed 10 or more days of school without an excuse or parental notification to the local prosecuting attorney. The law also mandates meetings with parents of K-6 students who have been identified as chronically absent to develop improvement plans, emphasizing accountability and proactive intervention. The latest Indiana data shows that about 40% of students statewide missed 10 or more school days last year, and nearly one in five were chronically absent for at least 18 days. Schools have gotten creative to try to combat the growing problem, but many education officials called on lawmakers to do more and pointed to research showing that being absent as few as three days out of the school year affects test scores and overall academic performance. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A highly critical report from the Justice Departments watchdog largely clears former Attorney General William Barr of any responsibility for pushing out protesters from Lafayette Park near the White House during racial justice protests in the summer of 2020. Lafayette Park was cleared using smoke canisters and pepper balls ahead of a photo op by former President Trump, who crossed the park to make a statement while holding a bible in front of a church opposite the White House. The report from DOJs Office of Inspector General condemns the Justice Department for its response to the protests, writing that it created safety and security risks for the agents and the public. The episode was part of what the watchdog described as a chaotic and disorganized effort in which Barr strained the resources of his department in an effort to flex law enforcements response in the wake of George Floyds 2020 killing by a Minneapolis police officer. Though Barr declined to be interviewed for the report, the OIG determined Barr did not issue the order to clear the park contradicting media reports from the time that the former attorney general disputed. According to the OIG, time-stamped [Metropolitan Police Department] radio communications, contemporaneous written communications, and witness testimony all show preparation to clear the park had begun prior to Barrs arrival. However, Barrs influence was in part limited due to overall confusion about the federal response to the protest, which was being led in practice by U.S. Park Police (USPP) and U.S. Secret Service (USSS). We determined that, although then President Trump had appointed Barr on June 1 to lead the federal response to the protests, USPP and USSS personnel at Lafayette Park were unaware of that decision. USPP and USSS personnel also told us that because Barr was not in their chain of commandthey worked for the Department of the Interior and the Department of Homeland Security, respectively, not DOJhis presence had no impact on the timing of the operation, the OIG wrote. Barrs law office did not respond to a request for comment. The report went on to criticize a number of decisions that were made by Barr, finding he pushed DOJ personnel involvement in the clearing swiftly, giving agents little notice, resulting in some showing up without proper gear or any guidance as to their mission or rules of engagement. We found the Departments efforts at times to be chaotic and disorganized, and that Barr, in an attempt to demonstrate that law enforcement could handle the civil unrest without active-duty military intervention, pressed DOJ law enforcement components to deploy personnel without sufficient attention to whether those personnel were properly trained or equipped for their mission. In several instances, DOJ law enforcement personnel were deployed with limited guidance to situations for which they were not trained or equipped, the OIG wrote. One Bureau of Prisons (BOP) supervisor said he did not have his personnel bring shields with them because they were unaware that they were going to be assisting with crowd control. It was not until after they arrived at Lafayette Park that they learned of their role, less than an hour before the clearing operation began. Those same officers arrived without any identifying insignia, contributing to further unrest as a series of different law enforcement outlets arrived at the scene. The report concluded the lack of identification was due to BOP officers working in a prison setting, writing that they were unprepared for circumstances in which they would be engaging with the public. Similarly, the report took issue with the deployment of FBI agents to the area, finding that by sending armed agents to respond to civil unrest for which they lacked the proper training or equipment, [they] created safety and security risks for the agents and the public. This story was updated at 12:11 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The BBC is facing questions after it emerged that it paid Huw Edwards more than 200,000 following his arrest for possessing indecent images of children. The corporation has admitted it knew about its star broadcasters arrest in November last year, yet continued to pay him his full salary until he resigned voluntarily five and a half months later. Edwards, 62, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to multiple counts of possessing indecent images of children, including one as young as seven years old. Huw Edwards makes his way to court to enter his guilty plea to possessing indecent images of children - Jonathan Brady/PA Wire Seven of the images were category A, the most serious. Edwards faces a prison sentence, with the judge warning that all options would be considered. The BBCs admission has plunged the corporation into crisis, with politicians and its own journalists raising concerns. On Wednesday night, the Culture Secretary called for an urgent meeting with the BBC Director-General Tim Davie over the corporations handling of the Huw Edwards case. Lisa Nandy is expected to meet Mr Davie on Thursday, and will seek assurances about processes, safeguards and expenditure of taxpayers money. Julia Lopez, the shadow culture secretary, said: These reports are highly concerning. Licence fee payers have a right to know why Mr Edwards was awarded such a high salary given the timing and nature of the allegations. Questions must be answered about what BBC bosses knew, and for how long. Katie Razzall, the BBCs culture and media editor, said there were serious questions for the BBC and its director general. She said: Now that we know these facts, the decision does look reputationally very difficult for the BBC. The BBC said it was shocked to learn of Edwardss offending, adding that there can be no place for such abhorrent behaviour. It said it made the decision to continue employing him after learning of significant risk to his health. Edwards was suspended from the BBC in July last year following allegations in The Sun newspaper that a senior figure at the corporation had paid a young person for sexually explicit images. It prompted a scramble among BBC stars, including Gary Lineker and Jeremy Vine, to clear their names. Edwards, who had previously spoken about his battles with depression, was eventually publicly identified by his wife, Vicky Flind, who said he was suffering from serious mental health issues and receiving in-patient hospital care. At the time, the Metropolitan Police concluded that no crime had been committed, and told the BBC it could continue its own investigation. However, it emerged on Wednesday that, separately, South Wales Police seized a phone belonging to 25-year-old Alex Williams, from Merthyr Tydfil, who had shared indecent images with Edwards. Edwards was subsequently arrested on Nov 8. Yet despite The Telegraph and another news outlet receiving information shortly afterwards that he was back under investigation, the Met refused to answer questions. Williams received a suspended prison sentence in March after pleading guilty to seven offences. The following month, Edwards resigned from the BBC, citing medical advice. He was charged in late June, but the Crown Prosecution Service took the unusual step of not informing the media, as is common practice in high-profile cases. The BBC claimed on Wednesday that it would have dismissed Edwards if he had been charged while in its employment. On Wednesday, Edwards, wearing sunglasses and a dark blue suit, walked through a scrum of reporters into Westminster Magistrates Court, where he pleaded guilty to having 41 indecent images. Edwards faces a scrum of reporters outside Westminster magistrates' court - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images As well as the seven category A images, he admitted to possessing 12 category B images and 22 in category C. Of the category A images, the estimated age of most of the children was between 13 and 15, but one was aged between seven and nine, the court was told. The court heard that police had recovered 377 sexual images sent to Edwards by Williams via WhatsApp between December 2020 and August 2021. Ian Hope, prosecuting, said the sender, who was not named in court, had initially contacted Edwards through social media and that the images were clearly sent with the disgraced broadcasters approval. Towards the end of February 2021, Williams asked Edwards whether the stuff he was sending was too young. Edwards is said to have told the man not to send him underage images. A further five images were read or opened by Edwards from February onwards. However, in August that year an indecent film of a younger child, classified as category A, was sent to Edwards, the hearing was told. The child depicted was said to be virtually younger than all the other images. Mr Hope said Edwards had discussed the film with the sender, who said the person depicted was quite young-looking. The sender then said he had more images which are even younger. Mr Hope said: Mr Edwards tells the male not to send him illegal images and no more are sent from this point, although the chat continues and further legal pornographic images are sent. It later emerged that Williams pleaded guilty to seven offences of possessing and distributing indecent images in categories A, B and C. He was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. Edwards will be sentenced on Sept 16. He appeared not to be accompanied by any members of his family on Wednesday. It has been reported that he is now separated from his wife and is living between Wandsworth, in south-west London, and South Wales. Amid mounting questions over what BBC bosses knew, the corporation released a statement on Wednesday afternoon. In November 2023, whilst Mr Edwards was suspended, the BBC as his employer at the time was made aware in confidence that he had been arrested on suspicion of serious offences and released on bail whilst the police continued their investigation, a spokesman said. At the time, no charges had been brought against Mr Edwards, and the BBC had also been made aware of significant risk to his health. Today, we have learnt of the conclusion of the police process in the details as presented to the court. If at any point during the period Mr Edwards was employed by the BBC he had been charged, the BBC had determined it would act immediately to dismiss him. In the end, at the point of charge he was no longer an employee of the BBC. Formerly the BBCs third-highest paid presenter, Edwards received a 40,000 pay rise last year, increasing his licence fee-funded salary to between 475,000 and 479,999. In an internal note to staff, which hints at potential disquiet within the broadcaster over the handling of the issue, management described themselves as appalled at Edwardss offending. BBC bosses wrote to staff to acknowledge their 'shock' at the newsreader's downfall - JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images Some of you may feel shocked and saddened by this news and some of you will have worked closely with Huw Edwards over the years, the note, signed by Tim Davie, the corporations director general, read. Many of you will be working on this story, and we want to thank you for your professionalism in carrying on with your jobs in difficult circumstances. The note ended by saying that if staff had been affected in any way by todays news, please do make full use of our well-being resources, which include the free, confidential employee assistance programme and the BBCs peer support network. The BBC refused to say whether it was still conducting its own investigation into Edwardss behaviour at the corporation. In July last year, Newsnight reported claims from one current and one former BBC worker who said they had received inappropriate messages from Edwards, some late at night and signed off with kisses. Sir Craig Oliver, who edited the Ten OClock News and Six OClock News while Edwards was presenter, said on Wednesday that Edwardss behaviour had worried staff. Speaking to the World At One on BBC Radio 4, he said: He could be a very, very difficult and complicated man. He would speak about being prone to bouts of depression and sometimes he clashed with staff. But I think that most people who know him will be shocked that hes pleaded guilty to this. Colleagues said Edwards was a 'complicated' man who sometimes clashed with other staff - pixel8000 Asked whether he had heard any gossip about Edwardss private life, he said: When I was working with Huw, which is well over 10 years ago now, there wasnt gossip about his private life then, but as the years have passed and as it got closer to the initial complaint that was made about him, there was gossip about his private life, what was going on. There were also, I think, a number of people who were worried about his behaviour within the BBC. Was he actually throwing his weight around and behaving well enough to other staff? But I dont think anybody suspected that there was child abuse imagery in his private life in any way, shape or form. Last week, Mr Davie refused to answer questions put to him at an event by The Telegraph about when he had last had contact with Edwards. Speaking on the BBC News at Six on Wednesday, Razzall said key amongst the questions now being faced by BBC executives was that decision not to sack Huw Edwards in November once the BBC knew he had been arrested. She described the corporations argument that it would have sacked Edwards if he had been charged while still an employee as quite difficult to stand up. The facts are the BBC continued paying Huw Edwards his vast salary for five months after he was arrested, she added. Why, also, did they let him leave on his own terms? Charities have begun to cut ties with the former presenter. The National Churches Trust said it had dropped him as a vice-president. In light of the news on Monday 29 July, the National Churches Trust has confirmed that Huw Edwards is no longer a vice-president for the charity. We are shocked and saddened by the recent developments, it said. Edwards had been a vice-president of the charity, which works to conserve UK church buildings, since 2013. 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. BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) The Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office arrested a man following a drag racing enforcement operation this month. Mohammed Abdulwahhab, 27, was arrested on July 24 on a charge of aggravated fleeing from law enforcement. On July 19, deputies with the BCSO Traffic Unit responded to a car meet near Paradise and Universe and found that Abdulwahhab was driving a black Charger Hellcat with a New Mexico license plate that did not match the vehicle, according to court documents. Story continues below Abdulwahhab later left the car meet, and BCSO said he was speeding in the area of 6100 Paradise Blvd. NW. A deputy caught up to Abdulwahhab at the intersection of Paradise and Paseo Del Norte, and he reportedly fled from the deputy and nearly caused a crash at the intersection of Paradise and Unser, court documents stated. The deputy let Abdulwahhab flee due to the absence of pursuable charges, BCSO said. However, an arrest warrant for aggravated fleeing charges was later issued for Abdulwahhab on July 24. The same day, auto theft detectives located Abdulwahhab at a home and took him into custody on the aggravated fleeing warrant as well as another outstanding warrant for racing on highways. This is an excellent example of a successful joint investigation and the effectiveness of our drag racing operations, BCSO Sheriff John Allen stated in a news release. This arrest, along with the recent arrest of Anthony Farias, sends a clear message to the illegal racing community that the BCSO is supported by vigilant, law-abiding citizens and is well-equipped with advanced technology. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- No matter what the Taiwan authorities led by Lai Ching-te say or do, the fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China will not be changed, the legal basis of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 cannot be shaken, and the historical trend that China will and must achieve reunification is unstoppable, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday. Lin made the comments at a regular press briefing when refuting recent remarks of Lai. "There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory," Lin said. "This is an undeniable fact." He said that the UNGA Resolution 2758 resolved once and for all the question of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations. It made clear that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is a part of China, not a country. It also made clear that there is only one seat for China in the United Nations, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal representative, precluding "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan." Lin noted that the one-China principle has been observed by the UN and its specialized agencies. Taiwan is referred to as "Taiwan, province of China" in all of the UN's official documents. It was clearly stated in the official legal opinions of the Office of Legal Affairs of the UN Secretariat that "'Taiwan' as a province of China with no separate status," and the "'authorities' in 'Taipei' are not considered to ... enjoy any form of government status." Lin said that the UNGA Resolution 2758 once again clarifies the one-China principle, and the one-China principle is a universally recognized norm in international relations and a prevailing consensus in the international community. "How can it be 'wrongly interpreted?'" Lin said, refuting Lai. "How can the Taiwan region talk about 'sovereign status' when it is a part of China?" The spokesperson further asked. Taiwan's participation in activities of international organizations must and can only be handled in accordance with the one-China principle, said Lin, asking "How could there be 'international participation?'" "The one-China principle is unshakable, the trend of China realizing complete reunification is unstoppable, and the pursuit of the 'Taiwan-independence' separatist agenda will only lead to a dead end," Lin said. The area of Shahed drones entry and the course of movement of one of the Shaheds. Infographic: Belaruski Hajun Belarusian monitoring channels have recorded the probable entry of Russian Shahed drones into Belarusian territory, where a fighter jet was scrambled due to the threat. Source: Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet Quote at 00:08: "According to Belaruski Hajun, a fighter jet of the Belarusian Air Force was scrambled 15 minutes ago from the Baranovichi air base. The flight is likely related to the interception of a Russian Shahed-136/131 UAV." Details: Belaruski Hajun also reported that two Mi-8 helicopters of the Belarusian Air Force arrived at the Luninets air base on Tuesday morning, 30 July. "It is unlikely that their arrival is connected to the expectation of a Russian missile attack on the territory of Ukraine," Belaruski Hajun stated. Hajun emphasised that Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters of the Belarusian Air Force have been on duty almost daily at the Babruysk air base since 15 July. The reason is supposedly to reduce the time they need to reach the border with Ukraine to intercept Russian Shahed drones entering Belarus. "The choice of the Babruysk air base is not accidental, as it is the closest to the border," the Belarusian publication added. Quote: "We have not recorded the arrival of Belarusian Air Force helicopters at the Babruysk air base since 26 July. Perhaps the military no longer sees the threat of new Russian Shahed-136/131 entering Belarus. However, it seems the threat still remains." Later, Hajun added that several more Shahed drones might have entered Belarus. Quote: "According to eRadarrua, one of them is moving over the Polesie State Radioecological Reserve toward Chornobyl. Another entry of a Shahed drone into Belarus is also reported by the war_monitor channel." "Additionally, a fighter jet is currently flying over Belarus, which was scrambled from the Baranovichi air base at around 23:50." Details: Hajun noted at 00:33 that six Shahed drones were located near the Belarusian border. Quote: "They are in the northern part of Ukraines Chernihiv Oblast and war_monitor suggests that they could also enter Belarus. The exact number of Shahed drones currently in Belarus is unknown." Background: A Shahed attack drone entered Belarus at 03:00 and flew over 350 kilometres. A helicopter and a fighter jet were scrambled to intercept it. Support UP or become our patron! Belgium invests 9 million in green energy recovery for Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa The Belgian government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a 9 million financing agreement for green energy recovery in Ukraine. Source: a report by UNDP in Ukraine Details: "This investment from Belgium is a crucial step towards revitalizing Ukraine's energy sector and strengthening its resilience. Together, we aim to ensure that the people of Ukraine have access to reliable energy, which is essential for recovering from this crisis and building a sustainable future," Jaco Cilliers, the UNDP's Resident Representative in Ukraine, said. The report notes that the proposed activities will focus on cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa, where the need for efficient energy solutions is most urgent. Background: Belgium has previously provided 1 million for mine clearance activities in Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Belleville man arrested on first-degree murder charge in death of 42-year-old woman A Belleville man charged in the June shooting death of a 42-year-old woman was arrested in Caseyville on Monday, according to an announcement by the Illinois State Police. Robert E. Hyde Jr., 48, was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service, the announcement states. He is charged with first-degree murder in the June 12 death of Kenyatta Brown, 42, of East St. Louis, the release states. Brown was found dead with a gunshot wound in the 1300 block of 45th Street, the release states. On June 12, 2024, PSEG agents were requested by the East St. Louis Police Department to investigative a homicide in the 1300 block of 45th Street. The next day, agents of the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Public Safety Enforcement Group presented their case to St. Clair County States Attorney James Gomric, who filed the charge against Hyde. The release does not explain why more than a month elapsed between the charge being issued and Hydes arrest. Hyde is being held in the St. Clair County Jail. No further information was released. BELLVILLE - A Bellville man who was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in March, is going to have a living funeral Saturday at Storyside Church so he can "hug and love on people" before God calls him to Heaven. Mike Bryant, 66, a 1976 graduate of Ontario High School, who most recently worked for Central Soft Water/Jackson Well Services, was born May 30, 1958. While he doesn't know his date of death yet, he knows he's headed to Heaven and that is the most important thing of everything that has happened to him, he said. "Praise the Lord," he said. Physicians have told Mike Bryant, 66, of Bellville, he has terminal cancer and only has one to six weeks to live so he decided to have a living funeral Saturday at Storyside Church so he can hug and 'love on' friends and family before God calls him to heaven. "I just think it will be wonderful to be able to hug and love on people and tell them I love you before I go which is something that not too many people have the blessing of doing," Bryant said Monday. Bryant and his wife Pam contacted the News Journal to share his desire to "reach out to tell everyone he loves them while he is still alive." Everyone is welcome noon to 4 p.m. at Storyside, 541 Ohio 97. His wife said there will be tears but also laughter. Mike Bryant said he never had any health problems not even the flu. Now, he has undergone 33 radiation treatments and seven chemotherapy treatments. He decided not to have surgery after talking with his physician. His wife said her husband is at peace as he was saved and baptized. The couple's prayer list includes Mike staying on Earth a little while longer in order for him to hold his first grandchild due at the end of August. Mike Bryant Mike Bryant, who is 6 feet, 3 inches tall, has a lot of friends. He has played Santa Claus for years handing out cash at the Speedway on Ohio 97 on Christmas Eve. "He has a big heart," his wife said. "He is known for helping others, taking money to someone who was off work because of an injury, he loves to share his cooking, recipes he has created, always lighting up a room with his smile," she added. The couple has been together 32 years and married two years. Mike is known for his love of dogs. He and his wife's two purebred bloodhounds Earl and Marianne in 2021 made appearances in a country gospel music video titled, "Roots," which used the Ohio State Reformatory, Richland Church of the Brethren and other familiar sites in Richland County as backdrops. Joe Richard, a local musician now living in Butler, filmed at sites in Richland County. The dogs were featured tracking a prisoner in a swamp along Mansfield-Adario Road. Mike is known for taking the dogs for rides a couple times a day in the dogs' designated Toyota 4-Runner, something they enjoy. He's also known as the dog park mayor. Pizza from Fast Eddie's and water will be served at the Living Funeral. Mike said he wants to thank Storyside Church for giving him access to the facility and giving he and his family a chance to share a testimony of a life serving others, which is the will of God. lwhitmir@gannett.com 419-521-7223 X (formerly Twitter): @LWhitmir This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mike's friends, family invited 12 to 4 p.m. Aug. 3 at Storyside Church Beloved JBLM solider was killed five months ago in hit-and-run. Charges have been filed Lance Melder was killed five months ago in a crash on Interstate 5. Pierce County prosecutors have now filed charges against a 37-year-old man. Ryan Edward Grems was charged with failure to remain at accident resulting in death and theft of a motor vehicle for the March 30 fatal crash. Grems is accused of crashing a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado into Melders 2012 Ford Focus on southbound I-5 north of the Tacoma Mall area. Grems allegedly ditched the Silverado and carjacked a white GMC Acadia before driving off, charging documents show. The 39-year-old Melder, originally from Temple, Texas, was stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord as a tanker and had been in the Army since 2006. Lance Melder was a tanker for the Army and had been stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord since August 2023. Charging details Washington State Patrol troopers were dispatched to the crash. Melder died at the scene, prosecutors wrote. Witnesses reported the Chevrolet was driving at a high rate of speed and swerving over the road prior to the crash, prosecutors wrote. A WSP trooper was en route when he saw a vehicle matching the Acadias description on the exit ramp to 56th Street. When the trooper contacted the Acadia, he saw it was abandoned. It also had blood on the interior of the drivers compartment. Detectives learned the Silverado was sold to a man not identified as Grems in October 2022. Detectives later learned that the man sold the Silverado to Grems, prosecutors wrote. Blood samples from the Acadia and the Silverados drivers side airbag were a match to Grems. A witness told detectives on April 20, 2024 that he knew Grems was driving the Silverado on the night of the crash. Grems allegedly admitted that he was the driver and he was going to report the Silverado as stolen, proseuctors wrote. Grems is not in custody, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest on July 26. Melders wife, Alyssa Melder, told The News Tribune that she will not feel better until Grems is locked up and cannot be reckless again. My persons gone, and that person just gets to do whatever hes doing. Hes probably thinking everythings fine while me and countless other people are trying to pick up the pieces, she said. Lance and Alyssa Melder were married for 14 and a half years and had four children. Alyssa Melder said that her husband was considered a celebrity at their home and everyone looked up to him. Theres times where its hard. We celebrated his birthday and Fourth of July, and our birthdays are five days apart, so its always a real big deal, she said. I mean, its hard, but I think overall, for the most part, were OK, were navigating. Porn Parade Death with dignity? Not in this AI age. In the latest horrifying turn in the slow-bleed demise of journalism, Wired reports that several beloved alt-weeklies, including LA Weekly and The Village Voice, have suddenly started running a deluge of suspiciously similar listicles recommending porn models. The listicles are almost certainly generated by AI, and to make matters worse, are being presented to readers as real editorial content. At the New York-based Village Voice which, with its ceasing of publication in 2017 but subsequent revival in 2021, embodies the harsh vicissitudes of publishing like no other a new content category has appeared: "OnlyFans." Click the tab, and you're taken to a page that lists over three hundred OnlyFans listicles for every fetish under the Sun. It's something you might expect to see after clicking a shady pop-up, but is whiplash-inducing to witness on a site that once published Pulitzer Prize-winning writers. Adding to the shadiness, none of these articles feature any disclaimers that disclose they're anything other than normal articles a grim example of how greedy publishers are laundering shoddy AI content through the reputations of journalistic outlets. Zero Input LA Weekly is owned by the same parent company as the Village Voice. Earlier this year, it suffered a round of brutal layoffs that saw most of its editorial staff fired. Today, like its East Coast cousin, it also features an OnlyFans tab with hundreds of porn articles. The byline for most of these on both sites is listed as Daniela LaFave, an Austin-based SEO expert who declined to confirm to Wired whether she used AI to write the articles. RC Baker, the Voice's only remaining editorial staffer, said the OnlyFans articles weren't his decision. "I handle only news and cultural reporting out of New York City," Baker told Wired. "I have nothing to do with OnlyFans. That content is handled by a separate team that is based, I believe, in LA." And LA Weekly's editor is also out of the loop as well. "We weren't happy about it at all, and we were absolutely not involved in putting it up," editor-in-chief Darrick Rainey told Wired. Trending Botwards The hollowing out of publications big and small in favor of AI content mills has been going on for years now. The articles they produce are often poorly written and riddled with factual errors, but this hasn't slowed the pivot towards relying on this automated junk, which is very good at gaming search engines, to make money off of cheap clicks. And if the fates of the Voice and LA Weekly are any indication, expect to see these schemes become bolder and more prevalent. "We're seeing an ever-increasing part of old media be reborn as AI-generated new media," Ali Shahriyari, CTO of the AI detection firm Reality Defender, told Wired. "Unfortunately, this means way less informational and newsworthy content and more SEO-focused 'slop' that really just wastes people's time and attention. Tracking these kinds of publications isn't even part of our day to day, yet we're seeing them pop up more and more." More on AI: Google's Latest Pitch for AI Is So Sad It Sounds Like a Spoof Shoots have resumed in the Bengali-language film industry, after boycotts were called over a filming dispute. Filming resumed today after an intervention from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. More from Deadline Last week, technicians boycotted a production on which director Rahool Mukherjee was serving as creative producer. On July 23, the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI) had banned Mukherjee from making films for three months for violating rules for shooting overseas in Bangladesh. The ban was later lifted by the local directors guild on July 27, but the technician boycott continued. The production was set to feature actors Prosenjit Chatterjee and Anirban Bhattacharya. In a bid to show solidarity with Mukherjee, members from the Directors Association of Eastern India announced that they would cease work from July 29, bringing the Bengali film industry to a halt. Top filmmakers like Aparna Sen, Kaushik Ganguly, and Srijit Mukherjee signed a statement supporting Mukherjee that was posted on Facebook. Actors Prasenjit Chatterjee and Dev, as well as veteran director Goutam Ghose met with minister Banerjee in a bid to resolve the issue. After the meeting, a news conference was held, with local media reporting several resolutions from the meeting, including that moving forward, FCTWEI had no authority to impose bans or non-cooperation agreements among industry members. A review committee of the incident was also announced, chaired by Ghose, with Chatterjee, Dev, Sen and Aroop Biswas as initial members and representation from all guilds. They stated that standard operating practices and areas of jurisdiction in film, TV, streaming and independent films will be scrutinized and revised, with a report and changes due by November. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Bensalem man police allege was high, speeding and unlicensed headed to trial in double fatal Scott Portman tows cars for a living, so he knows the sound of a motor racing when he hears it. The afternoon of Feb. 24, he heard a loud one outside his Bristol Township business that belonged to a black Ford Explorer. It was going very fast, he said. So fast, it left a cloud of dust as it passed. Bristol Township police allege John Wadlinger was driving intoxicated with a suspended license when he was involved in a double fatal accident in February 2024. Bensalem man charged in fatal accident Bensalem man was high, speeding and unlicensed in crash that killed couple: police Seconds later, Portman said that he heard more noise. This time the sound of metal slamming into metal. It was loud. It was extremely loud, Portman testified Tuesday at a preliminary hearing for a 31-year-old Bensalem man who authorities allege was behind the wheel speeding, high and unlicensed. About 1,000 feet away from his garage, at the intersection of Ford Road and Veterans Highway, police say the Explorer plowed into a red Nissan Sentra attempting a left turn with such force it ripped off the entire passenger side and rear of the car and threw it 60-feet. Two of the four people in the Nissan died. The man behind the wheel of the Explorer, John Wadlinger, allegedly ran from the accident scene, then stole a dump truck in a failed getaway attempt that ended when he lost control and it tipped over. Following four hours of testimony, including two accident reconstruction experts, District Judge Kevin Wagner held Wadlinger for trial on three dozen charges, including multiple homicide and involuntary manslaughter charges. He remains incarcerated in Bucks County in lieu of $500,000 bail. Married couple, Richard Whiddon, 37, and his wife Rebecca, 33, of Brooklyn, Connecticut, were killed in the accident. The couple were reportedly in Bucks County to attend the wedding of a friend. They were seated in the front and back passenger seats when the Explorer struck it traveling at least 73 mph. Both died of multiple injuries, according to the autopsies. The driver and a third passenger in the Sentra were taken to the hospital where they were treated for injuries. Witness Christine Ballantyne testified that she and her boyfriend were stopped at a red light on Veterans Highway when they saw the accident. She said it appeared that the Explorer was speeding. She testified she saw the man, later identified as Wadlinger, get out of the Explorer and run behind Auto Zone. Her boyfriend, who was driving, started following him while she was on the phone with 911, Ballantyne said. Later she identified Wadlinger as the man she saw run from the Explorer. DNA samples from the Explorer also matched Wadlingers DNA, according to police. About 11 minutes after the fatal accident, Rosann Rose testified she was in the shower at her home in the 3000 block of Old Rodgers Road not far from the fatal accident scene when she heard a loud thud. Then her husband yelled that the gate to their fenced backyard where they have a business storing large vehicles was demolished and a parked dump truck was driven out of their driveway. She testified Wadlinger took the truck without permission. Around that time, Bristol Township officer Kevin Jackson testified that he was securing the area near the accident scene when he heard a bang, then saw a dump truck speeding past him on Old Rodgers Road. The driver was a white male with a beard, he testified. Jackson started following the truck, which was traveling above the 25 mph posted limit and was headed toward Route 413. The driver soon lost control at Veterans Highway and the truck tipped over, Jackson testified. The driver escaped out of the front windshield, but after a brief chase, Jackson apprehended him. A subsequent crash investigation found no evidence the Explorer attempted to brake before striking the Sentra and estimated Wadlingers speed was at least 73 mph as he approached the intersection. The posted speed limit is 35 mph. The only tire marks on the highway were after the point of impact, Bristol Township officer John Nowicki told the court. Nowicki also testified that Wadlinger shouldnt have been behind the wheel. His drivers license was revoked until 2031 for DUI-related convictions and blood tests taken after the accident also came back positive for methamphetamine and amphetamines, he said. Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bensalem man to face trial for fatal accident that killed couple Fourth of July called for hot dogs. Scorching temperatures called for a chilled Mexican seafood tower. Those meals called for lighter, all-vegetarian South Indian food. These were the most memorable meals I ate around the Sacramento region in June. All reviews were first published in my free weekly newsletter; sign up for future write-ups, along with more restaurant news, at bit.ly/bee_food_drink_newsletter. Parkers Hot Dogs of Santa Cruz Parkers Hot Dogs of Santa Cruz has been serving Roseville customers chili dogs since 1997. Parkers Hot Dogs of Santa Cruz was counting down the days to July 4 literally. Rosevilles longtime hot dog shack had a digital clock ticking off the milliseconds to Independence Day (other holidays get their own countdowns as well). Founded by Parker Wilson as a Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk stand in 1955, the wood-paneled walls and short green stools have housed a surfy slice of Americana in Placer County since his son John Parker opened the new strip mall outpost in 1997. A horseshoe counter takes up about half of Parkers snug dining room, obscuring the steamer used to cook foot-long beef wieners en masse (theyll fry dogs upon request). Nostalgia creeps in as California Dreamin plays through the speakers and generations of family members share ice cream floats made with Haagen-Dazs and Henry Weinhardts Soda. Its hard to find a cheaper lunch than Parkers regular dog ($5.50), its de facto yellow mustard, relish, tomatoes and white onions neatly nestled in fluffy buns like the cooks have done this thousands of times before. Presented in a red plastic tray, the dog itself was skinny, squeaky and most of all snappy. Chili dogs ($7.50-$10.50) smothered in housemade, bean-forward chili (other items including fries and shredded beef tamales get the same treatment). A pick-me-up chili dog is plenty for one person, a small requires a fork and knife and a platter seems impossible for just one person to eat, unless youre the type of person who might also try Parkers $35 Five-Pound Chili Cheese Challenge Dog Challenge. Featured on Travel Channels Man Vs. Food in 2010, it includes fries, mountains of shredded cheddar and a 20-minute time limit. There are spiced Polish sausages ($6.50), turkey dogs ($5.50), corn dogs ($2.70), soy-based dogs ($5.50) and vegetable dogs ($6) that simply substitute cheddar, cucumber, peppers, a pickle spear and celery salt for a glizzy. Non-dog items are limited, but rigid onion rings ($3.50) are a shareable with a strong crunch. Address: 1605 Douglas Blvd., Suite A, Roseville. Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday. Phone: 916-786-2202 Website: https://www.parkershotdogs.com/ Drinks: Varied selection of sodas, along with coffee, tea and hot chocolate for colder weather. Vegetarian options: Soy dogs, and sides such as sweet potato fries or onion rings. Noise level: Not too bad for such a tight, busy space. Outdoor seating: Four red-and-white checkered picnic tables and another five two-tops. El Ronco South Sacramento taqueria El Ronco serves tacos gobernador, a Sinaloa specialty with shrimp and melted cheese. Stockton Boulevard has long been Sacramentos mecca for complex, soul-warming bowls of pho and crunchy banh mi sandwiches. Little Saigons main street now has a Mexican seafood restaurant worth checking out as well. El Ronco, owner Elba Yanezs fathers nickname that translates to hoarse or husky, opened in March with a welcome slate of mariscos. Ranch-inspired decor and a mosaic-tiled bar fill the spacious dining room, where sizzling platters fill the air with the smell of asada and a litany of aguachiles and ceviches serve as balms to the summer heat. Is there a San Diego transplant in your life? Take them to El Ronco for some of the Sacramento regions best fish tacos ($3.50). The grilled tilapia drizzled with a terrific orange crema felt softly tucked inside a yellow corn tortilla, itself seared to form a crispy exterior. Tacos gobernador ($9.50 for two) were more indulgent, and arguably even better. A Sinaloa specialty that reportedly charmed the states then-governor in 1987, theyre packed with shrimp and overflowing with melted white cheese that forms skirts around the tortillas. A spicy red chili sauce counteracts the creamy delights. Torre marisquera ($28) is El Roncos take on a seafood tower, a densely-packed cylinder with layers of shrimp, scallop slivers, octopus, tuna and crab. All that chilled seafood was topped with avocado slices and drizzled with salsa huichol negra; pile it on some tostadas, and its the taste of summer. Address: 6666 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento. Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Phone: (916) 603-8986. Website: https://www.instagram.com/el_roncooficial/ Drinks: Full bar, including $5 beers and mimosas. Vegetarian options: Huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, spinach-mushroom omelets and Caesar salad, a Tijuana creation that recently celebrated its 100th birthday. Noise level: Loud. Outdoor seating: None. Mylapore South Indian Vegetarian Mylapore South Indian Vegetarian makes a variety of uthappam, including one topped with a spice powder called podi. Intel employees in Folsom dont have to go far to find meatless marvels. Just around the corner from the tech giants Sacramento County campus in Folsom Corners shopping center, Mylapore South Indian Vegetarian is nearly always open and affordable. Come by at 8 a.m. for puffy rice cakes called idly, stop in from 3-7 p.m. for dosa happy hour on weekdays or stay until 10 p.m. sipping on masala chai. Jay Jayaramans restaurant, which has several South Bay sister concepts under the name Idly Express, unassumingly greets customers throughout the day with copious natural light, plastic cutlery and sides of sambar, tomato chutney and and coconut curry with nearly every meal. South Indian cuisine leans more on vegetables than that of the North anyway, and Mylapore goes a step further by making the entire restaurant vegetarian. A mini tiffin ($12), traditionally eaten as breakfast or with afternoon tea, is perhaps the best way to sample regional standouts including idly, a miniature masala dosa (thin chickpea flour crepe), a scoop of pongal (rice porridge with cashews) and rava kesari (sweet semolina-saffron cake). Few, if any, other Sacramento-area restaurants make bisi bele bath ($11), a rice porridge from the state of Karnataka. A slow hum of spice permeated the cashews, green beans, carrots and peas dispersed throughout the bowl, served with a bag of classic Lays potato chips meant for scooping. Mylapore also offers a range of uthappam, thick and spongy dosas comprised of lentil and rice flours. Podi uthappam ($12) may be the most flavorful of the bunch thanks to its namesake spice; also known as gunpowder, the orange podi dusted over the uthappam has a tangy, slightly cheesy flavor. Address: 1760 Prairie City Road, Suite 100, Folsom. Hours: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week. Phone: (916) 985-3500 Website: https://www.facebook.com/MylaporeRestaurant Drinks: Mango lassi, masala chai, spiced buttermilk and other nonalcoholic options. Vegetarian options: Everything. Noise level: Relatively quiet. Outdoor seating: Several patio tables. BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM) on Wednesday released a three-year plan for further standardizing TCM. The document laid out key tasks in six areas, including increasing the standardized supply of TCM to major fields and enhancing the integration between TCM standards and sci-tech innovation. According to the plan, 180 items of domestic standards and 30 items of international standards for TCM should be formulated by the end of 2026. The plan aims to deepen the integration of standardization and development of TCM and provide strong support for the modernization, industrialization and high-quality development of the TCM industry. An official with the NATCM said that standardizing TCM helps with innovation while carrying forward the best practices of TCM. China currently has over 3,000 items of standards for TCM, with the system of TCM standards having taken shape, according to a press conference of the administration on Wednesday. The Biden administration is ratcheting up its tone on Venezuela, pushing President Nicolas Maduro to publish automatically generated election results to back up his claims of winning Sundays election. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters at a White House briefing Wednesday that the administration is reaching the end of its rope with Maduros deflections. Our patience, and that of the international community, is running out, running out. Im waiting for the Venezuelan electoral [authority] to come clean and release the full detailed data on this election so that everyone can see the results, Kirby said. Kirby was referring to precinct-by-precinct printouts of election tallies, which Venezuelas electronic voting machines automatically emit at the end of a voting day. Those printouts, the opposition says, will show a landslide victory for Edmundo Gonzalez, a former ambassador and the unified oppositions presidential candidate. The Venezuelan electoral authority (CNE) on Sunday declared Maduro the victor with 51 percent of the vote without publishing the precinct-by-precinct results generated by the voting machines. Cuba, Russia, China and Iran quickly recognized the CNEs decision, but left-leaning regional powers like Brazil and Colombia held out, calling on Maduro to produce the receipts. The Biden administration expressed concerns over the discrepancies between the oppositions accounting of the election and the official results, and demanded publication of the printouts, though U.S. officials did not stipulate a deadline. Kirbys comments, citing observers whove discredited the election, represent the first major escalation of the U.S. position since the vote Sunday. [You] May have seen the Carter Center, an independent observer, just earlier this morning, released a report stating that, quote, Venezuelas 2024 presidential election did not meet international standards of electoral integrity and cannot be considered democratic, that the electoral authoritys failure to announce disaggregated results by polling station constitutes a serious breach of electoral principles we share, Kirby said. The Carter Center was allowed into Venezuela as an independent electoral observer. On Tuesday, the group released a statement panning the CNEs clear bias in favor of the incumbent. Kirby also noted a special meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) on Wednesday in Washington, called by Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the United States and Uruguay to address the election. Im not going to get ahead of that meeting, of course; I would simply reiterate that the United States joined other democracies in the region and actually around the world, in expressing serious concerns about these subversions of democratic norms, Kirby said. Alex Gangitano contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Trawlers are seen in Unalaska on Sept. 24, 2013. Trawlers use nets to harvest pollock and other groundfish species in the Bering Sea; the ships' incidental catch of river-bound salmon puts the pollock industry in conflict with commercial and subsistence fishermen in Western Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) Trawlers are seen in Unalaska on Sept. 24, 2013. Trawlers use nets to harvest pollock and other groundfish species in the Bering Sea; the ships' incidental catch of river-bound salmon puts the pollock industry in conflict with commercial and subsistence fishermen in Western Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks) This story has been updated with additional information and to reflect the formal announcement of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council appointments. The Biden administration has rejected a nominee for a key Alaska fisheries management post who could have tipped decisions toward the interests of tribes and conservation groups and away from the priorities of the large-boat, Seattle-based trawl industry. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo skipped over the top choice of Washington Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, conservation advocate Becca Robbins Gisclair, and instead reappointed the last-ranked nominee on a slate of four candidates that Inslee offered: Anne Vanderhoeven, a trawl industry employee who has served on the panel for several years. A new nominee to the Bering Sea fisheries management council would tip its balance toward tribes and away from trawlers Raimondos choice for the open North Pacific Fishery Management Council seat, initially confirmed Tuesday by Inslees office before being formally announced Wednesday, comes after what advocates describe as weeks of intense lobbying by supporters of both Gisclair and Vanderhoeven. The council regulates lucrative commercial fisheries for pollock, cod and other species off Alaskas coast. Its been the site of polarized, emotional debate in recent years over the trawl industrys unintended harvest known as bycatch of chum and king salmon that spawn in the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers in Western Alaska. Populations of Yukon and Kuskokwim salmon have crashed in recent years, and while scientists largely attribute the declines to warming ocean temperatures, tribal advocates have also pushed the council to tighten bycatch limits on trawlers. Of the councils 11 voting positions, seven are nominated from ranked slates of candidates advanced by governors five from Alaska and two from Washington and four are top fisheries regulators from Alaska, Washington, Oregon and the federal government. Four current members work in or have financial ties to the trawl industry, including Vanderhoeven, who is director of government affairs at Seattle-based Arctic Storm Management Group. Typically, the commerce secretary defers to governors and appoints the top choice from the slate. But advocates from Alaska tribes and conservation groups said that Vanderhoevens allies were pushing Raimondo herself a former governor to skip over Gisclair and Inslees two other higher-ranked nominees. Gisclair has worked directly with Yukon residents, tribes and conservation advocates and now works as senior director for Arctic programs at the nonprofit Ocean Conservancy. One trawl official had said that if she was appointed, she would make his industry squirm for a while. Vanderhoevens reappointment is so upsetting, said Eva Burk, who holds an Alaska Native tribal seat on an advisory panel to the North Pacific Council. You cant just have a trawl sector-dominated council, Burk said. Its just not going to start to get balance back into our different fisheries if we dont put some diversity in the decisionmaking. Two other appointees to the council, John Moller and Brian Ritchie, were also announced Wednesday both the top-ranked candidates from separate slates of nominees advanced by Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Officials from the National Marine Fisheries Service, the branch of Raimondos department that works with the council, did not respond to questions about why the secretary passed over Gisclair, Inslees top-ranked nominee. A spokesman for Inslee, Mike Faulk, declined to comment, as did representatives from the two leading trawl industry trade groups, the At-Sea Processors Association and United Catcher Boats. Advocates who have been calling on the North Pacific Council to reduce bycatch said they were deeply disappointed with Raimondos decision to reappoint Vanderhoeven. SalmonState, a Juneau-based conservation group, called it a gut punch to Alaskans and Indigenous people. We were hoping a strong, independent, conservation-minded voice would be added to the council, the groups executive director, Tim Bristol, said in a prepared statement. Instead, we get pro-trawl business as usual. Not all Alaskans, however, had taken sides in the fight over the open Washington council seat. The City of Unalaska, in the Aleutian Islands, remained neutral, and Frank Kelty, a former mayor who now works as a fisheries consultant to the municipality, noted that revenue from trawl-caught fish like pollock supports community services in multiple coastal Alaska communities. Its our bread and butter right now, he said. Kelty also said that Gisclair could still end up filling a Washington seat on the North Pacific Council because of the death earlier this year of Kenny Down, the states gubernatorial nominee. Down was a longtime advocate for tribal and other non-trawl interests his obituary described the council as being stacked with trawler-biased members and his wife, Shannon, said Tuesday that her husband made it very clear, including directly to Inslee, that he wanted to be replaced by someone with a similar point of view. He was making calls when he was in bed, trying to fight for his life, Shannon Down said, adding that her husband shared his desire directly with Inslee. This was his dying wish. Nathaniel Herz welcomes tips at natherz@gmail.com or (907) 793-0312. This article was originally published in Northern Journal, a newsletter from Herz. Subscribe at this link. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX On Monday, President Joe Biden unveiled a package of reforms targeting the United States Supreme Court. That package included a proposal to amend the Constitution to reverse the Supreme Courts recent decision granting the president of the United States immunity from criminal prosecution for acts undertaken in their official capacity. Biden dubbed that proposal The No One Is Above the Law Amendment. He said, It would make clear that there is no immunity for crimes a former president committed while in office. A White House statement explained that the amendment Biden wants adopted will state that the Constitution does not confer any immunity from federal criminal indictment, trial, conviction, or sentencing by virtue of previously serving as President. An article in The Hill rightly notes, When the nations high court hands down a ruling on a constitutional issue, the judgment is virtually final, and decisions can only be altered with a constitutional amendment and a new ruling. Yet prospects for passage of Bidens proposed amendment are bleak, with House Speaker Mike Johnson saying that it would be dead on arrival in the House of Representatives. Johnson's response could hardly have come as a surprise to the president or anyone who regards the Supreme Courts decision in Trump v. United States as a constitutional abomination. But Biden was right to propose the amendment. He was right to say that it would be consistent with our Founders belief that the presidents power is limited, not absolute. We are a nation of laws not of kings or dictators. He was right to offer the American people the chance to exercise their ultimate authority over the Constitution and its meanings. And the president's desire to amend the Constitution to correct the courts presidential immunity decision is also consistent with our history. Several times in the past the Constitution has been changed to overrule a Supreme Court decision. Before looking at that history, let me say a little bit more about what Biden is proposing. The president is building on an effort that began last week when New York Congressman Joe Morelle, the top Democrat of the Committee on House Administration, first introduced his own version of a constitutional amendment to undo the presidential immunity decision. Like Biden, Rep. Morelle was unsparing in his criticism of the Court. Earlier this month, Morelle said, the Supreme Court of the United States undermined not just the foundation of our constitutional government, but the foundation of our democracy. At its core, our nation relies on the principle that no American stands above another in the eyes of the law. I introduced this constitutional amendment, Morelle continued, to correct a grave error of this Supreme Court and protect our democracy by ensuring no president is ever above the law. The American people expect their leaders to be held to the same standards we hold for any member of our community. Presidents are not monarchy, they are not tyrants, and shall not be immune. The amendment Morelle introduced states that No officer of the United States, including the President and the Vice President, or a Senator or Representative in Congress, shall be immune from criminal prosecution for any violation of otherwise valid Federal law, nor for any violation of State law unless the alleged criminal act was authorized by valid Federal law, on the sole ground that their alleged criminal act was within the conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority of their office or related to their official duties. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. It exempts Senators and Representatives who are protected by the so-called Speech and Debate Clause of the Constitution. That clause states, for any Speech or Debate in either House, they [members] shall not be questioned in any other Place. Morelles amendment also tries to clarify the limits of the presidents pardon power. The President, it says, shall have no power to grant a reprieve or pardon for offenses against the United States to himself or herself. More than 40 Members of Congress are co-sponsoring Rep. Morelles constitutional amendment, including such well-known figures as Representatives Jamie Raskin, Pramila Jayapal, Barbara Lee, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Rashida Tlaib. So far, no Republicans have signed on. In the Senate, Democrat Mazie Hirono has released a discussion draft of the text of an amendment like Bidens and Morelles. These proposals are just the latest in many uses of the amendment process to deliver a rebuke to the Supreme Court. Such uses go back almost to the founding of the country itself. Reviewing that history, law professor John Orth explains there are two ways to reverse a U.S. Supreme Court decision by constitutional amendment. The first type of amendment may reverse the decision by instructing the Court on the proper construction of a particular provision, as in the case of the Eleventh Amendment. That amendment, which was adopted in 1795, states: The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State. It was adopted to overturn Chisholm v. Georgia, which allowed a citizen of South Carolina to sue the state of Georgia to recover a debt. As Orth explains, since the adoption of the 11th Amendment, much has been made of the phrase shall not be construed. The Supreme Court has interpreted the phrase to mean that the Amendment was intended to restore the original understanding of the grant of federal jurisdiction rather than to alter or amend the text. The second way to reverse a Supreme Court decision is to pass an amendment altering or adding to the constitutional text rather than just changing the construction of an existing provision. The example Orth gives is the 16th Amendment. Adopted in 1913, that amendment reversed an 1895 Supreme Court decision holding that a federal income tax was unconstitutional. It, Orth observed, provided express constitutional authorization for a tax on incomes. The amendment supported by Biden, Morelle, and Hirono would fall into the second category. It would join such other corrective amendments as the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments, passed in the wake of the Civil War, both of which reversed the Supreme Court's infamous Dred Scott decision by abolishing slavery and granting citizenship to freed slaves. Recently, the 24th Amendment overruled the Courts 1937 decision in Breedlove v. Suttles that upheld the constitutionality of the poll tax. And in 1971, the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18 in both state and federal elections. It overturned a Supreme Court decision, Oregon v. Mitchell, that said Congress had no authority to set the voting age in state elections. Each of these amendments is evidence of why, as Harvards Jill Lapore argues, The Framers believed that No single article of the Constitution is more important [than Article V the provision allowing for amendments] because if you couldnt revise a constitution, youd have no way to change the government except by revolution. And what Biden is now proposing is an important reminder that the final authority over the meaning of the Constitution rests with the people of the United States, not nine people in black robes who sit on the Supreme Court. Whatever happens to the efforts to use the amendment process to undo the presidential immunity decision, that is a lesson worth remembering. Biden to call on Congress and agencies to take action aimed at curbing flow of fentanyl President Joe Biden on Wednesday will call on federal agencies and Congress to take actions to curb the flow of fentanyl into the United States an issue that has been a major theme of GOP attacks on the administration over the southern border. Biden will issue a national security memorandum directing federal departments and agencies to work together and share information, a senior administration official said in a briefing previewing the memorandum. The president is also expected to encourage Congress to pass a multi-pronged effort to close some loopholes and better detect fentanyl when it comes into the country. Today, I will issue a National Security Memorandum directing every federal Department and Agency to do even more to stop the flow of narcoticsincluding fentanylinto our country, Biden said in a statement. It will increase intelligence collection on traffickers evolving tactics to smuggle narcotics into our country. And it will help our law enforcement personnel seize more deadly drugs before they reach our communities. Fentanyl is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and kills tens of thousands of Americans each year. The memorandum comes as former President Donald Trumps and Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns go on the offensive on each others immigration policies as they race to secure an advantage in a presidential campaign dramatically altered in recent days by Bidens decision to step aside from the 2024 Democratic ticket. Biden is also expected to call upon Congress Wednesday to pass what the administration is referring to as the Detect and Defeat proposal. The proposal would give border officials the tools they need to more effectively track and target the millions of small-dollar shipments that cross our borders every dayclosing a loophole that drug traffickers exploit. It would establish a nation-wide pill press and tableting machine registry so that law enforcement officials can track these machines and protect against their illicit use in producing fake fentanyl pills. And it would permanently regulate fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugssubjecting the distribution and possession of these drugs to heightened penalties, the White House said. The president is expected to receive a briefing on Wednesday afternoon on the ongoing work to crack down on drug traffickers smuggling deadly drugs, including fentanyl, according to the White House. The expected announcements come a day after the Trump campaign unleashed its first major ad blitz targeting Harris, zeroing in on her immigration record in ads running across several key battleground states. The vice presidents reelection campaign has offered the first glimpse of how it plans to counter those attacks. A 50-second campaign video, released first to CNN Tuesday, draws a contrast between Trumps immigration policies and Harris immigration policies notably leaning on border security and citing Harris support of investing in new technology to block fentanyl from entering the US. Fentanyl has been driving the latest wave of overdose deaths, with synthetic opioids involved in more than two-thirds of overdose deaths last year, according to preliminary data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Preventions National Center for Health Statistics. While drug overdose deaths in the United States ticked down in 2023 for the first time in five years after a steep rise during the Covid-19 pandemic, these highly potent narcotics continue to play an outsized role. They were involved in nearly 70% of overdose deaths in 2023. However, there were about 1,500 fewer overdose deaths involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids in 2023 than in 2022, the new data shows. More than 115 million pills containing illicit fentanyl were seized by law enforcement in 2023, compared with about 71 million in 2022 and fewer than 50,000 in 2017. CNNs Fredreka Schouten, Priscilla Alvarez, and Deidre McPhillips contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden called for larger penalties for drug smugglers and stricter controls on pill presses and importers on Wednesday as part of new steps to deal with the U.S. opioid crisis, according to a senior administration official. The efforts come as illicit fentanyl remains a potent issue for Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is poised to clinch the Democratic nomination for the Nov. 5 election. Fentanyl overdoses have surged to become the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45 and over 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2023. The lethal narcotic is trafficked into the United States, often across the porous U.S.-Mexico border, and easily manufactured from chemicals sourced in China. Biden said he was directing federal agencies to do more on collecting intelligence, coordination to disrupt trafficking and working with the private sector on counter-narcotics, according to the official, who declined to be named. He will also ask Congress to pass legislation to create a nationwide registry of pill press machinery that could be used to produce the drugs, raise penalties on traffickers, regulate some fentanyl-related substances more stringently and require importers of small packages to provide more information to customs officials. "This is a time to act. And this is a time to stand together - for all those we have lost, and for all the lives we can still save," Biden said in a statement. As part of an effort launched last year to thaw icy relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Biden agreed to cooperate with Beijing on counter-narcotics. A delegation of senior Chinese officials was set to meet the Biden administration on Wednesday to continue conversations on increasing controls on fentanyl chemicals and restricting financing for the drug trade in China. "We are well aware that there is a lot more that the PRC needs to do," said the official, referring to the People's Republic of China. Biden and Harris have faced criticism from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump over irregular crossings along the Mexican border. Biden administration officials have pushed back on the criticism, blaming Republicans for killing a bipartisan deal that would have increased border patrol resources to crack down on drug trafficking. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu. Editing by Heather Timmons and Deepa Babington) Biden prods Congress to act to curb fentanyl from Mexico as Trump paints Harris as weak on border FILE - President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting on combating fentanyl, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Nov. 21, 2023, in Washington. Biden is calling on Congress to do more to reduce the flow of fentanyl into the United States. The new push comes just as former President Donald Trump steps up attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden is prodding Congress to help him do more to combat the scourge of fentanyl before he leaves office. The Democratic administration is making the new policy push as Republican former President Donald Trump steps up attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris, painting her as Biden's feckless lieutenant in the battle to slow the illegal drugs and immigrants without authorization coming into the United States from Mexico. The White House on Wednesday announced a series of proposals from Biden aimed at curbing the ongoing drug epidemic. These include a push on Congress to pass legislation to establish a pill press and tableting machine registry and enhance penalties against convicted drug smugglers and traffickers of fentanyl. Biden also wants to tighten rules on importers shipping small packages into the United States, requiring shippers to provide additional information to Customs and Border Protection officials. The move is aimed at improving the detection of fentanyl precursor chemicals that frequently find their way into the United States in relatively low-value shipments that aren't subject to customs and trade barriers. The president's new efforts at combating fentanyl may also benefit Harris, the likely Democratic nominee, as Trump and his surrogates are trying to cast her as a central player in the Biden administration's struggles at the U.S.-Mexico border throughout his term. Still, far too many of our fellow Americans continue to lose loved ones to fentanyl, Biden said in a statement. This is a time to act. And this is a time to stand together for all those we have lost, and for all the lives we can still save. Biden also signed a national security memorandum aimed at improving the transfer of information between law enforcement and federal agencies. The hope is to better understand the flows of production and smuggling of the synthetic opioid that has ravaged huge swaths of America. In the last five months, more than 442 million doses of fentanyl were seized at U.S. borders, according to the White House. Since day one, the administration, President Biden, Vice President Harris, have prioritized action to combat the scourge of illicit fentanyl and beat this crisis," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a briefing with reporters on Wednesday. Biden was briefed on the issue Wednesday afternoon by his top aides and senior Cabinet officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The Trump campaign launched its first television ad of the general election cycle on Tuesday, dubbing Harris the border czar and blaming her for a surge in illegal crossings into the United States during the Biden administration. After displaying headlines about crime and drugs, the video brands Harris as Failed. Weak. Dangerously liberal. Border crossings hit record highs during the Biden administration but have dropped more recently. The Trump campaign has so far reserved $12.2 million in television and digital ads through the next two weeks, according to data from the media tracking firm AdImpact. Biden tasked Harris early in his administration with addressing the root causes of migration. Border crossings became a major political liability for Biden when they reached historic levels. Since June, when Biden announced significant restrictions on asylum applications at the border, arrests for illegal crossings have fallen. House Republicans passed a symbolic resolution last week criticizing Harris' work on the border on behalf of the Biden administration. The White House reiterated its call on Congress to pass sweeping immigration legislation that includes funding for more border agents and drug detection machines at the border. GOP senators earlier this year scuttled months of negotiations with Democrats on legislation intended to cut back record numbers of illegal border crossings after Trump eviscerated the bipartisan proposal. The proposed pill-pressing registry floated by Biden aims to help law enforcement crackdown on drug traffickers who use pill presses to press fentanyl into pills. Authorities say most illicit fentanyl is produced clandestinely in Mexico, using chemical precursors from China. Synthetic opioids are the biggest killers in the deadliest drug crisis the U.S. has ever seen. In 2014, nearly 50,000 deaths in the U.S. were linked to drug overdoses of all kinds. By 2022, the total was more than 100,000, according to a tally by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than two-thirds of those deaths more than 200 per day involved fentanyl or similar synthetic drugs. Meanwhile, administration officials and Chinese government officials are expected to meet Wednesday to discuss efforts to curb the flow of chemical precursors coming from China, according to a senior administration official. Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced at a November summit in California that Beijing had agreed to press its chemical companies to curtail shipments to Latin America and elsewhere of the materials used to produce fentanyl. China also agreed to a resumption of sharing information about suspected trafficking with an international database. But a special House committee focused on countering the Chinese government in April issued a report that China still is fueling the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. by directly subsidizing the manufacturing of materials that are used by traffickers to make the drug outside the country. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said China had taken important steps but there is much more to do. ___ This story has been corrected to show Jean-Pierre said beat this crisis, not meet this crisis. We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The Fresh Market is a grocery store that can be found mostly on the eastern side of the United States. It is known for providing a wide array of brands, restaurant-quality meals, international items, and a great butcher and bakery. The store is also known to be a tad more expensive than other grocery stores, and because of that, the customers should expect the best possible quality from the food. Food recalls are done by the FDA when a product is found to be in violation of the standards that the FDA holds. There are many different reasons that foods can be recalled, including but not limited to certain bacteria being present in the food, the presence of foreign objects that aren't meant to be ingested, allergens that weren't listed on the nutrition panel, parasites, and more. When a recall happens, it is usually announced on the store's website that sells the items, in the news if it is a commonly sold item, and it will be on the FDA's website as well. It can be incredibly important to pay attention to recalls because consuming the foods that are being recalled can cause great danger to your health. Like any other grocery store, The Fresh Market has had its share of recalled food items. We're here to tell you some of the biggest ones that have happened in recent years. Make sure to always stay up to date on food recalls to protect your and your family's health. Read more: The Most Delicious Aldi Finds Of All Time Totally Cool - Ice Cream Products chipwich original box - Instacart/Chipwich Totally Cool recalled many of its ice cream products in June of 2024. This brand has been creating and selling ice cream products for over twenty years, and has many delicious products available under different brands: Chipwich, Dolcezza, and Marco. Dolcezza isn't commonly found in grocery stores, so many people specifically go to The Fresh Market to grab their favorite gelato. Chipwich and Marco are more commonly found in grocery stores like Acme and Target. There were 11 total products recalled, including different flavors of ice cream/gelato pints and ice cream sandwiches. The reason for this recall was because of possible Listeria monocytogenes, which is a type of bacteria that can cause incredibly serious and potentially fatal infections especially among young children, immunocompromised people, and the elderly. Symptoms tend to mimic that of a stomach flu and include diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. After the FDA discovered the bacteria in a sample of the Totally Cool products, the company halted production and distribution of its products. Luckily, no illnesses were reported, so the FDA did its job by catching the problem before anyone got hurt. Listeria can be found in many types of products, and it most recently has been linked to deli meat. There have been many reports in the news about it, so the FDA is really looking out for traces of Listeria in all products. Lundberg Farms - Wild Rice Blend bags of Lundberg wild blend rice - Amazon/Lundberg Farms Lundberg Family Farms is a company that specializes in rice products. The website even boasts on the front page, "rice obsessed since 1937". Large varieties of rice, quinoa, rice cakes, chips, rice syrup, and other products are manufactured by the company. You can find Lundberg Farms products in many stores, like Whole Foods, Acme, Wegmans and of course, The Fresh Market. The website states, "From day one, we've been committed to growing our crops responsibly, sustainably and deliciously." However, that statement comes with a bit of skepticism after its rice recall in May of 2024. The wild rice blend was recalled due to a "possible presence of a foreign object," according to the Fresh Market's product recall website page. After more digging, however, we found that this apparent foreign object was from a contamination that came from a rodent origin. Yup, you read that right. This type of recall is considered a Class II recall by the FDA, which is defined as "a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote." Apparently, over 27,000 bags were recalled when this contamination was discovered. We don't know about you, but we definitely don't want the word "rodent" to be anywhere near our food. Martinelli's Apple Juice Martinelli's apple juice - Isham Ismail/Shutterstock Martinelli's is a trusted juice brand that serves its products in glass bottles, immediately making your subconscious believe that the product is fancier than it is. The company has been operating for 156 years, since 1868. To make the products, it uses apples grown in the United States that are then cold pressed into juice. The juice is then pasteurized, which ensures a quality product that will last. Martinelli's even has state of the art facilities where it makes its product under special conditions and great care. We were a bit surprised to read that its latest recall was due to elevated levels of inorganic arsenic. Not only is it alarming that this product with arsenic made its way to The Fresh Market's shelves, but that the product itself is usually consumed by families. Would you want your family to be consuming arsenic? We don't think so. Arsenic, specifically when it's inorganic like what was found in the Martinelli's apple juice, can be highly toxic. It can cause cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and more. For young children or unborn children, arsenic exposure can have issues with cognitive development. This is not something that you'd want to be consuming. Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream - Buttercream Birthday Cake jeni's buttercream birthday ice cream - Jeni's Jeni's Ice Cream is a unique ice cream brand that has been in operation for over 20 years. The ice cream is made from scratch, and the flavors are similar to what you would find in a small, local ice cream shop. Some of these mouthwatering flavors include Brambleberry Crisp, Fluffernutter Pie, Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns, and Buttercream Birthday Cake -- which is the culprit of one of The Fresh Market's recalls. In November of 2023, just the Buttercream Birthday Cake was recalled due to metal fragments -- specifically aluminum and/or stainless steel pieces. The FDA recalled 58,473 pints of this ice cream. Jeni's Ice Cream can be found in many grocery stores, including Whole Foods, Acme, and The Fresh Market. Finding metal fragments in a food product is a pretty serious find. If someone experiences heavy metal poisoning, they could experience life-altering issues, like brain damage, kidney failure, and/or liver failure. Initial symptoms include low body temperature, a feeling of weakness, numbness in hands or feet, and possibly irregular heartbeat. Many times, metal fragments being found in a food product is due to an issue in the equipment that is being used to manufacture the food. Many companies who are experiencing a recall will go through diligent tests of its equipment to make sure they find the problem and fix it -- before attempting to make more food. Impossible Chicken Nuggets impossible chicken nuggets - MKPhoto12/Shutterstock Many people know of the Impossible brand. It's known for being a safe haven for vegans and vegetarians, offering a multitude of plant-based food items. From plant-based beef patties, hot dogs, meatballs, chicken, and more, this is a go-to brand for many people. Not only is the Impossible brand found in many grocery stores across the country, but some fast food chains like White Castle and restaurants like The Hard Rock Cafe also serve Impossible meat. In March of 2023, The Fresh Market announced a recall for the Impossible Chicken Nuggets for the finding of foreign material in the nuggets. What was that foreign material, you ask? It was wood. The company shared that very small pieces were found, and it only affected a very small percentage of bags sold. Impossible took full accountability for this awful mishap, and shared a great statement in a blog post on its site, "Impossible Chicken Nuggets are an important product for the plant-based meat category, and they're loved by consumers, who prefer our chicken nuggets to animal chicken nuggets in restaurants .. While we continue to appreciate the outpouring of love for Impossible Chicken Nuggets, we're disappointed by any instance where our product hasn't lived up to your or our expectations -- this is not something we take lightly, and we are working hard to remedy the situation." Mary's Gone Crackers - OG Super Seed Seaweed mary's gone crackers super seed seaweed - Amazon/Mary's Gone Crackers Mary's Gone Crackers is a brand that sells a large variety of delicious crackers that are gluten-free, nut-free, and egg-free. Many of the products mimic other brands that make food with these common allergens, so Mary's Gone Crackers offers great alternatives to people who can't eat certain brands. One example is its delicious Gone Cheezee crackers, which are reminiscent of Cheez-It. The company strives to provide healthy, allergen-free products that are organic and made with whole ingredients. With a company that many people trust, the news of a product recall is a bit jarring. In March of 2023, The Fresh Market put out a notice for the OG Super Seed Seaweed crackers. The reasoning was "foreign material contamination." Upon further research, we found that the foreign material was rubber pieces in the crackers. For a company that claims to be health conscious, it's very concerning to hear that pieces of rubber were found in the food. We unfortunately didn't find any sort of statement or acknowledgment from Mary's Gone Crackers online, which again is shocking due to the company's mission. Catalina Crunch - Keto Cereal And Keto Snack Mix catalna crunch cereal - Amazon/Catalina Crunch Catalina Crunch was founded by Krishna Kaliannan, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teen. In order to manage his blood sugar, he had to ditch many of his favorite snacks, like sugary cereals and cookies. With not many great alternatives on the market, Kaliannan decided to make them himself. From there, Catalina Crunch was born, and it offers tons of low-carb cereals, snack mixes, cookies, and more. In February of 2023, The Fresh Market shared a recall of many of the Catalina Crunch products that it sold. This included three flavors of the cereal (chocolate peanut butter, fruity, and honey graham) as well as the cheddar snack mix. Together, over 300,000 total Catalina Crunch packages were recalled. The reason for the recall? Metal contamination. Unfortunately, this seems to be a common reason for food recalls. This is why it's important to stay up to date with the brands that you buy and any possible recalls that are out there. The Fresh Market keeps its food recall list updated, so if you shop there regularly, be sure to check that page. You can also use Recalls.gov as a source, which can help you keep track of all of the current recalls. Catalina Crunch claims that it only uses clean and natural ingredients, so it's a disappointment that something as harsh as metal was found in its products. General Mills - Gold Medal Unbleached All-Purpose Flour gold medal general mills flour - Instacart/General Mills General Mills has been a trusted brand for families in America since 1866. Its reputation has always been positive, and has provided more than just good quality products for years and years. Not every brand is perfect, however. In April 2023, General Mills released a recall for its Gold Medal Unbleached All-Purpose Flour. This is a product that many people use as a household staple for daily recipes. It can also be found in almost every grocery store, including The Fresh Market. The product was recalled for a finding of Salmonella. Salmonella contamination can cause symptoms like headache, chills, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and more. It is commonly found in things like raw eggs and raw chicken. However it can also be found in processed foods and packaged items. There is good news, however. Most people who are using flour in recipes will be frying, baking, or boiling the product. This process actually kills Salmonella, so the chances of those that consumed the food made with the General Mills flour getting sick is rare. The risk comes to the people who prepared the food. If they were not properly washing their hands or the surfaces and materials that the flour came into contact with, its possible that they could get infected. Oppy Organic Green Kiwi Fruit kiwifruit - arpannasirahim99/Shutterstock Oppy is a produce company that provides products like apples, apricots, avocados, berries, brussel sprouts, cherries, leafy greens, kiwis, and more. It is a large distributor, and many grocery stores sell its produce -- like Whole Foods and The Fresh Market. In August of 2023, a recall was released for the green kiwifruit manufactured by Oppy. The green kiwifruit is reportedly grown in New Zealand, then shipped to North America and repackaged in clear plastic clamshell containers to then be sold in stores. The reason for the recall was a potential contamination with Listeria. It is unclear whether the contamination was present when the fruit was shipped over from New Zealand or if it was contaminated when repackaged in the states. Listeria is not as commonly found in foods as Salmonella or E.Coli are, but it is actually found that it is the leading cause of death by a foodborne illness. Any contamination of this bacteria should be treated incredibly seriously. Oppy's website shares, "We provide a resource that people depend on every day for their lives and livelihoods. And we take that responsibility seriously. That's why we put time and energy into nurturing strong relationships with our partners." There haven't been any reported recalls since the issue in August 2023, so we are hopeful that Oppy has rectified the situation. Hain Celestial - Imagine Chicken Bone Broth imagine chicken bone broth - Imagine Foods Hain Celestial has many popular products on the market that range from its famous Sleepytime Tea, veggie straws, and chicken bone broth. The brand focuses on creating healthy products for its customers, sharing its mission, "A healthier lifestyle happens when people have healthier choices. So we're constantly finding new ways to refine our products to be even better." Unfortunately, in September 2023, Hain Celestial had to put out a recall for its Imagine Chicken Bone Broth. According to The Fresh Market, the product was recalled due to possible microbial contamination. Vitacost also shared a recall notice, stating that the company had a lack of "sterility assurance," which means that it couldn't be guaranteed that the product was free from microorganisms. There isn't specific information that tells us exactly what was found in the chicken bone broth or if anyone had reported any illnesses from consuming the product. There haven't been any reported recalls since so we wouldn't be concerned about buying from this brand again. Busseto Antipasto Classico Tray busseto antipasto - Busseto Busseto's Antipasto Classico Tray is a container of Italian dry salami, prosciutto, and dry coppa. It is a popular item to buy when creating a charcuterie board for a wine night with friends. Some people's wine nights may have been ruined, however, when a recall was sent out for the tray in February of 2024 for potential Salmonella contamination. Busseto is usually a trusted brand created by an Italian man named Lorenzo Pagani. He held deep pride in finding the right meat and using the right process to create a quality product. Its products are widely sold in stores like Costco, Acme, and The Fresh Market. Apparently, over 11,000 pounds of charcuterie meat were recalled when the strands of Salmonella were found. Warnings within the recalls shared that consumption of the Salmonella bacteria could lead to hospitalization if sickness from the contamination wasn't properly taken care of. At the time of the recall, there were 104 illnesses reported with 27 hospitalizations across 33 states. According to the CDC, this was amongst multiple charcuterie meat name brands, including Busseto -- in which an outbreak strain was found in. Read the original article on Mashed. When the Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday in support of the most significant new online safety rules for children in decades, it delivered a major victory for parents who blame the ills of social media for injuring and in some cases killing their kids. But civil rights activists and free speech groups warn that the legislation, dubbed the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act which combines two previous bills on students internet use that failed to gain traction could lead to censorship of politically divisive subjects online and prohibit minors, particularly transgender youth, from accessing vital information. Ahead of the Senates bipartisan 91-3 vote, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, celebrated what he called a momentous day that would soon lead to perhaps the most important updates in decades to federal laws designed to protect kids on the internet. The rules ban tech companies from feeding targeted ads to kids, collecting teens personal information and allowing young users to opt out of personalized algorithm recommendations. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Too many kids experience relentless online bullying, too many kids have their personal data collected and then used nefariously, Schumer said in support of the bill. And sadly, sadly, too many families have lost kids because of what happened to them on social media. The legislation now moves to the House, where it faces an uncertain future when representatives return from a six-week summer recess Sept. 9. If passed, the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act could fundamentally reshape the online experiences for young people and everyone. Sign-up for the School (in)Security newsletter. Get the most critical news and information about students' rights, safety and well-being delivered straight to your inbox. Despite the legislations overwhelming support in Washington, it has faced opposition from critics across the political spectrum who argue the bipartisan bills duty of care provision could be used to curtail, or at least chill, constitutionally protected speech. Under the rules, tech companies would be required to take reasonable measures in their products design to mitigate harms including cyberbullying, eating disorders, the promotion of drugs and sexual exploitation. The provision, these critics argue, paves the way for a new censorship tool that lawmakers could potentially weaponize to thwart teens access to politically divisive subjects, including content designed to help transgender youth. The government should not be standing between youth and what kinds of content they can access any more so than they should be standing between youth and their doctors and their health care decisions, said Dara Adkison, the executive director of the nonprofit TransOhio, which offers resources to transgender youth, on a Zoom call Tuesday. On the call, Adkison joined other advocates, including those from the groups Fight for the Future and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, to outline their opposition to the bill. Related Safety or Censorship: Congress Rushes to Pass Broad Child Online Protection Laws Last week, the American Civil Liberties Union rallied some 300 youth in a lobbying push, where they met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to voice their objections to the bill. During Tuesdays call, Jenna Leventoff, the civil rights groups senior policy counsel, said the rule could have a detrimental impact on students who are naturally curious by placing limits on their ability to learn. Civil and LGBTQ+ rights advocates arent alone in crying foul. In a post on X last week, the anti-abortion group Students for Life Action said the legislation offered broad powers and vague definitions that could prevent young people from speaking out in opposition to abortion. Without concrete definitions, those targeted by a weaponized federal government will almost always include Pro-Life Americans, the group posted on the social media site. Empowering the Federal Trade Commission to decide what constitutes potentially stressful or allegedly harmful messaging, the group posted, will lead to more abuse of power. Targeting transgender content online Advocates working on behalf of transgender children, however, have perhaps been most vocal in their opposition and statements from leading Republicans have fed the fire. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee who co-sponsored the act alongside Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, has suggested a desire to use the rules to restrict youth access to online content about transgender people. In an interview with the Family Policy Alliance, the lobbying arm of the prominent evangelical group Focus on the Family, Blackburn said that protecting minor children from the transgender in this culture and that influence is among the top issues that conservatives should act on. Ive got the Kids Online Safety Act that I think were going to end up getting through, probably this summer, Blackburn said in the 2023 interview promoting the legislations duty of care provision. [The internet] is where children are being indoctrinated. Theyre hearing things at school and then theyre getting onto YouTube to watch a video, and all of a sudden this comes to them. In a statement Tuesday, Blackburn said the bill is a major step forward in protecting children and will save countless innocent lives from being exploited online. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has similarly endorsed the legislation as a strategy to block materials designed for LGBTQ+ youth. In 2023, the group posted on X that keeping trans content away from children keeps them safe. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologizes to families on Jan. 31 at a House Judiciary Committee hearing focused on child sexual exploitation on the internet. (Tom Williams/Getty Images) Among the bills supporters is the nonprofit Fairplay for Kids, a nonpartisan group that has amplified the voices of grieving parents whose children were subjected to cyberbullying and online child sexual exploitation. Josh Golin, the groups executive director, said in a statement Tuesday that the legislation would force Big Tech to end business practices that have fueled a mental health crisis and cost the lives of countless children around the country. Related Lawmakers Duel With Tech Execs on Social Media Harms to Youth Mental Health The group has sought to distance its efforts from transphobic and homophobic activists threatening to weaponize the legislation, noting that it supported an amendment to the proposal that was made to help satisfy LGBTQ+ advocates concerns. A previous version of the legislation empowered state attorneys general to decide what types of content is harmful to children, while the amended bill empowers the Federal Trade Commission to enforce its provisions. The changes satisfied some LGTBQ+ groups, including The Trevor Project, but failed to rein in the legislations most vocal critics. More harm than good The Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act comes amid bipartisan accusations that social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok with algorithms designed to keep users hooked and coming back for more have harmed childrens well-being and, in some cases, pushed young people to suicide. It follows congressional testimony by two Meta whistleblowers who accused the social media company of knowing that apps like Instagram fueled dissatisfaction about body image and other insecurities among its younger users, but maintained a see no evil, hear no evil culture and did nothing to mitigate its harms. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican of Tennessee, and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat of New York, arrive for a press conference Tuesday after the Senate passed the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) Research on social medias effects on youth well-being remains a point of contention. In a recent analysis, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine found there wasnt enough evidence to conclude that social media use impacts adolescent well-being at the population level. Social media sites can expose children to online harassment and fringe ideas, researchers noted, while uplifting other children by fostering a sense of community. The bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday combines two previous legislative efforts the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act into one package. It excludes a third, controversial provision that sought to ban children under 13 years old from creating social media accounts and prohibit students from accessing apps like Instagram on school and library internet networks. That effort, led by Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Hawaii Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz, was met with widespread pushback from education groups. The three dissenting votes Tuesday came from Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah. In a statement last week, Wyden argued that the bills amendments make it less likely to be used as a tool for MAGA extremists to wage war on legal and essential information to teens, but the changes remain insufficient. A future MAGA administration could still use this bill to pressure companies to censor gay, trans and reproductive health information, he said. Related 74 Interview: Why Social Media is Being Blamed for the Youth Suicide Crisis The Software and Information Industry Association, a trade group that represents ed tech companies, said in a statement Tuesday that it had similar concerns. The duty of care provision, the group said, could do more harm than good by requiring that tech companies aggressively filter content and age gate content, putting users privacy at risk. The legislation could also present hurdles for schools, according to an analysis by the Public Interest Privacy Center, which outlined how the provisions would allow students to opt out of adaptive tests or personalized learning and enable parents and students to limit their screen time on a math app to five times per year essentially opting out of using that ed tech platform. During the Zoom call on Tuesday, Evan Greer, the director of the nonprofit digital rights group Fight for the Future, argued that conservatives have made clear their intention to restrict students access to gender-affirming content. Greer pointed to Project 2025, a collaboration by the Heritage Foundation and more than 100 conservative groups to build a 922-page policy blueprint should Donald Trump retake the White House in November. Related How Ed Tech Tools Track Kids Online and Why Parents Should Care The blueprint links gender-affirming content to pornography, claiming that children suffer the toxic normalization of transgenderism with drag queens and pornography invading their school libraries, and that such material has no claim to First Amendment protection. Its purveyors are child predators and misogynistic exploiters of women, the document claims, arguing that the materials are addictive like a drug and psychologically destructive. Educators and public librarians who purvey it should be classed as registered sex offenders. And telecommunications and technology firms that facilitate its spread should be shuttered. On Tuesday, the same day that the digital safety legislation cleared the Senate, Project 2025 disbanded as Trump sought to distance himself from the group and Democrats used it to warn against the former presidents reelection bid. There is a movement in this country that has been very explicit about their intention to create laws that go after online resources for some of the most vulnerable young people in this country, Greer said. We should take them at their word. The Black fugitive who inspired Uncle Toms Cabin and the end of US slavery In or around 1825, John Andrew Jackson was born enslaved on a plantation in South Carolina and trained to spend his life picking cotton. But instead of living a life as a slave, he escaped bondage and became an influential anti-slavery lecturer and writer. He also had a key role in Harriet Beecher Stowes celebrated novel Uncle Toms Cabin, which historians have argued helped trigger the Civil War by its depiction of the subhuman treatment afforded Black men and women. As a scholar of the lives of enslaved people and their writings, I have researched the life of Jackson for years and still remain puzzled by his obscurity from most histories of slavery in America. In my biography of Jackson, A Plausible Man, I detail his remarkable life. North to freedom In early 1846, Jacksons wife and daughter were sold to another South Carolina plantation. Heartbroken and furious, he was determined to earn money and buy his familys freedom. Jackson waited until Christmas Day and took a bold step he escaped on horseback. He found work on the docks in Charleston and eventually hid between cotton bales aboard a boat heading to Boston. Once there, Jackson started speaking at abolitionist meetings across Massachusetts to raise money to free his wife and child. But before he could raise the necessary amount, President Millard Fillmore signed into law the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which would impose harsh penalties on anyone who assisted runaways. Even though Jackson was living in a supposedly free state, he was in terrible danger of being returned to enslavement under the new law. Jackson decided to flee again, this time to Canada. Along the way, abolitionists directed Jackson to sympathetic homes in Maine. A chance meeting One such home belonged to the stuffy Thomas C. Upham, a professor of mental and moral philosophy at Bowdoin College. He had told his friends that while slavery was a grievous wrong, the Fugitive Slave Act was nonetheless the law and should be obeyed. But when Jackson knocked on his door, Upham immediately put aside his scruples. Upham invited him in and offered food and encouragement. Because Upham couldnt put Jackson up for the night, he directed Jackson to his neighbor, Harriet Beecher Stowe a friend who had long been frustrated with the otherwise kindly professors timid politics. A drawing of Harriet Beecher Stowes home in Brunswick, Maine. Culture Club/Getty Images Stowe was a little-known writer at the time, living as a faculty wife of a Bowdoin College professor. When Jackson came to her threshold, she, too, broke the law. She opened the door and welcomed him in. Jackson entertained her children, told her of his heartbreak and accepted money, food and clothing from her before leaving the next morning. Although she never used Jacksons name, she later wrote of this incident, noting that her visitor was a genuine article from Ole Carliny State a reference to a popular minstrel song that Jackson was to later append to his own memoir. The little woman A few weeks later, Stowe began drafting Uncle Toms Cabin. It had a familiar scene. The novels heroine, Eliza, a Black fugitive, knocks on the door of a U.S. senator who had previously promised to adhere to the fugitive slave laws. But when faced with a terrorized person at his doorstep, the senator allowed his heart to lead instead of his head. Like the real professor Upham, the fictional senator and his wife defied the law. An image of abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe appears in her novel Uncle Toms Cabin, Heritage Images/Getty Images Art always arises from a myriad of influences, and other individuals or experiences certainly inspired Stowes writing. But aside from this scene that clearly drew upon Uphams meeting with Jackson, this encounter took Stowe from the broader debate of anti-slavery politics to the immediacy of direct action. Published in 1852, Uncle Toms Cabin galvanized abolitionists across the country and became the second-bestselling book in the U.S. during the 19th century. Only the Bible ranked higher. A decade later, when Stowe visited the White House in November 1862, President Abraham Lincoln supposedly told her: So you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war. A life on the run While Stowe was drafting her novel, Jackson was crossing the U.S.-Canada border. He moved from Maine and settled in St. Johns, New Brunswick, for a few years. But his desire to have a broader influence in the anti-slavery movement led him to sail off to Liverpool, England, with an endorsement letter from Stowe herself. Over the next decade, Jackson lectured across Britain, as many Black abolitionists did, including Frederick Douglass. During this time, Jackson wrote his 1862 memoir, The Experience of a Slave in South Carolina, in which he wrote of his encounter with Stowe. During my flight from Salem to Canada, I met with a very sincere friend and helper, who gave me a refuge during the night, and set me on my way. Her name was Mrs. Beecher Stowe. She took me in and fed me, and gave me some clothes and five dollars. She also inspected my back, which is covered with scars which I shall carry with me to the grave. It was only until after the Civil War ended in 1865 that Jackson sailed back to the U.S. from Britain. He continued to lecture and raise money, this time for relief supplies for destitute freedmen in South Carolina. He collected money to start an orphans home, a church and a home for Black elders without families to care for them. Few of these projects ever fully materialized, but newspapers and correspondence with government officials document his relentless advocacy. Jacksons audacious life ended at some point in the very early 20th century. Before he died, his actions had become legend among the people who knew him in the Black community. One of his neighbors remembered him with admiration. In the 1930s, an interviewer asked Jake McLeod, an elderly Black sharecropper, about his memories of Jackson. Don know how-come he run away, McLeod said, but dey didnt catch up wid him till it was too late. 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: Susanna Ashton, Clemson University Read more: Susanna Ashton received funding from The Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University and the Gilder Lehrman Institute for the Study of Slavery, Resistance and Abolition at Yale University BAGHDAD, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Up to five Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi members were killed and six others wounded on Tuesday in an unknown drone attack on a military base in Babil province south of Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua. Unknown drones bombed a military base of the Hashd Shaabi forces, also known as Popular Mobilization Forces, in the Jurf al-Nasr area in the northern part of Babil province, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. Before dawn on Wednesday, the media office of the Hashd Shaabi Forces said in a brief statement on its official Telegram page that the attack occurred at 9:30 p.m. local time (1830 GMT) when unknown drones fired missiles on two patrols belonging to the 47th Brigade of the Hashd Shaabi in the Jurf al-Nasr area. Also known as Popular Mobilization Forces, the Hashd Shaabi forces are a state-sponsored paramilitary network composed of mostly Shia Muslim groups. Venesse Williams was hopeful and excited when she saw Vice President Kamala Harris in Dallas at the national boule Greek sorority parlance for convention of her Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. in June. Theres a lot of hope in hearing that shes running. We certainly need someone who is going to be able to unify the United States, said Williams, a 53-year-old Summerhill resident who shares sorority membership with the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. A lot sooner than Williams could imagine, Harris would indeed be a unifier of members of Black sororities and fraternities interested in her campaign for president, especially back home in Atlanta. In June, Harris was campaigning for a ticket that had President Joe Biden at the top. By the time she addressed the boule of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. in Indianapolis last week, Harris had become the first Black woman and the first member of a Black Greek letter organization to be a major partys presumptive nominee for president of the United States. Almost as quickly, members of those organizations nine individual fraternities and sororities congealed into potentially one of this election cycles most formidable voting, fundraising and organizing blocs. Harris, a Howard University alumnae and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the nations oldest Black Greek-letter sorority, will now run a campaign with the potential backing of a large voting community with historic ties to social action and grassroots organizing around elections: the Divine Nine sororities and fraternities. The November election will test just how far their influence goes. What youre seeing now with [Harris] running on the presidential level, [is the] same thing you actually saw happen with Barack Obama when he was running; you saw how those networks were effectively used to turn out the vote, said Roland Martin, an independent journalist and media entrepreneur who, two days after Biden endorsed Harris, hosted a call joined by a reported 53,000 Black men, many of whom were members of Divine Nine fraternities. Martin is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the countrys original Black Greek fraternity. And so I think that whats most important is that this isnt our first rodeo; weve done this before, he said. If theres a city where the mobilization of Black fraternities and sororities might show up in Novembers election results, its Atlanta. The city is a mecca for Black Greek activity, said Lawrence Ross, the author of The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities and also an Alpha Phi Alpha member. Although none of the nine organizations was founded here, Atlanta is home to tens of thousands of their members and dozens of graduate and undergraduate chapters. Since Maynard Jackson became the citys first Black mayor in 1974, every successive Atlanta mayor has been a member of a Black fraternity or sorority. Its impossible to know how much of the vote in those mayoral campaigns or in campaigns for office like the U.S. Senate, where Raphael Warnock, another Alpha Man, became the first Black person to represent Georgia in that capacity in 2020 have come from Divine Nine members over the years. But interviews Capital B conducted with local members and leaders of the national organizations in the weeks since Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris show how these networks exercise their political influence in Atlanta and beyond. Independent but linked Divine Nine refers to Black Greek letter organizations five fraternities and four sororities that are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. In addition to Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Zeta Phi Beta, the members are Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. Each of those organizations must remain officially apolitical due to their nonprofit statuses. The presidents of all nine organizations issued a joint statement stating that theyd agreed to work jointly on an unprecedented voter registration, education and mobilization coordinated campaign, noting that the effort would be nonpartisan. Still, individual members and informal networks created by members of the organizations can freely support candidates. In Atlanta, which houses an expansive and established network of Divine Nine members who are well-versed in political organizing, those networks were almost immediately deployed to amplify Black engagement in the upcoming election now that Harris is in the race. We have this thing around Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi of saving America and this democracy it is nothing new, said Rhonda Briggins, a member of Delta Sigma Theta who lives in Atlanta. Its something that Black people in the South have been doing for years, and we will continue to do that as we move through this election cycle. Briggins is the president of the Atlanta-based organization Delta for Women in Action, which on its website calls itself a Delta-affiliated, nonprofit social welfare and advocacy organization. Since it has its own 501(c)(4) charter, Delta for Women in Action can do some things the sorority cant, like endorse candidates; Harris isnt on its website as an endorsee. Briggins said her group plans to mobilize local residents for the upcoming election by focusing on education around new voting laws, election misinformation, and voter registration. Asia Hicks, a 26-year-old member of Sigma Gamma Rho who lives in south Atlanta, said she believes the members of all nine organizations can play a role in creating social change, including supporting a candidate that they believe in. Each individual Greek organization needs to do their part as a sister or brother of the Divine Nine, Hicks said. Its about putting our foot forward and not having any fear of repercussions. We need to communicate as one and be on the same accord with how we can assist here. That Harris would find lots of support among members of Black sororities was never in doubt. Jason Hudgins, a member of Phi Beta Sigma, said theres a sense of collective duty to Harris among men in fraternities as well. We want to make sure she is protected and gets a fair chance as we go forward, the 42-year-old Westview resident said. For a large part of our community, being connected to a Greek organization or being connected to an HBCU is something theyre familiar with. Even if they dont have that personal experience, the familiarity opens a door for other conversations. But William Boone, a political science professor at Clark Atlanta University, questioned whether Black fraternities and sororities could flex their political clout beyond their own ranks. The organizations dont publish their membership rolls, but some estimates put their total memberships at as many as 4 million. Thats enough to show political strength, but its just a fraction of the estimated 47.9 million Black people in the United States. Its an even smaller percentage of the countrys roughly 160 million registered voters. The influence is certainly within a circle of a certain demographic of African Americans, both male and female, Boone said. What theyll have to do to extend that, they have to get into the streets and really be of that kind of service. They will have to decide that theyre going to have to organize in a way that pushes the message beyond the D9, so to speak, right into the broader community. Danielle Maner, a member of Delta Sigma Theta who lives in Midtown, said Harris campaign tapping into the organizing prowess of Black fraternity and sorority members speaks for itself. The Republican ticket, she pointed out, has its own network of groups to help it raise money and get people to the polls why shouldnt Harris? If the other side is using the Heritage Foundation, Moms for Liberty, Christian Fundamentalist and white nationalist groups to organize for Trump why cant she use us, Maner said. Why cant she use her resources? The post Black Greeks Are Uniting Behind Harris. Heres What A Divine Nine Nod Could Mean. appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta. The EMERGE Center in Long Beach, a total-immersive institution created to prepare blind clients to live independently, opened its doors last week with its first classes. The clients, or students, are prepared with functional skills for blindness, whether they are totally blind or have partial blindness. Similarly, instructional staff teach those students totally blind, wearing sleep shades if applicable. Instruction includes everything from safely walking across the street to office work to cooking lasagna and cleaning the kitchen afterwards. Those practical skills are only half the battle. Instructors also are meant to lead by example and show students what its like to live with confidence. That confidence is something thatll carry with them for the rest of their lives and transcends just the tasks theyll learn at the EMERGE Center. In the face of a world that largely doesnt know how to treat them, students at the EMERGE Center are thrust into a program where they live with independence, albeit with reasonable safety nets. Staff will help students nearing the programs end secure job experience and internship opportunities. Then its up to those students to put what theyve learned into action as they live independently and confidently. Its a first-of-its-kind, certified facility in Mississippi and one that the community needed, said Dorothy Young, the director of the Office of Vocational Rehab Services for the Blind, a division of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. Dorothy Young, director of Mississippis office of vocational rehabilitation for the blind, poses for a portrait outside the Mississippi Emerge Center in Long Beach on Thursday, July 25, 2024. It differs from the Addie McBryde Rehabilitation Center in Jackson, the only comparable facility in the state, Young said. Addie McBryde functions by meeting clients to their specific needs, blind or not. Instruction isnt designed around total blindness, she added. The EMERGE Center, by contrast, is a dedicated facility only for the blind and gives instruction to its clients under the assumption they are totally blind. Blindness is a spectrum that affects each person with it differently, she noted. The program is free for qualifying clients, Young said. It keeps students who are in-state close to home and usually takes six months to nine months, though every case is different. The center in Long Beach uniquely teaches them how to live blind in suburban communities, unlike facilities clients previously needed to go to in Maryland and Denver. The first step Instructor Antonio Williams said blind people are often tempted to avoid telling themselves and others theyre blind, especially if theyre in the process of losing their vision. This is true even if it obviously inhibits their regular functions. Its usually because they dont want their fully-sighted peers to think of them differently, he said. That was the case for him while he was losing his vision, he said, chuckling a little at the thought of himself. Lots of people have good intentions in the way they act around blind folks, but friends and family can often be overprotective, which leads to stunted development for the blind. Sighted folks burn themselves on the stove too, Young said. But if a blind person does it, their family will often overreact and forever push them out of the kitchen. That can create a long-term, unnecessary dependency on sighted relatives. It can also unknowingly kill the drive for those blind folks to pursue independent living and career success. Dr. Fred Schroeder, a consultant for the Mississippi Emerge Center discusses how the Emerge center will help those who are blind become independent and confident on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Most people have humble goals, said Fred Schroeder, a consultant whos helping the EMERGE Center as it gears up. Hes made a career traveling the globe inspiring blind clients and coordinating with facilities like the EMERGE Center. Most blind people just want some autonomy and the ability to go outside on their own, Schroeder said. Being realistic, its probably impossible to become a heart surgeon as a blind person, he said. But thats not usually what blind folks are aiming to be. Working in information technology one of the goals of an EMERGE Center client is a possibility. Young says that when the time comes, staff at the EMERGE Center will ensure the student is not only prepared to interview for the job, not just general living skills. How society views the blind We dont say visually impaired when someones blind, Williams said. Even if you do have some vision, if it is not reliable, then it is faulty. Whats been proven is that what you can rely on is non-visual techniques. Those are methods that have to be practiced and mastered. Staff at the EMERGE Center said that most people have good intentions toward the blind but are often clueless in how to act around them. Williams said it wasnt long ago that it was an uphill battle to prove to authorities that someone who was blind could teach another blind person how to use skills effectively. It makes perfect sense to him. Who better to teach these skills than people who use them daily? Antonio Williams, an instructor at the Mississippi Emerge Center, demonstrates a braille typewriter on Thursday, July 25, 2024. There was a time when it was assumed that blind people couldnt work at all, Schroeder said. Society assumes youre frail and need a lot of care. But we want you to think of yourself as being able to participate in whats a very demanding program. The EMERGE Center congregates blind people in a way that most clients have never before experienced. For some, it could certainly be their first time meeting another blind individual, let alone an accomplished role model whos also blind, Schroeder said. Advances in technology and remote work make it possible, now more than ever, for blind people to find opportunities that have historically been seen as impossible for them. Its just a matter of realizing how to get students up to speed for those tasks and confident in their own abilities, instructors said. Life skills The program is built on four pillars of instruction: cane travel, home management, technology and braille. A specialized instructor accompanies each one of these pillars. Williams teaches cane travel. He teaches how to find where the grass meets asphalt pavement, how and when to stop at stop signs and traffic lights and when to ask for directions. In hallways, he tells students how to be calm and not swing around their cane too far when and to go slowly on stairs. Making a mental map of their surroundings is key. He doesnt recommend counting steps in routes because it can be limiting in the long-run. Home management centers on day-to-day living. By the end of the class, students will have learned how to cook 30 different meals. For the final, students will prepare a large meal for the EMERGE Centers whole staff and clean the kitchen. Theyll also learn how to assort medication, complete and fold laundry, clean their living spaces and go shopping by themselves. Renee Cornette, home management instructor at the Mississippi Emerge Center, demonstrates methods they use to teach blind students how to cook independently on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Lots of the skills learned in home management, instructor Renee Cornette said, can be applied to all parts of life. Learning to label ones kitchen drawers with braille stickers is also applicable to separating detergent from fabric softener. It usually just takes longer to perform these tasks, Cornette said, but thats OK. The point is not to become a Michelin star chef, but to safely prepare sustainable meals. Thats how blind folks can avoid being burnt on the stove or by the oven. One should go slowly and hover a hand over the surface. Using tools to probe foods consistency and setting timers is essential to not over or under cook a meal. Cleaning the counter is a two-hand job. By using one hand to probe and another to wipe. Using a trash bin at the edge of the surface works wonders, Cornette said. She explained that there are plenty of ways to go shopping while blind, one can ask store staff for help, use a scanning app on phone to tell her the expiration date of the product shes selected or a combination of skills to ensure shes picked the right goods. Technology has come a long way for use by the blind, Williams explained. Most people gloss over the iPhones voice over feature, Williams said, but that single handedly allows for fluid mobile phone usage for users who cant otherwise see the screen. The technology classs room is equipped with computers loaded with software that voices over where the cursor hovers. Theyll create PowerPoints and use email, imitating average office work. Computer monitors are never turned on. Students simply dont need them, he said. The braille class is perhaps the most traditional or predictable. It teaches how to read in braille and use machines to produce braille writing and notes. Instructor Andy Weller says assignments will have students fluent enough that by the end of their program, they can translate a local restaurants menu into braille. It starts from scratch with the braille alphabet. Andy Weller, a braille instructor at the Mississippi Emerge Center, shows off a tool to help teach braille on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Building confidence All of the skills the EMERGE Center develops in students work toward their total independence. That isnt accomplished by showing a student how to activate voice over on their phone or pan fry ground beef, Schroeder said. Those skills certainly get the student started, he said, but its impossible to get students equipped for every possible challenge life throws at them. Really its a mindset. Its achieved with perseverance and failure. We want people to have the skills to generalize. A subtle part of what were trying to do is help people understand that it is not technology that makes you competent. It is a tool, Schroeder said. A hammer does not drive a nail by itself. Long Beach Students live in housing provided by the program in an apartment community about 25 minutes away. Young said its up to students to set their alarms, get themselves ready for the day and commute, via walking, to the EMERGE Center. The center is next door to St. Patricks Church. A specialist living at the apartment complex is on site in the event a student needs outside help with something. Theres no cafeteria on site. Food has to be prepared by the students in advance or ordered using a food delivery service app. Long Beach was selected deliberately, Young said. We call them our family here, she said. The community has been very receptive to us. Young is trying to lobby for the municipal government to create sidewalks for the EMERGE Centers clients who currently have to walk on the edge of the street. Sometimes they totally and unknowingly block a lane of traffic, Williams said. A street sign near the Mississippi Emerge Center in Long Beach on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Students at the Mississippi Emerge Center walk on Long Beach city streets from their apartments to the center daily. The EMERGE Center did communicate with the city and signs telling motorists to be mindful of the communitys new blind residents have been installed on relevant routes. The EMERGE Center currently has two students. It has a capacity for 15. Young said the Department of Rehabilitation Services handles prospective clients and has received many calls, so shes expecting the center will quickly reach capacity. It originally opened in early March. Day programs and programs for those nearing retirement are also offered, she said. Apartments rented by the Mississippi Emerge Center at Long Beach Station apartments on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Students at the center will stay at the apartments independently and free of charge while they learn to navigate the world while blind. The Mississippi Emerge Center in Long Beach on Thursday, July 25, 2024. The center teaches blind students orientation and mobility, cooking skills, technology skills, braille, as well as independent living. Letters advocating for the opening of the center line the walls of a hallway at the Mississippi Emerge Center in Long Beach on Thursday, July 25, 2024. The United States was not involved in the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday, Channel News Asia (CNA) reported. Blinken, during a visit to Singapore, also reiterated the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to reduce tensions in the Middle East saying the US will work on this until it is achieved. The ceasefire is crucial not only to end the suffering of Palestinians in the region but also to bring the hostages home, he said. One of the things that we've been focused on is trying to make sure that the conflict that emerged in Gaza doesn't spread, doesn't go to other places, doesn't escalate, and we're going to continue to do that as well," he said, according to the report. Ismail Haniyeh, chairman of the politburo of the Palestinian Hamas movement, meets with then President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi. Palestinian militant organization Hamas has said on Telegram that Haniyeh, was killed in a "Zionist raid" on his residence in Tehran. -/Iranian Presidency/dpa Streamers like Netflix and Disney whose drama Shogun earned excellent reviews have taken viewers away from live TV - FX Less than half of Gen Z viewers regularly watch traditional television, creating another hurdle for the BBC which continues to lose young audiences to TikTok and YouTube. Figures published on Wednesday by Ofcom show that just 48pc of 16 to 24-year-olds watched broadcast TV during an average week last year, down from 76pc in 2018. It is the latest example of Gen Z viewers, which includes anyone born between 2000 and 2008, ditching live shows in favour of streaming content online. Children aged between four and 15 are switching off at a similar rate, with just 55pc watching terrestrial compared with 81pc five years ago. The likes of Disney, Netflix and TikTok are all benefiting from younger viewers shift away from live TV, evidencing the radical shift across the industry. Matt Hill, research and planning director at Thinkbox, the marketing body for commercial TV, said it was disappointing that Ofcom was still choosing to focus so heavily on live shows despite it being a category in decline. He said: Live TV remains vital, but its only one side of TV. On-demand is where TV is rapidly growing which is why every TV company has been devoting so much energy and investment in developing on-demand services. And this strategy is paying off as Ofcoms report shows, on-demand TV is growing more than any other type of video, YouTube and TikTok included. Ofcoms research also revealed that viewing on broadcasters streaming platforms, such as BBC iPlayer and ITV, grew by almost 30pc last year to 20 minutes per person each day. However, this was not enough to compensate for the large decline in audiences across traditional TV channels. TikTok has grown rapidly since its launch in the UK in 2018 and is now used by 22m Britons at least once a month, according to data from SensorTower. Separate figures from Data.AI showed the average UK smartphone user spent 36 hours and three minutes per month scrolling TikTok videos last month. Meanwhile, YouTube is continuing to grow in popularity almost two decades after its launch. Figures show that the average person spent 38 minutes on YouTube every day at the end of last year, compared to 31 minutes at the beginning of 2022. By contrast, the weekly reach of terrestrial TV fell from 79pc to 75pc last year the second consecutive year of record decline. While the drop in viewing is being felt across all age groups, the slump is most dramatic among Gen Z audiences. In addition to watching traditional TV less frequently, young viewers are also watching for shorter periods of time. On average, Gen Z viewers watch broadcast TV for just 33 minutes a day down 16pc year on year. By contrast, Ofgem found 16 to 24-year olds are spending an hour and 33 minutes each day watching online video platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. The decline is so acute that many younger viewers have abandoned terrestrial TV altogether, with an estimated 5.3m households only accessing TV via the internet. Ian Macrae, Ofcoms director of market intelligence, said: Gen Z and Alpha [children born between 2008 and 2024] are used to swiping and streaming, not flipping through broadcast TV channels. They crave the flexibility, immediacy and choice that on-demand services offer, spending over three hours a day watching video, but only 20 minutes of live TV. Its no surprise that the traditional TV is fast becoming a device of choice to watch YouTube. The decline in viewing figures has prompted soul-searching at broadcasters as bosses try to win back audiences. The BBC, which lost half a million licence fee payers last year, has increased its focus on British storytelling. All broadcasters, including Channel 4 and ITV, are increasingly investing in their streaming services as viewers move online. However, Ofcom has warned that terrestrial TV is at a tipping point, with a growing risk that older audiences could be left behind by the shift to streaming. Weekly reach among over-65s remains relatively stable at 95pc. Despite the broader decline, traditional broadcasters also remain the go-to destination for major national and international events. The BBCs coverage of the New Years Eve fireworks was the most-watched programme last year, attracting an audience of 12.1m. This was closely followed by the Coronation of the King, while the Eurovision Song Contest was watched by more than 10m people. Englands defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final has been the biggest event of the year so far, with the BBC and ITV drawing a combined audience of more than 15m. England's defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final drew a combined 15m viewers to BBC and ITV - Inaki Esnaola/Getty Images While traditional broadcasters continue to shed audiences, there are also indications that growth among US streaming giants is slowing. Ofcom found that the take-up of subscription streaming services such as Netflix has levelled out at just over two thirds of households, returning to the peak it achieved in early 2020. Viewing data from ratings agency Barb show the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 all outpaced their streaming rivals for viewing minutes in the first half of the year. But traditional TV channels are still battling a fall in advertising revenues, with the recent downturn prompting ITV and Channel 4 to slash jobs. Ofcoms report showed the decline in terrestrial TV advertising spend offset growth in streaming revenues, as total TV ad spend fell by 8.9pc to 4.9bn. Meanwhile, price rises helped subscription revenues for US streaming giants rise 22pc to just under 4bn, while the companies also pulled in around 50m from new advertising tiers. 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. Just five days after a recall of deli meats related to a deadly listeria outbreak, Boars Head Provisions expanded that recall Tuesday by 7 million pounds of 71 products sold under the Boars Head and Old Country brands. This recall has hit some of the nations leading grocery sellers, including Kroger (No. 2, according to Foodindustry.com), Publix (No. 6) and H-E-B (No. 7). Publix deli counter in Miami on July 26, 2024. Publix sells Boars Head meats but the company spokesperson said products listed in the recent recall notice have been pulled from store shelves. Heres what you need to know. What Boars Head deli meats are recalled now? Thursdays original recall included Boars Head Liverwurst, Steakhouse Roasted Bacon, Beef Salami, three kinds of bologna and three kinds of ham produced from June 11 to July 17 and with EST. 12612 inside the USDA inspection stamp. READ MORE: Boars Head recalls 207,500 pounds of deli meats nationwide Monday evening, we learned from the USDA that our Strassburger Brand Liverwurst has been linked to the national deli meat listeria monocytogenes outbreak, Boars Head said on its website. Based on this new information, we took steps to ensure we are doing everything possible to protect public health. Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to immediately and voluntarily expand our recall to include all items produced at the Jarratt, Virginia facility. We have also decided to pause ready-to-eat operations at this facility until further notice. The label for recalled Boars Head Smoked Andouille Chicken Sausage Thursdays expansion includes 54 kinds of Boars Head brand meats, including frankfurters, hams, olive loaf, head cheese and sausage. In addition, 17 kinds of Old Country hams sold to the food service industry (restaurants, caterers, cafeterias, etc.) got yanked. The label for recalled Old Country Brand ham sent to foodservice customers. They were produced from May 10 through Monday; have sell-by dates from Monday through Oct. 17; and carry EST. 12612 or P-12612 in the USDA inspection stamp. Some of these went to the Dominican Republic, Panama, Mexico and the Cayman Islands. The USDA posted a full list of products in the expanded recall Tuesday night. The label for recalled Boars Head Uncured Pork & Beef Frankfurters What you should do if you have recalled meats? Dont eat any of the recalled meats. Return them to the store where you bought them for a full refund or, at least, throw them deep in the trash where pets cant get to them. Then, clean and sanitize any surfaces, such as counters and refrigerator drawers or shelves, that the meats might have touched. Questions about this recall can be answered by calling Boars Head Provisions at 800-352-6277. Whats the latest on the listeria outbreak? As of Fridays update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 34 people were sick in 13 states New York (12); Maryland (six); Missouri, Georgia, Massachusetts, Virginia, New Jersey (two each); North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin (one each). There were 33 hospitalizations and there have been two deaths, one each in Illinois and New Jersey. Of the 24 people able to be interviewed, 23 reported eating meats sliced at a deli, the CDC said. Of the 23 people who were asked if they ate liverwurst, 13 reported deli-sliced liverwurst before getting sick, and seven reported Boars Head brand. These deli meats were sliced at a variety of supermarket and grocery store delis. The number of people who recover without receiving professional medical attention means official outbreak illness counts usually undercut the actual number sickened. What is listeria? According to the CDC, listeria infects only about 1,600 people in the United States each year, but kills about 260. Listeria can cause stillbirths and miscarriages in pregnant women. The most vulnerable to listerias worst effects are people over 65 years old and children under 5. Most people get symptoms similar to the flu along with fever, headaches, stiff necks and poor balance. Seizures are also possible. Check your refrigerator for a popular brand of cold cuts, from ham to head cheese. Boar's Head is recalling more deli meats and expanding a previous recall because of possible Listeria contamination. The luncheon meat producer is including approximately 7 million additional pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) announced Tuesday evening. Last Friday, Boar's Head recalled more than 207,000 pounds of product due to potential listeria contamination. The earlier recall included Boar's Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst products made in Virginia and other ready-to-eat deli products made on the same line and on the same day. Boar's Head deli meat included in recall due to possible listeria contaminationn. This new recall includes 71 products produced between May 10 and July 29. Products include several varieties of ham, bologna, frankfurters and sausage. Several varieties of Boar's Head "Old Country " ham products are included in the recall. A liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health, "tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes," according to FSIS alert. Meat intended for slicing at retail delis and some packaged meat and poultry products sold at retail locations are also being recalled. Electron micrograph of a Listeria bacterium in tissue. The products have sell-by dates ranging from July 29, 2024 through Oct. 17, 2024 and were distributed to retail locations nationwide with some exported to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama. The products shipped to retailers have the establishment number "EST. 12612 or P-12612 inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels. According to a Boar's Head website July 30 message to customers, and out of an abundance of caution, the company voluntarily expanded the recall to all items produced at its Jarrett Virginia, facility. Boar's Head also said they've "paused ready-eat-operations" at the facility until further notice. >> See the list of recalled Boar's Head products here Regulators are concerned because some products may be in consumers' refrigerators and in retail cases. Consumers should discard and not consume any recalled products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Consumers who have purchased these products are also urged to clean refrigerators thoroughly to prevent the risk of cross-contamination. Federal and state officials are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate a multistate outbreak of listeria monocytogenes infections that are linked to meats sliced at delis. As of Tuesday, according to the FSIS, 34 sick people have been identified in 13 states. So far, there are no cases in Michigan, according to the CDCs map of states reporting infections. There have been 33 hospitalizations and two deaths reported. Those sickened by the outbreak, according to the earlier recall, reported eating meats they had sliced at deli counters, the CDC says. The FSIS investigation is ongoing and they are working with the CDC and state officials. Symptoms of listeria infection The CDC says symptoms of listeria infection can be different depending on the person and part of the body affected. Healthy individuals may experience high fever, severe headaches, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Symptoms usually start two weeks after eating food contaminated with listeria. But they can also start as soon as the day of exposure and as late as 10 weeks after, the CDC says. Pregnant women Typically, pregnant women experience fever, muscle aches and fatigue. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. Pregnant people usually have fever, muscle aches and tiredness. Higher-risk other than pregnant women Symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions in addition to fever and muscle aches. Those individuals who are 65 years and older or with have weakened immune systems are at higher risk because the listeria is more likely to spread beyond their gut to other parts of their body, resulting in a severe condition known as invasive listeriosis, the CDC says. Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on X (formerly Twitter.) Support local journalism and become a digital subscriber to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Boar's Head recalling an additional 7 million pounds of deli meat Boar's Head Provisions is expanding its July 26 recall of deli meats, recalling an additional 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products over Listeria concerns, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Wednesday. While there haven't been any reported illnesses in Delaware from the products, Boar's Head meats are sold at stores throughout the First State and neighboring states. The expanded recall includes 71 products produced between May 10 and July 29 under the Boar's Head and Old Country brand names. The items include meat intended for slicing at retail delis as well as packaged products. The sell-by dates on the packages range from July 29, 2024, to Oct. 17, 2024. The products in the recall were sent to retail locations nationwide and some were exported to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama. The products shipped to retailers bear the establishment number EST. 12612 or P-12612 inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels. Here's a full product list: More than 200,000 pounds of Boar's Head products were already included in a Friday recall ranging from packaged meat and poultry products to meat meant to be sliced at the deli. The recall was expanded after the Maryland Department of Health collected a liverwurst sample that tested positive for the same listeria strain tied to a recent outbreak, according to the USDA. The recall comes as investigators look into a multistate listeria outbreak that has caused two deaths, reported in Illinois and New Jersey. The outbreak has also left 33 people hospitalized across 13 states, federal health officials said. Delaware hasn't reported any cases, but New Jersey and Pennsylvania have. States included in the listeria outbreak include: New York: 12 Maryland: 6 Massachusetts: 2 Missouri: 2 New Jersey: 2 Virginia: 2 Georgia: 2 Minnesota: 1 Wisconsin: 1 Illinois: 1 Pennsylvania: 1 North Carolina: 1 Indiana: 1 The ages of the sick people range between 32 and 94 with the median being 75, CDC data showed. Car recalls: BMW, Chrysler recall more than 310K vehicles. Check car recalls here What are the symptoms of listeriosis? According to the USDA, Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis. This serious infection primarily affects people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis can cause: Fever Muscle aches Headache Stiff neck Confusion Loss of balance Convulsions The symptoms are sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In people who are pregnant, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections can occur in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the healthcare provider about eating the contaminated food. What to do with the Boar's Head and Old Country products? Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them and retailers are urged not to sell them with the referenced sell-by dates. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Consumers who have purchased these products are also urged to clean refrigerators thoroughly to prevent the risk of cross-contamination. Where to get answers about recalled products Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Boars Head Provisions Co. Inc. Customer Service at 800-352-6277. Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers who need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Boar's Head deli meat recall expanded over Listeria concerns HARBOR SPRINGS A bomb threat directed at the Harbor Springs Airport on Tuesday afternoon was investigated and deemed not credible by authorities. According to the Emmet County Sheriffs Office, the threat was reported at approximately 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30. The bomb threat was received by phone at the airport, Sheriff Pete Wallin said in a press release. Deputies interviewed the airport attendant who received the call, who stated the call came from a number that began with the number 52. The male caller said bombs were going to be flown to the airport and hung up after making the threat. The attendant said the caller had a Middle Eastern accent and was hard to understand. Authorities began an investigation, and the FBI and the FAA were contacted. Following the investigation, the bomb threat was deemed not credible. Subscribe: Check out our offers and read the local news that matters to you More: Weekend bomb threat on Mackinac Island deemed not credible Authorities noted that a similar bomb threat was made on Saturday, July 27 on Mackinac Island. That threat was also deemed not credible. The Emmet County Sheriffs Office was assisted in the investigation by members of the Michigan State Police, FBI and the FAA. Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Bomb threat at Harbor Springs Airport found not to he credible UNITED NATIONS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians on Wednesday observed thousands of Gazans returning to parts of the Khan Younis area from which they fled Israeli military operations earlier in the week. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the displaced went back into areas of the city, including central and eastern neighborhoods, and into the adjacent area of Bani Suhaila. Their return followed the announced completion of Israeli military ground operations and earlier evacuation orders. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported supporting a complex joint effort with the Emirati government and other organizations to medically evacuate on Tuesday 85 sick and severely injured patients from Gaza to Abu Dhabi. It was the largest from Gaza since October when the conflict began. The WHO said 35 children and more than 60 caregivers and family members were evacuated via the Kerem Shalom crossing. The agency said that more than 10,000 people still need medical evacuation from Gaza. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he hopes this will pave the way for establishing evacuation corridors via all possible routes, including the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings to Egypt, Jordan, and other crossings. He also called for evacuations to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to be restored, saying thousands of sick people in Gaza are suffering needlessly. OCHA said Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank continue to have a devastating impact on Palestinians, killing six and injuring nearly 80 others, including almost two dozen children, in incidents across the West Bank in just a single week, July 23-29. Bond set at $1M for man accused of Shaftesbury double-murder Bond set at $1M for man accused of Shaftesbury double-murder DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The man accused of a brutal double murder nearly two months ago returned to Dayton last night to face a dozen charges. Nicole Nico Cunigan, Jr. virtually appeared in court just hours ago. As he faced a judge, the mother of 16-year-old Deante Johnson sat in the gallery praying for justice. Suspect in Shaftesbury double-fatal shooting found in Cleveland after months at large I wanted to see him. I wanted to see the person my son seen last, said Jennifer Louis, mother of Deante Johnson. Cunigan is accused of killing Johnson and 32-year-old Precious Taste, who was pregnant at the time of her death. The incident occurred on May 22 on Shaftesbury Road. Johnson was staying at the home at the time of the incident. Dayton man facing 12 charges after Shaftesbury shooting Cunigans bond has been set at $1 million, but Louis says she wishes the bond wasnt set at all. Thats giving him a chance, yall basically giving him a chance. Yall giving him a chance. He doesnt need a chance; he didnt give them a chance, said Louis. Cunigan is facing the following charges, all of which are felonies: 4 counts of murder 1 count of involuntary manslaughter 2 counts of felonious assault (serious physical harm) 2 counts of felonious assault (deadly weapon) 1 count of tampering with evidence 1 count of having weapons while under disability 1 count of improper discharge of a firearm 2 NEWS reached out to the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office about when charges will be presented to the grand jury but has not yet heard back. Cunigans next court date is not set. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Botanical fluke or climate omen: What does a celebrity banana tree in Seoul mean? Math teacher-turned-landscaper Oh Young-rock shows the bananas growing on a tree he has nurtured in north Seoul for a decade. "It's hard to just be happy about it, considering that it's a sign of climate change," he said. (Max Kim / Los Angeles Times) As a math teacher, Oh Young-rock used to jokingly tell his students that South Koreas temperate climate would one day become so tropical that bananas would grow in the mountains and monkeys would swing from the trees. This summer, it seemed to him that his prophecy was coming true. Ten years ago, after leaving teaching to start a landscaping business, Oh had planted a banana sapling a friend had given him at a community farm he helped run in north Seoul. Every winter, he would move it indoors before replanting it outside in the spring. It had taken seven years for the plant to flower. Then in late June, the flowers finally gave way to a mass of curled green fingers: the unmistakable shape of bananas in a bunch. The bananas growing in north Seoul became something of a sensation after a local newspaper article. (Max Kim / Los Angeles Times) Im almost certain its the first case of a banana plant bearing fruit in outdoor conditions in Seoul, Oh said. In early July, after he shared the news with a reporter from a local newspaper which ran a story headlined Not in Southeast Asia but in Seoul Banana plant bears fruit at a weekend farm the unripe bananas became a small sensation. This is visual evidence of rising temperatures on the Korean peninsula, Oh had told the reporter. Dozens of people visited the farm each day, whispering in awed tones, Its here. Parents snapped photos with their children. One woman traveled over an hour from a different city, timidly hovering near the entrance before eventually telling Oh that she had come to see the bananas. Read more: This tiny apartment costs $7 a month. Scoring one is like winning the lottery On a hot morning in mid-July at the community farm, a patch of lush green ringed by high-rise apartments, Oh inspected his bananas progress: still unripe but noticeably fatter. Its hard to just be happy about it, considering that its a sign of climate change, he said. Weve got the bananas. Now all we need are the monkeys. Oh Young-rock works at the community farm he helps manage, a patch of lush green ringed by high-rise apartments. (Max Kim / Los Angeles Times) Food systems around the world are already being altered by climate change. Rising temperatures have contributed to increasingly severe droughts in many countries, with many of the worst hit in Africa, where yields of staple crops such as maize have been decimated and hunger is rising. For countries such as Russia, the warming has partly been a boon, unlocking tracts of land once too cold for farming and helping the country become the worlds largest exporter of wheat. Its a stark example of how agricultural systems, reshaped by a warming climate, can have profound geopolitical consequences: Russia has wielded its grain primacy to gain advantages in its war against Ukraine and to expand its footprint in Africa, which has long depended on it for wheat. In South Korea, a country slightly larger than Indiana, rising temperatures are pushing the production of fruits such as apples and clementines northward as well as boosting the commercial cultivation of tropical fruits. Although South Korea has for decades imported most of its bananas from Southeast Asia, those grown locally in greenhouses are making a comeback now that farmers can spend less on heating costs. Most Korean people still probably dont personally feel the effects of climate change because everyone has air conditioning, Oh said. Read more: Sloppy spycraft? The indictment of a former CIA analyst embarrasses South Korea But we farmers do because we can see how our plants respond to these changes. Meanwhile, the elusive outdoor-grown banana has become something of an urban legend that speaks to deeper anxieties about the climate an uncanny sign that the natural order has been upset. But so far, it has existed only in news headlines. In June 2017, a local Facebook page in the southeastern city of Daegu posted photographs of a fruiting banana plant in front of a residential house with the caption: Its honestly a little frightening. Several major news outlets rushed to interview the owner, who speculated that it might have been because that May was unusually hot. One local agriculture official mused whether the city might someday be able to mass-produce outdoor bananas. Two more banana sightings followed that year: one in the southwestern city of Gwangju and another in the island province of Jeju. The flower of the banana tree. (Max Kim / Los Angeles Times) But all three turned out to be false alarms. In a news release issued to address the buzzy sightings, the countrys agricultural authority stated that they were probably hardy bananas an inedible ornamental cultivar easily grown in cooler climates, distinguishable by the yellow hue of their flower buds rather than the reddish coloring of those on edible tropical varieties. The release stressed that South Koreas climate was still too cold for edible bananas to grow outdoors. I put a lot of effort into fertilizing it because I wanted to try eating a banana I grew myself, one disappointed owner told reporters. But Ohs bananas were definitely the edible variety. The friend who had given him the banana sapling had told him it was a Cavendish, the tropical variety most commonly eaten today. This was confirmed by its flower bud, which was red. Read more: A movie star, a suicide and a nation's war on drugs And since the trio of hardy banana sightings seven years ago, South Korea has seen several record-breaking heat events. June was officially the hottest on record. Was Ohs bunch of bananas indeed a sign that a critical tipping point had finally been reached? Not so fast, says Kim Seong-cheol, a climate change researcher at the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science in Jeju province. If you take the banana plant inside during the winter and only take it out when its warm, thats more or less the same thing as just growing it in a greenhouse, he said. Commercial greenhouse bananas here arent given any artificial heating in the summer either. Although it is true that higher temperatures this summer probably played a part in Ohs banana finally fruiting after a decade of dormancy, he emphasized that an edible banana growing entirely outdoors in South Korea remained absolutely impossible. As climate science suggests, extreme cold will continue to occur even as overall temperatures rise. Seouls average low in January was around 25 degrees Fahrenheit enough to doom any outdoor banana plants. Read more: Inspired by reality TV, Buddhist monks become matchmakers For a banana to grow outdoors here, it means the temperature would have to be a minimum of 15 degrees Celsius (59 Fahrenheit) all winter, Kim said. But the day that happens, the summers will be so hot that everyone will be dead. Or we will be living underground. By mid-July, the stream of visitors had slowed and it was just Oh and his bananas. Regardless of what they proved or didnt, the amateur botanist in him had diligently cared for the plant, feeding it fertilizer with amino acids. Oh Young-rock walks among crops at the community garden. Regardless of what the green bananas prove or don't, he said, he doesn't think it is a good sign that the tree is bearing fruit. (Max Kim / Los Angeles Times) Im thinking I should do some more reading and studying about them, he said. Still, Oh couldnt shake the feeling that something wasnt right. The one thing thats certain is that the banana plant bearing fruit isnt a good thing, he said. Its at least a small sign that people have damaged the Earth too much in pursuit of our own interests. I only hope that a bigger sign doesnt appear. The sun beat down. And Oh crumbled the dirt around his plant, wondering whether the bananas would taste any good. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Sacramento County Coroners Office has identified a 15-year-old boy gunned down last week at an Arden Arcade apartment complex. Gunfire broke out about 10:15 p.m. July 22 at the Ethan Apartments on the 1900 block of Ethan Way, striking two people, according to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office. The 15-year-old boy was shot and taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. He has been identified by the Sacramento County Coroners Office as Jimmy Walton, a resident of Citrus Heights. Another man, who was in his 20s, was also wounded inside an apartment, according to The Sacramento Bees previous reporting. The Sheriffs Office has not announced any arrests, though a spokesman for the office said the shooting appeared to be gang-related. The investigation is ongoing. Boy who died at Outer Banks is 5th NC beach death this month in menacing rip currents COROLLA, N.C. (WNCN) A boy died, while several other swimmers were rescued amid dangerous rip currents at the Outer Banks over the weekend, according to Currituck County officials. The death is at least the fifth on the North Carolina coast just this month amid dangerous rip currents that have prompted hundreds of rescues. The Corolla Beach incident happened Saturday just before 12:45 p.m. in the surf area near Persimmon Street, according to Ralph Melton, chief of Currituck County Chief of Fire-EMS. Melton said that a group of swimmers were in distress while the National Weather Service said dangerous rip currents were active. NC teen girl dies in rip currents at Ocean Isle Beach Just before 1 p.m. the U.S. Coast Guard was contacted and sent an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Elizabeth City to the scene, according to the Outer Banks Voice. Everyone in the group was rescued except for one boy, Melton said. WAVY-TV photo of the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter at Corolla Beach during the rescue efforts. The boy who died was later recovered and identified as Amir Abou, 12, of Maryland, The Virginian Pilot reported. The search effort involved the helicopter, which was called off the scene around 4 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard said. About 20 lifeguards and a jet ski were among 50 first responders helping to look for the boy, Melton told the newspaper. Nearly 200 rip current rescues at NC beaches over July 4th week Saturday was a red flag rip current day for all of the Outer Banks north of Buxton, the National Weather Service said. Such conditions mean life-threatening rip currents are likely, the weather service said. A teen girl from Winston-Salem died when she was caught in rip currents on July 14 at Ocean Isle Beach along the southeast North Carolina coast in Brunswick County. An 18-year-old man died after getting caught in a rip current in Nags Head on July 4, the National Weather Service said. Also on July 4, a 22-year-old man drowned because of rip currents at Kure Beach during a four-day stretch when there were many rescues at North Carolina beaches. On July 15 at Surf City in Pender County, 57-year-old Minh Ha Nguyen of Richmond, Virginia, died after drowning during dangerous rip currents. His death has not yet been classified as due to rip currents, the National Weather Service said. Over the four days of July 3 to July 6, there were nearly 200 people rescued from rip currents at the North Carolina coast. WAVY-TV 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 CBS17.com. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Summer is now well underway but that does not mean local students have to stop learning. The boys and girls clubs of Rochester collaborated with telecommunications company called Crown Castle for a lesson in science technology, engineering and math. Organizers call it equal parts fun and educational. Kids got to explore the science of sounds and vibrations through an old school method of communication string telephones. You kind of have to break away some of the tech and break it down to the most basic elements for kids to understand whats going on, and it really connected with them. You could see in there they were saying its working, its working, and it gets that moment of realization, Crown Castle Network Technician Adam Candela said. The lesson on sounds and how it moves through different materials came with a take home price their new phones. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Ukraine has received the first batch of fourth-generation U.S.-made F-16 jets, Bloomberg reported on July 31, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. The news comes a year after the allied "fighter jet coalition" took shape at the Vilnius NATO summit under the Danish and Dutch leadership. The deadline for the transfer of F-16s was late July, the sources told Bloomberg. Ukraine received "a small number" of the planes, the sources said. Ukraine is expected to receive at least 79 F-16s from the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Norway, with the deliveries to continue in the coming years. The fighter jet coalition also pledged to help train Ukrainian pilots and technical staff to operate the jets. It is unclear whether the trained Ukrainian pilots will be able to use combat aircraft immediately or the process will take longer, unnamed people told Bloomberg. Kyiv is yet to confirm these reports. The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American air superiority fighter that Kyiv has begged for since the start of the full-scale invasion. Although some defense experts do not expect F-16s to become game-changers in the war, the jets may strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities and shield the country's population centers from Russia's daily bombardments. Navy Commander Oleksii Neizhpapa said that the upcoming delivery of F-16s to Ukraine will challenge Russia's "full dominance" of the skies over the Black Sea. Denmark and the Netherlands indicated that they would allow Ukraine to strike with F-16s inside Russia, although Copenhagen said that such a move would "depend on the circumstances." 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. Rendering of a pedestrian bridge planned at 82nd Street and the Nickel Plate Trail in Indianapolis As central Indiana cities expand a system of interconnected hiking and biking trails, officials are learning that making those greenways safe can quickly escalate pricetags on the projects. From Indianapolis to Westfield and crossings between, pedestrian bridges and underpasses are being built so trail users can cross busy, high-speed roads. But the bridges and tunnel cost between $6 million and $11 million, much more than the price of paving a few miles of new trail. In the past five years, five pedestrian bridges or underpasses have been built or are in the planning stages in Indianapolis and Hamilton County at an estimated cost of $36 million and funding is being sought for another three. Some officials say the crossings are necessary because so many streets in the region were designed for automotive expediency rather than pedestrian convenience. That risk is especially acute in commercial areas with several lanes of traffic where the danger would be increased exponentially if hundreds of daily trail users suddenly crossed those streets that few pedestrians dare tread now. These streets are four lanes, six lanes, with cars pulling in and out, it is dangerous to cross, already, you don't see many people trying, said Indianapolis City-County Councilor Nick Roberts, who represents Castleton. Roberts is leading an effort to get funding for pedestrian bridges over the planned Nickel Plate at 82nd Street and Bash Street and one for the Monon Trail at 86th Street near Westfield Boulevard. He and other northside councilors convinced the city to apply for two federal grants that could pay up to 80% of the bridges, which will cost an estimated $19.5 million combined. The surge in trail building reflects a desire by cities to provide recreational and transportation options for its citizens and increase the quality of life with a relatively low-cost, popular amenity. The Monon is now the center of Carmels recreational, social and economic activity and has spurred more than $1 billion in private investment. In Fishers, the newly completed Nickel Plate Trail has already generated $515 million in private investment as businesses lure the growing throngs of daily users. Development along trails in Westfield and Noblesville is also accelerating. But the greenway build-out comes as cities across the country face a pedestrian safety crisis, with pedestrians being killed in higher numbers on busier roads. In Indianapolis, a record 42 pedestrians and cyclists were killed in 2022. Improving crossings key Building overpasses and underpasses eliminates the risk of trail users getting struck by cars. They also let leaders avoid more difficult choices about making streets safe, said Kim Irwin, executive director of Health by Design, a public health advocacy organization. Bridges and tunnels are an answer, but they are a very expensive answer, Irwin said. We already know what we need to do with street design. And a lot could be done if that money went there instead. Much of that blueprint is laid out in the Vision Zero plan recently approved by the City-County Council. It includes lowering speed limits, delineating bike lanes, bump-out curbs, more visible crosswalks, eliminating high-speed one-way streets and enforcing no turn-on red laws. Irwin said roads were designed decades ago in Indianapolis and elsewhere to cater to drivers with little consideration for pedestrians. The culture is now conditioned that way, which is what we must change, she said. Roberts agreed. Castleton is a prime example of that, he said. The planners in the 1960s and 70s were not wise, we are so dependent on cars. The grants for the two new bridges would come from the U.S. Department of Transportations Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP), which has $44.5 million available this year. While the cost of bridges is high, state and federal grants generally pay for the bulk of them, with cities contributing a smaller amount, usually 25%. The grants, in fact, usually determine if cities even decide to build the structures. Indianapolis is already moving ahead with a $6.8 million bridge on Nickel Plate Trail bridge over Keystone Avenue at 49th Street thanks to a $4.9 million grant from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Nickel Plate Trail remains under construction but the Monon has been finished for more than 20 years. Carmel has long had bridges on the Monon Trail at 116th Street and 146th Street, and tunnels at City Center Drive and West Carmel Drive. Fatality spurs action The push for a bridge at 86th Street and the Monon began after an employee of Bicycle Garage Indy, Frank Radaker, was struck and killed at the intersection in 2021. Youve now got 35,000 cars a day using the road and one million trail users a year, said Connie Szabo Schmucker, advocacy director at Bicycle Garage Indy. People say they dont feel safe. Even drivers say it isn't safe. Szabo Schmucker has been working on safety improvements for the crossing since her colleagues death, trying to implement some of the recommendations that have gone into the Project Zero plan. The results have been mixed. Her group has managed to get temporary rumble strips, warning signals and other crosswalk improvements. But 3-foot high plastic bollards to slow drivers turning into two business parking lots have repeatedly been run over. Weve had 17 bollards destroyed but no injuries, Szabo Schmucker said. The bridge would be the second on the Monon in Indianapolis. In 2021, the city built a bridge over 38th Street, at a cost of $5.6 million. Like the Monon, the Nickel Plate in Indianapolis will cross several high-traffic east-west roads between 42nd Street and 96th Street on the Fishers border. The suburb, which has completed its own section of the trail, is building a bridge over 96th Street for $6 million. It already has opened a tunnel at 116th Street that cost $9 million. Noblesville is seeking funding for a bridge over 146th Street on the Nickel Plate. And the Westfield City Council has approved $8.8 million for a tunnel at 161st Street and the Monon. Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418 or email him at john.tuohy@indystar.com. Follow him on Facebook and X/Twitter. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana urban trails come with hefty price tag for safety BEIRUT, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Sources close to Hezbollah said on Wednesday that the body of Fouad Shokor, Hezbollah's top military commander who was killed a day earlier by Israel, was found under the rubble in Dahie in Beirut's southern suburbs, Al-Jadeed local TV channel reported. An Israeli drone fired on Tuesday evening three missiles at a position near the Shura Council of Hezbollah, aiming to target Shokor, a senior military advisor to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. The attack on Dahie also killed five others and wounded around 74 people. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack, saying Lebanon preserves its right to take all necessary measures to deter the aggression. 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. Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, extended the energy profits levy for two further years until the end of March 2030 - Jacob King/PA The UKs reliance on foreign energy supplies has hit a record high as oil and gas production on British shores is hammered by a crackdown on fossil fuels. Britain imported almost 41pc of its energy in 2023, according to official data, as producers struggle to generate sufficient power from renewable sources and multiple ageing nuclear power stations face shutdowns. It compares the amount with a year earlier when 37pc of the UKs energy was imported. At the same time, total energy production, including oil, gas and electricity, fell by 8.3pc to a record low. Earlier this week, Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, extended the so-called energy profits levy for two further years until the end of March 2030, while increasing the headline rate from 75pc to 78pc. The data, published by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero on Wednesday, show how the UK has become increasingly exposed to the global oil price and supply shocks caused by Russias invasion of Ukraine, as well as tensions in the Middle East. Offshore production dropped to a record low of 34m tonnes in 2023, down 11pc on 2022, with the UK now particularly reliant on Norway for gas, and on the US and Norway for oil. The drop coincides with a fresh surge in oil prices after Israels assassination of a Hamas leader in Iran ratcheted up tensions in the Middle East. A full-scale war in the region would likely push prices far higher. Oil prices rose 1.5pc to nearly $80 a barrel on Wednesday. Brent crude, the international benchmark, had fallen 4.5pc over the previous three days but has bounced back amid concerns of an impact on exports from Iran and attacks on ships travelling through the Red Sea. The FTSE 100 jumped as much as 1.3pc as heavyweight oil stocks Shell and BP were both up more than 2.4pc on the back of higher prices. Ashley Kelty, a leading analyst at investment bank Panmure Liberum, said: The reliance on overseas energy reduces UK energy security and totally exposes it to volatility in commodity markets. This harms the UK in terms of adverse national trade balances and increases reliance on states that have questionable human rights records. It also reduces the ability to cope in the event of sudden shocks to the global economy such as Covid or the Ukraine war. Mr Miliband has made achieving energy independence one of his key pledges, as well as cutting household energy bills by 300 and generating more power from renewable sources. The UK gets about 77pc of its total energy from oil and gas, a level that has remained roughly constant for over a decade despite political pledges to reduce it. Over the last few months Britain has been forced to import up to 18pc of its electricity, mostly from France. The data show net imports totalled a record 23.8 terawatt hours in 2023, meaning the UK had to import about 8pc of its total electricity. This is likely to increase further in 2024, as low wind speeds in recent months have cut wind farm output and pushed imports much higher. This week Shell and ExxonMobil announced they were reducing their exposure to the UK by selling all their gas fields and other assets in the southern North Sea. Offshore Energies UK, the trade body covering the oil, gas and offshore wind industries, said the new taxes announced this week would drive out investment even faster. A spokesman said: At the moment domestic production is falling faster than demand, which acts to increase reliance on global imports. The best way to ensure the UKs stability of energy supplies is to invest in the UKs diversity of energy resources spanning oil, gas and renewables. Brendan Long, energy analyst at Zeus Capital, said: The UKs energy strategy is unlikely to mitigate the UKs growing dependence on imported fossil fuels. That is because, in contrast to widely held perceptions, not all forms of energy have comparable practical utility. The UK is also at risk of going out alone in terms of its energy strategy. The new energy policy of the Trump-led Republican Party of the US is to ensure the US has the lowest cost energy anywhere in the world, recognising that competitive energy prices are fundamental to broader economic competitiveness. 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. CYPRESS HILLS, Brooklyn (PIX11) Brooklyns Dominican Day was celebrated on Tuesday, but it looked a little different than previous years. It didnt feel appropriate to celebrate when people are struggling, said Borough President Antonio Reynoso. Dominican nationals struggle with expensive childcare, high rent, and pricey groceries. He put together the resource fair at Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation. More Brooklyn News There are conversations about affordable housing, food access, and services from the local Dominican consulate, Reynoso said. The goal is to improve the quality of life of all Dominicans and Brooklynites. The Dominican Republic consulate recently opened its office in the neighborhood. They helped with passport renewal and dual citizenship applications. Elvis Tineo, who represented the consulate, added that the Dominican population in New York City continues to expand. We have registered close to a million in our system, but theres more that we havent counted, Tineo said. Many Dominican nationals eligible for federal assistance may encounter a language barrier or feel confused when requesting specific services, which is why getting help is essential. More Local News We also have our human services, EBT, which is something thats very needed in the community; they are helping people apply, added Gaudi Polanco Mendoza, a spokesperson for Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation. Honorees were recognized for contributing to the Dominican community during the resource fair. Brooklyns borough president and the National Dominican Day parade board chose this. We select an adopted Dominican, someone who supports the Dominican community and everything that we do, said Cristina Contreras, the National Dominican Day Parade chair. Plenty of events to celebrate ahead of the parade, including a food distribution event in Brooklyn. For more information, visit the website here. The National Dominican Day Parade will be held in Manhattan on Aug. 11. PIX11 is the proud broadcast partner of the parade. You can watch the parade live on PIX11 and PIX11.com beginning at 2 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 PIX11. LANCASTER, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Two brothers have been charged and two other suspects are wanted after fleeing from a shooting, according to the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office. Around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, deputies responded to Memorial Drive to investigate a shooting. When they arrived, they saw a 19-year-old boy in his yard with apparent gunshot wounds. Officials said he is alert and conscious, and expected to recover. Witnesses told deputies the shooter was on foot when he fired multiple shots at the victim before running from the scene. A description of the car- a black Ford Taurus- the suspect got out of before the shooting was given to authorities. Deputies patrolled the area looking for the suspect and the car as investigators arrived to talk to witnesses and collect evidence, officials said. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here Later that night, deputies saw a black Ford Taurus on McIlwain Road that matched the description provided by witnesses. Deputies attempted a traffic stop on Powell Avenue, but the driver turned left onto Florence Circle before stopping. The driver, 20-year-old OMari Lamon Frazier, stayed at the car and was taken into custody. Meanwhile, three male passengers jumped from the vehicle and ran. OMari Frazier was charged with failing to stop for blue lights and siren. A K-9 unit with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources assisted in the search and found 18-year-old Vernon Jamon Frazier. He is the brother of OMari Frazier and was one of the three who ran from the Tauraus during the traffic stop. Officials say Vernon gave false information about his identity and is alleged to be the shooter. Vernon Frazier was taken into custody and charged with: Attempted murder Possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime Giving false information to law enforcement South Carolina Supreme Court rules state death penalty including firing squad is legal Neither OMari Frazier nor Vernon Frazier have appeared before a judge for a bond hearing and both remain in the Lancaster County Detention Center. Meanwhile, according to deputies, the other two men who ran from the car have yet to be identified. Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile says this was not a random shooting. The victim and the shooter know each other, and we believe the shooting stemmed from prior difficulties between the two. We do not think residents in the area are in danger. Faile said. This remains an active investigation as more arrests and charges could be made. Anyone with information should call the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office at 803-283-3388, Option 4. This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A brush fire briefly prompted evacuation orders in Apple Valley as it scorched roughly 300 acres, officials said. The fire was first reported about 4:25 p.m. Tuesday on a hilltop in the area of Central Road and Roundup Way, according to Apple Valley Fire Protection District officials. It grew to 250 acres by 6 p.m., and officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for homes south of Roundup Way, the agency announced via social media. It had grown to more than 300 acres by 8 p.m., according to CAL FIRE. Preliminary estimates had put the size at 350 acres before being downgraded. The evacuation zone stretched from Central Avenue on the west to Cerra Vista Street in the east, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials said. The blaze was 70% contained Thursday afternoon, officials reported. The Pole Fire burns near Central Road and Roundup Way, just south of Apple Valley, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. "Damage has been reported to outbuildings, however no structures lost," Apple Valley fire officials said in a written statement. "No injuries reported on the incident to fire personnel or civilians." Firefighters set up positions to defend structures in the area of Roundup Way and Bella Vista Street, according to fire department radio traffic. The Pole Fire burns near Central Road and Roundup Way, just south of Apple Valley, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. "Crews will be working in the area over the next few days mopping up," according to an AVFPD statement. "Smoke may be visible throughout the area. Please be cautious as you are driving around in the area, personnel and equipment will be moving around." Apple Valley fire personnel worked alongside Bureau of Land Management firefighters to battle the wildfire. The cause remained under investigation. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Brush fire scorches 300 acres in Apple Valley BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo man was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision for criminal possession of a weapon and petit larceny, the Erie County District Attorneys Office announced. Cheektowaga Police responded to a shoplifting complaint at a store on the 2500 block of Walden Avenue around 1:53 p.m. Feb. 7, 2022. Officials said 39-year-old Kevin Ricks was found in possession of a stolen cutting tool, plant food and razors in the parking lot of the store. Buffalo man pleads guilty on morning of jury selection Ricks, who was on parole at the time of the incident, was then transported to Cheektowaga Police headquarters. While conducting an inventory search of the vehicle, officers found an illegal, loaded handgun inside of a backpack in the back seat, which was linked to Ricks through DNA analysis, officials said. He pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of petit larceny in April 2024. Latest Local News Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Become a part of the First Alert Neighborhood Weather Network. Scan below &/or click * here *: The Buresh Blog will take a week off... the next new post will be the week of Aug. 12th. But Talking the Tropics With Mike will be updated every day. July was hotter - tied for 4th hottest on record - & wetter - 11th wettest on record - than avg. in Jacksonville (JIA): August averages for Jacksonville (JIA) [highlights - the avg. dips below 90 degrees F by the end of the month & we lose nearly 50 minutes of daylight]: The end of July marks the anniversary of the term derecho - going all the way back to 1877! Derecho has become widely known recently largely thanks to the world wide web & social media. So much so that Ive had folks ask me if its a new weather phenomenon. From the N.W.S. glossary: A derecho (pronounced similar to deh-REY-cho) is a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. Although a derecho can produce destruction similar to the strength of tornadoes, the damage typically is directed in one direction along a relatively straight swath. As a result, the term straight-line wind damage sometimes is used to describe derecho damage. By definition, if the wind damage swath extends more than 240 miles (about 400 kilometers) and includes wind gusts of at least 58 mph (93 km/h) or greater along most of its length, then the event may be classified as a derecho. July 31, 1877: In an 1888 issue of the American Meteorological Journal, Professor Gustavus Hinrichs coined the term "derecho" after studying a long-lived wind event that impacted much of Iowa on this date in 1877.#wxhistory pic.twitter.com/MqR6FQD3Jl WX History (@weather_history) July 31, 2024 A true derecho is rare for Jacksonville & is much more common from the Central Gulf coast northward to the Midwest & Great Lakes: An interesting fish story out of UNF: Jacksonville, Fla. The University of North Florida Shark Biology Program caught, tagged and released the first sawfish recorded in its 16 years of surveying shark populations in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Dr. Jim Gelsleichter, shark biology program director, along with one graduate student and three undergraduates, found the 9.9-foot smalltooth sawfish in the St. Marys River on Tuesday, July 16. The smalltooth sawfish is a species of ray, which are close relatives of sharks. Sawfish are known for possessing an elongated, sawlike snout (known as a rostrum), which they slash laterally through the water to stun and impale prey species. Sawfish were known to live in Northeast Florida before the population decline led to the species being listed as endangered, said Gelsleichter. The reoccurrence of sawfish in our area is a positive sign of population recovery. The sawfish was identified as a male based on the presence of claspers, paired extensions of the pelvic fins that male sharks and rays use for reproduction. It was determined to be a sub-adult based on the softness of the claspers, which become highly calcified and rigid upon maturity. Male sawfish reach maturity at approximately 11 feet in length based on earlier work conducted by scientists, including UNF biologists who have been studying sawfish reproduction since 2010. Although sawfish were historically found from Texas to as far north as New York, the U.S. sawfish population experienced dramatic declines in both their abundance and distribution in the middle to late 20th century, mostly because of incidental capture in fishing gear and trophy fishing as well as habitat decline. Because of this, the smalltooth sawfish was the first marine fish and first elasmobranch (sharks and rays) to be listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2003. At the time of its listing on the ESA list, the remnants of U.S. smalltooth sawfish population was largely restricted to south and southwest Florida between Ft. Myers and the Florida Keys. Since its placement on the U.S. ESA list, the smalltooth sawfish population has showed positive signs of slow recovery based on an increase in encounter rate and catch rate in research surveys, as well as observations and/or catches of sawfish in regions that they were thought to be extirpated, or lost, from. This includes UNFs recent capture in the St. Marys River as well as recent catches in Tampa Bay and Cedar Key. Despite positive signs of recovery, recent events show that this population remains at risk. There have been recent reports of sawfish dying in the Florida Keys because of an unknown spinning and whirling disease. So far this year, 53 sawfish deaths due to the disease have been reported. Other fish also seem to be affected, but sawfish are particularly susceptible to it based on the number of carcasses recovered. The individual collected in the St. Marys River did not appear to exhibit this behavior, but individuals observed as far north as Tampa Bay have exhibited these effects. The sawfish is both a prohibited species in Florida and a federally listed species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. If a local angler accidentally catches a sawfish, they should entangle the animal from any fishing line and cut the line as close to the hook as possible without removing the animal from the water or trying to handle it. It would be beneficial to record information on the site of capture, approximate animal size and water depth. Pictures of the animal in the water would also be valuable. Anyone who catches or sees a sawfish anywhere in the U.S. is encouraged to report their observations to the U.S. Sawfish Recovery Team by visiting www.SawfishRecovery.org, calling 1-844-4SAWFISH, emailing sawfish@myfwc.com, or by submitting the information through the FWC Report app. Night Skies (Sky & Telescope): Aug. 3-4 (morning): Jupiter, Mars, and Antares form a nearly equilateral triangle about 7 on a side. Aug. 5 (dusk): The Moon, less than two days past new, hangs above Venus. This view will be a challenge to catch youll need an unobstructed horizon toward the west-northwest; binoculars will enhance the delicate scene. Aug. 9 (dusk): The waxing crescent Moon is 4 below Spica as they sink together toward the horizon. Aug. 11 (morning): For the next week, Jupiter and Mars appear within 2 of each other in the hours after midnight. Aug. 11-12 (all night): The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak, with up to one meteor per minute seen from dark locations. Perseids can appear some days before and after this date. The almost-first-quarter Moon sets before midnight and shouldnt affect viewing. Aug. 13 (evening): The waxing gibbous Moon is 1 to the lower right of Antares, the red supergiant in Scorpius. Aug. 14 (morning): After midnight until dawn, Mars and Jupiter climb together less than apart. Aug. 20 (evening): The Moon, one day past full, rises with Saturn a mere above it. Aug. 26 (morning): The last-quarter Moon and the Pleiades, 3 apart, are high in the east. Aug. 27 (morning): The waning lunar crescent, Jupiter, and Mars cluster less than 5 apart in the east. Aug. 30 (dawn): The waning crescent Moon is in Gemini, 4 below Pollux, with Castor completing a ragged line. Moon Phases New Moon August 4 7:13 a.m. EDT First Quarter August 12 11:19 a.m. EDT Full Moon August 19 2:26 p.m. EDT (Sturgeon Moon; also Barley Moon, Grain Moon) Last Quarter August 26 5:26 a.m. EDT A man serving four life sentences for his role in a shooting that killed a teenage girl will walk free next year after a Miami-Dade judge threw out his conviction Wednesday, citing missteps by prosecutors who relied on a longtime jail informant to make their case. The new sentence for Taji Pearson, the wheel man in the fatal, 2010 shooting of 15-year-old Sabrina ONeil, followed the discovery of evidence withheld for years from the defense. The buried information was uncovered only after two prosecutors were replaced in the aftermath of a misconduct scandal involving the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez said she struggled with the decision to reduce Pearsons sentence to 15 years in a case where an innocent eighth-grader died in a botched episode of gang warfare: Sabrina was sitting under a tree at the Annie Coleman public housing complex on Jan. 24, 2010, listening to music on her iPod when one stray bullet from a high-powered rifle struck her in the head. Three other people were wounded in the shooting. But state prosecutors told the judge Wednesday that key evidence had never been turned over to defense attorneys in the 11 years since Pearsons arrest. The violation of fair trial principles was so egregious, it warranted overturning a jury verdict, convictions and sentences, the judge found. What I do want to acknowledge is that it was still a tragedy, a loss of life, the judge said. ... Her life had no less meaning because of this result, and her death is no less tragic. The unraveling of Pearsons case centered around the states star witness, Pearsons former friend and fellow gang member, William Little Bill Brown, who ordered the shooting from jail and then flipped on the crew that carried it out. A Miami Herald report in June exposed the unusual relationship prosecutors had with Brown, a confessed murderer whom they kept in the Miami-Dade County jail for 14 years and used as an informant. If Pearson won a new trial, the new evidence which included a failed polygraph and rent payments by police for Browns mother could have affected the jurys determination of Mr. Browns credibility, a State Attorneys Office spokesman told the Herald. We are hopeful that Mr. Pearsons admission of guilt and conviction will provide some measure of justice and closure to Sabrina ONeils family, while recognizing that it can never heal the pain caused by their daughters senseless death, spokesman Ed Griffith said. Pearson, who at one point faced the death penalty, pleaded guilty Wednesday as part of his plea deal. Wearing a red jumpsuit, handcuffs and leg chains, he stood in court and said he was sorry for what happened, expressing his condolences to the girls family members, who were not present. The apology rang hollow with Sabrinas mother, Tavornia Reddick. In a telephone call Wednesday afternoon, she said she wished Pearson would not be released, given that he drove the gunmen to the site of the shooting. She attended his trial, and he didnt apologize then, she said. If it wasnt for him taking them over there, my daughter would still be here. Shed still be here with me, she said. Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez, left, swears-in Taji Pearson, 39, during a hearing in which he received a new sentence for his role in the shooting of a 15-year-old girl, on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Courtroom 4 - 6 at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami, Florida. Twist of fate Pearsons fortunes took a turn in March, when the two prosecutors on his case, Michael Von Zamft and Stephen Mitchell, were accused of misconduct in the death penalty resentencing case of gangster Corey Smith. They were removed from Smiths case by the judge and are under investigation by the Florida Bar, a spokeswoman confirmed. Von Zamft has since retired. Their removal kicked off a public war between defense attorneys and the office of Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, as they accused prosecutors of cheating in cases, robbing defendants of fair trials. Fernandez Rundle subsequently removed Mitchell from Pearsons case. She assigned prosecutors Justin Funck and Rebecca DiMeglio to handle both the Smith and the Pearson cases. As Funck and DiMeglio pored through 11 years of documents in Pearsons case over the past month, they uncovered important evidence that had never been given to defense attorneys. Judge Tinkler Mendez praised the prosecutors for coming forward with the new information and working together to do justice. Thats what we have to do. Whether the evidence was withheld intentionally has not been determined. Pearsons attorney, Michele Borchew, who took over his case last fall, said some of it was found in Von Zamfts email inbox. She said Funck and DiMeglio gave her hope that a new leaf has been turned over at the State Attorneys Office. Jose Arrojo, who rejoined the State Attorneys Office earlier this summer after departing the Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, also was involved in the negotiated plea deal, she said. Allison Miller, co-counsel on the case, told the judge that they may never know what evidence exists that never was divulged. Unfortunately, this is a rabbit hole with Mr. Von Zamft and Mr. Mitchell that I dont know well ever get to the bottom of, she said. Reached Wednesday, Von Zamft said he didnt know what he was accused of withholding. No one has spoken to me about it or contacted me or shown me the documents, he said. What I can say is that I would have turned over anything that I believed the defense was entitled to under the law. The Herald previously reported on Von Zamfts unusual relationship with Brown, a confessed murderer who led the gang of which Pearson was a member. Despite Browns admitted involvement in at least six murders, he was given a sweetheart deal: 25 years in prison. Prosecutors kept him in the county jail for 14 years, using him to collect information or talk to witnesses in other cases, including the Corey Smith case. Recorded calls reviewed by the Herald showed that Brown expected Von Zamft to reduce his sentence even further if he kept cooperating. Von Zamft said Wednesday that when I left, no decision had ever been made to assist in changing that sentence. A month after the Heralds story about Brown published, prosecutors had Brown shipped off to prison. State prison officials wont say where he is. A Florida Department of Corrections spokesman cited a state law protecting information, which if released, would jeopardize a persons safety. Fifteen-year-old Sabrina ONeil was killed in a botched drive-by shooting in 2010. The shooters, encouraged by gang leader William Brown from jail, were targeting rival gang members, according to court records. Buried evidence Among the surprises in the newly uncovered evidence in Pearsons case was an application Von Zamft filled out last year to enroll Brown and his mother in a witness protection relocation program. The packet is marked approved, with Von Zamfts initials. Police then paid rent for Browns mother. William Brown is also inexplicably listed on the lease agreement. Also new to the defense was a 2013 memo showing Brown failed a polygraph test in one of his murder cases. Prosecutors maintained that Brown could be relied upon to tell the truth; he helped prosecutors in multiple murder cases. Its clear from emails that Von Zamft had a copy of the failed polygraph. The other states witness against Pearson, Dwayne Miller, who admitted providing the guns and bandanas for the 2010 shooting, was compensated his mother was given at least $5,000 by police, Borchew found. The defense also wasnt given an email that Miller sent in 2022 to Von Zamft, telling him that he didnt recall what happened all those years ago, and accusing the prosecutors of trying to make me remember. Von Zamft then sent a transcript of the lead detectives testimony to refresh Millers memory. Pearson, 39, has been incarcerated since just before he turned 28. His mother, brother and sister-in-law watched Wednesday from the courtroom seats as his life sentence was thrown out. Taji Pearsons mother, Jackie Pearson, listens in court during her sons hearingon Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Courtroom 4 - 6 at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami, Florida. Because he stayed out of trouble behind bars, and wasnt found to be wielding a weapon when the shooting that killed Sabrina took place, hell walk out of prison next year after serving 12.75 years of the 15-year sentence, Borchew said. He received four years of probation, with the possibility of it ending after two. He was fingerprinted Wednesday and will be sent to the Everglades Correctional Institution in Miami, where hell participate in programs aimed at helping prepare him for reentering society. Pearson quit high school after 11th grade. DiMeglio said she met with Sabrinas family members twice about the Pearson deal. They were upset, she said, but understood the deal was necessary in order to retain a conviction against Pearson. Sabrina was not the target of the shooting, which Brown, leader of the gang American Eagle, had encouraged as retaliation against a rival gang. In a jailhouse call, Brown expressed joy at the news that his friends felt sure their hail of gunfire had taken out a rival, not realizing theyd shot Sabrina and injured three other young people instead. In 2013, two years after Sabrinas murder, five people were indicted: Jimmy Washington, who got a life sentence; Deondre Lane and Gibril Phillips, who got 15-year plea deals; and Pearson, who, after years of delays and proceedings, got a life sentence in January of this year. Brown testified against his friends and got no extra prison time for his role encouraging the shooting. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is looking into another possible case of illegal tree culling in Kinnelon, this time including potentially sensitive land above the Butler Reservoir. According to court records, a large portion of the culling extended onto land owned by the Butler Water Co. and situated above the Butler Reservoir, a source of drinking water for thousands of local residents. Vinny Polise, owner of MVM Realty One LLC, made a virtual appearance in Kinnelon Municipal Court last week to answer a citation for culling 363 trees from a hillside behind the home owned by the realty company at 33 Harrison Road. A citation issued by the borough last August alleges the trees were removed from 3 acres of property between June and October of 2022. The citation was submitted by John Linson, the town's forester, after a neighbor reported the culling. It does not explain why MVM had the trees cleared, but opening up the space beyond the home's backyard would presumably improve the view of the reservoir and surrounding woods. The hilltop property at 33 Harrison Road in Kinnelon is marked on this Google Maps image, showing the Butler Reservoir below. The property owners have been cited by the borough and the state DEP for the alleged illegal culling of 363 trees, some on property belonging to the Butler Water Co. "The DEP is now formally involved with this matter and we have retained the services of an expert," MVM attorney Alissa Hascup told Judge Andrew Wubbenhorst at the July 23 court session. She said the expert was scheduled to meet with a DEP representative "to discuss his findings and also to review the remediation plan. He is actively working to try and bring it to a resolution." That remediation plan should be publicly available "in the next couple of weeks," Hascup said. Wubbenhorst scheduled a virtual follow-up hearing for Sept. 24. Fines for violating the municipal tree ordinance which restricts the removal of trees with trunks larger than 6 inches in diameter can run up to $1,000 per tree. Courts can also impose costs for replanting that can push the final penalty even higher. Kinnelon tree cutting cases collide Coincidentally, last Tuesday's municipal court docket also included an appearance by the attorney for Grant Haber, another Kinnelon resident who was fined more than $13,000 in February for culling 32 of his neighbor's trees, allegedly to improve his view of the New York City skyline. At the time, then-municipal Prosecutor Kim Kassar said Haber also faced a potential civil lawsuit and additional reparation costs for remediating the land that could exceed $1 million. Earlier: 'Disrespectful act': NJ man speaks after officials say neighbor had his trees cut down In court last week, current Prosecutor Christopher DiLorenzo said that his office had agreed to a reparations settlement with Haber, but he did not offer any details. He expected the settlement to be signed within "a few weeks." Notably, the report of the culling at 33 Harrison Road was not made until Haber's case made national headlines last summer. DEP, Butler Reservoir concerns In addition to Kinnelon's charges, the state DEP in April issued two more citations to Polise for violations of the Highlands Water Planning and Protection Act after evaluating the property. Those citations increased the area of affected land to 3.55 acres. The 40-acre Butler Reservoir, also known as the Kakeout Reservoir, lies within the the Highlands Region, a 60-mile protected area from Phillipsburg to Oakland that supplies drinking water for millions of New Jerseyans. The New Jersey Highlands Council, appointed by the governor, oversees regulations in the region including development. The Butler Water Utility serves approximately 8,000 people in Butler and also supplies Kinnelon and the High Crest Lake section of West Milford. Its treatment plant provides approximately 1 million gallons per day of water to its customers, though that can rise as high as 2 million gallons per day during the summer, the utility said. Butler Municipal Administrator John Lampmann said the issue "is out of our hands." "We only found out a year after it occurred, probably close to a year after it occurred, when Kinnelon issued a summons," he said. "Our major concern is it's above where our water tanks are. We didn't want a situation where we end up with a washout, [and tree debris] comes down and impacts our water tanks. The property also is difficult to access. The only way to access it, really, is through their property. "We don't want to end up with any issues with the DEP because it had nothing to do with us," he added. "My understanding is the DEP is working closely with Kinnelon on this." Correction: A prior version of this story mistakenly said that the Butler Reservoir adjacent to the culled trees is in the Apshawa Preserve. In fact, a different Butler Reservoir is in the preserve. We regret the error. William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com Twitter/X: @wwesthoven This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ man accused of cutting 363 trees above Morris reservoir One year after a summer spree of smash-and-grab robberies rattled Los Angeles-area retailers, the thieves involved have been wrangled and brought to justice. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced at a press conference Tuesday that eight people involved in robberies at retail stores between May 11, 2023 and Aug. 23, 2023including a highly-publicized flash mob at a Topanga Nordstrom which saw $300,000 in merchandise pilfered in a single afternoonhave been slapped with hefty prison sentences. Another defendant also pled guilty and will be sentenced at a later date. More from Sourcing Journal Law enforcement brought 25 felony counts against the defendants for their roles in grand thefts and overnight burglaries at Yves Saint Laurent (YSL), Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, and Magnolia Park stores spanning L.A. County, Orange County and Riverside County. The crimes were worth an aggregated $1.7 million. I am committed to bringing the full force of the California Department of Justice to fight organized retail crime both in the field and in the courtroom, Bonta said. This was not a one-off shoplifting offence, it was a dangerous, coordinated scheme. The AG said the rise in retail crime poses a serious threat to SoCal communities and businesses. I am thankful to our local law enforcement partners and Mayor Bass for their collaboration in this battle against organized retail crime, he added. We will not give up until we put a stop to this criminal activity all together. Jordan Harris, who pled guilty to carjacking and two counts of grand theft from the YSL in Glendale and the Nordstrom at the Topanga Canyon mall, was sentenced to 10 years and four months in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Another defendant, Kip Henry, pled guilty to one count of robbery at Nordstrom and one count of grand theft from Louis Vuitton in Newport Beach. Due to a prior strike conviction, he was sentenced to seven years and four months. Devon Perry, who committed grand theft at a Burberry Outlet in Riverside and at the Nordstrom in Topanga, also pled guilty and admitted to a prior strike conviction, leading to a sentence of five years and four months in state prison. Ziona Famoso too pled guilty to a count of robbery from Nordstrom and two counts of grand theft from YSL and Louis Vuitton, and was sentenced to four years and four months. Alana Hart, who pled guilty to assault with force likely to commit great bodily injury as well as grand theft at a Burberry Outlet was sentenced to four years, while Travelle Hamblet pled guilty to one count of robbery at Nordstrom and a prior strike conviction, leading to a four-year state prison sentence. Jason Smith pled guilty to carjacking and was sentenced to three years, Briana Jimenez pled guilty to robbery at YSL and was sentenced to one year in custody and felony probation, and Ivan Ramirez pled guilty to robbery and grand theft at the same store and will be sentenced in 2025. The spate of crimes was investigated by the L.A. Police Departments (LAPD) Organized Retail Theft Task Force (ORCTF) alongside the Glendale Police Department, Burbank Police Department, Torrance Police Department, Beverly Hills Police Department, Newport Beach Police Department and the Riverside County Sheriffs Department. LAPDs ORCTF was established in late August of last year, prompted by the massive escalation in crimes across the L.A. area. One month later, California Governor Gavin Newsom earmarked $267 million to address organized retail crime through the establishment of localized task forces across 55 law enforcement agencies. Last month, Governor Newsoms office announced that since the beginning of 2024, Californias Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF)made up of that growing network of state and local law enforcement groups and led by the California Highway Patrol (CHP)has made 636 arrests and recovered 216,754 stolen goods valued at nearly $5.7 million. The guilty pleas and prison sentences for these individuals send a clear message that organized retail crime will not be tolerated in our community, said LAPD Chief Alan Hamilton. The diligent work of the Organized Retail Crimes Task Force and the collaboration with the State of Californias Department of Justice have brought justice and safety to our neighborhoods. These outcomes are a testament to our unwavering commitment to protecting the public and upholding the law. These crimes will not be tolerated in the Glendale community, said Glendale Police Chief Manuel Cid. Rest assured we have and will continue to bring all of our resources to bear on this issue. Collaboration with our partner agencies is a cornerstone of these arrests, he added. Id like to especially thank the Attorney Generals Office and the Los Angeles Police Department for their partnership and leadership in providing us with the utmost support in ensuring we stand against these crimes together. By Liya Cui (Reuters) - San Francisco will ramp up sweeps of homeless encampments under a directive issued days after California Governor Gavin Newsom told cities to begin enforcing laws against camping, while Los Angeles said it would effectively ignore the state's order. Under Mayor London Breed's directive, San Francisco will continue to offer shelter and services for homeless people, but police and city staff will work to prevent small encampments from growing larger and will prevent homeless people from returning to cleared areas, her office said in a statement. The directive follows a June U.S. Supreme Court decision, powered by its conservative majority, in a case from Oregon that upheld laws used to ticket and fine people living on the streets. That ruling gave cities more authority to enforce laws when people refuse to leave a homeless encampment. Under San Francisco's new policies, authorities would issue warnings and follow them with citations that could lead to escalating penalties, including arrest. "The goal is not punishment, it is compliance," according to the city's statement, released late on Tuesday. A city count from January found that there were more than 8,000 homeless people in San Francisco, with 4,000 shelter beds available. Breed's crackdown appeared to have begun on Tuesday morning when police, fire department and local officials ordered people to leave a homeless encampment located under the city's Central Freeway, according to the San Francisco Standard news outlet. It reported that homeless people there had no prior notice of the clearance. San Francisco is one of the first California cities to officially step up enforcement after Newsom issued an executive order last week calling on state agencies to dismantle homeless encampments where they have jurisdiction, while urging local governments to do the same in areas controlled by municipal authorities. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to stick with its existing policies despite the Democratic governor's directive and mitigate any negative effects that the Supreme Court decision could have on its approach to homelessness. Its resolution did not explicitly mention Newsom's order. "Leaning on increased criminalization of camping without investing in an adequate supply of interim and permanent housing would be misaligned with the county's framework to end homelessness," Va Lecia Adams Kellum, CEO of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, told a board meeting. The board has the support of Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna. "Being homeless is not a crime, and we will maintain our focus on criminal behavior rather than an individual's status," Luna said at the meeting. Advocates for the homeless have said ticketing and arresting people for sleeping outdoors criminalizes homelessness, and that removing camps without enough alternative shelter or housing would only worsen the situation. Los Angeles County takes what it calls a "care first, jails last" approach to addressing homelessness that favors expansion of services and treatment to encourage people to leave encampments. The city of Los Angeles had roughly 45,000 homeless people in 2023, with 16,000 shelter beds, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. The number of homeless people dropped for the first time in Los Angeles since 2018, according to an official count from January. (Reporting by Liya Cui in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) CAIRO, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit warned on Wednesday of the dangerous Israeli escalation in the region, noting that assassinations are acts that "violate international law." In a statement, the AL chief said that carrying out assassinations reveals a great disregard for international norms and an affront to the rules that regulate relations between countries. He added that Israel is practicing a reckless policy without foreseeing the dire consequences that could affect the region as a result of its actions. Aboul-Gheit noted that the international community is required to exert the necessary pressure on Israel in order to prevent a comprehensive regional explosion. Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps confirmed on Wednesday that Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the Iranian capital of Tehran. In a report published on Wednesday, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said Haniyeh was assassinated around 2:00 a.m. local time (2230 GMT Tuesday) after his residence in Tehran was hit by a "projectile." The Hamas movement confirmed the death of its leader, saying Haniyeh was assassinated by an Israeli attack. The Israeli government has not made a comment on the incident. Since Oct. 7 last year, Israel has been launching a large-scale strike on Hamas. According to Gaza-based health authorities, the Israeli offensive has led to the killing of over 39,445 Palestinians in the enclave, while the UN estimated that nearly 2 million people there have been displaced. California hopes to build state workers artificial intelligence credentials through an optional training that teaches staff how to use the rapidly evolving technology. The California Department of Human Resources unveiled a series of professional development courses for public employees this month following Gov. Gavin Newsoms September executive order that instructed state agencies to brainstorm and develop a plan for how to ethically and responsibly deploy AI technology in government operations. When California began exploring using AI, the state spoke with academics, labor groups, industry partners and community organizations to determine common concerns, Secretary of Government Operations Amy Tong said. Every single one of those sectors wanted to make sure that we educated the workforce about this emergent technology and to help share the potential pitfall and benefit that comes with it, Tong said. The GenAI training was designed for three groups of state employees: general workforce, business leaders, and technical and cybersecurity experts. GenAI tools, such as Chat GPT, have emerged as a more sophisticated version of the technology that is able to produce new content, instead of simply performing a specific task. CalHR partnered with the education nonprofit InnovateUS, at no cost to the state, to develop the training for the general workforce, supervisors and executive-level employees. More technical training for IT employees will be provided by multiple vendors, CalHR said. The goals of the training are to identify and mitigate potential output inaccuracies, fabricated text, hallucinations, and biases of GenAI, while upholding public privacy protections and applicable state laws and policies, a report released Wednesday said. Additionally, the training aims to inform state workers of the potential privacy, security and legal considerations of AI; teach employees new skill sets involving the technology; and mitigate potential inaccuracies and biases, CalHR said. State leaders likened some aspects of the professional development to cybersecurity training that government workers undergo. To develop the technical training the Office of Data and Innovation conducted a two-month research project to determine what skills were necessary for highly desirable AI-related jobs in the private sector. The goal of the research project was to determine what skills should be included in the AI training for state employees from entry level to senior roles. We can say, Oh training, training, training! but what are you training for? Tong said. She said the research was an intentional effort to determine the skills needed to fulfill the demands of a workforce in an AI economy. Asked if she was concerned if newly skilled state workers would leave government jobs for higher paying private sector roles, Tong said, By really investing in our state employees, by giving them this opportunity to learn, it feels like were doing our job to take care of our employees. The majority of the five training courses composing the Foundations of GenAI are available through CalHRs professional development platform CalLearns. The state department said the training would be continuously updated to incorporate workers feedback. Tong characterized the current training as, Version 1. CalHR said the department sought feedback from employees, academics and internal AI-related work groups prior to the trainings release. We want our workforce to be prepared to lead into the future. The new training materials will provide information and development opportunities to employees to best serve Californians, said CalHR Director Eraina Ortega in a Wednesday statement. The broader push to incorporate AI into the states operations has its skeptics. Brian Justie, a senior research analyst at the University of California, Los Angeles, Labor Center, said Newsoms top down AI directive is bringing untested technology into the public sector. He added there wasnt a clear benefit in doing so and he pointed to the lack of evidence that proves AI will increase productivity of governmental operations. Training public sector employees on AI will probably lead to something, but I dont think it will lead to better outcomes for workers or the working class, or probably not even for just your average California resident, Justie said. Justie warned the inclusion of AI could lead to more tedious work for employees and demand higher productivity. A recent survey of 2,500 global employees conducted by the Upwork Research Institute found that 77% of respondents said AI added to their workload. Crackdowns on homeless encampments are ramping up in California following the US supreme courts ruling that cities can fine and jail unhoused people sleeping outside even when there is no shelter available. In California, home to an estimated 123,000 unsheltered people living in tents, trailers, cars and makeshift shelters, the Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, last week issued an executive order calling for the removal of encampments across the state. His order directed state agencies to shutter tent sites on properties in their jurisdictions and urged local municipalities to adopt similar crackdowns. Related: Gavin Newsom issues order for removal of homeless encampments in California The city council of Fresno in the Central valley gave initial approval for an ordinance on Monday prohibiting sitting, lying, sleeping or camping on a public place at any time, saying a violation would be a criminal misdemeanor subject to a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to one year in jail. The San Francisco mayor, London Breed, sent out a memo this week outlining a more aggressive approach to sweeps, saying teams of police officers and public works employees will target encampments on a daily basis and that workers will return to swept sites to force out people who have returned. The tougher approach has sparked widespread concern from civil rights groups and advocates for unhoused people who argue sweeps and criminalization are costly responses that exacerbate the crisis and fail to get people the help they need, particularly when there is a shortage of appropriate shelter space. During sweeps, unhoused people can lose their belongings, including medications and vital paperwork and end up scattered in hidden locations where they can be more vulnerable and it can be harder for outreach teams and their caseworkers to find them, advocates say. Officials in Los Angeles have taken a different approach, with the county board of supervisors unanimously supporting a motion on Tuesday affirming that it will not jail people for unhoused camping. Were not going to turn our backs. Were not going to use our jails to somehow incarcerate and criminalize people who are on the street, said Hilda Solis, the supervisor and motions co-author, the LA Times reported. Governments already had wide latitude to conduct sweeps before the supreme courts ruling, and some officials in Orange county have said the decision and the governors order will not change much about their ongoing efforts to clear camps. In San Francisco, which has 4,000 shelter beds for an estimated unhoused population of 8,000 people, encampment residents were getting minimal notice about sweeps this week, according to the San Francisco Standard, a local news site that witnessed some of the crackdowns. The outlet captured one police officer shouting at an unhoused person and citing the mayor and governor while explaining the crackdown, saying, London Breed, the mayor, Gov Gavin Newsom says no more on the streets, no more encampments. No more. This is what its come down to. This is our laws. The video showed workers grabbing the unhoused persons tent as the individual tried to hold on to their sleeping bag and other items inside. Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness in San Francisco, told the Guardian last week that police had become increasingly threatening to unhoused people since the supreme courts decision, telling people they dont have any rights any more. We know theres not enough shelter, theres not enough housing and were not doing enough to prevent people from becoming homeless, she said. The reason folks are out there is the high rent and this is up and down the west coast. We know what the cause is and the solution should be directed at that. The San Francisco mayors office did not immediately respond to an inquiry on Wednesday. LAPD Capt. Christopher M. Zine, left, and then interim Police Chief Dominic Choi meet with recruit class during their graduation ceremony in May. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) Police staffing across California is at the lowest point in decades, with rural communities struggling the most in efforts to recruit officers, according to a new report from the state's largest law enforcement organization. The analysis comes just months ahead of an election in which Californians will vote on Proposition 36, a ballot measure that would toughen criminal penalties for retail theft and drug offenses and lead to an increase in arrests. The briefing report by the Peace Officers Research Assn. of California suggests more money should be poured into law enforcement agencies, especially rural ones seeing an exodus of officers, to help support officer recruitment and retention. Weve been trying to push out more research in regards to public safety, especially with the election this year, said Brian Marvel, the president of PORAC, which represents more than 80,000 law enforcement members and also supports Proposition 36. November will be a critical time in our nation and California as crime and perception of crime is a very hot topic. The PORAC report took data from an online portal published by the California Department of Justice and looked solely at sworn officers, including city police, sheriff's departments, California Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies. The report pointed to the fact that police staffing in the state is at a 30-year low, particularly in rural counties, and compared the number of officers per square mile in rural and urban departments. Compared with their urban counterparts, some rural areas have more acute shortages, leading to longer response times, according to the analysis. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), a member of the Legislative Black Caucus whose legislation often touches on public safety and incarceration, called the report cherry-picked and misleading. Bryan is concerned that PORACs report doesnt paint the whole picture of policing in California. The analysis did not include a breakdown of officers per capita. "Obviously rural counties will have fewer officers per square mile because theyre less densely populated, but I don't think that tells the whole story," Bryan told The Times. "This report doesnt highlight the amount of money paid out from police brutality lawsuits or speak to money spent on military equipment. It tells the story that the authors would like to tell but doesn't tell a story that is created from original, thoughtful, and rigorous analysis." Some departments with vacancies say that officers are leaving because of the emotional toll the job has taken on them, that the recruiting process is too lengthy, and that there has been negative rhetoric around policing in recent years, according to the report. The bulk of local police funding is in the hands of local governments. There are, however, state funds distributed to counties and cities each year to pay for police, fire departments, corrections and district attorneys, according to H.D. Palmer, a spokesperson for the Department of Finance. The five counties that received the most funding from the state last year were Los Angeles County, which received $1.07 billion, followed by Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County and San Bernardino County, which each received less than $500 million, Palmer said. And while vacancies are felt across agencies, spending year after year has incrementally increased in city police departments, according to expenditure data from the California state controller's office. To resolve these staffing woes, departments have offered recruitment incentives. A representative for the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office cited retirements and younger people's lack of interest in law enforcement careers. The county has seen deputies leaving for neighboring counties that offer more competitive pay. Mendocino County, which has a population of 91,000 people, has lost 22 sworn officers from 2013 to 2023, according to Department of Justice data. In Merced County, where the local Sheriff's Office has offered its own $10,000 signing bonuses, Sheriff Vern Warnke previously told The Times that the situation is so dire that even the bonuses aren't enough to retain officers who are leaving. The county has gained 111 sworn officers between 2013 and 2023. Some of the most qualified candidates in the state's rural departments are being recruited by other agencies such as the Alameda Police Department, which last year offered eye-grabbing signing bonuses , totaling $75,000 per recruit, to replenish officer headcount. In San Francisco, where the Police Department has been criticized for low staffing having lost 461 sworn officers from 2013 to 2023 and long response times, the Board of Supervisors this week will be deciding on a piece of legislation that could establish student loan forgiveness for the city's sworn officers. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department, one of the state's largest forces, is losing more officers than it is graduating from the police academy. In 2021, California cities spent more than $14.8 billion on policing and counties spent $7.5 billion, and the state spent $2.8 billion on the California Highway Patrol, according to the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California. After a brief uptick in violent and property crimes in 2022, crime trends are down in California's largest cities, according to the PPIC. Marvel of PORAC said that the last few years have challenged the profession and resulted in a vicious cycle of fewer recruits and higher rates of retirements and early departures. What's left, he said, is fewer officers to respond to calls, which, in the most rural areas, can severely lengthen times for officers to arrive to calls. He said that with potential changes to Proposition 47, a decade-old ballot measure that reduced the number of people sent to prison for low-level drug and theft crimes, more arrests are likely to be made, resulting in the state needing more police officers. I think the staffing issue is something thats been needed for a long time, but with Proposition 36 making substantial changes to Proposition 47," he said, "obviously you're going to need some change in staffing. Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), who once served as the chair of a budget subcommittee on public safety, said police agencies should be focused more on hiring educated, "more mature" officers than on just a headcount. "We need to recruit more of those, period," he said. "What Im not for is where we end up with more Black and brown people being shot indiscriminately because we just put a bunch of people with guns on the street who are not prepared for modern-day policing." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. AUSTIN (KXAN) Will Black, the general manager of Mellow Johnnys Bike Shop off of Lamar Boulevard, said he has the greatest job in the world. Will Black is the general manager of Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop. Pictured in the photo here, Black said he has worked at bike shops for 43 years. But lately, a recent crime spurt has taken some of his focus away from what he loves doing at the shop. Theyll break a window, come in, grab an arm full of stuff. Not only is that a big distraction for the shop, theres a cost involved, Black said. He filed reports with the Austin Police Department, but the problems persisted. Surveillance footage captures a person smashing a window and breaking into Mellow Johnnys Bike Shop. (Courtesy: Will Black) You know, there are a lot of other things going on in the city, he said. While Im not saying [the burglaries] werent a priority for [APD], Im just saying there are other things that they prioritized more We felt like we wanted to be a little bit more offensive. In comes Dave Amis, a Texas private investigator with Strider PI. Were definitely getting called on more frequently, he said. As PIs, we can be totally focused on their case. That allows us to be a little more aggressive and to move fast. Black said he hired Amis and Strider to help investigate the show burglaries. Amis said his team identified four suspects, and police have arrested three individuals related to the case. The best thing is for us is to work a case and then hand it over to APD, Amis said. Generally, they can pick it up and finish it, reconfirm everything weve done, but theyre the ones to ultimately make the arrest. Black feels like the PI help is working, and hes looking forward to getting back to the core of his self-dubbed best job in the world. I just want to go back to taking care of the community, he said. Is a private investigators evidence admissible in court? According to Alan Bennett, a former Travis County prosecutor who currently works as a defense attorney in Austin, evidence gathered by a private investigator in Texas is admissible in court as long as it is obtained legally. Essentially, the burden for PIs and law enforcement [in court] is the same, Bennett said. In the sense that they have to establish the location of the evidence, how it was recovered, and the chain of custody regarding where the evidence has been since. A private investigator cannot break privacy laws. Licensed public investigators in Texas follow regulations overseen by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Doug Emhoff told a crowd in Concord Wednesday that his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris, is the only presidential candidate who will protect reproductive health rights. (Annmarie Timmins | New Hampshire Bulletin) Voters Meg Locker, Joseph Reidy, and Shideko Terai traveled different journeys to a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in Concord Wednesday. Locker, 27, was actively but a bit reluctantly supporting President Joe Biden for a second term when he withdrew from the race on July 21. Reidy, 70, was an enthusiastic Biden backer who felt the president was forced out of a second term he could have won. As a Biden volunteer, Terai, 71, watched voters struggle with questions about the electability of a president she respects. Each now identifies as an enthusiastic, all-in Harris supporter. They were among the few hundred Harris backers who came to the IBEW Local 490 office Wednesday to hear from Harris husband, Doug Emhoff. I kind of felt like a breath of fresh air as a young woman in New Hampshire (when Biden stepped down), and I was like, Absolutely, this is a campaign I can, like, fully, wholeheartedly support, said Locker, of Pembroke. I think theres this energy and a resurgence and being excited for voting again. I think a lot of people my age were a little frustrated that this year is kind of duplicating what we saw in 2020 and there was almost like no hope. But with Harris running, its like, OK, there could be some change. Emhoff and several other Democrats who spoke Wednesday described the next election, from the top of the ticket down, as decisive for access to reproductive health care. They noted that New Hampshire is alone in New England in not protecting the rights to reproductive health care, including abortion and contraception. They pointed to a recent Republican-backed bill that would have banned abortion after 15 days, something few Republicans in the Legislature supported. The U.S. Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade, with help from justices appointed by former President Donald Trump, was high on the list, too. What we really have is a stark choice between a life of freedom, fundamental rights, progress, moving forward, a place for all of us, Emhoff said, reminding the crowd that Supreme Court justices serve for life. So whos going to pick those next Supreme Court justices? Donald Trump or Kamala Harris? The crowd was loud and unified: Harris! Terai, of Cornish, arrived at the rally wearing a shirt that read Brass Ovaries, and Vote. Protecting the right to abortion and other health care are priorities for her. As the co-chair of the New Hampshire Asian American & Pacific Islander Democratic caucus, Terai said Harris, who would be the first Black and Asian American president, offers her something that not even Biden could. You know, were just so excited to have a woman as a president that looks like us, she said. Reidy, a former union worker from Kensington, never doubted Bidens ability to serve as president or win another term. Age didnt force him out, he said, party pressure did. Im very impressed with what he got done, said Reidy. Everyone talks about what they would like to do but they are not acknowledging the Congress that he was up against and what he got done against that. Thats what I feel is impressive. Reidy hopes Harris will reach out to what he called the fence sitters, voters who dont know her and have not made up their minds. Asked what those voters need to hear, Reidy had a suggestion. That its less about me, Kamala Harris, and its more about us and what we need, he said. So please dont think of it as voting for me. Think of it as voting for the country. He worries too that Republicans knock on Harris laugh could sway voters whove seen it ridiculed in internet memes without knowing about her work as former attorney general and U.S. senator and current vice president. I dont want to say this, but sometimes her excitement worries me, he said. Its like a kid in a candy store. It doesnt affect her voters at all, but the people on the fence might not view her as serious. Standing next to Reidy, Randall Walden, 77, of Manchester, was wearing a shirt supporting Harris and an old pin supporting the Equal Rights Amendment. Walden had no complaints with Biden and now he has none with Harris. Even though I was so loyal to him, I think we would have had trouble, he said. Alisa Dooley, 27, of Wakefield, was leaning toward voting for Biden but wasnt excited about it. Harris delivers the excitement he didnt, she said. I think she really represents a lot of the great things about America, Dooley said. Shes a strong political candidate in that Im looking for someone who knows how to compromise but also who knows how to take a stand. When Harris took Bidens spot in the race, Dooley began hearing from her friends. Its so monumental that this has happened, more people want to know whats going on and actually be involved, she said. I would say the switch to Harris has really brought a lot of energy. The switch to Harris has also energized older voters. Kathy Downes, 70, of Dunbarton, volunteered with the Harris campaign the day after Biden endorsed her. She was an unapologetic Biden supporter but having a female candidate was especially exciting, she said. Downes texted a friend photos from the rally Wednesday, including one of a poster that said, Run like a girl. Kamala for president. In her message, Downes told her friend she was thankful to have arrived in time to get a seat. The friend replied, You go lady! In a second message, Downes friend referenced a 2021 comment from J.D. Vance, Trumps running mate, about the country being run by a bunch of childless cat ladies. She asked Downes, Did you save a seat for a cat? A metro Atlanta boy died unexpectedly after he returned home from his school orientation, according to his family. Dominic Ippolito went to his elementary school to learn more about his classroom ahead of the first day of school. When he returned home, he died unexpectedly and without warning. At this time, we are unsure of the root cause, and we ask that you give the family space to process this impossible news as they await information from the medical examiner, a family friend wrote on GoFundMe. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Family and friends are remembering Dominic as a kind boy who loved to help out people and animals, too. He spent time like other kids his age playing video games and playing outside, but also recently earned his Tae Kwando black belt. Those who knew Dominic said he enjoyed making people laugh, especially if they were having a bad day. He had a great sense of humor and a tendency to drop one-liners that made people smile. Most of all, Dom was a wonderfully supportive friend. Dominic is survived by his parents, Hailey and Ralph, and his younger sister. My sister Hailey Ippolito is broken into pieces and these pieces we cant put back together. She has gone through so much in her short lifetime and this is unbearable, her sister Nicole Sawyer said in a statement. Sawyer told Channel 2 Action News that friends have set up a meal train to help the family. Funeral arrangements have not been announced. So far, more than $13,000 has been raised for the Ippolito family. If you wish to donate, click here. TRENDING STORIES: IN OTHER NEWS (BCN) A judge ordered Bay Area car dealer DGDG Automotive to pay $290,000 in an environmental protection case alleging the company unlawfully disposed of hazardous waste. The civil complaint was filed by the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office was joined by four other district attorneys offices in Contra Costa, Alameda, Solano, and Monterey counties. Prosecutors alleged DGDG Automotive LLC, also known as Del Grande Dealer Group, didnt properly manage hazardous waste, such as brake parts cleaner, automotive fluids, and parts containing circuit boards. The settlement also resolves allegations DGDG failed to redact or shred paperwork containing customer information before throwing it away. Maddy Middletons killer did not think he would face consequences Hazardous waste and documents containing confidential customer information must be disposed of properly to avoid harm to the environment and consumers, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement. It may be more expensive to do it, but its the law and its worth it. On Monday, a judge ordered DGDG to pay $215,000 in civil penalties. The auto dealer does business at more than 16 locations in Northern California. DGDG was also ordered to pay approximately $50,000 for the cost of the investigation and $25,000 to help fund the training of California regulators. The judge also ordered DGDG to designate an employee to manage and oversee its hazardous waste management and employee training programs. A message left for DGDGs attorney on the case, Brian Bunger, wasnt immediately returned. The Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office said DGDG cooperated with prosecutors during the investigation and took significant steps to improve its compliance with the environmental and consumer protection violations brought to its attention. The investigation began in 2021 when investigators from the District Attorneys Office conducted unannounced inspections of DGDG trash containers and found hazardous waste and pages of customer records. Additional inspections over the next year turned up violations at the companys businesses in Alameda, Solano, Contra Costa, and Monterey counties. Copyright 2024 Bay City News, Inc. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. For over three years, the family of Casey Goodson Jr. has not stopped their pursuit of justice. A year after Michael Jason Meade a now former Franklin County, Ohio, sheriffs SWAT deputy was indicted for shooting Goodson in the back five times, Goodsons family filed a wrongful death claim and a federal civil rights lawsuit against the accused shooter and the county that hired him. The federal case has been on pause pending the conclusion of Meades criminal case, according to online records. On Tuesday, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a $7 million settlement to resolve the civil claims against the county. This settlement is in no way an admission of liability on the part of anyone involved in Goodsons death, including but not limited to Meade, according to the resolution obtained by The New York Times. Goodsons family will have to await a jurys verdict to determine Meades guilt after his trial, which is scheduled to start on Oct. 31, according to court records. There have been other multimillion-dollar civil liability settlements this year in connection to fatal police encounters across the country. In February, the family of Rob Marquise Adams received a $4 million settlement from the city of San Bernardino, California, for his shooting death in July 2022. In March, the family of Terrence Coleman received a $4.6 million settlement from the city of Boston for his 2016 death. Coleman was experiencing a mental health crisis when he was shot and killed by police. In May, the family of Johnny Hollman reached a $3.8 million settlement with the city of Atlanta for police officers causing his death after excessively using their stun gun on the 62-year-old man during a traffic stop last August. For Goodsons family, this settlement marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for Casey and his loved ones, wrote Sean L. Walton, an attorney for the Goodson family, in a statement announcing the settlement. While no amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of Casey, this settlement is a crucial acknowledgment of the profound impact his death has had on his family and the broader community. Goodsons family has turned its pain to purpose since his Dec. 4, 2020, death by attending town hall meetings, calling for police reform, and attending rallies hosted by grassroots organizations. With those civil claims resolved, Walton said that Goodsons family are able to focus their energy on Meades trial. Meade was indicted in December 2021 and charged with two counts of murder and one count of reckless homicide. The case went to trial in February, but after two weeks of testimony, the judge declared a mistrial when jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. It was a 9-3 decision to convict Meade for the murder of Goodson, Walton told Capital B earlier this year. Goodson, 23, was walking toward his grandmothers front door with his keys in one hand and a bag of Subway sandwiches in another when he was shot by Meade. Police said Meade was searching for a fugitive when he spotted Goodson with a gun, and words were exchanged before he opened fire. The incident was not captured on a body camera. Prosecutors revealed during opening statements that a gun was found at the scene, but in the kitchen with the safety on Goodson was licensed to carry a firearm. The special prosecutor will retry Meade for one count of murder and one count of reckless homicide, according to court records. One of the murder charges was dropped by prosecutors. We are determined to see justice served and will continue to advocate tirelessly for the conviction and accountability that Casey deserves, Walton wrote. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have stood by Caseys family during this difficult time. The post Casey Goodsons Family Settles Civil Claim for $7M Over Fatal Police Shooting appeared first on Capital B News. Casey: Updates will help seniors get meals, support grandchildren HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) A reauthorized Older Americans Act will make it easier for low-income seniors to access nutritious meals and provide new support for grandparents raising grandchildren. The act, which was originally enacted in 1965, funds programs for older adults, including senior community centers, Meals on Wheels and home-and-community based services. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), who is chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, said these new provisions will help long-term care facility residents and other seniors who are struggling to afford basic necessities. Flight canceled in Pennsylvania? You can now file a complaint with the state Our Nations older adults have fought in our wars, raised our families, and built our communities, Sen. Casey said in a statement. They deserve our support as they age. The reauthorization bill includes provisions to help grandparents raising grandchildren by expanding federal support. Grandparents will now be entitled to support in caring for grandchildren up to 22 years old (compared to 18 years old previously). The new provisions also include expanding grab-and-go meal options for seniors. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. For more information, visit the National Council on Aging. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. by Julia Pierrepont III LOS ANGELES, July 31 (Xinhua) -- A landmark study presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Monday explored the impact of wildfire smoke on brain health, examining the health records of over 1.2 million Californians over the age of 60. The study found a strong correlation between wildfire smoke exposure and increased dementia risk. Specifically, for every one microgram per cubic meter increase in fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) from wildfire smoke, the odds of a dementia diagnosis increased by sobering 21 percent versus only 3 percent from other pollutants. The study is especially sobering to firefighters whose exposure is far higher than that of other people. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), as of Wednesday, 4,665 wildfires occurred in the state this year and 763,425 acres (3,089.5 square kilometers) of land were burned down. The risk of serious burns, smoke inhalation and death while firefighting already make it an extremely hazardous profession. Prior studies linked firefighting to diseases such as cancer and heart disease, and now an increased risk for neurodegenerative conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's disease ramps up the danger for firefighters. Xinhua caught up with Firefighter-Paramedic Nicole Richens and Firefighter Eric Richens, a young newlywed couple that work for the Los Angeles Country Fire Department, to ask if the recent report would make them reconsider their risky jobs. "No, that won't deter us," paramedic Nicole told Xinhua. "We both know it's a dangerous job. We've accepted that. But there are so many other things that contribute to those kinds of health issues. It's hard to tell which one had a bigger impact." Firefighters are regularly exposed to various toxicants known to affect brain health. Aluminum, lead, mercury, flame retardants, solvents, plasticizers, and air pollutants such as carbon monoxide are among the toxic substances they run into. These toxicants play a role in the development of neuro-degenerative diseases. While the human body can expel some of these substances, many tend to accumulate, potentially causing long-term health issues. Neuro-degenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's involve the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. Research showed that the accumulation of toxicants in the brain can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, and the buildup of amyloid plaques, all of which are associated with cognitive decline. PM 2.5 particles, which are 30 times smaller than the width of a single human hair, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation. This inflammation is linked to a range of health issues, including heart disease, asthma, and now, dementia. The study distinguished between PM2.5 from wildfire smoke and other sources, noting a much stronger link between wildfire PM 2.5 and dementia compared to non-wildfire sources. The findings have significant health implications, particularly for western states increasingly prone to wildfires due to the negative effects of climate change and prolonged drought. Climate change has drastically exacerbated the frequency and intensity of wildfires, leading to increased exposure to harmful smoke. The number of extreme wildfire events has more than doubled in recent decades, contributing to the growing public health problem of air pollution. Air pollution from wildfires now accounts for up to half of all fine-particle pollution in these regions. Firefighters' exposure to harmful substances isn't limited to wildfires alone. Structure fires, vehicle fires, and hazardous material incidents all present opportunities for contact with dangerous chemicals. During firefighting activities, toxicants such as asbestos, benzene, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are often also present. Prolonged and repeated exposure to these chemicals can contribute to a cumulative toxic burden on the body, further increasing the risk of developing dementia and other chronic health conditions. For firefighters, the chronic exposure to these harmful substances over their careers could potentially accelerate these neurodegenerative processes. In addition to the physical hazards, firefighters face significant psychological stress. The demands of the job, including exposure to traumatic events, long hours, and shift work, contribute to mental health challenges. Chronic stress and trauma have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The combination of physical and psychological stressors makes firefighters particularly vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases. As the understanding of the link between toxicant exposure and neurodegenerative diseases evolves, the firefighting profession must adapt to ensure the health and safety of its members. Wildfire smoke poses a severe hazard not only to those firefighters in immediate proximity but also to people hundreds or even thousands of miles away, because smoke can travel long distances on wind currents. The study also highlighted that people from racially and ethnic minority groups and those in high-poverty areas are more affected by wildfire smoke's impact on brain health. While the research underscores the need for further investigation, it also highlights practical steps individuals can take to protect themselves. Staying indoors on days with poor air quality, using home air filtration systems, and wearing fit-tested N95 or KN95 masks can help reduce exposure to PM 2.5. However, these measures are not always accessible to everyone, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Officials say following Tuesdays severe weather that impacted CenterPoint Energys southwestern Indiana territory, CenterPoint Energys electric system experienced extensive damage resulting in approximately 33,000 total customer outages. Officials say throughout the day, CenterPoint will have more than 400 line-skills and vegetation management professionals restoring power to impacted customers. When restoring power, CenterPoint says it prioritizes facilities vital to safety, health and welfare, such as hospitals, water treatment plants and public service facilities. Crews then make repairs to electrical facilities that will return power to the largest number of customers first, continuing the process until power is fully restored to everyone. According to CenterPoint, with hot and humid conditions expected to continue Wednesday, CenterPoint is working closely with local emergency management, public officials and the American Red Cross of Southwest Indiana to provide resources and cooling shelters for those in need. Local business donates $43,000 to HFSI, fully funding trip for 86 veterans Officials explain the city of Evansville has activated its temporary cooling shelter at the C.K. Newsome Center. In Warrick County, a cooling shelter has been activated in Newburgh at the Castle High School gym. Additionally, a cooling shelter has been opened at the Main Street Methodist United Methodist Church in Boonville. Customers should be prepared for the heat and take necessary precautions to stay safe. Our crews have made significant progress overnight restoring impacted customers, and we have brought in additional resources to assist with our efforts, said Shane Bradford, CenterPoints Vice President, Indiana Electric. We understand how challenging this situation is for everyone, especially with the extreme heat. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our crews work tirelessly to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. CenterPoint reminds customers if they have experienced damage to the weatherhead the point of entry from the service drop to the home a licensed electrician will need to make necessary repairs before power can be safely restored. Evansville Otters team up with Habitat for Humanity Additionally, CenterPoint reminds customers to remain safe and: Stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines and report them to CenterPoint at 800-227-1376. Be especially mindful of downed lines that could be hidden and treat all downed lines as if they are energized. Use caution when approaching flood waters, which can be hazardous. Be cautious around work crews and give them plenty of room to safely assess damages and make repairs. If the power is out, dont open freezers and refrigerators any more than necessary. Opening these appliances will allow food to thaw more quickly. Only use a portable generator in a well-ventilated area and never run it inside or in a garage to avoid CO fumes, which can be deadly. Never connect a portable electric generator directly to the buildings electrical system during a power outage; electricity could back-feed into the power lines, potentially endangering CenterPoint workers. If anyone smells natural gas, they should get to a safe area and call both 911 and CenterPoint at 800-227-1376. While conducting clean-up, call 811 to locate utility lines prior to digging on your property. Officials say for the latest information on power outages, follow CenterPoints social media pages, sign up for CenterPoints Power Alert Service and visit the Electric Outage Center for the outage map, electric safety tips and other resources. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) Community colleges are helping out students complete their FAFSA and the rest of their financial aid paperwork before the semester starts. The U.S. Department of Education reformed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid application last year, allowing students and families to submit the forms as early as December 31. MORE: What to know about changes to this years FAFSA application for college students Now with all the changes to the form, Central Illinois community colleges are making sure everyone has completed all the paperwork associated with their financial aid packages, including holding several events for incoming, returning and prospective students. Parkland Community College Parkland College is holding their FAFSA Completion Event on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. during their Enrollment Express period. For Enrollment Express, Parkland will have counselors available to help potential students with enrollment and registration in the second floor of the U-wing and financial aid workers in the Student Union available for students and families with questions. Reservations can be made on the Parkland website. Richland Community College For Richland Community College in Decatur, students can walk in to the financial office on Mondays through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an additional availability at 5-7 p.m. on July 31. Appointments can also be made on Richlands financial aid website. Republicans introduce bill to require FAFSA forms to be released in October Any questions about financial aid can be emailed to financialaid@richland.edu. The payment due date for the fall semester is August 7. Danville Community College Danville Area Community College is holding free FAFSA workshops every Friday in August. The workshops will be held in Lincoln Hall Lab 204 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Officials stress that FAFSA should be completed as soon as possible to maximize the financial aid a student gets. The application to the FAFSA can be found here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. TYLER, Texas (KETK) An East Texas Representative is taking the initiative in the Texas House to limit hostile foreign organizations from owning land and assets in the state. East Texas lawmakers react to Supreme Court immunity ruling in Trump case Rep. Cole Hefner, a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Mount Pleasant, is the chairman for the newly formed House Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations. The committee, composed by five Republicans, including Hefner and two Democrats, met for the first time last week where Hefner said they discussed the main goal to ban the Chinese Communist Party and other adversaries from owning land in Texas. What we dont want is adversaries to take control of too much of that property and then bosses back home tell them we are not going to produce that food, we are not going to harvest that timber and that puts us in a bind. So working through this, doing it the right way, is important, Hefner said during the committee meeting. According to the Foreign Holdings of U.S. Agricultural Land, foreign entities reported holding an interest in approximately 40 million agricultural acres in the U.S. as of December 31, 2021. Of that, Chinese entities own less than 1% of all foreign-held land in the U.S around 384,000 acres. In Texas, Chinese entities own about 162,000 acres. The largest foreign land owners in the U.S. are from Canada (31%) and Netherlands (12%). Chicago Council on Global Affairs, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, found how much East Texas land is owned by foreigners. Polk County is about 49.68% foreign-owned Cherokee County is about 13.34% foreign-owned Panola County is about 14.21% foreign-owned Smith County is about .39% foreign-owned Gregg County is about .66% foreign-owned Vance emerges as Trumps VP pick, with Rubio and Burgum out Tyler County was found to be 59.66% foreign owned by people from Canada, Netherlands, Sweden and Germany, the largest amount owned by foreigners in Texas. As the chairman, Hefner said they will also focus on studying the threat posed by hostile foreign organizations to the Texas economy, security and values. They will also evaluate the ways foreign organizations acquire property including the attendant risks. The committee will also recommend policy changes to mitigate the risks posed by ownership of Texas assets, examine rates of intellectual property theft and identify industries impacted. Were just looking into what threats we face as a state, what the feds are not doing and what the state can step in and do, Hefner 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. INDEPENDENCE, Mo. Prosecutors filed charges in connection with the Independence Towers child death against the victims dad and his girlfriend. Moses Lee Bass Jr., 30, and Destiny Randle, 28, are charged with child endangerment resulting in the death of a child. On Monday, a 3-year-old boy died after falling from a 9-story apartment window. These are mugshots of Moses Bass and Destiny Randle 3-year-old boy dies after falling 9 stories from high-rise apartment According to a probable cause statement, police identified Bass as the 3-year-olds father and interviewed him. Bass told investigators he left his other three children with his girlfriend, in their shared apartment on an upper floor. Bass told investigators he walked downstairs to take the dog out at approximately 10 a.m. Monday. He said he was talking to the building manager when he noticed emergency and fire crews arrive outside the building. Court papers say Bass then called Randle to have her check on the other children, after seeing a child being evaluated by IFD. Police also contacted Randle, who said the last time she checked on the children was at 11 p.m. the day prior. Randle said the children were all supposed to be asleep until the parents came out of the bedroom in the morning. She said she woke up at 10 a.m. and did not hear any noises coming from the other bedroom. Randle said she knew the window in the childrens room had a rip in the screen and did not properly lock. Randle said Bass usually secured the window with a blue pole that was supposed to be in the window at the time. Randle reported that when she checked on the children and noticed the window open and unsecured, and a child was missing. Randle said she has attempted several times to get building management to fix the window and stated the window has been in that condition since they moved in about a year ago. Independence apartment residents concerned after young boys death Officers checked the childrens bedroom and did not see the blue pole that Randle described anywhere in the bedroom. According to court documents, the residence had trash piled up everywhere, specifically in the kitchen, which had huge piles of trash built up in a shopping cart. All the beds in the childrens rooms were covered in old dirt and did not have any sheets on them. Old, used diapers were also found in the childrens room with no trash can to hold them. The childrens room specifically smelled of urine. There was also a child safety doorknob cover on the doorknob on the inside of the room the children sleep in. There were similar doorknob covers on the inside doorknob to the main door and the outside doorknob leading into the bathroom. A witness reported to police she consistently saw toys thrown down past her window that were within the path where the child fell. The witness said this had been happening for around 8 months. All of the other children in the apartment were placed in state custody with Jackson County Childrens Division. Independence investigators obtained a search warrant and arrested Bass and Randle, who were taken to police headquarters and interviewed. Teenage boy shot and killed in alleged drive-by shooting in Clay County Court documents say Bass told investigators that he and Randle knew about the safety hazards of the window. He said they have known about them since June 2023. He said he also knew that the children were able to bypass the locks and get out of the window since December 2023. Bass revealed that he knew one of the children was able to remove the bar due to children throwing toys out of the window. He said neighbors and maintenance brought it to his attention multiple times. Randle stated she also knew about the safety hazards of the windows and still allowed the children to stay in the room for long periods of time unattended, according to court documents. She said she had become complacent and overlooked it. Randle stated she was concerned from day one that one of her children would fall out the window. While both Bass and Randle face the same charge and are in the Jackson County Jail, online court records only show Bass case right now, where hes held on a $100,000 bond. Both are due in court for their first appearances on Wednesday afternoon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The U.S. Department of Justice indicted a Charlotte man for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Wednesday, July 30. According to the court proceedings, on June 2, 2022, Charlotte-Mecklenburg officers responded to a 911 call at an apartment complex regarding an individual shooting at children. The caller stated that after the incident, the individual later identified as DAngelo DeMara McNeil, 34 had fled the scene in his vehicle. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here Police located McNeil in his parked vehicle in the parking lot of another apartment complex. McNeil was promptly taken into custody. A handgun was retrieved from underneath the front passenger seat. The magazine was empty and there was one round in the chamber. Court records say that investigating officers questioned an individual who had witnessed the shooting. The witness told officers that two young boys ran up to him and told him that McNeil had been shooting at them. The witness then stated that he witnessed McNeil chasing the children, heard two gunshots and saw McNeil put the firearm in his pocket before leaving. Hickory business owner fails to pay $3 million in employment taxes, sentenced A second witness told officers that two children ran up to her and asked to be let into the apartment complexs leasing office because a man with a gun was chasing them. Following the court hearing, McNeil was remanded into federal custody. The charge of possession of a firearm by a felon carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) A Chatham County man has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to setting a fire in a restaurants outdoor trash container. Joshua Daryl McGregor, 34, of Savannah, was sentenced to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to Arson, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. McGregor was also ordered to pay restitution for property lost in the fire, and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Former local business owner faces child pornography charges Intentionally setting a fire in an effort to shut down or damage someone elses property is inexcusable, said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. Joshua McGregor will have substantial time to ponder his post-prison employment options. According to court documents and testimony, McGregor was an employee of the McDonalds at 2701 Montgomery Ave. In April 2023 he was frustrated because the restaurant was busy and lit a piece of cardboard on fire and tossed it into the restaurants dumpster, which had flammable materials, and ensured the fire ignited before returning to the restaurant. The fire became so intense that customers in the drive-through lane had to back out of the parking lot, and the restaurant was forced to briefly close while the Savannah Fire Department extinguished the blaze, according to court documents and testimony. McGregor, who filmed the fire with his cell phone, was identified on surveillance video as starting the fire was arrested, according to Savannah Police Department investigators. Savannah Fires Arson Unit greatly appreciates our continued ability to work with our local and federal partners to successfully prosecute arson that effects interstate commerce in our jurisdiction, said Fred Anderson, chief investigator for the Savannah Fire Arson Unit. Anderson continued, These efforts made as a partnership have continued to help make our community safer and greatly reduce the act of arson throughout the city. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. Check your tickets! $130K winning lottery ticket sold in Miami Valley A lottery ticket worth $130,000 was sold in the Miami Valley. The ticket, which matched all five Rolling Cash 5 numbers in Tuesdays drawing, was sold in Springfield. >> Humane Society provides update on kitten seriously injured after being set on fire The ticket was sold at Crown Market on Troy Road, according to the Ohio Lottery. Tuesday nights winning numbers were 19-22-28-29-36. Drawings for Rolling Cash 5 are held daily, seven days a week around 7:05 p.m. China accuses Japan of 'smear attacks' in recent talks with the US, India and Australia FILE - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, speaks during a news conference with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, from left, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, following the Quad Ministerial Meeting at the Foreign Ministry's Iikura guesthouse in Tokyo, on July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, File) BEIJING (AP) China has expressed strong dissatisfaction to Japan about what it called "smear attacks against China at recent high-level meetings with the United States, India and Australia, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. A ministry statement said that Liu Jinsong, the director general of the Asian affairs department, conveyed solemn representations and serious concern at a meeting the previous day with Akira Yokochi, the deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy. Liu pointed out that Japans smear attacks on China are self-contradictory to its statement of promoting the strategic and reciprocal relationship between the two countries, the statement said. Meeting in Tokyo on Sunday, Japan's foreign and defense ministers agreed to bolster military cooperation with the U.S. at what are known as 2+2 talks with their American counterparts. A joint statement said Chinas foreign policy seeks to reshape the international order for its own benefit at the expense of others and that such behavior represents "the greatest strategic challenge" in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The U.S.-Japan talks were followed by a meeting on Monday of the foreign ministers from the Quad countries the U.S. Japan, India and Australia. The joint statement did not mention China by name but expressed opposition to the militarization of disputed features and coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea. The Chinese government has complained repeatedly about the U.S. deepening ties with other countries in the face of China's rise, which President Joe Biden has made a priority during his four years in office. The Foreign Ministry statement said China urges Japan to stop making irresponsible remarks on China's internal affairs a likely reference to Taiwan and called on Japan to stop colluding with "certain countries" to form small circles that lead to confrontation. A Japanese Embassy statement said that Yokochi had expounded Japan's positions at the meeting and made representations on various China-related topics, but it did not provide any details. U.S. House Rules Committee holds meeting regarding articles of impeachment targeting Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in Washington BEIJING (Reuters) - China has imposed sanctions on U.S. lawmaker Jim McGovern on the grounds of interference in the country's affairs, freezing assets and barring him from conducting transactions in China, the Chinese foreign ministry said. The ministry said McGovern has in recent years frequently "engaged in words and deeds that interfere in China's internal affairs and undermine China's sovereignty, security and development interests". The sanctions, effective July 31, also include restricting visas for him and family. (Reporting by Liz Lee and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Andrew Heavens) UNITED NATIONS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for empowering young people and working with them as equals to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In his message on the International Youth Day, observed annually on Aug. 12, the UN chief said achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires "a seismic shift, which can only happen if we empower young people and work with them as equals." "International Youth Day celebrates the power and potential of young people," Guterres said. This year's focus is on the pivotal role of youth in harnessing technology to advance sustainable development, he stressed, referring to the theme of this year's International Youth Day: From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development. Guterres noted that around the world, young people "are turning clicks into progress," making the most of digital tools to take on local and global challenges -- from climate change to rising inequalities to the growing mental health crisis. "That means bridging digital divides, boosting investments in education, critical thinking and information literacy, tackling the gender biases that often dominate the tech industry, and supporting young innovators in expanding digital solutions," he said. As artificial intelligence reshapes our world, young people must also be front and center in shaping digital policies and institutions, Guterres emphasized, urging leaders to use the Summit of the Future in September to advance youth participation at every level, establish youth consultative bodies, promote intergenerational dialogue and scale up funding opportunities for young people everywhere. "You can count on the UN Youth Office and the entire UN family to stand with and for young people. Together, let us draw on their energy and ideas to shape a more sustainable future for all," the UN chief said. The International Youth Day is commemorated every year on Aug. 12, bringing youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in today's global society. (Bloomberg) -- Chinese electric carmaker BYD Co. is looking to enter the Canadian market just as Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government works to clamp down on imports of vehicles from the Asian powerhouse. Most Read from Bloomberg Lobbyists for the company, which sells its electric vehicles for less than $10,000 in China, filed notice with Canadas federal registry that they plan to approach officials and lawmakers to advocate for BYDs anticipated entry. The lobbyists aim to advise the government of Canada on matters related to the expected market entry of BYD into Canada for the sale of passenger electric vehicles, and the establishment of a new business, and the application of tariffs on EVs, the filing said. Canada is set to wrap on Thursday a 30-day consultation on measures to restrict Chinese EV imports including higher tariffs to align with the US and European Union. Its also mulling blocking Chinese investment in new Canadian factories. The government firmly believes that action is necessary to level the playing field for Canadian auto workers and for Canadas EV industry to compete, a spokeswoman for Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement on Wednesday. All options including restricting transactions and investment from Chinese sources in the Canadian EV supply chain are on the table to ensure Canadian workers and EV supply chains are protected from unfair competition from Chinas intentional, state-directed policy of overcapacity and lack of rigorous labor and environmental standards, Katherine Cuplinskas said. Separately on Wednesday, BYD announced a partnership with Uber Technologies Inc. to put 100,000 EVs onto the ride-hailing companys platform. The multiyear plan is to start in Europe and Latin America before expanding to other countries including Canada. Some Canadian government officials and industry representatives say Canada will need to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles close to the USs 102.5% rate, as opposed to the much lower tariffs the EU is considering. The people spoke to Bloomberg on condition they not be identified because no final decisions have been made. Canadas auto supply chain is highly integrated with that of the US, giving the Trudeau government little choice but to align its auto policy with its largest trading partner. It has also pledged billions of dollars in government money to automakers such as Volkswagen AG to build parts of their EV supply chains in Ontario and Quebec. Labor groups such as the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association support steep tariffs on Chinese EVs as they argue Beijings heavy industry subsidies pose an unfair advantage. But climate groups like Clean Energy Canada say more affordable EVs are needed to speed up consumer adoption. BYD did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The news that the company hired the lobbyists was first reported by Autonews.com. The lobbying notice was posted on the website of the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying for Canada and activities started July 24. Crestview Strategys Christine McMillan, Cameron Doherty and Bridget Howe are representing BYD Canada. Freeland hinted in an interview earlier this month with Bloomberg that the government may take broader trade action against China. She met with aluminum and steel producers last week. In the past, China has not shied away from trade retaliation against the country. --With assistance from Gabrielle Coppola and Brian Platt. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. China lodges protest with Japan over remarks at meeting with US Chinese and Japanese flags flutter in front of the Tiananmen Gate ahead of Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit, in Beijing BEIJING (Reuters) -Beijing has expressed its displeasure to Tokyo over negative comments about China made during a meeting between Japan and the United States, China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday. Liu Jinsong, China's director-general of Asian affairs at the Chinese foreign ministry, lodged a complaint to Japan over comments made by the U.S. and Japan over what they called Beijing's "provocative" behaviour in the South and East China Seas, its joint military exercises with Russia, and the rapid expansion of China's nuclear weapons arsenal. "China urges Japan to establish an objective and rational understanding of China, and stop making irresponsible remarks about China's internal affairs," Liu said to the chief minister at the Japanese embassy in China on Tuesday, according to a foreign ministry statement. Liu met with Yokochi Akira to talk about the "negative words" made about China during several discussions at recent diplomatic meetings, noting "many fallacies, dangerous trends, and false narratives" in meeting documents. In security discussions between the U.S. and Japan this past Sunday, both countries labelled China the "greatest strategic challenge, facing the region." Other remarks about China came up during separate discussions and meetings, and a joint statement between foreign ministers from Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. in which they stressed serious concerns about intimidating and dangerous manoeuvres in the South China Sea, targeting China as the main culprit. Liu pointed out that Japan's smear attacks on China contradict its statement on promoting the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. He urged Japan to "stop colluding with certain countries to create confrontation in "small circles", and work with China in the same direction." (Reporting by Bernard Orr; Editing by Tom Hogue and Stephen Coates) China has tightened export regulations on military drones in response to mounting criticism from the US and its allies over its support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. Source: Bloomberg Details: Several Chinese agencies, including the Central Military Commission, added drones with high-precision measuring equipment to the black list on Wednesday. These amendments, which supplement a list published last year, will take effect on 1 September. While export restrictions on consumer-grade drones have been lifted, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce stressed that civilian technology must not be used for the "proliferation of mass destruction weapons, terrorism, or military purposes". The move by Xi Jinping's government comes only days after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba's first visit to China since Russia invaded in 2022. Beijing has regularly denied Western accusations that it supplies Moscow with dual-use products for military purposes. European officials recently stated that Chinese and Russian companies are developing an attack drone with similar specifications to the Iranian ones used in Ukraine. China denies these charges, emphasising that it has not supplied weapons to either of the parties involved in the war in Ukraine and has strict controls on the export of dual-use commodities. The Chinese Commerce Ministry added that it "opposes drone exports being used for non-peaceful purposes, and opposes individual countries imposing illegal sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals on the pretext of using drones". Support UP or become our patron! Chinese warships off Alaska and Cambodia highlight the role of near and far waters in sea power dominance Chinese warships were recently spotted sailing close to the Aleutian Islands, just off the Alaskan coast. Meanwhile, naval boats have begun to dock at a Beijing-built military port in Cambodia. While these two events took place on different sides of the globe, theyre both part of an important geopolitical development one that may lead to global war. That may seem a little alarmist. But as I explain in my book Near and Far Waters: The Geopolitics of Seapower, the dynamics playing out today as China seeks to surpass the U.S. as the worlds major sea power are reflected in the past and have led to some of the worlds most consequential conflicts. To understand the geopolitics of sea power, you need to understand two terms: near waters and far waters. Near waters are areas close to a countrys shoreline that are seen as important for its defense. Far waters are areas across the ocean that a country wants to be present in for economic and strategic interests. But heres the thing: The far waters of one country are the near waters of another, and that leads to tension. For example, the western Pacific is Chinas near waters and the U.S.s far waters and both countries are engaged in a battle for strategic advantage there. Complicating matters, two or more countries may be competing for influence in the same near waters. In the western Pacific, China competes for dominance over smaller island fleets from, among other countries, the Philippines and Vietnam. Changing tides Competition over near and far waters changes over time. U.S. near waters are a strategic and fluid area, rather than a legal definition that covers the Eastern and Western seaboards the latter extended by Hawaii far into the Pacific. It also covers parts of the Caribbean and the Aleutian Islands. The U.S. gained control of its near waters throughout the 1800s and the first half of the 20th century. It culminated in a destroyers-for-bases deal during the early stages of World War II, which saw British military bases in the Caribbean and Newfoundland being transferred to Washingtons control. In return, the British were gifted old warships that were barely functional. It was only later that the U.S. projected its influence into far waters across the Atlantic and the Pacific, especially through its success in the Second World War. China, meanwhile, lost control of its near waters in the late 1800s as European colonial powers and the U.S. competed for access to Chinas markets. It marked a humiliation for China, hampering economic growth and contributing to the collapse of traditional dynasties and the emergence of competing nationalist and communist politics and eventually leading to civil war. More than shipbuilding China is a global economic power, and that requires controlling its near waters and building a presence in far waters. Beijing sees this as a necessary and acceptable part of becoming a power equal to the U.S. But to the U.S. the dominant naval power since World War II the process represents a challenge to its presence in far waters. China already has the largest navy in the world as measured by the number of ships. Over the past 15 years, China has built 131 ships that are capable of operating in far waters, while 144 are designed for near-water operations. As of 2021, China was operating or fitting out two aircraft carriers, 36 destroyers, 30 frigates and nine large amphibious carriers the type of vessels needed to truly challenge U.S. naval dominance. These numbers are still dwarfed by the corresponding number of U.S. naval ships. But they are bigger than any other nations fleet, and without a doubt, China is developing a navy intended to project power into far waters. But gaining sea dominance isnt just about shipbuilding. The Chinese plan includes island building projects to establish a presence in the near waters of Asian countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam. Elsewhere, it seeks to use its economic might to entice countries away from Washingtons naval assistance. Take Ream, a Cambodian military base in the Gulf of Thailand and former site of joint U.S.-Cambodian naval exercises. The base was in line for a refurbishment under a deal with the U.S. an example of how Washington tries to maintain its presence in its Asian far waters. But in a surprise move in 2020, Cambodia withdrew from the agreement. Since then, funding from Beijing has provided for an upgraded base. There has been a continual Chinese presence at the Ream base in 2024, including the Chinese-funded construction of a pier and a large dry dock. This naval presence serves Chinas goal of defending its near waters. But it also adds to Beijings ability to project power into the far waters of the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. A presence at Ream also gives China a prime position along a critical point of the sea lines of communication, the maritime routes through which much of global trade takes place. The nearby Malacca Strait is a key global choke point, through which US$3.5 trillion of trade passes annually including a third of global trade, 40% of Japans and two-thirds of Chinas. Access to the Ream base in Cambodia puts China in the position to police those trade routes. China sees that policing role as positive and peaceful. The U.S. and other countries fear that China could use it to disrupt global trade although it isnt clear why China would do that when its economy relies on imports and exports. Battle for influence Ream isnt an isolated example; China has been trying to gain power and influence across the Pacific for years. Over the past decade, Beijing has developed strong economic and diplomatic relations with Pacific island nations, including a deal with the Solomon Islands that sparked Western concerns of China gaining a military naval presence there. Of course, the U.S. is still a large and, for China, imposing presence through its bases in Japan and South Korea and its support of Taiwan. Washington has also started upping its efforts to outflank China among Pacific islands, inking a 2023 deal that would give U.S. ships unimpeded access to bases there. But the geopolitics of sea power is a process, rather than determined by current events. As such, the ebb and flow should be viewed through the trajectory of naval presence over a number of years. Which is why the presence of Chinese warships sailing close to Alaska is an important development. It raises the prospect of Chinas ability to project power into its far waters and near waters of the U.S. Albatrosses or hawks? To be clear, China did not breach any international law by sailing close to the Aleutians. And U.S. officials seemingly played down the incident. Still, it shows China has the ability and intent to take its naval rivalry with the U.S. into uncharted diplomatic waters, so to speak, and closer to the American coastline. It represents a new stage in the sea power competition between the U.S. and China and one we should all be concerned about. In the past, the rise and fall of sea powers has played out through conflict in near and far waters and has led to major conflagrations. The Dutch fought the British and French in the far waters off the Indian coast in the 17th and 18th centuries, and a key ingredient of World War II was the challenge to British naval supremacy in its far waters in Asia and its near waters in northern Europe. That isnt to say that war in inevitable. Its possible to address China-U.S. tensions in a way that accommodates Chinas global ambitions without threatening or weakening other countries. But that is a mutual duty, incumbent on policymakers in both Washington and Beijing. Relations between the two countries have, of late, been dominated by hawkish voices in both countries. But belligerence by either country when it comes to defending near or far waters would be a dangerous option. 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: Colin Flint, Utah State University Read more: Colin Flint 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. The California Highway Patrol has identified the three people killed in a wrong-way, triple-vehicle crash on Sunday night on Highway 46. The three were all from towns in the San Joaquin Valley. The crash killed 24-year-old Cutler resident Rosalinda Bucio, 27-year-old Reedley resident Francisco Polinasainz and 32-year-old Sanger resident Yvette Guzman, the CHP announced on Tuesday. It occurred just before 10:30 p.m. near Shandon, according to a Monday news release from California Highway Patrol. The driver who caused the crash, 30-year-old Saundra Foutz of Paso Robles, was heading west in a 2021 Mercedes in the eastbound lane of the highway when she hit a 2022 Honda head on, the CHP said. A second eastbound vehicle, a 2015 Honda, was closely following the first car and piled up on the initial crash. The driver and two passengers of the first Honda suffered fatal injuries and were transported to the county Coroners Office, according to the CHP report. Two others sustained major injuries in the crash, including Foutz, who was driving the wrong way on the highway, and the fourth person in the first Honda, 28-year-old Carlos Quinonez of Orange Cove. Both were immediately transported to hospitals for emergency medical treatment. The driver of third car, 38-year-old Jess Lopez of Bakersfield, sustained minor injuries and was not transported for medical care. The CHP was still investigating the cause of the crash. CHURCH POINT, La. (KLFY) A Church Point man was arrested after running from police attempting to pull him over for a traffic violation, authorities said. Aaron Guidroz, 28, of Arnaudville was arrested Monday morning after he refused to stop for police, authorities said. Guidroz was arrested for an outstanding warrant with the Breaux Bridge Police Department for domestic abuse along with reckless driving and flight from an officer, according to officials. Police found Guidroz in possession of marijuana and Xanax after searching the vehicle. Guidroz was booked into the Church Point Police Department and later transferred to the Acadia Parish Jail to await bond. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Latest News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. Organizers with the Nevada Housing Justice Alliance gathered at the Regional Justice Center Tuesday. (Photo: Michael Lyle/Nevada Current) Housing justice organizers on Tuesday called on Gov. Joe Lombardo to address the rising number of evictions and criticized the governor for only sending whiny letters to the White House as a way to solve the states housing crisis. Skyrocketing rents, limited affordable housing options and a lightning quick eviction process have contributed to a growing number of people facing housing instability, members of the Nevada Housing Justice Alliance said Tuesday. The governors housing policy is to send a letter every six months to (President) Joe Biden asking for the release of federal land, said Jonathan Norman, policy director with the Nevada Coalition of Legal Service Providers. Lombardo has sent several letters to the Biden administration this year, starting in March, that blame the administration for its role in the housing crisis saying its not doing enough to make more federal land available for housing development. His latest letter, sent last week, came days after Biden announced a proposal to cap yearly rent increases on corporate owned properties nationwide at 5% and free up federal land in Nevada to build more affordable housing. Housing developers throughout the state are poised to add to Nevadas housing inventory, but we need a streamlined approach to the disposal of federal lands so they can get to work, Lombardo wrote. The coalition, which includes groups like Make the Road, the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada and the ACLU of Nevada, once again on Tuesday pointed out Lombardos role in making housing unattainable. Lombardo vetoed several bills proposed during the 2023 Legislative session that offered tenant protections and would have reformed the eviction process, including Senate Bill 335, which sought to partially extend a 2023 eviction protection that paused a case while rental assistance applications were being processed. Jarrett Clark, the communication director with For Our Future Nevada, said since then the housing crisis has gotten out of control. And during that time, Gov. Lombardo has only sent whiny letters to the Biden-Harris administration, he said. Norman said it isnt as simple as the state seeking to build our way out of the housing crisis. Nevada needs better eviction policies and tenant protections to keep people housed, he said. Going into the next session, the solutions from our governor cannot be to, every six months, write the Harris administration and ask for the release of federal lands, he said. We need real tenant protections in our state. In the meantime, groups have launched an eviction monitoring program in order to push for some judicial accountability, said Ben Iness, the coalition coordinator with the Nevada Housing Justice Alliance. Organizers who spoke Tuesday about the program said they still see countless evictions where a tenant has a pending rental assistance application, but the landlord declines to wait for it to be processed and would rather proceed with the eviction. We noticed depending on where a tenant had their eviction court case in the valley could determine the outcome of their case, Iness said. Tenants, he added, have to face a complicated legal system alone and dont know how to navigate it. When tenants have to represent themselves and are asked, what is your legal defense?, naturally they share the crisis that they are in, he said. They are not trying to share a sob story but things are tough right now. But then they are told (by the judge) thats not a legal defense. Then they are evicted. Iness said he has also noticed in the times he has attended hearings that judges seem more willing to stay an eviction to give tenants a few extra days to move out. My fear is if were not in the courts that will stop happening, Iness said. North Las Vegas Judge Belinda Harris was the first to start using judicial discretion last year to stay evictions up to 10 days. Iness said the group is planning to release results of the first few months of the court watching program later in the fall. He hopes the findings could help lawmakers with drafting legislation in the 2025 Legislative Session. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The City of Birmingham is honoring the centennial anniversaries of three Black Greek letter organizations. Three Legacies, One Century is a photo exhibition of the histories of three groups and their service to the city. The Tau Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Alpha Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority were all founded in 1924. The free exhibit will be on display through Sept. 2024, on Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second floor of City Hall. Weather Aware for dangerous heat and humidity Wednesday and Thursday Sustaining an organization for 100 years is a major feat, said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. These college-educated African Americans maintained their mission to serve our community for decades in spite of the many challenges and tribulations; persisting through Jim Crow, through segregation and inspiring others, by building up our community, offering scholarships, educating young people, and serving as role models. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., is an international organization comprised of 225,000 college-educated men, built primarily on promoting brotherhood, scholarship, and service. Over its 100-plus years of existence, the fraternity has focused on improving the global community through dedicated service. Birminghams Tau Sigma Chapter was charted on Jan. 9, 1924. Joseph Fenderson is the chapter president. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded as the first international fraternal organization on the campus of a historically black college on Nov. 17, 1911, in Washington, D.C. Its cardinal principles are manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift. Birminghams Alpha Phi Chapter was chartered on July 5, 1924. Robert Averhart is the chapter president. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., an international service organization, was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women. Birminghams Omicron Omega Chapter was chartered on Oct. 24, 1924. Pauline Parker is the chapter 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 CBS 42. TOPEKA (KSNT) City leaders have approved a pay increase to try and stop the police shortage in the Capital City. At Tuesdays City Council meeting, council members approved a pay increase for the Topeka Police Department (TPD). This competitive pay increase is one way the city is hoping to increase its officer shortage. According to the agreement, a pay increase of 17% will take effect January of 2025, with a 5% increase in 2026 and 2027. City rejects bid on Hotel Topeka We hope it [increasing pay] brings people on the front and keeps people on the backend, Topeka Interim Police Chief Jamey Haltom said. The three-year labor agreement between the City of Topeka and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 3 was approved by District 8 Councilman Spencer Duncan and seconded by District 3 Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz. The action item was unanimously approved by the Topeka City Council Tuesday evening. Former Topeka officials domestic battery case dismissed Topeka City Manager Robert Perez told 27 News earlier this month that addressing the officer shortage is a high priority. The citys current contract with the Fraternal Order of Police Union ends in December. According to the city, the union has already ratified a new contract through 2027. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. The Tallahassee Independent Ethics Board is a professional and well-equipped body established in the city charter to oversee ethical standards written in the city ordinance. At the center is the idea that those of us who work for the city are entrusted to do public goodsomething every elected official, appointee, and employee should consider and use as motivation. One of the things observed is the sums of money donated to a candidate's campaign by large donors whose intent is to influence the outcome of the campaign. To balance that, the Campaign Contribution Refund Program was created to give every registered voter living within the city's confines, regardless of income, the opportunity to participate. It has been in place since 2014 but is little known. If you want to donate but feel like you cannot afford it, you can contribute to a city commission candidates campaign and claim a refund of the amount you contribute up to $25. Exterior shot of Tallahassee City Hall. The Campaign Contribution Refund Program is a testament to the value the city places on its residents' voices. Similar to a program in Seattle, Washington, it is administered by the Ethics Board and funded by the city. Registered voters living within in the city limits, who donate to a candidates campaign anytime between January 1, 2023, and November 5, 2024, can take advantage of this program. There is no limit to how many residents the city will refund, however, a resident can only claim one refund during the election cycle. You must claim your refund by January 20, 2025. Ensuring public trust through ethical behavior is a call to action, and you, as a voter, play a crucial and integral role in this. I am speaking of the contract between the public and those of us who serve. I have the opportunity to conduct ethics training annually for all city employees and elected officials. Often, I ask why we have a government. The answers are intriguing. Some say to keep us straight. Others, to keep us safe. While the answers differ, we should not forget that the government belongs to you, the people, and you should take advantage of every opportunity to participate. The Ethics Board will continue to do what it can to ensure that our city elected officials, appointees, and employees operate at the highest ethical standards and earn your trust. In the meantime, I encourage all registered voters living in the city to visit the boards website at https://www.talgov.com/Main/ethics and use this opportunity to voice themselves through the Campaign Contribution Refund Program. Your government. Your voice. Dwight Floyd Dwight Floyd is the retired Bureau Chief of Training with the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission at FDLE and current Ethics Officer with the Tallahassee Independent Ethics Board. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to letters@tallahassee.com. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee offers refund to residents making campaign contributions TEHRAN, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Iran would seek revenge for the alleged Israeli assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh in a "well-managed" way without escalating the regional crisis, an Iranian expert said on Wednesday. "We would witness an escalation of tension in the region, but in a managed way. I highly consider it is unlikely that a comprehensive war would erupt," Hassan Beheshtipour, a Tehran-based international affairs analyst, told Xinhua. Beheshtipour emphasized that intensifying the crisis is not in Iran's interest nor in that of the resistance groups. He noted Iran's past actions, such as its measured response to the deadly Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria in early April, as examples of Iran's strategic approach. Haniyeh, who was invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, was killed along with his bodyguard early Wednesday when their residence in Tehran was hit, according to Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, which accused Israel of carrying out the "terrorist attack" and vowed "a harsh and painful response." Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Israel had prepared the ground for a "harsh punishment" for itself. The alleged Israeli assassination of Haniyeh occurred a day after Israel claimed that a strike in the Lebanese capital of Beirut that killed Fouad Shokor, Hezbollah's top military commander. On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will respond with overwhelming force to any counter-attacks, following the deaths of Haniyeh and Shokor. He said the country is prepared "for any scenario," adding it "will exact a very heavy price against any aggression -- from any front." TOPEKA (KSNT) The City of Topeka has rejected an official bid on Hotel Topeka. The Topeka Development Corporation has rejected one bid for Hotel Topeka. Members of the Topeka Development Corporation held an executive session to review and evaluate Hotel Topeka bids Tuesday evening. Director Spencer Duncan moved a bid from 1717 Realty to an action item and rejected the bid as it was proposed; Director Karen Hiller seconded the motion. The motion carried, passing 8 to 1. Board Director Marcus Miller voted no for this item. They did not publicly reveal the terms of the bid. The City of Topeka bought the hotel for $7.5 million at an auction in 2023. Since the hotel purchase, city officials have been clear on their stance; they do not want to be in the hotel business. Virtual tours are now available in St. Jude Dream Homes last days About a month after deciding to buy Hotel Topeka, the Topeka City Council voted to terminate Wade from his city manager position, for having an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, according to the City of Topeka. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Forward has returned home. Forward pulled into port on Saturday, July 27 after a 60-day patrol of the Caribbean Sea. While on deployment, crew members conducted detection and monitoring operations for illegal drugs bound for the U.S. The crew assisted with the apprehension of five suspected smugglers and the seizure of 8,248 pounds of narcotics. Courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard Courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard Courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard Courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard Additionally, Forwards crew rescued three migrants from a sinking vessel. After receiving medical attention, the migrants were returned to their country. Forwards operational success came down to two things: the crews superior dedication and the strength of the Joint Interagency Task Force South network, said Cmdr. Andrew Grantham, commanding officer of Forward. I am proud of the crews tenacity to overcome all challenges to get the job done. Those interested in joining the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty, reserve, officer, and enlisted opportunities. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lt. Governor representative Rozan Mitchell, left, observes Shemia Splonskowski reviewing post marks at the Salt Lake County Clerk's office begin recounting the Colby Jenkins and Rep. Celeste Maloy race ballots in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Colby Jenkins has filed a petition with the Utah Supreme Court to challenge the certification of his Republican primary election against Rep. Celeste Maloy. The Tuesday filing comes amid a recount of the votes cast in the 2nd Congressional District primary. Jenkins trails Maloy by 214 votes in the race. Jenkins filing, obtained by the Deseret News, contests the certification of the primary election on the basis that mail from some counties in the state is processed in Las Vegas. Citizens in multiple Utah counties that have their mail processed and postmarked at SCF Las Vegas, claim to have filled out and mailed ballots prior to election day as required, but due to process delays, their ballots were not postmarked until after June 24, 2024, and therefore were not counted, said the filing. Jenkins attornies allege that not counting these ballots is a violation of the Utah Constitution due to the Equal Protection Clause, according to the filing. The filing claims residents in these counties were not made aware their ballots would have a delay in postmark due to their processing taking place in Las Vegas. The filing says a Cedar City man named Mr. Steele mailed his ballot on June 17 and his vote was not counted. Jenkins requested the Utah Supreme Court count all mail-in ballots, including those with late postmarks, due to the processing delay. Attorneys for Jenkins had filed a similar suit previously. Before the state canvass, Jenkins filed a lawsuit in federal court requesting that the state election certification be delayed so those ballots could be processed. Judge David Nuffer called it an unfortunate situation, but he denied the request for the certification to be delayed. Just because the delays occurred for these individuals does not mean theres arbitrary and disparate treatment of voters by the state statutory system. I find that that system posted puts the burden on the voter to obtain the timely postmark, Nuffer said, adding he thought the states reliance on postmarks was misplaced. Jenkins asked for a recount in Utahs 2nd District Before According to state code, the recount will need to be complete by Monday, which is seven days after the day Jenkins requested the recount. Jenkins previously told the Deseret News he wanted to ensure every vote counted. There are hundreds and hundreds of voters here in the congressional district, particularly the southern part, who have been disenfranchised of no fault of their own, whove suffered from the faulty postal system and lack of input and guidance from Utah election officials, Jenkins contended. We just want to make sure this never happens again. About the recount, Maloy said she was confident county clerks would verify and count all legal ballots. With the kind of margins we have, I anticipated a recount, Maloy said in a prepared video statement. But Im confident that the final result will remain the same. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro shows the documents of a complaint he filed with the Supreme Court three days after the disputed presidential election. Jeampier Arguinzones/dpa Colombian President Gustavo Petro is calling for a review of the Venezuelan election results after the controversial re-election of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro. "I call on the Venezuelan government to facilitate a peaceful conclusion to the elections by allowing a transparent review of the votes and results lists under the observation of all political forces and professional international observers," the left-wing head of state wrote on X. After the presidential election on Sunday, the electoral authority officially declared Maduro the winner. The opposition accuses the government of rigging the election. The US, the EU and a number of Latin American countries also doubt the official election results and are calling for the detailed results to be published. "The serious doubts about the electoral process could lead to a deep and violent division in society," warned Petro. In contrast to his conservative predecessors, the former guerrillero maintains a fairly good relationship with Maduro. However, Colombia has been hit harder than any other country by its neighbour's severe humanitarian and economic crisis. Of the more than 7 million Venezuelans who have left their homeland over the past 10 years due to poverty and violence, almost 3 million have settled in Colombia. DENVER (AP) Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters, a hero to election conspiracy theorists who is accused of orchestrating a breach of election security equipment, was trying to prevent voting information from being erased, her lawyer said at the start of her trial Wednesday. Under the laws in place in 2021, when Peters allowed a man who prosecutors say was working with MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell to make a copy of a Dominion Voting Systems computers hard drive, she was allowed to hire a consultant to make such a copy, defense attorney Amy Jones said during opening statements. She believed she needed to save that data, said Jones, who did not deny that a copy was made. But prosecutor Robert Shapiro portrayed the man as a cyber mercenary who Peters brought in without conducting a background check and committed identity theft by passing him off as another person who had obtained clearance to work for her office. He said Peters contacted the man, who has not been charged, after she met with Douglas Frank, another person working with Lindell, one of the nations most prominent election conspiracy theorists. Frank, an Ohio math teacher, had been traveling around the country looking for evidence of voter fraud when he met with Peters and she hatched the plan, he said. Despite that, Shapiro told jurors the case against Peters was not about election fraud or conspiracy theories. Its a simple case of deceit and fraud, he said. Colorado state election officials became aware of the alleged security breach in Mesa County a few months later when a photo and video of confidential voting system passwords were posted on social media and a conservative website after Peters joined Lindell onstage at a cybersymposium and promised to reveal proof of election rigging. Peters, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, has argued she had a duty to preserve the results of the election before the voting system was upgraded and that she should not be prosecuted for carrying out her job. The hard drive copied included proprietary software developed by Dominion Voting Systems that is used by election offices around the country. The Colorado-based company has been the subject of conspiracy theories blaming its election equipment for Trumps loss. It filed several defamation lawsuits as a result, settling a case against Fox News for $787 million last year. Experts have described the unauthorized release as serious, saying it provided a potential practice environment that would allow anyone to probe for vulnerabilities that could be exploited during a future election. The incident is one of a handful of suspected security breaches that occurred in the aftermath of the 2020 election amid false claims by Trump that voting systems were rigged against him. Trump ally Sidney Powell pleaded guilty last year to reduced charges in a case in Georgia. Prosecutors alleged she conspired with others to access election equipment without authorization in Coffee County and hired a computer forensics firm to copy software and data from voting machines and computers. Election security experts and computer scientists say an effort to access voting system software in several states and provide it to Trump allies poses serious threats ahead of this years presidential contest. It is unknown if Peters who has repeated false accusations that the 2020 presidential election in which Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden was a planned fraud on a grand scale" will testify during the nearly two-week trial in the city of Grand Junction. But Shapiro said two of her closest colleagues would testify take the stand and testify against her. Peters chief deputy, Belinda Knisley, and the aide who was with her when the first computer image was taken, former elections manager Sandra Brown, both pleaded guilty under deals which require them to testify against Peters. Judge Matthew Barrett has barred Peters from portraying herself as whistleblower during the trial and also ruled the defense cannot try to make the case about election integrity or Dominion, The Daily Sentinel reported. The trial began after several delays, Peters' failed bid to become Colorados top elections official and her decision to change attorneys on the eve of a trial date in February. The jury was seated Wednesday after being questioned by lawyers earlier in the day in the solidly Republican county near the Utah border, which Donald Trump won in the 2020 presidential election with nearly 63% of the vote. Peters is charged with three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, criminal impersonation, two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, one count of identity theft, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty and failing to comply with the secretary of state. Prosecutors allege a second image of the elections computer was taken after it was upgraded. The next day, they say Peters mailed a package to the man who had taken the first image but who left before the second one could be completed. He has not been charged. Peters' case was the first instance amid the 2020 conspiracy theories in which a local election official was charged with a suspected security breach of voting systems. It heightened concerns nationally for the potential of insider threats, in which rogue election workers sympathetic to lies about the 2020 election might use their access to election equipment and the knowledge gained through the breaches to launch an attack from within. _____ This story has been updated to correct the headline to show that Peters lawyer said she did want to preserve the data. Christina Almeida Cassidy contributed to this report from Atlanta. Column: The Supreme Court is out of control. Here's what it will take to rein it in The U.S. Supreme Court seen through barricades in 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) President Biden has proposed reforming a U.S. Supreme Court whose integrity has been tarnished, if not ruined, by its most conservative members. The president embraced term limits and a binding ethics code for the justices. Most important, he called on Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to reverse the courts mind-boggling decision giving presidents broad immunity from prosecution. What is happening now is not normal," Biden wrote in an op-ed published by the Washington Post on Monday, and it undermines the publics confidence in the courts decisions, including those impacting personal freedoms. We now stand in a breach. Read more: Abcarian: Can Kamala Harris and an army of 'childless cat ladies' overcome Republicans' sexism? The conservative justices greed, conflicts of interest, dishonesty and deeply un-American interpretation of presidential power have led us to this moment. Not coincidentally, public confidence in the court has plummeted. Its approval rating is close to a record low, and its disapproval rating is near an all-time high. We are in an antidemocratic doom loop, said Mike Sacks, a senior advisor at Court Accountability, a new left-leaning nonprofit whose mission is to curb judicial corruption and abuse of power. Its easy to see why esteem for the court has hit bottom. Read more: Abcarian: This is among the most consequential lies Trump and Republicans are telling women voters Last year, ProPublica and other news outlets reported that Justice Clarence Thomas secretly accepted millions of dollars in gifts and luxury travel from rich, conservative benefactors with business before the court. As we know from her texts to then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Thomas' wife, Ginni Thomas, supported overturning the 2020 election. Despite this glaring conflict of interest, Thomas has not recused himself from cases related to the insurrection. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., likewise, did not recuse himself from Jan. 6 cases even though his wife hoisted two flags at their homes that telegraphed sympathy for the insurrectionists and former President Trump, who still clings to the lie that Biden stole the election. The three newest justices, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, misled the Senate during their confirmation hearings by either stating or implying that they believed the landmark case Roe vs. Wade was settled law. In 2022, they overturned it, unleashing a new kind of hell on American women of childbearing age. In 2016, then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked President Obamas nomination of Merrick Garland to the court, making up a rule that no such appointments could be considered during an election year. Four years later, he turned around and shoved Barretts nomination through the Senate mere days before an election in which Republicans lost the presidency and the Senate. The compromised court has imposed a radical vision on the country. In 2013, in an act of almost unspeakable naivete, it gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965, unleashing a wave of voter suppression that continues to this day. (Our country has changed, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. asserted in his majority opinion, prompting Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to declare that dismantling the countrys most successful civil rights law was like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.) Last year, the court struck down affirmative action in college admissions, a practice that, like abortion rights, had been upheld and reaffirmed for nearly half a century. It also invalidated Bidens student loan forgiveness program. This year, it kneecapped the power of federal agencies by tossing out a 40-year-old precedent known as the Chevron doctrine. Most outrageously, the court effectively made the American president a monarch, ruling that those who hold the office enjoy sweeping protection from criminal prosecution. For all practical purposes, Biden said Monday at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, the courts decision almost certainly means that the president can violate their oath, flout our laws and face no consequences. He paraphrased Justice Sonia Sotomayors dissent: Under the majoritys reasoning, the president will now be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders a Navy Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold on to power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. That is as nightmarish a vision of America as has ever been conjured. I have great respect for our institutions and the separation of powers laid out in our constitution, but whats happening now is not consistent with that doctrine of separation of powers, Biden said. Extremism is undermining the publics confidence in the courts decisions. These powers need to be not only separated, but also rebalanced. Reforming the Supreme Court will be a difficult, years-long project. But if we want to preserve democracy and the profoundly American ideal that no person is above the law, the court's conservative justices have given us no alternative. @robinkabcarian 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. Crowdstrike did not have a good day on July 19. During a routine software update, the file that the cybersecurity firm issued triggered a logic error that prohibited Windows machines from rebooting. Microsoft estimates that around 8.5 million computers may have been affected by the event. This created a tsunami of downstream consequences, as computers that supported numerous industry operations were unable to coordinate and process data. For air travel, the net effect was the cancellation of more than 10,000 flights since July 19, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta Air Lines particularly hit hard. Using very conservative estimates, if each flight was booked on average with 64 people, and the average cost of a ticket was $290, the lost direct revenue on these days totaled more than $180 million. Given that some of these people had to cancel hotel rooms and car rentals, and perhaps even miss cruises, the secondary effects of the outage in the hospitality industry alone are likely many times more than this. Numerous other industries were affected, with similar analyses that can be undertaken. In some areas, 911 services were unreachable, which meant that emergency calls for heart attacks and accidents went unanswered. Some of these missed calls may have resulted in deaths, for which no financial value can be placed. Numerous large hospital systems around the nation were also affected, forcing nonemergency procedures and office appointments to be canceled or delayed. Such a massive disruption has not gone unnoticed. The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection requested a meeting with Crowdstrike CEO George Kurtz. The question now being asked is: Who will pay for all these delays, cancellations and consequences? The first group affected is investors on Wall Street, where more than $10 billion of value was trimmed from Crowdstrikes market capitalization through July 22. How long it will take for Crowdstrikes shares to recoup such losses remains to be seen. The irony of the situation is that Crowdstrike software is designed to protect computers against viruses and malicious software. Yet the current outages did harm that rivals what a computer virus or malicious software could have unleashed. Using a war metaphor, what happened with Crowdstrike was akin to friendly fire. The one saving grace from this event is that the fix to the problem file was not complicated, taking less than 80 minutes to identify and implement. However, damage had already been done to the 8.5 million computers affected, with some requiring manual deletion of the problem file and reboot. Does this make Crowdstrike liable for all such work and efforts and the associated downstream damages? Every software product that is available carries with it terms and conditions that limit its liability to the user in the events of any type of malfunction or disruption. In essence, users agree to hold the software owner harmless. Few of us ever take the time to read such agreements, even though we are bound by them. Unfortunately, the outage is likely to spur a series of class-action lawsuits that will allow attorneys to argue on behalf of different classes of those harmed, seeking damages that ultimately will be settled out of court. However, of greater importance is that the Crowdstrike outage shines a bright light on the fact that all organizations and entities that rely on computers are one bad file, one inadvertent keystroke or one software update away from a potentially destructive technology meltdown. Every organization and entity are exposed to such risks. What happened with Crowdstrike could have happened with any one of the many other security software companies, though perhaps not on such a large scale. This is the price that we all pay for enjoying the benefits of cyber efficiency and access to the digital economy. No one wants to return to a paper-centered world, manually undertaking tasks that can be completed digitally thousands of times faster and more accurately. This outage also provides a sneak peek into the future of how glitches in artificial intelligence systems may lead to cyber meltdowns, disrupting financial, transportation and health systems far beyond what any group of people could cause on its own. Crowdstrike may carry some liability for what happened July 19, yet the demand for efficiency offered by our digital economy is just as complicit. The congressional committee that will question the Crowdstrike CEO may be unable to appreciate this fact. The next several months will be interesting to observe as these liability issues are unraveled, discussed and explored. The alternative to what Crowdstrike offers namely, no cyber protection is far more dangerous than what transpired July 19. This is the reality of living in a digital economy. It carries numerous benefits and conveniences that we all enjoy. It also carries risks, some of which are obvious, such as viruses and malicious software, and some are not, as many organizations learned July 19. _____ Sheldon H. Jacobson, Ph.D., is a professor of computer science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He applies his expertise in data-driven risk-based decision-making to evaluate and inform public policy. _____ BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson said Wednesday that the authority of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758, which fully reflects and confirms the one-China principle, is "unchallengeable." Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to a media question regarding the resolution. Chen said UNGA Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, restored the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations. It made clear that there is only one seat for China in the United Nations, precluding "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan." The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations, Chen added. Before millions of Venezuelans lined up to vote in the most pivotal presidential election in Venezuelas modern history, Edmundo Gonzalez, the oppositions 74-year-old candidate, told journalists that he was optimistic about victory. We are confident that our margin of victory will be so overwhelming that it will open a new political reality in the country and that will open spaces for negotiation, Gonzalez, a former diplomat, told The Washington Post. Maybe its wishful thinking. Indeed, it was. After nearly 10 million Venezuelans dropped their ballots, Nicolas Maduro, the strongman president who has ruled the oil-rich South American country for 11 years, declared himself the winner. According to the government-controlled National Electoral Council, Maduro received 51.2% of the vote to Gonzalez 44.2%, a result opposition leader Maria Corina Machado quickly denounced as fraudulent. She wasnt the only one. Chilean President Gabriel Boric tweeted that Chile would not recognize the tally. Javier Milei, Argentinas president, said the same thing. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns that the vote didnt reflect the will of the Venezuelan people. Maduros administration did everything it could to tilt the election in its favor, using the machinery of government to prevent the opposition movement from traveling the country unhindered. Campaign workers were jailed. Venezuelans who left the country years earlier due to Maduros economic mismanagement, a key opposition voting bloc, found it extremely difficult to participate. Some polling places were relocated at the last minute, causing confusion. Machado, dubbed Venezuelas Iron Lady for her indefatigable campaigning against Maduros dictatorship, was banned from running herself. (Gonzalez was Machados hand-picked replacement.) And election monitors from the European Union were blocked from entering Venezuela. This is a tough pill to swallow for President Joe Bidens administration. Last year, there was a sense of cautious hope that perhaps Venezuela was turning a corner after more than a decade of political repression and economic contraction. After months of back channel negotiations with Maduros representatives, Washington and Caracas arrived at an arrangement. In exchange for Maduro opening up the political system, allowing the opposition to compete in a free and fair election and permitting international election monitors into the country, the Biden administration agreed to the partial lifting of sanctions on Venezuelas oil industry. Maduro and the opposition signed their own agreement to update the voter rolls and give all candidates access to the media. U.S. officials, however, stressed that the economic restrictions would snap back into place if Maduro reneged on the terms. It didnt take long for that to happen. Machado was still not permitted to run. The airwaves remained dominated by the government narrative, which blasted the opposition as a bunch of fascists seeking to bring war and misery to the Venezuelan people. Venezuelans overseas found it all but impossible to cast ballots. This April, the U.S. reinstated the oil sanctions, arguing that Maduro was never intent on implementing the accord in the first place. The election results announced Monday morning were the final nail in the coffin. For Maduro, this weekend was bittersweet. A former bus driver and union leader who rose to power on the back of his mentor, Hugo Chavez, Maduro has a knack for political survival even if he is arguably the worlds worst chief executive. Venezuela used to be one of South Americas wealthiest nations; now, its one of the poorest. The countrys economy has lost 80% of its value during Maduros 11-year reign, a consequence of his ideologically tinged economic policies, the Venezuelan oil industrys dilapidation and a U.S. sanctions regime that has only exacerbated Venezuelas outmigration. And yet, despite his stellar lack of accomplishments, Maduro has managed not only to extend his power but also consolidate it. After every near miss whether it was an attempted assassination via drone in 2018, a coup attempt by then-opposition leader Juan Guaido in 2019 or another coup attempt in 2020 at the hands of rogue Americans Maduro has been quick to clamp down on any perceived threats to his rule. Venezuelas army, one of the countrys key power centers, is firmly in Maduros hands, not out of love for the dictator but rather because the arrangement is good for the top brass. Up until this years vote, the opposition was notoriously divided against itself. Maduro fed off those divisions and exploited them to his personal benefit. How will the U.S. respond to all this? Unfortunately for U.S. policymakers, there arent any good options on the table. A return to the maximum pressure campaign of Donald Trumps administration, which Biden continued up until the last years temporary loosening, is unlikely to achieve anything more than it did in the past. And lets be honest: As righteous as the policy was from a moral standpoint, the practical benefits were virtually nonexistent. The whole purpose of the pressure was to compel Maduro to resign the presidency or, short of that, negotiate earnestly with broad segments of Venezuelan society to bring the country back on a democratic track. In reality, the only thing the sanctions did was further crush an already-crushed Venezuelan economy. On the other side of the ledger, the U.S. could theoretically come to the depressing conclusion that Maduro is likely to be Venezuelas leader at least until 2030 and likely longer and normalize relations in the hope that full U.S. engagement will temper the mans instincts. But thats highly unlikely it wouldnt fly on Capitol Hill and Maduro is inherently suspicious of Washingtons intentions. The U.S. policy response will have to be somewhere in the middle. This weekends election wont be doing U.S.-Venezuela relations any favors. _____ Daniel DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities and a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune. _____ This company promised to improve health care in jails. Dozens of its patients have died. NORMAN, Oklahoma Two days after Thanksgiving in 2022, Shannon Hanchett walked into an AT&T store for a new phone, and ended up in handcuffs. Hanchett ran the Cookie Cottage, a popular bakery in this college town, where she made treats named for places across the state, from Stilwell Strawberry to Lawton Lemon. But lately, her mental health seemed to be fraying. She was falling behind on orders. Her marriage was crumbling. And the 38-year-old mother of two had picked fights with family and friends. It all detonated that day in the AT&T store. Employees phoned police after Hanchett began pacing, ranting and calling 911. Body camera footage shows an officer from the Norman Police Department talking to her for several minutes, then tackling, handcuffing and arresting her for misusing the emergency line. Like so many people experiencing mental health crises in the U.S., Hanchett landed not in a psychiatric hospital, but in a county jail. In her case, it was Normans Cleveland County Detention Center, which contracts with a for-profit company to provide medical care: Turn Key Health Clinics. And for Hanchett, thats where things got even worse. As local jails have morphed into some of the largest mental health treatment facilities in the U.S., many counties have outsourced medical care to private companies that promise to contain rising costs. Turn Key is one of the fastest growing in the middle of the country. Daniel Hanchett clasps his hands during an interview with the Marshal Project about his late wife Shannon who passed away in the Cleveland County Jail. Credit: September Dawn Bottoms for The Marshall Project Daniel Hanchett speaks of his late wife Shannon who passed away in the Cleveland County Jail during an interview with the Marshal Project. Credit: September Dawn Bottoms for The Marshall Project At least 50 people who were under Turn Keys care died during the past decade, an investigation by The Marshall Project and The Frontier found. Our reporting unearthed company policies and practices that have endangered people in jail especially those with mental illness. In dozens of cases, Turn Key employees didnt send people to the hospital when they were in crisis, catatonic or refusing to eat or drink. The company staffed mental health and other medical positions with low-level nursing assistants trained to perform basic tasks like taking vital signs, but not to diagnose or assess medical conditions. Medical doctors and more advanced-level nurses working for Turn Key frequently consulted over the phone for a limited number of hours per week instead of making in-person visits, according to government records and documents obtained through lawsuits. Until last year, the company often restricted the kinds of medicines it would provide people in jail, not giving them long-acting psychiatric drugs and prescriptions they had received before their arrests. We obtained records from sheriffs who raised concerns about the company not providing the proper medications for people in jail with mental illness. I have been told that Turn Key does not prescribe those types of medications, one Texas sheriff wrote in a 2022 email. This is causing a cascade of problems not only for their safety and well-being, but for the staff and facility as well. Turn Key officials declined interview requests for this story. In response to written questions, the company issued a statement from its medical director, Dr. William Cooper: Turn Keys goal is to provide the highest level of care pursuant to the clients budget. The company continues to expand because of the quality of the care provided. He added that Turn Key is constantly working to build on the quality of care it provides. To examine the companys practices, we obtained records, including internal documents and emails between company leaders and public officials, in nearly 70 counties across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Colorado, Kansas and Montana. We also reviewed more than 100 lawsuits involving jail deaths and injuries. Many were dismissed for not meeting legal hurdles required for civil rights lawsuits: Plaintiffs must prove that the company wasnt just negligent, but showed deliberate indifference to patients medical needs, among other requirements. Some suits resulted in settlements, many of which were confidential, and nearly two dozen suits remain pending. A woman in Colorado died after a bag of drugs shed hidden in her body burst, while a Turn Key nurse allegedly dismissed her symptoms and refused to call an ambulance. A man in Arkansas died after medical staff didnt give him medication to prevent deadly symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and didnt call an ambulance until he became unresponsive. Another man in Arkansas died after medical records show he wasnt given the seizure medication he needed, and he was strapped to a restraint chair and covered with a spit hood. Turn Key declined to respond to questions concerning these incidents. Medical care in jails can be complicated and costly, said Dr. Anne Spaulding, founder of the Center for the Health of Incarcerated Persons at Emory University in Atlanta. Most people in jails are there awaiting trial, and many arrive with complex needs some are in drug withdrawal or experiencing mental health crises; others need expensive treatments such as HIV drugs, insulin or dialysis. Jail operators have a constitutional obligation to supply necessary medical care, whatever the illness, she said. When you lock the door of a jail or prison cell, you are preventing the person from going out and seeking health care elsewhere, she said. So you have to provide it. But there are no national standards for what constitutes necessary medical treatment in jail, and federal courts are split over what level of care is adequate, especially for people awaiting trial. Close to half of people in jail have received a diagnosis of a major mental illness, according to government data last compiled in 2017, and two-thirds suffer from substance abuse. Women, the fastest-growing group of people in jails, have even higher rates of mental health and addiction problems. Some, like Hanchett, have undiagnosed psychiatric issues and were arrested after public episodes. It took 10 days after she was put in jail before a doctor consulted on Hanchetts care. Turn Keys primary psychiatrist prescribed antipsychotic pills and noted Hanchett didnt respond to questions. Medical staff recorded her symptoms as severe having a marked impact on the inmates ability to function satisfactorily in the current outpatient setting. By then she had been lying on the floor of an empty cell for days, mostly naked, dehydrated and in deep psychosis, records show. The licensed practical nurse at the jail consulted with an off-site Turn Key nurse practitioner, who said to give Hanchett some Gatorade, according to jail records. Her pulse was weakening, her blood pressure dropping she couldnt stand up or dress herself. A nurse reported hearing Hanchett saying: They are going to kill me. Short-staffed As the population of people it treated in jails doubled over a span of six years to more than 20,000, records show Turn Key had four doctors, three psychiatrists and 10 nurse practitioners on staff. Some oversaw care at multiple jails in different states. Turn Key has staffed its jails with mostly licensed practical nurses or certified medical assistants, according to depositions and internal documents. These workers can get licensed with a year or less of schooling and are trained to perform basic tasks like checking pulse rates, not to assess medical conditions. In 2020, a contract monitor for the Tulsa County Sheriffs Office complained in an email that the company was using low-level personnel to fill the role of mental health technicians, which raised questions if inmates are truly being serviced accordingly. The sheriffs office declined to comment for this story. In its statement, Turn Key said it maintains an on-call team that has doctors, nurses, and mental healthcare providers who are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. But in many of the cases we examined, the on-the-ground workers failed to recognize severe health problems, and did not seek counsel from doctors and more senior nurses who consulted remotely. Marconia Kessee. Credit: Courtesy of the Kessee Family The outcomes were sometimes fatal, as in the case of Marconia Kessee. He lived in and out of hotel rooms and struggled with severe mental illness, said his uncle, Michael Washington. In 2018, Kessee went to a hospital for help and ended up in jail in Norman. Police body camera video shows Kessee stumbling and falling after officers ordered him to walk across the street to a homeless shelter so the officers arrested him for trespassing. At the county jail, a licensed practical nurse working for Turn Key did not recognize that Kessee was overdosing on methamphetamine and prescription drugs, instead accusing him of faking symptoms that included seizures, according to a lawsuit filed by his family. The nurse and jailers left Kessee alone in a cell. Within two hours, he was dead of an overdose. He was 35. In response to the lawsuit, the nurse said he hadnt been trained on overdoses and wasnt qualified to determine if someone was experiencing one. Turn Keys medical director agreed and conceded that without such knowledge, the nurse was unlikely to ask a higher-up for help. In a confidential agreement, Turn Key settled the case for an undisclosed amount last year. The company did not respond to questions about Kessees death. Building an empire From the beginning, Turn Key has asserted that it can provide quality care to people in jails at a lower cost. The week after Cleveland County Sheriff Joe Lester took office in 2009, a bookkeeper brought him a stack of unpaid bills from the local hospital and health clinics. It added up to about $1 million in medical debt for treating jail detainees, Lester said later in a court deposition. The departments total budget for the year was half-spent, and the sheriffs office was getting collection calls. When somebody goes to the hospital, whether its a headache or what, its a big expense, Lester said. Hospitalizations also strain jail staffing because a deputy often remains with the detainee until they return to jail. Lester reached out to Jon Echols, who ran a company that provided health care personnel to local nursing homes. The county awarded his company a contract to provide 24-hour nursing personnel at the jail. The company finished the first three months of the contract under budget and sent just one person to the hospital by ambulance, Echols told county officials in 2009, according to a local newspaper report. He and his business partners formed the company that would become Turn Key Health Clinics. Echols won a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2012. A Republican, he now serves as House majority floor leader. In March, we asked Turn Key corporate leaders for an interview, including Echols, who was still listed as the companys president and founder. He did not respond, but his title and photo have since been removed from the companys website. His most recent financial disclosure, filed in May with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, shows he retained a non-controlling minority ownership interest in the company, and received a salary through 2023. Turn Key has since expanded into a multimillion-dollar company with contracts to provide medical care for more than 75 jails and 23,000 people in 10 states. At first, most of the jails where Turn Key operated were lockups in small counties. But in 2016, the company won its largest contract, in Tulsa, after the local sheriff changed the bidding requirements, allowing the company to qualify. At the time, Echols told The Frontier: I wanted a fair opportunity. Theres no doubt that I asked that we be able to bid. Turn Key promised to cover up to $500,000 a year in outside medical costs, including hospitalizations; the county would pay for anything over that amount. Turn Key later boasted to prospective clients that it reduced emergency transfers in Tulsa by 77% and the number of days prisoners spent in the hospital by 35% within a few months. The company went on to get the contract for the troubled county jail in Oklahoma City, the states largest, on similar terms. In its statement, Turn Keys medical director said the company tries to reduce medical costs by providing treatment before emergency care is required. The company added that it rarely, if ever, reduces staffing when it wins a new contract. Deadly decisions Christa Sullivan was jailed in Oklahoma City in 2020 after she suffered delusions, heard voices and attacked her husband with a knife. It was the first time the 64-year-old grandmother and military wife had ever been incarcerated. She told the jail staff she had been diagnosed with anxiety, schizophrenia, insomnia, a heart condition, high cholesterol, hypertension and fatty liver disease, records show. She reported a history of suicide attempts and hallucinations. She had been prescribed medicines, including the anti-anxiety drug Ativan. Sullivan was put on the lengthy state waitlist for people who need treatment because they arent competent to stand trial. Turn Key was in charge of her care while she waited. Within a few days of her arrest, Sullivan tried to kill herself by cutting her wrists, records show. She went on to attempt suicide numerous times, trying to drown herself in a toilet and to strangle herself with an adult diaper. Sullivan repeatedly asked for Ativan, the drug shed been taking before jail. She was told it wasnt on Turn Keys approved list, known as a formulary, according to her medical records. Christa Sullivan. Credit: Courtesy of the Sullivan family In its statement, the company said it monitors Ativan and other controlled substances that are addictive and prone to abuse and use as illicit currency in a correctional setting, and added that access to those medications is closely moderated. Sullivan had been in jail for more than six months when she confronted a doctor about her access to Ativan in January 2021. He wrote in his notes: As I approach her cell, I see she is walking around naked. Not currently screaming. I greet her and she tells me You lied to me. You have Ativan here. A nurse told me. I advise her again that Ativan is not on the psychiatric formulary. Instead, records show, doctors at the jail injected her multiple times with the antipsychotic Haldol, which was on the companys list of approved drugs. Sullivan was often in deep psychosis, records show. She developed pressure sores from lying naked on the floor. Medical exams noted she was at extremely high risk for complications including sudden death. But she wasnt taken to a hospital for nearly a year. Then, twice in one week, she was sent to the emergency room to be treated for dehydration, kidney issues and injuries to her head and back and then promptly returned to jail. After Sullivans return, a doctor noted that she was showing severe signs of failure to thrive, at high risk for poor outcome. Medical records note shed lost almost 30 pounds since her initial booking, and that she was allergic to Haldol the drug Turn Key had been injecting her with. A psychiatrist finally prescribed her Ativan on March 25, 2021, records show. On April 13, 2021, she was found dead in her cell. The medical examiner labeled her cause of death undetermined. An investigation by the Oklahoma State Department of Health found the jail did not provide Sullivan adequate care, in violation of state standards. A spokeswoman for the Health Department said it referred the case to the local district attorneys office for criminal investigation. No one was charged. A spokesperson for the Oklahoma County district attorneys office said that Sullivans death happened under a previous administration, and the office didnt have records about the decision to not file charges. A lawsuit filed by Sullivans family alleges Turn Key repeatedly showed deliberate indifference to her condition and refused to transfer her to a hospital because the company didnt want to bear the cost for treatment. Turn Key has denied the allegations and contended in its response to the lawsuit that Sullivans treatment was reasonable and within the applicable standards of care. The case is scheduled for trial next year. After a suicide inside the Oklahoma County Detention Center in December 2021, the same psychiatrist whod treated Sullivan, Dr. Gabriel Cuka, emailed an entreaty to local public defenders, giving them a list of 18 inmates who need inpatient psychiatric stabilization that exceeds the capacity of the jail, records show. Basically, these individuals need forced long acting injectable antipsychotic agents, he wrote in an email. I am not saying that these inmates are incompetent in the Oklahoma legal sense of the term. These inmates are very ill and in some cases dying. Cuka no longer works for Turn Key and is a defendant in the Sullivan familys lawsuit. He declined to comment. In court filings, Cuka has denied allegations that he under-prescribed any medication or that Sullivans mental health worsened under his care. Similar problems cropped up at other jails served by Turn Key. An evaluation completed by mental health experts for the jails in Smith County, Texas, noted that detainees couldnt get long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs and the formulary limited access to drugs they had been prescribed before being jailed. A sheriffs department email we obtained shows Smith County waited weeks in early 2023 to get orders for forced medication for people with severe mental illness because the companys primary psychiatrist was out of the office. At least one person died by suicide in the jail during that time period, records show. Jason Weger, the sheriff of Eastland County, Texas, who wrote a 2022 email raising concerns about access to medications, told a local mental health authority: I am growing more and more concerned about the inmates not receiving the proper medical attention they need. Especially when it comes to the mental health people we are housing. Weger declined to comment. Turn Key didnt respond to questions about the emails from Smith and Eastland counties, but the company said it always has staff available. In mid-2023, The Marshall Project and The Frontier obtained a copy of Turn Keys formulary list after being denied copies numerous times via open records requests. Around that same time, the company stopped using it, records show. Dr. Jason Beaman, a forensic psychiatrist at Oklahoma State University who reviewed the formulary, told us it was missing a key drug for people with schizophrenia as well as many newer, more expensive long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs. When Eusebio Castillo Rodriguez was locked up in the Union County, Arkansas, jail on a DWI charge in June 2022, his documented symptoms of alcohol withdrawal a common problem in jails went untreated for more than five days, according to a lawsuit filed by his family. Most treatment protocols include a prescription for a medication to prevent deadly seizures or alcohol withdrawal delirium. Instead, a Turn Key doctor consulting over the phone prescribed a blood pressure drug, records show. The familys lawyer hired Dr. Thomas Fowlkes, a correctional medicine specialist who frequently testifies on behalf of jail health care contractors, to review Rodriguezs treatment. In his report, he wrote that Turn Keys protocols and treatment were far below the standard of care. When Rodriguezs condition became dire, jail medical staff first attempted to transport him to a local hospital in a deputys car, records show an ambulance was called after he became unresponsive. The hospital life-flighted him to a larger hospital in Little Rock, where he died days later, records show. Fowlkes wrote: The jail staff intended for Mr. Rodriguez to be merely dumped off at the hospital with no apparent concern for his wellbeing and without taking any responsibility for the serious medical condition which developed directly as a result of their lack of medical care. Cost and consequences In some of the larger counties where Turn Key had contracts, our analysis of financial data showed jails paid for additional charges for things such as COVID-19 tests and sensors designed to improve health monitoring. Counties also paid for lab tests and prescription drugs when those costs were excluded from the contracts or exceeded a threshold. In Smith County, Texas, over the three-year period we examined, the jail paid an additional $1 million to Turn Key beyond the amount for base medical services largely due to payments for certain medications. The company said in its statement that counties never paid more than the contract required. The company cultivated close relationships with law enforcement. At conferences in Arkansas, Texas, Kansas and Colorado, Turn Key raffled off hunting gear including crossbows and knives to sheriffs and deputies, according to social media posts. It treated clients to steak dinners and delivered packages of smoked bacon for Christmas, according to emails we obtained. Private equity firms have taken an interest in Turn Keys growth: Gladstone Capital Corporation invested $11 million in the company in 2021 through secured loans, records show. The Dallas-based private equity group Trive Capital acquired a majority stake in Turn Key by 2019, according to court filings and interviews. Neither firm responded to requests for comment. The company said in bid documents that its revenue grew an average of 87% a year between 2014 and 2019. But as Turn Key has grown, so has the number of lawsuits alleging its care led to deaths and injuries. In July 2023, a federal judge in Colorado denied the companys request to dismiss a lawsuit that accused a Turn Key nurse at a jail north of Denver of refusing to call an ambulance for a woman she believed was acting a fool. In fact, Amy Lynn Cross was foaming at the mouth before she died of drug toxicity. Turn Key canceled its contract with Weld County last December. In bids submitted to officials in Larimer County in northern Colorado in 2022, Turn Key officials said the company had settled only 13 lawsuits, most of them for nuisance value and for strategic benefit to our clients a record we are willing to put up against any of our competitors. The company did not answer questions about ongoing lawsuits or settlements. In its statement, the medical director said the company trusts in its front-line healthcare providers, it values input from its correctional partners, and Turn Key investigates sentinel events and incorporates lessons learned to improve outcomes. But several jails have ended their contracts with Turn Key over its level of care. Garfield County, Colorado, did so in June 2023 after Sheriff Lou Vallario said he determined the company wasnt providing enough nurses and mental health staffing. Ouachita County, in southern Arkansas, ended its contract with Turn Key after just six months, in part because the company wasnt providing many in-person visits from medical providers, said Robert McAdoo, the county executive. In September 2023, officials in Smith County, Texas, also opted not to renew Turn Keys contract. Instead, the jail will use a local hospital system for medical and psychiatric care. It will cost more money, but having in-person visits from a psychiatrist to treat people with severe mental illness is worth it, said Neal Franklin, the countys chief executive. I know theyve actually treated this individual and seen them with their own eyes and talked directly to them, he said. The cookie queen Shannon Hanchetts friends called her The Cookie Queen. Her small shop in Norman sold out of cookies nearly every day. Bethney Grove became close with Hanchett through Facebook posts about baking. The first time they met in person, Hanchett surprised Grove with a vintage beehive cookie jar decorated with bumblebees Groves favorite symbol. She did everything 1,000% whether it was laugh, tell a joke, get mad, advocate for something, Grove said. She said she had assumed that after the post-Thanksgiving encounter with police, Hanchett had been taken to a hospital or psychiatric facility not locked in jail. Top left: Kate Bierman, left, and Bethney Grove were friends of Shannon Hanchett. Top Right: Bethney shows a tattoo on her arm of the Cookie Queen, dedicated to Shannon. Bottom left: A hand towel made by a dedicated customer at the Cookie Cottage. Bottom right: The interior of the Cookie Cottage. Credit: September Dawn Bottoms for The Marshall Project Hanchetts family said they didnt want to post her $1,000 bond because they feared that if she were released without treatment, she might hurt herself or someone else. Four days after her arrest, her uncle, a lawyer, wrote a letter asking a county judge to issue an emergency order to transfer her to a local hospital. As a family we are extremely concerned about Shannon staying in jail with her current mental health issues that will continue to worsen without treatment, Michael Schade wrote. A hearing on her case was still two weeks away. Shortly after midnight on Dec. 8, Hanchett was found dead in her cell. The mental health evaluation Hanchetts family had pleaded for was scheduled to take place eight hours after her lifeless body was discovered. According to an autopsy, Hanchetts death was caused by complications from a heart defect, with contributing factors including psychosis with auditory and visual hallucinations and dehydration. In January, her widower, Daniel Hanchett, sued Turn Key and Cleveland County on behalf of his sons. She was a very loving mother and the boys were her biggest priority in life, he said. Turn Key has asked a judge to dismiss the case. In its filings, lawyers for Turn Key and its employees wrote that the case did not meet an evidentiary hurdle showing an unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain or that it was repugnant to the conscience of mankind. As in the case of Marconia Kessee, Shannon Hanchetts jail cell was video monitored. The footage remains under a protective order in federal court, so it is not public. But her familys lawyer, Daniel Smolen, said she was locked in a cell with no sink, bed or toilet for more than a week. When they finally removed her from her cell, they found her naked and so dehydrated that she couldnt even stand. Instead of calling an ambulance, they dragged her limp, naked body by the arms down a long, concrete floor, he said. Hours before Hanchett died, Smolen said, nurses didnt provide her adequate care. Instead, they mocked and laughed at her. Records show three months after Hanchetts death, Cleveland County renewed Turn Keys contract. This article was published in partnership with The Marshall Project, a nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system, and The Frontier. Sign up for The Marshall Projects newsletters, and follow them on Instagram, TikTok, Reddit and Facebook. Disclosure: AT&T and Facebook have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Big news: director and screenwriter Richard Linklater; NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher; U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-California; and Luci Baines Johnson will take the stage at The Texas Tribune Festival, Sept. 57 in downtown Austin. Buy tickets today! HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Officials say Indiana State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla and Treasurer Daniel Elliott praised action taken by the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS) to divest assets from China. Both Nieshalla and Elliot are INPRS board members. Officials say in 2023, Indiana became the first state to enact a law, Senate Enrolled Act 268, requiring the public pension system to divest within five years from any investment that is domiciled, issued, incorporated or listed in the Peoples Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party. The law passed both chambers with unanimous, bipartisan support. As of July 1, 2024, just one year later, the pension plan has divested 100 percent of the $1.2 billion investments in Chinese entities. FWPD: Man accused of shooting arrows at ex-girlfriend on Fort Waynes north side China is one of the foremost threats against our countrys national security, and INPRS has nobly exceeding the parameters set forth in the law by divesting Hoosiers pension dollars from China ASAP, Nieshalla said. By divesting from China and focusing on investments in countries that value the principles of democracy, capitalism and freedom, we are safeguarding the best financial interest of Hoosiers and our nation, said Elliott. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso Fire Departments Combined Search and Rescue Team responded to a hiker in need of assistance on Tuesday afternoon, July 30 in the Franklin Mountains, it said on its X social media account. ComSAR deployed to the Old Tin Mine Trail. One person was helped down off the mountain and was evaluated at the scene. The patient was transported for treatment of what were called minor injuries, according to the Fire Department. Monday, two hikers and a dog were helped down from the same trail by fire crews. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 week ago, more than three dozen Northern Kentucky condo owners werent sure why cracks and gaps were suddenly appearing along part of their building. It turned out to be the result of a landslide, likely caused by a nearby sewer line installation. Now, residents are stuck without a safe place to live and they want those responsible for the landslide to pay for the situation. A class action lawsuit was filed against Sanitation District No. 1 of Northern Kentucky Tuesday on behalf of residents Brittany Evans, Trey Evans, and other residents or owners who have been affected by the landslide. According to the documents, residents of Woodland Hills condominiums in Southgate want compensation for relocation costs, continued mortgage and homeowners association payments, pain and suffering, and other expenses. Woodland Hills Condominiums is located in Southgate, Kentucky. Chris Cole, Director of Enterprise Communications for SD1, told The Enquirer its the companys policy to not comment on pending litigation. Previously, the district and HOA said a relocation specialist would help residents relocate without facing financial hardship. Attorney Paul Dickman, who is representing residents, has not returned calls from The Enquirer about how many people are currently represented in the lawsuit. An active landslide On Friday, a letter from Wood + Lamping law firm, which is representing the condo homeowner's association, was placed on residents doorsteps. It said excavation and construction work from SD 1s nearby sewer project potentially caused shifting in the hillside and an active landslide was underway. The letter recommended residents vacate "as soon as possible as a precautionary measure." A Monday afternoon email from the Woodland Hills Condominium Association said the hill movement and building condition are being monitored. The association said geotechnical engineers are working to prevent more slippage and reinforce the hill. "These measures may include retaining walls, drainage systems, and other structural reinforcements," the letter said. A resident meeting is scheduled Aug. 5 where more information about the situation could be provided. No timeline for moving back into the condos has been provided. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NKY landslide: Woodland Hills residents sue sanitation district Editors Note: This story has been updated with corrected information from Gov. Ned Lamonts office on the number of living Medal of Honor recipients in Connecticut. RIDGEFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) Paul Bucha, the only living Medal of Honor recipient living in Connecticut, has died at 80. Bucha, who was honored for his service in the Vietnam War,, lived in Ridgefield. Bucha died Wednesday, according to an announcement from Gov. Ned Lamonts office. In March 1968, Bucha helped reinforcement defenses while his team was under heavy automatic fire and single-handled destroyed a bunker with grenades. He was wounded by shrapnel, ordered the withdrawal of his unit and then covered them as they retreated. He pretended to be dead to help another soldier and then continued helping the defense, including using flashlights where enemy snipers could see him. He went on to lead a rescue party to retrieve the dead and wounded. Paul Bucha is an American hero whose service to our country inspired many, including those who went on themselves to make the selfless decision to enlist in the military, Lamont said in a written statement. Following his military service, he went on to work with several organizations that provide services to veterans and the military community. Paul Bucha was a courageous and dedicated champion of our nation and a defender of freedom, and he represents some of the very best of Connecticut. On behalf of the State of Connecticut, I express my condolences to his wife Cynthia and the entire Bucha family, and I urge the residents of our state to reflect on those who bravely served in the Vietnam War. According to Lamonts office, there are two living recipients of the Medal of Honor who are from Connecticut Allan J. Kellog, Jr., and Harvey Barnum, Jr. but they do not live in the state. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Megan Thee Stallion performs onstage at a presidential campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris at the Georgia State Convocation Center on July 30, 2024, in Atlanta. - Credit: Julia Beverly/Getty Images Megan Thee Stallions performance at Vice President Kamala Harris first presidential campaign rally turned up the heat. As the rapper coined the slogan Hotties for Harris at the Atlanta event, conservatives got fired up to the point of melting down. The performance at the Georgia State Convocation Center looked nothing like Megans headlining set at State Farm Arena in the city earlier this month. Sure, she had her backing dancers and a set list featuring her sit songs Savage, Girls in the Hood, and Body. But the rapper censored her lyrics, swapped out her shimmering leotard for a sleek blue pantsuit, and reeled in the twerking. Still, by the pearl-clutching, misogynoir-spewing reactions from conservatives, you would think Megan had performed an uncensored version of her NSFW Cardi B collaboration WAP with a live-action demonstration of each lyric. More from Rolling Stone The Left Wing movement is pure ghetto trash, one right-wing commentator wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He went on to provide a list of movements favoring the presumptive Democratic nominee: Hoes for Harris, Hoodrats for Harris, Single Black Momalas for Kamala, White Dudes for Harris. Many replies beneath the post rightfully call out the racism embedded in this tone, as well as the clear double standard. Trump has Kid Rock, one reply reads. Whats the difference? Another added: Using racist inflammatory language to get attention as a grown man is WEIRD. The conservative nonprofit CatholicVote wrote: Kamala Harris handlers just trotted out talentless rapper Megan Thee Stallion to twerk and gyrate in front of a rally crowd while barely rapping her song because its so explicit to advocate for abortion. The song in question was Body, the second-to-last song in her four-track set. Before it began, she said: Now I know my ladies in the crowd love their bodies. And you want to keep loving your body you know who to vote for! Another user wrote: I love that after the rally Harris had featuring Megan Thee Stallion Hoes for Harris is trending. But it is very interesting to see that Kamala Harris has to resort to a gyrating rapper to pull the crowds Trump can. Trump himself chimed into the conversation, further spurring his supporters. Crazy Kamala Harris, voted the WORST Vice President in American history, needed a concert to bring people into the Atlanta arena, and they started leaving 5 minutes into her speech, the former president wrote on TruthSocial. I dont need concerts or entertainers, I just have to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! Elsewhere in the performance, Megan declared, Im so happy to be here Atlanta! Were about to make history with the first female president. The first Black female president! Lets get this done! Her performance began about an hour into the two-hour-long event. While waiting for Harris to make her entrance after Megan exited the stage, the crowd remained lively. Kendrick Lamars Not Like Us blared through the venue, and the camera panned to a section where a group of young people rapped along while waiting for the VP clips of which are already going viral. Harris walked out to the sound of Beyonces Freedom, her official campaign song. Applause for the candidate sustained for nearly two full minutes from the moment she reached the podium, waiting for the volume to subside so she could begin speaking. One conservative news outlet ran an article with the tagline: Come check out Kamalas free Megan Thee Stallion concert in Atlanta last night, featuring the VPs new accent! Harris, it should be noted, was born in Oakland and spent her preteen years in Berkeley, in addition to attending Howard University and being a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Despite claims that she was faking an accent to sound more black,' other users noted, This is Kamala in community, not code-switching. Get into it. A large portion of the critical reactions being wielded at both Harris and Megan lack the same fundamental understanding of the exact culture and identity they seek to critique. I am very clear, Harris said early in her speech. The path to the White House runs right through this state. Best of Rolling Stone Doctors from the Alabama Fertility Clinic take photos of the votes as Alabama lawmakers consider an IVF bill in March in Montgomery, Ala. Lawmakers in several Republican-led states have introduced legislation promoting fetal personhood, the idea that fetuses and embryos are entitled to the same rights as people. Butch Dill/The Associated Press When Missourians head to the polls in November, they may get to vote on whether to overturn their states near-total abortion ban and legalize abortions up to the point of fetal viability. But one lawmaker says the results of that vote may not matter if his colleagues approve his bill declaring that fetuses are people. Missouri state Rep. Brian Seitz, a Republican, plans to reintroduce a bill in January that would grant unborn children the same rights as newborns, building on a similar Missouri law that has been on the books since the 1980s. Seitz said the bill would provide protections for embryos and fetuses regardless of that vote in November. Absolute abortion bans remain unpopular, even in conservative-led states and among Republican women. So during this legislative session, many GOP state lawmakers pivoted to protecting the rights of fertilized eggs, embryos and fetuses. And when the national Republican Party released its official platform in July, it made no mention of a federal abortion ban. Instead, the GOP affirmed states prerogative to pass laws protecting life under the Constitutions 14th Amendment, which has been used in legal arguments to support fetal personhood. Fetal personhood, a longtime cornerstone of the anti-abortion movement, is the idea that a fetus, embryo or fertilized egg has the same legal rights as a person who has been born. If the law considers fetuses to be people, the thinking goes, then abortion would legally be considered murder. At least 19 states either through state law, criminal statutes or case law have declared that fetuses at some stage of pregnancy are people, according to a 2023 report from Pregnancy Justice, a nonprofit that conducts research and advocates for the rights of pregnant people, including the right to abortion. When a pregnant persons rights conflict with fetal rights, fetal rights tend to trump them. Rebecca Kluchin, researcher and professor at California State University, Sacramento Missouri is one of several Republican-led states where lawmakers have taken a renewed interest in fetal personhood legislation in the two years since the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade and dismantled the federal constitutional right to abortion. If you elevate a fetus to the status of a person and grant it citizenship rights equal to that of a pregnant person, then now you have a clash of rights, said Rebecca Kluchin, a history professor at California State University, Sacramento, who is writing a book on the history of efforts to establish fetal personhood in the United States. Kluchin said one goal of the recent fetal personhood bills is to get a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Dobbs decision, and the conservative bent of the current court, have created an environment where lawmakers are saying, Lets try it, she said. If one of them gets it right, then others can pass identical laws. Seitz thinks his bill could fulfill that purpose. If it does get to the Supreme Court, due to the makeup of the court right now, I think they would see this commonsense legislation is, in fact, truth, he said. Critics, meanwhile, warn of legal chaos. The possible implications of fetal personhood bills extend far beyond abortion to fertility treatments, birth control and even child tax credits. In states that have enacted such laws, pregnant women have faced criminal charges for actions that might harm their pregnancies. When a pregnant persons rights conflict with fetal rights, Kluchin said, fetal rights tend to trump them. IVFs chilling effect Seitzs bill didnt make it out of committee before Missouris legislative session ended in May. He attributed that failure to the GOPs reluctance to push an anti-abortion bill in an election year, a concern that might have been justified: Missouri abortion rights supporters gathered more than double the number of signatures needed to get their constitutional amendment on the ballot. As of press time, the ballot petition signatures were still being reviewed by local and state officials. But Seitz said the bill will be the first he introduces when the legislature returns in January. With election season behind them, he said, I think it will be very easy for my Republican colleagues to come on board and support this. Conservative lawmakers in Alaska, Illinois, South Carolina and West Virginia introduced similar fetal personhood bills in their most recent legislative sessions, though none made it out of committee. Then in February, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos created through in vitro fertilization are children under state law, and that people can be held liable for destroying them. The court cited Alabamas constitutional amendment, passed by voters in 2018, that confers personhood on fetuses and affirms the states responsibility to protect the rights of unborn children. The courts decision generated a national uproar, ignited bipartisan ire and halted fertility treatments statewide until Alabamas Republican supermajority legislature hastily passed a law protecting fertility service providers. The backlash underscored how many lawmakers hadnt fully considered the far-reaching implications and legal bedlam that can be created by fetal personhood laws. And it had a chilling effect on fetal personhood bills. In February, a Florida Republican state senator sidelined her bill that would have covered fetuses under wrongful death lawsuits after some lawmakers worried it would hurt IVF providers. In March, the Iowa House passed a bill to criminalize the death of an unborn person, but Republicans in the Senate declined to take up the bill over concerns it could criminalize IVF. Similarly, the Kentucky House refused to hear a bill that the Senate passed that would have granted the right to retroactively collect child support for costs incurred during pregnancy. Through the back door Last year, Arizona Republican state Rep. Matt Gress introduced five pregnancy-related bills that he said were inspired by his experience growing up in a family headed by a single mother. Im the youngest of four and raised by a single mom in a single-wide trailer house in rural Oklahoma. We grew up very poor, Gress said in an interview with Stateline. These bills, to me, represented a policy approach that helps women and families. One of the bills would have allowed families to retroactively claim child tax credits in the year before a baby is born; another would have allowed pregnant women to drive alone in a highway car pool lane, their fetus counting as a separate passenger. Yet another bill would have allowed a woman, after having a baby, to collect child support backdated to the date of her positive pregnancy test. Arizonas Democratic state legislators accused Gress of taking a back-door approach to inserting fetal personhood language into state law. But Gress denies that codifying fetal personhood was his intent. That didnt even cross my mind, he said. The way I read the bills, there were no rights being afforded to anybody besides women and families. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Gress noted that he was the first Republican, and one of the few, who supported Democratic state legislators bid to repeal Arizonas near-total abortion ban, which dated to 1864. The repeal effort eventually succeeded in early May. Arizonas legislature passed two of Gress pregnancy bills, but Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed both. Gress said he doesnt intend to reintroduce the bills unless a new governor is elected who might support them. Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Missouri tried but failed to pass similar fetal child support laws this year. Georgias 2019 heartbeat law, which went into effect in 2022, grants child support benefits for fetuses. Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana, now the speaker of the House, introduced a similar bill in Congress in 2022, and was explicit about its purpose. In a statement, he called it a first step toward updating federal laws to reflect that life begins at conception. Beyond abortion Fetal personhood laws, like abortion bans, end up having broader effects on all pregnant people and pregnancy-related care, said Dr. Daniel Grossman, an OB-GYN and the director of Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, a research program at the University of California, San Francisco, which focuses on abortion and reproductive health. Grossman points to cases in which pregnant patients experiencing obstetric emergencies had to be airlifted out of states with strict abortion bans, such as Idaho, because doctors were afraid of violating the law. In states such as Florida, North Carolina and Texas, pregnant women who werent seeking abortions but who experienced possible miscarriages or other emergencies have been turned away from hospitals. Stories of pregnant women being turned away from emergency rooms spiked after Roe was overturned, a recent Associated Press investigation found. Fetal personhood has implications for birth control, too. Hormonal contraceptive methods such as IUDs and birth control pills typically work by preventing an egg from being fertilized, but theres a small chance that some forms can also prevent a fertilized egg from being implanted in the uterus, said Grossman. So, if state law considers a fertilized egg a person, that could create a legal basis for banning any contraception that could possibly prevent implantation. Grossman also worries about increased scrutiny these laws create for people who experience miscarriage or stillbirth. Before Dobbs, people were arrested and criminally prosecuted for allegedly trying to end a pregnancy on their own, he said. Im already concerned thats going to become more common, especially in places with fetal personhood laws. The laws also have resulted in women being criminally charged for actions that might harm their pregnancies, said Lourdes Rivera, president of Pregnancy Justice. Riveras organization documented nearly 1,400 instances of pregnant women being charged, often for substance use, in the 16 years leading up to the June 2022 Dobbs decision. Most of the cases occurred in a handful of Southern states including Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee that have expanded their definitions of child abuse to include fetuses, fertilized eggs and embryos. Nearly 85% of pregnancy criminalization cases in the Pregnancy Justice report involved charges against a pregnant person who was legally indigent, and the laws were disproportionately applied to poor women and women of color, Rivera said. These laws are forcing pregnant people to give up their bodily autonomy, their health and well-being, she said, and to be surveilled and criminalized for actions that would not be criminal if they were done by people who were not pregnant. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Doctors from the Alabama Fertility Clinic take photos of the votes as Alabama lawmakers consider an IVF bill in March in Montgomery, Ala. Lawmakers in several Republican-led states have introduced legislation promoting fetal personhood, the idea that fetuses and embryos are entitled to the same rights as people. (Butch Dill/The Associated Press) This story originally appeared on Stateline. When Missourians head to the polls in November, they may get to vote on whether to overturn their states near-total abortion ban and legalize abortions up to the point of fetal viability. But one lawmaker says the results of that vote may not matter if his colleagues approve his bill declaring that fetuses are people. Missouri state Rep. Brian Seitz, a Republican, plans to reintroduce a bill in January that would grant unborn children the same rights as newborns, building on a similar Missouri law that has been on the books since the 1980s. Seitz said the bill would provide protections for embryos and fetuses regardless of that vote in November. Absolute abortion bans remain unpopular, even in conservative-led states and among Republican women. So during this legislative session, many GOP state lawmakers pivoted to protecting the rights of fertilized eggs, embryos and fetuses. And when the national Republican Party released its official platform in July, it made no mention of a federal abortion ban. Instead, the GOP affirmed states prerogative to pass laws protecting life under the Constitutions 14th Amendment, which has been used in legal arguments to support fetal personhood. Fetal personhood, a longtime cornerstone of the anti-abortion movement, is the idea that a fetus, embryo or fertilized egg has the same legal rights as a person who has been born. If the law considers fetuses to be people, the thinking goes, then abortion would legally be considered murder. At least 19 states either through state law, criminal statutes or case law have declared that fetuses at some stage of pregnancy are people, according to a 2023 report from Pregnancy Justice, a nonprofit that conducts research and advocates for the rights of pregnant people, including the right to abortion. When a pregnant persons rights conflict with fetal rights, fetal rights tend to trump them. Rebecca Kluchin, researcher and professor at California State University, Sacramento Missouri is one of several Republican-led states where lawmakers have taken a renewed interest in fetal personhood legislation in the two years since the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade and dismantled the federal constitutional right to abortion. If you elevate a fetus to the status of a person and grant it citizenship rights equal to that of a pregnant person, then now you have a clash of rights, said Rebecca Kluchin, a history professor at California State University, Sacramento, who is writing a book on the history of efforts to establish fetal personhood in the United States. Kluchin said one goal of the recent fetal personhood bills is to get a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Dobbs decision, and the conservative bent of the current court, have created an environment where lawmakers are saying, Lets try it, she said. If one of them gets it right, then others can pass identical laws. Seitz thinks his bill could fulfill that purpose. If it does get to the Supreme Court, due to the makeup of the court right now, I think they would see this commonsense legislation is, in fact, truth, he said. Critics, meanwhile, warn of legal chaos. The possible implications of fetal personhood bills extend far beyond abortion to fertility treatments, birth control and even child tax credits. In states that have enacted such laws, pregnant women have faced criminal charges for actions that might harm their pregnancies. When a pregnant persons rights conflict with fetal rights, Kluchin said, fetal rights tend to trump them. IVFs chilling effect Seitzs bill didnt make it out of committee before Missouris legislative session ended in May. He attributed that failure to the GOPs reluctance to push an anti-abortion bill in an election year, a concern that might have been justified: Missouri abortion rights supporters gathered more than double the number of signatures needed to get their constitutional amendment on the ballot. As of press time, the ballot petition signatures were still being reviewed by local and state officials. But Seitz said the bill will be the first he introduces when the legislature returns in January. With election season behind them, he said, I think it will be very easy for my Republican colleagues to come on board and support this. Conservative lawmakers in Alaska, Illinois, South Carolina and West Virginia introduced similar fetal personhood bills in their most recent legislative sessions, though none made it out of committee. Then in February, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos created through in vitro fertilization are children under state law, and that people can be held liable for destroying them. The court cited Alabamas constitutional amendment, passed by voters in 2018, that confers personhood on fetuses and affirms the states responsibility to protect the rights of unborn children. The courts decision generated a national uproar, ignited bipartisan ire and halted fertility treatments statewide until Alabamas Republican supermajority legislature hastily passed a law protecting fertility service providers. The backlash underscored how many lawmakers hadnt fully considered the far-reaching implications and legal bedlam that can be created by fetal personhood laws. And it had a chilling effect on fetal personhood bills. In February, a Florida Republican state senator sidelined her bill that would have covered fetuses under wrongful death lawsuits after some lawmakers worried it would hurt IVF providers. In March, the Iowa House passed a bill to criminalize the death of an unborn person, but Republicans in the Senate declined to take up the bill over concerns it could criminalize IVF. Similarly, the Kentucky House refused to hear a bill that the Senate passed that would have granted the right to retroactively collect child support for costs incurred during pregnancy. Through the back door Last year, Arizona Republican state Rep. Matt Gress introduced five pregnancy-related bills that he said were inspired by his experience growing up in a family headed by a single mother. Im the youngest of four and raised by a single mom in a single-wide trailer house in rural Oklahoma. We grew up very poor, Gress said in an interview with Stateline. These bills, to me, represented a policy approach that helps women and families. One of the bills would have allowed families to retroactively claim child tax credits in the year before a baby is born; another would have allowed pregnant women to drive alone in a highway car pool lane, their fetus counting as a separate passenger. Yet another bill would have allowed a woman, after having a baby, to collect child support backdated to the date of her positive pregnancy test. Arizonas Democratic state legislators accused Gress of taking a back-door approach to inserting fetal personhood language into state law. But Gress denies that codifying fetal personhood was his intent. That didnt even cross my mind, he said. The way I read the bills, there were no rights being afforded to anybody besides women and families. Gress noted that he was the first Republican, and one of the few, who supported Democratic state legislators bid to repeal Arizonas near-total abortion ban, which dated to 1864. The repeal effort eventually succeeded in early May. Arizonas legislature passed two of Gress pregnancy bills, but Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed both. Gress said he doesnt intend to reintroduce the bills unless a new governor is elected who might support them. Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Missouri tried but failed to pass similar fetal child support laws this year. Georgias 2019 heartbeat law, which went into effect in 2022, grants child support benefits for fetuses. Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana, now the speaker of the House, introduced a similar bill in Congress in 2022, and was explicit about its purpose. In a statement, he called it a first step toward updating federal laws to reflect that life begins at conception. Beyond abortion Fetal personhood laws, like abortion bans, end up having broader effects on all pregnant people and pregnancy-related care, said Dr. Daniel Grossman, an OB-GYN and the director of Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, a research program at the University of California, San Francisco, which focuses on abortion and reproductive health. Grossman points to cases in which pregnant patients experiencing obstetric emergencies had to be airlifted out of states with strict abortion bans, such as Idaho, because doctors were afraid of violating the law. In states such as Florida, North Carolina and Texas, pregnant women who werent seeking abortions but who experienced possible miscarriages or other emergencies have been turned away from hospitals. Stories of pregnant women being turned away from emergency rooms spiked after Roe was overturned, a recent Associated Press investigation found. Fetal personhood has implications for birth control, too. Hormonal contraceptive methods such as IUDs and birth control pills typically work by preventing an egg from being fertilized, but theres a small chance that some forms can also prevent a fertilized egg from being implanted in the uterus, said Grossman. So, if state law considers a fertilized egg a person, that could create a legal basis for banning any contraception that could possibly prevent implantation. Grossman also worries about increased scrutiny these laws create for people who experience miscarriage or stillbirth. Before Dobbs, people were arrested and criminally prosecuted for allegedly trying to end a pregnancy on their own, he said. Im already concerned thats going to become more common, especially in places with fetal personhood laws. The laws also have resulted in women being criminally charged for actions that might harm their pregnancies, said Lourdes Rivera, president of Pregnancy Justice. Riveras organization documented nearly 1,400 instances of pregnant women being charged, often for substance use, in the 16 years leading up to the June 2022 Dobbs decision. Most of the cases occurred in a handful of Southern states including Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee that have expanded their definitions of child abuse to include fetuses, fertilized eggs and embryos. Nearly 85% of pregnancy criminalization cases in the Pregnancy Justice report involved charges against a pregnant person who was legally indigent, and the laws were disproportionately applied to poor women and women of color, Rivera said. These laws are forcing pregnant people to give up their bodily autonomy, their health and well-being, she said, and to be surveilled and criminalized for actions that would not be criminal if they were done by people who were not pregnant. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (WATE) Work has begun to build a next-generation nuclear reactor in Oak Ridge, marking the latest development in the citys noted nuclear legacy. Site work and excavation began earlier this month at the former site of the K-25 Gaseous Diffusion Process Building. It will eventually house the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor, the first and only Gen IV reactor to be approved for construction by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Report: Tennessee among top states for DUI fatalities during peak wedding season Hermes is the first nuclear build by Kairos Power. The company has committed to invest at least $100 million and create 55+ high-paying, full-time jobs in East Tennessee to support Hermes construction and operation. Officials are targeting an operational date in 2027. Workers started excavation at the Hermes site in Oak Ridge on July 17, 2024 (Photo via Kairos Power) Workers started excavation at the Hermes site in Oak Ridge on July 17, 2024 (Photo via Kairos Power) One of the largest facilities at Y-12 nears demolition as crews move utilities Scientists envision Gen IV reactors eventually succeeding those that are currently in operation, most of which are considered second or third-generation reactors. Hermes will be the first non-light-water reactor (non-LWR) to be permitted in the U.S. in over 50 years. According to the U.S. Nuclear Regulator Commission, non-LWRs use different technologies from existing reactors such as passive safety features, different fuels or coolants, or scaling the entire reactor smaller. The fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor will not produce electricity. It will demonstrate the ability to produce affordable nuclear heat, which can be used for a variety of industrial applications. Kairos Power CEO Mike Laufer told 6 News in 2021 that the technology used for Hermes would create a safer environment compared to the nuclear sources we have now. 6 lbs. of queso tossed at Crossville restaurant during inspection Such a power plant will not have a meltdown if it has an accident, State Rep. John Ragen (R-Oak Ridge) said in 2021. It would have a freeze-up. While it would destroy the reactor, it wouldnt be a big particularly problem for those around it. The U.S. Department of Energy will invest up to $303 million in the project to support Hermes design, construction, and commissioning. Kairos Power has also established a cooperative development agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority to provide engineering, operations, and licensing support for Hermes. See more top stories on WATE.com Hermes is a pivotal step toward deploying advanced reactor technology with the potential to transform our energy landscape, said Laufer. The lessons we take away from the construction and operation of this reactor will be invaluable to enable continued innovation in our testing program and accelerate Kairos Powers progress toward delivering true cost certainty to our customers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. JERUSALEM/GAZA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Within 24 hours, Israeli forces allegedly assassinated a top Hezbollah commander and Hamas's chief political leader, moves likely to heighten regional violence and jeopardize ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Before dawn, Hamas's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in an airstrike in Iranian capital Tehran, who was there to attend the inauguration of Iran's new president. Both Iran and Hamas attributed the attack to Israel, though Israeli officials have yet to confirm their involvement. Hours before the assassination, Israeli forces executed airstrikes in Beirut, killing Fouad Shokor, a senior Hezbollah commander in retaliation for a rocket attack that killed 12 youngsters in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights over the weekend. Following warnings of harsh retaliation from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, Israel was bracing itself for "days of fighting," a government official told Xinhua. The country was closing its airspace from the north to central Israel, but the Defense Ministry said in a statement that there was no change to the Homefront Command's defensive guidelines for civilians. The killings could provoke retaliation from Hezbollah and its ally Iran, and may prompt Hamas to withdraw from months of Gaza truce negotiations. Israel's state-owned Kan TV news, citing Israeli diplomatic sources involved in the negotiations, reported that Haniyeh was a key figure in the talks, and his assassination is expected to "significantly impact" the negotiations. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's chief negotiator, expressed doubts about the continuation of talks. "Political assassinations and the continued targeting of civilians in Gaza during negotiations lead us to ask: how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side? Peace needs serious partners," he wrote on the social media platform X. Egypt, which leads the negotiations alongside Qatar, condemned the attacks. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stated that the killings "further complicate" the talks and undermine efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire and negotiate the release of over 100 hostages held by Hamas. Israel has repeatedly threatened to kill all Hamas leaders involved in the Oct. 7 surprise attack last year, including Haniyeh. However, his assassination came at a sensitive time, just as mediators awaited Hamas's response to a revised deal proposal from Israel. Nimrod Goren, a senior fellow for Israeli Affairs at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, told Xinhua that the timing might have been influenced by "an operational opportunity" due to Haniyeh's presence in Iran rather than in Qatar or Turkiye, where Israel avoids such attacks. "It could also be tied to other events happening in Lebanon and Iraq, showcasing the linkage between the different components of the Iran axis," he said. Retaliation attempts and "some sort of escalation" are expected, but international mediators should work to prevent it from spilling over into a full-fledged war, Goren said. Ori Goldberg, an Israeli political commentator, thinks that an all-out regional war is unlikely. "Neither side wants a war," Goldberg said. According to Goldberg, Israel is overextended with domestic turmoil and the ongoing Gaza war, depleting its resources, while Hezbollah, facing severe conditions in Lebanon, risks losing power if war occurs. Ahmed Rafiq Awad, a Ramallah-based political expert, told Xinhua that the assassination will no doubt impede the truce talks and lead to the continuation of the war in the Gaza Strip. The expert noted that the axis of resistance might respond to the attack with "large and dangerous" operations, further expanding the current conflict. Jihad Harb, a Ramallah-based analyst, said the assassinations in Lebanon and Iran portrayed Netanyahu before the Israeli public that he can make decisions regarding the operation, and restores confidence and part of the deterrence on the external level for the Israeli army. Harb noted that it is still too early to predict the possibility of a regional war, but there's a chance that the Iranian government will respond to the attack at a certain time, and Israel and Hezbollah expand their confrontations on the northern front. Enditem (Nick Kolyohin from Jerusalem also contributed to the story.) Contest to help improve California roads offers up to $500 prize BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The roads in California can be dangerous, where roughly 12 people die every day. Caltrans and the California Office of Traffic Safety wants your help in making the roads safer and they want to reward the best ideas. The agencies are holding the Safer Roads Contest: What Drives you to Make California Roads Safer. DWI vs. DUI: Is there a difference? You can share what makes you a traffic-safety champion and make a commitment to taking the Traffic Safety Champion pledge for the chance to win up to $500 in cash gift cards. To enter the contest, go to this website and write, in 100 words or less, how you commit to making California roads safer. Then complete the safety pledge. Next, design and create a yard sign about how you commit to change, overcome dangerous driving behavior and submit a photo of the sign. Finally, show your support for Caltrans, law enforcement, first responders and other highway workers by posting a photo of yourself wearing orange to social media and use the hashtag #BeWorkZoneAlert. Each step is worth up to 100 points, except the yard sign, which is worth as many as 200 points. A panel of judges will review the completed tasks and rank them from highest number to lowest. Creativity, clarity of message and impact will all be part of the judging criteria. The entry deadline is Aug. 29, 2024. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. In October 2019, 6 acres of land was deeded back to the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe by the town of Plymouth. The town meeting petition received overwhelming support from town caucus and committee members, said Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe Chairwoman Melissa Ferretti. But when on May 16, about five years later, the Plymouth Area League of Women Voters requested that a land acknowledgement be routinely read at the beginning of every Committee of Precinct Chairs meeting, the request was rebuffed by some members, said Ferretti. "It was like a punch in the gut. My heart went in my throat, and I thought I was going to cry," said Ferretti, who is also vice chair of the Bourne Select Board. "We've had wonderful and supportive relationships with the town of Plymouth. I didn't expect that reaction." In Plymouth, town meeting is a 135-member body of elected representatives divided into 18 precincts, serving as representatives for the town's approximately 60,000 residents. The Committee of Precinct Chairs, comprising all 18 precinct chairs, facilitates the business of town meeting and makes recommendations to the town meeting and the moderator, according to the town meeting handbook. 07/30/24 PLYMOUTH Melissa Ferretti at the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe's meeting house in Plymouth. Steve Heaslip/Cape Cod Times What is a land acknowledgement? Land acknowledgements are a few sentences that are read at the beginning of public and private gatherings like school programs, sporting events, and town meetings, Ferretti said. It's a way to recognize and appreciate Indigenous people as original stewards of the land, she said. In 2021, the Truro Select Board introduced a land acknowledgement statement, which is now read at the beginning of every town meeting, according to the town website. Other towns and cities such as Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Northampton and Springfield-Agawam have also adopted land acknowledgement statements. Plymouth Area League of Women Voters Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Chair Phoebe Flynn proposed the land acknowledgement at the May 16 meeting. "Initially I didn't mind the questions and concern," said Flynn. "But as the discussions continued, there was a lot of ignorance and their arguments were vapid and baseless." Committee of Precinct Chairs member Alan Costello said that a land acknowledgement could have legal implications and could lead to reparations for Wampanoag tribe members, and land back initiatives. "If they softened the language a little bit and made it a little more acceptable, I would have had less of a problem with it," Costello said in a phone interview. In a letter sent to a Plymouth publication, members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe said the Plymouth committee's pushback displays a continued lack of cultural literacy and understanding. "These acknowledgments encourage the public to reflect on the past, including the forced removal of Indigenous communities from the lands weve inhabited," the letter states. What does the Plymouth land acknowledgement say? The proposed land acknowledgement states, in part: "We acknowledge that we are meeting on the sacred land of the Wampanoag Nation. We honor the Herring Pond Wampanoag people as the original stewards of this place now known as Plymouth ... As we acknowledge many historical injustices, may we keep the first peoples of this land in our hearts and minds as we discuss issues affecting these valuable members of our community and their ancestral homelands today." The statement was updated from a land acknowledgement written by the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe in 2019 for Plymouth's Open Space Committee, said Ferretti. Groups like the League and the Plymouth No Place for Hate Committee adopted the land acknowledgement in April for their own meetings. But it's Flynn's goal, she said, to have a land acknowledgement routinely read at every town meeting. No Place For Hate Treasurer Jon Plate spoke at the May 16 Committee of Precinct Chairs meeting and said the statement takes less than a minute to read. During the meeting, Costello questioned the wording. "Are we saying that the land presently is sacred land of the Wampanoag Tribe or Nation? It's not owned by the people of Plymouth?" Costello said. Flynn said, at the meeting, that Plymouth is closely related to its Native American counterparts and the statement is an important step toward equity and inclusion for all citizens. Committee member Patricia Adelmann called the statement "touching," and said it was appropriate for the committee to consider. "I think it's well worth recognizing," said Adelmann. The committee tabled the discussion until its June 20 meeting and asked Flynn to provide additional information surrounding land acknowledgements. A referral to town counsel Ahead of the June 20 meeting, Flynn sent a 27-page document to the committee members, she said. The document gave examples of historical injustices Native Americans have faced, the use of land acknowledgements across the state, and what land acknowledgements mean when it comes to property rights. At the June 20 meeting, committee member Betty Cavacco said she wouldn't consider or discuss a land acknowledgement until town counsel Kate McKay researched legal implications. "We have a town counsel that would review language we would accept," Cavacco said. 'These are not new' In response to Cavacco, and other committee members, Ferretti said at the meeting that concern over legal implications connected to a land acknowledgement was questionable. "These are not new. It's done all over campuses, universities and even City Hall in Boston. This is done all over the state," Ferretti said. "Think about how this looks. That we are arguing and worrying about acknowledging the original people that live here. If that's too much, I'm a little saddened." In a June 25 email to committee chair Matthew Tavares, McKay said the legal significance of land acknowledgments is unclear and may have future binding implications. "Responding to and managing multiple requests for acknowledgments from individual groups also runs the risk of claims of unintentionally elevating the status of one group at the expense of another," said McKay in the email. According to Tavares, McKay wrote the email before becoming aware of Flynn's 27-page document. McKay is expected to give an opinion on the legality of land acknowledgements at the committee's Aug. 15 meeting. McKay could not be reached by the Times for comment. "Everything you do nowadays has legal implications," Costello told the Times. "So let's have town counsel give us a decision and dispel it." Costello also feels it's the Select Board that should be creating policy. "When you make policy and town-wide decisions, thats where this should have started. We shouldnt be making decisions on a lower level," said Costello. 'Those historical injustices' In the 27 pages, Flynn noted historical conflicts between Wampanoag people and European settlers. Flynn's research touched upon Coles Hill and Plymouth Town Square plaques that speak to historical injustices that the town has formally recognized, she said. The plaques, Flynn said, tell the story about the fate of Wampanoag leader Metacomet (King Philip), and the National Day of Mourning, which is recognized by Indigenous people and allies during the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. "These plaques show that Plymouth acknowledges and accepts these events and the history that's made us what we are today," said Flynn. Costello argues that a land acknowledgement is a foundation for something further down the road. In addition to possible reparations and land title issues, he believes Plymouth monuments, street names and memorials that are named for Pilgrim leaders like Myles Standish could be eradicated and changed. "No one in this room partook in any of those historical injustices," said Costello. "I wonder and worry that this is groundwork for something bigger." Ferretti told committee members that the tribe's history is intertwined with the land now known as Plymouth. Before there was a Plymouth, a Massachusetts, and an America, she said, there were the Wampanoag people. "The arrival of Pilgrims brought about profound changes a lot that were painful. Their arrival led to a society that we are all part of today," she said. "As we look back on shared history, it's important to acknowledge contributions of Wampanoag people. It's a vital thread and tapestry of shared history." Editor's note: This story was changed on Aug. 20, 2024, to correct the number of Plymouth precincts. Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney. 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: Tribal land acknowledgement request hits snag with Plymouth committee Coons says Biden is looking forward and optimistic about the future after exiting race Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) on Tuesday said President Biden is positive about the future and looking forward after withdrawing from the presidential election last week. When asked on Fox News if Biden was bitter or upset about the mounting pressure he faced from Democrats to step down, Coons said, No. Coons, who was the co-chair of Bidens reelection campaign, pointed to the presidents speech in Austin, Texas, on Monday, during which he laid out his reform proposal for the Supreme Court for his last six months in office. He is looking forward. Part of the point of the speech he delivered in Austin yesterday was to lay the foundation for what he intends to do, both in the last six months of his presidency and after the presidency, Coons said. And the other thing he did yesterday is just a reminder of Joe Bidens spirit and personality. After we went to Austin, he flew to Houston to pay his respects for a member of Congress [the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas)] who recently passed. Any other president, knowing he wasnt running again, knowing there wasnt any political upside, might have made a brief appearance, he added. Coons extolled Bidens compassion and commitment. One of the things I have always admired about Joe Biden is his compassion, his commitment to others, his grace. And so I spent the day with him yesterday. He is optimistic about the future. He is supporting Kamala Harris for president, Coons added. Coonss comments come just over a week since Biden announced he would not seek reelection to the Oval Office and endorsed Vice President Harris to run as his successor. It followed weeks of mounting pressure from some within his party to step aside after he had a disastrous debate showing against former President Trump and raised concerns he may not be able to defeat the former president at the polls. Harris quickly consolidated support among Democrats last week and became the partys likely presidential nominee within days of launching her official campaign. Her entrance and Bidens exit have immediately changed the nature of the race, with polling showing a close race and Democrats seemingly more energized by Harris than the incumbent. Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto then asked Coons if the party returned Bidens optimism, suggesting Democrats instead acted conniving and opportunistic. Coons appeared to dodge the question, responding, Well, many of us who support Joe Biden as our president and who look forward to his leadership in our party at the convention this fall and next year and into the future. [Democrats] are looking forward to demonstrating just how much we respect and admire our accomplished president, whos done so much on the world stage and here at home for America, for our middle class, and for our security, Coons added. Coons remained a loyal supporter of Biden, stating just days before the president announced his withdrawal that Biden would be the strongest choice to challenge Trump. In doing so, Coons touted Bidens record of the last three and a half years, calling him an exceptional president. I fully support the president. Hes told me hes in it to win it. Im with him 100% because I know he can beat Trump just like he did last time, he posted on the social platform X at the time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Oconee County Sheriffs Office has released a tribute video for Deputy Lucas Watts, who was shot in the head during a traffic stop last November and named Deputy of The Year earlier this month. Watts makes his first public statement at the end. Thank you all for what youve done for me, Watts said. It means a lot. Deputy of the Year is given by the South Carolina Sheriffs Association. Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw nominated Watts for the award. The video included Crenshaw, who said he had known Watts since he was a little boy, Watts brother Logan, Pastor of Earles Grove Baptist Church James Dyar and numerous officers talking about what a great officer he was, calling him a cops cop. Often, Watts would do something exceptional and never tell anyone about it, Tommy Compton, Watts former supervisor said. Watts was not able to attend the associations banquet in Myrtle Beach. His brother, an officer with the State Law Enforcement Division, accepted the award for him. Last November, Crenshaw recounted the scene when Watts was all but dead during a church service at First Baptist Church Westminster. Watts was at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, but when his wife Haley came in and touched him, he moved as a tear rolled down his cheek. He was rushed into surgery and survived. Crenshaw described it as a dead man coming back to life and credited prayer. Watts returned home in May after 189 days in the hospital and in rehab. Gregory Wayne Maxwell, 50, was charged with five counts of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Cornel West doing press outside the Democratic presidential debate in Detroit, Aug. 1, 2019 | Susan J. Demas Professor and independent presidential candidate Cornel West could be blocked from the ballot in Michigan, after a Bay City community activist filed a complaint alleging Wests qualifying petitions were rife with forged signatures. Rosa Holliday, a longtime civil rights advocate and community rights activist from Bay City filed a complaint with the Board of State Canvassers, requesting the board compare each signature to those in Michigans Qualified Voter File and disqualify West. In the complaint, Holliday and her attorneys, Mark Brewer and Rowan Conybeare, said the board should find the following patterns when examining the petitions: 1,409 petition sheets were completely filled out constituting more than half of the signatures filed but they are immaculate, with no crossed-out signatures. The petition sheets evidence no wear or tear, which the complaint says is indicative the sheets were filled out indoors by forgers. Many petitions circulated by over 50 circulators show round-tabling, distinctive letters or distinct handwriting. Brewer is a former Michigan Democratic Party chair. The complaint also alleged several West campaign circulators have committed forgery in other petition drives, arguing there are at least two individuals impersonating others, pointing to circulators named in challenges to other candidates petitions, or who had circulated for a campaign whose signatures were challenged. The complaint also cites multiple examples of the same circulators signing certificates with distinctly different signatures, which it says is indicative of forgery. I believe in fairness and holding accountable those who dont want to play by the rules regardless of their party or the office theyre seeking. Too many Michiganders have been deceived in recent years by candidates attempting to qualify for the ballot by submitting petitions that are rife with fraud and forgery, and this is yet another example, Holliday said in a statement released by Clear Choice Action, a political action committee that has pushed for accountability for third-party candidates in support of Democrats campaign against former president Donald Trump. The Board owes the voters of Michigan a speedy and thorough investigation what theyll find is an organized effort by the West campaign to submit massive numbers of clearly fraudulent signatures, Holliday said. In an email to the Advance, West spokesperson Edwin DeJesus said the campaign views the challenge as part of a broader attempt to undermine the democratic process rather than legitimate legal objections. West Challenge Cmplt & Exhs The West campaign has called on the board to reject the challenge. The allegations focus on procedural issues such as incomplete voter information and errors by petition circulators, disproportionately emphasizing technicalities over substantial compliance, DeJesus said. This approach appears to strategically limit electoral participation, overshadowing the broader intent to maintain electoral integrity. Moreover, the claim of widespread forgery without substantial evidence of intent or actual voter deception contributes to an environment that may disenfranchise voters and hinder fair political representation, DeJesus said. The Board of State Canvassers next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 26. The board has not yet posted an agenda for the upcoming meeting. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (Bloomberg) -- Corporate America is bracing for whiplash on the question of how to value diversity in the workplace: from an administration that has encouraged DEI programs to one that wants to decimate them. Most Read from Bloomberg Back in January 2021, Joe Biden wasted little time in repealing Donald Trumps executive order restricting company diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Three-and-a-half years later, with Trump neck-and-neck against presumed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the polls, business leaders are shoring up their DEI programs to make them less vulnerable to criticism and legal challenges, say employment and legal experts. While a Harris win in November will likely mean a continuation of supportive policies for diversity, American businesses are already in the midst of reassessing, and in some cases, eliminating, certain DEI initiatives. Our clients understand whats at stake for DEI in the upcoming election, said Lauren Hartz, a lawyer who co-chairs Jenner & Blocks DEI Protection Task Force. Her firm is advising businesses on the work to fortify their programs in an increasingly difficult legal and regulatory environment. Harris and Trump are locked in a statistical dead heat in the seven battleground states that will determine the result, with the Democrat backed by 48% of voters to 47% for Trump, according to the latest Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll. Corporate Retreat That compounds the headaches for companies navigating the political landscape. Over the past year or so, US business leaders have become increasingly cautious about promoting their diversity programs publicly, some striking references to terms such as anti-racist, unconscious bias and mandatory allyship from regulatory filings. Theyve done so as conservative groups mounted legal attacks, and prominent businesspeople from Bill Ackman to Elon Musk savaged DEI policies in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision to ban affirmative action in college admissions. A second Trump administration is set to reinstate the executive order Biden so quickly quashed, putting further pressure on companies. The order prohibited government contractors from offering bias training. When the Republican first introduced the directive as president, many companies paused training and reassessed their programs, according to Vasu Reddy, director of state policy for workplace justice at the National Womens Law Center. As part of his 2020 crackdown, Trumps Labor Department chastised Microsoft Corp. and Wells Fargo & Co. both federal contractors for pledging to double their ranks of Black executives. It also started a hotline to root out diversity training deemed discriminatory to White employees. The former president has pledged to create a team to rapidly review every action taken by federal agencies under Bidens equity agenda that will need to be reversed. We will reverse almost all of them. Maybe, in fact, all of them, he said in a video posted on his campaign website last year. More recently, the former president has decried anti-White feeling in the country. Trump has made no secret of his vendetta against diversity, equity, and inclusion, said Reddy. The point really is to scare people into just steering away from these topics entirely, and I do think you will see that especially for businesses that really rely on federal funding, she added. Division There are several levers a government can pull to influence corporate policy. First, it could use the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which set out anti-discrimination statutes, rules that are enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. That law bans discrimination against anyone, Black or White, male or female, though traditionally, it has been used to protect underrepresented groups. Secondly, a new Trump administration could wield more direct power by setting anti-DEI rules that federal contractors must meet in order to win or maintain government business. While Trump shied away from a direct stab at corporate diversity programs in his lengthy speech accepting the Republican nomination as the partys candidate, some of the other speakers at the gathering leaned into the argument. Democrats stand for DEI, which really means division, exclusion and indoctrination, and it is wrong, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this month. The Trump administration is going to be better prepared than in 2016 to use its levers of power to get companies to ditch DEI if they want to do business with the federal government, according to Robby Starbuck, a filmmaker turned anti-DEI activist. Retailer Tractor Supply and tractor maker John Deere retreated from diversity initiatives after Starbuck attacked their policies on social media. I think youre going to see a massive shift, away from corporate DEI, Starbuck said. Youre going to see movement from day one of a Trump administration, maybe even literally before day one. Lets make America sane again, lets get away from all this crazy stuff, find unifying things, he said. A Good Thing Conservative activists, many of whom are poised to wield influence in a Trump White House, want him to go further. The Heritage Foundations Project 2025 proposes amending the Civil Rights Act, and deleting terms like diversity, equity and inclusion and gender equality from every federal rule, agency regulation, contract, grant, regulation, and piece of legislation that exists. Its other proposals include rescinding rules barring discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and ending data collection on gender and ethnicity. Trump has tried to distance himself from the playbook, though more than 100 of those leading the effort served in his administration and many of its ideas hew closely to his and the Republican partys platforms. In spite of the political and legal backlash, Americans continue to support diversity programs and the acronym DEI. A Washington Post-Ipsos poll in April found 61% of adults think DEI programs in the workplace are a good thing. Even larger shares supported specific initiatives like anti-bias training (75%) and internships for underrepresented groups (70%). Backlash to Backlash Harris is likely to stick closely to the Biden administrations agenda on DEI, rather than go any further, to avoid being attacked as too liberal on these issues by Republicans and to present as the moderate choice, according to Alison Taylor, a professor at New York University who focuses on corporate responsibility and business ethics. The first woman, and woman of color, to be vice president, Harris has personally faced criticism from anti-diversity activists, with some conservative commentators and Republican lawmakers labeling her a DEI hire. For companies trying to figure out what to do next, Taylor warns of a backlash to the backlash. Younger employees especially tend to be more liberal-minded and want to work for companies that nurture underrepresented groups, putting the onus on businesses to create organizations that look like society and look like their friends, she added. Workers aged 18-29 are most likely to consider DEI in the workplace a good thing, with 68% saying so, compared with less than half of workers aged 50-64, according to a Pew Research Center study last year. Even if Trump is the next president, its hazardous for companies to simply change their policies to pander to politics, she said. To say we can just cancel ESG and DEI, and that phase is over, is deranged. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Costa Rica is prepared to offer asylum to Venezuelan opposition leaders, minister says Anti-Maduro protests spread as Venezuelan opposition says he stole vote, in Caracas Anti-Maduro protests spread as Venezuelan opposition says he stole vote, in Caracas SAN JOSE (Reuters) - Costa Rica's Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre said on Tuesday that the Central American government was prepared to give political asylum or refuge status to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. "We have been informed of arrest warrants against Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez," Andre said in a video message, saying he was prepared to grant asylum and refuge to them, and "all other politically persecuted people in Venezuela, especially those who are refugees in the Argentine embassy in Caracas." An opposition adviser said on Tuesday that security forces had made two failed attempts to enter the Argentine embassy in Caracas where he and five others have been living since March after warrants were issued for their arrests. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who declared his election victory shortly after midnight on Monday while the opposition and independent pollsters contested the result, has ordered military and police patrols across the country from Wednesday. Costa Rica's presidency has rejected the results proclaiming Maduro's win and called them fraudulent. (Reporting by Alvaro Murillo in San Jose; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle) You could be queen, king, prince or princess. Apply today HONOLULU (KHON2) A new reign begins soon as a new queen (moi wahine), king (moi kane), prince (kamalii kane) and princess (kamalii wahine) will receive a transfer of rule from the 2023 court. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The Royal Court of the Aloha Festivals will begin their reign at the Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony on Sept. 7. A variety of positions, including the coveted queen and king are open for applications for the 2024 court. Month of Hawaiian celebrations begin Saturday Applicant qualifications vary by position but all must be Hawaii residents of native Hawaiian ancestry and be available for Royal Court appearances. The royal court will have a significant presence during Aloha Festivals various events throughout the month of September and their reign will extend until the succession of the next royal court in 2025. Those selected to the court positions of prince and princess will receive a post-high school education scholarship. Aloha Festivals is a celebration of Hawaiian culture as displayed through music, dance and cuisine. Notable events include the Investiture Ceremony, the Waikiki Hoolaulea and the always colorful floral parade. Those who are interested can apply on the Aloha Festivals website. The deadline to apply is Aug. 15. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) Attorneys for the City of Beckley and the Raleigh County Commission plan to meet on Thursday, August 1, 2024, to set a development plan for Pinecrest Industrial Park, once overseen by the non-profit Pinecrest Development Corporation. The group deeded the 146-acre property to the City of Beckley in early 2022, under an agreement that city officials would use incoming federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to develop infrastructure. County and city officials said on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, however, that the original agreement was not followed and that the attorney for the City of Beckley is working out another development plan to see infrastructure laid at the site. ARPA funds initially earmarked for the Pinecrest development were reportedly spent on employee pay raises, equipment and other necessities, members of Beckley Common Council told 59News, although Council members also said they had not yet received an official breakdown from the city treasurers office. It was spent out on various different things, throughout, since we got it, said Cody Reedy, an at-large councilman. For an exact answer, I dont have those right now. I know Ms. (Beckley Common Councilwoman-at-Large Sherrie) Hunter asked for a list of those, and we havent received those yet, but we definitely want to get a breakdown of where, exactly, they were spent. Jonathan Board appointed as Executive Director for West Virginia First Foundation Council members and Greg Duckworth, president of Raleigh County Commission, said a possible solution is to allow the county to develop the land, while the city collects any B&O taxes. The city could also be potentially reimbursed for funds spent as part of the initial agreement with Pinecrest Development Corporation board members, although Reedy and Duckworth said the agreement details would not be known until after attorneys met on August 1, 2024. Beckley Common Council to vote on first step towards utility development on Pinecrest site The attorneys are talking about it, and it looks like that (Pinecrest Industrial Park) could be conveyed over to the county, said President Duckworth. Weve not committed to exactly what were going to do. Weve not seen all the documents yet, but it sounds very promising, and were very exciting to see something happen over there. If our county seats succeeding, then the countys succeeding. President Duckworth, who is a member of the West Virginia First Foundation, said the county is set to receive opioid lawsuit settlement monies, which must be used for opioid recovery. If a client come along or someone wanting to develop something in that property that fell in line with opioid settlement money, it would definitely be something the county would look at, and I think the state would look at, as well, but were not there, yet. Weve got to get some infrastructure in, said Duckworth. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. County Commissioners interview final three of six candidates for county administrator BRANCH COUNTY The final three of six candidates to replace retiring county administrator Bud Norman faced the county commissioners for interviews Wednesday morning as the selection process headed to its next phase. Commissioners plan final interviews in the next couple of weeks. Jessica Miller was the first interview with Branch County Commissioners Wednesday morning. Jessica Miller Quincy native Jessica Miller spent 18 years as vice president of business services and commercial loan officer at Century Bank and Trust in Coldwater. The Quincy native became executive assistant to St. Joseph County administrator Terea Cupp in June 2023 after serving as the executive financial assistant from March 2021 Miller told commissioners the administrator's main job is to steward county funds for future residents. Miller said communication is important for the administrator. "I believe treating other people as you would like to be treated is another great quality. I believe in having the financial acumen." A very detailed and people person, Miller said, "I'm always one to bring the team together, a people person as far as communication," Miller qualified to run in 2020 for Branch County Treasurer. She withdrew because she sold her home in Branch County and moved to Colon in St. Joseph County. Robert Reinshuttle interviewed from Florida on Zoom for the administrators position. Robert Reinshuttle Robert Reinshuttle described an extensive career in federal and state governments. He worked with governors in Michigan and Florida, and his career took him to Texas and Washington. Reinshuttle said his career now comes full circle as he wants to return to Michigan. He explained he had a lot of experience in budgeting, handling a $40 million budget in Manatee County, Florida, at his last job. Reinshuttle said he could adapt to the rural area compared to the 430,000 county population served in his last job. His job in Coldwater "would be different but the same. I could figure it out quickly and be up to speed." Reinshuttle said the administrator needs to be part of the county, get out of the office, get to know people and participate. Reinshuttle believes in integrity. In June 2023, the Manatee County administrator terminated Reinshuttle as a deputy administrator after informing the county commission chair of issues. "I saw some things that shouldn't have happened, that were just plain wrong," he told the commission. Reinshuttle filed a federal lawsuit and an Equal Employment Opportunity complaint against Manatee County. More: First three county administrator candidates display differing backgrounds and views Frank Walsh previously attended commission meetings. Frank Walsh When Frank Walsh entered the commission room to interview Wednesday, the mystery of the man who sat through three recent commission meetings was solved. Walsh said he and his family made seven trips to the county, visiting every community and township. He was surprised by Clemens and the lakes. With 33 years in Michigan local government, Walsh said he is known for his financial acumen. Walsh was the city manager of Cedar Springs for five years, then the city manager of St. Joseph for 11 years in Berrien County. Walsh served 11 years as the Meriden Township manager until this April. The board asked Walsh to resign. "I will own up that I didn't handle a couple of the personnel changes the way that I should have, I should have been better," he said. Walsh pointed out that he continues to be paid according to his contract. "I still maintain an excellent relationship with the board, or they would not have asked me to stay on, to help with a budget, and lead the community center project." Subscribe Follow this story. Subscribe to the Daily Reporter. The new administrator is expected to begin work in October for a three-month overlap with Norman to learn the ropes and operations of the Branch County government. Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Branch County administrator interviews completed Wednesday KAMPALA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Transitional President of Gabon Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is scheduled to start his three-day official visit to Uganda Thursday, Ugandan officials announced Wednesday. Nguema will meet his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni to deepen the ties between the two countries, Henry Okello Oryem, Uganda's minister of state for international affairs, told Xinhua by telephone. "This is the first time he is on an official visit. It's about strengthening the relations between the two countries and exploring ways in which we can enhance our diplomatic engagements," said Oryem. According to a statement issued by the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wednesday, Nguema will visit Uganda from Aug. 1-3. Philip Ochen Odida, acting permanent secretary in the ministry, said that Nguema is interested in learning more about Uganda's development path and exploring economic opportunities. "We are going to take this opportunity to improve interactions between Uganda and Gabon where there has been less of that kind of engagement," he said. County executive referendum advances with tweak to resolution. All to know On Tuesday, revisions to the county executive referendum resolution were unanimously approved by Wicomico County Council. During the special legislative session, minor changes in the language in the document were considered following the advice of county council attorney Bob Benson. The measure, while a means of ensuring more clear language in Resolution 90-2024, does not significantly change the referendum on the county executive form of government on the ballot this November for Wicomico County residents. More on local dental care programs Dentists will descend on Salisbury to provide free dental care. Here's when and where What comes next in County Council-county executive standoff? The voters In June, the council approved placing the referendum on the county executive form of government on the November ballot in a 5-2 vote with only councilmembers James Winn and Josh Hastings voting nay. The contentious working relationship between the Office of the County Executive and the council ultimately led to litigation over hiring practices. The new form of government without a county executive would begin on Dec. 1, 2026, if approved by the public. County Executive Giordano voices confidence 'initiative will fail' County Executive Julie Giordano sounded off at the June meeting, noting the measure would damage the system of checks and balances in the county. More on life in the cosmos Is there life in outer space? Why this expert says it could exist, even on Jupiter, Saturn "While we are very disappointed that this will go back on the ballot, we are very confident the initiative will fail," Giordano said. "The balance of power is imperative to our county to continue making the progress we have made over the last 18 years with (this) form of government. While this does create a bit of tension, we will not let it affect the work we do." This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: County Commissioners address charter before executive post referendum Lee County leaders are looking for more answers on Lee Healths plans to become a private nonprofit entity. Getting more answers is running up against a tight schedule that everything must be done by Oct. 11 for the conversion to go through. The Lee County Commission held a workshop Tuesday for the first time with Lee Health officials since hospital leaders voted June 13 to convert to a private system. The goal with going private is to be more competitive in a rapidly changing health care market. Currently Lee Health is a public system and one of the largest public systems in the U.S. The county board must agree to Lee Healths privatization plan and a conversion agreement is necessary. Thats despite the Lee commission would not be taking over the hospital system or involved in the day-to-day operations. Dr. Larry Antonucci, president and chief executive officer of Lee Health, said in a statement that the workshop was the next step in the systems journey to become a community focused nonprofit. More: Lee Health becoming a private nonprofit hospital. What you need to know More: Lee Health leaders vote to become private hospital. Will patients see much difference? Were grateful to the commissioners for their time and consideration, he said. Our team will continue to meet with county staff to help address their questions as we work together to develop the mission agreement. We are confident that our work together in the coming months will lead us to the best result for this community. The Lee Health board meets Wednesday to go over what transpired at the workshop and talk about whats next. Larry Antonucci, the president and CEO of Lee Health was among community leaders and members of the public who donated blood at a bloodmobile at the American Red Cross in Fort Myers during the coronavirus pandemic. The 10-member hospital board, whose members are elected publicly to set policy for the 1,865-bed system with a $3 billion annual operating budget, has spent 10 months examining the pros and cons of converting to a private system. Lee Health last year provided $179 million in community benefits to residents which includes charity care after forgone taxes of nearly $94 million. Lee Health has roughly 85,000 admissions and 276,000 emergency room visits annually. There are 2.6 million outpatient visits each year to Lee Health Physician Group locations and other settings. Patients likely would not see much change; the focus for becoming a nonprofit is expand outside of the geographic boundaries of the county and to develop business partnerships in medical and surgical specialties that Lee Health cant do now under its enabling legislation. They maintain the core mission of being a safety net hospital for all patients regardless of ability to pay would continue. Opinion: I support conversion of Lee Health to community nonprofit The background for going private Officials with Lee Health spelled out to the county commissioners Tuesday how they have gotten to the point of wanting to convert to a private system. A key issue was the Florida Legislature eliminating in 2019 a law that regulated how and when new hospitals can get built. That regulation going away has resulted in 65 new hospitals, predominantly by for-profit groups, getting built from 2020 to 2022. The state Legislature has not been broadly supportive of public hospital systems with medical malpractice protections, or sovereign immunity, even though Lee Health does not have taxing authority and is not pursuing that, Michael Nachef, vice president of government relations for Lee Health, said. Today there are 28 public hospital districts in Florida, down from 80 that had once existed statewide, he said. Lee Health doctors, nurses and other staff have been hard at work fighting the coronavirus for our community. These are images of them at Lee Memorial Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark Medical Center, Cape Coral Hospital and other Lee Health outpatient facilities, showing their commitment to confronting this pandemic. In 2023, Lee Health was able to get legislation passed specific to Lee Health that it could consider going private. The catch is the legislation includes set deadlines for each step in the process. The key deadline now is that a conversion agreement with the county must be done by Oct. 11. Thats based on the legislation giving 120 days to get it done with the clock starting after Lee Healths vote June 13 to pursue going private. But the state law also says the agreement between the county and Lee Health has to be published for 45 days, so that means both groups have to have an agreement done by Aug. 17. What does Lee Health say? Antonucci dismissed rumors that Lee Health is for sale, adding that it would be less attractive to a buyer after a conversion. A strong Lee Health is important for a strong Lee County, he said. Financially Lee Health projects taking a $60 million hit in supplemental payments from the federal government for caring for the poor but there is a mechanism that can be taken to overcome with the countys help, according to hospital consultants. The issue was not discussed in detail at the workshop. Another cause for a financial hit is the expectation that Florida HCA Healthcare plans to build a 100-bed hospital in Fort Myers and Lee Health would lose $35 million or more in revenue as a result, according to the systems chief financial officer Ben Spence. Lee Health likewise has long term capital projects, including plans for a new 168-bed hospital on Challenger Boulevard, all of which will bring in revenue. Over a 10-year projection, Lee Health would see net patient revenue go from $34.5 billion to $35.5 billion, according to Spence. That's a $1 billion gain over 10 years, according to Spence. Capital improvement projects through 2028 will generate 6,536 new jobs in the county and nearly $500 million in earnings and $1.3 billion in sales locally within Lee County, according to data provided by Lee Health. The ongoing operation of the system generates nearly 31,000 jobs, and $2.2 billion in earnings each year for roughly 10% of all employment and total earnings in the county, according to Lee Health. What happened at the workshop? At Tuesdays workshop, Commission Chairman Mike Greenwell said the county was being asked to work out an agreement that is now open that will impact Lee County residents forever and get it done in a short time frame. We dont have a package sitting in front of us that is negotiated completely that we can look and go and make that decision, Greenwell said. I know we need to move forward. I think the timeline is a little crazy in 45 days that were going to have an agreement that we have to make a decision on to move forward. The issues that need to be worked out include an enforceable agreement that Lee Health will continue to care for residents of Lee going forward and in perpetuity, and a description of assets and liabilities to be transferred to the new nonprofit entity and estimates of both. In addition, the agreement has to include how a nonprofit and private Lee Health would be monitored. The 10-member board of directors of Lee Health has agreed they would remain as a nonprofit board of directors, similar to other nonprofit boards, while on oversight group could be appointed. One idea is an oversight monitor board that could be comprised of individual representatives of Lee Healths primary service areas and the oversight board can retain experts in healthcare operations, finance, accounting or related fields. The oversight monitor board would be funded by Lee Health and issue reports to the county, according to workshop documents. Can an agreement get done in time? County staff talked about getting an agreement drafted and placed on the countys Aug. 6 meeting. Also discussed was that the legislation did not limit how often Lee Health or the county commission can go through the conversion talks, according to William Wesch, the countys attorney. I know thats not necessarily desirable by Lee Health, he said. Commissioner Kevin Ruane agreed the timeline is challenging. He said he was open to moving forward but he needed to understand better the issues that remain for resolving. Commissioner Ray Sandelli said he shared similar concerns about getting the agreement done and getting the right kind of guidance to make the right decisions to do this. In the end, Greenwell suggested the county keeping working on moving forward. We have some days here but we but we need to be comfortable that what we are voting on is right, Greenwell said. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Elected Lee leaders talk about Lee Health going private SANDUSKY A family-run Sanilac County farm will have to pay $10,000 in fines and restore 69 acres of wetlands under an order issued in an Ingham County court late last month. The state first filed a lawsuit against Weaverland Farms in October 2022, alleging the illegal destruction of a regulated wetland at the Sandusky area property in violation of the Natural Resources and Environment Protection Act. In a July 26 order granting motions for summary disposition, Circuit Court Judge Wanda Stokes agreed that Nelson and Connie Weaver, proprietors of a large dairy farm, as well as other family members working cooperatively, benefited from the extra crop space created with the alleged disturbance of wetlands in an area referred to as Berden Field. According to the court and state, the area was incorporated in Weaverland Farms state-required comprehensive nutrient management plan for animal feed operations, reportedly detailing how the farm would handle, store, and dispose of animal manure and waste with crops grown in the area used to feed cattle. In response to the courts claims, Weaverland Farms initially asked the states case be dismissed for failing to follow enforcement procedures before filing a lawsuit. The Ingham County court, however, identified an offer to the farm to meet with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to discuss the wetland issues. As of Wednesday, Weaverland Farms appeared to be listed as closed, and social media pages were not active for the site. The family or farm could not be immediately reached for comment on the courts decision. The state attorney generals office publicized the local courts ruling on Tuesday, recalling the destruction of wetlands coming to light amid an EGLE investigation into a separate violation at the farms concentrated animal feeding operation permit. At the time, the state alleges EGLE discovered the farm had doubled in size with use of the field to rid of waste. Wetlands are crucial for preserving our water quality and supporting wildlife, Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement Tuesday. My department will continue to protect these vital and valuable ecosystems. I commend the tireless work of our partners at EGLE and attorneys in my department for securing the restoration of this important wetland in Sanilac County that will benefit both the community and the environment. Contact reporter Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Court orders Sandusky farm to pay $10,000 fine, restore wetlands PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) Former Pflugerville Police Department detective Tara Schafer is accused of using her department-issued laptop to delete 554 records in her husband Corporal Tyler Schafers file the night he got fired from the department, according to various records obtained by KXAN. During the course of an administrative investigation, it was uncovered that an employee had accessed a former employees electronic folder and had deleted all items in said folder without authorization, according to Taras criminal complaint. Taras attorney Lytza Rojas said she is very proud to represent Tara and am looking forward to seeing all the evidence and vigorously defending Tara through the court process. Tylers termination letter states he was placed on a performance improvement plan at the beginning of the year. Since the issuance of the [plan], youve demonstrated a continued disregard for Pflugerville Police Department policy and poor decision making, the letter states. The police department has not yet answered questions on what these behavior and performance issues were. Pflugerville police did tell KXAN Tylers records were deleted from an internal storage system used to keep track of affidavits, paperwork and cases an employee has investigated. A spokesperson for the city of Pflugerville said Tara was placed on administrative leave when the investigation launched, and subsequently fired when she got arrested. The case 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 KXAN Austin. A federal appeals court has ruled Texas can keep its floating barrier in the Rio Grande meant to dissuade migrants from crossing into the state. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday overturned a previous decision, marking the latest back-and-forth in the legal fight between Texas and the Biden administration over the handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, The Associated Press reported. In December, a panel in the same circuit found the state violated laws governing navigable waterways by having the buoy barrier in the river. The panel said the barrier was a threat to navigation and federal government operation and posed a potential threat to human life, ordering them to be removed. The ruling Tuesday said the court abused its discretion by granting the United States a preliminary injunction. The court dissolved the stay, reversed the district courts order that granted a preliminary injunction, telling the lower court to vacate the preliminary injunction and for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. A trial for the lawsuit will begin Tuesday in district court. The Biden administration has accused Texas of violating the federal Rivers and Harbor Act, saying immigration enforcement is the purview of the federal government. The buoy barrier was first installed last July under Operation Lone Star, which Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said was necessary since the federal government was not taking action at the border. The buoys were placed in the water just days after four migrants, including an infant, drowned trying to cross the river. Last August, authorities also found a body floating near the buoys. The concrete-linked buoys stretch 1,000 feet in the Rio Grande and are anchored in the ground underwater. Abbott celebrated the courts decision, calling it a victory in a statement Wednesday. The Fifth Circuit last night delivered a victory for Texas historic border security mission, ruling that our floating marine barriers can stay in the Rio Grande River, he said, adding that Texas fought to keep the barriers and with the court ruling, that is exactly where they will remain. This fight is far from over, Abbott wrote in the statement. Texas will continue to defend our constitutional right to secure our southern border to keep our state and nation safe. 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. A supporter holds a sign as members of the San Francisco Democratic Party rally in support of Kamala Harris, following the announcement by President Joe Biden that he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, on July 22, 2024, at City Hall in San Francisco, California. A supporter holds a sign as members of the San Francisco Democratic Party rally in support of Kamala Harris, following the announcement by President Joe Biden that he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, on July 22, 2024, at City Hall in San Francisco, California. Biden has endorsed Harris, the former San Francisco district attorney, to be the Democratic nominee. (Loren Elliott/Getty Images) Kansas delegates for the Democratic National Convention recently endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency, helping make her the presumptive presidential nominee for the Democratic Party and challenger to former President Donald Trump. As a political scientist in Kansas, it has been fascinating to watch. As a female resident of the state, it has been something else entirely. I have watched people far and wide celebrate the announcement, with one Kansas artist showing support by creating a half-acre earthwork portrait of the vice president. I have seen a voter base reignite and re-engage, even if temporarily, and witnessed people rushing to register to vote and donate money to the Harris campaign. I have also seen a truly disgusting display of racism and misogyny, and I know it is nothing in comparison to what is still yet to come. Harris, a stepmother, has been criticized for being childless. Never in the history of America have we had a president who has given birth, so it is confusing as to why this is an issue now. More importantly, the personal reproductive issues, challenges and choices someone faces is none of our business and is irrelevant to the conversation regarding leadership potential. In particular, one mans attempt to entertain his voter base with so-called sarcasm about women who own cats and dont have children has gained national media attention although I hesitate to use the word sarcasm here because typically that term refers to wit-based humor. That man also happens to be Trumps running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, whose bid for vice president was a surprise to many considering he once indicated he believed Donald Trump was guilty of sexual assault. In another attempt to discredit Harris, she has been called a DEI hire in race-based comments by elected officials such as U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman. The representative does not seem to possess a basic understanding of the difference between the terms sex and gender, but she does feel comfortable openly stating Harris intelligence is at the bottom of the barrel. Once again, elected officials are generating political buzzwords designed to manipulate the intent and purpose of DEI initiatives for political gain. If all that wasnt enough, Harris has been accused of using sex to advance her career by onetime Fox News host Megyn Kelly, although there is nothing to suggest this is remotely accurate. The consistently false narrative that women weaponize their sexuality to succeed professionally is insulting to say the least, as it insinuates women are unable to achieve their goals through merit alone. Whats more, a Fourth Circuit court set precedent in 2019 with the case of Parker v. Reema Consulting Service, Inc., which can be interpreted to imply that generating rumors of someone trading sex in exchange for work-related advancement is sexual harassment by itself. We are going to continue witnessing an onslaught of hate and bigotry directed at one accomplished, brilliant woman. Agree with her politically or not, Harris is those things. If you dont support what she stands for, criticize the policy. If you believe she is a poor choice, make sure your reasons are based on job-related performance alone. Harris holds numerous degrees, served as a two-term district attorney, and was the first Black and South Asian woman to serve as the attorney general for the state of California. She was the first South Asian-American and second Black senator in U.S. history. Harris is also the first female, Black, South Asian-American vice president in U.S. history. That is an unparalleled level of accomplishment and deserves our respect. Instead, she is the target of vicious attacks by those in Washington, D.C. They were later scolded like the ignorant, petty bullies they are. We may feel shielded from these attacks on leadership in Kansas, as Gov. Laura Kelly is in the nations top 10 most popular governors. People tend to respond well to her in person, and she does not seem to be the recipient of blatant gender-based attacks in the news media or on the campaign trail. But know this these attacks are real and happening to Harris, and they will continue to come long after the race is settled in November. As we move closer to the fall, gender and race-based insults will inevitably increase in intensity. As we navigate this election, never forget that such foul comments dont just land on the ears of Harris. Those hateful words slam with brute force into the ears of every woman you know. Every single woman you care about will hear and internalize comments fueled by rampant sexism and dangerous racism. There are more than 1.4 million women in the state of Kansas. About half of the Kansas population is female. We will be left to sort through the vile comments, forthcoming threats and daily attacks only because we are women. If that sits well with you, I suppose this opinion piece was never meant for you. Ill leave you to contemplate why you are so comfortable with such rhetoric and how it hurts the women you care about in your own life. Amber Dickinson holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Kansas and is a co-host of Inspire on KTWU. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. 'Crying for their parents': More than 900 children died at Indian boarding schools, U.S. report finds Robin Bair, 55, chants during a tour of the grounds of the former St. Pauls Indian Mission School in Marty, South Dakota, U.S., in September 2021. Dozens of elderly former students of the old Catholic school alleged they were sexually abused there by school priests and nuns. The local Catholic diocese contended in court proceedings that it was not responsible for alleged harm because it didnt operate the school or have direct oversight of those who worked there. Robin Bair, 55, chants during a tour of the grounds of the former St. Pauls Indian Mission School in Marty, South Dakota, U.S., in September 2021. Dozens of elderly former students of the old Catholic school alleged they were sexually abused there by school priests and nuns. The local Catholic diocese contended in court proceedings that it was not responsible for alleged harm because it didnt operate the school or have direct oversight of those who worked there. A federal investigation has confirmed that more than 900 American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian children perished in U.S. government boarding schools from 1819 to 1969, acknowledging that the actual toll is undoubtedly higher and recommending an official apology. Based on available records, the Department concludes that at least 973 documented Indian child deaths occurred in the Federal Indian boarding school system, the report commissioned by U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said. More than 18,000 children, some as young as 4, were shipped off to federal boarding schools throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, with entire generations suffering a tragic legacy of trauma, abuse, neglect, poor nutrition and despair. Chase Iron Eyes, executive director of the Sacred Defense Fund, an initiative to compensate tribal nations displaced from lands that are now national parks and monuments, said he applauded the United States for taking on the challenge of remediating and correcting its actions and practices that are still designed to bring about the extinction of native nationhood. We must tell the truth before we can reconcile, the longtime Indigenous rights activist said. Those who've suffered the horrors must be made whole. The boarding school system came about as part of forced assimilation policies pursued or allowed by the U.S. for nearly two centuries and targeting American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian people, the report noted. Locations of the schools can be pinpointed on a map compiled by the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition as part of a newly launched digital archive of materials chronicling the boarding schools era. The schools purpose was to erase childrens Indigenous identities while preparing them for menial jobs in American society. The most influential and well-known of them was Carlisle Indian Industrial School, a military-style institution launched in 1879 that inspired subsequent schools with the motto declared by its founder, Brig. Gen. Robert Henry Pratt: Kill the Indian in him, save the man. Authors of the newly released federal report called on the U.S. government to acknowledge its role and the resulting harms, to apologize to impacted individuals, families and tribes and to adopt cultural revitalization policies supporting efforts such as language revitalization, traditional food systems and cultural and religious practices, among others. Personal accounts stand out in latest report The report, released Tuesday, is built on one issued in May 2022 that included the first official list of the 417 federally run Indian boarding schools across the United States. It documented the conditions experienced by children there. About half the schools were operated by religious organizations, the report said. It was the personal accounts that stood out in Tuesdays report. One former student recalled that after the kids had all been taken from their homes, the village was so quiet because there was no children. No children in the village. Another former student recalled the despair evident throughout the night, listening to all the other children crying themselves to sleep, crying for their parents and just wanting to go home. Haaland launched the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative in 2021 to investigate and document the troubled legacy of how the federal schools and an additional 1,025 religious and privately operated schools worked to assimilate Indian children by removing them from their homes to sometimes remote military-style schools where they were systemically deprived of language, culture and family life. Were here because our ancestors persisted, Haaland said during a call with reporters Tuesday. Its our duty to share those stories with the world. The report noted that the tally does not account for all children, including those who attended Indian boarding schools beyond the 150-year period or who were sent to boarding schools run by religious institutions and organizations that did not receive federal government support. The Department acknowledges that the actual number of children who died while in Indian boarding schools is greater, the report said. More than apology needed, report says Students, their families and entire communities have endured disruption from the boarding school system for nearly 200 years, the report said. Tribes deal with domestic violence, substance abuse and adverse childhood experiences that often result in reduced cognitive abilities through adulthood, along with other social ills. Newland, the Assistant Interior Secretary, recommended multiple measures for the federal government to pursue in addition to a formal acknowledgement and apology. Those included addressing the present-day impacts of the boarding school system, establishment of a national memorial acknowledging the experiences of those affected by its harms, identification and repatriation of remains of children who never returned home from boarding schools and the return of former federal boarding school sites to tribes. Truth and reconciliation are not beyond our reach, Iron Eyes said. The United States must assist in providing paths to recovery. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Native American boarding schools: More than 900 kids died, report says (COLORADO SPRINGS) The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) is sending resources to help fight the Quarry Fire in Jefferson County. It is hot windy and dry just like it has been for the last couple of days, said Lt. Aaron Holslag of CSFD. Looking at the forecast moving forward, and the fire behavior in the last couple of days, it is definitely going to increase that fire behavior. Courtesy: FOX21 Photojouranlist Lilia Onstott Courtesy: FOX21 Photojouranlist Lilia Onstott Courtesy: FOX21 Photojouranlist Lilia Onstott Courtesy: FOX21 Photojouranlist Lilia Onstott The Quarry Fire ignited late Tuesday, July 30, and has since grown to 200 acres with 0% containment, threatening hundreds of homes. 75 firefighters are on the ground and multiple support aircraft have been ordered. We are leaving our district with the potential of a fire happening down here, but we have sufficient resources down here. We have very talented people on this job, who are very good at their jobs. But at the same time, its also really important that we get out and support our partners in other communities and make sure they are getting the support they need, said Lt. Holslag. Resources nationally for wildland fire response are extremely limited right now, so its extremely important that we get out and provide what we can to help our fellow folks in Colorado. Live updates: Hundreds of homes evacuated during Quarry Fire As of 11:30 a.m., the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office said no structures have been damaged but resources are spread thin due to multiple fires burning along the front range. CSFD will be adding resources to battle the fire, which has caused the evacuation of nearly 600 homes in Jefferson County. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. ASHFORD, Conn. (WTNH) An Ashford man planned a mass shooting at a nursing home in order to get revenge after he thought his mother was mistreated there, according to Connecticut State Police. James Ralph Zigaldo, 38, also set his home on fire and wanted police to shoot him, according to police documents. He was initially arrested in June 2023 for the fire and planned shooting, and then arrested earlier this month on an arrest warrant. His more recent charges are connected to two guns he said he planned to use against police. He was charged this week with three counts of criminal attempt to commit assault on a public safety official, three counts of criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault and one count of criminal use of a weapon. He is being held on a $500,000 bond. His mother died in 2022, according to police documents. Zigaldo had never been to the nursing home, and didnt know anyone who worked there. Hartford nonprofit gets grant to boost security after 2 burglaries In June 2023, he set his home on fire and was later found hiding behind a tree in Plainfield, according to state police. He told police that he brought toilet paper with him because was planning on having a long engagement at the nursing home. After sitting in the parking lot, he said he struggled with the morals of shooting people, and decided not to do it. He told police he didnt plan on shooting them, but was going to point a gun at them so that hed die via suicide by cop, according to state police. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. (COLORADO SPRINGS) The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is looking for more people who may have been victimized by a man arrested for sexually assaulting an underage girl. According to CSPD, the investigation began on Friday, July 26, following a report of a sexual assault on a child by a man the victim did not know. CSPD said the suspect initially contacted the girl near the 1900 block of South Chelton Road, west of Jet Wing Drive. The man then reportedly walked the girl back to his home nearby, where he sexually assaulted her. CSPD said the investigation resulted in the arrest of a 37-year-old man, who was then charged with Sexual Assault on a Child. His name and photograph are not being released by CSPD, to protect the investigation. The suspect is described as a white man, about 63 tall and 170 pounds with a thin build. He has curly blond hair with a blond and brown beard. CSPD said it has reason to believe that there could be more victims, and requests that anyone with information on this case call police at (719) 444-7000. 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 FOX21 News Colorado. NAIROBI, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Wednesday launched the 481-million-shilling (about 3.73 million U.S. dollars) Kenya livestock marketing and resilient project (KLMP) that seeks to boost the livelihoods of livestock and poultry farmers. Bishar Fille Elmi, director of livestock at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, told journalists in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the four-year project covers nine counties and seeks to enhance the production and marketing systems of the smallholder farmers. "The project will connect 38,000 farmers to markets to enhance their incomes," Elmi said. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicate that the livestock sector which consists of a population of 150 million livestock contributes 12 percent of the total gross domestic product. Elmi noted that the project will implement modern rangeland feeding technologies to ensure that livestock have access to adequate pasture, especially during the dry seasons. He noted that the country's production of chicken meat stands at 111,000 metric tons annually against a demand of 618,000 metric tons. Phineas Gikunda, project manager of KLMP, said that the scheme will also invest in the development of high-quality chicken and livestock breeds to reduce reliance on imports. He added that the project is also expected to provide loans to farmers-owned agribusiness in the poultry and livestock sectors. Cyber attack on OneBlood donation center could leave Florida hospitals short of blood The non-profit blood donation center that serves much of the southeast said Wednesday it fell victim to a cyber attack, leaving hundreds of hospitals potentially facing shortages. The ransomware attack hit OneBloods software system, forcing it to use manual processes and procedures to remain operational, the company said in a statement. Those procedures take longer so the amount of blood and blood products available could fall. CNN, which first reported the attack, said the problem is impacting the nonprofits ability to ship its products to Florida hospitals. That was based on an advisory sent to health care providers by the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center, a cyberthreat-sharing group, and reviewed by CNN, the network reported.. OneBlood serves more than 250 hospitals in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. OneBlood takes the security of our network extremely seriously, said Susan Forbes, a OneBlood spokeswoman, in a statement. Our team reacted quickly to assess our systems and began an investigation to confirm the full nature and scope of the event. Orlando Healths hospitals are aware of the issue, said Elizabeth Katona, an Orlando Health spokesperson, in a statement. We are working with them to manage the situation so our patients may continue to receive essential blood products, Katona wrote. OneBlood asked hospitals to activate critical blood shortage protocols and is also asking for donations. Hospitals urgently need O Positive, O Negative and platelet blood donations, the agency said. OneBlood did not respond immediately to a request for further comment. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. A ransomware attack is affecting a not-for-profit blood centers ability to process and deliver blood to hospitals in Florida and much of the southeast. OneBlood, which serves more than 200 hospitals in the country, has switched to a manual process to manage its blood supply while it works to fully restore its systems operations, according to Susan Forbes, the blood centers senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations. While OneBlood is still collecting, testing and distributing blood, the blood center is asking hospitals to activate their critical blood shortage protocols until further notice due to the slowdown of its capabilities. And its asking for people to donate. All blood types are needed, but there is an urgent need for O Positive, O Negative and Platelet donations, according to OneBlood. The blood center became aware of the cyberattack on Monday and hasnt been able to access the majority of the software system used to manage daily operations, Forbes told the Miami Herald Wednesday. It is still operating, but albeit at a significantly reduced capacity, Forbes said. Blood donors, for example, are having to fill out forms by hand, rather then digitally, she said. Because the blood center has had to revert to manual processes, this means hospitals might see some delays in blood supply shipments. How OneBlood cyberattack is affecting South Florida hospitals South Florida hospitals say they are monitoring their blood supply levels following the OneBlood cyberattack. On Wednesday, Baptist Health South Florida said it has sufficient blood supplies to support our hospitalized patients needs but is in the process of rescheduling elective and nonemergency surgeries that might require blood products in an abundance of caution until the issue is resolved. Physicians are evaluating surgeries on a case-by-case basis and will communicate directly with any patients whose surgeries may need to be rescheduled, Baptist Health South Florida said in an emailed statement to the Miami Herald. Outpatient surgeries at our ambulatory surgery centers are not affected and are proceeding as planned. Jackson Health, Miami-Dades public hospital system, was notified about the attack on Monday and has not had any interruption in our services, David Zambrana, the hospitals executive vice president and chief operating officer said Wednesday morning during the meeting of the Public Health Trust, which oversees the hospital system. The public hospital says its working with OneBlood, which is its primary blood provider, to ensure patient care is not impacted. We have been able to procure additional units of blood from another supplier, and currently have enough inventory systemwide to continue performing the types of complex procedures that Jackson is known for organ transplants, trauma-related surgeries, heart surgeries, and more, Jackson Health said in an emailed statement to the Miami Herald Wednesday. Because we do not know how long this outage will impact our supply chain, our clinical leadership is reviewing every planned surgical case requiring blood in order to ensure the limited supply is distributed appropriately, and putting processes in place to preserve this valuable resource. Other South Florida hospitals are also monitoring the situation. Cleveland Clinic Weston on Wednesday said it is operating normally and that patient care is not affected, though it is closely monitoring the blood supply levels across all Cleveland Clinic Florida locations. HCA Florida Healthcare, which manages Mercy, Kendall, Aventura hospitals in Miami-Dade, and University, Northwest, Woodmont Westside Hospitals in Broward, is also monitoring blood supply levels and is in the process of evaluating alternative blood suppliers and is providing clinical guidance to support our facilities and address our patients needs. The University of Miami Health System, in an email to employees, said its operations arent affected and its taking steps to mitigate any potential impact and ensure the blood supply is maintained for patients. Its also working with partners to host blood drives in the community each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. The first blood drive is scheduled for Thursday at the Calder Memorial Library on UHealths shared Miami campus with Jackson Memorial Hospital. The drive is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is open to anyone. Healthcare hacks are on the rise, setting a new record last year in the country, according to USA Today. Most recently, Floridas Department of Health experienced a breach that caused death certificate delays and led to thousands of records, including HIV test results, detailed doctors notes and immunization and virus testing records ending up on the dark web. Change Healthcare, owned by United Healthcare and the largest insurance payer at Jackson, was also struck earlier this year by a cyberattack that temporarily affected the payment process systems that some hospitals, providers and pharmacies in the country use to process medical claims for payments. OneBlood says its working with cyber security specialists, as well as federal, state and local agencies to understand and address the scope of the breach. The not-for-profit says other blood centers across the country are sending blood and platelets to help. Its also calling for more donors. The blood supply cannot be taken for granted. The situation we are dealing with is ongoing, Forbes said. If you are eligible to donate, we urge you to please make an appointment to donate as soon as possible. The Daily T: What does Huw Edwards guilty plea mean for the BBC? Huw Edwards, once one of the BBCs most recognisable faces, has pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children, including one image of a child believed to be as young as seven years old. Camilla and Gordon ask why the BBC recently gave Edwards a substantial pay rise and what this scandal means for the corporation. Plus, following the tragedy in Southport - what is the impact of social media on live police investigations? Are politicians like Nigel Farage to blame for stoking tensions which sparked riots in the Merseyside seaside town on Tuesday night? Watch episodes of the Daily T here or on YouTube. Or if you would prefer to listen to the audio only, then use the player above. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to The Daily T newsletter for updates. 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. Danny Ocean is appealing to the relatives of members of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela and police forces to try to reason with them and prevent further bloodshed. The Venezuelan musician posted an emotional message Tuesday night (July 30) amid the massive protests taking place in his home country since the Venezuelan National Electoral Council declared Nicolas Maduro the winner in Sundays (July 28) presidential elections, and the opposition denounced irregularities in the counting process. More from Billboard To the relatives, wives, mothers, fathers, husbands, daughters, sons who listen to my music and who have family within the National Armed Forces and police forces in Venezuela, I ask you to please talk to them. They are the only ones who can reduce the death, the wounded and the violence that is happening today in Venezuela, Ocean said in a video. I beg you please talk to them so they become aware. What is right feels right, and what is wrong feels wrong, he added. That same day, Nacho (of famed duo Chyno y Nacho) whos living in Venezuela and headed to the voting booths on Sunday echoed the sentiment, pleading directly to the police and military to avoid the use of violence on the streets. I promised my family for their security that I would not get involved, but I cant stay quiet with whats happening in my country, the Venezuelan artist expressed in an Instagram video, saying that the situation back home is frustrating and putting his faith to the test. Please, from the bottom of my heart I ask you, as millions of other Venezuelans ask, for the armed forces of this country to not attack the people, and even less so out of respect for the mandate of indolent people who abuse their power a power that you yourselves have granted them, he noted. No influential voice has called for riots or confrontations, precisely because past experiences have taught us the responsibility that comes with calling for an action like this where thousands of innocent voices are put at risk, crying out for justice and freedom [] please stop already. Theres still time to build a new country. In the video post thats shared with his wife, Melany Millie, he expressed that the lives of people must be worth more than the hunger for power, and that theres no need to make Venezuela a country of war. Sundays elections in Venezuela had generated expectations of change in many people, since after 25 years of the socialist government initiated by the late Hugo Chavez, President Nicolas Maduro faced the biggest electoral challenge since he came to power 11 years ago, as reported by The Associated Press. Edmundo Gonzalez, who represented the united opposition candidacy, campaigned vigorously agains Maduros re-election. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado denied Maduros triumph and said in a press conference, We won, and everybody knows it, pointing out that in the 40% of the tally sheets in her possession, Gonzalez had won with 70% of the votes. The protests over suspicion of fraud committed by the government have left several dead and hundreds detained in less than 24 hours, reports El Pais. In his video, Ocean also expressed his concern that the situation could lead to more Venezuelans going into exile. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), nearly 8 million people have left the country since 2014 due to the economic and socio-political crisis. The Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants (R4V) warns that, by the end of this year, there could be about 6.82 million refugees and migrants from Venezuela in Latin America and the Caribbean, 4.71 million of them in need of assistance. We are 8 million Venezuelans who are outside, and if this continues like this, there will be a much larger wave of Venezuelans leaving Venezuela, said Ocean, and the region is not prepared for that. The artist invited those who are helping getting supplies and medicines to hospitals to tag him on social media so that he can share these initiatives with his followers. Watch his full message below. Additional reporting by Jessica Roiz Best of Billboard DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) A man from Danville has been sentenced to prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing a gun as a convicted felon. The Vermilion County States Attorneys Office said Lafayette Harper, age 40, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to unlawful possession of a gun by a felon. Judge Mark Goodwin then sentenced Harper to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Danville Police investigating shooting, looking for tips The charge stems from an incident that occurred in February. Prosecutors said that while hosting numerous guests at his house, Harper produced a gun and shot a round toward the ceiling. This was reported to Danville Police, who arrived at the home, searched it, and found the gun and ammunition. Prosecutors added that in an interview with police, Harper admitted that the gun was his. Because of his record of criminal history, Harper was forbidden by law from possessing a gun. My office will continue to work to reduce violent crime in our community by removing illegally possessed guns from the hands of felons, States Attorney Jacqueline Lacy said in a statement. After he is released from prison, Harper will have to serve one additional year of mandatory supervised 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 WCIA.com. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. An illustration of the colliding galaxies of MACS J0018.5 with the dark matter (blue) racing past normal matter (orange). | Credit: W.M. Keck Observatory/Adam Makarenko Observing a distant and messy collision between galaxy clusters, astronomers have discovered that dark matter, the most mysterious "stuff" in the universe, passed through the wreckage like a cosmic phantom. The dark matter was detected racing away from the conventional "normal" matter that comprises stars, planets, moons and everything we see around us in the colliding clusters. The galactic clusters "getting ghosted" in this research are part of a complex of thousands of galaxies that are collectively known as MACS J0018.5+1626, which is located around 5 billion light-years from Earth. Conglomerations like MACS J0018.5+1626 constitute the largest structures in the universe. The individual galaxies of the colliding clusters escaped unscathed from this cosmic pile-up because of the vast space between them, but the dark matter content of those galaxies was even more untroubled by the incident. To imagine what this collision looked like, study lead author Emily Silich, an astrophysicist at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, suggested picturing two dump trucks carrying sand smashing together. Related: Rapidly spinning dead stars could unveil dark matter secrets "The dark matter is like the sand and flies ahead," Silich said in a statement. Scientists have detected dark matter racing ahead of normal matter in similar collisions before, but this new research, which used data collected by NASA's Hubble and Chandra space telescopes, represents the first time that researchers have been able to directly study the "decoupling" of the velocity of dark matter and "normal" matter. Mixing clouds of orange and blue Silich and colleagues used a plethora of telescopes to observe the collision of MACS J0018.5+1626. In addition to data from Hubble and Chandra, the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (until recently located on Maunakea in Hawaii), the W. M. Keck Observatory, the Planck Observatory, the Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment, and the now-retired Herschel Space Observatory gathered data for the study. The data doesn't just come from a vast array of instruments; it was also collected over the course of decades, with the analysis of the data itself taking years. Giving up the ghost. How did dark matter give ordinary matter the slip? The problem of dark matter hinges on the fact that it is is frustratingly "antisocial" when it comes to interacting with light, something that makes it nigh-invisible, and with ordinary matter. It is this lack of interaction (or the fact that the interactions are too weak to see) that makes scientists think dark matter can't be made up of electrons, protons and neutrons, the baryonic particles that comprise the atoms that make up stars, planets, moons and everything else we see around us. That's because these baryons do interact with each other and with light. This might make dark matter sound like a cosmic phantom, leaving you to wonder how we can know it exists at all. Well, dark matter does interact with gravity, and that influence can impact baryonic matter and light in ways we can detect. That's how scientists know that galaxies are shrouded in vast haloes of dark matter, the gravitational influence of which prevents them from splitting apart. It is also how they have determined that, despite its seeming insubstantial nature, dark matter makes up 85% of the stuff with mass in the universe. Related: What is dark matter? A pie chart showing how dark matter outweighs the One of the best pieces of evidence we have for the existence of dark matter is the Bullet Cluster, two colliding clusters of galaxies also known as 1E 0657-56 and located about 3.7 billion light years away. In the Bullet Cluster, scientists observed dark matter shooting past hot gas as the two clusters slipped past one another. It's the lack of interaction with ordinary matter that allows dark matter to escape the cataclysmic collisions as it is progressing. The collision that forms the basis of MACS J0018.5+1626 is similar to that of the Bullet Cluster. What sets it apart is the fact that it's seen at a different angle, tilted at about 90 degrees relative to the Bullet Cluster. As a result, we see MACS J0018.5+1626 in such a way that it appears one galaxy is racing away from Earth as the other rockets our way. This results in a vantage point that allows scientists to measure the velocity of both the dark matter and the baryonic matter involved in the collision. From there, they can then determine how the two types of matter decouple from each other in an event like this. "With the Bullet Cluster, it's like we are sitting in a grandstand watching a car race and are able to capture beautiful snapshots of the cars moving from left to right on the straightaway," said study principal investigator Jack Sayers, a Caltech professor of physics. "In our case, it's more like we are on the straightaway with a radar gun, standing in front of a car as it comes at us and are able to obtain its speed." A cloud of blue mixes with a cloud of pink The universe's first light is a cosmic radar gun The "radar gun" used by the team is a phenomenon called the "Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect." This occurs when photons that comprise the first light in the universe, the cosmic microwave background (CMB), scatter from electrons that are not bound to atoms in hot ionized gas as this gas travels toward Earth. This causes the photons to experience a Doppler shift, a change in the frequency and wavelength of a wave depending on whether it is heading toward or away from an observer. This results in a change in the brightness of the CMB light that is proportional to the speed at which the scattering electrons are moving. That means the SZ effect can be used to measure the speed at which hot gas is produced, and thus the speed that normal matter moves, in MACS J0018.5+1626. The team then used the Keck Observatory to measure the speed of the mass concentration of galaxies in the clusters. Because most of this mass is accounted for by dark matter, it and galaxies as a whole behave similarly during the collision. Thus, this revealed to the researchers by proxy the speed at which the dark matter is moving. This also demonstrated something odd to the team about MACS J0018.5+1626: The dark matter and ordinary matter seem to be moving in opposite directions. "We had this complete oddball with velocities in opposite directions, and at first, we thought it could be a problem with our data. Even our colleagues who simulate galaxy clusters didn't know what was going on," Sayers explained. "And then Emily got involved and untangled everything." Cosmic accident reconstruction Aiming to solve the puzzle of the MACS J0018.5+1626 smashup, Silich turned to data from Chandra, which revealed the temperature of the merger's hot gas and its location. This line of inquiry also revealed how much this gas had been "shocked" by the collision process. "These cluster collisions are the most energetic phenomena since the Big Bang," Silich says. "Chandra measures the extreme temperatures of the gas and tells us about the age of the merger and how recently the clusters collided." A T-shaped spacecraft over a brown, green and blue sphere The team then mapped MACS J0018.5+1626's dark matter using an effect its mass has on the fabric of space-time and, through this, on passing light from background sources, called "gravitational lensing." From here, they were able to simulate the collision of the galaxy clusters, a type of cosmic accident reconstruction. They then combined this simulation with a vast array of telescope data to determine the evolutionary stage of MACS J0018.5+1626 and the geometry of the cosmic collision. Such work showed that just before they collided, the galaxy clusters were racing together at around 7 million mph (11 million kph) about 1% of the speed of light! Why do the dark matter and normal matter appear to be traveling in opposite directions? The team determined this was because of the orientation of the collision and due to the two forms of matter separating from each other. RELATED STORIES Dark matter detected dangling from the cosmic web for 1st time 'Immortal stars' could feast on dark matter in the Milky Ways heart Tiny black holes left over from the Big Bang may be prime dark matter suspects "It took us a long time to put all the puzzle pieces together, but now we finally know what's going on," Sayers concluded. "We hope this leads to a whole new way to study dark matter in clusters." Though these findings don't reveal much new information about dark matter, the team hopes similar studies that may follow could gradually help shed some light on this mystery that has confounded scientists for decades. The team's study was published last month in The Astrophysical Journal. Elizabeth Ha created the privacy-minded menstrual tracking app Monthly last year, after failing to find an option that felt safe enough to her following the Dobbs decision. (Elizabeth Ha | Courtesy photo) After the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion in 2022 and abortion was banned in the state of Tennessee, Dr. Danielle Kelvas quit using an app that tracked her menstrual cycle. It frightened me I actually got frightened because it tracked me for like, a week, Kelvas said of the Oura Ring feature Cycle Insights. And I thought, wheres this information going? Immediately following the Dobbs V. Jackson Supreme Court decision which struck down the constitutional right to abortion, data privacy experts cautioned to take a closer look at menstrual cycle tracking apps. Information logged into these apps, or tracked via wearable devices like a Fitbit or an Oura Ring, have the potential to be used in prosecuting those who seek abortions in states which criminalize it. Kelvas, a former emergency room physician, is a big fan of her Oura Ring. She researched the device which gives insight to users about their biometric data like heart rate and sleep quality thoroughly before buying it. When the company rolled out its menstrual tracking feature, called Cycle Insights, she was excited to try it. But when she started reading more into the terms of agreement, she couldnt find clear cut information about how the data was stored, how secure it was, or if it was encrypted. States Newsroom reached out to Oura for clarification on its privacy policy for Cycle Insights, but the request for comment was not returned. Kelvas, 34, lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where abortion is banned, with only the exception of preventing death for the expectant person. The law, a trigger ban that went into effect in August 2022, also makes obtaining or performing an abortion a criminal offense. So I deleted it, Kelvas said of the app. Opal Pandya is in the same boat. The 25-year old Philadelphian deleted the app Flo, after reading case studies about data releases to external third parties. She also took note when she started suddenly getting targeted ads on Instagram for products that would help soothe period symptoms shed just logged in Flo. I realized my data was flowing across multiple platforms, she said. She didnt feel comfortable with that, and didnt have the time to figure out who had access to that data. The final straw was learning that third-party data could be available to states in prosecuting abortions banned under their laws. Pandya also opted out of her Apple Watchs cycle tracking after trying it for a while, and has stopped wearing it to bed, as it tracks ovulation cycles via temperature at night while sleeping. Health care privacy has always been something Pandyas been wary of, she said, and while theres benefits of tracking menstrual information, the Dobbs decision showed her there could be serious consequences of that data being vulnerable. I have always been sensitive about my health information and understand theres a strong distrust of the medical system as a whole, Pandya said. And overturning Roe v. Wade did nothing but solidify and spread that distrust, especially among minority women. Kelvas, who now owns a medical writing service and is a consultant for software company IT Medical, is acutely aware of those delicacies of navigating menstrual tracking. As a physician, she said she cant emphasize enough how important it is that people have access to cycle tracking. Its one of the few tools people have to be in more control of family planning and their reproductive health, as some states attack access to birth control. But her experience in healthcare IT has highlighted how easy it is for sensitive data to go unprotected. Many people think all healthcare information is protected under the federal privacy law, known as HIPAA. But menstrual cycle tracking apps, along with other healthcare technologies, like texting platforms that patients can use with doctors, are not. In highly restrictive states, Kelvas said its challenging to navigate your reproductive rights It doesnt really matter what we do, were always in trouble, she said. For a lot of women, suddenly becoming pregnant means that they are illegal, Kelvas said. And what do you do after that? You know, for a lot of people, the reality is that they just dont own their uterus anymore. What data is up for grabs? There havent been any cases where a menstrual tracking apps data has been subpoenaed yet, but thats probably due to the slow speed of which cases proceed through the court system, said Jake Laperruque, deputy director of the Center for Democracy and Technologys Security and Surveillance Project. There have been few cases of electronic data of any form being subpoenaed yet, but via their terms and conditions, many companies leave themselves vulnerable to having to hand data over to prosecutors or courts. Laperruque warned that the data that could be used to prosecute abortion cases could be more far-reaching than just whats logged in a period tracking app. There are a lot of really innocuous seeming data in health care location information, communications, metadata patterns and even information you dont know youre generating, Laperruque said. If social media apps have access to your location, for example, prosecutors could timestamp your visit at an abortion providers office through the location data of any number of apps. Data collected by apps, wearables, could potentially now be used by law enforcement or even private individuals, seeking to sue or target people for exercising reproductive choice and seeking out information or care around abortion, he said. Digital footprints have been used in prosecuting reproductive cases even before the Dobbs decision. In 2018, a woman in Mississippi was charged with second-degree murder after she gave birth to a stillborn baby at home. Part of the prosecutions case noted that she had researched how to terminate a pregnancy in the past. Last year, a teenager in Nebraska was convicted for terminating a pregnancy after prosecutors subpoenaed Facebook messages between her and her mother. How to assess data privacy For now, most of the responsibility to protect a users data falls on the user themselves, said Andrew Crawford, a healthcare privacy-focused senior counsel with the Center for Democracy and Technology. It really is incumbent on users to do their homework, Crawford said. And unfortunately, sometimes that means reading really dense privacy policies and looking for keywords. The terms and conditions of an app or a wearable device need to spell out what data its collecting, what it does with that data and who else may have access. An app may automatically seek access to things like your contacts, your geolocation, or photos, but you may not have to give it those full permissions. Period tracking apps often share information with data brokers, advertisers or third parties that are hard to track. Users should also pay attention to how an app treats the data it gets. A keyword to look for is encryption, or data thats changed into a secret code that can only be unlocked with a unique digital key. Data thats stored locally on your device also tends to be safer than data thats stored in a cloud, Crawford said. It would be a lot harder for law enforcement to access encrypted data stored only on your device rather than if they can subpoena a company for it. Theres always risk as long as data is logged somewhere, Laperruque said. But police are only going to be able to search your phone if they hand you a warrant and seize the phone, he said. Most wearable devices that collect biometric data have some encryption aspect. Apples privacy policy says that when your device is locked, all your health and fitness data thats on the device and synced to iCloud is encrypted. This means that when you use the Cycle Tracking feature and have enabled two-factor authentication, your health data synced to iCloud is encrypted end-to-end and Apple does not have the key to decrypt the data and therefore cannot read it, the company said. Fitbit and Oura Ring say they use encryption measures, too. All three companies say that they have to comply with subpoena requests by law enforcement agencies. The cost of your data App developer Elizabeth Ha, 27, of Los Angeles, built cycle tracking app Monthly in response to the Dobbs v. Jackson decision. All of the health data inputted into the app is stored privately on your device, and doesnt enter a database. You can delete your app (and subsequently, your data) at any time, and Monthly does not make your data available to anyone but the user. Ha had been a long-time user of one period tracker app, but the Dobbs decision and the attention that data privacy was getting at the time, forced her to take a harder look at where she was logging her information. Once your data gets sent to these data warehouses, its like a little bit of a black box, she said. She feels pretty secure about her reproductive rights in California, but you never know whats going to happen or who else might need a more secure option, she said of Monthly, which released on the app store late last year. The field of mobile apps is so new, developing in the last decade or so, she said, and it evolves so quickly. The reason so many period trackers are free is that theyre built by larger companies that can collect and sell your data, Ha said. For them to be a business, a lot of the business is selling the data, she said. Many Americans are waiting for a comprehensive, federal data privacy overhaul. The American Privacy Rights Act was proposed in congress in May, which would require covered entities to be transparent about how they use consumer data and give consumers the right to access, correct, delete, and export their data, as well as opt out of targeted advertising and data transfers. It would also mandate that a covered entity could not collect or transfer to a third party biometric data without the individuals affirmative express consent. For now, those who wish to keep data related to their reproductive health safe, should be vigilant about the terms and conditions of the devices and the platforms they use. It just kind of speaks to the importance of both the surveillance and consumer data side of upgrading the laws, Laperruque said. We have to be more protective. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) Alex Murdaugh could get to appeal his federal criminal sentence later this year. A tentative date has been set for arguments in this case. Court documents show that the hearing would be held in a Richmond, Virginia, federal court starting Oct. 29 and lasting up to three days. Murdaughs attorneys filed an appeal earlier this month saying the 40-year sentence for a series of financial crimes is too harsh compared to other, similar cases and, because of his age, it is equivalent to a life sentence. Murdaugh asks state Supreme Court to review unprecedented jury tampering Murdaugh is asking the court to either vacate the sentence or send the case back to South Carolinas federal courts for a redo. He is still in a South Carolina prison serving two life sentences for killing his wife and son, Maggie and Paul. He is appealing his murder sentence in State court as well. The disbarred attorney is claiming unprecedented jury tampering by then Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill as to why he should be granted what he has called a new fair trial. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. On This Day, July 31: John Ehrlichman sentenced to prison in Watergate scandal On July 31, 1974, Watergate figure John Ehrlichman was sentenced to prison for his role in the break-in at the office of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI July 31 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1498, on his third voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus discovered the island of Trinidad. In 1556 Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order of Roman Catholic missionaries and educators, died in Rome. In 1792, director David Rittenhouse laid the cornerstone in Philadelphia for the U.S. Mint, the first building of the federal government. In 1964, Ranger 7, an unmanned U.S. lunar probe, took the first close-up images of the moon. The Lunar Prospector spacecraft, seen here in an artist's rendering released by NASA, ploughed into a crater in the south pole of the moon in an attempt to stir up lunar soil in search of water. File Image courtesy of NASA In 1974, Watergate figure John Ehrlichman was sentenced to prison for his role in the break-in at the office of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist. He was in prison 18 months. Ellsberg was the Pentagon consultant who leaked the "Pentagon Papers," documents about the war in Vietnam. In 1991, the U.S. Senate overturned a 43-year-old law and voted to allow women to fly military warplanes in combat. The House had already approved similar legislation. The now-demolished Philadelphia Mint in 1908. On July 31, 1792, director David Rittenhouse laid the cornerstone in Philadelphia for the U.S. Mint, the first building of the federal government. UPI File Photo File Photo by Staff Sgt. Marleah Robertson/U.S. Air Force In 1992, a Thai Airways International jetliner carrying 113 people crashed as it tried to fly out of bad weather that prevented it from landing in Kathmandu, Nepal. There were no survivors. This is the first image of the moon from a U.S. spacecraft which was taken by Ranger 7 on July 31, 1964, about 17 minutes before impact. The large crater at center right is Alphonsus. File Photo courtesy NASA In 1999, NASA intentionally crashes the Lunar Prospector spacecraft into the moon with the hopes of discovering evidence of water. Researchers said it didn't reveal any such signs. In 2011, with default by the U.S. government just days away and after months of frustrating debate, U.S. President Barack Obama and congressional leaders announced an agreement that would raise the debt ceiling by up to $2.4 trillion in two stages, enough to keep borrowing into 2013. UPI File Photo In 2014, officials reported the number of people killed in a 3-week-old Israeli-Hamas Gaza conflict had risen to 1,360 Palestinians and 59 Israelis, including 56 soldiers. In 2021, American Katie Ledecky became the first swimmer to win the Olympics gold medal three consecutive times in the 800-meter freestyle at the Tokyo Games. In 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the United States had killed the top al-Qaida leader in a drone strike in Afghanistan. Ayman al-Zawahiri, who took over after Osama bin Laden's death, was believed to be one of the central planners behind the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States. Al-Qaida's top leader Ayman al-Zawahiri (R), seen here with Osama bin Laden, was killed in a U.S. drone strike over the weekend, President Joe Biden said Monday. File Photo by Hamid Mir/Wikimedia Commons This photo shows a dialogue themed "World Opportunities of China's Deepening Reform in the New Era" in Cairo, Egypt, July 30, 2024. China's comprehensive deepening of reforms in the new era will bring opportunities to the world, officials from China and Egypt said on Tuesday while attending a dialogue themed "World Opportunities of China's Deepening Reform in the New Era" in Cairo. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai) CAIRO, July 30 (Xinhua) -- China's comprehensive deepening of reforms in the new era will bring opportunities to the world, officials from China and Egypt said on Tuesday while attending a dialogue themed "World Opportunities of China's Deepening Reform in the New Era" in Cairo. As one of the cultural exchange events to mark the China-Egypt year of partnership, the dialogue was co-organized by China Media Group (CMG), the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and the Chinese Embassy in Egypt. Shen Haixiong, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and president of CMG, said at the event that the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee was successfully concluded in Beijing recently. "It can be foreseen that China's further comprehensive deepening of reforms will surely inject valuable certainty into the world, create more development opportunities, and inject more Chinese power into promoting the common development and prosperity of mankind," Shen said. He added that CMG is willing to strengthen further exchanges and cooperation with people from all walks of life in Egypt, deepen mutual learning of civilizations, and consolidate and expand the high-quality cooperation between the two countries in deepening reform and humanities. Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said that China's comprehensive deepening reform policy will provide more possibilities for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation among countries in the world. Based on each other's long history and rich cultural resources, Egypt and China will tighten the ties of cooperation and cultural exchanges by jointly holding cultural relics exhibitions and other activities, Fathy added. Hussein Zein, chairman of Egypt's national media authority, said that the pragmatic cooperation between Egypt and China has not only been limited to the fields of politics, economy and culture, but also has achieved remarkable results in media exchanges. As an important bridge for cultural exchanges, the media has played a key role in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, Zein noted. For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang said by holding a series of cultural exchange activities under the framework of the partnership year, the mutual understanding and traditional friendship between the two peoples will be further deepened. Guests attend a dialogue themed "World Opportunities of China's Deepening Reform in the New Era" in Cairo, Egypt, July 30, 2024. China's comprehensive deepening of reforms in the new era will bring opportunities to the world, officials from China and Egypt said on Tuesday while attending a dialogue themed "World Opportunities of China's Deepening Reform in the New Era" in Cairo. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai) The day I met Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh for his last interview with the Western media 'Everything about him sought to project the image of a statesman' ... Melanie Swan interviews Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul in 2022 - Melanie Swan When I went to meet Ismail Haniyeh for his last foreign interview in 2022, I was sent the address of a business park on the outskirts of Istanbul. I expected this would just be the first pin, and I might be taken then to a second or third location. But to my surprise, this was indeed the address of the office of the political leader of the terror group holding Gaza in its grip. He was living quite openly, under the eye of the Turkish government. The office a simple, run-down building was where Haniyeh later watched TV footage of the Oct 7 attacks, celebrating the massacre carried out by his organisation. At the time I met him, shortly after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, he wanted to talk. Priti Patel, then Britains home secretary, had just designated Hamas a terrorist organisation, and he wanted a chance to respond. It had been five years since Haniyeh assassinated in Tehran on Wednesday left Gaza in 2017, handing over control inside the Strip to Yahya Sinwar, and he was responsible for efforts to soften the image of the group to Palestinians and internationally. Palestinians in Hebron in the West Bank demonstrate after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh - Mussa Qawasma/Reuters Indeed, Haniyeh told me that Hamas was not a terror group simply a group of freedom fighters seeking justice. Everything about him sought to project the image of a statesman. Before we met, his staff had requested my CV. Inside the office, staff busied themselves constantly around him. He wore a smart suit, lacking any outward sign of his politics, such as the traditional keffiyeh sported by Yasser Arafat, the former leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. In the 45-minute interview, he spoke softly and barely moved from behind his large desk. His rhetoric was mostly predictable. He blamed the British for the fate of the Palestinians, harking back to the 1920-48 British Mandate, which would eventually lead to the creation of the Jewish state. He even accused Ms Patel of designating Hamas a terrorist organisation in an attempt to become prime minister, and demanded an apology from the UK. From refugee to prime minister Born in the Shati refugee camp north of Gaza City, Haniyeh rose to become the protege of sheikh Ahmad Yassin, Hamass founder who was assassinated by Israel in 2004. Haniyeh joined Hamas in 1987, when the group was founded during the first Palestinian Intifada (uprising). In and out of Israeli prisons in the 1980s and 1990s, he was deported from Gaza to Lebanon in 1992, along with more than 400 others, before returning to the Strip the following year. Flour is distributed at the Shati refugee camp, near Gaza City, where Ismail Haniyeh was born - Bernat Armangue/AP Long before he set himself up in the comforts of Doha and Istanbul, he was an advocate for Hamas, setting up a political party foreseeing that it could be useful for legitimising the organisation. In 2006, the year after Israel withdrew from Gaza, he became Palestinian prime minister. Soon after, Hamas seized total control of the Strip in a violent coup against the Palestinian Authoritys Fatah faction. During his term, Haniyeh is alleged to have sequestered millions of dollars meant as aid for the Palestinian people. In exile, he clearly lived a life of luxury far beyond what Gazas citizens could so much as dream of. I asked him what he said to those who accused him of hypocrisy. I will return to Gaza, he said, brusquely. How much Haniyeh knew about the plans for Oct 7 remains unclear. The plan was drawn up by Sinwar and the military leadership inside Gaza. But he was no naif. When I asked him in 2022 how he justified the training of hundreds of children in Hamass military summer camps every year, where young boys are taught urban combat, he called it games. He even smiled and told me the guns in the photos I reference are toys, wooden guns. They were anything but when Hamass teenage recruits swarmed the border and butchered more than 1,000 Israeli citizens. And Haniyeh was key to developing relations with Iran, which has funded and backed Hamas with ever greater largesse. When asked how many missiles Hamas retained after the 2021 war with Israel, he told me: We are always ready for war. A picture of Ismail Haniyeh is held up during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, following his death - Rehan Khan/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock It came just weeks after he publicly thanked Iran for a donation of $70m to help build and develop missiles. When Israeli airstrikes killed three of his sons and three of his grandchildren, he appeared unmoved. The blood of martyrs creates hope for the future, he said. Whoever thinks that by targeting my children during the negotiation talks and before a deal is agreed upon that it will force Hamas to back down on its demands, is delusional, he added. Throughout the ceasefire negotiations, Haniyeh has been viewed as the more moderate voice in Hamass leadership. But he was also not in control. Negotiators had grown tired of Haniyeh laying out positions that would then be disregarded or undermined by Sinwar, hiding out in the tunnels underneath Gaza. Now, he has been killed in the one place he thought he was safe in the heart of the Iranian regime in Tehran. While a team of bodyguards usually protected him, he had just one inside Iran. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans Supreme Leader, has vowed revenge for the assassination. It remains to be seen if Haniyeh can achieve in death what he failed to in life bringing the full might of the Iranian military into Hamass existential conflict with Israel. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A 21-year-old man from D.C. will spend more than seven years in prison for robbing businesses at gunpoint in 2022, the U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) announced Monday. Damion Byrd was sentenced to 90 months in prison for the armed robberies of a convenience store and a fast food restaurant on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, 2022. On Dec. 13, 2022, at 11:41 p.m., Byrd entered a convenience store in the 2300 block of Rhode Island Ave. NE and asked an employee for juice. The worker told him that the juice was in the refrigerators. Byrd got a bottle of water and walked toward the counter, where he tossed down a $1 bill. He then pointed a gun at the employee and said I need the money, all the money you have, according to the USAO. Prince Georges County Police search for person who posed as Social Security Administration employee to elicit money The employee complied, emptying the register and handing over the cash. Just an hour later on Dec. 14, 2022, at 12:43 a.m., Byrd drove to the drive-thru window of a McDonalds on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue NE. He got out of the sedan, pointed a gun at the cashier and said, Open the register and I wont shoot. The employee ran away and Byrd reached into the window, grabbed the cash register and drove off. He was arrested in the District on Jan. 11, 2023, and pled guilty to two counts of interference with interstate commerce by robbery a year after the incidents, on Dec. 20, 2023. After his sentence, Byrd will serve three years of supervised 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. By Munsif Vengattil, Chris Thomas and Jose Devasia CHOORALMALA, India (Reuters) -Hopes of finding survivors began to fade as hundreds of rescuers worked through slush and rocks and pulled out bodies from debris in the hills of India's Kerala state on Wednesday, a day after 167 people were killed in monsoon landslides. Steady rain that intensified as the day progressed and the rising water level in a local river hampered the rescue, with a temporary bridge built to connect the worst affected area of Mundakkai being washed away. The weather department has forecast more heavy rain over the next 24 hours, Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said and urged people to be on "high alert". Heavy rain in Kerala, one of India's most popular tourist destinations, led to the landslides in its Wayanad district early on Tuesday, sending torrents of mud, water and tumbling boulders downhill and burying or sweeping people to their deaths as they slept. It was the worst disaster in the state since deadly floods in 2018. Experts said the area had received heavy rain in the last two weeks that softened the soil. Extremely heavy rainfall on Monday then triggered the landslides. Nearly 1,600 people have been rescued from the hillside villages and tea and cardamom estates, authorities said on Wednesday. They said at least 167 people died, while the local Asianet news TV channel put the death toll at 230. More than 8,000 people were being sheltered in camps across the district, authorities said. Wayanad's district administrator said people had been asked on Wednesday to shift to camps "as soon as possible as there is a danger". Rescuers had found 24 bodies and six body parts on Wednesday and were not hopeful of finding any survivors more than 36 hours after the tragedy, one official in Chooralmala town said. The landslides were mostly on the upper slopes of hills which then cascaded to the valley below, M R Ajith Kumar, a top state police officer, told Reuters. WARMING ARABIAN SEA Nearly 350 of the 400 registered houses in the affected region have been damaged, Asianet reported, citing district officials. The Indian Navy said its disaster relief team had reached the area on Tuesday night and search and rescue helicopters were deployed early on Wednesday but adverse weather conditions due to "incessant rains" posed challenges. India has witnessed extreme weather conditions in recent years, from torrential rain and floods to droughts and cyclones, blamed by some experts on climate change. "Climate change has led to significant alterations in our environment. We need to take proactive steps to address and adapt to these changes," Chief Minister Vijayan said. "Effective measures should be taken to prevent impending disasters." The region hit by the landslide was forecast to get 204 millimetres (8 inches) of rainfall but ended up getting 572 millimetres (22.5 inches) over a period of 48 hours, Vijayan said on Tuesday. "The Arabian Sea is warming at a higher rate compared to other regions and sending more evaporation into the atmosphere, making the region a hotspot for deep convective clouds," said S Abhilash, head of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at Kerala's Cochin University of Science and Technology. "Deep developed clouds in the southeast Arabian Sea region were carried by winds towards land and produced this havoc," he told Reuters. (Reporting by Munsif Vengatill, Chris Thomas and Jose Devasia; Writing by Tanvi Mehta and YP Rajesh; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Conor Humphries) Sam Brownback has held many positions over the yearssenator, governor, ambassador-at-largebut there is one that continues to elude him: Chase Bank customer. After serving as U.S. ambassador-at-large for worldwide religious freedom during the Trump administration, the former Kansas governor turned his attention to religious liberty at home and launched the National Committee for Religious Freedom, a nonprofit group, and opened an account at Chase. Not long after doing so, he went into a Chase branch to make a deposit and was told that his account had been closed. The local banker was able to tell him only three things: that the decision had come from the main corporate office, that it was irrevocable, and that staff had been instructed not to talk about it. We still dont know what happened to us, Brownback said in a recent discussion of religious liberty and debanking sponsored by the Federalist Society. Banking, he said, is a black box, where decision-making is opaque and, apparently, arbitrary. It wasnt that Brownback couldnt get answershe got lots of them. They were just incoherent and inconsistent. At one point, Chase told him that the bank would be happy to serve him, on one condition: that he provide lists of donors and intended recipients of any political spending in the next election cycle. Chase assured us they always ask for donors lists, he said, incredulously. Later, he was told that something he had said triggered looking into our account for money-laundering and domestic terrorism. I asked what it was. They didnt respond. Later, he was given yet another explanation: that he was a politically exposed person. As Brownback points out, that is nonsense. In banking regulation, politically exposed person is a technical term denoting a foreign elected official. As the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council puts it: The term is used in the financial industry to refer to foreign individuals who are or have been entrusted with a prominent public function, as well as to their immediate family members and close associates. Kansas, whatever you may have heard, is part of the United States, and Brownback holds no public office. Scores of other organizations have experienced the same thing. Some of them are firms in industries disliked by progressives. Ruger, the firearms manufacturer, has been debanked twice; Indigenous Advance Ministries, a Christian charity serving widows and orphans in Uganda, was debanked, as was Timothy Two Project International, which trains local pastors in places such as Pakistan and Zimbabwe; the Arkansas Family Council, which does anti-abortion and educational work, had the same experience; the Defense of Liberty PAC had an event canceled after Chase blocked its payment processing for violating its policy against trafficking in hate, violence, racial intolerance, terrorism, the financial exploitation of a crime, or items or activities that encourage, promote, facilitate, or instruct others regarding the same. The event was a talk by Donald Trump Jr. Perhaps you do not think very much of Donald Trump Jr., or of his father. And there is much to criticize in the political resume of Sam Brownback, too. But the notion that they should be denied banking servicesor insurance services, or other ordinary business servicesbecause they are engaged in something akin to terrorism or racial violence is preposterous. But the nearly infinite plasticity of terms such as hate and intolerance are the point. Vague and subjective policies pervade the financial industry, Jeremy Tedesco told the Federalist Society group. He is the general counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, which has itself been labeled an extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. (ADF once was the institutional home of famously intolerant extremist David French.) Theyll never tell the customer the real reason they are being debanked. Companies hide behind vague standards, just like government would do if it were regulating speech. Tedesco sees the issue as being essentially one of collusion: heavily regulated industries doing the dirty work of government officials who cannot engage in censorship themselves but who can lean on banks and insurance companies and make their lives miserable if they choose. The Supreme Court has fired some warning shots about that, as in NRA v. Vullo, in which the NRA successfully argued that the chief financial-services regulator in New York had violated the First Amendment by coercing companies under her supervision to dump the NRA in retaliation for its political advocacy. But the harassment persists. Some states, notably Florida, have enacted laws purporting to stop banks from sanctioning organizations over their political speech or activism, but professor Peter Conti-Brown of the Wharton School at Penn told the panel he thought such laws were unlikely to survive court challenges, given that interstate-commerce consideration effectively forecloses the possibility of state-by-state regulation. Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, who sits on the Senate Banking Committee, said that any legislative fix will necessarily be federal in character. He has been pushing his Fair Access to Banking Act for yearshe has 38 Republican co-sponsors and no Democratsbut, so far, the measure has not been taken up. His bill would, in effect, use the banks own strategy against them, using their access to such federal facilities as the Fed discount window and the Automated Clearinghouse Networkand, most prominently, federal deposit insuranceas a warrant to use federal power to bring them to heel. (Cramer self-deprecatingly notes that he did not have much background in banking before joining the committee. Sonny Bono was on Judiciary, he says. So, anythings possible.) It is a testament to the cultural confidence of American progressives that they feel at ease recruiting banks and other corporations to act as instruments of political discipline. Once a political tendency that thought of itself as championing the powerless, progressivism has grown very comfortable with powernot only in the bureaucracies, the unions, and the faculty lounges, but also in the boardrooms. Like social policies that effectively raise the cost of capital for politically targeted organizations and individuals, political debanking is simply a way of imposing a tax on dissent. Progressives ought to think about the precedent they are setting. On Wall Street, as in Washington, things change. 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. Evidence of debris stemming from return trips of SpaceX Dragon spacecraft has prompted the company to shift future landing operations from Florida to California. The move was announced Friday during NASAs press conference previewing the upcoming Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station, and it wont take effect until 2025 after Crew-9 has returned. After five years of splashing down off the coast of Florida, weve decided to ship Dragon recovery operations back to the West coast, said Sarah Walker, SpaceXs director of Dragon mission management. This includes both cargo and crew versions of its spacecraft. At issue is the trunk portion of the Dragon capsule that is discarded before reentry and splashdown. Initially, the cargo version of Dragon made returns in the Pacific 21 times from 2011-2020, but when crew capability came online, SpaceX made the shift to allow for capsule landings off the coast of Florida either in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico. Feeding that decision were models that predicted how the trunk portion would break up in Earths atmosphere. SpaceX and NASA engineering teams used these industry-standard models to understand the trunks breakup characteristics, and they predicted the trunk would fully burn up due to the high temperatures that are created by air resistance during that high speed reentry into Earths atmosphere, Walker said. They should leave no debris, and that was a determining factor in our decision to passively deorbit the trunk and enable Dragon splashdowns off the coast of Florida. SpaceX first landed a Dragon capsule in the Atlantic with the uncrewed flight of Demo-1 followed by the first crewed launch of Dragon on Demo-2 in 2020. It also switched cargo Dragon missions beginning with CRS-21 in December 2020 so that all Dragon landings have been off Floridas coast since. So today Dragons trunk is jettisoned prior to the vehicle deorbit burn while still in orbit, Walker said. That leaves it in space while the capsule comes down and does a pinpoint splashdown and then it passively reenters and breaks up in the Earths atmosphere in the days to months that follow. But that leaves the trunk with imprecise timing and location for landing. To date, the majority of that trunk debris has reentered over unpopulated ocean areas. But the fact that any debris has reentered indicates to us that we need to draw a different conclusion from that initial analysis, Walker said. So I just want to say that we are committed to safe spaceflight operations and to public safety. Its at the core of what we do. Walker said it evidence of trunk debris was first discovered in 2022 in Australia. More debris has since been found in North Carolina and Saskatchewan, Canada. Walker said SpaceX implemented some changes after the 2022 discovery to improve probability. But then we also launched into a big effort to work with NASA and the FAA to pursue a longer term solution, and thats where we are today, she said. The move back to West coast landings means software on Dragon launches will shift so the trunk remains attached until after the deorbit burn, and that will mean the trunk will land safely in an unpopulated area of the ocean west of the landing spot in the Pacific. SpaceX will shift one of its recovery vessels to the Pacific in 2025 basing operations out of the Port of Long Beach for initial postflight processing. After that, Dragon will be transported back to Florida to prepare for its next launch. This isnt just going back to the old way of doing things, especially considering our human spaceflight recoveries have never before been executed from the West coast, Walker said. Instead, I see it more as taking a familiar operations concept and applying it to the Dragon we fly today, finding a way to combine the public safety benefits of West coast recovery with all the benefits of crew transportation services and enhanced cargo return capabilities that we provided the last five years out of Florida. Dragon flights have become more common with the pace of crewed launches ramping up on top of regular resupply missions to the ISS with cargo Dragon. Crew-9 is the third human spaceflight in 2024 out of what could be a record five flights this year. SpaceXs Crew Dragon fleet already supported the Axiom-3 mission in January and Crew-8 flight in March. After Crew-9, which could fly as early as Aug. 18, it has the Polaris Dawn mission that could also fly in August set to send up billionaire Jared Issacman on a return trip to space, and then the Axiom 4 mission to the ISS as early as November. In 2025, it has Crew-10 slated for February. It also has the next Dragon resupply mission CRS-31 slated for September and another in early 2025, which could end up being the first West coast landing for the spacecraft. This is critical to ensure Dragon continues to safely fly to and from Earth orbit. This new path I believe will make it possible while also keeping the public safe as we work toward becoming a spacefaring civilization, Walker said. Similar to SpaceX Crew Dragon is Boeings CST-100 Starliner, currently awaiting its return home to the U.S. form the International Space Station. Unlike Dragon, it targets landings not in the ocean, but on land. Starliners target landing spots are among five locations in the southwestern United States, with two on the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, one on the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, one on the Willcox Playa in Arizona and one on Edwards Air Force Base in California. It too has a trunk portion called a service module, that will be separated, but after the deorbit burn on reentry as it travels over the Pacific, so that debris would fall into the ocean as well. Privee Restaurant and Lounge had big dreams when it opened in 2023. Owners Marcus Easy and Tim Harris took over the sprawling, 9,000-square-foot Spanish colonial-style building at 700 Southwest Blvd. with the goal of combining fine dining and a high-end lounge under one roof. Specialty cocktails, seafood towers, live music and a private room upstairs with extra perks for members willing to spend $250 per month for the access. Think of it as going to Monarch Bar and Capital Grille at the same time, Harris said at the time. You see that in other cities, but Kansas City doesnt really have this. It lasted less than a year. Privee has been closed for three weeks, and it is unclear if it will reopen. Lawsuits reviewed by The Star suggest Privee is fighting litigation on multiple fronts, including from former employees who have accused the restaurant of racial discrimination and from contractors who say they havent been paid. Neither Harris nor Easy responded to calls, texts, and emails seeking comment. Privee is listed as temporarily closed on Google. Several customers on that site have written reviews saying they showed up for recent reservations and found the restaurant closed without notice. As of Tuesday, its online reservation service OpenTable says Privee is temporarily offline. Privee Restaurant and Lounge opened in a Spanish colonial-style structure that has been home to several businesses over the years. Racial discrimination lawsuits Three former employees are suing Privee, claiming racial discrimination under the Missouri Human Rights Act. Alexandria Alexander, Destinee Goodrich and Lakita Walker have filed separate lawsuits against the restaurant with nearly identical claims. All three are Black women. They were brought in to Privee by Bryan Arri, who has worked at several local cocktail bars and owns Fern Bar. At Privee, he was working on contract as a consultant for the restaurants bar program. He advised on the bars equipment and glassware and hired bar staff. According to the lawsuits, the women did not meet Harris and Easy until a few weeks after being hired. Privees stated reason for terminating their employment was that Privee had over-hired bartenders at the outset and had other, more qualified candidates. But that was not the real reason for (their) discharge, the lawsuits allege. The three women were laid off because of their skin color treated differently than other similarly situated non-minority employees because of (their) race, according to the lawsuits. Arri told The Star that Harris and Easy told him that the women didnt match the aesthetic Privee was going for. These women were somewhat larger, darker-skinned Black women, and the women they kept on were lighter skin, Arri said. They said we needed to figure out a creative way to let them go. Randy Brown, the attorney representing the three women, did not respond to calls and emails this week. Alexander told The Star that Brown advised her not to speak to the media. After Privee failed to respond in court, she filed a motion for default judgment in July. A hearing on that matter is scheduled for Aug. 8. Goodrich and Walker have case management conferences scheduled for later this fall. Marcus Easy, left, and Timothy Harris, owners of Privee, at the restaurants soft opening in 2023. Contractor lawsuits Arri filed his own lawsuit against Privee in December related to his consulting contract. He recently was awarded an $8,700 default judgment but has yet to collect. They didnt finish paying me out, Arri said. We tried to work out a payment plan, but they didnt stick to it. Then they posted a video of me on their social media, and I told Marcus that using my likeness was another package add-on to the contract we had, and to please edit me out or take the video down completely. And Marcus responded, F you and your likeness, Arri said. So at that point I got my attorneys involved. Joe Bartels, the owner of Ambassador Corporate Renovations, is also waiting to be paid by Privee. His firm filed a lawsuit against Privee and the buildings owner, Daxi Properties, in December seeking $60,000 in unpaid bills related to renovations done prior to Privees opening demolition, tile work, countertops, painting and the construction of a privacy wall, among other work. As with Arri, Privees owners initially paid on Bartels invoices but then stopped. We reached a settlement agreement, which took a month and a half to get them to sign, and then they didnt even make the first payment, Bartels told The Star. I think they were hoping to find a new investor and pay off the debt with money from whoever that was. In a crossclaim filed within Bartels lawsuit, Daxi Properties says Privee was responsible for construction costs inside the restaurant. Privee had a five-year lease contract to pay Daxi $8,500 per month for the space, increasing to $9,500 per month in the third year. Privee breached the lease contract, Daxi says, by not paying contractors, failing to properly supervise construction, and failing to ensure lien waivers and releases were obtained for all labor and materials. Allen Culp, the attorney representing Daxi, did not respond to requests for comment. A hearing in that case is set for Sept. 17. Rocktops LLC, a subcontractor, filed a lawsuit against Privee, Daxi and Ambassador in July, seeking to collect $6,700 for work done at the restaurant. Its attorney, Fritz Thompson, did not respond to a call for comment. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1. And ParkIt, a valet and parking services company, filed suit against Privee in May, saying it is owed $7,000 for its services. A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 28. Privee has not posted to its Instagram page in nearly a month, but on Sunday the restaurant responded to a question from a commenter by saying it is in the process of reopening. Three people interviewed by The Star said they had heard the restaurant was being sold, or had recently been sold, to new owners, but because Harris and Easy did not respond to requests for comment, that could not be confirmed. I think they just spent too much money up front, and it caught up to them, Bartels said. Even despite everything, I wanted to see them win and succeed, Arri said. I thought Privee was a great addition to the community. I was hoping they could pull it off. But unfortunately, they ran into money issues, stopped paying people, and instead of being open and honest they became closed and defensive. And you cant do that in this business. This embedded content is not available in your region. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Archery hunters will have the opportunity to hunt on scenic river properties this fall. The Ohio Department of National Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves is offering special archery deer hunts at nine locations bordering Ohio rivers, including the Little Miami and Stillwater rivers in the Miami Valley. ODNR to offer special deer hunting at these nearby nature preserves The sites offer good hunting conditions while reducing the impact of deer browsing on native plant communities, said ODNR in a release. Permits for these locations will awarded through in-person drawings. Hunters must attend a mandatory meeting for each river hunt they are interested in. During that meeting, raffle tickets can be purchased for $5. Names will be randomly drawn and those selected will get to choose a two-week hunting period with a partner of their choosing. Hunters must have a valid 2024-2025 hunting license to purchase raffle tickets. Hunters who wish to apply for hunts at multiple sites will have to attend multiple meetings and purchase multiple tickets. Mailed entry forms are not permitted. The hunt locations and drawing dates are detailed below: Stillwater River The drawing for Stillwater River hunts will be held at the Barn at Stillwater Prairie at 9750 State Route 185 in Covington on Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be purchasable from 5:30-6:20 p.m. Stillwater River locations: Abshire-Graves in Darke County This 22-acre site is located on State Route 185 in Versailles. Cool-Davis in Miami County Twenty-acre property on the northeast corner of the State Route 185 bridge. Little Miami River The meeting and drawing for the Little Miami River hunts will be held at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Caesar Creek Visitors Center at 4020 N. Clarksville Road in Waynesville on Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. Tickets will be available between 5:15 p.m. and 6 p.m. Little Miami River properties: Deerfield Gorge in Warren County This location boasts 136 acres on King Avenue in Maineville. Caesar Creek in Warren County This 70-acre site is located on County Road 30 in Waynesville. Halls Creek Little Miami River Access in Warren County Halls Creek offers a 37-acre site on Mason Morrow Millgrove Road in Morrow. Roxanna in Greene County This 53-acre site is located on US-42 in Spring Valley. For more information about hunting seasons and regulations, call 800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.gov. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. The Defense Department is taking a four-pronged approach to improve military hospitals and clinics following a drop in patient load that has caused providers' skills to deteriorate. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez said Tuesday that, with roughly 60% of Defense Department medical care now provided through the civilian Tricare network, the DoD is working to attract staff and bring back patients. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks issued a memo last December directing the Defense Health Agency to bring at least 7% of patients back to military health facilities by 2026, largely by regaining trust and building a dependable, high-quality workforce. Read Next: Military Jobs with High Deployment Pace, Blast Exposure Correlated with Higher Suicide Rates, Data Shows During a webinar Tuesday hosted by the Association of the United States Army, Martinez-Lopez said that effort is underway, beginning with an overall assessment of the force needed to provide direct medical care to more beneficiaries. The evaluation of the requirements currently doesn't exist, according to Martinez-Lopez. "We have no requirements for force generation in the Military Health System. And we have no requirements for what I call military essential billets, which is the guys in Japan ... the guys in [Fort] Irwin [California]. We're not hiring civilians there; I need to assign military people there ... so we're in the midst of doing the overall study to sort out what we have in hand," Martinez-Lopez said. After completing that assessment and a related risk evaluation, the Defense Health Agency can move with step two, hiring civilians, attracting providers to DoD with incentives that would make pay and benefits comparable to those offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies, Martinez-Lopez said. To do that, the DoD must reduce the time it takes to onboard personnel -- currently, an average of 179 days between a job offer and the start of employment -- and ensure that there are military personnel in DoD hospitals and clinics to round out the staff, he said. "If you need to be in operation in Poland, so be it. If you need to be in a ship in the Atlantic, so be it. But if otherwise, you're going to be taking care of our beneficiaries in the MTFs [military treatment facilities]," Martinez-Lopez said. The Defense Department awarded a contract in May worth up to $43 billion to 11 health care companies to provide dental, nursing, physician and medical support to military treatment facilities in the U.S., Guam and Puerto Rico through 2034. In a panel discussion in May shortly after the contract award, Martinez-Lopez said the agreements were needed because civilian providers remain the "steady force" within the military health system. "The military guys are moving around every three years; these guys are holding the fortress," Martinez-Lopez said during a lunch event at the National Press Club on May 22. By 2026, the DoD will begin the third step, heavily investing in what Martinez-Lopez called "critical MTFs" -- those with large populations of active-duty members, retirees and families -- to attract patients back to the system. He believes that, as the department succeeds with the efforts, more will return, given the low-cost care and ease of access to services at military facilities -- in most cases, no or low copayments and a one-stop shop for primary care, specialty care and medications at zero cost to the patient. The fourth leg of the transformation of the direct-care system, he said, will be technology. The DoD has been slow to embrace user-friendly interfaces that allow patients to make appointments online, message providers or refill prescriptions. The department rolled out an app earlier this year called "My Military Health," similar to widely used civilian interfaces such as MyChart or HealthLife, at five military health facilities in Georgia, Florida, Virginia and Ohio, but such modern conveniences aren't available to all who get their health care at a military hospital or clinic. Martinez-Lopez said the app, improved information technology and telemedicine should bolster the capabilities of military treatment facilities and entice patients. "Patients call because they have a problem they want to fix. How do we provide that fix? Most patients don't care. All they care is [that] their problem is fixed. So, we can provide that through technology, we can provide it face-to-face, we can provide it through telemedicine. ... We're going to give the patient the option and make it attractive," Martinez-Lopez said. The fiscal 2017 National Defense Authorization Act gave the Defense Department flexibility in reorganizing the military health system, which serves 9.6 million beneficiaries. Initial reforms called for realigning staff, consolidating health facilities and shedding some 200,000 retiree and family member beneficiaries, as well as 12,800 military health billets in an effort to curb rising health care costs and streamline the uniformed medical corps so its members could focus on active-duty personnel. At the time, the defense health budget was $48.8 billion, including personnel and construction costs. The plan immediately received pushback by the services' top health officers, who said the reorganization was "extremely difficult" and affected care. But their concerns were dismissed largely as turf battles with the Defense Health Agency, the organization now responsible for managing the military health facilities once operated by the services that currently provides administrative, management, training and logistics services for the military health system. With the level of care declining in military treatment facilities and costs ballooning -- the military health budget is now at $55.8 billion -- the decisions to shed patients and military providers have been abandoned, however. Last November, the DoD Inspector General published a management advisory warning the Defense Health Agency that it needed to resolve issues within the system, recommending that the agency review its provider network and survey Tricare beneficiaries and providers to understand where the system may be shortchanging patients. The DoD IG's office did not receive a response from Defense Health Agency Director Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland "by the time of publication, despite providing an extension of our original deadline for the director to respond," according to the report. Martinez-Lopez said he is optimistic that the DoD can build a high-quality health care system that can also train clinicians for battlefield needs. "It's a huge elephant, so we have to [take] one bite at a time, small, and then chew it and swallow it," he said. Related: Tricare Patients Would See Lower Mental Health Care Costs Under Bill Introduced in Congress The Delaware Way is seen by some as a pillar of Delaware politics. We get along by getting along. To others, the Delaware Ways traditions are viewed as an obstacle to change, improvement, transformation and ultimately, progress. As a state as a country we are at a crossroads. In Delaware, we have been doing the same things, the same way, over and over. We get the same results. We look around and wonder why were stuck in the same place. Delawares education system ranks 45th in the nation. Yet, we spend on average $15,697 annually per student. As many as 30% of working Delawareans cannot afford the average rent of a one bedroom apartment. We see scandal after scandal in our government, often as a consequence of a lack of transparency, accountability and courage to stand up to the Delaware Way. New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer called for a federal investigation into Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long's campaign finances after an independent review found errors and inaccuracies in them. We need a change. We need someone with the courage to say when somethings wrong. Delaware deserves a leader who thinks outside of the box. Delaware deserves a governor who delivers solutions to problems, not bandaids. That person is Matt Meyer. I have served in multiple roles in Delaware government and politics for more than two decades. I was state chairman of the Democratic Party. I have worked as a teacher, as chief of staff for Speaker Gilligan, Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, auditor Lydia York, as well as for Meyer. I have seen behind the curtain and know who is the real deal. I have seen how an effective leader can affect change. We are also at a crucial point as a party. Are we a party that supports transparency and accountability? Are we a party that acknowledges the significant importance of being entrusted with public funds and billions of taxpayer dollars? It was with a heavy heart when I learned of Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Longs reported misuse of thousands of dollars of campaign donations. The whole political system is built upon donors trust that their money will be used ethically and lawfully. The Delaware Democratic Partys platform states that it believes that government is accountable to all Delawareans, and that public funds are the peoples money. We believe that government must exercise wise and prudent stewardship of revenue funds. I call upon the Delaware Democratic Party to rescind its endorsement of Hall-Long and hold true to its stated values. Donors and voters must know we take this type of conduct seriously. Former FBI Agent Lampinskis report, documenting nearly a decade of Hall-Long campaign finance mismanagement, included findings that campaign money was used to pay off personal credit card balances, 113 personal checks were made out from the campaign account, and despite having almost a year to fix finance reports, failed to do so. For the Democratic Party to refuse to rescind its endorsement is to endorse the abuse of money Delawareans entrusted her with. Opinion: Matt Meyer is the best choice for Delaware governor The people of Delaware deserve a governor that they can trust, who adheres to the law, and who exemplifies the ethical standards we expect from our elected officials. Meyer has made government transparency a hallmark of his time as New Castle County Executive. He posted the countys checkbook online so that taxpayers can see where their money goes. When there was a government surplus, he returned money to the taxpayers. When the county received federal funding, he created the Hope Center to help those with substance abuse, mental health, and housing issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, New Castle County was the first county in the state to offer free testing, which saved lives. Erik Raser-Schramm speaks after being named Chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party during the Democratic State Convention at Delaware Technical & Community College, Terry Campus in Dover. Sometimes when people are at a crossroads, they stop, or sometimes they turn back. As someone who worked with Meyer, I saw a leader who time and time again faced challenges head on, arrived at crossroads and saw the opportunity in adversity. He did not take no for an answer. He wanted to know if something could be done in a different way. He asked his team to research, consider new approaches, and innovate. He has done a remarkable job managing the largest local government in Delaware, effectively handling $2 billion in taxpayer funds during his two terms, and has made the county a better place than it was eight years ago. At this crossroads in Delaware politics, I wholeheartedly endorse Matt Meyer for governor. Erik Raser-Schramm is the former state chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Supporting Matt Meyer for governor JOHANNESBURG, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Five pupils were killed and 20 others injured in a collision between a school bus and a train in South Africa on Wednesday, authorities said. The crash involving a bus and a goods train occurred Wednesday afternoon at a level crossing in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, a province in eastern South Africa, the Department of Transport said in a statement. The department confirmed that five children lost their lives and 20 children were critically injured in the accident. Law enforcement authorities said the bus driver fled the scene after the crash, and the train driver and crew did not sustain any injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation, the statement said. In the statement, South African Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy called on law enforcement agencies to intensify their road safety campaign involving school transportation, and urged road users to exercise extreme caution, especially at level crossings, and to adhere strictly to traffic regulations. Earlier in July, 13 people, including 12 pupils and a driver, were killed and seven others injured in a minibus-truck collision near Johannesburg in Gauteng province. The race for Delawares next governor has become even more crowded with a third Republican candidate filing to run earlier this month, setting the stage for a three-way primary for both Republican and Democratic voters in September. Lifelong Bridgeville resident Bobby Williamson filed for candidacy on July 2, creating a three-way Republican primary race for Delaware governor with challengers state Rep. Mike Ramone and Jerrold Price. Williamson, who describes himself as a small businessman, not a career politician, said he would advocate for a reinstitution of regulations on the construction and small business industry; protect children and parental rights, the churches ability to exist, and a proper education, according to his campaign website. Lifelong Bridgeville resident Bobby Williamson is vying for the Republican line for Delaware governor. He also supports preservation and wants to ensure that Delaware doesnt become an annex to California, his campaign touts. Democrats in the gubernatorial race also face a three-way primary Sept. 10 made up of Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, and former state environmental secretary Collin OMara. INDEPENDENT REPORT: Audit finds Hall-Long's campaign finances 'incomplete, inaccurate, misleading' While there have been two events hosted thus far for gubernatorial candidates to debate issues facing Delawareans and discuss how they would approach leading the First State, much of the discussion around the race for governor has focused on campaign finance issues plaguing Hall-Long's campaign. The winner of the Republican and Democratic primaries will face off in the general election Nov. 5. DEBATE: Candidates for Delaware's next governor weigh in on Black maternal health, food deserts Other statewide races on the ballot in Delaware this year include: 3 Democrats, 1 Republican vie for lieutenant governor A three-way Democratic Primary is set among state Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, who represents North Wilmington; state Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker, who represents the city of Wilmington; and Debbie Harrington, a retired U.S. Army colonel and state Democratic Party vice-chair. Gay clinched Delawares Democratic Party support for her run for lieutenant governor in mid-July. Former Delaware Rep. Ruth Briggs King, who resigned from her legislative seat last year after moving across district lines, is seeking the Republican line for the statewide seat. REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE: Former GOP lawmaker Ruth Briggs King considers run for Delaware lieutenant governor The former legislator, who was first elected to the 37th District in September 2009 in a special election to fill the position vacated by former state Rep. Joe Booth, is the only Republican running for lieutenant governor. She will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the general election. Incumbent, 2 challengers run for insurance commissioner Democratic incumbent Trinidad Navarro is running for reelection to Delawares insurance commissioner, having received the state Democratic Partys nomination earlier this month. But he will face Democratic challenger Kayode Abegunde in the primary election. Abegunde unsuccessfully challenged Navarro in 2020 for insurance commissioner. The winner of the primary race will face off against Republican candidate Ralph Taylor, a Dover resident and former Dover city councilmember. Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Who are the candidates for Delaware governor? Deltona man pleads, faces federal prison for possession of a firearm by convicted felon A vehicle with two different license plates from two different states caught police officers' attention, leading to a Deltona man facing federal prison time for having a gun while being a convicted felon. Jatarius Nyquan Horne, 27, of Deltona, pleaded guilty Wednesday to possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, according to a press release from the office of U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. Horne will face up to 15 years in federal prison when he is sentenced. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Orlando Police noticed the vehicle with the mismatched tags on July 3, 2022, on West Central Boulevard. When they approached the vehicle, they noticed marijuana in plain view, according to federal prosecutors. Once the occupants were out of the vehicle, officers found that Horne had a loaded 9mm handgun in his waistband. Horne had multiple felony offenses, including fleeing to elude and burglary. His felony convictions meant he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orlando Police Department investigated the case which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aakash Singh. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Deltona man pleads in federal court to being a felon with a gun With democracy in balance, veterans take up new fight at home Fearful of rising political violence and declining democratic norms, Chris Purdy is organizing veterans to fight both. The former Army National Guard member and advocate for Afghan evacuees this month launched the Chamberlain Network, aimed at countering the rise of authoritarianism and political polarization. Purdy is hoping veterans, who consistently poll as one of the most trusted messengers in society, can combat the attacks on democracy. Today, we see crisis after crisis that causes many Americans to lose faith in democratic institutions. We need people veterans to go out and say, No, democracy works, he told The Hill in a recent interview. Were in an interesting moment right now, I think, as a country as it relates to political violence, and we need to know how to talk about that. We need to know what to say; we need to be messengers of hope for our communities, he added later. Democracy is fairy dust, right? It only works if we believe in it. The work could not come at a more critical time. The Chamberlain Network, alongside other veterans-affiliated groups, met in Washington, D.C., just weeks after the failed assassination attempt on former President Trumps life. Its creation also comes a few months ahead of an election where GOP candidates have already begun laying the groundwork to cast doubts on the legitimacy of the vote. I always say if we win, if we win, because I dont like saying when we win, because they cheat like hell. So, if we win, Trump said during a rally in Michigan earlier this month. But the Trump campaign is doing more than just spurring uncertainty. Along with the Republican National Committee, its organizing an effort called Protect the Vote with a goal of securing 100,000 volunteers and attorneys to be stationed at polls across the country. The campaign also plans to have those volunteers on hand for any postelection auditing and recounts, a signal of the potential legal action the Trump team would bring in the event of a loss. Purdys group, meanwhile, is organizing veterans to serve as poll workers on Election Day, something he said serves as a civic duty while leaving veterans in a position to counter any false claims of election fraud. What theyre going to do is create a team who can kind of amplify these untruths and make people not believe in the system, Purdy said of some members of the GOP. So while I dont want to create a program in opposition specifically to Trump, I think our program is built around this idea that were opposing people who want to sow distrust in the democratic process and want to try to dismantle the democratic norms that we have. Purdy joined the National Guard after being torn between different recruiting tables at his colleges student union: one for the guard, the other for the Peace Corps. He jokes the dilemma may appear counterintuitive but reflected a desire for service. He picked the National Guard in the hopes of serving as a medic. Instead, he was a combat engineer. His career as a D.C. public school teacher was interrupted when he was sent for a six-month stint in Iraq. His role was to ride in the lead car of an overnight convoy traveling across the country, keeping lookout for any danger that could interrupt the trail of up to 80 vehicles. When he returned to teaching, he volunteered for numerous veteran efforts, eventually landing a role leading Veterans for American Ideals. The organization was one of a number of veteran and immigration groups coordinating with those on the ground amid the fall of Kabul, advocating both for evacuees and those left behind in Afghanistan after the withdrawal. But amid all that deeply personal and emotionally exhausting work, he was alarmed by rhetoric questioning democratic norms, attacking institutions and calling for political violence, pushing him to form the Chamberlain Network. The group is named after Joshua Chamberlain, a Civil War hero and former Maine governor who, as head of the Maine Militia, responded to discord over a contested election that resulted in the occupation of the state house. Purdy said theres danger in the countrys failure to share a collective reckoning over a more recent occupation: the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The Republican right wing has called those serving time for their participation in the riot political prisoners. And since the GOP overtook the House, theyve tasked Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), who gave a tour of the Capitol to two men who would later participate in the attack, with reviewing the work of the former Jan. 6 select committee. There needs to be accountability for political violence, Purdy said, noting that in some circles, peoples participation is being celebrated. In fact, you have people who are running for Congress on the fact that they were there. People are now emboldened by it. And I dont know that theres no accountability, but you can actually get political gain or personal gain by being associated with that. So the incentive structure is there for more political violence. His group, in coordination with others, brought about 30 veterans and allies to D.C. for a training on how to confront political violence and dangerous rhetoric. Its not a coincidence, I dont think, that the insurrection on Jan. 6 followed a speech where political rhetoric, rhetoric from everyone out there basically said, Your political rights were stolen; they were violated. Your voice was taken away from you. You put that type of rhetoric out there for an entire morning, and people get all amped up, Purdy said. This is a comms issue right now, he added, saying its essential to have trusted messengers and validators and people who can go out and say, No, I know what political violence does to communities. I was in the military, I trained to go to places that were wracked by political violence, and I do not want to see that happen here in the United States. Veterans who have joined the network pointed to their own experiences driving concerns about democratic decline in the U.S. If you see the kind of societies that I saw on deployment like Iraq and Lebanon, you know what happens to a country when it loses its democratic practices and institutions. Its bad bad for the people, and bad for their neighbors, said Reed Bonadonna, who retired from the Marine Corps as a colonel. Bonadonna said hes been alarmed by some calls hes seen, primarily coming from conservatives. There have been statements made, particularly on the right in favor of antidemocratic practices, such as voter suppression, such as locating more authority in the in the office of the executive, such as insisting on political qualifications or standards for civil servants These are anti-liberal ideas that are seem to have more presence in the public discourse, he said. Emir Hadzic, a former Marine Corps infantryman who grew up in Bosnia, said he sees echoes of the same rhetoric he heard during his childhood before Yugoslavia descended into war. There was so much of a primitivism in those politics, but it worked. It really worked, because they gained power to destroy the country from within, which is something that Im noticing similarly in American political discourse. Theres a lot of divisive rhetoric, theres a lot of, Youre not a real American if you dont agree with me 100 percent or if you dont toe the party line, he said. All this stuff is corrosive for a healthy democracy. Part of the training for Chamberlain Network volunteers and others included a workshop on how to prevent and in some cases deescalate alarming rhetoric or political violence. And the group also met last week with lawmakers, asking them to sign a pledge rejecting political violence but also to work toward ending divisive rhetoric designed to fracture our political community. The weeks ahead of the election are sure to be busy ones for the fledgling group, but Purdy noted the work to undercut democratic norms will not cease with the 2024 contest. I do not think that no matter who wins this election, the political violence threat is going to go away, he said. I think we are, unfortunately, in a generational struggle for our democratic norms. And we need to build systems to adapt to that. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Democrats on Capitol Hill are hammering Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) over his charge that theyre anti-family, pointing to a host of child-friendly benefits theyve long championed in the face of Republican opposition. Vance, the recently tapped running mate of former President Trump, has made waves in recent days for repeatedly accusing Democrats of being the anti-child party, citing, among other things, liberal concerns over the human impact on climate change. The Democrats are hoping to elevate the issue of working-family struggles heading into Novembers elections, highlighting a host of favored proposals including efforts to expand child tax credits, boost paid family leave and ease child care costs which they say debunk Vances sharp imputations. JD Vances comments are as unfounded as they are divisive and show just how ill-prepared he would be as Vice President, let alone as possibly president one day, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) said in an email. The truth is, Democrats are the ones championing the policies that truly support American families and children, biological and non-biological alike. Democrats see an opportunity to gain an edge on Vance and Republicans in the Senate this week with a vote on a long-stalled expansion of the child tax credit. After sailing through the House in January, the tax bill has languished in the upper chamber amid conservative opposition, offering Democrats a chance to cast Republicans as opposing measures that would help children and families. I hope Republicans here in the Senate choose to join us, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Tuesday on the chamber floor. Putting senators on record is one way progress is made on important issues. It can bring important issues to the forefront. The partisan battle over children, families and which side is doing more to help them is hardly new on Capitol Hill. But it was thrust into prominence this month after reports surfaced revealing that Vance, as a Senate candidate in 2021, had characterized Democratic leaders as a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too. Among the lawmakers he singled out was Vice President Harris, the Democrats likely presidential nominee, who has two stepchildren. The entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children, Vance told Tucker Carlson at the time. The reemergence of those comments sparked a storm of controversy around the country and drew criticism from a range of voices, Democratic and Republican alike. Many have been quick to point out Americas rich history of notable childless figures a list that includes founding luminaries like George Washington, powerful conservative women like former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and current GOP Sens. Tim Scott (S.C.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and rush to the defense of stepparents and adoptive parents. The uproar has put Trump in a rare defensive crouch. Appearing Monday on Fox News, he explained to host Laura Ingraham that Vance simply loves family, but he also emphasized those without children are every bit as good as anybody else. Vance, for his part, isnt backing down. In a series of public appearances, hes doubled down on the insinuation that people without children lack the rich perspective unique to parents, while amplifying the accusation that Democrats, as a party, have adopted a position of discouraging procreation. The left has increasingly become explicitly anti-child and anti-family. Theyve encouraged young families not to have children at all, because of concerns over climate change, Vance, a 39-year-old father of three, told Fox Newss Trey Gowdy this week. This is not a criticism, and was never a criticism, of everybody without children. That is a lie of the left, he continued. It is a criticism of the increasingly anti-parent and anti-child attitude of the left. The comments arent sitting well with Democrats in either chamber, particularly those who have been pushing for years to enact new federal benefits for working families but have hit a wall in the form of Republicans opposed to the creation of new federal programs, the hike in federal spending, or both. No Republican, for instance, supported the American Rescue Plan, President Bidens emergency spending package for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, which included $24 billion to help child care facilities survive the health crisis. The [GOP] support for child care really eroded in the Trump era. It is one of the most stunning examples of how the Republican Party has sort of walked away from family-friendly economic policy, a Democratic aide said this week. There would be no child care industry if we didnt pass the American Rescue Plan. More recently, Project 2025 a sweeping conservative policy agenda compiled with help from members of Trumps inner circle proposes to eliminate Head Start, which provides low-income children with health, education and child care services. Democrats are highlighting the document as yet more evidence that Republicans have it backwards when accusing Democrats of being anti-family. Republicans Project 2025 would directly harm familiesmany of them working hard jobs to make ends meet, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) said in an email. That includes enacting policies that target preschool and afterschool programs, slash Medicaid, cut nutrition programs, and eliminate free school meals. To punish hungry kids is disgraceful, she added, but thats what their plans are. The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment on Vances remarks or the Democrats family benefits agenda. It also declined to comment on the tax proposal to be voted on this week. Among those Democratic proposals are the Family Act, sponsored by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), to create a federal paid family and medical leave program; the Childcare Stabilization Act, sponsored by Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (Mass.), which would boost federal childcare funding to pandemic levels; and the Childcare Is Infrastructure Act, also sponsored by Clark, which provides financial help for educators who pursue child care professionally. Democrats are framing this years election as a referendum on the fate of those bills, while also emphasizing the erosion of womens reproductive rights enacted by many GOP-led states in the wake of the Supreme Courts 2022 decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade a ruling made possible by the addition of three conservative justices under Trump. Donald Trump and J.D. Vance are determined to control if, when, and how you have a family, Clark said in an email. They belittle couples struggling to have kids while attempting to ban IVF. They want to impose state-mandated pregnancy while defunding child care and raising taxes on working families. Theres a clear choice in the months ahead. The Senate vote on the child tax credit will amplify the debate this week. The tax bill would boost the refundable amount of the child tax credit to $1,900 for 2024 and to $2,000 for 2025. It also has several tax breaks for businesses, including full expensing for research and development costs, accelerated depreciation scheduling, and a looser cap for interest expense deductions. Republicans have argued against the credit expansion on the grounds that it doesnt have sufficient work requirements attached to it and that it may be accessible to non-Americans. Critically, the bill weakens welfare work requirements and continues a long-standing push by Congress to dress up welfare benefits as tax relief. The bills cash welfare benefits are socially harmful, Robert Rector, a fellow at the right-leaning Heritage Foundation, a Washington think tank, wrote in a January analysis of the legislation. The child tax credit reached rock star status during the pandemic when its expansion raised millions of children out of poverty almost overnight before its lapse lowered them back into poverty. In 2021, U.S. poverty fell across many metrics, reflecting a general improvement in economic conditions, according to the Census Bureau. Changes to the tax system took 7.3 million children out of poverty. The U.S. child poverty rate more than doubled, from 5.2 percent in 2021 to 12.4 percent in 2022, the Census Bureau reported in 2023. While the bill is not expected to pass in the face of a GOP filibuster, Schumer said the vote is nonetheless valuable as a way of putting pressure on Republicans to show where they stand on important issues. This week, the American people will get a chance to see which senators in reality support tax relief for parents and businesses and housing, he said, and who opposes it. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Democrats hold weekend of action events to ramp up support for VP Harris in central NC and beyond RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Just 100 days before the election, Democrats across the country and in the Triangle held a weekend of action to build support for Vice President Kamala Harris campaign. Organizers in Wake County focused on training volunteers. Organizers said recruiting and training volunteers is the focus for another month before ramping up Get Out the Vote efforts in September. Many volunteers said with Harris as the likely nominee, they are more excited to get involved. NC Democratic delegation endorses Kamala Harris for president after emergency meeting Were ready, volunteer Trina Wright said. Were ready for Kamala. We are so ready for Kamala. Wright has volunteered for Democrats for a long time, but in 2024, she said she has barely gotten involved. I had pretty much given up and thought Trump was going to win, she said. With Harris now likely leading the ticket, Wright is back on board, attending a training session in Rolesville Sunday. NC Democrats back Harris-Cooper ticket after Biden drops out Shes going to be our first woman, Black president, Wright said. Im so excited. Theres no way shes going to lose. Were not going back and were about to win this. First-time volunteers, like recent UNC graduate Braeden Harper, are feeling the same way. Im very hopeful for everything like whats in store for us in the future, especially if Kamala is elected, so Im just excited, Harper said. Harper said Biden dropping out of the race is a big deal for people his age. NC lawmakers, political experts react to Biden dropping out I think its time for a more youthful approach to things, he said. I think Kamala, for her being a woman and a minority, I think she has a completely different mindset. North Carolina could be a key battleground state in November. I hear North Carolina is pretty much a red state, but I think its a purple state, Wright said. I think that we have upwardly moving, progressive thinking people all around North Carolina. Polling shows initial impact of Harris replacing Biden in NC, other battleground states Organizers said these volunteers are crucial to electing Democrats up and down the ballot. You have to come out, Wright said. You have to get involved. If you want to change, you have to come and participate in making the change happen. Nothing can happen without all of us uniting and coming together. North Carolina Republicans also hosted a statewide training Sunday, with Rep. Dan Bishop and congressional candidate Laurie Buckhout. NCGOP spokesperson Matt Mercer said volunteers are working every day to make sure former president Donald Trump and his fellow Republican candidates win 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 Queen City News. Democrats say Vice President Harris is putting the key swing states of Georgia, Arizona and Nevada back in play after the party had just about lost any hope of holding onto them with President Biden on the ticket. Former President Trump was pulling away from Biden in many of these states, according to numerous polls, but Harris appears to be at least closing the gap according to the few surveys that have been released in the last week. Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) predicted over the weekend that Harris would win his home state, while Harris campaign co-Chair Jen OMalley Dillon wrote in a memo that the campaign is focusing on Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada. Shes going to stretch the map and force the Republicans to make adjustments in all of their plans, said Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright. Polling from The Hill and Emerson College released last week showed Harris closing the gap with Trump in several battleground states. In Georgia, Harris trailed Trump by 2 points, well within the polls 3.4-point margin of error. And in Arizona, she was behind the former president by 5 points. The same poll shows Harris outperforming Biden by 5 points in Arizona and 4 points in Georgia. Polling outside of North Carolina and Nevada show a similar trend. A poll conducted by Redfield and Wilton Strategies showed Trump leading Harris by 3 points in North Carolina and by 2 points in Nevada. The same poll conducted earlier this month before Biden dropped out showed Trump leading Biden by 6 points in North Carolina and by 3 points in Nevada. Democrats say the reason for Harris narrowing the gap is the energy she has brought to the top of the ticket. But they also point to her ability to galvanize and relate to various key voting blocs in the rapidly diversifying Sun Belt, which includes the Southeast and Southwestern regions of the country, and which is home to younger and more racially diverse voters. Frankly, I think she has the opportunity to perhaps outpace turnout with certain constituencies than Barack Obama was able to do in 2008, Seawright said, referring to the population growth that has taken place in the region over the past 15 years. Her campaign represents something that Barack Obama did not have and the times were living through with the Republican Party being more extremist than they ever have been before, he continued. Campaign operatives say there is a clear difference in the energy felt on the ground since Biden dropped out, pointing to the Harris campaigns weekend of action seen in states across the country. In Arizona, which held its primary election Tuesday, the campaign engaged more than 1,300 people across 65 events throughout the state. Its been a little over a week but its been by far and away our largest week, said Sean McEnerney, coordinated campaign manager for the Harris campaign in Arizona. These are folks that have really liked Kamala Harris for a long time, he continued, referring specifically to the Latino population in the state. Weve had the vice president visit a few times this year already, and I think the vice president connects really well with Latinos in Arizona. The coordinated campaign has 12 offices across Arizona with more than 80 full-time employees. Additionally, there are plans to double the team. The shift in energy is also being felt in neighboring Nevada, which like Arizona is home to a competitive presidential and Senate race. Over the weekend in Nevada, the state Democratic Party said it had more than 1,200 new volunteers contact 40,000 voters. People are turning out in record numbers to volunteer, to sign up for campaign events, to attend campaign events, something we [werent] seeing a couple of months ago, said one Democratic strategist, referring to Nevada. Meanwhile, Ossoff, who won a runoff Senate election in 2021 along with Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), which handed control of the upper chamber to Democrats, said the partys newfound energy has made his home state once again competitive. I think that this is a true toss-up race in Georgia, Ossoff said on MSNBC over the weekend. I expect her to win Georgia. Its going to take a mighty effort, the kind of effort that we summoned here in Georgia to deliver the state for President Biden in November of 2020, and to win those two historic Senate runoff victories in 2021. Democrats say the energy being felt in competitive Sun Belt states is even translating to more conservative states in the region, including Florida. Earlier this year, the Biden campaign signaled Florida was in play following developments on abortion access in the state, but Democrats quickly tamped down talk of putting the state in play as Biden faced questions about his fitness for office. The energy that is on the ground is not only contagious but its all natural, said Nikki Fried, the chair of the Florida Democratic Party. More than 10,000 new volunteers have signed up to support Harris and Democrats in Florida. But Florida, which is considered a red-leaning state, will be difficult for Harris to win. The same Redfield and Wilton Strategies poll showed Trump leading Harris 47 percent support to 39 percent in the state. Republicans brush off the notion that Harris could ever make inroads in Florida and argue the energy seen for Harris on the ground and in the polls in the Sun Belt is a sugar high. Conceivably I understand why they are targeting North Carolina and Georgia. Obviously they are playing a demographics game on that front, said Republican strategist Ford OConnell. I still see this as a short-term boost for her. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. SHAWNEE COUNTY (KSNT) Law enforcement is identifying the victims of a recent shooting incident that left two people dead in a neighborhood south of Topeka earlier in the week. On Wednesday, July 31 the Shawnee County Sheriffs Office released new information regarding Mondays deadly shooting situation. The victims of the shooting are being identified as Johanys C. Rivera, 30, and Alvin D. Munsell, 40, both of Topeka. Investigators found the pair were previously involved in a domestic relationship. Deputies were called around 7:45 p.m. on July 29 to the 1600 block of SW 70th Street in the Montara neighborhood south of Topeka. Law enforcement found a woman, identified as Rivera, suffering from several gunshot wounds and a man, identified as Munsell, suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Both were declared dead at the scene. This embedded content is not available in your region. Kansas mom fights for justice in daughters death after head-on drunk driving crash Investigators found four juveniles, all under the age of 12, were associated with the home where the killings took place. Three were found at a nearby neighbors home with another being located at a grandparents house. All were found unharmed and sent to other family members. The shooting incident remains under investigation. The sheriffs office initially reported the situation appeared to be domestic in origin. No other individuals were believed to be involved in the shooting incident. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Thunderstorms and severe weather aren't leaving Iowa anytime soon. Severe thunderstorms hit the state overnight Monday and Tuesday. While Tuesday's storms weren't a derecho, they still dumped heavy rain on the state. Another wave of storms are on the way for late Wednesday night with severe warnings being issued in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area around 6 p.m. Storms should reach central Iowa around 8 p.m., according to the weather service. Rain could add to Des Moines' record-breaking rainfall totals and worsen flash flooding conditions south of the metro. Power outages in Des Moines leave 16,000 in the dark At its peak nearly 16,500 MidAmerican Energy customers were without power after another wave of severe thunderstorms moved through central Iowa. Around 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, 11,800 of the power outages were in Des Moines and 3,500 were in West Des Moines. MidAmerican also reported about 4,000 customers in the Council Bluffs area are without power as of 9:20 p.m. By 11:20 p.m., the outages in Des Moines had dropped to about 7,400 customers. More: How long is food good in a fridge without power? Safety tips to get you through an outage Severe thunderstorm warnings expire in Des Moines metro The National Weather Service office in Des Moines issued several severe thunderstorm warnings for part of central Iowa. As of 9:20 p.m., all warnings had expired. The National Weather Service said the system had weakened as it moved easy with isolated gusts of 40 mph. Breezy winds of 20-30 mph are possible on the back side of the storm. Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Des Moines, most of southern Iowa A severe thunderstorm watch is now in effect for much of the southern 1/2 of Iowa. Wind gusts up into the 70-90 mph range have already been reported in the Omaha area...capable of producing tornado-like damage! Please make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings! #iawx pic.twitter.com/q3Gb3xjJIX NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) July 31, 2024 The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center is tracking a storm that looks to be moving northeast into Iowa. A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Des Moines, Ames and most of southwestern Iowa from 6:15 p.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. Thursday. The National Weather Service's Des Moines office warned that storms in the Omaha area had already produced wind gusts of 70-90 mph and cause tornado-like damage. What time can Iowans expect storms on Wednesday evening? [7/31 607p] Storms over the Omaha metro are moving quickly to the east with severe wind gusts. Assuming the storms continue on a similar track and speed, the times on the map are the arrival time of storms. Have a way to receive warnings this evening!#iawx pic.twitter.com/q91EW0gu2x NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) July 31, 2024 Western Iowa will see storms first on Wednesday, with an enhanced risk between 5:30 and 9 p.m. In central Iowa, risks of severe weather are highest between 8 and 11 p.m. The storm will track to south central Iowa and leave the state between 1 and 3 a.m. early Thursday morning, NWS said in a news release. The primary threats are hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall, NWS said. Tornadoes are a secondary threat, but still possible. What is the severe weather outlook in Iowa on Wednesday? Severe weather outlook for Wednesday, July 31 in Iowa. Those in central and southern Iowa may have noticed some thunderstorms early Wednesday morning, and can expect more into the night. Storms will begin in central and south central Iowa in the late afternoon and continue into the early evening, said Dylan Dodson, a meteorologist at the weather service's Des Moines office. Storms are expected so be short-lived on Wednesday, unlike the lingering storms Iowa saw early in the week. Wind gusts of nearly 70 mph reported early Wednesday morning Thunderstorm wind gusts of up to 67 mph were reported in Lee County around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Wapello County saw winds up to 63 mph. Dallas and Polk County were among the spots with quater-sized hail, about 1 inch, reported early Wednesday. Hundreds of power outages reported from early storms There were hundreds of Alliant and MidAmerican customers across the state without power due to this week's storms. About 252 Alliant users are without power in south central Iowa and 788 MidAmerican users are without power in the state as a whole, including 632 in Des Moines on Wednesday morning. Power had been restored for most customers by Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday storms drop big rainfall totals in Des Moines Storms that rolled through central Iowa early Wednesday morning dropped significant rain in Des Moines and areas to its south and east. Des Moines recorded 3.46 inches of rain from midnight to 8 a.m. Wednesday, already setting a 24-hour record for July before more rounds of rain arrive. How much rain did we get: See the week's reports from across the state See the live weather radar for Des Moines Track any incoming storms with a live loop of the National Weather Service's central Iowa radar: Flash flood warnings are possible throughout the day Flash flood warnings have been issued by NWS Des Moines in parts of southern Iowa, from Pleasantville to near Bloomfield until 2 p.m., and more local flooding is possible. NWS Des Moines asked that residents report any floods in their area. Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Power outages in Des Moines reach nearly 16,500 after storms pass Deshaun Durham was once a young man with a bright future. The Manhattan, Kansas, native at one point had plans to attend Kansas State University before beginning his professional career. Instead, Deshaun now looks forward to his mother Brandi visiting him at Hutchinson Correctional Facility on the weekends. Hes serving a 92-month sentence for possession with intent to distribute 2.4 pounds of cannabis. Deshaun had a clean record before the arrest and was convicted for a nonviolent offense. According to the Kansas Sentencing Commission, courts across Kansas typically give probation for people with no criminal history. It was a rare occurrence for a first-time offender such as Deshaun to receive this harsh a sentence. Kansas has no level of cannabis legalization. However, Gov. Laura Kelly has been an advocate for those incarcerated on low-level marijuana offenses. She has said: Right now we are incarcerating many, many people who are nonviolent, first-time drug offenders. Those folks no more belong in prison than you or I. What they need, if anything, is treatment. Was the governor talking about cases such as Deshauns? Shortly after Deshauns sentencing in June 2021, Kelly took executive action on several individuals serving time on drug charges. This included commuting Dominic Holders sentence, which was for two counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Deshaun recently turned 23 and has been in prison for three years, similar to Dominic, who received clemency at age 23. However, Dominic, who was convicted with possession of 44 pounds of cannabis, had a significantly larger amount than Deshaun. If individuals such as Dominic can be granted clemency with a large amount of cannabis, why cant Deshaun, who was convicted for only 2.4 pounds? Kansas taxpayers spend an average of $30,100 annually per inmate. For a first-time cannabis offender such as Deshuan, with no criminal history and a release date in 2028, we have to ask ourselves: Does the time fit the crime, and is it worth the expense to keep him in prison? In 2018, Kelly said: When we incarcerate those people for first-time drug offenses, were really separating them from work, separating them from family and doing great devastation to them individually, but also, I think, our economy. Deshaun has stayed active in prison, working an off-site private industry job. In 2019, the governor visited Lansing inmates at an off-site private industry workflow site located in downtown Leavenworth. It is safe to say Kelly likely believes in the private industry sector of her criminal justice system as a way of rehabilitation and teaching skills to reduce recidivism. Deshuan is a testament to that idea: He is currently a taxpayer while incarcerated, as he is a private industry worker looking to acquire additional skill sets to reintegrate back into society. I believe if clemency exists, it should be offered to a person like Deshaun. The Kelly administration has demonstrated a great approach through prior executive action for individuals with circumstances similar to his. I wouldnt be surprised if the governor uses her executive power once again to grant Deshaun the justice he deserves along with other cannabis prisoners in her state. Will history repeat itself with Deshaun Durham? I think and hope that it will. Donte West, also known as Donte Westmoreland, is an entrepreneur and criminal justice advocate who was exonerated in 2021 after spending three years and eight months incarcerated on possession of 1 pound of marijuana with intent to distribute. He works with the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Last Prisoner Project to help other incarcerated cannabis offenders. Participants attend the Hong Ting Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 31, 2024. The Hong Ting Forum, themed "China and Africa Join Hands Together to Modernization," was held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi Wednesday, drawing dozens of participants, including policymakers, diplomats, industry executives, media personnel and scholars. (Xinhua/Han Xu) NAIROBI, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Ting Forum, themed "China and Africa Join Hands Together to Modernization," was held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi Wednesday, drawing dozens of participants, including policymakers, diplomats, industry executives, media personnel and scholars. Convened by Xinhua News Agency Africa Regional Bureau, the half-day symposium discussed innovative ways to strengthen Sino-African cooperation across diverse sectors and achieve renewal. There was a consensus among participants at the Hong Ting Forum that both Africa and China have a shared aspiration to prosper and modernize by leveraging partnerships and mutual learning. Cavince Adhere, a Nairobi-based international relations scholar, observed that a fruitful Sino-African cooperation will form the foundation for fostering economic modernization, creating jobs and spreading prosperity evenly. While acknowledging China's huge footprint in African economies, Adhere called for enhanced cooperation in digital inclusion, green transition, technology transfer, health, agriculture and security to achieve mutual benefits. In Kenya, Adhere said China has been instrumental in the modernization of the country's infrastructure, boosting economic growth through enhanced movement of goods and services. Steve Zhao, chief executive officer of MOJA Expressway Company Limited, a subsidiary of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), noted that by tapping into Chinese technology, capital and expertise, African countries will benefit from modernization powered by improved transport networks. The 27.1-km Nairobi Expressway, built by CRBC through a public-private partnership and now operated by MOJA, has boosted Kenya's modernization through seamless mobility of manpower and cargo, Zhao said. Julius Thairu, chief commercial and customer officer of Kenya Airways, the national carrier, said the dream of establishing a Sino-African air "Silk Road" is slowly being realized to promote connectivity, trade, tourism and cultural exchanges. Thairu said strategic partnerships between African and Chinese airlines have been forged as part of the air "Silk Road" to strengthen commercial ties and people-to-people exchanges. African countries have been inspired by China's rallying call for countries to pursue modernization that suits their local conditions and spread benefits equitably, said Samuel Maina, editor-in-chief of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, the state-funded broadcaster. Maina underscored the urgency of powering Africa's modernization by leveraging partnerships with China in strategic areas like healthcare, education, agriculture, energy and infrastructure. "Africa can draw valuable lessons from the Chinese modernization journey to inform its development strategies," Maina said, adding that partnerships in the areas of innovation, advanced manufacturing and e-commerce will hasten modernization. In the early days of the American labor movement, company bosses, alarmed at a surge of employees demanding higher wages and safer working conditions, cooked up a plan to hamstring their opposition. To create a false sense of worker empowerment, corporations set up so-called company unions dominated by management types, providing workers with relatively cheap concessions like pool halls, recreation centers and free or discounted company products while guaranteeing that any real decisions over pay and benefits remained in corporate hands. That ended in 1935, when Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and banned company unions. All labor organizations would now have to be freely elected by the workforce, without interference from above. Since then, American unions have successfully fought for 40-hour workweeks, the end of most child labor and other protections that are now enshrined in law. The income gap between the richest and poorest Americans shrunk considerably in the years after the NLRA passed, before growing once more as unionization declined in the 1970s and 1980s. While labor advocates seek to revitalize union membership and pressure governments to pass labor-friendly policies as a means to increase workers' bargaining strength, Republicans hoping to regain full control of government in 2024 have plans to "fix" the labor movement by targeting those unions, which they characterize as unaccountable and inefficient. Former President Donald Trump's first administration took measures that labor experts say are tantamount to union-busting, while Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill introduced the Teamwork for Employees and Managers (TEAM) Act in 2022, which would repeal NLRA's Section 8(a)(2) and other rules meant to keep unions independent and capable of bargaining effectively. Section 8(a)(2), which lays out what constitutes unfair labor practice on both ends, expressly prohibits unions that have been "assisted or controlled" by the employer. That companies would suddenly act in good faith after being given even more power is a far-fetched proposition, Ellen Dichner, a former NLRB chief counsel during Barack Obama's presidency, said in an interview. "The idea that a committee formed by the employer is going to respond in any meaningful way to the concerns of workers, especially if those concerns impact wages, hours and working conditions, is not based on reality," she told Salon. "Workers have no guaranteed meaningful voice in these committees." Although the TEAM Act did not become law, Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation's right-wing policy template with fingerprints from over 140 former Trump administration officials, calls for the bill's revival in the next Congress. According to the text of Project 2025, permitting "formal workermanagement cooperative organizations," and allowing petitions that decertify a union and trigger a fresh election to be filed at any time, would provide workers with greater choice over how they are represented. Alexander T. MacDonald, a labor and employment attorney who has spoken favorably about employer-worker unions, argued Republicans are just responding to a lack of enthusiasm for organized labor. "Labor representation in this country right now is at 6% of the private sector workforce, which suggests to me that something's going wrong with the labor movement," he said. "People are not choosing unions, for whatever reason. And one reason might be that there's been not been a whole lot of incentive on the part of incumbent unions to improve their services." But many union representatives and labor relations experts argue that lower unionization is a product of Republican policies designed to hamper organized labor, such as "right to work" laws that allow workers to reap the benefits of collective bargaining without paying dues. They maintain that, whatever the rhetoric around company-led unions, Republicans are simply seeking to give bosses more power over workers. "It's designed to eliminate unions as an independent and free entity that deals with employers, that sits across the table from them, and bargains with them," AFL-CIO advocacy director Jody Calemine told Salon, emphasizing the need for a binding contract that a union can enforce. "If you don't have binding contracts, if you don't have an independent voice, then essentially the company controls how any of these discussions will play out." GOP proposals to encourage management-worker cooperation operate on the assumption that both parties are capable of working harmoniously to reach common goals. Such an assumption seems far-fetched, when companies like Starbucks, Amazon and SpaceX, as well as institutions like the University of California system, routinely engage in legally dubious tactics designed to manipulate or scare workers away from unions, including firing pro-union employees, conducting surveillance, spreading misinformation and pitting members against each other. After the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), a federal agency that enforces labor law, ruled against several of those companies for violating federal statutes, some of them filed lawsuits aimed at having the NLRB declared unconstitutional. Federal courts have already ruled in favor of those companies in a number of cases and limited the NLRB's sway in the process. The illusion of power in company-run committees, Calemine added, would be used to persuade workers that "they don't need an independent unit, they don't need this union that's coming in trying to organize, since they already have a voice or whatever you want to call it in this TEAM Act committee meeting." Collective action by unions has been the primary, and perhaps only recourse for workers to bargain for their rights; the existence of "cooperative" groups where company leaders have partial control would allow them to bypass traditional unions on bargaining issues and split workers by favoring some groups over others. The adversarial model of post-1935 management-worker relations that the GOP wants to reverse is based on the principle that the objectives of employers and union members are fundamentally in conflictunion members want higher salaries and improved benefits, while corporations have mandates to pursue maximum profit. "This change would be asking corporations to voluntarily accept a different mandate or balancing a mandate of maximizing profit with cooperating with workers," said Stephanie Luce, the Chair of the Department of Labor Studies at the City University of New York. "I don't want to say that labor management cooperation could never happen. But it's pretty far fetched. And it has to be under the kind of ideal scenarios in which the management has a very explicit commitment to cooperation and has set up some guardrails to make that possible." Current NLRB rules do permit some company-run employee participation programs, as long as they do not touch issues related to work conditions or other bargaining subjects covered by the NLRA. Other purposes, like brainstorming or facilitating employer-employee communication, are allowed. Proponents of the TEAM Act, claiming that their bill would protect those already-protected programs, saw their efforts to pass the bill thwarted by a presidential veto in 1995 and opposition by the Senate's Democratic majority in 2022. The TEAM Act may breathe yet if the GOP gains full control of the federal government in the 2024 elections. But even without the cooperation of Congress, the Trump administration was able to enact policies that stalled union elections and gave company management more time to campaign against union recognition; restricted workers' ability to picket their subcontractors; and made it easier for employers to fire workers for speaking up for better pay and working conditions. The Biden administration subsequently reversed most of those rules. Trump's record on labor during his first term is a sign that any promises he and his allies make are not to be trusted, Elena Lopez, a senior legislative specialist at the Communications Workers of America, said in an interview. "It's all fantasy," Lopez said. "If you look at what their proposals actually say in detail, it's all about empowering the company." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Project 2025 also proposes to make it far easier and quicker to decertify a union by repealing the contract bar rule, which currently blocks employees from filing a decertification petition for a three-year period after after a bargaining agreement has taken effect. After that period has elapsed, employees typically have a 45-day window to file a petition before the union signs another three-year contract. Proponents of repeal say that this process is a woefully inadequate mechanism to holding unions accountable. "There's this famous saying that antitrust law is supposed to be good for competition, but not for competitors. You can imagine why incoming unions wouldn't like this. You gotta work harder, right?" said MacDonald, the employment attorney who has been critical of unions in their current form. "And ultimately, that can lead to more or better services, that's more representation and more people choosing what suits them best." Supporters of keeping the contract bar rule say that it's rich for writers of Project 2025 to preach about workers' autonomy when they're also trying to legalize company unions. The real point, according to Harvard Law School professor Benjamin Sachs, is to "destabilize labor relations" under the guise of employee choice. "You don't protect dissenting voices by giving people the right to call an election any day. That would be like saying, if a president is elected on day one, we can have another election on day two, and a third election on day three," Sachs said. "Elections last for a certain period of time, and then we can have another election. That's a logical rule that gives unions and management the chance to bargain workable collective agreements. It gives workers the chance to make a choice and have their choice respected for a reasonable period of time, and then if workers want to revisit that choice, they have an option to do so at the end of the contract." If a union is decertified, the contract they negotiated with management would no longer be in effect. And following the divide and conquer playbook of company unions, management could try to make sure this happens as much as possible. "Employers could easily approach a few dissatisfied employees and promise some benefits in return for starting a decertification process," said Luce. Trump has sought to convert union members, a traditionally Democratic constituency, to his side by claiming to support workers and railing against immigration and trade policies that he says are depriving them of jobs. But even if Republicans celebrate favorable signs, like Teamsters Union president Sean O'Brien praising Trump at the Republican National Convention, union leaders are working to convince rank-and-file members that Trump and Vance are nothing but false prophets who will ruin them all. "We're showing our members that the conservative promise, as they call it, is really about empowering companies and employers over the everyday needs of working people," Lopez said. A state senator is weighing her legal options after the state Board of Education, for a second straight month, denied her entry into an executive session on Wednesday, despite support from Oklahoma's attorney general. Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, left, and Sen. Mary Boren talk as they wait for the Oklahoma State Board of Education to finish an executive session during a board of education meeting in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, had been entry into an executive session at the board's June meeting. Such sessions are closed to the public. Two other lawmakers Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, and Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond --joined her in attempting to attend an executive session at the board's July meeting on Wednesday. The state board is led by state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, a Republican. I am in the making-sure-I-have-the-law-right stage, Boren told The Oklahoman. I am not in opposition to filing a lawsuit. Its fair to say, Im considering whether or not a lawsuit is the best course of action and if I have the resources to do it. The Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office has been clear that lawmakers should be allowed to attend at least some executive sessions, pointing to a section of the state's Open Meetings Act. The law reads: Any member of the Legislature appointed as a member of a committee of either house of the Legislature or joint committee thereof shall be permitted to attend any executive session authorized by the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act of any state agency, board or commission whenever the jurisdiction of such committee includes the actions of the public body involved. Boren serves on the Senate Administrative Rules Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Appropriations and Budget Education subcommittee. Rosecrants serves on the House Education Committee and Osburn serves on the House Appropriations and Budget subcommittee for education and on the House Judiciary Committee. An assistant attorney general sent a letter to Walters and the board earlier this month emphasizing that Boren was allowed to attend the executive session, and Attorney General Gentner Drummond was emphatic in a statement: The law is clear that legislators have significant oversight authority. No elected representative of the people should be prevented from exercising that statutory power. Did the state board follow the Open Meetings Act? The board had two executive sessions scheduled for Wednesdays meeting. The first was to discuss whether Boren could enter the meeting. Rosecrants and Osburn were not named on the agenda. But the board brought all three lawmakers into the executive session to state their case as to why they should be allowed in. After that, Boren said, they were taken back to a holding room. They never made it into the small room where the board was meeting because of capacity issues. The executive session lasted for one hour and 40 minutes. According to the agenda, the board was to discuss and possibly take action on Borens request. After that, the agenda said the board would vote to return to executive session to discuss other items, including teacher license suspensions and revocations. Instead, the board voted to table the agenda item involving Boren. Then, without going back into executive session, they immediately began voting on the teacher licensing items. Boren suggested those votes could be nullified because the board didnt follow its posted agenda. We are very concerned by what appeared to be a willful violation of the Open Meetings Act, said Phil Bacharach, a spokesman for the Attorney Generals Office. Our office will look further into the matter and take appropriate action. A willful violation of the Open Meetings Act carries penalties up to a $500 fine per violation and one year in jail. Walters, speaking to reporters after the meeting, said he believed Drummonds office needed to give us some clarity on whether the lawmakers can sit in on executive sessions. Ive got left-wing Democrats like Mary that want to come in and make it where we cant remove pedophiles from the classroom, Walters said. Thats what shes wanting to do. Shes wanting to disrupt that process. Were looking legally, and it doesnt appear that she has jurisdiction. She claims that shes on a phone-call basis with the attorney generals office and theyre telling her she does. Weve requested specifics from the attorney general and havent heard from them. So, look, we just need clarity on the attorney generals role, what their perceived role is with our agency, so were just going to go ask and say, Lets put this in writing, what do you see here, whats your advice, what do you see your role is in advising folks? Again, are they on the phone with Sen. Boren every day? I dont know. I know what she says, but weve just got to get clarity from them, because we want to make sure that everything were doing is clear, everything were doing is well within the law. We feel very confident in what were doing. Thats going to be our next step, is just to make that request, so we can get additional clarity on it. The letter sent from the attorney generals office to the board earlier in July indicated that the boards contracted attorney, Cara Nicklas, remained cool to the idea of allowing the legislators into the executive session. Rosecrants and Boren both indicated Nicklas remains a primary obstacle to them being allowed into the executive session. "There wouldn't be any issues if your boss would just let people in." Rosecrants said he told the agencys lobbyist, Lindsey McSparrin who escorted the lawmakers in and out of the executive session, that, There wouldnt be any issues if your boss would just let people in. When you put a wall up going to have a lot of people wondering why the wall is up. Rosecrants, a frequent critic of Walters when posting on social media, said hed stayed away from state Board of Education meetings because I didnt want to make them overly political. This is literally my first time (to attend). I finally decided to go, and what a mess! Boren and Rosecrants each praised Osburn who, like Walters, is a Republican in joining them on Wednesday. Rep. Mike Osburn of Edmond, a Republican, joined two Democrats in being denied access to most of the state Board of Education's executive session on Wednesday. Its significant that Rep. Osburn was there, and its significant what Rep. (Mark) McBride and Attorney General Drummond (who also are Republicans) have done, Rosecrants said. It shows accountability is a bipartisan endeavor. It requires both sides to have authentic accountability. When you have somebody abusing power and theyre targeting a teacher, theres not a school district or classroom safe from that targeting. Today, it was a teacher from Rep. Osburns district. You just dont know whose district it is going to be next. It was significant Rep. Osburn showed up to observe how his teacher in his district was going to be treated. Having legislators attend executive sessions usually isnt an issue. Two Republican legislators, Sen. Adam Pugh of Edmond and McBride, from Moore, have attended executive sessions conducted by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education during that boards two most recent meetings. No concerns were raised. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks during an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. People sit in an overflow viewing room as they wait for the Oklahoma State Board of Education to finish an executive session during a board of education meeting in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks during an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters leaves the meeting as the board goes into executive session during an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Education board again denies access to closed session to legislators New details released on man accused of assaulting ASP trooper on Interstate 49 in Rogers ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) New details have been released in an affidavit following the arrest of a man accused of resisting arrest and assaulting an Arkansas State Police trooper in Rogers on July 27. Angel Zapet-Alvarado, 26 (Courtesy: Benton County Detention Center) Angel Zapet-Alvarado, 26, was booked into the Benton County Detention Center on July 27 on speeding, reckless driving, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, no drivers license, resisting arrest and second-degree battery. A probable cause affidavit said on July 27, an Arkansas State Police trooper made a traffic stop near mile marker 82 on Interstate 49 after seeing a car pass the trooper at 114 mph. The vehicle continued to travel south without indicating signs of stopping after the trooper turned on her siren, the affidavit said. The driver, identified as Zapet-Alvarado, eventually pulled over to the shoulder but refused to get out of his vehicle after the trooper told him he was under arrest. Zapet-Alvarado reportedly tried to put his vehicle in drive and the trooper grabbed her taser while continuing to order him out of the vehicle, saying he was under arrest. ASP: Guatemalan man accused of resisting arrest, assaulting trooper on Interstate 49 in Rogers The trooper pulled the keys out of the ignition and threw them over the top of the vehicle, the affidavit said. She was able to get Zapet-Alvarado out of the vehicle on the ground after grabbing her taser and ordering him out of the vehicle. He allegedly grabbed the taser from the trooper and threw it into traffic. He was able to get the trooper on her back and was lying on her chest when a woman stopped to help the trooper, according to the document. Zapet-Alvarado reportedly kicked the troopers head numerous times. The trooper asked the woman to help her move and fired one shot that grazed Zapet-Alvarado above his right ear. A second trooper arrived on the scene and helped take Zapet-Alvarado into custody. Zapet-Alvarado was taken to a nearby hospital before being taken to the Benton County Jail. He is being held on a $300,000 bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. Its devastating to all of us: St. Johns County family mourns the loss of their 7-year-old girl Tonight, a St. Johns County family is mourning the loss of their seven-year-old girl. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The St. Johns County Sheriffs Office said Adalyn Laymon, an autistic and nonverbal child drowned in a pond near her home. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] A neighbor who lives close by told Action News Jax Annette Gutierrez off camera that he saw deputies pull little Adalyn out of a retention pond. Another neighbor, Ed Nolan, said this was devastating to hear about. Thats horrible, horrible news, Nolan said. An entire neighborhood came together to search for little Adalyn when the non-verbal girl was reported missing. But an hour after the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office put out an alert about little Adelyn, they found her in the retention pond behind her house. ORIGINAL STORY: 7-year-old autistic girl who was missing, taken to the hospital has died, St. Johns deputies say A spokesperson said a firefighter and deputy found her underneath the water not far from the shore. They immediately began CPR and rushed her to the hospital, but she later passed away. Its devastating to all of us in the community to hear this very very sad news, Nolan said. Our hearts go out to the family and our condolences to all of them. So far this year, St. Johns County Fire Rescue says it has responded to six drowning calls, and this was the first that was fatal. The Department of Children and Families reports 74 drownings have happened in the state this year. But todays drowning would make that number 75. We are sadly in a really bad place at this point of this year, Autism Society of Florida President Stacey Hoaglund said. She says according to her data, there have been 12 more drownings compared to this time last year. Hoaglund says kids with autism are typically drawn to the water. READ: Exclusive: Mother of toddler who drowned at an Orlando resort wants fencing around ponds Theres nothing like water - Its very sensory, Hoaglund said. Unfortunately, theyre drawn to water, and if theyre not prepared for entering the water, you know, something devastating could happen. She encourages parents to teach their kids how to swim in all bodies of water, learn CPR, and also put-up barriers. You have to have alarms on your doors, Hoaglund said. You have to have locks on your doors. You have to have fencing around your pools, or, you know, your backyard. She also says to make sure your childs flotation device is Coast Guard approved. She said the water wings are not. The sheriffs office said this was a tragic accident and no foul play was suspected. [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. Here's why bid for huge Roxbury warehouse complex blew up. Whats next at Hercules site? The long-debated project to build a mega-warehouse complex on the site of the old Hercules munitions complex in Roxbury appears to have gone up in smoke. Nearly two years after first proposing the project on the 909-acre tract, and following a year of contentious hearings, Hartz Mountain Industries informed the township Planning Board in a July 19 letter that it was withdrawing its application. "It did surprise us," said Councilman Robert DeFillippo, who also sits on the planning board. "It seemed pretty abrupt and sudden." Mayor Jim Rilee, also a planning board member, echoed that sentiment. "We were shocked. Nobody expected that." The project would have covered the Hercules tract, believed to be the biggest remaining parcel of developable land in Morris County, with 2.5 million square feet of warehouse space about twice the size of the Rockaway Townsquare mall. Bordered by Route 46, Howard Boulevard, the Mount Arlington train station and Berkshire Valley Road, the property has been the subject of years of environmental cleanup to remove the chemical contamination left by more than a century of manufacturing explosives. The letter from Hartz Mountain's attorneys stated no reason for the withdrawal. But the application appeared to be in jeopardy when both sides last met during a planning board meeting on June 5. At that meeting, Roxbury's planning consultant, Joseph Burgis, suggested the "magnitude" of the project required approvals that would amount to effectively rezoning the area, which he said was the purview of the township council, not the board. The plans faced "critical issues," Burgis added, including a town ordinance limiting the amount of warehouse space allowed on the property. Will Hartz Mountain sue Roxbury? At that meeting, Hartz attorney Steven Mlenak told the Daily Record his company had concerns about whether it was receiving "due process" from the board and suggested an independent investigation of the plan might be called for. He declined to comment about whether Hartz Mountain would take legal action against the board if it denied the application. Mlenak and James Rhatican, the Hartz principal for the project, did not immediately return requests for comment on Tuesday. An early rendering of development proposed for the former Hercules property in Roxbury, including more then 2.5 million square feet of warehouse space on the 820-acre tract. "All I can say is the planning board put in many, many hours reviewing this application and it took up a tremendous amount of staff time to get through the materials," DeFillippo said in an interview. The property is still zoned for warehousing as a permitted use "just not on the massive scale of the Hartz Mountain application," he added. "Anybody who wanted to develop the property would have to be guided by our existing zoning and ordinances." Win for environmental advocates Meetings over the last year drew large crowds of both residents and environmental advocates concerned about the project's impact on sensitive streams flowing through the property. "We were thrilled to hear Hartz Mountain withdrew its application," said Mara Tippett, executive director of the Raritan Headwaters Association, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting land that feeds the North and South branches of the Raritan River. "The proposal was poorly conceived and entirely unsuitable for a location with sensitive headwaters and streams. We've been opposed to it since its inception." The headwaters of the Black River flow through the property, which is also near private wells that provide drinking water for some Roxbury families. A full audience attended a Roxbury Planning Board meeting to discuss a proposal to build 2.5 million square feet of warehouse space on the site of the former Hercules munitions factory tract. Tippett said the association "is not opposed to sustainable development" and understands a portion of the Hercules property will likely be built on in the future. "But there is still work to be done." The association will hold a public outreach meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 22 for residents interested in learning more about ongoing remediation of the property. The meeting will be at the township senior center on Eyland Avenue. Meanwhile, Tippett offered "a shout-out" to the Roxbury planning board for "sticking to its guns, asking the right questions" and "being committed to our watershed." Explosive history of the Hercules tract The Hercules tract represents about 8% of the total land area in Roxbury. "In fact, there are approximately 80 municipalities in the state of New Jersey that are smaller than this one piece of property," Burgis said. Though it's been idle since the munitions plant closed in 1996, the property has a history of accidents and fatalities, most notably in 1940, when 51 people died in a gunpowder explosion. More: A week after reopening, Lake Hopatcong fountain is shut down again. Here's why TNT and nitroglycerine are among the contaminants identified in the soil of the former munitions complex, which opened in 1871. Hercules LLC, which owns the site, is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of chemical manufacturer Ashland Global, which purchased the land in 2009. Ashland is still responsible for remediating the remainder of the tract for possible future redevelopment. Hartz Mountain, which had a pending agreement to purchase the land, hoped its warehouses would serve as a "cap" over a portion of the remediated property. Plans for housing scrapped Hartz Mountain's initial proposal also called for building an unspecified number of affordable housing units on the site and leaving about 500 acres preserved as opens pace. But the plan was downsized over the past two years to include just the warehouse component. Its a unique opportunity to redevelop a former manufacturing site, bring significant new economic benefit to the area, add new open spaces for public use, and have very little negative community impact, Rhatican said in a company statement in 2022. Our expert study estimates over 1,100 jobs created during the construction phase, 1,200 ongoing permanent jobs during operation, and over $4 million in new property tax revenues each year." William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com Twitter/X: @wwesthoven This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Developer scraps plan for huge warehouse complex in Roxbury An experienced developer from the Jackson area has optioned almost seven acres that anchor the western entrance to Ocean Springs along Front Beach Drive and Porter Avenue for a potential condominium development, but plans are preliminary. Developer Steve Bryan confirmed that his company, Ridgeland-based Mid South Companies LLC, has signed an option to buy the property, owned by Naomi Enterprises L.P. But Mid South is completing due diligence to determine whether the project is feasible. Bryan said he has met with the city but no formal plans have been presented, despite a copy of a proposal leaked on Facebook. We havent even named it, said Bryan, president and CEO of Mid South in Ridgeland. Its in its infancy. Were just nowhere near having this thing ready. The company has developed houses, condomiums, apartments, commercial properties and office buildings in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. The Ocean Springs property, listed at $7 million by owner Naomi Enterprises LP, is special to residents. The estate property has sat undeveloped for decades. Its canopy of trees rises to greet motorists as they approach from the Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge and also insulates the residential beachfront from traffic and commercial activity. While the wooded acreage anchors the northwest side of Front Beach Drive, the Ocean Springs Yacht Club has for decades occupied the southwest corner. The Yacht Club even parks its boats on a beachfront strip Naomi Enterprises owns across the road from its main parcel, where the Yacht Club also mows a strip of grass it sometimes uses for event parking, Commodore Carroll Kovacevich said. Bryan is amenable to donating a small strip on the beach where the yacht club could continue to park boats, Kovacevich said, although not nearly as many as it can now fit on the Naomi Enterprises property. Boats can be launched from the beach for racing and summer sailing camps. Its pretty much the heart and soul of our sailing program, Kovacevich said. Condominium plans released prematurely The Naomi Enterprises property is listed with Realtor Brad Jay of Real Broker LLC in Pascagoula. Its a very special piece of property, he said. He said many of the trees on the property are invasive species, although it also features some majestic Live oaks. Many of the oaks, Jay said, would be preserved, although some would have to be removed for development. He had thought some residents might be interested in pooling resources to buy the property for preservation, but that hasnt happened. He said interest has been high among investors, but a fear factor also is associated with the property Theyre afraid to touch it because they know that the residents will do everything in their power to shut it down, Jay said. Preliminary condominium development plans were recently posted on two popular community Facebook pages. Im very surprised to see the plans are out there and Im very disappointed, Jay said. Putting things out there prematurely doesnt do anybody any justice. Ocean Springs development inevitable, mayor says The preliminary plans show development in two phases, with each phase taking about 18 months. A total of 198 units and a marina are included in the plans. But Bryan said no numbers have been finalized and that they change constantly. At one time, he said, Mid South was considering more than 200 condos for the property. He hopes the project will work on the Ocean Springs waterfront. I am constantly looking for water-oriented development sites, Bryan said. We just know that the city of Ocean Spring is well thought of nationally, as well as regionally. Mayor Kenny Holloway, who also sells real estate, said he hasnt been actively seeking out developers. Instead, developers are approaching the city, which has hit more than one national list as a great place to visit or live. The capital is coming to Ocean Springs, Holloway said a banker told him. The mayor added, We can sit back and let it happen willy nilly or we can get ahead of it and direct how we want it to develop. The Naomi Enterprises property is commercial, he said, which opens it for many uses. Condominiums, he said, wouldnt be so bad. City ordinances would allow six-story buildings, or 75 feet in height. Did Bibb County get passing grade in GA officials elections test? What sec. of state says Georgias top elections officials gave Bibb County good marks when they reviewed the security and integrity of Macons vote-counting Tuesday. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and his office showed up to the Bibb County Board of Elections office to do the test. Bibb was one of only 15 counties in the state to undergo this security screening. Were really just doing verifications of the machines, verifying that theyre recording all the votes accurately, that the EMS (emergency management system) county election server has not been messed with, Raffensperger said. As Georgias secretary of state, Raffenspergers office secures fair and responsible election results, according to the SOS website. Raffensperger was thrust into the national spotlight in the wake of the 2020 election after a phone call between him and former President Donald Trump surfaced, in which Trump pressured the secretary to find around 11,000 more votes to secure victory in the 2020 presidential election. The secretary denied his request, and the call was used as evidence in Trumps indictment on felony charges to overturn the election. Chris Bellew, senior elections system specialist, ran the screening that checked if its ballot-counter machines will present accurate total votes in Novembers presidential election. These screenings use the results of the most recent county election the primary runoffs in Bibbs case to perform a mock trial of what it would look like to count the total ballots on election night. The SOS has a copy of all of the countys election projects, what they use to form the election, Bellew said. We made a test deck out of our (SOS) equipment, so now weve repeated the process on all of the countys equipment so we can compare what we have in our controlled offices versus what they have here. Bibb passed the exam, Bellew said. He explained the tests always show accurate total votes, but theyre performed as a precaution before every election. I personally am confident in the results of these tests, Bellew said. In a close race though, the SOS doesnt only rely on the machines. We can run through the scanners again. We can also 100% hand recount, Raffensperger said. We can do that for any race thats gotten that close. Robert Sinners, the secretary of states communications director, said the counties were randomly selected, but larger counties were certainly on the list. Three counties were screened so far including Chatham and Cobb. They each had voter challenges in recent months. Sinners did not disclose which other counties will undergo the inspection to ensure each test is raw and unmanipulated. The SOS office usually notifies county elections boards when they plan to inspect their machines about 30 minutes before arriving. However, if they anticipate press coverage, such as in Bibb, local officials are informed a few days in advance. Local voters and advocacy groups accused the county of suppressing voters during the May primary after several people received and submitted ballots that did not belong to their districts. The election was still certified, and Elections Supervisor Tom Gillon admitted the issue would not be fixed in time for the runoffs. Several ballot tabulators, which count the votes in each race, malfunctioned in Bibb at the end of the May 21 primary election. Gillon expected to finalize the results shortly after polls closed at 7 p.m., but they were not confirmed until the next day due to an issue with faulty memory cards. There was kind of this oppositional nature of the cop versus the speeder, and really what were going for is partnership, Sinners said. Elections officials are trying to do a good job. Theyre trustworthy people. What did you say? This distinct accent from the NC Outer Banks leaves AI all confused The first virtual assistants showed up more than a decade ago sonorous, customizable voices in our smart phones and home hub speakers just waiting to be asked: Is it sposeda rain? Can you set a timer for my eclairs? Could you play Patsy Cline? If you thought yours was defective or just ornery because it tells you, I didnt quite get that four times before you give up and type the request into a browser, theres a good chance youre a native Southerner and the AI that device relies on is not from around here. And if you were raised on North Carolinas Outer Banks, you gave up asking a smart device When is the next hoi toide after concluding artificial intelligence is dumb as a dingbatter. A survey released this month says a Southern twang is the hardest accent in the United States for AI to comprehend: harder than New York, New Jersey or Boston accents. NCs Hoi Toider accent The survey, by Guide2Fluency.com, a language-learning platform, listed Texas, Tennessee, Appalachian and other sub-categories of Southern accents separately in a collection of 30 U.S. dialects that are especially challenging for AI. It also includes the Hoi Toider accent from the Outer Banks. Hoi Toide is the opposite of low tide in the language of islanders descended from original settlers who brought their English, Irish and Scottish brogue to whats now Ocracoke in the 1700s. The dialect has been diminished by the influx of dingbatters, dit dots and woodsers people from the mainland but still can be found among lifelong residents and in recordings made by linguists such as N.C. State Universitys Walt Wolfram. In a news release announcing the survey results, the company said of the Hoi Toide accent: This unique dialect, with its retained Elizabethan English features, can sound like a foreign language to AI. Asking about dingbatters or saying youre particularly quamished might have your AI suggesting bat houses or food. In fact, on Ocracoke, people who feel quamished arent looking for food; they have an upset or bilious stomach. No wonder AI has trouble with the language. Its only as intelligent as the people who program it. On February 5, 1937, not long after his second inauguration, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt sent Congress a special message outlining a plan to reform the judicial branch. He claimed to merely be trying to reorganize the modern judiciary, to help elderly justices manage their workload and maintain the effective functioning of the Federal judiciary. But FDRs court reforms were not really about administrative efficiencyand the veil was soon ripped away. Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes reported to Congress that the court was entirely on top of its caseload and needed no additional assistance. Critics denounced the presidents plan as court-packing, an attempt to fill the bench with compliant yes men. In response, Roosevelt delivered a fireside chat a month later with a new framing: A stubborn majority of the court had invited catastrophe by striking down swaths of the New Deal during his first term, and the people were now demanding that the judicial branch pull in unison with the other two. It was time to infuse new blood into the court. Although FDRs court-packing plan was for a long time regarded as not just a strategic misstep but a gross violation of constitutional norms, the left today has found a renewed respect for the idea. As the median justice has shifted from Sandra Day OConnor and Anthony Kennedy to John Roberts and Brett Kavanaugh, progressive calls to fix or expand the court grew. Democratic presidential hopefuls in 2020including then-primary candidate Kamala Harrisfell in line with these demands. And earlier this week, President Joe Biden formally endorsed court reform (though not court expansion). Harris issued a statement of her own, describing the proposal as necessary to restore confidence in a court that had issued decision after decision overturning long-standing precedent. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivering a "Fireside Chat." (Photo by Stock Montage/Getty Images) Bidens Supreme Court proposal has three parts. First is a constitutional amendment to strip presidents of any immunity from criminal prosecution. Although no specific text is available, such a proposed amendment has little chance of passage in the current political environment. For those who think the issues raised in Trump v. United States were easy, drafting an amendment likely seems easy too. On the contrary, an amendment like this one could easily create more problems than it solves. Handing Congress carte blanche authority to criminalize presidential conduct is a recipe for gutting the independence of the presidency. Second is the imposition of 18-year terms on Supreme Court justices with vacancies to be filled every two years. Although legal experts and court watchers have discussed term limits for some time, these proposals often vary considerably. The most fundamental question facing them is whether they can be accomplished by statute or whether they require a constitutional amendment. Bidens own Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court (which I was a part of) was divided on this question. A group of Democratic senators led by Sheldon Whitehouse introduced arguably the most prominent version of a judicial term-limits bill, closely following a similar plan to impose term limits via a statute. The bill would allow presidents to appoint a new justice every two years. Only the nine most recently appointed justices would sit for the courts appellate jurisdiction cases, which compose nearly the entirety of the docket. The other justices would retain their offices, but they would no longer hear the most important cases. Other versions would consider justices as deemed retired upon serving 18 years. Unsurprisingly, this proposal would radically change our understanding of life tenure. Because the Constitution specifies that judges shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, a statutory term limit would try to work by redefining what it means to hold office. The court has held that Congress can revise a sitting judges duties compared to other judges holding the same constitutional office. In the 1934 case Booth v. United States, it held that by retiring pursuant to the statute a judge does not relinquish his office and does not surrender his commission, but continues to act under it when a judge assumes senior status. A justice may retire, for example, from regular active service on the Supreme Court but continue to perform some duties and collect a salary under the same commission of office. As a matter of law, it is unclear that sitting judges could be forced to take such a senior status, so long as they continue to meet their constitutional obligation of good behavior. That said, according to Booth, Congress may lighten judicial duties, though it is without power to abolish the office. Proponents of these changes argue that if Congress forces a justice into senior status, it has merely lightened his duties, consistent with Booth. But if Congress requires a justice to lighten his duties and hear fewer or different cases, has it effectively abolished the office and replaced it with a new one? If judges may be involuntarily removed from their current duties and given different and lesser ones, have they effectively been relieved of their offices? Could Congress by statute banish Clarence Thomas to Alaska and allow him to perform only the work of a district court judge without having abolished his office? The court has pointed out before that the Constitution deals with substance, not shadows. Stripping justices of their ability to hear meaningful cases would likely be seen as a breach of judicial independence by the sitting justices. As a matter of constitutional norms, a statutory term of service under current circumstances would in fact be a serious challenge to judicial independence. The current White House is not shying away from saying that it wants to shuffle justices off the court because it is unhappy with the substance of its decisions. Perhaps there could be a neutral rationale for setting a mandatory retirement age to avoid the problem of infirm judgesbut there is nothing politically neutral about current proposals. They recall how a leader of the Jeffersonian senators once told John Quincy Adams that Federalist judges needed to be impeached because, we want your offices, for the purposes of giving them to men who will fill them better. But this rationale for forcing justices into retirement raises clear concerns about how effectively the court could continue to serve as a check on Congress. If Congress can by statute pull individual justices off cases because it disagrees with the substance of their rulings, then the security of life tenure for preserving the constitutional checks and balances would become more shadow than substance. Justices of the Supreme Court pose for their official photo at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. on October 7, 2022. (Seated from left) Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Samuel Alito, and Justice Elena Kagan. (Standing behind from left) Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Justice Neil Gorsuch, Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images) The third of Bidens court proposals is the adoption of binding ethics rules for the Supreme Court. Democrats in Congress have introduced many different ethics reform bills, but the White House appears to want a bill that would require disclosure of gifts, exclusion from public political activity, and recusal for spousal conflicts of interest. There are sticky problems to be resolved over what constitutes prohibited political activity or a conflict of interest. Restrictions on gifts can always be detailed, though there are loopholes that can be exploited or used to cast aspersions on politically disfavored judges. Activities are much harder to pin down and more likely to be subjective in their perception. A process for investigating and resolving such complaints might put controversies to bed and help restore confidence in the courts. More likely, though, it would become fodder for generating more controversies and distrust. But theres a larger problem with the idea of binding and enforceable ethics reform for the court. Can Congress set a code of conduct for an independent branch of government? And even if it can, how can such a code of conduct be enforced in a manner consistent with judicial independence? Congressional authority to make laws that are necessary and proper to execute the powers of the government is broad, but it is constrained by principles of separation of powers and the authority of the coordinate branches to act freely to perform their own constitutional duties as they understand them. Imagine that the substance of a judicial code of conduct was uncontroversial and could be designed such that it would not credibly impinge on judicial duties. That still leaves the question of enforcement. Principles of judicial independence limit the options on what can be done to a judge who violates any proposed code of conduct. Sitting judges can be prosecuted for violating the criminal law, though there are undoubtedly some limits on what offenses the legislature could criminalize. Judges can be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, though a code of conduct adds nothing to the existing authority of Congress in that regard. Moreover, justices are currently expected to recuse themselves from individual cases when they have a conflict of interest, and a likely path for any enforceable code of conduct is to take such decisions out of the hands of individual justices. But then where would they go? In the hands of the majority of the justices? In the hands of a panel of lower-court judges? Somewhere else? Disqualifying justices from cases raises unique problems given the fixed bench. Forcing a justice off a case could easily alter its outcome, and thus the incentives for trying to take such actions are large and the bar for recusal has traditionally been high. The court itself has not traditionally treated recusal decisions as within the collective purview of the institution, but rather as matters of individual discretion for each justice. Its not obvious that a process for disqualifying justices would be consistent with judicial independence. The big stick of enforcement is the impeachment power. There is little doubt that Congress can exercise its own impeachment authority to enforce a code of conduct on the justices. If Congress decides that vacationing with a rich private citizen or speaking at a Federalist Society conference is an impeachable offense, then it can act accordingly. Convincing a supermajority of senators to convict a Supreme Court justice is unlikely to be easy, except in the most obvious cases of abusive behavior. But how must Congress pursue an impeachment inquiry? In particular, can it choose to create an office of civil servants embedded in the Supreme Court to investigate potential impeachable offenses and report them to the House for further action? The House itself has the sole Power of Impeachment. It has enjoyed letting prosecutors and special counsels do the heavy lifting in many recent impeachment cases, but it is not clear that a statutory office of Supreme Court ethics is a constitutionally necessary and proper means for implementing the impeachment power. If Congress wants to impeach a justice, it probably needs to do the dirty work itself. The White House has, for the moment, stopped short of calling for court-packing. But the reforms it has endorsed puts the Roberts Court in the congressional crosshairs. It gives administrative support to progressive activists who want to use legislative tools to alter the composition of the court and change constitutional law. Such reforms are likely to be viewed as ineffective half-measures if they do not accomplish their ultimate goal of shifting the courts balance of power. At the same time, if their constitutional logic is accepted and normalized, then there is no reason for Congress to refrain from taking additional steps to get what it wants from the court. 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. HANOI, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's total goods retail sales and consumer service revenues increased 8.7 percent year on year in the first seven months of this year to more than 3.62 quadrillion Vietnamese dong (143.2 billion U.S. dollars), according to the latest data of the General Statistics Office. During the cited period, restaurant and accommodation revenues increased 15.2 percent, and tourism revenues surged 31.8 percent compared to the same period last year. Specifically, Vietnam's goods retail sales stood at over 2.8 quadrillion dong (110.7 billion dollars), up 7.4 percent, with sales of food and foodstuff growing 10.7 percent, those of household devices and equipment rising 11.1 percent, and those of clothing going up 9.1 percent. In July alone, revenue from retail sales of consumer goods and services totaled 528.3 trillion dong (20.9 billion dollars), an increase of 9.4 percent year on year thanks to major contributions of food and accommodation services, said the office. SNEEDVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) A disabled veteran is having a dispute with a solar company, the issue is over a rebate check versus a tax credit. The solar company claims Rick Debski owes more than $7,000, but Debski says hes not paying another dime. The dispute is over what Debski believes would be $7,600 deducted from his bill in the form of a rebate check, not a tax credit. A salesman for the solar company denies Debskis claim that he would receive a refund. Dandridge Fire command truck crashes into vehicles, building after driver passes out Debski added six panels, seen on the lower part of his roof, a year ago. Ive got 16 panels from the first company I worked with before they went out of business, said Debski. The original 16 solar panels on the upper part of the roof store enough energy from sunlight to run the lights and water heater in his rural home in Sneedville. He wanted the additional panels as a backup for his stove and microwave if the power goes out. He hired Solar 1 USA to install the panels and battery a year ago. The cost was $25,519 for the six panels, a battery and to hook everything up. Debski said he told the salesman that was way too much money. He said he paid $32,000 for the 16 panels, a battery, and hot water heater six years ago. He claims to sweeten the deal, his salesman told him he would be getting money back to lower the cost. Then he says dont worry about that, he says You are going to get a rebate check. Thats why when I stopped him now because I know about the tax credit. I said is this a rebate check or a tax credit? [he replied,] No, its a rebate check, said Debski. Two juveniles dead following Cocke County crash on Thinwood Road Debski is a Marine veteran. He signed up out of high school in 1965. He served two tours in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star for valor and two Purple Hearts. At 77, he draws social security and a disability check from the VA. Hes a 100% disabled vet and due to his disability, Debski is exempt from paying taxes. Jason Horton from Solar 1 USA agreed to talk with us. Hes the salesman who sold Debski his system. Horton said hes surprised at what Debski is claiming. I didnt tell him nothing about a tax credit or rebate, said Horton. He said he knew Debski was not eligible for a tax credit due to his disability and Horton said he made no promise of a rebate or credit. The original installer that commissioned the system is the one that should be giving him the credit, not us. We came in to repair the system, thats what we did, said Horton. Ricks payment schedule shows he has paid just over $18,000 to Solar 1 USA ending in May 2024. But the battery he ordered from Solar 1 hasnt been set up next to the existing system. Solar 1 said Debski owes the company another $7,655.70. We are waiting on the remainder of the funds, then we will install the battery and do the final commission. Other than that, the customer stopped paying us, said Horton. I told him, I said Im not giving you another dime because you told me I was going to get a rebate check and Im not going to get a rebate check, said Debski. If Debski wants his complete solar system working, hell have to pay for it. He still owes the company. The remaining funds owed to the company then the battery will be installed and the final inspection will be completed, said Horton. FDA warns about more ground cinnamon tainted with lead: What to know The Residential Clean Energy Act, often called the Federal Solar Tax Credit, is available for owners of new solar systems. The tax credit equals 30% of the installation costs and can reduce what you owe in federal income taxes by thousands of dollars. However, Debski wasnt eligible for a tax credit, because he pays no taxes, and there is no government rebate. Solar 1 said it did nothing wrong, however, they will set up Debskis system once he makes the final payment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. PORTSMOUTH Disbarred ex-Portsmouth lawyer Justin Nadeau has been arrested on allegations he received hundreds of thousands of dollars under false pretenses from a client whod suffered a traumatic brain injury, then tried to hide his alleged wrongdoings and submitted false documents to investigators. The arrest of the 51-year-old Nadeau, who 20 years ago ran for U.S. Congress, was announced by New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella Wednesday afternoon. Nadeau is charged with theft by deception, forgery, multiple counts of falsifying physical evidence, and financial exploitation of an elderly, disabled, or impaired adult, according to the attorney general. The arrest stems from Nadeau's alleged actions during his prior representation of former client Shawn Fahey, whod been hospitalized previously with a traumatic brain injury due to a head-on crash with an intoxicated driver, per an affidavit in the case. Fahey sued Nadeau in 2019. The New Hampshire Attorney Discipline Office concluded an investigation into Nadeau, which led to the New Hampshire Supreme Court disbarring him in April. Investigator details Nadeau's alleged crimes and attempts to hide them The affidavit in Nadeaus case was filed by Scott Gilbert, an investigator in the New Hampshire attorney generals office, on Wednesday, July 24. According to Gilberts affidavit, Nadeau and Fahey were introduced by a mutual acquaintance in July 2018, when Nadeau was facing financial pressures. Shortly after meeting Fahey, Nadeau became aware that Fahey had made millions in a whistleblower action, and was a plaintiff in an ongoing, high-dollar personal injury case related to her accident. Fahey testified during the (Attorney Discipline Office) hearing that she spoke with Nadeau about her personal injury case in early August 2018, Gilbert wrote. Justin Nadeau, former Portsmouth lawyer. The investigator alleged that between July 28, 2018 and Aug. 17, 2018, Nadeau and Fahey shared 783 text messages and over 600 minutes of phone calls. The state alleges Nadeau sought and received $281,500 worth of loans from Fahey under false pretenses. In the first alleged installment of loans, Nadeau allegedly told Fahey he needed $275,000 so he and his wife could use it as a down payment to purchase a home theyd been renting in Hampton or theyd have to move out, the affidavit states. Fahey loaned an additional $6,500 to Nadeau in December 2018 after he told her he needed the money to pay bills, according the allegations. The state Attorney Discipline Office opened its investigation into Nadeau in April 2019, which was followed by the closure of his Portsmouth law office two months afterward. Despite twice agreeing to preserve electronic data relating to Faheys representation, Nadeau testified to the (Attorney Discipline Office) that he disposed of his computer and hard drive sometime in the fall of 2020, Gilbert wrote in the affidavit. The investigator alleged Nadeau later turned over his former paralegals computer to the Attorney Discipline Office which he had been using since her departure. The Attorney Discipline Office deemed Nadeau altered electronic file metadata throughout the course of the agencys investigation into him and submitted falsified documents with doctored dates as part of the probe. Five documents produced by Nadeau were found to be disputed, per the affidavit. In 2021, according to the affidavit, Nadeau allegedly searched on Google Whats a files metadata and how to edit it in Windows? Forensic evidence revealed several attempts to manipulate the disputed documents and multiple rejected versions, as well as working back and forth between Nadeaus computer (the one he claimed was disposed of the previous fall) and the paralegal computer, the affidavit adds. Why Nadeau was disbarred by NH Supreme Court Nadeau was disbarred from practicing by the state Supreme Court this spring due to alleged conduct code violations he committed during his representation of Fahey, according to the high courts order. In the order, the Supreme Court wrote that Nadeau had been found to have downloaded, installed, ran, and later deleted two applications whose specific purpose is to alter metadata, among other discoveries by investigators. Based upon this evidence and upon the fact that there are no references in any of the thousands of text messages exchanged between the respondent and Fahey to any of the five disputed documents, the hearing panel found that the respondent had repeatedly produced false documents to the (Attorney Discipline Office) and engaged in a deliberate, multi-year effort to deceive the disciplinary authority, the New Hampshire Supreme Courts April disbarment order for Nadeau reads in part. The findings from the Attorney Discipline Office were also sent to the New Hampshire Department of Justice for criminal investigation, the precursor to the charges against Nadeau announced Wednesday. What's next in Nadeau's case Nadeau is likely scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 9 at Portsmouth District Court, according to Formella. The New Hampshire Department of Justice continues to investigate his case, which will be prosecuted by state Assistant Attorney General R. Christopher Knowles and Attorney Alexander J. Kellermann. No court records were filed in Nadeaus case as of Wednesday afternoon. It was not immediately clear if Nadeau has an attorney. An attempt to contact Nadeau Wednesday afternoon was not successful. Nadeau ran unsuccessfully in 2004 for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Disbarred Portsmouth lawyer Justin Nadeau arrested for alleged theft Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. The 2010 discovery that early humans and Neanderthals once interbred was a scientific bombshell the revelation of a genetic legacy thats since been found to play a role in the lives of modern people, influencing circadian rhythms, immune system function and the way some feel pain. Scientists, however, have found it surprisingly hard to piece together gene flow in the opposite direction: how intermingling between the two groups may have shaped Neanderthals, who went extinct around 40,000 years ago. With the help of new techniques, a new study is painting a clearer picture. The analysis, published July 12 in the journal Science, showed that the two groups exchanged DNA at multiple points over the past 250,000 years, shedding light on how Neanderthals disappeared and potentially rewriting the story of how and when our Homo sapiens ancestors left Africa. To date, most genetic data suggests that modern humans evolved in Africa 250,000 years ago, stayed put for the next 200,000 years, and then decided to disperse out of Africa 50,000 years ago and go on to people the rest of the world, said Joshua Akey, a professor at the Lewis-Sigler Institute at Princeton University and senior author of the study. But genetics is essentially blind to anything that doesnt leave ancestry to present day populations. What I think (is) kind of cool about this (paper) is that it provides genetic insights into these dispersals out of Africa that we previously werent able to see, Akey said. The findings suggest that very early human history was complex, and modern humans likely interacted with Neanderthals and other types of archaic humans, including the enigmatic Denisovans much more frequently than previously recognized since our emergence as a species around 250,000 to 300,000 years ago. Multiple episodes of mating By comparing DNA sequences in databases, scientists can reconstruct relationships between different populations, or species, and because genetic changes take place at a steady rate over the course of a generation, geneticists can calculate the time elapsed between when two groups exchanged DNA like ticks on a molecular clock. The study found that humans left Africa, encountered and interbred with Neanderthals in three waves: One about 200,000 to 250,000 years ago, not long after the very first Homo sapiens fossils appear in Africa; another 100,000 years ago; and the last around 50,000 to 60,000 years ago. The most recent episode is widely acknowledged and was first identified in 2010 when the first Neanderthal genome was sequenced by Nobel Prize-winning geneticist Svante Paabo. However, the new research showed the first two waves significantly differed from that third one, a sweeping migration that ultimately led to modern humans residing in every corner of the globe. The scientists discovered that the percentage of Homo sapiens DNA in the Neanderthal genome may have been as high as 10% more than 200,000 years ago and decreased over time; on average, it was 2.5% to 3.7%. A similar study published last year had identified genetic traces of an encounter between the two groups around 250,000 years ago but the contribution of Homo sapiens DNA to Neanderthals around 100,000 years ago is a novel finding, said Laurits Skov, a geneticist and postdoctoral researcher at University of California Berkeley, who wasnt involved in the study. What seems certain though is that human and Neanderthal history is much more interwoven than we had previously thought, he said via email. Genetic detective work During the two earlier waves of interbreeding, the Neanderthal population absorbed human genes and the offspring stayed within Neanderthal groups, according to the new study. These early mating episodes, the result of small groups of pioneering Homo sapiens migrating but not establishing a strong foothold out of Africa, left little record in the gene pool of modern-day human populations but did have a big impact on the Neanderthal genome, Akey said. I think the simplest explanation is this reflects changes in population sizes over time, he added. At first, (early) modern humans were trickling out of Africa, and Neanderthal populations were large enough that they were able to essentially absorb these initial dispersals of humans and their genes into the Neanderthal population, Akey explained. However, when Homo sapiens left Africa around 60,000 years ago in a lasting migration around the world, the offspring resulting from Homo sapiens-Neanderthal encounters grew up within modern human populations and their genetic signature remained within the human gene pool, influencing our lives today, he added. In the study, the team used machine learning techniques to decode and sequence genomes from the remains of three Neanderthals, which dated from 50,000 to 80,000 years ago and were found in three different locations: Vindija, Croatia, and Denisova and Chagyrskaya caves in the Altai Mountains. The researchers then compared that data with the genomes of 2,000 present-day humans. We developed a framework to determine if human to Neanderthal gene flow occurred, estimate how much modern human sequence are in Neanderthal genomes, and identify the specific places in the Neanderthal genome that are carrying modern human sequences, Akey said. Russian archeologists digging inside Denisova cave located in the the Altai mountains that's been home to Neanderthals, early modern humans and the Denisovans. - Eddie Gerald/Alamy Stock Photo Mystery of Neanderthals disappearance There are a handful of Homo sapiens fossils that may reflect the species early, less successful, journeys out of Africa into the Middle East and Europe, said Chris Stringer, research lead in human evolution at the Natural History Museum in London, who wasnt involved in the study. These relics include a Homo sapiens fossil found in Apidima Cave in southern Greece dated back to 210,000 years ago and remains found at Israeli sites Skhul and Qafzeh. The fossils found in Israel had primitive traits, such as larger brows, flatter skulls and variable chins. Ive interpreted (these) traits (as) retained from more primitive non-Neanderthal ancestors, but they could alternatively be signs of gene flow from Neanderthals, and perhaps such characteristics should be looked at again now, in the light of this new work, Stringer said. A skull found in Qafzeh Israel is believed to have belonged to an early modern human. - A. Dagli Orti/De Agostini/Getty Images The population dynamics identified in this research could be a major reason why Neanderthals disappeared 40,000 years ago, Akey noted. The researchers analysis suggests that the Neanderthal population size at the time was 20% smaller than previously thought. Human populations were larger, and like waves crashing on the beach, eventually eroded the Neanderthals, with the Neanderthal gene pool likely absorbed into the human population in the last wave of interbreeding, Akey said. Extinction is complicated, so I think I would be hesitant to say its the only explanation but I think the absorption of Neanderthals in human populations likely explains a significant amount of why the Neanderthals disappeared, he added. Stringer said he agreed that the last phase of interbreeding may have contributed to Neanderthal extinction, with the Neanderthal population getting even smaller and less diverse as Neanderthal DNA entered the larger human gene pool. I think that is an important point, Stringer said. Factoring out the increase in Neanderthal genetic diversity from interbreeding with sapiens also significantly reduces their effective population size, adding further evidence that the late Neanderthals might already have been an endangered species even without competition from an expanding Homo sapiens population. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Doctor arrested after hidden camera discovered in bathroom of Southern California chiropractic clinic A doctor was arrested and 11 families have filed a lawsuit after a hidden camera was discovered inside the bathroom of a Southern California chiropractic clinic. In May, the camera was found at The Joint Chiropractic located on McBean Parkway in Valencia. The small video camera was found taped inside a cabinet located directly across from the toilet. It was connected to a power bank and was likely providing live video to whoever planted the camera inside. In June, a doctor at the clinic, Nicholas Vanderhyde, 40, was arrested after investigators recovered the hidden camera and video recordings. The employee who found the camera said it was strategically pointed in a direction to capture anyone sitting down at the toilet. It was pointed directly at the toilet, so they were definitely aiming to record people using the bathroom, peoples private parts, said the employee, who did not wish to be identified. Nicholas Vanderhyde, 40, was arrested after investigators recovered the hidden camera and video recordings captured at The Joint Chiropractic clinic in Valenica. A small hidden camera was discovered inside a public bathroom at a chiropractic office in Valencia, California. A small hidden camera was discovered inside a public bathroom shelf at a chiropractic office in Valencia, California. The hidden camera was attached to a power bank. A small hidden camera was discovered inside a public bathroom at a chiropractic office in Valencia, California. The Joint Chiropractic office on McBean Parkway in Valencia, California. (KTLA) Seventeen patients, including minors, from 11 families have filed a lawsuit in July 2024 against The Joint Chiropractic after a hidden camera was found inside a Valencia clinic. (KTLA) The hidden camera was pointed directly at the toilet. A small hidden camera was discovered inside a public bathroom shelf at a chiropractic office in Valencia, California. The discovery left many disturbed as the bathroom was typically used by staff and patients, some of whom were children. Former patients alleged Vanderhyde would always insist they use the restroom before their treatment. Knowing what I know now, I am traumatized by the disgusting violation committed against many people and families, including my own, said a victim named Alex. F. Alex said she often took her young children with her when visiting the clinic and had trusted Vanderhyde. Some patients also claimed Vanderhyde inappropriately touched them during treatment. The treatment they received from Dr. Vanderhyde was not what they would consider typical chiropractic treatment, which did include adjusting areas around and touching their genitals, said Janna Trolia, the attorney representing the 17 patients in the lawsuit. This was a chiropractor with a known history of harassment and sexual misconduct in the past and The Joint knew about this history, Trolia said. Vanderhyde was arrested for possession of obscene material depicting a person under 18 and later released on bail. He is no longer working at the clinic, however, charges have not yet been filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office. Investigators said there are dozens of victims involved, including minors. Some of the victims said they are still suffering from the shocking violation. I endure panic attacks at other healthcare offices, Alex said. I often feel incredibly vulnerable, searching rooms for any hidden cameras. I dont know how Ill ever be able to trust a practitioner again. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. In June 2020, as demonstrations around the killing of George Floyd reached their peak, Trump administration officials did extensive work laying the groundwork for the President to invoke the Insurrection Act in order to quell the protests, an Inspector General report released on Wednesday found. The Justice Departments Inspector General detailed how close Donald Trump and then-Attorney General Bill Barr came on June 1 to invoking the Insurrection Act, which gives the President nearly limitless powers to use the military for domestic law enforcement purposes. Some FBI officials believed that Trump would invoke the act, and were studying what it would mean for their agency. The D.C. U.S. Attorneys Office and the FBI Washington Field Office were asked to prepare information showing that civilian law enforcement was incapable of handling the situation, providing the justification for federal troops. And, the report says, the Office of Legal Counsel and White House attorneys drafted an Insurrection Act proclamation and accompanying executive order for Trump to sign. The New York Times reported the drafts in 2021, and NBC reported on Trumps interest in invoking the Act in June 2020. But the Inspector Generals report adds new details and perspective on an episode that looms over the chaotic final year of the Trump administration. It chronicles the Trump administrations response to an early peak in the Black Lives Matter protests that swept the country in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd. After considering and then declining to invoke the Insurrection Act over protests in Minnesota, the report says, administration officials attention turned to the situation in Washington D.C. There, protestors were demonstrating in the center of the city. Lafayette Park, which sits across from the White House, was host to several demonstrations. For Trump, protests outside of the White House presented both a crisis of legitimacy and a potential photo op. Lafayette Park sits between the White House and historic St. Johns Church, where on June 1 Trump decided, now infamously, to pose holding a Bible. One set of disputed details from that day surround who ordered the chaotic clearing of protestors from the park in advance of the photo session. The IG report found that Barr did not order law enforcement to clear the park that decision, the report says, was taken by senior Park Police and Secret Service personnel. The report, however, held Barr responsible for the broader disorganized and overly aggressive response. Multiple law enforcement witnesses told us that these deployment decisions appeared to have been made hastily and without sufficient understanding of, and priority given to, the capabilities of those deployed, and that leadership did not timely and effectively communicate their decisions to subordinates and other non-DOJ agencies involved in the response, the report says. In particular, at times Barr directed the Departments law enforcement components to supply specific numbers of personnel for deployments before establishing and communicating a mission for those personnel to perform. As in two other reports on some of the most politicized moments from his tenure as attorney general, Barr declined to speak to the Inspector General for its report into the response to the BLM protests in Washington. Senior Barr aides, including Public Affairs chief Kerri Kupec and his then-chief of staff Will Levi, also declined to speak to investigators. The reports have come out roughly four years after the events in question. Its a glacial pace for investigating a moment in which the President mulled whether to deploy the military against protestors domestically. Per the report, White House and senior DOJ attorneys spent much of June 1, 2020 preparing for Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act to respond to the protests in D.C. At the time, neither Barr nor Trump had decided whether to invoke the act. In an email cited by the IG, OLC Assistant Attorney General Steven Engel wrote that while we DO need the papers within the hour, Barr had not made the decision to transmit [the recommendation] yet. So the important thing is for this to be ready for immediate execution if the situation warrants, he wrote. Per the IG, attorneys continued to work on the draft order until 9:00 p.m. that evening. At that point, Engel called them off after Barr toured D.C. and found it under control. At the same time, Trump and those around him were reviewing another option on June 1: to place the Metropolitan Police Department, D.C.s police force, under direct control of President Trump. Like the Insurrection Act, the D.C. Home Rule Act permits the President to take control of the MPD if he determines that an emergency requires it. Per the IG report, Barr discussed the proposal on the afternoon of June 1 with then-MPD Chief Peter Newsham. Discussion of the proposal, the report says, was at least partly motivated by a belief among some Trump officials that D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser would be unwilling to provide assistance. In reality, Bowser issued a curfew and deployed police around the city in response to the protests. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows called Bowser at one point and told her that Trump would take over the MPD. Bowser replied, per the report, that she pushed back hard and told him that she wouldnt roll over and accept the change. After that, and after Newsham told Barr that Bowser said she doesnt think you can do it legally, the Trump White House appears to have backed off from the idea. The Lafayette Park report is the third investigation dealing with Barrs tenure as Attorney General that the Justice Department Inspector General has released over the past week. Across the reports, Barr comes off as both a micromanager and strangely unfocused. The DOJ seems scattered under his leadership. Senior officials walk away from meetings claiming not to have understood what was decided; subordinates carry out orders that they never seem to have been given. Barr intervenes in granular decisions, while mid-level staffers appear confused by what course the Department is meant to be taking. (Bloomberg) -- Trading in Ethiopias currency has almost evaporated in the parallel market, with residents hoarding dollars on expectations that the birr will weaken further after the government allowed it to trade freely. Most Read from Bloomberg Money changers were willing to pay 115 for a dollar in the parallel market but there were hardly any sellers, according to 10 street traders who asked not to be identified because dealing in foreign-exchange outside official channels is illegal. The currency was trading at 110 against the greenback on Friday on the street, according to the traders. The birr depreciated 28% this week and was trading at 80 against the US currency on Wednesday, according state-run Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. Its crucial for the government to send a clear signal of its intentions and ensure that the official rate aligns with the parallel market, said Tewodros Makonnen, senior country economist for Ethiopia at the International Growth Centre. Tight government control over foreign exchange has resulted in parallel markets in countries across Africa from Nigeria to Zambia hurting the ability of companies and individuals to buy overseas currencies. In Ethiopia, clothing boutiques to jewelry shops often double up as money changers because official rates until Monday were administered by the central bank, making access difficult. Ethiopia on Monday allowed the nations currency to trade freely, a key move needed to secure funding and debt relief its been negotiating with the International Monetary Fund. The IMF announced a $3.4 billion program hours later, which was followed by a funding pledge by the World Bank. Dollar inflows into the nation have slowed in recent years. A two-year civil war in Ethiopias north also spooked investors and forced concessional lenders to pause aid, denying the nation much-needed funds. As a result, official channels rarely have sufficient dollar supply, forcing Ethiopians to search for foreign-exchange on the street. Residents have to declare amounts above $4,000 and deposit any cash into forex accounts or convert them into birr a month after any overseas travel. Exporters of commodities such as coffee could only hold on to 40% of their foreign earnings, and were expected to exchange the rest into birr. That thresholds been increased to 50%. A street trader who used to get five clients each day hasnt had any customers this week. Ethiopias central bank didnt respond to queries seeking comment on the parallel foreign-exchange market. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. Project 2025 Is Dead, Long Live Project 2025 Of all the Trump flailing over the past 10 days, nothing was quite as comical, nonsensical, and ineffectual as yesterdays big push to try to shove Project 2025 the centerpiece of MAGA worlds planning for a Trump II presidency down the memory hole. Where to even begin with this? Its bogosity piled on top of bogosity in an effort to pretend it was a rogue effort by unsanctioned people very distant from the former president. None of that was true from the beginning. It wasnt true yesterday. And it wont be true tomorrow. What happened yesterday amounts to a whole lot of nothing. But you dont have to believe me. The Trump campaign effort to try to make it all go away was itself incriminated by the Trump fingerprints left all over the place. Nothing says we had nothing to do with this quite like forcing out the Project 2025 head honcho and making public statements that the same fate awaits anyone else who dares draw too much bad publicity for the former president. Reports of Project 2025s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaignit will not end well for you, Trump campaign senior advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita said in a statement (emphasis mine). Paul Dans, director of The Heritage Foundations Project 2025, speaks at the National Conservative Conference in Washington D.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Photo by Dominic Gwinn / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by DOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images) On the surface, the only semi-meaningful change seems to be the departure of Paul Dans, who was Project 2025s director. Beyond that, the work of Project 2025, to the extent it wasnt already done, will continue under the auspices of the Heritage Foundation, which has housed Project 2025 all along. Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts will take over Project 2025s operations, the WSJ reported. Most importantly, the work that Project 2025 was doing is basically already done. It assembled a 900-page blueprint for a radical far-right agenda for Trump II and became a clearinghouse for potential personnel in a second Trump term. Perhaps a better way to phrase it is that a bunch of alum from Trump I have been charting out who they would hire for Trump II. None of that goes down the memory hole or disappears. This tool was built for any future administration to use, said Heritages Roberts. Despite the big display of opprobrium from the Trump campaign, including warning that participants in Project 2025 would be barred from serving in a Trump II administration, few took the threat very seriously: Some Project 2025 participants have responded by doubting a ban could be enforced when contributors include close Trump advisers such as former White House speechwriter Stephen Miller, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tom Homan, and former White House economic adviser Peter Navarro. Miller has denied his involvement in Project 2025, but his America First Legal group is a participating organization, and his deputy, Gene Hamilton, wrote the playbooks chapter on the Department of Justice. The best way to think of yesterdays mini-eruption was as a calculated planned media effort by the Trump campaign to try to drive a stake through the heart of the ongoing series of negative stories about Project 2025 and its plans for Trump II. They needed a head on a pike as a sign that this was real and not just a media effort. Dans served that purpose, but one sacrificial lamb doesnt make this any less of a targeted media effort. Todays news looks like political maneuvering, not a substantive disavowal of the policies Trump has advocated for up until now, Joyce Vance rightly observed. The icing on the cake is that Roberts, the Heritage Foundation leader who helped spearhead Project 2025 and will now pick up the pieces after the Trump campaigns eruption, has a book coming out in September with a glowing forward from none other than GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance. JD Vance Is The Oppo Gift That Keeps On Giving Its getting hard to keep track of all of the examples of JD Vance publicly scorning people without children over a period of years: TPMs Emine Yucel: Vances History Of Extremist Remarks On Family Doesnt Stop At Childless Cat Ladies Media Matters: Three more Fox interviews where Vance lashed out at childless Democrats like VP Harris CNN: Its not just cat ladies: JD Vance has a history of disparaging people without kids On The Trail Kamala Harris held a raucous rally Tuesday night in Atlanta, where Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) had the crowd eating from his hand: Warnock: A Florida man called into Georgia and said I need 11,780 votes. I want you to think about that. Georgia, Donald Trump tried to steal your vote. Kamala Harris is trying to earn your vote. pic.twitter.com/zf3nxII92k MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) July 30, 2024 Kamala Harris will hold her first joint event with her not-yet-named running mate in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Politico reports, before the new Democratic ticket embarks on a four-day campaign tour through Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. President Biden will keynote the first night of Democratic national convention, CNN reports. Trumps Blatantly Racist Appeal These excerpts from Trumps interview with Laura Ingraham dont take any reading between the lines to understand: Trump: How do you think they will look? President XI of China standing together with Kamala Harris, representing I don't want her to be my representative pic.twitter.com/8hEO6qIC3b Acyn (@Acyn) July 30, 2024 Trump on China and Russia: I think they will walk all over her. She will be so easy for them. She will be like a play toy.. And I don't want to say as to why. But a lot of people understand it pic.twitter.com/bRDhOY7dhB Acyn (@Acyn) July 30, 2024 2024 Ephemera AZ-Sen : Big Lie aficiando Kari Lake won the GOP primary for U.S. Senate over Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. She will face off against Rep. Reuben Gallego (D-AZ) in one of the most closely watched Senate races this cycle. Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll: Kamala Harris has turned a two-point Biden deficit across seven swing states into a 48%-47% lead over Donald Trump. Elon Musks X/Twitter suspended and then reinstated the White Dudes for Harris account after its $4 million fundraising call Monday night. Quote Of The Day I picked this room for this interview. This is my favorite room in the Justice Department. Its a law library. For more than 20 years, I was a federal judge. Do I look like somebody who would make that basic mistake about the law? I dont think so. Attorney General Merrick Garland, on U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannons ruling in the Mar-a-Lago case that he unlawfully appointed Jack Smith as special counsel. Good Read Joan Biskupic: The inside story of John Roberts and Trumps immunity win at the Supreme Court Tina Peters Goes On Trial The former county clerk in Mesa County, Colorado who stands accused of tampering with voting machines in 2020 in a cockamamie search for evidence of election fraud finally goes on trial in state court today. Just one of the many echo effects of Donald Trumps Big Lie crusade. Hey Folks! The annual TPM Journalism Fund drive is in full swing. Were more than halfway to our goal of $500,000. Many of you have already contributed. Thank you for that! If you havent had a chance to click through and complete a transaction, its straightforward and will just take a moment. Its deeply gratifying to get the kind of reader support we do. It helps align our mission with our financing in a seamless, organic way that makes it crystal clear who we are here to serve with our work and who is here to support our work. That alignment is the bedrock underneath the TPM community. Please contribute what you can so we that can tackle whatever comes next with clarity and purpose. Welcome To All The New Morning Memo Readers! We added several hundred new Morning Memo subscribers in July. Welcome, its great to have you here! July was exactly the kind of news environment Morning Memo was designed to tackle: a blizzard of new developments, historic events, and roiling political turmoil. The goal is to try to break the chaos down into constituent parts, find the common patterns that make seemingly disparate developments part of a coherent whole, and narrate through the turmoil in a way that makes things a little less chaotic. July was the acid test for that kind of daily approach to the news. Thanks for taking the plunge with us! Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! Donald Trump said that Kamala Harris happened to turn Black after only promoting Indian heritage while interviewing Wednesday at the National Association for Black Journalist (NABJ) conference. Speaking with a series of prominent Black journalists at the live streamed (and factchecked) event, the former president and Republican nominee suggested that his presumed Democratic opponent in the 2024 presidential election was not actually Black and that somebody should look into that. She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? Trump said. I respect either one. I respect either one. But obviously she doesnt because she was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went, she became a Black person. And I think somebody should look into that. Further asked whether or not he believed the vice president was a DEI hire, Trump said he didnt know. I really dont know, I mean, I really dont know. Could be, could be. There are some and there are plenty. Elsewhere in the contentious event, which saw his team pull him offstage and cut the interview short after remarks on the vice presidents race and Project 2025, Trump called out Harris for skipping out on the conference due to scheduling conflicts. He also insulted the NABJ over what he deemed a very rude introduction by them and some female journalists for their very hostile, nasty tone. I think its a very rude introduction. I dont know exactly why you would do something like that. Let me go a step further: I was told my opponent, whether it was Biden or Kamala, I was told my opponent was going to be here, Trump said at NABJs convention in front a crowd at the Hilton Hotel in Chicago. Trump continued to slam Harris while taking jabs at the conventions audio technology, saying the mics are really in lousy shape. He also wrote on his platform Truth Social ahead of the event, which was delayed, Ive been waiting for a half hour. The speaker equipment at the NABJ is not working properly. Dont blame me for being late! It turned out my opponent isnt here; you invited me under false pretenses. And then you said you cant do it with Zoom. Well, wheres Zoom? Shes going to do it with Zoom and shes not coming. And then you were half an hour late just so we understand, I have too much respect for you to be late. They couldnt get their equipment working or something. During the conversation, the rotation of journalists also discussed Trumps decision to bring JD Vance on as his running mate, his Black jobs remark, and whether or not hed consider stepping down if his age and cognitive ability were questioned as President Joe Bidens were. He responded absolutely and added that he also wouldnt mind taking a cognitive test alongside Harris. Trump drew in criticisms from Black Americans after he stated during his debate against Biden that Black Americans are losing employment opportunities in the U.S. because of migration. A Black job is anybody that has a job, Trump said. Thats what it is. Anybody that has theyre taking the employment away from Black people. Theyre coming in, and theyre coming in, theyre invading. As far as his thoughts on Vance, he said he picked him because hes a strong believer in work and the working man and working woman. Hes a very smart guy He got into Yale Law School [and] was one of the top students, Trump said. He was in the military with great distinction I have to believe in that. Trump was also questioned about the GOP-led acts against abortion and reproductive rights. He said he believes in former President Ronald Reagans three exceptions. Rape, incest, life of a mother, Trump said. I happen to believe in the three exceptions, most Republicans believe in the three exceptions. The Q&A was moderated by ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott, Fox News Harris Faulkner and Semafor politics reporter Kadia Goba. The event was closed off to the public, but was live streamed on YouTube and NABJs Facebook page. Trumps appearance came after the Republican presidential nominee made a last-minute decision to take part in a moderated conversation. Trumps attendance was met with backlash from some of the groups membership base. On Tuesday, NABJ president Ken Lemon double down on the organizations decision to have Trump appear. While NABJ does not endorse political candidates as a journalism organization, we understand the serious work of our members, and welcome the opportunity for them to ask the tough questions that will provide the truthful answers Black Americans want and need to know, Lemon said. The post Donald Trump Says Kamala Harris Happened to Turn Black After Only Promoting Indian Heritage at NABJ Conference | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Former President Donald Trump claimed Kamala Harris turned Black in an explosive on-stage interview Wednesday at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Chicago. She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage, Trump said. I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black. So I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black? I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt, Trump said. She was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she became a Black person. ABC News Rachel Scott challenged Trump, and said that Harris had always identified as a Black woman, and had attended a Historically Black College. (Harris graduated from Howard University in 1986.) The comments came after Scott pressed Trump on the GOPs continued attacks on Harris as a DEI hire and his choice of Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) as his vice presidential pick. After Trump was asked if he agreed with the Republicans who consider VP Harris a DEI pick, he falsely claimed Harris only recently began identifying as a Black woman. His attacks mirrored a 2019 GOP-led campaign that questioned whether Harris was an American Black, as her mother is Indian and her father is Jamaican. Then-candidate Joe Biden chastised the racist barbs, and Harris compared it to the birtherism attacks Barack Obama faced. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre quickly clapped back at Trumps comments at the NABJ convention, calling his questioning repulsive and insulting during a White House press briefing. Only she (Harris) can speak to her experience, only she can speak to what its like, Jean-Pierre said. She is the vice president of the United States and we have to put some respect on her name. However, Trump later doubled down on his words via Truth Social, writing: Crazy Kamala is saying shes Indian, not Black. This is a big deal. Stone cold phony. She uses everybody, including her racial identity! In a combative appearance at the convention, Trump first attacked Scott who questioned him about his past racist rhetoric in a conversation that immediately, and consistently, went off the rails. The former president spent over half an hour attacking Black journalists, the NABJ that hosted him, as well as Harris' own identity, in an appearance that was intended to defend his record for Black Americans, and his agenda for a second term. The former president, appearing more than an hour after the conversations scheduled noon Central Time start, sat down with the trio of Scott, Fox News Harris Faulkner, and Semafors Kadia Goba. In response to Scott asking why Black voters should be Trump about his record of questioning Nikki Haley and Barack Obamas birthplaces, attacking Black journalists and attorneys, using racist language, and wining and dining with white supremacists, Trump launched into a tirade. I dont think Ive ever been asked a question in such a horrible matter, he told Scott, calling ABC News a fake news network. I think its disgraceful. Trump then used the question to attack NABJ for the late start time, claiming they couldnt get their equipment working or something. He claimed he was told either President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris would also appear and that he couldnt appear virtually. Therefore, he claimed, he was invited under false pretenses, making the incisive question even worse. I think its a very rude introduction, Trump said. I dont know exactly why you would do something like that. I have been the best president for Black Americans since Abraham Lincoln, Trump said to raucous laughter. Trump also defended the Jan. 6 rioters (saying he would pardon them if they were innocentTheyve been convicted, Scott said), and doubled down on his belief that migrants entering the country from the southern border are taking Black jobs. Trump also said he would be willing to take a cognitive test, and speculated that Harris would fail the exam. Queries from Faulkner and Goba ranged from meandering to direct, with Trumps different opinions about the moderators coming through in his answers. He praised Faulkner, a Fox News veteran who interviewed him hours before the July 13 assassination attempt, as a fantastic person whose success he respects. He also thanked Goba, who interviewed him in June on his relationship with the Black community, for asking her question about Republicans judgments of peoples personal lives in a friendly manner. The conversation shut down abruptly after roughly 30 minutes of questions from the moderators, although it was originally billed as a 60 minute Q&A. Later on Truth Social, Trump said he crushed the panel. The questions were Rude and Nasty, often in the form of a statement, but we CRUSHED IT! Jelani Cobb, the Dean of Columbia School of Journalism, said he knew going into the conversation that it was likely a bad idea. The traditional objective of interviewing a candidate is to get clarification on their positions, Cobb said. And I was skeptical that it would happenand it didnt happen. Cobb said the conversation ending abruptly without a Q&A from the audience was the most problematic part of the program. If youre going to have a candidate like that, you should have a Q&A from the audience, Cobb said. This is a room full of journalists, and some of the best journalists in the county, so we should have questions from the floor. The conversation took place in a meeting hall right outside the hotels gold-encrusted grand ballroom, nearly every one of the rooms 1,000 seats were filled. A small group of protesters not attending the convention gathered outside the entrance of the hotel. Trumps last-minute appearance at the convention prompted waves of backlash from top Black journalists and NABJ officials alike. Reporters including frequent Trump target April Ryan and Jemele Hill questioned the merits of inviting the former president, while Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah resigned from her post as convention co-chair after Trumps appearance was announced. NABJ officials, including President Ken Lemon, tried to defend the decision by noting a tradition of inviting presidential candidates during an election year and the opportunity for Trump to face questions from top Black journalists. Those defenses, however, faced further scrutiny after a Tuesday report indicated the group rejected requests from Harris campaign for her to appear for a virtual chat during the convention or for an in-person session at a later date. Harris will appear for an NABJ Q&A in September, the group announced on Wednesday. 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. Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended his decision to choose JD Vance as his running mate but declined to say whether he thinks the Ohio senator is ready to be president if necessary. Trump fielded several questions about Vance during a panel at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago. His remarks came after a rocky debut for the GOP vice-presidential nominee: As Vance criss-crossed the country for campaign rallies, he faced backlash for his criticism of "childless cat ladies" and was mocked for a joke he made about Democrats believing Diet Mountain Dew is racist. More: Trump questions Kamala Harris' racial identity at NABJ, says she 'happened to turn Black' Fox News host Harris Faulkner asked Trump whether Vance would be ready to take over "on Day 1," noting that the former president recently survived an assassination attempt. Trump didn't answer the question directly. "Historically, the choice of a vice president makes no difference," Trump said. "You're voting for the president. You can have a vice president who's outstanding in every way, and I think JD is. I think that all of them would have been. But you're not voting that way. You're voting for the president. You're voting for me." Former President Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. JD Vance hold a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 20. Many of Vance's past comments, which also dogged his Senate campaign, have resurfaced since he secured the vice-presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. In multiple interviews, he advocated for people to have more children and said Americans who don't have less of a stake in the country's future. He suggested parents should get more votes at the ballot box and pay lower taxes. Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats have sought to paint Vance as a risk to women's rights in the first presidential election since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In Chicago, Trump cast his running mate as a family man who "thinks the family experience is a very important thing." "That doesn't mean that if you grow up and you grow older and you don't meet somebody that would be wonderful to meet and would've been good, that that's a bad thing," Trump said. "He's not saying that." The former president also outlined why he chose Vance in the first place, even though other Republicans considered for the role have more political experience. Trump rattled off the senator's resume and said his difficult upbringing equips him to reach working class Americans something the campaign hopes will be an advantage in key Rust Belt states. "He's made himself an amazing life," Trump said. "He then goes to Ohio, lives in Ohio and he had my endorsement, that helped but he wins the Senate. He becomes a United States senator. He's a United States senator. So Harris, like I respect you for your success, I respect people for their success." Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Donald Trump defends JD Vance in NABJ interview NEW DELHI, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Tuesday's multiple landslides in India's southern state of Kerala further mounted to 166 on Wednesday, and 107 others were still missing, confirmed a local administration official to Xinhua over phone. Nearly 50 bodies were recovered from under the rubble after the landslides on Wednesday, added the official. According to him, among the missing persons were 49 men and 58 women. A total of 165 injured persons were admitted to hospitals. "A total of 95 dead bodies have been identified so far, and efforts were going on to identify the rest. And the rescue work still continues," said the official while giving details. As many as three massive landslides had hit India's Kerala state, occurring in the Meppadi area of Wayanad district early on Tuesday while people were still asleep. Media reports suggested that it was a massive natural tragedy rendering huge losses, including the loss of human lives and property. TV reports showed people rendered homeless by the landslides were living in relief camps set up by the district administration, and anxiously waiting for information about their missing family members. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told media that efforts were being made to relocate persons stuck in different areas to the relief camps. According to him, 82 relief camps in Wayanad district accommodated 2,017 persons, and in Meppadi area as many as eight camps were housing 1,486 people from 421 families. Donald Trump Says Kamala Harris Used to Be IndianUntil a Few Years Ago When She Happened to Turn Black During Contentious NABJ Panel On Wednesday, former President Donald Trump participated in a Q&A session at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Annual Convention and Career Fair in Chicago. During the speech, he continued to make racist comments and mispronounce the name of his Democratic opponent in a very contentious panel. Rachel Scott, senior congressional correspondent for ABC News; Harris Faulkner, anchor for Fox News; and Kadia Goba, political reporter at Semafor, moderated the discussion. More from Variety Trump received a lukewarm reception with sparse applause and audible boos from attendees. The event, scheduled at noon, started nearly 15 minutes late. Scott opened the discussion by asking Trump about his controversial and false statements, such as Obama and former GOP rival Nikki Haley not being born in the U.S., among others: Why should Black voters trust you after you used language like that? I dont think Ive ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, Trump responded. First question, you dont even say hello, how are you?' Trump then asked Scott, Are you with ABC? Because I think theyre a fake news network. The next question addressed recent comments by conservatives and Republicans who labeled Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black and Asian American woman to serve in that role, a DEI hire. Ive known her a long time, indirectly, not directly, very much, and always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage, Trump said. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black Indian. Or is she Black? Throughout the panel, Trump continued to berate Scott multiple times, criticizing the bad equipment and being unable to hear the moderators sitting feet away from him. Trump received questions about his vice presidential pick JD Vances comments about childless women, in which he responded with a familiar but incorrect talking point about Democrats having abortions after a baby is born. The GOP nominee, who was found guilty of 34 felony charges, was asked about his proposal for police officers to have immunity. The moderator connected it to the recent killing of Sonya Massey, who was unarmed when she was shot by an officer in her home. Trump replied, I dont know the exact case, but I saw something. He drew audible gasps from the audience when he spoke about wanting to stop people from invading our country who are taking Black jobs. Ahead of the conversation, NABJ partnered with PolitiFact to provide real-time fact-checking during the discussion. This decision prompted criticism and backlash from NABJ members and leadership, leading to the resignation of the co-chair amid controversy over Trumps participation at the conference. Harris campaign social accounts quickly responded to many of Trumps comments, mainly when Scott told Trump she was repeating his previous statements. Vice President Harris is in Houston for three fundraisers and campaign events before heading out on Thursday to deliver a eulogy to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson, who died earlier this month. In a video released on X, Ken Lemon, NABJ President, addressed the criticism: Its absolutely not an endorsement. The first thing you read when we put out that release says its not an endorsement. Every year, every presidential election cycle, we invite the presidential candidates to come. We extend that to anyone who is a nominee. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Former President Donald J. Trumps invitation to the National Association of Black Journalists convention has sparked immense backlash online. The official account for the association announced on Monday (July 29) that Trump would participate in a conversation at the annual convention. There, Trump would speak with three reporters, Kadia Goba of Semafor, Rachel Scott of ABC News, and Harris Faulkner of Fox News. Vice President Kamala Harris was also supposed to speak at the event, but according to NPR, a source close to Harris stated that she had conflicts with her schedule. Kamala allegedly tried to appear virtually, but the NABJ declined the alternative. Ken Lemon, the NABJ President, added context to their decision to platform the divisive former President at this years event. Lemon typed in a post that the goal was to give journalists and members of the org the opportunity for them to ask the tough questions that will provide the truthful answers Black Americans want and need to know. He insisted that inviting Trump was not [endorsing] political candidates as a journalism organization. While NABJ does not endorse political candidates as a journalism organization, we understand the serious work of our members, and welcome the opportunity for them to ask the tough questions that will provide the truthful answers Black Americans want and need to know. #NABJ24 https://t.co/2us0OR54JY pic.twitter.com/wgJQkvpMqk Ken Lemon (@kenlemonnabj) July 30, 2024 Harris absence, plus the organizations willingness to host Donald Trump, led to a mixed reaction amongst journalists and spectators online. As a result, at least one high-profile member of the NABJ opted to step down from her role at the convention. Karen Attiah, NABJ co-chair and Washington Post columnist, released a statement on X/Twitter on Tuesday alerting the public that she would step away following the announcement. I have decided to step down as co-chair from this years #NABJ24 convention in Chicago. To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck. For everyone else, Im looking forward to meeting and reconnecting with all of you in the Windy City, she typed. While my decision was influenced by a variety of factors, I was not involved or consulted with in any way with the decision to platform Trump in such a format. From 2017 NABJ JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR The reports of attacks on Black women White House correspondents by the then president of the United States are not myth or conjecture, but fact. To have a presumed orchestrated session with the former president is an affront to what this AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) July 30, 2024 Yall just made the only safe haven that Black journalists have, potentially unsafe, all because yall want to look smarter than everybody else, when this is.idiotic at best. https://t.co/Lxgu9jjYIl Carron J. Phillips (@carronJphillips) July 30, 2024 Imara Jones, winner of the 2022 Journalist of Distinction Award, spoke out against the orgs decision to host Trump, posting a clip of her 2022 speech speaking of the reporters job. When I accepted my @NABJ Journalist of Distinction Award in 2022, I said that we have to resist our training, which says that the truth always has two sides, she typed. Platforming Donald Trump at a professional event today doesnt show even-handedness. It shows how democracies die. Carron Phillips, a two-time NABJ award-winning journalist, called out the National Association of Black Journalists for making this years event hostile for its members. Yall just made the only safe haven that Black journalists have, potentially unsafe, all because yall want to look smarter than everybody else, when this is.idiotic at best. When I accepted my @NABJ Journalist of Distinction Award in 2022, I said that we have to resist our training which says that the truth always has two sides. Platforming Donald Trump at a professional event today doesnt show even-handedness. It shows how democracies die. pic.twitter.com/1IcpTvtDrV Imara Jones (@imarajones) July 31, 2024 April Ryan, The Grios White House correspondent who Trump continuously denigrated during his tenure, voiced her objection of the decision. The reports of attacks on Black women White House correspondents by the then president of the United States are not myth or conjecture, but fact, Ryan typed. To have a presumed orchestrated session with the former president is an affront to what this organization stands for and a slap in the face to the Black women journalists (NABJ journalists of the year) who had to protect themselves from the wrath of this Republican presidential nominee. I have decided to step down as co- chair from this years #NABJ24 convention in Chicago. To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck. For everyone else, Im looking forward to meeting and reconnecting with all of you in the Windy City. #nabj Karen Attiah (@KarenAttiah) July 30, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitutions Washington correspondent, Tia Mitchell, defended the NABJs invitation to Trump. I helped make this call. And its in line with invitations NABJ has sent to every presidential candidate for decades, Mitchell typed. But continue to go off on your feed. Ill continue to work to create opportunities for journalists to interview the potential next President. Jemele Hill, Contributing writer for The Atlantic, asserted that journalists shouldnt be afraid to cover or speak with someone like Trump. As journalists, we can never be afraid to tackle someone like Trump. The reality is that he is running for president and needs to be treated as such. Being questioned by journalists is part of the job, and especially important in the company of Black journalists. Mainstream media keeps trying to convince us that he actually is gaining support among Black people. Lets see if its true, she wrote. Donald Trump is set to speak at the NABJ convention on 12 PM CDT Wednesday (July 31) in Chicago. As journalists, we can never be afraid to tackle someone like Trump. The reality is that he is running for president and needs to be treated as such. Being questioned by journalists is part of the job, and especially important in the company of Black journalists. Mainstream media Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) July 30, 2024 More from VIBE.com UPDATED: Donald Trump lit a firestorm from comments he made at a combative appearance before the National Association of Black Journalists, as he questioned whether his Democratic rival Kamala Harris was really Black. Ive known her for a long time indirectly, directly, very much, Trump said. And she was always of Indian heritage and she was promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian, or is she Black? More from Deadline His comments quickly drew condemnation, including from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who called them repulsive. But he doubled down on them in a later posting on Truth Social, writing that Crazy Kamala is saying shes Indian, not Black. This is a big deal. Stone cold phony. She uses everybody, including her racial identity! Later, at a rally in Harrisburg, PA, the campaign displayed a Business Insider headline, Californias Kamala Harris becomes first Indian-American U.S. Senator. Harris is biracial, as her father is from Jamaican and her mother is from India. Trumps appearance before NABJ already drew extensive discord within the organization, with some of its high-profile members, including TheGrios April Ryan, calling it a mistake to have invited him, given his past attacks on journalists of color. Right off the bat, after he sat down for the 35-minute conversation, Trump did just that. When one of the moderators, ABC News Rachel Scott, asked him about a series of comments he had made about Barack Obama, Nikki Haley and other people of color, Trump called the question nasty and hostile, while he bashed the network. ABC News is scheduled to host the next presidential debate on September 10, but those plans are in doubt because Trump has yet to agree to face off against Harris. Trumps questioning of Harris race came after he was asked about comments made by some of his allies shortly after she entered the contest, that she was a DEI hire. The suggestion was that Harris would not have made it up the political ladder were she not a minority. Trump also claimed that he was the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln, something that drew boos from the crowd. Trump defended his choice of J.D. Vance as his running mate, after Fox News Harris Faulkner, another moderator, said noted that he has had some stumbles out of the gate. Its been a tough couple of weeks for him, she said. Trump said that he selected Vance because hes a very strong believer in work and the working man and woman, while noting that he was a Yale Law School graduate and author of a book that became a movie. He went through other aspects of his biography, adding, I respect people for their success. But when Faulkner asked Trump whether Vance was ready on day one, Trump said that he had great respect for him, but added, historically, the vice president in terms of the election does not have any impact. Historically, the choice of a vice president makes no difference, Trump said. You are voting for the president, and you can have a vice president who is outstanding in every way, and I think JD isbut you youre voting for the president. Youre voting for president. If you like me, Im going to win. Trump also reiterated that he would pardon those convicted after participating in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, even as Scott noted that 140 police officers were assaulted that day. If they are innocent, I would pardon them, Trump said. They have been convicted, Scott noted. Well, they were convicted by a very tough system, Trump said. UPDATED, 12:17 PM: Donald Trump used his appearance before the National Association of Black Journalists to attack Kamala Harris by questioning whether she really is Black. Ive known her for a long time indirectly, directly, very much, Trump said. And she was always of Indian heritage and she was promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian, or is she Black? Harris is biracial. Her mother was from India and her father is from Jamaica. One of the moderators pointed out that Harris always has identified as a Black woman and went to an HBCU. I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt, Trump said. Because she was Indian all the way and all of the sudden she made a turn and became Black. Polifact, which was doing real-time fact-checking of Trumps appearance, rated the claim inaccurate. Trump made the comments after he was asked whether he agreed with comments that Harris was a DEI hire. At the White House today, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded in near-real time, calling Trumps remarks to the NABJ repulsive. The Harris campaign was quick to respond to and mock Trumps onstage stumbles. Within minutes, the vice presidents social media team posted a clip of the NABJ interview ending abruptly as Trumps own team pulled the plug well before things were scheduled to end: TRUMP'S HANDLERS PULLED HIM OFF THE STAGE https://t.co/HVOlO8hAFF MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) July 31, 2024 Currently on Air Force Two to Houston, the vice president is scheduled to speak at a campaign event and the Sigma Gamma Rho sororitys 60th International Biennial Boule. PREVIOUSLY: Donald Trump, making a controversial appearance before the National Association of Black Journalists, quickly blasted one of the moderators for a rude introduction and for asking what he called a hostile initial question. Shortly after he took his seat, ABC News Rachel Scott asked: I want to start by addressing the elephant in the room, sir. A lot of people did not think it was appropriate for you to be here today. She went on to cite false claims that Trump had made about Barack Obama and Nikki Haley, along with other remarks attacking Black figures of people of color. Scott added: You attack Black journalists, calling them a loser, saying the questions that they asked are, quote, stupid and racist. Youve had dinner with a white supremacist at Mar-a-Lago resort. So my question, sir, now that you were asking Black supporters to vote for you, why should Black voters trust you, after you have used language like that? Trump responded: Well, first of all, I dont think Ive ever been asked the question, in such a horrible manner, first question. You dont even say, Hello, how are you?' He went on to attack ABC News as a fake news network and terrible. And I think its disgraceful that I came here in good spirit, Trump said. I love the Black population of this country. Ive done so much for the Black population of this country, including employment including opportunity zones with Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, which is one of the greatest programs ever for Black workers and Black entrepreneurs. He called Scotts question a very rude introduction. I dont know exactly why you would do something like that. And let me go a step further. I was invited here and I was told my opponent whether it was Biden or Kamala I was told my opponent was going to be here. It turned out my opponent isnt here. You invited me under false pretense. Trump later complained again that Scott asked a nasty question and that it was really a statement. Scott said that she was repeating what he had said. The event was delayed for more than a half-hour, apparently over audio problems. Trump continued to complain throughout the event that he had difficulty hearing. Trump went on to claim that he was the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln, something that drew some boos from the crowd. Trump faced friendlier questions from another moderator, Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner. Also posing questions was Semafors Kadia Goba. The invitation to Trump had generated enormous friction within NABJ, with such high-profile members as April Ryan calling it a mistake to give him a platform. That continued earlier today, as Trump posted on social media that Harris disrespectfully refused to attend the event. But Ryan reported that Harris, new to the campaign for just a little over the week, sought to do a virtual Q&A, but the NABJ leadership declined, as well as for an in-person event at a later date. The reports of attacks on Black women White House correspondents by the then-president of the United States are not myth or conjecture, but fact, Ryan wrote on X/Twitter. Ken Lemon, the president of NABJ, said in a statement that the organization has been in talks with both the Democratic and Republican parties since January. NABJ was in contact with Vice President Kamala Harris team for an in-person panel before President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July. He added: However, we were advised by her campaign at the time that her schedule could not accommodate this request. The last update we were provided (earlier this week) was that Harris would not be available in person or virtually during our Convention. We are in talks about virtual options in the future and are still working to reach an agreement. He said that NABJ has been inviting presidential candidates of both major parties since 1976. While we acknowledge the concerns expressed by our members, we believe it is important for us to provide our members with the opportunity to hear directly from candidates and hold them accountable, he said. NABJ also featured a real-time fact checking during Trumps appearance. Dominic Patten contributed to this report Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Often citing his own political priorities and complaints, former President Donald Trump urged Arizona Republicans to make U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake his partner in a race against an ultra-left Democrat. Speaking to listeners on a telephone call Monday for Lakes campaign, Trump called President Joe Bidens departure from the race a coup by Democrats, repeatedly mispronounced Vice President Kamala Harris name and said Lake would help him implement his plans for a second term. Shes fantastic. She will not let us down, Trump said. Kari Lake, I just think shes going to be as good as you can get. Theres nobody going to be better. The call came as voting in Arizonas primary election ends Tuesday and as Republican voters choose between Lake, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb and neuroscientist Elizabeth Jean Reye. The winner will face Democratic contender Ruben Gallego, who is unopposed for his partys nomination in the race to replace the retiring Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz. Lake is widely viewed as the GOP primary favorite, with Trumps early endorsement, as well as the backing of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and most of the Republican senators she hopes to join. Lamb has run a low-budget, low-profile campaign. It picked up nearly $350,000 in supportive spending from the conservative organizations American Encore and Secure Arizonas Future. By contrast, Lake-aligned groups have spent about $140,000 to help her in the primary and Democratic-aligned organizations have spent more than $800,000 against her so far. Trumps call, which lasted less than 15 minutes, served as a mini-rally of sorts for a candidate he backed from the October night she formally entered the race. He mixed in complaints against the media, outlined his own agenda of drill, baby drill to bring about lower energy prices, eliminating income tax on tips and, of course, closing Americas borders. Shes fearless when it comes to being a champion for the common-sense, America-first policies. Kari will vote to seal the border, he said. Were going to seal that border. It will stop them immediately, and that will stop, in turn, the invasion, the largest invasion in the history of probably any country. Theres never been anything like it. Trump ripped Gallego, calling the five-term member of Congress an open-border zealot. Trump lingered over Harris ascending on the presidential ticket for a moment as well. It looks like they did a coup with respect to (President Joe) Biden. He got 14 million votes, and they threw him out, Trump said of his former opponent. Endorsing rivals: Donald Trump praises Blake Masters in rare last-minute dual endorsement for Congress They said, Were getting you out. Youre either going to do it the nice way or youre gonna do it the hard way. And hes gone. Its like a prize fight. You have a fighter and hes not doing well. They say, Thats OK, lets throw another fighter into the ring.'" Trump said. "Thats what they did with Kamala, but shes actually worse. Shes actually worse than he is. But Kari is going to be a tremendous help and shell be voting with us all the way down the line on energy independence and everything else." Trump said Gallego, whose name he also mispronounced, is an ultra-left, I mean this, is an ultra-left winger, radical Democrat extremist. Hes a guy thats not respected. Hes not respected there. People dont listen to him, Trump continued. They dont take him seriously, and from what I understand, Kari, the polls are very good. Public polling in the race since Sinema quit the race in March generally show Gallego leading Lake by mid-single digits. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Trump urges Arizona GOP voters to back 'fantastic' Kari Lake In Chicago Wednesday for the annual National Association of Black Journalists convention, former President Donald Trump appeared to be unfamiliar with details surrounding the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey. Trump was asked if the officer now-former Sangamon County Sheriff deputy Sean P. Grayson who shot and killed Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, in her own home on July 6 should receive immunity from prosecution. Grayson, 30, of Riverton has been charged with five counts, including first-degree murder, and remains in custody. Former US President and 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump answers questions during the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention in Chicago, Illinois, on July 31, 2024. "I don't know the exact case, but I saw something and it didn't look good to me," Trump told Kadia Goba, a politics reporter at Semafor, during the conversation attended by more than 1,000 journalists in Chicago. Trump later asked if the case was "with the water," likely referring to the fact that Massey had a pot of boiling water that Grayson instructed her to remove from the stove. She was shot three times, once in the head, after moving the pot and saying, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." More: Union won't go forward with former deputy's grievance in Sonya Massey shooting The question to the GOP presidential candidate came after he said during a rally in Minnesota that he would give law enforcement officers qualified immunity if elected to a second term. Whether Grayson deserves that immunity in Trump's eyes is unclear. Well he might not, it depends on what happens. I am talking about people much different than that. We need people to protect ourselves, Trump said. In this particular case, that did not look good to me, I did not like it. I did not like it at all. Trump's comments come a little more than one week since the body camera footage went public. In a statement, President Joe Biden said the Massey family deserves justice and that Sonya Massey "should be alive today." In Springfield Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski also urged justice and accountability in the case. The Springfield Democrat addressed the murder on the U.S. House floor last week. "I think now we're at a place where need to do some investigations into how this police officer actually got on the police force," she told reporters at Lincoln Land Community College during an unrelated press conference. Contact Patrick M. Keck: pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Trump appears unfamiliar with fatal Sonya Massey shooting CONCORD Douglas Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, told a New Hampshire crowd Wednesday that when he got back to his phone after an event in Nantucket the night before, it was filled with messages stating, Say it to my face. During what the second gentleman jokingly referred to as a little event in Atlanta Tuesday night, Harris challenged former President Donald Trump to face her in a presidential debate. (Trump bowed out of a scheduled September debate with President Joe Biden after Harris replaced him as the candidate.) I do hope youll reconsider and meet me on the debate stage, because, as the saying goes, if youve got something to say, say it to my face! Harris said. Emhoff said when he watched the replay, he didnt just see that iconic moment, but somebody who was a leader, somebody that we can get behind, somebody whos prosecuting a case against a felon. Emhoff opines on 'childless cat ladies' line, too Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff speaks at a Harris for President rally in Concord, NH, July 31, 2024. Emhoff on Wednesday headlined an event on reproductive freedom in New Hampshire that was part of a campaign and fundraising swing through New England originally expected to be led by first lady Jill Biden. He was in Massachusetts earlier in the week, and was headed to Yarmouth, Maine, from Concord. The events come just over a week after Biden exited the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Harris, who is now expected to become the Democratic nominee. Emhoff spoke about the enthusiasm hes seen for the campaign, citing money raised and endorsements. But he reminded the crowd Harris is still the underdog. We're gonna work extra hard each and every day. And I'm planning to sleep on November 6. I was going to say cat naps but too soon, Emhoff joked to laughs and one meow from the crowd. He was ostensibly referring to a comment from Trumps running mate JD Vance, who called multiple Democratic leaders, including Harris, childless cat ladies in a 2021 clip from Tucker Carlson Tonight. Emhoff had previously visited New Hampshire in June, when he had launched a "Seniors for Biden-Harris" effort in Exeter and stopped by Durham House of Pizza. Emhoff, speakers hammer issue of reproductive freedom JJ Dega, a 20-year-old student at Dartmouth, said Emhoff helps encourage men to get "in on the fight" for reproductive rights. Before Emhoff came on stage, "special guest" Abby Klausner shared her story of having to get an abortion after being diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia. The most effective treatment for CML is not safe during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. We tried alternative therapy, we tried really hard, she said. I did everything in my power to keep the baby while also doing everything we could to stop the cancer growing. But eventually I got too sick. I was hospitalized and I had to make an impossible choice to terminate the pregnancy. Emhoff said after he learned of the Supreme Courts 2022 decision to reverse Roe v. Wade from Harris, both his 23-year-old daughter and 81-year-old mother expressed their anger to him. Its not just a womans issue, he said, since the decision could be applied to other privacy rights issues like contraception and gay marriage. What if she lived in Texas? What would have happened to her? he said of Klausner. Its much greater than just abortion. And that's why we've got to elect Kamala Harris as our next president. JJ Dega, a rising junior Dartmouth College from Idaho, said Emhoff is an important figure because he's signaling that its OK for guys to get in on the fight for abortion rights. Hes a supportive husband, he knows his wife is the star and she's making these rounds and he is supporting where he can and he's talking about the issues. It's hard for a woman to get on stage to talk about women's rights and freedoms, agreed Dartmouth student Quinn Allred. It's so important for people who are not directly affected to step up." Harris leads another NH poll, with backing of young voters An Emerson College poll released Wednesday showed Harris leading Trump in New Hampshire 48% to 41%, an increase from a November poll that found Biden leading Trump by just 3%. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took 6%. This poll followed polls last week from the University of New Hampshire and St. Anselm College showing Harris up by 6% in New Hampshire. This is partly driven by an increase in support among younger voters," Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said in a press release. Harris has a 17-point lead among voters under 30 on the ballot with independent candidates compared to Biden leading by four among this group in November. A group of students from Dartmouth College at Wednesday's event said they came because they are excited about Harris. I think that she is a choice that energizes young voters in a way that is so refreshing and makes us so optimistic about the future, Lucy Vitali, 20, said. Sophie Reynolds said that before Biden stepped down, many of her friends werent interested in being involved and werent sure if they were going to vote at all. Now, she said, her friends both in New Hampshire and in her home state of Arkansas are reinvigorated and mobilized. The students were also impressed by Emhoff, particularly his humor on stage. He worked the crowds so well, Reynolds said. When is he gonna get a TikTok? This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Doug Emhoff touts wife Kamala Harris to NH crowd: 'Say it to my face' Context: The above video aired on July 10. TOPEKA (KSNT) Topekans will soon be able to enjoy margaritas on tap and Mexican-style food in the downtown area at a brand-new three-story restaurant. 27 News checked back in with AIM Strategies, LLC this week to find out how the new Ta Co. location on Kansas Avenue is coming along. Yolanda Uhl, marketing director with AIM, said the official opening date for the restaurant will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. The business will open daily at 11 a.m. moving forward with an official ribbon-cutting date also in the works. Uhl said their focus is 100% on the new location when asked about what her companys plans were for the former Ta Co. pop-up spot at West Ridge Mall. Our staff is working hard to get things ready! Uhl said. We welcome everyone to come out and visit us! Stormont Vail Health moves into new headquarters in downtown Topeka 27 News recently visited Ta Co. for an inside look at the restaurant on July 10. Once open, it will offer margaritas on tap, rice bowls, burritos, tacos and high-end cocktails. Ta Co.s downtown address is at 735 South Kansas Avenue. AIM Strategies, LLC is owned by Cody Foster, one of the founders of Advisors Excel. The group manages other properties in the downtown area such as The Pennant, the Cyrus Hotel and Iron Rail Brewing. You can learn more about AIM Strategies, LLC by clicking here. This embedded content is not available in your region. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. FILE - The entrance to the state-run Loysville Youth Development Center in Loysville, Pa., is seen on Monday, May 20, 2024. A group of nearly 70 people alleged Wednesday they were sexually abused as children while housed in detention centers in Pennsylvania, adding to earlier lawsuits targeting what the accusers' lawyers say is the states broken juvenile justice system. (AP Photo/Mark Scolforo, File) A group of nearly 70 people alleged Wednesday they were sexually abused as children while housed in detention centers in Pennsylvania, adding to earlier lawsuits targeting what the accusers' lawyers say is the states broken juvenile justice system. The latest group of plaintiffs filed suit in state or federal court against 10 different juvenile facilities across Pennsylvania, three of them state-operated. Some of the plaintiffs said they were repeatedly raped by staff members and threatened with harm if they reported it. Others said their reports of sexual abuse were ignored. None of the facilities protected the children in their care, lawyers said. The facilities' operators put profit ahead of the safety of children, attorney Jerome Block told The Associated Press. "Many of these juvenile facilities where the sexual abuse occurred remain open, and we have seen no evidence that the inadequate procedures and policies that enabled the sexual abuse have been fixed. Twenty-two of the accusers were housed at Merakey USAs Northwestern Academy outside Shamokin, which closed in 2016. One man says he was raped by two male staff members at Northwestern in 2004, when he was 13 years old, and he was told he wouldnt be able to go home if he reported it. Merakey, a large provider of developmental, behavioral health and education services with more than 8,000 employees in a dozen states, allowed Northwestern Academys culture of sexual abuse and brutality to continue unabated until the facilitys closure in 2016, lawyers wrote. The Lafayette Hills, Pennsylvania-based company said Wednesday that it couldn't comment on the lawsuit's allegations until it had a chance to review them. Merakey closed Northwestern Academy ... as part of our organizations strong belief that children do better in family and community-based settings than in institutional settings, the company said in a statement. Twenty of the accusers were housed at the state-run Loysville Youth Development Center, South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit near Gettysburg and North Central Secure Treatment Unit in Danville. The state Department of Human Services said it can't comment on pending litigation. Spokesperson Brandon Cwalina said the department has zero-tolerance towards abuse and harassment, and we take seriously our responsibility to protect the health and safety of children at licensed facilities. He said all of the department's juvenile justice facilities are required to be audited once every three years. Other lawsuits named a facility run by Villanova-based Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health; the Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center; the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Saint Gabriels Hall in Audubon, which closed in 2020; Carson Valley Childrens Aid in Flourtown, which shuttered its residential care program last month; Presbyterian Children's Village in Rosemont, which closed after a 2019 merger; and a now-shuttered facility in Franklin, Pennsylvania, operated by VisionQuest National Ltd. of Tucson, Arizona. Delaware County said it had not been formally served and does not discuss pending litigation. Spokesperson Ryan Herlinger said a 10-member oversight board was created in 2021 and is working to implement juvenile justice reforms, including an expansion of services and alternatives to detention. The county remains steadfast in its commitment to justice and accountability, he said. Gemma Services, the successor organization of Presbyterian Childrens Village, is facing accusations over what lawyers called the abusive and predatory behavior of the Presbyterian staff. Gemma said it has not seen the lawsuit but that it was committed to doing right by the children under its care. This organization exists to provide support for children and families who navigate hard things in life, said Joan Plump, Gemma's chief of staff. Our first priority has always been and always will be protecting the health, safety and well=being of all the youth and families we work with. The archdiocese, which is facing allegations from seven accusers who stayed at Saint Gabriel's, declined to comment on pending litigation. Messages seeking comment were sent to the rest of the defendants. The same New York firm, Levy Konigsberg, filed lawsuits in May on behalf of 66 people in Pennsylvania and has pursued similar litigation in Illinois,Maryland, New Jersey and Michigan. All the Pennsylvania plaintiffs were born after Nov. 26, 1989, and meet the state's standards for filing claims of sexual abuse when they were children, lawyers said. Due to Pennsylvanias policy of locking up children for relatively minor violations or behavioral problems, many children who simply needed help went straight from difficult home lives into a traumatizing, carceral environment where they were regularly sexually abused, lawyers wrote in one of the complaints filed Wednesday. A task force set up to tackle Pennsylvanias juvenile justice problems concluded in 2021 that too many first-time and lower-level juvenile offenders were being locked up, and Black offenders were disproportionately prosecuted as adults. A Democratic-sponsored bill to adopt some of the task force's recommendations is pending in the House after passing the Judiciary Committee in September on a party-line vote with all Republicans opposed. Supporters say talks also continue about legislation to establish an independent Office of Child Advocate a move that has been discussed for more than two decades but has yet to be enshrined into law. ___ Associated Press writer Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed to this story. A dozen people cashed counterfeit savings bonds on the MS Coast. Authorities caught on In a 35-count indictment handed down in Mississippi in July, 14 people are charged with a bank fraud conspiracy involving thousands of dollars in counterfeit savings bonds cashed at financial institutions in seven cities. Casey Aron Dixon, an Alabama resident, has been indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. Thirteen others are indicted on additional federal charges of uttering counterfeit obligations for allegedly attempting to cash or cash the fraudulent savings bonds at different financial institutions in Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, DIberville, Wiggins, Gautier, and Hattiesburg. The crime carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison plus fines. Most of the counterfeit bonds had a face value of $5,000 and were designed to look like they had been issued decades ago. The crimes occurred in March and April 2022. In addition to Dixon, heres a look at the 13 others indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and additional charges for cashing or attempting to cash the counterfeit savings bonds. John Stringer is accused of cashing or attempting to cash counterfeit savings bonds at Keesler Federal Credit Union branches in DIberville, Hattiesburg, Wiggins, Long Beach and Biloxi. Sierra Porter is accused of cashing the counterfeit savings bonds at Keesler Federal Credit Union branches in Ocean Springs, Wiggins, and Gulfport. Ali Naquin is accused of cashing a counterfeit savings bond at Keesler Federal Credit Union in Gautier. Kelly Gladney is accused of cashing counterfeit savings bonds at Keesler Federal Credit Union in Ocean Springs. Wendy Strange is accused of cashing a counterfeit savings bond at Keesler Federal Credit Union in DIberville. Robert Rush is accused of cashing counterfeit savings bonds at Keesler Federal Credit Union in the St. Martin community. Breanne Rachelle Ladd is accused of cashing counterfeit savings bonds at Navigator Credit Union branches in Gautier and Ocean Springs. Heather Smith is accused of cashing counterfeit savings bonds at Keesler Federal Credit Union in DIberville. Jamie Culpepper is accused of attempting to cash a counterfeit savings bond at Keesler Federal Credit Union in DIberville. Kendra Spiers is accused of attempting to cash a counterfeit savings bond at Citizens Bank in Biloxi. John Daniel Wilson is accused of cashing a counterfeit saving bond at Navigator Credit Union in Gautier. Joseph James Trembinski is accused of cashing counterfeit savings bonds at The Peoples Bank in Biloxi. Chadwick Alan Sharff is accused of cashing counterfeit savings bonds on several occasions at Citizens National Bank in Hattiesburg. TOKYO, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Japan's transport ministry has issued a corrective order to Toyota Motor Corporation, mandating improvements in its business practices following the discovery of improper vehicle testing procedures for seven additional models. Toyota Motor President Sato Koji on Wednesday was summoned and given the correction order by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The issue first surfaced in June when it was revealed that Toyota had falsified performance test data on seven models to secure the necessary certification for mass production, which led to the suspension of shipments for three models that were already in production. In early July, Toyota conducted an internal investigation and reported no wrongdoing beyond the initial seven models. However, a thorough investigation by the ministry, including an onsite inspection of Toyota's headquarters, uncovered further malpractice involving seven more models. The corrective order requires Toyota to devise and implement fundamental measures within a month to prevent future occurrences, and the auto giant must provide quarterly progress reports to the ministry. This marked the fourth time the ministry has issued a correction order under the Road Transport Vehicle Act amended in 2019. It was the first time for Toyota to have received such an order. Duke Energy looks to decrease power bills in Upstate SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) Duke Energy is proposing a change which would lower electricity bills for some customers. The company said they are seeking to reduce their annual adjustment for fuel cost in South Carolina. The change would affect Duke Energy Carolinas customers, which includes about 660,000 households and businesses, primarily in the Upstate. As a result, Duke Energy said the average monthly residential and commercial bill would decrease by 13.8% while the average industrial customers bill would decrease by 16.2%. A residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month would see their bill decrease by $19.60 from $142.23 to $122.63, according to numbers provided by Duke Energy. If approved by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, the decrease would begin in November. The company said the decrease will significantly offset the previously announced base rate increase which was approved by the Public Service Commission in early July. That base rate increase goes into affect in August. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. E-bikes, scooters coming to Sacramento-area city. Borrow for free or get help buying your own Electric bikes and scooters are soon coming to Elk Grove as part of a program that aims to reduce vehicle miles traveled, traffic congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The city is launching two separate programs: its E-Bike Voucher Program and the U.S. Department of Energys Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. According to a city staff report, participants can choose between a standard e-bike, folding e-bike, cargo e-bike or electric trike, with e-scooters and an adaptive bike anticipated to be available in the future for both programs. The programs are being implemented to study the future of a lending library and bikeshare in Elk Grove. The city plans to collect data on the number of trips, routes taken and evaluate interest and usage of the devices, a city staff report said. Elk Grove senior transportation planner Kaley Lyons said the programs will officially launch Sept. 3. BikeHaus, Cadence Bike Shop, and Pedego are approved to accept vouchers once the program launches in order to offer an automatic rebate on e-bikes being purchased through the voucher program, Lyons said. These three shops are also where we purchased the e-bikes and e-trikes for the lending library program. Scooters will be purchased in the future as none of the local bike shops sell scooters. The federal grant program helped establish the citys e-bike voucher program through a $201,410 grant funded by the Department of Energy. The citys lending program is funded by a $250,000 grant from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments awarded to Elk Grove in September 2023. For the lending library, the City has purchased e-bikes and e-trikes that residents can check out for free for up to three weeks and then return to the City (checked out and returned to City Hall), Lyons said. For the voucher program, residents will receive a voucher code and can go to any of the three bike shops to purchase a new e-bike and receive an instant rebate or discount on their purchase. According to a city staff report, the program is modeled on other existing programs for places such as the City of Denver, the Monterey Bay Air Resources District and the California Air Resources Boards forthcoming program. The lending library program will allow Elk Grove residents age 18 and older to check out an e-bike or scooter for free for up to three weeks. The rider is required to sign a waiver and release of liability. In order to confirm residency, riders must submit a photo of their drivers license or current utility bill to verify their address is within Elk Grove. City spokesperson Kristyn Laurence said the borrowing program will be active for at least a year as a pilot project. Based on feedback and data collected, we will determine next steps and if/how the lending library will continue, she said. The voucher program is expected to continue through March 31, 2026, or until all funds are expended. Laurence said the city anticipates that funds will be expended well in advance of that date. Elk Groves e-bike voucher program The citys voucher program is designed to promote purchasing from local bike shops, according to the citys staff report. Local bike shops in Elk Grove entered a contract with the city that guarantees reimbursement for e-bikes, and voucher holders can go into any shop and provide their voucher during their purchase for a discount on the e-bike. When an applicant purchases an e-bike from one of the approved bike shops in Elk Grove, a city staff report said, they will be provided with a digital voucher (or print voucher upon request) to take to the bike shop. The voucher, once applied, will reduce the cost of the e-bike and the approved bike shops will invoice the city. The voucher amounts range from $500 to $1,000 depending on type of e-bike (standard or cargo) and income (low income residents receive a higher amount), so this is not intended to cover the entire cost of the e-bike, but is intended to increase access and incentivize residents who choose to purchase one, Lyons said. Elk Grove residents can apply for a voucher on a first come, first served basis, with an initial set aside of 50% of funds for low income households. Adaptive e-bikes, which are designed to meet individual and specialized needs of their specific riders, will be made available for purchase at Elk Grove bike shops for voucher applicants who have a disability and are unable to use a standard e-bike. A separate process will be made if an adaptive e-bike is unavailable. All e-bikes must be new and fit certain criteria, such as including integrated front and rear lights. A full list is available on the citys website, elkgrovecity.org/ebikevoucher. How to apply Residents can apply for the programs in-person at Elk Grove City Hall or on the citys website. Once an applicant is approved and notified, they will have 30 days to purchase their e-bike. According to a city staff report, if a voucher is not used within 30 days, the voucher number will be disqualified and the funds held for that voucher will be returned to the pool of funding available for vouchers. A waiting list will be created in order of application submission time if the city receives an excess number of applications and does not have adequate funding available. Are there restrictions? There can only be one voucher claimed by each applicant and a maximum of two vouchers per household. Any leftover funds remaining on the voucher following the purchase of an e-bike will not be converted to cash. Instead, it will be returned to the pool of available funds for future applicants. The voucher can only be used to purchase an e-bike or scooter and not accessories such as a helmet or lock. According to the citys website, participants must retain the e-bike for at least one year and be willing to fill out a survey providing the city feedback approximately a year after purchase. Early AM shooting near downtown Hopewell sends man to hospital with life-threatening injury HOPEWELL A man is fighting for his life at a Richmond hospital after he was shot early Wednesday morning just east of downtown Hopewell, according to police. It happened around 12:30 a.m. in the 400 block of East Broadway, police Lt. Jacquita Allen said in an email. The victim had been shot once in the abdomen. He was rushed to Chippenham Medical Center in Richmond with a life-threatening injury, Allen said. An investigation into the shooting continues. Anyone with information about it or a possible suspect is asked to contact Detective Cameron List at (804) 541-2284; or anonymously through Crime Solvers at (804) 541-2202 or the P3Tips mobile app. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Hopewell Police investigate early morning shooting near downtown President Biden's Supreme Court reforms, including term limits for justices, are sensible and benefit both parties, but they aren't getting bipartisan support. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) In an address to the nation last week about abandoning his reelection campaign, President Biden mentioned Supreme Court reform as one of the priorities he would pursue in the remainder of his term. On Monday, Biden fleshed out that commitment with proposals that deserve but arent receiving bipartisan support. In an initiative endorsed by Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Biden proposed three changes: term limits for members of the Supreme Court, who now serve until they choose to retire; a binding and enforceable code of conduct for justices; and a No One Is Above the Law constitutional amendment. Such an amendment would essentially overrule the courts disastrous decision granting immunity from criminal prosecution to Donald Trump and future former presidents for their official acts. Read more: Litman: With Supreme Court reform ideas, Biden is playing the long game Bidens proposals would benefit a court that has undermined its credibility with major decisions in which Republican appointees vote one way and Democratic appointees another. Further damage to the courts image has been inflicted by a selection process for justices that has been marred by naked partisanship and the use of court appointments to engineer desired results. Trump, who said in 2016 that he would appoint "pro-life" justices, has boasted that I was able to kill Roe vs. Wade, the landmark abortion rights ruling that was overruled in 2022 in a decision joined by his three appointees. Term limits would bring stability to the selection of justices. Biden's proposal would have presidents appoint a justice every two years to an 18-year term. Its ridiculous that Trump was able to appoint three life-tenured justices in a single term. He was abetted, of course, by Senate Republicans who refused to act on President Obamas nomination of Merrick Garland in 2016, citing the upcoming presidential election and then rushed to confirm Trumps choice of Amy Coney Barrett in late 2020, another presidential election year. Read more: Column: What FDR could advise Biden about reforming the Supreme Court tread lightly Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) has introduced the Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act under which justices after 18 years would become senior justices who could pursue other duties and sit in temporarily when a vacancy occurred on the high court. Some legal experts, however, believe that term limits would require a constitutional amendment. By whatever route they are achieved, term limits make sense. (Its likely that justices now serving would have to be exempt from term limits.) Bidens proposal for an enforceable ethics code for Supreme Court justices follows controversies involving Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. The justices last year finally adopted a code of conduct, but it lacks an enforcement mechanism. There are several options for putting teeth in the code. Last week, Justice Elena Kagan suggested that an outside panel of respected judges could scrutinize code violations. Read more: Opinion: The Supreme Court's lack of accountability is worse than you think Finally, Bidens endorsement of a constitutional amendment to rein in presidential immunity faces considerable hurdles. But the court invited such an effort with its reckless ruling this month on presidential immunity that could let Trump off the hook for some charges related to his attempt to overturn the 2020 election and embolden future presidents. Predictably, Republicans oppose court reform. Trump has complained on social media that Democrats are calling for an illegal and unConstitutional attack on our SACRED United States Supreme Court. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Bidens proposals are dead on arrival in the Republican-controlled House. Read more: Editorial: Supreme Court's new ethics code falls short in solving its ethics problem Biden and Harris shouldnt let such rejection deter them from educating the public about the value to the country of Supreme Court reform; it shouldnt be presented primarily as a way for Democrats to achieve more influence over the court. (The way to ensure more Democratic-appointed justices in the near term is to elect Harris in November.) The changes would have benefits for both parties, because it ensures that luck doesn't dictate which party gets appointments. The Supreme Court plays a vital role in this constitutional republic, but its continued legitimacy depends on a perception by the public that the justices arent politicians in black robes. Bidens proposals offer a path to addressing that crisis of credibility. 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. Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters said Wednesday that the State Department of Education will be issuing guidelines concerning undocumented students. (Photo by Kennedy Thomason/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY The State Department of Education will roll out guidelines that require school districts to provide the agency with information about how many undocumented immigrants they serve, Oklahomas top public school official announced Wednesday. Superintendent Ryan Walters said he also wants districts to calculate the financial impact those students have on districts. What we will be doing in the upcoming weeks is issuing guidance to districts where they will be helping us to find accurate and effective accounting about the cost and burden that illegal immigration has not only on their schools, but the taxpayers of the state of Oklahoma, Walters said. Walters did not say what the information would be used for, nor did he provide any further information about the guidelines during a brief press conference after the monthly State Board of Education meeting where he first unveiled the plan. Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, said she doesnt know why the board is interested in the information. I think its reasonable to be fearful that the reason why an administration, why Ryan Walters, would want to gather this, is to target people and make them feel insecure in our state, Boren said. She compared the boards actions to that of a fascist regime that takes a census and then treats a group of people unfairly. They continue to try to exploit an issue that they dont want to solve in order to stir up political strife, Boren said. Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, a member of the Legislative Latino Caucus, said Walters might be jumping the gun with his guidelines because Gov. Kevin Stitts Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visas Task Force has not concluded its work. The task force, which was announced in April, is exploring how to issue work visas to undocumented immigrants, who have long filled gaps in Oklahomas workforce, and how to address employment needs in Oklahomas economy. When we look at making guidelines and laws, we need to do that in a way that takes into account all the facts, Menz said. We need to make fact-based decisions, and I just dont see how the state superintendent is doing that without having all of the information. Menz said the guidelines dont sit right with her. Public schools are for the public, Menz said. A recent report released by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that Oklahomas undocumented immigrants paid $227.5 million in state and local taxes in 2022. The Washington D.C.-based group found that an estimated 89,000 undocumented immigrants paid taxes. The figures do not include what they paid into Social Security and Medicare. The Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank that focuses on improving immigration policies, estimates there are 6,000 undocumented immigrants under the age of 16 living in Oklahoma. However, Walters said there is a rush of illegal immigrants across the border, which is putting strain on Oklahomas public schools. The federal government has failed to secure our borders, our schools are suffering over this, and where the federal government has failed to act, Oklahoma will step up, Walters said. So we will step in, we will make sure that we understand the cost to taxpayers so that our kids can get the best education possible. The issue of illegal immigration and efforts to secure the countrys southern border have become a galvanizing issue for Republican lawmakers. Earlier this year, the Oklahoma Legislature passed House Bill 4156, which established impermissible occupation as a crime. The law makes it illegal to willfully enter the state without authorization to be in the country. Those found guilty could face imprisonment, fines or expulsion from the state. A judge has put enforcement on hold pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality. Stitt created his task force in response to the law. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Eglin says new child development center in Crestview area will be ready by 2028 The Air Force and the Army are working on plans to improve childcare services for military personnel near Eglin Air Force Base. EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE The U.S. Air Force is continuing with plans to build a new child development center in Crestview to serve the military community north of the Eglin Test and Training Range. On Monday, Eglin Air Force Base announced on its website that the future Crestview CDC will be designed to accommodate 250 children for military families and is expected to be completed by 2028. In the interim, the Departments of the Air Force and Army are continuing plans to increase childcare access for families near Eglin. The Air Force joined the Florida Apprenticeship Program to increase staffing at the Eglin CDC, which saw the addition of two more classrooms, bringing the total number of children at the facility to 118. Moreover, this initiative increased the number of Air Force-certified Family Childcare homes since last year and can care for up to 102 children. Applications for another 13 homes are being processed, allowing 72 more children to receive care. The Army has hired a parent and outreach specialist to assist Army families with childcare needs. This fall, it will begin a one-year pilot program providing hourly, part-time or intermittent childcare for up to 100 active-duty Army families. Both services will collaborate with Eglin's Child and Youth Programs to offer extended hours for additional care. And they also will work with local commercial childcare providers who plan to open a new childcare facility in Crestview, which is expected to open in late 2025. Air Force and Army offices will continue to monitor the childcare system and evaluate the local community every six months, identifying whether needs are met and allowing both branches to add resources if needed. Military officials will decide on the land acquisition for the new Crestview CDC after a National Environmental Policy Act process is completed. An Environmental Impact Statement will come in January 2025. A draft EIS is open for public comment until Aug. 26, with a public hearing scheduled for Aug. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Warriors Hall in Crestview, 201 Stillwell Blvd. For more information about childcare for the military community, visit militarychildcare.com. This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Air Force, Army working to improve childcare for personnel near Eglin State Rep. Travis Couture is facing a challenge from fellow Republican Eric Onisko and Democrat James DeHart in the primary race for the 35th Legislative District's Position 2. Couture is the incumbent, having been elected in 2022. Onisko has served on Sheltons city council since 2018, becoming mayor in 2022. DeHart ran for the 35th District House Position 1 seat in 2022, losing to Dan Griffey. The two candidates receiving the most votes during the Aug. 6 primary will advance to November's general election. The 35th District encompasses Mason County, western Kitsap County and western Thurston County. VOTER GUIDE: Washington primary election August 2024 The Kitsap Sun has asked legislative candidates to answer three questions, with answers limited to 200 words. The answers of Couture, Onisko and DeHart follow: Travis Couture Travis Couture Age: 36 Current occupation: State Representative, 35th District (U.S. Navy veteran; former defense contractor at NBK Bangor and Director of Operations for a Kitsap non-profit serving people with disabilities) Previous elected experience: Elected to 35th District in 2022; former elected chairman of the Mason County Republican Party. Party: Republican Campaign contributions: $63,193.42 What would be your priorities if elected? My priorities are combating crime by improving public safety, making our state more affordable by lowering the cost of living and high taxes, improving outcomes for families and kids with better education and affordable childcare, and protecting your constitutional rights. I will continue investments into the 35th district that boost economic development, housing, and infrastructure. Our great state is in crisis mode from decades of failed leadership and harmful policies. Washington has the lowest amount of police in the nation and the highest crime rates in decades, some of the highest taxes and cost of living, a drug and homelessness crisis, an education system that is failing our kids in the basics, the fourth most unaffordable housing in the nation, and some of the most unaffordable and unavailable childcare in the country. I charged into Olympia with a fire in my belly and I fought for everything I promised you I would fight for and more and I'm not done yet. It is my mission to hear you, stand up for you, fight for our values, and amplify your voice in Olympia. It is my lifes honor and privilege to be your Representative.Homelessness is a complicated issue, with a range of solutions needed. Provide one idea that the state can support to help residents avoid becoming homeless, and one that supports exit strategies for those who find themselves homeless. The policies of the majority party in our state to combat homelessness have failed. Taxpayers have poured billions of dollars into homelessness only to watch the problem continuously worsen. At the heart of homelessness is untreated mental health and substance abuse. The devastation of the Blake decision, which effectively legalized the possession of hard drugs, remains a challenge that we still face despite the legislature somewhat re-criminalizing drug possession. In Grants Pass v. Johnson, SCOTUS upheld the City of Grants Pass ban on public camping, and its a new opportunity for local governments to chart their own path to clean up the streets and provide safety. Drugs like fentanyl, are 50 to 100 times more powerful, and recovery will take much longer. The legislature should walk away from failed implementation of harm reduction policies, and take a serious look at more efficient and longer civil commitments of those in extreme crisis. We need to triage those who are suffering and help them put their lives back together. By doing so, we can begin to slam shut the revolving door of this system and save lives instead of walking over people who are killing themselves in slow motion on our streets. Public schools continue to battle with decreasing enrollments, budget reductions and state funding needs. What impact can you make on education? I have fought back against the state policies that are harming schools, students, and the community. Washington has abysmal comprehension rates in the basics of education, with roughly 50% of kids performing at grade level for English language, reading, and science. Shockingly, nearly 75% of Washington students are not proficient in math. These performance metrics are not only unsustainable, but unacceptable. The legislature did not do enough to combat learning loss and mental health issues caused by COVID pandemic policies. At the heart of disenrollments are mental health, increased bullying and violence at schools, lack of academic achievement, and importantly the radical policies forced upon schools by the legislature that diminish parental rights, erode local control, and do not match the values of many people in our communities. These problems have caused families to disenroll their children in favor of better opportunities, which cost schools enormous amounts of money. These problems further harm the trust voters have in schools when voting for levies and bonds. The legislature must focus on education, not indoctrination, returning local control to elected school boards, rebuilding the trust of families, and fully funding special education that is so vital to our most vulnerable students. Eric Onisko Eric Onisko Age: 57 Current occupation: Retired (former local business owner) Previous elected experience: City of Shelton city council for the past six years, mayor for the past two years Party: Republican Campaign contributions: Not available What would your priorities be if elected? My priority would be to work with both sides of the aisle and figure out a solution to mental illness. We have people on the streets that dont belong in Western State or jail, but they cant take care of themselves. There has to be something in the middle. Homelessness is a complicated issue, with a range of solutions needed. Provide one idea that the state can support to help residents avoid becoming homeless, and one that supports exit strategies for those who find themselves homeless. As I said above, mental illness, I believe, is the biggest problem we have that contributes to homelessness. There are services out there for addiction, but not much for mental illness. I have been on the housing behavioral health advisory board in Mason County for several years. Municipal and nonprofits are working very hard to try to figure this out. We definitely need state support. Public schools continue to battle with decreasing enrollments, budget reductions and state funding needs. What impact can you make on education? We definitely need to support our schools our kids, they are our future and need to learn reading, writing and arithmetic. Enrollment is probably declining because the state and some local schools arent listening to parents. Let parents parent their kids and teachers teach them please. James DeHart James DeHart Age: 42 Current occupation: Records management officer for the Washington State Gambling Commission Previous elected experience: None Party: Democratic Campaign contributions: $15,230.55 What would your priorities be if elected? Defending our democracy: We need to ensure that our democracy continues. Without democracy, healthcare would crumble, safety net programs would buckle, and free and fair elections would cease to exist. Without democracy, the United States of America would end. Education as our paramount duty: With the possible closing of two schools in the Olympia area, and the potential of that happening elsewhere in the 35th in the future, we need to ensure that all of our public schools are funded adequately, if not robustly. A great educational system will help create great communities. Affordable housing is a right: One of the biggest elephants in the room is the fact that people cannot afford to keep a roof over their heads. Rent is higher than a mortgage payment and there is no equity to be earned by renting. Homeownership is credit based and is often a barrier to those in lower incomes to being able to afford their own home. Law enforcement reform: It is necessary for a free society to revisit and revamp law enforcement tactics and policy. In-state Democrats have worked tirelessly to improve our criminal justice system and we must keep at it so we can have a safe and equitable society. Q: Homelessness is a complicated issue, with a range of solutions needed. Provide one idea that the state can support to help residents avoid becoming homeless, and one that supports exit strategies for those who find themselves homeless. A: I want to make tiny house villages more of a solution to the homelessness problem. Camp Quixote is one of the best organizations around that deals with this issue. It is about getting a roof over one's head, job training and rehabilitation. They have had success in Olympia and now Shelton and is working to create more of these villages. Q: Public schools continue to battle with decreasing enrollments, budget reductions and state funding needs. What impact can you make on education? A: I want to get rid of all the caps that were created by the Legislature that stop funding at certain levels. We need to put education first, otherwise we have an uninformed society and one that can barely function under deceiving sources and misinformation. Also, we cannot publicly fund private schools and should not be funding charter schools. Public funds are for public education. I also want to give more freedom for parents to choose the public school they want their children to attend via transfer protocol. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: 3 candidates seek state House seat in Washington 35th District primary Kari Lake on Tuesday won the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Arizona, setting her up to face off in Novembers general election against Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), who ran uncontested for his partys nomination. The winner will replace outgoing Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), who said in March she would not seek reelection. Lake, a former local news anchor, has made a name for herself as a hard-right Republican in Donald Trumps mold not only amplifying his lies about the 2020 election being stolen, but saying the same about her own unsuccessful race for governor in 2022. (Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, defeated Lake by 17,000 votes.) Lake played a video of Trump endorsing her when she launched her campaign in October, and Trump again voiced his support for Lake in a call with supporters Monday. Lake is currently still litigating the last election as the defendant in an ongoing defamation lawsuit from Stephen Richer, a Republican and the elected recorder in Maricopa County, Arizonas largest county.After Lake accused Richer of intentionally sabotaging the 2022 election, Richer sued for defamation. In March, Lake declined to defend herself against Richers suit, calling it a perversion of our legal system. Discovery is ongoing in the dispute. US Senate candidate from Arizona Kari Lake points to the "Fake News" during the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention. ANGELA WEISS via Getty Images Lake was widely expected to beat Republican challenger Mark Lamb, the sheriff of Pinal County, in the Senate primary. The real question in some analysts minds was just how much Lake would win by and whether it would be enough to make her a compelling general-election candidate. Kari Lake cant just win the July 30 Republican Senate primary, Arizona Republic columnist Laurie Roberts wrote Tuesday morning. Shes got to blow Mark Lambs cowboy hat into the next time zone. Republican consultants told Roberts that Lake would do well to earn upward of 55% of the primary vote, in order to show she can unite the states Republican Party against Gallego in the general election. In head-to-head general-election polling, Gallego currently has an edge over Lake, and held a lead evenbefore Sinema announced her departure. Thats in part because of Lakes brand of Trumpism, which includes election denial, border hysteria and attacking the late GOP Sen. John McCain (something she later tried to walk back). This approach is popular with a portion of Arizonas Republicans, but its not necessarily the ticket to statewide office, as Lake found out two years ago when she lost the governorship to Hobbs. Related... Arizonas primaries Tuesday night saw numerous candidates who have questioned the results of past elections gain ground, the latest sign of former President Trumps deepening imprint on the GOP in the Grand Canyon State. In the most significant races of the night, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Republican Kari Lake were officially chosen as their parties respective Senate nominees. But voters also weighed in on several other contested primaries, including those for seats being vacated by Gallego and Rep. Debbie Lesko (R). The primary night also offered some clues of what voters might expect in November. Here are five early takeaways from Arizonas primaries: A winning night for election deniers Tuesday night was undoubtedly a good night for election deniers. Lake, who has refused to concede her 2022 election loss, won her GOP primary. Abe Hamadeh, a former attorney general candidate running in the GOP primary for the 8th Congressional District, has called the 2020 election rigged and claimed Trump won the state that year. He was leading his GOP rival Blake Masters, another Trump ally, 30 percent to 23 percent at time of publication. Former state Rep. Mark Finchem, a former secretary of state candidate who has also espoused baseless claims about the 2020 election, was leading his next GOP rival 45 percent to 37 percent, with 60 percent of estimated vote reported as of Wednesday morning. And in one of the biggest surprises of the night, Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, a top election official who pushed back against false fraud claims about the election, was trailing one of his hard-line GOP primary challengers. All in all, the night underscored the extent to which election denialism has taken hold in the Arizona GOPs base. A marquee Senate race is set Gallego and Lake had been in general election mode long before the primaries took place, as both candidates were heavily favored to win. On Tuesday night, their match-up became official. Lake had a primary rival in Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, though Decision Desk HQ quickly called the race for her Tuesday. In a nod to the much anticipated head-to-head, the Senate Democrats campaign arm quickly released a new digital ad targeting Lake. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the chair of the Senate Democrats campaign arm, called the former local news anchor a power-hungry liar, while lauding Gallego as a proven fighter for his states families and priorities. Meanwhile, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), the chair of the Senate GOP campaign arm, called Gallego one of the most radical Democrats in the country as he congratulated Lake for her victory in her primary. An aggregate of Arizona surveys compiled by Decision Desk HQ shows Gallego leading Lake 47 percent to 43 percent. The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates the seat lean Democrat. Potential warning signs for Lake Though Lake quickly captured the Republican nomination, Lamb still received a notable chunk of the GOP primary vote. Lake received 53 percent of the vote to Lambs 41 percent with 63 percent of the estimated vote reported as of early Wednesday morning, raising questions over whether the sheriffs supporters will ultimately migrate to her in November. Lake has long been a divisive figure within the GOP. She has sought to court skeptics and the John McCain faction of the Republican Party after isolating them last cycle when she ran for Arizona governor. But the former local news anchor has in many ways run as the same conservative firebrand that she ran as in 2022, and some of those previously skeptical of her remain unconvinced about her candidacy. Whether that will hurt her in November remains to be seen, but the divided vote share Tuesday suggests she might have work to do in appealing to some Republicans. Masters poised for defeat again Masters first gained national attention as a candidate backed by conservative entrepreneur Peter Thiel in Arizonas 2022 Senate race. He ended up losing to Democrat Mark Kelly, who is now being considered for Kamala Harriss running mate. Masters looked poised to suffer yet another defeat Tuesday night, this time in the GOP primary in Arizonas 8th Congressional District against Hamadeh. The former Senate candidate received a last-minute endorsement from Trump who also threw his backing behind Masterss opponent, Hamadeh, saying both men were equally good candidates. Other Republicans who ran in the GOP contest to replace Lesko included Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma and former Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.). Arizona is slow at counting ballots Tuesday night also underscored a key point that will be relevant for November: Arizona takes a long time to count ballots. As of early Wednesday morning, many races had yet to be called. Some of this appears to be due to a newly enacted law that changes how mail-in ballots are verified. The law had sparked confusion among some officials as to how they should track mail ballots, according to Votebeat. The slow duration of Tuesdays count offers clues as to what to expect in November. If control of the White House or the Senate ends up hinging on Arizona, it could potentially take days to know the results of those elections. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When scientists study elephant communications, they often focus on females, and for seemingly good reason: Previous research had found that only females were socially integrated enough for individual members to engage in complex communication. A new study in the journal PeerJ demolished that assumption, however, and in the process revealed to scientists that elephants in general are far more intelligent than previously believed. To learn this, the American researchers recorded the rumbles of elephants during the June-July field season at the Mushara waterhole in Namibia's Etosha National Park in 2005, 2007, 2011 and 2017. While elephants are best known for their loud trumpeting, their more nuanced and complicated communications are believed to occur during their "low rumbles." By analyzing the "low rumbles" of herds of male elephants grazing and drinking at the Mushara waterhole, scientists learned that specific noises corresponded with the members moving from one location to another. More intriguingly, the researchers pinpointed specific male elephants who would initiate these calls (usually the elderly mentor males within those groups), with other individuals picking up that call at specific points. "These ritualized lets go rumbles made by the most socially integrated males really make my heart sing," study co-author, Dr. Caitlin E O'Connell-Rodwell from Stanford University, told Salon. "Why? Because young males grow up in a highly social environment within family groups, where they have 24-7 opportunities to play and reinforce bonds either their brothers and cousins. Once they leave their families at the age of 12-15, they suddenly find themselves in a whole new social situation alone until they can forge ties with other independent bulls within the population." Like any human who wanders into a strange environment, one of their biggest concerns is not finding a friendly face. After all, just like an unfamiliar group of humans may not include amicable individuals, young elephants who can no longer live with their mothers are not guaranteed a welcoming new home. "This isnt always straightforward, and often older males arent so interested in dealing with these socially needy young males," O'Connell-Rodwell said. "But a few of the older, social bulls like Kirk, Shaka and Kelly do have an interest in taking these young males under their wing. And a clear sign of this intention is to invite the younger males to follow them when they leave the waterhole." That is where the "low rumble" signaling "let's go" comes into play. "The invitation takes the form of a 'lets go' rumble, the same vocalizations that dominant females use to coordinate the departure of a large family," O'Connell-Rodwell said. "The initial rumble is responded to in a highly coordinated, synchronized fashion, where each individual contributes their say in the form of a barbers quartet." By establishing that male elephants literally tell each other when and how to leave certain locations, O'Connell-Rodwell and her team contributed a new and important finding to the field of elephant research. "Male elephants use vocal coordination to trigger action within tightly bonded groups," O'Connell-Rodwell said. "This has never been documented and has a number of implications for a much richer male elephant society than previously thought." Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. The PeerJ study on male elephants comes on the heels of a long string of research shedding light into elephant intelligence. A June study in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution revealed that elephants have distinct sounds to refer to specific individuals, essentially an analogue for human names. Using AI technology to decipher elephant communications, the scientists explained that their machine could translate elephants calls based on their "acoustic structure, regardless of how similar the call was to the receivers vocalizations. Moreover, elephants differentially responded to playbacks of calls originally addressed to them relative to calls addressed to a different individual." Similarly, a study published in May in the journal Communications Biology found that elephants form complex "sentences" through their various rumbles, ear flags, trunk rubbings and other actions. When elephants release sex pheromones, start randomly tooting or begin rubbing against each other, this is not chaotic or random behavior. "We also found that elephants greet by appropriately targeting visual, acoustic and tactile gestures at their audience depending on the audience's state of visual attention," Vesta Eleuteri, a PhD student at the University of Vienna's Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, told Salon at the time. "For example, if we're in a noisy bar and I want to tell you 'let's leave' and you are looking at me, I might use a visual gesture, but if you are not, I might touch you. The ability to target visual gestures was previously shown from captive elephants towards a human. So finding this capacity between elephants, although quite expected for people who know elephants, was also novel." O'Connell-Rodwell's research also underscored the rich inner lives led by elephants. "Elephants have individual characters and intentions, and they coordinate their 'voices' in a way that is suggestive of individual expression of art and music, and perhaps even whimsy," O'Connell-Rodwell said. "But I may be showing my hand here regarding the results of our follow-up paper so perhaps I shouldnt elaborate at this time, and focus on the results at hand. Male elephant society is steeped in ritual." O'Connell-Rodwell unpacked this in greater depth in her book "Elephant Don," and urges elephant conservationists to focus on protecting these elderly bulls. "Mentorship is critical for young male elephants, and they depend on those few elders and young adults that are so inclined to take them under their wing and look after their wellbeing both physically and psychologically," O'Connell-Rodwell said. PHNOM PENH, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday expressed their commitment to further boost trade and investment cooperation. The pledge was made during a meeting held at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and visiting HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee, said a news release from the prime minister's spokesperson unit. Both sides "discussed the promotion and expansion of relations and cooperation between Cambodia and HKSAR in a number of potential areas such as trade and investment, banking and finance, technology and digital economy, tourism, education, and people-to-people connectivity", the news release said. They "also examined the feasibility of increasing the number of direct flights from HKSAR to Cambodia's cultural province of Siem Reap," it added. After their talks, they witnessed the signing of two memorandums of understanding, with a focus on cooperation in trade and investment promotion. Lee leads a high-level delegation of officials and business leaders to Cambodia from Tuesday to Wednesday. Cambodia is his second leg of a three-Southeast-Asian-nation tour, which has taken him to Laos, and his next stop will be in Vietnam. Elmira man sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting child ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) An Elmira man will spend at least 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child. According to the Chemung County District Attorneys Office, Edward Wheaton, 69, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on July 31. Wheaton committed a criminal sexual act against a child younger than 13 years old in Big Flats on or around Dec. 1, 2022. Two men arrested following sex trafficking charges in Chemung County Wheaton was arrested as a fugitive from justice in North Carolina in October 2023 and charged with predatory sexual assault against a child, a class A-II felony. In addition to Wheatons prison sentence, he must register as a sex offender. Orders of protection were issued against Wheaton on behalf of his victims as well. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Elon Musk has shared a fake AI video that labels Vice President Kamala Harris as the ultimate diversity hire. Harris is actively campaigning to receive the official Democratic nomination as she looks to become the 47th U.S. president, facing off against former President Donald Trump. She has already received the blessing of President Joe Biden, who will no longer be running for re-election. 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, Harris wrote on Instagram. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this 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. Harriss announcement has been met with skepticism. As AFROTECH previously reported, some critics are dismissing her as a diversity hire, despite her proven track record of competency, which includes serving as District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California, U.S. Senator from California, and Vice President of the United States the first Black woman and first South Asian American to hold this office. I think shes one of the weakest candidates Ive ever seen in the history of our country, Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyoming) said, per The Hill. Intellectually just really kind of the bottom of the barrel, and from the standpoint of just who she is and the policies and the positions that shes taken. She added, I think she was a DEI hire, and I think thats what were seeing, and I just dont think that they have anybody else. I just think that theyre in real disarray. On July 26, 2024, Musk shared on X, a platform formerly known as Twitter and was acquired by the Tesla CEO, a campaign video that displays Harris making negative comments about President Biden and labeling herself as the ultimate diversity hire. However, this campaign video was not released by Harris campaign and was created by Artificial Intelligence (AI). I Kamala Harris, am your Democrat candidate for President because Joe Biden finally exposed his senility at the debate, thanks Joe. I was selected because I am the ultimate diversity hire, she said in the video clip that is nearly two minutes long. Im both a woman and a person of color. So, if you criticize anything I say youre both sexist and racist. I may not know the first thing about running the country, but remember thats a good thing if youre a deep state puppet. Musk appeared to be amused with the clip as he commented, This is amazing, and added a laughing emoji. This is amazing pic.twitter.com/KpnBKGUUwn Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 26, 2024 Not everyone is content with the video clip. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-California) denounced the video and urged for regulations around AI. Well, in addition to it being disgusting, it shows you just how dangerous [Musk] is and how dangerous it is for social media not to have guardrails, Lee explained, per The Hill. And how we need to make sure that as we look at AI and move forward, that there are some regulatory guardrails and rules that it has to follow. Otherwise, were going to see all kinds of unfortunate things happen, which are fake, which shows that anyone can say anything about anyone or do anything and not have any accountability. And accountability is so important. She added, It really is very dangerous. And we need to step up and call for some kind of accountability. The presence of AI has been a growing conversation over the last year, and it has now found its way into politics, as Elon Musk shared a parody ad that used Kamala Harris voice to say disparaging remarks about herself and President Joe Biden. Upon first glance, the ad appears legit, utilizing similar visuals as the current Vice President in her campaign for President following Biden backing out of the race. However, the voiceover, while mimicking her voice, made statements that the 59-year-old politician never actually said. I, Kamala Harris, am your Democrat candidate for president because Joe Biden finally exposed his senility at the debate, the AI-generated voice said in the ad. The voice was also programmed to call herself a diversity hire and admit that she does not know the first thing about running the country. This is amazing ? pic.twitter.com/KpnBKGUUwn Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 26, 2024 Elon Musk wrote This is amazing with a laughing emoji when he shared the ad this past Friday (July 26). A few days later, he acknowledged that the ad was satire, but claimed that this parody wasnt a crime. However, certain pundits disagree with that notion, especially knowing that Musk endorsed Donald Trumps candidacy for President in this upcoming election. We believe the American people want the real freedom, opportunity and security Vice President Harris is offering, Mia Ehrenberg, a spokesperson for Kamala Harris campaign, wrote to The Associated Press. Not the fake, manipulated lies of Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Rob Weissman, co-president of the advocacy group Public Citizen, acknowledged that the ad could easily fool people. Im certain that most people looking at it dont assume its a joke, he said. The quality isnt great, but its good enough. And precisely because it feeds into preexisting themes that have circulated around her, most people will believe it to be real. He called the video the kind of thing that weve been warning about, which has been a narrative about AI for some time. Kamala Harris first began her campaign for the presidency over a week ago after an inspired endorsement from Joe Biden. 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. More from VIBE.com A "White Dudes for Harris" Zoom call reportedly raised $4 million in donations for Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign. After the call, the @dudes4Harris account on X was briefly suspended. Is this election interference? If we remain in reality, the answer is of course not. Even if X CEO Elon Musk ordered the account suspended because of its politics, there would be no (legal) wrongdoing here. X is a private platform, and it doesn't have any obligation to be politically neutral. Explicitly suppressing pro-Harris content would be a bad business model, surely, but it would not be illegal. Musk and the platform formerly known as Twitter have no obligation to equally air conservative and progressive views or give equal treatment to Republican and Democratic candidates. But there's no evidence that X was deliberately trying to thwart Harris organizers. The dudes4Harris accountwhich has no direct affiliation to the Harris campaignwas suspended after it promoted and held its Zoom call and was back the next day. That's a pretty bad plan if the goal was to stop its influence or fundraising. And there are all sorts of legitimate reasons why X may have suspended the account. The account's suspension is "not that surprising," writes Techdirt Editor in Chief Mike Masnick (who, it should be noted, is intensely critical of X policies and Musk himself on many issues). "Shouldn't an account suddenly amassing a ton of followers with no clear official connection to the campaign and pushing people to donate maybe ring some internal alarm bells on any trust and safety team? It wouldn't be a surprise if it tripped some guardwires and was locked and/or suspended briefly while the account was reviewed. That's how this stuff works." If we step out of reality into the partisan hysteria zone, however, then the account's temporary suspension was clearly an attempt by Musk to sway the 2024 election. "Musk owns this platform, has endorsed [former President Donald] Trump, is deep into white identity grievance, and just shut down the account that was being used to push back against his core ideology and raise money for Trump's opponent. This is election interference, and it's hard to see it differently," posted political consultant Dante Atkins on X. "X has SUSPENDED the White Dudes for Harris account (@dudes4harris) after it raised more than $4M for Kamala Harris. This is the real election interference!" Brett Meiselas, co-founder of the left-leaning MeidasTouch News, posted. Versions of these sentiments are now all over Xwhich has also been accused of nefariously plotting against the KamalaHQ account and photographer Pete Souza. Some have even gone so far as to suggest that Musk is committing election interference merely by sharing misinformation about Harris or President Joe Biden, or by posting pro-Trump information from his personal account. We're now firmly in "everything I don't like is election interference" territory. And we've been here before. In 2020, when social media platforms temporarily suppressed links to a story about Hunter Biden or suspended some conservative accounts, it was conservatives who cried foul, while many on the left mocked the idea that this was a plot by platforms to shape the election. Now that the proverbial shoe is on the other foot, progressives are making the same arguments that conservatives did back then. Musk himself is not immune to this exercise in paranoia and confirmation bias. For whatever reason, Google allegedly wouldn't auto-populate search results with "Donald Trump" when Musk typed in "President Donald." So Musk posted a screenshot about this, asking "election interference?" Again, in reality: no. As many have pointed out, Google Search does indeed still auto-populate with Trump for them. So whatever was going on here may have simply been a temporary glitch. Or it may have been something specific to things Musk had previously typed into search. Even if Google deliberately set out not to have Trump's name auto-populate, it wouldn't be election interference. It would be a weird and questionable business decision, not an illegal one. But the idea that the company would risk the backlash just to take so petty a step is silly. Note that Musk's allegation was not that Google was suppressing search results about Trump, just the auto-population of his name. What is the theory of action herethat people who were going to vote for Trump wouldn't after having to actually type out his name into Google Search? That they somehow wouldn't be able to find information about Trump without an auto-populated search term? "Please. I beg of people: stop it. Stop it with the conspiracy theories," writes Masnick. "Stop it with the nonsense. If you can't find something you want on social media, it's not because a billionaire is trying to influence an election. It might just be because some antifraud system went haywire or something." Yes. All of that. But I suspect a lot of people know this and just don't care. Both sides have learned how to weaponize claims of election interference to harness attention, inspire anger, and garner clout. Just a reminder: Actual election crimes include things like improperly laundering donations, trying to prevent people from voting, threatening people if they don't vote a certain way, providing false information on voter registration forms, voting more than once, or being an elected official who uses your power in a corrupt way to benefit a particular party or candidate. Trying to persuade people for or against certain candidates does not qualify, even if you're really rich or famous and even if your persuasion relies on misinformation. Also, content moderation is impossibly difficult to do correctly. And tech companies have way more to lose than to gain by engaging in biased moderation. So if you feel yourself wanting to fling claims of election interference at X, or Google, or Meta, or some other online platform: stop. Calm down. Take a breath, take a walk, whatever. This is a moral panic. Do not be its foot soldier. More Sex & Tech News The Kids Online Safety Act passed the Senate by a vote of 91-3 yesterday. Sens. Rand Paul (RKy.), Ron Wyden (DOre.), and Mike Lee (RUtah) were the only ones who voted against it. (See more of this newsletter's coverage of KOSA here, here, and here.) A federal court has dismissed a case brought under the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) against user-generated porn websites that allegedly allowed the publication of videos featuring a teenager. The person bringing the case said the sites were guilty of "receipt" of the videos. But "receipt of materials or content is, as it were, simply the first step in any publishing regime; if so, then mere receipt of illicit material is not sufficient to preclude immunity under Section 230," the court held. An expansive definition of "child sex trafficking" is being wielded to suggest that dating websites and apps should check IDs. The AI search wars have begun. Today's Image Is this election interference? | Cincinnati, 2023 The post Elon Musk's 'Election Interference' appeared first on Reason.com. An American woman who went to India a decade ago to study yoga and meditation has claimed she survived without food and water for 40 days after being shackled to a tree by her former husband. U.S. citizen Lalita Kayi Kumar, 50, was found starving and emaciated on Saturday by a local shepherd in a remote forest in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra about 25 miles from Goa, according to reports. The shepherd broke an iron chain that was used to secure her to the tree. Police said she was severely dehydrated and unable to speak. Officers said Kumar met and married an Indian man while studying yoga in Tamil Nadu, the same province in southeast India where Kamala Harris grandfather comes from. The couple reportedly fell out and the ex-husband has now been charged with attempted murder. Fury After Alleged Killer Teen in India Told to Write Essay as Punishment According to the Indian Express, the police case is based on a letter written by the American woman, who has not yet talked about her ordeal. Injection for extreme psychosis which causes severe locked jaw and inability to drink any water. Need intravenous food 40 days without food in foresthusband tied me to a tree in a forest and said I would die there, the note read. Police are said to be skeptical that Kumar could have survived for 40 days without food or water. When we discovered her, she was seriously dehydrated. It appears that she was stuck there for a minimum of 48 hours. Although she was mute, said Amol Chavan, an inspector at Sawantwadi Police Station. NEW: American woman chained to a tree and left to die in an Indian jungle was rescued after a local shepherd heard her cries for help Lalita Kayi Kumar, 50, was married to a man from Tamil Nadu, the same region in South India where Kamala Harris' mother is from Kumar was found pic.twitter.com/zQEDgLpgYs Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) July 30, 2024 She is currently not in a position to talk. We are trying to get more details about her background, said Saurabh Agarwal, superintendent of police in Sindhudurg, the area where she was found. Kumar had her U.S. passport with her when she was found along with various personal belongings, including an identity card with a Tamil Nadu address. She is said to be out of danger but suffering from psychiatric issues. Police said she had been living in India for at least 10 years and that her visa had expired. 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. Federal student loan borrowers should start digging for a new email to be sent out beginning Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Education regarding the next step toward debt forgiveness. It's what some call Plan B for the the Biden administration's ongoing student loan forgiveness battle to offer relief to millions of borrowers. No one should bank on receiving student loan forgiveness soon, though, as more legal challenges could be ahead. "The email does not guarantee specific borrowers will be eligible," according to the announcement planned for Wednesday morning. The latest email alert will go out to all federal student loan borrowers with at least one outstanding federally held student loan. The borrowers will have until Aug. 30 to call their servicer and opt out if they do not want this relief from their federal student loan burden. Borrowers who opt out will not be able to opt back in, according to the Education Department's statement. "And they will also be temporarily opted out of forgiveness due to enrollment in an (income-driven repayment) plan until the department is able to automatically assess their eligibility for that benefit in a few months." More information will be at StudentAid.gov/debt-relief. President Joe Biden said Wednesday in a statement that the emails will allow borrowers to be more prepared to benefit once the rules are final. "Despite attempts led by Republican elected officials to block our efforts, we wont stop fighting to provide relief to student loan borrowers, fix the broken student loan system, and help borrowers get out from under the burden of student debt," Biden said in his statement. Borrowers would only be eligible for the proposed relief if they have entered repayment at the time that the department would be determining eligibility, after the proposed rules are finalized. The Biden-Harris administration, which has faced significant legal setbacks regarding broad-sweeping student loan forgiveness, noted that the proposed rules have not been finalized yet but are expected to be finalized in the fall. It's unclear exactly what the email will state but some experts say the latest email could give borrowers some indication of how much debt might be forgiven if the Biden administration one day prevails in the courts. Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the Charles H. Wright African American Museum in Detroit on her nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour on May 6, 2024. She highlighted how the Biden-Harris administration has taken historic steps to advance economic opportunity by creating jobs, forgiving student loans, and taking other initiatives. Earlier in July, Biden's well-publicized new income-driven repayment plan, the Saving on a Valuable Education or the SAVE plan, hit a serious roadblock after the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked the Education Department from fully launching the program. The SAVE plan, which was announced in August 2023 as a way to lower monthly payments for millions of borrowers, received much pushback from Republican-led states and GOP lawmakers who charged that Biden overstepped his authority to initiate a costly forgiveness program. Nearly 8 million borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan "will be placed in an interest-free forbearance while our administration continues to vigorously defend the SAVE plan in court," according to a statement made July 19 by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. Mark Kantrowitz, a student loan expert who is the author of "How to Appeal for More College Financial Aid," said it's important to note that the "8th Circuit ruling is temporary. The Biden Administration might prevail in court." The administration, he said, can also appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, since rulings from the 8th and 10th U.S. Circuits conflict with one another on the student loan forgiveness issue. The Education Department on July 19 said it would soon provide regular updates to borrowers. The administration highlighted its success in providing "an unprecedented $169 billion in relief for nearly 4.8 million Americans, including teachers, veterans, and other public servants, students who were cheated by their colleges, borrowers with disabilities, and more." The Biden administration said it also has fixed Income-Driven Repayment plans "so borrowers get the relief they are entitled to under the law." And it has held "colleges accountable for taking advantage of students and families." Now, if new rules are finalized as proposed, many could benefit, including: Nearly 23 million borrowers hurt by "runaway interest." The borrowers in this group, many who received Pell Grants, might benefit, if they have a current balance on certain types of federal student loans that exceeds the balance of that loan when it entered repayment. More: US appeals court blocks all of Biden's SAVE student debt relief plan More: Federal student loan rates hit high levels not seen in years as many go back to college More: Frustration over bills, inflation could shape 2024 presidential election Borrowers who have faced the repayment of federal student loan debt for decades. This relief could apply to borrowers who have only undergraduate federal loans that have been in repayment for more than 20 years. The loans would have been received on or before July 1, 2005. Other borrowers could benefit if they had at least one graduate loan and have been in repayment for more than 25 years. These loans would have been received on or before July 1, 2000. Borrowers who are otherwise eligible for loan forgiveness but have not yet applied. A borrower who hasnt successfully enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan could be eligible for immediate forgiveness. The same's true for borrowers who haven't successfully applied for loan forgiveness for closed school discharge or other types of forgiveness opportunities. Borrowers who enrolled in low-financial value programs. There's also relief on the table for borrowers who attended an institution that "failed to provide sufficient financial value, or that failed one of the Departments accountability standards for institutions." The Department of Education anticipates that no application or action would be needed from any of these borrowers. Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: stompor@freepress.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) @tompor. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Student loan borrowers must look for email in August about forgiveness BREAKING UPDATE: The man who fatally shot a Weymouth Police Department sergeant and an innocent bystander was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday, six years after their murders. Watch the entirety of the sentencing hearing, including victim impact statements, below: HAPPENING NOW: Emmanuel Lopes being sentenced for murders of Weymouth police sergeant, innocent bystander. HAPPENING NOW: Emmanuel Lopes is being sentenced for the murders of Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna and innocent bystander Vera Adams. Posted by Boston 25 News on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 PREVIOUS STORY: Emanuel Lopes was convicted in February of first-degree murder in the death of 42-year-old Sgt. Michael Chesna, a military veteran and married father of two, and second-degree murder in the killing of innocent bystander Vera Adams, a 77-year-old widow. Sentencing was delayed multiple times because Lopes attorneys were seeking parole, arguing that he was just 20 years old when the crimes were committed. The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that anyone under 21 years of age at the time of crime cant be sentenced to life without parole. Prosecutors say Lopes was fleeing the scene of a minor car crash in July 2018 and Chesna was investigating. Police say Lopes threw a large rock at Chesnas head, knocking him to the ground unconscious, then grabbed the officers gun and shot him multiple times. As he fled, investigators say Lopes shot Adams, who was on her porch. When he was caught, Chesnas service weapon was out of ammunition, according to authorities. Lopes was convicted after a second trial because Judge Beverly Cannone declared the first a mistrial when one juror refused to deliberate. Cannone later presided over the high-profile murder trial of Karen Read, which also ended in a mistrial on July 1. Karen Reads deadlocked jury leads to mistrial in death of her Boston police officer boyfriend The defense for Lopes, who prosecutors repeatedly described as a cold-blooded murderer, had been mounting an insanity defense to get him acquitted in the deaths of Chesna and Adams. It was like a weight got lifted right off my shoulders, Cindy Chesna, Sgt. Chesnas wife, described on the courthouse steps after Lopes was convicted. Im just so happy my kids dont have to have me taken away from them for another trial, they can have me home with them. Im going to tell them that their father got the justice he finally deserved and Vera did, too and that hes not coming back to get anybody. Lopes sentencing is slated to begin at 10 a.m. Boston 25 News will stream the court proceeding live. 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 Ping! Ive had a surprise text message from HMRC. At first, Im unsure it really is the taxman and not some Nigerian prince seeking a temporary bank account to deposit 3 million. Then again, theres no dodgy payment link and it doesnt come from a Hotmail address. When a second message arrives, I start paying attention. What follows is a series of quick-succession reminders that my self-assessment payment is due soon, as if the deadline doesnt already hang over me like a dead man on my back. Indeed, the date has been etched on my mind since I paid the last slug of tax. Im no more likely to forget it than I am to forget my own name. All the same, knowing the deadline and meeting it are two very different things, which is presumably why HMRC starts racking up the pressure well in advance. According to its passive-aggressive text messages, most people pay theirs on time. Really? Gosh! I had no idea. I wouldnt want to be left out! I suppose I better get cracking, or I wont be part of the super-efficient tax-paying in-crowd. Of course, we all know what is going on here its not exactly subtle. This is so-called nudge psychology, a method used by governments to persuade people to behave in certain ways. Years ago, some behavioural scientist clever clogs told the Treasury that taxpayers could be guilt-tripped into coughing up on the basis that their neighbours are all doing it, so now they send out all these computer-generated, day-spoiling missives. Back when David Cameron established a Nudge Unit in Downing Street in 2010, the idea of applying behavioural science to public policy sounded quite cool and futuristic. Social media was still in its infancy and government communications didnt have to compete with more fun stuff on TikTok, WhatsApp and Snapchat. According to HMRC, early experiments in using peer pressure to persuade people to pay their bills improved payment rates by 15 per cent. These days, I doubt the statistics would be anything like as impressive. In the post-Covid era, we are wise to this game. During the pandemic, behavioural scientists were heavily responsible for many of the draconian rules and regulations that ruined lives. Much of what they encouraged has now been totally discredited, the wearing of face masks presented not only as a way of stopping the spread of the virus but also as a courtesy to others being a case in point. For the best part of two years, while they sought to terrify us into standing on stupid little social distancing circles and singing happy birthday while washing our hands, we had more than our fill of their nudge tactics. If anything, bossy messages seem likely to encourage people to rebel. Its not as if anyone really gets fomo from not paying tax on time. So hey, HMRC I reckon its time to move on. These days, our inboxes are full of far more tempting messages from people who want our cash, like introductory offers and flash sales. If your next message contains a discount code for early payers, a sceptical nation might just listen up. 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. 'An epidemic': Teen sentenced for one of 18 letter carrier robberies last year Still image from a Ring camera video, showing the robbery of a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier in July 2023 in Colerain Township. A 19-year-old who robbed a letter carrier last year pointing a gun at her twice during the incident, became the first defendant to be sentenced in federal court in Cincinnati for a crime prosecutors said has become "an epidemic." Lamarion Gray was sentenced Wednesday to 7 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett. The robbery happened July 12, 2023, on Cliffside Drive in Colerain Township. The U.S. Postal Service letter carrier was one of 18 who were robbed last year in the Cincinnati area, the U.S. Attorney's Office has said. Nationwide in 2023, there were approximately 600 robberies, up from 412 the previous year. "This has become an epidemic," Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Mangan told Barrett. "It needs to stop." Several other local prosecutions involving letter carrier robberies are still pending. 'Arrow keys' Criminals have been targeting "arrow keys," because the universal keys can open blue collection mailboxes. Gray took the letter carrier's vehicle keys, as well as her arrow key. He then fled to his girlfriend's home, according to court documents. Investigators later searched Gray's vehicle and found large amounts of stolen mail, checks, as well as the stolen arrow key. The letter carrier, who was identified only by her initials in court, read a statement Wednesday and described the incident as "devastating." She has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. She said she expects to be on medication for the rest of her life and now utilizes a service dog. She still works as a letter carrier but said, "I live in constant fear." "I can only hope that one day my fear will be lifted," she said. Gray apologizes Gray is a graduate of Cincinnati's Dohn Community High School. Mangan said he was kicked out of Mt. Healthy schools in 2022 for bringing a gun to school and later was kicked out of another school because he wouldn't allow his backpack to be searched. At the time of the robbery, Gray was working at Walmart and Foot Locker. He also had started his own lawn care business, he said. Gray thought robbing the letter carrier would be "an easy way to make quick cash," his attorney, Zenaida Lockard, said. Gray, who pleaded guilty in March to a robbery charge, apologized repeatedly in court and said he regretted the crime the same day it happened. "I know I made a stupid decision," he said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 19-year-old sentenced for robbing letter carrier of 'arrow key' GRAND CHUTE The Wisconsin Ethics Commission has dismissed complaints filed against Town Supervisor Beth English and former Grand Chute Town Administrator Jim March. March's attorney, Michael Fox, said the dismissal of the complaints was "extremely significant," given that the bar for advancing a complaint is reasonable suspicion that someone committed an ethics violation. "A decision dismissing the complaint at this stage doesn't just mean the complaint is meritless," Fox told The Post-Crescent. "It means that there wasn't even evidence to create a reasonable suspicion that it had merit so as to warrant further investigation." The complaint against English was filed in September 2023 by Walt Nocito, whom English defeated in the April 2023 election. Nocito alleged that English colluded with March to avoid being named as a defendant in a federal lawsuit that March filed against Grand Chute, Town Chair Jason Van Eperen and supervisors Jeff Ings and Ron Wolff. The lawsuit claims the defendants fired March in retaliation for cooperating with a state criminal investigation. The case is scheduled for a jury trial in December. English voted in favor of terminating March on May 2, 2023, but then changed her position and made a motion to rehire March on June 6, 2023. Her motion failed on a 2-3 vote. English denied that she colluded with March and told the Ethics Commission that she changed her vote on his termination after receiving phone calls from constituents. The Ethics Commission said Wisconsin law provides that an elected official is not personally liable for actions taken within the scope of their authority. As such, the commission said "there was no private financial gain or anything of substantial value obtained (or any financial loss avoided)" by English by not being named as a defendant. Further, a violation would require that English solicited or accepted anything of value. "There is no evidence of any such offer or gift by Mr. March, or any such solicitation or acceptance" by English, the commission said. "I'm really relieved" by the decision, English said. "It's been a long time a year." The complaint against March was filed in October 2023 by Ron Torrance, who ran unsuccessfully for Town Board in 2022 and 2024. Torrance alleged that March attempted to influence English to reverse her vote on his termination by excluding her from the federal lawsuit. March told the Ethics Commission there was no reason to name English as a defendant in his wrongful termination lawsuit because the basis of the alleged retaliation predated her election to the Town Board. The Ethics Commission again stated there was no private financial gain or any financial loss avoided by excluding English from the lawsuit and that there was no evidence of any offer or gift by March nor any solicitation or acceptance by English. Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DukeBehnke. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Wisconsin Ethics Commission dismisses Grand Chute collusion complaints MANILA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Wednesday that it has approved two policy-based loans totaling 400 million U.S. dollars to support Uzbekistan's initiatives to enhance its financial markets and develop a sustainable, market-led power sector. A loan of 300 million dollars for subprogram 2 of the Power Sector Reform Program provides budget support for policy actions to improve the power sector's structure, legal and regulatory framework, and governance to encourage private sector investment and promote financial sustainability. A loan of 100 million dollars for subprogram 2 of the Financial Markets Development Program supports regulatory and institutional reforms on improving market facilitation to streamline financial transactions and services as well as increasing supply and demand measures to grow Uzbekistan's capital and money markets. "Strong participation of the private sector is vital to Uzbekistan's economic growth and transformation," said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov. "Reforms supported by these programs will help shape an enabling environment for regulators and firms to play their part in boosting development by building robust domestic financial markets and addressing energy needs while tackling climate change," said Zhukov. A girl splashes in the Berounka river. The national weather service warns of extreme heat. imanek Vit/CTK/dpa To date, July 22, 2024, was the warmest day ever recorded on Earth, according to data from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). What's more, over the last few decades, Europe has been warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, according to C3S director Carlo Buontempo. This is due to a combination of different factors, he said. One of them is that the Arctic, part of which is included in the institute's definition of Europe, is probably one of the fastest warming regions in the world. Another reason is the loss of ice and snow in the mountains, as well as on the plain of Central Europe. Heatwaves in Europe are already more frequent, more intense and will last longer than before. "So this is something we need to get used to," Buontempo said. Extreme weather events in Europe intensify Across the continent, heatwaves and subsequent fires are endangering people, their livelihoods, animals and crops, often leaving a trail of damage worth millions of euros. At the end of July, all Spanish regions except the Canary Islands were on "orange alert," with warnings that maximum temperatures will reach 39-40 degrees Celsius, according to the Spanish meteorological agency Aemet. At the same time, a heatwave sent thermometers in the south of France into overdrive. French weather service Meteo-France stated that in large parts of southern France, "the heat is set to intensify considerably," and the 40-degree mark could be exceeded in some regions. Paris is currently hosting the Olympic Games, with venues spread across the country. On Monday, the Paris region announced the activation of the heatwave plan in the Ile-de-France region, where "air quality will be poor" according to the Airparif observatory. The regional plan includes the distribution of more than 2.5 million water bottles on public transport and "almost 200,000 hats, fans and water bottles" to Olympic spectators. While northern Italy has been hit with storms and torrential rain, causing floods and landslides in recent weeks, the southern part is facing a major drought. Last week, the National Association of the Agricultural Water Board (ANBI) warned that in three weeks' time "there will be no water for agriculture" in central and southern Italy. Protests are growing in Sicily over poor water supply. The drought has led to a 60% decrease of water reservoirs, leading local authorities to ration water in Sicily's main city Palermo, as well as in 50 other municipalities. Slovenia was hit by major floods last year, causing billions of euros in damage, with reconstruction still under way. This summer, heavy rain again caused some floods and landslides in the most affected regions. However, lack of rainfall led to a forest fire in the south-western Kras region in mid-July, the same area that was hit by the most devastating blazes in Slovenia's history in 2022. EU Civil Protection Mechanism gears up for summer The European Commission is expecting another summer of extreme weather phenomena, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said, with southern Europe facing high temperatures, and central and northern Europe confronting days of heavy rainfall. While civil protection is a national competence, domestic authorities can request support through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in case of emergencies. All 27 EU member states and ten non-members take part in the mechanism created in 2001. The EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre helps deal with assistance requests. For this summer, the EU has set up a special fleet of 28 firefighting planes and four helicopters in 10 member states. The commission has also earmarked 600 million ($649 million) of EU funds for the acquisition of 12 more aircraft, which will be shared between six countries in the bloc. Greece on fire and Balkans blaze In Bulgaria also, high temperatures led to fires. In July, more than 1,430 people participated in extinguishing fires across the country. Spain, France and the Czech Republic provided support to Bulgaria through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. North Macedonia requested urgent help fighting severe wildfires, with Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, Croatia and Romania coming to their aid. Between January and June, the country faced 73 wildfires. Last year, North Macedonia counted 170 forest fires according to Kire Mihailov, deputy head of the National Forests public enterprise. In July, neighbouring Albania experienced a heatwave and battled wildfires in the south of the country receiving aid from Greece under the EU scheme. Greece itself is also facing fires. Its second-largest island, Evia, has been battling a wildfire since Monday with hundreds of firefighters on location. "We still have a very difficult month ahead of us, the month of August, and obviously we all need to be absolutely alert," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday. Warnings of premature deaths If measures against climate change are not taken, the World Health Organization estimates that between 2030 and 2050, an additional 250,000 premature deaths per year are possible due to extreme weather events, poor air quality, food insecurity and infectious diseases. Heatwaves are the deadliest meteorological phenomenon associated with climate change, causing 489,000 deaths per year, according to World Meteorological Organization estimates. The actual mortality related to extreme weather events could be 30 times higher, the WMO fears, as many countries lack reliable data. Climate change is also making work more difficult and dangerous for billions of people, the International Labour Organization has warned. While in Europe and Central Asia the proportion of people exposed to excessive heat at work is low by global standards, it has increased more than in any other region over the past 20 years, the ILO said. The content of this article is based on reporting by AFP, AGERPRES, BTA, dpa, EFE, LUSA and STA, as part of the European Newsroom (enr) project. People enjoy the warm weather at Clevedon Marine Lake in Clevedon. Thunderstorms are set to hit Britain on Wednesday and Thursday, but warm weather is likely to continue for the rest of the week. Ben Birchall/PA Wire/dpa OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett is being asked to resign after allegedly groping a man while drunk at a Minnesota conference. The alleged incident was pointed out in an open letter filed by Commissioner Bob Anthony. In the letter, Anthony calls Hietts behavior horrifying, disgusting and probably criminal. The letter alleges the incident happened June 9 in Minnesota, but that Hiett says he cant remember it. LOCAL NEWS: Oklahoma Attorney General files petition against Statewide Charter School Board over St. Isidore contract GD2023-000005_84_Commissioner_Filing_1722354231310-HiettMustResign-wAttachmentsDownload Anthony highlights allegations made in a July 16 article from news outlet The Oklahoman about behavior he said he had been able to independently confirm. The incident allegedly happened at the Mid-America Regulatory Conference at the Renaissance Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. News 4 has not obtained any reports or documents to suggest the incident was reported to local law enforcement, that an arrest was made or that charges had been filed as a result of the incident. Witnesses allege that, while under the influence, Hiett groped a man at a bar, putting his hand on the mans lap and groin areas. Anthonys letter further says that according to a witness statement, the man who was allegedly groped, works for a company that goes before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Anthony says that Hietts authoritative role as a commissioner and regulator was known before the encounter allegedly took place. Anthony says that numerous current and former commissioners from across the country have reported to him a history of similar behavior from Hiett at meetings and conferences in multiple other states. The behavior that has been described is beyond inappropriate or offensive and is no joke, Anthony notes in the letter, also calling for Hietts resignation. LOCAL NEWS: OKC leaders encourage hotel tax increase, concerns remain News 4 reached out to the Corporation Commission Tuesday for comment from Hiett and received two statements: Over the last few years, I have fallen into the trap of using alcohol to combat stress. I am appalled and ashamed by what I have been told about my behavior while drinking in a social situation at a recent conference. I have no memory of this incident. I acknowledge the seriousness of this situation and upon learning of this event, I immediately sought treatment. I am currently under the care of expert physicians and counselors to treat this affliction. Over the past 30 years, I have been blessed in business and in politics. Most of all, I have been blessed with a strong, supportive family. I would humbly ask for your prayers, support and discretion as our family, with Gods help, works through this very difficult time. I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize to anyone who was offended by my behavior. With a strong faith in God and a strong family to support me, I am very optimistic for the future. Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett Hours after receiving the first statement, News 4 received another statement specifically addressing Anthonys calls for Hiett to resign: As a Commission, we are facing a heavy workload including numerous rate cases with a tremendous potential impact to ratepayers. It would be a detriment for me to step aside from my responsibility to balance the interests of ratepayers to those of the utilities. Commissioner Anthonys filing comes as no surprise. Hes repeatedly accused other commissioners and OCC employees of various things over the years without actively participating in the work of the Commission, which has often resulted in just two commissioners deciding the merits of the cases that come before us. Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett News 4 employees sat down with former Vice Mayor of The Village Sean Cummings to get his take on the allegations as a former leader held to ethical standards. I dont think outside of resigning this can be solved, said Cummings. Because I dont see it slowing down.I mean it will be a national news story within two or three days. Cummings also said he takes issue with Hiett saying he has no memory of the incident, calling the behavior irresponsible for a leader in his position. Is that who we want representing Oklahoma in negotiations and bartering and reading contracts? Cummings asked. Everybodys replaceable. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. An 18-year-old man went looking for trouble when he left a Richland apartment on New Years Eve, a deputy prosecutor said. Rafael Torres Topete found it when he fired twice at the already wounded 21-year-old Michael Castoreno at the Columbia Park Apartments. Castoreno was killed. His family filled several rows in a Benton County courtroom Monday as they shared their loss and pain and desire to see Torres Topete sentenced to the 12-year maximum term in prison. His mother, Kristina Ortiz, said her sons death has left her devastated, and while he was not perfect, he was a good man who was loved by many. You took a piece of us that we can never get back, she told the Torres Topete. What you did was pure evil, wicked and vile. The familys tearful pleas were not lost on Judge Jackie Shea-Brown who said Torres Topete made a series of bad choices that led to the shooting, including using drugs and alcohol and belonging to a gang. Michael needed you, even in that situation, to do something right. And here, you went and did the weak thing, she told Torres Topete. Strength requires restraint, discipline, choosing a value system that youre going to live by and what that means is you do not hurt others. ... And when someones hurt, you help them Even if youre going to get hurt yourself, she said. Torres Topete previously pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter for his part in the Dec. 31, 2022 shooting. The charge was lessened from what started as first-degree murder, Deputy Prosecutor Tyler Grandgeorge said. That made the sentencing range nine to 12 years in prison. The other shooter, Felipe Manjares, 20, remains charged with first-degree murder in Benton County Superior Court. He is scheduled for trial on Aug. 26. Murder suspect Felipe Manjares, 19, appears via a video link in Benton County Superior Court in Kennewick. Grandgeorge and Torres Topetes attorney Karla Kane focused their arguments on whether the teen should get a lesser sentence because was only 17 at the time of the shooting. Kane argued her client suffered a life filled with health and mental health struggles. I think its clear that its even exacerbated more when you have a situation where peer pressure (and) other individuals are involved, Kane said. Grandgeorge noted the prosecutors had lessened the charge in part because of his age and in part because he was the second person to fire. He also noted that Torres Topete had a history of crimes and disciplinary problems while in state and local custody. To the extent that Mr. Torres Topete is entitled to any leniency due to his had that it needs to extend beyond that amendment, he said. This was not a spur of the moment, accidental shooting. He didnt simply happen to have his gun drawn in an impromptu moment before he pulled the trigger. New Years Eve shooting Castorenos brother, sisters and friends said Torres Topete was quick to stand up for others. While he struggled with addiction, he never intentionally set out to hurt anyone. Michael was one of the funniest people in the world, his brother Ezra Ortiz said. He liked to make people laugh. And he truly cared for people, his family, his friends, especially those who he loved. He was visiting the apartment complex when he and another man crossed paths about 8 p.m. on New Years Eve 2022. The teens allegedly asked what their two gang affiliations were, and when Castoreno answered, one teen pulled a gun out and began firing, according to court documents. Family members are raising money for funeral expenses for Michael Castoreno. He was shot and killed in a Richland apartment complex. His family said Castoreno wasnt affiliated with gangs and he was shot because he happened to have a blue Washington State University hat. Video surveillance showed four shots fired, which are believed to have been from Manjares. Then Torres Topete is believed to have fired two more times. The group then fled, leaving Castoreno for dead. A police dog search led officers to an apartment that had been tied to a separate investigation into recent robberies in the area. Manjares and several others involved in the shooting were identified through a photo posted on Instagram from the night of the shooting, in which they were wearing the same clothing as seen on security cameras in the area. Castorenos family learned about the shooting first through Facebook and then messages telling them that he had been killed. They described frantic drives to the Richland Police Department. One of his friends, identified only as CH, provided a letter to be read during the sentencing. I decided to drive to the scene of the crime and take my friend home, CH wrote. Seeing Michael, my friend, brother, protector, on the ground lifeless, knowing that I couldnt protect him like he did for me, broke my heart in ways I cannot explain. Troubled youth A psychological evaluation provided by a defense expert explained that the teen had a medical problem when he was 1 that left him with permanent issues. He was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and struggled in school. In addition, he went through periods of homelessness and other trauma that pushed him into gangs. Obviously in this case, my client wishes the events did not transpire, but it was made, Kane said. It was made quickly. He didnt think about it. ... His brain is not developed to the point where he can have the capability to think about the long-term implications of his actions. She noted that he was surrounded by his peers who were also part of the same gang and he was expected to act in certain ways. Kane also noted that her client took responsibility for his role in the shooting. Lt. Damon Jansen of the Richland Police Department holds a press conference about the New Years Eve fatal shooting of Michael Native Castoreno, 21, at the Columbia Park Apartments on Jadwin Avenue in Richland. Grandgeorge argued the crime was not a whim. The teens had left the apartment armed with guns and confronted several people over the course of the night. What followed was a one-sided gunfight, where Manjares fired first. Instead of letting him have a fighting chance, Torres Topete killed Castoreno, he said. And Grandgeorge argued that Torres Topete hasnt shown remorse. After pleading guilty, hes continued to get into fights in jail. He was over there in Benton County jail, someone exchanged a look with him and he thought they were part of a rival gang. ... They got into a fight in front of jail staff in a controlled environment. Judges response Shea Brown spent several minutes talking with Torres Topete. She acknowledged that the teen had struggled in his life and was still young. But he had dealt with his struggles in way that were destructive, including using drugs and alcohol since he was 12 and 13. She said turning to gangs showed weakness because they cant handle their issues in a respectful way. The awful thing that is in someways the root of all of this is hating because of a color, she said. Hate has no place in a civilized society, and people who generate hate so others sign on, you should never buy into. She said she hopes he finds people who will help him make the right decisions, because its not going to be easy in prison. You must have those people to help you. You must have them. Its not gangs., she said. Ex-investigator from Point Pleasant accused of sexting victims he was supposed to help He was tasked with watching out for victims of crimes. Now Guilherme H. Jamarino is accused of committing one himself sexting those victims and sending salacious photos to them, including one of Jamarino wrapped in only a bath towel gripping the towel in front of his crotch, authorities said. Jamarino, 47, of Point Pleasant, was an investigator for the New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office, which falls under the state Attorney Generals Office. His employment ended July 25, 2022 five days after he sent his last text to one of the victims, according to a court document. An investigation led to an official misconduct charge against Jamarino, filed in March of this year, according to court records. Ex-teacher claims unwanted hugs: Gets $775K settlement from Central Regional But the Attorney Generals Office and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, which handled the investigation, only released a statement on the case Tuesday. Officials there have not responded to a question about why it took so long to notify the public of Jamarinos charge and his arrest in April. The official statement on the case was issued only after the publication of a story Tuesday by NJ.com detailing the victims allegations against Jamarino. Officer charged: Brick state trooper sent home to pregnant wife to await trial in child-sex solicitation case The victims compensation office was set up in 1971 to help victims recover from violent crimes by providing financial assistance to victims, their families and service providers to help them overcome financial and emotional burdens, according to the state. The mission of the VCCO is to compassionately serve New Jersey crime victims in a manner that is mindful of the trauma they have suffered and their right to be treated with fairness, compassion and respect," state Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said in a statement Tuesday. "The alleged conduct of the defendant made a mockery of that mission." The charge Jamraino faces is a second-degree offense and carries a presumption of incarceration that can lead to as much as 10 years in prison. Jamarinos attorney, Michael P. Koribanics of Clifton, declined to comment on the allegations. According to the affidavit of probable cause in the case, Jamarino used his personal cellphone and and the social media app WhatsApp to text at least four victims from Dec. 9, 2021, to July 20, 2022. Jamarinos messages to the victims shifted in tone and context from professional in nature to inappropriate and oftentimes sexual and explicit, according to the affidavit. Several victims said they felt upset and confused by the communications, since Jamarino was their point of contact with the Victims of Crime Compensation Office and was assigned to help them with claims. Teacher accused: Ex-Wall teacher freed from jail to face charges of sex with students According to the affidavit, Jamarino sent suggestive photos of himself to victims to whom he was assigned. One was of Jamarino shirtless while wearing a towel; a video showed him from the neck up in a shower. Along with the photo of him wearing only a towel and grabbing it in front of his crotch, he sent a message that read: send the address, and Ill come get you, including two emojis with hearts in place of eyes. according to the affidavit. He later sent the same victim a message that read, send pics, pretty lady. Full body pics if you have any, the affidavit said. The affidavit mentions other allegations. He asked several victims to come over to his apartment. He asked another victim what city she lived in so he could drive over. He offered to give another victim a massage and included a picture of an undressed woman getting a massage. Jamarino also sent more than one victim photos of himself at a gun range and sent another victim a shirtless picture of himself with guns in the background, knowing that she was a victim of gun violence. More than one of the victims reported these images made them fear for their safety, the affidavit reads. Jamarino is scheduled for a pre-indictment conference in New Jersey Superior Court in Essex County on Aug. 9. Ken Serrano covers breaking news, crime and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or kserrano@gannettnj.com. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Charge: Ex-NJ investigator was sexting crime victims he was to protect Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified where Michael Brown currently lives. He lives in Bear. A federal judge has ordered a discrimination lawsuit against Wilmington to move forward, setting the stage for attorneys to debate whether the City Councils chief of staff position is exempt from the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Former Wilmington City Councilperson Michael Brown sued the city last year after he was denied the councils chief of staff position twice amid the legislative bodys struggles to agree on a candidate. In the suit, Brown a 67-year-old Bear resident who is running for New Castle County Council against incumbent Councilperson George Smiley claimed he was discriminated against because of his age. Former Wilmington City Councilmember Michael Brown Sr. is suing the city alleging he was discriminated against based on his age during interviews for the council chief of staff position. A federal judge in July 2024 ordered the case to move forward in part. Last year, Brown was one of two finalists for the City Councils chief of staff position but was passed over for another candidate Matthew Dougherty. Less than an hour before the full council was set to vote on Doughertys appointment last July, his hiring was pulled, and the City Council went back to the drawing board. When the job was reposted, Brown applied again, reaching out to each councilperson to share his qualifications, background and answer any questions they may have about his assuming the role of chief of staff. LAWSUIT FILED: Former Wilmington councilperson sues city alleging age discrimination over council post A response he got from Councilperson Shane Darby has become the center of Brown's discrimination suit filed in the U.S. District Court in Delaware. Wilmington attorneys sought to dismiss the lawsuit entirely, but U.S. Magistrate Judge Sherry Fallon denied the citys motion to dismiss the Age Discrimination in Employment Act claim. The judge did grant Wilmingtons motion to dismiss the Delaware Discrimination in Employment Act claim due to Browns failure to obtain a right to sue notice from the state Department of Labor. The city declined to comment for this story, citing the ongoing lawsuit. What does this mean? Browns attorney Ronald Poliquin said it is rare to have affirmative admissions of discriminatory conduct in these types of cases but asserted that Darbys comments are those pieces of evidence. Brown had initially reached out to each member of Wilmington City Council to answer questions and discuss his candidacy, when Darby had responded that she didnt question the former councilmembers qualifications but was more in supportive (sic) of bringing in new and younger people. City Councilwoman Shane Darby speaks during the Evening with Al Sharpton event sponsored in honor of Black History Month by the Citizens for Judicial Fairness at the Police Athletic League of Wilmington Center in Wilmington, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. In June 2023, when Delaware Online/The News Journal spoke with Darby about the pending lawsuit from Brown, she further explained that she did not feel like he would be a good fit and reemphasized that she wanted someone new and younger to bring some energy and newness to the council. Poliquin said in these instances, Darby made it clear ... that the city rejected Browns application due to his age. This type of blatant discrimination has no place in a city government that prides itself on inclusion and diversity, the attorney said. We look forward to the discovery stage and then presenting Mr. Brown's case to a jury." Council chief of staff history The council's previous chief of staff, Daniel Walker, left the post in February 2022. BACKGROUND: Why Wilmington council still hasn't hired a chief of staff Walker had recommended Dougherty, who returned to Wilmington in 2022 after spending several years working for federal lawmakers and city government in Boston, apply for the position. But when Doughertys recommendation was derailed at the last minute, he withdrew his application. Publicly, City Council members said the last-minute withdrawal of Doughertys recommendation was because the council wanted to make sure they attracted the most qualified candidates. Internally, council members say it was because some on the legislative body wanted a person of color in the position. By October 2022, Browns attorney had warned city officials of the pending discrimination suit. To resolve the complaint, Brown sought $200,000 representing his annual salary for two years if he wasnt discriminated against; $15,000 for attorney fees; and a written apology from the City Council. Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Wilmington facing age discrimination lawsuit from former councilmember Ri Il Gyu, a former senior North Korean diplomat based in Cuba who has recently defected to South Korea, attends an interview at the Reuters bureau in Seoul Ri Il Gyu, a former senior North Korean diplomat based in Cuba who has recently defected to South Korea, attends an interview at the Reuters bureau in Seoul By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea wants to reopen nuclear talks with the United States if Donald Trump is re-elected as president and is working to devise a new negotiating strategy, a senior North Korean diplomat who recently defected to South Korea told Reuters. The escape of Ri Il Gyu from Cuba made headlines globally last month. He was the highest-ranking North Korean diplomat to defect to the South since 2016. In his first interview with international media, Ri said North Korea has set Russia, the U.S. and Japan as its top foreign policy priorities for this year and beyond. While bolstering relations with Russia, Pyongyang was keen to reopen nuclear negotiations if Trump - who engaged in both fiery brinkmanship and unprecedented diplomacy with North Korea during his previous term - won re-election in November, Ri said. Pyongyang's diplomats were mapping out a strategy for that scenario, with the goal of lifting of sanctions on its weapons programmes, removing its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and eliciting economic aid, said Ri. His comments signal a potential about-face from the North's current stance after recent statements ditching the possibility of dialogue with the U.S. and warning of armed confrontation. A summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Trump in Vietnam in 2019 collapsed over sanctions, for which Ri partly blamed Kim's decision to entrust "inexperienced, clueless" military commanders with nuclear diplomacy. "Kim Jong Un doesn't know much about international relations and diplomacy, or how to make strategic judgment," he said. "This time, the foreign ministry would definitely gain power and take charge, and it won't be so easy for Trump to tie North Korea's hands and feet again for four years without giving anything." RUSSIAN TIES, JAPAN AID By forging closer ties with Russia, North Korea received help with its missile technology and economy. But a bigger benefit could be to block additional sanctions and undercut existing ones, Ri said, adding it would raise Pyongyang's bargaining power against Washington. "The Russians got their own hands dirty by engaging in illicit transactions and, thanks to that, North Korea no longer needs to rely on the U.S. to lift sanctions, which essentially means they stripped the U.S. of one key bargaining chip," he said. In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said he wants to meet Kim, but the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 80s has long been a stumbling block. According to Ri, Kim would seek to hold a summit with Japan, aiming to get economic assistance in return for concessions on the abductee issue. Tokyo believes 17 of its citizens were abducted, five of whom returned to Japan in 2002. Pyongyang sees the issue as settled, having admitted to kidnapping 13 Japanese nationals and saying those unaccounted for had either died or their whereabouts were unknown. Ri said Kim would be willing to change that position, established under his father Kim Jong Il, in order to obtain economic support. "They're saying that the issue was resolved, but that's just to boost negotiating power until he makes concessions at a summit," he said. RESENTMENT AND DEFECTION Having studied at a French school in Algeria and lived in Cuba alongside his late father, who was a state media reporter, Ri says he had imagined a life in South Korea since his childhood, but never acted to flee until he was bullied by a diplomatic colleague for refusing his demand for bribes. Then the defining moment came when Pyongyang instantly refused his request to get medical treatment in Mexico, at his own expense, for a ruptured disc in his neck. "That exploded all the resentment I had been harbouring towards the regime," he said. The COVID-19 lockdown deepened hardships at home and for those stationed overseas, with most telephone lines to Pyongyang cut to prevent any information from spreading in the outside world, Ri said. Financial troubles have also forced North Korea to shut down a dozen of its 54 diplomatic missions. "When they began reopening and summoning those working abroad in early 2023, they asked to bring everything from used toothbrushes to spoons back home, saying there's nothing there," he said. Ri had also witnessed - and in his job tried to impede - the launch of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cuba, a Cold War-era ally of North Korea. "I had done everything to block that from happening, but establishing relations with Cuba was the best thing South Korea had done since last year," he said. "It was a model example of how the tides of history have turned, and where a normal civilisation of the international community is headed." (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Alex Richardson) The hardline approach Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito takes usually gets him what he wants. This year it backfired. Behind the scenes, the conservative justice sought to put a thumb on the scale for states trying to restrict how social media companies filter content. His tactics could have led to a major change in how platforms operate. CNN has learned, however, that Alito went too far for two justices Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson who abandoned the precarious 5-4 majority and left Alito on the losing side. As a result, the final 6-3 ruling led by Justice Elena Kagan backed the First Amendment rights of social media companies It is rare that a justice tapped to write the majority opinion loses it in ensuing weeks, but sources tell CNN that it happened twice this year to Alito. He also lost the majority as he was writing the decision in the case of a Texas councilwoman who said she was arrested in retaliation for criticizing the city manager. Alito has long given off an air of vexation, even as he is regularly in the majority with his conservative ideology. But the frustration of the 74-year-old justice has grown increasingly palpable in the courtroom. He has seldom faced this level of internal opposition. Overall, Alito wrote the fewest leading opinions for the court this term, only four, while other justices close to his 18-year seniority had been assigned (and kept majorities for) seven opinions each. His unique year in chambers was matched by the extraordinary public scrutiny for his off-bench activities, including lingering ethics controversies and a newly reported episode regarding an upside-down flag that had flown at this home in January 2021, after the pro-Donald Trump attack on the US Capitol. Some of the rioters waved inverted flags that became a symbol of Trumps protest of the election results giving Joe Biden the presidency. After The New York Times reported on the flag in May, Democratic members of Congress called for Alito to recuse himself in Trump-related cases. Alito declined, in a letter that explained that his wife had hung the inverted flag in response to a nasty confrontation with a neighbor. Alito declined CNN requests for an interview. This exclusive series on the Supreme Court is based on CNN sources inside and outside the court with knowledge of the deliberations. Split rulings from Trump-nominated judges divided SCOTUS The Texas and Florida disputes grew from conservative claims that their viewpoints were being censored online by Facebook, Twitter (now known as X) and other platforms. The states enacted their laws in 2021 and, with variations, restricted the ability of social media platforms to filter third-party messages, videos and other content. The laws were passed a few months after Facebook and Twitter removed Trump from their platforms, in the wake of the Capitol attack. When Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed that states measure, he said, there is a dangerous movement by social media companies to silence conservative viewpoints and ideas. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared in a statement, If Big Tech censors enforce rules inconsistently, to discriminate in favor of the dominant Silicon Valley ideology, they will now be held accountable. NetChoice, an internet trade association, brought lawsuits in both states, saying the laws broadly violated the First Amendment rights of social media companies. US district court judges in Florida and Texas temporarily blocked the laws from taking effect. As Texas appealed, the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, known for its own right-wing streak, said the platforms content-moderation activities did not rise to speech that would be protected by the First Amendment. US appellate Judge Andrew Oldham, a former Alito clerk, belittled the large, well-heeled corporations that have hired an armada of attorneys from some of the best law firms in the world to protect their censorship rights. The 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals, however, ruling on the Florida law, took the opposite tack and declared that content moderation implicated the First Amendment and protections for editorial discretion. Writing that decision, US appellate Judge Kevin Newsom said, content-moderation decisions constitute protected exercises of editorial judgment. (Newsom and Oldham were both appointed by Trump, who also has often complained of online censorship.) When the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the paired appeals on February 26, the justices struggled with multiple threshold issues, including how the laws might apply to typical social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, as well as to sites and apps like Etsy and Uber. NetChoice had brought a broadscale challenge, arguing that the laws were unconstitutional in all situations, rather than pointing to specific cases where free-speech rights were violated. A few days later, as the justices met in private on the dispute, they all agreed that NetChoices sweeping claims of unconstitutionality had fallen short and that the two cases should be sent back to the lower courts for further hearings. The justices, however, split over which lower court largely had the better approach to the First Amendment and what guidance should be offered for lower courts further proceedings. Alito, while receptive to the 5th Circuits opinion minimizing the companies speech interests, emphasized the incompleteness of the record and the need to remand the cases. Joining him were fellow conservatives Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch and, to some extent, Barrett and Jackson. On the other side was Kagan, leaning toward the 11th Circuits approach. She wanted to clarify the First Amendment implications when states try to control how platforms filter messages and videos posted by their users. She was generally joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Brett Kavanaugh. Alito began writing the courts opinion for the dominant five-member bloc, and Kagan for the remaining four. Alito goes too far and Barrett flips But when Alito sent his draft opinion around to colleagues several weeks later, his majority began to crumble. He questioned whether any of the platforms content-moderation could be considered expressive activity under the First Amendment. Barrett, a crucial vote as the case played out, believed some choices regarding content indeed reflected editorial judgments protected by the First Amendment. She became persuaded by Kagan, but she also wanted to draw lines between the varying types of algorithms platforms use. A function qualifies for First Amendment protection only if it is inherently expressive, Barrett wrote in a concurring statement, asserting that if platform employees create an algorithm that identifies and deletes information, the First Amendment protects that exercise of editorial judgment. That might not be the situation, Barrett said, for algorithms that automatically present content aimed at users preferences. Kagan added a footnote to her majority opinion buttressing that point and reinforcing Barretts view. Kagan wrote that the court was not dealing with feeds whose algorithms respond solely to how users act online giving them the content they appear to want, without any regard to independent content standards. Jackson then joined much of Kagans analysis as well, including that a private companys collection of third-party content for its platform could itself be expressive and therefore subject to First Amendment considerations when a state attempts to regulate. She added in a concurring statement, Not every potential action taken by a social media company will qualify as expression protected under the First Amendment. In Kagans opinion for the majority, she wrote, Deciding on the third-party speech that will be included in or excluded from a compilationand then organizing and presenting the included itemsis expressive activity of its own. And that activity results in a distinctive expressive product. When the government interferes with such editorial choicessay, by ordering the excluded to be included it alters the content of the compilation, Kagan added. And in so doingin overriding a private partys expressive choicesthe government confronts the First Amendment. Plainly irked by the turn of events, Alito wrote in his final concurring opinion that Kagans First Amendment pronouncements amounted only to nonbinding dicta that lower courts need not follow. Such lines between core principles of a decision, or mere dicta, are often fuzzy and the source of disagreement among lower court judges and even the justices themselves. But, despite Alitos protest, Kagan had a majority signing her decision, which, at minimum, offers lower court judges a strong indication of the framework the high court majority would use in future online challenges. Alito had the backing of only two justices in the end, Thomas and Gorsuch. He expressed sympathy for state efforts to restrict what, in an earlier phase of the Texas case Alito called the power of dominant social media corporations to shape public discussion of the important issues of the day. In his separate July 1 opinion for a minority, Alito pointed up why states might want to regulate how platforms filter content: Deleting the account of an elected official or candidate for public office may seriously impair that individuals efforts to reach constituents or voters, as well as the ability of voters to make a fully informed electoral choice. And what platforms call content moderation of the news or user comments on public affairs can have a substantial effect on popular views. Like Oldham, Alito took jabs at the sophisticated counsel who challenged the state regulations. With the Supreme Court having ruled, lower court judges now must explore the scope of the laws on the functions of various platforms, websites and apps. Litigation on this issue will surely continue and someday return to the Supreme Court. Another Texas setback for Alito The give and take among the justices in the social media cases took until the very last day of the term. A few weeks before then, the separate majority Alito had tentatively won in the dispute over an alleged retaliatory arrest in Texas fell apart because of how extensively he wanted the court to rule. The case was brought by Sylvia Gonzalez, a former Castle Hills councilwoman who sued the mayor after she was arrested for removing a public document at a meeting. She said the arrest was in retaliation for speaking out against the city manager and noted that no one else had ever been arrested in such a situation. The 5th Circuit rejected Gonzalezs claim, emphasizing that officers had probable cause to arrest her. Gonzalez, the appeals court had ruled, did not qualify for an exception to the wide deference courts give officers who have probable cause because she failed to demonstrate police had declined to make arrests in similar situations. When the justices voted on the case in March, the majority agreed that the 5th Circuit erred in the standard it used. Alito was assigned the opinion. But as he began writing, he went further than the other justices in his review of Gonzalezs case. Alito and his colleagues realized he couldnt hold five, as the expression goes, for a majority. A new majority agreed to dispatch the case with a limited rationale in unsigned opinion. Rejecting the 5th Circuits reasoning, the Supreme Court said the 5th Circuit had applied an overly cramped view of the courts precedent for when people may sue for First Amendment retaliation claims. The high court noted that Gonzalez could not show evidence of whether officers handled similar situations differently because her situation, involving the alleged removal of a document, was exceedingly rare. The courts narrow opinion did not suggest how Gonzalez would ultimately fare as she continued the lawsuit. Alito, in what became a concurring statement signed by him alone, agreed that the 5th Circuit had taken an unduly narrow view, but his opinion went further to detail Gonzalezs actions and explore weaknesses in her varied arguments. Alitos 16-page concurring opinion would have made it more difficult for Gonzalez to press her range of claims than the five-page opinion that garnered the new majority. On June 20, when the chief justice announced the opinion in Gonzalez v. Trevino, Alitos chair at the bench was empty. Alito missed that day, as a total four opinions were handed down, and the next, June 21, when the justices released five other opinions. Justices sometimes skip one of these final days of the annual session, but usually theres an obvious reason for the absence, such as travel to a previously scheduled speech. Court officials declined to provide any explanation. Alito returned for the final four announcement days of the term, yet sometimes appeared preoccupied. On the last day, when Kagan announced the decision in the NetChoice case, Alito was reading through material he had brought along to the bench. Alito appeared weary of it all by that last day. At 74, he is the second oldest of the current nine, after 76-year-old Thomas. While Alito is still relatively young as far as justices go (most in recent years havent left the bench until their 80s), he has reflected in private about retirement. If Republican Trump were to win Alito may be persuaded to step down. If he does, Trump could look to the 5th Circuit, where many of his most conservative appellate-bench choices from his first term sit, including Alitos former clerk, Judge Oldham. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ULAN BATOR, July 31 (Xinhua) -- A laboratory test for a suspected case of bubonic plague in the western Mongolian province of Govi-Altai has returned negative results, local media reported on Wednesday. The tests were conducted on samples taken from a resident of the province's Taishir soum (administrative subdivision), who had recently been hospitalized after consuming marmot meat. Despite the ban on hunting marmots in Mongolia, the rodent is still considered a delicacy by many, leading some to ignore the law. Seventeen out of Mongolia's 21 provinces are at risk of bubonic plague infection, the country's National Center for Zoonotic Diseases said, urging the public to refrain from hunting marmots and consuming their meat to mitigate the risk of infection. Bubonic plague, a bacterial disease transmitted by fleas that live on wild rodents like marmots, can be fatal within 24 hours if not promptly treated, according to the World Health Organization. The launch of Kamala Harriss campaign has injected newfound energy into her party with fewer than 100 days to go in the election cycle and raised Democrats hopes of winning battleground states that once seemed irretrievably lost to Donald Trump, according to a set of memos exclusively shared with the Guardian. The memos show that Democratic parties in battleground states saw a dramatic surge in contributions and volunteer sign-ups in the past week, in addition to the Harris campaigns record-breaking fundraising haul of $200m. They arrive as a new poll shows Harris has gained ground against Trump in six of the seven swing states since Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race. Conducted on July 24-28, the Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll of registered voters shows Harris leading Trump in Arizona, Wisconsin and Nevada, with a two-point advantage in each, and leading in Michigan by 11 percentage points; Trump polled ahead of Harris in Pennsylvania by four points and in North Carolina by two points, and the candidates were tied in Georgia. The memos, which were shared by the coordinated campaign between Harris for President and the Democratic National Committee, offer further promising signs for the vice-president. In Georgia, where Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by just 12,000 votes, or 0.2 points, in 2020, more than 1,000 new volunteers signed up in the 24 hours after Harris announced her candidacy, marking the largest single-day total of the campaign. Georgia Democrats also collected $200,000, as donations to the state party increased by 320% compared with the week before. The show of force is notable given that earlier polls indicated that Trump had a solid lead in Georgia. An Emerson College poll conducted earlier this month showed Trump with a 5-point advantage over Biden, 44% to 39%, but the outlets most recent survey showed Harris had cut that lead down to 2 points. Democrats up and down the ticket are seeing unprecedented support from voters across the nation, said Abhi Rahman, deputy communications director for the DNC. We are confident that in these battleground states, Democrats will win at every level of the ballot in November. The pattern has played out in other states where Trumps lead over Biden appeared to be growing in the weeks after the presidents disastrous debate performance. In Arizona, where Biden won by about 10,000 votes, or 0.3 points, in 2020, more than 2,000 new Democratic campaign volunteers signed up in the past week. The Emerson College polls conducted in the past month show that Harris slashed Trumps lead in Arizona from 10 points to 5 points. In the key battleground state of Wisconsin, where Biden won by 0.6 points in 2020, the state party raked in $400,000 over the past week after out-raising its Republican counterpart by a margin of 14 to 1 in the first half of the year. Wisconsin Democrats also saw 3,500 new volunteers sign up for the campaign since Harris entered the race. More than 2,000 Wisconsin volunteers completed a shift in the past week, with at least 175,000 voters contacted. That outreach could prove decisive in a state that was decided by roughly 20,000 votes four years ago. Before Biden withdrew from the race this month, most polls indicated he was running a close race against Trump in Wisconsin. But one particularly worrisome survey conducted for AARP in the days after the debate found Trump had a 6-point lead there. The most recent Emerson College polling showed Harris and Trump tied, 47% to 47%, in Wisconsin. Related: Harris and Trump release dueling ads as candidates refine their messaging Harriss campaign launch also seems to have motivated grassroots donors, some of whom are contributing for the first time this election cycle. Of the Harris campaigns $200m haul, 66% came from first-time donors. In Michigan, where Biden won by roughly 3 points in 2020, the state party reported a surge in small-dollar donations over the past week, collecting $100,000 from more than 1,000 individual donors. The most recent Emerson College polling showed that Michigan remains highly competitive, with Trump at 46% and Harris at 45%. Democrats hope the financial boon will help them regain a cash advantage in the presidential race, after Trump closed his earlier gap with Biden thanks to a fundraising blitz in recent months. The Harris campaign is already putting its new money to use with a $50m advertising push in the weeks leading up to the Democratic national convention, which will take place in Chicago next month. But Trump is not sitting on the sidelines. On Tuesday, his campaign unveiled a new ad attacking Harris over the Biden administrations management of the US-Mexico border while mocking the vice-president as weak and dangerously liberal. The dueling ads foreshadowed what is expected to be a hard-fought and grueling race to the finish in the presidential contest. The two candidates have even less time than it may appear to sway the electorate, as many states will start early voting in late September or early October. In Arizona, for example, early voting begins on 9 October. Justice Anne Patterson wrote for a unanimous court that expunged records can be used in civil proceedings related to the incident that created them. (Mary Iuvone for New Jersey Monitor) The states child protection agency can use expunged criminal records in child abuse proceedings as long as those records are related to the same incident, New Jerseys Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. The high courts ruling affirms decisions by lower courts that found the Division of Child Protection and Permanency met the bar to review a mans expunged records during a factfinding trial related to allegations of child abuse and neglect. Expunged records in the prosecutors file may provide crucial evidence that cannot be obtained from other sources, Justice Anne Patterson wrote for a unanimous court. The case before the court involved a man, called Arlo in court filings, who faced criminal charges and, later, state custody proceedings after his two-year-old son was discovered unconscious with severe injuries. Arlo and his wife, called Tiffany in the filings, told police the child sustained the injuries during a fall, but doctors who examined the child said the injuries could only have come from choking, strangulation, or some dramatic torsion of the neck and not a fall, as the two claimed. Police arrested Arlo and charged him with endangering the welfare of a child, but a grand jury declined to indict him, and records relating to the criminal proceeding were expunged. The division moved to vacate the expungement order during its own civil child abuse trial, and a Superior Court judge agreed, reasoning the expunged records were directly related to the case and that their absence would hamstring the proceeding. Arlo appealed, arguing the expunged records could not be used for any reason, but an appellate panel disagreed. Statute, they said, allows expunged records to be used in other proceedings based on the same subject matter. The panel likewise discarded his argument that expunged records could only be unsealed in a court proceeding initiated by their subject. The justices found no support for that claim in statute. They reasoned the division met its bar to unseal the documents in this case given Tiffany and Arlo were the only witness. The child, who was two years old and unconscious following a severe head injury, could not recount the incident, and the court may not have granted access to the records if he could. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Extortion and gang violence are hitting even big corporations and business leaders in Mexico Mexican soldiers stand guard outside an Oxxo grocery shop near the Tamaulipas Chamber of Commerce, where its president Julio Cesar Almanza was killed, in Matamoros, Mexico, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Veronica Cisneros) CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico (AP) Even Mexicos largest corporations are now being hit by demands from drug cartels, and gangs are increasingly trying to control the sale, distribution and pricing of certain goods. Well-known, high-ranking business leaders aren't even safe. On Monday, the head of the business chambers' federation in Tamaulipas state, across the border from Texas, gave television interviews complaining about drug cartel extortion in the state. Hours later on Tuesday, Julio Almanza was shot to death outside his offices in the city of Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas. We are hostages to extortion demands, we are hostages of criminal groups, Almanza said in one of his last interviews. Charging extortion payments has practically become the national sport in Tamaulipas. The problem came to a head when the Femsa corporation, which operates Oxxo, Mexicos largest chain of convenience stores, announced late last week that it was closing all of its 191 stores and seven gas stations in another border city, Nuevo Laredo, because of gang problems. The company said it had long had to deal with cartel demands that its gas stations buy their fuel from certain distributors. But the straw that broke the camels back came in recent weeks when gang members abducted two store employees, demanding they act as lookouts or provide information to the gang. Since convenience stores are used by most people in Mexico, the gangs see them as good points to keep tabs on the movements of police, soldiers and rivals. We had incidents in stores that consisted of them (gangs) demanding we give them certain information, and they even abducted two colleagues to enforce this demand, Roberto Campa, Femsa's director of corporate affairs, told local media. In a statement Monday, Femsa said its stores in Nuevo Laredo remain closed this week due to acts of violence that put our colleagues' safety at risk." Cartel violence in Mexico has long been focused on smaller businesses, where owners often visit their shops and are easily abducted or approached by gang members to demand extortion payments. But Femsa is the largest soft drink bottler in Latin America, the largest Coca Cola bottler by sales volume and is listed on the Mexican stock exchange. Nuevo Laredo has long been dominated by the Northeast Cartel an offshoot of the old Zetas cartel but the problem is starting to hit larger companies nationwide. Sectors ranging from agriculture, fishing and mining to consumer goods have been plagued by cartels trying to essentially take over their industries. This week, the American Chamber of Commerce, whose members tend to be larger Mexican, American or multinational corporations, released a survey of its members in which 12% of respondents said that organized crime has taken partial control of the sales, distribution and/or pricing of their goods. That means drug cartels are distorting parts of Mexico's economy, deciding who gets to sell a product and at what price and in return they are apparently demanding sellers pass a percentage of sales revenue back to the cartel. In the past, cartels have carried out violent attacks, arson and even killings of those found selling goods that had not been authorized by them or bought from distributors they control. About half of the 218 companies in the American Chamber survey said that trucks carrying their products had suffered attacks, and 45% of the companies said they had received extortion demands for protection payments. Of the companies that reported how much they had to spend on security measures, 58% said they spent between 2% and 10% of their total budgets on security; 4% spent at least a tenth of their total outlays on security measures. On Tuesday, Femsa said in a statement that it was making progress in talks with authorities that might provide guarantees for the safety of its employees and allow the chain to reopen its stores in Nuevo Laredo. Mexico's powerful drug cartels have expanded their income sources by both extorting money from companies and even taking over legitimate businesses. In 2014, authorities confirmed the Knights Templar cartel had essentially taken over exports of iron ore from the western state of Michoacan, and the ore trade with China had become perhaps its biggest single source of income. Cartels have also been accused of controlling production and manipulating domestic prices for crops like avocados and limes. And late last year, authorities in Michoacan confirmed one cartel had set up its own makeshift internet system and told locals they had to pay to use its Wi-Fi service or they would be killed. Dubbed narco-antennas by local media, the cartels system involved internet antennas set up in various towns built with stolen equipment. The group charged approximately 5,000 people elevated prices between 400 and 500 pesos ($25 to $30) a month. Femsa's Oxxo convenience stores are a target in part because they are so ubiquitous in Mexico: there are about 20,000 nationwide. In 2022, gangs set fires at about two dozen of the stores in the central state of Guanajuato to protest attempts to arrest a cartel leader. On Wednesday, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador whose policy is to avoid confronting the cartels displayed the recommendations authorities had made to Femsa in a meeting Monday. Those recommendations largely placed responsibility on the company, asking it to hire in-store security guards, install panic buttons and place cameras outside the stores. In 2009, police in the western state of Jalisco found at least four severed heads in Styrofoam coolers with the stores' logo on them; such coolers were sold to hold chilled drinks, but it became something of a trend for gangs to use them to hold decapitated heads. ___ Associated Press writer Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) Samantha Kroeker, her husband and four kids live in a community around a mile down the road from Science Hall Elementary, where one of her kids goes to school. Last school year, a Hays Consolidated Independent School District bus picked up her son and other kids in the neighborhood along a busy road to take them to school. Kroeker recently learned this wont happen in the upcoming 2024 to 2025 school year. They said that since theres now a sidewalk from here to the school, [its] not considered a hazardous route anymore, she said. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) allocates funding to school districts for students who live more than two miles away from a school. A school district can designate areas hazardous routes, if it is less than two miles away from the school but could make walking unsafe, according to Hays CISD. This allows a district to get additional funding for bus services for those students. With the addition of the sidewalk, Kroekers route no longer fits the states definition of hazardous, according to Hays CISD. But with many cars speeding down a road where many kids will have to cross with the help of crosswalks, Kroeker is still concerned. People dont care when they drive over here. Its an extremely dangerous road because people are always speeding, she said. Im not going to send my kids my 4-and-a-half-year-old and my 6-and-a-half-year-old to walk a mile to school on an extremely dangerous road [while] having to cross so many times. Limited by funding Hays CISD said under the states current transportation allotment formula, it can only provide bus services to so many students. We completely empathize with the parents and their concerns about this, said Tim Savoy, a Hays CISD spokesperson. When you have the improvements that come in on these roadways, then they can lose their hazardous route status, [and] the district loses funding for it, he continued Savoy said the only way to keep bus services going in areas no longer considered hazardous would be to reallocate funding from other essential programs. If we make an exception, then theres so many areas that we would [need] to use the bulk of our funding to drive people to school. But then we would not have money left, if you will, to provide the curriculum and education services once they get there, he said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. They seem to be common in supermarket parking lots, the trailers spouting tall towers with blinking blue lights, containing cameras that can cover a wide swath of territory. Now, they have come to York City. The city police department recently deployed three KnightWatch camera towers in neighborhoods identified as "hotspots" for street violence and drug dealing, each of the towers' nearly dozen cameras recording the activity on the streets. The cameras, which cost about $45,000 each, were funded by a grant from WellSpan as part of the Group Violence Initiative, intended to curb gun violence in the city. Traffic and a bicyclist cross Ridge Avenue and East Market Street in York on July 28, 2024 past a York City Police camera array. An electronic billboard alerts people that it is part of the "Knightwatch Program." Gun violence down: York gun violence was down dramatically in 2023. Police credit changes in enforcement Reducing gun violence: Gun crime in York: He used to be the problem. Now he's part of the solution with GVI It is not the first time such mobile surveillance cameras have been deployed to deter crime. They have been deployed in New York City to provide security in Times Square and elsewhere. In York, two of the towers have been deployed on West Market and West streets and at East Market Street and Ridge Avenue, according to the police department. The cameras are intended to provide both a deterrent and an investigative tool to battle violent crime. "We will typically monitor them only if we have an issue," Capt. Daniel Lentz, the department's public information officer, wrote in an email. "Otherwise, we use the playback feature, We plan to use these towers by deploying them in identified hotspots to serve as extra eyes for our team." Cameras with blue blinking lights provide an aerial view of East Market Street and Ridge Avenue on July 28, 2024. The system is a York City Police neighborhood surveillance system. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: York PA police watch crime-prone areas with mobile surveillance units F-16 fighter jets finally fly in Ukraine in major boost for Kyiv Ukraine is expecting to receive 79 F-16s from Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands - Czarek Sokolowski/AP Ukraine has flown its first combat missions with an F-16 after the American-made fighter jets long-awaited arrival. The Telegraph understands the modern warplanes have only been used in an air defence capacity so far. A Ukrainian air force official did not deny this. A report by the Bloomberg news wire first revealed that a small, but unspecified, number of F-16s had been delivered to Kyiv. Soon after, a pixelated picture purporting to be an F-16 in the skies above Ukraine was shared on social media and by Ukrainian media outlets. Kyiv has not officially confirmed receipt of the jets. Ukraine is expecting to receive 79 F-16s from Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands. An international coalition to support the deliveries and training of Ukrainian pilots which also includes the US and UK had pledged to have the first jets flying by the end of July. The process to upgrade Kyivs ageing Soviet warplanes was given the go ahead in July last year, when Joe Biden signed off on the donations of F-16s. The much-vaunted arrival of the jets will be met by significant fanfare given their potential role in Ukraines fight against the Russian invasion. Oleksii Neizhpapa, the commander of Ukraines navy, said the jets would help challenge Russias full dominance of the skies over the Black Sea. But Western aviation experts have cautioned against the warplanes being a war-winning silver bullet for the Ukrainians. A report last week by the Washington Post said only six Ukrainian pilots had qualified to fly the F-16, meaning only a limited number of sorties could be flown each day. There are also expectations that the jets will be limited to an air-defence role because of the threat posed by Russian surface-to-air missile systems closer to the front lines. News of the F-16s arrivals came after Russia launched one of its largest drone barrages against Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Ukrainian forces intercepted 89 drones and one missile in the long-range raid that lasted for more than seven hours. Most of the Russian munitions were aimed at Kyiv, with Serhii Popko, the capitals administrative chief, describing it as one of the most massive drone attacks on Ukraine during the entire war. Authorities said none of the drones reached their final targets, but debris from the interceptions did damage 13 hours in the wider Kyiv region. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky conceded on Wednesday that the US elections, which Donald Trump is favourite to win, poses a challenge to Ukraine. Washington is Kyivs chief military backer, donating tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons. 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. Say It To My Face! Kamala Harris Challenges Donald Trump To Debate After GOP Nominee Goes Wobbly Over Next Matchup Joe Biden dropped out of the race on July 21, and this aint your grandfathers election anymore. If Donald Trump figured his usual petulance was going to put new Democratic ticket-topper Kamala Harris on the backfoot, the 78-year old ex-president might want to think again. In her first big rally as the nominee, the vice president called out the three-time Republican presidential candidate to keep his word about the ABC News-hosted debate set for September 10 that he had previously agreed to do against Biden. More from Deadline So the momentum in this race is shifting, and there are signs that Donald Trump is feeling it, the veep and presumptive Democratic nominee told an enthusiastic crowd of more than 10,000 just now in Atlanta as polls have Harris tied and even ahead of Trump a week into her White House bid. So last week, you may have seen, he pulled out of the debate in September he had previously agreed to, Harris added to laughs from the Georgia audience. Mocking Trump as a chicken and the rhetoric from Trump and running mate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) as just plain weird, Harris put her opponent on notice to the world with the political equivalent of a sidewinder. RELATED: White Dudes For Harris Online Rally Raises Millions In Donations But Then Sees X Account Suspended Donald, I do hope youll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage, the VP said with maximum precision. As the saying goes, if you got something to say, say it to my face! Vice President Harris: Donald, I do hope you'll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage. As the saying goes, if you got something to say, say it to my face pic.twitter.com/5zykEnU3Dn Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) July 30, 2024 With Megan Thee Stallion, Stacey Abrams, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Georgia Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in attendance, the crowd at the Georgia State Convocation Center went nuts. That reaction to Harris challenge was seen live on CNN and MSNBC, as well as the BBC. However, if you were watching the MAGA-friendly Fox News, you would have seen none of it. Over on the Rupert Murdoch-owned outlet, Laura Ingraham was slamming law enforcement for its investigation into the social media accounts of Thomas Crooks, the 21-year-old who tried to shoot Trump at a July 13 rally in Butler, PA. RELATED: Top Hollywood Donors Already Writing Checks, Excited & Motivated For Kamala Harris After Joe Bidens Exit The Fox host also had more of her pre-recorded sit-down with Trump. An interview on Monday, Trump was shown telling Ingraham that he probably will face off against Harris in the fall, but he can also make a case for not doing it. When Ingraham tried to press Trump on getting in the ring with the vice president, the ex-Celebrity Apprentice host replied he didnt want to reward fake news like ABC or make them rich. RELATED: Michael Cieply: Will The Hollywood Glam Factor Hurt Kamala Harris? Up against a vert different candidate than the stumbling President Biden he took on back on June 27 on CNN, it is unsure if Trump will go face-to-face with Harris in a month. What is sure is that Trump will be in the Georgia State Convocation Center this weekend for a rally of his own. Whether he packs em in like Harris did remains to be seen. Armando Tinoco contributed to this report Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Say It To My Face: Kamala Harris Goes After Trump For Dodging Debate Plans Vice President Kamala Harris said Tuesday that she hopes former President Donald Trump will meet her on the debate stage later this year despite his apparent efforts to skip out on those plans now that shes the Democrats presumptive nominee to face him in November. Harris rallied a crowd of 10,000 supporters in Atlanta on Tuesday, her first visit to Georgia after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and cleared the way for her campaign. This is a people-powered campaign, in fact the momentum in this race is shifting, and there are signs that Donald Trump is feeling it, the vice president said. You may have noticed. Vice President Harris: Donald, I do hope you'll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage. As the saying goes, if you got something to say, say it to my face pic.twitter.com/5zykEnU3Dn Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) July 30, 2024 Trump has now repeatedly expressed doubt about participating in the next debate, scheduled for Sept. 10 on ABC News. And while he said Monday he would probably debate Harris at some point, he added that everybody knows who I am, suggesting a debate appearance may not benefit him. In Atlanta, Harris hit the former president for backing out of those plans, repeating her ding that Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, were just plain weird and had a lot to say about me. Heres the funny thing about that, Harris said. So he wont debate, but he and his running mate sure seem to have a lot to say about me. Well, Donald, I do hope youll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage, she said, because as the saying goes, if youve got something to say, say it to my face. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally Tuesday in Atlanta. John Bazemore/Associated Press Harris has catapulted into the campaign over the past 10 days, raising more than $200 million and signing up more than 170,000 volunteers. And recent polls have shown her closing the gap in most swing states. Related... Facility in Wisconsin to lay off estimated 37 employees, expected to be permanent KENOSHA, Wis. (WFRV) A facility in southern Wisconsin announced that it is expected to lay off over 35 employees in September. According to a letter sent from Intech to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), the company will be laying off an estimated 37 employees. The letter says the layoffs will start on September 26, 2024, and will be completed within five days. These layoffs are reportedly expected to be permanent. All of these reported layoffs are expected to be done at Intechs facility at 10325 58th Place in Kenosha. Yelloh formerly Schwans closing some Wisconsin locations, laying off 32 employees The letter to the DWD included a list of all 37 positions that were expected to be laid off. Intech says the Kenosha facility specializes in instruments and silicone over-molded handles. No additional information was provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. PRAGUE, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Bratislava Airport was being evacuated after an anonymous caller reported a bomb at the airport on Wednesday morning, the News Agency of the Slovakia Republic reported, citing police sources. Fact Check: Rumor That 'MAGA Fans' Announced Hunger Strike Over Democrats Calling Trump and Vance 'Weird' Is Fictional Claim: A group of "MAGA fans" in Montana announced a hunger strike, vowing the protest would last until "Democrats stop calling Donald Trump and JD Vance 'weird.'" Rating: Rating: Originated as Satire A rumor is circulating online about a group of "MAGA fans" in Montana supposedly announcing a hunger strike in support of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance. Users on Facebook, Threads, Truth Social and X shared the rumor in late July 2024. The copied-and-pasted rumor read, "BREAKING: A group of MAGA fans in Montana just announced they're starting a hunger strike they vow will last until Democrats stop calling Donald Trump and JD Vance 'weird.'" For example, a Facebook page named Republicans Have Lost Their Minds shared the text on July 29. An online rumor announced purported breaking news, saying a group of MAGA fans in Montana just announced they're starting a hunger strike they vow will last until Democrats stop calling Donald Trump and JD Vance weird. Some commenters under the posts interpreted the rumor as a factual recounting of real-life events. However, there was no evidence of any such hunger strike. The story was fictional. The rumor about the alleged hunger strike originated with The Halfway Post a network of social media accounts and a website that describes its output as being satirical in nature. (In its Facebook post, Republicans Have Lost Their Minds published The Halfway Post's website halfwaypost.com as an apparent source for its claim but did not include a "satire" disclaimer.) On The Halfway Post's X account, a post (archived) with the rumor received hundreds of thousands of views. Meanwhile, its post on Threads received more than 1,000 likes. An online rumor announced purported breaking news, saying a group of MAGA fans in Montana just announced they're starting a hunger strike they vow will last until Democrats stop calling Donald Trump and JD Vance weird. The fictional story spread as Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, made calling their political opponents "weird" a meme-able part of her 2024 presidential campaign. The Associated Press reported Harris and her allies applied the "label with gusto in interviews and online, notably to Vance's comments on abortion and his previous suggestion that political leaders who didn't have biological children 'don't really have a direct stake' in the country." The Halfway Post The "About" page on halfwaypost.com states the website's owner publishes "real comedy news and satire." Snopes has addressed other satirical claims originating from The Halfway Post in the past, including the assertion that Project 2025's offices received used tampons in the mail after Gen Z protesters coordinated a TikTok trend and a rumor that a televangelist from Idaho ran off with his congregants' money after convincing them the 2024 total solar eclipse would bring about the rapture. For background, here is why we alert readers to rumors created by sources that call their output humorous or satirical. Sources: Kinnard, Meg. "Why Harris and Democrats Keep Calling Trump and Vance 'Weird.'" The Associated Press, 30 July 2024, https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-trump-vance-weird-c54d506d1f533ee7aa455f7b500322c5. Liles, Jordan. "No, JD Vance Did Not Say He Had Sex with Couch Cushions." Snopes, 23 July 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/jd-vance-couch-cushions/. Former President Donald Trump said Harris "supported abolishing ICE." Harris called for an end to the hard-line tactics that had been used by the Trump administration, but she never said she would abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In fact, she said the opposite. Statement: Kamala Harris supported abolishing ICE. In a flurry of attacks against his likely 2024 presidential opponent, former President Donald Trump said Vice President Kamala Harris allowed millions of immigrants to illegally "stampede" across the border and supported eliminating a central immigration enforcement agency. "Lyin Kamala supported abolishing ICE," Trump said July 24 at a Charlotte, North Carolina, campaign rally. Trump, who pilloried several parts of Harris record, was referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency in charge of detaining and deporting immigrants who are illegally in the United States. In spring 2018, the "abolish ICE" movement drew attention after Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York won her House primary and said it was "time to abolish" the agency. A small number of Democratic lawmakers or candidates supported the "abolish ICE" movement as a protest against Trump policies. Congress never abolished Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Trump and Harris campaigns responded to our query about Trumps rally claim with multiple citations of Harris statements; we found many more through our own research. There is no record of Harris saying she would "abolish ICE," a specific phrase that others like Ocasio-Cortez have used. And in 2019, when asked point-blank if she supports abolishing the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, Harris said no. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told PolitiFact that Harris "ran on a platform dedicated to defunding the police and abolishing ICE, and there is no question that she will implement these horrible policies if she has the chance." Harris criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2018, but also said it had a role Harris 2019 presidential primary immigration platform did not call for abolishing ICE. She called for overhauling immigration enforcement policies and focusing enforcement on increasing public safety. Harris, as a California senator, criticized the Trump administrations immigration policies, including a deterrence policy that led to the separation of children and parents who arrived at the border illegally. In a March 2018 MSNBC interview, Harris said ICE should exist to deport people who commit serious and violent crimes, including rape, murder and child molestation. "So, yes, ICE has a purpose. ICE has a role, ICE should exist," Harris said. "But lets not abuse the power. Lets not extend it to areas that were not that are not posing a threat to the safety and the public safety of these communities, especially when we know that these federal agencies have limited resources to do their core job." The Trump campaign pointed to a June 2018 MSNBC interview in which host Kasie Hunt asked Harris whether she agreed with the calls to abolish ICE. Harris: "Listen, I think there is no question that weve got to critically reexamine ICE and its role and the way it is being administered and the work it is doing. And we need to probably even think about starting from scratch because theres a lot that is wrong with the way that it is conducting itself and we need to deal with that." Hunt: "What do you think should be the alternative to ICE?" Harris: "Well, first of all, I don't think that the government should be in the position of separating families and that is clearly what is part of what's happening at ICE and DHS. You look at whats happening again in terms of how they are conducting their perspective on asylum-seekers. That is a real problem and is contrary to all the spirit and the reason we even have the asylum rules and laws in the first place. So, their mission I think is very much in question and has to be reexamined." On ABCs "The View" in 2019, Harris was asked whether she would abolish the Homeland Security Department. "No, I would not," Harris said. She called the department "dysfunctional" and said the government needs to "fix it, but I do not believe in getting rid of it." Harris other comments do not prove she wanted to abolish the agency The Trump campaign also pointed to other Harris statements that were critical of Trumps immigration enforcement policies, but none of the comments go as far as Trump claimed in his remarks. In 2019, Harris called raids on workplaces the Trump administrations "campaign of terror" that she said would make immigrants afraid to go to work. Harris co-sponsored legislation to block ICE arrests at schools, hospitals, and religious institutions without prior approval and exigent circumstances. The Washington Post in 2020 reported that Harris was among the politicians who wanted to restructure the agency, but not abolish it. NPR reached similar conclusions in 2018. The Trump campaign also pointed to a 2008 New York Times article written when Harris was San Francisco district attorney. But this article does not address Harris stance on ICEs existence; it said San Francisco was assuring immigrants who were in the country illegally that the city would not report them to federal immigration authorities. In the article, Harris said criminals tend to tell their victims who are in the country illegally that they will be treated as criminals because of their immigration status. Harris 2019 presidential primary immigration platform did not call for abolishing ICE. She called for overhauling immigration enforcement policies and focusing enforcement on increasing public safety. The Biden-Harris tickets 2020 campaign platform also did not call for abolishing the agency. In February 2024, Harris backed bipartisan legislation that included border enforcement. The bill sought to limit the number of asylum-seekers and included funding for ICE to increase detention capacity and removal flights and hire more personnel. That proposal died amid Republican opposition. PolitiFact's ruling Trump said Harris "supported abolishing ICE." Its clear that Harris opposed, and opposes, many of Trumps immigration positions. And she called for an end to the hard-line tactics that had been used by the administration. But she never said she would abolish ICE. In fact, she said the opposite. We rate Trumps statement False. Our sources This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: PolitiFact: No, Kamala Harris did not support abolishing ICE' By Jana Choukeir, Michael Georgy DUBAI (Reuters) -Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran early on Wednesday, the Palestinian militant group said, drawing fears of wider escalation in a region shaken by Israel's war in Gaza and a worsening conflict in Lebanon. Israel has sought to show it can get anyone, anywhere. It has assassinated or attempted to kill leaders of Hamas and key operatives since the group was founded in 1987 during the first Palestinian uprising against the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Two years later, Hamas carried out its first attacks on Israeli military targets, including the kidnap and killing of two Israeli soldiers. Here is a list of Palestinian leaders and operatives who were targeted by the most powerful and sophisticated military in the Middle East. YAHYA AYYASH Elusive Islamic militant mastermind behind a wave of Palestinian suicide bombings nicknamed "The Engineer", was killed in then PLO-ruled Gaza. He died on January 5, 1996, when his cellular phone exploded in his hands. Palestinians blamed Israel, which declined to take responsibility. Hamas retaliated in four suicide attacks that killed 59 people in three Israeli cities over nine days in February and March. KHALED MESHAAL Former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal became known around the world in 1997 after Israeli agents injected him with poison in a botched assassination attempt on a street outside his office in the Jordanian capital Amman. The hit, ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, so enraged Jordan's then-King Hussein that he spoke of hanging the would-be killers and scrapping Jordan's peace treaty with Israel unless the antidote was handed over. Israel did so, and also agreed to free Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, only to assassinate him seven years later in Gaza. AHMED YASSIN Israel killed the quadriplegic co-founder and spiritual leader of Hamas, Sheikh Ahmed, in a helicopter missile strike on March 22, 2004 as he left a mosque in Gaza City. Israel attempted to kill him in 2003 while he was at the house of a Hamas member in Gaza. Thousands of Palestinians marched in Gaza shouting calls of revenge and threatened to "send death to every home" in Israel. His death led to widespread protests and condemnation from the Palestinian territories and the broader Muslim world marked a significant escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, underlining the deep-seated tensions and the challenges of achieving peace in the region. ABDEL-AZIZ AL-RANTISI An Israeli helicopter missile strike on a car in Gaza City killed Hamas leader Abdel-Aziz al-Rantissi on April 17, 2004. Two bodyguards were also killed. The Hamas leadership went into hiding and the identity of Rantissis successor was kept secret. His assassination came shortly after he had taken over as Hamas leader in Gaza following the killing of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. ADNAN AL-GHOUL Hamas master bomber was killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City on Oct. 21, 2004. Ghoul was number 2 in the military wing of Hamas and known as the "Father of the Qassam" rocket, a makeshift missile frequently fired into Israeli towns. NIZAR RAYYAN A cleric widely regarded as one of Hamas's most hardline political leaders, had called for renewed suicide bombings inside Israel. Two of his four wives and seven of his children were also killed in the bombing in Jabalya refugee camp on January 1, 2009. Days later, an Israeli airstrike killed Hamas's interior minister, Saeed Seyyam, in the Gaza Strip on January 15. Seyyam was in charge of 13,000 Hamas police and security men. SALEH AL-AROURI An Israli drone strike on Beirut's southern suburbs of Dahiyeh killed Deputy Hamas chief Saleh al-Arouri on January 2, 2024. Arouri was also the founder of Hamas military wing, the Qassam Brigades. ISMAIL HANIYEH Haniyeh was assassinated in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Iran, the Palestinian militant group said. Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of Haniyeh, hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for the country's new president, and said it was investigating. Iranian media reported that he was staying at "a special residence for war veterans in north Tehran" Iran's NourNews said Haniyeh's residence was hit by an airborne projectile. (Reporting by Michael Georgy; Editing by Angus MacSwan) Factbox-What we know so far about the assassination of Hamas leader DUBAI (Reuters) - Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated early on Wednesday morning in Iran, the Palestinian militant group and Tehran said. This is what we know about the killing of Haniyeh, which was widely assumed to have been carried out by Israel though its government made no claim of responsibility and said it would make no comment on the incident. DETAILS OF ASSASSINATION Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of Haniyeh, who was the face of Hamas' international diplomacy as the war triggered by the Islamist group's attack on Israel on Oct. 7 last year has raged in Gaza. Haniyeh was killed around 2 a.m. (2200 GMT) on Wednesday, Iranian media reported. He was staying at "a special residence" for war veterans in north of Tehran, the Iranian capital. NourNews, an outlet affiliated with Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Haniyeh's residence was hit by an airborne projectile. The assassination was "a dangerous gamble to undermine Tehran's deterrence", it said. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES Hamas said it would continue the path it was following in the Gaza war, saying: "We are confident of victory." Israel is not seeking to escalate war, but is prepared to handle all scenarios, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said. Gallant's comments during a visit to a missile defence battery were reported by Israeli media outlets. Media reports said he was referring specifically to the conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group that has ramped up since the outbreak of the Gaza war. The prime minister of Qatar, which along with the United States and Egypt has acted as a mediator in Gaza ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, suggested that Haniyeh's killing could jeopardise efforts to secure a truce. "Political assassinations and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue lead us to ask: How can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on other side?" Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani wrote on X. Egypt's foreign ministry said Haniyeh's killing and the lack of progress in ceasefire talks complicated the situation. The news - which came less than 24 hours after Israel claimed to have killed Hezbollah's top military commander whom it said was behind a deadly rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday - appears to set back any chances of an imminent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza war. At the same time, the risk of a war between Israel and Hezbollah has grown since the attack in the Golan that killed 12 children in a Druze village, and the air strike meant to kill senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. Hezbollah said Shukr had been in a building in the southern suburbs of Beirut when it was targeted by Israel, but the group did not confirm his fate. Still, a Hezbollah member of parliament said the heavily armed group would now be ready to fight a war with Israel. The killing of its close ally Haniyeh on Iranian soil will put pressure on Tehran to react against Israel, which has been hunting Hamas leaders since militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostage, according to Israeli tallies. In response, Israel launched a relentless ground and air offensive in densely populated coastal Gaza that has killed more than 39,400 people, according to Gaza health officials, and left more than 2 million facing a humanitarian crisis. Haniyeh's assassination could also encourage Iran's proxies in the Middle East who support Hamas - Hezbollah, Yemen's Houthis and armed groups in Iraq - to seek revenge. Iran will "defend its territorial integrity, dignity, honour, and pride, and will make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly act" of killing Haniyeh in Tehran, President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday. (Writing by Michael Georgy; editing by Angus MacSwan and Mark Heinrich) An easyJet copilot fainted mid-flight from London to Lisbon; paramedics met the plane on landing. Former pilots from the US told BI that medical emergencies are routine and procedures are in place. Flight attendants are trained in CPR, and airlines are largely required to have defibrillators. The last thing airline passengers want or expect is for a pilot to have a medical emergency during a flight. But that's exactly what happened on Saturday when the copilot of an easyJet flight from London to Lisbon fainted while in the air. The plane landed at its intended destination. An airline spokesperson told Business Insider that it was "met by the paramedics upon landing due to a pilot feeling unwell." "The captain landed the flight routinely in line with procedures and passengers disembarked normally," they added. "At no point was the safety of the flight compromised." But the incident raises an important question: What happens if a pilot becomes unwell and can no longer fly? Retired US pilots Kent Davis and Mark Stephens said it's not something they ever stressed over. Medical emergencies are planned for Kent Davis spent over 30 years as a pilot for commercial airlines and private clients. He now operates his own aviation consulting company in the US, Trans Global Aviation Solutions. Speaking to BI via email, Davis said it is "not a big deal" when pilots become unwell as they are trained to prepare for this. Major airlines have procedures in place for medical emergencies. China News Service/Getty Images "It really is something that is made more of by the press than it really is. I had this happen years ago and I landed quickly as the first officer was very ill," he said. Davis said he was flying from Montreal to Toronto when the first officer began passing a kidney stone. He said he made an emergency landing in Ottawa, while the flight attendants on board cared for the pilot. "I declared an emergency primarily to get expedited arrival into Ottawa because my first officer was in so much pain, I thought he was dying," Davis said. "An ambulance met us on arrival." Retired Delta pilot Mark Stephens worked in the industry for 30 years and was an Airbus A350 captain until 2021. Stephens told BI that domestic flights usually have at least two pilots, while international flights can have two pilots and two captains. "Pilots know what they are doing, and they do it repeatedly," he said. The first thing the remaining pilot or pilots would do is find another crew member to handle the radio work while they focus on landing or diverting the plane. In the US, for example, pilots must sign a release confirming they are fit for duty before each flight. Stephens said pilots shouldn't sign this even if they have a non-life-threatening illness. He recalled one instance several years ago where he refrained from flying for around a month because he had the flu. Life-threatening illnesses However, Stephens said the situation would be handled slightly differently if a crew member encountered a life-threatening emergency in midair. "It is a dire situation if the captain has a heart attack, or is not breathing. But there are procedures in place," he said. Flight attendants in the US are trained in CPR and have defibrillators, Stephens said. He added that Delta flights also have a direct line to a medical doctor. There have been several reported cases of pilots dying mid-flight or shortly after landing. In August, a LATAM Airlines pilot on a three-person crew had a medical emergency during a flight from Miami, Florida, to Santiago, Chile. He received medical attention after the plane made an emergency landing in Panama, but was later declared dead. In February, a flying instructor who accompanied a pilot in a Piper PA-2 because of windy conditions reportedly died from acute cardiac failure, per NBC News. Read the original article on Business Insider Family of Christina Yuna Lee, NYC creative producer slaughtered in her Chinatown apartment ask for homeless shelter in her honor Images of Christina Yuna Lee, Assamad Nash in court for sentencing, and Sungkon Lee speaking to crowd Relatives of Christina Yuna Lee and members of the New York City Asian community urged lawmakers Tuesday to name a homeless shelter in memory of the late creative producer who was slaughtered by a vagrant in her Chinatown apartment. Her grieving father, Sungkon Lee, said he wanted the Christina Yuna Lee Memorial Shelter in honor of his 35-year-old daughter, who was stabbed to death by convicted killer Assamad Nash in 2022. We want Christinas memory to be remembered and to prevent others having a similar fate, Sungkon said in a press conference after Nash, 27, was sentenced to 30-years-to-life in prison in Manhattan Supreme Court. Father of Christina Yuna Lee, Sungkon Lee, said a homeless shelter named after his daughter would prevent others from the same fate. Steven Hirsch It will contribute to preventing recurrence of similar incidents in the future and it will be a way to honor and remember Christina, he said. Nash, who was homeless at the time of the killing, followed Christina into her Chrystie Street apartment and stabbed her over 40 times in the early morning of Feb. 13, 2022. Christina Yuna Lee was brutally murdered by Assamad Nash in her Chinatown apartment. Linkedin Speaking to The Post after the press conference outside court, the victims devastated dad added: When homeless people see my daughters name, they will think about the incident. Charles Yoon, the attorney for the Lee family, said that having a shelter named after Christina, who was of Korean-American descent, will make people never forget about her death. Her death sparked community leaders to demand action from the city when attacks against Asian American Pacific Islander New Yorkers skyrocketed in 2022 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Assamad Nash was sentenced to 30 years to life for the slaughter of Christina Yuna Lee in Manhattan Supreme Criminal Court on Tuesday. Steven Hirsch Boksun Lee, Christinas aunt, who made a statement to the court in February 2022. Steven Hirsch As much publicity as there is now, a few years down the line they may not remember, Yoon said. By having her name on the shelter, it will reinforce to people what happened and that it was perpetrated by someone who was homeless, he said. We want to honor her and memorialize her so that it doesnt happen again. Gene Kang, a member of the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York, said that he hoped the city would honor the familys request with a homeless shelter in the Chinatown area. Asian Americans in the city continue to fear for their safety, and these attacks must stop, Kang said, adding that he hopes prosecutors and law enforcement will remain vigilant in attacks against Asian Americans. The family of Christina Yuna Lee also has a pending lawsuit against the NYPD for alleged misconduct on the morning of the incident. Steven Hirsch Sungkon Lee also slammed the NYPD, accusing cops of failing to help his daughter even as she was heard screaming for help from inside her apartment allegations hes made in a still-pending lawsuit against the department. The decisive cause of Christinas death occurred at the scene of the incident. We believe that there was an inadequate response by the police who arrived. The first mission of NYC and its police is to protect the safety of its citizens, he said. My family is currently pursuing a lawsuit against New York City. But what my family really wants is not compensation, the dad continued. Instead, we want Christinas memory to be remembered and to prevent others from having a similar fate. The family of the 14-year-old who died when a wall collapsed on him at Robins Air Force Base wants to know if there are structural problems at other military bases, and theyre considering a lawsuit. Gabriel Stone, his brother, and two other teenage boys visited the Heritage Pool at the Air Force base in Warner Robins on the afternoon of July 22. They were inside the mens locker room when a wall suddenly collapsed on the teenagers, according to the Houston County Coroners Office. Stone was taken to Houston Healthcare, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. His family members watched in tears as their attorneys led a Tuesday press conference in Macon, raising concerns about safety. Rod Edmond, one of the attorneys investigating the incident on behalf of the Stone family, said he was instructed by the family to not be in fingerpointing mode. Still, he and attorney Shofaetiyah Watson say they want the obvious questions answered regarding the wall collapse, saying that the Stone family is owed answers. When (the facility) was constructed, was it constructed appropriately? asked Edmond. Was it properly inspected? What notice was there that the structure of that wall that cinderblock wall that crushed this young man was unstable? Edmond, whos a military veteran, said the structures in all military bases in the United States are constructed by the same company, which prompted him to wonder if all structures have similar hazards. If they do, Edmond said it is an opportunity to go in, investigate and fix that, so that no other family ever has to undergo and experience the grief and anguish that this family is feeling right now. Im letting you know that theres a real possibility that there are other facilities that have walls that are unstable, that weigh thousands of pounds and could kill people, said Edmond. The attorney credited the personnel of the Robins Air Force Base, saying that their communication with them suggested they were going to be transparent in answering their questions. The personnel also assured the attorneys that the accident site would be preserved for them to conduct an independent investigation of the incident. Lastly, Edmond mentioned that they wanted to file a Federal Tort Claims Act on Tuesday, but are waiting on Stones autopsy report to be delivered to file the case with the federal courts. Depending on their investigation, they intend to sue the appropriate entities they believe are responsible for the wall collapse and Stones death. Gabriel Stone was resilient Stone was the youngest of five children and was looking forward to attending Northside High School in Warner Robins and playing sports, Watson said. The Stone family said the teenager was resilient, according to Watson. I spent every summer trying to get him to be the best man he could be, said Camalle Stone, Gabriels father. One of the things that I love about him was that he had an honest heart. He really truly loved everybody. Stones mother, Timberly Stone, said he was capable, vibrant and always wanted to see everybody with a smile on their face. Words really cant express like how I feel with his death, said Stones mother. I just dont want it to happen to anybody else. Family raises money for victims The family of two of the teens who were injured after the wall collapsed created a GoFundMe to help out with medical bills. Half of those donations will be given to the Stone family, according to the fundraiser. My nephews are going to have lifelong problems being a part of this incident, said Tasha Renee Filipponi, organizer of the fundraiser and aunt of Gabriel and Xavier. Although Xavier only suffered minor injuries as a result of the wall collapse, Gabriel suffered a collapsed lung, five broken ribs, crushed muscles and bruised organs, according to Filipponis GoFundMe page. The fundraiser had 13 donations totaling $720 as of Tuesday afternoon. The fundraisers goal is $6,000. Family fears Ga. Lyft driver is dead after agreeing to drive passenger 400 miles to Jacksonville WSBTV in Atlanta has reported that the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office is searching for a Lyft driver who vanished after he was hired to drive someone to Jacksonville. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Now, his family fears he may be dead. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] According to WSBTV, deputies said Leonard John Beiner, 57, was in the Ball Ground area of Cherokee County on July 18. He worked part-time as a Lyft driver and was scheduled to drive a customer back to Jacksonville. His family has not been able to reach him since. Channel 2s Bryan Mims said he learned that Beiner checked himself into Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta on July 22 and walked out the next day. Thats the last time he was seen. Its possible that his Hyundai Santa Fe may have been towed from the hospital but that hasnt been confirmed. The first few days, I tried calling him, Beiners stepson, Jhaydon Ragsdale, who last say his step-father on July 18, said. WSBTV said Capt. Jay Baker with the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office declined to speak on camera and said its took early in the investigation. The family just filed the missing report on Monday. Ragsdale mentioned that Beiner has been recovering from drug addiction and sometimes isolated himself. Its not normal for him to avoid contact with people while hes relapsing, Ragsdale said. What became a concern is the week after when his phone went to the operator line and he now longer on social media. Beiner is described as 57 and 225 pounds with blue eyes and gray hair. He walks with a cane. His Hyundai Santa Fe is blue with a Florida license plate. Anyone who has seen him is asked to contact the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office. Ball Ground in Georgia is about a 6 1/2-hour drive to Jacksonville. This story was originally reported by WSBTV. [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. Riot police stand guard after disturbances near the Southport Islamic Society Mosque in Southport, England. - Credit: ROLAND LLOYD PARRY/AFP via Getty Images Far-right protesters took to the streets of Southport, England last night in the wake of a deadly knife attack that occurred on Monday at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop for kids. Following a vigil held for the young victims Bebe King, 6; Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7; and Alice Aguiar, 9 masked protestors threw glass bottles and bricks at police officers and attacked the Southport Islamic Society Mosque. Local emergency services treated 39 police officers for injuries sustained during the protest, according to the North West Ambulance Service, and three police dogs were also injured. More from Rolling Stone Rioters just set an industrial wheelie bin alight and rammed it at police riot shields. Officers charged back but then retreated. pic.twitter.com/ParTbxrTES Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) July 30, 2024 Rioters ripping up pacing slabs and breaking up bricks to throw at police. Fires lit behind them. Loads wearing masks. pic.twitter.com/zoAcrY4a2L Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) July 30, 2024 The people of Southport are reeling after the horror inflicted on them yesterday, British prime minister Keir Starmer wrote in a statement on X. They deserve our support and our respect. Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves. They will feel the full force of the law. Local MP Patrick Hurley told the BBC the rioters were thugs whod got the train in, not residents of the Southport community. He added they were utterly disrespecting the families of the dead and injured children, and utterly disrespecting the town. Following the knife attack on Monday, which took place at Hart Space, a community hub used for yoga classes and antenatal workshops, police arrested a 17-year-old male on suspicion of murder. Authorities have not released the suspects name yet due to his age, although the BBC said it had learned that the suspect was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and moved to Southport which is north of Liverpool in 2013. Rampant speculation about the identity of the attacker has taken over social media, with many sharing misinformation about his religion and name. The main source of a false name of the attacker appears to be a website called Channel 3 Now, although many social media users have shared it. The far-right protestors have latched onto the idea that the attacker is Muslim as a way to criticize immigration, a hot button issue in the U.K. On Tuesday, British home secretary Yvette Cooper urged the public to avoid unhelpful speculation about the attack. Above all, this is about young children, she said. This is about children and their families who will be grieving, and the many other children who were involved yesterday who will be facing great trauma as well. So far three children have died and eight other children suffered stab wounds during the attack, with five of them still in critical condition. Two adults also remain in critical condition. Following the attack, Swift expressed her deep sorrow and dismay on Instagram. The horror of yesterdays attack in Southport is washing over me continuously and Im just completely in shock, Swift wrote. The loss of life and innocence and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders. These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families. Swifts fans have set up a crowdfunding effort in connection with Alder Hey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool. Per a description, the JustGiving page will raise money for the families affected by the attack, as well as funeral funds. Best of Rolling Stone ROME, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Some 114 million euros (123.4 million U.S. dollars) were stolen through internet frauds in the first six months of this year in Italy, the country's postal and communication police in charge of cybercrime announced Wednesday. The figure marked a 71 percent increase compared to the total registered in the country in the same period of 2023. Overall, investigators uncovered around 14,000 incidents of cyber fraud and other online financial crimes from January to June, representing a 10 percent increase, the police force said. In their annual report issued in December last year, postal police said some 65 businesses of all sizes were among those affected by cyber frauds in 2023. Sums stolen from such companies last year amounted to over 19 million euros, of which 6 million euros were retrieved by law enforcement agencies. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S. dollar) Insights from The Guardian, Byline Times, Bloomberg, and The Independent Jul 31, 2024, 1:27pm EDT UK The News A group believed to be linked to the far-right English Defense League targeted a mosque in Merseyside, England on Tuesday following a vigil for three children who were killed in a knife attack earlier this week. Police arrested a teenager suspected of carrying out the attack that left seven others injured. 53 police were injured in the rioting. The group coopted the incident for political purposes, the towns local member of parliament said. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. An early test for Keir Starmers new government Sources: Bloomberg, The Independent, The Guardian The knife attack and subsequent rioting posed an early test for Keir Starmers new Labour government and its handling of both the far-right and violent crime, Bloomberg wrote. The prime ministers renewed pledge to tackle knife crime following the attack came as figures showed such incidents across England and Wales had risen by 78% over the past decade, The Independent reported. Politicians often say the solution is more police on the streets and longer sentences for offenders, but Britains prisons are already on the verge of collapse, even with Labours plans to release thousands of inmates early. Online disinformation fueled tensions Source: The Associated Press The Tuesday night violence was likely fueled by online conspiracies about the suspects identity and whether he was an asylum seeker. On social media, Channel 3 Now was one of the first to falsely identify the suspect, and while it later apologized, the damage was already done: Right-wing influencers looking to generate traffic amplified the claims, which spread rapidly among followers committed to far-right politics, the director of think tank British Future told The Associated Press. Theres a parallel universe where what was claimed by these rumors were the actual facts of the case, he said. And that will be a difficult thing to manage. US influence on British nationalism Sources: BBC, Daily Mirror, Byline Times, The Guardian Nigel Farage is a long-time Donald Trump acolyte, and his Reform UK party campaigned the recent election on a distinctly Trumpist platform with its promise to make Britain great again. Trumps former campaign manager, Steve Bannon who once predicted a nationalist uprising would install Farage as Britains prime minister has also significantly influenced nationalist politics in the UK, the executive editor of UK alternative outlet Byline Times argued: Bannons embrace of great replacement and deep state conspiracies echo some British conservative politicians warnings about Islamists and asylum seekers taking over the country claims that have moved from the fringe to the mainstream of right-wing politics, one antiracism advocate told The Guardian. Vice President Kamala Harris is embracing President Joe Bidens call to revamp the Supreme Court. Like her boss, its the first time she has ever endorsed structural changes to the court. But there are small signs that, if elected president, Harris would prioritize the issue more forcefully than Biden ever has. Unlike Biden, who flatly rejected term limits for the justices when he was a presidential candidate in 2019, Harris said at the time that she was open to the idea. She even professed openness to a more radical proposal: expanding the size of the court. And now, as she settles into a 100-day sprint against Donald Trump, one of the top campaign aides at her side is Brian Fallon, a leading voice on the left for court expansion and other overhauls. Do I think Vice President Harris will embrace court expansion as a policy priority? Im not so sure about that, said Alex Aronson, the executive director of Court Accountability, a liberal advocacy group. But Aronson added that the presence of Fallon and other Senate Judiciary Committee veterans on Harris staff suggests that she is poised to tackle the hard politics of reining in a court that is both ideologically conservative and mired in ethics controversies. Harris wasnt particularly vocal on the subject during her four years in the Senate. Nor has it been an explicit part of her portfolio as vice president. Still, critics of the court are cautiously optimistic that Harris, as president, would at least be a stronger ally than Biden, who slow-walked the issue for three and a half years. This week, he reversed his prior position and endorsed term limits and other changes but the proposal from a lame-duck president is virtually certain to go nowhere in a divided Congress this year. So, for advocates who want to reshape the court, the more important question is whether Harris, if elected, would spend immediate political capital on the issue. And to some extent, their hopefulness like so much else in this election comes down to her age. I think the younger generations are more skeptical of SCOTUS power and believe that there are more things that can be done to ensure that more of the power in this country is held by the people, and not by nine folks in robes, said Gabe Roth, the executive of Fix the Court, a nonpartisan group that supports term limits and stricter ethics rules for justices. Lighting and passing a torch Throughout his presidency, Biden has faced calls from liberal members of his party to aggressively confront the Supreme Court as it has shifted the law to the right on issues like abortion, guns, religion and the environment. He appointed a commission to study potential changes to the court, but did little else on the issue until Monday, when he unveiled a three-pronged plan. In a Washington Post op-ed and a speech in Austin, Texas, the president called for an 18-year cap on justices active service, a binding code of conduct for the justices, and a constitutional amendment to overturn the courts recent decision in Trump v. United States granting presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts. Harris did not join Biden at his speech at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library, but she issued a written statement supporting the administrations new position. There is a clear crisis of confidence facing the Supreme Court as its fairness has been called into question after numerous ethics scandals and decision after decision overturning long-standing precedent, Harris said. These popular reforms will help to restore confidence in the Court, strengthen our democracy, and ensure no one is above the law. All three proposals, however, face formidable obstacles before they could be enacted. The constitutional amendment would need the approval of two thirds of both chambers of Congress and three quarters of the states a prospect that seems inconceivable in a polarized nation. The other two changes would, at a minimum, require legislation which would likely face a filibuster in the Senate under current rules. And even clearing that hurdle might not be enough. The term limits proposal arguably conflicts with the Constitutions guarantee that justices serve during good behavior. As for the code of conduct, some experts including Justice Samuel Alito have suggested that Congress has limited authority to supervise the conduct of the justices. Speaker Mike Johnson branded Bidens proposals as dead on arrival. But advocates of structural changes to the Supreme Court hope Bidens announcement will lay the groundwork for a more sustained effort by the next Democratic president. Hes lit a torch here, and hes handing it off to Vice President Harris to really run with it, said Jake Faleschini, the program director of justice at Alliance for Justice, a liberal judicial advocacy organization. A limited record on Supreme Court issues Even as they expressed optimism that Harris would take up the issue, supporters of an overhaul could point to few specific efforts she has made in the past. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), the Senates harshest critic of the Supreme Court, said he has long seen Harris as receptive to his reform efforts. But he viewed her latitude as limited given Bidens previous stance opposing significant changes. Her staff and mine have been in touch through the administration off and on, I would say because I saw her as an ally who could be willing to take a more aggressive position on the judiciary issues we were dealing with, Whitehouse told reporters Monday. During the four years Harris served in the Senate before she became vice president, theres no indication of her taking a special interest in legislation related to the Supreme Court, although as a member of the Judiciary Committee she aggressively questioned Trumps three high-court nominees. In 2019, while running for the Democratic presidential nomination that Biden eventually won, Harris said she was willing to entertain a major overhaul to the court. We are on the verge of a crisis of confidence in the Supreme Court, Harris told POLITICO at the time, adding that everything is on the table, including expanding the number of justices via legislation. Harris also co-sponsored bills introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) in 2017 and 2019 aimed at forcing the Supreme Court to adopt a code of conduct for ethics. To safeguard public confidence in the integrity of our system, Supreme Court justices must be held to the highest standards of conduct, Harris said in a press release announcing her support for the 2019 measure. Neither bill got a hearing. The court finally adopted a code of conduct last fall, giving in to considerable pressure from Congress and appearing eager to stanch a series of unflattering media reports. But the code has no enforcement mechanism the justices determine for themselves how to comply with it. Court activist becomes campaign aide The movement to revamp the Supreme Court intensified after the 2020 election, when Harris was elected as vice president and left the Senate. Among the most outspoken groups in that movement is a nonprofit advocacy group called Demand Justice. In contrast with groups that have focused on relatively moderate changes like term limits and ethics enforcement, Demand Justice urged Democrats to expand the size of the Supreme Court so that Biden could appoint new liberal justices and rebalance the conservative shift created by Trumps three appointees. It also took other aggressive positions, such as a campaign to pressure former Justice Stephen Breyer to retire so that Biden could appoint his replacement. Demand Justice was co-founded by Fallon, a former press secretary for Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign. After five years at the organization, he stepped down last year to join the Biden campaign as Harris communications director, and he remains a key aide now that Harris is expected to be at the top of the ticket in November. The thing we tried to instill at Demand Justice is that the courts are just not on the level anymore and are making decisions based on politics, not on law, said Christopher Kang, a former Obama White House counsels office lawyer who served as the groups chief counsel alongside Fallon. I dont imagine Vice President Harris hired Brian because of his work just on the courts, but the debate has come light years much faster than I could have imagined. Kang also cited Harris more forward-leaning stance on the issue during the 2020 campaign and said hes hopeful that, as the campaign unfolds, she will go even further than Biden did. This is now the floor for what Democrats think we need with the Supreme Court, he said. For more than a month, Channel 2 Action News has been reporting on a business owner accused of stealing millions of dollars from families who entrusted her with money to grow their families. Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Justin Gray has been following the case every step of the way. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The money was intended to pay for surrogates. In fact, the entire point of the business, called SEAM, was to keep money families were setting aside to pay surrogates safe and secure. ABC News will have more on the investigation, tonight on Nightline on Channel 2 Now, millions of dollars are missing. TRENDING STORIES: ABC News reported Wednesday morning on Good Morning America that the FBI is now investigating as well. Jenna and Roy Copeland, who live in Smyrna, always dreamed of having a baby. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Channel 2 Investigates first talked to the Copelands more than a month ago as they were preparing for a gender reveal party. More than $40,000 in the Escrow account to pay the surrogate carrying their child is now unavailable and unaccounted for. In another story earlier this month, Gray told you about a lawsuit alleging the owner of the Escrow company, Dominique Side, stole money from hundreds of families who, like the Coplands, entrusted money with SEAM to pay their surrogates. We were flabbergasted. Just the extent of recklessness, Roy Copeland said. According to the lawsuit, Side allegedly transferred Escrow funds to several side ventures, including a vegan clothesline, real estate investments, luxury vehicles, expensive trips and a recording studio. She allegedly used the more than $2.2 million for her clients to bankroll her own music career as a rap and R&B artist under the name Dom. ABC News spoke to the attorney in the case, Marianne Robak, on Wednesday morning. To date, our investigation has been able to point to about $10.9 million that have been removed from the escrow accounts, Roback said. When Gray tried to call and email Dominique Side, a message plays that she is now under investigation by federal authorities and told by her attorney not to respond to any questions. Scholar and Native Village of Eklutna President Aaron Leggett speaks at the Aug. 18 ceremony dedicating a Dena'ina place name sign at the site known to modern Anchorage residents at Point Woronzof. The Dena'ina name, Nuchishtunt, means "the place protected from the wind." The sign is along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, a popular place for bicyclists, runners and walkers. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) Scholar and Native Village of Eklutna President Aaron Leggett speaks at a 2023 ceremony. Eklutna's plans for a tribal gaming hall received a major boost this month. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) The National Indian Gaming Commission has approved plans for a casino-style tribal gaming hall proposed by the Native Village of Eklutna for a site near Anchorage. The decision, published this month by the commission, follows an Interior Department decision in February that reinterpreted the legal status of Alaska Native trust land, reversing decades of precedent. The gaming hall, which is expected to hold rows of electronic gambling machines, is similar to the Southeast Winds Casino in Metlakatla but would be a first in the Railbelt. The facility wouldnt host table games like blackjack or poker, because those arent allowed by state law, but it could host electronic versions of pull-tab and bingo machines. Theres still a few hurdles to clear, but we feel the major hurdles have been cleared, said Eklutna Tribal Council President and Chair Aaron Leggett. Speaking by phone, Leggett said that when built, the gaming hall will be a huge benefit for the Tribe because of the money it will earn. The Tribe has about 300 members, he said. Right now, were in dire need of housing. Were trying to raise finance to construct a gathering center/office space for the Tribe. We have our small clinic, but we dont have much in the way of any infrastructure so we feel that this will spur development in the village, itll spur development in the area, and itll spur development for Anchorage too, he said. The commissions approval isnt the final word on the gaming hall, which still has to undergo environmental review and construction. Theres also the possibility of further legal action. Eklutna proposed its gaming hall more than 25 years ago, and its latest proposal involves building the hall on an 8-acre family allotment held in trust by the federal government. In 2018, the federal government rejected that idea, saying the Tribe didnt hold jurisdiction over the allotment. Eklutna sued, and the state of Alaska joined the federal government in opposition. In 2021, a district court judge in Washington, D.C., ruled against Eklutna. But this year, Interior Department Solicitor Robert Anderson released a new legal interpretation of existing law, saying the department now believes that family allotments may come under tribal jurisdiction if certain conditions are met. Eklutna resubmitted its proposal to the National Indian Gaming Commission, which approved the Tribes plans, citing the solicitors opinion. The state of Alaska, in legal filings related to a different lawsuit, has already expressed concerns with the solicitors opinion and could challenge the new approval as well. Leggett said he thinks the Tribes plans also could run into opposition from the states existing charitable gaming industry, which includes pull-tab parlors across the state. For that reason, he said, he says hes only about 80% to 85% certain that the gaming hall is fully ready to go forward without further obstacles. The way I like to put it, weve put the champagne on ice, but we havent popped the cork, he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A Pennsylvania federal court has awarded $35.8 million in overtime back wages and liquidated damages to current and former workers employed by the operators of 15 residential skilled nursing, rehabilitation and assisted living facilities in western Pennsylvania that willfully denied them overtime pay. The Department of Labor said its one of the nations largest wage recovery judgments and the money will go to 6,000 people. The 13-day bench trial, which wrapped on July 22, is the latest effort to recoup wages and damages from 15 nursing facilities, their owner and CEO Samuel Sam Halper and CHMS Group, the payroll office that the defendants used to oversee and implement their illegal compensation practices, the Department of Labor said. Operated in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Beaver, Lawrence, Mercer and Butler counties, the facilities included Cheswick Rehabilitation and Wellness in Indiana Township, The Grove at Irwin, The Grove at Latrobe, The Grove at Harmony, Monroeville Rehabilitation & Wellness, Mt. Lebanon Rehabilitation & Wellness and Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness in Beaver County. Specifically, department investigators discovered that the employers violated the Fair Labor Standards Act for years, across their enterprise, by doing the following: Willfully failing to pay employees for all hours worked, including work done during meal breaks. Failing to incorporate all promised compensation, including non-discretionary bonuses and shift differentials, when calculating overtime pay. Avoiding paying overtime by incorrectly treating employees as exempt from the acts overtime requirements. Not keeping accurate records of hours employees worked and compensation due for those hours. Far too often, our investigations find that workers who provide essential care services to those who need them most are not receiving their hard-earned wages from employers, said Wage and Hour Division Administrator Jessica Looman. The Wage and Hour Division is committed to protecting workers rights to be paid fully and fairly and holding employers who violate these rights accountable. After the employers refused to resolve their violations administratively, the department filed suit in 2018 in federal court. The trial featured 50 testifying witnesses and more than 600 exhibits. In addition to being jointly and severally liable for the back wages and damages, Halper, CHMS Group and the 15 facilities are all permanently forbidden from further FLSA violations. The U.S. District Courts decisive and historic ruling that Sam Halper and his nursing facilities willfully violated labor laws affirmed the Department of Labors position that the employers committed wage theft intentionally, said Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda. The outcome of the departments investigation and litigation also shows our unwavering commitment to enforcing the employee protections in the Fair Labor Standards Act and ensuring employers fulfill their obligation to comply with the law. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Shoppers in at least 5 local communities targeted by card skimmers, police say Wanted fugitive in custody after SWAT situation in Carnegie Beaver County officials speak out to clear up confusion on role during Trumps Butler rally VIDEO: Police investigating smash and grab burglary at Wexford eyeglass store DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts A panel of federal circuit court judges Monday said Olentangy Local Schools can enforce policies against bullying of transgender students by prohibiting students from intentionally misgendering others. The judges on the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals based in Cincinnati, said Monday in a 2-1 decision that the district did not compel speech in a way that violates students' First Amendment rights, upholding a previous decision from a U.S. district court judge. Last year, the U.S. district court denied a preliminary injunction request filed by Parents Defending Education, which would have required the Olentangy Local School District to immediately change its harassment policies for students, The Dispatch previously reported. The policies in question prohibit students from intentionally misgendering transgender students such as failing to address them by their preferred pronouns including on personal devices, The Dispatch previously reported. The policies also prevent students from engaging in discriminatory harassment or bullying based on race, national origin, sex, disability, religion or ancestry. Olentangy Local School District is the fourth largest in the state, with over 23,000 students. The Olentangy Local School District administrative building On Monday, in the majority opinion, Circuit Judge Jane Stranch wrote that "without the ability to enforce such anti-harassment policies, the District would be unable to protect students" from abuse and harassment. "The district is entitled to recognize that speech about specific students identities is particularly harmful and likely to disrupt the educational experience, and to regulate that speech accordingly," Stranch wrote. In a statement provided to The Dispatch, the district said it was pleased the court "affirmed the constitutionality of our policies, and we remain committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all of our students." "The Districts policies on harassment and bullying prohibit the intentional and repeated targeting of another student when it causes an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment," the district statement read. Circuit Judge Alice Batchelder wrote the dissent against the majority, arguing that Parents Defending Education would likely succeed on merits of its arguments and that the First Amendment prevents the district "from compelling students to use speech that conveys a message with which they disagree, namely that biology does not determine gender." The initial suit was filed last May by Parents Defending Education, a Virginia-based conservative nonprofit group that describes itself as "a national grassroots organization." It opposes what it calls "ideologically driven curriculum with a concerning and often divisive emphasis on students group identities: race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and gender." In the case against Olentangy Schools, Parents Defending Education said on behalf of parents that the policies violate students' rights under the First and 14th amendments, The Dispatch previously reported. The group claims the policies require students to affirm the idea that gender is fluid, contrary to their deeply held religious beliefs. In its legal filing, the group also said the policies are too broad because they apply to students conduct on their devices while they are not at school. Nicole Neily, president of Parents Defending Education, said in a statement that while the organization was disappointed in the decision, "this is not the end of the road" and that Parents Defending Organization will seek "further review of this decision." Cbehrens@dispatch.com @Colebehr_report This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Olentangy Schools can enforce preferred pronoun policy A federal judge has struck down an attempt by Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to halt enforcement of the Biden administrations final rule for Title IX. (Getty Images) Just a day after a federal judge struck down an attempt by Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to halt enforcement of the Biden administrations final rule for Title IX, a federal appeals court granted the states request for an administrative injunction Wednesday temporarily blocking the updated regulations from taking effect in those Southern states. The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit on the eve of the updated regulations taking effect brings the total number of states where the rule is temporarily blocked to 26. The administrations rule which seeks to extend federal discrimination protections for LGBTQ students has been met with a wave of GOP pushback since being announced by the Department of Education in April. The final rule is slated to go into effect Thursday, but faces mounting legal uncertainty. This is a big win in our fight to protect children, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said in a statement following the appeals court ruling. Weve argued that the Biden administration does not have the authority to make this change, and with this temporary injunction, we now have time to make our case in court without our children being put in danger. The 11th Circuit decision reversed what had been a victory for the final rules advocates in federal court in Alabama on Tuesday. In a 122-page opinion, Judge Annemarie Carney Axon of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama wrote that in short, although Plaintiffs may dislike the Departments rules, they have failed to show a substantial likelihood of success in proving the Departments rulemaking was unreasonable or not reasonably explained. Axon, who was appointed by then-President Donald Trump, also wrote that the evidentiary record is sparse, and the legal arguments are conclusory and underdeveloped. In late April, the group of Southern states, all with GOP attorneys general, sued the administration in federal court in Alabama over the regulations. Multiple organizations also tacked onto the lawsuit, including the Independent Womens Law Center, the Independent Womens Network, Parents Defending Education and Speech First. They quickly appealed Tuesdays ruling later in the day to the 11th Circuit. In a statement on Tuesday, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said we are surprised by district courts decision today to deny the States request to immediately halt Bidens Title IX degradation. He added that Alabamas young women deserve better. Since the department released the final rule, 26 states in total have signed onto lawsuits seeking to block the updated regulations from taking effect. Across multiple temporary injunctions, the final rule is also blocked in Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. On Wednesday, Judge Jodi W. Dishman of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma halted the final rule from taking effect in the state. Oklahoma individually sued the administration back in May. On July 24, U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel of the Eastern District of Missouri also halted implementation of the rule. That ruling came in a lawsuit filed May 7 by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin and the attorneys general of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond praised the ruling, saying: Our students deserve the protections that have long been provided by Title IX, per a statement Wednesday. To further complicate the matter, when Judge John Broomes of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas temporarily blocked the measure in the Sunflower State, Alaska, Utah and Wyoming earlier in July, he extended it to also include the schools attended by the members of Young Americas Foundation or Female Athletes United, as well as the schools attended by the children of the members of Moms for Liberty, all groups that sued alongside those four states. This means the final rule is blocked in schools across the country, including in states that never challenged the updated regulations. Despite Axons Tuesday ruling, the final rule was still set to be halted in any K-12 school or college in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina that is impacted by the earlier Kansas decision. The Department of Education did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Oklahoma Voice editor Janelle Stecklein contributed to this report. A federal judge has struck down an attempt by Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to halt enforcement of the Biden administrations final rule for Title IX. (Photo by Getty Images) Just a day after a federal judge struck down an attempt by Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to halt enforcement of the Biden administrations final rule for Title IX, a federal appeals court granted the states request for an administrative injunction Wednesday temporarily blocking the updated regulations from taking effect in those Southern states. The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit on the eve of the updated regulations taking effect brings the total number of states where the rule is temporarily blocked to 26. The administrations rule which seeks to extend federal discrimination protections for LGBTQ students has been met with a wave of GOP pushback since being announced by the Department of Education in April. The final rule is slated to go into effect Thursday, but faces mounting legal uncertainty. This is a big win in our fight to protect children, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said in a statement following the appeals court ruling. Weve argued that the Biden administration does not have the authority to make this change, and with this temporary injunction, we now have time to make our case in court without our children being put in danger. The 11th Circuit decision reversed what had been a victory for the final rules advocates in federal court in Alabama on Tuesday. In a 122-page opinion, Judge Annemarie Carney Axon of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama wrote that in short, although Plaintiffs may dislike the Departments rules, they have failed to show a substantial likelihood of success in proving the Departments rulemaking was unreasonable or not reasonably explained. Axon, who was appointed by then-President Donald Trump, also wrote that the evidentiary record is sparse, and the legal arguments are conclusory and underdeveloped. In late April, the group of Southern states, all with GOP attorneys general, sued the administration in federal court in Alabama over the regulations. Multiple organizations also tacked onto the lawsuit, including the Independent Womens Law Center, the Independent Womens Network, Parents Defending Education and Speech First. They quickly appealed Tuesdays ruling later in the day to the 11th Circuit. In a statement on Tuesday, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said we are surprised by district courts decision today to deny the States request to immediately halt Bidens Title IX degradation. He added that Alabamas young women deserve better. Since the department released the final rule, 26 states in total have signed onto lawsuits seeking to block the updated regulations from taking effect. Across multiple temporary injunctions, the final rule is also blocked in Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. On Wednesday, Judge Jodi W. Dishman of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma halted the final rule from taking effect in the state. Oklahoma individually sued the administration back in May. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond praised the ruling, saying: Our students deserve the protections that have long been provided by Title IX, per a statement Wednesday. To further complicate the matter, when Judge John Broomes of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas temporarily blocked the measure in the Sunflower State, Alaska, Utah and Wyoming earlier in July, he extended it to also include the schools attended by the members of Young Americas Foundation or Female Athletes United, as well as the schools attended by the children of the members of Moms for Liberty, all groups that sued alongside those four states. This means the final rule is blocked in schools across the country, including in states that never challenged the updated regulations. Despite Axons Tuesday ruling, the final rule was still set to be halted in any K-12 school or college in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina that is impacted by the earlier Kansas decision. The Department of Education did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Janelle Stecklein contributed to this report. A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that New Jersey's ban on the AR-15 is unconstitutional. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Peter Sheridan referenced rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court, writing "where the Supreme Court has set forth the law of our nation, as a lower court, I am bound to follow it." Sheridan ruled that New Jersey's restrictions were "unconstitutional under Bruen and Heller as to the Colt AR-15 for use of self-defense within the home." That Supreme Court 2022 ruling struck down a New York statute that placed strict limits on who could carry a firearm in public and essentially deemed that the state's concealed carry restrictions were unconstitutional. Sheridan ruled only on the right to possess the Colt AR-15 and not similar weapons as a whole. The judge wrote in his ruling that "the court's analysis of the Assault Firearms Law is limited to the firearm with which the court has been provided the most infonnation: the AR-15." In the ruling, Sheridan also noted "the reckless inaction of our governmental leaders to address the mass shooting tragedy afflicting our nation." State Attorney General Matthew Platkin lambasted Tuesday's ruling, promising to appeal the decision, saying it has "no support in the text or the history of the Constitution." "Todays decision weaponizes the Second Amendment to undermine public safety," Platkin said in a statement. "The AR-15 is an instrument designed for warfare that inflicts catastrophic mass injuries, and is the weapon of choice for the epidemic of mass shootings that have ravaged so many communities across this nation." However, Sheridan did side with the New Jersey law in limiting the size of a "large capacity ammunition magazine." In 2018, the state changed the capacity from 15 rounds to 10 rounds. Platkin noted that "the overwhelming majority of our law remains intact today: the district court thankfully upheld our restriction on large-capacity magazines, and did not allow individuals to possess any other prohibited assault weapons." The challenge was brought by the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs and two NJ gun owners. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ ban on AR-15 ruled unconstitutional by federal judge Federal regulators clear Oregon State Hospital from immediate jeopardy status once again PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Oregon State Hospital is no longer in immediate jeopardy status after updating its procedures for patient viability checks. The Oregon Health Authority announced that OSH had been cleared by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Tuesday afternoon. Slingshot-wielder leaves victim with punctured lung in attack near MAX stop Federal authorities initially placed the psychiatric hospital in immediate jeopardy status last month, in response to findings that employees had failed to check on patients whereabouts and wellness hourly. OSH Interim Superintendent and Chief Medical Officer Sara Walker said patients considered the viability checks to be disruptive of their sleep. We hope to find a technology solution that will be less intrusive, Walker added in a statement in early June. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our patients day and night. Since then, the hospital has implemented an administrative directive with new procedures for conducting and recording the hourly checks. Rep. Maxine Dexter announces early resignation from Oregon House of Representatives Oregon health officials said CMS is still actively surveying the facility in connection to a patient who unexpectedly died in May. The agency is expected to issue an official statement of deficiencies in the near future. Federal regulators most recently released a deficiency statement on the hospital in late April, after another review led to OSHs placement in immediate jeopardy status which could have resulted in it losing its eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid funding. Officials found that the hospital neglected to protect patients from physical aggression and sexual assaults perpetrated by other patients. CMS also placed the facility in immediate jeopardy status in mid-September 2023. Just a couple of weeks before, a patient who was in custody for attempted aggravated murder and deemed extremely dangerous escaped from the Salem hospital. Portland faces $2M wrongful death suit after alleged killers release before attack He was later found stuck in a muddy pond near the Portland Expo Center. As a result, regulators ordered OSH to further security on its medical transport vehicles. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BUCHAREST, July 31, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Moldova is set to receive a loan worth 37.3 million euros for budgetary support from the World Bank, the country's parliament said after ratifying the agreement on Wednesday. The World Bank will also supply Moldova with a grant worth 5 million U.S. dollars. The loan and grant will be paid out in one installment. The loan has a 29-year maturity and a nine-year grace period and comes with 11 conditions, which Moldova has already fulfilled. Meanwhile, under another agreement also ratified today, Moldova will receive 10.5 million dollars of non-refundable financing from the World Bank to help meet the state budget's needs. This amount will also be disbursed in a single installment once 11 conditions are met, including amendments to the Law on Social Benefits, the Labor Code, legislation of the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund, and the Law on Competition. The deadline for these changes is June 30, 2026. Both agreements, signed on July 11, support the Moldova Supporting Growth and Resilience Development Policy Operation Project. The project aims to improve residents' access to the labor market, adjust the legal framework for social assistance, align competition and state benefit legislation with EU standards, enhance governance and competition in the energy sector, strengthen the financial system, and promote sustainable forest management and climate commitments. The U.S. government should formally apologize to individuals, families and tribes harmed from policies in the 19th and 20th centuries that led to the deaths of at least 973 Indigenous children attending federal Indian boarding schools, concluded a report released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Interior. Those boarding schools were the subject of the Interior Department's report, the second in an investigation led by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in an effort to understand the extent of the trauma inflicted upon indigenous communities and tribes through forced assimilation. Tens of thousands of children were shipped off to these schools in an effort to erase Native American culture, five of which were identified as located in Michigan, mostly in the northern half of the state and the Upper Peninsula. Most in the state were operated by religious organizations, with support from the federal government. The schools in Michigan were: Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School in Mount Pleasant, operated from 1893 to 1934, where officials have identified at least two burial sites and one deceased student identified, though other estimates of deaths at the school have been far higher. Mackinac Mission School on Mackinac Island, which operated from 1823 to 1849, with no deceased students identified in the report. It was operated by a religious group. New L'Arbre Croche Mission School , also known as Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church and Indian School in Harbor Springs, which operated from 1829 to 1983, with no students identified as deceased in the report. Holy Childhood was also operated by a religious organization. The Catholic Diocese of Gaylord has previously issued an apology for trauma recounted by former students. Catholic Otchippewa Boarding School in Schoolcraft County in the Upper Peninsula operated from 1883 to 1888, with no deceased students identified in the report. Baraga Chippewa Boarding and Day School in Baraga in the Upper Peninsula, operated from 1884 to 1931, with no deceased students identified in the report. The report is interspersed with testimony from unidentified boarding school survivors across the United States, including heart-wrenching stories from schools in Michigan. The important years of bonding with your parents and getting loved and hugged on daily is vital to child health, growth, and emotional well-being," one boarding school survivor from Michigan is quoted in the report. "I did not get that. We didnt get that. There were no hugs, no encouragement, no praise." One survivor in the report said "the worst part of it was at night, listening to all the other children crying themselves to sleep," and that they recalled school officials forcing a child who wet the bed to scrub the bathroom on her hands and knees with a toothbrush. But the report's authors urge the country to move forward with an apology and other steps to strengthen indigenous communities, including adequate funding for the federal Bureau of Indian Education and added investments to public schools to support indigenous students. In the most recent school year, more than 8,000 Native American students attended Michigan's public schools. Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 900+ died in Native American boarding schools GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Four people have pleaded guilty in a yearslong internet fraud scheme that started in Nigeria and often targeted elderly victims, authorities say. Three people Fatai Okunola, 37, of Kalamazoo; Oluwaseyi Adeola, 34, of Dallas; and Cory McDougal, 33, of Romeoville, Illinois have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Michigan announced Tuesday in a release. Okunola also pleaded guilty to making false statements on his application for naturalization as a U.S. citizen and money laundering, the release says. A fourth person 36-year-old Ijeoma Adeola, of Dallas, who was previously identified as the wife of Oluwaseyi Adeola has pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, according to the office. Court docs: Woman paid $400K in romance scheme, money mules charged A federal indictment alleges the defendants conspired with people in Nigeria to scam people in the United States, many of whom were elderly or vulnerable. The partners in Nigeria used fake personas to develop relationships which centered on everything from apartment rentals to romance to loan offers over the internet, by social media, text or phone. Then, the partners would ask for money. They told the victims to send money to the defendants, who, authorities say, opened several bank accounts and maintained P.O. boxes under alias names and shell businesses. The defendants then sent the money to each other and their partners in Nigeria, officials say. Okunola also used some of the money to help people buy cars in the United States and then send them to Nigeria, according to the attorneys office. From 2017 to 2022, the defendants are accused of getting over $2 million from the scheme. Federal attorneys seek more victims of internet fraud scheme The defendants used modern technology, including the internet and social media platforms something we all rely upon every day to communicate and carry out legitimate tasks in our daily lives to prey on elderly and vulnerable victims, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a statement. Some of the victims in this case lost their retirement savings, took loans against their homes, or suffered other financial distress because of the defendants alleged lies. Sentencing is set for January. The attorneys office says Okunola, Oluwaseyi Adeola and McDougal face up to 20 years in prison, while Okunola faces additional sentences and potential removal from the United States. Ijeoma Adeola faces up to three years in prison. According to the attorneys office, all of them will be ordered to pay restitution. If you believe you were a victim of this group, youre encouraged to visit the Department of Justices webpage dedicated to the case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Jordan Goudreau, the former U.S. Green Beret who coordinated a failed coup attempt to oust Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro in 2020, was arrested Tuesday in a weapons-smuggling case filed in Tampa federal court. Goudreau, who is being held in a Brooklyn, New York, detention center after his arrest, awaits transfer to Florida to face an indictment charging him and a Venezuelan partner, Yacsy Alexandra Alvarez, with violating U.S. arms control laws. Theyre accused of assembling and sending dozens of AR-styled weapons, laser sights, night vision devices and other equipment from the United States to Colombia without a required a U.S. export license. Goudreau, 48, of Melbourne, and Alvarez, 43, who was living in Colombia but now resides in Tampa, are charged with conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act and smuggling goods from the United States. Goudreau is also charged with unlawful possession of machine guns, among other items. A photo of a squad of insurgents who trained for Operation Gideon. A 14-count indictment charging the pair was unsealed Wednesday, three days after Venezuela held a presidential election that Maduro claims to have won but his opponents assert was riddled with fraud. Goudreau had his first appearance in federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday night. Goudreau was granted a bond by a magistrate judge, but his release was put on hold while prosecutors in Tampa moved to have it revoked. Seeking his detention, they noted that he violated export and firearms laws relating to a conspiracy to carry out an armed incursion into Venezuela to remove a sitting Venezuelan president from power, according to a court filing. Gustavo J. Garcia-Montes, an attorney for Goudreau, confirmed his clients arrest in New York but declined further comment. Alvarez was also arrested Tuesday in Tampa. Christophir Kerr, an attorney for Alvarez, said she turned herself in as soon as she heard about the charges and entered a not guilty plea. Kerr also said she was granted a bond and released Wednesday. As part of the conspiracy, Goudreau, Alvarez and their co-conspirators procured firearms and military-related equipment through Goudreaus Melbourne-based company, Silvercorp, and exported them to Colombia. Some of the items were seized by the Colombia National Police. Florida woman Yacsy Alvarez is being held in Colombia in connection with her alleged role in helping those who plotted an insurrection to topple Venezuelas Maduro regime. The unlicensed exports supported an attempt organized by Goudreau in May 2020 to remove Maduro from office, which failed. The Miami Herald detailed the botched coup attempt in a story on Goudreaus Operation Gideon. If convicted, Goudreau and Alvarez face the following maximum penalties: five years in prison for conspiracy, 10 years in prison for smuggling, 20 years in prison for violations of export control laws, and 10 years in prison for each violation of the National Firearms Act and unlawful possession of a machine gun. The indictment also says federal authorities plan to forfeit firearms and other military equipment traceable to proceeds of the defendants alleged activity. The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Commerces Bureau of Industry and Security are investigating the case, with assistance by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Finding child care in Maryland is hard; finding the right child care is even harder Stephanie Jovine of Charles County has struggled to get child care for her daughter Lily. Photo byJess Daninhirsch/Capital News Service By Khushboo Rathore When Stephanie Jovine searched for child care for her nearly 4-year-old daughter LuzMarie in Prince Georges County in 2015, she found two options, both of them bad. Jovine couldnt afford the first one, and the second denied the young girl snacks and then sheets for sleeping. I was so upset, you know, it was so hard to trust anyone, said Jovine, a teacher in the District of Columbia Public Schools at the time. After six months of searching, Jovine found a grandmother who ran a small before-and-after care service, LiLis Child Care Center, in Temple Hills. The times the program was open aligned perfectly with Jovines needs. Shes a godsend, for real, said Jovine, whos now 33. Jovines arduous search for child care is not unique and it would not even be her last search. Interviews with several Maryland families showed that while finding child care is hard, finding a facility that fits a familys needs and budget is even harder. Maryland offers a rating system to help parents select the right child care facility, but providers say the system is difficult to navigate. Most parents interviewed by the Local News Network said they never looked at the state rating system. Similarly, the state offers a generous scholarship program to help pay for child care, but providers complain they often have to wait months for the state to pay for those scholarship recipients. Parents like Jovine struggle with the scholarship program, too. The complications of finding child care in Maryland often leave families waiting for a place for their child, and that can lead to trouble, said Doug Lent, communications director for Maryland Family Network, which helps parents find child care and helps providers manage their businesses. When youre on that waiting list, thats when youre more likely to be tempted to rely on unlicensed care, unregulated care, and get into a situation thats maybe not safe or maybe not high quality, Lent said. The ratings dilemma Linda Garey woke up at 6 a.m. on a springtime Saturday at her home in Dundalk to create a communication board for the autistic children she cares for daily in her home. Eleven hours later, she was still working on the project. She isnt paid for the time she spends preparing her classroom. Garey is a level-3 provider with Maryland EXCELS, the child care quality rating system in the state that offers a top rating of 5 to the states top child care centers. Garey created a 65-page handbook outlining her teaching philosophy. She also assists other programs with their handbooks. Ive typed probably about 20 to 30 handbooks and turned them in for other people, right? And theyre all level 5, she said. Related stories: EXCELS which stands for Excellence Counts in Early Learning and School Age Care is an optional program for licensed child care providers. It offers them training and guidance and, if they qualify for it, a rating that parents can refer to when choosing a place to care for their child. The Maryland EXCELS rating is based on five categories: licensing, staff qualifications, accreditation, developmentally appropriate practices and administrative policies. The highest overall rating a facility can get is the lowest rating it gets in any of those five categories. And even though Garey has more than 20 years of experience, her lack of national accreditation as a child care provider means she cant go higher than level 3. Garey is working on getting her child development associate credential and becoming accredited but she wont be submitting that information to Maryland EXCELS. She said whenever she submits new documents and information to the Maryland State Department of Education, it goes to waste. I turned in some information about 20 times and it was denied, she said. State officials insist they are trying to help. Jena Smith, the director of quality improvement initiatives at the states Division of Early Childhood, said quality assurance specialists work with each child care facility to improve its quality rating. The Maryland State Department of Education also publishes a provider toolkit that outlines the documents necessary to rise up the ratings ladder, Smith said. The requirements for each level build on the last, she said. Its a scaffold, and so thats really how our quality assurance specialists work with our programs, Smith said. They help them assess where they currently are and where they want to go. Since January 2020, the number of level-5 providers in Maryland has increased by 9.6%, according to state statistics reviewed by the Local News Network. However, 15 of the states 24 jurisdictions have lost level-5 providers, and providers overall appear to have mixed feelings about the EXCELS program. Asked to rate the EXCELS programs effectiveness on a 1-to-5 scale, with 1 being least effective and 5 being most effective, the 256 child care providers who replied to a Local News Network survey gave the program an average rating of 3. I answered 3 because part of the program, I feel, has been extremely helpful, such as writing policies for guidance (on) nutrition and such, Cheryl Thomsen, a child care provider in Salisbury, wrote in her survey response. I did obtain accreditation but found it was very difficult to actually follow all the requirements properly on a daily basis. A difficult search Jovine moved from Prince Georges County to Waldorf in 2020 and left teaching. Two years later, she returned to the District of Columbia Public Schools system while pregnant with her second child only to discover searching for child care was still difficult and time-consuming. I was looking and looking and looking for child care, she said. Jovine experienced exactly what other young mothers have experienced in recent years. She went on a frantic search for child care without referring to the states EXCELS ratings. Priya Mahfoozs son Zakir was born in May 2019. She sent Zakir to a child care facility near the family home in Clarksburg a few months later. But that operation shut down at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, never to reopen. Desperate for child care, Mahfooz and a friend banded together to hire the teacher who ran that closed facility to look after their children. Each family paid the teacher $425 a week. In the summer of 2021, Mahfooz decided to send Zakir back to a child care facility. During her search, Mahfooz said, she didnt rely on Maryland EXCELS or the state inspection reports. When youre searching, its really just whatever youre being fed in your feeds, Mahfooz said. Youre thinking about price, location, [online] ratings. Mahfooz found a child care slot for Zakir later that summer in Germantown and then enrolled him in Green Valley Montessori School in September 2021. Meanwhile, Javiera King, an administrator at the University of Maryland, had to hire a nanny to take care of her young daughter, Layla, while the family searched for a slot in a child care facility. While pregnant, I had to put myself on a waitlist already because most day cares have a waitlist a year out, she said. Kings nanny gave her two weeks notice in December 2023. That meant King had to quickly piece together a schedule where family members took turns caring for her daughter, who was 11 months old at the time. The family then found a child care facility that had a part-time slot for Layla, meaning the familys piecemeal plan for caring for the young girl would continue. Finally, in February, Laylas part-time slot at that facility became full-time. We were really lucky with how everything played out for us, King said. Jovine wasnt so lucky. When she was five months pregnant with her second child, she called 12 child care facilities. All of them had a waiting list of a year or more for infants. Her daughter Lily was born at the end of February 2023, and Jovine finished the school year on maternity leave. She had to go back to work in August, but the earliest availability at most nearby child care facilities was in October. There was one spot that had an availability. I wasnt too satisfied with it, Jovine said. There were few toys and learning tools. The outdoor play equipment was dirty and the facility had no curriculum for promoting development in infants, Jovine said. She found another option on a billboard. Jovine called that facility and when she found they had a spot, she took it. She only took three days off work to care for Lily. The facility Jovine sent Lily to after a 10-month search is enrolled in the EXCELS program but is not yet rated. Asked if she referred to the EXCELS system during her search, Jovine said she didnt even know about the state rating system at the time. Jovine has seen her daughter develop significantly at the day care. Lily is happy to go and a little reluctant to leave in the evenings, Jovine said. This is how I know shes in good hands. She likes it there, she said. A scholarship program In addition to offering ratings of the states child care providers, Maryland expanded its child care scholarship program in 2022, making it easier to afford child care, said Heather Harding, coordinator at the Federalsburg Judy Center in Caroline County. But providers said the scholarship program doesnt work as well in practice as it does in theory. The eligibility requirements for the scholarship program allow middle-class families to apply. Any family of two making less than $61,222 per year is eligible; for a family of four, the limit is $104,438. A new fast-track program, launched on July 1, 2023, aims to reduce the wait time for parents to receive approval for a scholarship. Three days after applying, eligible families can get 60 days of child care paid for while their long-term aid application is processed. Scholarship values each year can range from $9,000 to $25,000 per child. Lent, of the Maryland Family Network, said the new fast-track has vastly improved the scholarship program. Previously, parents would be placed on a waiting list to receive help with their child care expenses, he said. But other requirements can make the system a catch-22, Harding said. Parents are required to be enrolled in school or working to be eligible for the scholarship, she said. But many of them cant do either unless they have child care guaranteed. Even if they find it, then they cant pay for it till they get the scholarship, Harding said. These scholarships can only be used in facilities that are enrolled in the EXCELS program. After parents receive a voucher from the state, they present it to the provider. The provider then has to send paperwork to the state in order to be paid. Garey, the child care provider from Dundalk, said this is one of the most frustrating parts about the process. Multiple times, she filed paperwork and had to wait three months to be paid. At one point, the state owed her $15,000 in scholarship pay. This happened after the state moved to an advance-payment system that was supposed to get payments to providers more quickly. Its this delay after delay after delay, Garey said. She finds ways to deal with the months-late payments because she refuses to make the parents pay or to drop families from her list of clients. One little girl is nonverbal. She sang and pointed to every single letter of the alphabet, Garey said. I did that. So why in the world would I drop that family? Other providers also complain about late scholarship payments. Christine Morris, the director of Trinity Lutheran Christian School and Early Learning Center in Joppa, in Harford County, said this spring that the state owed her $40,000 in scholarship payments. And Shantel Rouzer, who runs Happy Feet Enrichment Childcare Center in Baltimore City, said she turned away students on the scholarship program because she knows the states reimbursements will come so late. Its not the families fault, but (Maryland State Department of Education officials) dont hear us!!!?? And providers are tired!!! Rouzer wrote in response to a survey from the Local News Network. Solving her own problem Parents like Jovine dont always know about the scholarship program. When she found out about it in February, months after Lily started day care, Jovine applied. A day later, the programs new fast-track program started temporarily covering her child care costs for two months. It took a huge load, and its amazing to have that option, she said. Before that, Jovine was paying $1,360 per month for child care for Lily. On top of that, she had to provide snacks, milk, lunch and other resources to the center. But four days before Jovines temporary aid expired, she hadnt gotten a final decision from the state. Jovine didnt receive a response until June. By then, she was already paying out of pocket. Shell have to continue to do so because the state decided she was earning too much money to qualify. Noting her application listed extra money from her old job at D.C. Public Schools that doesnt reflect what shes making now, she has reapplied. Jovine and her longtime partner, Abdul Dopson, now need child care more than ever. Their third child, Mia, was born on June 14. Knowing infant spots are difficult to find, Jovine decided to leave her teaching job and do her own small part to alleviate Marylands child care shortage. I got licensed to start a day care myself: a home day care, she said. The need is that prevalent, you know, I might as well try to open up a day care myself and see what happens. Jovines fledgling child care facility, Elite Kidz Clubhouse, opens in August but its already overtaken her homes living room and dining room. Shes spent more than $2,500 on cots, desks, developmentally appropriate toys and other necessities. A large, colorful tree painted on the wall of the facility showcases the skills Jovine wants her students to get out of their day-to-day activities. Jovine said she wants her facility to work its way through the EXCELS system and eventually qualify as a preschool under the Blueprint for Marylands Future, the states education reform plan. Why not start this beautiful generation how it should, educating them and giving them what they need to be successful little children? she said. Local News Network reporter Laura Shaughnessy contributed to this report. Firefighters are battling a rapidly spreading wildfire named the Pedro Fire in Mariposa and Tuolumne counties, which ignited around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday near Highway 132 and Piney Creek Road in the Coulterville area. According to Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced, the Pedro Fire has burned 900 acres and is 0% contained as of 7:12 p.m. Tuesday. No injuries or structures have been destroyed, but evacuations and warnings have been issued for some surrounding areas. According to Cal Fire the fire is spreading at a dangerous rate of speed and there is a threat to nearby structures and power lines. There are evacuation orders in place for Piney Creek Road and Arboleda Road. There are evacuation warnings for the northside of Highway 132 from Merced Falls to Jones Road and the southside of Highway 132 from Jones Road to Horseshoe Bend, including the Horseshoe Bend Rec Area. Evacuation warnings have also been added to the Barretts Cove boat launching area. Cal Fire reports there are 300 fire personnel battling the blaze, along with five helicopters, 22 fire engines, six bulldozers, and three water tenders. A fire information line has been established at 844-668-3473. Firefighters had to battle the French Fire, which burned more than 900 acres and damaged 12 structures in Mariposa County earlier this month. What firefighting efforts look like (and what to expect) for the Alexander Mountain Fire As the Alexander Mountain Fire grew to more than 6,700 acres Wednesday, crews continued to fight the blaze from the ground and sky, with the promise of a Complex Incident Management Team coming Thursday to assume control. The move will raise the level of importance of the Alexander Mountain Fire over other large wildfires burning in the western U.S., "because thats really what were competing with right now in terms of personnel and crews," according to Camille Stevens-Rumann, a former wildland firefighter and associate professor in CSU's Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship. "We have lots of large fires that most crews are already assigned to, so having that designation of a Type 1 team basically opens up more of those limited resources to be allocated here," she said. At the point of her interview with the Coloradoan, Stevens-Rumann said the Alexander Mountain Fire was being fought with a range of aerial assets and around 242 personnel as of early Wednesday, including four 20-person crews, 30 engines and a couple of helicopters dedicated to fighting the growing fire west of Loveland. The cause and origin of the fire remain unknown. Live updates: Alexander Mountain Fire at 6,781 acres Those crews are building line, theyre protecting structures. You know, were dealing with a landscape that has a lot of wildland urban interface, so theres lots of homes and values at risk on the human side," she added. "The first task was evacuations and getting people safely out of that landscape, and then its human infrastructure and starting to build those containment lines. What's fueling the Alexander Mountain Fire Containment lines can be human-cut, with firefighters digging in the soil, cutting down trees and removing brush, needles or litter that could become fire fuel. Lines can also be dozed in with bulldozers or dropped in by planes via fire retardant and then maintained on the ground, Stevens-Rumann said. Since it was first reported late Monday morning, the Alexander Mountain Fire has grown to 6,781 acres with 0% containment as of 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Its growth has been aided by hot, dry weather and fueled by vegetation that grew during last year's near-record to record precipitation but later dried out into essentially kindling, Assistant State Climatologist Becky Bolinger wrote on X Tuesday. This fire could exhibit extreme behavior and be very difficult to manage, Bolinger wrote. Our one saving grace is that we dont have winds in the forecast. But I dont think this fire is going away soon. As someone who studies wildfires and how plant communities respond to and rebound from them, Stevens-Rumann said she often thinks of this growth and burn cycle. "When I go hiking with non-fire people, and they go, Oh, look at all the wildflowers, I look at them like, Oh, theres a lot of fuel for that next fire,'" she said. Alexander Mountain Fire: How you can help More scientifically, if its dry all the time, we dont have the fuel growth rate, so were less likely to have a fire," Stevens-Rumann said. However, because of Northern Colorado's wet conditions and vegetation growth last year, the area has plenty of fuels like dry grasses and shrubs, "ready to burn now," she added. "When we look at the current statistics and see that its 0% contained even as we have 240 people on that fire and people actively working on it thats one of the things thats really hard to feel confident that you have a strong line built when you have these really dry conditions, but lots of potential fuel that could burn around them. What's next for firefighting efforts While the Alexander Mountain Fire continued to move down the Big Thompson Canyon Wednesday, its rocky and steep terrain doesn't give the fire much fuel and it was "backing down" as of late Wednesday morning, incident commander Mike Smith said during a briefing. Engines and crews were staying in the area Wednesday to make sure structures are secure and that winds don't cause any spot fires on the south side of U.S. Highway 34, Smith said. The Big Thompson Canyon, like other mountain canyons, is steep with several quick changes in vegetation, going from grass "and maybe a few trees in (the) canyon bottom to potentially pretty dense forests at the top," Stevens-Rumann said. "Its not just the terrain in terms of the elevational gradient, but also a change in burnable conditions as you move up in elevation. More: Colorado's 20 largest wildfires happened this century. Here's how things are changing. While crews were still actively fighting the fire on the west and east sides Wednesday, Smith said he's hopeful the burn scars from the Bobcat Ridge and Cameron Peak fires will keep the Alexander Mountain Fire from marching further north. Unlike the wind-driven Cameron Peak and East Troublesome Fires of 2020, the Alexander Mountain Fire also wasn't facing the high variability of high winds early Wednesday. Fires are really unpredictable, especially when they become wind-driven," Stevens-Rumann said. "Right now the winds aren't pointing toward town, so thats a positive, but that can change and can become a possibility. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Alexander Mountain Fire: What to expect as crews keep fighting it Six cases of raccoon roundworm a parasite that can cause neurologic and ocular disease in humans have been discovered in Belgium for the first time. The intestinal worms, known by their scientific name of Baylisascaris procyonis, were found in six raccoons in Wallonia, the French-speaking region's Health and Environment Department announced on 29 July. According to the Dutch National Institute for Health and Environment (RIVM), the biggest risk group for the parasitic disease are young children aged between 1-4 years old, "as they tend to put foreign objects or soil in their mouths". The worms are not fatal to raccoons but can be transmitted through their faeces: the parasite's eggs can be found in the animal's droppings, on its fur and in its direct environment, according to Wallonia's health department. Belgium's raccoon population is estimated to be between 50,000 and 75,000. It's not just Belgium that's been affected the parasite has also already been reported in neighbouring France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, the last of which has issued a stark warning about the parasite's spread across the country. "It is suspected that without intervention, the raccoon will spread across a large part of the Netherlands," the RIVM said. "In addition, an unknown number of raccoons are still kept as pets in the Netherlands." Baylisascaris procyonis, the raccoon roundworm, is a rare but serious cause of neurologic and ocular disease in humans. - DPDx - Laboratory Identification of Parasites of Public Health Concern and CDC - Centers for Disease Control & Prevention What can you do to steer clear? Most Baylisascaris procyonis infections in humans are asymptomatic. However, there are preventive measures you can take to avoid getting sick. According to the Health and Environment Department of Wallonia, people must not approach or feed raccoons, children should be supervised to prevent them from eating soil, and dogs should be kept on a leash in forested areas. It also advises people to make sure that any berries they pick have been taken from more than 50cm off the ground. More than 100 venture capitalists pledged to support Vice President Kamala Harris the Democrats answer to the steady stream of Silicon Valley bigwigs who have vowed to back Donald Trump. VCs for Kamala includes LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks Mark Cuban and billionaire Chris Sacca. We the undersigned are Venture Capital investors, founders and tech leaders who pledge to vote for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, a statement on the website says. We spend our days looking for, investing in and supporting entrepreneurs who are building the future. We are pro-business, pro-American dream, pro-entrepreneurship, and pro-technological progress, the group wrote. We also believe in democracy as the backbone of our nation. We believe that strong, trustworthy institutions are a feature, not a bug, and that our industry and every other industry would collapse without them. That is whats at stake in this election. A group of venture capitalists and tech entrepreneurs have pledged their support for Vice President Kamala Harris (REUTERS) Another powerful group, Tech for Kamala, has pledged support for the vice president. In a July 28 letter, the group noted the Biden-Harris administration has laid the foundation for a great new American chapter growing the economy and expanding opportunity for people of all backgrounds and as a California native Vice President Harris has shown her leadership in the tech industry over decades. So far, 550 people have signed the letter, the New York Times reported. In the letter, Tech for Kamala also noted the host of entrepreneurs who have been backing Trump: We acknowledge there are a few people in tech with very loud microphones who support a very different vision of the future. But as the names on this letter show, they do not at all represent the entire tech community. Elon Musk is one of the people in the pro-Trump camp. The SpaceX founder endorsed Trump after the assassination attempt against the former president earlier this month. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that Musk planned on donating a staggering $45 million to a pro-Trump super PAC every month a claim that the Tesla CEO has since denied. Earlier this year, Musk had co-hosted a so-called anti-Biden fundraiser with a guest list that reportedly boasted Peter Thiel, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Travis Kalanick. Musk has publicly endorsed Trump. While many tech moguls have backed Trump, a new group is being vocal in its support for Harris (AP) Thiel has longstanding ties to Trumps running mate JD Vance, who first met the PayPal co-founder at Yale Law School and later went on to work for him. Musks event was also co-hosted by entrepreneur and investor David Sacks, who has also publicly endorsed the former president. Months later, the billionaire reportedly co-hosted another high-profile fundraiser with former Facebook senior executive Chamath Palihapitiya. The entry fee ranged from $50,000 for individuals to $500,000 for couples, according to reports at the time. Its safe to say that theres a wellspring of support in Silicon Valley, Sacks told the Times weeks after Trump was convicted in New York, especially given the backlash to the political prosecution of Trump. They dont speak for me, Leslie Feinzaig, founder of Graham & Walker and an organizer of VCsForKamala, told the Times. They dont speak for most of us. And they dont speak for the founders. To recruit people to join the groups efforts, Feinzaig told the outlet that she sent around a sign-up form in an email that read: Lets show founders that not all VCs have turned MAGA. Harris support from finance magnates comes after the vice president garnered support from another vocal group: white dudes. The group White Dudes for Harris reportedly raised $4 million on Monday evening alone following a Zoom call that saw nearly 200,000 participants, including celebrities and potential running mates. BRANCH COUNTY The first of three candidates to possibly replace retiring county administrator Bud Norman faced commissioners for an hour each Tuesday afternoon to discuss the position and their backgrounds. The first county administrator candidate John Morrell faced the Branch County Commission Tuesday afternoon for an interview. John Morrell Lifelong Coldwater resident John Morrell, Jr. dispelled co-worker rumors that he planned to retire as administrative manager of Lakeland Corrections in Coldwater. At age 45, he has served 13 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections. "This is my future. I'm not a job hopper. This seemed like an opportunity that doesn't come along very often. I was interested. I like a challenge. And I plan on working until I'm 60 or 65," Morrell said. Morrell praised Norman's work, saying, "I might have some (of my) own ideas. But I think we're on a good path." The manager said he enjoys working with teams and seeing them running at high performance, "Then it just kind of gets boring because everyone's doing such a great job." Morrell admits he lacks experience obtaining grants and negotiating with unions but understands how to manage under contract restrictions at the prison. Morrell manages construction projects and administers the state budget. He expects to work with Norman to learn the budget process through this fall if hired. Morrell said he would listen to commissioners' wishes and implement them. Adam Kline, former Lansing Township Police Chief and Oakland Township manager. Adam Kline Adam Kline spent most of his career in policing after the Army. Kline became Oakland Township manager in 2019 for just over four years. Kline resigned to become director of Independence Township as parks, recreation, and senior services. Kline said managing a budget requires constant communication with department heads to ensure on-track spending. Kline collaborates with elected officials and departments to distribute funds and address community needs. The former township supervisor reflected on his successful turnaround of Lansing Township, including streamlining processes and reducing staff. Kline told former employees, "I'm very approachable, always open door." He agreed that the best process is to keep everyone, including the public, informed. "It may sound a little cliche, but you want to do the right thing. Whatever it is." More: Interviews start today for six candidates for Branch County administrator Former Alpena County manager Jeffrey Thorton Jeffrey Thorton Jeffrey Thornton had a career as a Kmart Corporation executive. A minister, he became Alpena County administrator from 2005 to 2009, then city manager in Negaunee for seven years until 2017; he surprised the commission by telling them they did not need to pass line items budgets but could use bottom line numbers for departments and offices to avoid year-long amendments. In the hour-long narrative with questions by commissioners, Thornton showed he did his homework on the county, making references to the interests of board members, including the fact three incumbents faced opposition from America First Republicans in Tuesday's election. Thornton suggested the county eliminate line item budgets using bottom-line appropriations. Then, the state could audit county books rather than hire auditing firms. Thornton said he purchased used equipment from state auctions for county use to save money. The northern Michigan resident expressed surprise at the booming recreational marijuana industry in Branch County. Thorton suggested an annual meeting for collaborative partnerships with all local government officials. He said he would not meet with elected officials except in public. Thornton served as village manager/clerk in Caledonia from June 2019 to April 2024. Subscribe Follow this story. Subscribe to the Daily Reporter. After the other three interviews, commissioners expected to name two or three for a second round of interviews before hiring Norman's replacement. Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Branch County administrator candidate Thorton Kline Morrell interviews A grizzly bear walks along the edge of Blacktail Ponds in 2017 in Yellowstone National Park (Photo by Jacob W. Frank | National Park Service via Flickr). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to release its decisions on whether to delist grizzly bears from Endangered Species Act protections in two ecosystems in Montana by the end of next January at the same time it decides whether to change or remove grizzlies protections in the lower 48 states, according to a declaration filed in federal court in Wyoming last week by the agencys regional director. The filing is the latest update in the saga of grizzly bear protections, as government officials and conservation groups keep a close eye on those decisions because they will have vast ramifications on whether states like Montana will be able to start managing grizzly populations at the state level or if the bears will continue to be protected from things like state-sanctioned hunting. Lee Newspapers first reported news of the filing on Wednesday morning. Matt Hogan, the Mountain-Prairie Regional Director for the USFWS, filed an updated declaration in the State of Wyomings lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior saying the 12-month review for grizzly bear protections in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem had initially been set to be completed and published by July 31 of this year. But because of a settlement in a lawsuit filed by Montana-based Save the Yellowstone Grizzly against the Fish and Wildlife Service regarding lower-48 protections for grizzlies, the USFWS must issue a final rule by Jan. 31, 2026, that revises or removes the Endangered Species Act listing of grizzlies in the lower 48. Grizzly bears are currently listed as a threatened species in the lower 48. Hogans filing says another factor in issuing the three decisions at the same time is the State of Montana on July 11 filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue the Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to issue a 12-month finding over whether to delist grizzlies in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) on time. Hogan wrote in his declaration that the USFWS has already spent significant time preparing responses to Montanas request for the NCDE and Wyomings request for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which the agency announced in February 2023 would undergo 12-month reviews, and has been preparing a draft for changes to lower 48 protections. He said the three decisions directly impact one another because they all require analysis of possible distinct population segments of grizzlies in the lower 48. To ensure consistency between these decisions, the Service currently intends to finalize all three of these documents the GYE 12-month finding, the NCDE 12-month finding, and the proposed rule revising or removing the entire ESA listing of grizzly bears in the lower-48 states simultaneously, Hogan wrote. Therefore, the Service anticipates finalizing the GYE 12-month finding and submitting the finding to the Office of the Federal Register for publication no later than January 31, 2025. Conservation groups disheartened by delay The filing has Montana and other regional conservation groups concerned that the Fish and Wildlife Service could remove ESA protections from grizzlies either in the two ecosystems or in the lower 48 altogether, while those who want to see the bears delisted continue to urge the agency to take that route. Joe Szuszwalak, a spokesperson for the Fish and Wildlife Services Mountain-Prairie Region, confirmed Hogans filing but did not say when specifically the findings might be issued ahead of next January. The declaration was filed to ensure consistency among several legal actions that directly impact each other and require the Service to review possible Distinct Population Segments of grizzly bears in the Lower 48, he said in a written statement. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service appreciates and values the critical work of other federal agencies, states, Tribes, and NGO partners in the efforts to recover the grizzly in the Lower 48. But regional conservation groups said Wednesday they are deeply disappointed and disheartened that the Fish and Wildlife Service is still considering delisting grizzlies anywhere. Although grizzly bears are slowly beginning to recover from a century of persecution and habitat loss, some politicians and government bureaucrats are hostile to grizzly bears and other carnivores, and they have passed laws and regulations that undermine carnivore conservation and demonstrate intent to reduce the grizzly population once USFWS oversight is removed, a coalition of the Endangered Species Coalition, Sierra Club, Wyoming Wildlife Advocates, WildEarth Guardians, Western Watersheds Project, Friends of the Bitterroot, and Friends of the Clearwater said in a joint statement. Since grizzly bears were listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1975, their population has grown from about 800 to around 1,900 in the western U.S., with most of them living in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem. Conservationists said in statements and interviews Wednesday they see the decision to release all the findings at the same time as a threat to ongoing recovery efforts, as states like Montana, Wyoming and Idaho ready plans for if grizzlies are delisted in either of the two ecosystems or in the lower 48 that at some point would include a hunting season. They say delisting the bears could lead to more dead sows with cubs that would reduce the gene pool and could threaten the interconnectivity of the populations also seen as key to grizzly recovery efforts. Mike Bader, of grizzly bear and forest advocacy group the Flathead-Bitterroot-Lolo Citizen Task Force, said in an interview that in the groups lawsuit challenging wolf trapping in Montana over the incidental take of grizzly bears, Montana attorneys have said their biologists believe interconnectivity between populations in the two ecosystems was inevitable. Well, lets just let that happen. I mean, its sad to me that after all the progress thats been made, and people getting excited about bears being out in these different mountain ranges, that we would just say, Well, you know, before we really get all the way there, were just going to quit, he said. Like I say, declare victory and go home. A spokesperson for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks deferred a request for comment on the filing to the Governors Office, which provided the Daily Montanan a copy of the July 11 notice of intent to sue signed by FWP Director Dustin Temple and said Montana was leading the country in grizzly bear recovery. This most recent announcement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is just another example of our sluggish federal government dragging its feet, spokesperson Kaitlin Price said in a statement. We urge them to expedite its review, which is long overdue. Montana is well-prepared to manage this iconic American species. Montana threatens suit; senators offer thoughts In the notice, Temple wrote that the Fish and Wildlife Service had 12 months to make a determination on delisting grizzlies in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem after the state filed its petition in December 2021 and still had not issued a decision even after the 12-month review that started in early 2023. If the Service does not make a final determination on the petition within sixty-days of receiving this letter, Montana will file suit to seek a court order compelling the Service to do so, Temple wrote. A day earlier, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, pressed the deputy secretary for the Department of Interior on why the determination had not been released after 17 months. Deputy Secretary Shannon Estenoz said the population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Northern Continental Divide ecosystem had recovered but the department was still working through the details of deciding whether to delist. I need to say for the record how grateful we are to both Montana and Wyoming for the stewardship of grizzly bears. And grizzly bears are doing well in those states because the states are taking good care of grizzly bears, and we know that, Estenoz said. And then I also want to say for the record that we want grizzlies to be recovered and delisted. I want to say that without reservation. She said that an animal being delisted from the ESA is a cause for celebration but told Daines the road used to get there is also important. Its not just the listing decision, its the path you take thats often what courts will attack, she said. So. We want to make sure weve got the path right. Daines said in a statement Wednesday he believes the science is clear that grizzlies have recovered in both ecosystems, warranting delisting. Its long past time to return management of bears in these ecosystems back to Montana, Daines said. Im urging FWS to follow the science and make a delisting decision for these two populations. A spokesperson for U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, did not say outright what decision he hopes the Fish and Wildlife Service comes to, only that it be rooted in science. Senator Tester believes that defending Montanas outdoor heritage and wildlife is critically important to our way of life and that starts with following the best available science, the spokesperson said in a statement. He will continue to hold the Biden Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service accountable to make sure their finding on grizzly bears is rooted in the science and works for Montana. Editors note: This story has been updated to include comments from the governors spokesperson, Kaitlin Price. 33-1 HELSINKI, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The majestic spruces and barren rock hills of Koli, located north of the town of Joensuu in eastern Finland, is a key piece of Finnish "national identity". However, an onslaught of printer insects (Ips typographus) threatens to destroy this national historic imagevaluable national heritage. Researcher Johanna Tuviala at the University of Eastern Finland told national radio Yle in a recent interview that the spruces surrounding the rocks could be gone in as little as six years, threatening the local environment. "The number of dead spruces has doubled in a year," she said. As a national park, Koli is administered by the state-owned Parks and Wildlife Finland (Metsahallitus). The hills of Koli assumed a national romantic heritageromantic role as a place of national heritage in the early 20th century. Finnish national composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) spent time on the hills, and the solemnity of the scene was reflected in his music. According to experts, the increasing heat waves and storm damage caused by climate change have created favorable conditions for various types of bark beetles, with printer insects being the most rapidly increasing among them. Kaisa Junninen, a specialist in conservation and biodiversity, told Yle that nothing could be done to protect the idyllic landscape. "The only way to save the spruce profile would be to halt climate change," she said. The Finnish Arctic climate has kept the numbers of the insects lowfought to keep the insect numbers low, but as the climate has warmed up, the situation has worsened, she explained. The printer insects get their name from the distinctive marks they leave on spruce trees after eating the bark. Despite their destruction, Junninen noted that, from a pure ecological and biodiversity perspective, the destruction of the spruce cover could also be positive, at least in the medium term. "Dead wood houses life," she said. "The insects actually reduce the risk of visitors being hit by falling trees, as dead trees do not attract heavy snow covers." There have been scientific attempts in Finland to curb the spread of printer insects in production forests. "Traps with pheromones have been tried, and barren zones were cut to stop the insects, but these methods did not work out," Junninen said. Finnish pulp and paper companies have for years expressed concern about the economic damage caused by these insects. Geologically, the hills of Koli formed as a result of a collision of Earth's plates some two billion years ago. "Comprising quartz, they have better endured the pressure of the Arctic ice ages that have worn out their surroundings," according to the website of Parks and Wildlife Finland. As Koli's future hangs in the balance, the question remains: can a solution be found to protect this national heritage? Or will this beloved landscape evolve into something entirely new? JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Five suspects were arrested on Tuesday, July 30 after a federal indictment was filed in the Southern District of Mississippi. The charges against the suspects stem from a multi-year federal investigation of a drug trafficking operation distributing methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illegal drugs in the Jackson area and elsewhere. Woman pleads guilty to killing man at Jackson fast food restaurant The following defendants were arrested on Tuesday: James Naylor, 59, of Jackson Donald Jordan, 49, of Jackson Cedrick Barber, 48, of Jackson Aron Brown, 53, of Madison Danita Wheeler, 58, of Jackson Initial court appearances were held Wednesday morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac in U.S. District Court in Jackson. James Naylor (Courtesy: Madison Co. Detention Center) Donald Jordan (Courtesy: Madison Co. Detention Center) Aron Brown (Courtesy: Madison Co. Detention Center) Danita Wheeler (Courtesy: Madison Co. Detention Center) The indictment charges nine individuals with various drug trafficking crimes, including, but not limited, to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to do so. Several defendants face mandatory minimum sentences because of the significant quantities of illegal drugs. Additionally, some defendants have been charged with firearms-related crimes. The Department of Justice is working hard with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to help make the Jackson area safer by conducting major investigations, like this one, that dismantle drug trafficking and violent organizations, said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee. Criminals in Jackson should be on notice that committing crimes as part of a large group is a one-way ticket to federal prison. The cases are being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Hinds County Sheriffs Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Jackson Police Department. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Editors note: A judge has dismissed the charges filed against Thomas J. Decarlo, 20, of Ashland; Brodee T. Voelker, 30, of Gurnee, Illinois; and Brandon J. Laux, 34, of Plover, in connection with the Amherst standoff. Read the full story here. STEVENS POINT Five people arrested Thursday in connection with an almost 24-hour standoff between law enforcement officers and a man wanted for the attempted homicide of a Sauk County deputy made court appearances Wednesday in Portage County. The five each face a charge of being a party to the crime of harboring or aiding a felon for helping Jeffrey E. Miller, 32, who was charged Friday in Sauk County Circuit Court with attempted first-degree intentional homicide. Miller also faced a charge of intentionally pointing a firearm at a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm as a felon, reckless use of a firearm and criminal damage to property. The charges filed against Miller were dismissed Monday after it was learned Miller had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound during the standoff at 450 Mill St. in the Portage County village of Amherst. Edward J. Deyo, 61, of Amherst, told Portage County Circuit Judge Louis Molepske Jr. that he didn't qualify for a public defender. Deyo also said he didn't have a copy of his criminal complaint. Molepske told Deyo he could apply for a court-appointed attorney. Molepske postponed Deyo's appearance to Aug. 5 to give him time to see the criminal complaint. Deyo is being held on a $75,000 cash bail set by Portage County Circuit Judge Thomas Flugaur Friday. Thomas J. Decarlo, 20, of Ashland, is being held in the Portage County Jail pending a $5,000 cash bail previously set Friday by Flugaur. Decarlo told Molepske he wants a public defender. Molepske postponed Decarlo's initial appearance until Aug. 5. Stevens Point Streetwise: What's being built near Ulta in Plover and Scooter's Coffee in Stevens Point? New Wisconsin child care survey: Child care costs rise, while providers are underpaid Brandon J. Laux, 34, of Plover, is free on a $5,000 cash bail previously set by Flugaur Friday. Molepske scheduled Laux's preliminary hearing for Aug. 19. Brodee T. Voelker, 30, of Gurnee, Illinois, is in the Portage County Jail pending a $5,000 cash bail set Friday by Flugaur. Voelker, who did not have an attorney Wednesday, told Molepske he is living in a recovery home and has no address at this time. Molepske rescheduled Voelker's initial appearance on the charge for Aug. 5. Chrissy A. Miller, 43, of Amherst, is free on a $20,000 cash bail Flugaur set Friday. She filed a petition for a court-appointed attorney. Portage County Circuit Judge Patricia Baker rescheduled Miller's initial court appearance for Aug. 7. According to the criminal complaints in the five cases, on July 23, Jeffrey Miller was involved in a high-speed chase on State 113 outside of Baraboo. The chase ended when Jeffrey Miller crashed his vehicle. When deputies approached the vehicle, Jeffrey Miller opened fire on deputies with a rifle. One deputy was hurt in the shooting. Jeffrey Miller fled the scene. Investigators were able to trace one of Jeffrey Miller's social media accounts to a home at 450 Mill St. in the village of Amherst. They checked the address and learned the home belonged to Deyo, according to the complaint. A witness reported to police seeing Jeffrey Miller and another man in a black BMW at a BP gas station in Coloma. Investigators checked video from the gas station and were able to identify the man Jeffrey Miller was with as Deyo. Law enforcement officers, including U.S. Marshalls, watched Deyo's home and saw each of the five defendants talking with Jeffrey Miller outside the home, according to the complaint. Three vehicles that arrived at the home each brought one of the defendants. Other people were in the vehicles who were not identified. At no time while the house was being watched did any of the five defendants reach out to law enforcement officers to tell them Jeffrey Miller was in the home, according to the complaint. Law enforcement officers got a "no knock warrant" for the home and, on the evening of July 25, multiple agencies got together to serve the warrant, according to the complaint. The officers encircled the house and approached it using an armored vehicle, according to the complaint. They gave orders for the people to leave the house, and the five defendants came out. Jeffrey Miller barricaded himself inside the house, according to the complaint. Police entered the house on Friday and found Jeffrey Miller's body with a firearm lying nearby. Officers never shot at Miller in the home, according to a release from the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Contact Karen Madden at 715-345-2245 or kmadden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33 This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Five charged in connection with Amherst standoff make court appearances Five Shahed drones entered Belarusian airspace early on 31 July, one of them flew over 250 km deep into Belarus One of the drones flew over Belarusian territory for more than 250 kilometres. Illustration: Belaruski Hajun At least five Russian Shahed drones invaded Belarus on the night of 30-31 July. One of them flew over its territory for more than 250 kilometres. Source: Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet Quote: "During the night of 30-31 July, Belarus experienced the largest incursion of Shahed drones into its airspace since monitoring began. Belaruski Hajuns information indicates that at least five Shahed-type loitering munitions entered Belarus during the night." Details: Reportedly, the first Shahed drone entered Belarus at around 23:20 near the village of Asarevichy. In response, the Belarusian Air Force scrambled a fighter jet from the Baranavichy airbase, which flew across the southeastern part of the country near the border for over an hour. The loitering munitions entered Belarusian airspace near the towns of Loyew, Asarevichy, and Kirava. "Most of the drones immediately headed deep into the Polesie Radiation and Environmental Reserve and then returned to Ukraine. However, one of the drones flew over 260 kilometres through Belarus, reaching as far as the town of Stolin in Brest Oblast," Belaruski Hajun reports. Background: On the night of 30-31 July, Belarusian monitoring channels recorded the probable entry of Russian Shahed drones into Belarusian territory, where a fighter jet was scrambled due to the threat. A Shahed attack drone entered the Belarusian airspace at 03:00 and flew over 350 kilometres. A helicopter and a fighter jet were scrambled to intercept it. Support UP or become our patron! Tehran University academics waving Palestinian and Iranian flags and holding photos during a demonstration over the death of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismael Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran, on July 31, 2024. Credit - Fatemeh BahramiAnadolu/Getty Images Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a predawn airstrike in Tehran last night. The 62-year-old was not just another senior member of Hamas. He was the head of its political wing since 2017, a key member who initiated and orchestrated most of its strategic moves, and its worldwide representative. If Hamas leadership were a deck of cards, Haniyeh was the ace of spades. Iran and Hamas have blamed Tel Aviv and the U.S. for the killing, despite silence from the former and denial from the latter. There are a number of implications that can already be gleaned from Haniyehs death. Here are the top five. 1. This is a message to the Iranian leadership. The targeted killing of Haniyeh serves as a demonstration of capabilities and power in the heart of Tehran as a new President began his tenure there. The message is clear: continuing to fund, sponsor, and support proxies such as Hamas, Hezbollah, or Yemens Houthis could lead to a direct response to the head of the octopus itself. If Haniyeh was eliminated in Tehran, anybody could be eliminated in Tehran. 2. A full-scale war with Lebanon is less likely, not more. Haniyehs death occurred only hours after Israel carried out a strike in the Dahieh quarter in Beirut and killed Fuad Shukr, who was directly responsible for the death of 12 Druze children on Saturday in Majdal Shams. Their death did not happen in a vacuum. Since joining the war in October, Hezbollah has fired at Israel thousands of times, and Israel has returned fire. The deaths of Haniyeh and Shukr, in the span of a few hours, send a sharp message to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah that enough is enough. While no one can fully predict how Nasrallah may respondhe promptly declared that Haniyehs death would increase the resistanceNasrallah is known for being highly calculated. This new equation may not ultimately prevent a full-scale war, but it could make Nasrallah more cautious about Hezbollahs military posture. Read More: The Coming Israel-Hezbollah War More from TIME 3. This is part of the Israeli healing process. The Israeli sentiment regards Hamas leadership just like it did with the Black September militants who carried out the Munich massacre in the 1972 Olympic games. Back then, killing Ali Hassan Salamehthe organizations operations chief, known as the Red Princewas essential for retaliatory purposes. Even more so, it was necessary for social healing. Similarly, here, Haniyeh is one of the symbols behind the biggest tragedy for Jews since the Holocaust. His death is a message for the victims and fallen soldiers families that the killing of innocent Jews, like in the 1930s and 1940s Europe, wont go without punishment. 4. Yahya Sinwar is isolated. Its been barely three weeks, and the world has forgotten the attempt on the airstrike targeting Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas military wing, in Khan Yunis. In the event Deif did not survive, Sinwar, the architect of Oct. 7, would be the only senior Hamas leader standing (alongside Khaled Mashal). On the one hand, this means more power and responsibilities to the man who is already Hamas most influential person. Conversely, one man can handle only so much alone, especially while hiding underground. The direct implication here is that Hamas management will be harmed, both inside (militarily) and outside (politically) the Gaza Strip. 5. More uncertainty over a hostage deal. If theres one topic Sinwars isolation could affect the most, its this. And its not just another topic. The 115 remaining hostages represent a national trauma in Israel. Their release isn't vital just for their own sake but for the continuation of the Israeli ethos, according to which no one is left behind. In the short run, Sinwar will likely refuse to engage in any deal to avoid rewarding Israel following Haniyehs death. Such a decision will also grant him a time window for a potential response from Iran or its proxies, which aligns with Sinwars aspiration for a full-scale regional war. In the longer run, however, this may increase the likelihood of a hostage deal, as Sinwar might seek to avoid a fate similar to Haniyehs. The problem is the hostages dont have time. Conditions in captivity are horrendous and former hostages have recounted physical and sexual abuse. Finding the right formula to engage in a deal without altogether forfeiting its military interests will be an Israeli challenge. Like every significant targeted killing in the Middle East, the implications go far beyond the specific target. Haniyehs case provides a profound example. This doesnt mean the war endedfar from it. But it means new conditions have been set that will impact us all. Contact us at letters@time.com. Donald Trump attended a Q&A with political journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on Wednesday, where, despite some internal opposition to Trumps presence, NABJ President Ken Lemon promised those assembled the opportunity ... to ask the tough questions of the twice-impeached former president. Trump, whos grown accustomed to softball questions from right-wing reporters, was clearly not up to the task. ABC News senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott, who served as a moderator, opened with a question addressing the elephant in the room. The question is worth reading in its entirety: You have pushed false claims about some of your rivals, from Nikki Haley to former President Barack Obama, saying that they were not born in the United States which is not true; you have told four congresswomen of color, who are American citizens, to go back to where they came from; you have used words like animal and rabid to describe Black district attorneys; you have attacked Black journalists, calling them losers, saying the questions that they ask are stupid and racist; youve had dinner with a white supremacist at your Mar-a-Lago resort. So my question, sir: Now that you are asking Black supporters to vote for you, why should Black voters trust you after you have used language like that? Trump responded by attacking Scott herself, avoiding any substance entirely. I dont think Ive ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, he said, to gasps from the audience. Are you with ABC? Because I think theyre a fake news network, he told the journalist. Youre a terrible network. And I think its disgraceful that I came here in good spirit. I love the Black population of this country. Ive done so much for the Black population of this country. The back-and-forth only spiraled from there, despite some friendly redirects from Fox News Harris Faulkner, who was also at the event as a moderator. The Harris campaign pounced soon after the event concluded. Todays tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trumps MAGA rallies this entire campaign, Harris spokesperson Michael Tyler said in an emailed statement. Here are the five wildest moments from the panel, with a hat tip to journalist Aaron Rupar for relaying Trumps performance on social media. Trump panicked when asked why Black voters should trust him when hes dined with a white supremacist at Mar-a-Lago. Trump at the NABJ is immediately asked about his racist comments and why Black voters should trust him. He replies, "First of all, I don't think I've very been asked a question in such a horrible manner." pic.twitter.com/6ZmOo0ixCE Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2024 Trump kept fuming even as the moderators moved on to new material, pausing amid a question about his age to refer to Scott as this woman and call her very rude and nasty while heckling an audience member. Trump wouldnt say if JD Vance is ready to be president. When Faulkner asked Trump if his running mate would be ready on day one to step up as commander in chief, Trump side-stepped the question entirely. Historically, the vice president, in the terms of the election, does not have any impact. I mean virtually no impact, he said. Virtually never has it mattered. Trump doesn't answer a question about if JD Vance will be "ready on day one" "The vice president in terms of the election doesn't have any impact," Trump says. Not exactly a ringing endorsement! pic.twitter.com/eYnzrK0TaE Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2024 Trump questioned Kamala Harris identity and implied that a person could not be both Indian American and Black. When Scott asked if its acceptable that Trumps allies have called Harris whos both the first Black and the first Asian American woman to serve as vice president a DEI hire, Trump again floundered. How do you define DEI? Trump asked, apparently believing he had the upper hand. Go ahead. How do you define it? Diversity, equity and inclusion, Scott responded. Ok... yeah, go ahead, Trump replied, losing the thread. Is that what your definition ... Give me the definition, then. Thats literally the words, Scott said. I just defined it, sir. She then reminded Trump of her original question. He responded that Harris was always promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a couple of years ago when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black, so I dont know is she Indian or is she Black? She was Indian all the way and then she made a turn and she became a Black person. And I think somebody should look into that, too. Trump then accused Scott of being hostile and nasty after she informed him that Harris ethnicity has never changed. Trump tells Black journalists that Kamala Harris "is of Indian heritage ... is she Indian or is she Black? ... she became a Black person." Note the audience laughing at him. pic.twitter.com/PAhmgr1yBS Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2024 After the event, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called Trumps comments about Harris repulsive. No one has any right to tell someone who they are, how they identify, she said, The Guardian reported. She is the vice president of the United States. Kamala Harris. We have to put some respect on her name. Period. Trump said he wanted to stop people at the border from taking Black jobs. When Faulkner asked Trump why hed joined Wednesdays event, referencing Americas racial divisions, Trump ran in an unexpected direction. My message is to stop people from invading our country, he said. One of the big problems and a lot of the journalists in this room I know and I have great respect for a lot of the journalists in this room are Black, Trump continued, prompting some laughter as people anticipated what he would say next. Coming from the border are millions and millions of people that happen to be taking Black jobs, he said. Gasps turned to laughter when Scott asked, What exactly is a Black job, sir? Trump responded, A Black job is anybody who has a job. Trump's message to Black journalists and voters is "to stop people from invading our country" who are "taking Black jobs." (Note the gasps from the audience.) pic.twitter.com/J7qfddpNQR Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2024 Trump needed to be reminded that innocent Jan. 6 rioters have been convicted of crimes. When Scott asked Trump why, as someone whos previously claimed to be the law and order candidate, he would pardon the rioters who assaulted the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump short-circuited. Those rioters who assaulted officers. Would you pardon them? Scott asked. Oh, absolutely I would. If theyre innocent? If theyre innocent I would pardon them, he replied. Scott noted: Theyve been convicted. As the crowd laughed in disbelief, Trump dismissed the validity of the judicial system, saying, Well, they were convicted by a very tough system. SCOTT: My question is on those rioters who assaulted officers. Would you pardon them? TRUMP: Oh, absolutely I would. If they're innocent. SCOTT: They were convicted CROWD: *laughs* pic.twitter.com/Zj8mYTpj7r Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2024 Related... (WHTM) Attorney General Michelle Henry announced a new complaint form for Pennsylvanians experiencing air travel hardships. According to the office of the Attorney General, this new form is a response to the rise in consumer complaints regarding flight delays, cancellations, and other airline-related problems nationwide. The Attorneys office said this new partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation allows consumers to file complaints online, even if they purchased a ticket through a third-party company. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest It is no longer a secret that Pennsylvanians and consumers across the country are finding less and less convenience when traveling by air, Attorney General Henry said. This form makes it easier for travelers who encounter problems to file a complaint, and is part of an ongoing initiative with federal partners to hold airlines and agents accountable when they mistreat consumers. The form is easy to navigate and only requires information regarding tickets and the nature of complaints. According to the Attorney Generals office, the Department of Transportation plans to launch a similar form-based system for its larger organization this year. Check out the form 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 ABC27. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida man was accused of kicking his 10-year-old daughter out of a car and leaving her on a busy roadway. Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez said Hector Serrano, 30, abandoned the girl in Kissimmee just after midnight on Monday, according to NBC affiliate WESH. The incident happened amid an argument with the girls grandparents, the sheriff said. Mind you, this area is about 21 minutes from grandmas house, Lopez said. Wolves exist, predators exist. You know, you throw a little 10-year-old girl out in an area like that, it doesnt matter what time of the morning or day it is, thats a reckless, irresponsible act. Witnesses told deputies they saw Serrano throw the girls clothes and toys at her before leaving her on the side of the road. They said she was scared, distraught, crying, confused, according to Lopez. Something bad couldve happened to the little girl. Anybody couldve kidnapped her. She couldve become a victim to human trafficking, Lopez said. Serrano was arrested and charged with child neglect. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida man is behind bars after he threatened to burn the house down and kill the victims if they didnt give him a refill of Xanax, according to an affidavit. On July 25, Marion County deputies responded to a home for a domestic battery call. Plant City arson leads to quadruple murder: deputies The suspect, Leandro Seepersad, was threatening his mom and his stepdad, whom he lives with, saying he would burn the house and kill them both if he was not provided with more of his moms prescription Xanax supply, the report said. The victims pulled their vehicle in behind the deputy when he arrived after they had left the home because they were terrified of Seepersad. According to the victims, the suspect got angry, leaving the passenger side mirror of their car crushed and nearly ripped off. The mothers side of the story, however, would change and eventually said the mirror damage was accidental and the threats from her son were exaggerated. Seepersad told officials he had his hand on the vehicles side mirror, but it ripped off the car as the victims backed away. Store clerk stole $1M lottery ticket from customer, tried to collect winnings: sheriff While in the deputys patrol car, Seepersad told his mom to hide my week and keep his money coming. He also told her to have his stepfather drop the charges or that they were finna die while Im in prison. According to the affidavit, Seepersad admitted to stealing 39 Xanax pills from his moms supply and having an addition to the drug. Seepersad was arrested for criminal mischief under $200 and two counts of domestic simple assault. The report said he has a violent criminal history including armed robbery with a lethal weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, and felony drug charges. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Florida man who woke up from 244-day coma dies after being hit by truck seven years later Drew Kohn died after being hit by a truck almost exactly seven years after going into a coma (GoFundMe) A man survived a coma that spanned 244 days but seven years and one week later, he was tragically killed by a truck. In July 2017, days before Drew Kohn turned 23, he endured a motorcycle crash in Jacksonville, Florida, First Coast News reported. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors determined he had sustained a traumatic brain injury, and impaled lungs, as well as a broken shoulder, pelvis, and ribs. Doctors thought he was brain dead and would never walk or talk again, but through faith and the power of prayer, he emerged from a coma after 244 days and lived life to the fullest, a GoFundMe page stated. They would have harvested his organs, his mother, Yolanda Osborne-Kohn told First Coast News. It was because of my faith that gave me the boldness to speak up and push back and let them know youre not getting a toenail or an eyelash. When he awoke, his mother recalled him saying: Yeah mom, Im OK. I love you, mom. But on July 26, 2024, this time days before he turned 30, Kohn was the victim of another accident. He was hit by a pickup truck while walking at 5.30am in Jacksonville. The driver reportedly stopped driving right away and called 911. Kohn was pronounced dead at the scene. The Independent has emailed the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office for more information. While we miss him more than words can express, we are at peace knowing he is finally home, the GoFundMe page said. He was passionate about helping those struggling with trauma and traumatic brain injuries, always giving them hope. The fundraiser has raked in nearly $12,000 to pay for his funeral expenses as well as the medical expenses he had accumulated over the years. This article was originally published in Florida Phoenix. A state forecast indicates Florida schools will experience declining enrollment in five of the next six years, with the one positive year representing less than a 0.1% increase. The student enrollment forecast from the state Office of Economic and Demographic Research predicts that 12,379 fewer students will attend traditional public schools during the 2024-2025 school year, a 0.5% drop from 2.366 million to 2.354 million. The numbers do not include students receiving scholarships to attend nonpublic schools, home-based students, students in the juvenile justice system, and other groups. The new school year will mark the fifth full school year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first year after the start of the pandemic, 2020-2021, the state saw 6.1% fewer students in school. Since then, enrollment has increased by 2.6% in 2021-2022 and 1.4% in 2022-2023. According to forecaster Elisabeth Goodman, the enrollment during the most recent school year reflects a leveling out since the COVID-19 pandemic. What were seeing is stabilization when it comes to students choosing which setting theyre going to be in, especially when it comes to district virtual and [Florida Virtual School], it looks like the students who were going to return to brick and mortar have, as we see, that they have stabilized in 2023-2024 relative to 2022-2023, Goodman said during a June estimating meeting. Some of those students came back to the districts, but the number is not expected to rebound to pre-pandemic levels in the next 10 years, according to the forecast. State forecasters within the Education Estimating Conference project that enrollment will increase by tenths of 1% annually between 2030 and 2035, the furthest the forecast extends. The 2034-2035 forecast foresees nearly 100,000 fewer students than pre-pandemic enrollment. In that same time, Floridas population has grown from 21.5 million in 2020 to 23 million in 2024 and is projected to hit 25.7 million in 2034, well above pre-pandemic numbers. Students have opted to attend private schools and charter schools at higher rates in recent years due to school choice programs enacted by the state Legislature and the governor that provide taxpayer funded scholarships for that purpose. These programs go toward tuition and other educational costs for students to attend private schools, or to be home schooled. Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com. Follow Florida Phoenix on Facebook and X. WASHINGTON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed an "All-American Flag Act," which mandates federal purchase of flags completely manufactured in the United States. The new act prohibits federal agencies from purchasing U.S. flags that are not domestically manufactured, with certain specified exceptions, according to the White House. Currently, the federal government is only required to buy flags that have just 50 percent of American-made materials. Supporters of the proposal said the change will support American jobs and manufacturers. The United States imports millions of American flags from overseas, mostly from China. It imported approximately 10 million American flags in 2017, with 99.5 percent of them coming from China, ABC News reported on Tuesday. The new act will go into effect in about six months. Florida scrambles for solutions to contain wayward sea turtles from getting on to commuter road Florida scrambles for solutions to contain wayward sea turtles from getting on to commuter road Florida authorities are scrambling for solutions to stop wayward sea turtles from getting on to a commuter road - despite significant measures to stop them. Officials in Flagler County have received reports that some wayward sea turtles have been able to crawl up onto the top of new sand dunes at a US Army Corps on Engineers construction project, and are concerned that they will get onto a nearby road, according to a release posted on Facebook on Tuesday. Authorities initially believed the turtles would not be able to climb over the steep dune slope, which was constructed to stop the turtles from getting onto the road. Hawkbill, Green and Loggerhead sea turtles are listed as endangered species, all of which are typically found in Florida waters. A Loggerhead Sea Turtle makes it way to the Atlantic Ocean in Juno Beach, Florida. Authorities in the state are working to stop sea turtles from getting from the beach to a nearby road in Flagler County (AP) The Independent has emailed Flagler County officials for comment. State and federal wildlife agencies are working to install deterrents thatll stop the turtles from coming over the dunes at the construction area, around 25 miles from Daytona Beach. One solution is to accelerate the speed of the Corps project to put in permanent sand fencing in the area. If thats not possible, engineers will install temporary fencing. We are working closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and US Fish and Wildlife Service right now to take preventative measures for turtles that may crawl up onto the new dune so they dont go onto the road, Ansley Wren-Key, coastal engineering administrator for the area, said in a release. The permanent sand fencing will be three feet above ground and 10 to 12 inches below ground, which is about what is required to keep sea turtles and gopher tortoises at bay. Once the wide beach is built, these sea turtles will have more habitat to lay their eggs and nest, Wren-Key said. On other nourished beaches in Florida, statistics show that nesting activity increases and the mortality rate decreases as more nesting areas are provided and the nests are not washed out with high tides and storms, which can be a hazard for nests on narrow beaches. Forecasters monitor Atlantic disturbance. It could impact Florida, at least with rain The National Hurricane Center is watching a tropical disturbance that has the potential to develop into a tropical depression or something stronger and approach Florida during the weekend. Whatever happens, it shapes up as a potentially rainy weekend for South Florida. For days, the hurricane center has held the disturbances chance of strengthening within the week at 60%. And as of Wednesday night, that remained the same. Forecasters gave the system, which is in the mid-Atlantic, a 0% chance of developing into a tropical depression in the next two days. Conditions should get friendlier for the system in the next few days, the hurricane center said. By Friday or Saturday, it could develop into a tropical depression as it nears Cuba, Florida and the Bahamas. On the hurricane centers map, the orange blob marks areas where the hurricane center thinks a tropical depression could form, not where it could go or who could be affected. The tropical system still has a 60% chance of forming into a tropical depression in the next seven days. This far out, global computer models dont do that well at predicting where a poorly formed system could go, or how strong it could get. But early runs have continued to suggest the system could pass near Floridas east coast during the weekend as a tropical depression or tropical storm. The next name on the list is Debby. But, meteorologist James Spann noted on X, there is little skill in forecasting the position or intensity of a tropical cyclone seven days in advance. So, be sure and watch for any changes. The system will bring a 70% chance of rain to South Florida this weekend, the Miami office of the National Weather Service said. Forget Mount Fuji. Here are 5 underrated day trips to take from Tokyo, according to a Japanese local. Mount Fuji is a popular day trip to make from Tokyo, but tourists can also consider taking alternatives. Kengo Enomoto Kengo Enomoto started posting Japan-focused travel content on YouTube during pandemic restrictions. As tourism booms in Japan, travelers flock to towns like Hakone and Fujikawaguchiko to see Mount Fuji. Enomoto suggests taking trips to lesser-known destinations to see different sides of the country. When pandemic restrictions impacted the English school that Kengo Enomoto ran for doctors, he decided to try content creation. His goal was to give tourists a glimpse of Japan. The 44-year-old, who grew up on the outskirts of Tokyo, started the YouTube channel @tokyokenchan in 2021, where he regularly posts videos about his country. "I thought it was very difficult for tourists to enjoy Japan fully, so I decided to manage a YouTube channel so people could enjoy it and come back again," said Enomoto, who is not associated with any travel agency or tourism board. Two years since Japan reopened its borders, the Japanese yen has weakened, and tourists have flocked to Japan in full force. In March, the Japan National Tourism Organization reported a record high of 3.08 million visitors, surpassing the previous 2.99 million set in July 2019. However, many of the tourist hot spots visited to see Mount Fuji, often suffer from overtourism. In April, officials from Fujikawaguchiko erected an eight-foot-tall barrier to prevent tourists from overcrowding a popular photo spot of Mount Fuji. And while Tokyo is a must-see for first-time visitors, it can get busy, Enomoto said. "Day trips are a great opportunity to see a different side of Japan," he added. Since starting his YouTube channel, the content creator has made day trips to around 15 Japanese towns to shoot travel content. Here are Enomoto's five lesser-known destinations and his suggestions for the best transportation. Prices are from japan-guide.com. 1. Hike and chase waterfalls in Nikko Enomoto suggests hiking to see the different waterfalls, including Kegon Falls in Nikko. Kengo Enomoto Trip: Take the Tobu Railway from Asakusa Station to Tobu-Nikko station Duration: 2 hours Price: 1,400-3,340 yen, or $9-$21.50, one-way. Nikko is perfect for hikers and nature lovers, Enomoto said. It's also one of his favorite day trip destinations. The mountainous town has various hiking trails to visit its three main waterfalls, Yudaki, Ryuzu, and Kegon. It's also famous for the Toshogu shrine, a lavish complex that combines Shinto and Buddhist elements. Enomoto suggests visiting in the fall for the best weather and scenery. He also recommends stopping by a street stall to try yuba, a local delicacy made from tofu skin. 2. Unwind in the hot springs and beaches of Atami Atami is great to visit all year for its beaches and hot springs. Kengo Enomoto Trip: Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Atami Station Duration: 45 minutes Price: 4,000 yen, or $25, one-way When the weather gets chilly, Enomoto suggests heading to Atami, a hot spring destination. The seaside town was famous among locals in the 1990s and 80s. Now, its charming old hotels remain, giving the area a sense of nostalgia. In the summer, locals stroll along the beach and enjoy fresh seafood. "You can see steam coming up from all over the town because of the hot springs it's beautiful," he said. 3. Explore the rustic countryside of Chichibu Chichibu is a small town with a sense of old Japan. Kengo Enomoto Trip: Take the "Red Arrow" limited express train by Seibu Railway from Ikebukuro Station to Seibu Chichibu Station Duration: 1.5 hours Price: 1,700 yen, or $11, one-way For travelers who need a break from city life, Enomoto recommends Chichibu, a small town with a feel of "old Japan." Located in the Saitama prefecture, Chichibu has forested mountains and valleys for outdoor activities like river rafting. In the late Spring, Hitsujiyama Park blossoms into a field of pink when shibazakura, or moss pink, is in full bloom. 4. Take a short ride to Kawagoe to shop and eat sweet potatoes Taisho Roman Street, a shopping street in Kawagoe. Kengo Enomoto Trip: Take a train along the Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro Station to Kawagoe Station Duration: 30 mins Price: 490 yen, or $3, one-way Enomoto said Kawagoe is perfect for young people who enjoy shopping and street food. Although the town is popular for its Edo-period buildings at Karazukuri Street, few know about its sweet potato and eel dishes. During sweet potato season, from September to early November, tourists can even try digging sweet potatoes at farms. "This is a great destination for someone who cannot wake up early," Enomoto added, as the town is only 30 minutes from central Tokyo. 5. Snack on sashimi along Miura Peninsula Hike along the coast of Jogashima, an island in the Miura peninsula. Kengo Enomoto Trip: Buy a Misaki Maguro Day Trip Ticket from Shinagawa and take the Keikyu line to Misakiguchi Duration: 1.5 hours Price: 4,250 yen, or $27, for unlimited trips on the Keikyu line The Miura Peninsula is a great place to stop for seafood and sea views. Enomoto suggests walking around its famous Misaki port to enjoy tuna and stopping by the nearby Jogashima Island for coastal walking trails. He recommends purchasing a Misaki Tuna Ticket, which covers the cost of transport tickets and exclusive tuna dishes at selected restaurants. Enomoto advises checking the transportation schedule in advance for a successful day trip, as buses and trains are less regular outside Tokyo. "I also made a mistake like that," he said. And although day trips are a great way to explore off the beaten path, Enomoto recommends not completely skipping Tokyo if this is your first time in Japan. "By seeing Tokyo, I think you can have contrast in your itinerary and appreciate more of the day-trip destinations." Read the original article on Business Insider 'Black Swan' Trial Verdict: Former Ballerina Ashley Benefield Guilty of Manslaughter in Death of Husband Benefield fatally shot her husband, 58-year-old Doug Benefield, in September 2020, but she claimed it was self-defense Ashley Benefield and husband Doug Ashley Benefield, the 32-year-old former ballerina accused of murdering her husband, was found guilty of manslaughter. The verdict was announced in a Manatee County, Fla. courtroom on Tuesday, July 30. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Benefield was originally charged with second-degree murder, but was convicted of the lesser crime. The judge remanded her to the custody of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and revoked her $100,000 bond, per NBC News. The case was dubbed the "Black Swan Murder Trial" based on the 2010 film Black Swan starring Natalie Portman as a ballerina in the midst of a psychological unraveling. Benefield was accused of fatally shooting her husband, 58-year-old Doug Benefield, in her mothers Lakewood Ranch home in September 2020. Prosecutors said that Ashley killed her estranged husband because she wanted sole custody of their young daughter and didnt want him in their lives anymore. This case is about a woman who very early on in her pregnancy decided she wanted to be a single mother, Assistant State Attorney Suzanne ODonnell told the jury in her opening statement, according to The Post and Courier. And she did not want the father of this child to have any visitation [and] she would stop at nothing to obtain that goal. Her defense attorney argued that Ashley killed the former Navy veteran in self-defense. Mike Lang/USATNSYNDICATION Ashley Benefield Related: Did Ballerina Kill Husband Because She 'Wanted to Be a Single Mother' or Was It Self-Defense? Thirty years older than Ashley, he was obsessed with her and he successfully portrayed himself as he was not in an effort to win her hand in marriage, defense attorney Neil Taylor said, per WFLA. Despite promoting himself as a religious, honorable, and decent human being, Benefield was a manipulative, cunning, and abusive man who insisted, absolutely insisted on control. 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. The two met at a Republican party fundraiser in 2016 when Ashley was a 24-year-old ballet dancer and Doug was a 54-year-old Navy veteran and technology consultant. They married just 13 days later and Ashley became pregnant with Doug's child. But things soon began to deteriorate. Ashley Benefield According to prosecutors, Ashley wanted to rid herself of Doug, and to that end, she accused him of emotional abuse and claimed he'd tried to poison her with heavy metals, Fox 13 reports. Prosecutors said she didn't notify Doug after their child was born, and that he only found out when she filed a restraining order against him. The two battled for visitation rights before Doug was granted visitation with his daughter in July of 2018. Related: Former Ballet Dancer Charged with Fatally Shooting Estranged Husband On Sept. 27, 2020, Doug came by Ashley's mother's home to help Ashley pack for her and her daughters move to Maryland, where Doug also planned to relocate. Soon after, police responded to a 911 call and found Doug fatally shot on a bedroom floor, bleeding in three places. Ashley told police her husband had tried to attack her and she had shot him in self-defense. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Huw Edwards, a former top BBC journalist, plead guilty to three counts of obtaining, keeping and sharing indecent images of children on Wednesday. Edwards, who was the lead presenter of BBC Ones News at Ten from 2003-2023, admitted to receiving 41 images from a convicted pedophile through WhatsApp, per the BBC. Of those images, which could include both still photos or videos, seven were labeled Category A, with two featuring children aged between 7 and 9 years old. The rest were of kids estimated to be aged 13 to 15. Edwards entered his guilty plea at Westminster magistrates court a month after being charged on June 26. He was first arrested in November 2023. In response to his guilty plea, the BBC said it was shocked. There can be no place for such abhorrent behaviour and our thoughts are with all those affected, the British news platform wrote in its statement, adding that it was aware of Edwards arrest in relation to suspicions of serious offenses and acknowledging that he was ultimately released on bail. In total, Edwards was accused of exchanging 377 sexually explicit images with the 25-year-old pedophile in question, with the above 41 featuring minors (Category A images typically depict penetration). Edwards sentencing is set for Sept. 16. For now, he is out on bail, People reports. Prior to this scandal, the Welsh journalist was suspended by the BBC last July due to sexual misconduct allegations made by The Sun. Despite local police finding no evidence of misconduct, he ultimately left the BBC in April. The post Former BBC Lead Presenter Huw Edwards Pleads Guilty to Disseminating Indecent Images of Children appeared first on TheWrap. Former Denver police recruit sues over 'Fight Day' training that cost him his legs A former Denver police recruit is suing the department, saying he was forced to participate in a "brutal hazing ritual" that cost him both his legs. Victor Moses, 29, alleges that the department and paramedics forced him to participate in "Fight Day," a police training exercise that simulates arrest and assault situations. The lawsuit filed Tuesday says that the force used during the training was excessive and led to life-threatening injuries. "I never thought that I would become the target of police brutality as I was training to become a police officer," Moses said in a news release accompanying the lawsuit. "Now I am picking up the pieces and coming to grips with a lifetime of disabilities." Handout photo of Victor Moses taken after January 6, 2023. What happened to Victor Moses? On Jan. 6, 2023, Moses was participating in a so-called dynamic action drill during Denver police academy training, according to the lawsuit, which says the drill involves four stations intended to teach future officers how to escalate and de-escalate force. It's also known as "Fight Day" in the department, the lawsuit says. At the second station, Moses was knocked to the ground, hit his head and passed out in a simulated attack by multiple assailants, the lawsuit says. Department personnel forced Moses to his feet to continue the drill until he passed out again when an officer called paramedics over, the lawsuit says. Moses told the paramedics that he was "extremely fatigued" and experiencing "extreme leg cramping," a sign of distress in people with sickle cell trait, something Moses said he had in a police application form, the lawsuit says. Although paramedics found that Moses' blood pressure was extremely low, they cleared him to continue training, the lawsuit says. But, it continues, Moses was so exhausted that officers had to bring him to the third station, a ground-fighting drill during which an officer put his body weight on Moses, causing the recruit to say, "I can't breathe," before he became unresponsive. Moses was then taken to the hospital. He required multiple surgeries to save his life, had to have his legs amputated and was hospitalized for four months, according to the suit. Moses developed severe compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, malignant hyperthermia, and severe hyperkalemia in the hospital, according to the lawsuit. Handout image of Victor Moses taken before January 6, 2023. Victor Moses files suit Moses' lawsuit, filed in Denver District Court, names the city, the police department, Denver Health, 11 police department employees and two paramedics. The Denver Police Department declined to comment on the lawsuit. Denver Health also declined to comment on the lawsuit but said in a statement to USA TODAY that "safety and well-being is a top priority for Denver Health and its paramedics." Lawyers for Moses pointed to the department's training tactics as a root cause of the department's excessive use of force in the field. "Instead of training police properly in constitutional use of force techniques, including de-escalation and rendering emergency aid to the injured, the defenseless or the subdued, Denver with the groupthink help of Denver Health instead teaches police recruits it is acceptable to seriously injure people, even fellow officers like Victor Moses, to the point of unconsciousness and then not timely secure emergency care to help them," John Holland, one of Moses' attorneys, said in a statement. 'Fight Day' is an archaic, outmoded, and unnecessary training program, brutally violent and dangerous," Darold Killmer, a lawyer for Moses, said in a statement. "Such brutality in training is not necessary to produce good police officers." The lawsuit includes multiple text exchanges from recruits present during the training where Moses was injured. "What got me was the lack of attention from the paramedics, they should have stepped in way sooner and stopped it, then-recruit Zachary Vasquez said in a group chat, according to the lawsuit. Lawsuit alleges department lied about recruit's injuries to doctors The lawsuit alleges that paramedics lied to doctors at the hospital, denying that there was a "significant traumatic mechanism of injury," causing Moses' care to be compromised. "I mean the bulk of us witnessed him fall headfirst on the tile, they dont have much of an argument against it," Vasquez said in the group chat, the lawsuit says. Killmer says the paramedics helped "enable continued violence and brutality, holding the gate open for additional infliction of trauma even if the recruit has been rendered unconscious." The lawsuit alleges the department continued to cover up their actions, telling news media at the time that Moses' injuries were caused by undisclosed conditions. Moses is seeking compensatory and putative damages from six claims, including a claim against the police officers under a Colorado statute that allows claims against individual police officers who either deprive someone of their state constitutional rights or fail to intervene in such deprivation. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former Denver police recruit sues over training that cost him his legs A Georgia McDonalds employee has been sentenced to five years in prison after he started a dumpster fire. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The U.S. Attorneys Office said Joshua Daryl McGregor, 34, of Savannah, intentionally set the fire because he was frustrated that the restaurant was too crowded. The incident happened at a Savannah McDonalds in April 2023. Prosecutors said he lit a piece of cardboard on fire and threw it into the restaurants dumpster, which was filled with cardboard and other flammable things. TRENDING STORIES: The fire got so intense the customers in the drive-thru had to back out of the parking lot and the restaurant was briefly shut down. McGregor, who filmed the fire with his cell phone, was identified on surveillance video as starting the fire, the D.A.s office said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] McGregor pled guilty to arson charges. Arson is an extremely violent crime that not only destroys property but also places firefighters, first responders and the general public at great risk, said Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Atlanta Field Division. The ATF, along with the Savannah Fires Arson Unit and our other law enforcement partners, are committed to ensuring that our communities are safe and that those who commit these dangerous acts are held accountable. After serving the 5-year sentence, McGregor will have to serve three years of supervised release. CARACAS, Venezuela A former U.S. Green Beret who in 2020 organized a failed cross-border raid of Venezuelan army deserters to remove President Nicolas Maduro has been arrested in New York on federal arms smuggling charges. A federal indictment unsealed this week in Tampa, Florida, accuses Jordan Goudreau and a Venezuelan partner, Yacsy Alvarez, of violating U.S. arms control laws when they allegedly assembled and sent to Colombia AR-styled weapons, ammo, night vision goggles and other defense equipment requiring a U.S. export license. Ex-Green Beret led failed attempt to oust Venezuelas Maduro Goudreau, 48, also was charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods from the United States and unlawful possession of a machine gun, among 14 counts. He was being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Goudreau, a three-time Bronze Star recipient for bravery in Iraq and Afghanistan, catapulted to fame in 2020 when he claimed responsibility for an amphibious raid by a ragtag group of soldiers that had trained in clandestine camps in neighboring Colombia. He said he and others were acting to protect Venezuela's democracy after Maduro's 2018 reelection was boycotted by the opposition and condemned as undemocratic by the U.S. and dozens of other countries. Two days before the incursion, The Associated Press published an investigation detailing how Goudreau had been trying for months to raise funds for the harebrained idea from the Trump administration, Venezuelas opposition and wealthy Americans looking to invest in Venezuelas oil industry should Maduro be removed. While then opposition leader Juan Guaido was initially enthused by the coup idea, signing an agreement with Goudreaus Melbourne, Florida-based start up Silvercorp to explore such an option, little financial support arrived and the rural homes along Colombias Caribbean coast that housed the would-be liberators suffered from a lack of food, weapons and other supplies. Despite the setbacks, the coup plotters went forward in a comical if tragic way in what became known as the Bay of Piglets. The group was easily mopped up by Venezuelas security forces, which had already infiltrated the group. Two of Goudreaus former Green Beret colleagues spent years in Venezuelas prisons until a prisoner swap last year with other jailed Americans for a Maduro ally held in the U.S. on money laundering charges. In this courtroom sketch, retired three-star Venezuelan army general Cliver Antonio Alcala Cordones, center, stands in federal court in New York, Thursday, Jan, 18, 2024. Former Green Beret Jordan Goudreau is seated in the audience, background right. (Elizabeth Williams/ AP) The arrest comes as Maduro is once again facing pressure over his increasingly authoritarian moves. Authorities on Sunday declared him the winner in the countrys presidential election but a growing chorus of western states, including the U.S., refuse to recognize the results, demanding Venezuela release individual precinct tallies. Meanwhile, the opposition has presented records from 80% of the polling booths showing that its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, defeated Maduro by a two-to-one margin. Heres the career info for the former Green Berets involved in Venezuela raid debacle Prosecutors in their 22-page indictment documented the ill-fated plot, citing text messages between the defendants about their effort to buy military-related equipment and export it to Colombia, and tracing a web of money transfers, international flights and large-scale purchases. One November 2019 message from Goudreau to an equipment distributor said: Here is the list bro. It included AR-15 rifles, night vision devices and ballistic helmets, prosecutors said. We def need our guns, Goudreau wrote in one text message, according to the indictment. In another message, prosecutors said, Alvarez asked Goudreau if she would be taking things with her on an upcoming flight from the U.S. to Colombia. Earlier this year, another Goudreau partner in the would-be coup, Cliver Alcala, a retired three-star Venezuelan army general, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court to more than two decades for providing weapons to drug-funded rebels. Goudreau attended the court proceedings but refused then and on other occasions to speak to AP about his role in the attempted coup. His attorney, Gustavo J. Garcia-Montes, said his client is innocent but declined further comment. The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment. An attorney for Alvarez, Christopher A. Kerr, told AP that Alvarez is seeking asylum in the United States and has been living here peacefully with other family members, several of whom are U.S. citizens. She will plead not guilty to these charges this afternoon, and as of right now, under our system, they are nothing more than allegations. Mustian reported from Miami. Tucker reported from Washington. Karrin Taylor Robson, who ran and lost to Kari Lake in the Arizona governors race last cycle, announced she would endorse Lake in her Arizona Senate bid Wednesday. It is essential that we hold on to the Republican majorities in our state legislature, she wrote in a statement shared on social platform X. With Katie Hobbs in the Governors office, we cannot allow a Democratic majority in the legislature to pass a wish list of progressive policies. Senate nominee Kari Lake, our congressional nominees, and the winners of GOP legislative primaries across the state have my full endorsement, Robson added. The statement is notable given that the Arizona gubernatorial GOP primary last cycle turned particularly heated between the two women. Lake has sought to court moderate and establishment Republicans like Robson after isolating them last cycle, though some have remained unconvinced. But Robsons statement suggests some Republicans may be open to mending fences now that Lake is the official Senate GOP nominee. Lake easily glided to victory in the primary Tuesday, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ, teeing up a marquee showdown between her and Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego. Lake replied to Robsons statement, writing on X, Thank you, @KTaylorRobson with a heart emoji. The Arizona Senate seat is seen as a potential pickup opportunity for Republicans as they look to flip the Senate in November. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. HONG KONG, July 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made his 18th trip to the Asia-Pacific region since taking office. His latest visit has once again stoked anxiety in the region by exaggerating the "China threat" as an excuse to further expand America's regional military presence. On Sunday, the United States and Japan commenced their "2+2" security meeting involving bilateral foreign and defense ministers. The allies agreed to upgrade the U.S. military command structure in Japan to improve joint military operations and expand the co-production of air defense missiles. Japan, a nation that has yet to officially apologize for its war atrocities to victim countries, including neighboring China and South Korea, hosts 50,000 U.S. troops and has been seeking to abandon its pacifist Constitution to acquire preemptive strike capacity. Analysts said that Washington is encouraging Japan to enhance its offensive military capabilities and expand the scope of overseas military activities, positioning it a counterbalance against China. However, if Japan's progression toward becoming a military power accelerates further, fueled by its significant accumulation of military technology and manufacturing infrastructure, it could fundamentally disrupt the strategic stability of the Asia-Pacific region. On Monday, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the QUAD, comprising the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, held a meeting in Tokyo. The participants expressed significant concerns over the situation in the South China Sea despite not being directly involved parties. Experts said the South China Sea issue remains complex, lacks simple resolutions and has been distorted. They caution against external interventions that could escalate tensions. Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, a think tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia, stressed that outside countries must respect the sovereignty of the involved parties and refrain from interfering in the South China Sea issue. External countries like the United States and Japan seek conflict, not peace. Kin said both have failed to play any constructive role in the South China Sea and are attempting to halt China's rise by containing and encircling it. On Tuesday, Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited the Philippines for the U.S.-Philippines "2+2" talks, the fourth such dialogue since it began in 2012. Anna Malindog-Uy, vice president of the Manila-based think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, told Xinhua that "obviously, the U.S.-Philippine '2+2' dialogue and the U.S.-Japan talks are intended to strengthen U.S. alliances and partnerships with its allies in the Asia Pacific region. The dialogues are significant steps by Washington in bolstering military and diplomatic ties." Malindog-Uy said that the "U.S. strengthening of military, defense, and security ties with its traditional allies in the region is, in many ways, part of the broader geared toward and catering to U.S. containment policy toward China." Since last year, the United States has beefed up its military presence in the Philippines, with four more new military bases for U.S. troops and 80 million U.S. dollars in infrastructure investment at the five Filipino bases used by the United States. The two sides also held their largest-ever annual joint military drills in April, involving more than 16,700 Philippine and U.S. troops. The U.S. Army's Mid-Range Capability ground-based missile system, or the Typhon system, was also deployed for the first time in the Philippines during the war game. "The U.S. approach focused on security and defense networks and reinforcing its alliances with key regional partners to counterbalance China, creating a tension-driven Asia Pacific region. An increased focus on military alliances can lead to an arms race and heightened tensions," said Malindog-Uy, adding that relying on U.S. security guarantees can limit the Philippines' strategic autonomy in the short and long run. Xiang Haoyu, a specially appointed research fellow in the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies of the China Institute of International Studies, said that the U.S. alliance system is forming a new "island chain" to deter China in the Western Pacific, with Japan and the Philippines playing a crucial role. The United States relies on a series of "small groups" to build a network to geopolitically encircle China. Xiang said the security cooperation between the United States, Japan and the Philippines would only raise tensions in the South China Sea. More reckless and provocative actions at sea will seriously undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea, Xiang said. He added that the security cooperation between the United States, Japan and the Philippines against China would also increase the risk of fragmentation of ASEAN and undermine the regional bloc's unity and centrality. The last thing regional countries need is military conflict and tension when they require economic growth and development. In this regard, the importance of trade for the region, which facilitates economic cooperation and creates a more prosperous and interconnected Asia-Pacific, where China plays a crucial role, is the clear choice by regional countries, said Malindog-Uy. A man charged with sexually assaulting a teenage boy at New Hampshires youth detention center decades ago has died while awaiting trial, his lawyer said Wednesday. Gordon Thomas Searles, 68, died Sunday, said attorney Joseph Fricano. He said he did not know the cause of death and that his client had been looking forward to his day in court. I hope everyone on both sides can be at peace, he said. Searles was one of 11 former state workers arrested after the state launched an unprecedented criminal investigation into the Sununu Youth Services Center 2019, though charges against one of the men were dropped earlier this year after he was found incompetent to stand trial. Searles, who faced three charges of aggravated felonious sexual assault involving a teenage boy between October 1995 and July 1998, also was accused in dozens of lawsuits, most of which alleged physical assault. One lawsuit accused him of sitting on a teens back while another staffer raped him, beating the boy multiple times per week and frequently choking him unconscious. More than 1,100 former residents have sued the state since 2020 alleging physical, sexual, and emotional abuse spanning six decades. In the first case to go to trial, a jury awarded $38 million in May to David Meehan, who said he was beaten and raped hundreds of times. However, the verdict remains in dispute as the state seeks to impose a $475,000 cap on damages. The first criminal trial, which involves a man accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl a dozen times at a pretrial facility in Concord, is set to begin Aug. 26. 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 STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) The former owner of a fitness and tanning business in Toombs County has been indicted on federal charges involving the sexual exploitation of multiple children. According to Jill E. Steinberg, who is the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, Walter Joey Drew, 41, of Kite, is charged in a newly unsealed federal indictment with: Six counts of Production of Child Pornography Three counts of Attempted Production of Child Pornography Six counts of Possession of Child Pornography One count each of Receipt of Child Pornography and Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, Drew was the owner of Legacy Performance Center in Lyons, a gym with a tanning center that has since closed. The indictment alleges that Drew produced or attempted to produce sexually explicit content of at least eight minor victims at the gym and his home from February 2021 to June 2023. It also states that he had those images in his possession. Statesboro police fighting crime with eyes in the sky Drew is also believed to have attempted to produce child pornography by enticing one of the minor victims to engage in sexual activity. He is also facing related state charges in Toombs County, in the Southern District of Georgia, and from separate conduct at a previous residence in White County, in the Northern District of Georgia. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is asking anyone who might be a victim or believes they have information about Drew or his former business to reach out. Those with information are asked to call the HSI Tip Line at 866-347-2423. In addition to prison time, conviction on any of the charges carries substantial financial penalties and restitution, a requirement to register as a sex offender, and up to lifetime supervised release upon completion of any prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) A former Mississippi teacher pled guilty to sex charges. Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson said deputies were notified in March 2021 of a possible sexual offense taking place involving a staff member of a Lee County school. They found evidence that Luke Mason, while as a teacher, used his authority to elicit and entice a sexual situation with a student. Woman indicted for 2003 homicide in North Mississippi During the investigation, Johnson said deputies had discovered that Mason had distributed pornographic photos to another student. He was charged and indicted with three counts of Enticement of a Minor for Sexual Purposes. Investigators said Mason was also charged with distribution of pornographic material to a person under the age of 18. According to Johnson, the investigation was expanded to include authorities in Meridian. Mason was charged by Meridian police with fondling and sexual battery involving minor children. On Monday, July 29, Mason pled guilty and was sentenced to serve five years for his crimes in Lee County. Once hes been released from prison, he will be required to register as a sexual offender and will be on probation with the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Dr. Stephanie Russell pleaded guilty to trying to have her ex-husband killed. A Louisville judge sentenced former pediatrician Stephanie Russell to 12 years in prison Wednesday for attempting to hire a hitman to kill her ex-husband multiple times. U.S. District Court Judge David J. Hale ordered Russell to serve 10 years in federal prison, where parole is not an option, for attempted murder-for-hire and added two years for stalking. He also ordered Russell to pay a $10,000 fine. When released, Russell must remain on supervised probation for three years. The judge also ordered her not to have contact with the victim. Russell, 53, previously ran the popular Kidz Life Pediatrics in Louisville's Norton Commons until agents arrested her at her office in May 2022, a day after a federal agent posed as a hitman and picked up $3,500 from Russell that was supposed to be a partial payment for the murder. Russell said to make the murder look like a suicide. A judge had awarded Russell's ex-husband custody of the children in January 2022. Russell pleaded guilty April 22, 2024, to stalking her former spouse and trying to have him killed amid a protracted custody battle over their two children. By accepting responsibility and avoiding a trial, Russell would have expected a lighter prison sentence. However, she again tried to find a hitman, this time asking inmates to help with the search, prosecutors alleged in court documents asking for a heftier prison sentence. A dental hygienist wrote a letter of support for Russell, saying she and her husband, a periodontist, selected Russell to care for their children 22 years ago due to Russell's professionalism and dedication to her patients. The parents said Russell helped her two children through challenges, including her son's childhood epilepsy. Prosecutors referenced another letter, one initiated by Russell, as evidence the former doctor isn't remorseful and again tried to hire a hitman, this time from behind bars after pleading guilty. Russell allegedly asked a pretrial detainee to send a letter to the detainee's boyfriend to see if he knew anyone who would agree to kill Russell's ex-husband, according to the government's sentencing memo. The letter contained private personal identifying information about the target. Russell's former husband and the lead investigator, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, spoke at the hearing. Russell chose not to say anything. After the hearing, her attorney, Scott C. Cox declined to comment. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Ex-Louisville doc Stephanie Russell sentenced in murder-for-hire plot Two former leaders of a Penn State fraternity pleaded guilty for their roles in a hazing incident that led to the death of student Timothy Piazza in 2017. NBC affiliate WCAU reports Brendan Young, 28, of Malvern, Pennsylvania, and Daniel Casey, 27, of Ronkonkoma, New York, both pleaded guilty to 14 counts of hazing and one count of reckless endangerment. Young was the president of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Casey was vice president and pledge master at the time of Piazzas death. Piazza was just 19 years old when he and other pledges were participating in a bid acceptance event on Feb. 2, 2017. The pledges drank large amounts of alcohol during an initiation event known as the obstacle course. Piazza fell multiple times during the event. He was found unresponsive the following morning and pronounced dead on Feb. 4, 2017, WCAU reports. According to an autopsy, Piazza drank several times the legal limit for alcohol and suffered severe head and abdominal injuries. It took fraternity members 40 minutes after finding him unconscious to call for help. There should be no discussion of this case without recognizing the tragic loss of life and resulting devastation for Mr. Piazzas family and friends, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said. Mr. Piazza was simply seeking to join a social organization for the benefits of community and shared experiences, as so many university students do. Most of those students go on to successful lives and careers basic expectations following college which Mr. Piazza never had the opportunity to experience. Both Casey and Young will be sentenced on Oct. 1. Beta Theta Pi has since been banned from Penn State. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Police investigating smash and grab burglary at Wexford eyeglass store Wanted fugitive in custody after SWAT situation in Carnegie Man with federal warrant leads troopers on chase in Washington County VIDEO: Plan to expand Bakery Square hits road block due to parking concerns DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Courtroom sketch of Cliver Antonio Alcala Cordones, center, his defense attorney Cesar De Castro, right, in NY, Jan, 18, 2024. Jordan Goudreau is seated in the audience, background right. - Credit: Elizabeth Williams/AP Jordan Goudreau, the former Green Beret who in 2020 failed to lead a renegade uprising in Venezuela, will face federal charges for what has come to be known as the Bay of Piglets. Rolling Stone has obtained an unsealed indictment, filed on July 16, which accuses him and a partner, a Venezuelan who lived in Colombia named Yacsy Alvarez Mirabal, of conspiracy, smuggling, violating arms laws, and unlawful possession of a machine gun, among other charges. Authorities arrested Goudreau on Tuesday morning. He is being held at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center. More from Rolling Stone Goudreau, Alvarez, and others conspired to export AR-type firearms, night vision devices, laser sights, and other equipment from the United States to Colombia, without obtaining the required export licenses, to carry out an armed incursion into Venezuela to remove [Venezuelan President] Nicolas Maduro Moros from power, the introduction to the conspiracy section of the indictment reads. Goudreaus attorney did not immediately respond to Rolling Stones request for comment. A rep for the United States Attorneys Office declined further comment beyond what was already on the public docket. Alvarezs attorney told The Associated Press, She will plead not guilty to these charges this afternoon, and as of right now, under our system, they are nothing more than allegations. Rolling Stone detailed the alleged incursion in a 2020 feature, explaining how Goudreau and other exSpecial Forces operatives reportedly planned on loading boats with guns, ammo, and some 50 Venezuelan fighters with an eye toward displacing Maduro. The mission, Operation Gideon, was a failure. Goudreau later claimed it was done with the knowledge of then-President Trump. Look, Im responsible for everything I do or fail to do, Goudreau said in the article. Im not, Oh, it wasnt me. That aint me, man. I fucked up. I own it. Its on me. But at the same time, theres reasons why. In the indictment, the government alleges Goudreau and Alvarez operated their conspiracy between November 2019 and March 2020 during which time they planned on exporting the aforementioned defense articles from the U.S. to Colombia. The feds claim Goudreau texted equipment distributors on Nov. 7, 2019, Here is the list, bro, and detailed AR-style guns, ballistic helmets, and other means of warfare. Goudreau also allegedly wrote texts about the place you are picking up the ammo and things like, We def need our guns. The indictment claims Colombian authorities recovered 24 semiautomatic, AR-style rifles from the defendants on March 23, 2020. Goudreau spent 15 years in the Army, earning three gold stars and the rank of sergeant first class while serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. The soldier claimed responsibility for the Venezuelan invasion in 2020, saying he trained fighters in Colombia. His goal, he told Rolling Stone, was to liberate the Venezuelan people and install Juan Guaido as president. Ultimately, Venezuelans had installed a spy and it fell apart. Had we succeeded, you really think that the Guaido administration would have said, Thats not us, we want nothing to do with this? Goudreau told Rolling Stone. Do you think that Donald Trump would have said, That wasnt us? Every motherfucker that I talked to would have said, That was us! U.S.A., baby! They would have taken credit for all of it. And if you say its not true, youre pretty naive. The indictment coincides with Maduros supposed reelection. The AP reports, however, that the U.S. is not recognizing his win, insisting on seeing election results. Maduros opponent, Edmundo Gonzalez, claims to have won by a two-to-one margin. Another Operation Gideon associate, Cliver Alcala, who was once a Venezuelan army general, was sentenced in Manhattan to more than two decades of providing weapons to rebels, according to The AP. This article was corrected at 10:47 p.m. on July 31 to reflect that Goudreau remains in custody and was not granted bail. Best of Rolling Stone Fort Lee fatality marks at least fifth person shot and killed by police in NJ this year The fatal shooting of a woman in Fort Lee on Sunday marks at least the fifth person to be shot and killed by police in New Jersey in 2024, data shows. Here is a look at fatalities involving police that have occurred in New Jersey in 2024, based on an analysis of information released by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and data from a project called Mapping Police Violence. What happened in Fort Lee? On Sunday, July 28 officers from the Fort Lee Police Department responded to an apartment at The Pinnacle apartment complex on Main Street. The response came after a man called 911 to report that his sister was having a mental health crisis and needed to go to the hospital, according to a statement from the state Attorney General's Office. The caller also said that his sister was holding a knife. According to the statement, when police arrived, an officer spoke to the 911 caller outside of the apartment. The officer then opened the door to the apartment and saw two women, one appearing to be the sister. The two women told the officer not to come in and shut the door. The women failed to comply with the officers' requests to open the door, according to the statement. The officers then "breached the door." The statement continues, "As the sister approached the officers in the hallway, one officer fired a single shot, striking the female in the chest." She was later pronounced dead at the Englewood Hospital. As of Tuesday afternoon, the incident remained under investigation and the identity of the woman, and the involved officers have not yet been released. Residents of the apartment complex were shocked by the news, expressing their concerns about their safety, mental health issues, and the use of force by police. One woman told NorthJersey.com on Monday that she was angry at how the call was handled saying, "Mental health problems and police violence are issues that need to be addressed more by the media." Some other residents were not aware that a shooting took place. The Pinnacle apartment building in Fort Lee. Tracking instances of police violence A project called Mapping Police Violence has created a database that consists of approximately 92% of incidents of police violence around the country since 2013. "Law enforcement agencies and the government fail to provide accurate numbers on the number of lives taken at the hands of police," says the Mapping Police Violence website. "While there have been efforts by the government to document the number of police killings such as the USA National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) or a recent FBI program which has failed to deliver results (as of 2021), there is still no way to understand the scope of police violence." Police violence is defined by MPV as "any incident where a law enforcement officer (off-duty or on-duty) applies, on a civilian, lethal force resulting in the civilian being killed whether it is considered 'justified' or 'unjustified' by the U.S. Criminal Legal System." Data for the MPV database is gathered from various sources including local and state government agencies as well as publicly accessible media sources. According to the database, police have killed 10 people in New Jersey and 763 people in the United States so far in 2024. However, it is important to note that, as of July 31, Mapping Police Violence did not yet have the Fort Lee shooting logged into the database. The MPV stats are also not limited to just shootings and crashes. In 2023, police killed 15 people in New Jersey and 1,352 people in the United States, the database states. You can read the full MPV methodology at https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/files/MappingPoliceViolence_Methodology.pdf Shootings by police in NJ in 2024 In addition to the fatality in Fort Lee on Sunday, the state Attorney General's Office has released information about four other fatal shootings by police in 2024. The first took place on Jan. 24 in South Brunswick when officers and law enforcement personnel from various agencies arrived at a motel on Route 1 South to execute an arrest warrant for a suspect who was found in connection to multiple felonies, according to the Attorney General's Office. During the afternoon of Jan. 24, the individual to be arrested, Shamar Leggette, 41, of Brooklyn, exchanged gunfire with officers and was fatally shot. The second occurred on March 8 in Hamilton Township when officers responded to a home following a 911 call regarding a domestic dispute. During their encounter, Vincent Correa, 44, of Hamilton fired a rifle at the officers who fatally shot him, according to a statement from the office of the Attorney General. One officer was shot multiple times and was taken to the hospital with non-fatal injuries. On May 27, officers from the Keansburg Police Department responded to a residence for a welfare check. Upon entering, they found a man, later identified as Willem Roman, 46, of Keansburg, with several weapons and a running chainsaw. Roman approached officers with the chainsaw, according to the Attorney General, leading one to fire their taser and the other to fire their gun. Roman was initially brought to the hospital in critical but stable condition and was pronounced dead on June 14. On June 12, officers from the Edison Police Department received information that a vehicle wanted in a shooting that took place in New York City was in the area. The vehicle was located by police at the Royal Albert's Palace hotel on King George's Post Road in Woodbridge, according to the Attorney General's Office. On June 13, law enforcement officers were conducting an interview at the hotel when the elevator doors opened, and the person of interest, later identified as Karl Gregory, 46, of New York, exited toward the lobby holding multiple bags. Gregory dropped his bags, reached into a black backpack and exchanged gunfire with the officers, per the attorney general. Gregory was pronounced dead on the scene. Based on the available news releases and the data compiled on MPV, it appears that Sunday's shooting in Fort Lee is at least the fifth time in the state in 2024 that a civilian has been fatally shot by police. Other police-involved fatalities in NJ In addition to the five fatal police shootings that have taken place in New Jersey in 2024, there have also been multiple fatal incidents involving police vehicles, some of which are considered by MPV as incidents of police violence. The following four incidents were all detailed in news releases on the Office of the Attorney General's website. They all remain under active investigation, per the most recent news releases. On Feb. 5, a New Jersey State Policeman was driving an unmarked police SUV in Hackettstown when he collided with a cyclist who was later pronounced dead at the Hackettstown Medical Center. On April 9, an NJSP Trooper was conducting patrol duties on Route 70 in Southampton Township when his marked police vehicle collided with a motorcyclist who was later pronounced dead at Virtua Mount Holly Hospital. Also in April, an Ocean Township Police Officer was on duty when his marked department vehicle was involved in an crash with multiple civilian vehicles. The April 15 crash resulted in the death of Guyvenson Innocent, 35, of Beachwood, who was driving a motorized scooter. On Memorial Day, May 27, a marked Franklin Borough police vehicle was involved in a crash with a civilian vehicle. A passenger in the civilian vehicle sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to Morristown Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead. There have also been at least two incidents reported by the Attorney General's Office in 2024 where police pursuits ended in fatalities. However, according to MPV, incidents where civilians were killed by a civilian driver or crashed without being hit directly by police during a pursuit are not considered incidents of police violence. Lastly, two incidents of police violence are logged in the Mapping Police Violence database that are not related to police shootings or vehicular incidents. The first occurred on February 12 in Knowlton. According to the Attorney General's Office, members of the New Jersey State Police responded to a call that an individual had been shot at a residence and that shots were still being fired. Responding troopers later took a man into custody. The man, while in police custody, became unresponsive. He was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital and was later pronounced dead. The second took place on May 9 in Brick Township. According to the Attorney General's Office, an adult male civilian died after an "apparent medical episode" following an encounter with law enforcement. According to the office's statement, members of the Brick Township Police Department encountered the man in a "state of active distress in the street." They handcuffed and removed the man to a nearby grassy area. EMS responded and provided medical attention, and the man was later pronounced dead at Ocean University Medical Center. To view the full Mapping Police Violence database, you can visit https://airtable.com/appzVzSeINK1S3EVR/shroOenW19l1m3w0H/tblxearKzw8W7ViN8. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Incidents of police violence in New Jersey in 2024 Medical technology that can detect a deadly form of cancer when its still in a precancerous stage is currently available to members of the Fort Worth Fire Department. The screening, which uses the DNA test EsoGuard to detect esophageal precancer, started last week and runs through Wednesday. Fort Worth Fire Department spokesperson Craig Trojacek said the exam isnt mandatory, but theyre hoping to get around 200 firefighters through. As of around 11 a.m. Tuesday, 175 firefighters had completed the screening. Were excited about it, Trojacek said. I think back when we first got on, if you wouldve put this stuff out there, I dont think you wouldve gotten a response because back then, you just didnt really talk about cancer in the fire service, especially in Fort Worth. The screening is hosted in conjunction with Lucid Diagnostics, the company that markets EsoGuard. Firefighter Nick McDowell, whos been with the Fort Worth Fire Department for 22 years, showed up Tuesday morning for the exam. He described the procedure as not comfortable, but not bad, and said it only took around two minutes. If you can catch it early, theres preventative measures, McDowell said. I think thats great. Cancer in general is the number one killer of firefighters, according to Lt. Troy Clark, a 27-year veteran of the Fort Worth Fire Department. Of all the dangerous things firefighters do everything that can kill a firefighter add all those together, and cancer kills more, Clark said. Studies have shown that firefighters have a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general population. Firefighters are constantly exposed to carcinogens through their job, Clark said, and those dangerous chemicals can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled. According to Clark, a tough guy mentality among firefighters has made some of them slow to acknowledge the risks. He thought he was invincible too, he said, until he was diagnosed with cancer in 2017. More top stories from our newsroom: We fact-checked Gov. Abbott on terrorism claims Bones found in 1984 identified as missing 25-year-old Settlement reached for fired Fort Worth police chief? [Get our breaking news alerts.] Clark said screenings like the EsoGuard are vital to firefighters and give them a chance to live longer. According to Trojacek, around 12 to 18 Fort Worth firefighters report a cancer diagnosis every year. When it comes to esophageal cancer, statistics show firefighters have a 62% higher risk of developing that form of cancer and a 39% higher risk of dying from it than the general population. Lishan Aklog, the chief executive officer of Lucid Diagnostics, said many of the cancer screenings available, such as mammograms, involve early detection. EsoGuard is different in that it can detect precancerous cells before they develop into the disease. If caught at this stage, esophageal cancer can be prevented. Esophageal cancer, even in its very early stages, is hard to treat, Aklog said. The disease only has around a 20% survival rate, and its estimated that 16,000 people will die of esophageal cancer in the United States this year. All of those (deaths) are preventable, Aklog said. The EsoGuard technology has been around since around 2020. About a year and a half ago, a San Antonio physician involved in caring for firefighters became aware of the technology, and worked with Lucid Diagnostics to make it available for the firefighters in that city, Aklog said. According to Aklog, the company recently tested its 4,000th firefighter. The idea that theyre ... exposing themselves to things that lead to an increased risk of cancer means they deserve everything we can offer them, Aklog said. EsoGuard is also available to the general population. Those who wish to be evaluated and have certain risk factors for esophageal cancer, such as chronic heartburn, can fill out an online questionnaire and connect with a physician online. MONROE A four-alarm fire broke out Tuesday afternoon at the Michigan College of Beauty located on the 1020 block of South Monroe Street. Seventeen firefighters were treated for heat-related symptoms. One was transported to ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital and was in stable condition as of Tuesday afternoon. Monroe County Central Dispatch received several 911 calls about smoke coming from the vacant building next to the Michigan College of Beauty around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. Fire crews from the City of Monroe; Monroe, Dundee, Frenchtown, Summerfield, Erie, Ida and Bedford townships; City of Luna Pier; and London-Maybee-Raisinville as well as the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and Monroe Police Department all reported to the scene to find heavy black smoke coming from the building. A four-alarm fire broke out at Michigan College of Beauty Tuesday afternoon. Also assisting were Monroe Community Ambulance, the American Red Cross and Lake Erie Transit. "All of the students and employees at Michigan College of Beauty are safe," the school posted on its Facebook page. "The fire seems to have started in the vacant building next door. We would like to thank the police and fire departments for responding so quickly." The fire is under investigation by the Monroe County Fire Investigation Team. This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Four-alarm fire breaks out at Michigan College of Beauty SAN FRANCISCO, July 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. social media giant Meta Platforms, Inc., parent of Facebook and Instagram, reported on Wednesday an upbeat revenue and earnings for the second quarter, better than expected. In the second quarter, the California-based company had a total revenue of 39.07 billion U.S. dollars, a 22 percent increase year on year. Meta's quarterly net income jumped to 13.47 billion dollars, up 73 percent from 7.79 billion dollars year on year. The diluted earnings per share for the quarter increased to 5.16 dollars from 2.98 dollars in the same period of 2023, said Meta. The number of daily active users for Meta's family of apps increased 7 percent year on year to 3.27 billion on average for June 2024. The company's headcount was 70,799 as of June 30, a decrease of 1 percent from a year earlier. "We had a strong quarter, and Meta AI is on track to be the most used AI assistant in the world by the end of the year," said Mark Zuckerberg, Meta founder and CEO. "We've released the first frontier-level open source AI model, we continue to see good traction with our Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, and we're driving good growth across our apps." The company expected the third quarter total revenue to be in the range of 38.5 billion to 41 billion dollars, and the full-year 2024 capital expenditures to be in the range of 37 billion to 40 billion dollars. In addition, Meta said it continues to monitor an active regulatory landscape, including the increasing legal and regulatory headwinds in the European Union and the United States that could significantly impact its business and financial results. Donald Trumps supporters are recalibrating their campaign to align Kamala Harris with Barack Obama in a bid to derail the momentum she has gained since Joe Biden stepped aside. Monica Crowley Lost White House Job, Now Shes Got One With Pro-Russian Oligarch Initial attempts to tie in Harris to Bidens policies failed to dent the vice presidents surge in popularity. Now the focus appears to have switched to unsettling independents who may have been uncertain about Obamas presidency, in hopes of winning over voters still on the fence about the 2024 presidential election. The strategy became evident as Fox Business Network guest Monica Crowley, a former Trump assistant treasury secretary, described the vice president as Obama in a skirt in a segment suggesting the mainstream media was trying to dress up the likely Democratic presidential nominee as the biggest breakthrough since the first Black president. They are trying to sell her as Obama in a skirt, said Crowley. Basically, trying to create momentum around Kamala Harris based on identity politics, the fact that shes a woman of color and would be the first woman of color as president. Fox Business host describes Kamala Harris as "Obama in a skirt" pic.twitter.com/1NCufX5Mqx Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2024 She said Harris went from historically the most unpopular vice president in recent American history to the belle of the ball in the media in the space of a week. Asked how the Trump campaign planned to counteract that kind of messaging, the former presidents spokesperson Caroline Sunshine said: Were watching Kamala Harris get the Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama treatment from the liberal mainstream media and the Democrat Party. The trouble is that the Democrat Party and the mainstream media have the same blinders on that they had way back in 2016. Its almost the exact same playbook. 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. Fracking isn't a new thing and neither is the controversy behind it. But now it's on the national political stage as the 2024 race for the White House heats up. Republicans have started to circulate Kamala Harris' former support for a ban on the practice, in which natural gas and oil is extracted from under the Earth's surface. She supported the ban while seeking the presidential nomination in 2019. She backtracked on her endorsement once she became President Joe Biden's running mate for the 2020 election though. Questions about her support for a ban come as conservatives push for continuing the practice, including "drill, baby, drill" chants at many events. Harris' stance on fracking and other climate issues is a key issue in the upcoming election and could mean wins or losses in some states. Here's a look at what to know about fracking and what Harris has to say about it now. What is fracking? Fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing, is a way of extruding natural gas and oil from deep below the Earth's surface, usually by pumping water, sand and sometimes chemicals into an oil field at high pressure for days or weeks to unlock the compounds from shale, sandstone, limestone, and carbonite by creating microfractures that allow them to flow. The practice is controversial due to its potential impact on the environment, not just from the products it produces but the process in and of itself. On July 22, Texas was hit by three earthquakes: A magnitude 4.9 earthquake (which tied for the eighth-strongest earthquake in the states history), a 4.4 magnitude earthquake and a 3.1 magnitude earthquake. The cause? Different types of fracking. We can say with confidence that these are related to oil and gas extractions, said Justin Rubinstein, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, California. Where does Kamala Harris stand on fracking, climate issues now? The vice president has made clear that climate change is a key issue a Harris administration would seek to address. While running for president in 2019, she proposed a climate plan with a $10 trillion price tag nearly seven times more than the $1.6 trillion Biden has invested in addressing the issue. She also called for a ban on fracking. As a senator, Harris co-sponsored the Green New Deal, which called for a dramatic increase in the production of renewable fuels, including wind, solar, and hydropower sources. The 10-year mobilization plan pushed for a transition to energy systems less reliant on generating greenhouse gases, which are the primary contributors to climate change. Is fracking done in Tennessee? Yes, but the state government doesn't track the number of wells that use hydraulic fracturing or fracking, according to FracTracker Alliance. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation regulates fracking in the state. The department enforces regulations on the following, according to Ballotpedia: Reporting and disclosure of the types of fluids used in fracking and at what volume and a description of each chemical additive used in fracking The maximum amount of surface and injecting pressure used during the process Well safety All other information considered necessary for the regulation of fracking for safety and environmental protection This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What is fracking? Does Kamala Harris want to ban it? It's complicated France Will Push Ahead With Its Budget Process, Le Maire Says (Bloomberg) -- Frances caretaker government is pushing ahead with the steps needed to ensure parliament will have budget bills to vote on in the Fall, Bruno Le Maire said. Most Read from Bloomberg The caretaker finance minister said in an interview on France2 television that he plans to send this week to the prime ministers office spending limits ministry by ministry. Those details are needed for the caretaker government to pull together budget proposals by mid-August, he said. Well do everything necessary for a budget vote in October, Le Maire said. On Tuesday, he said Frances stronger-than-expected growth could help the country close the budget deficit. Gross domestic product rose 0.3% in the three months through June and statistics agency Insee revised up its estimates for the two previous quarters. Even with zero growth in the remainder of the year, France will still meet the government forecast of a 1% expansion in 2024 that grounds fiscal plans. Le Maire reiterated on Wednesday that France is still on track to bring its budget deficit down to 3% of GDP in 2027. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A Franklin County Sheriff's Office deputy has been released from custody on a GPS monitor after being arrested on 32 counts of rape Tuesday morning in Ross County. Deputy Charles R. Davis, 50, a 21-year veteran of the force, has been on administrative leave since the department learned of the investigation in September 2023, according to a statement from the sheriff's office. Davis faces 58 criminal counts, including the rape charges and 26 counts of gross sexual imposition. Franklin County Sheriff's office logo Gross sexual imposition is a fourth-degree felony in Ohio in which the offender has sexual contact with another against the victim's will. The Ohio Revised Code identifies sexual conduct as vaginal or anal intercourse or oral sex. Sexual contact is identified as "any touching of an erogenous zone of another," including the thigh, bottom, genitals or a female's breasts for sexual gratification. The sheriff's office said it will not comment on the criminal case and that an internal investigation is underway. The offenses occurred between March 2020 and October 2022, and many involved a victim under 13, according to court records. Documents related to the investigation don't say whether he committed the offenses while working. The indictment contains 16 charges accusing Davis of engaging in sexual conduct with a child under the age of 13 as well as 16 counts of engaging in sexual conduct by force or threat of force. The indictment also includes 12 allegations of engaging in sexual contact with a child under the age of 13 and 12 allegations of engaging in sexual contact by force or the threat of force. The court records available in the case do not indicate whether the allegations involve multiple victims. Court records say Davis's current address is in Pickaway County, but according to a records check performed by The Dispatch, Davis has previously lived in Ross County. Columbus defense attorney Sam Shamansky confirmed Wednesday his office is representing Davis. He said Davis had his first hearing Wednesday afternoon in Ross County Common Pleas Court. During that hearing, Shamansky said prosecutors had asked Davis be held on a $500,000 bond, but a judge determined Davis should be released on his own recognizance without paying any money. As a condition of his release, Davis will be required to wear a GPS monitor, Shamansky said. "He's known about these false allegations for a year or close to it," Shamansky said. "He intends to fight this to the death in the courtroom." Shamansky said he was not aware of how many victims are involved in the allegations or what the specific allegations are against Davis beyond the generic language used in the indictment. The Dispatch has reached out to the Ross County Prosecutor's office for additional information. Davis is next scheduled to appear in court Aug. 26 for a preliminary hearing in Ross County. bagallion@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy Charles Davis charged with rape Free Speech Absolutist Elon Musk Keeps Using X to Suppress Views He Doesn't Agree With Dudes Were Rocked On Monday night, the social media platform X temporarily suspended the account of a political group supporting Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency another suspicious mark against self-proclaimed "free speech absolutist" Elon Musk, who has a history of vindictively wielding his power against his enemies on the platform. The group, "White Dudes For Harris," was hosting a virtual fundraising call that featured none other than "The Dude" himself, Jeff Bridges. After a blowout turnout of nearly 200,000 people, the organization managed to raise more than $4 million to elect Harris to the Oval Office. But soon after the fundraiser ended, the group leaders were notified that X had suspended their account, @dudes4harris. The stated reason, according to a screenshot shared by organizer Morales Rocketto, was for supposedly "violating our rules against evading suspension" due to "a user report." "Seems like [Elon Musk] might be a little scared," Rocketto said in a tweet sharing the ban report. Radio Silence Following a lot of confusion and outrage over the sudden suspension, the White Dudes account was restored on Tuesday morning. Neither Musk nor X have responded to multiple outlets inquiring about the suspension or the reinstatement. Rocketto also says he didn't receive any further communication and understandably, he finds this whole thing "suspicious." "I think it's a little convenient that my [X] mentions have been full of white supremacists, saying nasty things about me and the organization," Rocketto told The Washington Post. "And our account got suspended, but somehow those accounts continue to tweet at us." Rap Sheet Those suspicions aren't unfounded. Musk's support of Donald Trump is well noted and may amount to millions of dollars in backing. And though he champions X as a haven of free speech, Musk has repeatedly suspended and censored the accounts of journalists who criticized him as well as random accounts that ticked him off. We also know that he's not above manipulating Twitter's functions behind the scenes, like when he ordered engineers to boost his tweets. And as WaPo notes, this isn't even the first time an account supporting the Harris campaign suspiciously stopped working. When President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race last month, X users reported that they were blocked from following Harris's official campaign account, @KamalaHQ. There's also Musk's history of using his power on the platform and elsewhere to personally intervene into political and even geopolitical affairs. Given that he shamelessly shared a racist, AI-doctored video of Kamala Harris just the other day, we wouldn't rule out Musk minorly screwing with supporters of his latest political enemy, either. More on Elon Musk: Elon Musk Bashes the News Media, Then Immediately Falls for Fake News 'Free State of Florida' welcome signs should come with fine print | Mark Woods Interstate 95 passes through 15 states, which means drivers are greeted by a wide assortment of welcome signs. Some simply say, Welcome to (state name), along with maybe a state flag or flower. Others include mottos and messages. Maine: Welcome Home Welcome to New York, the Empire State Virginia is for Lovers Welcome to South Carolina. Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places Welcome to Georgia. Were Glad Georgias On Your Mind For decades, when drivers entered Florida, they were greeted by signs that said, Welcome to Florida, The Sunshine State, along with smaller signs bearing the name of whoever was governor. The Florida Department of Transportation recently replaced the greeting with signs that say: Welcome to the Free State of Florida. The Sunshine State. Governor Ron DeSantis. A press release said this change to all welcome signs on major state roadways was to highlight Floridas status as a top tourist destination. While were going ahead and blowing tax dollars on new welcome signs, why not add a few more signs with the fine print? Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where even though this is the birthplace of Skynyrd, dont turn it all the way up playing music too loudly while driving has been against state law since 2022. Welcome to the Free State of Florida Go ahead and say its really hot, just dont try to slip the words climate change into state legislation. Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where youre free to say what books someone elses kid shouldnt be able to read. (In 2023, we led the nation in book challenges in public schools and libraries.) Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where private businesses are free to take a stand on state issues. Well, as long as that stand involves being in lockstep with state leaders. (See Disney.) Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where again and again state leaders have made sure local governments have less freedom and more mandates. Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where a new state law requires the teaching of dangers and evils of communism in public schools, leading the governor to say, The truth will set us free. Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where teachers cant teach some truths about our own history. Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where the state created a law that restricted professors speech saying its government speech and told private businesses what kind of diversity training they could conduct (and where federal courts ruled that the Stop WOKE Act violated the First Amendment as it applies to businesses). Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where hemp executives scrambled to raise $5 million in political donations after the governor vetoed a bill that wouldve tightened regulations on their industry and a group chat reportedly included a post that pretty much summed up politics in Florida. We know nothing in life is free and neither was this veto. Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where you soon will be able to tell the kids in the car, Stop using Snapchat its against the law in Florida. Starting in 2025, minors under 14 will be banned from social media platforms and 14- and 15-year-olds will need parental consent. Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where women are free to have an abortion. For six weeks. After that, they could face felony charges. Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where the governor vetoed all cultural and museum grants for more than 600 programs around the state because a few cities have Fringe Festivals. (The Global Association of Fringe Festivals says, Fringe is a grassroots festival with the freedom to celebrate and exchange. That might fly in Scotland, where the festivals originated about 80 years ago, but this is Florida.) Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where insurance is far from free with Florida homeowners paying more than four times the national average for home insurance. Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where citizens are free to create constitutional amendments but even after amendments pass by a 60 percent vote, state leaders sometimes weaken and even ignore them. Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where nearly 300 years ago, the first free Black settlement in what would become the United States was created and where today the 27th state makes headlines for how it teaches Black history. Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where during Freedom Summer, cities are free to light their bridges with whatever colors they choose as long as those colors are red, white and blue. Welcome to the Free State of Florida Where often freedom is just another word kind of like irony and drivers leaving the state now see signs that say: Hurry Back to the Free State of Florida. mwoods@jacksonville.com (904) 359-4212 This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Visitors welcomed by "Free State of Florida" signs ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) Veterans, active service members, and their families will be able to enjoy a barbecue lunch while learning about support resources soon. The Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross of Western New York is hosting its annual Military and Veteran Resource BBQ event on Saturday, Aug. 10, at Eldridge Park. Veterans and their families can start arriving at the large shelter next to the carousel at 11 a.m., and the event will start at noon. Eventgoers will get to enjoy a barbecue meal that is being donated and prepared by the Elmira Elks Lodge. Retired and active service members will also be connected with regional providers that have supportive programs and services available to members of the military and get to learn about the Red Crosss programs. New food pantry to open at CASA-Trinity outpatient clinic Tom Tait, who is retired from the U.S. Air Force and is currently the vice president of the Twin Tiers Honor Flight, will be the afternoons keynote speaker. Tait spent 21 years in the military and traveled to more than 25 countries while serving. He joined the Twin Tiers Honor Flight as a guardian and became the organizations vice president in 2020. Seating for this event is limited, so those interested in attending need to RSVP by Monday, Aug. 5. RSVPs should be directed to Lisa Taibi by calling 716-387-9135 or emailing lisa.taibi@redcross.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WATE) The Fort Loudoun Medical Center will under go an 18,000 square-foot expansion after receiving a multimillion-dollar grant. The $5.9 million Capital Improvement Grant will fund the addition of 26 new patient rooms at the hospital. Site preparation for the expansion began in May. Helping students adjust as new school year begins Occupancy for the new expansion, named the Brethen Foundation Advance Care Wing, is expected to occur in early 2026. The Tennessee Department of Healths Health Resiliency Grant Program is funded through the American Rescue Plan, which passed Congress in March 2022. Tennessee received $3.9 billion in total ARP funds. The state dedicated $230 million in recovery funding to TDH for healthcare modernization and transformation projects. See more top stories on WATE.com We are immensely grateful to receive the Health Resiliency Program grant, which enables us to expand our hospital facilities and be a trusted, valued healthcare partner to our community, said Connie Martin, president and chief administrative officer of Fort Loudoun Medical Center. The funds will allow us to provide enhanced medical care to those we serve, ensuring that every patient receives the best possible care. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. Description Guild Hall (158 Main Street, East Hampton) is breaking out the laughs with two comedy shows this season. The series will kick off with Zainab Johnson, noted for her Amazon Prime comedy special Hijabs Off, on Wednesday, July 31 at 7 p.m. Raised in bustling Harlem as one of thirteen siblings in a black Muslim family, Johnson brings a riotous reflection of her unique upbringing to her humor. From teaching to starring in hit shows like Upload and 100 Humans, as well as her own Amazon Prime comedy special Hijabs Off, Zainab is set to make her Guild Hall debut in this must-see night of comedy. The comedy continues after Labor Day with Dulce Sloan on Saturday, September 21 at 7 p.m. Rising comedy star and senior correspondent on Comedy Centrals The Daily Show, Sloan delivers sharp wit and honest humor. Hailed by Variety, Rolling Stone, and Time Out LA as a Top Comedian to Watch, Dulce brings her unique perspective on society and personal relationships to inform her hilariously entertaining point of view. Tickets cost $40-$60 for non-members and $36-$54 for members. For more details and to purchase tickets, please visit www.guildhall.org. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) An F-16 flying near Lake Huron dropped two fuel tanks, causing an explosion on Lake Huron on Wednesday, the Iosco County Sheriffs Office says. At around 1:15 p.m., Iosco County Central Dispatch received a call of an explosion at Baldwin Resort Rd, near Lake Huron. Multiple law enforcement units were dispatched to the scene, including local law enforcement, Michigan State Police, and the U.S. Coast Guard. This embedded content is not available in your region. Initial investigation of the incident found that two F-16s from the 180th Fighter Squadron of the Ohio Air National Guard were operating in the area. One of the pilots experienced an emergency that led them to dump two external tanks full of jet fuel. Police say one tank landed north of Baldwin Resort Road in Lake Huron and exploded. The other landed in the Baldwin Plaza parking lot near a Tractor Supply Co., Save-A-Lot, and Michigan Secretary of State outpost. Both F-16s landed safely in Toledo Ohio, where the 180th Fighter Squadron is based. No injuries were reported, though there was minor damage to a few vehicles. The Iosco County Sheriff is advising the public to stay clear of the area while containment and cleanup are underway. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. The Lightning in a Bottle festival on the shores of Lake Buena Vista near Bakersfield, California. Five attendees contracted valley fever after inhaling fungal spores kicked up by the revelers dancing (Jamal Eid) A potentially deadly fungal infection may have spread to thousands of revelers attending a music festival in California. Several cases of valley fever have been reported among attendees of the Lightning in a Bottle festival at Buena Vista Lake in late May. According to the California Department of Public Health, five cases of valley fever have been identified, and three people infected required hospitalization. Health officials believe there are likely more cases as 20,000 people attended the festival. One festival attendee, Kyle Lewis, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the infection had a huge impact on his life. He said the symptoms made him feel like he had a broken rib, and that he lost 40lbs as a result of the illness. Lewis also had fluid drained from his chest cavity, as it was preventing his lungs from properly expanding, he added. California officials recommended that event attendees with respiratory problems contact their healthcare providers. Valley fever affects the respiratory system. Humans contract the illness by inhaling coccidioides fungal spores which can be found in Arizona's deserts and soil of the lower San Joaquin Valley in California. The Lightning in a Bottle festival on the shores of Lake Buena Vista near Bakersfield, California. Five attendees contracted valley fever after inhaling fungal spores kicked up by the revelers dancing (Jamal Eid) Theres no vaccine for valley fever but treatments exist. The incidence of Valley Fever has increased substantially over the past 20 years in the west. Some experts believe the increase is related to the climate crisis, with extreme weather making conditions more likely for the fungus to spread. But the growing threat of infections hasnt stopped the EDM festival from drawing thousands to the Bakersfield area every year. The spores become airborne when soil is disturbed. Once in the air, the spores can be inhaled by people. Activities like farming and construction, and strong winds are to blame for spreading the spores, but health officials believe it was dancing that kicked up the fungal material in May. The Lightning in a Bottle festival has been held at the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area since 2019. After a pause during the pandemic, it restarted in the same location in 2022. The festival's 2025 event is already sold out. Without preparation and potentially a change of venue, it could become a Fyre Fest 2.0 - but with victims left struggling to breathe rather than complaining about lackluster sandwiches. The organizers appear to have acknowledged the severity of the situation. They said in a statement that they are working with state and local health officials to prepare and prevent widespread infections at future events. We prioritize the health and safety of all our patrons and are in communication with the California Department of Public Health and Kern County Public Health Department to learn more about Valley fever and any preventative measures we can take to reduce Valley fever risk for future festival events, and to make information available to this years attendees, the festival organizers said. Symptoms for valley fever range from mild to potentially deadly. Individuals who become sick may experience flu-like symptoms including chest pains. The disease is not contagious but it can spread throughout an infected person's body, and symptoms may take weeks to appear. The number of confirmed cases is growing every year as climate conditions change. Overall, cases of valley fever in California have increased substantially over the last two years, according to California health officials. There are expected to be between 7,000 and 9,000 valley fever cases in California this year with approximately 5,400 cases already confirmed. Anti-Maduro protests spread as Venezuelan opposition says he stole vote, in Maracaibo By Angelo Amante (Reuters) -Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers approved a declaration on Wednesday voicing solidarity with the Venezuelan people and concern about the announced election results, which sparked protests across the South American nation. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory in the country's elections early this week, but the opposition contested the result and said multiple independent exit polls and quick counts decisively showed its candidate had won. G7 foreign ministers called on "Venezuelan representatives to publish detailed election results in full transparency" and asked "to immediately share all information with the opposition and independent observers," a statement seen by Reuters said. "We call for maximum restraint and for a peaceful, democratic and Venezuelan-led solution," it added. Italy holds the rotating presidency of the G7 for 2024. The group also includes Germany, France, Britain, Canada, Japan and the United States. "On the Maduro regime, I have always maintained a firm condemnation since I have held office in European institutions," said Antonio Tajani, the leader of the centre-right Forza Italia party and a former president of the European Union parliament. "The announced results do not seem to reflect the real will of the Venezuelan people," Tajani told lawmakers in the Italian lower house of parliament. The U.S.-based Carter Center, which observed the vote, has said that the Venezuelan election "did not meet international standards of electoral integrity and cannot be considered democratic." Protesters have taken to the streets across Venezuela demanding Maduro acknowledge his defeat, although the electoral authority declared that he had won a third term with 51% of votes. The opposition, which considers the election body to be in the pocket of a dictatorial government, said its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez had more than twice as many votes as Maduro based on the 90% of vote tallies it had been able to access. (Reporting by Angelo Amante,) A Gainesville woman was found guilty Wednesday in a 2023 fatal hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian on a service road in Butler Plaza. An Alachua County jury deliberated for more than two hours before finding Jaileen Damaris Pagan, 27, guilty of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of the crash, according to a press release from the State Attorney's Office for the 8th Judicial Circuit. According to the release, Pagan faces a maximum of 45 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 13. Gilchrist County: Former Bell Elementary School teacher sentenced to life for capital sexual battery The fatal incident occurred about 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2023, in a parking and delivery area behind the Florida Lottery District Office in the same section of Butler Plaza as Target. Police officers arrived at the scene and found a man, later identified as Garry Pugh, who had been struck by a vehicle. Pugh was taken to UF Health Shands Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Law enforcement used surveillance video in the plaza to identify the vehicle as a light green 2010 Hyundai Sonata, which was eventually found on Sept. 30. Inside the vehicle police found Pagan's birth certificate and other personal items. Before the fatal hit-and-run, Pagan is accused of stealing items from the Walmart at 2900 SW 42nd St. In a separate case scheduled for jury selection on Aug. 19, Pagan faces two counts of aggravated assault, drug possession, firing a weapon from a vehicle and domestic battery. In that case, police say Pagan fired a handgun at two people and pulled one of the victim's hair. Police say Pagan attempted to pull one of the victims into the car before going for her gun. After the two victims fled, police located Pagan and searched her. They found what she told police was a broken Xanax pill and a small white rock of heroin or fentanyl, the police report said. This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville woman found guilty of fatal hit-and-run in Butler Plaza Attorney General Merrick Garland weighed in on former President Donald Trumps now-scrapped classified documents case on Tuesday, arguing that he wouldnt make a basic mistake when selecting a special counsel to lead the probe. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case against Trump, ruling that Garlands appointment of a special counsel to the case was unconstitutional. In an NBC Nightly News interview with journalist Ken Dilanian on Tuesday, Garland said he disagreed with Cannons ruling, standing by his decision to tap special counsel Jack Smith to prosecute the case. For more than 20 years, I was a federal judge. Do I look like somebody who would make that basic mistake about the law? I dont think so, he said. This is the same process of appointing special counsel as was followed in the previous administration, he continued. Until now, every single court, including the Supreme Court, that has considered the legality of a special counsel appointment has upheld it. Trump faced 40 charges related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents and his alleged obstruction of the governments efforts to recover them from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Earlier this month, his team filed a motion to try to halt the case after the Supreme Court ruled that U.S. presidents, including Trump during his presidency, have broad immunity from prosecution for official acts. In a concurring opinion in that case, Justice Clarence Thomas also questioned whether Smith had been lawfully appointed. If this unprecedented prosecution is to proceed, it must be conducted by someone duly authorized to do so by the American people, Thomas wrote in his opinion. In her decision, Cannon ruled that the appointment of Smith to prosecute the case was a violation of a clause in the Constitution that gives Congress a pivotal role in appointing certain government positions, which cannot be usurped by the Executive Branch or diffused elsewhere whether in this case or another case, whether in times of heightened national need or not. She cited Thomas ruling. Smith appealed Trumps motion shortly after in an attempt to reinstate the indictment. Related... Garland on special counsel appointment ruling: Do I look like someone who would make that basic mistake about the law? Attorney General Merrick Garland stressed his unhappiness with the Florida-based judge who said his appointment of a special counsel to prosecute Donald Trump was illegal, saying he wouldnt make a basic mistake about the law. In an interview with NBC News, Garland was asked about Judge Aileen Cannons ruling this month that threw out the indictment charging the former president with mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The attorney general, a former federal judge and a Supreme Court nominee blocked by the Senate, didnt hold back as he spoke from a Justice Department library. Look as you well know, I picked this room for this interview, Garland said in response to a question about Cannons ruling. This is my favorite room in the Justice Department. Its a law library. For more than 20 years I was a federal judge. Do I look like somebody who would make that basic mistake about the law? I dont think so. Garland added: Our position is that its constitutional and valid. Thats why we appealed. The Justice Department is appealing the ruling to the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals in hopes of allowing special counsel Jack Smith to resume his case in Florida. Its unclear if Cannons ruling will impact the charges against Trump related to January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. Garland said he followed the same process in appointing Smith as was previously done when John Durham and Robert Mueller were appointed as special counsels during the Trump administration. Til now, every single court, including the Supreme Court, that has considered the legality of special counsel appointment has upheld it, Garland said. Iranian threats Garland also warned in the interview published Tuesday of threats against US government officials from Iran, saying, I dont think weve seen the end of Iranian plotting. He told NBC that our intelligence community has made clear that we believe that the Iranians are attempting to kill or injure former high government officials. This is an ongoing issue, he said. We have ongoing investigations. The attorney general also said it was extremely alarming that a would-be assassin was able to get so close to Trump. Democracy will not survive if people decide that the way in which theyre going to get whatever outcomes they want, or whatever other motive he may have, is by killing someone, he said. Thats why we have to find out what happened here, why it happened and make sure it doesnt happen again. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Attorney General Merrick Garland cast the assassination attempt of former President Trump as a threat to democracy, calling it extremely alarming the shooter was able to get so close to him. This should not happen in America. This kind of security failure is not acceptable. This kind of a horrific attack on a former American president just cant continue. We have to be sure we stop this, Garland said during an interview with NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, his first since the July 13 shooting. This is extremely alarming. Democracy will not survive if people decide that the way in which theyre going to get whatever outcomes they want, or whatever other motive he may have, is by killing someone, Garland added. Thats why we have to find out what happened here, why it happened and make sure it doesnt happen again. The Justice Department, through the FBI, is investigating the shooting, during which Thomas Matthew Crooks fired bullets that grazed Trumps ear, injured two others, and killed a man attending the rally in Butler, Pa. During the interview Garland also warned about the dangers associated with failing to accept election results comments that come as Trump has made baseless claims about the legitimacy of the coming election. This is a democracy, and in a democracy, people, as I said, argue with each other vociferously, yell at each other, disagree with each other and then vote. And that is how we resolve matters, Garland said. There will always be a winner and a loser and that persons supporters will always be upset. But in a democracy, we have to accept the results. Otherwise, democracy wont survive. I can say that Americas elections are the most secure on the planet. And everybody has to accept that if our democracy is going to survive. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A Tennessee man was surprised to learn that he won $1 million after a store clerk allegedly stole his lottery ticket. The customer, an Antioch father who did not want to be identified, bought two scratch-off tickets at a Shell gas station in Rutherford County on July 13. Both tickets were winners: one was worth $40, while the other was worth $1 million. After scratching off the barcodes, authorities said the customer handed the tickets to the store clerk, 23-year-old Meet Patel. The victim in this case only scratched off the barcode at the bottom, and that will tell you if its a winner or not, but it will not tell you how much youve won, Detective Lt. Steve Craig told Nexstars WKRN. So scratch off the entire ticket and make sure you keep your eyes on your ticket until its scanned. Watch: LA police officer punches apparently handcuffed man in face The sheriffs office said Patel returned one of the winning tickets to the customer along with a $40 prize and placed the other ticket in the trash. Store video obtained by detectives showed Patel later taking the $1 million ticket out of the trash and putting it in his pocket. Patel allegedly tried to claim the prize from the Tennessee Lottery, but employees were suspicious. He couldnt provide certain things to the lottery commission, such as a proper identification or any bank information, Craig said, adding that Patel raised enough red flags for lottery officials to investigate. Its been rough, it really has: Tiger Kings Joe Exotic holds out hope for new trial, pardon from behind bars Tennessee Lottery investigators Vic Donoho and Greg Heiman worked with the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office to get the ticket back to its rightful owner. Craig and Detective Dennis Ward identified the father after reviewing surveillance video and contacted him with the news. The customer was initially skeptical about his winnings, but the detectives eventually convinced him to claim his prize. He was very thankful, Craig said. The sheriffs office said Patel was arrested and charged with theft of over $250,000. 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 Queen City News. By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ayman Al-Hassi CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) - Hours after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran, anxious residents in Israeli-besieged Gaza voiced fear that his death would only prolong the war ravaging the Palestinian enclave. A framed photo of Haniyeh amidst the ruins of his Gaza home reminded Palestinians of the death and destruction brought on by a war now in its 10th month, with little hope for a truce as Hamas and Iran vow revenge against Israel for his killing. "The world should now understand that Israel doesn't want a ceasefire or an end to the war," said Gaza resident Salah Abu Rezik. Haniyeh, who lived mainly in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar, was the tough-talking face of Hamas' international diplomacy as war raged back in Gaza, where three of his sons were killed in an Israeli airstrike on his home. Mediators from Egypt, U.S. and Qatar have thus far failed to secure a ceasefire after many attempts. "It is a very sad day. It is a big blow to us and it pains our hearts, a very sad morning," Salah Abu Rezik, a 63-year-old man from Gaza City, told Reuters via a chat app. Haniyeh had led the militant group since 2017 and had moved between Qatar and Turkey as the group's hardline leadership in Gaza hid from Israel's military onslaught. A recent Israeli airstrike targeted Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, who has survived at least seven assassination attempts. Some Gaza Palestinians said Haniyehs killing made the prospects for an end to the war even more remote. His assassination stoked jitters about a wider, more complex Middle East war as Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel trade fire over their border and Houthi militia in Yemen attack ships with links to Israel in the Red Sea and other waters. "If Iran doesn't strike Israel, I can say it sold Haniyeh out," Gaza resident Rasha Ali, 40, said. Even those who did not support Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders shared fears of an uncontrollable escalation. Nadia, who gave only her first name, said she blamed both Hamas and Israel for the ongoing bloodshed accompanied by a humanitarian crisis in impoverished Gaza, one of the world's most densely populated areas. Now I think there will never be a ceasefire in a very long time, she said. NEIGHBOURS SADDENED For two of Haniyehs former neighbours in Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, his death is also a personal loss. Residents of Gaza have watched Israel assassinate one Hamas leader after another since the Islamist group's founding in 1987 during the first Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. Fatima Al Saati was sleeping when the news of Haniyeh's demise broke. She has not stopped crying since the Middle East woke up to what could be the biggest obstacle to peace since Hamas triggered Gaza's war with an attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people during the incursion and took over 250 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. What a loss. We lost one of our very own, Al Saati said of Haniyeh. Another neighbour, Hachem Al-Saati, said, This news is scary. We feel that he was like a father to us. The Oct. 7 attack became the deadliest day in Israel's 75-year history, and it has since struck Gaza with air and artillery barrages and a ground offensive that have killed more than 39,000 people and turned much of the territory into piles of crushed cement and twisted metal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to hunt down Hamas leaders and destroy the group, which has ruled Gaza since 2007 after Israel withdrew settlers and ground forces. Haniyeh is not dearer than dozens of thousands of other martyrs, whom God blessed with martyrdom, said Rami Mohammad-Ali, 35, a man from a suburb of Gaza City. (Writing by Catherine Cartier and Michael Georgy; editing by Mark Heinrich) Atlanta rally: Harris tells Trump to say it to my face and challenges him to debate Three weeks ago, the political commentariat was writing off Georgia and talking of narrow pathways for Joe Biden to hold the White House. Georgia was a desert. On Tuesday evening, an Atlanta crowd greeted Kamala Harris like she backed up a truck full of sweet tea to that desert. Its probably too early nine days since the presidents withdrawal and the vice-presidents ascension to know if sentiment in Georgia had shifted enough to justify jubilation. But the crowd in Atlanta treated the new presumptive presidential nominee as a reason to celebrate after months of her quieter campaigning in the city as the vice-presidential nominee. As many of you know, before I was elected vice-president I was an elected attorney general and an elected district attorney, Harris said after taking the stand. Hear me when I say, I know Donald Trumps type, and I have been dealing with people like him my entire career. This elicited chants of: Lock him up! Harris addressed a crowd of 10,000 who filled the Georgia State Convocation Center, with people waiting outside for a seat. She touted her prosecution record and referenced Trumps criminal convictions and the findings of fraud in his businesses. As an attorney general, I held big Wall Street banks accountable for fraud. Donald Trump was found guilty of fraud, Harris said. In this campaign, I will proudly put my record against his any day, including on the issue of immigration. Harris spoke of walking underground tunnels at the California border and prosecuting traffickers, and pledged to bring back the border security bill that was tanked in Congress by Republicans to preserve the issue in the campaign. Referencing a Migos song popular as an Atlanta group she said: He does not walk it as he talks it. Ahead of Harriss appearance on Tuesday, several Atlanta voices made the case for her. Mayor Andre Dickens noted that this was the vice-presidents 15th time visiting the state since 2021. Harris has been in Atlanta so often that she might as well have rented a condo in Buckhead to save money. Harris is expected back in the state next week, and will debut her running mate on a seven-stop swing state tour, according to details confirmed by her campaign. Politico reported Harris will hold the first rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Harris said she as of today had not picked the candidate. For the last two years, Harris has been Joe Bidens chief campaign surrogate in Georgia, making deliberate connections with campaign organizers and Black community leaders, a weapon in the Democratic arsenal that Republicans have not been able to match. Georgia is on everybodys mind, said Raphael Warnock, the senator and reverend, to a boisterous crowd. And theres a reason. Because of what you did in 2020, 2021, everybody knows that the road to the White House goes through Georgia. Donald Trump has been on his heels in recent polls, which show ground captured in the rust belt. The former president announced that he would refrain from committing to a debate against Harris until after the Democratic national convention, which Senator Jon Ossoff characterized as cowardice. I know about having an opponent whos too scared to debate, Ossoff said, harkening back to his winning 2020 campaign against the then senator David Perdue, in which he spent 90 minutes debating an empty chair. The candidate who is dodging debates is the candidate who is losing. Stacey Abrams took the stage at 5.33pm to thunderous chants of Stacey!, which Abrams immediately turned around into a chant for Kamala! We are the ones who put our boots on the ground, said the former gubernatorial candidate and voting rights advocate. She preached the virtues of a progressive presidency on infrastructure development in the Black community, on job creation and on the climate. She pointedly noted that Georgias governor, Brian Kemp, who defeated her two years ago, took credit for new investment in solar panel manufacturing in Georgia even as the federal government has been spurring those investments. They started with Kamala Harris and Joe Biden believing in the environment, she said. Now that Harris has replaced Biden as the presumptive nominee, the question is whether there is time to capitalize on the administrations connections in a state that may still be difficult to win for Democrats. When we get deep into those communities, when we are hitting apartment complexes in the hood, when were in places we dont usually go, Ill know its real, said state representative Imani Barnes, a Democrat representing a sprawling suburban district in DeKalb county near Atlanta. Barness constituents range from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists to some of the poorest immigrant communities in the state, and she can see how campaigns have to change the language on flyers to reach some voters. Thats how we know a campaign is making a difference. Previous appearances in Georgia by Biden and Harris have been closely vetted campaign events filled with a curated selection of activists, advocates and party leaders. Though the guest speakers on Tuesday were a selection of federal officials and local leaders with Geoff Duncan, the former Republican lieutenant governor, stalking the edges of the press pit that selectivity was less evident. Georgia saved the whole nation, Warnock said. I have a feeling that Georgia is going to save the nation one more time. In her speech, Harris sought not only to attack her opponent but to refocus on top voter issues in Georgia, such as the economy. Building up the middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency, she said. When our middle class is strong, America is strong. To keep our middle class strong, families need relief from the high cost of living so that they have a chance not to get by but to get ahead. She said she would go after price gouging and hidden fees by banks and other companies, and take on corporate landlords to cap unfair rent increases, and to cap prescription drug costs. Related: Kamala Harris accuses Trump of backpedaling on presidential debate There are signs Donald Trump is feeling the competition, she says. You may have noticed he pulled out of the debate. She repeated the assertion made by her campaign in recent days that Trump is just plain weird. I do hope Trump will agree to meet me on the debate stage, because as the saying goes if you got something to say, say it to my face, she said as the crowd exploded. The convocation center at Georgia State University is a state-owned building. Election law requires the facility to offer its use on the same terms to the Trump campaign. Hence, Trump will appear here on Saturday, offering a mark to compare their relative fortunes even as he refuses to accept debate. Over the last 7 days, the Indian market has risen 2.5%, driven by gains in every sector, and over the past year, it has climbed 45%. In this thriving environment where earnings are forecast to grow by 16% annually, identifying undervalued stocks can provide significant opportunities for investors looking to capitalize on potential growth. Top 10 Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows In India Name Current Price Fair Value (Est) Discount (Est) Shyam Metalics and Energy (NSEI:SHYAMMETL) 716.85 1041.17 31.1% HEG (NSEI:HEG) 2195.85 3310.12 33.7% Updater Services (NSEI:UDS) 317.55 537.05 40.9% Venus Pipes and Tubes (NSEI:VENUSPIPES) 2250.85 3598.27 37.4% Vedanta (NSEI:VEDL) 447.20 722.69 38.1% Rajesh Exports (NSEI:RAJESHEXPO) 315.70 508.03 37.9% Mahindra Logistics (NSEI:MAHLOG) 524.00 854.67 38.7% Piramal Pharma (NSEI:PPLPHARMA) 173.82 246.83 29.6% Delhivery (NSEI:DELHIVERY) 406.15 751.07 45.9% Godrej Properties (NSEI:GODREJPROP) 3181.05 5542.84 42.6% Click here to see the full list of 16 stocks from our Undervalued Indian Stocks Based On Cash Flows screener. Let's uncover some gems from our specialized screener. Overview: Fusion Finance Limited, a non-banking financial company with a market cap of 43.42 billion, provides microfinance lending services to women entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban areas in India. Operations: Revenue from micro financing activities amounts to 12.57 billion. Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 12.5% Fusion Finance, trading at 431.55, is undervalued compared to its estimated fair value of 493.46 and peers in the industry. Despite recent regulatory challenges, including income tax and GST show cause notices, the companys earnings have grown 41.6% annually over the past five years and are forecasted to grow 18.23% per year moving forward. With revenue expected to increase by 24.8% annually, Fusion Finance demonstrates strong cash flow potential amidst market uncertainties. NSEI:FUSION Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024 Overview: Mahindra Logistics Limited offers integrated logistics and mobility solutions in India and internationally, with a market cap of 37.75 billion. Operations: Revenue from the company's operations is derived primarily from Supply Chain Management, contributing 53.04 billion, and Enterprise Mobility Services, which adds 3.29 billion. Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 38.7% Mahindra Logistics, trading at 524, is significantly undervalued with a fair value estimate of 854.67. The company is forecasted to grow revenue by 12% annually and become profitable within three years. Despite recent losses and regulatory penalties, its earnings are expected to rise by 65.06% per year. However, interest payments are not well covered by earnings, and the dividend yield of 0.48% is unsustainable based on current profits. Story continues NSEI:MAHLOG Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024 Overview: Vedanta Limited, with a market cap of 1.75 trillion, is a diversified natural resources company engaged in exploring, extracting, and processing minerals and oil and gas across India and internationally. Operations: Vedanta Limited's revenue segments include Power (61.53 billion), Copper (197.30 billion), Iron Ore (90.69 billion), Aluminium (483.71 billion), Oil and Gas (178.37 billion), Zinc - India (279.25 billion), and Zinc - International (35.56 billion). Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 38.1% Vedanta, trading at 447.2, is significantly undervalued with a fair value estimate of 722.69. Despite a high debt level and recent regulatory challenges, its earnings are forecasted to grow 43.25% annually over the next three years, outpacing the Indian market's growth rate of 16.2%. However, its dividend yield of 4.92% is not well covered by earnings, and shareholders have faced dilution in the past year due to equity offerings totaling 85 billion. NSEI:VEDL Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024 Next Steps Access the full spectrum of 16 Undervalued Indian Stocks Based On Cash Flows by clicking on this link. Invested in any of these stocks? Simplify your portfolio management with Simply Wall St and stay ahead with our alerts for any critical updates on your stocks. Elevate your portfolio with Simply Wall St, the ultimate app for investors seeking global market coverage. Curious About Other Options? This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NSEI:FUSION NSEI:MAHLOG and NSEI:VEDL. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com FILE - Georgia Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods speaks to reporters, Jan. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. Woods, an elected Republican, is refusing to approve an Advanced Placement course in African American Studies. That led Gwinnett County, the state's largest school district, to announce Tuesday, July 30, that it wouldn't teach the course. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy, File) ATLANTA (AP) Georgia's state superintendent of schools said Wednesday that he believes a new Advanced Placement course in African American Studies violates the state's law against teaching divisive racial concepts, explaining that is why he wont recommend it become an approved state course. Until now, Richard Woods, the state's elected Republican superintendent, hadn't explained why he was blocking approval of the course. Some districts have said they will teach it anyway, but others have canceled their plans. "After reviewing the content, it was clear that parts of the coursework did violate the law," Woods said after 10 days of only expressing vague concerns. Georgias 2022 ban on teaching divisive racial concepts in schools, based on a now-repealed executive order from President Donald Trump, prohibits claims that the U.S. is fundamentally or systematically racist." It mandates that no student should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress because of his or her race. So far, 18 states have passed such bans. The Advanced Placement course drew national scrutiny in 2023 when Floridas Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would ban the course in his state. In June, South Carolina officials also refused to approve the course. South Carolina said individual districts could still offer it. The College Board is a nonprofit testing entity that offers Advanced Placement courses across the academic spectrum. Students who score well on an exam can usually earn college credit. Spokesperson Holly Stepp said the African American Studies class is a dynamic and robust course that is rooted in academic scholarship," and denied that it seeks to indoctrinate students. AP students are expected to analyze different perspectives from their own, and no points on an AP Exam are awarded for agreement with a viewpoint, Stepp said. Woods' claim contradicts a specific exemption in Georgia law for Advanced Placement and other high-level college courses. State Rep. Will Wade, a Dawsonville Republican and former school board member who wrote the law, pointed to the carve-out allowing such concepts to be taught in AP courses in a text message. More confoundingly, Woods has been saying that districts could teach the AP material and get state money by listing it as an introductory African American studies course approved by the state in 2020. Woods took that position after earlier saying districts would have to teach the course using only local tax money. But Wednesday, Woods said teaching the AP material using the introductory course could expose a district to legal challenges under Georgia's law. Thus, Woods may be imperiling districts legally by denying the AP course, while he could protect them legally by approving it. It makes no sense, said state Sen Nikki Merritt, a Democrat from Grayson and critic of Woods. The superintendent said he was seeking a legal opinion from Attorney General Chris Carr as to whether the carve-out would protect AP courses. Should the ruling reverse my decision, then I will follow the law, Woods said in his statement. But Meghan Frick, a spokesperson for Woods, said that doesn't mean Woods will recommend the course for approval by the state Board of Education if Carr's office backs it legally. Woods has faced not only attacks from Democrats, but pointed questions from Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. A spokesperson for Kemp declined comment Wednesday when asked whether the governor believes the course violates state law. Under the law, if people allege a violation and it isn't resolved locally, they can appeal to the state Board of Education. The board could order a corrective action plan, and a district could lose exemptions from state rules if it didn't comply. Districts rely on those exemptions to set policy locally. Since the law has taken effect, Frick said there haven't been any appeals to the state board. Woods, who is white, said he was particularly concerned about how the course presents the concept of intersectionality. That's a framework for understanding the effects of overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage. For example, Black women may face compounding disadvantages because of their race and gender. If the Advanced Placement course had presented a comparative narrative with opposing views on this and other topics, an argument could be made that the course did not violate Georgia law, Woods said in a statement. Stepp said intersectionality is one of 74 required topics in the course. Mikayla Arciaga, who leads Georgia advocacy efforts for the Intercultural Development Research Association, called for the repeal of the divisive concepts law. Being Black in America should not be a divisive concept," she said in a statement. The Atlanta, DeKalb County and Cobb County school districts have all said they will offer the course in some high schools. The state's largest district, Gwinnett County, said Tuesday that it wouldn't offer the course. That is because students wouldn't get the credit that an approved AP course brings in deciding whether a student qualifies for the HOPE Scholarship merit program. Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks at the commemoration of 80 years of the Warsaw Uprising. Friedemann Kohler/dpa German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday asked for forgiveness for German atrocities in Poland during World War II, as he visited the Polish capital Warsaw. Steinmeier spoke with the now elderly men and women who fought 80 years ago in the Warsaw Uprising against Poland's German occupiers. "We Germans are aware of our historical responsibility and we Germans must not forget," Steinmeier told the group, some of whom had fought against the Nazi occupation as 12-year-olds. Steinmeier also addressed the central commemoration ceremony with Polish President Andrzej Duda and hundreds of listeners on Wednesday evening. He said he only wanted to say one sentence, but one that came from the heart, according to the text of his speech, published in advance: "I ask, especially today and especially here, for forgiveness." Steinmeier is the second German president, after Roman Herzog in 1994, to be invited to speak at the ceremony in Poland. Steinmeier was invited by Polish President Andrzej Duda and Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski. Nazis brutally crushed uprising On August 1, 1944, the Polish underground attempted a desperate uprising against the German occupation. The Home Army wanted to drive out the Germans so that Poland could regain control of its capital before the Soviet army approached. However, the Wehrmacht, the Nazi armed forces during World War II and the SS, the Nazi party's paramilitary force, brutally crushed the uprising in 63 days, killing about 200,000 people, mostly civilians. The massacre was among the worst German war crimes. Warsaw was largely destroyed in revenge. "The Warsaw Uprising is one of the cruellest chapters in the long history shared by our two peoples, Poles and Germans," Steinmeier said, "and it is one of the most heroic chapters in Polish history." For Poland, the question of reparations remains In the decades since, Poles have rebuilt Warsaw and their entire country. The former Soviet-bloc nation is now a member of both the European Union and the NATO defence alliance. But the massive destruction and enormous loss of life during World War II are the reasons why Poland is still asking for compensation. The issue was also raised at the German-Polish government consultations in Warsaw at the beginning of July. Steinmeier only marginally addressed Polish demands for compensation for the destruction and enormous loss of life during World War II. Much is on the way, including for the last surviving victims of the occupation, he said. The governments were in close dialogue on this, he added. Berlin considers the issue of reparations to be legally closed, but is looking for ways to cooperate more closely with Warsaw. Germany's relationship with Poland and the remembering this difficult history plays a major role for Steinmeier, his office said. Culture Minister Claudia Roth is accompanying Steinmeier on this trip. The German president will neet Duda in Warsaw on Thursday. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (2nd L) welcomes veterans of the Warsaw Uprising for a discussion. (Best possible quality) Friedemann Kohler/dpa German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke with the now elderly men and women who fought 80 years ago with Polish resistance fighters in the Warsaw Uprising against Poland's German occupiers. "We Germans are aware of our historical responsibility and we Germans must not forget," Steinmeier told the group, some of whom had fought against the Nazi occupation as 12-year-olds. The German president will give a speech at the central ceremony at the memorial to the Warsaw resistance fighters at 6 pm (1600 GMT). Steinmeier is the second German president, after Roman Herzog in 1994, to be invited to speak at the ceremony in Poland. Steinmeier was invited by Polish President Andrzej Duda and Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski. On August 1, 1944, the Polish underground attempted a desperate uprising against the German occupation. The Home Army wanted to drive out the Germans so that Poland could regain control of its capital before the Soviet army approached. However, the Wehrmacht, the Nazi armed forces during World War II and the SS, the Nazi party's paramilitary force, brutally crushed the uprising in 63 days, killing about 200,000 people, mostly civilians. The massacre was among the worst German war crimes. Warsaw was largely destroyed in revenge. For Poland, the question of reparations remains In the decades since, Poles have rebuilt Warsaw and their entire country. The former Soviet-bloc nation is now a member of both the European Union and the NATO defence alliance. But the massive destruction and enormous loss of life during World War II are the reasons why Poland is still asking for compensation. The issue was also raised at the German-Polish government consultations in Warsaw at the beginning of July. Berlin considers the issue of reparations to be legally closed, but is looking for ways to cooperate more closely with Warsaw. Germany's relationship with Poland and the remembering this difficult history plays a major role for Steinmeier, his office said. Culture Minister Claudia Roth is accompanying Steinmeier on this trip. The German president will neet Duda in Warsaw on Thursday. Several local officials, students, teachers and community members gathered under a large tent in blistering heat at Germantown High School on Tuesday afternoon to witness a ribbon cutting for 24 new classrooms. The additions come at a time of significant growth for Germantown high. The new classrooms replaced several outdoor trailers used in recent years to accommodate overflowing classrooms. Three of the trailers were dismantled that same morning. The ribbon cutting comes two days before Germantown's first day of the 2024-2025 school year on Aug. 1. JBHM Architecture and construction firm AnderCorp worked to create the additional classrooms. Mississippi gears up for November: 'We could possibly turn Mississippi blue': Black women in MS rally around Kamala Harris Currently, Germantown High School has 1,400 students in grades nine through 12. Germantown High has seen plenty of progress in the past year. In September 2023, the school broke ground on a new performing arts center. The 24 new classrooms also broke ground that day. When giving remarks, Ryan Florriech, principal architect at JBHM, said construction had ramped up to six or seven days a week since school ended to finish the classrooms before the start of the fall semester. The wing of new classrooms and performing arts center make up a $44 million project adding 96,000 square feet in total to Germantown high. The performing arts center's anticipated completion is late 2024 or early 2025. More on the performing arts center: Germantown High School breaks ground on new state-of-the-art performing arts center Florriech also said the new classrooms were designed to flow easily into the existing architecture. The new space includes two floors and mainly houses freshman level classes. Steve Taylor teaches freshman English and a SAT prep course at Germantown. Taylor, who previously taught in the outdoor trailers, said he is excited to teach indoors again. Now, his students won't have to walk outside to go the main building for bathroom breaks and when it rains, the students won't have to endure the weather when walking to their next class. The new hallways include floor-to-ceiling windows with one side overlooking the school's baseball field. Several subjects including math, English and Spanish have found new homes in the new wing. The addition also houses the school's art and yearbook room. Germantown High School student body officers cut the ribbon during a ribbon cutting for the new addition to the school, background, in Gluckstadt, Miss., on Tuesday, June 30, 2024. Laura Jones, junior and student government association secretary at Germantown, said she is happy to have the new classrooms because it means students and teachers won't have to hear construction all day anymore. The completed classrooms also means students will get to go in the school's existing courtyards, previously blocked by construction, before school and during lunch. Several small details that are meaningful for teachers have been added as well. Vivian Ainsworth, a Spanish I teacher also moving out of the trailers, said she's happy about the new dimmable lights and upgraded desk in her classroom. Madison County Schools Superintendent Ted Poore gave remarks before the ribbon cutting. Poore, who recently took over from Charlotte Seals, thanked the extensive team that made the new addition possible. Community members, local officials, teachers and students many dressed in Maverick red gathered behind the ribbon in front of the new classrooms and officially opened the wing. Plan your next trip: Where can you go from Jackson by train? Curious Mississippi answers Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Germantown High School in Madison, MS, opens 24 new classrooms Hamas chief Ismaeil Haniyeh meets Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian (Not Pictured) in Tehran. Palestinian militant organization Hamas has said on Telegram that Haniyeh, was killed in a "Zionist raid" on his residence in Tehran. In a statement, Hamas added that Haniyeh was killed after he had attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian in the Iranian capital. -/Iranian Presidency/dpa The German government has warned against a further escalation of the situation in the Middle East following the assassination of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. "We call on all actors to exercise maximum restraint. The logic of mutual retaliatory strikes is a mistake," a spokesman for the Foreign Office told journalists in Berlin. He called on everyone to keep a cool head and do everything possible to de-escalate the situation. "Also the chance of a hostage agreement and a ceasefire in Gaza must not be squandered now," he said. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is in close contact with EU partners and representatives of the Middle East region, he said. "Diplomacy is running at full speed and our common goal is to help de-escalate the situation." The German government was doing everything possible with its partners and utilizing all diplomatic channels to prevent an escalation and a regional conflagration, deputy government spokesman Wolfgang Buchner said. The entire region was "in an extremely dangerous situation" and nobody could have any interest in fuelling it further," he added. BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany accused China on Wednesday of having been behind a 2021 cyberattack on the federal cartography agency for espionage purposes and summoned Beijing's ambaassador to Berlin to lodge a complaint. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "We call on China to refrain from, and to prevent, such cyberattacks," Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a statement, adding that the incident had shown just how big a threat such attacks now posed. The German government was able to attribute responsibility for the cyberattack to Chinese state actors based on information from its intelligence services, the ministry statement said. The hackers compromised the end devices of private individuals and companies, it added. Germany's cartography and geodesy agency (BKG) plays an important role for multiple state and private organizations, including those involved in critical infrastructure, it said. Security services expect China to further intensify its state-run espionage activities, the ministry said. Tensions over Chinese espionage in Germany and other Western countries have increased in recent months, particularly after the high-profile arrest of a European Parliament aide in April. "We are therefore resolutely countering these threats and have significantly increased our protection," Faeser said. (Reporting by Miranda Murray, Rachel More and Liz Lee, Editing by Kirsti Knolle and Gareth Jones) Gerth: Even if he isn't Harris' VP pick, Andy Beshear may not stick around Butch writes me occasionally. Sometimes its to agree with me, sometimes to tell me Im wrong and often to urge me to write about something thats not been on my radar. The other day, he wrote to say he thinks Im right and he doesnt think Gov. Andy Beshear will end up being Vice President Kamala Harris choice as her running mate and hes fine with that. I have (a) good reason I hope Beshear doesn't get picked, he wrote. He has been a great governor for the State of Kentucky. He inherited a mess from the previous governor and had to lead Kentucky through some terrible situations Covid, multiple tornadoes, devastating floods, etc. And he did it magnificently in a solid red state of voters with both a red Senate and House that had greatly opposing agendas, Butch wrote. He accomplished this in a manner that brought both he and Kentucky positive national attention and praise. Gov. Andy Beshears fifth stop of five Friday was in Jackson Kentucky in honor of the flood of a couple years ago in Eastern Kentucky. July 26, 2024 I hate to burst Butchs bubble, but even if he and I are both right that Beshear wont be Harris choice to run for vice president with her that doesnt mean Beshear will stick around here in Kentucky if Harris can beat Donald Trump in November. Over the last 50 years, theres plenty of precedent that suggests new presidents often keep their lists of potential running mates handy when they go to fill their cabinets and other top advisory positions once they take office. In fact, in the years since Gerald Ford was sworn in, the only two presidents who didnt tap their lists of veep candidates for top positions in their governments were Jimmy Carter and Trump two candidates who were decidedly outsiders when they were elected. After four years in the U.S. Senate and four years as vice president, Harris can hardly be considered an outsider. Andy Beshear not on Kamala Harris' top VP candidates list News reports suggest Harris is getting closer to making her choice and is narrowing her list of top candidates while adding a couple of latecomers. In recent days, Beshear isnt showing up on any of the list of top candidates. Bloomberg has reported Harris is focusing in on former astronaut and U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, of Arizona; Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro; and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. NBC reported earlier this week that it is down to Kelly, Shapiro and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, but Cooper has since withdrawn. Brawler-in-Chief: Gerth: Nice-guy Andy Beshear now a street fighter battling Trump's JD Vance The New York Post says shes focusing on Kelly and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has been making the talk circuit rounds where his low-key way of talking through issues rivals Bill Clinton, who has been referred to as the Explainer-in-Chief. And the Hill says Kelly is the leader at this point. Meanwhile, media outlets were reporting Wednesday that organized labor is pushing Harris to consider U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, of Michigan, to shore up support in a state where they fear a Black candidate wont do as well as Biden did in 2020. Why Beshear could be a good cabinet pick if Harris wins But if Harris bypasses Beshear as her running mate, after a term as attorney general and two terms as governor, he could well have the qualifications for one of the cabinet positions even in some of the cabinets where he doesnt necessarily have a lot of experience. A management position is a management position. Talk is talk: Gerth: Andy Beshear vice presidential talk is just that talk Biden put three of the people he considered as vice president into top positions in his government, including Gina Raimondo, who stepped down as Rhode Island governor to become Commerce secretary. Former President Barack Obama named then-Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as his Health and Human Services secretary following his election in 2008, and former President George W. Bush named former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge as his secretary of Homeland Security. Additionally, two presidents in the last 50 years have appointed former state attorneys general to head the Department of Justice. Trump appointed former Sen. Jeff Sessions, who had served as Alabamas attorney general, as his attorney general before he fired him. And Bush appointed John Ashcroft as attorney general after Ashcroft had served as both Missouri attorney general and governor a resume that looks a lot like Beshears. The fact that Harris was a state attorney general and her and Beshears time as the top law enforcement officers in their states overlapped by a year, could give him an advantage. And his work in Iowa and Georgia campaigning for her and his ongoing attacks on Sen. JD Vance, Trumps running mate, is certainly ingratiating him to her. Of course, Harris isnt going to talk about who she will put in her cabinet at least not now. Its too soon for that. Joseph Gerth can be reached at 502-582-4702 or by email at jgerth@courierjournal.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Andy Beshear doesn't top Harris VP list, but could get cabinet post GRADN JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) With the new school year coming up fast, Mesa County Valley School District 51 is planning on holding an open house for the new Grand Junction High School building this Saturday, Aug. 3 starting at 10 a.m. The $144 million project broke ground June 1, 2022, and will be about 75% complete when classes begin next week. D51 expects the student population to be over 1,600 though the new building will be able to accommodate 1,800. Chief Operating Officer for D51 Clint Garcia told WesternSlopeNow what the community can expect during the open house. The community is going to be excited to see what has been done over the last two years. Theres been a lot of anticipation as weve transitioned from the old high school into the new high school. I think what they see, as they walk through the building, is going to be pleasantly received. I think its going to be good. The morning of the ribbon cutting will also be the unveiling of the tiger statue. Parking will be available at the front of the building off of Fifth Street with additional parking if needed off of Hall and Sixth Streets. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. Insights from the Brookings Institute, The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and NPR Updated Jul 31, 2024, 10:42am EDT politics The News If Donald Trump is reelected as president in November, it could undermine both US-style democracy and global stability, political commentators warn. Journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Barton Gellman, who is also a senior advisor at the non-partisan Brennan Center for Justice, wrote in The Washington Post that tabletop role-playing exercises involving former officials revealed the US checks and balances system of government did little to constrain a committed authoritarian in control of the executive branch from making sweeping changes to the country and its laws. Meanwhile, world leaders are preparing for a second Trump administration, as faith in the strength of US democracy has been eroded around the world, the Financial Times chief economics commentator said. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Project 2025 amplified fears for US democracy Sources: Brookings Institute, The Wall Street Journal, The Bulwark Project 2025, a 900-page document that outlines a vision for an ultra-conservative administration, has sparked fears Trump is planning an autocratic takeover, the Brookings Institute think tank wrote. The paper has drawn so much criticism for its extreme approach to policing American life that Trump is disavowing it, and its director has quit under pressure from the campaign. While the conservative editorial board of The Wall Street Journal said Democrats had inflated the threat of Project 2025 to panic monger, many analysts remain worried about a new Trump administrations effect on democracy beyond the US. The world is suffering from a democratic recession, a Politico columnist wrote, one that a second Trump term could entrench. EU plans carrot-and-stick approach Sources: German Institute for International and Security Affairs, The Financial Times, The Guardian Most European leaders are worried about the possibility of a second Trump administration, believing his transactional, isolationist and disruptive style of governance would not only challenge but destroy the current transatlantic relationship, analysts wrote in a German Institute for International and Security Affairs paper. The European Union plans a carrot-and-stick approach with Trump, the Financial Times reported: If he is reelected, they will quickly offer a trade deal, but also be prepared to hit back if he goes ahead with his planned tariffs on all imports to the US. Cohesion among EU states will be key, The Guardians diplomatic editor noted divisions could make it easier for Trump to strike deals with individual states. For China, whoever wins the election wont make much of a difference Sources: NPR, South China Morning Post The change of administration in the US in 2025 is unlikely to have much impact on ties between Beijing and Washington, NPR reported. While Trump has pledged high tariffs of 60% on all imported Chinese goods, Harris is also expected to be hawkish toward Beijing, following Bidens footsteps, and any hope that the relationship could improve has given way to resignation. Theyve been trying to outshine each other to be tough on China, one analyst said. Chinas main goal for the next four years is to be prepared for anything, including armed confrontation, but to also try and avoid escalation and boost cooperation, rather than attempting to fix the unfixable, the South China Morning Post added. The Hong Kong market has recently experienced a downturn, with the Hang Seng Index retreating by 2.28% amid broader economic concerns and policy uncertainties. Despite this, growth companies with high insider ownership continue to attract attention due to their potential for robust profit growth and alignment of interests between insiders and shareholders. In this environment, stocks that exhibit strong profit growth expectations alongside substantial insider ownership can be particularly appealing as they suggest confidence from those closest to the company's operations. 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% Tian Tu Capital (SEHK:1973) 34% 70.5% Fenbi (SEHK:2469) 31.1% 42.8% Adicon Holdings (SEHK:9860) 22.4% 28.3% Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology (SEHK:9863) 15% 73% DPC Dash (SEHK:1405) 38.2% 91.4% Zylox-Tonbridge Medical Technology (SEHK:2190) 18.7% 79.3% Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) (SEHK:2315) 13.9% 100.1% Beijing Airdoc Technology (SEHK:2251) 28.6% 83.9% Ocumension Therapeutics (SEHK:1477) 23.3% 93.7% Click here to see the full list of 53 stocks from our Fast Growing SEHK Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. Let's take a closer look at a couple of our picks from the screened companies. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Meitu, Inc. is an investment holding company that creates products for enhancing image, video, and design production with beauty-related solutions in China and internationally, with a market cap of HK$11.70 billion. Operations: The company's revenue from its Internet Business segment is CN2.70 billion. Insider Ownership: 36.6% Earnings Growth Forecast: 26.4% p.a. Meitu's earnings grew 301.8% over the past year and are forecast to grow 26.4% annually, outpacing the Hong Kong market's 11.3%. Despite no substantial insider buying in the last three months, Meitu trades at 75.7% below its estimated fair value. Recent guidance suggests a net profit increase of no less than 30%, though significant one-off items impact financial results. Changes in board composition were also announced, with new appointments enhancing governance expertise. SEHK:1357 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jul 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: China Ruyi Holdings Limited, with a market cap of HK$25.63 billion, is an investment holding company involved in content production and online streaming across the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Europe, and internationally. Story continues Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from its content production business (CN2.23 billion) and online streaming and gaming businesses (CN1.38 billion). Insider Ownership: 15.1% Earnings Growth Forecast: 14.8% p.a. China Ruyi Holdings is forecast to see substantial revenue growth at 27.7% annually, significantly outpacing the Hong Kong market's 7.4%. However, profit margins have declined from 59.8% to 19%, and shareholders experienced dilution over the past year. Despite these challenges, the company trades at a significant discount to its estimated fair value. Recent events include a HK$4 billion follow-on equity offering and amendments to company bylaws approved at their AGM in June 2024. SEHK:136 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jul 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Adicon Holdings Limited operates medical laboratories in the Peoples Republic of China and has a market cap of HK$7.22 billion. Operations: The company's revenue segment primarily consists of Healthcare Facilities & Services, generating CN3.30 billion. Insider Ownership: 22.4% Earnings Growth Forecast: 28.3% p.a. Adicon Holdings is forecast to achieve significant earnings growth of 28.3% annually, outpacing the Hong Kong market's 11.3%. Despite a decline in profit margins from 14% to 7.1%, its revenue is expected to grow at 14.3% per year. The company recently announced a share repurchase program authorized by shareholders, aiming to buy back up to 10% of its issued share capital, potentially boosting net asset value and earnings per share. SEHK:9860 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jul 2024 Seize The Opportunity Delve into our full catalog of 53 Fast Growing SEHK Companies With High Insider Ownership here. Already own these companies? Link your portfolio to Simply Wall St and get alerts on any new warning signs to your stocks. Join a community of smart investors by using Simply Wall St. It's free and delivers expert-level analysis on worldwide markets. Interested In Other Possibilities? 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:1357 SEHK:136 and SEHK:9860. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com The News Welcome to the Global Hot List, our subjective, dynamic ranking of the races and political developments you should be paying attention to right now, compiled by world elections expert Brad Glasser. In todays edition: America continues to digest a sudden change in candidates, the world watches Venezuela amid accusations of vote rigging, and a Czech party takes a right turn. The List 1. USA - Enthusiasm gap A new poll shows that Kamala Harris has charged ahead on voter enthusiasm, with 88% of Democrats excited to cast their ballot for her compared to 82% of Republicans for Trump. The poll, from Ipsos, likewise showed Harriss favorability rating surging above water for the first time in years. While months remain in the campaign, the US political environment is seeing a clear shift, potentially dispelling the impact of the assassination attempt on Trump that took place just before his nominating convention and also sent his favorability numbers surging in some polls. 2. Venezuela - Election mess Venezuelas opposition denounced the countrys election result as a sham, as major players in the region look for clarification on the results. Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico countries that have criticized sanctions on Venezuela are to publish a joint statement seeking detailed results from Maduros government. The announcement of Maduros victory has been met with unrest, with protestors toppling symbols of Chavismo in some parts of the country. 3. France - On hold Jockeying for power is currently on hold after Frances shock legislative election. While the Olympics has pressed pause on the process of parliamentary dealmaking for now, the dynamics remain the same: the left, despite an impressive first-place performance, may face an uphill battle to secure power, while Macrons movement will attempt to cobble together enough votes to remain in charge. The outcome could well be more political chaos, though so far the Olympics have remained mostly untouched by the unfolding drama. 4. Tunisia - Saied re-run Tunisias dictator is running for a second term in office. Dont expect a fair election: Kais Saieds government has sharply and consistently moved to undermine democracy in Tunisia, with outlets declaring the situation a reversal of its Arab Spring-era gains. Saied has tacked towards racist conspiracy theories and promoted ultra-right politics while in office, in conjunction with an authoritarian agenda that has seen numerous political opponents imprisoned. 5. Bangladesh Mass movement Mass protests in Bangladesh have coalesced into a movement against a dictator, according to an article in The Guardian. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has undertaken a crackdown on protests against job quotas for descendants of war veterans, which students claim is a thinly veiled political manoeuvre to shore up political support. Hasinas government has not hesitated to use lethal force against protesters, with widespread abuses detailed by Amnesty International. The demonstrations potentially show Hasinas weakened position, and have been described as the greatest challenge to her rule since she took power in 2009. 6. UK Tory leadership Yet another Tory leadership election in the UK will determine who is tasked with saving the party from terminal decline. Kemi Badenoch appears to be favored to succeed Sunak as leader, though her hard-right politics would ratify the partys plunge into nationalism. Aside from Badenoch, several other contenders like former Home Secretary Priti Patel or former Minister for Immigration Robert Jenrick want to extend the Tories right-wing shift, while long-shot Tom Tugendhat is considered more of a moderate. 7. Iran More moderate Iran is a firm theocracy, but the recent vote for a reformist may signal a more moderate outlook for the country. The election of Masoud Pezeshkian has settled into a stable arrangement, as Irans Supreme Leader Khamenei gave his approval to the new president taking office. Despite the reformist moniker, Pezeshkian is unlikely to fundamentally change much within Iran, where the Supreme Leader holds supreme influence. While Pezeshkian may move for some level of detente with the US, he is still likely to govern in seamless coordination with Khamenei, according to analysis from Foreign Affairs. 8. Czechia - National reorganization Czech politics could potentially be rewritten by the reorganization of parties within the European Parliament. Czechias first-place party ANO, led by billionaire Andrej Babis, has aligned itself with Viktor Orban in the EU, joining his Patriots for Europe group after leaving Macrons Renaissance alliance. Moreover, the nationalist SPD party is joining forces with the new Europe of Sovereign Nations outfit, led by Germanys AfD. The ESN is an extreme-right faction, which has allowed outright fascist sympathizers within its ranks. Given ANO and the SPDs past affinity for working together, Czechia could be barreling towards a very right-wing politics in the future. 9. Namibia No heaven A member of Namibias ruling SWAPO declared that voters will not see heaven if they dont support the party. Member of parliament Hamunyera Hambyuka made the remarks at a rally, and added that even the Devil would reject those who didnt back Swapo. Satan will tell you that you voted wrong, Hambyuka said. What you did was wrong and you have to go back because I also dont want you. If Satan doesnt want you, where will you go? Hambyuka was criticized for the remarks, with one party leader accusing him of playing Jesus. Google has released a trio of new, "open" generative AI models that it's calling "safer," "smaller" and "more transparent" than most -- a bold claim, to be sure. They're additions to Google's Gemma 2 family of generative models, which debuted back in May. The new models, Gemma 2 2B, ShieldGemma and Gemma Scope, are designed for slightly different applications and use cases, but share in common a safety bent. Google's Gemma series of models are different from its Gemini models in that Google doesn't make the source code available for Gemini, which is used by Google's own products as well as being available to developers. Rather, Gemma is Google's effort to foster goodwill within the developer community, much like Meta is attempting to do with Llama. Gemma 2 2B is a lightweight model for generating analyzing text that can run on a range of hardware, including laptops and edge devices. It's licensed for certain research and commercial applications and can be downloaded from sources such as Google's Vertex AI model library, the data science platform Kaggle and Google's AI Studio toolkit. As for ShieldGemma, it's a collection of "safety classifiers" that attempt to detect toxicity like hate speech, harassment and sexually explicit content. Built on top of Gemma 2, ShieldGemma can be used to filter prompts to a generative model as well as content that the model generates. Lastly, Gemma Scope allows developers to "zoom in" on specific points within a Gemma 2 model and make its inner workings more interpretable. Here's how Google describes it in a blog post: "[Gemma Scope is made up of] specialized neural networks that help us unpack the dense, complex information processed by Gemma 2, expanding it into a form that's easier to analyze and understand. By studying these expanded views, researchers can gain valuable insights into how Gemma 2 identifies patterns, processes information and ultimately makes predictions." The release of the new Gemma 2 models comes shortly after the U.S. Commerce Department endorsed open AI models in a preliminary report. Open models broaden generative AIs availability to smaller companies, researchers, nonprofits and individual developers, the report said, while also highlighting the need for capabilities to monitor such models for potential risks. After state officials approved a school budget against a school district's wishes, two lawmakers allege the state threatened two district officials. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) Two Republican lawmakers are calling for a criminal investigation into the Department of Education over an alleged threat to a school districts top staff. The demand for a probe from Ocean County Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Paul Kanitra is the latest in a series of school funding spats to grace the Toms River Regional School District. And it comes as more than 100 school districts statewide chafe over losing state aid in recent years. The state has an obligation to provide a thorough and efficient education, not just the local school district, and they have taken $137 million from the children of Toms River, not to mention the other districts in Ocean County, McGuckin said. The current squabble centers around the Toms River regional districts annual budget, which its school board was due to approve at a July 17 meeting before removing it from consideration because of their opposition to the spending plans proposed tax hikes. It did not move to pass any budget by the states July 22 deadline. The district had earlier threatened to sue the Department of Education over state aid cuts. Kathy Eagan, the school boards president, did not return a request for comment. The Ocean County Office of Educations interim executive county superintendent, Susan Naples, who oversees the district on behalf of the Department of Education, stepped in and approved a budget containing a 9.9% increase to the districts tax levies. The budget Naples imposed is identical to a tentative budget district officials proposed earlier in July. McGuckin and Kanitra claim talks between the school district and the Department of Education about the districts budget were diplomatic at first but grew hostile. They say the department threatened the certifications of the districts superintendent and business administrator, leading to the lawmakers call for a probe of the department and its acting commissioner, Kevin Dehmer. If this is going to be allowed to continue, were going to have state officials coercing local officials because they disagree with what they feel and their opinions? This has to stop. This is ridiculous, McGuckin said. Laura Fredrick, a spokesperson for the Department of Education, said any suggestion that the departments actions warrant criminal investigation is wholly inaccurate. While the department must limit its comments due to Toms River Regional School Districts intention to litigate this issue, we must be clear that the department was obligated to take action to ensure the provision of a thorough and efficient education for the students of Toms River Regional school district, Fredrick said. A Murphy administration official said the school board misconstrued officials warning that a school funding advance requested by the district would require a state monitor to be deployed there. The statute requires the State Board of Examiners to review the certifications of the superintendent and business administrator in any district where a state monitor is deployed. The Governor supports the Departments efforts to ensure that districts comply with their obligations to adopt annual budgets as well as their efforts to ensure the provision of a thorough and efficient education for the students of Toms River Regional school district, said Natalie Hamilton, a spokesperson for the governor. The loss in state aid for 100-plus school districts comes under a 2018 bill meant to shift school aid from historically overfunded districts to historically underfunded ones. That bill, called S2, phased out adjustment aid, which was meant to help school districts that saw steep losses in state aid following approval of the states school funding formula in 2008. That aid was never intended to be permanent. Toms River saw roughly $10.4 million in adjustment aid phased out under S2, and the districts equalization aid a category of state aid meant to fill the difference between adequate funding and what the districts taxpayers can support fell from nearly $40 million in the 2017-2018 school year to about $10.3 million in the coming year. Theres more than one reason for Toms Rivers declining state school aid. Enrollment in the district has fallen since the 2017-2018 school year, the last before S2 was signed into law. That year, the district estimated it would have 15,768 students enrolled, but final projections for the coming school year were 8.9% lower at 14,382, and Toms River Regional loses some state aid as a result. The other reason is more contentious: Under the states funding formula, Toms River is undertaxed. Though the district has moved to raise school levies in response to cuts in recent years, its school property tax rates remain among the lowest in the state. In 2022 the most recent year for which the Department of Community Affairs has released complete property tax tables only 69 districts imposed a lower tax rate than Toms River, the states eighth-most populous municipality. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX GOP Maricopa County sheriff winner defangs his former boss, maybe for good Jerry Sheridans commanding early lead in the GOP race for sheriff proves how little sway Joe Arpaio holds anymore. Certainly not for the office that Sheriff Joe held for close to a quarter of a century but lost spectacularly in 2016 and failed to regain four years later. And not for the influence he sought to have this go-around by endorsing Frank Milstead for sheriff, snubbing Sheridan, his one-time deputy chief. Sheridan is having the last laugh. And not for the first time. Milstead had wide backing. Sheridan won handily He edged Arpaio by a few thousand votes in the 2020 primary (and went on to lose to Democrat Paul Penzone, who resigned from the office earlier this year). This time, he beat the man Arpaio anointed. And in impressive fashion: Milstead, a former state Department of Public Safety director and a former chief of Mesa police, was backed by former Gov. Doug Ducey, former U.S. Marshal for Arizona David Gonzales, longtime Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio and others. And several police unions, to boot. Sheridans tenure under Arpaio will no doubt come under scrutiny again in the general election. But he has distanced himself from the man whose entanglements with the Justice Department led to a consent decree that the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office remains under to this day and at a cost of more than $300 million for taxpayers. Expect his record under Arpaio to resurface In a Republican primary debate, Sheridan said this of Arpaio: There was some mistakes made by the previous sheriff with targeting Hispanic neighborhoods, and I used to argue with him all the time, Sheriff, dont do this. And then when the court order came out, he said, Im not going to listen to the court order. I said, Stop, sheriff, you gotta stop saying this. Arpaio, in fact, cited that exchange as one reason why he endorsed Milstead instead of his former top aide. Penzone couldn't root out racial bias: Can anyone? Supporters of Sheridan, including Chris Hegstrom, who worked in Arpaios administration as a spokesperson, said Sheridan got a disproportionate share of the blame as Arpaios second-in-command given that he didnt join the executive team until the department was already embroiled in legal troubles over its immigration enforcement. Hegstrom insisted to me that the arguments Sheridan and others in the command staff had with Arpaio were real, though hidden from public view. As all the candidates for sheriff agreed including the two running in the Democratic primary priority No. 1 for whoever assumes office is to finish mopping up the consent decree mess from Arpaios reign. To get out from under the thumb of the federal government and court monitors. Sheridan will have to fight that Arpaio association once again in the general election even if their personal ties are severed for good. Reach Abe Kwok at akwok@azcentral.com. On X, formerly Twitter: @abekwok. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Jerry Sheridan was snubbed in sheriff race. But he got the last laugh PHOENIX (AP) Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer has fought back against death threats, almost constant harassment and streams of misinformation during his nearly four years overseeing elections in one of the nation's most prominent political battlegrounds. He couldn't survive his reelection bid. The Republican who relentlessly defended the legitimacy of Arizona's elections lost his primary race this week in a vote that could significantly influence the way elections are run in one of the nation's most-watched counties. Richer lost to Justin Heap, a state legislator who has questioned certain aspects of how elections are run, in a three-way GOP primary that ended Tuesday. While Richer will remain in office through the November election, his exit early next year will signal the end of a term wracked by controversy. His office, which splits election duties with the county board of supervisors, has had to fend off attacks over the results of the 2020 presidential election, as former President Donald Trump and his allies falsely claimed that widespread fraud had cost him the race. The outcry from a vocal and determined group of Republican lawmakers, local officials and grassroots activists spiraled into protests and threats that ultimately energized the campaign for his ouster. Richer congratulated Heap, who will move on to the general election, in a post on the social platform X, promising a smooth transition. He also had a message that countered the animosity and distrust in the system that has animated so many Republicans in the state when elections haven't gone their way. Elections have winners and losers, he said: Accept it. Move on. Trump disputed the outcome in each of the six battleground states he lost to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020, but perhaps nowhere was the pushback from Republicans as forceful or as long-lasting as in Arizona, where his margin of defeat was less than 11,000 votes. In the aftermath of the election, Republicans in the state Senate hired Trump supporters led by a firm called Cyber Ninjas to review Maricopa Countys handling of the election, a widely mocked effort that ended up affirming Biden's win. Since then, several counties in the state have burned through election directors whose offices have faced virtually nonstop criticism and harassment from activists and even their own county commissioners, who promote conspiracy theories about everything from voting machines to mailed ballots. Although he wasn't in office in 2020, Richer had consistently defended how elections were run and votes were counted in Arizona's most populous county. That made him a target for those who falsely believed the last presidential election had been rigged, and felt similarly after Republican Kari Lake lost her campaign for governor two years later. In one case, the day after Richer spoke during a chaotic public meeting when county officials certified the November 2022 election results, he received two voicemails on his cellphone telling him to run and hide. The caller, a California man whose expletive-laden voicemails claimed Richer wanted to cheat our elections and screw Americans out of true votes, was arrested earlier this year, according to the Justice Department. Election officials and others who promote good government across the country responded to Richer's primary loss by saying he was an inspiration for his transparency and having the courage to stand up for the facts. David Becker, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research, said there isnt a meeting of election officials he attends where Richer is not brought up as a positive example. He has taken as much abuse and harassment as almost any election official in the country and responded with grace and transparency and humor, Becker said. Hes the reason people like me do the work we do. Heap didnt respond to an emailed request for comment. He posted on X on Wednesday seeking donations for his November election, which he called the second-most important race after re-electing President Donald Trump on the ballot. This November, we will end the laughingstock elections that have plagued our county, state and nation, he wrote. He has stopped short of saying the 2020 and 2022 elections were stolen, but has characterized the states practices for handling early ballots as insecure and has questioned the ballot chain of custody. Earlier this year, Heap proposed an unsuccessful bill that would have removed Arizona from a multistate effort to maintain voter lists. During a debate in late June, Heap denied sowing discord over elections for political gain and said voters do not trust the states voting system because its poorly run. Its not because they believe misinformation on social media, Heap said during the debate. Its because they see the same problems happening election cycle after election cycle after election cycle, and they cannot get elected officials to even acknowledge that this is a massive problem and address their concerns. Stan Barnes, a Phoenix-based political consultant and former Republican state senator, said it has become a challenge for average Maricopa County voters to know whats real and whats not on issues of election integrity, and they can find whatever answers they want depending upon their political point of view. I dont think we should hit the panic button, but we should acknowledge that a great many voters, for better or for worse, have a negative impression of election integrity in the state of Arizona, he said. In the long game, its in all our interests to remedy that in some manner. In November, Heap will face Democrat Tim Stringham, who was unopposed in his primary and said he was encouraged by how many Republicans voted for Richer. If you voted for Stephen Richer, I imagine you did so because of his honesty in the face of lies over the last four years, Stringham wrote in a post on the social media platform X. Im asking you to continue to vote for the honest candidate. Consider voting for a Democrat this time around. Several prominent election deniers also won their GOP primaries for Arizona legislative or congressional races, but results were mixed in races for the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, which shares responsibility for overseeing elections. While establishment-backed Republicans won several seats, an incumbent who had consistently defended the county's elections lost overwhelmingly. Jack Sellers was the board chairman in 2021 when legislative Republicans pushed the Cyber Ninjas audit. In that role, he angered the right wing of his party by pushing back against the review and standing up for the county's election office and its operations. While he congratulated the candidates moving on to the general election, Sellers had a pointed message to critics. To the election deniers who have dedicated so much time, energy, and money to defeat me and others, I say: be careful what you wish for, he said in a statement. At some point, you will have to answer for your efforts to undermine our democracy. I hope that you will eventually recognize that Maricopa County remains the gold standard for elections and have the courage and bravery to admit your mistakes. ___ Swenson reported from New York. Associated Press writers Jonathan J. Cooper, Gabriel Sandoval, Sejal Govindarao and Jacques Billeaud contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Vice President Harriss quick pivot to her White House bid has prompted an about-face on multiple key issues that could affect outcomes in battleground states, handing former President Trump and Republicans a prime attack line. In the roughly one week since Harris replaced President Biden as the probable Democratic nominee, her campaign has moved to distance her from a series of positions she took when she was a candidate in the 2020 presidential primary. She no longer supports a ban on fracking, a campaign official said, nor does she support expanding the Supreme Court. She no longer backs a single-payer health care system, after previously endorsing a Medicare for All proposal, the campaign official confirmed, or a government-run gun-buyback program. Harris also supports additional border funding put forward by the Biden administration, a break from her 2020 primary stance that Immigration and Customs Enforcement should, at a minimum, be reformed. Republicans say the policy pivots give them another arrow in their quiver for the three-month sprint to November. Shes going to say whatever she thinks will get her elected, but I dont know how you trust anything someone says when they take 180-degree opposite positions depending on who theyre talking to, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said. I just think shes not a credible person. Im always a little shocked and surprised at cynicism and hypocrisy, he added when asked if he is at all surprised by the rebrand. Harriss allies have pushed back, arguing the electorate will care more about her vision for the future than stances she took five years ago. They need to let Kamala go out there and win people over. Talk about the issues that matter to swing-state voters: the economy, child care, abortion and fertility treatment rights, said one Democratic strategist who has worked with Harris. Let Kamala be Kamala, and shell win people over like she always does. You already see that with her exploding on TikTok with young people. Remember, voters care a lot more about the future than the past. Theyve been clamoring for new leaders in this race, the strategist added. And the future looks a lot more like Kamala Harris than it does Donald Trump. Still, the vice presidents reversal on nearly a half-dozen issues comes as she attempts to make headway in key battleground states. Among them is Pennsylvania, where fracking has been a key issue for voters for more than a decade. In a number of interviews and appearances in 2019, Harris said she was in favor of banning the practice a stance David McCormick, the GOPs Senate candidate in the Keystone State, and others have sought to highlight and connect to the states Democratic incumbent. The Biden-Harris-Casey energy agenda has essentially been to stop fossil fuels, and transition from lithium batteries and solar panels from China, McCormick told Fox News late last week. It truly is out of step [with] where most Pennsylvanians are. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) defended the switch in position Tuesday, arguing that having like-minded stances with the top of the ticket is good for everyone. On gas extraction, Ive always been supportive and very supportive and have voted against any kind of a ban, Casey told The Hill. To have alignment and consensus on that is obviously a positive. In a survey released late last week by The Hill and Emerson College, Harris trails by 2 points against Trump in Pennsylvania the same margin the former president held over Biden ahead of the June debate that ultimately pushed the president out of the race. Trump led Biden by 5 points following the debate. Seizing on another hot-button issue, the Trump campaign launched its first television ad attacking Harris on Tuesday, focusing on her role as Bidens border czar while mixing images of migrants coming across the border and the vice president dancing. Top Trump allies argue the latest change in Harriss political posture only feeds into the GOPs narrative that she is among the most liberal members of her party and cannot be trusted. Shes got so much we can run on. Its just really exposing her to who she really is, said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.). Shes no moderate Joe Biden was kind of a puppet of the progressive movement. She is the progressive movement. She cant flip-flop her positions, because she was there as a senator. She ran on it, she campaigned on it and, since shes been vice president, shes spoken about it multiple times, he continued. Her words will do it enough. We just have to replay it for the American people. Trump and his campaign have similarly shrugged off efforts by Harris and her campaign to reposition herself on certain issues, arguing it wont resonate with voters. In politics, when you start off saying something, thats where you are. And she was for defund the police. She was for open borders. She was for having anybody come in, Trump told Fox News on Monday. Trump may not be the ideal messenger for that argument, however. He has frequently reversed himself on various policy matters, including this year, when he came out against a ban on TikTok despite signing an executive order to ban the app while he was president. Taylor Budowich, head of the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc., argued Harris has always been a dangerous liberal, a sign of how attack ads will target the vice president in the months to come. Kamala is going to run on whatever dishonest, poll-tested and focus-grouped agenda her consultants cook up. It wont work, Budowich posted on the social platform X. For now, polling since Harris entered the race as the likely Democratic nominee has shown the vice president has gotten a bump in approval rating. An ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted Friday and Saturday showed Harriss favorability rose from 35 percent to 43 percent compared to just a week ago, while her unfavorability rating dropped from 46 percent to 42 percent. And Harris has pushed back on some of the accusations from Republicans. You may have noticed Donald Trump has been resorting to some wild lies about my record. And some of what he and his running mate are saying, its just plain weird, Harris told donors in Massachusetts. But the bottom line is, we have our work cut out for us. OK? We have our work cut out for us, she continued. And this is not going to be easy. But I know something about the folks in this room: We can do hard things. And we like hard work. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. U.S. Rep. Eli Crane in June 2024. Photo by Gage Skidmore (modified) | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 Incumbent U.S. Rep. Eli Crane has easily defeated challenger Jack Smith in the Republican primary for Arizonas 2nd Congressional District, according to unofficial election results. With almost 65,000 votes counted in the contest, Crane leads Smith 78% to 21%, a gap of more than 37,000 votes. The winner of the primary election will face Democratic candidate Jonathan Nez, who was running unopposed, in November. Thank you to every voter across Arizonas 2nd Congressional District who entrusted me to carry your voices and concerns to Washington and actually fight, Crane said in a statement released on the social media platform X. Crane said that, within less than 100 days of the November election, he wants voters to remain focused on sending America First warriors to Washington, including reelecting former President Donald Trump. Crane is one of several Republicans across Arizona who have been endorsed by Trump. The road to the presidency cuts directly through Arizona, and Im committed to helping lead the charge on delivering a decisive victory for President Trump in our state, Crane added. Crane was elected into the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022 after defeating three-term incumbent Democrat Tom OHalleran, turning Arizonas largest congressional district red. In a video statement released on Facebook, Democratic nominee Nez said that Second District families are struggling, and extremists like Eli Crane are actively putting Washington elites ahead of everyday Arizonans. We can not afford to have an extremist representative willing to ban womens health care, support big corporations and tear down our democracy representing us any longer, he added. The 2nd Congressional District covers much of northern and eastern Arizona. It includes Apache, Coconino, Gila, Navajo, and Yavapai counties, as well as portions of Graham, Maricopa, Mohave, and Pinal counties. The total population within District 2 is more than 794,000 people, with over 628,000 voting age, according to data from the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. The districts voting history splits 53% toward Republicans and 46% toward Democrats. The map for Congressional District 2 was redrawn in 2022, and a key concern about the remapping is that the district now leans seven points in favor of the Republican Party. The map includes 14 tribes in northern, eastern, and central Arizona, and those tribal members make up about 20% of the districts population. Native voting advocates voiced their concerns about the district throughout the redistricting process, stating that it did not represent what voters wanted. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Sen. Shawnna Bolick, R-Phoenix, spoke about a failed pregnancy she had and her concern than an 1864 near-total abortion ban wouldn't allow women in similar situations to receive the same medical treatment she did. Bolick was one of two GOP senators who voted on May 1, 2024, to repeal that Civil War-era law. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror Republican state Sen. Shawnna Bolick appears to have fended off a far-right contender who is seeking his third different elected office since 2020. Bolick holds a nearly 10-point lead over her opponent, local businessman Josh Barnett, according to preliminary results. Bolick was appointed to the Arizona Senate in July 2023 to serve out the remainder of Sen. Steve Kaisers term after the Phoenix Republican abruptly resigned following the high-profile failure of an affordable housing reform package he had championed. Bolick previously served as a state representative for the same district, which covers much of northern Phoenix, from 2019 to 2023. In 2022, she ran Arizona Secretary of State and finished third out of four candidates in the GOP primary. Barnett, an avid conspiracy theorist and election denier, was one of two other Republicans nominated as a potential replacement for Kaiser. This marks the third consecutive election cycle in which the QAnon follower has lost bids for elected office; he unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2020 and 2022. Bolick herself is no stranger to election denialism. In 2021, she authored legislation that would have allowed lawmakers to override the presidential choice of Arizona voters with a simple majority something Republicans have held in the state legislature for decades. This year, despite a staunch pro-life stance, Bolick made headlines for being one of just two GOP state senators to vote with Democrats to repeal a near-total abortion ban from 1864. Bolick, in a nearly 30-minute floor speech, shared how she had undergone a dilation & curettage procedure when one of her pregnancies was deemed unviable. The procedure is often used to both treat miscarriages as well as perform abortions, and Bolick said she was concerned allowing the territorial-era law to stand could jeopardize care for women facing difficult pregnancy complications like she did. During her speech, she made clear, however, that her opposition to the 1864 law is not an indication of support for abortions or the abortion rights initiative headed for the November ballot. Later, Bolick voted to send a summary of the Arizona Abortion Access Act to voters that includes the phrase unborn human being in the first sentence. The campaign behind the initiative filed a lawsuit against that language, and Bolick, along with the rest of the GOP-majority legislative panel that voted to approve it, vowed to appeal a recent ruling that found it to be unlawful. Bolicks husband, Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick, was one of four justices who drafted the ruling that reinstated the 1864 near-total abortion ban. A campaign to unseat two of those four justices facing retention in November, including Clint Bolick, quickly emerged. GOP lawmakers responded by approving a ballot measure that gives Arizona judges lifetime appointments, and Bolick drew criticism when she supported the referral. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST HONOLULU (KHON2) An open senate seat has been filled after Sen. Maile Shimabukuro vacated the leeward post on May 31. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Gov. Green, in a news release Tuesday, stated that Croccifixio Makani Crabbe will serve the remainder of the term for District 22. Gov. Green discusses key developments from legislative session Making an appointment so close to the election may influence the outcome of the election, said Governor Green in the news release. It is my constitutional obligation to support free and fair elections, and this was the only path to maintain that integrity. Crabbe is a member of the Democratic Party of Hawaii. He works for Representative Cedric Gates (District 45), who provided this statement on Crabbes appointment. The residents of Senate District 22 urgently needed representation and Im pleased to hear Governor Green has come to a decision to fill the Senate vacancy. It is critical for our residents to have a Senator who can effectively serve the community and address our constituents everyday concerns. Our district has unfortunately been without Senate representation for nearly two months. During this period, many residents increasingly relied on my office for support and advocacy. Its crucial to finally have a Senate counterpart to collaborate with as we advocate for the residents of the Leeward Coast. I believe Senator Cross Crabbe will effectively serve our Westside residents and take the necessary actions to address the challenges in our community. I look forward to collaborating with Senator Crabbe during this interim period to advocate for the Leeward Coast and create a more thriving community for our residents. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine speaks before the ribbon cutting on Wednesday, July 23, at the 2024 Ohio State Fair. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine won't vote for a constitutional amendment to remove politicians like himself from drawing congressional and state lawmakers' districts. DeWine said Ohio's redistricting process needs to change but the proposed amendment would encourage gerrymandering. "I believe we must put an end to gerrymandering once and for all in Ohio," DeWine said. "The only way to do this is to take politics completely out of the drawing of the maps." The proposed amendment would replace Ohio's current method of drawing maps for congressional and state legislative districts, a process called redistricting. Instead, a 15-member citizen panel without close political ties would craft districts. Backers of the amendment, called Citizens Not Politicians, say the changes are needed to prevent gerrymandering, which is when one political party draws districts to favor their candidates unfairly and disproportionately. A divided Ohio Supreme Court repeatedly ruled that Republican politicians, including DeWine, had approved gerrymandered maps to benefit their candidates. At one point, Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, opined that Republicans could be entitled to up to 81% of legislative seats. After a protracted process and multiple lawsuits, elected Republicans and Democrats ultimately agreed on statehouse maps to use through 2030. DeWine had said that politicians should be removed from the process of drawing districts because they are too personally invested in the outcomes. But the Republican governor has problems with the issue on the November ballot. DeWine said that the proposed amendment would prioritize proportionality, which requires maps to match the recent statewide voting results, at the expense of fair districts. Such incentives to gerrymander will only be worse under the proposed constitutional amendment, DeWine said. DeWine wants lawmakers to consider a model used by Iowa, where their legislative service commission crafts maps that lawmakers then approve. He called on them to pass a new redistricting model in January. DeWine joins the Ohio Republican Party in opposing the amendment, which could reduce the odds of Republicans winning seats in the state Legislature and Congress. The Ohio Democratic Party backs the proposal. Citizens Not Politicians calls itself bipartisan and nonpartisan. Former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, a Republican, helped craft the constitutional amendment's language. If approved by voters, the new redistricting panel would include five Republicans, five Democrats and five independent voters. Current lobbyists, elected officials and political consultants could not participate on the new commission, which retired judges would help select. Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Gov. Mike DeWine: Ohio ballot measure would encourage gerrymandering Key Insights Institutions' substantial holdings in Premier Miton Group implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price The top 10 shareholders own 50% of the company Analyst forecasts along with ownership data serve to give a strong idea about prospects for a business A look at the shareholders of Premier Miton Group plc (LON:PMI) can tell us which group is most powerful. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 56% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. Given the vast amount of money and research capacities at their disposal, institutional ownership tends to carry a lot of weight, especially with individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Premier Miton Group. View our latest analysis for Premier Miton Group What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Premier Miton Group? Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Premier Miton Group. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Premier Miton Group's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story. Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Premier Miton Group. Octopus Investments Limited is currently the company's largest shareholder with 12% of shares outstanding. With 8.2% and 8.0% of the shares outstanding respectively, Fidelity International Ltd and Slater Investments Limited are the second and third largest shareholders. Furthermore, CEO Michael O'Shea is the owner of 2.8% of the company's shares. We also observed that the top 10 shareholders account for more than half of the share register, with a few smaller shareholders to balance the interests of the larger ones to a certain extent. While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Insider Ownership Of Premier Miton Group While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own some shares in Premier Miton Group plc. In their own names, insiders own UK3.2m worth of stock in the UK107m company. Some would say this shows alignment of interests between shareholders and the board, though we generally prefer to see bigger insider holdings. But it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 19% stake in Premier Miton Group. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders. Private Equity Ownership Private equity firms hold a 12% stake in Premier Miton Group. This suggests they can be influential in key policy decisions. Some investors might be encouraged by this, since private equity are sometimes able to encourage strategies that help the market see the value in the company. Alternatively, those holders might be exiting the investment after taking it public. Private Company Ownership We can see that Private Companies own 7.3%, of the shares on issue. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Premier Miton Group (of which 1 shouldn't be ignored!) you should know about. But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds gave the 2024 Condition of the State address in the Iowa House chambers Jan. 9, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) After winning her years-long battle to pass Iowas program providing public funding for private school education, Gov. Kim Reynolds is taking on a role to help promote school choice measures in other states. The Iowa governor is now the co-chair of American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)s Education Freedom Alliance, an initiative launched by the think tank in January to encourage more states to enact measures similar to Iowas Educational Savings Account program. One of the main goals of the initiative is 25 by 25 aiming for 25 states to have laws with state education funds available to go to private schools by 2025. According to the EFA website, 12 states have enacted so-called school choice laws by 2024, and 16 states may bring legislation on the issue forward in 2025. Reynolds said every state is different, but encouraged advocates and lawmakers to continue pressing for these measures despite pushback and criticism from both sides of the aisle. It is hard, you know, but you just stay strong, stay committed, have the resolve to follow it through because really, it is the right thing to do, Reynolds said Friday at the ALEC convention. But it is an exciting organization. I am honored, beyond honored, to be a part of it. And Im happy to talk to anybody, or come to your states or whatever I can do to be helpful. But it all starts with 25 by 2025 and the resources that youre putting into it. Reynolds spoke about her years-long effort to pass the ESA program providing government funding for private school costs for Iowa K-12 students. The Republican governor said in a talk with Lisa Nelson, the CEO of the conservative think tank, that she wants to work with ALEC and state lawmakers to encourage other states to be a part of what she called education revolution that were seeing happening across this country in encouraging state funding for private school scholarships. The Iowa governor said she was really proud of the work done to pass the 2023 law, after it failed to advance in two previous legislative sessions. There was not sufficient support among Republican majorities to pass a version of the ESA program prior to 2023, Reynolds said, as many lawmakers representing rural school districts were concerned about the impact it would have on K-12 school funding in their areas. The governor said she worked on finding a compromise, but that when she realized its not going to happen, she took another tactic weighing in on GOP primaries. I was either going to sit on the sidelines and continue to be an enabler and not get this done, or I was going to really get in the fight and really make sure that we had (enough votes), Reynolds said. Because I was hearing it from the parents and from families as I traveled the state, you know, they wanted that opportunity to choose. And a lot of times they would choose a public school, but they wanted that choice, especially after COVID. The governor endorsed candidates in nine Republican primaries during the 2022 primary elections, when multiple incumbent GOP lawmakers lost to challengers. In addition to making primary endorsements, Reynolds said radio and TV advertising promoting the ESA program were important to provide cover for our lawmakers and keep that momentum going for the measure, passed two weeks after the 2023 session began. After she and Republicans across the ballot saw major victories in the 2022 midterm elections, when governor won reelection with 58% of the vote, Reynolds said that she decided to pursue a more ambitious version of the ESA program than she had tried to pass in previous years. The ESA program provides accounts to students equal to the per-pupil funding total received by public K-12 schools, to use for private school tuition and associated costs. While previous versions of the legislation that did not make it to the finish line set income limits on the program, the 2023 law allows all Iowa K-12 students, regardless of family income, access to the state-funded accounts beginning in the 2025-26 school year onward. Literally what we did really was we put education freedom on the ballot, Reynolds said. And I am telling you Iowans responded in a really strong way, by large majorities. A 2023 Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll found that a majority, 62%, of Iowans oppose using funds for public schools to help parents pay costs of non-public schools or homeschooling. Iowa spent $129.9 million on the program in the 2023-2024 school year, when the income limit for opening accounts was at 300% of the federal poverty level roughly $23 million more than the state expected in its first year of implementation. An audit released earlier in July by state Auditor Rob Sand, the sole Democrat to hold statewide office, found that the state will pay more to the company managing the ESA program than initially predicted because of contract amendments. The contract with Odyssey, a New York-based company, was amended to include a transaction fee of 25 cents per $100 of qualified educational expenses a change Sand said could cost the state more than double by fiscal year 2027. This story has been updated to correct the name of Lisa Nelson, the CEO the American Legislative Exchange Council. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) North Carolina Governor Roy Coopers announcement that he was taking himself out of contention as a running mate for presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris is being met with some shock, but not much surprise among political circles in the state. However, there is reporting from The Associated Press that indicates some of the reason Cooper bowed out had to do with concerns over the states Lieutenant Governor, Mark Robinson, who is currently running for Governor. Under the state Constitution, if a Governor is out of state or otherwise incapacitated, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Acting Governor. White Dudes for Harris call raises over $4 million Being a running mate on a presidential ticket would result in extended periods of campaigning out of state. I think one of the issues Cooper had was, could he (Robinson) potentially do something that would cause further controversy in the state?, said Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, political science professor at Catawba College. The Associated Press cited two sources familiar with Coopers ultimate decision who said that Robinson coming into power as Acting Governor could have presented a distraction or legal issues, something Bitzer noted has precedent. Project 2025s director steps down and Trump says Harris doesnt like Jewish people There was only one instance when Acting Governor Mark Robinson issued a proclamation in support of Israel while Governor Cooper was out, said Bitzer. Cooper came back and didnt do anything with that proclamation. Bitzer is referring to the October 2023 proclamation Robinson made while Governor Cooper led a delegation to Japan for an economic development conference. Robinson made the proclamation The proclamation was referred to as self-serving by critics, and even those in his own party noted Robinsons previous history of anti-Semitic comments. Harris and Trump hit the campaign trail in must win states Cooper has so far not commented on the reports about his reasoning or concerns over Robinson as Acting Governor. On Monday, Cooper confirmed reports of his bowing out of vice presidential contention, citing timing. The Associated Press reports that he took himself out of contention early on in the vetting process, and did not submit vetting materials for consideration. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A grand jury is accusing Mike Foley, Montgomery County clerk of courts, of several crimes including theft in office and unlawfully asking public employees for political contributions, and also with working in concert with a county Municipal Court judge to unlawfully secure public contracts. >> Teens learn their fate at sentencing in death of Lyft driver In a 12-count indictment returned Wednesday afternoon in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, Clerk of Courts Foley is accused of the following: * Seven felony counts including theft in office, unlawful use of a computer, unlawful interest in a public contract, as well as aiding the abetting in the unlawful interest in a public contract. * A misdemeanor charge of soliciting political contributions from public employees; * A misdemeanor charge of engaging in partisan political activity. According to the indictment, Foley committed the crimes described in the indictment between September 2021 and May 2024. Foley, elected as clerk in 2018, oversees an office of more than 100 employees and an annual budget of more than $15 million, according to his candidates web page. Prior to his becoming clerk of courts, Foley served as an Ohio deputy registrar for 12 years. In that role, he operated the regional bureau of motor vehicles in Huber Heights. The Cincinnati native moved to the Dayton area in 1996. His career includes helping to launch and operate the initial First Watch restaurants in Montgomery County. He also served as a medic in the Army and Ohio National Guard. Foley is a graduate of Ohio State University and lives in Oakwood with his wife. The indictment lists three felony charges against County Municipal Court Judge James Piergies, the presiding and administrative judge for the Montgomery County Municipal Court Western Division, located in Trotwood. Two of those charges accuse him of working with Foley to use their influence to secure the authorization of a public contract. According to the indictment, the two are accused of committing those offenses between April 2021 and May 2024. Allegations against Piergies relate to his sons employment, according to Ohio State Auditor Keith Faber. Municipal Court Judge James Piergies officiated the swearing-in ceremony of Clerk of Courts Mike Foley in 2021. (Courtesy: Official Montgomery County government Facebook) Piergies has served as a judge since 1995. He earned his bachelors degree from Bowling Green State University in 1974 and graduated from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1980. He won re-election in fall 2019. He is up for re-election in November 2025. This matter was completely initiated and investigated by the office of Ohio State Auditor, Keith Faber, Greg Flannagan, spokesman for Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. said in a prepared statement. Hecks office has not been involved in this case, he said. The auditors office Special Investigations Unit began looking into Foley and Piergies after receiving an anonymous complaint in October 2022 concerning alleged solicitation of campaign contributions from employees and other improper activities by Foley, according to a statement from Fabers office late Wednesday afternoon. SIU was appointed to serve as special prosecutor. SIU Special Prosecutor Robert F. Smith signed Wednesdays indictment. As this involves an ongoing investigation, the Auditor of States Office will have no further comment at this time, Fabers office said. Comment did come from Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg) who said Foley and Piergies must immediately resign their public offices. Upholding the integrity of elected off [sic] holders is of paramount importance, he said via X, the former Twitter. He also said, via X: Rooting out public corruption is incredibly important. No corrupt politician should stay in office. While I believe everyone is innocent until proven guilty, this indictment raises to the level that these officeholders should resign. Citizens in our region deserve ethical public officials. Foley and Piergies are to be arraigned in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court on Aug. 15. We will update this developing story as we learn more. The road where Greek journalist George Karaivaz was fatally shot in Alimos, Athens ATHENS (Reuters) - A Greek court on Wednesday acquitted two men who had faced charges of killing a prominent crime journalist in 2021 in a murder that gripped the nation. George Karaivaz, a 53-year old veteran journalist for private broadcaster STAR TV and other media, was gunned down in daytime by two men on a motorbike near his home in Alimos, south of the Greek capital Athens, in April 2021. The victim was well known to Greek audiences for his investigations and crime reports. Officials at the time described the attack as a professional hit. In a majority ruling, a seven-judge criminal court said prosecutors had failed to prove the guilt of the two defendants beyond reasonable doubt. The two accused, siblings aged 49 and 41, had pleaded not guilty to charges of intentional murder. During the trial, prosecutors had suggested Karaivaz's death was related to revelations the journalist was expected to make on the operation of organised crime networks in the country. (Reporting by Yannis Souliotis and Renee Maltezou; Editing by Conor Humphries) A rendering by RAMLOW/STEIN depicts a proposed school building that would be part of the Carmen Schools of Science and Technology network. It would be built at 2005 W. Oklahoma Ave. The Carmen charter school network has received a key approval from a city panel to build a $55 million south side high school as it prepares for the possibility of losing its current space at two Milwaukee Public Schools buildings. The school could open as early as fall 2026, when its leases with MPS are set to expire. The Milwaukee School Board is considering a resolution to not renew Carmen's leases at two of its its buildings, which are shared with MPS schools that have become overcrowded. The project was approved Thursday by the city's Board of Zoning Appeals, clearing the way for Carmen to obtain necessary permits. After the vote, Ivan Gamboa, chair of Carmen's board of directors, said Carmen would move ahead with purchasing the property, 2005 W. Oklahoma Ave., from Wheaton Franciscan. He said Carmen hoped to begin construction early next year. "Its still possible to potentially open school by August of '26, but thats if everything aligns," Gamboa said. A design by RAMLOW/STEIN shows the proposed layout of a new school building that would be part of the Carmen Schools of Science and Technology network. It would be built at 2005 W. Oklahoma Ave. Leaders of the Carmen Schools of Science and Technology network have said they don't want to move their campuses out of the MPS buildings. Ideally, Gamboa said, the new building would be a new home for its South Middle School and could enroll additional high school students. But if Milwaukee School Board members decide to non-renew the leases for Carmen's South and Southeast High Schools at the end of the 2025-26 school year, Carmen leaders plan to move those students into the new building. The Milwaukee School Board is scheduled to discuss the non-renewal idea in October. Milwaukee School Board member Missy Zombor, who presented the idea of non-renewal, said MPS needs to make space for the growing district-run schools that operate in different rooms of the same buildings: Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes (ALBA) and Pulaski High School. Both buildings are already over capacity. Brenda Martinez, the lead teacher at ALBA, said the school has grown because theres a high demand for the bilingual education ALBA offers from kindergarten through eighth grade. If she can expand the school, which carries a waitlist, Martinez said the school would gradually add a class to each grade level. Pulaski, which also has a waitlist, is also short on space, staff said. The school has grown since adding an International Baccalaureate program. Administrators said they're working on building the state's only bilingual International Baccalaureate diploma program. At the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting Thursday, Alderman Scott Spiker, whose district includes the site for the new building, said the project had his enthusiastic support. He said neighbors had some concerns about traffic but were generally supportive of having a school there. "Im very excited Carmens going to be coming into this spot and livening a rather dead intersection right now with something thats going to serve the kids and the citizens of Milwaukee," Spiker said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Carmen wins zoning approval, aims to build new high school by 2026 Suspect vehicle, Greensboro patrol car collided head-on at combined 130 mph in chase, crash that killed 3 teens GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) A newly released report is shedding light on a deadly police chase that ended in the deaths of three teenagers. Earlier this week, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol submitted a report to the Department of Motor Vehicles about the deadly crash that took place on July 17. 3 arrested, accused of animal cruelty after 100 animals rescued from High Point home At around 2:15 a.m. on July 17, a GPD officer spotted a vehicle going the wrong way on West Market Street at East Lake Drive and tried to pull the driver over. According to the DMV-349 report, the suspect vehicle was driving at 90 mph and a GPD patrol car was driving at 55 mph while approaching one another on the 3900 block of Walker Avenue. The patrol car skidded for 47 feet before the two vehicles collided head-on. The suspect vehicle did not leave skid marks. At the moment of impact, the suspect vehicle was driving at 85 mph and the patrol car was driving at 45 mph. That means the vehicles crashed at a combined 130 mph. The patrol car moved another nine feet after impact. The suspect vehicle caught fire after the crash. The driver, 14-year-old Kenyan Anthony Saxton-Reese, and another 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy were in the suspect vehicle during the crash. All three died. Saxton-Reese and Brandon Bowie, another one of the three teens who died, had just graduated from Hairston Middle School in May. The GPD officer who was in the patrol car suffered serious injuries and is still recovering. State troopers are conducting an independent investigation into the crash. Greensboro police are also doing an internal investigation and the officers involved are being placed on administrative duty. Police say that the NCSHP investigation is not yet complete and could take several weeks. Thompson will file for the release of the body camera footage once the reconstruction investigation is complete, per departmental policy. The body camera and vehicle-mounted camera footage will then be released pending the approval of the petition by the court. Per protocol, the GPDs Professional Standards Division will conduct an internal investigation to determine whether departmental policies were followed. As members of the Greensboro community, we recognize that this is a tragic event that affects us all. Any loss of life is difficult, especially when it involves the loss of such young lives. Please continue to keep the families, first responders and all those affected by this incident in your prayers as we navigate through this challenging time, said Deputy Chief Doug Tabler with the GPD. Community reaction I thought that was some of the most ridiculous news I have ever heard in my life to die like that at that age, said Latashia Barnes-Smith who works at Hairston Middle School. A memorial at the crash site on Walker Avenue near the intersection of Home Street grew throughout the day on Thursday. An educator at Saxton and Bowies school took several minutes to look at the memorial and pray over the spot where three young lives were lost. I was praying for their souls, Barnes-Smith said. Barnes-Smith was in tears as she prayed. Every student at that school is one of my babies, Barnes-Smith said. Three of them were gone in an instant. They are funny boys. They are sweet boys once you get to know them Like a lot of kids in the area, bad influences, Barnes-Smith said. Barnes-Smith says there needs to be more resources available to the kids and their families. If we would have stepped in, if we would have gotten them involved, if we would have positive influences, outside resources, an ability to put their focus and attention into something else other than the life they are currently in, Barnes-Smith said. Its a cycle that she is sick and tired of witnessing. I am frustrated because I feel like there is too many of our kids dying like this. Too many of our Black kids dying like this I think we failed them all, and I am not just talking about those three. I am talking about the other children that we have lost, Barnes-Smith said. She called on the community to step up and create change. They need a community around them We need to support the parents as well. The parents need help, Barnes-Smith said. She says her prayers are with the families right now, which is something everyone up and down Walker Avenue also stands behind. Without even knowing these boys, it is really, really tragic. It is hard not to think about their parents, siblings, classmates, said Anna Bowers, who lives on Walker Avenue. Greensboro police said the crash stemmed from a police chase. It started after an officer tried to pull over a car full of teenagers for driving the wrong way on West Market Street, but they didnt stop. Minutes later, the car crashed into a police officer in a squad car, the officer was injured and three teens died at the scene. It is hard not to think about their parents, siblings, classmates. They were really young, Bowers said. A teachers assistant from HMS said Saxton and Bowie both had the best smiles and cracked the best jokes. She says they were respectful kids, and she was heartbroken that one bad decision ended their lives. In a statement, Guilford County School said: We are greatly saddened to learn about the loss of three of our students. crisis teams will be available to support students and staff. our hearts are with the families during this incredibly difficult time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Grenada estimates damages from Hurricane Beryl at up to a third of economy A man digs out a stranded boat after Hurricane Beryl passed the island of Petite Martinique (Reuters) - Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said on Tuesday that early estimates suggest that losses from deadly Hurricane Beryl, which hit the Caribbean earlier this month, likely total as much as a third of economic output. The small Caribbean island nation had a gross domestic product (GDP) of about $1.3 billion last year, according to World Bank data. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan caused Grenada to suffer losses that doubled its GDP. Mitchell cautioned that the estimate was still preliminary, and that besides devastating homes and farms, Beryl had wrought destruction on electricity grids, mangrove forests, water infrastructure and the fishing sector. (Reporting by Sarah Morland; Editing by David Alire Garcia) Check your spice cabinet ASAP for this product. Getty Images The Food and Drug Administration announced a recall of ground cinnamon due to elevated levels of lead. Three brands, ALB-USA Enterprises Inc., American Spices LLC, and Advance Food International Inc. have recalled their ground cinnamon products as a result of this finding. ALB-USA Enterprises Inc. has recalled their ALB Flavor brand Cinnamon Powder. The product has a UPC of 5304000333362 and a Best Before date of August 30, 2025. The cinnamon was distributed in New York, Connecticut, Michigan and Massachusetts. American Spices LLC has also recalled its product Spice Class brand Ground Cinnamon, which has an expiration date of December 2026 and was distributed in New York City. Advance Food International Inc. recalled the Shahzada brand Cinnamon Powder, which was distributed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. No expiration date or UPC number was provided for this product. Related: Several Cinnamon Brands Recalled Nationwide Due to Excessive Lead While short-term exposure to lead may not cause any symptoms, chronic lead exposure over time can have harmful effects. Children are more vulnerable due to their size and metabolism. Lead exposure in young children can cause permanent damage to their nervous system, leading to developmental defects, learning disorders and other long-term health problems. In adults, it can cause kidney dysfunction, neurocognitive issues and hypertension. Fortunately, no illnesses have been reported, though all three companies urge consumers to discontinue using the product immediately and return it for a refund. For those who have purchased ALB Flavor brand Ground Cinnamon, reach out to the company directly from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday by calling (917) 922-5627. For Advance Food International Inc, you can call (718)-482-0123 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. For Spice Class brand Ground Cinnamon, you can call the company at (917) 532-6768. Related: Over 7 Million Pounds of Deli Meats, Kielbasa and More Recalled Nationwide Due to Listeria Contamination Read the original article on Eating Well. Karl_Sonnenberg / Shutterstock.com The 2024 presidential election will be here before you know it and many Americans are wondering how a potential Kamala Harris presidency might affect their financial future. For the upper-middle class, a change in administration could bring some shifts in tax policy and economic outlook. GOBankingRate spoke with experts to understand the potential impacts and strategies to consider. Here are eight ways that a Harris presidency could impact the upper-middle class. In contrast, here are ways that a Harris presidency could impact the lower-middle class. Find Out: How Much Is Vice President Kamala Harris Worth? Discover Next: 6 Subtly Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. Expiration of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Provisions One of the most significant changes on the horizon is the scheduled expiration (at the end of 2025) of several provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Joseph Carpenito, financial advisor at Materetsky Financial Group said, For individuals, some of the most significant tax cuts are set to expire at the end of 2025, returning federal income tax rates to 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35% and 39.6%. This change could hit the upper-middle class particularly hard, because they might find themselves in higher tax brackets. Instead, Carpenito said If you have a significant portion of your retirement assets in a pre-tax IRA, it may be beneficial to fill up your bracket with Roth conversions if you anticipate higher taxes under a [Harris] victory. Explore More: Trump Wants To Eliminate Income Taxes: Heres What That Would Mean for the Economy and Your Wallet Changes to Standard Deduction The generous standard deduction introduced by the 2017 tax law may also be on the chopping block. Higher-income earners might want to consider front-loading their income in these more favorable tax years before these laws sunset, Carpenito said. This could mean the upper-middle class might want to accelerate income or defer deductions while the current tax structure is still in place. Potential Expansion of Earned Income Tax Credit Not all changes may be negative for the upper-middle class. David Damore, Ph.D., professor of political science at UNLV, points out a potential bright spot. One area where there may be bipartisan support is expanding eligibility for the earned income tax credit (currently capped at around $64k), he said. This expansion could provide some relief for families at the lower end of the upper-middle class spectrum. Increased Tax Enforcement The 2022 IRA appropriated a lot of money to support tax enforcement, Damore said. My sense is the Democrats will want to continue down the road, while the GOP will work to strip funding from the IRS. Story continues For the upper-middle class, this could mean a higher likelihood of audits and a need for meticulous record-keeping. Changes to Estate Tax Exemption Carpenito warned of potential changes to estate tax limits. The current estate tax limit of $13.61 million for individuals and $27.22 million for married couples may be cut nearly in half, he said. If you think this will happen under a [Harris] presidency, consider estate planning strategies to minimize your taxable estate if you are an older individual in retirement. This could significantly impact wealth transfer plans for upper-middle class families. Modifications to Child Tax Credit Families in the upper-middle class should be prepared for potential changes to the Child Tax Credit. Carpenito said, If you have children, be aware that the current boosted child tax credit of $2,000, with a refundable portion of $1,400, may revert back to 2017 levels without a change from Congress. Potential Changes to Tipped Income Taxation Damore brought up an interesting point when he said: A wild card and one that is certainly salient in Nevada changing how tipped income is treated. If tipped income is not taxed, then that would require an offset somewhere else in the tax code to generate the lost revenue. While this might not directly affect most of the upper-middle class, it could have ripple effects throughout the tax code. Continued Focus on Clean Energy Initiatives A Harris presidency would most likely continue the push for clean energy, which could create both opportunities and challenges for the upper-middle class. Keep an eye on extended tax credits for electric vehicles and home energy improvements, which would benefit members of the upper-middle class who have invested in this technology. Use Your Resources All that said, the key for the upper-middle class is stay informed and educated. You might consider consulting with financial advisors and tax professionals to go over your portfolios and prepare for the future. Remember, as with any major political shift, there will likely be both challenges and opportunities. The key is to be prepared and proactive in your financial planning. Editors note on election coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on GOBankingRates.com. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 8 Ways That a Kamala Harris Presidency Could Impact the Upper-Middle Class GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Police say a person took off after robbing a bank in downtown Grand Rapids. Officers responded around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday to an alarm at the United Bank on Ionia Avenue SW near Weston Street SW, according to a release from the Grand Rapids Police Department. The suspect fled before officers arrived on scene, according to GRPD. As of Wednesday afternoon, the suspect was not in custody, the release says. Police say the suspect managed to get ahold of money, though they did not specify how much. Bank employees didnt see a weapon, and nobody was hurt, according to the police department. This embedded content is not available in your region. Both GRPD and the FBI responded to the scene, the release says. Authorities are investigating. If you know anything, youre asked to contact detectives at 616.456.3380 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GSU preparing for another very large crowd as convocation center gets ready for Trump rally Crews are already busy transforming the Georgia State University Convocation Center from a Democratic rally to a Republican one. Vice President Kamala Harris held a rally at the center Tuesday night and this weekend, former President Donald Trump will hold his own there. Channel 2 Action News cameras captured lines of people along Fulton Street on Tuesday night that went all the way across the interstate for a chance to see Harris. Republicans told Channel 2s Richard Elliot on Wednesday that they are expecting the same thing when Trump arrives for his rally on Saturday. Nearly 10,000 people gave Harris a standing ovation as she arrived at the GSU Convocation Center Tuesday. It was the largest campaign event for Harris since President Joe Biden announced he was stepping aside and endorsed her for president. RELATED STORIES: Harris believes Georgia is now back in play. Georgia, its good to be back and I am very clear the path to the White House runs right through this state, Harris said. Democratic Party of Georgia chairwoman Nikema Williams told Elliot that theyve been signing up volunteers since Harris joined the race. In the first day, 24 hours when she announced, we had over 1,000 volunteers sign up with the Democratic Party of Georgia to volunteer to get her over the victory line, Williams said. Elliot also spoke with Georgia GOP chairman Josh McKoon about Trumps rally that will be in the exact same arena. He expects the same sized crowd -- nearly 10,000 -- and he expects them to be enthusiastic. I think there will be a very large crowd, McKoon said. Trump has held big rallies in Georgia before, but never in the heart of downtown Atlanta. I think the president always inspires a lot of people to come from great distances to support him, and I think there will be a lot of people in metro Atlanta as well, McKoon said. Trumps rally will be at the GSU Convocation Center on Saturday starting at 5 p.m. RELATED NEWS: The man accused of being the main plotter in al-Qaedas Sept. 11, 2001, attacks has agreed to plead guilty, the Defense Department said Wednesday. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two accomplices in the attack are expected to enter the pleas at the military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as soon as next week. The U.S. agreement with the men to enter into a plea agreement comes more than 16 years after their prosecution began for al-Qaedas attack, and more than 20 years after militants flew commandeered commercial airliners into buildings, killing nearly 3,000 people. Families of many of the victims have said they wanted to see the men formally admit guilt. Pentagon officials declined to immediately release the terms of the plea bargain. The New York Times said the terms included the mens longstanding condition that they be spared risk of the death penalty. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Teachers Under Attack: Local teacher badly injured in 2023 assault shares her story Recall alert: Boars Head expands recall to 71 products, 7 million pounds Crews respond to hangar on fire at Rostraver Airport VIDEO: Police investigating smash and grab burglary at Wexford eyeglass store DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG) A Gulf Shores man accused of child abuse and drug possession has been arrested, according to the local police. Alabama beachgoers, heres why your phones could buzz more and how it could help save a life Officers responded to Mos Landing, 18068 State Highway 180, at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, July 29, for the report of public intoxication, News 5 has learned. Upon arrival, officers said, they found a man trying to cross the highway with three children ranging between 2 and 4 years old. They reportedly spoke with the man and detained him on suspicion of public intoxication. Witnesses at the park were interviewed and evidence was recovered that showed him picking one of the children up by the hair and clothing then slamming him into a stroller, a GSPD news release said. Police arrested Nicholas Tomlin, 23, and he was charged with willful torture or abuse/mistreatment of a child, domestic violence third-degree, reckless endangerment (three counts), possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and public intoxication, according to the release. Tomlin is being held at the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office Correction Center, and the Alabama Department of Human Resources Child Protective Services is reportedly aiding the investigation. South Baldwin County road project underway closing popular route what you should know Gulf Shores PDs Criminal Investigations Division said witnesses of Mondays incident can call 251-968-2431. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Gwinnett County Chick-fil-A employee who fought off an armed robbery suspect credits his self-defense training for keeping him alive and helping police make an arrest. Surveillance video released by Gwinnett County Police on Wednesday shows the moments Kevin Blair fought off the masked man with a gun for three minutes until the suspect ran away. The incident happened on July 1 but authorities arrested the 53-year-old suspect on Wednesday. He told me if I didnt open up the safe, I was going to die, said Blair, an inventory director for Chick-fil-A. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] He was at work at the location on Stone Mountain Highway near Davis Road at around 4:30 in the morning on July 1 when he says someone broke in through the drive-through window by smashing the window with a rock. Guy comes up behind me with a gun to the back of my head and tells me to open the safe, he said. Blair told him he didnt know the combination. When the suspect pointed the gun at his face, Blair used two and a half years of self-defense and karate training to fight back. Its not worth taking that risk that hes willing to pull the trigger, he said. I was fortunate he was standing close enough that I could get my hands on his wrist and keep control of the gun and keep it pointed away from me. TRENDING STORIES: The fight lasts for about three minutes before the suspect runs away from the restaurant then gets into a vehicle. During the fight, Blair was able to remove the mans mask which helped police identify him. On Wednesday, Gwinnett County Sheriffs deputies and U.S. Marshals arrested 53-year-old Tommie Lee Williams and charged him with armed robbery among other charges. Im glad hes off the streets, said Blair. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Blair says he has received support from his employer and looks forward to returning back to work soon. It was the fight of his life and he says hes glad he at least had training for it. Hopefully you never have to use it, he said, but in the event that you do, that tool is in your bag. Displaced Palestinian persons return to inspect their homes after the Israeli army withdrew from the towns and villages east of Khan Yunis. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Dozens of bodies have been recovered from Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip following the Israeli withdrawal from the area, according to Palestinian reports. A spokesman for the civil defence, which is controlled by Palestinian militant organization Hamas, said on Tuesday that 42 bodies had been found in Bani Suhaila in the east of Khan Younis. The media office, which is also controlled by Hamas, announced that 255 people had been killed and around 300 others injured within eight days. There are also missing persons. It did not say how many were Hamas fighters and how many were civilians. The information cannot be independently verified. The Israeli army previously announced that it had withdrawn from the area just over a week after the start of a new military operation in Khan Younis. Within a week, the soldiers had "eliminated over 150 terrorists, dismantled terror tunnels, weapons storage facilities, and terrorist infrastructure, and located weapons," the army said. The offensive began a week ago after, according to Israel, Hamas fighters had reorganized themselves in the city. The operation was also aimed at recovering the bodies of five Israeli hostages, which it did. Thousands of civilians once again fled the urban area. The Israeli military had been active against Hamas combat units in the city previously on several occasions and over longer periods. It had then withdrawn to fixed positions outside the city. The army also announced that the air force had killed a Hamas member who had been responsible for anti-tank missiles in the Hamas battalion in Nuseirat, in the central part of Gaza. He was behind numerous attacks on Israeli troops and had been a "central source of knowledge on anti-tank missiles for Hamas," the army said. Separately, the World Health Organization (WHO), said a polio vaccination campaign is needed in the Gaza, but a ceasefire is required for this to happen. The virus responsible for causing polio has been discovered in sewage samples from the coastal territory. There is therefore a very high probability that the pathogen is present in the population, said WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier in Geneva. Experience has shown that around 70% of people with polio are asymptomatic, he said, adding that there does not appear to be a polio outbreak in Gaza currently. But the WHO spokesman stressed the need for preparation and an immunization campaign - "and for that we need a ceasfire." On July 23, the Israeli military said it had started to vaccinate its forces against polio, as well as transporting vaccines to the territory. It said 300,000 doses have been delivered since October 7, when the war started after Hamas and others attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostage. The Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza has estimated that more than 39,000 people have been killed and more than 90,000 injured since the beginning of the conflict. Meanwhile, in Israel, the country's military prosecutor filed charges against a soldier for allegedly mistreating Palestinian prisoners. The soldier is accused of using "severe violence against the detainees he was entrusted with guarding," the Israeli army said. The actions are alleged to have taken place between February and June of this year, it said. The army said that the reservist had assaulted the prisoners during some of the transports, even though they posed no danger and were handcuffed and blindfolded. He is accused of beating the prisoners with a club and his rifle, while filming the incident with his phone. On Monday, nine soldiers at the Sde Teiman military base near the desert city of Beersheba were detained by police on charges of sexually abusing a Palestinian prisoner. The prisoner was reportedly hospitalized. The Sde Teiman prisoner camp houses fighters from an elite Hamas unit. Thousands of Palestinians are being held in Israeli detention facilities. The human rights organization Amnesty International recently accused Israel of mistreating and torturing Palestinian prisoners from Gaza. Dead bodies pictured in the cemetery after it was destroyed by the Israeli army during its incursion into the eastern part of Khan Yunis after withdrawing from it. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa BEIRUT (AP) Ismail Haniyeh was the international face of Hamas, its top leader in exile who kept up the militant groups ties with allies around the region. At the head of its political hierarchy, he had little military role but Israel marked him for death after the surprise Oct. 7 attacks. The 62-year-old Haniyeh was killed in an airstrike Wednesday during a visit to one of Hamas most crucial allies, Iran, after attending the inauguration of its new president. Iran and Hamas both accused Israel, which has not commented on the strike. The assassination would make him the highest-level Hamas official killed by Israel since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks, when militants killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. The devastating Israel-Hamas war that the attacks set off has become the deadliest and longest in the Arab-Israeli conflict. More than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health officials in Gaza. Haniyeh, the head of Hamass political bureau, had been in self-imposed exile from Gaza since 2019 and was often seen as a relative moderate in the group. He was one of the few Hamas leaders who said the group, while it rejects recognizing Israel, doesnt oppose a two-state solution. Based in Qatar and often moving around the region, he didnt have a direct hand in the groups military wing, known as the Qassam Brigades, but often coordinated between it and political branches. It is not known what he knew about the military wings plan to break out of tightly closed Gaza and attack surrounding communities in southern Israel. The plan was masterminded inside Gaza, likely by Hamas leader on the ground Yahya Sinwar and the head of the military wing Mohammed Deif. A Hamas official told the AP only a handful of its commanders on the ground knew about the zero hour. But after the carnage caught Israeli military and intelligence by surprise, Haniyeh embraced the attack, lauding it as a humiliating blow to Israels aura of invincibility. Within hours, he appeared in a video leading prayers with other Hamas officials thanking God for the attacks success. The Al-Aqsa flood was an earthquake that struck the heart of the Zionist entity and has made major changes at the world level, Haniyeh said in a speech in Iran during the funeral of late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in May. We will continue the resistance against this enemy until we liberate our land, all our land, Haniyeh said. Michael Milshtein, a Hamas expert at Tel Aviv University, said Haniyeh had a commanding role in the groups foreign policy and diplomacy, but was less involved in military affairs. He was responsible for propaganda, for diplomatic relations, but he was not very powerful, said Milshtein, a former military intelligence officer. From time to time, Sinwar even laughed and joked: Hes the more moderate, sophisticated leader, but he doesnt understand anything about warfare. Still, Israel pledged to kill all of Hamas leaders after the attacks, and Haniyeh was high on its list. Haniyeh was also under the eye of the International Criminal Court, whose chief prosecutor sought arrest warrants against him, Sinwar and Deif for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Similar requests were issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Since 2018, the U.S. had designated him as a terrorist, saying he was closely linked to Hamas military wing. The threats did not prevent Haniyeh from traveling. He visited Turkey and Iran throughout the war. From Doha, he participated in the negotiations meant to bring about a cease-fire and free the hostages. Israels retaliation cost him his closest relatives. Strikes in April and last month killed three of his sons, four of grandchildren and one of his sisters. Haniyeh said Israel was acting in the spirit of revenge and murder. Haniyeh was born in Gazas urban Shati refugee camp to parents who were forced out of the town of Majdal now the city of Ashkelon in Israel during the 1948 war surrounding Israels creation. Five years after his birth, Israel captured Gaza in the 1967 war, and he grew up under its occupation of the strip. He joined Hamas when it was founded in 1987 as the Intifada, or first major mass Palestinian uprising against Israels rule, erupted. He served as an aide to Ahmad Yassin, the groups founder, as the group broke from other groups and began conducting armed attacks on Israeli troops in the occupied territories. Haniyeh was detained by Israeli troops in 1989 for Hamas membership and spent three years in prison. In 1992, he was deported to Lebanon with a group of top Hamas officials and founders. He later returned to the Gaza Strip following the 1993 interim peace accords, which were signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. That year, Hamas turned to a campaign of suicide bombings against civilians in Israel aimed at thwarting the accords which now have been stagnant for years. After Israels unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections in the following year, and Haniyeh was named prime minister in the Palestinian government. Deeply religious and versed in Arabic literature from his university studies, he was known for his flowery rhetoric in his speeches. But frictions between Hamas and Fatah, the main faction behind the Palestinian Authority, quickly erupted into fighting. Hamas drove the PA out of Gaza and seized power there in 2007 causing a split that has endured since. While the PA ruled in enclaves of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Haniyeh became prime minister in Gaza. That made him the lead man in Hamass first effort at governing, as it clamped down control. Conditions and poverty worsened under an Israel-Egyptian blockade. Eventually, he was named Hamas top political leader, replacing Khaled Mashaal in 2017, and soon after went into exile. Hani Masri, a veteran Palestinian analyst who met Haniyeh several times, said Haniyehs personality was a natural fit for his political role in Doha. He described him as sociable and well spoken. Still, some Palestinians in Gaza resented Haniyehs distance from their woes inside the beleaguered territory. Israel often seized on that, portraying him and other Hamas leaders as living in luxury in Doha hotels while Palestinians suffer. Iranian media on Wednesday quoted a past speech by Haniyeh in which he said the Palestinian cause has costs. We are ready for these costs: martyrdom for the sake of Palestine, and for the sake of God Almighty, and for the sake of the dignity of this nation. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. BEIRUT (AP) Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a predawn airstrike in the Iranian capital Wednesday, Iran and the militant group said, blaming Israel for a shock assassination that risks escalating the conflict even as the U.S. and other nations were scrambling to prevent an all-out regional war. Irans supreme leader vowed revenge against Israel. There was no immediate comment from Israel, which has pledged to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the groups Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. The strike came just after Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Irans new president in Tehran and only hours after Israel targeted a top commander in Irans ally Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital Beirut. Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement stalls The assassination of Hamas top political leader was potentially explosive amid the regions volatile, intertwined conflicts because of its target, its timing and the decision to carry it out in Tehran. Most dangerous was the potential to push Iran and Israel into direct confrontation if Iran retaliates. We consider his revenge as our duty, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement on his official website. He said Israel had prepared a harsh punishment for itself by killing a dear guest in our home. Bitter regional rivals, Israel and Iran risked plunging into war earlier this year when Israel hit Irans embassy in Damascus in April. Iran retaliated and Israel countered in an unprecedented exchange of strikes on each others soil, but international efforts succeeded in containing that cycle before it spun out of control. Haniyehs killing could also prompt Hamas to pull out of negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release deal in the 10-month-old war in Gaza, which U.S. mediators had said were making progress. And it could inflame already heightening tensions between Israel and Hezbollah which international diplomats were trying to contain after a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Tuesday evening, Israel carried out a rare strike in the Lebanese capital that it said killed a top Hezbollah commander allegedly behind the rocket strike. Hezbollah, which denied any role in the Golan strike, said Wednesday that it was still searching for the body of Fouad Shukur in the rubble of the building that was hit in a Beirut suburb, killing two women and two children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. There was no immediate reaction from the White House to the killing of Haniyeh. A key question was whether Israel told its top ally the U.S. ahead of time about the strike. Asked about Haniyehs killing during a visit to Singapore, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, This is something we were not aware of or involved in. Speaking to Channel News Asia, Blinken said he would not speculate about the impact on cease-fire efforts. But I can tell you that the imperative of getting a cease-fire, the importance that that has for everyone, remains. In Manila, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he still had hopes for a diplomatic solution on the Israeli-Lebanon border. I dont think that war is inevitable, he said. I maintain that. I think theres always room and opportunity for diplomacy, and Id like to see parties pursue those opportunities. But international diplomats trying to defuse tensions were alarmed. One Western diplomat, whose country has worked to prevent an Israeli-Hezbollah escalation, said the double strikes in Beirut and Tehran have almost killed hopes for a Gaza cease-fire and could push the Middle East into a devastating regional war. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive situation. An Israeli military spokesman declined to comment. Israel often doesnt comment on assassinations carried out by its Mossad intelligence agency or strikes on other countries. In a statement by his office, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel doesnt want war after its strike on the Hezbollah commander in Beirut, but we are preparing for all possibilities. He did not mention the Haniyeh killing. The killing of Haniyeh abroad comes as Israel has not had a clear success in killing the groups top leadership in Gaza, who are believed to be primarily responsible for planning the Oct. 7 attack, after nearly 10 months of fighting in the enclave. Earlier this month, Israel carried out a strike in Gaza targeting the head of Hamas military wing, Mohammed Deif, killing at least 90 Palestinians living in nearby tents, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel said it believed Deif was killed, but neither it nor Hamas has confirmed his death. More elusive has been Hamas top leader in Gaza, Yehya Sinwar, believed to be the mastermind of Hamas brutal surprise assault into southern Israel, during which militants killed some 1,200 people and abducted 250 others. Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had lived in exile in Qatar. Israel has targeted Hamas figures in Lebanon and Syria during the war but going after Haniyeh in Iran was vastly more sensitive. But Israel has operated there in the past: It is suspected of running a yearslong assassination campaign against Iranian nuclear scientists. In 2020, a top Iranian military nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while traveling in a car outside Tehran. During Haniyehs last hours in Iran a close ally of Hamas he was smiling and clapping at the inauguration ceremony of the new President Masoud Pezeshkian. AP photos showed him seated alongside leaders from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group and Hezbollah, and Iranian media showed him and Pezeshkian hugging. Haniyeh had met earlier with Khamenei. Hours later, the strike hit a residence Haniyeh uses in Tehran, killing him, Hamas said in a statement. One of his bodyguards was also killed, Iranian officials said. Irans powerful Revolutionary Guard warned Israel will face a harsh and painful response from Iran and its allies around the region because of the killing. An influential Iranian parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy was to hold an emergency meeting on the strike later Wednesday. Hamas military wing said in a statement that Haniyehs assassination takes the battle to new dimensions and will have major repercussions on the entire region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will continue its devastating campaign in Gaza until Hamas is completely eliminated. Israels bombardment and offensives in Gaza have killed more than 39,360 Palestinians and wounded more than 90,900, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. After months of pounding, Hamas has shown its fighters can still operate in Gaza and fire volleys of rockets into Israel. But it is unclear if it has the capacity to step up attacks in retaliation over Haniyehs killing. Instead, the impact may be regional. Besides a direct retaliation on Israel, Iran could work to hike up attacks through its allies, a coalition of Iranian-backed groups known as the Axis of Resistance, including Hezbollah, Hamas, mainly Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria and the Houthi rebels who control much of Yemen. As a show of support for Hamas in the Gaza war, Hezbollah has been exchanging fire almost daily with Israel across the Israeli-Lebanese border in a simmering but deadly conflict that has repeatedly threatened to escalate into all-out war. The Houthis and Iraqi and Syrian militias have also fired rockets and drones at Israel and at American bases in the region, though most have been intercepted. A strike Tuesday night southwest of the Iraqi capital Baghdad killed four members of one Iranian-backed militia, Kataib Hezbollah, which has targeted U.S. bases previously, according to Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces, a militia coalition. It accused the U.S. of being behind the strike. U.S. officials did not immediately comment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. To mark the first anniversary of Consumer Duty, ALPHERA Financial Services has unveiled the Consumer Duty+ Code of Excellence. Introduced by the City regulator in July 2023, Consumer Duty has significantly impacted the motor finance industry by enhancing the relationships between lenders, vehicle retailers, and motorists. In a press release, ALPHERA said the Code aims to further elevate standards with six clear promises, focusing on specific processes and outcomes for partners to adopt. The Consumer Duty+ promises are as follows: Continuous Improvement: Committed to ongoing enhancement of services in line with Consumer Duty. Good Customer Outcomes: Placing customer outcomes at the core of all operations. Informed Decisions: Empowering customers with timely, relevant information. Fair Value: Demonstrating fair value pricing for all customers. Customer Recognition: Acknowledging the unique needs of each customer. Long-term Care: Maintaining duty of care throughout and beyond the finance agreement. The first commitment emphasises ongoing service improvement by staying updated with regulatory changes, fostering a culture of continuous enhancement, providing accessible Consumer Duty contact points, and encouraging customer feedback. Ensuring good customer outcomes involves defining what constitutes 'good' for customers, monitoring performance through robust KPIs, appointing a Consumer Duty Champion, and implementing continuous staff training. The third promise supports customers in making informed decisions about finance products. This includes ensuring clear communication from sales teams and maintaining ongoing communication throughout the agreement's duration. Demonstrating fair value underscores ALPHERAs transparent pricing approach. Recognising the individuality of customers involves early identification of vulnerabilities and personalised support to help customers choose suitable finance products. The final promise focuses on maintaining a long-term duty of care, including regular check-ins to assess satisfaction and address concerns. Alex Royall, Director of ALPHERA Financial Services, said: The automotive sector is constantly evolving, and so are we. While the launch of Consumer Duty last year established fundamental principles, our Consumer Duty+ Code of Excellence advances our commitment to customer service. This framework allows our colleagues and partners to benchmark and refine their approach, fostering stronger customer relationships and promoting mutual success. Adoption of the ALPHERA Consumer Duty+ Code of Excellence is voluntary. ALPHERA invites dealer and broker partners to sign up, with several partners, including Marriott Motor Group, Octane Finance, Howards Motor Group, VR EPS Warrington, Phantom Motor Company, Eastern Western Group, and Hippo Motor Group, already committed prior to the Codes official launch. Story continues ALPHERA Financial Services was founded by BMW Group in 2001. Poll reveals dealer confusion over FCA Consumer Duty reporting "ALPHERA marks Consumer Duty anniversary with Code of Excellence" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. The assassination of Hamass top political leader in Tehran is intensifying fears of a wider war while cooling hopes for a deal to release hostages held by the group and end the war in Gaza. The killing, coupled with an Israeli attack on a Hezbollah leader in Lebanon, comes just days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus high-profile visit to Washington, during which he came under heavy pressure to reach a deal. Israel has held back claiming responsibility for killing Ismael Haniyeh, the political head of Hamas outside Gaza, but Iran is blaming Israel for the predawn air strike Wednesday in Tehran. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said the U.S. was not aware of or involved in the strike, but he reiterated U.S. efforts to achieve a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, secure the release of an estimated 115 Israeli hostages, and address the dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. I can tell you that the imperative of getting a cease-fire, the importance that that has for everyone, remains, Blinken said in an interview in Singapore during an Asia tour. So that focus remains, and again, speculating on the impact of any one event, Ive learned, is not is not a wise thing to do. Haniyehs death is not viewed as a major blow to Hamass leadership, where the concentration of power is in the hands of Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip, but he was a key figure in the high-stakes cease-fire talks with Israel. Those negotiations will likely stall as a protest to his death and as funeral ceremonies are undertaken in Doha, Qatar so far set for Thursday. The U.S. had blacklisted Haniyeh as a specially designated global terrorist in 2018, but his long-time residence in Doha was part of an agreement between Israel, the U.S. and Qatar to keep open channels of communication with Hamas amid years of tenuous truces broken by bursts of open conflict. The administration is in an awkward situation, said Gerald Feierstein, former U.S. ambassador to Yemen and senior fellow with the Middle East Institute. They will certainly say Israel has a right to self-defense, blah, blah, blah, but behind the scenes, I suspect that theyre seething. And Haniyehs absence from diplomatic talks opens a vacuum that can be filled by voices advocating for widening war, Feierstein added, in a conflict where nearly all fronts are primed for escalation. Youve removed a barrier to the more militant factions within Hamas, to the extent that the political wing is now going to be in disarray while they figure out what to do, that puts all the initiative in the hands of people who want to continue the fight against Israel, Feierstein said. And the symbolism of the Haniyeh assassination, combined with Israeli strikes on a senior Hezbollah figure this week in Lebanon, raises the risk of an escalatory reaction from Iran and its proxies across the region. This is a huge embarrassment for Iran. This is happening when Haniyeh was a guest of Iran during the inauguration of the new Iranian president, and the Israelis got him, thats a major embarrassment, said Ghaith al-Omari, senior fellow in the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Al-Omari said the Iran strike also complicates Hezbollahs calculation on its response to Israels strike in Beirut on Tuesday, which killed a top commander that Israel said was responsible for a rocket attack into the northern Israeli town of Majdal Shams on Saturday that killed 12 children. Before this they would have reacted in a limited way, against Israel for the assassination of Fuad Shukr, al-Omari continued, referring to Hezbollahs top commander. Now I feel theyll have to react more comprehensively. Neomi Neumann, a visiting fellow at The Washington Institute and former head of the research unit for Israels Security Agency, the Shin Bet, said Israel is sending a clear message to Iran by hitting Haniyeh in Tehran: that Jerusalem holds the Islamic Republic responsible for all the actions of its proxies Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis in Yemen. I dont think that now were talking about revenge, were talking about design, the new deterrence and the new relationship in the Middle East, she said. The connection hitting Haniyeh in Iran is a message to Iran: we know you are the head of this coalition and coordinate and direct these proxies. This was a good target. All eyes are now turning to how Iran responds. In April, the U.S. helped coordinate a coalition of European, Arab and Gulf countries to help defend Israel against an unprecedented Iranian attack that was launched in retaliation for Israels killing of two Iranian generals in a Damascus suburb. I think the U.S. can try and message the Iranians privately and try to get them not to take extreme measures, theyre going to be looking for some way to retaliate, whether thats, again, through proxies or directly, hard to see, Feierstein said. For the Saudis and the other Gulf states, they, like [the U.S.], have been particularly concerned about the possibility of drawing Iran into the conflict, which they dont want to see and would have implications for their security. The Biden administration sees a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas as the best way to calm overall tensions in the region with Hezbollahs chief Hasan Nasrallah earlier saying the group would hold fire on Israel if the fighting in Gaza ends. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Wednesday the strikes in Lebanon and Iran were not helpful to lowering the regional temperature. The U.S. also wants to use the cease-fire to transition to a Palestinian civilian administration to take over governing the Gaza Strip and lay the foundations for a pathway to a Palestinian state. Such an achievement would clear the way for Saudi Arabia to establish ties with Israel, cementing a new security partnership to push back against Irans influence and malign activity in the Middle East. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long been criticized for prioritizing the military campaign against Hamas over diplomatic efforts to secure a cease-fire. During a high-profile visit to Washington last week, Netanyahu barely mentioned efforts to achieve a deal in a speech to Congress, even as families of hostages said they left a meeting between the prime minister and President Biden optimistic that a deal was within reach. Still, Israeli officials have made clear that no Hamas leader is off-limits and Haniyehs trip to Tehran could have provided an opportunity Israel was unlikely to see happen again. I cant say its a bad thing that Haniyeh is no longer with us, but a lot of us are wondering if now is the correct time to do it, says Maya Roman, whose cousin Carmel Gat remains captive in Gaza. Netanyahu has been arguing for a very long time that the military pressure is going to work. I have to say, personally, I was quite skeptical of it and I think the harm that were seeing to the Palestinian population is in my view wrong, she continued. This is his last chance to prove that military pressure is the way to secure a deal. And it seems so far its not the direction its going. I will be so glad to be proven wrong. I really hope to be proven wrong. Updated at 4:33 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. Hamas political leader and Hezbollah commander killed hours apart. Heres what we know about rising Middle East tensions. People protest following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, near the Israeli Embassy in Amman, Jordan, on Wednesday. (Alaa Al Sukhni/Reuters) The leaders of two different Iranian-backed groups, Hamas and Hezbollah, were killed in separate attacks within 24 hours of each other this week. Hamas said its political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in an airstrike Wednesday in Tehran, where he had traveled to attend the inauguration of Irans president. On Tuesday, senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli strike in the outskirts of Beirut. In response to the killing of Haniyeh, Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ordered a direct strike on Israel, the New York Times reported. Hamas, the militant government Palestinians elected in Gaza, orchestrated an unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that killed nearly 1,200 people and resulted in Israels military response that has killed more than 39,000, according to Palestinian health authorities. For decades, Hezbollah, a heavily armed militia group based in Lebanon, has launched rockets into Israel. Both groups are backed by Iran. Now, fears of wider Middle East conflict are growing. The U.S. State Department released an advisory Wednesday warning Americans not to travel to Lebanon due to rising tensions between [Hezbollah] and Israel. Heres what we know about what has happened in the Middle East: The apparent assassination of Hamas political leader Haniyeh was primarily living in Qatar, where he played a key part in the ongoing indirect Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations that have been brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. Haniyeh was killed by a rocket strike in the early morning hours on Wednesday in an apparent assassination at his residence in Tehran after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for the new Iranian president, according to Hamas. Haniyehs funeral will be held in Qatar. Hamass main consultative council will likely meet soon after the funeral to name a replacement, the Associated Press reported. Hamas and Iran quickly blamed Haniyehs death on Israel, which had previously vowed to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders in retaliation for the Oct. 7 attack. Israel has not denied or claimed responsibility for Haniyehs death As of Wednesday afternoon, Israel had not confirmed nor denied responsibility for the killing of Haniyeh. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered an address to his nation Wednesday and said, Well settle the score with anyone who harms us, anyone who massacres our children, anyone who murders our citizens, anyone who hurts our nation, blood is on his head. Netanyahu did not specifically mention Haniyeh by name, however. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that Israel was not trying to escalate a wider regional war, but that it was prepared for all scenarios. Iran vows harsh punishment Iran's Khamenei said Israel paved the way for "harsh punishment for itself," adding that its Tehran's responsibility to avenge Haniyeh's death. Irans foreign ministry also condemned the White Houses backing of Israel, accusing it as as a supporter and accomplice of the Zionist regime in the continuation of the occupation and genocide of the Palestinians, in committing this heinous act of terrorism. U.S. denies involvement in the killing of Haniyeh White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Wednesday that the U.S. cant confirm or verify that Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli strike. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a Wednesday event in Singapore that the United States was not aware of or involved in the killing of Haniyeh. Blinken added that the focus remains on continuing to work toward reaching a ceasefire to help end the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and to get the Hamas-held hostages home, which include a number of Americans. Israel killed Hezbollah commander hours before Hamas political leader assassinated Israel did claim responsibility for an airstrike that killed Hezbollah commander Shukr in Beirut on Tuesday. That strike came after Israel blamed Hezbollah for an attack that killed 12 children and teenagers in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights over the weekend. Hezbollah denied responsibility for the Golan Heights attack. The U.S. stood by Israel following the attack that killed Shukr. What we know, in particular, is it has the right to defend itself against the terrorist organization, which is exactly what Hezbollah is, Vice President Kamala Harris said Tuesday. Read more: Hamas says its leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Tehran attack Hamas chief Ismaeil Haniyeh meets Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian (Not Pictured) in Tehran. Palestinian militant organization Hamas has said on Telegram that Haniyeh, was killed in a "Zionist raid" on his residence in Tehran. In a statement, Hamas added that Haniyeh was killed after he had attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian in the Iranian capital. -/Iranian Presidency/dpa Palestinian militant organization Hamas on Wednesday said that its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in a "Zionist raid" on his residence in Tehran. In a statement posted on Telegram, Hamas mourned Haniyeh's death "as a result of a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran." There was initially no confirmation from the Israeli side. The news of Haniya's killing came a few hours after an Israeli airstrike on a suburb of Beirut targeted a commander of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia, Fuad Shukr "Sayyid Muhsan." There has been no confirmation of the death by Hezbollah. Lebanon's Hezbollah is allied with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. They are both also allied with Israel's arch-enemy Iran. Since Hamas led unprecedented attacks and massacres in Israel on October 7, triggering the current conflict in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah has traded attacks with the Israeli military almost daily on the Lebanese-Israeli border. Hamas said that Haniyeh was killed after he had attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, which had taken place on Sunday in the Iranian capital. The 69-year-old Pezeshkian, who is considered a moderate, was sworn in and officially took office as the ninth president of the Islamic Republic. According to Iranian reports, high-ranking representatives from 86 countries took part in the swearing-in ceremony. Most Western countries neither congratulated Pezeshkian on his election victory nor sent representatives. Hamas terror chief boasted of his freedom hours later, he was dead Ismail Haniyeh, left, with Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah after a meeting in 2022 - Al-Manar/AFP via Getty Images Ismail Haniyeh was relaxed as he strolled through the streets of Tehran the evening before his assassination on the suspected orders of Israel. At ease in a black jacket, white shirt and no tie, Haniyeh gave what proved to be his final television interview after attending the inauguration of Irans new president on Wednesday. Resistance means we are proud to walk the streets of civilised countries and travel from one nation to another, Haniyeh told the journalist. Having left Gaza in 2017, he appeared to enjoy the freedom of openly appearing in public with officials from Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Lebanese Hezbollah. Hours later, the Hamas leader would be dead, his Iranian protectors humiliated, and the Middle East left teetering on the brink of all-out war. Haniyeh had been in and out of Israeli prisons on terror charges in the 1980s, but such privations were a distant memory to the public face of Hamass October 7 attacks. He has lived in luxury in Doha, Qatar, since 2016; a far cry from the al-Shati refugee camp where he was born in 1962 after his parents had fled the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. He had cheered and prayed with other Hamas bosses as he watched the atrocities of Oct 7 unfold on television in his office in the wealthy Gulf state. In Iran, Israels great rival in the Middle East, a grinning Haniyeh was welcomed as a hero. Waving and pressing his heart in gratitude, his white beard neatly trimmed, he glad-handed dignitaries at Masoud Pezeshkians inauguration in the Iranian parliament on Wednesday. Chants from politicians of death to Israel, death to the USA rang out at the ceremony. President Pezeshkian warmly embraced Haniyeh before the Hamas leader was granted an audience with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans Supreme Leader. Haniyeh wished Khamenei a long and healthy life during their meeting. In a matter of hours he would be dead in the veterans residence where Irans proxy warriors were being hosted. The 2am explosion that killed Haniyeh and his bodyguards was reported by Israeli media to have been an air strike launched from within Iran. Deep, perhaps unprecedented, Mossad infiltration Whether the munition was delivered by drone or a different kind of projectile, a launch from inside Iran would suggest deep, perhaps unprecedented, infiltration by Mossad. It was a missile, Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, told reporters in Tehran. The missile targeted the room where Ismail Haniyeh was present. The impact of the missile caused the windows to shatter and the walls to collapse. Investigation by our Iranian brothers is ongoing. The assassination came less than 24 hours after a senior Hezbollah commander was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut in revenge for the death of 12 children in a missile attack. Haniyeh escaped an earlier attempt on his life in the early 2000s before he won fame in 2006 after leading Hamas to an election victory and ultimately its takeover of the Gaza Strip. Israeli air strikes killed three of Haniyehs sons and four of his grandchildren in April. Even so, he continued the ceasefire negotiations. My father survived four assassination attempts during his patriotic journey, and today Allah has granted him the martyrdom that he always wished for, said Abdul Salam Haniyeh, the dead terror chiefs son. We affirm that this assassination will not deter the resistance, which will fight until freedom is achieved. The assassination has plunged the Middle East into dangerous waters. It was an escalatory crime that will push towards more tension and chaos in the region, Sufyan Al-Qudah, a spokesman for Jordans foreign ministry, warned. I dont think war is inevitable. I maintain that. I think theres always room and opportunities for diplomacy, Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, said in the Philippines. Israel has not claimed responsibility for Haniyehs death but, as far as a humiliated Iran was concerned, there was no doubt who was responsible. As loudspeakers on mosques relayed the news of Haniyehs death across Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, the Islamic Republics leaders vowed harsh and painful revenge. Supporters of the Jamaat-e-Islami party in Pakistan carry Palestinian flags and images of Ismail Haniyeh in Karachi on Wednesday - Asif Hassan/AFP via Getty Images Members of Pakistan's Jamaat-e-Islami party pray for Ismail Haniyeh in Peshawar after news broke of his death - Abdul Majeed/AFP via Getty Images Yesterday, I raised his victorious hand, and today, I must take his body on my shoulders, said President Pezeshkian. In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Leader attended a meeting of Islamic Republics Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning to plot the response. Irans embarrassment was compounded by the boasts of its outgoing intelligence minister just six days ago. Esmail Khatib had crowed his biggest achievement in office was breaking up Mossads infiltration network. We are waiting for our officials to kill someone in Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv for Tehran, one presenter raged on Iranian state TV. Outside the University of Tehran, a few dozen people gathered to chant Death to Israel. The Zionists have just dug their own graves with their own hands, one Revolutionary Guards official told The Telegraph. We have been at war with Israel for the past four decades, and they have just made it official. Calls for all-out war And a member of the Basij paramilitary group, calling for all-out war told The Telegraph: We should use the opportunity they gave us to show them who is the real power in the region. There was anxiety as well as anger within Iran. I was hoping that with the new president, we would have some peace, but now I am worried that we may have to leave Tehran again, said Afshin, a shopkeeper in the capital. He and his family fled Tehran when Iran fired some 300 suicide drones and missiles at Israel in April, almost all of which were shot down by the US, UK, and Israel. Why should this guy be here? Everyone knows Israel is looking for him, and we host him in the heart of Tehran, added Afshin. Iran has declared three days of mourning for Haniyeh, whose funeral will be held in Tehran on Thursday. The fear now is that the Hamas leaders funeral could be the first of many, if his assassination triggers a wider war in the Middle East. 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. Haniyeh to be buried in Qatar on Friday Hamas chief Ismaeil Haniyeh meets Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian (Not Pictured) in Tehran. Palestinian militant organization Hamas has said on Telegram that Haniyeh, was killed in a "Zionist raid" on his residence in Tehran. In a statement, Hamas added that Haniyeh was killed after he had attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian in the Iranian capital. -/Iranian Presidency/dpa Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh will be buried in Qatar following funeral prayers on Friday, the Palestinian Islamist movement said. A public and official funeral service will be held on Thursday in Tehran, where Haniyeh was killed. After that, the body will be transferred to the Qatari capital, Doha. Funeral prayers will be held at noon on Friday in Doha, then he will be laid to rest at a cemetery in Lusail, north of the capital. The funeral will be attended by local residents as well as Hamas members and "Arab and Islamic" leaders, Hamas said in a statement. By Hannah Lang (Reuters) - When former U.S. president Donald Trump promised a bitcoin conference on Saturday that if reelected he would fire Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler, a crypto skeptic, the crowd roared with delight. "Wow, I didn't know he was that unpopular," the Republican presidential nominee shouted over the cheers. Trump, who once derided cryptocurrencies as a "scam," is courting the industry and winning big checks from donors hoping he will swiftly end Gensler's crypto crackdown. Under Gensler, a Democrat appointed by President Biden, the SEC has brought dozens of crypto enforcement actions, including against major exchanges Coinbase, Binance and Kraken, and levied hundreds of millions of dollars in fines. A Trump victory could change that virtually overnight. He could appoint a crypto-friendly chair to advance the industry's wishlist, which includes spiking guidance that it says has limited Americans' crypto custody options; a safe harbor for new tokens; and pulling enforcement actions. "The most important thing we want out of a new administration is the nomination of individuals to key positions ... that have an appreciation and an understanding of crypto," said Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, an industry group. Gensler's spokesperson declined to comment. Citing a Supreme Court ruling, Gensler says most crypto tokens behave like securities and should be strictly regulated in the same way, a position lower courts have mostly backed. Crypto firms argue tokens are commodities and want new laws clarifying their status, although that could take years if Congress remains divided. While Gensler's term ends in 2026, Trump could replace him with another commissioner as acting chair. The likely candidate is Hester Peirce, a crypto advocate and the longer-serving of the SEC's two Republican commissioners. The industry is pushing crypto enthusiasts Brian Brooks and Chris Giancarlo, who served in Trump's first administration, for the permanent job, executives said. An acting chair could immediately rescind 2022 SEC guidance requiring public companies to account for crypto assets held on behalf of others as liabilities due to their riskiness. Banks struggle with this policy because strict capital rules require them to hold cash against liabilities. Cryptocurrencies, with a market capitalization of around $2.5 trillion according to CoinGecko, would become more popular if consumers could store them with trusted lenders, executives say. Story continues "I believe that'll be rescinded Day One of the Trump administration," said Cody Carbone, chief policy officer at the Chamber of Digital Commerce, a digital asset group. The industry is also pushing for a safe harbor from SEC registration rules for issuing and trading crypto tokens, an idea Peirce floated in 2020. "We need to look for a workable way to ensure both that token offerings can occur outside of the legal shadows and that token purchasers have access to the information they need," Peirce told Reuters by email. Smith said such a framework would be "incredibly positive." Giancarlo, who earned the nickname "Crypto Dad" when he was Commodity Futures Trading Commission chair, declined to comment on whether he would be interested in becoming SEC chair under a second Trump administration. Until Congress acts, regulators have discretion to craft an interim regulatory regime that better serves the public and investors, he said. He also backed a crypto safe harbor. "It would be an excellent place to start a new era of engaging with this innovation," Giancarlo said. Brooks did not respond to a request for comment. Brian Hughes, senior advisor to Trump's campaign, said in a statement the former president is prepared to remove "obstacles and unnecessary burdens" for crypto. POLITICAL DEADLOCK? A new chair's power would depend, though, on the political weighting of the five-member commission which votes on rules, enforcement and other major issues. It is dominated 3-2 by Gensler and two other Democrats also critical of crypto. While the president can replace an SEC chair with another commissioner, Gensler could still see out his term as commissioner. Even if he left, the four remaining members would be evenly divided initially, constraining a new chair. Peirce said, for example, that she expected any safe harbor plan and major proposed changes to enforcement litigation, to go to a commission vote, suggesting approval might have to wait until Republicans take the majority. Giancarlo said he would like a pause in enforcement actions where there is no investor harm, manipulation or fraud. "I think the right approach would be to pause it ... while the agency immediately turns to rule-writing in coordination with Congress and then give innovators time to comply," Giancarlo added. (Reporting by Hannah Lang in New York; editing by Michelle Price and Richard Chang) Harris to appear as sole candidate for Dem presidential nomination on virtual roll call A total of 3,923 Democratic delegates petitioned for Vice President Kamala Harris to be the presidential nominee for 2024, according to the Democratic National Committee. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Vice President Kamala Harris is the only candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Democratic National Committee said late Tuesday. Harris was the only person to reach the threshold of 300 delegates petitioning for her to become the partys nominee after President Joe Biden dropped his bid for reelection, setting her up to officially become the partys nominee during a virtual roll call scheduled to begin Thursday, according to a DNC press release. The DNC allowed party delegates to petition for a new nominee after Bidens withdrawal. After sweeping primaries and caucuses, Biden had secured the vast majority of the 3,949 pledged delegates in the Democratic nominating process. Most of those delegates quickly declared their support for Harris following Bidens exit. About 84% of Democratic delegates submitted a signature during the petition phase, with 99% of those supporting Harris. A total of 3,923 Democratic delegates petitioned for Harris to be the presidential nominee, according to the release, which called Harris the presumptive Democratic nominee. Democratic delegates from across the nation made their voices heard, overwhelmingly backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Partys presumptive nominee, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Democratic National Convention Committee Chair Minyon Moore said in the statement. Harris won the backing of many state parties, elected officials and other party leaders within hours of Biden bowing out of the race and endorsing her. Candidates rumored to harbor their own presidential ambitions quickly fell in line with Harris, with a few still thought to be under consideration for Harris running mate. Democrats virtual roll call a departure from the traditional roll call at the party convention initially designed to ensure the partys nominee was on the ballot in Ohio despite an early deadline that has since been changed will begin 9 a.m. Eastern on Thursday and wrap up at 6 p.m. on Aug. 5, the DNC release said. Harris and running mate to Philadelphia Harris will campaign on Aug. 6, the day after the virtual roll call concludes, with her yet-to-be-named running mate in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star confirmed Tuesday. The commonwealth is perhaps the most important battleground in the presidential race and Gov. Josh Shapiro is reportedly on Harris short list for vice president. The first-term governor and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stumped for Harris at a Monday rally in the Philadelphia area. Politico reported that the Harris campaign swing will also include western Wisconsin; Detroit; Raleigh, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Las Vegas; and Phoenix. Other top candidates for Harris running mate include Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also under consideration. Harris to appear as sole candidate for Dem presidential nomination on virtual roll call Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on gun violence during an event at John R. Lewis High School on June 2, 2023 in Springfield, Virginia. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Vice President Kamala Harris is the only candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Democratic National Committee said late Tuesday. Harris was the only person to reach the threshold of 300 delegates petitioning for her to become the partys nominee after President Joe Biden dropped his bid for reelection, setting her up to officially become the partys nominee during a virtual roll call scheduled to begin Thursday, according to a DNC press release. The DNC allowed party delegates to petition for a new nominee after Bidens withdrawal. After sweeping primaries and caucuses, Biden had secured the vast majority of the 3,949 pledged delegates in the Democratic nominating process. Most of those delegates quickly declared their support for Harris following Bidens exit. About 84% of Democratic delegates submitted a signature during the petition phase, with 99% of those supporting Harris. A total of 3,923 Democratic delegates petitioned for Harris to be the presidential nominee, according to the release, which called Harris the presumptive Democratic nominee. Democratic delegates from across the nation made their voices heard, overwhelmingly backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Partys presumptive nominee, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Democratic National Convention Committee Chair Minyon Moore said in the statement. Harris won the backing of many state parties, elected officials and other party leaders within hours of Biden bowing out of the race and endorsing her. Candidates rumored to harbor their own presidential ambitions quickly fell in line with Harris, with a few still thought to be under consideration for Harris running mate. Democrats virtual roll call a departure from the traditional roll call at the party convention initially designed to ensure the partys nominee was on the ballot in Ohio despite an early deadline that has since been changed will begin 9 a.m. Eastern on Thursday and wrap up at 6 p.m. on Aug. 5, the DNC release said. Harris and running mate to Philadelphia Harris will campaign on Aug. 6, the day after the virtual roll call concludes, with her yet-to-be-named running mate in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star confirmed Tuesday. The commonwealth is perhaps the most important battleground in the presidential race and Gov. Josh Shapiro is reportedly on Harris short list for vice president. The first-term governor and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stumped for Harris at a Monday rally in the Philadelphia area. Politico reported that the Harris campaign swing will also include western Wisconsin; Detroit; Raleigh, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Las Vegas; and Phoenix. Other top candidates for Harris running mate include Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also under consideration. Harris to appear as sole candidate for Dem presidential nomination on virtual roll call SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA - JUNE 02: 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. Vice President Harris spoke on the administrations efforts to reduce gun violence to commemorate the National Gun Violence Awareness day. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Vice President Kamala Harris is the only candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Democratic National Committee said late Tuesday. Harris was the only person to reach the threshold of 300 delegates petitioning for her to become the partys nominee after President Joe Biden dropped his bid for reelection, setting her up to officially become the partys nominee during a virtual roll call scheduled to begin Thursday, according to a DNC press release. The DNC allowed party delegates to petition for a new nominee after Bidens withdrawal. After sweeping primaries and caucuses, Biden had secured the vast majority of the 3,949 pledged delegates in the Democratic nominating process. Most of those delegates quickly declared their support for Harris following Bidens exit. About 84% of Democratic delegates submitted a signature during the petition phase, with 99% of those supporting Harris. A total of 3,923 Democratic delegates petitioned for Harris to be the presidential nominee, according to the release, which called Harris the presumptive Democratic nominee. Democratic delegates from across the nation made their voices heard, overwhelmingly backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Partys presumptive nominee, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Democratic National Convention Committee Chair Minyon Moore said in the statement. Harris won the backing of many state parties, elected officials and other party leaders within hours of Biden bowing out of the race and endorsing her. Candidates rumored to harbor their own presidential ambitions quickly fell in line with Harris, with a few still thought to be under consideration for Harris running mate. Democrats virtual roll call a departure from the traditional roll call at the party convention initially designed to ensure the partys nominee was on the ballot in Ohio despite an early deadline that has since been changed will begin 8 a.m. Central on Thursday and wrap up at 5 p.m. on Aug. 5, the DNC release said. Harris and running mate to Philadelphia Harris will campaign on Aug. 6, the day after the virtual roll call concludes, with her yet-to-be-named running mate in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star confirmed Tuesday. The commonwealth is perhaps the most important battleground in the presidential race and Gov. Josh Shapiro is reportedly on Harris short list for vice president. The first-term governor and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stumped for Harris at a Monday rally in the Philadelphia area. Politico reported that the Harris campaign swing will also include western Wisconsin; Detroit; Raleigh, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Las Vegas; and Phoenix. Other top candidates for Harris running mate include Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also under consideration. Harris to appear as sole candidate for Dem presidential nomination on virtual roll call A supporter holds a sign as members of the San Francisco Democratic Party rally in support of Kamala Harris, following the announcement by President Joe Biden that he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, on July 22, 2024, at City Hall in San Francisco, California. A supporter holds a sign as members of the San Francisco Democratic Party rally in support of Kamala Harris, following the announcement by President Joe Biden that he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, on July 22, 2024, at City Hall in San Francisco, California. Biden has endorsed Harris, the former San Francisco district attorney, to be the Democratic nominee. (Loren Elliott/Getty Images) Vice President Kamala Harris is the only candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Democratic National Committee said late Tuesday. Harris was the only person to reach the threshold of 300 delegates petitioning for her to become the partys nominee after President Joe Biden dropped his bid for reelection, setting her up to officially become the partys nominee during a virtual roll call scheduled to begin Thursday, according to a DNC press release. The DNC allowed party delegates to petition for a new nominee after Bidens withdrawal. After sweeping primaries and caucuses, Biden had secured the vast majority of the 3,949 pledged delegates in the Democratic nominating process. Most of those delegates quickly declared their support for Harris following Bidens exit. About 84% of Democratic delegates submitted a signature during the petition phase, with 99% of those supporting Harris. A total of 3,923 Democratic delegates petitioned for Harris to be the presidential nominee, according to the release, which called Harris the presumptive Democratic nominee. Democratic delegates from across the nation made their voices heard, overwhelmingly backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Partys presumptive nominee, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Democratic National Convention Committee Chair Minyon Moore said in the statement. Harris won the backing of many state parties, elected officials and other party leaders within hours of Biden bowing out of the race and endorsing her. Candidates rumored to harbor their own presidential ambitions quickly fell in line with Harris, with a few still thought to be under consideration for Harris running mate. Democrats virtual roll call a departure from the traditional roll call at the party convention initially designed to ensure the partys nominee was on the ballot in Ohio despite an early deadline that has since been changed will begin 9 a.m. Eastern on Thursday and wrap up at 6 p.m. on Aug. 5, the DNC release said. Harris and running mate to Philadelphia Harris will campaign on Aug. 6, the day after the virtual roll call concludes, with her yet-to-be-named running mate in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star confirmed Tuesday. The commonwealth is perhaps the most important battleground in the presidential race and Gov. Josh Shapiro is reportedly on Harris short list for vice president. The first-term governor and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stumped for Harris at a Monday rally in the Philadelphia area. Politico reported that the Harris campaign swing will also include western Wisconsin; Detroit; Raleigh, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Las Vegas; and Phoenix. Other top candidates for Harris running mate include Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also under consideration. Harris to appear as sole candidate for Dem presidential nomination on virtual roll call Vice President Kamala Harris, who has gained the support of enough delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination, speaks to the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Grand Boule at the Indiana Convention Center on July 24, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Vice President Kamala Harris is the only candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Democratic National Committee said late Tuesday. Harris was the only person to reach the threshold of 300 delegates petitioning for her to become the partys nominee after President Joe Biden dropped his bid for reelection, setting her up to officially become the partys nominee during a virtual roll call scheduled to begin Thursday, according to a DNC press release. The DNC allowed party delegates to petition for a new nominee after Bidens withdrawal. After sweeping primaries and caucuses, Biden had secured the vast majority of the 3,949 pledged delegates in the Democratic nominating process. Most of those delegates quickly declared their support for Harris following Bidens exit. About 84% of Democratic delegates submitted a signature during the petition phase, with 99% of those supporting Harris. A total of 3,923 Democratic delegates petitioned for Harris to be the presidential nominee, according to the release, which called Harris the presumptive Democratic nominee. Democratic delegates from across the nation made their voices heard, overwhelmingly backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Partys presumptive nominee, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Democratic National Convention Committee Chair Minyon Moore said in the statement. Harris won the backing of many state parties, elected officials and other party leaders within hours of Biden bowing out of the race and endorsing her. Candidates rumored to harbor their own presidential ambitions quickly fell in line with Harris, with a few still thought to be under consideration for Harris running mate. Democrats virtual roll call a departure from the traditional roll call at the party convention initially designed to ensure the partys nominee was on the ballot in Ohio despite an early deadline that has since been changed will begin 9 a.m. Eastern on Thursday and wrap up at 6 p.m. on Aug. 5, the DNC release said. Harris and running mate to Philadelphia Harris will campaign on Aug. 6, the day after the virtual roll call concludes, with her yet-to-be-named running mate in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star confirmed Tuesday. The commonwealth is perhaps the most important battleground in the presidential race and Gov. Josh Shapiro is reportedly on Harris short list for vice president. The first-term governor and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stumped for Harris at a Monday rally in the Philadelphia area. Politico reported that the Harris campaign swing will also include western Wisconsin; Detroit; Raleigh, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Las Vegas; and Phoenix. Other top candidates for Harris running mate include Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also under consideration. Harris challenges Trump at boisterous Georgia State rally to say it to my face in debate dare Vice President Kamala Harris at an Atlanta rally, July 30, 2024. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to a fired-up crowd Tuesday in Georgia where Democrats have been buoyed by her rise to the top of the ballot and what they see as a new opportunity to shut former President Donald Trump out of the White House. The path to the White House runs right through this state, Harris said to a packed Georgia State Convocation Center in downtown Atlanta. And you all helped us win in 2020 and we are going to do it again in 2024. This was Harris first visit to Georgia as the likely Democratic nominee after President Joe Bidens withdrawal upended the 2024 presidential race. But Harris has been a frequent visitor to Georgia as vice president, making Tuesdays rally her 15th stop here since being sworn in less than four years ago. The shake-up at the top of the ballot has transformed a presidential race that was plagued with low voter enthusiasm, even dread for some. And the new energy was palpable Tuesday, with a performance from Megan Thee Stallion and warm-up speeches from a string of prominent Democrats and Atlanta rapper Quavo revving up the crowd ahead of Harris. Supporters filled the arena with deafening cheers and chants like not going back and too scared in reference to Trump backing out of a second presidential debate, but first against Harris. The spirited crowd at times drowned out the speakers. Harris walked out to rowdy applause and chants of Kamala. Harris taunted Trump for backing out of the debate schedule that he agreed to when Biden was still the expected Democratic nominee. Well, Donald, I do hope youll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage, she said. Because as the saying goes, if youve got something to say, say it to my face. Harris campaign aides told reporters Monday that they are seeing measurable signs of enthusiasm in the surge of volunteers and donations, but they recognize that 2020s razor-thin victory in Georgia will be a challenge to repeat. Biden won Georgia by less than 12,000 votes, making him the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state in three decades. Lets level set, friends, lets level set, Harris said to the boisterous crowd. We have a fight in front of us, and we are the underdogs in this race. This crowd seemed eager for the challenge, and the opportunity to potentially elect a candidate whose presidency would make history was also electrifying the crowd. We will do the work of making Kamala Harris not only someone who breaks ties in the Senate but breaks barriers in the oval office, said Stacey Abrams, a former House minority leader who came close to becoming the nations first Black woman governor back in 2018. But the Harris campaign is also hoping moderate and disaffected Republicans will help deny Trump another term in the White House. Former GOP Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who has been a vocal critic of Trump since the aftermath of the 2020 election, was seen on the sidelines at Tuesdays rally. Duncan endorsed Biden earlier and has since backed Harris as a means for getting the Republican party to move on past Trump. Duncan said Tuesday that the party lines are blurred more than ever today. This is a historical event thats going to take place, Duncan said in an interview. I think theres an opportunity for this country to hit the reset button even. It means we have to vote for somebody we dont agree with a hundred percent of their policies. Trump answered Harris Georgia stop by announcing one of his own set for this Saturday at the same downtown Atlanta venue. The GOP nominee will campaign with his running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance. Former GOP Congressman Doug Collins said Georgia Republicans are mentally adjusting to Harris as the new rival. To Collins, the shake-up at the top of the ticket is about Democrats trying to regain ground after Bidens disastrous debate performance in Atlanta a month ago. She cant run from an administration record and thats what most people, especially people on the left, have forgotten, Collins said Tuesday. Sure, Democrats are excited to have a candidate they believe can take on Trump, Collins said. But he said he thinks the medias portrayal of Harris impact on the race is over the top. Georgia Democrats, though, would disagree. Im so excited I cant sleep at night, said Gloria Jenkins, an 82-year-old who chairs the Democratic Party of Georgias senior caucus who is thrilled at the prospect of potentially helping to elect the first Black woman president. Before Harris became the likely nominee, Jenkins acknowledged the lagging energy in Georgia. But she said that has changed and that her constantly low cell phone battery drained from all the election chatter is as good a barometer as any. For Diahann Fulwider, Harris rise has inspired her to vote in November after she decided she would sit this one out when her disappointment in Biden turned into dismay as she watched the president struggle through the CNN debate last month. Fulwider, who is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., called the response to Harris presidential candidacy a movement. Harris is also a member of AKA. It reenergized the middle-class Black woman, Fulwilder said of Harris presidential campaign. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Harris challenges Trump at boisterous Georgia State rally to say it to my face in debate dare Vice President Kamala Harris challenged former President Donald Trump to debate her Tuesday as a crowd at the Georgia State University Convocation Center. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder) Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to a fired-up crowd Tuesday in Georgia where Democrats have been buoyed by her rise to the top of the ballot and what they see as a new opportunity to shut former President Donald Trump out of the White House. The path to the White House runs right through this state, Harris said to a packed Georgia State Convocation Center in downtown Atlanta. And you all helped us win in 2020 and we are going to do it again in 2024. This was Harris first visit to Georgia as the likely Democratic nominee after President Joe Bidens withdrawal upended the 2024 presidential race. But Harris has been a frequent visitor to Georgia as vice president, making Tuesdays rally her 15th stop here since being sworn in less than four years ago. The shake-up at the top of the ballot has transformed a presidential race that was plagued with low voter enthusiasm, even dread for some. And the new energy was palpable Tuesday, with a performance from Megan Thee Stallion and warm-up speeches from a string of prominent Democrats and Atlanta rapper Quavo revving up the crowd ahead of Harris. Supporters filled the arena with deafening cheers and chants like not going back and too scared in reference to Trump backing out of a second presidential debate, but first against Harris. The spirited crowd at times drowned out the speakers. Harris walked out to rowdy applause and chants of Kamala. Harris taunted Trump for backing out of the debate schedule that he agreed to when Biden was still the expected Democratic nominee. Well, Donald, I do hope youll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage, she said. Because as the saying goes, if youve got something to say, say it to my face. Harris campaign aides told reporters Monday that they are seeing measurable signs of enthusiasm in the surge of volunteers and donations, but they recognize that 2020s razor-thin victory in Georgia will be a challenge to repeat. Biden won Georgia by less than 12,000 votes, making him the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state in three decades. Lets level set, friends, lets level set, Harris said to the boisterous crowd. We have a fight in front of us, and we are the underdogs in this race. This crowd seemed eager for the challenge, and the opportunity to potentially elect a candidate whose presidency would make history was also electrifying the crowd. We will do the work of making Kamala Harris not only someone who breaks ties in the Senate but breaks barriers in the oval office, said Stacey Abrams, a former House minority leader who came close to becoming the nations first Black woman governor back in 2018. But the Harris campaign is also hoping moderate and disaffected Republicans will help deny Trump another term in the White House. Former GOP Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who has been a vocal critic of Trump since the aftermath of the 2020 election, was seen on the sidelines at Tuesdays rally. Duncan endorsed Biden earlier and has since backed Harris as a means for getting the Republican party to move on past Trump. Duncan said Tuesday that the party lines are blurred more than ever today. This is a historical event thats going to take place, Duncan said in an interview. I think theres an opportunity for this country to hit the reset button even. It means we have to vote for somebody we dont agree with a hundred percent of their policies. Trump answered Harris Georgia stop by announcing one of his own set for this Saturday at the same downtown Atlanta venue. The GOP nominee will campaign with his running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance. Former GOP Congressman Doug Collins said Georgia Republicans are mentally adjusting to Harris as the new rival. To Collins, the shake-up at the top of the ticket is about Democrats trying to regain ground after Bidens disastrous debate performance in Atlanta a month ago. She cant run from an administration record and thats what most people, especially people on the left, have forgotten, Collins said Tuesday. Sure, Democrats are excited to have a candidate they believe can take on Trump, Collins said. But he said he thinks the medias portrayal of Harris impact on the race is over the top. Georgia Democrats, though, would disagree. Im so excited I cant sleep at night, said Gloria Jenkins, an 82-year-old who chairs the Democratic Party of Georgias senior caucus who is thrilled at the prospect of potentially helping to elect the first Black woman president. Before Harris became the likely nominee, Jenkins acknowledged the lagging energy in Georgia. But she said that has changed and that her constantly low cell phone battery drained from all the election chatter is as good a barometer as any. For Diahann Fulwider, Harris rise has inspired her to vote in November after she decided she would sit this one out when her disappointment in Biden turned into dismay as she watched the president struggle through the CNN debate last month. Fulwider, who is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., called the response to Harris presidential candidacy a movement. Harris is also a member of AKA. It reenergized the middle-class Black woman, Fulwilder said of Harris presidential campaign. Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor John McCosh for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com. Follow Georgia Recorder on Facebook and X. For Charity Dean, the weight of the presidential race is suddenly a bit heavier as she moves beyond the exhaustion of a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump to a fresh start with Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee. Its refreshing. Theres a new energy that we didnt have previously, said Dean, who owns a coffee shop in northwest Detroit. Folks that were not interested in a Biden-Trump race are definitely interested now that we have the vice president on the top of the ticket. A week after Harris secured enough delegate support to effectively lock down the Democratic nomination, the whirlwind of excitement coursing through the party is giving way to the urgent work of building a Harris coalition after spending a year trying to shore up Bidens fraying one. Its not just we have an opportunity to make history, said Dean, who also leads the Michigan Black Business Alliance. Its also, Oh my gosh, what happens if we dont? Michigan will be a critical laboratory for how the Harris campaign builds and sustains its coalition and the degree to which it will look different from Bidens winning 2020 alliance that he struggled to keep together this year, particularly with younger voters and voters of color. Conversations with more than two dozen voters, party activists and Democratic officials in Detroit and the surrounding communities underscored a surge in interest toward Harris among women, voters of color and younger voters. Its an open question how her support holds among independent voters and rank-and-file labor union members, particularly as Trump and Republican groups race to define her. Instead of having something to vote against, now we have something to vote for, said Rev. Charles Williams, pastor of Historic King Solomon Baptist Church, who sounded the alarm months ago about a lack of enthusiasm among many voters for Biden, despite the achievements of his first term. Pre-Joe Bidens announcement, we were stirring molasses, Williams said in an interview outside his church this week. Post-Joe Bidens announcement, were on a rocket ship. Battle for the blue wall Just 10 days into her presidential candidacy, Harris campaign is still ramping up conducting a vice presidential vetting process on a short deadline, rewriting plans for next months Democratic National Convention in Chicago and beefing up advertising and fundraising teams after she raised $200 million in her first week. Trumps campaign, meanwhile, began unleashing a fresh wave of attacks on Harris on Tuesday with a $12.2 million television advertising buy across six battleground states, including Michigan. One new ad labels Harris the Biden administrations border czar and highlights her role in serving as the administrations point person in terms of addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. This is Americas border czar and shes failed us, a narrator says over video of Harris dancing at an event. The narrator describes the vice president as Failed. Weak. Dangerously Liberal. Trump won Michigan, along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, in 2016 cracking the Democratic blue wall of must-win-states. Biden won those states back four years later. And before his exit from the race, his campaign had identified the three states as his most realistic path to securing the 270 Electoral College votes necessary to win this fall. Though Harris appeal among women, voters of color and young people could expand the map and put in play Sun Belt battlegrounds including, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina and Georgia, where Harris held a rally Tuesday night the blue wall states are certain to be a focus for both Harris and Trump. Thats not lost on ardent supporters of the vice president like Dean, who named her coffee shop Rosa after her great-grandmother, someone who she said would be thrilled by the historic nature of Harris candidacy. We have a fear in our country because weve seen racism and weve seen sexism, Dean said. Ive heard a lot of comments about, well, will they vote for her? I said there is no they, it is us. And with that confidence and with that momentum, it becomes contagious. Former President Donald Trump walks offstage after speaking at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 20, 2024. - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/File A renewed spark in Dearborn Though Harris candidacy is in its early stages, and Trumps attacks are only beginning, some Michigan Democrats say the vice president has the opportunity to shed the skepticism many felt toward Biden. In Michigans Democratic presidential primary in February, more than 101,000 people 13.2% of the primary electorate cast their votes for uncommitted, rather than Biden, in what was largely seen as a show of opposition to the presidents handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Uncommitted won 57% of the vote in Dearborn, home to large Arab American and Muslim communities, to Bidens 40% an outcome that served as a glaring warning sign in a Democratic stronghold in the must-win swing state. Though Harris will have to tread carefully over the war in Gaza to avoid undermining Biden and her statements, choice of running mate and more will play roles in how she is judged she could win back some voters in communities that have largely broken with Biden. Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, who supported the campaign to lodge uncommitted protest votes during the primary, said he sees a potential opening for Harris. Wth Vice President Harris, you see a renewed spark, Hammoud told CNN, especially amongst a younger population, a more diverse coalition and an opportunity to rebuild that coalition that helped put President Biden over the top. Asked whether he would support Harris and encourage others in his community to do the same, Hammoud said it was too early to say. He said he wanted to hear more from Harris amplifying on her empathetic comments about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week and wouldnt likely reach a decision without a conversation with her or her foreign policy advisers. It really falls down to the values and priorities. That has not changed for me, he said. Im hopeful that Vice President Harris will chart a new course. Quite the roller coaster Here in Michigan, the contours of the new race are settling in, which Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens heard first-hand as she knocked on doors in her Oakland County district north of Detroit. A blue and white sign in bold letters, Dump Trump, was planted in a front yard only a few houses down from one that read, Michigan for Trump. Make America Great Again. I do think youre seeing people activated in a new way, Stevens said. While many residents werent home or didnt answer their doors Stevens forged ahead until she found two cars in the driveway and the lights on inside a white, two-story house. How are you feeling about the switch from Biden to Harris? Stevens asked. I feel good, replied Reuben Maxbauer, who held his young son in his arms as he answered the door. If the last seven days are representative of the next 100 days, it will be quite the roller coaster, but very exciting. But Maxbauer, who has family members living in Israel, said he wanted to learn more about Harris positions, especially on the Middle East. I dont think she has a clearly enough defined position, at least that were aware of, he said, that I can say whether she makes us comfortable or not. As she continued her walk, Stevens acknowledged that is one of the lingering challenges for Harris and Democrats in Michigan a critical balancing act of foreign policy and domestic politics. Where were standing, every vote really matters Every conversation carries a lot of weight, Stevens said. But Im not going to sugarcoat. Theres also still a lot of passions and tensions and emotions around the Middle East. But in the closing three months of the race, Stevens said, Trump may end up a unifying force for Democrats too. I think thats what well see happen, she said. I really do. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com My 18-year-old summer students came to class early last week and drew coconuts on the boarda reference to one of several rapidly spreading Kamala Harris campaign memes. When the vice presidents campaign video dropped, there was more enthusiasm in my classroom than Ive seen even for the release of a major rap album or anime. Early polls show young people support Harris over Trump by a staggering margin. Talk to Democratic voters almost anywhere, of any age, right now, and theyre glowing with optimismmaybe, for some, for the first time since Bernie won Nevada in 2020, or for others, since the early years of the Biden administration (remember that feeling when Trump was out of office and we were Building Back Better?). Some of it is simple relief: Biden was too frail and doddering to defeat Trump, struggling to complete sentences, while, at 59, Harris isby the standards of our gerontocracyrelatively young and vigorous. She sounds great and looks sensational (I sent a photo of her in her pink suit to a dandyish friend who agreed, adding, Poor Hillary was the victim of decades of bad tailoring). A former prosecutor, her aggressive stance toward the felon on top of the ticket is, well, brat. But anti-Trump girlboss feelings, while powerful, do not account entirely for the national giddiness surrounding Kamala Harris, especially on the part of the young. On Twitter, ironic but affectionate coconut memes mask an earnest hope that her policies might be more progressive than those of some of the centrists that party bosses might have preferred (a hope fueled by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs Instagram comments suggesting that the partys donor class was hoping for someone more conservative than Harris). Many even regard Harris as more progressive than Biden. Republicans share this perception and have already begun attacking Harris on this basis. Some in the media are concluding from these right-wing attacks that Harriss perceived progressiveness is a liability. But the reality is that Harriss progressive commitments could help her, and the whole Democratic ticketif she doesnt run away from them. They could be critical to voter turnout, especially among young people, people of color, and climate voters. The perception that Harris is progressive is not only motivating some voters, but also volunteers. Harris is already running as a far more passionate champion of abortion rights than Biden, which is clearly helping her. Although there isnt much evidence one way or another on how Harris would approach the genocide in Gaza, many observers view her as more compassionate toward the Palestinians and more dovish overall than Biden. She has also supported Medicare for All in the past, a core commitment of the Bernie Sanders left. She may also be a better messenger than Biden for the most popular aspects of Bidens pro-labor and family-friendly economic policies, including investments in infrastructure. Her perceived climate progressivism may be especially crucial. Her record here is decent. She has a record to point to. Not only did she back the Green New Deal in the Senate, but as Californias attorney general, she prosecuted big fossil fuel companies: suing Chevron and ConocoPhillips over hazardous waste and gas station violations, respectively. Harris also joined local district attorneys in suing a pipeline operator for polluting about a hundred miles of California coastline. She even created a specific environmental justice unit at the attorney generals office, one of the first in the nation. Whats worrisomeboth to climate advocates and to anyone who would like to see her hold onto all this electorally favorable goodwill among the youthis that when it comes to climate, Harriss positions are rapidly shifting. She supported the Green New Deal in 2019, though she has since backed away from it. Last Friday, she also walked back her opposition to fracking, an issue about which Trump has been taunting her in Pennsylvania. The fracking pivot might be electorally necessary, but running too far from her past climate advocacy would be a huge political mistake, given the urgency of the climate crisis and its salience to less committed voters (people who vote Democrat but arent reliably motivated to vote). Harris should revive her Green New Deal commitment and talk concretely about what that means in 2024, now that the nation has seen some large-scale investment in green infrastructure under Biden. The perception that Harris is an environmental champion is part of why she is popular, polls suggest. Biden has been strong on climate compared to past presidents, but with the hottest summer on record and wildfires raging, Harris needs to go further to win over the most passionate voters and volunteers. She should run on continuing Bidens strong regulatory agenda and commitment to renewable energy and outdo that record with a commitment to stop building new fossil fuel infrastructure (a huge weakness in the Biden administration, which allowed more new drilling than Trump did). For its part, the youthful climate movement has been forcefully rejecting the Republican ticket, while urging Harris to lean into her strong climate history and not sell out to the industry. After protesting J.D. Vancethe vice presidential nominee has close ties to the fossil fuel industry and has questioned the role of humans in climate changeSunrise marched to the Democratic National Committee headquarters this week with signs urging Harris to go big, with big banners encouraging her, Harris: Fight for Young People. The group previously sent Harris a letter, just three days after Biden dropped out, urging her to distance herself from Bidens less popular policies, especially the war in Gaza and the easy approval of fossil fuel projects. Theyve also encouraged her to invest in green infrastructure for public schools and affordable housing, end fossil subsidies, and expand green jobs through the American Climate Corps. In their letter, Sunrise told Harris, Young people are energized and ready to fight against fascism and for the future we all deserve. This is your chance to energize young people and our communities to vote, mount one of the greatest political comebacks in decades, and deliver a resounding defeat to the far-right agenda of Trump and Vance. Or, as the group put it more succinctly, retweeting Harriss 2019 Green New Deal endorsement: We would fall out of a coconut tree to elect this version of Kamala Harris. The vice president is surely hearing a lot of advice right now, much of it from big donors who may be close to the fossil fuel lobbies and who, as members of the top one percent, tend to resist change no matter what. The future doesnt have its own lobbyists and doesnt write big checks, but its closest representatives are young voters and the climate movement. In this closeand suddenly excitingelection, Kamala Harris and the rest of the Democrats ought to listen more to these emissaries of tomorrow. In urging Biden to drop out, and shifting to the ebullient and youthful Harris, the Democrats dispensed with tradition and ossified thinking, opting instead for common sense. That move has already been more successful than many expected, but only a strong, responsible platform can keep the momentum going. This is no time to let the soul-deadening donor-bound centrists and consultants kill the good vibes. For Harris and New Hampshire, a lot has changed in five years Then-Sen. Kamala Harris greets supporters during a campaign stop for the Democratic presidential nomination on April 23, 2019, at Uptown Bakery in Claremont. (Scott Eisen | Getty Images) New Hampshire has gone to Democrats in seven of the last eight presidential elections, including all five since 2004. But with its independent nature, and a tumultuous race, the state is no guarantee. In 2016, Hillary Clinton took the state over Donald Trump by just 2,736 votes, or less than 0.4 points. And as President Joe Biden clung to his hopes for a second term following a debate performance that ultimately ended his campaign earlier this month, polling showed Trump narrowly beating him here. But soon after Vice President Kamala Harris launched her campaign, two polls showed her leading Trump by six points in New Hampshire, one from the Saint Anselm College Survey Center and another from the UNH Survey Center. I definitely think its in play today, said Dante Scala, a University of New Hampshire professor of political science and international affairs, of the state hours after Biden dropped out. He added, Whoever the nominee is of the Democratic Party, itll be a measure of their viability how quickly they can get New Hampshire out of the swing-state status that its in right now, in my opinion, and theres polling state and nationally to back that up. If the Democratic nominee is fighting for New Hampshire in October, Scala said, that spells trouble for the Democrats nationally. Though New Hampshire voters have recently favored Democrats for president, theyre distinctly purple, ticket-splitting voters. Republicans hold the governorship, majorities in both chambers of the Legislature, and four of five seats on the Executive Council. At the same time, all four members of the congressional delegation are Democrats. Christopher J. Galdieri, a politics professor at Saint Anselm College, agrees that New Hampshire is probably in swing-state territory. Not at the top of that list, he said, with states like Pennsylvania and Arizona, but right under that group of the top six or so swing states. Its a state, rare these days, where Republicans and Democrats can win statewide elections, where control of the state Legislature is always in play, Galdieri said. I think both campaigns are going to have to put in a lot of work here. And for Harris, who has already secured enough delegates to become the presumptive party nominee come next months convention, that work is well underway. The Biden for New Hampshire operation swapped its branding for Harris the day after the presidents announcement. And party leaders, including all of the states pledged delegates, took just hours to coalesce around her. Biden stepping down was unprecedented in modern political history for its closeness to the election a little more than 100 days out from Nov. 5, and even fewer to when the first early voting ballots will be cast. Despite that, New Hampshire political watchers told the Bulletin that down-ballot Democrats were likely feeling relieved after weeks of public turmoil in the party and fears that Biden would drag down other candidates. I think compared to that and all the anxiety that must have created, youre breathing a little easier today, Scala said. A successor Harris has campaigned in New Hampshire before, when she launched an unsuccessful bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. At her first town hall event in the state in February 2019, she was greeted by a large crowd of voters. It was packed, said Dean Spiliotes, a civic scholar at Southern New Hampshire University, of the event in Portsmouth. And then she even came out onto the steps because there were people outside waiting to hear from her. But that enthusiasm diminished over time, spurred in part by a perception from state Democrats that Harris did not prioritize the state and rarely visited. In October 2019, Harris was the preferred pick of just 3 percent of likely Democratic primary voters in the Granite State among a crowded field, according to a CNN/UNH poll. Her favorability in the state had fallen 15 points in about three months. She ended her campaign that December, two months before Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won the state for the second primary in a row. Its hard to really assess her performance in New Hampshire, Spiliotes said, because its not like she put in a really strong, deeply organized effort here. I just recall, at some point, she was just not around anymore. She was elsewhere. Spiliotes doesnt read much into what happened here with her primary run. She now has 3 years under her belt as vice president and is taking over the Biden campaign apparatus here and around the country. Its just gonna be, I think, fundamentally different for her, Spiliotes said. Full circle moment For Granite Staters who supported Harris presidential run back in 2019 even amid her floundering campaign her ascent this summer is validating. Ive already got out my old Kamala T-shirt and my pin, and Im ready to go, said Rep. Patricia Cornell, a Manchester Democrat, in an interview shortly after Biden announced he would not seek reelection. Cornell was an early endorser of Harris, supporting her from her first speech in Portsmouth to the day she dropped out of the race. Her second choice in the New Hampshire primary? Biden. I was really happy when President Biden chose her as his vice president because I was hoping that would someday lead to her being president, she said. To Cornell, Harris was strong and smart and I love the way she handles herself. She cited Harris Senate record approvingly and praised Harris background as a prosecutor. Harris questioning of then-Supreme Court hopeful Brett Kavanaugh stood out for her. Cornells support became a somewhat lonely affair, she recalled. She didnt know many New Hampshire Democrats who were backing Harris, other than her own husband. I dont know who was helping her run her campaign from the top, you know? she said. Sometimes that makes a difference in the advice that you get of how much time to spend where. Rep. Steve Shurtleff, a Penacook Democrat, did not support Harris in 2019; then the House speaker, Shurtleff endorsed Biden early on. Shurtleff doesnt know why Harris failed to catch on then but the same thing happened to Joe, he said, noting Bidens fifth place finish in the state. Still, Shurtleff argued that even though Harris performed poorly last time around, her time as a candidate will still be a boost this year. Its one thing to be a member of the Senate or some other body and run in a presidential primary, Shurtleff said. But when youve run a national campaign and (learned) the organization and what you need to do, I think that was an education. Wait and see It might be weeks before theres a clear picture of how Harris is performing against Trump. Many Democrats, including Harris, had been matched up against Trump in polls before Biden dropped out, but those were almost entirely treating it as a hypothetical, Galdieri said. It will probably take until after the convention, he said, to really get a sense of what this race looks like. Spiliotes said he will wait between two to four weeks before I really sink my teeth into believing anything I see. Still, Harris enters the race with some clear advantages over her former running mate. At 59, she is unburdened by the questions of age that ended the 81-year-olds campaign, and shes almost two decades younger than 78-year-old Trump. She also has proven to be a more effective communicator on abortion than Biden, who, as a lifelong Catholic, was sometimes uncomfortable talking about the issue. Will she capture the imagination of young voters? Well have to wait and see, Scala said. But all of a sudden, you know, the age question, thats no longer a wash. Now, its Republicans with the old man. Construction of Hermes, Kairos Powers 35-MWth iterative non-power demonstration molten salt nuclear reactor, has officially kicked off in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The effort marks another major step for the burgeoning advanced nuclear industry, which celebrated the groundbreaking of TerraPowers Kemmerer 1, a pioneering sodium-cooled fast reactor demonstration, in June. Site work and excavation for the Hermes demonstration commenced earlier this month at the East Tennessee Technology Park Heritage Center (ETTP) site in Oak Ridge, spearheaded by heavy civil construction firm Barnard Construction Co., Kairos, announced on July 30. When completed as anticipated in 2027, Hermes will become Kairos Powers first nuclear build. The demonstration molten salt reactor is part of the Alameda, Californiabased engineering companys notable rapid iterative development approach to developing and marketing nuclear power plant designs based on its fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR) technology. [caption id="attachment_221582" align="alignnone" width="500"] Architects rendering of the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor facility Architects rendering of the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor facility (July 2024) Courtesy: Kairos Power[/caption] From ETUs to Hermes: Testing to Pave the Way for Commercial Deployment Kairos anticipates a KP-FHR commercial reactor could become operational in the early 2030s. As POWER has reported, Kaiross KP-FHR features a graphite-moderated, randomly packed pebblebed reactor with molten fluoride salt coolant (a molten fluoride salt mixture of 2LiF:BeF2 [Flibe] enriched in Li7). The KP-FHR is designed to operate at high temperatures and nearatmospheric pressure, using tri-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) particle fuel in pebble form with a carbonaceousmatrix coated particle design. The reactor coolant, a chemically stable, low-pressure molten fluoride salt mixture, has a boiling point of 1,430C, notably lower than 1,600C, and yet functionally very high, Kairos has noted. "The fundamental concept is the combination of [TRISO] particle fuel coupled with a molten fluoride salt coolant," Peter Hastings, Kairos vice president of Regulatory Affairs and Quality, said in recent testimony filed with the NRC. "The combination of extremely hightemperaturetolerant fuel and lowpressure, singlephase, chemically stable reactor coolant removes entire classes of potential fueldamage scenarios, greatly simplifying the design and reducing the number of safety systems. The intrinsic low pressure of the reactor and associated piping, along with the fission product retention provided by the TRISO fuel, enhances safety and eliminates the need for lowleakage, pressure retaining containment structures," he explained. Additionally, the design "relies on passive decay heat removal and does not need an emergency core cooling system for decay heat removal or replacement of coolant inventory. The major plant systems are the reactor system (RS), the primary heat transport system (PHTS), and the decay heat removal system (DHRS)," he said. Story continues Kairos has so far made substantial progress on a series of Engineering Test Units (ETUs), which are non-nuclear, unenriched Flibe-wetted and isothermal integrated tests at the companys KP-Southwest research and development facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company is also already producing Flibe for the ETU program at its June 2022commissioned Molten Salt Purification Plant (MSPP) at specialty materials company Materions campus in Elmore, Ohio. On July 1, ETU 1.0 began decommissioning after six monthsmore than 2,000 hoursof pumped salt operations using 12 metric tons of Flibe. The learnings from the test unit will inform the design, construction, and operation of the Hermes reactor and future deployments, the company said. Recently, it also kicked off ETU 2.0 in Albuquerque, which will demonstrate modular construction. Work to build the final ETU iteration, ETU 3.0 has also begun under a collaboration between Barnard and Kairos, the company confirmed on Tuesday. ETU 3.0 will be built at the ETTP site in Oak Ridge, where the Hermes demonstration reactor is now under construction.The engineering test unit will generate supply chain, construction, and operational experience to inform the Hermes project, said Kairos. This iterative approach will allow lessons learned from ETU 3.0 civil construction to transfer seamlessly to the Hermes facility. [caption id="attachment_212649" align="alignnone" width="500"] Kairos Power, a privately owned nuclear engineering, design, and manufacturing company that says it is singularly focused on the commercialization of its fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR), is pursuing a pathway that addresses technical and regulatory risks. Courtesy: Kairos Kairos Power, a privately owned nuclear engineering, design, and manufacturing company that says it is singularly focused on the commercialization of its fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR), is pursuing a pathway that addresses technical and regulatory risks. Courtesy: Kairos[/caption] Hermes primary objective "will be to demonstrate Kairos Powers ability to produce affordable nuclear heat. Hermes will not produce electricity, Kairos noted. However, Hermes, a 35-MWth thermal reactor, will, like the KP-FHR, use TRISO containing high assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), configured as a pebble bed with molten fluoride salt coolant. The test reactor is intended to provide operational data to support the development of a larger version for commercial deployment. Kairos has meanwhile embarked on developing the next iteration, Hermes 2, a two-unit demonstration that will comprise two 35-MWth test reactors. Like Hermes, Hermes 2 will use TRISO-fueled pebbles in Flibe, but it will produce a combined electrical output of 20 MWe via an integrated steam-powered (Rankine Cycle) conversion system. Hermes 2, set to be deployed in Oak Ridge on the same site as the first Hermes demonstration, will further de-risk technology, construction, supply chain, and licensing for a multi-reactor plant, Kairos has said. [caption id="attachment_212650" align="alignnone" width="500"] Hermes 2 will comprise two units producing 35 MWth and low power. It is slated to be deployed in Oak Ridge on the same site as the first Hermes reactor to further de-risk technology, construction, supply chain, and licensing for a multi-reactor plant, Kairos said. Courtesy: Kairos The ETTP site will host Hermes, a 35-MWth non-power demonstration, Hermes 2 (two units producing 35 MWth and 20 MWe of power), and ETU 3.0, a test iteration designed to "generate supply chain, construction, and operational experience, Kairos said. Courtesy: Kairos Power[/caption] Permits for First Non-Water-Cooled Reactor in Decades As part of its iterative approach, Kairos has marked numerous regulatory milestones. In December 2023, the NRC granted Kairos a construction permit for its 35-MWth Hermes non-power demonstration. The NRCs approval for Hermes, notably, marked the federal regulator's first green light for the construction of a non-water-cooled reactor in more than 50 years. The NRC accepted Kairos construction permit application for Hermes 1 in November 2021. Kairos is now awaiting a separate approval for an NRC operating license before it can begin operating the Hermes demonstration to comply with the two-step 10 CFR Part 50 licensing process. In June 2023, meanwhile, the NRC formally accepted for review a construction permit application (CPA) for the next iteration, Hermes 2, the two-unit demonstration that would produce low-power electricity. The NRC last week wrapped up its final safety evaluation for Hermes 2, nearly four months ahead of schedule, and using about 60% fewer resources than expected, the regulatory body noted. Kairos is notably also pioneering a novel performance-based, fixed-price milestone funding approach to support the design, construction, and commissioning of its 35-MWth Hermes demonstration. In February 2024, the firm secured a $303 million funding agreement from the Department of Energy (DOE), where the company will receive fixed payments upon achieving significant project milestones. The strategy will be implemented under a Technology Investment Agreement (TIA) between Kairos and the DOE as part of the DOEs Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) risk reduction award. Announced in December 2020, the ARDP awards total value for the Hermes project over seven years is $629 million, with $303 million, or about 48%, coming from the DOE. A Collaborative Effort Kairos has developed Hermes as part of a substantial collaborative effort, with partners that include Hermes is a joint effort by Kairos Power and its partners, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, EPRI, and Materion Corp. In addition, Kairos Power is partnering with Los Alamos National Laboratory to produce TRISO pebble fuel for Hermes in the labs Low-Enriched Fuel Fabrication Facility. Kairos Power has also established a cooperative development agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to provide engineering, operations, and licensing support for Hermes, the company noted on Tuesday. Big milestone for advanced nuclear in the US. Congratulations Kairos Power! This is a key step on the path towards commercializing the technology. Advanced nuclear technology is what Americas clean energy future looks like. https://t.co/wbhPwDfCeR Tennessee Valley Authority (@TVAnews) July 30, 2024 The milestone is also especially notable amid considerable new enthusiasm for the future of nuclear power. As POWER has reported, the sector has celebrated solid support around the world for its potential to provide carbon-free power and heat. In June, Bellevue, Washington, headquartered TerraPower broke ground on the non-nuclear portion of Kemmerer Unit 1, a 345-MW Natrium sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) power plant, at a site about miles from PacifiCorps three-unit 604-MW coal and gasfired Naughton Power Plant. TerraPower, a Bill Gates nuclear innovation startup, and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) unveiled the Natrium design in September 2020. TerraPower submitted a construction permit application (CPA) to the NRC in March 2024 (through a wholly owned subsidiary US SFR Owner, and the NRC accepted the CPA on May 21. While the NRC is now working on establishing a review schedule for the CPA, TerraPower says it anticipates submitting the operating license in 2027, allowing it to begin construction on the nuclear island in 2026 and complete the plant this decade. Construction start of Hermes is illustrative of another rapid development journey for advanced nuclear that began less than four years ago. Kairos, founded in 2016, first announced it would deploy a test reactor at the ETTP in Oak Ridge in December 2020, pending completion of due diligence and discussions with state and local officials. The 2,200-acre ETTP site, which formerly hosted the K-33 gaseous diffusion plant site for 40 years, is now a private industrial park. TVAs 935-acre Clinch River site in Roane County, near Oak Ridge, Tennesseefor which the utility holds the nations only early site permit (ESP) from the NRCis notably located about 6 miles away. TVA last year confirmed it is preparing a construction permit application for a GE Hitachi BWRX-300 at the Clinch River site and exploring additional sites in the TVA service area for potential SMR deployments. Were thrilled to start building in the historic East Tennessee Technology Park, said Edward Blandford, Kairos Powers chief technology officer and co-founder. The City of Oak Ridge, the Department of Energy and its contractors, and the Barnard team have all been excellent partners in helping us repurpose this brownfield site. Barnards strong track record and people-centered culture are a great match for Kairos Power, and we look forward to working together over the long term to realize the future of clean nuclear energy, he said. Sonal Patel is a POWER senior editor (@sonalcpatel, @POWERmagazine). (Bloomberg) -- Kamala Harris and her yet-to-be-named running mate will launch a tour of seven battleground states next week, looking to seize upon momentum against Republican Donald Trump in the US election. Most Read from Bloomberg Harris is expected to pick a vice presidential candidate in the coming days. Her shortlist is said to include Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, though the process remains fluid. Harris will conduct interviews this week, according to a person familiar with the matter. She and her pick will visit Philadelphia; an unnamed community in western Wisconsin; Detroit; Raleigh, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Phoenix and Las Vegas, a campaign official said Tuesday. All the stops are located in states considered battlegrounds by the Harris campaign. Harris leads Trump by one percentage point a statistical tie across the swing states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada, a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll released Tuesday showed. The survey was taken after President Joe Bidens exit from the 2024 race. The chairs of the Democratic National Committee and Democratic National Convention Committee announced Tuesday that Harris was the only candidate to qualify for the partys primary ballot. Virtual voting will run from Aug. 1 to Aug. 5 to formally crown Harris as the nominee before the party convention later in the month. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Vice President Harris leads former President Trump by four points in New Hampshire, according to a poll published Wednesday, marking the latest sign of good news for Harris since she became the likely Democratic presidential nominee. The Emerson College polling/WHDH survey of New Hampshire voters found 50 percent said they support Harris, while 46 percent picked the former president. Four percent of voters were undecided, though when asked which candidate they lean more towards, Harriss support ticked up to 52 percent and Trump to 48 percent, pollsters said. When third party presidential candidates were mixed in, Harris led Trump by a wider margin of 7 points, 48 to 41 percent, while six percent chose independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and 1 percent picked Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein. The finding marks a shift from the slight lead Trump held over President Biden in the Granite State earlier this month following the presidents poor debate performance. Biden won New Hampshire in 2020, while Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton took the state in 2016. Amid mounting pressure from some Democrats to withdraw from the race in the wake of his poor debate showing and declining poll numbers, Biden announced last week he would not seek reelection and endorsed Harris to run as his successor. Harriss entrance and Bidens exit quickly changed the nature of the race, with several polls showing a tighter race between the vice president and Trump. Wednesdays poll also showed Harris fared better against Trump than Biden did last year, months before the debate performance. Harris has improved upon Bidens November 2023 polling performance against Trump by three points, 47 percent to 50 percent, and Trumps support similarly increased by four, 42 percent to 46 percent, Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said in a release. On the ballot with independent candidates, Harris outperforms Biden more significantly: Biden led Trump by three in November, 40 percent to 37 percent, now Harris leads by seven, 48 percent to 41 percent, Kimball added. Kimball pointed to an increase in youth support for Harris, when compared to Bidens previous numbers. Harris has a 17-point lead among voters under 30 with independent candidates on the ballot, compared to Biden, who led by four among the group last November. More than half, 53 percent, of Granite State voters said they disapprove of the job Biden is doing in office, while 39 percent approved. The race between Harris and Trump remains tight on a national level, with a polling index by Decision Desk HQ and The Hill showing Trump with a 1.7 percent lead over Harris as of Wednesday. The Emerson College polling/WHDH survey was conducted July 26-28 among 1,000 registered voters in New Hampshire. The polls credibility, similar to a polls margin of error, for the sample is plus or minus 3 percentage points in 19 of 20 cases in each state, while the credibility interval for the 433 Democratic primary voters and 421 Republican primary voters are each plus or minus 4.7 percentage points. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Kamala Harris will be the only candidate on the Democratic National Committees virtual roll call ballot for president, cementing her status as the partys all-but-certain nominee. Convention delegates will begin voting on Harris nomination on Thursday and finish by Aug. 5, according to a statement released by the DNC Tuesday night. The vice president secured support from 3,923 delegates to appear on the virtual ballot. Harris expected nomination next week marks the end of a dramatic and condensed process that immediately elevated the vice president after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race on July 21. Less than 10 days later, Harris has cleared the field, and her name will be the only one placed in nomination. Three other candidates filed with the DNC, but they failed to collect 300 delegate signatures necessary to gain access to the virtual ballot. Harris, Bidens chosen successor, benefited from the compressed timeline. Within 24 hours of announcing her own run, a cascade of Democratic officials, donors and activists backed her candidacy, and no serious candidates challenged her bid. The DNCs push for a virtual roll call aimed at avoiding a Republican-backed legal challenge for ballot access in Ohio also helped speed up the process. Automatic delegates traditionally referred to as superdelegates will vote on the first ballot, since Harris has the verified support of a number of pledged delegates equal to or greater than a majority of all pledged and automatic delegates, the statement said. Democratic delegates from across the nation made their voices heard, overwhelmingly backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Partys presumptive nominee, DNC chair Jaime Harrison and DNCs convention chair Minyon Moore said in a joint statement. Our party has met this unprecedented moment with a transparent, democratic and orderly process to unite behind a nominee with a proven record who will lead us in the fight ahead. Former President Trump during an interview session at the National Assn. of Black Journalists convention on Wednesday in Chicago. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Former President Trump made baseless assertions about Vice President Kamala Harris racial identity during a combative interview at a Black journalism conference Wednesday, while polls showed his opponent had notched significant gains in battleground states. Trumps question-and-answer session with three reporters at the annual convention of the National Assn. of Black Journalists grew heated from the start, when Rachel Scott, senior congressional correspondent for ABC News, rattled off a series of Trumps inflammatory comments including that former President Obama was not born in the U.S. and asked why Black voters should trust him. He responded by lambasting Scott for a "disgraceful" start, adding, "I came here in good spirit. I love the Black population of this country." When Scott asked him about other Republican politicians' comments that Harris was a "DEI hire," Trump asked for her definition of DEI. He challenged her response that the acronym means "diversity, equity and inclusion," before saying of Harris, "She was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn, she became a Black person." Harris, a Black and Asian American woman of Jamaican and Indian descent, was invited to speak at the convention but her campaign declined due to a scheduling conflict, according to NABJ. The association said it was planning a separate conversation with the vice president in September. During the interview with Black journalists, Trump repeated his assertion that "I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln." (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) "Today's tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trump's MAGA rallies this entire campaign," Harris campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler said Wednesday. When pressed by the ABC reporter to say why Black voters should trust him, Trump said he had already answered the question and added: I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln. Read more: How race helped shape the politics of Senate candidate Kamala Harris Throughout the panel, Trump complained that the interview started more than an hour late and that the sound system was not working properly. In a turn from his typically friendly rally crowds, Trump faced a roomful of Black journalists, who at turns laughed, gasped or jeered at his responses. One attendee walked out as he questioned Harris racial identify and another screamed, Sir, have you no shame? The audience booed as he exited the stage. "You have to really take your hat off to former President Trump for accepting the invitation to come but, outside of that, it was just a real train wreck," said Charles Ward, a journalism professor at Morehouse College who attended the session. "Members really thought it wouldve been an opportunity to articulate something other than what weve heard on the campaign trail, and that was the same thing today even though there were questions asked directly of him about his intentions with the Black community and we never got a full answer on that. Journalist Roland Martin listens to the Trump interview. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) The Trump campaign cast his performance as tenacity in the face of a hostile crowd. "President Trump flew to Chicago, took tough question after tough question from the press, and crushed it. Kamala didnt have the guts to show up," wrote Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley on social media. Others watching were put off by Trump's meandering and at-times abrasive responses. Hope Moses, 22, a Milwaukee native and graduate student at Northwestern University, said it was important for her to be in the room to bear witness as a student reporter and a young Black voter. Moses said she felt Trump had gone "a little bit off track." It disturbed her to hear the former president acknowledge he did not know the details of the shooting of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman shot to death in her home this month by an Illinois sheriff's deputy. I dont even remember him offering his sympathies and really connecting with the audience and understanding that each of us couldve been her," Moses said. "Most people in the audience can agree that this was entertaining but wasnt necessarily informative." Trump's appearance elicited controversy before he even arrived, as many journalists condemned the organization's decision to invite the former president. Karen Attiah, a columnist and global opinions editor with the Washington Post, announced Tuesday she was stepping down as co-chair of the convention. While my decision was influenced by a variety of factors, I was not involved or consulted with in any way with the decision to platform Trump in such a format, Attiah said in a social media post. Immediately following the interview, Trump posted on his Truth Social account: "ABC FAKE NEWS, ONE OF THE WORST IN AMERICA!" Todays biased and rude treatment from certain hostile members of the media will backfire massively, Trump senior advisor Lynne Patton said in a statement. You would think that the media would have learned something from their repeat episodes of fake outrage ever since President Trump first came down the escalator in 2015, but some just refuse to get it. This will be their undoing in 2024." Read more: Column: Why Latinos are missing from the Kamala Harris vice president sweepstakes The Chicago event came as Harris continues to ride the wave of momentum that has propelled her for the last 10 days since President Biden stepped aside as the likely Democratic nominee for president. A groundswell of groups quickly coalesced to organize almost nightly online calls to recruit volunteers and raise millions of dollars for her campaign. Polls are beginning to show her impact. A Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll, released Tuesday, shows Trump is still ahead by 4 points with registered voters in Pennsylvania and 2 points in North Carolina. But support for Harris is climbing in other crucial swing states most notably in Michigan, where she leads by 11 points. In Arizona, Wisconsin and Nevada, she leads by 2 points. The poll showed the two candidates tied in Georgia. Tuesday's poll marks a contrast to an April survey from Bloomberg News/Morning Consult, which showed Biden trailing Trump in every state except Michigan, where Biden led by 2 points. Trump's appearance at the NABJ convention came as new polls show a boost for Kamala Harris since she entered the race. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) According to an Associated Press-NORC poll released Wednesday, the overwhelming majority of Democrats support Harris as the party's new leading candidate, even if many aren't entirely convinced of her ability to beat Trump. It found that about 80% of Democrats agree she would make a good president, with almost as many saying they'd be satisfied with her as the nominee. But only 71% of Democrats believe Harris is likely to win the election, compared with 88% of Republicans who believe the same of Trump. Harris is expected to name her running mate soon. Speculation focused on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro after her campaign announced that she and "her future running mate" would campaign together next week, starting in Philadelphia. Seen as a top contender for the role, Shapiro could help Harris secure needed support in the battleground state. Moore and Jennings reported from Chicago, Rainey and Pinho from Los Angeles. 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. More than 200 venture capitalists, startup founders and tech leaders pledged on Wednesday to support Vice President Kamala Harris run for the presidency. Signatories include venture capitalists Mark Cuban, Vinod Khosla and Ron Conway, LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman (who has already donated $7 million to the Harris campaign), and many other tech leaders in a list that lengthened during the day. A spokesperson for the group said it was started by Leslie Feinzaig, founder and CEO of Seattle-based investment firm Graham & Walker. In a letter published on a new VCs for Kamala website, organizers wrote that strong, trustworthy institutions are a feature, not a bug, and that our industry and every other industry would collapse without them. That is whats at stake in this election. Vibe shift: The emergence of a substantial group of pro-Harris tech luminaries is the latest sign that Silicon Valley is turning out for Democrats after some tech leaders, led by Elon Musk and venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, began donating to and voicing support for the candidacy of former President Donald Trump. Tech investor David Sacks spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this month. And Republican senator and vice presidential candidate JD Vance (Ohio) was reportedly picked by Trump at the urging of Musk, Sacks and others. But those voices were a minority in Silicon Valley even before President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection campaign earlier this month. Tech executive and major Democratic bundler Steve Spinner said the group commitment was intended to push back to the narrative that Silicon Valley is now split as prominent figures like Musk pledged their fealty and financial support to Trump. Spinner argued Trump supporters remain outliers in the tech industry. Its still very, very much Democratic country out here, and now its Harris country, Spinner said. Just because there are a couple of big name big ego investors that are for Trump they do not speak for the broader tech community and the broader VC community out here. For every one person whos backing Trump, theres 20 who are backing Kamala. But lets be real: The tech industry is still in political flux. Wednesdays turnout of VC support for Harris was offset by another public move of a tech executive in Trump's direction: David Marcus, CEO of Lightspark payment company and former Paypal president, said he would pivot to supporting Republicans after formerly raising money for Democrats. In post on X, Marcus faulted the hubris of Democratic leadership and warned the party was in thrall to an increasingly leftist ideology. The VCs for Kamala pledge to vote for Harris means very little, particularly since many signatories reside in deep-blue California or other non-competitive states. While the website includes a link where visitors can give money to Harris for President, tech leaders can sign the pledge without committing to any level of donations. That suggests some in Silicon Valley are still hedging their bets or at the very least, guarding their wallets until they receive more information about Harris positions on tech policy. The vice president began her political career in San Francisco, but remains a virtual blank slate on a wide range of issues important to the tech sector, from tax policy and immigration policy to her views on antitrust enforcement. Last week Aaron Levie, CEO of content management software firm Box, told POLITICO he and a dozen-plus tech executives are waiting to see details of Harris tech plans before giving money to her campaign. While Levie has been increasingly outspoken in favor of her candidacy, largely through posts on X and reached after publication on Wednesday, he said he is absolutely supporting Kamala" and did not sign the new pro-Harris pledge because this was about VCs. This story has been updated to reflect that Leslie Feinzaig launched the VCs for Kamala initiative. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misstated the name of one of the tech leaders supporting Donald Trump. (Bloomberg) -- Arm Holdings Plc shares tumbled on Thursday after the chip company held off on boosting its annual forecast, raising concerns that its not confident in future growth prospects. Most Read from Bloomberg Though Arm handily beat analysts estimates when it reported its quarterly results on Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer Rene Haas said the company is seeing weakness in certain markets. That led Arm to maintain its current outlook for the year. The shares sank 11.7% at 10:02 a.m. in New York on Thursday. The stock had gained 92% this year before the plunge. Arm is still finding its footing as a public company following a highly anticipated stock sale last year. Investors see the Cambridge, England-based company as a key beneficiary of the artificial intelligence spending boom, though it hasnt yet achieved the kind of sales growth enjoyed by companies like Nvidia Corp. or Broadcom Inc. Arm has a unique role in the chip industry. Its designs and standards are fundamental to semiconductors that run most of the worlds smartphones. And Haas is trying to extend that reach into the lucrative market for data center gear, helping Arm tap more of the spending devoted to AI systems. Revenue rose 39% to $939 million in the fiscal first quarter, which ran through June, Arm said. That was well ahead of the $905.4 million analysts had projected. But the company maintained its sales prediction for the full year of roughly $3.95 billion, just shy of the $4 billion average estimate. Earnings were 40 cents a share in the first quarter, excluding some items. That compares with average estimate of 34 cents. The company projects sales of $780 million to $830 million for the current quarter in line with analysts estimates. The annual forecast ranges from $3.8 billion to $4.1 billion. Weakness in other markets that Arms technology is sold into is offsetting the strength in data centers and high-end smartphones, Haas said in an interview. Companies such as STMicroelectronics NV and NXP Semiconductors NV have given disappointing projections this earnings season, citing inventory gluts in some markets, including in the industrial and auto markets. Arm has previously said it can post a revenue growth rate of at least 20% in fiscal 2026 and 2027, an attempt to show confidence in the companys long-term prospects. Story continues Arm licenses the fundamental set of instructions that software uses to communicate with chips. It also provides so-called design blocks that companies such as Qualcomm Inc. use to build their products. The company has been moving toward providing more complete layouts that can be taken directly to the manufacturing stage. That shift makes it more of a competitor for customers like Qualcomm, as well as helping further its push into the data center. Arm is still 90%-owned by Japans SoftBank Group Corp. The initial public offering in 2023 raised $4.9 billion, marking the biggest debut on a US exchange that year. Arm said that its licensing business grew 72% from a year earlier to $472 million, helped by multiple high-value agreements that demonstrate long-term commitments to use its technology. Royalty revenue was up 17% at $467 million, reflecting a shift to types of chips that carry a higher rate. There was also strong growth in high-end smartphones, it said. Arm licensees pay for access to its blueprints in fixed agreements and then pay royalties based on how many and what type of chips they ultimately make, use or sell. (Updates share price in third paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. If Donald Trump wants to make illegal immigration a campaign issue, Vice President Kamala Harris is more than happy to have that fight. Harris opened her appearance before a crowd of 10,000 in Atlanta on Tuesday by taking aim at Trumps record criminal and otherwise and calling out the ex-president for killing the bipartisan immigration bill that was crafted by one of the nations most conservative senators earlier this year. The Vice President took the stage after Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion whipped up the crowd, performing four songs: Girls in the Hood, Mamushi, Body, and Savage as she exhorted a vote for Harris. Before she began Body, she told them Harris would protect their reproductive rights. Now I know my ladies in the crowd love their bodies and if you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for, she said. She also called Harris our future president and told the crowd they were about to make history with the first female president the first black female president. Lets get this done, honey, she added. Once on the stage herself, Harris took direct aim at Trump, drawing a stark contrast between the pair. She told rallygoers that a a prosecutor she had taken on perpetrators of all kinds, including predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, and cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say I know Donald Trumps type I know the type, and I have been dealing with people like him my entire career, she said, leading the crowd to respond with chants of lock him up, referring to the ex-presidents 34 felony convictions; Harris also said she would proudly compare her record against Trumps any day of the week, including on the subject of immigration, citing her work as the attorney general of California, which shares a border with Mexico. Vice President Kamala Harris waves during a campaign rally, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Atlanta (AP) I walked underground tunnels between the United States and Mexico on that border with law enforcement officers. I went after transnational gangs, drug cartels and human traffickers that came into our country illegally. I prosecuted them in case after case, and I won, she said. By contrast, Harris said Trump has been talking a big game about securing our border but does not walk the walk. Our administration worked on the most significant border security bill in decades. Some of the most conservative Republicans in Washington, DC supported the bill, even the Border Patrol endorsed it, she said as she recalled how the bill had been all set to pass before Trump directed his allies in the Senate to vote it down. He tanked, tanked the bipartisan deal because he thought it would help him win an election, she said, adding that she would push a Democratic congress to enact the same bill to law when she is in the White House as president. In response, the crowd roared with approval. The vice presidents appearance at the raucous Atlanta rally demonstrated the massive shift in culture and enthusiasm that has swept through the Democratic Party in the nine days since President Biden shocked the world by announcing that he would become the first American president to stand down from seeking a second term since Lyndon Johnson did so amid the upheaval from the Vietnam War in 1968. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visits Paschals, a historic Black-owned restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., July 30, 2024. (via REUTERS) Bidens campaign appearances were usually daytime affairs hosted by labor unions or other Democratic-leaning groups, or nighttime fundraisers with audiences limited to smaller groups of donors and video footage tightly controlled by his campaign apparatus. But since becoming the partys de facto nominee last week, Harris has returned to the packed rallies that characterized Democratic campaigns before the Covid-19 pandemic upended the 2020 election cycle, with star-studded guest lists reminiscent of Barack Obamas first campaign for the presidency in 2008. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) gestures at a presidential election campaign event for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. July 30, 2024 (REUTERS) By the time she took the stage at the Georgia State Convocation Center, the stands had been packed to the rafters. They were warmed up by Peach State Democratic mainstays, including former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and Georgias two Democratic senators, Jon Ossoff and Rev Raphael Warnock. After Thee Stallion performed to cheers from rallygoers, Atlanta-area rapper Quavo praised Harris for her work on addressing gun violence, calling the vice president someone who always stands on business. But the cheers both musicians received paled in comparison to the ovation Harris got when she took the stage to Beyonces Freedom and launched into her remarks. In what has become a standard part of her stump speech, she warned that Trump wants to implement a Project 2025 agenda that would cut Social Security and Medicare, as well as give tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations and gut the Affordable Care Act. America has tried these failed policies before, and we are not going back., she said. Were not going back, because ours is a fight for the future, and it is a fight for freedom. Across our nation, we are witnessing a full-on assault on hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and rights, the freedom to vote, the freedom to be safe from gun violence, the freedom to live without fear of bigotry and hate, the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride, the freedom to learn and acknowledge our true and full history. And the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do, she said. But Harris also challenged Trump on his recent decision to waffle on whether to debate her at the September 10 presidential debate set to air on ABC. She said Trumps decision was because the momentum in this race is shifting and called the move a sign that Donald Trump is feeling it. Heres the funny thing about that. So he wont debate, but he and his running mate sure seem to have a lot to say about me, she added, drawing laughs when she asked if the crowd finds her opponents just plain weird. Speaking to Trump directly, Harris challenged him to show up and confront her. Donald, I do hope youll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage, because as the saying goes: If you got something to say, you should say it to my face. Top Democrats announced Tuesday that Vice President Harris was the only candidate to earn enough delegates to qualify for the virtual roll call to nominate their official presidential candidate, a process that will kick off Thursday. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison and Democratic National Convention Chair Minyon Moore announced Harris had earned 3,923 delegates and would be the only candidate to be considered. The virtual roll call will begin on Thursday morning and wrap up on Monday. Democratic delegates from across the nation made their voices heard, overwhelmingly backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Partys presumptive nominee, the two said in a joint statement. As we prepare to open the voting on our virtual roll call, we move to this final stage of our nomination process with unprecedented momentum and unity across our party. We look forward to celebrating together with all of our delegates in Chicago, where we will show up in full force as a strong, united Party laser-focused on defeating Donald Trump and JD Vance in November, they added. The committee planned to hold a virtual roll call Thursday if only one candidate qualified for the nomination, with the deadline to qualify which requires 300 delegates to sign a petition of support with no more than 50 delegates from any one state by 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Harris quickly gained support from well more than the 1,976 delegates needed to win the nomination since she announced her intent to seek the nomination just after President Biden dropped out of the race July 21. The vice president, if she wins the virtual roll call, will be the official nominee weeks before the Democratic National Convention begins Aug. 19 in Chicago. She is expected to name her running mate by Aug. 7. Harris earlier Tuesday said she hasnt yet chosen her running mate for the 2024 ticket, but her and her running mate pick are set to travel to battleground states next week, her campaign announced. The decision to hold a virtual roll call vote ahead of the convention stems from plans initially made to ensure Biden appeared on the ballot in Ohio, which had a deadline to certify the partys presidential nominee before the convention. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) has since extended the key deadline in his state. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch Happy Wednesday! Were all for combating this countrys loneliness problem. But color us skeptical that this artificial intelligence friend you wear around your neck and is always listening is the way to do it. Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories Harris Rides Wave of Democratic Enthusiasm Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign event at the Georgia State Convocation Center in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 30, 2024. (Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images) AMBLER, PennsylvaniaConcerned. Worried. Sad. Frustrated. Mildly depressed. Thats how Democratic supporters at a rally in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, on Monday described their feelings about the election with President Joe Biden at the top of the ticket. But then he withdrew from the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who quickly coalesced Democratic support for the nomination in a matter of hours. That changed everything for the voters in attendance on Monday. It really changed my total attitude, Norma Villanueva told TMD. The 84-year-old former emergency room physician said she wasnt planning to attend any Biden rallies, but the switch at the top of the ticket gave her a whole lot of energy. Michelle Kearns, a real estate agent who recently moved to the area from Pittsburgh, explained that she was concerned about Bidens chances but is definitely more optimistic with Harris. I think were on pace now, she said. More than 1,000 supporters crowded into the Wissahickon High School gymnasium on Monday afternoon to hear Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro make the case for a Harris presidencyand at least for Shapiro, continue to audition to be the vice presidents running mate. Theres a lot of enthusiasm, Joe Jennings, a rally attendee and Republican voter until the 2016 election, told TMD. I just wanted to be a part of it. I was very worried, he added. Now, Im very excited. Harris is no doubt looking to take advantage of the surge in Democratic enthusiasm that has begun to register in some early polling gains. But as she hunts for a running mate who ticks all the right boxes, it remains to be seen whether the campaign can turn the boost into sustainable momentum sufficient to stave off former President Donald Trumps desired return to the White House. The Harris campaign is currently knee-deep in a lightning-fast vetting process for its vice presidential picka process that typically takes months but will be compacted into just a few days since the campaign has to select a candidate by August 7, when Democratic delegates will complete a virtual roll call vote on the nominee ahead of their August 19 national convention. While vice presidential picks typically dont alter the outcome of a race, campaigns look for running mates that can balance the ticket and help shore up a principals potential weaknesses. The shortlist of contenders has largely fit that bill in one form or another. Shapiro, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz all appear to be under consideration. Walz, in particular, has emerged as a potential dark horse candidate, viewed as able to appeal to voters in Rust Belt swing states. The vice president said Tuesday that she hasnt settled on a running mate yet, but the campaign is reportedly planning to hold a rally in Philadelphia next Tuesday where she will announce her running mate and kick off a battleground state campaign tour. There was plenty of speculation last night about the Philadelphia event portending well for Shapiros chances, but a campaign aide told Politico not to read too much into the first destination in the whirlwind tour. The veep speculation is naturally overshadowing significant behind-the-scenes changes as the Biden campaign became Harris show. Today marks just the eleventh day of the burgeoning Harris presidential campaign, and the operation is still getting up to speed. She has inherited Bidens campaign infrastructure, keeping campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon on, but has yet to make any senior-level hires of her ownthough Axios reported Tuesday that the campaign is preparing to bring on Brian Nelson, a Treasury Department under-secretary who worked with Harris when she was Californias attorney general. The campaign also plans to hire hundreds of new staffers in battleground states over the next few weeks. The fundraising and ad operations appear to have transitioned relatively seamlessly. The Harris campaign said it raised $200 million in the first week after Biden dropped out, two-thirds of which came from first-time donors this cycle. On Tuesday, Harris launched a $50 million TV ad campaign leading up to the convention next month that followed a potentially record-setting $28.6 million in digital ad spends over the last week. Harris campaign launch video centered on the theme of freedomand is set to Beyonces Freedomwhich represents a marked update to the Biden campaigns previous framing of the election as being about Trumps threat to democracy. The campaigns first TV ad portrays Harris as a fighter able to protect what it describes as the Biden administrations policy wins, particularly on health care, and features one of the contenders for an unofficial campaign slogan: Were not going back. Despite being run by the same people, the campaigns communications strategy has also taken on a jauntierand dare we say, youngertone, embracing online meme culture and trying out new angles of attack that Biden seemed unable to execute. The latest line is labeling Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, as just plain weird. Likewise, at rallies in Wisconsin last week and Atlanta last night, Harris seemed to enjoy mocking her opponent as she sketched the outline of what is quickly becoming her stump speech. In Milwaukee, Harris leaned on her background as a prosecutor. I know Donald Trumps type, she said. She also painted a contrast in potential futures for the country: This campaign is also about two different visions for our nation: one where we are focused on the future, the other focused on the past, she argued, asking her supporters, Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion, and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear, and hate? She repeated some of those same lines at a raucous rally in Atlanta last night, where our own Mike Warren was on the scene to witness the energy as the crowd was treated to warm-up performances by rappers Quavo and Megan Thee Stallion. Whether its related to Harris pitch in particular or general excitement about the change at the top of the ticket, Democrats have seen a polling bump in recent days. Biden was trailing Trump by several points nationally when he dropped out, but the race between Harris and Trump now seems to be in a dead heat: Though his model still gives Trump a significant edge in the Electoral College, polling guru Nate Silvers national polling average currently has the race at 44.5 percent for Trump and 44.1 percent for Harris. Our own Chris Stirewalts Statshot from Saturday () showed an even closer marginTrump, 42.2 percent, Harris, 42. The vice president has also seen her favorability rating improve, with an ABC News/Ipsos poll released Sunday showing 43 percent of respondents viewed her favorably, up from 35 percent in a similar poll conducted just one week earlier. Even more crucially, some surveys now show Harris arresting Trumps lead in several of the seven battleground states that will likely decide the winner in November. According to a Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll published Tuesday, Harris leads Trump by 2 points in Nevada, Arizona, and Wisconsinall within the margin of errorand a whopping 11 points in Michigan. The two candidates were tied in Georgia, and Trump led by 4 points in the must-win state of Pennsylvania and by 2 points in North Carolina. Though the Trump campaign seemed at first to be caught flat-footed trying to retrofit a strategy that was designed to beat Biden, its now beginning to hit Harris on immigrationone of her issue areas as vice president. A Trump ad released Tuesday portrayed the vice president as a dangerously liberal candidate responsible for the large numbers of migrants crossing the southern and the flow of fentanyl into the country, contributing to hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths. In return, the Harris campaign released a spot trying to flip the script on the border, knocking Trump on his opposition to the bipartisan border security package that floundered earlier this year after Senate Republicans pulled their support at Trumps urging. As president, I will bring back the border security bill that Donald Trump killed, Harris told supporters at a rally in Atlanta last night. I will sign it into law, and show Donald Trump what real leadership looks like. Still, the vice presidents 2020 presidential bid and her record as a senator from California could provide plenty of fodder for Republican attacks, which will likely focus on her previous support for banning fracking, a mandatory buyback program for certain types of guns, and Medicare for Allall positions the Harris campaign has walked back in recent days. David McCormick, the Republican Senate candidate in Pennsylvania, released an ad earlier this week that aired clips of Harris espousing progressive positions. We will run out of time before we run out of video clips of Kamala Harris saying wacky California liberal things, said Brad Todd, a Republican strategist and ad maker who is working with McCormicks campaign. Harris will likely be on the hunt for a VP candidate who can ably rebut those attacksor at least reassure voters theres a moderate in the car with her. Unsurprisingly, Shapirowho boasts a 64 percent job approval ratingwas a favorite among the hometown crowd at the Monday rally, delivering one applause line after another in his remarks. Some of our Republican friends really know that Shapiro has done a great job, Jane Curtis, a retired teacher, told TMD. I think hell bring more moderate people to the ticket. Kearns, the real estate agent, is excited about the bench of contenders. I dont think we can go wrong, she said. But coming out of here today, I feel like Id like to see Shapiro on the ticket. Venezuelans Protest Maduros Power Grab Supporters gather in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 30, 2024, to listen to opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez during a protest against the result of the Venezuelan presidential election. (Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images) In the days since Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro declared an unlikely victory in Sundays presidential election contest, Venezuelans have taken to the streets, descending on the capital city of Caracas, some carrying the long pieces of paper they say will prove Maduro stole the election: the voting records. Sixteen people have been killed in clashes between law enforcement and protesters. Days after the vote, the countrys citizens are seeing little clarity and much consternation at home and abroad about the outcome. Maduro, who is seeking a third, six-year term after more than a decade leading the socialist government, declared victory, with the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council announcing he won 51 percent of the vote against the opposition candidate, former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez. That figure starkly contradicts exit polling conducted by U.S.-based Edison Research that had Gonzalez winning 65 percent of the vote to Maduros 31 percent. The opposition has pointed to data gathered by their representatives at 40 percent of the countrys ballot boxes to claim that Gonzalez is the rightful and overwhelming victor. Outside observers are pressing the National Electoral Council for vote tallies from individual precincts to verify the election results, but many had long expected Maduro to fraudulently declare himself the victor no matter the results. They are not even going to bother changing the ballots. They will just announce a different number, a different result, said Daniel Di Martino, a Venezuelan living in exile in the United States who founded the Dissident Project, connecting speakers who fled autocratic regimes with high U.S. high schools. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. has serious concerns that the official result is inaccurate, echoing the sentiments of many other Latin American leaders, including Argentinas Javier Milei, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, and Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, who announced his country was severing diplomatic relations with Venezuela in the aftermath of the election. Meanwhile, Venezuelas friendly neighborhood leftist regimes in Cuba and Nicaraguaas well as autocrats further afield in Russia and Chinahave all recognized Maduro as the victor. Maduro and his lackeys had laid the groundwork for a disputed outcome even before voting began; the Venezuelan leader has experience with rigging elections. Banning opposition candidates, intimidating voters at the polls, and censoring the media are all typical features of democracy under chavismothe brand of socialism associated with Hugo Chavez and his successor, Maduroand were a factor once again on Sunday. In January, for example, Venezuelas Maduro-controlled high court barred Maria Corina Machadowho won more than 90 percent of the vote in the opposition primaryfrom standing in Sundays general election. Still, Machado continues to be a powerful voice, throwing her full support behind Gonzalez, who replaced her on the ballot, and rallying her supporters to vote for him. There were, however, few outside observers to check Maduros anti-democratic efforts. Venezuela revoked an EU missions ability to supervise the election, while Brazil declined to send observers north to Venezuela in the wake of disparaging comments Maduro made about Brazils previous election. Observers from the U.S.-based Carter Center were present in Venezuela, but only in a limited capacity. In spite of the threats and the fraud, millions of Venezuelans showed up to their polling places to cast their ballots, a sharp departure from the historically low turnout of the last general election. But for Venezuelans living abroad, millions of whom have fled the country during Maduros 11 years as president, onerous regulations prevent them from exercising their voting rights. More than 7.5 million Venezuelansabout 20 percent of the countrys populationlive outside of the country, with an estimated 2,000 Venezuelans joining this growing diaspora every day. When they are allowed to participate, they can be a hugely influential force in the countrys politics. In this years primary elections, Venezuelan expatriates had a turnout almost three times higher than the national average. But in the interim between the primary and general elections, the Maduro-controlled electoral council instituted policies ensuring that Venezuelans abroad were no longer able to have a real voice in the countrys future. The council built a wall of bureaucracy to exclude Venezuelans in Colombia, where more than a million Venezuelans reside, as well as in the U.S. and Canada, neither of which have a Venezuelan consulate or embassy. In countries that did have a consulate or embassy where Venezuelans could go to vote, the Maduro regime made it almost impossible for expats to register, functionally disenfranchising almost all of the Venezuelans abroad. Gonzalez and his allies made the diaspora a central feature of the campaign. One of the oppositions most powerful messages was the family reunification, Henry Ziemer, a research associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told TMD. They did some really moving advertisements on social media and on television showing the desire to come back among Venezuelans and how many families had been split because of the overlapping humanitarian, economic, security crises that are affecting Venezuela. Millions more Venezuelans will likely attempt to leave the country in light of Maduros victory this weekend. According to the latest polls from the country, between 13 and 41 percent of Venezuelans say they would leave the country if Maduro stayed in power. Were talking about huge numbers of people going to start leaving the country beginning next week, Di Martino told TMD. How many people have starved? How many people have not been able to get treatment for cancer? Been malnourished? The United Nations estimated there are 7 million malnourished people inside Venezuela. The threat of a new wave of migration has shaped responses to the weekends election result. Much of what happens next will hinge on the response to Maduros efforts to hold onto power by the U.S. and regional governments. Panama has come down very harshly against Maduro, Ziemer told TMD. Panama is facing sort of the brunt of this new wave of migration through the Darien Gap, where previously a lot of Venezuelan migration was diffused throughout South America. Governments are stretched to a breaking point in many cases, and another wave of migration is not in the best interests of any of the regional governments to try and handle. The United States, which has seen hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans cross its border with Mexico in recent years, has multiple avenues for putting pressure on the Maduro regime. For his part, Ziemer is hopeful American officials will keep hammering home this narrative that we see of massive fraud. Indeed, some U.S. officials may feel misled by the Maduro governments promises of a year ago. In October 2023, the Biden administration, along with the EU, agreed to ease sanctions on Venezuela in exchange for Maduro facilitating a free and fair election. While the Biden administration had once again tightened sanctions following the high courts April decision to bar Machado from running, Republicans have called on the Biden administration to fully reinstate those sanctions and more following Sundays results. The United States stands on the side of the democratic aspirations of the Venezuela people, National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement on Tuesday. Ultimately, time will tell if these are empty words or a sign that Biden will begin to lead on the issue. They own it, Carlos Trujillo, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States, told Politico, referring to the Biden administration. We cant wait for Colombia and Brazil to dictate our foreign policy. Worth Your Time How is the U.S. national debt looking? Just scroll through this shocking graph in Reason magazine for the answer. Paradoxically, the faster government debt escalates toward an inevitable debt crisis, the less politicians and voters seem to care, Brian Riedl wrote. In the 1980s and 1990s, more modest deficits dominated economic policy debates and prompted six major deficit reduction deals that balanced the budget from 1998 through 2001. That era is long gone. In the past eight years, President Donald Trump and then Biden enacted $12 trillion in deficit-expanding legislation even as Social Security and Medicare shortfalls drove baseline deficits higher. In the 1980s and 90s, lawmakers could tweak their way to deficit reduction. Nearly half of federal spending was discretionary, and the Cold War victory brought vast military savings that minimized the need for austerity elsewhere. The political payoff of a balanced budget was worth these modest reforms. Todays deficits of $2 trillionheaded toward $3 trillion or even $4 trillioncannot be tweaked away. Balancing the budget is virtually impossible, and even stabilizing the long-term debt at todays 100 percent of GDP requires wildly unpopular changes to Social Security and Medicare (and will likely take broad-based taxes). Other reforms are necessary but far from sufficient. Presented Without Comment New York Times: Lara Trump Compares Harris to a Fashion Designers Faux Trash Bag It reminds me ofthere was this bag that a very famous designer designedthis was several years ago, she said. And it literally was a trash bag, but they sold this thing for like $2,000, thinking that people would actually buy it. Its a similar situation with Kamala Harris. Also Presented Without Comment Fox News: Project 2025 Leader Steps Down Amid Criticism From Trump In the (Olympic) Zeitgeist Watch the last two minutes of the U.S. womens rugby sevens bronze medal match against Australia and revel in that extra hardware in todays medal counter: Chart via Joe Schueller. Toeing the Company Line Whos the most intimidating member of The Dispatch staff? What was the defining news event of the interns lifetime? What is it like being an intern at The Dispatch? Interns Leah, Cole, Grant, Max, and Aayush joined Michael and Wendy to discuss all that and more on Dispatch Live (). Members who missed the conversation can catch a reruneither video or audio-onlyby clicking here. In the newsletters: Nick dove into () Harris recent flip-flopping on a number of key issues. On the podcasts: Jonah is joined on The Remnant by Will Inboden, the director of the Alexander Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education at the University of Florida, to discuss higher education reform and foreign policy. On the site: Keith Whittington wonders where the principle of judicial independence factors into Bidens proposed court reforms, Kevin argues debanking is a tax on dissent and a bad precedent, and Jonah marvels at Trumps ability to make even good ideas unpopular. Let Us Know Do you think the early enthusiasm the Harris campaign has been able to generate will be sustainable? 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. At a raucous rally in Atlanta on Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris went after former President Donald Trump on what polls show is his strongest campaign issue: immigration. In this campaign, I will proudly put my record up against his any day of the week, Harris said, including on the issue of immigration. Harris told her audience that Trump does not walk the walk when it comes to border security, noting that he instructed Senate Republicans to vote against a bipartisan Senate bill intended to curb illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border. Our administration worked on the most significant border bill in decades, Harris said. Some of the most conservative Republicans in Washington, D.C., supported the bill. Even the border patrol endorsed it. It was all set to pass, but at the last minute, Trump directed his allies in the Senate to vote it down. He tanked the bipartisan deal because he thought it would help him win an election. The bill in question In late 2023, the Biden administration faced Republican opposition in Congress to continue funding Ukraine in its war against Russia. GOP lawmakers demanded that the president sign on to border security measures in exchange for agreeing to send more money and weaponry to Kyiv. Biden agreed, and a bipartisan bill was hashed out. Dubbed the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, the legislation proposed the construction of new border barriers, an expansion of detention facilities and the hiring of more border patrol agents and immigration judges. It also proposed ending the catch and release policy for those applying for asylum from other countries, and would have given more money to try to stop the flow of fentanyl and human trafficking into the U.S. While few Republicans described the legislation as perfect, the bill had enough support to pass until Trump pressured his party to reject it. Only a fool, or a Radical Left Democrat, would vote for this horrendous Border Bill," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Feb. 5, "which only gives Shutdown Authority after 5000 Encounters a day, when we already have the right to CLOSE THE BORDER NOW, which must be done, The surge in immigration and its polling impact During the Biden administration, roughly 7 million migrants have been arrested for illegally crossing the U.S. southern border, government data shows, a figure that does not include so called go-aways, those who cross the border but evade arrest. With the annual number of illegal border crossings averaging 2 million in 2021 and 2023, Biden, who also increased the number of deportations from the U.S., implemented a series of measures in early 2024 that have curbed that number. Still, 1.3 million migrants crossed the Southern border in the first 9 months of the fiscal year 2024. on July 21, 10 days before Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race, the Pew Research Center released a poll showing that on immigration policy, Americans preferred Trump to Biden by a margin of 52%-35%. A YouGov poll released the day after Biden announced his exit found that Harris trailed Trump on the issue of immigration by 15 points (45%-30%). Trump and his Republican allies go on the attack Donald Trump. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images) Over the last week, Trump has released campaign ads that attack Harris on immigration, two of which falsely assert that Biden named her his border czar. Joe Biden made Kamala Harris border czar to fix immigration, one ad states. In fact, with illegal immigration spiking early in his presidency, Biden tasked Harris in March 2021 with heading up his administrations efforts to address the root causes of migration from Central America. Ive asked her, the VP, today because shes the most qualified person to do it to lead our efforts with Mexico and the Northern Triangle and the countries that help are going to need help in stemming the movement of so many folks, stemming the migration to our southern border, Biden said. In that role, Harris convinced some companies to open businesses in countries like El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, expanding job opportunities, but her efforts did little to stem the flow of migrants to the U.S. As a result of her high-profile assignment and the continued surge of illegal immigration, Harris was put in a vulnerable political position, and Republicans have repeatedly gone after her on it. "And let me remind you. Kamala had one job. One job. And that was to fix the border. Now imagine her in charge of the entire country," former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said during her speech at the Republican National Convention prior to Bidens exit from the race. . Turnabout is fair play With Republican attacks on Harris on the issue of immigration sure to play a central role in the last three months of the 2024 campaign, the vice president is hoping to flip the script on Trump, highlighting her time as attorney general of a border state, as she said at Tuesdays rally in Atlanta. In that job, I walked underground tunnels between the United States of America and Mexico on that border with law enforcement officers, she said. I went after transnational gangs, drug cartels and human traffickers that came into our country illegally. I prosecuted them in case after case, and I won. Whether that reasoning will put a dent in her polling numbers on immigration, however, remains to be seen. Vice President Harris and her running mate pick will travel to seven key battleground states, starting in Philadelphia, next week, according to her campaign. After Philadelphia, the two will travel to western Wisconsin, followed by Detroit, and then Raleigh, N.C. Later in the week, they will travel to Savannah, Ga., Phoenix, and Las Vegas. The campaign said Harris and her future running mate will crisscross the country together to campaign to the voters who will decide this election. Harris said earlier Tuesday that she has not made a decision on a running mate, yet but she is expected to before next Wednesday. Her focus on swing states comes as a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll showed she has erased former President Trumps lead in those states. The poll found that 48 percent of battleground state voters said they back Harris and 47 percent saying they support Trump. The Democratic National Committee has said it expects her to select her running mate before Aug. 7. She will officially become the nominee as early as Thursday, when Democrats move forward with a virtual roll-call vote. Democrats Gov. Josh Shapiro (Pa.) and Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.) have been floated as potential running mates for Harris, alongside Gov. Tim Walz (Minn.), Gov. Andy Beshear (Ky.) and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Left to right: Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 presumptive Democratic presidential nominee; and former President Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential nominee. SCOOP: A source told theGrio that NABJ denied a request for the vice president to take part in a fireside chat virtually or schedule an in-person one at a later date. Vice President Kamala Harris will not attend the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in Chicago, a source with direct knowledge of negotiations told theGrio. The source was granted anonymity to discuss private discussions between Harris campaign team and NABJ. The source told theGrio that Harris is unable to attend the convention, which begins July 31 and ends Aug. 4, due to planning and travels during the first days of the presumptive Democratic nominees nascent presidential campaign. Harris is also traveling to Houston to attend the funeral service of the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas. The source also told theGrio that Harris campaign team worked very closely with NABJ leadership to find an alternative option. The NABJ team, according to the source, denied a request for the vice president to take part in a fireside chat virtually or schedule an in-person one with Harris at a later date. NABJ President Ken Lemon said in an official statement issued on Wednesday morning that following Harris team informing them she was unavailable for an in-person panel, the last update NABJ received was that she would not be available in person or virtually during our Convention. Lemon did not indicate when NABJ received that last update. We are in talks about virtual options in the future and are still working to reach an agreement, said Lemon. Multiple sources told theGrio that NABJ leadership feverishly asked the vice presidents team to consider a virtual town hall following the report that NABJ initially declined their suggestion for a virtual panel. TheGrio was told that Harriss team had moved on after being told no by NABJ leadership. NABJ leadership also requested a VP surrogate in her absence. Just before Trumps scheduled panel conversation, NABJ announced on Wednesday that they were in talks with the VPs representatives to have Harris speak with the organization either in person or virtually in September. When asked during the White House daily briefing on Tuesday about whether Harris or President Joe Biden, who traveled to Austin on Monday to commemorate the Civil Rights Act of 1964, would attend the convention in Chicago, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told theGrio, The NABJ makes their own decision on guests. The Biden spokesperson referred other questions related to Biden and Harris and the NABJ convention to the vice presidents campaign. Recommended Stories The news that Harris will not attend the convention came as NABJ is marred by controversy. The organization announced it is hosting a town hall on Wednesday with former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee. Three Black female journalistsFox News host Harris Faulkner, ABC reporter Rachel Scott, and Semafor reporter Kadia Gobawill moderate the conversation. Critics of NABJs decision to host Trump point out that, as president, he attacked a number of Black journalists and undermined the free press. The former president notably popularized the term Fake News when disparaging news coverage he did not agree with. Lemon defended the decision to facilitate the Q&A with Trump. He explained that the nonpartisan invitation is a years-long tradition and that it was not an endorsement of Trump. We invited both [Trump and Harris]. We got a yes from one of them, Lemon said in video remarks posted on NABJs official X page. Lemon also shared that the organization is working to ensure Trump, known for telling falsehoods, is fact-checked during the conversation. Since the news of Trumps visit broke on Monday, backlash has ensued, including the resignation of the conventions co-chair, Karen Attiah. While my decision was influenced by a variety of factors, I was not involved or consulted with in any way with the decision to platform Trump in such a format, she wrote on X. Journalist Karen Attiah resigned as co-chair of the National Association of Black Journalists convention, citing a variety of factors while noting she was not involved in the decision to platform Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) on Tuesday called for NABJ to rescind the Trump invitation. The organization posted an altered version of the events digital graphic with the word Condemned. A protest is scheduled for Wednesday morning just before Trumps appearance at the NABJ convention at the Hilton Chicago. According to the Chicago-based digital news site The Triibe, the Trump is not welcome in Chicago demonstration is organized by Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR), Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)-Chicago, and US Palestinian Community Network. As for Vice President Harris, three sources with direct knowledge about NABJs planning related to her now-scrapped appearance told theGrio that, similar to Wednesdays talk with Trump, a panel of respected journalists was on standby to conduct the conversation. During Tuesdays press briefing, Jean-Pierre said the Biden-Harris administration has always been very direct and very focused on speaking to both local and national Black-owned outlets. We understand the importance of Black Americans [hearing] directly from this administration, she added. EDITORS NOTE: This article was updated with a statement from NABJ President Ken Lemon on Wednesday morning and additional reporting about the communications between NABJ and Vice President Kamala Harris campaign team. More must-reads: HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) The Hartford Foundation is giving a nonprofit that was burglarized twice within a week a $30,000 grant to assure it doesnt happen again. Angel of Edgewood lost thousands of dollars in food, clothing, school supplies and more when its warehouse was broken into twice earlier this summer. The break-ins affected us in so many ways, Jendayi Scott-Miller, Angel of Edgewoods founder and co-chair, said in a written statement. The toys, winter coats, and personal care products taken from us were so heartbreaking to see. This grant from the Hartford Foundation will allow us to implement security measures necessary to protect the items we collect to support residents in need. We are so grateful and blessed for this amazing partnership that we have because they know and get the work that Angel of Edgewood is doing. The nonprofit will buy cameras, lights, alarms and other security equipment. In June, the nonprofit received $709,000 in federal funds to expand and renovate its Franklin Avenue facility. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Harvey Weinstein appears for a pretrial hearing in Manhattan criminal court on July 19 in New York. The former Hollywood movie mogul appeared ahead of a planned retrial on rape and sexual assault charges. (Adam Gray / Associated Press) Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an extradition warrant seeking the transfer of Harvey Weinstein from custody in New York to California, where he was previously convicted on rape charges. The move follows an April decision by a New York appellate court to overturn Weinstein's rape conviction, though the underlying charges against him remain. Weinstein, 72, is still in custody in New York, where he is being held in a medical facility in Manhattan after being hospitalized for a COVID-19 infection, double pneumonia and other health conditions. Weinstein's New York conviction was overturned after appellate judges found a state judge erred in allowing three women to testify at trial despite no charges being filed against the movie mogul in connection with their accusations. Newsom had 90 days after Weinstein's conviction was dropped in late April to sign the extradition warrant, according to a New York state judge. The writ was signed June 19, and The Times requested a copy of the document from the governor's office Wednesday. Read more: Is Harvey Weinstein's California conviction in jeopardy after N.Y. appeals ruling? The former Hollywood titan has been caught up in separate criminal processes in New York and California for years since his career was upended by allegations of rape and sexual assault in 2018. He was convicted in 2020 in New York of rape and criminal sexual assault and was sentenced to 23 years in prison before the conviction was overturned earlier this year. In Los Angeles, Weinstein was convicted in 2022 of the forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual penetration by a foreign object of an Italian model in 2013. He was sentenced in 2023 to 16 years in prison in California. The California sentence coming when Weinstein was 70, in frail health and still needing to serve more than two decades in New York appeared unlikely to be served. But the overturned conviction in New York has raised questions about where Weinstein will serve his time while he awaits a September retrial. His California conviction is still under appeal. "Were reviewing the significance of this extradition and how it will affect status of his case in California," Weinstein's California attorney, Mark Werksman, said. Weinstein initially faced more than 11 counts of sexual assault stemming from allegations he raped and groped multiple women in hotel rooms in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills from 2004 to 2013. His California trial included testimony from Newsom's wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who accused the then-mogul of raping her in a Beverly Hills hotel suite in 2005 when she was a struggling actor. The rape destroyed me emotionally, she told the jury. Siebel Newsom was among several women to testify that Weinstein used his influence to isolate them in hotel rooms and assault them, in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Puerto Rico or Toronto. The details of her allegations had not been publicly disclosed before her testimony. The other women in the case testified anonymously. The Times does not name victims of sexual assault unless they have spoken out publicly or asked to be identified. Siebel Newsom accused Weinstein of abuse in a 2017 Huffington Post essay that ran just days after major media outlets began publishing information about rape accusations against the Miramax co-founder. Her involvement in the Los Angeles trial was not widely known until The Times reported it in October 2022. Jurors deadlocked on charges based on Weinstein's alleged attacks on three women, including Siebel Newsom, and prosecutors dropped counts related to allegations made by a fourth woman. In handing down Weinsteins punishment, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Lisa Lench ruled he could not serve his California sentence concurrently with the New York sentence. Times staff writer James Queally contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. HONOLULU (KHON2) When KHON2.coms Unfit Adventurer embarked on trekking up the Kuliouou Ridge Trail, we met some unique characters. None more interesting than local neighborhood board member and business owner Kevin Mulkern. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Mulkern is becoming more and more concerned over access to Hawaiis gorgeous landscape and how it will impact the quality of life for residents. He shared his insights on the changing landscape of Oahu and the challenges faced by residents due to increased tourism and outdoor activities. Mulkern reminisced about living on Ke Nui Road on Oahus North Shore, where international surfing contests at Ehukai Beach Park brought unimaginable traffic and challenges. People have no idea what traffic is until youve lived next to Ehukai Beach Park when the surfs up, he said. He mentioned that the city purchased his property to expand the park by 30%, addressing the need for additional space. Mulkern understands the frustrations of residents near the Kuliouou trailhead and the Haiku Stairs. He believes that providing more access, bathrooms, water and garbage cans could reduce most of the problems, similar to the approach taken at Ehukai Beach Park. He suggests that the Hawaii Tourism Authority could use part of its $60 million budget to offer free shuttle services from city bus stops to alleviate parking issues. He also pointed out how residents on Paiko Drive are following Lanikais example of banning parking on weekends to manage the influx of visitors. At the end of Kuliouou Road, a locked gate prevents access to the Piko Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary. Despite the city purchasing property to ensure public access, nothing has been done to make it accessible. Mulkern praised the Makapuu Lighthouse public park as an excellent example of prioritizing spending, public safety and investments in native plants. However, he highlighted the mismanagement of funds, where $250,000 was spent on public bathrooms, yet a similar amount was wasted on dead plants due to a lack of maintenance. Mulkern emphasized the importance of basic amenities like bathrooms, adequate parking and trash receptacles. He expressed concern for families crossing busy streets, especially in low light conditions, which poses a significant risk. Mulkern believes that improving public access to outdoor areas requires thoughtful planning and investment in essential infrastructure. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 His experiences and suggestions provide valuable insights into managing the balance between tourism and resident well-being on Oahu. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. The Switzerland market shrugged off a mild mid-morning setback and moved higher on Tuesday to eventually end the day's session on a firm note. Investors digested a batch of earnings updates from Swiss companies and looked ahead to some key global economic data, and policy announcements from the Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan. In this environment, dividend stocks can offer stability and income potential for investors. This article will explore Ascom Holding and two other top dividend stocks listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange that may be worth considering. Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Switzerland Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Cembra Money Bank (SWX:CMBN) 5.20% Compagnie Financiere Tradition (SWX:CFT) 4.21% St. Galler Kantonalbank (SWX:SGKN) 4.34% Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (SWX:BCVN) 4.62% Julius Bar Gruppe (SWX:BAER) 5.43% EFG International (SWX:EFGN) 4.39% Helvetia Holding (SWX:HELN) 4.79% Holcim (SWX:HOLN) 3.41% DKSH Holding (SWX:DKSH) 3.29% Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (SWX:BLKB) 4.66% Click here to see the full list of 26 stocks from our Top SIX Swiss Exchange Dividend Stocks screener. Let's uncover some gems from our specialized screener. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Ascom Holding AG, with a market cap of CHF226.28 million, offers healthcare ICT and mobile workflow solutions globally through its subsidiaries. Operations: Ascom Holding AG generates revenue primarily from its Wireless Solutions segment, which accounts for CHF297.30 million. Dividend Yield: 4.8% Ascom Holding's dividend yield of 4.76% places it in the top 25% of Swiss dividend payers, but its dividends have been volatile and declining over the past decade. Despite this, the company's recent earnings growth of 58.2% and reasonable payout ratios (earnings: 61.9%, cash flows: 66.1%) suggest dividends are currently sustainable. The launch of Ascom Activity Monitoring aligns with its strategy to capture market share in long-term care solutions, potentially supporting future profitability and dividend stability. SWX:ASCN Dividend History as at Jul 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Clariant AG is a global company involved in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of specialty chemicals, with a market cap of CHF4.39 billion. Operations: Clariant AG generates revenue from three main segments: Catalysis (CHF1.00 billion), Care Chemicals (CHF2.32 billion), and Adsorbents & Additives (CHF1.06 billion). Story continues Dividend Yield: 3.1% Clariant's half-year earnings showed a decline, with sales at CHF 2.07 billion and net income at CHF 176 million. The company expects flat to low single-digit sales growth for 2024. Despite an unstable dividend history, Clariant's dividends are covered by earnings (82.2% payout ratio) and cash flows (64.2% cash payout ratio). Its P/E ratio of 26.2x is below the industry average, indicating good value, though its dividend yield of 3.14% remains lower than top-tier Swiss payers. SWX:CLN Dividend History as at Jul 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: St. Galler Kantonalbank AG is a cantonal bank offering banking products and services to the local population and small to mid-sized companies in the Cantons of St. Gallen, with a market cap of CHF2.62 billion. Operations: St. Galler Kantonalbank AG generates revenue primarily through its banking products and services targeted at residents and small to mid-sized enterprises within the Cantons of St. Gallen. Dividend Yield: 4.3% St. Galler Kantonalbank's dividend yield of 4.34% ranks it among the top 25% in the Swiss market. Its dividends have been stable and growing over the past decade, with a current payout ratio of 54.9%, ensuring they are well covered by earnings. The bank's earnings grew by 12.8% last year, and its stock is trading at a significant discount to its estimated fair value, enhancing its appeal for dividend investors seeking reliable returns. SWX:SGKN Dividend History as at Jul 2024 Next Steps Click here to access our complete index of 26 Top SIX Swiss Exchange Dividend Stocks. Have a stake in these businesses? Integrate your holdings into Simply Wall St's portfolio for notifications and detailed stock reports. Simply Wall St is your key to unlocking global market trends, a free user-friendly app for forward-thinking investors. 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 SWX:ASCN SWX:CLN and SWX:SGKN. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com A former health care worker was convicted Wednesday of illegally accessing the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburgs medical records in 2019 as she was battling cancer, a move prosecutors claimed was driven by online conspiracy theories about her health. But the jury acquitted Trent Russell of a separate charge stemming from the posting of those records online. Prosecutors had claimed that Russell, a former Army medic who worked as an organ transplant coordinator, shared the documents on the message board site 4chan. The unusual case had political overtones as prosecutors painted Russell as engaging with conspiracy theories online that falsely claimed Ginsburg had already died in 2019 and that Democrats were hiding her death to deny former President Donald Trump a chance to nominate a third justice to the high court. The trial in a federal court in Virginia lasted two days, and the jury deliberated for four-and-a-half hours. Russell faces a maximum sentence of 21 years in prison. Ginsburg, a member of the courts liberal wing who enjoyed an unusual degree of celebrity for a Supreme Court justice, died in 2020 and was replaced by conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett before Trump left the White House. Russell denied ever accessing Ginsburgs records, said he voted for former President Barack Obama in 2012, and claimed he rarely even thought about the justices let alone engage in conspiracy theories about their health. Instead, he described a workplace where computer security was lax and the sharing of passwords needed to access medical records was routine. Russell had access to the records in the first place because of his job connecting patients who needed organs to potential donors. He was authorized to review health records in those situations to ensure potential donors were a good candidate. Supreme Court police noticed Ginsburgs records circulating on social media sites and a subsequent FBI investigation determined that they were first posted on 4chan, a message board where users can post anonymously and that has long been a hotbed of hate speech and conspiracy theories. Search logs reviewed by investigators indicated that Russell was logged into a desktop computer at home and had searched for the word Gins in a name field that would have brought up Ginsburgs name. A review of his hard drive by the FBI also found evidence that he had previously viewed threads about Ginsburgs health on 4chan. But the hard drive had been reformatted and investigators were only able to pull fragments of its contents. Russell said he had no memory of the search and suggested it might have been a typo. Prosecutors also alleged that Russell tried to cover his tracks as initial investigations into the data breach got underway, including by wiping the hard drive and also purchasing a new phone. The jury also convicted him Wednesday on a charge of destroying records. Russell, who took the stand Tuesday in US District Judge Michael Nachmanoffs courtroom, told the jury that he routinely reformatted his hard drive to improve computer performance. And he said he replaced the phone because of a cracked screen and intermittent charging. The Supreme Court closely guards details about the health of the justices, but Ginsburgs repeated bouts with cancer toward the end of her life were publicly disclosed. The court announced that Ginsburg was treated for pancreatic cancer in 2009. And in 2020, the justice disclosed she had was being treated with chemotherapy for a recurrence of cancer. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Good morning, ArkLaTex! Your bottom line up front is that its hot and will stay hot, but were turning the calendar to August soon and summer is running out of days to scorch us. The last day of July will bring another heat advisory as temperatures will be in the low 80s at sunrise with highs in the mid-90s, the same afternoon heat weve been feeling throughout the week. The sunny skies will continue, helping to dry out the ground from last weeks heavy rain. This in turn is lowering our humidity a touch, but our heat index will remain in the 105 to 108 degree range this afternoon triggering another heat advisory from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. High pressure is strengthening over the ArkLaTex, and there will be little change on Thursday and Friday. By the weekend the high will move west opening the door for isolated rain showers to develop on Saturday and Sunday as the afternoon sea breeze may drive this activity north from the coast. This wont offer much relief as highs are likely to stay in the mid to upper 90s thorugh the weekend. The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a tropical wave moving into the Caribbean. There is a medium chance of this becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm by the weekend as the system skirts the east coast of Florida. There remains some uncertainty, and the storm could wind up west of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. We will likely stay hot and mostly dry through next Wednesday. There is some hope a front may bring an increasing chance of rain late next week and cool our temperatures a few degrees by the end of next week. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. The mother of a missing Kentucky woman is suing the Kentucky State Police and the FBI for $29 million after she says they mishandled the investigation into the whereabouts of her daughter. Sarah Teague is accusing the law enforcement agencies of violating the civil rights of her daughter, Heather Teague: a 23-year-old former Webster County cheerleader and homecoming queen who vanished from Newburgh Beach on Aug. 26, 1995. The lawsuit also accuses KSP and the FBI of conspiracy to interfere with civil rights; failure to train and supervise their officers and agents; negligence; wrongful death; and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Volunteers pray ahead of a search for Heather Teague near Newburgh Beach Sept. 7, 1995. The $29 million figure doesnt appear in court filings, but Teague confirmed it to the Courier & Press. She said the lawsuit comes after law enforcement spent almost three decades ignoring evidence shes collected that goes against the narrative investigators settled on from the beginning: that a man named Marvin Ray Marty Dill appeared from a line of trees along the beach and hauled the sunbathing Heather away. Dill shot and killed himself five days after the abduction as KSP and FBI authorities amassed outside his trailer. The whole experience has been just overwhelming, in its own way, from the day we were told shed been dragged away until now, Teague said. All Ive ever wanted was to get answers. KSP spokesman Trooper Corey King referred the Courier & Press to the state polices legal office in Louisville. A phone message there wasnt returned. The U.S. Attorney's Office in the Western District of Kentucky declined to comment. Teague filed the suit on July 26 in U.S. District Court. According to the complaints prayer for relief, Teague not only seeks compensatory and punitive damages she also wants KSP to hang a life-sized poster of Heather at Post 16 to serve as a constant reminder of the case. Thats the part of this lawsuit where I want them to look me in the eye, she said. The day of Heather Teague's disappearance Twenty-eight years and 11 months ago, Heather Teague was sunbathing on Newburgh Beach: a thin strip of sand and trees on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. According to police, a man had been looking through his telescope from his home near the Indiana shore when he spotted a wild-looking figure emerge from the brush. The person had weedy hair and a thick beard and something in his hand. I swear this guy looked like he had a gun, the man said in a call to KSP Post 16 that Teague has since released. He come down, he had a chrome-plated I could see it glistening in the sun. And it looked like a revolver. Police released sketches of the so-called suspect in the days afterward. Police said they matched Dill, who had sported a similar look in the past. But there was a problem, Sarah Teague said. At the time of the abduction, Dill had shorn his hair, and his beard was no more than stubble. Shes long said police based the face in the sketch not off the eyewitness account, but on Dills drivers license photo. An illustration shows a police sketch of the supposed suspect in the Heather Teague case alongside Marty Dill's driver's license photo. Sarah Teague, Heather's mother, claimed Kentucky State Police created the sketch by looking at Dill's photo, and that Dill no longer looked like that on the day of Heather Teague's abduction. KSP has denied that. She's also said the eyewitnesses description differed in a second call she and attorney Chip Adams heard at police headquarters in 2008. KSP has subsequently denied that call exists, even though both Adams and Teague are certain they heard it. Audio tape found in 2023 plays a role in timing of Teague's lawsuit In mislabeled audio contained in Teagues case file that Sarah discovered in 2023 and forwarded to the Courier & Press, Dills attorney the late William Polk also told police his client didnt match the drawings. Hes shorter. Hes lighter. He does not have a bushy beard. He does not have bushy hair, the Henderson County attorney told KSP officials on Aug. 31, 1995 mere hours before police would circle Dills home. His beard is very short. And his hair, Im told, is now very short. He also asked police to abandon their planned raid. If they went through with it, he said, Dill might commit suicide. He was proven right. Sarah Teague obtained that audio and the rest of KSPs case file the last time she took police to court. In 2016, a Franklin Circuit Court Judge ruled state police were wrong to deny Teague files in the case. The Kentucky Court of Appeals upheld the ruling in 2019, and Sarah eventually took custody of the records. But because the Polk audio was mislabeled, Teague didnt find it until July 29 of last year. That caused her to rush to file her civil suit, fearing the statute of limitations for discovery might expire. For Teague, the audio provided validation. She believes she could have gotten her daughter back if investigators had listened to her and Polk. Instead, she said she was ignored, laughed at, and told to go on with her life. Even now, she said her emails and calls go unanswered. On top of the damages, she wants explanations and accountability. I have a peace that Ive presented all I need to, she said. Its their turn now to explain to me why theyve done this. Teague going without an attorney Teague will push the lawsuit forward without the help of a lawyer. She said she contacted 10 attorneys, but only one was intrigued and for only a short amount of time. Going it alone is nothing new for her. Ever since Heather vanished, Sarah has worked 24/7, conducting searches, making phone calls, reaching out to private investigators, and filing reams of open-records requests. But the case is exceedingly complicated. Teague provided KSPs files to the Courier late last year, and theyre stuffed with promising, false and maddening leads. Throughout the years, tipsters have named a rotating cast of potential suspects, repeated overheard conversations, and shared violent, sickening rumors. KSP has led the investigation since the beginning, but the FBI assisted in the early years. In a separate document Teague sent to the Courier & Press Tuesday, a federal agent wrote there was a strong possibility of a drug / prostitution (strip club) / public corruption link to Heather Teagues abduction. Earlier this year, another entity the Kentucky Attorney Generals Office also stepped into the case. Commonwealth Attorney Herb McKee told the Courier & Press the special prosecutions division of the A.G.s office will fully handle any prosecution that comes forth, while KSP remains the main investigatory unit. He declined to comment further. AG spokesman Kevin Grout said he could neither confirm nor deny any investigation that's going on. Through it all, Teague feels like shes been sent round and round bouncing from one agency to another. All her inquiries, though, boil down to one question that's never been answered: what happened that day on Newburgh Beach? Thats why its come to this, she said. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Heather Teague's mother suing Kentucky State Police and FBI Heavy winds and rains cause thousands of power outages in north Georgia Batten down the hatches, Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum warned in a Facebook post Tuesday as storm clouds gathered in the distance. And the sheriff was correct. The thunderstorms that came through north Georgia late Tuesday brought high winds and heavy downpours of rain that downed trees and caused a flurry of power outages. Mangum said Wednesday she didn't have any reports of any serious damage in the county. Jackson EMC reported Tuesday night that in Jackson County alone there were 1,195 locations without power. Others included 2,289 in Barrow, 2,120 in Hall, 173 in Clarke, and 165 in Madison counties. More than 18,000 customers were affected in the Jackson EMC service area. Georgia Power and Walton EMC also reported numerous power outages in the Athens and north Georgia area. Nearly all of the outages had been restored to power by Wednesday morning, according to Jackson EMC spokesperson Wendy Jones. Health inspections: 12 Athens area restaurants scored a 'B' or below. The lowest was 78. National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Willis said Wednesday that the storms were a cluster that organized across Kentucky and Tennessee then moved south in Georgia causing a series of storm between 5 p.m. and into the evening. The storms brought winds of 50 to 60 mph and brought down numerous trees that caused the majority of power outages, according to Willis. Jones reported that downed trees and limb breaks damaged power lines and broke poles. She said contract crews were brought it to assist its crews with repairing the damage. This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Late Tuesday storms cause thousands of power outages in north Georgia KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) As students get ready to head back to the classroom, we are on your side with how you can help your children prepare before classes begin. Emily Hoekstra, the lead for the elementary based team at the McNabb Center believes its important to begin to implement a routine. We know a lot of our schools are structure on a very strict schedule, so we want to go ahead and start introducing that routine at home, so that is morning routine, homework routine, bedtime routine, Hoekstra said. Thousands without power as storms move through East TN Hoekstra tells 6 News that it is also important to have open conversations with your children as the school year begins. We know at different age levels their stressors can look different, Hoekstra said. They have peer stress, social stress, school stress, so if we are starting to see some maybe with little kids outburst in behaviors that may be a good time to check in, with older kids we might see reclusiveness or excessive anxiety. Hoekstra encourages parents to have a good relationship with their childs school counselor. Another thing to consider is school lunches. Madelyn Howe, an nutritionist with the Knox County Health Department encourages parents to make lunches for their children that includes protein, grains, fruit and vegetables. Lunches that I love are like easy turkey roll-ups you put a slice cheese in, maybe some pickles or maybe like a veggie if your kids like that and using Greek yogurt for the base for dips like make a ranch dip with Greek yogurt, Howe said. Former Knoxville police officer pleads guilty to child pornography charges Howe also encourages parents to give their children something that has protein and carbs to give them plenty of energy for after school activities. Having a source of carbs which would be like a piece of fruit like apple slices or oranges or even a piece of toast or crackers and then giving them some sort of protein source like yogurt or some type of nut butter like peanut or almond butter, Howe said. It is also important to pack a water bottle for students, as hydration is important as well. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. Her daughter struggled in school with dyslexia, so she moved all 3 kids to Bali to try hands-on learning in bamboo classrooms Jackie Easthope; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BI Jackie Easthope moved from New Zealand to Bali, Indonesia, so her three kids could enroll in Green School. Green School is an international school known for its bamboo buildings and hands-on learning curriculum. Her eldest daughter, Mila, says she no longer stresses about tests or exams. After watching her eldest daughter, Mila, struggle through primary school in New Zealand due to dyslexia, Jackie Easthope decided she had to do something about it. "Mila's a good girl, but she would come home from school and say she hated it. In New Zealand, we have this national standards graph and she always sat under it," Jackie told Business Insider. "And I knew it would just get harder and harder for her once she got to intermediate and high school." Jackie started looking for schools that offered alternative education systems. That's when she learned about the Green School in Bali, Indonesia, known for its sustainability-focused curriculum and eco-friendly bamboo campus . The classrooms at Green School are built from bamboo. SONNY TUMBELAKA/AFP via Getty Image She had chanced upon a TEDTalk video by John Hardy, who founded the Green School in Bali with his wife, Cynthia, in September 2008. The school has since expanded to new campuses in New Zealand and South Africa with a total global enrollment of just under 1,000 students. Since May 2021, the school has been managed by Education in Motion, a Singapore-based education company, although the Hardys are still involved as ambassadors. "I remember getting up and telling the family, 'We're moving to Bali for the Green School,'" Jackie said. "And here we are." The application process varies depending on which grade potential students are enrolling in. Those applying for primary school need to submit school reports, teacher recommendations, and a video as part of their application. Those applying for middle school need an essay on top of that, while those applying for high school have to sit for an interview too. The three siblings attend Green School in Bali. Jackie Easthope It's been three and a half years since Jackie moved to Bali with her three kids: Mila, 15; Kingston, 13; and Indy, 9. They live in a rented house in Beraban, located north of Canggu, with views of rice paddies. Her husband splits his time between New Zealand and Bali. She said the family's decision to school their children in Bali took a few years of planning. "When you have three kids, it has to work for all of them," she said. "I wasn't worried about the two girls. I knew their personalities would suit the Green School, but I was worried about my son Kingston because he loves structure." Project-based learning, smaller class sizes For Mila, school in Bali is a whole new game. "In New Zealand, we had a lot of big classes. You don't really get to ask many questions; you just listen and then do your worksheet," Mila told BI. "But since I'm dyslexic, it was really hard for me." Jackie says she noticed her daughter Mila start to flourish in school after joining Green School. Jackie Easthope As a result, she often got put into a lower learning program than her peers. However, in Bali, Mila said she got personalized attention from her teachers. "The teachers would move around the classroom, ask me questions, and point me out individually. Since it was a 10-person classroom, I actually understood things," she said. The school's teaching model involves using practical examples, Mads Hedegaard, the director of admission, marketing, and communication, told BI. "It can be a giant coconut slingshot to understand how to calculate trajectories, our seed-to-table cafe where the youngest students learn how to grow vegetables, and our middle schoolers learn entrepreneurship by running the cafe themselves," Hedegaard said. "Or it can be hands-on projects like building a yurt to learn math, physics, and practical arts at the same time." For instance, Mila recently completed a project in collaboration with a local women's shelter. "I made my own artwork to raise awareness of domestic violence, sold it, and then made enough money to help them with appliances in the shelter," Mila said. After completing it, she had to give a presentation about her experience. A different grading system Classrooms at the Green School don't have walls. Students learn about the natural world, care for animals, and grow plants. Only high-school-level students receive grades at the Green School; younger students at the primary and middle school levels get a progress report instead, Hedegaard said. Classrooms in the Green School don't have walls, and the curriculum emphasizes teaching students the importance of living sustainably. Putu Sayoga/Getty Images High-school students' grades account not just for their test scores but also for their participation and engagement in class, Mila said. Students also have the freedom to take electives that interest them, and those in higher levels can even introduce their own classes if they get a teacher to sign off on it, Mila said. This is possible as long as the student provides a clear overview of learning outcomes and the course is related to one of the credit areas stipulated by the school, Hedegaard said. Mila's planning to introduce a dance class because she loves dancing. "What I love about Green School is that I think the kids get to explore their passions," Jackie said. Jackie Easthope and her daughter Mila at the Green School in Bali, Indonesia. Jackie Easthope That said, the school does support students who wish to take the SATs or other kinds of exams for university admission, Jackie said. The website for the Western Associates of Schools and Colleges (WASC) an institution that accredits high schools in the US shows that Green School is also accredited under the commission. A WASC representative told BI that the school has been accredited since the 2016-2017 school year. "The GPA averages earned with our school can also be transformed into many other schooling systems globally," Hedegaard said, adding that Green School in Bali currently has 510 students enrolled across 39 nationalities. There are around 70 Indonesian students at Green School Bali, of which half are on full scholarships, he said. A pricey education But all of this comes at a hefty price tag: Yearly tuition fees start from 117.95 million Indonesian Rupiah, or $7,260, for pre-K students and can go up to 302,1 million Indonesian Rupiah, or $18,650, for Grade 11 and 12 high school students. While those prices might not shock Westerners used to paying for private schools in major, developed cities, they are considered high for the island of Bali. Yearly tuition fees at Green School Bali do not come cheap. Putu Sayoga/Getty Images The average monthly net wage in Bali is about 3.04 million Indonesian rupiah, or $187.75, per the latest February 2019 data from data company CEIC. That said, tuition fees at Green School Bali are comparable to those of other international schools on the island. Yearly tuition fees for Canggu Community School start at 105 million Indonesian Rupiah for preschool and go up to 245 million Indonesian Rupiah for year 12 and year 13 students. "The fees are not high compared to other international schools," Hedegaard said, adding that many parents experience a decline in fees moving from other parts of the world. Adjusting to life in Bali Jackie said that although her daughters easily settled into life in Bali, her son needed a longer adjustment period. "When we came here, my boy up until the end didn't want to leave New Zealand," she said, adding that the first six months after moving to Bali was a struggle. "Every day, I'd ask him, 'How was school?' And he would say, 'I hate it, I hate that you brought me here,'" Jackie said. "But the thing is, so many families coming to Green School go through this. They'll have one child who hates it. And I'm always saying to them, give it time." "For some reason, one day, it was like a switch went off," she continued. "And he made great friends, and he didn't hate school." Less stress, more confidence For Mila, the educational environment at the Green School has helped her grow into a more confident person. "I learned how to present myself and communicate my ideas with others, especially when speaking to adults or in front of a camera," Mila said. She doesn't feel the same kind of academic pressure that she did back in New Zealand. "Tests are so much more daunting, and they don't have them here. It's mostly presentations and you learn after a few years how to be confident and not really stress over it," Mila said. "I just take a lot of different classes, and I get to try a lot of things." Read the original article on Business Insider Here's what American air-to-air missiles can do for Ukraine's new F-16s against the Russians Here's what American air-to-air missiles can do for Ukraine's new F-16s against the Russians Ukraine is finally getting the F-16s it's always wanted and will be flying them this summer. The US-made aircraft will also be equipped with American air-to-air missiles. Missiles like the AIM-120 and AIM-9X offer Ukrainian pilots different options. The US is sending Ukraine air-to-air missiles to go with the new F-16 fighter jets coming this summer from European partners, per a new report on armaments. Ukraine will receive the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, known as the AMRAAM, and the AIM-9X missile, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. The US also plans to send Kyiv more air-to-ground munitions. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a capable fourth-generation aircraft expected to provide a capability boost, augmenting Ukraine's current fleet of aging Soviet fighter jets, but its effectiveness will, in part, be determined by the weapons with which it flies. Top US generals and Ukrainian officials have cautioned that the fifty-year-old F-16, while an effective combat platform able to perform offensive and defensive operations, won't be a game changer. It faces a daunting operating environment in Ukraine and will likely be a top target for Russia's air-defense systems. Kyiv also simply is not getting enough of the aircraft. That said, there's a lot it can do. Powerful air-to-air missiles The AIM-120 is an all-weather, beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile with active radar for decreased dependence on the aircraft for intercepts. It was built as a follow to the AIM-7 Sparrow missile that Ukraine already has in its arsenal for air-defense purposes. An F-16 fighter jet from the Danish Air Force takes off from a US airbase in Germany as part of a large-scale exercise involving numerous fighter jets from several NATO countries in June 2024. Photo by Boris Roessler/picture alliance via Getty Images It's unclear exactly which AIM-120 variants Kyiv is receiving or how many. Earlier models of the missile have a range of over 20 miles, while the newest one the AIM-120D is said to reach beyond 100 miles. The earliest AIM-120 design was fielded in the early 1990s. A Ukrainian Air Force official said last year that the US would offer the country with AIM-120 missiles that can travel more than 100 miles, pointing to one of the newer variants. Some airpower experts, however, have expressed skepticism that Kyiv would actually get newer weapons because the technology may be too sensitive for the US to risk losing. On the other missile Ukraine is receiving, the AIM-9X is a short-range air-to-air missile with an infrared seeker and is the newest variant in the Sidewinder family. Like the AIM-120, its specific range is classified. Ukraine already owns the AIM-9M, which has a range of up to 18 miles. The earliest Sidewinder versions entered service in the mid-1950s. Though the AIM-9 is an older system, it's considered to be highly successful. Armed with AIM-120 and AIM-9X missiles, the F-16 could be used for air-to-air combat against other fighter aircraft, though that may not be the best use. The Russians are operating Su-35 and MiG-31 fighter jets that carry long-range air-to-air missiles like the R-37. These capabilities would seriously threaten an F-16. Greater reach could be decisive, but there are other factors in play in air-to-air combat. As an alternative, Kyiv can use its F-16s to engage Russian cruise missiles, one-way attack drones, and, potentially, the fighter-bombers that are releasing the highly destructive glide bombs that are pounding Ukraine. An F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 85th Test Evaluation Squadron shoots an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile over testing ranges near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in March 2019. US Air Force Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's top general, told the Guardian earlier this month that the arrival of the F-16s would strengthen his country's air defenses, but he acknowledged that the jets would likely need to stay at least 40 kilometers or more from the front to avoid being shot down. Experts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank wrote last month that "once introduced on the battlefield, F-16s will increase the Ukrainian Air Force's air-to-air capabilities." With its powerful radar and AIM-120 missiles, the F-16 will provide "an appreciable engagement range improvement compared to Ukraine's Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter aircraft," they argued. Using its F-16s in a defensive role would help Ukraine relieve some pressure on its existing air defense apparatus, which has been hamstrung by a limited supply of interceptor missiles and available batteries. These include both Western systems like US-made Patriot batteries and NASAMS and Soviet-era equipment. Beyond air-to-air engagements, Ukraine can use its F-16s in an air-to-ground role, executing suppression and destruction of enemy air defense missions. Two F-16 perform fly-bys in Fetesti, Romania in November 2023. Inquam Photos/George Calin via REUTERS Kyiv already has US-provided AGM-88 HARM missiles or high-speed anti-radiation missiles to hunt down enemy radar systems, and more are coming with the new jets. With F-16s, Ukraine can potentially better use these weapons to degrade Russia's vaunted air-defense capabilities. The Ukrainians previously jury-rigged them onto its Soviet aircraft. A coalition of several NATO countries Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands have promised Ukraine some 80 F-16s, although the deliveries will be spread out over time. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this month that Kyiv will need more than a few dozen of the aircraft to actually make a difference. He also suggested they were needed earlier. Gen. James Hecker, commander of NATO's air command, said Tuesday that the F-16s won't be a "golden bullet" for Ukraine that will immediately win them air superiority because they're going up against advanced Russian air-defense systems. Hecker said at an event hosted by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies that the American-made aircraft will help bring Ukraine even closer to the West and help shift its forces to be more aligned with NATO tactics, procedures, and equipment. "It does move them a step in the right direction," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit, or are you thinking about starting your own business? Maybe you have a great idea, but you are not sure what city you want to start it in. According to a study by USA TODAY, Texas has cities that are great for pursuing a business. The article pulls studies from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, and Bureau of Economic Analysis. And with a city like Austin home to businesses such as YETI, IBM, Dell Technologies, and Oracle, there could be optimism that others will do the same. More: Texas ranks third for business among US states in 2024, CNBC study reports Heres a look at how well Texas cities do when starting a business. The top 10 cities to start a business in the U.S. According to USA TODAY's research, here is the list of the top 10 cities in the U.S. to start a business. Austin, Texas. Miami, Florida. Nashville, Tennessee. Dallas, Texas. Atlanta, Georgia. Phoenix, Arizona. Jacksonville, Florida. Raleigh, North Carolina. Houston, Texas. Tampa, Florida. What Texas cities have the most entrepreneurs? USA TODAY examined metrics of 46 of the most popular cities in the U.S. According to their list, here a list of cities with the most entrepreneurs: Los Angeles Nashville San Francisco San Diego Miami Austin Sacramento Portland Dallas Denver Houston Washington Atlanta Oklahoma City San Antonio Colorado Springs Tulsa Minneapolis Seattle New York Boston San Jose Charlotte Phoenix Fresno Omaha Wichita Raleigh Louisville Albuquerque Baltimore Tampa Las Vegas Kansas City Columbus Tucson Memphis Bakersfield Jacksonville Philadelphia Indianapolis El Paso Chicago Virginia Beach Detroit Milwaukee How to register an LLC in Texas Numerous small businesses choose to form limited liability companies (LLCs) because LLCs provide similar liability protections to corporations but with a more flexible structure and reduced administrative demands. If youre looking to start a business in Texas, here is how to register your LLC. Choose a Name for Your LLC: The name must be unique and distinguishable from other business entities registered in Texas. It must include Limited Liability Company or an abbreviation like LLC or L.L.C. Reserve Your LLC Name: You can reserve your desired LLC name for 120 days by filing Form 501 (Application for Reservation or Renewal of Reservation of an Entity Name) and paying a fee. Designate a Registered Agent: A registered agent is required to receive legal documents on behalf of the LLC. The agent can be an individual or a business entity authorized to do business in Texas. File a Certificate of Formation: Complete and file Form 205 (Certificate of Formation) with the Texas Secretary of State. You can file online, by mail, or in person. The filing fee is $300. Create an Operating Agreement: Although not required by law, it is highly recommended to draft an operating agreement outlining the ownership and operating procedures of the LLC. Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number): Apply for an EIN from the IRS either online or by mail. An EIN is necessary for tax purposes and to open a business bank account. File for State and Local Business Licenses and Permits: Depending on your business type and location, you may need additional licenses or permits to operate legally in Texas. Comply with Texas Tax and Regulatory Requirements: Register with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts if your LLC will be selling goods or services subject to sales tax. File an annual Public Information Report with the Texas Secretary of State and pay any required franchise taxes. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 3 Texas cities rank top 10 best places in the US to start a business Lebanese army soldiers and pro-Iranian Hezbollah militants secure the entrance of a building that was targeted by an Israeli drone in Beirut's southern suburb. The Israeli military said Tuesday it has carried out a "targeted attack" on a commander of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Beirut. The explosion occurred three days after a deadly rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Marwan Naamani/dpa The Hezbollah militia in Lebanon has confirmed the death of its military commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli attack in a suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut. The pro-Iranian Shiite militia on Wednesday described the strike on Shukr as a sinful attack and a serious crime. His funeral would take place on Thursday, the group said. The Israeli military previously announced that it had killed Shukr in Beirut, but Hezbollah had not confirmed his death until now. The strike, which targeted a residential building, killed five people, Lebanon's Health Ministry said. Three women and two children died and more than 70 were wounded in the Tuesday attack, the ministry said. The Israeli military said Shukr was Hezbollah's most senior military commander and the head of its strategic unit. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said that "the military option pursued by the Israeli government aims to plunge the region into a spiral of war that will only bring destruction and devastation to everyone." Ensuring security in southern Lebanon will only happen through diplomatic means, a ceasefire, and full commitment to all relevant UN resolutions, especially Resolution 1701, which remains the only way to prevent further violence, death, and devastation, he added. UN Security Council Resolution 1701 was intended to resolve the 2006 Lebanon War with Israel. It calls for a full cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas in Lebanon and calls on Hezbollah to retreat behind the Litani River, 30 kilometres from Lebanon's border with Israel. The secretary general of Lebanon's High Relief Committee, General Mohammed Kheir, inspected the area where the strike took place and promised that all damages will be covered by the state, according to the official NNA news agency. UF/IFAS researcher Ali Sarkhosh inspects a passion fruit and flower at covered fields at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida. With Florida in peak passion fruit season, researchers are eyeing the sweet tropical fruit as a cash crop. At $3 per piece of fruit at some supermarkets, farmers are able to get $5 per pound for their harvest, according to Ali Sarkhosh, associate professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) horticultural sciences department. This price shows a high demand for passion fruit. But the passion fruit industry faces big challenges ones Sarkhosh and his team hope to fix. Passion fruit struggles in Central Florida due to cold winters and in South Florida due to disease. Sarkhosh and his team are working on developing methods to improve passion fruit cultivation, which are expected to enhance both the yield and quality of passion fruit across the state, providing substantial benefits to Floridas agriculture industry. There is a huge potential for passion fruit in the U.S., and I think Florida can be the best place to produce passion fruit all around the year and develop an industry, he said. Researchers are focused on creating new cultivars and trying new growing conditions, such as creating a tunnel system to protect passion fruit from the cold in Central Florida. They discovered by covering the trees with a dome-like tarp and misting them with water a few hours before a frost will keep the fruit from freezing. He said this system has allowed his team to harvest year-round, rather than two harvests a year, which is normal for passion fruit growers. Researchers at UF are also working on developing a cold-hardy cultivar and are hoping to develop disease-resistant cultivars of passion fruit. These varieties would be bred to resist common diseases like fusarium, which causes canker and stem rot, and fungal diseases that attack the root, stem, leaf and fruit. All of this means healthier plants and more abundant harvests, he said. These advancements are expected to offer local farmers a competitive edge in the agriculture market and an overall positive economic impact on the state, Sarkhosh said. To share updates, UF/IFAS will host a Passion Fruit Field Day on Aug. 1 at the UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra. The event will feature presentations from leading researchers and field tours. The field day will offer an opportunity for growers, industry professionals, media professionals and the public to learn more about passion fruit cultivation and research. Sarkhoshs research is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture with a Sustainability Research and Education grant for a three-year project. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Researchers pioneer techniques to boost passion fruit production Get him out of our party: Former GA Republican Lt. Gov. fighting so Trump doesnt get re-elected Georgias former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan was probably the lone Republican at the rally for Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday night. He told Channel 2s Richard Elliot that hes still a Republican, but said he thinks in order to save his party, he has to campaign against its presidential nominee. Nearly 10,000 people cheered for their presumptive presidential nominee Kamala Harris as she walked into the Georgia State University Convocation Center Tuesday night. But mixed into the mostly Democratic crowd was one lone Republican. It feels like the first day after getting traded from the Yankees to the Red Sox. Its a different team. And here we are, Duncan said. He told Elliot that hes supporting Harris not because of her policies, but because he opposes former President Donald Trump. RELATED STORIES: This is an opportunity to do something special and beat Donald Trump once and for all. Get him out of our party and let us have our party back, and if it means supporting a Democrat, so be it. Count me in, Duncan said. This is nothing new for Duncan. Elliot was there last month when he joined fellow Republican Adam Kinzinger to endorse President Joe Biden again because they opposed Donald Trump. That endorsement changed to Harris when Biden stepped aside. Elliot also spoke with Georgia GOP chair Josh McKoon who said he thinks Duncan is selling out to the Democrats. Geoff Duncan is no longer a Republican. Geoff Duncan clearly decided to join with the Democratic Party, and particularly extreme elements of the Democratic Party, McKoon said. But Duncan insists hes still a Republican trying to save his own party from Trump. Donald Trumps got to lose. I think if Donald Trump gets another four years, we not only lose this election, us common sense Republicans, but we lost the party forever, Duncan said. Trump will also hold a rally at the GSU Convocation Center. That will be Saturday at 5 p.m. RELATED NEWS: MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) Congestion pricing in New York City may be paused, but the debate and planning continue. Gov. Kathy Hochul allocated $54 billion in state funding this week for the current work on the Second Avenue Subway in East Harlem. The Second Avenue Subway project depends on billions in funding. When Hochul temporarily paused implementation of the congestion pricing fee in June for travel south of 60th Street in Manhattan, she said projects would continue. More Local News The MTA has been reprioritizing billions of dollars worth of projects due to the change in funding structure. Supporters held a briefing Tuesday to dispel myths about congestion pricing and focus attention on long-term funding, air quality, traffic, and jobs. Some riders, advocates and the New York Building Congress are calling on the governor to set a date and provide more specifics about $1 billion in funding. Today we should be celebrating one month since the start of congestion pricing and the many benefits it will bring to our region cleaner air, less traffic and funding for critical transit infrastructure. Instead, millions of daily transit riders were left in the lurch, said Lisa Daglian, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA. Free NYC bus routes will start charging again in August Hochul repeated her ongoing support for transit projects and funding. Other areas, Ill look at a case-by-case basis during the pause time to make sure we dont delay critical projects, the governor said. Susan Lee, with New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax, said the governor has shown there is funding. We have to be smart and diligent. The congestion pricing tax is not the way to go, Lee said. New Yorks future growth depends on our ability to invest wisely and act decisively. The delay in congestion pricing has already resulted in an estimated $82 million in lost toll revenue, essential for funding critical MTA capital improvements, said Carlo Scissura, president and CEO of the New York Building Congress. This setback has led to the cancellation of crucial projects that millions of New Yorkers rely on. It is imperative that we implement congestion pricing promptly to secure necessary funding and prevent further deterioration of our transit infrastructure. Hochuls office is said to be having constant discussions with the MTA. In a statement included with the executive announcement, the MTA chairman said the agency is grateful for the utility funding. Advancing that work while congestion pricing is on pause puts MTA in a position to keep the overall Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project on schedule while Albany resolves how to fund the $15 billion outstanding for the MTAs 2020-24 Capital Program, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said in a statement. The MTA is focusing current plans on maintenance and State of Good Repair projects. The board meets for its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday. The governor expects more announcements by the end of the year and in January when the legislature reconvenes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As Democrats scrambled to shore up support for Kamala Harris, two megadonors openly challenged one of the core tenets of Joe Bidens agenda, to rein in corporate power, in a move that could prove to be bitterly divisive within the party if Donald Trump is defeated in November. On July 25, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman went on CNN to call for the vice president, if she is elected, to oust Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan, who he said is operating outside the scope of her job. Antitrust is fine, said Hoffman, who has donated $7 million to a Democratic super PAC and sits on the board of Microsoft, a tech giant whose acquisition of Activision was challenged by the FTC. Waging war is not. More from The Hollywood Reporter A day later, IAC media mogul and former Ticketmaster chair Barry Diller offered another glimpse into corporate Americas perspective on merger regulation under Khan. Asked on CNBC if he would lobby Harris to replace her, he replied, Yeah, I would. I think shes a dope. His answer speaks to the distaste of Wall Street and Silicon Valley for contraction and heightened scrutiny of dealmaking over the past four years an issue that has divided Hollywoods unions and studios over concerns related to media consolidation. Quietly operating within that schism are Hollywood lobbyists, who have been blitzing lawmakers amid a contentious dispute that could spill over into the next administration and shape the future of the industry. In candid conversations with The Hollywood Reporter, representatives familiar with lobbying efforts of writers, directors, producers and actors say the groups are vocal about the state of competition in Hollywood. At the top of their concerns: tech monoliths blurring the separation of studios and distributors that have encroached upon the industry. Recently, the Directors Guild convened with the antitrust division of the Justice Department, headed by Jonathan Kanter another target of ire by some ultrarich M&A-friendly Democrats. Were concerned, says DGA executive director Russell Hollander. For some reason, antitrust has not applied to the tech companies. The 12-year period between 2009 and 2020 saw more than $400 billion in media and consumer telecommunications megamergers. Five transactions make up a bulk of that figure Comcast and NBCUniversal (2011); AT&T and DirecTV (2015); AT&T and Time Warner (2018); Charter, Time Warner Cable and Bright House (2016); and Disney and Fox (2018). This wave of consolidation, as well as deregulation, has eroded talent-side leverage, the Writers Guild has said. Producers, who have seen their profit participation and salaries chipped away during negotiations with studios that are increasingly distributing their own content, are similarly frustrated. The Producers Guild has created an internal task force exploring competition issues in the industry, according to people with knowledge of the situation. It also hosted antitrust activist Matt Stoller for a conversation with president Donald De Line that was attended by representatives of other guilds and unions. Some of these groups, namely the WGA, have been pushing lawmakers to consider reinstitution of a new version of Financial Interest and Syndication Rules, which were aimed at preventing the major TV networks from monopolizing the broadcast market by barring them from owning the content they aired during primetime hours. (They were eliminated in 1993 during a wave of deregulation directed years earlier by then-President and ex-SAG chief Ronald Reagan.) We have and continue to call for that type of action in our industry, says Laura Blum-Smith, the Writers Guild of America Wests director of research and public policy. These are the kinds of conditions where the government has previously intervened. For the unions, longtime allies and staunch supporters of Biden, antitrust acts as a medium to address labor issues. The WGA and SAG-AFTRA last year backed changes to merger guidelines that account for a proposed deals impact on working conditions and welcomed Khan to their picket lines when they were on strike. Unions are positioned to take on even more significance in keeping Khan as head of the FTC and how Harris responds to efforts to reject some of Bidens more populist policy positions. A drift away from the pillar of this administrations antitrust policy and toward big-money interests could hurt her candidacy with labor unions. Guilds may have reason for concern. Harris inner circle of advisers includes her sister, Maya Harris, whose husband, Tony West, is an influential voice in Silicon Valley as a fundraiser for Democrats and engineered Ubers campaign against organized labor; Eric Holder, who represents corporations at white-shoe firm Covington & Burling and is vetting her running-mate pick; and Karen Dunn, an Obama administration alumnus with ties to Google, Amazon and Apple. Financial Times reported July 27 that unnamed outside campaign advisors for Harris have teased the possibility of de-escalating competition enforcement. The Motion Picture Association, the trade group representing studios, have clashed with Hollywoods unions and guilds on antitrust and labor issues. In June, it wrote to the Federal Communications Commission that competition in the market is robust. The interests of at least one of its members, Warner Bros. Discovery, have largely been directed toward electing a business-friendly president. We just need an opportunity for deregulation, so companies can consolidate and do what we need to to be even better, WBD boss David Zaslav told Bloomberg while in Sun Valley. The company may be looking for buyers with the expiration of its two-year lockup period preventing it from engaging in larger deals, but the scale of such a merger would almost certainly draw a lawsuit from competition enforcers unless they are ousted. And the question of whether Trump will take a more lax approach to merger enforcement has emerged as a talking point. J.D. Vance, his running mate, has previously split from his Republican colleagues and backed Khan, who he said in February is doing a good job. Notably, Trumps Justice Department sued to block AT&Ts $85 billion takeover of Time Warner in the first lawsuit challenging a vertical merger when two companies that dont compete directly against each other but are in related industries (think a manufacturer and distributor) in more than 40 years. As Hoffman, Diller and other Silicon Valley and Wall Street megadonors circle the wagons to influence Harris policy positions, there may be more of a push by Hollywood unions and studios to leverage their political capital to advance their interests in merger enforcement. Theres anxiety on both sides. Under this administration, the FTC is making bold comments, SAG-AFTRA general counsel Jeffrey Bennett says. Are those the same comments well get from a different one? I dont know. It could change everything. This story appeared in the July 31 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The election for the Polk County School Board in District 4 pits an incumbent against a home-schooling advocate with an array of educational experience. Seeking a third term, Sara Beth Wyatt must contend with Rebekah Ricks, the former state leader of the conservative group Moms for America. District 4 contains 20 schools in the Winter Haven area. Candidates must live in the district, though voting takes place countywide. Vote-by-mail ballots have already gone out for the nonpartisan election, one of three School Board races being held this year. Early voting begins Aug. 10, and traditional voting will take place Aug. 20. Rebekah Ricks Ricks, 44, is a former teacher who said that many of her relatives are involved in education. She holds twin bachelors degrees in advanced math and history and educational leadership from Oklahoma Baptist College. The Winter Haven resident, a mother of children ages 3 and 6, said she has previously operated a small, university model private school and led a tutoring company. She serves on the State Board of Music Education. How did your school do? Complete list of Polk County school grades for 2023-24 Ricks, who ran unsuccessfully for the Polk County School Board in 2016, is past president of the Florida chapter of Moms for America, a conservative group that emphasizes religious faith and promotes home-schooling, among other causes. Ricks said that she now consults on nationwide legislation related to education, human trafficking and immigration for various organizations. Ricks said it isnt a contradiction for a home-school advocate to seek a position on the board that oversees Polk Countys public schools. Florida leaders have emphasized school choice in recent years, passing legislation that allows state education funding to flow to students who are home-schooled or attend private schools. And Polk Countys roughly 5,000 home-schooled students have the right to take classes at public schools, she said. Rebekah Ricks is running for the Polk County School Board in District 4. While Ricks is challenging a two-term incumbent in Wyatt, she emphasized that Wyatt had not indicated plans to seek reelection when Ricks filed to run in January. Ricks said she is also motivated by the need to address problems in the district. Among her concerns: Truancy is high, with 40% of high schoolers chronically absent. (That figure includes home-schooled and charter school students.) Too many students read at below their grade level. Polk County ranks relatively low in scores on most subjects in state assessments. So I guess you need to go back to the basics reading, writing and arithmetic, Ricks said. We need to make sure that those scores are the number one thing the district needs to be focusing on, is making sure that we're giving our students a good education. On the topic of boosting salaries for veteran teachers, Ricks said that Florida has devoted significant money in recent budgets toward increasing teacher pay. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis office reported allotting more than $4 billion for faculty salaries since 2019. Ricks said that the state funding is not translating into commensurate raises in Polk County. School Board District 2: Two candidates for open Polk County School Board seat tout deep connections to district Ricks acknowledged that insurance and pensions could factor into the equation. She also noted that teachers have a union that advocates for them in bargaining with district leaders. Ricks campaign platform emphasizes rights, resources and results. She said that 30% of Polk County students have a learning disability, and up to 30% speak English as a second language. As an advocate for school choice, Ricks said that some students could be directed to charter or private schools with specialty programs. Teachers have someone that advocates for them, she said. The parents and students don't always have someone to advocate for them. Whether you choose to home-school your child or to put them in a private school or you're in a public school, were changing the face of education right now. The policies we're making are going to affect education for the next 20 years. Moms for America, the nonprofit with which Ricks is still aligned, addresses such politically charged topics as COVID vaccinations, gender identity and critical race theory. But Ricks said she isnt looking to inject politics into the Polk County School Board. We can get sidetracked by the politics of education, but education is not political, she said. Education is not Republican or Democrat. While the Moms for America website warns against the indoctrination of students in public schools, Ricks said she does not consider that a problem in Polk County or Florida as a whole. Ricks has reported about $14,400 in campaign contributions. Her donors include Polk County Commissioner Bill Braswell; Royal Brown III, president of the Winter Haven 9-12 Project; the trust of Julie Fancelli, daughter of Publix Super Markets founder George W. Jenkins; and Steve Maxwell, co-founder of Citizens Defending Freedom. Sara Beth Wyatt Wyatt narrowly won election to the Polk County School Board in 2016 at age 24. She faced no opponent in 2020. Wyatt, 31, resigned in June after two years as president and CEO of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. She said she needed to devote time to increased family responsibilities and her reelection campaign. I was first elected in 2016, so I feel like we've made some great strides in the past eight years, Wyatt said. But there's still a little bit more work to be done. Among the districts accomplishments, Wyatt said that Polks funding per-pupil from the state has increased by more than 25%. She also expressed pride at the districts offering of advanced curricula through the Cambridge Program at Winter Haven High and Tenoroc High. Polk County reached the state-mandated minimum salary of $47,500 for new teachers about 18 months ahead of schedule. Wyatt said that means the School Board can now concentrate on directing funds toward boosting pay for experienced teachers. Wyatt also noted that all employees in Polk County Public Schools have received health coverage at no cost for decades, a fact that she thinks can be better advertised to attract teachers. She said she wants to see that benefit continued. While Polk County recently received a C grade in the Florida Department of Educations annual assessment, Wyatt emphasized that the district is outpacing the state in its gains in many categories of the end-of-year assessments. She acknowledged that high rates of absenteeism following the COVID pandemic are hampering the districts progress. Sara Beth Wyatt is seeking a third term on the Polk County School Board in District 4. The district has benefited from the results of an efficiency audit conducted last year, Wyatt said. So we had some great results from that, she said. One of them is redistricting and looking at it as we're rezoning our schools, we have some neighborhoods that we have seven buses coming to the same little area to go to seven different schools, just because that's where there's zones. Wyatt said she expects the district to find further cost savings through recommendations that arose from the audit. As the district continues with a long-term rezoning plan, Wyatt said she wants to ensure that all students can find the programs they seek in the school closest to their home. As it is, students sometimes must travel elsewhere in the county for a specialty program. School Board District 1: Brandt challenges first-term incumbent Allen for Polk School Board in District 1 Every school should be a destination school, Wyatt said. Polk County is experiencing a population surge, and that creates the demand for more schools. The district is now adding 3,000 to 5,000 students a year, Wyatt said. We have several schools that have many open seats, that are not at capacity, she said. Those are not necessarily schools where the growth in the community is. So how can we rezone schools to make sure that all schools are fairly balanced, when it comes to capacity at the school? Wyatt served as chair of the School Board in 2023. Being a board member, you're one of seven, which is always important to remember, she said. A big part of being an effective board member is building consensus and working together. No man is an island, and one vote doesn't get you very far. Wyatt admitted that she carefully considered whether she wanted to seek a third term on the School Board. I have so much more I feel like I want to accomplish, and I really need a little bit more time to do it, she said. So, the work is still very exciting. It is an honor and a great responsibility to be able to represent Polk County. And I hope to continue to do that and continue to represent all of our families and community, because these kids, the 120,000 students sitting in our schools, are worth it. Wyatt has reported about $14,700 in campaign contributions. Her donors include Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz; state Rep. Melony Bell, R-Fort Meade; former school district lobbyist Wendy Dodge; and the Polk Education Association Political Action Committee. Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Home-school advocate takes on 2-term Polk School Board incumbent PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A horse rescue in Eastern Oregon has helped to save more than 40 domesticated animals since July 21 as the town of Monument is nearly surrounded by a group of wildfires known as the Battle Mountain Complex. In addition to the nine horses and other domesticated animals already living at the Silent Wave Horse Rescue, located 2 miles west of Monument, the organization took in 16 horses and six hogs that were evacuated from neighboring communities last week. The horse rescues director Lisa Neuburger told KOIN 6 News that the area is experiencing the worst wildfire season in recent memory. Our region is pretty engulfed this time, Neuburger said. In the past, weve had small fires. On Monday it blew up Sadly, its the earliest [wildfire season] and definitely the worst. The Battle Mountain Complex seen burning at night near the Silent Wave Horse Rescue. (Silent Wave Horse Rescue) VIDEO: Rare Rocky Mountain goat sighting on Mount Hood Neuburgers property is under level three evacuation and her family has seen several close calls since July 22, when the Boneyard Fire crested over the hill and pushed toward the rescue. The fire was coming fast, really fast, she said. It came across 40 to 50 acres of dry grass. Firefighters said that grass usually doesnt burn that hot, but this got swirled by the wind and they were seeing fire tornadoes on our property. The Silent Wave Horse Rescue and neighboring areas affected by the Battle Mountain Complex. (Silent Wave Horse Rescue) Neuburger said that she and her family gather the animals and retreat to 17-acres of irrigated field on the property whenever the flames get too close. We turn the pivot irrigation system on in a field that is 17 acres and very green, she said. We evacuated on Monday into the field, moved the horses into it and loaded up vehicles with important items like family photos. While the field offers a safe buffer from the flames, Neuburger said that her family may have lost its home last week if it wasnt for the kindness of a local rancher. With the winds fanning the flames toward her property, the rancher drove several miles to her property and used a disc harrow to churn up the soil and create a 10 to 15-foot fire line in front of their house. He was driving right into the smoke, she said. His disc line saved us because it slowed the advance of fire He did that from the goodness of his heart. Man accused of intentionally running over seagulls on Washington beach A few days of cooler temperatures and light rain has given the family some reprieve from the fire. On Tuesday the rescue used the opportunity to trim hooves and nail on fresh horseshoes. A little bit of rain kind of cleansed everything and allowed firefighters to set up lines, she said. Theyve pushed the fire back up the ridge to the main body. As of July 30, the Battle Mountain Complex is 178,171 acres and 10% contained. With multiple days of 100-degree heat in the forecast for Central and Eastern Oregon, the family continues to prepare for the worst. We just wait, she said. Those fires are relentless With strong west winds and heat, the fire will go where it wants. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Republicans state Auditor Shad White and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann threw a little political shade at each other, and both indicated they have 2027 gubernatorial aspirations at the Neshoba County Fair on Wednesday. Hosemann told a crowd Wednesday that Mississippis next step in tax cuts should be reducing the states 7% tax on groceries the highest levy of its kind in the nation. Hosemann made the commitment Wednesday the first of two days of political speaking at the historic Neshoba County Fair to make reducing the grocery tax a priority during the upcoming 2025 legislative session, which begins In January. White, who spoke before Hosemann under the balmy tin-roofed Founders Square Pavilion, also endorsed a cut to the grocery tax. It is time to lower the grocery tax, Hosemann said before a sparse crowd for the off-election year political speeches. We can do this. This is the year (2025 session) to do that. Hosemann pointed out that a $525 million cut in the income tax passed in 2022 will be completely phased in during the next two years. A cut in business taxes, costing the state about $42 million annually, will be phased in by 2029. He said a reduction in the 7% tax on groceries should be Mississippis next step. White agreed, saying that because of the high cost of food, a reduction in the grocery tax would be big boost for families. But White blamed Hosemann, as presiding officer of the Senate, for killing legislation that would ban the expenditure of public funds at universities for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. He said the efforts are a waste of taxpayer money. He said some Mississippi Republican officials should act more conservative and a little less like Joe Biden, an apparent jab at Hosemann given the context of his speech. After his speech, Hosemann was asked about Whites comments. He said he did not hear them, but added he was surprised White was at the fair. I thought he would be on a book tour, Hosemann said, referring to the the state auditor releasing a book next week on the misspending of at least $77 million in federal welfare funds, part of an ongoing criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. The 77-year-old Hosemann indicated that he intends to seek another political office in 2027 when his second term as lieutenant governor ends. Constitutionally Hosemann cannot seek a third consecutive term as lieutenant governor. On Wednesday, he did not say which office he might pursue, though, in the past Mississippi Today has reported he is considering a run for governor. We have a vision for Mississippi. We have been at it since 2008 , said Hosemann who previously served as secretary of state. If people still want us, we want to continue to work. White was more succinct about his political ambition to media after his speech: Ill be honest with you, I am seriously considering a run for governor in the next election. Earlier on Wednesday, Democratic Central District Public Service Commissioner DeKeither Stamps called on 81-year-old President Joe Biden to step down and for Vice President Kamala Harris to assume his role. He said Harris should select the Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson as her vice president for the remainder of this term, which ends in January. He said such a move would unify the country. He said Biden should resign to avoid tarnishing his long tenure of public service. Central District Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons, also a Democrat, called on the Legislature to appropriate an additional recurring revenue source presumably a tax increase for his agency to deal with road and bridge needs. Simmons said the other two transportation commissioners, both Republican, also believe more recurring revenue should be directed to road and bridge needs. Houston police block ramps due to high waters on flooded highways in Houston, on Monday, July 8, 2024, after Beryl came ashore in Texas as a hurricane and dumped heavy rains downtown. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker) The interim police chief of Houston said Wednesday that poor communication by department leaders is to blame for the continuation of a bad policy that allowed officers to drop more than 264,000 cases, including more than 4,000 sexual assault cases and at least two homicides. Interim Chief Larry Satterwhite told the Houston City Council that the code implemented in 2016 was meant to identify why each case was dropped for example, because an arrest had been made, there were no leads or a lack of personnel. Instead, officers acting without guidance from above used the code SL for Suspended-Lack of Personnel to justify decisions to stop investigating all manner of crimes, even when violence was involved. The extent of the problem wasn't discovered until after officers investigating a robbery and sexual assault in September 2023 learned that crime scene DNA linked their suspect to a sexual assault the previous year, a case that had been dropped, Satterwhite said. That led to an investigation, which revealed that 264,371 cases had been dropped from 2016 until February 2024, when Finner issued what Satterwhite said was the first department-wide order to stop using the code. Among them, 4,017 sexual assault cases were shelved, and two homicides a person intentionally run over by a vehicle and a passenger who was killed when a driver crashed while fleeing police, Satterwhite said. A department report released Wednesday said that 79% of the more than 9,000 special victims cases shelved, which include the sexual assault cases, have now been reviewed, leading to arrests and charges against 20 people. Police are still trying to contact every single victim in the dropped cases, Satterwhite said. Former Chief Troy Finner, who was forced out by Mayor John Whitmire in March and replaced by Satterwhite, has said he ordered his command staff in November 2021 to stop using the code. But Satterwhite said no one was ever told below that executive staff meeting," which he said was a failure in our department. There was no follow-up, there was no checking in, there was no looking back to see what action is going on that might have exposed the extent of the problem sooner, Satterwhite said. Finner did not immediately return phone calls to number listed for him, but recently told the Houston Chronicle that he regrets failing to grasp the extent of the dropped cases earlier. He said the department and its leaders himself included were so busy, and the use of the code was so normal, that the severity of the issue didnt register with anyone in leadership. Satterwhite said the department used triage to assess cases, handling first those considered most solvable. New policies now ensure violent crimes are no longer dismissed without reviews by higher ranking officers, and sexual assault case dismissals require three reviews by the chain of command, he said. Satterwhite said all divisions were trained to use the code when it was implemented, but no standard operating procedure was developed. There were no guardrails or parameters. I think there was an expectation that surely you would never use it for certain cases, but unfortunately it was because it wasnt in policy, and it ended up being used in cases that we should never have used it for, Satterwhite said. The mayor, a key state Senate committee leader during those years, said he's shocked by the numbers. It is shocking to me as someone who was chairman of criminal justice that no one brought it to me," Whitmire said. No one ever imagined the number of cases. No disciplinary action has been taken against any department employee, Satterwhite said. "I'm not ready to say anybody nefariously did anything. Howell man charged in death of Wall man in collision that happened a year ago A Howell man has been charged with death by auto and cocaine possession in a crash in Wall that claimed the life of 55-year-old man a year ago. Thomas A. Redding, 45, was charged earlier this month but was a fugitive until U.S. marshals captured him in Philadelphia early Monday, Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Julia Alonso and Wall Township Police Chief Sean OHalloran said in a statement Tuesday. Redding is in custody in Pennsylvania, pending extradition to New Jersey. At about 5 a.m. on July 29, 2023, Wall police were called to a three-vehicle crash at Old Mill Road and Route 138. They found a 2016 Ford Fusion, driven by Leonard Akers of Wall, and a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup driven by a 62-year-old Howell man whose name has not been released. Both the Fusion and the pickup were stopped at a red light when Redding, driving a 2023 Toyota 4Runner, slammed into the back of Akers car, pushing him into the pickup truck in front of him, authorities said. Both the Fusion and the pickup were severely damaged, authorities said. Akers was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where lifesaving efforts failed. Nothing was mentioned about the condition of Redding's vehicle. More: Pedestrian struck and killed in Toms River Sunday; Seaside Park man charged in his death Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team, the prosecutors office, and Wall police investigated and found that Redding was under the influence when the crash occurred. Lawyer information for Redding was not immediately available. Redding also drew motor vehicle summonses for speeding, reckless driving, careless driving likely to endanger persons or property, following too closely, operation of a motor vehicle while in possession of narcotics, and driving while intoxicated. Ken Serrano covers breaking news, crime and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or kserrano@gannettnj.com. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Howell NJ man charged with death by auto in 2023 Wall crash Assassination of Haniyeh is an embarrassment but does it change anything for Iran? Ismail Haniyeh, the political and symbolic figurehead of Hamas, was killed in the heart of Iran - Arif Hudaverdi Yaman/Getty Images The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh marks a severe humiliation for the Iranian regime, and one that pushes its shadow war with Israel into its most dangerous phase yet. Hamass political leader was supposed to be under the protection of the full might of the Iranian security state. Just hours before he was killed, he openly walked through the streets of Tehran and gave an interview to a reporter so confident was he that he was safe. It was Haniyeh, after all, that had done more than any other Hamas official to link the Shia Muslim nation and its vast bank accounts to his Sunni terror group. On Wednesday, Iranian sources briefed some news outlets that the killing was the result of a leak from Haniyehs bodyguards, in a possible attempt to deflect blame from the regimes own failings. Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's president, meets with Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas's late political leader - Reuters Amwaj, a UK-based news website focused on the Middle East, was told that the strike likely came from relatively nearby his residence. If Mossad agents had indeed managed to infiltrate the Iranian capital, or its environs, on the day of the inauguration of the countrys new president, it would represent an extraordinary coup for the Israeli intelligence services. They have previously carried out assassinations on Iranian soil, in particular of nuclear scientists, but none have been quite so symbolic. The question now is: how will Iran choose to respond. Since Oct 7, Tehran has shown little appetite to escalate its so-called shadow war with Israel into an open regional conflict. It took the Israeli assassination of several of its top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders in an April airstrike on a Damascus consulate for Iran to attack Israel directly. Then, Irans military launched a highly choreographed barrage of drones and missiles that appeared planned to avoid major civilian casualties. It was intended primarily as a show of force and, the regime no doubt hoped, an act of deterrence though clearly it has not achieved that goal. The assassination of Haniyeh is embarrassing for Iran, and it may choose to repeat the direct attack, in some form. It would no longer be so shocking. But the attack need not necessarily provoke an attempt at an overwhelming barrage. The assassination did not target any of its officials and the sole casualties, according to media reports, were Haniyeh and his bodyguard. I dont think necessarily that the Iranians strategic calculus has changed, said Andreas Krieg, an expert on the Middle East at Kings College, London. Iran will have to respond in some way, he told the New York Times. But its not a turning point. The Iranian security system is also struggling under the weight of internal dissent. It brutally suppressed mass demonstrations calling for an end to the regime in 2022, and is probably expending much of its efforts trying to contain fresh rebellion from within. The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, on Iranian soil is an embarrassment to Tehran - Fatemeh Bahrami/Getty Images That may partly explain why Haniyehs assassins succeeded in the first place. Iran could choose to order its proxy, Hezbollah, to launch a full-scale attack on Israel with the might of its arsenal of long-range missiles. But that is a card that can only be played once as it will likely invite a devastating Israeli response and Tehran may feel it is unwise to deploy on account of a foreign guest. Other options include attacks on Israeli embassies or citizens abroad. Tehrans typical modus operandi, stealthy strikes carried out at surprise moments, may not be enough to salve the wound to its national pride. Another question that has emerged from yesterdays news is what this all means for the prospects for peace in Gaza. In the short term, it is hard to see any other outcome than the Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks breaking down. Haniyeh, after all, was seen as a slightly more moderate voice within Hamas in the negotiations. The blow is unlikely to force military leader Yahya Sinwar to the table on its own although he is under increasing pressure from desperate citizens and the assassination of several of his top commanders. Some had speculated that Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, might seize the moment to claim victory and push for a ceasefire with Hamas. But on Wednesday night he put paid to such hopes. Israels series of strikes against Irans axis of evil were proof it could meet its expansive war aims, he said. For now, at least, the main players in the war appear not to have shifted far from the positions they held before Haniyehs assassination. Only Mr Khamenei will know if he is prepared to upset that balance with a strike that goes beyond the current, grinding rules of engagement. 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) A new Michigan Supreme Court ruling could remove hundreds of people from the sex offender registry in the statecases where people had been convicted of non-sexual crimes like kidnapping, but were still considered a threat to children. Now, the justices say that calling these individuals sex offenders is cruel and unusual punishment. 6 News spoke with former state senator and sheriff Rick Jones for more insight into the ruling. In my opinion, it wasnt the best ruling, but it is their right to rule the way, perhaps they havent seen all the perversion Ive seen. Jones was a state senator when the original bill, allowing those who committed non-sexual crimes against children to end up on the sex offender registry, was drafted. He says that they intended to protect the communitynot unfairly punish people. There were a lot of people that felt somebody that would grab a child and hold them against their will, said Jones. Obviously, theyre going to do something very inappropriate. They belong on the list, in my opinion. Hundreds of people ended up on the sex offender list because lawmakers felt it was the best way for people to know who could be a potential threat to kids. The registry is the most widely known, easily used resource for organizations that work with volunteers or cant afford a full background check. This is a public list, so if youre checking who lives near you if youre checking somebody to be a Sunday school teacher, a teacher, or something like that, you can go to this list and check everybody out, said Jones. Now, the Supreme Court has apparently ruled that they will be removed from the (sex offenders) list. Fine. Then the state legislature needs to step up and create another list. Jones said that this new child threat registry should be easy to access online and include anyone whos posed a threat to a child in the past or anyone police think might pose a risk in the futureand hes challenging his former colleagues to make it happen. It would go through the Judiciary Committee, normally both the House and the Senate, and then the governor would have to sign it into law, said Jones. And I cant imagine anybody not wanting to safeguard children in the great state of Michigan. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. While California battles the fifth-largest wildfire in state history, a trio of wildfires near Denver has forced hundreds of evacuations and claimed at least one life. Heres the latest on a barrage of blazes burning in several western states: Colorados Stone Canyon Fire turns deadly: The remains of a fire victim were found Wednesday inside a home in the path of the Stone Canyon Fire one of three wildfires ravaging the Denver area, Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson said Wednesday. The Stone Canyon Fire has scorched more than 1,500 acres and Gov. Jared Polis said five homes have been destroyed. As firefighting efforts continue, evacuation orders for parts of the town of Lyon were lifted. But some gas service in those neighborhoods was turned off as a precautionary measure, the sheriff said. Getting people back in with utilities will take some time, he said. As of Wednesday evening, the fire was 20% contained, according to Boulders disaster management office. Colorados Quarry Fire spreads rapidly: Emergency crews raced to evacuate homes southwest of Denver overnight as the Quarry Fire, previously known as the Wildland Fire, threatened several subdivisions, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office said. By Wednesday night, the blaze had grown from 50 acres to 341 acres, the sheriffs office posted on X, and was still 0% contained. Polis has deployed the state National Guard to assist in the fire response, he announced in a Wednesday news conference. It marks the first fire-related deployment since 2021s Marshall Fire, the governor said, which destroyed hundreds of homes. Polis emphasized the National Guard will not be firefighting, but will be able to take additional support positions, road closures (and) logistics to free up other first responders who directly respond to the fires. Firefighters struggle with limited resources and a rattlesnake problem: The Quarry Fire will be tough to fight due to the terrain and the number of other wildfires searing parts of Colorado, local officials said. We dont know if were going to get any air support today or not, Jefferson County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Mark Techmeyer said Wednesday. While no injuries nor damaged structures have been reported from the Quarry Fire, firefighters face new hazards with the blaze. The terrain is mountainous, steep and really hard to navigate on foot, Techmeyer said. On top of that, We have a rattlesnake problem to deal with. In addition to the Quarry and Stone Canyon fires, Colorado is also grappling with the Alexander Mountain Fire, which has singed more than 7,600 acres north of Denver and was 1% contained as of Wednesday night. Hot, dry and windy weather is expected over the area through Friday and theres a slight chance of scattered rain over the weekend. The Quarry Fire near Denver grew from 50 to 200 acres Wednesday morning, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said. - KUSA Californias Park Fire is bigger than the size of Los Angeles: The weeklong inferno, which started July 24 in Northern California, is now the fifth-largest wildfire in state history. It has swallowed more than 391,000 acres, or 611 square miles, according to Cal Fire. More than 5,800 personnel are battling the blaze, using more than 500 fire engines and 40 helicopters. This region, both Butte and Tehama (counties) has had four of the largest 10 fires known in history, Cal Fire Incident Commander Billy See said. As of Wednesday afternoon, the Park Fire had destroyed more than 360 structures and was 18% contained. The Park Fire engulfs land in flames near Chico, California, on Tuesday. - David McNew/Getty Images Newsom declares state of emergency for another wildfire: In Southern California, the Borel Fire has ravaged Kern County and decimated a historic mining community. Gov. Gavin Newsom visited affected communities Tuesday and proclaimed a state of emergency. The governor previously declared a state of emergency for the Park and Gold Complex fires. Suspect accused of starting the Park Fire could face more charges: Ronnie Dean Stout II, the man suspected of starting the Park Fire, has been charged with arson, according to a felony criminal complaint filed Monday. Authorities said a witness saw him pushing a burning car down a 60-foot embankment. Stout claims he did not push the car, Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey told reporters. The suspect didnt enter a plea during a court appearance Monday and was denied bail. His arraignment was continued to Thursday, Ramsey said, and more charges could be added. Resident loses two homes in separate wildfires: Standing in the charred remains of his house, Butte County resident Rick Pero told CNN affiliate KHSL the Park Fire was the second California inferno to destroy his home. After the deadly 2018 Camp Fire obliterated his house, Pero and his wife moved to the Forest Ranch community in Butte County. There, Pero educated his neighbors on defensible space which he credits for helping save dozens of neighbors homes. But the precaution didnt save his own home, Pero told KHSL: It was just too much Mother Nature. Oregon firefighters battle mammoth blaze as temperatures soar: Oregons largest wildfire, the Durkee Fire, has charred more than 293,000 acres with no rainfall in sight. The blaze, which was ignited by lightning near the Oregon-Idaho border on July 17, was 52% contained as of Wednesday morning, according to InciWeb. No rainfall is expected the rest of the week, and temperatures are expected to soar to triple digits by the weekend potentially impairing firefighting efforts. 95 large wildfires are raging in the US: Across the country, 95 major wildfires are burning scorching a combined 2.1 million acres (and counting), the National Interagency Fire Center said Wednesday. Among them, 35 infernos were spreading in Oregon, 12 in California and 10 in Idaho. So far in 2024, 28,154 wildfires have burned 4,449,282 acres, the fire center said. The amount of land torched so far this year is more than the square mileage of Connecticut. The agency stressed the need to have firefighters and firefighting resources available for an initial attack in areas with a high likelihood of fire breaking out. The vast majority of fire starts are contained at small sizes within 24 hours of their discovery, the fire center said. Gusty winds could further fuel fires this week as the heat is expected to intensify across much of the West through Friday. Temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal are expected across parts of the Pacific Northwest and the Northern Rockies, and daily high temperature records could be tied or broken this weekend especially in the Pacific Northwest. CNNs Shania Baweja, Taylor Romine, Susannah Cullinane and Robert Shackelford contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Just as Americans care about swimming, archery, and badminton for exactly two weeks every four years, so too do predictable patterns shape tropical weather. Easterly waves roll off the African coast several days apart; upper-level winds often switch from favorable to unfavorable and back every two or three months; even the Atlantic itself seems to warm and cool on a cycle spanning multiple decades. Track all active storms This week, with Florida and the Southeast in the possible path of a tropical system for the first time in 2024, well look at how those patterns are aligning to scaffold hurricane risks this year over the short, medium, and long terms. Tropical conditions 8 a.m. July 31, 2024. The short-term risk from a storm that may become Debby The immediate focus is on a sizeable tropical wave near the eastern Greater Antilles that may ultimately become the next named storm, Debby. After a lonesome week of plowing westward through dry air and Saharan dust, the wave is finally beginning to generate respectable convection today within its broad area of cyclonic low-level winds. Large waves are hard to kill, but they also are slow to organize. Realistically, itll take until early Saturday for deep convection to potentially sculpt this scruffy wave into a tropical depression, by which time it will be over Cuba or the western Bahamas. Given current trends, theres a fair chance that something forms over the weekend in the general vicinity of the Florida peninsula, though a wild card is how much the wave is disrupted by land interaction over the next few days. If the circulation can consolidate on the northern side of its expansive region of rotation, that would favor less disruption and faster organization. Consolidating a little farther south means the developing center of circulation would contend with the mountains of Hispaniola and Cuba, delaying organization. Sea surface temperatures signal a more favorable environment for hurricane activity. As of mid-day Wednesday, the most concentrated low-level spin seems to be headed for the islands, though that could change. This matters because a depression or tropical storm that forms earlier over the Bahamas would likely connect with a dip in the jet stream over the eastern U.S., turn north, and remain east of Florida as it passes out to sea. If the wave stays disorganized, it should continue west-northwest into the eastern Gulf. Models suggest the eastern U.S. trough ships out and upper-level high pressure redevelops over the Southeastern U.S. next week, so if the disturbance gets into the Gulf, weak steering currents mean it could meander for a while. With water temperatures in the eastern Gulf in the upper 80s and favorable outflow aloft, that would be something that wed need to watch. Storm tracker: Monitor tropical wave as it moves toward Florida A 'tricky' forecast with two paths: A rainy Florida sideswipe or a festering Gulf tropical threat? In scenario 1, a faster-to-develop but sloppy tropical low moves north just east of (or over) the Florida peninsula this weekend, possibly scraping the Carolinas as it turns northeast after that. Whether this mess is named or numbered, impacts would be limited to elevated rain coverage across Florida and the coastal Southeast between Saturday and early next week. This outcome would be a shot over the bow, heralding an active season to come, but not a serious concern in and of itself. In scenario 2, a land-disrupted wave doesnt develop by Saturday, just boosts rain chances in South and Central Florida as it crosses into the Gulf by the end of the weekend. The disturbance then festers over the eastern Gulf in a generally favorable environment through the middle of next week or more, though theres no guarantee anything would actually develop. Its less clear what the endgame of this situation is, though. The waves large size and mountain-related discombobulation probably means organization would be slow if it occurs, at least initially. Overall, I wouldnt be too concerned at this stage. While guidance has shifted a bit in the direction of scenario 2, convection is also outperforming model expectations. The situation remains fluid until a more trackable center of circulation emerges. All that can be said with confidence is that elevated rain chances are probable in the Florida peninsula this weekend. Itll take a few more days to sort out what may become of this messy wave. The Carolinas to the eastern Gulf Coast should continue to monitoring the situation in the meantime. Medium and long-term forecast: A brief lull than a flip into high gear possible In contrast to the short-term forecast agita of being in a NHC area of prospective interest, the next week or two in the tropics dont look too alarming otherwise. Airmasses one to four miles up over the tropical Atlantic look to remain much drier than normal through mid-month, putting the kibosh on the development prospects of most tropical waves. Slow organization of a disturbance or two in the western half of the Atlantic is possible, but itll likely continue to be an uphill battle in the medium term. Unfortunately, conditions are likely to flip to favoring more tropical activity than normal in mid-August and afterward, including the peak weeks of hurricane season in late August and September. While Ill dig into WeatherTigers updated seasonal outlook once the current mishigas is off our desk, suffice to say we continue to project a most likely outcome for the hurricane season ahead of around twice of average hurricane activity. Extremely warm waters across the tropical and eastern Atlantic, weaker than average wind shear and low-level Atlantic trade winds in July, and a recent shift toward the onset of La Nina in the Pacific all support this forecast. In short, keep your emotions in check regarding the wave thats out there now, because like a fencer, BMX racer, or modern pentathlete youll need to pace yourself to go the distance in 2024. Keep watching the skies. Ryan Truchelut, WeatherTiger Dr. Ryan Truchelut is chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger, a Tallahassee company providing forensic meteorology expert witness services, and agricultural and hurricane forecasting subscriptions. Visit weathertiger.com for more information. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Hurricane forecast: How tropical wave could impact Florida, Southeast Huw Edwards pleads guilty to making indecent images of children Huw Edwards arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday Huw Edwards has pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. Edwards, 62, who left the corporation last year, was accused of possessing 37 indecent images, six of which are Category A, the most serious. Category A images involve penetrative sexual activity, sexual activity with an animal or sadism. The former BBC presenter will attend a short hearing at 10am - Jonathan Brady Mr Edwards was arrested last November by detectives - Aaron Chown/PA Wire Edwards, who was one of the BBCs highest-paid stars, was arrested last November by detectives from Scotland Yard and was charged last month. The offences took place between December 2020 and April 2022 and relate to images shared on a WhatsApp chat. Mr Edwards was surrounded by police - Jonathan Brady Mr Edwards left the BBC last year, where he was one of the highest paid stars Edwards was accused of having six category A images, 12 category B pictures and 19 category C photographs on WhatsApp. He could receive a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. More follows 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. UPDATE: Huw Edwards has pled guilty to charges of making indecent images of children. The former top-tier BBC newsreader entered Westminster Magistrates Court at 10 a.m. GMT sharp for his hearing and pled guilty to all charges. The starting sentence was positioned as 12 months and the court has been adjourned until September 16, when Edwards will return to Westminster. More from Deadline Edwards bowed his head as he said guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children, for making category A, category B and category C images. He also confirmed his name and address. This was the first time hed been seen in public for months. The court had initially only expected that Edwards would confirm name and address, and his pleas appeared to catch many by surprise. The court heard that the former news anchor was in a chatroom, where he received a thread of images on WhatsApp during the period from a male. Prosecutors said these images were clearly approved by Edwards, and there were 377 of them in total, with 41 classified as indecent. The bulk were sent during a two-month period, prosectors said. The charges were changed slightly in court, to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2021, not August 2022, while there were updates to the number of images, clarifying that there were seven category A images, 12 category B and 22 category C. Of the seven category A, which are the most serious, the court heard that they were mostly of children aged 13 to 15 but there were two moving images of a young child, possibly aged between seven and nine. The court heard how, in February 2021, Edwards was asked by the man if the images were of children who were too young, and that Edwards had told him not to send any underage images or anything illegal. After this, the pair only exchanged legal pornographic images, the court heard. Defending Edwards, his lawyer Philip Evans KC said there was no suggestion that Edwards had made or created any of the images. Making images can include downloading them. The public understanding is important in terms of context here, said Evans. He did not keep the images nor send them to anyone else, and did not or has not sought any similar images anywhere else. Evans applied for a pre-sentencing report for Edwards to be filed and for the court to adjourn to September 16, once reports have come back from psychologists regarding Edwards mental health. This was agreed by the judge. Edwards has spent some of the past year in hospital since allegations emerged in The Sun last summer. The judge, Paul Goldspring, said it is appropriate to hear more about [Edwards] motivation, your risk of re-offending and of course the health issues that have been foreshadowed this morning. All of that is relevant to the sentence the court will decide upon, he added. He left open the possibility that another court will have to sentence Edwards. In an unusual move, Edwards lawyer also applied for his full address not to be read out in court due to volatile protests that had taken place outside, and this was agreed by the court. A small group had been protesting outside the court against BBC presenters such as Edwards. PREVIOUS: Huw Edwards, who was until April the BBCs best-known and highest-paid news anchor, has arrived in court to face charges of making indecent images of children. The Welsh broadcaster, who has been a fixture on British screens for decades, walked into Londons Westminster Magistrates Court wearing dark sunglasses and a suit. A huge media throng had gathered in the hour prior to his arrival in preparation for what could prove to be one of the highest profile media trials of the year. Edwards was charged with three counts of making indecent images of children in late June following a months-long Metropolitan Police investigation. The offences, which are alleged to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022, relate to images shared on a WhatsApp chat. He is accused of having six category A images, 12 category B images and 19 category C images on his WhatsApp. Category A is defined as images involving penetrative sexual activity, sexual activity with an animal or sadism. Edwards appearance today is a first hearing. He is in court having not been seen in public for a year. He stopped appearing on the BBC when allegations surfaced in The Sun last summer and exited the corporation in April 2024 on medical advice after 40 years of service, the corporation said, coming just prior to him taking home his biggest pay packet in five years. He was arrested five months before he left the BBC and charged just two months later. While the legal proceedings are active, the BBC is declining comment on Edwards case and is not saying whether it had continued paying him or whether it had knowledge of his arrest. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. UPDATE: The BBC has issued a statement about Huw Edwards guilty plea. A spokesperson said the corporation was shocked to hear of the details that emerged in court on Wednesday and that Edwards was no longer a BBC employee when he was charged, having resigned two months earlier. Read the full statement below. PREVIOUSLY: Huw Edwards has pled guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children during his first appearance in a U.K. court. More from Variety On Wednesday morning, Edwards appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court in London to acknowledge the charges before Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring and a packed press gallery. The former BBC news anchor, who was once one of the highest paid figures at the BBC, showed no emotion as he was led through Courtroom 1 and into the glass-panelled dock, dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and blue tie. While he entered the courthouse in dark sunglasses, he had removed these before entering the court. Edwards spoke only to give his name, date of birth and his partial U.K. address, to enter his plea for each charge and to confirm he understood the bail conditions. His counsel requested that, in contravention of U.K. court tradition, Edwards should not read out his full address due to the volatile situation outside the court which included protests. The prosecutor explained how the images were sent to him via WhatsApp by an adult man who contacted Mr Edwards on social media. They were automatically saved to his phone. Edwards asked the WhatsApp sender to stop sending illegal images of underage children. The chat continued thereafter with further legal pornographic images being sent. The charges related to 41 images and videos that were shared on the messaging site between 2020 and 2022. Six of those were Category A, considered the most serious. The maximum sentence is 10 years in prison. The sentencing has been adjourned until September for a pre-sentence report. In the meantime, Edwards has been released on conditional bail. His lawyer told the court in mitigation that Edwards was a man not only of good character but of exemplary character. He also added there were mental health issues at play at the time of the offending and now. The lawyer was also keen to emphasize that Edwards had not made any images or videos in the traditional sense. The news anchor, who had spent 40 years at the BBC, resigned in April citing medical advice. He had been on a 10-month absence of leave after a tabloid newspaper revealed a senior presenter at the BBC had been involved in a sex photo scandal. Although Edwards was not initially named, after rumors reached fever pitch his wife made a statement confirming the BBC anchor was implicated and had checked into a hospital for mental health treatment. Read the BBCs full statement below: The BBC is shocked to hear the details which have emerged in court today. There can be no place for such abhorrent behaviour and our thoughts are with all those affected. The police have confirmed that the charges are not connected to the original complaint raised with the BBC in the summer of 2023, nevertheless in the interests of transparency we think it important to set out some points about events of the last year. In November 2023, whilst Mr Edwards was suspended, the BBC as his employer at the time was made aware in confidence that he had been arrested on suspicion of serious offences and released on bail whilst the police continued their investigation. At the time, no charges had been brought against Mr Edwards and the BBC had also been made aware of significant risk to his health. Today we have learnt of the conclusion of the police process in the details as presented to the court. If at any point during the period Mr Edwards was employed by the BBC he had been charged, the BBC had determined it would act immediately to dismiss him. In the end, at the point of charge he was no longer an employee of the BBC. During this period, in the usual way, the BBC has kept its corporate management of these issues separate from its independent editorial functions. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards was suspended last year after he was accused of paying a 17-year-old for explicit images. He later resigned. (Tim Ireland / Associated Press) Huw Edwards, a former top BBC presenter who was suspended from his duties last year, pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of making indecent images of children, London's Metropolitan Police confirmed to The Times. Edwards, who served the news organization for 40 years before his July 2023 suspension and resignation in April, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court in central London. The charges stem from offenses between December 2020 and April 2022 and involve images shared in a WhatsApp chat. During a 26-minute hearing, the court heard that an unnamed man had messaged the 62-year-old news veteran via social media and then sent hundreds of sexual images between December 2020 and August 2021, including 41 indecent images of children. Seven images were classified as "Category A," the most indecent. The children in most of those photos ranged from 13 to 15 years old, though one photo featured a child who was between 7 and 9 years old. After receiving a final "Category A" image in August 2021, Edwards told the unnamed sender to stop sending the illegal images, though they continued to exchange legal pornographic images until April 2022. Read more: Huw Edwards is the 'BBC presenter' accused of paying teen over $45,000 for explicit images Accessing indecent images of underage people perpetuates the sexual exploitation of children, which has deep, long-lasting trauma on these victims, said Claire Brinton of the Crown Prosecution Service, which decides whether a case should go to court. Edwards pleaded guilty days after details of his November arrest were made public this week and months after police launched an investigation in 2023. During an unrelated investigation last year, South Wales Police officers seized Edwards' phone and discovered the WhatsApp conversation. The embattled former anchor is due back in the same court for sentencing on Sept. 16, police said. A representative for the BBC did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment. Philip Evans, Edwards' defense lawyer, denied the allegations that his client in the traditional sense of the word, created any image of any sort." He also denies that Edwards kept or distributed the images and said his client "has not sought similar images from anywhere else." The newsreader is "not just of good character, but of exceptional character," Evans added. Read more: Diplo accused of distributing revenge porn in new lawsuit Edwards had been among BBC's best-paid stars, with an annual salary of at least $565,000. But his BBC glory quickly faded when he was accused in July of paying a 17-year-old for explicit images in a case unrelated to the WhatsApp charges. Last July, Edwards' wife, Vicky Flind, confirmed in a statement that the longtime anchor was the person at the center of the accusations, which were first reported by the Sun without naming a name. The allegations surfaced as he faced mental health issues and was hospitalized for "another serious episode," Flind said at the time. In the circumstances and given Huws condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected, she said. I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end. The BBC suspended Edwards last July amid the accusations. This April, he resigned from the BBC, citing his health. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Sign up for Screen Gab, a free newsletter about the TV and movies everyones talking about from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Watching Huw Edwards take his place in the dock at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning was a surreal experience. The man who was once the BBCs highest paid news anchor, earning a salary almost on par with the corporations director general Tim Davie, cut a pathetic, solitary figure behind the glass panels of the dock. His voice was impassive as he stated his name, age and partial address. More from Variety It was equally impassive when, to everyones surprise, Edwards pled guilty to all three counts of making indecent images of children. So shocked was I to hear his first guilty plea that my hands froze over my keyboard as I was furiously making notes of the proceedings, my ears straining to ensure Id heard correctly as he again pleaded guilty to the second charge and finally to the third. In the U.K., the offense of making indecent images doesnt always mean photographing or recording children being sexually assaulted: it can also, as in Edwards case, mean receiving them, even unwillingly. As the prosecution explained in court, Edwards was sent the images and videos some reportedly involving children as young as 7 years old in the course of a WhatsApp chat with a man whod first contacted him on social media. The images automatically saved on Edwards phone. The news anchor eventually told the man to stop sending illegal images but seemed content to receive further legal pornographic images from the sender, the prosecutor said. Because receiving illegal images is considered a strict liability crime in the U.K., intention is not taken into account when ascertaining guilt. It may be for this reason that Edwards did not attempt to fight the charges. He now faces up to 10 years in prison if the judge decides on a custodial sentence, but he may also get away with participating in a sex offenders treatment program. As his lawyer, angling for a more lenient sentence, told the court, until his downfall Edwards was a man not only of good character but of exemplary character. In fact, until last year, Edwards was not just considered exemplary by his employer, he was the de facto face of its prestigious news service, where he had spent all four decades of his broadcasting career since joining as a trainee in 1984. By the 2020s, Edwards was the BBCs highest paid and best-known anchor, winning BAFTAs and fronting coverage of some the worlds most important news events. His status as the corporations star player was cemented when he was given the historic task of announcing Queen Elizabeth IIs death to the world in 2022. Huw Edwards outside Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) On that rainy September evening all programming across every BBC television network and radio station was interrupted as the broadcasts cut to Edwards. A few moments ago, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, he gravely intoned, his solemn but unwavering baritone conveying both grief and professionalism. His performance was note-perfect and widely praised, with some even calling for the anchor to be given a knighthood, the U.K.s ultimate societal honor. Edwards had reached the pinnacle of his profession, effectively becoming the U.K.s version of veteran U.S. broadcaster Walter Cronkite, who was once voted the most trusted man in America. It was a career-defining moment that, whenever his own time eventually came, would surely be recorded as the first line in his obituary. Cut to last summer, when British tabloid The Sun ran the headline: Sex Pics Probe: Top BBC Star Taken Off Air After Paying Teenager for Sexual Pictures. According to the newspaper, an unnamed but well-known presenter had given a 17-year-old 35,000 (almost $45,000) in return for sordid images. Unsurprisingly the story caused a splash but as it did not identify the BBC star in question, Edwards was not immediately implicated. But the social media rumor mill went into overdrive. Various high-profile names were bandied about, creating an untenable and libellous situation. It took just five days for Edwards wife, Vicky Flind, to release a statement in which she confirmed her husband was the subject of The Suns story, adding that he had checked into a hospital for serious mental health issues. I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation, she added. We hope this statement will bring that to an end. Although the police said at the time they had no plans to take action and that no crimes had been committed, it marked the beginning of the end for Edwards, who was suspended from his duties at the BBC (despite the suspension, Edwards still received his full salary of between 435,000 and 439,999). After 10 months on leave, he resigned in April of this year citing medical advice. What he failed to mention was that hed been arrested five months earlier for making indecent images of children. He was charged last month. British newspapers report that he has also since split with Flind, the mother of his five children. Outside the court on Wednesday there was a maelstrom even more furious than that encountered by Kevin Spacey when he appeared at the same building two years ago to face charges of sexual assault. Camera crews collided with protestors, some carrying signs saying #BBCSavilleSyndrome, a reference to 1980s BBC host Jimmy Saville who, after his death, was revealed to be a prolific sexual offender who had abused his position at the BBC to prey on hundreds of victims, many underage. The BBC was accused of turning a blind eye to Savilles crimes. Clad in a dark suit and crisp white shirt not entirely dissimilar to the somber outfit he wore while delivering the news of the Queens death two years earlier, Edwards was escorted through the baying crowd by police officers and into the courthouse. Its impossible to know what was going through his head as he entered the dock in front of the worlds press, some of whom had previously been his colleagues, but the strangeness of the situation he found himself in could not have escaped him. For 40 years he had been the face of the news; now he was the news. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. TOPEKA (KSNT) Topeka city leaders have approved the reallocation of tax funding for an ice rink near Evergy Plaza. The Topeka City Council approved the reallocation of transient guest tax funds from the Evel Knievel Museum to the Downtown Topeka Foundation Ice Rink Tuesday evening. According to the proposal, $178,000 from the transient guest tax is one of the potential funding sources for this project. Conceptual rendering from the Evergy Plaza Public Ice Skating Rink Fundraising Proposal from July 17, 2024. Proposed location from the Evergy Plaza Public Ice Skating Rink Fundraising Proposal from July 17, 2024. Topeka leaders pass ordinance holding property owners accountable for maintaining dangerous trees According to the proposal, the initial installation total acquisition cost in 2024 for the ice rink is $585,973. In 2025, the final installation cost for the ice rink is $173,016. District 9 councilwoman Michelle Hoferer said in the city council meeting that the city is in charge of reallocating the money, but it is the Downtown Topeka Foundations job to run the ice rink and gain sponsorships. The Downtown Topeka Foundation stated in the proposal financial review that the total expense of the ice rink in 2022-2023 was $366,252 with a $174,172 profit loss. In 2015, the city agreed to allocate up to $300,000 from the citys transient guest tax to the Evel Knievel Museum over 12 years. The $178,000 remainder of the $300,000 deal will now be used as a funding source for the ice skating rink. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Icelands recent volcanic eruptions driven by pooling magma are set to last centuries into the future To experience a volcanic eruption is to witness natures raw power. If you would like to see one for yourself, Iceland is a great location for it. Since 2021, seven eruptions have taken place along the Reykjanes Peninsula, close to Reykjavik. These recent Icelandic eruptions have garnered attention from Earth scientists like me. The eruptions help us understand how volcanoes work in incredible detail. My team has been taking samples from the erupting lava from the Reykjanes Peninsula and finding some interesting results. One of our findings suggests that magma from the first eruption pooled just under the islands surface, where it built up the energy to spectacularly erupt. This initial burst of volcanism made it easier for more eruptions to follow after it. Why is Iceland called the land of fire? The island nation of Iceland is sometimes called the land of ice and fire. Early settlers witnessed several great fires or volcanic eruptions along the Reykjanes Peninsula. After about 800 years without a volcanic event on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Fagradalsfjall volcano roared to life on March 19, 2021. Then, two more discrete volcanic events occurred at Fagradalsfjall in 2022 and 2023. Subsequently, four more eruptions have taken place to the west at the Sundhnukur fissure system in 2023 and 2024. While these eruptions provide an incredible spectacle, they also have the power to wreak havoc. The recent Sundhnukur eruptions threatened the fishing town of Grindavik, the geothermal power plant at Svartsengi and Icelands premier tourist destination: the geothermal spa the Blue Lagoon. Lava erupted within the town limits of Grindavik, and only human-made berms have prevented further destruction. What makes Iceland so volcanically active? Iceland is a unique place on Earth. It is part of a huge chain of volcanoes submerged in the center of the Atlantic Ocean, with Iceland being exposed above the oceans surface. This volcanic chain is known as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and it plays an essential role in plate tectonics. Plate tectonics describes how the vast, rigid plates that make up Earths crust slide past, into and under one another. Their behavior slowly reshapes Earths surface. In some locations, the plates collide to form mountain ranges like the Himalayas. In other locations, one plate slides under another, creating volcanoes and earthquakes, like in Japan. On the Mid-Atlantic Ridge which stretches between the South Atlantic and Arctic Ocean the plates pull apart, allowing molten magma to pour through. This magma solidifies into volcanic crust and creates new parts of the tectonic plates. Geologists have also found a buoyant, hot plume of rocky material rising from deep in the Earth that intersects with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge under Iceland. This plume, along with several other similar plumes in the central and southern Atlantic, may have triggered the formation of the Atlantic Ocean basin more than 200 million years ago. The plate tectonics associated with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the hot, rocky plume under Iceland together form Icelands volcanoes. Scientists have been able to show that previous eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula are not random in time or space. Instead, they occur in periods that last centuries and along the same volcanic zones. These patterns indicate that these volcanic periods happen when vast tectonic forces pull apart the Reykjanes Peninsula. It appears that, while the plates pull apart evenly, volcanism along the Reykjanes ridge segment pulses with time. Whats driving the eruption? Many groups, including my colleagues from Iceland, have been collecting the erupted lavas on a near-daily basis. The collected samples provide a vital scientific time series of the eruptions. Taking a volcanic time series is like regularly drawing someones blood to understand their medical condition. In this case, though, the blood is red-hot lava. An initial study by another team in 2022 suggested that the mantle the solid geological layer beneath the Earths crust was melting to feed the lavas in Iceland, and that the lavas chemical makeup was changing over time. They suggested that these changes had to do with where and when the melting was happening in the mantle. In July 2024, my research team and I published a longer time-series of the lavas from the eruption using a sensitive chemical method that helped us understand the lavas composition and origin. The layer of basaltic rock that people live on in Iceland extends to a depth of about 9 miles (15 kilometers). Its part of Earths crust. The mantle that lies directly beneath this crust is distinct its made mostly of minerals like olivine that form a rock called peridotite. The magmas feeding these volcanic eruptions come from mantle peridotite. The chemical method that my team used revealed that the first magmas feeding these eruptions rose from the mantle, but got stuck beneath the surface in a magma chamber for as long as a year. The rocks in the chamber walls melted into the magma, and we could see traces of them in our analyses. Our research also suggests that the magmas gained water, carbon dioxide and other gases from sitting in the magma chamber. This water and gas allowed the magma to build up enough pressure to break through the surface and erupt as lava. Magma pooling in the crust can trigger explosive eruptions the beginnings of eruptions like those in Iceland or in La Palma in the Canary Islands in 2021 may require this type of pooling. What might we expect in the future? History tells researchers that these eruptions will likely last a long time. The volcanoes will erupt periodically every few years, for days to months at a time, for up to several hundred years into the future. Generations of geologists and volcanologists are likely to forge their careers in Iceland, and millions of geo-tourists will get to experience the hauntingly beautiful eruptions. German Typhoon jets fly in formation over the 2023 Litli-Hrutur eruption. James Day/SIO With all these eruptions, Icelanders will have to adapt. Lava flows can disrupt infrastructure such as the Svartsengi geothermal plant, and volcanic gases can cause health problems. The Fagradalsfjall and Sundhnukur eruptions have already provided scientists with a treasure trove of data and insight into how volcanoes work. Continued study of volcanism on the Reykjanes Peninsula will help scientists understand how, when and why eruptions take place, and to better manage the hazards associated with living with volcanoes. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: James Day, University of California, San Diego. Read more: James Day receives funding from the US National Science Foundation. A line of supporters of the Idahoans for Open Primaries many wearing mustard yellow t-shirts pass signatures for the ballot initiative to turn into the Idaho Secretary of States Office. A line of supporters of the Idahoans for Open Primaries many wearing mustard yellow T-shirts pass signatures for the ballot initiative to turn into the Idaho Secretary of States Office on July 2, 2024. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun) In preparation for the Nov. 5 general election, officials with the Idaho Secretary of States Office are compiling arguments for and against Proposition 1, the proposed ballot initiative that seeks to create open primary elections and ranked-choice voting in Idaho. The arguments for and against the initiative will be included in an Idaho voters pamphlet that the Secretary of States Office will mail to all households in Idaho by Sept. 25, said Chelsea Carattini, a spokeswoman for the office. The voters pamphlets will be sent to about 850,000 households. Under Idaho law, any voter or group of voters had until July 20 to file arguments of up to 500 words for or against the ballot initiative. Idaho law requires the voters pamphlet to include a complete copy of the title and text of the ballot initiative, a copy of the fiscal impact statement summary, a copy of the sponsors proposed funding source information, and a copy of the arguments and rebuttals for and against the ballot initiative. For publication in the pamphlet, the Idaho Secretary of States Office selected the argument in favor of the initiative that was submitted by Idahoans for Open Primaries. The office also selected the Idaho House Republican Caucus argument against the initiative, Carattini said. Idaho attorney general challenges ballot initiative Meanwhile, as the Idaho Secretary of States Office prepares the arguments for and against the initiative, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the initiative, the Sun previously reported. Labrador alleged the ballot initiative was deceptively pitched and violates the Idaho Constitutions single-subject requirement. Reclaim Idaho co-founder Luke Mayville, who is a member of the coalition supporting the ballot initiative, called Labradors lawsuit a political stunt that was filed because Labrador is afraid voters will support the ballot initiative. Idaho Supreme Court justices on Monday ordered Labrador to show cause as to why his deputy attorneys general should not be disqualified from representing the Idaho Secretary of States Office, which Labrador is suing to block the initiative. In response, Labradors office filed briefs with the Idaho Supreme Court on Tuesday stating that separate deputy attorneys general and separate staff members have been assigned to represent the Idaho Secretary of States Office and the Idaho Attorney Generals Office in the lawsuit, and that the two sides are not to share confidential information or discuss the case. As of press time, oral arguments have not been scheduled in the case. Idaho GOP didnt submit arguments against ballot initiative During its state convention in June, the Idaho Republican Party adopted a party platform opposing ranked-choice voting and conducted workshops in opposition to ranked-choice voting. However, neither the Idaho Republican Party nor Idaho GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon submitted arguments against the ballot initiative, Carattini said. So far, the Idaho Republican Party does not appear to have ramped up a public opposition campaign, outside of the party website and a few opinion columns published by Moon. Efforts to reach Moon were unsuccessful. Idaho GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon announces the results for the Republican Presidential Caucus in Bois Other Republican groups, including the Idaho County Republican Central Committee and the Idaho House Republican Caucus under Speaker of the House Mike Moyle, R-Star, did submit arguments against the initiative. The Idaho Freedom Foundation, Canyon County Clerk Rick Hogaboam and some individual voters also submitted arguments against the initiative. Proposition 1 does not simply open the primaries and seeks to fundamentally change the system by which Idaho has determined election winners since it became a state in 1890, the Idaho House Republican Caucus wrote in its arguments against the initiative. Ranked-Choice-Voting is not intuitive for voters and would cost around $40 million to implement according to Idaho Secretary of State, Phil McGrane. Under Idahos current and historic system, an election for public office is simple. Voters vote for their preferred candidate, the votes are tallied, and the candidate with the most votes wins. Simple, the Idaho House Republican Caucus added. Meanwhile, Idahoans for Open Primaries, the organization pushing the ballot initiative, and some individual voters submitted arguments in favor of the ballot initiative. I am an individual voter writing in favor of Proposition 1 for many reasons, but to me the biggest one is that it builds a true consensus. Right now an unpopular fringe faction can dominate a closed primary with the help of out of state special interests and put forward a single party candidate, Meridian voter Graham Herbst wrote in arguments in favor of the initiative. With Proposition 1 voters can decide between many candidates in a sensible way by ranking them so that whoever does in fact win will do so with a true majority of the people agreeing with the choice. How does the ballot initiative work in Idaho? In Idaho, ballot initiatives are a form of direct democracy where the people vote on whether or not to pass a new law, independent of the Idaho Legislature. This ballot initiative is known as Proposition 1 and supporters have already gathered and certified enough signatures to qualify the initiative for the Nov. 5 general election, the Sun previously reported. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX It would take a simple majority of voters to approve the ballot initiative during the Nov. 5 election. The ballot initiative would make changes to primary and general elections in Idaho. The initiative would end the states closed party primary elections and replace them with a single primary election that is open to all voters and all candidates, regardless of party affiliation. The four primary election candidates with the most votes would advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. That means you could have more than one candidate from the same political party or even all four candidates from the same political party advance to the general election. Since 2011, Idaho has had a closed primary law that means political parties do not have to let voters who are not formally affiliated with their party vote in their primary elections. In Idaho, more than 265,000 of the states 1 million registered voters are unaffiliated and not allowed to vote in closed party primary elections. The same 2011 law that closed Idaho primaries also allows political parties to open their primary elections to other voters if the party notifies the Idaho Secretary of States Office, but only the Idaho Democratic Party has opened its primary elections to other voters, Carattini previously told the Sun. Proposition 1 would also make changes to the general election by creating ranked-choice voting, which is sometimes referred to as an instant runoff system. Under ranked-choice voting, voters would pick their favorite candidate and then have the option of ranking the remaining candidates in order of preference second, third and fourth. The candidate with the fewest votes would be eliminated, and their votes would instead be transferred to the second choice candidate on those ballots. That process would continue until there are two candidates remaining, and the candidate with the most votes would be elected the winner. In a July 3 letter to the Idaho Legislatures Legislative Council, Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane told legislative leaders it could cost $25 million to $40 million if the state needs to replace its vote tabulation systems to count ranked-choice voting, the Sun previously reported. However, Mayville said that there is low-cost software available to Idaho that could be certified to count ranked-choice ballots and there is no need to replace all of the states vote tabulation systems. What are the arguments in support of the Idaho ballot initiative? Individual voters and organizations submitted arguments related to the ballot initiative. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Voting yes for open primaries will allow all registered Idaho voters, regardless of party affiliation, to participate in the primary election process, Moscow voter Rebecca Haley wrote. This means that the voice (of) every Idaho voter will be heard when it comes to selecting our state senators and state representatives for the Idaho state legislature. With the Open Primaries system, winning candidates will need to reflect the values and priorities of the majority of Idahoans in order to win, as opposed to Idaho voters feeling like they have to select from candidates representing the most extreme versions of party platforms. Boise voter Janet Sims also submitted an argument in favor of the initiative. Independent voters deserve a chance to share in the voting, Sims wrote. On behalf of the coalition Idahoans for Open Primaries, former Idaho House Speaker Bruce Newcomb wrote in support of the initiative as well. Voting YES on Proposition 1 will restore the longstanding tradition of open primary elections in Idaho, Newcomb wrote. Idahoans voted in open primaries for 40 years until party officials established closed primaries back in 2011. A Yes vote for Proposition 1 brings us back to a time when you werent forced to join a political party to have a say in who is elected to important offices. What are some of the arguments against the Idaho ballot initiative? The Idaho Freedom Foundation submitted arguments against the ballot initiative. Voting NO on Proposition 1 maintains election integrity, the Idaho Freedom Foundation wrote. Idaho administers elections with machines disconnected from the internet, counts ballots and reports results at the county level, and conducts hand-counted post-election audits. Under Proposition 1, counties would struggle to coordinate elections as additional rounds of counting are necessary. Hand counting ballots during audits would also become impractical and complex. Voters will lose faith in election results as delays in reporting occur. The Idaho County Republican Central Committee also submitted arguments against the initiative. Ranked Choice Voting will require extensive voter education due to its complexities which will only add to the cost of this system and create confusion on the part of voters, the central committee wrote. Idahoans should and must reject this threat to our democracy and the effort to change our elections. Moyle and Idaho House Republicans also submitted arguments against the initiative. Ranked-choice-voting involves a more complicated ballot that confuse(s) voters with contingency voting preferences, the Idaho House Republican Caucus wrote. This would multiply the length of time it takes to vote in every race. Many thousands of voters will not complete the many extra steps involved in ranked-choice-voting. This change will make it harder for people with busy lives to get through longer lines and complete a ballot. Vote NO on Proposition 1 to protect one person, one vote. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Nation to implement steps for foreign trade growth 08:24, July 31, 2024 By Zhong Nan ( China Daily Amid rising protectionism and geopolitical risks, China will implement a series of measures in the second half of the year to sustain and enhance its positive foreign trade trajectory, customs officials said on Tuesday. The measures include creating a conducive institutional framework to expand intermediate goods trade, facilitating imports of advanced technology equipment and key components, and supporting the growth of new business formats such as cross-border e-commerce and overseas warehouse operations. Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Lyu Daliang, director of the General Administration of Customs' department of statistics and analysis, said these initiatives aim to bolster China's global trade competitiveness and ensure long-term stability and growth. Despite facing challenges such as unilateralism and the disruption of global supply chains, Lyu said that supported by the advantages of a vast domestic market and a complete industrial system, along with various policies to stabilize exports, the country's foreign trade will experience steady growth in the next phase. Chinese exporters, driven by a marginal improvement in external demand and their own technological innovations, stimulated a new momentum in foreign trade in the first half of the year, providing the world with innovative and high-quality products, he added. China set a new record in the first half, with foreign trade reaching 21.17 trillion yuan ($2.92 trillion), a year-on-year increase of 6.1 percent, while exports surged 6.9 percent on a yearly basis to 12.13 trillion yuan, customs statistics showed. The global upward cycle in technology and green transformation will continue to benefit the exporters of China's semiconductors, mechanical and electrical products, vessels, and electric vehicles, creating structural growth potential for the country's exports in the second half, said Wang Xiaosong, a professor at the Renmin University of China's School of Economics in Beijing. The shift in developed countries from service spending to increased demand for goods will also drive China's exports this year, Wang said. Zhao Zenglian, vice-minister of the GAC, said that innovation will effectively boost the confidence of Chinese manufacturers and China's high-quality development will enable global trade partners to share the opportunities of its vast market. The sentiment is in line with the latest data. China's exports of high-tech products rose 6 percent year-on-year in 2023, accounting for 18.7 percent of its total export value. Additionally, exports of domestic brands grew 9.3 percent on a yearly basis last year, making up 21 percent of the overall exports, according to customs data. Dismissing the "overcapacity "narrative of some Western countries, Zhao said that China's new energy products are not overproduced. Instead, Chinese companies are supplying tech-intensive green products to many parts of the world, contributing significantly to the global fight against climate change. "Protectionist moves will only lead to self-isolation, while openness and sharing pave the way for prosperous development," Zhao added. KTK Group Co a manufacturer of industrial equipment and electronic products based in Changzhou, Jiangsu province has further expanded its sales and service networks in regions such as Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East, while its business operations in the United States market have been restricted by the US Department of Commerce since 2020. Gao Feng, the company's vice-president, said they have received orders exceeding 100 million yuan in these regions in recent years. "Emerging markets have become a new growth driver for our overseas business operations, particularly for our interior systems and seats designed for various types of trains," Gao said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chaolan) President Joe Biden would prefer to be on the campaign trail, making his case for a second presidential term. But it might be fortuitous that having withdrawn from the race, Biden can now give his full attention to a handful of crises that urgently require it. While American headlines now highlight the remade presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, fighting in the Middle East is escalating toward new levels of danger that could roil energy markets and even necessitate US involvement in a Middle East war. If a broader war erupts, it could also damage Harris's electoral prospects, given that she's the incumbent, answerable for current conditions. The killing of a top leader of Hamas in Iran on July 31 most likely an Israeli job raises the prospect of an Iranian response that could resemble or exceed the April 14 barrage of missiles Iran fired at Israel. Perhaps more ominously, Israel is now in a state of quasi-war with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group in southern Lebanon that is far more formidable than Hamas. After the Hamas attack in southern Israel last October, Hezbollah began sporadic attacks in the north that displaced thousands of Israeli civilians and kept Israeli forces on guard. Those have now escalated into lethal exchanges that left 12 Israeli children dead on a soccer field, prompting a July 30 Israeli retaliatory attack in Beirut, which killed a top Hezbollah commander. Its almost like a scripted descent into Israels next war, as Foreign Affairs recently described a possible conflagration which would be far worse than the one with Hamas. If this war breaks out, Israel would be under full assault by Iran's most potent proxies, and the United States could face heavy pressure to intervene on Israels behalf. A US-Iran proxy war would possibly spook energy markets, since oil infrastructure in Iran and elsewhere might suddenly be in the crosshairs. And a spike in oil prices could upend financial markets just as they're anticipating interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Biden and his advisers seem fully aware of the risks, and Biden reportedly helped dissuade Israel from launching a preemptive attack on Hezbollah last fall. But that doesnt mean Biden can personally control the situation now or that he even has good options. Biden's team, for instance, reportedly urged Israel against the July 30 bombing in Beirut and lost the argument. In Beirut, Lebanese firefighters search for survivors at a building targeted in a blast, that resulted in killing Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri and six other people. (Stringer/picture alliance via Getty Images) (picture alliance via Getty Images) A lot of these issues are vexing problems that are going to outlive the Biden administration, Mike DiMino, a fellow at Defense Priorities and a former CIA officer, told Yahoo Finance. I dont envy the kinds of options that are going to be on the menu for Biden and for our military commanders. If Im Iran or Hezbollah, this is a golden window." Story continues Foreign adversaries fully understand that this years presidential election might constrain Biden, given that any blowup in the Middle East could look like a failure for Biden and Vice President Harris, giving Trump an edge. That could embolden US foes who think Biden might be more forgiving than he would be otherwise. It could also embolden Israel, a quarrelsome yet crucial Middle East ally, who might think Biden has less leverage than usual to demand restraint. Houthi rebels in Yemen are another problem Biden needs to keep a lid on, even if he cant solve the problem there. The Houthis went from attacking ships in the Red Sea, in supposed sympathy with Palestinians in Gaza, to attacking Israel itself with a drone that hit Tel Aviv on July 19, killing one. Israel retaliated with an attack on a Yemeni harbor the next day, which seemed to quiet Houthi activity. But that is probably a temporary lull as the Houthis regroup for retaliation of their own. Drop Rick Newman a note, follow him on X, or sign up for his newsletter. Russia, ever eager to jab Washington, might supply the Houthis with advanced anti-ship cruise missiles that would make Red Sea strikes even deadlier. A US-led naval coalition has been bombing Houthi sites since late last year, to limited effect. The Houthis disruption of Red Sea shipping affects European and Chinese markets more than the United States, but it has also complicated the Middle East risk matrix and revealed limits on Americas ability to snuff out problems. After the NATO summit in Washington, D.C., concluded on July 11, Biden held a press conference in which the main topic was whether he would withdraw from the presidential race, which he did a few days later. Getting almost no attention were some Biden remarks on new efforts by Americas enemies to join forces as they seek new ways to weaken the United States and its allies. It is a concern, Biden said, that you have China and North Korea, Russia, Iran countries not necessarily coordinated in the past looking to figure out how they can have impact. He pointed out that China is supplying Russia with technology it needs to ramp up weapons production for its quagmire in Ukraine. China isnt supplying Russia with finished weaponry, but North Korea and Iran are. And now Russia may be returning some of those favors by helping Iran stir chaos via their proxies the Houthis, and teaming up with China to fly provocative probing flights with bombers off the coast of Alaska. At the July 11 press conference, a reporter asked Biden if he had a plan for dealing with this new gathering of global bullies. He said yes, he did, but he wasnt ready to talk about it publicly. What he did say is that the United States and its allies need to build new industrial capacity for a revived arms race that few in the West saw coming, an assessment many strategists agree with. Biden isnt going to rebuild the defense industrial base during his last six months as president. But hell surely try to keep hostilities in the Middle East and elsewhere from mushrooming, and if he succeeds, it will be a welcome gift for his successor. If Harris v. Trump remains the dominant story through Election Day on Nov. 5, that could be one of Bidens biggest triumphs. Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X at @rickjnewman. Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance ONTARIO, N.Y. (WROC) A new space optics company based in the Rochester area is launching later this summer, Starris: Optimax Space Systems. The company will celebrate an official launch on August 5 at the Small Satellite Convention in Utah. It will be one of the first in the world to offer custom modules of optics hardware for space satellite imaging. Not only is this a unique service, but it comes with an incredible timeframe: If a company wants to launch an imaging satellite, Starris says they can help the company go from idea to orbit in a year. Optimax, the parent company of Starris, has been a premiere precision optics company for thirty years, but with the launch of Starris, the two look to be at the forefront of the space economy race. Celebrating 50 years in business: Dans Crafts & Things We decided there was a need in the market for someone to offer these rapid satellite imaging system payload development services, said Director of Starris, physicist Kevin Kearney. Kearney says that this economy is growing at light speed, and imaging is key to that economy. That payload, made from Optimax components, can include everything optics, sensors, electronics, digital cameras, and more. So if you are a company that needs imagining, whether its for earth observation, space infrastructure, defense or even mining on the moon Starris can make a custom module that is space-ready. Even more incredibly, Kearney says Starris can go from idea to orbit in a year. Wegmans unseated as top grocer in nation But back on earth, one in twelve households in the Rochester area are supported by optics, according to NextCorps. New York Photonics says the Empire State is the epicenter of North Americas optics, photonics and imaging industries. (Starris) is a big win for our community, and Optimax itself is a great community member, he said. Our company is founded on a principle and a trust structure to maintain employment, this is a growth opportunity, there are a few partnerships were engaged in with the photonics cluster region, this should do nothing but add to the region. Do you run a business we should know about, or know someone who does? Email Dan at dgross@wroctv.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 RochesterFirst. COALINGA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) The Hyundai driver who was struck and killed over the weekend on a stretch of Highway 269, just south of Huron, was identified on Wednesday. Police identified the victim as 45-year-old Carmen Avila from Coalinga. According to police, Avila was driving southbound on Highway 269 around 8 a.m. when a Toyota heading north ran a stop sign and struck her on the drivers side. Officers say Avila died as a result of the crash. The driver of the Toyota survived and was transported to Community Regional Medical Center for treatment. CHP says the crash is under investigation. Officers add that alcohol does appear to have been a contributing factor. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Donald Trump made an outlandish claim Wednesday that Vice President Kamala Harris had failed the bar exam, while challenging her to take a cognitive test. During an interview at the convention for the National Association of Black Journalists, Trump responded to a question from Semafors political reporter Kadia Goba, who asked if he would be willing to take a cognitive exam. I would love to do it, Trump said, brushing past Gobas follow-up about releasing the results. Instead, Trump said he had pushed to take a cognitive test with Joe Biden, and said the same offer applied to his new, far younger opponent. I would do it with her also. You know what? She failed her law exam, she didnt pass her law exam, so maybe she wouldnt pass the cognitive test, Trump said shrugging. The audience instantly burst into noisy chatter. Oh someone said into the microphone, cringing at the outrageous claim. Another person went pfft into the microphone. Are you saying she wouldnt pass? asked ABC Newss senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott, whom Trump repeatedly scolded throughout the interview. Im just giving you the facts, Trump insisted. She didnt pass her bar exam. And she didnt think she would pass it, and she didnt think she was gonna ever pass it. And I dont know what happened, maybe she passed it. Trump claims that Kamala Harris would fail a mental acuity exam. "You know what? She failed her law exam. She did not pass her law exam, so maybe she would not pass the cognitive test. I am just giving you the facts... she did not pass her bar exam." pic.twitter.com/74XYWFWiL6 Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) July 31, 2024 Scott asserted, as the president spoke over her, that Harris had, of course, passed the bar. That much can be assumed from someone who served as the Los Angeles County district attorney and attorney general of California. Illinois sheriff who hired deputy who shot Sonya Massey says he will not step down The Illinois sheriff who hired Sean Grayson, the deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey in her own home after she called 911 earlier this month, announced he would not be stepping down. Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said Monday he would not step down after community members called for his resignation, contending it would not solve anything if he did. "We failed Sonya and the community," Campbell told a packed hall of about 300 people at Union Baptist Church Monday night. "I ask your forgiveness." Who is Sonya Massey? Sonya Massey was the 36-year-old woman who was shot by a deputy in her own home after she called them to investigate a possible intruder in her home in Springfield, Illinois, on July 6. The body camera footage was released on July 22, revealing how Grayson escalated the incident and sparking national outcry. In the footage and according to transcripts from the incident, Grayson threatened to shoot her in the face if she did not put down a pot of boiling water he asked her to remove from the stove. He shot her three times. She is survived by both her parents, her sisters and two children. Her funeral service was on July 19. Who is Sonya Massey? What to know about the woman shot by police in her Springfield home Sonya Massey, 36, called 911 to report a potential intruder in her home on July 6, 2024. She was fatally shot in her home by a Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy. Who has been held accountable for Sonya Massey's death? The Justice Department's community relations service organized the "listening session" for the grieving community that took place Monday night, about three weeks after Masseys killing. Grayson has since been fired and is charged with murder. Justice officials opened a federal probe into Massey's killing as chaotic and gruesome body-worn camera footage released to the public last week revealed harrowing details of the case. Massey was fatally shot in the face by Grayson, who according to a transcript ordered her to put down a pot of boiling water. What has been the response to Sonya Massey's death? Her death has sparked national outcry and renewed calls for police reform, with vigils springing up from coast to coast over the weekend. Former Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder said the fatal shooting of Massey set Springfield, Ill., back "100 years," a reference to the Springfield Race Riot of 1908 that gave rise to NAACP in 1909. Many community members called for Campbell's resignation, one of the harshest critics has been James Wilburn, Sonya Massey's father. He has been critical of the sheriff's department's hiring of Grayson and previously called on Campbell to resign. Several speakers in the public comment section Monday night joined him in calling for Campbell's resignation, while others threatened to vote him out. The sheriff ran unopposed for his second term in 2022 and stands for reelection in 2026. What did Sheriff Campbell say about Sonya Massey's death? Campbell asked the community and Massey's family for forgiveness at the Monday night listening session. "I stand here before you with my arms wide open and I ask for your forgiveness, and I ask Ms. Massey and her family for her forgiveness. I offer up no excuses," Campbell told the crowd. He also promised to never forget her and the unimaginable pain her family feels. "Sonya Massey. I will say her name and I'll never forget her," Campbell told the crowd Monday. "I cannot imagine the pain that her family and friends feel right now. I'm sorry . . . We did not do our jobs." N'dea Yancey-Bragg a reporter for USA TODAY contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Sheriff says he won't step down after deputy killed woman State Rep. Tony Venhuizen, R-Sioux Falls, participates in a hearing Jan. 12, 2024, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) A new analysis of the Nov. 5 ballot measure aiming to eliminate state sales taxes on groceries projects state revenue losses ranging from $134 million to $646 million annually. On Tuesday in Pierre, the Legislative Research Council presented the analysis to lawmakers on the state budget committee. Council employees provide research, analysis and administrative support to legislators. Backers of the citizen-initiated ballot measure only aim to prohibit state sales taxes on groceries, but the measure references items sold for human consumption. The wide range of potential revenue losses depends on how human consumption is interpreted. This is why words matter, said Jeff Mehlhaff, the councils chief fiscal analyst. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A narrow interpretation limits the measures impact to groceries. A broader interpretation includes many goods and services used by people, based on definitions and interpretations of consume and consumption. Utilities, toiletries and car repairs are some examples cited by the council as goods and services technically consumed by humans. The narrow definition would reduce state revenues by an estimated $133.6 million. The broader interpretation would result in an estimated revenue loss of up to $646.2 million. The states total annual budget is $7.3 billion. A coalition formed to oppose the ballot measure says that in addition to affecting state sales taxes, the measure would affect city sales taxes, due to a state law that say cities cannot tax anything the state doesnt tax. Yet the actual language of the measure says municipalities may continue to impose such taxes. When asked about that, Mehlhaff said, Im just leaving that where it is because it says municipalities may continue to impose such taxes. Rep. Tony Venhuizen, R-Sioux Falls, said voter passage of the measure could precipitate the worst budget cuts since the 10% across-the-board reductions during the 2011 legislative session. If the people vote for this, they need to know that when we come during January, we are not going to be doing increases for anything, he said. Were going to make significant budget cuts. Retailers such as Walmart, Sams Club and Dollar General, which classify a significant portion of their sales as groceries and consumables, could see a substantial portion of their sales untaxed under the new measure, according to the analysis. It estimates that 59% to 81% of sales at those retailers could be affected. The analysis says the Legislature would need to clarify the definition of human consumption to determine the measures full fiscal impact, should the measure pass. Proponent says LRC recommended language Rick Weiland runs Dakotans for Health, the group behind the ballot measure. He said the measure initially said anything sold for eating or drinking by humans, but was changed to anything sold for human consumption after correspondence with the Legislative Research Council. A 2022 letter to Weiland from the council suggested the initial wording was overly vague, inviting various interpretations in determining its meaning. The council recommended using terms like ingestion, chewing or consumed. These terms seem to be more precise than eating and drinking, as they may better capture the various elements of food and beverage consumption, the council wrote to Weiland. Following this advice, Weiland said, his team revised the language to anything sold for human consumption, except alcoholic beverages and prepared food. Attorney General Marty Jackley has since stated that human consumption is not defined by state law, and its common definition encompasses more than just food and drinks. Weilands attorney sought clarification from Jackley in a February 2023 letter and email, but said he received no response. Mehlhaff told budget committee members that the language used in the final draft is not the councils recommendation, pointing to another line in the 2022 letter that offered a possible rewrite: The retail sale of any food or food ingredient for any purpose is exempt from any tax imposed by law. Mehlhaff said if the measure passes, lawmakers could attempt to amend or repeal it before its effective date on July 1, 2025. EDITORS NOTE: Language in this story has been corrected to accurately reflect the content of correspondence between the Legislative Research Council and Dakotans for Health. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Preston Love Jr., calls on Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts to debate him. (Courtesy of Love campaign) OMAHA Democratic Nebraska U.S. Senate candidate Preston Love Jr. called Tuesday on his Republican opponent, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, to join a proposed debate on statewide TV this fall. The policy differences among myself and my opponent are distinct. There is a sharp contrast in our views on a womans right to choose. There is also a sharp contrast in our policies on education, the banning of assault weapons, and more, Love said at a news conference at his North Omaha office. The magnitude of these choices demands that in Nebraska, candidates have a responsibility to bring their views to the public in order for them to clearly understand and make their choices. The Ricketts campaign announced Tuesday afternoon that he would not debate. By any objective measure, Preston Loves campaign has failed to meet even the most minimum threshold for electoral viability. Sen. Ricketts has taken his campaign to every corner of Nebraska with public issue briefings and community gatherings, said Chris Nelson, Ricketts campaign manager. Senator Ricketts will continue to engage directly with voters on the issues that matter most to them securing the border, restoring the economy, advancing our shared values, and growing Nebraska. The debate had been proposed by a group of news outlets: Nebraska Public Media, the Nebraska Examiner, the Lincoln Journal Star, the Omaha World-Herald and KRVN radio. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX INDEPENDENCE, Mo. Neighbors in Independence, Missouri are still processing what happened at their apartment building Monday morning. A memorial now sits on the side of Independence Towers, near 24 Highway and Jennings Road. Independence police said a 3-year-old boy died after falling nine stories out an apartment window. Its terrifying to think about, Neighbor Alec West said. West has lived at Independence Towers for about a year. Since then, he said neighbors have seen broken toys scattered on the ground in the same area where the 3-year-old was found. We would see broken toys, pill bottles, like anything that like a toddler would be able to grab off a table and throw out a window. It was clear there was a kid throwing stuff out a window all the time, West said. You know, you never thought anything of it, you just thought, bad parenting. The fire department said just after 10 a.m. Monday, emergency responders found the boy lying face down in the grass. Officials said the boy was rushed to the hospital where he died. A 13-year-old at the apartment said he saw the aftermath of what happened. Rocks hitting, damaging cars in Northland neighborhood, frustrating drivers I saw like a kid laying on the floor, the 13-year-old neighbor said. Police are working to determine how the boy fell out of the window, they said he was not alone inside. Monday they could not say if the fall was accidental in nature, or not. In May, a new property manager took over the building. Neighbors said some things are better, but problems havent disappeared. They said AC issues still exist. Half of the windows are open and I believe that maybe that couldve prevented it, neighbor Lindsey Picard said. Im not sure what the full story was with that, but its very sad. Thats why I have locks on my windows and everything, like I said, I have an autistic son and everything. FOX4 saw several open windows Tuesday. Temperatures in the 90s outside, while under an excessive heat warning. We saw some AC units. Picard said she paid $300 for three of her own. Before I bought all that stuff it was really hot. I was like Im not going to deal with that because I have two kids, Picard said. Woman sues KU hospital for denial of emergency abortion Neighbor Chris Carlton said the main AC system in the building is broken. I would really love to get that AC unit fixed, Carlton said, so that we dont have to rely on having our windows open and who knows what our kids or our pets might do unobserved. Despite sending maintenance requests, Picard said its difficult to get repairs done. We keep getting new management over and over and over again, Picard said. Let us help you, Independence Community Development Director Tom Scannell said. Scannell said the city has not received any official complaints from any tenants in this building. Theres a landlord-tenant complaint for people can fill out. If there are formal complaints the city will investigate those, to make sure those complaints are addressed and those units are brought up to proper living standards, Scannell said. It may seem a little redundant, but its that process so that we can follow necessary steps so that if theres any challenge from landlord or property owner all Is are dotted and Ts are crossed. Scannell said its building official was in contact with the property manager Tuesday morning. He said the call was about getting the overall AC unit fixed and getting AC window units installed in all the units. FOX4 reached out to the property manager several times over Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. They have not yet responded to our requests for interviews. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Indian and Canadian intelligence officials have met multiple times to exchange information as more arrests come to light that may point to a previously unknown plot to kill a Sikh activist on North American soil. Most Read from Bloomberg Five men were arrested on firearms charges on Nov. 3, 2023, near Brampton, Ontario, a day before the son of a prominent member of the Sikh independence movement was to be married in the Toronto-area city. Several other well-known advocates, including New York-based lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, were set to attend. Those arrested included Amandeep Singh, who was later charged in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Sikh leader killed in British Columbia in June 2023. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India of directing the assassination, sparking a diplomatic row between the two countries. Intelligence chiefs from India and Canada have recently met to share evidence, said people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified to discuss sensitive matters. The new information has prompted more staff to depart Indias external spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, the people said. The departures point to a cleanup of Indias security regime and follow the earlier exit of an officer that India described as a rogue agent involved in a foiled scheme in New York to murder Pannun. The US is separately urging India to prosecute officials responsible and to reform its security setup. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. was first to report that five men were arrested a day before the Brampton wedding. The accused include Swaranpreet Singh, 21, Jobanpreet Singh, 21, and Maninder Singh, 22, whose lawyers did not return requests for comment. An attorney for the fifth man, Ramanpreet Singh, 30, could not be reached. The five men have not been charged with conspiring to kill anyone at the wedding and the gun charges have not been proven in court. Police and prosecutors in Ontario declined to comment as the legal process is still unfolding. Still, the timing of the arrests involving two traffic stops that police say uncovered illegal guns and ammunition inside the mens vehicles and the fact that Pannun was expected to attend the event raise the possibility that he was a target. Pannun ultimately declined the wedding invitation at the last minute. In an interview, he expressed frustration with Canadian authorities silence on the matter. By not uncovering or by not disclosing, they are letting the Indian agents operate with impunity in Canada. They feel there are no consequences for the crimes they are committing, he said. Last month, the accused intermediary in the alleged scheme to kill Pannun in New York, Nikhil Gupta, was extradited from the Czech Republic to the US to face charges. Prime Minister Narendra Modis government has denied involvement in the murder plots. It had designated both Nijjar and Pannun as terrorists. Both men have long said they only used peaceful means to advocate for an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan. Even as relations remain fraught, there are signs of increased security exchanges between Canada and India. Intelligence chiefs from the nations held at least two meetings in a third country to share information, while Canadas national security adviser has had a series of discussions with Indias high commissioner in Ottawa, people familiar said. The Canadian government declined to comment in detail due to to the ongoing court case involving Nijjars murder. Four Indian nationals, including Amandeep Singh, have been charged in his death. But it confirmed that the national security adviser and director of the Canadian spy agency have both separately met with Indian officials and will continue to do so. Canada is a rule of law country and the protection of our citizens is fundamental. Canada has consistently called on India to work with Canadian authorities on this investigation, Jean-Sebastien Comeau, spokesman for Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, said in a statement. Indias Ministry of External Affairs didnt respond to an email seeking comment. Last week, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry accused Canada of adopting different yardsticks to implement the law after police arrested two men over online threats against Trudeau. We expect Canada to take action against anti-India elements who have repeatedly threatened Indian leaders, institutions, airlines and diplomats by violence, said Randhir Jaiswal. --With assistance from Monique Mulima and Dan Strumpf. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Vultures prevent the spread of deadly diseases by purging the environment of harmful pathogens that accumulate on rotting carcasses - Kang-Chun Cheng With their bald heads and oily black feathers, vultures have long been reviled as symbols of death and gluttony. But the carrion-eating birds of prey provide a vital service for the environment cleaning and just how important they can be has been calculated by a team of economists. The sudden collapse of Indias vulture population has led to more than half a million excess human deaths in the last five years, according to a peer-reviewed study in the American Economic Review. A flock of vultures can pick a carcass clean in a matter of minutes, purging the environment of harmful bacteria and pathogens that accumulate on the rotting remains of livestock and preventing the spread of deadly diseases. Even the excrement of some species of vulture can carry cleaning powers, with its high acidity helping to disinfect the ground surrounding the dead animal corpses. But in the 1990s, vulture populations on the Indian subcontinent plummeted by a staggering 99 per cent the fastest decline of a bird species in recorded history, according to the latest State of Indias Birds report. For years, scientists were baffled by the sudden extinction. It was only in 2004 that diclofenac a cheap painkiller widely used to treat cattle that is deadly to vultures if they ingest it was identified as the cause. The drug was then banned across South Asia in 2006, after it was discovered that even tiny traces of it could cause devastation to bird populations. It all just happened so fast, said Dr Anant Sudarshan, one of the studys co-authors and an economics professor at the University of Warwick. Growing up in New Delhi, Dr Sudarshan remembered seeing large flocks of vultures lining river banks on his journey to school. When these birds disappeared, suddenly there were all these dead carcasses lying aroundand were no longer delivering these scavenging services, Dr Sudarshan told The Telegraph. That change was quite visible. After the vultures disappeared, the rotting carcasses of livestock animals oozed diseases and bacteria that polluted waterways - Sergio Pitamitz/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The report estimates that the decline caused a four per cent rise in human deaths in districts where the birds once thrived, resulting in more than $69 billion (53 billion) per year in mortality damages the economic costs associated with premature deaths. After the vultures disappeared, the rotting carcasses of livestock animals oozed diseases and bacteria that polluted waterways and fuelled a rise in feral, and sometimes rabid, dogs. There are many deep connections between human beings and non-human species in terms of services and ways in which we depend on them, said Dr Sudarshan. India generates a lot of cattle and when those cattle die, those carcasses need to be scavenged. This is particularly true in India, because the cow is a holy animal. You dont have a lot of beef being eaten. Scientists have warned that governments in Europe and South Asia are still failing to sufficiently regulate veterinary drugs to protect vultures. Seven out of 11 of the vulture species found in Africa, responsible for cleaning up 70 per cent of the continents carrion, are now on the verge of extinction. Diclofenac is also still in circulation. Africa is much less densely populated than India. So the change is not as sudden, but it will get there, said Dr Sudarshan. Dr Eyal Frank, an assistant professor at University of Chicago and one of the authors of the study, said that the report serves as a warning of how bad it can get when a component of the ecosystem collapses. The report highlights the large value of ecosystem services from so-called keystone species those that help tie the ecosystem together and recommends for policy makers to focus on them when targeting conservation and protection efforts. We think of these kinds of statements about human beings being kind of intertwined with nature as this kind of hippie concept, but its [actually] quite mechanical and instrumental, said Dr Sudarshan, adding that he was optimistic that the message was beginning to getting through. I think this is happening in the backgroundecologists have pointed out that the planet is in the midst of its sixth mass extinction in history. Previous mass extinction events have been caused by climate change, meteors and even dinosaurs dying out. But the current one is caused by human activity, the report said. We are introducing a lot of toxins into the environment and introducing a lot of changes to habitatsbut we arent broadening our risk assessment of things that directly harm us, said Dr Sudarshan. If we dont broaden it beyond what directly harms human beingsthen were going to risk seeing more and more of these [extinctions]...and its not easy to reverse, he warned. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security 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. Indiana man with arrest warrants taken into custody on way to Erie County Fair BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) An Indiana man with multiple arrest warrants for child molestation was taken into custody Tuesday following a traffic stop while he was on his way to the Erie County Fairgrounds, West Seneca Police announced Wednesday. Police said Michael Wayne Gordon was driving a Ford F350 pulling a carnival ride Tuesday on I-90 westbound when he was pulled over for a passenger not wearing a seatbelt and a cracked windshield. Gordon allegedly stated that he was on his way to the Erie County Fairgrounds and that he could not provide a drivers license, according to police. Instead, police said he handed over a carnival company ride operator ID card printed with the name James Davis. West Seneca Police Captain James Unger said they cannot confirm whether the ID was fake or if Gordon found the ID from somewhere else. He mysteriously gave a date of birth and his zodiac sign, Unger said. The zodiac sign didnt match up with the date of birth, so that was a clue for our officers. According to Unger, Gordon is not the owner of the truck he was driving, which was registered in Florida. Courtesy: West Seneca Police Department It has since been learned that Gordon is not an employee of The Erie County Fair, but was hired as an independent contractor to transport the ride to the fair, according to an Erie County Fair statement. The Erie County Agricultural Society takes issues like this extremely seriously, the statement said. Safety is our top priority on the Fairgrounds. Prior to employment, we verify that Erie County Fair employees are not on the National Sex Offender Registry and require the same of our major vendors on the grounds, including the carnival ride operator for the Fair. WIVB News 4 is working to learn who hired Gordon. There are some concerns about the vetting process that, you know, it may be second, third, fourth tier personnel that are working for these companies, Unger said. At an off-site DOT inspection station, Gordon allegedly gave officials a false date of birth, police said. Further investigation determined him to be Michael Wayne Gordon from Kokomo, Indiana. Records show Gordon was convicted of child molesting in Indiana in 1994. Four years later, he was convicted in another child molestation case and required to register as a sex offender, police said. In March 2004, he was convicted of failing to register. Were getting a career criminal off the streets and behind bars, someone who is very dangerous and could be dangerous to the public, Unger said. In Feb. 2021, a child molesting case was filed against Gordon and he failed to show up for the hearing in March 2023. He is currently being held at the Erie County Holding Center to await extradition. Latest Local News Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto, who last year unsuccessfully pushed a peace proposal that would have left Russia occupying parts of Ukraine, pledged to deepen ties at talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Most Read from Bloomberg We consider Russia as a real friend, Prabowo, a former general who is currently defense minister, said Wednesday in televised remarks. I would like to continue to maintain and enhance the close relationship between the two countries, he said. The visit is the latest sign of Putins success in countering the isolation that the US and its allies have sought to impose in response to Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to Moscow earlier this month to meet with Putin, who has courted so-called Global South nations as a counterweight to the US-led world order. Prabowo also met with Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov. The visit is intended to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Russia and enhance cooperation, especially in the defense sector, the defense ministry in Jakarta said. Both Putin and Prabowo noted historically close ties since the Soviet Union built up relations with the Southeast Asian country early in the Cold War, though Indonesia later tilted to the US. Indonesia and Russia have had friendly relations for decades, said Putin. Prabowos first visit to the Kremlin as president-elect comes on a trip to Europe in which he met French President Emmanuel Macron, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. All of those meetings were aimed at boosting defense links, the ministry said. Earlier this year, Prabowo also traveled to China to meet President Xi Jinping in his first visit since winning Februarys Indonesian election. He went on to visit Japan a key US ally in a sign that Prabowo intends to continue his predecessors middle-of-the-road strategy in navigating the US-China rivalry. His visit to the Kremlin comes after Prabowo last month criticized Russias absence from a peace summit backed by Ukraine. Many countries feel that in a peace summit all elements must be present, especially Russia, Prabowo said after discussing his countrys cease-fire proposals at the summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The former soldier officially succeeds Joko Widodo as president of Indonesia in October. --With assistance from Henry Meyer. (Updates with Prabowo-Putin meeting throughout) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Insiders are torn on whether nepo baby Andy Beshear should be Kamala Harriss running mate Theres a tradition of people with famous names getting into national politics by way of what John Adams called the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived, also known as the vice presidency of the United States. Both George HW Bush and Al Gore each served in the second-highest office in America after coming into politics as the son of a famous father, using their family reputation as a stepping-stone. So if Kamala Harris chooses Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to be her running-mate and if she defeats Donald Trump to become the 47th President of the United States Beshear would find himself in good company. The Bluegrass States chief executive is a second-generation politician, what some might call in todays parlance a nepo baby, having grown up the son of Steve Beshear, who served as Kentuckys governor from 2007 to 2015. The elder Beshear also held two other statewide offices in the Commonwealth, having served as Attorney General from 1980 to 1983 and as Lieutenant Governor from 1983 to 1987. His son was just three years old the first time his father won a statewide race, but for most of his life his dad was simply a former office holder who held a job as a high-powered Louisville lawyer. That changed in 2007 when Beshear was lured back into electoral politics by a corruption scandal-plagued Republican who was seen as a possible target by Democrats. Steve Beshear emerged from a large primary field to defeat the GOP incumbent, Ernie Fletcher, and was re-elected four years later. He left office in 2015 as a relatively popular Democrat who was contstrained by term limits. But Andy, his son, was already getting set to follow in his footsteps. In 2016, one year after his father left the governors mansion, Andy Beshear won election as the commonwealths attorney general the first statewide office his father had held by a margin of roughly 2,000 votes over a Republican opponent. Meanwhile, the man his dad had ceded executive office to, Republican Matt Bevin, was facing political headwinds after targeting teachers pensions and attempting to roll back the states Affordable Care Act-driven expansion of Medicare. The younger Beshear pounced. A hard-fought campaign against Bevin followed, and he ended up winning a close election by less than one percentage point after running up margins in two heavily Democratic counties containing large cities, Louisville and Lexington. He still faced political headwinds, with the states legislature under Republican supermajority control. But the Covid-19 pandemic gave him a platform and made him a national celebrity through the televised briefings he delivered each evening. And by the time he ran for re-election in 2023, he was still a popular figure who was riding high from the massive influx of federal dollars he was able to distribute, and for his response to a glut of natural disasters that rocked the state during his first term. Now, with his political future limited by Kentuckys constitutional term limits, he is reportedly under consideration to be Vice President Harris running-mate on the strength of his record as a Democratic governor who twice won statewide election in an extremely Republican-heavy state. If picked and if successful hed be the fifth person to serve as vice president with ties to Kentucky, following in the footsteps of Adlai Stevenson I, Richard Johnson, John Breckinridge and Alben Barkley. Amy McGrath, a former fighter pilot and ex-Kentucky Senate candidate who remains a prominent Democratic activist in the commonwealth despite losing her campaign against Mitch McConnell in 2020, told The Independent that she believes Beshear could be a strong addition to the Democratic ticket based on the record hes compiled while leading Kentucky through unprecedented times. She cited his work during Covid, plus his response to other natural disasters flooding in the eastern section of the commonwealth and tornadoes in the western part as evidence of his potential value to Harris, calling him the great consoler. He's really compassionate and responsive. And he's an on-the-ground kind of guy ... That's why people really like him here. He's shown a dedication to that to governing and being compassionate, she said. McGrath also said Beshears work with Kentuckys GOP supermajority legislature shows he can work with the other side. He's got the experience of an executive. He knows how to talk to voters who don't live on the coasts, who don't always agree with... his party. And I think that is a big benefit to any ticket, she said. But another veteran of Kentucky politics, Republican consultant and former George W Bush aide Scott Jennings, said those same traits that McGrath cited wouldnt count for much under the harsh spotlight of presidential politics. Jennings told The Independent he was dumbfounded by Beshears place on Harris shortlist compared with other potential picks, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro or Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. He doesn't come from an important state. His dad wasn't governor of any important state. I'm not really sure what he's supposed to do for her, he said. He added that Beshears Covid-induced popularity was on par with other governors who served during the worst of the outbreak and noted that not a single incumbent governor save for scandal-plagued Democrat Steve Sisolak of Nevada had lost re-election in the wake of the pandemic. All these governors were handed billions of federal dollars to run around their states like gameshow hosts and he did it, he said. But Jennings also suggested that Beshears background as the son of a former governor wouldnt do him any favors, calling him someone who sort of slid into this office on his dad's coattails and then merely performed adequately during times of need. We had a tornado. He went around and he hugged people and handed out cases of water. I would expect any governor to do that. I don't think that makes you a brilliant politician, he said. He's a figurehead who hugs people when the weather gets bad. That's effectively what he does. And there's no magic in that. The Department of Veterans Affairs says the Hampton VA Medical Center is working to address a string of failures identified in a recent federal watchdog report. In a report released last week, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs identified problems at the medical center related to surgical services and how leadership there addressed quality management concerns. We take allegations of oversight and misconduct seriously and have strengthened our policies and procedures to ensure consistent, high-quality care from licensed professionals, said Terrence Hayes, the VAs press secretary, in a Tuesday statement. We plan to fully implement all recommendations by December. The Hampton facility recently confirmed it was replacing several top officials, including its director, chief of staff and chief of surgery. The OIG launched its review following multiple complaints it received about the center in 2022. We got some concerns about surgical quality so we engaged with the facility trying to get some response, said Julie Kroviak, the departments principal deputy assistant inspector general for health care inspections. We then sent further questions to the regional office and after that we just became more concerned about the quality review processes. Kroviak said the report can get a little bit technical but shouldnt be dismissed. I think it can be written off as Oh just some detailed processes werent followed by clinical leaders. But those processes are so critical to the foundation of a patients safety program, she said. If the highest levels of leadership are not aware of them, truly not aware of them, there are so many places for things to go seriously wrong. For example, the report found that after concerns were raised about patient safety, facility leaders issued a summary suspension of the assistant chief of surgerys clinical privileges in January 2023. But it says the surgeons clinical privileges were restored after facility leaders failed to follow required protocol. The surgeon transferred to another VA health facility in June 2023, which precluded facility leaders from correcting the process, including initiating additional actions, the report states. The Hampton center serves southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. From Oct. 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022, the center served more than 66,000 patients. The report states OIG received a complaint, which included five patient case examples, in December 2022 that the assistant chief of surgery provided poor surgical care and that the chief of staff was aware of the concerns but did not address them. After OIG requested additional information, the Veterans Integrated Service Network responded and said the facility conducted a focused clinical care review of 15 cases performed by the assistant chief of surgery. It found six cases did not meet the standard of care and four of those had intraoperative complications, including one patient who experienced a laceration of the liver and another who underwent surgery in concerningly close proximity to having received chemoradiation therapy. The report states OIG opened its hotline inspection in May 2023. During this review, widespread failures and deficiencies were identified related to facility leaders responses to care concerns and subsequent privileging actions involving the assistant chief of surgery, professional practice evaluations of surgeons, surgical service quality management and institutional disclosures. The findings identified through this inspection highlight not only failures of facility leaders to ensure that the required processes were appropriately implemented, but also a lack of leaders basic understanding of the processes that support delivery of safe health care, the report states. The report provided a dozen recommendations, including that summary suspensions, clinical care reviews and proposed revocation of privileges are conducted in accordance with the requirements and policies of the Veterans Health Administration. It further advised the center to ensure that ongoing professional practice evaluations include documentation of all conclusionary outcomes. In his statement, Hayes said the VA fully supported OIGs findings. Hayes said a new team is meeting bi-weekly to address OIGs recommendations with a target year-end completion goal. He said the facility has introduced a new reporting tool to track clinical care metrics, suspensions, privilege changes, state board reports and ongoing evaluations. Additionally, the facility has initiated monthly patient risk meetings in surgery services. Hayes noted Michael Harper is taking on the role of acting medical center director until Aug. 5. Harper will then be replaced by Walt Dannenberg, who currently serves as the medical center director of the Long Beach VA Medical Center in California. Hayes said the leadership changes were done to align with the VAs commitment to high-reliability principles but were not directly related to the report. The House of Representatives Committee on Veterans Affairs also recently completed an investigation into the Hampton VA Medical Center after lawmakers said they received credible complaints about patient safety concerns and medical incompetence. As a result of the investigation, the committee announced last week that the center was making a series of personnel changes. Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com Instead of competing for land, some farmers and solar developers want to work side by side Matt Riggs family has been farming in Urbana since 1874. But, his parents had to work second jobs to cushion themselves from the volatile corn and soybean markets that dominate Illinois agricultural sector. It quickly became clear that Riggs would also need to find another income stream if he wanted to keep the farm. He expects to lose $200 to $300 on each acre of corn this year, but a craft brewery he and his brother started is keeping the family farm afloat. In the past few years, Riggs has realized the land his family has worked for 150 years is also ideal for solar panels. Its flat, well-drained and gets lots of sunlight. As Illinois strives to convert 40% of its energy consumption to renewables by 2030 and 100% by 2050, solar installations are expected to increase by 1,700% over the next five years, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Across the country, approximately 83% of new solar projects developed by 2040 will be installed on farm and ranch land, according to a 2022 American Farmland Trust analysis. But, broad, low-lying solar arrays are not inherently compatible with farming. They typically take land out of agricultural production. This doesnt have to be the case, however. An emerging field called agrivoltaics suggests shorter, shade-tolerant crops may grow well in the small spaces between panels. After installing solar panels at his brewery and seeing how reliable they were, Riggs wondered if he could use them to hedge his farms balance sheet. The sun is going to come up on average a certain amount of time so you can build a really stable, predictable financial model, which I looked at having grown up on a farm and was like Wow, thats awesome, said Riggs. Some Google searches led him to agrivoltaics. While there are very few agrivoltaic projects in Illinois, early research and small projects show synergies between solar energy and agriculture. The co-location of solar panels and agriculture could keep farmers in business, improve ecosystem health, feed the country and provide clean energy. Learning to speak the same language Agrivoltaics is a meeting of the minds between two groups that dont always look at the land the same way. This was on display at a recent farmer forum. He became bilingual and now speaks nature as well as technology, said Will Harris, a cattleman from southwest Georgia, of a developer he partnered with to graze sheep beneath solar panels. Riggs also received a roar of laughter and scoffs during the forum when he said a developer he had considered partnering with last year wouldnt give him first right of refusal on vegetation mowing and trimming plans. Riggs said he immediately stopped talking to the company, in disbelief that anyone would suggest they knew what was best for his familys land. You could offer me a trillion dollars an acre per year. Theres no scenario where me or my family would feel comfortable signing the contract, he said. Related Articles One of the few Illinois farmers who still owns his farmland, hes passionate about maintaining control and is holding out for the right developer. But, many farmers dont have this luxury. Approximately 70% of farmland in Illinois is rented from landowners who often live in cities or out of state. When solar developers approach with decadeslong contracts that pay double or triple the going rate per acre, its hard for landowners to turn down the offers. A farmer whose yearly income is subject to fluctuating market demand cant compete. But, if farmers and solar companies can find a way to understand each other, a growing number of farmers like Riggs see solar energy as a potential safety net. They could make a passive income from the solar company leases while still raising products for the market. Opportunities and challenges The logo for the Solar Farm Summit hosted in Chicago a sheep overlaid on solar panels is emblematic of the work that must still be done for agrivoltaics to take off in Illinois. Sheep and solar panels pair well together. The sheep appreciate the shade from the panels and do a good job keeping the grasses low. But, there arent many sheep farmers in Illinois, and there isnt a large appetite for lamb products in the United States. Still, registration more than doubled at this Julys summit compared with the inaugural one last year, organizers said. On a 54-acre property called Solar Farm 2.0 in Champaign, University of Illinois researchers are exploring how row crops, which monopolize Illinois agricultural output, can coexist alongside solar panels. Their preliminary research suggests corn, which needs lots of sun and grows high, wont do well among solar arrays. But, shorter, more shade-tolerant crops such as soybeans, wheat, barley and hay may grow well in the small spaces between panels. In other parts of the country such as Arizona and Massachusetts, agrivoltaic farms are seeing promising yields of specialty groups such as tomatoes, basil and berries. In Saline County, 165 miles south of Solar Farm 2.0, the American Farmland Trust has partnered with solar developer Sol Systems to see if kernza, a hybrid wheat that improves soil health, might also grow well alongside solar panels in Illinois. However, as with sheep, there isnt a large demand for kernza among American consumers. Environmentalists have long questioned whether Illinois should be growing so much corn and soybeans in the first place. Theyre water-intensive, primarily used for biofuels and livestock feed rather than human consumption, and monocropping has degraded soil health, according to a study published by the National Academy of Sciences. You have food deserts all over the Midwest where farmers markets are about the only thing going in terms of getting produce there. Is there a way for us to rebuild some specialty crop supply at scale? posed Ethan Winter, director of the American Farmland Trusts Smart Solar division. The 12-person team only came about three years ago to explore the intersection of solar and agriculture. This is new territory. The passive income stream from solar arrays could give Illinois farmers the cushioning they need to diversify their harvests. For us to nurture this thing and grow it, it wont deliver massive profit year one. We may fall on our faces as were establishing these crops that are foreign to central Illinois, said Riggs, who is interested in experimenting with more direct-to-consumer products such as berries and flowers. The cool thing is agrivoltaics can mitigate that risk until were good at it. Agrivoltaics is also being pitched as a way to make farming more resilient to climate change. The solar panels could shield crops from the sun and storms as weather becomes more severe. As the climate changes, where we may have extreme heat and extreme precipitation, it may actually benefit plants to have some shade. So, its also very forward-looking research, said Madhu Khanna, director of the University of Illinois research project. Slowly warming up to solar Many Illinois farmers are on the defensive as they watch utility-scale, non-agrivoltaic solar projects pop up next to their fields. Last year, Illinois passed a zoning law that made any land approved for agricultural or industrial use also eligible for solar installations. Farmers have already had to adapt to an influx of windmills and raised concerns about carbon sequestration in recent years. It just seems like people are wanting to start a war right here in central Illinois over all of this green energy stuff, said Shane Gray, a first-generation farmer in Waverly, Illinois, whose farm is next to Double Black Diamond. At 4,100 acres, its the largest solar project east of the Mississippi and is expected to offset 70% of the electricity from the city of Chicagos municipal operations. The land was chosen because its near a transmission line, said Matt Birchby, president and co-founder of the project developer, Swift Current Energy. While he said the company is open to incorporating agrivoltaics into future plans, nothing will be farmed on this site, which is about the size of 11 family farms. If youre a landowner within a certain radius of a transmission line, youre either getting a letter in the mail or a knock on the door, said Alan Bailey, the Midwest solar specialist at American Farmland Trust. The Illinois Farm Bureau, which represents 3 of every 4 farmers in the state, is against putting solar projects on productive farmland. It advocates for placing them on abandoned brownfield sites, vacant lots and rooftops instead. But, projects on brownfields and former landfills tend to be smaller and more expensive because of land remediation costs, according to Anna Toenjes, associate vice president of impact at Sol Systems, a solar company experimenting with agrivoltaics in Illinois. Having the flexibility to develop projects on different types of land is really critical to achieving the scale needed to achieve the goals set on the federal and state levels, Toenjes said. Although solar panels are only projected to cover 1% of total farmland in the United States, the most productive farmland is most likely to be affected, according to the American Farmland Trust analysis. Historically, towns and cities were built next to the richest farmland. Transmission lines, which solar arrays must connect to, were subsequently built next to these highly populated areas, said the organizations President and CEO John Piotti. However, agrivoltaics is slowly catching on in rural Illinois. Earlier this month, Riggs county Farm Bureau sent his proposal to modify the organizations hardline stance against solar development to the state-level resolution committee. If approved, the Illinois Farm Bureau would support public funding for agrivoltaic projects. Policy will set the pace Ultimately, state and federal policy will set the pace of progress for agrivoltaics. Lightstar Renewables, a Boston-based solar developer, applied last month to construct Illinois largest commercial agrivoltaic project in Kane County. The fate of the 4.95 megawatt, 36-acre project, which is anticipated to provide enough energy to power 1,100 homes annually and grow hay and soybeans, is in the hands of the state government. The company found an interested landowner near a transmission line, worked with a local farmer to design an array he can grow beneath and between and successfully pushed the project through the county permitting process. Now, Lightstar is waiting to be accepted into Illinois Shines, a state-run solar incentive program that can cover up to 40% of the cost of a solar system. The program receives more applications than grid capacity, even after being allocated more megawatts under the Pritzker administrations 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. We anticipate it will be slow to actually get built and put into operation because of the timeline and capacity limits with Illinois Shines, said Cecelia Stephens, a development manager at Lightstar. While hopeful the Kane County project will be approved this year, the company plans to apply again in 2025 if it isnt. Illinois Shines is generally regarded as a national model of how states can support solar development, but Stephens said there is an opportunity for more weight to be given to agrivoltaic projects. Applications are evaluated with a points-based system. Currently, agrivoltaics only receives one point. For comparison, projects built on rooftops receive three points and projects built on brownfields receive two. If the Illinois Shines program could further incentivize or prioritize agrivoltatic projects, I think that would really be something that would help push us forward more quickly, said Stephens. She pointed to New York as an example of a state that has really invested in the new field. It just announced a grant program that will award up to $750,000 to agrivoltaic projects. Riggs would like to see Illinois Shines points-based system broken down even further to prioritize projects that will produce the highest agricultural output and create the most farming jobs. Given that solar farm leases typically last two to four decades, he feels an urgency to get agrivoltaic projects underway. Every day we dont have a tiered incentive structure to incentivize real, robust dual-use, theres another project going in thats going to be there for 25 years, and its a missed opportunity, he said. The U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture have put tens of millions of dollars into agrivoltaic research. Solar Farm 2.0 is funded under a $10 million USDA grant. There is also bipartisan support in Congress for further research into agrivoltaics. The Farm Bill introduced by House Republicans this May directs the agriculture department to study the impacts of and best practices for shared solar energy and agricultural production. Additionally, it tells the agriculture department not to fund any solar projects on prime farmland unless they incorporate agrivoltaics or have local government approval. The rise of agrivoltatics is a great reason why we need a new Farm Bill every five years, said Samantha Levy, conservation and climate policy manager at American Farmland Trust. Agrivoltaics was only beginning to be discussed in 2018, so it was not included in the last Farm Bill, which reached its five-year expiration date last year. After failing to come to a consensus, a divided Congress opted to extend the 2018 Farm Bill until this September. History suggests Congress will likely be in gridlock until after the presidential election in November and consequently extend the 2018 bill another year. With these federal delays and the backlogs at the state level, Riggs worries that family farmers will lose out on an opportunity to be a part of the clean energy transition and maintain their cherished livelihoods. If a project has real agricultural dual-use and was partnered with a small family farm, its the golden ticket for that family, said Riggs. Every one of these little community solar projects could literally sustain a family farm for the next generation. Interstate 10 traffic stop led authorities to 22 pounds of cocaine, MS Coast sheriff says Authorities arrested a North Carolina woman on Monday after police said a search of her car on Interstate 10 turned up 10 bundles of cocaine. The Harrison County Sheriffs Office and U.S. Border Patrol arrested the woman during a traffic stop in Gulfport, the Sheriffs Office announced in a news release Wednesday. Sherika Yuva Leake, 37, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, faces a federal charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute cocaine. She was arrested at 5 p.m. Monday while driving near mile marker 37 in Gulfport, the Sheriffs Office said. Police said Leake was suspected of criminal wrongdoing. A canine sniffed her vehicle. Authorities said agents searched the car with probable cause and found a large trash bag in the trunk with 10 kilogram sized bundles that roughly totaled 22 pounds of cocaine. Police said Leake traveled from North Carolina to Texas, where she allegedly obtained the drug. She was booked into the Harrison County Jail and is held without bond pending federal court proceedings. The Iowa DNR has created an online reporting tool and annual dashboard to track and report cases of hemorrhagic disease outbreaks. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture) The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking hunters and landowners to report deer that died from a hemorrhagic disease outbreak via a new online reporting tool. DNR officials hope the tool will give them a better understanding of how the disease works as well as the impact of weather on the disease and if deer are adapting to it. Chris Ensminger, a wildlife researcher at the Iowa DNR, said the department has struggled to monitor previous outbreaks as there was no place for people to report diseased animals. One of the things that weve struggled with is all the reports were just strictly word of mouth, Ensminger said. We decided that we needed to get a tool out there that the public could access directly and report directly. A person reporting a dead deer on the DNRs website will be asked for contact information, the number of dead deer, the location of the carcass and whether the carcass was near a body of water. In addition to the reporting tool, the DNR has also released an annual dashboard to track the disease. Since the end of July, there have been nine reports of outbreaks across eight different counties, totaling 21 dead deer. The severity of outbreaks differs from year to year, Ensminger said. There were intense reports of outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), also known as bluetongue, in 2012, 2013, 2019 and most recently in 2023. Ensminger said this year is not expected to be particularly deadly. The disease comes from a virus that is spread by the bite of tiny flies. While these flies bite humans, the virus is not known to affect humans. Deaths between July to September, multiple deer carcasses, carcasses near bodies of water and the dead deer looking healthy are signs of the disease that people can recognize, Ensminger added. While deer populations generally recover from an outbreak in two to three years, help with recovery may be needed in counties with declining or low deer populations, according to the Iowa DNR. Ensminger said while the discussions around the disease seem dire today, the future outlook is promising as researchers believe the deer herds will become more immunized to the disease as time goes on. The outlook on EHD in the short term can be pretty bleak because a farm owner or landowner could walk out there and find 30 dead deer and thats really devastating for today, Ensminger said. However, the long-term prognosis is actually pretty good. We will probably go through this and come out on the other end with a stronger more resistant herd. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A flag flies at the Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy ethanol facility in Council Bluffs prior to a July 2019 visit from then-President Donald Trump. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) An Iowa company is suing its marketing partner for $7 million in damages caused by alleged errors in attempting to sell fuel-grade ethanol produced in Iowa and Nebraska. Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, or SIRE, is a Council Bluffs-based company that has hundreds of member ethanol producers in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and 18 other states. It is suing a Missouri company, Bunge North America, with whom it partnered to sell SIRE-produced ethanol. SIRE is a dry-mill grain processing facility that each year produces millions of gallons of fuel-grade ethanol from grain that originates in southwest Iowa and southeast Nebraska. Bunge is an agronomic business focused on the purchase, storage and eventual sale of products, including ethanol, within North America. In the ethanol market, its common practice for ethanol producers such as SIRE to contract with ethanol marketers tasked with finding buyers who are willing to purchase the commodity at the highest possible price and then negotiating with rail lines and trucking companies to achieve the lowest possible rates for shipping the ethanol. In order to do all of that, the lawsuit alleges, ethanol marketers must have expertise related to complicated and ever-changing federal and state renewable fuel standards. In 2020, SIRE contracted with Bunge to market and sell all of SIREs ethanol in return for a monthly fee. The lawsuit claims that until November 2022, Bunge successfully marketed SIREs ethanol though a single Bunge employee, Jeremy Ragan, who was conversant with ethanol buyers and well versed in SIREs objectives. However, at the end of November 2022, Ragan informed SIRE that Bunge had terminated his employment. In the weeks that followed, the lawsuit claims, Bunge had inexperienced workers trying to market SIREs ethanol but who sold the product at old or incorrect values. In addition, the lawsuit accuses Bunge of failing to submit the necessary paperwork order for it to sell SIREs ethanol in California. The lawsuit alleges that those and other deficiencies and errors have resulted in SIRE losing profits on, at times, a daily basis. Bunges deficient marketing services have cost SIRE at least $7 million between October 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023. SIREs damages have continued to accrue daily. The lawsuit, filed this week in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, seeks at least $7 million, plus interest, for breach of contract and unjust enrichment. Bunge has yet to file a response to the lawsuit. Company officials have not returned calls seeking comment. This article first appeared in the Iowa Capital Dispatch, a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network. Hamas chief Ismaeil Haniyeh meets Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian (Not Pictured) in Tehran. Palestinian militant organization Hamas has said on Telegram that Haniyeh, was killed in a "Zionist raid" on his residence in Tehran. In a statement, Hamas added that Haniyeh was killed after he had attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian in the Iranian capital. -/Iranian Presidency/dpa Iran has condemned in the strongest terms the deadly attack on the political chief of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement in Tehran. "The pure blood of the holy and honourable warrior Ismail Haniyeh has undoubtedly not been shed in vain," Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said in a press statement. The attack on Haniyeh would also further strengthen the relationship between the Palestinian resistance front and Iran, according to the spokesman, ISNA news agency reported. Regarding the details of the attack, which Hamas has blamed on Israel, he mentioned only that the security authorities are still examining the causes and the incident. Irans Supreme Leader has issued an order for direct retaliation against Israel, following the killing of Hamas top political leader in Tehran an incident that risks sparking further conflict in the Middle East. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, gave the order at an emergency meeting of Irans Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly after Iran announced that Ismail Haniyeh had been killed. Three Iranian officials who were present for the meeting confirmed the news to The New York Times under the condition of anonymity. Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has claimed that Haniyeh was assassinated and has laid the blame for his death at the feet of Israel. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the assassination, though Israel has previously vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the groups October 7 attack that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage. Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has claimed that Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated and has laid the blame for his death at the feet of Israel (AP) Israel has neither acknowledged nor denied killing Haniyeh, who was in Tehran for the inauguration of Irans new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Haniyehs death is potentially explosive amid the regions volatile, intertwined conflicts because of its target, its timing and location in Tehran. Most dangerous is the potential to push Iran and Israel into direct confrontation if Iran retaliates. The US, UK and other nations have since scrambled to prevent a wider, deadlier conflict, though US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has denied any American knowledge or involvement in Haniyehs death. In a statement on his official website, Khamenei said revenge was our duty and that Israel had prepared a harsh punishment for itself by killing a dear guest in our home. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will exact a very heavy price from any aggression against us on any front" but did not mention the killing. There are challenging days ahead, he added. Ismail Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of Irans new president, when he was killed (AP) The two nations risked plunging into war earlier this year when Israel hit Irans embassy in Damascus in April. Iran retaliated, and Israel countered in an unprecedented exchange of strikes on each others soil, but international efforts succeeded in containing that cycle before it spun out of control. Through almost 10 months of war in Gaza, Iran has tried to strike a balance, putting pressure on Israel with sharply increased attacks by its allies and proxy forces in the region, while avoiding an all-out war between the two nations. Iran and the regional forces it backs Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and multiple militias in Iraq form what they call the axis of resistance. Leaders of those groups were in Tehran for the inauguration of Pezeshkian on Tuesday. Haniyeh was assassinated at about 2 am local time, after attending the ceremony and meeting with Khamenei. We recently compiled a list of the 14 Best Consulting Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH) stands against the other consulting stocks. After the market rebounded in 2021 post-pandemic, the US consulting industry now faces a complex and uncertain landscape. Rising inflation, increased costs, talent shortages, and supply chain disruptions amid a volatile geopolitical climate are challenging the sector. Despite these hurdles, 66% of clients plan to increase their use of consultants over the next year. However, clients are becoming more cautious, opting for smaller, tactical projects to address immediate issues rather than engaging in lengthy, expensive transformation initiatives. This approach allows them to assess the impact of their investments before committing further. According to the 2023 report by Source Global Research, consulting firms must now deliver results within tighter timeframes amid heightened competition for smaller, sequential project components. Clients are increasingly seeking innovative and data-driven solutions, reflecting a desire for new and novel approaches throughout the project lifecycle. This shift highlights the need for consulting firms to adapt and excel in an environment where macroeconomic challenges have dampened post-pandemic optimism. In 2021, the US experienced significant growth as clients invested in growth initiatives, buoyed by optimism and capital following the pandemic. However, by the end of 2022, the mood shifted due to rising inflation, energy prices, and political tensions, which hindered business operations and growth opportunities. Clients remain cautious, anticipating a potential global recession. Nevertheless, some clients remain hopeful, with around a third believing that current macroeconomic factors could positively impact their organizations. With technology being a top priority for clients, it's no surprise that technology firms are leading the market. Clients are investing heavily in technology, which translates into significant consulting spend. Over the past year, two of the top three consulting areas were technology-related: 77% of clients invested in technology strategy and 71% in technology implementation. Productivity improvement, which often involves technology, ranked second at 73%. Although the market is crowded, technology firms are benefiting the most. Clients prefer these firms for their specialized technology solutions, which they believe offer more reliable outcomes compared to other providers, even if it means higher costs. Story continues Uncertainty in the global economy is causing significant disruption in the US consulting industry, with firms dealing with project cancellations and clients pushing for lower fees, reported Financial Times. The report by Source Global Research highlights a major reassessment of consultants by US clients due to economic concerns. Over 75% of professional services buyers have cancelled or scrapped projects, and two-thirds have paused most existing work. The report forecasts 11% revenue growth in 2023, consistent with 2022, but notes increasing pressure on consultants' fees, with clients now expecting lower rates compared to before the pandemic. Clients are more focused on getting value for money, with only about 50% believing firms provide value above their fees. Areas such as cybersecurity, HR consulting, and M&A for private equity firms are experiencing slowdowns. While IT consulting remains strong, it is targeted at projects that deliver quick financial benefits. The decline in hiring, initially observed in the Big Four accounting and consulting firms, has extended to smaller players as well. According to a survey by investment bank William Blair, job postings by US specialty consultants were down 57% in June 2023 compared to the previous year and have fallen below pre-pandemic levels. At the Big Four, job postings have decreased by 80% year-on-year. There is one long-term trend that we haven't talked yet affecting consulting firms positively. The rise of generative AI, a powerful new technology that can create realistic text and images, has sparked a gold rush for consulting firms. Companies like Reckitt Benckiser, unsure of how to leverage this technology, are turning to consultants for guidance. This has led to a surge in revenue for these firms, with some like McKinsey seeing 40% of their business coming from AI-related work. Consulting firms are among the early winners of the AI revolution which is why we believe this may be a good time to invest in consulting stocks. However, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than consulting companies but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. Our Methodology We leveraged Insider Monkeys comprehensive database of 920 prominent hedge funds to identify the top 14 consulting stocks with the highest level of hedge fund investment as of Q1 2024. These stocks are listed in order of increasing hedge fund ownership, providing insight into the most popular consulting stocks among elite investors. A technician testing and configuring a digital solution at a lab workstation. Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 41 Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH) provides management and technology consulting services to governments, corporations, and non-profits in the US and internationally. The company specializes in artificial intelligence, data science, and digital solutions, including machine learning, predictive modeling, and cyber services. With a focus on technology and engineering, Booz Allen Hamilton offers a range of services, from software engineering and systems integration to user experience design and digital product development, helping clients transform their businesses and achieve their goals. On July 11, Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH) announced that its corporate venture capital arm, Booz Allen Ventures, LLC, has made a strategic investment in Quindar, a commercial space technology company, to automate and democratize satellite operations. The investment aligns with Booz Allen's strategy to accelerate innovation for federal clients, particularly in the space domain. Quindar's platform uses AI to analyze, test, and operate satellite constellations with minimal human intervention, aiming to "democratize space" and make space missions more efficient, secure, and accessible. On July 1, Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH) announced a 7-year, $419 million contract with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to modernize and operate their merit review and grants management system. The company will use agile development, DevSecOps, and cloud technology to speed up and scale NSF's mission-critical systems. Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH) will also leverage AI to positively impact citizens and foster scientific advancement. This contract builds on the company's 20-year history of supporting NSF and demonstrates its expertise in managing complex technical mission stacks. The project will support over 20 NSF mission-critical applications and help the agency stay at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological advancements. In the first quarter of 2024, the number of hedge funds with stakes in Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH) increased to 41 from 30 in the previous quarter, according to Insider Monkeys database. The combined value of these stakes is approximately $0.27 billion. Israel Englanders Millennium Management emerged as the largest stakeholder among these hedge funds during this period. LVS Advisory stated the following regarding Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH) in its first quarter 2024 investor letter: We added Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH) to the growth portfolio in October 2023. I am highlighting Booz Allen this quarter because the exercise of comparing BAH to CACI serves as an interesting example of weighing the trade-offs between quality and value when picking stocks. Booz Allen is a technology consulting firm specializing in government contracting. Founded in 1914, Booz Allen has a storied history partnering with the US Government which includes helping the US Navy prepare for World War II. These deep roots have helped engrain the Company into the fabric of Washington DC and provide a foundation for the business deep moat. Not resting on its laurels, Booz Allen has relentlessly re-invested in its business by acquiring and retaining the top talent and technology in the government contracting space. This has translated into Booz Allen serving as one of the most awarded government contractors. The Company is the #1 provider of artificial intelligence to the US Federal Government with nearly 200 government AI contracts spanning defense, national security, and civil missions. Frost & Sullivan ranks Booz Allen as the most innovative company in the Global Managed Detection and Response Market. The Company is also ranked highly in broader surveys including Fortunes Worlds Most Admired Companies and Glassdoors Best 100 Places to Work (Click here to read the full text) Overall BAH ranks 6th on our list of the best consulting stocks to buy. You can visit 14 Best Consulting Stocks to Buy Now to see the other consulting stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of BAH as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BAH but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion Opportunity for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Since October 7, Israel has had one geostrategic imperative: to reinstate deterrence. In the Middle East and increasingly in Ukraine and further afield states live or die on the strength of their ability to cow their enemies, and none more so than the Jewish one. This morning, as the dust settles over the former safe house in Tehran in which the Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was living in luxury until death came upon him from the skies, that deterrent is well on the way to being restored. The Iranian regime is in a state of shock. The last time Israel targeted a terrorist perceived as too high in value to tolerate, Tehran unleashed a night of 300 projectiles on the Jewish state, only one of which hit the target. The west united to play defence, but the Israeli response was surgical and designed to send a message of fear, not pain. This is a move of a different order. The humiliation suffered by the Iranians is profound. The paranoia spreading through the upper echelons of the regime is tangible. If Israel Jerusalem has not claimed responsibility but let us work on that assumption can reach a figure like Haniyeh in a place like Tehran, nowhere and nobody is safe. According to Iran experts like Kasra Aarabi, director of Iranian Revolutionary Guard research at the respected United Against Nuclear Iran thinktank, last nights assassination will only deepen the regimes fear of Benjamin Netanyahu. They have watched while the Israeli leader has withstood unprecedented pressure both internationally and domestically, pressing Hamas to the brink of destruction. They know his views on Iran. He has been vocal about the threat for years, memorably brandishing a visual aid of a cartoon nuclear bomb in a speech at the United Nations, and has put cunning and steel behind his concerns. In 2018, when the Mossad pulled off the audacious theft of Irans nuclear archive from a nondescript commercial district on the outskirts of Tehran, Bibi was at the wheel. Two years later, when Israeli spies carried out the remarkable assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the father of the bomb, whose fingerprints were found all over the archive, as a Mossad source told me, Bibi was once again in office. Fakhrizadeh was killed, as I revealed at the time, by way of a one-ton automated gun that was smuggled into the country piece-by-piece by a 20-plus team of Israeli and Iranian spies. The myth of Israels superhuman espionage was assured. These are different times. Even as war rages and Netanyahu is on the ropes, however, he has shown that when it comes to Iran, even the 300 projectiles in April were not enough to dent his resolve. Haniyeh is dead; Tehran is in a state of panic and embarrassment; just hours earlier, Fuad Shukr, a veteran Hezbollah commander close to leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in another precision Israeli strike, dying with a $5 million American bounty on his head, cleverly wrapping the White House into the equation. The Iranians are boxed in. The law of the region dictates that they will need to mount a response. But dare they provoke Netanyahu further? There will be those within the Ayatollahs high command who are baying for blood. With the election of Donald Trump in November looking like a distinct possibility, the window of American weakness may be closing. In acknowledgement of this, Iran has been accelerating its progress towards a nuclear weapon, which may lie just one or two weeks away, as Secretary of State Anthony Blinken confirmed in Aspen two weeks ago. The hawks will argue that now is the time to make a dash for nuclearisation, which would redraw the balance of power in the Middle East. These same voices including, apparently, that of Masoud Pezeshkian, the new president, who set aside the moderate mask that fooled the west by vowing to make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly act will be urging the Ayatollah to hit back hard. This may yet unfold, but today it seems more unlikely than likely. In the old world, when Trump was in office and the deterrent was strong, even the killing of Qasem Soleimani in 2020 was met with no escalation from Iran. Despite the war in Gaza, the memory of that dynamic will be conjured today. There will inevitably be some retaliation from the regime, but, as Aarabi told me, this is more likely to take the form of a terror attack on an Israeli embassy overseas than another night of rocket fire on Israel. So the rounds of violence continue. Right now, there is no end in sight. The killing of Haniyeh will almost certainly cause chances of a hostage deal to fade, which will heap more domestic pressure on the Israeli leader. In Jerusalem, however, there will be a sense of quiet satisfaction that the name Netanyahu strikes fear into the heart of the Ayatollah once again. 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. One of the few things working in Irans favor after the humiliating news that Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital overnight is that the regime controls most of the information the world gets to see. What Iran has said so far is that Haniyeh died after being hit by an airborne guided projectile in Tehran where he was attending the inauguration of the Iranian president. But we know little else. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the strike but has previously vowed to eliminate Hamas and its leaders following the October 7 attacks. Haniyehs death came hours after Israel confirmed it carried out a strike in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday that killed the most senior military commander of Hezbollah, another Iranian-backed militant group, who it blamed for a deadly attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The precise details of what happened at around 2 a.m. (5.30 p.m. ET) in Tehran, will dictate what comes next, as Iran looks to present a narrative that justifies and fashions its response. Whatever the truth and whatever Iran proffers, the attack is clearly a grave violation of its sovereignty and the supposed security bubble of the Iranian capital. Haniyeh was the regimes guest, and its role as a regional power is compromised if its unable to guarantee the simple safety of visiting allies. There are reports he was staying in a guest house for veterans, and it is unclear whose technical responsibility it was to protect this facility and whether the elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) will be explicitly embarrassed, outside of the wider humiliation of an apparent Israeli assassination deep inside of Iran. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is seen with Haniyeh -- hours before his assassination. - Handout/Office of Iran's Supreme Leader/AFP/Getty Images But Iran has stomached comparable violations in the past. The death of its leading nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was met with limited wrath in 2020. The killing of Quds commander Qasem Suleinami, the countrys most fabled military figure, months earlier, led to fiery rhetoric, but instead a limited hit on a remote US base. Iran has stepped back before and may do so again. There is no shortage of furious rherotic the day after the strikes, but there is no easy route for Iran. It is clear Tehran has been reluctant, for the months since October 7, to launch its most ferocious proxy, Hezbollah, into a full-scale war with Israel from Lebanon. Putting aside the huge humanitarian horror such a conflict would muster for Lebanese and Israelis alike, Hezbollah remains a powerful card that Tehran gets to play probably once. The regime retains apparent ambitions in its nuclear program and a military eroded by sanctions, so Hezbollah is an ace that must be tabled with astute timing. Iran has also tried an unprecedented direct all-out attack on Israel before, in April, after senior IRGC commanders were killed in an Israeli strike on Damascus. In short, the 300 drone and missiles fired - straight from Iran at Israel - just didnt get through. Around 99% of them were intercepted. Damage after the strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday. - Ahmad Al-Kerdi/Reuters The regimes response to Haniyehs death will define its role as a regional power, and, if it fails to appear potent enough, risks that slipping. A stealthy, asymmetric strike, weeks from now, may not fix the damage done to its prestige. The risk of the unchartered territory we are in is that the gravity of expected responses is not defined the tit for tat is occurring in an environment evolving by the day. Indeed, the characters making the decisions are changing rapidly, or under intense domestic pressure themselves. This simply accentuates the risk of miscalculation, or of actions taken to satisfy selfish, insular concerns, rather than a wider regional impact. In short, it is a mess that grows, and with it surges the chance of the unexpected. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khameneis first statement on the matter said of Israel, You killed our dear guest in our house and now have paved the way for your harsh punishment. But remember this is a superannuated, octogenarian leader who has just endured years of popular unrest and rising conflict with Israel, and 24 hours ago saw a surprisingly moderate president, Masoud Pezeshkian, get sworn in. He is projecting strength internally as much as he is internationally. Separately, Hezbollah had stumbled it seemed into an acute crisis though the militant groups apparently mistaken targeting of Druze schoolchildren in the Golan Heights at the weekend. It may feel the strike on Haniyeh has removed the spotlight to respond, for the shortest while, although it may be dragged into Irans eventual response. But the fact the assassination of its commander, Fuad Shukr, now seems like a distant memory, exposing how rapidly events are unfolding. Tehran is taking its time to reveal how, yet again, its innermost sanctum was violated by Israel. The IRGC trailed a statement about Haniyeh at 2.50 a.m. US time, but it eventually avoided most details of how he was killed. Perhaps it doesnt know, or doesnt want to say, or is working out what to say in order to find a response that fits and that it can execute. Still, red lines have been criss-crossed for months, and this morning we lept a few rungs higher up the ladder of escalation. The agonizing question of the next 24 hours - as Iran fashions its narrative of how this major humiliation came to be - is what remaining steps are there on this well-trodden ladder, and what is at its peak? For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Hamas says its leader was assassinated in Tehran by Israel BEIRUT Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said early Wednesday, and Hamas blamed Israel for the attack. Israel has vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the groups Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage. An Israeli military spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel often doesnt when it comes to assassinations carried out by their Mossad intelligence agency. Hamas said Haniyeh was killed in a Zionist airstrike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of Irans new president. Hamas declares to the great Palestinian people and the people of the Arab and Islamic nations and all the free people of the world, brother leader Ismail Ismail Haniyeh a martyr, the terse statement said. In another statement, the group quoted Haniyeh as saying that the Palestinian cause has costs and we are ready for these costs: martyrdom for the sake of Palestine, and for the sake of God Almighty, and for the sake of the dignity of this nation. Hamas officials did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had lived in exile in Qatar. The top Hamas leader in Gaza is Yehya Sinwar, who masterminded the Oct. 7 attack. In April, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed three of Haniyehs sons and four of his grandchildren. In an interview with the Al Jazeera satellite channel at the time, Haniyeh said the killings would not pressure Hamas into softening its positions amid ongoing cease-fire negotiations with Israel. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend Irans President Masoud Pezeshkians swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, along with other Hamas officials and officials from Hezbollah and allied groups. Iran gave no details on how Haniyeh was killed, and the Guard said the attack was under investigation. Analysts on Iranian state television immediately began blaming Israel for the attack. The killing of Haniyeh comes after Israel carried out a rare strike on Beirut, which it said killed Fouad Shukur, a top Hezbollah military commander. Hezbollah has not confirmed Shukurs death in the strike, which also killed at least one woman and two children and wounded dozens of people. The strike came amid escalating hostilities with the Lebanese militant group. The U.S. also blames Shukur for planning and launching the deadly 1983 Marine bombing in the Lebanese capital. There was no immediate reaction from the White House. The apparent assassination comes at a precarious time, as the Biden administration has tried to push Hamas and Israel to agree to at least a temporary cease-fire and hostage-release deal. CIA Director Bill Burns was in Rome on Sunday to meet with senior Israel, Qatari and Egyptian officials in the latest round of talks. Separately, Brett McGurk, the White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, is in the region for talks with U.S. partners. Israel is suspected of running a yearslong assassination campaign targeting Iranian nuclear scientists and others associated with its atomic program. In 2020, a top Iranian military nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while traveling in a car outside Tehran. In Israels war against Hamas since the October attack, more than 39,360 Palestinians have been killed and more than 90,900 wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Ismail Haniyeh, the chairman of Hamass political bureau, was killed while visiting Iran on Wednesday, the Palestinian militant group announced in a statement. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who won a general election in July after former President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this year. The Islamist group said Haniyeh was killed in a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran, but few details about his death have been released. Irans elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also confirmed the attack, and said more details would be released later. Haniyeh was attending the inauguration alongside other leaders in Irans Axis of Resistance, the Islamic Republics coalition of friendly governments like Syria and armed groups in countries including Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon. The Palestinian leader was elected chairman of Hamas political bureau in 2017. Prior to that, he briefly served as prime minister of the Palestinian Authority in 2006, before the feud between Hamas and Fatah descended into violence. He was dismissed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of Fatah, in 2007. Haniyeh was high on the list of Palestinian leaders wanted by Israel after the Oct. 7 attacks, which saw over 1,000 Israeli citizens killed and about 250 taken hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The ongoing war in Gaza has killed more than 39,000 people in the Palestinian territory, according to the most recent estimates from the Gaza health ministry. In April, three of Haniyehs 13 sons and four of his grandchildren were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp in northern Gaza. The blood of my children is not more valuable than the blood of the children of the Palestinian people, Haniyeh said at the time of the attack, Al Jazeera reported. All the martyrs of Palestine are my children. The Israeli Defense Force did not return an immediate request for comment from the Daily Beast. Haniyehs death comes only hours after Fuad Shukr, Hezbollahs top military commander, was killed in an airstrike conducted in a suburb of Beirut. Israel claimed responsibility for the strike, targeting the military leader after a rocket strike killed 12 Arab children in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday. Hezbollah denied responsibility for the attack. 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. Iran is blaming both the United States and Israel for the death of Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh in an attack in Tehran, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. "The US is also responsible for this brutal act of terrorism," the statement says. Washington had always supported the Israeli government and consistently endorsed its crimes, thus also playing a role in this incident, it added. The Foreign Ministry in Tehran reiterated that Iran had the legitimate right to respond in an appropriate manner to a crime committed on its own territory. According to the Hamas militant Islamist organization, Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli attack on a residence in Tehran on Wednesday morning. Israel has yet to comment on the matter. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington had not been involved in Haniyeh's violent death and had no prior knowledge of the killing. Iranian workers install a huge banner on a wall showing a portrait of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and the Dome of Rock Mosque at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound of Jerusalem at Felestin (Palestine) Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said early Wednesday. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) BEIRUT (AP) Hamas' top political leader was killed Wednesday by a predawn airstrike in the Iranian capital, Iran and the militant group said, blaming Israel for a shock assassination that risked escalating into an all-out regional war. Iran's supreme leader vowed revenge against Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will exact a very heavy price from any aggression against us on any front" but did not mention the killing. There are challenging days ahead, he added. Israel had pledged to kill Ismail Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the groups Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. The strike came just after Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Irans new president in Tehran and hours after Israel targeted a top commander in Iran's ally Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. The assassination was potentially explosive amid the region's volatile, intertwined conflicts because of its target, its timing and the decision to carry it out in Tehran. Most dangerous was the potential to push Iran and Israel into direct confrontation if Iran retaliates. The U.S. and other nations scrambled to prevent a wider, deadlier conflict. In a statement on his official website, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said revenge was our duty and that Israel had prepared a harsh punishment for itself by killing a dear guest in our home. Bitter regional rivals, Israel and Iran risked plunging into war earlier this year when Israel hit Irans embassy in Damascus in April. Iran retaliated, and Israel countered in an unprecedented exchange of strikes on each other's soil, but international efforts succeeded in containing that cycle before it spun out of control. Haniyeh's killing also could prompt Hamas to pull out of negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release deal in the 10-month-old war in Gaza, which U.S. mediators had said were making progress. And it could inflame already rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which international diplomats were trying to contain after a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Israel carried out a rare strike Tuesday evening in the Lebanese capital that it said killed a top Hezbollah commander allegedly behind the rocket strike. Hezbollah, which denied any role in the Golan strike, confirmed the death of Fouad Shukur on Wednesday, saying he was in the building that was hit. The strike also killed three women and two children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said there was no sign that an escalation is imminent in the Middle East and that a cease-fire agreement for Gaza was still possible. He also said the U.S. could not independently confirm reports of what occurred in Tehran. A key question is whether Israel told the U.S., its top ally, ahead of time. Asked about Haniyeh's killing, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "This is something we were not aware of or involved in. Speaking to Channel News Asia, Blinken said he would not speculate about the impact on cease-fire efforts. The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting Wednesday to discuss the strikes with Iran and Israel each pressing the council to condemn the other. But the U.N.s most powerful body issued no collective message after the meeting. The council's 15 members variously warned that the Middle East was at a precarious point, worried about potential escalation, called for restraint and diplomacy, and pointed fingers along longstanding fault lines. Khalil al-Hayya, a powerful figure within Hamas who was close to Haniyeh, told journalists in Iran that whoever replaces Haniyeh will follow the same vision regarding negotiations to end the war and continue in the same policy of resistance against Israel. Hamas' main consultative body was expected to meet soon, likely after Haniyehs funeral Friday in Qatar, to name a successor. A Hamas statement said a funeral service will be held in Tehran on Thursday, with Muslim funeral prayers on Friday in Doha followed by his burial in Lusail, Qatars second largest city. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he still had hopes for a diplomatic solution on the Israeli-Lebanon border. I dont think that war is inevitable, he said. I think theres always room and opportunity for diplomacy, and Id like to see parties pursue those opportunities. But international diplomats trying to defuse tensions were alarmed. One Western diplomat, whose country has worked to prevent an Israeli-Hezbollah escalation, said the strikes in Beirut and Tehran have almost killed hopes for a Gaza cease-fire and could push the Middle East into a devastating regional war. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive situation. Israel often refrains from commenting on assassinations carried out by its Mossad intelligence agency or strikes on other countries. In a statement by his office, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel doesn't want war after its strike on the Hezbollah commander in Beirut, but we are preparing for all possibilities. He did not mention the Haniyeh killing, and a U.S.-provided summary of his call with Austin did not mention it. The killing of Haniyeh abroad comes as Israel has not had a clear success in killing Hamas' top leadership in Gaza, who are believed to be primarily responsible for planning the Oct. 7 attack. Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had lived in exile in Qatar. Israel has targeted Hamas figures in Lebanon and Syria during the war, but going after Haniyeh in Iran was vastly more sensitive. Israel has operated there in the past: It is suspected of running a yearslong assassination campaign against Iranian nuclear scientists. In 2020, a top Iranian military nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while traveling in a car outside Tehran. During Haniyeh's last hours in Iran, a close ally of Hamas, he was smiling and clapping at the inauguration ceremony of the new President Masoud Pezeshkian. Associated Press photos showed him seated alongside leaders from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group and Hezbollah, and Iranian media showed him and Pezeshkian hugging. Haniyeh had met earlier with Khamenei. Hours later, the strike hit a residence Haniyeh uses in Tehran, killing him, Hamas said. One of his bodyguards was killed, Iranian officials said. Hamas official al-Hayya later said on Iranian state television that Haniyeh was killed by a missile. Irans powerful Revolutionary Guard warned Israel will face a harsh and painful response from Iran and its allies around the region. An influential Iranian parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy was to hold an emergency meeting on the strike later Wednesday. Hamas military wing said in a statement that Haniyehs assassination takes the battle to new dimensions and will have major repercussions on the entire region. Netanyahu has said Israel will continue its devastating campaign in Gaza until Hamas is eliminated. On Wednesday, he asserted that everything Israel has achieved in recent months was because it resisted pressure at home and abroad to end the war. Israel's bombardment and offensives in Gaza have killed more than 39,300 Palestinians and wounded more than 90,900, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. After months of pounding, Hamas has shown its fighters can still operate in Gaza and fire volleys of rockets into Israel. But it is unclear if it has the capacity to step up attacks in retaliation over Haniyeh's killing. Besides a direct retaliation on Israel, Iran could work to increase attacks through its allies, a coalition of Iranian-backed groups known as the Axis of Resistance, including Hezbollah, Hamas, mainly Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria and the Houthi rebels who control much of Yemen. As a show of support for Hamas, Hezbollah has been exchanging fire almost daily with Israel across the Israeli-Lebanese border in a simmering but deadly conflict that has repeatedly threatened to escalate into all-out war. ___ Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran; Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut; David Rising in Bangkok; and Jon Gambrell in Ubud, Indonesia, contributed to this report. ___ Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Palestinian Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (L) greets Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened "severe punishment" for Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran. "The criminal Zionist regime [Israel] has murdered our guest in our house," Khamenei was quoted as saying on his website. "There will be a severe punishment." Iranian Supreme Leader's Office/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Iran and its allies said Israel will face harsh retaliation for the assassination of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, a brazen attack that dramatically ratchets up tensions in a region already on edge. "The criminal Zionist regime has murdered our guest in our house," Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said. "There will be a severe punishment." Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hamas confirmed the death of Haniyeh at a residence he was staying at in Tehran. The attack took place hours after he attended an inauguration ceremony in parliament for new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He had also met Khamenei. Iranian state media said Haniyeh, who was based in Qatar and had led the Palestinian militant group's political operations for years, was hit "by an object from the air" at 2 am (2230 GMT Tuesday). The assassination of such a prominent ally while on a visit to Tehran represents a stunning security breach for Iran. Tehran called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council on Wednesday, the IRNA news agency reported. "This was a cowardly act and those responsible will definitely receive an appropriate response," said council spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei, according to the agency. Israel's military has not commented on the assassination, although Israeli politicians have welcomed his death. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas for the October 7 attack during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage in southern Israel. Israel has been at war with Hamas in Gaza for over nine months. Haniyeh's death was the second high-profile assassination in the span of around 12 hours. Israel says it killed a top Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut on Tuesday. The Hezbollah militant group in southern Israel has deep ties with Hamas, and both are backed by Iran. Israel's foes expressed outrage at Haniyeh's killing and demanded retribution. The al-Qaasam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said Israel "will pay the price for its aggression." Netanyahu is "blinded by megalomania" and is leading Israel "towards the abyss and is speeding up its collapse and disappearance from the land of Palestine once and for all," the statement said. The terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which is active in Gaza, described Haniyeh as a "symbol of resistance," while the Houthi militia in Yemen called his death "a great loss." The Houthi militia stands firmly alongside the Palestinian militant Hamas movement, which is supported by Iran, as is the Houthi militia. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has called the killing "despicable attack" and accused Israel of wanting to expand the war against Hamas in Gaza to the entire region. Lebanon's Hezbollah movement said Haniyeh's death "will increase the resistance fighters' determination ... to continue the path of jihad." China also condemned the killing and called once again for a ceasefire in the region. A Palestinian hangs a huge picture of Ismail Haniyeh, the chief political leader of Hamas, who was assassinated in Tehran, at hall in the Palestinian refugee camp of Burj al-Brajneh as the movement prepares to receive condolences following his death. Marwan Naamani/dpa Iran and its allies said Israel will face harsh retaliation for the assassination of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, a brazen attack that dramatically ratchets up tensions in a region already on edge. "The criminal Zionist regime has murdered our guest in our house," Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said. "There will be a severe punishment." Haniyeh had led Hamas' political operations for years. He was based in Qatar rather than in Gaza, where Israel's military has been waging a war to completely eliminate the Palestinian militant group. The UN Security Council is set to meet in emergency session later Wednesday to discuss Haniyeh's assassination. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hamas confirmed that Haniyeh was killed at a residence he was staying at in Tehran. The attack took place hours after he attended an inauguration ceremony in parliament for new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He had also met Khamenei. "A rocket hit the room where Ismail Haniyeh was staying and he was hit directly," said senior Hamas official Khalil al-Haja at a press conference in Beirut. Iranian state media put the time of the attack at 2 am (2230 GMT Tuesday). The assassination of such a prominent ally while on a visit to Tehran represents a stunning security breach for Iran. Tehran ordered three days of national mourning, and called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council on Wednesday, the IRNA news agency reported. "This was a cowardly act and those responsible will definitely receive an appropriate response," said council spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei, according to the agency. Israel's military has not commented on the assassination, although Israeli politicians have welcomed his death. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas for the October 7 attack during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage in southern Israel. Israel has been at war with Hamas in Gaza for over nine months. Haniyeh's death was the second high-profile assassination in the span of around 12 hours. Israel says it killed a top Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut on Tuesday. The Hezbollah militant group in southern Israel has deep ties with Hamas, and both are backed by Iran. Israel's foes expressed outrage at Haniyeh's killing and demanded retribution. The al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said Israel "will pay the price for its aggression." Netanyahu is "blinded by megalomania" and is leading Israel "towards the abyss and is speeding up its collapse and disappearance from the land of Palestine once and for all," the statement said. The terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which is active in Gaza, described Haniyeh as a "symbol of resistance," while the Houthi militia in Yemen called his death "a great loss." The Houthi militia stands firmly alongside the Palestinian militant Hamas movement, which is supported by Iran, as is the Houthi militia. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has called the killing "despicable attack" and accused Israel of wanting to expand the war against Hamas in Gaza to the entire region. Lebanon's Hezbollah movement said Haniyeh's death "will increase the resistance fighters' determination ... to continue the path of jihad." China also condemned the killing and called once again for a ceasefire in the region. Haniyeh will be buried in Qatar following funeral prayers on Friday. A public and official funeral service will be held on Thursday in Tehran, where Haniyeh was killed. After that, the body will be transferred to the Qatari capital, Doha. Funeral prayers will be held at noon on Friday in Doha, then he will be laid to rest at a cemetery in Lusail, north of the capital. In addition to Israel, Iran issued a statement also blaming the United States for his death. "The US is also responsible for this brutal act of terrorism," a Foreign Ministry statement said. Washington had always supported the Israeli government and consistently endorsed its crimes, thus also playing a role in this incident, it added. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that the United States was not involved in the Haniyeh's assassination. British American Tobacco (LON:BATS) First Half 2024 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: UK12.3b (down 8.2% from 1H 2023). Net income: UK4.47b (up 14% from 1H 2023). Profit margin: 36% (up from 29% in 1H 2023). EPS: UK2.01 (up from UK1.77 in 1H 2023). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period British American Tobacco EPS Beats Expectations Revenue was in line with analyst estimates. Earnings per share (EPS) surpassed analyst estimates by 26%. Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 2.3% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 3.2% growth forecast for the Global Tobacco industry. Performance of the market in the United Kingdom. The company's shares are up 6.8% from a week ago. Risk Analysis Before we wrap up, we've discovered 2 warning signs for British American Tobacco that you should be aware of. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Hamas chief Ismaeil Haniyeh meets Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian (Not Pictured) in Tehran. Palestinian militant organization Hamas has said on Telegram that Haniyeh, was killed in a "Zionist raid" on his residence in Tehran. In a statement, Hamas added that Haniyeh was killed after he had attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian in the Iranian capital. -/Iranian Presidency/dpa Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have confirmed the death of Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Palestinian militant organization Hamas. Haniyeh was killed in an attack at his residence in Tehran, a brief statement from the Iranian force said. The statement added that his bodyguard also died a "martyr's death," adding that further information would be released later. Hamas had previously announced Haniyeh's death in a statement posted on Telegram and blamed Israel for it. There was initially no confirmation from the Israeli side. Palestinian Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (L) greets Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened "severe punishment" for Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran. "The criminal Zionist regime [Israel] has murdered our guest in our house," Khamenei was quoted as saying on his website. "There will be a severe punishment." Iranian Supreme Leader's Office/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened "severe punishment" for Israel in retaliation for the death of Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. "The criminal Zionist regime [Israel] has murdered our guest in our house," Khamenei was quoted as saying on his website. "There will be a severe punishment." Palestinian Hamas chief ISMAIL HANIYEH (R) arrives at the swearing-in ceremony for the new Iranian president in Tehran. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened "severe punishment" for Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. "The criminal Zionist regime [Israel] has murdered our guest in our house," Khamenei was quoted as saying on his website. "There will be a severe punishment." Icana News Agency/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa A pro-Iranian Hezbollah militant stands in front of a destroyed building that was targeted by an Israeli drone in Beirut's southern suburb. The Israeli military said Tuesday it has carried out a "targeted attack" on a commander of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Beirut. The explosion occurred three days after a deadly rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Marwan Naamani/dpa Iraq has condemned a "blatant aggression" by coalition forces after US strikes in Iraq killed several members of the Iranian-allied militia which works alongside government forces. Fighter jets for the anti-Islamic State coalition which came from beyond Iraq's borders targeted Iraqi security force sites in Babil province, Iraqi military spokesman Yehia Rasool said in a statement on Wednesday. The attack late Tuesday killed several members of the security forces from the Popular Mobilization Forces and injured others, he said. Also known as Hashd Shaabi, the Popular Mobilization Forces is a powerful paramilitary group which works with security forces and had a vital role in the fight against Islamic State in the country. Islamis State was defeated in Iraq in late 2017, but cells are still active in Syria and Iraq. "Such serious and uncalculated transgressions" can significantly undermine efforts and joint security work to combat Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Rasool said. "They also risk dragging Iraq and the entire region into dangerous conflicts and wars. Therefore, we hold the coalition forces fully responsible for these consequences following this flagrant aggression," he added. He said that Iraq will take the appropriate legal and diplomatic measures to protect its rights, ensure its security and sovereignty. The Hashd Shaabi said on Wednesday that four of its members had been killed in three US airstrikes that targeted one of their headquarters in Babil province, south of the capital Baghdad. A view of a destroyed building that was targeted by an Israeli drone in Beirut's southern suburb. The Israeli military said Tuesday it has carried out a "targeted attack" on a commander of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Beirut. The explosion occurred three days after a deadly rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Marwan Naamani/dpa Lebanese army soldiers and pro-Iranian Hezbollah militants secure the entrance of a building that was targeted by an Israeli drone in Beirut's southern suburb. The Israeli military said Tuesday it has carried out a "targeted attack" on a commander of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Beirut. The explosion occurred three days after a deadly rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Marwan Naamani/dpa A view of a destroyed building that was targeted by an Israeli drone in Beirut's southern suburb. The Israeli military said Tuesday it has carried out a "targeted attack" on a commander of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Beirut. The explosion occurred three days after a deadly rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Marwan Naamani/dpa Iraq has condemned a "blatant aggression" by coalition forces after US strikes in Iraq killed several members of the Iranian-allied militia which works alongside government forces. Fighter jets for the anti-Islamic State coalition which came from beyond Iraq's borders targeted Iraqi security force sites in Babil province, Iraqi military spokesman Yehia Rasool said in a statement on Wednesday. The attack late Tuesday killed several members of the security forces from the Popular Mobilization Forces and injured others, he said. Also known as Hashd Shaabi, the Popular Mobilization Forces is a powerful paramilitary group which works with security forces and had a vital role in the fight against Islamic State in the country. Islamis State was defeated in Iraq in late 2017, but cells are still active in Syria and Iraq. "Such serious and uncalculated transgressions" can significantly undermine efforts and joint security work to combat Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Rasool said. "They also risk dragging Iraq and the entire region into dangerous conflicts and wars. Therefore, we hold the coalition forces fully responsible for these consequences following this flagrant aggression," he added. He said that Iraq will take the appropriate legal and diplomatic measures to protect its rights, ensure its security and sovereignty. The Hashd Shaabi said on Wednesday that four of its members had been killed in three US airstrikes that targeted one of their headquarters in Babil province, south of the capital Baghdad. Since last year, Iraq has repeatedly condemned US strikes targeting Iranian-allied militias on its territory. The militias have targeted US military bases in Syria and Iraq as a response to the Israeli war in Gaza. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group for pro-Iranian militias in the country operating together since the war in Gaza broke out on October 7, claims responsibility for these attacks. A view of a destroyed building that was targeted by an Israeli drone in Beirut's southern suburb. The Israeli military said Tuesday it has carried out a "targeted attack" on a commander of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Beirut. The explosion occurred three days after a deadly rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Marwan Naamani/dpa Lebanese army soldiers and pro-Iranian Hezbollah militants secure the entrance of a building that was targeted by an Israeli drone in Beirut's southern suburb. The Israeli military said Tuesday it has carried out a "targeted attack" on a commander of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Beirut. The explosion occurred three days after a deadly rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Marwan Naamani/dpa Irmo isnt necessarily champing at the bit to bring more land into the town of nearly 12,000 near Lake Murray, but leaders feel the municipality needs to be ready to grow anyway. As it works through the process to establish a new comprehensive plan that will guide the town through 2035, Irmo is considering a future land-use map to strategize how more than 6,000 surrounding acres could be added to the town limits, which currently contain less than 5,000 acres. The breadth of the map doesnt mean that Irmo will annex all, or any, of the land it is studying, said Doug Polen, the assistant town administrator overseeing the comprehensive planning process, but it will allow Irmo to be ready should opportunities for responsible growth present themselves. The future land use map Irmo is considering for the next 10 years Polen, who said hes been a land planner on and off for 25 years, explained that its not typical in his experience for a town to push so far outside its borders with its future land use map. But it needs to be typical, he said. Especially in a town like ours, we dont have a ton of vacant land inside the town limits. But its not unreasonable to think that, say, three, four years from now, or next week or next year, somebodys going to want to come in whos adjacent to town. And they might want to develop a residential subdivision or a Target who knows what. And if you dont have in your comp(prehensive) plan some idea of what youd like to see in that area, theres really no basis for that decision-making other than, Oh, this sounds like a good idea, lets go do it. Polen noted that state law prohibits municipalities from forcing annexation, adding that even if it didnt, Irmo doesnt have as much motivation for that sort of maneuver as others. It doesnt charge residents a property tax and thus doesnt get the same boost in tax base from expanding its borders. Busy St. Andrews Road runs through the town of Irmo. July 30, 2024 If the town doesnt grow, were gonna die Irmo Mayor Bill Danielson said theres no need for residents in the town or surrounding areas to be alarmed that Irmo is pushing to aggressively grow, offering assurance that the town wont annex all the property included in the plan in the next 10 years. But its important that Irmo does grow during that time. If the town doesnt grow, were gonna die. Its real simple, Danielson said. We have to have a plan with which we want to make sure that were open to folks who do want to be annexed in, but were not going out there and annexing property in that people dont want to have come in. The mayor noted that the town hasnt looked to push growth in recent years, and while he isnt looking to open the floodgates, he said its time to fill in unincorporated holes within the towns imprint and to incorporate more territory outside its limits. He pointed to the areas to the north along Broad River Road heading toward Ballentine as being rich with possibility. People talk about the wild growth in Irmo, and since Ive been on council weve approved one subdivision with 66 homes in the town. And Ive been on council five years, Danielson said. Were not building residential homes, were not building apartments, were not building townhomes. Were not building anywhere near enough to have people living and supporting our businesses. He added that growth in the town has remained stagnant for decades, with just under 11,000 people living in Irmo in 1998. But growth is happening all around Irmo. The town is currently considering a plan to bring a combined 550 houses, townhomes and senior-living units to an unused spot on the shore of Lake Murray along a two-lane road. Such activity in the surrounding areas will continue, and developments can build right on Irmos doorstep in Lexington and Richland counties without their permission. Having a plan for the 6,000 acres around it would allow the town to be ready to annex new developments and retain some control over how they would look. Carving out an identity Irmo is actively trying to carve out a distinct identity for itself among the suburban sprawl west of Columbia. A new town clock was installed last month along the railroad that runs through the town along St. Andrews Road, paid for by donations, and the town has been pushing new concerts and festivals to better take advantage of Irmo Community Park, best known as the site for the annual Okra Strut celebration. Having an expansive plan for future growth will help Irmo continue to frame its identity, Polen said, pointing to St. Andrews Road, where people drive in and out of Irmo as they go down that corridor. We know that people think theyre in Irmo, even if they arent, he said. We ... want to have a uniform quality aesthetic that people can say, Man, this is a pretty town, I like it here. The mayor echoed this sentiment. If theyre in the town limits, we then can control what is going in there, Danielson said. We could put the onus on them to develop it like we want, to make it look like we want. We can create additional buffering if its required, landscaping, there are a handful of things that we can do that will turn the corner, which will make things more aesthetically appealing and will have that small-town charm. He added that he doesnt care for Irmos nickname as the Gateway to Lake Murray. He wants the town itself to be a destination. Every time I hear the Gateway to Lake Murray, I just get ill, Danielson said. We want to be known as Irmo. Thats what were trying to do, were trying to build that separate identity. While Irmo has been slow to grow, it has outgrown its Town Hall. It hopes to build a new one in the same area as the police department and a separate municipal building that houses its council chambers. The town has secured about $2 million in federal funding and $1 million in state funding to help with the project, which Polen said is set to cost no more than $5 million. Our Town Hall is full, Mayor Danielson said. There is no room for another employee. Our police department is full. We desperately need more space. PETERSBURG While city officials continue to maintain silence on the case of a city firefighter reportedly drunk behind the wheel of a fire engine that sideswiped a car last week, one member of City Council with a vested interest in the fire department is making his feelings known. And he is not very happy. In a post on a Facebook group thread, Ward 1 Councilor Marlow Jones, a former deputy fire marshal in Petersburg, called the entire episode irresponsible behavior on both the firefighter for showing up inebriated for a training exercise and the fire department for allowing him to get behind the wheel in that state. Aaron Michael Hinspater, 34, of North Chesterfield, is on unpaid administrative leave after he was charged with driving while intoxicated during a July 23 fire-training exercise at the intersection of North Sycamore and West Bank streets. According to the arrest warrant, Hinspater said he was trying to squeeze the fire engine into what he called a tight spot when he sideswiped a parked car. Two subsequent breathalyzer tests resulted in him blowing a .145 blood alcohol count [BAC] -- almost twice Virginias .08 limit of legal intoxication. He later admitted to drinking 18 beers several hours before taking part in the training. The car hit by the truck belonged to an an unidentified citizen and was not placed there as part of the operation. That intersection had not been announced as shut down to traffic for the exercise. Hinspater is expected to be arraigned Friday morning in Petersburg General District Court. Firefighter put others in danger Petersburg City Councilor Marlow Jones watches a presentation during a council meeting July 30, 2024 In his post timestamped July 26, Jones said that there was blame to go around for how the incident unfolded. Even if Hinspater had consumed the 18 beers 11 hours before showing up for work, it was less likely that his BAC would still be that high ... unless he continued to consume alcohol or if he has a very slow metabolism rate, Jones posted. According to health and public-safety experts, someone with a BAC of .145 would have telltale signs of intoxication for some time after their last drink. Those signs include slurred speech, loss of coordination and dexterity, and a strong odor of alcohol emitting from their bodies. Jones rhetorically asked, What does this mean? then went on to answer his question. It means that this individual drove to work almost dead already, he posted. It means he put his own life in danger, let alone the lives of loved ones we dont even know who are traveling to and from work thinking they will see their families again and someone like this is irresponsible and can possibly end the life of an innocent person. Jones said it also meant that Hinspater, whom he never named in the post, placed his co-workers in danger and the possibility of them losing their lives on a fire scene, or by driving like he did by being this intoxicated. He then shifted responsibility to Hinspaters colleagues and supervisors. It means that either no one smelled the alcohol on this guy, no one checked this rookie firefighter or observed him that morning, or more than just he participated in a few beers!!! Jones wrote. Either way you look at it, this is irresponsible behavior! Everyone else stays silent With his Facebook post, Jones has become the only city leader to make a statement about the Hinspater case. Until that point, the city has kept silent on the case outside of a four-sentence statement issued by Petersburgs city spokesperson two days after Hinspaters arrest. That lid even applied to Petersburg Mayor Sam Parham when asked by The Progress-Index at Tuesday nights City Council meeting about the incident. Because there was no public-comment period scheduled for the special meeting, citizens did not get a chance to address issues not on the agenda. Normally someone who is not reticent to publicly share his thoughts, Parham smiled and said, No comment, before heading into a closed session of council. Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg councilor posts on social media about drunk firefighter case By Samia Nakhoul and Parisa Hafezi (Reuters) - The conflict in the Middle East has entered a new phase in the wake of Israel's suspected assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyehs in Tehran and an Israeli strike in Beirut against the top military commander of Iran-backed Hezbollah. Here are some potential repercussions from the attacks. HOW HIGH ARE THE RISKS OF A FULL-BLOWN REGIONAL WAR? The suspected assassination by Israel of Hamas' Haniyeh in Iran on Wednesday and Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's most senior military commander, in Beirut a few hours earlier increases the risk of a dangerous escalation in Israel's Gaza war and of a regional conflagration between Israel, Iran and its proxies. It indicates that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is determined to shift the wars rules of engagement, moving beyond Gaza to directly eliminate Hamas leaders and strike Iran proxies elsewhere, officials and analysts in the region said. The attack is seen by the analysts and officials as one of Israel's biggest blows yet to Iran and its allies. The timing and location were also chosen to embarrass Tehran, which was hosting Haniyeh and other regional dignitaries at the inauguration of its new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, they said. Two Iranian sources told Reuters that Haniyeh's killing sent shockwaves through Iran's top leadership, who are now deeply concerned that their security forces may have been infiltrated by Israel. There is also growing anxiety about their arch-foe's ability to reach and assassinate high-ranking Iranian officials. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said avenging the killing is Iran's "duty" as it occurred in the Iranian capital. Israel had provided the grounds for harsh punishment for itself, he said. The killing confronts Pezeshkian with his first major crisis. Iran has adopted a dual policy of avoiding direct engagement in full-scale war while backing militant groups which have been firing at Israel from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. Hossein Alai, a former commander of the Guards, told Iran's Jamaran website, without citing evidence, "The United State definitely had close cooperation with Israel in both operational and intelligence aspect in the plan to assassinate Haniyeh". "By carrying out this assassination, Israel wanted to show Palestinian groups that there is no safe place for them to live and be present anywhere in the world ... it was also a message to Pezeshkian that we will not allow changes in Iran and its establishment of good relations with the world." Speaking in Singapore, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. was not involved in Haniyeh's killing. WHAT ARE IRAN'S OPTIONS FOR RETALIATION? Iran has several options, according to analysts, officials and militant leaders, but all carry risks of escalation. It could respond by launching drones and missiles in a retaliatory strike on Israel, similar to the retaliatory attack it launched after Israel targeted its embassy compound in Damascus in April, killing seven senior military commanders. Israel then retaliated with a calibrated attack on Iranian territory that caused no human losses. Iran could also assassinate Israeli diplomats or officials or attack Israeli missions overseas. Tehran may opt to retaliate via armed proxies, including Lebanon's Hezbollah, Yemen's Houthis and Iraq's Shi'ite militias, which could step up their attacks against Israel and U.S. interests in the region. "This Israeli attack on Haniyeh is embarrassing for Iran. It is a strike at the heart of Iranian leadership; it is a strike at the security and intelligence establishment," Adeeb Ziadeh, an expert in international affairs at Qatar University who has studied Hamas, told Reuters. Iran would have to respond to make up for what was a major security shortcoming, Ziadeh said, adding: "This is a powerful and harsh hit to Iran." WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR HEZBOLLAH? The attack on Shukr compounded the risks of escalation in the conflict between heavily armed Hezbollah and Israel, which have been exchanging fire since the Gaza war erupted in October in a largely contained confrontation. Analysts say Hezbollah will be compelled to retaliate with a response that reflects his standing as Hezbollah's top military commander but also takes account of the fact that Israel struck him in the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut. Hezbollah could attack areas of Israel it has not yet hit in the current conflict, including urban centres, risking a spiral of retaliation and counter-retaliation. WHO SUCCEEDS HANIYEH AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR HAMAS? The most likely successor is Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal, Haniyeh's deputy-in-exile who lives in Qatar, analysts and Hamas officials said. Under Meshaal, Hamas has emerged as an ever more important player in the Middle East conflict due to his charisma, popularity and regional standing, analysts said. Meshaal narrowly survived an assassination attempt ordered by Netanyahu in 1997. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya is also a possibility as he is a favourite of Tehran and its allies in the region, the analysts said. Meshaal's relations with Iran have been strained due to his support of the Sunni-led 2011 Syrian revolt against President Bashar al-Assad. Yahya Sinwar, who masterminded the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israeli cities, will remain the commander in Gaza. WHAT NOW FOR GAZA CEASEFIRE AND HOSTAGE TALKS? The killing of Haniyeh, a crucial interlocutor in the Gaza ceasefire and hostage negotiations, has ended any chance of an imminent agreement, Hamas sources and analysts say. WHAT NEXT FOR NETANYAHU AND HIS COALITION? Netanyahu's government was silent on Haniyeh's killing, although some hardline ministers not connected with defence and foreign policy posted celebratory messages on social media. The government has faced rifts over issues including the conduct of the Gaza war, with hardline religious nationalist parties pressing the military for tougher action. But ministers have been united on the need to destroy Hamas and opposition leader Yair Lapid welcomed Haniyeh's killing, while social media carried images of Israelis celebrating. "Netanyahu will have, at least for a moment, what he wants: becoming the flag around which Israelis rally. And his coalition will certainly not turn against him," said Uriel Abulof, an associate professor at Tel-Aviv Universitys School of Political Science, Government and International Affairs. Families of hostages in Gaza, who have led protests pushing for a deal to halt the fighting, said true security depended on the release of all remaining 115 hostages and urged Netanyahu to accept a deal proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR BIDEN'S MIDDLE EAST GOALS? The escalation will add to the many obstacles already facing Biden's ambitious diplomatic gamble to end the Gaza war, provide a path to Palestinian statehood with security for Israel and secure a U.S.-Saudi-Israeli normalisation deal. The killing may leave the U.S. administration scrambling to limit the fallout rather than reshaping the region in its final months. A Western diplomat said the situation could be read either as Israel trying to drag the U.S. into a regional war or as Netanyahu wanting a win to sell to Israelis. But a strong response to Haniyeh's death could bring strong retaliation by Israel, triggering "a vicious cycle and all hell breaks loose." (Writing by Samia Nakhoul; additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Dubai, Laila Bassam and Maya Gebeily in Beirut, James Mackenzie in Jerusalem; Editing by Tom Perry, William Maclean) Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas leader on Israels hit list, is killed in an airstrike at 62 BEIRUT (AP) Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas top leader in exile who landed on Israels hit list after the militant group staged its surprise Oct. 7 attacks, was killed in an airstrike in the Iranian capital early Wednesday. He was 62. Hamas said Haniyeh was killed at his residence in Tehran in an Israeli airstrike after he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Irans new president. Israel has not commented on the accusation. Haniyehs death would make him the latest Hamas official to be killed by Israel since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks, when militants killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. The devastating Israel-Hamas war the attacks set off has become the deadliest and longest in the Arab-Israeli conflict. More than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health officials in Gaza. While Hamas Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar is believed to have been the mastermind of the attacks, Haniyeh, head of the groups political bureau who was seen as a more moderate force in Hamas, lauded them as a humiliating blow to Israels aura of invincibility. The Al-Aqsa flood was an earthquake that struck the heart of the Zionist entity and has made major changes at the world level, Haniyeh said in a speech in Iran during the funeral of late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in May. We will continue the resistance against this enemy until we liberate our land, all our land, Haniyeh said. Hours after the Oct. 7 attacks, Haniyeh appeared in a video released by Hamas leading prayers with other top Hamas officials. They thanked God for the success of the attack, which blasted through Israels vaunted defenses and resulted in the deadliest assault in Israels history. Michael Milshtein, a Hamas expert at Tel Aviv University, said Haniyeh had a commanding role in the groups foreign policy and diplomacy, but was less involved in military affairs. He was responsible for propaganda, for diplomatic relations, but he was not very powerful, said Milshtein, a former military intelligence officer. From time to time, Sinwar even laughed and joked: Hes the more moderate, sophisticated leader, but he doesnt understand anything about warfare. Still, Israel pledged to target all of Hamas leaders following the attacks and has gradually worked to fulfill that promise. FILE Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, speaks to journalists after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, June 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File) Haniyeh was also under the eye of the International Criminal Court, whose chief prosecutor sought arrest warrants against him and two other Hamas leaders, Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Similar requests were issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Haniyeh lived in self-imposed exile in Qatar since 2019 and the threats against him did not prevent him from traveling. He visited Turkey and Iran throughout the war. From Doha, he was involved in negotiations meant to bring about a cease-fire and free the hostages. His role in Hamas leadership also cost him his closest relatives. In April, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed three of Haniyehs sons, after which he accused Israel of acting in the spirit of revenge and murder. Hamas said four of the leaders grandchildren were also killed as well as his sister in a separate strike last month. Haniyeh, who was born in Gazas urban Shati refugee camp, joined Hamas when it was founded in 1987. He served as an aid to Ahmad Yassin, the groups founder, and rose throughout the years until he became its top political leader, replacing Khaled Mashaal in 2017. Haniyeh was deeply religious and studied Arabic literature at university. He was known for delivering lengthy speeches using flowery language to his supporters while serving as prime minister in Gaza. Hani Masri, a veteran Palestinian analyst who met Haniyeh several times, said the late leaders personality was a natural fit for the head of the groups political bureau in Doha. He described him as having been sociable and well spoken. Haniyeh, like thousands of other Palestinians, was detained by Israeli authorities in 1989 for being a member of Hamas and spent three years in jail before he was deported to Lebanon in 1992 with a group of top Hamas officials and founders. He later returned to the Gaza Strip following the 1993 interim peace accords, which were signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. Haniyeh assumed the position of prime minister in the Palestinian government after Hamas won legislative elections in 2006. He presided over the gravest crisis in the Palestinian leadership in its history, which continues until today. Hamas violently overran Gaza in 2007, routing forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah faction and installing itself as ruler of the tiny coastal enclave, with Haniyeh as prime minister. Iranian media on Wednesday quoted a past speech by Haniyeh in which he said the Palestinian cause has costs. We are ready for these costs: martyrdom for the sake of Palestine, and for the sake of God Almighty, and for the sake of the dignity of this nation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ismail Haniyeh, who has been killed on a visit to Iran aged 62, was the political leader of Hamas, the Islamist party listed as a terrorist organisation by most Western countries and sworn to the establishment of an Islamic state on the territory of historical Palestine, including modern-day Israel. In 2006, Haniyeh became prime minister of the unity government of the Palestinian territories after Hamas won the most seats in Palestinian parliamentary elections. However, in the ensuing clashes between Fatah and Hamas that took place in the Gaza Strip in June 2007, Haniyeh was dismissed by the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. The battle between the two Palestinian factions resulted in the dissolution of the unity government and the de facto division of the Palestinian territories into two: the West Bank, governed by the Palestinian National Authority, and the Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas and led by Haniyeh. Israel and Egypt then imposed an economic blockade of the Gaza Strip. At a rally in Gaza City in 2005 - Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images Over the following decade, partly by building up relations with Iran, Haniyeh played a major role in building up Hamass military capabilities, though he denied accusations by Israel of diverting aid to Hamass military wing. But he was seen by some as a comparatively moderate, pragmatic figure in the Islamist spectrum. In 2007 he was instrumental in the freeing of the BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, who had been kidnapped and held for 16 weeks by a local Islamist group. In 2017, Haniyeh was elected head of Hamass political bureau, in which capacity he was regarded as a key figure in recent efforts to secure a ceasefire in the current Israel-Gaza conflict. His death has sparked fears that it could provoke an escalation of the conflict. Ismail Abdulsalam Ahmed Haniyeh was born according to some reports on January 29 1962 in the al-Shati refugee camp in the then Egyptian-controlled Gaza Strip to parents who had fled from what would become Israel during the 1948 Palestine war. Haniyeh in 2006 at his home in Al-Shati refugee camp, Gaza, in front of a mural showing the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem - Abid Katib/Getty Images He became involved in politics while studying Arabic literature at the Islamic University of Gaza, taking part in protests and leading the students council representing the Muslim Brotherhood. He joined Hamas when it was founded by Sheikh Ahmad Yassin during the first Palestinian intifada in 1987. During this period he was in and out of Israeli prisons. In 1992 he was exiled to South Lebanon with other Hamas militants, but he returned to Gaza the following year to become a dean at the Islamic University. He was a protege of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, and after Israel released Yassin from prison in 1997, Haniyeh was appointed to head his office. He was credited as an early advocate of Hamass political agenda, which saw it grow in popularity among ordinary Palestinians due to its charitable work. He was subsequently appointed as Hamas representative to the Palestinian Authority. In December 2005, after Yassin was assassinated by Israel, he was elected to head the Hamas list which won the 2006 elections. After Friday prayers in 2006 - Abid Katib/Getty Images In 2019 he left Gaza for exile in Qatar, where he became the face of Hamass international shuttle diplomacy. But the idea that he could in any way be described as a moderate reveals much about the nature of Islamist politics in the Middle East. In 2018 the US State Department designated Haniyeh a terrorist, declaring that he had been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians, and on October 7 last year, the day of the Hamas attack on Israel, Haniyeh was captured in television footage celebrating the attack with other Hamas officials. Following Israels retaliation, he indicated that Hamas was ready for political negotiations for a two-state solution if Israel agreed to a ceasefire, the opening of humanitarian corridors to bring more aid into Gaza, and having East Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinian state. Haniyehs family was reported to have done well financially out of their dominance in Gaza. According to a 2014 article on the Israeli online news site Ynet, Haniyeh was a millionaire, thanks to the 20 per cent tax charged on all items entering through tunnels from Egypt to the Gaza Strip. Haniyeh during the swearing in ceremony for the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, at the parliament in Tehran on July 30, the day before his death - AFP/Getty On April 10 this year, three of his sons, Hazem, Amir and Mohammad all said to be heavily involved in property development were killed in Gaza in an Israeli airstrike, and in an interview with Al Jazeera, Haniyeh thanked God for bestowing upon us the honour of their martyrdom. He added: Their pure blood is for the liberation of Jerusalem and Al Aqsa, and we will continue to march on our road, and will not hesitate and will not falter... The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people. On May 20 this year an arrest warrant for Haniyeh, as well as for other Palestinian and Israeli leaders, was requested by an International Criminal Court prosecutor on several counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the current conflict. Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital, Tehran, where he was attending the inauguration of Masoud Pezeshkian, the new president. Ismail Haniyeh was married and had 13 children, 10 of whom are believed to survive him. Ismail Haniyeh, born January 29 1962, died July 31 2024 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Insights from CNN, Al Jazeera, and Chatham House Updated Jul 31, 2024, 2:17pm EDT Middle East The News Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an airstrike in Tehran. Iran and the militant group have both blamed Israel for the strike. Israel has not yet commented on the attack. Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. In a televised address Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel delivered crushing blows to Iran-backed proxies but did not comment on Haniyehs killing. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Haniyeh acted as face of organization Sources: The Times of Israel, Reuters Haniyeh has operated as the public face of Hamas for years. To date, he is the most senior member of the organization that has been killed by Israel. Haniyeh is leading the political battle for Hamas with Arab governments, Adeeb Ziadeh, an expert in Palestinian affairs at Qatar University, told Reuters before the assassination. He is the political and diplomatic front of Hamas. In 2006, Haniyeh was the Palestinian prime minister, and was elected to lead Hamas political bureau in 2017. He joined the militant organization at the time of its founding in the 1980s, but has lived in exile since 2019 and split his time between Qatar and Turkey. Haniyeh a key to ceasefire discussions Source: CNN Israel has repeatedly vowed to destroy Hamas in retaliation for the militant groups Oct. 7 attack. It has targeted top Hamas leaders, and carried out a 10-month assault on Gaza. But ongoing discussions, mediated by Qatar, the US, and Egypt, have hinged on Haniyehs participation. He was someone who saw the value of a deal and was instrumental to getting certain breakthroughs in the talks, a source told CNN. At this stage, its unclear what the effect will be on ceasefire talks. Doha has raised concerns: how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side? Qatars prime minister wrote on X. Fears of regional escalation grow again Sources: Al Jazeera, Chatham House Washingtons strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, alongside Haniyehs assassination and Israels killing of a senior Hezbollah commander, have only worsened the risk of an all-out conflict, analysts say. There is no responsible adult in Washington, or elsewhere, who is willing to put leverage on Israel and force us to go back to the negotiating table, Israeli political analyst Akiva Eldar told Al Jazeera. The various strikes by the US and Israel are clearly sequenced and coordinated, Chatham Houses Middle East and North Africa program director wrote on X. This is no coincidence and an opportunity to degrade the axis together even if it risks a broader escalation. FILE PHOTO: Haniyeh talks to his supporters during a Hamas rally marking the anniversary of the death of its leaders killed by Israel, in Gaza By Ari Rabinovitch JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel's government maintained a deliberate silence over the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on Wednesday but for many Israelis, the killing of one of their most high profile enemies was a welcome moment after months of war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose security credentials were shattered by one of the worst attacks on Israeli soil, by Hamas gunmen on Oct. 7, was meeting defence officials in anticipation of the next step. But already he appeared to benefit from the near nonstop coverage by the country's four leading television channels on Wednesday, all carrying banner headlines reading "Ismail Haniyeh eliminated in Tehran." In much of Israel there was a mood of satisfaction, a day after Israel's military said it killed one of the most senior leaders of Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Beirut in retaliation for a deadly attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Netanyahu had already gained a boost in opinion polls following his speech to the U.S. Congress last week, and the successive blows to Hezbollah and Hamas went some way to restoring the image of an Israel taking action against its enemies, said Aviv Bushinsky, a former communications adviser to the prime minister. "People in Israel are happy that for the first time, something really happened," he said. "So I think Netanyahu gained a lot and you're going to see it in the polls. It shows that he can still run the show, it shows he knows what he's doing and he has some kind of a plan." Commentators and experts mulled over the capabilities needed to carry out such an assassination - on Iranian territory - while also speculating how it might impact the war in Gaza and the chances of reaching a hostage release deal. "This is an amazing achievement of intelligence linked to operations, that lead to the result," Amos Gilad, a former senior defence official, said on Channel 12. "Regarding the performance we can say it was impressive, whoever carried it out." The government's press office posted an image of Haniyeh on Facebook with the word "eliminated" pasted on his forehead but the post appeared to have been removed later in the day. A couple of junior ministers not part of the inner circle of officials making strategic decisions also took to social media to celebrate the operation. But officially Netanyahu's government has maintained silence over the operation, in an increasingly rare sign of unity from his fractious coalition. "We are not commenting on that particular incident," a spokesperson told a briefing with journalists. STALLED TALKS The assassination came amid faltering negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire proposal that includes the release of Israeli hostages held captive since Hamas' Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel that sparked the war. Egypt and Qatar, which have been mediating talks, both said the killing may complicate ceasefire efforts to end a war that has left Israel increasingly isolated internationally. Iran and Hamas have both threatened retribution, but for many, the blow to Israel's sworn enemies was welcomed as a potential boost to the chances of ending the war. "I think it's good news, both the assassination of Haniyeh and the assassination of the number two of Hezbollah yesterday. It's good news for Israel, for the world. Hopefully it will also contribute to the end of the war and to the release of the hostages." said Eitan Gurel, 72, in Tel Aviv. Pictures of people distributing sweets were shared on social media and in one Jerusalem supermarket, a table of biscuits and sweets were laid out for shoppers to take, under a sign reading "The people of Israel live". The forum of families of Israeli hostages put out a statement that supported the recent "important targeted eliminations" along with military achievements from the past 10 months in Gaza. "But Israel must remember that it is not possible to achieve victory without using those achievements to return home all the hostages," it said. Shay Dickmann, whose cousin Carmel Gat is one of 115 hostages being held in Gaza, said only a deal could bring them all home. "I don't know how this news affects the deal, but I wish, I really wish for all the forces around the world to gather in order to bring our people back home. I hope our politicians will know to (turn) this news into the release of the hostages." (Reporting by Rami Amichay, Ari Rabinovitch, James Mackenzie and Dedi Hayoun; Editing by Sharon Singleton, Ros Russell, William Maclean) Iranian protesters wave Iranian, Palestinian and Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group flags in a demonstration to condemn the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as a huge portrait of him is seen on a wall at background, at Felestin (Palestine) Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said early Wednesday. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said early Wednesday. No one immediately claimed responsibility but suspicion quickly fell on Israel, which has vowed to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the groups Oct. 7 attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkians swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday. He was killed hours later by a predawn airstrike, which Iran says is under investigation. The countrys supreme leader has vowed revenge against Israel. Israel carried out a strike in Lebanon on Tuesday that it said killed Fouad Shukur, a top Hezbollah military commander whom the United States blames for planning and launching the deadly 1983 Marine bombing in the Lebanese capital. Hezbollah confirmed the death Wednesday. Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had lived in exile in Qatar. The top Hamas leader in Gaza is Yahya Sinwar, who masterminded the Oct. 7 attack. Haniyeh's killing comes at a precarious time. U.S. President Joe Bidens administration has tried to push Hamas and Israel to agree to at least a temporary cease-fire and hostage release deal for the Israel-Hamas war. Senior officials from the U.S., Israel, Qatar and Egypt were set to meet for the latest round of talks. Heres the latest: Australia's prime minister urges citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon SYDNEY Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged thousands of Australian citizens in Lebanon to leave and warned Thursday that the Beirut airport could soon close. I take the opportunity to say to Australians: Do not travel to Lebanon at the moment, Albanese told reporters in Sydney. There is a risk that the Beirut airport might not be open for commercial flights and given the numbers of people who are there, theres no guarantee that we can just guarantee that people will be able to come home through other means if that airport is shut. Albanese said he was very concerned that conflict in the Middle East would escalate following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. We want to see a de-escalation, we want to see a cease-fire, we want to see the hostages released and we want to see a plan for peace and security in the Middle East where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security with prosperity, Albanese said. Iran, Israel each press UN to condemn the other after airstrikes UNITED NATIONS Iran and Israel each pressed the U.N. Security Council to condemn the other after airstrikes killed two anti-Israel militant leaders in Iran and Lebanon and raised concerns that a regional war could erupt. But the U.N.s most powerful body issued no collective message after Wednesdays emergency meeting. The 15 members variously warned that the Middle East was at a precarious point, worried about potential escalation, called for restraint and diplomacy, and pointed fingers along longstanding fault lines. Iran blames Israel for the killings of Hamas political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in Iran and of a top Hezbollah commander in Lebanon. Israel acknowledges the Lebanon strike, saying the target was behind a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, but Israel has been silent on Haniyehs death. Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani urged the council to hold Israel accountable and consider sanctions. He underscored that his country reserved the right to respond decisively to this terrorist and criminal act when necessary and appropriate. Israeli Deputy Ambassador Jonathan Miller exhorted the council to condemn Iran and increase sanctions on a country he called the engine driving the machinery of death and destruction through support for such groups as Hamas and Hezbollah. Lebanese Ambassador Hadi Hachem accused Israel of trying to kindle a region-wide conflict. He implored the council to take a firm stand before it is too late. UN holds emergency meeting UNITED NATIONS The U.N. Security Council is holding an emergency meeting after a set of airstrikes hours apart killed two anti-Israel militant leaders in the Middle East, raising concerns that a regional war could erupt. The killings of Hamas political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in Iran and of a top Hezbollah commander in Lebanon have stirred a diplomatic scramble at the U.N. and elsewhere to try to contain the complex, mounting tensions in the region. The various attacks over the past few days represent a serious and dangerous escalation, U.N. Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo said as the council meeting began Wednesday. She called for diplomatic efforts to change the trajectory and seek a path toward regional peace and stability. It appears unlikely that the Security Council can coalesce around any joint message on the airstrikes. The United States, a key ally of Israel, and Russia, which has close ties with Iran, are both council members with veto power. US raises Lebanon's travel advisory BEIRUT The United States State Department is raising Lebanons travel advisory, calling on its citizens to no visit the country. Wednesday's announcement comes a day after an Israeli drone strike killed a top Hezbollah commander in a rare Beirut strike shortly followed by a strike in Iran that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Politicians and diplomats fear that Hezbollah and Irans retaliatory strikes could spark an all-out war away from the delicate rules of engagement that limited strikes to mostly areas near the Lebanon-Israel border. Since Hezbollah and Israeli troops started clashing on Oct. 8, the U.S. has urged its citizens to reconsider traveling to the tiny Mediterranean country. UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting UNITED NATIONS The U.N. Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Wednesday after an airstrike killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and the U.N.s top leader is pressing world nations to come together quickly to keep Mideast tensions from boiling over. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sees the strike in Tehran and another in the Lebanese capital of Beirut as a dangerous escalation, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a briefing. He reiterated calls for de-escalation and said Guterres is urging the international community to work together to urgently prevent any actions that could push the Middle East over the edge, with a devastating impact on civilians. The Security Council meeting was scheduled after Iran pressed the U.N.s most powerful body to address Israeli aggression and terrorist attacks. Turkish Parliament speaker condemns the assassination of Haniyeh ANKARA, Turkey Turkeys Parliament speaker is condemning the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and urging the international community to halt Israels actions. In an interview with the Associated Press, Numan Kurtulmus also expressed concerns that the conflict in Gaza could escalate into a global conflict if a fair peace agreement is not reached. Israeli governments lack of restraint, its excessive and reckless conduct, and its ongoing aggressive actions pose a threat to all nations globally, Kurtulmus stated. It is imperative for all countries, institutions, and organizations to intervene against this aggression, as it endangers the safety of capitals worldwide. Kurtulmus added that endless support granted by Western nations, and especially the United States, had emboldened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Italy calls for moderation ROME Italy, which holds the rotating G7 presidency, is calling for moderation after Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed. It's also reiterating its support for U.S. President Joe Bidens three-phase, hostage-for-truce plan for Gaza. We absolutely do not want the Middle East to plunge into open war. It is not the interest of the peoples of the region, it is not in the interest of anyone, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the lower chamber of Parliament. I call for everything possible to be done to avoid an escalation, he said. The right-wing government of Premier Giorgia Meloni is a top Israeli ally but has also mobilized a humanitarian response for Gaza that has involved evacuating 150 Palestinians and an aid delivery program. Al-Jazeera says 2 reporters were killed in a strike in Gaza JERUSALEM Al-Jazeera said two of its reporters were killed in an Israeli strike in northern Gaza on Wednesday, the latest Palestinian journalists working with the Qatari network to be killed in the enclave. Correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul, cameraman Rami al-Rifi and a child were killed in a blast that struck a car the trio were traveling in in Gaza City, according to the network and the Emergency and Ambulance Service, which helps recover and transport casualties to hospitals The two journalists were reporting at the Shati urban refugee camp, the birthplace of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in a strike while he was in Tehran, Iran. The Israeli army has not immediately commented on the journalists' deaths. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 111 journalists, including 106 Palestinians, have been killed since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October. The Israeli government shut down Al-Jazeera in Israel in May through a new law that enables it to close down media outlets that are deemed a security threat. Al-Jazeera, a pro-Palestinian news channel, has accused Israel of targeting its journalists throughout the conflict. In December, Samer Abudaqa, one of the networks cameramen was killed in a strike. Wael Dahdouh, the outlets bureau chief in Gaza, was reporting in late October when he received word on air that his wife, daughter, a son and grandchild were killed in an Israeli airstrike. In January, a strike killed another of his sons, who was also working for Al-Jazeera. Iran asks UN Security Council for an emergency meeting UNITED NATIONS Iran is asking the U.N. Security Council to hold an emergency meeting to address Israeli aggression and terrorist attacks after the killing of Haniyeh in Tehran and the targeting of a top Hezbollah commander in the Lebanese capital. Iranian U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani in a letter on Wednesday blamed both strikes on Israel. He and said they suggest an intention to escalate conflict and expand the war through the entire region. He called on the international community for decisive action to address these violations and hold the perpetrators accountable. Israel has taken responsibility for the strike in Beirut, saying it killed a top Hezbollah commander. But Israel has been silent about the strike that killed Haniyeh, though it had vowed to kill him and other Hamas leaders over the groups Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war in Gaza. Lebanon says civilian death toll from strike in Beirut is now 5 BEIRUT Lebanons Health Ministry says the death toll of an Israeli attack on Tuesday in southern Beirut has risen to five civilians. Israel said the attack targeted top Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur, who it blamed for the weekend rocket attack that killed 12 youths in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Hezbollah said Shukur was in the targeted building, but civil defense workers were still searching for him under the rubble. The five civilians killed were two children and three women. Many more were wounded. Hamas' military wing claims attacks in Hebron as retaliation RAMALLAH, West Bank Hamas military wing says the West Bank city of Hebron will remain a focal point for its activities after announcing two attacks near the southern city that it called retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. According to the Israeli army, a militant in a car opened fire at an Israeli citizen northeast of Hebron before leaving the vehicle and stabbing the person, who was taken to a hospital. The attacker remains at large, the army said. The Hebron branch of the Hamas military wing said another attack took place near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the heart of the city. The Israeli army said it had no information on that. Violence across the occupied West Bank has flared since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October. Israel says it is not interested in an all-out war Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has sent a letter to dozens of foreign ministries around the world saying that Israel is not interested in an all-out war, but the only way to prevent it is the immediate implementation of (United Nations Security Council) Resolution 1701. That resolution calls for a full cessation of hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border and a demilitarized zone. Katz writes that with Israels killing of a top commander in Irans ally Hezbollah on Beirut on Tuesday, Israel sent a clear message: we will harm with great force whoever harms us. Israel has kept silent on the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an airstrike in the Iranian capital, which Hamas and Iran have blamed on Israel. Blinken urges mediator Qatar to keep working toward a Gaza cease-fire U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken with the prime minister of Qatar, a key mediator in cease-fire talks for Gaza. The State Department says Blinken emphasized the importance of continuing to work to reach a cease-fire to the conflict in Gaza that would secure the release of hostages, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and unlock the possibility of broader stability. Blinken also said the U.S. would keep working to ensure a deal is reached in the 10-month war. Concerns about cease-fire negotiations have soared in the hours after the killing of Hamas top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh. Hamas has blamed Israel and could pull out of the negotiations. Hamas top political officials were previously based in Qatar. Blinken says the U.S. didnt know in advance SINGAPORE U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States had not been aware of and had no involvement in the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Both Hamas and Iran have blamed it on Israel. Blinken declined to speculate on the impact Haniyehs death would have on efforts to secure a cease-fire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. But he said it made it more important to reach a deal to ease the suffering of civilians, free hostages held by Hamas and prevent the conflict from escalating. First, this is something we were not aware of or involved in, Blinken said in an interview with Channel News Asia, according to a transcript provided by the State Department. Ive learned over many years never to speculate on the impact that an event has had on something else. So I cant tell you what this means, Blinken added. Dismay in Gaza, and rare open support for Hamas in Ramallah DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza War-weary Palestinians in Gaza are mourning the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. Some say it will complicate efforts to reach a cease-fire deal with Israel. This man could have signed the prisoner exchange deal with the Israelis, said Saleh al-Shannar, who was displaced from his home in northern Gaza. Why did they kill him? They killed peace, not Ismail Haniyeh. Nour Abu Salam, a displaced woman, said the killing shows that Israel doesnt want to end the war and establish peace in the region. By assassinating Haniyeh, they are destroying everything, she said. And hundreds of Palestinian demonstrators have marched through Ramallah in the occupied West Bank in protest against the killing. They carried dozens of green Hamas flags and chanted, The people want al-Qassem Brigade, a reference to the militant groups military wing. Open support in Ramallah for Hamas is rare. Ramallah is the administrative capital of the West Bank and is governed by the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, long at odds with Hamas over the governance of the two Palestinian territories. Irans Supreme Leader Khamenei vows revenge against Israel over killing of Hamas political chief TEHRAN, Iran Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday vowed revenge on Israel over the killing of Hamas political chief. Khamenei said Israel prepared a harsh punishment for itself after Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a predawn airstrike in the Iranian capital Tehran. We consider his revenge as our duty, Khamenei said in a statement on his official website, saying Haniyeh was a dear guest in our home. Turkeys Erdogan denounces Haniyehs killing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyehs killing Wednesday as a despicable act aimed at undermining the Palestinian cause and demoralizing and intimidating its people. In a post on social media platform X, Erdogan said, Zionist cruelty will never accomplish its objectives. Turkey will continue to try all avenues, force all doors and support our Palestinian brothers with all our means and strength, Erdogan said. We will continue to work for the establishment of a free, sovereign and independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Haniyeh was scheduled to deliver a speech in Turkeys parliament in August, said Omer Celik, spokesperson for Erdogans ruling party. Lebanon raises death toll from Israeli attack to 4 civilians as workers search for Shukur's body BEIRUT Lebanons Health Ministry said Wednesday that the death toll of an Israeli attack in southern Beirut rose to four civilians, as the United Nations expressed concern of further escalation. Israel said the attack Tuesday targeted top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukur, whom they accused of launching a rocket on Majdal Shams in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights that killed 12 youths. Hezbollah said that Shukur was in the targeted building during the Israeli strike, but civil defense workers were still searching for him under the rubble. The four killed included two children and two women, and many more were wounded. The strike hit deep into Lebanon, near the capital, stoking fears of the tense skirmishes turning into an all-out war and sparking regional conflict. Residents in the Beirut southern suburb of Haret Hreik told The Associated Press that they heard two strikes that they suspected was a drone attack. A delegation of Lebanese government ministers visited the site of the attack. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric expressed grave concern over the strikes in the densely populated neighborhood. As we await further clarity on the circumstances, we again urge the parties to exercise maximum restraint and call on all concerned to avoid any further escalation, said Dujarric. Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging fire along the tense Lebanon-Israel border almost daily since the latest Israel-Hamas war began. The item above has been corrected to reflect that the day of the attack was Tuesday, instead of Wednesday. China says it's concerned that Haniyeh's death could lead to further tensions in the Middle East BEIJING China said it condemns the assassination of Haniyeh, and said it was concerned that the leaders death would lead to further tensions in the region. We firmly oppose and condemn the act of assassination. We are deeply concerned that this incident may lead to escalation and turbulence in the region, said Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian at a daily briefing Wednesday. China has always advocated resolving regional disputes through negotiations and dialogues. The Gaza Strip should achieve a comprehensive and permanent cease-fire as soon as possible to avoid further escalation of conflicts and confrontations. China served as a mediator between Hamas and Fatah and had gathered the two Palestinian factions together in Beijing last Tuesday to sign an agreement to form a government together after the war. Beijing increasingly has influence in the Middle East and is playing an active role in diplomacy in the region. Iran's president condemns Haniyeh's killing, which took place hours after Pezeshkian was sworn in TEHRAN, Iran Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday. He said in a post on the X platform that his country will defend its territorial integrity and make those responsible regret their actions. He ended the post with a Quran verse, saying The God is all powerful and capable of revenge. Hamas has blamed Israel, which has declined to comment. Haniyeh attended the Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony Tuesday, along with other Hamas officials and officials from Hezbollah and allied groups. Videos showed that after the ceremony, Pezeshkian hugged Haniyeh and raised his hand while they were laughing. Regional allies of Hamas issue condolences after Haniyeh's killing BEIRUT Hamas regional allies issued condolences and statements of defiance Wednesday in response to the killing of the groups political leader Ismail Haniyeh in an alleged Israeli strike in Iran. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah called Haniyeh a great and honest leader and dear brother and extended condolences to his family who have offered dozens of martyrs from among their men and women on the path to liberating Jerusalem and Palestine. Yemens Houthi rebels called Haniyehs assassination a major escalation and a greater transgression, and a blatant violation of all international laws, norms and covenants and said the group is determined to stand by Hamas and all resistance factions in confronting the American-backed Zionist rampage. Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a smaller militant group that has been fighting alongside Hamas in Gaza, said that the sinful assassination will not deter our people from continuing the resistance to put an end to the Zionist criminality that has crossed all limits. It remains unclear how Hamas allies in the region will respond to the killing, as well as to a separate Israeli strike in Lebanon on Tuesday that appears to have killed a top Hezbollah commander. Haniyehs death wont stop Hamas, and Israel wont succeed, spokesperson says CAIRO Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesperson for Hamas, said that the killing of the groups leader, Ismail Haniyeh, won't impact the group, saying that Israel wont achieve its goals including eradicating the Palestinian. The occupation will not succeed in achieving its goals, he told The Associated Press, adding that Hamas emerged stronger after past crises and assassination of its leaders. He accused Israel of spreading chaos and evil in the region. He called for regional governments to speak out against Israels acts, and abandon the state of silence, because more silence means more chaos. Palestinian detainees taken by Israeli authorities faced torture and mistreatment, UN report says GENEVA The United Nations human rights office issued a report Wednesday saying Palestinian detainees taken by Israeli authorities since the Oct. 7 attacks have faced waterboarding, sleep deprivation, electric shocks and other torture and mistreatment. The report on detention says Israels prison service held more than 9,400 security detainees as of the end of June, and some have been held in secret without access to lawyers or respect for their legal rights. A summary of the report, based on interviews with former detainees and other sources, decries a staggering number of detainees and raised concerns about arbitrary detention. The testimonies gathered by my office and other entities indicate a range of appalling acts, such as waterboarding and the release of dogs on detainees, amongst other acts, in flagrant violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, said U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Turk in a statement. Findings in the report, one of the most extensive of its kind, could be used by International Criminal Court prosecutors who are looking into crimes committed in connection with the Oct. 7 attacks and its aftermath, including Israels blistering military campaign that is ongoing in Gaza. Authors of the report said its content was shared with the Israeli government. The Associated Press has contacted the Israeli diplomatic mission for comment. I dont think that war is inevitable, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says MANILA, Philippines United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that even with the events of the past 24 hours, Washington hoped that Israel would be able to come to a diplomatic solution and deescalate the situation. I dont think that war is inevitable, he told reporters in Manila, Philippines. I maintain that. I think theres always room and opportunity for diplomacy, and Id like to see parties pursue those opportunities. He added, however, that the United States has for some time been looking at events on Israels border with Lebanon with concern. Again, were going to do everything we can to make sure that we keep things from turning into a broader conflict throughout the region. Asked what the U.S. would do if the conflict did escalate into a wider war, Austin reiterated his comments from the previous day that if Israel is attacked, we certainly will help defend Israel. You saw us do that in April, you can expect to see us do that again, he said. But we dont want to see any of that happen. Were going to work hard to make sure that were doing things to help take the temperature down and address the issues through diplomatic means. Hezbollah says it is still searching for the body of commander targeted in Israeli strike BEIRUT The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said Wednesday it was still searching for the body of a top commander targeted in an Israeli strike in Beirut. The Iran-backed groups first comment after the strike targeting Fouad Shukur came hours after his death Tuesday and followed the overnight strike in Tehran that killed Haniyeh. Hezbollah did not comment about the Hamas leaders death. Israel claimed late Tuesday that they had killed Shukur, who they said was behind a rocket attack on Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 youths. Hezbollah said civil defense workers were still searching for his body and others under the rubble of the building Israel struck. Like most of Hezbollahs military officials, little is known about Shukur, who was also known as Sayed Mohsen. Washington blames him for planning and staging the truck bombing of a Marine Corps barracks in Beirut that killed 241 American service members in 1983. The Lebanese Health Ministry said that at least two children and a woman were killed in the attack, while 74 others were wounded. Palestinians leaders condemn Haniyeh's reported killing as a cowardly act In the West Bank on Wednesday, the internationally backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Haniyehs killing, calling it a cowardly act and dangerous development. Political factions in the occupied territory called for strikes in protest at the killing. Senior Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh in the West Bank also condemned Haniyehs assassination as a cowardly act. We strongly denounce and condemn the assassination of the head of the Political Bureau, the national leader, Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian Authoritys civil affairs chief wrote on X. We consider it a cowardly act, this pushes us to remain more steadfast in the face of the occupation, and the necessity of achieving the unity of the Palestinian forces and factions. Hamas senior official Moussa Abu Marzouk, meanwhile, said that Haniyehs assassination will not go unanswered, Irans state-run IRNA news agency reported Wednesday. He also called the assassination a cowardly act. Apparent assassination of Hamas le ader comes at a precarious time for Biden WASHINGTON The apparent assassination comes at a precarious time, as United States President Joe Biden's administration has tried to push Hamas and Israel to agree to at least a temporary cease-fire and hostage release deal. CIA Director Bill Burns was in Rome on Sunday to meet with senior officials from Israel, Qatar and Egypt in the latest round of talks. Separately, Brett McGurk, the White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, is in the region for talks with U.S. partners. There was no immediate reaction to the reports of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's assassination from the White House. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Iran says TEHRAN, Iran Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said early Wednesday. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the assassination but suspicion immediately fell on Israel, which has vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the groups Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkians swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday. Iran gave no details on how Haniyeh was killed, and the Guard said the attack was under investigation. Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and had lived in exile in Qatar. The top Hamas leader in Gaza is Yahya Sinwar, who masterminded the Oct. 7 attack. Analysts on Iranian state television immediately began blaming Israel for the attack. Israel itself did not immediately comment but it often doesnt when it comes to assassinations carried out by their Mossad intelligence agency. Israels clinically-executed assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has not only inflicted a national humiliation upon Iran. It highlights the central role the countrys terrorist network is playing in causing widespread instability throughout the Middle East. Haniyeh was the Hamas political figurehead who famously celebrated the terror groups barbaric attack against Israel on October 7 by joining other Hamas officials in offering prayers of thanks to God. Having served numerous terms of imprisonment in Israeli prisons on terrorism charges, Haniyeh relocated to Qatar in 2016 to avoid assassination by the Israelis. It was from his base in the Qatari capital Doha that, together with Iran, he helped to facilitate the construction of Hamass extensive underground terrorist infrastructure in Gaza that ultimately enabled the group to launch its devastating assault. Iran has tried to play down its involvement in the October 7 attacks, even though the hundreds of millions it donated to Hamas was, together with Qatars munificent funding, instrumental in developing Hamass terrorist capabilities. The ayatollahs complained that they had no foreknowledge of the attack, despite their Revolutionary Guard organisation providing crucial intelligence on Israels military dispositions prior to launching the assault. Indeed, Haniyehs presence in Tehran where Israel carried out its daring assassination operation shows just how closely involved the Iranians are in supporting Hamass bitter terrorist campaign against Israel. Haniyeh was staying at a special residence for war veterans in north Tehran when the compound was hit by an Israeli missile, killing the Hamas leader and his bodyguard. The Israeli militarys ability to penetrate Irans much-vaunted air defences which include state-of-the-art Russian-made S-300 systems to launch their clinical strike is deeply embarrassing for the Iranian regime, especially as it comes so soon after Irans miserable effort to launch direct air attacks against Israel in April. Of the 300 or so Iranian missiles and drones fired at Israel then, only one reached its target, causing minimal damage. Haniyeh was visiting Tehran to attend the swearing in ceremony for Irans new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, who won the recent election promising to improve ties with the outside world. The Hamas leader will also have been conducting talks with senior Iranian officials about how to proceed in the next stages of their confrontation with Israel. Certainly, the prospect of any meaningful de-escalation in tensions between Iran and Israel taking place after the election of Irans so-called moderate president appears highly unlikely if recent events are anything to go by. Since Pezeshkian, a former heart surgeon and health minister, won last months presidential elections, Iran-backed groups have escalated their attacks on Israel, killing Israeli schoolchildren in a playground and launching drone strikes against Tel Aviv hardly the actions of people who are seeking to reduce tensions in the region. Irans desire to expand its confrontation with Israel, by encouraging Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen to intensify their attacks, has made exceptional demands on the Israeli military. Apart from continuing the military offensive against Hamas in Gaza, the Israelis have hit Houthi positions in Yemen and Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, the most recent being a targeted airstrike that killed Fuad Shukr, Hezbollahs commander in Beirut, which took place just hours before Haniyehs demise. If the Israelis can take pride in their ability to wage war on so many fronts, they will also be aware that the necessity of doing so reflects the scale of the challenge they face from Iran and its nexus of terrorism. Nor is it a challenge that is exclusively confined to Israel, a fact that is finally dawning on Western leaders. When Sir Keir Starmer announced Labours new defence review with such fanfare in early July, he made specific mention of Iran, together with other countries such as Russia and North Korea, presenting a generational threat to our wellbeing. His sentiments were echoed by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, the former Labour minister who is heading the new defence review, who warned that the UK, together with its allies, needed to counter the deadly quartet of China, Iran, Russia and North Korea. If this is the case, then it is logical to conclude that it is in our national security interests to support Israels military operations against Iran and its proxies including Hamas in Gaza. Iran, after all, is just as hostile to the West as it is to Israel. The fact that Israel is fighting the Wests war, though, appears to be lost on Labour ministers who, rather than backing Jerusalems efforts, appear more interested in talking about imposing an arms embargo against Israel. Such a move would not only be entirely counter-productive to Israels efforts to defend itself against Iranian-inspired aggression, but to the security interests of the West. If, as Labour is keen to inform us, the new Government is determined to make the defence of the realm one of its key priorities, then helping Israel to win its existential war against Iran would be a good place to start. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Israeli military said a Tuesday strike in Beirut was successful in killing its target, a top Hezbollah commander who was allegedly responsible for a deadly rocket strike that killed 12 children in Israels Golan Heights. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said fighter jets struck an area in Beirut and killed Fuad Shukr, the most senior military commander in Hezbollah and the right-hand man to the Lebanese militia groups leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Shukr was the top adviser on military planning operations, according to the IDF, and he directed the Hezbollah attack on Saturday that killed 12 children and wounded another roughly 20 in the town of Majdal Shams, which is dominated by the Druze minority ethnoreligious group. Earlier Tuesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre would not comment on the strike. But she stressed the U.S. was still hopeful it could reach a diplomatic agreement between Israel and Hezbollah as fears spread that a larger war in Lebanon was fast approaching. We do not believe that an all-out war is inevitable and we believe it can be avoided, she said at a briefing. Hezbollah did not immediately offer comment on the IDFs claims. But Iranian state-run media outlet Press TV claimed that two people were killed and dozens injured, but that Shukr was not among the dead. Shukr led Hezbollahs Strategic Unit and was responsible for the Iranian-backed militia groups force planning and advanced weapons, including drones and precision-guided missiles. He joined Hezbollah in 1985; planned military attacks in the 1990s on Israel, including the abduction of the bodies of three Israeli soldiers in the 2000s; and rose to become a member of the Jihad Council, Hezbollahs highest-ranking military forum, the IDF said. Israel has killed some 300 Hezbollah fighters, including top officials, in the nearly 10-month-old conflict, which is tied to the war in Gaza. Israeli strikes have also previously targeted Beirut. But Shukrs death would amount to the largest blow in the organization since the conflict broke out on Oct. 8, a day after Iranian-backed Hamas invaded southern Israel in a deadly surprise attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced pressure to retaliate after the Hezbollah Saturday attack on Majdal Shams, particularly to show Israel would defend the Druze. He had vowed Hezbollah would pay the price, and his forces mounted smaller-scale attacks on Sunday and Monday. Its not clear if Israel will retaliate again. Hezbollah has yet to release a public statement on how it would respond to the Israeli strike, but analysts say a major war is becoming more likely as fighting continues. Even a cease-fire in Gaza is unlikely to stop an Israeli operation in Lebanon, unless Hezbollah were to agree to withdraw from the border at a safe enough distance to allow for the return of some 80,000 evacuated Israeli civilians. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 has not responded to accusations it was behind the killing of Ismail Haniyeh - AFP/Getty Images Israel has remained silent in response to accusations it was behind the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamass political chief, in Tehran, but it has long been suspected of orchestrating targeted killings, drone strikes and cyber attacks within Iran. A major focus for Israeli intelligence in recent years has been Irans nuclear programme and fears Tehran is building a clandestine nuclear bomb that could be used with devastating effect against Israel. Iran denies ever having a nuclear weapons programme or wanting one, but it has expanded and accelerated its civil nuclear energy facilities, which reduce the time it would need to build a nuclear bomb if it chose to. Since 2004, Israels foreign intelligence agency, the Mossad, has tried to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, reportedly carrying out a campaign of sabotage and cyber-attacks on Irans nuclear fuel enrichment facilities. Majid Shahriari, a nuclear scientist at Tehran's Shahid Beheshti University, was killed in an attack on his car - CBS News Several professors, nuclear scientists and officials have also been methodically picked off in assassinations where the Iranian government has unequivocably blamed both the United States and Israel. The perpetrators of some murders remain unknown, while the US and Israel have vociferously denied involvement in others. Iranian opposition groups have sometimes accused the Iranian government of killing dissident scientists, who may or may not have been linked to the nuclear programme, in order to blame the West. In January 2010, Masoud Ali-Mohammadi, a physics professor at Tehran University, who was believed to be a nuclear scientist, was killed with a remote-controlled bomb planted in his motorcycle. The regime blamed his murder on a triangle of wickedness, meaning the US, Israel and their hired agents. The Americans and Israelis denied it. However, Tehran stuck with its claims and convicted and hanged Majid Jamali Fashi, 24, two years later, who it alleged was a spy for Mossad and had received 72,000 for the murder. Fereydoon Abbasi, the nuclear physicist running Iran's atomic energy organisation, survived an assassination attempt - ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES In 2011, gunmen riding motorcycles fatally shot Darioush Rezai-Nejad, 35, an Iranian scientist in front of his house in Tehran, also wounding his wife. It was uncertain what role, if any, he was playing in the nuclear sphere, but unconfirmed Israeli intelligence reports at the time said he was working on a nuclear detonator and had been seen daily at a nuclear laboratory in the north of the capital. His shooting came at a time of growing Western concerns that Iran may be accelerating its production of nuclear materials to progress towards making a weapon. It also followed an assassination attempt against Fereydoon Abbasi, the nuclear physicist running the countrys atomic energy organisation. Dr Abbasi had been driving to work when a motorcyclist attached an explosive device to the door of his car, but he managed to escape, dragging his wife with him. On the same day, Majid Shahriari, a colleague on the faculty of Tehrans Shahid Beheshti University and who the Iranians said was managing a major nuclear project, was killed in a similar attack. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a UN-sanctioned Iranian nuclear scientist, was killed when assassins fired on his vehicle In 2020, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a UN-sanctioned Iranian nuclear scientist long suspected by the West of masterminding an alleged secret atomic weapons programme was also killed when assassins fired on his vehicle. Fakhrizadeh had featured in a presentation by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, in 2018 in which he accused Iran of continuing to seek nuclear weapons. Fakhrizadeh had been sanctioned by the United Nations in 2007 and the US in 2008. In the aftermath of his death, Sheikh Naim Qassem, deputy leader of Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, blamed the heinous attack on those sponsored by America and Israel and said the response was in Irans hands. At the time, Israel neither confirmed nor denied responsibility, but a senior US administration official told CNN that Israel was behind the assassination, while declining to give details about whether the then Trump administration knew about the attack before it was carried out. The scene of the attack that killed Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, outside Tehran, in 2020 - REUTERS Members of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have also been victims of targeted killings that have been blamed on Israel. Colonel Hassan Sayyad Khodaei was one such case, although Israel dismissed claims it was involved after he was shot five times outside his home in 2022. The Mossad has also reportedly conducted raids of secure facilities, including the theft of secret files on Irans nuclear weapons programme in April 2018, and is believed to have launched explosive-laden drones at military facilities and infrastructure. In May 2022, a suicide drone hit the Parchin military complex, southeast of Tehran, killing an engineer. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the New York Times noted that the attack fit a pattern of past Israeli strikes on Iran and Lebanon in a covert campaign of hostility that has been going on for years. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A man inspects a destroyed building that was hit by an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. An Israeli airstrike hit Hezbollah's stronghold south of Beirut Tuesday evening causing damage, a Hezbollah official and the group's TV station said. | Hussein Malla Israel has claimed responsibility for a targeted strike in southern Beirut on Tuesday night. The strike was aimed at the Hezbollah commander responsible for the deaths of 12 children and teenagers in an Israeli community in Golan Heights over the weekend. Several news outlets, including CNN and The New York Times said they had confirmed that Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in the strike. CNN reported that the Israel Defense Forces targeted Fuad Shukr, a Hezbollah commander who is responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and the killing of numerous additional Israeli civilians over the weekend. According to CNN, Israels Defense Minister Yoav Gallant posted on X just minutes after Israel took responsibility for the strike. He said, Hezbollah crossed the red line. CNN reported that the strike has triggered Western concerns that Israels conflict with Hezbollah could escalate into a regional war. According to The New York Times, Lebanons health minister, Firass Abiad said that at least three people were killed and several others injured during the strike. The Lebanese prime minister released a statement saying the attack in Beirut was a criminal act, per CNN. Ali Ammar, a member of parliament in Lebanon and a Hezbollah official said, The enemy knows that the resistance will not be quiet about an assault like this. As our people have become accustomed, this blood will not have been shed in vain, per CNN. Fuad Shukr believed to have played a role in killing U.S. Marines in 1983 bombing The U.S had offered a $5 million dollar reward for any information regarding the Hezbollah commander targeted and killed by Israelis during Tuesday nights strike. According to CNN, the Department of Rewards and Justice were looking for information on Shukr, also referred to as Hajj Mohsin. Shukr played a crucial role in Hezbollahs military operations and served within the Jihad Council, making Shukr part of the inner circle of Hezbollahs highest military regime. The Hezbollah commander played a central role in the October 23, 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine Corps Barracks in Beirut which killed 241 U.S. military personnel and wounded 128 others, CNN reported. In September 2019, the State Department designated him a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224, more than four years after the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Shukr and two other Hezbollah leaders, per CNN. A man removes power cables near a destroyed building that was hit by an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. An Israeli airstrike hit Hezbollah's stronghold south of Beirut Tuesday evening causing damage, a Hezbollah official and the group's TV station said. | Hussein Malla FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises from an Israeli air strike in Rafah as seen from Khan Younis By Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) - Thousands of Palestinians have been forcibly removed from Gaza, sometimes from bomb shelters, and dragged into detention in Israel where some have been tortured and dozens have died, according to a U.N. human rights office report on Tuesday. Many of those seized in Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7 were taken at checkpoints as they fled Israel's military offensive or from the schools and hospitals where they were sheltering, said the 23-page report based primarily on interviews with released detainees and other victims and witnesses. Often, they were blindfolded and shackled before being transported to Israel and placed in "cage-like" military centres and forced to wear nothing but diapers for prolonged periods, it said. The U.N. report said 53 detainees died in custody. "The testimonies gathered by my Office and other entities indicate a range of appalling acts, such as waterboarding and the release of dogs on detainees, amongst other acts, in flagrant violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law," said United Nations High Commissioner Volker Turk in a statement accompanying the report. He called for their immediate release as well as the release of the remaining hostages from among the 253 kidnapped in Israel in the Oct. 7 attacks in which 1,200 people were killed. The Israeli military has said it is investigating allegations of mistreatment of detainees at facilities in Israel but has declined to comment on specific cases. It plans a phase out of the Sde Teiman camp in the Negev desert which was cited both in the U.N. report and by Palestinians rights group as a location of detainee abuse. Reports of mistreatment of detainees in Israeli prisons have been growing in recent months. Generally they were held in secret, without being given a reason for their detention or access to a lawyer, the report said. FORCED TO STRIP The issue of detainees has added to international pressure on Israel over its conduct of the Gaza war, now approaching the start of its 11th month. In May, the U.S. State Department said it was looking into allegations of Israeli abuse of Palestinian detainees. It is also sparking domestic tensions in Israel where this week right-wing protesters broke into military compounds where Israeli soldiers were due to be questioned as part of an investigation into alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee. The U.N. report also referred to dire conditions endured by Israeli hostages in Gaza, including lack of fresh air, sunlight and beatings, citing testimonies from those freed. The Palestinian detainees held in Israel are mostly men and boys and included a range of people such as residents, doctors and nurses and their patients, as well as captured Palestinian fighters, the report said. Some were subject to sexual violence, it said, without giving the number of incidents. The report, which was shared with Israel's government and Palestinian authorities, did not say how many detainees have since been released. A U.N. spokesperson said it was impossible to determine. (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Daniel Wallis) California restaurants cut staffs hours due to minimum wage hike is the new wage really helping workers? Lawrence Cheng and his family own seven Wendys locations south of Los Angeles. But this busy summer season, he has fewer staff clocking in to help him. Cheng told the Associated Press hes been cutting his staffs hours due to the increase in Californias minimum wage for fast food workers, which jumped from $16 to $20 per hour this past April. Don't miss 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 Cost-of-living in America is still out of control use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today, no matter what the US Fed does or says Car insurance premiums in America are through the roof and only getting worse. But 5 minutes could have you paying as little as $29/month Hed usually have a dozen staff per shift, but now he only schedules seven, due to this 25% increase in their pay. We kind of just cut where we can, Cheng says. I schedule one less person, and then I come in for that time that I didnt schedule and I work that hour. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has said that he signed off on the minimum wage hike to help the states half a million fast-food workers access higher wages. But has it created a new problem for workers instead? Restaurants feeling the heat Chengs not the only franchise owner struggling to make up those extra labor expenses. AP spoke with Juancarlos Chacon, an owner of nine Jersey Mikes in Los Angeles, who says that labor accounts for about 35% of his total costs. With the minimum wage hike, hes not only cut staff, but also passed some of the additional labor cost onto his customers. Ive been in the business for 25 years and I never had to increase the amount of pricing that I did this past time in April, Chacon said. He gives the example of a turkey sub. It used to be $10, but now its $11.15. And now, Chacon told AP that he sees customers cutting back, even when they do come in. They may buy a sandwich, but no extras, like chips or a drink. California soft-serve chain, Fosters Freeze, had to close one of its stores because it couldnt afford to pay workers after the increase. Monica Navarro, a former assistant general manager at that location, explained to Fox Business that this isnt helping her or her employees. We would have rather stayed at the wage that we did have before, just because now we don't have a job, she said. Navarro added that even the workers who received the $20 hourly increase arent finding the change entirely positive: They got their hours severely cut and its a lot less people working on shifts, so their jobs got a lot more difficult. Story continues Read more: Berkshire icon Charlie Munger believed homeownership is for families who want to live in them not single people. Heres how to invest in real estate no matter your marital status The data disagrees Not everyone believes the wage hike will ultimately lead to scores of restaurants being forced to shutter. In fact, wage increases dont always lead to layoffs. A recent study analyzed the impacts of minimum wage hikes in both California ($8 to $15) and New York ($7.25 to $15) between 2013 and 2022. The researchers discovered substantial pay growth and no job losses. So far, that seems to be holding true. The most recent numbers from the Federal Reserve and Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the jobs for limited-service restaurants and other eating places in California have remained steady since April 2024. Joseph Bryant, executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union, was part of the movement pushing for the raise. He told AP that hes heard mainly good things from the minimum wage hike. Multiple franchisees have also noted that the higher wage is already attracting better job candidates, thus reducing turnover, he said. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. A view of a destroyed building that was targeted by an Israeli drone in Beirut's southern suburb. The Israeli military said Tuesday it has carried out a "targeted attack" on a commander of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Beirut. The explosion occurred three days after a deadly rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Marwan Naamani/dpa The Israeli military said on Tuesday it had killed a commander of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Beirut in a targeted attack. "Israeli Air Force fighter jets eliminated the Hezbollah terrorist organization's most senior military commander and the head of its Strategic Unit, Fuad Shukr 'Sayyid Muhsan', in the area of Beirut," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. There has been no confirmation of the death by Hezbollah. According to the IDF, Shukr was considered a close advisor to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Earlier on Tuesday, the Lebanese news agency NNA reported an "enemy attack" in the Beirut suburb of Haret Hreik, a Hezbollah stronghold located just a few kilometres from Beirut International Airport. The IDF said Shukr was responsible for the deaths of the 12 children and young people hit in the rocket attack in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on Saturday. According to the US government, he is a member of Hezbollah's highest military body and is also wanted by US authorities for involvement in a 1983 attack on US troops in Beirut. The Hezbollah-affiliated television station Al-Manar showed images of chaotic scenes. At least four buildings were damaged in the attack. The Lebanese Health Ministry said at least three people were killed in the attack, including two children, and at least 74 were wounded. Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati strongly condemned the act and described it as an "obvious Israeli aggression." According to the state news agency NNA, Mikati described the attack as a "criminal act." He added that it is part of a series of aggressive operations in which civilians are killed. "The Israeli killing machine" has not yet had enough of attacking the Lebanese areas in the south and in the Bekaa region, he continued. He called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation. Eyewitnesses reported that the attack targeted an eight-storey building. Men were shouting "God Bless Hassan Nasrallah" and calling on him to retaliate against Israel. According to rescue workers, a civilian was killed in a rocket attack on northern Israel in the afternoon. There had previously been rocket alerts in towns on the border with Lebanon. In Washington, the White House is calling for a diplomatic solution. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday, "We do not believe that an all-out war is inevitable ... We believe that it can still be avoided." The spokeswoman did not comment directly on the Israeli attack in Beirut. However, she emphasized that US President Joe Biden believes in diplomatic solutions. When asked why Biden has reason to believe that a diplomatic solution is possible, Jean-Pierre replied: "Because we have to continue to be optimistic." Since the beginning of the Gaza war in October, there have been repeated confrontations between Israel's army and militant groups such as Hezbollah in the Israeli-Lebanese border region. According to their own statements, Hezbollah is acting in solidarity with Palestinian militant organization Hamas: It only wants to stop its attacks when there is a ceasefire in Gaza. Hamas, a close ally of Hezbollah condemned the attack and said "we consider this, a dangerous escalation for which the Zionist occupation bears full responsibility for the repercussions." Numerous civilians were killed in both Israel and Lebanon. Tens of thousands of residents left their home towns on both sides of the border. It is the worst escalation since the second Lebanon war in 2006. Lebanese army soldiers and pro-Iranian Hezbollah militants secure the entrance of a building that was targeted by an Israeli drone in Beirut's southern suburb. The Israeli military said Tuesday it has carried out a "targeted attack" on a commander of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Beirut. The explosion occurred three days after a deadly rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Marwan Naamani/dpa A pro-Iranian Hezbollah militant stands in front of a destroyed building that was targeted by an Israeli drone in Beirut's southern suburb. The Israeli military said Tuesday it has carried out a "targeted attack" on a commander of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Beirut. The explosion occurred three days after a deadly rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Marwan Naamani/dpa Hamas chief Ismaeil Haniyeh meets Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian (Not Pictured) in Tehran. Palestinian militant organization Hamas has said on Telegram that Haniyeh, was killed in a "Zionist raid" on his residence in Tehran. In a statement, Hamas added that Haniyeh was killed after he had attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian in the Iranian capital. -/Iranian Presidency/dpa Two of the right-wing nationalist Israeli ministers have expressed satisfaction at the death of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. "Haniyeh's death makes the world a little better," Minister of Heritage of Israel Amichay Eliyahu wrote on the platform X. Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli posted a picture of Haniyeh at an assembly where the "death of Israel" had been demanded. "Be careful what you wish for," he wrote in the caption. There were initially no official statements from the Israeli government or military regarding Haniyeh's killing in an attack on his estate in Tehran. Hamas has blamed Israel for the attack. Israel says it has killed Hezbollahs most senior military official, Fuad Shukr, in a drone strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a populous neighborhood that is also the Iran-backed groups stronghold. If true, Shukr would be the most high-ranking Hezbollah official to have been assassinated since 2016 when Mustafa Badreddine, the groups top commander at the time, was killed in Syria. Hezbollah has not yet confirmed Shukrs death. He was a senior military adviser to the groups Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, considered his right-hand man, and a member of the jihad council. The US government had put out a reward of $5 million for information about him and his whereabouts. Fu'ad Shukr - Rewards for Justice Whatever the fate of Shukr, Wednesdays strike is the most serious Israeli escalation since confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel began on October 8. Israel said it served as retaliation for a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights on Saturday, which Israel blamed on Hezbollah. Hezbollah denied the claim. The developments have raised the specter of an all-out war between Lebanon and Israel that could extend beyond the borders of both countries. Nasrallah has repeatedly threatened to hit Tel Aviv in response to any Israeli strike on Beirut, a move that would thrust the two countries, and the region, into uncharted waters. Unlike Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah has an arsenal of precision guided rockets and bombs with payloads of up to 500 kg. They are also supported by a region-wide axis of Iran-backed fighters including the Houthis in Yemen and the Popular Mobilization Units in Iraq. Tehran has indicated that it may act to defend Hezbollah, considered the crown jewel of its network of non-state fighters, warning of severe consequences in case of an Israeli escalation in Lebanon. In an interview with CNNs Ben Wedeman on Tuesday, Lebanons Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib said he believed any attack on the southern suburb of Beirut would surely lead to war. Neither Hezbollah nor Israel wants an all-out war. Hezbollah may seek to retaliate forcefully, falling short of igniting a larger conflict. Israel will likely also retaliate in kind. How long this highly calibrated tit-for-tat can go on for before the region spirals into an unprecedented war is anyones guess. The US is trying desperately to prevent this and to clinch a diplomatic solution. Hezbollah has vowed to keep fighting in confrontations until a ceasefire in Gaza, which remains elusive. Until then, Lebanon, Israel and the wider region remains on the precipice. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The exterior of the now-shuttered Buca di Beppo location in downtown Salt Lake City is pictured on Wednesday. The chain reportedly closed 13 locations nationwide this week, including both of its Utah locations. | Carter Williams, KSL.com A nationwide Italian food chain appears to be saying ciao to Utah amid its reported struggles. Buca di Beppo's Salt Lake City and Midvale locations have closed. A sign was placed on the locked front door of the chain's downtown Salt Lake location informing customers of its closure. "We are thankful to you, our loyal guests, for giving us the opportunity to serve you. It's with great appreciation and gratitude that we say thank you for all the years," the sign reads. A similar message was placed on its Midvale location doors. In addition, the Salt Lake location is listed as "closed" on the company's website, while the Midvale location is listed as "permanently closed" on Google. No reason was given for the closures, but Restaurant Business magazine reported that the two Utah locations joined 11 other U.S. locations that also abruptly shuttered this week. The Florida-based company trimmed about one-fifth of its footprint after reporting almost a 5% nationwide sales decline last year, according to the restaurant news outlet. Local news outlets in Arizona, California, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania all reported similar closures this week. The first Buca di Beppo was created in Minneapolis back in 1993 and it expanded into a nationwide chain over time, offering casual dining. But Restaurant Business notes that the company has faced the same challenges that other restaurants most notably Red Lobster have faced recently: rising costs and falling business. Local restaurants have reported other challenges. The SugarHouse Barbeque Company in Salt Lake City announced earlier this month that it would close in August, citing several hurdles. Among them, more delivery purchases from companies that take about a quarter of all sales. Buca di Beppo still has 44 locations nationwide, but Utahns will now have to travel a bit to find one. Its closest locations are the locations in maintains in the Las Vegas area. (Bloomberg) -- Italy has been at the forefront of European nations that have seen a surge in immigration from the Middle East and Africa. As more people arrive fleeing war, government oppression and poverty, a climate of fear has been stoked by the Italian far-right. With sometimes breathless allegations of organized crime, the government has sought to crack down on new arrivals, a strategy thats included a dogged pursuit of what Italy calls a Nigerian mafia. Most Read from Bloomberg For years, Italian law enforcement and media outlets have described this supposed group as the next Cosa Nostra. But there was no publicly known evidence to back up the claims until the Green Bible appeared. The document, allegedly discovered by police with the help of an informant, has become the single-most important document in Italys war on an alleged Nigerian crime syndicate. In Italys Hunt for a Mysterious Nigerian Mafia, Bloomberg Investigates reveals both how the Green Bible is not what it claims to be, and how the Italian government nevertheless continues to use it to put Nigerian immigrants in prison. The far-right Brothers of Italy Party and Giorgia Meloni, now Italys prime minister, rose to power in part on fervent pledges to slash immigration. What links many of the Nigerians targeted by the government is something called a confraternity, Nigerias equivalent of US college fraternities. First created in the 1950s, some devolved over the decades into vehicles for political violence. These days, some are still known for violent initiation practices and gang warfare, but others form important alumni networks for Nigerian immigrant communities. In Italy, where the population of roughly 60 million includes about 5 million foreigners, 2% of whom are Nigerian, the view of confraternities has been less nuanced. Officials have frequently portrayed these groups using racist dog whistles and fantastical allegations. (The head of the nations anti-mafia directorate once testified that alleged Nigerian mobs used magic rituals to control their victims.) In Italys Hunt for a Mysterious Nigerian Mafia, Bloomberg Investigates explores why Italian law enforcement has placed so much weight on the Green Bible, and the lives that have been damaged and destroyed as a result. To see all episodes of Bloomberg Investigates, click here. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Imagine being called deranged and psychotic because you dont have kids. In a newly resurfaced podcast interview from 2020, former President Donald Trumps running mate, J.D. Vance, said just that. In the 2020 clip, which has spread outrage on social media, the Republican Ohio senator appears to not only question why people dont have kids but ridicule them for being childless. He explained how he worries that a lot of people in leadership are more sociopathic because they dont have kids. He also stated childless leaders ultimately make the whole country susceptible to becoming more mentally unstable. The people who are most deranged and most psychotic are people who dont have kids, Vance said in the clip. In response, many online users applauded him for throwing another wrench in Trumps campaign but also scolded him for such a horrid comment. Vance is a gift to Democrats that delivers almost daily, one X user wrote in response to the video. What is his obsession with childless adults? Like, its weird, wrote another. Honestly, his blabbing doesnt come as a surprise. If you remember, Vance was previously outed for his comments when he questioned Vice President Kamala Harris qualifications for holding office based on the sole fact she did not give birth to her two stepchildren. Following that, he slammed several women leaders in the Democratic Party for being childless cat ladies who want to make the country miserable. In another interview resurfacing the internet, Vance doubled down on the whole anti-child thing by scolding journalists and millennial feminist writers for exploring the reasons why they decided to not have kids. We have to go to war against the anti-child ideology that exists in our country, he said in an interview with The Federalist. In a recent FOX interview, Trump ran to his wannabe VPs defense, trying to explain that Vance was expressing his values on families and parenting. However, theres no excuse for Vances comments. His entire stance politically has been driven by lame, sexist, women-bashing bull. His comments were so ignant, Harris daughter and her husbands EX-WIFE had to clap back. For over 10 years, since Cole and Ella were teenagers, Kamala has been a co-parent with Doug and I. She is loving, nurturing, fiercely protective, and always present. I love our blended family and am grateful to have her in it, said Kerstin Emhoff in a statement to NBC News. Harris stepdaughter, Ella, reposted her mothers statement on Instagram writing, Say it louder for the people in the back. I love my three parents. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) A $12,000 grant will help James Island showcase its Revolutionary War-era history. James Island Mayor Brook Lyon said the funds from the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission to the History Council of James Island will be used to develop an audio driving tour. Officials said the commission was established in 2018 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The goal is to celebrate and promote the states role in the fight for independence through education, engaging, and inspiring South Carolinians and visitors. The James Island History Council has been hard at work researching and writing a script for the tour over the last few months, Mayor Lyon said. It will include views of the Morris Island Lighthouse and stops at Fort Johnson and McLeod Plantation, two of our historic homes and other historic sites. We are so proud of our history and really want to share it with our citizens and visitors. Because of this generous grant, well be able to offer the tour free of charge. The tour script is being reviewed by professional historians. Narration and music will be recorded using local voice talent, and it will be available to download for free through James Islands website and other platforms. Many thanks to the History Council for their hard work that has made this project possible, Mayor Lyon said. Co-chairs Michael Williams and Jim Morrisett are making a big impact educating our community and highlighting our islands important history with this audio driving tour. Town officials expect the free audio driving tour will be available later this year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Japan's ispace will fly a tiny European-built lunar rover to the moon this year (photo) When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The TENACIOUS lunar micro rover on display at ispace-EUROPEs headquarters in Luxembourg. | Credit: iSpace The Luxembourg-based subsidiary of Japanese space exploration firm ispace has finished building a micro lunar rover, which is now set to fly to the moon. The newly assembled rover is soon set to be transported to Japan for integration into ispace's HAKUTO-R lander. The lander-rover combo is set to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Space Coast late this year. The mission will be ispace's second attempt to soft-land on the lunar surface. The first attempt, in April 2023, ended in failure . The lunar micro rover, named "Tenacious," will be lowered to the lunar surface from the lunar lander, named " Resilience ." The rover will conduct exploration using a forward-mounted HD camera designed to capture images on the lunar surface. Tenacious will communicate and receive commands from ground stations on Earth via the lander. The vehicle is compact, measuring 10.24 inches (26 centimeters) tall, 12.40 inches (31.5 cm) wide and 21.26 inches (54 cm) long. The rover weighs about 11 pounds (5 kilograms), making it similar to the Chinese micro rover that tagged along on the recent Chang'e 6 lunar far side sample return effort and imaged the mission lander . Related: Japan's ispace shows off a tiny moon lander for its 2nd moon mission in 2024 Tenacious was developed by ispace-Europe in part with funding from the Luxembourg Space Agency through a European Space Agency (ESA) contract. "I am delighted to witness the completion of the first European rover designed, manufactured and actually going to the moon, today in Luxembourg," Tadahiro Matsubara, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan in Luxembourg, said in a statement . "This is a significant step for the Luxembourg government that is actively promoting the industrialization of space resources," Matsubara added. "We hope ispace's continuous challenge will further deepen the goodwill between Japan and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg." Related Stories: Japan's ispace nabs $55 million NASA moon landing deal, slips 3rd lunar launch to 2026 Moon crash site found! NASA orbiter spots grave of private Japanese lander (photos) Private Japanese moon lander reaches lunar orbit Resilience will also deliver commercial and scientific equipment to the lunar surface. The overall mission is expected to contribute to the NASA-led Artemis program , according to ispace. "Tenacious perfectly captures the spirit of this small rover, poised to achieve groundbreaking milestones. It is the first lunar rover built in Europe and will be the first to transport European customers to the moon's surface and collect space resources under Luxembourg's 2017 Space Resources Law," said Julien Lamamy, CEO of ispace-Europe. The Japan-based company is also working on its third mission, which will use the in-development APEX 1.0 lunar lander for the first time. The mission is expected to launch in 2026. Jason Carter, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, says Georgia has become the epicenter of the 2024 election and he will be helping to make Vice President Kamala Harris become the next President of the United States. Channel 2s Justin Farmer went to the Carter Center on Wednesday and sat down with Carter. Carter said while the Carter Center itself is non-partisan, he is a Democrat, one whos going to do some campaigning for Harris. But he told Farmer that hes no zealot. I spend some time thinking and dealing in a partisan way, but for the most part I think all of us as people, look at who the human beings are that are putting themselves out for office, what is it that they stand for, what do they represent, Carter said. As chairman of the board of trustees of the Carter Center, he told Farmer that Georgia has never been more nationally politically significant than it is now. Georgia sits in a remarkable moment, and is in a remarkable place in this election, Carter said. Just two years ago, we had an election where we elected a Republican governor and a Democratic senator in the same election. And that means that there is a group of people in Georgia who really will look at candidates, make decisions and arent locked in these partisan divides. The fact that those people exist in this state at this moment, I think puts Georgia at the very center of this presidential election. Carter said hell spend this late summer and fall working for the Democrats but also planning for his grandfathers 100th birthday celebration. RELATED NEWS: (Reuters) -U.S. drug distributor Cencora said on Wednesday that additional data on patients, beyond what was initially identified, had been stolen in a cyberattack and data breach in February. The company launched an investigation into the data breach upon first learning about it earlier this year. Cencora has completed its review of most of the exfiltrated data and confirmed that it included personally identifiable data and protected health information of individuals, most of which was maintained by a subsidiary providing patient support services. The company has notified potentially affected individuals and regulatory agencies as required, according to a regulatory filing. The drug distributor continues to review the data and intends to notify affected and potentially affected parties of any additional required notifications. Cencora said it has no evidence that the data has been or will be publicly disclosed and is working with experts to strengthen its surveillance of cybersecurity threats. The incident has not had a material impact on its operations, Cencora said. (Reporting by Sneha S K in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Tasim Zahid) JD Vance admitted in private that Biden getting swapped out for Harris was like a 'political sucker punch' JD Vance admitted in private that Biden getting swapped out for Harris was like a 'political sucker punch' JD Vance was tapped for Trump's running mate when Joe Biden was the presumptive Democratic nominee. But it's a different race now. Vance will now likely face off against a ticket led by Kamala Harris. Vance privately told donors on Saturday that Harris' ascension felt like a "political sucker punch." In private, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio has been quite candid about the devastating impact the end of President Joe Biden's reelection campaign has caused to the GOP's electoral hopes for 2024. "All of us were hit with a little bit of a political sucker punch," Vance privately told donors during a fundraiser in Golden Valley, Minnesota on Saturday, per a recording obtained by The Washington Post. Vance made those remarks just days after Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race on July 21. Since then, the Democratic Party has coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris, who was named presumptive Democratic nominee on Tuesday night. But Harris' sudden rise, Vance said, has dealt a blow to the GOP presidential campaign. "The bad news is that Kamala Harris does not have the same baggage as Joe Biden, because whatever we might have to say, Kamala is a lot younger. And Kamala Harris is obviously not struggling in the same ways that Joe Biden did," Vance said on Saturday. The candidness of Vance's statements are a break from the image of confidence that his campaign has sought to project in the wake of Biden's departure. For one, former President Donald Trump has repeatedly slammed Harris on Truth Social, saying that she will "be a disaster for the USA." When contacted for comment, Vance spokesperson William Martin said "poll after poll" shows Trump "leading" Harris. "Her far-left ideas are even more radioactive than Joe Biden, particularly in the key swing states that will decide this election like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin," Martin said of Harris. To be sure, Vance's admission on Saturday isn't the first time the Trump campaign has expressed their preference for Biden as a rival. During an interview with The Atlantic's Tim Alberta in mid-June, Trump's campaign advisor Susie Wiles called Biden a "gift." And in a subsequent report published on July 21, Alberta said Wiles once told him that she was more afraid of other Democratic talents than Biden. "I don't think Joe Biden has a ton of advantages. But I do think Democrats do," Wiles told Alberta on Super Tuesday this year, which took place on March 5. Representatives for the Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider JD Vance bashed Kamala Harris as a phony and a San Francisco liberal who is never gonna be the president, during a rally in Glendale on Wednesday night, embracing his new role as former President Donald Trumps campaign trail attack dog. The rally marked Vances first trip to Arizona as Trumps running mate, coming to a battleground state that Trump carried in 2016 but lost by fewer than 11,000 votes four years ago. Its time to tell Kamala Harris Youre fired, Vance said, invoking Trumps reality TV slogan. She has not received a single vote for president of the United States. The media calls it a coronation, I think we can call it a coup. And in America, we dont crown our leaders, we vote for them. Arizonas presidential race entered a new phase this month after President Joe Biden stepped aside and Harris became the Democratic Partys presumptive nominee. Harris is still behind Trump in most Arizona polls, but she performs better than Biden did, prompting the GOP to campaign harder in the state. Vance, a Republican U.S. senator from Ohio, attacked Harris on immigration, the economy and even her accent at a rally at Arizona Christian University. He played up the years Harris spent living in Canada as a teenager, and suggested she was complicit in covering up concerns about President Joe Bidens age. Let us count the ways Kamala Harris has screwed up this country in the last three-and-a-half years, Vance said. On Nov. 5 she can go back to using her San Francisco accent because we are going to send her packing." Harris has her own Arizona visit planned for next week. Shell come to Phoenix with her soon-to-be-named running mate, according to the Harris campaign. During his time on stage, Vance also praised Trumps contentious interview at the National Association of Black Journalists conference, where the former president attacked Harriss racial identity and asked the audience is she Indian or is she Black? Unlike Kamala Harris, President Trump showed up and took some tough questions, Vance said. Vance was introduced on stage by Turning Point Action boss Charlie Kirk, noting that his organization was among the first groups to endorse Vance for his Senate run in 2022. Republican Reps. Eli Crane, Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs of Arizona also attended the rally. I saw something in him that Ive been looking for in the political landscape. He lived the experience of the Trump voter, Kirk said. He is the perfect complement to President Trump. To round out his Arizona campaign swing, Vance will tour the southern border in Cochise County on Thursday. Vance will be hosted by the Cochise County Sheriffs Office and meet with fourth generation border rancher John Ladd to tour his property. Vance has had a bumpy ride during the first weeks of his vice presidential bid. He faced controversy for his past comments about how childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives shouldnt be running the country. His allies sought to combat that criticism from the rally stage in Glendale. Do you think JD Vance is anti-woman? Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna asked before Vance took the stage, prompting the crowd to shout NO! Kamala Harris has zero motherly instinct, Luna added, pointing to crimes that undocumented immigrants have committed during the Biden administration. Trump brushed off concerns about Vance during that NABJ conference interview. The former president said Vance cares a lot about family, and noted that vice presidential picks usually dont make a large impact on election results. Vance embraced Republican Senate primary winner Kari Lake on stage, giving her a speaking slot before the rally began and then welcoming her on stage during his own remarks. Lake, who Vance endorsed in the primary, will face Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego this fall. I got goosebumps because I realized whats about to happen in our country. Were about to get America back, Lake said. Lake took aim at Harris and whoever the hell she chooses as her vice presidential pick, saying theyll have bad policies for the country. Lake didnt mention that Harris is considering Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., for the number two spot, a signal that her campaign is taking Arizona seriously in its path to 270 Electoral College votes. Doesnt matter. You could plug anybody in there, Lake said. Weve got to stop them and Im willing to work really hard. People gather for JD Vance's rally at Arizona Christian University on July 31, 2024. A former TV news anchor, Lake also took aim at mainstream media. She promised to bring her media expertise to Washington, D.C., if elected and restore the free press. Every single voice in this room is more powerful combined than the people on that riser, she said, rallying Trump supporters. The Harris campaign sought to tie Vance to Project 2025 ahead of his visit, slamming him on the sweeping policy proposal by a conservative think-tank with ties to Trump. The former president has distanced himself from the document, with top campaign advisers saying this week that reports of Project 2025s demise would be greatly welcomed. Earlier in the day, Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes and abortion rights advocates took aim at during a Harris campaign roundtable in Phoenix. I got a message for you, too, JD Vance, Mayes said. Were going to defeat you Kamala Harris is going to defeat you and your crazy ideas once and for all in November. She said everything is on the line in the upcoming election and Democrats should make sure Republican nominee Donald Trump and Vance dont step into office. They want to ban IVF. They want to potentially ban contraception, Mayes said. We have a very extreme Supreme Court now, who have also made it clear theyre willing to go down that path. Mayes praised Harris for being one of the first people to call her in April when the Arizona Supreme Court upheld a near-total abortion ban law from 1864. Kamala Harris knew instinctively how awful that decision was and she said to me Whatever you need, let me and President Biden know and youll have it to fight that decision, she said. Back in Glendale, Vance received positive reviews from some Arizona voters at his rally on Wednesday. I think hes got fresh and younger views. I think thats what we need, somebody thats fresh and goes along with what Trump values, said Mark Kerns, 65, who is retired and lives in Mesa. Kerns said he feels like the country is at a tipping point. Anissa Hickey, a 52-year-old nurse from Cave Creek, agreed that Vance was the right choice. She named the economy and immigration as her top issues and said she appreciated the youthful energy that Vance brings to the Trump campaign.Hickey didnt know much about Vance before Trump tapped him to serve as vice president but said she listened to his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, and plans to watch the film adaptation. I was just really impressed. He served our country. Hes younger, Hickey said. Hickey is a bit worried about the November election, she said, but feels that Republicans have a good message here that we really need to get out to voters. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: JD Vance in Arizona: Time to tell Kamala Harris Youre fired Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) brushed off the blowback he is facing from Democrats and some Republicans since being tapped as former President Trumps vice presidential pick, calling the criticism the price of entry to be on the Republican presidential ticket. I knew that when I came out of the gate there was going to be a couple of days of positive media coverage and then immediately, they would go and attack me over everything that I had ever said in my life, he told NBC News in a Tuesday interview. Vance said he does not believe he has disappointed Trump despite the backlash. The price of entry of being on the national ticket and giving me an opportunity to govern is you have to take the shots, and so I sort of expected it, he added. I think that, frankly, the people whove made a lot of money and acquired a lot of power screwing the country up are not going to go easily. The Ohio Republican has faced ongoing criticism from Democrats in recent weeks over a series of resurfaced comments, especially a 2021 remark he made criticizing Democratic leaders who dont have biological children. He told then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson the country was being run by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made, and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too. Vance defended the childless cat ladies remarks last week, calling it a sarcastic comment and pivoting to attack Democrats as anti-family. He stood by the remarks on Tuesday, telling NBC, What I was criticizing and continue to criticize is a particular neurosis in American leadership that I think leads people to say crazy things, like you shouldnt have children because climate change is a threat to the future. Climate change may very well be a problem, but it is not a problem that should motivate people to not have families. And I think that attitude is quite damaging. Its quite destructive, he said. Vance was indirectly referencing comments Vice President Harris made in September, when she argued the large young voter turnout in 2020 was in part due to their concerns about climate change. A clip of those comments resurfaced over the weekend by some Republicans who baselessly claimed Harris was suggesting young people should not have children amid rising fears over the impact of climate change. Some Democrats have labelled Vance and his comments as weird, though he told Fox News on Sunday his feelings are not hurt by the label. The Ohio senator also came under security from some of his GOP colleagues in the upper chamber. Some Republican senators told The Hill Trump should have picked a woman or a person of color to help broaden his appeal beyond his hardcore base of supporters, while some questioned if Trump ignored his political advisers and instead listened to his son Donald Trump Jr. and conservative media host Tucker Carlson in picking Vance. Some Republicans in the House expressed similar concerns regarding Vances foreign policy stances, lack of experience and inability to broaden the Republican coalition beyond Trumps base. When asked by NBC about the policy areas he is interested in as a vice president, Vance said, My attitude is I want to be a good public servant. Ill help out wherever Im asked to help out. Certainly, Id love to be given some influence over our border policy, and Id basically do the exact opposite of what Kamala Harris did, he added, echoing the Trump campaigns repeated attack against Harriss handling of the countrys southern border. Our adversaries, Vance added later, are licking their chops and the world is in disarray because of weak American leadership. However, Vance said the campaign was not making a concerted effort to frame Harris, who would be the first woman president, as weak. I wouldnt say theres some particular effort to tag her as weak, he said. If theres a particular label we want the American people to be aware of, its that shes an ultra-liberal. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An old interview clip featuring JD Vance has resurfaced shortly after Simone Biles made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics, in which the potential vice president criticized the medias response towards her withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics. On Tuesday, July 31, the 27-year-old athlete became the most decorated gymnast in American history after the womens US gymnastics team scored gold during the all-around finals. The victory marked a comeback for Biles, who withdrew from the last summer Olympics in 2021 due to her mental health. Following her withdrawal from the competition, Vance appeared on Fox News Outnumbered in July 2021, where he called out the media for supporting Biles during her weakest moment. Its understandable that she was going through an incredible amount of pressure, the Ohio senator said at the time. What I find so weird about this and it reflects on the media more than it does on Simone Biles is that weve tried to turn a very tragic moment, Simone Biles quitting the Olympic team, into this act of heroism. And I think it reflects pretty poorly on our sort of therapeutic society that we try to praise people not for moments of strength, not for moments of heroism, but for their weakest moments. Vance continued: Being an athlete at that level is incredibly tough. A normal response in this moment would be to say: Its just a shame that shes going through this. Its a shame that she quit. But instead, what our press has done, I think, is turn this into this weird therapeutic moment. Lets praise her for doing this. And I think thats really where the problem herein lies. Remember when JD Vance called Simone Biles weak when she withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics? Why do these Republican men hate women so much?pic.twitter.com/WRClQiRe7k Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) July 31, 2024 In 2021, Biles pulled out of the womens all-around gymnastics competition to focus on her mental health, after suffering from a condition known as the twisties. The phenomenon, typically experienced by gymnasts, involves losing control mid-air and feeling unable to land the move, creating a high-risk and dangerous situation. Biles has previously described the twisties as being lost in the air, likening the uncomfortable experience to being unable to drive while at the wheel in a car. However, that all went away during Tuesdays all-around team final, when Biles scored her eighth Olympic medal becoming the most decorated gymnast in the US and the fifth-most decorated female Olympic gymnast in the world. This isnt the first time that past comments made by Vance have resurfaced since he was selected as former president Donald Trumps running mate in the 2024 presidential election. The 39-year-old Republican politician sparked outrage after he described vice president Kamala Harris as a childless cat lady during a 2021 interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson. The Hillbilly Elegy author claimed that the US was governed by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too. Look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC, the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children, Vance said. How does it make any sense weve turned our country over to people who dont really have a direct stake in it? Despite being selected as Trumps running mate, another old video interview showed Vance admitting that there were definitely some people who voted for Trump in 2016 for racist reasons. Meanwhile, resurfaced emails recently revealed that Vance once privately considered Trump a demagogue, a disaster, and a morally reprehensible human being. Jefferson County K-12 School made history in 2023 by earning a C from the Florida Department of Education for its school grade, after years of struggling with its academic performance. This year, the school made history again, with a B for its 2024 school grade. The district received a C grade overall. The school was previously categorized as an 'I,' or incomplete, for missing the state's threshold testing 95% of students on state assessments. The B grade was released by the DOE on Tuesday. "This accomplishment reflects the strong commitment to education and the bright future that lies ahead for all students. Keep up the outstanding work, and may this success be the foundation for even greater achievements," Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Eydie Tricquet said Tuesday. Tricquet referred to the improvement as "restoring the roar" in the county's public education system its mascot, the Tigers as the school once again becomes a community hub for academic excellence. State took over Jefferson County schools in 2017 The school was originally taken over by the state in 2017 after years of poor academic performance and financial troubles. Former Leon County Schools Superintendent Jackie Pons joined in 2022 as the school principal and aggressively recruited new teachers, whom he credits with turning around the school in 2023. "What helped us accomplish this was the great team of teachers and support staff that we put together, it always comes down to having great teachers in the classroom," Pons told the Tallahassee Democrat. "We always say in education that all children can learn, and I challenged our team on that." The school district was placed under Somerset Academy Inc., a charter academy tasked with turning the school around for five years. It never did, so the school was returned to the local community under one condition: It needed to earn a C. Under Pons, it did. "For the last 20 years, Jefferson County Schools has been under so much adversity. This is a great day for Jefferson, considering all they've been through," Pons said. "This is so important for the community." With its latest accomplishment, Pons said he will continue to root for the school's success, but not as its principal. His contract as principal was not renewed in June, months after he announced his bid for the superintendent seat against Tricquet, his boss. Marlon Ball, a 20-year veteran in education with experience in Florida and most recently in Lexington, Kentucky, as a high school principal, will be taking helm at the school for the 2024-25 school year. "I'm always going to be a Tiger, and I just want them to finish the work and keep that strong team," Pons said. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly characterized how long Jefferson County K-12 School has recieved D and F grades, Back story: How Jefferson County schools turned it around, escaped state control Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Making the grade: Jefferson County K-12 School earns B from state Jennifer Perreault PETOSKEY Central Elementary School's new principal Jennifer Perrault is making the move to Petoskey from Inland Lakes Elementary School, after her hiring was announced at the July board of education meeting. Perrault had been a principal in Inland Lakes since January 2020. Prior to that, she was the dean of students at Inland Lakes Secondary School and assistant principal at a middle school in Phoenix. Originally from Lapeer, Perrault began working in Michigan before she and her husband decided it was time for something new, and they moved to Arizona. She worked as a fourth grade teacher there before transitioning into administrative positions. In 2019, she returned to Michigan, starting her time in the Inland Lakes School District. Perrault said the decision to apply for positions in Petoskey was based around the area being somewhere she wanted her family to be. She said she has a 6-year-old who she'd love to see go through the Public Schools of Petoskey. "I'm excited to get in there and see what they have going for their PBIS systems and learn everything there is to learn about what Central Elementary is currently, and talk to the staff and everybody to find out the direction of where they'd like to be," Perrault said. Students enter Central Elementary School in Petoskey on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 for the first day of the 2023-24 school year. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage At the July 18 board meeting, Petoskey Superintendent Jeff Leslie said Perrault had a choice between principal at Central Elementary or the assistant principal job at Petoskey Middle School. "Everybody was fighting over her," Leslie said. "I was in the interview committee for Jennifer," added board member Kathy Reed. "That was great. I think she's going to do a great job." Matt Saunders, who previously served as principal at Central Elementary School, is transitioning to a different role in the district, Leslie said at the June school board meeting. Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Central Elementary School in Petoskey hires new principal New Jersey school is removing Sen. Bob Menendez's name from its building WEST NEW YORK, N.J. (AP) A New Jersey elementary school will remove Sen. Bob Menendez's name from its building after his conviction on federal bribery charges. A spokesperson for West New York Mayor Albio Sires confirmed on Wednesday that the name will be down before the start of the school year in September. The New Jersey Globe first reported officials' plans to remove the disgraced Democratic senator's name from the building. Menendez was convicted of all charges earlier this month in a sweeping corruption trial during which he was accused of taking bribes of gold bars and cash from three New Jersey businessmen and acting as an agent for Egypt. The three-term incumbent said recently he would be resigning from the Senate on Aug. 20, following a lifelong career in politics that started in Hudson County, where the school is located. West New York's Public School 3 was renamed for Menendez in 2013. The school will now restore its original name. Menendez's office declined to comment on the news. Messages were also left with school officials. The son of Cuban immigrants and an attorney by training, Menendez was a Union City, New Jersey, school board member at age 20 and later became the mayor of the city, about a mile from West New York. He went on to hold office in the state Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives before getting appointed to the Senate. He subsequently won election to the Senate and had planned to seek an independent bid if exonerated at trial. Menendez faces the possibility of decades in prison. There is a sentencing hearing scheduled for Oct. 29, a week before Election Day. He has said he plans to appeal the convictions. Donald Trumps latest attack line on Kamala Harris isnt so popular with one of Fox News biggest pundits. Jesse Watters said Wednesday that Trumps explosiveand verifiably untrueclaim that Harris turned Black in recent years to benefit herself politically wasnt something hed do himself. Most of us wouldnt have gone in there and gone, Who is Kamala Harris? Is she Indian? Well, shes Jamaican, too, Watters said on The Five. Not something I would have done. Trump has received widespread condemnation for calling Harris race into question during a televised, on-stage interview at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Chicago. She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage, Trump said. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? Trump: I did not know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. Is she Indian or is she Black? pic.twitter.com/DIVy0mQL3I Acyn (@Acyn) July 31, 2024 I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt, he added. She was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she became a Black person. Harris, 59, is the daughter of a Jamaican-born father and an Indian-born mother. For decades shes identified as both Black and southeast Asian, reflecting her parents homelands. Trump, 78, is yet to back away from the comment, which evoked anger from prominent Black Americans and Harris campaign. Instead, his team appears to be leaning into the questioning of his opponents race, with reports from his rally in Pennsylvania on Wednesday night showing a Business Insider article about Harris Indian heritage projected onto a big screen behind the stage. A Business Insider article about Kamala Harris's Indian heritage is projected onto the screen at Trump's rally in Harrisburg. There was no explanation provided. Trump is en route to PA from Chicago, where his comments over Harris's race this afternoon have ignited backlash. pic.twitter.com/XsfOnBZsLA Jesse Bunch (@JesseBunch_) July 31, 2024 On Fox, Watters didnt outright dunk on Trump over his comments, but he conceded its likely going to be a talking for Democrats this election cycle. I have no idea how this is going to play with the Black community, but I do know theyre going to be talking about Donald Trump and this moment for days and days and days, he said. Others on Fox News werent so fatalistic about the moment, however. That included Harris Faulkner, a Black journalist in attendance who claimed many in the crowd were just happy Trump actually showed up. Much of that audience was enjoying the moment of hearing from a candidate that they might not always agree with, she said. A Fox News spokesperson said, Anyone who watched the full segment can obviously tell that he was joking which was also made clear later in the discussion. 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 have a service animal, being able to travel with them is essential. One woman who wasn't able to have her dog with her on a JetBlue flight last year is suing the airline after an alleged major impact on her health. In a lawsuit filed in California court, Oksana and Peter Kiritchenko claimed that JetBlue refused to allow her dog to fly with them in first class. The stress of having to figure something out, they claim, led to a resurgence in Oksana's stage 4 cancer. They alleged that the airline violated the Americans with Disabilities Act for failing to accommodate her needs. The couple said they submitted the necessary U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form to the airline, allowing them to fly to Fort Lauderdale with no problems. But when it was time to return home to Los Angeles, the first-class passengers were told that their French Bulldog, Pier, would only be allowed in the cabin if one of them moved to economy. Related: JetBlue Is Giving Away Free Flights for Anyone Who Owes Taxes Initially, they were okay with the change. "Plaintiffs had a pressing need to get back home [Mrs. Kiritchenko being a cancer patient had to be locally available in Los Angeles for her checkups], so they agreed," the suit said. But they ran into another obstacle when a flight attendant asked her to put Pier in a "much smaller" bag. He didn't fit, prompting the plane to turn around and return to the gate. They were luckily able to get a flight on Delta out of Miami the next day with Pier in tow. "The acts and omissions to act by the defendants caused the plaintiffs serious personal injury and emotional distress. Both plaintiffs were subjected to an unexplainable level of cruel humiliation and ridicule," the suit read. "Mrs. Kiritchenko, although a stage-4 cancer patient, had been in remission prior the events described hereinabove. Those events caused Mrs. Kiritchenko an extreme amount of stress," it continued. "Upon arrival home, she checked in to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center hospital in Los Angeles. The test results had shown the mean tumor molecules levels ('MTM/ml') had risen to 0.59. Several prior tests were showing test results at 0.00." The lawsuit's text alternates between naming Pier as Kiritchenko's emotional support dog and her service animal. JetBlue, like most major airlines, doesn't accept emotional support animals and only permits trained service animals to fly. In addition, JetBlue's website points out that small dogs and cats are only allowed to fly in their Core cabin and not in first class. If you plan on traveling with Fido, make sure you check all your airline's requirements and regulations before booking your ticket, and again before heading to the airport. Conspiracy theories spread like wildfire after the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, earning millions of views amid speculation about the involvement of the deep state, the Secret Service, the Trump campaign and President Joe Biden. So how do you debunk the false narratives, facts taken out of context, doctored photos and rumors treated as gospel that are so prevalent and popular on the web? Maybe the answer lies in educational efforts like the class on who killed JFK that has been a staple for more than three decades (and will be offered again this fall starting Sept. 19) at Royal Oaks Oakland Community College campus. Bill and Gayle Newman cover their children, Clayton and Billy, while lying down on the grass immediately after shots were fired at President John F. Kennedy in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963 Topics in History: The JFK Assassination is a three-credit history course taught by Ron Burda and Michael Vollbach that runs for 12 weeks and focuses on one of the most shocking and significant events of the 20th century a tragedy that has drawn generations of Americans down a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories. The first half of the course covers who President John F. Kennedy was and what happened in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. when he was shot to death while riding in a motorcade. It also explores the findings of two government investigations: the 1964 Warren Commission Report that concluded Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone assassin and the 1979 U.S. House Select Committee on Assassinations Report that viewed Kennedy's death as probably the result of a conspiracy. The whole idea of that first half is we tell the students be on the lookout for suspects because we want you to try to solve this the best way you know how, says Burda. In the second half, as the course description puts it, We intend to put Lee Harvey Oswald on trial. Relying on Warren Commission testimony and other research sources, students get to role-play as real people connected to the case at a mock court proceeding. There are two weeks of prosecution witnesses and two weeks of defense witnesses, according to Burda, in the simulation of a trial that never happened in real life because Jack Ruby shot and killed Oswald two days after the JFK assassination as he was being transferred to a county jail. After the testimony, the students take on the ultimate responsibility in any trial. The very last class, the class gets to deliberate as a jury and come to a conclusion if they can, says Burda. Students, of course, dont have to definitively prove who killed Kennedy, a task that has yet to be accomplished by generations of JFK assassination buffs. The only national consensus on who most likely was responsible was revealed in a 2023 Gallup poll done for the 60th anniversary of Kennedys death. It found that that 65% of adults think Oswald worked with others to kill Kennedy, while 29% think it was Oswalds doing alone. What students are expected to do is examine the case and reach conclusions by seeking out the facts and weighing the legitimate evidence. It's an approach that's the total opposite of accepting conspiracy theories at face value. Its the back-door way to get students to be critical thinkers," says Burda. If we can get them interested in this topic and usually every class, we can get at least of few of them really interested in the topic then theyre on the path to becoming lifelong active learners and critical thinkers. Thats really our goal. Michael Vollbach and Ron Burda's course on the JFK assassination includes a mock trial of Lee Harvey Oswald. The JFK assassination continues to fascinate the public with its trickles of new information and long legacy of competing theories on whether the CIA, the Mafia, Cuba or others were involved. A year ago, former Secret Service agent Paul Landis, whos in his late 80s, revealed that he put a bullet he found in the presidential limousine in his pocket and then placed it on a gurney at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, where Kennedy was rushed after being shot. He shared the story in his book released in 2023, The Final Witness: A Kennedy Secret Service Agent Breaks His Silence After 60 Years. Also in 2023, director Rob Reiner and journalist and producer Soledad OBrien showcased interviews with witnesses, government officials and forensic analysts in their 10-episode podcast Who Killed JFK? Reiner and OBrien claimed to have evidence on who really was the culprit in what Reiner described as Americas best-known murder mystery, according to Axios. Burda, an adjunct professor and an attorney with a law practice based in St. Clair Shores, and Vollbach, a full-time history professor, have taught the JFK assassination course since 1993 and earned recognition for their innovative methods. In November 2023, they spoke about their class at a symposium on the 60th anniversary of the JFK assassination held by the Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law at Pittsburghs Dusquene University. Burda says students have reached different jury outcomes over the years. We give them a jury verdict form that says Oswald did it alone, Oswald did it with others or Oswald is innocent, he explains. He and Vollbach agree that JFKs assassination wasnt the result of Oswald as a lone gunman. We dont know who did it, but there is very persuasive evidence that Oswald never fired a rifle that day, says Burda. President John F. Kennedy and first lady Jaqueline Kennedy are pictured after disembarking from Air Force One at Love Field in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. As for the recent Trump assassination attempt theories, Burda sees them as an argument for having the OCC class and others that teach younger generations how to process news and information. People believe what, emotionally, they want to happen, I guess, he muses. Its crazy, but it makes it more important, as far as were concerned, to try to develop some critical thinkers to go out there and take a look at things. Says Burda, We need to stimulate more of this kind of thinking in students, so that when they go out into the so-called real world, theyre better equipped. For more information on "The JFK Assassination" history class and enrollment, go to the official Oakland Community College website. Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: JFK assassination class at OCC evaluates conspiracy theories Jimmy Carters grandson says even in final days, his grandfather is still inspiring the world Georgias only president is, of course, Jimmy Carter. The Plains native has been in hospice for the past 16 months, but as he gets closer to his 100th birthday on Oct. 1, Channel 2s Justin Farmer spoke with his grandson, Jason Carter, chairman of the Carter Center board of trustees, about his grandfather. This is a good man who has done remarkable things with his life and has taken the opportunities that he was given and used them to do good, Carter said. The young Carter beams when talking about his grandfather, the 39th President of the United States and 76th Governor of Georgia. Jason Carter said the center set up ways to have well wishes sent to his grandfather on his last birthday and the response was immense. When I told him that we had gotten birthday wishes from all over the world, he said From who? I said Paw Paw, from tens of thousands of people from more than 100 countries. And when he heard 100 countries, it hit him, Carter said. Jason Carter shared with Farmer that while his grandfather is nearing the end of his life, his legacy is larger than life. Jimmy Carter is often called among our greatest former presidents, meaning his contributions after his time in the White House. Jason Carter believes his Paw Paw has raised the bar for presidents once they leave office. I do think theres a real example out there that says this is something you can do with that platform. You can take it and you can continue to do good in the world, work on the things that youre passionate about, and again, thats another way that you can inspire people, Jason Carter said. Jason said the center is currently planning events for his grandfathers 100th birthday, and they will be big. RELATED NEWS: Protesters gather on 1 July 2024 after the US supreme court ruled that Donald Trump is entitled to immunity from prosecution in the context of his official acts. Protesters gather on 1 July 2024 after the US supreme court ruled that Donald Trump is entitled to immunity from prosecution in the context of his official acts. Photograph: Will Oliver/EPA On the docket: Are Trump-prompted court reforms on the table? Donald Trump has landed a handful of legal victories in recent weeks, but Joe Biden this week set his sights on disrupting the ex-presidents efforts to evade prosecution calling for reform that would make him legally accountable. Biden on Monday slammed the US supreme court decision on 1 July that granted Trump vast immunity for actions taken in his official capacity as president. This ruling, which effectively means that a president is no longer constrained by law for actions considered official, constitutes a a fundamentally flawed [and] dangerous principle, Biden said. Biden said he was proposing a constitutional amendment that would make presidents subject to criminal code. The backdrop to Bidens call for action is the immunity decision dealing significant blows to two federal cases against Trump, including special counsel Jack Smiths Washington DC election subversion case. The supreme court found that Trumps alleged attempts to enlist the justice department in his election subversion scheme would fall under his presidential powers and protections, making them immune from prosecution. Judge Aileen Cannon, who is overseeing Smiths Florida classified documents prosecution against Trump, leaned on conservative justice Clarence Thomass concurring opinion in which he questioned the legality of the special counsel role. Cannon ran with this idea, ruling that the court sees no way forward aside from dismissal. Trump has also invoked the immunity decision in an effort to throw out his Manhattan felony conviction for falsifying business records in a hush-money scheme. Trumps lawyers said that prosecutors use of 2018 Twitter posts as evidence that he knew about the scheme were official communications. Biden slammed Trumps pursuit of immunity during his Monday address in Austin, Texas, which commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Acts passage. No other former president has asked for this kind of immunity and none should have been given it, he said. The president must be accountable to the law We are a nation of laws, not kings and dictators. This all sounds reasonable the existence of the United States stemmed from dislike of kings and dictators, after all but securing a constitutional amendment is the legislative equivalent of moving mountains. A proposed amendment must receive support from two-thirds of Congress (both House and Senate) and then be green-lit by three-quarters of state legislatures. There havent been any new constitutional amendments in more than three decades, according to the AP. And Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, described Bidens idea as a dangerous gambit winding up dead on arrival in the House. Bidens call for court reform also comes after a slew of scandals involving US supreme court justices. Over the past few years, the conservative super-majority has delivered ruling after ruling along ideological lines, including the reversal of Roe v Wade, taking away the constitutional right to abortion. Two-members of the super-majority, Thomas and Samuel Alito, have faced criticism for failing to recuse themselves from cases in which they allegedly had conflicts of interest; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the New York Democratic representative, has introduced articles of impeachment against them. The supreme courts current code of conduct is weak and even more frighteningly voluntary, Biden told the audience, demanding that there be a binding code of conduct for justices. The US, Biden noted, is the only western democracy that grants lifetime appointments to its highest judicial panel. Bidens pitch for term limits calls for capping justices terms at 18 years; their stints would be staggered, commencing when the next justice would leave their post. Harris has backed Bidens proposal. While calls for supreme court reform have enjoyed wide public support a July 2022 Associated Press poll found that 67% of Americans, including 57% of Republicans, support set terms Bidens pitch for a constitutional amendment is unlikely to go anywhere, let alone before the election. Some of the potential workarounds that have come up include passing a law that would impose term limits. But this law could be challenged in court, and would almost certainly land at the US supreme court, which would then decide on its constitutionality. And with a super-conservative court, the likelihood of the justices agreeing to rein in their own power seems all but nil. Sidebar: He fought the law and maybe the law will win? Despite Trumps wins, legal authorities continue to push back on his kitchen-sink approach to skating punishment. Manhattan prosecutors argued on 24 July that the supreme courts immunity decision had no impact on this case. All of the evidence that he complains of either concerned wholly unofficial conduct, or, at most, official conduct for which any presumption of immunity has been rebutted, prosecutors wrote in their argument to judge Juan Merchan. They said that Trumps tweets used as evidence were posted in an unofficial capacity. Merchan, who postponed Trumps sentencing from 11 July to 18 September following the immunity decision, is expected to rule on this issue by 6 September. And then theres Trumps civil fraud case. Arthur Engoron, the New York judge who found Trump liable for fraud and hit him with a more than $454m penalty, refused to recuse himself from the case on 25 July. Trumps legal team asked Engoron to recuse himself after another attorney claimed that he and the jurist had talked about state law related to the core of this case, before the verdict came down. Engoron wrote that the lawyer, Adam Bailey, accosted and started haranguing me about the case law: Prior to that time, I considered Bailey a professional acquaintance and a distant friend. His sudden appearance and vehement speech took me aback, and I simply told him that he was wrong. Harris v Trump As Trumps cases continue to wind through courts, Harriss supporters are doubling down on the prosecutor-versus-felon motif of the former California attorney generals campaign. The Lincoln Project posted a 45-second video on X, Kamalaw & Order, that mirrors the intro from the hit series Law & Order. There are the requisite photos of a stately Harris, with her arms crossed, and Donald Trump in front of jail bars, with quick shots of skylines and pictures of evidence, interspersed with audio clips of her full-bodied laugh. Cronies and Casualties Remember Mark Meadows, the former White House chief of staff? Along with ex-boss Trump and various other hangers-on, Meadows is facing an election subversion case in Georgia. Now, Meadows wants to get this state case moved to federal court, citing the Trump-friendly supreme courts immunity ruling. It is hard to imagine a case in which the need for a federal forum is more pressing than one that requires resolving novel questions about the duties and powers of one of the most important federal offices in the nation, Meadows lawyers wrote in their petition. This isnt Meadows first pitch to move this case to federal court. A three-judge panel of the 11th US circuit court of appeals rejected this bid in December. The full 11th circuit subsequently did not agree to hear Meadows argument, the Hill noted. This case is on hold for the time being regardless of what happens with Meadows petition. A state appeals court is set to hear arguments in December over Trumps push to remove prosecutor Fani Willis from this case. Sen. Joe Gruters speaks at a Senate Rules committee. Mar. 1, 2022. Credit: Screenshot/Florida Channel Sarasota GOP state Sen. and former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Joe Gruters is endorsing Amendment 3, the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 years and older. In doing so, he is going up against Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Party of Florida, who formally came out in opposition to the proposal in May. In an interview, Gruters explained why he was coming out now to support the amendment. Its based on a lot of conversations that I had with constituents and people that are in the process, he told the Phoenix. To me its a realization of where we are, where were at as a society, what people are doing, whats happened with medical marijuana over all, and I think its just been an evolving decision to which I said, Lets come out and support it. Lets try to help this win and lets get ahead of this to make sure we do it right.' Gruters is the highest ranked Republican in the Legislature to announce his support for the measure. A certified public accountant, he chaired the Republican Party of Florida from 2019 to 2023. He has served in the Florida Legislature since 2016 serving one term as a representative before being elected to the state Senate in 2022. When asked about the fact that Republican Party of Florida is opposing the measure, Gruters said, The party should take positions that they believe, although I personally disagree on this personal subject. Hes also an ally of former President Donald Trump and served as Florida co-chairman of Trumps 2016 campaign. After Gruters became one of the few GOP members of the Legislature to endorse Trump over DeSantis in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, the governor vetoed several of his projects in the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget. Simply because I support his political opponent, the governor chose to punish ordinary Floridians who want better water quality, less traffic congestion, and increased resources for disabled children to find gainful employment, Gruters told Florida Politics last year. Its mean-spirited acts like this that are defining him here and across the country. DeSantis has been explicit about how much he disdains Amendment 3 and has said he will do what he can to topple the measure this fall. That includes raising money through his Florida Freedom Fund political committee. This state will start to smell like marijuana in our cities and counties. It will reduce the quality of life, the governor said days after the Florida Supreme Court approved putting the measure on the November ballot. But Gruters, who worked for years on getting a bill passed that bans smoking on public beaches in Florida, said that he has full faith and confidence that the governor and the Legislature can put up guardrails to make sure that we do it right. Im confident that we can do it, he said. Like, I said, I do not like smoking in public. Listen, it took a long time to pass that [law] to give the power back to communities to be able to get rid of it on beaches. We can control the timing, the place, and all that with legislation. Thats what I think we need to focus on, and I think that we can get that right in Florida. We are honored to have Sen. Gruters support, yet another example of the expansive coalition behind legalizing recreational adult use marijuana, said Morgan Hill, spokesperson for Smart & Safe Florida. Individual liberty is not a partisan issue, and were glad to have Sen. Gruters on board to help spread our message of personal freedom and a safer Florida for all. Cops in opposition While Gruters endorsement is a coup for the pro-Amendment 3 campaign, two major law enforcement organizations this week declared their opposition to the proposed amendment. The well-being and health of the citizens of Florida are threatened through the legalization and normalization of recreational marijuana, said Florida Sheriffs Association President and Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummel in a statement. Our priority is the safety and security of our communities, and the data clearly shows that legalization leads to increased public health issues, road safety concerns, and a rise in youth marijuana use. Also opposing the measure is the Florida Police Chiefs Association, composed of more than 1,300 of Floridas top law enforcement executives. As we represent the highest levels of law enforcement leadership in Florida, we believe that passage of Constitutional Amendment 3 Adult Use of Marijuana otherwise known as recreational marijuana will hurt public safety and ultimately cost Floridians tax dollars and lives, said Florida Police Chiefs Association President Chief Charles Vazquez in a statement. The story has been updated with comments from Sen. Gruters. Conservative state Sen. Joe Gruters, a former state Republican Party chair, has endorsed the 2024 recreational marijuana ballot measure, despite the efforts of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Party of Florida to tank it. The Sarasota lawmaker, who has served a combined eight years in the Florida House and Senate, said in a Wednesday press release that his support is "a common-sense decision that prioritizes individual freedom, health, safety and economic growth." By legalizing recreational marijuana for adults, we can give Floridians access to safe products, generate significant revenue for critical public services and create new job opportunities for Floridians," Gruters continued in the statement, sent by Smart & Safe Florida, the group heading the marijuana amendment campaign. Amendment 3, if it gets at least 60% of the vote, would allow non-medical marijuana possession of up to 3 ounces, with no more than 5 grams in concentrated form, for those who are 21 years old and up. Gruters' support represents a notable opposition to the governor, who has taken a hard stance against the measure, saying it will reduce quality of life and cause Florida to reek of weed. "We've got to be united as Republicans to do what's right," DeSantis said recently, referring to Amendment 3 as well as Amendment 4, which would ensure abortion rights. "If Republicans are united on these, I don't think there's any way they could get to 60%." DeSantis has launched Florida Freedom Fund, a group that in part is funding opposition to Amendment 3, and his chief of staff, James Uthmeier, is helping lead the anti-amendment campaign, Vote No on 3. A request for comment is pending with the governor's office. Amendment 3 is about personal freedom; but it is also about creating a safer, more regulated recreational marijuana market and generating much-needed revenue for critical public services like our law enforcement. https://t.co/oK0T8lXtIS Joe Gruters (@JoeGruters) July 31, 2024 Gruters vs. DeSantis This isn't the first time Gruters has gone against a policy position of the governor. While many Florida lawmakers endorsed DeSantis during his unsuccessful presidential bid, Gruters gave his support to former President Donald Trump. Gruters also slammed DeSantis after he vetoed many Sarasota-area projects in the 2023-24 budget. He claimed the reason was his support of Trump, as previously reported by the Herald-Tribune. Trump has since endorsed Gruters in his 2026 run for state chief financial officer to succeed term-limited Republican Jimmy Patronis. In a Wednesday afternoon interview with the USA TODAY Network-Florida, Gruters said he believes some Florida Republican lawmakers who support Amendment 3 are not speaking out due to concerns about opposing the state GOP establishment's position. But the senator said he doesn't think his endorsement will change his relationship with DeSantis and other opponents. "I think this will pass," he said. "I think, at end of the day, we have a governor and a Legislature that's committed to doing the right thing and putting those guardrails in place, and I think we'll find the right solutions that will ultimately be a win for the governor." He said his support for recreational marijuana has been an "evolving position." "Anybody that I know that's wanted to partake in recreational marijuana use has never had a problem finding a product," Gruters said. "We have medical marijuana right now. How do we make adult recreational marijuana use safe?" Gruters' endorsement of Amendment 3 also pits him against the Republican Party of Florida, which he used to chair. CBS News reported that hemp executives had pledged the Republican Party of Florida $5 million to fight Amendment 3 following the governor's veto of a bill that would have greatly restricted the industry, which includes products that can make users high. Evan Power, the state GOP chair, and Bill Helmich, its executive director, are both hemp industry lobbyists. Meanwhile, Smart & Safe Florida is largely funded by Trulieve, the state's largest medical marijuana operator. 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: Florida recreational marijuana endorsed by prominent state Republican Hard-line conservatives in the House left Washington frustrated that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) didnt uphold his promises on pushing through spending legislation though they did not necessarily blame him. Johnson has now been in his post longer than his predecessor, who was ousted in part due to frustration with how he handled spending issues. But he is not closer to pleasing hard-line conservatives on spending matters. Its the same frustrations, you know, from last year, said Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), a member of the House Freedom Caucus. Despite efforts from leadership to push through 12 regular appropriations bills as hard-liners wished, conservatives continue to use high-pressure tactics and oppose them over disagreements about policies and spending levels. Though Johnson had pledged as he was running for Speaker last year that he would keep the House in session through August until all the spending bills passed, the House canceled scheduled votes for the last week of July and started August recess early. I believed that we were going to actually do something on the budget, on the spending bills. Thats what we were told last year, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) said. When Kevin [McCarthy] became Speaker, that didnt happen. And we were told its going to happen this year, and if it didnt happen, were gonna stay through August. Thats not happening. Dont say that stuff to me, Biggs added, if you dont mean it. Unlike with former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), though, the hard-liners seem resigned to the fact that their spending bill goals will not be met and they are not necessarily blaming the Speaker. This is just kind of par for the course. So even though I am frustrated at this point, this is what I expected, Crane said of the House leaving without passing all those bills. Johnson, for his part, told reporters last week that the House could benefit from the break. Weve had a tumultuous couple of weeks in American politics, Johnson said, in a nod to the assassination attempt on former President Trump and President Biden ending his reelection bid. Its just a good time to give everybody a time to go home to the districts and campaign a little bit. Well come back and regroup and continue to work, Johnson said. Johnson press secretary Athina Lawson told The Hill in a statement that the House has made significant progress in advancing [fiscal 2025] appropriations bills. The House Appropriations Committee has diligently moved all 12 bills out of committee and the House has passed 75 percent of government funding for the upcoming fiscal year while the Senate has yet to even consider a single appropriations bill. The House will continue its successful effort to responsibly fund the government for [fiscal 2025] when it returns from its district work period, Lawson said. Just as with McCarthy, how Johnson handles spending issues for the rest of the year has the potential to make or break his hopes of continuing to lead the House GOP next year. A couple of members are already hoping to dump him. I think there should be a change in leadership right now, tomorrow, the next day. I would do it as soon as its possible, said Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.), one of two Republicans who backed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.) effort to try to oust Johnson earlier this year. But Massie acknowledged that he is not a good litmus for the rest of the Republicans. Some hard-liners, meanwhile, say they see progress and are not necessarily angry at the Speaker for kick-starting August recess early. I am frustrated with the appropriations process, Freedom Caucus member Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) said. Im less frustrated than I was last year, he added, citing some incremental steps in the right direction. Based on what we were seeing, it was probably relatively fruitless to try to stay though August, Griffith said. So, I think the Speaker made the right decision. And Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) was not eager to criticize Johnson in light of the spending bill snafus. I think Mikes been doing a great job in terms of getting [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] here, in terms of moving the SAVE Act, in terms of trying to keep us united and pushing [appropriations] bills out you know, well see [how] all that plays out, Roy said, referencing his bill that the House passed earlier in the month to expand proof-of-citizenship requirements to vote in federal elections. Roy did have some strategy suggestions, though. He said that the House should have passed a stopgap bill to continue funding the government past Sept. 30 that was paired with his voting eligibility bill a package that Democrats would surely reject so that Republicans could beat the crap out of Democrats over August and say that they dont want to fund the government while they want to allow noncitizens to vote. More House Republicans are turning their focus to September, as members on both sides of the aisle acknowledge a stopgap will be needed to prevent a government shutdown. The early fall deadline will also mark the one-year anniversary of McCarthys decision to force a vote on a clean stopgap funding bill in a move that helped lead to his unprecedented ouster shortly after. Johnson will face a bigger test from hard-liners in how he decides to stave off the shutdown threat. Rifts are already emerging over the duration of a stopgap as the 2024 presidential election cycle heats up. Optimistic of former President Trumps chances of reclaiming the Oval Office in November, many conservatives have been pushing for a stopgap that funds the government into next year. They say doing so would avoid the risk of being jammed with a massive omnibus spending package by the Democratic-led Senate and White House in December. Other Republicans, however, have pressed for finishing funding work this year, as both parties are also beginning preparation for what could be another nasty fight over the debt limit, in addition to the expiring tax provisions from Trumps signature 2017 tax law. Different ones have different thoughts about it, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a hard-line conservative, said of the issue last week, noting he and others in the Freedom Caucus support a stopgap into March. Thats the debate, he said, adding he definitely doesnt want to see an omnibus. Mychael Schnell 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. Beginning in the 15th century, the Renaissance in Europe saw a shift in the continents mindset towards greater interest in the world beyond its own borders. In this era, a number of significant maritime expeditions took place, spurred primarily by commercial and political interests, but also by cultural curiosity. These voyages were spearheaded by Spain and Portugal, two strategically located countries where the recently concluded Reconquista against Islamic rule was driving Christian religious expansion. Both nations also had a wealth of seafaring experience. For a long time, the Earth had been thought of as a flat disc moving through the ocean, but gradually the idea of a round planet took over. As maps and charts became increasingly accurate, the possibility of travelling to China by the westerly route became more and more plausible. These factors in addition to significant technological advances like the astrolabe, the sextant and, most importantly, the compass allowed for huge advances in travel by sea, and opened the door to an intensive period of exploration. Long-awaited news from the New World Columbus arrival in America was part of this adventurous push, and it is not difficult to imagine the astonishment felt by Spanish explorers when they encountered a world full of hitherto unimagined novelties. Many of them directed their efforts towards learning and sharing all the new things they recorded about nature, geography and human beings, and this information was acquired, in part, through daily contact with the populations of these territories. The invention of the printing press in 1440 made it possible to disseminate all this knowledge, and the news from the New World was received with great interest throughout Europe. Among these curious and enquiring men were some religious figures who, in their search for better ways to spread Christianity, sought to understand the American world. They realised that in those new lands and cultures there were many valuable things worth knowing and preserving. Jose de Acosta and his monumental work One of these figures was Jesuit missionary Jose de Acosta. Born in 1540 in Medina del Campo, in Valladolid, Spain, he travelled to Peru in 1572 to work as a lecturer in the Jesuit school in Lima. First edition of Historia natural y moral de las Indias by Jose de Acosta. University of South Carolina, Thomas Cooper Library The year after his arrival, he was commissioned to travel to the regions inland areas (he would later also travel through Mexico) to monitor the needs of the Spaniards living there. While there, he learned about the areas Native American inhabitants, learning their language and collecting a great deal of information about their culture and territory. He also drew on the knowledge of previous explorers like Polo de Ondegardo, as Acosta himself acknowledged in his landmark 1590 work, the Historia natural y moral de las Indias (Natural and moral history of the Indies). This monumental text is made up of seven books which can be divided into two parts: a first half devoted to natural history, which follows the model of the ancient works known to Acosta (though incorporating elements specific to the New World) and a second half centred on what Acosta called moral history. The first two books deal with cosmographic, geographical and anthropological matters, concluding that, contrary to what many thought, all regions of the Earth were habitable for human beings. The third book describes the four elements and their phenomena (winds, seas, rivers, lakes, volcanoes, etc.), explaining each one through experimental methods. The fourth analyses nature in its different subdivisions (animals, plants and minerals), both the native species and those that were brought to America by the Europeans, as well as those that already existed in both areas. The fifth, sixth and seventh books describe the customs and deeds of the Indians. Unlike other chroniclers and explorers, Acosta depicts his protagonists as having the same rational capacity and full humanity as Europeans. In these books, he speaks of the religion, culture, social organisation, institutions and history of the inhabitants of Mexico and Peru. Acosta considered both aspects natural history and moral history as inseparable. He also put forward ideas about the interaction between the different branches of natural and social study (biology, geography, chemistry, sociology, history) that make up the ecology of the planets ecosystems. Etching by Theodor de Bry, depicting Native American agriculture. Rijksmuseum A pioneer in his field The great difference between Acostas work and many others written about America at the time lies in his conviction of the unity of the world, of which the New World was just one part. To this end, he analysed biological, geographical and cultural diversity, making him a forerunner in what is now known as earth science or geoscience. This discipline considers all the planets components geographical, botanical, zoological, meteorological, social, and so on to be one interrelated system. All these aspects make up the planets ecosystems. In this way, Acosta was a precursor to Alexander von Humboldt, who is considered to be one of the founders of ecology and modern science it is actually known that Humboldt had read Acosta, as he mentions him in his work Cosmos. One especially clear example of Acostas influence can be seen in the Pacific coastal ocean current known as the Humboldt current, which has a great influence on the climate and economy of the region: it had already been documented by Acosta. Although he never expressly acknowledged it, it is also very likely that Acostas investigations and observations were helpful to Charles Darwin in formulating his theory of evolution in The Origin of Species. However, it cannot be said that this model was original to Acosta. Elements of the idea can be found in the works of ancient authors such as Aristotle or Pliny, as well as Acostas contemporaries, such as Fernandez de Oviedo, Cieza de Leon or Francisco Hernandez. What this does tell us, however, is that scientific advances and discoveries do not arise in a vacuum. Knowledge springs from a network in which the studies of different authors intertwine, building on and reinforcing one another. This article is the result of a collaboration with the Ignacio Larramendi Foundation, an institution focused on developing projects related to thought, science and culture in Ibero-America with the aim of making them available to the general public. For more information, click here. Este articulo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos academicos. Lee mas: Beatriz Fernandez Herrero no recibe salario, ni ejerce labores de consultoria, ni posee acciones, ni recibe financiacion de ninguna compania u organizacion que pueda obtener beneficio de este articulo, y ha declarado carecer de vinculos relevantes mas alla del cargo academico citado. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro stands on the field before a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Pittsburgh. | Matt Freed This article was first published in the On the Trail 2024 newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox on Tuesday and Friday mornings here. To submit a question to next weeks Friday Mailbag, email onthetrail@deseretnews.com. Hello, friends. Were just a few weeks out from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which will run from August 19-22. 3 things to know Not politics, but big news: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Monday it plans to open a medical school at church-sponsored Brigham Young University. Read more here President Joe Biden spoke about his plans to try to reform the Supreme Court in a Washington Post op-ed. His ideas include an ethics code and term limits, but no word on if he thinks those reforms should extend to the legislative and executive branches. Read more here Shabbos Kestenbaum was a prime-time speaker at the Republican National Convention, where he blasted the rise of antisemitism at elite universities. He was met by cheering and a standing ovation. But what set Kestenbaum apart from other convention speakers? He wouldnt endorse Donald Trump. Read more here The big idea Gov. Shapiros VP tryout Josh Shapiro, the popular swing-state governor, is trying his best to play the role of a good soldier. Within hours of Biden exiting the race, Shapiro fell in line behind Harris, vowing to do everything I can to help her win. Over the past four days, hes held three different events in Pennsylvania on behalf of the Harris campaign, including a Monday event alongside Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. But the more his home-state Pennsylvanians see him in action, the more those Harris events are turning into Shapiro-for-VP rallies. On Friday, Politico reports, what began as a Philadelphia event for labor leaders and top Democrats delved into an impromptu Shapiro endorsement jamboree. Two top union leaders, the Philadelphia Democratic Party Chair and the Philadelphia mayor all publicly endorsed Shapiro for VP. They pledged their support to Harris, too, but if they take our advice, Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker said, Josh Shapiro will be our vice president. Shapiro, for his part, deflected the praise. Im not going to add any political pressure to the vice president, he told attendees Friday, saying Harris would be making this deeply personal decision as to who she wants to run with. He would leave the choice up to her, and in the meantime, he would keep rallying on her behalf. As he does so, voters are dealt a similar phenomenon to what Harris experienced in the waning days of Bidens campaign: the more Democratic voters saw Harris stumping for Biden, the more they wished Harris would take over for Biden. Now, the more voters see of Shapiro, supporting Harris is taking a backseat to hoping she picks Shapiro as his running mate. The case for Shapiro, his allies say, is a matter of mathematics. Pennsylvania is a key swing state, and though Biden won there in 2020, he has consistently trailed in polls. We dont yet have a good snapshot of battleground polling for a Harris-Trump matchup, but we can expect margins to be razor-thin and a Harris-Shapiro ticket, on paper, would only bolster the Democrats chances. Shapiro won the governorship in 2022 by 15 points against a Trump-endorsed challenger. In 2020, running for reelection as the states attorney general, he won more votes than any statewide candidate in Pennsylvania history. That year, he outperformed Biden, who ran for president on the same ballot, by a wide margin; in 2016, his first election, he outperformed Clinton. But not all Democrats like the idea of a Harris-Shapiro ticket. Some have expressed concern over his handling of sexual harassment claims in his office. Others have launched a pressure campaign targeting his Jewish faith and his support for Israel. Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-New York, defended Shapiro against the No Genocide Josh movement. Every potential nominee for Vice President is pro-Israel, said Torres. Yet only one, Josh Shapiro, has been singled out by a far-left smear campaign calling him Genocide Josh. The reason he is treated differently from the rest? Antisemitism. Shapiro is Pennsylvanias third-ever Jewish governor. The antisemitic far left must never be given veto power over the selection of a presidential running mate, Torres continued. What Im reading Politico writer Isabella Ramirez has a play-by-play of the 28 days between Bidens disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, and his decision to drop our and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to run in his place including the shocking assassination attempt against Donald Trump. Read more here about the 28 days that transformed the 2024 election. Atlantic writer McKay Coppins looks at the prayers given at Trump rallies and what they say about the candidate and his campaign. Read more here for a close reading of the prayers delivered before the former president speaks. See you on the trail. Editors Note: The Deseret News is committed to covering issues of substance in the 2024 presidential race from its unique perspective and editorial values. Our team of political reporters will bring you in-depth coverage of the most relevant news and information to help you make an informed decision. Find our complete coverage of the election here. JACKSON, Miss (WJTV) Jackson State University (JSU) was awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM, with the intended total amount of $2.5 million. Officials said the funding will support the project titled Louis Stokes Renewal STEM Pathways and Research Alliance: The Louis Stokes Mississippi Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-MAMP) STEM Pathway and Research Alliance, under the direction of Dr. Elayne Anthony. JSU using surrounding apartments to house students The Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program is designed to assist universities and colleges in significantly increasing the number of students from underrepresented minority groups who matriculate into and successfully complete high-quality degree programs in STEM disciplines. This grant is a testament to the outstanding work being done at Jackson State University and the critical importance of diversifying our STEM workforce. I am proud to support initiatives that provide opportunities for all students to excel in these crucial fields, said U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. The Oklahoma County jail trust is requesting health inspectors with the Oklahoma State Department of Health be barred from making surprise inspections at the jail. The trust overseeing the Oklahoma County jail is asking a judge to permanently block state health inspectors from conducting surprise inspections. In a petition that started out with a quote from former President Donald Trump, the trust contends the Oklahoma State Department of Health has no legal authority to conduct the disruptive unannounced inspections. The request for a ban is the latest twist in the dispute between the jail trust and health officials. Health inspectors showed up at the jail on June 25 and again July 9 but were turned away. Heath Commissioner Keith Reed ordered the jail on July 15 to permit the surprise inspections or face administrative penalties. The trust is asking Oklahoma County District Judge Brent Dishman for preliminary and permanent injunctions. No hearing has been set yet. The petition was filed Monday, hours after the jail had its fifth inmate death of the year, Timothy Lee Hardin Jr., 21, of Oklahoma City, was found unresponsive on the floor of his cell during site checks around 6:30 a.m. Monday, the jail said in a news release. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. He did not have a cellmate. He was last observed by an officer and on video getting breakfast at 4:48 a.m. Monday, the jail said. Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan said he was told the death is being investigated as a possible drug overdose. Oklahoma City police arrested Hardin May 15. He was facing a felony charge of violation of a protective order. The jail has had more than 40 deaths since the trust took over its operation on July 1, 2020. A yearlong investigation by The Oklahoman found the jail had become one of the deadliest in the United States. The state's multicounty grand jury last year said many of the deaths were preventable. What the petition said about Trump In a sworn statement filed with the petition, the jail administrator, Brandi Garner, said a surprise inspection is a burden on the detention staff and interferes with both important administrative work and critical jail functions. She said the U.S. Justice Department gives the jail a 60-day notice before an inspection. She also said the health inspectors were asked June 25 to schedule an appointment. The petition starts out with a statement Trump made at a rally in New Hampshire last year. He said, "The threat from outside forces is far less sinister, dangerous and grave than the threat from within. Our threat is from within." The trust then told the judge, "The dangers posed by the administrative state are real and while President Donald Trump railed against them at the federal level, they have gone unchecked in Oklahoma. This is plainly evident with the Oklahoma State Department of Health." The Legislature gave health inspectors "express power" to make unannounced inspections at some facilities like nursing homes but not jails, the trust argued. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Suit quoting Trump asks to block surprise Oklahoma jail inspections It's possible to achieve returns close to the market-weighted average return by buying an index fund. But even in a market-beating portfolio, some stocks will lag the market. While the China Everbright Water Limited (SGX:U9E) share price is down 25% over half a decade, the total return to shareholders (which includes dividends) was 9.1%. That's better than the market which declined 5.6% over the same time. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. View our latest analysis for China Everbright Water To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. During the unfortunate half decade during which the share price slipped, China Everbright Water actually saw its earnings per share (EPS) improve by 10% per year. So it doesn't seem like EPS is a great guide to understanding how the market is valuing the stock. Alternatively, growth expectations may have been unreasonable in the past. Because of the sharp contrast between the EPS growth rate and the share price growth, we're inclined to look to other metrics to understand the changing market sentiment around the stock. The steady dividend doesn't really explain why the share price is down. While it's not completely obvious why the share price is down, a closer look at the company's history might help explain it. The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). We know that China Everbright Water has improved its bottom line lately, but what does the future have in store? So we recommend checking out this free report showing consensus forecasts What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. In the case of China Everbright Water, it has a TSR of 9.1% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective It's nice to see that China Everbright Water shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 29% over the last year. Of course, that includes the dividend. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 1.7% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with China Everbright Water (including 1 which is a bit concerning) . Of course China Everbright Water may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Singaporean exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Both gun rights advocates and state officials said they will appeal a federal judge's split ruling on 'assault firearms' and ammunition. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) A federal judge has struck down New Jerseys ban on Colt AR-15 rifles but upheld its prohibition of large-capacity ammunition magazines, a split ruling that both gun fans and foes vowed to appeal. In a Tuesday decision, U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan sided with New Jersey gun owners who challenged a 1990 state law banning assault firearms. That law bans more than 60 semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, but Sheridan said he limited his ruling to Colt AR-15 rifles because that was the gun with which the Court has been provided the most information in briefs and arguments. Sheridan said a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling known as Bruen makes any categorical ban on weapons that are commonly used for self-defense unconstitutional. Bruen upended gun restrictions across the country when the courts conservative majority declared a constitutional right to guns. The judge was clearly reluctant to allow gun owners to possess Colt AR-15s, though, citing the toll of mass shootings many of which were carried out by people armed with AR-style rifles and similar weapons. It is hard to accept the Supreme Courts pronouncements that certain firearms policy choices are off the table when frequently, radical individuals possess and use these same firearms for evil purposes, Sheridan wrote. His decision was dictated by a legal principle known as stare decisis, he added. That is, where the Supreme Court has set forth the law of our Nation, as a lower court, I am bound to follow it, Sheridan wrote. This principle combined with the reckless inaction of our governmental leaders to address the mass shooting tragedy afflicting our Nation necessitates the Courts decision. The cases plaintiffs two gun groups and several gun owners also sought to overturn the states ban on large-capacity ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds. But Sheridan sided with New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, state police Superintendent Patrick Callahan, and several local police chiefs and prosecutors on that issue, saying there is no historical precedent for the lethality of modern guns with large-capacity magazines. Even where there may have been mass events of murder in the Founding Era or Reconstruction Era, these instances pale in comparison to the accurate brutality exacted today by mass shooters, Sheridan wrote. The relevant large capacity magazines simply did not exist during Founding or Reconstruction Eras. Most high-fatality mass shootings in recent years involved the use of large-capacity magazines holding more than 10 rounds, the judge added. New Jerseys restriction on large-capacity magazines provides a solution to this very real problem, he wrote. The lethality exerted upon the victims of a shooter armed with a magazine that can continue to shoot in a line of uninterrupted fire for a longer time period is lessened where that line of uninterrupted fire is reduced. A limitation on magazine capacity stops the rate at which victims can be injured. A limitation on magazine capacity allows for time during which a shooter may be intercepted, interrupted, or hopefully, stopped, Sheridan wrote. The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, one of the plaintiffs in the case, issued a statement calling the decision an unusual ruling. While the decision is groundbreaking in that it invalidates parts of New Jerseys assault firearms law, it mistakenly limits that ruling to the Colt AR-15 only, even though the lawsuit clearly challenges the law as to ALL assault firearms, the statement reads. Also, the ruling curiously upholds New Jerseys magazine ban while simultaneously invalidating parts of the assault firearm law. Another plaintiff, the Firearms Policy Coalition, already filed a notice of appeal to the Third Circuit. Bans on so-called assault weapons are immoral and unconstitutional, the groups president Brandon Combs said in a prepared statement. Attorney General Matt Platkin said he was disappointed by the ruling. Todays decision weaponizes the Second Amendment to undermine public safety, Platkin said in a statement. The AR-15 is an instrument designed for warfare that inflicts catastrophic mass injuries, and is the weapon of choice for the epidemic of mass shootings that have ravaged so many communities across this nation. Still, Platkin noted, the overwhelming majority of our law remains intact today: the district court thankfully upheld our restriction on large-capacity magazines, and did not allow individuals to possess any other prohibited assault weapons. Platkin said the state will appeal on the AR-15 issue. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Judge Joe Brown is being met with backlash following his most recent sit-down with The Art Of Dialogue, where he made several disparaging remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris amid her bid for the Presidential seat. The interview started off hot, with the former television judge calling Harris a piece of sh*t before saying she lacked professional competence as a lawyer in California. He also accused her of hiking up her hemline when she needed influence. She had a reputation among the trial lawyers of being lazy, he continued. Shed just hike her skirt up and try to flirt, and she wasnt that good in the courtroom, if not, pretty bad in the courtroom. Brown then surmised Harris may have early onset dementia and menopausal complications which he believes is responsible for her word salad garbage, adding, she doesnt make a bit of sense. I think shes only 60 shes actually on a worse track than Biden was. He also refers to the politician as an old h*e. Watch the full segment below. While Brown isnt the only public figure to question Harris, supporters of the presidential hopeful immediately took to social media to call out the judge while pointing out his own questionable past. Im amazed at how some black men like Joe brown who claim to be all for black people, yet attack Kamala Harris the same way trump does. Yet are quiet as church mice when it comes to criticizing trump and project 2025. Its very weird to me. Harris 2024! Defeat project 2025, wrote one observer on X, with another posting, I was on my YouTube channel and saw that ignorant Judge Joe Brown speaking nasty things about our VP. I know shes strong and knows this kind of talk is coming. However, when it comes from a Black man calling her? No respect for him. @IAmSophiaNelson I was on my YouTube channel and saw that ignorant Judge Joe Brown speaking nasty things about our VP. I know shes strong and knows this kind of talk is coming. However, when it comes from a Black man calling her. No respect for him Elect Lady Purvis (@ELadyPurvis) July 31, 2024 And critiques like this are NEVER valid. Judge Joe Brown is a cable channel, living room "judge" who should enjoy his retirement quietly. Miserable old hoe, Joe Brown. Shut the fuck up. https://t.co/MheFiKWIyn Kaili (@tribecalledkai) July 30, 2024 Joe Brown has become utterly horrid. Hes uniquely antagonistic towards Black women in power and even Obama. Hes a bigoted misogynistic jerk. https://t.co/VIEpDk0iyP BlacKanSeyKo (@BlackXtian) July 30, 2024 MAGA's want you to listen to old nasty Judge Joe Brown who was arrested for being violent! ???Black people know this man is crazy as a Betsy Bug!??? pic.twitter.com/urvgx4jqr2 BLACKS AGAINST TRUMP (@Mompreneur_of_3) July 30, 2024 While Judge Brown surely wasnt in attendance, Harris supporters showed up in droves to the VPs latest campaign rally in Atlanta, where Megan Thee Stallion performed as Quavo hit the podium to officially endorse the Democratic candidate. One of these issues that I care about is resolving the gun violence issues, the former Migos rapper stated. You cant understand the struggle of gun violence if you not in the field or in the heart of it. So, one thing I learned from working with Vice President Harris is she always stand on business. From inviting me to the White House last year to discuss these solutions, to passing the biggest gun safety laws today. So, its only right in the birthplace of the culture is also the same place to launch the first African-American woman to run for president. More from VIBE.com A federal judge scuttled the proposed $335 million settlement between the UFC and fighters in two separate class-action lawsuits who alleged the MMA promoter violated antitrust laws. On Tuesday, Judge Richard Franklin Boulware II of the U.S. District Court in Nevada issued a ruling denying the settlement. The judge, who did not provide any explanation in the initial ruling, set a status conference for Aug. 19 and a trial date of Oct. 28 for one of the two cases that were part of the settlement, Le v. Zuffa. Its possible the parties could reach a new settlement agreement before then for the courts consideration. More from Variety The decision comes after TKO Group Holdings, UFCs parent company, announced an agreement in March 2024 to pay $335 million to settle two class-action lawsuits. Zuffa, the predecessor entity that owned and operated UFC, was the defendant in five related class-action lawsuits filed between December 2014 and March 2015, which were consolidated into a single action in June 2015 (Le et al. v. Zuffa). Of the proposed $335 million settlement, 90% was to have been paid to the plaintiffs represented in Le v. Zuffa. An additional lawsuit, Johnson et al. v. Zuffa, was filed in 2021. Reps for UFC, TKO Group and Endeavor did not immediately provide comment on Tuesdays decision. Under the proposed settlement, fighters in Le v. Zuffa were to receive on average $200,000, with a median recovery of $73,000 and a minimum of $13,000 with 36 to have been paid more than $1 million, per Sportico. The lawsuits alleged Zuffa violated antitrust laws by paying UFC fighters far less than they were entitled to receive and eliminating or hurting other MMA promoters. UFC fighters Cung Le, Nate Quarry and Jon Fitch filed their initial complaint against Zuffa in federal court in California in December 2014; that was subsequently joined by fighters Brandon Vera, Luis Javier Vazquez and Kyle Kingsbury. On June 23, 2021, Kajan Johnson and C.B. Dollaway filed a proposed class-action antitrust lawsuit against Zuffa and Endeavor with similar allegations that UFC engaged in illegal anticompetitive action. TKO Group was formed last year through the Endeavor-led merger of UFC and WWE. Endeavor maintains a majority interest in TKO. TKO is scheduled to release second-quarter 2024 results prior to the market opening on Thursday, Aug. 8. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A judge denied a motion to allow Justin Simon, 45, to travel out of state while awaiting trial for the traffic crash death of a Port Huron Northern High School teacher. Simon, who is from Tennessee, was visiting Michigan on a hunting trip in during the Oct. 20 crash, according to investigators. In his motion, he asked the court to allow him to leave the state to return home and run his business until his jury trial, which is scheduled to begin Sept. 10. Circuit Court Judge Daniel Damman denied the motion to modify the bond Monday, requiring Simon to remain in Michigan until the trial is complete. Simon was arrested after he was involved in the crash on Lakeshore Road in Fort Gratiot. He reportedly admitted to the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office he had been drinking, and deputies reportedly found open alcohol containers in the vehicle. More: 'She had a magnetism to her': Port Huron Northern teacher remembered for kindness, selflessness Four days after the crash Ashley Nisbett, 33, the driver of the other vehicle in the crash, died at McLaren Macomb. Her death left the Blue Water Area in shock, particularly the students and staff at Port Huron Northern High School. Simon's charge was changed from operating while intoxicated causing injury to operating while intoxicated causing death. Both Simon and the St. Clair County Prosecutor's Office have said in court there is no plea deal being considered in the case, and the case is expected to proceed with its scheduled jury trial. The deadline to plea to a reduced charge has passed, meaning if the parties did reach a plea deal, Simon would have to plead guilty as charged. If convicted, Simon faces up to 15 years in prison. Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Judge rules man awaiting trial in teacher's traffic death must remain in Michigan Death row inmate Taberon Honie stands up as he leaves the Utah Board of Pardons commutation hearing Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at the Utah State Correctional Facility, in Salt Lake City. (Pool photo by Rick Bowmer/AP) A judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit from death row inmate Taberon Honie, rejecting arguments from his attorney that prison officials are not prepared and that inconsistencies in their current plan could lead to a botched execution. When asked whether he would appeal the ruling, Honies attorney Eric Zuckerman said he is evaluating all options. But the window is closing fast, with Honies execution by lethal injection still planned for Aug. 8. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Department of Corrections is going to carry out an execution without written or accurate protocols. I dont know why they want to do that, but its dangerous, Zuckerman said to reporters after the hearing. But in her ruling, 3rd District Judge Linda Jones said Honie did not actually identify any injuries he would suffer because of inconsistencies in the states execution protocol, while the potential injury he identifies is speculative at best. Jones also said the state is allowed to adopt new rules to the execution protocol, invalidating Honies complaint that the changes violated Utah law. Honie was sentenced to death in 1999 for the murder and sexual assault of Claudia Benn, the mother of his ex-girlfriend. Honie, according to court documents, broke into Benns house, killed her, and mutilated her body while her three grandchildren were in the house. He would later admit to molesting one of the children after the murder. The ruling is the latest setback in Honies attempt to avoid the death penalty. Last week, the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole denied his request to instead spend the rest of his life in prison after several of Benns relatives spoke in favor of his execution. On Tuesday, the Department of Corrections confirmed the execution is still planned for Aug. 8, telling Utah News Dispatch We have been meticulously planning to carry out our statutory responsibility for several months, and continue to do so. Honie sued prison officials earlier this month, objecting to several aspects of the states plan to execute him among them, the cocktail of ketamine, fentanyl and potassium chloride, which Zuckerman argued could cause unnecessary pain and suffering, a violation of Honies constitutional rights. In the complaint, Zuckerman asked the state to instead use pentobarbital, which is often prescribed for seizures but in high doses can stop the heart. The Utah Department of Corrections did just that it acquired pentobarbital, spending about $200,000 in hopes that it would end the litigation, said David Wolf with the Utah Attorney Generals Office. Twelve of the countrys 24 executions carried out in 2023 used pentobarbital and Wolf called the drug the gold standard. Most of the lawsuit was dismissed, but Zuckerman maintained that the states execution protocol is riddled with errors and inconsistencies, scattered across multiple documents. On Tuesday, he argued the two remaining claims in the lawsuit that Honies rights were violated because he didnt have enough time to review the execution plan; and that the Department of Corrections violated Utah code because the protocol and procedures are conflicting, inconsistent and outdated. Its not currently clear, Zuckerman argued, how many backup doses of pentobarbital the state plans to have, how to administer the backup doses, whether the syringes will be labeled, how many syringes should be on hand, and whether a doctor or prison safety official will handle the drugs. Plus, Zuckerman said the protocol isnt clearly outlined like other protocols in years past, which could create logistical issues. Its just sort of all over the place and were talking about a real risk here, Zuckerman told the court. Utah hasnt done a lethal injection execution in over 20 years the accuracy is critical. Wolf clarified most of these details in Tuesdays hearing, to which Zuckerman responded, This is the first were hearing of this. Zuckerman also accused the state of withholding information until the last minute as the lawsuit progressed, telling the judge every single hearing Ive had in this case, theyve dropped a bombshell of information on us the night before. This whole thing is ridiculous because the solution is so simple. All were asking the state of Utah to do is create an accurate protocol. Why is it so hard? There hasnt been an execution by lethal injection in Utah for 25 years, said a frustrated Zuckerman, before turning to the states attorneys to say: Update the protocol. Wolf pushed back on the arguments, telling the court that much of the protocol is in place because Honie requested pentobarbital. The inconsistencies that Zuckerman is concerned about are actually just changes to the states existing protocol. This suggestion that theres no coherent policy in place to execute Mr. Honie is simply not true, Wolf said. These protocols were adopted at Mr. Honies request. Theyve been affirmed by court after court. Since Honies original argument revolved around the untested cocktail of ketamine, fentanyl and potassium chloride, it doesnt hold water now that the state obtained pentobarbital, Wolf said. None of Zuckermans arguments on Tuesday were in the original complaint filed on July 11, Wolf told the judge. He cant stand up here and say pentobarbital is an untested protocol. Its the gold standard, its the mainstay, he said. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) Ashley Benefield was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury late Tuesday night in the killing of her estranged husband. The jurys verdict was read at about 10:45 p.m. after several hours of deliberations. A sentencing hearing has not been set, but she faces up to 30 years in prison because a firearm was used. Doug Benefields brother, Dave Benefield, said if Doug was still here, he would focus on healing. He would want healing for everyone, because he was a firm believer of Jesus Christ as his lord and savior, as am I, and there is forgiveness for sin, and I am so thankful for justice, he said. The whole entire process was simply amazing. But Doug, his heart would be, I want to see my family heal.' The 32-year-old former ballerina was accused of second-degree murder for the Sept. 27, 2020, shooting death of Doug Benefield. The jury found her guilty on a lesser charge. Deliberations started late Tuesday afternoon after the jury heard closing arguments from both the defense and prosecution. Last week when she took the stand before the jury, Ashley said she and Doug got into an argument that turned violent as he was helping her move boxes into a U-Haul ahead of a move to Maryland. She claims that her husband struck her face while blocking the doorway of her home as she was trying to leave. After that, she said she ran to her bedroom to get her gun and Doug followed. As she pointed the gun at him, she claims he took a fighting stance and eventually lunged at her, which is when she fired multiple shots, killing Doug Benefield. Ashleys defense described Doug as a manipulative and controlling man who had violent tendencies throughout the couples four year marriage. Ashley stopped living with Doug shortly after becoming pregnant with his child in 2017 following a vasectomy reversal. She moved to her mothers Lakewood Ranch home so she could help take care of her. She was suffering from morning sickness at the time Defense attorney Neil Taylor said before Ashley left South Carolina to move to Florida, Doug had fired a gun into the ceiling of their kitchen to get her to stop talking, threw a loaded gun at her, punched a hole through a wall, and punched their dog in the face so hard it fell unconscious. Taylor told the jury Ashley was a victim of domestic violence and the night Doug attacked her at her home, she was forced to shoot him out of fear for her own life. I was scared to death. I thought he was going to kill me. I didnt know where to go. I was trapped, Benefield told jurors last week. I have presented to you all that I possibly could show you the dynamics of what took place on that day and why they took place and what Ashley knew about Doug at the time. They took place to show you that her action and using deadly force was reasonable, Taylor said to the jury during closing arguments. The issue to be resolved in this case was going to be, was the force used justified? All of you pledged that if the State failed to prove their case, beyond reasonable doubt, the verdict would be not guilty. Prosecutors told the jury what happened to Doug was the result of a custody battle that Ashley would do anything to win. Domestic violence is a real problem, Assistant State Attorney Suzanne ODonnell said. People that feel like they cannot get out, they have no way to get out. That is not this defendant and it never was. This Defendant used domestic violence and allegations of it to make progress on her goal and her goal was she wanted custody of that child at all costs. ODonnell reminded the jury of testimony from a law enforcement officer who had an interaction with Ashley more than two years before the shooting took place. The conversations that she had with Detective Gillum are the entire crux of this case. It is her motive. It is her plan. It is what she did everything for He said her true motives were to use the criminal system to affect her family court case to get sole custody of her child, which is what she wanted from the very beginning. He said it was very clear that she was trying to use the criminal system in that way and he was very uncomfortable with that. He had forwarded charges to the State Attorneys Office and let the attorneys office decide, which they end up not filing by the way, and she did not think that was enough. She was furious. She said if the judge sees him arrested, it will help me keep my baby, ODonnell said. ODonnell finished her closing arguments by pointing out Ashley was the only one armed the night of the shooting. She also pointed out after shooting her husband and running to her neighbors house, she never asked for an ambulance. She did not have to shoot him. She had an agenda and it worked for what she wanted and she got what she wanted. Because after she killed him, what does she get? Sole custody of the child.. and that is murder, ODonnell said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. The United States has vacillated between periods of openness and total secrecy concerning its nuclear warhead stockpile. Amid calls from watchdogs for greater transparency, the past three Presidential administrations have differed in their policies of revealing these numbers and when. Now, the National Nuclear Security Administration has opened up the books for the first time since 2021 and provided information about how many nuclear warheads exist in its inventory and more detailed information about the rate at which some of those warheads are being dismantled. Based on one of our recent stories you can read here, we break it all down in the video above. Contact the author: tyler@twz.com Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Presidential Town Hall at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on July 13, 2024 in Philadelphia. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) Vice President Kamala Harris will make her first visit to Pennsylvania as the Democratic Partys likely presidential nominee next Tuesday, and will be joined by her yet-unnamed running mate, the Harris campaign confirmed. Next week, Vice President Harris and her future running mate will crisscross the country together to campaign to the voters who will decide this election, including a stop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a Harris campaign official told the Capital-Star. The news was first reported by Politico. Politico reported Tuesday that in addition to Philadelphia, Harris will campaign with her running mate next week in Wisconsin, Detroit, Raleigh, Savannah, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is believed to be on the short list of candidates to be Harris running mate, but he has declined to comment, referring all questions to the Harris campaign. Harris became the Democrats likely presidential nominee after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid on July 21 and endorsed her. Harris has since secured commitments from enough state delegates to clinch the nomination, which is expected to be made official at the Democratic National Convention next month, or possibly before. In the short time since Biden dropped out, Shapiro has stumped for Harris at campaign events across the state, on Saturday in Carlisle, and on Monday at a rally in Montgomery County. He was joined Monday by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who was herself rumored to be a candidate for Harris running mate, but has said she had no plans to seek higher office. CNBC reported Shapiro will be in the Hamptons in New York state on Sunday to rub elbows with wealthy donors. Former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee for president, will be in Harrisburg on Wednesday for his first campaign rally in Pennsylvania since he was injured during an assassination attempt in Butler on July 13. Trump named U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio his running mate on July 15, and the two have campaigned in battleground states over the past two weeks. Vance is not expected to be at the rally in Harrisburg, but GOP U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick, who was also at the Butler rally, will be in attendance. Vance has not campaigned in Pennsylvania since being officially named as the vice presidential pick. A poll from Susquehanna Polling released Tuesday found Harris leading Trump by 4 points in Pennsylvania, 47% to 43%. Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received 3% in the poll, conducted between July 22 and 28. With its 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is the biggest prize of all the battleground states, and is considered key to winning the presidency. Harris most recently visited the Keystone state in a July 13 appearance in Philadelphia, to address the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) Presidential Town Hall. Biden beat Trump in Pennsylvania in 2020 by just over 80,000 votes. Kamala Harris to campaign in Philadelphia next week with her still-unnamed running mate Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Presidential Town Hall at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on July 13, 2024 in Philadelphia. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) Vice President Kamala Harris will make her first visit to Pennsylvania as the Democratic Partys likely presidential nominee next Tuesday, and will be joined by her yet-unnamed running mate, the Harris campaign confirmed. Next week, Vice President Harris and her future running mate will crisscross the country together to campaign to the voters who will decide this election, including a stop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a Harris campaign official told the Capital-Star. The news was first reported by Politico. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is believed to be on the short list of candidates to be Harris running mate, but he has declined to comment, referring all questions to the Harris campaign. Harris became the Democrats likely presidential nominee after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid on July 21 and endorsed her. Harris has since secured commitments from enough state delegates to clinch the nomination, which is expected to be made official at the Democratic National Convention next month, or possibly before. In the short time since Biden dropped out, Shapiro has stumped for Harris at campaign events across the state, on Saturday in Carlisle, and on Monday at a rally in Montgomery County. He was joined Monday by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who was herself rumored to be a candidate for Harris running mate, but has said she had no plans to seek higher office. CNBC reported Shapiro will be in the Hamptons in New York state on Sunday to rub elbows with wealthy donors. Former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee for president, will be in Harrisburg on Wednesday for his first campaign rally in Pennsylvania since he was injured during an assassination attempt in Butler on July 13. Trump named U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio his running mate on July 15, and the two have campaigned in battleground states over the past two weeks. Vance is not expected to be at the rally in Harrisburg, but GOP U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick, who was also at the Butler rally, will be in attendance. Vance has not campaigned in Pennsylvania since being officially named as the vice presidential pick. Politico reported Tuesday that in addition to Philadelphia, Harris will campaign with her running mate next week in Wisconsin, Detroit, Raleigh, Savannah, Phoenix and Las Vegas. A poll from Susquehanna Polling released Tuesday found Harris leading Trump by 4 points in Pennsylvania, 47% to 43%. Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received 3% in the poll, conducted between July 22 and 28. With its 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is the biggest prize of all the battleground states, and is considered key to winning the presidency. Harris most recently visited the Keystone state in a July 13 appearance in Philadelphia, to address the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) Presidential Town Hall. Biden beat Trump in Pennsylvania in 2020 by just over 80,000 votes. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST BEIJING (Reuters) - Hundreds of Chinese sellers on Temu have protested against what they call unbearably high penalties imposed by the firm, one of the merchants involved in the protest told Reuters, a fresh sign of tough price competition with low-cost rival Shein. Temu, the international online site owned by PDD Holdings, sells a wide variety of products, many of them made in China, for rock-bottom prices. Its popularity has grown since its launch in September 2022, as has competition with e-commerce incumbents such as Shein and Amazon in the Untied States and other markets. A garment merchant from Guangzhou said Temu introduced new penalties in April which can amount to up to five times of the value of a sale when customers return their purchases for a refund. "I'm fine if I must refund consumers ... What vendors want is for Temu to stop fining us without a reason," the 25-year-old garment seller from Guangzhou said, adding she went to Temu's headquarters in Guangzhou on Monday to protest. "To calm things down, Temu told us to register the amount of fines we need to pay, but they did nothing afterwards. So, more vendors gathered on July 29 and there were about 400 to 500 people," she said. She declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Videos circulating online of the incident also showed what appeared to be hundreds of protesters outside the building. Temu said in a statement that most of the protesters were garment sellers who also operate on Shein and it is actively working with the merchants to find a solution. "These merchants have declined to resolve the disputes through the normal arbitration and legal channels stated in the seller agreements," the statement said, adding the merchants were unhappy with how it handled after-sales issues related to quality and compliance of their products. The garment merchant said many vendors have gone bankrupt or closed since Temu started the practice, that includes fines on various issues such as wrong clothing sizes. "I'm a small seller. My estimate was I would need to pay a fine of 110,000 yuan ($15,231), but when I got the number, it was 290,000 yuan," she said, adding her items sell at just 20 or 30 yuan each and she was not yet making enough profit to pay her fines. Penny, another vendor from Guangzhou who protested on Monday, said she can't still quit Temu. "I can't simply quit Temu because I have workers to pay and clothes worth several million yuan in the warehouse. I have no way out," she said. Story continues Temu said the majority of its merchants experience success under its guidelines, reporting increased sales and positive customer feedback. "While penalties are necessary to maintain a high-quality marketplace, we are committed to fair enforcement and dispute resolution," it said. ($1 = 7.2222 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Beijing bureau; Editing by Miyoung Kim and David Holmes) WASHINGTON Vice President Kamala Harris will campaign with her running mate in Eau Claire next week as part of her first battleground state tour as Democrats' presumptive presidential nominee. Harris and her future running mate, expected to be announced early next week, will travel to battleground states "to campaign to the voters who will decide this election," according to the Harris campaign. The campaign confirmed Harris will be in Eau Claire during the early afternoon next Wednesday. A spokesman for the Harris campaign did not say where Harris and her vice presidential pick will stop in Eau Claire. But Harris is expected to hold her first rally with her running mate Tuesday in Philadelphia before heading to Wisconsin the next day. Following her appearance in Eau Claire, the campaign will head to Detroit later the same evening. The expected visit to Wisconsin would be Harris' sixth stop in the state of 2024 and 10th since becoming vice president. Last week, she held her first campaign rally as Democrats' presumptive presidential nominee just outside Milwaukee. In a packed high school gym, Harris presented the contest against former President Donald Trump as a choice between "chaos" and "compassion. The vice president last stopped in western Wisconsin in April, when she visited La Crosse to rally voters around health care access. Harris' campaign as of Wednesday morning made no indication of who Harris would pick as her running mate. But top contenders for the job include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Next week's swing state tour will begin in battleground Pennsylvania and, following the stop in western Wisconsin, will include a visit to Detroit later Wednesday, the Raleigh area on Thursday, Savannah and Phoenix on Friday and Las Vegas on Saturday. Reuters first reported on the planned tour. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kamala Harris and running mate to campaign in Wisconsin next week The Kamala Harris campaign condemned Donald Trumps hostility during his appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on Wednesday. The hostility Donald Trump showed on stage today is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office and throughout his campaign for president as he seeks to regain power and inflict his harmful Project 2025 agenda on the American people, Harris campaign communications director Michael Tyler wrote in a press statement. Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in. Donald Trump has already proven he cannot unite America, so he attempts to divide us, he continued. Todays tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trumps MAGA rallies this entire campaign. Its also exactly what the American people will see from across the debate stage as Vice President Harris offers a vision of opportunity and freedom for all Americans. All Donald Trump needs to do is stop playing games and actually show up to the debate on Sept. 10. The Harris campaigns statement came an hour after Trump took the stage with NABJ moderators ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott, Fox News host Harris Faulkner and Semafor politics reporter Kadia Goba. The event itself was not public, but was livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook. Trumps fumbling performance started from the very top of the Q&A, which came about 30 minutes late due to so-called technical difficulties, when he was asked about his past comments about Black people. Well, first of all, I dont think Ive ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner. You dont even say Hello, how are you? Are you with ABC? Because I think theyre a fake news network, a terrible network. And I think its disgraceful that I came here in good spirit, I love the Black population of this country, Ive done so much for the Black population of this country, he said. I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln. I think its a very rude introduction. I dont know exactly why you would do something like that. Let me go a step further: I was told my opponent, whether it was Biden or Kamala, I was told my opponent was going to be here. It turned out my opponent isnt here; you invited me under false pretenses, Trump went on. And then you said you cant do it with Zoom. Well, wheres Zoom? Shes going to do it with Zoom and shes not coming. And then you were half and hour late just so we understand, I have too much respect for you to be late. They couldnt get their equipment working or something. The Republican presidential candidate then personally attacked Harris further, saying, She was always of Indian heritage and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? I respect either one. But obviously she doesnt, because she was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went, she became a Black person. And I think somebody should look into that. After questioning whether the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate was a DEI hire, Trumps team then cut the interview short after the topic of Project 2025 was brought up. Shortly after the public statement from Harris team, Trumps running mate JD Vance issued a statement of his own on X (formerly Twitter), writing, President Trump walked right into the NABJ conference and showed he had the courage to take tough questions, while Kamala Harris continues to hide from any scrutiny or unfriendly media like the coward she is. Harris indeed missed out on the NABJ conference due to self-proclaimed scheduling issues after President Joe Biden dropped out of the November election race and endorsed his VP in the process. While there were supposedly efforts made for a virtual appearance, some reports state otherwise. Additionally, Wednesdays political back-and-forth came a week after Trump effectively dropped out of his September ABC News debate with Harris, which was originally scheduled against Biden. The post Kamala Harris Campaign Slams Trumps NABJ Appearance as Simply a Taste of the Chaos to Come appeared first on TheWrap. This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox. When Kamala Harris arrived in the Senate in early 2017, she was only the sixth Black person to win election to the chamber since Reconstruction and just the second Black woman to get there. Now the Vice President and presumptive Democratic nominee for the presidency could help a third and fourth Black women join the Senate through elections in Maryland and Delaware. And, if things keep trending in Democrats direction, she might even help an eighth Black politician make it to the Senate by way of Texas ballot boxes. In the week since President Joe Biden announced he would step aside from renomination and in short order endorsed Harris, plenty has been said about how the former career prosecutor from California re-energized Democrats optimism that they could block former President Donald Trumps return to power. A staggering $200 million fundraising haul, an aggressive reposturing of Bidens existing campaign machine, and a vibe reboot all have been packed in the last few days with Harris at the helm. But lesser-appreciated are the down-ballot effects that are just now starting to come into focus. In three states, voters are set to cast ballots featuring Black candidates for President and Senate on a major partys ticket. Thats never happened before in our countrys history. When Barack Obama was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2008 and 2012, none of the partys Senate candidates were Black. Both Maryland county exec Angela Alsobrooks and Delaware Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester are running to replace a retiring Democratic incumbent. Both races are in states that tend to send Democrats to Washington, although in this environment nothing is a sure thing. For one, Republican Larry Hogan, the well-regarded former Maryland Governor, remains a potentially popular crossover figure who keeps Democrats in D.C. looking over their shoulder for a surprise late-breaking race. And Delawares Blunt Rochester is seen as a favorite in a state that last sent a Republican to Congress back in 2008, but is far from coasting. And in Texaswhere Harris is set to return on Wednesday for her third visit inside the monthRep. Colin Allred is trailing by single digits in polls against Sen. Ted Cruz. That race remains a tough one for Allreda Democrat hasnt won statewide in Texas in decadesbut Harris campaign is not ready to write off a state that has repeatedly been cast as on the cusp of turning purple until votes start to be counted. Democratic strategists are careful to note that Senate campaigns these days are so large they rival presidential runs of decades past. They have their own inertia and gravity, with one current insider describing marquee Senate races as carrying their own weather systems independent of the national trends. Even so, there is nearly universal relief that Biden is no longer a low-pressure system parked on the down-ballot map. Democrats are running with almost zero margin of error. They hold 47 seats in the Senate and another four independents generally align with them, yielding a fragile one-seat majority. One of those lawmakers, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, is leaving Washington at the end of this term, all but surrendering the seat to Republicans. Across the Capitol, House Democrats are working to close a net five-seat deficit that stands between them and a majority. Republicans have uniformly dismissed Harris boomlet as something of a honeymoon period, a sugar high that will leave Democrats crashing once voters start to inspect Harris record. Her pick of a running mate in the coming days will subject her decision making to scrutiny, and her nominating convention in Chicago in two weeks will be far different than the one planned when Biden was still running. At the fore, however, will be a trio of potential history-making Senators, all of whom stand to take advantage of Harris tailwinds. With an electorateand donor poolalready primed to help Harris make history and block Trump, the Senate races in Maryland, Delaware, and maybe even Texas stand to also add to the meager list of Black people who have won election to the Senate. Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, and Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, sit alongside Sen. Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican, as winners of elections to the chamber, while Sen. Laphonza Butler drew the appointment as a temporary lawmaker from California when Sen. Dianne Feinstein retired early. Of the more than 2,000 men and women to have served in the Senate since the countrys founding, the fact that we are talking about the history-remaking impact of a slate of three Black contenders is still sobering. Its a reality that is lost on no operatives working on Senate races this cycle. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter. Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com. America has no shortage of big donors or political fundraisers, but five years ago, a relatively small group of people looked at the crowded Democratic field in U.S. presidential election and came to the same conclusion they would use their money and influence to support a young senator with little national recognition at the time: Kamala Harris. Some are familiar names to those who follow campaign finance, media titans with known eyes for plucking promising talent out of large pools: superstar Hollywood talent agent Bryan Lourd, Emmy-winning "Glee" producer Ryan Murphy, filmmaker J.J. Abrams, Jeff Shell now the president of Paramount Global and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. But like most campaigns, other early supporters were less well known or moneyed but just as vital: grassroots activists who energized neighbors and posted on social media to drive donations for the woman they wanted to see one day shatter the highest and hardest glass ceiling in America. "She was not focused on how much money did somebody raise. She was focused on 'we're building a community, a network, and a family that believes in my message and wants to help get it to the rest of the country,' Harris' 2019 National Finance Chair Jon Henes told ABC News, noting that they raised over 40 million dollars during her primary campaign. He added, "If you just leave it up to people who can write a big check, you're not going to be able to build a real movement." PHOTO: US Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (Daniel Steinle/Bloomberg via Getty Images) ABC News spoke to over 25 people from Harris' 2019 national finance committee, a group in charge of raising money and galvanizing communities to support their candidate. Some of them were known to Harris as a part of her "Ride or Die" crew. "The finance committee was so diverse racially, geographically, professionally. It laid the groundwork for this moment," Henes said. "So what we're seeing now with these Zoom calls to raise money and the rallies shows the excitement and diversity coming to play." The presidential campaign they invested in then fizzled out two months before the 2020 Iowa caucus. Now, however, it has come roaring back no surprise to many supporters who had watched Harris' ascent long before the world knew her name. The prescient early supporters Neil Makhija, commissioner of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, first met Harris in 2010 when she was running for California attorney general. "I walked up to her and said I had not been that inspired since I heard Barack Obama," he told ABC News, adding that he further told Harris she would be president one day. Multiple "bundlers," as they're called people who collect donations from multiple contributors for a candidate and deliver them as a single, large donation said they saw the same quality in Harris. PHOTO: In this screengrab, Neil Makhija speaks during the AAPI Inaugural Ball hosted by the Biden Inaugural Committee January 19, 2021. (Handout/Biden Inaugural Committee via Getty Images, FILE) Kimberly Marteau Emerson, the regional co-chair of the Southern California Harris Victory Fund PAC, said she also first met Harris in 2010 when she was running for California attorney general. Nearly a decade later, shortly before Harris launched her presidential campaign in 2019, Emerson watched her at an event publicizing her book. "She communicates like Barack Obama. She is that good. She is a great storyteller," Emerson says she told her husband, John B. Emerson, also a Harris PAC regional co-chair as well as a Democratic National Convention (DNC) delegate. "She spoke in a way that helped us relate to her and each other. There was a common humanity." MORE: Harris sees boost in favorability after Biden drops out of race: POLL Emerson said she and her husband knew many candidates who were running in 2020. But the day Harris announced, Emerson texted her: "I'm in." Many of Harris' supporters point to her ability to connect with people. "I thought she had a great people's touch. And an interest in people in all walks of life," Wells Fargo Vice Chairman of Investment Banking Frederick Terrell told ABC News. "She was intellectually curious, our conversations were engaging She will make a fabulous president." Yet some people stressed that winning wasn't the only factor in their decision to invest in Harris. "I'm a values-based supporter. I'm not a frontrunner supporter," said Jill Louis, who was one of Harris' 38 line sisters at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Chapter at Howard University. "We came up in a time when we believed this country stood for freedom and equality that's what we're so steeped in." Jubilation over the new likely Democratic nominee Many donors with whom ABC News spoke for this story said they have been playing the long game in supporting her. And now, with fewer than 100 days remaining before Election Day, many said they've never before experienced this level of excitement in politics. Just an hour after Biden announced on July 21 that he was no longer seeking reelection, top donor and bundler Alex Heckler was in the audience of the Broadway musical "Suffs," based on the women's suffrage movement a century ago and co-produced by Hillary Clinton. As the curtain opened and before the lead actress delivered her first line, Heckler recalls, something unexpected happened. "Before she can say a word, there was an outrageous applause. People started chanting 'Kamala' for a minute," Heckler told ABC News. "I had chills. People in the crowd were crying." PHOTO: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) speaks in conversation with Susie Tompkins Buell (L) during the 28th Annual Professional Business Women of California conference March 28, 2017 in San Francisco, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, FILE) Wanda James, a DNC delegate from Colorado, said realizing that Harris would likely be the Democratic presidential nominee took her back to former President Obama's first campaign. "I feel all 2008 You could hear the Beatles singing 'Here Comes the Sun,' James said. "My phone was ringing and buzzing so much, my phone was hot." MORE: Zoom calls for Harris bring funds, excitement from celebrities and supporters Others told ABC News that while they were initially relieved and excited by the news that Biden had stepped down and endorsed Harris for the Oval Office, they are also facing a blunt reality. "Donors recognize it's more difficult electing a Black woman [a] double whammy in this world of misogyny and sexism," said Susie Tompkins Buell, a longtime Democratic donor and activist who's also a close friend of Hillary Clinton's, for whom she also was a campaign bundler. Yet Buell also feels Harris is the clear pick to support. "It's so obvious. She has the aura. She's tenacious. She has it all," Buell declared, but added that supporters "need to understand the reality of this process This is uncharted territory for all of us." Harris' VP pick Should Harris secure the Democratic presidential nomination, one of her first tasks will be to select a vice presidential running mate, a process that has already begun. Areva Martin, a California at-large Democratic delegate who has known Harris since they were both college freshmen, says she's comforted by the fact that that Harris is supported by strong Democratic leaders. "I like that she picked Eric Holder to do the vetting," Martin said, referring to Barack Obama's former attorney general. "I think he's brilliant. Bringing Holder in is bringing the Obama coalition." PHOTO: Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Barack Obama attend an event to mark the 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House April 5, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, FILE) ABC News has confirmed the two frontrunners for Harris' VP pick remain Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Pennsylvania Governor Mark Shapiro. Nearly every donor with whom ABC News spoke said they supported both. MORE: Kamala Harris expected to name running mate by Aug. 7 Yet a few donors had different ideas. Takeila Hannah, who held the first large fundraiser for Harris in North Carolina during her 2019 campaign, said prior to state Gov. Roy Cooper announcing on July 29 that he was withdrawing from consideration for the position that she would also strongly support him for the job. "What they have in common is they've both been [attorneys general] of states. That's a language they can speak they both come from the law," said Hannah. Dr. Manan Trivedi, a Democratic donor and former candidate for Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district, echoed several others with whom ABC News spoke in saying he hoped Harris would make a more unconventional pick to continue shaking up the race. His choice is Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. "I know it's not going to happen. But as a dad of two daughters and a successful wife, I think we're overdue," Trivedi said. "And I think Gretchen Whitmer is a dominant force and we need Michigan; it's not just because she's female. She has a great record and it brings the race into stark contrast." Looking ahead Since President Biden withdrew from the presidential race just over one week ago, the Harris campaign said it has so far raised over $200 million, including the record-shattering $81 million in donations it received in the 24 hours immediately following Biden's announcement. That enthusiasm, some donors believe, demonstrates high-level support for the candidate. Asif Mahmood was deputy national finance chair for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, as well as the financial point person for Asian outreach for Harris' 2019 campaign. He notes that there are "stark differences" between 2016 and now that work in Harris' favor, one of which is the major boost Harris has received due to the presidential race focusing on Biden's age and other perceived weaknesses for as long as it did. "In 25 years, I haven't seen the energy Kamala is enjoying right now," Asif told ABC News. "This is more than Obama energy." PHOTO: US Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (Daniel Steinle/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Even so, Asif said, the campaign cannot afford to be complacent, particularly regarding the swing states that Clinton lost to Trump in 2016. He expects campaign workers to visit those states to bolster efforts there. Fundraiser Tina Duryea, who's also a Connecticut delegate to the Democratic National Convention, said it's not just the big checks that are significant in this moment. Duryea says she raised a respectable amount of money for Harris from grassroots supporters in the 24 hours after Biden's withdrawal. "I did TikToks, Facebook posts, Threads, Instagram, and raised 30 thousand from small-donor donations," Duryea told ABC News. Michael Kempner, founder and CEO of the global PR film MikeWorldWide, who's accustomed to collecting high-dollar donations for Democratic candidates, said the Harris candidacy is generating renewed interest from potential supporters. "I've received close to a 100 texts, emails and calls from people who want to be more involved who previously were not enthusiastic, Kempner said. The level of excitement feels Obama-esque. There's a level of enthusiasm [that] in my 40 years I have never experienced." Kamala Harris donors say early support made them ready to seize this moment originally appeared on abcnews.go.com For most of his life, Sergio Covarrubias Garcia tried his best to avoid interactions with law enforcement. As a 17yearold, Garcia prayed police wouldnt stop the Chevy truck used to smuggle him and other undocumented men across the border. His nerves only continued. Garcia longed for officers to look away each time he drove to work or school. Despite his efforts, Garcia attracted the attention of Californias top law enforcement officer then-Attorney General and now-presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2012. At the time, Garcia was enduring a yearslong and publicized struggle to become the first licensed undocumented attorney in the nation. To Garcias surprise, Harris came out in support. She went on to submit a written brief backing his legal case and even provided a lawyer from her office to argue for him in front of the state Supreme Court. To know that the top cop in California did not hate me for being undocumented, and was supporting me and wanting me to achieve my dream, Garcia, 47, said. That was huge. Vice president Harris endorsement made the difference in the case and eventually led to a unanimous California Supreme Court decision in Garcias favor, according to Kevin Johnson, dean of UC Davis law school and one of the attorneys who represented the State Bar of California for Garcia. Support had varied immensely for Garcia. While the state bar, civil rights groups and Latino lawmakers argued for his cause, the Barack Obama administration opposed it. When the highest law enforcement officer of a state weighs in and says this is legal, this is permissible, this is possible, the Supreme Court of the State of California listens, Johnson said. She could have ducked and covered and tried to avoid any political controversy. But she sided with the State Bar of California and Sergio Garcia, so, I respect her for that. Harris stance is particularly noteworthy amid renewed disapproval over her immigration record in the White House and prior views on the issue. Back then, Johnson said, support for the undocumented community wasnt so widespread, even in California. Harris has faced scrutiny on immigration from across the political spectrum. Republicans routinely blast her as the Biden administrations border czar, while some Democrats have expressed disappointment that Harris hasnt been a stronger defender of immigrants. Her past championing of Garcia will likely only further the criticism, Johnson said. Im ambivalent about the news getting out there, but I think it was a relatively courageous thing for her to do, to be out there in support of the rights of the undocumented, Johnson said. The vice presidents office and campaign did not respond to requests for comment on this story. Harris took some risks Garcia was born in the western Mexican state of Michoacan and brought to the United States by his parents when he was 17 months old. He traveled back and forth between the two countries until he permanently moved to Northern California at 17. Over the next 15 years, he worked in the almond fields, at a grocery store, received two degrees at community college and earned a paralegal certificate at California State University, Chico. All the while, he moved closer to achieving his childhood dream of becoming an attorney. Hed go on to graduate from law school to pass the bar exam on the first try in 2009. But the state bar, which licenses attorneys in the state and later the California Supreme Court would block Garcias license. The case went on for years, with the U.S. Department of Justice, under Obama, arguing that a 1996 law was plainly designed to preclude undocumented aliens from receiving commercial and professional licenses issued by states and the federal government. Harris, disagreeing with the Justice Department, submitted an amicus brief that said a license for Garcia would comply with state and federal policies that encourage immigrants, both documented and undocumented, to contribute to society. It is not a crime either to be present or to work in the United States without immigration status, and Garcia has never been charged with the crime of unlawful entry, Harris office wrote. In fact, Garcia has been forthright about his immigration status with federal officials and has been approved for a visa when one becomes available. Harris also provided a lawyer from her office to attend Garcias hearings before the state Supreme Court. Sergio Garcia, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, walks with then-state Supreme Court Associate Justice Cruz Reynoso at the state Capitol after being sworn in as an attorney to practice law in California in 2014. This wasnt a slam dunk, and Attorney General Harris took some risks in standing up to the federal government and staking out Californias position, Johnson said. Her support stood out given the Obama administrations opposition, said Garcia while fighting back tears in a conversation last week. He called it an immense morale boost. There was absolutely nothing she could gain from supporting me and a lot to lose, Garcia said. His case inspired the passage of a new state law which allows immigrants without legal status to apply for professional licenses in the state. In 2014, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the law allowed Garcia to be admitted to the state bar and practice law. Kamala has a lot of work to do Nearly two years after Harris voiced her support for Garcia, she invited him to her office. Garcia, now a regarded lawyer living in Chico, California, recalled his nervousness on that February 2014 day. Even then, he still had reservations about law enforcement. Its a little unnerving when the top cop calls you to their office, Garcia said. The two talked for more than an hour, despite one of Harris staff members telling Garcia that he was only granted 30 minutes and not to waste her time. Garcia said Harris later playfully scolded him for repeatedly looking at his watch during the conversation. She reminded me who the boss was, he added. Harris ended the conversation by providing him with a medal of valor. I definitely wasnt nervous after talking to her anymore, Garcia said. I was actually happy and excited and couldnt even believe how fortunate I was to have the support of somebody like her. Today, Garcia is fully backing Harris on her campaign to become the first female president of the United States. Still, he doesnt hide his disappointment with her and President Joe Biden over what he calls a lack of effort for the Latino community and immigration reform during the last few years. In that respect, I would say Kamala has a lot of work to do, Garcia said. If Harris wins the presidency, Garcia wants her to shine for the immigrant community. He wants her to push for immigration reform for the roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants, who have lived in the U.S. for decades. I hope if she gets to become president that she gets to show to the rest of the country, and especially the rest of the Latino community, the person that she showed me, Garcia said. Kamala Harris Lights Up Atlanta With Megan Thee Stallion And Quavo, Calls Out Trump: If Youve Got Something To Say, Say It To My Face Kamala Harris Lights Up Atlanta With Megan Thee Stallion And Quavo, Calls Out Trump: If Youve Got Something To Say, Say It To My Face | Photo: Getty Images Vice President Kamala Harris continues to hit the ground running in her presidential campaign. The presumptive Democratic nominee was in Atlanta on Tuesday, where she had the support of celebrity guests but needed no help firing up the crowd with her vision and her contrasts with former President Donald Trump. Here are the highlights. Supporting Harris to 'stand on business' Megan Thee Stallion came out for Harris, performing songs such as her hit Savage. Megan Thee Stallion performs at Kamala Harris rally in Atlanta: pic.twitter.com/WOTb5LA3LO philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 30, 2024 Megan introduced her hit Body by telling the crowd, If you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for. #MeganTheeStallion performs Body at #KamalaHarris rally in ATL: If you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for. pic.twitter.com/PZHW3HxCEs https://t.co/0bVpU2g9au All Tea All Shade (@TeaTimeTips2) July 31, 2024 Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock reminded the crowd of Trumps attempt to find votes to change the election results in the state, saying, Donald Trump tried to steal your vote. Kamala Harris is trying to earn your vote. Warnock: A Florida man called into Georgia and said I need 11,780 votes. I want you to think about that. Georgia, Donald Trump tried to steal your vote. Kamala Harris is trying to earn your vote. pic.twitter.com/zf3nxII92k MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) July 30, 2024 Atlanta native Quavo, who has worked with the vice president on the issue of gun violence after the killing of his nephew and fellow Migos member Takeoff, also addressed the crowd. One thing I learned about working with Vice President Harris is she always stand on business, Quavo told the crowd. Quavo speaks on raising awareness for gun violence and endorses Kamala Harris for president at her campaign rally in Atlanta. One thing I learned about working with Vice President Harris is she always stand on business. pic.twitter.com/kAMcPN78PA XXL Magazine (@XXL) July 30, 2024 Laying out policy and calling out Trump Quavo handed things off to Morehouse graduate Tyler Greene, who introduced Harris to a raucous ovation from the crowd. JUST NOW: Kamala Harris has just walked out onto the stage at her Atlanta rally. Listen to that applause!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/rVvDYrsqOt CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) July 30, 2024 Harris discussed several policy issues during her speech. Addressing the southern border, which the Trump campaign has used to attack Harris, the vice president touted her record prosecuting drug crimes. As my friend Quavo would say, he does not walk it like he talks it, noting that Trump pressured Republican lawmakers not to support a bipartisan border control bill so he could continue to use it as an election issue. VP: Donald Trump has been talking a big game about securing our border. But he does not walk the walk. Or as my friend Quavo would say, he does not walk it like he talks it. pic.twitter.com/3gVsnJ0f6L Acyn (@Acyn) July 30, 2024 Harris declared she would show Donald Trump what real leadership looks like. VP: So here is my pledge to you. As president, I will bring back the border security bill that Donald Trump killed, and I will sign it into law. And show Donald Trump what real leadership looks like. pic.twitter.com/2br2Q1gzJV Acyn (@Acyn) July 30, 2024 In a moment that went viral, Harris called out Trump for refusing to commit to showing up for their scheduled debate in September. Harris challenged the former president, If youve got something to say, say it to my face. Donald, I do hope you'll reconsider meeting me on the debate stage. Because, as the saying goes, if youve got something to say, say it to my face. pic.twitter.com/fkL9ZYOY3X Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 30, 2024 Harris Atlanta event demonstrated the enthusiasm her campaign has brought to Democrats, particularly to Black voters, and her speech previewed the points shell hammer home on the campaign trail. With three months until Election Day, we will witness whether Trump will meet Harris challenge and see how the vice president works to maintain the energy she has generated. (Bloomberg) -- Vice President Kamala Harris pledged to find bipartisan agreement on the US-Mexico border at a rally in Georgia, seeking to blunt a line of attack from her rival Donald Trump and address one of her campaigns biggest political liabilities. Most Read from Bloomberg As president, I will bring back the border security bill that Donald Trump killed and I will sign it into law and show Donald Trump what real leadership looks like, Harris said in Atlanta on Tuesday, referring to a bipartisan immigration deal that fell apart earlier this year after the Republican nominee urged his party to pull their support, denying President Joe Biden a political victory. Trump has repeatedly attacked Harris for what he calls weak border security stances and mocked her as the border czar referring to her work on solving the root causes of immigration during the early years of the Biden administration. Harris first rally in the battleground state of Georgia since becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee highlighted how her campaign is expanding the electoral map, competing in states the party largely wrote off when Biden was atop their ticket. It also demonstrates how the campaign is reacting to attacks from Republicans on an issue, the border, that polls show voters are more likely to trust Trump to handle than the vice president. Voters have pegged the surge in migrants across the southwest border as one of the defining issues of the 2024 election. She owns every single one of the Biden administrations failure over the last four years, said Trumps running mate Senator JD Vance of Ohio at a rally in Reno, Nevada, Tuesday. She unleashed the worst border crisis in American history on her watch. Harris campaign believes her popularity among key voting groups including women, younger voters and people of color is putting more states in play, according to people familiar with their thinking. Harris has seen a wave of enthusiasm from Democratic voters and lined up support from party heavyweights and donors since entering the race for president a little over a week ago. The excitement among the roughly 10,000 supporters gathered in the arena was on display. Rapper Quavo introduced her and musician Megan Thee Stallion performed in a blue suit and a crop top, floating a new slogan Hotties for Harris, which gained traction on social media. The states Democratic senators, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, also made appearances. Earlier: Harris Expands Push to Compete With Trump in Swing States Turning out Black voters in cities like Atlanta will be key to Democratic hopes of holding the White House. Biden narrowly carried Georgia in 2020 but polls showed his support among Black voters and young voters who helped drive him to victory had weakened. That unpopularity, also fueled by broad voter discontent with his handling of the economy, largely confined Biden to a narrow path to victory dependent on holding a trio of key Great Lakes states. The vice president is shifting that dynamic, targeting not only the so-called Blue Wall of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania but also vying for Sun Belt states Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. Polling Boost Polls have shown Harris narrowing the gap with Trump. A Bloomberg News/Morning Consult survey conducted from July 24-28 found Harris erasing Trumps lead among voters in seven battleground states likely to determine the election. Harris is backed by 48% of voters to 47% for Trump, an edge within the margin of error. In Georgia, the two are tied with 47% support each, with 51% of voters in the state saying they are more likely to vote now that Biden is not seeking reelection. Both Trump and Harris campaigns have indicated they see Georgia in play. Tuesdays rally marks the 15th time Harris has been to the Peach State which is home to 24 campaign offices. Trump and Vance are holding a rally in Atlanta on Saturday. The Republican nominee and his allied super political action committee have booked $14.7 million in advertising in Georgia through the end of August, according to AdImpact. Thats almost triple the $4.9 million that Future Forward PAC, which backs Harris, is set to spend. Harris campaign on Tuesday launched a $50 million ad campaign in battleground states touting her background as a prosecutor. The announcement did not specify how much would be spent in Georgia. Harris is also expected to announce her pick for vice president in the coming days, ahead of an Aug. 7 roll call vote to officially nominate the Democratic ticket. --With assistance from Eliyahu Kamisher. (Adds Vance comments in sixth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris makes a speech during her presidential campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia, United States on July 30, 2024 - Image: Kyle Mazza (Getty Images) What was scheduled as just another political rally quickly turned into a once in a lifetime experience for Atlanta residents and visitors alike. It wouldnt be an ATL event if the stars didnt show up and out, and musical artists Megan Thee Stallion and Quavo took the stage to show their support for Vice President Kamala Harris campaign for the oval office. In case that wasnt enough to fire up the crowd of 10,000 attendees, several Georgia Democrats including Stacey Abrams and Sen. Raphael Warnock graced the stage to support of the presumptive Democratic nominee. Oh my God. This is Kamala Harris rally in Georgia right now. pic.twitter.com/Y4M4ZAtqCM No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) July 30, 2024 But even before her remarks, Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion set the stage on fire with a medley of some of her most notable hits, including Body, which she connected to the ongoing debate about womens rights and reproductive health care. I know my ladies in the crowd love their body, she said. And if you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for. Megan Thee Stallion knows what time it is! We got Women for Harris White Dudes for Harris Hotties for Harris Republicans for Harris The Villages for Harris Kamala Harris will be the next President of these United States. pic.twitter.com/KxZCULW2aO Ryan Shead (@RyanShead) July 31, 2024 Of course haters gone hate, and many on social media had a lot to say about Megans performance. However, her fans and supporters of Harris came to her defense, praising the rapper for using her platform to emphasize the importance of voting. While on stage, Megan also coined Hotties for Harris, which X user @rduran said is a damn good slogan. Its always celebrities should use their platforms to speak on world issues but when Megan speaks at a Kamala Harris rally its what is she doing she has no place in politics like damn you lot are never satisfied Nai-Jelee (@theeglamnaija) July 31, 2024 Gotta hand it to Megan @theestallion, Hotties for Harris is a damn good slogan pic.twitter.com/xUOYYXY27k Trash Panda (@rduran) July 30, 2024 Hometown hero and Atlanta rapper Quavo also hit the stage on a more serious note. The Migos rapper continues his mission to promote the end of gun violence. CNN reports that Quavo sat down with Harris for their second public discussion last month on gun violence prevention in America, following the 2022 shooting death of Quavos nephew and fellow Migos rapper, Takeoff. This ongoing relationship VP Kamala Harris has with Quavo is heartwarming https://t.co/fTFT8Qzcd7 pic.twitter.com/cexSblLxyZ Qondi (@QondiNtini) July 30, 2024 Lets educate the folks about Kamalas relationship with Quavo. Shes was working with Quavo on gun reform/gun violence as VP long before she was ever the presidential candidate. She didnt just pull a random rapper out of Atlanta to say nice things about her. DebateYourStepDaddyNotMe (@CrushedSounds) July 31, 2024 Even though Quavo didnt perform any music, that didnt stop VP Harris from referencing lyrics from his 2018 smash hit Walk It Talk It to call out former President Donald Trump on the ongoing southern border crisis. Kamala Harris quoting Quavo Im cryin "As my friend Quavo would say, he does not walk it like he talks it." pic.twitter.com/j033Vhke5w Hater Report (@HaterReport_) July 30, 2024 Some called Harris joke corny; others called it clever. Regardless of how you feel about it, Georgians in the crowd immediately recognized Harris game and cheered her on. Mind you Quavo and Megan both have had relationships with VP Harris for awhile and have worked with her on different initiatives. This is not pandering. They truly believe in her as a candidate. Mrs. Smith (@MsKevin504) July 31, 2024 Since announcing her bid for presidency, Harris has been endorsed by every Georgia Democrat in the House and Senate. Sen. Jon Ossoff, Sen. Raphael Warnock, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and even Stacey Abrams all spoke in support of Harris during the rally. Abrams championed Harris we are not going back slogan during her speech, which the Georgia crowd chanted back in return. Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams receives cheers of Stacey! Stacey! as she takes the stage. She directs the crowd to instead chant Kamala! Kamala! pic.twitter.com/EJ4hKLdt7Y Chauncey L. Alcorn (@CLamontLives) July 30, 2024 One of the many highlights from the night happened during Harris 20-minute speech. She once again called Trump out for backing down from debating her in September. The vice president told the GOP candidate if you have something to say... say it to my face, and that, ladies and gentlemen, was the call out that everyone was waiting for. Democrats when Kamala said, "Donald, if you have something to say to me, say it to my face!" pic.twitter.com/9B3lXAooAl Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) July 31, 2024 Even Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett reacted to Harris jab on X. SAY IT TO MY FACE (thats the tweet! IFYKYK) Jasmine Crockett (@JasmineForUS) July 31, 2024 X user @TheStefanSmith said Harris fiesty comment spoke directly to a piece of himself that broke in 2016. The VP might just found a new slogan, and the people are here for it all! Kamala Harris proclaiming, SAY IT TO MY FACE! while laughing at Trump has healed something inside me that broke in 2016. Stefan (@TheStefanSmith) July 30, 2024 Tuesdays rally marked Harris 15th trip to the state and her first since Bidens bombshell dropout. The Peach State was key to the presidents 2020 win over Trump, so it is only fair to say Georgia will once again play a vital role in the upcoming election. According to the New York Times, the battleground state was predicted to fall to Trump this time around, but Harris is making her rounds in hopes to keep Georgia blue in November. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. In the past two years, Vice President Kamala Harris has made so many visits to Georgia that Atlantans frustratedly joke that perhaps she doesnt know that there are 49 other states or that maybe shes looking for real estate in the Southern city. But when Harris came to Atlanta on Tuesday night, the tenor of things was noticeably different. This time, she was visiting not as a Biden surrogate, but as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. For the first time in a long time, the commentary around her tripher 15th since becoming VPwas less about the traffic her motorcade would cause (which it did!) or skepticism about the Biden administrations need to pander to Black Georgians. This time, her agenda was clear: Harris was in town to rally Democrats to vote for her for president in November. She was making the case for herself. I am very clear the path to the White House runs right through this state, Harris said to an explosive crowd Tuesday night. The audience of 10,000 peoplewhich her campaign told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the largest shes drawn in the week since kicking off her campaignwas ecstatic. There was chanting, cheering, singing, and dancing for hours in the lead-up to and throughout the event. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion performed at the rally and said: I know my ladies in the crowd love their body. And if you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for. Elijah Nouvelage/AFP via Getty Images Lining the seats and gathered on the floor of the Georgia State Convocation Center were residents from surrounding neighborhoods and further out suburbs and counties. They spanned generations and races; many wore Harris for President tees and buttons, and held signs that said phrases like Herstory in the Making. Numerous attendees described the rally as fun and invigoratingwords that havent been associated with the Democratic Party much lately. Although Harris didnt take the stage until just after 7 p.m., supporters began gathering outside the arena at 1 p.m. When it started to rain, they stayed, tucking themselves under corners of the building, jackets, and umbrellas. By 4:30 p.m. the line to get inside was so long it extended along a bridge over the interstate. Ashley Matta, who wouldnt reveal her age except to say shes in her late 30s and who lives in Atlanta, said shes never been to a political rally before, but wanted to come to Tuesdays because shes excited about the election. I had to come out to support the first female president, she said. The rally itself was a uniquely Atlanta event with the citys love for hip-hop and passion for activism on display. Before singing her hit Body, rapper Megan Thee Stallion said, I know my ladies in the crowd love their body. And if you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for. Behind her, a banner declared that Hotties for Harris were present. Meanwhile, the rapper Quavoa native Atlantangave a speech about admiring Harris promise to fight gun violence, saying, You cant understand the struggle of gun violence if youre not in the field or the heart of it, so one thing I learned about working with Vice President Harris is that she always stand on business. (Quavos nephew and fellow Migos rapper Takeoff was fatally shot in 2022.) The line for the Kamala Harris rally here in Atlanta is all the way over I-75. Its not hyperbole, folks. #gapol #WereNotGoingBack pic.twitter.com/XFvYXSfZZ2 Seth Taylor (@SethTaylor1991) July 30, 2024 It wasnt just celebrities who came out to support Harris. It felt like the whole Georgia Democratic machine was present. Former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, state Democratic Party chair Rep. Nikema Williams, and Mayor Andre Dickens all spoke ahead of Harris, reiterating her qualifications and praising her record in the Senate and, especially, her work as a prosecutor. They hammered the message that Harris is a prosecutor who believes in the rule of law while Donald Trump is a convicted criminalcontrasts Harris also emphasized in her own speech. The crew of politicians, especially Abrams, highlighted Harris role in the Biden administration during the COVID recovery, in forgiving student loan debt, and in investing in historically Black colleges and universities, and reiterated that even though she entered the 2024 race late, she has been planting the seeds for success for years. After all, remember all those trips to Atlanta? The crowd danced the Electric Slide and the Cupid Shuffle, and Swag Surfed as the DJ, Tammi Norman, rotated through a playlist of hip-hop, R&B, pop, and Afrobeats. She also led chants and changed lyrics to songs to include Harris name. It certainly felt like some songs were chosen to motivate voters, and others, like, say, Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar, were chosen to call out Donald Trump and J.D. Vance for being weirdanother message Harris hit on in her own speech when she asked the crowd, By the way, dont you find some of their [Trump and Vance] stuff just to be plain weird? (This mirrors a recent Democratic strategy, somewhat pioneered by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, to just call the Republicans weird for their political positions, especially on reproductive rights and personal freedoms.) Thousands of voters are currently swag surfing at the Harris campaign rally. pic.twitter.com/ilxjpLxtBc Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) July 30, 2024 At another point, the DJ declared, I know someone whos not scared to debate before playing Bone Crusher, Killer Mike, and T.I.s Never Scared. The matter of Trumps unwillingness to debate Harris came up several times, with Ossoff saying, Apparently Donald Trump is too scared to debate Vice President Harris. The candidate dodging debates is the candidate losing. Harris had the final word on the topic when she slowly and deliberately said, Well, Donald, I do hope youll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage because, as the saying goes, If you got something to say, say it to my face, to roaring cheers. Throughout the rally, Trumps name elicited loud boos and chants to lock him up. Bridget Jones, 48, who attended the rally with her partner, Brian Shepherd, 53, said her whole family is invested in seeing Harris win. Weve heard Donald Trump saying some concerning things and dont want four more years of that, she said. Shepherd said the palpable excitement in the arena was undeniable, and he had a few theories as to why Democrats are fired up and having fun again. For one thing, he said, its nice to witness history, but getting to be a part of it from the ground up is a whole other level. Who is Kamala Harris' running mate? A look at the candidates with VP pick expected soon Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign for the White House is building momentum only a few weeks after President Joe Biden announced he would step aside and not seek a second term. With delegates and several prominent Democratic figures lining up behind her, Harris is the leading candidate to secure the Democratic nomination for president to run against Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris waves to supporters during a presidential campaign rally on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at the Georgia State Convocation Center in Atlanta, Ga. And the question on who her vice president pick might be likely will be answered soon. The Harris campaign will visit multiple battleground states with her future running-mate next week, according to the campaign, signaling that a decision on the presumptive 2024 Democratic presidential nominee's pick for vice president is near. Here are potential candidates who could be tabbed as her vice president: Who has the Harris campaign vetted for VP? The Harris campaign began vetting vice president candidates on Tuesday, July 23. The list includes: North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper; Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer; Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro; U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona; Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz; Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker; and Cedric Richmond, a former congressman from Louisiana. While they have been vetted, Cooper and Whitmer have both said publicly they are not interested in the position. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro 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 Shapiro, 51, is serving his first term as Pennsylvania governor after being elected in 2022, with his main accomplishment so far being his oversight of the reconstruction of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia. Before becoming governor, Shapiro released a grand jury report outlining the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests, drafted critiques on the oil industry in the state and joined other states in reaching a multi-billion-dollar settlement with opioid companies while serving as Pennsylvania's attorney general. Before that, the University of Rochester graduate served as a member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona Kelly has served in the U.S. Senate since winning a special election in 2020 after defeating Republican Martha McSally, who was appointed to the seat following the death of Sen. John McCain. He won reelection in 2022. Before entering politics, the astronaut became a NASA Space Shuttle pilot in 1996 while logging a total of 54 days in space. Prior to his work with NASA, Kelly flew combat missions during the Gulf War as a naval aviator. He founded the nonprofit Americans for Responsible Solutions after his wife, then-Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was shot and nearly killed in a deadly mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Buttigieg, 42, has served as the country's transportation secretary under the Biden Administration since 2020. Before his time in Washington, "Mayor Pete" served as South Bend, Indiana, mayor from 2012 to 2020 before making a run at the White House. His national profile increased in 2017 when he ran for chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 2017 before dropping out. Prior to his political career, the Harvard graduate and University of Oxford Rhodes Scholar served as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve while being deployed to Afghanistan for seven months in 2014. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear addresses the VFW National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, Monday, July 29, 2024 Beshear, 46, is among the youngest to be floated as a possible vice presidential pick for Harris. A governor in his second term, he served as Kentuckys attorney general between 2016 and 2019. The Democrat has remained a vocal supporter of Biden and told The Courier-Journal that he would only consider putting his name on a presidential ticket if he could help the commonwealth even more through some other opportunity. Since January, Beshear has traveled to out-of-state Democratic fundraisers at least five times, launching a PAC to support Democrats in red and purple states. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at a Biden-Harris campaign news conference on July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee. A member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, Walz was elected governor in 2018 and won re-election in 2022. His pre-political background includes military service and a career in education. Walz joined the Army National Guard after graduating high school and went on to teach and coach high school football. After he retired from the military in 2005, Walz represented Minnesotas First Congressional District from 2006 to 2019. He serves as the co-chair of the Democratic National Conventions rules committee, which means he could play a key part in the nomination process ahead of the convention in August. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Governor of Illinois JB Pritzker speaks during the WisDems 2024 State Convention on June 08, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A billionaire whose family owns the Hyatt hotel chain is known for raking in millions for the Democratic party over the years, Pritzker has been the Illinois governor since 2019. Pritzker, 59, was widely reported to have personally appealed to Biden on Chicagos behalf to win the bid to host the DNC. Where will Harris and her VP campaign? Reuters first reported on next week's travel plans with Harris and her running-mate and said an announcement could come as early as Monday. Harris and her running-mate will make stops in Philadelphia, western Wisconsin, Detroit, Raleigh, N.C., Savannah, Ga., Phoenix and Los Vegas, the campaign said. The first stop on the four-day blitz will be Tuesday in Philadelphia, which could suggest Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is the pick. Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, is critical to Harris' pathway to victory. But a campaign aide downplayed drawing any conclusions from the schedule. Harris is aiming to name her running-mate before Aug. 7, the Democratic National Committee's self-imposed deadline to virtually confirm the party's presidential and vice presidential nominees ahead of the Democratic National Convention later in the month. Who is the democratic nominee for president? While she is the leading candidate, Harris will not officially accept the Democratic nomination for president until the 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. Joey Garrison, Kathryn Palmer and Maya Marchel Hoff contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Who is Kamala Harris' running mate? A look at VP candidates ATLANTA Vice president and newly minted Democratic presumptive nominee Kamala Harris offered loud and boisterous evidence Tuesday night that its a brand-new race against the GOP nominee, coup-attempter and convicted criminal Donald Trump. The path to the White House runs right through this state, said Harris to a crowd of some 10,000 packed into the Georgia State Convocation Center. The momentum in this race is shifting, and there are signs that Donald Trump is feeling it. Harris repeated lines that have already become a favorite for her audience, contrasting her record of prosecuting sex abusers, suing for-profit college operators, and going after giant banks for fraud against Trump having been found liable for sexual abuse, paying a massive settlement for Trump University, and having been found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to a hide a hush money payment to a porn actor. So hear me when I say: I know Donald Trumps type, Harris said. Harris also answered attacks from Trump and his allies accusing her of enabling an immigration policy that allowed millions of migrants to cross the southern border illegally. She pointed out that it was Trump who tanked a bipartisan immigration bill that would have provided new funding for Border Patrol agents and tightened asylum rules because it would hurt Trumps efforts to regain the White House. Donald Trump does not care about border security, he only cares about himself, she said, adding that as president, she would push that same legislation through Congress and sign it into law, and show Donald Trump what real leadership looks like. Harriss stump speech hit themes familiar to Democrats. Restoring abortion rights, protecting the Affordable Care Act, favoring economic policies that benefit middle-class people over the wealthy, and defending American democracy have been staples of President Joe Bidens message since the 2020 campaign. But Harris has at least for now infused those messages with an energy level not seen in a Democratic national ticket since President Barack Obamas 2012 reelection. Vice President Kamala Harris waves during a campaign rally on Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia. John Bazemore via Associated Press Karl Bryant, a Black 71-year-old retiree wearing an Obama T-shirt from 2008 who recalled crying with joy at an election watch party that November, said Harris is already matching the enthusiasm that Obama had that year. Even more so, because shes got the women on her side, he said. Former Georgia state representative Howard Mosby, 63, said that while Biden won Georgia in 2020 with a low-key campaign, he feared that Black voters did not seem as motivated to vote this time. I think apathy was going to be the killer, he said, adding that that attitude changed overnight 10 days earlier when Biden ended his campaign and endorsed Harris. OK, now weve got a candidate. To defeat Trump in 2020, Biden was able to win five states that Trump had carried in 2016: Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia. Democrats had typically won the first three the so-called Blue Wall states for a generation in presidential elections, while Arizona and Georgia had traditionally been won by the Republican nominee. Georgia, Arizona and Wisconsin had seen the tightest margins, all under single percentage points with Biden winning Georgia by just 11,779 votes. Strategists for the Biden campaign, which effectively became the Harris campaign after he dropped out on July 21, had focused on the midwestern states, where he was polling closer to Trump than the Sun Belt states. Harris visit Tuesday suggests that the campaign sees Georgia and its 16 electoral votes as a plausible target for November. Trump, who handily won the Republican nomination despite four separate criminal indictments against him, announced after Harris rally was scheduled that he would stage a rally in Atlanta at the same venue Saturday. To trust in Kamala Harris, voters must be willing to suspend their disbelief. Forget reality, switch off critical faculties, put your faith in Momala. Invest in the cathartic idea that, somehow, the woman who just a few days ago was widely acknowledged to be the least popular vice president in history has just transformed into the most dynamic political force on the planet. Shes the Trump slayer now and if enough people believe, it will become true. Thats the magic of democracy. Its also the stuff of fairytales. A crucial part of the Kamala myth is that she has a razor-sharp legal brain. Having graduated from Howard and the University of California Hastings College of Law, she was first hired in 1990 as a deputy district attorney in Oakland but her brilliance propelled her to San Francisco, all the way up the citys legal chain until, in 2002, she was elected as District Attorney (DA). From there her smart on crime approach made her famous nationwide. Oprah Winfrey, no less, called her a superstar and boasted of her 90 per cent conviction rate. In 2008, inspired by Obamas presidential victory, she ran to be Californias Attorney General, did brilliantly, and then emerged as a serious candidate for the White House herself. Thats the hagiography, at least, and is already forming a key part of her election campaign. The K Hive her fans whoop and cheer when she reads out this line from the teleprompter: I took on perpetrators of all kinds: predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say, I know Donald Trumps type But the truth about Harriss prosecutorial career is rather more sordid and far less flattering. Others suggest that Harris got into San Franciscos highly political legal system, at least in part, thanks to her romantic attachment with Slick Willie Brown, a married man and west-coast power broker. While they courted, if thats the word, Harris happened to be appointed to two California state jobs which paid her about $400,000 over five years. She got to drive Browns BMW, too. The Harris and Brown attachment did not last, though as Mayor of San Francisco Brown continued to support her. He backed her successful bid to be the citys DA against his then rival, Terence Hallinan. Harris won that election by running to the Right of Hallinan, who was widely seen as soft on crime. And shes now recalled unflatteringly, by Americas progressives as Kamala the Cop, the tough prosecutor who didnt shrink from clamping down on drugs, even if that meant locking up large numbers of black men for minor offences. She also pursued an anti-truancy policy that targeted the often very poor parents of children who bunked off school. But Harriss real record was patchy, to put it mildly. She was blighted by her own flagrant double-standards. Her high conviction rate could be attributed to the number of plea deals she signed to let violent criminals go free. In fact, one of the reasons San Francisco and Los Angeles are so dangerous today is because of liberal measures she pushed through as Californias Attorney General. She was tough on some crime, yet soft on the causes of crime. She was in fact no great friend of the cops: in 2004, she decided not to pursue the death penalty against a gang member who had shot and killed the police officer Isaac Espinoza. A principled stand, perhaps, though she later voted against ballot measures that would have banned capital punishment. Her tough-on-drugs position also evolved, as they say, too. She recently posted on social media that Nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed. Quite a statement from the woman who put so many young men and women in prison for smoking weed. But then, consistency has never been her strong suit. She seems to have always tacked Left or Right depending on which way she felt the political winds were blowing. As a legal authority, for instance, she once opposed a Californian move to decriminalise prostitution. As a presidential candidate in 2019, however, she declared that she favoured the legalisation of sex workers. Her reputation for prosecutorial competence was hardly beyond doubt, either. In her second term as DA, Harris faced accusations of covering up a scandal involving an unreliable and corrupt crime lab worker, though she claimed ignorance. She also had to admit to a huge pimple on the face of her Back on Track programme. The scheme was intended to help prisoners rejoin the workforce but was found to have been sending illegal migrants into jobs they could not legally take. Others suggested that at the time Harris had been too busy eyeing up the bigger job of Attorney General. Certainly, her much-vaunted conviction rate in San Francisco slipped dramatically towards the end of her tenure. But that didnt stop her ascent. Pesky facts never have. 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 United Auto Workers announced Wednesday that their union would endorse Kamala Harris for president. The unions executive board came to the decision because of the Biden-Harris administrations proven track record of standing with the UAW and delivering major gains for the working class, according to a press release from the union. Our job in this election is to defeat Donald Trump and elect Kamala Harris to build on her proven track record of delivering for the working class, said UAW President Shawn Fain in the statement. We stand at a crossroads in this country. We can put a billionaire back in office who stands against everything our union stands for, or we can elect Kamala Harris who will stand shoulder to shoulder with us in our war on corporate greed. Following President Joe Bidens endorsement of Harris, many unions, including the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, or AFL-CIO, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, or IBEW, and the Service Employees International Union, or SEIU, rushed to back Harris. But the UAW held off. Fain even took heat when he appeared on MSNBC to say his union was not going to rush its Harris endorsement without the approval of the union members. The union had previously endorsed Biden in January. In the UAWs announcement, the union cited Harriss commitment to workers on the picket line and in her voting records. Kamala Harris walked the picket line with striking autoworkers in 2019, has taken on corporate price-gouging and profiteering, and has spoken out and voted against unfair trade deals that hurt the American worker like NAFTA and NAFTA 2.0, the USMCA, the statement said. Harris will head to Detroit on August 7 to rally with UAW members and Michigan voters. During that time, she will also meet directly with union members about the issues facing Michigan workers. This campaign is bringing together people from all walks of life, building a movement that can defeat Donald Trump at the ballot box, said Fain. For our one million active and retired members, the choice is clear: We will elect Kamala Harris to be our next President this November. This Kansas City area college has some surprising historical ties to the Civil War Inside Look is a Star series that takes our readers behind the scenes of some of the most well-known and not-so-well-known places and events in Kansas City. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at InsideLook@kcstar.com. If the Missouri Baptist Convention had stuck to its original plan, William Jewell College would be in Booneville or Fulton. But influential Missourians like Alexander Doniphan successfully lobbied the church to choose a parcel of land on a hill north of downtown Liberty instead. The school, one of the first colleges west of the Mississippi, opened its doors in 1849. Work on Jewell Hall, started soon after. The building, and schools, namesake was a physician, educator and politician. He even supervised the construction process until he died, reportedly of sun stroke, in 1852. Though Jewell at times spoke favorably of abolition, he and some of the schools other prominent backers, including Doniphan, did own slaves. Ironically, during the Civil War, the completed Jewell Hall served as a barracks and hospital for Union soldiers. Accounts vary, but at least 17 who died in the Battle of Liberty were buried on the grounds. The campus continued to grow, with buildings like Wornall Hall, which burned down in 1913, and Gano Chapel commemorated on postcards of their own. In 2003, William Jewell and the Missouri Baptist Convention severed all ties. Today, the independent liberal arts school bills itself as the critical thinking college and is best known for its Harriman-Jewell Arts series, which was launched on campus in the 1960s. Having trouble seeing the video? Watch it here. Looking for more Kansas City history? Speaking of the Civil War, how did Lees Summit get its name? The amazing story of Pearl Hill and the river bluffs where Kansas City began How the town of Quindaro rose and fell on the Kansas side of the Missouri River House Speaker Dan Hawkins, left, and Senate President Ty Masterson convinced the bipartisan Legislative Coordinating Council to authorize a 21-member special committee to study options for altering the process of developing an annual state budget. (Screen capture from Kansas Legislature's YouTube channel) House Speaker Dan Hawkins, left, and Senate President Ty Masterson convinced the bipartisan Legislative Coordinating Council to authorize a 21-member special committee to study options for altering the process of developing an annual state budget. (Screen capture from Kansas Legislature's YouTube channel) TOPEKA Leaders of the Kansas Legislature approved formation of an interim committee to study options for changing the process of developing an annual state government budget that didnt depend on when a governor submitted a spending plan to lawmakers. Kansas governors traditionally offered budget insights to House and Senate members during the State of the State speech at outset of legislative sessions in January, but formal budget documents wouldnt immediately be forwarded to legislators. Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said the interim committee would convene for two days this fall to discuss the possibility of enabling the Legislature to get rolling on development of a budget before the governors blueprint was delivered. He said Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys budget outline in January could be considered an alternative to the Legislatures bill rather than a starting point for debate. Then were not on pins and needles waiting for whats this going to look like at the end of our first week of the session, Masterson said. We can introduce our own budget bill. And, really, you still have both options open to you. Masterson said he would appreciate analysis of whether the House Appropriations Committee could be assigned responsibility of pulling together an initial version of the state budget. It would be passed to the Senate Ways and Means Committee for potential amendments, he said. This would be a departure from a tradition of the House and Senate independently producing budget bill. They would start. We would finish, the Senate president said. That would also help us confine our session into the 90 (allotted) days. It just would be a more efficient process. Under the current and potential system, House and Senate negotiators would attempt to resolve differences between the two chambers. Kelly, and future Kansas governors, would retain authority to veto entire budget bills or line-item expenditures in spending bills. Members of the Legislative Coordinating Council, which convenes when the full Legislature wasnt in session, approved formation of the bipartisan 21-member committee to consider amending the budget process. Republicans would take as many as 15 seats on the committee, while Democrats could be appointed to at least six seats. House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, said the special committee could investigate the surge in budget provisions tucked into the budget by conference committees comprised of three House members and three Senate members. The six-person committees include four Republicans and two Democrats. Conference committee reports cannot be amended only accepted or rejected. Ive been thinking a long time about the budget process and certainly the fact that most of us would agree that we have way too many provisos coming in at the end during conference committees. It happens every time, Hawkins said. In the 2024 legislative session, he thought there were 30 to 40 special-interest provisos shoved into the budget. More often than not, these provisions werent considered by the House and Senate before dropped into the bill. Several provisos during the most recent legislative session not only directed the state to spend money, but identified a specific company or recipient of that earmark. Most of those items never get a chance to be vetted by the budget committees, Hawkins said. Kansas Republican supports stock ban for Congress. He wont say what hell do with his own Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. When Prasanth Reddy left his job as a vice president at LabCorp to run for Congress in Kansas 3rd Congressional District, he left with at least $250,001 in stock in the company. Reddy built a multi-million dollar financial portfolio during his career as a cancer physician and medical executive. He holds between $315,004 nd $651,000 in stocks in four companies, according to his campaign finance disclosure report. Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when members of Congress came under scrutiny for their transactions, pressure has been building on Congress to prohibit members from owning stock. Candidates now regularly pledge to support a ban. Reddy, the favorite to win next weeks Republican primary to face Rep. Sharice Davids in November, is among the candidates who support a ban. But he declined to say whether he would divest from his stock if elected in November. He told The Star that members of Congress shouldnt be trading their own stock or directing their own trades. Part of the reason I am running for Congress is because Im tired of self-serving politicians doing one thing but saying another, including trying to enrich themselves from insider trading, Reddy said. I will never support any effort to legalize insider trading among members of Congress, and will never vote on legislation to enrich myself. Reddys part of a larger pattern, said Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican who has sponsored several bills to prevent lawmakers and their families from owning individual stocks. He said people will campaign on stock bans but fail to follow through once they arrive in Washington. When its time to vote on it theyre like, Oh, well I have concerns, Hawley said. The concern is they dont want to give up the money. Thats the concern. Hawley has co-sponsored a bipartisan bill making its way through the Senate. The bill, which prevents lawmakers and members of their immediate families from owning, buying or selling stock, has already cleared a Senate committee, and Hawley has been promised it will get a vote on the Senate floor. But such bills have floundered before. And members of Congress, including both Senators from Kansas Republicans Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall continue to hold stock, as of their latest financial disclosure reports. Hawley does not hold any individual stock. The problem is that the perception out there, which is not inaccurate, is that Congress is full of rich people not me, sadly but rich people who are up here focused on getting richer, Hawley said. And we look at many members of Congress trading stock and its like, thats not wrong. An effort to ban Earlier this month, Hawley stood with four Democratic Senators and announced a breakthrough. After years of stalled legislation aimed at limiting stock trading, the group now had a bill they believed could make it through a Senate committee. It was a small step the bill still needs to be passed by the full Senate and House but Hawley appeared encouraged that it would make progress. There is no reason why the personal profit of members of Congress should come first, Hawley told reporters. It should come last, it shouldnt be a consideration at all. And Im proud to say I think this bill takes a giant step forward to get into that place. I think its a tough bill. I think its a serious bill. The bill, called the ETHICS Act, would ban members of Congress and their immediate family from buying or selling stock within 90 days after its passed. It would require lawmakers to divest from their individual stocks within 120 days and prevent them from forming blind trusts. If lawmakers dont divest, they would be fined 10% of the value of their individual stocks every 30 days. The bill would effectively strengthen the existing STOCK Act, passed in 2012, which requires lawmakers to report any stock trades within 45 days of the transaction. As Congress has failed to pass a ban, some investors use the reports required under the STOCK Act to mimic the transactions made by members of Congress. Where they stand While the Senate proposal currently has momentum, its one of many proposals floating in Congress. Davids, a Kansas Democrat, signed on to a House bill in 2022 that would require members and their families to put individual stock into a blind trust. The Senate legislation prevents members from using blind trusts. To prevent misconduct and ensure all Members put their constituents first, the U.S. House must take up legislation that imposes stronger measures against insider trading, Davids said. This is about restoring faith in our federal government, a core reason why I ran for Congress in the first place. Generally, the lawmakers who most support individual stock bans dont have individual stock. Neither Davids nor Karen Crnkovich, another Republican running in the district, currently own stock that would be banned by the Senate bill. Crnkovich, like Davids, supports allowing members to move their individual stock into blind trusts. While Davids owned stock in several green energy companies when she first entered Congress Energy, Maxeon Technologies, Organovo Holdings and SunPower Corporations she sold her stock three months after signing onto the House bill. Only one transaction earned her more than the minimum reporting requirement of $1,000. While Reddy indicated he was supportive of a stock ban, he largely limited his objections to insider trading which is already illegal and members of Congress buying and selling their own stock, which stops short of preventing members of Congress from holding stock at all. Reddys individual stock makes up between 12% and 15% of his financial portfolio which spans from a minimum of $2 million to a maximum of $5.1 million, according to his financial disclosure. Instead, most of his money is in exchange traded funds and mutual funds the same type of funds that Davids and Crnkovich have. Crnkovich has between $30,016 and $275,000 when not including her HVAC company, which is valued between $10 and $50 million, and Davids has between $21,007 and $140,000, not including a rental property she owns which is valued between $250,000 and $500,000. Unlike individual stock, exchange traded funds and mutual funds contain several investments limiting the perception that a politician is making trades based on any knowledge they may have gleaned from their role in Congress. The idea that any member of Congress who has, they have purview to information that the general public does not have, Crnkovich said. And the idea that they could leverage that inside information essentially to further enrich themselves is absolutely atrocious. A woman is suing a Kansas hospital for refusing to provide her an abortion, claiming officials said it was too risky to perform the procedure due to the heated political environment in the state. Mylissa Farmer filed her lawsuit in Kansas City on Tuesday against the University of Kansas Health System. The lawsuit comes after Farmer went to the hospital on August 2, 2022, 18 weeks along with a pregnancy that was no longer viable because her water broke too early. In June 2022, the Supreme Court had overturned Roe v Wade, ending nationwide access to abortion. On August 2 of that year, Kansas lawmakers were considering a referendum to eliminate the right to an abortion, which is listed in their state constitution. The referendum failed, and the right to an abortion remained in effect. Farmers providers said an abortion would be too risky given the heated political environment in the state that day, she claims in the lawsuit. Two opposing signs ask residents to vote yes and no to remove the right to an abortion from the Kansas constitution. A Kansas woman is suing a local hospital because she claims they refused to provide her an abortion on the day of the vote due to concerns about the heated political environment (Getty Images) As a result, Farmer traveled to Illinois to obtain an abortion two days later, but the delay had already caused extensive damage to her health, according to the lawsuit. Farmer is arguing her providers violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. The act is a federal law that requires hospitals to provide stabilizing treatment for emergency medical conditions. If the hospital cannot stabilize the patient, they must transfer the patient to a hospital that can, the law states. Farmer is also arguing the hospital violated the states anti-discrimination law. The University of Kansas Health System has denied Farmers claims. Jill Chadwick, media relations director for the hospital system, told The Independent that Farmer received appropriate, non-discriminatory care that complied with all applicable law. The specific care and treatment decisions made in a particular situation are guided by our exceptional practitioners and specialists and involve a number of factors, including the specifics of that patients condition, the appropriate treatments available at the time treatment decisions are being made, applicable law and sound medical judgment, Chadwick said. Abortion access has become more difficult across the nation since the end of Roe. Abortion is banned outright, with few exceptions, in 14 states, all of which are Republican-controlled. Many people have since been forced to carry unwanted or dangerous pregnancies, while others are forced to travel hundreds of miles to obtain reproductive healthcare. A new study released this week revealed more women have resorted to unsafe measures to end pregnancies since the Supreme Court decision. The methods that women reported included eating herbs, drinking alcohol, hitting themselves in the stomach, inserting an object into their body and lifting heavy items, according to a peer-reviewed medical study. We recently compiled a report on the 17 Countries with Zero Income Tax and have ranked countries based on their GDP per capita. In this article we will look at the country with zero income tax with highest GDP per capita. Business Opportunities in Countries with Zero Taxes Imagine living in a country where your entire paycheck remains untouched by income taxes, offering unparalleled financial freedom. The total tax wedge in OECD countries was around 34.8% in 2023, while some nations have adopted a different approach, forgoing income taxes altogether. These tax havens, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and the Bahamas, attract expatriates, entrepreneurs, and retirees seeking to maximize their earnings and enjoy a higher standard of living. In comparison to OECD countries where taxes are quite high, new startups prefer to establish businesses in countries with low taxes. Even though the average corporate income tax rate in the high-income countries across the OECD dropped from 47% in 1980 to 23% in 2021, the average taxes in OECD countries are still high compared to countries with zero income tax. Countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are some of the best countries for expats with low taxes and high quality of life. The International Monetary Fund highlights that these countries frequently experience higher rates of foreign investment and economic diversification. For instance, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have thrived by leveraging their natural resources and strategic economic policies, contributing to their impressive GDP per capita figures. Qatar has a GDP per capita of $112,280, which is the fourth largest in the world, making it one of the richest countries in the world by GDP per capita in 2024. Similarly, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in various industries such as tourism and sports. Bloomberg reported that the Saudi government plans to spend over $800 billion on tourism over the next decade. The goal is to attract around 150 million tourists a year by 2030, with nearly 70 million visiting from abroad. According to the EY Q1 2024 IPO report, the markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) saw 10 new IPOs. The companies with IPOs in MENA countries have had the highest returns in 2023 and 2024 so far, compared to the rest of the world. In MENA, the 2023 IPOs had a median net profit of 12%, followed by China at 11%. The 2024 IPOs so far have returned a median net profit of 17% which is 6% higher than China, the second-best market. Out of the 10 new IPOs during Q1 2024 in MENA, nine of them took place in Saudi Arabia, raising a total of $724 million. The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) welcomed one listing in Q1 2024, namely Parkin Company PJSC (DFM:PARKIN), raising $429 million in the government and infrastructure sector. This is the third RTA asset that is listed alongside Salik and Dubai Taxi Company (DTC). Despite the ongoing tensions in the region, MENA has been at the top when it comes to IPO activity. Investors have shown interest in these tax-free countries, considering their high economic development. In addition, around 25 private companies and 10 funds intend to list on the MENA exchanges in 2024. Companies from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have announced their listing plans including Lulu Group, Spinneys, and Etihad Airways PJSC. Story continues The New Listing on DFM Parkin Company PJSC (DFM:PARKIN) made its debut on the Dubai Financial Market on March 21, at a par value of 0.02 AED with 3 billion issued shares. PARKIN is trading for 3.18 AED and has a market capitalization of 9.72 billion AED, as of July 31. Parkin Company PJSC (DFM:PARKIN) shares soared over 30% on March 21, raising a record $429 million on its IPO. Parkin Company PJSC (DFM:PARKIN) is Dubais leading public parking provider with 100% on and off-street paid public parking market share. The company has a 91% share of Dubai's overall on-and off-street paid parking market. The company has over three decades of track record, making it a market leader. Parkin owns around 197,000 paid parking spaces across Dubai with the majority of its parking areas under long-term contracts. The company offers six digital payment channels and four payment methods. In addition, Parkin Company PJSCs (DFM:PARKIN) 49-year Concession Agreement with the RTA allows the company exclusive rights to operate all of the RTA's paid public on- and off-street parking. Around 61% of people in Dubai travel via private cars compared to 14% that use public transport. With affordable car prices in Dubai, it is easy for the majority of people to own a car. During 2023, the company served over 4 million unique customers with over 95% customer satisfaction rating. Parkin operates in high-density areas of Dubai including Deira, Business Bay, and Jumeirah. In the first half of 2023, Dubai recorded a 63% year-over-year increase in residency visas issued by the government. Whereas, golden visas saw a 52% increase, visit visas soared by 34%, and tourist visas by 21%. Parkin Company PJSC (DFM:PARKIN) has control over the market with no competition at all. On March 21, the Chairman of the company, Ahmed Hashem, told CNBCs Dan Murphy that Dubai is on a growth trajectory, and Parkin being an integral part of the city will naturally grow as well. In 2023, Parkin Company PJSC (DFM:PARKIN) generated a revenue of 779 million AED. The company has a cash conversion of 99% and 57% EBITDA margin, as of 2023. The public parking demand is expected to grow by 60% over the next 10 years and Parkin Company PJSC (DFM:PARKIN) is prepared to make massive profits. Parkin is also offering a dividend of 100% of profit or free cash flow to equity, subject to distributable reserves requirements. The United Arab Emirates is gaining investors attention with increased business activities. Without further ado, lets take a look at the country with zero income tax. The Country with Zero Income Tax Pixabay/Public Domain Our Methodology To compile our list of the countries with zero income tax in the world, we shortlisted the countries with no personal income taxes. The data for personal income taxes was taken from the PwC and cross-checked with the Trading Economics database. The income tax data for countries is updated as of 2022, 2023 and 2024. The GDP per capita of countries was taken from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) database. For the countries whose GDP per capita data was not available on IMF, we took it from the World Bank. The GDP per capita (PPP) for the British Virgin Islands was not available on the above-mentioned sites so we took the data from CIA.gov. At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here). The Country with Zero Income Tax Monaco GDP Per Capita (2022): $240,862 Monaco is a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera and has a GDP per capita of $240,862,. Monaco is renowned for its luxurious lifestyle and zero-income tax policy, attracting a significant number of wealthy individuals. Approximately one in three residents in Monaco are millionaires, making it a prime location for high-net-worth individuals. Monaco's economy is bolstered by tourism, real estate, and banking, with its stable political environment and robust financial regulations further enhancing its appeal. The absence of income tax, combined with its prestigious reputation and favorable investment climate, makes Monaco a highly desirable destination for investors. Monaco does not have any sort of personal income tax or capital gains tax. In addition, the state has no property taxes. However, rental properties are taxed at 1% of the annual rent excluding other applicable charges. Monaco ranks first among the countries with zero income tax. If you want to know about other countries with zero income tax, you can check our report on the 17 Countries with Zero Income Tax. At Insider Monkey, we delve into a variety of topics, however, our expertise lies in identifying the top-performing stocks. Currently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology stands out as one of the most promising fields. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NVDA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion Opportunity for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June Disclosure: None. This article is originally published on Insider Monkey. SALT LAKE CITY (KTVX) A former Utah state employee has signed a plea deal after a teenagers miniskirt was yanked down in a restaurant, an incident that made national headlines due to a viral TikTok video. Ida Ann Lorzeno, 49, of Santa Clara, pleaded no contest to a single misdemeanor count of sexual battery, court documents show. While Judge Jay Winward has yet to officially sign off on the deal, he didnt signal any objection to it Tuesday while in court. Bodycam footage shows arrest of Utah Karen from viral miniskirt video Under the agreement, which both Lorenzo and her attorney signed, her plea will be held in abeyance for a year as long as Lorenzo doesnt break the law, doesnt contact the victim, and agrees to undergo a mental health evaluation. If Lorenzo complies with the terms, the case will be dismissed. However, if she fails, a warrant could be issued, her guilty plea will be accepted, and she could face a maximum penalty of 180 days in jail. Per the court documents, Lorenzo pleaded no contest to knowingly and intentionally touch[ing] the buttocks of another person under the circumstances she should have known would cause affront or alarm. Karen in viral video facing sexual battery charge for pulling down teens skirt in Utah restaurant The incident happened on April 20 at Sakura Japanese Steakhouse in St. George, Utah. Lorenzo told investigators that the teenagers buttocks and vagina were exposed to people sitting in the lobby, including children. In her interviews with police, Lorenzo said she felt compelled to pull down the teens skirt to cover her exposed body. Everyone behind me applauded, she told police in a phone call. In the immediate aftermath, the teenagers friends recorded their interactions with Lorenzo. In one video, which amassed nearly 15 million views on TikTok, Lorenzo identified herself as a state employee and threatened to call Child Protective Services on the teenager. The TikTok video labeled Lorenzo as a Karen, a slang term for a privileged middle-aged woman, and Lorzeno initially contacted police over concerns about online harassment. But in the days that followed, the teenager also contacted police, telling investigators that Lorenzo came up to her unannounced, touched her buttocks with her bare hands, and pulled her skirt down. The 19-year-old told police she felt violated, and she disputed that her private parts were ever exposed. After Lorenzo was arrested and charged with sexual battery, she lost her job with the Utah Attorney Generals Office, where shed been hired only weeks before as a legal consultant. Nexstars KTVX has reached out to Lorenzos attorney for a comment but has yet to receive one. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Kari Lake speaks at an Oct. 10, 2023, event launching her 2024 campaign for the U.S. Senate. Photo by Caitlin Sievers | Arizona Mirror Kari Lake has defeated Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, according to the Associated Press, which called the race for Lake shortly after initial vote totals were released by the Arizona Secretary of States Office on election night. With more than 958,000 ballots tallied statewide, Lake led Lamb by nearly 14 percentage points as of late on election night. She will move on to face Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego, who was running unopposed, in the general election on Nov. 5. Lake is a former longtime Phoenix news anchor who got involved in politics in 2021, when she ran for Arizona governor, garnering the support of former President Donald Trump. At her election watch party on election night, Lake thanked Trump for his endorsement, advice and friendship. That guy is literally bulletproof, Lake said, referencing the attempted assassination of the former president on July 13. She went on to say that she believes God saved the country when he saved Trumps life that day. He cant do this alone, he needs backup in Washington, D.C., and Im gonna be his backup, Lake said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Lake lost the race for governor to Democrat Katie Hobbs in 2022, but has refused to accept the results of the election. She followed in Trumps footsteps, claiming that the election was rigged and unsuccessfully challenging the results of the election in court. Lake announced her bid for U.S. Senate in October 2023, as she continued to appeal her losses in the election challenge case. Lake filed her most recent appeal in the case just weeks ago. Her lawyers in that case have been sanctioned by the Arizona Supreme Court for lying in legal filings about illegal ballots being counted in Maricopa County in 2022. One of her attorneys was recently suspended from practicing law for 60 days for that transgression. Shes also in the midst of a defamation suit, filed in June 2023 by Republican Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, for falsely accusing him of intentionally sabotaging the 2022 election. Lake has already legally conceded that the statements she made about Richer were false, and the case is now in process to determine how much in damages Richer is owed. Lamb, who made a promise to secure the border a central part of his Senate campaign, was elected Pinal County Sheriff in 2017 and claimed he has been on the front lines fighting criminal cartels. Pinal County does not share a border with Mexico. Lamb ran his own pest control business until pursuing a career in law enforcement. Lamb ran on a platform of God, family and freedom and promised to stand up to the woke left, if elected. Lake, who has enjoyed a substantial lead over him in polls, declined to debate Lamb last month, but she previously debated him in May. In the runup to the 2022 election, Lake lambasted Hobbs and called her a chicken for refusing to debate Lake. On election night, Lake described Lamb and his wife as her friends who she views as family. Lake used her election night speech to continue to attempt to entice traditional Republicans and Democrats to vote for her, after telling McCain Republicans during her 2022 gubernatorial campaign to get the hell out. This is not a battle between Democrats and Republicans, this is a battle between good and evil, Lake said. This is a battle between the people who want to destroy this country and the people who want to save America. As she has done in the past, Lake continued to describe Gallego as the favorite congressman of President Joe Biden, this time adding in that hes also the favorite of Vice President and presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris. Lake called Gallego an extreme liberal Democrat from Chicago who was handpicked to move to Arizona and try to make it socialist. She also accused him of voting for legislation that brought the highest inflation weve seen in 20 years but did not describe which legislation she was referring to. Gallego is a Harvard graduate and decorated former Marine who was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and served several tours of duty. Lake went on to call Gallego an open border zealot who wants to grant asylum to undocumented immigrants and inaccurately claimed that he also wants to allow them to vote in the November election. Lake also spoke to Arizonas Latino community, saying that 75% of her family (her husband and two children) are Latino. They work hard, they care about their family, they care about their faith, she said. Lakes campaign released a memo Tuesday night calling Gallego a weak candidate, and promising to defeat him in November. This pivotal win positions Arizona as one of the top pickup targets for the Senate GOP in the upcoming November election, the campaign said. On election night, Gallego released a statement, also welcoming Republicans, Democrats and independent voters to help him defeat Lake in November. In the 554 days since we launched this campaign, Arizonans in every corner of the state have made clear that they want a U.S. Senator who can bring people together to defend abortion rights, cut costs for families, protect our water future, and take care of our veterans and thats exactly what I intend to do, Gallego said. Lake has changed her stance on abortion, saying during the 2022 race for governor that she supported abortion bans, but then this spring speaking out against Arizonas total abortion ban that originated in 1864 after the state Supreme Court ruled that it was enforceable. Also in an election night statement, the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, called Gallego a proven fighter for the priorities of Arizonans and their families. While Ruben has always fought for Arizona, Kari Lake is a power hungry liar who is only ever fighting to advance herself, Peters said in the statement. Lakes record opposing reproductive freedom and supporting an 1864 abortion ban without exceptions for rape or incest is just one of the many ways she is out of line with Arizona voters. This November, Arizonans will reject Lake again and elect Gallego to the Senate. The National Republican Senatorial Committee released its own statement on Tuesday night, congratulating Lake on her commanding victory. Arizonans must unite to defeat Ruben Gallego, one of the most radical Democrats in the country, NRSC Chairman Steve Daines said in the statement. Ruben Gallego will work with Kamala Harris to abolish ICE, defund the police, and pass more reckless spending that will drive prices up. Kari Lake will work with President Trump to secure the border, get crime under control, and bring down prices. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Kari Lake won her Republican primary in Arizona on Tuesday and will now face Democratic challenger Rep. Ruben Gallego in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched and hard-fought U.S. Senate races in the 2024 general election. Lake, a former television news anchor, has been one of former President Donald Trump's most loyal defenders with a national reputation for election denialism and attacking the media as "fake news." The 54-year old Republican beat out two other primary contenders, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb and Elizabeth Jean Reye, in a race in which she was long viewed as the front-runner. Gallego represents a portion of Phoenix and did not have a Democratic primary challenger in his bid to succeed freshman Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an independent who opted for retirement this November. Arizona Republican senate candidate Kari Lake onstage ahead of the start of the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. Lake had long been considered the presumptive Republican Senate nominee even before she officially put her hat in the ring. She received endorsements from most of the Republican establishment in Washington, as well as Trump, during a primary campaign in which she was mentioned as a possible Trump vice presidential pick. Lamb was also a Trump supporter but shied away from seeking big-name endorsements during the primary election. Republican Gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake holds a press conference as she tours the U.S.-Mexico border on November 04, 2022 in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Lake visited the border to outline her plan for border security. Lake was joined by (L-R) Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, Arizona State Senator David Gowan, Republican Senate Candidate Blake Masters and Final County Sheriff Mark Lamb. Endorsements dont mean much in modern-day elections, and we arent pursuing them. Thats because voters dont want to be told how to vote by political power brokers," Lamb's campaign told The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, in March. He raised many of the same issues as Lake but with a measure of elective success, a lack of money compared with his main primary opponent, and less hostility to the media covering a race that could help determine control of the U.S. Senate next year. The Arizona Senate race is one of a handful of competitive contests in the November general election that could determine which party controls the upper chamber in the 119th Congress. Beyond Arizona, Democrats are fighting to hold on to seats in Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The Cook Political Report listed Michigan, Montana, Nevada and Ohio seats now held by Democrats as "toss-ups." Arizona, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are listed as "leans Democratic." This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Kari Lake wins Arizona GOP primary for U.S. Senate race Republican Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake waves to supporters as she arrives on stage after being declared the primary winner on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Phoenix. | Ross D. Franklin Kari Lake was declared winner of the Arizona Republican Senate primary Tuesday, setting her up to face Democrat Ruben Gallego in November. Lake defeated her opponent, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, after receiving the endorsement of former President Donald Trump earlier this year. Lake campaigned for Trump across the country in the early months of the Republican presidential primary before pivoting to focus on the Arizona Senate race. Lake and Gallego are running to replace Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who ran as a Democrat but switched to become an independent senator midway through her term. Lake previously ran for governor in 2022, losing to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, and had been floated as a potential running mate for Trump before deciding to run for Senate. After losing to Hobbs, Lake refused to concede, filing several unsuccessful lawsuits in an attempt to overturn the results. But Lake, a former TV news anchor in Phoenix, is no longer talking about her gubernatorial run, instead focusing on her race against Gallego. At her election night victory party, Lake said she would be a backup in the Senate for Trump, if he wins reelection in November. She also criticized Gallego, a U.S. representative, who she said has a destructive voting record that is destroying Arizona, according to The New York Times. Arizona is considered a swing state, and voters there could determine the outcome of both the presidential race and control of the Senate in November. Supporters of Republican Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake cheer as she speaks on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Phoenix. | Ross D. Franklin Republican Kari Lake easily glided to victory in the Arizona Senate GOP primary, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ, teeing up a marquee showdown between her and Democratic Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego. Lake was largely seen as the presumptive GOP nominee in the Republican contest to replace retiring Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I), as her only real challenger was Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. Gallego ran uncontested in the Democratic contest. Lake ran for Arizona governor in 2022 and narrowly lost to Gov. Katie Hobbs (D). Congratulations to Kari Lake on her commanding victory in tonights primary, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines said. Arizonans must unite to defeat Ruben Gallego, one of the most radical Democrats in the country. Ruben Gallego will work with Kamala Harris to abolish ICE, defund the police, and pass more reckless spending that will drive prices up. Kari Lake will work with President Trump to secure the border, get crime under control, and bring down prices. Following her primary victory Tuesday night, Gallego released a statement hitting Lake over reproductive rights. In the 554 days since we launched this campaign, Arizonans in every corner of the state have made clear that they want a U.S. Senator who can bring people together to defend abortion rights, cut costs for families, protect our water future, and take care of our veterans and thats exactly what I intend to do, Gallego said. From now until November, I welcome all Arizonans Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike to join our team and help defeat Kari Lake and her dangerous plan to ban abortion and hurt Arizonans. Lake, also a former local news anchor, has repeatedly refuted her election loss despite multiple court challenges getting tossed. The firebrand conservative has sought to court skeptics and moderate Republicans she isolated last cycle, with limited success. Gallego, meanwhile, has sought to eschew his progressive bona fides, including having his membership expire with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. An aggregate of Arizona Senate polls compiled by Decision Desk HQ shows Gallego leading Lake 47 percent to 43 percent. The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Sinemas seat as lean Democrat. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Most races on Arizonans' primary election ballot remained too close to call on Wednesday, with voters closely split on who should lead their municipalities or represent them at the state and national capitals. But Tuesday's primary election also solidified some November matches, and offered some tea leaves about questions to come. A top-ticket race for U.S. Senate had a clear winner, but that victor wasn't able to carry the state two years earlier. A few hiccups aside, election officials reported a mostly smooth day, though some voters still expressed skepticism. And, though it was mixed in early results, the GOP grassroots showed signs it is still in the grip of former President Donald Trump. Here are five takeaways from Arizona's primary election results, so far. Kari Lake wins Senate GOP nomination, but viability questions remain Former TV news anchor Kari Lake was declared the winner of her contest for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., less than an hour after the first results came in. She defeated Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb and a third, longshot candidate. Lake held a sizeable overnight lead over Lamb, but one that was significantly smaller than her own campaign predicted. It raised a question as she faces Democrat Ruben Gallego in November: Does Lake need to make amends with Republican voters to win their support, and win the Senate seat? Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake speaks after her primary win at the Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak on July 30, 2024. In her first political campaign, Lake ran statewide for governor in 2022. She campaigned on claims of election fraud and alienated voters faithful to former Sen. John McCain, ultimately losing to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs by just over 17,000 votes, less than 1 percentage point. Crowded congressional contests too close to call A trio of contested congressional races were the night's biggest nail-biters, with no winners declared and votes still being counted. Former state Rep. Amish Shah had a narrow lead in the battle for a Scottsdale-centric congressional seat, a race that saw six Democrats vying for the party's nomination. Democrats consider the seat a pickup opportunity in November and hope to unseat incumbent Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz. In two other races, the winner in the contested primary will emerge favored to win in November because of the partisan makeup of the districts. Attorney and former Arizona attorney general candidate Abe Hamadeh is ahead in the West Valleys 8th Congressional District, a race that saw competing endorsements by former President Donald Trump. Former Phoenix Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari was on top in the Phoenix-area 3rd Congressional District, a Democratic stronghold. 'Smooth sailing' on election administration ... A printer jam and a late-opening polling place were among the sparse problems reported by election officials on Tuesday. It was a welcome, well-run election in a state where election conspiracies have taken root. "Today's primary election across the Grand Canyon State has been mostly smooth sailing," said Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat. ... but there are still skeptics One low-profile election may not convince some voters who have bought into years of doubt cast by some Republican candidates or influencers. Theories about what types of pens voters can use on ballots surfaced again Tuesday, as one example, and several voters told The Arizona Republic they did not trust mail-in voting. "I really dont know where my ballot goes when I mail it in," said Sharon Moore of San Tan Valley. "I just want my vote to be counted correctly." Karen Becker, of Gilbert, voted in person Tuesday at a community center near her home. She's voted in person since 2020 because she believes that election was stolen, she said. GOP still goes MAGA, mostly Voters dedicated enough to show up in low-turnout primaries are their party's most dedicated voters, and it seemed Tuesday the Arizona GOP again showed its loyalty to former President Donald Trump and his brand of Make America Great Again politics. MAGA fever has not broken, with a few exceptions. Hamadeh won Trump's endorsement, and in several other races Trump-aligned candidates appeared to cruise to re-election or unseat incumbents. In an upset, state Rep. Justin Heap bested incumbent Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, who has stood up to claims of election fraud and received threats as a result. Richer conceded the race Wednesday morning. Heap, of Mesa, is a Trump supporter who as a lawmaker supported election changes like dividing up massive Maricopa County and its voting power. Former state Rep. Mark Finchem, who lost the 2022 race for secretary of state, appeared on course to defeat incumbent Prescott Sen. Ken Bennett, who has been attacked for splitting from his party on votes at the Legislature. Likewise Sen. Wendy Rogers, arguably one of the most outspoken Trump supporters at the Statehouse, held a lead over challenger David Cook, a state representative. But there were a couple of outliers in the early unofficial results available Tuesday. A neck-and-neck race in LD17 saw former lawmaker Vince Leach, a more traditional pro-business Republican, with a tight lead over Justine Wadsack, a vocal member of the Legislature's ultra-conservative Arizona Freedom Caucus. And incumbent Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, whose office has successfully defended numerous challenges to election results in 2022, held a commanding lead over Lake-backed challenger Gina Godbehere. Republic reporters Laura Gersony, Ronald J. Hansen, and Sasha Hupka contributed to this article. Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: GOP goes MAGA, Kari Lake wins: Takeaways from AZ's primary election Kearrious McCoy booked into Rapides jail after May shooting and carjacking, police chase Tape remains around a spot where a bullet hit the wall of a Leebo's convenience store off Interstate 49 on the night of May 11. William Wallis, who had stopped with his wife at the store while traveling to Natchitoches Parish, and Kearrious Marquez McCoy exchanged shots as McCoy carjacked them and fled. McCoy later was captured in Allen Parish. The man who shot at multiple people before getting into a shootout with one victim while carjacking him and his wife in May has been booked into a Rapides Parish jail with bail set at more than $4 million. Kearrious Marquez McCoy, 24, was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center #1 on July 25 on seven counts of attempted second-degree murder, three counts of illegal use of weapons, two counts of attempted carjacking, two counts of aggravated criminal damage and one count each of flight from an officer and cruelty to animals. McCoy has no court dates set yet in Rapides' 9th Judicial District Court, but attorney Chad Guillot was appointed on Monday to represent him. He also is under a fugitive hold because he faces charges in Allen and Evangeline parishes in connection to the May 11 incident, which began in the Ville Platte area. Ville Platte Police Department Chief Perry Thomas previously said his department wanted McCoy on an armed robbery charge for allegedly stealing the car of a woman in her driveway as she returned home from a wedding that day. Peaceful night turns bad: Man shot, dog killed followed by frantic two-parish police chase in Louisiana 'Wild look': Men describe how they escaped alleged Lecompte carjacker Kearrious McCoy After leaving Evangeline Parish, McCoy took Interstate 49 to drive into Rapides Parish, leaving the interstate at the Lecompte/Forest Hill exit. According to the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office, he tried to carjack several motorists and fired a gun several times around a Leebo's convenience store and a Burger King. A dog belonging to one of the victims was shot and killed, according to the sheriff's office. McCoy then crossed the interstate on La. Highway 112 and stopped at another Leebo's convenience store. He carjacked William Wallis and his wife, Lisa, even as Wallis repeatedly fired his own gun at McCoy. Neither man was shot, and McCoy fled toward Forest Hill in their vehicle. That began a police chase that ended when a Kinder Police Department officer used spike strips to disable the car. McCoy ran and was arrested the next morning. He was booked into the Allen Parish Jail initially. He also faces charges in Allen Parish related to the police chase. This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Man arrested after Lecompte-area carjacking, shooting now in jail Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) went after former President Trump and other Republicans on the topic of the border Wednesday, stating they dont actually wanna solve this problem, they just wanna talk about it. Kelly, a potential vice presidential pick for likely Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, criticized Republicans for submarining an emerging border deal earlier this year. Our goal here was to get this legislation passed, and then start working on comprehensive immigration reform, but this was stopped dead in its tracks by Donald Trump, because he wanted to have this as an election issue, Kelly said on MSNBCs Morning Joe of a bipartisan border bill that was shot down twice by the Senate following pressure from Trump against it. Like a lot of other Republicans, they dont wanna actually solve this problem, they just wanna talk about it, Kelly added. Where this is a complicated issue, one thing is pretty basic, Kelly said. And thats that we had an agreement. We had the votes. And then Donald Trump wakes up one morning, and sees that he does not want this problem solved. So, he told Senate Republicans that they were not allowed to vote for it. Trump had called the bipartisan border bill a Death Wish for Republicans in February, shortly following its release. Only a fool, or a Radical Left Democrat, would vote for this horrendous Border Bill, which only gives Shutdown Authority after 5000 Encounters a day, when we already have the right to CLOSE THE BORDER NOW, which must be done, Trump said on Truth Social. This Bill is a great gift to the Democrats, and a Death Wish for The Republican Party. It takes the HORRIBLE JOB the Democrats have done on Immigration and the Border, absolves them, and puts it all squarely on the shoulders of Republicans, Trump continued. Dont be STUPID!!! We need a separate Border and Immigration bill. It should not be tied to foreign aid in any way, shape or form! The Hill has reached out to the Republican National Committee, the Trump campaign and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Besides Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) are seen as top contenders to be the running mate for Vice President Harris. In a statement provided by a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, Senate Democrats like Mark Kelly refused to take up Republicans Secure the Border Act that passed in 2023. Kamala Harris was named the Border Czar by [President] Joe Biden, she continued, and has been an epic failure at her job, directly overseeing the worst illegal immigration invasion crisis in 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 The Hill. Kelly says Democrats can win his Senate seat if he becomes vice president Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said hes confident Democrats can keep his Senate seat in a special election if he is elected vice president, as speculation rises over who Vice President Harris will choose as her running mate. Kelly told CNNs Manu Raju on Tuesday that Democrats have figured out tough races like Arizonas. Democrats have been really good about winning statewide races in the state of Arizona. We figured this out, he said. We have a strong state party, and I imagine were going to be successful from now going into the future. I dont think itll be an issue, he continued. I think weve got a great slate of other Democrats, but this is not about me. Kelly is said to be near the top of the shortlist among Harriss vice presidential candidates. Harriss campaign said she will name her running mate before next Tuesday. If Kelly were to be the pick and go on to win the election, his vacated Senate seat would be filled by an interim selected by Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) before a special election in 2026. His term is slated to expire after the 2028 election. That situation would mean a Senate election in Arizona every two years for six straight election cycles. Sen. John McCain (R) won his final election in 2016, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I) first won her election as a Democrat in 2018, followed by a special election victory by Kelly in 2020 after McCains death. Kelly also won a full term win in 2022, and this year there is a race to replace the retiring Sinema. Democrats have won each of the three races since McCains 2018 death, with Sinema being elected as a Democrat. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is the partys nominee for this years Senate race, where he currently leads in polls against GOP nominee Kari Lake. Kelly is viewed as a strong vice presidential candidate by political analysts due to his reputation as a principled Democrat who can work across the aisle and his professional background as an astronaut. His wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), is also one of the nations leading gun control advocates after being injured during an assassination attempt while in office. The senator also remains personally popular in Arizona and consistently performed better than President Biden in his two previous elections. Progressives have raised some concerns, however, about his record on labor rights. Harris leads former President Trump by 2 points in Arizona, according to a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll published Tuesday, a significant improvement over previous figures with Biden. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CrowdStrike's stock continues to face the fallout of the software company's massive IT outage. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin CrowdStrike's stock is down 34% since its software update caused a mass outage on July 19. The stock fell as much as 13% on Tuesday alone after heavily-hit Delta reportedly hired a lawyer. No suit has been filed, but Delta plans to seek compensation from CrowdStrike, CNBC said. The fallout of CrowdStrike's massive IT outage continues to wreak havoc on the company's stock as reports surface of potential legal action from Delta. CrowdStrike's stock fell as much as 13% on Tuesday, extending its losses since the July 19 outage to 34% and pushing shares to their lowest level of 2024. The continued fallout comes after CNBC reported that Delta hired attorney David Boies chairman of Boies Schiller Flexner to seek compensation for outage-related damages, according to CNBC. Boies has made headlines in several high-profile cases over the last three decades, representing the likes of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, former Vice President Al Gore, and former Hollywood movie mogul and convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein. Boies also represented the US government in a landmark antitrust case against Microsoft. Delta's earnings will drop an estimated $350 million to $500 million this quarter as a result of the outage, according to Bloomberg. The company will likely suffer huge hits to its reputation, too, as it fared far worse than its competitors. Delta canceled 1,207 flights the day of the outage, while United, the airline with the next highest number, canceled only 694 according to data from FlightAware. Following the Friday outage, Delta still canceled hundreds of flights on Tuesday, by when most other airlines had resumed normal operations. The company reportedly struggled to restore operations and had to manually reset and reboot each system affected by the outage. Read the original article on Business Insider A mandatory water schedule for Kennewick Irrigation District residential users will lift Sunday, but customers are asked to continue to follow a voluntary schedule, KID announced Wednesday. Residential users have been restricted to a mandatory schedule since July 7 that allowed running sprinklers 20 minutes per zone mornings or evenings three days a week on a schedule based on the last digit of house numbers, with a voluntary schedule in place before that. The district had not had a mandatory watering schedule since the drought of 2015, when water was limited for most of the summer. Enough people complied with the mandatory schedule this season in addition to steps KID took to manage its water to allow the mandatory restriction to be lifted, said Matthew Berglund, KID spokesperson. Other KID water users, including farmers, also have had restrictions. We are incredibly grateful for the cooperation and water-saving efforts of our community during this challenging drought period, said Shane Leonard, KID district manager. Adhering to the schedule was instrumental in ensuring a reliable water supply for all customers, he said. KID water demand was significantly reduced by the schedule, plus the districts work to line canals and widen the main canal, which allows it to be used as additional water storage, according to KID. During low water years canals carry less water. If everyone waters their lawns at the same time, which usually happens in the morning, it creates a surge in demand that can quickly deplete canal levels, KID says. The Kennewick Irrigation Districts voluntary watering schedule. Spreading out watering helps maintain consistent pressure and ensures everyone has access to they water they need, it says. The region remains in a drought, so KID continues to ask people to adhere voluntarily to the mandatory water schedule. Drip irrigation system and water with hoses is not affected by the watering schedule. Drought, water outlook Most of Benton and Franklin counties are rated as abnormally dry, but parts of the Cascade Mountains of central Washington that feed the Yakima River system are rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor as being in moderate to severe drought. More hot weather is forecast for the Tri-Cities, with temperatures near or above 100 degrees from Thursday through at least Wednesday. The high Friday could be 108, according to the National Weather Service, which has issued an excessive heat warning for Thursday and Friday. But typically in mid August the water level in the Yakima River, the source of the KID water, goes up as agriculture demand for water drops, Berglund said. Drought conditions in Washington state are shown. When the mandatory restrictions were announced, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation had announced that the Yakima River would not be able to meet irrigation demand for the 2024 season. As of June 10 it said those with junior water rights to the Yakima River would receive just 47% of their full entitlement of water. KID is grouped with junior water right holders, but it gets the irrigation water that returns to the Yakima River between the Parker Gauge downriver from Union Gap and the Prosser Dam. Historically, it has gotten a little more water than the percentage available for holders of junior water rights. KID does not have water rights to use the Columbia River, which it sits above. Instead, it has been lining and widening its main canal with the intention of building a 12,000-acre-foot reservoir. It would be roughly the size of the water between the cable and blue bridges, the district posted on social media in response to questions. The Kennewick Irrigation District has been lining and widening its main canal, which helps make more water available during droughts. Residents also have been asking if their irrigation bills will go down because less water is available. The answer is no. Billing is more like a property tax, with irrigation assessments based on the size of property, the district said on social media. Customers with questions may call KID at 509-586-9111. To see the voluntary watering schedule, go to kid.org/your-kid/drought-information. Hadley Duvall, who appeared in a Biden campaign ad, speaks at a press conference for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign in Lansing on July 30, 2024. | Lucy Valeski As Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, hits her second week on the campaign trail, her message has been consistent: Even in states with protections like Michigan, the right to abortion and other reproductive health care are not safe under a second Donald Trump presidency. President Joe Bidens campaign, of which Harris inherited once the president dropped out of the race this month, ran advertisements platforming people from around the United States who have been impacted by abortion bans in some way. Hadley Duvall, a 22-year-old from Kentucky, recounted her experience in an ad earlier this month and at a Lansing press conference Tuesday. Duvall said her stepfather sexually abused her as a child, and she became pregnant at 12 years old. Im 22, and Im a first-generation college graduate, Duvall said. Im living a life that I used to pray for. Im now able to use my voice and advocate for our rights, and thats what Roe used to give people in my situation: the opportunity to take your power back, a choice. Duvall had the option to have an abortion 10 years ago, but the Supreme Court decided states should make their own abortion policy a little over two years ago in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which repealed Roe v. Wade. Abortion is now banned in 14 states, including Kentucky, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Trump appointed three of the six Supreme Court justices that voted to overturn Roe. Trump brags about overturning Roe v. Wade, Duvall said. Hes called them a beautiful thing to watch. They dont believe women and girls in my situation should have options. I would like to ask him, What is so beautiful about telling a 12-year-old girl that she must have the baby of her stepfather who raped her, to tell a girl who has already been robbed of her childhood that she will be robbed of her future, too? U.S. Rep. Diana Degette (D-Colo.), state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Twp.) and state Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt) joined Duvall for the press conference in Lansing. Duvall also spoke in Flint and Detroit on behalf of the Harris campaign Tuesday, with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel slated to join her. The speakers emphasized the importance of voting for Democratic candidates, including Harris, to keep the right to abortion in Michigan. Here in Michigan, we support the right to reproductive freedom, Hope said. We put our trust in doctors, not MAGA politicians. I dont want J.D. Vance [Trumps running mate] in the exam room with me. This November, voters will elect Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States because shes the only candidate on the ballot that has vowed to fight for our rights, not rip them away. Vance, the freshman U.S. Ohio senator, has faced scrutiny in the last week over his comments about abortion and people without children. The Democratic Party platform has yet to be unveiled, but Harris campaign efforts as both Bidens running mate and a presidential candidate have highlighted a commitment to protecting reproductive health care, including abortion, IVF and birth control. Trump, the Republican nominee, went publicly quiet on a national abortion ban, and he rejected connections to the Heritage Foundations Project 2025, a presidential transition plan that would peel back many reproductive health care rights. However, CNN reported that at least 140 people in the previous Trump administration worked on the far-right policy plan. The 2024 Republican Party platform says the GOP will leave abortion rights up to the states and protect IVF and contraception. But GOP lawmakers have voted against protecting both birth control and IVF this summer. And the platform the platform also supports establishing fetal personhood through the 14th Amendment, a longtime priority of the anti-abortion movement. Hadley Duvall, who appeared in a Biden campaign ad, speaks at a press conference for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign in Lansing as Reps. Julie Brixie (L) and Kara Hope (C) listen on July 30, 2024. | Lucy Valeski State Rep. Kara Hope (D-Hope) speaks at a press conference for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign in Lansing while Rep. Julie Brixie listens on July 30, 2024. | Lucy Valeski U.S. Rep. Diana Degette (D-Colorado) speaks at a press conference for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign in Lansing on July 30, 2024. | Lucy Valeski State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Twp.) speaks at a press conference for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign in Lansing on July 30, 2024. | Lucy Valeski U.S. Rep. Diana Degette (D-Colorado) speaks at a press conference for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign in Lansing on July 30, 2024. | Lucy Valeski Degette, who co-chairs the House Pro-Choice Caucus, raised concerns about Project 2025s impact on reproductive care if implemented. The plan indicates the GOP wants to ban the shipping of mifepristone, a primary way doctors administer abortion procedures. She also said that her GOP colleagues in the House have thrown support behind a bill that defines personhood beginning at conception, which has the potential to ban abortion without exceptions, IVF and many forms of birth control. Brixie said Michigan voters should know that just because the state had approved abortion protection in 2022 didnt mean those rights would be recognized under a federal ban. Let me be clear, here in Michigan, our reproductive rights are under attack, Brixie said. It doesnt matter that we voted overwhelmingly to protect our right to an abortion, because any federal policy Trump and Vance push for would supersede state protection. While saying they were afraid of what a Trump presidency would mean, speakers also expressed excitement for Harriss commitment to restoring abortion rights. Degette said the Pro-Choice Caucus has continually worked with Harris to find ways to protect reproductive care. She has been a fierce champion for abortion rights her entire career, Degette said.So she can help articulate this, and she can help lead us forward. The fact that were right here, one week after she announced she was running, shows the importance to the campaign, and frankly, the importance to America. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear could be Kamala Harris' VP pick. What he's known for Anticipation is building around who will be the running mate of Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and some of the names circling are Pennsylvania Governor Joshua "Josh" Shapiro, Michigans governor Gretchen Whitmer and Kentucky's own Gov. Andy Beshear. Beshear's name has been brought up on ever since President Joe Biden's debate against GOP nominee Donald Trump last month. The Kentucky governor was named in list including The New York Times and The Washington Post as a possible replacement for Biden on the Democratic ticket, The Courier Journal previously reported. President Joe Biden dropped out of the race on July 21 and Vice President Kamala Harris is now running for president. Here's what to know about Andy Beshear: What is Andy Beshear known for? Andy Beshear, 46, is Kentucky's 63rd governor. The Democrat was first elected in 2019 and won re-election in 2023. Who is the governor of Kentucky now? Andy Beshear is the governor of Kentucky. Is Andy Beshear the Democratic vice president nominee? Harris hasn't announced her running mate yet, although she might be close to choosing one, USA TODAY previously reported. Andy Beshear VP pick Andy Beshear is being vetted as a vice presidential candidate by Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign, The Courier Journal previously reported . Who is Andy Beshear? Gov. Beshear is a born-and-raised Kentuckian who was elected as a Democratic governor in the Bluegrass State in 2019, according to his official website. Before acting as governor he served as the state's attorney general, beginning in 2015, and was re-elected as governor in November of 2023 after a successful first term. What denomination is Andy Beshear? Beshear and his family are members of Louisville's Beargrass Christian Church. Who is Andy Beshear's wife? Andy Beshear is married to Britainy Beshear. They have two children, Will and Lila, and a dog named Winnie. Every day, I see Andy work so hard to make the right decisions and to lead with empathy, strength and courage. It's never easy, but he always remains committed to doing what's right. pic.twitter.com/ARzUPRa2iq First Lady Britainy Beshear (@BritainyBeshear) July 29, 2024 What are Andy Beshear's beliefs? According to Ky.gov, Gov. Beshear is focused on key topics like infrastructure, quality drinking water, affordable healthcare, rebuilding after disasters and more. What college did Andy Beshear go to? Gov. Beshear graduated from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor's in political science and anthropology and holds a juris doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law. How long is a governor's term in Kentucky? A governor can be elected for two consecutive four-year terms in the Bluegrass State, according to the Library of Congress Research Guides. Who is Andy Beshear's father? Gov. Beshear's father, Steve Beshear, was Kentucky's governor from 2007-2015. The Democrat has been married to Jane Beshear since 1969 and was first elected in 2007 before being re-elected in 2011. Steve was an attorney who also served as a state representative in the Kentucky General Assembly, attorney general and lieutenant governor before seeking out the governor seat. Steve was raised in Dawson Springs in Hopkins County and holds a bachelors and a law degree from the University of Kentucky. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What is Andy Beshear known for? What to know about Harris' possible VP Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville, has been removed from his interim committees following allegations of inappropriate actions toward women, including behavior and text messages.(LRC Public Information) Democrats in the Kentucky House have temporarily suspended Rep. Daniel Grossberg of Louisville from their caucus and asked the Legislative Ethics Commission to investigate allegations that he sent inappropriate text messages to women. Grossbergs attorney, Anna Whites, said Wednesday afternoon that Grossberg appreciates the hard work the Legislative Ethics Commission does, looks forward to answering any questions and looks forward to a favorable result. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported Tuesday that the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) is investigating Grossberg, who is serving his first term in the legislature. The Herald-Leader reported that three women had independently confirmed that they had been contacted by LRC investigators and asked about text messages sent by Grossberg. The newspaper did not identify the women but said they work for nonprofit organizations and routinely interact with lawmakers. They shared messages with the newspaper from Grossberg which they described as weird or creepy; they said the messages from Grossberg often came late at night and included compliments about their physical appearance. A fourth source also confirmed an LRC investigation, the Herald-Leader reported. Grossberg in a statement from his lawyer Tuesday evening told the Herald-Leader that he had done nothing wrong, saying, I steadfastly deny any impropriety. On Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for the House Democratic Caucus released this statement: This morning, Kentucky House Democratic Caucus members voted to temporarily suspend state Representative Daniel Grossberg from the caucus and to request a formal investigation by the Legislative Ethics Commission. We believe this is the appropriate organization to review the issues that have been raised. Given the sensitive nature of these allegations, we have no further comment at this time. Kentucky House Democratic Caucus Leaders Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson and Rachel Roberts. Also Wednesday, Kentucky Democratic Party chair Colmon Elridge released this statement: The series of allegations made against Representative Daniel Grossberg are unsettling. KDP has zero tolerance for sexual harassment and any form of sexual misconduct. Every individual should be held accountable for their own actions particularly those who represent Kentuckians in the halls of our Capitol. Kentucky Rep. Daniel Grossberg has been temporarily suspended from the states House Democratic caucus because of allegations that he behaved inappropriately with women at the statehouse. The caucus has also requested that the state's Legislative Ethics Commission formally investigate the complaints. Grossberg, of Louisville, told The Courier Journal he welcomes the ethics investigation and believes it will clear his name. The allegations initially came to light in a Tuesday article in the Lexington Herald Leader. Four women who work for nonprofit advocacy agencies or lobbying firms reportedly spoke with the paper about what they viewed as inappropriate behavior from Grossberg, including text messages they described as weird or creepy. Grossberg told The Courier Journal that when viewed in context the messages are not inappropriate and that he believes he behaved appropriately for a legislator. House Democrats reportedly held a caucus meeting this morning where they decided to temporarily suspend Grossberg and refer the matter to the Legislative Ethics commission. The caucus is led by Reps. Derrick Graham (Frankfort), Cherlynn Stevenson (Lexington) and Rachel Roberts (Newport). State party chairman Colmon Elridge weighed in Wednesday, calling the allegations unsettling and saying the Kentucky Democratic Party has zero tolerance for sexual harassment and any form of sexual misconduct. Every individual should be held accountable for their own actions particularly those who represent Kentuckians in the halls of the Capitol, Elridge said. The Legislative Research Commission, which is the administrative body for the state legislature, reportedly was already investigating the matter, according to The Herald Leader. "This is not a matter we would typically comment on," Legislative Research Commission spokesperson Mike Wynn told The Courier Journal. The Courier Journal was unable to immediately reach the Legislative Ethics Commission for additional information or confirmation. Grossberg is one of 20 Democrats in the state House of Representatives. He is in the second year of his first term and is running unopposed for reelection in November. He fended off a challenge from fellow Democrat Mitra Subedi by just 50 votes in the May primary. How does the ethics process work? "It's hard to say" exactly how long the complaint process could take, ethics commission lawyer Emily Dennis told The Courier Journal. And, she added, much of the process is shielded from the public, so it will be hard for regular Kentuckians and journalists to figure out exactly what is going on. When a complaint is filed, the person at the center of the complaint must be notified within 10 days and has 20 days to respond. The ethics commission can then either dismiss the complaint or make a finding that an ethics violation may have occurred if it finds a "reason to believe" a violation may have occurred. If the commission finds a violation might have occurred, a preliminary inquiry stage commences. The complaint could be dismissed, the legislator could be confidentially reprimanded or the commission could find probable cause to believe a violation has occurred. If the commission does find probable cause, it will hold a public hearing that's similar to a civil trial, where witnesses can be called and evidence introduced. If the commission finds a violation has occurred, it can impose a range of penalties including a fine, a public reprimand, a recommendation for sanctions and a cease and desist order. Kentucky law requires the commission to have nine members; however, one seat is currently vacant. Eight commissioners are appointed by House and Senate leaders, while the Legislative Research Commission appoints one member. 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: Kentucky lawmaker accused of sending women inappropriate messages By Duncan Miriri and Humphrey Malalo NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's Court of Appeal on Wednesday declared the government's 2023 finance law unconstitutional, inflicting a new blow to the government of President William Ruto who withdrew this year's finance bill after deadly protests. The finance bills, which are presented to parliament at the start of every financial year, are the main vehicle for the government to set out its revenue-raising measures including tax hikes and the introduction of new levies. The 2023 version was challenged in court following a round of political opposition-led street protests that turned violent, after Ruto's government used it to double the value added tax on fuel, introduce a housing tax, and raise the top personal income tax rate, among other measures. "A further declaration is hereby issued that the failure to comply with this constitutional dictate renders the entire Finance Act, 2023 unconstitutional," a three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal said in a ruling. The court's verdict was in respect of an appeal of another one from the High Court late last year, which largely left the finance bill intact, only striking out the housing levy. The government pushed through a new law to allow it to continue collecting the housing tax after that ruling and that law is also being challenged in court. The government, which has been relying on the 2023 finance law to continue collecting taxes after Ruto withdrew this year's bill, did not immediately comment on the ruling. The government can appeal the Court of Appeal ruling at the Supreme Court, which is the highest court. Reuters could not reach the office of the Chief Minister Musalia Mudavadi for comment. The top official at the finance ministry, Chris Kiptoo, did not respond to requests for comment. Ruto has nominated a new finance minister after he fired all ministers but one in response to the youth-led violent protests that started last month. Ruto says the higher taxes are necessary to enable the government to fund development programmes while paying off a heavy public debt load that currently exceeds the recommended level by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The government has submitted a new economic plan to the IMF and it expects the board of the fund to consider it at the end of August. (Writing by Duncan Miriri; Editing by George Obulutsa and Mark Potter) Supporters of the Pakistani religious group Jamaat-e-Islami hold posters with a portrait of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Karachi, Pakistan, on Wednesday during a protest to condemn his killing. (Fareed Khan / Associated Press) The killing Wednesday of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh will likely derail urgent U.S.-led talks to stop the fighting in Gaza and open the door to a potentially ferocious response from Iran. In an action widely blamed on Israel, Haniyeh was killed in an airstrike while in Tehran for the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Israel has not claimed responsibility, but few entities have the military capability to pull off what was apparently a precisely targeted lethal attack. The timing of the assassination frustrated the Biden administration, which has invested enormous capital in cease-fire talks to bring at least a temporary end to the nearly 10-month-old Israel-Hamas war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington just last week. Both President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris separately hammered him on the vital importance of agreeing to a cease-fire. Read more: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Tehran, group says, blaming Israel For months, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt have been engaged in tense and arduous negotiations with Israel and Hamas on a deal that would stop the fighting and release the hostages still being held by Hamas. The hostages were captured in the Oct. 7 Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that killed nearly 1,200 people and triggered the current conflict. Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels retaliatory attacks in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. The fighting has spurred a massive humanitarian crisis. Haniyeh, who was based in exile in Qatar and headed the political wing of Hamas, was key in the cease-fire negotiations and the group's main international interlocutor. He was the Hamas figure who would sit with Qatari negotiators to receive the latest proposals and counterproposals from Israel, then relay them to the ultimate decision-maker, Yahya Sinwar, head of the Hamas military wing and believed to be in hiding in deep tunnels underneath the Gaza Strip. Then Haniyeh would relay Sinwar's response back to negotiators. Both the Israeli side and Hamas have put up obstacles to impede a final agreement, negotiators say. Hamas has wanted agreement to a permanent cease-fire, while Israel has wanted to reserve the right to resume bombardments. U.S. officials Wednesday were urgently trying to prevent talks from breaking down altogether. Though a short-term suspension seems all but certain, U.S. officials said they believe talks will eventually resume, especially because there are lower-level leaders in Hamas who want a cease-fire despite Sinwar's resistance. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spent much of the day in brief but pointed phone calls with Arab allies, particularly the Qataris, in an effort to get talks back on track. The Qataris have not yet threatened to end their mediation role, but voiced displeasure over Haniyeh's killing. "Political assassinations & continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue leads us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side?" Qatar's Prime and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani said on the social media platform X. "Peace needs serious partners & a global stance against the disregard for human life." U.S. officials also warned of more conflict exploding across the Middle East. "Right now, the path that the region is on is toward more conflict, more violence, more suffering, more insecurity," Blinken said Thursday in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. "It is crucial that we break the cycle, and that starts with a ceasefire. ... To get there it also first requires all parties to stop taking any escalatory actions." Read more: Israel is spying on Hezbollah commanders and killing them one by one Blinken said the U.S. had no role in or advance knowledge of the assassination. Netanyahu, however, has long vowed to wipe out Hamas. "Israel is trying to show its own people that it's open season on Hamas leaders," said Daniel Byman, a veteran researcher on the Middle East and senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "Pointing to the killing of senior people is one way to say 'we are winning.'" But experts say "winning" against Hamas is an elusive goal. And Hamas leaders quickly said Wednesday that no killings will stop its fight against Israel. "Hamas and the resistance are following a clear strategy, that was laid through multiple institutions," said senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya in a news conference after the assassination. "It shall not be erased either by martyrdom or the death of a leader or 10 leaders. Whoever will carry the flag after Commander Ismail Haniyeh will walk the same path." That the assassination took place in Tehran hours after an inauguration ceremony with some 110 foreign delegates amid heightened security infuriated Iranian officials. The criminal, terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our territory and has caused our grief, but it has also prepared the ground for a severe punishment, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in response Wednesday. Following this bitter, tragic event which has taken place within the borders of the Islamic Republic, it is our duty to take revenge. Further exacerbating regional tensions was Israel's drone strike Tuesday on a high-ranking Hezbollah commander in a residential building in Beirut that killed seven people including two women and two children and wounded 78, Lebanese officials said. The attack, which left the building half destroyed in a Hezbollah-dominated neighborhood in a suburb of the Lebanese capital, may constitute a red line for Hezbollah. The group has threatened to bomb Israeli cities if Israel struck Lebanese cities. The widening cross-border violence heightened fears that the Gaza conflict will ignite a broader Mideast war. In Israel, reaction was mixed. While there was little outrage at the assassination of one of Hamas' political leaders, many braced for the retaliatory fallout. There was particular anxiety among the hostages' families who questioned Israel's timing of the attack and feared another possible doorway to freedom for their relatives was now closed. Longtime observers of Israeli politics blame Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders for effectively boosting the profile of radical Hamas over the more moderate Palestinian Authority and the Fatah party that leads it both of which, unlike Hamas, recognized Israel's right to exist and advocate for two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side. Eliminating Haniyeh put the more extremist Sinwar "more at the center of gravity," said Sarah Parkinson, a political scientist and international studies professor at Johns Hopkins University. "Assassinations can cause friction, disarray, competition [in the targeted group]," she said, but they can also serve as "a way of elevating more extreme adversaries." Wilkinson reported from Washington and Bulos from Beirut. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. CrowdStrike has been sued by shareholders who said the cybersecurity company defrauded them by concealing how its inadequate software testing could cause the July 19 global outage that crashed more than 8 million computers. In a proposed class action filed on Tuesday night in the Austin, Texas, federal court, shareholders said they learned that CrowdStrike's assurances about its technology were materially false and misleading when a flawed software update disrupted airlines, banks, hospitals and emergency lines around the world. They said CrowdStrike's share price fell 32% over the next 12 days, wiping out $25 billion of market value, as the outage's effects became known, Chief Executive George Kurtz was called to testify to the U.S. Congress, and Delta Air Lines, opens new tab reportedly hired prominent lawyer David Boies to seek damages. Delta delay: How to file claims, complaints. The complaint cites statements including from a March 5 conference call where Kurtz characterized CrowdStrike's software as "validated, tested and certified." In a statement on Wednesday, Austin-based CrowdStrike said: "We believe this case lacks merit and we will vigorously defend the company," Kurtz and Chief Financial Officer Burt Podbere are also defendants. The lawsuit led by the Plymouth County Retirement Association of Plymouth, Massachusetts, seeks unspecified damages for holders of CrowdStrike Class A shares between Nov. 29, 2023, and July 29, 2024. Shareholders often sue companies after unexpected negative news causes stock prices to fall, and CrowdStrike could face more lawsuits. Delta Chief Executive Ed Bastian told CNBC on Wednesday that the CrowdStrike outage cost Delta $500 million, including lost revenue and compensation and hotels for stranded fliers. CrowdStrike shares closed on Wednesday down $1.69 at $231.96. They closed at $343.05 on the day before the outage. The case is Plymouth County Retirement Association v CrowdStrike Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, No. 24-00857. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CrowdStrike: Shareholders sue over huge software outage The killing of a top Hamas leader in its backyard is 'humiliating' for Iran, experts say Ismail Haniyeh, one of the top members of Hamas, was killed on Wednesday. Iranian officials accused Israel of conducting the attack. Israel has not commented. Middle East experts told BI the strike is a "humiliating" blow to Iran's security and image. Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the political wing of Hamas, was killed on Wednesday. Details are still emerging about exactly how he died. But one thing is clear he was supposed to be safe. Haniyeh was visiting an ally, Iran. He was in the capital for the swearing-in of its new president, a high-profile public occasion. In the hours before he died he had audiences with the president and Iran's supreme leader. That proximity to power did not keep him alive to the outrage of his Iranian hosts. Ismail Haniyeh (left) meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, on July 30, 2024. He was killed early the next morning. KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty Images 'Humiliating' blow Tasnim News, an outlet with links to the authorities in Iran, said a guided projectile struck his dwelling in northern Tehran at around 2 a.m. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Hamas and Iran blamed Israel. Israel didn't comment, but has carried out similar attacks before. According to Middle East and military experts, Haniyeh's death is a "humiliating" blow to Iran. Andrew Fox, a research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, said the killing "sends a very clear message to Iran about Israel's ability to strike inside their borders." Fox said Haniyeh was of limited tactical significance as a target and could be easily replaced but his loss still took a symbolic toll. A history of attacks It wouldn't be the first time Israel has conducted military operations deep inside Iran. Israeli operatives gunned down Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, a high-ranking Egyptian member of Al-Qaeda, on the streets of Tehran in August 2020, four officials told The New York Times at the time. In November 2020, a Mossad team killed Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, an Iranian nuclear physicist said to be the leader of Iran's nuclear program. Ameneh Mehvar, a Middle East Regional Specialist with the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), said the latest attack reflected poorly on Iran. She called the killing "humiliating" and "damaging" to its image in the region. It "shows how deep Israel has likely infiltrated Iranian intelligence circles," she said. Farzan Sabet, a senior research associate at the Global Governance Centre and the Sanctions and Sustainable Peace Hub at the Geneva Graduate Institute, went further. He told BI that an "embarrassing security failure" like this would damage Iran's credibility among its allies and perhaps push it into a counterattack to save face. "Tehran will likely feel pressure to retaliate in some form despite wanting to remain untouched by the Israel-Hamas war," he said. A new phase of brinkmanship Tensions between Israel and Iran were high even before Haniyeh's killing. Iran and Israel have for decades fought a shadow war of espionage and assassination. Palestinians carried a placard bearing the image of Ismail Haniyeh during a protest in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on July 31, 2024, denouncing his killing. MOSAB SHAWER/AFP via Getty Images Since Hamas launched terror attacks on Israel on October 7, groups allied with Iran the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah have targeted Israel, with attacks sometimes spilling over into neighboring countries and directly involving Iran. An exchange of attacks in April on an Iranian embassy in Syria and then a return attack on Israeli soil marked an earlier escalation that stopped short of further conflict. According to Burcu Ozcelik, a senior research fellow for Middle East Security at the Royal United Services Institute, the attack on Haniyeh represents a "new phase of brinkmanship" in the region. "While it is not the first targeted assassination against a high-level figure within the so-called 'Axis of Resistance' at this juncture of intense tit-for-tat and a high-stakes geopolitical conflict, it will have ripple effects across the region," she told BI. Haniyeh's assassination and the recent killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut will "galvanize" other Iran-backed armed proxy groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, she said. This, she said, "creates a dangerous conflagration of threats to Israel and Western interests in the region, notably in the Red Sea, where the Houthis will likely escalate their attacks." Mehvar from ACLED, meanwhile, predicted an Iranian counterattack that was "harsher" but "proportionate," likely carried out with allies. Fox, of the Henry Jackson Society, foresaw "some kind of minor" escalation in rocket attacks from Iranian proxies in Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon, followed by a return to the earlier precarious status quo. "They will not want to escalate to the point where the West steps in, as they did during the rocket attacks in April, which were also an embarrassing failure," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider Kinston man charged after reports of fraudulent checks at bank KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) The Kinston Police Department arrested a man after receiving a report from State Employees Credit Union saying fraudulent checks were being used. KPD officers investigated and took out warrants on 19-year-old Jailyn Cannon. Cannon was charged with 16 counts of uttering a forged instrument and one count of obtaining property by false pretense. Officers arrested Cannon Tuesday. He was jailed in the Lenoir County Jail under a secured bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. It's a presidential election year, but at least in August the focus for Kitsap and Washington voters is on local issues and candidates. The 2024 primary, for which registered voters have recently received their ballots, will include levy measures for six fire agencies, pick two contestants for a November Kitsap County commission matchup, and narrow the candidates in state legislative races, state offices from governor on down and for the Sixth District representative in Congress, where incumbent Rep. Derek Kilmer chose not to run for re-election. Ballots have already been sent out of the Kitsap County Auditor. Voters in Washington state's all-mail election must postmark their ballots by Tuesday, Aug. 6, if sent through the U.S. mail. Alternately, ballots can be dropped off at a county elections box by 8 p.m. on Aug. 6, and vote centers are available the Saturday and Monday before election day, as well as on that Tuesday. For a list of locations of the 25 county ballot dropboxes, visit the Kitsap County Auditor's website, and vote centers are located at the Kitsap County Administration Building, 619 Division St. in Port Orchard; the Marvin Williams Recreation Center at 725 Park Ave. in Bremerton; and the Poulsbo Fire Station, 911 NE Liberty Road. Haven't received a ballot yet? Those who need to register to vote or change your address may do so online by Monday, July 29, at votewa.gov, or by mailing a registration form, found here. In person registration is available daily at the Kitsap County Administration Building until election day, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day at one of the three county vote centers. Those registering in person must sign a statement that you are a U.S. citizen and eligible to vote and provide a form of identification. The voting centers also offer services for those lost or did not receive their ballots in the mail, voters needing to change their addresses, and voters wishing to vote using the Accessible Voting Unit. Start researching your votes with the Sun's election stories Below, you can find a list of stories and candidate Q&As to research candidates and issues. Check back often as we continue to publish stories leading up to election day. Ballot measures Voters across the county will be asked to renew levy measures that fund fire agencies. On the list are an EMS levy for Bremerton Fire Department, a fire levy for Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue, an EMS levy for Poulsbo Fire Department, and a fire levy for North Kitsap Fire & Rescue. Kitsap County Commissioner The commissioner position representing most of South Kitsap will host a new name by November, because Commissioner Charlotte Garrido did not file for re-election after four terms in the District 2 position. Six candidates will be on the August 6 ballot looking to advance to the general election. State legislative races Voters across Kitsap County and North Mason will see contested primaries, with contests that have more than two candidates in the 23rd District, 26th District and 35th District. Read answers from each candidate who responded to a Kitsap Sun questionnaire at the links below to see where your potential choices are at on key issues. Sixth District Congress Rep. Derek Kilmer's announcement last November that he would not run for re-election set off a flurry of political moves, resulting in two Democrats currently in state offices announcing their intention, as well as one Republican lawmaker. Below, read our Q&A interviews with those candidates and others hoping to make the top two in the race to represent the region in Congress. State offices There's nearly 30 names of gubernatorial candidates to replace outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee, a primary for Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner and Commissioner of Public Lands. The Washington State Standard, a nonprofit news organization that covers state issues, is covering those races. Read about the candidates for governor here, and find more Washington State Standard coverage of state and federal primary races at this link. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Voter Guide: Washington primary election August 2024 What we know about the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh The assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital Tehran has rocked the Middle East, threatening to further destabilize the region and jeopardize ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the war in Gaza. The attack on Haniyeh came in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with Hamas pointing the finger at Israel which has so far declined to comment. All eyes will now focus on two key questions. What happens to Gaza hostage and ceasefire negotiations, given Haniyeh headed up the groups political operations from overseas and acted as a key interlocuter with international mediators? And will this strike inside Iran prove to be the catalyst for a potential full-blown regional war? Heres what we know so far. What happened? Haniyeh had been in Tehran for the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and was staying in a residence for veterans in the north of the city, state-affiliated news outlet Fars reported. Haniyeh was hit directly by a rocket in the room in which he was staying, Hamas spokesperson and deputy head Khalil Al-Hayya said at a news conference in Tehran. He said Israel would pay the price for the heinous crime. Earlier, Iranian state media IRNA reported that an airborne guided projectile had targeted the building at around 2 a.m. local time. IRNA said Haniyehs bodyguard was also killed, and that further investigations are underway to determine the details of the operation and the position from where the projectile was fired. Shortly afterward, Hamas decried what it called a Zionist strike and a grave escalation in its decades long conflict with Israel. One Hamas official said the group is ready to pay various prices and that the moment of truth has come, adding: This assassination will not achieve the goals of the occupation and will not push Hamas to surrender. When asked for comment, Israels military said it doesnt respond to reports in the foreign media. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (right) meets Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh (left) at the president's office in Tehran, Iran, on July 30, 2024. - Iranian Presidency Office/AP Who was Haniyeh? Haniyeh, 62, was born in a refugee camp near Gaza City, and joined Hamas in the late 1980s during the First Intifada, or uprising. As Hamas grew in power, Haniyeh rose through the ranks being appointed part of a secret collective leadership in 2004. He became political chief of Hamas in 2017. The following year, he was named a specially designated global terrorist by the United States. Despite that designation and unlike Hamas military leadership Haniyeh travelled globally, meeting with world figures as the political head of the organization. During the war with Israel in Gaza he has taken a central role in hostage and ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. Earlier this spring, he said Hamas was willing to strike a deal but it would require Israel withdrawing from Gaza and a guarantee to cease fighting in the enclave permanently, demands that Israel has called unacceptable. How does this impact ceasefire talks? Haniyeh was in touch with mediators in Qatar and Egypt as recently as early July. Those talks now hang in the balance, despite some hope earlier this month that they were nearing a framework agreement. A source with knowledge of the negotiations told CNN Wednesday that Haniyehs death could complicate mediation talks. The source said Haniyeh was instrumental in getting certain breakthroughs in negotiations and along with the Hamas military leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar was a key decision maker. How can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on other side? Qatars Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, a mediator on the talks, posted on X on Wednesday. Qatars capital, Doha, also hosts the main Hamas political bureau. Peace needs serious partners & a global stance against the disregard for human life, Al-Thani wrote. Haniyehs death will have significant influence on those negotiations, CNN Political and Foreign Policy Analyst Barak Ravid said on Wednesday. In a statement after the strike, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged the Israeli government to decisively advance negotiations, to secure the release of the hostages who have been held in Gaza since the October 7 attack on Israel. While military operations over the past 10 months have achieved significant security gains, true achievement can only be realized with the release of all 115 hostages still in captivity, it said. The deal proposed by the Israeli government and supported by President Biden represents the only viable path to secure their freedom, allowing the living to begin rehabilitation and the murdered to receive proper burial. What has the world said? Leaders from around the region have weighed in, with some condemning the killing and voicing alarm about the potential fallout. Palestinian leaders, including the Palestinian president and prime minister who come from factions that have deep historical rivalries with Hamas have condemned the killing and called for Palestinian national unity. The White House has seen the reports of Haniyehs killing, a spokesperson said, but declined to immediately comment further. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he does not think war in the Middle East is inevitable, but that the US would help defend Israel if it were attacked. Leaders from Russia and Turkey have both decried the assassination, warning it would lead to larger conflicts in the region. Other Iran-backed militant groups have also voiced sympathy including Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen. Two reported killings, in quick succession News of Haniyehs killing came just hours after Israel said it had killed Hezbollahs most senior military official, Fuad Shukr, in a drone strike in Beirut, Lebanon. The group has not confirmed Shukrs death, but said on Wednesday he was present at the time of the strike. If true, Shukr would be the most high-ranking Hezbollah official to have been assassinated since 2016 when Mustafa Badreddine, the groups top commander at the time, was killed in Syria. Whatever the fate of Shukr, Wednesdays strike marked the most serious Israeli escalation since confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel began on October 8. CNNs Kareem Khadder, Kareem El Damanhoury, Lucas Lilieholm, Negar Mahmoodi, Mostafa Salem, Jessie Gretener, Edward Szekeres, Tanem Zaman, Colin McCullough, Sergey Gudkov, Mike Schwartz and Alex Marquardt contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com I know how to cook: Unseasoned chicken led to brawl with bug spray, fists and knives A fight with Raid bug spray, fists and a knife all started with some unseasoned chicken, according to a police report obtained by Channel 2 Action News. Deputies in Georgetown County, South Carolina say they were called to a home where a fight was ongoing. One of the people involved, Hope Harper, told investigators that Anothony Harper began assaulting them because they asked him why he didnt season the chicken that was cooking so it could crust up. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] They say he replied, I know how to cook and Grammy was going to season the chicken. Hope Harper then called Anothony Harper a dumb dog before he pushed her into the kitchen table and began punching her in the face. Someone else then came into the room and fired a gun into the ceiling to stop the fighting. After the fight broke up, Hope Harper began chasing Anothony Harper through the house with a steak knife, according to the incident report. TRENDING STORIES: Their grandmother then came out of her room with a broom and chased Hope Harper away from Anothony Harper. In retaliation, Anothony Harper then grabbed a can of Raid and sprayed her in the face and neck. She got the can from him and sprayed him all over his body. Both were arrested on Sunday and released on bond on Tuesday and were charged with assault and battery. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader who was assassinated early Wednesday in Iran, was a longtime antagonist of Israel who rose to become leader of the Palestinian organization's political bureau, expanded the group's footprint outside the Gaza Strip and served as a key figure in the negotiations to end the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. He had long been accused by Western and Israeli leaders of having strong ties to the Hamas organization's miltary wing, which claimed responsibility last year for the Oct. 7 surprise attack on southern Israel. He had been detained by Israel in 1989 and spent three years in an Israel prison before eventually rising to the top of the Hamas group. Haniyeh had been a part of talks as Israel and Hamas negotiated for an end to the fighting in Gaza and a return to the hostages held by Hamas. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday declined to comment on the assassination or how it may affect those negotiations, saying it was an "enduring imperative to getting a cease-fire, and what I do know is we are going to work at that every day." "All I can tell you right now is I think nothing takes away from the importance of, as I said a moment ago, getting to the cease-fire, which is manifestly in the interests of the hostages and bringing them home," Blinken told reporters in Singapore. There has been no claim of responsibility for the assassination. Haniyeh had led Hamas political bureau since 2017 As the civil-focused Hamas branch won in the Palestinian Legislative Council elections in 2006, sweeping into power throughout Gaza, Haniyeh was named prime minister. Israel in 2007 accused then-Prime Minister Haniyeh of "adherence to an 'armed struggle'" against Israel. The Israeli Foreign Ministry quoted Haniyeh as saying, "We are concentrating on politics but have not abandoned our arms." PHOTO: Palestinian group Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh attends Iran's new President, Masoud Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tehran, Iran, July 30, 2024. (Majid Asgaripour via Reuters) MORE: Who is Yahya Sinwar, Israel's most-wanted Hamas terrorist Haniyeh was dismissed after a year in office by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, took control of the security services centers in Gaza. Haniyeh rejected the decision because he considered it "unconstitutional" and described it as hasty, stressing that "his government will continue its duties and will not abandon its national responsibilities towards the Palestinian people." The Palestinian Authority, another civil group in Gaza, was expelled from the territory in 2007, according to The U.S. Department of State. The U.S. described the political maneuvering by Hamas as a "violent takeover." Ten years later, in 2017, Haniyeh became leader of the Hamas political group, which by then was the "de facto ruler" in Gaza, the U.S. said. Members of the General Shura Council elected him in voting held simultaneously in the Qatari capital, Doha, and in Gaza. Haniyeh when he came to power was in charge of the civil wing the of the Hamas organization, the branch that manages "charities, schools, clinics, youth camps, fundraising, and political activities," as the U.S. State Department described it. The following year, in January 2018, during the Trump administration, Haniyeh was placed on a U.S. government terrorism list, an official designation that named him as an individual associated with terror. His addition on that list would allow the U.S. government to block his assets under a Bush administration executive order. "Ismail Haniyeh is the leader and President of the Political Bureau of Hamas. Haniyeh has close links with Hamas's military wing and has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians," the U.S. Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism said in a 2018 report. PHOTO: A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shows him meeting with Palestinian Hamas movement leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 30, 2024. (KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty Images) Israel-Gaza live updates: Political leader of Hamas has been killed, Iran says A State Department spokesperson at the time said Haniyeh had "reportedly been involved in terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. Hamas has been responsible for an estimated 17 American lives killed in terrorist attacks." Haniyeh had in the years since then called for Arab states to stop recognizing Israel by terminating agreements to normalize relations, according to a 2023 report on international religious freedom compiled by U.S. officials. He had lived in exile since 2019 in Qatar, an Arab country that has played a key role in the Israel-Hamas negotiations. Rise to power from a Gaza refugee camp Born in 1963 in the Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City, Haniyeh attended schools within and near the camp. He graduated from the Islamic University of Gaza in 1987, obtaining a degree in Arabic literature. He received an honorary doctorate from the Islamic University in 2009, according to the school. After graduating, he worked as a teaching assistant at the university, and then took over administrative affairs after that. Haniyeh began his activity within the "Islamic Bloc," which represented the student arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, from which the Islamic Resistance Movement "Hamas" emerged. PHOTO: Hamas members attend a protest to condemn the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, at al-Bass Palestinian refugee camp, in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Mohammed Zaatari/AP) Haniyeh was widely considered to be a charismatic, popular and pragmatic leader within the Hamas movement. He was respected by many Palestinians when he became the first Palestinian prime minister for the Hamas movement and he refused to leave his simple home at a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas movement over the years lost dozens of its leaders in Israeli assassinations in Gaza, the West Bank and abroad, but those deaths have not appeared to weaken the movement. Israeli killed the founding and spiritual leader of Hamas, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, and many top leaders in the second intifada from 2001 to 2005, but in fact did not appear to diminish the movement. Three of Haniyeh's sons and many of his grandchildren, in addition to other relatives, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the ongoing war with Israel broke out on Oct. 7. ABC News' Lauren Minore and Morgan Winsor contributed to this report. What to know about Ismail Haniyeh, assassinated leader of Hamas' political bureau originally appeared on abcnews.go.com What to know in Manatee: Tourism tax hike headed to the ballot Manatee County commissioners voted to place a new referendum to raise the tourism tax on the ballot for voter approval during the November general election. Commissioners discussed the matter on Tuesday during their first return to the dais after a summer recess. They also approved the purchase of the Triple Oak Preserve and millions of dollars in funding for programs by local nonprofits. In other news: A tropical wave has a chance of becoming a storm, but will it come to Sarasota, Bradenton? Also: Who are Manatee County's highest-paid employees? We break down the top government earners Voters asked to decide on tourism tax increase Manatee County voters will decide on a new ballot initiative that would raise the tourism tax by 1% during this year's general election. Bradenton Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau Director Elliott Falcione said the Department of Revenue confirmed that Manatee County is deemed as a high-impact tourism county, making the county eligible to levy an additional 1% tourism tax if approved by voters in November. More: Qualifying period ends, Manatee County ballot is set ahead of 2024 primary Commissioners cast a 4 to 1 vote in favor of the referendum, with Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge voting against the measure and Commissioner Jason Bearden absent during the meeting. "Tourism brings over $2 billion to our local economy a year. That includes $30 million in tourism tax collections and over $80 million in sales tax generation," Falcione said. "Many would say that we as residents do not pay income tax because of the number 1 industry, tourism, in Florida." County set to purchase land for conservation Commissioners voted to move forward on plans to purchase the Triple Oak Preserve for a purchase price of about $3.6 million. The 105-acre parcel is located at 30480 Betts Road in Myakka City, it features 50 acres of forest, 25 acres of forested wetlands, 25 acres of mesic flatwoods, five acres of scrubby flatwood and an acre of ponds and freshwater marshlands. The property is located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor between the Myakka River State Park and land under conservation easements. The purchase is one of several recent acquisitions with funds approved by voters for environmental land protection. The county also closed on the purchase of land to expand Emerson Point last week. Nonprofits receive county funding County commissioners allocated millions of dollars in funding to nonprofits for community support programs. The county approved $16.9 million in funding for nonprofits through the Children's Services dedicated millage, plus additional funding for the Prodigal Daughters Journey Home, Isaiah 117 House, and Manatee County government for its Summer Blast Camp Scholarship at the request of District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard. Major approvals include $2.09 million to six Step Up Suncoast programs, $3.02 million for three Early Learning Coalition of Manatee programs, $1.62 million for two Just for Girls programs, $1.265 million for two Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County programs, $1.08 for three programs at Centerstone of Florida, and $1.07 million to three Safe Children Coalition Inc programs. Prodigal daughters requested $100,000, Isaiah 117 House requested $96,000, and the county's summer blast camp requested $67,500. Commissioners also approved $663,196 in nonprofit funding from the Adult Human Services Department. Those approvals include $101,681 to the United Way Suncoast, $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity, $75,000 to Keep Manatee Beautiful, $60,000 to Gulfcoast Legal Services and $60,000 to Legal Aid of Manasota. Funding for the Rubonia Community Center youth program Commissioners approved $68,420 in funding to support youth programming at the Rubonia Community Center. The 5 to 0 vote granted the funds in response to an emergency funding request by Genesis Health Services, Inc. filed because the deadline for children's services funding had passed. The agency dipped into its reserves in June to pay for the start of programming, in addition to funding and a van donated by two local churches. Commissioners agreed to provide $68,420 to continue the program through September. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Manatee County approves a new ballot initiative and nonprofit funding Wednesdays Top Stories Wednesdays Five Facts [1] How will UNMH staff incoming critical care tower during healthcare worker shortage? Despite an ongoing shortage of healthcare workers in the state, the University of New Mexico Hospital is working to recruit hundreds of staff as its new critical care tower nears completion. The $700 million project aims to be a cutting edge facility for the state. The hospital says they will need at least 500 new hires to work there. Officials say they are leaning into social media campaigns to attract workers outside New Mexico. The new tower is slated to open in spring of next year. [2] VIDEO: Disgruntled customer returns to store flashing gun A man is facing armed robbery charges after pulling a gun on a store clerk who denied his request for a refund. On May 28, police say Steven Parson entered Rio Grande Liquidators on 4th St. to return a ceiling fan. The clerk told police Parson became argumentative and demanded his money back. A criminal complaint states that Parson left the store but came back with a gun, demanding that the clerk open the cash register. Persons his being held behind bars until trial. [3] Mostly dry & hot temperatures in New Mexico As temperatures across the region rise into the high 70s, 80s, 90s, and well above 100 degrees for some, just enough moisture in the air, along with the ample amount of daytime heating, will still lead to some afternoon rainfall, but once again, not as widespread. Burn-scar flash flooding will still be possible in the burn scars around Ruidoso where a Flood Watch is in effect. [4] Governor signs bill allocating $100M to Ruidoso wildfire recovery The only bill to come out of Governor Michelle Lujan Grishams recent special legislative session has been signed. The bill appropriates $100 million to support recovery efforts following recent wildfires and flooding in the state. In addition to helping residents recover from fires and flooding, the legislation will help residents apply for federal aid. It also offers reimbursable loans to local governments and gives recovery funding to the Mescalero Apache Tribe. [5] South Valley horse rescue ranch publishes book looking to inspire youth A South Valley horse farm wrote and published a childrens book centered around the real life story of one of their horses. Eight years ago, Henri the horse suffered a neck wound while working at a ranch. His previous owners decided to give him up and he ended up at Enchanted Equine Adventures. Henri healed from his injury and became a riding horse. The founder of Equine Adventures says she felt like the world needed more stories about rescue horses. The book is on sale on Amazon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. A Kentucky fire department and commonwealths attorney had a back-and-forth exchange over an incident where teenagers allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of equipment from the fire department a few years ago. In a Facebook post on Monday, the Rough of Falls Fire Department called out Grayson County Commonwealth Attorney Rick Hardin and noted that the teens accused of stealing the turnout equipment wont face any charges. Mr. Hardin and office even asked the fire department to reduce the amount of money owed for the gear and equipment which was never recovered or returned, the fire department said in the Facebook post. This is exactly why there are so many repeat criminals in our county! The incident happened in July 2022 and the teens allegedly stole over $25,000 worth of gear. Hardin responded to the fire departments post in the comments section, saying the teens deserved a second chance. Any of you that think teenagers dont deserve a second chance before being shipped off to prison are a part of the problem and definitely not the solution, Hardin said in a comment. Hardin added the teens could face time in prison if they dont pay the restitution or break the law again. All of our kids deserve consideration for being kids and not being convicted felons for the rest of their lives, not being able to vote, or not being able to hunt, Hardin said in a comment. Fang Xinghai, the key man behind Shanghai's plan to develop the metropolis into an international financial centre, has stepped down as vice-chairman of China's securities regulator amid a lumbering stock market. Li Ming, former chief of the regulator's enforcement bureau, will replace Fang, who crossed the official retirement age of 60 in May, according to a statement published by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). The reshuffle has triggered worries about Beijing's reforms for the stock market, where a crisis of confidence has knocked the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 11.4 per cent over the past 12 months. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Two sources familiar with the workings of the CSRC said Fang's removal had been expected because of his age, but the promotion of Li, 56, reflected the Chinese leadership's resolve to weed out market irregularities to shore up investor confidence. Top policymakers have placed a lot of faith in Li, a technocrat, expecting him to clean up the embattled securities sector, they added. Li Ming, former chief of the CSRC's enforcement bureau, will take over from Fang Xinghai as the vice-chairman of the regulator. Photo: Sina alt=Li Ming, former chief of the CSRC's enforcement bureau, will take over from Fang Xinghai as the vice-chairman of the regulator. Photo: Sina> The latest changes comes after the government appointed Wu Qing as the CSRC chairman in February. Li will report to Wu, who has been tasked with reviving the fortunes of the stock market. It remains to be seen whether the CSRC will stick to its reform agenda and widen access for overseas capital to mainland-traded stocks and bring the market on par with international practices. "Fang, with his plain-speaking style, was viewed by millions of Chinese investors as a key supporter of stock market reforms, giving full play to market forces," said Wang Feng, chairman of Shanghai-based financial services group Ye Lang Capital. "He was also a strong advocate for opening up the market to international players. His retirement is likely to slow down the internationalisation of China's capital market." Fang received his PhD in economics from Stanford University and worked with several organisations, including the World Bank, in the US. In 1998, he was invited by Zhou Xiaochuan, then head of China Construction Bank, to return to China and join the state-owned lender. Story continues Two years later, Fang joined Galaxy Securities as a member of the brokerage's administration committee. He also served as deputy general manager of the Shanghai Stock Exchange between 2001 and 2005, before moving to the Shanghai Financial Service Office. As the head of the local government agency tasked with implementing crucial reforms to transform the mainland's most developed city into a global financial hub, Fang played an important role in a series of liberalisations involving freer cross-border capital flows, establishing Shanghai as an onshore yuan trading centre and launching financial derivatives such as crude oil futures. In 2013, Fang was brought in as a senior official at the Office of the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs, which is in charge of drafting major financial policies for the Central Committee of the Communist Party. He was promoted to CSRC vice-chairman in 2015. Fang and Chinese President Xi Jinping briefly worked together in Shanghai when Xi was appointed the city's Communist Party chief in 2007. He has been urging Beijing to set up an international board at the Shanghai Stock Exchange, to allow international behemoths like HSBC Holdings and Coca-Cola raise capital and list, since 2008. But the plan was put on hold in 2016 when a market meltdown deterred Beijing from deregulating the market amid fears an influx of fresh equity could further dilute holdings. Li has headed the CSRC's enforcement bureau responsible for policing the market and cracking down on illegal securities activities since 2022. In February, he told a press conference that punishment for illegal behaviour in the securities industry should be "severe". The veteran bureaucrat also has experience in leading the regulator's listing department that oversees share offerings, the over-the-counter National Equities Exchange, and Jiangsu branch of the CSRC. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Los Angeles City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, pictured at City Hall in 2023, has withdrawn a proposal to provide up to $2 million in security grants for religious institutions. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles City Councilmembers Katy Yaroslavsky and Bob Blumenfield withdrew their proposal to provide city funding for security at synagogues, mosques and other religious institutions on Wednesday, saying state funds are now available to cover such expenses. Yaroslavsky and Blumenfield proposed the creation of a $2-million grant program last month to pay for security for nonprofit groups and places of worship following a violent confrontation between protesters outside a synagogue in L.A.'s Pico-Robertson neighborhood. The grant proposal had been slated for a council vote Wednesday. Earlier this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state has begun accepting applications for $76 million in grant funding to "bolster safety and security" at faith-based institutions and nonprofits that face a higher risk of hate-based crimes. Yaroslavsky and Blumenfield said they had always planned for the city's funding to serve as a stopgap until state officials get their grant program up and running and provide reimbursement. Yaroslavsky said she now plans to consult with the city's lawyers about clarifying the L.A. Police Departments protocols around protests. "My office and Councilmember Blumenfield's office are also consulting with the city attorney's office on how we can institute buffer zones around the entrances to religious institutions and other sensitive sites like Planned Parenthood," Yaroslavsky said. Confrontations broke out June 23 between pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israeli counterprotesters outside the Adas Torah synagogue. Pro-Palestinian protesters said they went to the synagogue to protest a real estate event involving a company that offers properties for sale in the occupied West Bank. Many countries consider the building of settlements in the West Bank to be a violation of international law. Israel disputes this claim. In the wake of those demonstrations, Yaroslavsky and Blumenfield proposed that the council offer $1 million in city funding to selected nonprofits to carry out "community safety initiatives in the Jewish communities of Los Angeles." Yaroslavsky said at the time that recent protests over Israel's war in Gaza had "stoked fear in the Jewish community and across the city," leaving some afraid to go to their synagogue. "I've heard and talked to many people who, with all the antisemitism that's out there, are worried about going to religiously identified institutions, who are worried about wearing a Star of David on their necklace," Blumenfield said. "If they're wearing a yarmulke, they're questioning whether they should do that." The initial proposal from Blumenfield and Yaroslavsky drew hundreds of protesters to City Hall, who shut down a stretch of Main Street and railed against the security grants. They said pro-Palestinian protesters are the ones who have been attacked at UCLA and elsewhere. And they argued that the money would go to groups that would harm pro-Palestinian protesters and the larger public. "We know that when any cops, guns, surveillance, policing [are] increased on our streets, it disproportionately affects people of color, queer people, poor people, unhoused people," said Miguel Camnitzer, a spokesperson for the L.A. chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, which has opposed Israel's war in Gaza. On July 2, Yaroslavsky and Blumenfield replaced the initial proposal with their plan for $2 million in grants for security at nonprofit religious institutions of all denominations. On Wednesday, dozens of protesters returned to City Hall to speak against that idea as well. Hamid Khan, an organizer with the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, denounced council members for contemplating the security grants. He also blasted Newsom over his decision to offer security funds, saying the money should be going instead to programs that address the state's homelessness crisis. "He has money to give away for Zionist violence, but he doesn't want to invest in building housing for unhoused people," Khan said. An aide to Newsom called those comments "patently false," saying the governor has spent $24 billion to address homelessness and an additional $40 billion in support of affordable housing since he took office. Other protesters called for a cease-fire vote or argued that pro-Palestinian demonstrators have been subjected to violent acts. Fernando Islas, who lives in Pico Rivera, told the council he was hit in the face with a rock during the June 23 protest in Pico-Robertson. "I had two of my teeth knocked out that day," said the 37-year-old. When Yaroslavsky attempted to speak about her decision to withdraw the proposal, the crowd booed repeatedly. At the end of her remarks, said she fears the city will see outbreaks of violence at future protests as well. "The polarization is incredibly intense," she said. "And we shouldn't be seeing that playing out on our streets." Times staff writer Jeffrey Fleishman contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. L.A. man latest to be arrested as part of weekslong carjacking spree A Los Angeles man has been arrested for his alleged role in a series of armed carjackings that took place over three weeks across L.A. County. Sergio Macias, 22, surrendered to federal agents Wednesday and now joins three co-defendants facing charges for the crime spree. Macias was expected to appear in court Wednesday afternoon. Authorities had already arrested the other three suspects, identified as Michael Anthony Fisher, 23, of Bell; Andres Silva Cerrillos, 19, of Buena Park; and Jesse Gutierrez, 19, of Los Angeles. Macias allegedly took part in five vehicle thefts during the three-week crime spree late last year, according to the United States Department of Justice. The four men now face charges for conspiracy, in addition to carjacking, attempted carjacking and interference with commerce by robbery. They also face charges for various firearms-related crimes, as many of the carjackings happened at gunpoint. The crimes took place between Nov. 15 and Dec. 9, 2023, and involved successful and unsuccessful vehicle thefts in Downey, Pico Rivera, Norwalk and Whittier, the DOJ said. Cerrillos and Gutierrez also allegedly stole two large televisions from a Walmart in South Gate and threatened a store employee as they fled. Violent gun crime tears at the fabric of our community and leaves victims with lasting trauma, said United States Attorney Martin Estrada in a news release issued Wednesday. These arrests and this indictment highlight my offices determination to use our powerful federal laws to punish those who callously risk the lives of others. If convicted as charged, the four men could face between seven and 25 years in federal prison, the DOJ said. The case remains under investigation by the Downey Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. The riots in the Merseyside seaside town of Southport after three young girls were killed in a stabbing spree besmirched their memory and shamed Britain. With some involved being out-of-town troublemakers which Merseyside Police believe are connected to the English Defence League (EDL), thirty-nine police officers (as well as three police dogs) were injured in the unrest, which also saw attacks on a local mosque. Both prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and home secretary Yvette Cooper are right to vociferously condemn the violence and destruction of private property in a town which is reeling from an atrocity which was as horrific as it is heartbreaking. However, it has left the Labour government vulnerable to accusations that it has reacted inconsistently to various events. Compared to her statement over the Southport riots, Cooper struck a far less assertive and much more conciliatory tone when it came to the public disorder in the Leeds area of Harehills (which was in the aftermath of social services removing children from a Roma family). In the disorder which took place on the night of July 18, police officers were attacked, missiles were thrown, a police car was flipped over and vehicles (including a double-decker bus) were torched. Surely this also constituted thuggish behaviour during what West Yorkshire Police which was clearly ill-equipped to cope with the riots described as a serious disorder incident? The kind of language used between the two statements is chalk and cheese. The home secretary has also failed to intervene as strongly as she should over the Manchester Airport incident which involved Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and brothers Fahir and Amaad Amaaz. Greater Manchester Police was right to suspend a police officer after footage of him kicking a floored Fahir came to light. But this did not justify the intimidating gatherings outside Rochdale police station where those in attendance chanted Allahu Akbar. Further footage obtained by Manchester Evening News has emerged, which shows that in the build-up to Fahir being kicked in the head, the Amaaz brothers attacked the police with two officers being punched to the ground. In the violent dispute, a female officer was left with a broken nose. While it is important to recognise that there is a probe being carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Cooper has failed to robustly denounce this blatant physical assault on frontline police officers during a high-pressure situation at an international airport. For Labour, the honeymoon period is over the party has been given a brutal awakening over the realities of governing modern Britain. And the new government simply cannot afford to leave itself so open to perfectly legitimate criticisms that it treats cases of public disorder differently, based on the racial, ethnic, and religious background of those involved. It is an irresponsible approach to managing the ever-diversifying and increasingly complicated portrait of modern Britain risking the exacerbation of anti-establishment sentiments in white-British working-class communities who are anything but trusting of their so-called natural party. The mainstream British political establishment must address public concerns that when it comes to matters of law and order, certain groups are the beneficiaries of preferential treatment. The failure to do so will only fuel suspicion of public institutions and undermine social cohesion pushing our democracy towards a darker place. 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. Lack of delta 8 regulations scaring even dispensaries away from selling it Lack of delta 8 regulations scaring even dispensaries away from selling it Correction: the video previously attached to this story showed a local business that is not associated with selling Delta 8 or similar products. We apologize for the error. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) State leaders in Ohio are sounding off about Delta 8 products and how theyre regulated to be sold. In response, one local dispensary said it pulled Delta 8 from its shelves because of that lack of regulations. The owners of Delta Dispo said much more education needs to be done around the entire cannabis industry. Still no action on DeWines call for diet weed regulation There is a huge gray area just in cannabis in general, said Delta co-owner Joseph Carico. Like Thomas [Kennedy, the other co-owner] was saying, theres just a lot that needs to be researched. We just hear a lot of bad things about whats going on and the lack of research done on the product, said Kennedy. Under current Ohio law, products containing a small percentage of THC are allowed to be purchased by anyone. Ohio Rep. Sara Carruthers is trying to change that with House Bill 642. It would task the Department of Agriculture with creating age restrictions for the purchase of Delta 8 products, while also creating a penalty for selling it to someone underage. A Senate bill in the works aims to regulate Delta 8 as well as institute a public smoking and vaping ban. Carico and Kennedy said theyve already put regulations on themselves in the vacuum of no state regulations. Its something that we just want to stay away from, said Carico. Were strictly 21 and older here, and thats even with our comedy club. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. The Lake County Council backed local unions in their fight for more union jobs on a project in Eagle Creek Township. U.S. Cold Storage, which has headquarters in New Jersey, has been building a $60 million automated cold storage facility on 27 acres at the northeast corner of Interstate 65 and Indiana 2 in Eagle Creek Township. In June, the council learned that the company had brought in non-union labor from the East Coast for some work at the site, according to a statement from the county. Randy Palmateer, the business manager for the Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, and Brad Matthews, business representative for the Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters, said the unions and U.S. Cold Storage came to an agreement on union work for the project besides one facet racking, or the steel structure. Theyve been great to work with; its just this one facet, Palmateer said. Matthews said while the project has had some local union work, U.S. Cold Storage hasnt upheld its agreement about hiring local union workers. They made a promise for 100% local labor and theyre not living up to that promise, Matthews said. Its important that this work goes to our local workers. U.S. Cold Storage area director Adam Ashley said in a statement that all construction of the building and related site work has utilized 100% union workers. We have an automation partner and due to the specialized nature of the automation they provide us with a complete solution from installation to operation, Ashley said. The Lake County Council worked with the union, sending letters and calling company officials, to ensure that more local union workers could work on the project. The council members felt it was important to assist the union because when the project was approved a year ago verbal commitments were made that local union workers would be hired, according to the statement. The council granted a 10-year tax abatement for the project in July 2023 to U.S. Cold Storage after company representatives made commitments to the council during the study session prior to the public meeting that the company would only use union labor and strive to hire local contractors, according to the statement. In an effort to help the long-delayed project originally intended to begin in 2017 move forward on an expedited timeline, the Council granted the abatement without codifying the promises made by the company representatives, according to the statement. We are disappointed the company has chosen to disregard the promises made in an effort to obtain the tax abatement and not honor their commitment to the Lake County Council and the unions, contractors and taxpayers who live here, according to the statement. The council sent a certified letter to U.S. Cold Storage vice president and corporate controller Erica Matthews, according to the statement. Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-Cedar Lake, said he called company representatives to talk about the project and remind them about the verbal commitment made to the council. Weve backed (the unions) with what we can do legally and we hope there is a resolution to this, Niemeyer said. Were always happy to support local labor. Palmateer said the union is still working with U.S. Cold Storage representatives to ensure local union workers can work on the racking portion of the project. Were continuing to push to keep local labor on these projects, Matthews said. akukulka@chicagotribune.com Lakeland man sent to prison for trying to carry a gun on a plane - his second offense A Lakeland man has been sentenced to three years and six months in federal prison for carrying a gun into Tampa International Airport. Abraham Othman Yacoub pleaded guilty on April 10 to violating airport security requirements and attempted possession of a dangerous weapon on an aircraft. Yacoub arrived at Tampa International Airport on Aug. 4, 2023, to board a flight to Las Vegas, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. He entered the Transportation Security Administration screening line and placed his backpack and other items into a bin before proceeding through the screening. TSA employees detected a firearm inside Yacoubs bag while screening his items with an x-ray machine, the release said. Yacoub took his bag from the conveyor belt and entered the nearest mens restroom, where he removed the gun, wrapped it in toilet paper and hid it in a trashcan. County Line Road: Four people die in mobile home fire in Plant City early Wednesday Yacoub returned to the screening area with his backpack. TSA agents rescreened the backpack and questioned Yacoub, who falsely told them he had not brought a firearm into the airport, the release said. The airport terminal had to be evacuated of passengers and numerous flights were delayed before officers from the Tampa Airport Police Department arrived and found the gun holding a magazine loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition. It was Yacoubs second time bringing a firearm into a Florida airport, the release said. In late 2020, he brought a gun into the TSA-secured area of an airport in Miami-Dade County. Yacoub pleaded guilty in 2021 to carrying a concealed firearm. United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber issued the sentence in court for the Middle District of Florida. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland man gets prison for carrying gun into Tampa airport TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Lakeland man has been sentenced to three years and six months for violating airport security requirements and attempted possession of a dangerous weapon on an aircraft, according to the Department of Justice. According to records, Abraham Othman Yacoub, 26, arrived to Tampa International Airport to board a flight to Las Vegas, Nevada on August 4, 2023. Yacoub entered the TSA screening line where he placed his belongings into the bin before proceeding through. Frontier offering new G.O.A.T promotion with flights as low as $19 Yacoubs items were screened through the TSA X-ray machine where they observed a firearm inside his bag. While TSA searched for the bag that had the firearm inside, Yacoub took his bag and entered the mens restroom where he removed the firearm, wrapped it in toilet paper, and hid it in the trashcan. Yacoub exited the restroom where he was met by TSA agents and rescreened. When questioned about the firearm, Yacoub lied and told TSA that he had not brought a firearm into the airport. According to records, the Tampa Airport Police Department responded to the screening area, questioned Yacoub, and searched the mens restroom that he had entered. The Police located a black firearm in the trashcan partially wrapped in toilet paper with 14 nine-millimeter rounds of ammunition inside a magazine loaded in the gun. In 2020, Yacoub brought a firearm into the TSA secured area of a Miami-Dade airport. Yacoub pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed firearm in 2021. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lanes reopen after crash on U.S. 127 in Preble County Lanes reopen after crash on U.S. 127 in Preble County PREBLE COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN) All lanes have reopened along U.S. 127 after a crash. According to OHGO, all lanes were closed in both directions of U.S. 127, from West Central Avenue to 3.1 miles beyond West Camden College Corner Road mile marker 4.5, due to the crash. The Preble County Sheriffs Dispatch Center confirmed the crash, and that it is under investigation. They later confirmed that the scene was clear as of 7:53 a.m. All lanes in both directions were closed for several hours. The Dayton Patrol Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted at the scene. 2 NEWS will update this story as we learn more. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A Las Cruces man who was recently convicted of trafficking heroin left the courthouse during lunch break and failed to return, according to the Third Judicial District Attorneys Office for the State of New Mexico. The Third Judicial District Attorneys Office says Daniel Crawford, 42, was found guilty of two counts of possession of heroin with intent to traffic in the second degree. Daniel Crawford, 42. Photo: The Third Judicial District Attorneys Office for the State of New Mexico. During the jury trial, District Court Judge Perea dismissed everyone for lunch break and Crawford left the courthouse and failed to return. Prosecutors argued that under court rule 5-612 (C)(1) NMRA, the trial should continue since Crawford voluntarily made himself absent. The Third Judicial District Attorneys Office says sentencing will be held at a later date and if Crawford fails to show, then the court must consider issuing a warrant. On July 23, 2020, Las Cruces Metro Narcotics agents investigated a house visit per an adult probation office. Agents found methamphetamine and heroin along with equipment needed to package the drugs for street level distribution in the back bedroom, the Third Judicial District Attorneys Office said. Agents also searched Crawfords phone where several text messages confirming alleged drug transactions were found. Crawford was found guilty by a Las Cruces jury in Third District 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 KTSM 9 News. Strength: Robust brand portfolio and global market presence. Weakness: Vulnerability to currency fluctuations impacting financial performance. Opportunity: Expansion in emerging markets and product diversification. Threat: Intense competition and changing consumer preferences. On July 29, 2024, Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO) filed its 10-Q report, revealing the financial performance and strategic positioning of the world's largest nonalcoholic beverage company. With a rich history dating back to 1886, Coca-Cola has established a formidable presence in over 200 countries, offering a diverse portfolio of 200 brands. This SWOT analysis delves into the company's latest SEC filing to provide investors with a comprehensive understanding of its operational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for growth, and potential threats. The financial overview indicates a steady increase in net operating revenues, from $11,972 million in Q2 2023 to $12,363 million in Q2 2024, and a slight dip in net income attributable to shareholders from $2,547 million to $2,411 million in the same period. Decoding Coca-Cola Co (KO): A Strategic SWOT Insight Strengths Brand Power and Global Reach: Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO) continues to leverage its unparalleled brand equity, which is synonymous with soft drinks worldwide. The company's strategic marketing and global distribution network have fortified its position, leading to a consistent increase in net operating revenues, up by 3.3% year-over-year for Q2 2024. This strength is not just in its flagship Coca-Cola brand but extends across its expansive beverage portfolio, which caters to a wide range of consumer tastes and preferences. Financial Resilience: Despite market volatility, Coca-Cola's financials exhibit resilience. The company's gross profit margin improved from $7,060 million in Q2 2023 to $7,551 million in Q2 2024, underscoring its ability to manage costs effectively. Additionally, Coca-Cola's strong balance sheet, with significant cash flows from operations, provides the financial flexibility to invest in growth initiatives and navigate economic downturns. Weaknesses Currency Exchange Vulnerabilities: Coca-Cola's extensive international operations expose it to currency exchange risks. The 10-Q filing reveals that foreign currency fluctuations unfavorably impacted consolidated net operating revenues by 6%. This vulnerability can lead to unpredictable earnings and affect the company's profitability, as evidenced by the comprehensive income attributable to shareholders, which decreased from $2,852 million in Q2 2023 to $1,457 million in Q2 2024. Legal and Regulatory Challenges: Coca-Cola faces ongoing legal and regulatory scrutiny, which can lead to significant financial and reputational risks. The company's operations are subject to a myriad of laws and regulations across different jurisdictions, and any non-compliance could result in hefty fines and damage to its brand image. Opportunities Expansion in Emerging Markets: Coca-Cola has significant growth potential in emerging economies, where increasing disposable incomes and urbanization are driving demand for consumer goods. The company's strategic refranchising efforts, such as the recent transactions in Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, demonstrate its commitment to optimizing its bottling operations and expanding its footprint in high-growth markets. Product Diversification and Innovation: There is an opportunity for Coca-Cola to further diversify its product portfolio to cater to the evolving health-conscious consumer. Innovations in low-calorie, sugar-free, and functional beverages can open new revenue streams and strengthen the company's market position against competitors. Threats Intense Competition: The beverage industry is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for market share. Coca-Cola must continuously innovate and adapt to maintain its leadership position. Competitors' aggressive marketing strategies and product launches could erode Coca-Cola's market share if not effectively countered. Changing Consumer Preferences: There is a growing trend towards healthier lifestyles, which poses a threat to Coca-Cola's traditional sugary drink offerings. The company must navigate this shift in consumer behavior by expanding its portfolio to include healthier options and aligning with the wellness trend to retain consumer loyalty. In conclusion, Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO) exhibits formidable strengths, including its iconic brand and financial robustness, which have enabled it to maintain a leading position in the global beverage market. However, the company must address weaknesses such as currency exchange vulnerabilities and regulatory challenges to safeguard its financial stability. Opportunities for expansion in emerging markets and product diversification present pathways for growth, while threats from intense competition and changing consumer preferences necessitate strategic agility. Overall, Coca-Cola's SWOT analysis reveals a company with the potential to capitalize on its strengths and opportunities while mitigating its weaknesses and threats. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Palacio family has been fighting for four years to find their daughters accused murderer and following an international manhunt they said there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Ofelia Markarian, the Palacio family attorney, spoke during a media news conference Tuesday reacting to the arrest of Erick Rangel-Ibarra in Mexico in connection to the killing of Lesley Palacio. When could Erick Rangel-Ibarra return to Las Vegas to face charges in Lesly Palacios murder? We will celebrate once we see him here in the United States, Markarian said. The family is just very grateful that there has been progress. Ofelia Markarian, the Palacio family attorney, spoke during a media news conference Tuesday reacting to the arrest of Erick Rangel-Ibarra in Mexico in connection to the killing of Lesley Palacio. (KLAS) 8 News Now was the first to report the arrest of Rangel-Ibarra. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police also confirmed the arrest and extradition process in a Tuesday news release. The next steps of the extradition process are expected to be lengthy and complex, according to immigration law experts who spoke with 8 News Now. Markarian said the Palacio family is hoping to see a quick procedure. We are hoping that the extradition process will be fast, and next we will be there every single court hearing, she said. We will be on top, carefully monitoring and watching and seeing how this case is going to progress. Markarian told members of the media she did not have any official update on the investigation and said she wanted to only provide an update from the Palacio family. The Palacio family has been fighting for four years to find their daughters murderer and following an international manhunt they said there is a light at the end of the tunnel. (KLAS) Weve been fighting and fighting for four years now, she said. We never gave up and there is light at the end of the tunnel. 8 News Now asked Markarian, who has represented the family for four years and held annual case updates, how she reacted to the arrest. This is what makes my job satisfying. This is what I live for. This is why I do it, she said. As long as you have that faith and the drive, and the drive for justice to bring people to justice. Just dont give up. Markarian thanked the Las Vegas community for assisting in the investigation since 2020 and said the family now awaits Rangel-Ibarras extradition. I want to say thank you for everyone thats been following Lesleys story, Markarian said. Dont stop theres more and we are were in this together. Ofelia Markarian, the Palacio family attorney, spoke during a media news conference Tuesday reacting to the arrest of Erick Rangel-Ibarra in Mexico in connection to the killing of Lesley Palacio. (KLAS) The case so far Las Vegas Metro police suspect Palacio died on Aug. 29, 2020. Police found her remains two weeks later near the Valley of Fire. Rangel-Ibarra is the only suspect in Palacios murder. Metro police reported Rangel-Ibarra and his father, Jose Rangel, missing within days of Palacios death. In 2021, Rangel pleaded guilty to helping his son move Palacios body from the family home. A judge sentenced Rangel to two years in prison. The 8 News Now Investigators reported Rangel was released after serving less than nine months. Video evidence presented to a grand jury in 2021 showed Rangel-Ibarra and Rangel moving Palacios body on the morning of her suspected death. According to court transcripts and video footage, prosecutors said Rangel-Ibarra returned to his home with Palacio around 6 a.m. after a night of drinking. Video shows a man, whom prosecutors identified as Rangel-Ibarra, helping a woman, identified as Palacio, get out of a truck parked in front of his home, court documents said. Las Vegas Metro police suspect Palacio died Aug. 29, 2020. Police found her remains two weeks later near the Valley of Fire. Rangel-Ibarra is the only suspect in Palacios murder. Metro police reported Rangel-Ibarra and his father, Jose Rangel, missing within days of Palacios death. (KLAS) An hour later, the same camera from a home down the street captures two men, whom prosecutors identified as Rangel-Ibarra and Rangel, dragging a body from the home and into the same truck. A few minutes later, the video shows the truck leaving, and a man, whom prosecutors identified as Rangel, hosing off the walkway. Rangel initially told police he thought Palacio had died from an overdose, but then told police he initially saw the body when his son dragged it down the stairs of their home on a bed sheet, documents said. Palacios official cause and manner of death are listed as undetermined. Investigators have not elaborated on what evidence inside the Rangel home led them to determine Palacio is the victim of a homicide. An undetermined cause and manner of death means there is not enough evidence on a deceased persons body to clearly determine how they died. Over the years, Metro police and the FBI have worked with international partners, including Interpol, to locate Rangel-Ibarra. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Las Vegas man accused of shooting at car more than 20 times: They wont find anything because Im too smart LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man faces several attempted murder charges after police said he shot at two people in a vehicle more than 20 times in retaliation for a fight at a Fourth of July party, documents said. On July 5 at around 12:30 a.m., officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department were called to the area of Rainbow Boulevard and Lone Mountain Road after reports of a shooting. A woman and her son were driving near the area when a suspect shot at their vehicle more than 20 times, according to an arrest report. Through investigation, detectives learned that a man named Darius Higuera, 24, went to a Fourth of July party with his girlfriend the night before the shooting. Higuera knew the victims and the shooting was not random, police said. Darius Higuera, 24, faces several attempted murder charges after police said he shot at two people in a vehicle more than 20 times in retaliation for a fight at a Fourth of July party. (LVMPD) According to witnesses, Higuera had an issue with members of the family and his girlfriends mom asked him to leave the party. Higuera refused to leave and a fight between Higuera and another family member broke out. During the fight, the family member picked up a rock and hit Higuera in the head with it, the report stated. Higuera showed his girlfriend a handgun that he kept in his car and she convinced him to leave. After he left, Higuera texted his girlfriend about the fight, texting I should have killed them, the report stated. Higuera then came back to the house and took his girlfriends brothers backpack from his car, which the brother saw, according to the report. Surveillance video shows Higuera shooting twice at a family member who chased after him. The girlfriends brother and mom got into their car to chase after him and were near Rainbow Boulevard and Lone Mountain Road when Higuera got out of his car and shot at their vehicle 25 times, the report stated. Higueras girlfriend recorded a phone call with him where he said he shot at her brother. He was following me in traffic, I just shot at his dumb [expletive], he said, according to the report. In the recording, Higuera also told his girlfriend if anyone wanted to call the police, they can, but they wont find anything because Im too smart. Police took Higuera into custody on July 30. Higuera told police that he got into a fight at a Fourth of July party where he was hit in the head with a rock, but would not say anything more before he requested a lawyer. Higuera is being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center where he faces three counts of attempted murder and 27 counts of discharging a gun at or into an occupied structure or vehicle. His next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, Aug 5. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two Las Vegas police officers are being honored with a Good Ticket award for how they handled a woman who had been reported missing. According to a news release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Foundation, Officer Diana Wohlers and Officer Jeremy Robertson will be recognized today for their resourcefulness and compassion during an urgent incident involving a vulnerable woman missing in a remote location. Both officers used an ATV to search for the missing woman and found her in a water detention basin. I believe I just found the female. Shes laying (sic) down in the middle of the wash area, Officer Wohlers can be heard saying. The rescue was captured on her body camera. The woman, who was wearing a sweatsuit and slippers, was awake but not responding. Shes so weak, Wohlers said as both officers attempted to get her on her feet while reassuring her. Youre doing so good, Wohlers said. The officers called for assistance in getting the woman out of the wash and were able to get her into a Metro vehicle until paramedics arrived. No further information about the woman or when the rescue occurred was released. The LVMPD Foundation said a Good Ticket award honors and highlights the kindness and urgency displayed by the officers and is meant to show the profound impact that thoughtful and humane policing has on individuals, families and the community. Their quick thinking and decisive actions, captured on bodycam footage, played a crucial role in saving her life, the police foundation said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Vice President Kamala Harris has erased former President Donald Trumps lead in key battleground states, with the two candidates now locked in a statistical dead heat, according to the latest Bloomberg News/Morning Consult polling. Harris was backed by 48% of voters to Trumps 47% across all swing states. The vice president is ahead in four battleground states, while Trump leads in two. Its a significant improvement for Democrats, who were down an average of 2 points in swing states prior to President Joe Bidens withdrawal from the presidential race. Since Harris took over as the presumptive nominee, shes overtaken Trump in Arizona and Nevada and more than doubled Bidens lead in Michigan, where she currently leads Trump by 11 points. Trump has a 4 point lead in Pennsylvania and a 2 point lead in North Carolina. The two candidates are tied in Georgia. Apart from Michigan and Pennsylvania, all results are within the margin of error. The Trump-Harris matchup has attracted a wealth of new voters, with one-third of swing state voters saying they are more likely to vote now that Biden is out. Almost two thirds of Black voters said they are more likely to vote in November. Separately, a YouGov poll commissioned by The Economist and released Wednesday found Harris leading Trump nationally by 46% to 44%. A week ago, per YouGov, Trump was leading Harris 44% to 41%. Though momentum has picked up significantly for Democrats, some have warned that the Harris campaign is in a honeymoon phase and that it will show up in the polls. I would call it a honeymoon phase, Steve Sisolak, a former Democratic governor of Nevada, told The New York Times. Weve got to keep the energy going. You got it started, now youve got to keep it going. Its going to be a challenge for everybody. In the ten days since Biden dropped out, the Harris campaign says it has raised over $200 million and the vice president has attracted record-breaking attendance at rallies across the country. Harris is expected to pick her running mate on Monday and the two will begin campaigning in key swing states, sources told CBS. Addiction Recovery Care and its owner Tim Robinson have rebuilt a block in downtown Louisa into a coffee shop, commercial kitchen, community theater and an event space. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Matthew Mueller) FRANKFORT The states largest provider of drug and alcohol treatment is warning that looming cuts in Medicaid reimbursement to some providers could damage efforts to curb addiction that has engulfed Kentucky just as the state is showing improvements. Kentucky has made significant strides in access to treatment, Matt Brown, chief administrative officer for Addiction Recovery Care, or ARC, told a legislative committee Tuesday. With these cuts, it could completely set back addiction treatment in our state 20 years. A handful of companies that provide substance use disorder treatment, including ARC, have been notified they face cuts of 15% to 20% from some private insurers that handle most Medicaid claims, Brown told the committee. Brown noted that overdose deaths in Kentucky have declined for the past two years after years of rising. Kentucky also has the most treatment beds per resident, most of them through ARC, he said. The states latest annual overdose report, released in June, shows a decrease in deaths to 1,984 from 2,200 the year before, a decline of 9.8%. Brown was joined by Deron Bibb, chief financial officer for Stepworks, a recovery program based in Elizabethtown, and ARC executive John Wilson, also executive director of the Kentucky Association of Independent Recovery Organizations, speaking to the interim joint Health Services Committee about the cuts. This will likely result in higher overdose rates, higher recidivism, more crime and incarceration, Bibb said. We need to understand the full scope and impact of these cuts. The cuts have been announced by three of the six managed care organizations, or MCOs, private insurance companies that handle claims for most of the states $16 billion-a-year Medicaid program, Brown said. Under their contracts with the state, the MCOs generally have authority to set rates they pay providers. The state pays MCOs a fixed amount per member to cover Medicaid costs. One company also has begun notifying patients it will no longer cover addiction services at ARC effective Sept. 30, Brown said. He did not identify the MCOs that have announced cuts and declined to do so after the hearing, saying ARC and other companies are still attempting to negotiate with them. The Kentucky Association of Health Plans, which represents the MCOs, said in a statement released Thursday by spokesman Tyler Glick, that its members are proud to work collaboratively with quality, trustworthy providers of behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment and access to those services is top of mind to ensure those in need receive care. Health plans strive for the best networks possible and are encouraged by the state to prioritize plan member outcomes and value-based care, it said. Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield and co-chairman of the health committee, said Tuesday the lawmakers likely would seek more testimony on the subject, including from the MCOs. I know theres two sides to every story, he said. Wellcare, with 420,000 members, is the largest of the six MCOs followed by Passport by Molina, Aetna, Anthem, Humana and United HealthCare. Together they oversee payment of Medicaid claims for about 1.4 million Kentuckians. Wilson said the recovery organization he represents wants to make sure lawmakers are aware of the situation and already has asked them to voice concerns. Theres going to be real world consequences and I think its important to let legislators know whats taking place, he said. Some defenders benefitted from owners largesse Several lawmakers have signed letters urging that the MCOs suspend any cuts to substance use treatment until the General Assembly can further review the matter. They include some in key leadership positions and some who have benefited from campaign donations from ARC founder and owner Tim Robinson and his employees. ARC, a for-profit company based in Louisa, has emerged as the states largest and fastest growing provider of addiction services, financed largely by Medicaid, the government health plan with the majority of funds from the federal government. Growth took off after 2014 when substance use treatment was included in the Medicaid expansion authorized by the Affordable Care Act. The Lantern reported the company took in about $130 million last year in Medicaid funds and was by far the largest recipient of the about $1.2 billion the state spent on substance use treatment. The company and Robinson also have become among Kentuckys major political donors with more than $500,000 in contributions over the last decade with funds divided among Republican causes and those of Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, the Lantern reported earlier this month, citing campaign finance and other public records. Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, who has received $19,900 in contributions from Robinson, his wife Lelia and ARC employees since 2016, on July 9 sent a letter to Kentucky Medicaid Commissioner Lisa Lee urging the cuts for addiction services be suspended until the legislature fully understands the reasons behind them. Kentucky has made great progress in tackling the addiction crisis that has touched so many of our constituents, neighbors, colleagues, friends and family members, Wheeler said. Cutting reimbursement now could negatively affect some of our most vulnerable citizens and prevent us from seeing these positive trends continue, his letter said. A similar letter addressed to to whom it may concern was signed by Rep. Patrick Flannery, R-Olive Hill, who has received about $17,000 in campaign contributions from Robinson and ARC employees. Another letter was signed jointly by Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, House Speaker David Osborne, R- Prospect, Rep. Kimberly Moser, R-Taylor Mill and Meredith. Moser and Meredith are co-chairs of the joint Health Services Committee which heard from ARC and other treatment officials Tuesday. Republican supermajorities control the Kentucky House and Senate. Robinson has given $10,000 to the Kentucky House Republican Caucus, and $15,000 to the Kentucky Senate Republican Caucus in the last four years. Robinson also has given other contributions to campaigns of Republican state legislators in the past decade including $4,100 to Moser and $2,000 to Osborne. From 2021 through 2023, ARC companies and employees gave about $252,000 to a political committee supporting Beshear, whom Robinson, a Republican, has said he admires and would like to see run for president. Bibb, Stepworks chief financial officer, gave $500 to Flannery in December 2023 and $2,500 to the Kentucky House Republican Caucus in October 2022, according to Kentucky Registry of Election Finance records. Not asking for more money, just no cuts, says company official Brown said that one concern of the MCOs is the cost of treatment, in particular long-term treatment for addiction. ARC understands concerns about costs, but experience shows people with addiction benefit the most from long-term services, Brown told the committee. It is not just about surviving from their addiction but thriving in their communities, he said. Long-term treatment is vital. Without quality treatment, costs to the state will rise elsewhere, Bibb said. These costs will not go away, Bibb said. They simply will shift back to the emergency room, the judicial system, foster care, homelessness. ARC is willing to work with the MCOs and the state to ensure it is using money efficiently and effectively, Brown said after the hearing. Everybodys got to be good stewards, he said. Were committed to helping provide a solution. Brown and Wilson said representatives of treatment providers plan to meet with MCOs and state officials in coming weeks to try to resolve their differences. Were not asking for more money, Brown said. Were asking for no cuts. Wheeler, in an interview, said he appreciates the support of Robinson, a longtime friend since college together at the University of Kentucky, but thats not why he sent the letter. Rather hes concerned about the impact of cuts of up to 20% on ARCs services, which he said have helped many people in the region including a brother who benefited from its treatment program. Also, he said, ARC is a major employer in the area where jobs have been scarce and also trains its clients for jobs. This story has been updated with a statement from the Kentucky Association of Health Plans. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Lawmakers plan October hearing on alleged $1.8 million theft by former state employee South Dakota's Capitol in Pierre. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) South Dakota lawmakers will hold a hearing in October on a former state employees alleged theft of $1.8 million from Child Protection Services. The Legislatures Government Operations and Audit Committee met Wednesday in Pierre and discussed plans for the hearing. We find out what went on, and how do we stop it, said Committee Chair and Rep. Ernie Otten, R-Tea. The committee will call witnesses from various state departments to understand how the theft occurred, with a goal of preventing similar incidents in the future. A Hughes County grand jury indicted Lonna Carroll, 68, on July 15 for two felony counts of aggravated grand theft. Carroll, a former Department of Social Services employee, allegedly diverted funds intended for foster care and child protective services from 2010 to 2023. She was arrested in Iowa and extradited to South Dakota. Bail is set at $50,000. During the committee meeting, several members pressed Auditor General Russ Olson for more detailed information regarding the theft. Olson had been tasked with sharing recent audit findings with the committee. He declined to provide additional specifics, citing the ongoing criminal case. Carrolls initial court appearance was Thursday. Her arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 27. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Parkridge Specialty Care and Rehabilitation of Pleasant Hill is being sued for allegedly contributing to the death of a resident. (Photo via Google Earth) An Iowa nursing home is being sued for elder abuse and negligence in the death of a resident. The family and estate of Neuang Boun Sisamouth are suing Parkridge Specialty Care and Rehabilitation of Pleasant Hill, as well as the homes corporate parent, Care Initiatives of West Des Moines, in Polk County District Court. Also named as defendants are Curana Health of Iowa and two Parkridge nurses, Chelsey Schreiber and Dezaree Major, who may have been employed through Curana while working at Parkridge. Sisamouth, who was diabetic, had been a resident at Parkridge for more than two years prior to her death in June 2022, at age 72. The lawsuit alleged that around 8:45 a.m. on the morning of June 20, 2022, a certified nurse aide and a nurse each found that Sisamouths overall condition and vital signs had deteriorated. Her blood sugar, which was normally over 100, fell to a dangerously low level of 39, and her blood pressure had dropped, according to the lawsuit. In addition, she appeared to be wheezing and having trouble breathing, and her oxygen saturation had fallen to 89%, which was below the critical threshold of 90%. The lawsuit alleges that Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Chelsey Schreiber noted in the medical record that the nursing staff informed her of Sisamouths decline and indicated the deterioration had begun the previous day. Around 9 a.m., Sisamouths condition allegedly worsened and her eyes rolled back into her head. Ms. Sisamouths condition was sufficiently dire that a lay person would have known to call 911, the lawsuit states. Around 10:43 a.m., the lawsuit claims, Schreiber examined Sisamouth again and then left her to deteriorate for another six hours before EMS was contacted. During that time, the lawsuit alleges, Parkridge did not call 911 to assist Sisamouth, but did call 911 to report that the homes administrator, Kelsey Anderson, had found a methamphetamine pipe in the building. Shortly after 1 p.m., the staff contacted Sisamouths daughter and informed her of her mothers condition. The daughter asked that the staff send her mother to the hospital immediately. Within a few minutes, the lawsuit alleges, Schreiber ordered Licensed Practical Nurse Dezaree Major to call 911 and have Sisamouth transported to the emergency room. However, the lawsuit claims, EMS wasnt called for another 90 minutes, and the ambulance crew didnt arrive at Parkridge until 3 p.m. Sisamouth was taken to MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines and was pronounced dead at 4:24 p.m. after resuscitation efforts failed. According to the lawsuit, Schreiber later characterized Majors failure to comply with her directives as neglect. The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals subsequently cited Parkridge for numerous violations, including a failure to seek emergency treatment in a timely manner. Ms. Sisamouth experienced extreme and unimaginable pain and suffering as well as emotional distress, the lawsuit states, alleging that Parkridge has been cited by the state for multiple resident deaths in the past. The facility has a history of repeated violations of state and federal statutes and regulations as well as fines due to its repeated gross failure to properly care for its residents, the lawsuit states. Medicare suspended payments to this entity, the entity has been given a one-star rating from the federal government and it has been fined multiple times. The lawsuit alleges the defendants are guilty of medical malpractice, elder abuse, and negligence. A trial date has yet to be scheduled. The defendants have denied any wrongdoing. In its answer to the lawsuit, Care Initiatives has stated that the findings of state inspectors are not relevant or admissible in the case. According to state records, Curana Health of Iowa, also known as Elite Patient Care Iowa, is a Texas company whose sole member is Dr. Antonio Gamboa. In 2023, Parkridge was deemed eligible for inclusion on the federal governments list of Special-Focus Facilities that have recurring quality-of-care problems. That same year, former Parkridge nurse Danny Trent Mendez-Patterson, 42, agreed to surrender his nursing license after being convicted of assault causing injury. Court records indicate that in December 2021, Mendez-Patterson was working at Parkridge when, according to witnesses, he pushed, slapped and hit a 77-year-old female resident of the home, causing bruising around her right eye. The woman suffered an anxiety attack and was briefly hospitalized, according to court records. By Andrew Osborn, Filipp Lebedev, Lucy Papachristou, Trevor Hunnicutt and Andrea Shalal MOSCOW/ANKARA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich and ex-U.S. Marine Paul Whelan returned to the United States on Thursday, hours after being freed from Russian detention in the biggest prisoner exchange between the two countries since the Cold War. The White House said it negotiated the trade with Russia, Germany and three other countries. The deal, worked on in secrecy for more than a year, involved 24 prisoners - 16 moving from Russia to the West and eight sent back to Russia from the West. They included Vadim Krasikov, convicted of murdering an exiled dissident in Berlin, the German government said. U.S. President Joe Biden hailed the deal as "a feat of diplomacy and friendship" and praised Washington's allies for their "bold and brave decisions." Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, buoyed by the occasion, greeted freed Americans Gershkovich, Whelan and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva as they arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland shortly before midnight (0400 GMT). The president took off his lapel pin and gave it to Whelan as he got off the Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft. The deal gives the Biden-Harris administration a marquee diplomatic success with the presidential campaign, pitting Harris against Republican former President Donald Trump, barely three months away. Harris, poised to be the Democratic nominee after Biden dropped out of the race last month, praised his leadership for bringing together the complex prisoner swap, telling reporters on the tarmac it was a testament to American leadership. Russian President Vladimir Putin met the prisoners returning to Russia on their arrival in Moscow, saying they would be given state awards. The exchange also represents a victory for Putin, who had indicated he wanted Krasikov back. Their homeland "had not forgotten you for a moment," he told the returnees to Russia. Krasikov is a colonel in the Russian FSB security service who was serving a life sentence for murdering an exiled Chechen-Georgian dissident in a Berlin park. CRITICS FEAR 'DANGEROUS MESSAGE' The multi-country deal appeared to be a one-time exchange that does not reset the antagonistic U.S.-Russia relationship, which has deteriorated sharply since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. deputy national security adviser Jon Finer said Washington-Moscow ties remain "in a very difficult place" despite the swap. "There was no trust involved in this relationship or negotiation," Finer told broadcaster CNN. Critics said freeing Russians convicted of serious crimes could encourage more hostage-taking by U.S. foes. "I remain concerned that continuing to trade innocent Americans for actual Russian criminals held in the U.S. and elsewhere sends a dangerous message to Putin that only encourages further hostage-taking by his regime," Michael McCaul, the Republican chair of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement. Trump, who said he did not have details of the swap, asked whether "murderers, killers, or thugs" were released. "Just curious because we never make good deals, at anything, but especially hostage swaps," the presidential nominee said on social media. Also involved in the deal were Belarus, Norway, Poland and Slovenia. Turkey coordinated the exchange. The Kremlin said in a statement its decision to pardon and free prisoners "was made with the aim of returning Russian citizens detained and imprisoned in foreign countries." The last major exchange between the United States and Russia, in 2010, involved 14 prisoners. The two countries had a high-profile exchange in December 2022, swapping U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner - sentenced to nine years for vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage - for arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year sentence. EMOTIONAL REUNIONS In the West, the dissidents are seen by governments and activists as wrongfully detained political prisoners. All have, for different reasons, been designated by Moscow as dangerous extremists. Among the Westerners freed, Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was accused of collecting sensitive military information for the CIA, a charge he and the newspaper denied. The White House posted an emotional two-minute video of the moment the families of the U.S.-bound detainees spoke to their loved ones by phone from the Oval Office. "This is Momma. Do you hear me? It's your mom," Gershkovich's mother tells her son in the clip, posted on Biden's social media account on the X platform. Hours later, Gershkovich scooped her up and lifted her in the air as they met on the tarmac while other family members cheered for joy. Whelan, the former marine, was serving a 16-year sentence in a Russian penal colony on espionage charges that he denied. Rico Krieger, a German, had been sentenced to death in Belarus on terrorism charges. He was pardoned by President Alexander Lukashenko, a close Putin ally, before being freed. Also released was Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist sentenced to 6-1/2 years in prison on July 19, the same day as Gershkovich, as well as Kara-Murza, who was serving 25 years for treason after saying Putin was bombing Ukrainian homes, hospitals and schools. Released with them were human rights activist Oleg Orlov and Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin. Many of those freed had worked with Alexei Navalny, Russia's leading opposition figure who died in unclear circumstances in an Arctic penal colony in February. Before his death, Navalny was meant to have been part of the exchange, said Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan. A Slovenian court on Wednesday sentenced two Russians to time served for espionage and using fake identities and said they would be deported. Both were among those returned to Russia, according to an official U.S. list. Also returned to Russia and released from the U.S. were Roman Seleznev and Vladislav Klyushin - both convicted of cyber crimes - and Vadim Konoshchenok. Wall Street Journal Editor in Chief Emma Tucker posted an open letter on X, calling it a "joyous day." (This story has been corrected to remove the reference to Kara-Murza returning to JBA, in paragraph 5) (Reporting by Andrew Osborn in Moscow, Filipp Lebedev and Lucy Papachristou in London, Ece Toksabay in Istanbul, Mert Ozkan in Ankara, and Trevor Hunicutt, Andrea Shalal and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Writing by Andrew Osborn, Kevin Liffey, Patricia Zengerle, Cynthia Osterman and Stephen Coates; Editing by Diane Craft, William Mallard and Clarence Fernandez) Lawyers devise way to charge industry with homicide after fatal heat wave: 'These climate disasters didn't come out of nowhere' Arizona lawyers have grounds for charging oil conglomerates with murder or manslaughter for the hundreds of deaths caused by the July 2023 heat wave, per an article published in the Guardian. Climate experts and scientists have claimed that the scorching heat wave from last summer was a result of Big Oil burning dirty fuels and releasing harmful, planet-warming gases into the atmosphere. What's happening? State prosecutors are gearing up to hold oil companies accountable for the climate disaster and resulting deaths they caused. Hundreds of Arizona residents suffered from heat-related deaths after the state experienced one of the worst heat waves last July, per the Guardian's report. According to the prosecution memorandum, the victims covered a wide demographic, as individuals of many ages and socioeconomic backgrounds passed away from the intolerable heat. "Some were homeless, like the man who died after breaking both legs jumping over a fence in a desperate attempt to find shade outside an elementary school; others were well off, like the woman who died in her $1 million home in Scottsdale," states the prosecution's memo. Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy nonprofit organization, published the memo to outline the climate disaster's impact and present grounds for the state to pursue reckless manslaughter or second-degree murder claims against big oil companies. Why is Arizona's legal action against Big Oil important? Rising global temperatures have led to an increase in heat waves across major U.S. cities. According to data from the Environmental Protection Agency, heat waves in the U.S. have increased from an average of two per year during the 1960s to an average of six per year during the 2010s and 2020s. Despite knowing the impact of dirty energy on the environment and its catastrophic effects, big oil companies have continued to burn these toxic fuels, choosing profit over public safety. "As Americans reeled from another lethal heat wave last week, it's important to remember that these climate disasters didn't come out of nowhere," Aaron Regunberg, senior policy counsel with Public Citizen's climate program, told the Guardian. "They were knowingly caused by fossil fuel companies that chose to inflict this suffering to maintain their profits." What's being done about climate disasters caused by Big Oil? As the Guardian reported, 40 cities and states have already taken action against Big Oil, suing companies for their part in climate disasters and for denying the impact dirty energy has on the environment. While experts note that Arizona's potential homicide charges against Big Oil would be an arduous fight, it would set the precedent for future cases of climate-related deaths. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. At least 3 people injured in Maine shooting, roadways shutdown, police say Authorities responded to a major incident Tuesday night where several people were injured in a shooting. According to Portland Police, at least three victims were hospitalized following an apparent shooting in the 1100 block of Forest Avenue. The conditions and ages of the victims are unknown at this time. No arrests have been made and anyone who sees anything suspicious is asked to call police. A description of a suspect was not immediately available. Forest Avenue was closed from late Tuesday night until after 8:00 a.m. Wednesday. Forest Ave. is now open to traffic. pic.twitter.com/G1IGeLoMOM Portland (ME) Police (@PolicePortland) July 31, 2024 PPD is on scene in the 1100 block of Forest Ave. where at least three victims have been taken to the hospital after an apparent shooting. We are asking people in the area to please call us if they see anything suspicious. Forest Ave. from Bell St, (cont.) Portland (ME) Police (@PolicePortland) July 31, 2024 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 We recently compiled a list of the 10 Micro Cap Stocks That Will Skyrocket. In this article, we are going to take a look at where BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BBAI) stands against the other micro cap stocks. One of the more well known quotes of Warren Buffett is "Only buy something that you'd be perfectly happy to hold if the market shut down for 10 years." The learning from this quote is simple. Buffett believes that the only investments one should make should be those that should accrete value over the long term. However, the biggest tech stock holding in Buffett's latest 13F SEC filings is up by a whopping 181,533% since its shares started trading in 1984. However, the Oracle of Omaha only took a stake in this firm in 2016, when he became convinced that it had an unbeatable moat that would lead the industry in the future. Since his purchase, this stock has gained 692%, so safe to say, that while Buffett has undoubtedly reaped more returns by earning stable dividends through this stock, he nevertheless missed out on its fastest growth years. Even though Buffett might have missed out on these returns because of his love of the margin of safety, compounded returns, and value investment in general, six digit percentage returns are all that a growth investor wants. This urge for growth versus the desire for stability through value stocks is at the heart of one of the oldest debates in the industry, namely, which is better, growth or value? For those seeking clarity and a definitive answer, it appears that there's no single answer to this question. Growth and value stock performance depend on the broader economic environment. Data shows that for the seven years between 1984 and 1991, value stocks led growth stocks by as much as 10 percentage points in an era marked by deregulation and tax cuts. This trend reversed between 1991 and 2001, when growth stocks led by 12 percentage points at the peak of the dotcom era. However, as the bubble popped, value stocks came back with a vengeance and led growth by as much as 17 percentage points between 2001 and 2008. Since then and until 2023, growth stocks are back and have led value stocks by as much as 15 percentage points. Yet, even though research shows that value stocks are typically the best way to invest over the long term (no wonder Warren Buffett swears by them), no value stock has delivered absolute returns matching those of today's biggest growth stocks. Warren Buffett's top technology stock has posted 1,815x returns since it started trading, but it isn't the only one to have done so. No one would have classified this stock as a growth stock, and the list of the 20 largest technology companies in the world is full of such examples. Within these, those that trade on U.S. exchanges, only one is in the red since its shares started trading due to its exposure to China. All others are in the green, and their price appreciations range from 5.04x for the world's largest search engine provider to 4,251x for the operating system and cloud computing company that's leading the artificial intelligence race. Story continues Looking at these absolute returns that have the potential to transform a dollar into thousands of dollars over decades, you might be wondering which industries could provide similar returns in the future. One way to wager a guess at these industries is to see what newsletter writers are pitching. We've taken a look at dozens of such newsletters as part of our research of these pieces and found several sectors that have consistent features. Among these, the three most popular are quantum computing, nuclear energy, and energy infrastructure. Others that aren't consistent but interesting niches are robotics and graphene. Of course, since we don't want to waste your time, we've skipped artificial intelligence but safe to say, it is by far the most popular topic in newsletters, which often promise to pitch stocks capable of delivering anywhere between 10x to 100x in returns through price appreciation. Delving deeper, let's start by seeing how quantum computing and nuclear energy stocks are faring these days. We took a look at some quantum computing stocks are part of our coverage of 12 Best Quantum Computing Stocks To Invest In. Except for two, all of the pure play quantum computing stocks are in the red over the past 12 months. The two stocks that are in the green rank 12th and 5th and they are up by 90% and 45%, respectively. Similarly, we've also compiled a list of the 12 Best Nuclear Energy Stocks To Buy Today. In this list, out of the stocks that are either pure play nuclear firms or have significant exposure to it, the top two have delivered 45% and 83% in one year returns. As opposed to the quantum computing stocks though, all these are in the green. Among these, the two with the highest returns are ranked 12th and 5th. One of the riskiest ways that some investors try to capture the triple digit absolute price returns that we've talked about above is by trying their luck with micro cap stocks. These are stocks with a market cap lower than $1 billion, and their low share prices offer a change of higher relative returns at the risk of pump and dump scams, low liquidity, and low media and analyst coverage. Additionally, while the image of micro cap stocks being risky is commonly present, data driven answers deliver a slightly different picture. For the twelve months ending in December 2022, micro cap stock investment management managers with the highest (25th percentile) returns posted 14.54%, 11.52%, and 13.46% in 20, 15, and five year returns, respectively. On the other hand, small cap managers' top returns were 12.01%, 9.98%, and 12.01%, respectively for a solid set of leads for the former manager group. Crucially, on the risk front, the three year risk adjusted returns for small and micro cap stocks as measured by the Sharpe Ratio are almost completely identical. As if this wasn't enough to convince us to give micro caps a deeper look, you can also consider the returns of a private equity index and a microcap index. Between January 1995 and June 2020, the former gained 716% and the latter led it by 24 percentage points as it gained 740%. Our Methodology To make our list of micro cap stocks that might skyrocket, we decided to gather micro cap stocks covered by investment newsletters from Stock Gumshoe from newsletters dating as far back as January. These were ranked by the number of hedge funds that had bought the shares in Q1 2024 and the top ten stocks were chosen. Stock Gumshoes thesis and the date of each newsletter are also mentioned. Preference was given to NYSE or NASDAQ listed stocks, and when they weren't available, the pink sheet stocks were ranked by their market cap, and the largest were chosen. We also mentioned the number of hedge funds that had bought these stocks during the same filing period. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). A closeup of a computer server rack surrounded by a CAT5 network of cables. Number of Hedge Fund Investors in Q1 2024: 12 Date of Newsletter: May 7th The Pentagon, space, and AI - these are the three key terms that Dylan Jovine's Behind the Markets newsletter uses to pitch this stock. According to the newsletter, the US Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with NASA, the NSA and the Cyber Command have all bought AI software from this company. Key to the stock's pitch is a potential new contract that "could be 22 times bigger" than an earlier contract all because the White House is worried about the threat that Russia poses to America's space infrastructure. These lead Gumshoe to conclude that the stock is BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BBAI) - a Maryland based company that provides data analytics, AI, data management and other solutions. Gumshoe outlines that most of the firm's deals are collaborations that do not lead to revenue recognition. On the financial side, it points out that BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BBAI) earned $155 million in revenue in 2022 and 2023; $190 million in cash; and a stable burn rate. Overall BBAI ranks 5th on our list of the best micro cap stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Micro Cap Stocks That Will Skyrocket to see the other micro cap stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of BBAI as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BBAI but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion Opportunity for NVIDIA and 10 Best of Breed Stocks to Buy For The Third Quarter of 2024 According to Bank of America. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. At least five Russian Shahed-type kamikaze drones flew off course and entered into Russia-ally Belarus during an overnight mass attack on Ukraine on July 31, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported. According to the group, this was the largest entry of Russian drones into Belarus's airspace since the start of the full-scale invasion. Earlier, at least four Shahed drones that were launched at targets in Ukraine veered off course and entered deep into the country between July 11 and July 16. The first drone entered Belarusian airspace at around 11:20 p.m. local time, shortly after which a fighter jet was scrambled from the Baranovichi airfield, the group said. While most of the drones almost immediately exited the country into Ukrainian airspace, one of them traveled more than 260 kilometers (around 161 miles) over Belarus, reaching the town of Stolin in Brest Oblast. The fighter jet was spotted in southeastern Belarus near the border with Ukraine and was in the air for over an hour, Hajun reported. "The fighter was conducting an intensive search for targets and was lifted not just for reconnaissance, but for the purposeful detection of Shaheds over Belarus," the group said. Russia launched its most extensive drone attack on Kyiv in 2024 overnight on July 31. Air defense forces destroyed over 40 drones in the city's airspace and nearby areas, the local authorities reported. In total, Russia launched 89 Shahed-type attack drones at Ukraine overnight, all of which were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses, according to the Air Force. Read also: Why some in Ukraine dont seek shelter during air raid alerts Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Jicarilla Apache Boarding School in Dulce, New Mexico, in 1931. Text accompanying the photo identifies the students as orphans. (Federal Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report Vol. II / Princeton University Library) The U.S. legacy of genocide against Native people through public education may never be completely told. Today, there is a little more truth to share. The second half of an investigative report was released Tuesday as part of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative led by the Department of the Interior. Its another step in acknowledging, learning and potentially healing from harms the U.S. government caused people from every Indigenous nation in the country through federal school programs between 1819 and 1969. In the update to the report commissioned in 2021, the Interior Department estimates that more than $23.3 billion was appropriated by Congress to run an education system that forced at least 18,624 children from tribes across the country to schools where they were assaulted, forced to labor and assimilated until their entire culture was destroyed. The report, which acknowledges that all of this new data remains incomplete, states that 973 children died in that period. Researchers do not go into detail on students at boarding schools past 1969 or before 1819. An additional 11 federal Indian boarding schools were identified. This brings the total number of schools to 417. The review also updates how many religious institutions were involved with the federal government in carrying out the education assimilation plan. The Catholic Church (80) and Protestant religion (134) were the most active in operating the schools. Four additional schools run by non-sectarian Missionary, Unitarian Church, the United Brethren in Christ and an independent denomination are also listed. Between 1819 and 1969, the federal Indian Boarding School system operated in 37 states and territories. Based on information found in the investigation, the federal government said it can identify the name and tribal affiliation for the 18,624 children, some of whom are at 74 marked and unmarked graves across 64 school sites. The Interior Department does not give specific locations and said it is working with tribal nations on how they want to return any person from these boarding school gravesites. In New Mexico, 46 schools operated in the central and Four Corners regions of the state from 1819 to 1969. Only 32 of the many students at the Albuquerque Indian School during that time were identified. Ten of the students who died in Albuquerque were identified. The report lists an unmarked grave and a marked grave for the school. In 2021, federal boarding school officials conducted a ground radar review of remains under a city park that was once part of the school. The city of Albuquerque committed a section of the park for a memorial. That has yet to happen. The Interior Department investigation identified 725 students who attended Santa Fe Indian School between 1819 and 1969, including 34 students that died. Profiles for each school are listed for the public to view. Leading its disclaimer on the information, authors write, The content of this document may be disturbing or distressing. The information in it is subject to change or revision. No such schools operated in Maine from 1819 to 1969, according to the report. However, the report identifies four students from the Wabanaki Confederacy one each from the Passamaquoddy Tribe and Penobscot Nation, three identified as Wabanaki who attended schools during that time. Eight recommendations for moving forward are listed, including community support for mental health treatment, a national memorial, returning land to tribes where boarding school sites are located, and establishing investments that could be modeled after repatriation work for First Nations harmed by Canadas boarding school policies. Lauren McCauley contributed to this report. This story was originally published by Source New Mexico. Like Maine Morning Star, Source New Mexico is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Source New Mexico maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Shaun Griswold for questions: info@sourcenm.com. Follow Source New Mexico on Facebook and X. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST The Jicarilla Apache Boarding School in Dulce, New Mexico, in 1931. Text accompanying the photo identifies the students as orphans. (Federal Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report Vol. II / Princeton University Library) The U.S. legacy of genocide against Native people through public education may never be completely told. Today, there is a little more truth to share. The second half of an investigative report was released Tuesday as part of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative led by the Department of the Interior. Its another step in acknowledging, learning and potentially healing from harms the U.S. government caused people from every Indigenous nation in the country through federal school programs between 1819 and 1969. In the update to the report commissioned in 2021, the Interior Department estimates that more than $23.3 billion was appropriated by Congress to run an education system that forced at least 18,624 children from tribes across the country to schools where they were assaulted, forced to labor and assimilated until their entire culture was destroyed. The report, which acknowledges that all of this new data remains incomplete, states that 973 children died in that period. Researchers do not go into detail on students at boarding schools past 1969 or before 1819. An additional 11 federal Indian boarding schools were identified. This brings the total number of schools to 417. The review also updates how many religious institutions were involved with the federal government in carrying out the education assimilation plan. The Catholic Church (80) and Protestant religion (134) were the most active in operating the schools. Four additional schools run by non-sectarian Missionary, Unitarian Church, the United Brethren in Christ and an independent denomination are also listed. Between 1819 and 1969, the federal Indian Boarding School system operated in 37 states and territories, including New Mexico before statehood. Based on information found in the investigation, the federal government said it can identify the name and tribal affiliation for the 18,624 children, some of whom are at 74 marked and unmarked graves across 64 school sites. The Interior Department does not give specific locations and said it is working with tribal nations on how they want to return any person from these boarding school gravesites. In New Mexico, 46 schools operated in the central and Four Corners regions of the state from 1819 to 1969. Only 32 of the many students at the Albuquerque Indian School during that time were identified. Ten of the students who died in Albuquerque were identified. The report lists an unmarked grave and a marked grave for the school. In 2021, federal boarding school officials conducted a ground radar review of remains under a city park that was once part of the school. The city of Albuquerque committed a section of the park for a memorial. That has yet to happen. The Interior Department investigation identified 725 students who attended Santa Fe Indian School between 1819 and 1969, including 34 students that died. Profiles for each school are listed for the public to view. Leading its disclaimer on the information, authors write, The content of this document may be disturbing or distressing. The information in it is subject to change or revision. Eight recommendations for moving forward are listed, including community support for mental health treatment, a national memorial, returning land to tribes where boarding school sites are located, and establishing investments that could be modeled after repatriation work for First Nations harmed by Canadas boarding school policies. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Residents are crying for help in the Memphis Airport area after they say they no longer have anyone managing their apartment. Safety has not been a problem, resident Shonda McNeil said. The management has been an issue getting things fixed, but I never felt unsafe, and now I feel unsafe. The lack of management has created a long list of concerns for residents of Lakeville Townhomes. With no maintenance to help, McNeil claims she only has one electrical outlet that works in her apartment. She sent WREG an email she received from HM Heckle, which said that they are no longer managing the complex. The third-party management firm added that they had no knowledge of who would replace them. We have abandoned buildings, broken windows, McNeil said. We also have no one to keep up or grass, trash is everywhere. MPD searching suspect responsible for fatally shooting man, injuring another McNeil even showed WREG apartments throughout the community that have been abandoned. A WREG reporter went inside one thats been abandoned since April. While there, he saw debris and clothes on the floor that had been left behind by the previous tenants. There was also damage to the wall. When asked how they have been able to pay rent, another resident said that they havent been able to. I dont know where to pay it at, resident Percy Webb said. Nobody knows where to pay rent at. The management company already disabled the online rent payment tool. HM Heckle confirmed to WREG that theyre no longer managing the property. When we asked why, they said that no one was available for comment. WREG has learned that Lakeville Townhome is owned by an LLC based out of Nevada and their status remains active. Will MSCS a/c units be ready before the school year? However, the registered agent over the limited liability company resigned back in April of this year. A WREG reporter called that agent and as of Tuesday evening, he has not heard back. What are the next steps? Because we dont know, McNeil said. Will they up and put an eviction notice on our doors? McNeil said there are increasing safety concerns and too many unanswered questions, like will MLGW keep their lights and water on? Will they have to pay back rent when new management eventually takes over? What is known is that Memphis Code Enforcement listed more than 10 violations at the end of last month. Those issues were supposed to be fixed by July 1 but without management to handle them, theyre overdue. Were kind of left to fend for ourselves, McNeil said. The City of Memphis encourages residents to call 311 for any construction, electrical, or yard needs but says the citys hands are tied because the apartments are on private property. We are currently reviewing the details from the July follow-up inspections at this location, and we will share the information with you on Monday, along with code enforcements process to locate the property owner, a city spokesperson said by email. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A memorial at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, following the mass shooting on February 14, 2018, in Parkland. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) The Florida Legislature made another jump in school safety protocol during its 2024 session, requiring classrooms to be locked when students are present, but the law may not be clear enough, according to some members of a school safety commission. The commission, created following 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, discussed the law during its Tuesday and Wednesday meetings in Sunrise, including HB 1473, which mandates classrooms be locked, as well as campus access doors, gates, and other access points, when students are present. The school safety commission indicated that clearer intent and potential exemptions may be needed from the Legislature for the law, which went into effect this summer. Classroom doors must be locked at all times, except during class period changing times. Certain doors at schools can be left unlocked if a waiver is approved by the Department of Education, although the only exception for classrooms is during period changes. Commissioner Grady Judd, sheriff of Polk County, said the law is impossible to comply with without exceptions, and the validity of the exceptions can be difficult to determine, such as exactly when a class period changing time starts and ends, because there still can be significant movement throughout the school even during class periods. Judd said the officer monitoring compliance in his county feels boxed up by the situation. We dont want to back off of it, because the problem is evident, but I think if somehow we were able to explain it that has some kind of dictum to go with the statute, it would be a whole lot easier, Judd said. We either need the state to explain it or we need to go back to the Legislature and explain what were asking the state to explain, Judd said. And we dont want to get away from the intent or the purpose of it, but were having a really hard time. Florida Department of Education Vice Chancellor Darren Norris said exceptions and exemptions are spelled out in the law but acknowledged it can be hard to know when students stop coming and going during class change times. We need something from the state to come down to these folks, Judd said, voicing complaints from his officers. Just give me something to explain what all campus access doors means, because I cant physically keep them locked and I dont want to violate the rules, so we need help with some definitions. Harsh enforcement concerns Judd said he fears unintentional violations of the law. Commission Chair Bob Gualtieri, sheriff of Pinellas County, said he trusts determinations of noncompliance with the law will be made with the right mindset, and inspections will not consist of aggressively trying to find the most obscure situation just so they can have a violation. We want all of the staff in all of the schools across Florida to realize that all were asking for is the best they can under the circumstances to provide that best and safe environment, Gualtieri said. It is impossible to draft this with perfection, absolutely impossible, Gualtieri said. It goes back to good faith, common sense, use some judgement, there may be some tweaks that maybe we need to allow in a bill this year. He acknowledged there may need to be some exceptions to the rule for, say, a welding or diesel engine class where ventilation would be needed. I dont have a problem in asking the Legislature to go back in next year and add the waiver ability to the classroom doors themselves, Gualtieri said. The commission indicated it may independently or with the Department of Education release a scenario-based training or publication to further clarify the law. KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) A Lenoir County man was charged with multiple crimes including fraudulent checks and obtaining property by false pretense. Through an investigation by Kinston Police Departments Investigation Division, law enforcement found evidence showing 24-year-old Brandon Tripp deposited 22 fraudulent checks at the State Employees Credit Union. Tripp was charged with 22 counts of fraudulent checks and uttering a forged instrument, along with one count of obtaining property by false pretense. Tripp was jailed in the Lenoir County Jail under a secured bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. The Bohemia Mining District and Fairview Peak area moved from a Level 1 evacuation order to a Level 2 evacuation status Wednesday morning due to the Lane 1 Fire burning southeast of Cottage Grove, according to the Lane County Sheriff's Office. Level 2 means residents in the area should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice, and this may be the only notification they receive. The Lane 1 Fire was measured at 1,932 acres Tuesday afternoon and had burned a large swath of the mountainsides south of Disston, a rural community about 40 miles southeast of Eugene. The fire had not been measurably contained. Get the latest: Oregon wildfire, smoke map Areas east of Disston starting at Brice Creek Road milepost 0.7 and following Brice Creek Road south remained at a Level 1 evacuation status, which meant local residents should be aware of the danger in the area and monitor local media outlets and telephone devices for updates. The following County roads were closed except to owners of private lands accessed from these roads: Brice Creek Road east of the Umpqua National Forest Boundary Champion Creek Road Sharps Creek Road past the waste transfer site The temperature forecast near Cottage Grove was forecasted to remain in the 80s to high 90s through the remainder of the week. Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts at www.LaneAlerts.org An evacuation map is available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/Lane1Fire. Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Level 2 evacuations order for Lane 1 Fire, wildfire near Cottage Grove The first rule in picking a vice presidential nominee is do no harm, so a thorough excavation of every potential contender is critical. Most presidential candidates have months to review the records of their potential running mates before making a decision. Kamala Harris has a few weeks. To get a sense of just how extraordinary this challenge is, POLITICO Magazine reached out to Beth Myers, who led Mitt Romneys VP search in 2012. She explained the lengthy process of vetting possible vice presidential candidates and what Harris may be thinking as she weighs her options, which include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. Myers also expressed real sympathy for Harris, acknowledging its far from ideal to have such a truncated timeline to make her choice. And there could be consequences. You want to know the surprises that are going to come out of the box, Myers said. You dont want to have a bad first week. I suspect she doesnt want the same rollout that JD Vance had, where you have a week of bad stories. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Can you explain what the vetting process looks like when you start the job? How do you approach the list of candidates and begin to narrow down the options? It is a very personal process and it's personal to each campaign and each candidate. I can only speak to how Mitt Romney did it: We started with a very long lead time. Our process would probably look extremely different from the process that Kamala Harris has had forced upon her. We started with a large, out-of-the-box group of names and whittled it down from there. Then we got to an intermediate level where we did a little deeper vetting, and then we got to a small number where we did serious vetting. It was an iterative process where over many months Mitt got to think about it a lot. Typically a presidential candidate has months to make their vice presidential pick; Kamala Harris has weeks. How does that truncated timeline impact the vetting process? The process she can do truncated, but what she doesn't have is the luxury of being able to mull over not just the campaign we weren't looking at just a campaign partner. We were looking at a governing partner. A campaign partner might help you in a swing state. A governing partner would help you govern the United States of America. While somebody might help you politically, is that a person that you would then want to govern with? I think the latter was a very important question for Mitt. For Kamala, she doesn't have the time to mull those things over and think about them and twist them around in her mind and ask, how would that play? So that's a challenge for her. She will have to throw a lot more people on the vetting process than we did. We had a very small team. It was very discreet, very candid. We kept it very close to our vest. She's going to have to throw a lot of people at this vetting process, and it's a slightly different process than I had in 2012, because there's a lot more video out there now than there was in 2012. Twitter was relatively new, it was a manageable thing you could go over somebody's tweets. There wasn't such a thing as TikTok. I think that's an overcome-able problem. I'm sure they've got an army of other researchers working on that. Is it optimal? No. But is it doable? Certainly. How many people did you have on your team? I had a team of three lawyers and two oppo-type guys. We had accountants. We had to bring in a forensic accountant since some people had complicated finances. That's another thing that probably will be a challenge for her, to the extent that she is interested in somebodys financial history. You do want to know their financial situation. But it's challenging to gather those documents. And then it's challenging to go over it because that does require specific knowledge. She's going to have to probably make some decisions on things that she might not be able to do as deep a dive in as she wanted. She doesn't have the luxury of weighing Is this worth it? Is it not worth it? She doesn't have that opportunity. Could there be any benefits in having a shorter timeline as well? From my point of view, I think it's a liability. It's unfortunate because it's an important decision. It's the first decision you see from the presidential nominee that is purely their decision and gives you some idea of how they make decisions, what they are looking for, what their values are and how they would put together an administration. Its like a little peek behind that curtain. Look at Bill Clinton. He chose Al Gore. He doubled down on the young southern New Democrats. And then you look at Barack Obama. He looked for something that gave him gravitas. And I'm sure those are both carefully considered approaches, and none of them are wrong. It's a personal decision, and there's really just no benefit in having to rush that first personal decision. But my guess is she didn't just start thinking about it a week ago. This became a reality or a much more likely possibility several weeks ago. She probably didn't start the vetting process, but probably she was giving it some thought. I would be surprised if she hadn't. The only benefit of the truncation is the drama. There's less drama to it. There's already a guessing game, but it's going to be a truncated process where she doesnt have to go through that for two months, putting down stories. What red flags do you look for while vetting a candidate? I say quite sincerely that all of the people that I vetted passed vetting. Every human being that walks the earth makes good decisions and bad decisions in their lives. The way I looked at it was I got to know the people I met pretty well, and I got to understand them. They were all folks of great character. I suspect that the people that Kamala is looking at are the same way. You want to know the surprises that are going to come out of the box. You don't want to have a bad first week. I suspect she doesn't want the same rollout that JD Vance had, where you have a week of bad stories. When you get down to the interview phase, how many interviews with a contender do you usually hold, and what are some key questions to ask? You'll laugh because Mitt didn't interview anybody else. He had campaigned and knew all of these people, so when I said Do you want to schedule interviews he was like, I don't need to do that again. And he said, I interviewed them when they didn't know it, when we were campaigning together. Now, I did have several interviews. For different people, I had to ask different questions a very extensive set of questions. I pulled them from what Mitt had been given when he was interviewed to be McCain's vice president. I took that questionnaire and reworked it because it was good and covered a lot of basic ground rules: Give us your tax records. Give us your work history. Very basic stuff like that. What properties do you own? Tell us who is in your family. Just a very thorough personnel overview. Was there anything in your background that we should know about? What social media do you use? It was pretty standard stuff. Do certain contenders for Harris present greater difficulties? Does the campaign have enough time to review all of Sen. Mark Kellys military records, for instance? Any specific hurdles for vetting Gov. Josh Shapiro or Gov. Tim Walz? There are SEC rules that impact a sitting governors ability to be on the ticket [and do fundraising for national office]. We tried to get exceptions to that rule for a sitting governor that was very interested in being considered as a running mate, but we couldn't get an exception to that rule or a no-action letter from the SEC. So we had to take the risk that, if we put that person on the ticket, we wouldn't get any money from Wall Street. I'm sure that is coming into play for Shapiro and Walz. Of course, fundraising is different now than it was then. Now you can rely on small dollars and super PACs. But that is a consideration for her, I'm sure. Mark Kelly has an outstanding military record. Hes an astronaut. We've seen a little bit of his character in the way he stood by his wife through an incredibly difficult time. I think America has a sense of what kind of a person he is, maybe more than they do of Gov. Walz or Gov. Shapiro, right off the bat. But that doesn't necessarily make him a better candidate. Even though he does probably have loads of military records, there are people who can go through those pretty quickly and see if there's any flag. Looking back to when you vetted VP contenders for Mitt Romney, is there anything you wish you had done differently? No, I was happy with the process. I was happy with the way it worked out. And I was happy with the choice. I was worried, Is something going to come out that we didn't know that I didn't find? That didn't happen. After Paul Ryan was picked, were you surprised that he was attacked for his budget and Medicare policies? No. That was part of our expectation, and so we were ready for that. We knew that was coming. So anticipating the possible attacks is a part of the vetting process? Absolutely. Like I said, my documents weren't like a hit list of terrible things that each person had done. What they were was like, okay, for Paul Ryan hes had some controversial budget positions. So if he's your choice, we will have to be ready to address that. I didn't see that as problematic I just saw it as part of the landscape. When you have a little more time than Kamala does, you do have an opportunity to craft the narrative right out of the box, of how you want to present this candidate, knowing full well that there's going to be incoming from the opposition candidate and the scrutinizing media. But I felt that the vetting was a success in that there was nothing that Paul Ryan was challenged on, that we hadn't already considered. As families mourned the death of three young girls killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, riots broke out stoked by disinformation about the suspects identity. Hours after police were called to the scene of a mass stabbing, in which eight other children and two adults were also injured, a riot outside a mosque in Southport led to 39 officers being injured in violent clashes, including 27 who needed hospital treatment. Footage showed crowds of men at least one identified by antifascists Red Flare as an alleged member of the far-right Patriotic Alternative group chanting and throwing bricks at riot police, who held shields to protect against incoming projectiles as a police van was set alight and other fires burned nearby. Protesters set fire to rubbish on the streets in Southport (Getty Images) The outpouring of rage in the Merseyside town came after disinformation about the attackers identity was amplified and seen by millions on social media. Merseyside Police said on Monday night that a 17-year-old male from Banks in Lancashire, who was born in Cardiff, had been arrested on suspicion of murder. Despite this and laws in the UK making it a criminal offence to identify a suspect who is a minor, at least until legal proceedings have completed false claims began to circulate online purporting to name the suspect as Ali Al-Shakati and claiming he had arrived in the UK on a small boat in 2023. One such source of this disinformation, which also falsely claimed the suspect was known to MI6, was an outlet calling itself Channel3 Now whose post at 5:51pm on Monday featuring an article on the attack racked up close to two million views on X, formerly Twitter, before being deleted. According to journalist Katharine Denkinson, who concluded that the post was racially motivated click-bait, the website purports to be based in the United States, but has no named journalists and appears to have started out 12 years ago sharing Russian-language videos of men in cars before pivoting to US news five years ago. An angry mob threw items at police vans and officers outside a mosque (Richard McCarthy/PA Wire) But false claims about the attackers identity were rapidly spread on social media by right-wing accounts with large followings. According to Marc Owen Jones, a disinformation researcher associate professor at Dohas Hamid bin Khalifa University, there were at least 27 million impressions on social media posts stating or speculating that the attacker was Muslim, a migrant, refugee or foreigner. Among the accounts to peddle such claims was influencer Andrew Tate, who claimed the attacker was an illegal migrant and urged people to wake up, while Darren Grimes of GB News criticised MPs for calling for more refugees to be allowed in on the same day as the attack. Meanwhile, English Defence League co-founder Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, shared a post he said suggested authorities were trying to manipulate the public over the attackers identity. With many smaller accounts sharing false claims, Prof Jones said: While people always spread incorrect information in the wake of a tragic event (we saw this with Sydney), there is clear and (sic) attempt to exploit the tragic incident by right wing influencers and grifters pushing an anti-immigrant and xenophobic agenda despite there being no evidence. A police van set alight as trouble flares during a protest in Southport (Richard McCarthy/PA Wire) The proliferation of false claims saw Merseyside Police a statement issue shortly after midday on Tuesday, saying: A name has been shared on social media in connection with the suspect in the incident in Southport. This name is incorrect and we would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing. But just hours after a vigil for those killed in Mondays attack, unrest broke out at around 7:45pm on Tuesday evening as crowds targeted a mosque and attacked it with bricks, with some heard chanting anti-Islam phrases despite there being no current information on the alleged attackers religious beliefs. Linking the killings to the stabbing of a soldier last week in Kent over the fact that police said both cases were not terror-related, Nigel Farage also posted a video at 5:34pm seen by 2.5 million people as of Wednesday morning in which he said: I just wonder whether the truth is being withheld from us What I do know is something is going horribly wrong in our once beautiful country, the Reform UK leader said, before posting footage at 10:47pm of machete fights in Southend tonight and claiming: Our country is being destroyed, our values trashed and the public on the point of revolt. While the organisation is now widely considered defunct, police said many of those rioting in Southport were believed to be supporters of the English Defence League. Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss accused individuals who do not live in Merseyside or care about its people for using speculation around the suspects identity to bring violence and disorder to our streets. Local MP Patrick Hurley told BBCs Radio 4 Today programme on Wednesday that the riot was led by people from outside the town and condemned thugs who had got the train in who were using the deaths of three little kiddies for their own political purposes. Accusing rioters of having hijacked the grief of the town and families, the MP said: These people are utterly disrespecting the families of the dead and injured and totally disrespecting the town. A South Carolina-based breakfast spot is expanding to the Queen City. Conley McIntyre, who owns six Eggs Up Grill restaurants in South Carolina, has signed a six-location development deal for the Charlotte market. The restaurant offers a full menu of breakfast, brunch, and lunch from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The first location is in the final stages of being signed at 5132 Old Charlotte Highway in Monroe. Restaurant transforms former Dollar General store McIntrye joined the Eggs Up Grill brand eight years ago when he partnered with his mother, who owned a franchise in Greenville, S.C. After her retirement, he purchased the location and has continued to grow the brand throughout the Upstate of South Carolina. McIntyre says he spends a lot of time in Charlotte with his family cheering on the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Hornets. Eggs Up Grill was founded in Pawleys Island, S.C., in 1997. The brand currently has 81 locations in operation across the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, and Mississippi, and more than 100 are under development or committed to opening this decade. VIDEO: New concept to bring taste of Dominican Republic to NoDa Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a moderate Republican from Alaska, joined the growing backlash to JD Vances comments calling people who dont or cant have kids childless cat ladies. I said that it was offensive to me as a woman, Murkowski told CNNs Manu Raju on Wednesday. Women make their own determinations as to whether or not theyre going to have children or cats or dogs or how many kids theyre going to have. Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, has come under fire for his many resurfaced comments disparaging people who dont or cant have children, calling them names more severe than childless cat lady a term many women have since proudly embraced. When confronted with his earlier comments, Vance apologized to cats but avoided backtracking on his position on childless women. What the country would hope for is a discussion on the issues and the policies, Murkowski said, according to Raju. We dont need to engage in name-calling, we dont need to create inflammatory statements. MURKOWSKI asked by @mkraju about JD Vances childless cat lady comments I said that it was it was offensive to me as a woman. Women make their own determinations as to whether or not they're going to have children or cats or dogs or how many kids they're going to have. pic.twitter.com/FqoHD80gkS Alan He (@alanhe) July 31, 2024 In the past, Vance has suggested that people without children should pay higher taxes than people with children, though he will likely miss a Senate vote this week on a bill that would essentially do that. He has also proposed shrinking childless adults voting power, accusing them of having less of a stake in American democracy. Murkowski and Maines Sen. Susan Collins are the only two Republican senators who support abortion rights. The Alaska lawmaker is also known for semi-regularly blasting her fellow Republicans who support extreme policies and uncritically support Donald Trump, whom she voted to convict for inciting the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. Before Trump became the official Republican presidential nominee, Murkowski said she could not vote for him, instead urging the party to support former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. In March, the senator said she was considering leaving the Republican Party, calling herself independent-minded. I just regret that our party is seemingly becoming a party of Donald Trump, she told CNN at the time. I am navigating my way through some very interesting political times. Lets just leave it at that. Murkowski has not outright said whether she will get behind Trump now that he is the partys choice for president. (WTAJ) National Night Out is a day that works to enhance the relationship between law enforcement and the community they serve. What is National Night Out? Each year on the first Tuesday of August provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. It got its start in the suburbs of Philadelphia in 1970 and in 1981 the National Association of Town Watch was established. That association provided community watch groups with information, resources and assets to stay informed. However, the need for something more was still there. National Night Out was introduced through those groups to allow people to celebrate positive connections with law enforcement. The first annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. Are local law enforcement agencies participating? Yes! Several law enforcement agencies right here in Central Pennsylvania will be hosting events and activities for their local community to take part in. Check out just some of the events below: Bedford Everett Borough Police Department (Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.) Blair Altoona Police Department (Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m.) Tyrone Borough Police Department (Wednesday, Aug. 7 from 4 to 8 p.m.) Cambria Cameron Centre Spring Township Police Department (Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.) Clearfield Clearfield Regional Police Department (Tuesday, Aug. 6 starting at 5:30 p.m.) Elk City of St. Marys Police Department (Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.) Huntingdon Huntingdon Borough Police Department (Friday, Aug. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m.) Jefferson Somerset Somerset Borough Police Department (Tuesday, Aug. 13 starting at 6 p.m.) Somerset County Sheriffs Office (Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.) Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. If you know of a National Night Out event thats not on the list, please email us at digitalnews@wtajtv.com so we can keep this list as up-to-date as possible. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. Lithuania condemns Hungary's decision to ease entry conditions for Russians and Belarusians: it threatens EU security Lithuania has asked the European Commission to analyse Hungary's decision to simplify entry procedures for Russian and Belarusian citizens, stating that it threatens the security of the European Union. Source: European Pravda citing BNS Details: Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said that Lithuania was "unpleasantly surprised" by reports of simplified entry to Belarus for Russian and Belarusian citizens. This will allow them to enter and move freely within the Schengen area. "Lithuania believes this step by Hungary poses very serious threats to the security of the Schengen area and many European countries, which is why it is necessary to respond to it at the EU level," the Lithuanian Foreign Minister stressed. Landsbergis announced that Lithuania had asked the European Commission to analyse Hungary's decision in terms of the integrity of the Schengen area and the elimination of threats to it. Background: In July, Hungary published details of a new fast-track visa system for citizens of eight countries, including Russia and Belarus, who will be able to enter Hungary without security checks or other restrictions. Budapest said many of them will be building a nuclear power plant using Russian technology. Manfred Weber, the head of the European People's Party, called for the Hungarian decision to ease visa restrictions for Russians and Belarusians to be discussed at the EU leaders' summit in October. Support UP or become our patron! EMPORIA (KSNT) Multiple new stores are coming to Emporia in the fall of 2024. Emporia residents can expect a new Ulta Beauty, Old Navy and Five Below to open in the near future. The three stores will be add-ons to the Emporia Pavilion, which has been steadily growing since building a Hobby Lobby back in 2017. Interim President of the Emporia Regional Development Association, Jim Witt, told 27 News, the stores are apart of Emporias new incoming era. Larrys Shortstop in Topeka closes Emporia after a period of relatively quiet during the pandemic is starting to really get into the ballgame again, Witt said. Its really on the verge of a little explosion of growth. The west side of the city will also be seeing new buildings. A new Quick Trip located on West 8th Avenue will soon start construction, along with construction on the Fairfield Inn and Convention Center. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Three Democrats are set to face off in the Arizona Democratic primary Tuesday for Rep. Ruben Gallegos seat for the 3rd Congressional District after Gallego announced hes running for Senate. Former Phoenix City Council Member Yassamin Ansari, former Arizona state Senator Raquel Teran, and pediatrician Duane Wooten are all running for the open seat. Ansari and Teran are both ahead in polling and fundraising. Follow Decision Desk HQs live results 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 The Hill. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump returns to Pennsylvania Wednesday for his first event in the commonwealth since the attempt on his life in Butler County. The former president was scheduled to speak to supporters at New Holland Arena in Harrisburg at approximately 6 p.m. Return for updates. Trump rally in Harrisburg ends Trump ended his 90-minute speech at 8:32 p.m., acknowledging the crowd as he departed and Sam & Dave's "Hold On I'm Comin'" played in the arena. Rhetoric after the Butler shooting Referencing the shooting in Butler, Trump said people thought he would be nicer afterward. "I really agreed for about eight hours or so. And then I realized they were trying to put me in jail for nothing at all," he added in regard to his criminal convictions. More: Pa. politicians call for cooling rhetoric after shooting. But few make promises. Trump has taken the stage at 7:02 p.m. Former President Donald Trump greets the crowd at his rally Wednesday at New Holland Arena in Harrisburg. He opened with a remembrance of and moment of silence for Corey Comperatore, who was killed in Butler County in the assassination attempt. Trump arrived on stage an hour behind schedule, then received a loud welcome from the friendly confines of the packed arena. Among his opening words to the audience once the USA chants died down: I should not be here today. Trump went on to recognize the victims shot at his rally in Butler earlier this month and thank the medical personnel in Butler County. Later, regarding Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump said she was "installed (as) a puppet candidate" to replace President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket after his poor debate performance. "It's not about him or her. It's about the policies, and they're horrible," Trump said. Watch the rally: Supporters wait in Harrisburg heat Thousands of supporters of former President Donald Trump descended on the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex Wednesday for his evening campaign rally, filling its parking lots to capacity, suffering in high midday heat and looking forward to Trump's first appearance in Pennsylvania since the assassination attempt July 13 in Butler County. More from USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania reporter Daniel Larlham. Trump will speak hours after NABJ convention Q&A Trump is flying to the Harrisburg rally after participating earlier Wednesday in a Q&A in Chicago during the the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention. USA TODAY reported that Trump took swipes at Vice President Kamala Harris's racial identity. "I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black," Trump said of Harris, who is on track to face Trump as the Democratic presidential nominee. Is she Indian or is she Black? Because she was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went she became a Black person. More: Vice President Kamala Harris tells Trump to 'say it to my face!' at Atlanta rally McCormick hits Harris on gun control GOP Senate hopeful Dave McCormick used much of his podium time to emphasize his Pennsylvania roots and to tie his opponent to Harris. McCormick said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., deserves blame with President Job Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for advancing government spending that's increased the rate of inflation. He criticized Harris in particular for progressive views on gun control. "That may work in California, but that doesn't work in Pennsylvania," McCormick said to the approving crowd. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick raises his fist at a Trump rally in Harrisburg July 31, 2024. Rep. Scott Perry: 'They're coming for us' U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., ripped the Democratic administration in Washington, D.C., for border policies, COVID-19 response and its execution of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Perry was among the Trump allies implicated in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. He told the crowd, "They're coming for us, so we have our work to do." "My question for you is, have you had enough?" Perry asked the roaring audience. More: Janelle Stelson to face off against Rep. Scott Perry in 10th Congressional District race U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, R-York County, speaks at a Trump rally in Harrisburg July 31, 2024. Rep. Thompson: Rise above party politics U.S. Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Pa., said Pennsylvania voters have risen above party politics in the past. He told the crowd he expects them to do the same this year by electing Trump, despite Democrats' shrinking voter registration advantage. Agenda47 on crime: Trump proposes death-penalty for drug dealers, requiring stop and frisk Smucker takes shot at Shapiro U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster, followed shortly after Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa. Smucker criticized Harris for her anti-fracking policies. He mocked Shapiros Get s--- done slogan, saying Shapiros more interested in being vice president than governing Pennsylvania. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster, speaks at a Harrisburg rally for Donald Trump July 31, 2024. Rep. Meuser: 'We will keep up the faith' Following prayer and a singing of the national anthem and "God Bless America," U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., took the stage as the first speaker. He quickly referenced the shots at Trump in Butler. "When he rose, we all rose and America rose," Meuser said. "We will keep up the faith, yes. But we will keep up the fight." Meuser also accused Harris of assisting in a cover-up of Biden's mental decline before Biden left the race. Trump heading to turf of potential VP rival Shapiro The site of Trump's rally in central Pennsylvania may carry additional weight because it's practically within earshot of the state Capitol and governor's residence along the Susquehanna River just a mile away. Pennsylvania's Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has been a rumored running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris since President Joe Biden announced the end of his candidacy 10 days ago. Overseas oddsmakers have consistently labeled Shapiro a favorite as Harris's pick for vice president. State police: Farm Show parking lots full Pennsylvania state police issued a news release that the Farm Show parking lots are full. "Avoid the area. There will be major traffic delays," read the release. Heat affects some attendees Heat index Some people waiting to enter the arena appear to be succumbing to the 91-degree heat and are being attended to by paramedics, with at least one person taken to the back of an ambulance. Some people were standing in front of a large industrial fan and others were sitting under a small hose attached to a step ladder to stay cool. Harrisburg City Spokesperson Matt Maisel said, "About 40 people were treated on site (waiting for the Trump rally) for heat-related issues. No one thankfully had to be taken to the hospital. They are all in good to fair condition." 'How did we lose the election?' JoEllen Holler, 54, of Denver, Pa., said shes supporting Trump because he represents her personal values: being against abortion and in favor of making America great again and less divided. I wanted to be a part of a revolution, and I believe thats what the rest of the people here are doing. Were being a part of a revolution. We want change. While it was her first rally, she said she wasnt surprised by the number of supporters who came out, looking toward the long line that had formed outside the event. What I am surprised at is if the crowd is this big, and was this big years ago, how did we lose the election? Thats what Im surprised about. A large crows waits to enter the Trump rally in Harrisburg July 31, 2024. Be proud of country Tony Ondrusek, 62, drove about two hours from Parkville, Maryland, to see Trump speak, something that was on his bucket list. He espouses the ideals that I truly believe make America great. He really believes that America is a great nation, and we are a great nation. And thats nothing to be ashamed of to say that. He believes that some policies that have been implemented in the past four years are a detriment to the country, particularly foreign policy, and that there are some who make others feel they cant be proud of their American heritage. That means for everybody whos an American. Black, white, brown, yellow, gay, straight, trans; I dont care. Were all one people, were a great country. Trump recording: Vote by mail With red-clad supporters beginning to fill in the seats, Trump greeted them via pre-recorded video message, ironically urging them to vote by mail. For years the former president has been critical of mail-in ballots, claiming without evidence that they contributed to widespread fraud that cost him the 2020 election. His reversal on the subject echoes an about-face from other Republican-affiliated groups now urging conservatives to embrace early voting. Unfinished business for Trump As the crowd gathered at the Farm Show complex, Joe Mandara, 58, of Wrightsville, said this won't be his first time seeing the former president speak. He attended the NRA conference in February. Patriotism, democracy, theres none right now, he said. The way the last three and a half years have gone, I mean, if you look, most people will not vote policy, they vote character, and that is a shame. He added he wasnt surprised that Trump had returned to Pennsylvania so soon after the incident in Butler County, nor did he have any concerns about attending the event. He didnt finish that rally; in his mind, he didnt finish that rally. So he wants to go back and finish it, Mandara said. Just like you would go to a concert and get rained out. Your ticket would be good for another concert." Trump's return to Pennsylvania Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump returns to Pennsylvania Wednesday for his first event in the commonwealth since the attempt on his life in Butler. The former president, along with GOP Senate hopeful Dave McCormick, is set to speak to supporters at New Holland Arena in Harrisburg at approximately 6 p.m. Wednesday. It's his first rally in Pennsylvania since officially securing his party's nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. On July 13 in Butler, Thomas Matthew Crooks fired shots from a rooftop toward Trump, killing one man and injuring others, including the former president. Crooks was shot dead by event security. Law enforcement has not yet revealed the killer's motive. What is not allowed at the Trump rally? Screeners at the rally reserve the right to block the entry of anything deemed to be a security threat, according to the Trump campaign. The following items are expressly prohibited: Aerosols Alcoholic beverages Balloons Balls Banners, signs, placards Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems E-cigarettes Explosives of any kind (including fireworks) Firearms Glass, thermal and metal containers Laser lights and laser pointers Mace and pepper spray Noisemakers, such as air horns, whistles, drums, bullhorns, etc. Packages Spray containers Structures Supports for signs or placards Weapons Where is Trump's Harrisburg rally taking place? The Trump rally is indoors at New Holland Arena, part of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg. Is there Wi-Fi at the Trump rally in Harrisburg? The Trump campaign has stated that Wi-Fi access will not be provided at this event. Where has Trump held rallies since the July 13 shooting? The Trump campaign held a rally July 21 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and on Saturday in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He also appeared at the Bitcoin conference in Nashville, Tennesse, where he pledged to create the nation's first strategic Bitcoin stockpile if elected. Polling: Americans want civility Pa. politicians call for cooling rhetoric after shooting. But few make promises. Labor leaders plan counter-rally in Steelton Trump rallies attract his most fervent supporters, but they also create opportunities for opponents. On Wednesday, labor leaders from the AFL-CIO, Pennsylvania Building & Construction Trades Council and other organizations planned a separate news conference in Steelton, just outside of Harrisburg. They said the event is to spotlight Trump's record of "undermining unions" and air concerns about workers' rights under a possible second Trump term. Bruce Siwy is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Pennsylvania state capital bureau. He can be reached at bsiwy@gannett.com or on X at @BruceSiwy. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Trump holds rally in Harrisburg. Here are live updates from the event WEST CARROLLTON, Ohio (WDTN) A West Carrollton bus driver was recently honored for going beyond her job description and saving a student from going inside a burning home. While driving her route in May, Wendy Shields pulled up to a home on Burns Avenue to drop off a fifth grade student. After she got to the driveway, I happened to look up and the entire top floor was on fire. Flames were shooting out the window. And I managed to get her back on the bus safely. And she was so concerned with her pets. So, I did my best to console her, says Shields. Wendy immediately radioed the West Carrollton Transportation Department for help. West Carrollton Fire Captain Josh Whitehead was part of the crew who responded. We pulled up and we found fire on the second floor, says Whitehead. We were able to get there very quickly. You know, they say a fire can double in size every single minute given the right oxygen and fuel. And we got there so quick that it was still inside that bedroom. So we were able to get a hose line up to that bedroom and extinguish it in a matter of minutes and then concentrate on finding the pets and getting them out safely. Share your good news with 2 NEWS! Crews were able to rescue the familys pets. I think Wendy was at the right place at the right time and made all the right decisions, says Whitehead. She did everything right. Saved this house. Saved that family. Saved the pets. The West Carrollton Board of Education recognized Wendy in July at their meeting as the newest recipient of the Pirate Pride Award. Theres the safety of the children and then theres the safety of whats going on around you, says West Carrollton Transportation Coordinator Kathy Allen. You have to look out for different dangers other than associated with driving. Wendy humbly credits her transportation team for their guidance. It wasnt just me. I couldnt have done anything without them guiding me on what to do next, states Shields. Its just an honor to work with these people every day. No one was hurt in the fire. Crews say there was smoke damage throughout the house. Firefighters say they believe the fire may have started due to a malfunctioning window air conditioning unit. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Mad River School District is hosting a community event to help students get ready for the new school year. Mad River Schools is offering a free haircut event for all Mad River school-aged youth. The event will take place on Monday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Mad River Board of Education Gym at 801 Old Harshman Road. Haircuts are free, and provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. This event is only for Mad River School District students. The district is partnering with 937 Barbershop and the Mad River Lions Club to host the event. They hope this will be an opportunity to start the school year with confidence. This event is an excellent opportunity for families to prepare their children for a successful school year while fostering community spirit, the district shared in a press release. We encourage all school-aged youth in the area to take advantage of this wonderful 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 WDTN.com. The bridge on Benson Street connecting Lockland and Reading in Hamilton County, Ohio. A Lockland resident is awaiting his day in court after being accused of defacing public property by marking potholes with spray paint. However, village officials say this isn't the first time Gregory Strole, a 66-year-old retired firefighter, marked public roadways with paint and he's been warned against it in the past. We knew who did this because hes done it before, said Lockland Administrator Doug Wehmeyer. Strole is charged with criminal mischief, a third-degree misdemeanor, in Hamilton County Municipal Court. Court records show hes requested a jury trial in Judge Samantha Silversteins courtroom. In April, Strole painted orange circles around potholes on several streets throughout the village, according to an affidavit filed in Lockland Mayors Court. The villages maintenance department reported the markings. Strole admitted marking the potholes with paint when interviewed by police, saying that he was tired of how long it was taking public works to fill in potholes around the Village, the affidavit reads. Officials said the roadway markings were a similar color to markings on the sidewalk in front of Stroles home. Strole pleaded not guilty during an arraignment on Tuesday and a pretrial hearing has been set for Aug. 21. I dont know what the village is trying to get out of this, Stephanie Lape, his attorney, told The Enquirer. Lape said that Strole and other residents previously raised concerns about the potholes to council members, but nothing was done despite some being in the village for years. Really our position is that he didnt do anything wrong, he was doing a public service, she said. He was trying to keep people from hitting these potholes that Lockland was failing to repair. Lockland Police Chief Michael Ott admonished Strole over marking the roadways but was charged a short time after that conversation, according to Lape. If convicted, Strole faces up to 60 days in jail, a possible fine or probation. Lape said that incarceration is a remote possibility because Strole lacks a criminal history. Village officials dispute the claim that Stroles primary motivation was to improve roadway safety. Wehmeyer said the village will always have to deal with potholes and that repair efforts are often constrained by the supply of asphalt and weather conditions. When all of this occurred, the village was in the process of replacing a vacancy left by the former public works director, Wehmeyer said, adding that potholes requiring easier fixes have been addressed while work continues on the major ones. So it wasnt about notifying motorists, Wehmeyer said. It was about somebody being unhappy with the process and choosing to handle it in a very immature way. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lockland man charged after painting around potholes on road An aniti-abortion activist is headed to jail for blocking the entrance to an abortion clinic in 2022. Steven Lefemine, 68, of West Columbia was sentenced to 60 days in jail and fined $1,000 by a federal judge after he was found guilty in March of violating the Freedom of Access to a Clinic Entrances Act, or FACE Act. It was the first FACE Act conviction in South Carolina. Earlier this year, Lefemine, who has been widely known for years as a Bible-quoting, hymn-singing, Constitution-citing anti-abortion activist, was found guilty by U.S. District Court Judge Joe Anderson of obstructing the entrance to a Columbia Planned Parenthood clinic in November 2022. The clinic, located off Forest Drive, provides abortions, birth control services and numerous other aspects of reproductive and womens health care. It was the second case, but first conviction, in South Carolina under the federal FACE Act, a measure passed by Congress in 1994 in response to waves of violence and mass protests against abortion clinics nationwide, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Columbia said. A former U.S. Military Academy graduate and industrial engineer, Lefemine represented himself during both his bench trial and sentencing hearing. Because the charge against Lefemine was a petty, or misdemenor, offense, he was not entitled to a jury trial, Anderson said. Remaining unapologetic for his actions, Lefemine told Anderson Wednesday that Gods law trumps unjust human laws, such as the right for a woman to access reproductive health care. I believe children living in the wombs of their mothers are legal persons and have the right to life, Lefemine said. Still, Anderson gave Lefemine credit for holding to his sincere religious beliefs and remaining non-violent, pointing out that Lefemine notified Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook one day prior to him blocking the entrance at Planned Parenthood. Lefemine is no stranger to run-ins with law enforcement involving anti-abortion protests. His March conviction marks the ninth time hes been found guilty for either trespassing or disorderly conduct related to anti-abortion protests. Up until now, hes averted jail time. Indeed, it was the number of repeated offenses that drove Anderson to levy jail time. Assistant U.S. Attorney DeWayne Pearson prosecuted the case and maintained the prosecutors refrained from taking a position on whether abortion is right or wrong. He also said that the prosecution didnt wish to infringe on Lefemines right to protest, but added that those protests must be lawful. No one seeks to bar (Lefemines) right to protest, Pearson said. However, he cant block the door of a lawful facility where people are seeking reproductive health care, even if he disagrees with it. Pearson had originally asked Anderson to sentence Lefemine to 90 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. But in light of Lefemines non-violent approach in protesting, Anderson found the 60-day sentence and $1,000 fine more appropriate. Upon his release, Lefemine wont be subjected to probation, Anderson said. Key Insights The projected fair value for Daldrup & Sohne is 8.12 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Daldrup & Sohne's 7.76 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate Our fair value estimate is 24% lower than Daldrup & Sohne's analyst price target of 10.75 How far off is Daldrup & Sohne Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:4DS) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for Daldrup & Sohne Is Daldrup & Sohne Fairly Valued? We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF (, Millions) 500.0k 3.05m 3.10m 3.20m 3.27m 3.33m 3.38m 3.42m 3.46m 3.49m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 2.24% Est @ 1.77% Est @ 1.45% Est @ 1.22% Est @ 1.06% Est @ 0.94% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 7.0% 0.5 2.7 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 20m After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.7%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.0%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034 (1 + g) (r g) = 3.5m (1 + 0.7%) (7.0% 0.7%) = 56m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 56m ( 1 + 7.0%)10= 28m 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 49m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 7.8, the company appears about fair value at a 4.4% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf Important Assumptions 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 Daldrup & Sohne 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 7.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.375. 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 Daldrup & Sohne Strength Debt is well covered by cash flow. Weakness Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Energy Services industry. Interest payments on debt are not well covered. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the German market. Current share price is below our estimate of fair value. Threat Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the German market. Next Steps: Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Daldrup & Sohne, we've compiled three additional elements you should further research: Risks: For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Daldrup & Sohne that you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does 4DS'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 German 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 Anita Dunn, a longtime adviser to Joe Biden, is leaving the White House to take on a top consulting role with a major Democratic super PAC, marking the first departure from within the presidents inner circle since he announced he would not be seeking re-election. Dunn will serve as senior adviser to Future Forward, an independent group that recently announced a $50 million advertising campaign to goose Harris numbers in six key battleground states. She will also advise Future Forward USA Action, its partner organization. I am grateful to President Biden and Vice President Harris for their leadership and giving me the opportunity to be part of what they have accomplished for the American people, Dunn said in a statement, calling it an honor and privilege to have served in Bidens administration. In his own statement, Biden praised Dunn as a tough and tested member of his team. I deeply value her counsel and friendship and I will continue to rely on her partnership and insights as we finish the job over the next six months, he said. The Washington Post first reported her exit on Tuesday. Emotional Biden Family Joins Joe for Pass the Torch Speech Dunn, 66, advised Biden in the 2020 race against Donald Trump. She worked in his White House in 2021 before departing briefly and returning the following year, overseeing communications. Her husband, Bob Baeur, is Bidens personal attorney, according to Politico. She previously served as acting White House Communications Director under the Obama administration, and has advised on at least five other Democratic presidential campaigns over the past four decades. Her decamping is not entirely unexpected, particularly in the wake of Bidens disastrous debate performance late last month. Despite being one of his top aides, Dunn was left in the dark until minutes before Biden publicly announced he would end his presidential campaign last Sunday, CNN reported at the time. Both Dunn and Bauer were part of Bidens debate prep team. In a staffer call minutes after Bidens letter was posted to social media, Dunn said that the presidents team needed to focus on defending and protecting Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden had just endorsed, a person on the call told Politico. In a statement on Tuesday, Harris White House chief of staff, Lorraine Voles, hailed Dunn as someone who gives her all every day, and is a valued colleague to me and so many others on these 18 acres. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 35-year veteran of the El Paso County Sheriffs Office was arrested and charged Tuesday, July 30 in connection with bringing illegal drugs into the El Paso County Jail Annex, the Sheriffs Office said. Detention Lt. Lance Brown was arrested and charged with organized criminal activity under a $10,000 bond, the Sheriffs Office said. He has since bonded out and has resigned from the Sheriffs Office, according to EPCSO. The drugs were identified as synthetic cannabis, the Sheriffs Office said. Earlier this month, the Sheriffs Office received information that an inmate at the Jail Annex had been receiving illegal drugs from outside the facility and was distributing them to other inmates, the Sheriffs Office said. Brown was identified through an investigation as the individual who was bringing drugs into the facility and to the inmate, the Sheriffs Office said. The illegal acts of this high-ranking Sheriffs Office employee are reprehensible and placed the health of inmates in jeopardy. Criminal acts will not be tolerated and those responsible will be held accountable, El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles said. According to court documents given to the media, Sheriffs detectives learned that an inmate was having synthetic cannabis smuggled into the Jail Annex. Detectives also learned that the inmates sister would apply the synthetic cannabinoids to sheets of paper which were then given to the inmates girlfriend, according to court documents. The girlfriend would then deliver the sheets of paper to Brown, the detention lieutenant, according to court documents. The drugs would then either be smoked by the inmate or sold to other inmates, according to court documents. Brown was paid by the either the sister or girlfriend through an online cash transfer app, according to court documents. Court documents also say the inmate was a member of the Gangster Disciples Street Gang. Detectives then started monitoring the inmates calls and he was heard several times directing his girlfriend on when to deliver the drugs to Brown, according to court documents. Shortly before 10 p.m. on Monday, July 19, Sheriffs Office detectives were monitoring the Jail Annex parking lot when they received notification that the inmate had communicated to his girlfriend about a delivery. The girlfriend arrived and entered the lobby with a folder in her hands. Brown was then contacted by detectives and they found that he had several sheets of paper. The sheets of paper were secured as evidence and a drug-sniffing dog was brought in. The dog, Walter, alerted positive to the papers that Brown was in possession of, according to court documents. Brown was dismissed from his shift of duty at that time, according to court documents. Two different front-desk employees at the Jail Annex also told detectives that on several occasions that the inmates girlfriend had delivered folders with sheets of paper and had specifically asked for Brown, according to court documents. Detectives also used scientific testing on the sheets of paper to identify that they contained synthetic cannabis, according to court documents. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Do I look like somebody who would make that basic mistake?: Garland tears into Trump classified docs judge Do I look like somebody who would make that basic mistake?: Garland tears into Trump classified docs judge US Attorney General Merrick Garland has torn into federal Judge Aileen Cannon over her unprecedented decision to throw out the classified documents case against Donald Trump. In an interview with NBC News on Tuesday night, Garland slammed Cannons ruling from earlier this month and suggested she does not understand the law, after she ruled that the appointment of a special counsel to oversee the case was unconstitutional. For more than 20 years I was a federal judge, Garland said. Do I look like somebody who would make that basic mistake about the law? I dont think so. Two years ago, Garland invoked his power as head of the Justice Department to appoint Jack Smith as special counsel to oversee the investigation, and eventual indictment, into Trumps alleged illegal retention of classified documents after leaving the White House. An attorney general has the power to appoint a special counsel to investigate, and potentially prosecute, a case independently from the Justice Department when there may be a conflict of interest. Its a practice that dates back to 1875 and has been used in other high-profile cases including Watergate and the Whitewater controversy. Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke with NBC News about Judge Aileen Cannons ruling to throw out the classified documents case against Trump (NBC News) But, in an unprecedented decision earlier this month, Trump-appointed judge Cannon ruled that Smiths appointment was unconstitutional because Congress should have the authority to approve and fund special counsels under the Appropriations Act. Cannons argument was, seemingly, largely inspired by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomass concurring opinion in Trump v. United States. Her ruling meant that the entire classified documents case against Trump was thrown out. Smith is currently appealing Cannons ruling. In an exclusive interview with @kendilanianNBC, Attorney General Merrick Garland took issue with Judge Aileen Cannons dismissal of the classified documents case against Former President Trump. pic.twitter.com/SckDMfFwzR NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) July 30, 2024 While Smith was tasked with investigating the former president, it was a grand jury that chose to return a 38-count indictment against him charging him with wilfully and knowingly retaining classified documents, some containing national security information, after leaving office. Until now, every single court, including the Supreme Court, that has considered the legality of special counsel appointment has upheld it, Garland told NBC News. The attorney general also threw shade at Cannon, by explaining that he deliberately chose the location of the interview with NBC News. I picked this room for this interview. This is my favorite room in the Justice Department, Garland said. Its a law library. Kourtland Marcotte didnt know that Black soldiers played such significant roles in Civil War battles, like the Battle of Vicksburg. The incoming Peabody Magnet High School senior and speech and debate team captain read Frederick Douglas speech and introduced United States Colored Troops historian Jerilyn James Lee, who was the guest speaker for the Slavery to Soldier program presented Saturday and Sunday at Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site in Pineville. The presentation was coordinated by Linda Rhodes of Pineville. She had been researching the U.S.C.T. and found out that some fought in the Red River Campaign during the Civil War. . Blacks were not officially admitted to fight in the Civil War until 1863, Lee said. She spoke about the history of the U.S.C.T. then focused on the Black soldiers from Louisiana. Linda Rhodes (left) of Pineville coordinated for United States Colored Troops historian Jerilyn James Lee of Mount Olive, N.C., to give a presentation Saturday and Sunday on Black soldiers who fought in the Civil War at Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site in Pineville. Louisiana had the highest number of Black troops in the war, with approximately 24,000 Black men fighting, Lee told those in attendance. The U.S.C.T. helped win the war, but Louisiana led the charge, Lee said. And they might have had the highest number because they were the first regiment that actually was recognized by the U.S. government. There were a total of 35 regiments. The first regiments in 1862 were state militias like the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Louisiana Native Guards. The Louisiana Native Guards was a state volunteer regiment of free Blacks organized to help defend their home state," she said. "The Guards originally organized as a Confederate group ready to defend Louisiana against the Union or anyone else. They were rejected by the Confederacy, then they declared their allegiance to the Union when New Orleans fell under Union Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler in 1862. Many of the free Blacks were teachers, farmers, ministers and business owners who had worked hard to accumulate all that they had, and they wanted to protect the land. Why did they choose the Confederacy first? Back in 1862, they were hearing what their white neighbors were hearing, Lee said. That the Yankees were coming, and they were going to take everything that you own. All that you knew was what you heard. There was no internet. There was no television. There was no radio. There was only one newspaper in New Orleans. So, all you knew was what you heard, she said. What they heard was that they were going to have to fight to protect everything they had. Louisiana was also the first of the U.S.C.T. to promote Black men from within their own ranks to officers. The first Black man ever promoted to the rank of major came from Louisiana," she said. "Maj. Francis Dumas. Marie Marcel's ancestor was Capt. Lange Marcel who fought with the 84th Infantry Regiment of the U.S.C.T. and the 1st regiment of the Louisiana Native Guards. She shared a photo of him with the audience at the "Slavery to Soldier" program. Some of the other notable officers of the Louisiana Native Guards include P.B.S. Pinchback, who later became the first Black governor of Louisiana even though his term only lasted 15 days. He was the acting governor before the state elected a permanent one. Another was Arnold Bertonneau, who joined the 2nd Louisiana Native Guards as a corporal but quickly received a commission to a lieutenant, Lee said. He was later transferred to the 1st Louisiana Native Guards and promoted to captain. Many of the soldiers of the Louisiana Native Guards were light skinned, some with blue or hazel eyes, and straight or wavy hair, Lee said. Andre Carilloux, who was Creole by birth, was not. He called himself the Blackest man in New Orleans. He was sharp-witted and confident and charismatic and a natural leader, Lee said. He was a mans man. He offered his services to the La. Native Guards and within weeks was promoted to captain of the 1st LNG. Thought the regiment had eight other captains, the soldiers looked to Carilloux for leadership. Marie Marcel wore a navy blue Union hat as she listened to Lee. She drove from Opelousas on Saturday to hear Lee's presentation. Her great-great grandfather was Capt. Lange Marcel, who fought with the 84th Infantry Regiment of the U.S.C.T. and the 1st regiment of the Louisiana Native Guards. She shared a photo of him with the audience. Prior to learning about her relation to Lange while attending a family reunion about 1995, she never knew about the U.S.C.T. and set out to learn more about it and Lange. The U.S.C.T. fought in battles such as the Seige of Port Hudson near Jackson and Millikens Bend in the Vicksburg Campaign. The Battle of Port Hudson in Louisiana involved about 8,000 Black soldiers who participated in the Union siege to control the Mississippi River and cut off supplies to the Confederates, said Lee. It was one of the first major engagements that involved Black soldiers in significant numbers. The battle lasted 48 days, she said. One of the most significant contributions came in the form of engineering and logistical support provided by the Louisiana Corps of Engineers, who were Black, Lee said. These troops assisted in constructing earthen works, fortifications and supply lines which were vital to the Union Armys operation. Kourtland Marcotte read Frederick Douglas speech and introduced United States Colored Troops historian Jerilyn James Lee who was the guest speaker for the Slavery to Soldier program presented Saturday and Sunday at Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site in Pineville. After the Civil War ended in 1865, many Black soldiers than enlisted in the regular Army and became part of the regiments of Black troops. The cavalry regiments became known as the Buffalo Soldiers. Im glad that shes doing this today to educate more people, Marcotte said. What surprised Marcotte was when Lee pointed out the amount of compassion some of the white leaders Lee talked about who had for the Black regiments and soldiers. Thats one of the things that really, really shocked me, he said, due to the time period. Because I used to believe that the Colored soldiers, they were thrown at the front lines, not really cared for, but they did actually have people who showed love and compassion for them. Marcotte researched the U.S.C.T. and found that lot of the Colored Troops who were integrated within the U.S. Army were used to garrison and hold strategic places for the Union . But as she explained in her slide show, they served a bigger and greater purpose, he said of Lees presentation. A painting by Candy Christophe and a signed Buffalo Soldier sculpture by artist Ed Dwight are part of an exhibit still on display for visitors. A replica of an old Buffalo Soldiers uniform that belonged to the late Bennie Nash was donated by his sister Shirley Nash Ellis and the family. He was a member of the West Texas Buffalo Soldiers in Lubbock, Texas, that preserves the legacy of the 9th and 10th Calvary Regiments of the Buffalo Soldiers. Sponsors were Elisabeth Keller and Steven Bonsey of Inglewood Farm, Tonya McCormick of Tranz4mation Hair Studio, Stephen Norman of Rosalie Pecan Orchard and Sugar Mill, Alexandria City Councilwoman Cynthia Perry, Realtor Tina Wiliams, Barbara Dashiell, Keneshaelia Smith of the non-profit Clubcares, Ball Mayor Gail Wilking and Pineville Mayor Rich Dupree. Food was donated by 2 Reign Catering, Great American Cookies, Raising Cane's and B.J.'s Pizza House in Pineville. Find out more about the United States Colored Troops by visiting Lee's Facebook page Stories of the United States Colored Troops. This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Louisiana had highest number of Blacks who fought in Civil War SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) During the regular session, young people around Louisiana visited the state capital to question lawmakers about legislative outcomes and learn more about how our government works. The Legislative Youth Advisory Council convened on Tuesday, July 30. The LYAC meeting consisted of 28 students from various parishes and is intended to expose young people who are future leaders and voters to the legislative process in all of its formality and, at times, doldrums. Council members heard presentations by senior members of the LYAC, the Louisiana Human Trafficking Prevention office, the Legislative Auditors office, and District 48 Representative Beau Beaullieu. More: Louisiana News Rep. Beaullieu shared his professional experiences and journey from private industry to the state legislature. Committee members asked Beaullieu a series of informed questions about the Louisiana insurance cost and the legislatures attempts to lower the jury threshold for personal injury cases, the states pending Constitutional Convention, and the Ten Commandments law for which the implementation is now paused. When it was his opportunity to ask questions, LYAC member Neal Tandon asked several questions about Governor Jeff Landrys hard push for what many call a rushed Constitutional Convention. One question, in particular, was related to why the governor would choose to handpick 27 delegates rather than allow Louisiana voters to choose those delegates. He is interested in seeing the constitution rewritten. He drove the process, and he felt it was his right to have certain delegates appointed to represent his interests. Back in the 70s, the governor had appointments as well, and so this follows suit with what happened in the 70s, Beaullieu said. He went on to explain some of the negotiations between members of the legislature and the governor on how the convention should move forward. Ultimately, the governor should explain to youth council members that he is designing a convention to protect his interests and power. Watch Representative Beau Beaullieu and LYAC member Arun Cacodcars exchange about Louisianas controversial Ten Commandments law below: LYAC students presented their team project, which they created for and presented for a competition in Washington, D.C. The project is a book highlighting the importance of diversity and acceptance of differences in appearance, culture, and religious practice. The target audience is kindergarten students. Students created an e-book and social media accounts to make the book more widely accessible. The book was mostly about unity and showing that even though the kids may celebrate differently, they all love to celebrate, and they all still share in the fun of holidays, the LYAC presenter explained. The students message underscored how impressionable youth can be emotionally and mentally harmed by receiving racist or bigoted information during the early childhood educational years. Watch Beyond the Headlines: Human Trafficking in Our Community Mary Kate Andrepont, Deputy Director of the Louisiana Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, was there to share information about what her office does and who they serve. The Louisiana Legislative Auditors Office staffer, Tamiko Stroud, shared with the council that she was a former member of the LYAC and shared images of herself as the councils VP. Stroud looked at what is possible for current council members through professional development and networking opportunities. She also explained what the Legislative Auditors Office does and how it affects lawmaking. Watch the 2024-2025 Louisiana Legislative Youth Council meeting 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 KTALnews.com. Passengers depart an Avelo Airlines flight at Ogden-Hinckley Airport in July 2021. The low-cost airline announced Wednesday it will offer new service between Salt Lake City and Santa Rosa, Calif., beginning in October. | Brian Champagne A new low-cost airline carrier option is arriving at Utahs largest airport, and its offering direct flights to a California airport not yet available to Utah fliers. Avelo Airlines announced Wednesday that it will launch nonstop service between Salt Lake City International Airport and Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, California, in the heart of California's Wine Country. Beginning on Oct. 24, the airline will fly between the two cities once every Thursday and Sunday. It marks the airline's first expansion to Salt Lake City and its return to Utah after jetting off in 2022. Andrew Levy, founder and CEO of Avelo Airlines, said he's "thrilled" the airline is returning to the state after its brief initial stay in Ogden. "We look forward to inspiring travel this fall to Sonoma County and inspiring Northern Californians to explore all the Beehive State has to offer," he said in a statement. Avelo Airlines, based out of Houston, began operations in 2021, rekindling what was previously known as Xtra Airways and Casino Express Airlines before that. Ogden-Hinckley Airport was one of the first destinations it offered when it debuted, but it ceased its Utah operations a year later over high fuel costs. Avelo still operates base services out of a few other regional airports across the country, including Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport. Salt Lake City is now the second-largest destination that the Northern California airport flies to, behind Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Its expansion to Utah's capital city is the result of Salt Lake City International Airport's expansion. Bill Wyatt, the airport's executive director, said the airline will operate from the newer gates added since the new airport opened in 2020. A handful of new Concourse B gates are scheduled to open in October, along with the new "river tunnel." One-way fares for flights between the two cities will temporarily start at $57. Those prices are only available for flights between Oct. 24 and Nov. 10 that are booked by Aug. 7. Much like other low-cost airlines, there are additional fees for carry-on/checked bags, as well as any other optional services. Both Avelo and Salt Lake airport officials say they're excited to link the two communities. While Levy said he hopes the new service inspires Sonoma County residents to explore Utah, Wyatt said he believes Utahns may use it to explore Northern California. Sonoma County is mostly known for its hundreds of wineries, but it's also home to some of the top-rated restaurants in the U.S. and many outdoor gems, including 55 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline and access to massive redwood trees. This new nonstop service to the Bay Area/Sonoma County is a plus for our passengers, Wyatt said. California is one of Utahs most popular destinations and is a welcome addition to (Salt Lake Citys) route network. (WGHP) The lieutenant governors campaign has responded after reports provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services raised questions about the status of the nonprofit run by his wife. The nonprofit, run by Lt. Gov. Mark Robinsons wife Yolanda Hill, describes itself on its website as a private nonprofit organization dedicated to helping child care providers make the most out of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The food program is our only business. Our staff has over twenty-plus years of experience working with CACFP, making us well-qualified to serve the providers and the children in their care. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper withdraws from consideration to be Vice President Harris running mate, AP reports Last week, the NCDHHS released documents following a compliance review of Balanced Nutrition Inc., outlining what the department describes as serious deficiencies and listing off disallowances now owed to the state totaling over $130,000. NCDHHS conducts compliance reviews for all organizations participating in the North Carolina Child and Adult Care Food Program under set USDA federal policy. Per federal regulations, NCDHHS conducts these reviews at least every two to three years, depending on the size of an institution and previous findings. Following NCDHHSs review of Balanced Nutrition Inc. for 2022-2023, the department directed Balanced Nutrition Inc. to complete a corrective action plan due to findings that emerged during the review. When findings like these emerge in compliance reviews, NCDHHS increases the frequency of reviews for that program to ensure the sponsoring organization has corrected the findings and is complying with state and federal rules. Balanced Nutrition Inc. completed the corrective action plan, and NCDHHS put the organization back on the review schedule for the next fiscal year. The nonprofit was scheduled to face a compliance review on April 15, 2024, but, on the morning the review was supposed to take place, NCDHHS received word from Balanced Nutrition Inc.s attorney stating that Balanced Nutrition and Mrs. Hill respectfully decline to meet with NCHHS officials without the presence of counsel. Furthermore, we are not available this week. Documents provided by the state characterize Hill and others as uncooperative with this review. Then Balance Nutrition Inc. filed to terminate its agreement on April 30, 2024. Robinsons campaign describes the findings as a political attack, accusing the NCDHHS of specifically targeting Robinsons family after he launched his gubernatorial campaign. These findings are politically motivated at the core, Mike Lonergan, the communications director for Robinsons campaign, said. Last year, an independent auditor issued a report on Balanced Nutrition, Inc. (BNI) with no material findings. Yet as soon as Mark Robinson announced his campaign for governor in April 2023, the Democrat-run state agency started moving the goalposts. Just as they are doing against President Trump, Democrats are weaponizing the bureaucracy to grind a political ax against their opponents. Needless to say, BNI is aware of these findings, vehemently disagrees with them, and is looking forward to challenging them on appeal. Lonergan provided the independent auditors report he referenced. Conducted by Florida-based accounting firm BAS Partners, the report covers 2021 and was published in January 2023. It was not immediately obvious who ordered this independent audit. In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Balanced Nutrition, Inc. as of December 31, 2021, and the changes in its net assets and its cashflows for the year ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the audit reads. attachment_1Download The campaign has not yet responded to clarifying questions regarding Longergans comments on NCDHHS goalposts or the audit report provided. Lonergans response matches the tone of Hills comments on the NCDHHSs scrutiny. In an email obtained by CBS17, Hill said that the compliance review felt like an attack. As an organization, there are numerous things that have happened and been documented that makes us feel as if we are the target of some type of vendetta, be it personal or political, Hill said. Disallowances Following its compliance review of Balanced Nutrition Inc., NCDHHS outlined two separate issues: disallowances and deficiencies. Disallowances are deductions or monetary benefits that a person or organization files for but is not entitled to. When a disallowance is found during an audit, the individual or organization must give back the amount of money that was granted by the disallowed deduction or benefit. In the case of Balanced Nutrition Inc., the nonprofit filed reported costs that were higher than the costs verified in its compliance review. NCDHHS has issued disallowance forms to Balanced Nutrition, Inc. resulting in the following: $24,400.29 in disallowances for the test facilities under the sponsorship of Balanced Nutrition, Inc. included in the compliance review. $107,718.57 in disallowances for the Sponsoring Organization ($86,560.57 for centers and $21,158.00 for day care homes). The full disallowance owed by Balanced Nutrition, Inc. to the State agency is $132,118.86, the documents read. Deficiencies In a letter sent to Balanced Nutrition Inc., the NCDHHS wrote that it identified Yolanda Hill, Kimberly Cephas, and Renee Matthews-Jones as responsible for the serious deficiencies as a result of their responsibility for the overall management of Balanced Nutrition, Inc. operations. The state agency was permitted to begin the review on Balanced Nutrition, Inc., on April 22, 2024, and was able to make copies of some requested documents. However, Balanced Nutrition, Inc. did not provide all requested documents, according to NCDHHS. Nonprofit run by NC Lt. Gov.s wife plagued by serious deficiencies, described as unresponsive, NCDHHS reveals NCDHHS attempted to schedule an in-person exit conference with Hill several times but received no response, according to its documentation. A letter dated June 14, 2024, was sent to Balanced Nutrition, Inc. requesting three dates and times that an institution representative would be available to participate in an exit conference. Balanced Nutrition, Inc. was unresponsive, NCDHHS documents said. It goes on to outline that the organization must provide documents that show it has taken corrective action for the deficiencies outlined by Aug. 7. If the nonprofit does not do this, NCDHHS will propose to disqualify Balanced Nutrition, Inc., Yolanda Hill, Kimberly Cephas, and Renee Matthews-Jones from further participation in the CACFP. Noncompliance issues include failure to list USDA nondiscrimination statements on menus for all centers, lack of documentation verifying that staff received annual Civil Rights Training within the last 12 months and missing records pertaining to monitoring, Income Eligibility Applications and enrollment documents. Background While the IRS reports that Balanced Nutrition, Inc. has not yet filed tax forms for 2023, the nonprofit reported in 2022 that it received $1,768,649 in grants and contributions and $1,590,153 in expenses. According to the form, it spent $172,796 in employee salary. $23,048 of that was paid to Hill and Robinsons son Dayson Robinson, who worked for the organization part-time. The nonprofit lists Hill and Cassaundra Spinks as its two other employees. Balanced Nutrition, Inc., has reported steadily increasing contributions over the past five years. In 2018, the year Robinson found himself first in the public eye, it reported $581,730 in gifts, grants and contributions. The following year, that number doubled to $1,105,793 and has risen every year since. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson did not file tax returns for 5 years, ordered by court to file during 3rd bankruptcy case ProPublica reports that Balanced Nutrition, Inc. received $28,610 in a PPP loan from the government in April 2020, which was forgiven. A report from The Assembly notes that the nearly $30,000 loan matches a salary increase reported by Hill between 2019 and 2020. Balanced Nutrition Inc. received another PPP loan for $28,312 in February 2021, a few months before Robinson appeared on FOX News railing against government handouts. Robinson has previously been accused of rent non-payment and vehicle tax non-payment. Robinson has often discussed his troubled financial upbringing, jobs he said were lost due to the North American Free Trade Agreement and bankruptcies. He wrote in his 2022 memoir that hes struggled with finances but that these were the ups and downs of a man who is determined to make a go of it in the world without a steady stream of government charity. His finances from his lieutenant governors campaign have been scrutinized as well. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. As terrestrial bio-vaults face rising threats from climate change and war, scientists are calling for the creation of a new vault on the surface of the Moon where living cells and seed samples could be stored as an emergency backup to preserve Earth's biodiversity. As reported by the Guardian Wednesday, an international team of experts now say we no longer have enough time to protect the thousands of species at risk of extinction from climate change and urgent action is needed to preserve DNA samples of plants and animals for future repopulation efforts. The proposed lunar biorepository, described in the journal BioScience, would be similar to the widely known Svalbard seed vault in the Arctic Circle, where global samples for primary food crops are stored. The lead author of the lunar vault proposal Dr. Mary Hagedorn of the Smithsonians national zoo and conservation biology institute pointed to recent flooding incidents threatening the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a Norwegian seed bank, and to the 2022 destruction of Ukraine's seed bank. If there had not been people there, flooding could have damaged the biorepository....the idea of having a really secure, passive biorepository for safeguarding Earths biodiversity seems like a really good idea, Hagedorn told the Guardian. "We know how to do this and can do this and will do this, but it may take decades to finally achieve." The team say the Moon is an appealing location for a backup bio-vault due to its natural features, including deep craters near polar regions which never see sunlight and frigid conditions that readily reach the -196 degrees Celsius needed for long-term biological sample preservation. SOUTH BEND Lydick Bog Nature Preserve has added almost 94 acres, boosting it to 271 acres total, and posing the chance to build a trail that would connect to the new Indiana Dinosaur Museum. As The Tribune reported in March 2023, St. Joseph County had pledged $897,000 of federal pandemic American Rescue Plan dollars to help with the land purchase. The land itself was purchased from the South Bend International Airport, where another $853,000 of ARP dollars was pegged to help build a rental car turnaround facility. The nonprofit Shirley Heinze Land Trust, which owns Lydick Bog, formally announced the expansion Tuesday. The popular site at 25898 U.S. 20, just west of the U.S. 20/31 bypass, already features a 1.6-mile trail through woods and fields and an accessible boardwalk to the edge of the bog itself. Kristopher Krouse, the land trusts executive director, said that this protects extra forest land, which he said lessens forest fragmentation in a conservation area in western St. Joseph County that includes several kettle lakes, like the bog, that were formed by glaciers. The protection of these forests will contribute to water quality in the area by blocking the potential runoff that might have resulted if the land had instead been developed, he added. With over 630 plant species identified, it is one of our most diverse properties, Krouse said of Lydick Bog, which is among 3,400 acres that are protected in Shirley Heinze preserves in four northwest Indiana counties. Evening sets during fall 2020 at Lydick Bog Nature Preserve in South Bend. It is also dedicated by the state as a nature preserve, protecting it from ever being developed. Mark Tarner, founder of the Indiana Dinosaur Museum and owner of the South Bend Chocolate Co., has been keen to build a trail connecting Lydick Bog to his museum trails, which include views of bison that he has on site. Learn more: 8 things to do at South Bend's new Indiana Dinosaur Museum Shirley Heinze officials say they are in the process of planning a trail connection. The added land is in two separate parcels southeast of the preserve. But there is a small gap between the new and older parts of the preserve that Shirley Heinze officials are seeking a way to bridge, Deputy Director Bridget Harrison told The Tribune. The new parcels run along Pine Road, and the Dinosaur Museum is across from Pine to the east. This map shows the Lydick Bog Nature Preserve (shaded in white) and the newly added parcels (shaded in green) along Pine Road to the east in South Bend. Harrison said Shirley Heinze officials have a good idea of where they might route the trail, as they coordinate with the museum. Work could begin in August on mowing the route through more open areas, she said. Volunteers will be sought to clear a path through thick vegetation this fall and winter. Tarner told The Tribune that he has a few miles of trails that include a segment roughed in to Pine Road, awaiting the nature preserve's connection. He says his museum grounds are a mix of business and conservation, with bioswales and other ecosystems, adding, "We can preserve our past." As an entrepreneur, he believes there could or should be a way to link greenways across the chain of lakes. And he recognizes that people like to live close to parks, trails and wild spaces, which explains why he also has restaurants in South Bend's Howard Park and Mishawaka's Ironworks Plaza. In a press release, Tarner praised the land trust and local leaders for the addition, saying: South Bends Westside is poised for explosive growth. With their leadership we can grow our economy and protect the environment at the same time. Krouse said funding for the expansion also came from the states Next Level Conservation Trust Program. Arts and hiking event at Lydick Bog Lydick Bog will host its free, public Nature in the Arts program for all ages, titled "Printmaking & Plein Air," from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 3. Shirley Heinze staff and volunteers will lead guided hikes at 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m. Visitors can make a multimedia print with help from the South Bend Museum of Art or learn how to paint their own plein air landscapes with help from the Northern Indiana Pastel Society. Local musicians Christopher Lods and Mark Snell will perform. And Cloud Walking Coffee will sell cold brew coffee, juice and light snacks. Find more details at https://heinzetrust.org. South Bend Tribune reporter Joseph Dits can be reached at 574-235-6158 or jdits@sbtinfo.com. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Lydick Bog preserve grows trail may link Dinosaur Museum in South Bend Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, SEEK fair value estimate is AU$22.49 SEEK's AU$20.78 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate Analyst price target for SEK is AU$24.52, which is 9.0% above our fair value estimate Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of SEEK Limited (ASX:SEK) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for SEEK The Calculation We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$212.5m AU$259.3m AU$344.0m AU$402.0m AU$445.0m AU$477.1m AU$504.5m AU$528.2m AU$549.1m AU$568.0m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x5 Analyst x5 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 7.22% Est @ 5.73% Est @ 4.69% Est @ 3.96% Est @ 3.45% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 7.6% AU$197 AU$224 AU$276 AU$300 AU$309 AU$308 AU$302 AU$294 AU$284 AU$273 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$2.8b We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.3%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.6%. Story continues Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034 (1 + g) (r g) = AU$568m (1 + 2.3%) (7.6% 2.3%) = AU$11b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$11b ( 1 + 7.6%)10= AU$5.2b 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 AU$8.0b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$20.8, the company appears about fair value at a 7.6% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at SEEK 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 7.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.159. 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 SEEK Strength Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Interactive Media and Services market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market. Current share price is below our estimate of fair value. Threat Dividends are not covered by earnings and cashflows. Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year. Looking Ahead: Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For SEEK, there are three fundamental items you should further research: Risks: For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for SEEK that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does SEK's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Im human: Marjorie Taylor Greene says she only snaps back when pushed by other lawmakers Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she has some regrets about the heated exchanges shes had with other lawmakers while in Congress. In a recent episode of comedian Russell Brands show, Greene talked about one of the most recent exchanges she had with Rep. Jasmine Crockett from Texas, where Greene said that her fake eyelashes are messing up what youre reading. The comments sparked outrage from Democrats, leading Crockett to hit back with her now-infamous comment to Greene, asking a hypothetical question about a bleach-blonde, bad-built butch body. Greene said during that hearing, lawmakers were just charging at each other, and people only saw snippets of what happened, and not the 45 minutes leading up to the exchange. RELATED STORIES: And thats usually the tough part, right, is understanding why are they yelling at each other? What happened? Why did MTG just break and say things like this to people? Greene said. The Georgia Congresswoman told Brand that she loses her patience when people go after her and former President Donald Trump. Its usually because Im pushed and pushed, and Im listening to them call Donald Trump our orange messiah, or Im listening to them personally attack me or theyre holding up my tweets or social media posts on X and theyre reframing my words and lying about what I said. And Im having to sit there and take it and take it and take it, Greene said. And yes, and those moments I have lost my patience and just charged the hill and said things maybe in a way, I shouldnt have. But you know, Im human, Im not without mistakes. RELATED NEWS: US Says Maduro Lost Venezuela Vote as He Seeks to Jail Rivals (Bloomberg) -- The US said the world should acknowledge that Venezuelas opposition won last weekends election while President Nicolas Maduro doubled down on his claims of victory, saying his opponents should be jailed for decades. Most Read from Bloomberg Everyone can see it is clear that Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia defeated Nicolas Maduro by millions of votes, Brian Nichols, the top US diplomat for Western Hemisphere affairs, told a meeting of the Organization of American States in Washington. The worlds governments should acknowledge Gonzalezs overwhelming victory, he said Wednesday. Maduro has been ratcheting up his rhetoric against Gonzalez and Maria Corina Machado, the former legislator his government barred from running in Sundays election. At a news conference, the socialist leader said they should be behind bars for allegedly promoting post-election violence and seeking to destabilize his government. Ms. Machado, where are you? Why dont you show your face, after so much outrage and violence? Maduro said, building on top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguezs call for her arrest on Tuesday following demonstrations. Machado later responded to the comments by Nichols, saying it was a very important confirmation of Gonzalezs victory and backed his call for greater transparency in the vote tabulation. The opposition leaders say they have overwhelming proof that Gonzalez is the rightful election winner, citing evidence from more than 80% of the countrys polling stations. Venezuelas electoral body said Maduro took about 51% of the vote. Earlier Wednesday, Maduro requested that Venezuelas high court take over auditing of the voting data from the electoral board. The move ignores calls from President Joe Bidens administration, governments from the Group of Seven and allies Colombia and Brazil to allow transparent accounting of the results, increasing doubts of the legitimacy of the vote. Venezuelas top judicial body has for years been controlled by regime loyalists who have issued favorable decisions on issues from expropriations by the state to the banning of opposition political candidates. The disputed election outcome and the latest US statements make it increasingly unlikely that the Biden administration will consider easing economic sanctions any time soon. That would leave Venezuela cut off from international capital markets and delay efforts to deal with some $150 billion of defaulted bonds, loans and legal judgments owed to creditors from Wall Street to China. Maduros move Wednesday points to further radicalization and little leeway to negotiate any exit or transition, so the only path forward seems an escalation of the conflict, Ramiro Blazquez, head of research at BancTrust & Co., said by email. Venezuelas electoral authority, which is controlled by Maduro appointees, said early Monday morning the incumbent president defeated opposition rival Gonzalez by a margin of 51% to 44% of the votes. Gonzalez and Machado, for whom he is standing in, immediately disputed that. The opposition says it has now gathered 84% of voting tabulations to prove Gonzalez is the rightful winner in Sundays election. The Carter Center, the sole observer of international repute that monitored the election, said late Tuesday the vote cannot be considered democratic. On Wednesday, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, said our patience, and that of the international community, is running out, adding that the electoral authority needed to come clean and release the voting data. In his address, Maduro said he respected Biden and his decision to step out of the countrys election this year. But, he pressed, How come you say you have lost patience with Venezuela? Then Ive lost it with you. This is David versus Goliath. --With assistance from Fabiola Zerpa and Marcelo Rochabrun. (Recasts with new US position on result of vote from first paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Colombias leftist leader is urging Venezuelan authorities to allow for a verifiable vote count and international oversight of authoritarian President Nicolas Maduros self-proclaimed victory. Most Read from Bloomberg In his first reaction to the disputed election, President Gustavo Petro who has been aligned with the socialist administration in Venezuela on many issues declined to recognize Maduro as the winner of Sundays ballot. The serious doubts surrounding the Venezuelan electoral process could lead its people to a deep and violent polarization, Petro said Wednesday in a lengthy post on his X account. The counting of votes is the end of every electoral process; it must be transparent and ensure peace and democracy. Venezuelas electoral authority, which is controlled by Maduro appointees, said early Monday morning the incumbent president defeated opposition rival Edmundo Gonzalez by a margin of 51% to 46% of the votes. Gonzalez and banned candidate Maria Corina Machado, for whom he is standing in, immediately disputed that. The opposition says it has now gathered 84% of voting tabulations to prove Gonzalez is the rightful winner in Sundays election. The Carter Center, the sole observer of international repute that monitored the election, said late Tuesday the vote cannot be considered democratic. Colombias interior and foreign ministers had previously said a thorough accounting of votes was necessary in the neighboring South American nation. But Petros reaction is crucial as hes been one of the key players behind the scenes negotiating with Maduro, Venezuelan opposition parties and the US government to allow for what was supposed to have been a free and fair election. Since taking office in 2022, Petro has visited Venezuela more times than any other country. In his post, he invoked the legacy of Maduros late mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chavez, who pioneered the voting verification system that Venezuelas opposition now says prove the regime is trying to steal the vote. President Maduro has a great responsibility today, to remember the spirit of Chavez, and allow the Venezuelan people to return to tranquility while the elections end calmly and the transparent result, whatever it may have been, is accepted, Petro said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- A brewing standoff at Argentinas embassy in Caracas, where aides to Venezuelas opposition leader are holed up, threatens to further isolate authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro. Most Read from Bloomberg Patrols of police vehicles have been encircling the embassy located in a tony southeastern district of Caracas since Maduros disputed presidential win over challenger Edmundo Gonzalez on Sunday night. The pressure forms part of a widening clampdown on dissent as opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who tapped Gonzalez to run in her place, tries to rally international support to claims that Maduro rigged the vote. Venezuelas government has responded by detaining hundreds of protesters and ordering the diplomatic staff of world leaders that question the victory to leave the country. Envoys from Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic have been given until Friday to leave the country. Machado allies who have taken refuge in the embassy say security forces are now trying to drive them out. The lights have still been turned off, we are under siege, Pedro Urruchurtu, a senior member of Machados political party, wrote on X Tuesday evening. They cut our electric cables, even for the entire street. A spokesperson for Argentinas foreign ministry said patrols are currently limited to a single vehicle. Since March, a half dozen aides to Machado have sought asylum in Argentinas embassy after the Venezuelan government issued arrest warrants. President Javier Mileis government has since sought safe passage for them out of the country but has so far been denied. Argentinas self-professed libertarian president has been one of regions most strident critics of Venezuelas socialist regime and has called on world leaders to reject Maduros self-proclaimed victory. Even before the first official results were announced early Monday morning, Milei said his government would refuse to recognize another fraud carried out by the communist dictatorship. Maduro shot back immediately. Milei, you trash, you are the dictatorship, he said. The Venezuelan leader continued to deride his Argentine counterpart as a fascist, a Nazi and a sadist who enjoys making the people of Argentina suffer. Privately, the Argentine government has asked Brazil for assistance diffusing tensions around its embassy. The South American neighbors have been holding informal talks at a diplomatic level since Monday, according two Brazilian government officials familiar with the matter. On Monday, Celso Amorim, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas chief foreign affairs adviser, told Maduro in a private meeting that the Argentine embassy must be protected, the officials said. Patience for Maduro is also wearing thin in neighboring Colombia. President Gustavo Petro, a fellow leftist who is aligned with Venezuelas socialist government on most issues, called for a transparent accounting of the voting results and declined to recognize Maduros self-declared victory. Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino is in Washington and is set to discuss the situation, including the embassy standoff, at an emergency meeting on Venezuela at Organization of American States together with representatives from around the region. Similar diplomatic spats have already inflamed regional tensions. In April, Mexico severed relations with Ecuador after security forces raided its embassy in Quito. Former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who had been sheltering in the Mexican mission since December, was hauled off to face an investigation in a drug probe. --With assistance from Manuela Tobias and Simone Iglesias. (Updates with list of countries whose diplomats have been ordered out in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro warned Wednesday that he will not hesitate to call on the population for a new revolution if forced by what he calls North American imperialism and fascist criminals. Maduros comments come amid deadly protests across the country following its disputed presidential election victory, which the US and several other countries have refused to recognize. I would not like to go to other ways of making revolution, I say it solemnly from political power, we want to continue the path that [Hugo] Chavez outlined, Maduro said in Caracas during a press conference with international media. But if North American imperialism and fascist criminals force us, my pulse will not tremble to call the people to a new revolution with other characteristics, he added. The presidents comments come just hours after US National Security spokesman John Kirby called on Maduro to come clean on Sundays election. Our patience, and that of the international community, is running out on waiting for the Venezuelan electoral authorities to come clean and release the full, detailed data on this election so everyone can see the results, Kirby told reporters during Wednesdays White House press briefing. Kirby said the US and other nations share serious concerns of the reports of casualties, violence and arrests, including the arrests warrants that Maduro and his representatives issued today (Wednesday) for opposition leaders. Alongside the international community, we are watching, and we are going to respond accordingly, Kirby said. 20 credible reports of deaths The Venezuelan leaders comments came as Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it had received 20 credible reports of deaths connected to the nationwide protests over the election results. We are working to document and corroborate each case, Juanita Goebertus, HRW Director for the Americas, wrote on X. Foro Penal, a local NGO, reported on Tuesday that a total of 11 people have died during the protests. Of those killed, five died in Caracas, two in Zulia and Yaracuy, and one in Aragua and Tachira, the head of Foro Penal, Alfredo Romero, told reporters on Tuesday. CNN has reached out to Venezuelas Public Prosecutor for comment. So far, the Venezuelan government has not published any information regarding the death of civilians. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Lananh Nguyen and Tatiana Bautzer NEW YORK (Reuters) -Citigroup repeatedly breached a U.S. Federal Reserve rule that limits intercompany transactions, leading to errors in its internal liquidity reporting, according to a Citi document from December seen by Reuters. Reuters is reporting the infractions for the first time. Under so-called Regulation W, banks are required to restrict transactions like loans to the affiliates they control. The rule is meant to protect depositors whose money is insured up to $250,000 by the government. The Regulation W infractions come as Citi works to fix separate problems in its risk management and internal controls. Authorities labeled its risk practices "unsafe and unsound" in 2020, and rebuked Citi over how it measured counterparty risks in 2023. This year, regulators criticized the bank's resolution planning, and most recently punished it with $136 million in fines for making insufficient progress on compliance. The firm's "subsequent reaction to the breaches resulted in liquidity reporting inaccuracies," according to the document, which provides a 2023 year-end snapshot of some of Citi's work on regulatory issues. "We are fully committed to complying with laws and regulations and have a strong Regulation W framework in place to ensure prompt identification, escalation and remediation of issues in a timely manner," a bank spokesperson said. Reuters could not determine whether the violations have been remedied. The bank's shares fell 0.7% in Wednesday afternoon trading. Regulation W was put in place by the Federal Reserve more than two decades ago. It aims to prevent depository institutions from incurring losses from their related entities, known as affiliates, for example by dumping bad assets onto the institution's balance sheet or striking deals at preferential rates. According to the document, the "longstanding breaches revealed weaknesses" in Citi's "ability to identify, monitor, and prevent" future Regulation W violations. Meanwhile, "proposed revisions to policies and procedures do not appear to provide sufficiently clear guidance for employees to assure compliance with the regulation." Regulation W violations at Citi were also confirmed by a separate source with direct knowledge of similar infractions who had not reviewed the document. The source requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record. The Federal Reserve declined to comment. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) said it does not comment on specific banks. Story continues PROTECTING BANKS Government examiners test banks on their compliance with Regulation W. Lenders that break the rule can be subject to more scrutiny and fines, compliance experts said. For Citi, which has been under the regulatory spotlight for deficiencies in its risk management and controls since late 2020, any further action could add to its woes. Citi's Regulation W transgressions were categorized as a compliance risk in the document, and more narrowly labeled as a prudential and regulatory risk. The internal classifications are used by the company to meet global banking standards, according to a source familiar with the document's contents. The breaches, which happened "over an extended period of time," related to an inter-affiliate clearing relationship, the document said. Clearing refers to the process of reconciling or confirming transactions before they settle through the exchange of money or securities. Reuters could not determine further details about the infractions, including the identity of the affiliate or the nature of the transactions. Consequences for breaching Regulation W can vary depending on the frequency and severity of the offenses, said Julie Hill, dean of the University of Wyoming College of Law, speaking generally about Regulation W and not specifically about Citi. Regulators can start by issuing minor warnings and private notices that escalate in their urgency and harshness. Major violations can result in fines or public punishments known as consent orders, she added. "The idea behind all of the rules and restrictions is to make sure that profits from the bank aren't siphoned off" in a way that jeopardizes depositors or drains a government insurance fund, Hill said. Reuters could not determine whether regulators were aware of Citi's Regulation W breaches or inaccuracies in liquidity reporting. COMPLIANCE RISK Earlier this month, the Fed and the OCC fined Citi for "insufficient progress" in fixing data management problems and implementing controls to manage ongoing risks. The bank has intensified its focus and increased its investment on the compliance efforts over the last several months, CEO Jane Fraser said at the time. The two regulators have had Citi on notice since October 2020, when they issued regulatory punishments called consent orders over its risk management practices. Since then, Fraser has said it is her top priority to transform the bank and address regulators' orders. Investors have rewarded her efforts with a 28% jump in Citi's stock this year, outpacing some rivals. (Reporting by Lananh Nguyen and Tatiana Bautzer in New York, additional reporting by Saeed Azhar, editing by Megan Davies, Paritosh Bansal and Anna Driver) MAGA Republican and Donald Trump loyalist Kari Lake has won Arizonas GOP Senate primary, paving the way for a face-off against Democratic Rep Ruben Gallego in November in a race that could play a crucial role in deciding the makeup of the upper chamber of Congress. The Associated Press called the race just before 8.45pm on Tuesday night, with the renowned conspiracy theorist and election denier beating Mark Lamb, the sheriff of Pinal County. Lake took to the stage at a watch party in Phoenix to celebrate her victory and warn supporters that they need to help hero Trump save the country. He cant do this alone. He needs backup in Washington DC, she said. He needs backup in Washington DC and Im gonna be his backup! Lets take our Senate Majority back!!! she wrote in a post on X. Trump, who also hailed her win on Truth Social on Tuesday night, had endorsed Lake and joined her for a campaign call one day before the polls opened. Go vote, Trump urged voters in the phone rally. Shes fantastic. She will not let us down. Kari Lake, I just think shes going to be as good as you can get. Theres nobody going to be better. While Lake had long been the favorite, Lamb still managed to pull in around 40 percent of the vote a sign that Lakes far-right stance could be alienating more moderate conservatives in the state. Kari Lake at the RNC in July. She won the Arizona Senate primary on Tuesday (Reuters) She will now take on Gallego, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, to take control of the seat left by DemocratturnedIndependent Kyrsten Sinema after she decided not to seek reelection. Arizona will now be a critical swing state for determining both control of the White House and Congress in November. Lake is a staunch Trump ally who has long pushed conspiracy theories including his false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him. In 2022, she made an unsuccessful bid for Arizona governor, losing to Democrat Katie Hobbs. Rather than accept her loss, however, Lake echoed Trumps rhetoric and falsely claimed despite being repeatedly disproven in multiple courts that she had been cheated. Her latest effort to push the baseless election denialism came earlier this month when she asked the Arizona Supreme Court to take up the issue. The justices, who were all elected by Republican governors, have already dismissed her efforts. QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) Police are on the hunt for a man who allegedly robbed a United States Postal Service mail carrier at gunpoint in Queens on Monday. The robbery was caught on camera. Surveillance video showed a man walk past the mail carrier at the corner of 55th Avenue and 63rd Place around 12:30 p.m. He then turned around and approached her. He pulled out the gun in his hand and pointed it at my stomach area and he said Im going to get your key and dont do anything,' said the mail carrier, who wished to remain anonymous. She said she put up her hands as the man stole her mailbox key from her belt before taking off. The longtime mail carrier is still trying to process what happened. More Local News My chest hurts so bad. Im very confused about everything. I think Im in shock, the mail carrier said. After the incident, she called 911. Neighbors said that while they havent heard of anyone being held at gunpoint in the area, they are no strangers to mail theft. In fact, a recent report found that mail theft is rampant in Queens and claimed the USPS is mishandling the problem. Man charged with attempted murder for allegedly stabbing Queens subway rider As a result of the report, the inspector general issued several recommendations for the USPS. New York City Council member Robert Holden said something needs to change now. He wants to see stiffer penalties and more enforcement. The fact that they are using guns is alarming. On a federal level we need Congress to step in, Holden said. When you cant feel comfortable mailing something in the United States, thats when we have a problem. The mail carrier agrees. Ive been in Maspeth area a long time. It used to be safe. The park was safe. Now nobody wants to go there because crime happens, she said. The United States Postal Inspection Service released a statement, which read in part: USPIS takes matters involving the safety and well-being of postal service employees as a top priority. We are working diligently with our local law enforcement partners on this investigation. To protect the integrity of the investigation, we cannot provide further details at this time. United States Postal Inspection Service When asked about concerns about mail theft and the safety of USPS employees, USPS referred PIX11 News to Project Safe Delivery, its nationwide campaign to combat postal crime and protect postal employees. U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, who represents New Yorks 6th Congressional District, is currently co-sponsoring legislation to increase prosecutions and penalties for crimes against mail carriers. Meng released the following statement. This robbery is unconscionable and unacceptable. I hope police find the perpetrator and I renew my call to keep our postal workers safe. In Congress, the House recently approved my measure that pushes the Postal Service to better protect its employees from robberies and assaults, and Im cosponsoring legislation to increase prosecutions and penalties for these crimes. The bill also authorizes money for the Postal Service to install high security collection boxes and replace older versions of universal mailbox keys with electronic versions, greatly reducing the risks of letter carriers being targeted by criminals. This issue was also addressed in the investigation I convinced the Postal Services Office of Inspector General to conduct that found major mismanagement in how the Postal Service is addressing these types of problems in Queens. These despicable criminal acts cannot be tolerated, and we must continue to push the Postal Service and Congress to do more. U.S. Rep. Grace Meng Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Increased congestion and no room to turn are among the concerns residents in a Greenville County neighborhood brought before county council members this month. Some residents in the Lockwood Heights community of Greenville County told 7NEWS the amount of traffic near their homes puts them on edge. It makes me scared because even going across the street, I dont go by myself, said Miniya Ross, who lives on Page Drive with her grandmother. Lockwood Heights includes Page Drive and White Horse Road. Ross and other residents complained about narrow streets and the development of two dozen new condos increasing their risk of accidents. The traffic light is delayed and stuff, and they need to fix it, Ross added. Residents also told 7NEWS its difficult for them to leave their homes with one way in and out of the neighborhood. Greenville County councilmember Alan Mitchell said he takes residents concerns to heart. For me potentially it means you might be widening the street at that particular intersection. Not the whole street. But, at least giving a little bit more room so that traffic can flow a little better in that area, and possibly have a left-turn lane, said Mitchell. Mitchell also told 7NEWS he plans to meet with local school district leaders to see if school bus routes can be adjusted in the neighborhood to help alleviate traffic challenges. I will also write a letter to the [ South Carolina Department of Transportation] to express concerns about that intersection because when were looking at it, were looking at a property that wants to be rezoned, not the whole neighborhood, Mitchell also said. Mitchell said in spite of those proposals, there is a chance that the Lockwood Heights residents wont see relief for another year or two. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LARNED, Kan. (KSNW) A man accused in the shooting death of a doctor at Larned State Hospital is seeking a new attorney. Michael EG Reynolds (Photo Courtesy Pawnee County Sheriffs Office) Michael EG Reynolds, 68, is charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, and criminal possession of a firearm in the death of 52-year-old Dr. Tomas Garza. Garza, who was the medical supervisor at Larned State Hospital, died Saturday, March 30, after he was shot in rural Pawnee County. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says the two men got into an argument when Reynolds allegedly opened fire and killed Garza. Reynolds was arrested at the scene, while Garza died later at a local hospital. Newton woman arrested in Derby stabbing, police say Reynolds had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday. However, the Pawnee County Attorneys Office says before that hearing, District Magistrate Judge Keaton Gleason granted defense counsels wish to withdraw from the case after he took up written correspondence by the defendant to the Court about Reynolds appointed counsel. The preliminary hearing will be rescheduled once Reynolds is appointed a new attorney and they have had time to review the case. He remains jailed on a $250,000 bond. The case was investigated by the Pawnee County Sheriffs Office and the Kansas Bureau of 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 KSN-TV. Man to be arraigned on murder charge in Market Basket shooting that left teen dead Man to be arraigned on murder charge in Market Basket shooting that left teen dead A young man who was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service in the Dominican Republic earlier this month will face a judge Wednesday following a fatal shooting at a Massachusetts Market Basket in June. Adrian Pena, 18, of Lynn, is slated to be arraigned in Lynn District Court on a charge of murder in the death of Kai Burgos, 17, of Lynn, according to Essex District Attorney Paul Tucker. We look forward to prosecuting this case to achieve justice, and hopefully some measure of peace, for Kai Burgos family, Tucker said in a statement. The perseverance and determination of law enforcement in this case speaks to their dedication in pursuit of a just outcome and to the safety of our community. Police officers responding to a report of a shooting in the 40 Federal Street parking lot of the Lynn Market Basket on June 15 found Burgos suffering from a gunshot wound inside a crashed car that had rolled into an adjacent ravine, Tuckers office said. Burgos was rushed to Salem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Lynn Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit, and law enforcement officials in the Dominican Republic worked in collaboration on an investigation that led to Penas arrest on July 16. This arrest demonstrates our commitment to hold accountable those who commit acts of violence in our community, Lynn Police Chief Chris Reddy said in a statement. MSP Colonel John E. Mawn added, The Massachusetts State Police remain focused on securing justice for victims of violent crime by thoroughly investigating and apprehending perpetrators, wherever they may be. The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation. 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 ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) Police in Alexandria said they arrested a driver who assaulted his rideshare passenger two weeks ago. The Alexandria Police Department (APD) arrested 33-year-old Reshad Nasseri on Sunday and charged him with aggravated sexual battery for an incident that happened on July 19. On that Friday, APD said Nasseri sexually assaulted a passenger in the 5000 block of Seminary Road after they requested transportation. Green Line disrupted after man hit by train at Fort Totten Metro Station Police are asking anyone who was in the area that night and might have seen something suspicious to call APD Detective Abigail Fillinger at (703) 746-6677 or the APD non-emergency number at (703) 746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault and would like to speak to an advocate, you can call the Alexandria Sexual Assault Hotline at (703) 683-7273, which is available 24/7. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man has been arrested after being accused of uploading media files containing child pornography in Porterville, according to the Porterville Police Department. Officers say they received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in April informing them of a Porterville resident who had uploaded multiple media files containing child pornography. Police say throughout the investigation they obtained evidence identifying 36-year-old Jose Luis Perez-Mendez as the person who was uploading the pornographic images and or videos of children under the age of 18. According to detectives, a search warrant was authored for two residents associated with the investigation, the 300 block of East Olivewood Circle and the 400 block of East Cleveland Avenue, as well as an arrest warrant for Perez-Mendez. On Tuesday, investigators say they responded to both homes around 7 a.m. to execute the search warrant. Perez-Mendez was contacted and arrested and detectives located and collected additional evidence. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Porterville Police Department at 559-782-7400 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 arrested after driving into deputys cruiser while intoxicated, Stafford County Sheriffs Office says STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The Stafford County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) said they arrested a man for driving into a deputys cruiser while intoxicated on Monday night. Shortly after 11 p.m., a deputy was at the intersection of Garrisonville Road and Salisbury Drive when he noticed a car with an equipment violation. He conducted a traffic stop on the Jessica Cheney Bridge when his cruiser was struck by a speeding black Acura, just seconds after he got out of the car, the SCSO said. Police identify man hit, killed by SUV while crossing street in Silver Spring The deputy broadcasted the cars information to nearby deputies as it fled. The driver swerved between lanes and ran a red light at Richmond Highway as the car entered the area of Aquia Harbour. Deputies were able to find the car relatively quickly due to evidence left at the scene of the crash, including a side view mirror. SCSO identified the driver as 39-year-old Stephen Alexander. Alexander had a revoked license due to a DUI in 2023. SCSO said he had signs of intoxication, including a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath. He was charged with second offense driving under the influence within five years, felony hit and run and several other related charges. He was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK) An investigation by Smith County authorities led to the arrest of a man accused of running an asphalt paving scam in several states. 1 dead after shots fired at Nacogdoches home Timothy Mark Adams allegedly skipped town after running scams in Smith County in 2020, and was found Monday in a Florida RV park after Smith County investigators were tipped off to his whereabouts. The investigation started with an elderly couple reporting that they hired Adams from a Facebook advertisement for asphalt paving in March 2020. They allegedly paid Adams $3,000 in advance to asphalt their driveway, but no work was ever done. Hes a frequent flier. This was something that he was known to do. It doesnt apparently have a conscience if you can victimize our societys most vulnerable people like that, Smith County Sheriffs Office Public Information Officer Larry Christian said. Smith County authorities coordinated with investigators in Hoover, Alabama who said they were investigating Adams for similar scams. Through cooperating with other law enforcement agencies, Smith County investigators said that they discovered Adams was running these scams in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Texas. Smith County investigators secured two felony warrants and a grand jury indictment for Adams before he left town, allegedly sending a threatening message to one of his victims. Need to be held accountable: East Texas mother advocates for stricter laws in motorcycle deaths On Monday, Smith County Fraud Investigator John Partlow found that Adams was possibly staying in an RV park in Taylor County, Florida. After corresponding with officials there, the local sheriffs office found Adams at the RV park and took him into custody on several warrants. He is awaiting extradition to Smith County. The driveway asphalt scams are very common. Its one of the one of the big things that we get reports on, another one is roofing, Christian said. Partlow also said asphalt driveway scams are one of the most prevalent types of fraud and costs victims thousands of dollars every year. Never hire anyone for home repair services until you thoroughly check them out, Partlow said. Never pay anyone up front for services until the work is completed unless they require money for materials during the project. Christian said he wants people to rethink before coming to Smith County to scam because they will prosecute. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Man charged with exposing self to girls near Jenison GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Authorities say they have arrested a man accused of exposing himself to girls at a business near Jenison. It happened twice once on June 24 and again on July 28 at a business on Baldwin Street near 36th Street in Georgetown Township, the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office said. In both instances, the sheriffs office said, a man went into the business between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., exposed himself to a teen or juvenile girl and was gone by the time deputies got there. Deputies say they identified the suspect as 68-year-old Robert Linscott of Jenison, and he was arrested Monday afternoon. He was charged Tuesday with two counts of indecent exposure by a sexually delinquent person. Bond was set at $100,000. This embedded content is not available in your region. Anyone who has information about the case or who may have experienced something similar is asked to call the sheriffs office at 616.738.4000 or Silent Observer at 877.887.4536. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Man crashes vehicle into own home, charged with second DWI SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The San Angelo Police Department arrested a man after he allegedly drove a vehicle into his own home while intoxicated on the night of July 30. Mugshot: Navor Franco 7-30-2024 Navor Franco, 64, was arrested for driving while intoxicated for a second time. According to a press release from the San Angelo Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 100 Blk of W. Ave. J for a wreck at around 9:59 p.m. Tuesday night. Officers learned that the vehicle had crashed into the home of the driver. During the investigation, SAPD reported that Franco allegedly showed signs of intoxication. Nnavor was booked into the Tom Green County Detention Center. His bond is set at $5,000. 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Watch a previous report on the shooting in the video player above. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A Columbus man could spend the next 10 1/2 years in prison after entering a plea agreement in a fatal shooting from August 2021. The Franklin County Prosecutors Office said Frank Mitchell, 66, entered an Alford plea Monday to first-degree felony voluntary manslaughter, meaning Mitchell avoids a trial without admitting his guilt. Mitchell was immediately sentenced to between seven and 10 1/2 years in prison, with 985 days of jail credit. $7 million settlement approved for Casey Goodson Jr. death lawsuit According to court records, on Aug. 24, 2021, Dominick Baxton, 40, and another person were asked to move furniture in the Mount Vernon section of the city. When Braxton left his home, a man later identified as Mitchell shot Braxton, killing him. For the Alford plea, charges of murder and weapons under disability were dropped. When Mitchells prison sentence ends, he will be under post-release control for 2-5 years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A 45-year-old man faces decades in prison after being found guilty of trafficking a 15-year-old girl for sex. Jimmy Ray Brown was convicted Tuesday and faces up to 24 years in prison plus lifetime sex offender registration at his Aug. 27 sentencing hearing, prosecutors say. The Blade: Where exploited teens loiter in service of the Bakersfield sex trade There is an ongoing cycle of human trafficking within our community, and urgent actions are being taken to apprehend the perpetrators, District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said in a news release. We will be pursuing the highest permissible penalty under the law. On Jan. 27, a Bakersfield police officer pulled over a vehicle driven by Brown on Union Avenue. The officer saw a teen in the backseat wearing a bikini top, thong underwear and jacket, according to the release. I want to put them in prison: Leaders, survivors take stand against human traffickers in Kern A search of Browns phone revealed messages telling the teen they were going to get rich through her commercial sex work, prosecutors say. Police later determined the teen earned thousands of dollars a week and gave the funds to Brown. Other evidence obtained from the phone showed Brown repeatedly referred to himself as a pimp, prosecutors say. Eight other females some of who worked for Brown, others who he was attempting to get to work for him were identified, 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 KGET 17. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Authorities have charged a 22-year-old man North Carolina man with murder in connection with a shooting in April outside the 3001 Nightclub on Lake Arrowhead Road in Horry County. Kevin Jamaire Gause of Hoffman, North Carolina, is the third person charged in the April 7 shooting of Jadis Nelson, 22, of Rockingham. Nelson died on April 24 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center after the shooting in the parking lot of the nightclub. Gause, who is also charged with possession of a weapon with a violent crime, was arrested Tuesday and booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. Shania Denise Fuller, 21, of McLeansville, North Carolina, and Eva Darline Pricher, 40, of Hoffman, were arrested in June. Both women posted $40,000 bonds and were released, according to online jail records. Shania Fuller, left, and Eva Pricher Photos: J. Reuben Long Detention Center According to an arrest warrant, Gause used a handgun that he had in his waistband to shoot Nelson multiple times in the head and abdomen. A second person was hurt in the incident, which happened at about 1:50 a.m. on April 7. Previously released warrants for Fuller and Pricher indicate that Fuller was driving a white Hyundai when an unnamed suspect, now believed to have been Gause, got out of the vehicle and shot Nelson and another man. He then got back into the vehicle, which fled the scene. Pricher was also present and also shot at the victims, the warrant said. Before doing so, a witness told police they overheard her say If anyone got a problem with [redacted], he can get handled. She also fled the area without reporting the incident to law enforcement. After the shooting, the clubs owner, Roger Davisson, promised to review security procedures and change business hours. * * * Dennis Bright is a Digital Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Lee's family is pursuing a lawsuit against New York City, arguing that "there was an inadequate response by the police who arrived" at her apartment GoFundMe Christina Yuna Lee Christina Yuna Lee was fatally stabbed more than 40 times in her New York City apartment on Feb. 13, 2022 Assamad Nash was found guilty and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in connection with her death Her family is suing the city, arguing that "there was an inadequate response by the police who arrived" at her apartment The man who brutally stabbed Christina Yuna Lee to death in her New York City apartment in February 2022 was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Tuesday, July 30, per Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr.s news release. Assamad Nash, 27, pleaded guilty in June to murder and burglary charges in the fatal stabbing of Christina. He admitted to stalking the 35-year-old woman before he followed her into her Chinatown apartment, where authorities reported he stabbed her at least 40 times. After the sentencing, the judge noted the defendant is a danger to society and has serious mental health issues, per ABC 7. Christina Yuna Lee was killed in an unthinkably horrific manner in her own apartment at the hands of Assamad Nash, Bragg wrote in the press release. Ms. Yuna Lee was a creative, kind and joyful person and her death not only devastated her family but left a lasting impact on an entire community, Bragg continued. I hope the resolution of this case offers comfort and a sense of justice for everyone that has been touched by Ms. Yuna Lees life and this tragedy. May her legacy be celebrated for years to come. Shawn Inglima/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Assamad Nash in Manhattan, New York, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Lee was killed early in the morning of Feb. 13, 2022, after Nash followed her up to her six-floor walk-up apartment. As she entered the apartment around 4:20 a.m., Nash ran and pushed her inside before he attempted to sexually assault her. Inside the apartment, Christina called for help, which prompted her neighbors to call 911 at 4:22 a.m. Minutes later, authorities arrived, but they couldnt immediately break down the door until 5:40 a.m. Authorities then found her stabbed to death and Nash hiding under a mattress. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Related: N.Y.C. Woman Found Murdered in Bathtub After She's Followed Home, Fatally Stabbed in Her Apartment During the sentencing, the victim's father, Sungkon Lee, tearfully asked during his impact statement, "Why did God do such terrible things to our family," per ABC7. Her mother was not in attendance at the sentencing. Christina's aunt, Boksun Lee, said that the victim's mother is still struggling and gaunt from the suffering of the loss of her daughter, reports ABC7. After the sentencing, Sungkon urged lawmakers to name a new homeless shelter in her honor, per the New York Post. We want Christinas memory to be remembered and to prevent others having a similar fate, Sungkon said. LinkedIn Christina Yuna Lee By having her name on the shelter, it will reinforce to people what happened and that it was perpetrated by someone who was homeless, the familys attorney, Charles Yoon, said, per the Post. We want to honor her and memorialize her so that it doesnt happen again. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. According to the Post, Sungkon also spoke against the NYPD and accused the agency of failing to save his daughter. "The police did not gain entrance into the scene of the crime until 1 hour and 20 minutes had passed since arriving at the scene," he said. The decisive cause of Christinas death occurred at the scene of the incident. We believe that there was an inadequate response by the police who arrived. The first mission of NYC and its police is to protect the safety of its citizens, Sungkon said. Sungkon has filed a still-pending lawsuit against the department. He noted on Tuesday although the Lee family is pursuing a lawsuit against New York City, the family really wants is not compensation, instead, we want Christinas memory to be remembered and to prevent others from having a similar fate. 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. Video coverage of Joffrey the Kitten, recovering after an arson incident DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Montgomery County Grand Jury has indicted a man on three felony charges following a domestic violence call turned arson. Muhammad Khan was indicted on three aggravated arson charges on Monday, July 29. Included in these are two first-degree felonies for harm to person(s) and the third, a second-degree felony since the incident involved an occupied structure. Inspired by daughter, Ohio mom works to get rid of lead 2 NEWS previously reported that Montgomery County Sheriffs Deputies were dispatched to a domestic violence call on Feb. 21. While en route to the residence in the 8200 block of Hyannis Port Drive, the call was upgraded to arson. The Washington Twp. Fire Department was also dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, responders found multiple people trapped on their balconies in the 32-unit apartment complex. One person was hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Khan was located near the scene of the fire and taken into custody. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Man killed in 'execution-type' shooting while walking to evening prayers at mosque: Police A 43-year-old man on his way to evening prayers at a Philadelphia mosque Tuesday was shot multiple times and killed in what police called an "execution-type homicide." A suspect remains at large, police said. A motive is not yet known. PHOTO: In this screen grab from a video, law enforcement officers gather near the site of a shooting at a mosque in Philadelphia, on July 30, 2024. (WPVI) Police responded to reports of gunfire and a shooting on the 1500 block of Germantown Avenue shortly before 5 p.m. ET, authorities said. The victim was found lying in the parking lot of the mosque suffering from multiple gunshot wounds -- including several to his chest and torso and at least one to his head, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said. Police rushed the victim to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, he said. MORE: 2 men fatally shoot each other in California road rage incident The shooter, who was wearing dark-colored clothing, fled the parking lot and got into a vehicle, Small said. Surveillance footage captured the shooting in the parking lot of the Al-Aqsa Islamic Society, Small said. "You can clearly see our victim walking to this mosque for a prayer service. He was walking with another male. You see the shooter run up behind the victim, and from just a few feet away, begin firing shots," Small said during a press briefing. PHOTO: In this screen grab from a video, law enforcement officers gather near the site of a shooting at a mosque in Philadelphia, on July 30, 2024. (WPVI) The shooter continued firing after the victim collapsed onto the parking lot, Small said. "Our victim clearly appears to be the intended target," he said. The name of the victim has not been released. The man the victim was walking with was uninjured, police said. PHOTO: In this screen grab from a video, a shell casing is shown near the scene of a shooting at a mosque in Philadelphia, on July 30, 2024. (WPVI) MORE: 2 women killed, 5 people hurt in shooting during barbecue at upstate New York park; 'cowards' at large Seventeen spent shell casings were found at the scene, fired from a large caliber semi-automatic weapon, Small said. The suspect vehicle is believed to be a dark-colored sedan with a replacement or donut tire on the right front passenger side, Small said. Police will be reviewing other surveillance cameras in the area and have found several witnesses to the shooting, Small said. There is a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction, police said. "Violence outside of a house of worship is deeply painful and traumatizing for those simply showing up to worship and practice their faith," Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a statement on social media. "As an investigation into this killing proceeds, I'm praying for Philadelphia's Al-Aqsa Islamic Society community, a place Ive been several times, and hoping they find peace in each other and in their faith." Man killed in 'execution-type' shooting while walking to evening prayers at mosque: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Man killed when tree falls onto moving car in Cherokee County A man died Tuesday night when a tree fell on a moving car in Cherokee County. At about 7:48 p.m., deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office responded to 5767 Vaughn Road after it was reported that a tree had fallen onto a moving car when storms passed through the area. When deputies arrived, they found a 27-year-old man dead inside a Nissan 350 ZX convertible. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] There were no passengers inside the car. The name of the driver has not yet been released. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Hyatt Hotels has partnered with Maya Rio Development to introduce the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Belize with The Placencia Resort. Located on the Placencia Peninsula, The Placencia Resort is poised to become a part of the Hyatt portfolio as an affiliated hotel. It will join the Destination by Hyatt brand. The resort is undergoing a $10m renovation with completion and opening set for late 2025. The renovated property will include 90 reimagined guest rooms, suites and beachfront villas, as well as enhanced public areas. Following the renovation, The Placencia Resort will feature a new three-meal restaurant, indoor/outdoor event spaces, an overwater signature restaurant and bar, and a revitalised pool area. These additions are designed to cater to both social gatherings and individual guest experiences. Hyatt Dream Hotels development head David Kuperberg said: "Were excited to welcome guests to a new destination within the Hyatt portfolio and allow them to explore the breadth and beauty of Belize and what The Placencia Resort has to offer. These plans for the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Belize reinforce our thoughtful brand growth in Latin America and the Caribbean, and we remain dedicated to meeting our guests where they want to be. Were thankful to have worked alongside Maya Rio Development on this transition and look forward to bringing the Destination by Hyatt brand to Belize in late 2025. The Placencia Resort's offerings include group fitness sessions on the beach, a biophilic gym, and a swimming pool. Guests can enjoy complimentary kayaking, paddleboarding, and unlimited private beach access. This development is part of Hyatt's strategy to expand its presence in Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition to this, Hyatt plans to open Hyatt Centric Santo Domingo, Dreams Grand Island in Cancun, Hyatt Centric San Jose Escazu, and Hyatt Regency Panama City later this year. The Destination by Hyatt brand also continues to grow in the region with the upcoming Cas En Bas Beach Resort St Lucia set to open next year. "First Hyatt-branded hotel in Belize to open in late 2025" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A 22-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man has pleaded guilty in federal court to the illegal straw purchase of a firearm found at the scene of the shooting after the Chiefs Super Bowl rally shooting. Ronnel Dewayne Williams, Jr. pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of conspiracy to make false statements in the acquisition of a firearm. Federal prosecutors have noted that Williams was not among the shooters at Union Station on Feb. 14 as Chiefs fans celebrated. One woman, Lisa Lopez-Galvan, was killed, and over 20 were injured. In February, the Jackson County prosecutor charged 18-year-old Dominic M. Miller, of Kansas City, and 23-year-old Lyndell Mays, of Raytown, with second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. Man standing outside crashed car gets struck, killed on 210 Highway According to a news release from the Department of Justice, by pleading guilty, Williams admitted that he participated in the criminal conspiracy from Nov. 25, 2023, to Feb. 21, 2024. Williams made false statements to a licensed firearms dealer on Nov. 25, 2023, claiming he was the actual buyer of a Stag Arms lower receiver, which was intended to deceive the dealer into making the sale to Williams. He admitted he was not the true buyer of the firearm, but was purchasing the firearm on behalf of a co-conspirator who was not of lawful age to purchase the firearm himself. Williams admitted he provided the firearm to his co-conspirator on the same day of the purchase. Law enforcement officers recovered the firearm, with an affixed 300-blackout barrel, on Feb. 14 in the area of 30 West Pershing Road following the mass shooting incident. Charges filed in Independence Towers child death Williams also admitted that, between Feb. 16 and Feb. 21 he provided materially false statements to federal law enforcement officers regarding the acquisition and disposition of the Stag Arms lower receiver. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Man sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for ambush shooting of OKCPD officer OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after shooting at an Oklahoma City police officer back in October 2023. On Monday, Michael Anthony Wilson II was sentenced on a charge of illegally possessing a firearm after a previous felony conviction, according to the U.S. Western District Court of Oklahoma. Michael Wilson II. Photo courtesy OKCPD. Court records show Wilson was convicted of kidnapping and domestic assault and battery in Oklahoma County, and second degree burglary and unauthorized use of a vehicle in Canadian County. News 4 had crews on the scene of the October 13, 2023, shooting near W Wilshire Boulevard and N Rockwell Avenue, where a suspect later identified as Wilson had fired multiple shots at an OKCPD officer sitting in their patrol car. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Court documents suspect allegedly planned ambush on OKCPD officer The officer sustained minor injuries after reportedly being struck by shrapnel during the incident. According to court documents, Wilson planned to pop a cop in retaliation for his cousin, who was shot by police in Cleveland County, leading up to the shooting. On February 7, Wilson pleaded guilty to carrying a firearm despite his prior criminal record. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A man was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday for a 2022 murder in Southeast Portlands Lents Neighborhood. Shaka Imani Chambers, 48, was found guilty by a 12-person jury of murdering 27-year-old Juan Carlos Artiles, the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office said. The original incident happened on Sept. 4, 2022, when Portland police officers responded at about 5:42 a.m. to reports of a shooting near Southeast 90th Avenue and Southeast Woodstock Boulevard. Inside a residence, a man later identified as Artiles was found dead. The medical examiner later confirmed he died of a gunshot wound. Watch as Titan VanCoug, stinky corpse flower, prepares to bloom in Vancouver Chambers was arrested on Sept. 12, 2022, and has remained in custody ever since. Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Michael Greenlick sentenced Chambers to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 25 years, for one count of second-degree murder with a firearm. Chambers was also sentenced to 36 months consecutive for one count of first-degree burglary with a firearm. The charge of unlawful use of a weapon was merged with the murder charge sentence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Man sentenced to life in prison following 2023 murder of Dayton resident Man sentenced to life in prison following 2023 murder of Dayton resident DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A man was sentenced to life in prison following the 2023 shooting death of Dayton resident Robert Blackstone. Antonio Murray, 44, was found guilty in June of several charges related to the incident. He was officially sentenced to 24 years to life on Tuesday, July 30, according to a document from the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office. Our 2 NEWS crew was at the courtroom when the sentencing was given. Murray was seen verbally lashing out at Blackstones family and was temporarily removed from the courtroom before returning for sentencing. We spoke to the family after the session ended. I had the mindset that this, it means nothing. My dad is gone. But it actually, just feels like this part of it is behind me, and I can move forward with living without him, and knowing that the man that did it is behind bars for the rest of his life, said Roberts daughter Robin. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Man sentenced to nearly 10 years for 2022 sexual assault at McAlpine Creek Greenway Man sentenced to nearly 10 years for 2022 sexual assault at McAlpine Creek Greenway CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman at McAlpine Creek Greenway in 2022 has been sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison, the District Attorneys Office said on Wednesday. Khalil Boler, 28, pled guilty to attempted second-degree rape, sexual battery and indecent exposure. A judge sentenced him to 48-118 months in prison and a 24-month supervised probation. Officials say Boler must also register as a sex offender for 30 years. PREVOIUS: Arrest made in 2022 sexual assault on McAlpine Greenway in SE Charlotte On September 7, 2022, Boler attacked a woman and tried to rape her and take her cell phone as she was walking along the greenway, police said. The woman was able to fight off Boler and sustained minor injuries in the attack. CMPD said Boler was first identified as a person of interest following an arrest on two separate incidents at a Target located at 8120 University City Boulevard. Man charged with assault in alleged bathroom attack in SE Charlotte: CMPD He was charged with sexual battery and indecent exposure from those incidents, police said. DNA evidence collected from the McAlpine Creek Greenway case identified Boler as a potential suspect. Detectives with CMPD learned he had pending charges from the incidents at Target, and he matched the description of the suspect provided by the victim at the Greenway. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DES MOINES, Iowa Police have released the name of a Nebraska man who was shot and killed by Des Moines police officers Tuesday morning after they say he pointed a gun at them following a chase. Sgt. Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department said the deceased man has been identified as 45-year-old Weston Dean Derby of Bellevue, Nebraska. Police said they responded to a call of someone violating a restraining order in the 5800 block of SE 35th Circle around 3:30 a.m. and found a suspect vehicle in the area. There was a short chase and the vehicle went off the road in the 4300 block of E. Army Post Road. Pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle early Wednesday in north Des Moines The driver, later identified as Derby, exited the vehicle into thick vegetation and ran. Sgt. Parizek said he turned toward officers and produced a gun, first pointing it at his own head, and then pointing it at officers. Thats when both officers fired at Derby and he was hit with gunfire. Derby died at the scene. Police offered some background information on the suspect Tuesday, before naming him. He may have had a relationship with this victim sometime back. She hadnt heard anything from him in a very long time. He showed up on her doorstep Friday, she immediately went and applied for the no-contact order. It looks like he had an existing order with another person in Nebraska. The car he crashed Tuesday morning was stolen from Council Bluffs several days ago and the plates were stolen locally. Sgt. Parizek said, So that indicates quite a bit of premeditation itself. One of the officers on the scene was also injured by gunfire and is continuing to recover. It was initially thought the officer had been hit by a shot fired by Derby, but police later determined he had been hit by gunfire from the second officer. The 37-year-old officer, whose name has not been released, suffered critical injuries in the shooting but has been improving substantially. He was in serious but stable condition late Tuesday morning and Sgt. Parizek said Wednesday the officer continues to recover and remains hospitalized. Sgt. Parizek said the second officer involved in the shooting remains on paid administrative leave. The DCI is continuing its investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Man wanted in April homicide arrested in North Dakota, NIPD says Man wanted in April homicide arrested in North Dakota, NIPD says NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) A 27-year-old man who was wanted in connection with an April homicide in New Iberia was arrested in North Dakota, the New Iberia Police Department announced. New Iberia police said they were notified Thursday that 27-year-old JaQuan Johnson was apprehended in North Dakota. Johnson was wanted on charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery involving a firearm in connection with a homicide that occurred in the 1400 block of East Street on April 12. Johnson is currently awaiting extradition back to Louisiana. Latest News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. Manitowoc school board votes to close District Office after superintendents proposal to close schools fails The exterior of the Manitowoc Public School District Administration Offices is seen in this file photo. MANITOWOC The Manitowoc Public School District will be closing the District Office on Lindbergh Drive. In an unexpected move by the Manitowoc School Board during the July 25 special meeting, a motion to close the District Office building and move the administrative staff into vacant areas of existing school buildings passed with a 4-3 vote. Board members Paul "Biff" Hansen, Keith Shaw and Kerry Trask voted against the motion. The meeting was called to discuss Superintendent James Feil's most recent proposal for facilities maintenance, which included plans to close two older elementary schools; prepare Stangel, Monroe and Jefferson schools for consolidation; and borrow $11.7 million to use on building maintenance and repairs. The motion to pass the facilities plan failed in a 5-2 vote. Things to do this week: A free family concert at Washington Park and more events not to miss Free public presentations on scams that target seniors The Manitowoc County Public Safety Committee is holding three free presentations in August and September called "Common scams and frauds targeting seniors." The sessions will be led by Ben Merens, a former talk-show host for Wisconsin Public Radio and an outreach specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Merens will cover a variety of topics, including steps to take as a victim of a scam or fraud, different types of scams and some common warning signs. The presentations will be held as follow: Aug. 22, 11 a.m. to noon, Manitowoc County Office Complex, 4319 Expo Drive, Manitowoc; Aug. 22, 5-6 p.m., Kiel Community Center, 510 Third St., Kiel; and Sept. 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lester Public Library, 1001 Adams St., Two Rivers. 'Patti Goes ...': Reporter Patti Zarling makes rugs like they did during the Great Depression during visit to Minnesota's North House Folk School Manitowoc Aurora Medical Center recognized for sustainability efforts Aurora Medical Center-Manitowoc County received national recognition for its commitment to sustainability and the efforts of its operational team to manage energy, water and emissions reduction efforts, according to a news release from Aurora Health Care. It was named an Energy to Care Sustainability Champion by the American Society for Health Care Engineering, a program from American Hospital Association. The award is the program's highest distinction. Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc. She can be reached by email at aschafer@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc Public School District to close District Office, not schools The Park Fire has destroyed more than 360 structures as the wildfire continued to burn into its eighth day in Butte and Tehama counties after an alleged act of arson sparked the blaze in Upper Bidwell Park east of Chico. The Park Fire, as of Wednesday morning, has burned a total of 389,791 acres (609 square miles), and 18% of the wildfire has been contained, according to Cal Fire. The fire has burned more than 337,000 acres in Tehama County and nearly 53,000 acres in Butte County. The wildfire has also affected areas in Plumas and Shasta counties. The Park Fire continues to burn very actively at multiple locations around the perimeter, according to Cal Fire Wednesday morning update. Smoke is expected to be more widespread with very limited and late clearing. Cal Fire officials expect weather conditions to become much warmer and drier later this week, along with some winds and a potential for thunderstorms. Cal Fire said the high temperatures and low relative humidity dropping into the teens, along with poor nighttime moisture recoveries, will allow for increased fire activity and extreme fire behavior. The fire has destroyed 361 structures and damaged 36 others, as of Wednesday morning. The total number of structures includes infrastructure. Over 5,800 firefighting personnel were battling the blaze. No fatalities or injuries have been reported. Cal Fire Incident Commander Billy See said there were 11 two-person damage inspections teams tasked with the entire perimeter and interior of Park Fire. As of Tuesday afternoon, the teams had completed inspections at 55% of the affected structures in Butte County. The teams in Butte County had conducted 682 inspections, so far. See said 139 structures had been destroyed, including 87 single-family homes. There is a 76% survival rate of all structures within Butte County that has been assessed thus far, See said at a Tuesday afternoon news conference. In Tehama County, the teams had completed inspections in 75% of the affected structures. See said the fire has destroyed 55 structures in Tehama County, including 29 single-family family homes. The fire also damaged two other structures, and the survival rate was at 76% of structures that have been inspected. In the week since the blaze erupted, the Park Fire has become the fifth-largest wildfire in Californias recorded history. And its still growing, increasing in size by about 3,000 acres since Tuesday night. See, Cal Fires incident commander, said the Park Fire also is the second-largest wildfire started by a single ignition source in California history. He said only the Dixie Fire, which started in July 2021 in Butte County and burned nearly a million acres, was larger. This region has been impacted over the last several years by multiple large damaging and destroying wildfires, See told news reporters. The Dixie Fire destroyed more than 1,300 homes and buildings in five Northern California counties. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. officials have said they accept Cal Fires finding that a tree falling into a PG&E power line caused the fire. As of July 30, 2024, wildfires have scorched a staggering 751,327 acres across our state. This year's wildfire activity is 2,816% higher than last year, 29 times the amount of acreage burned. The numbers are a stark reminder: 95% of wildfires are caused by humans. Stay pic.twitter.com/3d38JATRGD CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) July 30, 2024 As of Tuesday, 4,613 wildfires this year in California have burned 751,327 acres throughout the state. Cal Fire officials said this years wildfire activity, so far, was 29 times the amount of acreage burned last year in California. The wildfires this year are simply much larger than the previous two years. In 2023, 3,736 wildfires burned 25,763 acres in California, according to Cal Fire. Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, of Chico is accused of pushing a a burning car into a gully in Upper Bidwell on July 24, igniting what would become the Park Fire before emerging from heavy vegetation along the hiking path and joining evacuees fleeing the area, prosecutors have said. Stout, who made his first appearance on Monday in Butte Superior Court, was scheduled to return to court Thursday. Prosecutors have charged Stout with arson of an inhabited structure or property. The felony charge includes an enhancement with special circumstances, along with three enhancements related to prior strike convictions considered strikes under California Three Strikes Law. At Tuesdays news conference, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said about 2,000 residents remained under a mandatory evacuation orders, mostly in the Cohasset area. Honea spoke about two women arrested Monday evening after they allegedly ran into an evacuated area. Deputies had responded to a report of possible looters at the intersection of Sycamore Valley and Cohasset roads in Chico. I guess were going to file this one under you play stupid games and youre going to get stupid prizes, Honea said. Were serious about this. If you try to get into the area, were going to take enforcement action. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law last December a piece of legislation that defined a "mass shooting," tying the state definition to the Federal Bureau of Investigations one. She promised that would help release emergency funding and other federal resources to communities in grief. "Protecting the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers remains my top priority," she said in a statement. "But when tragedies do occur, this legislation will help ensure our communities receive the emergency response and funding they need in the aftermath of a mass shooting." That would be a glimmer of good news in terrible situations like the one Rochester now finds itself in, after seven people were shot Sunday at Maplewood Park. NY Gov. Kathy Hochul addresses the community during a ceremony in the Tops parking lot. Was Rochester park tragedy a 'mass shooting' in NY? Two of the seven shooting victims died; the others experienced non-life-threatening injuries, according to Rochester police. But that means the incident fell short of the state standard for a mass shooting, which requires at least four people killed. An incident with four or more deaths could be more accurately defined as a mass killing. There are fewer of those, notably including the shooting at a Tops in Buffalo in 2022. The resources in question include mental health support as well as expedited payment for local street outreach specialists doing conflict resolution and trauma healing work, said Assemblywoman Sarah Clark. She represents the Maplewood neighborhood and was a co-sponsor of the state bill that defined mass shootings. She said she hopes to persuade the state to persuade the federal government to designate the Maplewood incident as a mass shooting despite the definition, thereby letting local responding agencies get paid faster. "If youre getting public dollars, you often need to get reimbursed, and these arent organizations with huge budgets," she said. Justin Murphy is a veteran reporter at the Democrat and Chronicle and author of "Your Children Are Very Greatly in Danger: School Segregation in Rochester, New York." Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/CitizenMurphy or contact him at jmurphy7@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Maplewood Park violence doesn't meet New York's mass shooting definition Marcus: Why is grandma in that house all by herself? When Gilbert OSullivan (no relation to Gilbert and Sullivan) wrote his 1972 lament, Alone again, naturally, being alone was not anywhere as popular as it is today. Back then, about 17% of American households were occupied by just one person. Today, that figure is closing in on 30%. Where, in the early 1970s, we saw 10 million single person households, now were pressing 40 million. Many factors have combined to make living alone more common than in the 70s. Longer life for surviving spouses. More divorced people. High incomes for select occupations filled by young people. They all are evidence of a more prosperous economy with higher real wages supplemented by pensions, life insurance, social security, more liberal mortgage policies, increased female labor force participation, and adults of all ages accustomed to more square footage than enjoyed by previous generations. We may imagine the diverse lives of those living alone. For some it is a golden time of freedom and exploration. For others it is a daily grind in a pit of desperation. It is a feature of our movies, songs, and fiction, a persistent reality in advertising, but it fails to register on our collective thoughts of American life or our anticipation of our future society. Americans complain of a housing shortage without acknowledging the fact that 14% of the population 18 and older occupies 28% of all housing units. In Indiana, thats 16% of the relevant population using 29% of our housing. This living-alone phenomenon has increased every year since 1960. From 2012 through 2022, occupied housing units increased by 12% while the number of persons living alone increased by 15%. Thats a gap of only 3%, but in New Mexico the gap was 14% (11% vs 25%). Indiana ranked 12th with a gap of 7%, more than twice that of the nation In all, 44 of the 50 states saw persons living alone increasing faster than did the number of housing units. The percent of the population living alone is highest for those 65 and older, 27% in the U.S. and 29% in Indiana. In both the U.S. and Indiana, this oldest group is just 6% of those 18 and over, but they occupy close to 12% of the housing. Among those 65 and over, five diverse Indiana counties (Switzerland, St. Joseph, Knox, Huntington, and Marion) have more than a third of their seniors living alone. In Switzerland County, 9% of the population occupies 18% of the housing units, yielding the largest gap in the state of 9%. Hamilton County is at the opposite end of the spectrum, with 4% of its 18-and-over population using 8% of the housing, the lowest gap in the state at 4%. Do we want to (or should we?) do anything about those living alone disproportionately occupying housing? Are these inequalities inequities? Morton Marcus is an economist. Reach him via email at mortonjmarcus@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Marcus: Why is grandma in that house all by herself? Maria Kanellis posts an update. ROHs Maria Kanellis previously announced that she had a mass on her adrenal gland. She noted that she would be meeting with an endocrinologist surgeon. Kanellis wrote that it was inconclusive as to whether it was cancer. On July 30, Maria Kanellis posted an update on social media. She wrote that she went to her doctors appointment, and it was determined that surgery would be necessary. Kannelis wrote that the mass was borderline what they get concerned about. I went to my doctors appointment today at Rush, Maria Kanellis wrote. The next steps are blood work and a possible 24 hour urine test. From there I will be scheduling surgery for most likely some time in September. The mass I have is borderline what they get concerned about and biopsy is not an option. I will be having a retroperitoneoscopic andrenalectomy and they will biopsy the mass after. I went to my doctors appointment today at Rush. The next steps are blood work and a possible 24 hour urine test. From there I will be scheduling surgery for most likely some time in September. The mass I have is borderline what they get concerned about and biopsy is not an MariaKanellisBennett (@MariaLKanellis) July 30, 2024 WrestleZone sends out best regards to Maria Kanellis, and we will provide more information as it becomes available. Maria Kanellis Recently Returned To ROH While dealing with her health issues, Kanellis recently returned to ROH programming. At ROH Death Before Dishonor, MxM Collection (Mansoor and Mason Madden) beat Angelico and Serpentico. After the bell, Kanellis came to the stage and told the duo good work. MxM stood by Kanellis and teased an alliance. Kanellis has previously managed The Kingdom (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett). The post Maria Kanellis To Undergo Andrenalectomy Due To Mass On Adrenal Gland appeared first on Wrestlezone. Marios Law namesake released from prison after more than 22 years PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Mario Monteiro was released on parole Wednesday after spending most of his adult life in prison for a crime he committed at 17 years old, according to the R.I. Department of Corrections. Monteiro, now 40, received two life sentences for the 2001 shooting death of a 31-year-old man in Providence. He became eligible for parole through the Youthful Offenders Act, often referred to as Marios Law, which state lawmakers passed three years ago. TARGET 12: RI Supreme Court weighing whether Marios Law applies to namesake The law makes inmates sentenced before their 22nd birthday eligible for early release after serving at least 20 years behind bars. Last year, the ACLU of Rhode Island filed a petition demanding Monteiro be released from prison immediately after the state claimed the law, which was intended to help him, did not apply to his consecutive life sentences. State prosecutors argued Monteiro had to serve an additional 15 years to be eligible for parole, even though he served 20 years in prison. RELATED: ACLU: Man serving life for 2001 murder should be released on parole The ACLU contended in its petition that the states unlawful interpretation of the statute is absurd and illogical because it defeats its purpose, which is to give youthful offenders a second chance. The states interpretation also would have deprived Monteiro of at least 15 years of liberty before he was eligible for early release, according to the ACLU. R.I. Superior Court Judge Stephen Nugent sided with the ACLU and ruled against the states interpretation back in May, which paved the way for Monteiros release after serving more than 22 years in prison. Dee Jensen, Monteiros aunt, said shes overjoyed to see this day. Mario and all people like him deserve to have the hope that someday they will have an adult life in society, Jensen said. I am grateful to all those who recognized that rehabilitation is possible and that young people who commit serious crimes merit a second chance. SEE ALSO: Murder victims mom angered by law that makes killer eligible for parole Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Mark Finchem on Aug. 2, 2022, at an election night party for Kari Lake. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror Former lawmaker and failed secretary of state candidate Mark Finchem may be heading back to the Arizona Capitol, as early election night results show him leading in his bid to knock off state Sen. Ken Bennett in a northern Arizona legislative district. Initial election tallies show Finchem with a margin of more than seven percentage points over Bennett, a lead of nearly 2,000 votes. Finchem spent a decade in the legislature representing districts based in Pima and Pinal counties in southern Arizona. But last year, he moved to Prescott to take on Bennett, following an unsuccessful bid in 2022 to be the states chief elections official in 2022. Finchem lost the race to Democrat Adrian Fontes by 120,000 votes, and later unsuccessfully contested his loss in court. Finchem has built his political brand on election denialism, spearheading a failed lawsuit against electronic tabulators with Republican Kari Lake. The courts have determined the case was frivolous and have sanctioned their attorneys Bennett was first elected to the state Senate in 1999, and became Senate President in 2003. In 2009, he was appointed secretary of state when Jan Brewer was elevated to governor following Janet Napolitanos resignation. In 2018, Bennett unsuccessfully challenged Doug Ducey in the GOP primary for governor. But three years ago, Bennett returned to statewide politics and embraced election denialism, acting as the official liaison for the state Senates partisan audit of the 2020 election. He won election to the Senate in 2022, where he has returned to his roots as a lawmaker unafraid of bucking his party, even if it meant killing GOP-backed legislation in a chamber where Republicans held a single-vote majority something that his opponents wielded against him. Earlier this year, Bennett defected from his party to kill an anti-trans ballot referral that could have scrapped inclusive school policies across the state. Just a month later, he cast the deciding vote on another widely criticized referral that sought to preemptively bar cities from enacting taxes based on vehicle miles traveled. And when Republicans united behind yet another ballot referral that would give local police the ability to jail migrants, Bennett predicated his support on revisions aimed at removing the threat to undocumented Arizonans already living in the state and adding caveats to when police officers may arrest people suspected of crossing the southern border illegally. Also in the race was Steve Zipperman, who trailed Finchem and Bennett by a wide margin, with just 18% of votes in his favor as of Tuesday night. It isnt the first time Zipperman has failed to earn the nomination: He also ran in 2022 and lost to Bennett. A U.S. Army veteran, Zipperman is also a real estate broker and lawyer. His focus, according to his campaign website, is on strong borders, parental rights in schools and preserving the second amendment right to bear arms. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who is among the top contenders to be Vice President Harriss running mate, is uncomfortable in the role of attack dog and has eschewed politics for most of his time in the Senate. Kellys clean-cut reputation and focus on policy raises questions about whether he can play the traditional attack-dog role of a running mate. The vice presidential candidate really ideally would be somebody who would be comfortable being an attack dog on the other ticket but doing it in a way thats not off-putting to winnable voters, said John LaBombard, a Democratic strategist. My guess is that Sen. Kelly would have some growth to do in that part of the role, at least as compared to Gov. Walz, he added, referencing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), who is also said to be on the vice presidential shortlist. The junior Arizona senator has tried to get into the role of partisan brawler a bit more in recent days by smacking Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), former President Trumps running mate, for claiming the country is run by childless cat ladies. Kelly drew a crowd outside the Capitol on a recent afternoon, where he uncharacteristically took a few partisan jabs at Vance, whose past comments on a range of topics are fueling rage among Democratic voters. I think its a ridiculous thing to say about somebody, he said of Vances characterization of Harris as a childless cat lady. Its obnoxious and its rude and its also not surprising. What I really worry about is what he would do being one heartbeat away from the presidency, Kelly added, transitioning to Democrats top issue: abortion. Heres a guy who, when hes talking about women who have been raped or pregnant because of incest, [says] that two wrongs dont make a right. What is wrong about a woman who has been raped to want to terminate a pregnancy? he said. I really worry about their rights if Donald Trump is elected again. Kelly has declined to comment on what discussions he might be having with Harris or her political team and insists hes not auditioning to join her ticket. This whole thing is not about me this is making sure Kamala beats Donald Trump in November. Thats my goal. Im going to work as hard as I can regardless of what happens, he told The Hill. Kelly, a former naval aviator and astronaut, has stayed away from political food fights since winning election to the Senate in 2020. During his first few years in Washington, he would often dodge political questions by saying he didnt think about the politics of his own 2022 reelection race and was mainly focused on passing bipartisan bills, such as the CHIPS and Science Act, which spurred investment in his home state. Steve Jarding, a Democratic strategist and former adviser to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, acknowledged Kelly might not be a perfect fit for the traditional attack-dog role of the vice president, but still touted him as a strong candidate. I like him a lot. I think hes the best pick she could have. One of the reasons I like him is hes not the attack dog, he said, praising Kellys former astronaut image as rational, cool under pressure and mission-focused. I understand traditionally the role, the VP pick does the dirty lifting, he said. But he warned that could backfire with middle-of-the-road voters who then might discount him as the pit bull. Theres something about not having an attack dog this time that I think he is good, he said, citing voters weariness with polarization and excessive partisanship. Kelly has made more frequent forays onto cable television since April, as the presidential election cycle heated up. He is scheduled to appear on NBCs Morning Joe on Wednesday. And he spoke out to defend President Biden from growing pressure from other Democratic senators who wanted him to drop his reelection bid after a disastrous debate performance. He urged Democrats in mid-July to rally behind Biden and Harris, warning we got to make sure we work as hard as possible, not make any mistakes, and insisting Biden still had a path to victory. He fielded tough questions about the anti-war protests on American college and university campuses during a May appearance on NBCs Meet the Press and talked about the mistakes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made in waging an all-out assault against Gaza. LaBombard, the Democratic strategist, said Kelly would bring other strengths to the ticket, even if hes not a natural attack dog. He is a polished, elected lead from a battleground state with an inspiring background, ranging from his military service to his time as an astronaut, and hes supported many of the bipartisan packages that Vice President Harris is sure to tout on the campaign trail, he said. LaBombard said Kellys support for Bidens agenda in the Senate would be a strong selling point with Harriss staff members but acknowledged they may be looking for a governor from outside the Beltway, such as Walz or Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, to balance the ticket. He said that Walz or Shapiro might give Democrats a better chance of winning the critical battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Those two guys the two governors are from outside of Washington. Thats a big plus because people in both parties, especially independents in battleground states, do not cheer for Washington. He hasnt been here long, but Sen. Kelly would certainly be an inside-the-Beltway choice, he said. Another concern for Democrats is what would happen to Kellys Senate seat if Harris taps him to be her running mate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) recruited Kelly in 2019 as the ideal candidate to win the seat long held by former Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Kelly went on to defeat former Sen. Martha McSally (R), who was appointed to McCains seat, in a 2020 special election. While Arizona has trended more Democratic in recent years, Kellys seat would become more vulnerable to a GOP pickup if he left the Senate to serve in a Harris administration. Schumer, the architect of the Senate Democratic majority, declined to comment Tuesday on whether Kelly would be a strong choice to join Harris atop the ticket. He also declined to say whether he is worried about keeping Kellys seat in Democratic hands if he jumps to the executive branch. I have total confidence that Vice President Harris will choose a great vice presidential candidate, he said, holding his cards close to the chest. I have complete faith in Vice President Harriss choice. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 is Mark Kelly? What to know about the Arizona Senator on Kamala Harris' VP list In a whirlwind 10 days after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection after all, Vice President Kamala Harris has gathered support from the Democratic party, raised more than $200 million, and started vetting several potential running mates. Arizona Senator Mark Kelly is one Democrat still reportedly being considered as Harris' VP candidate. Kelly largely stayed off of television after Biden's announcement, unlike other contenders Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who have appeared in back-to-back viral TV clips touting Harris' potential as president. But compared to some others in the running, he brings at-home experience with one of Republicans' biggest talkers: immigration. Lessons from Hillary: Harris campaign faces a familiar playbook versus Trump Who is Mark Kelly? A former astronaut and U.S. Navy captain, Kelly's political career began a few years ago when he ran to fill a seat held by former Arizona Sen. John McCain, who died from brain cancer in 2018. Kelly flipped the previously Republican seat in the 2020 special election to serve out the remaining two years of McCain's six-year term and won reelection in 2022 for a full term. Kelly has been a centrist voice in Congress, criticizing the Biden Administration for its handling of immigration at the Southern border in 2022. Due to his background in science, he also helped shape the CHIPS and Science Act. In 2022, Kelly campaigned heavily in support of abortion access, which has since become a prominent issue for voters in the state after the Arizona Supreme Court's reimplementation of a Civil War-era abortion law sparked a tug-of-war of political action and heated debate in the state. After Harris announced she is seeking the Democratic nomination Sunday, Kelly was quick to endorse her, which contributed to the rumblings that he was a potential VP pick. What did Kelly do before serving in Congress? Before he was elected to Congress, Kelly, who grew up in West Orange, N.J., served in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot. In 1996, NASA accepted Mark and his identical twin brother, Scott, as space shuttle pilots. Kelly went on to fly four space shuttle missions. In 2007, Kelly married former Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who suffered a head injury in a 2011 mass shooting. Since then, Kelly has been a spokesman for gun-control reform. He completed his final space shuttle mission in 2011 and announced his NASA retirement shortly after, citing his wife's health needs. Who else is being considered for Harris' VP? In addition to Kelly, at least four contenders have received vetting materials for vice president, and two more remain under consideration, USA TODAY previously reported. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper withdrew himself from consideration and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she plans to remain in her position through her term. Contributing: Elizabeth Beyer This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Mark Kelly? What to know about potential VP pick for Harris Detroit Democrat Mary Waters has pushed back on mailers urging voters who support marriage equality to oppose her in the upcoming Aug. 6 primary for the 13th Congressional District, saying she supports same-sex marriage. Waters and Democrat Shakira Lynn Hawkins are each running to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, in a primary race that will likely decide who will represent the solidly blue district for the next two years. The mailers attacking Waters from Blue Wave Action a recently former Super PAC claim she indicated her opposition to same-sex marriage on a candidate questionnaire. The mailers do not specify when Waters allegedly filled out the questionnaire and the super PAC did not respond to an email from the Free Press seeking the source of the information. Waters campaign consultant Sam Riddle said he has no idea what questionnaire the mailers cite. Waters said they don't reflect her position. "I support same-sex marriage. I believe people should be free to love and marry whomever they want to," she said in a statement. Riddle shared photos of Waters at Detroit's Motor City Pride festival and parade in early June before the super PAC attacking her registered with the U.S. Federal Election Commission. Thanedar has also stated his support for same-sex marriage. Hawkins told the Free Press she doesn't feel government has a role in deciding who someone should marry. "I support the freedom of people to live their life as they choose and that includes who they love and marry," she said. Another mailer and ad from Blue Wave Action highlights Waters' 2010 guilty plea for filing a fraudulent tax return stemming from an investigation into a suspected conspiracy to bribe a Southfield City Councilmember. While attacking Waters, Blue Wave Action has also sent mailers supporting Hawkins. It's unclear who's behind the Blue Wave Action mailers and advertisements. The super PAC registered with the U.S. Federal Election Commission July 1 with an address at a strip mall in East Lansing. In the final three weeks leading up to Michigan's primary election, the super PAC has spent over $1.5 million on Waters-related mailers and media placements and nearly $42,000 on Hawkins-related mailers, according FEC filings. Waters' campaign alleges Thanedar is responsible for the operation. "Who else benefits from it?" Riddle asked. "Who else has the money to do it in this campaign?" Thanedar is a millionaire who has largely self-funded his campaign, but he said he has nothing to do with Blue Wave Action. "I have absolutely zero ties to the independent spending done by Blue Wave Action and it is completely unfounded and inappropriate for the Waters campaign to suggest otherwise," he wrote in a text message to the Free Press. Hawkins said she doesn't know who's behind Blue Wave Action either. She said she doesn't think Thanedar is connected to the group because of the mailers supporting her campaign to unseat him. But she expressed gratitude for whoever sent out the ones telling voters to back her. "I can't afford a mailing quite frankly," she said. Michigan Elections: In 13th District, Shri Thanedar faces different primary challenge than expected The 13th Congressional District includes parts of Dearborn Heights and Detroit along with all of Highland Park, Hamtramck, the Grosse Pointes and several Downriver communities. Thanedar was first elected to the U.S. House in 2022. No other current member of Michigan's congressional delegation faces such robust opposition from within their own party this election cycle. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen. Looking for more on Michigans elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mary Waters on attack mailers: 'I support same-sex marriage' Massachusetts businesses with at least 24 employees must disclose salary range for new jobs FILE - The Massachusetts Statehouse is seen in Boston on Jan. 2, 2019. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a bill Wednesday, July 31, 2024, requiring businesses with 25 or more employees to disclose a salary range when posting a job. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) BOSTON (AP) Massachusetts businesses with more than 25 employees must disclose salary ranges when posting jobs, under a new bill signed into law Wednesday that puts the commonwealth in line with 10 other states that already require pay transparency. The new law also protects a workers right to ask their employer for the salary range when applying for a job or seeking a promotion. This new law is an important next step toward closing wage gaps, especially for People of Color and women, Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, said in a written statement after signing the bill. It will also strengthen the ability of Massachusetts employers to build diverse, talented teams. Healey's signature makes Massachusetts the 11th state to mandate pay transparency by requiring employers to disclose salary ranges, supporters said, citing data from the National Womens Law Center. Backers said the new law builds on a 2016 state statute that prohibited wage discrimination based on gender. Massachusetts is now one step closer to ensuring equal pay for equal work, Democratic House Speaker Ronald Mariano said after lawmakers sent the bill to Healey last week. Pay transparency will not only make our workplaces more equitable, it will also make Massachusetts more competitive with other states. Democratic Senate President Karen Spilka said last week that its too common for women and people of color to be paid less than their co-workers nationwide, and Massachusetts is not immune. The head of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, which bills itself as the state's largest business association, credited lawmakers with working with advocacy and business groups to hammer out a final compromise version of the bill. AIM believes these important policy changes strike the right balance by promoting open and honest communication about wages while not overburdening our employers with cumbersome and time-consuming reporting requirements, AIM President Brooke Thomson said after the final bill was released. The law also requires businesses with more than 100 employees to share their federal wage and workforce data reports with the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The agency is responsible for compiling and publishing aggregated wage and workforce data to help identify gender and racial wage gaps by industry. The Attorney Generals Office will also be given the authority to impose fines or civil citations for violations of the law, and employees will receive protections against retaliation for asking for salary ranges when applying for a job or promotion. The attorney general will conduct a public awareness campaign on the new rules. In Greater Boston, the 2023 gender wage gap was 21 cents, according to the Boston Womens Workforce Council. Black women faced a 54-cent wage gap, while Hispanic and Latina women faced a 52-cent wage gap, and Asian women faced a 19-cent wage gap, according to the group. By Dominique Vidalon PARIS (Reuters) - French group Veolia said it had agreed to sell its sulfuric acid regeneration business in North America to private equity firm American Industrial Partners for an enterprise value (EV) of $620 million. The disposal of Veolia North America Regeneration Services, which includes its sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid regeneration activities for refineries, forms part of Veolia's strategy to part with non-priority assets to free up resources for core businesses, said the company. The division being sold generated a 2023 revenue of $350 million. "This disposal is in line with our policy of continuously reshaping our portfolio of assets in line with the strategic priorities of our GreenUp plan whilst maintaining a strict balance sheet discipline," said CEO Estelle Brachlianoff. Veolia, whose "GreenUp " medium-term strategic plan runs to 2027, reports first half earnings on Aug. 1. (Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta) FILE - Emanuel Lopes is seated during his arraignment on murder charges, Tuesday, July 17, 2018, in district court in Quincy, Mass. Lopes was sentenced Wednesday, July 31, 2024, to consecutive life terms for killing a police officer and a bystander six years ago. (Greg Derr/The Quincy Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool, File) BOSTON (AP) A Massachusetts man was sentenced Wednesday to consecutive life terms for killing a police officer and a bystander, following emotional testimony from family and colleagues about the suffering the murders caused. Emanuel Lopes, now 26, was fleeing the scene of a minor car crash on July 15, 2018 when prosecutors said he threw a large rock at the head of the investigating officer, Sgt. Michael Chesna, 42. The rock knocked Chesna to the ground, unconscious, and then Lopes grabbed the officers gun and shot him multiple times, they said. Then he fled the scene, shooting 77-year-old Vera Adams, who was on her porch, as he tried to get away, prosecutors said. When he was caught, Chesnas service weapon was out of ammunition, authorities said. Lopes was found guilty earlier this year of multiple charges, including murder. Wednesday's sentences mean Lopes would be eligible for parole in 40 years short of the 55 years requested by prosecutors. This was the second trial for Lopes after Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone declared a mistrial last year when a jury couldnt reach a unanimous verdict. The new jury also sent notes to Cannone saying it hadnt been able to reach a decision, but the judge ordered jurors to keep deliberating. During the second trial, prosecutor Greg Connor portrayed Lopes as a calculating killer and urged guilty verdicts on 11 charges. The defense argued that Lopes, who had no previous criminal record, lacked criminal responsibility because he had a long history of mental illness and was in a state of oblivion on the day of the killings. Lopes addressed the court before hearing his sentence, apologizing to the two families and the Weymouth police department. I am so sorry. This should never have happened, he said. Two Weymouth officers who responded that day, both now retired, recalled the heartache of not being able to save Chesna and how the murder had ruined so many lives. The image of the defendant standing over Mike shooting him repeatedly is forever ingrained in my mind, and the flashbacks I experienced daily of this is something that no one should ever have to endure, Nicholas Marini told the court. These horrific memories consuming and continue to haunt my dreams even six years later," Marini continued. I have been forever changed as a husband, a father and as a friend. Chesna's widow Cindy read letters from her two children about missing their dad and recounted how she has struggled to rebuild their lives after the death of someone she described as a hero, her protector and a beautiful person inside and out. They are always going to live with the grief that I cant fix, and the pain that I cannot heal, Chesna said, standing in front of several family photos. But I can ask the court to give them the only thing I can the comfort of knowing the monster who murdered their daddy will never walk free. An attorney for Lopes, Larry Tipton, asked that his client's mental illness be considered in arguing for a lesser sentence 25 years for the Chesna murder and 15 years for the Adams killing to be served concurrently. He said his request wasn't meant to degrade or take away from the personal and honest beliefs and feelings of the family and of the victims." Massachusettss Democratic-controlled Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to update the states parentage law, adding protections for LGBTQ families and children born through surrogacy and assisted reproduction that advocates say are long overdue. The Massachusetts Parentage Act, introduced earlier this year by state Reps. Sarah K. Peake, a Democrat, and Hannah Kane, a Republican, would change how the state defines parentage, expanding protections for nonbiological parents. It would also remove gendered and outdated language from the states existing law, like children born out of wedlock. At the heart of this bipartisan legislation lies a simple yet profound principle: the recognition of legal parentage should not be contingent upon outdated norms or narrow definitions, Kane said last month in a statement. The bill, which was also unanimously voted out of the Massachusetts House in June, will need to be approved again by the House before it can be delivered to Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D), who has said she will sign it. Weve been proud to be a national leader and trailblazer when it comes to LGBTQ+ equality, but weve got some catching up to do, Healey, the states first gay governor and the fourth out LGBTQ person elected governor in the U.S., said in April. Massachusetts is New Englands final holdout in adopting comprehensive parentage laws that include explicit protections for LGBTQ families and children born through surrogacy or assisted reproduction, like in vitro fertilization. Under the current law, nonbiological parents must legally adopt their children to secure full parental rights. Also known as parental recognition laws, parentage laws establish the legal relationship between parents and their child, allowing a parent to make medical and other decisions on the childs behalf. The Massachusetts Parentage Act, if passed, will play a key role in ensuring that all children enjoy the security of legal parentage, regardless of how or to whom they were born, advocates said. With this vote the Massachusetts Senate demonstrated that fairness under the law is for everyone, Polly Crozier, director of family advocacy at GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, a national LGBTQ civil rights group, said in a statement following Tuesdays vote. We are grateful to the many people, families, and advocates who have fought for years to get to this point, said Crozier, who helped draft the bill. There are many equally valid paths to becoming a parent, Massachusetts state Sen. Julian Cyr, a Democrat and one of the bills Senate sponsors, told the State House News Service this week. And a biological connection alone is not the only factor in establishing a bond that makes a family. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. TechCrunch Modern connected vehicles, and especially EVs, generate a lot of data. Ben Schippers has been trying to change this with TezLab, an app that is essentially like Strava for EVs, starting with Teslas and recently expanding to Rivian vehicles. The car report shows owners a bevy of data points like how often they use DC fast chargers versus their home outlet, how many times they've charged to 100%, and how far they can travel based on their personal driving style, to name a few. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) Gracie Mansion was the meeting place for dozens of city officials, advocates, and students with one focus in mind: to combat hate in the city. Its called the Abate Hate Summit at Gracie Mansion. More Local News Its a first-of-its-kind summit bringing together clergy, city officials, and civil rights leaders to put into action a city-wide initiative, real grassroots to combat hate and hate violence. Mayor Adams joined forces with Norman Siegel one of the most legendary lawyers and civil rights leaders in NYC, to spearhead a new city-wide effort to fight an old struggle, overcoming hate. Seigal helped bring together New Yorkers for a one-day summit this afternoon at Gracie Mansion, giving community groups a chance to meet face-to-face and talk about tough issues. Topics of conversation, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and racism. One of the highlights of the summit was the friendship between Eliana Goldin and Dima Aboukasm. Both are Seniors at Columbia University. Both Student leaders and advocates with different political views are now friends. The first step is listening says the Commissioner of NYCs Commission on Human Rights Annabell Palma. More Monica Makes It Happen Palma says theres a new campaign that launched in June called Together NYC that asks New Yorkers to unite against hate and bias. Palma says they have regular workshops and she wants to hear from New Yorkers directly. There will be healing circles, workshops, trainings, and town halls to come in September. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. NEW YORK Mayor Adams once again found himself defending adviser Timothy Pearson on Tuesday in the wake of a lawsuit filed by an NYPD chief alleging Pearson came after members of a special unit who backed sexual harassment allegations against him and that also included allegations of prior sexual misconduct. Adams said Pearsons status as a key adviser hasnt changed following the filing of Chief Miltiadis Marmaras lawsuit, the fourth accusing the former police inspector over conduct while Pearson was overseeing the Mayors Municipal Services Assessment unit. The process will take its course, Adams said during a Tuesday press conference. Earlier, he praised Pearson, saying the flexibility of his role is just so important. People have a tendency when accusations are made to say, You know what, the pressure is hot, you need to just get rid of a person. I just dont operate that way, Adams said. The mayor declined to answer questions about when he learned of the allegations, initially made by Sgt. Roxanne Ludemann in December 2022. Her claims have been bolstered by two other cops who filed lawsuits retired Sgt. Michael Ferrari and Lt. George Huang and now Marmara. Adams also declined to say whether he knew of sexual misconduct accusations against Pearson before he hired him. In addition to issues at the MSA, Marmaras lawsuit accuses Pearson of abusing a female Queens pastor during sex, being fired from his job at a Queens casino over sexual improprieties and being the subject of a series of complaints while in the NYPD. John Scola, who represents Marmara and the other three plaintiffs, said he was puzzled by the mayors comments and called for public hearings to air out the allegations. My clients have told both City Hall and NYPD investigators repeatedly about the sexual misconduct of Pearson and the retaliation that followed, he said. This tactic is meant to distract the public from the veracity of the allegations against Pearson so Mayor Adams can continue to employ his friend. The mayor said Pearson is well respected in the law enforcement community and disputed the idea that he has vast powers over the NYPD. Marmara has alleged Pearson controls promotions and assignments of sergeants and lieutenants and that Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks controls promotions and assignments of captains and above, a departure from the past when the police commissioners held that power. _____ Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is responding to nine Central Florida mayors and city attorneys after last week-- they raised concerns about the county commissions proposals. The county is working to add rural boundaries and voluntary annexation to the ballot. But the group of mayors and council are calling it ill suited, an infringement on home rule authority and a violation to the states constitutional law. Read: OneBlood reports cyberattack has significantly impacted its operations The proposals would make it more difficult to build on rural land and would grant the county veto power over an attempt to annex land. Demings said in a letter sent Wednesday the county disagrees with the stance of these other city officials. We believe it is important to allow the residents of Orange County the opportunity to express their desires on how our community should grow by providing them with a voice at the ballot box, Demings wrote. Read: Laundromat explosion in Ocala injures 4, damages neighboring businesses The other mayors and city attorneys who signed the letter to the mayor against the rural boundaries initiative include Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer as well as the Apopka, Eatonville, Edgewood, and Windermere mayors. TodayDemings invited all of them to meet to discuss the matter. The public hearing on the final proposed charter amendment for voluntary annexation is scheduled for August 13. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell along the city's harbor walk. (CommonWealth Beacon file photo) BOSTON The MBTA agreed to pay New Bedford seven times what it originally offered the city four years ago for a series of eminent domain land takings to make way for a South Coast Rail station and a train layover site. The dispute has been simmering for years, with the T low-balling the city initially and then refusing to budge. The fight spilled over into the political arena, with local lawmakers accusing New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell of being too greedy and endangering the long-delayed South Coast Rail project. In the end, the MBTA and New Bedford avoided a court fight and struck a deal, with the T agreeing to pay New Bedford and three other municipal entities a total of $3.5 million, seven times the $486,627 the transit authority originally paid. The T has settled similar challenges with private landowners and is still battling in court over other pieces of property in New Bedford and Fall River. Our position all along has been simple: New Bedford taxpayers deserve to be fairly compensated for the land taken by the MBTA, Mitchell said in a statement. This settlement achieves that goal, and I am grateful for the efforts of Governor Healey and the MBTA to make it happen. Rep. William Straus of Mattapoisett, the House chair of the Legislatures Transportation Committee who represents part of New Bedford, issued a statement on Facebook that also praised the T and Healey and criticized Mitchell. In the end the MBTA acted legally and within its authority to take land for the purpose of expanding South Coast Rail, the statement said. While I have little doubt that the city will try and polish up this outcome a bit, the win here is for public transportation and thanks goes directly to Maura Healey for holding firm and defending the state against the citys excessive claims. Straus, who is stepping down at the end of this year, said New Bedford at one point demanded $10 million and also threatened to sue the MBTA, alleging some of the original land-taking was illegal because at the time New Bedford was not part of the MBTA service area. New Bedford officially joined in 2022. New Bedford never sued the MBTA, but a draft complaint was shared with the MBTA last year and then leaked to the Boston Globe. The Globe ran a story on April 30, 2023, portraying New Bedford as trying to throw a wrench in the gears of South Coast Rail, which has taken decades to build and has been delayed several times in the last couple years. The project is currently scheduled to open in May. In the Globe story, MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo was quoted as saying the MBTA appropriately exercised its eminent domain powers as provided by the Legislature and paid fair market value for all the properties taken. Pesaturo on Tuesday praised the settlement. The MBTA is pleased that this matter was settled in a fair and equitable manner after a mediators review of the positions of both parties, he said. The MBTA and New Bedford have haggled over the true value of the land, with one appraisal that included similar Boston-area properties coming in at more than $10 million. The two parties eventually agreed to bring in a neutral appraiser and exclude Boston-area properties. The neutral appraiser pegged the value of the properties at somewhere between $1.9 million and $4.2 million. The two parties eventually settled on $3.5 million. This article first appeared on CommonWealth Beacon and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A case of measles has been traced to LAX, and officials are investigating possible exposures in Southern California. A person with measles traveled on Norse Atlantic Airways flight Z0711 to the Tom Bradley International Terminal at about 2:15 p.m. July 26, then traveled to Orange County, according to the Los Angeles Department of Public Health. The Orange County Healthcare Agency is investigating additional exposure sites in Orange County, Public Health added in a news release. If you were in the Tom Bradley International Terminal or Terminal B between 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. that day, you are at risk of developing measles. Additionally, passengers on the flight may have been exposed, but the Centers for Disease Control will notify those passengers local departments of health. If you believe you were exposed, check your measles vaccination status. If youre not vaccinated and have not had measles in the past, watch for the symptoms of infection especially rash and fever and contact your doctor. If you dont develop symptoms by Aug. 16 21 days from exposure youre no longer at risk, Public Health said. Measles spreads easily through the air and on surfaces and easily between people who are not already protected from it, said Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County health officer. A person can spread the illness to others before they have symptoms, and it can take seven to 21 days for symptoms to show up after being exposed. Measles can lead to severe disease in young children and vulnerable adults. The best way to protect yourself and your family from infection is with the highly effective measle vaccine. For information about measles, visit the CDC 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 KTLA. Mecosta County deputies search for teen who may be with unknown man GREEN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Deputies are searching for a 13-year-old girl who walked away from home and may be with an unknown man, according to the sheriffs office. Ella Mcguire was last seen leaving her home in Paris, Michigan Wednesday morning around 8:30 a.m., the Mecosta County Sheriffs Office said. Deputies are calling her a runaway and say she may be with an unknown adult male. Mcguire stands 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs around 160 pounds, the sheriffs office said. She has blue eyes, light reddish/pink hair and was last seen wearing a black long sleeve shirt with a turquoise green American flag on the front, black ripped jeans with holes in the knees and black converse shoes with white on them. She also may have a black bag with white stripes and pink buckles, deputies said. An undated photo of Ella Mcguire. (Courtesy Mecosta County Sheriffs Office) An undated photo of Ella Mcguire. (Courtesy Mecosta County Sheriffs Office) Anyone with information should contact the Mecosta County Sheriffs Office at 231.592.0150 or Meceola Central Dispatch at 231.796.4811. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New media rules in Shasta County violate the Brown Act, says First Amendment Coalition The First Amendment Coalition has sent a letter to Shasta County supervisors protesting the countys new media policy and procedures for covering board meetings. The coalition says the new rules run counter to the Brown Act and "threaten the ability of journalists to exercise editorial independence in covering government meetings. The letter asks the county to take corrective action before the Tuesday meeting, which is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. The county sent out a news release on Friday, July 26, that outlined new rules for the media covering supervisors meetings. Sent by Deputy County Executive Officer Stewart Buettell, the release said effective immediately journalists who want to cover meetings are requested to do so from inside a designated media room in the foyer outside of the board chamber. The policy went on to say journalists not staying in the media room and instead choosing to sit in the chamber will be considered participants in the meeting and may be asked to leave the chamber in the event of a disruption. But it did not say if journalists could still record and video meetings while sitting in the chamber. Shasta County sheriff's deputies carry Jenny Nowain of Redding from a Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, July 23, 2024, after she refused to leave. On Monday, public information officer David Maung further clarified the new policy, issuing a new release that stated, Media members who wish to observe, record, or document a Board of Supervisors meeting may set up equipment in the designated media section inside the Board Chambers as usual. Additionally, media members have the option to attend the meeting from the Media Room, located just off the foyer of the Board Chambers. David Loy, the First Amendment Coalitions legal director, said their letter is based on the countys revised release that was sent out Monday. We still think its problematic, he said. As we say in the letter, at the very least it is confusing because in saying members of the media can record from a designated area, it may tend to imply they cannot record anywhere else. If thats the implication, that is a violation of the Brown Act. Loy said that he doesn't know of any government body in California that has implemented such a policy. Loy said the coalition had not yet received a response from Shasta County. The announced new media policy comes less than a week after a board meeting was disrupted on July 23 when members of the public shouted at Supervisor Patrick Jones and other board members regarding a disagreement about appointing Benjamin Nowain to the Shasta County Elections Commission. Jones eventually called for security guards to clear the chambers. But Jenny Nowain, Benjamins wife, conducted a one-woman sit-in, refusing to leave the chamber floor unless Jones apologized for claiming that her husband wanted to abolish the commission. Jones did not apologize and sheriff's deputies went on to carry Nowain out of the chambers. Several reporters and photographers captured photos and video footage of Nowain sitting on the floor and of two deputies carrying her out. That was the latest in a string of chaotic supervisors meetings that have happened over the last year, causing the board chair to clear the room and shut down the meeting. District 2 Supervisor Tim Garman said he hopes the county does withdraw the new rules. He said he was told by CEO David Rickert about them last Thursday. I told him I did not agree with it, that I thought it was going to backfire, but he said legal counsel said it checked out, Garman said. Garman said the county cannot ask journalists to leave. They cannot. If news happens here, they cant ask you to leave, Garman said. If somebody pulls a gun, that is a different story. But if Jenny Nowain just sitting on the floor is a zero threat, then by all means you better be covering it. The media policy is another example of the county wasting its time on a nonissue when there are far more important work for supervisors, Garman said. Loy said his group does not see a need for a policy like this. The Brown Act is clear, it says what (reporters and the public) can and cannot do and we think it gives the board all the tools they need to manage its meetings, Loy said. The First Amendment Coalition letter also points out that the media policy is problematic because the term public safety issue is vague and untethered to the requirements of the Brown Act. Obviously, yes, if the building is on fire, everyone needs to get out. But beyond that, I dont know what public safety issue means. Its vague, Loy said. Too, Loy questioned if a policy like this can be enacted without a resolution from supervisors, who he says set the rules. I am not clear that this is something that can be done by staff, he said. The letter concludes by saying, If the board considers these matters, it should take them up on a properly noticed agenda item at a future meeting, at which time the board should confirm that the alleged policies and procedures are unnecessary and confusing if not unlawful and are therefore not in effect. District 1 Supervisor Kevin Crye, who chairs the board, and District 4 Supervisor Patrick Jones did not immediately reply to emails seeking comment. David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. Hes part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on X, formerly Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Freedom of speech group protests Shasta County's new media rules We recently compiled a list of the 14 Best Consulting Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE:FCN) stands against the other consulting stocks. After the market rebounded in 2021 post-pandemic, the US consulting industry now faces a complex and uncertain landscape. Rising inflation, increased costs, talent shortages, and supply chain disruptions amid a volatile geopolitical climate are challenging the sector. Despite these hurdles, 66% of clients plan to increase their use of consultants over the next year. However, clients are becoming more cautious, opting for smaller, tactical projects to address immediate issues rather than engaging in lengthy, expensive transformation initiatives. This approach allows them to assess the impact of their investments before committing further. According to the 2023 report by Source Global Research, consulting firms must now deliver results within tighter timeframes amid heightened competition for smaller, sequential project components. Clients are increasingly seeking innovative and data-driven solutions, reflecting a desire for new and novel approaches throughout the project lifecycle. This shift highlights the need for consulting firms to adapt and excel in an environment where macroeconomic challenges have dampened post-pandemic optimism. In 2021, the US experienced significant growth as clients invested in growth initiatives, buoyed by optimism and capital following the pandemic. However, by the end of 2022, the mood shifted due to rising inflation, energy prices, and political tensions, which hindered business operations and growth opportunities. Clients remain cautious, anticipating a potential global recession. Nevertheless, some clients remain hopeful, with around a third believing that current macroeconomic factors could positively impact their organizations. With technology being a top priority for clients, it's no surprise that technology firms are leading the market. Clients are investing heavily in technology, which translates into significant consulting spend. Over the past year, two of the top three consulting areas were technology-related: 77% of clients invested in technology strategy and 71% in technology implementation. Productivity improvement, which often involves technology, ranked second at 73%. Although the market is crowded, technology firms are benefiting the most. Clients prefer these firms for their specialized technology solutions, which they believe offer more reliable outcomes compared to other providers, even if it means higher costs. Story continues Uncertainty in the global economy is causing significant disruption in the US consulting industry, with firms dealing with project cancellations and clients pushing for lower fees, reported Financial Times. The report by Source Global Research highlights a major reassessment of consultants by US clients due to economic concerns. Over 75% of professional services buyers have cancelled or scrapped projects, and two-thirds have paused most existing work. The report forecasts 11% revenue growth in 2023, consistent with 2022, but notes increasing pressure on consultants' fees, with clients now expecting lower rates compared to before the pandemic. Clients are more focused on getting value for money, with only about 50% believing firms provide value above their fees. Areas such as cybersecurity, HR consulting, and M&A for private equity firms are experiencing slowdowns. While IT consulting remains strong, it is targeted at projects that deliver quick financial benefits. The decline in hiring, initially observed in the Big Four accounting and consulting firms, has extended to smaller players as well. According to a survey by investment bank William Blair, job postings by US specialty consultants were down 57% in June 2023 compared to the previous year and have fallen below pre-pandemic levels. At the Big Four, job postings have decreased by 80% year-on-year. There is one long-term trend that we haven't talked yet affecting consulting firms positively. The rise of generative AI, a powerful new technology that can create realistic text and images, has sparked a gold rush for consulting firms. Companies like Reckitt Benckiser, unsure of how to leverage this technology, are turning to consultants for guidance. This has led to a surge in revenue for these firms, with some like McKinsey seeing 40% of their business coming from AI-related work. Consulting firms are among the early winners of the AI revolution which is why we believe this may be a good time to invest in consulting stocks. However, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than consulting companies but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. Our Methodology We leveraged Insider Monkeys comprehensive database of 920 prominent hedge funds to identify the top 14 consulting stocks with the highest level of hedge fund investment as of Q1 2024. These stocks are listed in order of increasing hedge fund ownership, providing insight into the most popular consulting stocks among elite investors. An international conference room with a team of corporate finance and restructuring consultants. FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE:FCN) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 25 FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE:FCN), based in Washington, D.C., provides business advisory services globally. It operates through five segments: Corporate Finance & Restructuring, Forensic and Litigation Consulting, Economic Consulting, Technology, and Strategic Communications. The company serves various sectors, including aerospace, finance, healthcare, and technology, offering services in business transformation, disputes, economic consulting, e-discovery, and corporate communications. On June 25, FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE:FCN) launched a comprehensive digital offering that combines the firm's industry expertise across various segments. This integrated approach leverages digital tools and technologies like machine learning, AI, and advanced data analytics to deliver tailored solutions for clients. By bridging individual segment expertise, FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE:FCN) aims to help clients address evolving risks and opportunities across emerging and established technologies. In the first quarter of 2024, the number of hedge funds with stakes in FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE:FCN) increased to 25 from 18 in the previous quarter, according to Insider Monkeys database. The combined value of these stakes is approximately $0.25 billion. Bruce Emerys Greenvale Capital emerged as the largest stakeholder among these hedge funds during this period. Upslope Capital Management made the following comment about FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE:FCN) in its second quarter 2023 investor letter: FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE:FCN) is a boutique consulting firm with expertise in restructuring, dispute, and other areas. Upslope first invested in FTI as a contrarian idea in Feb 2021 (whats more out of favor during a speculative bubble than a restructuring consultant?). The stock is one of Upslopes biggest contributors since inception, and until recently one of the portfolios largest longs. After disappointing 1Q results, however, I exited the position and ultimately initiated a modest short. Rationale for the abrupt change: (1) contrarian thesis has played out and no longer holds (opposite is true), (2) long-time CEO has suddenly started selling big chunks of stock for the first time ever (that I can tell), (3) shares recently hovered ~27x EPS expensive and right where they peaked during the 2008-9 financial crisis. While the restructuring cycle may have more to go, I think FTI shares will see serious multiple compression, and (4) increasingly choppy performance: over the last four quarterly earnings reports, shares have moved -8%, +11%, -19%, -9%. This is not entirely managements fault but its notable. Overall FCN ranks 9th on our list of the best consulting stocks to buy. You can visit 14 Best Consulting Stocks to Buy Now to see the other consulting stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of FCN as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than FCN but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion Opportunity for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) Theres a new bridge program at the University of Illinois Springfield to help Central Illinois laboratories train more specialists to work in them. UIS is offering medical laboratory certificates to students at the start of the fall semester. The university is offering certificates in four areas: clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology and medical microbiology. Springfield Police, Lincoln Land Community College announce Cadet Program The goal of the program is to train and certify more laboratory specialists in Central Illinois. The demand for the field of MLS practitioners is expected to skyrocket by 19% between 2016 and 2030, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The new certificates are a direct response to local laboratory leaders difficulties in hiring certified MLS professionals, said Andrea Jensen, UIS Medical Laboratory Science Program Director. These certificates will provide a pathway for individuals to enter the field and ensure our local laboratories are staffed with competent, certified professionals. Students will study in labs, classrooms and online before completing a 150-hour clinical practicum in their field of study. The certificates are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science and the the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Students will benefit from UIS strong partnerships with local clinical laboratories, which will provide hands-on practicum experiences, Jensen said. These collaborations ensure that students gain real-world skills in a clinical setting, working alongside experienced MLS practitioners. IL State Fair drops Fairgrounds map, Grandstand playlist The program is designed to help train students before they need a second bachelors degree. In order to be eligible, students are required to have a bachelors degree and completed a combination of 30 semester hours in biology and chemistry and a semester in statistics. Interested students would need to apply to UIS and then send in a secondary application to the MLS program. More information on the new certificates can be found on UISs 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 WCIA.com. The Libertarian Party of Iowa will be fielding a candidate in three of the four Congressional districts in Iowa. Nicholas Gluba in the 1st Congressional District, Marco Battaglia in the 3rd Congressional District and Charles Aldrich in the 4th Congressional District filed their official candidacy papers Monday at the Iowa State Capitol. Here's what inspired each of them to run and what their main policy objective would be. Two of the candidates do not currently have a campaign website, but information on the Libertarian Party platform can be found at lpia.org. Nicholas Gluba, 1st Congressional District Nicholas Gluba, a Libertarian congressional candidate running in Iowa's 1st district, speaks as he files for the November ballot on Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Iowa State Capitol. Gluba is running in Iowa's 1st District, which covers most of southeastern Iowa, including Iowa City and Davenport. It is represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Gluba decided to run after hearing other residents in his district express dissatisfaction with Miller-Meeks' attention to their issues. He said he and other constituents felts ignored. "As a politician, your employer is the people of your constituency," he said. "If you ignore your boss, you should go." Gluba serves on the city council of Lone Tree, something he believes proves the viability of third-party candidates. He also served in Operation Iraqi Freedom after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The experience made him staunchly anti-war, something he plans to push for if elected. "I'm big a on nonaggression," he said. "We need to stop sending Americans to places we don't need to be." Gluba said by ending foreign interventions, America could save trillions of dollars to reinvest in its economy. He also would seek to end eminent domain and reduce the power of the executive branch, specifically by banning executive orders and repealing or altering the International Emergency Economic Powers Act that allows the president to regulate or ban international trade to countries deemed a threat. Gluba's campaign has a Facebook page titled Nicholas Gluba for Congress. Marco Battaglia, 3rd Congressional District Libertarian congressional candidate Marco Battaglia, IA-03, files for the November ballot on Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Iowa State Capitol. Battaglia is running in Iowa's 3rd District which covers much of southern and central Iowa, including most of the Des Moines metropolitan area. It is represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn. Battaglia was inspired to run because of Nunn's decisions, particularly his failure to speak out on 4th Amendment issues related to governmental data gathering. "He could have at least said, 'hey, you need a warrant,'" Battaglia said. "But he has a history of inappropriate data gathering." While Battaglia broadly agrees with the Libertarian Party platform, he said he's "not a party person." Instead, he feels that the Libertarian Party is simply the closest to his political beliefs. Battaglia had a short list of priorities, including abolishing the Federal Reserve and opposing eminent domain. Another major plank is ending the drug war and expunging the records of those convicted. He also said he wants to be a voice for peace in Congress. "If we don't declare war, we shouldn't be sanctioning or sending weapons," he said. More information on Battaglia's campaign can be found at marco4congress.com. Charles Alrdich, 4th Congressional District Libertarian congressional candidate Charles Aldrich, IA-04, files for the November ballot on Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Iowa State Capitol. Aldrich is running in Iowa's 4th District, which covers much of western Iowa, including Sioux Falls and Council Bluffs. It is represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra. Aldrich previously ran for the office in 2018, getting around 6,000 votes. He said a specific policy Feenstra proposed prompted him to run again for office. "He posted that we should take all the money from people crossing the border from Mexico," Aldrich said. "I didn't see a difference between highway bandits and what he wanted the highway patrol to be." On July 31, 2023, Feenstra proposed the Build the Wall and Fight Fentanyl Act that would confiscate assets from drug traffickers to build a border wall and fund the fight again fentanyl. Aldrich broadly agrees with the Libertarian Party platform, except on immigration. Aldrich said it shouldn't take more than 24 hours to either get a Visa to enter the United States or have the application denied. However, his main agenda if elected would focus on economic policies. "My first priority is to repeal the 16th Amendment," Aldrich said. "States should fund the federal government, not the people." The 16th Amendment granted Congress the right to levy income taxes. Aldrich also wants to remove the Federal Reserve from the process of minting new currency. Ryan Magalhaes is a reporter for the Register. Reach them at rmagalhaes@dmreg.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet the 3 Libertarian Party candidates running for Congress in Iowa Dressed in hot girl attire while bouncing and twerking to her hits, Megan Thee Stallion stumped for Vice President Kamala Harris presidential campaign during a boisterous rally that featured fellow rapper Quavo as well as Stacey Abrams on Tuesday in Atlanta. Were about to make history! shouted Megan Thee Stallion while rapping her Grammy-winning hit Savage, wearing a Democrat blue suit and a tie with a cropped white shirt revealing her midriff. Visible from the stage was also a sign that read Hotties For Harris. More from The Hollywood Reporter During the brief but energetic set, the Texas native and her dancers, who mirrored her dress with blue blazers, shorts and full white shirts but no ties, bounced through a handful of hits that also included Girls in the Hood. Just before performing Body, she made a strong campaign pitch for Harris. I know my ladies in the crowd love their body. And if you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for, she said. Seconds into Savage, her last song, the Texas Southern University grad, a fellow HBCU alum to the VP, instructed the audience to make some noise for Ms. Harris, our future president. Her performance came in the final stretch of a taut rally with a playlist very reflective of the city in which it was held, including Welcome to Atlanta from superproducer Jermaine Dupri, who was present to support Harris. At one point, the Dupri-produced Never Scared was played to emphasize that Harris was not afraid to debate former President Donald Trump. Various Democratic speakers, including former Georgia gubernatorial challenger Stacey Abrams and Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, fired up the crowd. As the programs second speaker, Abrams reminded the crowd how Georgia saved the nation from Trump once before. In 2020, Abrams led the successful effort to turn Georgia blue for Biden-Harris while also helping to elect two Democratic U.S. Senators in Ossoff and Warnock to give the Democrats a slim advantage in the Senate. She also vowed that we will not go back to applause also peppered with chants to lock him up after describing the horrors Trumps presidency entailed. We will do the work of making Kamala Harris not only someone who breaks ties in the Senate but breaks barriers in the Oval Office, she ended to thunderous applause. Not long after Megan left the stage, Migos rapper Quavo unexpectedly stepped out to speak in support of Harris, with whom hes worked to resolve the gun violence issue. The issue hits very close to home for the Atlanta-area rapper who lost his fellow Migos member Takeoff, also his nephew, to gun violence in Houston almost two years ago. Speaking to his peers, the rapper said, The one thing I learned about working with Vice President Harris is she always stands on business. Urging those who may have never voted to vote in this election, he promised them that were changing the culture again in reference to the Migos genre-changing, star-making 2017 album Culture. Donald Glover famously referenced one of its hit songs Bad and Boujee during his Golden Globes acceptance speech when his hit FX series Atlanta won best comedy, bringing the group mainstream attention. Addressing the contentious border issue, a key Republican talking point for Trump, Harris evoked the rapper in summing up Trumps questionable stance. As my friend Quavo would say, he doesnt walk it like he talks it, she said, in reference to Migos Top 10 2018 hit Walk It Talk It with Drake from their Culture II album, as the crowd applauded. Before closing out her speech on a high note that urged attendees to roll up their sleeves and work hard to secure victory on Nov. 5, a mere 98 days away, Harris noted her opponents unwillingness to debate her in September about his platform, which she stated includes an ongoing assault against womens reproductive health and additional threats outlined in Project 2025. He wont debate me, but he and his running mate sure have a lot to say about me, she said. As the saying goes, If you got something to say, say it to my face.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter Vice President Kamala Harris held her first rally as the presumed Democratic presidential nominee in Atlanta, Ga., on Tuesday (July 30), and Megan Thee Stallion opened the show with a highly choreographed, super charged mashup of hits. Now I know my ladies in the crowd love their bodies. If you want to keep loving your bodies, you know who to vote for, the rapper told the crowd, as she and her dancers rocked blue pantsuits for the occasion. For her performance, she performed hits like Body and her Yuki Chiba collaboration, Mamushi. More from Billboard Quavo is also set to speak at the event, where he will give remarks about Harris commitment to tackling gun violence and running the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention Megan Thee Stallion performing Mamushi at the Kamala Harris rally in Atlanta tonight. pic.twitter.com/dGArZIVuiv Stallion Access (@stallionaccess) July 30, 2024 Over a week ago, President Biden decided to step aside from the presidential race, giving Harris his nod and endorsement to compete against Trump. This pivotal moment was followed by a surge of support from celebrities, including Cardi B, Lizzo, Lil Nas X and more, who have joined forces to back Harris in her historic bid to become the first female president of the United States. Following the endorsement, Harris released a campaign video featuring Beyonces 2016 Freedom, urging Americans to lean in and support her. There are some people who think we should be a country of chaos, of fear, of hate. But us? We choose something different. We choose freedom. Best of Billboard Megan Thee Stallion and Quavo showed their support for Vice President Kamala Harris at her first campaign rally in Atlanta as the expected Democratic candidate for the upcoming presidential election. Before Harris gave a speech in the battleground state, Megan Thee Stallion kicked things off with a medley of hits from her catalog. Make some noise for Ms. Harris, our future president Lets get this done Atlanta, she told the crowd. We about to make history with the first female president, the first black female president. Lets get this done hotties. Hotties for Harris! More from Variety Megan Thee Stallion performs at Kamala Harris rally in Atlanta: pic.twitter.com/WOTb5LA3LO philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 30, 2024 Her performance included renditions of Girls in the Hood, her current viral hit Mamushi, Body and Savage. If you love your body let me hear you make some noise, said Megan, flanked by backup dancers wearing blue outfits. And if you wanna keep loving your bodies, ladies let me hear you make some noise. Quavo was also on hand to support Harris in her quest to win the presidency. In 2022, Quavo launched the Rocket Foundation after his nephew and Migos group member Takeoff was shot and killed that same year. Hes worked closely with Harris to tackle the issue of gun violence, and last September, Quavo went to the White House to discuss the methods and approaches that must be taken to decrease gun violence and protect communities. One of the issues I care about is resolving the gun violence issue, Quavo told the crowd in Atlanta. And you cant understand the struggles of gun violence if youre not in the field or in the heart of it. So one thing I learned about working with Vice President Harris is she always stands on business. From inviting me to the White House last year to discuss these solutions to passing the biggest gun safety laws today. So its only right in the birthplace of the culture, its also the same place that launched the first African-American woman to run for president. yeah, were changing the culture again. So if you never voted before, make sure you get out and vote right now cause its the real one. And in the words of my brother Takeoff, let me get a Kamala.' After an introduction from Tyler Greene, Harris took the podium to express her mission to win the presidential election and unite the country. Georgia, I ask you, are you ready to get to work? she said. Do we believe in freedom? Do we believe in opportunity? Do we believe in the promise of America? And are we ready to fight for it? And when we fight, we win. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Megan Thee Stallion performed a selection of fan-favorite records during Vice President Kamala Harris first rally in Atlanta. Tuesday evening (July 30), the event brought thousands to the Georgia State Convocation Center to show support for the historic presidential campaign. The Grammy winner took center stage toward the end of the program. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Houston native rang out Savage, Girls in the Hood, Body and her latest trending record Mamushi. Were about to make history! the 29-year-old said during her lively set. She later championed Harris by instructing the crowd to make some noise for Ms. Harris, our future president. Megan Thee Stallion performing Mamushi at the Kamala Harris rally in Atlanta tonight. pic.twitter.com/dGArZIVuiv Stallion Access (@stallionaccess) July 30, 2024 Megan Thee Stallion was not the only chart-topping rapper to declare support for VP Harris at the Atlanta rally. Quavo also took the stage, delivering a speech regarding his political ties and why he chose to endorse the Democratic politician. One of these issues that I care about is resolving the gun violence issues, the former Migos rapper informed the audience, per Billboard. You cant understand the struggle of gun violence if you not in the field or in the heart of it. So, one thing I learned from working with Vice President Harris is she always stand on business. From inviting me to the White House last year to discuss these solutions, to passing the biggest gun safety laws today. He continued through applause, So, its only right in the birthplace of the culture is also the same place to launch the first African-American woman to run for president. VP Harris herself took a page out of Quavos lyric book when addressing her excited supporters. While speaking about her opponent, former President Donald Trump, the Howard University graduate quoted Migos 2018 track Walk It Talk It. Donald Trump, on the other hand, has been talking a big game about securing our border but he does not walk the walk, exclaimed the VP. Or as my friend Quavo would say, he does not walk it like he talks it. Kamala Harris references Migos Walk It Talk It when speaking on Donald Trumps border security at her campaign rally in Atlanta. As my friend Quavo would say, [Donald Trump] does not walk it like he talks it.pic.twitter.com/6lMSB16yZ3 Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) July 31, 2024 Additional appearances were made by Sens. Jon Ossoff, and Raphael Warnock, as well as Stacey Abrams. Georgia saved the whole nation, Warnock announced, per The Guardian. I have a feeling that Georgia is going to save the nation one more time. More from VIBE.com Melinda French Gates Gave Money to Kamala Harris' Campaign, but There's No Evidence Donation Was $52M Claim: Melinda French Gates donated $52 million to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign in July 2024. Rating: Rating: Unfounded Context: While Melinda French Gates publicly confirmed she donated to Kamala Harris' campaign in July 2024, we found no proof the amount was $52 million. In July 2024, multiple social media posts claimed philanthropist Melinda French Gates former co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donated $52 million to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' 2024 presidential campaign. Melinda Gates just announced that she is donating $52 MILLION to the Kamala Harris Presidential Campaign! pic.twitter.com/vvghluEmd5 Gary Anderson (@gary4362 on Threads ) (@Gary4362) July 28, 2024 Examples appeared on X, Reddit and Instagram. Another X post was particularly popular but has since been deleted. (X account @harris_wins) Although Gates did publicly endorse Harris and announced she gave money to the vice president's campaign, we found no evidence the donation amounted to $52 million. On July 23, Gates backed Harris on X, saying the Democrat "has an inspiring vision for Americaand she has the experience to make it a reality." There is so much riding on the election in November. We need a leader who will stand up for reproductive freedom. A leader who understands that supporting caregivers leads to healthier families and a stronger economy. A leader who knows that when women have their full power in Melinda French Gates (@melindagates) July 23, 2024 Two days later, the philanthropist said on "CBS Mornings" she had already made contributions to Harris' campaign and will continue to do so, although she did not confirm the value of any previous or future donations. Gates' donations had not shown up in the public Federal Election Commission database, as of this writing. No reputable news outlets reported the $52 million figure when covering her donation to Harris' campaign. Sources: 'Browse Individual Contributions'. FEC.Gov, https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/. Accessed 30 July 2024. CBS Mornings. Melinda French Gates Endorses Harris, Talks YouTube Series on Women Trailblazers. 2024. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpdU1KfzX6Q. Melinda Gates Donated Kamala Harris '$52' Million - Google Search. https://www.google.com/search?q=melinda+gates+donated+kamala+harris+%22%2452%22+million&sca_esv=3f99e2d73d683bd3&biw=1280&bih=593&tbm=nws&ei=a1GqZvDzG__o7_UP77mO4Qc&ved=0ahUKEwiw1ffGxdGHAxV_9LsIHe-cI3wQ4dUDCA4&uact=5&oq=melinda+gates+donated+kamala+harris+%22%2452%22+million&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LW5ld3MiMW1lbGluZGEgZ2F0ZXMgZG9uYXRlZCBrYW1hbGEgaGFycmlzICIkNTIiIG1pbGxpb25ItQtQnwJY7AlwAHgAkAEAmAGtAaABwgiqAQMyLje4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgigAvwHwgIHECEYoAEYCpgDAIgGAZIHAzAuOKAHpiA&sclient=gws-wiz-news. Accessed 31 July 2024. 'X.Com'. X (Formerly Twitter), https://x.com/melindagates/status/1815729879381373009. Accessed 31 July 2024. (Bloomberg) -- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said shes very satisfied with her trip to China, the culmination of a charm offensive she mounted after snubbing the countrys flagship Belt and Road initiative last year. Most Read from Bloomberg I am very satisfied with the results and the exchanges we had at the highest levels, she told Shanghais Communist Party chief Chen Jining Wednesday in the city, which hosts Italys largest business community in China. She added that rebalancing ties with China was the right thing to do. Meloni met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang earlier in Beijing as part of her five-day trip. She touted China as a key player for peace efforts in Ukraine. She has Xi down as a potential key ally should former US President Donald Trump return to the White House in November, Bloomberg News previously reported. Italian officials had been wary about the trip, which required extensive preparations after Rome pulled the plug on Xis investment pact after having signed up as the sole Group of Seven member. Still, her visit received overwhelmingly positive coverage from Chinas state media, which touted the far-right leader for making Italy a bridge for East-West exchanges. --With assistance from Josh Xiao. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A Statue of Liberty replica stands on the doorstep of Liberty Bail Bonds, Inc. just outside of The Walter L. Bailey Jr. Shelby County Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar Avenue. Local bail reform nonprofit Just City, alongside the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, is suing officials in Shelby County's criminal justice system over a state law that prevents judges from considering someone's financial condition when setting bail. The law was sponsored by Shelby County Republicans Sen. Brent Taylor and Rep. John Gillespie and became law in May this year. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee Wednesday, requests a federal judge rule the law unconstitutional and prevent the Shelby County Sheriff's Office from enforcing bail orders that are issued without considering the defendant's ability to pay. Also listed in the lawsuit, beyond the sheriff's office, are Shelby County's judicial commissioners and General Sessions Court Judge Bill Anderson, who is the presiding judge. "We're seeing the harm without even talking about the specifics of the law's implementation in Shelby County," Just City Executive Director Josh Spickler told The Commercial Appeal. "The law is just completely out of keeping with very settled case law around the issue of bail in America. We don't think there's any other state that has a law like this. It's a wild outlier. We mention in the complaint that this is very, very unusual never seen before." More: Shelby Co. judicial commissioners will get more criminal background before setting bail: Mulroy Local: Internal Memphis police documents say former assistant chief was 'terminated' | On the Docket Spickler and the ACLU were among a coalition of activists who pushed the county to reform the bail system. The group threatened a lawsuit after an independent monitor in 2021 found that the county had not been factoring in someone's financial conditions when setting bail. Those talks led to a standing bail order being established that required judges and judicial commissioners to use an "ability-to-pay calculator" to determine what an affordable bail would be. The order, which went into effect in 2023, also required judges to set an affordable bail if they intended to release a defendant from jail while they await trial and set unaffordable bail if they want to keep a defendant in jail pretrial. "The agreement recognized that unaffordable bail was a de facto detention order," the lawsuit said. "For that reason, it required judges to consider ability to pay before setting bail and provide their reasoning for imposing an unaffordable detention order lest an arrestee be subject to unnecessary wealth-based detention in violation of the constitution." Josh Spickler, executive director of Just City, speaks to the media during a press conference of lawmakers and community leaders to respond to the Department of Justices announcement of a civil rights investigation into the City of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department outside Memphis City Hall on Thursday, July 27, 2023. Spickler said the new state law prevents judges from doing this, and it could allow people with deep pockets who might be public safety and flight risks from being kept in jail. "You could be a wealthy person charged with a violent offense, and if you are concerned with keeping that person in custody with a bail, you need to know how much they can pay," he said. After the bill became law in May this year, the lawsuit said Just City urged the county to continue using the ability-to-pay calculator, which ultimately did not happen. Spickler said the law has made it more difficult for Just Citys bail fund to help as many defendants post bail as it had in the past. According to the lawsuit, Just City has paid $3 million in cash bail for more than 1,700 defendants since it launched the fund. In requesting an injunction be placed against the law, Just City alleged that not considering someones ability to pay bail results in "widespread pretrial detention of people" simply because they cannot afford the bail set. Some of these people, the lawsuit said, "do not need to be detained to reasonably ensure the safety of the community and the appearance of the arrestee as required." According to the lawsuit, the law violates the Fourteenth Amendments protections for due process and equal protection. Just City said the law established a "discriminatory wealth-based detention" with its passage. Local: Major violent, property crime down over 17% so far this year, Memphis police data shows More: Man charged with Memphis reverend's killing asks for venue change | On the Docket Stella Yarbrough, the legal director for the ACLU of Tennessee, said ignoring someone's ability to pay can cause two people with the same charges to have different burdens on their case. Should both people, in the scenario Yarbrough described, have a $5,000 bail set and one can pay while the other cannot, it could change the outcome of a case. "One person gets the benefit of being released, being able to work on their case, retain an attorney, find their witnesses and prove their innocence," Yarbrough told The CA. "In fact, [that person] has a greater presumption of innocence because they're coming into court in their own clothes, on their own volition, rather than in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffed." Similarly, Yarbrough said courts have ruled that detaining someone as their case is being litigated simply because they cannot afford the bail amount is unfair, and is an unconstitutional violation of due process protections. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Just City sues over Tennessee law on bail considerations Men claiming to be officers accused of home invasion, car theft in Joliet JOLIET, Ill. Three men claiming to be police officers were charged following a home invasion and vehicle theft in Joliet. During the early morning hours of April 1, officers responded to the 600 block of Cowles Avenue on the report of a possible home invasion. Officers at the scene determined some of the suspects announced they were officers and were wearing law enforcement-style body armor. At least one of them was armed with a handgun, according to police. During the home invasion, police said one of the male homeowners confronted the alleged armed man, later identified as Imer Resumovic, 37, of Chicago, and a struggled ensued. Multiple rounds were discharged and no one was struck by gunfire. The homeowner was able to gain control of the gun and began striking Resumovic in the head, according to police. One of the suspects allegedly stole an Audi S5 from the residence and two of them, later identified as Michael Pedroza, 47, of Melrose Park, and David Brenner, 43, of Chicago, fled. Resumovic was placed under arrest after being found hiding under a vehicle in a nearby alley. Pedroza was arrested on a warrant by US Marshals in Chicago on June 21. Brenner was arrested by US Marshals in Chicago on Monday. Resumovic was charged with two counts of home invasion and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. Pedroza was charged with home invasion, residential burglary, aggravated unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, false personation of a peace officer and aggravated driving while license revoked. Brennder was charged with home invasion, residential burglary, aggravated unlawful possession of stolen motor vehicle, false personation of a peace officer and aggravated driving while license revoked. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. The Detroit-based automaker General Motors (GM) reported strong second-quarter results on July 23, exceeding both top and bottom-line estimates and achieving record revenues. However, I maintain a neutral stance on GM shares because the investment thesis has been more focused on the companys arduous progress in transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) rather than its operational strength and profitability. Since hitting a low of just above $26 per share in November last year, GM shares rallied nearly 90% until mid-July. Yet, the Q2 earnings report caused the stock to lose momentum, and now its down to $44 per share. General Motors Q2: A Strong Quarter General Motors had a strong Q2, continuing its impressive streak. For the eighth quarter in a row, it beat EPS estimates, reporting $3.06 per share compared to the expected $2.70a 60.2% year-over-year increase. On the revenue front, GM also exceeded expectations for the seventh consecutive quarter, delivering $47.97 billion versus the anticipated $45.41 billion. A big part of this success comes from GMs non-EV segment. The company reported $4.4 billion in adjusted EBIT, which is arguably the most important operating metric in the auto industry. This figure is up 37% from last year, driven by the strong performance of internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks and SUVs in both volume and margin. Plus, GM has raised its guidance for adjusted EBIT and free cash flow for the second quarter in a row (see the image below). It now expects full-year EBIT to be between $13 billion and $15 billion, up by $500 million from previous forecasts. Free cash flow is projected to range from $9.5 billion to $11.5 billion, an increase of $1 billion on both ends. Overall, these are solid positives for GMs Q2 performance. Headwinds in China and Autonomous Vehicle Project Hurt Momentum The restructuring in China, a key market for GM, really hurt the companys post-earnings performance. Investors were let down by a $104 million loss from its joint venture with state-owned SAIC, compared to a $78 million gain in Q2 last year. This loss was somewhat surprising, as CEO Mary Barra had hinted that the quarter would be profitable in China. However, the headwinds were stronger than anticipated. In Q2, GM sold 373,000 vehicles in China, down from 526,000 in the same quarter last year. Sales are dropping due to fierce competition from local manufacturers, who get a boost from the Chinese governments support. Another issue is GMs decision to scrap its robotaxi project, Cruise Origin, which was supposed to be its big autonomous vehicle play. Now, GM is shifting focus to using the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV platform for its self-driving efforts. As a result, GM wrote off $583 million of its investment due to the restructuring of Cruise. Story continues GMs EV Plans: High Hopes Meet Harsh Realities Overall, investors were focused on whether GM would continue to scale back its EV plans. General Motors has lowered its EV production outlook for the year from a range of 200,000 to 300,000 units to a new range of 200,000 to 250,000 units. The concern is that GM has invested heavily in EV production capacity, which means it will take longer to use up this capacity. When this capacity sits unused, it will eventually hurt earnings upfront. According to GM management, it expects to be profitable if it can sell at least 200,000 EVs. Back in October 2023, GM postponed production of the all-electric Chevrolet Silverado EV and the GMC Sierra EV pickup trucks due to slow EV demand. In the most recent quarter, GM delivered 21,930 EVs out of a total of 696,086 vehicleswhich is a very small percentage. These figures and the revised guidance suggest that EV demand isnt meeting expectations, not just for GM but for the industry as a whole. Beware of the Low Valuation Multiples High valuation multiples usually mean investors are expecting a lot from a companys future performance, while low multiples often signal that theyre not holding their breath. For instance, General Motors is trading at 4.4 times its forward P/E (assuming a 30% EPS increase in 2024), while Ford (F) is at 5.7 times. In contrast, Teslas (TSLA) forward P/E is a whopping 90x. While comparing Tesla with GM might not be entirely accurate, this discrepancy highlights just how low expectations are for U.S. legacy automakers. This can be frustrating because, despite GMs significant efforts in EVs and new revenue streams from connected vehicles, these companies often dont get much credit for their high investment and operating costs. Another big concern is political risk. For instance, the U.S. government has been tightening fuel efficiency standards. Depending on whos in power next, GM could face trouble if it doesnt meet fleet average requirements. GMs previous promise to electrify 50% of its fleet by 2030 and 100% by 2035 will now be guided by consumer demand, according to the CEO. Overall, these risks are tough to pin down, leaving GM stock in limbo. Thats why I believe investors are left wondering if its worth paying a lower multiple for a solid player in an industry that is clearly expected to lose momentum in the long term. Is GM Stock a Buy, According to Analysts? In general, analysts appear to be pretty bullish on GM shares, with a Moderate Buy consensus rating. The average GM stock price target is $58.23, which represents upside potential of 31.7% based on the latest share price. See more GM analyst ratings The Takeaway There was nothing seriously wrong with General Motors Q2 results to justify the sharp drop in the stocks bullish momentum. However, headwinds in China and issues with its autonomous vehicle division have acted as negative short-term drivers. The main concern with the investment thesis is GMs slow progress in transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), both in terms of pace and scale. Adding to the complexity are the influences of policies and regulations. All of this combines to create a valuation that seems de-risked but suggests a lack of enthusiasm from investors to support a bullish outlook. Disclosure Woman says she was charged more than $4,700 in fines for using Peach Pass lanes Hundreds of thousands of drivers use the Peach Pass to avoid metro Atlantas heavy traffic. But one driver reached out to Channel 2 Action News after she said she was charged thousands for toll fees she said she already paid for. This is so unfair. Were using these lanes and were paying these funds. Where is the money going to? April McCargo said. She told Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln that she received a toll violation notice alerting her that she owes more than $1,400 in uncollected toll fees for using the Peach Pass Lane. The charges date back to December 2023. McCargo said the first notice was delivered in February. She told Lincoln that during that time period she never received any notifications from the State Road & Tollway Authority which handles billing for Peach Pass and Sun Pass customers. This is absurd, McCargo said. McCargo has a Florida Sun Pass. Its approved for use in the state of Georgia. She showed Lincoln her statements showing consistent payments to the account. I would pay about $100 per week and we would get notifications via email when it would be time for us to reload the account, McCargo said. RELATED STORIES: McCargo said her issues have compounded, last month she received a collection notice stating she now owes more than $4,700 in toll violation fees. Channel 2 Action News reported other drivers frustrations about similar issues with delayed violation notices earlier this year. We reached out to SRTA and they told Lincoln that Georgia law prevents it from talking about specifics related to McCargos account. SRTA said high volume usage volume is one reason for delays. The authority said they have more than 1 million users. After Channel 2 Action News reached out to SRTA in February they updated the Peach Pass website to say tolls will show up in 14 to 30 days. It used to say seven to 10 days. SRTA said they are working to address delayed notifications related to high volume. In a statement, SRTA said: The State Road and Tollway Authority has awarded a new contract for the management of its free-flow mobility transactions to ViaPlus. This contract includes delivery of a Customer Service System to manage transactions across the Georgia Express Lanes. ViaPlus will implement a scalable system to support our transaction growth. ViaPlus will manage the free-flow transactions and customer service channels for Peach Pass for the next seven years. The new system is expected to launch in late winter of this year. RELATED NEWS: Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Talkin Tacos, a fast-casual Mexican eatery known for its scratch-made dishes, will open a new corporate-owned location Aug. 2 in Maitland. This restaurant at 400 N. Orlando Ave. will be the second Central Florida location, joining the existing one in SoDo run by Orlando franchise owner Hassan Rahim, who plans to open another Talkin Tacos in Kissimmee. Read: Tropical disturbance gets more organized in Atlantic Talkin Tacos other corporate-owned locations are in in Brickell, Miramar, Wellington, Coral Springs, Jacksonville and Atlanta. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) With artificial intelligence on the rise, so is concern about whether it might inadvertently discriminate against people. Im not here to trash talk AI, it can do amazing things and I think that at its best, it really can make, I think it can make society fairer. I think it can make us more prosperous, said Santa Fe Institute professor Cris Moore. Story continues below As AI technology spreads, there are concerns over how exactly it works and whether it runs the risk of being discriminatory. I think that in order for these systems to be in use in decisions that really matter to peoples lives and livelihoods the people affected by them and the decision makers advised by them need to understand them to some extent, said Moore. In a presentation to a committee of lawmakers, Moore explained there needs to be more research into systems used by government agencies. For instance, when law enforcement uses AI to predict criminal behavior, or when a housing agency might use it to predict whether someone will be a reliable tenant. There needs to be some transparency there. Again, what data did they use? What do they do with that data? What are their strengths and weaknesses? said Moore. Especially when it comes to race. If a system is trained on data from other states maybe it works very well in those states it may or may not work here in New Mexico we have unique demographics, said Moore. For Moore, an important question is, what data does AI use about a person when making a decision? The output is only as good as the input so if you have biases from historical data those would be represented arguably in outputs that are generated, said working group member, Alisa Lauer. The group discussed legislation passed in other states, including the Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act requiring AI developers to prevent discrimination in their algorithms. But how to ensure they actually do, is still tricky. New Mexico still with a lot of unanswered questions. We have to be prepared for a lot of struggles over this area, said State Representative Gail Chasey. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Stanley Graham Tate started life crammed into a one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment with his parents and two siblings, what he called a low-income lifestyle. While attending the University of Florida in Gainesville, he waited on tables for meals and tips. Those hard early years influenced Tates business philosophy in Miami. I owe my success and my familys stability to this community, which makes giving back a priority. Plus, giving back and supporting the next generation is the only way to ensure our city will one day reach its true potential, he said in an interview in 2018. Tate, who became a Miami real estate giant and founded Floridas Prepaid College Plan, died at his Bal Harbour home on July 26 at age 96. Tate was 90 and many decades into a multifaceted career when he looked back on the happenstances and decisions, the hits and the misses, that made him one of South Floridas most successful and powerful men. He was a developer who, since learning the business from his father-in-law, based his business empire in a building on 125th Street in North Miami. From those headquarters, starting in 1952, Tate built apartments, houses, condos, warehouses, office buildings, Burger King restaurants and shopping centers. He built them in Normandy Isles, Bay Harbor Islands, Kendall, Hialeah, Wynwood, throughout Miami-Dade and Broward, as well as in Texas and the Carolinas. Sons Kenny and Jimmy now run Tate Capital, a firm that has redeveloped the Bahia Mar Resort Hotel and Marina in Fort Lauderdale, and over the years conducted investment business with Indian Trace Shopping Center in Sunrise and the 7300 Kendall Drive office building. As the founder of the Florida Prepaid College Plan, Tate has helped hundreds of thousands students, many from lower-income families, attend a state school. Tate, who also at one time owned the scandalous and sexy Studio 54 celebrity-magnet nightclub in Midtown Manhattan in 1981 after its previous owners went to prison on tax evasion charges, called his Prepaid College endeavor the biggest single success I ever had. Florida Prepaid College Plan In this file photo from May 16, 2017, Ezekial Hobbs (center) poses with a check following the announcement that he had won a four year, full college scholarship from Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Club to attend Florida A&M where he planned to study journalism. Pictured from left to right are, Stanley Tate, founder of the Florida Prepaid College Plan, Rick Freedman, chairman of the Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Clubs Scholarship Committee, Ezekiel Hobbs, Nellie Hernandez, president of the Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Club and Vyonda Moss, Key Club Sponsor. The Florida Prepaid College Plan was designed and funded by Tate in 1987, with $600,000 of his own money, to help make higher ed affordable. Florida parents can pay in advance to lock in tuition rates from the time of their childs birth to the point when they need the funds to pay for a state university or community college after their childs high school graduation. The idea came from a desire to keep young talent from leaving the state and help underprivileged students unable to pay for continued education have something to strive for, Tate had said. At the beginning, Tate worked on the Prepaid College program alongside legislators including Sens. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Curtis Peterson. Ros-Lehtinen said she and her husband, Dexter Lehtinen, bought the seventh and eighth contracts for their two children and that Florida Gov. Bob Martinez, his lieutenant governor and others in the Cabinet bought the first batch. When we created the program, Curtis and I had no idea that it would grow to be so hugely successful, thanks to the financial expertise of Stanley. There were some difficult years when the Florida Legislature raised the prices sky high but Stanley refused to go along with their plans, Ros-Lehtinen said. He successfully fought the Legislature and brought the price of the program to a much lower cost so that all families could realize the dreams of their children to go to college. Some schools were wary at first. Many applaud the program today. The Florida Prepaid College Plan is one of the reasons why Florida consistently ranks No. 1 in the nation in higher education, said Natassia Martinez, director of Student Financial Services & Systems at Florida International University. Mr. Tate leaves a legacy of access to higher education that makes Florida stronger and more competitive. It allows families to plan and help make their students dreams a reality. Approximately 7,000 FIU students and many more throughout the state attend college every year supported by the Florida Prepaid College Plan, she said. Miami Dade College President Madeline Pumariega said: As chair of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, I have long admired Mr. Tates unwavering commitment to excellence and his tireless efforts to make a college education accessible for all Florida families. His pioneering work in establishing and nurturing the Florida Prepaid College Program and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation exemplifies his dedication to providing every child with the opportunity to achieve higher education. Added North Miami Councilman Scott Galvin: The impact of Mr. Tates Florida Prepaid plan cant be overstated. Not only has it allowed generations of students to be able to attend university, its also allowed their parents the peace of mind to know they could afford it by locking in rates and guaranteeing investments. I admired him for not allowing politics to get in the way of the issues at hand. Whether the topic was at the local, state, or federal level, he sought and received support from across all parties. Thats how one knew his motivations were sincere. He wasnt trying to advance his own agenda. He was simply trying to make the world better for all, said Galvin, who is also executive director of Safe Schools South Florida, which offers support to LGBTQ students and teachers in Miami-Dade and Broward. In 2006, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill renaming the program the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program. Stanley Tate and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who both worked on the Florida Prepaid College Plan Tate conceived and funded, at a 2005 graduation ceremony on the Kendall campus of Miami Dade College on April 30, 2015. Resolution Trust Corporation Tate had U.S. presidents calling on him to straighten out financial messes. President George H.W. Bush, with whom Tate forged a close relationship, sought his counsel when the market crashed in the Savings & Loan financial crisis of the late 80s and early-1990s. As southeast regional director of the Resolution Trust Corporation, Tate helped resolve the issues. That was his second greatest accomplishment, he said. A well-thought-out plan to expedite the dissolution of all distressed real estate hitting the street and without too much governmental involvement was the underpinning premise of the Resolution Trust Corporation, he told the Miami Herald in 2018. Fortunately, we were incredibly successful. Political neophytes also tapped Tate for mentoring and guidance. The newly elected figured they could gain an advantage on managing their campaigns and time in office. Stanley was such a special person in my personal and political life, Ros-Lehtinen, who represented Miami-Dade in Congress for nearly 30 years, from August 1989 to January 2019, said in an email interview with the Herald on Monday. Our friendship lasted decades. He was ever present in all of my congressional races and not only helped me greatly with fundraising but was a trusted advisor to me and to those in my inner circle. There wasnt a decision made regarding my races where Stanleys wise counsel was not sought and followed, Ros-Lehtinen said. He was a true mensch and he took great pleasure in helping others. Birth, Miami move and schooling Tate, who was born in New York City on April 25, 1928, moved to Miami in the early 1930s when he was a toddler. I suffered from rheumatic fever and so my parents sent me to live with my aunt and uncle in Miami where the climate was warmer, he told the Miami Herald just after turning 90. As a teen he worked in grocery stores while attending The Lear School in Miami Beach. He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelors in statistical psychology. I felt that having a better understanding of social issues would help me, he told the Herald in a 1993 interview. In Gainesville, he met Joanne Joni Greenwood, a fellow student. After two or three dates, he told me he was going to marry me, she told the Herald in 1993. I laughed. I was 17 years old. But he was right. Stanley knows what he wants. The couple got married in 1949. She survives him. They raised three children together. Tate and real estate Stanley Tate, who founded the Florida Prepaid College Plan, in his North Miami office in a 2018 file photo when he was 90. In 2006, Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill renaming the program the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program. Jonis father, Morton Greenwood, owned Royal Builders, a Miami-Dade County home builder, and brought in his new son-in-law to learn the real estate business. First, Tate served as a laborer and then a carpenter. He taught me everything about the building business, Tate told the Herald. In 1950, Tate bought the company from his father-in-law. Two years later, he established Stanley Tate Builders and began building homes in Miami Beach and filled them with snowbirds who were looking to invest in the Sunshine State. Many people dont know that minorities like Jews and African Americans were not allowed to live in many areas of Miami Beach, Indian Creek and Bal Harbour Village during the 40s, 50s and 60s, but these restrictions were what led us to build so many residences in Normandy Island and Bay Harbor, Tate told the Herald in 2018. His company grew to incorporate mortgage lending, development, property management and reviving failed real estate developments. In 2011, Tate Capital partnered with Jorge Perez and Sergio Rok to buy the debt on the Omni International Mall and hotel on Miamis Biscayne Boulevard and made $65 million from the sale of the assets debt to Genting Group, the South Florida Business Journal reported. Stanley Tate was an icon in the real estate industry, but never too busy to give back to the community, Perez, chairman and CEO of The Related Group in Miami, told the Herald in an email. He pushed ahead to create one of the most important designs in college education, creating the prepaid college program that allows thousands of students of all incomes to attend our state universities. Plus, he was a great father, leaving his two outstanding sons, Kenny and Jimmy, to continue his real estate legacy. Foes and stumbles President Bill Clinton, who succeeded the senior Bush, nominated Tate to become chairman of the Resolution Trust. But by that time in 1993, Tate had had enough of the Washington lifestyle. He felt he accomplished what he had set out to do with the Resolution Trust in the Bush administration. Tates resignation letter to Clinton was pointed, Newsmax reported in a 2014 profile. Mr. President, Washington is a vicious city, full of rumors, allegations, and accusations, without much, if any regard for truthfulness or factuality, Tates letter read. Years later, President Barack Obama called Tate to discuss a possible role for the businessman after the nations 2008 financial crisis. The two couldnt come to terms. They had different philosophies, Tate said. Tate had his own stint as an elected official he was the second mayor of the Town of Bay Harbor Islands in the late-1960s to the early-70s. In a 2004 opinion column, former Miami Herald columnist Fred Grimm wrote of Tate: This formidable force in Florida politics comes disguised as a 77-year-old man, kind and famously generous the sort of do-gooder philanthropist who politicians think they can dismiss with a nice citizenship award. They dont quite grasp that a pestering old businessman from South Florida could devour them. Tate was a past chairman of the countys Housing Oversight Committee and the Housing and Urban Development Advisory Board. But when he was on the board of the Public Health Trust that governs Jackson Memorial Hospital he clashed with hospital administrators and some fellow board members. He strongly objected to a plan to use $250,000 in public money to refurbish the boardroom, rather than spend it on healthcare. In 1991, the board was reorganized. Tate was removed. I was told that philosophically I didnt belong on the board of that hospital, Tate told the Herald in 1993. Philosophically, I believed our primary responsibility is to people who have nowhere else to turn for healthcare. In 1991, when he was publisher of the Miami Herald, David Lawrence Jr. wrote a column critical of Tates dismissal from the Public Trust Board. He sometimes can be a bit self-possessed. This man with the four-page resume is not shy about telling you about his contributions and connections, Lawrence wrote, acknowledging a view by some that Tate was abrasive. He seems to have no agenda other than to make sure that the publics dollars are spent wisely and that the poor are served. More than 33 years later, Lawrence still champions Tate. When I think of Stanley Tate, a man Ive known and admired for decades, my own grandchildren and thousands of upon thousands of other children come to mind. What a difference his prepaid education vision has made for our state. What a great legacy, Lawrence said in an email. I think you need a big ego to be successful, Tate said in a 1993 interview. If you dont believe in yourself, no one else will. Im not driven by ego. Im driven by ability. Survivors File photo of Stanley Tate, a Miami real estate developer who funded Florida Prepaid College Plan, built homes from Miami Beach to Texas, and directed the Resolution Trust to help America through the Savings & Loan financial crisis of the late-1980s and early-1990s. In addition to his wife, Joni, Tates survivors include their children Kenny, Linda and Jimmy, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Services were held. Tates family requests donations in his memory to Mount Sinai Medical Center. Mr. Tates contributions to our medical center have been greatly meaningful throughout the years, Mount Sinai said in a Legacy obituary tribute. Are we in the midst of the most extraordinary series of events in American politics? The summer of 2024 has brought an extraordinary series of events in American politics. The turmoil started around the June 27 presidential debate as people began loudly questioning the ability of the sitting president, Joe Biden, to effectively serve in a second term. It took an alarming turn on July 13 with a failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee. It continued eight days later when Biden dropped out of the race with the Democratic nomination all but secured and quickly endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to become just the second woman to gain a major party's nomination for president. Amid the presidential kerfuffle was another twist, as Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey was convicted July 16 on 16 criminal counts, including bribery, extortion and acting as a foreign agent. One week later, Menendez announced his intention to resign effective Aug. 20, with Gov. Phil Murphy saying he would make a temporary appointment. Story continues below photo gallery. 2024 will go down in American history Even without factoring in Menendez's saga, there has been nothing like this run in American history, according to many political historians, including Ben Dworkin, the founding director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship. Most of it happened in real time on TV and social media, and it came in short order, Dworkin said. "We can look back in history and say a lot of these things have happened, but they've happened so quickly it seems like a blur," he said. "It probably will take historians a number of years to really interpret how all this came about." Many pundits and historians have pointed to somewhat similar events in 1968. The year saw a sitting president, the ill and unpopular Lyndon B. Johnson, abandon his presidential campaign and his vice president, Hubert H. Humphrey, gain the nomination at a chaotic Democratic convention. U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) exits Federal Court following his bribery trial in connection with an alleged corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen, in New York City, U.S., July 16, 2024. Comparing 2024 American events to those of 1968 Earlier in 1968, Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was shot and killed in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the California primary, two months after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The 1968 election was marked by high volatility, reminiscent of today's uncertainty. There was the recognizable presence of racial dynamics and partisan polarization, Dworkin said. There were also clandestine attempts at foreign interference, most notably when Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin offered Humphrey financial aid to combat GOP and anti-communist candidate Richard Nixon in a secret meeting, Dobrynin decades later revealed in his memoir, "In Confidence." However, 2024 has not seen intense primaries, widespread riots or anything like a Tet Offensive. "We don't have hundreds of American boys coming home in caskets from Vietnam," Michael Socolow, a media historian at the University of Maine, told the Columbia Journalism Review this month. "The historical parallel breaks down right there." Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures with a bloodied face as multiple shots rang out during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 13, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Unlike Biden, who withdrew within weeks of the election and on the verge of being renominated, Johnson, who championed the Vietnam War, stepped aside months in advance. The race between Nixon and Humphrey, with George Wallace running as an independent, started as a predicted blowout in favor of Nixon. It turned into a close, dramatic contest, as Wallaces momentum waned, due in part to negative media coverage and labor union opposition, and Nixons campaign adopted a conservative, cautious approach in an effort to secure victory. Humphrey's campaign meanwhile worked to restore party unity, broke from Johnson and called for a unilateral halt to bombing North Vietnam. As it turned out, the once marginalized antiwar faction became influential in shaping Democratic foreign policy. The impact mirrored that of Bernie Sanders and his supporters in 2016, who shifted the ideology of the party and its nominee to the left. Hillary Clinton, still the countrys only female presidential nominee from a major party, won the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes but lost the election to Trump. President Joe Biden walks across the South Lawn of The White House on July 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden is returning from a weekend trip at Camp David. Trumps 2016 campaign strategy has been tangentially compared to that of Wallace and Nixon. Nixon engaged evangelicals through his friendship with the Rev. Billy Graham, appealed to a silent majority and attacked elites. Wallace held rallies marked by a fervent atmosphere, and his speeches capitalized on racial and cultural anxieties. Despite controversies, Trump won key Midwestern and Rust Belt states to secure an Electoral College victory. The notable political protests were left until after the inauguration, as millions protested worldwide against the Trump administration at the Womens March. Another reason that 1968 rings familiar is that the election accelerated the ideological realignment of American politics. It was the "birthing moment of our modern era of polarization," Jill Lepore, a professor of history and law at Harvard University, said in a July 22 interview with NPR. Democrats became more reliant on minority and progressive voters. Republicans expanded their base by appealing to white working-class fears. Today, the polarization can be mapped between the central and coastal states, Dworkin said. Remembering the upheaval of the Abraham Lincoln presidential race The modern reality of a race between one Democrat and one Republican largely became the norm after another tumultuous presidential election year, 1860. Deeply divisive, the election fell to winner Abraham Lincoln amid the rifts between Northern abolitionists and those determined to uphold slavery, limit government control and maintain an agrarian society. The Democratic Party opened its convention first, but a heated dispute over the partys official stance on slavery led numerous Southern delegates to walk out. It took a second convention for Stephen A. Douglas to secure the nomination, but protesting Southern delegates later selected Vice President John C. Breckinridge. Both candidates claimed the nomination. Lincoln, meanwhile, was not the first choice for Republicans. U.S. Sen. William H. Seward of New York had the early lead, but by the convention's third ballot, Seward had lost his place to Lincoln, the least well-known of the contenders, according to Library of Congress records. A third party, the Constitutional Union Party that formed in 1859, nominated former U.S. Sen. John Bell of Tennessee. Neither Lincoln nor Breckinridge campaigned in the modern sense. Douglas, on the other hand, campaigned vigorously across the North and South, defending the Union and opposing secession with parades and rallies. Lincoln did not win any electoral votes in any future Confederate states, except Virginia, where he claimed only 1% of the vote. Yet, he still won more electoral votes than the other three candidates combined, sweeping the North and winning California and Oregon. By Lincolns inauguration in March, seven Southern states had seceded, forming the Confederate States of America with Jefferson Davis as president. Within a month, the country was plunged into civil war. Post-Civil War, the frequent shifts in political control seen this century took hold. Voters were divided by themes that are familiar today: tariffs versus free trade and how to handle the challenges posed by immigration. From 1874 to 1894, unified control of the presidency, the House and the Senate was achieved for only six years in three separate two-year periods. Things changed in the 20th century when Republicans held unified control for 20 of the first 30 years. Democrats dominated Congress for the next 60 years. They had unified control for half that span. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Will 2024 go down among the most extraordinary times in US history? BOSTON (WPRI) Some lawmakers in Massachusetts are sounding the alarm over the emergency shelters for migrants and the homeless. Running the states emergency shelter system through the next fiscal year is expected to cost taxpayers more than $1 billion. Sutton Republican Senator Ryan Fattman is among those suggesting the state make permanent changes to the shelter system to help control the cost. He said on Jan. 1, the Commonwealth will run out of money. This is one of these things that could sink the Commonwealth financially, and we cant let that happen, Fattman said. Its a billion dollars next year. Its a billion dollars after that, and theres no end in sight. BACKGROUND: 90-day notices going out to families in Mass. emergency shelters To date, Fattman pointed to surplus dollars that have kept the doors open to the states four emergency shelters, but says those wont be available next year, He supports the new deadline Gov. Maura Healey announced last week: as of Thursday, anyone staying at a shelter has five days to find other arrangements. But, its a different story for those staying there. You, your family right now, five days to pack up. Every five days leave, every five days leave. How does that resonate with anyone? Juan Marrero with La Colaborativa said. Healeys decision to transition the shelters into temporary respite centers was made because of a lack of space. She said she hopes migrants will consider that before coming to Massachusetts. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Your Milwaukee bus route may be changing this fall. Here's what to know The Milwaukee County Transit System bus services will see a bit of a shake up starting Aug. 25, after the department announced its route schedules for fall. More than a dozen lines will see route modifications, increased service or detours. Here's what you need to know as you navigate the county's bus system in the coming months. Routes with Modifications: Lines 24, 30, 33, 60, 76 At the end of the month, Routes 24 and 76 will see increased service to businesses on South 76th Street and in Greendale. Route 24 will extend south to Greendale with its final stop now stretching to Northway (60th) & Grange. The main route will remain and buses will continue to go to Southridge. Buses are now set to arrive roughly every 20 minutes, operating between 5:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. Before 7 p.m., every Route 24 bus will travel to 60th (Northway) & Grange. After 7 p.m., buses will alternate its final stop, either to end at 74h & Holmes or Northway (60th) & Grange. Route 76 will provide service only as far south as Southridge, and will no longer go to Greendale. Route 30 will run south on Van Buren Street between Kilbourn Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue after the Van Buren Transformation Project is finished in mid-to-late fall. Route 33 will be modified on the east end of the route when traveling to Wisconsin Avenue and Cass Street following the end of construction on the Van Buren Transformation Project. Eastbound buses will travel south on Van Buren to Kilbourn., east on Kilbourn to Prospect, south on Prospect to Wisconsin, west on Wisconsin to Cass, where buses will have a layover. Following the stop, buses will go west on Wisconsin to Van Buren, north on Van Buren to Juneau Avenue, and west on Juneau to then get back to the line's regular routing. Route 60 will be modified on the southern end of the line near 60th & Layton. The detour routing will become permanent, according to MCTS, where southbound buses will travel south on 60th to Layton, east on Layton to 55th, then travel west and have a layover near the Meijer gas station. Buses heading north will continue to travel on 60th. Lines 15, 35, 66, and the RedLine will remain on their current detoured routes during the fall, according to the latest announcement from MCTS. Increased frequency: Lines 21, 28, 54, 57, 63, 66, GreenLine, CONNECT 1 BRT Also at the end of August, some lines will have more service during the week. The GreenLine will have increased service on Saturdays during the midday hours. Buses will soon arrive every 17 to 18 minutes between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Route 28 will have service in the afternoon, starting at 1 p.m. on weekdays. Route 54 will have service on Saturdays, starting at 6 a.m. Route 57 will have 35 minute service times on Saturdays after 10 p.m. Route 63 will have more frequent service on weekdays and weekends, with: weekdays during morning and afternoon peak periods buses will run every 17 to 18 minutes; Saturdays will have buses running every 22 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday buses will run every 22 minutes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Routes 21 and 66 will begin providing service once again to UWM with the start of the new school year. CONNECT 1 BRT's Saturday service will return to every 15 minutes during the day at the end of Milwaukee's summer festival season. Find out more about your routes on the MCTS website. Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Vanessa_Swales. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Your Milwaukee bus route may be changing. Here's what to know A Milwaukee man crashed into a school bus while fleeing police. How long will he be in prison? A Milwaukee police pursuit ended in a multi-vehicle crash, causing a school bus to flip at the intersection of North 76th Street and West Capitol Drive. No children were on the bus, but a 3-year-old inside the suspected vehicle was seriously injured. The Milwaukee man who confessed to causing a six-vehicle crash that flipped a school bus and injured four people, including a 3-year-old and mother is heading to prison. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Glenn H. Yamahiro on Tuesday sentenced Elijahwan H. Shabazz to 11 years behind bars. He also ordered Shabazz to serve eight years of extended supervision when he is released. Yamahiro described the crime as "one of the worst" cases of reckless driving he had ever seen in his more than 20 years on the bench. "It's a minor miracle no one is dead from this," Yamahiro said. Shabazz, 27, pleaded guilty in June to first-degree recklessly endangering safety, neglecting a child, eluding an officer, hit-and-run involving injury and bail jumping. Here's what happened that day Prosecutors say Shabazz was behind the wheel of a car on Nov. 29 that police were attempting to pull over on the 9100 block of West Thurston Avenue. Officers believed the vehicle was connected to a homicide in Chicago. The driver wouldn't stop and a pursuit ensued. The chase ended in a collision with a school bus on North 76th Street and West Capitol Drive. The collision caused the school bus to flip onto its side, triggering a second collision with several other vehicles, police said. No children were aboard the school bus at the time; the 72-year-old school bus driver had just dropped off the passengers, and was taken to a hospital with nonfatal injuries. A 3-year-old child who was in the car with Shabazz was injured and suffered a gash on her face. "This is the kind of behavior that make people afraid of traveling on certain streets in our community," Assistant District Attorney Matthew Torbenson said. Torbenson said it's not believed Shabazz was involved in the Chicago homicide. Court records show Shabazz had other open cases against him at the time of the crash: In 2018 and 2019, Shabazz was charged in two separate cases involving allegations of illegal drug and firearm possession. In each case, he was freed on signature bonds totaling $1,350. That meant he did not have to pay the money upfront to get out of jail. In February 2021, he pleaded guilty to charges associated with the 2019 case, but a sentencing hearing was delayed. In April and July 2021, Shabazz was charged with two more felonies. The first involved more allegations of drug possession. In the second case, he was accused of hitting a 16-year-old pedestrian with his car and was charged with hit-and-run causing great harm. Shabazz posted a $2,500 bail three days after being charged in the April case. In the July case, he posted a $2,800 bail before his first court appearance which wasnt scheduled until March 2022. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The Milwaukee man who crashed into a school bus is going to prison GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The Michigan Supreme Courts decision to overrule the Legislature and restore changes to the states minimum wage is drawing mixed reactions, with some lauding it as a landmark victory for Michigan voters and others saying it will have a devastating effect on the jobs of tipped workers. The court ruled Wednesday that it was unconstitutional for the then-Republican majority to pass minimum wage and paid sick leave ballot initiatives the result of a 2018 petition drive only to water the laws down months later. Michigan Supreme Court restores minimum wage and sick leave laws reversed by Republicans years ago The courts ruling means that on Feb. 21, 2025, the states minimum wage for regular and tipped workers will rise to $12 per hour. One Fair Wage, the group behind the ballot initiative, said more than 860,000 Michigan workers will see pay raises. We have finally prevailed over the corporate interests who tried everything they could to prevent all workers, including restaurant workers, from being paid a full, fair wage with tips on top, One Fair Wage President Saru Jayaraman said in a statement. Todays court decision not only ensures that all workers in Michigan receive a raise; it also makes Michigan the eighth state to end the subminimum wage for tipped workers, the first state East of the Mississippi to end the subminimum wage for tipped workers, and the first state anywhere in over 40 years to do so. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called the decision a landmark victory for Michigan voters and a resounding affirmation of the power of direct democracy. The Legislature cannot manipulate its power to undermine the will of the people, Nessel stated. This ruling sends a clear message that elected officials cannot disregard the voices of their constituents. In a statement, Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber also applauded the decision. We commend the Court for ruling what we all clearly witnessed back in 2018. The Republican-controlled legislatures flagrant disregard for the citizen initiative process has robbed Michigan workers of wages and sick leave for the past five years, Bieber said. Republicans in the legislature quite literally stole out of the pockets of Michigan workers and todays ruling by the Supreme Court is the first step in righting this wrong and making workers whole. The Michigan Retailers Association, however, released a statement opposing the ruling. The opinion issued today is disappointing and will have an immense negative impact on all retailers. Bedrock principles of capitalism and a competitive labor market are thwarted by extending the paid leave law to employers with only one employee, dramatically altering the paid leave requirements for those with 50 or more employees, and mandating substantial changes to the minimum wage, the statement said. The fact of the matter is that employers are already competing for qualified labor by voluntarily offering high wages and good benefits. Adding pressure and costs to small business owners during a time of continued high inflation, low consumer confidence, and increasing expenses creates further challenges to their growth and viability and will harm Michigans economy. Restaurant owner fears domino effect of minimum wage increase In a statement, the Small Business Association of Michigan said the decision would have an absolutely devastating effect on small business owners, reducing planned growth, forcing layoffs and possibly even causing many to close their doors for good. To let this ruling stand is to risk irreversible damage to Michigans economy, Brian Calley, president and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, said. A lack of legislative intervention would communicate a clear message to those in Michigan and those looking to come here: Michigan is not open for small business. LAWMAKERS REACT Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, said she and her team would be reviewing the state Supreme Courts decision. Heres what I know to be true: the Legislature has a responsibility to uphold the will of the people. Additionally, the people of Michigan deserve clarity. The then-Republican majority made a deceitful bait-and-switch on the very people they were sworn to serve, and this lengthy battle was caused by their tactics, Brinks said in a statement. Regardless, today marks a new chapter where legislators and residents alike will have a clear understanding of the citizen initiative process. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, criticized Wednesdays ruling as misguided, saying it would make everything more expensive for struggling Michigan families, while also having a devastating effect on the jobs of tipped workers. The Legislature used its ability to take necessary action to ensure the minimum wage increase and new paid sick leave rules worked for all Michiganders in 2018. This decision flies in the face of that authority and Michigan businesses and employers, Nesbitts statement continued. The Legislature needs to act now to prevent catastrophic damage to the livelihoods of the workers at restaurants and bars throughout our state that barely survived the mandated COVID lockdowns and are still facing increased costs due to inflation. Likewise, House Minority Leader Rep. Matt Hall, R-Richland, called on the Legislature to reconvene immediately because the ruling will affect restaurants and small businesses. The Legislature must return to the Capitol immediately, because this decision will completely disrupt the livelihoods of hard-working Michiganders. Restaurants and other small businesses will have to raise their prices, tipped workers will take home less pay, and some people will lose their jobs. The court has ruled, and now its time for the peoples representatives to take action, Hall said in a statement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. By Maria Martinez BERLIN (Reuters) - With a rapidly ageing population, Germany is urgently looking at how it can get more work from a labour force that enjoys the most ample leisure time in the rich world. But analysts say it is overlooking one vital, untapped resource: its women. Government measures announced this month include tax incentives to encourage overtime and later retirement, plus a 2-billion-euro ($2.2 billion) investment in childcare to help more mothers into the workplace. But even with that, labour market experts say the package does not go nearly far enough to address deep-rooted obstacles in the tax system and longstanding cultural norms which are still keeping many women at home. "For me the big missed opportunity was to really think much more seriously about how we can incentivise women to work more," Nicola Fuchs-Schuendeln, Chair for Macroeconomics and Development at the Goethe University Frankfurt, told Reuters. Germany's ageing demographics mean its labour force is shrinking by 400,000 workers a year in what Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government acknowledges is a major long-term threat to Europe's largest economy and its public finances. Foreign workers have been a major piece of Germany's workforce for decades and the coalition aims to make it easier for migrants to enter the job market with measures including tax incentives for skilled workers and work permits for refugees. However, with a national election next year and the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany polling in second place, the politics around migrant workers is changing shape, prompting a search for alternatives. The challenge is significant. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, average annual hours per worker in Germany stood at 1,343 in 2023 - the lowest among the 38 advanced economies in the OECD club. Enzo Weber, researcher at the Institute for Employment Research, said although participation by women and students in the German labour market is high, much of it is part-time, decreasing the average hours per worker. European Union data show that while labour force participation by German women is better than in most EU countries, 47% of them work part-time - well above the bloc's average of 28%. "Our high labour market participation rate does not compensate for these low working hours," said Holger Schaefer, senior economist at the German think tank IW. "As a result, we make less use of our labour force potential than most other countries." One reason for this goes back decades. In 1958, the then-West Germany introduced a tax benefit for married couples to reflect the status of marriage and family in the constitution. Story continues A couple is taxed as a single unit. In practice, this means many women end up being taxed at the marginal rate of their partner - lowering the incentive to work in couples where the man is the top earner. A second factor is so-called "mini-jobs", created in the labour reforms of the 2000s which exempt from tax any job paying a monthly wage of 538 euros or less. Around 4.3 million women in Germany have a mini-job. But if they increase their hours - and hence wages - taxation and social contributions kick in, taking a chunk out of earnings. Thirdly Germany, like other countries, has an acute lack of childcare - in its case an estimated shortfall of 400,000 places. "The shortage of pre- and post-school childcare places may be a more significant barrier to part-time parents increasing their hours in Germany than elsewhere," said Andrew Kenningham, chief Europe economist at Capital Economics. UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES Some analysts have raised concerns that the new measures could unintentionally create further barriers for women. There will be tax incentives for full-time workers - who are mostly men - to increase their working hours. "If men even increase their full time further by two or three hours, then the margin for women in the partnership to work becomes even smaller," said Weber of the Institute for Employment Research. On top of these economic factors come social and cultural ones which may prove equally difficult to address. While studies show most people in Europe would work less if they could, German workers - with average net earnings of 38,000 euros per year compared to the EU average of 28,200 - are simply more able to do so if they choose. Conservative social norms, particularly in West Germany, according to which a child is better off being cared for by the mother, also play a role. While 45% of mothers in East Germany work full-time - an after-effect of the German Democratic Republic which upheld the model of the working mother - only 19% of West German mothers do, an IW study shows. The labour package includes incentives for employers to pay bonuses to employees who expand their part-time hours, but economists doubt this will sway those women with the financial means to prioritise their free time. When Jennifer Hart, a 38-year-old government adviser, returned to work after her baby was born, she began with 50% of full time hours, increasing to 32 hours per week when her child was one and a half. The salary cut was substantial and her main worry is that she is also paying less into her pension. Women in Germany receive a third of the retirement income of their male counterparts, in what has been called the "gender pension gap." One in five women aged 65 or over is at risk of poverty in Germany, compared with 17.5% of the men, according to statistics office data. But still, Hart said increasing her working hours is not an option while her child is still young. "Part time to me is a choice to spend more time with my kid and make logistics around day care possible," she told Reuters. "I doubt taxes can change that." ($1 = 0.9211 euros) (Reporting by Maria Martinez; Editing by Mark John and Toby Chopra) Rally at Cadillac Place state office building on April 22 to fight for minimum wage increase and paid sick leave. | Ken Coleman photo Come February, the minimum wage will rise significantly and tipped wages will begin to phase out after a Michigan Supreme Court opinion published Wednesday found that the Legislature subverted the rights of citizens in 2018 by using an adopt-and-amend strategy to kill two ballot initiatives. On Feb. 21, 2025, the minimum wage in Michigan will be more than $12 an hour, up from $10.33 and tipped wages will rise over the next few years until subminimum wages are phased out. And a new paid sick leave policy will take effect requiring employers with fewer than 10 employees to offer up to 40 hours of paid sick time annually and employers with 10 or more employees to give up to 72 hours. In a 4-3 opinion, the Michigan Supreme Court reviewed the then GOP-controlled Legislatures decision in 2018 to adopt two citizen-led ballot initiatives increasing the minimum wage and mandating sick leave, keeping them off the ballot that year. In its lame duck session, lawmakers only went back and gutted the measures with amendments. It is undisputed that, under the Michigan Constitution, the Legislature would not have been able to make these amendments by a simple majority vote if the initiatives had appeared on the ballot and had been approved by a majority of Michigan voters in the 2018 election, the opinion reads. Rather, it chose a path not set forth in the Constitution: it adopted the proposed laws as written on the initiative petitions and then amended those laws as soon as the election was over. In a concurring opinion, Court of Appeals Judge Michael J. Kelly called the Legislatures actions a ploy anti-democratic in intent and opposed to what the drafters of the constitution contemplated in managing the power of the Legislature. If the individuals responsible for this maneuver ever wonder why public opinion polls consistently cast politicians low when it comes to the virtue of trust, they need look no further than what they did here, Kelly said. It is a direct assault on one of the rights our founding fathers and the drafters of our state Constitution held dear: the right of the citizens to petition their government. When the history of this Legislature is written, it is difficult to imagine anybody saying that this was their finest hour. Roquesha Oneal, a Detroit restaurant worker, praised the ruling in a news release from the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) of Michigan. This victory truly belongs to restaurant workers and other Michigan workers, like me, who mainly depend on our jobs and paychecks to make ends meet. By working for jobs that offer meager pay and yet continuing to contribute to the economic vibrancy of our state, our sacrifices have paid off. I have never been more hopeful than I am today that I will have a higher paycheck, better protection when I get sick, and a much brighter tomorrow, Oneal said. Voters deserve clarity on their rights when it comes to ballot initiatives, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) said in a statement Wednesday, pointing the finger at the Republican majority in the Legislature in 2018. The then-Republican majority made a deceitful bait-and-switch on the very people they were sworn to serve, and this lengthy battle was caused by their tactics, Brinks said. Regardless, today marks a new chapter where legislators and residents alike will have a clear understanding of the citizen initiative process. Although there were condemnations of the adopt-and-amend strategy, there are fears that employees that work on tip wages will see mass layoffs. Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) voiced his concerns on X Wednesday saying, 40% of restaurants across Michigan could go out of business when the tip credit skyrockets. Thousands of servers will be laid off. I look forward to working w/ colleagues and partners on a fix that will not leave our beloved community restaurants on a cliff-edge this winter. House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) is calling on Democrats, who now have the majority in both chambers, to reconvene at the Capitol and come up with solutions for all the workers who will ultimately earn less on the tip system or get laid off due to increased costs for businesses. The Legislature must return to the Capitol immediately, because this decision will completely disrupt the livelihoods of hard-working Michiganders, Hall said in the statement. Restaurants and other small businesses will have to raise their prices, tipped workers will take home less pay, and some people will lose their jobs. The court has ruled, and now its time for the peoples representatives to take action. Save MI Tips spokesperson John Sellek also called on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to step in after the devastating decision. Servers and bartenders take these jobs because through their own efforts they can make far more than minimum wage, said Sellek. In their own words, they are now sure to suffer from lost income and lost jobs as the hospitality industry is thrown into economic turmoil because of this secretive, dark money-funded out-of-state group. Brian Calley, who was the GOP lieutenant governor in 2018 is now the president and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM). Small businesses around the state will not survive the state supreme courts decision, Calley said in a statement Wednesday. The opinion from the court also expands the businesses required to offer paid sick leave for employees in February, whereas the legislature exempted businesses with less than 50 employees. Draconian new mandates that drastically alter employer-employee relationships and impose heavy administrative burdens is the opposite of what empowers small businesses to grow in our communities, Calley said. During a time where policymakers are constantly talking about how to grow our population, these types of policies are not productive or fruitful for our future as a state. We urge lawmakers to act swiftly but deliberately to protect small business owners from the fallout of this unfortunate ruling. About 91% of restaurant owners say they will raise prices on menus and rooms and 58% said theyll lay off employees to offset changes to minimum wage and sick leave, a survey published by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association in September 2022 found. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A Minneapolis police squad car in front of the burned out Third Precinct police station blocks off Minneahaha Avenue for a street festival in October 2021. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer. The Minneapolis Police Department released a batch of nine disciplinary decisions as part of a November public records request, including a suspension of an officer for taking a vehicle home without authorization and driving it thousands of miles. The records request sought all discipline decisions not listed on the citys public database of police disciplinary actions as required by a consent decree with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and a city ordinance. The city took five months to respond to the request, which was filed by a citizen and shared with and authenticated by the Reformer. The Office of Police Conduct Review lists several other misconduct cases with final discipline, but no link to public information, which means there are other cases not on the website, despite the mandate. Final police disciplinary decisions must promptly be made available to the public, but some cases not shown on the database were finalized as far back as May 2023. The disciplinary actions include a suspension for an officer who drove over 60,000 miles with a city vehicle without authorization and a written reprimand for another officer asking a robbery victim out to coffee. A spokesman for the police department said the cases are being reviewed and redacted by the city clerks office and will be posted on the website as soon as that is completed. Transparency is important to us and we are working hard to ensure that public data is updated on our dashboards as quickly as we are able to post them, Brian Feintech wrote in an email. Minnesota Department of Human Rights spokesman Taylor Putz said, Right now I have no comment on the quality of the database. Following the police killing of George Floyd, the city of Minneapolis agreed in June 2020 to create a public database of the departments final disciplinary actions against officers as part of a temporary court order with the state Department of Human Rights. That policy was then codified in city ordinance and a consent decree with the state agency in 2023. The police department has a backlog of complaints, and is slow to address misconduct accusations, often taking years just to decide whether to dole out a letter of reprimand or weeks suspension. A 2020 Reformer analysis found MPD took an average of 539 days to resolve misconduct complaints that result in discipline in the decade prior. Earlier this year, the department released disciplinary decisions dating back to the 2020 protests. At least a dozen officers were disciplined for misconduct during the tumultuous days following Floyds killing many of them by Interim Chief Amelia Huffman in August 2022 but none of the discipline outcomes were made public until a few months ago, four years after the incidents. Here are a few of the disciplinary decisions released after a public records request some of which werent on the city website when requested, but later were posted there: Lieutenant drives 60,000 miles with take-home car Lt. Dennis Hamilton was accused by MPDs fleet manager of driving a city vehicle without authorization between March 2019 and September 2021, according to city discipline documents. He drove over 60,000 miles in that time period, according to the report. Sometimes he drove over 200 miles per work day and once drove 300 miles over a weekend, according to the documents, which indicate he wasnt authorized to even have a take-home vehicle. The chief or assistant chief must approve take-home cars, which can only be used for personal use when driving to and from work, according to MPD policy. When asked about driving 1,900 miles in May 2021 and over 2,500 miles in June 2021, he told investigators he had to attend meetings after hours. But Workforce Director MPDs computer program for posting work schedules and recording work time and absences showed he attended an average of one after-hours meeting per month. The Police Conduct Review Panel unanimously found he violated MPD policy, writing, Even if one were to assume this take-home usage was permitted, there is a limit to what a take-home vehicle can be used for. Hamilton offered no rational explanation for the amount of mileage that he accumulated on his vehicles. In fact, the panel has great concern over Hamiltons lack of credibility in being able to offer any reasonable explanation for this extraordinary amount of mileage. Police Chief Brian OHara signed off on an 80-hour unpaid suspension in a heavily redacted memo. His discipline is now listed on the citys discipline website. Sergeant suspended 30 hours for DUI OHara also suspended a sergeant for 30 hours after she pleaded guilty to driving under the influence while off duty in January 2021. Sgt. Julie Hagen had been consuming alcohol when she said her 11-year-old son called to say he saw people in their backyard and couldnt find the babysitter, so she drove home but had vehicle problems on the way and needed a tow. While waiting for a tow truck, Blaine police officers noticed alcohol on Hagens breath and arrested her for misdemeanor DUI. Hagen notified Internal Affairs, as required by policy, pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to one year of probation. OHara initially suspended her for 40 hours, writing in a May 2023 memo that Hagen failed to meet our standards when she decided to drive while intoxicated, endangering both herself and the public. The police union, the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, grieved the discipline and the city agreed to reduce it to a 30-hour suspension, reimbursing Hagen for 10 hours shed already served. As of Tuesday afternoon, the discipline was not listed on the city website. Officer asked robbery victim out for coffee Officer Benjamin Truong received a written reprimand in July 2023 after asking a robbery victim out for coffee and telling her to communicate with him via Instagram. After taking a robbery report at the victims home in October 2021, Truong called the victim four times later that night, according to city documents. After she returned the fourth call, he said he called because he couldnt remember how to spell her name, then invited her to coffee. The victim said she was afraid to walk to her car after the robbery and asked Truong if he knew of anyone she could call to escort her. He offered to do it, inviting her to follow him on Instagram, saying that was the best way to get in touch with him. She followed him on Instagram, but the next day realized how highly inappropriate his actions were after shed been through one of the worst traumas of her adult life, saying it felt like Truong was preying on that vulnerability. OHara found Truong violated MPDs ethics code, and undermined public trust. As of Tuesday afternoon, his discipline was not listed on the city website. Officer suspended for pushing man, throwing cell phone during Floyd protest Officer Alexandra Dubay was suspended 10 hours without pay for using excessive force on protesters in the aftermath of George Floyds police killing. After six days of protests, Dubay was trying to disperse a crowd on the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River, after a semi truck had entered the highway and nearly hit dozens of protesters, who climbed on the truck and pulled the driver out. As Dubays strike team walked in formation, Dubay turned her attention to a protester on the bridge and said, Im gonna go f***in deal with that guy in about three f***in seconds if he doesnt get f***in moving. As the officers stopped near a man, Dubay passed through the line, walked to the man and yelled, Move! Move!, pushed him backwards, and yelled Move! and threw his cell phone. Another officer yelled at her to Get back in line In her interview with the Office of Police Conduct Review, Dubay said every time officers stand on the line, were there for hours. At this point, this was about, I believe, my 90th hour of work in six days, she said, according to discipline documents. I was running into issues at this point where I needed to go to the bathroom. Theres nowhere to go. Theres not relief for me to leave. At this point he was kind of, he was hindering my ability to get away from this area. And we were going to be there for a long time. OHara wrote that she used unnecessary and unreasonable force, but also noted that for the past week, MPD officers had worked extraordinarily long hours with little rest and little if any time to take care of personal needs. That was no excuse for her actions, he wrote, but said the unusual circumstances of that week are being taken into account as mitigating factors in my discipline decision. Dubay was given a written reprimand for excessive force and suspended 10 hours without pay for lack of discretion. The discipline is now listed on the city website. Correction: Due to incorrect information in the disciplinary documents, a previous version of this story misstated the unauthorized miles driven per month by Hamilton. Nicolae Miu sheds tears as he listens to St. Croix County District Attorney Karl E. Anderson during his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at the St. Croix County Circuit Court in Hudson, Wis. Miu, convicted in the slaying of a high school student and stabbings of four other people who were tubing on a western Wisconsin river, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. (Elizabeth Flores /Star Tribune via AP) HUDSON, Wis. (AP) A Minnesota man convicted in the slaying of a high school student and stabbings of four other people who were tubing on a western Wisconsin river was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison. A judge also ordered Nicolae Miu, 54, to serve six years of extended supervision following his release from prison in the July 2022 stabbings along the Apple River in St. Croix County, which sits along Wisconsins state line with Minnesota. A jury convicted Miu, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, in April of first-degree reckless homicide, four counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of battery. Prosecutors had sought a 70-year prison term for Miu in the stabbing attack that killed Isaac Schuman, 17, of Stillwater, Minnesota, and wounded four others. The stabbing took place as Miu and the victims were tubing along the Apple River in separate groups. Investigators said Miu attacked after people accused him of approaching children in the water. Miu told investigators that he was using a snorkel and goggles to look for a lost cellphone. He told investigators he felt threatened and acted in self-defense. Miu pulled out a knife and began stabbing people after he was taunted by Schuman and his friends, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported, citing court documents. St. Croix County District Judge R. Michael Waterman said two of the victims who survived their stab wounds would have died without the prompt help of other tubers and emergency responders. He said all of the survivors suffered permanent disfigurement. Waterman said Miu made a series of very poor decisions after being confronted with words and boorish taunts and insults. He fled the scene, leaving his victims to die while casually floating by them and emergency workers as if nothing had happened, the judge said, noting Miu was arrested as he tried to leave the scene in his car. Miu's attorney, Aaron Nelson, asked the court for a measured response in its sentence. He said the defense understands and appreciates the heartbreaking loss of the Schuman family and other victims. HUDSON, Wis. (AP) A Minnesota man convicted in the slaying of a high school student and stabbings of four other people who were tubing on a western Wisconsin river was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison. A judge also ordered Nicolae Miu, 54, to serve six years of extended supervision following his release from prison in the July 2022 stabbings along the Apple River in St. Croix County, which sits along Wisconsins state line with Minnesota. A jury convicted Miu, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, in April of first-degree reckless homicide, four counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of battery. Prosecutors had sought a 70-year prison term for Miu in the stabbing attack that killed Isaac Schuman, 17, of Stillwater, Minnesota, and wounded four others. The stabbing took place as Miu and the victims were tubing along the Apple River in separate groups. Investigators said Miu attacked after people accused him of approaching children in the water. Miu told investigators that he was using a snorkel and goggles to look for a lost cellphone. He told investigators he felt threatened and acted in self-defense. Increased Wisconsin law enforcement patrolling statewide for Speed Awareness Day Miu pulled out a knife and began stabbing people after he was taunted by Schuman and his friends, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported, citing court documents. St. Croix County District Judge R. Michael Waterman said two of the victims who survived their stab wounds would have died without the prompt help of other tubers and emergency responders. He said all of the survivors suffered permanent disfigurement. Waterman said Miu made a series of very poor decisions after being confronted with words and boorish taunts and insults. He fled the scene, leaving his victims to die while casually floating by them and emergency workers as if nothing had happened, the judge said, noting Miu was arrested as he tried to leave the scene in his car. Two people arrested, one significantly hurt following weekend altercation in Wrightstown Mius attorney, Aaron Nelson, asked the court for a measured response in its sentence. He said the defense understands and appreciates the heartbreaking loss of the Schuman family and other victims. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. ST. CLOUD As the 2024 election cycle ramps up, the St. Cloud Times spoke with candidates from around the state, including one candidate from the St. Cloud area, about their experiences on the campaign trail. What we discovered was a mixed bag of surprise pleasantries and fiery interactions. All three candidates voiced worries about how voters interact with potential public servants, saying there are times when voter reactions go to extremes. The candidates one Democrat, one Republican and one independent all said these experiences are most prevalent when door-knocking. I just want them to vote, and its hard to be screamed at by someone that you don't know, and you don't know their story, Minnesota House Rep. Danny Nadeau, R-Rogers, said while discussing his 2024 reelection efforts. He said this behavior is exhibited by both Republican and Democrat voters, and said it extends beyond the initial interaction. Nadeau said he was scolded for leaving a flier at someones house after not meeting them at the door. Minnesota House Rep. Danny Nadeau, R-Rogers When I came back, this guy came up to me and was really angry that I knocked on his door and left campaign materials, and he screamed at me to get rid of it, Nadeau said. I said, Hey, I'm not trying to bother anybody. I represent this district, and I'm just trying to communicate. He just proceeded to scream at me for the next five minutes about how Im wasting everyone's time and wasting everyone's money. Nadeau said the number of bad experiences is the same as two years ago; however, the extremes on both sides have grown in intensity. Up north in Aitkin, DFL House District 10A candidate Julia Samsal Hipp said shes having similar experiences. However, she said todays divisive politics makes it hard to reach voters, and sometimes shes left with a cold shoulder, making for an awkward situation. Who is running for St. Cloud Mayor? St. Cloud's 6 mayoral candidates go head-to-head on Aug. 13 These awkward situations are amplified when children are present, Hipp said. The DFL candidate said she likes to give kids stickers and sometimes parents get in the way, stopping their children from taking the handout. I'm passing out what I call Kindness Daisy stickers to kids, and I've had some parents yell, That's garbage, throw that away. Go away, get out of here, Hipp said. The fearful, hurtful, confusing message that the parent is sending to that child is heartbreaking to me, and that expression of fear from the parent just gets passed on to the child, and they're raised like that. On the other hand, St. Cloud mayoral candidate Anne Buckvold, an independent, said shes having a good experience campaigning in St. Cloud this year compared to her 2016 Minnesota House District 13A run. She also brought up the impact parent reactions to political candidates have on their children. The therapist and mayoral hopeful said it sends a message to kids about how to interact with local leaders, and the youth should be taught to interact with public servants, or hopeful public servants, with credibility, respect and integrity. Buckvold gave a similar sentiment to Hipp, saying these interactions with by-standing children may also influence the next generations trust toward elected officials and future civic engagement. If we're going to show (kids) the path forward with anything, whether it's their schooling, academics, after-school activities or just how to engage with the community and if we want kids to integrate and become functioning adults we have to serve as an example of what functioning adults are, Buckvold, who initially voiced frustrations on X, said. All three candidates said their struggles were amplified in rural communities. Julia Samsal Hipp is running for District 10A's Minnesota House of Representatives seat. She didn't intend on running for office when she started volunteering for campaigns this election cycle, but she wanted to give her neighbors a DFL option in an uncontested election. That was a more rural district I was door-knocking in back then, Buckvold said, when speaking of her prior campaign. It's quite possible that in a lot of rural districts, where people are more disconnected from issues in a day-to-day way, it's easier to stoke people's fears." Hipp said these interactions bleed into her personal life, citing times shes been excluded from events due to her running as a DFL candidate. She said that, combined with unpleasantries when campaigning, made her feel as if she was doing something wrong. I was feeling like I did something wrong for them to yell at me, Hipp said. That's an old recording in my head that I have, and it took a lot of encouragement saying, You did nothing wrong, you're a grown woman, you're loving, you're kind, you're this and that, and lifting me up. That helped shake that feeling of being a bad girl. Who is running for city council? Kleis helps residents meet St. Cloud's 16 City Council candidates Its not all yelling and screaming The three candidates told the St. Cloud Times these negative experiences are often more memorable than the positive ones, but theres plenty of good out there. Hipp said her relationship with her opponent Rep. Ron Kresha, R-Little Falls, is a prime example. The two got off on the wrong foot, Hipp said, after Kresha made a joke about the DFL party to her in passing. Afterward, Hipp took her frustrations out online, telling her Facebook followers she could do better than the Republican incumbent. Eventually, Hipp approached Kresha to apologize, and her opponent returned with an apology of his own. From there, a peaceful relationship bloomed. I just have to say he's a nice guy, and his wife is lovely. I even met her, Hipp said. I'm surprised I haven't met the kids yet. Buckvold is also relieved to see local issues are staying local this election cycle. The mayoral candidate said shes often asked at doors how she swings politically, and when she tells voters shes an independent focused on community issues rather than party politics, its met with positivity. The majority of people are generally pretty good at asking, Which way do you lean? What party are you? Buckvold said. As soon as I say, Well, it's a nonpartisan office. I'm running as an independent, they're like, Good. That's great. Anne Buckvold poses for a photo at Lake George looking towards Downtown St. Cloud on February 6, 2024. This highlights a similar sentiment to what Mayor Dave Kleis said in April when he proposed moving elections to odd years to avoid national election influences. He said party politics dont have a strong role in municipal operations. It's not political. There is no Republican or Democrat way to plow a street or fill a pothole in Minnesota, Kleis said in April. It does not help in any way to be part of partisan politics at a local level. Corey Schmidt covers local government for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Minnesota political candidates discuss life on campaign trail JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WKRG) A man is behind bars after he allegedly threatened a Jackson County judge, according to the Jackson County Sheriffs Department. U.S. Marshals arrested 38-year-old Jeffery Miles of Cleveland, Miss., in Illinois on July 19, and he arrived in Jackson County on Monday, July 29. Just another day: Stranded window washer recounts dangling from RSA Tower Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said in a press release that Miles was arrested on charges of making terrorist threats and retaliation against Chancery Judge Mark Maples. Miles allegedly left messages on Judge Mapless office phone threatening to harm him if he didnt issue a favorable ruling in an Ocean Springs case the judge was hearing, the release said. According to the release, Miles made his initial court appearance on Tuesday afternoon and was given no bond for making terrorist threats and a $100,000 bond for the retaliation of a public servant charge. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A statewide organization aimed at advocating for threatened and endangered species recently was nationally recognized again for its work in the state. Conservation Federation of Missouri was recognized for the third time late last month as the National Wildlife Federation's Affiliate of the Year. "I could not be more proud of our organization and team who have pulled the rope together to achieve this amazing accomplishment. Our work in the Missouri Capitol we do to ensure conservation of Missouri's wildlife and natural resources and preserving our states outdoor heritage is so important and it takes a great team and a great state. We have all come together to receive this honorable recognition," said Tyler Schwartze, CFM executive director. CFM is less of a department watchdog and more of an advocacy organization, not only statewide but to congressional lawmakers. The organization has three main pillars, said Nick Darling, CFM education and communications coordinator, which are education, advocacy and partnerships. One thing CFM continues to push for is the passage of the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, which would in Missouri provide $20 million to support more than 600 species of concern in the state, Schwartze said. "It is an important piece of legislation and would help each year (support) Missouri's diversity of wildlife in forests, prairies and caves. Missouri visitors enjoy spending time outdoors fishing, hunting, birding, those types of activities. With one-third of America's wildlife at increased risk of extinction, Missouri could lose much of its wild heritage," he said, adding the act itself could help at-risk species before they are endangered. "(This would help) create jobs and help wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world." The Eastern Meadowlark is one of 600 species of concern for the Conservation Federation of Missouri. The national Recovering America's Wildlife Act, would help support the species if it ever were to pass Congress. The act was introduced in the last two congressional sessions in the U.S. Senate, but has not advanced further than committee assignments and discussion. The bill would provide $1.4 billion annually "in proactive, on-the-ground, collaborative efforts to help species at risk by restoring habitat, controlling invasive species, reconnecting migration routes, addressing emerging diseases and more" in the U.S., the NWF noted on its website. While the act's proposed funding would help with 600 species of concern in Missouri, among the top of that list are the Eastern Meadowlark, Shovelnose Sturgeon and Monarch butterfly, among other butterfly species, Schwartze said. The national bill was supported by Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., before his retirement and has been less of a priority for Missouri's current U.S. Senate representation, Darling said. That doesn't mean lobbying work has ceased, he said. "We're still working on trying to get it through," Darling said, adding CFM sends out information to members and Missouri residents about the benefits of the bill for the state. "We are trying to rally (residents) behind this bill, so they can write their representatives and let them know that it is important to try and get it passed." The funds could help projects adjacent to what is provided through the Endangered Species Act, Darling said. The idea is to use the revenue to support species before they get placed on the Endangered Species List, he said. "It really saves taxpayers in the long run, because once they get on that list it is a very intensive effort and a lot of money spent to keep that population from going completely extinct. The goal of that (Recovering America's Wildlife) Act really was to try and prevent species from getting on the Endangered Species (List) in the first place." Other CFM programs CFM works in tandem with the Missouri Department of Conservation on programs such as Share the Harvest and Operation Game Thief. It also has its own youth program with the Conservation Leadership Corps. With Share the Harvest, those who hunt deer can request a portion or all of what is processed to go toward Share the Harvest, which provides ground deer meat to food banks and pantries throughout the state. "We work with MDC to process those checks and get the processors paid for their efforts in that. We do fundraising for that program as well," Darling said. Operation Game Thief and the adjacent Operation Forest Arson is about reporting poaching or arson incidents through a statewide hotline, which can be done anonymously. High school and college students interested in conservation advocacy can participate in the Conservation Leadership Corps, Darling said. CFM's main focus is on conservation advocacy, so it crafts resolutions it sends to agencies and lawmakers urging policy changes. This is both among CFM leadership and its board and through the Conservation Leadership Corps program. More: These 23 unique Missouri hikes show off the state's beauty and diversity "We have our Conservation Day at the (Missouri) Capitol every early April, so a lot of our students will come out to that and speak with their representatives there," Darling said, adding he hopes students from all sorts of backgrounds and interests apply for the program, and not necessarily just those interested in natural resources, conservation or political science. While CFM has a close relationship with the Missouri Department of Conservation, the organization does not always agree with everything the state department does, which is when it provides its policy input to the state. "The relationship is very positive when it comes to working on programs," Darling said. "We are not just sitting around for MDC to do something we disagree with. Sometimes they ask for our input when they are considering a policy change." More: Washington man advocates for accessibility in journey across Missouri on Katy Trail Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on X, formerly Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Conservation Federation of Missouri pushes for national wildlife act SPRINGFIELD, Mo. A Missouri man will spend the rest of his life in prison after investigators find child porn images on his phone while he was an inmate at the Vernon County Jail. Tuesday, a federal judge sentenced Houston Young, 37, to life in prison without parole. He pleaded guilty in January to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. FOUR STATES CRIME Young was being held at the jail awaiting a court determination as to whether he should be committed as a sexually violent predator for his prior convictions. Authorities found Young in possession of a cell phone containing images of child pornography on March 5, 2020. Two days later, officers discovered text messages between him and his wife, Jessica Young, discussing the sexual abuse of a 7-year-old boy, identified as John Doe 1, along with sexually explicit images of that child. They also found out Young sent child porn images to his wife and a 16-year-old victim. Young admitted he exchanged pornographic images with the girl and engaged in sexual conversations with her. Jessica Young has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two child victims, John Doe 1, and a 13-year-old boy identified as John Doe 2. She told authorities she recorded video of herself sexually abusing John Doe 2. The 16-year-old told authorities she met Houston Young in the chat room of a game called League of Legends, and then chatted with him on the apps known as Kik and Whatsapp. Jessica Young is awaiting sentencing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. The lettering "Fresenius" is emblazoned on the corporate headquarters of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA. Arne Dedert/dpa German health-care company Fresenius reported a second-quarter net loss to shareholders of 373 million ($403.64 million) on Wednesday, largely due to its exit from the Vamed hospital provider business. This compares to a profit of 80 million during the same period last year. Reported loss per share was 0.66 compared to a 2023 second-quarter profit of 0.15 per share. Second-quarter EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) before special items increased by 14% to 938 million. Group EBIT before special items increased by 16%, or 15% in constant currency, to 660 million, from a previous 571 million. Group net income before special items to Fresenius shareholders increased by 16% - or 15% in constant currency - to 457 million from 393 million. Group net income before special items, excluding Fresenius Medical Care, increased by 15% to 388 million, from a previous 336 million. Earnings per share before special items increased by 16%, or 15% in constant currency, to 0.81 from 0.69. Second-quarter group revenue before special items increased by 6%, or 8% in constant currency, to 5.41 billion. Organic growth was 8%, driven by ongoing strong performance of the Kabi and Helios subsidiaries. Fresenius confirmed its outlook for fiscal year 2024. The company is optimistic about achieving group constant currency EBIT growth in the upper half of the 6% to 10% range. For 2024, group organic revenue growth is expected to be between 4% and 7%. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. A Missouri man, who was an inmate in Vernon County at the time of his offense, was sentenced in federal court for sexual exploitation of a child. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Missouri, 37-year-old Houston Wade Young will serve life in federal prison without parole. Houston Young pleaded guilty to one count of the sexual exploitation of a minor in January. His wife, 33-year-old Jessica Ann Young, pleaded guilty in March to two counts of the sexual exploitation of a minor and awaits sentencing. Woman accused of robbing Springfield Caseys, stabbing an employee The release says in 2020, Houston Young was an inmate at the Vernon County jail and had a cell phone that was found to contain images of child pornography. Houston Young was in jail due to a civil proceeding to determine whether he should be civilly committed as a sexually violent predator for his prior sex offense convictions. Law enforcement received information that Jessica Young had sent pornographic images of a seven-year-old child to Houston Youngs cell phone. Investigators found text messages on the phone between Jessica and Houston Young that discussed the childs abuse. Jessica Young admitted she had sexually abused two children on multiple occasions. She also admitted she had recorded video of herself abusing one of them. Analysis of Houston Youngs phone also showed he sent images to Jessica Young and a 16-year-old victim, with whom he engaged in sexual conversations. Houston Young has two prior felony convictions related to the sexual exploitation of children. The release states he was convicted of child molestation in Wright County in 2005 and of possessing child pornography in Jackson County in 2016. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. Mylissa Farmer shares her story for a 2022 TV ad for Democratic Senate candidate Trudy Busch Valentine (screenshot). Two years ago, Mylissa Farmer was denied an emergency abortion at hospitals in Missouri and Kansas while experiencing a miscarriage. On Tuesday, she filed a lawsuit against one of the hospitals The University of Kansas Health System accusing the hospital of sex discrimination and saying it violated a federal law meant to ensure doctors treat patients who come into the emergency room. A spokesperson with the health system did not immediately respond to a request for comment. While Ms. Farmer was clearly in the midst of a complicated and dangerous miscarriage and there was no chance her fetus could survive the care she needed was an abortion because fetal cardiac activity was still detectable, states the lawsuit filed in Kansas federal court. Ms. Farmer was entitled to this emergency abortion care under state and federal law. Farmer was living in southwest Missouri when she miscarried. Several weeks earlier, Missouri banned abortion in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to the procedure. The day she went to an emergency room cramping and bleeding at 18 weeks pregnant Kansas voters were heading to the polls to vote in favor of keeping abortion legal in that state. Farmer went to the emergency room at Freeman Healths emergency department in Joplin at her OB-GYNs urging. There, medical staff determined the pregnancy was no longer viable, but because the fetus had a heartbeat, and because Farmers condition wasnt immediately life-threatening, she was turned away. According to the lawsuit, doctors told Farmer that she was at risk of infection, severe blood loss, the loss of her uterus and death. But they would not help her because of Missouris abortion ban, which had only been in place for several weeks, outlawing all abortions with limited exceptions in cases of medical emergencies. Farmer then traveled three hours across the border to a hospital in Kansas, where abortion is limited after 22 weeks gestation. However, doctors at the University of Kansas Health System also refused to perform an abortion. Kansas law bans abortions at any facilities run by the University of Kansas Hospital Authority, with exemptions for the life and health of the mother. Ms. Farmer arrived at (the University of Kansas Health) heartbroken, in pain and terrified for her life, the lawsuit reads. The doctor who saw Farmer initially told her the hospital would induce labor so Farmer could then hold her daughter and say goodbye, according to the lawsuit. But the doctor later said her decision had been overridden by others at the hospital, and that she could no longer induce labor because it would be too risky in Kansas heated political environment to do so when the fetus still had a heartbeat. Instead, according to the suit, the hospital refused to even perform routine checks such as taking her temperature and assessing her pain. She was turned away without so much as Tylenol or antibiotics to ward off potential infection despite Farmer being at high risk for infection and experiencing heavy bleeding, mental fog and acute pain. She returned to the Joplin hospital the next day, was kept overnight and then released without additional treatment. Farmer eventually traveled several hours to Hope Clinic in Granite City, Illinois, for an abortion on Aug. 5. On the drive there, according to the suit, she was in excruciating pain, by then several days into her miscarriage and almost fully dilated. Back home after the abortion, Farmers OB-GYN diagnosed her with an infection and prescribed her antibiotics. The damage to Farmers health and wellbeing was long-term, the lawsuit argues. She was hospitalized several times after the miscarriage, and was unable to work for months. She eventually lost her home and moved out of Missouri. What Farmer experienced at the Kansas hospital compounded the trauma of her pregnancy loss and denied her the ability to mourn that loss on her own terms, the suit reads. Farmer, who has a history of polycystic ovary syndrome, had feared she and her husband would not be able to get pregnant prior to the summer of 2022, the lawsuit reads. Her story caused national outrage as women and providers in states with abortion bans and restrictions navigated new and often vague laws. Under Missouris new ban, health care providers who perform abortions that werent deemed medical emergencies can be charged with a class B felony. If convicted, they would face up to 15 years in prison and their medical license could also be suspended or revoked. In a letter to the hospitals several months later, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra warned that both locations had to provide all necessary care required by federal law. A report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found both hospitals had violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. This act, known as EMTALA, requires that hospitals treat patients with emergency conditions despite their ability to pay. Although her doctors advised her that her condition could rapidly deteriorate, they also advised that they could not provide her with the care that would prevent infection, hemorrhage, and potentially death because, they said, the hospital policies prohibited treatment that could be considered an abortion, Becerra wrote in May 2023. This was a violation of the EMTALA protections that were designed to protect patients like her. The federal lawsuit comes in the wake of an Idaho EMTALA case recently argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. While awaiting the decision, thousands of doctors, including dozens across Missouri, asked the court to uphold EMTALA. The nations highest court sent the case back down to the court of appeals. Earlier this year, several women with high-risk pregnancies were airlifted to other states in order for emergency physicians to avoid performing emergency abortions in a state with a ban on the procedure. Unlike the Idaho case, which was brought by the government, Farmers is the first high profile EMTALA lawsuit brought after the fall of Roe by an individual denied an emergency abortion, said Kenna Titus, a legal fellow with the National Womens Law Center, the organization representing Farmer. In the post-Dobbs world, we know that these protections that are provided by EMTALA for pregnant people are more important than theyve ever been, Titus said. A clear decision in this case will make it clear for people across the country that are dealing with this that this is not a gray area. Federal law requires abortion care in emergency situations like this. As of Wednesday, no lawsuit had been filed in federal court against the Joplin hospital. Mylissa Farmer shares her story for a 2022 TV ad for Democratic Senate candidate Trudy Busch Valentine. (Screen capture) Two years ago, Mylissa Farmer was denied an emergency abortion at hospitals in Missouri and Kansas while experiencing a miscarriage. On Tuesday, she filed a lawsuit against one of the hospitals The University of Kansas Health System accusing the hospital of sex discrimination and saying it violated a federal law meant to ensure doctors treat patients who come into the emergency room. A spokesperson with the health system did not immediately respond to a request for comment. While Ms. Farmer was clearly in the midst of a complicated and dangerous miscarriage and there was no chance her fetus could survive the care she needed was an abortion because fetal cardiac activity was still detectable, states the lawsuit filed in Kansas federal court. Ms. Farmer was entitled to this emergency abortion care under state and federal law. Farmer was living in southwest Missouri when she miscarried. Several weeks earlier, Missouri banned abortion in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to the procedure. The day she went to an emergency room cramping and bleeding at 18 weeks pregnant Kansas voters were heading to the polls to vote in favor of keeping abortion legal in that state. Farmer went to the emergency room at Freeman Healths emergency department in Joplin at her OB-GYNs urging. There, medical staff determined the pregnancy was no longer viable, but because the fetus had a heartbeat, and because Farmers condition wasnt immediately life-threatening, she was turned away. According to the lawsuit, doctors told Farmer that she was at risk of infection, severe blood loss, the loss of her uterus and death. But they would not help her because of Missouris abortion ban, which had only been in place for several weeks, outlawing all abortions except for in cases where the mothers life is at risk. Farmer then traveled three hours across the border to a hospital in Kansas, where abortion is limited after 22 weeks gestation. However, doctors at the University of Kansas Health System also refused to perform an abortion. Kansas law bans abortions at any facilities run by the University of Kansas Hospital Authority, with exceptions only for the life of the mother. Ms. Farmer arrived at (the University of Kansas Health) heartbroken, in pain and terrified for her life, the lawsuit reads. The doctor who saw Farmer initially told her the hospital would induce labor so Farmer could then hold her daughter and say goodbye, according to the lawsuit. But the doctor later said her decision had been overridden by others at the hospital, and that she could no longer induce labor because it would be too risky in Kansas heated political environment to do so when the fetus still had a heartbeat. Instead, according to the suit, the hospital refused to even perform routine checks such as taking her temperature and assessing her pain. She was turned away without so much as Tylenol or antibiotics to ward off potential infection despite Farmer being at high risk for infection and experiencing heavy bleeding, mental fog and acute pain. She returned to the Joplin hospital the next day, was kept overnight and then released without additional treatment. Farmer eventually traveled several hours to Hope Clinic in Granite City, Illinois, for an abortion on Aug. 5. On the drive there, according to the suit, she was in excruciating pain, by then several days into her miscarriage and almost fully dilated. Back home after the abortion, Farmers OB-GYN diagnosed her with an infection and prescribed her antibiotics. The damage to Farmers health and wellbeing was long-term, the lawsuit argues. She was hospitalized several times after the miscarriage, and was unable to work for months. She eventually lost her home and moved out of Missouri. What Farmer experienced at the Kansas hospital compounded the trauma of her pregnancy loss and denied her the ability to mourn that loss on her own terms, the suit reads. Farmer, who has a history of polycystic ovary syndrome, had feared she and her husband would not be able to get pregnant prior to the summer of 2022, the lawsuit reads. Her story caused national outrage as women and providers in states with abortion bans and restrictions navigated new and often vague laws. Under Missouris new ban, health care providers who perform abortions deemed not necessary to save a womans life can be charged with a class B felony. If convicted, they would face up to 15 years in prison and their medical license could also be suspended or revoked. In a letter to the hospitals several months later, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra warned that both locations had to provide all necessary care required by federal law. A report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found both hospitals had violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. This act, known as EMTALA, requires that hospitals treat patients with emergency conditions despite their ability to pay. Although her doctors advised her that her condition could rapidly deteriorate, they also advised that they could not provide her with the care that would prevent infection, hemorrhage, and potentially death because, they said, the hospital policies prohibited treatment that could be considered an abortion, Becerra wrote in May 2023. This was a violation of the EMTALA protections that were designed to protect patients like her. The federal lawsuit comes in the wake of an Idaho EMTALA case recently argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. While awaiting the decision, thousands of doctors, including dozens across Missouri, asked the court to uphold EMTALA. The nations highest court sent the case back down to the court of appeals, lifting an injunction that temporarily blocked enforcement of EMTALA in Idaho. Earlier this year, several women with high-risk pregnancies were airlifted to other states in order for emergency physicians to avoid performing emergency abortions in a state with a ban on the procedure. Unlike the Idaho case, which was brought by the government, Farmers is the first high profile EMTALA lawsuit brought by an individual denied their federal rights while pregnant, said Kenna Titus, a legal fellow with the National Womens Law Center, the organization representing Farmer. In the post-Dobbs world, we know that these protections that are provided by EMTALA for pregnant people are more important than theyve ever been, Titus said. A clear decision in this case will make it clear for people across the country that are dealing with this that this is not a gray area. Federal law requires abortion care in emergency situations like this. As of Wednesday, no lawsuit had been filed in federal court against the Joplin hospital. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Today, the Missouri House of Representatives was in Springfield for a hearing of the Special Interim Committee on Illegal Immigrant Crimes. At this hearing, community members were able to give their perspectives on matters concerning illegal immigrant crime. Gabriela Verdugo-Johnson, the president and co-founder of the Hispanic Networking Group of the Ozarks spoke at the hearing. Her problem with the committee is the language. Its going to create more division rather than unity, said Verdugo-Johnson. So, I was here to express the importance of not having committees that have such strong phrases that are generalizing a specific group of people. Continuous Flow Intersection sees first full day of traffic Springfield Representative Bill Owen says the committees purpose is to collect data involving illegal immigrant crimes. We dont have a good sense of the amount of crime thats being committed by illegals that have come into our country. And particularly, were worried about them preying on the local immigrant community, says Representative Owen. And so, were trying to find out how is a good way to get some information to then be able to make good decisions on any legislation that we might need to introduce in the next legislative session. Verdugo-Johnson says she doesnt completely disagree with what the committee is trying to accomplish, but because it is an election year, she says now is not the best time. Probably is not time to have a committee right now right before the elections, because at this point to me it is more marketing and advertisement rather than an actual issue that theyre trying to fix, Verdugo-Johnson said. This was the second of six hearings being held around the state. Tomorrow, the committee will be in Joplin. For more information on these hearings, you can go to the Missouri House 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. Mo. Woman Admits Twisted Scheme of Luring Pregnant Woman, Then Murdering Her So She Could Steal Baby "This horrific crime resulted in the tragic deaths of two innocent victims," U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said in a statement McDonald County Sheriff's Department Amber Waterman A Missouri woman has pleaded guilty to kidnapping and murdering a pregnant woman from Arkansas after luring her with a fake job opportunity. On Tuesday, July 30, a press release from the United States District Attorneys Western District of Missouri stated that the suspect Amber Waterman, 44, has pleaded guilty in federal court for the kidnapping and tragic death of victim Ashley Bush and her unborn child Valkyrie Willis. The suspect admitted they got into contact with victim Ashley Bush, who was roughly 31 weeks pregnant at the time, through Facebook by pretending that she had a job opportunity, according to the press release. Related: Woman Accused of Kidnapping Ashley Bush Allegedly Wanted to Keep the Woman's Unborn Baby as Her Own McDonald County Sheriff's Department; Facebook Amber Waterman, left, and Ashley Bush The two met at a public library in Gravette, Ark., on October 28, 2022, and then again, three days later around noon, at a nearby convenience store. During the second encounter, Waterman convinced Bush to get in the truck under the guise of taking her to meet a supervisor. Instead, Waterman kidnapped Bush and drove to her residence in the small town of Pineville, Mo., the press release states. Later that evening, first responders received a call to assist a baby who was not breathing. Waterman admitted to telling the officers that she had given birth to the baby in the truck while on her way to the hospital when they arrived at the scene, when in fact, the baby was Bushs child who died in utero when she was kidnapped, per the press release. The U.S. Attorney's Office reported that Waterman has plead guilty to one count of kidnapping resulting in death and one count of thereby causing the death of a child in utero. "This horrific crime resulted in the tragic deaths of two innocent victims," U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said in a statement in the press release. "Todays guilty plea holds this defendant accountable for her actions and ensures that justice will be served." Per the press release, the Bush's dead has been ruled a homicide and her autopsy states that she died as a result of penetrating trauma of the torso." Related: Woman Accused of Killing Mom-to-Be Because She Wanted Baby Is Now Charged in Fetus' Death Now, Waterman faces a life sentence in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 15, 2024. In November 2022, the Benton Country Sheriff's Office reported that Bush's charred remains were found in Missouri. The body of her unborn child was found the day prior at a separate location. According to federal complaints obtained by PEOPLE, Waterman created her fake Facebook account under the name "Lucy Burrows" and offered free baby clothes to expectant mothers. She allegedly used the fictitious name to communicate with Bush. Related: Suspect Who Wanted Child Allegedly Lured Pregnant Ark. Woman to Her Death with Promise of Baby Clothes Bush's fiance, Joshua Willis, told police that he went to pick up Bush from her convenience store meeting with Waterman and saw the two women driving away in a tan truck. Bush did not answer multiple phone calls, and her phone was later found on the shoulder of a highway. 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. Police eventually traced the fake Facebook profile to Waterman's residence. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Moldova's Security and Intelligence Service is conducting a search on the premises of the Moldovan Parliament due to an investigation into a case of Russian espionage, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty's Moldovan Service reported on July 31. The search is related to a case of espionage focused on the head of the Moldovan Parliament's legal department, Ion Creanga, sources within the intelligence service told RFE/RL Moldova. Creanga was allegedly caught transmitting information to employees of the Russian embassy in Chisinau. "At the moment, procedural actions are being carried out in a criminal case under the leadership of the prosecutors of the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Crime and Special Cases," an Intelligence and Security Service spokesperson told RFE/RL Moldova. "We will come back with more details during this day," the spokesperson said. Tensions between Moscow and Chisinau have been mounting since February 2022 amid fears that Russia's war in Ukraine may spill into Moldova via Transnistria, an unrecognized breakaway territory that has hosted Russian troops since 1991. Moldovan officials have repeatedly accused Russia of election interference and destabilization attempts. Sign up for our newsletter WTF is wrong with Russia? Sign up Moldova expelled 45 Russian diplomats and embassy staff in the summer of 2023 due to "numerous unfriendly actions." Moldova media reported that the Russian embassy in Chisinau had 28 "spy antennas" installed on its rooftop, which could be used for signals intelligence gathering purposes. News emerged in June 2024 that Igor Gorgan, the former chief of the General Staff of Moldova's army, was working as an informant for the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU). The general, who lost his post in 2021 after pro-Western President Maia Sandu took office, reportedly continued to use his contacts in the Defense Ministry and passed sensitive information on Moldova and Ukraine to Russia. Sandu faces reelection and a referendum on Moldova's accession to the EU in October. Read also: Lithuania preparing evacuation plans in case of war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Two Montgomery County elected officials are facing charges. According to a six-page indictment, Michael Foley, clerk of court of Montgomery County, and James Piergies, judge for Montgomery County Municipal Court, are facing several charges. The Ohio Auditors Office claims that the investigation uncovered alleged improper political and other activities involving public resources. Court records indicate Foley is facing the following charges: 1 count of attempted unlawful interest in a public contract 3 counts of complicity to commit unlawful interest in a public contract 1 count of unauthorized use of computer, cable or telecommunication property 1 count of theft in office 1 count of theft in office ($7,500) 1 count of solicitation of political contributions from public employees Unspecified charge Records show Piergies is facing three counts of attempted unlawful interest in a public contract. The allegations against Piergies relate to his sons employment, said Keith Faber, auditor of Ohio. Local reactions to clerk of courts, judge indictments Online records show special assistant prosecutors have been assigned to the cases. Faber confirmed his offices special investigations unit has been appointed to serve as the special assistant prosecutors. State senator Niraj Antani is calling for the resignation of the two elected officials, pointing to the crimes being ones that betray the voice of Montgomery County voters. When 2 NEWS reached out to Foleys office, we were provided with the following statement: This is an ongoing case and we will fully cooperate. I look forward to the opportunity to defend these charges. These charges have nothing to do with the daily operation of the office. The investigation began in November 2022 and we have cooperated every step of the way. My office has worked diligently for Montgomery County the entire time and will continue to do so. Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley Both Foley and Piergies are set to be arraigned on Aug. 15. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. More than $7 million announced by Senator Manchin for airport improvements in West Virginia CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) More than seven million was announced by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) to help with improvements at eight airports in the Mountain State. $7,249,095 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was announced by Senator Manchin for eight different airports in West Virginia. The FAAs Airport Improvement Program (AIP) helped with the funds, which will support improvements at the airports. $10 million approved for projects in West Virginia Im pleased the DOT is investing more than $7.2 million to improve service, safety and efficiency at eight of our West Virginia airports. West Virginias airports are crucial gateways to the rest of the world, and the funding announced today will support local tourism as well as spur economic and commercial development across our entire state. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources to support transportation hubs across the Mountain State Senator Manchin The airports that will receive the funds include: Greenbrier Valley Regional Airport Lewisburg, WV: $6,507,704 : The funds will support restore 7,000 feet of Runway 4/22 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to lessen debris from foreign objects. Mingo County Airport Williamson, WV: $153,598: 522 feet of current perimeter fencing and one gate will be rebuilt with these funds. West Virginia International Yeager Airport Charleston, WV: $134,940: The funds will be used to build a new 1,200 foot retaining wall to stabilize the apron embankment to bring the airport up to current standards. Mercer County Regional Airport Bluefield, WV: $126,288: An aeronautical survey for an area navigation instrument approach for Runway 23 will be supported with the funds. Grant County Airport Petersburg, WV: $93,530: The funds will restore 10,300 square yards of the existing Main Apron pavement to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to lessen debris from foreign objects. Braxton County Airport Sutton, WV: $72,483: New drainage ditches, drop inlets, and pipes will be built using the funds to bring the airport up to current standards. Wood County Regional Airport Parkersburg, WV: $69,159: The funds will be used to restore 13,860 square feet and the existing 81,900 square foot non-revenue generating parking lot. Upshur County Regional Airport Buckhannon, WV: $58,876: The funds will support installing a new airport rotating beacon to enhance safety. Upshur County Regional Airport Buckhannon, WV: $32,517: The creation of 10,000 square foot box hangar buildings will be supported by the funds. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. After more than a decade of advocacy, a majority of injection wells in Athens County are suspended Activists in Athens County rallied against the injection wells. (Photo provided by Roxanne Groff.) After sounding the alarm on fracking waste injection wells for more than a decade, Roxanne Groff from Athens County is now finally starting to see some of the fruits of her and her friends labor. A handful of Athens County injection wells were suspended after Ohio Department of Natural Resources determined they pose an imminent danger to the health and safety of the public and is likely to result in immediate substantial damage to the natural resources of the state, according to letters from Chief of the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management Eric Vendel. I cried, the 75-year-old activist said when she heard the news. Groffs advocacy against injection wells started back in 2012 with the HazelGinsburg well. It has since grown to include many Southeast Ohio residents who are also sounding the alarm something Groff believes helped led to the wells being suspended. All of us together, all of the community members stood up for themselves and pushed back, Groff said. We know that this is dangerous. Injection wells in Athens There are seven class 2 injection wells in Athens County, but five are no longer in operation and the ODNR Division of Oil & Gas Resources Management expects those wells to be plugged, ODNR spokesperson Karina Cheung said in an email. Historically, three injection wells have been plugged in the county, she said. Class 2 wells are used to inject fluids primarily brines associated with oil and natural gas production, according to the EPA. Included in the five Athens wells that are out of operation are three K&H injection wells that were operational until a decision by the Oil and Gas Commission on April 19. The plugging permits for the three K&H wells will be issued soon and will be effective for two years once they are issued, Cheung said. She said the wells will be plugged this summer (according to the company Tallgrass Energy that owns the K&H wells). The Frost well was last used in 2021 and has been ordered to be plugged by the Chief of the Division of Oil & Gas Resources Management. The company is in receivership and the Division has been in communication with the receiver about their obligation to plug the well, Cheung said in an email. Plugging a well includes removing all uncemented casing and tubing from the well, and using cement to plug the well in a manner to isolate all oil, gas, and brine to formations that they originate in, Cheung said. The exact cost of plugging a well is tough to determine. Plugging costs vary due to differences in wells and the costs of abandonment and decommissioning of the surface storage facilities associated with the wells, Cheung said in an email. But just because the wells will eventually be plugged doesnt mean the environmental risks are gone, Athens County resident Susie Quinn said. All the stuff that theyve injected down there, its still down there, she said. This is not a cleanup. Its just there stopping anymore from going in. The Quinns got earthquake insurance for their house nearly a decade ago because weve had so many little ones because of the fracking and injection wells. Groff echoed Quinns sentiments about the plugged wells. The threat remains all that waste is there, she said. Its down there. Its under pressure. If it feels like going somewhere, its going to find a crack, and its going to keep going through that crack until it gets to someplace where it either comes up to the surface or it just stops fracturing. Advocacy against the wells The first Athens County injection well was the HazelGinsburg well in 1984, Groff said. At the time Groff was an Athens County Commissioner, a role she served in from 1983 to 1995. It wasnt until 2012 when her advocacy related to fracking began, after Madeline ffitch was arrested for chaining herself to two barrels and blocking the driveway to the Ginsburg well. The Ginsburg well was last used in 2015, Cheung said. The Division of Oil & Gas Resources Management granted a permit to plug the Ginsberg well, but the owner of the well did not plug it within the permits two-year expiration date, Cheung said in an email. The Division is conducting regulatory enforcement regarding the Ginsberg well. Local environmental groups started popping up, like Athens Countys Future Action Network and Torch CAN DO, which stands for Torch Clean Air Now, Defend Ohio. These groups helped organize informational meetings with epidemiologists and geologists as well as protests to spread the word about fracking and raise awareness. One of their protests was a Mad Hatters Tea Party complete with a Queen of Hearts and little toxic tea bottles. Groff, along with the other activists who joined the fight, have been preaching for years about the environmental impact of injection wells. You drill a hole into the ground and then you shove toxic radioactive waste under immense pressure, Groff said. Now what kind of fool do you think we are that you dont think that thats going to go somewhere? There were more than 1,400 fracking incidents associated with oil and gas wells in Ohio between 2018 and September 2023, according to FracTracker Alliance a nonprofit that collects data on fracking pipelines. There have been 26 incidents in Athens County during that same time period involving release, unintentional gas release and a fire, according to FracTracker. Everybody knew that was going to happen, Groff said. We absolutely unequivocally knew that we were right. There was nothing that swayed anybody in this group from thinking that we were making stuff up. The Athens County Commissioners also got involved and held meetings. These wells are just terrible and what theyve done and everything that was said that was going to happen, happened, Athens County Commissioner Charlie Adkins said. Groff and the team of activists were overjoyed when ODNR ordered the injection wells to suspend operations. The language they used is exactly what the people have been saying theyre an imminent threat to the health and the welfare and well being of the environment and the people who live here, Groff said. Quinn always believed they could make a difference. We went from Torch CAN DO to Torch can done, she said. Wed like to pass our homesteads on to our children. We want to do this for our grandchildren. Fight continues Even though some of the wells are no longer in use, Groff isnt hanging up her activist hat just yet. For one, not all injection wells are suspended. The last two remaining wells in operation in Athens County are in Canaan Township and Lee Township, Cheung said. The long-term effects of the injection wells are not totally known at the moment and could not show up for years or decades, Groff said. Athens County Commissioner President Lenny Eliason said he would like to focus on long-term monitoring. Appalachia has been extracted for years for a number of different materials and the pain of the short term gains sticks around a long time after, he said. So we have to get people that are more forward thinking about balancing what that short term gain is going to bring in the long term. When asked if the drinking water had been affected by the injection wells, Groff and Quinn said they dont know yet. Referring to the state, Groff said Your incompetence caused this to happen. If you want to assure people that this is not an imminent threat and danger, then prove it and the only way you can prove it is to continue to test the water. Even though their advocacy is not quite done, they are relishing their victory. Its not only just a huge win for everybody here in Athens County, its a message to the rest of the people in the state that, with due diligence, you can be in control, Groff said. You just have to fight like hell to make yourself heard. Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on Twitter. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron and Moroccan King Mohammed VI attend the launch ceremony of the first High Speed Train to operate in Africa, in Tangier RABAT (Reuters) - King Mohammed VI invited French President Emmanuel Macron for an official visit, after Paris announced a position in support of Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. This came in a letter from the king to Macron, welcoming Paris's "clear support for Morocco's sovereignty over this part of its territory." The Western Sahara dispute, dating back to 1975, pits Morocco, which considers the territory as its own, against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks an independent state there. Macron had sent a letter to the King on Tuesday recognizing the Moroccan autonomy plan as the "only basis" to reach a political solution to the conflict, while considering "the present and the future of Western Sahara within the framework of Morocco's sovereignty." "Our two countries will work together to reach a solution that, within the framework of the United Nations, fully respects Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara," the king said, adding that the two countries are poised to foster their partnership in "strategic sectors." Both the Polisario and Algeria condemned the French position. Algeria withdrew its ambassador to Paris in reaction. (Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) Mother of Southport stabbing victim pleads for end to violence after riots Mother of Southport stabbing victim pleads for end to violence after riots The mother of one of the Southport stabbing victims has called for an end to violence after more than 50 police officers were injured in far-right riots which erupted after the attack on a childrens dance class. Elsie Dot Stancombe was killed alongside six-year-old Bebe King and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar in a horrific knife rampage on Monday at a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday dance workshop. Hundreds of violent protestors clashed with police outside a mosque in the town on Tuesday in scenes branded a total disgrace and thugs on the streets who have no respect for a grieving community. Click here for live updates. Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was killed in the dance class attack (Merseyside Police/PA Wire) Following the unrest, Jenni Stancombe, the mother of seven-year-old victim Elsie, pleaded for an end to the violence which broke out after misinformation about the suspected knifeman was spread on social media. She said: This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight. The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we dont need this. Five more children are still fighting for their lives following the tragedy, along with two dance class teachers who bravely tried to defend their pupils from the attack. (L-R) Victims Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, and Bebe King, 6, were killed (PA) Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with attack, which is not being treated as terror-related. Officers confirmed on Wednesday they had been granted more time to question the boy, who remains in custody. The law allows officers up to 96 hours to hold a suspect for serious crimes. Merseyside Police said a large group of people - believed to be supporters of the English Defence League - began to launch missiles towards the mosque in the seaside town at around 7.45pm on Tuesday. The angry mob chanting far right slogans destroyed garden walls so they could use the bricks to attack officers in riot gear. Police vehicles were also damaged and set alight, along with cars belonging to the public parked in the Mosque carpark. In a post on social media, the force said shops had been broken into and looted, adding that those responsible will be brought to justice. Police officers suffered serious injuries when bricks, stones and bottles were thrown and cars were set alight during violent protests (PA Wire) The troubling scenes saw 27 officers taken to hospital, with 12 others being treated and discharged at the scene, North West Ambulance Service said. Merseyside Police later confirmed more than 50 officers were hurt, with eight suffering serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion. Three police dogs were also injured in the chaos, with dogs Zoe and Ike suffering leg injuries from bricks, while PD Quga suffered burns to her hind leg. Chairman of Merseyside Police Federation Chris McGlade said more than 50 officers had been hurt in a sustained and vicious attack. Mosque chairman Ibrahim Hussein revealed he was trapped inside the mosque with about eight others as the violence erupted, and only escaped with a police guard. He said: It was terrifying. It was absolutely, awful, horrendous. We couldnt understand this viciousness that was going on. Norman Wallis, chief executive of Southport Pleasureland, said people had travelled from out of town to wreak havoc, leaving locals to clean up the mess. He said: It was like a war scene. People from out of town just causing absolute mayhem. Those people from out of town - they came in in buses and cars and had a change of clothes. They just started to riot and do this. Riot police held back protesters after disorder broke out in Southport (Getty Images) The violence came shortly after around 1,000 people joined a peaceful vigil for the stabbing victims outside Southports Atkinson arts venue, with many in tears as they laid flowers and cards of remembrance. Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who had laid flowers in Southport hours earlier, hit out at the protestors for hijacking the situation as he vowed they will feel the force force of the law. The people of Southport are reeling after the horror inflicted on them yesterday. They deserve our support and our respect, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves. They will feel the full force of the law. Violence at the Southport protest, which saw a police van set alight (Richard McCarthy/PA) (PA Wire) As volunteers took to the streets to clean up the devastation left behind on Wednesday morning, police, politicians and commentators continued to condemn the disorder which erupted after misinformation spread like wildfire in the wake of the atrocity. Merseysides police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell has said there is a strong feeling that members of the far right English Defence League have used the Southport stabbing to whip up hatred. Ms Spurrell told ITVs Good Morning Britain that the violence and abuse towards police officers on Tuesday was utterly abhorrent and completely unacceptable. She said: (Merseyside Police) will be reviewing the footage of exactly who was there last night, they have been monitoring the online activity as well, trying to understand who was doing what. They have said that they believe it was members of the English Defence League (EDL), they dont believe it was individuals from the local area. There is a strong feeling that there are individuals like the EDL, who have been using this incredibly tragic event to whip up hatred, incite violence, and thats the result of what we saw last night. Crowds fought back tears during a vigil on Tuesday evening, before disorder later broke out (James Speakman/PA Wire) Patrick Hurley, the MP for Southport said the riots in the town on Tuesday night occurred because of the propaganda and lies spread on social media about the identity of the attacker. He added: This misinformation doesnt just exist on peoples internet browsers and on peoples phones. It has real world impact. According to Marc Owen Jones, a disinformation researcher associate professor at Dohas Hamid bin Khalifa University, there were at least 27 million impressions on social media posts falsely stating or speculating that the suspected attacker was Muslim, a migrant, refugee or foreigner. Among the accounts to peddle such claims was influencer Andrew Tate and other right wing accounts with large followings. Anti-fascist campaign group Hope Not Hate said the violence was the result of far right antagonisation with groups capitalising on peoples grief for their own hateful agenda. Their director of research Joe Mulhall said: For the past 24hrs, misinformation has spread like wildfire online, feeding unverified narratives about the culprit, their history and their motivations. He called for a government strategy to help improve community cohesion and resilience amid reports of other far right protests planned at a number of locations across the country in the coming days, adding: It is imperative that the new government develops a new strategy that supports stronger communities and sets out how to respond to incidents like these. Volunteers sweep Sussex Road in Southport, Merseyside, after rioters attacked police (James Speakman/PA) (PA Wire) Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was accused of inflaming tensions after he posted a video to social media questioning why the incident was not being treated as terror-related and asking whether the truth is being withheld from us. Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Its right out of the Trump playbook, and in my view it makes Nigel Farage nothing better than a Tommy Robinson in a suit. It is beyond the pale to use a moment like this to spread your narrative and to spread your hatred, and we saw the results on Southports streets last night. Former MP Tobias Ellwood also hit out the Clacton MPs comments, adding: Disgusted how a sitting MP deliberately [inflames] tensions without any justification. Farage should delete this tweet. But Mr Farage insisted its perfectly reasonable to ask what is happening to law and order. More follows on this breaking news story... Officers put on helmets and riot gear after stones and bottles were launched at them - Getty Images The mother of a victim in the Southport stabbing has condemned violence that broke out at a protest on Tuesday night. A mob gathered outside a mosque on Tuesday following a knife attack on children attending a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club where three young girls were killed, with demonstrators throwing bricks and fireworks at officers. Jenni Stancombe, the mother of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, who died on Monday, appealed on social media for the violence to end. She said: The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we dont need this. Ms Stancombe added: This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight. A 17-year-old youth from the village of Banks, five miles away from Southport, was arrested on Monday afternoon on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remains in police custody. Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were also critically injured, police said. John Hayes, a local businessman who tried to disarm the attacker, was stabbed in the leg, while yoga teacher Leanne Lucas was also seriously wounded. Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, was one of the victims of the knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club - via Reuters The violence broke out amid claims that the police were not telling the truth about the suspects background and his motives, with rumours swirling on social media. Earlier, a vigil was held to remember the three girls who were killed with six-year-old Bebe King and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar also named as victims. Merseyside Police said a large group of people believed to be supporters of the English Defence League began to throw items towards the mosque at around 7.45pm. Officers put on helmets and riot gear after stones and bottles were launched at them and police vehicles were damaged and set on fire. An officer suffered a suspected broken nose during the chaotic scenes, police said. Alex Goss, Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police said it was sickening to see the disorder happening within a community that has been devastated by the tragic loss of three young lives. In a statement, Assistant Chief Constable Goss added: Yesterday, our officers and other members of the emergency services were faced with one of the most difficult situations they will ever face. Tonight, they find themselves being attacked as they endeavour to prevent disorder. The actions in Southport tonight will involve many people who do not live in the Merseyside area or care about the people of Merseyside. There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17-year-old male who is currently in police custody and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets. We have already said that the person arrested was born in the UK and speculation helps nobody at this time. Our officers should not have to face this, but we will be there tonight to ensure the safety of the local community who have suffered enough, and will arrest those involved in criminal behaviour. 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 strikes came just hours apart. The first on southern Beirut, with Israel claiming to have killed senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr who the US believe has been a senior adviser to the Lebanese milita's leader Hassan Nasrallah. Hezbollah has not confirmed Shukr's killing, but said he was in the building that was hit. The second came in Tehran, taking out the head of Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh. While Israel has not officially claimed the assassination, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken about the desire to take out Hamas senior leadership in revenge for the 7 October terror attack inside Israel that triggered Israel's war in Gaza. Thanks to that war in Gaza, the Middle East has become a tinderbox, where one miscalculation between Israel, Iran or any of the Tehran-backed groups Hamas, Hezbollah or the Houthis in Yemen could bring wider war to the region. So where do these latest strikes take us? Israel The strike in Beirut was a response to a rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday which killed 12 people, mostly children. Israel says Fuad Shukr was behind the attack, while Hezbollah has denied any involvement. A response was always coming Israel and Hezbollah have been trading rocket fire on the Israeli-Lebanon border since the war in Gaza started but Western allies of Israel had been urging Netanyahu to show restraint, while Hezbollah had warned that any strike on their stronghold in Beirut in particular would be met in kind. In the wake of the strike the Israeli military said there would be no change in their defensive posture and that there would be no new instructions for Israelis on taking shelter, suggesting that they consider the matter closed and did not anticipate an immediate Hezbollah reaction. Israel will expect some kind of response from Hezbollah, but will have hoped their signalling that they consider the matter finished would bring a proportionate and manageable rocket response from Hezbollah. Damaged vehicles are seen after an Israeli strike on Beiruts southern suburbs (Reuters) But the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh complicates matters. The fact that it was on Iranian soil means that Hezbollah may now coordinate a response with Tehran or Hamas. Or it may make their own response, likely a rocket and missile barrage or barrages, even stronger. The strike on Haniyeh also changes the situation around Gaza. Haniyeh, based in Doha, had been a key interlocutor between mediators Qatar and Egypt over talks for a ceasefire and hostage-release deal over Gaza, and his death has already been condemned by Qatar. Other countries across the region will also be unhappy. Turkeys foreign ministry has already summed up the the mood accusing Netanyahu of having "no intention of achieving peace". On the flip side, the killing of Haniyeh may offer Netanyahu a chance to wind down the military offensive in Gaza, having finally got a target that was near the top of their most wanted list. But the Israeli prime minister has shown no intention of stopping up to this point, as much as Western allies including staunch supporter the US have been pushing for a ceasefire. Netanyahu will no doubt laud Haniyeh's death as making Israel safer. But the families of the hostages still in Gaza, many of them already angry at Netanyahu for not bringing them home will see any Washington's mantra has been that Israel has the right to defend itself in the wake of the Hamas attack on 7 October that killed around 1,200 Israelis and saw another people 250 taken hostage. But it is getting increasingly difficult to stop escalations such as the two most recent strikes from sending the Middle East into all-out war. Expect some even more frantic diplomacy from nations around the region and beyond as Israel awaits the response to its actions. Speaking about the threat of war with Hezbollah, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday: "The performance [last] night in Beirut was focused, high quality and contained... We don't want war, but we are preparing for all possibilities, and that means you must be prepared as needed, and we will do our job at all the levels above you," he said. Hezbollah Hezbollah is a heavily armed militant and holds significant political sway in Lebanon. Its military wing is one of the most powerful forces in the region, equipped with up to 200,000 missiles and rockets, as well as attack drones. It is separate to the Lebanese army, and is much stronger. The trading of cross-border fire with Israel has stepped up in recent weeks, with the rocket hitting the Israel-occupied Golan Heights causing a spike in tensions that will only be made worse by the strike on Shukr and the killing of Haniyeh. The fact that there has been no significant response to the strike on its senior commander Shukr yet opens the door for coordinating any reaction with Iran. Israel seeking to highlight that it wants no further escalation may have been aimed at keeping Hezbollah from hitting back hard, but was undermined by the killing of Haniyeh. Palestinians attend a protest after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the occupied West Bank (Reuters) The rhetoric from Hezbollah will always be strong, but so far it has shown little appetite for an all-out war with Israel on the Lebanon border as was seen in 2006. But there is less and less room to manouvere every time there are such strikes and counterstrikes. A response will be needed to the hit on Shukr, but it is the size and breadth of the rocket and missile barrage that will likely come will be crucial as to what comes afterwards. If Hezbollah fires into Israel in a way that overwhelms Israeli air defences and potentially kills civilians, then war becomes significantly more likely. Iran The assassination of Haniyeh will be deeply embarrassing to Tehran. It comes a few months after two Iranian generals were killed in what was believed to be an Israeli strike on Iran's consulate in Syria. The deaths prompt Iran to launch an unprecedented attack against Israeli territory, launching 300 missiles and drones but the drones took hours to reach Israel, allowing them and Western allies to intercept the vast majority. Tehran will always talk tough and Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed revenge, claiming Israel had "prepared a harsh punishment for itself" after Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a pre-dawn air strike in the Iranian capital Tehran. The Iranian leader said in a statement on his official website: "We consider his revenge as our duty," adding Mr Haniyeh had been "a dear guest in our home". Tehran will not want to spark a war over what is taken for granted by many leaders of Hamas death by Israel but being unable to protect an ally on its own territory leaves it needing to save face. There may come a reaction directly from Tehran in terms of more drones or missiles. or Iran may coordinate responses from proxies across the region, including the Houthis in Yemen, militias in Iraq or even Hamas and Hezbollah themselves. Hamas Until the strike on Haniyeh, Hamas had avoided much of its top leadership being killed during the 10 months of war in Gaza, including Yahya Sinwar who is believed to be the mastermind of 7 October is still at large in Gaza. Hamas has become used to replacing commanders killed by Israel over the years, but the loss of a high-profile figure like Haniyeh will leave a big hole in operations, as Haniyeh was in control of Hamas' relationships with Iran and other allies across the region/. Hamas will now be focused more on finding Haniyeh's successor in what could be a complicated and prolonged process, while it will certainly hit ceasefire talks with Israel hard. Iranian state television said that Haniyehs death would delay the negotiations by several months. Given the military offensive by Israel in Gaza, Hamas' ability to respond directly to Haniyeh's killing has diminished, but we may see some rocket fire into Israel. Sinwar, who is Hamas' military leader in Gaza, is significantly more of a hardliner than Haniyeh who was seen as more pragmatic (relative to Sinwar). So it is unlikely that there will be any softening of the position of Hamas in relation to the war in Gaza at least in the short term in the wake of Haniyeh's killing. One of the reasons given for Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper deciding to take himself out of the veepstakes was that he worried what could happen if Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson became acting governor. Weve already seen examples of what happens in such a situation, because Cooper has traveled out of state many times over the past three-and-a-half years. If history is any guide, the result would be less about policy and more about getting attention. The North Carolina Constitution designates the lieutenant governor to serve as acting governor if the governor is out of the state, The News & Observer has previously reported. The states governor and lieutenant governor do not run as a ticket, so are often from different political parties. Coopers top adviser, Democratic strategist Morgan Jackson, told The N&O on Tuesday that the biggest factor in Cooper not wanting to be the running mate for likely Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris was that it isnt the right time for Cooper and his family. Robinson as acting governor was one of many reasons, not a deciding reason, he said. Robinson is more of a distraction than anything else, Jackson said, saying he has a penchant for pulling stunts. I dont think its helpful for the administration of government or in the middle of a political campaign, either one, Jackson said. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, top left, and Attorney General Josh Stein, center left, wait backstage with Democratic strategist Morgan Jackson (facing away) at a Stein campaign rally at Shaw University in downtown Raleigh on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com Of the many times Cooper has left the state or country, just once did Robinson decide to pull rank. Cooper was on a trip to Japan in October. Coopers spokesperson at the time, Sam Chan, told The N&O then that it was a stunt after Robinson announced a special event would be happening the next day. Courts across the country in states with similar constitutional provisions have held that executive succession clauses do not apply where the Governor is able to communicate and direct state business and there is no need for action by the Lieutenant Governor. This stunt by the Lieutenant Governor and attempt to undermine our states democracy is harmful to North Carolinas reputation and a reason he should never be trusted with real responsibility, she said. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks during a press conference at the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. Ethan Hyman/ehyman@newsobserver.com Robinsons event was a news conference announcing that he had issued a proclamation in solidarity with Israel, along with a day of prayer, soon after the Israel-Hamas war began. Robinson also downplayed past antisemitic comments he had made on social media. Cooper told The N&O in December that Robinson acted for purely political purposes. Robinson, who is the Republican nominee for governor, has not taken any other action when Cooper has been out of the state. Robinsons campaign declined to comment for this story. The rest of Coopers term Cooper was never asked to provide documents for Harris to use to vet him, said Jackson, Coopers adviser. But Cooper never said publicly he was out of the running. He dodged reporters questions as recently as Thursday, while campaigning for Harris at a news conference in Raleigh, answering questions by saying there a lot of good people that she can choose as her vice presidential nominee. Cooper decided after being mentioned as a possible contender that Im just not going to talk about this at all, Jackson said. So he wasnt saying he was in, wasnt saying he was out. It was just, were not going to engage in this conversation, and frankly, not intended to engage in it. And then clearly, some, some information came out of the Harris campaign to The New York Times, they wrote it, and you go from there. Jackson said a VP pick was Harris news to announce, not Coopers. He also said that Coopers age, at 67, wasnt a factor in not seeking the VP spot. Jackson said that a lot of people have been talking to the governor for over a year now, urging him to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. I think his plans are to finish serving as governor, get Josh Stein elected, hopefully get North Carolina turning blue for Kamala Harris. Then hell sit down and think about what he wants to do, Jackson said. He said that Cooper has made no decisions. Cooper told The N&O in an interview in December that he wanted to focus in his final year in office on infrastructure and teacher pay. The General Assembly adjourned for most of the summer without a new budget bill, but did OK the teacher raises already planned from the 2023 budget. Power of the legislature Unlike in other states, the governor in North Carolina doesnt have sweeping power its the General Assembly that calls the shots most of the time. And thats especially true when one party has a supermajority in the legislature, as Republicans do now. Republicans can override Coopers vetoes and pass policy they want if they stick together regardless of whether Robinson is in charge. The legislature has removed more and more power from the governor over the years, most recently taking away appointments to governing boards and commissions. Cooper and Robinsons relationship Cooper and Robinson see each other occasionally at public events. They sit next to each other at monthly Council of State meetings, with Cooper at the head of the table and Robinson always seated to his right. They interact only briefly, usually in greeting and then during the meeting. The duties of a governor are outlined in the state constitution and include residing in the Executive Mansion, presenting a budget proposal, sharing information in what has become the State of the State speech, appointing people to various boards and commissions, convening General Assembly sessions in certain circumstances and granting pardons. The lieutenant governors duties include presiding over the Senate but only voting to break a tie, and serving on the Council of State, State Board of Education and State Board of Community Colleges. Robinson rarely presides over the Senate, but regularly attends Council of State meetings. Those meetings usually last less than an hour, and end with the 10 statewide elected officials taking turns going around their conference table to share updates and events. Robinson generally highlights information about firefighters and law enforcement. Gov. Roy Cooper shakes hands with Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson as House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate Leader Phil Berger look on after Cooper delivered his State of the State address to a joint session of the N.C. General Assembly on Monday, March 6, 2023. Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com Robinson has office space in the Legislative Building, but the primary office for the lieutenant governor is in the Hawkins-Hartness House on Blount Street, less than a block from the Executive Mansion. Cooper and Robinson also interact in the State of the State address, given every two years in the House chambers in front of the full House, Senate, Council of State and N.C. Supreme Court. Robinson presides at the House speakers podium. Who is in charge with the governor away? The state Constitution says: During the absence of the Governor from the State, or during the physical or mental incapacity of the Governor to perform the duties of his office, the Lieutenant Governor shall be Acting Governor, and state law lays out the order of who is in charge next. The Council of State consists of 10 statewide elected officials including, from left, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, Gov. Roy Cooper and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. Robinson, a Republican, is running for governor in 2024. Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan/dvaughan@newsobserver.com After the governor and lieutenant governor, the next person is the president of the Senate, but the lieutenant governor is the president of the Senate. The Senate president pro tempore, currently Phil Berger, leads the Senate but is not mentioned in the succession provision. The law then outlines that if there isnt a president of the Senate, the next person would be the House speaker, who is currently Tim Moore. After that is the secretary of state. That scenario actually played out in May, when Cooper, Robinson, Moore and Berger were all in Washington, D.C., for the unveiling of a Billy Graham statue at the U.S. Capitol. Democratic Secretary of State Elaine Marshall did not take any action that day as acting governor. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) In a Wednesday press conference, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and other county leaders addressed plans for a deflection center that continues to incur criticism from the public and fellow commissioners. The chairs deflection program will give those caught with hard drugs the choice between serving jail time or receiving treatment for a substance use disorder when House Bill 4002 goes into effect Sept. 1once again outlawing the possession of hard drugs in the state. Heat turns dangerous by late week for Portland and entire state We must offer people suffering from addiction alternatives to incarceration, or we will be right back where we started, Vega Pederson said. Treatment is the best route to recovery. Peoples lives are depending on opening more treatment options, and we are moving swiftly to do so. However, Multnomah Countys new program could also allow drug users to avoid arrest and possibly walk away without mandated treatment. This outcome is possible for people who get dropped off at the deflection center and go through a screening and assessment with a peer counselor, but are not required to follow a plan for drug treatment. Residents near the proposed site said the community should have more answers for what a potential deflection site could look like before the county opens its doors to what could be little more than a front desk. Vega Pederson has since shared a plan that would require someone dropped off at the deflection center to not just get a screening and referral for treatment, but also engage with the recommended service within 30 days. In preparation for September, the county has already signed a contract with the Tuerk House a Baltimore nonprofit that provides drug and alcohol treatment to facilitate deflection resources on Southeast Sandy Boulevard. Were all struggling: Hip Chicks do Wine asks for community support after very tough year Despite public sentiment, the program passed with a 3-2 vote effectively allocating $2 million to the development of the center. Vega Pederson and her team have until Aug. 15 to develop a plan that answers the boards concerns. Portland Police Chief Bob Day said officers will begin making arrests on Sept. 1, but did not have numbers of how many they expect to take into custody. The question is, on Sept. 1, are we going to see officers shut down open drug use on city streets? I would hope that we always will use our discretion when were enforcing the law, so to just say that there is a blanket policy around that would not be appropriate at this time, Day said. On Monday, Chief Day sent a letter to the chairs office in a plea to end the citys public safety crisis. He said the county needs to begin picking up the pace to set up a 24/7 drop-off sobering center where drug users can seek treatment. Were all struggling: Hip Chicks do Wine asks for community support after very tough year Day expressed his support for the sobering center plan presented months ago by Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, featuring up to 50 beds where police can bring someone with drug or alcohol intoxication. Rather than offering a treatment plan, the center would serve as a place to literally sober up and then seek treatment. So far, Chair Vega Pederson has not agreed to move forward with a sobering center until mid-2025. Instead, her focus is on getting a deflection center up and running by September. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Portland Police Chief Bob Day speaks about the law enforcement role of Multnomah County's new program for drug users on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt (center) and Bernard Gyebi-Foster, the CEO of Tuerk House, a county provider, also spoke. (Ben Botkin/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Portland Police Chief Bob Day speaks about the law enforcement role of Multnomah County's new program for drug users on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt (center) and Bernard Gyebi-Foster, the CEO of Tuerk House, a county provider, also spoke. (Ben Botkin/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Multnomah County is at the epicenter of Oregons fentanyl addiction and overdose crisis, with homelessness and public drug use on the streets of Portland. And as a deadline looms to start a new program in September to turn drug users toward recovery, Oregons largest county is tempering expectations. In a press conference on Wednesday, city and county officials stressed the epidemic will not disappear immediately or completely. There is no guarantee of immediate treatment for drug users who enter the program. Nor will there be a blanket policy for police to clamp down with arrests for public drug use in Portland, the poster child of fentanyl addiction in the Pacific Northwest. Multnomah Countys program and its success or failure will be the most high-profile test of House Bill 4002, which Oregon lawmakers passed this session to deal with the states spiraling addiction crisis. The legislation established a new misdemeanor penalty for drug possession of personal amounts and allowed counties to start new programs that allow drug users to avoid jail time and charges if they agree to enter treatment or other services. It also unwound part of Measure 110, which decriminalized possession of small amounts of drugs and drew wide criticism of fueling public drug use. Under the legislation, each county will have leeway to shape its own programs, meaning that other counties could have different approaches than Multnomah County. So far, 23 of Oregons 36 counties have agreed to start programs. They stretch from Portlands urban corridor to rural regions like Baker County. Were committed to improving the connections between our behavioral health systems and law enforcement systems so that people do not fall through the cracks, Multnomah County Chair Vega Pederson said in the press conference. We must offer people suffering from addiction alternatives to incarceration, or we will be right back where we started. Treatment is the best route to recovery. Peoples lives are depending on opening more treatment options, and we are moving swiftly to do so when the drug possession laws change. In Multnomah Countys case, officials have contracted with Tuerk House, a Baltimore-based drug and alcohol treatment provider, to operate its deflection center at a cost of nearly $2 million for the first year. Located at 900 S.E. Sandy Boulevard in Portlands central eastside district, the center will provide initial screenings and connections to treatment and other services, like contact with peers who have experienced addiction themselves. The work is far from finished and will continue in the years ahead. In the long run, the county is planning on offering sobering services starting in early 2025, with a permanent center for 2026. Its not going to be a one-day event, Bernard Gyebi-Foster, the CEO of Tuerk House, said at the press conference. Oregons lack of available treatment is well-established. In Oregon, nearly 80% of people with a drug or alcohol addiction who needed treatment did not receive services, according to the 2024 report compiled by Mental Health America, a nonprofit. Thats above the national average of about 77% and the 46th worst among all states and the District of Columbia. How it will work Officials say if someone is stopped by law enforcement and possess illegal drugs for personal use, they will be eligible for the program if they are not committing any other crimes and have not failed deflection in the last month. To succeed, a person needs to complete a screening, receive a referral to services and engage with the recommended services within 30 days. But that comes with a caveat: It doesnt mean that a person necessarily has to start their treatment within 30 days. It depends on their individual plan, Pederson said. That could be going into housing, that could be getting into detox, Pederson said. Those who fail to engage within 30 days can be arrested and charged. Portland Police Chief Bob Day said that the 30-day window provides an ample opportunity for people to try and take responsibility. That also means if someone fails to participate in the deflection program during that 30-day period, they would be eligible for arrest or citation if they come into contact with law enforcement during the next 30 days. Asked about whether police will make arrests to clamp down on public drug use, Day said there will be arrests, but officers would continue to use their discretion and direct people to deflection programs as much as possible. To just say that theres a blanket policy around that would not be appropriate at this time, he said. We have to settle into this thing and give it an opportunity to work. Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said recovery will look different for individuals. And for those who dont enter the new programs, he said other opportunities to enter programs will exist after charges are filed in court. The law allows charges to be expunged for people to participate in court-ordered diversion. We all recognize that addiction and recovery is not a one transaction exchange, he said, adding that multiple attempts at treatment could be necessary. Sheriff Nicole Morrisey ODonnell said the county will track data on the date and location of contacts with people, their demographics and the outcome of referrals to services. Accountability for individuals entering deflection is a shared responsibility, she said, adding that the data will help show gaps in services. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (Bloomberg) -- Myanmars military regime extended an emergency rule thats been in place since a 2021 coup, as the generals struggle to quell a civil war with ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy fighters. Most Read from Bloomberg The National Defence and Security Council agreed to prolong the state of emergency for another six months to Jan. 31 2025, according to an official statement. This is the sixth time the nations highest body, chaired by junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, decided to extend the emergency, further pushing back long-promised elections. The military leadership is buying time as they push back against a growing rebellion, which according to some reports, has led to the junta losing control of townships covering about 86% of the country. This has raised questions over how long the junta can retain power, especially as ethnic armed groups make gains in the north and the economy is in a tailspin. Due to the acts of terrorist and ethnic armed groups, there is a need to maintain peace and stability in some places, the State Administration Council said in a statement on Wednesday. The junta chief has also sought to extend the emergency rule to carry out a population census in preparation for the elections, the SAC added. Min Aung Hlaing had promised to hold elections more than two years after the coup but delayed it to 2025 citing the worsening security situation in the country. He has reportedly said one would be held after a population census in October. Washington has said there is no chance of free and fair elections so long as the junta is in power. Whether it would be able to do so is in doubt, particularly with ethnic armed factions in northern Shan State potentially on the cusp of their most significant victory since the coup. The military regime is struggling to retain control of Lashio, the states capital and a key center of trade with China. And it has already lost much of Rakhine State to a group known as the Arakan Army. If Lashio falls, then this is going to galvanize the rest of the country, said Morgan Michaels, a research fellow for Southeast Asian politics and foreign policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Its going to be a huge morale boost. And then you could see the fighting accelerate on other fronts again. Myanmar has been struggling to shore up its crumbling economy since the military seized power. Its growth is projected to stay weak in the current fiscal year as high living costs, a weakening local currency and a lack of dollars drag on the economy, the World Bank said in a report last month. The mounting casualties along the border have seen China playing a bigger role in the conflict, including as a mediator between the warring factions in the north. Deputy junta chief Soe Win led a delegation to Qingdao earlier this month to discuss the security situation, while Beijing has since invited the representatives of four major political parties for a eight-day trip in late July. Since seizing control of the government more than three years ago and imprisoning civilian leader and pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, the military has been repeatedly hit by US and European sanctions in a bid to end the violence that has killed thousands. The military regimes extension of the state of emergency is at odds with the aspirations of the people of Burma, including their continued strong opposition to military rule, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Wednesday. The militarys actions have only prolonged the crisis, which has internally displaced over three million people, with thousands more seeking protection in neighboring countries, and plunged millions into poverty. (Updates with US State Departments reaction in final paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Saifur Rahman and his family, who said they fled from Buthidaung to Bangladesh, pose for a picture at a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar Saifur Rahman and his family, who said they fled from Buthidaung to Bangladesh, pose for a picture at a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar By Ruma Paul, Shoon Naing, Wa Lone, Poppy McPherson and Devjyot Ghoshal (Reuters) -Saifur Rahman woke up to screams. In the darkness, the air reeked of fuel. Flames blazed in the distance. The town of Buthidaung in Rakhine state, Myanmar's largest settlement of minority Rohingya, was on fire and under attack. All I could see was fire, said the 30-year-old Rohingya. We knew something bad could happen but never imagined this. When the fires subsided, much of the riverside town near Myanmars western border with Bangladesh was smouldering debris, rendering thousands of Rohingya homeless. Initial estimates suggest at least 45 Rohingya died during the attack and its immediate aftermath, a senior United Nations official said. The attack at around 10 p.m. on May 17 was the latest of many bouts of violence against the Rohingya, Myanmars largely Muslim ethnic minority group, which suffered what the U.N. called textbook ethnic cleansing at the hands of the Buddhist-majority country's military in 2017. That year, the military spearheaded the killing of an estimated 10,000 Rohingya, sending more than 700,000 fleeing into neighbouring Bangladesh, according to the U.N. Since then, fighting has flared between junta troops and the powerful Arakan Army ethnic militia in Rakhine state, with combat intensifying in recent months as the rebels scored major victories. Reuters interviewed 12 Buthidaung residents on the phone as well as near refugee camps in Bangladesh, and reviewed satellite imagery of the area taken before and after the fires to reconstruct the events of May 17. The news agency found that the party directly responsible for the May arson attacks was not the military but the Arakan Army, which is composed mainly of ethnic Rakhine, the Buddhist majority in Rakhine state. Like many other ethnic armies in the country, the Arakan Army, often called the AA, has been engaged in a brutal civil war against the junta since it overthrew Myanmar's civilian-led government in a 2021 coup. Founded in 2009, the Arakan Army has long fought the Myanmar state for the liberation of Rakhine and the creation of an autonomous enclave. James Rodehaver, head of the U.N. office on human rights for Myanmar, told Reuters that every indication from his organisation's interviews with residents suggested the Arakan Army was responsible. He said residents described Arakan Army soldiers armed with petrol-soaked sticks setting fire to buildings, and that other potential malefactors like the junta were not in the area at the time. His remarks are the first time the U.N. has indicated responsibility for the blaze. Their research was ongoing, he said. The findings by the U.N. and Reuters contradict comments made to Reuters by Arakan Army spokesman Khine Thu Kha on May 19 that the burning of Buthidaung was due to a junta airstrike before the militia took over the town. Rodehaver told Reuters there was "no indication at all" of airstrikes having caused the fires and no reports of large explosions that typically suggest such attacks. Nathan Ruser, an analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute think-tank, reviewed imagery of Buthidaung supplied by satellite firm Planet Labs before and after the blazes and said they perfectly match a ground campaign of arson attacks by the Arakan Army in northern Rakhine that he has closely studied. But it's almost impossible without on-the-ground investigation to fully rule out the possibility of airstrikes (by the junta) in the town itself, Ruser said. Presented with Reuters findings, Khine Thu Kha said that they were groundless accusations and that the rebel group had helped civilians without discriminating on the basis of religion. We, Arakan Army, did not burn anything, he said. There isnt an innocent civilian who died because of our troops. Myanmars information ministry said in response to Reuters questions that the military did not ignite communal tensions or set fire to any parts of Buthidaung while it was under their control. It said the military was a legally recognized armed organization conducting disciplined activities aimed at fully protecting and defending our country, and attributed blame for the incidents to the Arakan Army, which it described as engaging in "terrorism. International watchdogs like Amnesty, as well as Rohingya activist groups, have previously accused the Arakan Army of abuses like abductions. It has always denied the allegations. Reuters also found that the junta helped fuel the latest conflict between the Rakhine majority in the state and Rohingya by forcibly recruiting members of the Muslim minority - whom they previously sought to eliminate - to burn down their Rakhine neighbours' homes in Buthidaung earlier this year. Two Rohingya men from Rakhine told Reuters that they had been abducted and conscripted this year by the junta, which is facing a severe manpower shortfall after major battlefield defeats in the civil war. Three other former Rohingya residents of Buthidaung said they had seen local Rohingya being forcibly conscripted and deployed to burn the properties of Rakhine residents who had fled. Some residents spoke on condition that only part of their names be used due to fear of retaliation. Ethnic Rakhine participated in the purge of the Rohingya in 2017, Reuters has previously reported. The military's strategy of forcibly recruiting thousands of Rohingya is aimed at stoking communal divisions, said Thomas Andrews, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. For Rohingya people, oppressed, scapegoated, exploited, and stuck between warring parties, the situation carries echoes of the lead-up to the genocidal violence of 2016 and 2017, Andrews said. 'TIME FOR REVENGE' The violence in Buthidaung began earlier this year, when fighting between Arakan Army and junta troops neared the town. Many Rakhine locals left in March, according to five residents and a humanitarian official briefed on the situation. The Buthidaung area had a population of around 55,000, according to the last census held in 2014. That does not include the Rohingya - whom both the deposed civilian government and the junta consider to be illegal immigrants, though they have been in Myanmar for generations - who numbered more than 100,000, according to two Rohingya activists. The forced recruitment of Rohingya in Buthidaung dates back to at least March, when 24-year-old Ali said soldiers barged into his house at around midnight. They picked up two dozen Rohingya that night, who were told by the soldiers that youths would have to take up arms to free the country from terrorism, he said. Another Rohingya man from Buthidaung also said that he was conscripted by the Arakan Army to fight against the junta. A 15-year-old Rohingya boy separately told Reuters that he was taken by a military-aligned Rohingya insurgent group from a refugee camp in neighbouring Bangladesh in April and brought to Rakhine state to fight a jihad. Ali said he was taken to a military training camp where he was taught to use weapons. Eight days after his abduction, he was ordered to collect water and managed to escape. He now lives in Bangladesh, after fleeing Myanmar on foot and via boat. The next month, military officers started pressuring Ali's fellow Rohingya conscripts into burning and looting their Buddhist neighbours' homes, according to three former Buthidaung residents who witnessed the arson. These Rakhine people killed your people and burned your houses in 2017, said Sawyed, who lived in the town's northeast, recalling what soldiers told Rohingya conscripts. Now, it is time for revenge. Community members and elders tried to stop them, another eyewitness said. But they were unstoppable. Satellite imagery from Planet taken in mid-April shows large sections of southern and western Buthidaung scorched by fires between April 13 and April 16, when Medecins Sans Frontieres reported its office adjoining the main highway cutting through town had also been burnt down. The medical charity did not publicly blame any party for the incident that took place on April 15. MSF said in a statement to Reuters that it had been forced to suspend its activities in Buthidaung due to escalating conflict and that communities are being left with no options for medical care. Around 1,500 buildings in Buthidaung were burnt down during the April arson spree, according to a count from satellite imagery by Data for Myanmar, an independent research group. Andrews, the U.N. expert, told Reuters that arson attacks on civilian property and humanitarian agencies may also amount to crimes under international law by both sides and urged an International Criminal Court investigation so that all perpetrators (are) held accountable, regardless of their affiliation. The ICC did not return a request for comment. The court in 2019 opened an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity targeting the Rohingya but the scope of the probe is limited to offenses where at least one element was committed on the territory of Bangladesh. Aung Chay, a 27-year-old ethnic Rakhine schoolteacher from Buthidaung whose house was burnt down, said he had lived peacefully with the Rohingya. But then, they purposely torched our houses by joining the junta, he said. 'FIRE ALL AROUND' Dozens of areas near Buthidaung were set alight between April 15 and May 18, according to an analysis of satellite imagery conducted by ASPI's Ruser. At least two smaller Rohingya settlements near Buthidaung were set ablaze in May as the Arakan Army advanced through the countryside, according to a Reuters analysis of satellite imagery cross-referenced against locations that the militia announced it had captured. The U.N.'s Rodehaver said their analysis of the burning of Rohingya settlements in the days prior to the arson in Buthidaung suggested targeted destruction, with only Muslim areas set ablaze. A similar very strategic set of burnings was seen during the arson of Buthidaung, he said. Junta troops in Buthidaung withdrew by May 15, according to four Buthidaung residents, raising hopes that there would not be a battle for control of the town. At first, we thought the AA wouldn't trouble us because there was no need to fight in the town, said Sawyed. So, we prepared ourselves to make friends. Around 6:30 p.m. on May 17, three Rohingya elders met Arakan Army fighters on the outskirts of a nearby village. The Arakan Army instructed residents to not leave Buthidaung before the morning, according to two people familiar with the matter. But at least some Rohingya were separately told to leave immediately, according to the U.N's Rodehaver, who said the militia had given similar warnings before torching other settlements they advanced on. But only a few hours later, Arakan Army soldiers - identifiable by their uniforms and the Rakhine dialect they spoke - marched into Buthidaung, according to five Rohingya residents. At approximately 9:30 p.m., a 24-year-old shopkeeper who identified himself by what he said was his nickname of Nuru saw AA troops in a northern neighbourhood. Chaos erupted soon after. Many people fled their homes, warning us that the AA were coming and burning houses, he said. At around the same time, 38-year-old grocer Zaw Win spotted houses ablaze in the southern part of the town. There was fire all around us - from the north, east, and south, he said. They were setting fires to surround us. Rodehaver said the Arakan Army used burning sticks doused in petrol that were flung to start and spread blazes. Similar tactics were used against the Rohingya in 2017, Reuters previously reported. The area around Buthidaung's main hospital, where dozens of Rohingya had sought shelter, was also set alight by Arakan Army fighters, two eyewitnesses said. I heard the people yelling and begging for help, one of them said, describing a house filled with people that was on fire. The neighbourhoods identified by Nuru, Zaw Win and other eyewitnesses match the areas razed by fire in satellite images reviewed by Reuters. Many of Buthidaung's Rohingya fled west along the main road, towards the coastal settlement of Maungdaw. Even away from the fires, the danger wasn't over. By midnight, a crowd that was fleeing in the direction of Maungdaw started gathering in the fields surrounding Buthidaung prison. But they were blocked by Arakan Army soldiers, some of whom fired in the air, triggering more chaos, according to three eyewitnesses. Saifur Rahman, his wife Jamila and their children, aged five and two, escaped the crush - but only after his brother had been killed in the melee, he said. The town was reduced to ashes before my eyes, said Jamila. It was no less than hell on earth. The family set off on foot for Bangladesh, a journey that took them six days. Buthidaung is separated from coastal areas abutting Bangladesh by a mountain range and Rahman said his family survived by eating leaves and coconuts. I only knew that I needed to protect my daughters and my wife, he said in an interview near the Bangladesh town of Cox's Bazar, where sprawling refugee camps are located. Once accepting of displaced Rohingya, Dhaka has said it will welcome no more refugees from its war-torn neighbour, leaving Rahman fearful of deportation. The Bangladesh interior and foreign ministries did not return requests for comment. Nothing is left there, Rahman said. They will kill us. (Additional reporting by Vijdan Mohammad Kawoosa; Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Katerina Ang) HSBC, the biggest of Hong Kong's three currency-issuing banks, announced a new round of share buy-backs after its second-quarter defied naysayers with a smaller-than-expected drop, bookending the tenure of its chief executive Noel Quinn. The London-based bank, which earns most of its revenue in Asia, set aside another US$3 billion to buy back its own shares after completing the previous US$3 billion repurchase budget on May 7. The buy-back was announced after HSBC's second-quarter net profit fell 3.6 per cent to US$6.4 billion, beating the US$5.7 billion expected by analysts. The bank earned US$6.64 billion in the same quarter last year. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Pre-tax profit rose 2 per cent to US$8.9 billion, better than the US$7.88 billion expected by analysts, said the bank that traces its roots to Hong Kong and Shanghai nearly two centuries ago. HSBC said it would pay a quarterly dividend of 10 US cents per share in addition to its share buy-back. "Our investment in wealth is delivering higher, more diversified revenue and we continue to grow our core international and scale businesses, all of which helped us to provide US$13.7 billion of distributions in the first half," said Quinn in his final earnings statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange before his retirement. "We are confident that we have the right strategy and model to grow revenue, even in a lower interest rate environment, and are therefore providing new guidance of a mid-teens return on average tangible equity in 2025." Outgoing HSBC CEO Noel Quinn will hand over the reins to successor Georges Elhedery on September 1. Photo: Bloomberg alt=Outgoing HSBC CEO Noel Quinn will hand over the reins to successor Georges Elhedery on September 1. Photo: Bloomberg> Quinn is scheduled to officially hand over the reins of Europe's largest bank on September 1 to Georges Elhedery, who was promoted from chief financial officer to the bank's top job. "I have always been immensely proud of the heritage of this bank and the strategic role it plays in the world," Quinn said. "My aim when I took this job was to deliver financial performance to match our standing. Working together, I believe we have done that and created a strong platform for growth." "We're going through, what I believe, is a very orderly handover process," said Quinn. "It's important for our shareholders, our customers and our colleagues, the transition from myself to Georges is orderly and smooth. Story continues "Georges knows the business extremely well, so the handover is much simpler. As CFO, he knows the business intimately. I only have one piece of advice for him, and that's to enjoy the role." On China, Quinn said "there's still a long road of recovery for the real estate" sector, but "it's going in the right direction, and we're encouraged by some of the policy measures that have been taken recently." Revenue dropped 1 per cent in the second quarter to US$16.5 billion, which was higher than the market's estimate of US$16.15 billion. The gains were driven by strong growth in the wealth management and market-related businesses because of improved market sentiment, which helped offset the modest growth in lending. The better-than-expected earnings were also the result of lower bad debt charges. During the second quarter, HSBC took US$300 million of credit impairments, 67 per cent lower than a year earlier. This reflects lower charges related to potential soured loans in the bank's Chinese commercial real estate portfolio, which has been a major source of bad debts over the past two years. Net interest margin, an important measure of profitability, declined to 1.62 per cent at the end of June, compared with 1.72 per cent a year earlier. HSBC's business in Asia, which includes its largest market Hong Kong and that of its subsidiary Hang Seng Bank, saw a 7 per cent increase in pre-tax profit to US$5.43 billion. HSBC's shares advanced 2.3 per cent to HK$68.45 in the afternoon following the results announcement during the lunch break. Hang Seng Bank reported a 1 per cent rise in net profit to HK$9.89 billion (US$1.26 billion) for the first half. It will pay a second interim dividend of HK$1.2 per share, bringing the first-half dividends to HK$2.4 per share. The bank does not report quarterly earnings. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Mystery in west Fort Worth: A phantom sign hints at a return of The Original restaurant A legal notice has gone up for a new west side outlet of The Original Mexican Eats Cafe, indicating some sort of return to Camp Bowie Boulevard a half-block west of where it served tacos and chili-covered enchiladas for 93 years. The notice was posted in June in the old restaurant parking lot and also published in the Star-Telegram. It requests a license to sell liquor at the address of the old parking lot adjacent to 4725 Camp Bowie Blvd. The Original, one of Texas oldest Tex-Mex restaurants, moved to 1400 N. Main St. near the Stockyards in July 2023 after losing a long and bitter legal dispute that voided its property lease. A lease signed in 2003 was ruled illegal by a state appeals court. That ended the restaurants run at 4713 Camp Bowie Blvd., where it opened in 1930. Owner Robert Self did not return messages. The Original kept ownership of parking lots on Camp Bowie Boulevard and another lot on Byers Avenue formerly used for the restaurant, according to Tarrant Appraisal District records. A liquor notice posted on Camp Bowie Boulevard indicates some sort of possible return for The Original Mexican Eats Cafe. The restaurants sign still stands alone in the parking lot, now holding the legal notice. No application for a liquor license is in the state computer system yet, according to a spokesman for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The lot has always been considered a potential location for a small Original Mexican Eats stand, kiosk or mobile food truck. The restaurant continues to sell salsa at nearby shops and at the new north side restaurant. The former space has been converted for retail shops. The restaurant is nationally known for chili con carne, retro Tex-Mex and its Roosevelt Special platter, named for presidential son Elliott Roosevelt, a former Fort Worth and Benbrook resident. Older servers interviewed in the 1980s said the combination plate was Elliott Roosevelts favorite. He and his wife, Ruth Googins Roosevelt, lived on a ranch near Benbrook in the 1930s and often hosted his parents, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. 90-plus years of history at The Original Mexican Eats Cafe: a Roosevelt Special with chalupa, enchilada, taco and dips. The Original founders, Lola San Miguel Pineda of Muzquiz, Mexico, and her husband, former Spanish soldier Geronimo Pineda of Barcelona, moved here via Laredo and Waco and opened the restaurant in 1930, according to Star-Telegram archives and census records. (The restaurant claims a 1926 opening date.) In a 1932 clipping, Pineda described the combination No. 1 plate: tacos, Mexican rice, chile con queso, Spanish salad, toasted tortillas, Mexican [praline] candy and a bottle of ice cold Pearl beer. The price then: 50 cents. The North Main Street location is open for lunch and dinner daily except Monday; 817-761-1890, originalmexcafe.com. The second location of The Original Mexican Eats Cafe. This embedded content is not available in your region. This embedded content is not available in your region. NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KETK) A man is dead after a Tuesday night shooting in Nacogdoches. Chairman Rep. Cole Hefner takes initiative to ban foreign land owners According to police, they received multiple 911 calls around 9:15 p.m. about shots fired. Officers that arrived to the scene in the 400 block of W California Street reported a home had been struck multiple times by gunfire. Officers entered the residence to check on the welfare of anyone inside the residence, authorities said. Officers discovered an adult Hispanic male inside the residence that was deceased from what is believed to be a gunshot wound. An autopsy has been ordered and anyone with information is asked to contact the police department at 936-559-2607. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI) George Nonis rents out his four-bedroom apartment to University of Rhode Island students throughout the school year. But once those students leave, it becomes a place for tourists to stay while visiting Narragansett in the summer. Nonis told 12 News his livelihood is now in jeopardy thanks to a town ordinance designed to regulate short-term rentals. The proposal, approved by the Narragansett Town Council earlier this year, mandates short-term rentals last for a minimum of seven nights. It also bans the use of short-term rentals for weddings, banquets, corporate events, and bachelor or bachelorette parties. Through the ordinance, the town will gradually decrease the number of available short-term rental permits approved over the next few years as well. Nonis, whos also the president of Narragansett 2100, described the ordinance as being an overreach. The goal of this ordinance is to reduce short-term rentals, plain and simple, Nonis said. Thats why Nonis said Narragansett 2100, which represents the towns landlords and property managers, is legally challenging the ordinance. The ordinance was originally set to go into effect on Aug. 1, but the Narragansett Town Council opted to hold off on its enforcement indefinitely because of the pending lawsuit. SEE ALSO: ACLU urges Narragansett to repeal housing restrictions for unrelated tenants Narragansett Town Council President Ewa Dzwierzynski told 12 News the town is currently home to 1,100 short-term rentals. The impact of the local short-term rental trend is contributing to housing unaffordability and the town is losing housing stock for year-round families from conversion of single-family homes to rentals leading to less year-round residents, Dzwierzynski said, noting that Narragansett has the most short-term rental offerings of any city or town in the state. Dzwierzynski said goal of the ordinance is to increase the quality of life for everyone. The intent for regulating short-term rentals is to create a balance among residents, vacationers, students and seasonal renters, she continued. Unlike some towns in the state, country and abroad that have passed laws banning short-term rentals outright, the town of Narragansett is looking to bring balance to the community. Nonis believes the ordinance wont work as well as the town thinks it will. He said that, even if residents do decide to put their homes on the market, their asking prices wont attract the prospective buyers the town is looking for. [Homeowners] are not going to reduce their prices to allow families to come in and make it affordable, Nonis explained. Thats not happening across the state, never mind in Narragansett. Nonis said Narragansett 2100 is now waiting for a judge to decide whether the town can enforce the ordinance. That will officially be determined at an emergency hearing scheduled for Sept. 16. Until then, Nonis said it will mostly be status quo. Anytime you put a delay on something that youre fighting against its a win, Nonis said. Though the town has put a temporary hold on seasonal rental registrations until a decision is made, landlords and property managers can still register their properties for academic and annual rentals. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Two men with lengthy criminal histories are among the newest additions to Nashvilles list of Top 10 Most Wanted fugitives. The list is updated every Wednesday on the Metro Nashville Police Department Criminal Warrants Divisions Facebook page. According to detectives, those featured on the list are often considered to be some of the most violent offenders in the city. Most crimes in Nashville returning to pre-pandemic levels, except one Of the suspects on this weeks list, more than half are wanted for either homicide or charges related to alleged sex crimes. The rest of Nashvilles Most Wanted suspects are accused of crimes such as aggravated assault, aggravated robbery and vehicle theft. The two newest additions, 36-year-old Magic Johnson and 56-year-old Emory Davis, have criminal histories dating back to the late 90s and early 2000s. Both are now wanted for several charges, including multiple counts of assault. As the search for these suspects continues, the list has aided investigators in several arrests. Last week, a teen wanted for first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder turned himself in to police just a day after being featured among Nashvilles Most Wanted. One of Nashvilles Most Wanted surrenders following 2023 deadly shooting A handful of suspects like 18-year-old Joshua Polledo-Negrin have surrendered themselves after appearing on the list, but detectives said tips from the public have been vital in bringing many other wanted fugitives into custody. In total, at least 124 Most Wanted fugitives have been arrested since the program was launched in October 2022. Below is a list of the suspects who made the police departments Top 10 Most Wanted list the week of July 31, 2024. 1. Adrian L. Cameron Adrian Cameron (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) At number one, Adrian Cameron, 19, is considered this weeks Top Most Wanted fugitive, according to the MNPD. This is the twelfth week in a row Cameron has appeared on the list. However, police began looking for him in mid-April. Investigators said Cameron is one of three suspects in the death of 32-year-old rapper Chris King, who was shot and killed just before 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. King and his friends were reportedly hanging out in an alleyway between Hayes Street and Church Street that night. RELATED: 1 killed, 1 injured in shooting along Hayes Street Eventually, three other men began interacting with the group. Kings friends told police it started out cordial, but after some time, the three suspects allegedly tried to rob them. Thats when gunfire ran out, injuring King and his 29-year-old friend. Both of them were brought to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but King did not survive. Cameron, who was out on bond for the 2021 murder of 50-year-old Josh Evans at the time, was identified as a suspect in the shooting only days later. Officials believe Cameron cut his ankle monitor shortly after the shooting. Cameron had just turned 17 years old when police said he turned himself in for Evans murder. Evans was found shot and wrapped in trash bags in the Cumberland River in Sept. 2021. Unbelievable: Mourning Lebanon family outraged teen murder suspect was out on bond, accused of killing again Cameron was arrested again for gun charges in Rutherford County less than four months after turning himself in for the 2021 murder. Hes now charged with criminal homicide in connection with Kings death, as well as failure to appear. However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful. Anyone with information on Camerons whereabouts is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. 2. Lagarrion L. Blacksmith Lagarrion Blacksmith (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Lagarrion Blacksmith, 35, has been at the top of Nashvilles Most Wanted list for several months as police continue to try to track him down. He was initially added to the list on Nov. 29, 2023, after investigators said they were able to connect him to a deadly shooting that took place outside a Dickerson Pike bar last year. Officers found 35-year-old Chancellor Eddins lying on the ground just outside of Trvth Lounge on Feb. 18, 2023. He had been shot and later died at the scene. Another man who had also been hit by the gunfire was able to give officers an account of what happened. RELATED: Man wanted for homicide, other charges following fatal February shooting on Dickerson Pike According to police, the injured man told them he and Eddins had gotten into an argument with the suspect inside of the bar. Then, shots were fired as they left the location. At the time, the identity of the alleged shooter was unclear. Months later, investigators announced Blacksmith had been identified as a suspect. On Nov. 22, 2023, officials said arrest warrants had been issued against Blacksmith for criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and felon in possession of a handgun. However, efforts to locate him have reportedly been unsuccessful. 3. Ladonte J. Groves Ladonte Groves (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Ladonte Groves, 24, was added back to the list on April 3 after first being featured among Nashvilles Most Wanted on Aug. 16, 2023. Police said Groves has since been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges related to alleged sex crimes. The charges against him include two counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery and one count of domestic assault. Authorities said Groves was last seen in the East Nashville area. However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful. 4. Diego Camaja-Santiago Diego Camaja-Santiago (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Police are continuing to search for Diego Camaja-Santiago, 24, after he initially appeared on the Most Wanted list nearly a year ago on Aug. 16. He was added back to the list on June 12 after being indicted by a grand jury on several charges related to alleged sex crimes. Owner of McKamey Manor charged with attempted murder, rape According to authorities, Camaja-Santiago has outstanding warrants for two counts of aggravated rape with bodily injury, two counts of statutory rape and probation violation. His last location is unknown. 5. Edgar Monje-Alfaro Edgar Monje-Alfaro (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Edgar Monje-Alfaro, 24, is wanted by the MNPD after recently being indicted by a grand jury on two counts of statutory rape. Monje-Alfaro was added to the Most Wanted list on July 3. Officials said his last location is unknown. 6. Adrian Abernathy Adrian Abernathy (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Adrian Abernathy, 30, is believed to have been behind the wheel of a stolen car in a deadly October 2022 crash on the Rosa L. Parks Boulevard exit ramp from I-65 North. Abernathy has outstanding warrants for vehicular homicide, three counts of aggravated assault, felon in possession of a weapon, theft of a motor vehicle, theft of a firearm, reckless endangerment and making a false report. RELATED: Man wanted after allegedly lying about driving stolen car involved in deadly crash According to police, Abernathy initially said he was a backseat passenger in the stolen Lincoln Navigator SUV. However, over the course of the investigation, detectives determined the seating positions were reversed and Abernathy was the one driving the car. Authorities said he was traveling over 100 mph shortly before the crash, which killed 29-year-old Todd Bryant of Antioch. Abernathy has been featured on the Most Wanted list several times since early February 2023. He was added back to the list on May 1 after last being featured in November. Officials said he was last seen in Hermitage. 7. Thaddous S. Baskette Thaddous S. Baskette (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Thaddous Baskette, 30, is wanted on seven outstanding warrants for assault and theft-related charges, according to police. The charges against him include aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, especially aggravated burglary, vehicle theft less than $60,000, two counts of vehicle theft less than $10,000, vehicle theft less than $2,500 and failure to appear. Baskette was added to the Most Wanted list last week. Officials said his last location is unknown. 8. Emory H. Davis Emory H. Davis (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Emory Davis, 56, is a new addition to Nashvilles Most Wanted list. Officials said Davis is wanted on eight outstanding warrants, many of which are for violent offenses like assault. The charges against him include aggravated assault with bodily injury, two counts of assault with bodily injury, evading arrest, reckless driving, two counts of vandalism and driving on a suspended license. Rape suspect arrested 1 day after appearing on Most Wanted list Davis criminal history dates back to the late 90s, when he was convicted of aggravated robbery and multiple theft and drug charges. Court records show he spent several years in jail before eventually being released. Authorities said his last location is unknown. 9. Magic E. Johnson Magic E. Johnson (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Magic Johnson, 36, is another new addition to the list this week. Authorities said Johnson is wanted on outstanding warrants for two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault by strangulation and felon in possession of a weapon. Court records show Johnson has an extensive criminal history dating back to 2006. He has previously been convicted of charges such as disorderly conduct, misdemeanor evading arrest, aggravated robbery, assault and multiple order of protection violations. His last location is unknown. 10. Joshua R. Starkey Joshua R. Starkey (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Joshua Starkey, 19, is among some of the youngest suspects to appear among Nashvilles Most Wanted. Police said Starkey is wanted for one count of aggravated robbery with a weapon or object. He was added to the list on July 10. His last known location was in Hermitage. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee Anyone with information on any of the suspects listed is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump shakes hands with Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee on June 13. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images WASHINGTON Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who is in charge of flipping the chamber from blue to red this November, said Tuesday he expects his home state will play a key role in ensuring a Republican majority come January. As chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Daines said that of the four toss-up states that will determine control of the Senate, he believes Montana is the most likely to choose a new senator over the incumbent, Democrat Jon Tester. Of all of the states were currently battling, itd be the most likely pick-up right now, if you graded on a curve, Daines said. Republicans expect to gain the West Virginia Senate seat currently controlled by independent Joe Manchin III, who is retiring. But, theyll need one more pick up to hold at least 51 seats in the 100-member chamber and secure the majority. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter categorizes Ohio, Michigan, Montana and Nevadas races as toss-ups, while the other Senate races are rated as at least leaning toward Democrats or Republicans. Maryland is rated as a likely Democratic seat on that list, but Daines said he thinks former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan has a chance to defeat Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, a Democrat, for the seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin. Electoral trends Daines said he expects the November elections will follow a trend from 2016 and 2020, in which the winner of the Senate race very closely tracks with which presidential candidate wins in their state. The only exception, of 69 races in 2016 and 2020, with Trump on the ballot, was Susan Collins where Joe Biden won Maine, but Susan Collins won the Senate race, Daines said, referring to former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and the current Republican senator from Maine. History shows in a presidential year, these races will all start to track by the time we get to the end of October, and then on Election Day, importantly, well be tracking pretty close with the presidential ballot, he said during a meeting Tuesday with members of the Regional Reporters Association at the National Republican Senatorial Committee offices in Washington. Daines said the party is applying the lessons learned from 2022 to this years campaigns. Democrats targeted their messaging effectively two years ago, while Republicans had candidates that were able to win primary elections, but were not as appealing in a general, Daines said. And thats why one of the key strategies here at the NRSC was to be intentional in primaries, Daines said, adding he wanted fewer wounds and battle scars for the GOP candidates who won their primaries as they went into the general election campaign. Daines said that he doesnt expect reproductive rights and issues around democracy to be as central to how voters cast ballots this year as compared they were in 2022. In 22 the Democrats mentioned a lot on abortion and a lot on Jan. 6 and the threat to democracy, Daines said. I think both of those issues are going to be less powerful in the 24 election. On abortion specifically, he said that GOP Senate candidates are messaging well on this back in their respective states. Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson Tommy Garcia said in a written statement that Senate campaigns are candidate vs. candidate battles, and Senate Democrats will win because we have the better candidates in every single battleground. Steve Daines failure to vet his candidates has saddled Senate Republicans with deeply flawed recruits who are embroiled in a never ending series of scandals: theyve been caught lying about their biographies, face vulnerabilities stemming from their finances and are running on a platform of deeply unpopular policies, Garcia added. Montana focus Daines said he expects Montana voters will elect Republican candidate Tim Sheehy over Tester in November, citing data from former election years as well as how recent transplants to the state have registered to vote. Weve had a net migration of center-right voters to Montana since Jon Tester was last on the ballot, Daines said. He won by 18,000 votes against Matt Rosendale back in 2018. Weve had 100,000 new voters move to Montana since 2018. If you look at the voter rolls, by a 2-to-1 margin, theyre Republicans. Daines said he refers to these transplants as COWs since they are leaving California, Oregon and Washington to live in Montana, but are not looking to bring the blue-leaning politics of their former states to their new home. These are refugees, not missionaries, Daines said. Theyre moving to Montana to join us, not to change us. And thats how thats shifting the political numbers in Montana; just mathematically, it becomes increasingly difficult for Jon Tester to win. Daines said that mid-July polling in the race mirrors what he experienced ahead of his last re-election. The polling data that we are seeing with Tim Sheehy matches exactly where I was polling with Steve Bullock by the same pollster four years ago, Daines said, referring to the former Democratic governor who ran for Senate in 2020. And we ended up winning by 10 points. When thats combined with the millions of dollars that Democrats have spent on Testers re-election campaign, Daines said the odds are good for Republicans. (Senate Majority Leader Chuck) Schumer and Tester have poured $45 million of negative ads on Tim Sheehy since last November, Daines said. Weve never seen anything like it in any Senate race in the history of the United States that early, that much money spent. And the fact that Tim Sheehy is tied up right now on public polls is quite remarkable. DSCC Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, told States Newsroom on Tuesday that he expects Tester will win reelection. Hes wrong. Hes not going to flip Montana. Jon Tester is a strong candidate. Hes authentic. Hes running against a seriously flawed candidate that the Republicans have put forward. Clearly they didnt do any vetting before they recruited him to run in Montana, Peters said. And people in Montana, want someone whos authentic, has lived in the state and understands the challenges of people in Montana. And thats Jon Tester. Nevada battleground Daines also has hopes that the GOP can pick up Nevada, where Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen is facing a challenge from Republican candidate Sam Brown. In the 2022 Senate race, he noted, Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto defeated Republican candidate Adam Laxalt by about 8,000 votes. It was the tightest Senate race that cycle. Thats four votes per precinct, Daines said. Thats not lost, certainly on both sides of the ledger. Had Laxalt been running during a presidential election year, when rural voters tend to turn out in higher numbers than during midterm election years, Daines said Laxalt would have won a seat in the Senate. Looking at more recent polling numbers in Nevada, Rosens ballot number is very low. Shes in the low 40s. Thats a big warning sign for an incumbent, Daines said. It also shows theres great upside for Sam Brown at the moment. Michigan race In Michigan, which presents another chance for Republicans to gain and potentially grow a Senate majority, Daines said he isnt worried about negative ads from the Republican primary impacting their prospects during the general election. You always worry about whether youre on the Democratic or Republican side damaging primaries. And something that we have done at the NRSC in this particular election cycle, is to be intentional about getting behind candidates early in primaries, Daines said. And Michigans an example of that. The NRSC and Trump both endorsed GOP candidate Mike Rogers early, he said. And so far in this election cycle, theres been $250 million less spent in Republican primaries versus last cycle, Daines said. Democrats have spent $60 million more in their primaries versus last cycle. And in part thats due to a strategy that we had to get behind candidates early and try to minimize primary battles. Daines wasnt too concerned about recent polling that shows Democrat Elissa Slotkin ahead of Rogers in a likely general election matchup. Its not a new phenomenon, Daines said. Generally, we run behind. Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey hopes Daines has hope for GOP candidates in other states that traditionally send Democrats to the Senate. In Maryland, he expects Hogan has a chance to defeat Alsobrooks for the open seat. When Republicans polled the chances for Hogan before he entered the race, they showed he had higher favorability than when he left office, Daines said. And while Daines said he knows that Kamala Harris will likely win Maryland by 25 points or more, he still expects Hogan will have a strong campaign. Thats not a new phenomenon for Larry Hogan. And so he will run in this maverick kind of lane, Daines said, noting that Hogan has distanced himself from Trump. Daines sought to put a little bit of distance between the NRSC and the Aug. 13 Republican Senate primary in Minnesota when asked about the candidates, though he said he stood by a previous comment that Royce White cant win the GOP primary or the general election. Well wait and see how the primary shakes out in Minnesota. Again, its coming up here pretty soon, mid-August, Daines said. But yeah, I think Joe Fraser is going to be a more electable candidate, certainly in the general. Whichever GOP candidate wins the primary will face Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the general election, fighting for a seat that is rated as solid Democratic by The Cook Political Report. New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendezs recent conviction has also led Daines to not entirely count the state out, though the odds are long. Curtis Bashaw, he said, is a very strong candidate. Its a race were keeping an eye on, Daines said. Obviously, whenever you have an open seat, its an opportunity. And with Menendezs problems that doesnt help overall. Menendez isnt seeking re-election and will resign from the U.S. Senate in August. Democratic Rep. Andy Kim, who was pictured cleaning up litter inside the U.S. Capitol following the Jan. 6 attack, was elected as the Democratic nominee. The Cook Political Report rates the race as solid Democrat. Tune in this Friday as Levi Rickert, publisher and editor of Native News Online, and Political Editor Neely Bardwell, interviews Jonathan Nez, Democratic Congressional Candidate for Arizonas second congressional district. Nez, who was the president of the Navajo Nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, won the Democratic nomination for Arizonas second congressional district on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. He faces first-term incumbent Rep. Eli Crane in the general election on November 5, 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. With a distinguished tenure as the former president of the Navajo Nation, he has a proven track record of leadership and advocacy for issues critical to tribal communities. Residing in Flagstaff with his family, he embodies the values of Arizonas diverse communities. Nez intimately understands the unique challenges facing rural communities. Leveraging his established relationships in Washington, he pledges to navigate bureaucratic hurdles and channel vital resources back to his constituents. With deep roots in the Navajo Nation, Nezs commitment to public service began early, marked by roles such as vice president of the Shonto Chapter and later serving on the Navajo Nation Council and County Board of Supervisors. During his tenure as Vice President and President of the Navajo Nation, he steered his people through the COVID-19 crisis, spearheading improvements in healthcare, public safety, and infrastructure. Nez will discuss his descision to run for Congress, his thoughts on the Biden-Harris administration, and how he thinks he can beat the incumbent congressman. REMINDER: Register to vote and cast your ballot on November 5th Tune into Native Bidaske LIVE this Friday, August 2, 2024 at 12 noon ET on Native News Online's Facebook, X (Twitter), or //www.youtube.com/@NativeNewsOnline/streams" style="text-decoration: none;">YouTube channel to be inspired. 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 With a NATO war and Ukraine's knack for shooting down planes in mind, Russia is holding back its airpower and most advanced jets Russia is holding much of its airpower and more-advanced jets in reserve, defense experts say. One concern for the Russians is Ukraine's air defenses, which have shot down a number of Russian aircraft. Another consideration is that these assets could be needed in a larger potential war with NATO. Russia has kept much of its airpower and some of its most advanced aircraft out of the war in Ukraine. Defense experts say doing so signals Russian worries about Ukraine's air-defense game but also considerations beyond this fight to one with NATO. John Baum, an airpower expert at the Mitchell Institute who's a retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel, told Business Insider that the Russians "could bring more-advanced aircraft into the fight" but that "they simply haven't done that yet." Some Kremlin claims aside, there's no evidence Russia has used its Su-57s over Ukraine itself, despite the aircraft, at least on paper, being Russia's most advanced plane and supposedly built for a war in which the airspace is heavily contested. The jet is Russia's first attempt at a fifth-generation fighter, touted by Russian media as a match for American fifth-generation stealth fighters such as the F-22 and F-35. But given limitations in the design, such as a lack of all-aspect stealth, analysts question whether the plane's actual capabilities fit that description. The aircraft also suffers from some lingering technical issues. In January, the UK Ministry of Defence said the Su-57 had been limited to launching missiles from Russian territory, mirroring how Russia has used many of its other aircraft in this war. Unlike the ground troops it throws into the "meat grinder," Russia tends to use its air assets in ways that minimize risk by keeping them back from Ukraine's defenses. A Su-35 jet. Sukhoi "Russia is husbanding a lot of its air assets. So, a lot of the Russian Air Force, you are not even seeing over Ukraine," Andrew Curtis, an independent defense researcher who spent 35 years as a UK Royal Air Force officer, said. He added that Russia had been using Su-57s in ways that posed "no risk." "The reason for that is simply that it is keen to make sure that it retains a credible modern air force for any future operations that it might want to undertake," Curtis said. "And that in itself is quite significant," he added, "because it shows that at least somebody in the Kremlin is thinking beyond just Ukraine." Russia is holding back its air forces with NATO in mind Michael Clarke, a Russia and Ukraine expert who's also a UK national security advisor, said Russia was making some sacrifices in Ukraine for a possible future conflict. "If the Russians were throwing everything they had against Ukraine, they would probably be in a stronger, better position than they are now," he said. He added that Russia's air force was holding back jets "because if it devoted all to Ukraine, it feels it will have nothing left if it comes to some sort of conflict with NATO." The top US commander in Europe, Gen. Christopher Cavoli, told Congress in April that Russia had lost only about 10% of its fleet in Ukraine, indicating it had a lot left in its airpower arsenal. NATO members are worried about the future threat from Russia, with many warning that Russia may attack another member in Europe if it's not defeated in Ukraine. Members are ramping up defense spending and making more defense agreements with each other, with the ones closest to Russia boosting their border defenses. "As this crisis goes on, the prospect of a general war against NATO becomes more real," Clarke said. "That's not to say that that's very likely, but it's at least a bit more likely than it was two years ago." NATO leaders at the 2024 Washington, DC, summit. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein Russia's air force would probably lose in a direct engagement with NATO air forces, multiple experts have told BI, as NATO's combined airpower is much larger and more advanced. But Baum and other air-warfare experts have warned that Russia's air force shouldn't be underestimated and have cautioned that NATO should be ready. Russia's air force is weaker than NATO's airpower, but Russia's war in Ukraine shows it can still cause a lot of damage. It adapts in devastating ways, as it has demonstrated with the guided-glide-bomb operations against Ukraine. Peter Layton, a fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute who's a former Royal Australian Air Force officer, said Russia might very well have a future NATO conflict in mind as it makes decisions today. For instance, he said, Russia might believe that in a war with NATO, its air forces could "survive long enough to counter some NATO air raids and help defend Russian ground forces for a short time." Such a plan would require not squandering assets in Ukraine. And Layton wasn't the only expert to share that assessment. Russian considerations may, in turn, be shaping current combat conditions in the war in Ukraine. "NATO's power in the air is inhibiting the Russians from committing all of their air power, or more of it, to Ukraine," Clarke said. He said Russia wanted to keep its air force looking strong as a weaker Russian air force would "weaken Putin's political hand in anything he then tries to do in relation to NATO politics." And, in a future conflict, Russia would want its air force to be powerful. Ukraine is still downing Russian jets The Ukrainian armed forces have a significantly smaller and older air force than Russia does. Its few jets are all Soviet-era, but Russia has one of the world's biggest air forces with many more modern combat aircraft. But neither side has been particularly successful at changing the war from the air, considering the threat posed to aircraft by the proliferation of ground-based air-defense systems. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in front of a Patriot antiaircraft missile system, multiple of which have been given to Ukraine by allies. Jens Buttner/Pool via Getty Images Experts in air warfare previously told BI that Ukraine's achievements here were remarkable and ones that may have stopped the war from quickly ending in a Russian victory. Russia's losses are much higher than Ukraine's, though it has more to lose. According to a February update from the open-source intelligence site Oryx, Ukraine had lost at least 135 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, while Russia had lost nearly double that figure. Ukraine has claimed some big kill streaks shooting down Russian aircraft, including downing 10 jets in 10 days in February. Russia's air force often appears to back off after such victories. Beyond fighter jets and fighter-bombers, Ukrainian forces have also downed some high-value Russian aircraft. This includes an A-50 command and control aircraft in January. The Russians have only a few of these planes available. This prolific threat to anything flying could put Russia's advanced Su-57s at risk were they to fly combat missions over Ukraine. But avoiding the fight hasn't completely shielded the small Su-57 fleet. Ukraine managed to damage one in a long-range strike on an air base hundreds of miles inside Russian territory. Holding its airpower back has largely protected the force, though. Layton said Russia had kept many aircraft out of Ukrainian airspace since "at least after the first few months." Russia's air force has suffered high attrition rates from Ukraine's ground-based air defenses when operating in the country. A Russian Sukhoi Su-34 shot down by Ukrainian antiaircraft guns. Nicola Marfisi/AGF/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Russian combat aircraft tend to use weapons that let them "generally stay safely inside Russian airspace while firing into Ukraine." Russia notably saw big aircraft losses in February when more of its jets came close to the front lines to support land forces by launching glide bombs, Layton said. He said Russia "has a lot of trouble replacing lost advanced aircraft," making only a few a year. And sanctions from many countries against Russia for its invasion could make things more difficult, he said. Clarke said that Russia could use its strategic bombers more effectively if they flew over Ukrainian territory but that "they've only got a certain number of strategic bombers, and if they lose eight or 10 of them, then that will put quite a hole in the force." He said the environment in Ukraine was too "risky" for Russia's air force, especially if it wanted to maintain its force for a future fight. Russia's comfortable losing what it's losing now Curtis said Russia was using its most advanced assets in ways that kept them "completely safe," such as launching long-range attacks from inside Russia, adding that there was "effectively no risk." And Layton said Russia might be motivated by its own weapons industry, which has ramped up but still faces challenges. "Any losses impact possible future export sales as Russian aircraft now appear less capable," he said. Some experts have suggested this as a possible reason for keeping the Su-57 out of the fight, especially given Russia's significant activity in foreign arms sales. Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets performing near Moscow in August 2019. Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS George Barros, a Russia analyst at the US's Institute for the Study of War think tank, which has been closely tracking the war, said Russia had only a small number of many of its most advanced aircraft, which means they wouldn't make a big difference if Russia was taking on NATO's air forces, though Russia has other capable platforms to supplement. He said Russia had a propaganda reason for keeping them intact before any future conflict, one that even outweighed the effect they could have in Ukraine. On the Su-57, he said that "if the Russians were to lose it, it would be just such an international embarrassment." Western intelligence and aviation experts previously told BI's Jake Epstein that the absence of the Su-57 suggested Russia might not be confident in the jet and probably wanted to avoid any reputational damage that could come if any were shot down. Gustav Gressel, an expert in Russian defense policy at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said that Russia had "very few" Su-57s and that "they are expensive to operate." Other jets could do the same jobs needed in Ukraine, he said, "and it would be less embarrassing if they would be shot down." Russia is understood to have only about 20 Su-57s in service. Tim Robinson, a military-aviation specialist at the UK's Royal Aeronautical Society, said that Russia's Su-57s "are the high-quality assets, high expensive assets, stealth fighters" and that the Russians "don't want to lose them." Experts have also pointed to Russian fears that if its most advanced jets were shot down over Ukraine-held territory, it would expose their most advanced technology and could be a windfall for Ukraine's Western partners. Robinson said that if any Su-57s were shot down over Ukrainian-held territory, Western intelligence experts would get to "crawl all over it and find out its secret." Zelenskyy in an F-16 fighter jet. Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images Baum said Russia's decisions on what goes into Ukraine and what doesn't might be "calculated." They might have decided "that they don't need to roll out their more sophisticated weapons yet or ramp up their sortie rate yet," he said. Curtis said Russia was "happy to lose what it's using in Ukraine," adding, "in most instances, I'm afraid, that's people." Russia has been known for treating its soldiers as disposable, including by using what are described as "meat grinder" tactics, such as high-cost "human wave" assaults. He said that for now, Russia could afford to keep its most advanced assets out of Ukraine as its strategy for victory wasn't by total military triumph. He said that instead, Russia was aiming to grind down Western appetite for helping Ukraine and exhaust Ukraine's support. He said Russia is "not really going to be too fussed about how modern and how useful the capability" it gives its soldiers is. The defense reporter Jake Epstein contributed to this reporting. Read the original article on Business Insider Navajo President Buu Nygren deployed tribal police Tuesday in an attempt to stop trucks carrying uranium ore from a mine south of the Grand Canyon, and accused the mine's operator of trying to sneak across the reservation. The first trucks had already reached their destination in southeast Utah by the time tribal police reached the highway. Energy Fuels Inc., which began extracting uranium from its Pinyon Plain Mine late last year, started moving ore from the mine Tuesday, sending it across U.S. Highway 89 and U.S. Highway 160, through Coconino County and the Navajo Nation, to a mill near Blanding, Utah. Navajo leaders earlier this year implored President Joe Biden to block transportation of the ore, but couldn't prevent the company from using state and federal rights of way. Nygren said he only learned the trucks were rolling midday Tuesday. What was very disappointing today is that we were under the assumption that we would get 10 days or two weeks heads up if that this was going to happen, Nygren said. Then, at the same time, we were made aware that transportation was not going to happen until October or November. Nygren issued an executive order Wednesday calling on Energy Fuels to provide advance notice of future shipments. The order also said the tribe would develop a long-term policy regarding transportation of radioactive materials. Navajo Nation Speaker Crystalyne Curley told The Arizona Republic on Tuesday night that she first learned about the plans that morning through social media. She received texts from people who said the transportation was expected but weren't certain when it would occur. "There was no direct notification from the company itself," said Curley. The trucks traveled south from the mine to Interstate 40 west to Flagstaff, then north on U.S. Highway 89, Nygren said. The route took them through Cameron, Tuba City, Kayenta and on to the While Mesa Mill near Blanding. They snuck through the Navajo Nation and they made it onto the Utah side, outside of the reservation, he said. To me, they operated covertly to travel the Navajo Nation illegally. Its very disappointing that they did that, that they smuggled uranium across our Nation which is very inappropriate. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said Wednesday she was informed about the ore transportation by tribal and county officials. They said they had not received advance notice of the company's move, Mayes said. "My office is currently researching our options, but I remain deeply committed to doing everything in my power to protect the health and safety of all Arizonans," Mayes said in a statement. "Hauling radioactive materials through rural Arizona, including across the Navajo Nation, without providing notice or transparency and without providing an emergency plan is unacceptable." Letter to the president: Navajo leaders urge Biden to block transport of uranium ore across tribal lands in Arizona Company says it complied with requirements A spokesperson for Energy Fuels said the company had complied with notice requirements before shipments began and, in a news release, an executive said the risks of trucking unprocessed ore on trucks was minimal. Tens of thousands of thousands of trucks have safely transported uranium ore across northern Arizona since the 1980s with no adverse health or environmental effects, the companys president and chief executive, Mark Chalmers, said in a statement. Materials with far greater danger are transported every day on every road in the county. Ore is simply natural rock. It wont explode, ignite, burn or glow, contrary to what opponents claim. In March, Nygren signed a resolution passed by the Navajo Nation Council asking Biden to explore the use of all available executive authority to stop transportation of the uranium ore from the mine south of the Grand Canyon across tribal lands to the Utah mill. In a letter to Biden, Nygren said the issue is of critical importance and threatens the health, well-being and cultural integrity of tribal members. We are writing to you as the President of the Navajo Nation and Speaker of the 25th Nation Council, representing the voices and concerns of the Dine people, Nygren said in the letter. Mr. President, we urgently request the support of the White House to address these critical issues. We ask you to explore all executive authorities at your disposal to halt the transportation of uranium through our lands." Biden last year established Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, which put uranium mining off limits on nearly 1 million acres near the Canyon. The Pinyon Plain Mine is working on an existing claim and can continue to extract ore. Because the roads on the route are on state and federal rights of way, the tribal council can't prohibit transportation of the uranium. Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch said tribal officials are developing regulations that would allow the safe transport of uranium across Navajo Nation. Even though there is a state right of way for some of the path that the trucks will be taking across the Nation, that doesn't mean that we don't have any right to regulate that territory, she said. It's still Navajo trust land. It's still Navajo sovereign territory. Curley said the tribe has not received any information from Energy Fuels. The first official notice the leaders received of the haul was an email from the U.S. Forest Service to the Navajo Nation. The email said the Forest Service was notified by Energy Fuels Resources that the company began hauling uranium ore from the mine Tuesday. The Kaibab National Forest had requested a two-week notice in advance of hauling, but there were no requirements for the mine to do so. The mine informed the Forest Service after the mine began hauling. Environmental effects: Conservation groups say Arizona uranium mine threatens Grand Canyon, ask Hobbs to intervene Trucks would share route with school buses Energy Fuels email further stated the company is authorized to use two haul routes. Long term, the company planned to use a route along State Route 64, U.S. 180 and then U.S. 89 to access its White Mesa Mill in Blanding. "However, a portion of this route passes through state and private 'checkerboard' lands for which Energy Fuels is currently working to obtain necessary permits," said the letter to Navajo leaders. "Until then, the haul route will follow State Route 64 further south to Interstate 40 at Williams then to U.S. 89 through Flagstaff. Both routes pass through the Navajo Nation." Curley said they haven't received any communication from Flagstaff regarding this haul since it goes through the city. Coconino County spearheaded monthly meetings and invited regulatory agencies from the federal and state governments, municipalities, cities, Indigenous tribes, and stakeholders historically involved with the mine. Participation is voluntary, and Energy Fuels has been present, making themselves available to answer questions, said Patrice Hortsman, Coconino County Supervisor for District One. Despite apparently open communication, there was an expectation that all parties would be notified in advance about the transportation schedule. At 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, The Republic received a press release from Energy Fuels announcing that uranium hauling had begun that morning. Chalmers, the CEO, emphasized nuclear energy's role in providing a significant portion of Arizona and the U.S.'s carbon-free electricity, reducing reliance on foreign uranium sources. Energy Fuels highlighted its commitment to legal requirements and its voluntary reporting of the state of its actions. The company said the transported uranium ore contains about only one percent of uranium and is handled with stringent safety measures. Curley said the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe opposes the transportation of uranium ore through its reservation. The most concerning issue is that the company has not provided information about the regulations or other protocol they are following to ensure safe transport. "There is one thing to be aware of is school is starting and the same route they are taking are also the exact school bus routes," said Curley. "The company hasn't even showed us any regulation that they are following." Executive order calls for more rules Nygren's executive order would require mining companies to agree to terms regarding the transport of radioactive materials through the Navajo Nation, and said the tribe would develop long-term rules over the next six months. The order reiterates the tribe's opposition to moving uranium ore on its lands and seeks four days' notice before future shipments, citing laws passed in 2005 and 2012. This was much needed, said Nygren. We're taking this stance of interpreting and executing the law to ensure the safety of our people and respect for Navajo sovereignty. It's our job as the executive branch to enforce these laws. Stephen Etsitty, executive director of the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency, said he met with Energy Fuels Resources representatives in April and informed them of both the 2005 and 2012 laws. I informed them of this particular law that we're invoking in this executive order, which is generally known as the Radioactive Materials Transport Act, he said. I encouraged them to understand that this law is in effect and that we would be concerned, and we will be using this law in regard to these issues of imminent transport. Branch said anyone who comes into Navajo territory must conduct themselves in a responsible manner that complies with Navajo law and protects the health, safety and welfare of the Navajo people. Particularly with something as sensitive as uranium, where there is a long legacy of contamination and disproportionate impact to the Navajo people, she said. Anyone bringing those substances onto the Nation should undertake that activity with respect and sensitivity to the psychological impact to our people, as well as the trauma of uranium development that our community continues to live with every day. Arlyssa D. Becenti covers Indigenous affairs for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Send ideas and tips to arlyssa.becenti@arizonarepublic.com. Trilce Estrada Olvera writes about environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send comments and story tips to trilce.estradaolvera@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Navajo President Buu Nygren tries to halt uranium shipments from mine NC county emergency services reminds folks to plan as chances up to 60% for tropical development CLINTON, N.C. (WNCN) One central North Carolina county is already encouraging residents to get ready as the chances for a tropical system developing increased again on Tuesday. The National Hurricane Center on Saturday said a tropical wave in the central Atlantic had a 20 percent chance of developing into a tropical depression or named system over the next seven days. But, by Tuesday, that chance has tripled to 60 percent and various models predict a developing storm could aim for the Carolinas. NHC forecasters said Wednesday that the southeastern U.S. should monitor the progress of this system. CBS 17 models indicate tropical winds could be off the North Carolina coast near Wilmington just before sunrise Monday. The models show throughout Sunday that the system could skirt up the coast from Florida to South Carolina Carolinas could see tropical system early next week; 60% chance of development The National Hurricane Center added that a tropical depression could form this week while the system is near the Bahamas or Greater Antilles. Soon after that message went out, Sampson County Emergency Services forwarded it out on a social media post. The Clinton Police Department also shared the social media post from emergency services. Officials with the Sampson County Emergency Services are asking people to think about a plan for you and your family if the system heads to North Carolina. Do you have a plan for you and your family should this system develop and head our way? the Facebook post said. Sampson County Emergency Services also encouraged residents to sign up for alerts from the county. Officials said, there is no better day than today to start preparing yourself and your family for whatever this hurricane season may bring. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's central bank on Wednesday proposed to allow a wider set of alternatives, including fingerprints and passwords, as additional factors of authentication for all digital transactions. An additional factor of authentication requires two or more ways of verifying the identity of the user, typically used to reduce fraud and cyber crime. Currently, India does not have any rules for how to authenticate digital payments, but the industry has primarily adopted text-based one-time passwords for authorisation. The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday proposed to allow other options like fingerprints, passwords or personal identification numbers as additional factors of authentication, according to a draft circular. It has also said passphrases, card hardwares or software tokens could be used for authenticating digital transactions. (Reporting by Siddhi Nayak; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee) the floor of the North Carolina house of representatives The North Carolina House of Representatives overrode three vetoes on July 31, 2024. (Christine Zhu/NC Newsline) The North Carolina House of Representatives acted quickly and with limited debate to override three gubernatorial vetoes on Wednesday. The trio of bills are related to low-speed vehicles, landlord-tenant disputes, and digital currency payments. In each case, at least two Democrats joined with all Republicans who were present to support the overrides. Although the Senate is scheduled to meet Thursday, its unclear if or when the upper chamber will schedule or conduct override votes. House Bill 155 would allow modified ATVs and utility vehicles to drive on more roads, such as four-lane highways. The House voted 73-41 to override Gov. Roy Coopers veto. Rep. Zack Hawkins, a Democrat from Durham, was the only lawmaker to speak about the bill on the floor. He urged his colleagues to side with the governor. Cooper cited safety concerns in a statement, claiming the vehicles lack many of the safety features found in traditional vehicles, which could lead to serious injury or death. Its best that we err on the side of caution and make sure that were keeping the safety and security of our roads, our law enforcement, and everyone else in mind, Hawkins said. The House voted 74-40 to override Coopers veto on House Bill 556, which includes several provisions. At issue in the veto was a provision that prevents local governments from adopting ordinances that bar landlords from discriminating against tenants who receive federal housing assistance. In a statement explaining his veto, Cooper said the legislation led to legal ambiguity for eviction orders. He also voiced concerns for low-income families, the elderly and people with disabilities to find affordable rental housing without protections against rent discrimination. Rep. Marcia Morey, a Democrat from Durham, said the bill would lead to discrimination by prohibiting using federal subsidies during a severe housing crisis. A lot of this makes no sense, Morey said on the House floor. House Bill 690 would ban payments to the state using central bank digital currency. The House overrode Coopers veto by a 73-41 vote. Cooper said in a statement that North Carolina should wait before making monetary transactions in digital assets. He described the legislation as premature, vague and reactionary, as opposed to dealing with cybersecurity threats that currently exist. Rep. Mary Belk, a Democrat from Mecklenburg, pointed out that the United States does not have a central bank digital currency. She said the Federal Reserve Bank is still studying the options to offer businesses and consumers the opportunity to make digital transactions with confidentiality, security, and predictability. Theres enough space in the digital economy for everyone, she said. Theres no reason to limit our choices before we know what they are. The lower chamber adjourned until Thursday, where there are no votes on the calendar. The legislature previously overrode three of Coopers vetoes in late June. Last year, the legislature overturned all 19 gubernatorial vetoes. The N.C. House of Representatives, convening for votes for the first time since lawmakers left Raleigh at the end of June, voted to override Gov. Roy Coopers vetoes of three bills. Since legislative Republicans secured supermajorities in both chambers of the General Assembly in April 2023, theyve overridden 22 vetoes issued by the Democratic governor. Those bills have included major ones like new abortion restrictions, changes to election laws, a ban on gender transition surgery for minors, a repeal of the states permit law for buying handguns, and changes to the states masking and campaign finance laws. The vetoes that the House voted to override on Wednesday involved two bills concerning, among other things, the operation of off-road vehicles and tenancy regulations. The third bill would prohibit state agencies or courts from accepting payments using a central bank digital currency, or participating in any test of a central bank digital currency by any branches of the Federal Reserve. A few Democrats joined Republicans in voting to override each of Coopers vetoes, in votes that otherwise split along party lines. Each bill will require a successful override vote by the Senate before it can be enacted into law over Coopers objections. The Senate isnt expected to convene this week, however, so the bills will remain vetoed until the upper chamber comes back and decides to take up the bills for override votes. Vetoes awaiting action There are two additional Senate bills that Cooper vetoed. Bills need to be taken up first for override votes by the chamber where they originate. House Speaker Tim Moore told reporters on Wednesday that he expects the Senate to hold votes on the three bills the House acted on when the Senate returns, and also send the House the two bills it has, for override votes. Both chambers agreed to adjourn this years short session at the end of June, after House and Senate Republicans were unable to reach an agreement on a new budget bill to make adjustments to the two-year budget they enacted over Coopers veto in October. Republicans left without resolving differences on other major bills they had wanted to pass, but had some disagreements over, including a bill requiring sheriffs in North Carolina to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a bill to fund all 55,000 families that are on the waiting list to receive a private school voucher for their children, ahead of the new school year that begins this fall. While adjourning this years session, House and Senate Republicans agreed on a few dates every month or so through the end of the year, when lawmakers can return to Raleigh to take up certain bills. The next time lawmakers are slated to return for any potential business is Sept. 9-11. During Wednesdays House session, many lawmakers took time to speak on the floor and share updates about their personal and professional lives. Rep. Jason Saine, a top budget writer and senior member of House leadership who is stepping down next month to take a job in the private sector, delivered an emotional farewell speech. Saine has spent 13 years in the House. Rep. Maria Cervania (D-Wake) calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war at a Legislative Building press conference on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo: Ahmed Jallow) Nearly 50 North Carolina state and local elected officials have signed a letter calling for a permanent cease-fire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The letter will be delivered to the members of the North Carolina congressional delegation and the Biden administration, according to two of the co-authors, State Representatives Maria Cervania (D-Wake) and Renee Price (D-Caswell and Orange), both of whom spoke at a Wednesday morning press conference at the State Legislative Building. All of the 16 state lawmakers who signed the letter are Democrats. This letter was born from deep compassion and carefully crafted with sincerity and sensitivity, said Cervania. It calls upon our North Carolina congressional delegation to support a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine. Jewish Voice for Peace Triangle Chapter, Muslim Women For, and Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford), who was absent during this mornings announcement, are also co-authors of the letter. We witnessed the success of the temporary truce at the end of November: dozens of Israeli hostages were freed, dozens of Palestinian detainees were released, and life-saving humanitarian aid and fuel were distributed, according to the letter. At the press conference, speakers highlighted the devastating impact of the war on civilians and called on the congressional delegation to support a resolution introduced by Rep. Cori Bush (D-Missouri) in October, which seeks an immediate and permanent cease-fire. While we do not deal in international affairs on the state level of politics, we do hold the authority to encourage our national officials to support efforts in peace and when international conflicts begin to affect the people in our communities in North Carolina, be it our Jewish or Muslim neighbors, it is our role as state legislators to hear them, said Cervania. Following the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas, which killed 1,200 Israelis and took about 250 hostages, the ensuing Israeli military campaign has resulted in nearly 39,000 deaths. The conflict has led a wide array of groups and individuals to call for a permanent ceasefire, including the American Postal Workers and the United Auto Workers two of the largest unions in the U.S. They understand the response of to the horrific killing of innocent Israelis on October 7 should not be met with more violence, according to the letter. Rep. Price voiced concern about the far-reaching impact of the Middle East conflict on communities in North Carolina. Though the Middle East conflict is 6,000-plus miles away, its impact definitely is felt here in North Carolina, in our communities, within families and among our friends, be they Palestinian, Israeli, American or another nationality, Price said. We are unable to remain silent as this crisis worsens as human beings, including innocent babies, children, women and men are dying from missile attacks or starvation. Wednesdays event followed Tuesdays news report that 38 protesters charged in an April pro-Palestinian demonstration at UNC-Chapel Hill have been offered plea deals. All protesters face misdemeanor charges, with most charged with second-degree trespassing. Others face charges of resisting a public officer and assault on a government official, according to WRAL. Its unclear whether protesters will accept plea deals ranging from deferred prosecution to conditional discharge. Several protesters say they are using a collective defense strategy to avoid leaving group members with more serious charges. All plea deals require community service and/or payment of court costs and fines. UNC police have charged 39 people since April, when a four-day Gaza solidarity encampment on campus was shut down. Samira Haddad, a Palestinian organizer and volunteer with Muslim Women For, an advocacy organization based in North Carolina, said they began working on the letter in October. Since then, the horrors in Gaza have intensified daily, Haddad said. We have members of our local community who have lost dozens of family members and even hundreds more, Haddad said. Steve Bader, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace Triangle Chapter, expressed similar sentiments. The letter also called for extending Temporary Protected Status under federal immigration law to Palestinians living in the U.S. TPS allows citizens of designated countries to live and work in the U.S. temporarily when conditions in their home countries are unsafe. North Carolina families hoping to get a private school voucher are ramping up their lobbying efforts to persuade House Republicans to agree on a funding deal. Republicans in the House and Senate have not been able to agree on a plan to provide nearly $500 million in additional money to clear the 55,000-student waiting list for the Opportunity Scholarship program. Dozens of parents and students who are on the waiting list rallied at the Legislative Building on Wednesday to make an impassioned plea for a deal to be reached. We are not going to be forgotten, said Rachel Brady, a Wake Forest parent who organized the rally. Were not going to take this lying down. Youre going to see our faces and youre going to see these students. Time is running short for families because many private schools are starting the new school year in August. GOP split on how to fund vouchers Last year, the Republican-controlled General Assembly created what they called universal school choice by eliminating income eligibility limits for getting a private school voucher. A record total of nearly 72,000 applicants applied in March under the new eligibility rules. But theres currently not enough money to fund most of the Opportunity Scholarship applications. The high demand led GOP leaders, who have a veto-proof legislative majority, to publicly pledge to increase funding to clear the backlog. In May, the Senate passed a standalone bill to provide $463.5 million in additional voucher funding over the next two years. In June, the House and Senate passed separate budget bills that included the $463.5 million. House Republicans want the increased voucher funding coupled with pay raises for teachers and other increases in public school spending. Senate Republicans want the voucher funding to be a standalone item. House Speaker Tim Moore told reporters after the session on Wednesday that he spoke to some of the families. I told them that we will continue to work to try to get that done. I dont know it does not appear that we will get this passed prior to when school starts, Moore said. The reality is, is that we know that Gov. (Roy) Cooper would veto it anyway, hes already signaled. And so as a practical matter, coming back to do a veto override before school starts, it simply isnt possible. Moore said that because the cost is about $500 million, hed rather do it in the context of other things in a budget deal. The General Assembly didnt pass a state budget adjustment bill before they moved earlier this summer to adjourn except for brief returns like on Wednesday, when the House overrode three of Coopers vetoes. Families in limbo The majority of the families on the waiting list would have made too much money to have qualified in previous years. But the waiting list includes more than 15,000 students who would have previously qualified. House Speaker Tim Moore accepts a letter signed by parents that urged Republican lawmakers to keep their promise to fully fund private school vouchers for the 55,000 students on the Opportunity Scholarship waiting list on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 at the Legislative Building. Elizabeth Foskey, a Raleigh parent on the waiting list, said getting the Opportunity Scholarship would ease the heavy financial burden of sending two children to a private school. The public education system has changed dramatically over the last decade, which in turn has resulted in us parents seeking other opportunities for our childrens education, Foskey said at the rally. By passing this bill, my husband and I will be free to select a school of our choosing. The lack of a deal is hurting both families and private schools, according to Jason Phibbs, co-founder of Heritage Classical Academy in Albemarle. Phibbs said hes lost 10% of his enrollment due to families not being to pay the tuition without an Opportunity Scholarship. We are hardworking North Carolina families who have taken off work to come and make yet another plea for Speaker Moore and House Republicans to honor their commitment and clear the wait list, Phibbs said at the rally. You all committed to this. The money is available and the Senate has already approved. Theres no excuses. Its time to make it right. House Speaker Tim Moore accepts a letter signed by parents that urged Republican lawmakers to keep their promise to fully fund private school vouchers for the 55,000 students on the Opportunity Scholarship waiting list on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 at the Legislative Building. Calls to fund public schools first But critics of the voucher expansion say state lawmakers should be prioritizing public schools and not private schools The median family income for children enrolled in private school is nearly double that of the typical North Carolina household, the group Every Child NC said in a statement Wednesday. This voucher expansion hurts families enrolled in NC public schools by slashing school budgets that are already chronically underfunded. We oppose any attempt to further divert critically needed resources from our public school system. Every Child NC says lawmakers should instead be fully funding the Leandro plan. The multi-billion dollar plan developed by an education consultant is meant to help provide every public school student with a sound, basic education. RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) announced a partnership with N.C. State Universitys Institue for Transportation Research and Education to conduct research aimed at mapping unmarked burial sites for historically marginalized groups. The research project is scheduled to start this summer and is projected to extend to the summer of 2026. This partnership is important as it will help in preserving and honoring the heritage of these communities, ensuring that their stories are not forgotten, said Tunya Smith, director of NCDOTs Office of Civil Rights. Additionally, this research will contribute to creating a more comprehensive understanding of our states history and heritage. According to a release from NCDOT, the project will focus on identifying and mapping Indigenous burial sites, graves of formerly enslaved individuals and historic African American cemeteries. The project will begin in Edgecombe County, N.C. cemeteries, just 60 miles east of Raleigh. Edgecombe County officials and residents have expressed interest in the project. The unmarked burial sites have become at risk as North Carolinas popularity leads to increased commercial and residential development and transportation projects. Experts are concerned that development coupled with more frequent storms could make it more difficult to identify and preserve these burial sites. The mapping project will also involve a thorough literature and policy review, followed by a community effort to document sites. Officials hope that this project will eventually expand outside of Edgecombe County. A part of Edgecombe County was absorbed by the formation of Wilson County in 1855, which demonstrates that neighboring areas are likely to be impacted by this research, Smith said. Family histories are not confined to county lines. If you have roots in eastern North Carolina, you may find that you have a story to share with this project team. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New state data shows that more North Carolina families are picking alternatives to traditional public schools. Reports released Tuesday by the state Division of Non-Public Education show enrollment in both private schools and homeschooling increased last school year. In the same time period, enrollment rose in charter schools but dropped in traditional public schools. The data comes amid a heated debate about the role the state should play in educating North Carolinas 1.8 million K-12 students. The Republican-controlled General Assembly has expanded school choice options, while Democratic lawmakers say not enough is being done to support public schools. Heres a look at the new figures. Private school enrollment rising The states 881 private schools reported enrolling 131,230 students in the 2023-24 school year. Thats a 4,462-student increase, or 3.5% more than the 2022-23 school year. Enrollment in private schools has increased 26% since the 2019-20 school year. Between the 2019-20 and 2022-23 school years, the Associated Press reported that North Carolina had the nations fifth-highest growth in private school enrollment. Signs lay in the grass during a rally celebrating National School Choice Week on Halifax Mall in front of the Legislative Building in Raleigh on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. North Carolina could see a 60% increase this year in the number of students receiving a private school voucher now that income limits for families have been removed. Enrollment could soar this fall depending on how many families receive a private school voucher under new rules that eliminated income eligibility limits. Some parents will rally Wednesday on Halifax Mall in Raleigh to urge GOP lawmakers to keep their promise to fund Opportunity Scholarships for all 71,956 applicants. Since this movement began less than two weeks ago, we have received countless messages from parents from every corner of the state who are frustrated by the lack of action by our legislature to clear the 55,000 students waitlisted for the Opportunity Scholarship, the group Keep Your Promise posted Tuesday. This is a true grassroots army of parents ready to make a difference for our children and hold our leaders accountable for the promises made. Gains in homeschooling The state estimates that 157,642 students were homeschooling last school year. Thats a 4,925-student jump, or 3.2% more than the 2022-23 school year. Homeschooling enrollment has increased 5.7% since the 2019-20 school year. But the actual post-pandemic increase could be higher because the state in recent years has removed thousands of families who never submitted paperwork when they stopped homeschooling. If all the homeschoolers were counted as their own school district theyd only be slightly smaller than the Wake County school system, which is the states largest. Fewer in traditional public schools Overall public school enrollment rose last school year. But the gains were fueled by charter schools and not the states 115 school systems. Enrollment in traditional public schools dropped 0.4% last school year to 1.36 million children, EdNC reported. Enrollment is down 3.6% since the pandemic started in the end of the 2019-20 school year. But charter schools grew by 4.9% last school year to educate 139,985 students. Between the 2019-20 and 2022-23 school year, North Carolina had the third-highest growth rate in the nation in charter school enrollment, Charter schools are classified as public schools. But they are exempt from some of the rules that traditional public schools must follow. Shift in where students attend school Traditional public schools still educate the bulk of the states students. But that share has been declining. The percentage of the states students educated in traditional public schools has dropped from 86.5% in 2010 to 75.7% last school year. That time period has coincided with major legislative changes such as creation of the Opportunity Scholarship program and elimination of the state cap on the number of charter schools. We are failing our public schools Both the N.C. School Boards Association and the N.C. Association of Educators have recently launched statewide campaigns to build support for public education. NCAE has its new We Love Public Schools campaign. The School Boards Association has put up billboards promoting its Public Education Does the Public Good campaign. The campaigns website points to concerns such as how North Carolina is 42nd in the nation in school funding and 36th in average teacher pay. Our public schools arent failing, the website says. We are failing our public schools. The debate has become whether to support public schools or some alternative. But that is a false choice because no matter what type of education makes sense for your family, thriving public schools lift us all. Inmates from RICI give tours of the new North End Community Improvement Collaborative and Central State University at Richland Correctional Institution's 30-acre farm Mon. A new farming partnership with the North End Community Improvement Collaborative and Central State University at Richland Correctional Institution is providing the community with food and inmates with more than just a cell. The project, sprawled over 30-acres, was celebrated Monday at 1155 S. Olivesburg Road. The prison along Olivesburg Road leases the vast acreage to NECIC and Central State University. The collaborative provides education and work experience for RICI incarcerated individuals as they prepare for re-entry into the workforce, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections officials reiterated throughout the ceremony. The project is also providing food banks throughout Ohio with much needed produce through its partnership with The Richland Gro-Op. Former RiCI Warden Kenneth Black, who recently retired, lauded Walt Bonham, NECIC farm consultant, for his tireless efforts working at the farm and supervising the project. Walt Bonham, NECIC farm consultant, speaks before the ribbon cutting ceremony Monday aftrernoon. Deanna West-Torrence, founder of NECIC, thanked the leadership who were instrumental for helping Bonham and herself get the agricultural site started. "I say Walt and I but Walt did all of this work pretty much himself, setting this up with our team at NECIC," she said. Founder of NECIC says partnership with RiCI has many benefits "This project is just another example of collaboration which is what NECIC is about. It's a good public-private partnership. There are a lot of benefits that come out of this program. One we have education. We have our partnership with Central State University. Two, we have food insecurity, we're growing food that goes to help feed people throughout the state of Ohio through a contract with the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Ohio CAN program, which addresses food banks throughout the state," West-Torrence said. "We also have economic opportunity for farmers here, the folks here who are the incarcerated individuals who are working out here," she added. West-Torrence said good re-entry starts while people are still incarcerated. "This gives these gentlemen an opportunity to get out, to learn and help economic prosperity here as well," she added. She took a moment to thank Bonham and the RiCI incarcerated crew who work long hours. Deanna West-Torrence, NECIC Founder and Ceo, thanks those instrumental in the creation of the urban ag site. "One huge plus is re-utilization of vacant land," West-Torrence said. "I cannot tell you how many people have been excited to see the farm become farm again." ODRC's chief says incarcerated individuals leaning skills to help them be successful when they leave prison Annette Chambers-Smith, director of the ODRC, also addressed the crowd. "This is one of the best partnerships we have," she said, thanking the families of the 10 incarcerated individuals for coming to the event to see what their loved ones are doing. She said the incarcerated individuals are learning all the soft skills, vital skills, problem solving, being dependable, showing up on time, following things through from beginning to end, volunteering for a community, "things that are going to help our people do what they need to to do to be successful when they leave," Chambers-Smith said. Chambers-Smith said these are the kinds of things ODRC needs to be doing. "A prison is part of a community. It is not a black hole," she said. Bonham, who is one of the leaders at NECIC's micro farm at 311 Bowman St., said 100% of what is being done at the NECIC/RiCI Urban Ag site, is by grants and donations. Visitors enjoyed dining on food grown on site Monday after the ribbon cutting ceremony. He said the 10 incarcerated individuals have done the work with the crops. Michelle Wallace, regional Agriculture and Natural Resources extension educator, Northwest, told the large crowd gathered at 1 p.m. that last year 6,000 pounds of produce were harvested on three-fourths of an acre adjacent to RiCI. "This year the farm has doubled. We hope the yield will double," Wallace said. Central State extension educator says plants have magical ability to heal people She said the farm happened because everyone involved decided not to put up barriers, citing how plants have the magical ability to heal people, reducing stress and depression and increases creativity and production and enhances self esteem. "Hope is also very much a part of this farm," she said. Wallace said the in-person training is currently composed of 70 hours agriculture and business classes taught by Central State University extension educators and 700 hours of farming, mentoring and apprenticeship overseen by Bonham. Scott C. McHugh Jr., one of the 10 incarcerated RiCI individuals, addressed community leaders. "This is hands down one of the most rewarding programs I have participated in," McHugh said. "We've been blessed to get away from all the negative energy inside those walls and work on something positive." He said they have gotten to learn about the business side of farming and leadership skills, team work an strong work ethic. The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony marls the beginning of a new chapter in agricultural education and rehabilitation, NECIC organizers said. Representatives of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance also read aloud words of gratitude to the work being done at the new NECIC/RiCI farm. lwhitmir@gannett.com 419-521-7223 X (formerly Twitter): @lwhitmir This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: NECIC/RiCI Urban Ag site provides food banks in Ohio with produce Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered defiant remarks on Wednesday following the deaths of top Hezbollah and Hamas officials, saying Israel is achieving its war aims and defeating Iranian proxy groups in the Middle East. In a video address given hours after a suspected Israeli strike in Iran killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at his Tehran residence, Netanyahu said Israel has successfully targeted several of its enemies across the region. Back in the first days of the war, I said it will take some time, and it will require patience from all of us, he said. For months now, every week, people tell me both in and outside of Israel to finish the war because weve exhausted whatever we can achieve and its impossible to win the war. But I did not give in to these voices then, and I do not give in to them today, he added. Had we given in to these pressures, we would not have killed the heads of Hamas and thousands of terrorists. Netanyahu acknowledged the death of Fuad Shukr, a senior adviser and right-hand man to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah who was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut on Tuesday. Shukr was killed after Hezbollah launched a rocket strike over the weekend that killed 12 children in the Golan Heights. We settled the score, Netanyahu said, and we will settle the score with anyone else who massacres our children, murders our citizens. Anybody who harms our country will die. But the Israeli prime minister did not mention the death of Haniyeh. Israel rarely acknowledges operations in countries it is not at direct war with or covert assassinations from the Mossad intelligence group. Its also rare for Israel to strike inside of Iran. But Israeli forces have done so, in 2020 against Iranian scientists and in April following Tehrans missile and drone barrage against Israel. The recent Israeli strikes have raised the specter of a full-blown war in the Middle East, which has been boiling for months as Israel fights against Hamas in Gaza and trades daily fire over the border of Lebanon with Hezbollah. Israel carried out strikes earlier this month on the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who killed one person in a drone strike in Tel Aviv days earlier. The Iranian-backed Houthis have attacked merchant ships and battled the U.S. since the breakout of the Gaza war. Netanyahu has been criticized for failing to reach a deal with Hamas to bring back the roughly 116 hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas, which invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. In a November cease-fire, 105 hostages were freed, but another deal has yet to emerge despite U.S. pressure. Israeli strikes this week are likely to set things back further. Netanyahu, who before the U.S. Congress last week said he was confident in reaching a cease-fire deal but also pushed for the total destruction of Hamas, said in his Wednesday video address that he could still achieve the freeing of hostages and the defeat of the Palestinian militant group in Gaza. But he spent most of the address praising his forces for their combat victories. Weve achieved all of that over the past few months because we did not surrender, because we have reached some very brave decisions despite very heavy pressures from within and without, Netanyahu said. It wasnt easy. I had to push back against so many pressures. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to a joint meeting of Congress at the US Capitol. Michael Brochstein/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told citizens in Israel to be ready for "challenging days" ahead, following a dramatic escalation of tensions with Iran and Hamas. "We are prepared for every scenario and will stand united against all threats," Netanyahu said after a meeting of the Israeli security cabinet at military headquarters in Tel Aviv. "Israel will exact a high price for any aggression against us, from any front," he said. He was speaking after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran and Hamas blame Israel for the strike and have threatened Israel with retaliation. The government in Jerusalem has not yet directly commented on whether it was behind the attack. "Since the beginning of the war, I have declared that we are fighting against the Iranian axis of evil," Netanyahu said in his televised address. "This is a fight for survival against a ring of terrorist armies and missiles that Iran wants to tighten around our necks." The main players are Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen, he said. Israel has recently dealt hard blows to all three players. "We will settle the score with anyone who harms us," he said. JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A business gathering was conducted by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf) with 130 brands to explore potential collaborations to boost tourism and the creative economy. Launched in 2017, this program serves as a platform for cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the industry. Currently, 184 brands are participating as Wonderful Indonesia Co-branding partners, with 25 brands having signed the MoU and Business Agreement during this event. Indonesia Co-Branding Forum (WICF) II 2024: Collaboration by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy with 184 Multi-Industry Brands The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, attended the event at the Ritz Carlton Mega Kuningan on July 26, 2024. During the event, Sandiaga Uno conveyed his gratitude to all partners who have played a significant role in advancing tourism and the creative economy. "Co-branding is truly a flagship program of Wonderful Indonesia that has been active since 2017. This program is well-recognized, fosters collaboration, and sees a growing number of partners," mentioned Sandiaga Uno. Blue Bird has been a co-branding partner since 2018, with Adrianto Djokosoetono referring to the brand presence of "Wonderful Indonesia" in his transportation services. Dama Kara and Bandung Resto also engaged with the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy on stage and stated that joining co-branding Wonderful Indonesia has given them confidence as a micro business. On this occasion, Sandiaga also launched an e-Magazine featuring profiles of partners and their sustainability initiatives. As a staunch advocate for green creative tourism, Sandiaga appreciates these initiatives. The Deputy for Marketing at the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, highlighted the mutual benefits of co-branding collaboration for both the Ministry and its partners. She mentioned the extensive collaboration platform encompassing offline and online media. Additionally, she shared testimonials from co-branding partners such as Finna Crackers, Sambal Uleg, and Hydro Coco, who appreciated the program for enhancing the value, credibility, and reliability of their products featuring the Wonderful Indonesia logo. Collaboration between partners in the Wonderful Indonesia Co-branding partnership program is not only about logo placement but also realized in various joint activities. According to Titus Haridjati, Director of Communications Marketing, several successful programs with partners include Berkah (Extra Cheap Sales Fair during the last Eid), School Holiday activations with the theme Travel Responsibly, and upcoming activations for Indonesia Independence Day, MotoGP, and 11.11 Flash Sale. Story continues As Wonderful Indonesia Co-branding Award's winner, Grab and Tiket.com, who also co-branding partners since 2018, acknowledge the numerous benefits they have gained from their collaboration. These two digital brands have participated in various marketing development initiatives, including those initiated by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and other partners. "Both Grab and Wonderful Indonesia share a commitment to sustainable tourism. "We are honored to contribute to the programs of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy," stated Arryo Harman, Head of Strategic Projects at Grab Indonesia. Media Contact: Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (021) 3838522 | kemitraan@indonesia.travel https://www.indonesia.travel/id/id/wonderful-indonesia-co-branding.html Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/indonesia-co-branding-forum-wicf-ii-2024-collaboration-by-the-ministry-of-tourism-and-creative-economy-with-184-multi-industry-brands-302210776.html SOURCE Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy A Netflix executive has admitted that Baby Reindeer is not an entirely true story after it was claimed he misled MPs. Benjamin King, the streaming services director of public policy, had previously told the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) committee the show was a true story of the horrific abuse Richard Gadd suffered at the hands of a convicted stalker. Baby Reindeer is a dramatisation of the apparently true story of comedian Richard Gadd, who stars in the series as himself alongside Jessica Gunning. Gunning plays the character of Martha, based on his stalker, who is believed to be a woman called Fiona Harvey. However, there is no documented evidence that Ms Harvey, from Aberdeenshire, was ever convicted of an offence. Benjamin King, who is Netflix's director of public policy, giving evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee After the committee session on May 8, John Nicolson, the former SNP MP, asked Mr King to provide evidence that would back his claims that the story, including the stalkers conviction, was true. Mr Nicolson told the BBC: Its clear that the evidence given by Netflix to the select committee is disputed. The charge made of a conviction is very important. Journalists can find no evidence to back up the Netflix claim. I will be writing to Netflix to ask them to substantiate the claim they made. In a letter to Dame Caroline Dinenage, the former chairwoman of the committee, Mr King has now clarified that the person on whom the show is based was actually subject to a court order rather than a conviction. After the seven-part series was released in April, Ms Harvey came forward claiming to be the inspiration behind Martha, a woman who stalks lead character Donny Dunn, played by Gadd. Baby Reindeer is a dramatisation of comedian Richard Gadd's experiences - ANDREW CROWLEY In May, Ms Harvey said Baby Reindeer is not a true story at all and added: I am not a convicted stalker. Mr Kings letter, dated May 23, said: Dear Dame Caroline, Thank you for the opportunity to speak with the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on May 8 as part of your inquiry into British film and high-end television. As I said in my oral evidence, Netflix is investing heavily in quality British TV, with a string of recent hits, including Baby Reindeer. In response to a question about the characters portrayed in that series, I said that its an extraordinary true story... of the horrific abuse that the writer and protagonist Richard Gadd suffered at the hands of a convicted stalker. I wanted to clarify our understanding that the person on whom the show is based who we have at no point sought to identify was subject to a court order rather than a conviction. The writer of Baby Reindeer endured serious harassment over many months as it now seems has been the case for many others which had a significant impact on his wellbeing. Fiona Harvey, who appeared on Piers Morgan: Uncensored, filed a lawsuit against Netflix and accused the streaming platform of defamation At the select committee, Mr King said the show was about telling Richards story in a truthful way. I personally wouldnt be comfortable with a world in which we decided it was better that Richard was silenced, and not allowed to tell his story, he said. In June, Ms Harvey filed a lawsuit against Netflix and accused the streaming platform of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, gross negligence and violations of her right of publicity. The next day, Gadd collected the prize for best breakthrough limited series at the inaugural Gotham TV Awards and said he was forever grateful to those who took on the show. After Baby Reindeer appeared on Netflix, Gadd asked viewers not to speculate about the people who inspired the series. 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. Ashley Benefield faces decades behind bars after being convicted of manslaughter in her husband's 2020 shooting death, which she claimed was self-defense Ashley Benefield Ashley Benefields Black Swan Murder Trial has left the 32-year-old former ballerina facing a sentence of up to 30 years in state prison after being convicted of manslaughter in her husbands death. On Tuesday, July 30, a jury in Manatee County, Fla. found Benefield who was originally charged with second-degree murder guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter, PEOPLE previously reported. Benefield fatally shot her husband, 58-year-old Doug Benefield, in her mothers Lakewood Ranch home on Sept. 27, 2020. Prosecutors said she killed her estranged husband because she wanted sole custody of their young daughter and didnt want him in their lives anymore. Related: 'Black Swan' Trial Verdict: Former Ballerina Ashley Benefield Guilty of Manslaughter in Death of Husband As she awaits sentencing, heres what we know so far. According to WFLA, Benefield will be the subject of investigations into her past and the conditions of the crime, before a judge overseeing the case will decide her sentence. According to previous reporting by PEOPLE, Ashley is the founder of the now-defunct American National Ballet in Charleston, South Carolina. The case was eventually dubbed the "Black Swan Murder Trial" based on the 2010 film Black Swan starring Natalie Portman as a ballerina in the midst of a psychological unraveling. Related: Did Ballerina Kill Husband Because She 'Wanted to Be a Single Mother' or Was It Self-Defense? The couple met in 2016 when Ashley was a 24-year-old ballet dancer and Doug was a 54-year-old Navy veteran and technology consultant. They married shortly after. Doug was granted visitation with the couples daughter in July of 2018 after a lengthy custody battle. On the day he died, Doug came by Ashley's mother's home to help Ashley pack for her and her daughters move to Maryland, where Doug also planned to relocate. He was found fatally shot on the bedroom floor after police responded to a 911 call. Her defense attorney argued that Ashley killed the former Navy veteran in self-defense. According to prosecutors, Ashley wanted to rid herself of Doug, and to that end, she accused him of emotional abuse and claimed he'd tried to poison her with heavy metals, Fox 13 reports. Related: Former Ballet Dancer Charged with Fatally Shooting Estranged Husband Dougs cousin, Tommie Benefield, told WFLA that while the family hoped for a murder conviction, they are satisfied with the verdict. Even though her story was not corroborated by evidence, its still confusing to get to that second-degree homicide level, Benefield said, per the outlet. But we were always comfortable that it would at least be a manslaughter with a firearm and were happy and comfortable with that. According to NBC News, a judge remanded Ashley to the custody of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and revoked her $100,000 bond. A sentencing date has yet to be announced. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Patrick Jagiello and Rebecca Pride line up preschoolers at the Next Door Foundation in 2018. The organization is continuing its K4 program for the 2024-25 school year. With a new president at the helm, Next Door Foundation has canceled plans to close its 4-year-old kindergarten program, which will continue for at least another year. Next Door's previous president, Tracey Sparrow, had informed Milwaukee Public Schools in November 2022 that it would be ending its 5-K program after the 2022-23 school year and ending its 4-K program after the 2023-24 school year. The programs had faced challenges hiring staff. Sparrow told Fox 6 at the time that Next Door, like many early childhood programs nationwide, was struggling to find workers and was down 20 teachers. She said at the time that Next Door had nine classrooms it wasn't able to open, leaving many students on waitlists. Next Door's new president, former St. Sebastian Catholic School principal Heather Mehring Grams, told MPS this June that she believed the organization was capable of carrying on the 4-K program. The 4-K charter school is run independently from MPS by Next Door's board of directors, but it receives public funding through a contract with MPS. Mehring Grams acknowledged that hiring qualified staff was still a challenge but said the organization was determined to do so. "Though recruiting and retaining high-quality educators remains a local and national challenge, we believe there is more work to be done," Mehring Grams said in a letter to MPS. "Next Door is determined to meet this need, ensuring all children have access to exceptional educators and the highest quality in educational programming." The Milwaukee School Board on July 25 approved a one-year extension for Next Door to continue operating its 4-K program for the coming school year. Mehring Grams said she plans to request another contract with MPS for future years. Next Door had about 107 students in its 4-K program in the last school year, state data show, down from 126 the year before. About 94% of Next Door 4-K students go on to attend MPS schools for 5-K, according to Bridget Schock, director of contracted school services for MPS. Next Door also offers home-based prenatal care and early childhood education, as well as childcare and Head Start preschool at its centers. MPS recently announced the closures of its own Head Start preschool programs, preparing for the potential loss of an estimated $10.5 million in federal funding because of safety problems at the sites. MPS will continue offering 3-K and 4-K programs at many of its schools, which can be found on the district's "Find a School" site. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Next Door Foundation's 4-K charter school program to stay open Flights at OHare International Airport will soon be partly powered by lower-emission fuel made from leftover fats, oils and grease. Sustainable aviation fuel is set to be available for use by carriers that fly in and out of the busy airport, after Chicago-based United Airlines became the first to purchase the fuel at OHare, the carrier announced Wednesday. The fuel is seen as key to meeting the aviation industrys goals to cut emissions. Purchase of the fuel was touted as a win by Gov J.B. Pritzker at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. The governor, who is in contention to be a potential running mate in Vice President Kamala Harriss bid for president, presented a unified front with state political leaders and United Airlines President Brett Hart as the two highlighted the collaboration of business and politics to pass a state tax credit for sustainable jet fuel that they said made the purchase possible. United purchased up to 1 million gallons of fuel from producer Neste to be sent to OHare this year, with the first delivery expected in August. A blend of the sustainable fuel and conventional jet fuel will go into the general supply at OHare, where it will be available to all carriers at the airport. For now, sustainable fuel must be combined with conventional fuel for use in commercial aircraft. Sustainable aviation fuel is in use elsewhere, and the Neste fuel alone is available at at least 25 airports globally, according to the company. For United, OHare will be the fifth place the carrier has purchased sustainable aviation fuel, after airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, London and Amsterdam. It sounds like science fiction, but when blended with conventional jet fuel SAF can be used right now with the same fuel systems and aircraft everyone is using today, Hart said. Thats why SAF is among the most impactful and scalable solutions to decarbonizing commercial aviation. Aviation makes up 2% of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, and 12% of transportation emissions. In the U.S., use of sustainable fuel jumped to 15.8 million gallons in 2022, data from the energy department shows, but still accounted for less than 0.1% of the jet fuel burned by major U.S. airlines. United said sustainable fuel can lower greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 85% when the entire life cycle is taken into account, including how its made and how its delivered to airports. But the fuel is expensive. And the industry has a long way to go to meet goals to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, which the energy department has called aspirational. In June, for example, flights out of OHare generated an estimated 994.9 million kilograms of carbon dioxide on their journeys, according to aviation analytics company Cirium. Thats the equivalent of driving 236,799 gasoline-powered passenger cars for one year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In the meantime, both Hart and Pritzker said Wednesday the aviation fuel purchase was a step forward, and was enabled by the sustainable fuel tax credit, signed into law in 2023, that allows carriers to earn a credit of $1.50 per gallon purchased. When it comes to clean energy and transportation innovation, Pritzker has tried to position the state as a hub. That has included a focus on electric vehicles, such as a tax credit deal to bring electric school bus- and truck-maker Lion Electric to Joliet. The plant has been operating below capacity, and the company announced layoffs Wednesday. Pritzker doubled down on that message Wednesday, saying more widespread adoption of sustainable fuel would allow more capacity at OHare. This is a demonstration of how sustainability does not have to come at the cost of convenience, of growth or modernization, he said. Hart, for his part, praised Pritzker, saying they shared a common purpose. It is a model of what it looks like when business and government and legislature and a state and a city work together hand in hand, he said. Nicolae Miu sentenced to 20 years in prison in Wisconsin river stabbing incident that left one teen dead Nicolae Miu, who was convicted of stabbing five people, one fatally, during a 2022 tubing excursion along the Apple River in Wisconsin, was sentenced to 20 years in prison Wednesday. Miu, 54, was found guilty in April of first-degree reckless homicide in the death of 17-year-old Isaac Schuman. He was also convicted of battery and recklessly endangering safety with an aggravated factor of the use of a dangerous weapon in connection with the wounded victims: A.J. Martin, Dante Carlson, Tony Carlson and Rhyley Mattison. (Miu) left the scene, leaving his victims to die while casually floating past them and emergency workers as if nothing had happened, St. Croix County District Judge R. Michael Waterman said while handing down the sentence, which came just after the two-year anniversary of the attack. In addition to the 20-year prison sentence, Miu was sentenced to six years of extended supervision. He was given 732 days credit for time served. His defense attorney, Aaron Nelson, said Miu will be about 72 years old when he is eligible for release. Authorities said Miu was tubing on the river with his wife and friends near Somerset, Wisconsin, on July 30, 2022, when they were separated as he was searching for a lost cell phone. He came upon the victims while looking for the phone, as he believed theyd located something. In the subsequent altercation, Miu stabbed the five victims and punched a woman in the face. Miu told investigators he felt threatened and fearful when confronted by the victims, who he said taunted him, according to a 2022 criminal complaint. He said he stabbed them in self-defense after they threw his snorkeling gear in the water, attempted to pull down his bathing suit and called him a child molester, the complaint said. Witnesses described seeing Miu brandish a three-inch silver knife when two females confronted him before a physical altercation broke out, the complaint stated. One victim told investigators she was punched by Miu in the face, which gave way to a physical struggle as a male punched Miu and the group then pushed Miu, who fell into the water. Miu said he couldnt remember anything after people hit him and got on top of him until he ran back to his wife, according to the complaint. The complaint noted Miu said he did not immediately tell his wife and friends what had occurred as he thought the group of kids were too drunk and too set on going after people, and Mui didnt want the two groups to confront one another. Miu was arrested an hour-and-a-half after the incident. The courts sentence must reflect the reality that it was reckless conduct that the jury found him guilty of, not intentional conduct, which is punishable much more harshly, the judge said Wednesday. Miu was originally charged with first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree intentional attempted homicide. St. Croix County District Attorney Karl Anderson had told Waterman he shouldnt believe Miu is a fundamentally passive person, despite his lack of previous criminal history. A peaceful person doesnt take out a knife when they could have just walked away, said Anderson. Nelson, the defense attorney, had argued Miu should be seen as a decent person who made a terrible mistake, saying: Mr. Miu was is a good man. Miu remained stoic for most of the hearing, looking down throughout. He looked up only to read a statement to the victims families. I never meant for this tragedy to occur. My soul is broken, said Miu. My heart is very heavy, and I will never be the same carrying such a heavy burden inside. Miu turned to the families and cried as he said, Im very sorry. Isaacs father, Scott Schuman, said after the hearing he was happy Miu apologized. I still need to process that, he said. But I didnt expect it, and I was happy that he did that. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Evacuation warnings were issued Tuesday for areas north of Palomar Mountain due to a fire that has been burning in Riverside County since Monday. The Nixon Fire, which was first reported Monday in the area of Tule Valley Road and Richard Nixon Boulevard in Aguanga just before 12:30 p.m., had grown to 4,941 acres and was 0% contained as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Cal Fire/ Riverside County Fire Department. As of Friday, the fire, which has destroyed four structures, is at 5,222 acres and 21% contained. CAL FIRE Peace Officers, after an origin and cause investigation, determined that the cause of the fire was electrical and caused by a privately owned electrical panel, Cal Fire said. Wildfire breaks out in eastern San Diego County, burning across border The following is the County of San Diegos emergency map for evacuations: Although the fire currently remains within Riverside County, it has the potential to extend into San Diego County if conditions change, the County of San Diego said. The American Red Cross set up an overnight shelter at Temecula Valley High School, but as of Friday, it has closed. However, the nonprofit organization has opened a Care and Reception Center at Hamilton High School, located at 57430 Mitchell Road in Anza, California from 8 a.m.- 8 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Espanola resident Ryan Martinez speaks out about frustrations with a homeless encampment near his home during a town hall meeting Tuesday night. It was the third of three announced stops on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's tour across the state highlighting public safety issues. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday made Espanola her third stop on an impromptu public safety tour, hearing from more than a dozen people who spoke up to say they are very concerned about crime, drug addiction and homelessness. TJ Lopez, a resident of northern Rio Arriba County, said he thanked the governor, on behalf of his daughter, for expansion of early childhood education, but he was worried about the rest of her life. He asked for more sheriffs deputies in his area. What is there for her to look forward to if she cant be safe? he asked. The governor responded that the Legislature has spent heavily on police recruitment and retention in recent years. The town hall in the city of around 11,000 people, also a rural hub in northern New Mexico, started as some people are up in arms about a homeless encampment along the Rio Grande. Previous visits were to Las Cruces and Albuquerque, the two biggest cities in the state. Lujan Grisham suggested at the town hall that her tour was not over. The governor started the town hall tour after lawmakers refused to take up a slate of public safety measures during a special legislative session she called on July 18. At Northern New Mexico College on Tuesday, attendees passed by a table stacked with petitions from the governors office that asked the Legislature to prioritize the well-being of New Mexicans. We are right on the precipice, Lujan Grishamsaid around 9 p.m. at the Nick Salazar Center for the Arts Theatre, which filled with more than 200 people and slowly emptied throughout the night. We have to fix it. The governors special session agenda would have made it easier for police to involuntarily commit people with psychiatric diagnoses or for courts to hold them in jail. It would also ban loitering on certain medians across the state and raise penalties for having a gun if someone has a prior felony conviction. Lujan Grisham took more than a dozen questions in Espanola for nearly five hours on a wide variety of topics related to mental illness, crime, homelessness and drug abuse. Several who spoke began their comments with mentioning how many loved ones theyd lost to drug overdoses, including one woman raising a young relative born with disabilities due to drug exposure in the womb. My cousin literally was dropped off at my home four years ago, and since then Ive had to advocate on my own. Ive got no guidance or no help. Im tired. Im tired of crying, said the woman, who didnt give her name. Alongside Lujan Grisham were the mayor and police chief of Espanola, the governor of the Santa Clara Pueblo and several high-ranking staff members. Attendees applauded loudly when she called for stricter penalties on fentanyl dealing and on clearing out the homeless camp in town. The governor did not directly address why she made Espanola the third of three announced stops for the tour. She did note that she would like to replicate the citys panhandling ordinance that went into effect in November 2022. We want it statewide, and we want the enforcement tools to do it statewide, she said. The Espanola ordinance bans people from loitering on unpaved medians and medians that are less than 36 inches wide. The governor wants to ban loitering on medians that are less than 36 inches wide in areas where traffic speeds are 30 mph or higher. Lujan Grisham said New Mexico was becoming known as a state that is less strict about public camping, encampments and other aspects of homelessness, which she said is drawing people from other states to come and live on the streets here. When you have this environment, its permissive. So other states are saying, You should go to New Mexico. Nothing will happen. You wont get arrested, and if you do, youre out in 12 hours. The day of the governors town hall, the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness released its point-in-time count, an estimate of homelessness trends in the state. It found homelessness is continuing to rise throughout the state, both in Albuquerque and towns like Espanola, to its highest points since at least 2008. The survey included responses from about 1,000 people living unsheltered in New Mexico outside of Albuquerque. Of them, about 280 told surveyors they were from out of state, including 56 people from Texas, 24 people from Colorado and 39 people from Arizona. The survey did not specify how many people in Espanola were surveyed. Four questions from residents related to the homeless encampment that has caused tension in the area. On Monday, city staff arrived at the encampment but did not clean it, as theyd threatened to do, according to Espanola City Councilor Sam Ledoux . The lack of action frustrated Ryan Martinez, an Espanola and employee for the state Health Care Authority. Martinez listed off all of his frustrations with the encampment and the crime he said was associated with it. He called on the city to clear people out. We have this encampment here in town next to the river, like I say, in the middle of our community, and it seems like our city is enabling these people, he said. Espanola Mayor John Vigil apologized to Martinez for what he said was his mistake in trusting city staff recommendations on how to handle the encampment. He promised that the city would take action soon to clear people out and said the City Council would be taking the lead on next steps. Lujan Grisham said the states approach to encampments should be to reach out to those who are living there and connect them with services. But also you make it clear theres accountability, that services doesnt mean that you can steal and you can be a felon and you can do open drug use, which is a crime, she said. So I really want New Mexico cleaned up. The governors team wrapped up the town hall around 10:15 p.m., nearly five hours after it started. Be safe as you get home, she said to the roughly dozen people whod sat through the entire meeting. NM governor signs bill with $100M for fire, flood relief for Ruidoso EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill Tuesday, July 30 that will appropriate $100 million to support recovery efforts in the Ruidoso area following two major wildfires and ongoing flooding there this summer. The $100 million in funding will be allocated as follows, according to the Governors Office: $10 million for the Mescalero Apache Tribal government to utilize for damages or losses from the Salt and South Fork fires and subsequent flooding. $10 million for the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department to utilize for damages from fires, flooding and debris flow, and for mitigation efforts in the impacted areas. $10 million for the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to assist residents as they apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and submit insurance claims. $70 million for zero-interest reimbursable loans to local governments to kick-start funding for public infrastructure projects that have been approved for federal public assistance. Individuals in Lincoln County, including the Mescalero Apache Tribe, and Otero County affected by the South Fork and Salt fires or flooding can apply for assistance from FEMA in the following ways: Visit a Disaster Resource and Recovery Center Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the following locations: Angus Church of the Nazarene, 103 Bonita Park Rd., Angus, N.M. Horton Complex, 237 Service Road, Ruidoso, N.M. Mescalero Apache School, 249 White Mountain Dr., Mescalero, N.M. Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov . Call the FEMA application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain 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 KTSM 9 News. NMSP: Woman shot by police in Laguna after she pointed gun at first responders NEW MEXICO (KRQE) The Laguna Police Department was involved in a shooting with a 43-year-old woman on Tuesday, according to New Mexico State Police. Police and EMS were called out to a welfare check on State Road six near mile marker two when Georgia Martinez Rubio, who appeared to be crying, pointed a gun at ambulance personnel, State Police said. Officials said the ambulance left and let police know what had happened. When police arrived, Rubio also reportedly pointed the gun in the direction of officers. State Police said at least one LPD officer fired their weapon and hit Rubio. Story continues below She was taken to the hospital with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries. No officers were injured during this incident. New Mexico State Police are investigating the shooting and will share their findings with the district attorney for review. The Laguna Police Department said the officer who fired the shot was placed on administrative leave, as per standard operating procedure. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. We recently compiled a list of the 14 Best Consulting Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) stands against the other consulting stocks. After the market rebounded in 2021 post-pandemic, the US consulting industry now faces a complex and uncertain landscape. Rising inflation, increased costs, talent shortages, and supply chain disruptions amid a volatile geopolitical climate are challenging the sector. Despite these hurdles, 66% of clients plan to increase their use of consultants over the next year. However, clients are becoming more cautious, opting for smaller, tactical projects to address immediate issues rather than engaging in lengthy, expensive transformation initiatives. This approach allows them to assess the impact of their investments before committing further. According to the 2023 report by Source Global Research, consulting firms must now deliver results within tighter timeframes amid heightened competition for smaller, sequential project components. Clients are increasingly seeking innovative and data-driven solutions, reflecting a desire for new and novel approaches throughout the project lifecycle. This shift highlights the need for consulting firms to adapt and excel in an environment where macroeconomic challenges have dampened post-pandemic optimism. In 2021, the US experienced significant growth as clients invested in growth initiatives, buoyed by optimism and capital following the pandemic. However, by the end of 2022, the mood shifted due to rising inflation, energy prices, and political tensions, which hindered business operations and growth opportunities. Clients remain cautious, anticipating a potential global recession. Nevertheless, some clients remain hopeful, with around a third believing that current macroeconomic factors could positively impact their organizations. With technology being a top priority for clients, it's no surprise that technology firms are leading the market. Clients are investing heavily in technology, which translates into significant consulting spend. Over the past year, two of the top three consulting areas were technology-related: 77% of clients invested in technology strategy and 71% in technology implementation. Productivity improvement, which often involves technology, ranked second at 73%. Although the market is crowded, technology firms are benefiting the most. Clients prefer these firms for their specialized technology solutions, which they believe offer more reliable outcomes compared to other providers, even if it means higher costs. Story continues Uncertainty in the global economy is causing significant disruption in the US consulting industry, with firms dealing with project cancellations and clients pushing for lower fees, reported Financial Times. The report by Source Global Research highlights a major reassessment of consultants by US clients due to economic concerns. Over 75% of professional services buyers have cancelled or scrapped projects, and two-thirds have paused most existing work. The report forecasts 11% revenue growth in 2023, consistent with 2022, but notes increasing pressure on consultants' fees, with clients now expecting lower rates compared to before the pandemic. Clients are more focused on getting value for money, with only about 50% believing firms provide value above their fees. Areas such as cybersecurity, HR consulting, and M&A for private equity firms are experiencing slowdowns. While IT consulting remains strong, it is targeted at projects that deliver quick financial benefits. The decline in hiring, initially observed in the Big Four accounting and consulting firms, has extended to smaller players as well. According to a survey by investment bank William Blair, job postings by US specialty consultants were down 57% in June 2023 compared to the previous year and have fallen below pre-pandemic levels. At the Big Four, job postings have decreased by 80% year-on-year. There is one long-term trend that we haven't talked yet affecting consulting firms positively. The rise of generative AI, a powerful new technology that can create realistic text and images, has sparked a gold rush for consulting firms. Companies like Reckitt Benckiser, unsure of how to leverage this technology, are turning to consultants for guidance. This has led to a surge in revenue for these firms, with some like McKinsey seeing 40% of their business coming from AI-related work. Consulting firms are among the early winners of the AI revolution which is why we believe this may be a good time to invest in consulting stocks. However, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than consulting companies but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. Our Methodology We leveraged Insider Monkeys comprehensive database of 920 prominent hedge funds to identify the top 14 consulting stocks with the highest level of hedge fund investment as of Q1 2024. These stocks are listed in order of increasing hedge fund ownership, providing insight into the most popular consulting stocks among elite investors. A closeup of a woman's hands typing rapidly on a laptop in a corporate office setting. International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 49 International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) offers integrated solutions and services globally through its Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing segments. The Software segment provides hybrid cloud and AI platforms for digital and AI transformations. The Consulting segment focuses on strategy, experience, technology, and operations integration by industry. RBC Capital recently raised International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) stock price target to $211 from $200, maintaining an Outperform rating. This follows IBM's strong performance, including a significant increase in its Generation AI (GenAI) business, which doubled to $2 billion. RBC Capital highlighted IBM's robust free cash flow (FCF), exceeding expectations and supporting forward guidance through fiscal year 2025. Despite a temporary slowdown in its Red Hat segment, International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) management is optimistic about growth in the second half of the year. The improved revenue forecast and FCF outlook for fiscal year 2024 indicate stable performance. The doubling of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) GenAI business to $2 billion underscores its innovation and market position in AI. RBC Capital's positive outlook on IBM's trajectory and the increased price target suggest favorable stock value prospects. In the first quarter of 2024, the number of hedge funds with stakes in International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) decreased to 49 from 50 in the previous quarter, according to Insider Monkeys database of 920 hedge funds. The combined value of these stakes is approximately $1.007 billion. Ken Griffins Citadel Investment Group emerged as the largest stakeholder among these hedge funds during this period. Overall IBM ranks 2nd on our list of the best consulting stocks to buy. You can visit 14 Best Consulting Stocks to Buy Now to see the other consulting stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of IBM as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than IBM but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion Opportunity for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) A structure fire was reported Wednesday morning at the Longview ISD warehouse facility on MLK Drive. Nacogdoches PD investigates overnight shooting According to officials with the district, crews responded to the fire around 7 a.m., and at the time of the fire, HVAC contractors were replacing filter units when smoke was observed at the site and prompted a 911 call. No injuries were reported and the damage is not believed to be significant, but an investigation is currently underway, Director of Communications for the district Matthew Prosser said in a statement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Owners of the Rio City Cafe and the city of Sacramento could not come to a last-minute agreement that would have kept the restaurant from closing, Mayor Darrell Steinberg said Tuesday. It will close permanently Saturday evening, as had been recently announced. Steinberg in a statement cited unsafe conditions and costly repairs that the citys economic development staff recommended against. A tenant of the city of Sacramento, Rio City Cafe went back and forth with the city after they closed the propertys riverfront deck earlier this year. Over the past week I have worked hard to see if there is a way to keep the Rio City Cafe open in Old Sacramento while the city pursues plans for a larger waterfront renovation, Steinberg said in the statement. Unfortunately, owners Mark and Stephanie Miller informed me (Monday) that they will close on Saturday. They need immediate access to a deck that the citys structural engineers have determined is unsafe. A feature of Old Sacramento for the past 30 years, the restaurant estimated that its lost 70% of its business when the deck was closed by the city in April and did not anticipate that it would be repaired soon. As owners of the site, Sacramento closed the deck of and stopped plans to repair it due to budget shortfalls, cafe general manager Jimmy Gayaldo told The Sacramento Bee in June. The restaurant confirmed the decision to stick with its plan of closing in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon. Despite best efforts, we could not reach an agreement with the City, the post read. Saturday will be our last night and we proudly hang our hats after 30 years. We want to personally thank you not only for the lifetime of memories but the unremarkable passion shown for Rio over the decades. We are forever grateful. Cheers! Rio City Cafe has leased the property from the city for its 30 years of operation. The owners requested to change to a month-to-month lease in 2019, Steinberg wrote in his statement. After learning of the restaurants plans to close, Steinberg said that he had met with the Millers to see if the restaurant could stay open. He said that the city has discussed options with the Millers, including building an outdoor space in front of the restaurant, which Steinberg acknowledged is not nearly as good, or significantly reducing rent, a suggestion Steinberg said has previously come up and one he reiterated in the past couple of days. City couldnt fix what we needed them to The Millers told Steinberg that they need immediate access to the deck. Stephanie Miller echoed these concerns in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon, also shared by the restaurants Facebook page. Rio City Cafe says a most gracious goodbye. In spite of our efforts to save Rio, we are closing Saturday night as the city couldnt fix what we needed them to in order to survive, Stephanie Millers post read, in part. Were honored to have been part of your special memories with us at Rio. And to my father-in-law, Lew Miller, who created Rio, all of this is because of you! Many have asked why the city did not repair the deck over the last several years, Steinberg wrote in his statement. It is a fair question that deserves a thorough answer. Steinberg said he has been aware of the decks condition, but only learned of the Millers plan to close this month. He went on to say that for months, city economic development and public works staffs have been discussing options with the Millers for the deck. Structural engineers told Steinberg that opening the deck would require a minimum of $1.5 million and six months of design and repair, a restoration that would only provide access to part of the deck for three to five years maximum before permanent repairs totaling $5 million would need to be made, the mayor said in his statement. Economic development staff recommended not making these repairs. Instead, they will recommend soliciting proposals from potential tenants for the Rio City site and other key assets in Old Sacramento, including the north and south Public Market buildings, Steinberg wrote. Rio City Cafe in a July 22 post to Facebook announced plans to permanently close after Saturday, Aug. 3. Co-owner Stephanie Miller called the situation heartbreaking, Sacramento Bee columnist Tom Philp reported this week. If Rio City Cafe stayed open, Steinberg wrote, they could have submitted a proposal. The idea is to dream big about how to use the citys prime waterfront parcels to attract the most visitors, generate the most revenue and provide the best experience of the Sacramento River in a way that respects the history of Old Sacramento, Steinbergs statement continued. These changes are part of the citys revitalized waterfront modernization plan, which was previously delayed when the COVID-19 pandemic wiped the citys hotel occupancy tax fund. Recently passed Measure N allows for that tax fund to be used on properties that line the river and serve tourists, Steinberg said. Before I leave office, I will work with city staff and my colleagues to bring forward to the City Council a $40-million plus Old Sacramento Waterfront modernization plan, continued Steinberg, who last year announced he would not seek a third term as mayor in this years election. Find the money In a notice this past weekend to the mayor and city council, former Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo pressured the city to do something about the deck. Just direct your city manager to find the money, she wrote. There are plenty of programs to support new businesses, and an obscene amount of money for consultants to help business districts, infrastructure projects and staff. Steinberg thanked the Millers for keeping their well-loved restaurant open in difficult economic circumstances, including the pandemic. As hard as it may sound in the short run, I agree with my city colleagues that serving the public means soliciting interest from other high-end restaurants and potential users for the prime riverfront space Rio City currently occupies, Steinberg concluded. Our staff is confident this space will be in high demand. No one injured after shots fired in New London NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) New London police are searching for who fired shots Tuesday night in the area of Fitch Avenue and Vauxhall Street. The shots were fired at about 10 p.m. No one has reported being injured in the shooting. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Xfinity customers in Salem will need to drive to Keizer, Albany or Tigard for the closest in-store service while repairs are made to the Willamette Town Center store after a vehicle drove through the front entrance earlier this month. The company does not have a definitive timeline for when the Salem store will reopen and is looking to open a temporary location close to the Salem store, an Xfinity spokesperson said. The owners of the Willamette Town Center said Xfinity is handling the repairs. "We are working with the City of Salem to secure permits and approval to move forward with repairs as quickly as we can," the Xfinity spokesperson said. The boarded up entrance of Salem's Xfinity location after a driver crashed into the store on July 10. Salem Xfinity store employees are assisting other Xfinity locations while the Salem store is restored, the company said. A driver of a red Ford Escape drove over a curb and adjacent sidewalk, smashing through the front entrance of the store on July 10 shortly after 1 p.m. No one in the store was injured, according to Salem Police, who told the Statesman Journal that the 23-year-old driver was not cited. Additional details were not available. Xfinity is advising customers to go to Keizer for in-person assistance or to call 1-800-Xfinity. Support also is available on the Xfinity app or website. A sign at the Salem Xfinity store. The closest open locations are: Keizer at 6075 Ulali Drive #101 at Keizer Station Albany at 2250 14th Ave. SE. B at Heritage Mall Tigard at 7219 SW Hazel Fern Drive near Bridgeport Village Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on X @DianneLugo This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem Xfinity store remains closed after crash A North Texas pastor is facing a charge of soliciting prostitution after he was arrested in May, according to Plano police. The former senior pastor at North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship church in Plano, 51-year-old Terren Lee Dames, was taken into custody May 2. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the former pastors arrest was part of a sting operation. Plano police regularly conduct a demand reduction operation targeting those soliciting commercial sex, the warrant says. On the evening of May 2, Dames called an undercover officer and agreed to pay a person he believed to be a prostitute $150 for sex, according to the warrant. The officer provided Dames with an address, and the former pastor arrived at a motel shortly after, court documents state. Dames was stopped by another officer at the intersection of G Avenue and Central Parkway East, where he was arrested. After being read his Miranda Warning, Dames told officers that he arrived at the motel to meet a friend, the warrant says. It was at that point that Dames started experiencing a medical episode. He was evaluated by the fire department and medics determined his vitals were low, but Dames refused to be taken to a hospital, according to the warrant. His phone was also seized when he was taken into custody. Dames was indicted on solicitation of prostitution on June 11, Collin County court records show. He was named the churchs senior pastor in 2015, according to North Dallas Community Bible Fellowships website. The church has not yet responded to the Star-Telegrams phone call or email requesting comment. The church told Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV that Dames was removed from its staff in May due to a moral failure. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report involving an Ohio plane crash that killed three people in mid-July. >>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 3 dead in plane crash at Ohio airport As News Center 7 previously reported, the crash happened on July 19 just after 7 p.m. at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna Township. A Beech B-60 airplane was traveling from Plattsburgh International Airport to John Glenn Columbus International Airport, the report stated. About 50 miles northeast of Youngstown/Warren Regional Airport (YNG), Vienna Center, Ohio, the pilot informed air traffic control that the airplanes left engine had lost power, and he could not maintain altitude. The arrival east radar controller (YNG tower) offered information on close by airports; however, the pilot requested YNG and its longer, 9,003-ft-long runway, said NTSB. The report said the plane began descending as it approached the runway and got close to the ground at 131 miles per hour. Officials say the airplane turned left going 95 miles per hour and touched down a quarter mile west of the runway. A witness told investigators he saw the plane approach ground level but pitched up rapidly to the left at the end of the runway before descending out of his field of vision. The pilot had both Canadian and U.S. FAA private pilot certificates. Marvin 'Pete' Jacobs died Feb. 19 at the Fonda Care Center in northwest Iowa. According to state inspectors, he died after the care facility staff failed to suction his airway. (Facility photo via Google Earth; inset photo courtesy of the Jacobs family) A nurse who has been criminally charged with wanton neglect for a patients death has agreed to halt her practice amid delays in her case going to trial. Becky Sue Manning, 70, of Lake View, was charged in March with felony wanton neglect of a health care facility resident. According to prosecutors, Manning, a licensed practical nurse, refused repeated requests to provide physician-ordered care for a resident of the Fonda Specialty Care nursing home while working there in 2023 as an employee of the GrapeTree Medical Staffing temp agency. Manning has pleaded not guilty to the charge. A trial, originally scheduled for this month, has been postponed to Aug. 27. Court records indicate the continuance was requested to allow the defense more time to collect information and pursue plea negotiations with prosecutors. The Pocahontas County Attorneys Office recently subpoenaed Rebecca Colby, a nursing home inspector employed by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, to testify in the case. In late April, Manning entered into an agreement with the Iowa Board of Nursing in which she agreed to indefinitely suspend her practice of nursing. According to state inspection records, Marvin Pete Jacobs, 87, died Feb. 19, 2023, while sitting in his room at Fonda Specialty Care. Jacobs had undergone a tracheostomy, and because his airway tended to become clogged, the staff kept a suctioning machine by his bedside. On that afternoon, an aide later told inspectors, Jacobs was sitting in his recliner when another worker said Jacobs appeared to be in trouble and instructed her to get a nurse right away. Jacobs was pointing at his neck, gasping for air, and mouthing that he could not breathe, the aide told inspectors. The aide said she left the room to get the only nurse on duty alleged by prosecutors to be Manning and was absent for a few minutes. The worker who remained in the room later told inspectors Jacobs grew really pale and was gasping, so she, too, left the room and approached Manning and said, Would you please suction him? He needs to be suctioned. When Manning entered the room, Jacobs was pale, but soon turned purple and then blue, the aide later reported. Manning allegedly took his vital signs and told the aide Jacobs was having a heart attack. The aide explained to Manning that Jacobs had been signaling he couldnt breathe, at which point Manning allegedly said, Just a minute, and left the room. The suctioning machine sat idle on Jacobs nearby dresser. According to inspectors, the nurse alleged by prosecutors to be Manning told inspectors the staff wanted me to suction him (and) I told the staff no. I was told that I would not have to do anything with the tracheostomy. Pocahontas County prosecutors allege that no fewer than four workers asked Manning to suction Jacobs airway and that the staff had alerted Manning to the fact that Jacobs was asking to be suctioned and that, in their professional opinion, he needed to be suctioned right away. Prosecutors also allege Manning prevented the staff from calling 911 when it became apparent Jacobs couldnt breathe. The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals fined Fonda Specialty Care $10,000 for the death, then reduced that penalty 35%, to $6,500, due to the lack of an appeal in the case. New York City Mayor Eric Adams gives the opening remarks at the Abate Hate and Hate Violence Summit Mayor Eric Adams warned against pervasive and normalized hate infecting the Big Apple at a community summit held Tuesday to combat hate crimes which soared a disturbing 68% last month. Youre seeing the level of hatred that I would never have witnessed in my lifetime, Hizzoner told a packed room at Gracie Mansion in Manhattans Upper East Side. Its time for us to pause for a moment and have a true reflection on where were going and what does the future look like. Hate has become so pervasive and comfortable and we have normalized hate, Adams added. Mayor Eric Adams hosted a conference for government and non-government officials at his Manhattan home to develop and implement a city wide campaign to abate hate in the Big Apple. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office Almost 50 New Yorkers in attendance at the Mayors home listened to stories of those who have been victims of hate crimes in the past year and discussed how best to address the scourge gripping New York City. Hate crimes surged a whopping 68% in June, compared to the same month last year, according to the latest crime stats released by the NYPD. Of the 62 hate crimes for that month, more than half targeted Jews, the police stats show. The eight speakers at the summit who were not connected to the government represented the black community, the Asian community, the Jewish community, the Muslim community and the LGBTQ community. Some government officials were also in attendance. Civil Rights Lawyer Norman Siegel, who organized the event, told The Post attendees would not be leaving without an action plan which would involve rolling out town hall meetings across the five boroughs conducted by NYC and NYS Human Rights Commissions along with civil rights groups. The premise is that you have to speak up in opposition to hate and hate violence, otherwise, the silence can be interpreted as condoning it, Siegel explained. Siegel added that while the Israel-Hamas war has contributed to the increased incidents of hate crimes, antisemitism wasnt the focus of the summit. The eight speakers at the summit who were not connected to the government represented the black community, the Asian community, the Jewish community, the Muslim community, the LGBTQ community. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office I think what were trying to do is to explain that its not just one community thats the victim of hate. Were all in it together, he said. Itay Morchi Levi, who moved to New York 11 years ago from Israel to play Jazz, told The Post that he was invited along to speak after a violent incident at his club in Brooklyn. There was red paint thrown at people and racist messages glued to our door saying zionists cant play Jazz and other hateful things, he said. Morchi Levi said he is optimistic after hearing from officials and other members of the community. We can humanize each other and have a deeper conversation to stop the hate and prejudice that were dealing with, he said. Itay Morchi Levi, who moved to New York 11 years ago from Israel to play Jazz, told The Post that he was invited along to speak after a violent incident at his club in Brooklyn. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office There were 45 incidents of crime targeting Jewish people last month, compared to just 19 in June 2023, according to NYPD statistics. Its for that reason Director of Communications for End Jew Hatred, Michelle Ahdoot, highlighted to the Post that not all hate is the same. The single most significant hatred we see in New York City since Oct. 7th is overwhelmingly Jew-hatred, she said. On an almost daily basis, we see groups of radical Hamas supporters some even waving the Hamas flag marching in city streets calling for the genocide of Jews. We do not feel safe. We have all come to understand that Black Lives Matter, and that we need to Stop Asian Hate. Now is the time to End Jew Hatred, and we cannot afford to all lives matter a minority community experiencing constant trauma. An abate hate action plan was drafted on Tuesday but will be released in full after Labor Day when its hoped to be implemented. MILAN (Reuters) -Italian premium brake maker Brembo on Tuesday posted moderate gains in first-half core earnings and revenue, with its Asian markets and its business helping to maintain older vehicles helping to counter a darker outlook for the automotive sector. As earnings of several major automakers have shown, including Stellantis, Porsche and Mercedes, the automotive market went through a contraction in the first part of the year, while a recovery looks still uncertain for the months ahead. "The market is really struggling, including in its premium segment," Executive Chairman Matteo Tiraboschi said in a post-earnings interview with Reuters. "With this background, increasing revenue and preserving profitability was an achievement". Brembo's shares were up 3.8% as of 1515 GMT, reversing earlier losses. Brembo's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew 2.1% to 351.4 million euros ($381 million) for the six months to June 30. Its revenue rose 2.8% to top 2 billion euros for the first time, led by 7.2% growth in China and 21.1% growth in India. "Asia is a key area for us, with a protracted growth, mainly with China but not only with China," Tiraboschi said. "India is very important too, especially for the motorbike segment". Brembo's first half EBITDA margin came in at 17.5%, broadly unchanged from 17.6% a year earlier. Tiraboschi said the aftermarket business also supported Brembo's results. "(Car) sales going down mean fewer people changing their cars and more of them doing maintenance," he said. "So the after market is bringing benefits". The Bergamo-based group, whose clients include automakers such as Tesla, BMW, and Chinese EV giant BYD, reiterated its full-year forecasts for moderate revenue growth and stable margins. ($1 = 0.9233 euros) (Reporting by Enrico Sciacovelli and Giulio PiovaccariEditing by Cristina Carlevaro and Keith Weir) RANDALLS ISLAND, Manhattan (PIX11) The NYPD is now offering a $3,500 reward for information in connection to the fatal shooting on Randalls Island early Monday morning. The shooting happened at Field 71 near a migrant shelter on Randalls Island around 3:30 a.m., according to the NYPD. More Local News One victim, Sandra Serrano, 44, was shot and killed, police said. Two other victims, a 32-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were taken to the Harlem Hospital and are in stable condition. Anyone with information is asked to contact the 25th Precinct Detective Squad at (212) 860-6536. All calls are confidential. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Wounded Oconee County Sheriff's Office Corporal Lucas Watts has received a statewide award. On July 17, Watts was named the South Carolina Sheriffs Association Deputy of the Year. Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw nominated Watts for the award. Earlier this year, Gov. Henry McMaster named Watts the 2023 County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. According to previous reporting, on Nov. 16, 2023, George Maxwell, 50, of Fair Play, shot and injured Watts. Watts was shot in the head, losing his right eye from the incident. Maxwell had fled a traffic stop on S. Highway 11 at Mt. Pleasant Road. During a pursuit, Maxwell shot Watts, according to reports. Maxwell was later located on Black Bass Road and detained by deputies. Maxwell was charged with six counts of attempted murder. On Dec. 19, Maxwell was denied bond in an Oconee County courtroom. More: Many restaurants around Greenville closed since January 2024; food costs, staffing issues After the shooting, Watts was hospitalized at Prisma Greenville Memorial Hospital and, in December, began rehabilitation at a Georgia facility. In May, Watts returned home after more than six months of hospitalization and rehab. Due to continued treatment, Watts could not be present to receive the award. His brother and his parents accepted the honor at the awards banquet. Sheriff Crenshaw said in a statement that he was grateful that Watts was selected for this prestigious award. There were many great nominees for the Deputy of the Year award, and I congratulate all those who were also nominated," he said. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: SC Sheriff's Association honors wounded Oconee deputy, what to know THE BRONX, New York (PIX11) A school safety agent was arrested on Wednesday morning in the Bronx. Zowie Hunter, 25, was taken into custody just before 2 a.m. The off-duty New York City employee was charged with third degree assault after punching someone during an argument, authorities report. Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Ohio bill would allow impaired driving test for marijuana, but does it work? Ohio bill would allow impaired driving test for marijuana, but does it work? COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Law enforcement could get a new test to check for high drivers with a pending Ohio bill, but challengers are raising questions about its accuracy. Republican Reps. D.J. Swearingen and Cindy Abrams introduced House Bill 230 in June 2023. After slowly making its way through a committee, the bill passed in the House 79-13 in April. The bill includes several measures adding or increasing penalties for human and drug trafficking, focusing on methamphetamine and fentanyl. Before the bill passed, however, it picked up an amendment that would add a tool for police investigating possible impaired driving. HB 230s addition gives law enforcement officers the ability to conduct oral fluid tests on drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, drugs of abuse, or a combination of them. Netflix dating show Love is Blind now casting in Columbus Movement on the bill comes as rollout of recreational marijuana sales looms in Ohio. Cannabis does fall under drugs of abuse as defined in the Ohio Revised Code, and Abrams told NBC4 that in this case, the bill applies. While our law enforcement will benefit from the use of oral fluid testing with recreational marijuana being legalized, its inclusion in this bill was not solely as a response to the passing of Issue 2 in November of 2023, Abrams said. Attorney Paula Savchenko, who works at licensing firm Cannacore Group and regulated substance specialist PS Law Group, saw a similar rollout of oral fluid tests in Canada after the country legalized marijuana. I know that in Ontario, they are using these types of breathalyzers to determine if drivers are under the influence of cannabis, Savchenko said. Some of the downfalls of this is theyre not completely exact yet. Its just a yes, a pass or fail as to whether you have cannabis in your system or not. Its not about how much cannabis, like how we would see with the blood alcohol content test. Ohio-based Big Lots names nearly 150 stores closing amid bankruptcy risk As of Wednesday, 33 states have also authorized their law enforcement to conduct oral fluid tests on drivers, according to Responsibility.org. And local agencies like the Ohio State Highway Patrol are willing to use them. Lt. Ray Santiago explained why the agency supports HB 230. The patrol has been working on oral fluid testing methodology for several years as drug impairment has outpaced alcohol impairment in Ohio fatal crashes since 2019, Santiago said. Oral fluid testing is advantageous because it does not require an officer of the same gender to collect urine samples and oral fluids can be collected near the same time that the suspected impaired driver was operating a vehicle. In an email to NBC4, Abrams also cited the other states usage and the methodology as evidence to support their use. Michigans pilot program concluded that oral fluid testing was accurate for purposes of preliminary roadside testing, Abrams said. Other states, who already authorize the use of oral fluid testing, use labs like Forensic Fluids. Forensic Fluids works in step with local law enforcement agencies to complete testing in their labs with 24-hour turnover rates while maintaining the chain of custody to test the parent genes or the psychoactive element within an individuals system rather than a metabolite to test how high a person is. Abrams testified again in support of the technology in a June Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, as well as before the bills passage. But besides stressing the tests look for the parent gene, not the metabolite, she deferred senators to experts for more details on them. Ohio State graduates local winery listed for sale Harm Reduction Ohio is a nonprofit that supports science-based drug policies and also brands itself as the states largest distributor of naloxone, a fentanyl and opioid overdose reversal drug. Its president, Dennis Cauchon, disputed that testing for a parent gene would help in accurate drug detection. It sounds good and in certain cases, it makes a difference, Cauchon said. But in marijuana oral fluid testing, one isnt better than the other. None of them are very good. Savchenko and Cauchon independently raised concerns that the length of time marijuana stays in a persons system after consumption could be an issue with the oral fluid tests. I think its going to be really difficult to use this as concrete evidence, Savchenko said. Just because someone smoked this morning and theyre driving at 6 p.m. doesnt mean that theyre still high. A February article published in the Journal of Analytical Chemistry and Microbiology International backs Savchenko and Cauchons challenge to oral fluid tests. Researchers wrote that saliva, breath and other bodily fluids all retain the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana past the typical window a user could be impaired. The tests also risk giving false positives for drivers who also may have consumed hemp-derived CBD products. Recent studies have shown no direct relationship between impairment and Delta 9-tetra-hydrocannabinol (Delta 9-THC) concentrations in blood or saliva, making legal per se Delta 9-THC limits scientifically unjustified, the studys abstract read. Southwest Airlines adding direct flight from Columbus NBC4 also reached out to the Ohio Department of Health for its perspective, but the agency deferred to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Santiago noted that in Ohio, 551 people died in drug-related traffic crashes in 2023. But Cauchon doesnt think oral fluid tests are ready for action as a catch-all answer. These oral fluid tests make sense in certain situations, Cauchon said. For certain drugs, theyre less intrusive than urine testing, but it really requires fact-specific knowledge on when they work, how they work Its possible these tests will be improved, so Im not saying its never possible. HB 230 did receive some bipartisan support when it came to a House vote in April. Democratic Rep. Cecil Thomas made public comments to back it and repeated the disputed claim that fentanyl was being found in marijuana. But besides Abrams mention of the oral fluid tests, no other members of the chamber addressed them before voting. Listeria outbreak prompts Kroger recall of produce, dips sold in 5 states HB 230 was introduced in the Senate in May before being referred to a committee. The Ohio Legislatures website showed Senate committee hearings scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, but the chamber wont have a full session until Nov. 13. Read the text of the bill as introduced in the Senate below: HB-230Download Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LORAIN, Ohio (WCMH) A 22-year-old Ohioan is leading the effort to make his home city the 12th in the state to ban anti-LGBTQ+ techniques known as conversion therapy, used to attempt to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity. Brandon West is the young adult credited with propelling the recently proposed ordinance in the northeast Ohio city of Lorain that would ban healthcare professionals from engaging in conversion therapy with minors. The measure argues that practitioners of such therapy are under an erroneous assumption that non-heterosexual, non-cisgender identities are mental disorders. Ohios highest court rules boneless chicken wings can have bones Conversion therapy has been widely discredited by medical professionals and is known to cause significant harm, including an increased risk of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, said West at the proposals first review at Lorain City Council on July 15. By passing this ordinance, we can protect our youth, and promote a healthier and more inclusive community. Council-at-large member Mary Springowski endorsed the measure during the meeting, which aimed to pass immediately on emergency rather than requiring the ordinance to be further reviewed at future meetings before approval. While the council opted to not pass Wests proposal on emergency, the measure is scheduled for a second review in September. Springowski dedicated the proposal to her younger brother Sean who came out as gay in 1987 and later died in 2006 from an HIV-related illness. The council member said her parents were accepting of Sean, and welcomed his friends to live in their house when their own parents disowned them for their sexual orientation. Some of them went through conversion therapy it was nothing short of torture, where a church group or somebody would say, We can cure you,' Springowski said. Its in memory of all those kids, that have been so desperate and so despairing that they take their own lives, that Im supporting this. How Ohio could reverse same-sex marriage ban still on the books West, an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community who also previously ran for a seat on Lorains city council, told NBC4 he was inspired by the 11 other municipalities in Ohio, like Columbus, Dayton, Akron and Toledo, that have already passed measures banning the practice within city limits. West said he reached out to Akrons city council for guidance and used its ordinance as a template before pitching the proposal to Lorains council. The measure states that conversion therapy practitioners often employ averse conditioning, which includes the use of electric shock, deprivation of food and liquid, smelling salts and chemical-induced nausea. Those youth who have undergone this conditioning are nearly twice as likely to consider and attempt suicide, according to a 2019 study by UCLAs Williams Institute that the proposal cites. Wests ordinance also echoes major mental health associations that discredit conversion therapy, including the American Medical Association, which says the assumption that someones sexual orientation or gender identity can be changed is not based on medical or scientific evidence. Still, more than half a million LGBTQ+ youth in the U.S. were at risk of undergoing conversion therapy in 2021. Still no action on DeWines call for diet weed regulation For it to pass, it would mean a lot to me because I know how much that could also mean to others, West said. If people have gone through conversion therapy who live in Lorain could see that there are city officials, in this divided world of politics, that really do seem to care, at least on the local level, about whats happened to them or what could happen to others. If passed, those found practicing conversion therapy in Lorain would be guilty of a misdemeanor and sentenced to a minimum fine of $500 up to a maximum fine of $1,000 per occurrence and possibly a jail term that would not exceed one year. The trend of Ohio cities prohibiting conversion therapy is continuing because the legislature hasnt had the appetite to pass a statewide ban. While former Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) introduced the Anti-Conversion Therapy Act last year which would make law in Ohio the same parameters as Wests proposal, the legislation didnt receive a single committee hearing. Still, Lightbody said she wanted to propose the act after she received overwhelming opposition to House Bill 68, a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors and trans athletes participation in womens sports. The Statehouse overrode Gov. Mike DeWines veto of that bill, which is now on pause and under litigation after the ACLU sued Ohio, arguing the measure is unconstitutional. As an educator, I cannot support legislation that singles out LGBTQ+ youth and would negate the efforts of schools, teachers, and students to create inclusive classroom environments for all, Lightbody said. Students learn best in classrooms in which they feel at ease and comfortable, and from teachers they like and trust. Millions of tax dollars invested in the state fair While Wests proposed ordinance was not approved on emergency, he said he is confident the measure will pass once it goes through the traditional approval process. He noted that a majority appeared to be in favor of the ordinance at the July 15 meeting, but a few wanted more time to conduct research. I really think if they do the correct research, and realize that it would be beneficial, I really do have a positive feeling that it will pass, West said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine gives the State of the State Address, Jan. 31, 2023, in the House Chamber at the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original story.) Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine stood in staunch opposition Wednesday to an anti-gerrymandering proposal heading to voters in November that would replace politicians with a citizen redistricting commission, but he stopped short of presenting a competing proposal this year. DeWine held a press conference on Wednesday, not only to criticize the Citizens Not Politicians ballot initiative, but to acknowledge the process thats currently in place in Ohio a process that includes him doesnt work either. We need to end this writing and re-writing of our constitution, and we must defeat this misguided ballot initiative, DeWine said. Asked whether he thought it was possible the initiative headed to the ballot could work, despite his misgivings, the governor said, No. No way in hell. DeWine instead presented his preference for an Iowa plan, where Ohio lawmakers would draw up a redistricting amendment proposal of their own early next year, based on the state of Iowas. Iowa has a non-partisan legislative services agency draw maps for approval by lawmakers and the governor. If a map doesnt get passed by the legislature and governor on its first two attempts, Iowa lawmakers are able to make amendments to the map plan as they see fit on the third attempt. This gives Iowa lawmakers final authority on maps. In a response issued after DeWines news conference, Citizens Not Politicians leader and retired Republican Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen OConnor issued a statement saying that the disinformation from the governor today is insulting to everyone in Ohio. Redistricting in Ohio The governor was a member of the Ohio Redistricting Commission (as dictated by current state law regarding redistricting), so he saw firsthand the process over the two years that the commission adopted six Statehouse maps and two U.S. congressional maps. All of the maps were challenged in court, with five of the Statehouse maps rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court, and both of the congressional maps ruled unconstitutionally partisan. The sixth map was not rejected by a state supreme court led by new Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, rather than the previous swing vote on all the maps, now-retired Chief Justice Maureen OConnor. During the process, the ORC was nearly brought to the supreme court to answer as to whether or not they should be held in contempt for missing deadlines after court orders to redraw maps (the court never held them in contempt), and the group had leadership who called map-drawing deadlines a myth and questioned the authority of the states highest court to dictate their business. The process also saw two independent map-drawers, who were brought in at the behest of the court, but whose suggestions and draft maps were rejected by the commission at the last minute, in favor of a previous draft drawn up by Republican staffers. This was a decision that I have consciously made after having watched the turmoil, political partisanship thats been going on for a long time in Ohio, DeWine said on Wednesday as he decried the Citizens Not Politicians proposal. The one thing DeWine said did need to happen in redistricting reform that matches up with the current ballot proposal is a removal of politics as part of the process. Ohio should have a constitutional provision that instructs the mapmakers that they can not consider past voting data, that the map-drawers know will lead to a pre-determined partisan outcome, he said. He said the proposal set to come before voters would need replaced once again after voters realized they were unhappy, and that the new process will make things much worse. If this ballot proposal were to be adopted, Ohio would actually end up with a system that mandates, that compels map-drawers to produce gerrymandered districts, DeWine alleged. The proposal headed for voters after the Ohio Ballot Board approves ballot language for it, would create a 15-person independent redistricting commission made up of citizens, and without elected officials, according to the proposal. The citizens would be chosen through a vetting process done by local judges, and public hearings would be a part of the process as maps are drafted, Citizens Not Politicians has stated. The main problem with the proposal for DeWine is that proportionality supersedes all when it comes to drawing maps and determining Statehouse and congressional districts. Proportionality requires representation based on the voting trends in past elections. The governor critiqued the initiative for having proportionality supersede things like communities of interests and township/county/municipality lines. Using two examples of maps drawn with the simulation software Daves Redistricting App one done by Kevin with a proportionality score of 100 out of 100, and another officially submitted by the Ohio Democrats he endeavored to show possible problems with maps that focus solely on proportionality. He mentioned the snake on the lake a nickname for a northeast district based on its shape comparing it to a district in one simulation that connected Sandusky and Lorain counties. He said another district in the proposals reminded him of an ice cream cone in its scooping out of parts of the area. This is what proportionality does if you adhere to it, he said. DeWines plan Whether or not the Citizens Not Politicians initiative goes through, Ohio might see DeWine and the legislature attempting to rewrite the constitution again. If the initiative doesnt pass, DeWine was resolute in his plan to work with the General Assembly to introduce a resolution in the next session. Well vet that proposal, therell be hearings on it, well hear from citizens on all sides, DeWine said. And I hope then, approve the resolution to place an initiative on the ballot for voters to approve the way the process should be. He said he will ask for passage of a version of the Iowa ballot language thats been in effect for about 40 years now. The Iowa system has gone through its share of changes, but in the 1980 legislative session, state legislators established the current process, in which the Legislative Service Bureau, a nonpartisan bill drafting agency of the General Assembly is given the primary responsibility for drawing proposed congressional and legislative districts, subject to legislative and gubernatorial approval, according to a legislative guide to the process produced by the Iowa Legislative Services Agency, a combination of agencies including the LSB. The plan requires a first redistricting plan to be submitted to the General Assembly, after which a Temporary Redistricting Advisory Commission holds at least three hearings in different geographic regions of the state, submitting a report after the hearings. If that map fails to be approved by the legislature or the governor, specific reasons must be given via resolution or governors veto message. The GA then has 35 days to get a second plan to a vote. No public hearings are required for the second plan. If there is need for a third plan, the process repeats, but this time the third plan is subject to amendment in the same manner as any other bill, meaning that Iowa lawmakers can make desired changes directly. If no agreement can be made or if that plan is legally challenged, judicial intervention from the state supreme court begins. The Iowa Constitution provides that the Iowa Supreme Court will likely assume or be given the responsibility for establishing a valid redistricting plan, according to the LSA. As DeWine explained the Iowa process, he said the Legislative Service Commission in Ohio would be the non-partisan entity to start the process, but Ohios version would perhaps not follow the rest of the process, including the provision that states the Iowa Legislature has the formal passage power on maps. As for enforcement measures to keep the redistricting leaders in check under the plan hes proposing, DeWine said none of that changes from the process now. The biggest part of the system that DeWine wants to see in Ohio is the map-drawing criteria. The Iowa criteria makes it impossible for someone legally following the constitution to use partisan politics, the governor said. He acknowledged Iowas smaller population and more compact counties, but said the basic principle works in both states. Do you want politics in it, or do you want politics prohibited from being in it? If an Ohio GA plan deviates very much from the Iowa system, DeWine said he will not be in favor of it. Even if the ballot measure does pass in November, DeWine still wouldnt rule out the possibility that he would push for the Iowa plan to be on the ballot at a later date. What Im not going to say is never, never, never will I ever do that, Im not going to say it, DeWine said. What I hope happens is that we can defeat this in the fall and I will push and I will do whatever I can to lead so that we end up with something thats better than what we have now. He went further, saying even if the legislature does not bring about the plan he envisions, I will do everything I can to get it on the ballot by initiative. Despite his fervor for the plan, DeWine said he would not be calling a special session for the legislature to work on the initiative now, to try to beat the Aug. 7 petition-filing date. I dont have time to go to the ballot, number one; number two, I dont know that at this late date if theres support in the House to do that; three, the advantage that you have by waiting is that we can go through a normal process where there are public hearings and things can be vetted, DeWine told reporters on Wednesday. The governor alleged that the Citizens Not Politicians amendment had not been properly vetted, saying if voters understood the proposal, they wouldnt want it, even if they support proportionality as a lead method in redistricting. The proposal made the ballot with 535,005 valid Ohio voter signatures. The idea of proportionality sounds good, it sounds fair, DeWine said. However, we see how requiring a map-drawer to draw districts, each of which favors one political party obliterates all other good government objectives. Reactions The Citizens Not Politicians leaders were unsurprisingly against DeWines comments and his new plan. The disinformation from the governor today is insulting to everyone in Ohio, and especially insulting to the half-a-million Ohioans Republicans, Democrats and Independents who put the Citizens Not Politicians amendment on the November ballot, said retired Chief Justice Maureen OConnor, in a statement with Citizens Not Politicians. OConnor offered to sit down with the governor and explain the plan since, she said, the governor demonstrated in his rambling and disjointed press conference today that he does not understand our amendment. Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, who was on the Ohio Redistricting Commission with DeWine when they passed the most recent statehouse district map, said the governors proposal appears to be another eleventh-hour attempt to subvert the will of the people and keep a stranglehold on the GOP artificial supermajority. House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, also served on the commission with DeWine through a number of maps, and commented after the most recent map adoption that she agreed to the map solely to take the process out of the hands of the ORC. On Wednesday, she called the DeWines press conference a manufactured attempt to confuse and misdirect voters from the truth. Republicans are desperate because they know their gerrymandered grip on power is coming to an end, so theyre once again attacking Ohioans fundamental freedoms and putting their own self-interest ahead of the interest of the people, Russo said in a statement. The governor wasnt without his supporters in the effort, however. A spokesperson for Senate President Matt Huffman said the governor is correct about proportionality, also known as representational fairness, it is the textbook definition of gerrymandering. Its important to remember that the current system, approved by more than 70% of the voters, produced a unanimous bipartisan vote that approved maps for the General Assembly over the remainder of the decade, spokesperson John Fortney said. House Speaker Jason Stephens posted a statement on X after DeWines press conference, saying I look forward to working with the governor, the Senate and the entire GOP Caucus to defeat Issue 1 in November. Once Issue 1 is defeated, we will continue to work to ensure all Ohioans voices are heard and represented, the statement read. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Consumers who order boneless chicken wings should expect the possibility of bones, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled. In a 4-3 ruling, Republican Ohio Supreme Court justices Joseph Deters, Sharon Kennedy, Patrick Fischer and Patrick DeWine ruled bones are a natural part of chicken, so consumers should be on guard for them even in wings labeled as boneless. Ohio State graduates local winery listed for sale In April 2016, Michael Berkheimer went to the Butler County restaurant Wings on Brookwood and ordered parmesan garlic boneless wings. He cut each of his wings into a few pieces before eating them. When he ate a piece of his chicken, he testified it felt like a piece of meat went down the wrong pipe. In the following days, he experienced a fever and was unable to keep food down. He went to the emergency room, where a doctor discovered a five-centimeter chicken bone lodged in Berkheimers esophagus. After multiple surgeries, weeks in the hospital, and the prolonged use of an oxygen tank, Berkheimer was left with lasting heart and lung damage and a partially paralyzed diaphragm, according to court filings. In 2017, Berkheimer sued the restaurant owners, as well as the chicken suppliers and processors. A Butler County Common Pleas Court trial judge sided with the companies, deciding consumers should expect bone fragments in chicken dishes, and the 12th District Court of Appeals agreed. Berkheimer argued that the court of appeals did not consider the fact that the meal was advertised as boneless and gave no warning that a bone might be in the dish. The Ohio Supreme Court heard the case in December. Southwest Airlines adding direct flight from Columbus The Ohio Supreme Court majority agreed with the lower courts. The courts used the Allen test to determine negligence. The method looks at whether the injurious object is natural to the food, or is a foreign substance, such as glass, wires and nails; or if diseased or infected ingredients are present. Whether the substance was foreign to or natural to the food is relevant to determining what the consumer could have reasonably expected, the opinion states. Since bones are natural to chicken, such as pieces of shell are natural to oysters, Berkheimer could have reasonably expected and guarded against the bone, the supreme court majority argued. The majority opinion also states it is common sense that the label was merely a description of the cooking style, not a guarantee of no bones. The dissenting opinion, consisting of Democrat justices Michael Donnelly, Melody Stewart and Jennifer Brunner, called this jabberwocky. Listeria outbreak prompts Kroger recall of produce, dips sold in 5 states Donnelly states a guarantee of no bones is exactly what people think when ordering boneless wings, pointing to the fact that dictionaries define boneless as without a bone. The question must be asked: Does anyone really believe that the parents in this country who feed their young children boneless wings or chicken tenders or chicken nuggets or chicken fingers expect bones to be in the chicken? Donnelly wrote. Of course they dont. When they read the word boneless, they think that it means without bones, as do all sensible 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. People gather to protest human trafficking. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images) Christina LaPointe Jackson is in the process of getting her criminal record expunged for crimes she committed while she was a victim of human trafficking and shes hoping a new law will help speed up the process. She had been trafficked by seven different people and has been arrested more than 30 times for various offenses, including drugs and theft. One of her traffickers held her hostage in his attic for a couple of weeks and would take her out to prostitute on the streets. He would watch me from the corner, she said. Any persons car I got into he would follow me in his car. He was never without me. Jackson wants to work with teenagers, but thats not possible because of her record. And it can be extremely difficult to find a place to live. You cant work around children or teenagers having such a beautiful background, she said. Our past follows us. Housing is a big no. I dont think any application Ive put in has ever passed. But the Akron resident is feeling more optimistic now that Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently signed a bill into law that allows human trafficking survivors to expunge certain criminal records. It means a lot to me as far as my next steps forward, what I can do with my life and where I can go for my career, Jackson said. State Sen. Stephanie Kunze, R-Dublin, introduced Senate Bill 214 earlier this year which allows human trafficking survivors to apply for expungement of conviction records for a misdemeanor, fourth-degree felony or fifth-degree felony they committed while being trafficked. Expungement is not automatic and people must go through a hearing process. Survivors are sometimes forced to commit crimes like theft, drug trafficking, shoplifting, and credit card theft which can stick with them years after being trafficked. Before S.B. 214 passed, human trafficking survivors could only have their records expunged for convicted crimes of soliciting, loitering and prostitution. The Human Trafficking Hotline has received 11,224 signals and identified 3,102 cases of human trafficking in Ohio since 2007. This new law is important because of the collateral consequences of being a human trafficking victim, said Tracy McGinley, who helped develop the Bowling Green State University Labor Trafficking Education and Research Initiative. When we start to look at human trafficking there are other crimes that may be associated with that person being a victim. These other charges on their record that might impede them from getting jobs or even funding to go to school, depending on what the charges are. We dont want to have those collateral consequences making it difficult for them to find housing and gainful employment, she said. Another part of control with trafficking is the psychological threat and exploitation of basic physiological needs, said Lara Wilken, who co-founded BGSU Labor Trafficking Education and Research Initiative. If these individuals are not able to advocate for themselves or able to gain sustainable employment to meet their basic physiological needs like shelter, food, safety, all of those things traffickers may use those opportunities to exploit them, leaving them feel as though they have nowhere else to go, she said. The ability to have their record expunged can help empower them to get an education or get a job, so they are able to provide for themselves, making it much harder for traffickers to re-exploit them. Annette Mango Back in 2017, Annette Mango got her record expunged for crimes she committed as a human trafficking victim and it has turned her life around. Its not only open doors for me, I feel free, Mango said. I feel safe. I can walk in any place now and with my head up high, and dont have to worry about (having a record). Mango, of Cleveland, was an addict which led to her becoming homeless and ultimately becoming a victim of human trafficking when she was 35. She ended up being trafficked by drug dealers and other addicts. The last time she was arrested, a probation officer asked if she wanted to join the human trafficking drug court. Thats what saved me, she said, remembering she was about 50 at that time. Shes now 59. Since getting her record expunged, she has gone on to get her high school diploma. That was one of the best feelings, one of the best things I ever did, she said. I took my son and my father with me to get my diploma. I have never felt something so empowering. Mango is glad to see S.B. 214 signed into law. Its giving us a voice, she said. It gives us strength to take our lives back. Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on Twitter. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST A tearful memorial ceremony on Tuesday morning honored the life of Mattis, a K9 therapy dog at the Frankin County Sheriff's Office and the first law enforcement therapy dog in Ohio. Mattis died on June 28. Westland High School students and staff, law enforcement personnel and 21 fellow therapy dogs and handlers honored the 7-year-old yellow lab on the schools front lawn. Mattis became a therapy dog as a puppy in 2017 and served for years alongside his handler, Darrah Metz, including at Westland High. Sgt. Darrah Metz of the Franklin County Sheriffs Office salutes as an American flag is folded during a memorial service and celebration of life for her partner K9 Mattis, the first law enforcement therapy dog in Ohio, at Westland High School. Mattis was humanely euthanized after his well-being declined due to liver failure. His final post was at Westland High School. For the past year, when he wasnt at the courthouse comforting children who were victims of crime, he arrived at Westland High every morning. Sgt. Metz would park on the side of the building and let him through the door, and he would be at a full sprint down the carpeted hallway to get to me for his morning treat, Westland High Principal Gregory Costello said. And then he would go visit the other members of the staff for their morning treats for him. Costello said the kids at the school hung out with Mattis in the common area, and whatever they were going through, Mattis brought them peace. Ill always remember he brought so much joy by doing something so simple by just being himself every day, Costello said. A dogs legacy Mattis first assignment came when he was just six months old, Metz said in a eulogy at the memorial. The FBI heard about Mattis before hed started training and called on the sheriffs office to bring him to a child who had witnessed a homicide. The child refused to tell anyone what he saw. Darrah took Mattis down, and within 15, 20 minutes, (the child) was playing with Mattis. And he was telling (Mattis) everything, Baldwin said. Baldwin said he realized then that therapy dogs could assist in investigations and not just comfort victims. K9 Mattis is seen during a week of training led by his handler Sgt. Darrah Metz in June 2024. Baldwin said the sheriff's office has had several dogs come and go since Mattis started. For a short time before his death, he was the only therapy dog the department employed. Since his death, two more therapy dogs have joined the sheriff's office program, and three more will soon join, making it one of the largest police therapy dog programs in the country. When Mattis became sick, the sheriffs office called a specialist vet to see if anything could be done. The vet determined Mattis was battling liver failure. Baldwin said he saw the dog the day he died, and Mattis just wasnt himself. A bouquet of roses is seen during a memorial service and celebration of life for K9 Mattis, the first law enforcement therapy dog in Ohio, at Westland High School where he and his handler Sgt. Darrah Metz worked. You dont want to admit it, but you can tell when theyre in pain, Baldwin said. It was time. In her eulogy, Metz said she misses Mattis and still catches herself opening the car door for him to jump in. I am hurting far more than I ever anticipated. You were able to hide it so well, she said, directing her words at Mattis. For me, the loss of you is overwhelming and immense. Franklin County therapy dogs future On the same day Mattis died, a class of new therapy dogs graduated from training. One of them was Sunny, a 7-year-old golden retriever and one of Mattis successors at the Franklin County Sheriffs Office. Sunnys handler, Ryan Robinson, said he went directly from the graduation ceremony to an initial memorial service for Mattis. It was bittersweet, Robinson said. Several dogs who graduated that day attended Tuesday's memorial with their handlers. The 21 dogs lay at their handlers feet. Two of them barked at something in the distance as a bugler played taps and police personnel stood silently at attention. Columbus Divsion of Police therapy dog unit officer Mike Paulins salutes as an American flag is folded during a memorial service and celebration of life for Franklin County Sheriffs Office K9 Mattis, the first law enforcement therapy dog in Ohio, at Westland High School. Robinson said he loves working with Sunny so far and that the dog has a natural inclination for the work, like Mattis and other good therapy dogs. Robinson took over care of Sunny when he was a puppy, and the relative who owned him died. Sunny helped Robinson and his family cope with the loss, and Robinson realized Sunny might be able to help others the same way. He joined the sheriff's office therapy dog program with Sunny. Mattis was a great dog, Robinson said. He taught me everything I know, and were going to take it from here. Metz still has a dog in her life Radar, a 10-year-old yellow lab who works as a therapy dog at Ohio State University. Radar has helped her cope with the loss, Metz said. Franklin County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Darrah Metz holds a folded American flag during the playing of taps during a memorial service and celebration of life for her partner K9 Mattis, the first law enforcement therapy dog in Ohio, at Westland High School. Metz was supported at left by ReNea Owens and Radar representing Buckeye Paws. Metz was recently promoted to sergeant and works in the community affairs division at the sheriffs office. She continues to work closely with the therapy dog unit and said she will handle another therapy dog of her own when the time is right. Looking at the therapy dogs assembled to honor Mattis, Metz said shes glad their work together has been so influential. It's very humbling, Metz said. I was so blessed. I'm so privileged that he was mine. bagallion@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin County Sheriff's Office K9 therapy dog honored with service The board of Kumpulan Fima Berhad (KLSE:KFIMA) has announced that it will pay a dividend of MYR0.12 per share on the 16th of August. This payment means that the dividend yield will be 5.4%, which is around the industry average. Check out our latest analysis for Kumpulan Fima Berhad Kumpulan Fima Berhad's Dividend Is Well Covered By Earnings We like a dividend to be consistent over the long term, so checking whether it is sustainable is important. Before making this announcement, Kumpulan Fima Berhad was paying a whopping 299% as a dividend, but this only made up 34% of its overall earnings. The business might be trying to strike a balance between returning cash to shareholders and reinvesting back into the business, but this high of a payout ratio could definitely force the dividend to be cut if the company runs into a bit of a tough spot. Over the next year, EPS could expand by 4.5% if recent trends continue. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio will be 44%, which is in the range that makes us comfortable with the sustainability of the dividend. Dividend Volatility While the company has been paying a dividend for a long time, it has cut the dividend at least once in the last 10 years. Since 2014, the annual payment back then was MYR0.08, compared to the most recent full-year payment of MYR0.12. This implies that the company grew its distributions at a yearly rate of about 4.1% over that duration. We're glad to see the dividend has risen, but with a limited rate of growth and fluctuations in the payments the total shareholder return may be limited. The Dividend's Growth Prospects Are Limited With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to see if earnings per share is growing. Earnings has been rising at 4.5% per annum over the last five years, which admittedly is a bit slow. While EPS growth is quite low, Kumpulan Fima Berhad has the option to increase the payout ratio to return more cash to shareholders. In Summary Overall, it's nice to see a consistent dividend payment, but we think that longer term, the current level of payment might be unsustainable. With cash flows lacking, it is difficult to see how the company can sustain a dividend payment. We would probably look elsewhere for an income investment. Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. Still, investors need to consider a host of other factors, apart from dividend payments, when analysing a company. For example, we've picked out 1 warning sign for Kumpulan Fima Berhad that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. Is Kumpulan Fima Berhad not quite the opportunity you were looking for? Why not check out our selection of top dividend stocks. 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 The price of crude oil increased Wednesday as concerns worsen over a new conflict in the Middle East after an apparent Israeli air strike killed the leader of Hamas inside Iran. West Texas crude jumped in price Wednesday by more than $3 per barrel to about $78, a more than 4 percent increase. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the early hours of Wednesday inside a home in Tehran after he attended the inauguration of Irans new president. Israel has not taken responsibility for the strike, though the countrys military vowed to eliminate Hamas and its leaders in the months following the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the ongoing war in the region. The strike has raised worries that Iran could move into more serious conflict with Israel. A similar Israeli strike on a Hamas leader in Beirut earlier Tuesday also worsened tensions with Hezbollah in the region. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed revenge for the attack, saying it paved the way for a harsh punishment for Israel. A widened conflict in the Middle East could drive up oil prices further, an effect that would trickle down to gas prices. Despite recent tensions, gas prices have stayed steady in the last month. The average price of gas in the U.S. is about $3.49 per gallon, according to AAA. Thats lower than at this point last July, which averaged $3.76 per gallon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who speaks June 11 at the Sovereignty Symposium at the the Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City, on Wednesday applauded a U.S. District Court ruling that temporarily halts a federal rule. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said he was pleased a federal court shot down rule changes to the country's Title IX laws Wednesday. Drummond said the ruling handed down by Western District of Oklahoma federal court, blocks a new rule from the Biden administration that would "unravel longtime federal protections for students under Title IX." In May, Drummond filed a lawsuit in federal district court, seeking a preliminary injunction against the rule that would elevate gender identity over Title IXs express protections of male and female students. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Jodi W. Dishman granted Oklahomas preliminary injunction in full, preventing the new Title IX rule from taking effect throughout Oklahoma. Dishman appointed to the bench by then-President Donald Trump in 2019 wrote that Oklahoma was likely to succeed in showing that final rule exceeds statutory authority, violates the Constitution, and is arbitrary and capricious. This well-reasoned ruling helps to protect both female and male students from invasions of privacy and unnecessary harm, Drummond said in a media statement announcing the ruling. Our students deserve the protections that have long been provided by Title IX. Why US District Judge Jodi Dishman granted the Title IX injunction Dishman's ruling said the administration's rule change wasn't compatible with Title IX's intent. "This court has previously noted that at the time Title IX was enacted 'sex' was defined by biology and reproductive functions not gender identity or sexual orientation," Dishman wrote. She pointed to an earlier decision cited by the Biden administration in defense of the new rule that said individuals could not be fired for being gay or transgender. She said that decision, known as the Bostock decision, "did not sweep beyond Title VII to other federal or state laws that prohibit sex discrimination." "In light of these disclaimers, the court is not convinced that Bostock stands for the proposition that sex discrimination occurs anytime someone is treated differently based on their gender identity," she wrote. "Yet this is essentially what the department argues." More: An Oklahoma district court is among the slowest in the nation. It's led to delayed justice Dishman's ruling said the rule elevates gender identity and its accompanying protections above that of biological sex. Such a contradiction of Title IXs text and an erosion of its purpose cannot be permitted absent congressional action," she wrote. Wednesday afternoon, state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, speaking after the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting, said he appreciated Drummond's support in the case. "We just simply said we're not going to do it," Walters said. "We were the first Department of Education in the country to file that legal remedy against the Biden administration. It was clearly a common sense deal. The clearly broke the law when they created it and they clearly broke the law when they tried to enforce it." Judge Dishman wrote the proposed rule was inexplicably logically inconsistent with several provisions of Title IX. As an example, she pointed to a biological male identifying as a female, writing that the male would be required to sleep in the boys dorm but would be allowed to use the girls locker room. This approach undercuts Title IXs purpose, epitomizes a clear error in judgement and entirely fails to consider important aspects of the problem the Department sought to resolve," the ruling said. For his part, Drummond said Title IX was too important to be distorted. Title IX serves too important of a purpose for it to be distorted into something that actually reduces protection for students," the attorney general said. "The Biden Administration would be well-served to adhere to the text of the law and the purpose behind it. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma judge shoots down national rule changes to Title IX Oklahoma Attorney General files petition against Statewide Charter School Board over St. Isidore contract OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed a petition against the Statewide Charter School Board, stating board members will be held in contempt if they refuse to rescind the St. Isidore charter school contract. The petition comes after the June 25 Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling that deemed St. Isidorethe nations first publicly-funded religious charter schoolunconstitutional. The now-dissolved Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, which was replaced by the SCSB on July 1, approved a contract with St. Isidore in 2023. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Mixed reaction follows OK Supreme Court religious charter school ruling This led to Drummond taking the case to Oklahomas highest court, who argued that the contract with St. Isidore would open the door for taxpayer-funded teachings of Sharia Law or Satanism. On Tuesday afternoon, Drummond commented on the SCSBs decision not end St. Isidores contract in accordance with the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling. Every Oklahoman should be outraged by the boards blatant hostility toward religious liberty, Drummond said. Rather than acting to protect religious liberty, they are recklessly committed to using our tax dollars to fund radical religious teachings like Sharia law. I will continue to protect the religious liberty of all four million Oklahomans by upholding their constitutional rights. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Several Oklahoma schools are speaking out against State Superintendent Ryan Walters directive to teach the Bible in public school grades 5 through 12. Walters recently released guidelines on his controversial Bible mandate in public schools after ordering educators to incorporate the religious text into their lessons, arguing that the Bible is necessary to ensure "students grasp the core values and historical context of our country. In a June 27 meeting, Walters spoke on the requirement, saying, "every teacher and every classroom in the state will have a Bible in the classroom and will be teaching from the Bible in the classroom. The order was followed by intense backlash from civil liberties groups and the Oklahoma Education Association a collective of educators, administrators and other school employees -- who say it infringes on students' and educators' freedom of religion. Now, several Oklahoma schools have publicly stated that there will not be any changes to their curriculum and that they will continue to adhere to current school standards despite Walters recently announced guidelines. PHOTO: Stock photo (Tetra Images/Getty Images) In a July 25 statement, Owasso Public Schools Superintendent Margaret Coates said the district "will continue to adhere to the curriculum and instructional materials previously adopted by the district." "As a public school system, it is crucial that we maintain neutrality and objectivity in our curriculum and instructional practices," Coates continued. MORE: Oklahoma education superintendent under fire for anti-LGBTQ rhetoric after Nex Benedict's death Many school district superintendents noted that Walters cannot solely mandate curriculum or instructional resources -- pointing to the state law that requires standards to receive legislative approval on a six-year cycle and state statutes that give local districts the ability to determine reading and instructional materials. Currently, the 2019 approved Oklahoma state education standards include religion as it relates to its historical role and to cultures around the world. According to the current "World History Content Standards," educators are to discuss "the origins, major beliefs, spread and lasting impact of the worlds major religions and philosophies, including Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, and Sikhism." PHOTO: Bailey Elementary, one of several schools in the Owassa Public School system, is seen in this photo, July 31, 2024. (Google Street View) Stillwater Public Schools Superintendent Uwe Gordon said in an online statement that the school will neither be purchasing class copies of the Bible nor will it deliver lessons from Bibles or any other religious text. SPS prides itself on being respectful of the myriad religions, cultures, traditions, worldviews, and belief systems inherent in our community, said Gordon. The district also holds itself to adherence with the states established academic standards and the laws of the land. Gordon also reaffirmed students' abilities to pray in schools, read religious texts on their own, wear religious garb and meet with religious student-led clubs. In a statement on the Bixby Public Schools district website, Superintendent Rob Miller said he agrees with Walters on the importance of studying the role of religion in historical and cultural contexts. However, the district argues that the teaching of any specific religious doctrine or ideology is not part of the current state standards. Therefore, Bixby Public Schools said it will not change its curriculum. Moore Public Schools Superintendent Robert Romines clarified in a statement on July 18 that while students should learn about religion's role in historical and cultural contexts, the teaching of specific religious doctrines or practices is not a part of the current education standards. "Our goal is to continue providing a respectful environment that acknowledges various perspectives while adhering to the set and approved Oklahoma educational standards," said Romines. Walters told ABC News in a statement: Some Oklahoma educators have indicated they wont follow the law and Oklahoma standards, so let me be clear: they will comply, and I will use every means to make sure of it. ABC News asked for clarification on the consequences educators or schools could face if they did not comply, but his office did not provide a response. Walters' guidelines require educators to incorporate the Bible by looking at "only its historical, literary and secular benefits" by noting the Bible's influence on Western civilization, American history, literature, art and music. The guidelines also repeatedly state that the Bible "is not to be used for religious purposes such as preaching, proselytizing or indoctrination" and that "maintaining neutrality and objectivity is crucial." MORE: Some legislators lean into religion in public education as Supreme Court leans right PHOTO: Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters spoke with ABC News about Nex Benedict's death and issues of anti-LGBTQ bullying in Oklahoma schools. (ABC News) When it comes to the constitutionality of religion in schools, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against mandated religious practices or texts in schools. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that Kentucky's then-law requiring that a copy of the Ten Commandments be posted in public classrooms "had no secular legislative purpose" and was "plainly religious in nature." Nearly 20 years before that, the Supreme Court ruled that school-sponsored devotional prayer and Bible readings in public schools are unconstitutional. Local news outlet Tulsa World recently reported comments from Walters in which he appeared to welcome lawsuits against the Bible directive, in hopes that the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn previous precedent on the separation of church and state. Miller, from Bixby Public Schools, noted that these comments seem to be a "tacit acknowledgment that this directive may not pass constitutional muster based on current statutes and legal precedent and may require a future review by the Supreme Court." "Bixby Schools will continue to comply with existing case law to ensure that the rights of our students and employees are fully protected," Miller said. New Oklahoma Bible directive faces pushback from several schools originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Oklahoma Corporation Commission will seek an independent investigation into accusations of drunkenness and sexual misconduct against Todd Hiett. Hiett, a Republican, is the chairman of the Corporation Commission. He is accused of groping a man at a regulatory conference June 9 in a hotel lobby bar in Minneapolis. He has acknowledged he drank too much at the meeting of the Mid-America Regulatory Conference. He has said he is getting treatment for an alcohol affliction. He does not dispute that he touched the man but said it must have been horseplay. He insists he doesn't remember. During a meeting Wednesday, Commissioner Kim David called for the independent investigation "to look into whether anything else needs to happen or if there are other incidences." "I don't want this agency to be seen as brushing something under the rug," she said. Brandy Wreath, the director of administration of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, told reporters afterward he will reach out first to the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services to do the investigation. Hiett did not address the incident in Minnesota during the meeting. He said Tuesday he will not resign. Commissioner Bob Anthony on Monday called for him to resign immediately, saying the situation is untenable. Anthony revealed Monday that he has spoken to other former and current commissioners from across the country about Hiett's drinking. He said they "reported to me a history of similar behavior at meetings and conferences in multiple other states." Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners Kim David, Bob Anthony and Todd Heitt stand during a Corporation Commission meeting in Oklahoma City Wednesday. Commissioner David on Tuesday said Hiett should consider taking a leave of absence while an investigation takes place. "These are serious allegations that need to be addressed," she said. Also Wednesday, House Democrats called on Gov. Kevin Stitt to call a special session to impeach Hiett on moral turpitude and habitual drunkenness grounds. These reported incidents are an example of someone abusing their power and status in order to intimidate and take advantage of people, said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson. "There is no place for such inappropriate and appalling behavior, especially sexual assault." More: Can voters fire an elected official in Oklahoma? Public Eye found three possible routes What is Todd Hiett accused of doing? Hiett, 57, groped the man late June 9, according to two written accounts made to the Kansas Corporation Commission. The Oklahoman wrote about the accusation Monday after obtaining the accounts through an open records request. The names of the two witnesses and the man who had been with them were blacked out. The key witness wrote in detail about seeing Hiett put his hand on the man's groin area. She described the man as being horrified. Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony speaks during a Corporation Commission meeting in Oklahoma City Wednesday. "I recognized how horrible and awkward this situation was for (the man.) I thought, OK, you have just witnessed a sexual assault and we need to get (the man) out of here," she said. The man was identified in her account as representing a company that "goes before" the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Police in Minneapolis said no one reported the incident to officers. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Investigation planned into accusations against Commissioner Todd Hiett OKLAHOMA Oklahoma lawmakers are ramping up efforts to bring in more poll workers ahead of election day. State officials passed a bill in 2023 to double poll worker pay. Oklahoma requires each precinct to have an election inspector, judge, and clerk. Previously, the pay was one hundred dollars a day for election judges and clerks, but now they can expect $200 a day. Inspectors will now be paid $225 dollars a day. The new pay went into effect on July 1, which means is will be in effect for August and November elections. The Ottawa County Election Board secretary is already seeing an improvement. Weve actually been able to retain our workers and recruit more. Ive had some workers say that this has kept them on being able to have an increase in pay. Our state legislature realized that we were having a hard time retaining and recruiting poll workers. So they worked together with this secretary of the state election board to try to increase pay, said Paige Bearden, Ottawa County Election Board Secretary. While all positions are filled for Ottawa County, Bearden says the organization is always looking to add to their list of backup poll workers. If youd like to sign up for a different district you can contact your local election board. Or you can sign up by going to the Oklahoma State Election Board website, 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Olympics bet against climate change with Seine swimming. For days, it looked like they would lose A man wipes his face as he walks past reproductions of artworks decorating the banks of the River Seineat the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. The men's Olympic triathlon has been postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, where the swimming portion of the race was supposed to take place. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) With plans for athletes to swim the Seine River through the heart of Paris, Olympic organizers essentially bet against climate change's extreme weather. For several days it appeared they would lose by ditching the swimming portion of triathlon races. It wasn't until early Wednesday, after the men's race had been postponed a day and test events called off, that organizers announced the most recent tests showed the water met standards to allow swimming. Some scientists and engineers said organizers were taking a huge gamble at a time when heavy rains have increased with human-caused climate change, especially in Europe. The rains run off from the urban environment and contribute to higher bacteria levels in the city's famed river. They just gambled, flipped the coin and hope for a dry season and it turned out to be the rainiest in the last 30 years, said Metin Duran, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Villanova University who has researched stormwater management. Organizers had worked through most of the scenarios related to computer hacking and physical threats without fully assessing the implications of extreme events associated with climate, said University of Arizona climate scientist Kathy Jacobs, who directs the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions. Its definitely time to take climate threats seriously. If any city could be expected to be mindful of the challenges of climate change, it's Paris. It's where the most significant climate agreement in history was struck almost a decade ago to try to limit Earth's warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. And the Paris games aspire to have half the carbon footprint of earlier games held in London and Rio de Janeiro. Paris, like many older cities around the world, has a combined sewer system, which means that the citys wastewater and stormwater flow through the same pipes. With heavy or prolonged periods of rain, the pipes capacity is reached, sending raw wastewater into the river instead of a treatment plant. Paris spent 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to improve the water quality in the Seine, including building a giant basin to capture excess rainwater and keep wastewater from entering the river, renovating sewer infrastructure and upgrading wastewater treatment plants. But persistent rains, which dampened the opening ceremonies and temporarily gave way to a heat warning on Tuesday, worked against that. Tuesday's men's triathlon was postponed to Wednesday. The city has had at least 80 rainy days in Paris so far this year, about two-and-a-half weeks more than normal, according to the French meteorological office. An AP analysis of weather data found that Paris in 2024 had its second-highest number of rainy days since 1950, surpassed only by 2016. There's been only one weeklong dry spell this year to give the drainage system a break. Normally there's at least three by this time, the AP analysis shows. Heavy rainfall in the summer has always been a possibility and with a warming climate these heavy rainfall events have only become heavier, said Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at the Imperial College of London. Thus, that definitely would need to have gone into the planning." A study last week in the journal Science found a noticeable global increase in the variability the all-or-nothing quality of rain and snow in the past 100 years with a big jump starting in 1960. Researchers then did the standard climate attribution analysis to compare what actually happened with what would have been expected in a fictional world without human-caused climate change. They found this increase in heavy rains punctuated by longer dry spells had global warming's fingerprints on it. The study also found three areas Europe, eastern North America and Australia had seen much higher jumps in the increase in rainfall extremes. The laws of physics dictate that warmer air holds more moisture, which comes down as heavier rain, while climate change then changes weather patterns, making them more stuck in downpours or sunny days without clouds, said study co-author Peili Wu, a climate scientist at the United Kingdom Meteorological Office. Organizers said what happened was beyond their control. Aurelie Merle, the Paris 2024 director of sports, noted to reporters Tuesday that previous triathlon competitions had sometimes been pared back to duathlons. That was before the early Wednesday announcement that swimming in the Seine would move forward. Duran, the Villanova professor, noted that the acceptable pollution level for the triathlon is nearly four times weaker than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has for swimmable waterways. Paris' mayor made a public show of swimming in the river earlier this month, something Duran called a publicity stunt. He said he would not swim in the Seine. He called the underground storage basins the last thing any stormwater expert would suggest as a solution, Duran said. Few cities use that solution any more because its limited and easily gets overwhelmed by the heavier and more frequent rains of climate change. Its a solution for the era before global warming kicked in heavily, he said. Future Olympics sites need to take a wetter world into consideration, Villanova's Duran said: The sewer overflow issue is bound to get worse until climate change is addressed. Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 games, could learn a lesson and work toward more green spaces and fewer private vehicles, Imperial College's Otto said. Olympic games are a great opportunity to change cities as for some reason people accept that athletes need to have a healthy environment whereas ordinary citizens should live within pollution, traffic, noise and risk their life and health, Otto said. ___ Read more of APs climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment ___ Follow Seth Borenstein on X at @borenbears ______ The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Olympics-IOC asks for dialogue between U.S. and WADA over doping dispute By Karolos Grohmann PARIS (Reuters) - The International Olympic Committee has asked for talks between the World Anti-Doping Agency and the United States, including the country's anti-doping agency USADA, to resolve a dispute over jurisdiction in doping matters, it said on Wednesday. A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday threatened to cut U.S. funding for WADA, accusing it of failing to properly investigate alleged doping by Chinese Olympic swimmers. The U.S., the largest single country funder of WADA, has accused the global anti-doping body of not disclosing that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for performance-enhancing trimetazidine (TMZ) in China months before the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. "We have asked for a dialogue between WADA and all the stakeholders," IOC spokesperson Mark Adams told a press conference. "From our understanding the question is about respect of international agreements and those international agreements have been signed by everyone around the world, including the United States." The swimmers were cleared by a Chinese investigation, which said they were inadvertently exposed to the drug through contamination at a hotel but the Department of Justice has since launched an investigation. WADA said it had no evidence to challenge China's findings. The incident, however, cast a shadow over the Paris Olympics and sparked a major row between the global and American anti-doping agencies, drawing in the IOC which said WADA was the only global body responsible for anti-doping. WADA responded to U.S. allegations by saying it would take the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to the Independent Compliance Review Committee, a move that could jeopardize plans for the U.S. to host the 2028 summer and 2034 winter Olympics in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City respectively. The IOC, which established WADA, has told the U.S. to fall in line and added an amendment in the host city contract for the 2034 Games in Salt Lake City that would allow it to terminate the deal "in cases where the supreme authority of WADA" is not respected. Any country wanting to compete in or stage an international sporting event must be compliant with the anti-doping code, meaning if the review went against the U.S. it would have to forfeit participating in and hosting the Olympics. (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Christian Radnedge) One of Hamas' top leaders was killed in Iran, pushing the Middle East closer to the brink Ismail Haniyeh, one of the seniormost members of Hamas, was killed on Wednesday in Iran. He was attending the inauguration of Iran's new president. Local reports say he was killed in a 2 a.m. air strike. Hamas and Iran blamed Israel, which has carried out such strikes before. Israel has not commented. Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, was killed in Iran on Wednesday in a dramatic strike. Details of the attack were still emerging in the hours that followed. Hamas and Iran have both blamed Israel for the strike. Israel hasn't commented. Haniyeh, 62, was the leader of the political wing of Hamas, the armed group that controls Gaza. He was in Iran for the swearing-in of its new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Ismail Haniyeh (left), the political leader of Hamas, meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran, Iran, on July 30, 2024. He was killed early the next morning. Iranian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images Local reports suggested that Haniyeh died in an early-morning airstrike on his accommodation. Tasnim News, an outlet with links to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported Haniyeh was killed by an airborne guided projectile in northern Tehran around 2 a.m. local time. He was staying in a residence for veterans, Tasnim said. The Iranian state outlet IRNA reported that Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed early on Wednesday at the property. The assassination of so senior a Hamas figure could further inflame the Middle East should Iran attack Israel in response. Protesters at an anti-Israel gathering in Tehran in the hours after the killing of Ismail Haniyeh. Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters Shadow war bursts into the open The US and other powers have long feared a direct confrontation between Iran and Israel, which have for decades fought a shadow war of espionage and assassination. An exchange of attacks in April, on an Iranian embassy in Syria and then a return attack on Israeli soil, marked an earlier escalation which stopped short of further conflict. Iran has long funded, armed, and trained Israel's enemies, including Hamas in Gaza and the armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon. The killing of Haniyeh came only hours after Israel targeted a Hezbollah commander in Beirut. They and other Iran-backed groups are part of the "Axis of Resistance" an informal military coalition opposing Israeli and US influence in the Middle East. While Hamas is based in Gaza, Haniyeh was part of its leadership that lived mostly in Qatar. A 'grave escalation' In a statement published by the Hamas-affiliated Shehab news agency, Hamas accused Israel of killing Haniyeh in a "treacherous" attack. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that Israel assassinated Haniyeh, calling it a "grave escalation that aims to break the will of Hamas." In an X post on Wednesday, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, said Israel was behind Haniyeh's death. In a later post he said "it is our duty to take revenge." Khamenei met with Haniyeh on Tuesday, only hours before his death. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (right) met with Ismail Haniyeh (center), and Ziyad al-Nakhalah, the Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, before noon on July 30, 2024. Iranian Leader Press Office via Getty Images Israel has not commented on the attack. But it has a long history of similar attacks, and the long-standing aim to kill Hamas' leadership. In October, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, vowed "mighty vengeance" on Hamas and its leaders for its October 7 terror attacks on Israel, which saw some 1,200 people killed and around 250 taken hostage. In May, International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan said in a statement that he would seek an arrest warrant for Haniyeh. Khan collectively accused Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' leader in Gaza, and Mohammed Deif, commander of Hamas' military wing, of war crimes and crimes of humanity on October 7. When contacted for comment on Iranian state media reports, the Israeli military told CNN they "don't respond to reports in the foreign media." A White House spokesperson told the outlet it was aware of the reports but declined to comment. Representatives for the Pentagon and the Israel Defense Forces did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider. Haniyeh's death comes hours after Israel struck the Lebanese capital of Beirut, killing a top Hezbollah commander who it said was responsible for a deadly rocket attack in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights over the weekend. Read the original article on Business Insider WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) More than 2,000 students will head back to school on Thursday in Williamsburg County. As we begin a new school year, News 2s Octavia Mitchell sat down one-on-one with the leaders of all of our local school districts. Today, were in Williamsburg County, where students have calendar changes and new safety measures. Williamsburg County School District Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Wymbs is in his third year with the district. Were small, but were here, and were productive. You wont find a warmer community to work in and our scholars are unbelievable, says Wymbs. The rural school district has around 2,000 students in eleven schools. Last year, WCSD sampled the modified year-round calendar model, but this is the first official full year for the calendar changes. Dr. Wymbs says, Were using a new modified calendar, which really means it seems like yesterday we got out of school. We think this is going to enhance the learning experience of our students, but it doesnt give you a lot of time to turn around and prepare for the new school year. We had to do everything very succinctly. Weve had to get ready for school. We have older schools, so we had to really work hard. Our facility managers have done an unbelievable job getting us prepared, adjust our curriculum, we had to move everything up and be prepared. We think were ready, we think were ready, and we know what our scholars are capable of doing. Six years ago, the State Department of Education took control of the district due to academic and financial concerns. Now that weve handled the situation with finances and special-ed issues, its sustaining academic improvement, continuous improvement, and Ill be honest with you, we can meet those challenges. We just want to focus on doing whats best for our scholars and our community, the Superintendent added. Wymbs says the district lost around 2,000 students since the pandemic, and they are working hard to get those students back. We want our students back home, and we have the academic results to prove to you what we can do for your scholar, and we want our students back, says Wymbs. He says he is excited about academic gains. We continue to improve and were excited. Our scores are embargoed, but I think the community is really going to be excited to see the work of all our stakeholders. Its a group act. Its our community, our teachers, administrators, our students, our custodians, everybody plays a role in this organization. The district has 544 employees on staff, with 230 teachers. Dr. Wymbs says, We have added some extraordinary educators we are really excited about. The district has bus driver positions filled. With bus drivers, were not facing shortages, but we still will have double and triple routes just because of the large area our bus drivers have to cover. All teaching positions are filled as well. We dont have any shortages. We are fully loaded and ready to go, and were excited about that. When I say we dont have any shortages, this is the strongest group of educators Ive had since Ive been here, and were excited about where we can take our scholars, Wymbs says. Safety improvements are always a priority. Last year, WCSD added metal detectors and implemented a clear bag and no hoodie policy. This year, they will add resource officers to elementary schools. We are adding SROs in every school, and I think thats important. That will be new. Were upgrading our SROs, the capacity of our SROs. Dr. Wymbs says he is looking forward to a stellar year. He says, Our parents and students were excited about last year, and I want you to be doubly excited about this year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Lufthansa aircraft stand on the apron at Rhine-Main Airport. Andreas Arnold/dpa German aviation giant Lufthansa Group reported a significantly lower profit in the second quarter compared to the previous year. The company attributed this decline to strike costs of around 100 million ($108 million) and decreasing average ticket prices. Lufthansa said prices are facing pressure, particularly in the Asian market, due to the increased capacities of Chinese airlines. As a result of decreased revenues, Lufthansa had already adjusted its winter flight schedule starting from the end of October. Lufthansa Group reported a net profit of 469 million for the second quarter of 2023, compared to 881 million in the previous year. The company's quarterly revenue increased by 7% to 10 billion. The flight offering grew by 11% year-on-year, while the passenger companies were only able to increase their revenues by 4.5%. The MDax-listed company said its core brand Lufthansa faced a loss of 427 million in the first six months of the year, much lower than the same period last year, during which it reported a profit of 149 million. A savings programme has been launched at the core Lufthansa brand. The maintenance subsidiary, Lufthansa Technik, experienced record-breaking business. The company also anticipates that other airlines within the group, such as SWISS, Austrian, Brussels, and Eurowings, will achieve profits at or above the previous year's levels. The group had previously said that they are expecting an operating profit of between 1.4 billion and 1.8 billion for the entire year, as opposed to the previous target of around 2.2 billion. During the second quarter, the operating profit was 686 million, down from 1.1 billion during the same period last year. One person killed, another arrested after crash between tractor and car, SC cops say One person was killed and another arrested after a car collided with a tractor in a hit-and-run crash on a Richland County road late Wednesday night, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The two-vehicle collision happened at about 10:30 p.m. on Lower Richland Boulevard, said Lance Cpl. Nick Pye. A John Deere tractor was facing north in Lower Richland Boulevard, near the intersection with Air Base Road, working to remove a tree from the road, according to Pye. Thats in the Hopkins area, about a mile from Lower Richland High School. A 2016 Hyundai sedan that was driving south on Lower Richland Boulevard collided with the tractor and then ran off the left side of the road, Pye said. A passenger in the car died, and the driver ran away from the crash, according to Pye. The driver, identified as 20-year-old Richland County resident Jalen Woodard, was later arrested and taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where he was charged with leaving the scene of a collision involving death, Pye said. Information about where and when Woodard was taken into custody was not available. No bond has been set for Woodard, who remains behind bars, jail records show. Following a bond hearing, Woodard is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 27, according to Richland County judicial records. The Richland County Coroners Office has not publicly identified the car passenger. Pye said neither Woodard nor the tractor operator was hurt, and no other injuries were reported. There was no word if either Woodard or the passenger were wearing seat belts in the crash that continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol. Through Sunday, 518 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,030 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported. At least 27 people have died in Richland County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There were 61 deaths in the county in 2023, DPS reported. OneBlood reports cyberattack has significantly impacted its operations, says there is urgent need for donors A cyberattack has hit a blood donation nonprofit with several locations in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. OneBlood, which serves hospitals in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina, said in a news release that the attack is causing it to operate at a significantly reduced capacity. The nonprofit, which is headquartered in Orlando, also said it is working with cybersecurity experts as well as law enforcement. Its also using manual processes to stay operational, which takes longer and impacts the availability of blood products. Blood and plasma centers across the country are working to help by sending blood and platelets to OneBlood. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] All blood types are needed, but OneBlood said there is an urgent need for O Positive, O Negative, and Platelet donations. The blood supply cannot be taken for granted. The situation we are dealing with is ongoing. If you are eligible to donate, we urge you to please make an appointment to donate as soon as possible, Susan Forbes, OneBlood senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations, said in the release. OneBlood said donors personal information will not be compromised. To learn how to donate near you, click here. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 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. Only a quarter of these trains are on time. The DOJ says its illegal. FILE - Passengers board an Amtrak train heading to New Orleans from Atlanta on Nov. 23, 2016. The federal government sued Norfolk Southern railroad on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, over chronic delays for Amtrak between New York and New Orleans. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) A private rail company is illegally holding up Amtrak trains on a line that runs from New York to New Orleans, according to a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday in federal court in D.C., the first of its kind in 55 years. Norfolk Southern controls all but about 240 miles of the 1,377-mile line, called the Crescent Route, and is in charge of dispatching both freight and passenger trains. Federal law requires the company to give Amtrak trains preference. But according to the lawsuit, Norfolk Southern has instead held up passengers, sometimes for hours, to allow its longer and slower-moving freight trains to pass. Only about 24 percent of Amtrak trains on the route arrive on time, according to the lawsuit and Amtraks own audits. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Delays cost Amtrak millions of dollars; along with reducing ridership, they cause problems with crew and train car allocation. A 2019 audit found that only about 46 percent of long-distance Amtrak trains arrive on time and that freight railroads were responsible for about 60 percent of the delays. Most of the track owned by Amtrak is on the Northeast Corridor, where performance is much better. In a statement, Norfolk Southern spokesman Tom Crosson said the company is committed to complying with the law, working together, and honoring our commitments, adding that delays have been reduced in recent months. The Crescent runs twice daily, once north toward New York and once south toward New Orleans. The train passes through Maryland, D.C. and Virginia; its south of Alexandria that Norfolk Southern takes over the rails. About 272,000 passengers traveled on the Crescent Route in 2023, according to Amtrak, about average for a long-distance train. When Amtrak was created in 1970, railroad companies were no longer required to provide passenger service around the United States. But in exchange, they had to contract with Amtrak and give its passenger trains priority on their rail lines. Amtrak has repeatedly accused the rail companies of flouting that law, saying violations lead to roughly 15,000 hours of delays per year. Most of the delays occur south of Atlanta, the Justice Department said, where trains are running on a single track and Northern Southern chooses freight maintenance over passenger speed. The company, a Virginia corporation headquartered in Atlanta, runs freight trains that are too long to pull over and let Amtrak trains pass. In January, an Amtrak train was forced to follow behind a slow-moving Norfolk Southern freight train for several miles just outside New Orleans, causing a nearly hour-long delay, the lawsuit said. In February, a Crescent train was delayed for 80 minutes outside Atlanta because a freight train was blocking access to the station platform, according to the suit. One delay last year was nearly two hours, with passengers waiting for a freight train to be refueled in Mississippi. Amtrak customers have been subjected to unacceptable, unnecessary, and unlawful delays, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement, calling compliance with the 1973 law giving passenger trains priority uneven at best. Only once before has the Justice Department used a suit to enforce the law - in 1979, over the Sunset Limited route from New Orleans to Los Angeles. This critical action by the DOJ will help ensure our customers arrive at their destinations on time, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said in a statement. Amtrak has gotten a major infusion of money under President Biden, who used to commute to Washington by train. But its ability to expand is limited because the vast majority of the countrys rail tracks are owned by private freight companies. Norfolk Southern was also sued by the Justice Department last year over the massive environmental damage caused by a derailment of one of its freight trains in East Palestine, Ohio. That suit was settled for roughly $310 million. - - - Perry Stein contributed to this report. Related Content Inside the deal that led to a blockbuster prisoner swap between U.S., Russia Migrants from China walk the line to U.S. border, testing Biden and Xi They have jobs, but no homes. Inside Americas unseen homelessness crisis. LaVarr Webb has been co-writing a column for the Deseret News for 21 years. He's pictured on his ranch near the Utah-Idaho border on July 26, 2024. | Jay Evensen, Deseret News If timing truly is everything, LaVarr Webbs first day at the Deseret News 48 years ago was a mixed message. It was June 5, 1976, a Saturday. If you know anything about regional history, you might recognize that as the date the Teton Dam burst in Eastern Idaho, killing 11 people and causing an estimated $2 billion in damages. For many in the area, it remains a landmark in time a day in which life changed forever. For a young Webb, it was the day he became invisible. Anxious to make a good impression on his first day, he instead did nothing. Reporters and editors were running around like crazy, and I was standing around, basically forgotten, he wrote in a career summary he provided me in advance of an interview last week. It was great timing for a journalist eager to cover a big story, but bad timing for a newcomer. But it was the last time he would be invisible. Teton day was the beginning. The end came this week, as Webb, a 73-year-old respected, seasoned journalist and politico, wrote his final column for the newspaper a right-left, point-counterpoint political column he co-wrote for 21 years, first with former Salt Lake Mayor Ted Wilson and then with former Democratic state representative and minority leader Frank Pignanelli. Webb has been the right part of that equation, although Pignanelli describes their relationship as anything but adversarial. If Gov. Spencer Cox needed poster children for his Disagree Better campaign, they would fill the role nicely. We were very much like an old married couple, Pignanelli told me. We knew how each other thought and wrote. Thats how I felt. He may not like me to say it, but Ill say it. Webb admits it will be hard to walk away. Like anyone whose life has been intertwined with politicians and journalists, its tough when the phone stops ringing. But Webb and his wife, Jan, have been called on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Hong Kong, in the churchs Asia Area office, which includes 22 countries. Im not quite grieving, he said about the end of his career. But if not for the mission, it would be hard. Really hard. Pignanelli, who will continue writing as the left part of the column, admits to not being stoic. The day the two wrote their final column together, he said, was hard emotionally. I caught up with LaVarr a few days ago at the ranch he built with his wife. Its a beautiful white house surrounded by 240 acres of green pastures, jagged cliffs, a creek and just about anything else a man who gained a love for farm work decades ago as a teenager in rural Orem could want. It is, to be honest, in the middle of nowhere an hours drive to Burley, Idaho. But I suspect thats part of the charm. And about that career Webb wasnt exactly wet behind the ears when he showed up that Saturday morning. Before he started his first newspaper job with the Color Country Spectrum in St. George, he had been an intern with famed Washington columnist Jack Anderson, who had strong Utah ties. It may be hard to remember now, but that was an age in which syndicated Washington columnists mattered, wielding great power and influence. The printed word was king. Anderson was a tough investigative journalist whose work won him a Pulitzer Prize and a spot on President Nixons enemies list. Even just being assigned to answer the phone in that office, Webb told me, yielded some great stories. And after Teton, Webb rose quickly at the Deseret News, from political editor to city editor and managing editor. Then he abruptly quit all that. He ended up managing Mike Leavitts campaign for governor. Then, after Leavitt won, he became the governors policy deputy. Pignanelli said Webb doesnt get enough credit for helping to turn Leavitt into a national figure only the second Utah governor to be appointed to the presidents cabinet. (Leavitt was Secretary of Health and Human Services for President George W. Bush. Gov. George Henry Dern served as Franklin D. Roosevelts Secretary of War.) He did a great job crafting an image of Mike Leavitt, an image that elevated him to a national figure, Pignanelli said of Webb. It was based on substance. Leavitt was a good governor and an effective leader. But he took it to the next level. How seasoned is Webb? Put it this way: when he started at the Deseret News, he was assigned an IBM Selectric typewriter. When he began covering the Utah Legislature, reporters were allowed to roam the floors of the House and Senate freely. We could kneel next to a legislator in his chair and interview him on the floor while business was being conducted, he said. Today, the news media is confined to the galleries, but that wouldnt have mattered much to Webb. He never cared that lawmakers would meet behind closed doors. I didnt mind that so much, because I had the kind of relationship with legislators that I could find out five minutes after they came back on the floor exactly what happened. Pignanelli, who was serving in the Legislature at the time, remembers him as much tougher than his shy demeanor would indicate. As a reporter, he was a no-nonsense guy, Pignanelli said. I tried to dance around him a bit, but he was persistent. I knew I couldnt hoodwink him. He was very serious. Pignanelli said he was shocked when Webb called him 21 years ago and asked him to replace Wilson on the column. I wasnt sure if he liked me or not. I wondered if he could barely tolerate me. No doubt many former lawmakers felt the same about their own relationship with him. After his work in government, Webb became a consultant. He ran a successful citizen initiative campaign to increase local sales taxes to fund an expansion of TRAX and an extension of FrontRunner. He helped with the Count My Vote effort that resulted in candidates being able to reach a primary ballot via petition signatures, rather than only through the convention process. He published Utahpolicy.com and helped found the Exoro Group. He rejoined the Deseret News for a time, but the column has been his lifeline to journalism, and to that first day as an invisible new hire. Webb has another, even more powerful memory of those early days at the Deseret News. He calls it his worst day. He was assigned to do a brief story about the start of the Mormon Miracle pageant in Manti, but he got the date of the first performance wrong. Lots of people drove all the way out there, only to learn it didnt start until the next day. The city editor let him have it. I really did think Id get fired, Webb said. From invisible to getting chewed out. Its a common theme. Lots of people in this business have similar memories from early mistakes. Some never recover. Luckily, Webb did. He always double-checked dates after that, and he also went on to have a career that changed the world around him for good. Having children is good. Children are the animating force of society. Whitney Houston sang all about it. Without children, we dont have a species. All indisputable. But not having children is also good. Some people dont want to be parents, some people shouldnt be parents. Some people want children but, for whatever reasons, do not. Some have fewer children than they would like because they fear they cannot afford more, and some people have more children than they necessarily planned because they dont know how to use a rubber. Regardless, whether somebody has children or doesnt have children isnt a reflection of their values, their patriotism, or their commitment to the nation. Not Just Cat Ladies: J.D. Vance Also Called the Childless Sociopaths and Psychotic So why wont J.D. Vance shut up about children? The man is child-obsessed. CNN published an article Tuesday, Its not just cat ladies: J.D. Vance has a history of disparaging people without kids. The piece highlights Vances obsession with the childless dating as far back as 2020. One series of fundraising emails that authors Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck uncovered include lines like, Weve allowed ourselves to be dominated by childless sociopathstheyre invested in NOTHING because theyre not invested in this countrys children. What?!? Those without children are sociopaths? Dolly Parton is a sociopath? Lindsey Graham isnt invested in the country? Elon Musk, father of God knows how many, is somehow preferable as a person to Taylor Swift? Why? Who the hell is J.D. Vance to make these kinds of broad, grotesque statements? The childless owe nobody an explanation. At what point did we begin equating fertility with patriotism? A friend of mine is a single woman in her mid-forties who has a good career, a satisfying life, volunteers, and is, by any standard, a perfectly good citizen of these here United States. No sociopathy detected despite the fact that she also has a cat! Do you know why she doesnt have any children? I would tell you, but I have no idea. Because its none of my goddamned business. Nor is it J.D. Vances. Should my friends vote less than Nick Cannons? The childless are people without children. Thats it. Why must any other inference be drawn, unless youre just a creepy fuck who wears too much eyeliner at all the wrong events? Dolly Parton performs with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders during halftime in the game between the Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium, Nov. 23, 2023. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports And its not as if the childless are somehow an aberration. A Pew Research Study published just a few days ago reveals that 47 percent of Americans under the age of 50 do not have children. If almost half of the country is sociopathic, as Vance believes, weve got bigger problems than the current election cycle. But, of course, the narrative that childless people are somehow sinister is absurd on its face. Jesus didnt have any kids. Neither does the Pope. I dont know if either of them had/have cats, which is J.D. Vances one-two whammy of degeneracy, but Id be hard-pressed to make the argument that Jesus F. Christ didnt care about the future. As stupid as the argument may be, I think it speaks to something more subtle about the Republican Party. Under the leadership of Donald Trump (and before, but Ill confine this piece to the current Republican Party), the GOP has become a shell company for investors attempting to strip-mine the nation of its value, and grab as much as they possibly can for themselves. Why do you think Trump supports Putin so much? Because Putin has already implemented this model in Russia to great successfor Putin. In this Hobbesian model of America, the contest between the political parties is a blood sport in which to the victors go all the spoils. The spoils can be financial and/or cultural, but its a fundamentally anti-democratic and anti-American view of political power. And it very much involves children because children give them the moral license to conduct their snatch-and-grab. Reducing expenditures on social programs, which Republicans support, will certainly hurt other peoples children but will lower public expenditures for themselves and their children. It is for the children that they wreak havoc on the American experiment and call it pro-family. Book bans, school vouchers, anti-LGBTQ legislation, anti-abortion legislation. All of it for the children. No. Fuck you. An authoritarian, Christian nationalist America is not what I want for my children. Nor is it what I want for the nation, regardless of my status as a breeder of humans or not. J.D. Vance and the Republican Party he now helps lead want to turn children into props for their grand larceny, no different than a can of Bud Light or a red MAGA hat. Larry the Cat sits next to a police officer on the day of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's visit at Number 10 Downing Street in London, Britain July 19, 2024. Toby Melville/Reuters Their pious concern for children, however, extends no further than their own front sidewalk. Other peoples childrenthe children who need SNAP benefits or Social Security or welfare or educational assistance or nutritional assistance or housing assistancetheyre not important. Whats important is being fruitful and multiplying if youve got the money, resources, and correct ethnic background. If, as J.D. Vance claims, the childless are sociopaths, would he then have those unable to afford children start breeding like Donald Trump? What would he do to help all of those children in poor circumstances? Where are the social policies to support them? Where is the tremendous investment in those children coming from? Because the last time I checked, the Republican Party wants to cut or eliminate many of the social programs that ensure those children grow up with the best possible opportunities to thrive. If J.D. Vance is so concerned about the goddamned future of this republic, why isnt he out there, using his platform, to call for increasing educational budgets and childhood assistance programs? Why isnt he advocating for a living wage, which would allow more people to marry and raise children in a single-income household? Why isnt he supporting unions, which help employees receive health insurance, which they then use for their children? Why isnt he supporting gun control measures when guns are the leading cause of death among children? Why dont J.D. Vances actions match his words? Its the kind of behavior we expect from Republicans these days. Children are good. Exploiting them to justify your own selfishness and lust for power is bad. If J.D. Vance is so concerned about sociopathythe inability to feel empathy, remorse, or a sense of moral responsibilityperhaps he should begin by having a little sit-down with his running mate. 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. Editors Note: Veronica Goodman is the senior director for workforce development policy at the Center for American Progress, a left-of-center think tank in Washington. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. Read more opinion at CNN. Working a minimum wage job scooping ice cream or lifeguarding at the local pool is a summer rite of passage for many American kids. A growing number of mostly conservative officials and activists, however, have a different idea about what constitutes age-appropriate employment for minors. Veronica Goodman - Center for American Progress Across the country, some officials overwhelmingly Republicans are looking for ways to usher underage workers into potentially dangerous jobs like factory work, including having them take late-night shifts. The far-right playbook known as Project 2025 goes so far as to propose that the Department of Labor roll back regulations restricting underage workers from taking regulated jobs in dangerous fields. On Tuesday, Paul Dans, the director of Project 2025 and a former top adviser in Trumps administration stepped down amid intense criticism including from the former president, amid intense scrutiny from Democrats and their allies who are harshly critical of the program. Even though the president has publicly disavowed it, Democrats are convinced that elements of the conservative blueprint are likely to become policy in a future Trump administration, given the number of former members of his administration who played a role in drafting it. The extreme policy agenda proposed by the conservative Heritage Foundation argues that underage teenagers offer an opportunity to fill labor shortages in these hazardous workplaces. These efforts come after years of lobbying by conservative industry groups across the country. The authors of Project 2025 say that in an incoming Republican administration, the Department of Labor should amend its hazard-order regulations to permit teenage workers access to work in regulated jobs with proper training and parental consent. In short, those revisions would allow teens to work in hazardous jobs. Project 2025s workforce development proposals directly contradict years of legislation ensuring that some jobs are simply never performed by minors. Americas federal child labor laws were passed nearly a century ago. Prior to that time, it was not unusual for children as young as preschool age to be sent out to help support their families, many of them losing limbs on factory assembly lines or contracting respiratory illnesses in mines. The goal of the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was to put an end to the rampant injuries and deaths among child workers. It created protections for minors including common sense restrictions on when, where and how they would be permitted to work including limits on the number of hours minors could work, the types of jobs they could take and the machinery they could operate. Research shows that working adult jobs can cause serious health issues for children and impede their education. The effort to weaken child labor laws is part of an alarming and overwhelmingly conservative lobbying effort. There is one notable case of New Jersey passing a law increasing the number of hours minors could work, but other than that most of the recent examples are the work of legislatures controlled by Republicans. And the New Jersey example does not go below the floor for minimum hours set by the Fair Labor Standards Act, but just reduces it to that federal standard. Iowa is the most extreme example of a state increasing the hours in which minors are allowed to work a measure which only Republicans voted for and passed. Fourteen-year-olds in the Hawkeye State now perform assembly work in factories and meatpacking facilities as part of training programs in direct violation of federal child labor laws. Meanwhile in Arkansas, Republican lawmakers have removed age verification requirements for hiring children. Republican lawmakers in Florida have proposed allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to work longer hours on school nights. As recent cases around the country have shown, working late while in high school can lead to lost sleep, missed school days and students falling behind on their schoolwork. So, while weve come a long way in discouraging child labor over the past century, recent years have seen some alarming reversals in those values. A growing number of Republican politicians seem intent on dragging the nation backwards to an era when children performing dangerous and backbreaking labor was nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, according to the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute, since 2021, 31 states have introduced legislation to weaken existing child labor laws, and nearly half of those have successfully passed them. These laws include alarming provisions that would extend the number of hours minors can work; lift restrictions on children doing hazardous work; eliminate parental permission and work certification requirements; and even allow underage children to serve alcohol. And some employers are not even waiting for the passage of laws loosening restrictions on employing minors. Since 2019, there has been an 88% increase in cases in which children were found to be employed in violation of child labor laws. Last year alone, the Department of Labor assessed more than $8 million in penalties, an 83% increase from the prior year. Weve recently seen the dangers of children illegally performing hazardous work around the country, in some instances leading to their deaths at sawmills and slaughterhouses, while others have lost their lives while working with industrial equipment. These are the sorts of outrageous cases often leading to tragedy that would likely become even more common if Republicans continue to weaken protections for working minors. So whats causing this race to the bottom by the right to erase decades of hard-fought labor protections for our most vulnerable Americans? It seems to be linked to our historically low unemployment rates and, consequently, our tighter labor supply. Some proposals by legislators have even come in direct response to lobbying by industries like restaurants and hospitality, as more employers report difficulties finding workers in a booming economy. But to state the obvious, caving to special interests geared at getting more kids working longer hours or in dangerous jobs is a terrible, even immoral, approach to workforce development. Democrats have responded to this alarming rise in demand for child workers, including the increase in child labor violations by introducing counter measures that would modernize our labor laws to better protect young workers. Proposed bills like the federal CHILD Labor Act would go a long way toward ensuring companies that violate the law are appropriately penalized, that there is more transparency and accountability across supply chains. In some states, lawsuits against employers can be filed by the parents or guardians of children seriously injured on the job. Republicans who are genuinely interested in providing minors the opportunity to work without putting them in harms way should look at the ways some states are investing in their workforce through education and training. There are other options available to policymakers to help boost workforce participation in the short term without risking childrens health and safety. Examples include investing more in federal workforce development programs and expanding access to education and training services across state workforce systems. Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania is making major investments in career pathways, pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships. Some other states are helping students navigate career options and pursue educational opportunities, exposing them to the skills necessary to enter and thrive in the workforce. These are safer and more constructive ways to prepare young people for job opportunities. It should go without saying that children dont belong in dangerous factories or working overnight shifts. They deserve to be safe and protected, including when they become old enough to legally work. Instead of exploiting the labor of minors to appease business interests, policymakers should look at the ways responsible leaders are making sound choices to develop and expand the pool of trained workers. For decades, having children perform dangerous tasks in unsafe settings has been understood to be an egregious moral, societal failure. Its appalling that so many Republican politicians want to take us back there. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Donald Trump doubled down Monday on his recent statement that conservative Christians wont have to vote again if they help elect him in November. At a campaign event for evangelical Christians last week, the former president said: Christians, get out and vote. Just this time. You won't have to do it anymore. Four more years. You know what? It'll be fixed. It'll be fine. You won't have to vote anymore. We should not be surprised. Free and fair elections have been a nightmare for Trump, who lost the popular vote in 2016 and was voted out of office in 2020 after one term, whereupon he told his followers that he had won and fomented a violent insurrection. No wonder the former president is all in for the authoritarian alternative. Autocrats have long seen depending on elections to decide ones political fate as unacceptable. They have fixed democratic systems by ending free and fair elections so they could stay in power indefinitely, just as Trump seems to wont to do. Read more: Trump endorses Ten Commandments in schools, implores evangelical Christians to vote in November Many strongmen, including Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini as well as more recent examples such as Vladimir Putin and Hungarys Viktor Orban, had to succeed in a democratic electoral system before they could impose authoritarian rule. Both Mussolini and Hitler were appointed by conservative elites who felt that giving power to extremists with criminal records was preferable to allowing the left to win. Mussolini got into office quickly. He founded the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento, or Italian fighting leagues, in 1919 as a decentralized militia movement to violently stop leftist strikes and factory occupations. The group evolved into the Fascist Party, and by 1922, Mussolini had been appointed prime minister. But elections always posed a problem for Mussolini, whose party was initially unpopular, identified as it was with chaos and violence. Fascists who ran independently in 1921 got only 0.4% of the vote. That is why in 1923, musing about how to deal with discontented people who might vote one out of office, Mussolini wrote: You prevent it by means of force and by employing this force without pity when it is necessary to do so, a description that fits many coup attempts, including Jan. 6. Read more: Column: It's hard sharing a party with Trump or Vance. They taint the right's good ideas To prepare for the 1924 elections, the Fascists introduced an electoral reform, the Acerbo Law, that gave any party receiving the largest share of votes, as long as they surpassed 25% of the total, two-thirds of the seats in Parliament. A climate of intimidation ensured the law passed and shortly thereafter the Fascists won the election. After the socialist opposition leader Giacomo Matteotti denounced the election results, he was assassinated. When Mussolinis involvement in the assassination became public and the possibility of jail time loomed, he declared a dictatorship and passed laws for the defense of the regime that shut down opposition parties, eliminating any rationale for elections. Italians did not have free and fair elections for the next 18 years. Hitler had watched Mussolinis rise from Germany, and when his 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, a Nazi coup attempt, failed, he changed his tactics. Hitler had learned that to overturn a democratic system, you have to get inside it. We shall have to hold our noses and enter the Reichstag [Germanys parliament] against the Catholic and Marxist parties, he said in 1925. But that didnt mean he pretended to love democracy. He and his party openly waged campaigns to destroy it. Read more: Opinion: Trump turns his trials into a soapbox. Does he know hes channeling Hitler? The last free election in which Hitler ran came in early 1933. At a fundraising meeting with major industrialists, sounding like many of todays Republicans, he said the election was German voters last chance to reject communism. If voting didnt work, he warned, the Nazis would use violence. Hitlers economics minister concluded the meeting by bluntly ordering the businessmen to visit the cashier and make their contributions to the Nazi Party. And like Mussolini, Hitler knew how to consolidate power. A week before the election, after a mysterious arson attack heavily damaged the Reichstag, he issued a draconian decree that obliterated all individual rights and freedoms and gave his administration the ability to take over state governments. The Nazis won just over 43% of the popular vote, well short of a majority. But Hitler followed through on his promise of violence and arrested or killed many of his parliamentary opponents. He then intimidated most of the rest into voting for the Enabling Act , which gave his administration virtually unlimited power. It had taken him seven weeks to translate his open dislike of voting into full dictatorial control. Today, as electoral autocracies take hold around the world, elections are no longer enough to classify a country as a democracy. Many elected leaders manipulate electoral systems to get the results they need to stay in office and keep elections going to cover their despotism with a veneer of freedom. Trump seems to want something even more radical: no voting at all. The GOP supports this with claims that elections have been so corrupted by Democrats that they have ceased to be a valid way to choose leaders. As the MAGA loyalist Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama told Newsmax in 2023, The American people should just stand up and say, Listen, enoughs enough, let's don't have elections anymore. Strongmen always tell us who they are and what they are going to do. With the example of the Fascists in mind, we should take Trump and his enablers seriously. The endgame of Republican election denial is not to challenge particular election results but to suppress free and fair voting altogether. Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a history professor at New York University and the publisher of Lucid, a newsletter about threats to democracy. Her latest book is Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present. Benjamin Carter Hett is a professor of history at Hunter College and the Graduate Center, CUNY. His latest book is The Nazi Menace: Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin, and the Road to War. 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. In a month, if all goes according to plan, Massachusetts will have two fewer hospitals. That plan, announced by bankrupt Steward Health Care last week, has both Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC) closing on or around August 31st. Steward is selling all nine of its Massachusetts hospitals and reportedly has buyers for six of them. But the Dallas-based company said no qualifying bids came in for Carney or NVMC thus the plan to shut them down. But, in what seemed an over-my-dead-body move, about a hundred healthcare workers, legislators, and activists rallied at the State House Wednesday, to ask Governor Maura Healey to declare a public health emergency over the closures. Lawmakers to discuss Steward Health Cares plan to close 2 Mass. hospitals The group also wants Healey to enforce a Department of Public Health rule that requires a 120-day notice of planned hospital closures and to tap into the states Rainy Day fund to give potential suitors of Carney and NVMC more time to pull a deal together. We were told there were buyers that were interested but they just needed a little bit of support, said Michelle Marceau, a nurse at Nashoba Valley. Were hoping we can sway opinion and wait a little longer and get a buyer and maybe a little support from Governor Healey and keep our community hospital open. I think the state should provide some money for bridge funding, said State Sen. Jamie Eldridge of Marlborough. Not necessarily buy the hospitals, but to keep those hospitals open while negotiations continue. Eldridge worries closing Nashoba Valley would endanger patients in need of emergency care. If this hospital closes, a five-minute trip to the emergency room suddenly becomes 25 minutes to a hospital in Worcester, to Lowell, to Leominster, he said. And thats unacceptable for the constituents I represent. At the rally, workers from Nashoba Valley say they were blindsided by news of the closures. The whole time we were going through this process, we were told it was gonna be okay, there would be no closure, said Nashoba Nurse Michelle Marceau. This was just like walking into a brick wall. We were just stunned. We couldnt believe this. Nashoba Nurse Naomi Andrews said the closure affects 17 communities and could collapse the 9-1-1 system in the region. She favors the state dipping into its reserves to somehow allow a deal to come together. Challenging and unfortunate: Steward Health Care closing 2 Mass. hospitals We are trying to let Maura Healey know she needs to take care of all her constituents, Andrews said. She has a nine billion dollar with a b, billion rainy day fund. And its frickin pouring right now. Katie Murphy, RN, president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, said closing two hospitals will only add to the stress the Massachusetts healthcare system is already experiencing. Every hospital has patients sitting in the emergency department, even falling out into the ambulance bays because there are no beds in the hospital, Murphy said. How can we close two hospitals and lose those inpatient beds? Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds a small copy of the constitution as he gives a news conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, three days after his disputed reelection. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) The world's democracies have almost unanimously condemned the results of Venezuela's presidential election and called for a transparent vote count to confirm what the opposition says was its landslide victory over President Nicolas Maduro. Two of Maduro's closest allies the leftist presidents of Brazil and Colombia have recently joined a chorus of nations, including the U.S., that have expressed deep concerns about Sunday's presidential election, which Venezuelan electoral authorities said the president won by seven points. Maduro, however, has so far only dug in: claiming victory, jailing opponents and threatening to arrest his rival, Edmundo Gonzalez. The opposition says Gonzalez trounced the self-proclaimed socialist leader at the ballot box by a more than 2-to-1 margin. As the electoral standoff moves into unchartered territory, here are some of Maduro's options: Election redo The window for Maduro to back down is narrowing with every hour. The National Electoral Council has already proclaimed him the official winner. If he does rethink his future, options range from resigning the presidency to ordering a redo of the election with international observers present to assure the vote has more credibility. Any such development could arise only from intense negotiations with the opposition and the United States about a power-sharing arrangement and protection from prosecution for Maduro and his allies. But so far, Maduro has only doubled down. His government says it has arrested 700 people tied to post-election violence. At least 11 people have died in demonstrations nationwide. He's counting on being able to wait this out and people will get tired of demonstrating, said Cynthia Arnson, a distinguished fellow at the Wilson Center, a Washington think tank. The problem is the country is in a death spiral and there's no chance the economy will be able to recover without the legitimacy that comes from a fair election. No exit ramp One major obstacle is that Maduro has much to lose from any political transition. He's facing an investigation for human rights abuses at the International Criminal Court over the crackdown on anti-government protests in 2014 and 2017. Meanwhile, the U.S. has offered a $15 million bounty for his arrest on drug-trafficking charges. Even if Maduro was willing to step aside, many of his allies, including the top military command, face criminal charges of their own and may limit any dealmaking. He probably feels his base case for exit options land somewhere between a long stint at The Hague and being hanged by piano wire in Plaza Bolivar, said Daniel Lansberg-Rodriguez, a Venezuelan born political analyst and founder of Aurora Macro Strategies, a geopolitical risk consulting firm focused on emerging markets. So the only option becomes to lock into the lie. Foreign leverage Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been out front seeking a de-escalation of the conflict, recognizing what's at stake not just for the ruling elite but the 29 million Venezuelans in the country. Maduro knows perfectly well that the more transparency there is, the greater his chance of having peace to govern Venezuela, he said this week. Other leftists that have tried to appeal to Maduro include President Gustavo Petro of Colombia which has a myriad of commercial interests with its neighbor and Pablo Iglesias, one of the founders of the Spanish political party Podemos, a close ally of Maduro. However, the country with the real leverage is the United States. Since Maduro's last election, the U.S. has piled on a number of punishing oil sanctions, closed its embassy in Caracas and indicted Maduro and several of his top aides. For more than a year, the Biden administration has slowly been walking back the so-called maximum pressure campaign in the hope that Maduro would open up more political space. Although the Biden administration has called for a thorough audit so Venezuelans can have confidence in the results, it has so far avoided accusing the government of outright fraud and declaring Maduro's victory illegitimate. But threats to arrest Gonzalez and his main backer, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, may force the U.S. to throw off the last bit of restraint. Concluding a hard-fought, monthslong debate over how to control growth in rural areas, Orange County commissioners unanimously agreed Tuesday to let voters decide whether to draw boundaries restricting urban development in the region. But the end of one process is the start of another, as a high-stakes campaign is expected before the ballot in November. And it remains to be seen if the rural growth measure will be joined by a second, related measure asking voters to impose new restrictions on cities annexation of county lands. At least 75 people spoke at the Tuesday Orange County board meeting, which was focused on the so-called rural boundary issue, and almost all were in support of boundaries that would erect higher hurdles for the approval of urban-style housing and commercial projects in rural areas. Im tired of seeing old friends forced to move due to overdevelopment and family farms and mature forests being sold and developed left and right, county resident Rachel Hildebrand said. Orange County leaders have chewed on the growth issue since last year when a citizens panel, the Charter Review Commission, drafted an amendment to establish rural boundaries. Seminole County voters greenlit a similar boundary scheme 20 years ago. Developers, however, dont like the idea, and at one point last spring convinced the state legislation to take away the Orange citizens commissions power to put the measure on the ballot. The panel then punted the issue to the county commission. On Tuesday, commissioners voted 6-0 to pass the referendum onto the ballot, but after hours of debate at multiple previous meetings none spoke publicly about the measure Tuesday. Commissioner Mike Scott was absent. Among the public commenters was state Sen.-elect Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, who said voters need to weigh in on the issue. Jeffs Bagel Run, started in a Winter Garden home, signs deal to add 30 South Florida locations The reason I support the underlying charter amendments is because we know that a vote for the rural boundary is a vote for smart growth, Guillermo Smith said. These folks are not antidevelopment. They are pro-development of high density, affordable, attainable housing in the urban core. The board also addressed but said it would not vote on a separate amendment for the November ballot that would grant the county the ability to veto developer-sponsored city annexations. The measure mandates an appeals process and public hearings for proposed annexations, which would require a supermajority approval of commissioners. The measure fueled controversy last week in Orlando and Apopka, whose mayors submitted a letter to the county to oppose the annexation and rural boundary amendments. In the letter, the mayors wrote that the countys growth restrictions would be just that a hindrance to cities right to expand freely. They argued in the letter that the measures would undermine statewide conservation goals and further aggravate the serious undersupply of housing and other needs in our region. Hildebrand argued commissioners shouldnt heed the mayors arguments. I dont see all of them here today, she said. Im tired of watching it get harder for us to live out here, but easier for people like you people like the lobbyists, the lawyers, the politicians and the developers who seem not to struggle. Kurt Ardaman, a lawyer representing two of the cities that wrote to the county, urged commissioners not to proceed with the annexation measure. We respectfully request that you do not do to our cities what the Florida Legislature does to our county and to our cities: Do not preempt the authority of our cities, said Ardaman, who represents Winter Garden and Ocoee. But Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings argued Ardaman had it wrong it was the cities encroaching on the countys power. I dont want you all to feel that this is us against them, Demings said. It is unfortunate, however, that the city of Orlando has pushed the envelope and put us in the position that were in today and received some support from other municipalities. But thats quite frankly the politics sometimes of our community that we have to deal with. Demings and other commissioners blasted Orlando earlier this year for its annexation of 11,000 acres of the Sunbridge development, planned for thousands of homes and millions of square feet of industrial and office development. That move by which commissioners said they were blindsided touched off the broader debate on how to review and approve such shifts of land from county to city control. Demings said commissioners will continue to discuss the annexation measure at future meetings. County leaders must decide by Aug. 27 whether the annexation amendment makes the Nov. 5 ballot. Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Portland, left, speaks with Rep. Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, on the House floor at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (Amanda Loman/Oregon Capital Chronicle) State Rep. Maxine Dexter, a Portland Democrat, will serve her last day as a legislator on Aug. 30 to focus on her run for Congress. After four years representing House District 33, which covers northwest and downtown Portland, Dexter appears poised to represent Oregons 3rd Congressional District. She won the competitive Democratic primary in May to replace retiring congressman Earl Blumenauer, whos served the district for nearly three decades. Though Dexter faces Republican Joanna Harbour, an Estacada lawyer, in November, shes all but assured to win in the district that has more than three times the number of registered Democrats as Republicans. Dexter said in a news release Wednesday she wanted to leave as much time as possible for her legislative successor to get ready before the next session begins Jan. 21. I want to provide as much of an on-ramp as I can for the next representative of House District 33, and allow them to hire staff, prepare their bills and be ready to hit the ground running, she said. Since taking office, we have made huge investments to support Oregonians. I am immensely proud of the work this body has done. Under Oregon law, the county where the district is located is tasked with picking a replacement while working with a party prescinct member, who recommends three to five names. That process that will start 30 days after her resignation becomes official. Sources say its likely that Shannon Jones Isadore, who won the Democratic primary in the district in May, will be chosen to replace Dexter. Dexter is a pulmonary and critical care doctor who began her political career during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was first appointed to the Legislature in June 2020, following the death of former Rep. Mitch Greenlick. Since then, shes chaired the House Committee on COVID-19 Response and the House Housing and Homelessness Committee, leading efforts in 2023 to pass a $200 million spending package for housing and homelessness. That same year she championed a new opioid harm reduction law that made naloxone a life-saving medication that stops overdoses more available in public schools and other public buildings. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (Getty Images). JACKSONVILLE An Orlando woman wept in federal court Tuesday as she described how the state wrongfully revoked her Medicaid coverage while she was seven months pregnant and tried to do it again after she gave birth. Rent had increased, and we didnt have money for doctor visits, and at that time we had to take out a loan for groceries, Lily Mezquita said on the stand. Additionally, she had to pay out of pocket for medication to stop early contractions in July 2023, the month that Florida cut her off from Medicaid. Mezquita is a participant in a federal class action filed by Medicaid patients alleging Florida violated their constitutional right to due process when it took away their health care coverage without proper notice. The mother of three received notices from the Florida Department of Children and Families stating that she was ineligible for full coverage a month after she gave birth and in March of this year, according to evidence presented during the trial. William Roberts, a DCF government operations consultant whos handled Medicaid benefits cases for 25 years, testified Monday that the agency had been aware since April 2023 that a glitch in the system capped postpartum coverage at two months, instead of the year women were entitled to under a 2021 state law. Although Roberts said the problem has been solved, he didnt say how many women wrongfully lost coverage. Attorneys representing DCF and Florida Agency for Health Care Management officials argued that even though the state made that mistake and provided misinformation to her, Mezquita was able to research state law and DCF policy to dispute her removal from Medicaid on her own, and therefore was not a victim of a due-process violation. State identified other system errors as the Medicaid renewal process started Another system error led to a 2-year-old losing coverage because DCF miscalculated the size of her household. The childs mother, identified in the trial as Jennifer V., testified on Tuesday that she skipped a 15-month check-up and vaccination for her daughter because she was concerned about the cost. One of the childs siblings receives supplemental security income meant for persons with disabilities. A computer error determined that the sibling didnt count as a household member, so DCF concluded that the familys income based on its size was too high for Medicaid and she lost her benefits, Roberts said on Monday. When plaintiffs attorneys asked him if he could explain other errors in the Deloitte system the agency uses, Roberts said he couldnt name others off the top of his head. But he testified that once Florida started reviewing peoples eligibility for Medicaid following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, there were other system issues that we found. This isnt the first time Floridians have had problems accessing government benefits in systems Deloitte operates. The consulting giant came under fire in 2020 over its system failure at handling a wave of unemployment applications. And an investigation from KFF revealed that Deloittes Medicaid system is causing problems across the nation. The defendants plan to call a Deloitte project manager to testify. How much would it cost to restore Medicaid coverage? If U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard sides with the plaintiffs, all the people the state kicked off Medicaid without proper notice could have their coverage restored. Florida Health Justice Project and National Health Law Program attorneys are representing the plaintiffs. The state placed the cost of restoring coverage at $313 per person per month, according to an estimate by AHCA official Matt Cooper. Cooper explained the estimate during testimony on Tuesday, saying he based it on DCF data of people who lost coverage and their previous use of Medicaid. However, after questioning from one of the plaintiffs attorneys, he clarified that his estimate didnt reflect the amount Florida would be responsible for. The federal government and states share the cost of running the subsidized health care program. Florida would have to pay for less than half of the $313 estimate, Cooper said. The Oklahoma State Board of Education referred the application to revoke an Ardmore City Schools teacher's teaching certificate to a hearing officer after the educator commented on a Facebook post about the assassination attempt of former U.S. President Donald Trump. In order to revoke a teaching certificate in Oklahoma, a public hearing must be held where both sides can present their case. The decision came to the board's Wednesday meeting in the weeks after X account "Libs of TikTok" shared a screenshot of a Facebook comment from Alison Scott, a teacher at Ardmore Public Schools. An individual posted on Facebook saying they'd give the shooter $500 for trying to "save us" from Trump. Under the post, Scott commented: "Same!! Wish they had a better scope." "Libs of TikTok," a far-right social media account run by Chaya Raichik, shared a screenshot of the post and Scott's comment on social media on July 16. "This is unacceptable. SDE is investigating. We will not allow teachers to cheer on violence against [Donald Trump]," Ryan Walters said on X in response to Raichik's post. On the same day Raichik shared the screenshot, Ardmore Public Schools released a statement saying the district is investigating Scott's comment. "Ardmore City Schools strongly condemns acts of physical violence and any words that seek to encourage it, no matter their target," the statement read. "It is the goal of the Board of Education, together with the district's faculty and staff, to educate students in a safe environment free from violent acts and rhetoric." Teachers across the country have lost their jobs for making similar comments regarding the attempted assassination, USA TODAY reported. Walters addressed Scott's comment at the beginning of the board of education meeting and said threatening comments from teachers won't be tolerated. He thanked Raichik for bringing to comment to his attention. "I believe teachers are to teach, not to indoctrinate," Walters said. "We want to make sure to send a message loud and clear that no one will be allowed to teach in the state of Oklahoma if they advocate the assassination of President Trump or any elected officials." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma board takes steps to revoke teacher's license over Trump post STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR) Students are heading back to school in a few weeks and Oklahoma State University is seeing another year of high enrollment. This year, theyre offering students an incentive if they choose to live off campus. Currently we have a little over 5700 Approximately 5700 students wanting to live on campus. And our capacity is a little over 5600, said Karen Chen, the Vice President of Enrollment Management at Oklahoma State University. LOCAL NEWS: Oklahoma ranks among states for most child deaths in hot cars Theres a housing problem with record enrollment as there isnt enough room for students to live on campus. With high enrollment record enrollment going on for new students and overall students, we have a high demand of our incoming students wanting to live on campus, said Chen. To combat the crisis, the university sent out an email to incoming freshman and students on campus. It offers those who agree to not live in a dorm a free meal plan worth $3,400 and a one time $1,000 scholarship. When I first got it, I was like theyre bribing us to live off campuswhy. Then I realized they just over admitted everybody once again, said Delaney Scott whos a junior at OSU. Delaney Scott said she had plans to live with her friends on campus, but after the email came through, her plans quickly changed. LOCAL NEWS: Need a job? Several school districts need teachers They jumped and signed that email saying hey once you sign this, youre kicked off the dorms good luck. Before they even got the lease for the apartments and I was like guess were doing this, so were winging it, said Scott. News 4 talked to an incoming freshman whos living in a dorm, but has a friend who took the offer to live somewhere else. She didnt want to live in a dorm. She didnt think they were the cleanest. And she just thought shed have more, like, fun on her own, said Ruby Smith, whos a freshman at OSU. The university said while theyre excited for higher enrollment, they are aware theres a housing crisis on campus and hope the incentive to not live in a dorm will help. We understand that families, students are anxious to hear their housing assignment and to know that we are working diligently to let them know what that looks like, said Chen. This is also the first year where its not required that freshman live in a dorm. News 4 asked the university if they have plans to build more housing in the future or come up with other ways to combat the crisis as enrollment seems to be going up each year. The university would not directly comment on the future of housing on campus but expects this current crunch to be a short-term issue. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. More than 100 VCs, including Reid Hoffman, Vinod Khosla and Mark Cuban have pledged to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Mobilizing under the group VCsForKamala, the VCs are also soliciting donations for Harris' campaign. But the organizers say the effort isn't meant to align with any one political party. According to the groups website, signing on is a commitment to strong, trustworthy institutions." "We believe that strong, trustworthy institutions are a feature, not a bug, and that our industry -- and every other industry -- would collapse without them," a statement on the VCsForKamala site reads. "That is whats at stake in this election. Everything else, we can solve through constructive dialogue with political leaders and institutions willing to talk to us." VCsForKamala, along with recent open-letter tech worker campaigns like Tech for Kamala, aim to push back against the notion that Silicon Valley has largely embraced ormer President Donald J. Trump. Over the past few weeks, Tesla and X head Elon Musk and investors Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz and David Sacks have endorsed Trump, the Republican presidential nominee. Musk created a new pro-Trump super PAC, and Sacks spoke at the Republican National Convention. The billionaire Winklevoss twins, founders of cryptocurrency company Gemini, also donated to Trump's campaign (in bitcoin). Trump's Silicon Valley base argues that the Republican party -- and Trump himself -- are generally more favorable to the startup ecosystem. Andreessen and Horowitz have said that they believe, for example, that President Joe Biden and his administration have stifled tech businesses through overregulation and potentially needless taxation, and that their policies threaten to slow gains in the AI and crypto spaces. Harris has held varying positions on tech regulation as Californias attorney general, in the U.S. Senate, and as VP. In 2019, as a state senator, she advocated for a breakup of Meta (then Facebook). And last year, she hosted four tech CEOs -- Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai -- at the White House "to share concerns about the risks associated with AI." Harris has at different times in her career drawn praise and financial support from tech leaders such as Box CEO Aaron Levi, Marc Benioff, Sheryl Sandberg and Jony Ive. Hoffman, Laurene Powell Jobs and venture capitalist John Doerr are among those who backed Harris' last presidential bid that ended in December 2019, when she dropped out of the race to endorse Biden. Harris and her allies, looking to muster support among Silicon Valley elite who haven't cast their lot, have launched a blitz of behind-the-scene lobbying campaigns. According to The New York Times, Harris is planning a fundraising trip in the San Francisco Bay Area as soon as next month. This has proven to be a winning strategy so far. Per NBC, Harris is on track to raise over $100 million from tech donors, including Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, across her campaign, PACs and so-called "dark money" groups. A law allowing certain types of prisoners to sign contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine came into force recently. 3,611 prisoners have already taken advantage of the opportunity. Source: data provided by an independent anti-corruption centre NGL.media Quote: "The analysis of the court register shows that over the past three months, 3,611 convicts have already taken advantage of this opportunity [release in exchange for military service ed.]. This is more than 13% of the total number of prisoners in Ukrainian colonies (as of 15 May, there were 27,471 convicts in Ukrainian colonies and prisons, as reported by the Ministry of Justice). The government expects to mobilise at least 4,000 convicts, as stated by Justice Minister Denys Maliuska. This is a full-fledged separate brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine." Details: The publication points out that the most significant number of prisoners agreeing to serve in the Armed Forces was in the last two weeks of May when the law first came into force. Quote: "If we analyse the nature of the crimes committed by former prisoners, the vast majority of them were convicted of theft, robbery, assault or serious bodily harm, including those that caused the victim's death. Almost all of them will serve exclusively in shooting positions. Judging by the court rulings, only a few released will serve as medics, cooks or drivers." Background: On 23 July, Roman Kostenko, Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraines Parliament) Committee on National Security, Defence, and Intelligence, stated that 3,800 convicts already serve in Ukraines Armed Forces. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine could produce over three million drones in a year. It has sufficient production capabilities and collaboration with international partners to achieve this. Source: Suspilne, Ukraine's public broadcaster, citing Anna Hvozdiar, Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries and Industrial Policy of Ukraine, during the Brave1 Precision hackathon Quote: "We have sufficiently large production capabilities and can currently produce over three million drones of various types. What we need is funding," says Hvozdiar. She said the government can only cover part of these needs, with the remainder being addressed by foreign partners. In particular, Canada has agreed to purchase a batch of the Ukrainian-produced drones for the Ukrainian military. Negotiations are also ongoing with other countries, including the United Kingdom. "We have significantly developed both state and private capabilities for producing various types of drone components. With over a million drones, it's clear that we need over a million munitions to match them," Hvozdiar said. Currently, the Ministry of Strategic Industries is working on a variety of drones with munitions needed for the Ukrainian military. Background: In March, Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, stated that with additional financial support from Western governments, Ukraine could produce two million drones per year, which is double the current production rate. Support UP or become our patron! Over half of human trafficking cases over past 10 years are from the South, FBI report says A report released by the FBI Tuesday shows a worrisome statistic for human trafficking in the South. Half of all human trafficking incidents over the past decade have been reported in the southern region, including Georgia, according to Jenna Sellitto, a public affairs specialist for the FBI. The FBIs report, which was released on World Day against Trafficking in Persons, shows 8,700 human trafficking incidents were reported nationally between 2013 and 2022. Our whole point in bringing awareness to this is that human trafficking happens everywhere, Sellitto said. Its not a city problem, its not a suburb problem, its an everywhere problem. But Sellitto said this doesnt mean theres more human trafficking in the South. The South seems to have the largest number of police agencies reporting on the topic, Sellitto said. She said there seems to be more of an investigative focus on human trafficking. Theres a lot of partnerships, and operations and task forces involved in bringing awareness and combating the issue, Sellitto said. A total of 4,517 human trafficking reports about 51% of all reports were reported in the South. The West was the region with the next-highest number of reports with 2,056, according to the FBI. Human trafficking reports have increased steadily in the past decade, with 2,378 reports logged in 2022, the latest available data. But the FBI said this is expected as more law enforcement agencies participate in the National Incident-Based Reporting System, a way to log crime information nationwide. The FBI said the majority of human trafficking offenses each year involved commercial sex acts, which the FBI defines as inducing a person by force, fraud, or coercion to participate in commercial sex acts, or in which the person induced to perform such act(s) has not attained 18 years of age. In 2022, 81% of the human trafficking offenses involved commercial sex acts and 19% of them involved involuntary servitude offenses, according to the report. The FBI defines involuntary servitude as obtaining of a person(s) through recruitment, harboring, transportation, or provision, and subjecting such persons by force, fraud, or coercion into involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery (not to include commercial sex acts). The FBI report states that over 10,000 victims of human trafficking were reported to the FBIs Uniform Crime Report program in the past decade, with the most common age range of victims being 13-16 and 17-19 years old. Sellitto said a majority of human trafficking isnt like what is shown on TV, where victims are kidnapped or taken away against their will. Its typically more psychological, and involves coercion and manipulation. These teens are being, theyre being groomed, typically online, she said. They befriend someone or they start what they believe is a romantic relationship with somebody, and then they manipulate them to start working in sex work for money, drugs, etc and thats how this is going down. The report stated approximately 80% of reported human trafficking victims were female. Nearly 58% of those reported victims were white and almost 25% were Black. Sellitto said the FBI sees human trafficking victims from both within the United States and other nations. Drugs and Human Trafficking The report showed a possible correlation between drug offenses and human trafficking incidents in the South. The report cites a DEA article from 2021 which states, We see trafficking of illegal drugs and human trafficking often happen together. The FBI report then states, As such, the FBIs Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program hypothesizes human trafficking is associated with drug/narcotic violations. Although the FBI does not have a specific drug trafficking offense, it does have offenses for drug abuse violations, an FBI release said, Therefore, drug offenses in connection to human trafficking incidents were compared to the number of human trafficking incidents per year. The release states this comparison showed the South region had the highest rate of the four regions at a rate of over 57 drug offenses per 100 human trafficking incidents. However, according to the release, the South region is the largest region in both agency count and population. A common tactic for offenders of human trafficking is to use drugs/narcotics to coerce and subdue their victims, which could lead to drug trafficking, the FBI said in the report. But the report also stated the data cant determine if drug trafficking often occurs in conjunction with human trafficking, nor can it be determined that human trafficking is the cause of drug trafficking or vice versa. Sellitto said in Fiscal Year 2024, there are 91 FBI-led child exploitation/human trafficking task forces around the country. As of last week the FBI had more than 1,600 pending human trafficking investigations, according to Sellitto. Warning signs and what you can do Sellitto said there warning signs of possible human trafficking to look out for: kids who frequently miss school, go missing a lotm show signs of abuse and receive unexplained gifts are things to look out for, among other factors. Those whod like to report incidents of human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or call the FBI toll-free number at 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324). Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/BI The market risks a harmful debt bubble, potentially spreading losses in the financial sector. Economist Dambisa Moyo warns of overvalued stocks driven by enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. Moyo highlights the danger of highly leveraged, unproductive assets, similar to the 2008 crisis. The stock market could be hosting one of the most harmful types of debt bubbles, with losses that risk spreading around the financial sector, according to one economist and investing veteran. In a recent op-ed for Project Syndicate, Dambisa Moyo an economist, Goldman Sachs alum, and current principal of Versaca Investments pointed to growing fears that the stock market is becoming overvalued. Wall Street's enthusiasm for artificial intelligence has reaped enormous gains for mega-cap tech stocks this year, pushing all three benchmark stock indexes to fresh records. "The signs of bubbles emerging in financial markets are clear to see," Moyo wrote. "Such trends certainly justify worries about new stock-market bubbles." But even more concerning is that the US could be seeing one of the most problematic types of bubbles, fueled by highly borrowed and "unproductive" assets, Moyo said. Those assets pose more harm to the economy than productive assets, or assets financed with cash or equity, where losses are more contained to direct investors. The "best" example of that type of bubble is the subprime mortgage crisis, she added, when excess housing supply and risky lending practices collided and caused home prices to plunge by a third. Most economists don't see a scenario like that happening today, thanks to stricter lending standards in the banking sector. But many companies that appear to be highly borrowed and unproductive appear to be financed in the shadow banking sector, Moyo said, where there's little regulatory oversight on debt-taking. Distress is already mounting among some of the most indebted and unprofitable companies. Corporate bankruptcies are now scaling at the fastest pace since the pandemic, according to S&P Global data, with bankruptcy filings rising to 346 in June. Losses from troubled companies also risk contaminating other areas of the market, Moyo added. "While a loss taken by someone who used accumulated savings will have only a limited effect on the wider economy, losses taken on 'borrowed' money, especially with high leverage, could prove contagious. A system with low visibility regarding the sources and forms of capital underlying many investments is a risky one. Greater scrutiny of unproductive, leveraged assets is crucial to avoiding a financial crisis," she said. Story continues Other Wall Street experts have voiced concerns about stocks and mounting corporate debt, especially given how lofty valuations are in the market. According to one valuation metric, stocks look to be their most overvalued ever, even surpassing levels seen in 1929. Read the original article on Business Insider Former President Donald Trump's followers belted out "Lock her up" chants against Hillary Clinton in 2016, and some have implied we're in a civil war. President Joe Biden has called Trump a threat to American democracy, and the Democrat's campaign has compared Trump to Adolf Hitler. With recent election cycles being dominated by increasingly extreme rhetoric, at least a few high-profile candidates in Pennsylvania are preaching civility on the heels of the July 13 shooting at the Trump rally in Butler County. The USA TODAY Network in Pennsylvania contacted officials and candidates for U.S. Senate, the 10th Congressional District and the statewide row offices, including attorney general. There was a consensus among both Democrats and Republicans at least from those who replied that more respectful discourse is needed. John Brenner, executive director of the Pennsylvania Municipal League, said his organization promotes this concept with a civility pledge as part of its advocacy work with officials in the commonwealth's third-class cities. "When we scream at each other, that's not really solving a problem. What we're trying to do is remind people that we should be respecting each other, listening to each others' opinions," Brenner said. "And if we do that, we can reach solutions." 'People hear what we say, and it matters' Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general told the USA TODAY Network they're framing their campaigns around policy ideas, not name-calling. Democrat Eugene DePasquale said he looks forward to vigorous debate about the issues. "I don't think any of us have hit below the belt to this point in our campaign," DePasquale said. "We all now know it's not funny or cute," he added in regard to violent rhetoric. "We need to keep that in mind." DePasquale said rallygoers like Corey Comperatore, who was killed in the Butler shooting, shouldn't have to fear participating in the political process. "There is somebody who died just because they wanted to be there to support the former president," he said. "And that's something we should keep in mind. People hear what we say, and it matters." Like DePasquale, York County District Attorney Dave Sunday, the Republican for attorney general, is pledging to be a positive campaigner. "That's something that's already meant a lot to me personally. My hope is that it will impact others, and we get to a place where our political discourse is thoughtful, honest and without malice," Sunday said. "I think that the community, that the citizens, deserve that." Civility, however, doesn't mean complete harmony. Sunday said he may have a different approach to dealing with mental health, substance abuse and child predators, and that he looks forward to communicating this with voters. "It's critical in a campaign to be able to highlight the differences between you and your opponent in the community," he added. Pennsylvania Auditor General Tim DeFoor a Republican running for reelection against state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia echoed these sentiments. He told the USA TODAY Network that Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro was spot-on when he called for lowering the political temperature in the aftermath of the Trump shooting. Secret Service agents help former President Donald Trump leave his reelection campaign rally in Butler, Pa., on July 13, 2024, after he was injured amid gunfire. "I've never been one to fully embrace the current shouting nature of politics today," DeFoor said. "All people are doing is yelling at each other. It's kind of depressing and it's toxic. That's just not who I am. I've always just focused on the job at hand, the position I'm running for and my experience." He added that he thinks people are becoming sick of the negativity, and that leaders should be positive role models for children. "We, as elected officials, need to start listening," DeFoor said. "Let's get back to civility." Attempts to interview Kenyatta were unsuccessful. Polling: Americans want civility Several polls, conducted both before and after the shooting in Butler have indicated that Americans are hoping for less divisiveness. A plurality of respondents rated political polarization as the most important problem facing them, according to a 2021 Georgetown University survey. The vast majority of those who answered a separate poll in 2021 from Public Agenda and USA TODAY said it's important to reduce divisiveness, with two-thirds calling this a "very important" priority. Nearly three-fourths of respondents (72%) in the Public Agenda/USA TODAY survey believe U.S. residents have more in common than what divides us. A post-shooting survey of 4,339 people in the U.S. by YouGov, an A-rated pollster by FiveThirtySeven, suggested that half of all Americans see political violence as a "very big" problem in America today. An additional 32% said it was at least "somewhat" of a problem. Asked whether they thought the current political climate makes violence more likely to occur, 67% said yes. Not everyone is making promises Even so, the pressure to win will remain a factor in any high-powered campaign. The race between U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Republican Dave McCormick is an example. In a social media post two days after the shooting in Butler, McCormick called for Casey to join him in suspending negative advertising. "This is a time to come together as Americans to recognize that what makes our country and its people exceptional transcends party," McCormick wrote. "... Lets take some time to put aside the negativity." Political action committees supporting McCormick, however, continued to run attack ads against Casey. On Saturday evening after the shooting, the Casey campaign worked with stations to stop advertising temporarily," Maddy McDaniel, spokesperson for Bob Casey for Senate, said in a statement. "The campaign will work to resume communication with voters in the days ahead to educate Pennsylvanians on Senator Caseys record, his opponents record, and the stakes of this Senate race. Attempts to interview other high-profile Pennsylvania candidates Republican Treasurer Stacy Garrity and her competitor, Democrat Erin McClelland, and U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, of York County, R-10th Dist., and his Democratic opponent, Janelle Stelson were unsuccessful. 'A moment of real importance for our country' Members of groups such as Common Ground USA continue hold hope that political rivals will tone down the rhetoric and stress the importance of keeping the peace. This organization has focused on conflict resolution since the 1980s. "(Politicians) are norm-setters," said Will Fuller, Pennsylvania state lead for Common Ground USA. "What they say has an impact on temperature and what is acceptable and not acceptable. Regardless of how we got to this point, we all have a collective responsibility of what we do moving forward with it." A key, according to Fuller, is for candidates to center their debates around the issues without dehumanizing their opponents or certain constituencies. "This is a moment of real importance for our country," he said. "Everyone has a choice on where we move from here, and that includes candidates." Bruce Siwy is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Pennsylvania state capital bureau. He can be reached at bsiwy@gannett.com or on X at @BruceSiwy. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Can political rhetoric lead to violence? Some experts say yes A pain we wont forget: Balloon release for City employee killed in Maplewood Park shooting ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A balloon release was held Tuesday in honor of 25-year-old Tyasia Manning. Manning was one of two people killed in a shootout Sunday at Maplewood Park. Two people, including city employee, killed in Maplewood Park shootout Phylicia Counsel, 34, also died from her injuries. News 8 spoke with Phylicias cousin Monday. Five others were injured. She should still be here: Cousin of Phylicia Council remembers Rochester woman shot in Maplewood Park Tyasia Manning, known by family as Ty is described as someone who was funny, always straight to the point, and hard working. Connecting tonights group: a line of love and a hope for peace. Peace that was not present at Maplewood Park Sunday when the chaos ensued. HAPPENING NOW: The family and friends of Tyasia Manning, who was killed in Sundays shootout at Maplewood Park, have come together for a balloon release in her honor. @News_8 pic.twitter.com/e75RgEGuzc Gio Battaglia (@giobattaglia_) July 30, 2024 Dozens of law enforcement vehicles surrounding Maplewood Park Sunday evening when a barbecue quickly turned deadly. Shots were fired from multiple weapons. Manning died after people desperately tried to keep her alive. Tuesday at Pulanski Park was a different scene: One of remembrance. The crowd that came out, Mannings family says was a testament to how loved she was. Everybody that to know Ty, is to love Ty, because Ty had love for everybody. Manning was an employee of the City of Rochester, working at the R-Centers. Friends emphasized how hard-working and determined she was. She was a woman of her own mind. She was creative in her own way. A prayer was said before the release of the balloons with a main message: The violence needs to stop. This makes no sense whatsoever. She will always she will always be missed. Rochester Mayor Malik Evans ordered that flags in the City be flown at half-staff in Mannings honor. These were the flags outside the Public Safety Building: Rochester Police continue to ask anyone with information of videos of Sundays incident at Maplewood Park to call 911. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Hamas chief Ismaeil Haniyeh meets Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian (Not Pictured) in Tehran. Palestinian militant organization Hamas has said on Telegram that Haniyeh, was killed in a "Zionist raid" on his residence in Tehran. In a statement, Hamas added that Haniyeh was killed after he had attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian in the Iranian capital. -/Iranian Presidency/dpa The terrorist organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad has described the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as an "abominable murder." In a statement, the group said Haniyeh was a "symbol of resistance" and a great leader. They asserted that his death would not deter the Palestinian people from their ongoing resistance. The Houthi militia in Yemen also referred to Haniyeh as a martyr. Mahdi al-Mashat, the chairman of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, said it was a "great loss for the Palestinian people and the entire Islamic nation." He claimed that Israel and the United States must bear responsibility for an escalation of the conflict in the region. The Houthi militia stands firmly alongside the Palestinian militant Hamas movement, which is supported by Iran, as is the Houthi militia. In a statement, Hamas held Israel responsible for Haniyeh's killing. There has been no official reaction from Israel so far. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, answers questions from journalists at a press conference after a meeting with the German Chancellor. Abbas condemned the killing in Tehran of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as a "cowardly act" in a statement issued on 31 July. Wolfgang Kumm/dpa Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the killing in Tehran of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as a "cowardly act" in a statement issued on Wednesday. The head of the Palestinian Authority described the killing as a "dangerous development." The secretary general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Hussein al-Sheikh, wrote on the platform X that his organization denounced "the assassination of the head of the Political Bureau, the national leader, Ismail Haniyeh." "We consider it a cowardly act, this pushes us to remain more steadfast in the face of the occupation, and the necessity of achieving the unity of the Palestinian forces and factions," al-Sheikh wrote. An alliance of various political groups in the West Bank called for a general strike in response to Haniyeh's death. Furthermore, it was suggested that confrontations with Israeli soldiers at checkpoints should be sought. Whether these were meant to be demonstrations or attacks remained unclear. A Palestinian human rights activist has accused Israeli soldiers of being involved in a series of alleged offenses against him and his property in the occupied West Bank, amid a spike in violence since the Oct. 7 terror attack in southern Israel by Hamas. These allegations follow a probe by the U.S. State Department into a string of other alleged human rights abuses by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers in the West Bank, prior to Oct. 7. ABC News spoke to Issa Amro, a Palestinian human rights activist, at his home in Hebron, the West Banks second-largest city. Amro spoke on his back porch, from behind the wire fence that now blocks his spectacular view of the Old City. Amro said he needs the fence for protection and alleges Israeli soldiers have repeatedly failed to protect him from run-ins with right-wing settlers his neighbors who he says have threatened him. He also highlighted one particularly frightening encounter. "He came here with a gun, he was very happy to show his power, Amro said of an encounter with a neighbor. "He went around, he pointed the gun and said, 'I will shoot you if I want." This incident happened a few feet away from an Israeli military outpost, according to the activist. In spite of the presence of the soldier, I was attacked many times, he said. They do nothing about it. Im afraid to stand here in the middle of the night I feel they may shoot me. PHOTO: A queue of Palestinian vehicles waits at the Beit Furik checkpoint, east of the city of Nablus in the West Bank, July 7, 2024. (Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via Getty Images) Amro first connected with ABC News in 2023, after the IDF put parts of Hebron under lockdown in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks. Months before that, an Israeli soldier was caught on video attacking Amro in the street. The IDF jailed the soldier for 10 days, they said. After those incidents, Amro reinforced his windows with concrete stones to act as protection. From the settlers and the soldiers, he said. I see them the same now. He highlighted security camera footage that appears to show a soldier walking onto his property in November. The man stole a GoPro and CCTV cameras, Amro alleged. Then he told me that he would come to kill me on the night, he said. Amro alleged that soldiers took him from his home and interrogated him for 10 hours on Oct. 7. He held up a strip of cloth he said was used to gag him, putting it in his mouth to demonstrate his alleged treatment. I'm keeping it as a souvenir," he said. The Israeli military told ABC News that Amro had not filed a formal complaint alleging violence by its soldiers, and accused him of being linked to illegal disturbances in the area. Hebron stands as one of the most restrictive cities in the West Bank, which has been occupied by Israeli forces and settlers since 1967. In order to keep the more than 200,000 Palestinians separate from the roughly 800 Israeli settlers, the IDF regularly limits access to roads. A soldier posted at a military outpost in the city acknowledged the tense relationship with the locals. They dont trust me, I don't trust them, he said. PHOTO: Israeli soldiers stand on guard at one of the checkpoints located south of Nablus, in the West Bank, July 25, 2024. (Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via Getty Images) In the wake of the Oct. 7 attack, the IDF says it has conducted over 200 operations in the West Bank, eliminating over 500 terrorists. They claimed that more than 17,000 people theyve arrested are linked with Hamas. Palestinian officials say Israeli operations have killed 140 children in the West Bank and Jerusalem since the October violence. Israel argues that the raids are necessary to prevent terror attacks. A U.S. State Department investigation into IDF conduct in the West Bank concluded that three Israeli Army battalions committed gross human rights violations against Palestinian civilians before Oct. 7. One such unit was Netzah Yehuda, a unit made up primarily of ultra-Orthodox men. A 2019 video allegedly shows some of its soldiers abusing a pair of blindfolded Palestinian detainees. An Israeli court convicted an officer and five soldiers for their roles in mistreating the two men. Yossi Levi is the CEO of Netzah Yehuda Organization, which represents soldiers in the unit. They refer to the West Bank as Judea and Samaria, a reference to ancient Israelite kingdoms as some Israelis assert that the area is a historic Jewish homeland. It's too complicated to deal with civilian people in Judea and Samaria, to deal with thousands of operations, success operations, by the way, he said of the incidents. So sometimes you have bad events. However, such events have sometimes turned deadly. In 2022, Omar Assad, a 78-year-old Palestinian-American, died while in Netzah Yehudas custody. He and Mamdouh Abu Aboud were arrested at random as they drove through the village, according to Aboud. That night there were no security incidents, there were no confrontations between us and them, Aboud said, speaking in Arabic. He lay on the ground to demonstrate the position soldiers allegedly held Assad in, before he suffered from a heart attack and died, according to Aboud. The soldier came and hit me. I looked left and right and see Omar on the ground. I got close to him and put my hand here, Aboud said, indicating his neck. I knew him and called him. He didnt respond. I checked his pulse, he had no pulse. In response, the IDF said the soldiers violated a core value of protecting human life and two of the commanders involved were suspended from their positions for two years. After the units misconduct came to light in 2022, Netzah Yehuda was redeployed out of the West Bank. That hasnt stopped the alleged abuses. In June, video showed Mujahed Abbadi an injured Palestinian tied to the front of an IDF units jeep. The IDF said soldiers had violated orders and standard operating procedures during a counterterrorism operation. PHOTO: Israeli soldiers stand next to armored vehicles during an Israeli military operation in Nur Shams camp, near the West Bank city of Tulkarem, July 9, 2024. (Alaa Badarneh/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) Former tank commander Ori Givati, who is now part of an Israeli nonprofit called "Breaking the Silence," is among the Israelis trying to highlight the IDFs alleged abuses in the West Bank, and says the problem is the occupation itself. When you occupy millions of people with the military, you go through a process of dehumanization, Givati said. He acknowledges that the soldiers stationed in the West Bank are working under extremely difficult circumstances -- soldiers and settlers in the area are constantly threatened with attack. However, he highlights Israels role in creating that tension. Occupying the Palestinians for almost 57 years now is not helping our security, he said. Militarily occupy them, invade their homes, disperse their protests, build settlements on their lands. Maybe that is something that is creating a lot of hostility and we should change course. Amro, the Palestinian human rights activist, doesnt understand why the Israelis see him as an enemy, saying he isnt a security threat. I am here to resist peacefully the inequality, the injustice, and try to give hope, he said. Palestinians allege abuse by IDF, settlers in West Bank originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Panama Canal expects to increase the number of daily transit slots for vessels to 36 from the current 34 beginning in September, according to the waterways deputy administrator. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has not officially revealed a date for return to 36 ships, but the arrival of the rainy season has allowed the authority to ease restrictions on passage, enabling more cargo to flow through the waterway. More from Sourcing Journal Throughout June and July, the canal expanded the maximum authorized draft for a vessel from 46 to 48 feet, getting the 50-mile waterway closer to its natural limitations for a 50-foot draft. The initial draft limitations were implemented May 30, 2023, when the canal endured a months-long drought that raised concerns about the effects of shallow water levels on the waterways operations. The restrictions created such a bottleneck last summer that there were as many as 161 vessels reported to be queued up to pass through the canal in August, with the majority having waited without making a reservation first. On Aug. 5, the ACP will tack on an extra new booking slot for the Neopanamax locks, which facilitate the movement of container ships longer than 966 feet. The added slot will bring the total number of daily transits to 35 ships. The update builds on improvements announced earlier in June, which included an increase in daily transits from 32 to 33 beginning on July 11, and again to 34 on July 22. Now (the operation) is practically back to normal. We have 34 transits (per day) and on August 5 we will increase to 35 transits, Deputy Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta told Reuters Monday. In September, well be able to increase to 36. The maximum sustainable capacity of the Panama Canal, including both the Panamax and Neopanamax locks, is approximately 36 to 38 vessels per day. The ACP has already said as far back as April it expects the canals conditions to fully normalize by 2025 if rainfall continues as expected. A return to normalcy at the Panama Canal would be a major win for global trade. Ships from all over the world transit the original and expanded Neopanamax locks daily, with between 13,000 and 14,000 vessels passing through each year, according to the ACP. The waterway serves more than 180 shipping routes, connecting 170 countries and approximately 1,920 ports around the world. Transiting the Panama Canal considerably reduces voyage time for vessels traveling from the U.S. Gulf Coast to markets in Asia. Today, 71.5 percent of cargo transiting the Panama Canal originates or is destined for the U.S., the authority states. To ensure that a repeat of 2023 doesnt happen again if drought conditions were to return, the canal aims to implement long- and short-term solutions that can optimize the use and storage of water at the canal. The ACP wants to build a new reservoir that is expected to cost $1.6 billion and take six years to construct, but still needs final approval from 12,000 people who live in the 200 neighboring villages around the Indio River basin. That reservoir would complement the water already provided by the manmade Gatun Lake, which saw water levels plummet throughout 2023, and provide capacity for 11 transits in the event of another drought period. Other potential solutions include the identification of alternative sources of water from the 51 watersheds and lakes in Panama, the ACP said. Currently, water levels at Gatun Lake are healthy, and are expected to be for the remainder of the year if the rainy season persists. As of Wednesday, Gatun Lake water levels have a depth of 84.4 feet, which is one foot deeper than the 83.4-foot average since 2019. The water levels represent just under a five-foot improvement over the 79.5-foot depth in July last year. By Sept. 1, water levels are expected to reach 85.2 feetone foot deeper than the previous five-year average of 84.2 feet during the month. A month later, depth should increase again to 86.1 feet, well ahead of the 84.5-foot depth on average since 2019. With the rainy season holding up, the canal now has a bullish outlook for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which starts in October. The ACP expects to boost total revenues by 18 percent to $5.6 billion, with state contributions growing 13 percent. The fifth largest wildfire in state history, the Park Fire, grew marginally overnight, but destruction from the massive blaze that has burned through Butte and Tehama Counties continues to grow. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Wednesday morning that 277 structures have been destroyed by the fire and 29 structures have been damaged. Latest Park Fire Update: While the blaze continues to grow, Shasta County evacuations eased Cal Fire said those numbers include homes, commercial buildings, outbuildings and other structures. The acreage burned by the Park Fire increased Wednesday morning to 389,791 acres, up about 3,000 acres from Tuesday night, Cal Fire said. The fire was 18% contained. The bulk of the fire has burned in Tehama County, with 333,765 acres already torched, while 52,999 acres has burned in Butte County, Cal Fire said. A structure is engulfed in flames after the Park Fire jumped Highway 36 near Paynes Creek on Friday, July 26, 2024. The blaze continued to have explosive growth after it was sparked on Wednesday in the Chico area. The fire raced north through forestland fueled by bone dry conditions that have resulted from California's extreme hot weather in July. However, most of the destruction the fire has done has been in Butte County. Of the structures lost, 214 have been in Butte County, Cal Fire said, adding that damage inspection teams have completed 70% of their assessments. The Park Fire started July 24 in Upper Bidwell Park in Chico and rapidly spread north, racing through Tehama County before it was stopped just shy of the Shasta County line. Thousands of people have been evacuated ahead of the blaze. The Shasta County Sheriff's Office on its Facebook page Wednesday morning said the zones under evacuation orders and warnings have not changed since Tuesday night. Chico resident Ronnie Dean Stout II has been charged with starting the blaze. He was in court Monday in Butte County for arraignment, but he did not enter a plea. He is scheduled to return to Butte County Superior Court again Thursday. There have been no reported deaths and no one has been seriously injured, according to Cal Fire. Readers, scroll down for updates as they are posted for Wednesday, July 31. 4:30 P.M. Wednesday: Shasta supervisors declare Park Fire emergency The Shasta County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday passed a resolution declaring a local emergency due to the continued threat of the Park Fire. Sheriff Michael Johnson had earlier declared an emergency due to the fire, but the board's resolution ratifies that, according to the sheriff's office. "This declaration means that the California state Office of Emergency Services (OES) and allied agencies are mobilized to assist the county, if needed," according to the sheriff's office. An estimated 1,578 homes and 4,261 people in Shasta County were evacuated ahead of the fire, officials said. Another 1,909 homes and 5,154 residents are under an evacuation warning. 8:50 a.m. Wednesday: Residents impacted by Park Fire could be eligible for evacuation-related expenses Homeowners or renters insurance policies might help residents who have been ordered to evacuate due to the Park Fire. California Department of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said residents might be able to recoup some of their costs under their Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage. "ALE coverage typically includes food and housing costs, furniture rental, relocation and storage, and extra transportation expenses, among other costs. The Park Fire is now the fifth largest in California history," Lara said in a news release. Impacted residents who have questions or need assistance, can contact the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357 or visit www.insurance.ca.gov. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Park Fire updates: Shasta supervisors declare Park Fire emergency Parlier home lost after being engulfed in flames Parlier home lost after being engulfed in flames PARLIER, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) An investigation is underway after a home was declared as total loss following a fire in Parlier, Cal Fire said. Fire officials responded to a structure fire in the 8000 block of South Milton Avenue in Parlier just before 8 p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters say they found a home erupted in flames. The flames spread to the house next to it, catching fire as well. Fire officials say the first house was declared a complete loss as a result of the fire. The Red Cross was on the scene to assist the house residents. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is 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 YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Pastor Greg Locke has announced plans to move his controversial white-tent evangelical Global Vision Bible Church from its longstanding Wilson County campus. The church, which attracts large crowds from across the region, has been the subject of lawsuits and complaints at its current location on Old Lebanon Dirt Road. Locke told his congregation in July that Global Vision will look at a new location within a 15-mile circle of its campus. But a specific location is yet to be determined. "Will God open a door right here in Mt. Juliet? I don't know," Locke rhetorically asked the congregation when he made the announcement. "And I think it's time. I think there is a different group of people who want to come to our church and never will until we have a building. And we've shown them you don't have to have one." Efforts to reach Locke on Wednesday were unsuccessful. Pastor Greg Locke does his sermon at the Global Vision Bible Church in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., Sunday, April 3, 2022. Locke did not provide a specific time-frame for a potential move. But, beyond disputes with community leaders over traffic and land use, the pastor said he would like a larger, more comfortable venue. Locke referenced the lack of heat and air-conditioning during winters and summers in the tent and that "it's time for (indoor) bathrooms," as reasons to move from the tent to a permanent structure. Snowfall in January also damaged the Global Vision tent. Embedded content: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/wilson/2024/03/31/police-trailer-with-bibles-set-on-fire-in-wilson-county-on-easter/73161316007/ Global Vision put up its tent on the campus in May 2020 as church attendance grew. The church campus is in Wilson County, just outside the Mt. Juliet city limits. Locke has gained national attention for social media posts with extreme right-wing political stances and a mass-deliverance ministry that includes casting out evil spirits. The church has also held events such as inviting people to burn items the church relates to witchcraft and the occult. The pastor addressed multiple ongoing lawsuits and neighborhood conflicts with the church that have raised complaints about noise and traffic snafus for events. "I have fought over this property," Locke said at one point in his announcement. One lawsuit, filed by Wilson County, claims the church started construction on its campus at 2060 Old Lebanon Dirt Road without site-plan approval, building permits and land-disturbance permits. Embedded content: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/wilson/2024/03/22/greg-locke-wilson-county-church-gains-site-plan-approval/71516819007/ The Wilson County Planning Commission approved a site plan earlier this year in efforts by the church to resolve the lawsuit, which is still active, according to Wilson County Attorney Mike Jennings. Global Vision's church engineer has continued to work with county departments to gain approvals, Wilson County Planning Director Tom Brashear said. Crystal Wyatt raises her hands after she was baptized at the Global Vision Bible Church in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., Sunday, April 3, 2022. If Global Vision moved to a location that doesn't have approval for a church use in place within Wilson County's jurisdiction, site plans for any grading and improvements would be required before work starts, Wilson County Planning Commissioner Tom Brashear said. Global Vision also has been cited for deficiencies by the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office, which are unrelated to the county's action and lawsuit. And the church has been the recipient of vandalism and graffiti in past years. A trailer fire earlier this year that burned Bibles at the intersection of Old Lebanon Dirt Road and Chandler Road near Global Vision Bible Church was believed to be intentionally set, according to police. Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ AndyHumbles. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Greg Locke: 'it's time' to move Global Vision from Wilson County tent Meta (META) shares soared more than 9% in early trading Thursday after the company reported better-than-expected second quarter earnings results Wednesday, and despite warning it expects to see "significant" capital expenditures growth in 2025. "While we do not intend to provide any quantitative guidance for 2025 until the fourth quarter call, we expect infrastructure costs will be a significant driver of expense growth next year as we recognize depreciation and operating costs associated with our expanded infrastructure footprint," CFO Susan Li said in a statement. AI spending is a key measure for Wall Street as investors anxiously await a return on Big Techs investments in the technology. During its prior quarter, Li raised the companys full-year total expense estimate from between $94 billion and $99 billion to between $96 billion and $99 billion. For the second quarter, Meta saw earnings per share (EPS) of $5.16 on revenue of $39.07 billion. Analysts were expecting EPS of $4.74 on revenue of $38.3 billion, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Meta recorded EPS of $2.98 on revenue of $31.9 billion during the same period last year. The companys Family of Apps revenue, which includes revenue from Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, clocked in at $38.72 billion, higher than estimates of $37.7 billion. Meta saw revenue of $31.7 billion in the segment in Q2 last year. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg during an appearance at SIGGRAPH 2024 in Denver, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Beyond its advertising revenue, Wall Street is still trying to determine how much longer Meta will need to plow money into AI before it sees some kind of revenue payoff. Last week, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Metas latest open-source large language model (LLM) called Llama 3.1. Whats more, the Facebook founder said the industry should focus on open-source AI rather than closed-source models like OpenAIs ChatGPT. "Meta is well positioned to drive value with [generative AI] for advertisers, but lets be clear that its a ways off, if ever, before CMOs will simply hand over the keys to an AI agent that will autonomously generate ad creative on their behalf," Forrester research director Mike Proulx said in a note following Meta's earnings. "While [generative AI's] technical capabilities meaningfully mature at an accelerated pace, Meta cannot lose sight of the responsibility and importance of the human touch in the advertising process. Metas Reality Labs segment, which includes its mixed reality hardware and software, saw revenue of $353 million in the quarter versus expectations of $376 million. That's better than the company reported in the same quarter last year, but the segment continues to hemorrhage cash. Story continues Subscribe to the Yahoo Finance Tech newsletter. (Yahoo Finance) In Q2, Meta reported that the segment lost some $4.49 billion, slightly below expectations of $4.53 billion. It lost $3.8 billion in Q1. The division has also been plagued by turnover and a lack of clear vision, adding to Reality Labs troubles, Yahoo Finances Yasmin Khorram reported. Metas announcement also comes after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Tuesday that he secured a $1.4 billion settlement between the state and Meta over the companys alleged use of Texans biometric data without their permission for its Tag Suggestions feature. Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley. For the latest earnings reports and analysis, earnings whispers and expectations, and company earnings news, click here Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance StockStory aims to help individual investors beat the market. Advocating for people has been a lifelong calling even before I sought public service. I spent more than 20 years as an intensive care unit/critical care nurse and health care executive. As an ICU nurse, I cared for the most vulnerable patients in the hospital. As an executive, I was responsible for leading teams and identifying solutions to improve patient safety for health care organizations across the world. I am currently the only registered nurse serving in the entire Missouri General Assembly. A lot of leaders offer promises, but I offer results. As state representative for the 25th House District, no issue has been too big for me to tackle and no constituent problem too small for me to address. I would continue to serve just as diligently in the state Senate. Staying engaged with the community is important to me, and that is why I regularly hold town hall meetings, send weekly state Capitol reports and have an open door policy. Constituents know I have their backs. Recently, one of my volunteers knocking on doors in Waldo could barely get a word out before a voter recalled that I intervened for him with a state agency to resolve a difficult family situation. Helping constituents would continue to be a priority for me in the Missouri Senate. Serving as a state representative for the past four years, I am proud of what I have accomplished. My colleagues and I successfully stood up to Republicans and their attempt to destroy the citizen initiative petition process and because of that, Missourians will have the chance to overturn our states total abortion ban this November. As a member of the superminority, I have sponsored several bills that have been signed into law addressing our states mental health crisis, extending postpartum care and increasing access to health care. I also have consistently stood up for workers and marginalized communities. As state senator, I would continue fighting for reproductive rights, working to prevent gun violence and standing for Kansas City. I believe voters will end Missouris abortion ban in November, and that Republican politicians will turn around and try to undo the will of the people. I would be the first registered nurse to serve in the state Senate, and having that voice to protect reproductive rights is critical. I am the only candidate in the race who has been elected to office and served in Jefferson City for the past four years. With that experience, I have established relationships on both sides of the aisle and in both legislative chambers. While I can reach across the aisle on issues that are important to Missourians, I do not hold back when calling out the majority party on its hateful agenda. I will be able to get to work on Day 1 for our families. Im proud to be the only candidate in this race endorsed by our nurses, teachers, firefighters, labor organizations, The Kansas City Star, Planned Parenthood Votes, Everytown for Gun Safety, PROMO Missouri and Sierra Club because they know my record of accomplishments and trust me to continue advocating for them and you. You wont see my campaign going negative. I do not think personal attacks are necessary or effective. I am proud to run on my record. There is more work to be done, and that is why Im running to be your state senator. It would be an honor to continue to serve and represent you, and to earn your vote on Aug. 6. Patty Lewis represents District 25 in the Missouri House of Representatives. She is a candidate for state Senate for District 7. Alexander Dobrindt is among the senior CDU politicians leading the calls on benefit - Sean Gallup/Getty Images Foreigners should receive less in social benefits than Germans, the countrys CDU opposition party has said as it seeks to win back disillusioned voters from the hard-Right AfD. Alexander Dobrindt, a senior CDU MP, called for a two-tier system under which the rate of Buergergeld, or citizens allowance, paid to foreigners would be slashed compared to that of German passport holders. There must be a new social benefits system for asylum seekers that pays out less than the citizens allowance, he said, adding that those who are capable of working but choose not to should have their benefits cut. Germany pays a citizens allowance to people who are out of work or who do not earn enough funds to support themselves. The percentage of foreign recipients of the allowance has increased from 19 per cent to 47 per cent over the past decade. Alexander Throm, another senior figure in the centre-Right CDU, said the government should introduce compulsory community service for asylum seekers as a condition of the payouts. CDU struggling to hold on to voters This could involve cleaning parks or taking language courses to integrate into German society, he said, adding: Everyone has to do their part. The CDU has been struggling to hold on to its voter base amid a surge in support for the anti-migration AfD, which came second in Junes European elections. Under Friedrich Merz, who became its leader in 2022, the CDU has shifted further to the Right with a tougher stance on immigration, refugee policies and social benefits for foreigners. Germany is expected to hold its next federal elections in 2025, at which point the CDU may emerge as the countrys largest party and could form the next government, polls suggest. Mr Merz has previously expressed support for the previous UK Tory governments Rwanda asylum policy and said he hopes to adopt a similar model if the CDU returns to power. The mere prospect that you wont end up in the promised land of Germany, and that youll have to apply for asylum in a third country say Albania, if youre trying to get into Italy, or Rwanda if youre aiming for the UK will reduce the number of asylum seekers, he said in May. 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. Man falls off truck, gets fatally hit on Lamar Avenue MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man died after falling off a truck and getting hit on Lamar Avenue early Wednesday morning. Officers responded to the incident around 5:45 a.m. on Lamar Avenue near South Perkins Road and Winchester Road. Officers say a man was standing on the back of a truck when he fell and was struck. He was pronounced dead on the scene. Shanequa Armour has lived in Memphis her entire life. She told us she was just hit by a car as well while riding her bike last week. See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South. Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. They were headed straight towards me and so I started zigzagging trying not to get hit by this car. So, they smack the back of me and I fly off the bike, she said. Luckily, Armour is now recovering, but she wants her story and the most recent victims story to be a reminder to drivers. Stay off your phones and just be very vigilant, said Armour. It is still unclear why the victim was standing on the back of the truck. This is an ongoing 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 WREG.com. Penn States vice provost for educational equity is moving to a different role this week and an interim vice provost will take the reins. After serving in the role for nine years, Marcus Whitehurst is moving from his position as vice provost for educational equity to an associate clinical professor at Penn State, a news release from the university states. Whitehurst will also serve as a special assistant to the interim executive vice president and provost to provide continued administrative guidance and support, the release states. Hell move to the new role on July 31. SeriaShia Chatters, associate vice provost for educational equity, will begin in the role in an interim capacity on Aug. 1. In the release, Whitehurst said it has been an honor to serve Penn State in this role. Witnessing the growth and evolution of our community over the years has been immensely rewarding, Whitehurst said. I am so proud of the accomplishments of my colleagues in the Office of Educational Equity to create a more welcoming environment across our campuses. I am confident Penn State will continue to build on this momentum, embracing equity in all its forms and fostering a culture where everyone feels they truly belong. Whitehurst led the Office of Educational Equity of 13 units and 69 staff members that are dedicated to fostering equity and a welcoming environment at Penn State. He is also a member of the Presidents Council and the Provost Leadership Council. Prior to his time as vice provost for educational equity, he was the assistant vice provost for Educational Equity for seven years. He was also previously the director of the Multicultural Resource Center for nearly a decade. He has taught courses in African and African American studies and Language and Literacy Education Studies at Penn State, the release states. Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Tracy Langkilde applauded his many years of service and wished him luck in his next step. His tenure as vice provost has shaped the Universitys commitment to inclusive excellence and he has been a cornerstone in advancing equity and fostering a sense of belonging for students, faculty, and staff across our campuses. We are deeply grateful for Marcus leadership and vision, which have set a strong foundation for continued progress, Langkilde said. Whitehurst has led transformative efforts toward creating a welcoming environment at Penn State, the release states, and has been a leader in advancing equity. The release highlighted several achievements and accomplishments Whitehurst has reached, including creating and implementing strategic planning efforts for equity and leading initiatives to expand resources and services for different populations at the university. He serves on several national committees and has won numerous awards during his tenure, including ones for leadership, service and commitment to equal opportunity. Chatters, the soon-to-be interim vice provost for educational equity, said shell build on the foundation Whitehurst has laid. Stepping into this role is an honor, Chatters said in a separate news release. It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Whitehurst over the years, and I am committed to building on the strong foundation he has laid and to continuing our teams work to foster equitable learning environments for all members of our University community. I look forward to working closely with faculty, staff, students and partners across Penn State to continue to bring DEIB to the forefront of all we do. Langkilde said Chatters brings a unique perspective. Shes been with the university since 2013, the release states, and was named associate vice provost for educational equity this year. Im thrilled Seria will be taking on this critical role. She is an exceptional leader and brings a unique perspective and background as an educator, researcher and administrator, Langkilde said. Seria has dedicated her career to creating inclusive and welcoming learning and working environments for students and employees and cares deeply about our community. I am confident that she will bring a collaborative and creative approach to continuing to advance our DEIB priorities at Penn State. Chatters will be the first Black woman to hold the role. Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said that despite leadership changes and the national landscape, the university will not waiver in its commitment to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive campus for everyone. The university has been criticized in recent years for what some say is a lack of commitment to diversity and inclusion on campus. This past semester a group of professors and graduate students held three read-ins and delivered an open letter to Bendapudi stating theyre sick and tired of the lack of progress toward racial justice at Penn State under your leadership. The group also referenced the Center for Racial Justice, which was proposed by former Penn State President Eric Barron before Bendapudi canceled it in 2022. Theres also been confusion surrounding the future of the Multicultural Resource Center, which is dedicated to offering college counseling and educational services for diverse undergraduate students. Although the director of the center said it was closing, Whitehurst disputed that and said they were instead exploring ways to have greater impact and enhance student success with an existing program in the MRC. The first day of classes for Penn States fall semester is Aug. 26. (WHTM) Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele, alongside multiple Pennsylvania law enforcement organizations, announced the dismantling of a Pennsylvania gun trafficking organization specializing in the acquisition, distribution, and manufacturing of illegal firearms. According to the District Attorneys office and the New Hanover Police Department, on top of illegally buying and selling store-bought firearms, the organization was manufacturing and selling 3D-printed ghost guns, suppressors, and machine gun conversion devices better known as switches. Police said they mainly operated out of a storage unit and multiple residences in Pottstown but also had 3D-printed firearms manufacturing operations in Boyerstown. According to police, defendants from Pottstown include Michael Needling, 28 (15 illegal transfers); Keith Chaney, 26, (six illegal transfers); James Hiller, 18, (four illegal transfers); Desmond Bennett, 32, (six illegal transfers); and Maleec Borders, 23, (four illegal transfers); Ryan Stoudt, 25, (two illegal transfers); and Horace Keiffer, 36, (one illegal transfer). Police also arrested Lucas Groff, 28, of Boyertown (who purchased eight firearms and was the 3D printing expert) and Nathaniel Arroyo, 27, of Birdsboro (eight illegal transfers). According to police, the investigation began on February 1 of this year after Pottstown Police were dispatched to a local hospital to investigate a stabbing. The stabbing victim, identified by officials as James Hiller, allegedly lied about the location and circumstances of the incident, leading police to discover Hiller had allegedly been attempting to sell an illegal firearm when he was stabbed. Police identified, through evidence, Keith Chaney, 26, as the suspected buyer. This discovery marked a turning point in the investigation, unveiling an extensive network of illegal weapons dealings. Law enforcement organizations participating in the investigation include the Montgomery County Detective Bureaus Violent Crime Unit and Narcotics Enforcement Team; Office of Attorney Generals Gun Violence Task Force; Pottstown Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Pennsylvania State Police; Berks County Detectives; the Montgomery County District Attorneys Gun Violence Task Force; and numerous police departments including Upper Merion Township, New Hanover Township, Exeter Township, Borough of Birdsboro, Robeson Township. According to police, through a thorough investigation involving surveillance, interviews, tracing cellphones, and tracking ATF forms of purchases at gun stores, they were able to uncover multiple firearm purchases. Members of the trafficking organization purchased 31 firearms 17 of which were recovered by police- from gun stores in eight counties across the Commonwealth. By illegally buying and selling store-bought firearms, this gun trafficking organization was arming criminals. That criminal activity alone threatens the safety of our communities. But this group went much further extending their criminal activities by selling switches to transform the semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic machine guns making them exponentially more deadly. Added to that were their 3D-printed suppressors and firearms lowers to which they purchased receivers and other necessary parts to manufacture ghost gunsuntraceable firearms with no serial number. So now we have silent machine guns in our communities, some without serial numbers. The risk to community members and law enforcement officials across Montgomery County, across the Commonwealth and across the United States is simply unmeasurable. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele Police said all defendants were arrested on various charges, including felony counts of Corrupt Organization, Dealing in the Proceeds of Unlawful Activity, Criminal Use of a Communications Facility, Aggravated Assault; Crimes Committed with Firearms, Persons not to Possess Firearms, Illegal Sale or Transfer of Firearms, Prohibited Offensive Weapons and Criminal Conspiracy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Mayur Kakade/Getty Images) COLUMBIA When Mathew Nelson opened Chattooga River Lodge and Campground in the Appalachian foothills in 2020, visitors asked him if they could log onto the TV to play Netflix shows or hop on a virtual meeting using the Wi-Fi. Nelson had to tell them no. The lodge, along with the rest of rural Oconee County in South Carolinas northwestern corner, didnt have internet with high enough speeds to support streaming or video calls. Just from the customer experience, that was pretty brutal to have to tell people, Maybe you can check your email, but even thats going to be slow, Nelson told the SC Daily Gazette on Tuesday. In July 2023, three years after the lodge opened, an internet provider awarded a grant from the S.C. Broadband Office installed a fiber-optic cable through Long Creek population 100 and Nelsons lodge got access to high-speed internet for the first time. The lodge, as well as Nelsons home down the street, was among more than 100,000 houses, apartment buildings and businesses to get access to high-speed internet as part of a $663 million expansion in broadband across the state. (The total combines federal aid with a partial spending match from internet providers.) The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of broadband and the states digital divide. Without high-speed internet, people were unable to keep working, continue their schoolwork remotely or see their doctors. Recognizing broadband as a critical need, rather than a luxury, legislators designated $400 million in May 2022 from the states share of pandemic aid through the American Rescue Plan Act to expand access. Last month, the state Broadband Office awarded the final $43.3 million of that funding. The last projects are slated to be complete by June 2026, according to the division of the Office of Regulatory Staff. It is an incredible feeling to reach this historic milestone for broadband in South Carolina, Jim Stritzinger, director of the South Carolina Broadband Office, said in a statement. After all the awarded projects in the state are finished, including those overseen by federal agencies, the state Broadband Office estimates 32,000 homes and businesses will still lack access to high-speed internet, agency spokesman Hank Page said in an email. Very frustrating When the Chattooga River Lodge first opened, it had satellite internet. But the connection was slow and only got slower once customers passed the lodges cap for high-speed internet that month. In a nine-room lodge and a nearby campground, they would typically hit that cap within the first week of the month, Nelson said. So, Id have one week of lousy internet and then three weeks of god awful internet before it reset, he said. Nelson was working another job remotely while running the lodge. To join virtual meetings, he would connect to the video on his computer and call in from his phone because the internet couldnt support both. Even then, the choppy connection made it difficult to have a conversation, he said. As the COVID-19 pandemic turned more people into remote workers, unreliable internet became a bigger problem for visitors. Outdoor activities surged in popularity, but remote workers couldnt easily get to a meeting or answer an email from the lodge or campground, he said. Just getting paid was an issue, since taking payments from credit and debit cards requires internet access as well. People eating in the lodges restaurant often had to wait as the cash registers processed payments using the slow connection. The guest is staring at you, and youre staring at the screen, and youre just waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and hoping it goes through, Nelson said. It was very frustrating. Once the lodge got access to high-speed internet, all of that changed. Guests could hop on a work call, answer emails or turn on Netflix for their family at the end of the day. Plus, fiber is cheaper. For his slow satellite connection, Nelson was paying $175 each month. For fiber, he pays $131 per month for his business plan and $50 per month for his own plan at home. It completely transformed us from a trying-to-survive-on-terrible-internet place to a modern-day facility with good internet, Nelson said. Nelson installed security cameras at the lodge that he could check remotely and moved out of the apartment in the lodge where he was living and into a nearby house, no longer worried about leaving the lodge alone overnight, he said. If I couldnt see what was going on, I wasnt comfortable not being there, Nelson said. So, it enabled me, actually, to move out of the lodge and have a normal home like a regular person. What it means for students Jeffery Tadlock, a financial literacy teacher at a high school in Darlington County, said the lack of internet access put many of his students at a disadvantage. Even after the school doors reopened and in-class learning resumed, students needed online access to do their homework. But some students couldnt access their assignments or the resources he posted for them to use, he said. Tadlock printed out paper copies for students who couldnt access the website, but if the homework involved something like researching a subject online, students might have a different assignment in their paper packet, he said. They would much rather do the original assignment than the one you printed off for them, Tadlock said. During the pandemic, some students parked in front of the school with a laptop to do classwork on the schools Wi-Fi. But that wasnt an option for students without transportation, who worried how they would get it done, he said. Now that much of Darlington County has broadband access, nearly all his students have internet at home. The few who still live in pockets without it typically have relatives nearby whose houses they can visit long enough to finish their homework, he said. It definitely takes some stress off the students, Tadlock said. More work to be done Greg Covingtons farmhouse just off Highway 332 in Orangeburg County still doesnt have internet. None of his neighbors have it either, even though many people want it, said Covington, a Norway Town Council member. There are a lot of people that could get hooked up to it, Covington said. Norway, with its population of roughly 300, is one of two remaining towns in Orangeburg County that still lacks high-speed internet access. By the end of 2024, Norway and Ridge Spring, the other town, will both have fiber-optic cables and free public Wi-Fi in the town center, according to the state broadband office. That project is one of around 100 still in the works. Connecting people to broadband is not an easy task, said Sarah Bonnoitt, spokesperson for Horry Telephone Cooperative. Laying the cables is expensive and labor-intensive, and the grants that fund the projects have stipulations about where they must start and end, she said. The cooperative has connected 5,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet in Georgetown and Marion counties, Bonnoitt said. Another 1,100 or so are in the works. During the process, though, the cooperative sometimes had to run a cable through a community without hooking people up or stop just shy of some peoples houses, she said. I was in the community a lot talking to residents, saying, This is a phased approach. I promise you, we are committed to continuing this and reaching you, Bonnoitt said. The reasons vary as to why 32,000 locations across the state will still not have internet after all the states current grant programs run out. In some instances, it is because no company requested a grant to cover that location or because the state ran out of money before getting there, Page said. Once people have access to high-speed internet, the next step is making sure they actually use it, said Tri-County Electric Cooperative CEO Chad Lowder. The cooperative, which has 18,000 members, has expanded broadband to 7,600 homes and businesses across the six counties in the Midlands it covers with the help of federal aid, according to the state Broadband Office. Lowder estimates at least another 6,000 people in the cooperatives areas now have access to broadband but havent actually hooked up to it, either because they dont know its an option or because they dont understand how it would benefit them. The infrastructure is built. Its there, Lowder said. Its just the education piece thats lacking now. For Horry Telephone Cooperative, getting people to sign up hasnt been a problem. But the cooperative is looking for ways to teach people how to use the internet once they have it, Bonnoitt said. People who have gone their whole lives, in some cases, without high-speed internet access may not realize they can go to their doctors appointments or attend classes virtually, she said. Lets make sure that these households understand or have the tools to really utilize this technology to its full potential, Bonnoitt said. More funding With the $400 million in pandemic aid depleted, the state plans to shift gears to a federal grant program called Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment, or BEAD, funded through the federal Infrastructure Investment spending package passed by Congress in November 2021. That could bring in another $546 million over five years, on top of the $5 million the broadband office has already received through that program for planning. That should more than cover the remainder of the state, Page said. If the state gets the approvals it needs to move forward, the office should be able to start allocating that money at the beginning of 2025, according to a timeline Stritzinger presented to the Broadband Advisory Council in April. This is a once-in-our-lifetimes opportunity to get this right, Stritzinger told the council. I cant understate that enough. We will never have this amount of money for broadband investment ever again. Officials are also searching for alternative ways to bring people internet access. One method could be a contract with Elon Musks SpaceX, which offers internet through its Starlink division. In December, the broadband office put out notice that it was pursuing a $3 million contract to reserve up to 1,000 satellite dishes for South Carolina. While not as fast as fiber-optic cables, the satellites could reach parts of the state where installing cables is difficult, Stritzinger told the council. Talks about that possibility are ongoing, and officials hope to wrap up a contract with them shortly, Page said in an email. An investigation is underway after a person was shot in Boston on Wednesday morning, officials said. Officers responding to a report of a shooting in the area of 28 Fernboro Street near Intervale Street in the citys Dorchester section just after 8 a.m. found one person suffering from an apparent gunshot, according to the Boston Police Department. The victim, whose name hasnt been released, was rushed to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Officers and detectives were seen gathered in the entryway of a blue and white triple-decker home. Multiple cruisers were also parked along the street. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. Boston 25 News is working to gather additional information. 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 The Yungang Grottoes in Datong, Shanxi province, are a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Existing for nearly 1,600 years, the caves are deemed "history engraved on stones" by Hang Kan, director of the Yungang Research Institute, formerly known as the Yungang Grottoes Research Institute. "We must protect, study, present and pass the history down to future generations," Hang is quoted as telling Shanxi Daily. Hang says the team is enlarging the range of protection and delving into the details by applying more scientific methods and advanced technology. In 45 of the major caves of Yungang, the 254 extant grottoes host more than 59,000 sculptures from the fifth century. Zhao Bin, with the institute, has been working on the restoration of the Buddhist sculptures and statues for 12 years. On one recent July day, as on any other workday, Zhao was spotted on scaffolding in the ninth cave. "I always feel in awe of the history and thus work with great passion and a sense of responsibility," Zhao says, adding that is what has supported his tedious efforts day after day. Growing up in Datong, Zhao says he has witnessed the area's development, which has attracted more young talent to join in protection and restoration. Dai Yuxiang, who has excelled in restoring murals for 11 years with the institute, feels the same and says his work is more like a doctor than a beautician. "The Yungang murals are the epitome of traditional Chinese craftsmanship," Dai says. "I can always feel and touch the ancient artisans' devotion to the murals they created." Besides manual labor, digital and information technologies are being used more in Yungang, such as digital scanning and 3D printing. These new technologies enable visitors to enjoy the grottoes with virtual reality glasses to explore the historical site in boundless time and space. Shanxi province highlights the preservation of the Yungang Grottoes and the construction of Yungang Studies. A 14th Five-Year (2021-25) Plan for the Protection of Cultural Relics of the Yungang Grottoes was developed. The digital documentation has already covered two-thirds of the total relics, with completion planned by 2030. The institute has been establishing the digital archive via the Digital Yungang Information Center. Universities in Shanxi have also established institutions for Yungang Studies, as well as Yungang cultural ecology research centers. The Yungang institute joined hands with Peking University and others to conduct foundational research for Yungang Studies. To delve further into the historical connotation and significance of interactions and exchanges among various ethnic groups that the Yungang Grottoes embody, the joint work will expand Yungang Studies and their cultural influence internationally. Byzantine-styled copper goblets have been unearthed in the caves, and there have also been traces of Greek columns and Persian instruments. "The Yungang Grottoes are a result of cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. When researching a multicultural hub like this, cross-disciplinary study is a consistent principle," says Sun Yu, professor of the College of Yungang Studies at Shanxi Datong University. Sun adds that with the many resources in fields like sculpture, architecture, clothing, decorative patterns, music and dance, Yungang Grottoes offer a significant exploration of the formation of a unified Chinese nation with diversity. Now, experts majoring in legal studies, chemistry and more are joining archaeologists and historians to work out the future of Yungang Studies, Sun says. (Bloomberg) -- Meta Platforms Inc. reported better-than-expected sales in the second quarter on Wednesday, signaling that the companys investments in artificial intelligence are helping it sell more targeted ads. Shares jumped in Thursday trading. Most Read from Bloomberg That progress is buying Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg more time to prove that his bets on the metaverse and AI are worth their while. In a call with investors and analysts on Wednesday, he expounded on Metas push into the type of large language models that power AI chatbots and praised the companys AI smart glasses and virtual reality headsets. There are all the jokes about how all the tech CEOs get on these earnings calls and just talk about AI the whole time, he said. Its because its actually super exciting and its going to change all these different things over multiple time horizons. Meta has been using AI to improve the way its advertisers can find interested users, adding efficiency to its most lucrative business. More specifically, the company is using algorithms to better determine when and where to show ads. Its also starting to roll out generative AI features so that marketers with small budgets can create more interesting promotions. AI will end up affecting almost every product that we have in some way, he said. Meta had 3.27 billion users across all of its apps as of June 30, up 7% from a year earlier. The companys shares jumped as much as 10% after trading opened in New York on Thursday, adding $123 billion in market value. This is the stocks biggest intraday gain since February. The Facebook and Instagram parent company reported sales of $39.1 billion for the quarter ended June 30, compared with analysts estimates of $38.3 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Meta expects sales for the current quarter of $38.5 billion to $41 billion, compared with the average projection for $39.2 billion. Meta has been spending heavily on data centers and computing power as Zuckerberg works to build a leading position in the industry-wide AI race. The company tweaked its full-year projections for capital expenditures, setting a new forecast of $37 billion to $40 billion, raising the low end of an earlier range by $2 billion. Story continues Meta recently unveiled its largest model to date, which Zuckerberg said cost hundreds of millions of dollars in computing power to train. The company has also spent heavily on other long-term projects, including AI-powered smartglasses and a series of virtual worlds known as the metaverse. Reality Labs, the division within Meta tasked with building these futuristic technologies, reported a loss of nearly $4.5 billion on the quarter. Balancing investment with the more immediate need for financial returns has been a challenge at times for Meta. Zuckerberg has made moves to support Metas stock performance including job cuts, a $50 billion share buyback program and Metas first-ever quarterly dividend while remaining clear that the companys spending will continue to rise. The company said in a release Wednesday that it plans to increase capital expenditures significantly as it invests in AI research and product development. There are some early signs that the AI-focused products are gaining popularity, though not necessarily contributing to the companys bottom line. Zuckerberg said that the Meta AI chatbot is on pace to become the most widely used AI assistant in the world by the end of the year. Eventually, he said, he believes that every business will need one if not multiple AI-powered chatbots to handle customer service queries and interactions. Recent earnings reports from Microsoft Corp. and Alphabet Inc. showed that some investors are losing patience with the significant outlays on AI infrastructure that havent brought commensurate commercial benefits. Demand for Metas smart glasses, which are built via a partnership with EssilorLuxotticas Ray-Ban, is outpacing the companys ability to build them, he said. Zuckerberg said in April that smart investors would see the long-term promises of artificial intelligence and metaverse technology, even if the financial returns are years away. Earlier this month, he told Bloomberg investing too much would be better than investing too little. Watch: Inside Mark Zuckerbergs AI Era (Video) I think that theres a meaningful chance that a lot of the companies are over-building now, and that youll look back and youre like, Oh, we maybe all spent some number of billions of dollars more than we had to, Zuckerberg said. On the flip side, I actually think all the companies that are investing are making a rational decision, because the downside of being behind is that youre out of position for like the most important technology for the next 10 to 15 years. Through Wednesday, Meta shares had risen 34% this year. (Updates share price. An earlier version of this story corrected spelling of the company in the first paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The OpenAI logo is displayed on a cell phone with an image on a computer monitor generated by ChatGPT's Dall-E text-to-image model, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Boston. The subtle perils of artificial intelligence are becoming clear | Michael Dwyer Artificial intelligence is here to stay, though what is meant by the term is often confusing. There are the large language models of ChatGPT fame, which use probabilistic models to develop text and even images from existing sources that will appear to humans as indistinguishable from that which we produce ourselves. However, most of what we consider to be AI is still very much based on algorithms, not large language models. Algorithms are a series of if-then statements that can be as simple or as complex as desired. Even when simple, algorithms can be very powerful. Social media sites, such as Facebook, use algorithms to determine what content is pushed to us. Consider a recent experiment in which a brand new email address was created by journalists in order to sign up for Facebook, with the only information provided being that the owner of the address was a 24-year-old male. The journalists took no action that might indicate any preferences whatsoever not liking or posting or interacting with anything so that they could begin to open the black box of Facebooks algorithms. By the third month, highly sexist and misogynistic images ... appeared in the feed without any input from the user. This is extremely troubling, but it is also subtle enough that we dont necessarily see the peril immediately. That certainly was the case for Molly Russell, the young British girl who felt sad and said so on social media only to be proffered by social media algorithms more and more extreme videos of self-harm until she took her own life. Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen noted at an inquest that the algorithms likely showed Russell harmful content before she had even searched for it, just like what unfolded in the journalists experiment. The power of the algorithms is simply not apparent until we are shocked into realizing the harm they have done. Because the algorithms are secret the sanitized term is proprietary they remain behind the curtain until the occasional reveal of their utter inhumanity. Who in their right mind or right heart would push self-harm videos into the social media feed of a sad teenaged girl? What is worse is that the use of algorithms is now seeping into our governance structures. Indeed, as a co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of AI Governance, I have tried, along with my colleagues, to illuminate the issues of concern and to press urgently for greater regulation of the use of AI, including the use of AI by government institutions. It has been argued, for example, that AI can ensure that the decisions made by government officials such as judges and police officers are less biased and more consistent. For example, China is pioneering smart courts, which began as an effort to provide AI support for judges, with AI offering recommendations, relevant case precedents and drafting of documents, but has moved beyond decisional aid to greater decisional power. According to some reports, if a judge disagrees with the AI algorithms recommendation, he or she must provide a statement justifying that choice. This creep from AI algorithms as an aid to AI as decision-maker is subtle and gradual, but has immense implications. Again, we will only see those implications when we are shocked by them. In Utah, police officers are now required to perform a lethality assessment when called out to domestic violence situations, which is a positive step forward in removing officers unconscious biases in such volatile circumstances. Spain went one step further perhaps a step too far with this idea. When domestic violence perpetrators are considered for bail or release in Spain, a similar lethality assessment is used to determine whether the victim would be at risk if the perpetrator were freed. The greater the risk, the more protection the victim will be offered. How is this determination of risk made? Not by a human, but by an algorithm, of course. If the algorithm determines the victim is at low or negligible risk, the judge is then justified in releasing the perpetrator back into the community and not providing support to the victim. I bet you can guess the resulting headline: An Algorithm Told Police She Was Safe. Then Her Husband Killed Her. When 32-year-old Lobna Hemid reported to the police that her husband was beating her, they asked her 35 questions. The answers were fed to the algorithm used in Spain to assess risk of future harm, a system called VioGen. VioGen duly produced a score, determining that Hemid was at low risk of future harm, and so her husband was released from jail. Seven weeks later, he brutally stabbed her to death and then killed himself. Her four young children were in the house when it happened. Indeed, up to 14% of the women deemed to face low or negligible risk by VioGen were found to have been subsequently harmed. And in a judicial review of 98 homicides of women whose situations were scored by VioGen, 56% had been deemed at low or minimal risk by the algorithm. Of course, humans can override the system; in Spain, the police are taught they can reject VioGens conclusions. However, 95% of the time, VioGens determinations are accepted. And why not? Its easier for the police to defer to VioGen, and the algorithm will be to blame if women wind up being harmed. Troublingly, The government also has not released comprehensive data about the systems effectiveness and has refused to make the algorithm available for outside audit. Secret algorithms, powerfully affecting human lives, are not only not regulated, but increasingly serve as convenient scapegoats if anything goes wrong. We humans are outsourcing our moral and ethical judgment in situations where lives literally hang in the balance. We know people will be harmed by this outsourcing what is perhaps most chilling is that no one seems to care enough to stop this trend. While some see AI in apocalyptic terms think Skynet from The Terminator there are more subtle, less obvious perils that already beset AIs integration with human society. How many more Molly Russells, how many more Lobna Hemids will there be while we look the other way? Valerie M. Hudson is a university distinguished professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and a Deseret News contributor. Her views are her own. U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Milwaukee Wednesday, highlighting federal investments in the city's port and riding part of the new Amtrak Borealis route with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Buttigieg made the trip in his official capacity, rather than as a campaign visit for Vice President Kamala Harris. Buttigieg, who ran in the Democratic presidential primary in 2020, is considered a potential running mate for Harris. Speaking at the Port of Milwaukee on Lake Michigan, Buttigieg emphasized his Midwestern roots. He said it was "personally rewarding to be back here." "I am very much a creature of the Great Lakes. I grew up in northern Indiana," Buttigieg said. "Chicago is the city that brought me and my husband together. I should mention that he went to school in Eau Claire and he's very nostalgic about his days living and working in Milwaukee. And now we live in northern Michigan where he grew up. Anything that affects the Great Lakes is close to my heart." Where did Pete Buttigieg speak in Milwaukee today? Buttigieg had two events in Milwaukee Wednesday. He spoke at the Port of Milwaukee in the morning and rode the new Amtrak Borealis line in the afternoon. Buttigieg's visit is part of tour of Great Lakes ports in Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He was in Menominee Harbor and Manitowoc earlier this week. What is Amtrak's new Borealis line, and where does it go? In the afternoon, Buttigieg joined Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to ride a Hiawatha train, which forms part of the new Borealis Amtrak route. They rode from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport to the Milwaukee Intermodal Station to highlight passenger rail expansion. "It really matters to have a governor and state leadership that understand the importance of infrastructure. It makes our federal dollars go a lot further," Buttigieg said. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers traveled from Mitchell International Airport to the Milwaukee Intermodel Station aboard Amtrack's Hiawatha train on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Borealis line debuted in May 2024 and saw 18,500 passengers in its first full month. The 12-stop passenger train runs from Chicago to St. Paul, with eight stops in Wisconsin, including downtown Milwaukee, the Milwaukee airport and Wisconsin Dells. The full trip takes a little over seven hours, and fare starts at $41 each way. Amenities like food and Wi-Fi are available onboard. Planning for the rail service has been underway since 2015. The passenger train is intended to boost the regional economy and increase tourism by connecting key cities in the Midwest. Madison has also been identified as a "key market" for future passenger rail service, and a station there could be operational by 2031. Eight locations are under consideration for Madison's Amtrak station. "It's down the road," Evers said, pointing out that new tracks will have to be built to accommodate the speed of passenger rail. Why was Pete Buttigieg at Milwaukee's port? Buttigieg visited the Port of Milwaukee to highlight federal funding more than $9 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that helped upgrade its agricultural export facilities. Buttigieg toured the facilities with local officials including Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg spaks at DeLong Co. in the Port of Milwaukee as part of the Secretarys Great Lakes Ports tour in Milwaukee on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. "What you see here is the kind of investment that the Biden-Harris administration has prioritized," Johnson said. "Partnerships with the administration they saved this city. They saved Milwaukee from fiscal disaster." Buttigieg praised Johnson for his work as a mayor, saying he "(knows) what it's like to be small-city mayor knocking on the door of the U.S. DOT." Buttigieg said he would meet with Johnson later in the day to talk about ideas the federal government could support. Local officials emphasized the port is a public-private partnership, with funding coming from the City of Milwaukee, the state of Wisconsin, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the DeLong Co. The port allows farmers to export commodities that aren't suited for container ships and upright storage, Buttigieg said. "So many Americans, when they think about ports and supply chains, they picture those ocean ports on our coasts," Buttigieg said. "What we love best is to see opportunities to sell our products to the rest of the world and bring that income to our workers and to our farmers and to our communities, right here in America's heartland." More: Port Milwaukee and DeLong Company break ground on new agricultural export facility Could Pete Buttigieg become the next VP? Buttigieg is one of several names being floated to join Harris on the ticket as vice president. Other running mate contenders include Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly from Arizona, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Buttigieg has risen in the Democratic party after running for president in 2020 and serving as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, where he earned the nickname "Mayor Pete." President Joe Biden named Buttigieg the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, becoming the first openly gay Cabinet secretary to be confirmed by the Senate. Buttigieg did not take questions about his interest in becoming vice president. His trip to Wisconsin this week was in his official capacity, not to campaign for Harris. The Hatch Act prohibits mixing campaign activity with official duties. Buttigieg praised the Biden-Harris administration for a "remarkable comeback" compared to a "manufacturing recession" under former President Donald Trump's administration. President Joe Biden earlier this year visited Mount Pleasant to highlight investments in Microsoft and contrast the Foxconn deal championed by Trump. "Enough of the big factory announcements that never led to anything," Buttigieg said. What did Republicans say about Pete Buttigieg's visit? In a call with reporters Tuesday morning, state Republican officials rejected the idea that Buttigieg wasn't coming to Wisconsin for political reasons, calling his visit a "taxpayer-funded trip for the secretary to come out and audition for vice president." "The Democrat vice presidential Olympics have come to Wisconsin, and are in Green Bay and Milwaukee," Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brian Schimming said. "Posturing Pete is posturing for a reason, because he's looking at the end of his career if he doesn't tag onto this ticket." Asked about federal grants for infrastructure that Buttigieg is highlighting in Wisconsin, U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil said "logical investments in our state infrastructure is a positive thing." "(The) concern that all of us have with the Biden-Harris administration is the overall amount of reckless spending," he said. "When you see the secretary come in, he's going to cherry-pick key investments. What he's not going to do is highlight the number of flawed investments that his administration is trying to shove through, in particular electric vehicle charging stations, the inability of the FAA to operate efficiently." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pete Buttigieg stops in Milwaukee to highlight port, Amtrak route PG&E says its committed to reducing our energy bills. Should we believe them? | Opinion PG&E feels our financial pain. It says as much, right there on the outside of its billing envelope. In bold print, next to the address window, is this message: Were committed to lowering your energy prices. This, from the investor-owned utility that has some of the highest rates in the nation partly as a result of its ambitious plan to underground thousands of miles of electric lines in fire-prone areas. So whats going on? Is PG&E the company led by a CEO who aspires to lead with love really trying to cut energy costs? Or is its commitment a load of baloney? Opinion PG&E is doing things to try to bring down bills, said Mark Toney, executive director of The Utility Reform Network (TURN), but they arent working out right. Partnering with a nonprofit Toney says there have been several misfires. One is a proposed partnership with Citizens Energy Corp., a nonprofit based in Massachusetts that finances clean energy projects in low-income communities. As detailed by the website Utility Dive, PG&E is proposing to enter into a lease agreement that would allow Citizens to use portions of up to five future transmission projects in exchange for up-front payments of up to $1 billion. That would allow PG&E to plan and develop the projects without having to borrow, translating into substantial savings for ratepayers. Citizens also would finance charitable programs in low-income communities within PG&Es service area. Sounds good, right? Not so fast, says TURN. It argues that PG&E is attempting to lease something it doesnt have the transmission projects have yet to be identified or approved, it says in a document submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission. It characterizes the $1 billion deal as more of a loan than a lease since PG&E customers would be on the hook if something were to go awry. In the long run, that could cost ratepayers more money, TURN says. Tighten your belt In another case, PG&E attempted to tap into new capital by transferring its power plants excluding the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant to a new subsidiary called Pacific Generation. It planned to then turn around and sell 49.9% of Pacific Generations assets a deal worth between $2 billion and $3 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Public Utilities Commission denied the application. Its written decision included several negative findings, including this: The potential for rate decreases due to the transaction is uncertain. Finally, theres this: PG&E asked the PUC for permission to switch 950,000 customers from paper billing to online billing. Those customers would have had to opt out in order to stick with paper billing. It planned to use customers email addresses to notify them of the change. TURN objected. Among other things, it pointed out that the email addresses PG&E planned to use might not even be valid now. PG&E ultimately withdrew the request, though it is asking customers to consider voluntarily switch to paperless billing. TURN believes PG&E should concentrate on economizing the old-fashioned way. The way to bring down the bills is to reduce spending, Toney said in an interview. Tighten your belt. Cost-cutting efforts PG&E says its doing exactly that. Company spokesperson Lynsey Paulo said PG&E saved $510 million last year, primarily by reducing vegetation management costs by $300 million. Much of that was achieved by bundling jobs for example, trimming vegetation at the same time that it works on transmission lines, rather than making separate trips. Another chunk $68 million was saved on undergrounding lines by reducing the depth of trenches from 36 inches to 30 inches, in areas where it deemed appropriate. There have been other efforts: Instead of purchasing wildfire insurance on the commercial market, PG&E now self-insures for third-party wildfire claims of less than $1 billion, for a customer savings of up to $1.8 billion over four years, Paulo said. The utility joined with other organizations in applying for a $2 billion grant from the U.S. Department of energy. The money could be used for system upgrades. Its lobbying or in PG&E speak, looking for opportunities to work with lawmakers and our regulators to develop policies that would reduce some PG&E obligations not directly related to providing energy. Those include tree trimming and public purpose programs, such as discounts for low-income customers and energy efficiency programs That raises a question: Who would pay for these benefits? If its taxpayers, the money would still come out of our pockets, one way or the other. The role of conservation PG&E continues to stress energy conservation. It has several web pages devoted to various programs aimed at reducing energy bills by changing out appliances, for example, or timing energy use to low-demand periods. One program bill forecast alerts gives customers a warning when their energy use is up. It gives you time to reduce your homes energy use before your next statement arrives ... the website advises. Thats helpful, but theres only so much we can do to conserve. We need our refrigerators. Our air conditioning. Our lights. Our cellphones. Heres something we do not need: Half-baked assurances. PG&E may be committed to lowering energy prices, but thats not the same as actually lowering energy prices. In reality, our bills wont decrease any time soon, unless we proactively conserve or switch to solar. Otherwise, we can expect our bills to go up, though thankfully not by much. Regarding savings weve committed to limit average annual increases to no more than 3% through 2026, Paulo said in an email. That being the case, heres an idea for a new envelope blurb: Were committed to keeping your energy prices as low as possible. Better yet, say nothing at all. Let us be pleasantly surprised. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Homicide detectives in Prince Georges County are working to determine a motive after a man was found shot in a parking lot on Monday afternoon. Just before 2 p.m., officers with the Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) were notified of a shooting in the 8500 block of Greenbelt Road. DC police identify man fatally shot near Catholic University There, police located 23-year-old Jordan Swan, of Bowie, suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot of an apartment building. He was rushed to the hospital where he died. Police said detectives are still working to identify suspects. If you have information on this case, call 301-516-2512, or enter a tip online. PGPD said it is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Philippine Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual has resigned and will return to the private sector, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s communications office said in a statement Wednesday. Most Read from Bloomberg Marcos accepted Pascuals resignation, and the search for his successor will start immediately, according to the statement. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Police were looking for the suspect accused of killing 21-year-old John Purper early Sunday morning, according to the Phoenix Police Department. On Sunday just after 2 a.m., Phoenix police responded to reports of a shooting near Roosevelt and 16th streets, where officers found Purper with a gunshot wound, according to Sgt. Phil Krynsky. Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that Purper was shot by someone inside a passing vehicle, but there was no suspect identified, according to police. On Monday afternoon, Purper died at a hospital from his injuries. A homicide investigation remained ongoing, according to Krynsky. Phoenix police ask anyone with information to call Phoenix police at 602-262-6151, or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO (837-8446) to provide an anonymous tip. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police seek suspect in drive-by shooting of John Purper CAMP CREEK, WV (WVNS) A senior at PikeView High School was chosen as the Distinguished Young Woman of West Virginia for 2025. Paige Fox, of Camp Creek, was named the Distinguished Young Woman of West Virginia for 2025 on July 27, 2024. As West Virginias 2025 Distinguished Young Woman, she will represent the Mountain State at the nation-wide scholarship program in Mobile, Alabama. Concord University introduces new curriculum to improve foster parent knowledge base The 67th National Finals will be held in Mobile, Alabama from June 27, 2025 through June 29, 2025. Those who participate will be evaluated in five different categories that include: Scholastics (25 percent), Interview (25 percent), Talent (20 percent), Fitness (15 percent), and Self-Expression (15 percent). At various public events in 2025, Fox will represent the Mountain State by spreading the Be Your Best Self, which is the national outreach message of the nation-wide program and being a role model for younger children. Dr. Steven Peterson announced as 10th President of Bluefield University The outreach program has five principles that are intended to help younger people with their self-esteem and encourage excellence. The five principles include: Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible. Representatives from 50 states will be involved in community service projects and personal development activities in Mobile, Alabama. They will also compete for other cash scholarships and the chance to be the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2025. 2024s Distinguished Young Woman of America was Alicia Chu from Delaware. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) Showers and storms are possible through the overnight hours. Instability will be dropping, but a strong to severe storm is not out of the question. The best chance for storms will be in the New River Valley, though a few cant be ruled out west of the Blue Ridge. Storms could move in during the overnight hours, dropping into North Carolina by sunrise. Hit-or-miss storms are possible during the afternoon. Storms are possible as heat builds during the afternoon. High temperatures are expected in the 80s and 90s after starting in the 60s and 70s. Storms could happen anywhere in the region during the afternoon hours. A couple of strong to severe storms are possible with strong winds being the main threat. A daily chance for storms will continue through Saturday. For Sunday and Monday, rain chances are lower with better chances close to the North Carolina border. Temperatures will remain in the low to mid-90s with lows in the 70s. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 'Pins and needles': Iran likely to retaliate for killing of Hamas leader, but extent is unclear, expert says As leaders in the Middle East and the United States await Iran's response to the Israeli assassination Wednesday of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, an expert on the situation said it could mean all-out war in the volatile region or lead to a quick resolution of the conflict in Gaza. Israel is not only facing retaliation from Iran but also from Hezbollah in Lebanon, where Israeli forces on Tuesday killed top Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in a precision missile strike in Beirut similar to one that took out Haniyeh, said retired Marine Col. Stephen Ganyard, a former Deputy Assistant U.S. Secretary of State. Ganyard said the back-to-back assassinations of Haniyeh and Shukr could lead to an "all-out" war in the region or could be part of a larger plan by Israel to escalate tensions with Hezbollah and Iran to the point where they decide to settle the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. PHOTO: Eid al-Adha In Gaza (Nurphoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) "There's an old Russian, even Soviet strategic ploy, which is called 'escalate to de-escalate,'" said Ganyard, an ABC News contributor. "So what the Israelis appear to be doing here is ramping things up very quickly, perhaps to reset the discussions with Hamas and Gaza, to have Hezbollah calm down and to put Iran on greater notice that they are in fact going to be a target in the future if their attacks continue, and that their proxies are very vulnerable to Israeli attacks." Haniyeh was killed Wednesday when a long-range missile fired from an Israeli aircraft struck a guest quarters in Tehran where Haniyeh was staying as he attended the inauguration of Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian officials said. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for "revenge." PHOTO: A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shows him meeting with Palestinian Hamas movement leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 30, 2024. (KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty Images) Ganyard said a number of elements had to come together to make this strike possible. "What's interesting about this is first they [Israel] had to have intelligence to know exactly which room that this leader was staying in and then they would have had to have the precision to hit just that room. And they do have these long-range weapons that have the ability to pick individual windows if needed," Ganyard said. He said Israel likely chose Tehran to kill Haniyeh because it has an "amazing amount of on-the-ground intelligence there." Ganyard said the assassination of Haniyeh was an embarrassment to Iran. PHOTO: Retired U.S. Marine Col. Stephen Ganyard, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and an ABC News contributor, speaks of the possible fallout from the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas. (ABC News) "Now will Iran go to war over a Hamas leader that was killed on its soil? There's at least a hope that they won't," Ganyard said. "They will have to retaliate in some way because, obviously, they're humiliated by Israel's ability to take out a leader on their own soil." He said the real challenge for Iran is how far it is going to go because Haniyeh was not "one of its guys," noting that Hamas is a Sunni organization and the leadership of Iran is Shia. "So are you really going to start an all-out war with Israel based on somebody from one of your proxies, but not even a co-religious [person]?" Ganyard said. MORE: What to know about Ismail Haniyeh, assassinated leader of Hamas' political bureau Iran's response could be similar to one it took against Israel in April when it launched 300 drones and missiles toward targets in Israel in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike in Damascus, Syria, that killed seven people, including a top Iranian commander. Israel said 99% of the drones and missiles fired by Iran were intercepted by the country's "Iron Dome" defense system. "So the response back in April was quite muted. It was like, 'Okay, you got revenge. It didn't do anything to us. Let's call it off, at least simmer things down,'" Ganyard said. "So, that'll be interesting to see what happens. How far does Iran retaliate? What does 'revenge' truly mean? How far are they willing to walk up to that line without going to outright war with the Israelis?" MORE: Palestinians allege abuse by IDF, settlers in West Bank Ganyard said he believes Israel's bigger threat is Hezbollah in Lebanon. "Hezbollah has somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 ground-to-surface missiles that they can attack Israel with, some of which are precision weapons, which means that all of Israel's infrastructure is at risk," Ganyard said. "So the northern threat, Hezbollah, is really what's going to concern Israel and what the response is from Hezbollah. And is Hezbollah willing to start that war?" MORE: Video Netanyahu warns of 'severe' response to Golan Heights strike after blaming Hezbollah Israeli officials said it took out Shukr, the Hezbollah military commander in Beirut, because it believed he was responsible for a rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday which killed 12 people, mostly children. Shukr was also wanted in connection to a 1983 bombing in Beirut of a U.S. Marine Corps barracks that killed 300 American and French soldiers. Ganyard said the alleged Hezbollah strike in the Golan Heights pushed the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah "over the red line." Hezbollah has denied any involvement in Saturday's Golan Heights attack. "How far it goes from here is really going to be a question for the Hezbollah and Iranian leadership," Ganyard said. 'Pins and needles': Iran likely to retaliate for killing of Hamas leader, but extent is unclear, expert says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius watches a Eurofighter fly over from the German frigate "Baden-Wurttemberg". SPD politician visits the US-led Rim of the Pacific military exercise (RIMPAC, 26.06. to 02.08.2024) in Hawaii. Soeren Stache/dpa German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius dismissed criticism of the way the government handled an agreement with Washington to station weapons, including long-range missiles, in Germany. On the sidelines of a recent NATO summit, it was announced that US Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range that could reach deep into Russia, as well as SM-6 air-defence missiles and newly developed hypersonic weapons, would be moved to Germany from 2026. The joint decision caught some lawmakers in Berlin by surprise. Several parties, including Pistorius' own centre-left Social Democrats, criticized the plan and called for it to be referred to parliament for debate. Pistorius, who is in the US state of Hawaii as part of a tour of the Indo-Pacific region, said he was not against lawmakers taking up the issue for discussion. But he defended the way the decision between Berlin and Washington was reached, saying on Tuesday that it was not a topic that had needed "to be discussed in parliament beforehand." The minister said in Hawaii that the deployment would involve conventional weapons that were not intended to be armed with nuclear warheads. "This must be emphasized very clearly to reassure all those who are worried," said Pistorius. The deployment of longer-range weapons with conventional warheads is about having a "real deterrence" effect, said Pistorius. "It is now about closing this gap on our side, not to threaten anyone, but to make it clear that a possible attack on NATO territory, on NATO allies, would have such a high price for Russia that the risk would no longer be calculable." MGI Worldwide has announced the addition of Kevin How & Co. to the MGI Asia region as a member firm. With five offices in key locations across East Malaysia the firm looks forward to increasing its regional and global reach. Founded by Datuk Kevin How in 2004, Kevin How & Co. operates across five major locations in East Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Miri, and Bintulu - and is "proud to have established itself as a cornerstone in the regions business landscape". With a team of more than 80 professionals, 3 partners and 4 directors, the Kevin How & Co. team boasts a wide range of experience gained from a number of international firms and all of which contribute to the firms rich cultural tapestry. The firm serves a diverse clientele, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), government agencies, and non-profit organisations. Its client base reflects its commitment to delivering high-quality services to businesses of all sizes and sectors. Amongst others, Kevin How & Co. provides audit and tax services to the Oil Palm Industry, Tourism, Property Development, General Trading, and the Non-Profit sector. The firm anticipates that joining the MGI Worldwide accounting network will unlock new business opportunities across these sectors and that its proximity to the new Indonesian capital's border (Nusantara) will present further potential for growth and expansion. Commenting on this, Kevin How & Co. managing partner, Datuk Kevin, said: "Joining the MGI network is a strategic move for Kevin How & Co, allowing us to gain recognition on a global scale. Our team, with a background in International accounting firms, brings unparalleled quality and expertise, distinguishing us from other local firms. "Being part of MGI Worldwide provides our clients with the assurance that they are partnering with the only alternative to larger accounting firms, benefitting from the same level of excellence and comprehensive services." "MGI Worldwide announces new member firm in Malaysia" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrives at Honolulu International Airport. Pistorius is traveling to Hawaii, South Korea and the Philippines and is also visiting the US-led Rim of the Pacific military exercise (RIMPAC, 26.06. to 02.08.2024). Soeren Stache/dpa German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius believes that Germany has a growing responsibility to safeguard international rules in the geopolitically significant Indo-Pacific region. Stability and security in both the Indo-Pacific and Europe are closely linked, Pistorius said during a visit to the memorial at the US naval base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Tuesday. "It is impossible to imagine one without the other," Pistorius said. Pistorius said that China's growing influence in the region is creating instability and unpredictability. He said that Germany is expected to offer assistance in more remote regions, emphasizing, "We are the world's third largest economy and, as such, we have a responsibility along with many others." The goal is to uphold the rule-based international order and to provide protection alongside partners, Pistorius said. Pistorius visited the memorial built above the wreck of the USS Arizona, which sank in 1941 after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. He also met German soldiers participating in the US-led naval Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) military exercise. The RIMPAC exercise, which takes place every two years under US leadership, involves 29 nations, including France and Britain, as well as some 40 ships, planes and helicopters. Germany is participating for the first time with a frigate and an operations group supply ship. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrives at Honolulu International Airport. Pistorius is traveling to Hawaii, South Korea and the Philippines and is also visiting the US-led Rim of the Pacific military exercise (RIMPAC, 26.06. to 02.08.2024). Soeren Stache/dpa GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) Thursday is the fourth annual National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. Representatives with the Pitt County Board of Elections said they are celebrating civic engagement and want to sign up potential poll workers for this years election. Poll worker duties include setting up polling locations, greeting voters, checking voter registration and issuing ballots. Representatives said they especially need people to help with the two weeks of early voting. We really hope we have a lot of community interest, we have a great group that comes every election and thats wonderful, but theres always room for extras and more people, Pitt County BOE Records and Projects Manager Dawn Peaden said. People interested in becoming a poll worker should fill out the precinct interest survey. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. KANE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) Customers of Garkane Energy Cooperative in South-Central Utah can expect to lose power for several hours on Wednesday night. The energy cooperative posted on social media Tuesday to inform residents that the outage was scheduled to begin at 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday night. The outage was planned to last about four hours, into the early hours of Thursday. READ NEXT: Sheep Rock Fire sparks in southern Utah, threatened power for nearly 11K people Residents of Kanab, Mt. Carmel, Orderville, and East Zion were expected to see the effects of the outage, according to the social media post. We will be finishing some upgrades to that part of the system, the post explained. The affected areas can be found online, and in the images below. A map of the areas expected to be affected by a planned power outage in the area of Kanab City. (Courtesy: Garkane Energy Cooperative) A map of the areas expected to be affected by a planned power outage in the area of Kanab Creek Ranchos. (Courtesy: Garkane Energy Cooperative) A map of the areas expected to be affected by a planned power outage in the areas of Orderville, Mt. Carmel, and East Zion. (Courtesy: Garkane Energy Cooperative) Garkane Energy Cooperative, Inc. oversees power in some areas in South-Central Utah as well as some parts of North-Central Arizona, including several national parks and national monuments. How to prepare for a power outage Whether the outage is planned or not, another power company that serves Utah Rocky Mountain Power has offered some guidelines and tips to prepare for a power outage. Safety and preparedness resources have been compiled by Rocky Mountain Power and can be found online. Some items that Rocky Mountain Power suggests to keep in an emergency kit are listed below: Water Have one gallon per person, per day Non-perishable food For both people and pets First aid kit and essential medications Copies of important family documents Cash Blankets Rocky Mountain Powers comprehensive emergency preparedness list is available online. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. PNB Rock and Stephanie Sibounheuang on June 15, 2019 in Atlanta, GA. - Credit: Prince Williams/Wireimage PnB Rocks fiancee Stephanie Sibounheuang wiped tears Tuesday as she gave jurors her firsthand account of how the hip-hop star pushed her out of the way to save her life when a shooter wearing a ski mask opened fire on the couple inside a Roscoes Chicken and Waffles nearly two years ago. Speaking in a soft voice, Sibounheuang said the shooter appeared out of nowhere just minutes after the couple received their food at a table near the entrance of the restaurant in South Los Angeles on September 12, 2022. More from Rolling Stone He came to our table right away. I thought it was a fan asking for a picture until I saw the gun, Sibounheuang testified on the fifth day of the murder trial centered on the death of the acclaimed rap artist born Rakim Allen. Sibounheuang said the shooter was holding the gun just inches from Allens face when he demanded the couple hand over their jewelry, which she estimated was worth about half a million dollars. She said the gunman told Allen he would execute Sibounheuang first if the musician didnt comply. He said, If you dont give me the jewelry, Im going to blow her head off, Sibounheuang told jurors. She said the shooter again demanded, Give me the fucking jewelry, and appeared to be inexperienced, like a kid who didnt know what he was doing. He had the gun on my mans face, on it, touching it, she recalled. She said Allens only movements were to put both hands in the air, with his palms facing out, before he turned his attention to protecting her. He got shot, and he like pushed me to the wall and threw me under the table. The (gunman) just kept shooting. I was telling him, Stop shooting him, are you trying to kill him? Sibounheuang said the shooter leaned over and began removing jewelry from Allens body. She recalled reaching into her bag to find her phone to call for help. He said, Whoa, whoa, what are you grabbing? He was pointing his gun at me. I think he thought I had a gun, she testified. I thought I was dead. The mother of Allens four-year-old daughter said the gunman eventually fled with her $60,000 Audemars Piguet watch as well as multiple pieces robbed from Allen. She recalled trying in vain to render aid to Allen after three bullets ripped through his body. My man was on the floor, dying, she told jurors. I was putting pressure on his wounds. She said it was too painful to watch the surveillance footage from inside the restaurant, which jurors reviewed on Monday. On the tape, the shooter is seen entering the restaurant two seconds before 1:21 p.m. and leaving a minute later. Sibounheuang is seen in a distraught state as police held her back from the first responders working on Allen. Speaking to Rolling Stone after her testimony, Sibounheuang said Allen saved her life. Hes heroic. Hes a hero. [Other men] would never, she said of Allens actions to push her down and shield her. The musicians fiancee testified at the trial in Compton, Calif., that revolves around defendants Freddie Trone and Tremont Jones, two men who were not inside the restaurant when Allen was shot. Trone, 42, didnt pull the trigger but is charged with Allens murder because prosecutors allege he sent his 17-year-old son into the Roscoes with a loaded gun to rob Allen. Trone has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder, two counts of robbery, and one count of conspiracy. Jones, 46, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of robbery, one count of conspiracy, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors allege Jones tipped Trone and his son off to Allens whereabouts and met with him outside the restaurant minutes before the deadly shooting. On the witness stand, Sibounheuang was asked about the Instagram post she shared that showed the couples food after it was delivered to their table. The post included a tag for the Roscoes chain but did not include the geolocating data specifying which location. I took the location off. I just said I was at a Roscoes. There was no exact location on it. Thats why [the name] is clear. Its transparent, she testified. She said if the exact address was tagged, the name would have appeared with a colored background bubble. In the hours after the shooting, some people online suggested Sibounheuangs Instagram post might have lured the armed assailant. A source previously told Rolling Stone that law enforcement did not believe the Instagram post played a role in drawing the shooter to the scene. (In the aftermath of the murder, Cardi B went online to defend Sibounheuang against any claims her geotagged post led to the deadly attack.) In testimony on Monday, LAPD Detective Nellie Knight walked jurors through surveillance video captured both inside and outside the Roscoes. She testified that Allen and Sibounheuang arrived at the restaurant at 12:31 p.m. the day of the shooting, with Allen seen fist-bumping Jones on his way to his table. Allen and Sibounheuang later received their food at 1:08 p.m., setting the stage for the Instagram post by Sibounheuang. At 1:09 p.m., Trone appeared in the Roscoes parking lot and allegedly met with Jones ahead of the 1:21 p.m. shooting, Det. Knight told jurors. In her testimony Tuesday, Sibounheuang revealed she had a bad feeling leading up to the couples stop at the restaurant. She said they were in town for a friends wedding and a business meeting and were set to catch a flight back to Atlanta later that day. She recalled asking Allen to remove his jewelry before they exited their borrowed Mercedes in the Roscoes parking lot. Thats just how I am. Im always telling him to take his jewelry off. I asked one time, Could you take the jewelry off before we go in? Ive got a bad feeling. He said, I dont feel like it. Ill take one of the watches off. She couldnt say for sure that Allen actually removed the watch. When we were walking in, he said, You sure you want to eat in here? I said, If you want to. He said, I got a bad feeling too. But its okay, we got God. God got us, Sibounheuang testified. I guess he just had a bad feeling because I had a bad feeling. I put the energy in the air. Sibounheuang testified she had no idea that Allen had a firearm with him that day. An LAPD police officer testified last week that the gun was found by a firefighter as paramedics tried to save Allen. The black gun had been tucked in Allens waistband on his back, the officer testified. I dont know anything about a gun, Sibounheuang testified Tuesday. She never saw it that day, she said under oath. Trones 17-year-old son has been charged with the murder as a juvenile. His prosecution was suspended for another 30 days last week due to a finding he lacks the competency needed to follow a criminal trial and assist with his defense. The details of the finding were not discussed at the hearing. Sibounheuang testified Tuesday that she and Allen first met in 2017 and were engaged to be married. She said he had been signed to Atlantic Records but was striking out as an independent artist at the time of his death. Sibounheuang said Allens latest song, Love Me Again, was written for her. (Allen shot to fame with his triple-platinum single Selfish in 2016, the same year Rolling Stone named him a New Artist You Need to Know. He was later featured with Chance The Rapper on Ed Sheerans Cross Me in 2019.) On the witness stand, Sibounheuang appeared overcome by emotion a few times and even covered her face at one point, leading the judge to ask if she needed a break. She continued on, describing the aftermath of the shooting and how she was forced to answer police questions for four hours instead of riding to the hospital with Allen. I just wanted to go to the hospital. I didnt know if he was dead or alive. I was trying to figure out what was going on with my man. This was a tragic moment, and I needed to be by his side, Sibounheuang testified. She recalled asking investigators, Why am I here, like Im a criminal? I didnt shoot him. Why am I here? I need to be with my man. Asked if she was in shock over the shooting, Sibounheuang answered, Im still in shock. Best of Rolling Stone HONOLULU (KHON2) In honor of National Mutt Day, also known as National Poi Dog Day in Hawaii, KHON2.com sat down with Brandy Shimabukuro, Communications Director for the Hawaiian Humane Society. Poi dogs, a term affectionately used in Hawaii for mixed breed dogs, have a special place in the hearts of the community. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Shimabukuro shares why adopting a poi dog can be a wonderful choice and offers insights into the benefits of giving these unique dogs a loving home. Understanding poi dogs Poi dog is an accepted term here in Hawaii for a mixed breed dog, Shimabukuro explained. The name comes from an ancient breed brought over by Polynesians. Today, it represents the diverse and loving mixed breed dogs we have in our shelters. National Poi Dog Day helps raise awareness for these dogs and highlights that they are just as deserving of loving homes as purebred dogs. Respecting choices in pet ownership Shimabukuro emphasizes the importance of respecting peoples choices when it comes to pet ownership. At the end of the day, the unifying aspect of pet ownership is providing a loving home, she said. Whether someone chooses a dog from a responsible breeder or adopts from a shelter, the key is to find a pet that fits their lifestyle and family needs. The benefits of adopting adult dogs For many families, adopting an adult poi dog can be a perfect fit. The average family with busy schedules may not have the time to train a puppy, Shimabukuro explained. Adult dogs are often already house-trained and have lower energy levels, making them easier to integrate into a home. She shared her own experience with two large dogs, highlighting how adopting an older dog can be less demanding and just as rewarding. Fostering as a trial adoption Shimabukuro encourages people to consider fostering as a way to find the right dog. If you can go into the shelter and foster a dog, even treat it like a trial adoption, thats the most responsible thing you could do, she said. Fostering allows families to see how a dog fits into their home environment before making a permanent commitment. The Hawaiian Humane Society offers programs like couch crashing for dogs and lap crashers for cats, where people can take pets home for short-term stays. Health benefits of mixed breed dogs Mixed breed dogs often have fewer genetic health issues due to their diverse gene pool. Shimabukuro finds it fascinating to see the unique personalities and traits of poi dogs. I love this day and age of DNA tests for dogs, she said. Its fun to see what little mix you have in your home and match their behavior to their genetics. Fostering and adopting from shelters Fostering from shelters provides a window into a dogs true personality. The impression you get in the shelter might be different from what you see at home, Shimabukuro notes. A dog that seems high-energy in a kennel might be very mellow in a home environment. This trial period helps ensure a good match between the dog and the family. Encouraging responsible choices Shimabukuro stresses that whether you adopt from a shelter or choose a dog from a breeder, the most important thing is to provide a loving and suitable home. She acknowledges the role of responsible breeders who use ethical practices and care deeply for their animals. The Hawaiian Humane Society supports all avenues of responsible pet ownership, aiming to match pets with the right homes. National Poi Dog Day is a celebration of the beloved mixed breed dogs in Hawaii. Through fostering and adoption, families can find their perfect pet while giving a loving home to dogs in need. To learn more about fostering and adopting poi dogs, click here and explore the wonderful opportunities to give these special dogs a loving home. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 The Hawaiian Humane Society continues to support and promote responsible pet ownership, ensuring that every dog, whether purebred or poi dog, finds a place where they are cherished. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Police: Man arrested in connection to murder in Prince Georges County PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Prince Georges County Police Department said it has identified and charged a suspect connected with the murder of a man in Berwyn Heights in May. Police said that on May 12 at about 10:30 p.m., Berwyn Heights Police Department officers were called to the 8600 block of Cunningham Drive. Officers said a man was found inside of a home unresponsive. He died at the scene. The death was ruled a homicide. Early voting begins for Prince Georges County Council special election Police identified the man who died as 54-year-old Sandeep Gupta of Berwyn Heights and the suspect as 24-year-old Joiker Avila-Avila of Hyattsville. Officers said the suspect and the victim knew each other. The motive is still under investigation. Avila-Avila is being charged with first-degree murder and other related charges. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. The Lebanon City Police Department is searching for a 27-year-old woman who was allegedly involved in an assault over the weekend in which the victim was stabbed multiple times. Shakira Borrero-Rosario was charged with aggravated assault after an investigation into the incident that occurred on July 27, 2024. Officers said an arrest warrant has been issued, and her current whereabouts are unknown. "Borrero-Rosario and the victim were known to each other, and this was not a random act of violence," police said in a release Thursday. At 8:50 p.m. July 27, police responded to the Good Samaritan Hospital for a report of an assault victim. Upon arrival, officers discovered the assault victim had been stabbed several times. A preliminary investigation revealed that the assault occurred in the 800 block of Church St. The victim is in stable condition and is expected to recover, according to police. Anyone with information on Borrero-Rosario's whereabouts is asked to contact the Lebanon City Police Department at 717-272-6611 or submit a tip through Crimewatch. Please check back with the Lebanon Daily News for updates. Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on X at @DAMattToth. This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon woman wanted for Church St stabbing incident, police said A 53-year-old California man was arrested Saturday in Klamath County after allegedly kidnapping a woman in an area outside of Eugene over a month ago. According to the Klamath Falls Police Department, 911 dispatch received a call Saturday afternoon from a woman reporting she was hiding behind a Walmart location after fleeing from a man who she claimed kidnapped her outside Eugene. Klamath Falls police and deputies with the Klamath Falls Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and located the woman, who described her kidnapper as a man, possibly armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, who said he would shoot it out with law enforcement. After receiving a physical description of the subject, two sheriff's deputies dressed down to enter the Walmart and locate the suspect without alarming him and creating unnecessary panic inside the store. "Walmart management was contacted by the on-duty KFPD patrol supervisor to discreetly have patrons evacuate the building, while patrol officers stayed outside the building as a rescue team in case the situation escalated," said Cpt. Rob Reynolds, spokesperson for KFPD A short time later, the suspect, identified as a 53-year-old man from Macdoel, California, was taken into custody. According to a probable cause statement, the man allegedly transported the victim from the Eugene area to California where they stayed for approximately 30 days. He reportedly menaced the victim with a shotgun when she wanted to leave, causing her to fear for her life. Court documents reveal the man then transported the victim to Klamath Falls for reasons unknown at this time. When she had the chance, the victim took the mans phone and fled the scene on foot where she later contacted 911. During an investigation, KFPD detectives discovered the suspect allegedly committed additional crimes in Siskiyou County in Northern California. Detectives with Siskiyou County responded to the Klamath Falls incident to assist with any crimes that occurred in their jurisdiction. The suspect appeared Monday at a Klamath County Circuit Court and is charged with one count of kidnapping in the second degree for "unlawfully and knowingly, without consent or legal authority, take (victim) from one place to another, with the intent to interfere substantially with the said (victim's) personal liberty," according to court documents. Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com. . This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Kidnapping suspect arrested in undercover Walmart operation This 1,307-square-foot home at 2201 Silver Fox Drive in Edmond is listed for $222,190 with agent Chris John with Brick & Beam Realty. The home, built in 1984, has two bedrooms and 1 baths. RICHARD MIZE/THE OKLAHOMAN Home sellers aren't quite flocking back to the market, but they are showing back up and inching it back to balance. Listings were up 8% from May to June in the area covered by MLSOK Inc., the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors' multiple listing service, which includes OKC and suburbs, as well as small towns and rural areas. Compared to the same time last year, though, sellers did show up in a crowd, with 37.2% more listings than in June 2023 in the MLSOK coverage area, which includes the OKC metro-area and Altus associations of Realtors, and the Edmond, Mid-Del, Norman and Shawnee boards of Realtors. The month-to-month increase is a better gauge of the present market, said Angela Harris, president of the MLSOK board and co-founder and managing broker of Spearhead Realty Group in northwest OKC. More people in the Oklahoma City metro feel confident in their ability to sell their home and find a new one to buy, she said. This is demonstrated by the increase of 500 homes on the market in a single month. A MONTH AGO: Heat waves: Home sale increase in OKC area, but lags behind central and southwest Oklahoma Listings of homes for sale are up in OKC, and central and southwestern Oklahoma, giving buyers more choices This home at 505 Clermont Drive in Edmond is listed for $265,000 with agent Heather Helton with Game Changer Real Estate. The 1,704-square-foot home was built in 1994 and has four bedrooms and two baths. RICHARD MIZE/THE OKLAHOMAN The Realtors said June ended with 6,755 homes listed for sale with Realtors, 499 more than in May, and 1,830 more than in June 2023, in the MLSOK territory, which covers OKC west 60 miles to Hydro, east 70 miles to Okemah, north 60 miles to Orlando, and south 60 miles to Rush Springs, plus the Altus area, 140 miles to the southwest. The increase in listings for the smaller area around Oklahoma City was slightly less, 6.6% month to month, or 3,911 listings, and the year-to-year increase considerably higher at 52.3%. That area includes Arcadia, Bethany, Blanchard, Choctaw, Deer Creek, Edmond, Harrah, Luther, Midwest City, Moore, Mustang, Newcastle, Nicoma Park, Norman, OKC, Piedmont, Tuttle, Warr Acres and Yukon. A YEAR AGO: No summertime sizzle, just simmering, with affordable prices in Oklahoma City home sales Sellers keep the advantage in Oklahoma City housing market, but it's getting closer to balanced Carol Grieb, an agent with Modern Abode Realty, has this home at 1215 W Gemini Road in Edmond listed for $225,000. The 1,557-square-foot home has three bedrooms and two baths and was built in 1981. RICHARD MIZE/THE OKLAHOMAN Even with hundreds more listings by homeowners willing to sell, inventory hasn't swollen enough to give buyers clear negotiating power. It is still a sellers' market. June ended with a 2.9-month inventory of homes for sale in OKC and the suburbs, not counting homes sold directly by builders or for-sale-by-owner transactions. Sellers still have the edge over buyers in negotiations. Three months or less is considered a sellers' market, six months or more a buyers' market, and in between a balanced market. Story continues Sellers continued to return to the market in May, with 3,668 homes listed for sale in OKC and the suburbs, up 9.8% compared with April and 59% more than in May of 2023, the Realtors reported. That amounted to a 2.7-month supply, not counting homes sold directly by builders or in for-sale-by-owner transactions. Sellers still have the edge over buyers in negotiations. Three months or less is considered a sellers' market, six months or more a buyers' market, and in between a balanced market. RELATED: Oklahoma County home values have tripled since 2000. Here's how much a home cost then, and now Home price increases continue in Oklahoma City and suburbs The average sale price in June, $341,115, was up 6.2%% from a year ago, and up 4.6% from May, the Realtors reported. The median price, considered a better gauge because it ignores extremes, was $285,000, up 2.5% from a year ago, and unchanged from May, according to the Realtors. June home sales in OKC and suburbs, year over year, month to month Pending sales, those under contract but not yet closed, ended June at 1,596, up 6.2% year over year, but down 5.8% from May, the Realtors reported. In all, 1,493 homes sold in June, down 12.1% year over year, and down 5.3% from May. Home shoppers have considerably more houses to choose from. June ended with 3,911 homes for sale, up 52.3% year over year, and up 6.6% from April. What happened with home prices in June in central and western Oklahoma In the wider area covered by MLSOK: The average price in June saw a gain of 7.6% from May, to $322,856, and up 7% compared with June 2023. The median price in the wider area was $266,990, up 2.7% month to month and up 2.7% year over year. June ended with 6,755 homes for sale in the wider area, up 8% month to month and up 37.2% compared with June 2023. Sign Up: Weekly newsletter Real Estate with Richard Mize 2024 MLSOK Inc. President Angelena Harris Senior Business Writer Richard Mize has covered housing, construction, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com since 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com. Sign up for his weekly newsletter, Real Estate with Richard Mize. You can support Richard's work, and that of his colleagues, by purchasing a digital subscription to The Oklahoman. Right now, you can get 6 months of subscriber-only access for $1. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Sellers return to Oklahoma City housing market as it seeks balance WASHINGTON The Detroit-based UAW is expected to formally endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president, Politico reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The endorsement was expected in the coming days, the report said. Harris and UAW President Shawn Fain held a call last week that was "crucial to mending a previously unreported rift between Biden and Fain," Politico said. The union had endorsed President Joe Biden, but as doubts about his viability as a candidate swirled following his stumbling debate performance on June 27, Fain was reported to have met with the UAW Executive Board to consider possible options. The report said Fain had been angry that Biden did not reach out after concerns blossomed about the debate. Biden announced on July 21 he was withdrawing from the race and endorsed Harris, but the UAW, while remaining highly critical of Republican nominee Donald Trump, has not endorsed Harris. The UAW immediately thanked Biden, who was the first president to walk a picket line with strikers when he came to Detroit during the union's fall strike, for his incredible term of service that also highlighted the unions concerns about Trump. That statement, while not offering specific support for Harris, made sure to mention her pro-labor efforts as it was making its broader points. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Politico: UAW to endorse Harris within days Pope Francis meets Sister Genevieve Jeanningros and the Community of carousers and circus performers at the Luna Park in Ostia Lido VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis left the Vatican on Wednesday afternoon for a short trip to the Roman seaside neighborhood of Ostia, where he met a French Catholic nun known for decades of work with the LGBTQ community. The visit came a few months after the Vatican apologized for the pope's reported use of a vulgar Italian slur about gay people in a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops. In a brief statement, the Vatican said the pope had met with Sr. Genevieve Jeanningros near a popular roller coaster and circus venue called Luna Park. Jeanningros, a member of the Little Sisters of Jesus congregation, is known for living in a caravan near the park, where she also ministers to the local circus community. The Vatican did not provide further information about the meeting, but did share images showing Francis blessing a religious statue near some of the roller coasters. In a June interview with the Vatican's newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, Jeanningros said she often comes to the Vatican on Wednesdays to attend the pope's weekly audience. She said she frequently brings members of the LGBTQ community with her, to meet the pontiff as he greets the crowd. Asked by the newspaper about the pope's reported use of the gay slur, Jeanningros said that, among her friends, "at first there was a bit of pain, but looking back they had a laugh and said, really, he's not like that". (Reporting by Joshua McElwee, editing by Alexandra Hudson) NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Spurred in part by the closure of the Baltimore port in March, the Port of Virginia continues to grow, as it moved more cargo by some measures this fiscal year than the year before while it had the second-best fiscal year performance in port history. The facilities handled 12.9% more general cargo tonnage (13,787,673) and 5% more ships (1,733) in fiscal year 2024 than they did in 2023. They also moved 2% more TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit, a way to measure the combined volume of shipping containers than the year before), at just under 3.5 million. The ports fiscal years run from July 1 to end of June. Our modern, semi-automated terminals, combined with our unique business model, where we both own and operate our terminals, proved their value during the surge of cargo that came our way because of the tragic bridge collapse that closed the Port of Baltimore for nearly three months, Virginia Port Authority CEO and Executive Director Stephen Edwards said in a news release. We processed the diverted cargo without any degradation of service and clearly demonstrated our position as the most modern gateway in America. At the beginning of the year, the port announced that its all-electric fleet of moving and unloading equipment would be powered by clean energy through a power purchase agreement with Dominion Energy. At the time, its facilities were operating 116 electric stack cranes, 27 ship-to-shore cranes and four electric rail cranes. The move reduces the carbon footprint of transporting goods by up to 45 percent per container, according to a release. And to help provide that clean energy, POVs offshore wind energy logistics hub saw its first delivery of parts to begin construction of Dominions offshore wind facility in October 2023. In September of that year, the port began renovating one of the terminals at the Norfolk International Terminals to allow it to handle larger ships. In March, the port announced the completion of a channel widening project intended to to allow ultra-large container vessels two paths of travel through the water. That move could cut down on the amount of time such ships spend in port by 15 percent. Its part of a larger $450 million project slated for completion in fall 2025 intended to give the port the widest, deepest channels on the East Coast. The work the port team did during fiscal year 2024 is critical to the progress we are making on the projects that are part of our [$1.4 billion] Gateway Investment Program. We are doing exactly what we set out to do, which is deliver world-class, twenty-first century service to our users, enhance efficiency and capabilities, expand infrastructure, become a more sustainable operation and make inroads into new markets. We are further developing our assets to ensure the needs of our customers and [port] users will not outgrow our capabilities in Virginia. Virginia Port Authority CEO and Executive Director Stephen Edwards The port saw a 13% increase in the number of rail containers it processed (784,597). That may be partially due to a new daily rail service connecting the port to Memphis that began in April. We welcomed new vessel services to South America and the Indian Subcontinent as well, Edwards said. We are collaborating with our customers, port users and partners to open up new markets to meet the needs of those companies that want to grow and diversify their logistics and supply chains. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EVANSVILLE Storm storms and a possible tornado swept through parts of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties Tuesday, leaving flooding, damage and power outages in their wake. 2:04 p.m.: More storms rolling through the region A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for most of the Tri-State through 7 p.m. CDT. More details can be found here. 2:03 p.m.: CenterPoint outage map shows more than 6,000 without power The CenterPoint outage map shows the utility has essentially cut the number of customers without power in half since mid-morning. As of 2 p.m., the total number of customers without power was at 6,378. 1:50 p.m.: Weather service confirms damage was from a tornado The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado struck parts of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties on Tuesday evening. More details will be released later, but the agency said the damage reflects an EF-1 tornado with peak winds estimated at 110 mph. 11:15 a.m.: CenterPoint customers still without power CenterPoint sent a news release Wednesday morning stating as of 10 a.m., there are still 11,000 customers without power. 11 a.m.: Warrick County declares local disaster emergency Warrick County Commissioners held an emergency meeting Wednesday morning where they declared a local disaster emergency following Tuesday night's severe storms. The declaration will be in effect for 10 days. Debris pickup from the county The commissioners also announced Warrick County Highway Department would pick up and dispose of "woody vegetation storm debris" placed within 10 feet of the roadway in impacted areas. "Our goal is to open the roadways first and then start the debris removal August 5," the release states. The county highway department can be reached at 812-897-6126 to inquire about the pickup program. "We ask that the woody vegetation be no longer than 8 and have a diameter of 24 or less. Please have the debris to the designated area as soon as possible as we are trying to limit the number of trips to the same area," the release states. Residents can also bring their vegetation storm debris to Solid Waste Management at 1111 S Pelzer Road or the Vann Road Park facility. There will be no charge while the declared emergency is in effect, the release states. Cooling station set in Boonville A cooling station is set at Main Street United Methodist Church at 222 East Main St. in Boonville. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Those entering the church should come in through the gym. 9:34 a.m.: Rides available to shelter at Castle High School Warrick County EMA Director Matthew Goebel announced via social media there will be rides available to Castle High School's shelter if they have been displaced from the storms. Call 812-217-0155 to schedule a pickup. This will go from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. No animals are allowed at the shelter unless they are an ADA certified animal. 9:15 a.m.: Report damage to 211 According to Warrick County Emergency Management Indiana 211 has been activated for Warrick County residents to report storm damage to properties. Individuals can visit in211.org, click on DAMAGE REPORTING and submit a report. Those without internet access can dial 2-1-1 or 866-211-9966. 9:06 a.m.: Weather service: 'We do think there may have been a tornado in that area' The National Weather Service's Chris Knowles said what a lot of people were already thinking: "we do think there may have been a tornado in that area." In a video provided to media Wednesday morning, Knowles unveiled radar images that showed an area of circulation that erupted near the Vanderburgh / Warrick County borders around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. He said the circulation, sandwiched between two cells, seemed to have plenty of "depth," indicating a possible tornado touching the ground. NWS crews will fan across Warrick County and parts of Vanderburgh this morning to survey the damage and make a final determination. Wednesday, 8:45 a.m.: Power woes lingering; Red Cross opens shelter in Warrick County More than 12 hours after the storms hit, over 10,000 customers were still without power as of Wednesday morning. CenterPoint's outage map listed 374 outages affecting an estimated 10,655 customers as of 8:45 a.m. That's down from an estimated 30,000 during the outages' peak. "CenterPoint Energy is currently assessing widespread damage to its electric system," spokesman Noah Stubbs wrote in an email to media late Tuesday night. "... Crews will continue to evaluate the extent of the damage and begin the restoration process, making necessary repairs to damaged poles, cross arms and downed wires. Tomorrow, additional crews will arrive to support the restoration efforts." He said CenterPoint "acknowledges those impacted by tonights severe weather and extends gratitude to emergency responders." The outages come as the Evansville area braces for one of the hottest days of the year. According to the National Weather Service, the heat index could surpass 110 degrees this afternoon. But there's help available. In a Facebook post Wednesday morning, American Red Cross of Indiana said they'd set up a shelter at Castle High School (3344 Indiana 61, Newburgh). It's open to anyone needing air conditioning and a hot meal. 9 p.m. Power outages rise again in Evansville and Warrick County By 9 p.m., CenterPoint's reported outages had crept up again. More than 20,000 customers were making due without power. The blackouts stretched from Western Vanderburgh County to Warrick. Some areas reported only a handful of darkened households, while other spots including the Oak Grove Road corridor in Warrick saw thousands without electricity. The outages come as huge swaths of the Tri-State labor under boiling heat. The National Weather Service said heat indexes could surge past 110 degrees by Wednesday at 3 p.m. Although some outages had been repaired Tuesday night, there was no word on how long the issues would linger. 8:30 p.m.: Weather service to survey damage Wednesday; power outages dip Derrick Snyder, with the Paducah office of the NWS, said the weather service will send a "damage survey team to the Chandler ... area" Wednesday morning. Surveyors mostly found downed trees and limbs. There were also toppled fences and some minor structural damage. Power outages in the area had dipped some, but were still high. CenterPoint reported around 17,000 customers without power as of 8:28. 8:10 p.m.: Almost 29,000 without power According to CenterPoint's outage map, almost 29,000 customers in the Evansville and Newburgh areas were without power as of 8 p.m. In Evansville, the largest clusters occurred in the far western portions of Vanderburgh County. There were also thousands without power along Diamond Avenue, near the Stringtown area. In Newburgh, the largest outages were along Oak Grove Road. 8:05 p.m. A Courier & Press photographer clocking the damage spotted lots of tree damage in the Paradise area northwest of Newburgh. Via the National Weather Service, surveyors reported downed limbs, bent or broken fences, and minor structural damage, especially to masonry and roofs. 7:53 p.m. From the Warrick County Sheriff's Facebook page: "Traffic is very bad due to power outages and road closures. Please remain safe and stay home if you can!" 7:45 p.m.: A reported tornado and power outages National Weather Service officials were fielding multiple reports of damage, mainly in Warrick County and parts of northeastern Vanderburgh. Around 6:45 p.m., NWS heard reports that a tornado had touched down near Chandler. Officials on the ground reported slews of tree damage just south of the small town. The Evansville area was also under a flash flood warning as strong bands of rain flushed water into the roads. Evansville-Vanderburgh Central Dispatch confirmed that Warrick County authorities requested mutual aid, but would not confirm what units were dispatched. CenterPoint didn't show any outages on its online map as of 7:35, but Justin Gibbs with the NWS said outages are "probably ... pretty extensive from the damage that's been reported." This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: NWS confirms tornado struck Vanderburgh, Warrick counties on Tuesday The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. (Jim Small | Arizona Mirror) In its much-discussed Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo decision, the U.S. Supreme Court recently overturned a longstanding legal doctrine called Chevron deference. This 40-year-old doctrine held that when a lawsuit hinged on an ambiguity in the law, federal courts were required to defer to the interpretation of the government agency charged with implementing that law. On one level, it is surprising that the decision, which started as a dispute about fees for herring boat operators, would garner any attention, much less be called a blockbuster. However, this seemingly wonky decision is about much more than the mechanics of administrative law. It is part of a larger pattern in which the U.S. Supreme Court continues to take more and more power for itself and uses that power to weaken the governments ability to protect the environment, public health, and the rights of everyday people. The Loper decision eliminating Chevron deference follows a series of recent SCOTUS decisions that similarly limit the governments ability to address critical policy problems like climate change, student loan forgiveness, and pandemic response. These decisions rely on the major questions doctrine, a controversial principle of statutory interpretation that invites a court to overrule a government agencys implementation of federal law when the relevant issue is of vast economic and political significance. Under the major questions doctrine, the court sets an artificially high bar and requires Congress to pass another more specific law to authorize the policy response. Going forward, the outcomes of cases that affect the health, safety, and prosperity of millions of people are likely to turn not on the law as written but on a judges subjective feeling that the policy issue is especially significant. Ironically, if the judge believes the problem is significant, the major questions doctrine stops politically popular policies meant to address big problems in their tracks, weakening the governments ability to respond and promoting gridlock. Exacerbating this trend is the U.S. Supreme Courts recent determination in Corner Post v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System that there is effectively no statute of limitations on the ability to challenge longstanding regulations, as long as a new business can claim that it has been recently harmed. Through this decision, in combination with the courts aggressive use of the major questions doctrine, the end of Chevron deference, and other decisions, the US Supreme Court has rolled out a welcome mat for special-interest groups that want to strike down environmental, public health, and other protections and instead have the conservative supermajority on the Court be the arbiter of federal policy in these critical areas. Here in Wisconsin, many of the anti-government ideas the U.S. Supreme Court is now adopting have been written into state law by an unaccountable Legislature. The Legislature made it illegal for state agencies to even argue that courts should defer to their expertise, and it inserted provisions similar to the major questions doctrine into our states administrative procedures act. It also created the REINS Act, a one-sided law that prohibits any regulation that might exceed an arbitrary compliance cost threshold, regardless of the benefits, including the lives it might save, to take the most obvious benefit of many regulations. These developments have slowed our states response to urgent public health threats and emboldened special interest groups to launch legal attacks on the power of agencies to implement longstanding environmental and public health laws. Right now, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) is asking the state courts to upend a state law that prohibits the release of hazardous substances, like PFAS, into the environment. WMC is likewise litigating to strike down another law that requires large livestock feeding operations to apply for permits before producing and spreading millions of gallons of manure. While the prospects of checking the power-hungry U.S. Supreme Court might seem distant right now, the prospects on a state level to fight back are much brighter. Just in the last year, we have seen the return of fair maps in Wisconsin, which means the Legislature can no longer pass destructive policies without giving a thought to the reaction of voters. Future legislatures are more likely to be responsive to the needs of Wisconsinites and should repeal the many administrative law changes that have weakened a state government that was once a model of effective, progressive policymaking. Also, unlike on the federal level, our state Supreme Court is elected and accountable to the people. Our state courts must reject special interest attempts to carve back the laws that have safeguarded Wisconsins environment for decades. Because of what the U.S. Supreme Court has done, the federal governments ability to respond to environmental and public health threats here in Wisconsin has been significantly diminished. For that reason, it is all the more critical that we defend and restore the ability of our state government to protect Wisconsins natural resources and the health and wellbeing of the people who call this place home. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Power Ranger actor wanted by police for allegedly shoving elderly man to the ground Power Ranger actor wanted by police for allegedly shoving elderly man to the ground Idaho authorities are on the search for Power Ranger actor Hector David Rivera after he allegedly shoved an elderly man to the ground in a parking lot. On Saturday (July 27), the Nampa Police Department shared a notice on their Facebook page that they were looking for a man who had been captured on video pushing an elderly man to the ground after they exchanged words about a parking issue. After pushing the man down, the suspect left him on the ground and drove away in a raised up black 4 door truck with Texas license plate, the post added. The battery incident is said to have taken place in front of District 208 at approximately 11:45am. In a Facebook update shared the next day, the police confirmed that the suspect had been identified as Rivera. THANK YOU for all of your help on this case! the statement said, noting that the investigation is still ongoing and that they had not been able to locate the actor. Authorities are currently issuing a warrant for his arrest. Hector David Rivera is wanted by Idaho police for alleged battery (Nampa Police Department) The Independent has contacted the Nampa Police Department for comment. Rivera, 35, who goes by the stage name Hector David Jr, portrayed the Green Power Ranger in the live-action movie adaptations of the popular childrens superhero TV series from 2011 to 2015. He was originally scheduled to appear at Magic Valley Comic-Con in Twin Falls, Idaho, this weekend; however, his image has since been removed from the website. The events marketing director, Larissa Long, commented on the situation, telling KTBV7: We are just finding out about this ourselves. We are looking into it and will take appropriate action. As of Wednesday (July 31), Magic Valley Comic-Con confirmed to the outlet that Rivera will no longer be attending the event. In addition to the Power Rangers franchise, Rivera has also appeared in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010), ITVs drama The Bay and HBOs 2022 movie Father of the Bride. He is scheduled to star in four upcoming projects, according to IMDb, including James Twymans The Legend of Johnny Jones, Netflixs new holiday romance movie The Merry Gentleman,the family-adventure movie YouthQuake and Once Upon a Christmas Eve. How to prepare to evacuate due to Alexander Mountain Fire near Loveland Evacuation areas for the Alexander Mountain Fire are covering around 170 square miles as of Tuesday morning, and if voluntary evacuations expand to the east, it'll be Loveland residents who are evacuating. Here's what you need to know to be prepared to evacuate your home: Where are Alexander Mountain Fire evacuation centers? The closest evacuation centers, operated by the American Red Cross, are in Loveland and Estes Park: Foundations Church, 1380 Denver Ave., Loveland Estes Park Event Complex, 1125 Rooftop Way, Estes Park Evacuees can stay the night or just for the day, and they can get food and water, supplies, support and information, including medical and mental health services, according to the Red Cross. Where can I take my animals? Large animals, like horses and alpacas, can be taken to Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley, 501 N. 14th Ave. The NOCO Humane is helping with small animals. Call 970-226-3647, option 0. Stone Canyon fire evacuation information Get information from the Boulder Office of Disaster Management at boulderodm.gov. To get emergency alerts via text, email or phone, visit www.bocoalert.org. An easier way to opt into text alerts is to text BOCOinfo to 888777. The closest Red Cross shelter is at Foundations Church in Loveland, 1380 Denver Ave. Take large animals to the Jefferson County fairgrounds in Golden. Take small animals to Boulder Valley Humane Society (Boulder) or Longmont Humane Society (Longmont). How to prepare for an evacuation This information came from the city of Loveland: Determine how you will stay in touch with family in case you become separated or if an evacuation is called and you are in different locations. Determine a meeting place and update it depending on the circumstances. Keep your phone and mobile devices charged. Assemble supplies so you are ready for evacuation. Prepare a go-bag and include supplies for all family members, including pets. Know the difference between voluntary and mandatory evacuation orders. A voluntary evacuation order means you should start preparing in case you need to evacuate. A mandatory evacuation order means you must evacuate. Do not try to re-enter an area that is under mandatory evacuation orders. What should I take with me? Here are some things the American Red Cross recommends taking with you if you have to evacuate your home: One gallon of water per person, per day Nonperishable food Can opener Flashlight and batteries Battery-powered or hand-crank radio Personal hygiene items, like a toothbrush and toilet paper Cell phone and charger Map of the area Copies of important documents Cash Contact information for friends and family who can help Medications This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Alexander Mountain Fire: How to prepare to evacuate PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) In a public appeal on Monday, the Portland police chief urged Multnomah County to prioritize a sobering center as the county chair continues to champion a deflection program that would not fulfill his request until mid-2025. Chief Bob Day sent his letter to Chair Jessica Vega Pederson as a plea to end the citys public safety crisis. He said the county needs to begin picking up the pace to set up a 24/7 drop-off sobering center where drug users can seek treatment. Police search for man accused of groping 10-year-old girl in Portland grocery store It is clear we are in urgent need of a safe, secure facility that will hold people so they can be screened, assessed and provided with recovery options that can change the trajectory of their lives, the letter said. According to Day, his officers have routinely expressed needing a place to take people who are intoxicatedother than jail or the ERand the city cant wait another two years. The countys former sobering center shut down in 2019. The chiefs letter is the latest in a campaign to convince Chair Vega Pederson to think beyond her current deflection center plan, which gives those caught with hard drugs the choice between serving jail time or receiving a plan to treat a substance use disorder without enrolling in any sobering services. VIDEO: Rare Rocky Mountain goat sighting on Mount Hood Despite vocal criticism from the public, the program passed with a 3-2 vote from the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Thursday. Controversy surrounding the program first stemmed from Vega Pedersons decision to develop the plan behind closed doors without her fellow commissioners in favor of planning with other county leaders like Chief Day and District Attorney Mike Schmidt. However, Day has since stepped forward in support of the sobering center plan presented months ago by Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, featuring up to 50 beds where police can bring someone with drug or alcohol intoxication. Rather than offering a treatment plan, the center would serve as a place to literally sober up and then seek treatment. Northeast Portland homeowner and neighborhood advocate Mariah Hudson told KOIN 6 News these sobering centers need to come sooner than later. I was running just down Knot Street and came into a person who was in crisis clearly a drug crisis there just as a school bus was pulling up and picking up kids, Hudson said. I can tell you that this is not uncommon. Its not just downtown, but we see it in the neighborhoods too. Man accused of intentionally running over seagulls on Washington beach The state has already allocated $2 million to Multnomah County for their deflection program, but its up to the county how those funds are used. Gresham Police Chief Travis Gullberg, who has also met with the county chair in recent months, said he would prefer to have a sobering center, too. So far, Chair Vega Pederson has not agreed to move forward with a sobering center. Instead, her focus is on getting a deflection center up and running by Sept. 1. She and her team have until Aug. 15 to bring in health experts and develop a plan that answers the boards concerns. A press conference about the deflection program is expected to take place on Wednesday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said on Tuesday that he cannot support Nippon Steel's bid to buy U.S. Steel in its current form because the United Steelworkers union is unhappy with the merger. Shapiro, who is a contender to be Vice President Kamala Harris' Democratic Party running mate in the November U.S. presidential election, said he was viewing the proposed merger through its impact on workers. "Speaking from a state perspective as governor, if the U.S. steel workers aren't happy with this deal, which they are not, I'm not happy with this deal," Shapiro said at an Internal Revenue Service event attended by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. "If I don't see a future where U.S. Steel manufacturing continues here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is expanding from what is happening right now, I'm not happy, so I've got really serious concerns," he said. (Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Mark Porter) PRICE, Utah (ABC4) One man was killed on Tuesday night after a shooting involving multiple officers from several different agencies, according to the Department of Public Safety. In a press release, Lt. Cameron Roden said the shooting happened on July 30 just after 11:30 p.m. Officers were called to a residence in Price after reports of a domestic violence situation. Details on what led to the shooting have not been publically released, however, Roden confirmed the shooting involved officers from the Price City Police Department, the Helper City Police Department, and the Carbon County Sheriffs Office. The man killed has only been identified as being 31 years old. West Valley man accused of selling 20,000 fentanyl pills to undercover federal agent The Utah State Bureau of Investigation was requested to investigate the shooting. Roden said the investigation is still in its early stages and additional information will be provided as it becomes available. We understand the gravity of this situation and are committed to transparency and thoroughness throughout the investigative process, Roden said in a press release. The safety and well-being of our community and our officers are our highest priorities. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A pro-life student group, Students for Life Action, placed moving boxes outside of the three South Carolina GOP women state senators offices that were ousted in the June primaries. Today, we dropped off moving boxes to help them get their stuff out of their offices, a post on the website read. The Senator Sisters, Katrina Shealy, Sandy Senn and Penry Gustafason, shouldve taken the Pro-Life Generation seriously when they sided with South Carolina House democrats to shut down lifesaving bills. Shealy, R-Lexington, Senn, R-Charleston, and Gustafson, R-Kershaw, were all knocked out of their seats due to what many presume was their effort to block a near total abortion ban in 2023. Throughout their campaigns, all three women were attacked on their decision to block the ban, and their recognition of blocking it, including accepting the JFK Profiles in Courage Award. The Students for Life Action group was one of many that campaigned against the Sister Senators. The group wrote on their website that they used grassroots initiatives and pressure to oust the women and replace them with pro-life senators. Shealy said this is the most juvenile action ever taken. This is a sad situation. This victory lap theyre taking would never be allowed if they were men who lost. I am so angry. I will work as hard as possible, as long as possible to defeat every one of these crazy people who want to squash womens rights and send us back to 1920, Shealy wrote in a text to The State. And we hope anyone watching will think twice about betraying the pro-life movement its not worth it, the post read. The post said the group sent out 37,407 mailers, 110,641 text messages, made 47,011 phone calls, and knocked on 2,572 doors. The group Students for Life had campaigned against Shealy long before the June 2024 primaries. Shealy said they put fliers on windshields in Shealys church parking lot. The fliers said Shealy Senn, Gustafson and others were not pro-life and were baby killers. The other GOP senators, Gustafson and Senn, also faced a multitude of attacks. Gustafsons opponent, Allen Blackmon, campaigned at large churches where he talked about his pro-life values. Senns opponent, state Rep. Matt Leber, went after her in their heated race, and abortion was a central theme. It doesnt matter how many times I say Im pro life they turn my words around to make me look bad. You would think they would be happy just to have won but juveniles dont think that way, Shealy wrote over text. This is as low as it gets. School voucher supporters, hired by Americans for Prosperity, outside a committee room in March. The group has spent more than $416,000 in the 2024 Republic primary. (Photo: John Partipilo) School voucher supporters, hired by Americans for Prosperity, outside a committee room in March. The group has spent more than $416,000 in the 2024 Republic primary. (Photo: John Partipilo) With one day left until Tennessees Republican primary, groups pushing for the adoption of a universal private school voucher program have poured record money into the states election. Two years ago, three pro-voucher groups set a then-record by spending around $1 million on independent advertisements to support or oppose candidates based on whether they favored charter schools and state-funded scholarships for private schools. This year, the amount has quadrupled as groups have spent nearly $4.5 million across 16 Republican state House and Senate primaries, and one Democratic primary mainly due to one group, the School Freedom Fund. The Freedom Fund, backed by Club for Growth and billionaires Jeff Yass and Richard Uihlein, has spent $3.1 million on five Tennessee Republican primaries. The group similarly spent almost $8 million earlier this year to defeat anti-voucher state House members in Texas. The other groups dropping money that favor vouchers are Americans for Prosperity, the Tennessee Federation for Children, Tennesseans for Student Success and TennesseeCan. Americans for Prosperity is a libertarian and conservative political advocacy group affiliated with Kansas billionaire Charles Koch. Tennessee Federation for Children is affiliated with former Republican Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. TennesseeCan is part of the 50can Action Fund, whose donors include several foundations tied to the Walmart heirs, New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates, among many others. Tennesseans for Student Success has virtually no public donors despite having raised almost $16 million since its founding in 2014. The group was the largest spender in 2022, helping defeat two state House Republican incumbents who opposed vouchers and charter schools, as well as supporting Gov. Bill Lee in his reelection. Student Successs largest expense this year has been trying to help Ray Jeter unseat Republican state Rep. Scott Cepicky in Columbia. The group has spent $100,000 on the race in opposition to Americans for Prosperity and the Federation for Children, who support Cepicky. A spokesperson for Student Successs has previously told the Lookout they dont have a position on school vouchers. But in the past their spending has been to support similar candidates to other pro-voucher groups. The Cepicky and Jeter race is a significant break although Jeter told the Columbia Daily Herald he supports school choice. Federation for Children and Americans for Prosperity supported Lees failed push for a universal school voucher program earlier this year. Lees program, already existing in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga, would eventually have given any student who wanted $7,200 to pay toward private school tuition. Those two groups have spent the most money on Senate Education Committee chairman Jon Lundberg, a Bristol Republican, who faces a highly competitive primary from Bobby Harshbarger, the son of Republican U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger of Kingsport. The only Democratic race to draw voucher money is for Dasha Lundy who is challenging Knoxville Rep. Sam McKenzie. Lundy has received around $40,000 in support from TennesseeCan and Student Success. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Donald Trump and JD Vance both have ties to the Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind Project 2025. During the first evening of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday, Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow brought out an oversize copy of a Project 2025 booklet. They went ahead and wrote down all the extreme things that Donald Trump wants to do in the next four years, McMorrow told the audience. We read it. Project 2025 is a 922-page blueprint crafted by the Heritage Foundation and other conservative groups for the next Republican administration that would radically reshape how the American government works. According to DNC officials, Project 2025 will be discussed every night of the convention this week. Critics have labeled it an authoritarian takeover of the United States, while supporters call it a plan to return our federal government to one of the people, by the people, and for the people. In campaign speeches, Vice President Kamala Harris has relentlessly sought to link Trump with Project 2025, leading the former president to denounce many of its objectives while declaring that he had nothing to do with its creation. What is Project 2025, and what is it calling for? Project 2025 bills itself as a policy agenda, personnel, training and a 180-day playbook to be implemented on day one by the next Republican president, outlining various agenda items, including which bills to propose, laws to revoke and government agencies to restructure. While the project is a proposal and not aligned with any specific campaign, its proponents hope their recommendations will be taken into account by Donald Trump should he win in November. Some of its directives include: An overhaul of the Department of Justice and FBI, the former of which it labels a bloated bureaucracy with employees who are infatuated with the perpetuation of a radical liberal agenda. Implement Schedule F, a Trump-era executive order that the Biden administration repealed that would allow the reclassification and potential replacement of thousands of government workers. Eliminate the Department of Education. Shut down the EPAs Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. Impose wide restrictions on abortion access, including reversing federal approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. Allocate funding for construction of additional border wall systems. Ban pornography and imprison anyone who produces or distributes it. Promote Sabbath Rest by encouraging Congress to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to require people who work these days to be paid time and a half. Have the federal government promote biblically based, social science reinforced heterosexual marriages. Call on the new Health and Human Services secretary to reverse the Biden Administrations focus on LGBTQ+ equity and subsidizing single-motherhood. Remove sexual orientation, gender identity, diversity, equity, inclusion and gender equality from any federal rule, regulation or legislation. Revive Trumps plan to open most of the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska to leasing and development. Read more from the BBC: Project 2025: A wish list for a Trump presidency, explained Whos behind Project 2025? Founded in 1973, the Heritage Foundation came into prominence in Washington during the Ronald Reagan presidency, whose administration implemented policies from the think tank. Since then, the group has been ranked by the University of Pennsylvania as one of the most influential public policy organizations in the U.S. Heritage also advised the administrations of George W. Bush and Trump. Project 2025 is not officially affiliated with Trumps campaign or any other although the name Trump is mentioned over 300 times throughout the document. In November, Axios reported that Heritage officials told the outlet they had briefed all the Republican campaigns running at the time Trump, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley. Trumps own policy agenda is called Agenda47, given the next president will be the nations 47th. The former president has said publicly he does not know whos behind Project 2025. However, numerous people involved in Project 2025 worked in the Trump administration or have helped with Trumps reelection campaign. Dans, the former Heritage Foundation director, was chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management under Trump. Associate directors Spencer Chretien and Troup Hemenway worked for the Trump administration as well. Of the 34 authors and two editors listed on the project, at least 25 have served Trump in some capacity, several in senior positions in his presidential administration. In an April podcast interview, John McEntee, a senior adviser on the project and former Trump official, said, Were gonna integrate a lot of our work with the Trump campaign. What does Trump say about Project 2025? Trump has publicly distanced himself from the project multiple times over the last month and as recently as July 30. I have no idea who is behind it, Trump wrote on social media in early July. I disagree with some of the things theyre saying and some of the things theyre saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them. On July 30, Trumps campaign heads Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles issued a statement, echoing prior claims that Trump is not at all affiliated with Project 2025. "President Trumps campaign has been very clear for over a year that Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the President in any way, the campaign said, according to AP. Reports of Project 2025s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign it will not end well for you. The Washington Post also reported that LaCivita allegedly warned people involved with Project 2025 that they would be barred from working for the Trump administration, should he win the election. Trumps campaign website does not explicitly endorse Project 2025 either and instead points to Agenda47 for policy stances. There is some overlap in ideas between Project 2025 and Trumps campaign both include some variation of shutting down the Department of Education, cracking down on gender-affirming care, ending subsidies for electric vehicles, and continuing to build the wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. Has JD Vance said anything about Project 2025? Vance, Trumps running mate, has not explicitly mentioned Project 2025. His stances do overlap with some of Project 2025s ideas, specifically concerning abortion and centralizing presidential power. Vance wrote the forward to Heritage Foundation president Kevin Robertss forthcoming book, Dawns Early Light: Taking Back Washington to Save America. Vance does not mention Project 2025 in the forward, despite Roberts being a major architect behind it. What do critics say about Project 2025? Critics have called it a real threat to democracy, a far-right assault on America and a dystopian plot. Institutions such as Georgetown University have called elements like the cuts to Medicaid draconian. Sasha Buchert, the director of the Non-Binary and Transgender Rights Project, described the language as dehumanizing. Immigration advocacy groups have called it an authoritarian, often illegal, agenda that would rip apart nearly every aspect of American life. Many Democrats have pushed back against it, including President Biden, who said it should scare every single American. Some conservatives have even gone public with their concerns. Robert Shea, who was a senior official under former President George W. Bush, said Schedule F would create an army of suck-ups. What do supporters say about Project 2025? Roberts, who wrote the Project 2025 forward, says the current political system is stacked against Republicans and Project 2025 will work to free the next Republican president. The point is to hasten the hiring of aligned personnel and hasten the implementation of conservative policy, Roberts told the New York Times in January. That includes hastening the overturning, via executive order, of what we believe are wrong policies of the current administration. Conservatives outside of the organization have also offered their support. Sen. Mike Lee called Project 2025 a blueprint to return power back to the states and the American people. Mollie Hemingway, the editor in chief of the conservative site the Federalist, described it as a sweeping plan to end the weaponization of the government against Americans. Why is Project 2025 getting so much attention right now? Harris has made Project 2025 a talking point since she launched her presidential campaign. Different speakers at the DNC will also emphasize various issues with the conservative handbook. Donald Trump wants to take our country backward, Harris said at a campaign stop on July 23, referring to Project 2025. Can you believe they put that thing in writing? Danss resignation from the Heritage Foundation, which will be official in August, also made news, as it was announced Roberts would take over for him. Roberts made news for his July 2 interview on Steve Bannons podcast. In conversation with former Rep. Dave Brat, since Bannon is currently in prison for his contempt of Congress conviction, Roberts described an imminent second American revolution. In the days following Robertss comments, Google searches for Project 2025 hit record highs. Read more from Politico: Leader of the pro-Trump Project 2025 suggests there will be a new American Revolution The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, has announced that Paul Dans, the top official behind the 900-page conservative manifesto known as Project 2025, is stepping down. But this staffing change doesnt mean that the vision to overhaul the federal government laid out in the far-reaching blueprint is ending. For one, Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, has made plain that the projects work will go on. When we began Project 2025 in April 2022, we set a timeline for the project to conclude its policy drafting after the two party conventions this year, and we are sticking to that timeline, he said in a statement. Project 2025 will continue our efforts to build a personnel apparatus for policymakers of all levels federal, state, and local. I look forward to leading this team to continued success. Read More: Project 2025 and the Movement That Could Erode Black Equality Additionally, to attach too much significance to Dans removal which comes as former President Donald Trumps campaign seeks to distance itself from Project 2025 is to overlook the fact that elements of the blueprint have already been implemented. Much of whats in Project 2025 has already been rolled out as an attack on and a justification for undermining social justice and equity-based policies. You can start with the executive order that Trump signed around the time he said to the Proud Boys to stand by, Kimberle Crenshaw, a law professor at Columbia University and the University of California, Los Angeles, recently told Capital B. That executive order, explained Crenshaw, a pioneering scholar of critical race theory and the co-founder and executive director of the African American Policy Forum think tank, contained some of Project 2025s key assumptions: the idea that equity constitutes reverse discrimination, the idea that diversity training and various other tools are un-American, the idea that equity is a zero-sum game. Republican lawmakers and conservative activists have sought to turn these assumptions into policy with fresh determination in the year since the U.S. Supreme Court gutted affirmative action in higher education and invited a more expansive assault on efforts to confront our countrys ongoing history of racial inequality. These actors have targeted everything from Black-owned businesses to racially equitable voting maps to medical school diversity recruitment programs, as Capital B previously reported. Arguably, Project 2025 and the convoluted network of players who intentionally or not abet it GOP elected officials, Republican-nominated Supreme Court justices, the anti-affirmative action crusader Edward Blum, the Federalist Society illuminate how the conservative movement operates. Its diffuse just enough that someone can claim plausible deniability. They can deflect heat and responsibility, as Trump has been doing in recent months when it comes to Project 2025, even though at least 140 of his closest associates developed it, per a CNN review, and his running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, has deep ties to Roberts at the Heritage Foundation. Or someone can signal, more obliquely, for another party to take up the baton, as Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas did via a major 2021 voting rights case. Their concurring opinion was essentially a call for conservative groups to challenge a crucial section of the Voting Rights Act, Melissa Murray, a law professor at New York University, told Capital B last year. U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, a co-founder of a congressional task force created to combat Project 2025, is urging Americans to keep their eye on the ball. Dans has stepped down, but that doesnt mean that the manifestos threat has evaporated, or that Trump is off the hook. Make no mistake: Project 2025 is Donald Trumps blueprint to enact widespread harm, impacting everyone who calls America home, she said in a statement. It was written by Trump allies for a future Trump presidency, and the resignation of its director doesnt change the fact that it is Trumps agenda. The post Is Project 2025 Over? No Way Heres Why. appeared first on Capital B News. Would Project 2025 make you pay for hurricane warnings and forecasts? Here's what to know Floridians keep an eye on the weather. It's vitally necessary in a state where temperatures can rise and fall 20-30 degrees in a matter of hours, lightning storms and downpours can burst into the middle of a sunny day, and ignoring weather reports might be fatal if a tornado is nearby. Right now eyes are on a developing tropical wave that could be heading our way. The National Weather Service provides a wealth of detailed, comprehensive weather information and forecasts, all completely for free, used by researchers, weather apps and everyday people every day. Project 2025, the conservative roadmap and wishlist from right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation, would like people to pay for it instead. The document, touted as a presidential roadmap for the first 180 days of the next Republican president although former President Donald Trump has recently been publically disavowing it, despite the many connections to his previous term includes plans to convert up to 50,000 civil servants to political appointees chosen for loyalty, abolish the Department of Education and the Head Start program, dismantle the Department of Homeland Security, ban pornography (which is not defined), increase immigration enforcement and mass deport millions, reverse federal protections for abortion and limit mail-order abortion pills and contraception, end the Affordable Care Act and reduce Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, among many other hot button issues. It also seeks to break up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) because the agency "has become one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry and, as such, is harmful to future U.S. prosperity." Here's what they suggest instead. Project 2025: Break up NOAA Project 2025's 922-page book, titled "2025 Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise," effectively strips out of the federal government research programs into climate change, any efforts to mitigate its effects and any initiatives to move the country away from fossil fuels. NOAA, which provides much of the data that climate change estimations and predictions are based on, would be completely broken up (page 674). "The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) should be dismantled and many of its functions eliminated." Thomas F. Gilman, a former Chrysler executive who became chief financial officer and assistant secretary for administration at the Department of Commerce in 2019 under Trump, wrote in the introduction to the chapter. NOAA currently consists of six agencies: The National Weather Service (NWS) The National Ocean Service (NOS) The Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) The National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) The Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and NOAA Corps "This industrys mission emphasis on prediction and management seems designed around the fatal conceit of planning for the unplannable," Gilman wrote. "That is not to say NOAA is useless, but its current organization corrupts its useful functions. It should be broken up and downsized." The plan also makes a point of stating that "Scientific agencies like NOAA are vulnerable to obstructionism of an Administrations aims if political appointees are not wholly in sync with Administration policy," suggesting that under this proposal scientific data must be changed to fit official policy, rather than the other way around. "Particular attention must be paid to appointments in this area," Gilman said. Make the NWS a commercial operation The NWS is invaluable to daily life in Florida. NOAAs satellites, aircraft, weather stations and meteorologists constantly collect weather data and expertly offer detailed weather forecasts and predictions to residents, researchers and nearly every third-party weather program, forecasting service or app. NWS weather alerts notify us of hurricanes, tornados and flooding. The NWS forecasts fire weather and issues watches, warnings and advisories for high winds, life-threatening rip currents and other hazards. "The NWS should fully commercialize its forecasting operations," Gilman said, pointing out that many people use private companies such as AccuWeather for forecasts and warnings and find them more accurate. NWS data would no longer be publically viewable and Florida residents would have to find an app or weather service to watch for danger. This could also prevent free and unfettered access to over a hundred years of weather data for scientists and researchers. While AccuWeather has in the past lobbied for privatizing NWS weather data, the company's chief executive officer Steven R. Smith issued a release on July 10 saying, AccuWeather does not agree with the view, and AccuWeather has not suggested, that the National Weather Service (NWS) should fully commercialize its operations. The authors of Project 2025 used us as an example of forecasts and warnings provided by private sector companies without the knowledge or permission of AccuWeather. AccuWeather is extremely proud of our track record of Superior Accuracy," Smith said, "but it has never been our goal to take over the provision of all weather information." National Hurricane Center data would be under 'review' Project 2025 does not recommend privatizing the National Hurricane Center. "The National Hurricane Center and National Environmental Satellite Service data centers provide important public safety and business functions as well as academic functions, and are used by forecasting agencies and scientists internationally," Gilman said, stressing that data continuity is important. But Gilman implies that the NWS has an agenda. "Data collected by the department should be presented neutrally, without adjustments intended to support any one side in the climate debate," he said. It is unclear how that neutral presentation would differ from what exists now. The chapter also calls for moving NOS survey functions to the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Geological Survey, streamlining the NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and narrowing their goals (with specific suggestions on which industry-limiting regulatory programs to cancel), breaking up the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, which provides the ships and planes used by NOAA agencies, and downsizing most of the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research department which Gilman says is "the source of much of NOAAs climate alarmism." What is Project 2025? Project 2025 is a multi-pronged Presidential Transition Project meant to assist a Republican president in the early days of his or her new presidency to consolidate power and dramatically overhaul the federal government. According to the Project 2025 website, the plan details a governing agenda to "rescue the country from the grip of the radical Left." It consists of four pillars: a policy agenda, a LinkedIn-style personnel database for use in replacing tens of thousands of civil employees deemed not loyal enough, a Presidential Administration Academy and a playbook for the first 180 days of the next (Republican) administration. The policy agenda is the part that has gotten the most attention. Project 2025 was created by right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation with help from over 100 conservative groups. President Joe Biden and other Democrats have said the plan "will destroy America." Although Trump has praised The Heritage Foundation and its plans in the past, and at least 31 of the project's 38 creators were connected with the Trump administration, and his running mate, JD Vance, wrote the forward for a new book called "Dawn's Early Light: Taking Back Washington to Save America" by Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation, and the foundation brags that during his first term, Trump embraced "nearly two-thirds of Heritages proposals within just one year in office," since attention has been brought on the more extreme positions of Project 2025 the former president has sought to distance himself, claiming to have no knowledge of it. Trump's campaign has its own, much less detailed plan for policy and transition called Agenda47. Some of the policies overlap with Project 2025 but Project 2025 is not an official plan from the Republican Party. On Tuesday, Project 2025 director Paul Dans, formerly a top advisor in Trump's administration, stepped down following intense criticism and backlash and Trump's campaign managers stressed in a release that the project "should not be associated with the campaign or the President in any way. However, Project 2025 still exists and a Heritage Foundation spokesman said work will continue on the project's plan to find loyal conservatives to fill federal roles, CNN reported. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Project 2025: Many weather forecasts, NWS data would no longer be free Pernod Ricard is building a malt spirit distillery in India as part of a 200m ($216.48m) investment in the region. This month the Maharashtra state government and Pernod Ricard India signed a memorandum of understanding for the distillery. The distillery, in the industrial suburb of Butibori in Nagpur, is expected to take at least three years to complete and will produce Pernod Ricards Indian whiskey brands, such as its Longitude77 range. While details of the proposed distillery are light, Pernod Ricard claimed it will be one of the largest distilleries in India, with a daily capacity of 60,000 litres of malt spirit. It also forecast the distillery would use up to 50,000 tonnes of barley a year, which Pernod Ricard plans to procure from local farmers. Pernod Ricard has 24 facilities in India. Most are fully owned by the group, while some are joint ventures with local companies. This initiative is in continuation of our dedicated efforts to make and innovate in India and we are confident that it will elevate India's standing on the global map, as a key player in the production of high-quality malt, Pernod Ricard India CEO Jean Touboul said. The establishment of this distillery will provide a boost to various allied sectors in and around Nagpur and the state of Maharashtra. Further, the foundation of the plant will aim to provide local entrepreneurs and the farmer community with new avenues of growth. Last year, Pernod Ricard launched the companys first Indian single malt whisky, Longitude77. It is produced in small batches at the companys distillery in Dindori, Maharashtra. The group produces multiple whisky brands in the country, including Blenders Pride, Imperial Blue and Royal Stag, which are all blends of Indian grain spirit and imported Scotch malts. The Blenders Pride recipe incorporates Scotch malts from the groups Chivas Brothers brand. India is currently the second most important global market for Pernod Ricard, after the US. Touboul said that he expected it to shift to first place in around 10 to 15 years. "Pernod Ricard to build malt-spirit distillery in India" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. The owner of a vacant property just south of downtown Sacramento is suing the city over the homeless crisis. Bugatto Sacramento Properties, which owns the lot at the corner of 5th Street and 1st Avenue, sued the city Monday in federal court. The corporation, owned by Eugene and Michael Bugatto, is based in San Francisco, according to state records from 2021, the most recent year the company submitted them. The corporation has owned the property, which used to house five buildings, since 1998, the lawsuit states. The main building was used for storing frozen fish and distributing them to wholesale customers. The property now has several vacant buildings, as well as a vacant lot. Since 2016, homelessness in the area has been worsening, partly because the city opened the now-closed sanctioned camping site at nearby Miller Park, the lawsuit states. When people were turned away from Miller Park because it was full, they would sometimes set up camp at the vacant lot, the suit states. Unhoused people have also broken into the buildings, sprayed them with graffiti, and set them on fire, the suit states. The owners asked the city for police to remove the homeless, and the city largely ignored the petitions, the suit states. City spokesman Tim Swanson did not immediately provide a comment on the lawsuit. The city cleared an encampment at the site in 2023, responding to complaints from nearby residents. The city then issued code violations for the building, deeming it a dangerous vacant building, starting in 2019, according to a city web page. It then closed the case earlier this month, determining work had been completed to address the issues. So, rather than respond to requests for law enforcement and address the root of the problem, the city instead would send its administrative employees to the property to catalog the damages caused by the vagrants and trespassers, cite and fine plaintiff and charge for the citys employee time, the suit states. The city in 2021 sought an order to demolish the building, which the owner contested, the suit states. The city then ordered the owner to rebuild not as its previous use, but as housing, per a new city planning document called the West Broadway Specific Plan. The owner then had to shut down its business. In 2022 it entered into an agreement to sell the property to a buyer for $5.1 million, conditioned on the buyer obtaining city approvals to construct housing. The city issued a demolition permit earlier this month for the building, at 2601 5th St. in Upper Land Park, according to a city web page. As another condition, the city is requiring the buyer pay to extend 6th Street to the north, even though another building blocks it from connecting to Broadway, the lawsuit states. The loss of land caused the owner to decrease the purchase price by about $1 million. The lawsuit claims unlawful taking of property and inverse condemnation. It seeks monetary damages as well as for the city to allow the owner to sell the property without the buyer paying to extend the road. The area where the property sits has been historically industrial, but is increasingly residential. In addition to the longstanding public housing communities of Alder Grove and New Helvetia, there is also the Mill at Broadway, targeted to first-time home buyers, and a new 49-unit market-rate apartment complex planned. Homeless people have previously told The Sacramento Bee they sometimes trespass in vacant buildings partly in order to get relief from life-threatening heat and cold. At least a dozen homeless people have frozen to death in Sacramento since 2021, according to coroner records. There are over 2,500 people and 820 families on the wait list for one of the city of Sacramentos roughly 1,300 shelter beds, according to city data. An ordinance proposed in the Jackson County Legislature to prohibit people under age 21 to buy and possess certain firearms is illegal and risks lawsuits from the state, lawyers said this week. Jackson County Executive Frank White sent a letter to the legislature Monday detailing an opinion from the countys attorney, Bryan Covinsky, on ordinance 5865. The ordinance violates state law, would be unenforceable and create liability for the county, Covinsky argued. This proposed ordinance puts the county in an unnecessary legal battle that will burden the taxpayers with the costs of a legal defense that we will lose and the legal expenses and damages of the plaintiffs, White said in his letter. Despite pushback from White and others, the ordinances sponsor, 1st District Legislator Manny Abarca, said he believes an impending legal battle is worth the legislatures time and taxpayer dollars. Abarca introduced the ordinance at a legislature meeting July 22 in the wake of a mass shooting at the 2024 Chiefs Super Bowl victory rally in February. The ordinance would ban firearm possession for minors except in certain circumstances. In its introductory statement, the ordinance outlines events of the shooting Feb. 14, when Lisa Lopez-Galvan, 43, was killed and 22 others were injured in gunfire. The preamble also cites three of the alleged shooters being juveniles as cause for a new ordinance with age restrictions on firearm possession. The ordinance was drafted after consulting national violence prevention organizations, Abarca said, including the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention, Everytown for Gun Safety and the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to find common-sense solutions. Abarca said he also consulted county attorneys and local law enforcement before introducing the legislation. We all knew and agreed that under state law, currently, that this was likely not going to stand, but it could create an opportunity for us to challenge the very law itself, Abarca said. Challenge to long-standing Missouri gun law In a legal opinion on the proposed ordinance, Covinsky cited the Missouri preemption statute, 21.750, which limits the power of governments to restrict firearms at the local level. He said the Missouri Attorney Generals Office has a history of filing lawsuits against any local government that passes or attempts to pass restrictions on firearms outside parameters of state statutes. White said gun violence in the community is staggering and that he is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of people in Jackson County. But he urged the legislature to oppose the ordinance and find other ways to protect residents. Despite being fully aware of these legal shortcomings, the sponsor of this ordinance chose to proceed, prioritizing performative politics over honest public service, White said. This is a dangerous disservice to our community. Our focus should be on real solutions that genuinely enhance public safety without misleading the public or wasting taxpayer money. Amid Whites opposition to the ordinance, Abarca sent a letter to him Tuesday calling for the executive to create an office focused on gun violence prevention. What does ordinance seek to restrict? Under the ordinance, people under 21 would not be able to purchase a pistol or semiautomatic assault rifle. The ordinance would also ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic assault rifles to someone under 21. Those under 21 could only possess a pistol in their homes, at the persons fixed place of business or on real property under their control, the ordinance states. A person at least 18 would be able to possess a semi-automatic assault rifle, but in limited circumstances: while participating in a firearms safety course, while they are shooting target practice at a range approved by the legislature, or while on the property of a parent, relative or legal guardian. Members of law enforcement, the U.S. Armed Forces, the National Guard, or organized reserves, could possess a semi-automatic assault rifle when on duty, the ordinance states. Kansas City lawyer Kevin Jamison, who specializes in firearms law, said since the ordinance goes beyond parameters in state statutes, the county would likely lose any lawsuit that comes its way. On the face of it, its not going to pass a circuit court judge, Jamison said. It violates Missouri law. If it passes (the county legislature), then they will get sued. The proposed ordinance was sent to the legislatures rules committee last week and remained there Monday. As of Tuesday, it has not been scheduled for any hearings or agendas. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) Three months after protests erupted at the U of I and other campuses across the country, there are now proposed changes to parts of the Universitys policies. Its leaving some students feeling uneasy. Back in the spring, an encampment stood on U of Is Main Quad. Students, staff and other community members were asking the University to divest funds from companies involved with supplying weapons to Israel. The U of I has several policies related to exercising freedom of speech. The Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) group feels recent proposed changes to four documents could limit their right to protest. Two more pro-Palestine activists charged with Mob Action from U of I protest Allison Vance, the universitys director of messaging, said in a statement that the U of I is trying to make policies clearer and easier for anyone to find and understand. On the Campus Administrative Manuals website, there are four policy changes posted to the public open comment section. They are related to the use of University property, expressive activities, reservations and signage. Those are the four documents the SJP group has an issue with. They feel these are increased efforts to silence student voices. UIUC faculty join pro-Palestine protests on campus On their Instagram page, they made a statement which said in part: We must refuse policies designed to intimidate, silence and suppress student speech, and subject students to law enforcement and risk of police violence. Students for Justice in Palestine Meanwhile, the U of I said in part: We are making changes to allow everyone to exercise their rights of expression in ways that create a lively and vibrant exchange of ideas on campus while limiting disruptions to the learning environment, university operations and campus activities. Allison Vance, director of messaging You can see the proposed policies at this link. They are in the open comment section for at least 15 days before theyre finalized and submitted for approval. The U of I also created a new website to have all their policies linked in one place. They hope it is more accessible than before. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DELPHI, Ind. Richard Allen, charged in the 2017 killing of two Delphi teens, made 61 incriminating statements after he was arrested in 2022 and placed with the Indiana Department of Correction for safekeeping, a Carroll County prosecutor said in court Wednesday. The prosecutor's revelation came during a hearing on whether those statements, including alleged confessions, can be admitted into evidence at his trial in October. The hearing ran until around 6:30 p.m., and included testimony from the former warden of the Westville Correctional Facility, where Allen was detained for nearly a year, from the prison's lead psychologist and from an Indiana State Police detective who monitored Allen's calls. The hours-long session revealed new details about those confessions, Allen's mental state and his bizarre behavior during the period he supposedly confessed to killing Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German. Richard Allen's attorneys took this photo April 4, 2023, of the man accused of the Delphi killings of teenagers Libby German and Abby Williams. He appears to have lost a significant amount of weight in his five months in prison segregation. He appears to have spittle on his shirt under his chin. Allen exhibits what his attorneys describe as "schizophrenic and delusional." The witnesses appeared on the second day of what is expected to be three days of marathon hearings on key motions filed by the prosecution and defense attorneys. Allen appeared in an orange jumpsuit, handcuffs and shackles. His family members sat a few feet behind him. Relatives of the victims, as well as reporters and podcasters filled the small courtroom in downtown Delphi. Evidence leak, suicide, Odinists: Inside 'bizarre' Delphi murders case How Special Judge Frances Gull rules on these motions could significantly impact the outcome of one of Indiana's most high-profile murder cases. The murders and Allen's arrest have received worldwide attention, but the case has been bogged down by delays, controversies between the attorneys and judge, and seemingly endless stream of legal and procedural fights. The hearing is scheduled to conclude Thursday. Gull is expected to issue rulings at a later time. Allen's attorneys want the judge to suppress the statements, contending they were made involuntarily and under the throes of a mental health crisis while he was being held in solitary confinement. Defense attorney Bradley Rozzi said allowing those statements to be presented at Allens trial violates his due process rights. He also cited the conditions under which Allen was placed, saying it amounted to coercion by the state. The actions of the state," Rozzi said, drove Allen to make those statements. But the prosecution wants Gull to dismiss the motion to suppress, saying there had been no attempts to force those confessions out of Allen. Stacy Diener, one of the prosecutors, said the statements including those Allen made during calls with his wife and mother were not made during custodial interrogations. Allen "was fully aware that his statements were unsolicited," Diener said. Testimony elicited by the state on Wednesday also revealed that prosecutors believed Allen was faking psychotic behavior when he confessed to the crimes. Allegations made at hearing: Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen's attorneys accuse police of hiding evidence Allen's wife 'extremely upset' after hearing confessions, detective says Allen made the statements during phone conversations with his wife and mother, and to other inmates who were assigned as companion inmates while Allen was on suicide watch. He also made statements to prison guards and to the warden and chaplain at Westville, where he was kept in a segregation unit and was under constant video surveillance. Brian Harshman, a detective with the Indiana State Police who monitored calls Allen made from the prison, testified that he noticed changes in Allen's behavior in March 2023, when he began saying he'd found God. Allen began confessing to his family several days later, Harshman said, and kept confessing to them and to other people in the months that followed. Allen's wife and mother became "extremely upset" during those calls, Harshman testified. Delphi murder case: Marred by delays and endless fights, Richard Allen's trial becoming a 'legal disaster' "As the confessions went on," he said, Allen's mother would tell him that "they're messing with you." Allen's wife implored him to stop talking, Harshman said. Allen, Harshman said, talked about why he killed the girls and why he delayed in confessing, although the detective did not elaborate on what those motivations were. Harshman also said Allen expressed fears that his family will no longer love him after the trial, during which they will see graphic photos of the girls' bodies. Harshman, though, acknowledged during questioning from the defense that Allen also proclaimed his innocence during other conversations. Contradicting claims of mistreatment by the defense, Harshman said he never saw any evidence of coercion and said Allen was treated better than other inmates. "The professionalism shown by the DOC is almost over the top," Harshman said. A mental health crisis or faked symptoms? Over several hours of testimony, Dr. Monica Wala, the lead psychologist at Westville who had therapy sessions with Allen, testified that his mental health began to deteriorate in April 2023, around the time he began confessing. Allen started expressing suicidal thoughts and feelings of hopelessness. He was seen banging his head on the wall to the point that his face was severely bruised, Wala testified. He began eating his own feces. His thoughts were disjointed. During some sessions, Wala said Allen was trembling and his eyes were twitching. During questioning from Rozzi, Wala admitted having conversations with Allen about whether he's competent to stand trial. She also said Allen met the criteria of having a serious mental illness, a designation that would've placed a 30-day limit to his solitary confinement. But he was kept in isolation because of the safekeeping order, Wala testified, adding that Allen's safety from other inmates was a priority. Wala, however, also expressed doubts about Allen's honesty. Diener, the prosecutor, referred to Wala's notes in which she seemed to question whether Allen was purposefully behaving bizarrely. Wala acknowledged there were times when she was not certain whether Allen was legitimately going through a mental health crisis or feigning psychotic behavior. Harshman, the Indiana State Police detective, testified that the prison guards who were assigned to keep an eye on Allen when he was on suicide watch did not believe his symptoms were real. Key dates in the case against Richard Allen in the killings of Libby German and Abby Williams. "Yes, they believe he was faking," Harshman said. On Tuesday, Gull heard arguments on defense motions requesting Allen be moved to a nearby county jail from the state prison where he's been held since shortly after his arrest. They also asked her to dismiss the case because of claims the prosecution has intentionally failed to turn over evidence that could exonerate Allen or point to another suspect. Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland denied those claims. He said the state has provided defense attorneys with all the records they've requested. McLeland is asking Gull to prevent Allen's attorneys from presenting a key part of their defense: that members of an Odinist cult, not Allen, killed the girls. Gull is set to hear that motion on Thursday. Contact IndyStar reporter Kristine Phillips at (317) 444-3026 or at kphillips@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Delphi prosecutor: Richard Allen made 61 incriminating statements The fight to keep two Massachusetts hospitals will head to the State House on Wednesday as the for-profit healthcare providers plans to close the sites is the subject of a hearing in Houston, Texas. Residents, caregivers and public officials are set to call on state lawmakers to save Dorchesters Carney Hospital and Ayers Nashoba Valley Medical Center. State Senator Jamie Eldridge and State Senator Nick Collins are expected to join the group late Wednesday morning. Steward announced earlier this month it planned to close the two hospitals after no qualified bids emerged for the healthcare facilities during ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. Steward said the two hospitals will close on or around August 31 after requesting an expedited closure. Massachusetts law typically requires 120-day notice. Wednesdays hearing in Houston bankruptcy court will focus on the impacts on patient safety if the two hospitals were to close on short notice. Challenging and unfortunate: Steward Health Care closing 2 Mass. hospitals Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey demanded that Steward Health Care finalize deals to sell its remaining Bay State hospitals, denouncing the for-profit healthcare providers greed and mismanagement. This is not over. Its regrettable that Ralph de la Torre and Stewards greed and mismanagement are resulting in the closures of Carney and Nashoba Valley hospitals. These hospitals have long served their communities, Healey said in a statement. Their closures are about more than the loss of beds, doctors, and nurses. We want to assure the people of Massachusetts that we have prepared diligently for this moment and will take all available steps to help facilitate a smooth transition for impacted patients and employees. Selfish greed: Gov. Healey blasts Steward Health Care over move to close 2 Mass. hospitals Steward says it did receive bids to run its other Bay State hospitals, which include Morton Hospital in Taunton, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Holy Family in Methuen and Haverhill, St. Elizabeths Medical Center in Brighton, and St. Annes Hospital in Fall River. Norwood Hospital, which has been closed since 2020, is not included in the sale process. Ralph de la Torre, the companys CEO, has been asked to testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in September. 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 Hundreds of Palestinian demonstrators marched through Ramallah in the occupied West Bank hours after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed on Wednesday. They carried dozens of green Hamas flags and chanted, "the people want al-Qassem Brigade," which is a reference to the militant groups military wing. Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran after attending the inauguration of the countrys new president, Tehran and the militant group said early Wednesday. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the assassination but suspicion quickly fell on Israel, which has vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the groups October 7 attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. The public demonstration was followed by a similar event outside the University of Tehran in Iran's capital, where hundreds of hard-line government supporters condemned the predawn killing and chanted "death to Israel" and "death to America". Meanwhile, people from the Palestinian refugee camp al-Bass in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre took to the streets chanting support for Hamas. They carried images of Haniyeh and of Hamas spiritual leader Ahmed Yassin, who was killed in an Israeli helicopter strike while being pushed in his wheelchair in 2004. An Iranian woman carries a Palestinian flag to condemn the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, at Felestin (Palestine) Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. - Vahid Salemi/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved Jihad Taha, a spokesperson for Hamas, addressed the heavily donned keffiyeh crowd at the protest, saying "the Zionist occupation" will not be able to break the "will" of the Palestinian people. "We are certain today that the language of treachery and betrayal that the Zionist occupation is adopting will end in failure," he said. "Just like its goals (have failed) in the ongoing aggression that has been taking place on the Gaza Strip for more than 10 months." Further east, two protests were organised in Pakistan's capital of Karachi. At an event organised by religious political party Jamaat e Islami, hundreds of protesters carried posters depicting Haniyeh while others chanted "Muslims will win". The Palestinians struggle will be boosted because their movement does not depend on a few, said Munim Zafar, chief of Jamaat e Islami in Karachi. The Palestine Foundation Pakistan organised a separate protest, at which a mass prayer for Haniyeh was followed by chants of the war will end with Israels destruction". The strike comes as international mediators are working to bring Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire that would wind down the devastating war in Gaza and free hostages. Intense diplomatic efforts are also underway to ease tensions between Israel and Hamas after months of cross-border fighting. Alleged drug trafficker pleads not guilty to 21 counts PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) One of the suspected high-level drug traffickers arrested earlier this year in Providence faced a judge on Wednesday. Jose Parra Reyes, 58, pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of various drug and gun charges. He was arrested after Providence detectives and DEA agents raided his Winthrop Avenue home back on Jan. 30. According to the police report, among the items seized were different types of drugs, distribution materials and four guns, including one that was reported stolen. Police obtained the search warrant after conducting controlled purchases from Parra Reyes, the report said. FULL DETAILS: Drugs, guns, $1.2 million in cash taken off streets by Providence police Investigators also believe he may have been involved in fraudulent activities. During the raid, they found blank ID cards, Social Security cards and DMV titles, as well as assorted drivers licenses and EBT cards under different names. Last week, the Providence County Grand Jury handed up an indictment charging Parra Reyes with the following: Possession of more than one kilogram of fentanyl (1 count) Possession of more than one kilogram of heroin (1 count) Possession of more than one kilogram of cocaine (1 count) Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (4 counts) Possession of a stolen firearm (1 count) Possession of a firearm with intent to deliver controlled substances (4 counts) Possession of a firearm while previously convicted of a crime of violence (4 counts) Possession of a prohibited large-capacity feeding device (5 counts) Parra Reyes is due back in court Sept. 19 for a pretrial conference. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center is in Oregon City. (Kristyna Wentz-Graff/OPB) Four people who underwent surgery at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center in Oregon City filed a lawsuit after the hospital system warned the patients earlier this month that they may have been exposed to blood-borne diseases by an anesthesiologist who might not have followed comprehensive infection control practices. The surgeries took place between March 25, 2022 and Feb. 6, 2024, according to the lawsuit. The patients, identified in court documents by their initials, all received intravenous anesthesia from a doctor who was employed by the Oregon Anesthesiology Group. On July 11, Providence, Legacy Health and the Oregon Health Authority issued statements saying some 2,400 patients may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The hospital system are offering testing. The Oregon Anesthesiology Group, Providence and state officials did not respond to OPBs questions for details on what caused the potential exposure. The 29-page lawsuit filed in federal court offers few details. Attorneys for the patients declined OPBs interview request. Because of the limitations of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV testing, a recent infection may not be detectable for months, so Plaintiffs and Class Members cannot yet know whether they are out of the zone of danger into which Defendants conduct placed them, the lawsuit states. The state and hospital systems made the public announcement on July 11. The four patients who filed the lawsuit say they received notifications days later, between July 15 and July 17. The hospital systems also told OPB that theyve notified every potentially-impacted patient. The physician no longer works at the Oregon Anesthesiology Group, according to a statement from the group. This story was originally published by Oregon Public Broadcasting, a Capital Chronicle news partner. 'Pulsating' mechanized assaults in Ukraine may reflect the limit of Russia's offensive abilities, war analysts say Russia has staged a series of mechanized assaults in Ukraine this week. These efforts which are sporadic and localized have seen very limited success. Conflict analysts say these "pulsating" assaults likely reflect the limits of Russia's offensive capabilities. Russian forces conducted a series of mechanized assaults in eastern Ukraine this week, fighting with a mixture of armored combat vehicles and infantry in different locations to try and break through Kyiv's defensive lines. Conflict analysts say these armored assaults are constrained to specific areas and may reflect the limits of Moscow's offensive power and inability to execute a large-scale, multi-directional offensive operation. Russian forces carried out several mechanized assaults in the Donetsk region over the past few days along different directions of the front line, but these sporadic efforts appeared limited in their effectiveness. One such attempt saw Moscow commit 10 tanks and motorcycles, a buggy, and nearly 50 fighting vehicles, according to analysts at the Institute for the Study of War think tank, who described the assaults as "localized mechanized pushes." These "periodic and pulsating Russian mechanized assaults likely represent the extent of Russia's current offensive capacity, and Russia is unlikely to mount a distinct new summer offensive operation due to material and manpower constraints," the analysts wrote in an assessment on Wednesday. Ukrainian soldiers fire artillery in the direction of Toretsk, in the Donetsk region, on July 30. Photo by Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images The analysts said Russia has struggled throughout the war to stage multiple large-scale offensive operations simultaneously. Instead, it appears more inclined to conduct assaults in "pulses," where the intensity varies in different areas of the front lines. "The Russian military command may assess that these periodic, pulsating mechanized assaults are either sufficient to accomplish the command's revised, more limited objectives for the summer of 2024 or that these assaults are the extent of Russian forces' current capabilities," the analysts said. They added that "the Russian military command may also be trying to push degraded Russian forces in the area to advance as far as possible before their combat capabilities culminate, regardless of the losses those forces take in the process." Russia launched a limited assault against Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region in early May, seemingly setting the stage for a broader offensive this summer that would test a Ukrainian military facing shortages in weaponry and manpower. But Ukraine has held out. US officials have commended Ukraine for braving the Russian attacks, arguing that the passage of additional security assistance in April unlocked the crucial delivery of military aid to the front lines and thus helped thwart the offensive. John Kirby, the White House National Security Council spokesperson, said "there were legitimate concerns that Russia would achieve a strategic breakthrough on the battlefield" while the US and Ukraine waited for US lawmakers to pass additional security assistance. Ukrainian soldiers fire artillery at a combat position in the Donetsk region on July 26. Photo by Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images But "Ukraine's defensive lines have been fortified, and Ukrainian forces have continued to fight bravely and to repel Russia's advances," Kirby told reporters on Monday. He added that "over the past few months, Russia has suffered extraordinary costs, sacrificing thousands of Russian soldiers for very little gain." However, ISW analysts noted that Russia's ongoing offensive operations are still very costly for Ukraine and are likely an attempt to reduce the country's military capabilities through attrition, regardless of how much territory it seizes. The think tank's analysts have previously noted that this is likely Russian President Vladimir Putin's theory of victory. In late June, ISW noted that "Russian forces continue to prioritize gradual advances through consistent grinding assaults over operationally significant gains through rapid maneuver." The analysts said that Russia aims to "win a war of attrition against Ukrainian forces," exhausting its manpower and materiel. Still, Russia has also struggled to bring organized offensive combat power to bear on the Ukrainians. Read the original article on Business Insider Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol on July 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Netanyahus visit occurs as the Israel-Hamas war reaches nearly 10 months. A handful of Senate and House Democrats boycotted the remarks over Israels war on Hamas. (Kent Nishimura | Getty Images) My journey to Washington, D.C., last week to protest the war in Gaza took me far afield from the landscape of my childhood. My Jewish parents believed in the slogan a land without a people for a people without a land. My grandmother gifted me an Israeli bond with these words: Israel is the land of our forefathers, the land where Moses gave the laws to our people but almost 2,000 years later the people of Israel were dispersed all over the world, their land was devastated and neglected many people gave or loaned money to build up their country. They worked hard, very, very hard, and by the sweat of their brow made it again the land of milk and honey. My parents believed that after the war synagogues raised funds every Friday night on Shabbat for the purchase of land, and that rich Arab people living abroad sold their large landholdings to the Jews. Both were proud of Jaffa oranges they justified that Israelis occupying Bedouin land were putting it to good use. Evidently, the truth of the expulsion of over 700,000 Palestinians from their land with no right to return didnt exist. As I stood in solidarity facing police in full riot gear, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before Congress, addressing protesters as Irans useless idiots who choose to stand with evil and should be ashamed of themselves. Wherein lies the truth? Are we rabble-rousers or legitimate resisters? Thousands nationwide boarded buses and trains to demand a cease-fire, among them a Lebanese professor of Middle Eastern studies from Michigan, a young social worker from Alaska, and older Jews from the Northeast, lifelong supporters of Israel, until now. I represented a Jewish group passionate about peace called Not in My Name NH. In an open letter to New Hampshire congressional leaders published on May 12 in the New Hampshire Union Leader we ask for three goals: an immediate and sustained cease-fire leading to the release of all hostages; full humanitarian aid via UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency); and a suspension of military aid. Our weapons should not go to massacre any more people, especially children. I listened to speech after speech last week, each a version of the orators reality. Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein addressed the crowd, her name reminding me of an Albert Einstein story in which the truth of reality is tested. A Jewish war refugee and pacifist, Einstein had given an exam to a class that had already taken the exact same one. Thinking it the result of the professors absentmindedness, his assistant warned him of what he was about to do. Einstein just smiled and said it was alright because the answers have changed. His profound statement about the ever-changing nature of truth reflected one I received over decades that created my idealized version of Israel. The following Hasidic parable shows truth not as a fixed point but as a figment of the imagination: A farmer and his son were walking their donkey to market to peddle their wares. On the way the father got sore feet so he rode the donkey, only to be admonished by neighbors for neglecting his sons needs. They switched places, only for villagers to reprimand the youth for being cruel to his donkey. He dismounted, and father and son walked side by side as passersby ridiculed the two fools for not using their animal as a beast of burden. In due time, they entered the village carrying the donkey on their shoulders to receive howls of laughter. The path to truth is paved with partial answers, each persons perspective holding one valuable grain. To know another is to hear their truth. My journey to educate myself about the history and culture of the Palestinian people has given me increased empathy for their long-held plight. In the end all children deserve to live in peace and to that end the single most important truth is to unite in the name of peace to call for an immediate cease-fire. (Bloomberg) -- Pinterest Inc. warned that revenue in the current quarter will be lower than analysts predictions, sending the shares on their biggest plunge in more than a year. Most Read from Bloomberg Pinterest expects third-quarter revenue of $885 million to $900 million, lower than analysts estimates of $907.7 million. Chief Financial Officer Julia Brau Donnelly cited several factors for the weak guidance, including foreign currency exchange rates, as well as food and beverage advertisers spending less than expected, during a call with analysts. Donnelly also reminded investors that Pinterest does not sell political advertisements, which could put them at a slight disadvantage compared with industry peers. The shares fell as much as 14% to $31.97 in New York trading on Wednesday, representing the worst intraday drop since April 2023. The stock had been little changed this year through Tuesdays close.414526471 The San Francisco-based company has been working to boost revenue by encouraging direct shopping through its advertising, hoping to capitalize on people who search pinboard-style images for inspiration. Historically Pinterest was a great place for window shopping, but all the stores were closed, Chief Executive Officer Bill Ready said in an interview. As weve been making it so that you can easily take action on the things you find in Pinterest, thats driving a lot more shopping behavior. Revenue rose 21% to $854 million in the period ended June 30, the company said Tuesday in a statement. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg had predicted sales of $848 million on average. The company now has 522 million global monthly users, up 12% from a year ago and slightly higher than the average analyst estimate of 518 million users. The second quarter was the third straight in which ad clicks on Pinterest have doubled year-over-year, Ready said. He credits this jump in ad clicks to improved AI tools that better personalize ads to users aesthetics, and to a larger inventory of advertisements thanks to deals with Amazon.com Inc. and Alphabet Inc.s Google. Ready also said that Gen Z users are the companys fastest growing demographic, continuing to make up more than 40% of Pinterests total audience. The company is targeting younger users by making the platform more curated, shoppable and positive in comparison to other social media sites, he added. Story continues Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has more than doubled the lump-sum payment for those willing to sign a contract with Russia's Defence Ministry and enlist in the war against Ukraine. Source: Russian online newspaper The Moscow Times, citing Putin's decree released on a legal information portal Details: The document states that Russians and foreigners who sign a contract with Russia's Defence Ministry to join the war against Ukraine will now be eligible for a one-time payment of RUB 400,000 (approximately US$4,600). Earlier, this one-off payment amounted to RUB 195,000 (roughly US$2,200). Under the decree, only those who sign a contract from 1 August to 31 December 2024 will be eligible for the increased payment. Additionally, Putin recommended that Russian regional authorities should also provide at least RUB 400,000 to citizens who choose to enlist in the war of aggression against Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Putin more than doubles lump-sum payment for joining war against Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 31 ordered an increase in the sign-on bonus for new military recruits to serve in Ukraine to 400,000 rubles (over $4,600). The presidential decree published on the government website effectively doubled the lump-sum payment of 195,000 ($2,260) rubles initially promised to recruits in September 2022. Russia seeks new soldiers for its war as the full-scale invasion continues to take a heavy toll on its military's manpower. All Russian citizens and foreigners who signed up for one-year service between Aug. 1 and the end of 2024 will be eligible for the increased bonus. The document says that the payment is intended to provide "additional means of social support" for soldiers and their families. It also recommends that Russian occupation authorities in Ukraine offer an additional sum of 400,000 rubles. Regional authorities across Russia have already begun offering other financial incentives for potential recruits. Sign up for our newsletter WTF is wrong with Russia? Sign up Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin signed a decree on July 23 establishing a one-time signing bonus of 1.9 million rubles ($21,200) for city residents who join the military. While other regional authorities have also instituted their own signing bonuses, such as 1 million rubles ($11,200) in Krasnodar Krai and 500,000 rubles ($5,600) in Dagestan, the Moscow signing bonus appears to be the highest reported so far. Russia conscripted around 300,000 reservists during a limited mobilization in September 2022 but has sought to avoid a wide-sweeping draft, often targeting recruits from economically weaker regions or migrants. Ukraine believes that Russia continues to covertly recruit around 30,000 soldiers monthly, allowing the Russian military to balance out its losses. While Moscow does not publish its casualty figures, Kyiv believes that Russian losses have exceeded 570,000 soldiers killed or wounded as of late July. According to leaked U.S. intelligence documents reported on by The Economist, Russia's casualty rates can be as many as 728,000 Russian soldiers killed, injured, or captured. Read also: As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 500,000, Putin buries future demographic risks at home Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Doctor West Bishop has seen hundreds of harmful algae blooms like the ones we have seen in Central New York recently and knows how to solve the problem. We like to characterize, understand the nutrients in that waterbody and implement permanent solutions, he said. Solutions that are ecologically benign and are proven across the country. What is causing the increase in algae blooms across Central New York? His company, Eutrophix, uses a clay they call Eutrosorb G, which stops the nutrient building process and restores water quality. That formulation we have is very specific and permanent to binding phosphorous, Dr. West said. Phosphorous is a key nutrient that supports these blooms and their growth and getting out of hand. If we combine that and take that out, we can limit the bloom. Bishop says monitoring and sampling water alone isnt going to fix the problem, and waiting multiple months can lead to hazardous outcomes. We are cleaning up water bodies every day. We are solving this. There are things that can be done, he said. We are seeing these blooms last longer and longer, sometimes year-round. That strategy of lets not use the water for the next two months, for the rest of the summer. Thats not a strategy. And the best way to get to the finish line. We need to bring anyone that wants to be involved to the table, West said. We are certainly willing to work from government, allocate funds from the top down, from local governments, county governments to state government. Click here for an interactive map to track algae blooms in lakes across New York State. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. A person watches the news on multiple TV screens, most of them announcing the killing of senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh By Maha El Dahan and Aidan Lewis DUBAI (Reuters) -Qatar and Egypt, which have acted as mediators in faltering ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, suggested on Wednesday that the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh could further jeopardise efforts to secure a truce in Gaza. "Political assassinations and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue leads us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side?" Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani wrote on X. "Peace needs serious partners & a global stance against the disregard for human life." Sheikh Mohammed, who is also foreign minister, later spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the phone and discussed continuing work towards a ceasefire. Egypt's foreign ministry said in a statement that a "dangerous Israeli escalation policy" over the past two days had undermined efforts to broker an end to the fighting in Gaza. "The coincidence of this regional escalation with the lack of progress in the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza increases the complexity of the situation and indicates the absence of Israeli political will to calm it down," the statement said. "It undercuts the strenuous efforts made by Egypt and its partners to stop the war in the Gaza Strip and put an end to the human suffering of the Palestinian people," it added. Qatar, Egypt and the United States have repeatedly tried to clinch a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza, where Israeli forces have killed more than 39,000 Palestinians since Hamas-led militants attacked Israel in October, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. A final deal to halt nearly 10 months of war and release Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners has been complicated by changes sought by Israel, sources have told Reuters, and there was no sign of progress at the latest round of talks in Rome on Sunday. 'SQUARE ZERO' In Rome, Israel requested a "clarification" to its own, U.S.-endorsed ceasefire proposal from May, a source familiar with the issue said. After previously securing broad agreement on the proposal, "we have to go back to square zero", said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity and accusing the Israelis of playing for time. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant's office said on Wednesday that he had stressed the importance of continuing to work towards reaching a deal to release the remaining 115 Israeli and foreign hostages in a phone call with his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin. "During the discussion, the minister also highlighted that, especially during these times, the State of Israel is working to achieve a framework for the release of hostages," Gallant's office said in a statement. Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told reporters in an online briefing that Israel remained committed to the negotiations. "These talks are ongoing and Israel is committed to the success of these talks," he said. Haniyeh, who mainly resided in Qatar, was assassinated in the early hours of the morning in Iran, raising fears of wider escalation in a Middle East shaken by Israel's war in Gaza and a worsening conflict in Lebanon. Haniyeh had not been directly involved in the day-to-day Gaza ceasefire negotiations and was not leading the talks. The senior Hamas figure who has been central throughout ceasefire and hostage release negotiations is Khalil Al-Hayya, an official briefed on the talks told Reuters previously. (Reporting by Maha El Dahan, Aidan Lewis, Jonathan Landay, Mayaan Lubell, Andrew Mills, Jana Choukeir, Nayera Abdallah and Ahmed Elimam; editing by Peter Graff, Mark Heinrich and Alex Richardson) The Quad Cities Community Foundation is helping Western Illinois University (WIU) tackle the issue of childcare in the area with a new bilingual center, according to a news release from the Foundation. The Foundation has granted $57,218 to Western Illinois University to support and develop Rockys Play Space, a bilingual early learning and family empowerment lab site expected to open in Moline this year. Rockys Play Space represents the power of partnership and collaboration, said Sue Hafkemeyer, president and CEO of the Foundation. Private, public, government and nonprofit organizations, along with generous and driven individuals, have made this much-needed resource a reality for our community. Organizers say Rockys Play Space will help improve two major issues in the area: the availability of care options for families with young children and the shortage of trained early care professionals. The center will enroll a minimum of 65 children across operating shifts and 70% of enrollment will be prioritized for linguistically diverse families and those experiencing vulnerabilities. Some of the grant has funded an on-site bilingual family resource specialist for two years while the remaining funding supports technological advancements for the program. The exterior of the center features a mural with a bilingual alphabet created by local artist Sarah Robb and members of the community. The center has programming for adults, such as education and family training programs. Like so many communities in our country, families in Moline are in need of more care options, said Dr. Lindsay Meeker, WIU visiting professor of Early Childhood Education and director of the Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education. Rockys Play Space will help meet that need while also creating a new generation of dedicated childcare professionals with access to the best and latest evidence-based training. WIU students and faculty will be able to conduct research in partnership with the center as a lab site. Bilingual early learning is incredibly important for children, families, and our community as it opens the door for exposure to diverse backgrounds and experiences, said Emily Ferreyra, Spanish bilingual family coordinator at the site. To create a welcoming and supportive environment, we need to be inclusive and equitable. This is a place where members of our communities can come together and learn foundational skills. Were seeing what happens when the university, the city, and amazing nonprofits like the Community Foundation come together, said Dr. Meeker. Together, were meeting a community need and elevating families in the Quad Cities. Click here to register for more information. The site is expected to open this fall. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Quavo gave a moving speech during Vice President Harris rally in Atlanta on Tuesday (July 30), sharing his support for Harris commitment to tackling gun violence and running the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. One of these issues that I care about is resolving the gun violence issues, Quavo told the crowd. You cant understand the struggle of gun violence if you not in the field or in the heart of it. So, one thing I learned from working with Vice President Harris is she always stand on business. From inviting me to the White House last year to discuss these solutions, to passing the biggest gun safety laws today. More from Billboard He continued, So, its only right in the birthplace of the culture is also the same place to launch the first African-American woman to run for president. .@QuavoStuntin: You can't understand the struggles of gun violence if you're not in the field or in the heart of it. One thing I learned about working with Vice President Harris is she's always standing on business pic.twitter.com/dUO0Ws503j Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) July 30, 2024 In 2022, Takeoff, Quavos nephew and Migos bandmate, was tragically shot and killed. Since then, Quavo has remained steadfast in his commitment to gun violence prevention, having been involved with the Office of Gun Violence Prevention since its inception. If elected, Harris would be the first woman, first person of South Asian descent and first HBCU graduate to serve as president of the United States of America. While the Harris campaign has yet to name the Vice Presidents running mate, the operation has notably embraced pop music as the election cycle barrels onwards. In addition to explicitly referencing Charli xcxs Brat and Chappell Roans Femininomenon, the Harris camp also used Beyonce and Kendrick Lamars 2016 Grammy-nominated anthem Freedom as their official campaign song. Best of Billboard VP Kamala Harris and Quavo at Rocket Foundation Summit On Gun Violence Prevention on June 18, 2024 in Atlanta, CA. - Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage Following a rousing performance from Megan Thee Stallion, Quavo took the stage at a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in Atlanta on Tuesday. During his speech, Quavo shared his support for the presumptive Democratic nominee, and commended her push to help end gun violence. One of these issues that I care about is resolving the gun violence issue, Quavo told the crowd. You cant understand the struggles of gun violence if youre not in the field or in the heart of it. More from Rolling Stone One thing I learned from working with Vice President Harris is she always stands on business, Quavo added from behind the podium. From inviting me to the White House last year to discuss these solutions, to passing the biggest gun safety laws today. So, its only right in the birthplace of the culture is also the same place to launch the first African American woman to run for president. Quavo called for viewers to vote, before giving the crowd his best impression of the late Takeoff saying Kamala. During her speech, the vice president thanked Quavo, and made a lyrical reference to a Migos hit while describing Trump. [He] has been talking a big game about securing our border but he does not walk the walk, or as my friend Quavo would say, He does not walk it like he talks it,' said Harris onstage as the crowd erupted in cheers. Kamala Harris speaking at her Atlanta campaign rally today "Donald Trump has been talking a big game about securing our border but he does not walk the walk or as my friend Quavo would say, he does not walk it like he talks it" pic.twitter.com/7T8ccQzzvO SOUND (@itsavibe) July 30, 2024 Quavo has been a fierce gun safety advocate since the shooting death of Migos bandmate and nephew, Takeoff, in 2022. In 2023, Quavo visited Washington D.C., where he spoke with Harris, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and other prominent politicians about Takeoffs death. Last month, Quavo and Harris appeared together and discussed gun violence prevention at the inaugural Rocket Foundation Summit in Atlanta. Quavo and his family launched the foundation, and speaking with Rolling Stone, the rapper praised Harris consistent support of their efforts to end gun violence in the Black community. She active in the culture. She wants to be with the things that go on in the field and I commend her for that, he told Rolling Stone at the time. This is a huge problem in our community, in our culture, gun violence. And just being a victim, of course, its so personal to me. Along with Quavo, Harris rally in Georgia also featured a performance from Megan Thee Stallion, who played Mamushi and Body. Best of Rolling Stone Rachel Reeves needs to raise billions and pensioners fear they are the target Rachel Reeves decision to end winter fuel payments gave Britons a taste of who the Chancellor is likely to hit with higher taxes in her maiden Budget. Reeves insists it wont be workers. We will not balance the books on the backs of hardworking people, she said on July 29 as she warned of a 22bn hole in the public finances. When asked to define who a working person was, she declared: Someone who goes out to work for their income. That leaves owners of businesses and other assets and pensioners as likely targets. Her decision to stop the extra 200 or 300 payment for almost 10m pensioners this winter will leave many fearful it is just the start of a raid. The winter fuel change is equivalent to a 3pc reduction in the state pension this year. Many of these retirees are on the lower basic state pension of 8,814 per year but do not claim pension credit. Baroness Altmann, a former pensions minister, says the policy makes a mockery of the promise to protect the triple lock that ensures state pension payments rise by the highest of wages, prices or 2.5pc every year. The triple lock is meaningless when you do things like this, she says. Reeves also abandoned plans to cap social care costs, meaning pensioners who own their own home face the prospect of selling their property to pay for bills in their old age. Altmann believes these changes may be a taste of whats to come. Click here to view this content. Labour has always loved means testing, she says. And its so wrong, especially for pensioners. Firstly, because theyre the group least likely to claim benefits. But more importantly, because it puts any younger people off bothering to save. This is so short-sighted. Prescriptions She believes free prescriptions could be next on Labours hitlist. All over-60s are currently able to enjoy the benefit a policy which has been in place for women since 1974 and men since 1995. The Tories themselves almost changed the policy, when Boris Johnson came very close to raising the qualifying age to 66, in line with the state pension age. However, Rishi Sunak shelved the proposal following a consultation on the issue, which drew more than 100,000 mostly negative responses. More than a billion prescriptions are dispensed every year. Nine in 10 of them are already free. However, the Government has previously said that the fees charged on the one in 10 which are not free are an important contribution to the NHS budget amounting to 652m in 2021 to 2022. Raising the age of free prescriptions to 66 could bring in up to 300m more for the NHS by 2026 to 2027. When Johnson was considering the change, the Government estimated that almost two thirds of people aged between 60 and 65 were potentially able to meet the cost of their prescriptions because they still work. There will be more pressure on Reeves to look at this issue as more people live longer. By 2066, the Government estimates there will be a further 8.6m people over the age of 65 living in the UK, accounting for a quarter of the population. Travel Free bus passes for pensioners are another easy target. English council budgets are already under immense pressure. In 2022, they were hit by a 452m bill for the concessionary bus fares scheme, according to the Local Government Association. Reeves may also want to consider removing an annual, tax-free Christmas bonus of 10 each year. The bonus was introduced in 1972 by the Heath government, but has not been uprated for more than 45 years. It was originally intended to help pensioners although people who receive a number of disability benefits, including the roughly 3.5m claiming Personal Independence Payment, also qualify. While the sum is relatively marginal for those who receive it, it is a meaningful cost for the Government. Income tax In a more dramatic move, Reeves could also look at making retirees pay national insurance, which currently stops once people reach the state pension age. It would mean those working past that age would still incur the tax. This would go against Reeves promise not to tax working people. But it could be traded off with a reward of allowing people to build up more qualifying years for the full state pension, according to Bill Dodwell, the former head of the Office for Tax Simplification. He says changing the policy could also be a quick revenue raiser for the Chancellor. It looks increasingly anomalous to exempt people from national insurance contributions on their earnings, just because of their age, says Dodwell, who advised Labour on tax administration before the election. The evidence suggests that the majority of those continuing to work are in higher-income groups. It would be fair to accompany such a change by allowing people to accrue additional contribution years towards the state pension. HM Revenue & Customs has estimated that such a change would raise up to 1.1bn in 2023 to 2024, affecting about 800,000 people. There is also increasing concern that Reeves will target pension savings, capital gain or inheritance in the autumn after pledging not to raise income tax, VAT, national insurance or corporation tax. Workers can get tax breaks based on how much they pay into their pensions and insiders say the Treasury has spent months looking at ways to restrict relief for higher earners. Under the current system, the amount of relief workers get increases as they earn more. However, one option being looked at would be to restrict relief for higher earners to the 20pc basic rate or level up the relief to a flat rate of 30pc. Both would punish the 6m people who pay higher rates of income tax and mean that higher rate payers will pay an effective 10pc tax charge on their retirement contributions for the first time, costing the wealthiest savers around 2,600. Top officials have warned that the proposal would, at a stroke, reduce the value of so-called defined benefit schemes that promise a guaranteed income on retirement. Many senior civil servants would be affected. One senior Whitehall figure said: If they lose the top rate of tax relief on that contribution towards their defined benefit scheme, then theres an automatic reduction in what they will get in their pension unless you ask them to pay more. The work continues. Paul Farmer, chief executive of Age UK, urges the Government not to lose sight of the contribution many pensioners still make to society. Farmer, who says he was shocked by the decision to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners, has launched a petition to reinstate it that gathered more than 13,000 signatures in the first hour. Were going to fight it, he adds. This is a group of people who actually still make huge contributions to society, whether thats as informal carers for partners or for children and grandchildren. We shouldnt take that for granted. Click here to view this content. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A Massachusetts family says their 14-year-old child was subjected to racial abuse by other students. Theyre now taking legal action and filing a complaint against the Lawrence Middle School to try and stop this from happening again. They say their child, MC Henry, an 8th grader, was a victim of racial bullying for months and the school did nothing about it. The lawsuit says the first incident happened back in December 2023 when a classmate called MC a quote, cotton picker. Then in April 2024, MC tripped and fell during music class. The lawsuit says: While MC was still on the floor, a white student knelt down, placing his knee directly on MCs neck, and exclaimed, George Floyd! George Floyd! in reference to the black man killed by police in Minneapolis in 2020. Mirian Albert, the familys attorney, says, Obviously this was an extremely traumatic experience for my client, theres a long history of social science research that talks about how racial bullying can have such a detrimental effect on students mental health, the development of their racial identity. The superintendent of schools says the district is reviewing this legal complaint, saying in part: The public schools of Brookline condemns hatred and racism in all of its forms. Racism and discrimination run contrary to the values of our school district. As for the next steps, the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Education will decide whether to open an investigation into this in the coming weeks. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Who raised and spent the most campaign money on Sedgwick County Commission primary races? No matter who wins the August primaries, Republicans will enter the general election cycle with more cash on hand than Democrats in the Sedgwick County Commission races. Campaign finance reports released by the Sedgwick County Election Office this week show who has been paying for the campaign mailers, text messages, yard signs and other campaign activities. Republicans out-raised and outspent Democrats in the District 3 primary to replace David Dennis as the commissioner for western Sedgwick County, with Wichita Republican Stephanie Wise raising the most and Wichita Democrat AlmaAnn Jones raising the least from January 1 to July 25. Wise, a commercial real estate broker, raised more money than her GOP opponents Greg Ferris, a former Wichita City Council member and City Hall lobbyist, and Alan Reichert, a senior financial analyst at Spirit AeroSystems. But Ferris received additional support, with a Texas-based political action committee spending more on the primary than Wises and Reicherts campaigns combined. Another PAC spent money on attack ads against Wise. In southern Sedgwick Countys District 2, Democratic incumbent Sarah Lopez, who does not have a primary challenger in her district, raised more money than her Republican opponent, former Wichita City Council member Jeff Blubaugh. But Blubaugh had about $13,000 more in his campaign account as of Monday to campaign in the general election. Your primary voter guide to who is running for Sedgwick County Commission District 3 An open seat: District 3 On the Republican side, Wise received $50,774.53 in donations, including a $2,565.27 loan from herself, and spent $41,583.41. Her campaign accepted donations from 53 businesses, organizations and trusts mostly from local commercial real estate developers. Some of the most common names associated with those businesses are developers Brian and Mark Suellentrop, developer Max Cole and billionaire casino and real estate magnate Phil Ruffin. Wise has touted endorsements from Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and the Culture Shield Network, a Christian-right, anti-abortion group led by Donna Lippoldt. Ferris raised $33,099.58, including about $4,500 in personal loans, and spent $27,214.31, including about $450 in loan repayments. He took in donations from 46 businesses, including several car dealerships owned by Brandon Steven and companies owned by brothers Marty and Ron Cornejo. He has been endorsed by Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and R.E.D. PAC, a Texas-based PAC that says it focuses on rural economic development and support candidates who are dedicated to protecting private property rights. It receives the bulk of its funding from Michigan-based Conservatives For a Clean Energy Future, an organization that supports market-driven energy policies. R.E.D. PAC spent $65,000 in support of Ferris, records show. Several of the LLCs listed by Wise and Ferris were not listed on the Kansas secretary of states business entity database. Sedgwick County Conservatives PAC raised $25,000 and spent $16,917 on attack ads aimed at Wise and ads supporting Ferris. The groups listed treasurer is Thomas Datwyler, who provides virtual treasurer services and runs 9Seven Consulting, a political compliance firm that specializes in federal and state reporting and compliance. He was at one point listed as treasurer for former U.S. Rep. George Santos, a Republican from New York, who was later charged in a campaign-finance fraud scheme. Datwyler did not respond to a request for comment. State campaign finance records show $20,000 for that PAC came from Great America Coalition, a Washington DC nonprofit whose treasurer is Datwyler and whose donors are allowed to remain anonymous. The other $5,000 came from businesses owned by Wichita real estate developer Jay Russell. Most of those same LLCs gave directly to Ferriss campaign, totaling $2,000. Alan Reichert, a Cheney Republican, raised $3,900, including $2,500 he loaned his campaign, and spent $3,184.94. On the Democratic side of the District 3 race, local Save Century II activist and former bank-fraud investigator Celeste Racette raised far more money than her opponent but less than the top two Republican candidates going into the general election. Her campaign raised $17,056 and spent $11,498.52. Six of her donations came from trusts or companies, including Colby Sandlians Sandlian Realty and Racettes husbands law firm. She received donations from 69 individuals. She ended the reporting cycle with $5,557.48 in her campaign account. Racette received an endorsement from the Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation, a pro-union organization that says it represents over 30,000 union members. AlmaAnn Jones, an advocate for trauma survivors and criminal justice reform activist, raised $2,445 and spent $1,098.63. All of her contributions came from individuals, with the largest coming from local Democratic couple Casey Yingling, an assistant Wichita city attorney, and Levi Henry, a political consultant. They donated the maximum $500. Her other 25 donors gave between $10 and $250. She ended the fundraising period with $1,346.37 cash on hand. Jones has the endorsements of the family members of Andrew Finch, an unarmed man shot and killed by a Wichita police officer on his front porch in 2017, and Cedric Lofton, a Kansas foster child killed at the countys juvenile intake facility. Jones has worked as an advocate for both families during their federal lawsuits against the city and county. Incumbent raises more: District 2 District 2 has no primary election, but the two candidates are already out-raising many of the candidates who face primary challengers. Sarah Lopez, a Haysville Democratic incumbent, raised $39,473.99 and spent $15,292.37. She accepted donations from 11 non-individuals, including companies, trusts, and labor and industry PACs. Some of the most prominent owners of those businesses include the Cornejo brothers. She enters the next reporting period with $34,685.97 cash on hand. Jeff Blubaugh, a Wichita Republican and former City Council member, raised $32,745 and spent $12,145.84. He accepted campaign donations from 47 companies and from a PAC for the local firefighters union. He, too, received donations from companies owned by Ron and Marty Cornejo and several owned by local developer Jay Russell. Hell have $47,231.46 cash on hand to start the general election cycle buoyed by more than $26,000 in unspent campaign funds from the $39,000 he raised for his campaign in 2023 during his last year on the Wichita City Council. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg BI Meta Platforms will report its second-quarter earnings after the market close on Wednesday. Investors are keen to see if Meta's massive AI investments will ultimately pay off. Detailed below is what Wall Street expects from Meta's upcoming second-quarter earnings report. All eyes are on Meta Platforms with the company set to report its second-quarter earnings results after the market close on Wednesday. The social media giant has a lot to prove to investors, especially after its first-quarter earnings led to a one-day decline of 11% in April. While Meta has built up its AI capabilities in a big way, having hoarded about 600,000 H100 GPUs from Nvidia, it's main driver of earnings remains its product platforms including Instagram, Reels, Facebook, and Messenger. And it will be vying to prove to investors that its massive investment in AI chips is worth it, as the company has shown little progress so far in monetizing its massive investment. Here's what Wall Street expects from Meta's second-quarter earnings report. Bank of America: 'Potential TikTok ban' bodes well Bank of America said in a recent note that it expects Meta to meet or slightly beat Wall Street's expectations for revenue and beat profit estimates when it reports second-quarter earnings. "With job openings down in 2Q, we don't anticipate a repeat of last quarter's higher '24 expense guidance, though higher legal and capex are risks," Bank of America analyst Justin Post said. Looking forward, Post highlighted that a potential TikTok ban in early 2025 could provide a big boost to Meta's advertising business. "With political spend, and potential TikTok ban in 1Q'25, Meta could also see an ad spend benefit in 2H'24," Post said. Bank of America has a "Buy" rating on Meta with a $550 price target. Citi: 'Focused on engagement, monetization, and efficiency gains' A solid advertising environment should help Meta deliver better-than-expected second-quarter earnings and revenue, according to a recent note from Citi. "Our 2Q advertising checks and time at Cannes suggest that the broader online advertising market is healthy and strengthening," Citi analyst Ronald Josey said. "We'll be watching for continued engagement benefits from Meta's investments in AI content discovery, adoption of newer monetization tools, early progress from the beta launch of AI studio, potential benefits from Llama 3.1, and profitability. Meta remains our top-pick across our coverage," Josey said. Story continues Citi has a "Buy" rating on Meta with a $550 price target. Wells Fargo: 'Checks suggest robust 2Q ads performance' Wells Fargo raised its second-quarter estimates in a recent note as its internal checks suggests solid ad performance from the company. "Checks suggest noticeable ad targeting and efficiency improvement in 2Q despite meaningful CPM growth acceleration," Wells Fargo analyst Ken Gawrelski said. The bank also expects Meta to maintain its prior capital expenditures guidance of $35 billion to $40 billion for the year. "Given the unfavorable market reaction to 1Q mgmt commentary on potential revenue displacement due to scaling of newer AI products, believe investors will welcome further framing of potential impact," Gawrelski said. Wells Fargo has an "Overweight" rating on Meta with a $625 price target. Mizuho: 'Capex concerns keep expectations in check' Mizuho said in a recent note that investor concerns about Meta's massive investment cycle has kept Wall Street expectations "in check." But that means overall expectations may prove to be too conservative. "We believe risk/reward appears positive on Meta into the print with solid 2Q24 ad agency tracking, achievable 3Q24 expectations, and flexibility in opex to manage raising capex," Mizuho analyst James Lee said. "At the same time, we view consensus FY24 growth of 17% conservative with improved ad pricing growth from Reels, Amazon's integration into FB shops, and special events revenue growth," Lee added. Mizuho has an "Outperform" rating on Meta with a $575 price target. Bloomberg Intelligence: 'Election-ad spending to be key driver' The upcoming Presidential election and its related advertising spend should benefit Meta in a big away, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Mandeep Singh. "Meta's impressions and user growth may taper with ad pricing and election-ad spending to be key drivers for surpassing consensus sales growth expectations of 20% in 2Q," Singh said in a recent note. The company also has the potential to offer guidance on the monetization potential of its licensing of Llama, its open-source large language model. "Though Meta's positioning remains strong in gen AI, a top-line lift from licensing its Llama model to enterprise customers and adoption of subscription chatbot offerings, similar to OpenAI and Gemini Advanced, will be a key focus on the earnings call," Singh said. Read the original article on Business Insider Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., speaks during a news conference on the Kids Online Safety Act at the U.S. Capitol on July 25, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura | Getty Images) This story mentions suicide. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, please dial 988 or chat with a live counselor at 988lifeline.org. WASHINGTON Legislation aimed at protecting children online sailed through the U.S. Senate Tuesday, marking what could be the first update since the late 1990s for companies who interact with minors on the internet. Senators approved the package of two bills in a 91-3 vote, a rare bipartisan landslide in the tightly divided body, despite loud and fervent opposition from civil liberties and LGBTQ organizations that say the measures would hand the government power to subjectively censor content. The three no votes were cast by Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ron Wyden of Oregon. If passed by the House, the legislative package would require producers of platforms popular among children and teens to follow new rules governing advertising, algorithms and collection of personal data. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has expressed interest in working to find consensus in the House. President Joe Biden released a statement Tuesday calling the Senate vote a crucial bipartisan step forward and said the bill dovetails with measures he advocated for in his first State of the Union Address. There is undeniable evidence that social media and other online platforms contribute to our youth mental health crisis. Today our children are subjected to a wild west online and our current laws and regulations are insufficient to prevent this. It is past time to act, Biden said, adding that tech companies need to be accountable for the national experiment they are running on our children for profit. Families asked for federal help The package contains two bills moving together: the Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act, which is mainly targeted at regulating the collection of personal data, and the Kids Online Safety Act, a bill that has been a lightning rod of criticism from outside groups. A bipartisan group of senators points to years of hearings and meetings with tragedy-struck families including those whose children struggled with eating disorders and died by suicide as the motivation behind the proposals. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, of Tennessee, one of the Kids Online Safety Acts original sponsors, said the legislation is a safety by design bill, a duty of care bill that gives kids and parents a toolbox so that they can protect themselves. A message that were sending to big tech: kids are not your product, kids are not your profit source, and we are going to protect them in the virtual space, Blackburn, a Republican, said at a press conference following the vote. Blackburn co-led the bill dubbed the Kids Online Safety Act with Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. Sen. Ed Markey, who championed the last protections passed by Congress in late 1990s, said back in 1998 only birds tweeted, a gram was a measurement of weight, and so we need to update the law. The Massachusetts Democrat joined Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana in co-sponsoring the Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act. Markey likened addictive social media products to those of the tobacco industry in previous decades, and cited public health warnings attributing increasing childhood mental health issues to the platforms. So we have to give the tools to parents and to teenagers and children to be able to protect themselves, and that would be my message to my colleagues in the House. We cannot avoid this historic moment, Markey said at the press conference. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the legislations passage in the Senate and said the parents of affected teens are the reason we succeeded today. Ive heard the terrible stories: children, teenagers, perfectly normal, then some algorithm captures them online by accident, and they end up committing suicide shortly thereafter, the New York Democrat said in a statement. You imagine being a parent and living with that. New rules for platforms The original two bills, rolled into one legislative vehicle, respectively outline duty of care rules requiring platform creators to consider broad mental health categories when designing and operating their products as well as a prohibition of the use of personal data for targeted marketing. The legislation would also mandate that platforms create an easy-to-understand privacy dashboard detailing how a minors personal information is collected, used and protected. Other measures would include a prohibition on hidden algorithms, mechanisms for minors or parents to remove data, parental controls to restrict financial transactions and annual public reports from the platforms on reasonably foreseeable harms to children and teens and efforts underway to prevent them. Enforcement The new policies, if enacted, would be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission and any civil actions would be prosecuted by states in U.S. district court with advance notice to the FTC. The legislation defines the online platforms as public-facing websites, social media applications, video games, messaging applications or video streaming services that are used, or reasonably likely to be used, by a minor. Snap, the company behind the popular platform Snapchat, issued a statement specifically praising the Senates passage of the Kids Online Safety Act. The safety and well-being of young people on Snapchat is a top priority, a Snap spokesperson said in a statement provided to States Newsroom. Thats why Snap has been a long-time supporter of the Kids Online Safety Act. We applaud Senators Blackburn, Blumenthal and the roughly 70 other co-sponsors of this critical legislation for their leadership and commitment to the privacy and safety of young people. Opponents see dangerous measure A coalition of organizations advocating for First Amendment rights, privacy and the interests of LGBTQ minors urged the House to vote no on the legislation, criticizing it as blatantly unconstitutional. Evan Greer, director of the tech policy group Fight For the Future, also lambasted the bill as dangerous and misguided and wildly broad. The coalition largely takes issue with the Kids Online Safety Acts duty of care provision that requires companies to prevent and mitigate harms associated with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use disorders and suicidal behaviors. During a joint virtual press conference hosted by the groups during the Senate vote, Greer described the provision as a blank check for censorship of any piece of content that an administration could claim is harmful to kids. What that means in practice, is that for example, a Trump administration FTC would get to dictate what types of content platforms can recommend or even show to younger users, Greer said, referring to Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump. Jenna Leventoff, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, said the Kids Online Safety Act is nothing more than a thinly veiled effort to censor information that some consider objectionable If enacted, KOSA could lead to information about health care, gender, identity, politics and more being removed from social media. And kids note that censorship will make them less and not more safe, Leventoff said. As one student recently told me, they dont get sex education in school, and if information about sex is removed from the internet because platforms fear liability for hosting it, how else can they learn about sex? Teens in opposition The ACLU brought roughly 300 teens to Capitol Hill Thursday to lobby against the legislation. Dara Adkinson, of the organization TransOhio, said the legislation is truly terrifying. Adkinson questioned whether state and federal authorities could argue that content about climate change or the nations history of slavery causes anxiety and should therefore be regulated. Regarding content about transgender youth, Adkinson said: We know there [are] people out there that would like us to not exist and having the lack of visibility of the kinds of resources found on the internet is the first step for many of these folks. Greer said the coalition is concerned about the role of big tech in society. Advocates would support a heavily modified version of the Kids Online Safety Act that focuses on regulating business practices, including targeted advertising or videos that automatically play and encourage continuous, addictive scrolling habits. Greer said their organization is neutral on the legislation targeted at protecting childrens privacy, but that they would like to see comprehensive legislation that protects minors and adults alike. Censorship and privacy do not go together, and these should not be moving together, Greer said. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., speaks during a news conference on the Kids Online Safety Act at the U.S. Capitol on July 25, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) Editors note: This story mentions suicide. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, please dial 988 or chat with a live counselor at 988lifeline.org. WASHINGTON Legislation aimed at protecting children online sailed through the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, marking what could be the first update since the late 1990s for companies that interact with minors on the internet. Senators approved the package of two bills in a 91-3 vote, a rare bipartisan landslide in the tightly divided body, despite loud and fervent opposition from civil liberties and LGBTQ organizations that say the measures would hand the government power to subjectively censor content. The three no votes were cast by Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ron Wyden of Oregon. If passed by the House, the legislative package would require producers of platforms popular among children and teens to follow new rules governing advertising, algorithms and collection of personal data. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has expressed interest in working to find consensus in the House. President Joe Biden released a statement Tuesday calling the Senate vote a crucial bipartisan step forward and said the bill dovetails with measures he advocated for in his first State of the Union Address. There is undeniable evidence that social media and other online platforms contribute to our youth mental health crisis. Today our children are subjected to a wild west online and our current laws and regulations are insufficient to prevent this. It is past time to act, Biden said, adding that tech companies need to be accountable for the national experiment they are running on our children for profit. Families asked for federal help The package contains two bills moving together: the Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act, which is mainly targeted at regulating the collection of personal data, and the Kids Online Safety Act, a bill that has been a lightning rod of criticism from outside groups. A bipartisan group of senators points to years of hearings and meetings with tragedy-struck families including those whose children struggled with eating disorders and died by suicide as the motivation behind the proposals. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, of Tennessee, one of the Kids Online Safety Acts original sponsors, said the legislation is a safety by design bill, a duty of care bill that gives kids and parents a toolbox so that they can protect themselves. A message that were sending to big tech: kids are not your product, kids are not your profit source, and we are going to protect them in the virtual space, Blackburn, a Republican, said at a press conference following the vote. Blackburn co-led the bill dubbed the Kids Online Safety Act with Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. Sen. Ed Markey, who championed the last protections passed by Congress in late 1990s, said back in 1998 only birds tweeted, a gram was a measurement of weight, and so we need to update the law. The Massachusetts Democrat joined Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana in co-sponsoring the Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act. Markey likened addictive social media products to those of the tobacco industry in previous decades, and cited public health warnings attributing increasing childhood mental health issues to the platforms. So we have to give the tools to parents and to teenagers and children to be able to protect themselves, and that would be my message to my colleagues in the House. We cannot avoid this historic moment, Markey said at the press conference. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the legislations passage in the Senate and said the parents of affected teens are the reason we succeeded today. Ive heard the terrible stories: children, teenagers, perfectly normal, then some algorithm captures them online by accident, and they end up committing suicide shortly thereafter, the New York Democrat said in a statement. You imagine being a parent and living with that. New rules for platforms The original two bills, rolled into one legislative vehicle, respectively outline duty of care rules requiring platform creators to consider broad mental health categories when designing and operating their products as well as a prohibition of the use of personal data for targeted marketing. The legislation would also mandate that platforms create an easy-to-understand privacy dashboard detailing how a minors personal information is collected, used and protected. Other measures would include a prohibition on hidden algorithms, mechanisms for minors or parents to remove data, parental controls to restrict financial transactions and annual public reports from the platforms on reasonably foreseeable harms to children and teens and efforts underway to prevent them. Enforcement The new policies, if enacted, would be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission and any civil actions would be prosecuted by states in U.S. district court with advance notice to the FTC. The legislation defines the online platforms as public-facing websites, social media applications, video games, messaging applications or video streaming services that are used, or reasonably likely to be used, by a minor. Snap, the company behind the popular platform Snapchat, issued a statement specifically praising the Senates passage of the Kids Online Safety Act. The safety and well-being of young people on Snapchat is a top priority, a Snap spokesperson said in a statement provided to States Newsroom. Thats why Snap has been a long-time supporter of the Kids Online Safety Act. We applaud Senators Blackburn, Blumenthal and the roughly 70 other co-sponsors of this critical legislation for their leadership and commitment to the privacy and safety of young people. Opponents see dangerous measure A coalition of organizations advocating for First Amendment rights, privacy and the interests of LGBTQ minors urged the House to vote no on the legislation, criticizing it as blatantly unconstitutional. Evan Greer, director of the tech policy group Fight For the Future, also lambasted the bill as dangerous and misguided and wildly broad. The coalition largely takes issue with the Kids Online Safety Acts duty of care provision that requires companies to prevent and mitigate harms associated with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use disorders and suicidal behaviors. During a joint virtual press conference hosted by the groups during the Senate vote, Greer described the provision as a blank check for censorship of any piece of content that an administration could claim is harmful to kids. What that means in practice, is that for example, a Trump administration FTC would get to dictate what types of content platforms can recommend or even show to younger users, Greer said, referring to Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump. Jenna Leventoff, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, said the Kids Online Safety Act is nothing more than a thinly veiled effort to censor information that some consider objectionable. If enacted, KOSA could lead to information about health care, gender, identity, politics and more being removed from social media. And kids note that censorship will make them less and not more safe, Leventoff said. As one student recently told me, they dont get sex education in school, and if information about sex is removed from the internet because platforms fear liability for hosting it, how else can they learn about sex? Teens in opposition The ACLU brought roughly 300 teens to Capitol Hill to lobby against the legislation. Dara Adkinson, of the organization TransOhio, said the legislation is truly terrifying. Adkinson questioned whether state and federal authorities could argue that content about climate change or the nations history of slavery causes anxiety and should therefore be regulated. Regarding content about transgender youth, Adkinson said: We know there (are) people out there that would like us to not exist and having the lack of visibility of the kinds of resources found on the internet is the first step for many of these folks. Greer said the coalition is concerned about the role of big tech in society. Advocates would support a heavily modified version of the Kids Online Safety Act that focuses on regulating business practices, including targeted advertising or videos that automatically play and encourage continuous, addictive scrolling habits. Greer said their organization is neutral on the legislation targeted at protecting childrens privacy, but that they would like to see comprehensive legislation that protects minors and adults alike. Censorship and privacy do not go together, and these should not be moving together, Greer said. Reading is a major focus for MSCS. Here's what the literacy director is doing his first 100 days When Memphis-Shelby County Schools leaders looked at students results on spring reading tests, they saw signs of growth. For example, 22.4% of third- through eighth-graders scored proficiently on the English Language Arts section of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program tests, an improvement from the 20.7% that scored proficiently last year. But the vast majority of MSCS students still arent reading on grade level, and district staffers are implementing a variety of strategies to become better readers. Leading this charge is Jared Myracle, Ed.D., who superintendent Marie Feagins tapped to be the MSCS director of literacy in June. He has almost two decades of experience in the education sector and has spent the bulk of his career in Tennessee. Heres a snapshot of what Myracle plans to do in his first 100 days, according to his 100-day plan posted on the MSCS website. The first few weeks In his first week on the job, Myracle planned to start building relationships with other leadership team members, academic staffers, school leaders, stakeholder groups, and university partners. He also wanted to review data including student achievement and growth patterns and study the districts past literacy initiatives. He wanted to know what had worked and what hadnt. Jared Myracle has been named director of literacy at MSCS. In his second week, he wanted to conduct district-level and staff-level interviews, analyze school schedules, create new digital literacy toolkits, and review the MSCS ELA curriculum. In weeks three and four, he wanted to review ELA assessment platforms and study student literacy programs, like reading rewards programs and competitions. The start of the school year Myracles second month on the job will coincide with the start of the academic year, which begins on Aug. 5. He wants to visit as many schools as possible that day; and in his fifth and sixth weeks, he plans to meet with focus groups comprised of teachers, parents, and community members to get feedback on literacy opportunities and the curriculum. In his seventh and eighth weeks, he wants to conduct strategic school and classroom visits based on data review and develop a tiered literacy support system. He also wants to shadow grade-level meetings and curriculum planning meetings at select schools, using the support system as a guide. More: Memphis-Shelby County Schools will give students designations based on attendance rates Related: 'Cast the net wide:' Facing teacher shortage, MSCS on a hiring blitz before school year start In his ninth week the first week of September he plans to recommend literacy practices that can be incorporated into the districts instructional framework. He also wants to make more school and classroom visits based on the tiered literacy support system and prepare a 50-day summary report. In his 10th week, he plans to continue making school and classroom visits, create an initial outline and structure of a district literacy report, and visit after-school programs at select schools. Capping 100 days In his 11th week, Myracle wants to outline critical content for the Literacy Leadership Institute which will launch for school leadership teams in the late fall or winter and visit more afterschool programs. In his 12th week, he plans to support leaders of schools in the highest tier of the literacy support system, as they look closely at their literacy practices and conduct teacher observations. In his 13th week, hell continue this process, and begin reviewing available diagnostic, benchmark, and curriculum-based assessment data. Depending on what he sees, he could adjust the tiers of the support system. Rising second-grader Sebastian works on a reading worksheet during the Memphis Shelby County Schools Summer Learning Academy at Jackson Elementary in Memphis, Tenn., on Monday, July 8, 2024. In his 15th week, Myracle is set to prepare a 100-day plan, which will include accomplishments and next steps. Myracle's background Myracle began his career in 2007 as a teacher with Weakley County Schools in Northwest Tennessee. In 2008, he became a teacher in the Gibson County Special School District in Trenton, Tennessee; and in 2010, he was made an assistant principal in the district. In 2012, he was named supervisor of instruction, and in 2015, he joined the McNairy County School District in Selmer, Tennessee, where he became assistant director of schools. In 2021, Myracle was named senior director of English Language Arts, Literacy, and Humanities with the Tennessee Department of Education, and in 2022, he was named senior director of programs with Impact Florida, a nonprofit focused on improving the quality of classroom instruction in Florida schools. A Jackson native, Myracle has Doctor of Education and Master of Education degrees from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. John Klyce covers education and children's issues for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at John.klyce@commercialappeal.com. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis-Shelby County Schools literacy director first 100 days plan Subscribe to HuffPosts true crime newsletter, Suspicious Circumstances, to get captivating cases, unsolved mysteries and courtroom drama delivered straight to your inbox every week. Sign up here. A Miami real estate titan, who authorities said had waged a five-year campaign to kill his estranged wife, was found dead last month as FBI agents who planned to arrest him in an early-morning raid entered his $8 million waterfront mansion. Attorneys for Sergio Pino, 67, claim federal law enforcements aggressive, unprecedented and unnecessary response led him on July 16 to kill himself. They dispute that he conspired to kill his wife even as a 911 call released last week captured his adult daughters horrified reaction to an alleged hitman at her mothers home. Theres a gun, theres a guy with a gun, please, Alessandra Pino pleads to a 911 dispatcher before saying she feared her mother might be shot. Investigators said in court documents that they began investigating Sergio Pino in July 2022 for multiple contracts to kill his wife, Tatiana Pino, 55, dating back to 2019 and continuing through this June, an FBI agent said in an arrest warrant for one of his alleged co-conspirators. Their attacks included poisoning, arson, a hit-and-run and two gun-related attempts, authorities said in court documents. Alessandra Pino who called 911 on June 23 after she said one suspect grabbed her and pointed a gun at her head and Tatiana Pinos sister were also allegedly victims of the various schemes, which included at least one threatening letter and vandalism. Sergio and Tatiana Pino were married for 30 years. Elaine Palladino Photography The Pinos had been embroiled in contentious divorce proceedings since Tatiana Pino initially filed in April 2022 to end their 30-year marriage. In a deposition that September, according to divorce records reviewed by HuffPost, she said she believed her husband had been poisoning her with fentanyl for several years. The FBI laterclaimed that Sergio Pino had tampered with his wifes prescribed medication, using the potent opioid he obtained from members of the first crew of four men he promised to pay if they killed his wife. In court documents, investigators said that Bayron Bennett whom Tatiana Pino recognized as an employee who served the couple food and drinks on their 71-foot yacht told authorities in March that he had been asked by Sergio Pino (who is not named in the court documents) to assemble a crew of men to commit arsons and violently ram into Tatiana Pinos car while she was returning home from what her divorce attorney, Raymon Rafool, told NBC Miami was a very important divorce court hearing. After numerous hospitalizations for symptoms that included respiratory problems, she was admitted in 2022 to Baltimores Johns Hopkins Hospital, where doctors detected the potent opiate fentanyl in her system, she said in a sworn statement. She said she had never used the drug before. She was intubated six times during that hospital stay, she said. Before her release, her doctor urged her to stay at her sisters house. They were scared for me because had this happened to me again, I would have been dead, she testified, according to divorce records. She fully recovered while staying with her sister and remained symptom-free, she said. But she had not escaped danger. The attacks against her and her loved ones only escalated, becoming increasingly violent as authorities said her estranged husband took desperate measures to hold onto his wealth, influence and once-sterling reputation. Sergio Pino was found dead in an early-morning raid at his $8 million waterfront mansion (pictured, center, with his yacht docked outside). Google Maps The Pinos Marriage And Divorce Proceedings Tatiana Pino, the mother of two of Sergio Pinos four children, filed for divorce in April 2022 after the alleged fentanyl poisoning was discovered. Sergio Pino had not yet been charged with a crime, and their bitter proceedings centered around Tatiana Pinos demand for a joint division of assets. She acknowledged that she was not entitled to alimony based on a postnuptial agreement she had signed in the weeks after they were wed in a civil ceremony. But she claimed that she had only agreed to sign it under duress and coercion after she said she was ambushed with the agreement the day before their public wedding celebration. At the time, she was a 23-year-old college student earning $20,000 a year, while Sergio Pino, then 35 and already married and divorced once, was worth $15 million, the agreement said. Their financial success was undeniable. In a 2021 financial statement, their combined net worth was listed as both $359 million and $153 million; Sergio Pino said in a November 2023 deposition that the larger number was a joke. Tatiana Pino discovered in 2017 that her husband was having an affair with another woman, a Miami real estate broker, according to divorce records. The Pinos attended marriage counseling, but Tatiana Pino said her husband continued to see the other woman. Sergio Pino emigrated from Cuba with his family when he was 12 and, in 1995, founded Century Home Builders. The company touts itself as the largest Hispanic homebuilder in the U.S., saying it has built more than 16,000 homes in South Florida. Sergio Pino was also well-known for his philanthropy and political sway, donating tens of thousands of dollars to Republican Party campaigns, including those of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former President George W. Bush, according to an obituary published by the Miami Herald. The Century Home Builders website held a message from its founder that is at odds with the accusations that he terrorized his wife and other family members. In todays world, more than ever before, its important to consider the comfort, convenience and security a new home represents, Pino wrote. Few things in a lifetime will generate more precious memories than good times at home. The First Crew Of Alleged Hitmen Authorities arrested the first crew of four men who were allegedly tasked with killing Tatiana Pino in March on suspicion of stalking, arson and racketeering. Authorities said that some members of the foursome which comprised Bayron Bennett, Michael Dulfo, Jerren Howard and Edner Etienne had supplied the fentanyl that Sergio Pino used to poison his wife. The group also committed two arson attacks at Tatiana Pinos sisters house destroying several cars and some property, authorities said in court documents. The first fire occurred on July 2, 2022, and the second a year later, on Aug. 12, 2023. The damage was severe, but no one was harmed in those incidents. Just two weeks after the second fire, on Aug. 30, 2023, Tatiana Pino was the victim of a violent hit-and-run when a Home Depot truck that authorities said had been rented by the crew rammed into the passenger side of her car while she was pulling into her driveway following the important divorce court hearing. She was not seriously injured, and the truck sped away. The four men were arrested and pleaded not guilty to the various arson, stalking and racketeering charges against them. Sergio Pino, the president, CEO and founder of Century Homebuilders Group, at the company's Midtown Doral, Flordia, residential complex sales center. Patrick Farrell/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images The Second Alleged Crew After the first crew members were arrested, authorities said they found evidence that Sergio Pino was involved in the attacks on his wife and raided his home for the first time, the Miami Herald reported. With evidence that investigators were closing in, Sergio Pino hired a defense attorney and asked Fausto Rafael Villar, who did roofing work for him, to assemble a second crew to kill Tatiana Pino, officials said. The crew, including Villar, allegedly comprised five men: Avery Bivins, Clementa Johnson, Diori Barnard and Vernon Green. Authorities said Sergio Pino offered to pay the men $150,000 upfront and then another $150,000 if they killed Tatiana Pino before June 24, the date of an upcoming court hearing. Just one day before the deadline, June 23, a man who FBI officials identified as Green was waiting outside Tatiana Pinos home for her to return from a Sunday church service. When she pulled up in her driveway, he got out of his truck and ran toward her, brandishing a gun, authorities alleged in court documents. In an attempt to get away, she drove her car into her backyard, slamming on her horn to alert others. Green, authorities said, ran to the front of the house where the Pinos daughter was walking out, alarmed by the noise. He allegedly pointed a pistol several inches away from her head, grabbed her arm, and told her to run inside, which she did. The Pinos daughter, not sure whether her mother was safe as the terrifying ordeal unfolded, called the police. Authorities released a recording of that 911 call, her voice quiet and shaking as the dispatcher sought to obtain more details. Tatiana Pino and her daughter were not physically harmed in the incident. Green and the three other members of the second crew were arrested in early July on charges ranging from stalking to the use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Barnard has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and possessing a firearm as a felon; the other men are scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 2. Sergio Pino was still alive when members of law enforcement, including a SWAT team, arrived at his house on the morning of July 16, FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri told reporters at a news conference later that day. Sergio Pinos attorney, Sam Rabin, criticized law enforcements use of force at his home that morning, especially since we had offered to surrender him should that have become necessary, he said in a statement shared with HuffPost. Todays events mark a very tragic ending to an investigation that we were confident we could successfully defend, he added. There were many rumors and allegations but what was lacking was evidence. When asked about Rabins comments during the July 16 news conference, U.S. attorney Markenzy Lapointe disputed that the attorney had offered to arrange Pinos surrender. The notion that whatever the lawyer may have said and thats his right, is to defend his client that somehow there was some notion, somehow he may have communicated that he was willing to surrender. No, that was not going to happen, Lapointe told reporters. Lapointe emphasized there was no question that Sergio Pino posed a significant risk to his wife. We would never give them notice that were going to come to arrest them, he said about similar cases where a persons life could be in jeopardy. Wed show up and arrest them, and we dont apologize for that, because theres all kinds of potential things that can happen. You give him notice what was he going to do? We knew he was trying to kill his wife. What if you give him notice now? And he decided, You know what? Im going to speed up the process now, since the two crews couldnt kill him. Im going to kill her myself. Im going to figure out a way and kill her myself. That could have happened, right? Veltri said he stood by his decision to utilize a SWAT team and pointed out that giving Sergio Pino notice posed another risk. If we were to give a subject an opportunity to self-surrender prior to the issuance of a search warrant, its not out of the realm of possibility in fact, very likely that they would destroy valuable evidence we need for subsequent prosecution, Veltri said. Villar, the alleged middleman, was arrested at his home on July 16, hours after Sergio Pinos death, and faces charges of murder for hire and stalking, firearms offenses and obstruction of justice. He has yet to enter a formal plea. While the investigation is ongoing, authorities believe Tatiana Pino is no longer in danger. She is safe, and she no longer needs to live in fear for her life, Veltri said. Tatiana Pinos attorney, Raymond Rafool, told HuffPost that she now owns the company that her husband founded. Currently, we are not commenting, he said, except to say that Tatiana and [her daughters] are doing fine and are successfully operating Century Homebuilders Group, LLC. Related... REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (WHNT) The U.S. Army Garrison is set to welcome the first female Garrison Commander on August 1. On August 1 at 10 a.m., Colonel Erin Eike will assume duties as the U.S. Army Garrison Redstone Arsenal Commander at the Bob Jones Auditorium. Redstone Arsenal experienced traffic backups after system malfunction, issue fixed In her role, she will oversee support services for more than 65 tenant organizations including the four-star Army Material Command, NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center, the FBI and other federal and Department of Defense agencies. Prior to Col. Eikes assignment at Redstone Arsenal, she served as the chief of the Requirements Division in the J6 Command, Control, Communications and Computers Cyber at the Pentagon. Some of Col. Eikes awards and decorations include: Defense Superior Service Medal Bronze Star Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal three Meritorious Service Medals five Army Commendation Medals Army Reserve Components Achievement Ribbon National Defense Service Medal Iraq Campaign medal with two stars Korean Defense Service Medal five Overseas Service Ribbons Parachutist Badge German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge Joint Chiefs of Staff and Army Staff Identification Badges She will assume command from Col. Brian Cozine during a Change of Command ceremony. The ceremony will be live-streamed on the Team Redstone Facebook page. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WKRN) The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) is mourning the loss of one of its probation and parole officers. Elaina McMinnis was killed in a car crash in Lawrence County while she was driving to work on July 19. The 34-year-old worked as a state probation and parole officer for five years with the District 51 field office, which covers Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Maury, Perry, Wayne and Williamson counties. Crystal Gray, district director for the TDOC, described McMinnis as the mother hen of their team. Nashville tour company mourns death of beloved guide in New Orleans This loss has affected us personally and professionally, Gray said. She had a calming effect about her. You never saw her really frustrated, and she let that calming effect go across the office. She would do anything for anybody. She was the caretaker for us, and she was the caretaker for her family. Courtesy: Tennessee Department of Correction Courtesy: Tennessee Department of Correction Courtesy: Tennessee Department of Correction TDOC probation and parole manager Matthew Thomas presented McMinnis 17-year-old son Malachi with an American flag folded in her honor. Courtesy: Tennessee Department of Correction Courtesy: Tennessee Department of Correction Courtesy: Tennessee Department of Correction Courtesy: Tennessee Department of Correction McMinnis coworkers said she was dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of offenders and protecting the people and places she served. She is the epitome of what a probation parole officer should be and who we want to be, Gray said. She was firm with our offenders however shed empower them. She chose kindness with everything that she did. We often teased her because we said that she would take in every stray that she found and lets be real, the streets found her because she had a heart for people and she had a heart for animals. Gray said McMinnis impact was far-reaching, which she attributed to the outpouring of support from community members and agencies across the state, many of whom didnt know her personally. We had probation and parole officers and community supervision staff from Johnson City to Memphis reaching out to offer condolences, Gray said. We have staff from one side of the state to the other stepping up to do our jobs for us to give us that time to grieve. Her funeral procession was almost three miles long with people from across the state coming in to honor her memory. Preparing students for emergencies on college campuses Even in her death, McMinnis is continuing to give life through organ donation. Her coworkers participated in her honor walk in Nashville. As they work to navigate a new normal without McMinnis, Gray said she and the entire District 51 team are doing their best to make sure her legacy lives on. I challenge all my staff to each take Elaina with them every day and choose kindness because thats what she would do, Gray said. McMinnis leaves behind a 17-year-old son with special needs and a young foster daughter. If youd like to help McMinnis family with unexpected expenses, you can donate on their GoFundMe page. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. On July 25, the Renton Police Department arrested a 15-year-old after connecting the teen to a car theft from earlier this year. On January 21, police responded to reports of a stolen car. Officers found the stolen car in the 200 block of Meadow Avenue Northeast three days later. When police checked the car, they said that the thief had ripped out the steering wheel column. When the investigation ended, police were able to name the suspect, who is known to be part of a group that steals cars and commits robberies. When the teen was arrested, he was on electronic home monitoring for first-degree attempted robbery and third-degree theft. Since this arrest was for a crime committed before his current case, the judge immediately released the teen back to home monitoring. Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, listens to an interview question at his office in West Jordan, on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Rep. Burgess Owens says he imagines a world where race isnt a measure of intelligence and potential. Unfortunately, over the past several years, the political Left has tried to drag us down, Owens wrote in an opinion piece published in Fox News on July 21. They are intent on teaching Black and Brown students that the system is stacked against them, there is nothing they can do to stop it, and it is better to live in a perpetual state of victimhood. Owens said he witnessed racism first hand during his childhood in the Jim Crow South. But on the other hand, he said he saw the opportunity the U.S. has to offer. I was raised by educators who taught me that success was possible; I just needed to work for it. And I did, he said. Thats the reason he started the Merit Caucus to start conversations about overcoming challenges through hard work and rejecting notions of racism when it comes to high standards and expectations, as the Deseret News previously reported. How is the left influencing the education system? Heres what Rep. Owens said The Utah representative said the lefts pessimistic message centered around race holds students back. He argued that schools across the country are waging a war on merit by lowering standards, canceling advanced and AP classes, and replacing entrance exams with arbitrary quota systems all in the name of so-called equity, Owens said. He cited various examples of this war on merit, like the Fairfax County schools grading for equity training for teachers amid learning gaps from COVID-19, and the Seattle Public Schools decision to eliminate 11 programs for gifted children. Other school districts nationwide are exploring such policies. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in 2021 signed a bill allowing students to graduate without passing reading, writing and math at the senior high school grade level, Owens noted. What happened? Students figured out they could show up briefly, get marked present, leave, and hand in two assignments, and they would still be able to pass, he added. Our education system needs an overhaul. Schools should not be looking for ways to lower standards. Slashing academic opportunities is not the answer, Owens, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, said. We need policies in place that meet students where they are, help them progress, and challenge them to meet and exceed their true potential. Excellence should be the standard not the exception. Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, answers interview questions at his office in West Jordan, on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Rep. Owens says VP Harris is a DEI hire Last week, Owens said Vice President Kamala Harris, who inherited President Joe Bidens campaign after he dropped out earlier this month, is the greatest example of DEI, using an acronym for diversity, equity and inclusion framework. Harris is of Jamaican and South Asian descent. For those who believe in DEI, this is exactly what DEI is like. Kamala Harris, Owens continued. His comments prompted other GOP lawmakers, like Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., to also call Harris a DEI hire. But House Speaker Mike Johnson said campaigns shouldnt be about personality but policy. This has nothing to do with race. It has to do with the competence of the person running for president, the relative strength of the two candidates and what ideas they have on how to solve Americas problems, Johnson, R-La., said. And I think in that comparison, well win in a landslide. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-Portland) has announced her resignation from the Oregon House of Representatives, effective Aug. 31, as she runs for U.S. Congress. According to a statement issued Wednesday, Dexter wanted to provide as much of an onramp as I can for the next Representative of House District 33, and allow them to hire staff, prepare their bills, and be ready to hit the ground running on Jan. 21. Heat turns dangerous by late week for Portland and entire state Shannon Jones Isadore is slated to replace Dexter representing House District 33, which oversees the Northwest Portland, downtown Portland, Linnton, and Cathedral Park areas. It has been an immense privilege and honor to serve in the Oregon House of Representatives for the past four years. Since taking office, we have made huge investments to support Oregonians, Dexter said. I am immensely proud of the work this body has done, and am proud to have been a leader in taking action to reduce opioid harm and making naloxone accessible in our schools, investing nearly $2 billion in housing and homeless services, and putting Oregon on a path to reduce emissions. It has truly been an incredible experience serving as State Representative. Slingshot-wielder leaves victim with punctured lung in attack near MAX stop The announcement follows her win during Oregons recent primary election in which she secured the Democratic nomination in the race to succeed Sen. Earl Blumenauer, who announced his retirement in late 2023. Dexter will take on Republican nominee Joanna Harbour in the general election on November 5th. It is anticipated Dexter will win the seat in the Democrat-heavy district. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Baraga Correctional Facility Report: The Corrections Officers working at the Baraga Correctional Facility, a maximum-security state prison, are suffering badly from the impacts of a severe staffing crisis. The vacancy rate for officers is now up to a dangerous 34%. This results in constant mandatory 16-hour shifts and violations of the Departments overtime rules. Officers are forced to work double shifts multiple times per week and frequently on back-toback days with no relief in sight. Every day, the prison runs with far less officers than what is required, resulting in prisoner activities being limited or canceled. This in turn leads to disturbances and assaults on the officers when prisoners get frustrated. It is time for the public and our elected officials to be made aware of what is really happening in Michigans state prison system. This series of reports will pull back the curtain for everyone to have a glimpse of what its like to work in short-staffed prisons. From July 1 through July 18, 2024, there were 544 corrections officer overtime shifts. 387 of those overtime shifts were mandatory overtime, and the vast majority of the rest were worked voluntarily in an attempt to avoid mandatory overtime. There were 135 violations of the MDOCs 32-hour rule, which is a policy designed to protect officers from excessive overtime. During this time there were also 350 closed officer positions across all three shifts. A closed officer position means that there wasnt an officer stationed at a required position inside the prison. The following is a summary of events just from July 1 through July 17, 2024, that occurred at the maximum-security Baraga Correctional Facility: 7/1/24 Officers had to use tear gas and tasers to control 3 prisoners fighting. 7/3/24 Officers broke up 3 prisoners fighting on the yard. 7/4/24 2 officers responded to 2 prisoners assaulting another prisoner. When they arrived, the 2 prisoners began punching and kicking the officers resulting in injury. Tear gas and tasers were used to stop the assault and the facility went on lockdown. The 2 officers were sent to the hospital. 7/5/24 Officers were placed on a Forced Move team to deal with disruptive prisoners. Officers were verbally threatened by prisoners and tear gas was used to gain compliance 7/6/24 All Level 5 housing units were placed on lock down due to shortage of officers. 7/8/24 Prisoner yard periods closed due to shortage of officers and need for a Forced Move team. 7/9/24 Prisoner yard periods shortened to 30 minutes due to shortage of officers. 7/9/24 A prisoner assaulted an Officer by throwing an unknown liquid on him. A Forced Move team was assembled, and tear gas was needed to control the prisoner. 7/9/24 Officers responded to 3 prisoners fighting on the yard. 7/11/24 Prisoner yard periods canceled due to shortage of officers. 7/12/24 Prisoner yard periods canceled due to shortage of officers. 7/12/24 Prisoners started a disturbance in response to yard periods being canceled. Forced Move teams were assembled, and an additional Forced Move team was summoned from the Alger Correctional Facility two hours away. Prisoners refused to follow orders, verbally threatened officers and tear gas had to be used to gain compliance and restore order. 7/13/24 Prisoner yard periods canceled due to shortage of officers. 7/15/24 Prisoner yard periods in the morning were shortened to 30 minutes due to shortage of officers. Prisoner yard periods in the afternoon were canceled due to shortage of officers. 7/15/24 3 prisoners created a disturbance in a housing unit. A supervisor was assaulted and a Forced Move team utilized tear gas and a pepper ball launcher to restore order. 7/16/24 Prisoner yard periods shortened to 30 minutes due to shortage of officers. 7/17/24 Officers responded to three separate fights on the yard involving 6 prisoners and responded to 1 prisoner assaulting another prisoner. Tasers were used to gain compliance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com. (Bloomberg Markets) -- One business may finally be getting too big for Texas: data centers, those whirring warehouses packed with the electricity-sucking computer servers that power the modern internet and the development of artificial intelligence. Most Read from Bloomberg Up until now, the business-friendly state has welcomed their growth, which has been a boon for land values and property taxes. Texas offers vast tracts of land and a broad supply of cheap energy sources, including wind and solar. But the boom in data centers threatens to gobble up quite a bit of both. Real estate companies backed by private equity firms such as Blackstone, along with tech giants including Microsoft and Alphabet, have snapped up space for AI. The Dallas-Fort Worth area is already the second-biggest US market for leased data center space, according to real estate company CBRE Group Inc. To keep up with Texas soaring energy needs, the states grid by 2030 will need to support 152 gigawatts of demand on peak days, almost double what it can currently handle, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (Ercot). Data centers and crypto miners, which have also flocked to the state, account for a big chunk of that projected demand. Population expansion and hydrogen production plans, as well as oil and gas companies push to electrify their operations, are also contributing. The Texas power grid infamously buckled during a cold snap in 2021, leaving more than 4.5 million homes without power. When Hurricane Beryl slammed into Houston in early July, almost 3 million customers were left without electricity, including a major data center operated by Lumen Technologies Inc. that had to rely on backup generators. Its the latest reminder of the existing vulnerabilities of Texas power system, particularly during extreme weather. I am concerned about data centers and the consumption of power as AI computing becomes part of our everyday life, says state Senator Nathan Johnson, a Democrat whose district includes parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We have never dealt with electrical growth on this scale and speed. We have never dealt with electrical growth on this scale and speed. Even Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, a staunch conservative who normally champions pro-business policies and fights government regulation, has expressed some hesitation about the effects of explosive data center growth. Bitcoin miners and data centers produce very few jobs compared to the incredible demands they place on our grid, Patrick wrote on the social media platform X. We want data centers, but it cant be the Wild Wild West of data centers and crypto miners crashing our grid and turning the lights off. In a July 1 statement, he and Governor Greg Abbott said Ercots demand growth projections call for an immediate review of all policies concerning the grid. Story continues All data centers needing more than 75 megawatts of powerenough to electrify a large factory, a smelter or about 15,000 homesand vying to come online in less than two years need to get special approval from Ercot under rules put in place in 2022. While Bitcoin miners can shut down their operations when demand and prices get too high, data center operators dont have that flexibility and cant offer the same kind of grid-reliability safety check, according to David Naylor, chief executive officer of Rayburn Electric Cooperative, a utility based just outside Dallas in Rockwall. The Texas grid is particularly vulnerable to strain from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. when supply from solar energy sources drops off, especially if theres not enough wind to spin turbines. Theres a 16% chance of a power emergency during those hours in extreme August conditions, according to Ercot, and a 12% chance of rolling blackouts. Meeting demand during the winter has also become more challenging because of extreme weather. Because of the surge of demand from data centers, Texas risks brownouts without new power generation capacity, according to Ram Krishnan, chief operating officer of Emerson Electric Co. Texas wants to figure it out because it wants to win the data center investment journey, and I think they will, says Krishnan, whose company sells software and automation controls to power companies. But is there a coordinated plan for Texas to figure it out? I havent seen it. The appetite for data center construction has squeezed other developers out of the market. We look at the map, and brokers tell us, No, that land went to a data center, and that one did, too, says Fernando De Leon, the billionaire founder of Leon Capital Group, which develops multifamily and warehouse properties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Youre looking at it and saying, Wow, thats 20 land parcels that are a thousand acres that all went to data centers, and theyre gonna consume unimaginable swaths of energy. We have never dealt with electrical growth on this scale and speed. Utility operators say requests from data center developers require the kind of grid capacity that could power entire midsize cities. The loads are beyond anything weve ever seen, says Matt Mitchell, a spokesperson for Austin Energy, a utility in the capital city. Governor Abbott in early July said hed seek to double the size of the Texas Energy Fund, to $10 billion. The program provides low-interest loans and grants for the construction of more natural gas plants. Developers have already expressed interest in applying for $39 billion in funding. The states power supply options are far from tapped out. Data centers could find alternative energy sources, including small modular nuclear reactors, according to Pablo Koziner, chief commercial officer of wind and gas turbine manufacturer GE Vernova Inc. But those wont be much help on an industrial scale before well into the next decade. For energy, from now to 2030 is very short-term type of planning, he says. In the hunt for big blocks of power, its very unlikely that you can solve for that in any other way without some element of gas power. More than other states, Texas has been open to expanding gas power. But the average gas plant takes three to four years to complete, while new transmission lines take as many as six, Abbott has said. Data centers, even massive ones, can be built in just a year. Thats unheard of in terms of grid-planning time scales, Ercot CEO Pablo Vegas said on a March podcast. By comparison, when Siemens AG decided to electrify part of the production process for a plant in Grand Prairie, Texas, the planning process with its local utility Oncor Electric Delivery Co. stretched for more than 18 months, says Barry Powell, the North American head of Siemens electrical products business. Some data center developers are looking to the Midwest and places such as Reno, Nevada, according to Chris Cornick, head of megaprojects at Ferguson Plc, a distributor of industrial construction materials. Data centers could also locate elsewhere in Texas, including Austin. I dont think Dallas is done by any means, Cornick says. More broadly, the limitations here are not going to be resources on the data center owner side. The construction market will do our best to keep up. It will be the availability of power. Sutherland and Fine are Bloomberg bureau chiefs, the former in Boston and the latter in Dallas. Malik covers the power industry from New York. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Posted on July 30, 2024 in Facility Staffing Crisis Spotlight, MBP by Adam Earley The Corrections Officers working at the Marquette Branch Prison, a maximum-security state prison, are suffering badly from the impacts of a severe staffing crisis. The vacancy rate for officers is now up to a dangerous 33%. This results in constant mandatory 16-hour shifts and violations of the Departments overtime rules. Officers are forced to work double shifts multiple times per week and frequently on back-to-back days with no relief in sight. Every day, the prison runs with far less officers than is required, resulting in prisoner activities being limited or canceled. This in turn leads to disturbances and assaults on the officers when prisoners get frustrated. It is time for the public and our elected officials to be made aware of what is really happening in Michigans state prison system. This series of reports will pull back the curtain for everyone to have a glimpse of what its like to work in short-staffed prisons. From July 1st through July 28th, 2024, there were 785 corrections officer overtime shifts. 326 of those overtime shifts were mandatory overtime, and most of the rest worked voluntarily overtime to avoid mandatory overtime. There were 88 violations of the MDOCs 32-hour rule, which is a policy designed to protect officers from excessive overtime. During this time there were also 519 closed officer positions across all three shifts. A closed officer position means that there wasnt an officer stationed at a required position inside the prison. The following is a summary of events just from July 1 through July 28, 2024, that occurred at the maximum-security Marquette Branch Prison: 7/1/24 Officers broke up 2 prisoners fighting on the level 5 yard. 7/4/24 A prisoner assaulted an officer by throwing an unknown liquid through cell bars. 7/5/24 Officers broke up 2 prisoners fighting on the level 5 yard. 7/8/24 Officers broke up 3 prisoners fighting with weapons on the level 5 yard. 7/8/24 A prisoner broke a sprinkler head off in a housing unit. Prisoner was moved by a cell extraction team. 7/9/24 A prisoner created a disturbance in a housing unit. The prisoner was moved by a cell extraction team. 7/10/24 General Population Level 5 yard cancelled due to disruptive prisoners and short staffing. 7/11/24 Officers broke up 4 prisoners fighting with weapons in a housing unit. 7/11/24 Officers broke up 2 prisoners fighting in a housing unit. Tasers were used to stop the fight. 7/13/24 A prisoner assaulted an officer by throwing an unknown liquid through the cell bars. 7/13/24 A prisoner broke a sprinkler head off in a housing unit. Prisoner was moved by a cell extraction team. 7/14/24 A prisoner assaulted an officer by throwing an unknown liquid through the cell bars. 7/14/24 2 prisoners broke sprinkler heads off in a housing unit. 7/15/24 Officers broke up 2 prisoners fighting on level 5 yard. 7/15/24 Prisoners started a fire a housing unit. Officers extinguished the fire. 7/15/24 Officers broke up 2 prisoners fighting outside of a housing unit. 7/16/24 A prisoner assaulted an officer by throwing an unknown liquid through the cell bars. 7/16/24 A second prisoner assaulted an officer by throwing unknown liquid through the cell bars. 7/16/24 A third prisoner assaulted an officer by throwing unknown liquid through the cell bars 7/16/24 Prisoners started a fire in a housing unit. Officers extinguished the fire. 7/17/24 The Facility warden was assaulted through the cell bars by a prisoner who threw an unknown liquid through the cell bars. Security rounds were suspended due to prisoners throwing bodily fluids and other items through the cell bars in an attempt to assault officers. Protective clothing and a pepper ball gun were used to keep officers from being assaulted. 7/17/24 Prisoners assaulted 2 officers by throwing unknown liquid through the cell bars. 7/20/24 Officers broke up 2 prisoners fighting on the level 5 yard. 7/20/24 A prisoner broke a sprinkler head off in a housing unit, causing a disturbance. 7/21/24 A prisoner assaulted an officer by throwing unknown liquid through the cell bars. 7/22/24 Officers broke up 2 prisoners fighting on the level 5 yard. 7/22/24 Officer broke up 2 more prisoners fighting on the level 5 yard. 7/23/24 Officers broke up 2 prisoners fighting in a housing unit. 7/24/24 A pepper ball launcher and taser were used to stop a prisoner who was assaulting another prisoner on the level 5 yard. 7/24/24 A prisoner assaulted an officer by throwing unknown liquid through the cell bars. Prisoner was placed in restraints to prevent further disruptive behavior. 7/25/24 Officers broke up 2 prisoners fighting on the level 5 yard. 7/25/24 A prisoner broke a sprinkler head in his cell. A cell extraction team removed the prisoner from his cell placed him in restraints. 7/25/24 A prisoner assaulted 2 officers with an unknown liquid. The prisoner was placed in restraints. 7/26/24 Officers used the pepper ball launcher and chemical agent to break up a fight on the level 5 yard. 7/26/24 Officers broke up 2 prisoners fighting outside of a housing unit. 7/26/24 Prisoner yard cancelled due to multiple prisoner fights. 7/26/24 A prisoner was being moved to segregation for threatening staff and creating a disturbance. The prisoner assaulted staff by resisting being placed in restraints. 7/27/24 Officers used chemical agent to break up 2 prisoners fighting in a housing unit. 7/28/24 Officer fired a warning shot with a rifle to break up 2 prisoners fighting on the level 5 yard. The warning shot had no effect on the prisoners and the fight turned into an assault. Officers responded to stop the incident and restrain the prisoners. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com. A 2023 Florida law cracking down on undocumented immigrants drew protests in South Florida and may be a window into what could happen on a broader scale under Republican Donald Trump's plan for mass deportations. Florida is among a half-dozen states which each collect more than $1 billion in taxes from undocumented immigrants a flow of public money likely to disappear under Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps mass deportation plan, a new report shows. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a liberal, nonprofit think tank, showed in a report released Tuesday that an estimated 747,000 undocumented immigrants in Florida paid more than $1.8 billion in state and local taxes in 2022. Florida ranked fourth in the nation in tax dollars generated by these workers, trailing California, Texas and New York. Nationwide, almost $100 billion in federal, state and local taxes come from this shadowy labor force, surpassing the cost of government services received by these workers, the institute concluded. The report points out these taxes help fund Social Security, Medicare, food stamps and other federal programs that those working illegally in the U.S. are barred from receiving. "Undocumented immigrants work and pay taxes just like U.S. citizens, but theyre excluded from vital tax credits and the nations social safety net, said Jackie Vimo, senior policy analyst at the National Immigration Law Center. But she added, Theyre at the center of a concerted dehumanization campaign. Immigration remains top issue in fight for White House The findings about tax receipts are unlikely to change the intense political focus on immigration. But with Trump pledging to deport most of the nations more than 10 million immigrants who dont have legal documentation, the impact of such a move on state and national economies could be profound. At the Republican National Convention, Trump said the greatest invasion in history is happening at the U.S. southern border. A Gallup poll this month showed many Americans agreed, with 55% of those surveyed saying they want immigration decreased. An overwhelming 88% of Republican voters want heightened restrictions. Trump claims mass deportations would reduce crime and free up more jobs for U.S.-born Americans, with the idea almost certain to remain a top talking point for the Republican nominee heading toward November. The Heritage Foundation-backed Project 2025 blueprint of proposals for a second Trump term also largely endorses the former presidents approach. More: 'Lab rats?' GOP's Project 2025 looks to have been test-marketed in Florida Also: What is Project 2025? 5 ways its radical ideas are similar to Florida laws Undocumented workers paying as much in taxes as median Americans But the new study challenges the common view that undocumented immigration represents a tremendous drain on the nations economy. The report found those working illegally pay 26% of their income in taxes, roughly matching the median income group of the overall U.S. population. These workers are also less likely to claim refunds or tax credits, the study found. Undocumented immigrants across the U.S. paid federal, state, and local taxes an average of $8,889 per person in 2022. As a result, for every 1 million undocumented immigrants who reside in the country, public services receive roughly $8.9 billion in tax revenue, the report showed. Florida also is among 40 states where undocumented immigrants pay a larger share of their income in taxes than wealthier residents. Partly because of Floridas 6% sales tax, which hits a lower income person proportionately harder, those working illegally wind up paying an average 7.9% of their income in state and local taxes, compared to the top 1% of Florida earners who pay only 2.7%, the study found. In a state like Florida, where weve had recent policies that have been very hostile to immigrants, its important that we separate myth from reality, said Alexis Tsoukalas, senior policy analyst with the Florida Policy Institute, an Orlando research organization. Immigrants, regardless of their status, benefit states in more ways than one, she added. Florida law may provide glimpse of what could come nationwide Florida is conducting a crackdown on undocumented immigration which could prove a window into what could happen if Trumps deportation plan were to become law. Gov. Ron DeSantis last year enacted a law punishing employers who use undocumented labor and banning those not in this country legally from having a drivers license. DeSantis has said he has no problem with companies hiring immigrants, as long as its done legally. But Floridas agriculture, construction and tourism industries rely heavily on a workforce whose legal status often is in doubt. The new law led to an exodus of many immigrant workers from Florida, leaving dozens of businesses and industry associations complaining of a labor shortage the past two years, at a time when available jobs in Florida already far-outstrip the number of applicants. A Trump-appointed federal judge in May blocked a portion of the law which criminalizes the transportation of undocumented people into the state. U.S. District Judge Roy Altman acknowledged concerns of farmworker advocates and other groups suing over the law that the transportation provision put thousands of people, including many U.S. citizens, at risk of being arrested for driving a relative to a doctors appointment or simply leaving the state and returning after a family vacation. Governor signs 2023 immigration law: DeSantis signs illegal immigration crackdown and rails against Biden John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @JKennedyReport. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Trump targets, but FL, US undocumented immigrants pay billions in taxes With more voters taking advantage of mail-in ballots with the upcoming 2024 presidential race, officials say residents are having post office issues submitting application forms provided by a Republican PAC to register for mail-in voting. Over the last week, Republican registered voters have contacted the Lebanon Countys Bureau of Registration and Elections saying applications for mail-in ballots provided by a third-party mailer were rejected. The mailer was distributed by the The Republican State Leadership Committee PAC, or RSLC PAC, and contain two mail-in ballot applications with the local election office address already printed on them. The problem comes with the middle application, which contains the resident's mailing address on the opposite side, Elections Director Sean Drasher said. This means one application has two different addresses on each side of the form, which can be a problem for United States Post Office sorting machines. "So it's taken to the postal center, and if it is facing the right way in the machine it goes through because (the PAC) filled in our address on the blank side," Elections Director Sean Drasher said. "But if it goes through facing the other direction, it has the voter's own address on it, and it's sent back to them." RSLC PAC mailer applications have the address of both the elections office and the applicant's home address on each side. If postal sorting machines register the home address side, the application is returned to the resident for having a bad address, officials said. The mailers are part of the RSLC PAC, the Sentinel Action Fund and the Keystone Renewal PAC's campaign in Pennsylvania to gain more than 200,000 new Republican mail-in voters during the 2024 election cycle. The outreach efforts are to inform disengaged voters and swing voters about their options and encourage them to request a mail-in ballot. The RSLC PAC did not respond to request from the Lebanon Daily News Tuesday to comment on the issues with the mailers. Almost two days after registered voters have submitted the PAC's application, the packet would be sent back from USPS because of a rejected address. Drasher said his office has been receiving daily calls and complaints over the last few weeks, with residents asking why elections officials have been rejecting their applications. "It's making people concerned that there's a problem where none exists at all," he said. "And I know that's not what the group is trying to do. They are trying to do something good, but it's just a simple design flaw in the mailer." The York County Elections & Voter Registration Office also has received a few calls, wondering why "the elections office" sent back the requests, chief clerk Greg Monskie said. Amy Gulli, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State, said the department encourages and promotes safe, secure, and convenient practices for registered voters to cast their ballots, including voting by mail. "If an outside entity promoting voting by mail chooses to reformat the mailing pages of the forms prescribed by the Secretary, as this PAC did, they should consult the U.S. Postal Service on best practices to ensure that any mailing reaches the intended recipient." she said in an email to the Lebanon Daily News. "Voters can also request their mail-in or absentee ballot online or in person at their county election office." The elections office is accepting the RSLC PAC's application should residents wish to bring it to their 400 South 8th Street location. Drasher also suggested residents willing to mail in the PAC application take a marker or other type of writing implement and cross out their home address from the packet. As of Monday afternoon, Lebanon Countys Bureau of Registration and Elections have received 8,661 applications from both Republican and Democrat voters requesting a mail-in ballot. Duplicate applications The RSLC PAC's direct mailers were sent to registered Republican voters in the Lebanon County area, whether they were signed up for mail-in voting already or not. Drasher said mailers like this makes some voters believe there is a problem with their application. "By sending it out to everyone, it's confusing because a lot of these people are already signed up for mail-in ballots," Drasher said. "So we're having people getting very angry about that." At least 30% of the RSLC PAC's mailers sent in to the elections office were duplicate applications, according to elections officials. Some residents have sent in the application more than five times, submitting it each each time they received the mailer to apply. Registered voters cannot sign up for more than one mail-in ballot, according to Drasher. The elections office has to record every application it receives from residents. But even with multiple applications, the registered voter will only receive one ballot to fill out. "So we can say that we got it, but it doesn't change anything," he said. "It just wastes staff's time." York County also deals with voters sending in duplicate requests for mail-in or absentee ballots during every election, Monskie said. Election officials have said there are no free range mail-in ballots being distributed. Mail-in ballots that are sent out by the elections office have been specifically requested by registered voters. The Republican State Leadership Committee PAC sent out these applications as an outreach effort to encourage disengaged registered Pennsylvania voters to request a mail-in ballot. Election Info The Pennsylvania 2024 general election is scheduled for Nov. 5. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 21. The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is Oct. 29. Residents looking for more information can visit the Lebanon County Voter Registration Office website at http://www.lebcounty.org/depts/Voter_Registration or contact them by phone at 717-228-4428. York Daily Record reporter Teresa Boeckel contributed to this story. Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on X at @DAMattToth. This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Republican PAC mailer for new vote-by-mail applicants has postal flaw Rescuers search through mud and debris as deaths rise to 166 in landslides in southern India Rescuers on their second day of mission following Tuesdays landslides cross a river at Chooralmala, Wayanad district, Kerala state, India, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) NEW DELHI (AP) More than a thousand rescue workers searched through mud and debris for a second day Wednesday after multiple landslides set off by torrential rains killed at least 166 people in southern India, police said. Torrents of mud and water had swept through tea estates and villages and rescuers were pulling out people stuck under mud and debris as light to heavy rain hampered their efforts. "This is one of the worst natural calamities Kerala state has ever witnessed," said the state's top elected official, Pinarayi Vijayan. The landslides that hit hilly areas in Wayanad district early on Tuesday also injured 186 people, flattened houses, uprooted trees and destroyed bridges, said police officer Aijaz, who uses one name. P.M Manoj, a spokesman for the states top elected official, said 187 people were unaccounted for. Seventy-seven bodies have been identified so far and most of them were handed over to relatives, he added. More than 5,500 people have been rescued, said Vijayan, thanks to the efforts of some 1,167 rescue workers, including fire officers and soldiers, as well as members of the coast guard and the National Disaster Response Force. The air force was using helicopters to evacuate people to hospitals and a device to locate human presence underground was being brought in, he said. Rescuers also tried to retrieve bodies that have floated down a river, more than 100 kilometers (65 miles) away to the nearby Malappuram district, Vijayan said. The Indian Army was constructing a temporary bridge after the main bridge in one of the worst-affected areas was swept away. Images from the site show rescue workers making their way through muck and floodwaters, while a land excavator was clearing the debris. O.S. Jerry, a cardamom estate manager, said he regularly traveled through the district. There was a lovely school over here," he said, adding that many houses were now gone. Yunus, another tea estate manager, said two villages were washed away. We have been able to find 200 people. Many others are missing, said Yunus, who also uses one name. The first landslide hit at 2 a.m. Tuesday, followed by another two hours later. Several areas, including Meppadi, Mundakkai and Chooralmala, were isolated, and roads were washed away, Vijayan said. Efforts to locate missing persons continue with all available resources. Mundakka is highly prone to disasters. Gushing soil, gravel, and rock reached the town of Chooralmala, 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) away. Manoj said more than 8,300 people have been moved to 82 government-run relief camps. The government is ensuring food delivery and essential items to the relief camps. Authorities sent vehicles carrying 20,000 liters of drinking water to the disaster area. Temporary hospitals are being set up, according to a Tuesday night statement. The Press Trust of India news agency said more than 300 houses were destroyed in Mundakkai and Chooralmala. Local media reported that most of the victims were tea estate workers. Television footage showed rescue workers making their way through mud and uprooted trees to reach those who were stranded. Vehicles swept off the roads were seen stuck in a swollen river. Local TV news channels also aired phone calls from stranded people asking for help. The army was building a temporary bridge. We are trying every way to rescue our people, state Health Minister Veena George said. In a post on the social media platform X, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad, a hilly district which is part of the Western Ghats mountain range. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured, Modi said. He announced compensations of 200,000 rupees ($2,388) to victims families. Indias weather department has put Kerala on alert as the state has been lashed by incessant rains. Downpours have disrupted life for many, and authorities closed schools in some parts Tuesday. Kerala, one of Indias most popular tourist destinations, is prone to heavy rains, flooding and landslides. Nearly 500 people were killed in the state in floods in 2018. The Indian Meteorological Department said the state has had heavy rainfall over its northern and central regions, with Wayanad district recording up to 28 centimeters (11 inches) of rain on Monday and Tuesday. Monsoon patterns are increasingly erratic and the quantum of rainfall that we receive in a short spell of time has increased. As a result, we see frequent instances of landslides and floods along the Western Ghats, said Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. Koll also said authorities should examine construction activities in the landslide areas. ___ Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq and video journalist Piyush Nagpal in New Delhi contributed t this report. New research suggests major change in China's air pollution may have kick-started bizarre effects: 'It will give us surprises' In the global battle against harmful air pollution, China is both a leader in production and reduction. According to the 2023 Global Carbon Budget, shared by Our World in Data, the country was responsible for annual carbon dioxide pollution of over nine billion tons from coal in 2022. The next highest polluter, India, was responsible for two billion. However, government controls on dirty fuel industries have resulted in a 70% reduction in aerosol emissions over the last 10 years, as Yale Environment 360 detailed. It's a slightly confusing state of affairs. What's more confusing, though, is how that aerosol reduction has impacted ocean warming. What's happening? According to analysis published by PNAS and shared by Yale Environment 360, improvements made in reducing air pollution by China have led to warming effects in the Pacific Ocean. The decline in smog particles has offered less shading protection from the sun's rays, which has increased the rate of ocean warming and set off a chain reaction of atmospheric events. As Yale Environment 360 detailed, aerosols can deter around a third of the warming that's caused by greenhouse gases which are different from aerosols as they trap heat rather than shade it. Why is ocean warming concerning? Since 2013, the Pacific Ocean has been witnessing a warming event known as "The Blob," which periodically increases water temperatures between California and Alaska by as much as seven degrees Fahrenheit. This has led to toxic algal blooms, reductions of fish stocks, sea lion displacement, and the forcing of whales into shipping lanes in the hunt for food, among other issues, according to Yale Environment 360. The analysis suggests that the aerosol reduction in China is at least partly responsible for "The Blob." Despite these negative effects, cutting the production of aerosol is still an important factor in curbing overall air pollution. "Aerosol reductions will perturb the climate system in ways we have not experienced before," atmospheric scientist at Texas A&M University Yangyang Xu, who was not involved in the study, told Yale Environment 360. "It will give us surprises." What can be done about rising ocean temperatures? As Fred Pearce of Yale Environment 360 noted: "To be clear, nobody but nobody suggests that we should stop the cleanup of aerosols. The death toll would just be too great." The World Health Organization says that outdoor air pollution was responsible for 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2019, and aerosols are a key contributor to that statistic. With that in mind, Michael Diamond from Florida State University, an expert on aerosols and climate, has suggested that reducing methane immediately would mitigate against the warming created in the absence of aerosols. According to NASA, around 60% of the world's methane pollution is caused by human activities. Agriculture, landfills, and burning dirty energy are among the leading producers of this harmful gas, which is 28 times more potent in terms of planet-warming potential than carbon dioxide. So, cutting our consumption of meat and dairy, keeping as many items from heading to landfills as possible, and ramping up the production of electricity from renewable sources are essential to keep methane levels down. If we can do that, we can offset the unusual heating effects that cleaning up aerosols is having on our oceans without compromising human health. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. Residents Are Calling For Nashville Officials to Take Action Against the Recent Rise of Neo-Nazis in the City The city of Nashville, Tenn. is known as the home of country music and BBQ. Its lively nightlife mixed with southern hospitality is why many call it home, but residents are expressing their growing concerns after neo-Nazis and white supremacists have seemingly taken over. The Root recently reported on neo-Nazis who verbally harassed a group of young Black performers in the downtown area. The families of the boys, ages 9 to 15, are now calling on their officials to take action against the hatred they see brewing in their city. We dont want people to be able to stand on the corners and spew hate or racial slurs all under the name of freedom of speech, Teon Lewis, the cousin to one of the boys, said to WKRN. Even before the video of the boys went viral, a small but rambunctious group of neo-Nazis began live-streaming their hate-filled antics, belting out antisemitic songs, leaving propaganda leaflets in neighborhoods, and even parading their beloved swastika flags throughout the city, according to AP News. This left many residents to wonder what sparked the sudden increase in Nazi activity in throughout the city. Lewis told AP News she believes the boom in white supremacists is directly tied to the states ongoing anti-LGBT and anti-immigrant legislation. When there are local and state lawmakers using language that it is not out of place in any of the chats for any groups that are coming to the city, thats always going to be a concern, Lewis said. Tennessee has historically always swung right, according to WBUR. With recent laws banning gender-affirming care for minors, limiting drag performances in public spaces and allowing LGBTQ+ foster children to be placed with families that hold anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs residents like Lewis arent shocked that neo-Nazis have found a new home in Nashville which aligns with their prescribed views, reports AP News. Nashvilles Democratic Mayor Freddie OConnell said he refuse[s] to platform hate actors, but many are questioning if his office is doing enough to remedy citizens concerns. None of the recent neo-Nazi demonstrations were held with a valid permit, leading many to question what the city will do to address the matter. When asked why they chose Nashville as their new hub, Nicholas Bysheim, a member of neo-Nazi Goyim Defense League, told AP News its the only place that respects freedom of speech. Its unclear what plans the city of Nashville has to curve the ongoing threat of neo-Nazis and other white supremacist groups, but some are taking a stand on their own. Residents plan to ask the city to hold an annual Downtown Drummers Day, to provide a safe space for children across Nashville to gather downtown. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. BARTON, Wis. (WFRV) The Washington County Sheriffs Office said that a man was arrested shortly after midnight on Tuesday in Barton following a police chase of a vehicle involved in a reported retail theft. Around 11 p.m. on Monday, the West Bend Police Department pursued a vehicle that had been used in a retail theft. The suspect vehicle fled northbound on US 45 before crashing into a guardrail in the Town of Barton. Northern Wisconsin man identified as crash victim in Marathon County A female passenger was arrested by West Bend officers, however, the driver fled on foot. According to the release, deputies and an agency drone searched for the driver, who reportedly tried to enter multiple nearby homes. The driver was identified as a 21-year-old Milwaukee man and was arrested around 12:16 a.m., and is now in custody with no threat to the public. No more information was provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. SALINA, Kan. (KSNW) Retired Salina optometrist Dr. Dale Cole is now retired, but throughout his career, he took his skills far beyond Kansas. He served in 17 countries on 29 missions through Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity/International. Most people we see, its gonna be the first time youve ever had your eyes examined, and well see lots and lots of people that strong prescriptions, Dr. Cole said. It was awesome. Franklin Harms said one time, he would say, your profession is not complete until youve been on a VOSH trip. VOSH missions serve 800-2500 patients. With a team of 21, they served 4,000 in Africa. A normal mission will dispense 2,000+ pairs of glasses. Dr. Franklin Harms of Hillsboro started the organization in 1970. It has grown into an international program with over 100 chapters, serving over a million patients around the world. Pratt teen uses various assistive technology to participate with peers, wins award Theyre very appreciative of anything we can do for them, Dr. Cole said. So many of them need reading glasses because they couldnt see, read or sew, and so it was very important to them to be able to get glasses fixed up. Its the first time for most of these people to even get help, and we feel its really important that they be able to function in life and get the benefits of that. So lets enable them to become more productive themselves. And they, they appreciated the help. On the trips, he has seen the desperation of people who just want to see. Well usually have people starting to form lines the night before the exams even start, and theyll stand and be there all night long and probably throughout the whole day in line to get in, Dr. Cole said. Dr. Cole graduated from Great Bend High School, attended Fort Hays, and graduated from the University of Houston College of Optometry in 1968. He served in the Army from 1968 to 1970 as an optometrist at Walter Reed Hospital and Fort Leonard. Then, he started a practice in Salina, Kansas, in 1971 before retiring in 2006. Dr. Cole was elected President of VOSH International 2003-2004 and the first Kansan to be VOSH International President. Here are a few stories, as seen through Dr. Coles eyes: Young boy in Honduras was led into the clinic who said he was blind. The evaluation revealed he was very nearsightedblurry beyond 1 foot. As prescription was increased, his eyes began to open. At -15 units, he began looking around (I need -3 diopters). We sent him outside to the patio with a prescription close to what he would need, and he began to cryhe could see his friends on the playground. We were able to fit him with fairly accurate glasses (2 pair). When asked what he would now do that he could see, he said they had kicked him out of school because he could not readhe would now go back to school and show them he wasnt dumb. Little girl, maybe 2, could not see due to having had cataract surgery (removes the powerful lens behind the colored part of the eyeiris), but was not given replacement implants. She needed very strong cataract glasses, and we happened to have a lapidarist (He could grind glass to shape). He ground down adult cataract lenses to fit the babys frame. When she put them onshe looked at her hands, then up to her mother and had a huge grin as this was the first time she could see her mother. Tears flowed throughout the clinic. We discovered after several missions that we needed to pass out numbers to those in line to prevent crowding into a line. Lines would begin forming the night before the clinic opened and would usually be 200+ early in the morning. One elderly lady came back the day after receiving reading glasses and waited in line most of the day, carrying her Bible. She wanted to show the doctors she could now read her Bible. Lawn care program teaches teens how to mow, start a business Dr. Cole says the trips were rewarding and impactful. It would be beautiful if everyone could go on one of these trips or just go overseas and see what lifes like in other places, and youll appreciate what youve got here, Dr. Cole said. He also became interested in photography during VOSH missions and eventually produced a book of photographs called Journeys Around the World. If you would like to nominate a person or business for Positive Connections, fill out KSNs online contact form. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Shares of Qualcomm Inc., the worlds biggest seller of smartphone processors, fell as much as 7.7% on concern that the phone market is recovering more slowly than investors had hoped. Most Read from Bloomberg Though Qualcomm projected stronger sales and earnings than analysts anticipated for the current quarter, it said that phone shipments are only gradually rebounding from a prolonged slump. Qualcomm Chief Executive Officer Cristiano Amon said the company expects units to be either flattish or up by a single-digit percentage this year. Qualcomms earnings forecast initially sent its shares on a rally in extended trading on Wednesday, but the stock retreated following the remarks from Amon and other executives on a conference call with analysts. The shares slid as low as $167.06 in New York on Thursday, the biggest intraday decline in two weeks. Comments by executives also undermined confidence that the recovery will pick up pace. Chief Financial Officer Akash Palkhiwala said he expects growth in the December quarter to be little changed from a year earlier, when sales increased 5%. Analysts had been predicting a rise of 9%. Arm Holdings Plc, another chip company thats heavily reliant on phone sales, also gave a disappointing outlook during its earnings report Wednesday. The big picture message: Though higher-end phones are helping fuel sales for suppliers like Qualcomm and Arm, there hasnt been a widespread surge in demand for phones in general. Qualcomms revenue in the quarter ending in September will be $9.5 billion to $10.3 billion, the company said Wednesday. Analysts had estimated $9.7 billion on average. The latest results also topped projections, helping fuel the earlier rally. Investors have been looking for signs that the smartphone industry is finally emerging from a slowdown. Qualcomm is the largest maker of processors and radio chips that handle the main functions in the devices. That makes it a bellwether for one of the largest markets in electronics. Qualcomm shares had gained 25% this year heading into the earnings report, reflecting optimism that a recovery was underway. In the third quarter, which ended June 23, profit was $2.33 a share, excluding some items. Revenue rose 11% to $9.39 billion. Analysts had estimated profit of $2.24 a share and sales of $9.21 billion. Story continues Phone-related revenue rose 12% to $5.9 billion in the period. Automotive sales, meanwhile, surged 87% to $811 million in the quarter. Fourth-quarter profit will be $2.45 to $2.65 a share, excluding certain items, Qualcomm said. That compares with a projection of $2.45 a share. Under Amon, the San Diego-based company is pushing its products into personal computers and vehicles an effort to reduce its reliance on phones. But the smartphone market still accounts for an outsized portion of its revenue. Apple Inc., which reports earnings on Thursday, and Samsung Electronics Co., a maker of Android-based phones, are major phone customers. Apples iPhone relies on Qualcomm for connectivity chips, not the main processor, and the Cupertino, California-based company is attempting to develop its own radio components. Another main driver of Qualcomms profit comes from licensing the fundamental technology that underpins all modern mobile networks. Phone manufacturers pay these fees to Qualcomm whether or not they use its chips. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s campaign looks like it is in trouble with Vice President Harris as the likely Democratic nominee. Kennedy is scrambling to keep the publics attention and struggling to keep his moribund presidential bid alive. The independent candidates polling, prominent family and unpredictability have kept him on the watchlists of both parties. But Harriss ascent has coincided with cash woes and ballot-access concerns for the third-party insurgent. In another bad sign, Kennedys fiercest critics are starting to ignore him, suggesting they view him as less of a threat. He is a dysfunctional candidate, said Michael Ceraso, a Democratic campaign strategist who suggested a number of things have harmed Kennedy in the last few weeks. The youth movement behind Gaza took a back seat to a terrible debate performance by the president, the assassination attempt of a former president, Dems turning on Biden, said Ceraso. RFK is irrelevant to all of this. Kennedys third-party bid was crafted largely on dissatisfaction with former President Trump, the GOP nominee, and President Biden, who ended his campaign last week and endorsed Harris. Now that the race has changed on the Democratic side, Kennedy has been robbed of one argument. Democrats have always been suspicious of Kennedys motives, as he has targeted Trump less than Biden. He recently made headlines for a leaked call in which he appeared to agree with the former president about his prospects for success in November. That RFK Jr. was engaging in the same backroom political deals that he claims to despise shows that he knows his spoiler candidacy isnt going to land him in the White House, Matt Corridoni, a spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee, (DNC) said in a statement. Kennedy has struggled to transfer his attacks on Biden to Harris. As Democrats swiftly embraced the vice president, Kennedys refocus has been clunky. In an impromptu press conference immediately after Biden dropped out, Kennedy barely focused on Harris and kept criticizing Biden. His share of the vote has been declining, probably because Harris has picked up some of the wavering Dems who were in the Kennedy column, said Kyle Kondik, a polling expert who analyzes factors affecting candidate performance in elections. He has been polling only in the mid-single digits in several recent national polls, he said. A trio of recent polls provides a dim snapshot for Kennedy. A Wall Street Journal poll placed Kennedy at 4 percent, while a New York Times/ Siena College poll had him at 5 percent. He inched up 1 point in a Quinnipiac University survey to 6 percent all lower than what hes enjoyed in the past. In a recent podcast interview with CBS Newss The Takeout, Kennedy insisted hes seen new animation in voters backing his bid. The level of enthusiasm for my campaign has increased dramatically since Harriss entry to the race, he said. That assertion appears at odds with one top indicator of campaign traction: funding. Federal Election Commission filings show Kennedy spent nearly $1 million more than he took in last month and that the campaign is also carrying debt of approximately $3 million. He said in the podcast that he was footing his own costly Secret Service expenses, though Biden asked the Secret Service to provide protection for Kennedy after the assassination attempt on Trump. His biggest super PAC, American Values 2024, brought in a modest $228,000 in June, according to the FEC. Kennedy has since been trying alternative ways to raise money, including a venture with the Libertarian National Committee that allows people to donate $41,300 alongside $3,300 for the general, which he claimed is democratizing fundraising to make this independent run viable. This historic collaboration breaks the fundraising stranglehold that the two major parties have on this election, Kennedy said in a statement. On Tuesday, Ramsey Reid, who is leading the DNCs anti-Kennedy effort inside its third-party war room, circulated a memo titled, RFK Jr.s Spiraling Campaign, which highlighted Kennedys drop in polls, lackluster schedule and financial strain. We will remain vigilant and make sure all third-party candidates are held accountable to playing by the rules, the memo states. RFK Jr. wont become president, but he can help decide who does. We cant take our foot off the gas. Kennedy also hasnt hit his self-imposed 50-state ballot access goal. Hes collected signatures for bigger states including California, Texas and New York, but is still missing critical battlegrounds of Arizona and Wisconsin, as well as Virginia, according to his campaigns public tally. My guess is that Kennedys eventual share of support in the election will be even lower than what polls are showing now as the true choice between Trump and Harris becomes clearer for voters, Kondik said. Although Kennedy appears to be flatlining, some Democrats are cautioning that Harriss boom also may not stay at the same pace for the next three months. The Harris enthusiasm is a little inflated, said one Democratic communications consultant and veteran of Sen. Bernie Sanderss (I-Vt.) presidential campaign. Im all-in and think she can win, but havent forgotten she historically has not been the strongest campaigner. Still, observers say Kennedy is running against the clock. Operatives who were focused on deflating his candidacy are now calling for him to step down and are even anticipating a possible endorsement of Trump. I think its possible, mostly because the Dems have completely shut the door, while Trump/MAGA might offer some concessions, the communications consultant said about Kennedy backing Trump. I can see how supporters could fold into the GOP coalitions. Some Kennedy supporters are actively hoping he does that. One source familiar with Kennedys campaign said he should seriously consider cutting a deal with Trump and get a high ranking appointment or ambassador position. Kennedy has tamped down speculation that he would halt his campaign to back the former president, but didnt rule it out entirely. I cant imagine a circumstance right now where I would do that, Kennedy said, with a caveat: Anything is possible. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. HONOLULU (KHON2) The month-long 2024 Rim of the Pacific exercise that gathered 29 nations in Hawaii will conclude on Thursday, Aug. 1. Vice Admiral John Wade and Commodore Alberto Guerrero with the RIMPAC Combined Task Force joined Take2 with a recap of the events. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You 2024 marked the highest number of nations to participate in the RIMPAC exercise, helping promote a safe, stable and secure vital region to prepare for a natural disaster or deter conflict. 29 nations represented in RIMPAC 2024 exercise In this modern world, anything we do in the Pacific matters. So as many nations come here and protect communications, protect free trade and open seas adds value to everyones safety and prosperity, Commodore Guerrero explained. According to Vice Admiral Wade, the goals of RIMPAC 2024 included building relationships among the 29 nations and creating a sense of interoperability to better communicate with each other and conduct operations. This years RIMPAC exercise emphasized humanitarian assistance and disaster response. The exercise was meant to prepare nations to come together in the event of a natural disaster to save lives. We really emphasized the disaster relief, but the humanitarian assistance aspect of it. We actually had two scenarios, one was a simulated island that was impacted that multiple nations came in to support. We also simulated a natural disaster here in Hawaii, said Vice Admiral Wade. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. (FOX40.COM) A week after Rio City Cafe owners announced the impending closure and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said hed see if a recently approved ballot measure could help keep it open, the waterfront eatery appears to be closing its doors for good. In a statement released on Tuesday, Steinberg said he tried over the past week to help find a way for the city to help keep the restaurant open, but that ultimately, the final day of operation will be Saturday, Aug. 3. I have worked hard to see if there is a way to keep the Rio City Cafe open in Old Sacramento while the city pursues plans for a larger waterfront renovation. Unfortunately, owners Mark and Stephanie Miller informed me yesterday that they will close on Saturday, Steinbergs statement reads. Buca di Beppo closes Sacramento location, employees not given prior notice Steinberg said the eaterys owners needed immediate access to a deck that the citys structural engineers said was unsafe. The mayor had discussions with the citys structural engineers to see if it was possible to have a safe patch for the deck. During behind-the scene discussions, Steinberg had been told of the decks condition prior to the Millers closure announcement and addressed why repairs were never made. Engineers told Steinberg there was no way the deck could be safely open without spending at least $1.5 million and undergoing design and construction for six months. The mayor said these repairs would only allow continued use for several years, and that the full cost of repairs is close to $5 million, which couldve been included in the citys waterfront renovation plan. On July 22, Rio City Cafe announced it would close on Aug. 3. The restaurant reportedly had been struggling since its popular outdoor deck that oversees the Sacramento River was closed due to it being deemed unsafe by city engineers. Rio City Cafe has been a great part of our Sacramento scene for 30 years, Steinberg said. I thank Mark and Stephanie for hanging in there during Covid and other challenging economic times. Many Sacramentans have had great experiences at Rio City Cafe, which opened as a result of the last significant city renovation of the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Steinberg previously told FOX40.com that the city would see if money from Measure N could be used to help the business stay open. In that previous statement, the mayor said Measure N funds wouldnt go directly to the Rio City Cafe deck but would be used for a larger revitalization plan for the waterfront, where the deck lies. Rendering of proposed modernization plans for the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Rendering of proposed modernization plans for the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Rendering of proposed modernization plans for the Old Sacramento Waterfront. The mayors latest comments mentioned a modernization plan for the waterfront, which would include renovating or replacing existing public market buildings, creating new public and performance spaces, rebuilding the worn wooden sidewalks and exploring activations to fill the Rio City Cafe building. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. At-risk senior last seen with his dog missing from Salida (SALIDA, Colo.) The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reported that Donald McLemore, a 69-year-old man, was last seen with his dog in Salida on July 27, 2024, around 5:30 p.m. He suffers from a cognitive impairment, and law enforcement is concerned for his safety. McLemore is described as a 6-foot-tall white male with gray hair, a beard, and blue eyes, weighing 185 pounds. He is reported to be traveling with his brown African Ridgeback dog, also known as a Rhodesian Ridgeback, who is wearing a brown collar. The below image is of a different dog of the same breed. Courtesy: Auscape/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Mclemore was traveling in a 1998 blue four-door Saturn with front drivers side fender damage and an Oregon plate numbered CK25496. If anyone sees Mclemore, please call the Mesa County Sheriffs Office at (970) 244-3500. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Road closures for Panthers Fan Fest in Clemson CLEMSON, S.C. (WSPA) Panthers Fan Fest will be hosted Thursday at Clemson Universitys Memorial Stadium. Road closures will begin Wednesday and will continue until Thursday evening. Individuals are asked to not park on Williamson Road between Avenue of Champions and South Palmetto Boulevard after 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The following road closures will be in effect beginning Wednesday: Williamson Road will be closed between Avenue of Champions and South Palmetto Boulevard. Avenue of Champions will be closed between Williamson Road and Centennial Boulevard. Centennial Boulevard will be closed between Avenue of Champions and Press Road. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New Rochelle contractor gets probation after three arrests for not paying workers A New Rochelle contractor didn't learn his lesson the first time he was arrested for withholding wages from his employees. Or the second. New Rochelle Police Headquarters and City Court New Rochelle Judge Eileen Songer-McCarthy on Wednesday sentenced Artemio Fuerte to three years of probation and fined him $12,000 after he finally paid eight workers a total of $31,583 in back pay, the Westchester District Attorney's Office announced. The 38-year-old owner of Fuerte Construction LLC pleaded guilty this year to eight misdemeanor counts of failure to pay wages, which were the charges after three separate arrests in recent years. The DA's Economic Crimes Bureau began investigating Fuerte in 2022 after some of the painters, carpenters and laborers who worked for him reported not being paid. He was first arrested in May 2022 for failing to pay four workers a total of $21,150 between December 2020 and November 2021. He was arrested again five months later for failing to pay two other workers $2,370 between March and August 2022. The third arrest, earlier this year, covered the seventh and eighth workers who were not paid $8,063 between November 2022 and February 2023. District Attorney Mimi Rocah thanked workers rights advocates at St. John Bosco Parish-Don Bosco Workers in Port Chester, Catholic Charities Community Services-Archdiocese of New York in Yonkers, and United Community Center of Westchester in New Rochelle, who helped the victims file their complaints with the DAs Office. Not paying workers for months on end is a crime and not a business model," Rocah said in a statement. "We will continue to hold employers who commit wage theft accountable and that includes securing from them the full amount of backpay owed to workers." Neither Fuerte nor his lawyer could be reached Wednesday afternoon. Rocah highlighted a state law enacted in October that made wage theft in excess of $1,000 a felony, saying it will "aid in preventing and combating this pernicious problem that has dire consequences for working families and communities. It came too late for Fuerte's case because, although his last arrest was after the law was enacted, the work that went unpaid predated the new law. Fuerte and his company were sued in federal court in 2022 by several employees who claimed they were not compensated properly for overtime that they worked. He never responded to the lawsuit and a judge last year issued default judgements for three of the employees totaling more than $90,000. Their lawyer said Wednesday that none of that money has been paid. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New Rochelle NY contractor gets probation, fine for not paying workers ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) The defendants facing a defamation lawsuit from former Rockingham County Commissioner Craig Travis have filed a new motion calling for a protective order. Travis, who served on the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners from 2011-2022 and lost his seat in the 2024 Republican primary, filed a defamation lawsuit against three commissioners Commissioners Mark Richardson, Don Powell and Kevin Berger, son of North Carolina State Sen. Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) as well as Rockingham County Republican Party Chair Diane Parnell, the North Carolina Conservatives Fund, Atlas Political Consulting LLC and GOPAC Inc. This motion alleges that Travis has sent dozens of subpoenas to various entities, such as the North Carolina legislature, asking for hundreds of documents. Defendants accused of defaming former Rockingham County commissioner request judge who oversaw casino suit The defendants say they have suffered unreasonable annoyance and undue burden and expense from Mr. Traviss abuse of the subpoena power and are calling for the court to force Travis to withdraw all subpoenas while the court considers the defendants motion to dismiss. They add that Traviss subpoenas are connected to the efforts to legalize casinos which the defendants say are unrelated to the former commissioners defamation claims. As of the date of this motion, Mr. Travis has sent over a dozen subpoenas seeking information about casinos, threatened state legislators with preservation letters about casinos, and moved the Court to compel a subpoena recipient to turn over documents about casinos, the motion said. His actions have nothing to do with the purported defamation claims in this lawsuit. To date, Mr. Travis has not served any Defendant a single discovery request seeking information about the actual claims in his lawsuit. Rather than conduct discovery on the parties named in the lawsuit, Mr. Travis appears to be using this lawsuit as pretextual boat to go fishing about casinos. The defendants say that, while they have moved to dismiss the lawsuit, they are ready to defend themselves in court if need be, but they will not willingly be used as the boat for Mr. Travis, and whomever he may be working with, to launch an unrelated political fishing expeditions [sic] against third parties and political adversaries. The Court should not countenance such abuse of the judicial system. Defamation allegations Travis claims that the defendants defamed him over the protracted battle over a potential casino in Rockingham County. Travis has been an outspoken opponent of bringing a casino to Rockingham County. In the lawsuit, Travis says he did not run in 2022 due to his belief in term limits, but, in 2023 leading up to the 2024 primary, he decided to run again after citizens who also opposed the proposed casino reached out to him. During the primary, Travis lost by three votes, and the former commissioner says he lost because the defendants defamed him. When the plaintiff [Travis] campaigned on his opposition to the pro-casino measures supported by the incumbent Commissioners and opposed by the majority of residents of Rockingham County, the defendant Commissioners sought to discredit him by publishing defamatory statements to voters in the 2024 Republican primary election, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit lays out in detail Traviss belief that Berger and other members of the board acted inappropriately in their attempts to bring a casino to Rockingham County, including closed-door meetings that would violate North Carolina statute and multiple donations from lobbyists and officials associated with Cordish Companies, whom it was believed had been courted to build the proposed casinos. Developer tied to casinos eyes Rockingham County land as NC lawmakers consider another new gambling law Travis claims that, due to his opposition to the casino proposition, the campaign messages and social media posts about his candidacy rose above typical political mudslinging. The false statements made about Mr. Travis in the False Attack Ads, Facebook posts, email, and other communications described herein constitute more than the mere vituperation and name calling that is characteristic of political campaigns and protected by the First Amendment, the lawsuit said. These false statements were made with actual malice and intended to harm Mr. Traviss reputation in Rockingham County by lowering Mr. Travis in the estimation of potential voters in the 2024 Board of Commissioners election through deliberate deception and deterring them from supporting his campaign. I call it deception, North Carolina landowner expresses regret over making deal after learning about casino plans According to the suit, a clip of Travis speaking was deceptively edited to remove context so that it would falsely appear that Travis intended to raise taxes in Rockingham County. Mailers allegedly accuse Travis of opposing budget increases for the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office, which the former commissioner said was not true. The lawsuit adds that Sheriff Sam Page also opposed the casino and supported Traviss candidacy for the board because of Mr. Traviss history of consistently supporting law enforcement and public safety in Rockingham County. Beginning on Feb. 8, 2022, and continuing through March 5, 2024, the lawsuit says Defendant [Donald] Powell falsely stated to many people that Mr. Travis had vandalized his vehicle. Specifically, Defendant Powell falsely stated that, on February 8, 2022, Mr. Travis had engaged in criminal conduct by ripping the valve stems out of the tires on his vehicle. Parnell appeared to accuse Travis of stealing campaign signs for the other candidates running for the Board of Commissioners, according to the lawsuit. Parnell allegedly said, When you do not see signs for [Powell], [Kevin Berger], Ben Curtis and [Richardson], they have been stolen. Signs put out at 5 and gone by 8 signs replaced and the dark side is out there again stealing campaign signs The suit claims that Parnells Facebook friends and followers would recognize that she was using the dark side to refer to Travis based on Parnells previous statements on her Facebook page, in private messages and in personal conversations. Removing campaign signs that were placed legally is a crime under the North Carolina State Statute. Ultimately, Travis came in fourth in the Republican primary and will not advance to the general election with the top three vote-getters. He garnered 5,506 votes, three votes short of Bergers 5,509. Travis states in the lawsuit that these false statements and accusations, which he believes stem from his opposition to the casino project, contributed to not only the loss of the primary but also a loss of his good reputation within Rockingham County. Camp for special needs children among plaintiffs in lawsuit against Rockingham County over casino rezoning Mr. Travis has suffered substantial embarrassment, mental anguish, and distress due to the damage to his reputation proximately caused by Defendants defamatory statements, the lawsuit states, claiming that the damages are in excess of $25,000. An exceptional case? In addition to their motion to dismiss and the motion filed on Tuesday for the protective order, the defendants have also filed a motion to deem the case exceptional and asked for a specific judge to be appointed for this suit, partially due to the number of subpoenas that Travis has requested. They argue in the court documents that Travis has tied the allegations to the ongoing issue of a casino being built in Rockingham County which complicates the case. The defendants say that they anticipate extensive discovery disputes that would benefit from the management of a single judge. Before serving discovery on a single defendant, plaintiff has already issued nearly one dozen subpoenas to third parties. In addition, plaintiff has sent preservation notices to more third parties, presumably as a precursor to more subpoenas. The defendants also say that the seven defendants in this case are likely to file multiple pre-trial motions that will present similar legal issues. The defendants also claim that the case should be deemed exceptional due to the involvement of multiple public officials elected in Rockingham County and because certain information shared during discovery will need to remain confidential. Rockingham County lawsuit over rezoning for possible casino dismissed by judge Defendants ask for Judge Clayton Somers The defendants have named Special Superior Court Judge Clayton Somers as their preferred judge, as he presided over a factually similar lawsuit filed by the operators of Camp Carefree, a special needs childrens camp adjacent to the proposed casino site. Judge Somers was appointed as a Rule 2.1 judge in the similar case of Camp Carefree, Inc. v. Rockingham County, Case No. 23-CV-2013 filed in Rockingham County Superior Court. That case also concerned the same rezoning actions by the Board of Commissioners. As such, plaintiff alleges several similar factual allegations in this matter as presented in the Camp Carefree litigation. Judge Somers therefore has familiarity with several facts and allegations in this case. Somers dismissed the Camp Carefree lawsuit on March 21, citing a lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Somers was appointed to the position of special Superior Court judge beginning Jan. 1 by the legislature. Prior to that, Somers worked as chief of staff for state House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland), a staunch casino advocate, and as vice chancellor of public affairs for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Travis opposes exceptional designation Travis asked for the court to deny the defendants motion to have the case deemed exceptional. He said that, while the case does have multiple defendants, the individual defendants are represented by one attorney and the two entity defendants are represented by another. Additionally, he said, It is too early to determine the amount and nature of anticipated pretrial discovery and motions. No pretrial motions have been filed, with the exception of routine motions to quash filed by non-party subpoenees. No discovery has been served. Travis disputes the defendants claim that the case will be any more complex than any other civil case moving through the courts at the time, because, while the casino rezoning issues are part of the case, the substantive claims in this action involve defamatory statements made by the defendants about plaintiff in connection with the 2024 Republican primary election in Rockingham County. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Nicole Levy had gone to the pharmacy to pick up her regular medicine when she suddenly found out it was blocked. For ten years the 45-year-old transgender woman, who lives in Tampa, Florida, had been getting her hormone replacement therapy (HRT) from the same doctor without any problems. Then, in May 2023, her prescription was denied without explanation. "I kind of went into a freefall of emotions for a good week, just trying to figure out what was happening," Levy tells The Independent. "Then, when I did get the [clinics] receptionist on the phone, she started to cry. "In my moment of confusion, I felt like I had to ask her: Are you okay? And she said, no. She didnt know how she was gonna get her hormones either." Both Levy and her doctors receptionist, who was also trans, had been caught up in a sweeping surprise attack on trans healthcare for adults by Florida governor Ron DeSantis and the states Republican-dominated legislature. As well as banning gender transition procedures for under-18s , the new law imposed onerous restrictions for adults including a ban on non-physicians such as nurse practitioners issuing HRT prescriptions that cut off many peoples treatment overnight and pushed some clinics to stop providing any care at all. Nicole Levy, who also does drag performances under the name TeMonet (Nicole Levy) Last month a judge struck that law down as unconstitutional , and both minors and adults can get their meds again. But local activists and clinicians say the year that Republicans all but banned trans healthcare did lasting damage and drove many Sunshine State providers out of the business entirely. "The fear is absolutely not gone," says Andre Clarke, a co-founder of the Florida non-profit TransNetwork and practice manager at Love the Golden Rule, an LGBT+-focused medical clinic in St Petersburg. Florida is just one example of how Republicans across the country have begun cracking down on trans adults access to such treatments , using a wide range of tactics reminiscent of past campaigns to ban abortion, which have often targeted healthcare providers. "I am quite sure that DeSantis knew that everything was going to be overturned. But it stoked the fear, it stoked the hatred, said Clarke. That is a win for them, and it is a continued loss for our community." 'People were so scared they just loaded up their car and left' When Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 254 into law last May, the impact was immediate. Pharmacies refused to fill even theoretically legal prescriptions, while their lawyers debated the exact contours of the new rules. Providers immediately stopped transition care while they tried to figure out how to comply. Clinics that were able to keep up treatment were inundated with new patients, often forcing them to pause sign-ups. Trans healthcare is a relatively rare specialism, and is often provided by budget-constrained non-profits and community health centres. That means a lot of trans people get their medicine from nurse practitioners rather than directly from a physician. The new law meant that nurse practitioners could be jailed for a year if they treated adults for gender dysphoria. It also banned transition care from being prescribed via telehealth. And it required physicians to file complex new informed consent paperwork that experts , and later a federal judge, deemed inaccurate and confusing. There simply arent enough physician providers for this care, so it has interrupted care for thousands and thousands," Spektrum Healthcare CEO Joseph Knoll told the industry news site Fierce Healthcare . Knoll tried to hire more doctors, but doctors were leery. According to The Washington Post , one asked for a $100,000 relocation fee; others wanted to be paid at least $250,000 a year; one even said he couldnt take the job unless he was paid under the table. "We were legally advised to discontinue all trans care," says Clarke. The main reason, he says, was liability: the state Department of Heath had ruled that clinicians could be sued if their informed consent paperwork wasnt perfectly in order. Except, Clarke alleges, the finalized version of that specific documentation wasnt released just a draft version, making everyone nervous they werent filing things correctly. "No one knew what the official rules were, Clarke said. They were always a temporary statement pending a secret committee conversation, in a location that didnt provide parking, in a private building where they could [accuse] anyone that wanted to protest it of trespassing." The Florida Board of Medicine did not respond to a request for comment. The forms themselves were also full of unusual provisions, telling patients that the treatment is "purely speculative" and providing no information about any benefits. US district judge Robert L Hinkle would later slam them as "untrue and misleading", detailing risks for treatments the patients were not even getting and "plainly intended to dissuade patients from obtaining gender-affirming care" rather than ensuring that patients were fully informed. Golden Rules lead doctor, a veteran HIV researcher named Bob Wallace, was willing to take on the legal risk, and continued to offer the treatments. Still, they were just one clinic in a state that was rapidly becoming ever more inhospitable to trans people. Andre Clarke, practice manager at a Florida LGBT+ clinic (Andre Clarke) "As a mental health counsellor, I definitely saw an increase in depression [and] an increase in suicidal ideation," says another TransNetwork co-founder, Tristan Byrnes. "I saw people scared enough to just pack up and move, whether they had a plan or not, because they didnt trust that it wouldnt get worse. "It was especially parents of minors, but not just parents of minors, Byrnes said. Adults were so scared they just loaded up their car and off they drove, hoping that once they settled in theyd find a job. We lost some really good people and advocates in our area." Levy, who is a drag performer under the name TeMonet , says she went into "extreme depression, isolation, withdrawal, confusion" when DeSantis law took effect. It took her back to the first time she ever tried to get HRT in 2004, when her doctor flatly refused to prescribe it and violated health privacy laws by telling her scare stories about three other trans women whose lives, in his view, had turned out wrong. "My need for healthcare is not cosmetic; it is not for vanity," says Levy. "It is literally healthcare to be who I choose to be, to be happy, in my inner self." Doctors and nurses remain in shortage In June 2024, a federal court overturned Floridas ban for under-18s and most of its curbs on adult care, saying they violated the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. "The statute and the rules were an exercise in politics, not good medicine," wrote Judge Hinkle in a scathing decision. "The great weight of medical authority supports these treatments... there is no evidence that this kind of care is routinely provided so badly that it should be banned outright." Another court decision last June shot down a DeSantis-backed ban on Medicaid paying for trans healthcare , while a case challenging a similar coverage ban for state government employees is still under way . "As of this date, transgender minors in the state of Florida can access gender-affirming medical care," Samantha Past, LGBT+ rights staff attorney for the ACLU of Florida, says. "The state cannot take transgender children away from their parents, or investigate parents, for allowing their child to access gender-affirming medical care. And adults in Florida can receive their care from non-physicians." But the state government is appealing Hinkles ruling, and that has created continuing uncertainty. "A lot of doctors are afraid that theyll have to open up and then shut it all back down again," Byrne says. Indeed, with a conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court which recently granted Donald Trump broad immunity from criminal prosecution Clarke from the St. Petersburg clinic believes there is every reason to be concerned. Florida governor Ron DeSantis arrives to deliver remarks during the second day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 16, 2024 (EPA/JIM LO SCALZO) Many trans-focused nurse practitioners have permanently switched jobs, says Clarke. "So many people have disappeared... they may still live in Florida, but theyre not working for a Florida clinic, and thats a massive cut to the number of people that can receive the care." As a consequence, Golden Rule has patients coming from all over Florida because they cannot find the same care, or the same standard of care, elsewhere. All of which illustrates how anti-trans politicians can make life difficult for trans people even when the courts rule in support of trans rights, not just in Florida but nationwide. As Past points out, Florida was actually the first US state to impose restrictions on adult trans healthcare, and Republicans elsewhere have followed suit . And since DeSantis has made rolling back trans rights a centerpiece of his political agenda, trans activists are braced for further turbulence. "In Florida there are so many veiled and unveiled attacks on our community," says Levy. "The fight is not over." CHICAGO (AP) Donald Trump falsely suggested Kamala Harris had misled voters about her race as the former president appeared before the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago Wednesday in an interview that quickly turned hostile. The Republican former president wrongly claimed that Harris, the first Black woman and Asian American to serve as vice president, had in the past only promoted her Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So, I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? Trump said while addressing the groups annual convention. Harris is the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, both immigrants to the U.S. As an undergraduate, Harris attended Howard University, one of the nations most prominent historically Black colleges and universities, where she also pledged the historically Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha. As a U.S. senator, Harris was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, supporting her colleagues legislation to strengthen voting rights and reforming policing. Trump has leveled a wide range of criticism at Harris since she replaced President Joe Biden atop the likely Democratic ticket last week. Throughout his political career, the former president has repeatedly questioned the backgrounds of opponents who are racial minorities. Michael Tyler, the communications director for Harris campaign, said in a statement that the hostility Donald Trump showed on stage today is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office, and throughout his campaign for president as he seeks to regain power. Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in, Tyler said. Donald Trump has already proven he cannot unite America, so he attempts to divide us. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked during her briefing with reporters on Wednesday about Trumps remarks and responded with disbelief, initially murmuring, Wow. Jean-Pierre, who is Black, called what Trump said repulsive and said, Its insulting and no one has any right to tell someone who they are how they identify. Trump has repeatedly attacked his opponents and critics on the basis of race. He rose to prominence in Republican politics by propagating false theories that President Barack Obama, the nations first Black president, was not born in the United States. Birtherism, as it became known, was just the start of Trumps history of questioning the credentials and qualifications of Black politicians. During this years Republican primary, he once referred to former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, as Nimbra. Trumps appearance Wednesday at the annual gathering of Black journalists immediately became heated, with the former president sparring with interviewer Rachel Scott of ABC News and accusing her of giving him a very rude introduction with a tough first question about his past criticism of Black people and Black journalists, his attack on Black prosecutors who have pursued cases against him and the dinner he had at his Florida club with a white supremacist. I think its disgraceful, Trump said. I came here in good spirit. I love the Black population of this country. Ive done so much for the Black population of this country. Trump continued his attacks on Scotts network, ABC News, which he has been arguing should not host the next presidential debate, despite his earlier agreement with the Biden campaign. He also several times described her tone and questions as nasty, a word he used in the past when describing women, including Hillary Clinton and Meghan the Duchess of Sussex. The Republican also repeated his false claim that immigrants in the country illegally are taking Black jobs. When pushed by Scott on what constituted a Black job, Trump responded by saying a Black job is anybody that has a job, drawing groans from the room. At one point, he said, I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln. The audience responded with a mix of boos and some applause. Scott asked Trump about his pledge to pardon people convicted for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and specifically whether he would pardon those who assaulted police officers. Trump said, Oh, absolutely I would, and said, If theyre innocent, I would pardon them. Scott pointed out they have been convicted and therefore are not innocent. Well, they were convicted by a very, very tough system, he said. At one point, when he was defending his supporters who entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, he said, Nothing is perfect in life. He compared the 2021 insurrection to the protests in Minneapolis and other cities in 2020 following the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and to more recent protests at the Capitol last week by pro-Gaza demonstrators, falsely claiming that no one was arrested in those other demonstrations and that only his supporters were targeted. As Trump made the comparison, a man in the back of the room shouted out: Sir, have you no shame? The former presidents invitation to address the organization sparked an intense internal debate among NABJ that spilled online. Organizations for journalists of color typically invite presidential candidates to speak at their summer gatherings in election years. As he campaigns for the White House a third time, Trump has sought to appear outside his traditional strongholds of support and his campaign has touted his efforts to try to win over Black Americans, who have been Democrats most committed voting bloc. His campaign has emphasized his messages on the economy and immigration as part of his appeal, but some of his outreach has played on racial stereotypes, including the suggestion that African Americans would empathize with the criminal charges he has faced and his promotion of branded sneakers. Trump and NABJ also have a tense history over his treatment of Black women journalists. In 2018, NABJ condemned Trump for repeatedly using words such as stupid, loser and nasty to describe Black women journalists. The vice president is not scheduled to appear at the convention, but the NABJ said in a statement posted on X that it was in conversation with her campaign to have her appear either virtually or in person for a conversation in September. Trump posted on his social media network that he was told he could not do the event virtually. She declined, and I am getting ready to land in Chicago in order to be there, Trump wrote. Now I am told that she is doing the Event on ZOOM. WHATS GOING ON HERE? Trump later Wednesday is scheduled to hold a campaign rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at 6 p.m. EDT. Kamala Harris released the following statement following Trumps comments at NABJ: The hostility Donald Trump showed on stage today is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office, and throughout his campaign for president as he seeks to regain power and inflict his harmful Project 2025 agenda on the American people. Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in. Donald Trump has already proven he cannot unite America, so he attempts to divide us. Todays tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trumps MAGA rallies this entire campaign. Its also exactly what the American people will see from across the debate stage as Vice President Harris offers a vision of opportunity and freedom for all Americans. All Donald Trump needs to do is stop playing games and actually show up to the debate on September 10. ___ Price reported from New York. Associated Press writers Aaron Morrison in New York, Gary Fields in Chicago and Will Weissert and Farnoush Amiri in Washington 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. Here is a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies: Bicyclist killed after Camarillo robbery identified The bicyclist struck and killed by a motorist who allegedly fled after stealing a gun Saturday at a Camarillo motel has been identified. The bicyclist was identified as Robert Pierret, 58, of Ventura, by the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office. Ventura County Sheriff's officials initially expected the driver to be arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, robbery and evasion of law enforcement during a pursuit that began after he left the motel. He was initially believed to be from Oxnard. But the death was ruled an accident, the medical examiner's office said Tuesday. The cause was deemed to be multiple blunt force injuries. Dr. Christopher Young, the county medical examiner, said deaths that occur when someone is struck by a vehicle are commonly ruled as accidents unless there is some unusual circumstance. The Sheriff's Office is expected to release additional details about the incident on Wednesday morning. Two arrested for ID theft in Fillmore Two individuals were arrested last week on suspicion of identity thefts and related crimes affecting a large number of Fillmore residents. On July 22, Ventura County Sheriff's deputies said they responded to the 100 block of B Street regarding a mail theft after residents reported that a community mailbox had been broken into and several people's mail stolen. That night, an individual whose mail was allegedly stolen reported fraudulent use of a credit card at a local motel. A 45-year-old woman from Moreno Valley and a 30-year-old man from Rialto were arrested on suspicion of several offenses, including conspiracy to commit a crime, mail theft, fraudulent use of an access card and identity theft of 10 or more victims. The man was arrested in connection with the additional crimes of providing false information to a peace officer, false impersonation of another person and possession of a controlled substance. Both defendants were booked into Ventura County jail. The woman has been released, but the man was being held Tuesday at the main jail in Ventura on $60,000 bail. These items may be updated. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Bicyclist identified, more news ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) A not-for-profit blood center serving much of the southeastern United States is facing a ransomware attack, officials said Wednesday. OneBlood said the attack had disabled its information technology, forcing it to operate at a reduced capacity in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. To manage its blood supply, the blood center was asking more than 250 hospitals to activate their critical blood shortage protocols. The blood center also was using manual processes to maintain basic operations, officials said. OneBlood is working with cybersecurity specialists as well as federal, state and local agencies to determine the scope of the attack and how to respond, officials said. "We are working diligently to restore full functionality to our systems as expeditiously as possible, Susan Forbes, OneBlood's senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations, said in a statement. Blood centers across the U.S. were sending extra blood and platelets to OneBlood, which said there's a particular need for O-positive and O-negative blood. KENNEBUNK, Maine Human Resources Director Scott Harrison is resigning from RSU 21, making him the latest of a number of employees to do so in recent months. In a letter to his colleagues on July 26, Harrison explained, with a heavy heart, his decision to leave the district. Calling his time with RSU 21 challenging, Harrison praised the leadership of Superintendent Terri Cooper and criticized some of the behavior he said he has witnessed throughout the district. Harrison also said he has seen RSU 21 go through an incredible transformation during the past 3 years and expressed gratitude to everyone who helped him build the districts Human Resources Department from the ground up. I did not make this decision lightly, Harrison wrote. Scott Harrison is resigning as the Human Resources director of RSU 21. His last day on the job will be Sept. 1, 2024. Harrisons last day will be Sept. 1. Harrisons resignation is the latest of quite a few in the district in recent months. Most recently, Kennebunk High School Principal Jeremie Sirois resigned, as did a couple of KHS guidance counselors. RSU 21 spokesperson Matthew Shinberg recently reported that the counselor positions have been filled, and that the search for a new KHS principal continues. According to Shinberg, 37 district employees resigned between late April and mid-July. Of them, 24 were teachers, specialists, and administrators, and 13 were from the districts non-certified staff, which includes education technicians, transportation employees, administrative assistants, and nutrition workers. Previous story: RSU 21 superintendent, School Board told 'teachers need a champion' RSU 21 HR director calls superintendent 'incredible educator' Harrisons resignation comes when many educators in the district are taking issue with Superintendent Coopers leadership, claiming she is focusing too much on the needs of her central office, with an emphasis on human resources and public relations, and is not supporting teachers enough. Teachers and community stakeholders have expressed their dissatisfaction at School Board meetings, in letters to the editor, and during interviews with the media. They have said teachers are underpaid and micromanaged and do not feel respected or supported. Critics of the district have said the resignations are due to the low morale. Cooper said the resignations are consistent with trends in education throughout the state and nation. She also added the reasons for the resignations varied, from retirements to relocations to exits from the field of education altogether. In his letter to colleagues, Harrison offered a different perspective on Cooper. She is an incredible educator and a consummate professional, Harrison said. But above all else, she cares deeply about this district, its students, and its staff. He thanked Cooper and members of the School Board for their support. In an email on Monday, Cooper praised Harrison, calling him one of the kindest people you will ever meet. What's happening? Kennebunk High School principal resigns amid wave of RSU 21 departures HR director calls time at RSU 21 'challenging' In his letter, Harrison called human resources a relatively new field in education, especially in Maine. He said his team and the district have achieved amazing feats. I am immensely proud of the work done by my team and colleagues, he said. Harrison said he and his team have modernized several of the districts systems, including launching a new online career site, which has processed over 2,200 applications since its inception. Harrison added the district also established a job evaluation and professional learning platform, transitioned to an electronic payroll service, and created the districts first-ever electronic open enrollment for benefits, digital contracts, and letters of assurance. But Harrison said his experiences in the district have been particularly challenging. I have witnessed behaviors in this district that I believe are counterproductive and highly unprofessional, inconsistent with our stated core values, he said. In an email to the Coast Star on Monday, Harrison elaborated, saying the unprofessional conduct consistently had been directed toward him and the Human Resources Department during daily interactions. This behavior has been ongoing since the department was established three years ago, Harrison said. Despite this, we have managed to build an effective and functional service for all staff at RSU 21. What I believe has been lost in the conversation is that the Human Resources Department is here to support and assist the staff, not be a barrier to them. Harrison, who will return to consulting this fall, said he hopes to see a stronger collaboration between the districts employees and its HR department in the future. I believe fostering this partnership can cultivate a culture of equity and mutual understanding within the district, he wrote. To those who have already taken strides in nurturing this relationship, I express my gratitude. Lucky to have her: Kennebunk High custodian finishes in top three for excellence award This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: RSU 21 HR director resigns citing 'highly unprofessional' conduct Have any running mates been introduced in their home state? Speculation has swirled over whether Vice President Harris is likely to announce Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) as her running mate as she kick-starts a swing-state tour with her vice presidential pick in Philadelphia next week. While some say the location is a tipoff that shes choosing Shapiro, presidential candidates have not announced their vice presidential pick in that politicians home state in at least the past 12 election cycles, according to video footage and press coverage of the announcements. Quite often, the announcement was made in the presidential candidates home state. Heres where past presidential candidates have announced their running mates: 2020 election Joe Biden formally introduced Harris as his running mate from Wilmington, Del., in his home state, on Aug. 12, 2020. At the time, Harris was serving in the Senate representing her home state of California. 2016 election Hillary Clinton, who lives in New York, introduced Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) as her running mate at a campaign stop in Miami. Before joining the Senate, Kaine served as governor of Virginia from 2006-10. Trump announced Mike Pence as his vice presidential pick from New York City, where Trumps permanent residence was. At the time, Pence was the governor of Indiana, after previously representing the state in the House for 12 years. 2012 election Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) introduced then-Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) as his vice presidential pick while in Norfolk, Va. Ryan represented Wisconsin in the House from 1999 to 2019. 2008 election Then-Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) introduced Biden, who was a Delaware senator at the time, during a rally in Springfield, Ill. Biden served in the Senate from 1973 to 2009. Then-Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) announced then-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) as his running mate while in Dayton, Ohio. Palin served as governor of Alaska from 2006 to 2009. 2004 election Then-Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) revealed then-Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) as his vice presidential choice during a rally in Pittsburgh. Edwards represented North Carolina in the Senate from 1999 to 2005. 2000 election Then-Vice President Al Gore, of Tennessee, said Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman would be his running mate during an event in Nashville. Lieberman represented Connecticut in the Senate from 1989 to 2013. Then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush said Dick Cheney would be his running mate during an event in Austin. Cheney represented Wyoming in the House from 1979 to 1989 before serving as secretary of Defense for former President George H.W. Bush. 1996 election Republican presidential candidate Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) announced Jack Kemp as his running mate from Doles hometown, Russell, Kan. Kemp represented New York in the House from 1971 to 1989 and served in the Cabinet of former President George H.W. Bush. 1992 election Then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton announced that Gore would be his vice president on the Democratic ticket in a Little Rock, Ark., event. At the time, Gore was a Tennessee senator. 1988 election Democratic presidential candidate and Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis revealed then-Sen. Lloyd Bentson would be his vice presidential nominee while in Boston. Bentson represented Texas in the Senate from 1971 to 1993. Then-Vice President George H.W. Bush announced Dan Quayle as his running mate while in New Orleans. Quayle was a senator from Indiana from 1981 to 1989. 1984 election Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondales running mate, former Rep. Geraldine Ferraro (D-N.Y.), was announced in California days ahead of the 1984 Democratic National Committee convention. She was from New York, and Mondale from Minnesota. 1980 election Californias Ronald Reagan announced George H.W. Bush, of Texas, would join him on the Republican presidential ticket at the Republican National Convention in Detroit in July 1980. 1976 election Speaking at a news conference in New York in July 1976, Jimmy Carter accepted the Democratic nomination for president and announced he asked then-Sen. Mondale, of Minnesota, to serve as his running mate. In launching his second bid for presidency, Reagan announced he tapped then-Rep. Richard Schweiker (R-Pa.) as his running mate during a news conference in Los Angeles. Miranda Nazzaro contributed reporting. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russia began the third stage of the drills designed to test its Armed Forces' readiness to launch non-strategic nuclear weaponry, the Russian Defense Ministry said on July 31. The first stage of exercises began in May as what Russian President Vladimir Putin presented as a response to alleged and unspecified "provocative statements" by the West. The third phase of the drills involves units of the Central and Southern military districts. The latter district includes forces deployed in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. "As part of this phase of the drills, missile formations' personnel from the Southern and Central military districts will carry out combat training tasks, including acquiring special training ammunition for the Iskander-M tactical missile systems," the Defense Ministry's statement read. Soldiers taking part in the exercises will practice "equipping launch vehicles and covertly advancing to positions to prepare for electronic launches." The previous two stages included units of the Southern and Leningrad military districts, Aerospace Forces, and Navy units, the ministry said. The Kremlin has repeatedly made nuclear threats against Ukraine and the West since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The threats have failed to materialize, and Russia continues to wage its all-out war without its nuclear arsenal. Russia's ally Belarus took part in the second stage of the drills in June. Minsk does not have its own nuclear weaponry but instead hosts part of Russia's tactical arsenal. Read also: Russian navy starts extensive drills involving majority of its fleet Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia launches 89 drones at Ukraine in one of the largest attacks of the war Ukraine's air force said it shot down 89 Russian attack drones targeting Kyiv and neighboring provinces overnight in one of the largest airborne attacks since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. However, one person was killed and one injured and damage, mainly from burning debris from downed drones, was widespread. File Photo by Ukrainian President Press Office/UPI July 31 (UPI) -- Ukraine's air force shot down 89 Russian attack drones targeting Kyiv and neighboring provinces overnight in one of the largest airborne attacks since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Air raid warnings were in force for seven hours as waves of drones descended on the capital with at least 36 downed either in Kyiv airspace or on the approaches, the Kyiv City Regional Administration said in a social media post. A further 19 drones were shot down over Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv provinces, authorities said, with the Ukraine Air Force also reporting it had intercepted a Kh-59 cruise missile targeting Mykolaiv province. A 68-year-old man was killed in Kherson and a 73-year-old woman was injured, Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said in an update on social media. The air force said it fended off the attacks with a multi-pronged defense that drew on fire groups, tactical aviation, army aviation, anti-aircraft missile units and electronic warfare. No other deaths or injuries were reported but 13 buildings, including one in Kyiv, were damaged by falling debris from downed drones. Separately, Russian artillery fire caused damage across a wide swath of the south and east of the country over the past day killing at least one person and injuring four in Kherson province, including a child, and killing another person in Toretsk near Bakhmut in Donetsk and injuring three others. In a post on social media, Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin said high-rise buildings, private homes, garages and cars were damaged in Novohrodivka, northeast of Donetsk City, while in Grodivka 15 private houses, a two-story building, four shops, an administration building and a coffee shop were damaged by anti-aircraft guns and artillery. One person was injured in Mykolaivka and houses in Kramatorsk district were damaged while in Virolyubivkn houses and a power line were damaged, according to Filashkin. Three people were injured in the village of Oleksandrivka, 27 miles west of Kherson City. The two men and a woman suffered blast injuries from mines and artillery, according to Kherson Gov. Prokudin. Russia loses over 1,000 soldiers and 30 artillery systems in one day Stock photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook Russia has lost 1,060 soldiers, 30 artillery systems, 20 armoured combat vehicles and 9 tanks over the past day. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 31 July 2024 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses ed.]: approximately 578,120 (+1,060) military personnel; 8,390 (+9) tanks; 16,161 (+20) armoured combat vehicles; 16,086 (+30) artillery systems; 1,131 (+1) multiple-launch rocket systems; 907 (+1) air defence systems; 363 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft; 326 (+0) helicopters; 12,853 (+21) strategic and tactical UAVs; 2,407 (+1) cruise missiles; 28 (+0) ships and boats; 1 (+0) submarines; 21,739 (+52) vehicles and tankers; 2,697 (+1) special vehicles and other equipment. The information is being confirmed. Support UP or become our patron! Russia must be present at next peace summit to end war, Zelensky says Ukraine, along with most countries, believes that Russia must be present at a second peace summit in November in order to end the war, President Volodymyr Zelensky told French media in an interview published on July 31. As Russia's war stretches into its third year, Kyiv has said it aims to invite a Russian representative to the second conference to present a peace plan based on Zelensky's peace formula and international input. No official invitation has been sent so far, but Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin has already said that Moscow will not participate in the event. Russia was not invited to the first global peace summit held on June 15-16 in Switzerland. "I believe as do most countries that at the second peace summit in November, Russian representatives must be present, otherwise we won't achieve viable results," Zelenksy said. "If the whole world wants them at the (negotiating) table, then we can't be against it." Zelensky reiterated that a just peace for Ukraine must include the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, adding that this "doesn't mean we have to do it by force of arms alone." "Today, we are on the front line as long as Russia wants to wage war. And then we can resolve these issues diplomatically, if Russia wants to," he said. When asked if he is considering the possibility of ceding Ukrainian territories, Zelensky said that this is "not the best option" and no president can resolve any issue of Ukraine's territorial integrity without Ukrainians. "It goes against the Constitution of Ukraine... Those in power have no official right to give up their territories. For that to happen, the Ukrainian people have to want it" he said. The Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed Ukraine's peace efforts and its 10-point formula as irrelevant, calling it an "ultimatum." Speaking a day ahead of the Switzerland summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that as a condition for peace negotiations, Ukraine must fully withdraw from four partially occupied oblasts that Moscow illegally annexed in 2022. Kyiv rejected this demand. Read also: Peace talks impossible without Russia, China at table, Czech President says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have noted that due to the lack of capacity for a large-scale offensive in Ukraine, the Russian command resorts to periodic impulsive mechanised attacks that are costly for both the Russian forces and the Ukrainian defence forces. Source: ISW Details: Russian forces carried out five mechanised attacks, ranging from platoon to battalion size, in western Donetsk Oblast on 29 and 30 July. Analysts noted that these localised mechanised offensives likely reflect a projected Russian summer offensive. However, it is probable that Russian forces lack the broader operational capacity to launch a separate, renewed offensive in Donetsk Oblast or elsewhere along the front line this summer. Quote: "ISW previously assessed that Russian forces are likely attempting to seize Kostiantynivka and cut the Vuhledar-Kostiantynivka T-0524 highway, forcing Ukrainians to retreat from the area." Details: The ISW has previously highlighted that Russian forces have struggled with conducting simultaneous large-scale offensives throughout the full-scale war, often resorting to staggered offensive operations across different front sectors. This approach involves decreasing activity on one front while increasing it on another. Throughout the summer, Russian troops have periodically launched platoon and company-sized mechanised assaults on the Lyman, Chasiv Yar, and Avdiivka fronts in Donetsk Oblast, with a recent uptick in attacks to the west and southwest of the city of Donetsk. The Russian military command may perceive these intermittent mechanised assaults as sufficient to meet their revised, more modest goals for the summer of 2024, or as reflecting the current limitations of their forces. The command could be aiming to present these limited tactical gains, such as the potential severing of the Vuhledar-Kostiantynivka highway, as a significant victory to Russians, despite the general lack of public familiarity with this region. Additionally, the command might be driving the already depleted Russian forces in this area to push forward as far as possible before their combat effectiveness diminishes, regardless of the heavy losses sustained. The Russian military's apparent readiness to incur substantial armoured vehicle losses without achieving operationally significant advances or launching a large-scale, multi-directional offensive in western Donetsk Oblast is likely to strain its military capabilities in the long run. Quote: "The cost of this approach will continue to be high if the Russian military command continues to fail to internalise lessons learned about the difficulties of mechanised manoeuvre on a nearly transparent battlefield in Ukraine and if the Russian government remains averse to further mobilising the Russian defence industry." More details: Analysts also pointed out that Russia's ongoing offensive operations are also costly for Ukraine's defenders and are likely to deteriorate Ukrainian capabilities through attrition, whether they achieve significant success or not. Quote: "This attritional approach is consistent with Putin's overall strategy for Ukraine that relies on the assumption that Russia will be able to hold any ground Russian forces take and that Russia will win by outlasting Western support for Ukraine." To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 30 July: Russian forces conducted five platoon- to battalion-sized mechanised assaults in western Donetsk Oblast on 29 and 30 July. Such localised mechanised pushes are likely the manifestation of Russia's forecasted summer offensive Russian forces likely lack the wider operational capacity to mount a separate renewed offensive operation in Donetsk Oblast or elsewhere on the front this summer. The Russian military command's willingness to accept costly armoured vehicle losses without conducting a large-scale, multi-directional offensive operation or making operationally significant advances in western Donetsk Oblast will likely burden the Russian military in the long-term. The ongoing Russian offensive operations are also costly for Ukrainian defenders and are likely meant to degrade Ukrainian capabilities through attrition whether or not they gain much ground. North Korea may be expanding the volume and variety of weapons it is providing to Russia. The Kremlin is likely attempting to corral Russian information space actors onto social media sites that the Kremlin can more directly influence to directly control their rhetoric, prompting some backlash from Russian ultranationalist milbloggers and opposition journalists. Ukrainian forces struck a Russian oil depot in Vozy, Kursk Oblast, on the night of 29-30 July. The Russian government continues to support educational programmes on "information and hybrid warfare" aimed at training Russians to conduct and counter information operations, use open-source research methodology, and to effectively analyse and counter hybrid threats for the Kremlin. Russian officials and Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) representatives are advocating for the Kremlin to codify a state ideology premised on the idea that the sovereign Ukrainian state should not exist, into Russian federal law. Russian forces recently advanced near Chasiv Yar and southwest of Donetsk City. Authorities in St. Petersburg have joined other Russian regional authorities in increasing financial incentives for recruits to sign military service contracts. UK newspaper The Times published a story on 29 July detailing how Russian authorities are indoctrinating deported Ukrainian children through military-patriotic education programmes. Support UP or become our patron! Russia to train troops to use nuclear weapons on the battlefield Russia will train its troops in Ukraine to use tactical nuclear weapons on the battlefield, Moscow has said. The training exercises will involve Iskander-M ballistic missiles and various aircraft, Moscows defence ministry said in a statement published on the Telegram messaging app. During the exercise, issues of preparing units of the armed forces of the Russian Federation for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons will be worked out, it said. As part of this exercise, the personnel of the missile formations of the Southern and Central military districts will work out combat training tasks of obtaining special training ammunition for the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile systems, equipping launch vehicles with them and covertly advancing to designated positions in preparation for conducting electronic launchers. The ongoing stage of the exercise is aimed at gaining the readiness of personnel and equipment of units for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons to Russia to carry out combat missions, the ministrys statement added. Russian Iskander-M systems in Ukraine - Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash Tactical nuclear weapons have smaller warheads and are designed to achieve a specific battlefield objective, compared to strategic bombs that are meant to target and destroy entire cities. Pro-war Kremlin outriders have repeatedly urged the use of nuclear weapons both inside and outside of Ukraine. Ukrainian gains on the battlefield are often met with calls for the use of a tactical strike to protect against potential advances into Russian-occupied territories. The Moscow-based Council for Foreign and Defence Policy, a think-tank that shapes Russian government thinking, this year proposed a demonstrative nuclear explosion to deter the West from sending arms to Ukraine. The southern and central military districts are two of the five force groupings that make up Russias armed forces. The Russian-occupied areas of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fall under the umbrella of the southern district. Vladimir Putin claimed to have annexed the four Ukrainian oblasts via a series of sham referendums in September 2022. The central grouping is almost entirely tasked with Moscows main offensive manoeuvres in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, with its forces responsible for capturing the city of Avdiivka, according to the US-based Institute for the Study of War think-tank. Russia has repeatedly held nuclear exercises as Putin threatens to carry out strikes in response to Western support for Ukraine. Moscows defence ministry released footage in May of its forces rehearsing cross-border strikes into Ukraine using Iskander missiles equipped with special purpose nuclear warheads. Western analysts have previously disregarded the threats as nuclear blackmail, rather than genuine plans to carry out a strike in Ukraine or elsewhere. The latest drills come days after Putin threatened to restart production of mid-range nuclear weapons in response to planned missile deployments by the United States in Europe. 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. Russia used new 'distracting' drone type during recent attack on Ukraine, Kyiv says Russia used a significant number of so-called "distracting drones" designed to probe air defenses rather than destroy targets in its mass attack on Ukraine on July 31, said Andrii Yusov, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) spokesperson. Moscow launched a total of all 89 Shahed-type attack drones and one Kh-59 missile at Ukraine in the attack, all of which were shot down, the Air Force said. It was the most extensive drone attack on Kyiv in 2024 with over 40 drones destroyed in the city's airspace and nearby areas, the local authorities reported. According to Yusov, the "distracting drones" do not have an explosive part. "(Russia's) goal is to exhaust and explore air defense systems. This is not a new tactic, either. Ukraine's security and defense forces have been practicing and effectively countering such challenges," he added. In the meantime, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, an adviser to the presidential office's head, said that Russian troops used a new type of drones Gerbera in limited numbers in the attack. He described these drones as a cheaper version of Shahed-type attack drones. Drones have been a key tool in Ukraine's defense against Russia's war. Kyiv has the production capacity to produce more than 3 million drones a year, but requires financing from foreign partners, Deputy Strategic Industries Minister Hanna Hvozdiar said. Moscow is now launching a new type of cheaply-made drone to identify air defense systems and act as decoys, Andrii Cherniak, a spokesperson of Ukraine's military intelligence, said earlier in July. Read also: Ukraine may have surpassed Russia in number of drones, commander says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian troops have attacked three districts of Donetsk Oblast, using artillery, aircraft and a drone since the beginning of the day on 31 July, killing a 61-year-old man and wounding five people, including two children. Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office on Facebook Details: It is reported that Russian invaders carried out a shelling of the village of Pivnichne in Bakhmut district. Two residents, a 58-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman, had their legs injured in shelling of one of the streets. They were taken to hospital. Moreover, the Novohrodivka hromada came under the fire of Russian troops, where a 61-year-old tractor driver was injured by the Russian drone and died on the way to the hospital in an ambulance. The Russians dropped an aerial bomb on the private sector of the settlement of Hannivka, Pokrovsk district, at 12:35. They had previously used a KAB-250 unguided aerial bomb with Unified gliding and correction module (UMPK), effectively turning it into a gliding bomb. Two girls aged 3 and 15 were injured. A 38-year-old resident also sustained injuries. The injured were diagnosed with an open craniocerebral injury, wounds to the head, chest and back. They were taken to hospital. The youngest child is in serious condition. Ukrainian prosecutors are recording war crimes committed by the Russian aggressor. Support UP or become our patron! The latest offering from Mahua FunAge, a leading Chinese comedy company, was performed for the first time on Saturday at the Hollick Club, a theater in Wen'an county in Hebei province. The show will take up residency at the theater, which is roughly a two-hour drive from Beijing. Titled Crazy Knight Order, the immersive show is designed to appeal to both children and adults, and combines a variety of elements, such as music, dance and games. Youngsters can join the performers in playing games that develop the spirit of teamwork, while multimedia technology provides visual enjoyment in the form of castles, fires, oceans and lighting. Mahua FunAge was founded in 2003 and is known for comedy productions such as Goodbye Mr. Loser and Wonder Family. When the former Barnes Noble/OfficeMax building went on the auction block a two months ago, Redding commercial realtor Ken Miller told me he was disappointed to see it happen. Thats because Miller said he was working with a potential tenant, that if it signed on, would have been huge news for the North State. A few weeks after that conversation, I heard a rumor that that tenant was REI, or Recreational Equipment Inc., the iconic outdoor accessories store that doesnt have any locations north of Sacramento in California. Miller told me the rumor was true and he still holds out hope that it could happen. This community has been dying for an REI for a long time. It is probably the most common complaint that I get: Why dont we have an REI? said Miller, whose Northstate Commercial Partners was marketing the old Barnes & Noble/Office Max building for the former owner. The former Barnes & Noble/OfficeMax building on Churn Creek Road in May 2024. The building on Churn Creek Road did sell at auction in May to a Northern California ownership group with a winning bid of just over $3 million, according to Tiffeny Cook of Tranzon Asset Strategies, the Irvine-based company that conducted the auction. Miller said REI did look seriously at the building. He said the retailer was interested in the OfficeMax portion of the building. OfficeMax closed in 2017. Barnes & Noble closed late last year and relocated to Hilltop Drive, where it opened in late January. What I was told is that what turned them (REI representatives) was the building was worn out, Miller said. It got to the point where REI executives were considering signing a letter of intent to lease the building, Miller said, adding that plans were in the works to turn the letter over to the attorneys. Five to six people from REI did a serious walkthrough and inspected the building, he said. I thought we were there. With new owners taking over the building, Miller said theres still a chance REI could revisit plans to open in Redding. They may still be out there. They may circle back, he said. REI was established in 1938. One of its popular programs is its co-op membership, where members get discounts and rewards on purchases. There are also membership classes and events. Had REI landed in Redding, "I'd a run for mayor if I had gotten it," Miller quipped. David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. Hes part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on X, formerly Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Could Redding still get an REI location? Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day killed at least two people and injured at least nine, including a child, regional authorities reported on July 31. Ukrainian forces downed all 89 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight, which mainly targeted Kyiv and the surrounding oblast. The attack has been the largest against the capital in 2024 so far and one of the strongest ones during the war. No casualties were reported in Kyiv or the oblast. In Donetsk Oblast, Russian attacks killed one person in Toretsk and injured three others, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. One more civilian was wounded when Russia struck the village of Mykolaivka. One person was killed and five injured, including a child, in Russian strikes against Kherson Oblast, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. A 68-year-old man was killed in an overnight drone attack against Kherson. A 73-year-old woman was also injured in the strike, the governor said. Three residents of the Oleksandrivka village two men aged 26 and 53 and a 54-year-old woman were reported as wounded. Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts also came under attack but no casualties were reported. Read also: Russia launches strongest drone attack on Kyiv so far in 2024 Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Vladimir Kara-Murza, the British-Russian activist who is at the centre of the speculation about a prisoner exchange - Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images Hopes of a major prisoner swap between Russia and the West have risen after a series of mysterious inmate movements. At least nine high-profile Western prisoners have reportedly been moved from their cells in recent days, prompting speculation that Vladimir Putin has agreed to swap them for Russians held in the West. Sources in Ukraine suggested that Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian-British opposition activist, and Paul Whelan, a former US marine, could be among those being released from Russian custody. Lawyers for Mr Kara-Murza and Mr Whelan said their whereabouts were currently unknown, although Mr Whelans lawyer said he did not believe he would be involved in a swap. Paul Whelan, a former US marine and corporate security executive, was arrested in 2018 when he travelled to Moscow to attend a wedding - Sofia Sandurskaya/Moscow News Agency via AP Vladimir Kara-Murza with his wife Yevgenia in 2017 when he gave evidence to a US Senate committee on Russian influence - Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images The prisoners who have vanished in recent days also include Ilya Yashin, a Russian opposition figure who criticised Mr Putin over the war in Ukraine, and several associates of Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin critic who died in an Arctic jail in February. The Kremlin and the US state department, which have reportedly negotiated a deal, declined to comment, while John Kirby, the White Houses national security spokesman, told Puck News that he wouldnt want to mess anything up to prevent there from being a positive result. There is speculation that a deal could involve Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who has been imprisoned in Russia since March 2023. The Kremlin previously said there could be no exchange involving Mr Gershkovich until after he received a criminal sentence, which was handed down by a court last month. His trial was condemned as a sham by Western politicians, including Joe Biden, who has repeatedly said he hopes to secure the journalists release. Karine Jean Pierre, the White House press secretary, said on Wednesday that Mr Biden had made it a priority to get home wrongfully detained Americans back to their families, but declined to comment on any specific negotiations with Russia. We cannot negotiate in public because we want to make sure that we get this job done, get this work done, she said. Focus, a German newspaper, reported that one of the opposition figures who had been moved from his cell in recent days is Kevin Lik, 18, a Russian-German who was jailed in December by Russia for emailing images to representatives of a foreign state on the eve of the invasion of Ukraine. If the prisoners are exchanged, it is thought that Russia could be given Vadim Krasikov, the bicycle assassin who is serving a life-sentence for the murder of an opponent of Mr Putins regime in Berlin, Alexander Vinnik, who is serving time on money laundering charges, and Vladislav Klyushin, who was found guilty of involvement in hacking and data trafficking. Data on a number of Russian prisoners held in the United States has reportedly disappeared from the US federal prisons database, prompting speculation they will be released. They include Alexander Vinnik, Maxim Marchenko, Vadim Konoshchenok, and Roman Seleznyov. The Russian spies Anna and Artem Dultsev were also reported in Slovenian media as possible Western prisoners who could be swapped. A potential exchange could take place as early as Wednesday evening in Berlin, sources suggested. The investigative news outlet Agentstvo reported that at least eight aircraft from the Russian presidential fleet have visited locations where the missing prisoners were located in the last week. Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, chairs a meeting about Rico Krieger on Monday, a development that led to speculation about prisoner exchange - Press Service of the President of the Republic of Belarus/via Reuters Speculation of an imminent prisoner swap started on Monday when Alexander Lukashenko, the leader of Belarus, pardoned a German citizen who had been sentenced to death. Rico Krieger was found guilty in October by a court in Belarus of planting explosives on a train line, although his sentence was only reported by Belarusian media in July. German media and the Ukrainian military unit that he was supposed to have served with denied the charges and instead said that Krieger had been lured to Belarus under false pretences and then framed. Even so, the sudden focus on Krieger, his sentence and his equally sudden pardon by Lukashenko sparked speculation from analysts that this could allow for a wider prisoner exchange. The foreign ministries of both Belarus and Germany both confirmed later on Monday that they were in talks about a prisoner swap. German officials from the foreign ministry and Chancellery did not respond when asked about speculation that there had been a breakthrough on Tuesday. Decision only after US election Reports from various Russian and eastern European outlets do not agree on which prisoners would be involved in a possible swap. Mr Whelans lawyer told the Kremlin-linked Moscow-based Izvestia newspaper that he did not think that his client was being considered for a prisoner release deal even though he had disappeared. He can spend six months in one zone and then reappear in another zone, he said. The issue of exchange is not being decided now. This decision can only be made after the election of a new US president. Nor did Kremlin-linked Russian media mention Mr Gershkovich, or Radio Free Europe journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-US citizen sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison. But the exiled Russian political scientist Tatyana Stanovaya wrote in a post on Telegram: It seems we are facing a large-scale prisoner exchange. Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin strategist and supporter of Putins invasion of Ukraine, said: There is likely to be a large exchange of political agents with Russia, the US, Germany, Belarus and Slovenia participating. Ukraine has nothing to do with it. Yashin and Kara-Murza, I think, yes, Kagarlitsky no. So far so good. Perhaps we will find out everything later today. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A man in Russia has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for attempting to set fire to an enlistment office and alleged links to the Freedom of Russia Legion, Russia's Southern District Military Court said on July 30. The man, named Sergei Stanchev, was declared guilty of an attempted terrorist attack and cooperation "on a confidential basis with a representative of a foreign state," the court said. Stanvchev allegedly called the number of a Ukrainian organization in January 2023 while living in Essentuki in Stavropol Krai, a region in southern Russia near the Caucasus Mountains. The court claimed that days later, a representative of the Freedom of Russia Legion reached out to Stanchev and discussed cooperation, to which Stanchev agreed. The legion, established in March 2022 in Ukraine, is an armed group of Russians fighting alongside Kyiv's forces against Russia. Its members have also carried out cross-border raids into Russia and reportedly conducted sabotage operations inside the country. Sign up for our newsletter WTF is wrong with Russia? Sign up Stanchev then allegedly "carried out surveillance and video recording of the military commissariat of Stavropol Krai" as per the instructions of the representative of the legion and planned to set fire to a military enlistment office. The police detained Stanchev after buying the components for a "homemade incendiary mixture," the court claimed. The Kyiv Independent cannot verify this information, and the Russian judicial system is widely thought to be systematically unfair. Torture and forced confessions are also commonplace practices among law enforcement officers, human rights organizations have found. A Russian military court also sentenced a man in Krasnodar Krai, which borders Stavropol Krai, on July 30 for allegedly preparing to sabotage railway relay cabinets and for purported links with the Freedom of Russia Legion. Earlier in July, a court in Moscow sentenced a dual Ukrainian-Russian citizen to 26 years in prison for allegedly trying to set fire to enlistment offices. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Kyiv strikes Russian oil depot; 2 Russian bombers hit in earlier attack Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian-UK dissident Kara-Murza disappears from jail in latest sign a prisoner swap with West may be close (Corrects name of penal colony in paragraph two to IK-6) MOSCOW (Reuters) - Vladimir Kara-Murza, a dual Russian-British national jailed on treason charges for 25 years, has been moved from his prison in Siberia and is being sent elsewhere, Russia's prison service told Reuters. The prison service, FSIN, said Kara-Murza was being transferred from the IK-6 penal colony in Omsk to another destination. It did not say where. A number of Russian dissidents and people convicted for their opposition to Moscow's war in Ukraine have disappeared from Russian prisons in recent days, in what rights activists say is a possible sign that a prisoner swap with the West may be close. (This story has been corrected to change the name of the penal colony to IK-6, from IK-16, in paragraph 2) (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn) Russians press on all fronts, with most combat clashes occurring on Pokrovsk front Ukraine's General Staff Ukrainian defenders. Stock photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook Russian forces continue to bombard Ukraine and try to break through the defences of Ukrainian troops along the entire line of contact; a total of 144 combat clashes took place over the past day, most of them on the Pokrovsk and Toretsk fronts. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 08:00 on 31 July Quote: "Yesterday [30 July ed.], the enemy launched one missile attack on the positions of Ukrainian units and populated areas using one missile, as well as 85 airstrikes, using 141 aerial bombs. In addition, the enemy fired 4,352 times, 90 of which were from multiple-launch rocket systems." Details: On the Kharkiv front, the Russians continued their offensive (assault) actions, with a total of six combat clashes. The fighting took place, in particular, near the settlements of Tykhe and Vovchansk (Kharkiv Oblast). On the Kupiansk front, there were seven combat clashes over the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian defence forces repelled Russian assaults near the settlements of Pishchane and Stelmakhivka (Kharkiv Oblast). On the Lyman front, Ukrainian defenders repelled 18 Russian attacks near the settlements of Nevske and Makiivka (Luhansk Oblast), and Serebrianka Forest. On the Siversk front, Ukrainian defenders repelled four Russian assaults in the vicinities of Verkhnokamianske, Pereizne and Vyimka. On the Kramatorsk front, Ukrainian forces repelled 12 Russian attempts to break through the defences near Chasiv Yar (Donetsk Oblast). On the Toretsk front, the Russians conducted 23 attacks near the settlements of Pivnichne, Toretsk, New-York and Zalizne. On the Pokrovsk front, the Ukrainian defence forces stopped 48 attacks near Novooleksandrivka, Vesele, Serhiivka, Zhelanne, Yasnobrodivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Ivanivka, Tymofiivka and Kalynove. On the Kurakhove front, Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the Russians in the vicinity of Krasnohorivka, Kostiantynivka and Paraskoviivka, where the Russians attempted to break through Ukrainian defences 16 times. On the Vremivka front, the Russians conducted five unsuccessful assaults on Ukrainian positions near the village of Stepova Novosilka (Donetsk Oblast). On the Orikhiv front, there were five combat clashes near the villages of Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne and Novoandriivka (Zaporizhzhia Oblast). Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are continuing to inflict significant losses on Russian troops in both manpower and equipment, depleting the Russian forces along the entire line of contact and in the rear. Over the past 24 hours, the defence forces hit 1,060 Russian soldiers, 9 tanks, 20 armoured combat vehicles, 30 artillery systems, 1 MLRS, 1 air defence system, 21 tactical UAVs, 1 cruise missile, 52 vehicles and 1 piece of special equipment. Support UP or become our patron! Russia's State Duma (the lower chamber of parliament) has passed a law legalising cryptocurrency mining in Russia in the second and third readings. Source: Meduza, a Latvia-based Russian media outlet, citing the website of the State Duma Details: The document stipulates that Russian legal entities and sole proprietors included in the relevant register will be authorised to mine cryptocurrency. Individuals who do not exceed the government-set energy consumption limits will be allowed to mine cryptocurrency without being included in the register. "We believe that the energy sector has an effective mechanism to exercise oversight of grey and black miners. Special limits will be established, allowing the sector to monitor activities and prosecute violators," said Anton Gorelkin, one of the authors of the amendments and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology and Communications. Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet RBC notes that the ban on organising cryptocurrency trading has been removed from the law, which could have led to the actual shutdown of Russian crypto exchanges. The document retains the prohibition on advertising cryptocurrencies and various services based on their use. According to Gorelkin, the authorities view cryptocurrencies "primarily as a tool for circumventing sanctions and a point of high-tech export". "Today, Russia ranks second in mining, and I am confident that once the regulation of this area is in place, we will come out on top, overtaking the US," the MP said. The State Duma also passed a law allowing the Bank of Russia to launch an experimental platform for using cryptocurrencies in international payments, effective 1 September. Under current law, it is forbidden to use digital currency for payments in Russia. Background: Russia intends to legalise cryptocurrencies as businesses face increasing difficulty in making foreign payments due to the prospect of secondary penalties. The bills are expected to be signed by Russian leader Vladimir Putin and come into force on 1 September. Cryptocurrencies could help Russia circumvent Western sanctions. While the use of digital money for payment is officially prohibited in Russia, Putin urged the government this month "not to miss the moment" in regulating the mechanism both locally and internationally. He informed regulators that cryptocurrencies "are increasingly used in the world as a means of payment in international settlements". Support UP or become our patron! From Rust Belt to Reno: What does MAGA think of JD Vance? RENO, Nevada JD Vance preached Donald Trumps America First vision in Nevada on Tuesday to thousands of MAGA faithful, who said they see the Republican vice presidential candidate as the torchbearer for a transformed Republican Party. Vance promoted the mass deportation of migrants and said he would support policies to combat globalization, putting the needs of American workers ahead of the desires of the nations elites. Vance pressed these priorities, and said Vice President Kamala Harris had failed to achieve them, during a rowdy rally in Reno, one of his first solo campaign events since Trump selected Vance as his running mate on July 15. After coming under attack by Democrats for statements he made several years ago, Vance is trying to regain his footing and to win over not just Trumps biggest fans, but Americans in swing states across the country. The voters who attended Vances rally Tuesday seemed ready to embrace the relatively young senator from Ohio. The rally attendees, wearing red, white and blue Trump-Vance gear including one T-shirt that read Im voting for the outlaw and the hillbilly roared their endorsement of Vance, with some predicting the Hillbilly Elegy author was in the midst of solidifying himself as the future of a Republican Party characterized by Rust Belt blue-collar conservatism. Now, some of you know my story, and some of you dont, but I grew up in a poor family. I was raised by my grandmother. I called her Mamaw, Vance said, recounting how his gun toting grandma nearly shot his Marine Corps recruiting officer. That amazing, incredible, undefeatable American spirit, I believe, is on the ballot this November. Vance leveraged his life story rising from the bottom of the broken American heartland to the top of the American Dream to pin the blame for working class struggles on Americas ruling establishment, who he said Harris personifies. Accompanied by wife, Usha, Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, waves toward the crowd at a campaign event in Reno, Nev., Tuesday, July 30, 2024. | Jae C. Hong The majority of his 30-minute remarks, read from a teleprompter, attempted to draw a comparison between the policies of the first and potentially second Trump administrations with those of the vice president, whose recent rocket ride to the top of the Democratic ticket appears to have unsettled Trumps path to victory in election battleground states like Nevada. Responding to a video in which Harris said Vance would be loyal only to Trump, not to our country, Vance said he and Trump are loyal only to one thing: policies that put the interests of American citizens first. Loyalty to this country is closing the border, not opening it up. Loyalty is safeguarding Medicare for American citizens, not bankrupting it by giving it to illegal aliens, Vance said. Loyalty is protecting our children from the poisonous fentanyl, not inviting Mexican drug cartels to deal it on our playgrounds. Loyalty is serving in the United States Marine Corps something I did. Loyalty is taking a bullet for this country something Donald Trump did. The riff earned Vance a standing ovation with shouts of USA, USA, USA! from his newest fans, dozens of whom wore shirts featuring a photo of Trump raising his fist in the aftermath of the assassination attempt against him on July 13. Supporters cheer as they listen to Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, during a campaign event in Reno, Nev., Tuesday, July 30, 2024. | Jae C. Hong Vance verbally attacks Harris With President Joe Bidens withdrawal from the 2024 general election, Trump and Vance have turned their attention to Harris. Vance focused on her role in the administrations immigration policy. He claimed the millions who entered the country under Bidens more relaxed asylum system will steal American jobs and undercut American wages. If you are in this country illegally, start packing your bags right now, Vance said. Were going to launch the largest deportation program in American history. Vance echoed Trumps departure from free market capitalism in the form of international trade agreements that Vance says have hollowed out American communities like his native Middletown, Ohio. Vance said he and Trump were united in their belief that a million cheap, knockoff toasters arent worth the price of a single American manufacturing job. For decades, politicians have sold out this country, Vance said. They brag about trade deals, they promise cheap products, they call it globalization and for so many thats exactly what it meant American jobs went to some other part of the globe instead of staying right here in Nevada. Vance also promised Nevadans, with their disproportionately sized tourism industry, that a future Trump administration would end taxes on tips. If youre out there today, and youre trying to make ends meet, if youre scraping by instead of thriving, if your hope is dwindling as quickly as your bank account, Ive got good news: in November, help is on the way, Vance said. Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, speaks during a campaign event in Reno, Nev., Tuesday, July 30, 2024. | Jae C. Hong Who is JD Vance? Despite his warm reception, Vance is a relatively new figure on the Trump train. He previously criticized the former president after his memoir was published in 2016. Some in the crowd said they had braved long drives and long lines just to find out for themselves who Trump had picked to replace his former running mate, Mike Pence, who has yet to endorse him. I wanted to hear JD Vance firsthand, said Davis Northnagel, a precinct manager for the Washoe County Republican Central Committee. After reading the tale of Vances childhood, and seeing his endorsements from conservative talk show stars Tucker Carlson and Charlie Kirk, Northnagel said he already felt confident Vance was the best positioned candidate to carry on the MAGA movement. After publishing a memoir of his childhood at age 31, Vance, who will turn 40 on Friday, became something of a spokesperson for Appalachian Americans hit hard by a wave of shuttered factories and drug addiction. Vances book recounts his unlikely exit from a culture in crisis and describes how enlisting in the marines, graduating from Ohio State summa cum laude and receiving a degree from Yale Law School led to him reflecting on why communities like his were left behind and how it created resentment toward government institutions and elites. Kim Rhoda, who traveled two hours from Taylorsville, California, to attend the rally, said she felt this pessimism personally decades ago as a single mom raising four kids, and now as she watches what she says is the unfair treatment of Trump by the judicial system. Now we dont trust anybody, Rhoda said. I love America. Im not crazy about the government. Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, speaks during a campaign event in Reno, Nev., Tuesday, July 30, 2024. | Jae C. Hong Its Trumps love for America, more than his policies, Rhoda said, that draws her to the former president. After reading Vances book, and watching the Netflix adaptation, Rhoda said she is convinced Vance will remain a top figure in the Republican Party. I feel like he is the hope for our future, Rhoda said. I think hell be a president. After founding a venture capital firm to spur startups in underserved areas in the Midwest, Vance ran for the Senate in his home state of Ohio in 2022, powered by a late Trump endorsement. Upon entering the Senate, Vance became one of Trumps most vocal supporters and one of the chief proponents of a populist agenda, including bipartisan work on regulations aiming to increase railway safety, punish bank executives and eliminate corporate tax breaks. Vances support of the former president, as well as his ability to articulate Trumps America First agenda in debates, legislation and cable news hits, eventually led to his selection as Trumps vice presidential nominee. Leslie Sawyer, of Redding, California, where she serves as chapter chair of Moms for Liberty, shares Rhodas confidence and said Vances pick is a harbinger of whats to come. The America First party is going to become the new GOP, she said. Flailing newcomer, or future of the GOP? However, the first few weeks after Vances debut as Trumps running mate have already shown his inexperience on the national stage as well as a sort of delayed-onset cancel culture caused by a barrage of resurfaced video clips from 2021. The resulting media attention has focused on Vances past comments on support for federal abortion restrictions, enhanced child tax credits and criticism of the country being run by a bunch of childless cat ladies(.) In a statement released Tuesday evening, the Harris campaign lambasted Vance for his awkward pronunciation of Nevada and said his policy preferences are out of touch with Nevada residents. This is a state where we care about freedom and were going to fight back against Vance and Trumps plans for a national abortion ban. Its a state where we stand up for workers and were going to fight back against Vance and Trumps attacks on our unions and policies that would raise costs on our families. And its a state where we believe in democracy and were going to fight back against Trumps plans to give himself virtually unchecked power over our daily lives and to rule as a dictator on day one, Maddy Pawlak, the Harris campaigns Nevada Communications Director, said. Trumps former lead in Nevada polls, which showed him beating Biden in a rematch by up to 10 percentage points, is now up in the air with a newly energized base ready to support Harris. But Ryan Korson, a 19-year-old Reno resident, believes it wont be enough to overcome the Trump ticket strengthened by Vance, who he says gives hope to the politically disenchanted. I think he comes from a pretty strong background, Korson said. I think hes going to appeal to a lot of Americans in a way that most candidates I feel might not have been able to. Korson, who finished Hillbilly Elegy one month ago, said he has friends dealing with addiction who previously never would have voted for Trump but theyre actually a little bit more open to the Trump-Vance ticket because of Vance. Carlene Hopkins, a Yerington, Nevada resident, whose self description always armed, ready to speak her mind and politically independent gives her a striking resemblance to Vances own mamaw, said Vances outsider approach to politics wont be hindered by bad press or the rigors of a national campaign. Vance, at half the age of Trump, isnt just a boon for Trump in 2024, according to Hopkins. He is shaping up to be Trumps successor. Hes a spark that the GOP needs, Hopkins said. They need somebody that we can look at, not just the next four years, but the next eight to 12 and beyond because us old folks arent going to be around. Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, pauses for a moment while speaking at a campaign event in Reno, Nev., Tuesday, July 30, 2024. | Jae C. Hong The Oklahoma State Department of Education will issue guidance to public school districts on how to report the impact illegal immigration has had on Oklahoma schools, announced state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters on Wednesday. During the Oklahoma State Board of Education's meeting, Walters said it is difficult to know how much illegal immigration is impacting schools. He announced that Oklahoma schools will receive guidance in the coming weeks to help the education department identify the "cost and burden" that illegal immigration has on schools and taxpayers. "The reality is Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have let the border become overrun," Walters said. "We have this rush of illegal immigrants across the border. We have a fentanyl crisis where fentanyl is pouring into the states [and] pouring into our schools." Walters said the federal government has failed to secure the country's borders, adding that Oklahoma's schools are suffering as a result. "Where the government has failed to act, Oklahoma will step up," Walters said. "We will step in. We will make sure that we understand the cost to taxpayers so that our kids can get the best education possible." Drug overdose deaths, including those involving fentanyl, rose from 2019 to 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In recent years, the majority of fentanyl trafficking offenders were U.S. citizens, according to data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Is illegal immigration increasing in the U.S.? U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended the lowest monthly number of migrants crossing the U.S. southern border in June, NBC News reported. With just over 84,000 apprehensions, this is the lowest number since U.S. President Joe Biden took office in 2021. The number is also 30% lower than in May, the news outlet reported. When Biden took office, Border Patrol reported more than 1.6 million encounters with migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border in the 2021 fiscal year, according to the Pew Research Center. That's more than quadruple the number of the prior fiscal year as COVID-19 slowed migration the globe. Former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration expelled migrants beginning in March 2020 in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Biden administration followed suit under the same order. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ryan Walters wants study on illegal immigration in Oklahoma schools Sacramento Countys climate plan is changing. Advocates want more help for low-income areas Local advocates want Sacramentos disadvantaged communities to be a focus in the countys response to climate change per the newly revised Community Countywide Climate Action Plan. The 400-plus page climate document is a road map for county government and the unincorporated county to address the ever-present effects of extreme heat, prolonged drought and extended wildfire seasons on the Sacramento region. Leaders tout the plan as a comprehensive strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet Californias 2030 and 2045 clean air targets. But the county plan cannot leave communities behind, said Faye Wilson Kennedy, chair of the Sacramento Area Black Caucus. The caucus is a coalition that includes the Southeast Village Neighborhood Association, the Red, Black and Green Environmental Justice Coalition and Sacramento Poor Peoples Campaign. Black, brown and other people of color living in the countys disadvantaged communities are disproportionately shouldering the effects of extreme heat in homes with little or inadequate air conditioning, in neighborhoods with little natural shade, Kennedy said. The county in the last three or four years has really been trying to listen to the community, but a lot of traditional environmental groups have their ear, Kennedy said. They dont have a lot of people of color helping them to see these things. She cites the risks of heat-related death for those living outdoors and residents struggling to stay cool in the countys underserved neighborhoods. The countys 2024 draft climate plan and the concerns by Sacramento Area Black Caucus came during a month that saw extended stretches of punishing triple-digit heat in the Sacramento region, at least two heat-related deaths and another destructive round of wildfires including the Park Fire, now among the largest in California history. What advocates think the county should do As the county takes public comment on the plan, Kennedy is calling to support neighborhood solar-powered cooling and warming centers, plans to provide sufficient air conditioning during extreme heat, and programs to retrofit existing buildings so that air conditioning can be installed where people live. A climate resilient and magnanimous city, county and state is built by investing in all people (particularly) the poor not by neglecting them, Kennedy said in a statement. It starts with the stabilizing power of safe affordable housing with an environmentally friendly air conditioning system (and) clean and breathable air free of toxins. She points to a 2021 Environmental Protection Agency study. Among its findings: the most severe harms from climate change fall disproportionately upon underserved communities who are least able to prepare for, and recover from, heat waves, poor air quality, flooding, and other impacts. We come to the table with existing health issues upper respiratory ailments, high blood pressure, conditions that are exacerbated by extreme heat, she said. In neighborhoods like Oak Park, Del Paso Heights, we need to make investments in those older neighborhoods. The draft action plan, completed in mid-July, revises Sacramento Countys 2022 Communitywide Climate Action Plan to add growth projections for future development projects. The plan also strengthens how measures to reduce greenhouse gases will be put into effect and is paired with an environmental impact report to detail the climate plans potential impacts. Sacramento County in its broader general plan acknowledges the disproportionate impacts of climate change on what it labels its Environmental Justice Communities North Highlands/Foothill Farms, West Arden-Arcade, North Vineyard and South Sacramento, areas defined as Low Income High Minority, by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. Climate action plan-related fee mitigation, incentive programs and other county-funded programs would prioritize the environmental justice communities as part of the plan. Climate change presents new challenges and exacerbates existing challenges, but also serves as an opportunity for the county to invest in policies and infrastructure to address climate related issues, the plans authors say in its introductory remarks. Within the four areas considered disadvantaged compared to other areas of unincorporated Sacramento County,residents are more vulnerable to heat stroke and heat exhaustion due to the neighborhoods lack of robust tree canopies the urban forest that gives Sacramento its City of Trees moniker. Sacramento is the City of Trees, but thats mostly for the privileged communities. We can do better. Kennedy said Sacramento city and county must work more closely to connect neighborhoods and nonprofits such as the Sacramento Tree Foundation to reestablish shade canopies in underserved areas, where theres more concrete than trees. Public comment on the climate plan and its environmental impact report extend to 5 p.m. Aug. 29. Both are available for public review and comment on the Planning and Environmental Review website. Sacramento County staff will present the plan to the countys Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force on Aug. 8. A presentation to the Sacramento Environmental Commission follows on Aug. 19. District Attorney Thien Hos first-of-its-kind homeless lawsuit against the city of Sacramento is on a six-month pause. The so-called stay will expire Feb. 1, according to a document filed Wednesday in Sacramento Superior Court. On July 17, 2024, the parties agreed to participate in mediation in a good faith attempt to resolve this complex matter before the pleadings are in issue, the filing states. In order to provide the parties with sufficient time to identify the proper mediator and schedule mediation, the parties have agreed to stay this matter for six months. Mediation is a common practice in civil lawsuits against the city, said civil rights attorney Mark Merin, who has frequently sued the city. Ho agreed. Mediation is a standard and normal process involved in all civil lawsuits, Ho said in a statement Wednesday. This was anticipated and is welcomed. The joint agreement to participate in mediation reflects both the District Attorneys and the City Attorneys commitment to addressing the unhoused crisis. City spokesman Tim Swanson did not immediately provide comments on the filing. Due to the stay, the city will have until Feb. 1 to file a response to Hos amended complaint, which he filed in June. Ho originally filed the suit in September, alleging the city was causing a public nuisance by allowing homeless camps to exist on public property, and also violating a state law by allowing camps along creeks. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Jill Talley in May ruled the lawsuit could move forward, but it had to be scaled down to remove the public nuisance claim, due to the separation of powers between the government and the DA. The complaint also claimed the city is violating the state Fish and Game Code by allowing the homeless to pollute creeks a claim that remains in the amended complaint. Hos amended complaint again including the public nuisance claim, as well as the Fish and Game Code claim. The creeks that are on city property, such as Morrison Creek, flow to the Sacramento and American rivers. But the county, which is in charge of large sections of the American River Parkway, where thousands of unhoused people camp on the riverbanks, is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit. Since Ho filed the lawsuit, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 2018 Martin v. Boise ruling, which means the city no longer has to provide a shelter bed in order to clear camps. Its unclear whether the development will affect Hos case against the city. The citys roughly 1,300 shelter beds are all typically full, with a waitlist topping 2,500. City Attorney Susana Alcala Wood has accused Ho of suing the city because he plans to run for attorney general, possibly against Mayor Darrell Steinberg an allegation Ho has denied. Residential Elevator facility workers at the manufacturing site in Crawfordville, Florida measure, test, and construct the material for a cab, the enclosed space where passengers and freight are carried within the elevator. For Residential Elevators, the Tallahassee-based manufacturing company's name succinctly describes what it does. And its CEO says the business now is rolling out new products that will revolutionize the growing home-elevator industry. In fact, demand is driving the need to hire more employees. For 28 years, it has stood out amongst its peers by building custom elevators for every job and being the only full-service, family-owned company in the country that provides sales, design, manufacturing, installation and maintenance. "Although we manufacture here, one-third of our sales are in Florida. Two thirds are outside of Florida," CEO Tom Hance said. "We do sell to almost every state along the coastline as well, including Texas ... We are in 30 locations throughout the market, and now we are in one of our faster growth periods." That growth, in part, is directly tied to a general trend where more people are choosing to age in place and stay in their "forever homes," particularly multi-level ones. That includes new coastal homes built on tall pilings which require stairs just to get to the first floor from the ground. Residential Elevators CEO Thomas C. Hance poses for a portrait on Monday, July 22, 2024. In August, Residential Elevators will begin offering its new "Strikelock," which creates a smoother installation. Here's how it works: Each level of a home has a landing door (a door to enter into the elevator from the hallway). That landing door has an automatic lock controlled by the elevator. The door can't be unlocked unless the elevator is present, meaning you can't walk in to open the door if there's no elevator there (or you'll fall down the shaft.). Residential Elevators, along with its competitors, most commonly used a lock that mounts on the door and installers have to cut out a notch at the top of a door to put this lock in. Then it locks the door against the door jam. Now, with the strike lock, there's no need to cut the door at all. Instead, installers are putting the lock into the door jam; eliminating the need for modifications to the door. Residential Elevators: How it started The company doesn't do much marketing in the capital city. While Residential Elevators is based here, it works with dealers across the country. It installs more than 2,000 elevators every year. In the southeast, Residential Elevators provides a factory-direct pipeline of products and installation. The company was originally based in Crawfordville and, at one time, was Wakulla County's largest employer before Walmart and Publix came to town. It still maintains the Crawfordville site as one of two assembly plants; the other one's a steel factory in Cairo, Georgia. Story continues Residential Elevators has more than 100 employees in the region and more than 300 employees nationwide a sharp increase compared to the early days when the company launched with seven employees in 1996. The exterior of the Residential Elevators manufacturing site in Crawfordville, Florida. That was the same year Rhyse Boeneke was born. He was five months old when his father, Bobby Boeneke, decided to purchase a small elevator company called Residential Lifts in Crawfordville with his business partner. By 2001, Boeneke said his mother and brother were working at the company and the family was fully on board with leadership roles. "We continue to kind of lead the industry with innovation, safety, quality, and we really enjoy doing the right thing," said Boeneke, repeating the mantra "doing the right thing" that was often said by his dad, who passed away in January 2015. "For us, it's been a pretty remarkable journey." Boeneke grew up hearing stories from his parents about the joys and pains of running a business; the need to sell 10 elevators a month to break even and the family living in a trailer behind the manufacturing plant in Crawfordville "because every dollar that the company made was obviously reinvested in the company," Boeneke said. "My dad handpicked some of the best talent available here in the state of Florida," Boeneke said. "As a team with a lot of hard work, determination and really good pulse on the market and what this industry could be, they grew quite rapidly." At Residential Elevators, its most popular product would be the traction elevator, which company officials call a "two stop or a three stop" elevator. If a customer has a two-story home, the elevator stops on the first floor and second floors. Residential Elevators can serve homes up to six story homes and "up to 50 feet of vertical travel, which is a pretty tall personal home," a company official said. What's driving demand for home elevators? Company officials say Residential Elevators is growing at a double digit rate. At the time of his interview with the Tallahassee Democrat, Hance said the company has 25 to 30 positions available that range from territory sales and managers, to manufacturing, customer service, installers and service technicians. The bulk of the company's products are going into newly constructed single family homes. Although, given just the right conditions, an elevator can be retrofitted in a home or townhouse; especially if it's being gutted down to the frames and studs. The rise in home elevators is being seen throughout Florida. According to the Business Observer of Florida website, several factors are helping to drive the growth in residential elevators here in the Sunshine State. "For starters, people keep moving to Florida, a state known for both its aging population and its attractiveness to wealthy retirees with lots of disposable income," a September 2022 article explains. "The current real estate market is also having an impact." Several Florida-based developers say they're seeing an increase interest among clients for home elevators. Will Lawler, a contractor with Pepperfish Construction in Tallahassee, said he mainly builds homes in the coastal areas such as Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas. He said about 95% of the homes he builds are about 12 feet off the ground due to flood zones. "Elevators are certainly gaining popularity because, obviously, you've got 30 steps or 20 some steps just to get to the first floor," Lawler said. "Most of these homes are being built are second homes or retirement homes, but most of them are also being rented to the management companies that manage these homes." Home elevators, he said, are one of the top requests from renters who may be having a multi-generational getaway and some family members may have a hard time walking up stairs. "Homes down there that have elevators rent for more," Lawler said, adding he's worked with Residential Elevators. "The average elevator right now is about $30,000 to $31,000. If I looked at the six houses I'm building right now, I think five of the six I'm building right now have elevators." For beach homes in particular, Lawler said an elevator is more like an necessity and not an amenity. He offered an example of how many of these homes are two or three stories high. "It's going to have 41 steps to get to the upstairs," he said. "Most of the kitchens are on the top floor, because you want a view. So they put the kitchens on the top floor, and if you're carrying groceries up 41 steps, that's a lot of steps." In the years to come, Hance said the advent of new technology, more products and increased demand could help Residential Elevators get closer to one of its lofty goals: an elevator in every multi-story home. "If you look at that trajectory, the size of the company would mirror that, which would be very large, we truly believe that's doable," Hance said. "We truly believe it's doable with new technology, which we have, a great customer service, a great sales force and manufacturing base. We are very, very excited about the future." Contact Economic Development Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters on X. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee's Residential Elevators hits home run with home elevators The battle against climate change was supposed to completely change our freeway experience in the Sacramento region, with lofty plans for two express lanes each way on many heavily used routes in the future. But the road builders at the California Department of Transportation simply arent ready. The question is whether Caltrans recalcitrance even to analyze multiple express lanes between downtown Sacramento and Davis as part of an approved expansion project is downright illegal. And now that the Newsom administration has been sued twice on the matter, the coming answer by the courts will shape future freeway projects here and throughout the state. We felt like this was a poster child project for highlighting this problem, said Howard Penn, executive director of the Planning and Conservation League, a plaintiff in one of the lawsuits. Why do we have these climate goals? If were not taking this seriously, lets acknowledge that we dont care. In California, paying a toll to drive down the road, or being forced to commute with a fellow worker or a neighbor, is about as popular as a root canal. But in this quest to lower our emissions of global-warming gasses, this is where this climate change adaptation is now leading us. Opinion Many motorists undoubtedly would prefer Caltrans plan for only a single express lane between Sacramento and Davis, and only at rush hour, in its so-called Yolo Corridor Improvements Project. But the Sacramento areas most important contribution to battling climate change is driving less. So what are our real priorities? This humble stretch of interstate is about to help the state decide what truly is important. Caltrans spokesman Dennis Keaton said the department hopes to start construction next spring. While not commenting on the litigation, Keaton said, This Caltrans project has been thoroughly vetted by state and federal officials, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Highway Administration, and approved by the California Transportation Commission. The new tolled express lanes are expected to reduce delays for motorists and improve goods and freight movement as some passenger vehicles and buses switch from the general-purpose lanes to the express lanes. Legally speaking, however, Caltrans appears to be on some thin ice. State law requires any environmental analysis to examine a range of alternatives. In this case, Caltrans ignored the official strategy of the Sacramento regions transportation planners. The Sacramento Area Council of Governments has its own legal requirement to adopt and update a plan to lower regional emissions through smarter housing and transportation strategies. And as part of its existing strategy, SACOG assumed that an expanded Interstate 80/50 between Sacramento and Davis would have two express lanes for carpoolers and toll-paying drivers at rush hour. This would require turning one of the three existing lanes into an express lane during peak driving times. Asked last year why Caltrans ignored the SACOG alternative, spokesman Dennis Keaton said, A multiple express lane alternative was never requested by SACOG to be analyzed. Yet examining alternatives is the law. Complying with regional plans is also in Caltrans guidelines. Environmental groups have made these glaring weaknesses the basis of lawsuits filed in Alameda County Superior Court. The groups include the Sierra Club, the Environmental Council of Sacramento, PCL, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Center for Biological Diversity. Our goal is for Caltrans and..the governor to look at how theyre doing business, said Don Mooney, a Davis-based attorney leading one of the cases. The widening project is really inconsistent with what California professes it is going to be doing. The most formidable adversary for Caltrans may not be these environmental groups, but the wing of the Newsom Administration that is on the front lines of the battle against climate change. The California Air Resources Board blasted this project publicly, calling the Caltrans environmental analysis bogus because it underestimated the emissions this project would cause while overestimating its benefits. When a sister state agency is not on your side, that can spell trouble in court. The schizophrenia of the Newsom administration is not lost on Penn of PCL. Caltrans has had an organizational culture for decadesthat hasnt changed much, he said. I feel that the governor is doing everything he can to change that. Environmental lawsuits dont necessarily halt projects. An Alameda jurist would have to issue an injunction preventing Caltrans from proceeding with the project while the case goes to trial. Its certainly one of the things were going to be looking at, Mooney said. By inviting this litigation due to ignoring its administration and the regional transportation strategy, Caltrans is willing to risk hundreds of millions of dollars of funding, Mooney said. The whole project is estimated to cost $465 million. Regardless of the outcome, this is likely the last time Caltrans can get away with refusing to look at Sacramento-area freeway projects that result in two express lanes each way. SACOG Executive Director James Corless has made that formal request to Caltrans, in an email obtained by the California Public Records Act. The next likely widening project would be Interstate 5 between downtown Sacramento and the international airport. The less we drive, the less we warm the planet. The era of shared sacrifice is supposed to have arrived. Newsom, who is now busy moving his family away from the capital region to Marin, will be yet another long-distance commuter on Interstate 80. The state is paying a heavy toll for Newsoms inability to force his transportation department to take climate change seriously. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Utahns trying to get to Californias Bay Area will have a new travel option this fall with nonstop flights between the Salt Lake International Airport and Charles M. Schultz Sonoma County Airport. The Salt Lake International Airport added Avelo Airlines to its list of services, bringing a twice-weekly route between the two airports starting on Oct. 24, 2024. Flights will use Boeing Next-Generation 737 planes and will operate on Thursdays and Sundays of each week. According to Avelo Airlines, it will be the only airline offering nonstop flights between Salt Lake International and the Sonoma County Airport. Salt Lake City extends an enthusiastic welcome to Avelo Airlines, said Bill Wyatt, the Salt Lake City Department of Airports executive director. This new nonstop service to the Bay Area/Sonoma County is a plus for our passengers. California is one of Utahs most popular destinations and is a welcome addition to SLCs route network. Customers can begin booking reservations on Avelo Airlines flights beginning today. Avelo Airlines a Houston-based airline touts itself as Americas most convenient airline, serving 54 destinations in 24 states as well as Jamaica and Mexico. We are thrilled to announce our new nonstop service from Salt Lake City to the Bay Area/Sonoma County, offering travelers a convenient, reliable, and affordable way to one of the most beautiful and vibrant regions in Northern California, said Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy. We look forward to inspiring travel this fall to Sonoma County and inspiring Northern Californias to explore all the Beehive State has to offer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Salt restaurant in Lakewood saying farewell after 8 years LAKEWOOD, Ohio (WJW) Its the end of an era for a beloved small plates Lakewood restaurant. Salt, one of the Cleveland areas most lauded spots, is saying farewell on Aug. 31, owners said in a Facebook post. Local sisters get big surprise at lemonade stand raising money for Disney trip The Detroit Avenue restaurant, owned by Jill Vedaa and Jessica Parkison, opened in 2016, leading to multiple James Beard Award nominations. To every single one of you that embraced our journey, thank you, owners said in the Facebook post. For the last eight years you allowed us to follow a dream beyond compare. Hidden gem patios you need to explore in the Cleveland area They explained that goodbyes are hard and this one cuts us to the core, but that change is inevitable. Vedaa and Parkison are continuing to focus on Poppy, the Larchmere Boulevard space that opened last March (as seen featured in the New Day Cleveland video above). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Omar and Erika Lugo, both lieutenants, took command of The Salvation Army Tallahassee Corps, effective June 23, according to an announcement from the organization on Wednesday. "With their extensive experience and dedication to service, the Lugos are poised to make a significant impact on the community," a press release said. Omar and Erika Lugo, who celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary this April, have been officers for The Salvation Army since 2021. They have three children: Two boys, aged 15 and 13, and one girl, aged 10. Here's more from the release: "The Lugos have been committed members of The Salvation Army church for many years. Before their arrival in Tallahassee, they faithfully served the Sanford command. Their journey with The Salvation Army is marked by a deep love for God and a steadfast commitment to serving His people. "... Erika was born and raised in Mexico, while Omar was born in Puerto Rico. As the son of Salvation Army officers, Omar lived in various states, including New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. "The couple met while working for Princess Cruises, where they had the opportunity to travel the world and engage with diverse cultures. They eventually decided to leave the cruise industry to start a family, settling in Riverview. Omar took an executive position with Target Corp., and Erika became a successful businesswoman. "In 2018, the Lugos felt a calling to full-time ministry. They entered The Salvation Armys Evangeline Booth College in Atlanta the following year. In 2021, they both earned their BS in Practical Ministries and were officially commissioned and ordained as ministers. "The Lugos bring a wealth of experience, passion, and a deep sense of purpose to their new roles in Tallahassee. Their arrival marks a new chapter for The Salvation Army Tallahassee Corps, as they are eager to serve the community and embody the organizations mission to 'Do The Most Good.' 'We are really excited and look forward to all the great plans God has for us and our family as we serve this beautiful city. We believe Tallahassee is the land of opportunity and cant wait to get out there and see how God moves,' Erika said." This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Salvation Army announces new leadership in Tallahassee SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Several San Angelo firefighters are headed out to help extinguish the flames that have burned more than 400,00 acres in Northern California in July 2024. According to a press release from The Office of Gov. Greg Abbott, he has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Texas A&M Forest Service to deploy firefighters, equipment and fire engines to California on July 28 following a request from CAL Fire through the California Office of Emergency Services. In response, TDEM, Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System and Texas A&M Forest Service have readied over 100 firefighters, 25 fire engines, emergency management personnel, equipment and command vehicles. Odessa Fire Rescue shared on social media that two of their members will be teaming up with firefighters from San Angelo and Travis County. Texans understand the urgency of responding to wildfires, and our country is stronger when we come together in times of crisis, said Governor Abbott. I am grateful for all the firefighters and emergency management personnel as they answer the call to protect their fellow Americans. Cecilia and I pray for the brave first responders who are battling these destructive wildfires in California. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) On Tuesday, San Francisco became the first city in the nation to have a local ban on automated rent-fixing software. The ban on the use and sale of the technology, penned by Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, aims to ultimately put more units on the market. Banning automated price-fixing will allow the market to work and bring down rents in San Francisco, Peskin said. The Board of Supervisors celebrated the ban after several class action lawsuits, three investigations by State Attorneys General, and an inquiry by the Department of Justice. Cyclist dies after colliding with 2 vehicles in San Jose intersection According to the consolidated class action lawsuit, 70% of multifamily rental unit landlords in San Francisco use revenue management software technology. According to the Board of Supervisors, the now-banned software enables price collusion among large corporate landlords for the purpose of rent-gouging. By having access to a large landlord data set, the technology maximizes the possible rent hike based on local conditions. Weve noticed dramatic increases in rent for new tenants and new tactics to harass and displace long-term tenants, who are particularly vulnerable because their homes are viewed by real estate investors as underpriced, Lenea Maibaum, a tenant organizer for the Housing Rights Committee and Veritas Tenants Association member, said. Many San Franciscan landlords such as Brookfield Properties, Greystar, Equity Residential and UDR use RealPage as their property management technology. According to the Board of Supervisors, RealPage executives told investors that its software has driven double-digit increases in rent, higher turnover rates, and increased vacancy rates. In San Francisco and across the country, RealPages software has contributed to double-digit rent increases, increased rates of eviction, and artificial housing scarcity, said Lee Hepner, an antitrust lawyer at the American Economic Liberties Project, who applauds the ban as she believes it is consistent with wanting new housing construction to result in lower rents. Lets be clear: RealPage has exacerbated our rent crisis and empowered corporate landlords to intentionally keep units vacant. So were taking action locally to ensure our working renters can afford to live here, Peskin said. With the incorporation of the ban, the ordinance should introduce the following: Bans the sale and use of software that combines non-public competitor data to set, recommend or advise on rents and occupancy levels, such as RealPage or Yardi. Enables local enforcement through civil action and private right of action by tenants who the technology has harmed. According to Maibaum, the Housing Rights Committee has advocated for the technologys ban for over two years. In President Bidens 2024 State of the Union Address and in subsequent briefings, he identified algorithmic price-fixing as a threat to housing affordability and a policy priority in the fight against corporate rent-gouging. KRON4 has reached out to RealPage for a statement and has yet to hear back as of the publishing of 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 KRON4. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) San Franciscos crackdown on homeless encampments will simply sweep our homeless problem from one neighborhood to another, SF Supervisor Aaron Peskin said on Wednesday. Police in San Francisco will start clearing out homeless residents living in public areas under new policies announced Tuesday by Mayor London Breeds office. Breed pledged a more aggressive approach to sweeping tent encampments. Street cleaners and police will have greater leeway to prevent tents from popping back up in areas that have been cleared. Peskin is longtime supervisor who is running against Breed to become San Franciscos next mayor. Policies to address homelessness must be humane, lawful and effective-not implemented just because someones job is on the line, Peskin wrote. In an effort to get re-elected, Mayor Breed and former Mayor Farrell are advocating for failed policies from the past without any long-term solutions, Peskin wrote. A homeless man sleeps on the sidewalk outside the City Hall in San Francisco on November 11, 2023. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/ Anadolu via Getty Images) Roughly 8,000 people in San Francisco are homeless, and the city has 4,000 shelter beds. Breed said the citys new, tougher methods are needed because homeless people reject two-thirds of shelter offers. Enforcement will begin with warnings, followed by citations, then penalties, and possibly arrests. Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state agencies to begin removing tents and structures on state land, and urged cities to enforce local sweeps. California is home to nearly a third of an estimated 650,000 homeless people in the U.S. Activists hold signs opposing Mayor London Breeds crackdown on homeless encampments in San Francisco on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Terry Chea) Housing advocates held a protest in San Francisco Tuesday to shine a light on empty homes and hotels in the city, as well as denounce targeting people without homes. Julia Arroyo, director of Young Womens Freedom Center, said, Criminalizing homelessness only exacerbates the problem and fails to address the root causes. The protest was held outside the Hotel Whitcomb in San Francisco, where 459 potential rooms for the unhoused sit unoccupied. A 2021 report by the citys Budget and Legislative Analyst Office found that 61,473 homes were vacant in San Francisco. An estimated 15 percent of all homes in San Francisco were empty, the report found. 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 KRON4. (KRON) A San Jose woman was sentenced this week to serve three months in jail for illegally importing tropical fruit from Vietnam that was infested with fruit flies, prosecutors said. Hanh Hong Huynh, 43, was convicted of conspiracy to import and sell fruit in violation of federal and state agricultural laws. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said, Santa Clara Countys still-thriving agriculture must be protected. This Office advocates for our orchards, farms, and the bountiful food they produce. The womans co-defendant, Thanh Tuyen Huynh, 38, previously pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy and was sentenced to community service. Fruit imported from outside of the United States must be inspected by agricultural officials because it may be infested with invasive foreign pests like fruit flies. In 2022, the defendants had the fruit shipped from Vietnam and misidentified it as coffee, or tea, to avoid inspection. Local officials ordered Thanh Tuyen Huynh to stop selling illegal fruit, including langsat, in the Bay Area. Langsat is a sweet and juicy tropical fruit grown in Vietnam. Langsat seized (Image courtesy SCCDAO) Yet she continued to advertise on social media and sell the fruit, some of which was seized, tested, and found to be heavily infested with the larvae of a destructive fruit fly endemic to Southeast Asia, the DAs Office wrote. The flies can destroy crops. Scabies outbreak among homeless population in Sunnyvale Investigators from the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture assisted with the investigation. The case marked the first time that the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office prosecuted someone with a felony charge for illegally importing fruit in violation of the Food and Agriculture Code. Anyone with information about the unlawful importation or sale of produce can contact the California Department of Food and Agricultures Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) Two members of the Sangamon County Board are calling on Sheriff Jack Campbell to resign after a former deputy from the Sheriffs Office shot and killed Sonya Massey earlier this month. Sangamon Co. Sheriff addresses hiring practices, dispatcher confusion Board member Tony DelGiorno of District 23 shared a post on social media calling for Campbells resignation after Campbell spoke in a community listening session Monday night. Campbell addressed the crowd for the first time since Masseys death, asking for forgiveness and assuring everyone he will not step down from his position. He admitted the failures of his Department and asked for forgiveness, DelGiorno wrote. What seemed to be a heartfelt sentiment was ruined by his closing statement refusing to resign. Unfortunately, Sheriff Campbell has lost the confidence of the community to trust that he would and could effect the systemic change necessary in county law enforcement. Therefore, I am calling on Sheriff Campbell to put the community ahead of his personal pride and ambition. For the good of Sangamon County, he must resign. Another board member, Marc Ayers of District 12, also shared a statement on social media asking for Campbell to step down. Introduce the bill tomorrow: Family of Sonya Massey advocates for police reform after shooting video released Sonya Massey should still be alive, Ayers wrote. The community has to heal and come together while we implement bold solutions on the county board that bring transparency and accountability. Trust in our Sheriff has been decimated, and his actions that led to the hiring of former deputy Grayson showed a lack of judgment and character that must be addressed. Sonya Masseys life mattered and what happened to her can never happen again. I am calling for Sheriff Jack Campbell to resign and I urge my fellow board members to do the same. This is a developing story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Top authors suing OpenAI over the use of their novels to train its artificial intelligence chatbot have hit a stumbling block, with a federal judge narrowing the scope of their case. U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin on Tuesday evening dismissed a claim accusing the Sam Altman-led firm of unfair business practices by utilizing the works of authors including Sarah Silverman, Paul Tremblay and Ta-Nehisi Coates without consent or compensation to power its AI system. More from The Hollywood Reporter The writers primary claim for direct copyright infringement was left untouched. In February, the court dismissed other claims for negligence, unjust enrichment and vicarious copyright infringement. It denied dismissal of the unfair competition law claim, but lawyers for the authors tweaked it after lawsuits from Silverman, Tremblay and Michael Chabon all of whom originally brought their own class actions were grouped together. OpenAI seized upon the changes for a second try at dismissal, which was challenged by the plaintiffs. In the order, Martinez-Olguin not only found that the company is allowed to move to dismiss the claim but that the Copyright Act bars it. She said that the law expressly preempts state law claims relating to works within the subject matter of copyright. The authors argued that the unfair business practice at issue was using their works to train ChatGPT without permission. But since the allegedly infringed materials are copyrighted books and plays, they cannot bring a state law claim, which the court concluded should be under the purview of copyright law. Thus, the UCL claim based on the copying of Plaintiffs Infringed Works falls squarely within the ambit of the Copyright Act, wrote Martinez-Olguin, who noted that an opportunity to amend the claim would be futile. OpenAI faces multiple fronts in the increasingly tense legal battle over the use of published works to train its human-mimicking chatbot. Trade groups, artists and publishers have also sued the company. This embedded content is not available in your region. Best of The Hollywood Reporter In the West, historically and in the present, white supremacy, racism, and antisemitism (which are interrelated concepts) have been used to attack and undermine real democracy. Donald Trump and the other neofascists and fake right-wing populists and conservatives are experts at using these weapons. These weapons are used to divide and conquer by creating unfounded fears and anxieties among white Americans that Black and brown people, Jewish people, Muslims or some other marginalized group is going to take away their country. From before the founding to the present, that strategy has enabled policies that actually hurt the majority of white people in America. In that way, the psychological wages of whiteness have been toxic on both sides of the color line. As President Lyndon Johnson famously observed in a conversation with journalist and great truth-teller Bill Moyers, If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you. The Age of Trump, is proof, again, of how that emotional training and conditioning has been so highly damaging to American society and politics. Public opinion and other research show that a large percentage of (white) Republicans, are willing to end American democracy if it means that (white) people like them are not the most powerful and dominant group. Other research shows that racism is one of the most powerful determinants of party identification where those white Americans who are more likely to harbor anti-Black and anti-brown animus are much more likely to identify with the Republican Party. White Americans who identify as Democrats, by comparison, are less likely to have such animosity. Racism, white supremacy, and antisemitism are also a key component in how neofascists and authoritarians use conspiracy theories (and disinformation and misinformation) to undermine reality and truth as part of their revolutionary campaign to end democracy. For example, a majority of Trump supporters and Republicans believe in the great replacement theory that Democrats and white liberal elites are importing Black and brown people to replace white Americans. This is a lie: White people are the dominant and most powerful and privileged group of people in the United States. They are in no way imperiled because of their race. Moreover, the great replacement theory is antisemitic and draws upon the framework of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and the lie that there is a cabal of Jewish people who secretly control the world. The QAnon conspiracy theory, popular amongst a portion of the MAGA base, is also based upon the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and other antisemitic conspiracy theories. Trump and his forces antisemitism and white supremacy also includes such blatant behavior as the repeated use of such tropes and themes in their communications (for example, the fixation on globalists and Democratic Party donor George Soros, who is a Holocaust survivor), embrace of right-wing hate and other extremist groups, and support for and enacting public policies that deny the historically unique crimes that the Jewish people have suffered such as the Holocaust. Donald Trump has repeatedly channeled Adolf Hitler and the Nazis with his threats to purify the blood of the nation by eliminating the vermin and other human pollution. In an attempt to further sound the alarm about the role of antisemitism and white supremacy in the Age of Trump and the American and global antidemocracy crisis, and specifically how his authoritarian regime will further unleash such antidemocratic values and forces if Donald Trump were to take power in the 2025 Election, I recently spoke with Sharon Nazarian, a distinguished leader in the fight against antisemitism and hate worldwide. Nazarian previously served as the Senior Vice President of International Affairs at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), where she directed global efforts to combat antisemitism and promote social justice and human rights. She continues to sit on the board of the ADL. Nazarian's extensive academic and philanthropic background includes a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Southern California and the founding of the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies at UCLA, which is dedicated to exploring Israeli history, culture, and society. This is the second part of a two-part conversation. The increase in antisemitism and white supremacy in the Age of Trump and the global democracy crisis is not coincidental. This is critically important and the mainstream news media and the countrys responsible political class have, for the most part, not emphasized this dynamic enough. When the first Trump administration omitted the specific suffering and crimes against the Jewish people in the Holocaust that was a reflection and warning of so many other horrible things to come in the Age of Trump. Of course, there was Charlottesville, mass shootings and other violence by white supremacists, and Jan. 6 where neo-Nazis and Kluxers and other white supremacists overran the Capitol. How were you making sense of these events in real time? In my assessment, the US Jewish community was transformed from a safe and secure community upheld by Jews around the world as a paragon of successful integration and acculturation, to what I would describe as a vulnerable and insecure community today. That transformation took place over six years, with five watershed crises: Charlottesville, Tree of Life, Jan. 6 insurrection, May 2021 Israel-Hamas conflict and 10/7. With each of these crises came a step toward the normalization and weaponization of anti-Jewish hatred. The QAnon conspiracy theory, which is embraced and amplified by Donald Trump and across the right-wing media echo chamber is also deeply antisemitic as well. It is part of a much larger conspiracist imagination that includes the so-called great replacement theory, which is also antisemitic given its origins in the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and the lie that Jewish people are part of a secret cabal that runs the world who are conspiring against white people by using black and brown people to do their bidding. For decades, these vile lies were largely fringe and marginalized in the United States. Now they are increasingly mainstream. All of this is part of a much larger and much more dangerous politicization of American Jews and Judaism in general. The conspiracy theories you mention have also collided with far-right politicians across the planet aggressively trying to court Jews away from liberal and pro-democratic candidates. Its a very strange environment we are currently living in, and one that remains more dangerous today for Jewish peoples across the West than at any point since World War II. At no point in modern history have so many conspiracy theories, so many contradictory disinformation streams and so many active manipulations of the state of Israel come together. It must also be said that when populist and anti-democratic politicians give Israel a bear hug based on their religious convictions, it is incumbent on those of us who know better, to reject such affiliation. We should always be cognizant that healthy democracies are the only political systems that afford minorities true protection and safety. And those who portend to support and advocate on Israel or Jewish peoples behalf who dont embrace democratic values as the core of their beliefs threaten the very system that we now know affords us safety and security. At times I feel like we are in a simulation run amok. Donald Trump is literally channeling Hitler with threats about racial purity, vermin, and poisoned blood. Trump admires Hitler and other tyrants. He and his propagandists also use explicitly Nazi rhetoric about the lugenpresse or fake news and how he is going to punish free speech and dissent. Concentration camps and mass deportations. Trump and his propagandists and other agents have repeatedly trafficked in antisemitism with their claims that there are good Jews and bad Jews, loyal Jews and disloyal Jews. This is old school antisemitism and white supremacy. Yet, there seems to be so much denial about the obvious. Why are we still litigating these matters? We are still litigating these questions because the conspiracies around Jews and Judaism still have deep meaning and utility for those who want to bend democracies to their breaking point. I have to underscore what an important point you make though with regard to the Good Jew and Bad Jew sorting. This is a classic populist playbook built on polarization and fracturing targeted communities. Given that Jewish Americans have historically voted Democratic, Trump has found a way to put his finger on the Achilles heel of a Jewish community witnessing the denigration of the only Jewish and democratic state. Through his divisive and manipulative tactics, he is attempting to position himself as the savior of Israel at a time when progressive democrats have labeled Israel as the villain in the Israel-Hamas war. Rebranding Hamas as the face of post-colonialist resistance plays perfectly into the hands of Trump's Christian pseudo-saviors pandering to Jewish fears and anxiety. Thats why Trump is able to divide and conquer using fear and intimidation of Jews and playing to evangelical and Christian End Times ideology. Balancing the pro-Israel and white supremacist camps is no easy feat, and explains the casual antisemitism meant to message his base that hes still with them. What are some of the main errors that the American mainstream news media continues to make in its coverage of antisemitism in the Age of Trump and the global democracy crisis? I think the biggest mistake being made is not covering it. In my travels over the past few months, Ive been struck by how little mainstream press is covering this topic. There seems to be a real fear, or real insecurity among press around how to cover antisemitism in a way that goes past just the facts of attacks and talks more broadly about clear patterns, the scale of the patterns taking place, the mix and complexity of the ideological underpinnings of current day antisemitism, their interaction with one another, such as we are witnessing what I call the horseshoe effect of extreme right and extreme left/Islamist narratives coming together, mimicking one another, borrowing memes and videos from one another. This is taking place in America of course, but its happening elsewhere too. In Germany, the President of the Technical University of Berlin was caught liking social media posts that contained swastikas and the press barely covered it. This is a country where the use of the symbol has been banned and is punishable, where the shadow of the Holocaust created attempts to legislate antisemitism out of their society and even there, they are having this issue. I hate to say it, but were losing. As noted by many leading historians, given the obvious parallels between the rise of Nazism in Germany and the fall of that democracy and what is happening in the United States with an aspiring dictator and convicted felon Donald Trump and the neofascist MAGA movement and its forces, why is there so much reluctance among the mainstream news media and political class to make those connections and explain to the American people why we are facing an existential danger? What about learning from the errors and tragedies of the past so as not to repeat them in the present? We must be extra careful with comparisons of any modern-day phenomenon to Nazi atrocities committed during WWII. That being said, looking for patterns of strategy and tactics used to dehumanize a targeted community the way the Nazis did can be instructive and an effective mechanism to raise the alarm bells. The better we understand the Nazi playbook, the better we can warn against similar strategies and tactics being used by those sowing hatred in our societies today. The above shows the space in the Department of Corrections' Columbia prisons complex for executions, as seen from the witness room. The firing squad chair (left) was added following a 2021 state law that made death by firing squad an option. The electric chair is under the cover. (Provided by the S.C. Department of Corrections) COLUMBIA South Carolina can execute condemned inmates by electrocution or firing squad after the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that both options are constitutional. In a split decision, the high court ruled the methods are neither cruel nor unusual, noting both are options for carrying out a death sentence. Choice cannot be considered cruel because the condemned inmate may elect to have the State employ the method he and his lawyers believe will cause him the least pain, Justice John Few wrote in the lead opinion. Similarly, he wrote, choices meant to make execution less inhumane cant be considered unusual punishment: A condemned inmate in South Carolina will never be subjected to execution by a method he contends is more inhumane than another method that is available. The firing squad alternative, Few wrote, comes as close to a painless death not guaranteed by the constitution as any method of execution is likely to come. Evidence indicates the inmates pain will last 10 to 15 seconds, maybe less, unless every member of the firing squad simply misses the inmates heart, he wrote. The ruling allows for five executions to be scheduled. Those include three of the four men named in the lawsuit and two more inmates whose appeals have been exhausted while the case was pending, according to the state Department of Corrections. Once the high court issues an execution notice for an inmate, the prison agency by law must set the date for four Fridays later. Well just wait and see what the court does, Corrections Director Bryan Stirling said after the ruling posted. Im carrying out the law, and thats just my job. The now-upheld law states the inmates will die in the electric chair unless they choose instead to die by firing squad or lethal injection. They must make the choice in writing 14 days before their execution date. A four-way split Justice George James signed on to Fews opinion, while the newest justice, Garry Hill, agreed in a separate opinion. Retiring Chief Justice Don Beatty, as well as John Kittredge who becomes chief justice Thursday each wrote separate opinions partially to mostly disagreeing. Beatty, not surprisingly, offered the biggest contrast. While the entire death penalty law isnt unconstitutional, carrying out a sentence by electrocution or firing squad violates the states ban against cruel, corporal, or unusual punishment, wrote Beatty, who has been willing to buck the Legislature on other high-profile cases challenging state law. Kittredge, perhaps most notably, determined the firing squad specifically is an unconstitutionally unusual method of execution. When the Legislature made it legal here, only three other states Utah, Mississippi and Oklahoma had laws allowing execution by firing squad. Last year, Idaho became the fifth state to make it an option. Still, usage has been almost entirely confined to Utah, which accounts for 33 of the 34 people executed that way since 1900. Since 1976, when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld capital punishment, only three executions have been carried out by firing squad, all of them in Utah. The firing squad has been an available method of execution since the dawn of our state, Kittredge wrote, noting the first documented firing-squad execution in colonial America was in 1608. Nonetheless, until now, South Carolina has never authorized let alone used the firing squad as a method of execution, he continued. Necessarily, our states deliberate, centuries-long failure to adopt firing-squad executions renders that method of execution unusual in the constitutional sense. The ruling overturns a 2022 decision from Richland County Judge Jocelyn Newman that found both electrocution and firing squad unconstitutional. Gov. Henry McMaster applauded the decision as upholding the rule of law. This decision is another step in ensuring that lawful sentences can be duly enforced and the families and loved ones of the victims receive the closure and justice they have long awaited, he said in a statement. The inmates The case was brought on behalf of condemned inmates two as initially filed, two more were later added challenging a 2021 law that reverted to electrocution as the default method of execution and added the option of death by firing squad. At the time, the state was unable to carry out an execution because the Department of Corrections supply of lethal injection drugs had expired a decade earlier. Opposition to the death penalty had prevented the states prison agency from restocking them, as pharmaceutical companies refused to provide their drugs to kill people. But the law kept lethal injection as an option if the drugs became available again, which has since happened. A secrecy law passed last year which keeps everything about lethal injection drugs secret, including whos selling them had the intended result. In September, Stirling informed the court the prisons agency was able to buy phenobarbital, making death by lethal injection an option again. In a hearing before the high court in February, an attorney for the inmates said justices still needed to decide whether the electric chair and firing squad should even be a choice. On Wednesday, attorney John Blume said he and his colleagues are still reviewing the opinions and determining their options. We are obviously disappointed by the majoritys conclusion, he wrote in an email. Like McMaster, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey applauded justices ruling. Senate Republicans stood up for victims families and crafted this law to ensure that, while justice may have been delayed, it will not be denied, said the Edgefield Republican. It was the Senate that added the firing squad as a possibility during floor debate. But it was a Democrat who made the recommendation, which the chambers majority Republicans adopted. Columbia Sen. Dick Harpootlian, a former solicitor and former state Democratic Party chairman, argued the firing squad would be a quicker, more humane way to die than either electrocution or lethal injection. Richard Moore, the first inmate forced to choose in 2022 between electrocution or firing squad, chose the latter, while still disputing the legality of both methods. That decision became moot when the court put his execution on hold amid the legal challenges. Moore, now 59, was sentenced to death in 2001 after being convicted of murder, assault with intent to kill, armed robbery and a firearms violation stemming from a botched robbery at a Spartanburg County convenient store. Moore, who entered the store unarmed, maintains he fatally shot the clerk in self-defense. The other inmates who have exhausted their appeals: Brag Sigmon, 66, was convicted in 2002 of beating his ex-girlfriends parents to death with a baseball bat a year earlier after she ended their three-year relationship and moved back home. Freddie Owens, 46, has been sentenced to death three times since his initial conviction for shooting a convenience store clerk in the head during a 1997 robbery spree because she couldnt open a safe. Mikal Mahdi, 41, whose four-state crime spree in 2004, when he lived in Virginia, included killing an off-duty officer in South Carolina, lighting his body on fire and stealing his police-issued truck and gun. That happened after he fatally shot a store clerk in North Carolina. Marion Bowman Jr., 44, was sentenced in 2002 for fatally shooting a 21-year-old mother and former high school classmate, putting her body in her trunk and setting the vehicle on fire. They are among 32 men 15 Black, 17 white on South Carolinas list of inmates sentenced to death, though one of them is on death row in California for crimes committed in that state. The state director of the American Civil Liberties Union said any form of execution represents cruel and unusual punishment. The death penalty has no place in our society or under our Constitution, said Jace Woodrum, director of the ACLUs South Carolina branch. It not only fails to make us safer but raises the possibility of the state killing innocent people in our name. In addition, South Carolinas shield law adds a layer of secrecy about the methodology of killing, making future executions less transparent than ever before. The last execution in South Carolina was in 2011 by lethal injection. No one has been sentenced to death in South Carolina since 2019, partially because the state has been unable to carry out the sentence. The oldest conviction for an inmate on death row dates to 1983. SC Daily Gazette reporter Skylar Laird contributed to this report. Editors note: The number of men on death row has been corrected to 32 to reflect that one inmate was resentenced last week to life in prison without the possibility of parole. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Let us know what you think... Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling speaks to reporters following a bond hearing at the Richland County Courthouse on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA A dozen prison guards, inmates and coordinators on the outside face charges of sneaking cellphones and drugs into South Carolinas prisons as the Department of Corrections continues its crackdown on contraband. The charges result from three separate investigations involving five prisons. Eight of the people indicted by the State Grand Jury appeared in a Richland County courtroom Wednesday for bond hearings. The investigations are part of a larger effort to keep prohibited items out of prisoners hands. In recent years, the department has put up 50-foot nets around its prisons, used full-body scanners to screen people entering, and installed monitors to detect drones attempting to get over the nets to drop off packages for prisoners. Pay raises for employees have also reduced their willingness to risk getting arrested themselves to make some extra money by sneaking in contraband, said Corrections Director Bryan Stirling. Officials also do consistent sweeps of prisons to find contraband drugs, cellphones and/or weapons, Stirling said. The State Grand Jury indictment announced Tuesday was an example of how those sweeps can lead to charges, he said. Were going to find you, and were going to charge you with crimes, Stirling said as a warning to inmates and employees. Illegal cellphones have allowed inmates to coordinate with people outside the razor wire on how to sneak in contraband, as well as orchestrate crimes on the outside, endangering the public, Stirling said. In 2010, an inmate in Lee Correctional used a contraband phone to order a hit on an officer, who survived being shot six times. Cellphones have also contributed to escalating violence within prisons, as happened in the 2018 riot at Lee Correctional that left seven inmates dead and 20 more injured. For years, Stirling has advocated for the federal government to repeal restrictions that keep states from jamming cellphone signals inside prisons. Last year, South Carolina became the first state in the country licensed to start using a different method of weeding out cellphone use in prisons. Starting at Lee Correctional, officials installed technology that identifies cellphones making calls from within the prison, allowing officials to report the phones to their carriers and get them shut off. The state budget that took effect July 1 included $10 million for the department to expand that initiative. While that amount fell short of the departments $34 million request to install and maintain the technology at all 21 prisons, the money should be enough to cover seven or eight more prisons, Stirling said. The root of the entire problem is cellphones, Stirling said. They cant corrupt people, they cant communicate effectively without the cellphones. One of the three ongoing investigations uncovered a smuggling operation in which inmates and guards were working together to get narcotics and other contraband into Turbeville, Lieber and Kershaw correctional institutions, leading to charges for four people. Those were not among those in court Wednesday. Of the 12 total indicted Tuesday, three are inmates, two are former inmates, five are now-former prison officers and two are charged with coordinating operations from outside the prisons. None of the inmates received a bond. Others received bonds ranging from a low of $20,000 for an outside coordinator to $150,000 for a former inmate whose charges include conspiracy and trafficking methamphetamines. Former correctional officer Nina Goodson is accused of bringing contraband into the Kershaw prison and leaving it where prisoners could get it and distribute it, said David Fernandez, an assistant deputy attorney general. Her charges include trafficking methamphetamine and marijuana, conspiracy, money laundering, and misconduct in office. She faces up to 25 years in prison on the meth charge alone. Inmate Dexter Brown faces the most serious charge of attempted murder, potentially adding up to 30 years on his time in prison. Already serving a 30-year sentence for attempted murder, Brown wasnt expected to be released until 2041, according to his prison record. Hes accused of attacking another inmate at Lee and stabbing him repeatedly, including in the thorax, using a contraband weapon, said Stephen Lunsford, a special assistant attorney general. As you can see, this is serious business, Stirling said after the bond hearings. This is not just someone trying to smuggle in a little bit of stuff for fun on the weekends. This is life and death. The state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that all of the states methods to execute inmates sentenced to death are constitutional. All five justices agreed in part with the ruling that allows executions to resume. However, execution dates still need to be scheduled. South Carolina law specifies the electric chair as the default method of execution while giving inmates the option of choosing death by firing squad or lethal injection, if those methods are available. The state did not inflict an unusual punishment as the section prohibits. Rather, the state gave inmates a choice, and choice is not unusual under our constitution, Justice John Few wrote in the majority opinion. The option for the firing squad was added in 2021 when the state made also made the electric chair the default method of execution. Todays Supreme Court decision is a win for the rule of law, said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey. Senate Republicans stood up for victims families and crafted this law to ensure that, while justice may have been delayed, it will not be denied. Before the electric chair became the default method of execution, lethal injection was primary method. But lethal injection could not be carried out because the Department of Corrections had difficulty obtaining drugs to carry out executions. After the state passed a shield law the Department of Corrections was able to obtain drugs to offer lethal injection. The shield law allows the Department of Corrections to keep secret who the agency purchases the lethal injection drugs. Were ready to carry out all methods of execution, Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling told reporters Wednesday. South Carolina has 32 people waiting to be executed. One of those inmates is in California. Four or five of the inmates awaiting execution have exhausted their appeals. The Supreme Court has rightfully upheld the rule of law, Gov. Henry McMaster said. This decision is another step in ensuring that lawful sentences can be duly enforced and the families and loved ones of the victims receive the closure and justice they have long awaited. School choice advocates want NC lawmakers to clear voucher waitlist, but vote unlikely until fall Rachel Brady and advocates for school choice hold a press conference calling for lawmakers to clear the waitlist for voucher applicants at Halifax Mall in Raleigh on July 31, 2024. (Photo: Galen Bacharier) Advocates for school choice called on North Carolina lawmakers Wednesday to clear the waitlist for families seeking scholarships under the states private school voucher program. Roughly 55,000 applicants are on the waitlist under the Opportunity Scholarship program for K-12 students. Lawmakers are unlikely to address the waitlist in the immediate future the House came into session Wednesday strictly to pass veto overrides, while the Senate remains at a standstill. But advocates made it clear that they would continue to urge Republican leaders to act on the issue. We applaud your school choice efforts, but we are not going to be forgotten, said Rachel Brady, flanked by families at a press conference outside the legislative building. And were not going to take this lying down. Democrats and Gov. Roy Cooper strongly oppose vouchers, which they say siphon funds from public education and fund schools that both discriminate and are unaccountable. Cooper has repeatedly sought to block further expansion of the voucher program an initiative that he has called a reckless waste of taxpayer dollars until the states public schools are fully funded. Advocates call for funding after budget breakdown Parents and children held up posters with messages such as #KeepYourPromise and 1 of 55,000 part of what Brady described as putting faces and handprints to this issue. The General Assembly left their session earlier this summer without a final agreement between House and Senate leaders on a state budget. Both chambers budget proposals included more spending for the voucher program, but disagreements on specifics caused negotiations to stall. Advocates said they would sign and deliver a letter to Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore calling on them to address the voucher waitlist. One private school administrator said he was thrilled entering the session with promises to expand the program, but had been let down when they failed to cross the finish line. They made a promise to the families of North Carolina and failed to keep it, said Jason Thibbs, who founded Heritage Classical Academy in Albemarle. Moore on voucher money: Im committed to seeing it get done Moore said that he had met with the group of advocates, and pledged action on the issue in the coming months. It does not appear well get this passed prior to when school starts, Moore told reporters after votes on Wednesday. The reality is that we know Gov. Cooper would veto it anyway. As a practical matter, coming back to do a veto override before school starts simply isnt possible. Action on a separate bill to expand funding for the program couldnt happen Wednesday because of a resolution approved by the legislature and the absence of the Senate, Moore said. A spokesperson for Berger did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The speaker said he wants additional voucher spending to be retroactive and could be sent to families who had already opted into the program. And he estimated they could reach a final resolution in one of our later sessions, mentioning September or at the latest in November. Moore also reaffirmed his desire to include additional spending for schools outside of the voucher program. Im committed to seeing it get done before we adjourn sine die, Moore said. HONOLULU (KHON2) Lawyers for the Schweitzer brothers, Albert Ian and Shawn, accuse Big Island Police of missing the obvious killer in the Dana Ireland murder case. They are hoping a judge will grant them access to evidence which they say will clear their clients in the murder. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Lawyers for the Innocence Project argue the recent DNA evidence proves Albert Ian and Shawn Schweitzer are innocent of the murder of Dana Ireland. DNA experts passed along their findings to Big Island Police, who suspect Albert Lauro Jr. was the Unknown Man #1 connected to the crime. DNA evidence shows that indisputably, said Barry Scheck, Innocence Project New York. Then he left the scene, leaving her to bleed out and die. Now, if thats not probable cause for homicide, I dont know what is. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You In a Hilo courtroom, the Innocence Project is arguing for the court to force Hawaii police to hand over all evidence regarding Lauro. That evidence, they believe, would once and for all clear their clients. It was our fear that if they did not bring Mr. Lauro into custody, that he would flee, destroy evidence, or kill himself, said Scheck. I guess talking about the communications that Mr. Sheck had mentioned, I think maybe Mr. Harrison mentioned as well, I dont see how any communication would be relevant to any determination of actual innocence, said Shannon Kagawa, Hawaii county Deputy Prosecutor. Its him, new evidence links to suspect involved in 1991 Big Island case Schweitzers lawyers accuse Big Island Police of falling to public pressure of a conviction. The slime provided by more criminals with their hands asking for deals, the police and prosecutors kept pounding until they forced a square peg into a round hole, said Keith Shigetomi, attorney for Shawn Schweitzer. And what do you know, it worked. A community desperate for conviction blindly bought the swiss cheese. Theres a difference between not guilty versus actual innocent, said Kagawa. And I think thats clear. If not, the 661b would have said anybody finding someone not guilty, and that would open up basically a can of worms. If a court rules Albert Ian Schweitzer is innocent, his lawyers say he could be eligible for a financial reward of more than $1.1 million for the wrongful conviction. Attorney says Hawaii police dropped the ball when they let Ireland murder suspect free The hearing continues 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 KHON2. Conservative Supreme Court justices have abandoned Samuel Alito not once but twice this year after finding his draft majority opinions went too far, according to a new leak from the court. Alito has been tapped to write the majority opinion only to find himself losing it on two separate occasions in 2024, sources told CNN. Such losseswhich are reportedly rarecome amid increasingly palpable frustration with the 74-year-old in the courtroom, according to the network. Supreme Court Rocked by New Leak of Bitter Abortion Split One of Alitos defeats came when Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson decided to jump ship from a slim 5-4 majority, according to CNN. That case stemmed from Republican-backed Texas and Florida laws, enacted in 2021, which restricted social media platforms from filtering third-party content. The laws passed just months after Twitter and Facebook removed Donald Trumps accounts from their sites in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, with conservatives expressing concerns that their views were being censored on social media. Tech industry trade group NetChoice brought lawsuits against the laws in both states, arguing that they violated social media companies First Amendment rights. U.S. district court judges in Texas and Florida temporarily halted the laws from coming into force, leading to appeals. The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals said platforms content moderation is not speech that would be protected by the Constitution. Ruling on the Florida law, however, the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals came to the opposite conclusion, finding that content moderation implicated First Amendment protections over editorial discretion. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the paired appeals on Feb. 26. The justices met in private a few days later where they agreed that NetChoices broad claims of unconstitutionality fell short and that the cases should return to lower courts for more hearings. But they were reportedly split on the guidance to give the lower courts. Alito was receptive to the 5th Circuit position, playing down the social media companies speech interests while emphasizing the incompleteness of the record and the need to remand the cases, according to CNN. He was joined by conservatives Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas, and to some extent, Barrett and Jackson, the network reports. Justice Elena Kagan, however, leaned more toward the 11th Circuits view. She was generally joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Brett Kavanaugh, CNN reports. Alito then began writing the courts opinion for his five-strong majority and Kagan for the other four. When Alito circulated his draft opinion to colleagues several weeks later, his majority started to fall apart, according to CNN. Alito questioned if any of the content moderation activities undertaken by platforms qualifies as expressive activity under the First Amendment, while Barrett believed certain decisions about content do reflect protected editorial judgements. Barrett became persuaded by Kagan, according to CNN, with Jackson also agreeing with much of Kagans analysis. He was left with the support of just Thomas and Gorsuch. Weeks earlier, Alito lost another tentatively won majority because of how widely he wanted the court to rule, CNN reports. The earlier case related to claims from Sylvia Gonzalez, a councilwoman in Castle Hills, Texas, who said shed been arrested as retaliation for criticizing the city manager. Gonzalezs claim had been rejected by the 5th Circuit, which emphasized officers had probable cause to make the arrest and noted that she failed to show police had not made arrests in similar cases. Supreme Court justices voted on the case in March, with the majority agreeing that the 5th Circuit had erred in the standard it used, according to CNN. Alito was assigned the opinion but, as he started writing it, he reportedly went further than other justices and the majority fell apart. In an unsigned opinion from a new majority, the high court ruled that the federal appeals court took an overly cramped view of a precedent of when plaintiffs can sue for First Amendment retaliation claims. It did not indicate how Gonzalezs case may end up, however. Alito on the other hand, in what eventually became a 16-page concurring opinion, looked at weaknesses in her arguments. His opinion would have made it harder for Gonzalez to press her claims than the five-page opinion which led to the new majority, according to CNN. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) The Springfield Police Division is continuing to search for someone reported missing since last year. Reported missing on December 27, 2023, Cameron R. Baugh was last seen in the area of Limecrest Terrace in October 2023. Through their continued search for Baugh, police are asking residents for help. Anyone with information regarding Baughs whereabouts are urged to call 937-324-7695 and speak with the detectives working to find him. Baugh is stated to be 22 years old, listed at 53, 120 pounds with brown/blond hair and blue eyes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Heat waves continue to become more frequent and more extreme across the world, causing stress to the environment and to human health. The heat is also stressing helicopters, and missions to rescue those in need have begun to be called off because of it. What's happening? As reported by The Washington Post, extreme heat is impacting emergency helicopters, thereby affecting search-and-rescue missions for individuals in need of medical assistance. These events in Western North America have continued to increase in the last decade as a symptom of our planet's overheating. When temperatures get too high, helicopters become at risk of malfunctioning. Extreme heat causes helicopters' onboard systems to overheat and stop working. Heat also results in thinner air due to the decrease in density. This makes it more difficult for helicopter blades to "grab on," meaning flying and navigation can become more challenging, especially in rescue missions that require helicopters to maneuver around obstacles, per the Post. "It's something that we're going to have to be more aware of now. I see that things are warming up and I expect it just to get worse," lead pilot Douglas Evans told the Post. Why is extreme heat so concerning? Extreme heat is very dangerous to humans and wildlife alike. It can cause serious health conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be deadly if not immediately attended to. The extreme heat wave in Western North America that has caused helicopter pilots to turn down missions is being compared to the 2021 extreme heat wave in the same area. In Western Canada, the 2021 heat event resulted in over 600 heat-related deaths, according to the Canadian government. Extreme heat waves also increase the risk of wildfires, as the higher rate of moisture evaporation causes areas to become more dry and susceptible to fires, per the Environmental Defense Fund. What's being done about extreme heat events? Many things are being done to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat and adapt to the increasing number of heat-related illnesses. Hospitals in Phoenix are using ice-filled bags for heat stroke victims on their way to the hospital as a new tactic to combat the adverse impacts of heat. Additionally, to increase awareness about the dangers of extreme heat, the National Weather Service has determined that a heat index of 103 is a critical, life-threatening threshold. The NWS also utilizes a HeatRisk index to provide early warning of dangerous heat levels. A commenter on the Washington Post article made a good observation on the many cascading impacts of the warming planet: "The hotter it gets the more we will experience the consequences in ways we don't usually think about." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. Rolls-Royce's small modular reactor (SMR) has cleared the second step in the UK's independent nuclear regulators' Generic Design Assessment (GDA). The GDA process critically evaluates new nuclear power plant designs proposed for deployment in the UK. It ensures that the designs meet safety, security and environmental protection requirements throughout their lifecycle, from construction to decommissioning. Rolls-Royce's SMR now moves into the third and final phase. Rolls-Royce SMR's progression to Step 3, the detailed assessment, marks a significant home advantage as it is set to become the first new nuclear power station designed and constructed in the UK in over a generation. Each factory-built nuclear power station is designed to generate affordable, low-carbon electricity sufficient to power one million homes for 60 years. The Rolls-Royce SMR is a part of the Great British Nuclear SMR technology selection process, which is currently underway. Rolls-Royce SMRs safety and regulatory affairs director Helena Perry stated: The completion of Step 2 of the GDA is the most important milestone to date in advancing deployment of Rolls-Royce SMRs in the UK. We have built fantastic momentum, and the team will move directly into Step 3 of this rigorous independent assessment of our technology ideally positioning us to deliver low-carbon nuclear power and support the UK transition to net zero. In May 2024, Rolls-Royce partnered with the University of Sheffield to create a new manufacturing and testing facility in South Yorkshire, UK. The Rolls-Royce SMR development facility will be located at the university's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre's (AMRC) Factory 2050. "Rolls-Royces SMR design clears second UK nuclear regulatory assessment" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) A man has been arrested after a search warrant of his home led to the seizure of over 1,000 fentanyl pills. According to the Florence Police Department (FPD), agents with the Lauderdale County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 1814 Nassau Blvd in Florence on Tuesday. After making entry into the home, officers found around 152 grams (approx 1,600 pills) of fentanyl pills, marijuana, spice, and drug paraphernalia. Officers tell News 19 that 29-year-old Desmond Draytez Rhodes, of Florence, was arrested and charged with trafficking fentanyl and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. FPD says that the warrant was obtained due to drug dealing activities at the home. The Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office and the Lauderdale County District Attorneys Office also assisted during 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 WHNT.com. A man was arrested Tuesday for tampering with a license plate obstruction device on U.S. Secret Service detail vehicles assigned to Vice President Kamala Harris stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff. The incident took place in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City, where 45-year-old Harry Heymann attempted to dismantle the devices on two Secret Service vehicles as Second Gentleman Doug Emhoffs daughter had lunch at Bubbys, a nearby restaurant. Video obtained by TMZ and later shared by AP News showed Emhoff being ushered into a black SUV and a man being led away in handcuffs. Heymann, reportedly a member of an activist group in New York City that combats devices that obscure license plates from toll and traffic cameras, was attempting to remove an illegal license plate cover from two Secret Service vehicles, per transit newspaper Streetsblog. He was reportedly unaware that the cars belonged to the Secret Service. On Tuesday afternoon, an individual approached two United States Secret Service vehicles parked in lower Manhattan and, without provocation, caused damage to the rear license plate area of both, USSS spokesperson James Byrne said in a statement, per CNN. Heymann has previously been vocal about his opposition to plate obscuring maneuvers, tweeting earlier this month about the NYPDs lack of action on so-called ghost cars. Emhoff, who previously dipped her toe into the race to blast vice presidential nominee JD Vance for referring to her stepmother as a childless cat lady, was not harmed during the incident. The arrest comes amid turmoil inside the Secret Service, after a failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump earlier this month sparked a siege from Congressional Republicans against the department, resulting in the resignation of Director Kimberly Cheatle. See who was named Region 16 ESC's Teachers of the Year The Region 16 Education Service Center has announced the 2025 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year. The Elementary Teacher of the Year is Kristi Leff from Amarillo ISD, and the Secondary Teacher of the Year is Christian Hernandez-Ocasio from Highland Park ISD. Region 16 Education Service Center has announced the Elementary Teacher of the Year is Kristi Leff from Amarillo ISD. Region 16 Education Service Center has announced the Secondary Teacher of the Year is Christian Hernandez-Ocasio from Highland Park ISD. Each fall, 40 teachers are selected as Regional Teachers of the Year in Texas, with one elementary and one secondary teacher chosen from each of the 20 education service center regions. This year's winners will represent Region 16 at the state level, competing for the title of 2025 Texas Teachers of the Year, to be announced at a ceremony Oct. 25, according to a news release. Region 16 Education Service Center has announced the Elementary Teacher of the Year is Kristi Leff from Amarillo ISD, and the Secondary Teacher of the Year is Christian Hernandez-Ocasio from Highland Park ISD. Selecting the Teachers of the Year is always a challenging but incredibly rewarding task, said Brenda Foster, Assistant Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Region 16. Kristi Leff and Christian Hernandez-Ocasio exemplify the dedication, passion, and excellence that we seek to honor. Their innovative teaching methods and unwavering commitment to their students and communities truly set them apart. We are proud to have them represent Region 16 and look forward to seeing their continued impact on education at the state level. "Since its inception in 1969, the Texas State Teacher of the Year program has celebrated excellence in classroom education, highlighting educators whose dedication and achievements inspire students, colleagues, and communities," the release states. "The Texas Teacher of the Year is the highest honor the state bestows upon a teacher. Facilitated by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA), this program annually recognizes and rewards teachers who exhibit exceptional leadership and teaching excellence." Wade Callaway, Superintendent of Gruver Independent School District, was earlier named as the 2024 Region 16 Superintendent of the Year, and Wellington Independent School District Board of Trustees was named the Outstanding School Board of the Year. Both will represent Region 16 at the 2024 TASA/TASB Convention in September in San Antonio. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Region 16 ESC announces Teachers of the Year Sarasota County Commissioner Mike Moran's spending at the Florida PACE Funding Agency has recently come under scrutiny after it was revealed the agency spent money on expensive dinners that included alcohol while he and other staff members traveled widely, costing the government special district more than $30,000 over 18 months. Moran, the executive director of FPFA, defended the expenses as he viewed the dinners, travel and hotel stays as part of the agency's public purpose to attract private money to Florida to finance energy efficient home improvement projects. Here are several receipts first obtained by The Florida Trident, the investigative arm of the Florida Center for Governmental Accountability. The Herald-Tribune independently confirmed the receipts match spending reported by the Florida PACE Funding Agency through its own public records request. What was the single largest expense Mike Moran reported for reimbursement? Obtained through a public records request, this receipt itemizes spending for a private dinner in New York hosted by the Florida PACE Funding Agency. The event cost a total of $8,219.97 after all taxes and fees were added. The Florida Trident shared more than 60 receipts it obtained in a public records request with the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The Herald-Tribune has independently verified the receipts' accuracy. The Florida PACE Funding Agency covered half of a expensive dinner in New York at Smith and Wollensky, located at 49th Street and Third Avenue in New York City. The total cost of a dinner for 30 people hosted in a private room came in at $8,220. The cost of the meal was split between the FPFA and the agency's consulting partner. What did $424.94 buy in California? This receipt is from the Florida PACE Funding Agency's visit to Fish Gaucho, a restaurant located in Paso Robles, California. The total cost of the meal came out to $421.94, with $144 of the tab coming from eight shots of tequila. The Florida PACE Funding Agency spent $491.94 at a restaurant in Paso Robles, California, called Fish Gaucho. The dinner appeared to be for six people. Craft beer and burgers at Firestone Walker Brewing Co. taproom Receipt from the Firestone Walker Brewing Company's Paso Robles taproom where the Florida PACE Funding Agency paid for burgers and beer. This is another receipt from a California trip reimbursed by the FPFA. Details about the expenditure at the Firestone Walker Brewing Co. taproom were not included in the public records request, although the government special district paid for a 10-ounce and 20-ounce 805, described on the brewery's website as a Blonde Ale. Mr. Chow's restaurant at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas A receipt from Mr. Chow's restaurant at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for $1,345. The FPFA attended a conference in Las Vegas. A detailed receipt of the dinner was not included in public records, although the ledger described it as an DTA event. DTA is a private company that provided consulting to the FPFA. Seafire Grill in New York City A receipt obtained through public records request shows spending at the Seafire Grill in New York the day before a private party occurred where the governmental special district covered half of the cost of a $8,220 dinner at an expensive New York steak house for 30 people. This receipt shows a meal paid for by the Florida PACE Funding Agency the day before it covered half of the tab of a $8,220 event for $30 people. Carver's Steakhouse in Las Vegas The FPFA also paid for a $1,281 dinner at Carver's Steakhouse in Las Vegas. The $1,281 dinner occurred in Las Vegas while FPFA staff attended a National Association of Home Builder's conference. Sarasota area restaurants included in Florida PACE Funding Agency reimbursements The Florida PACE Funding Agency did not only pay for meals outside the Sarasota area. Many of the meals included local restaurants like as shown in a receipt from a dinner with Jon and Teresa Mast. Jon Mast is the executive director of the Suncoast Builder's Association while his wife is running to replace Mike Moran on the Sarasota County Commission. A dinner at the University Town Center's Pascone's was also paid for by the Florida PACE Funding Agency. Details in the ledger note the meeting occurred between Mike Moran, Jon Mast and Teresa Mast. Teresa Mast is running to replace Moran on the Sarasota County Commission. A ledger for the FPFA includes several local restaurants: First Watch, Robbins, Coopers Hawk, Peaches, Miller's Ale House, Another Broken Egg, Geckos Grill, Der Dutchman, Duval's Fresh Local Seafood, Bricktop, Osteria 500, Valentino's and Laurel Oak Country Club. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: See receipts from Mike Moran's spending at Florida PACE Funding Agency A bill in the U.S. Senate aims to give access to independent investigations into police shootings. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is refiling legislation to make it easier for local governments to use independent investigators and prosecutors for officer-involved shootings. The move is in response to the shooting death of Sonya Massey at the hands of a Sangamon County deputy. The bill would give federal grants to hire independent investigators. State attorneys would be the ones prosecuting the cases. Duckworth says local governments blame a lack of money for not being able to do this now. The Illinois State Police took over the investigation into Masseys case, but Sangamon County States Attorney John C. Milhiser is the prosecutor on the case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Sen. Mark Kelly said Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance is visiting Arizonas southern border Wednesday to take a picture, not to solve the challenging problem with border security. Appearing on MSNBCs Morning Joe, Kelly, D-Ariz., repeatedly urged voters to back Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump and disparaged Vance as picked by Trump only to overturn an election. The 15-minute interview may have seemed like an audition for Kelly as Harris running mate, with Kelly casting the Democrats as the only ones seriously trying to do something about the border. Kelly is believed to be among the finalists for Harris running mate, along with others, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Kelly repeatedly deflected questions about his interest in joining Harris on the presidential ticket while showcasing a frankness about the border and a legislative fix that Democrats hope could offer a rhetorical reset on a top political issue for Republicans. U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., deflects questions about his chances of joining the Democratic ticket with Vice President Kamala Harris during an appearance on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." Kamala Harris and the administration wants to fix this problem. Shes worked on this problem for three and a half years, and its a challenging problem, Kelly said. We have made progress, especially with what was put in place over the past several months. Like a lot of other Republicans, they dont actually want to solve this problem. They just want to talk about it. Thats why his running mate, JD Vance, is down at the border to take a picture. Thats the only reason hes there. Kellys position on border-related matters is viewed as a key asset he could bring to the Harris-led Democratic ticket. Many of the Democratic governors believed to be in the running have relatively little experience on the issue, especially in contrast to an Arizona U.S. senator. In short order, Kelly referenced the bipartisan border-security bill that his seatmate, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., helped negotiate earlier this year and executive action by President Joe Biden intended to bring down illegal entries into the country. The border security bill quickly failed in the Senate after Trump successfully convinced Republicans not to give Biden a legislative victory on the issue. Border-control ballot measure: Activists take fight to state Supreme Court In June, Biden issued an executive order temporarily suspending asylum claims, a move that has led to falling encounters with migrants by implementing a policy more in line with methods Trump used in office. Kelly reminded viewers that hes down at the border all the time meeting with mayors, sheriffs. This (border-security bill) was not meeting the Republicans on the 50-yard line. It was meeting them on the 10-yard line on their side of the field, Kelly said. We realize weve got to get operational control over the border. I realize this. Kamala Harris realizes this, and this legislation was going to do that," Kelly said. "Our goal here was to get this legislation passed and then start working on comprehensive immigration reform. Trump stopped that in its tracks for election purposes only, Kelly said. He repeated attacks on Vance that he made during an appearance earlier this month on MSNBC that assailed the Ohio Republican for his support for abortion restrictions and a willingness to do Trumps bidding. Kelly pledged to help get Harris elected, but would not speculate on his role. He invoked his wife, former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., who campaigned for Harris in Philadelphia last week. Kelly also took swipes at U.S. Senate nominee Kari Lake, who defeated Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in Arizonas Republican primary on Tuesday. Unofficial election results Wednesday morning showed Lake leading Lamb by about 15 percentage points, which was about half what her campaign signaled two weeks before voting began. Kari Lake won the primary, but a guy with no money got about 40% of the vote, Kelly said of the result. It was not an overwhelming (performance) she ran against a guy with $100,000 in his campaign account because Kari Lake stands for divisiveness, dividing us. He invoked her election denialism as well. She thinks shes governor and is still litigating the 2022 election. Now she wants to be a United States senator, he said before noting her disparaging comments involving the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Kelly called Ruben Gallego, the Democratic Senate nominee he endorsed, a guy I work with on practically a weekly basis to make sure we have the military we need. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sen. Mark Kelly sidesteps VP talk, hits Trump pick JD Vance again Sen. Peters is being floated as a possible VP pick. But would he want it? U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) at the Mackinac Policy Conference, May 30, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols Updated, 9:07 a.m., 8/2/24 As the guessing game continues for who will be selected to be a running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, one familiar Michigan name has again popped up. No, not her. (Gov. Gretchen Whitmer already said no, at least twice). Its actually U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.). While the Advance reported last week that Peters name was among those as a potential VP pick for Harris, an Axios report says organized labor has floated it to the top of the conversation. Michigan is viewed as a must-win battleground state for Democrats, and strong support from unions could make Peters an attractive strategic option for Harris, stated the report. While the Harris campaign has reportedly requested vetting materials from a variety of key Democrats, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Peters office wouldnt say if hes been asked to submit information. The Vice President has many strong options for her running mate and right now we want to respect her process, a Peters spokesperson responded on Tuesday to the Michigan Advance. Perhaps part of what is driving the buzz about Peters is how enthusiastically he has talked about Harris, with whom he served in the Senate, since she was endorsed by President Joe Biden after dropping his reelection bid. We sat next to each other, and you get to know your seatmate very well, personally, not just with the work that were doing in the Senate. And I came to know her as a woman of great character, of passion, cares deeply about the country and issues that I also care about, so we share a lot. I know that she will make an excellent president, Peters said at a hearing in Lansing last week. Speaking on WPBN in Traverse City, Peters called Harris a woman of character, of integrity, and as someone who cares so deeply about this country. That same day, he also told WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids that Harris candidacy had energized the Democratic Party, and that Kamala Harris represents the future. But for Lansing-based Democratic political consultant Adrian Hemond, the choice of Peters as vice president doesnt make much sense. I think hed make a fine vice president. Garys actually probably one of my favorite politicians to the extent that I have those, partly because hes all steak, no sizzle, but I think maybe you want a little bit more sizzle for a running mate, Hemond told the Advance. The Harris campaign needs electoral votes and of the swing states in this election, Michigan is one of the ones where theyre pulling the best, where they need the least help. They already have an extraordinarily effective surrogate here in Gov. Whitmer, who is not going to be on the ticket by her own choosing. Hemond says where the Harris campaign needs help the most is in Pennsylvania, calling it the key to one of the two paths to the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House. The broader of the two paths to 270 electoral votes runs through Pennsylvania [where Shapiro is governor]. You got Mark Kelly in Arizona, which is the more narrow path to 270 electoral votes, said Hemond. And so I think its much more likely that you see one of those two picked than a senator from a state that I wont say that they expect to win, but if theyre not winning Michigan, then theyre not winning the presidency. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has a different take on the speculation, noting Peters role as the head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), the campaign arm of Senate Democrats, who have a slim majority. Gary Peters knows Democrats are about to lose the Senate Majority, so now hes trying to quit on his members and become Kamala Harriss Vice-President, said NRSC spokesman Philip Letsou. Kamala Harris is most the far-left presidential nominee in American history and is already absolutely toxic for down-ballot Democrats. Pollster Bernie Porn of the EPIC-MRA firm tells the Advance that it is worth noting that the UAW has not endorsed Harris yet, and if it is true that they are lobbying heavily for Peters to be chosen, that cant be discounted as a factor. However, he agrees Harris top consideration has to be who will best help her win a battleground state. All of the possible choices could serve as VP, but not all of them could help win a battleground state, said Porn. The question should be, are any of the potential VP choices based on polling helpful in winning Pennsylvania, Michigan or Arizona, which would suggest three possible best choices Kelly, Shapiro or Peters, although Whitmer can be helpful in winning Michigan without naming her as VP. Since we have never had a woman as president, it would probably not make sense to assume the U.S. is ready to elect a ticket comprised of two women at this time. A request for comment was made to the UAW, but has yet to be returned. Peters said last week that Harris is bringing unity to the party. I think the thing thats very exciting as a Democrat is the unity that were seeing in our party right nowwhen Kamala Harris was endorsed by the President and everybody across the party, across the country stepped up to say, now lets come together and unify with her, I think it bodes very well for the future, he said in Lansing. When Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was asked last week at a Harris campaign event in Lansing about Peters as a VP prospect, she offered praise mixed with pragmatism. We all have a tremendous amount of respect for Sen. Peters, she said. He would make a fantastic vice president, but so would many of the other people who have been vetted, so this will be a decision obviously made by Vice President [Harris]. Any one of the people whose names have been floated, I think would be tremendous and so were just excited to move forward and see who our final ticket is and get our support fully behind them because we know that they can be incredible in elected office and will be really successful in beating back the dangerous fascism and autocracy that Donald Trump and [his running mate, U.S. Sen.] J.D. Vance represent. Hemond, however, sees much greater prospects for Peters in a future Harris administration. I think a much more likely scenario if Kamala Harris is elected president is that Gary Peters could end up in the cabinet where I think he would flourish frankly, said Hemond. I think hes extraordinarily qualified for a bunch of different cabinet posts. Hemond noted that Peters is the chair of the Senates Homeland Security committee and could easily be slotted in as Homeland Security secretary. Peters is also a Navy veteran who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which could make him a prime candidate for Defense secretary. Any of those positions Hemond believes would better suit Peters. I dont think he would want to be vice president, said Hemond. And I think that there are picks that add more to the ticket in terms of electoral politics than Sen. Peters. Advance reporters Anna Liz Nichols and Lucy Valeski contributed to this story. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Demonstrators protest the killing of Sonya Massey in Washington Square Park in New York City on Sunday. Massey was shot at home by Sean Grayson, a Sangamon County, Illinois, deputy, after she called the police to report a possible prowler. Grayson has been arrested, sparking protests around the country demanding justice for Massey's death. John Lamparski via Getty Images Senate Democrats are pushing for police reform legislation following the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman killed by a deputy in Springfield, Illinois, earlier this month. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) reintroduced Tuesday the Police Training and Independent Review Act a bill that would use grants to incentivize states to improve law enforcement training and hold independent investigations when police kill civilians. A dozen Democrats co-sponsored Duckworths bill. It also garnered support from the NAACP. Duckworth first introduced the legislation in 2017, citing unrest that took place in Ferguson, Missouri, following the killings of Michael Brown there and Laquan McDonald in Chicago in 2014. The senator reintroduced the legislation again in 2019 and then another time in 2021, following the murder of George Floyd and the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin. I felt there was an issue with police departments not having the proper training, but also the same justice department that would review the misconduct ... were the same people who would depend on that particular police district to help them win their cases, Duckworth told HuffPost. Police in America fatally shoot more than 1,000 people a year on average, according to a database from The Washington Post. Masseys death has caused outrage around the country. On July 6, body cam footage shows, two deputies of the Sangamon County Sheriffs Office responded to Masseys home in Springfield, Illinois, after Massey made a 911 call about a suspected intruder. After questioning her, Deputy Sean Grayson, 30, and another deputy went inside her home, and told Massey to back away from what they believed was a boiling pot of water. I rebuke you in the name of Jesus, Massey, 36, told the deputy. Grayson immediately pointed his gun at Massey, who was unarmed during the encounter. Massey crouched down to the floor with the pot moments before Grayson fired three shots, killing her, footage shows. Massey was struck in the face during the shooting. President Joe Biden released a statement following the release of the footage of Masseys killing. I commend the swift actions that were taken by the Springfield States Attorneys office. While we wait for the case to be prosecuted, let us pray to comfort the grieving, Biden said in a statement. Congress must pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act now. Our fundamental commitment to justice is at stake. Vice President Kamala Harris called Masseys family members just days after. Grayson was charged with first-degree murder, officer misconduct and aggravated assault with a firearm in the shooting. He worked for a total of six departments in four years and was previously discharged from the Army for misconduct. A national day of silence was held for Massey on Saturday. The NAACP strongly supports the Police Training and Independent Review Act and acknowledges the urgent need for comprehensive training and independent investigations in law enforcement, NAACP Vice President of Policy and Legislative Affairs Cedric C. Haynes said in a statement. This bill is crucial to prevent tragedies like the recent fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, and to ensure accountability and justice. The U.S. has a long history of issues in policing, and we see this legislation as a necessary step towards restoring trust and advancing community safety. MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) Clifton land could see potential economic development due to a bill introduced Tuesday by Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet. The Clifton Opportunities Now for Vibrant Economic Yields (CONVEY) Act would allow the transfer of 31.1 acres near Interstate 70 in Clifton. Mesa County is bursting at the seams with economic development, it just needs the space to grow, Hickenlooper said in a press release. Our CONVEY Act will cut the bureaucratic red tape needed to accelerate this land transfer and create jobs. The land was previously set aside for the Bureau of Reclamations Grand Valley Reclamation Project. However, the bureau said it would give away 31 acres for sale and keep the other 8 acres for project operations, according to the senators. Mesa County has made significant strides to secure a vibrant future for Clifton, Bennet said. Im glad to support this agreement between the county and Bureau of Land Management as one more step towards prosperity for the community. The senators noted the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which oversees federal land transfers, supports the move. The CONVEY Act would speed up the process and require Mesa County to pay fair market value for the land. In a joint statement, the Mesa County Commissioners said, We are grateful to (Sens.) Hickenlooper and Senator Bennet for introducing the CONVEY Act. Economic development in the Clifton area is vital for our community to thrive, and the CONVEY Act will create opportunities to expand our local workforce and strengthen a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators in Mesa County. We are thankful for this partnership that will streamline this process to benefit all of Mesa County. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. (Bloomberg) -- Samsung Electronics Co. plans to start mass production of its fifth-generation high-bandwidth memory chips this year and quickly ramp up their contribution to sales. Most Read from Bloomberg South Koreas biggest company expects its most advanced HBM3e variety will go from contributing just over 10% of total HBM sales this quarter to 60% in the final quarter of the year, executives said after reporting better-than-expected profit on Wednesday morning. The company will be supplying several customers, but is contractually bound to not disclose names, Kim Jaejune, head of Samsungs memory sales and marketing, said during a conference call. Nvidia Corp. is the most important client that Samsung and US rival Micron Technology Inc. are courting, and the rapid increase that Samsung forecasts suggests the company is likely to be supplying the worlds leading producer of AI accelerators which require HBM to function. Local rival SK Hynix Inc. has maintained the lead in being Nvidias go-to partner to date. Samsung has secured Nvidias approval for at least some of its AI memory, Bloomberg News reported this week. The company expects its sales of HBM to increase 3.5 times in the second half of the year compared to the first, and the company plans to double its supply of the memory in 2025. Samsung made the comments as it reported a six-fold surge in net income in the second quarter. Its semiconductor unit earned 6.45 trillion won ($4.7 billion) in operating profit on rising memory prices and robust demand. --With assistance from Seyoon Kim and Shinhye Kang. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Camille McCallum is one of the thousands of Black women taking up the banner to ensure Vice President Kamala Harris becomes the next president of the U.S. and shes turning to TikTok to spread the word. Inspired by a call filled with 44,000 Black women from diverse walks of life, McCallum jumped onto social media within hours of the news that Harris would be the likely Democratic presidential nominee. The founder of Black Woman on a Mission is crafting videos to share voter registration information and debunk myths about Harris. The influencer and entrepreneur is also producing voter guides for college students and planning to participate with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., on voter initiatives. Black women like McCallum mobilizing for a Democratic candidate is not necessarily new; they are the backbone of the Democratic Party. Yet, the current political climate has made the collective sense of responsibility to protect and elevate Harris feel more urgent than ever, supporters told Capital B. Reproductive and voting rights are at stake, and theres a concerted effort to roll back policies that supported Black economic and social progress. With less than 100 days until Election Day, Black women are considering fundamental questions. Can a Black woman of South Asian descent really win, what will it take to get her elected, and why is the bar always set higher for Black women to lead? Supporters also told Capital B that America is long overdue for a presidential candidate like Harris, and reject the notion that shes not qualified enough. It took grit, determination, and hard work for Harris to serve as a state attorney general, U.S. senator, and vice president, McCallum said. In Harris first statement after President Joe Bidens endorsement, she wrote her intention was to go out and earn the nominee for the Democratic Party, which annoyed some Black women like LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter. Black women are not seen until theyre needed, Brown said. This idea that she got to earn, what do you mean? Shes operating as the vice president. Its almost like shes invisible. Historically, Black women have been on the front lines of political action without receiving the credit or benefits of their labor. Captured by Zora Neale Hurston in Their Eyes Were Watching God, Black women are the mules of the world. Even when faced with overt sexism and racism, they still have to go over and beyond in order to succeed. The same insults are being thrown Harris way, her supporters said. Organizers and political experts acknowledged this moment is no small feat. It builds on the backbreaking work of Black matriarchs such as Shirley Chisholm, Fannie Lou Hamer, Dorothy Height, Ida B. Wells, and Harriet Tubman who gave their blood, sweat, and tears to democracy. Theres a paradigm shift in America Since the days of Chisholm, Black women have refused to sit idly by; theyve always been leaders. Aside from organizing and strategizing behind the scenes, theyve pushed themselves into the forefront to seek and win political offices on the local, state, and federal levels. Harris run for president is the natural progression of Black womens politics, said Sharon Austin, professor of African American studies at University of Florida, who is currently working on her forthcoming book Black Women and The Presidency. Because of the groundwork that has already been laid, it gives Harris a good chance to win. Its just a matter of time before we will have a Black female governor, and we will have a Black female president, Austin said. I really think that time is now. Brown echoed similar sentiments that the political landscape has shifted in recent years. Prior to former President Barack Obama winning the election in 2008, many people thought he couldnt beat former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. But, he did. Another example: Trump. Brown distinctively remembers watching Obama at a press conference in 2016, where he stated Trump, the Republican candidate, will not be president because its a serious job. Its not hosting a talk show or a reality show. Its hard. Or most recently, Harris run for president in 2020, which resulted in a loss. A lot has changed since then and the electorate is more diverse now. In 2020, where voter turnout reached historic numbers, younger Black, Asian, and Hispanic voters leaned heavily Democrat. Voters across all demographics are excited to back Harris. For the past three years, Americans have gotten used to seeing a woman as a vice president, so the idea of Trump using Harris gender as a weapon against her doesnt phase young voters, Brown said. What this tells me is that many people are really basing their political analysis on the politics of the past, she said. The paradigm in America is shifting, the way people get their news, the way that people communicate, has shifted. Read More: Where Does Kamala Harris Stand on Key Issues Affecting Black Voters? With momentum rising for Harris, political violence may ramp up, Brown and others fear, citing the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, widespread myths of voter fraud, and continued wave of misinformation. Organizers also suspect voters may have additional barriers to cast their ballot. This year, in at least 21 states, voters will face restrictions theyve never encountered in previous election cycles, whereas voters in 28 states will face new restrictions that werent in place in 2020, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Since 2020, more than two dozen states have passed voting laws to limit in-person voting and mail-in ballots, and to eliminate departments of motor vehicles, particularly in rural areas, to keep voters from getting IDs, said AShanti Gholar, president of Emerge, a national organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run and win political offices. Theres definitely people who want to uphold the power structures of which this country was founded upon, and that is the root of that right there, Gholar said. It goes back to the fact that this is why we need great elected officials in office who will help fight those laws. The organized efforts to silence Black people isnt new, but theres a unique opportunity to push a Black woman to the top of the ticket, said Adjoa B. Asamoah, a strategist who works at the intersection of policy and policy. Due to her profession, she spoke in her personal capacity for this article. We know what the challenges are. Have you seen a determined Black woman or a determined Black collective? We mean business, and we mean business about our sister, Madam Vice President, Asamoah said. It is worth noting that in my personal opinion, voting is the floor. Its not the ceiling. We have to be civically engaged. But, Harris record, including carrying the load as vice president, isnt enough. Some Black women still dont care to get on board. Critics mistrust her due to her time as San Franciscos district attorney and as attorney general in California. Most of the skepticism is fueled by misconceptions about her prior prosecutorial and legislative record. Betty Erica, seen in Leimert Park Plaza in Los Angeles, a hub for Black life and businesses, voiced skepticism about Vice President Kamala Harris. (Adam Mahoney/Capital B) One of those skeptics is Betty Erica from Compton, California, who told Capital B she heard Harris put hundreds of thousands of people in prison, which isnt true, and that shes not on Black peoples side. While Erica doesnt plan on voting for presidential candidates, shes focusing her energy on down-ballot races. She hasnt shown any leadership amongst the Black community at all in any type of way, except for abortion rights, thats it, Erica said. If anyone supports her, it is because of her Blackness, which is half at that. Other than that, we dont have any other reason why. Nene J., from Watts, California, said she doesnt think her life will change whether Harris wins or not. Because Ive been living in South Central, I know most of this doesnt matter for us here. Her election would not change how things are prioritized here, said Nene, who said she was uncomfortable giving her last name. We still will have a lot of [homelessness] and will be forced to work in stores. If Harris wins and tries to implement policies for Black people, she told Capital B, itll create chaos. Theyre going to look at it as a Black woman trying to take their power away, she added. The world would rather have a clown than a Black woman. The call to usher Harris to the finish line Theres a sense of urgency to ensure Harris becomes president, said Latricia Henry, an entrepreneur who joined Black Women for Kamala, a private group of more than 281,000 women, to see the mission through. Its not only a safe space for women, but a platform to share information and organize ahead of voter registration drives and other events. Similar to McCallum, Harris stance on reproductive rights issues appealed to Henry. She also voiced concerns about Trump and Project 2025, a policy agenda created by the Heritage Foundation for the next Republican president, which she noted doesnt serve Black people. We have been up late and up early and doing everything we can to get everything set up and situated so that we can serve the Black women who are ready to get out here on the ground and do what we need to do to protect and elect Kamala Harris, she said. Lillian Henny Alexander is already looking forward to this years Election Day, which she says will be extra special for her and her family. She and her husband will enthusiastically take their toddler daughters to their polling station in Harris County, Texas, for the first time. There, they will see their moms name on the same ballot as Harris. I am kind of already emotional thinking about it, Alexander told Capital B. The idea of having my two daughters seeing that Im on the same ticket of potentially our first woman president, and our first Black woman president its too big for me to even think of. The mission is to keep this fresh wind of momentum going until Election Day. The marching orders must also focus on building a multigenerational coalition of people to support Black women, which is already taking shape. We have to remember that by number, Black women are a minority in this country, so even if every single Black woman were to vote for Kamala Harris, theres still so much more coalition building that we have to do, McCallum added. I dont think wed get it done without us, but I know that we cant get it done with only us. I think Black women are optimistic about the power that we can wield and what we can do. I know I am. Staff writers Adam Mahoney and Christina Carrega contributed to this report. The post The Sense of Urgency to Protect and Elect Kamala Harris appeared first on Capital B News. It had been a year and a half since Cassandra Thompson called 911 over a death threat at Central District Health. By May 2023, Thompson had exhausted her 12 weeks worth of family medical leave and continued to struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, state records obtained by the Idaho Statesman last year showed. When Thompson asked her employers for extended leave, she never received a clear response, according to those records. Instead, she got a letter from Director Russ Duke, informing her that the Boise-based public health district determined she couldnt return to her regular work duties and would be medically laid off. The Statesman obtained a copy of the termination letter last year. Thompson has now sued CDH in U.S. District Court, alleging that the agency failed to provide her with reasonable accommodations, wrongfully fired her and violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Shes seeking back pay, lost benefits and compensatory damages for emotional distress and the loss of her job. The agency decided on the termination after CDH failed to engage in any direct conversation with Ms. Thompson or offer any alternative to her suggested accommodation, Thompsons attorney, Erika Birch, wrote in the complaint. Thompson declined to comment for this story. Thompson was one of several CDH employees who went on family medical leave, returned to work to get fired and were barred from receiving unemployment benefits. The Statesman in November reported on the allegations from former and current employees that CDH leaders prompted high turnover through a culture of retaliation, forced workers out and jeopardized public health services. Shortly after the Statesmans story, CDH board members spent $20,000 for a third-party review of the work culture at the health district. They have yet to release the results of the review to the public. CDH also denied the Statesmans request for a copy of the report. In response to a request for comment on the lawsuit, sent to CDHs spokesperson Tuesday, attorney Mike Kane replied. He told the Statesman that no one at the district has seen a copy of the complaint, which was filed July 18, and the district cannot be expected to comment on a document it has not seen. Kane said the Idaho Human Rights Commission found no probable cause to proceed against the district in a complaint, listing similar allegations, that Thompson filed with the commission against CDH. The district stands behind the findings of the commission, Kane wrote. CDH workers push back against Spanish policy In October 2021, a man who was unhappy with his wifes care called CDH and threatened to kill a health care provider, according to a CDH incident report and Boise police report obtained by the Statesman last year. Thompson at the time was a business operations specialist who worked with customer service representatives. In the incident report, she described a CDH worker who fielded the call nearly in tears and a lobby filled with several clients. CDH officials kept the doors unlocked and the clinic open to the public despite the death threat, according to the incident report and Thompsons complaint. More than half an hour after the 911 call, an officer said he didnt believe the man was a continued threat, the incident report said. CDH spokesperson Maria Ortega in a statement said the doors were closely monitored after an officer informed a manager that there was no imminent threat. Clients were also informed of the incident when they arrived and given the option to reschedule their appointments, Ortega told the Statesman, and staff were provided with counseling resources. The event was stressful and traumatic for Thompson, Birch wrote in the complaint, who feared people could be killed or injured if a gunman came into the medical clinic. As a result, she faced severe anxiety, which would later be diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder. Thompson went on family medical leave after the incident, and her symptoms improved, according to the complaint. But several months later, Thompson again felt targeted by management. She had pushed back against orders from her supervisor, Stephanie Myers, and human resources manager Gary Foote to tell employees they couldnt speak Spanish in the workplace unless they were working with Spanish-speaking clients, according to the complaint. CDH leaders also punished other employees who raised concerns about the policy, the complaint alleged. This English-only directive caused concern among many employees, particularly the Hispanic employees, many of whom felt they were being singled out for disparate treatment because of their national origin and heritage, the complaint said. CDH officials have since denied they gave such an order. In an email sent Feb. 28, obtained by the Statesman, Myers told staffers that this information is not accurate; the use of Spanish, or any other language, is not prohibited in practice or policy at CDH. But Myers in that email added that staffers should be inclusive in conversations in business areas within CDH and aware of the perception that may occur when speaking a language in the presence of those who dont understand it. It can make others feel left out of the conversation or bring up other negative feelings, Myers wrote. In the spirit of having a respectful workplace, I expect all staff to be inclusive in our conversations in the business setting while honoring our unique backgrounds and contributions. CDH: Thompson couldnt perform essential functions of job In February 2023, Thompson took what remained of her family medical leave, records showed. Feelings of retaliation against workers over the disputed Spanish-speaking policy triggered Thompsons anxiety and PTSD, according to the complaint. During her leave, Thompson sent an email to the CDH board and the Idaho Attorney Generals Office with concerns about what she termed harassment, discrimination and retaliation. In April, CDH told Thompson that she was nearly out of allowable hours for family medical leave, so she asked to start the ADA process for reasonable accommodations. Her provider sent an email asking that her medical leave be extended into May. CDH officials asked for a few clarifications but provided limited information on the status of her request, according to the complaint and state records. Thompson then received her termination letter on May 2. CDH officials said that before they let Thompson go, they contacted her health care provider, who told them that Thompson couldnt perform the essential functions of her position for medical reasons. But the provider denied ever being contacted to talk about alternatives to extended leave as an accommodation, Birch wrote. CDH posted the opening for her job a day later, and Thompson applied. During the interview process, she said she believed she could perform her job without accommodations. She didnt get the job based on the assumption that she would require accommodation and perhaps future FMLA leave when returning to work, according to the complaint. Thompson was also initially barred from receiving unemployment benefits, records showed. CDH previously denied to the Statesman that the agency decides on whether a former employee receives those benefits. But state law outlines that the Idaho Department of Labor determines whether an employee was fired for misconduct based on information the employer provides, DOL spokesperson Georgia Smith previously told the Statesman. After an appeals process, the Idaho Industrial Commission, which fields unemployment benefit disputes, concluded that Thompson qualified for the benefits. She lost her job because she was ill, according to the commissions ruling, which the Statesman obtained last year. Illness is not misconduct. Sheep Rock Fire sparks in southern Utah, threatened power for nearly 11K people BEAVER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A new fire was discovered in Beaver County on Tuesday and officials with Rocky Mountain Power said infrastructure was being threatened by the fire, leading to nearly 11,000 customers losing power in southern Utah. Rocky Mountain Power told ABC4.com that the fire was getting close to some of its infrastructure, including power substations. The threatened substations were powered down on Tuesday evening as a precaution, officials said. READ NEXT: Mosquitoes in Utah tested positive for West Nile Virus Heres how to protect yourself An image of crews battling the Sheep Rock Fire in southern Utah when it was discovered on July 30, 2024. (Courtesy: Utah Fire Info) An image of crews battling the Sheep Rock Fire in southern Utah when it was discovered on July 30, 2024. (Courtesy: Utah Fire Info) An image of crews battling the Sheep Rock Fire in southern Utah when it was discovered on July 30, 2024. (Courtesy: Utah Fire Info) An image of crews battling the Sheep Rock Fire in southern Utah when it was discovered on July 30, 2024. (Courtesy: Utah Fire Info) As a result, nearly 11,000 customers were briefly left without power in areas including Beaver, Cedar City, and New Harmony on Tuesday evening. Initially, the outage had affected roughly 17,000 people, but some customers regained power shortly after the outage. Rocky Mountain Power said there was no estimated time for power to return to all customers. After 7 p.m., power was restored for most customers, save for about 1500 people, according to the outage map for Rocky Mountain Power. According to the Utah Wildfire Dashboard, the Sheep Rock Fire in Beaver County was first discovered around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday. It was initially estimated at a size of about 25 acres, according to the dashboard. Initial investigation determined the fire was human-caused, according to the wildfire dashboard. How to prepare for a power outage Whether the outage is planned or not, Rocky Mountain Power has offered some guidelines and tips to prepare for a power outage. Safety and preparedness resources have been compiled by Rocky Mountain Power and can be found online. Some items that Rocky Mountain Power suggests to keep in an emergency kit are listed below: Water Have one gallon per person, per day Non-perishable food For both people and pets First aid kit and essential medications Copies of important family documents Cash Blankets Rocky Mountain Powers comprehensive emergency preparedness list is available online. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The Richmond County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday a woman has been charged in the alleged intentional death of a 2-year-old boy in Augusta last week. Danashia McClennon, 20, of Augusta, was initially arrested Thursday and charged with cruelty to children in the first degree, according to a news release from the sheriff's office. On Tuesday, McClennon was additionally charged with murder in relation to the toddler's death. Rayshon Roberts, 2, of the 1800 block of Fayetteville Drive, was taken to Children's Hospital of Georgia - Wellstar MCG by ambulance on July 24 after reportedly being found unresponsive in a bathtub in a home on the 700 block of Cross Tree Court, according to previous reporting. Augusta firefighters who responded to the house said they found a woman attempting to provide CPR to the toddler in the rear bedroom, according to an incident report. The woman initially told firefighters she left the 2-year-old unattended in the bathtub for about 10 minutes and when she returned, he was face down in the water. Firefighters noticed the child was dry and his diaper was also dry, deputies noted in the report. The woman later told firefighters she and the boy were on a couch while she was playing games and she noticed he was unresponsive, according to the report. Previous report: 2-year-old Augusta boy fatally drowns in bathtub, marking third child drowning in a week Deputies met with a 42-year-old man who owned the home, whose phone was used to call 911, and he said he was at work at the time of the alleged drowning and did not call 911, according to the report. He then said a woman came to stay at his house and had a small child with her, and they were still at the house when he left for work. Deputies responded to the hospital and met with the child's mother, who was not the woman at the scene, according to the report. The mother said her son had been passed around to multiple unknown individuals since the night of July 22. Multiple aliases are listed in the report, but it is unclear if any of them belonged to McClennon. The mother provided a phone number to deputies and they noted it belonged to the man who owned the home where the child was found unresponsive, according to the report. Rayshon was pronounced dead at the hospital just before midnight Friday, The Chronicle reported. An autopsy has been scheduled, according to the Richmond County Coroner's Office. "The investigation is ongoing, and no further information is available," according to the sheriff's office. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta woman facing charges in 2-year-old's drowning death Floridas men and women in green are hoping Florida voters will say no to legalizing recreational green this November. The Florida Sheriffs Association voted unanimously to take a stance against the legalization of recreational marijuana in the Sunshine State this week. A new poll released by UNF this week showed Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana, with 64% support. Thats higher than the 60% needed to pass, but now with opposition groups like the Florida Sheriffs speaking out, its future may be less certain. Past President of the Florida Sheriffs Association Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper argued the recreational pot ballot measure would create monopolies and shield marijuana companies from criminal and civil liability. Theyve crafted it where if they sell a product to you, no matter what it is, and it harms you in some way theyre exempt from liability. You cant sue, Leeper said. Leeper also argued the expansion of legal marijuana in Florida would impact the quality of life in the state. If you dont think it will filter down to kids then youve got your head in the sand, Leeper said. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters was also among the sheriffs who supported the stance against Amendment 3, suggesting it would put public safety at risk. As Jacksonvilles top law enforcement officer, Sheriff Waters will always oppose policies that could potentially make our communities and roadways less safe, a JSO spokesperson said in a statement. While the amendment gained a powerful opponent the week, it also found a powerful ally Wednesday. What people are afraid of is a wild wild west situation and thats not what well have here in Florida, State Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) said. Gruters, who previously served as Florida GOP Chair, has endorsed the measure. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] He argued it could generate more than $200 million in annual tax revenue and the Florida Legislature will have the ability to properly regulate the industry and protect consumers. Making sure that we save lives by taking bad products off the streets. Making sure all these products are tested by third parties, Gruters said. UNF political science professor Dr. Michael Binder predicted the sheriffs opposition alone wont likely move the needle much. At least not without money, which so far has been scarce for Amendment 3 opponents. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] If theres money, if theres ads, these are things that can chip away. You know, a few votes here, a few votes there, suddenly 59 percent is right around the corner, Binder said. Meanwhile, Smart & Safe Florida, the committee backing the legalization effort, has raised more than $66 million, with more than $12.5 million still in the bank. Most of that funding has come from the states largest medical marijuana company, Trulieve. 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. Former Top Chef contestant Shirley Chung is pausing operations at her Culver City restaurant, Ms. Chi Cafe, while she undergoes treatment for Stage 4 tongue cancer. The Beijing-born celebrity chef, 47, revealed her diagnosis Friday on Instagram , sharing a video of her shaving her head in preparation for chemotherapy. In the clip, she jokes about what kind of egg she most closely resembles, later quipping about her buzzcut, Its kind of sexy. Since December, Chung wrote in the posts caption, shes had a series of dental issues that she initially attributed to being a heavy teeth grinder. Then in May, she developed ulcers in her mouth, leading her oral surgeon to discover a tumor hidden under her tongue. Chung was diagnosed with Stage 4 tongue cancer, she said, as cancer cells had also spread into my lymph nodes. Read more: 'Top Chef' alum Shirley Chung wants to change the way people think about Chinese food in L.A. In light of Chef Shirleys diagnosis, we have made the difficult decision to close Ms Chi so she can focus on recovery, Chung and her co-owner husband, Jimmy Lee, announced Friday on the restaurants Instagram . They also said their last day of operation will be this Sunday, with their popular delivery orders via GoldBelly stopping Aug. 15. We are incredibly grateful to each and every one of you our staff, supporters, and fans. We have truly enjoyed spreading the dumpling love over the last several years and calling Culver City our home! the post read. This is a temporary pause on orders, and we will be back! They did not disclose a reopening date, though Chung said she didnt waste any time beginning treatment once she received her diagnosis. I was very calm when doctors delivered the news, as a chef, Ive always thrive [sic] under pressure, she wrote on Instagram. I was extremely focused on getting all the tests and scans as fast as possible, so I can start on the treatment plans. Read more: Chef Shirley Chung proves you don't need meat in dumplings But when she began discussing treatment plans with her oncologist soon after, she said, she broke down, crying, trying to put thoughts together and ask questions but physically couldnt. She was presented with two options, she said: 100% removal of your tongue or another option, which was a unicorn case, at University of Chicago, they cured a patient (a chef!) with radiation and chemo. Higher survival rate, or keep my tongue?, she said. I chose to keep my tongue, I am a fighter, I am a chef, I can be that unicorn too. Undergoing chemotherapy is a full time job, Chung said, but after six weeks of treatment, her tumor is shrinking, her speech has improved, and she can eat most food again. Read more: Why it's harder than ever to run a restaurant in Los Angeles I am learning to lean on others, to let go, to be more vulnerable, she said. I can be strong 98% of the time, its ok to be not ok. She concluded: I have a tough long road to recovery in front of me. Your love and support will carry me through. Cheer me on, Shirley Chung 2.0 will be reborn in 2025! Several of Chungs peers commented in support, with Food Networks Alex Guarnaschelli advising her to not be a chef at this time but instead be a person whos cool with getting support and love. This cancer clearly hasnt met Shirley Chung, The Next Food Network Star Season 6 winner Aarti Sequeira echoed. Like, why would you even try? Chung, who immigrated to the U.S. at 17, left her postgrad career in high tech to pursue her passion for food, according to her website . She competed on seasons 11 and 14 of Bravos Top Chef and in 2014 opened Twenty Eight Restaurant and Bar in Irvine. Ms. Chi Cafe opened in 2018. Sign up for Screen Gab, a free newsletter about the TV and movies everyones talking about from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)The Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC) offers Artist Fellowships, KAT Tower Residencies, and a Roster to support artists in achieving their goals. According to the SRAC registration website, the City of Shreveport Artists Fellowships will receive a $2,500 cash award. They detail that the application is exclusively open to artists who are over 18 and legally reside in Shreveport for at least 24 months. The artists disciplines range from literary to visual, performing, film, and media. SRAC details for the Shreveport FY 24-25 Fellowship Award, applicants must not be enrolled in an art-related degree or certificate program and must not have previously won an SRAC fellowship in the same art discipline for at least seven years. What is Shreveports KAT artist residency? SRAC states that applicants must be residents of Louisiana for the week-long Kallenberg Artist Tower (KAT) residency. Literary, visual, and performing artists are required to create a workshop that will benefit the community of Northwest Louisiana for the KAT residency. Shreveport Regional Arts Council will provide each selected Artist-in-Residence a $500 stipend for the week with the caveat that the Artist will participate in a combined Artist Talk and Workshop that is both in-person and live-streamed across all SRAC social media platforms. The detailed applicants are required to submit samples of their work depending on their discipline, a resume/bio, and an artist statement. There is no application fee. KAT residents will be rewarded with a one-week retreat apartment located at the Central ARTSTATION, 801 Crockett Street, in Downtown Shreveport. The apartment is fully equipped with a kitchen, 1.5 baths, a queen-sized bed, a living room, and a rooftop that provides a panoramic view of downtown Shreveport and the Shreveport Common neighborhood. Each floor of the KAT is a separate room. There are five floors and a rooftop. SRAC details that there is no elevator, and the stairs are quite manageable. They state KAT artist fellows will receive a $500 stipend; $400 is provided upon arrival, and $100 is payable upon departure. According to SRAC social media, the application deadline is Monday, September 30, 2024, at 4:00 PM. The nonprofit details for the Roster Application: They state artists should reside in the parishes for NWLA: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, and Webster Parish. For more information regarding the NWLA roster / Juried Artist Roster, visit their website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. Russia is moving forward with a cryptocurrency bill to ease international trade payments. Getty Images Russia passed a bill allowing crypto trade payments and is aiming to roll out the digital ruble next July. Moscow's tilt to crypto reverses its previous anti-crypto stance. Russia is looking to alternative digital asset payment modes due to tightening Western sanctions. Russia is stepping up sanctions-evading measures to keep its international trade flowing. The country is passing new laws regulating cryptocurrency and a plan for the digital ruble. On Tuesday, Russia's State Duma the lower house of Russia's federal assembly passed a bill that would let businesses use cryptocurrencies in international trade, Reuters reported. Under this new law, Russia's central bank will create a new "experimental" payments platform. Russian central bank governor Elvira Nabiullina said the first transactions are expected by the end of this year, per Reuters. Nabiullina also said on Tuesday that the Russian central bank plans a mass introduction of the digital ruble in July next year, per TASS. Digital currencies, like the digital ruble, are similar to cryptocurrencies but are issued and backed by central banks. Some Russian businesses are already using crypto In addition, Russia passed new regulations legalizing crypto mining on Tuesday. An existing ban on crypto payments in Russia remains, but Moscow's greenlighting crypto for international trade marks a significant shift. In January 2022 before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine Russia's central bank proposed a ban on the use and mining of cryptocurrencies within the country, citing risks to financial stability and monetary policy. However, the heavily sanctioned country is facing so many issues with international payments that it has been forced to shift its position. Some Russian businesses are already using cryptocurrencies to trade with settlements done via Hong Kong, but through central Asian intermediaries, Bloomberg reported last week. Russian President Vladimir Putin himself said earlier this month that Russia had to "seize the moment" to create a legal framework for digital assets, as they are being increasingly used to settle international payments. Russia's tilt toward crypto isn't unexpected. Analysts have been speculating about how Russia would eventually move toward using crypto and digital assets following sweeping sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. Increasingly tight Western sanctions hit Russia's international trade Until recently, Moscow hasn't really had to look into digital currencies that intently since Russian companies have managed to keep on doing business using non-US dollar currencies, such as the Chinese yuan, or via smaller banks. Story continues But Russia's international trade is getting ever more difficult. The troubles started in December when the US authorized secondary sanctions targeting financial institutions that help Russia skirt sanctions. This prompted global banks from China to the UAE, Turkey, and Austria to reduce transactions even in non-US dollars with Russia to avoid getting in the crosshairs. "This episode demonstrates the global power of the US Treasury, causing banks from Turkey to India and China to pause the processing of payments invoiced by or to Russian counterparties," wrote Christopher Granville, the managing director of global political research at GlobalData TS Lombard, in a May note about digital currencies and dedollarization. "In other words, simply settling commercial invoices in national currencies rather than US dollars turns out to be an insufficient counter to US sanctions," Granville added. The payment issues were exacerbated last month when the US Treasury rolled out a new package of expansive US sanctions against Russia, forcing the Moscow Exchange Russia's key bourse to halt dollar and euro trade. Russia could be eying a digital-currency-based settlement system It isn't clear how Russia's crypto and digital currency regimes will shape up. Implementation may be easier said than done. Even China, which has one of the world's most advanced digital currencies, relies on a "two-tier" system involving banks as wallet-holding agents. Granville wrote in May that that setup avoided excessively disrupting the operations of banks, which could threaten broader financial stability. Read the original article on Business Insider NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The storm and flooding impact has been significant the last two days. While the storm threat is continuing, the dangerous heat will be a greater priority. Severe outlook The Storm Prediction Center has our area under a risk from today to Saturday morning. From now through 7 a.m. Thursday: A Marginal Risk (1/5) paralleling I-24 and eastward, and a Slight Risk (2/5) for far northeast Middle Tennessee counties and southeast Southern Kentucky. On Thursday, a Marginal Risk (1/5) for areas north of I-40. On Friday, a Marginal Risk (1/5) for all of Southern Kentucky and most of Middle Tennessee. VIDEO: Surveillance footage shows MTSU trailer on its side following Murfreesboro storm Through Saturday morning, the primary storm threats are damaging winds and heavy rain. Hail and even an isolated tornado cant be ruled out with any storm. Dangerous heat increasing Dangerous heat is another concern this week. An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for Henry, Carroll, Benton, Trigg, and Christian Counties until 8 p.m. Thursday. A Heat Advisory is in effect for most of Middle TN and Southern KY from now until 7 p.m. Thursday. Despite rain, the Drought Monitor shows little change for Middle Tennessee Thursday, feels like temps could range from 100-115. If you are working or playing outdoors, you should wear light-colored clothing and a hat, take frequent breaks in the shade, and drink plenty of water. Lets look at the next two days. Thursday A few morning storms are possible Thursday, but most of the day is dry and very hot! Temperatures in the middle to upper 90s, feeling like as high as 110. Late Thursday afternoon and mainly evening, strong storms could move from Kentucky into Tennessee, and impact us in the night hours. Friday A few morning storms will be possible Friday. Daytime heating sends temperatures in the 90s. More storms move through Friday with a cold front in the afternoon and evening. After this front moves through, a slight drop in the humidity is expected for the weekend. However, it will remain warm. Hotter temperatures return again next week. Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Reputed Mexican drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, the co-founder of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel, will have a court hearing in El Paso federal court in connection with his alleged role of leading the vicious drug trafficking organization. A status conference in Zambada's case is set for 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at the Albert Armendariz Sr. Federal Courthouse in Downtown El Paso, federal court records show. Court documents do not state if he will appear in court or if his attorneys will represent him at the hearing. Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone will preside over the hearing. A plea deadline was also set for Sept. 11, records show. Zambada pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and organized crime charges Friday, July 26, at the El Paso federal courthouse. Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of "El Chapo" Guzman, were taken into custody the night of Thursday, July 25, by U.S. Marshals at a Dona Ana County private airport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Santa Teresa borders El Paso. Few details of how Zambada and Guzman Lopez were arrested have officially been released by the U.S. Department of Justice. Attorney: 'El Mayo' was kidnapped Frank A. Perez, a Dallas attorney representing Zambada, did not return a call from the El Paso Times requesting a comment on Zambada's arrest. However, he told a USA TODAY reporter that Zambada did not come to the U.S. on his own accord. Perez claimed Guzman Lopez brought Zambada to the U.S. in an effort to get a better plea agreement with U.S. authorities. A plane believed to have carried Mexican drug lord Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of Zambada's former partner, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who were arrested in El Paso, Texas, is seen on the tarmac at the Dona Ana County International Jetport on Friday, July 26, 2024. "My client neither surrendered nor negotiated any terms with the U.S. government," Perez said in a statement given exclusively to USA TODAY. "Joaquin Guzman Lopez forcibly kidnapped my client. He was ambushed, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed by six men in military uniforms and Joaquin." He added Zambada's "legs were tied, and a black bag was placed over his head. He was then thrown into the back of a pickup truck and taken to a landing strip. There, he was forced onto a plane, his legs tied to the seat by Joaquin, and brought to the U.S. against his will. The only people on the plane were the pilot, Joaquin and my client." What charges are 'El Mayo' facing? Zambada is facing several federal charges for his alleged role as a leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. The charges range from drug trafficking to money laundering and murder. He is facing seven charges in the Western District of Texas, federal court records show. He pleaded not guilty Friday July 26, to the seven charges. The charges are: Continuing criminal enterprise - murder Two counts of continuing criminal enterprise Conspiracy to possess narcotics Attempt/conspiracy - narcotics - importation/exportation Laundering of monetary instruments Conspiracy to possess firearm/drug traffickers and aid and abet Who is who in El Mayo's criminal case? Perez and El Paso attorney Ray Velarde are representing Zambada in the case filed against him in El Paso, federal court records show. Perez has been a private attorney since 1995. He was a former assistant district attorney with the Dallas County District Attorney's Office between 1994 and 1995. He unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014. Prior to his career as a lawyer, Perez was a narcotics detective with the Dallas Police Department, his LinkedIn page states. Perez specializes in money laundering, racketeering, extradition defense, international drug charges, drug conspiracy, and drug trafficking, his law firm website states. Velarde is an El Paso attorney who has handed dozens of gun and drug trafficking, money laundering and public corruption cases. The federal prosecutors handling the case in El Paso are Antonio Franco Jr., Joseph H. Gay Jr., Kyle Myers, Michael Cramer Williams and Stephen Gregory Garcia, court records show. The prosecution team has extensive experience trying high-profile federal cases, including drug cartel and murder cases. Judge Cardone was appointed in 2003 as a federal judge by President George W. Bush. Prior to her appointment, Cardone presided over the 388th Judicial District Court and 383rd Judicial District Court in El Paso state court. Cardona has presided over dozens of high-profile legal cases, including a case against Gov. Greg Abbott over immigration policies, public corruption, human and drug trafficking cases, and presided over the conviction of two Barrio Azteca gang members in connection with the murders of a U.S. Consulate employee, her husband and the husband of another U.S. Consulate employee. Where is El Mayo being held? Federal and local law enforcement officials have not provided any information on where Zambada is being held. He is most likely being held in the El Paso County Jail in Downtown El Paso, but he is not listed in jail logs. El Paso County Sheriff's Office oversees the operations of the Downtown jail and jail annex in far East El Paso. Sheriff's Office officials declined to provide information on where Zambada is being held out of "professional protocol" for the agencies in charge of the arrest and case against him. Zambada is being held without bond, federal court records state. Federal authorities have not released the jail booking photos of Zambada or Guzman Lopez. It is common for federal law enforcement not to release jail booking photos of suspects the agencies arrest. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, President Joe Biden address arrests of El Mayo U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland called the arrests of Zambada and Guzman Lopez a victory in holding drug cartels accountable for their crimes and the devastating impact fentanyl has had on communities through the U.S. "I said that the Justice Department would never stop working to hold accountable, those who are responsible for the fentanyl epidemic," Garland said in the video statement released Friday, July 26. "On Thursday (July 25), the Justice Department took into custody in El Paso two more alleged leaders of the Sinaloa cartel, one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world. "El Mayo and Guzman Lopez join a growing list of Sinaloa cartel leaders and associates who the Justice Department is holding accountable in the United States ... Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced. The Justice Department will not rest until every single cartel leader, member and associate responsible for poisoning our communities is held accountable." President Joe Biden said the arrests are a major blow to the drug cartels that have direct roles in hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens who "lost their lives to the scourge of fentanyl." "I commend the work of our law enforcement officials who made this arrest for their ongoing work to bring Sinaloa Cartel leaders to justice," Biden said in a statement. "Too many of our citizens have lost their lives to the scourge of fentanyl. Too many families have been broken and are suffering because of this destructive drug. My administration will continue doing everything we can to hold deadly drug traffickers to account and to save American lives." What is the status of Guzman Lopez's case? Guzman Lopez pleaded not guilty Tuesday, July 30, to drug trafficking and money laundering charges at a federal courthouse in Chicago, court records show. The case against Guzman Lopez is filed in the Northern District of Illinois. He is being held without bond. A trial date has not been set. His next scheduled court hearing is set for Sept. 30. Northern District of Illinois federal court records show Guzman Lopez is charged with: Conspiracy to distribute controlled substance Continuing criminal enterprise Attempt/conspiracy - controlled substance distribute Money laundering - transportation of stolen property Penalties for firearms Where is El Chapo? Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman-Loera is serving a life sentence in an ADX Florence supermax federal prison near Florence, Colorado. Guzman-Loera was convicted on 10 counts, including charges of continuing criminal enterprise, which included 26 drug-related violations and one murder conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, using a firearm in furtherance of his drug crimes and participating in a money laundering conspiracy. His trial, which was held in a New York federal court, lasted about 12 weeks. Guzman-Loera's wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro, was released from a halfway house in 2023. She was released almost two years after she was sentenced to prison for her role in her husbands criminal empire and for participating in his escape from custody in 2015. Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Sinaloa leader Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada case to be heard in El Paso Numerous people show their support for opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado (M) and Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia (M, r) during a demonstration against the official results of the presidential elections, which declared President Maduro the winner. The opposition accuses the government of electoral fraud. Jeampier Arguinzones/dpa Pressure is mounting on the streets of Venezuela after at least six people were killed and more than 700 detained in the protests against President Nicolas Maduro's controversial re-election. The non-governmental organization Foro Penal wrote on X on Tuesday that two young people were among the victims of the Monday protests that turned violent. According to the public prosecutor's office, one police officer was also killed. Across the country, 749 demonstrators have been detained, Attorney General Tarek William Saab said. Those arrested had attacked police stations, electoral offices, town halls and hospitals, he said. They are accused of terrorism, incitement to hatred and blocking public roads, he added. The crisis-stricken country is facing a fresh wave of unrest after Maduro was officially declared the winner of Sunday's vote, securing the authoritarian left-wing leader a third six-year term in office. The opposition has refused to recognize the official result and has made allegations of election fraud. Fear of escalation growing Thousands of people took to the streets in the capital Caracas to support opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez on Tuesday. "The only thing we are willing to negotiate is the peaceful transition," opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said, as protestors chanted "we have no fear." The government camp also plans to bring its supporters to the streets. President Maduro said that there had been over 100 attacks after the election. "We are dealing with a coup d'etat instigated by the fascist forces of the extreme right with the support of the imperial forces, US imperialism," said Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez. "We will thwart this coup d'etat." UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk expressed concern about the violence. "I am alarmed by reports of the disproportionate use of force by security forces and armed groups supporting the government," he said in a statement. "I call on the government to respect the right of all Venezuelans to assemble, protest peacefully and express their opinions freely and without fear." Opposition rejects official result The National Electoral Council officially declared Maduro the winner of the presidential election with 51.2% of the vote, while Gonzalez received 44.2%. Machado said to media representatives on Monday that the government opponents had access to 73% of the result lists, which indicated an insurmountable lead for the challenger. She said Gonzalez had won in all states and received over 6.2 million votes, while Maduro received only 2.7 million. Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, said that over 100 attacks have been recorded in the country since Sunday, blaming the United States and the opposition. "This is a fascist, counter-revolutionary and criminal group," he added. The US government and several Latin American countries have expressed doubts about the official election result. US President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called on Venezuela's government to release full, transparent and detailed voting data from the election. "The two leaders shared the perspective that the Venezuelan election outcome represents a critical moment for democracy in the hemisphere, and they pledged to remain in close coordination on the issue," the White House said in a statement. However, Maduro has received support from Latin American countries such as Cuba and Honduras, as well as political backing from China and Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday decried the protests on Tuesday, saying: "Of course, it is very important that these attempts to aggravate the situation in Venezuela are not fuelled by third countries and that Venezuela remains free from external interference." Maduro clings on as Venezuela suffers Oil-rich Venezuela has suffered in recent years from mismanagement, corruption and international sanctions. More than 80% of the population lives below the poverty line. According to the UN, over 7 million people - about a quarter of the population - have left the oil-rich country in recent years due to poverty and violence. The desperate situation has led to repeated protests against Maduro's rule, but he has been able to survive despite intense pressure to step down. After the last contested elections in 2018, opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the legitimate president of the country and was recognized by the United States and other Western countries, but Maduro was able to retain the support of powerful groups within Venezuela, including the military. Following his latest controversial win, Maduro is set to begin his third six-year term in January 2025. Maria Corina Machado (R), opposition leader, speaks during a demonstration against the official results of the presidential election. The National Electoral Council had officially declared Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, the winner of Sunday's presidential election. The opposition accuses the government of electoral fraud. Jeampier Arguinzones/dpa Venezuelans wave flags and shout slogans in support of opposition leaders Machado and Gonzalez Urrutia during a demonstration against the official results of the presidential election. The National Electoral Council had officially declared Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, the winner of Sunday's presidential election. The opposition accuses the government of electoral fraud. Jeampier Arguinzones/dpa Shoppers at the Nordstrom at the Westfield Topanga mall in August 2023, days after a mob ransacked the store and ran out with tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) Eight people involved in a string of high-end "smash-and-grab" robberies across Southern California were sentenced to state prison, the result of a multi-agency effort designed to tackle a rash of retail thefts in the region. Among those convicted were people involved in the flash-mob style robbery of Nordstrom at the Westfield Topanga Shopping Center last year, where a mob of about 50 people ransacked racks and display cases, rushing out of the store with tens of thousands of dollars in loot. Videos of the brazen daytime robbery went viral and sparked outrage as people were seen running out, using bear spray and sedans with no license plates to make their getaway. "It was disturbing and shocking and unacceptable," Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said during a news conference Tuesday. "If you put our communities at risk, you'll be held accountable." The eight people were involved in multiple robberies between May and August 2023 that struck high-end stores like Nordstrom, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, and Magnolia Park, Bonta said. In all, more than $1.7 million in losses were recorded during the robberies. Not all the defendants were involved in all the robberies, Bonta said, which spanned Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties. But the defendants appeared to have communicated throughout social media, putting out calls to put together a "crew" to target specific stores at specific days and times. The coordinated robberies didn't appear to have a central organizer or a means to get cash for the stolen goods, Bonta said. Instead, defendants appeared to communicate through social media to coordinate when to target certain stores to avoid police like flash mobs. Read more: 'Love my bros': Foursome allegedly robbed string of 7-Elevens, took to Instagram to celebrate The crews, Bonta said, appeared to be casting a wide geographic net over which stores to target, hoping that the different jurisdictions would not coordinate investigations and link the incidents. But Bonta said the conviction and sentencing of the eight individuals showed police departments across the area were also sharing information to make arrests. "We're coordinating effectively, working together, and more arrests are coming," said Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton during the news conference. He noted that some of the incidents involved violence. The 25-count indictment that led to the sentencing included coordination among the attorney general's office, Los Angeles Police, Glendale Police, Burbank Police, Beverly Hills Police, Newport Beach Police, and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, he said. Those who were sentenced: Jordan Harris pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking, two counts of grand theft involving incidents at YSL in Glendale and Nordstrom at Topanga Canyon Mall. He was sentenced to 10 years and four months in state prison. Kip Henry pleaded guilty to one count of robbery at the Nordstrom at Topanga Canyon mall, and one count of grand theft at a Louis Vuitton store in Newport Beach. He was sentenced to seven years and four months in state prison. Devon Perry pleaded guilty to two counts of grand theft, including an incident at a Burberry Outlet in Riverside and at Nordstrom at Topanga Canyon mall. He was sentenced to five years and four months in state prision. Ziona Famoso pleaded guilty to one count of robbery from the Nordstrom at Topanga Canyon mall, and two counts of grand theft from YSL in Glendale and Louis Vuitton in Newport Beach. She was sentenced to four years and four months in state prison. Alana Hart pleaded guilty to assault and grand theft involving the Burberry Outlet in Riverside. She was sentenced to four years in prison. Travelle Hamblet pleaded guilty to one count of robbery at Nordstrom in the Topanga mall, and was sentenced to four years in state prison. Jason Smith pleaded guilty to robbery at the YSL in Glendale and sentenced to three years. Briana Jimenez pleaded guilty to robbery at YSL in Glendale and sentenced to one year in prison. Ivan Ramirez has also pleaded guilty to robbery and theft, but is set to be sentenced in 2025. Read more: Chesapeake Bandits member sentenced to prison, tied to armored car heist Although some of the defendants appeared to be coordinating what stores to target, there didn't seem to be an organized effort in how the culprits would use the stolen goods, Bonta said. There was no single "fence" he said, and many of the people involved appeared to be trying to sell the stolen merchandise on social media and in chat rooms. The rash of retail thefts has become a hallmark of the crime problem in some cities. Videos of perpetrators smashing display cases, or rushing out of stores with arms full of merchandise, have spread quickly on social media and in local news and political ads. The effort marked the latest effort to crack down on the surge of retail theft crimes. Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a Retail Public Safety Plan to target retail theft. In April, Newsoms office announced the states Organized Retail Crime Task Force arrested 474 individuals and recovered nearly $4.2 million of goods as part of 185 investigations in 2024. The rash of flash-mob-style robberies in Los Angeles in 2023 prompted Mayor Karen Bass to announce another task force of local and federal agencies to target the thefts, as well as work with retailers to enhance security and deterrence measures. Read more: Group allegedly stole, cashed checks throughout L.A. and Orange counties then posted it on Instagram On Tuesday, Bonta said that after the rash of high-profile incidents and online videos in 2023, the number of incidents appeared to be going down, which he credited to the rapid response of local police departments in generating arrests. "The best way to deter crime from happening is to make sure that the people who are engaging in it know they will get caught," he said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. SMYRNA, Tenn. (WKRN) The owner and landlord of a Smyrna gymnasium have reached a settlement with the U.S. government over allegations that the gym failed to remove accessibility barriers, per the Department of Justice (DOJ). Ryan Stemper; Whole Strength CrossFit Smyrna, LLC; Mark Gellner; and MCMM Properties, LLC settled allegations that the gym violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As part of the settlement, the DOJ release noted that all parties agreed to stop using the building as a place of public accommodation. Murfreesboro restaurant to pay $300K+ after allegedly denying service to children with disabilities The DOJ alleged that Whole Strength CrossFit Smyrna also known as Inner Strength, LLC and Stemper were aware that the business did not have accessible restrooms, an accessible door and that they failed to remove accessibility barriers. Additionally, the DOJ said that Stemper and Whole Strength CrossFit Smyrna agreed to pay $10,000 to the original complainant and will pay a $5,000 civil fine to the United States. Gellner and MCMM Properties were reportedly aware of issues with the building, but failed to act on the accessibility problems. MCMM Properties and Gellner will pay $2,000 civil fines to the U.S., per the DOJ. In all, the payments under the settlements will total $17,000. The claims are civil and there has been no determination of liability. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com We are committed to enforcing the rights of persons with disabilities in Tennessee, said United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis in the release. Gyms are classic places of public accommodation, and the ADA applies no matter the size of the gym. Landlords and tenants must be aware of their joint responsibilities under the ADA to remove architectural barriers to accessibility. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Social media companies are being urged to act on misleading posts about the Southport stabbings. Posts widely circulated on social media, wrongly claiming that the suspect was an asylum seeker, have been blamed for helping fuel the riots in Southport. More than 50 officers were injured in the violence which broke out a day after the killing of three children in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. On Wednesday night, protesters clashed with police again near Downing Street. Government officials are believed to have raised concerns with Twitter/X and Meta, the owner of Facebook, over the spread of the claims which have been seen millions of times on both platforms, despite there being no evidence to back them up. Sources said ministers and officials wanted to know what action was being taken to tackle the day-to-day spread of the disinformation and what thresholds the companies set for either taking down posts or issuing notices to alert users to their inaccuracies. Officials have been speaking to the companies about what they are doing about these posts and providing evidence of what has been happening, said a source. According to Marc Owen Jones, a disinformation researcher and associate professor at Dohas Hamad bin Khalifa University, there were at least 27 million impressions on social media posts wrongly stating or speculating that the 17-year-old alleged attacker was Muslim, a migrant, refugee or foreigner. It is understood the suspect currently under police custody is British, having been born in the UK in Cardiff to Rwandan parents. Flowers left near the scene where three children were killed in the knife attack Among the accounts on X, formerly Twitter, to peddle such claims was the influencer Andrew Tate, who claimed the attacker was an illegal migrant and urged people to wake up. Tommy Robinson, the English Defence League (EDL) co-founder, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, shared a post he said suggested authorities were trying to manipulate the public over the attackers identity. It is understood the Home Office is in talks with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, which is responsible for online safety, about what further action the Government could take. The Online Safety Act gives Ofcom, the regulator, powers to fine the companies up to 10 per cent of their global turnover if they fail to enforce their own terms and conditions to protect adults from online harms. However, this power is yet to take effect and unlikely to do so until next year. Attempts to create a statutory framework to tackle legal but harmful content for adults was rejected during the passage of the legislation. This means that it is left up to the companies to set their own community standards and they can only be penalised if they fail to enforce them. James Cleverly, the shadow home secretary, backed calls for the social media platforms to do more. We must have no truck with those spreading disinformation and fuelling conspiracy. The police, the Home Secretary and the Government must come down on this hard and fast, he said. Shadow home secretary James Cleverly urged the Government to 'step up to stop the spread of disinformation' - GARETH FULLER As home secretary I took a clear and firm stance on protesters and civil disorder, and went to America to ensure the tech companies properly understood that the UK government expected them to step up to stop the spread of disinformation. They must do so now. It came as Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, was accused of stirring up fake news online about the reasons behind the Southport knife attack after he posted a video on social media questioning whether the attack was terror-related. Angela Rayner, the deputy Prime Minister, said that as an MP, Mr Farage has a level of responsibility and its not to stoke up what conspiracy theories or what you think might have happened. In a video statement posted on Twitter/X, Mr Farage said important questions about the case remained, including whether there was any truth in suggestions that the suspect was on a security services watch list and whether it was terror-related. Nigel Farage questioned whether the attack was terror-related - LEE THOMAS Jess Phillips, a Home Office minister responsible for safeguarding, accused Mr Farage of grifting. Nigel Farage could yesterday have had the questions, he claims are unanswered, answered if he had bothered to turn up to Parliament and ask them during the statement on the incidents in Southport. He didnt turn up, he grifted instead, she said. Neil Basu a former senior Scotland Yard officer in charge of counter-terrorism accused Mr Farage of inciting violence, saying there were real world consequences when public figures failed to keep their mouth shut. Nigel Farage is giving the EDL succour, undermining the police, creating conspiracy theories and giving a false basis for the attacks on the police, he said. The English Defence League, whose supporters were blamed for the violence in Southport on Tuesday, could be proscribed under terror laws, Ms Rayner suggested on Wednesday. Thuggish behaviour We have laws and we have proscribed groups and we do look at that and it is reviewed regularly. So Im sure that that will be something that the Home Secretary [Yvette Cooper] will be looking at as part of the normal course of what we do and the intelligence that we have, she said. But I think the bigger issue is about taking on the minority of people that have got thuggish behaviour, that actually thats not our British values. It followed a call by Humza Yousaf, Scotlands former first minister, for the EDL to be banned under terror laws in the wake of the unrest, despite former leader Robinsons insistence that the group no longer exists. Hizb ut-Tahrir, an extremist group that organised pro-Palestinian protests, was the last organisation to be proscribed by the Government. Proscription means it becomes an offence to be a member of the group or to support it, and carries a maximum jail sentence of up to 14 years and/or a fine of up to 5,000 for doing so. Both Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Cooper condemned the violence on Tuesday night and said those responsible would face the full force of the law. Ms Cooper also criticised those seeking to use events to stir up division or advance their own views. Please stop the violence Jenni Stancombe, the mother of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, who died on Monday, also appealed on social media on Tuesday night for the violence to end. She said: The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we dont need this. Ms Stancombe added: This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight. Police are planning for more demonstrations. On Wednesday night, protesters in central London set off flares and chanted immigrants out of our country, before confrontations with police near the Cenotaph. Cans of drink were thrown as scuffles broke out between the demonstrators and riot police. Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, speaking from Southport on Wednesday, said officers were prepared for events to take place tonight and this weekend. She said: There is intelligence around other events taking place potentially this evening and also into the weekend, which we are planning for. I am absolutely confident that we have got sufficient resources here in Merseyside being supported by colleagues from the north-west, both for tonight and into the weekend. She added: We are absolutely planning for this evening and for the weekend ahead so that we dont see a repeat of last night. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A Social Worker Accidentally Knocked on Wrong Door. Man Who Answered Allegedly Stomped Her to Death: Police Maria Coto, 56, died after suffering severe brain bleed, brain swelling and multiple facial fractures in May, per authorities Seth Harrison/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK Judy Yanes, sister of Maria Coto, wears a button with a photo of Coto at the Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains July 30 2024 where she attended the arraignment of Hasseem Jenkins. Jenkins was charged in for the murder of Coto A New York man has been indicted on several charges after authorities allege he stomped and beat a social worker to death after she accidentally knocked on his uncle's door. Maria Coto, a 56-year-old social worker, was viciously attacked during a site visit on May 14 in a Peekskill, N.Y. residence, according to the Westchester Countys District Attorneys office. Authorities arrested Hasseem Jenkins, 31, and charged him with several offenses, including two counts of second-degree murder, the D.A.s office announced this week. On the day of the attack, Coto mistakenly knocked on the wrong door while she was conducting a site visit, The Journal News reports, citing authorities. The home belongs to Jenkins uncle, police say, and after answering the door, Jenkins allegedly attacked Coto. Jenkins repeatedly punched her in the face, chased her into a neighbors apartment and repeatedly kicked her in the head while wearing heavy boots, the D.A.s office alleged in their statement on Tuesday, July 31. Seth Harrison/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK Haseem Jenkins When Coto reportedly ran to a neighbors apartment, Jenkins allegedly followed her there and continued to beat her, per the indictment,The Journal News and News 12 Westchester report. This specific act later led to burglary charges against him as well, the indictment says, per The Journal News. Coto was able to call 911 at the beginning of the attack, according to unspecified court documents cited byThe Journal News, but Jenkins allegedly took her phone away. When Peekskill Police Department officers arrived at the scene, they allegedly found Cotos phone in Jenkins pocket, authorities alleged in the statement. The 911 call initially placed by Coto was reportedly still active when police discovered the phone, per the court documents, The Journal News reports. After resisting arrest, Jenkins was eventually detained, the D.A.'s office alleged in the statement. Once in custody, Jenkins allegedly told police that when he opened the door to Coto, he grabbed her by her hair and began punching her because he feared being attacked himself, authorities allege in the court documents, per The Journal News. When she ran to the other apartment, Jenkins alleged he continued to kick her in the head while she bled heavily, per the documents. Coto suffered severe brain bleed, brain swelling and multiple facial fractures, according to the D.A.'s office. She died five weeks later. Coto had plans to travel after retiring next year, her family told The Journal News. Seth Harrison/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK Dora Rivera, Maria Coto's sister (left); and Judy Yanes, Coto's goddaughter 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. Her goddaughter Judy Yanes remembered her as a "beautiful person inside and out," the outlet reports, adding that her loved ones say it was especially jarring that Coto died while trying to help people. "It was such a great loss for us," Yanes said. "We want justice for her, for her name, for her family and for the people she worked with." Jenkins has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of burglary, robbery, criminal possession of a weapon and resisting arrest, per the D.A.'s office. On Tuesday, Jenkins was indicted in a Westchester County court and entered pleas of not guilty, per ABC 7 NY, CBS News and The Journal News. His next court appearance is in August, per the D.A.'s office. It's not clear if he has retained an attorney. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Activists and the attorney for the family of Sonya Massey met at a West Side church on Tuesday to call for federal and state police reforms they said would have prevented Masseys death at the hands of a Sangamon County sheriffs deputy in her downstate home earlier this month. Speaking at New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in the citys West Garfield Park neighborhood, attorney Ben Crump, the Rev. Al Sharpton and Masseys family members condemned the actions of the now-fired sheriffs deputy who has been charged with Masseys murder and the sheriffs office that hired him. The group also called on Congress to approve the stalled George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Former deputy Sean Grayson is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct in Masseys July 6 death, which has drawn condemnation from local, state and federal leaders and sparked a new wave of calls for lawmakers to pass the Floyd bill, which would create various police reforms following Floyds murder by an officer in Minnesota in 2020. The measure passed the U.S. House, but stalled in the Senate. Crump and Sharpton said the act would have prohibited officers with histories of misconduct from moving between departments or counties. The Sangamon County sheriffs office was the sixth Illinois police department Grayson had worked for in less than four years, according to records from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. Court records also show that in the last decade, Grayson has two DUIs on his record in nearby Macoupin County. Speaking to reporters and later to hundreds of rallygoers beneath a large circular window that spelled remembrance in its stained glass, Crump, Sharpton and others questioned why the Sangamon County sheriffs office had hired Grayson. They called on Illinois legislators to pass a measure to prevent officers with histories of misconduct from moving between departments or counties. If youre banned in one precinct, why would we think youd have some Damascus Road, back on the horse change of heart? Sharpton said. A bad cop is a bad cop. We should have the right to check the records of officers. Sharpton and Crump also called for Democratic leaders to address Masseys death at the partys national convention, just weeks away in Chicago. If you think you are going to come to Chicago and hold a Democratic convention and not talk about Sonya Massey, I tell you we are going to stand with this family because that family could be anyone in this room, Sharpton told the crowd. Asked to respond to an apology and admittance of failure by Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, Sharpton said other members of Masseys family had already called on Campbell to resign. Their words without the cameras ring hollow until we see their actions, Crump said. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police closed its Springfield office Monday and Tuesday after receiving several threats over the weekend from people who mistakenly believed that the group had filed a labor grievance backing Grayson, according to the groups president, Chris Southport. The IFOP issued a statement Monday clarifying that the organization had not filed a grievance on Graysons behalf. The Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, which shares a name with the Illinois lodge through a marketing agreement, filed the grievance but withdrew it, WCIA reported. The office would remain closed Wednesday, Southport said. At the rally in support of the Massey family, Sharpton told people in the pews that he wanted to set a tone for the response to Masseys death. Long after the crowds are gone and the cameras are gone, these two children have lost their mother and this mother has lost a daughter, he said. Masseys son, Malachi Hill Massey, said his mother had been everything to him and that he was still stunned over the manner of her death. I would have never in the world thought that the police would have shot my mom, he said. Like, how? ckubzansky@chicagotribune.com CHICAGO Activists and the attorney for the family of Sonya Massey met at a West Side church on Tuesday to call for federal and state police reforms they said would have prevented Masseys death at the hands of a Sangamon County sheriffs deputy in her downstate home earlier this month. Speaking at New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in the citys West Garfield Park neighborhood, attorney Ben Crump, the Rev. Al Sharpton and Masseys family members condemned the actions of the now-fired sheriffs deputy who has been charged with Masseys murder and the sheriffs office that hired him. The group also called on Congress to approve the stalled George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Former deputy Sean Grayson is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct in Masseys July 6 death, which has drawn condemnation from local, state and federal leaders and sparked a new wave of calls for lawmakers to pass the Floyd bill, which would create various police reforms following Floyds murder by an officer in Minnesota in 2020. The measure passed the U.S. House, but stalled in the Senate. Crump and Sharpton said the act would have prohibited officers with histories of misconduct from moving between departments or counties. The Sangamon County sheriffs office was the sixth Illinois police department Grayson had worked for in less than four years, according to records from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. Court records also show that in the last decade, Grayson has two DUIs on his record in nearby Macoupin County. Speaking to reporters and later to hundreds of rallygoers beneath a large circular window that spelled remembrance in its stained glass, Crump, Sharpton and others questioned why the Sangamon County sheriffs office had hired Grayson. They called on Illinois legislators to pass a measure to prevent officers with histories of misconduct from moving between departments or counties. If youre banned in one precinct, why would we think youd have some Damascus Road, back on the horse change of heart? Sharpton said. A bad cop is a bad cop. We should have the right to check the records of officers. Sharpton and Crump also called for Democratic leaders to address Masseys death at the partys national convention, just weeks away in Chicago. If you think you are going to come to Chicago and hold a Democratic convention and not talk about Sonya Massey, I tell you we are going to stand with this family because that family could be anyone in this room, Sharpton told the crowd. Asked to respond to an apology and admittance of failure by Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, Sharpton said other members of Masseys family had already called on Campbell to resign. Their words without the cameras ring hollow until we see their actions, Crump said. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police closed its Springfield office Monday and Tuesday after receiving several threats over the weekend from people who mistakenly believed that the group had filed a labor grievance backing Grayson, according to the groups president, Chris Southport. The IFOP issued a statement Monday clarifying that the organization had not filed a grievance on Graysons behalf. The Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, which shares a name with the Illinois lodge through a marketing agreement, filed the grievance but withdrew it, WCIA reported. The office would remain closed Wednesday, Southport said. At the rally in support of the Massey family, Sharpton told people in the pews that he wanted to set a tone for the response to Masseys death. Long after the crowds are gone and the cameras are gone, these two children have lost their mother and this mother has lost a daughter, he said. Masseys son, Malachi Hill-Massey, said his mother had been everything to him and that he was still stunned over the manner of her death. I would have never in the world thought that the police would have shot my mom, he said. Like, how? ____ 911 calls before Sonya Massey's shooting include 1 from her mother asking officers not to 'hurt her' In this image taken from body camera video released by Illinois State Police, Sonya Massey, left, talks with former Sangamon County Sheriffs Deputy Sean Grayson outside her home in Springfield, Ill., July 6, 2024. Footage released Monday, July 22, by a prosecutor reveals a chaotic scene in which Massey, who called 911 for help, is shot in the face in her home by Grayson. (Illinois State Police via AP) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) Two emergency response calls were made from the home of Sonya Massey, the Black woman who was shot in the face by an Illinois sheriff's deputy after she called 911 for help, in the days leading up to her death, according to records released Wednesday. In a third call, Massey's mother, Donna Massey, reports that her daughter is suffering a mental breakdown and tells the dispatcher, I don't want you guys to hurt her. She adds that she fears the police and asks that no officer who is prejudiced" be sent. In the other calls, a woman calling from Sonya Massey's address, who doesn't identify herself, says people want to hurt her, and a day later, a woman identifying herself as Sonya Massey reports a neighbor had hit her with a brick. The Sangamon County Sheriffs Department is still trying to determine whether Masseys history of mental health issues was relayed to deputies responding to the call about a suspected prowler, which ended in her death on July 6. Former sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson, 30, who is white, is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct in the shooting death of Massey, 36, in her home. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond. Also Wednesday, Sheriff Jack Campbell released Grayson's personnel file in response to public-records requests, with records leading up to his May 1, 2023, hire to his dismissal July 17, the day he was indicted. It confirms what was previously known, that Campbell was aware of Grayson's two drunken driving convictions within a year, the first of which led to his premature discharge from the Army. Campbell said DUIs do not disqualify a candidate and that Grayson's rapid succession of jobs five in four years before joining the Sangamon department showed admirable ambition to advance to larger and more structured departments. The sheriff said he knew of no previous discipline problems. References indicating Grayson needed more training are common for young recruits, and Grayson subsequently attended 16 weeks of academy training, Campbell said. Grayson's March 31, 2023, psychological evaluation found him fit to serve but noted, He knows he can move too fast at times. He needs to slow down to make good decisions. Body camera video shows that after checking yards around the home just before 1 a.m. July 6, Massey greeted the deputies at the front door with, Don't hurt me, appeared confused and repeated, Please, God. Inside her home, on the southeast side of Springfield, she had trouble finding her ID and asked for her Bible. Following Grayson's direction to remove a pot of water from the stove, she unexpectedly said, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." Grayson then pulled his gun and yelled at her to drop the presumably hot water before firing three times, striking her below the left eye. The personnel file includes the results of the internal investigation that led to Graysons dismissal, indicating that he violated rules on use of force and standards of conduct, failed to turn on his body camera or to provide medical aid and insubordination for refusing to answer questions during the investigations interview even after a superior ordered him to. Grayson immediately escalated to deadly force based on the decedent stating, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus, Chief Deputy Anthony Mayfield wrote. When Deputy Grayson pointed his firearm at the decedent, she was not making any aggressive movements, only talking. Grayson's failure to attempt non-violent strategies and techniques" or to communicate led to Massey's death, Mayfield said. Family members have said Massey struggled with mental health issues and had undergone treatment. Her son, Malachi Hill Massey, said last week that his mother sent him and his sister to live with their fathers the first week of July because she had checked herself into a 30-day inpatient treatment program, then returned two days later. Shortly before 9:30 p.m. July 4, a 911 caller from Massey's address said, Somebody's trying to hurt me. When the dispatcher asked who, she said, A lot of them. Pressed for more information, she said, Never mind. This must not be the right number, and disconnected. When called back, she said she no longer needed police. Wilhite said officials do not know if it was Massey who called. The next morning, just after 9 a.m., Donna Massey called saying her daughter was outside the house and yelling. She said Sonya Massey is not a danger to anyone, but "When she gets upset, she thinks everybody's after her, like paranoid-schizophrenic. She told the dispatcher she fears the police and didn't want her daughter to be hurt. Please dont send no combative policemen that are prejudiced, Donna Massey said. Springfield police, who took the call, reported that Massey did not want to talk to medical professionals but was checked by emergency medical technicians who cleared her. Sonya Massey called a few hours later to report a neighbor had hit her with a brick. A sheriff's deputy caught up to her at a hospital, where the dispatch record said she went to seek treatment of her mental state. She told the officer the neighbor used a brick to break her SUV's window and that she herself broke another in an attempt to get into the car to get away. The deputy noted Massey appeared to be having mental health problems and was seeking treatment for scrapes she sustained reaching through the broken glass. She told the officer she had recently been released from a mental health facility and claimed that earlier that day she was out with" police who attempted to run her off the road. The officer said Massey also had paperwork from a July 3 interaction with a mental health mobile crisis unit from another Springfield hospital. Twelve hours later, when Grayson and the second deputy responded to the July 6 call and were searching her yard, body camera video indicates they notice the broken windows on the SUV and ask Massey if it is hers, which she denies. ___ Associated Press writer Gabe Stern contributed from Needham, Massachusetts. Rep. Daniel Grossberg is under investigation by the states Legislative Research Commission for inappropriate interactions with women, the Herald-Leader confirmed Tuesday evening. Four sources have independently shared their stories and details of the states investigation with the Herald-Leader. Three of the sources are women who said they have been contacted within the past two weeks by Legislative Research Commission staffers, including lawyers. On Wednesday, House Democratic leaders called for an official ethics investigation into Grossbergs conduct. As part of the Legislative Research Commission investigation, the three woman have been asked about specific actions, questionable behavior and text messages sent by Grossberg, a first-term Democrat from Louisville. The women shared text messages with the Herald-Leader from Grossberg they described as weird or creepy. They often came late at night, and Grossberg remarked on their physical looks. He complimented one for her exotic appearance, and described how beautiful another one was. On Tuesday evening, Grossberg denied any wrongdoing. I never, in my work, approached or crossed a line in my professional communications. Any claim that private texts on my personal cell phone are work related have no merit. I steadfastly deny any impropriety, Grossberg said in a statement released by his Frankfort lawyer, Anna Whites. All of the text messages were reviewed in their entirety by the Herald-Leader to ensure their authenticity. Grossberg, 45, is married. A fourth source in Frankfort, with direct knowledge of the allegations and investigation, also confirmed the Legislative Research Commission is looking into Grossbergs conduct. The Herald-Leader is not identifying the sources because of the nature of the allegations and the sexually charged text messages the newspaper has reviewed with the three women. The three contacted by state investigators work for nonprofit advocacy organizations or lobbying firms and are not state employees. However, they interact routinely with legislators, including Grossberg, in Frankfort and are afraid of potential personal and professional retribution, they said. Less than 90 minutes after the first version of this story posted on kentucky.com, a spokesperson for House Democrats released a statement saying theyve asked Grossberg to step away from the caucus during the investigation. We take these claims seriously, are deeply troubled by them, and have asked Rep. Grossberg to step away from the caucus as this moves forward. With due process in mind, we are discussing next steps, the statement reads. The three leaders of the House Democrats include Minority Floor Leader Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort; Caucus Chair Cherlynn Stevenson, D-Lexington; and Whip Rachel Roberts, D-Newport. After voting to temporarily suspend Grossberg from the caucus, Graham, Stevenson and Roberts on Wednesday officially requested the Legislative Ethics Commission investigate the allegations, saying, We believe this is the appropriate organization to review the issues that have been raised. Given the sensitive nature of these allegations, we have no further comment at this time. On Tuesday night, Whites defended Grossberg. I would be surprised if there was any intentional inappropriate misconduct. Hes really, I think, a good guy, she said. Hes a principled man. He has a happy marriage. The Legislative Research Commission, known routinely in statehouse circles as LRC, serves as the state legislatures administrative arm and oversees hundreds of legislative branch employees. It is empowered to respond to whistle-blower allegations and matters of professional and personal conduct. The extent of the agencys investigation is unclear. A spokesperson for the commission neither confirmed nor denied that Grossberg was under investigation. Your question is not something we would typically comment on, the spokesperson wrote in a Tuesday email to the Herald-Leader. Whites said Grossberg met with state officials on Tuesday. She characterized the meeting as informal and not an official investigation. She said their message to Grossberg was to be a little kinder and more respectful in his communication with staff. The state agency is tasked with reviewing and investigating complaints of harassment and grievances coming from its own staff, according to a copy of the organizations personnel policy. All LRC employees, including legislators, are required to undergo periodic anti-harassment training, according to the agencys personnel policy. In a Wednesday morning statement, Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge called the allegations against Grossberg unsettling. The series of allegations made against Representative Daniel Grossberg are unsettling. KDP has zero tolerance for sexual harassment and any form of sexual misconduct. Every individual should be held accountable for their own actions particularly those who represent Kentuckians in the halls of our Capitol, Elridge said. The Herald-Leader in mid-June filed a Kentucky Open Records Act request seeking any complaints or advisory opinions from the states Legislative Ethics Commission regarding any sitting lawmaker. The ethics commission denied the request, citing statute that advisory opinions and requests for them are confidential. Grossberg was elected to the states 30th District in 2022 when he knocked off longtime incumbent Rep. Tom Burch. In May, he narrowly won a primary battle against a fellow Democrat, but does not face a Republican opponent in Novembers general election. This is not the first time Grossberg has been scrutinized formally since being elected. Multiple lawmakers confirmed to the Herald-Leader he was barred from caucus meetings by fellow Democrats and party leaders for a brief period during this springs legislative session before being allowed to return. A spokesperson for the House Democratic caucus has not responded to requests for comment on why they took the unusual step of barring him from caucus meetings. However, Stevenson provided her response to the Herald-Leader late Tuesday. Stevenson said that Grossberg was asked to sit out caucus meetings while the Legislative Ethics Commission looked into an ethical question regarding his purchase of a vehicle. While ethics investigated, we asked him to sit out of caucus, Stevenson said. He was given an informal ethics opinion, which led us to let him back in. The documents that he provided led ethics to say they couldnt determine either way Initially, Whites claimed Grossberg was barred because of his push for a resolution condemning the support of Hamas and other terrorist organizations at Kentucky colleges and universities. However, Whites clarified late Tuesday night and said that she conflated leaderships alleged displeasure over the resolution and the contemporaneous ethics question. It was not related to communications or behaviors or anything interpersonal, she said, emphasizing that Grossberg was never suspended and that he voluntarily sat out of caucus for a couple of weeks while the matter was investigated. This story will be updated. (Bloomberg) -- South Korea has arrested an official over allegations of leaking defense intelligence that included a list of secret agents posted abroad, prompting the military to bring all of its overseas operatives back home for safety. Most Read from Bloomberg A military court issued a warrant to arrest the official Tuesday, South Koreas Defense Ministry said in a statement. The ministry declined to give further details, including the identity of the official, citing an ongoing investigation. The official was taken into custody Tuesday, lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun of the ruling People Power Party said after the military briefed lawmakers on the matter in a closed-door session. The official at the Korea Defense Intelligence Command is suspected of leaking what could be thousands of pieces of intelligence to a Chinese national thought to be an agent for North Korea, South Koreas Yonhap News agency said, without identifying the source of the information. The Chinese Embassy in Seoul did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment. The incident likely deals a blow to South Koreas ability to keep an eye on its secretive North Korean neighbor and may dent intelligence relations with its partners the US and Japan as they step up trilateral cooperation to take on security challenges in the region. The military learned of the incident in June after receiving a report from other intelligence authorities, Lee told reporters after the parliamentary session. The military has since relieved the official of duties, called in all of its overseas agents and banned overseas travel for work, he said. It was not immediately clear when the leak took place. One thing for certain is that it was not a hacking incident, lawmaker Park Sun-won of the opposition Democratic Party, another lawmaker briefed by the command, said. The military official denied the intelligence leak, claiming a laptop was hacked, Yonhap reported. Officials at South Koreas Defense Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Command told lawmakers at the meeting that much of its intelligence system has been restored, Park said. He declined to comment on how much of the countrys intelligence network was affected. The incident comes after US prosecutors this month indicted a former Central Intelligence Agency analyst specializing in North Korea on charges of working as an agent for South Korea after leaving the agency in exchange for luxury goods and other gifts. Another incident like this in overseas operations is worrying given that ensuring South Koreas security starts from having accurate information, said Park, a former spy agency official himself. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. FILE - A North Korean flag flutters in North Korea's village Gijungdong, as seen from a South Korea's observation post inside the demilitarized zone in Paju, South Korea, during a media tour, March 3, 2023. (Jeon Heon-Kyun/Pool Photo via AP, File) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) A civilian employee in South Koreas military intelligence command was arrested for allegedly leaking military secrets, the Defense Ministry said, as local media speculated the information was about South Korean spies operating abroad and that it may have been sent to North Korea. A military court issued a warrant Tuesday to arrest the employee in the Korea Defense Intelligence Command for alleged leaks of confidential military information, the Defense Ministry said in a brief statement. It said it wont disclose details of the employees criminal allegations because an investigation was underway. South Korean media reported the employee gave a Chinese national thousands of confidential documents including those on the intelligence commands list of agents operating in foreign countries with disguised names and jobs. The reports said the leaked documents have the real names and ages of those secret agents and where they are stationed. It was unclear why the employee allegedly handed over the information to the Chinese. Observers say the command has long sent agents to China and elsewhere to build up a network of informants with contacts in North Korea or to directly meet North Koreans living there. The military intelligence command is one of South Koreas major government bodies tasked with collecting information on North Korea. South Korea's biggest spy agency is the National Intelligence Service. Yonhap news agency reported military investigators have detected signs that the leaked information was supposed to be passed over to North Korea. Yonhap said the Chinese national, of Korean descent, may have been an informant working for North Koreas spy agency. If such confidential military secrets had ended up in North Korea, that would likely pose a huge setback to South Koreas overseas intelligence-gathering abilities while endangering the safety of South Korean spies abroad, observers say. In a closed-door briefing for lawmakers on Tuesday, the Korea Defense Intelligence Command said that it has brought back command officials dispatched abroad and imposed a ban on overseas business trips by other officials, according to one of the lawmakers, Lee Seong Kweun. Another lawmaker, Park Sunwon, cited the intelligence command as saying the militarys counterespionage authorities will investigate the arrested employee. Park suggested that the investigation is expected to take at least several months. The arrested employee has reportedly denied the allegations, arguing that his laptop was hacked. But Lee and Park quoted the intelligence command as telling lawmakers that the information leak wasnt a result of hacking. The two Koreas remain split along the world's most heavily fortified border since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Their animosities have deepened in recent years, with North Korea extending a provocative run of missile tests and South Korea expanding its military drills with the U.S. in a tit-for-tat cycle. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Its been one week since three women were shot on a street in Southeast. Now, the areas neighborhood association says its had enough, rallying for change and boycotting a liquor store. Stop the killing and shut em down, one man shouted into a megaphone. The Nelson Place Block Association along with several other groups are fed up with the violence in their neighborhood. 3 women hurt in triple shooting in Southeast DC Were tired of it. Sick and tired of the crime. Sick and tired of the violence, said Malik Shabazz, attorney for the Nelson Place Block Association. Last year a man was shot and killed on the 2900 block of Nelson Place. And exactly one week ago on July 23, three women were shot after police say a 16-year-old fired his gun down the block into a crowd of people. That boy was arrested just two days later. When you have a 16-year-old who gunned down three girls, that makes it sound like we need to do better with our playgrounds and recreation [and] our schools, said Mr. Uhuru, one of the members of the neighborhood association. Many of the groups concerns center on the corner liquor store, OConnors. The store did put up a notice saying they would be closed only on Tuesday out of respect for the three women who were shot. The group wants it shut down. 16-year-old arrested in connection to triple Southeast shooting that left 3 injured We start here by shutting down the liquor store, which attractscrime and violence and were overall cleaning up the block in our neighborhood as men because were not going to tolerate any longer, Shabazz said. Shabazz and a dozen others marched up and down the block on Tuesday calling for change. He said the District government and D.C. police need to pay more attention. The Metropolitan Police Department has done an excellent job in terms of watching and observing, but we are not satisfied, Uhuru said. Part of their plan is to boycott OConnors Liquor store. In granting a renewal of its liquor license three years ago, the store agreed to request loiterers to move when theyre outside, discourage illegal drinking inside and outside and keep the area well-maintained and free of trash. The only cleanliness and maintenance are these strong black men walking up and down the street telling our babies that we gotta stop this killing, Uhuru said. Several people told DC News Now that their focus is misplaced and the liquor store isnt the problem. DC News Now was unable to get in contact with OConnors owner. This group says theyll be back Saturday to boycott. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nine people were arrested and sentenced for stealing over $1.7 million worth of luxury goods through smash-and-grab robberies across Southern California. In 2023, from May 11 to Aug. 23, the suspects were involved in a series of destructive robberies that targeted high-end retail stores in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties, according to the California Attorney Generals Office. Retailers targeted in the large-scale thefts included Nordstrom at the Westfield Topanga mall, Yves Saint Laurent at the Americana at Brand, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, and Magnolia Park, an upscale boutique. The thieves sentenced in the case were identified as: Jordan Harris Pled guilty to carjacking and two counts of grand theft from the YSL store in Glendale and Nordstrom at the Topanga Canyon mall. Harris was sentenced to 10 years 4 months in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Kip Henry Pled guilty to one count of robbery, which occurred at Nordstrom in the Topanga mall and one count of grand theft from a Louis Vuitton store in Newport Beach. Henry admitted to a prior strike conviction and was sentenced to 7 years and 4 months in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Devon Perry Pled guilty to two counts of grand theft one from the Burberry Outlet in Riverside and another from Nordstrom in the Topanga mall. Perry admitted to a prior strike conviction and was sentenced to 5 years and 4 months in state prison. Ziona Famoso Pled guilty to one count of robbery from Nordstrom at the Topanga mall and two counts of grand theft from the YSL in Glendale and Louis Vuitton in Newport Beach. Famoso was sentenced to 4 years and 4 months in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Alana Hart Pled guilty to assault with force likely to commit great bodily injury and grand theft at a Burberry Outlet in Riverside. Hart was sentenced to 4 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Travelle Hamblet Pled guilty to one count of robbery, which occurred at Nordstrom in the Topanga mall. Hamblet admitted to a prior strike conviction and was sentenced to 4 years in state prison. Jason Smith Pled guilty to carjacking and was sentenced to 3 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Briana Jimenez Pled guilty to robbery at the YSL in Glendale and was sentenced to one year in custody and felony probation. Ivan Ramirez has pled guilty to robbery and grand theft at the YSL in Glendale. He will be sentenced at a future date in 2025. Video captured a mob of thieves swarming a Nordstrom in Canoga Park as they cleared out the store during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (TNLA) Video captured a mob of thieves swarming a Nordstrom in Canoga Park as they cleared out the store during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (TNLA) Video shows the thieves rushing through the main floor of the Topanga Mall Nordstrom grabbing tens of thousands of dollars worth of items, and then running out the door. Aug. 12, 2023. (TNLA) Video shows the thieves rushing through the main floor of the Topanga Mall Nordstrom grabbing tens of thousands of dollars worth of items, and then running out the door. Aug. 12, 2023. (TNLA) Video captured a mob of thieves swarming a Nordstrom in Canoga Park as they cleared out the store during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (TNLA) Shoppers were evacuated after a mob of thieves swarmed a Nordstrom in Canoga Park during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (Citizen) Shoppers were evacuated after a mob of thieves swarmed a Nordstrom in Canoga Park during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (Citizen) Video captured a mob of thieves swarming a Nordstrom in Canoga Park as they cleared out the store during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (TNLA) Video captured a mob of thieves swarming a Nordstrom in Canoga Park as they cleared out the store during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (TNLA) Video captured a mob of thieves swarming a Nordstrom in Canoga Park as they cleared out the store during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (TNLA) Video captured a mob of thieves swarming a Nordstrom in Canoga Park as they cleared out the store during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (TNLA) Store employees cleaning up after a mob of thieves swarmed a Nordstrom in Canoga Park during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (Garret Jiroux) Video captured a mob of thieves swarming a Nordstrom in Canoga Park as they cleared out the store during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (TNLA) Thieves robbed the YSL store at the Americana at Brand on Aug. 9, 2023. (Katelynn Jasper) This was not a one-off shoplifting offense, it was a dangerous, coordinated scheme, said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. These crimes hurt our businesses and pose a serious threat to our communities. I am thankful to our local law enforcement partners and Mayor Bass for their collaboration in this battle against organized retail crime. We will not give up until we put a stop to this criminal activity altogether. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Departments Organized Retail Theft Task Force, Glendale Police Department, Burbank Police Department, Beverly Hills Police Department, Newport Beach Police Department and Riverside County Sheriffs Department. State officials asked anyone with information on suspects or retail thefts to submit tips at oag.ca.gov/retail-theft. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A Southern California substitute teacher was arrested for alleged child molestation and sexual assault. The suspect, Andrew Sandoval, worked as a substitute teacher and teachers aide in several schools in the greater Los Angeles County area, according to South Gate police. He was arrested on July 25 on suspicion of child molestation and other related charges. Details on his charges were not released, however, detectives are searching for additional victims of unreported sex assaults involving the suspect. The suspect, Andrew Louie Sandoval, is seen in a booking photo from the South Gate Police Department on July 25, 2024. Sandovals photo was released in case victims may recognize him. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the South Gate Police Department at 323-563-5436. Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A mob of hundreds of people in Southport used the death of three little kiddies for their own political purposes, the MP for the Merseyside town has said. Patrick Hurley accused beered-up thugs of disrespecting the families of three girls, aged six, seven and nine, who were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in the town on Monday. Around 200 rioters clashed with police in Southport on Tuesday night, damaging cars in a mosque car park and hurling bricks, fireworks and masonry at police officers. A total of 53 officers were injured, of whom 49 were from Merseyside Police and four from Lancashire Police. Eight sustained serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion and were treated in hospital. Other officers suffered head injuries and serious facial injuries, and one was knocked unconscious. Three police dogs were also wounded. Four men were arrested and taken into custody, three on suspicion of violent disorder and one on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article. Mr Hurley, elected as the Labour MP for Southport earlier this month, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: These were thugs who got the train in, these were not the people from Southport. They were using the horrific incident on Monday, the deaths of three little kiddies, for their own political purposes and actually to attack the very same first responders and the very same police, who had been on the scene on Monday, were then being pelted with bricks the day after by these thugs. Mr Hurley accused the mob of utterly disrespecting the families of the dead and the wider town, adding: Even if this lad, the 17-year-old, turns out to be Muslim, under no circumstances does that justify any attack on a mosque by anybody at all, not least these beered-up thugs who have descended on the town last night intent on causing trouble. On Tuesday night, Jenni Stancombe, the mother of Elsie Dot Stancombe, the seven-year-old stabbing victim, issued an appeal on social media for the violence to stop. Ms Stancombe praised the police response as nothing but heroic, writing: This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight. Patrick Hurley condemned the violence that happened in Southport on Tuesday night - James Speakman/PA In an interview with Times Radio, Mr Hurley said residents who attended a peaceful vigil at 6pm on Tuesday represented the real Southport and had united despite reeling from the atrocity. It was lovely to see the town come together in such a positive sense of solidarity and community. And thats the real Southport, he added. They were the people who were hurting all yesterday, and they wanted to gather and be together, and thats what we really should be thinking about today. He blamed misinformation on social media for the violent scenes in his constituency, saying fake news about the killing of the three girls had had a real world impact. Russian state media were among those falsely identifying the suspect as an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat last year. Asked what was behind the violence, Mr Hurley replied: The propaganda and the lies that were being spread around on social media from within minutes of the news breaking on Monday afternoon. Wed had all sorts of lies being spread and misinformation being spread about the alleged perpetrator and some people with the best of intentions, then they try to rebut this they tried to argue back, but all that happens is youre just amplifying peoples false messaging. And what we saw then 24 hours from Monday afternoon to yesterday afternoon, this misinformation doesnt just exist on peoples internet browsers and on peoples phones, it has real world impact... Hundreds of people descending on the town, descending on Southport, intending on causing trouble. Mr Hurley accused the mob of either believing fake news or being bad faith actors who wrote it in the first place, intent on causing community division. He said police intelligence suggested the vast majority of those present were from out of town. Asked about Sir Keir Starmer being heckled when he visited Southport on Tuesday to lay a wreath and meet with emergency services, Mr Hurley said: Theres not a single thing that a person in a position of authority has done that anyone can justify being called liars and traitors and all of these things on social media. This is a swirling morass on social media of lies and propaganda and people being given the platform to say the most vile of things in the most vile of circumstances. SOL Surges, Faces Resistance as Market Analyzes Sustainability Solana's native token, SOL, experienced a notable 16% surge between July 25 and July 29, reaching a four-month high of $193.92. However, the rally hit a strong resistance at the $190 level, resulting in an 8% correction down to its current price of $179. Despite this pullback, SOL still posted a 23.5% gain for the month of July. Yet, some traders are concerned that this correction might signal the beginning of a longer downtrend. Much of the enthusiasm around SOL can be attributed to speculation about an exchange-traded fund (ETF) approval. After Ether (ETH) ETFs were greenlit for trading in the U.S. on July 22, investors have pinned hopes on a similar approval for SOL. The final decision from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expected by March 2025. At the Bitcoin Conference on July 25 in Nashville, BlackRocks head of digital assets expressed that their clients showed limited interest beyond Bitcoin and Ether. However, Franklin Templeton offered a more optimistic view, citing "major adoption" and the successful resolution of "technological growing pains" as reasons for a positive outlook on a SOL ETF. While the outcome of the SECs decision remains uncertain, the anticipation surrounding it has undoubtedly contributed to SOL's recent gains. Solana's network has also seen a boost from memecoin activity, particularly through platforms like Pump.fun, which facilitate the launch of tradable tokens using a fair-launch methodology. This platform has generated significant volumes and revenue, with fees totaling $25.8 million over the past 30 days, surpassing Bitcoin's $24.4 million in protocol fees paid to miners. Additionally, the number of unique addresses engaging with Pump.fun reached 219,070 in the past week, outpacing BNB Chains PancakeSwap and Ethereums Uniswap. Despite this activity, some investors are wary of Solana's heavy reliance on memecoins, such as Dogwifhat (WIF), Bonk (BONK), Book of Meme (BOME), and Cat in a Dogs World (MEW). Critics argue that this focus could be risky, but supporters point to Solana's SPL tokens like Jupiter (JUP), Lido DAO (LDO), Helium (HNT), and Raydium (RAY) as evidence of the network's robust infrastructure and validator technology. Concerns about Solanas total value locked (TVL) and validator power have also emerged. The networks TVL has stagnated near 30.5 million SOL over the past two weeks, after peaking at 32.1 million SOL on July 5, the highest level since October 2022. This stagnation mirrors similar trends on competing platforms like Ethereum and BNB Chain. Another significant issue is the maximal extractable value (MEV) problem, where validators can manipulate transaction ordering for profit. This issue is particularly pronounced on Solana due to its lack of a built-in mempool, forcing users to rely on out-of-protocol infrastructure. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Astroscale Astroscale's ADRAS-J orbital inspection mission has taken all-around close ups of its target piece of space debris. The stunning footage of the 36-foot-long (11 meters) rocket stage was taken from mere 164 feet (50 m) and revealed no substantial damage to the object. That means the rocket debris is a go for a ground-breaking removal attempt that Astroscale plans to undertake later this decade. Astroscale's ADRAS-J (short for Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan) spacecraft has been examining the 15-year-old piece of space debris since February. The Tokyo-headquartered company has previously released a series of photographs revealing the 3-ton rocket stage suspended in microgravity above Earth. The new footage, released on Tuesday, July 30, captures the object from various angles while illuminated with sunlight of varying intensity. The images used for the videos were captured on July 15 and 16 during two fly-around imaging runs that marked a key milestone in the mission. ten panels showing the same cylindrical object floating above earth from ten different angles "Astroscale has achieved an unprecedented technical milestone for a commercial company: the controlled fly-around operations of the space debris a rocket upper stage capturing images from various angles and lighting conditions while maintaining a controlled fixed-point relative position of approximately 50 meters from the upper stage," the company said in a statement . "ADRAS-J is the world's first attempt to safely approach, characterize and survey the state of an existing piece of large debris through Rendezvous and Proximity Operations." Space debris is a growing problem. According to the European Space Agency , some 40,500 space debris objects greater than 4 inches (10 centimeters) currently hurtle through Earth's orbits together with millions of smaller fragments. Travelling at speeds of several miles per second, these dead objects pose a risk to operational satellites as well as to the International Space Station. The world's space agencies are therefore trying to devise solutions to remove the most worrying space debris pieces from orbit. ten panels showing the same cylindrical object floating above earth from ten different angles Astroscale has previously demonstrated its systems designed to autonomously approach and capture uncontrollable debris objects with its ELSA-d (End-of-Life Services by Astroscale demonstration) mission in 2021. In April, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), which funds ADRAS-J, selected Astroscale for a follow-on mission, which will attempt to remove the old rocket stage from orbit using a robotic arm. These new images gathered by ADRAS-J will help Astroscale prepare for the ground-breaking task, which could help restore order in the cluttered orbits in the future. "Development of the ADRAS-J2 spacecraft is underway, and the heritage of the ADRAS-J spacecraft and operations, along with the data collected, will be utilized for the removal phase of the program," Astroscale said in the statement. The recent fly-arounds confirmed that the rocket's payload adapter, which the ADRAS-J2 robotic arm is expected to grab, is intact, meaning the mission can continue as planned. "Unprepared objects in orbit are not designed with any technologies that enable docking or potential servicing or removal, heightening the complexity of operations," Astroscale said in the statement. "The information gained from these images will provide essential data that will support a future mission to capture and remove the object." a cylindrical spacecraft floating above a blue-and-white earth, with a cone-shaped rocket nozzle above it pointing up, away from earth RELATED STORIES: Wow! Private space-junk probe snaps historic photo of discarded rocket in orbit Rocket Lab launches ADRAS-J space junk inspection satellite for Astroscale (video) Private space-junk probe gets up-close look at discarded rocket in orbit (photo) The ADRAS-J2 mission will be one of the world's first attempts to remove a large piece of debris from orbit. ADRAS-J2 is expected to launch in 2027. On July 11, Astroscale signed a contract with OneWeb to remove one of its satellites fitted with a magnetic docking plate from orbit in 2027. The company is also vying for a U.K. Space Agency contract to remove two defunct British satellites launched in the 1990s. That mission, called COSMIC, also intends to use a robotic arm. The European Space Agency, in cooperation with Swiss company ClearSpace, is developing another mission known as ClearSpace-1 that could attempt to deorbit a smaller rocket part in 2026. The Morrow family spoke the press about the fight outside of the Montgomery Inn Boathouse on July 15, 2024. The police investigation is still ongoing. A special prosecutor has been appointed to handle the case involving a fight at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse last month. Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve was appointed by Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Patrick Dinkelacker to "inquire into allegations of potential criminal activity" related to the fight. The June 22 confrontation in the restaurant's parking lot involved at least one of the sons of WCPO weatherman Steve Raleigh. Raleigh is the son-in-law of former sheriff, prosecutor and judge Simon Leis Jr. Leis and Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers are both longstanding members of the county's Republican party. Since news of the fight went public, accusations of favoritism have been made on social media and by Powers' Democratic opponent in the November election, Connie Pillich, who called for ethics officials to investigate Powers about two weeks ago. "It is important that the public have confidence in the equal application of the law," a press release from Powers' office said. "No duty is more important for a prosecutor. With this appointment, the public can be assure that justice in this matter will be administered fairly and impartially." What happened? On June 22, a minor crash occurred in the restaurant parking on Riverside Drive and "large fight" broke out, police said. Raleigh's family member whom The Enquirer has not named because he hasn't been charged with a crime was driving a black Cadillac Escalade in the Boathouse parking lot when he hit a white Ford F-150 after failing to yield to oncoming traffic, a crash report reads. The occupants of the truck, Lois and Doug Morrow, had just picked up their son, Troy Morrow, an employee at the Boathouse. The family said after the crash Doug Morrow insisted on calling the police instead of just exchanging insurance information. That's when Doug was attacked and his wife was injured while trying to break things up, the family said. Security cameras in the area were not functioning at the time. City officials would not say how many cameras in the city are not working, but federal funds have been requested to address this issue. Police documents classified the incident as a possible assault. The Raleighs have not given an account of what happened. However, WCPO vice president Jeff Brogan issued a statement saying Steve Raleigh had shared his side of the story with management at the station. Brogan noted that the cell phone videos circulating on social media do not show the entire incident. Cincinnati police have been investigating the incident for five and half weeks. No one has been charged, but the investigation is still ongoing. While the police would normally take their charges to Powers, the Cincinnati investigators will now take any potential charges before Tekulve. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Special prosecutor appointed for Montgomery Inn Boathouse assault case CHRISTIAN COUNTY, Ky. (WKRN) The Christian County Sheriffs Office announced the arrest of a Springfield man after a pursuit that crossed state lines. The department was notified that Tennessee law enforcement were in pursuit of a vehicle stolen from the Nashville and Clarksville area at around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, a press release from the agency said. The department was also advised that the suspect could be in possession of a firearm. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee The suspect, later identified as 27-year-old Dustin Duley, crossed the state line into Christian County, at which point most Tennessee authorities ended their pursuit. However, the sheriffs office added that a helicopter with the Metro Nashville Police Department continued to track the vehicle and relay its location to Kentucky authorities. The sheriffs office, along with the Pembroke Police Chief, ultimately found the vehicle heading toward Highway 115 in the direction of Pembroke. When the suspect saw law enforcement, he reportedly turned the vehicle around and headed south. After several minutes of pursuit, the sheriffs office said they stopped the vehicle and arrested Duley without incident. Duleys charges include: Fleeing or evading arrest in the first degree Receiving stolen property worth more than $10,000 Fugitive from another state, based on active Tennessee warrants Duley had been entered into the National Crime Information Center database on previous charges of violating a court order and aggravated assault. Both of those charges were out of Tennessee. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The vehicle that Duley had been driving was confirmed to be stolen out of Bowling Green, Kentucky on July 30 and was returned to its rightful owner, the Christian County Sheriffs Office said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) A 40-year-old Springfield man was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for distribution of methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Central Illinois Enforcement Group and the Springfield Police Department worked together on the investigation. Springfield burglars steal $13k, Crime Stoppers seeking tips Throughout 2021, Isaiah Robinson was found to have sold over 15 grams of fentanyl in June, more than 30 grams of meth in July, over 80 more grams of meth in August, and seven grams of cocaine in September. Robinson later confessed that he also sold heroin, after which agents found more than 300 grams in his home. Robinson has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since September 30, 2021, and was indicted that October. He pleaded guilty on February 16, 2024. In regards to dealing meth, Robinsons sentencing hearing was on Monday. As per statutory penalty for distribution of over 50 grams, he faced no less than 10 years imprisonment. For 5+ grams, he faced at least 5 years. Robinson was given 135 months. U.S. District Court Judge Sue E. Myerscough dubbed him as a career offender, saying Robinson has a history of robbing and drug-dealing. Officials said Robinsons inconsistent employment led the Court to believe that drug-dealing was his means of supporting himself, thus leading to a lighter sentence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BOSTON (WWLP) Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers will be continuing in the position beyond his 65th birthday. Both the House and Senate chambers passed a home rule petition, H.4482, An Act authorizing the city of Springfield to continue the employment of police officer Lawrence E. Akers. This will extend Akers employment to 70 years old. The standard retirement age is 65. Fraudulent jury duty calls requesting personal information on the rise in Massachusetts The petition was sponsored by all members of the Springfield delegation, with the approval of Mayor Sarno and the Springfield City Council. This decision was made in recognition of Akerss almost 40 years of service to the department and his efforts as superintendent since April. Hes going to do an amazing job. Were 110% behind them, happy that the Senate was able to usher the last portion of this home rule petition to make it law and make it possible for him to stay his contracted time with the city of Springfield, which has given his life for, said Senator Adam Gomez. I look forward to collaborating with Superintendent Akers and the Springfield Police Department on our shared vision of keeping our community safe and rebuilding an enduring trust between the police and the community in the City of Springfield, he added. The bill now moves to Governor Healeys desk to be signed into law. Latest Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.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 WWLP. A handful of people were in attendance at the eFactory Tuesday afternoon for the first of six public hearings on "illegal immigrant crimes" across Missouri. The hearing was an opportunity for "individuals, organizations, and experts to provide testimony and share their experiences and recommendations related to illegal immigrant crime," according to the press release from the House Special Interim Committee on Illegal Immigrant Crimes, which organized the hearings. Here's what happened at the public hearing and information about immigrants in Missouri and the committee. Who spoke at the hearing? Among those who spoke were Speaker of the House Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres; Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft; gubernatorial candidate Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring; and Springfield residents Gabriela Verdugo, Rafael Vite and Yolanda Lorge. No local law enforcement officials spoke. Missouri gubernatorial candidate Bill Eigel speaks at a public hearing held by the House Special Interim Committee on Illegal Immigrant Crimes at the eFactory on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 What did the elected officials say? Ashcroft highlighted problems regarding voting, not just of non-citizens voting, but of aspiring citizens who registered to vote mistakenly and have put their citizenship in jeopardy. He commended the committee for looking at the issue and "how we can do a better job not only frankly at protecting our country, but protecting individuals that may very well be looking for a better life." "We should look at what's drawing people here to Missouri. One thing I think that is overlooked frequently is that the very process of individuals illegally coming to the United States and coming to Missouri is that it is dangerous to them," Ashcroft said. Eigel's testimony outlined crimes he said were recently committed by undocumented immigrants, prompting an objection by Rep. Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City. Eigel's campaign platform includes securing the border, which entails "detaining and deporting all illegals," according to his website. A related campaign video featuring Hispanic stereotypes was condemned by both Republican and Democratic opponents. "I don't know why it's a political statement to say we have crimes being committed by illegal immigrants in this state, because many politicians aren't doing a thing. They aren't doing a darn thing," Eigel replied when Aune asked why state-funded time was being used for "a political campaign speech." "We have 70,000 illegal immigrants in the state and a lot of politicians, including for both parties, haven't done anything. People are being hurt and killed in this state, particularly children." Eigel tried to share what he would do to address undocumented immigration if elected as governor and Aune raised a point of order, reiterating that the forum was not the place for campaigning. Chairman Rep. Lane Roberts agreed. What did the Springfield residents have to say? Verdugo and Vite, who both attended university in the United States and then stayed to start their own businesses, expressed concern over the name of the board that it makes immigrants, regardless of whether they are documented or not, feel unwelcome. "While I understand the importance of law and order, I believe that committees like this inadvertently make immigrants feel unwelcome," Verdugo said during her testimony, adding that she fears immigrants may not accept offers at local schools because of that. Roberts acknowledged that the name of the committee is working against them. Verdugo, a real estate agent, said that she has seen people taken advantage of in real estate transactions because of a lack of understanding, leading Aune to suggest the committee look at whether undocumented immigrants are victims of fraud in other industries. Vite, who came to the United States for school and stayed to start his own business, also worries that the committee may do more harm than good. "As we face a decline in domestic student enrollment, international students play a crucial role in sustaining our educational institutions and, by extension, our economy," Vite said. "We should be fostering an environment that welcomes and retains talent, not one that repels it. While we must address concerns about safety, we must also consider the broader implications of our actions." Vite testified that given the current political climate, he is worried that the focus on undocumented immigrants will end up causing all immigrants to be in danger. "I'm worried that people don't know how to see the difference; they're not going to go around asking, 'Are you illegal? OK, I'm going to treat you this way,'" Vite said. "With all the fear and propaganda we've been getting from TV commercials, from billboards and all that, that's what is incentivizing all these people who maybe have never had any experience with people who immigrated internationally. We're humans, too. We're here and we want to make an impact the same way (native-born Americans) want to make an impact." Lorge, who immigrated to the United States and established the nonprofit Grupo Latinoamericano, shared her experiences as a court interpreter and as a translator for the medical center for federal prisoners. She said that for data, the committee should be asking agencies like the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Homeland Security. Lorge explained that her group used to have monthly meetings with the director of the Springfield ICE office, where they'd receive statistics about who committed crimes, including where they were from and whether they were undocumented or not. Do we know how many crimes are committed by undocumented immigrants? What about against undocumented immigrants? During the hearing, Roberts clarified that the committee was not just focused on crimes committed by undocumented immigrants but also crimes where undocumented immigrants are the victims. While there is some information about crimes committed by undocumented immigrants that is collected by agencies like ICE, USCIS and the Drug Enforcement Agency, it's harder to tell what how often undocumented immigrants are the victims of such crimes. Lorge said that she had heard of many "crimes and abuses" that went unreported because of a victim's immigration status. She shared the story of a family in the area, whose minor daughter was raped by a 25-year-old. They called her for help and she advised them to call the police. "They said, 'No, but we are afraid because we don't have papers' that's what they say, 'We don't have papers.' The child was a citizen because she was born here," Lorge recalled. "'We speak very little English and we're afraid to call (the police); they're going to call immigration.'" Lorge ended up interpreting for the family so they could pursue charges against the man and go to court. While they were able to go to the police, many undocumented immigrants do not or cannot do so. Lorge mentioned it's not uncommon for farms to hire groups of immigrants on work visas and then basically force them into servitude. "There are many like this, some hotels in Branson and farms, they all live in one place, they pay rent," and cannot have cars but are taken where they need to go, such as Walmart, by employers, Lorge said. "Basically, they are slaves. I mean, they get paid minimum, but, right, it's servitude. There are many like that. Sometimes (employers) even bring them with a temporary work permit, for nine months, and then they just keep them and they don't go back." Missouri House of Representatives member Tricia Byrnes speaks during a public hearing held by the House Special Interim Committee on Illegal Immigrant Crimes at the eFactory on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 What is the House Special Interim Committee on Illegal Immigrant Crimes? The House Special Interim Committee on Illegal Immigrant Crimes was announced at the start of July by Plocher. The message needs to be if you're not here in the state of Missouri legally, you're going to be detained, and you're going to be deported if you're committing crimes, particularly the heinous crimes that our citizens are afflicted with, Plocher said, according to STLPR coverage of the press conference. The committee's goal, according to a press release, is to "collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies to assess criminal activities involving illegal immigrants in the state and devise effective solutions using data to develop evidence-based policies aimed at reducing illegal immigrant crime to enhance the safety and well-being of all its residents." Roberts said that Lorge's testimony highlighted "exactly what the challenge is" that the committee faces. "ICE, DEA, any of those federal agencies, have some data. They have no data about the family you were talking about had you not encouraged them to come forward," Roberts said. "Therein lies the problem: Had you not suggested they go to the police, how many more crimes of that nature do not get reported because the victim is illegal." More: What's on the ballot in Springfield and Greene County in the August primary elections How many immigrants are in Missouri? How many are undocumented? According to the American Immigration Council, a group that advocates for "a fair and just immigration system," Missouri had 252,400 immigrant residents in 2022, which was about 4% of the population. Despite that, immigrants make up 5.1% of the labor force, accounting for 5.6% of entrepreneurs, 10.8% of STEM workers and 7.6% of the manufacturing workforce. In 2022, the immigrant population paid $2.7 billion in taxes and had $7.8 billion in spending power. The AIC also says that Missouri has 56,900 undocumented immigrants, which is about 23% of the immigrant population and less than 1% of the total population. Most have lived in the country for more than five years and as a whole, undocumented immigrants have $1.2 billion of spending power. AIC also reports undocumented immigrants pay $159.6 million in state, local and federal taxes. Susan Szuch reports on health and food for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri hearing explores illegal immigration, crime and gaps in data St. Johnsbury area braces for more rain after deluge on Tuesday caused road closures St. Johnsbury is facing another forecast for heavy rains Wednesday afternoon, a day after more than 8 inches of rain fell on the Northeast Kingdom, causing flash floods and heavy damage Tuesday. "Rounds of showers and storms will develop today," the National Weather Service Burlington wrote in a post on Facebook Wednesday. "The main concern will be if thunderstorms track across the same area multiple times, especially in sections of eastern Vermont that will be more vulnerable to additional flooding from additional rain." The weather service has issued a flood watch for the St. Johnsbury area, saying "These conditions are expected by 12:00 noon." St. Johnsbury flooded by 'historic' storm Localized heavy rains washed out roads and caused other damage in the St. Johnsbury area on Tuesday, less than three weeks after the remnants of Hurricane Beryl left the area inundated. "About two dozen rescues took place during the latest round of flooding and officials warned that the impacts could worsen as creeks rise further or more rain arrives," The Weather Channel reported on Wednesday. Tuesday's flooding affected the water treatment plant in St. Johnsbury, but town officials said, "Town staff are working to repair the damage and get the plant back up and running. We ask residents to conserve water when possible." The town also reported Wednesday morning that multiple roads in the area remain damaged and closed. This story may be updated. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: St. Johnsbury, Northeast Kingdom VT hit by flooding, more rain coming Stafford voters will be asked to approve $75M for school projects STAFFORD Township residents will be asked to approve a large spending initiative in September that, if passed, will build an addition onto Oxycocus Elementary, rehabilitate four other Stafford schools and improve the Stafford Township Arts Center. The $75.7 million referendum will be put before voters on Sept. 17. The spending plan calls for renovations and upgrades to the Ronald L. Meinders Primary Learning Center, McKinley Elementary School, Ocean Acres Elementary School and Stafford Intermediate School. The project would also add an edition and new classrooms onto Oxycocus Elementary, where preschool classrooms from across the district would be moved in order to keep class sizes small and free up space in other buildings, according to school officials. If approved, nearly $16 million of the total cost will be borne by the New Jersey Department of Education. "Our schools need improvements now so they can continue to serve our great community," Superintendent George Chidiac said in a statement. "The district has an opportunity to use bond funding to unlock state aid to pay for some of these projects." The spending plan calls for roof repairs, electrical upgrades and technology improvements. The project would also replace the existing fire system and upgrade the heating and cooling systems at the McKinley Avenue, Ocean Acres, and Ronald L. Meinders schools. The addition to the Oxycocus school would enable the district to maintain its full-day, free preschool program, according to officials. "An addition would give us the space needed to put all the preschool students under one roof and would free up the space in the other buildings that is currently being used for preschool classrooms," Chidiac said. "That additional space in the elementary schools gives us room for more new students." Maintaining the tuition-free preschool program depends on approval of the referendum, because the district must meet the state's rules and facilities requirements to continue receiving preschool funding, the superintendent said. In addition, Stafford is faced with a growing student population as housing construction has increased in southern Ocean County post-pandemic and more families are living year-round in what were once summer homes. "We need more space to make room for enrollment growth, now and down the road," Chidiac said. Between 2010 and 2023, Stafford's population grew by 14%, up to more than 30,200 residents as of July, 2023, according to the U.S. Census. Its school population has also increased by 15%, up from 2,255 students in the fall of 2013 to 2,586 students a decade later, according to data from the New Jersey Department of Education. "This investment in our facilities would continue to serve our growing community now and into the future," Board President Tammy Wagner said in a news release. Other initiatives included in the referendum are: A new stage, lighting and audio-visual equipment at the Stafford Township Arts Center, New flooring and a stage at Stafford Intermediate, A playground accessible to children with disabilities at Oxycocus Elementary, Updates to preschool classrooms to bring them up to code, Modifying bathrooms to comply with rules set in the Americans with Disability Act, Upgrade heating and air conditioning systems, Replace doors at Oxycocus to increase student and staff safety and security, Modernize electrical systems and information technology equipment so students and staff can access internet resources as needed, Create additional parking at the Oxycocus school. If approved, residents with a home assessed at the municipal average of $294,141 will see a $22 per month increase in school taxes, according to the district website. Residents would not begin paying for the referendum until 2026. Construction would likely begin the summer of 2025. If the referendum passes in September, the projects are scheduled to be complete by the end of 2027, according to school officials. "The district has been doing repairs on our older systems as a short-term fix, but its time for them to be replaced," Chidiac said. School officials will hold an hour-long walking tour through of the Oxycocus School on July 29. Tours begin at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 16 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Stafford voters will head to polls over $75M school upgrade plan Two very conservative candidates are running for the Republican nomination for the Kansas Senate 5th District seat, which includes parts of northwestern Wyandotte County and much of Leavenworth County. We think Jeff Klemp is the better choice for Republicans in this district. Klemp promises to stand up for commonsense conservative values, which is typical of most GOP candidates. Those values include property tax relief for seniors and general tax help for disabled veterans. He also supports education reform and term limits. Like most other Republicans this year, Klemp has made an issue of immigration enforcement on the border with Mexico. Securing the border will stem the flow of dangerous drugs, human trafficking, and the inflow of illegals affecting all states, he said on X. Klemp has been endorsed by the Kansas Chamber PAC and Americans for Prosperity, two influential conservative groups in the state. Republicans in the 5th District should not doubt that Klemp would be a reliably conservative vote in Topeka. Echo Van Meteren might merit similar consideration, since her views roughly seem aligned with Klemps, and the GOPs. In a questionnaire sent to both candidates by The Leavenworth Times, Van Meteren said safety was her highest priority. With the rise of fentanyl on the streets, budget issues facing police, fire and corrections, the state needs to find a solution to ensure citizen and officer safety, she told the newspaper. But the mystery surrounding her eventual presence in this race should give Republicans pause. In June, Kris Van Meteren Echos husband created the No Labels Party of Kansas, Inc. It appeared to mirror the national No Labels party that has long billed itself as a supposed middle-of-the-road alternative to Republicans and Democrats. Kris Van Meteren, a well-known political consultant, then called a meeting of his party, and nominated his spouse, Echo, as the No Labels candidate in the race. Had the filing been confirmed, she would have been a candidate in November, presumably without primary opposition. But two days later, Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab invalidated the nomination, claiming Kris Van Meteren was not the chairman of No Labels. One election lawyer called it clown car stuff. The apparent attempt to hijack No Labels ballot access should worry every Republican. While one spouse should not be held responsible for the mischief of another (and Kris claims Echo Van Meteren was unaware of his gambit), we think Republicans should be wary of any subterfuge in elections, or interference with the ballot. The winner of the GOP primary will face Jeff Pittman, the Democratic incumbent. Ross Hunter in 2012, when he was a state lawmaker. (House Democrats) Washingtons state advisory board on juvenile justice has called on Gov. Jay Inslee to fire Department of Children, Youth and Families director Ross Hunter amid the agencys decision to suspend intakes at two state juvenile detention facilities due to overcrowding. In a press release, the Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice attributed its decision to escalating mismanagement of the Department of Children, Youth and Families that has led to the current crisis, eroded trust in the agency, and caused profound harm to the children and youth in its care. The Wednesday letter to Inslee also asks for a public apology from the governor and department leadership over the agencys July 12 decision to transfer 43 young men between the ages of 21 to 25 from Green Hill School in Chehalis, one of the states juvenile detention facilities, to adult prison. The state advisory board called the decision which was reversed by a Thurston County Superior Court judge after the men were already transferred an egregious violation of rights. It is our responsibility to recognize the failure of DCYF leadership and recommend that Secretary Ross Hunter be removed from his role as the agency head, the state advisory boards letter to Inslee reads. We urgently request a meeting with you to discuss this matter and the Partnership Councils position. The letter is the latest in a series of critiques of Ross Hunters leadership, including recent calls for his resignation from two Washington lawmakers one of whom, Democratic Rep. Mari Leavitt of University Place, is on the state advisory board. The boards membership also includes Democratic Sen. Noel Frame of Seattle and leaders from Washingtons courts, counties and advocacy groups. Inslee said several hours after the letter was sent on Wednesday that he had not seen it and he did not respond to the councils call for Hunters removal. He said hes focused on responding to this massive tsunami of people sentenced to juvenile detention. Theres been a 60% increase in young people sentenced this year compared to 2023, according to the governors office. Green Hill is currently 60 people over capacity at 240 residents, according to the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Im focused on helping the department build capacity as rapidly as possible so we can provide these services to these folks, Inslee said at an event to celebrate Washingtons Paid Family Leave program. He walked away before the Standard could finish asking him whether Hunter should continue to be the departments director. Gordon McHenry, Jr., chair of the juvenile justice council, said hes hopeful the governor will listen to the concerns in the letter. I think theres opportunity with the governor and whomever he entrusts or partners with in terms of DCYF leadership to make sure that this situation is addressed, redressed, and that we dont have a repeat, McHenry said. We need systems that dont fail the youth, and we need to make sure that beyond lessons learned, that we strengthen existing systems, and we have confidence we can do that. The Department of Children, Youth and Families did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but told the Standard on July 26 that the department is focused on ensuring the safety of the young people we serve and the staff who serve them. Kindling in the fire of injustice Young adults are allowed to reside at Green Hill under a 2018 law often called JR to 25 or Juvenile Rehabilitation to 25, which allows young people sentenced in adult court for crimes committed under age 18 to stay in juvenile detention until they turn 25. If sentenced after age 18, young people who committed crimes as a minor can also still go to juvenile detention. When Inslee signed JR to 25, Washington was considered a national leader in juvenile justice reform. The legislation was meant to align with research showing youth transferred to adult prisons were more likely to reoffend after their release than those who remain in the juvenile system. We ask that you not allow for JR to 25 one of the most progressive pieces of legislation that has crossed your desk and been affirmed by your signature to become kindling in the fire of injustice, the letter reads. Youth at Green Hill feel betrayed by the departments actions, and at least one has been illegally transferred between Green Hill and adult prison twice, according to the letter. Green Hill youth also lost belongings due to the transfer and some were enrolled in education and other programming, according to the letter, which calls on the department to reinstate enrollment and any privileges the transferred youth will lose due to a waiting period. In statements provided from the transferred men by the partnership council, they express feeling unsafe at Green Hill and traumatized by the transfer. It feels like a broken promise, someone you thought believed in you destroying your progress, one young man said. You have to be mentally ready for prison and the effects of being stripped out of due process hurts. I had a plan just as others who have been there did. In the letter, the state advisory board alleges that the agencys leadership failed to address understaffing, overcrowding, poor conditions and criticizes the agencys delayed implementation of 2021 legislation that allows eligible youth to serve the last 18 months of their sentence outside of a juvenile detention facility while wearing an electronic monitoring device. The board is also asking Inslee to create an advisory board to select interim leadership and commit to a detailed plan to fix the systems short-term and long-term problems. Mounting frustrations with Hunters leadership The partnership council joins a chorus of frustrations with the Department of Children, Youth and Families leadership, including from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and the Washington Association of Counties, which is expected to file a lawsuit against the intake suspension in the coming days. A July 11 letter from the Superior Court Judges Association and the Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administrators said it was unacceptable that the department decided to suspend intakes without consulting or providing prior advanced notice to superior court judges. The judges association also said the decision to suspend intakes would result in significant and potentially harmful consequences and the current crisis was foreseeable and preventable. In a July 19 response, Hunter apologized for the lack of advance notice and said the level of overcrowding at Green Hill resulted in numerous large scale fights, contraband introduction, extended lockdowns due to inadequate staff ratios, lack of programming and an inability to deliver on the core rehabilitative and therapeutic mission of the facility. In hindsight, the actions I took were too abrupt and I did not adequately consider the entire juvenile justice system as a whole, Hunter wrote. I made optimization decisions that only considered the impact of the part of the system that I manage. I do not intend to recreate the same problem at Echo Glen, he added, referring to the states other juvenile detention facility, which houses boys aged 11 to 17 and girls and women from 12 to 25. Editors note: This story has been updated with the correct spelling of Gordon McHenry, Jr.s name. Starbucks (SBUX) missed the mark on sales again as it reported its numbers Tuesday after market close. Q3 revenue fell 1% to $9.1 billion, lower than expectations of $9.2 billion, per Bloomberg consensus estimates. Global same-store sales declined for the second quarter in a row, down 3%, while overall foot traffic fell 5%. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.93, compared with estimates for $0.92. In an earnings call, CEO Laxman Narasimhan called the current consumer environment "complex," saying the company is doing all it can to regain its footing as a premium player. He added that he has "full confidence in the long-term potential of Starbucks worldwide." "We are not satisfied with the results, but our actions are making an impact," he said. Key indicators are "trending in the right direction ... and our runway for improvement is long." Shares in Starbucks rose 2.6% in pre-market trading on Wednesday after the results. Starbucks is implementing a three-part action plan for the US that was introduced following its lackluster Q2 results. It includes getting more customers throughout the day, launching new items while "maintaining our focus on core coffee forward offerings," and providing more value. While Starbucks missed its earnings numbers, the results were still better than feared, and with a reaffirmed guidance, its shares were up nearly 6% in after-hours trading. The company is facing plenty of challenges in the US. Same-store sales declined 2%, while the average check is up 4%, driven by menu price increases and "promotional offers," CFO Rachel Ruggeri said on the call. Foot traffic dropped 6%, which the company said was mostly due to non-rewards members. "We are operating in a challenging consumer environment," Narasimhan said of the steep decline. "We see volume increase at home in our ready-to-drink business" as consumers opt for groceries over eating out. This quarter, the company rolled out new items like popping boba-like pearls and iced energy drinks, which led to the highest week-one product launch in its history. Cold drinks now make up 76% of total beverage sales in the US. It also launched a limited-time pairing menu," which allows customers to get a small iced or hot coffee with a butter croissant or breakfast sandwich for $5 or $6. Executives said the promotions drove active reward members in Q2, which were up 3% from Q2 to 33.8 million, but it has yet to return to the 34.3 million in Q1. "Cyclical macro issues" may be to blame for Starbucks' struggles, per a note from Baird analyst David Tarantino prior to the results. He anticipated softness in the majority of fiscal 2024 sales as consumers pull back on discretionary spending, which could affect afternoon purchases at Starbucks. He has a Hold rating on shares. Story continues Narasimhan said demand for the pearls was ahead of expectations, and they had to pull back marketing since it ran out of supply, adding that "afternoons are an opportunity for us." Menu display featuring Starbucks' new Iced Energy drinks, Melon Burst and Tropical Citrus, at a Starbucks location, San Francisco, Calif., June 28, 2024. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images) (Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images) Its second-largest market, China, saw the biggest drop of all Starbucks segments. Same-store sales fell 14% compared to last quarter when they were down 11%. Foot traffic there fell 7% and so did the average check size. The company attributed this decline to "more cautious consumer spending and intensified competition in the past year ... and a mass segment price war." Narasimhan said the team is in the "very early stages" of exploring joint ventures and strategic partnerships in technology, real estate, and supply chain. In a note to clients, Bank of America analyst Sara Senatore said Starbucks' performance in China is tied to industrywide struggles. "Intense competition is the natural state of restaurant markets and even the strongest brands are not insulated," she said. "The direction of SBUX's China same-store sales growth is strongly correlated with those of other global brands. And all are correlated with macro factors (GDP)." Bernstein analyst Danilo Gargiulo said franchising may be the way to go to lessen capital expenditure and exposure to volatile macro conditions. The company still aims to have 9,000 locations in China by 2025, from its current 7,306 stores. This earnings report comes as pressure is mounting from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which took an undisclosed stake in the company, according to a report from WSJ. On the call, Narasimhan confirmed that "Elliott Management is a shareholder in our company, and our conversations to date have been constructive." Some on the Street, like Gargiulo, are wondering if this could light a fire under Starbucks. "Investors have questioned Elliotts experience and track record in the consumer sector, we believe that an external nudge may accelerate making bold decisions and may offer interesting risk-reward opportunities for long-term investors willing to accept that a turnaround may take time," he wrote in a note to clients. Here are 10 items Gargiulo believes the Elliot team would prioritize. Earnings breakdown Here's what Starbucks reported, compared to estimates based on Bloomberg consensus data: Revenue: $9.1 billion versus $9.2 billion Adjusted earnings per share: $0.93 versus $0.92 Same-store sales: -3% versus -2.71% North America: -2% versus -2.30% US: -2% versus -2.37% International: -7% versus -5.11% China: -14% versus -10.58% Foot traffic: -5% versus -4.27% North America: -6% versus -4.91% International: -3% versus 3.71% Ticket Growth: 2% versus 1.98% North America: 3% versus 3.24% International: -4% versus -0.63% The company reaffirmed its 2024 guidance, which it revised following Q2, for the third time this fiscal year. It expects 2024 global revenue growth of low-single digits, down from the previous range of 7% to 10%, which itself was down from a prior guidance of 10% to 12%. Global and US same-store sales are expected to see a low single-digit decline or stay flat, down from the previous range of 4% to 6% growth. China's same-store sales are expected to see a single-digit decline, down from the previously expected low-single-digit growth. Starbucks declined to make CEO Laxman Narasimhan and CFO Rachel Ruggeri available for interviews. Brooke DiPalma is a senior reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @BrookeDiPalma or email her at bdipalma@yahoofinance.com. Click here for all of the latest retail stock news and events to better inform your investing strategy StockStory aims to help individual investors beat the market. New state drug czar named after WV agency goes more than a year without permanent director The West Virginia Capitol in Charleston, W.Va. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography) A new leader is coming to the West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy, ending the agencys year-and-a-half run without a permanent director, according to Gov. Jim Justice. Dr. Stephen Loyd, an internal medicine and addiction medicine physician in Tennessee, will take over the office starting Aug. 12, Justice announced Wednesday during his weekly press briefing. Loyd, who holds a medical degree from East Tennessee State University, previously worked as the chief medical officer at Cedar Recovery in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. He also sat as chair of the states Opioid Abatement Council. Before that, he served as Tennessees top drug policy expert, holding the position of opioid czar for the states Department of Mental Health and Substance Use for about two years. I am deeply honored to join the Office of Drug Control Policy, Loyd said in a news release Wednesday. Together, we will continue to advance data-driven, comprehensive strategies to combat substance abuse and improve the lives of West Virginians. The inspiration for Michael Keatons character in the Hulu limited series Dopesick (based on the 2018 book of the same name by journalist Beth Macy), Loyd is in long term recovery from opioid and benzodiazepine addiction. According to his biography at Cedar Recovery, he has not used the drugs since 2004 and his personal experiences with substance use disorder serve as a driving force behind his policy and medical work. In media interviews over the past several years, Loyd has been a vocal proponent for harm reduction services and has said they are crucial to saving lives and preventing the worst consequences of active addiction. Loyd recently worked as a voluntary co-chair of The Helios Alliance, an Alabama-based organization that is using innovative, transformative [and] evidence-based technologies to confront the opioid epidemic while educating the public on interventions. He is not currently listed on the organizations website as a co-chair and its unclear when he left that position. As part of that work, Loyd has advocated for a data-driven approach to drug policy and funding. In March, he told KFF Health News that he believes statistical modeling and artificial intelligence can be used to create a simulation of the opioid crisis that could predict what kinds of programs would be most effective at saving lives. That modeling, he said, can help direct local officials on how to best invest money they receive through opioid settlement funds. Its unclear where the efforts to create this modeling which would have cost about $1.5 million for Alabama currently stands. According to KFF, the Helios Alliance was also in discussions with leaders in Tennessee and West Virginia to create simulations. According to a post on the Helios Alliances LinkedIn, representatives from the alliance traveled to the West Virginia State Capitol earlier this year to meet with state leaders, including Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, Sen. Vince Deeds, R-Greenbrier, and Jeremiah Samples, the former deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources. Turnover at the ODCP The West Virginia Legislature passed legislation in April 2017 to create the states ODCP, which is responsible for developing and implementing drug policies, collecting and analyzing data related to addiction and drug use and advising lawmakers on best-practices. Loyd will be at least the eighth person in about seven years to head the ODCP. Its first few years as an agency were marked by high turnover in leadership. The first director, former Huntington police chief Jim Johnson, served in the role for about five months before retiring in January 2018. He was succeeded by Dr. Michael Brumage, former head of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, who held the position for less than two months. Following Brumages leave, the agency went without a permanent director for about eight months. Over that time, recovery specialist Susie Mullens and Nancy Sullivan, the special assistant to then-Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Bill Crouch, each worked a few months as interim directors. In December 2018, Bob Hansen accepted the role as ODCP director. He retired in October 2020 after giving nearly two years to the office. He was followed by Dr. Matthew Christiansen, who served as the ODCP head for about two years from October 2020 to January 2023 before he left to work as the state health officer, a position he still holds today. Since January 2023, Rachel Thaxton, the ODCP assistant director, and Christina Mullins, the Department of Human Services Deputy Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, have been leading the agency. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The agency led by state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters paid more than $38,000 in legal fees to an Oklahoma City law firm in May, public records show. Public records show the Oklahoma State Department of Education, led by state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, paid more than $38,000 to an Oklahoma City legal firm in May for the firms work, as the agency dealt with the sudden depletion of its entire in-house team of attorneys. Goodwin/Lewis attorneys Paul Cason, Jason Reese and Emmalee Barresi have represented Walters, the agency and-or the state Board of Education in at least three high-profile legal cases during 2024. They lost one a lawsuit by Edmond Public Schools in the Oklahoma Supreme Court that resulted in the voiding of some of the state agencys administrative rules concerning library materials. A lawsuit filed in January by two teachers who each received a $50,000 bonus in error from the state Education Department which Walters and the agency attempted to claw back alleged breach of contract by the state agency and defamation by Walters. Walters and the agency countersued, with the court filing signed by Reese. Settlement negotiations remain ongoing in that case, said Mark Hammons, the attorney for the teachers. Even though there are at least two attorneys now on the state Education Department staff, Reese also currently is representing Walters and the state Board of Education in a lawsuit filed by a Moore Public Schools student in Cleveland County District Court in December. At issue in that case is what authority, if any, the state board has to order local school districts not to alter sex or gender designations in past school records. Cason and Barresi also are listed as attorneys in the case, although neither attended a recent hearing in the case, after which a judge issued a protective order requested by the student against Walters and the board. That case remains pending. Reese is a former general counsel to Gov. Kevin Stitt who spent about nine months in that role before resigning in September 2021. Reese ran an unsuccessful campaign for a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2018. Barresi is the daughter-in-law of former state schools Superintendent Janet Barresi, who served in that statewide elected office from 2011-2015. What the public records show about how much state agency paid law firm The records, from the state Office of Management and Enterprise Services, show the state Education Department contracted with Goodwin/Lewis in February while replacing Legal Counsel. The state Education Department had to hire outside attorneys after all of its in-house lawyers resigned in March, part of an exodus of at least 130 employees from the agency since Walters took office in January 2023. Walters has falsely claimed he fired all of those employees. How much taxpayer money the state Education Department has spent on outside legal fees since Walters took office last year remains a mystery to the public. The agency has failed to respond to an open-records request filed May 10, in which The Oklahoman asked for copies of all contracts made between the agency, Walters or the state Board of Education and outside attorneys since Jan. 9, 2023, along with all billing documents made by licensed attorneys and/or legal firms regarding the providing of legal services to the agency, board and-or Walters during that time. The Oklahoman has 10 outstanding open-records requests filed with the agency dating as far back as last October. The records regarding money paid to Goodwin/Lewis attorneys were obtained from another source. According to the public records, the agreement with Goodwin/Lewis was for interim legal services with payment to come from state funds. The contract period was for Feb. 29 of this year until Feb. 28, 2025. A purchase order for $75,000 was approved by the OMES. OMES records show seven vouchers were created, which were paid in May over two payments. On May 15, vouchers for $18,554, $2587.50 and $270 were paid, and on May 31, vouchers for $8,548, $4,814, $292.50 and $3,158.50 were paid. All totaled, the state Education Department paid Goodwin/Lewis $38,224.50 for the firms legal services to that point. It's unclear if that payment was strictly for work done on the Edmond lawsuit, or on all three lawsuits. The money spent on those lawsuits is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the agencys outside legal spending, considering Walters, the agency and-or the board have been listed as defendants in at least 11 state and federal court cases since he took office. In the majority of those cases, the department has hired attorneys from outside the agency. The Oklahoman found at least 14 non-agency attorneys, some from out of state, listed on court filings in those cases, including the three from Goodwin/Lewis. Previous records release shined light on the agency's legal loss in Edmond lawsuit An incomplete agency response to a previous records request provided insight into the background of the Edmond lawsuit. Those records provided indicated the state Education Department began formulating a Library Media Advisory Committee in early October. The committee was defined in agency documents as a specialized committee established to provide guidance and recommendations to the Oklahoma State Board of Education regarding the adherence of books and materials available within Oklahoma public schools to what the agency called its Media Program Rule, essentially established through the administrative rules the Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down with its decision. By early December, that advisory board whose membership, with one exception, remains a secret despite multiple open-records requests made by multiple media outlets had decided Edmond Public Schools needed to remove two award-winning books, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, from district libraries. Bryan Cleveland, then the agencys general counsel, sent a letter about the books to the Edmond district on Jan. 19, and the district filed its lawsuit in the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Feb. 20. On June 11, the court unanimously ruled in favor of Edmond, saying state statutes give local school boards, and not the state, power and a type of statutory discretion to supply books for a school library that meet local community standards. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ryan Walters, OSDE paid $38K to outside legal firm in May What do state legislators do after the session is done? Curious Mississippi answers Editor's note: This is the latest edition of Curious Mississippi, a service to the readers of the Clarion Ledger and Hattiesburg American. Other questions answered by Curious Mississippi included potholes, cicadas and the international nature of the Jackson airport. Recently, we answered the question of why Mississippi roads are brown. Last week, we looked at where riders can travel by train from Jackson. Readers can submit questions by email to CuriousMississippi@ClarionLedger.com and editors will pick out the best and reporters will answer them in an upcoming edition. With just three months having passed since the 2024 Legislative Session, state lawmakers and legislative leaders haven't sat on the victories or defeats. As for how state lawmakers engage with state government in the off season, House and Senate leadership have established several task force committees to study topics for consideration in the 2025 Session. Some of those studies and recommendations produced by these committees could very well become bills filed in either chamber or serious initiatives put forth and sponsored by Senate leader Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and House Speaker Jason White, R-West. Curious Mississippi takes a look at what off-season committees have been formed this year, what purpose they serve and what they hope to accomplish. What is a taskforce committee? A taskforce committee is a group of state lawmakers, which can be made up of House members, Senators or a combination of the two, which meet to study ideas and topics to then report back to the Legislature with possible recommendations. So far this year, White and Hosemann have created nine study committees. One of them is a joint effort between the two chambers. Mississippi House Speaker Jason White, R-West, speaks with Speaker Pro Tempore Manly Barton, R-Moss Point, on his way out of the chamber on the second to last day at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson May 3. During the off season, Senate and House leaders have formed several taskforce committees to study possibly legislation for the 2025 Session. What are House lawmakers studying? Early into the off season, White announced taskforce committee appointments to study tax reform, health policy, prescription drugs and a committee to study the Legislature's performance. White said in a press release issued in May that it is his hope the committees will provide helpful insights for new initiatives and policies in the future. His biggest among them is a plan to restructure the state tax code with the goal of eliminating the personal income tax and cut the grocery tax in half. Read about tax plan MS lawmakers looking to pass income tax changes, Medicaid expansion in 2025. See why With the appointments made to these Committees, I feel confident that the Mississippi House of Representatives will thoroughly study current state laws and tax structures to make informed recommendations for the 2025 Legislative Session," White said. "The House will continue its pursuit of bold initiatives and policies to improve our great state, focusing on the betterment of Mississippi and all of her citizens." On July 1, White also announced a committee to study ways to improve the Jackson Metro Area, though White did not specify exactly what those lawmakers would be studying. The chairs for the committee, Independent Shanda Yates and Republican Clay Mansell, both serve in the Jackson area. "The Select Committee on Capital and Metro Revitalization is comprised of House members that are passionate and dedicated to improving Mississippis Capital City for the betterment of the Jackson Metro Area and our entire state," White said. "I look forward to this Committees work as they seek strategic and innovative ways to improve and partner with the citizens and leadership of the Metro Area, recognizing the unique importance a vibrant Capital City means for all Mississippians." In the 2024 Session, lawmakers approved millions spent on projects in the Jackson area for the first time in several years. The Senate also passed a bill to divert control of the Jackson Water System to a non-profit water authority controlled mostly by politically appointed board members in the near future. However, that bill died in a House committee. House Ways and Means Chairman Trey Lamar, R-Senatobia, even proposed a bill, albeit facing many legal issues upon arrival, to establish an incentive package for a casino project to locate in Jackson on the Pearl River. That bill also died before ever leaving Lamar's committee due to a lack of support from the House Republican Caucus. More on casino bill Does Jackson casino project have support it needs in MS House? Click here to see who will serve on that committee. Senate committees and study groups Hosemann has created several groups since the end of the session as well. Most notably, he established a taskforce to study ways to improve the state's dismal labor force participation rate, which he touted as a priority throughout the 2024 Session. Hosemann also created the Women, Children, and Families Study Group, which seeks to address concerns with the foster care system, family needs, children who are under the care of the state and adoption. That group was initially created in the 2022 off season to study the same topic, and Hosemann said this one will receive updates on those initial reports. Hosemann in a press release issued on July 2 said he plans to propose legislation next year that will address chronic absenteeism in K-12 schools. Chronic absenteeism is when someone misses school more than 18 days of the school year for any reason including excused absences, unexcused absences and suspensions. Mississippis chronic absenteeism rate for the 2022-2023 school year was 23.9%, according to figures in that press release. "If students are not in the classroom, they are not learning. We need to drill down into this data and see where our biggest opportunities for driving up the rate are, particularly regarding unexcused absences, Hosemann wrote. Hosemann also said he wants to address several other areas of public education, such as cellphone use in schools, moving Mississippi Department of Education staff positions to the school districts and encouraging low-academically performing schools to try out modified calendars. Over the last several years, several school districts in Mississippi have transitioned from traditional school years to modified calendars. Joint Mental Health Taskforce There is also a joint committee to study mental health and propose related legislation for the 2025 Session. Right now, that committee is asking the public to submit feedback to the Legislature about how it can address mental health in minors throughout the state and provide greater resources to address it. We need to establish a foundation on which the Task Force can build its recommendations, Committee Co-Chair Sen. David Parker, R-Olive Branch, said. I look forward to examining where Mississippi stands in terms of the mental health of our young people in comparison to the rest of the nation. Those interested in providing feedback for that committee can do so by contacting MHTF@peer.ms.gov. 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: Curious Mississippi: What do MS lawmakers do outside of session? Colorado is taking a big step to protect its residents and the environment from harmful "forever chemicals." Starting in 2026, the state will ban many everyday products containing PFAS, the law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner reports a win-win for both public health and our planet, as indicated by proponents of the ban quoted by CBS News. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals found in everything from clothes to cookware. They've been linked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to serious health issues such as cancer and developmental delays. The Colorado law will prohibit the sale of PFAS-containing items including dental floss, menstruation products, and even ski wax, as the Guardian reported. But wait, there's more. By 2028, all PFAS-treated clothes, backpacks, and waterproof outdoor gear will be off the shelves too, per the Guardian. Companies will also need to attach disclosure labels to any remaining PFAS-coated clothing for sale. As its advocates report, this groundbreaking legislation is great news for Coloradans and could set a trend for other states to follow. Here's how it'll make a positive impact. For you: Purchasing products without these harmful chemicals can lower your risk of health problems and save you money on medical bills down the road. Plus, you'll have peace of mind knowing the products you use daily are safer. For the planet: PFAS don't break down easily in the environment, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals." Banning them means less pollution in our water, air, and soil. State Sen. Lisa Cutter, one of the law's sponsors, acknowledged the challenges of banning the substances when she spoke to CBS (as quoted by the Guardian): "As much as I want PFAS to go away forever and forever, there are going to be some difficult pivots." "Certainly, there are cases where it's not plausible right away to gravitate away from them, but we need to be moving in that direction," she added. "Our community shouldn't have to pay the price for their health." Gretchen Salter, an adviser with Safer States, put it into perspective when she spoke to The Denver Post: "The more we look for PFAS, the more we find. That makes regulating PFAS really tricky because it is in so many things." While there's still work to be done, Colorado's ban on PFAS products is a major step toward a healthier future. By making small changes in the products we use, we can all create a cleaner, safer world for the generations to come. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. State Water Project supplies could fall up to 23% within 20 years due to climate change The Newsom administration is projecting that California's State Water Project could lose up to 23% of its water delivering capacity within 20 years. Here, the California Aqueduct winds through desert shrub in Palmdale. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Climate change threatens to dramatically shrink the amount of water California can deliver over the next 20 years and could reduce supplies available from the State Water Project by up to 23%, according to new projections released Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration. The analysis by the California Department of Water Resources examined a range of climate change scenarios and projected that by 2043 the average amount of water transported through the massive network of reservoirs and canals to more than half the state's population could decline between 13% and 23%. Such a loss in the State Water Project's water delivery capacity, if not addressed, could lead to major shortages for much of the state, including Southern California. The SWP was designed for the climate of the 20th century, said John Yarbrough, the projects deputy director. It's going to need continued investment to get it in a place where it's really able to function with the hydrology of the future. Read more: The American West's last quarter-century ranks as the driest in 1,200 years, research shows State officials analyzed how rising temperatures are likely to affect the existing water infrastructure without any adaptation measures. They said the expected losses in the systems capacity show a need to invest in projects intended to boost supplies, such as the states plan to build the new Sites Reservoir and a water tunnel beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. In addition to serving 27 million people, the State Water Project supplies roughly 750,000 acres of farmland. According to the report, current infrastructure will be able to deliver less water in the coming years as rising temperatures bring more intense droughts, decreased snowpack, more extreme storms and more precipitation falling as rain rather than snow. Changes in the timing of runoff are also expected to create challenges. And sea level rise is likely to complicate water managers efforts to manage salinity levels and meet water quality standards in the delta. The estimates were included in a report that the state publishes every two years. The last update in 2021 projected a 9% decrease in the State Water Projects future water supplies because of climate change. The latest projections include a more detailed analysis of different climate scenarios. Vehicles cross the Enterprise Bridge at Lake Oroville in February 2023. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Newsom and other state officials have for years called for upgrading the states water infrastructure to adapt to warming driven by the burning of fossil fuels and rising levels of greenhouse gases. In 2022, Newsom presented a plan calling for California to prepare for an estimated 10% decrease in the states water supply by 2040. The State Water Project transports water across more than 700 miles through a series of reservoirs, aqueducts, pipelines and pumping plants from Northern California to Southern California. The current infrastructure, which was built in the 1960s, includes massive pumps that draw water from the delta and send it flowing into the California Aqueduct. Water exports from the delta have decreased since 2008, partly because of changing regulatory requirements and protections for threatened fish species. Read more: How a death trap for fish in Californias water system is limiting the pumping of supplies State officials said that there is considerable uncertainty in future regulatory requirements and climate conditions, but that the analysis shows a large reduction of the water supply is likely. The more severe scenario would bring average losses of 496,000 acre-feet of water a year, enough to supply more than 1.7 million homes. Karla Nemeth, director of the Department of Water Resources, said the analysis underscores the need to modernize and upgrade our aging infrastructure so we can capture water supplies when its wet. In a letter presenting the report, Nemeth said the latest review unmistakably demonstrates substantial reductions in the projects delivery capacity if no action is taken. Immediate action is imperative to address the impact of a warming climate, she wrote. Read more: Newsom administration unveils new $20-billion cost estimate for delta water tunnel State officials have been taking steps to advance plans for the 45-mile water tunnel, which would create a second route to draw water from the Sacramento River into the aqueducts of the State Water Project. In May, the Newsom administration announced that the cost of building the proposed tunnel is $20.1 billion, and that a state analysis concluded the projected benefits of the project would far outweigh the costs. Opponents of the proposed Delta Conveyance Project have argued the state's analysis is flawed and underestimates the costs while overestimating the benefits. Jeffrey Michael, a public policy professor at University of the Pacifics McGeorge School of Law, challenged the state's financial estimates in a recent report, saying the state omitted substantial costs. His analysis found that building the tunnel would be significantly more expensive than other water supply alternatives. Environmental groups, Indigenous tribes, fishing organizations and local agencies have filed lawsuits seeking to block the project. Read more: Another California fish is added to the federal endangered species list Conner Everts, a leader of the Environmental Water Caucus , said cost-effective solutions lie not in building big projects such as the tunnel or Sites Reservoir, but rather in promoting more conservation efforts and developing local water supplies to reduce reliance on water pumped from across the state. I think we need to focus on maximizing local water resources and further reducing demand, Everts said. It doesn't make any sense to invest in the wrong place, invest a huge amount of money when there isn't going to be water available. He pointed out that Californians have substantially reduced water use in cities in recent years. And researchers with the Pacific Institute, a water think tank, have estimated that California could reduce urban water use by more than 30% by investing in measures to use water more efficiently, as well as capturing more stormwater and recycling more wastewater. Peter Gleick, the Pacific Institutes senior fellow and co-founder, said state officials are drawing the wrong conclusions from the analysis by doubling down on multibillion-dollar projects like the tunnel and Sites, which seem certain to have less water to allocate in the future, and which do nothing to protect threatened Bay-Delta ecosystems. Instead, that same money would be far better spent on efficiency improvements, ecosystem restoration, strategies to capture stormwater in Central Valley aquifers in wet years, and wastewater treatment and reuse, Gleick said. "The new study shows we need dramatically new thinking about water, he said. Instead of doubling down on the failed water policies of the 20th century, the Newsom administration has the rare opportunity to pivot to new approaches and a new vision for California water." Read more: Colorado River losing vast amounts of water due to warming climate, study finds State water officials this year adopted regulations requiring urban suppliers to meet conservation goals, a change that is projected to save 500,000 acre-feet of water annually by 2040. The state Department of Water Resources is also supporting other efforts to bolster supplies through water recycling , groundwater recharge and desalination . In a separate ongoing review, state water officials say they are analyzing various climate adaptation strategies for the State Water Project, including the tunnel, water storage above ground and underground, and changing reservoir operations based on improved forecasts. Yarbrough said that although the states analysis looks at a scenario of doing nothing, we really cant do nothing. The water's there. It's just showing up in these much more intense, shorter time periods followed by longer time periods of drought, he said. We've got to look at how can we be prepared for what we're going to see here in the next hundred years. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Bipartisan concern over AI-generated election interference has prompted a patchwork of laws across the country, as state lawmakers seek to blunt the impact of misinformation and keep deepfakes from overwhelming voters. More than a dozen Republican- and Democrat-led states have enacted legislation this year to regulate the use of deepfakes realistic fake video, audio and other content created with AI in campaigns. The laws come amid warnings from the Department of Homeland Security over the ability of deepfakes to mislead voters and as questions remain over whether Congress can take meaningful action before November. Florida, Hawaii, New York, Idaho, Indiana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arizona and Colorado have passed laws this year requiring disclosures in political ads with deepfake content. While Michigan, Washington, Minnesota, Texas and California already had laws regulating deepfakes, Minnesota updated their law this year to require a candidate to forfeit their office or nomination if they violate the states deepfake laws, among other provisions. In states such as New York, New Mexico and Alabama, victims can seek a court order to stop the content. Violators of deepfake-related laws in Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico and Alabama can receive prison time. Someone who violates Mississippis law with the intention to deter someone from voting or to incite violence or bodily harm can be sentenced to a maximum of five years, while the penalty in Florida is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable with up to one year in jail. Breaking the law could also lead to hefty fines in some states: in Utah and Wisconsin, violators can be fined up to $1,000 per violation, and in Oregon and Mississippi, fines can reach up to $10,000. A whole new world While there are currently paths for candidates to challenge deceptive ads, its too early to tell whether the laws will be sufficient when it comes to deepfakes, said Amy Beth Cyphert, a law lecturer at West Virginia Universitys College of Law. AI poses a unique challenge, Cyphert said, because of the speed at which its evolving. I mean anyone, even with very little technological savvy, could probably create a deepfake if they knew where to look, she added. And then, you really have a whole new world. For Arizona state Rep. Alexander Kolodin, a Republican who sponsored one of the states new AI-generated content laws, the ability for deepfakes to create realistic voice depictions inspired him to move legislation allowing candidates to seek a court order declaring that manipulated content is a deepfake. Kolodin told CNN that an order is a powerful tool that can help candidates form a counter narrative to deepfakes that can spread quickly online. I think what we have to understand is that there has been lies in politics for as long as theres ever been politics, right? This is new technology, but its not a new issue, he said. Kolodin, who says that AI still has a place in politics, used ChatGPT to draft a portion of the bill that describes digital impersonation. Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs signed his proposal into law in May, along with another AI bill that requires disclosures in campaign ads. Big Tech has already taken some steps to moderate deepfake content. TikTok and Meta (the parent company of Instagram, Threads and Facebook) announced plans in recent months to label AI content, while YouTube requires creators to disclose when videos are AI-created. Swift federal regulation in doubt Despite momentum in statehouses, the story is not optimistic on the federal side, according to Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, a group that has pushed for statewide action and tracked progress on legislation regulating deepfakes in elections. While bills that would require deepfakes to be clearly labeled have been introduced in Congress, there are few signs that lawmakers will act on the issue before November. While Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer supports the legislation, Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell has argued that the well-developed legal regime that exists to take down deceptive campaign ads can be easily applied to deepfakes. In the House, bipartisan legislation has stalled in committee. Absent congressional action, the task falls to agencies like the Federal Election Commission and Federal Communication Commission to try to regulate AI in campaign ads. Spurred by fears that deepfakes could defraud voters, Public Citizen petitioned the FEC to act last year. The agency has yet to issue a rule to regulate the use of AI-generated deepfakes in election ads, and Weissman said his group is not optimistic. In a statement to CNN, FEC Chairman Sean Cooksey said that he expects the agencys rulemaking to finish later this year. The FCC, for its part, unanimously voted earlier this year to outlaw the use of AI-generated voices in robocalls and said in late July it would move forward with a proposal to require AI disclosures in political TV and radio ads. Its not immediately clear whether the agency would finalize the rules before the election. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel intends to follow the regulatory process but has been clear that the time to act is now, Jonathan Uriarte, a spokesperson for Rosenworcel, told CNN. Looking toward November Not all of the bills introduced at the state level made their way to governors desks following fights over their scope and reach. According to Public Citizen, deepfake related bills were introduced in more than 40 US states in 2024. In Georgia, a battleground state that helped decide the fate of the 2020 presidential election, theres no law preventing political ads featuring deepfakes from airing without a disclosure. While there was bipartisan support for one in both chambers, it was eventually tabled in the Senate after it was passed out of the House. State Rep. Darshun Kendrick, a Democrat who sits on the committee that helmed the bill, told CNN that she wished that it would have passed. When asked whether shes concerned about a state like Georgia not having a law going into the election, she said that theres always going to be bad actors. Hopefully, if we do see any, they will be quickly dispelled or taken down or therell be some corrective action, Kendrick added. For now, states are using other ways to protect against harmful deepfakes. Arizona election workers are being trained to recognize deepfakes as part of election preparation, and in New Mexico, the states secretary of state has launched a campaign to educate voters on how to spot them. The state-led campaign can only bolster New Mexicos disclosure law, said Alex Curtas, a spokesperson for New Mexicos secretary of state. These things are going to have to work hand-in-hand, he said. CNNs Oliver Darcy, Sean Lyngaas, Donie OSullivan and Yahya Abou-Ghazala contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In September 2022, the federal government approved funding for INDOTs statewide electric vehicle charging network under the NEVI program. Under this program, the state will receive around $100 million to build this network along Indiana interstates and highways. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) A statewide coalition is calling on the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to address its equity and accessibility concerns with a plan to incentivize EV chargers in Indiana. In a Tuesday press release, the Indiana Alliance for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Economic Opportunities an alliance of Black organizations across the state said INDOT should address several gaps in its draft National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. As communities that have been historically and pervasively discriminated against in ways that have all but foreclosed the equal enjoyment of our rights under law, we demand that INDOT ensure meaningful public participation and engagement throughout the project planning and development process, Jorden Giger, co-founder of Black Lives Matter South Bend, said in the release. In September 2022, the federal government approved funding for INDOTs statewide electric vehicle charging network under the NEVI program. Under this program, the state will receive around $100 million to build this network along Indiana interstates and highways. The alliance had previously asked the federal government to reject INDOTs plan, arguing the planning process was flawed and did not include voices from underserved and impacted communities. When funding was approved, the group said it was disappointing. They must continually evaluate the impacts and benefits of these programs in light of the demographics of affected communities to avoid disparate impacts and provide equitable access to benefits, Giger said. Natalie Garrett, INDOTs strategic communications director, said in a statement to the Indiana Capital Chronicle that the agency is currently reviewing all comments received and remains committed to the equitable expansion of EV charging infrastructure through its Changing the Crossroads program. The project team is continuing stakeholder engagement and collaboration efforts as the program advances. Key concerns According to the release, one of the Alliances main concerns was that INDOTs plan did not incorporate the Federal Highway Administrations equity requirements, such as detailing the specific metrics used to ensure equity in planning. However, the plan does align with the Justice40 Draft Implementation Plan, a federal government effort to ensure that at least 40% of the overall benefits from climate and clean energy investments benefit disadvantaged communities. The alliance said it was problematic that INDOT hosted only one event with stakeholders during its drafting process. According to INDOTs website, it hosted a NEVI Stakeholders meeting on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. The group criticized INDOT for holding the meeting one time, in one location, and in the middle of the work day. However, INDOTs website states the agency has hosted five other in-person and virtual meetings for the public, in addition to three other stakeholder meetings to allow stakeholders across Indiana to provide feedback on the states Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Garrett said that the agency released a draft of its Justice40 Implementation Plan on Monday, which outlines the state programs equity considerations to help ensure benefits are aligned with the federal Justice40 initiative. Public comment on the plan will be accepted until Aug. 28, and people can share feedback here. INDOT continues to implement Charging the Crossroads in compliance with all federal requirements related to the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, Garrett said. The group also asserts that INDOT did not include enough detail while referencing events and surveys used to reach disadvantaged communities in its report such as which organizations it met with, the feedback received and how the input was incorporated. Additionally, the group argues INDOT should ensure disadvantaged communities benefit from the economic and health benefits of the NEVI program before even installing EV charging stations. It must engage our communities now, to remedy the harms we have already and continue to suffer from inequitable distribution of publicly-funded projects, the release continues. INDOTs draft states that it will continue to promote the use of small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses when selecting sites to build EV chargers. However, the alliance believes the plan does not go far enough to incorporate equity concerns, and asked INDOT to prioritize local businesses and nonprofit organizations in its site selection. The alliance submitted its concerns and public comment to INDOT in a July 25 letter to INDOT Commissioner Michael Smith and Indiana Office of Energy Development Executive Director Ryan Hadley. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Stolen vehicle pursuit ends in four vehicle crash on Monroe Avenue near North Goodman Street Tuesday. Rochester police say they were on patrol on Monroe Avenue around 6:42 p.m. attempting to assist a disabled vehicle. When officers were attempting to block traffic, a Hyundai drove through the scene and through a redlight continuing down Monroe Avenue. Police then attempted to perform a traffic stop and the Hyundai continued down Monroe Avenue through another red light near North Goodman Street causing a four-vehicle accident. Police say the driver of the Hyundai then fled on foot, and it was later learned that the vehicle was stolen out of Irondequoit. There were no serious injuries reported as a result of this accident. Three people were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. According to police, the driver of the Hyundai has not been located. Anyone with information is asked to call 911. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Sad. Concerned. Worried. Hope. Dismal. Dysfunction. Improvement. Those were the words people used to describe how they felt about education in Oklahoma at a rally outside of the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting on Wednesday. Standing in the shade of the Oliver Hodge Building at the state Capitol complex, a crowd of about 50 people raised signs and protested throughout the duration of the meeting. The event highlighted the gap between people who supported state Schools Superintendent Ryan Walters on his Bible mandate and other proposals and those who opposed him. Both groups said they wanted to find common ground on supporting education, but seemed unsure of how to come together. "I want to stand up for our institutions, for education," Elizabeth Lohr said. "I think it's important for all Oklahomans to have faith in their institutions, governmental, education, all that. We have to afford our students the best education possible." Lohr said misunderstanding has been the main barrier for Walters to get things done, adding that students should be taught true to history and the fundamental values society is built on. Tori Caswell holds a sign Wednesday before an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting in Oklahoma City. More: Walters threatens 'rogue' school districts that don't embrace Bible mandate David W. Scott said he attended the rally because he believes the Bible needs to be back in education, and the Bible is part of the world and what the U.S. was founded on. He added it is important that they be educated on all the different religions. "Let them make the choice," he said. "Don't let parents and everything else force it on them or push them in one direction or another." 'If we're going to change, let's do that together' The protest had heated moments on transgender rights and other issues, and many references to Walters could be seen on signs and heard in chants. Ryan Steph said he came to the protest because he believes all kids' rights should be equal and all should get an equal education. Though both sides said they want Walters and the board to focus on education, Steph said he has hope for finding common ground, but it won't happen because "the opposition doesn't see everybody as equal, that we're not all human beings." "We're fighting for commonality, and they're fighting for exclusion," Steph said. "If you're trans, if youre gay, if youre not from the richer schools, if youre minority, if youre a woman, he doesnt fight for you." People gather for a protest Wednesday before an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting in Oklahoma City. Michelle McCane, a teacher, librarian and representative-elect to House District 72 near Tulsa, said both sides should focus on outcomes for kids, not their specific beliefs. "I don't care what your belief system is. If you're going to change the way we do standardized testing and you're a Christian or Muslim, I don't care," she said. "If we're going to change, let's do that together." More: Ryan Walters calls for study into impact of illegal immigration on Oklahoma schools McCane said she would like to see Walters and the board focus on solutions and not engage in back-and-forth rhetoric about things that are not actually happening in schools. "That's what I think the issue is. There's not drag queens in schools. Nobody's coming to my library to look for porn." Sara Cunningham, founder of Free Mom Hugs, said she is concerned about the mandates and the way those will affect public schools and the state. She said decisions and mandates handed down this year have had a broad impact on the state because teachers are leaving and they're underpaid, overwhelmed, overworked and short-staffed, she said, adding that the current situation is not sustainable. "I've seen what the power of fear and ignorance can do that's birthed out of bad theology and abuse of power and that equals white Christian nationalism," Cunningham said. "That's exactly what we're seeing here. It's time for the educated people of Oklahoma to stand up and say enough is enough and stop this madness." Oklahoma teachers are 'frustrated and scared' Audra Beasley, who has attended several board meetings, was at Wednesday's protest. In May, Beasley was arrested, but not charged, for causing a disturbance at a board meeting. She said she is still fighting for her son, Max, and for a law that would require variable height changing tables in public buildings. Beasley pointed to the board's agenda, which featured Walters' talking points on the Trump assassination and teacher expectations, teaching the standards using historical documents like the Bible and rogue administrators, illegal immigration and the burden on schools. "This is just promoting bigotry and bullying," she said. "Those aren't the issues that we need in our schools. We need to be talking about safe spaces in our schools. What are we doing to prevent bullying and discrimination?" Walters is under scrutiny by several state lawmakers and involved in several civil suits, including one filed by a student for a protective order and a teacher whose license was suspended for pushing back on critical race theory. Candice Hoyt, who organized the protest with Defense for Democracy a national education advocacy group with a chapter in Oklahoma told The Oklahoman people in the state are fearful about education. "The threats just keep coming and coming, and educators are frustrated and are scared, she said. When our teachers are emotionally strained, our kids feel that. Oklahoma's education system was ranked second-worst in the country, according to a July study by WalletHub, a personal finance company. Hoyt said recent education fiascos have caused chaos that is not fair to to children or parents. She said she wasnt surprised at the low education ranking. Quit with the hateful rhetoric. Quit pushing your agenda. Quit pushing your political agenda on our kids, she said. Ryan Walters is so busy on the political scene, and hes not taking the time to do his job. Hes saying that were being hateful and fear laundering and indoctrinating when hes up here threatening teachers and students. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Protestors share different ideas on education outside OSBE meeting TOPEKA (KSNT) Stormont Vail Health is moving closer to changing over to its new headquarters. Earlier this year, the health system purchased Capitol Tower from Hills Pet Nutrition. The hospital is now saying it will consolidate into the seven-story building in Topekas downtown area. The move is expected to bring in around 400 employees from across 78 departments with the hospital. Stormont Vail said it will generate greater collaboration and increase efficiency. By having everybody under one roof, its easier to access, said Keith Griffin, system director of Facility Services at Stormont Vail Health. Removing non-patient facing people from our healthcare facilities such as the hospital or other clinics, were opening additional opportunities to increase our healthcare opportunities. Topeka budget for 2025 shows increases due to inflation, wage increases The hospital reports about 170 employees are already working out of the new building and expects everything to be completed by April 2025. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Consumers have reached their breaking point with $6 iced coffees and lemonades at Starbucks. Starbucks sales dropped 3% globally at stores open for at least a year, including a 2% drop in its home North America market. And that masked how steep the decline was for Starbucks last quarter: Total transactions at North American stores open at least a year fell 6% in the quarter. That was offset, in part, by higher prices. In other words: Fewer people are going to Starbucks and buying drinks and food. It was Starbucks second-straight quarter of sales declines. Starbucks struggles reflect consumer fatigue with high prices at food chains, restaurants and stores after years of price hikes. They also reveal cracks in Starbucks business model, which has changed in response to customer demand from a predominately sit-down coffee shop to a mostly drive-thru and mobile takeout chain. Consumers are showing their limits at Starbucks and other chains like McDonalds. McDonalds this week reported that sales at stores open at least a year fell 1% last quarter, its first sales decline since 2020. Starbucks also faces increased pressure from rival drive-thru coffee chains and from people opting to make their morning cup of coffee at home. Prices surged over the past few years, but this year, grocery store costs have moderated, while the cost of eating away from home continued to rise. Your more cost-conscious consumer, theyre finding other places or just doing things at home. Theres also more competition from some of the drive-thru coffee chains, like a Dutch Bros, said RJ Hottovy, an analyst at Placer.ai. Shares of Starbucks (SBUX) rose more than 2% in afterhours trading. Starbucks stock has dropped 19% this year. Starbucks strategy to win back customers Starbucks model has radically changed since its start as a sit-down coffee shop. Mobile app and drive-thru orders make up more than 70% of Starbucks sales at its approximately 9,500 company-operated stores in the United States. Cold coffees, teas and lemonades make up a higher percentage of sales than hot coffee. Starbucks has several initiatives to turn business around, including value meals and investments to speed up customer wait times. Starbucks, using a play from fast food chains, is trying to win back customers with value menus. The chain recently rolled out a new Pairings Menu, which combines a drink and a breakfast item for either $5 or $6. The company said Wednesday that the pairings menu experiment is paying off, and multi-item orders are surging. The company also rolled out new technology, called the Siren System, which is designed to cut down the amount of time it takes to make cold drinks. Faster blenders and new dispensers for ingredients like milk and ice are set up in a line, so employees can prepare the beverage without bending down to reach for milk or whipped cream tucked under the counter. Story continues Our plans are beginning to work, Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan said on a call with analysts Wednesday. We are recovering our brand from. Were rebuilding the operational foundation of our stores and supply chain. This story has been updated with additional developments and context. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Hip Chicks do Wine has been a staple of Southeast Portland since 1999. Now its owners, married couple Laurie Lewis and Renee Neely, say theyve been struggling to keep the doors open since the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a very tough 2024 and we are way under in walk-in sales and traffic. And we could use a little bit of community support, Lewis said. The owners said theyve now launched a GoFundMe with the goal of raising $10,000 just to help support the day-to-day operations of Portlands oldest urban winery located at 4510 SE 23rd Ave. Mayor Wheeler disappointed by lack of enforcement of city camping ban I mean, the bottom line is, wed much rather have people come into our tasting room, buy some bottles of wine, do a wine-tasting flight, get a glass of wine, Lewis said. But not everybody can do that. And so if folks want to be able to support us, in small ways, that all adds up. The walk-in traffic and sales for the business was down by 26% in June and 76% in July, a huge jump. And its not just us. Its small businesses throughout the Portland metro area. It is wineries across Oregon, Lewis said. COVID hit us hard. All the closures hit hard. As much local support as we had during all those pandemic closures, it kinda felt like once all the businesses opened up, a lot of that local support kind of dried up. Positive force for change: Blazers and Albina Vision Trust join forces to help revitalize historically Black neighborhood Lewis is encouraging anyone who wants to come enjoy some wine or go to a tasting to get something for your dollars. However, for those who once lived in Portland but are now out of state but still want to support the business or simply want to donate a smaller amount, the GoFundMe will remain open, she said. Hip Chicks do Wine is considered a pioneer in the Portland LBGTQ and urban winery scene. Their message to the public is to not only please support our small local business but really think about the businesses in Portland that you want to see tomorrow, next year, in five years. I dont know a single small business owner in Portland right now who is not struggling be it a restaurant, be it a drag show, be it a winery, a bar, food trucks, were all struggling, Lewis said. And it sure is a shame to wake up and say, Gosh I miss that business because theyre not here anymore. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Online events platform StubHub is using predatory sales tactics to illegally mislead consumers into shelling out more for tickets, prosecutors allege in new lawsuit. Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb claimed in a complaint that StubHub is tricking consumers by hiding mandatory fees until just before shoppers make a purchase. These fees can boost the total cost of a ticket by 40%, the lawsuit alleges. StubHub's use of so-called drip pricing or when a company dangles an initial low price but later tacks on fees can deceive consumers into paying more than they expected, the suit alleges. The strategy violates the District of Columbia's Consumer Protection Procedures Act, a law that requires merchants to provide truthful information about consumer goods sold in the city, the suit claims. The complaint, filed Tuesday, also claims StubHub is failing to provide consumers with clear and accurate information about the purpose of ticket fees or how the company calculates those charges. It also alleges that StubHub's use of a transaction countdown clock induces a false sense of urgency aimed at pressuring shoppers into making a purchase. StubHub said it is committed to ensuring a transparent and competitive platform for consumers. "We are disappointed that the DC Attorney General is targeting StubHub when our user experience is consistent with the law, our competitors' practices and the broader e-commerce sector," the company said in a statement. "We strongly support federal and state solutions that enhance existing laws to empower consumers, such as requiring all-in pricing uniformly across platforms." Navigating "dozens of screens" The allegations come amid growing scrutiny by lawmakers and consumer advocates of the adverse impact of drip pricing, a retail tactic that typically tacks on fees to a purchase that aren't clearly disclosed, driving up the price of a product or service. "Drip pricing is a phenomena where a company is trying to sell goods or services to consumers and slowly, over time, changing the terms of the transaction so that [by] the end of the transaction, it looks very different to the consumer," Schwalb told CBS News. "StubHub intentionally misleads consumers by deceptively offering a low price at the front end, luring them into a long, protracted buying process, oftentimes running consumers through multiple dozens of screens before they're eventually given the final price," he added. Such tactics are aimed at deterring consumers from abandoning the purchase, Schwalb said. For instance, StubHub's site shows a countdown clock that makes consumers think the tickets they are buying could disappear, while also requiring people to click through multiple screens to get to the purchase page, the suit alleges. As a result, consumers often end up buying tickets that include fees that add 40% to the final price, the lawsuit claims. The attorney general's office estimates that consumers in Washington, D.C., have paid a total of $118 million in hidden fees to StubHub. Schwalb's office wants to stop StubHub from using these tactics, as well as to recoup the $118 million in fees that people have paid to the company to buy tickets to D.C. events. The Biden administration has vowed to battle junk fees, which cost shoppers $29 billion each year in excessive charges, according to the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. How consumers are manipulated Drip pricing can lock consumers into paying more than they had planned partly because shoppers overestimate the time they would need to start a new search for a cheaper option, Vicki Morwitz, a marketing professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Business, told CBS News. "They have to decide, 'Is it worth it to start over again?'" Morwitz told CBS News. When fees are dripped, consumers are more likely to make a purchase but they also tend to buy products that appear cheaper at first but ultimately end up being more expensive, she noted. "It's problematic because consumers end up buying something that they would not have perhaps intended to, or that's more expensive than they intended to," Morwitz added. "And it's not just bad for consumers it can also be harmful for honest competitors." Cryptic fees Right before a purchase, StubHub tacks on "fulfillment and service fees" that the lawsuit alleges are unrelated to "fulfillment" or "service." The fees can vary significantly in price, and StubHub doesn't disclose to consumers how the charges are calculated or what they cover, the suit claims. For instance, the lawsuit includes the example of tickets to see an Usher concert, with each ticket initially advertised at $178 each. But by the end of the purchase, StubHub added a fulfillment and service fee of $70 per ticket, increasing the final price by about 40%, prosecutors allege. When CBS MoneyWatch searched for a ticket on StubHub to a show starring "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" star Rachel Bloom, the show was advertised at $92 per ticket. But at checkout, a $38 per ticket fulfillment and service fee was added, boosting the cost by 41%. The ticketing service didn't specifically disclose what the fee would pay for. StubHub has faced prior lawsuits about its pricing, including a January class action suit alleging that the platform hid the final cost of tickets from customers. And to be sure, StubHub isn't alone in relying on drip pricing, with hotel chains such as Marriott settling over similar lawsuits. "At the end, consumers are paying more than they thought they were going to pay and have not had an opportunity to comparison shop along the way," Schwalb said. Court documents reveal new details about Matthew Perry's death Minnesota bus driver gives barefoot passenger her own shoes New real estate commission rules will affect homebuyers and sellers Texas National Guard soldiers stand on patrol near the bank of the Rio Grande on April 2, 2024 in El Paso, Texas. A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue in 2022. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that immigrants who inter the U.S. illegally hurt social programs. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Undocumented immigrants in Maine contributed $15.6 million in state and local taxes in 2022. A study released Tuesday from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a left-leaning, nonprofit think tank, found that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue in 2022 while many are shut out of the programs their taxes fund. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that undocumented immigrants are destroying social programs. There hasnt been data that speaks to the value of immigrants so it is so refreshing to see this very timely study and findings coming at the time where there is questioning of the value and the relevance of having immigrants in our state or in our country, said Mufalo Chitam, executive director of the Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition, which represents more than 100 immigrant organizations across the state. Chitam and other members of MIRC said the findings underscored what they have long understood. As advocacy, communications and policy manager for MIRC Ruben Torres put it, undocumented immigrants are integral members of our community who contribute substantially to our states economy. The study, which uses estimates of undocumented immigrants tax contributions as of 2022, shows nationally those totaled $96.7 billion that year. Undocumented immigrants pay property taxes and sales taxes, and federal payroll taxes taken from their wages, as well as income tax returns using Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers. Tax contributions in Maine come mostly through property taxes, 38%, with sales and excise taxes making up 31% and personal or business income taxes making up 28%. Despite payroll taxes funding Medicare, Social Security, and Unemployment Insurance, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in and receive regular benefits from these social programs. They can also face barriers to getting tax refunds, including getting scammed by unscrupulous tax preparers who target immigrant communities, said Jackie Vimo, senior analyst of economic justice policy at the National Immigration Law Center in a media call on the report. There are tons of laws that prevent undocumented workers from getting benefits, said Richard C. Auxier, a principal policy associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank that was not involved in the study. They get a lot of political attention. At the end of the day, theyre just normal people paying normal taxes. Addressing the labor shortage Study authors also found that undocumented immigrants would contribute $40.2 billion more per year in federal, state and local taxes if the undocumented population had access to work authorization. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy reasoned that this boost would come from higher wages associated with employment authorization and easier compliance with income tax laws. In Maine, the tax contributions of undocumented immigrants would increase to $19.8 million if these taxpayers were granted work authorization, according to the study. An analysis last fall from the progressive Maine Center for Economic Policy found Maine has a plateauing workforce, in part due to an aging population, and suggested immigration as an opportunity to grow the workforce, a point President and CEO Garrett Martin reiterated in light of the latest tax findings. One of the best ways we can ensure employers have the workers they need and Maine has the revenue to fund our needs is to give all New Mainers the legal authority to live and work here as quickly as possible, Martin said. Other policy experts have also pointed to a labor shortage 8.1 million job openings and 6.8 million unemployed workers as a reason to embrace the economic contributions of undocumented immigrants. South Dakota, North Dakota, Maryland, Vermont, Maine, and South Carolina are some of the states facing the greatest labor shortages, according to a Washington Post analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Immigrants are already filling that [labor] gap and if we have mass deportations where millions of immigrants are torn from their family members and the country they have made home, we will not only have the human impact of this but well have a severe effect on the economy and available workforce, said Vimo of the National Immigration Law Center, a group that focuses on racial, economic and social justice for low-income immigrants. Immigrant rights groups in Maine have long pushed for the economic integration of immigrants as a critical component to creating a thriving economy, said Chitam, pointing to a report from a decade ago from MIRC and the World Affairs Council of Maine that pointed out as much. Recently, Maines elected officials and immigrant rights groups have been advocating for expediting the process for immigrants to obtain work permits. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, asylum seekers have to wait 180 days after filing an asylum claim to begin work. Chitam and Torres said MIRC will continue to advocate for policies that recognize the value of immigrants and provide them with opportunities to fully participate in the economy, which includes pushing for more efficient work authorization processes. That would not only increase tax contributions but also empower immigrants to secure better jobs, support their families, and contribute more effectively to our society, Torres said. Immigrants face other barriers when trying to integrate into Maines economy as well, Chitam added, pointing to language barriers and a general lack of information about available resources and opportunities. The states forthcoming Office of New Americans, included in the latest budget, should help with this, Chitam said. Disproportionate contributions In 40 other states, undocumented immigrants paid higher tax rates than the top 1% of the income scale in those states, according to the study. Alexis Tsoukalas, senior policy analyst at Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit focused on economic mobility for Floridians, told reporters on Monday that she was struck by how much the state collected from undocumented immigrants in taxes compared to the wealthiest in the state. The current tax rate for undocumented immigrants in Florida is 8% compared to the top 1% of the state at 2.7%. This means hundreds of thousands of everyday people are contributing more than their share to public services they cannot even access meanwhile those with the most to give and the most to benefit contribute the least, Tsoukalas said. The national tax study was released in the backdrop of a political climate where states have passed laws to arrest people who they suspect of entering the U.S. illegally, which has been a federal power, the Biden administration announced an executive action to allow for the deportation of many asylum seekers without processing their claims, and the 2024 Republican Party platform promises the largest deportation operation in American history if former President Donald Trump is reelected over likely Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Tax policy will also be front and center for Congress and the White House next year as provisions of Trumps tax law, passed in 2017, are set to expire. Aside from the human cost of deportations on families, policy experts and researchers are making the case that undocumented immigrants are a boon to the economy, making it an economic cost as well. Immigration and economic experts who spoke about the significance of the report on Monday highlighted the Congressional Budget Offices July report on the rise in immigration and its effects on the economy and budget, which found that this increase in immigration would add $1.2 trillion in federal revenue from 2024 to 2034. Carl Davis, research director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, said there are economic ripple effects to consider in the deportation of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. beyond taxes. If you deported someone and theyre no longer making taxable purchases in their community, that number would reflect a reduction in their sales tax payments to the community but it wouldnt capture that second ripple effect of the business has less profits because they have fewer customers, Davis said in a media call on the study. Auxier said that researchers have found children in an undocumented immigrant household are receiving education benefits that could be larger than the tax payments of the lower income working adults, but that this is more of an income issue than a specific immigration issue. The other side of that coin, Auxier notes, is that in the future, undocumented households may in fact give back more than they received. Those same studies tend to note that if the children go to school and they then go get jobs, now the American household is giving more than it got because the parents came here, worked, paid into Social Security, Medicare, and didnt get any benefits, he said. The kid went to school and then they got a job and then they started earning enough money that they were a net contributor. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Texas National Guard soldiers stand on patrol near the bank of the Rio Grande on April 2, 2024 in El Paso, Texas. A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue in 2022. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that immigrants who inter the U.S. illegally hurt social programs. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue in 2022 while many are shut out of the programs their taxes fund. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that undocumented immigrants are destroying social programs. In 40 states, undocumented immigrants paid higher tax rates than the top 1% of the income scale in those states, according to a study released Tuesday from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a left-leaning, nonprofit think tank. The study, which uses estimates of undocumented immigrants tax contributions as of 2022, shows those totaled $96.7 billion that year. Study authors also found that undocumented immigrants would contribute $40.2 billion more per year in federal, state and local taxes if all of the undocumented population had access to work authorization. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy reasoned that this boost would come from higher wages associated with employment authorization and easier compliance with income tax laws. The report also shed further light on the tax revenue provided by undocumented immigrants on the state and local level. Undocumented immigrants are paying 46% of their state and local tax payments through sales and excise taxes. Six states New Jersey, New York, California, Florida, Texas, and Illinois were able to raise more than $1 billion each in tax revenue from undocumented immigrants, the nonprofit said. Undocumented immigrants pay property taxes and sales taxes, and federal payroll taxes taken from their wages, as well as income tax returns using Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers. Despite those payroll taxes funding Medicare, Social Security and Unemployment Insurance, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in and receive regular benefits from these social programs. They can also face barriers to getting tax refunds, including getting scammed by unscrupulous tax preparers who target immigrant communities, said Jackie Vimo, senior analyst of economic justice policy at the National Immigration Law Center in a media call on the report. There are tons of laws that prevent undocumented workers from getting benefits said Richard C. Auxier, a principal policy associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank that was not involved in the study. They get a lot of political attention. At the end of the day, theyre just normal people paying normal taxes. Alexis Tsoukalas, senior policy analyst at Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit focused on economic mobility for Floridians, told reporters on Monday that she was struck by how much the state collected from undocumented immigrants in taxes compared to the wealthiest in the state. The current tax rate for undocumented immigrants in Florida is 8% compared to the top 1% of the state at 2.7%. This means hundreds of thousands of everyday people are contributing more than their share to public services they cannot even access meanwhile those with the most to give and the most to benefit contribute the least, Tsoukalas said. The study was released in the backdrop of a political climate where states have passed laws to arrest people who they suspect of entering the U.S. illegally, which has been a federal power, the Biden administration announced an executive action to allow for the deportation of many asylum seekers without processing their claims, and the 2024 Republican Party platform promises the largest deportation operation in American history if former President Donald Trump is reelected over presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Tax policy will also be front and center for Congress and the White House next year as provisions of Trumps tax law, passed in 2017, are set to expire. Aside from the human cost of deportations on families, policy experts and researchers are making the case that undocumented immigrants are a boon to the economy, making it an economic cost as well. Immigration and economic experts who spoke about the significance of the report on Monday highlighted the Congressional Budget Offices July report on the rise in immigration and its effects on the economy and budget, which found that this increase in immigration would add $1.2 trillion in federal revenue from 2024 to 2034. Carl Davis, research director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, said there are economic ripple effects to consider in the deportation of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. beyond taxes. If you deported someone and theyre no longer making taxable purchases in their community, that number would reflect a reduction in their sales tax payments to the community but it wouldnt capture that second ripple effect of the business has less profits because they have fewer customers, Davis said in a media call on the study. Auxier said that researchers have found children in an undocumented immigrant household are receiving education benefits that could be larger than the tax payments of the lower income working adults, but that this is more of an income issue than a specific immigration issue. The other side of that coin, Auxier notes, is that in the future, undocumented households may in fact give back more than they received. Those same studies tend to note that if the children go to school and they then go get jobs, now the American household is giving more than it got because the parents came here, worked, paid into Social Security, Medicare, and didnt get any benefits, he said. The kid went to school and then they got a job and then they started earning enough money that they were a net contributor. Policy experts also pointed to a labor shortage 8.1 million job openings and 6.8 million unemployed workers as a reason to embrace the economic contributions of undocumented immigrants. South Dakota, North Dakota, Maryland, Vermont, Maine, and South Carolina are some of the states facing the greatest labor shortages, according to a Washington Post analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Immigrants are already filling that [labor] gap and if we have mass deportations where millions of immigrants are torn from their family members and the country they have made home, we will not only have the human impact of this but well have a severe effect on the economy and available workforce, said Vimo of the National Immigration Law Center, a group that focuses on racial, economic and social justice for low-income immigrants. Texas National Guard soldiers stand on patrol near the bank of the Rio Grande on April 2, 2024 in El Paso, Texas. A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue in 2022. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that immigrants who inter the U.S. illegally hurt social programs. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue in 2022 while many are shut out of the programs their taxes fund. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that undocumented immigrants are destroying social programs. In 40 states, including Colorado, undocumented immigrants paid higher tax rates than the top 1% of the income scale in those states, according to a study released Tuesday from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a left-leaning, nonprofit think tank. The study, which uses estimates of undocumented immigrants tax contributions as of 2022, shows those totaled $96.7 billion that year. Study authors also found that undocumented immigrants would contribute $40.2 billion more per year in federal, state and local taxes if all of the undocumented population had access to work authorization. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy reasoned that this boost would come from higher wages associated with employment authorization and easier compliance with income tax laws. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The report also shed further light on the tax revenue provided by undocumented immigrants on the state and local level. Undocumented immigrants are paying 46% of their state and local tax payments through sales and excise taxes. Six states New Jersey, New York, California, Florida, Texas, and Illinois were able to raise more than $1 billion each in tax revenue from undocumented immigrants, the nonprofit said. Colorado raised $437 million from undocumented immigrants in 2022. Undocumented immigrants pay property taxes and sales taxes, and federal payroll taxes taken from their wages, as well as income tax returns using Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers. Despite those payroll taxes funding Medicare, Social Security, and Unemployment Insurance, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in and receive regular benefits from these social programs. They can also face barriers to getting tax refunds, including getting scammed by unscrupulous tax preparers who target immigrant communities, said Jackie Vimo, senior analyst of economic justice policy at the National Immigration Law Center in a media call on the report. There are tons of laws that prevent undocumented workers from getting benefits, said Richard C. Auxier, a principal policy associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank that was not involved in the study. They get a lot of political attention. At the end of the day, theyre just normal people paying normal taxes. This means hundreds of thousands of everyday people are contributing more than their share to public services they cannot even access meanwhile those with the most to give and the most to benefit contribute the least. Alexis Tsoukalas, of the Florida Policy Institute Alexis Tsoukalas, senior policy analyst at Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit focused on economic mobility for Floridians, told reporters on Monday that she was struck by how much the state collected from undocumented immigrants in taxes compared to the wealthiest in the state. The current tax rate for undocumented immigrants in Florida is 8% compared to the top 1% of the state at 2.7%. This means hundreds of thousands of everyday people are contributing more than their share to public services they cannot even access meanwhile those with the most to give and the most to benefit contribute the least, Tsoukalas said. In Colorado, the tax rate for undocumented immigrants is 7.8% compared to the top 1% of the state at 7%. The study was released in the backdrop of a political climate where states have passed laws to arrest people who they suspect of entering the U.S. illegally, which has been a federal power, the Biden administration announced an executive action to allow for the deportation of many asylum seekers without processing their claims, and the 2024 Republican Party platform promises the largest deportation operation in American history if former President Donald Trump is reelected over presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Tax policy will also be front and center for Congress and the White House next year as provisions of Trumps tax law, passed in 2017, are set to expire. The report estimates that 156,000 undocumented immigrants live in Colorado, while a total 10.9 million live in the country. Aside from the human cost of deportations on families, policy experts and researchers are making the case that undocumented immigrants are a boon to the economy, making it an economic cost as well. Immigration and economic experts who spoke about the significance of the report on Monday highlighted the Congressional Budget Offices July report on the rise in immigration and its effects on the economy and budget, which found that this increase in immigration would add $1.2 trillion in federal revenue from 2024 to 2034. Carl Davis, research director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, said there are economic ripple effects to consider in the deportation of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. beyond taxes. If you deported someone and theyre no longer making taxable purchases in their community, that number would reflect a reduction in their sales tax payments to the community but it wouldnt capture that second ripple effect of the business has less profits because they have fewer customers, Davis said in a media call on the study. Auxier said that researchers have found children in an undocumented immigrant household are receiving education benefits that could be larger than the tax payments of the lower income working adults, but that this is more of an income issue than a specific immigration issue. The other side of that coin, Auxier notes, is that in the future, undocumented households may in fact give back more than they received. Those same studies tend to note that if the children go to school and they then go get jobs, now the American household is giving more than it got because the parents came here, worked, paid into Social Security, Medicare, and didnt get any benefits, he said. The kid went to school and then they got a job and then they started earning enough money that they were a net contributor. Policy experts also pointed to a labor shortage 8.1 million job openings and 6.8 million unemployed workers as a reason to embrace the economic contributions of undocumented immigrants. South Dakota, North Dakota, Maryland, Vermont, Maine, and South Carolina are some of the states facing the greatest labor shortages, according to a Washington Post analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Immigrants are already filling that (labor) gap and if we have mass deportations where millions of immigrants are torn from their family members and the country they have made home, we will not only have the human impact of this but well have a severe effect on the economy and available workforce, said Vimo of the National Immigration Law Center, a group that focuses on racial, economic and social justice for low-income immigrants. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Texas National Guard soldiers stand on patrol near the bank of the Rio Grande on April 2, 2024 in El Paso, Texas. A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue in 2022. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that immigrants who inter the U.S. illegally hurt social programs. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue in 2022 while many are shut out of the programs their taxes fund. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that undocumented immigrants are destroying social programs. In 40 states, including Arkansas, undocumented immigrants paid higher tax rates than the top 1% of the income scale in those states, according to a study released Tuesday from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a left-leaning, nonprofit think tank. The study, which uses estimates of undocumented immigrants tax contributions as of 2022, shows those totaled $96.7 billion that year. Study authors also found that undocumented immigrants would contribute $40.2 billion more per year in federal, state and local taxes if all of the undocumented population had access to work authorization. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy reasoned that this boost would come from higher wages associated with employment authorization and easier compliance with income tax laws. The report also shed further light on the tax revenue provided by undocumented immigrants on the state and local level. Undocumented immigrants are paying 46% of their state and local tax payments through sales and excise taxes. Six states New Jersey, New York, California, Florida, Texas, and Illinois were able to raise more than $1 billion each in tax revenue from undocumented immigrants, the nonprofit said. Undocumented immigrants in Arkansas An estimated 64,000 undocumented immigrants resided in Arkansas in 2022, with estimated annual earnings of more than $2 billion, the institutes study said. Those immigrants paid $188.2 million in state and local taxes in 2022, including $119.7 million in sales and use taxes, $35.3 million in property taxes and $31 million in business and personal income taxes, according to the report. The report estimated that, if those undocumented immigrants gained legal status, they would pay an additional $35 million a year in state and local taxes. Undocumented immigrants pay property taxes and sales taxes, and federal payroll taxes taken from their wages, as well as income tax returns using Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers. Despite those payroll taxes funding Medicare, Social Security, and Unemployment Insurance, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in and receive regular benefits from these social programs. They can also face barriers to getting tax refunds, including getting scammed by unscrupulous tax preparers who target immigrant communities, said Jackie Vimo, senior analyst of economic justice policy at the National Immigration Law Center in a media call on the report. There are tons of laws that prevent undocumented workers from getting benefits said Richard C. Auxier, a principal policy associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank that was not involved in the study. They get a lot of political attention. At the end of the day, theyre just normal people paying normal taxes. Alexis Tsoukalas, senior policy analyst at Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit focused on economic mobility for Floridians, told reporters on Monday that she was struck by how much the state collected from undocumented immigrants in taxes compared to the wealthiest in the state. The current tax rate for undocumented immigrants in Florida is 8% compared to the top 1% of the state at 2.7%. This means hundreds of thousands of everyday people are contributing more than their share to public services they cannot even access. Meanwhile those with the most to give and the most to benefit contribute the least, Tsoukalas said. The study was released in the backdrop of a political climate where states have passed laws to arrest people who they suspect of entering the U.S. illegally, which has been a federal power, the Biden administration announced an executive action to allow for the deportation of many asylum seekers without processing their claims, and the 2024 Republican Party platform promises the largest deportation operation in American history if former President Donald Trump is reelected over presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Tax policy will also be front and center for Congress and the White House next year as provisions of Trumps tax law, passed in 2017, are set to expire. Aside from the human cost of deportations on families, policy experts and researchers are making the case that undocumented immigrants are a boon to the economy, making it an economic cost as well. Immigration and economic experts who spoke about the significance of the report on Monday highlighted the Congressional Budget Offices July report on the rise in immigration and its effects on the economy and budget, which found that this increase in immigration would add $1.2 trillion in federal revenue from 2024 to 2034. Carl Davis, research director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, said there are economic ripple effects to consider in the deportation of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. beyond taxes. If you deported someone and theyre no longer making taxable purchases in their community, that number would reflect a reduction in their sales tax payments to the community, but it wouldnt capture that second ripple effect of the business [that] has less profits because they have fewer customers, Davis said in a media call on the study. Auxier said that researchers have found children in an undocumented immigrant household are receiving education benefits that could be larger than the tax payments of the lower income working adults, but that this is more of an income issue than a specific immigration issue. The other side of that coin, Auxier notes, is that in the future, undocumented households may in fact give back more than they received. Those same studies tend to note that if the children go to school and they then go get jobs, now the American household is giving more than it got because the parents came here, worked, paid into Social Security, Medicare, and didnt get any benefits, he said. The kid went to school and then they got a job and then they started earning enough money that they were a net contributor. Policy experts also pointed to a labor shortage 8.1 million job openings and 6.8 million unemployed workers as a reason to embrace the economic contributions of undocumented immigrants. South Dakota, North Dakota, Maryland, Vermont, Maine, and South Carolina are some of the states facing the greatest labor shortages, according to a Washington Post analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Immigrants are already filling that [labor] gap, and if we have mass deportations where millions of immigrants are torn from their family members and the country they have made home, we will not only have the human impact of this, but well have a severe effect on the economy and available workforce, said Vimo of the National Immigration Law Center, a group that focuses on racial, economic and social justice for low-income immigrants. Texas National Guard soldiers stand on patrol near the bank of the Rio Grande on April 2, 2024 in El Paso, Texas. A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue in 2022. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that immigrants who inter the U.S. illegally hurt social programs. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue in 2022 while many are shut out of the programs their taxes fund. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that undocumented immigrants are destroying social programs. In 40 states, including Rhode Island, undocumented immigrants paid higher tax rates than the top 1% of the income scale in those states, according to a study released Tuesday from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a left-leaning, nonprofit think tank. The study, which uses estimates of undocumented immigrants tax contributions as of 2022, shows those totaled $96.7 billion that year. Study authors also found that undocumented immigrants would contribute $40.2 billion more per year in federal, state and local taxes if all of the undocumented population had access to work authorization. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy reasoned that this boost would come from higher wages associated with employment authorization and easier compliance with income tax laws. The report also shed further light on the tax revenue provided by undocumented immigrants on the state and local level. Undocumented immigrants are paying 46% of their state and local tax payments through sales and excise taxes. Six states New Jersey, New York, California, Florida, Texas, and Illinois were able to raise more than $1 billion each in tax revenue from undocumented immigrants, the nonprofit said. Undocumented immigrants pay property taxes and sales taxes, and federal payroll taxes taken from their wages, as well as income tax returns using Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers. Despite those payroll taxes funding Medicare, Social Security, and Unemployment Insurance, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in and receive regular benefits from these social programs. They can also face barriers to getting tax refunds, including getting scammed by unscrupulous tax preparers who target immigrant communities, said Jackie Vimo, senior analyst of economic justice policy at the National Immigration Law Center in a media call on the report. There are tons of laws that prevent undocumented workers from getting benefits said Richard C. Auxier, a principal policy associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank that was not involved in the study. They get a lot of political attention. At the end of the day, theyre just normal people paying normal taxes. Alexis Tsoukalas, senior policy analyst at Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit focused on economic mobility for Floridians, told reporters on Monday that she was struck by how much the state collected from undocumented immigrants in taxes compared to the wealthiest in the state. The current tax rate for undocumented immigrants in Florida is 8% compared to the top 1% of the state at 2.7%. This means hundreds of thousands of everyday people are contributing more than their share to public services they cannot even access meanwhile those with the most to give and the most to benefit contribute the least, Tsoukalas said. The study was released in the backdrop of a political climate where states have passed laws to arrest people who they suspect of entering the U.S. illegally, which has been a federal power, the Biden administration announced an executive action to allow for the deportation of many asylum seekers without processing their claims, and the 2024 Republican Party platform promises the largest deportation operation in American history if former President Donald Trump is reelected over presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Tax policy will also be front and center for Congress and the White House next year as provisions of Trumps tax law, passed in 2017, are set to expire. They get a lot of political attention. At the end of the day, theyre just normal people paying normal taxes. Richard C. Auxier, principal policy associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank that was not involved in the study Aside from the human cost of deportations on families, policy experts and researchers are making the case that undocumented immigrants are a boon to the economy, making it an economic cost as well. Immigration and economic experts who spoke about the significance of the report on Monday highlighted the Congressional Budget Offices July report on the rise in immigration and its effects on the economy and budget, which found that this increase in immigration would add $1.2 trillion in federal revenue from 2024 to 2034. Carl Davis, research director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, said there are economic ripple effects to consider in the deportation of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. beyond taxes. If you deported someone and theyre no longer making taxable purchases in their community, that number would reflect a reduction in their sales tax payments to the community but it wouldnt capture that second ripple effect of the business has less profits because they have fewer customers, Davis said in a media call on the study. Auxier said that researchers have found children in an undocumented immigrant household are receiving education benefits that could be larger than the tax payments of the lower income working adults, but that this is more of an income issue than a specific immigration issue. The other side of that coin, Auxier notes, is that in the future, undocumented households may in fact give back more than they received. Those same studies tend to note that if the children go to school and they then go get jobs, now the American household is giving more than it got because the parents came here, worked, paid into Social Security, Medicare, and didnt get any benefits, he said. The kid went to school and then they got a job and then they started earning enough money that they were a net contributor. Policy experts also pointed to a labor shortage 8.1 million job openings and 6.8 million unemployed workers as a reason to embrace the economic contributions of undocumented immigrants. South Dakota, North Dakota, Maryland, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts and South Carolina are some of the states facing the greatest labor shortages, according to a Washington Post analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Vermont has 37 workers available for every 100 job openings while both Maine and Massachusetts have 43, according to the analysis. Rhode Island has 53. Immigrants are already filling that [labor] gap and if we have mass deportations where millions of immigrants are torn from their family members and the country they have made home, we will not only have the human impact of this but well have a severe effect on the economy and available workforce, said Vimo of the National Immigration Law Center, a group that focuses on racial, economic and social justice for low-income immigrants. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Texas National Guard soldiers stand on patrol near the bank of the Rio Grande on April 2, 2024 in El Paso, Texas. A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue in 2022. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that immigrants who inter the U.S. illegally hurt social programs. Brandon Bell/Getty Images A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue in 2022 while many are shut out of the programs their taxes fund. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that undocumented immigrants are destroying social programs. In 40 states, undocumented immigrants paid higher tax rates than the top 1% of the income scale in those states, according to a study released Tuesday from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a left-leaning, nonprofit think tank. The study, which uses estimates of undocumented immigrants tax contributions as of 2022, shows those totaled $96.7 billion that year. Study authors also found that undocumented immigrants would contribute $40.2 billion more per year in federal, state and local taxes if all of the undocumented population had access to work authorization. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy reasoned that this boost would come from higher wages associated with employment authorization and easier compliance with income tax laws. The report also shed further light on the tax revenue provided by undocumented immigrants on the state and local level. Undocumented immigrants are paying 46% of their state and local tax payments through sales and excise taxes. Six states New Jersey, New York, California, Florida, Texas, and Illinois were able to raise more than $1 billion each in tax revenue from undocumented immigrants, the nonprofit said. The report says undocumented immigrants contribute $928,500 per year in Georgia, which could increase to $1.2 billion with legal status. Undocumented immigrants pay property taxes and sales taxes, and federal payroll taxes taken from their wages, as well as income tax returns using Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers. Despite those payroll taxes funding Medicare, Social Security, and Unemployment Insurance, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in and receive regular benefits from these social programs. They can also face barriers to getting tax refunds, including getting scammed by unscrupulous tax preparers who target immigrant communities, said Jackie Vimo, senior analyst of economic justice policy at the National Immigration Law Center in a media call on the report. There are tons of laws that prevent undocumented workers from getting benefits said Richard C. Auxier, a principal policy associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank that was not involved in the study. They get a lot of political attention. At the end of the day, theyre just normal people paying normal taxes. Alexis Tsoukalas, senior policy analyst at Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit focused on economic mobility for Floridians, told reporters on Monday that she was struck by how much the state collected from undocumented immigrants in taxes compared to the wealthiest in the state. The current tax rate for undocumented immigrants in Florida is 8% compared to the top 1% of the state at 2.7%. This means hundreds of thousands of everyday people are contributing more than their share to public services they cannot even access meanwhile those with the most to give and the most to benefit contribute the least, Tsoukalas said. The study was released in the backdrop of a political climate where states have passed laws to arrest people who they suspect of entering the U.S. illegally, which has been a federal power, the Biden administration announced an executive action to allow for the deportation of many asylum seekers without processing their claims, and the 2024 Republican Party platform promises the largest deportation operation in American history if former President Donald Trump is reelected over presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Tax policy will also be front and center for Congress and the White House next year as provisions of Trumps tax law, passed in 2017, are set to expire. Aside from the human cost of deportations on families, policy experts and researchers are making the case that undocumented immigrants are a boon to the economy, making it an economic cost as well. Immigration and economic experts who spoke about the significance of the report on Monday highlighted the Congressional Budget Offices July report on the rise in immigration and its effects on the economy and budget, which found that this increase in immigration would add $1.2 trillion in federal revenue from 2024 to 2034. Carl Davis, research director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, said there are economic ripple effects to consider in the deportation of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. beyond taxes. If you deported someone and theyre no longer making taxable purchases in their community, that number would reflect a reduction in their sales tax payments to the community but it wouldnt capture that second ripple effect of the business has less profits because they have fewer customers, Davis said in a media call on the study. Auxier said that researchers have found children in an undocumented immigrant household are receiving education benefits that could be larger than the tax payments of the lower income working adults, but that this is more of an income issue than a specific immigration issue. The other side of that coin, Auxier notes, is that in the future, undocumented households may in fact give back more than they received. Those same studies tend to note that if the children go to school and they then go get jobs, now the American household is giving more than it got because the parents came here, worked, paid into Social Security, Medicare, and didnt get any benefits, he said. The kid went to school and then they got a job and then they started earning enough money that they were a net contributor. Policy experts also pointed to a labor shortage 8.1 million job openings and 6.8 million unemployed workers as a reason to embrace the economic contributions of undocumented immigrants. South Dakota, North Dakota, Maryland, Vermont, Maine, and South Carolina are some of the states facing the greatest labor shortages, according to a Washington Post analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Immigrants are already filling that [labor] gap and if we have mass deportations where millions of immigrants are torn from their family members and the country they have made home, we will not only have the human impact of this but well have a severe effect on the economy and available workforce, said Vimo of the National Immigration Law Center, a group that focuses on racial, economic and social justice for low-income immigrants. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Photo by Getty Images. Undocumented workers contributed $97 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2022, according to a study released on Tuesday by the left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. In Minnesota, undocumented immigrants contributed nearly $222 million in state and local taxes in 2022. The reports authors estimate these workers tax contributions would grow to more than $294 million if given legal work authorization because their wages would likely increase and there would likely be a higher rate of tax compliance. This study is the most comprehensive look at how much undocumented immigrants pay in taxes. And what it shows is that they pay quite a lot, to the tune of nearly $100 billion a year, said Marco Guzman, ITEP Senior Policy Analyst and co-author of the study, in a statement. The study rebuts a central message of the campaign of former President Donald Trump, who portrays undocumented immigrants as a drag on the American economy. According to the study, more than a third of the taxes undocumented workers pay go toward public programs theyre ineligible to benefit from like Social Security, unemployment insurance and Medicare. (Minnesota Democrats passed a law in 2023 that will make undocumented immigrants eligible for state-subsidized health insurance as soon as next year.) Undocumented immigrants often pay higher income taxes than workers with similar incomes because they are unable to claim tax credits like the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit or Minnesotas Working Family Credit. Undocumented immigrants are also ineligible for most public benefit programs including cash assistance and food stamps, although they are not excluded from WIC, which provides nutrition assistance to low-income pregnant women, infants and children up to 5 years old. In 40 states, undocumented immigrants pay a higher tax rate than the top 1% of earners, although not in Minnesota. Undocumented immigrants in Minnesota pay an estimated 7.4% in income taxes compared to the 10.5% tax rate for top earners. The reports authors estimate the tax rate for undocumented immigrants in Minnesota would rise to 9.4% if they were given legal work authorization. State and local government coffers are also boosted by undocumented immigrants through sales and excise taxes, property taxes and business income taxes. On average, undocumented immigrants paid $8,889 in federal, state and local taxes in 2022, according to the analysis. The number of undocumented residents in Minnesota is relatively small roughly 82,000 people in a state of 5.7 million and so the $222 million in state and local taxes they pay is also relatively small: about .5% of the $45 billion the state collected in state and local taxes in 2022. The crisis-level surge of illegal immigration at the southern border in recent years has focused political attention on stopping new arrivals, with Congress nearly passing a bill that would have provided $20 billion to expand detention capacity, speed up asylum claims and help local governments respond to an influx of migrants. The bill collapsed under the weight of opposition by Trump, who said it would be a political gift to Democrats as he seeks reelection. The focus on illegal immigration at the southern border has obscured the fact that most of the roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States have been in the country for a very long time: About 60% of undocumented immigrants have lived in the United States for a decade or more, according to the Congressional Research Service. Trump and his running mate JD Vance, who have hammered Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for allowing the surge in illegal immigration, promise theyll go beyond increasing border security and create a mass deportation program. I have a message, a very simple message to the millions of illegal aliens who are in this country and shouldnt be Start packing your bags right now because Donald J. Trump is coming back, Vance said to roaring applause at a rally in St. Cloud on Saturday, where attendees held signs reading Deport Illegals Now. Deporting the millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States, while a popular idea with many Republicans, would be a nearly impossible feat, requiring billions of dollars in new government appropriations while leading the economy to shrink, Laura Collins, an expert at the George W. Bush institute, told the New York Times. A mass deportation program would also threaten to divide millions of families. Forty-one percent of married undocumented immigrants have a spouse who is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. An estimated 5.2 million children 7% of the total U.S. child population live with at least one undocumented immigrant parent. The Biden administration, while cracking down on new immigration at the border, has taken steps to protect undocumented families from deportation. Last month, Biden announced protections for undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens deemed not to be a security threat. Insights from Al Jazeera, The Africa Report, The Associated Press, and Foreign Affairs Updated Jul 31, 2024, 10:26am EDT Africa The News The Sudanese government conditionally accepted an invitation to attend US-sponsored peace talks next month in Geneva, 15 months into a civil war between Sudans army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces that has left millions displaced and facing famine. It came as a drone strike targeted an eastern Sudanese army base during a visit by army chief General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Reuters reported. The RSF did not claim responsibility for the incident. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Ceasefire talks have so far failed to bring a lasting end to the conflict Sources: Al Jazeera, The Africa Report So far, past ceasefires have failed to stop the fighting, and some Sudanese joke that the explosions they hear are the sound of the ceasefire, Al Jazeera wrote in 2023. Talks in Jeddah at the end of last year were rendered absurd as the opposing parties seemed more interested in getting the approval of the US and Saudi Arabia than in bringing an end to hostilities, the head of a Sudanese think tank argued in The Africa Report. Describing the US policy on Sudan as a Humpty Dumpty diplomatic approach, he added that for future negotiations to go anywhere, the US needs to re-evaluate its strategy and involve other key stakeholders, rather than try and own the process alone. Talks may be more positive and open than previously Source: The Associated Press Sudans government said Tuesday that its participation in the upcoming talks was conditional on the implementation of the Jeddah Declaration, The Associated Press reported, which involves commitments on humanitarian assistance and minimizing harm to civilians. This stance seems far more positive and open than the governments previous positions, the former chief of staff to the US special envoy to Sudan wrote on X. Sudans army chief previously refused to meet with the head of the RSF in 2023, accusing Kenya, which organized the talks, of bias. UAE has enormous leverage over the conflicts course Sources: Reuters, The Guardian, Foreign Affairs The United Arab Emirates, which plans to attend the upcoming talks, has consistently denied backing the RSF, but the paramilitary group would be unable to wage war to the same extent without [Abu Dhabis] direct and all-round support, according to a Sudanese journalist writing in The Guardian. The UAEs presence would give negotiations a better chance of success, Reuters reported. Abu Dhabi has enormous leverage over the outcome, Foreign Affairs wrote. Egypt and Saudi Arabia could do the same, albeit in support of the governments side, the outlet added. Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, addresses the China-U.S. Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in New York, the United States, on July 29, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] U.S. business people expressed their enthusiasm toward potential opportunities arising from strong commercial ties between the United States and China. A Chinese delegation led by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) is paying a week-long visit to the United States. The 50-person delegation will have extensive and in-depth exchanges with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the State of New York, the State of Maryland, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S.-China Business Council, and other government departments and agencies, as well as with U.S. companies, according to Ren Hongbin, chairman of the CCPIT. "We look forward to achieving concrete outcomes and cultivating new growth drivers through such communication," Ren told about 300 business people from various industries from both countries at the China-U.S. Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum on Monday. According to Ren, bilateral trade between the United States and China rose by 2.9 percent in the first half of 2024, and the number of U.S. companies announcing investment in China increased by over 20 percent. The amount of actual investment doubled in the period. "We are encouraged by the current administration's efforts to resume bilateral dialogue and cooperation with China," said Declan Daly, chief operating officer with United States Council for International Business. Daly said at the forum that it is time for the United States to re-engage with China on the issues of concern and the trade relationship to find negotiated solutions to long-standing disputes. "Toward that end, we would welcome establishing a regular bilateral dialogue," added Daly. Daly said there is no doubt about the importance of this enormous economic relationship between the United States and China to his members, which collectively have an annual revenue of over 5 trillion U.S. dollars and 11.5 million employees. Peter Tichansky, president and CEO of the Business Council for International Understanding, said the United States and China align on issues like innovation, energy transition, artificial intelligence, chips and trade. Peter Tichansky, president and CEO of the Business Council for International Understanding, addresses the China-U.S. Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in New York, the United States, on July 29, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] "The reason that we're here is because I wanna meet people that can introduce us into the Chinese infrastructure, Temu, TikTok and Shein," said Jonathan Webb, co-founder and co-CEO of New York-based e-commerce player Packable, Inc. The U.S. market has a huge appetite for what is being manufactured in China, from selfie sticks to wax warming kits to magnetic puzzles, all the way to EV charging stations, said Webb on the forum's sidelines. "All those goods are being manufactured in China and being brought to the United States, but everybody is nervous about the tariffs. So we have to figure out how to try to help mitigate those issues," he told Xinhua. Webb mentioned that he plans to work with Chinese manufacturers and stated that such partnerships are necessary and will shape the future of his business. Webb sees opportunities in bonded warehouses, foreign trade zones and some U.S. visa programs. Ultimately, working with China creates jobs and economic stimulus in the United States, which is very important to the local municipalities inside the country, he said. Webb warned that a further hike in tariffs on China-made products would cause many U.S. innovators who manufacture in China to leave for other countries and create chaos. "China's involvement in the supply chain globally is very, very important," he said. Robert L. Garland Jr., CEO of Garland & Zhang, LLC, said he is working to promote international trade directly with Indian communities and cooperation between Chinese manufacturers and American retailers. "In the last several years, we've seen a lot of decline in supply chain items...So we want to try to reestablish ways to gain these at affordable prices," Garland told Xinhua. Garland said the forum fostered a much better understanding of Chinese technology. Jesse Weiner, co-managing partner at YK Law LLP, expressed his delight at seeing business deals, investments and trade flourishing, in contrast to the slowdown during the pandemic. Weiner said many U.S. entities, entertainers and influences wanted to be in China and market their goods on the video-sharing platform Douyin, the e-commerce platform Tmall and Alibaba. "Now, there's more positive cooperation and development among the two countries again. And I just can hope it continues in that trajectory," Weiner said. talktalk TalkTalk is likely to default on its debts, one of the worlds leading ratings agencies has warned, as Sir Charles Dunstone attempts to secure a rescue deal. Fitch has cut the embattled telecoms companys credit rating deeper into junk territory, downgrading it one notch from CCC to CC. It means the broadband provider has been moved from a substantial credit risk to a very high level risk, with a debt default deemed to be probable. The company owes 1bn to lenders, with two repayment deadlines in November and February 2025. TalkTalk cannot afford to pay its lenders back outright. To stave off collapse, Sir Charles, who founded TalkTalk and took it private three years ago, is preparing to offer the company a 200m lifeline alongside shareholders Toscafund and Ares. Sir Charles is best known for setting up Carphone Warehouse and merging the group with Dixons. He also launched US burger franchise Five Guys in the UK. Sir Charles Dunstone is preparing to offer TalkTalk a 200m lifeline alongside shareholders - Chris Jackson/Getty Images As part of complex restructuring efforts, TalkTalk is also effectively mortgaging 200m of assets, including assets such as broadband customers acquired from a recent deal with Shell Energy. A deal could see bondholders and banks extend the repayment deadline to 2027 in return for the 400m package. It is unclear if the banks and bondholders will accept the deal. TalkTalk, which has 3.6m customers, is facing a race against time to complete the complex refinancing deal as it scrambled to avoid collapse. Fitch blamed the groups imminent refinancing risks and weak financial flexibility to service upcoming debt maturities for the downgrade. The rating action follows TalkTalks announcement in late July that it was holding talks with lenders over a debt refinancing. Fitch said: Given challenging refinancing conditions, we see a high likelihood of a debt restructuring resulting in a distressed debt exchange. This would include material reduction in terms for the senior secured notes to avoid default. TalkTalk recently warned in its latest financial accounts that its precarious finances meant there was a risk the company would collapse in August 2024 or sooner. In the report, the company said that without a deal it expected to breach its debt covenants in August and lead to an imminent loss of liquidity. It is the second time Fitch has downgraded TalkTalk this year. Fitch cut its rating of the companys debt by one notch in January 2024 to CCC. Toscafund, which co-owns TalkTalk with Sir Charles, was founded by Martin the Rottweiler Hughes and originally owned 29.9pc of the telecoms company when it was listed on the stock market. Sir Charles owned a 30pc stake. Story continues TalkTalk owes 365m through a revolving credit facility and 685m in the form of bonds falling due for repayment next February. A TalkTalk spokesman said: We anticipate agreement on new capital investment into the business in the near future, and discussions to achieve that are ongoing. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (Bloomberg) -- Sudanese military leader Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan escaped a drone attack on a military camp that killed five people, Arabic media reported, upping the stakes in the nations more than yearlong civil war. Most Read from Bloomberg Two strikes hit the facility in the eastern town of Gebeit on Wednesday after the end of a military graduation ceremony, Sudans army said in a statement. It reported the death toll and said others were injured. The military didnt mention Burhans presence, although state news before the assault ran a story on him attending the ceremony. The Al-Arabiya news channel said he wasnt hurt and had moved to Port Sudan, the seat of the countrys military-led government. It cited people it didnt identify. Sudans army and the Rapid Support Forces militia have both used drones against the other during a brutal 15-month conflict the US estimates may have killed some 150,000 people. The attack came as Washington urges both sides to attend peace talks in Switzerland in August. Millions of Sudanese have fled their homes and are at risk of starvation since a long-simmering dispute between the army and RSF erupted into full-blown war in April 2023. The United Nations describes it as the worlds biggest displacement crisis. (Updates with army statement throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Sudan's army chief, was the target of a drone attack that killed five people, officials said Wednesday. Al-Burhan had been attending a ceremony for military graduates in Jebeit, a small town in eastern Sudan, when the strike took place. In April 2023, a civil conflict broke out between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group following months of tensions linked to a planned transition to civilian rule. The conflict has led to at least 16,000 deaths, according to the United Nations. Local groups, however, warn the true toll is likely much higher. "Today, our ground anti-aircraft missiles responded to two hostile marches that targeted the site of the celebration of the graduation of batches from the Military, Air and Naval Colleges after its conclusion in Jebeit," the Sudanese Army said in a statement. MORE: US invites Sudan's warring parties to cease-fire talks in Switzerland, as fighting rages on At least five people were killed in Wednesday's drone attack, the Sudanese Army announced. Army officials also said the incident led to "minor injuries." PHOTO: Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan gestures as he attends a graduation ceremony in Gibet near Port Sudan, July 31, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images) The United States has invited warring parties to begin cease-fire talks in Switzerland next month. "A few things have changed: One is the acuteness of the horrors, and two is the greater alignment across the region among our African and Gulf counterparts that this is an unacceptable situation, and that nobody wins from the continued destabilization," a senior U.S. official told ABC News last week. In a statement, RSF chief Mohammed Daglo -- commonly known as Hemedti -- welcomed the talks, saying the RSF is "ready to deal with these talks constructively." Al-Burhan said he is open to talks "only on the condition" that RSF and allied militias vacate civilian homes. "We appreciate the initiatives from the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. However, these efforts must be coordinated with the Sudanese government, and Sudan should be involved in every detail of the discussions, including the participants and the negotiation agenda," he said. The RSF has yet to publicly comment on the drone attack. Sudanese Army Chief Al-Burhan survives drone assassination attempt originally appeared on abcnews.go.com FILE - Sudan's Army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan speaks in Khartoum, Sudan, on Dec. 5, 2022. Sudans military said its top commander, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, survived a drone attack on a military graduation ceremony that killed five people in the countrys east. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File) CAIRO (AP) Sudans military leader, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, survived a drone attack Wednesday on an army graduation ceremony he was attending in the countrys east, the military said. The attack that killed five people was the latest twist in the conflict Sudan has been going through since a popular uprising removed its veteran leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The attack by two drones took place in the town of Gebeit after the ceremony was concluded, the military added. Burhan was not hurt, according to Lt. Col. Hassan Ibrahim, from the military spokesman's office. Videos posted by Al Araby TV showed multiple people running along a dusty road at the time of the drone attack, while other footage showed people at the graduation ceremony apparently looking to the sky as the drone strike hit. Another video posted on Facebook by the Sudanese Armed Forces showed a crowd of people gathering around Burhan following the drone strike, cheering for him as he smiled. A spontaneous popular gathering of the people of the Jebait region with the President of the Sovereign Council and Commander-in-Chief following the graduation of a new batch of officers, the post read. Sudan has been torn by war for more than a year between the military and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces or RSF. With fighting in the capital, Khartoum, the military leadership largely operates out of eastern Sudan near the Red Sea Coast. The RSF has not commented on the assassination attempt yet, which comes nearly a week after its leader said that he planned to attend cease-fire talks in Switzerland next month arranged by the United States and Saudi Arabia. Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the Rapid Support Forces fighting Sudans army, emphasized at the time that the talks would become a major step toward peace and stability in Sudan and create a new state based on justice, equality and federal rule. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday responded to the U.S. invitation to the talks in Geneva, saying the military-controlled Sudanese government is prepared to take part but said that any negotiation before implementing the Jeddah Declaration wouldnt be acceptable to the Sudanese people. The Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect Civilians passed last year meant to end the conflict, but neither side committed to its objectives. Representatives from the Sudanese Army and the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamadan Dagalo, engaged in revived talks brokered by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, focusing on the delivery of humanitarian aid, achieving ceasefires and paving the way toward a permanent cessation of aggression, among other objectives. In its Tuesday statement, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry accused the RSF of being the only party that attacks cities, villages and civilians. The military-controlled Sudanese government demanded sanctions be imposed on rebels to stop their continuous aggression, end their siege on cities, and open roads. Those taking part in the initiative are the same as the parties who participated in the Jeddah talks, and the topics are identical to what was agreed upon, the statement read. The ministry added that the military-led government must be consulted about the planned agenda for any negotiations and parties taking part, with the provisions in the Jeddah Declaration being the basis of future talks. Cameron Hudson, the former chief of staff to the special envoy to Sudan, said the military government's response is far more positive and open than he had anticipated because it opened the door to preliminary talks with the U.S. The Rapid Support Forces were formed from Janjaweed fighters created under former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who ruled the country for three decades before being overthrown during a popular uprising in 2019. He is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide and other crimes during the conflict in Darfur in the 2000s. The conflict has created the worlds largest displacement crisis with more than 10 million people forced to flee their homes since April 2023, according to the U.N. migration agency. They include more than 2.2 million who crossed into neighboring countries, it said. Sugarcreek to highlight its heritage by installing statue of cheesemaker in downtown SUGARCREEK A vacant lot next to the World's Largest Cuckoo Clock in downtown Sugarcreek is being developed by the village to honor the area's cheesemaking heritage, with the goal to have the project done in time for the Ohio Swiss Festival, which begins Sept. 26. The centerpiece will be a statue of a cheesemaker, being created by well-known sculptor Alan Cottrill of Zanesville. In Tuscarawas County, Cottrill has also sculpted a statue of Woody Hayes at Lee Stadium in Newcomerstown, as well as the Lenape tribe sculptures for the Newcomerstown Historical Society. Masons from Trico Masonry of Berlin haul bricks produced by Belden Brick to construct a retaining wall that will surround an area dedicated to the village's cheesemaking history. The centerpiece will be a statue created by Allen Cottrill of Zanesville, who also sculpted a statue of Woody Hayes at Lee Stadium in Newcomerstown and the Lenape tribe sculptures for the Newcomerstown Historical Society. Once the Sugarcreek project is completed, the lot on North Broadway Street will include a pavilion, benches and tables and a handicapped accessible restroom, according to Mayor Walt Wilson. Turf will be installed around the statue, and the rest of the lot will be paved with concrete. The goal is to highlight the cheese industry, which began when Swiss immigrants arrived in Tuscarawas, Holmes and Coshocton counties in the 1830s. By 1930, there were 40 area plants produced 4 million pounds of Swiss cheese. This statue of a cheesemaker, created by Zanesville sculptor Alan Cottrill, will be going on display in downtown Sugarcreek. More on cheese: New book chronicles history of Swiss cheese-making in eastern Ohio The statue will have a plaque detailing the history of the local cheese industry. On the back will be a plaque listing donors and a list of the more than 160 cheese houses that were in existence in the area at one time. Bringing back downtown But the mayor said the project is about more than the cheese industry. Walt Wilson, Mayor of Sugarcreek, talks about the ongoing project devoted to the cheesemakers of Ohio's Amish Country, Tuesday, July, 23 in Sugarcreek. The project will feature a cheesemaker statue as well as a giant copper kettle used for the artisanal craft. "We're in the town square," Wilson said. "We've got the museum (Alpine Hills Museum), we've got the art wall (across the street), we've got the clock. We have a tremendous number of tourists here. We want them to be comfortable and have a nice place to come and enjoy. They can sit here and relax. They'll have restrooms right here." Added village Administrator Kevin Kaser, "I see a large number of people visiting the clock on a daily basis. We're trying to bring downtown back." People photograph the world's largest cuckoo clock located in Sugarcreek. The cheese statue has been in the works since 2021 when former Mayor Jeff Stutzman teamed with Chuck Ellis of Pearl Valley Cheese in Fresno and Richard Guggisberg of Guggisberg Cheese near Charm to get the project started. The location has been a point of discussion for some time, Kaser said. There was talk of placing it across the street, in the lot that has the village art wall and a memorial to Lt. Gen. Donald L. Putt, a Sugarcreek native. But it would have taken space for the parking lot there, and Kaser said parking is in short supply of the downtown. Using the village-owned lot for the statue made more sense. Wilson noted that Ellis and Guggisberg have been consulted on all decisions regarding the statue. A mason from Berlin's Trico Masonry works on the retaining wall that will border the area dedicated to the village's cheesemaking history next to the world's largest cuckoo clock in the Village of Sugarcreek. Donations for project There is no cost estimate on the project yet, but some village funds will be used to pay for it. Sugarcreek has also received many donations, including bricks from Belden Brick and blocks from Stocker Concrete, Wilson said. Pleasant Valley Concrete has given the village a reduction in price on the concrete. Chad Schindler of Broad Run Cheesehouse has donated a copper kettle to go with the statue. Wilson has his own ties to the cheese industry. His wife, Linda, is the daughter of Paul Mueller, who was a cheesemaker in Sugarcreek. Linda's grandfather, John Mueller, was a native of Switzerland who made cheese in Charm. "The cheese industry in Sugarcreek, that is Sugarcreek," the mayor said. "The train station is Sugarcreek, Belden Brick. They're all huge parts of this village." Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com. This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Sugarcreek plans to celebrate its heritage with cheesemaker statue The state Capitol has been a regular gathering spot to protest the use of eminent domain to build carbon dioxide pipelines. (Photo by Jim Obradovich for Iowa Capital Dispatch) Summit Carbon Solutions castigated a group of Republican state lawmakers who oppose the use of eminent domain for its project, saying their arguments are perplexing and unsupported by a majority of the Legislature. The company, which seeks to build a sprawling carbon dioxide pipeline network in five states, made the remarks this week in response to multiple requests for state regulators to reverse their decision to issue Summit a permit to build in Iowa. The groups that have filed reconsideration requests with the three-member Iowa Utilities Commission predict that the challenges will fail and that the issue will be decided in court. There were eight reconsideration requests filed by conservation groups, landowners, counties and the Republican Legislative Intervenors for Justice, a group of about 40 state lawmakers. Their objections to the pipeline project vary, but a main argument is that its improper for Summit to use eminent domain to force unwilling landowners to host its system on their properties. The lawmakers have argued the commissioners were biased toward the company from the start and cherrypicked facts that justified a permit and eminent domain. They say the IUCs permit process violated the due process rights of landowners and that its legal conclusions conflict with laws, court rulings and the state and federal constitutions. Summit, in its response to the lawmakers request for reconsideration, said the request has no new arguments and represents an improper attack by a minority of the Legislature on actions taken (or not taken) by that body, according to IUC documents filed by Summits attorneys. That was, in part, a reference to the failed legislative attempts to limit the use of eminent domain for Summits project in recent years. Republicans control the Iowa House which passed an eminent domain bill and they also control the Iowa Senate which refused to consider it. RLIJ is a minority subset of the Iowa Legislature attempting to convince an executive branch agency to adopt a policy position that the legislators could not successfully get through their own branch of government, Summits attorneys wrote. Second, and even more astounding, RLIJ in nearly every instance is raising issues that are ultimately rooted in Iowa statutes passed by a majority of the Iowa Legislature. Its unclear whether the opposition to eminent domain for the project is a minority opinion among lawmakers. The bill was overwhelmingly approved by the House with 73 yes votes, and there was no vote in the Senate, which has 50 members. Iowa Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, who championed the eminent domain bill, said Summits arguments are incredibly hypocritical and entitled, and he disputed the companys assertion that those who oppose eminent domain for the company are in the minority. I believe the opposition in the Legislature is bipartisan and overwhelming, Holt said. It is unfortunate that Senate leadership refused to allow it to come to a vote. Summit objected to the other requests for reconsideration largely by saying they, too, contained no new arguments that had not been already considered by the commission. The IUC is expected to respond to the requests in the next two weeks. Editors note: This article was updated to include information from Rep. Steven Holt. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Sun Metro held a press conference Wednesday morning, July 31, after its bus system was approved for more than $30 million in federal funding to replace aging buses and fight air pollution in the El Paso region, according to the City of El Paso and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The press conference was held at the Sun Metro Transit Operations Center located at 10151 Montana Ave. El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser and US Congresswoman Veronica Escobar along with Sun Metro staff were present. As we have previously reported, the U.S. Department of Transportations FTA announced around $1.5 billion in funding for 117 projects to improve public transportation in 47 states back in July. The City of El Pasos Mass Transit Department will be receiving $30,597,000 as a result. The City says the funding will enable the purchase of 32 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and the construction of four new bus canopies. Sun Metro is also expecting 45 electric vehicles for its paratransit fleet to arrive in late 2025. Sun Metros entire fleet currently runs on compressed natural gas. The New Mexico Department of Transportation will also be receiving $9.8 million in funding, and the South Central Regional Transit District (SCRTD) says it will be getting a part of that funding. The SCRTD serves Dona Ana County and has routes tying into El Paso. According to the announcement, the SCRTD will use its portion of the funding to buy a new hybrid-electric bus and will also build a new transit facility in Las Cruces. Today, another 117 communities across 47 states are receiving the good news that their transit buses are being modernized and their commutes improved through President Bidens Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a news release. The Biden-Harris Administration is helping agencies replace old buses running on dirtier, expensive fuels by delivering modern and zero-emission buses, manufactured by American workers, that will connect more people to where they need to go. This funding is in addition to the $750,000 secured by Escobar for Sun Metro in FY24, according to the congresswomans office. To learn more about Sun Metro, call (915) 212-3333 or visit www.SunMetro.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 KTSM 9 News. Kamala Harris is planning an aggressive blitz of battleground states next week once she names her vice presidential running mate, a sign that Democrats hope to widen the electoral map against former President Trump. Fresh off a rousing speech to an overflow crowd of 10,000 in Atlanta, Harris says she will barnstorm across all six of the battleground states that President Biden narrowly won in 2020, plus North Carolina, which Trump took. Its a move to signal confidence that she has what it takes to match or even exceed Bidens showing and forge an electoral college path to become the nations first Black woman president. A raft of new polls show Harris has quickly ridden a wave of enthusiasm to transform the race against Trump into a legitimate dead heat with the potential to build more momentum leading up to the Democratic National Convention in August. Some even show her taking the lead in most battleground states where Trump had led for months. Harris is expected to pick her running mate no later than early next week in time to join her as she hopscotches across the nations swing states. Theyll start in Philadelphia, then jump to the other Rust Belt states of Michigan and Wisconsin. Then its off to the Sun Belt, with rallies in North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. Before Biden dropped out, Democrats were realistically eyeing a more narrow path to 270 electoral votes that involved clinging to the so-called blue wall states. Harris is also going on the offensive against Trump on a range of issues, notably immigration and the southern border. Faced with GOP attack ads blaming her for the migrant crisis, Harris is punching back by taking credit for a border compromise that Republicans shot down at Trumps behest. Donald Trump has been talking a big game about securing our border, but he does not walk the walk, Harris told the roaring crowd in Atlanta. She also accused Trump of trying to avoid debating her because he may be afraid of her youth and dynamism, especially compared to Biden. The Trump and Biden campaigns had agreed to hold two debates, including a second one on Sept. 10 on ABC News, but the former president is now looking to shift the clash to conservative-leaning Fox News. Well Donald, I do hope youll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage, Harris told supporters. Because as the saying goes: If you got something to say, say it to my face. Trump has surprisingly struggled to come up with effective lines of attack against Harris and appears to have been caught flat-footed by Bidens decision to step down and hand the baton to his No. 2. Trumps running mate J.D. Vance continues to struggle on the national stage, with critics mocking him for weird beliefs about people who dont have biological children. Democrats hope whoever Harris picks as her running mate can fit into the traditional attack dog role of slamming Trump while avoiding discussion of their own record or past statements. Insiders list Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona as the favorites, along with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Kelly touted his border state bona fides on Wednesday in the latest of a string of Democratic veepstakes tryouts. [Trump] wanted to talk about this issue instead of actually fix it, and J.D. Vance and other Republicans, they ran away from it, Kelly told MSNBC. All are white men from Midwest or swing states, a profile that suggests Harris wants to balance her trailblazing ticket to appeal to moderates and independent voters. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Michigans Gretchen Whitmer have said they dont want to be considered for the spot. NATIONAL CITY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Its been several months since a sex trafficking crackdown in National City and San Diego that led to the arrest of 46 individuals. While the prostitution is still ongoing in both areas, local authorities are finding new ways to tackle the matter. In broad daylight, signs of a known prostitution hub were evident just north of Main St. along Dalbergia St. in San Diego. Our shaky iPhone camera captured women believed to be selling sex. When we moved in here, it was at first shocking, but we just got used to it, said Bobby Barrera, an employee at San Diego Leather in National City along Roosevelt Avenue. Last week, a Skywatch surveillance tower was installed in the businesss back lot to mitigate foot traffic and curtail an $800 million industry locally. According to Lt. Vincent Fernando, who is in charge of prevention, the watchtower records activity around it, deterring people from engaging in shady activities. Nearby businesses say theyve seen less foot traffic, but it could be pushing the problem to other known hubs, like the one along Dalbergia Street in San Diego. Toddler dies from drowning in pond We basically dont have any probable cause to stop them if theyre out in the streets, said Fernando, highlighting the challenges posed by decriminalization laws. Senate Bill 357, dubbed the Safer Streets for All Act, aims to protect people from discriminatory arrests based on how they dress or their profession. However, County District Attorney Summer Stephan argues otherwise. They are dehumanized as objects, theyre being sold like a slice of pizza, she said. Data from The Ugly Truth San Diego indicates there are over 3,000 to 8,000 sex trafficking victims in the county each year, something the County DA says is linked to prostitution. We have these adults, who appear to be working on free will, but they have been groomed and brainwashed into this terrible, terrible life, Stephan said. The average age of entry into sex trafficking is 16. Given that statistic, advocates are pushing for tougher penalties and more enforcement, specifically a bill that would make buying a minor for sex a felony. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 man recently identified as a suspect in the 1991 murder of a 23-year-old woman has died by suicide, days after a DNA swab from his cheek matched DNA evidence collected at the crime scene 33 years ago, according to the Hawaii Police Department. Albert Lauro Jr., 57, was identified as a suspect in the murder of Dana Ireland, who had been kidnapped and raped in the Kapoho area of Hawaii Island on Dec. 24, 1991, according to police. She died a day later at a local hospital. "This case is still under investigation. Albert Lauro Jr. has been linked to the victim by DNA; however, his exact involvement is still under investigation. And his death was ruled a suicide by the forensic pathologist," Hawaii Police Department Capt. Rio Amon-Wilkins told ABC News. MORE: 2 men fatally shoot each other in California road rage incident DNA evidence had been recovered from a swab taken from Ireland's body, from a sheet used to transport her to the hospital and from a t-shirt found at the scene and was used by police to identify a suspect in her murder this month, according to Hawaii PD. PHOTO: Albert Lauro Jr. 2017 drivers license photo released by police. (Hawaii Police Department) At the time of the murder, there was no match for the evidence in any DNA database, police said. In 2008, the DNA evidence was sent to the Forensic Analytical Crime Lab in California, and additional DNA evidence was collected from the T-shirt, which matched other samples from the scene, according to Hawaii PD. DNA experts are now able to take data from a DNA sample and build a family tree based on known DNA from relatives. Earlier this year, an FBI agent from the Honolulu Field Office contacted police investigators with the names of some people who could potentially match the DNA sample -- including Lauro Jr., according to Hawaii PD. Lauro Jr. lived in the Kapoho area at the time of the murder, so police surveilled him, eventually collecting a utensil that he had been using and then threw away. The DNA collected from the utensil matched the DNA evidence connected to the crime, police said. MORE: A woman who took an abortion pill was charged with murder. She is now suing prosecutors The evidence established probable cause for the crime of rape. The statute of limitations for the crime had run out, but investigators were able to continue to investigate the case as a murder though they did not have enough evidence to establish probable cause and arrest Lauro Jr., according to Hawaii PD. PHOTO: Dana Ireland in a photo released by police. (Hawaii Police Department) Investigators obtained a court order for a cheek swab from the suspect, then asked him to come to the station and talk to investigators but he was not taken into custody at the time. After the swab was taken he asked to leave and was allowed to do so. The swab then matched the DNA taken from the scene of the crime 33 years ago after it was analyzed at the California lab, according to Hawaii PD. "The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects individuals from unwarranted search and seizure," Hawaii Police Department Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz said in a statement. "In order to obtain a search warrant, investigators would have to have established probable cause for the crime of murder and explained specifically what evidence it was seeking." "We remain focused on Dana Ireland, a young woman who was brutally murdered. There is still a lot about this case that we do not know and our investigation into this case continues to push forward. Our search for the truth is not over," Moszkowicz said. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or loved one, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Suspect in cold case murder dies by suicide days after submitting DNA: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Tecnoglass Inc. Miami, FL, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tecnoglass, Inc. (NYSE: TGLS) ("Tecnoglass" or the "Company"), a leading producer of high-end aluminum and vinyl windows and architectural glass for the global residential and commercial end markets, is proud to announce that its ES Pivot Door has received multiple prestigious awards that highlight excellence in design and functionality. The ES Pivot Door has been recognized with two significant honors: Best Hardware Product - Glass Magazine Award 2024 The Pivot Door was awarded the "Best Hardware Product or System" in the 2024 Glass Magazine Awards. This accolade highlights excellence in design, functionality, and innovation within hardware systems used in glass installations in the architectural glass and glazing industry. RED Awards - Luxe Magazine Readers' Choice The Pivot Door also received the Luxe RED (Residential Excellence in Design) Awards Readers' Choice recognition. This prestigious honor in the luxury residential design industry celebrates outstanding achievements in residential architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture. Luxe Interiors + Design is a well-respected publication in the luxury design industry. Jose Manuel Daes, CEO of Tecnoglass, commented, We are thrilled to receive these esteemed recognitions for our ES Pivot Door. These awards validate our commitment to innovation and design excellence in high-performance window and door systems. The Glass Magazine Award underscores our product's technical superiority, while the Luxe RED Award demonstrates its appeal to discerning consumers in the luxury residential market. We are proud to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible in architectural glass and aluminum products. The success of ES Pivot Door highlights Tecnoglass' ongoing dedication to producing cutting-edge, high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of both the commercial and residential construction markets. About Tecnoglass Tecnoglass Inc. is a leading producer of high-end aluminum and vinyl windows and architectural glass serving the multi-family, single-family, and commercial end markets. Tecnoglass is the second largest glass fabricator serving the U.S. and the #1 architectural glass transformation company in Latin America. Located in Barranquilla, Colombia, the Companys 5.6 million square foot, vertically integrated, and state-of-the-art manufacturing complex provide efficient access to nearly 1,000 customers in North, Central and South America, with the United States accounting for 95% of total revenues. Tecnoglass tailored, high-end products are found on some of the worlds most distinctive properties, including One Thousand Museum (Miami), Paramount (Miami), Salesforce Tower (San Francisco), Via 57 West (NY), Hub50House (Boston), Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado (Bogota), One Plaza (Medellin), Pabellon de Cristal (Barranquilla). For more information, please visit www.tecnoglass.com or view our corporate video at https://vimeo.com/134429998 . Story continues Forward Looking Statements This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding future financial performance, future growth and future acquisitions. These statements are based on Tecnoglass current expectations or beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of Tecnoglass business. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies are indicated from time to time in Tecnoglass filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. Further, investors should keep in mind that Tecnoglass financial results in any particular period may not be indicative of future results. Tecnoglass is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events and changes in assumptions or otherwise, except as required by law. Investor Relations: Santiago Giraldo CFO 305-503-9062 investorrelations@tecnoglass.com Media Inquiries: Amanda Gonzalez Communications and PR Manager Amanda.gonzalez@tecnoglass.com Suspect in death of missing Colorado woman arrested in Florida DENVER (KDVR) A Colorado man who was wanted in connection to the disappearance and death of a woman in Yuma was found and arrested in Florida on Monday. Clifton Boggess, 62, was arrested near Lake Placid in Florida after a multi-agency manhunt. Stone Canyon Fire: Evacuations ordered for new fire near Lyons The victim, Britani Meek, was first reported missing on Oct. 25, 2023, when she was heading to the Denver area to meet with an unknown person, according to the Yuma Police Department. Police said her car was found on Nov. 16, and her body was found on Nov. 22, both on a property in rural Yuma County. Last Wednesday, a homicide warrant was issued charging Boggess with first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased body, second-degree kidnapping, second-degree motor vehicle theft and third-degree assault, according to a press release from the U.S. Marshals Service. On Thursday, Yuma Police asked the U.S. Marshals Services Colorado Violent Offender Task Force for help finding Boggess. Detectives indicated that Boggess had likely fled the state. Investigators determined that he likely went to Central Florida and the U.S. Marshals Florida-Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force began a local investigation into Boggess whereabouts on Friday. On Monday, the U.S. Marshals located Boggess at a commercial storage facility near U.S. Highway 27 and Main Avenue in Lake Placid and he was arrested. He was booked on the outstanding warrant in the Highlands County Jail in Sebring, Florida, pending his extradition to Colorado. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Des Moines police have identified the man shot and killed early Tuesday morning during a domestic violence investigation. Weston Dean Derby, 45, of Bellevue, Nebraska, was killed after police allege he pulled and pointed a gun toward two Des Moines Police Department officers in the 4300 block of East Army Post Road. One of the officers was struck by friendly fire and was transported to Iowa Methodist Medical Center, where he was in serious but stable condition as of Tuesday. Derby was driving a stolen vehicle at the time of the crash and had an extensive criminal record in Nebraska. He also had outstanding warrants in at least two Nebraska cases. Police have not yet released body camera footage of the encounter pending an investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The two officers involved have not been identified. What led up to the Des Moines police shooting? Police were called to the 5800 block of Southeast 35th Circle about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday for a report of someone violating a protective order, said Sgt. Paul Parizek, a spokesperson for the Des Moines Police Department. Officers spotted Derby leaving the scene and followed his vehicle onto East Army Post Road, where he appeared to lose control and left the roadway. Two officers left their vehicles and followed him. Previously: Des Moines police officer shot by friendly fire asks about returning to work Parizek said Tuesday that unreleased body camera footage showed Derby raising a handgun toward his own head, then pointing it toward the officers, who both fired. Derby was fatally wounded and died at the scene. It appeared that the officer who was shot may have moved into a position in front of the other officer as he was retreating during the shooting, Parizek said. At the time of the encounter, the metro was under a severe thunderstorm warning, with more than half an inch of rain recorded in south Des Moines between 3 and 4 a.m. Tuesday and wind gusts of up to 60 mph. Parizek said the two officers had to pursue Derby through an overgrown area in bad weather conditions, possibly contributing to the ensuing friendly fire. Order of protection filed against Weston Derby just before Des Moines police shooting Derby was the subject of a temporary protective order filed Monday, ordering him not to contact, threaten or harass a female and to stay away from her and her home and workplace, according to Iowa court records. A court hearing was scheduled for Aug. 13 to consider making the protective order permanent. Parizek said Tuesday that the victim had dated Derby years before but had been out of contact for some time until he showed up without notice in front of her house on Friday, leading her to request the protective order. He further alleged that Derby had stolen a car from Council Bluffs on July 25, and had license plates stolen from West Des Moines on Monday. "Theres a lot of indication that had these cops not intervened in this, we mightve been telling a different story with something violent happening to her," Parizek said. Des Moines police shooting suspect had a history of violence in Nebraska Derby's only other entry in Iowa court records is a speeding ticket from 2005. In Nebraska, though, court records show Derby had numerous encounters with law enforcement in recent years. More than 20 cases, nearly all from the past five years, show Derby has convictions for assault, drug offenses and theft. He also had numerous charges and convictions for terroristic threats and protective order violations, including three separate cases filed in November 2023. In one of those cases, according to court filings, a woman told police he'd repeatedly called and texted her at work despite a protective order. The texts contained false allegations about her wellbeing. Less than a week later, he was charged again with another violation involving the same woman. At that time, he was also charged with making terroristic threats against her. It's not immediately known if any protective orders specifically prohibited Derby from having a firearm. The temporary order in Iowa stipulated that if a final protective order was issued, Debry would be required to "surrender all firearms, offensive weapons, and ammunition." Weston Derby had outstanding warrants from Nebraska before Des Moines police shooting Derby pled guilty in those cases, but he had not been sentenced. Court records show he had an outstanding warrant in one case issued on July 16, after he failed to report to his pretrial release officer. He was scheduled to be sentenced in the terroristic threats case on July 23, but failed to appear, and a warrant was issued in that case as well. Throughout Derby's numerous criminal infractions, he does not appear to have ever received a sentence of more than eight months in jail, with nearly all of his cases resolved with fines for misdemeanors. Under his plea deal in the recent terroristic threats case, prosecutors had agreed not to oppose a sentence of probation. It's not clear whether or how Derby was employed prior to the shooting, but in a 2016 custody dispute, he testified he worked as a self-employed stonemason. At that time, according to court filings, he had at least two children with different mothers. Jose Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com. William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Police identify suspect killed in Des Moines police shooting The suspected serial bank robber known as the Derby Desperado was apprehended in North Texas on Monday, according to the FBI. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Justin Lee Chambers, was taken into custody around 10 a.m. in Grapevine for his alleged involvement in the July 12 robbery at the Capital One Bank in Dallas. Update: On Monday, July 29, at approximately 10:00 a.m., FBI Dallas Divisions Violent Crime Task Force & Dallas Police Department, arrested Justin Lee Chambers (40), in Grapevine for the July 12, 2024, bank robbery at the Capital One Bank in Dallas.https://t.co/KTADBnqczt FBI Dallas (@FBIDallas) July 30, 2024 The arrest was a coordinated effort by the FBI Dallas Divisions Violent Crime Task Force and the Dallas Police Department. The arrest comes after weeks of intense investigation and public appeals for information. The FBIs Dallas Division had sought the publics assistance in identifying the Derby Desperado, who was believed to be responsible for two high-profile bank robberies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area earlier this month. The first robbery occurred on July 3, around 1:30 p.m. at the Texans Credit Union located at 7220 Telecom Parkway in Garland. The robber walked to the counter while speaking loudly on a mobile phone and presented a demand note to the teller, the FBI said. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash, he exited the bank and fled in a dark SUV. More top stories from our newsroom: We fact-checked Gov. Abbott on terrorism claims Bones found in 1984 identified as missing 25-year-old Settlement reached for fired Fort Worth police chief? [Get our breaking news alerts.] The second robbery took place on July 12, at the Capital One Bank at 2903 Forest Lane in Dallas, around 1:45 p.m. Using the same tactic, Chambers presented a demand note and once again left the premises in a dark SUV, the FBI said. During both robberies, the man wore a light fedora-style hat with a dark band, leading investigators to come up with the nickname. With Chambers now in custody, authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if he is linked to any additional crimes. Swiss officials face backlash over decision to break from climate promise: 'Adding fuel to the fire with billions in taxpayer finance' In 2023, Switzerland joined an international agreement pledging to end all taxpayer financing for fossil fuels. But recently, the country was exposed for having broken that promise, Oil Change International reported. What's happening? In June, Switzerland's Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV) quietly replaced the previously signed agreement of the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) with a much more lenient one. The new agreement allows dirty energy financing to continue and opens several loopholes that essentially give SERV unlimited authority to authorize dirty energy projects, Oil Change International reported. Not only did SERV water down the climate pledge it's pumping money into the dirty energy industry, per Oil Change International. In fact, the outlet notes, Switzerland has now surpassed the United States in oil financing and "approved the most fossil fuel finance of the CETP signatories since the agreement took effect, providing a total of almost $3.6 billion for five fossil fuel projects." Why is this violation of the CETP so concerning? We're at a critical moment in climate history when adherence to agreements like CETP is crucial to slow down the deadly rise of global heating (explained here by the Natural Resources Defense Council). In short, it is not a time to break promises. "Other countries have kept their promise to end international public finance for fossil fuels. There is no time to lose," said Adam McGibbon, Public Finance Strategist at OCI, in a statement. "Public money that should be going to support a just transition to renewable energy is instead being pumped into more climate-wrecking fossil fuel projects, harming communities." Unfortunately, while Switzerland has now surpassed CETP members in oil financing, plenty of politicians are still undoing the work of their climate-minded counterparts. For example, Louisiana recently gained federal approval for a massive new natural gas plant and pipeline, and Virginia's governor rolled back pollution regulations on the auto industry. "Our home is burning, but Switzerland is adding fuel to the fire with billions in taxpayer finance for fossil fuels," McGibbon emphasized. "No scientific basis was provided for this change, because none exists." What's being done about fossil fuel financing? Politicians and advocates hope that international pressure will force SERV back into compliance with the CETP standards, according to OCI. Even in countries where the CETP is still in effect, it will be crucial that both governments and massive corporations continue to adhere to its regulations to create a more liveable future. "Switzerland must take urgent action to end this madness and they will be held accountable to their promises," McGibbon said. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. A Swiss town is home to a 5-star hotel that welcomes everyone from the ultrawealthy to royalty. Take a look inside. The Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel, Switzerland, has a rich history of remarkable guests. For centuries, the hotel has catered to guests such as Queen Elizabeth II and the Rolling Stones. I experienced the five-star service on a recent visit to the hotel. As I eavesdropped on a conversation at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, it felt almost too cliche. Perched on red velvet chairs and sipping top-shelf cocktails, a group of hotel guests discussed a friend's upcoming art show. He was heading from Switzerland to New York City to display his latest installation, where the work was expected to sell for about the median price of a US house. The guests chatted, tossing out names I didn't know. If I were anybody in the art world, I'm sure they're names I would have recognized. The conversation shouldn't have phased me. I was at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, the ritziest hotel in the Swiss town of Basel, an area known for art. The property has welcomed royalty, celebrities, art fanatics, and the ultrawealthy in its three-century history. It's a hotel that oozes luxury, and for one night, I soaked in every detail from the down pillows to the Champagne breakfast. There's only one five-star hotel in Basel, and that's the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois. The exterior of the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel, Switzerland. Monica Humphries/Business Insider The Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois has earned its reputation for plenty of reasons. It's the only five-star property in Switzerland's third-largest city. Famous names fill the hotel's guest book, including Pablo Picasso, Queen Elizabeth II, Napoleon, the Dalai Lama, Charles Dickens, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. And beyond well-known names, the hotel is home to famous dining spots, including Cheval Blanc, a three-Michelin-star restaurant. The property sits on the banks of the Rhine River, making it impossible to miss. A view of the hotel from the Rhine River. Monica Humphries/Business Insider The Rhine River cuts through the heart of Basel, and the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois is along the banks. Its position made the hotel an ideal location for travel and trade routes in the 1600s. Originally opened in 1681, the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois catered to the nobility. Its name translates to three kings, a reference to the three wise men. Then in 1841 and 1842, the hotel was rebuilt to the similar design people see today. I spent a night at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois at the end of the town's annual Art Basel festival. The interior of the author's hotel room. Monica Humphries/Business Insider The hotel is home to 101 rooms and suites. I visited during Art Basel, the town's largest art fair, and therefore, one of the hotel's most popular times. I snagged a room for one night at the end of the fair. The king room with city views cost $607 for the night. I climbed up the carpeted steps where I was swept away into luxury. The outside entrance to the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois. Monica Humphries/Business Insider I spent the week before my stay at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois eyeing the hotel from the waterfront. The light-yellow building is impossible to miss as a tourist, and between its rating, reputation, and price tag, I knew high expectations were welcomed when stepping inside. So, on the afternoon of my stay, I lugged my suitcase to the entrance, where a bellhop immediately grabbed my bag. For the next 15 hours, I didn't lift another finger. Front and center in the lobby were pastel blooms from Fleurs des Rois, the hotel's in-house florist The entrance of the five-star Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois. Monica Humphries/Business Insider My eyes were pulled in every direction moments after stepping inside the hotel. I could see the river through windows across from the entrance. Above me, a grand chandelier glistened, and below me were checkered marble floors. But what was impossible to miss were the fresh flowers filling a table at the lobby's center. The flowers were from Fleurs de Rois, a flower shop attached to the hotel. When I visited, the shop was under renovation. Thankfully, I could still appreciate the lobby blooms. A receptionist welcomed me to the property, carted my bags to my room, and handed me the largest hotel key I'd ever seen. The author's room key. Monica Humphries/Business Insider Moments after stepping inside the hotel and before I could begin to process the grandness of the space I was whisked away to the receptionist. Here, I was handed a key to the room. Instead of pointing directions to the nearest elevator, the receptionist walked me to my room. I was given a quick rundown of how the key worked and the features of my room. Then, I was left to soak in my home for the night. Dripping in red velvet curtains and rich wood, the room could simply be described as ornate. The interior of the author's room at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois. Monica Humphries/Business Insider After a short ride in an elevator to a hallway rich with patterned carpet and marble-textured walls, my room was no surprise. The space was overwhelmingly red, which naturally created a rich, luxurious space. The walls were lined with red-patterned wallpaper. Velvet curtains hung from the practically floor-to-ceiling windows, and the headboard was also covered with red fabric. Paired with the red were crisp white sheets, rich wooden wardrobes, and details of yellow. Inside the large closets, I discovered plush robes and a complimentary minibar. The wardrobe in the author's hotel room. Monica Humphries/Business Insider On one wall, windows framed the town of Basel. Across from the windows were floor-to-ceiling wardrobes. One half had plenty of room for my suitcase. The other half was home to two robes, a lint brush, a safe, and a complimentary minibar stocked with sodas, beer, and a handful of snacks. With its down pillows and duvet insert, the bed made it nearly impossible to resist an afternoon nap. The author's king-sized bed at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois. Monica Humphries/Business Insider Two twin beds were pushed together in the center of the room to create a king-sized bed. While I've been lucky enough to sleep in comfortable beds around the world, the bed at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois was easily the coziest. The down duvet inserts felt like sleeping underneath fluffy pillows. I found the pillows to be equally comfy and supportive, but I also had access to a pillow menu outlining a handful of other options for my stay. Beyond the coziest bed, the room had just enough space for a desk, TV, and two chairs. A view of the author's hotel room. Monica Humphries/Business Insider At the foot of the bed were two chairs, a small table, and some welcome fruits for each guest. Across from the chairs was a large wooden desk and a Bang and Olufsen flat-screen television. A similar TV by the company costs more than $8,000. On the wall was an H. Moser and Cie wall clock. A similar clock is sold online for $30,000. In the bathroom, luxuries continued. The interior of the bathroom. Monica Humphries/Business Insider After exploring the luxury details of the hotel's bedroom area, I knew I was in for a treat stepping inside the bathroom. The room's silver details were paired with a rich, black marble covering the vanity and floors. The room was stocked with Feuerstein Essentials toiletries, a Swiss brand of skincare products, and a Geberit toilet with a bidet. The highlight of the bathroom was a large tub equipped with a rain showerhead. The tub and show at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois. Monica Humphries/Business Insider Yet again, the hotel had thought of every detail. The tub had enough room for stretching out, and guests could choose between a rain showerhead and a traditional showerhead. Near the bathroom's light switch was a control for the outside awning, which added an extra layer of privacy while I bathed. It was clear every potential inconvenience and challenge was already answered. With a simple call downstairs, a team could coordinate a car wash or send up a dog sitter. The author's room. Monica Humphries/Business Insider From an online directory, I eyed amenities that weren't obvious from touring my room. If needed, the hotel would provide a watch winder for my stay, and the concierge desk could coordinate everything from a hair appointment to a dog sitter. The Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois also owns both a Bentley and an electric Lucid car available for guests. When I visited, the hotel was constructing a new gym, which meant a temporary fitness room was available downstairs. If that wasn't enough, the hotel could also organize a personal trainer. After settling into my room, I headed downstairs for a late lunch. The hotel has three restaurants, including Cheval Blanc, which has three Michelin stars. The hotel is home to Cheval Blanc, a Michelin-starred restaurant. Monica Humphries/Business Insider It's impossible to visit Basel without hearing mentions of the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, and the same rings true for Cheval Blanc. The restaurant is led by Peter Knogl and is one of the four restaurants in Switzerland to have three stars. Beyond that feat, Cheval Blanc is known as one of the top 100 restaurants in the world. Diners will discover a largely French menu with Asian and Mediterranean influences. A six-course meal costs $360. In need of a quick bite, I settled at the Bar Les Trois Rois. The lobby at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois. Monica Humphries/Business Insider I wasn't hungry enough for a lavish meal, so I headed to the hotel's bar, which adjoins the lobby. While Bar Les Trois Rois might not have a Michelin star, it earned the title of the best bar in Switzerland in 2015. Here, head bartender Thomas Huhn creates cocktails and simple foods are served. Perhaps the highlight is that the bar has expansive windows and a large terrace overlooking the Rhine. Even a simple club sandwich felt elevated at the hotel. The author's lunch at Bar Les Trois Rois. Monica Humphries/Business Insider While the bar menu is just one page, it's clear you're still dining inside a five-star hotel. I eyed a menu with foie gras, caviar, truffle and avocado salad, and lobster rolls. Ultimately, I settled on the veggie club sandwich at the waiter's recommendation. At $47, the sandwich featured a jammy egg, avocado, arugula, tomatoes, and a rich sauce. By the end of the meal, there wasn't a bite left. Halfway through my meal, I took in a rainbow from the hotel's massive terrace. The terrace at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois. Monica Humphries/Business Insider While it was dreary and rainy during my visit, I did explore the terrace and a stunning rainbow during my meal at the bar. Regardless of whether you're staying at the hotel, I'd say grabbing a drink and sitting at the hotel's terrace is a must while in Basel. Beyond delicious food, the hotel staff and historic details were impressive. A view into the lobby of the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois. Monica Humphries/Business Insider The hotel's atmosphere was filled with historic charm. Details like marble columns and ornate furniture made it clear the hotel caters to a wealthy clientele. But what stood out even more than the floors and walls was the staff. Everyone I encountered during my one-night stay was eager to ensure that my visit to the hotel was everything I dreamed of. I slept well in my comfy bed, and the next morning, I headed to Brasserie Les Trois Rois for the most impressive breakfast spread I've ever seen. The interior of the Brasserie Les Trois Rois restaurant. Monica Humphries/Business Insider The third restaurant in the hotel was Brasserie Les Trois Rois, which serves Swiss-French food. Each morning, the restaurant offered a breakfast buffet for $62. The spread included cured meats, personalized omelets, Champagne, and freshly squeezed orange juice. As the morning sun flitted between the Rhine River and crystal glassware scattered across the dining room, I said goodbye to the historic hotel. Breakfast at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois' Brasserie restaurant. Monica Humphries/Business Insider Every bite of the meal was delicious, and it was tough to imagine waking up anywhere other than the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois from now on. While it was just one night in the five-star hotel, it was a memorable evening I won't forget anytime soon. Read the original article on Business Insider Civil defence workers inspect a destroyed apartment in a building that was targeted by an Israeli drone in Beirut's southern suburb. 4 people were killed and wounding more than 70 people. The Israeli military said Tuesday it has carried out a "targeted attack" on a commander of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Beirut. The explosion occurred three days after a deadly rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Marwan Naamani/dpa The Swiss government is calling on its citizens to leave Lebanon in face of escalating tensions in the region following the killing of the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and the strike against a senior Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, in Lebanon. Switzerland's Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) wrote on Wednesday: "The risk of escalation has increased further.... The FDFA recommends that Swiss nationals leave the country by their own means if this appears possible and safe." Tensions between Israel and Lebanon have been growing for months. Hezbollah has fired rockets at Israel, Israel has responded with air strikes in the neighbouring country. Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran have announced that they will retaliate for the killing of Haniyeh, and blame Israel. (Bloomberg) -- Taiwans top financial regulator said recent sales of stocks by overseas investors are a short-term phenomenon that dont represent a bearish view, with foreign holdings on an upward trend in recent years. Most Read from Bloomberg Foreign investors account for about 42% of the islands stock market, compared with 37.5% in 2022, Peng Jin-lung, head of the Financial Supervisory Commission, said in an wide-ranging interview on everything from risks with China to the US election. Our total market cap is increasing, and foreigners maintaining their holdings at this level means their investments are increasing, Peng said. Are foreign investors retreating from Taiwan? We cant tell we only know that trading frequency is increasing. Taiwans TWSE Index has dropped almost 9% from its record close on July 11, with some investors concerned after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump cast doubt over his commitment to defending the island, which China claims is its territory. Peng said the regulator is sketching out various scenarios that may emerge from the US election, but declined to elaborate or comment on the parties or candidates. Its not about who will win the US election, its about how their future policy could affect our industries, Peng said in the interview in Taipei on Wednesday. A victory for the Democratic Partys likely candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, may offer some policy continuity with the administration of President Joe Biden, who has been a strong supporter of Taiwan. But policy makers globally are trying to assess the impact of a second Trump presidency, not least because of his partys shift toward trade protectionism. Taiwan took our chip business from us, Trump told Bloomberg Businessweek, asking why the US is providing the island an insurance policy. Indeed, Taiwans chip industry is a key reason that its benchmark index is still up roughly 24% this year, despite the recent decline. The island is home to critical suppliers of advanced computer chips used in everything from smartphones to artificial intelligence. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. accounts for 34% of the $2.1 trillion stock market, leading to some concern the islands economy is too dependent on a single firm. There are different perspectives towards TSMC, Peng said. Some might be proud of it, some might worry its too big what we hope is to have more companies like it. (Adds more comments from fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. MADISON Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin raised $2.5 million for her reelection bid between July 1 and July 24, her campaign told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Baldwin has raised $28 million since launching her campaign for a third term in the Senate, the campaign said. Im amazed by the outpouring of support for our campaign in recent weeks," Baldwin said in a statement. "With so much on the line, Im determined to defend our fundamental freedoms and find solutions to the kitchen table issues that matter most to our families. During the July pre-primary period, according to the campaign, Baldwin received contributions from more than 9,000 Wisconsinites, with an average online donation of $34.67. Contributions throughout the campaign cycle have come from every county in the state, with teachers and health care workers being the most prominently represented professions. Baldwin faces a challenge from Republican businessman Eric Hovde. With less than 100 days until the Nov. 5 election, Wisconsin remains a key state for both parties especially following a shakeup on the Democratic ticket that has effectively elevated Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's nominee. Baldwin, who had declined to say whether Democratic President Joe Biden should stay in the race, told reporters at a campaign event in Stoughton on the day he withdrew from the race that his decision was was "the patriotic thing for him to do" and said she would back Harris. "I saw her, day after day, hold powerful organizations to account, powerful individuals to account, in her role on the Senate Judiciary Committee," Baldwin said at the Stoughton event, where she was joined by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts. "And I've seen her as vice president. She's prepared, and I'm very proud to endorse her." Biden "promised to be a bridge to the next generation," and "we're crossing that bridge right now," Baldwin said. "And I think you're going to see a lot of unity, a lot of excitement, a lot of people inspired by this moment," Baldwin said. "And certainly, as I mentioned, I've been hearing so many concerns from Wisconsinites, especially Democrats. We're going to come together. I'm very excited about that." Harris last week delivered her opening argument against a second Donald Trump presidential term in West Allis, just outside Milwaukee, in this battleground state where elections are decided on razor-thin margins. The Harris rally came just days after the conclusion of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump formally accepted the party's nomination and brought Ohio Sen. JD Vance onto the ticket as his running mate, all after being shot in the ear days earlier during an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. "With President Trump's record of success and a stacked line-up of commonsense Wisconsin Republicans like Eric Hovde on the ballot this November, Kamala and her dangerously liberal policies don't stand a chance," Republcian National Committee Wisconsin spokesman Jacob Fischer said in a statement about the party's Badger State ground game, ahead of the release of Baldwin's fundraising numbers. According to the most recent Marquette University Law School poll, released June 26 before Biden withdrew from the race, the presidential race was a virtual tossup, while in the Senate race, Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin led Hovde by 5 points. Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tammy Baldwin reelection campaign raised $2.5 million from July 1-24 Tampa parents push for safety changes after 3-year-old girl dies from falling out of window TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) When families move into an upper-floor apartment, they arent always thinking of the potential dangers. Now a Tampa family is calling for change after their daughter fell out of a fourth-floor window and died. Human remains found after fire at home where St. Pete woman reported missing, police say The parents of 3-year-old Riley Daugherty said the pain of their loss has been nearly unbearable. Rileys parents told 8 On Your Side they are now working to get a law passed in her name to save the lives of other children. She was just a very happy girl, said Amy Daugherty, Rileys mom. I look at back at all of her pictures and every picture her smile is the same happy smile. Unfortunately, her life unnecessarily was ripped away from her and from us, said Ed Daugherty, Rileys dad. Ed and Amy Daugherty lived at the Mosaic Westshore Apartment Complex in Tampa with their two young daughters, Riley and Charlie. On Oct. 15, their lives forever changed when Riley fell out of their fourth-floor window. Riley died two days later. She was just 3 years old. Its one thing for me feeling the loss of my daughter and dealing with that, which is sometimes I just dont know how Im going to make it through the day, but to watch your 9-year-old daughter and your wife suffer every day just makes it so much harder, Ed said. The Daughertys want justice for Riley. By sharing their story, they hope to bring awareness. Its a simple fix; its preventable, said Amy. Its something that parents dont think about. Tenants dont think about. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 8 on Your Side The familys attorneys have since filed a lawsuit against the apartment complex and the company that manages it, Willow Bridge, for negligence. Neither company responded to 8 On Your Side for comment. Willow Bridge is a huge player in this industry, said Mickey Smith, Lesser Lesser Landy & Smith partner. Their website indicates theyre in over half the states. Theyre one of the largest apartment property management companies in the country. They operate in states and jurisdictions that make it illegal not to have window fall preventions. They were aware of the risk. They are aware of the ways to mitigate the risk. Its cheap, its easy to do and they did none of that. Smith said the complex told its tenants to open their windows to prevent mold but claims the complex did not have adequate safety measures in place to prevent someone from falling out, in particular, small children. These window stops you can go on Amazon and buy for about $8 a piece, Smith said. Theyre cheap, quick, and easy to put in, but for whatever reason, they chose not to do that. The family hopes to pass Riley Jeans Law here in Florida. Its not going to help them and theyre suffering, but it will hopefully prevent it from happening again. The Daughertys are calling on Florida lawmakers to enact the Riley Jeans Law, which would require apartment owners to add a child-proof latch that will prevent windows from being opened more than four inches. Minnesota already has a state-wide window safety law that was passed in 2009. Its named Laelas Law after a 2-year-old girl. Laela fell through the screen of a fourth-floor apartment and was injured. The law requires the adoption of fall prevention devices on windows. We cant bring Riley back, as much as we think about it all the time, so were going to fight for you, fight for your kids and were going to try to make a difference because if not us then who, Ed said. The Daughertys know that simple change will come at a cost, but they believe that cost is small if it helps saving a life like Rileys. Its a shame that the world is not going to get to experience how amazing person she is, Ed said. Despite their deep grief and trauma, Ed and Amy made the decision to donate Rileys organs. Riley gave the gift of life to two children and one adult. To her family and the families of those recipients, Riley died a hero. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Featured video: Crime statistics in 2023 TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) A former Green Beret and Venezuelan national were arrested on Tuesday, and charged with conspiracy to violate export and firearm laws. Yacsy Alexandra Alvarez, 43, of Tampa and Jordan Guy MacDonald Goudreau, 48, of Melbourne were arrested on the following charges: Conspiracy to violate export laws Smuggling goods from the United States Violating the Arms Export Control Act Violating the Export Control Reform Act The defendants could face maximum penalties for these charges if convicted, which could be a 45-year sentence in federal prison. In 2019, Alvarez, Goudreau, and others allegedly conspired to export AR-style firearms, night vision devices, and other equipment from the United States to Colombia, without obtaining the required export license. Plant City arson leads to quadruple murder: deputies According to the US Department of Justice, the group obtained military-related equipment and firearms through Goudreaus company, Silvercorp. Some of the items sent to Colombia were seized by Colombia National Police, officials said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Teen arrested, two others wanted in connection with armed carjacking in Cambridge A teen has been arrested and two others are being sought in connection with an armed carjacking in Cambridge. Around 9:40 on Tuesday evening officers responded to Marcella Street for a report of an armed robbery/carjacking. According to police, officers began looking for three masked suspects who reportedly took a vehicle armed with a weapon possibly a firearm. The vehicle was later found on Tremont Street and officers arrested a 17-year-old in connection to the carjacking. Police said theyre looking for two more suspects after they fled the scene. One officer was taken to the hospital to be checked out for an injury they experienced during the incident. 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 Teenager charged with murder of three girls at Southport dance class Follow our Southport stabbing live blog for updates as the suspect appears at Liverpool magistrates court today. A teenager has been charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder over the attack on a holiday club in Southport. The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates Court on Thursday. Three girls six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar died after being stabbed while they were attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop on Monday. Eight other children suffered stab wounds, with five in a critical condition. Local businessman John Hayes was stabbed in the leg while trying to disarm the attacker and Leanne Lucas, one of the workshop organisers, was seriously wounded while trying to protect the group of children. Both adults remained in hospital after undergoing surgery. Police confirmed in a midnight press conference that they had charged a suspect with three counts of murder, ten attempted murders and the possession of a bladed article. Leanne Lucas was hurt while protecting the children - Instagram Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Merseyside Police to charge a 17-year-old male, of Banks, Lancashire, with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder following the tragic incident that took place in Southport this week. He will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates Court on Thursday August 1, 2024. We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. Social media theories about the attacker have fuelled clashes - Owen Humphreys A man during a demonstration in London on Wednesday - Jordan Pettitt She added: Our thoughts remain with the families of all of those affected by these harrowing events. News of the charges came as police quelled violent demonstrations which spread across Britain on Wednesday night. Riots started after false information shared Hundreds gathered in the centre of London before some rioters were seen hurling beer cans and lighting flares near British Prime Minister Keir Starmers residence. The crowd was shouting, Save our kids, We want our country back and Stop the boats, as well as English football chants. In Hartlepool, Co Durham, a number of arrests were made after violent groups clashed with riot police in the centre of town as they attempted to march towards a nearby mosque, reports suggested. A police car was set on fire and officers at the scene said they were also attacked with missiles, glass bottles and eggs. Clashes were seen between agitators and officers Firefighters and police were deployed again to Hartlepool on Wednesday night - Owen Humphreys In Manchester, children and men in balaclavas were part of a group of 40 people gathered outside the Oldham Road premises in what the Manchester Evening Standard said appeared to be a stand against asylum seekers currently being housed in the hotel. Violence first broke out amid claims that the police were not telling the truth about the suspects background and his motives, with rumours swirling on social media. It came after social media users incorrectly named the attacker and also wrongly claimed he was an asylum seeker. Tributes continued to pour in at the scene - Christopher Furlong Police faced rioters on Murray Street in Hartlepool - TEBL Southport locals, who were cleaning up after clashes erupted in their streets on Tuesday, described the protests as a disgraceful hijacking of our tragedy, and a failed attempt to divide us. Jenni Stancombe, the mother of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, appealed on social media for the violence to end. She said: The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours, and they and we dont need this. This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight. Suspect is quiet teenager Neighbours reported seeing a heavy police presence at the semi-detached house where the suspect was living with his parents in the village of Banks, three miles from the scene of the attack,. People who knew the teenager described him as an introvert who had been interested in karate and theatre, having once performed in a show at a West End theatre. He was born in Cardiff but later moved to Merseyside with his parents, originally from Rwanda, and his brother. The siblings went to school locally but also became involved in a performing arts group, where they produced shows and films with other youngsters. Jonathan Hayes was stabbed in the leg while trying to disarm the attacker - Alice Hepple I was in the same group as him, a friend told The Telegraph. He was quite quiet. They kind of just turned up and they said, oh theyve moved here from somewhere else, they are brand new to the community, they are trying to branch out and make friends and stuff. Thats what we got told. He just kind of turned up one day in class and we were told to make him welcome. Hes come from quite far away. The friend said the group involved musical theatre, TV production and singing and dancing and also making making their own movies, adding that one of the major events was a show in Londons West End. It was just working in groups collaborating with people. Theyd have a musical every year, like a big production and that would sometimes get done with other groups, the friend said. He was at one in London, he went to one in London on the West End. A police car on fire in Hartlepool - TEBL Riot police in Hartlepool - Owen Humphreys The friend added: I was in the same group as him. He was enjoying it, but he was never really... you know how musical theatre kids [are]; they are very extroverted. He wasnt, he was very quiet. He got involved, but he was a lot quieter. Didnt really talk about himself that much He added that he didnt really talk about himself that much but did mention his family were originally from Rwanda. However, he said that his older brother was more outgoing, he was a lot more talkative, he was more in the crowd, adding: His Dad came across quite educated. He presented well. The father of the suspects friend said that while the suspect appeared to enjoy the theatre group, he was not pushing to be at the front of the stage. He wasnt a normal theatre kid, he said. He wasnt pushing for main leads and stuff like that. When they went to London hed just got involved [in the group], he enjoyed it. 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. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) officials were at the scene of a collision involving a child on Tuesday night. Pete Piringer, a spokesman for MCFRS, said the collision happened at about 8:45 p.m. at Randolph Road and Dellwood Drive. There, a child had been struck by a car. Man in critical condition after being stabbed in Gaithersburg Piringer said the child was about 13 years old and was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) Residents of Himbola Apartments protested Tuesday to demand solutions for their deplorable living conditions. Tenants are seeing solutions following complaints of maintenance issues being ignored. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Texas, where Himbolas owner is located, inspected the property. One tenant tells News 10 the chief of HUD says he is looking for cases of mismanagement and ways to relocate residents to nonhazardous locations. State Representative Tehmi Chassion said Tuesday that Lafayette Consolidated Government inspected Himbola for the second time. And whats going to occur is, now at this point, whatever wasnt addressed from the first to the second inspection, thats going to go to AB court after this point, Chassion said. And the judge at that point can order them to fix it, order fines. And I think fining, in case they dont have it addressed by that time, I think the fining situation will actually help rectify a lot, Chasson continued. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Tara Fogleman, who helped organize the protest, says Himbola residents have been mistreated for years. I feel their pain. For anyone whos listening, whos never had life throw them a curve ball financially, and feel like, Why havent they moved out? They should just move out if its this condition,' Fogleman said. You dont understand what it feels like then to be so low income, working, keeping your head above water. Residents tell News 10 they may be forced to move out. Consuela Gaines with Voices for the Experienced said residents are being threatened with evictions. A lot of them are too afraid to do what Im doing right now, and thats speaking up about the issues. They are too afraid because they get threatened with evictions, Gaines said. From what I understand, the property manager yesterday was already talking about all the evictions that are going to be taking place next week. Residents say fixes are temporary to pass inspections, not seeing any permanent soltuions. Yall painting white paint on the top of this mold. No, my daughter has asthma. Its no way yall should be doing this, tenant Marva Goodman said. We have two of them right now in the hospital. I wonder what they in the hospital for? From back here. Why? Might be mold, could be anything going on. Latest News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. BOSTON (WWLP) The 2023-2024 legislative session comes to a close on July 31, but tense relations among House and Senate democrats leave many important bills up in the air. Following a signing ceremony for the fiscal year 2025 budget on Monday, Speaker of the House Ron Mariano told reporters that he was frustrated by the Senates decision to leave priority bills to the last hours of the session. Basketball Hall of Fame hosts Boston Celtics legend Cedrick Maxwell Mariano said this perceived procrastination indicates that the Senate is not serious about passing legislation. Senate President Karen Spilka fired back on Tuesday, mirroring Marianos sentiment, saying the house is not serious about passing bills. This rift among top leadership leaves it unclear if several pieces of priority legislation will move this session. Plenty of bills remained on the table at the start of Wednesdays formal sessions, including: Billions of dollars of funding for new housing Massive veteran care reform Hospital oversight reform Long-term care Maternal health Substance use disorder Clean energy Economic development And much more Governor Healey will have 10 days to sign or veto any bill that passes during the July 31 session, but lawmakers are not permitted to override gubernatorial vetoes once the legislative session concludes without issuing an unlikely parliamentary special order. The exact moment the legislative session ends depends on how quickly lawmakers work through policy priorities, and final sessions have gone as late as 11 a.m. on August 1 in previous years. Once the session is officially over, a single legislator has the power to block a bill from passage, making it nearly impossible to pass any sweeping or controversial items. Latest Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.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 WWLP. FILE PHOTO: The logo of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is displayed at the company headquarters in Tel Aviv By Bhanvi Satija and Michael Erman (Reuters) -Teva Pharmaceutical Industries raised its annual forecasts on Wednesday, banking on strong demand for its cheaper copycat medicines, including a GLP-1 generic, and branded treatment for Huntington's disease. The drugmaker has been looking to launch six biosimilars by 2027, which, along with its branded medicines, is expected to drive growth. Teva's branded medicine trio includes Austedo for treating Huntington's disease, Ajovy for migraine and recently launched Uzedy for schizophrenia. The company, which had launched its rheumatoid arthritis drug Simlandi a close copy of AbbVie's blockbuster Humira in the United States earlier this year, said it was pleased with the progress of the launch. "We're well set for this (Simlandi) to generate some performance in third and fourth quarters of this year," CEO Richard Francis said on a post-earnings call. Francis said Teva was also better prepared for the launch of psoriasis treatment Selarsdi, a biosimilar to Johnson & Johnson's Stelara, in the U.S. in February 2025. Pharmacy benefit managers and insurers are "becoming more knowledgeable and have an increasing appetite for the benefit of biosimilars and that will play favorably for Stelara", Francis added. The company's U.S.-listed shares, which have jumped 70% so far this year, were trading up about 9% at $17.86 their highest level since February 2019. U.S. sales for Teva's generic products which make up nearly a quarter of the company's total revenue rose about 16% in the second quarter on demand for its generic of Bristol Myers' blood cancer drug Revlimid. While Teva sees revenue from generic Revlimid slowing down later this year, it expects to minimize the impact of competition. The drugmaker said liraglutide, a generic of Novo Nordisk's drug Victoza for patients with type 2 diabetes, also received a lot of attention and helped drive growth in the segment. Teva's liraglutide injection, launched in June in the U.S., is the first GLP-1 generic to enter the market. The company expects 2024 revenue to be between $16 billion and $16.4 billion, versus its previous range of $15.7 billion to $16.3 billion. It also raised the lower end of its annual profit forecast to $2.30 per share from $2.20. The second-quarter performance and the forecast raise imply Teva's improved underlying strength, said Jefferies analyst Glen Santangelo. Teva's second-quarter profit of 61 cents per share beat LSEG estimates of 57 cents. The company lifted its annual revenue forecast for Austedo by $100 million to about $1.6 billion. (Reporting by Bhanvi Satija in Bengaluru and Michael Erman in New Jersey; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar and Shinjini Ganguli) Texas will be allowed to keep floating barrier across Rio Grande designed to slow immigrant crossings Texas will be allowed to keep floating barrier across Rio Grande designed to slow immigrant crossings The state of Texas will be allowed to keep its floating barrier in the Rio Grande, despite objections from the federal government that the barrier threatens the environment, US foreign relations, and human life. The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a previous decision by a court panel ordering the barrier removed. The ruling is the latest bullet point in the ongoing standoff between Joe Biden's administration and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has taken the policing of his state's borders into his own hands despite it being the purview of the federal government. The previous ruling by a panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in December ordered the barrier moved, but the latest one deemed that decision as an abuse of the court's discretion. The US government has accused Texas of violating the federal Rivers and Harbor Act, claiming that it "flouted federal law" and risked damaging the US's relations with Mexico by installing the barrier in the river, Politico reports. Migrants walk past large buoys being used as a floating border barrier on the Rio Grande, Aug. 1, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. A US appeals court overturned a previous ruling requiring the barrier to be removed on July 31, 2024 (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns. Additionally, the presence of the floating barrier has prompted diplomatic protests by Mexico and risks damaging U.S. foreign policy, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in 2023. Abbott responded to the request to remove the barrier in a letter to the Biden administration last year. Texas will fully utilize its constitutional authority to deal with the crisis you have caused, Abbott wrote. Texas will see you in court, Mr President. Texas installed the river barrier in the Rio Grande near the city of Eagle Pass, which borders Piedras Negras, Mexico, but the barrier has done little to slow the flow of migrants into the US. The US Justice Department asked a federal court to force Texas to remove the barrier, arguing that it threatens the lives of humans in the river and is causing damage to the environment. That issue will be tried in court beginning on August 6. The barrier is just one point of friction between Abbott and the Biden administration; earlier this year, Abbott moved state troops into Shelby Park in Eagle Pass and ordered the building of a razor wire fence at the border. The fence was formerly used as a processing area for the US Border Patrol. A guardsman opens a gate at Shelby Park, which troops from the Texas National Guard seized and began turning away federal immigration authorities, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Texas National Guard troops stationed in the park were instructed not to allow US Border Patrol agents into the park. In February, Abbott ordered the construction of a base in Eagle Pass to house up to 1,800 National Guard members. The 80-acre property along the Rio Grande will open a short distance from Shelby Park, the riverfront area where Texas National Guard members have installed miles of razor wire and began denying access to U.S. Border Patrol agents. The construction was a continuation of Texas's occupation of Shelby Park as part of Abbotts expanding border mission. The mayor of Eagle Pass said the move at the start of January caught the city off guard and questioned the timing, given that crossings have fallen in recent weeks. The barrier ruling comes at an advantageous time for Republicans; vice presidential candidate JD Vance is set to begin a tour of the US-Mexico border on Thursday. He is expected to use the trip as an opportunity to hammer Democrats on immigration and border security issues. The Texas Democratic Party says as many as seven of 10 petition signatures submitted to the Texas secretary of state's office by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to qualify his independent bid for president on the statewide ballot for the Nov. 5 election are invalid and should be rejected. Kennedy, the son and namesake of the late Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy of New York, was at the Texas Capitol on May 15 where he and his campaign team submitted 245,572 petition signatures to Secretary of State Jane Nelson's office. Kennedy boasted at a rally in Austin that evening that his petition signature total was record-breaking and contained more than twice the number required under law for third-party candidates. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. waves to the crowd at a May 13 campaign rally in Austin. But Austin lawyer Chad Dunn, representing the Texas Democratic Party, said in a letter to Nelson this month that 69% of the 245,000 people who signed on Kennedy's behalf were not eligible to do so. That means that if the percentage holds for the remaining signatures, Kennedy would fall short of the minimum needed by around 37,000, Dunn said. "Based on these public records and no other information, it is clear that Mr. Kennedys petition signatures are insufficient in number to meet the requirements of state law," Dunn said in his letter. The Kennedy campaign has disputed the Democrats' analysis and plans to hold a video news briefing Wednesday to address the matter. More: If Texas voters agree on anything it's that their leaders are out of touch To qualify for a place on the 2024 Texas presidential ballot, state law requires 113,151 signatures from registered Texas voters who did not vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary in March. The secretary of state's office declined to weigh in on Dunn's letter or on the calculations done by the state Democratic Party, but it said it is still combing through Kennedy's petition signatures as required by state law, and it expects to reach a decision by late August before the official state ballot is finalized. Kennedy, whose father was gunned down during his own campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968, entered the 2024 race as a challenger to President Joe Biden for the party's nomination. His bid attracted little Democratic support, with several members of the extended Kennedy family instead endorsing the incumbent. More: Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. meet following assassination attempt of former president With his path to the nomination effectively blocked, Kennedy abandoned the party of his father and uncles the late President John F. Kennedy and the late U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and mounted an independent campaign. Many of the younger Kennedy's views also fall outside of the Democratic mainstream. He is a harsh critic of Biden's approach to border security and The Washington Post reported last week that Kennedy has spoken with former President Donald Trump about possibly endorsing the Republican's comeback bid and perhaps accepting a White House job in a potential second Trump administration. Biden has since ended his reelection bid, and Vice President Kamala Harris, with the president's endorsement, is poised to be the Democratic presidential candidate, likely becoming the first Black woman and South Asian American to be nominated for president by a major political party. Still, many Democrats see Kennedy's candidacy as a threat, given that his father and uncles are still revered in party circles. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Most RFK Jr. petition signature not valid Texas Democrats say Texas floating barrier in the Rio Grande can stay for now, appeals court says State law enforcement officers stand guard as workers construct a string of buoys being deployed to prevent migrants from swimming across the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass on July 14, 2023. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled that the floating barrier Texas deployed in the Rio Grande last year to deter illegal migration could remain. The fight over the barrier is one of many broader, hard-fought legal and political battles over the states authority to control the flow of migrants at the border. The ruling by the full circuit court strikes down a lower courts ruling and reverses a decision by a subset of the Fifth Circuit Court. The back and forth so far has been about the likelihood that the federal government will win its argument and the validity of a preliminary injunction ordering the barriers removed. The lawsuit will soon be argued in district court, which will rule on the merits of the federal governments claims. Heres what you need to know The background: Texas began deploying chains of specially designed buoys down the middle of the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass to deter migrants from crossing illegally in June 2023, sparking protests from migrant activists and from the Mexican government. The barrier was rolled out as part of Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbotts multibillion dollar effort to counter illegal immigration along the 1,200-mile southern border. Texas spent $850,000 on the barrier, which is made up of a 1,000-foot-long string of buoys separated by saw blades supporting a submerged mesh net. Why the federal government sued: In July 2023, the U.S. Justice Department sued Texas in an Austin federal court, arguing that the barrier was a safety hazard that violates international treaties, harms relations with Mexico and was installed without necessary authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which regulates activities in waterways and wetlands under federal law. Because Texas installed the barrier without seeking the Corps authorization, the Corps and other relevant federal agencies were deprived of the opportunity to evaluate risks the barrier poses to public safety and the environment, mitigate those risks as necessary through the permitting process, and otherwise evaluate whether the project is in the public interest, the federal governments lawsuit said. The federal government also alleged that the floating barrier obstructs navigation on the river, and demanded that the state remove the barrier. What Texas said: Abbott defended his decision to deploy the barrier as the commander-in-chief of our States militia, and he blamed the Biden administrations immigration policy for the conditions at the border. Texas argued that the barrier was designed to direct migrants to appropriate entry points and deter unlawful crossings and drug smuggling. The states lawyers argued in court documents that the barrier is not a structure that required authorization. They also said that the state notified proper authorities by briefing the international body that regulates the Rio Grande before the barrier was installed. What has happened in court so far: On Tuesday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the barrier could remain in the Rio Grande. The decision reversed an earlier ruling in December that affirmed a lower courts decision to grant a preliminary injunction against the barrier as requested by the federal government. In Tuesdays decision, the court ruled that the preliminary injunction should not have been granted, finding that the federal government is not likely to prove during trial that the barrier was placed in a navigable stretch of the Rio Grande and thus that Texas violated federal law. The barrier is not within navigable water, the courts opinion said. Earlier, in the December 2-1 decision, a panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Texas to remove the barrier. The panel found that the barrier was placed in a navigable part of the river, meaning Texas needed to receive permission from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before deploying the barrier. The full program is now LIVE for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival, happening Sept. 57 in downtown Austin. Explore the program featuring more than 100 unforgettable conversations on topics covering education, the economy, Texas and national politics, criminal justice, the border, the 2024 elections and so much more. See the full program. thames water Thames Water has suffered a fresh blow after its debt rating was cut to junk status by another major ratings agency, raising the prospect of a government bailout. S&P Global slashed the rating on Thamess top-rated bonds to BB on Wednesday as it warned the cash crisis engulfing the utility giant was likely to run until the end of the year. The move follows a decision by Moodys to classify Thames debts as junk last week. Pushing Thamess debt into junk territory means the water company is in breach of its operating licence with regulator Ofwat, which requires companies to maintain an investment-grade debt rating. Thames, Britains largest water company with 16m customers, last month said it only had enough cash to keep going until May 2025 and was scrambling for new investment. The rating cut pushes the company further into crisis and will raise questions over whether the Government will have to put the company into special administration. Labour has so far steered clear of pledging financial backing for the company despite concerns over its collapse. Environment Secretary Steve Reed last week said the group remained financially viable and would not need to be nationalised. Mr Reed added that there was no need to have undue concerns at the moment. However, S&P said uncertainty over its ability to raise the funds in the short term meant its bonds posed a greater risk for investors. Thames has said it needs 3.25bn to stay afloat, although its current shareholders previously severed ties with the business after describing the company as uninvestable. S&P said it was essential for the group to get new equity but this was unlikely to be before a December decision from Ofwat about Thamess proposed bill hikes. The ratings agency said: The negative outlook reflects continued deterioration in Thames Waters liquidity position and persistent uncertainties on support from existing or new shareholders for Thames Waters business plan. Companies that have an investment-grade rating can borrow on cheaper terms than businesses in junk territory. This will increase financial pressure on Thames Water as it battles to stave off collapse. However, Thames Water chief Chris Weston talked down the prospect of nationalisation earlier in July. He said: Special administration is something that is not in the interests of any of our stakeholders or the UK taxpayers. I cant put any probability on whether it will or wont happen, but it is a long way off if it were to happen and there is a lot more that we can do and will do and are focused on doing over the coming months to make sure that that does not happen. 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. Texas is home to 9 of the 10 fastest growing cities in the nation San Antonio, Texas, USA; A detail shot of the Texas flag at the first hole during the first round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament in April of 2024. Between 2020 and 2023, nine of the top 10 fastest growing U.S. cities were located in Texas, new data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals. The Census Bureau collected population data on towns and cities with populations of 20,000 or larger between July 2020 and July 2023. The number of U.S. residents moving into counties in Texas is a major contributing factor to its overall population growth. International migration, birth rates and death rates also affect a state's population growth. The fastest growing city in the U.S. is Celina, Texas, on the far northern edge of the Dallas metro area, increasing by 143% between 2020 and 2023. As of July 2023, the population was 43,317, up from 17,808 three years prior. According to a 2022 community engagement survey, about 9 in 10 residents rated Celina positively saying they had a high quality of life and the city has great economic health, NBC reported.. A similar proportion of people said they would recommend living in Celina to someone who asked. Here's what you need to know about the top 10 fastest growing cities in the U.S.: These cities had the largest population increases Between 2020 and 2023, the following cities experienced the largest increases in population: These cities had the steepest population declines Between 2020 and 2023, the following cities experienced the largest declines in population: New York: More than half a million people left New York in 2022. Here's where they resettled. Southern hospitality: More people moved to the South last year than any other region. Population rises in the South On average, counties in the South experienced faster growth in 2023 than in 2022. The South Census region is made up of 16 states and Washington, D.C.: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. About 67%, or 950 of the counties in the region, experienced population gains in 2023, up from 59%, or 836, in 2022. Southern states grew by more than 1.4 million people from 2022 to 2023, making it the fastest-growing region in the U.S., according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The expansion accounted for 87% of the nations growth in 2023. The South experienced a growth of 1.1% in that year, largely driven by domestic and international migration. Since 2018, the South has experienced increasing year-to-year net domestic migration and is the most populous region in the U.S. at 130.1 million. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas is home to 9 of the 10 fastest growing cities in the nation The 1,000-foot chain of buoys that Gov. Greg Abbott ordered installed as a barrier in the Rio Grande, which for more than two years have become a floating symbol of Texas' fight with the Biden administration over unlawful immigration and border security, can remain in the international river pending the outcome of a federal court trial. The full 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans handed down its finding Tuesday, reversing a previous order by a three-judge panel of the court and striking down an earlier ruling by a U.S. district judge in Austin. The 5th Circuit's ruling was not unanimous. At issue is whether the narrow, shallow stretch of the Rio Grande separating Eagle Pass from Piedras Negras in the Mexican state of Coahuila is a navigable waterway and therefore subject to the U.S. Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. Chief Judge Priscilla Richman said in one of the written opinions released Tuesday that the federal government "has not presented proof that commercial traffic has navigated or with reasonable modifications could navigate" that section of the 1,885-mile river. Migrants rest near the buoys installed on the orders of Gov. Greg Abbott as a barrier in the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this week that the buoys can stay in the river until their fate is decided in a federal court trial. "Accordingly, there is no evidence in the current record that would support the conclusion that this segment of the Rio Grande is navigable," Richman wrote, although she added the court's ruling was "too narrowly" drawn because while traffic cannot flow upstream and down, a cross-channel ferry might be able to travel from one side to the other. More: 'They're going to find a way': Migrants navigate buoys, razor wire to enter Texas Abbott has declared that unlawful immigration represents an "invasion" of Texas and that the buoys are part of his strategy to protect the state. Judge James Ho said that it's not up to the courts to interfere with a governor's invasion declaration. Ho wrote that he agrees that the lower court and the 5th Circuit panel should be overruled, but he questioned whether the matter should have been taken to court. "I would instruct the district court to dismiss this case for lack of jurisdiction. I therefore concur in the judgment in part and dissent in part," Ho wrote. More: Texas prison inmates making the razor wire used by Operation Lone Star along Rio Grande Judge Dana Douglas, writing the dissenting opinion, said the federal government laid out an effective argument that could win in a trial on the merits of the case, which is still pending in a U.S. District Court in Austin. Migrants walk along the banks of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass looking for an opening in the razor wire installed by Texas along the river. Migrants have been seen simply crossing the river in Eagle Pass bypassing the state's buoy barrier. "The United States presented ample evidence supporting navigability that the district court relied on in reaching its conclusions," Douglas wrote. "This included a number of studies conducted by the Army Corps and the Coast Guard." The buoys are part of Abbott's widening Operation Lone Star, launched in 2021 after President Joe Biden took office and rolled back some of former President Donald Trump's hard-line immigration and border policies. The $11 billion state operation has included the deployment of thousands of Texas National Guard soldiers and troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety. This year, Texas established a permanent base camp near Eagle Pass where those state forces can be housed. The effectiveness of the buoys has been questioned because migrants have been seen simply crossing the river near them without encountering the barrier. But once migrants make it to the Texas shore, they meet seemingly endless coils of razor wire placed by the state to deter safe passage inland. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals sides with Texas in border buoys case Texas Reaches $1.4B In Privacy Settlement After Accusing Meta Of Using Face Recognition Data Without Users Permission Texas has reached a $1.4 billion settlement with Meta. AP News reports that the state of Texas filed a lawsuit in 2022, accusing the technology company of gathering users biometric data, such as face recognition or fingerprints, without their permission, which is also against Texas state law. Texas filed a separate complaint with Google that same year, but the lawsuit is still pending. We are pleased to resolve this matter and look forward to exploring future opportunities to deepen our business investments in Texas, including potentially developing data centers, Meta said in a statement, according to AP News. The $1.4 billion settlement marks the largest for a single state, the outlet notes. This is by far the biggest state governmental privacy settlement in history, Chicago-based Class Action Attorney Jay Edelson explained in an email, per AP News. This is not Metas first settlement. Recently, Meta reached a $68.5 million settlement with the state of Illinois for violating its Biometric Information Privacy Act, but it denied the claims in the lawsuit, according to CBS News. Users in Illinois who used Instagram, owned by Meta, between Aug. 10, 2015, and Aug. 16, 2023, could submit a class-action claim to receive their portion of the settlement. That is a huge signal to other companies that they should be extremely careful if they want to trade in individuals biometric information, Edelson explained. Meta took action in 2021 amid users mounting concerns, saying it was shutting down its face-recognition system. According to AP News, it has erased over 1 billion faceprints from its face-recognition system. This historic settlement demonstrates our commitment to standing up to the worlds biggest technology companies and holding them accountable for breaking the law and violating Texans privacy rights, said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, per AP News. A 65-year-old Texas woman was sentenced to life behind bars on Tuesday for her role in a Ponzi scheme targeting senior citizens. Debra Mae Carter worked with William Neil Gallagher, a Christian radio host who called himself the "Money Doctor," to scam more than 170 people out of around $31 million, Tarrant County prosecutors said in a news release. Gallagher brought in the money which Assistant DA Lori Varnell described as retirement savings while Carter made sure the victims couldn't recover their money. "These were hard-earned retirement (dollars) which got put into her account over and over again," Varnell said. Carter laundered the money through rental homes, land and fake charities. Investigators found around $200,000 in gold and silver when they searched her travel trailer. Carter represented herself during the trial. Victims spoke out during sentencing about the impact the Ponzi scheme had on them. Brenda Wilkerson, 84, lost savings in the scheme. She said that without the money, she'll be stuck making mortgage payments on her home until she dies. "Debbie Carter deserves life in prison," Wilkerson said. "She has ruined so many lives." Carter and Gallagher planned to retire to a ranch together, prosecutors said. Gallagher was sentenced on Nov. 1, 2021, to three life sentences in prison, plus another 30 years, on charges including forgery, theft of property and exploitation of the elderly. The sentences are to be served concurrently. Before his conviction, he ran the Gallagher Financial Group. The group advertised on Christian radio with the tagline, "See you in church on Sunday," CBS Texas reported. Gallagher promoted his investment business in books such as "Jesus Christ, Money Master." Varnell described Carter as "a blight on society," adding, "She's just a liar. That's what she does." Man confesses to the murder of his best friend: "He was in a panic - I was in a panic." Estranged husband kidnaps his wife at gunpoint How Stimulating Our Microcirculation Can Have Macro Health Effects A Texas woman was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison for her role in a Ponzi scheme, in which she helped a Christian radio host bilk elderly listeners out of millions of dollars, prosecutors said. Debra Mae Carter, 65, was found guilty by a jury on July 8 of money laundering after a two-week trial, according to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office. Prosecutors said Carter is the mistress of former Texas radio host, William Neil "Doc" Gallagher, who operated the Ponzi scheme. They also believe Carter came up with the scheme. PONZI SCHEME SENTENCING - Debra Carter was sentenced to life in prison for her role in a Ponzi Scheme alongside William Doc Gallagher. Tarrant County Prosecutors say the two gained more than $30 million from 172 mostly retired victims. Gallagher was convicted in Dallas AND pic.twitter.com/uNBu4BWu7u Amelia Jones (@AmeliaJonesTV) July 31, 2024 'Money Doctor' defrauded elderly investors In November 2021, Gallagher, who called himself the "Money Doctor," was sentenced to three life sentences and an additional 30 years in prison on charges including forgery, securing the execution of a document by deception, theft of property, and exploitation of the elderly. The 83-year-old ran the Gallagher Financial Group, an investment business with offices in the cities of Hurst and Dallas, according to the Texas State Securities Board. He confessed to defrauding investors from 2013 to 2019. The majority of his victims were elderly and most were clients of Gallagher Financial Group, the Texas State Securities Board said. Federal and state authorities accused Gallagher and Carter of scamming over 170 people out of more than $31 million. "Gallagher's main role in the scheme was to bring in the money; Carter's role was to make sure it was not recovered by the victims," the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office wrote in a statement. "The two ultimately planned to retire to a huge ranch together." More than 170 retired victims lost combined $31 million Gallagher frequently promoted his business on Christian radio and in books, such as "Jesus Christ, Money Master," the Texas State Securities Board said. He also regularly conducted in-person "educational" seminars, where he would promote his business. Prosecutors said Carter and Gallagher gained more than $31 million over 10 years, "leaving more than 170 mostly retired victims in their wake," according to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office. "These were hard-earned retirement (dollars) which got put into her account over and over again," Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Lori Varnell said during the trial, according to an excerpt released by prosecutors. "She is a blight on society." "She's just a liar. That's what she does," Varnell added. Prosecutors said Carter laundered much of the money through rental homes, land, and fake charities. Authorities seized about $200,000 in gold and silver after it was found in her travel trailer. 84-year-old victim lost $50,000 to Ponzi scheme During the sentencing hearing, victims detailed the impact of losing their investment money, according to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office. Brenda Wilkerson, 84, had lost money she and her now-late husband inherited after investing it with Gallagher, prosecutors said. "If she had that money now, she could pay off the mortgage on her home," prosecutors added. "Instead, she said she will be making payments until she dies." Wilkerson said Carter showed no remorse for her actions and the people she's hurt. Wilkerson and her husband had invested $50,000 in 2016 after hearing that an elder at their church had invested. By March 2019, Wilkerson's husband had died and the money they had invested was gone. "I was already under such tremendous stress from losing my husband. That just really was a punch in the gut," Wilkerson said. "I wanted her to get a life sentence. She damaged too many people's lives." So far Wilkerson has only seen $4,200 of her $50,000 investment, Fox 4 News reports. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas woman gets life in prison in radio host's $31M Ponzi scheme Therapy dogs used to uplift firefighters battling massive blaze in Northern California First-responder therapy dogs have been brought in to help uplift firefighters battling the Park Fire in Northern California. Ember, Ember, and Hudson reporting for duty at the #ParkFire! Cal Fire posted on X, formerly Twitter. We are here to help the humans with their mental health while assigned to the incident and away from their other humans and fur friends. First-responder therapy dogs have been brought in to help Park Fire crews. (Cal Fire/Butte County Fire Department) First-responder therapy dogs have been brought in to help Park Fire crews. (Cal Fire/Butte County Fire Department) First-responder therapy dogs have been brought in to help Park Fire crews. (Cal Fire/Butte County Fire Department) The three therapy dogs recently arrived at a base camp in Butte County, local authorities said. The Park Fire, the largest wildfire in California this year and the sixth largest in the states recorded history, had scorched 383,000 acres as of Tuesday afternoon. The massive blaze is one of more than 100 large active wildfires currently burning across the United States. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Thousands march in Istanbul to protest the killing of Hamas leader Haniyeh Protest following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, in Istanbul Protest following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, in Istanbul ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched through the streets of central Istanbul late on Wednesday to protest the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital Tehran in an attack that drew threats of revenge on Israel and fuelled further concern that the conflict in Gaza was turning into a wider Middle East war. The demonstrators held posters with Haniyeh's photos and banners reading, "Martyr Haniyeh, Jerusalem is our cause and your path is our path". Protesters were chanting "murderer Israel, get out of Palestine", "thousands of greetings from Istanbul to the resistance in Gaza" and waving Turkish and Palestinian flags during the march in the Fatih district of Istanbul. Although the strike on Haniyeh was widely assumed to have been carried out by Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government made no claim of responsibility and said it would make no comment on the killing. Haniyeh, normally based in Qatar, had been the face of Hamas's international diplomacy as the war set off by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7 has raged in Gaza. He had been taking part in internationally brokered indirect talks on reaching a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave. Earlier on Wednesday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan condemned the assassination in Tehran and said the killing would not break Palestinians' will. (Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen and Bulent Usta; Editing by Sandra Maler) Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert! UC CAMPUS PICKET LINE PLANNED FOR WEDNESDAY Thousands of University of California service and patient care workers are expected to join the picket line to protest what they are calling an impasse in collective bargaining negotiations with the university system. Protests are expected to take place at UC San Francisco, UC San Diego Medical Center, UC Davis Medical Center, UC Irvine Medical Center and UCLA Reagan Medical Center. The protest at UC Davis will feature Deputy California Attorney General Maggie Krell, who is running for an Assembly seat, while Assemblyman Isaac Bryan will speak at the UCLA protest. The University of California has publicly acknowledged a staff vacancy crisis that ultimately threatens the quality of services it can deliver to its students and patients, said Michael Avant, president of AFSCME Local 3299, which represents the protesting workers. This is a function of UCs overall failure to compete in the labor market, its failure to pay frontline workers enough to keep pace with rising costs, and its total refusal to commit to the housing affordability solutions workers need in order to live near their jobs, he said. Missy Matella, speaking for the UC Office of the President, told The Bee that since January, the university system has met with AFSCME leadership 10 times, each time over the course of a two-day bargaining session, and offered 26 proposals including wage increases, expanded sick leave and new health care credits to offset costs. Our wage proposals, introduced in February and again last month, include a 5% across-the-board increase in 2025 and move the minimum wage for AFSCME employees to $25 an hour by July 1, 2025. While all public employers face a difficult budget cycle, UCs wage package is designed to support our valued employees, putting more money into their pocket so that they use it in a way that best meets their needs, Matella wrote in an email statement to The Bee. Matella said that the UC disagrees with AFSCMEs assertion that there is an impasse, but given our goal of reaching a consensus for their next contract, the university is not disputing the value of a mediator in these negotiations, which is the first step in the impasse process. NEWSOM SURVEYS FIRE DAMAGE IN KERN COUNTY Via Nicole Nixon... Its late July and Californias fire season is in full swing. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday toured fires burning in Kern and Tulare Counties: the Borel Fire, Trout Fire and Long Fire, which total about 90,000 acres and collectively make up the SQF Lightning Complex. Over the weekend, Newsom visited the Park Fire near Chico, which is now over 384,000 acres and the sixth-largest wildfire in state history. Its just a reminder of the world were living in and the new challenges that we face moving forward, Newsom said of the longer, more intense fire seasons driven by climate change. The Borel Fire destroyed the small mining town of Havilah late last week. At the end of the day, its about people, its about history, its about memories, Newsom said, urging people to heed evacuation orders. You can replace a home. You cant replace a life. The governor thanked President Joe Biden and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for sending assistance to fight the flames. Abbott sent more than 100 firefighters and 25 engines to the Golden State to assist with the Park Fire. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden had been briefed on the fires and that more than 7,000 personnel from the U.S. Forest Service and Department of the Interior have been deployed across the west to fight active wildfires, including more than 620 firefighters in California. Biden has also approved emergency declarations and additional aid, Newsom said. In a voicemail I just got, he said the answer is yes, and I havent even asked the question, he said. Thats the spirit, the partnership that defines this moment. NEWSOM ANNOUNCES NONPROFIT SECURITY GRANT FUNDING Newsom on Tuesday also announced that the state is speeding up the release of $76 million in grant funding for security for nonprofits, including religious institutions, reproductive health centers and LGBTQ community centers. An attack against any community is an attack against our entire state and our values. Every Californian deserves the ability to worship, love, and gather safely, without fear of hate. This new round of funding is aimed at helping high-risk organizations protect themselves against violent attacks and hate crimes, Newsom said in a statement. The funding announcement comes amid a surge in antisemitic incidents in California. Despite facing significant budget challenges, the California Legislature will continue to stand firm in our commitment to supporting vulnerable communities targeted by hate, said Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, and Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, in a statement. Gabriel and Wiener chair their respective houses budget committee. The California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides nonprofits with money to pay for security enhancements at their facilities, such as reinforced doors, gates, high-intensity lighting and access control systems. QUOTE OF THE DAY I recently tested positive for COVID. Im vaccinated and symptoms are not severe. I want to thank Donald Trump for being a bigly believer in COVID vaccines and starting Operation Warp Speed. - Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Los Angeles, via X. Best of The Bee: Undocumented immigrants in California are paying billions in taxes. Heres how much, via David Lightman and Mathew Miranda . Gavin Newsom signals support for bills to crack down on deepfake election content, via Nicole Nixon. A previous version of this story incorrectly attributed the response from the University of California Office of the President. That response came from Missy Matella. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A Canadian man pleaded guilty in federal court in Las Vegas in connection with a scheme to steal millions of dollars from thousands of victims, according to The United States Department of Justice release. On Monday, July 29, Poupak Jannissar, 52, who is from Quebec, Canada, pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Jannissar orchestrated a scheme that defrauded thousands of victims across the United States in an attempt to steal millions of dollars, according to the news release. Mr. Jannisar and his co-conspirators used sham companies to steal from unknowing victims by accessing their bank accounts using personal identifiable information from illegally obtained lists, Eric Shen, inspector in charge of USPIS-CI, said. Documents show that Jannissar ran a network of fake companies with names like Computer Run, EBooks, Joreeb, Our Online Backup, and much more. FBI arrests man in Las Vegas for allegedly extorting Instagram users, influencers Officials said these fraudulent websites tricked users into entering their banking information by promising various services. Instead of providing the services, Jannissar and his co-conspirators used their banking information and made additional unauthorized withdrawals which were then transferred to accounts in Canada. Jannisar was arrested on Jan. 22, at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida, following a criminal complaint and arrest warrant issued in Nevada. Months later he admitted to his role in the fraudulent scheme and pleaded guilty, according to documents. Jannissar faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each charge. Jannissars sentencing will be determined by a federal district judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Japan's stock markets have recently experienced sharp declines, with the Nikkei 225 Index falling 6.0% and the broader TOPIX Index down 5.6%, driven largely by pressure on technology stocks and a strengthening yen. Amid these turbulent market conditions, identifying growth companies with high insider ownership can provide valuable insights into potential investment opportunities. In this article, we will explore three Japanese growth stocks that not only exhibit strong growth characteristics but also boast significant insider ownership, which often signals confidence in the company's future prospects from those who know it best. Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Japan Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Hottolink (TSE:3680) 27% 59.7% Micronics Japan (TSE:6871) 15.3% 39.8% Kasumigaseki CapitalLtd (TSE:3498) 34.8% 43.3% Medley (TSE:4480) 34% 28.7% Kanamic NetworkLTD (TSE:3939) 25% 28.9% SHIFT (TSE:3697) 35.4% 32.8% Money Forward (TSE:3994) 21.4% 66.8% ExaWizards (TSE:4259) 21.9% 91.1% Astroscale Holdings (TSE:186A) 20.9% 90% Soracom (TSE:147A) 16.5% 54.1% Click here to see the full list of 100 stocks from our Fast Growing Japanese Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. Here we highlight a subset of our preferred stocks from the screener. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: DIP Corporation, a labor force solution company with a market cap of 163.09 billion, provides personnel recruiting services in Japan. Operations: DIP Corporation's revenue segments include personnel recruiting services in Japan. Insider Ownership: 39.1% DIP Corporation, a growth company with high insider ownership in Japan, has seen earnings grow by 20% over the past year and is forecasted to continue growing at 13.7% per year, outpacing the JP market. The company's revenue is also expected to grow faster than the market at 11.4% annually. Recent strategic moves include a share repurchase program worth 5 billion aimed at enhancing shareholder value and improving capital efficiency. TSE:2379 Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: PeptiDream Inc., a biopharmaceutical company with a market cap of 361.22 billion, focuses on the discovery and development of constrained peptides, small molecules, and peptide-drug conjugate therapeutics. Operations: The company generates revenue from the discovery and development of constrained peptides, small molecules, and peptide-drug conjugate therapeutics. Story continues Insider Ownership: 26.1% PeptiDream, with substantial insider ownership, is forecasted to grow earnings by 22.82% annually and revenue by 10.9%, outpacing the JP market. Despite recent share price volatility and declining profit margins, the company trades at a significant discount to its estimated fair value. Recent highlights include a $180 million USD upfront payment from Novartis for expanded peptide discovery collaboration and promising clinical research on a radiopharmaceutical for renal carcinoma patients. TSE:4587 Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Capcom Co., Ltd. is a Japanese company that plans, develops, manufactures, sells, and distributes home video games, online games, mobile games, and arcade games both domestically and internationally with a market cap of 1.32 trillion. Operations: Capcom generates revenue primarily from Digital Content (119.84 billion), Amusement Facilities (19.34 billion), and Amusement Equipment (9.02 billion). Insider Ownership: 11.5% Capcom, with significant insider ownership, is forecasted to grow earnings by 9.8% annually and revenue by 7%, both outpacing the JP market averages. Recent earnings grew by 18.1%, reflecting strong performance. The company held its Annual General Meeting on June 20, discussing various strategic initiatives including a performance-linked stock remuneration system for directors. Capcoms high Return on Equity forecast of 21% in three years underscores its potential as a growth-oriented investment in Japan. TSE:9697 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jul 2024 Where To Now? Gain an insight into the universe of 100 Fast Growing Japanese Companies With High Insider Ownership by clicking here. Hold shares in these firms? Setup your portfolio in Simply Wall St to seamlessly track your investments and receive personalized updates on your portfolio's performance. Elevate your portfolio with Simply Wall St, the ultimate app for investors seeking global market coverage. 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 TSE:2379 TSE:4587 and TSE:9697. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com The United States flag flies inside the Guantanamo Bay detention facility at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The United States flag flies inside the Guantanamo Bay detention facility at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Photograph: Lucas Jackson/Reuters Three men accused of being involved in the 9/11 terrorist attack including the self-proclaimed mastermind of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have agreed to plea deals at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prosecutors said on Wednesday. Related: This 9/11 suspect has spent 20 years in Guantanamo. Is he nearing a deal with the US? The Convening Authority for Military Commissions, Susan Escallier, has entered into pre-trial agreements with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al-Hawsawi, three of the co-accused in the 9/11 case, the Pentagon said in a short statement. Defense lawyers have requested that the men receive life sentences in exchange for the guilty pleas, according to letters from the federal government received by relatives of some of the nearly 3,000 people killed on the morning of 11 September 2001. In exchange for the removal of the death penalty as a possible punishment, these three accused have agreed to plead guilty to all of the charged offenses, including the murder of the 2,976 people listed in the charge sheet, said the letters, the New York Times reported. Pentagon officials declined to immediately release the full terms of the plea bargains. The agreement comes more than 16 years after their prosecution for the attack began, and more than 20 years after al-Qaida militants commandeered four commercial airliners to use as fuel-filled missiles, flying them into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon. The hijackers steered the fourth plane toward Washington, but crew members and passengers tried to storm the cockpit, and the plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field. The deal avoids both the prospect of a lengthy and complex trial, and the possibility that confessions seen as crucial to the case would be thrown out. The men have been in US custody since 2003, and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is widely seen as the chief plotter of the terror attacks. He allegedly received approval from the al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, who was killed by US forces in 2011, to craft what became the hijackings and killings. Over the years, the case had become bogged down in lengthy pre-trial proceedings. The three men were initially charged jointly and arraigned on 5 June 2008, then were charged jointly and arraigned a second time on 5 May 2012, the Pentagon statement said. Prosecutors said that Mohammed, who was an engineer and educated in the US, brought the idea of flying planes into buildings to bin Laden and then helped train and direct some of the hijackers who carried out the devastating attacks on US soil. Mohammed and Hawsawi were captured together in Pakistan in March 2003. The pair were tortured by their US interrogators, including subjecting Mohammed to a record 183 rounds of waterboarding. The use of torture has proven one of the most formidable obstacles in US efforts to try the men in the military commission at Guantanamo, because defense lawyers had argued that the mens torture in secret CIA prisons had rendered the evidence against them unusable in legal proceedings. Guantanamo Bay was set up in 2002 by then president George W Bush, in order to house foreign militants as part of the so-called war on terror. Its population grew to a peak of about 800 before it started to shrink. There are 30 people housed there today. News of the plea deals drew a spectrum of reactions on Wednesday. Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate leader, condemned the deals in a statement, saying: The only thing worse than negotiating with terrorists is negotiating with them after they are in custody. Daphne Eviatar, a director at the Amnesty International USA rights group, said she welcomed news of some accountability. She also urged the Biden administration to close Guantanamo. Many of its prisoners have been cleared, but are awaiting approval to leave for other countries. Eviatar also condemned the use of torture, saying that the Biden administration must also take all necessary measures to ensure that a program of state-sanctioned enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment will never be perpetrated by the United States again. Terry Strada, the national chair of a group of families of victims called 9/11 Families United, invoked the dozens of relatives who had died while awaiting justice for the killings when she heard news of the agreement. They were cowards when they planned the attack, she said of the defendants. And theyre cowards today. Strada was at Manhattan federal court for a hearing on one of many civil lawsuits when she heard news of the deals. She said many families have just wanted to see the men admit guilt. For me personally, I wanted to see a trial, she said. And they just took away the justice I was expecting a trial and the punishment. Michael Burke, one of the family members who received the government notice of the plea bargain, condemned the long wait for justice and the outcome. Burkes brother, Billy Burke, a New York City fire captain, had ordered his men out of the World Trade Center but remained on the 27th floor of the north tower of to assist others. It took months or a year at the Nuremberg trials, said Burke. To me, its always been disgraceful that these guys, 23 years later, have not been convicted and punished for their attacks, or the crime. I never understood how it took so long. I think people would be shocked if you could go back in time and tell the people who just watched the towers go down: Oh, hey, in 23 years, these guys who are responsible for this crime we just witnessed are going to be getting plea deals so they can avoid death and serve life in prison, he said. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed reporting WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The man accused of masterminding the Sept. 11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and two of his accomplices, held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have agreed to plead guilty, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. The Pentagon did not elaborate on the plea deals. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the plea deals almost certainly involved guilty pleas in exchange for taking the death penalty off the table. The official said the terms of the agreement had not been publicly disclosed but acknowledged a plea for a life sentence was possible. Mohammed is the most well known inmate at the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, which was set up in 2002 by then-U.S. President George W. Bush to house foreign militant suspects following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Its population grew to a peak of about 800 inmates before it started to shrink. There are 30 inmates today. Mohammed is accused of masterminding the plot to fly hijacked commercial passenger aircraft into the World Trade Center in New York City and into the Pentagon. The 9/11 attacks, as they're known, killed nearly 3,000 people and plunged the United States into what would become a two-decade-long war in Afghanistan. His interrogations have long been the subject of scrutiny. A 2014 Senate Intelligence Committee report on the CIA's use of waterboarding and other "enhanced interrogation techniques" said that Mohammed had been waterboarded at least 183 times. Plea deals were also reached by two other detainees: Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin 'Attash and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi, according to a Pentagon statement. The three men were initially charged jointly and arraigned on June 5, 2008, and then were again charged jointly and arraigned a second time on May 5, 2012, the Pentagon statement said. U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell condemned the plea deals. "The only thing worse than negotiating with terrorists is negotiating with them after they are in custody," McConnell said in a statement, accusing the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden of "cowardice in the face of terror." (Reporting by Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Eric Beech and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Diane Craft) North Carolina Solicitor General Ryan Park sat through a contentious hearing Wednesday morning as Republicans vowed to block President Joe Bidens nomination of Park for the federal 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. Sen. Thom Tillis led the charge, telling his colleagues that the White House became aware in mid-April that Tillis had enough votes on the Senate floor to block Parks nomination from going forward, but instead of working with Tillis and Sen. Ted Budd to find a consensus nominee, the White House moved forward with Park anyways. I am ashamed to be in this position, Tillis said. I am ashamed of the White House for putting Mr. Park in this position. Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, introduced Park to the committee. He told its members that Park, in his current role representing the state in court as solicitor general, has presented more than 30 appeals, including 10 before the U.S. Court of Appeals and two before the U.S. Supreme Court. His resume includes working in the Office of the Legal Adviser at the U.S. Department of State and having served as a law clerk to Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and David Souter, as well as 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Robert Katzmann and Judge Jed Rakoff of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Those are clerkships for which students would die to get those clerkships, said Carl Tobias, the Williams Chair in Law at the University of Richmond. Tobias, who watched the hearing Wednesday, said he believes Park is well-qualified for the position and worries that if other nominees watched what happened to Park they wont put themselves through the nomination process. Park sat before the committee Wednesday morning with his mother, wife and young children in the audience. Many judicial and law enforcement officials also traveled to Washington for the hearing. They sat in the hearing room as Republicans criticized him for his record and accused him of being a liberal activist. Frustration with White House over nomination But Tillis focused on the White House and his frustration with the nomination process. Tillis told the committee that, prior to Parks nomination, he and Sen. Ted Budd worked with a bipartisan group from North Carolina to select four potential nominees, including a 13-year judge who is a Democrat. They presented the list to the White House, and Tillis said not only did the White House dismiss all of the nominees for the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, but also for a vacant district court position. Then, Tillis said, the White House returned with four of its own potential nominees that included Park and Budds opponent for his U.S. Senate seat, former North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. Tillis said he would argue that Beasley is arguably partisan. So I questioned the sincerity of the White House, of the process, Tillis said. Tillis was also frustrated that after emailing the White House on April 17 to inform officials he had the votes to block Parks nomination from going forward, they instead made his nomination official on July 3. Park says hes taken bipartisan steps Tillis then received permission to take the unusual step of playing a video in the committee showing Park and demonstrating why Tillis had concerns. The video opens with Park speaking into a microphone and saying, As a progressive lawyer who wanted to make a difference, I thought that was a really unique place, to be working for a new attorney general. The video then attacks Attorney General Josh Stein on positions he took on immigration and abortion, and shows Park saying, my perspective on those kinds of high-level cases are always, 2.5 million-plus people voted for my boss to be attorney general, to make those kinds of decisions, and I even feel privileged to be able to advise him. Durbin allowed Park to respond to the video. I think that if you look at those clips, in context, at least the clips of me speaking, youll see that when I was describing myself as a progressive, I wasnt describing, I wasnt using the term in the partisan or political sense, Park said. In fact, later on that same panel, in the first clip, I said explicitly, that I think politics through lawsuits is illegitimate. Thats what I said. He added that hes unique among state solicitor generals in that hes never led a partisan, multistate lawsuit or partisan amicus brief with Democratic attorneys general on one side and Republican attorneys general on the other. Every single effort that Ive led, in that context, has been bipartisan, Park said. Park also said hes never declined to represent a state official or agency because of their party. I have always been happy and enthusiastic to defend the statutes that have been passed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly in my state and to effectuate policies made by Republican statewide officials, Park said. North Carolina has a Democratic governor and attorney general, but the states lieutenant governor and both legislative chambers are majority-Republican. But neither Sens. Josh Hawley nor John Neely Kennedy let up on Park. Both brought up several lawsuits that Park was involved with. Youre an activist, arent you? Kennedy asked. They ticked through lawsuits related to voting rights, school vouchers, abortion and closing churches during the pandemic. I know youre smart and I know you think youre more virtuous than other people, but thats a dangerous trait when youre a federal judge, Kennedy said. I just dont think youre mature enough to be a federal judge. I dont think youll follow the law. I think youll try to bend the law to what you think is right, and that undermines our federal judiciary. Park was allowed to defend himself from Kennedy and Hawleys attacks, and he said both misrepresented either what happened in certain cases or his involvement in others. Ill just share with you that I have not, thus far, heard any substantive criticism of you or your record in these proceedings, and I think youve been handling yourself very well, said Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat from Georgia. Durbin vowed to Park that he had his support. He also said some of what Park faced Wednesday was tied to internal drama within the committee that stretched back to the Obama administration. He said at that time, the then-chairman would allow senators of a state to reject a White House nomination by not returning a literal blue slip of paper. And if both senators rejected the nomination, it wouldnt move forward. He said because of that, several of former President Barack Obamas nominations were blocked. Durbin said when former President Donald Trump took office, Republicans did not honor the tradition, and filled previously blocked positions with candidates they wanted. Durbin said he is now following the same standards Republicans set during the Trump administration. Tillis hit back and said he supports returning to the traditional process of nominating judicial officials, and reminded Durbin that he joined a bipartisan effort to keep alive the Senates ability to filibuster, which is used to prolong debate. If somebody wants to join me in the moral high ground on being bipartisan and consistent: welcome. Tillis said. Tillis added that he has tried to strike an image of being bipartisan and reminded his colleagues that his work in the Senate, reaching across the aisle, has led to his own state party censuring him. Tobias, the law professor, called the hearing brutal. He said Hawley and Kennedy acted within their character during the hearing, but Tillis took him by surprise. Tobias said any complaint Tillis has about how the nomination process currently works lies within Tillis own party. Under the Dome Get the latest news about North Carolina politics from The News & Observer's award-winning team. Get the free digest sent to your inbox by signing up here. Just Stop Oil are obviously on to something. Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far. And 2024 is currently the warmest year globally on record. They are right to be worried. But somehow their positive action always feels like a negative. In recent weeks, weve witnessed heavy sentences for five protestors who shut down the M25 in 2022; then a laughable attempt to block a Gatwick departure lounge, followed by a further act of orange vandalism at Heathrow. These incidents have become daily, but their increasing frequency brings increasing disinterest. In contrast to the massive disruption on the motorway, the latest sit-ins are rather pathetic, if not downright bathetic. The footage from Gatwick showing holidaymakers walking over protestors almost makes you feel sorry for them, with their glum faces and home-knits, like characters from a Mike Leigh film (the long-awaited sequel to Nuts In May perhaps) who got lost in the terminal and had to lie down for a nap. When the frequent flyers on their way to Magaluf and Amsterdam step around you as if you were a wheelie bin the foxes knocked over in the night it does draw attention to a lack of impact. How can you hope to Just Stop Oil if you cant just stop Hannah and Katie from Swindon going to Ibiza? Climate activists often cite parallels with the Suffragettes (a willingness to be arrested, demonisation, ultimately heroic etc). But the difference between Just Stop Oil and those who fought for womens votes is that the demands of the latter could be met with the proverbial flick of a switch. The same, alas, cannot be said for the climate crisis. The civil rights and feminist movements aimed to change society for the better, but in order to achieve their own objectives climate protesters need to change society, period. Life as we know it would have to be dismantled. That feels too radical. There is also the obvious PR problem. The people doing the disrupting are from our most universally disliked demographic: those with too much time on their hands. In a society obsessed with the cost of living, the tax burden and crime, anyone with too much time on their hands is about as popular as Benjamin Netanyahu on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. Yet another orange attack at Heathrow also reminds us or should that some poor soul has to clean up the appalling mess left in the wake of these privileged Jackson Pollocks. You have to be a serious beneficiary of capitalism to have enough time and money to campaign for its destruction, which means the Cressidas and Phoebes of this world have the means to protest, but not the credibility. Every election for the past 20 years was predicted to be the green election but it never happened. For most of us, the climate crisis comes second to everyday crises, which is why green issues take a back seat to schools, hospitals, crime and the economy (unless you live somewhere like Brighton or Bristol Central). As well as actions that disrupt holidays, job interviews, exams and doctors appointments, the lack of support for Just Stop Oil is related to the fact that the UK only produces 0.9 per cent of the worlds carbon emissions. Try disrupting the infrastructure of China (which accounts for 33 per cent), the critics say. See where that gets you. The most likely way out of this mess probably the only way out is for dreaded capitalism to deliver technology that enables the world to embrace green energy and finds ways to mitigate against the fossil fuels we still need. Only governments and corporations have the muscle to achieve this. And only people can force governments to change so Just Stop Oil making the lives of the voters they need to win over even more miserable is simply bad politics. The best way for Just Stop Oil to just stop oil would be to do the one thing they hate the most: accept that only their sworn enemies can fix the mess. Until then, if you want a picture of the future, imagine Peggy Mitchell standing outside the Queen Vic saying Let It Burn forever. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. What time do polls close in Tennessee? Where's my precinct? What to know for the Aug. 1 election On Thursday, Aug. 1, Tennessee will be holding its state and federal primaries. Across the state, Tennesseans will also be voting in a series of county and municipal general elections. Voters in Tennessee will be casting ballots in primaries for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and the state legislature. On the ballot this year is a battle for the U.S. Senate, a position which is currently held by U.S. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee. She is seeking a second six-year term and is expected to easily defeat her Republican primary opponent, Tress Wittum. On the Democratic side, state Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, and Memphis activist and 2020 Democratic Senate nominee Marquita Bradshaw are running for the chance to take on Blackburn in November. Also in the Democratic race are Lola Denise Brown and Civil Miller-Watkins. Another notable race is the 5th Congressional District Republican primary, where U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, is seeking reelection. Ogles is facing challenger Courtney Johnston, a Metro Nashville council member. Here's everything to know. Am I registered to vote in Tennessee? You can use the state's voter registration information lookup website to determine if you're currently registered to vote in Tennessee. Check your voter registration by visiting https://tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup/ Tennessee Voter Guide: Republican and Democratic primaries for US Senate Is it too late to register to vote for the Aug. 1 primary? Yes. The voter registration deadline for the Aug. 1 primary was July. 2. How can I register to vote in Tennessee for the next election? If you're not currently registered, you can head over to the the Secretary of State's website at sos.tn.gov and register online. You can also download a voter registration application to mail to your county election commission. Tennessee Voter Guide: The competitive primaries for US House on Aug. 1 Do I need to bring a photo ID to vote in Nashville, Tennessee? Yes. Voters in Tennessee must bring a valid photo identification card, which can include a driver's license or photo ID issued by the state of Tennessee, a U.S. passport, a U.S. military photo ID or a Tennessee handgun carry permit that includes a photo. College student IDs, city- or county-issued IDs, and out-of-state photo IDs are not accepted. You do not need to bring your voter registration card to vote. Tennessee Voter Guide: The key Middle Tennessee state House races on Aug. 1 What ballot will I have? You can request either a Republican or Democratic ballot, and poll workers will ensure you have the correct ballot. A new state law passed in 2023 requires that signs be posted in polling places noting that voters are required to be "bona fide" members of the party whose primary they're voting in, and that voting outside one's party primary is "punishable as a crime." State law does not define "bona fide," nor does it define consequences for crossover voting. Tennessee primaries remain open. The new state law is currently the subject of a legal challenge. Tennessee Voter Guide: Key competitive state Senate races on Aug. 1 What time do polls open? Polls open at 7 a.m. CT and close at 7 p.m. CT. What happens if I don't bring a photo identification? You will have to cast a provisional ballot. You will then have two business days to return to the election commission office to show a valid photo identification. After that, you'll have to sign an affidavit, and a copy of your ID will be made to be reviewed by the counting board. Can I leave work to vote? Employers are required to give their employees paid time off to vote provided they have been given notice. Where can I find my polling location? Go to GoVoteTN.com to find your current election day polling location. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee elections: Where to vote, what to know for Aug. 1 election As Gov. Bill Lee and legislative leaders vow to bring back a bill to establish a new statewide school voucher program next year, newly released state data shows students who participated in Tennessees existing voucher program during the 2023-24 school year made modest gains in English language arts and math test scores, but most are still testing significantly below the district-wide average of their public school peers. Narrowly approved by the legislature in 2019 and implemented in 2022-23 after a years-long legal battle, the existing program, called Education Savings Accounts, offers state-paid scholarships of about $9,000 to low-income students to attend private and parochial schools of their choice in Davidson, Shelby and Hamilton counties, along with the state-run Achievement School District. Lawmakers track the program's success based on annual achievement test data and parent satisfaction survey results. This year, Lee proposed a new, statewide universal voucher program to offer all students in the state a state-funded scholarship to attend private schools, regardless of their income or ZIP code, without requiring standardized testing to measure success. Critics of the program argued that lackluster academic performance from current ESA participants during the program's first year should give lawmakers pause as they considered the expansion. During a hearing on the bill, Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds admitted ESA students' test scores were not "anything to write home about." House and Senate leaders proposed their own vastly different proposals for the program, but the two chambers could not reconcile and the legislation did not pass. Lee and Republican legislative leaders have vowed to bring the proposal back next year and have endorsed and fundraised for Republican primary candidates that have pledged to support voucher programs. Out-of-state pro-voucher groups have poured millions of dollars into Thursday's primary races to ensure pro-voucher candidates win seats. Data show modest Year-over-year gains As lawmakers prepare to consider funding a new school voucher program, test results show some year-over-year achievement growth by ESA participants, but overall, performance is still below the statewide average. The program is designed to offer an alternative students in low-performing schools. Supporters of the program have said that population-wide improvement will occur over years, as ESA participating schools continue to improve their test administration, and ESA students continue to acclimate to their new learning environment. According to new data from the Department of Education for the 2023-24 year obtained by The Tennessean, the percentage of ESA recipient students that met or exceeded expectations on the state's TCAP achievement test increased by 4.4 percentage points in ELA and 7.2 percentage points in math during the 2023-24 year, seeing consistent improvement across all participating school districts year over year. Hamilton County schools and the Achievement School District were added to the program for the 2023-24 year. The program's most dramatic success story is in the state's Achievement School District the state's aggressive turnaround effort for lowest-performing schools which was included in the program beginning in the 2023-24 year. Just 8.8% of the 3,002 ASD students who remained in public schools met or exceeded expectations in ELA on the TCAP this year, while 37% of the 27 ESA recipients who transitioned to private schools from ASD schools met the standard for ELA. ESA recipients also far outperformed their ASD public school peers in math, though not as starkly, with nearly 24% meeting or exceeding expectations in math, compared with 9.6% of their public school peers. During the 2023-24 year, 1,251 ESA participants tested statewide made a 4.4-point improvement in language arts test scores from 2022-23, with 27.2% of ESA students statewide meeting or exceeding expectations, up from 22.8% meeting that bar last year. But overall, student ELA performance remains below the statewide average. Statewide, 38.9% of students meet or exceed expectations nearly 12 points more than the ESA program population. Math saw better gains: 18.5% of the 1,015 participating ESA students tested as meeting or exceeding expectations in math, up from 11.3% that met that threshold last year. While performance improved, fewer ESA participants statewide met or exceeded expectations in math than their statewide public school peers, 18.5% compared to 39.7%. The Tennessee Department of Education released anonymized average district-wide and statewide test data for ESA participants to The Tennessean in response to a public records request. School-level scores for schools with 10 or fewer students attending through the ESA program were not disclosed by the department, following federal privacy guidance. The Tennessean first requested the ESA program TCAP data from the Department of Education on June 26, shortly after the release of statewide TCAP results. The Department provided the test score data on July 30. Applications, participation grows Interest in the program and the number of applications have grown significantly each year. The five-year pilot ESA program is capped at 5,000 participants total across all participating districts. During the program's first year in 2022-23, just over 450 students enrolled in private schools through the ESA program in two participating counties, according to the Department of Education. Last year, with Hamilton County now added to the program, and a provision to grandfather in students that had qualified but could not participate in 2019 due to the legal challenge, 3,640 students applied, 2,755 were approved, and 2,088 students received ESA funds and attended a non-public school, according to the department. As of July 26, more than 5,600 students had applied to the ESA program for the upcoming 2024-25 school year, and 4,060 were approved to participate according to the department. Lee administration touts success, teachers group advises caution In response to inquiries about voucher recipient achievement, Lee's office said participant's achievement growth is a sign of the program's success. "Tennessees Education Savings Account program is proof that students thrive when given the freedom to enroll in the educational environment that best fits their needs, regardless of income or ZIP code," spokesperson Elizabeth Johnson told The Tennessean in a statement. Jul 16, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivers remarks 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. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY Lee recently brought the issue to the national stage, calling vouchers the "civil rights issue of our time" during a primetime speech at the Republican National Convention. Critics have pushed back on that framing, noting that private schools aren't required to accept all students like traditional public schools. Others have pointed to ballooning costs with a similar statewide program in Arizona. Exclusive: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee views school vouchers as a way to 'undo the disparities' "Parents have their childs best interest in mind, and the overwhelming majority (99%) are reporting satisfaction with the program as students continue to demonstrate academic gains," Johnson said. Reynolds cited parent satisfaction as a key metric of the program's success, saying the program is fulfilling its goal by offering parent's alternatives to public schools. "As ESA students continue making steady academic gains, they are in sync with their peers and thriving, as demonstrated by the 99 percent parent satisfaction rate," Reynolds said in a statement. "ESAs are delivering on their intended purpose by providing low-income families an opportunity to choose the best education option for their child based on their individual needs." Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds interviews with the Tennessean at Tennessee Department of Education in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. J.C. Bowman, director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, one of the state's leading teacher organizations, cautioned lawmakers to seek more evidence of vouchers' success before pushing to fund more vouchers. Policymakers must ensure the effectiveness of the ESA program before expanding vouchers in Tennessee," Bowman told The Tennessean. "State leaders should protect taxpayers, while learning from past experiences to enhance policies and systems. A collaborative approach focused on student success and community involvement is essential for effective educational reform. The underperformance of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) participants relative to public school peers raises valid concerns about the adequacy of vouchers alone in fostering academic success at this point," Bowman said. Parent satisfaction remains high Parents of ESA recipients remain satisfied with the program, according to a parent satisfaction survey sent after the close of the school year. Of the 896 parent respondents, 99% reported that they were satisfied with the program overall. Parents represented about 43% of the total students enrolled in the program. Parents signaled overwhelming satisfaction with the departments communication, courtesy, technical assistance, and responsiveness. Unlike last year, parents were not surveyed in 2024 about their satisfaction with their childs academic growth or their childs ESA school experience during the 2023-24 year. Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X at @Vivian_E_Jones. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN school vouchers: Recipients make testing gains but trail peers On July 31, 1991, the United States Senate voted to allow women to fly combat aircraft. Although women had been flying since 1908, nearly all were restricted to general aviation. During World War II, female pilots supported the military in non-combat roles, never gaining full military status. In the 1970s, women were finally permitted to fly in the U.S. armed forces but were banned from combat aircraft or missions. It wasnt until July 31, 1991 that the Senate overwhelmingly voted to lift the ban. In 1993, Jeannie Leavitt became the Air Forces first female fighter pilot. Over her ongoing career, she proved herself with over 300 combat hours over Iraq and Afghanistan in the seat of an F-15E Strike Eagle. Shes a retired general now, thank you very much, proving that women have no problem taking it to the danger zone. Theres no doubt that the Air Force continues to advance its air-power capabilities. In June 2024, the first operational F-15EX was delivered to the Oregon Air National Guard. Along with the USAFs strides in technological advancement comes the breaking of gender-biased boundaries. First Lt. Vernice Armour, a Super Cobra pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, is the Department of Defenses first female African-American combat pilot and was the first African-American female naval aviator in the Marine Corps. Armour, a Chicago native, earned her wings in July of 2001. Photo taken Feb. 6, 2003 at the Camp Pendleton Air Station, CA. That same year, the first female F-35 pilot was assigned as the deputy commander of 33rd Fighter Wing Operations Group at Eglin Air Force Base. Lieutenant Colonel Christine Mau was appointed one of 88 pilots qualified to fly the F-35. Graduating from the Air Force Academy and having a family history of pilots is what led Mau towards becoming a pilot herself. Today, she is still only one of a handful of female F-35 pilots. Capt. Kristin Beo Wolfe, the new face of the U.S. Air Forces F-35 Joint Strike Fighter demonstration team, is used to being outnumbered as a female pilot. A lot of people have [misconceptions] still about either females flying or females being fighter pilots, all the way from little kidsto adults, she told Military.com. So thats probably the most important part, is that they get to see it for them to see that anythings possible. At the same time, she said regarding the gender of pilots: The jet doesnt care. Featured Image: Air Force Lt. Col. Christine Mau readies herself for her first flight in the F-35A Lightning II. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Fire crews were battling a fire at Tony Ds on University Avenue early Wednesday morning. According to the Rochester Fire Department, they found smoke inside the building and a fire outside the building. The fire was quickly extinguished. The restaurant had some damage as a result of the fire and the structure was ventilated. Its not clear how bad the damage is. No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire and the cause was not revealed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. (Bloomberg) -- A mass food poisoning outbreak at the office of TikTok Inc. parent company ByteDance Ltd. in Singapore has led to the hospitalization of nearly 60 people, according to local media. Most Read from Bloomberg Seventeen ambulances were deployed to the One Raffles Quay office on Tuesday after the workers reported symptoms of abdominal pain and vomiting, per a report from the Singaporean newspaper the Straits Times. Of the 60 known people who fell ill, 57 were reportedly hospitalized. The Singapore Civil Defence Force told the paper that the people had consumed food from the same source. The company is working with authorities to investigate the situation, said a ByteDance spokesperson. We take the health and safety of our employees very seriously and have taken immediate steps to support all affected employees, including working with emergency services to provide care, the company said in a statement. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Top Senate Republican says Trump should focus on issues, not race in campaign against Harris Top Senate Republican says Trump should focus on issues, not race in campaign against Harris Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.), the No. 2-ranking Senate GOP leader, said Wednesday that former President Trump should focus on policy issues and not race in his campaign against Vice President Harris. The campaign is, needs to be, must be about the issues, and theres plenty to talk about. I just think thats where the focus needs to be. Thats how were going to win in November, Thune told reporters. Thune, who is running to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) as Senate GOP leader, was responding to the former presidents claims that he doesnt know whether Harris, who is of Indian and Jamaican heritage, is Indian or Black. Trump made the remarks during a combative interview at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago. Ive known her a long time indirectly. Not directly very much, Trump said. She was always of Indian heritage. And she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian, or is she Black? he said. Trumps remarks come as Republican leaders in Congress, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), are warning their colleagues to back off using diversity, equity and inclusion politics to attack Harris. The comments immediately drew condemnation from Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Black Democrat from Georgia. Ill tell you what its not: Its not surprising. This is who Donald Trump is. This is the politics of insult, of revenge and resentment and retribution, and I suspect well hear that all the way until November, he said. I think at the end of the day the people of America are going to reject that. They know what Kamala Harris represents, Warnock said. Heres a woman who is the daughter of a Jamaican man and an East-Asian immigrant mother. She went to Howard University. Shes married to a Jewish man, he said. She embodies in her life story the American covenant, E Pluribus Unum, out of many, one. Donald Trump doesnt understand that. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TOPEKA (KSNT) The City of Topeka passed an item requiring owners of a mobile home property to take on responsibility for removing or pruning dangerous trees. Tuesday evening, the Topeka City Council unanimously approved an action item that states the owner of a mobile home property is responsible for removing or trimming any trees that are deemed dangerous until they are no longer considered a safety risk, instead of the individuals who reside on the property. City leaders approve pay raise for Topeka Police District 2 Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala first introduced this ordinance at the request of a constituent. This comes after a storm knocked down a tree, splitting a Topekans home in half earlier this year. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Topeka Police Department members to see 17% raises next year, and more to follow Action from the Topeka City Council will increase salaries in the Topeka Police Department by 17% next year and 5% in each of the two following years. Council members on Tuesday debated the the amount of the increase but appeared swayed by data from the interim police chief showing Topeka has fallen behind its peers in beginning salaries. Interim police chief Jamey Haltom and senior financial analyst Josh McAnarney present the newest police officer contact to the Topeka City Council on Tuesday. Police personnel budget increases 33% over the next three years Over the next three years, personnel costs for the police department would increase 33% and would go from this year's budget of $27,026,695 to $35,929,243 for 2027. In the first year, the budget will increase 17%, then 5% the second year and another 5% in the third year. The police department has 276 positions, with 40 of those vacant. The salary gap for employees in the union has increased from similar cities. Documents accompanying the meeting's agenda packet say the pay agreement should help fill vacant positions. "Officers look at that dollar amount when they're shopping," interim police chief Jamey Haltom said. "We used to have a candidate pool, and for years now, we've had a candidate puddle." In addition, the agreement increases holiday pay from time and a half to two times the regular pay. Another provision addressed work comp issues and leave related to mental health trauma. What did city officials have to say? Councilman David Banks said he struggled with approving the 17% personnel budget increase for the first year in the three-year contact. He also said he doesn't see how the comparison of Topeka's salaries could be that far off from other cities similar to Topeka. Haltom said the police department compares to other cities they compete against in recruiting. He said in Topeka the salary of a first-year police officer is on average $53,000, compared to salaries at the following agencies: Kansas Highway Patrol: $68,000. Lawrence Police Department: $60,000. Kansas City, Kansas: $60,000. Councilman Marcus Miller said he fully supports the pay raises. Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala said the Topeka Police Department is larger than what the Federal Bureau of Investigation recommends. She said FBI data indicates a city of Topeka's size would need 200 officers. She went on to say the city needs to reimagine the way the police department is used and deploy more mental health professionals. "We need to consider hiring a third-party contracting or hiring the professionals for mental health," Valdivia-Alcala said. "That means white mental health professionals, Black mental health professionals and brown mental health professionals. "This will place less stress on Topeka police officers in a realm they are not adequately trained for, nor should they have to pick up the pieces in this broken mental health system." Councilman Brett Kell said bringing up competitive wages would help attract a new chief of police. Councilman Spencer Duncan said supporting the police department is a large cost and properly financing employee wages will lead to a larger overall budget. "Obviously anytime we talk to citizens, they want us to support our police department and rightfully so," Duncan said. "We need to. Safety is one of our core priorities. That comes with a big price tag these days. It does and I hope the citizens understand that as we get into our budget talk and they wonder why we've had a big budget increase in terms of salaries and wages, this is why." Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz asked the interim chief to tell the police officer to understand the council is not taking this decision lightly and the police department needs to have a healthier more respectful environment. "This is a decision we did not take lightly and in that we expect them to respect our citizens no matter who they are, no matter where they fall, no matter what category they're in, from the homeless to the rich," Ortiz said. "And we expect them to respect each other. I'll tell you what, if I have two more officers come to me and say: 'We are not respecting each other. Why would we want to work for that?' I will make it a point to come back and pull this contract." Mayor Michael Padilla thanked the interim police chief for all the hard work in this contract. He said it's vital for the police department to have a give-and-take respect with the community. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka City Council unanimously OKs 17% pay raise for police next year One seat belt evidence change was years in the making. (Getty Images) The American Tort Reform Association dubbed Indiana a tort reform trailblazer in a recent legislative analysis for a pair of changes approved during the most recent legislative session. One, dealing with seat belt evidence in courtrooms, took numerous attempts and at least 19 years to become law. Indiana lawmakers took important steps toward restoring balance and fairness to its civil justice system this year, association President Tiger Joyce said in a news release. He called the changes common-sense and models for other states to follow. The association highlighted House Enrolled Act 1090, authored by Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, which allows juries to hear evidence of seat belt non-use or misuse in civil vehicle crash injury cases. Indiana law previously banned the disclosure of that information. Pressels legislation gives judges the choice of whether to admit the evidence. Opponents often, lawmakers who are attorneys argued the measure would lay too heavy a burden of proof on crash victims, or lead juries to take too much money from them. Supporters countered that, if an adults injuries are worse because they didnt use a seat belt, juries should know. Debate often got tense. For too long, personal injury lawyers have inflated damages by shielding juries from crucial evidence, Joyce said. This reform ensures juries can properly apportion responsibility and award fair compensation. A previous attempt to change the law died in a 2023 committee in a rare failed vote and didnt brought to a committee votes during the four years prior. Similar bills failed multiple times in the 2000s and 2010s. One passed out of both chambers in 2005, for example, but then-Gov. Mitch Daniels vetoed it. But when lawmakers reassigned the topic to transportation-focused committees over the lawyer-heavy judiciary committees, it survived the legislative process. The association also celebrated the passage of House Enrolled Act 1160, which tackles third-party litigation funding. Thats when companies help plaintiffs or their attorneys cover legal expenses in exchange for a cut of any potential settlement or award. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US The new law seeks to keep foreign entities of concern from financing or influencing Hoosier lawsuits. It also requires disclosure of any foreign financing, direct or indirect. The litigation funding industry essentially has operated as a Wild West with little-to-no transparency or accountability, Joyce said. HB 1160 will help prevent foreign influence over domestic legal matters and mitigate potential national security risks. His association said excessive tort expenses cost Hoosier residents more than $1,000 annually and sap jobs, according to a 2023 assessment by economic consultant The Perryman Group. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Two people have been arrested after a brief police chase that closed several blocks of Biscayne Boulevard in Miami after a police-involved car crash Wednesday afternoon. The incident involved a pursuit related to a shooting investigation, according to Miami police spokesperson Michael Vega. Miami police were first alerted to the SUV involved in the chase by Palm Beach County authorities, who said the woman driving and the man in the passenger seat were wanted by police. On Thursday, the suspects were identified as 31-year-old Ariadne Rodriguez and 34-year-old Jonathan Lozano. Rodriguez, of the Lake Worth area, was behind the wheel of a white Audi Q5 that had been used during a shooting in Palm Beach County on July 30, according to police. Miami police tried to stop the SUV with a tactical maneuver on 79th Street and Biscayne Boulevard, Vega said, but Rodriguez got away. Officers finally stopped the car on Northeast 82nd Street using another maneuver. During the second maneuver, a police vehicle crashed and flipped. The suspects car was also damaged and a private vehicle was grazed by a police car. Both the driver and passenger were arrested. Palm Beach County authorities are investigating the incident. Lozano was charged with resisting arrest without violence and Rodriguez was charged with reckless driving, battery and fleeing from police at a high speed. It is unclear how they if and how they will be charged in the shooting incident. The officer inside the crashed police vehicle had minor injuries, police said. A video posted on the Instagram account OnlyinDade shows a chaotic scene where multiple police cars and officers, many with their guns drawn, surround the suspects involved in the chase. The footage showed at least one person being taken into custody by the police. BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) An organization dedicated to honoring fallen law enforcement came through Northwest Arkansas on July 30. Beyond the Call of Duty stopped in Rogers as part of its Ride to Remember, honoring the fallen officers from 2022-23. Benton County Detective Paul Newell was one of those officers being honored. Detective Paul Newell was killed in the line of duty during a Wreaths Across America procession on December 17, 2022, after being hit by a truck. The accident happened on Walton Boulevard in Bentonville before 7:30 a.m. Benton County Deputy killed during Wreaths Across America escort Detective Paul Newell was one of the law enforcement officers escorting large trucks for a Wreaths Across America event. BCSO said Newell had been with the sheriffs office since 1998, starting in the detention division. During his law enforcement career, he served as a patrol deputy, patrol sergeant, training sergeant and lieutenant. Just before his death, he was a detective with the Criminal Investigation Division. Charlene Newell says its emotional seeing the community come out in honor of a man who wore many hats for the county. He was part of the motor division for Benton County, and so when those motorbikes pulled through, it was hard. I cried, Charlene Newell said. I reached for whoever was beside me and grabbed their hand and squeezed it. So, it was hard. Every day is hard. Allison McCarter is a coordinator for Beyond the Call of Duty. She says the team left its home base in Washington state on June 1 and is traveling through 45 states honoring all 380 law enforcement officers lost in 2022 and 2023. On our memorial, we dont have ranks or badge numbers and we do that on purpose, McCarter said. Its so that people across the country see that these are just men and women. These are human beings that had families and friends and lives outside of their job. Beyond the Call of Duty will be in Fort Smith on July 31 to honor a Sebastian County Sheriffs Deputy Sgt. Bill Shibley and an Arkansas State Police trooper Sr. Cpl. Mike Springer. Shibley died on January 31, 2022, from complications from COVID-19. He had been hospitalized for several weeks before he died. Sebastian County sergeant dies from COVID-19 Shibley served with the sheriffs office for more than 22 years. He began his career as a reserve deputy in the sheriffs office in June 1999. Shortly after, he began his full-time career in the patrol division where he rose to the rank of sergeant. Arkansas State Police trooper dies of COVID-19 Springer died on February 11. The Logan County Sheriffs Office said he also died of COVID-19. Springer was a 33-year veteran of the department assigned to the Highway Patrol Division, Troop H which covers Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Scott, and Sebastian counties. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. The Treasury Department on Wednesday sanctioned for companies and two individuals it said are part of Houthi weapons procurment networks. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI July 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday sanctioned four companies and two individuals it said are part of Houthi weapons procurement networks in Hong Kong and Yemen. In a statement Treasury said the targets of the sanctions "have directly supported Houthis' efforts to procure military-grade materials abroad and ship these items to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, enabling the group's ongoing attacks." Al-Shahari United Corporation Ltd., Guangzhou Alshahari United Corporation Limited, Hong Kong Alshahari United Corporation Limited and the Yemen Telecommunication Asset Company for Information Technology are the companies sanctioned Wednesday. The individuals are Maher Yahya Muhammad Mutahar al-Kinai and Ahmed Khaled Yahya Al-Shahare. Al-Kinai was described by the Treasury Department as a Yemeni businessman "who has supported Houthi military procurement and smuggling efforts." Al-Shahare is the Director and General Manager of the Guangzhou Alshahari company. "The Houthis have sought to exploit key jurisdictions like the PRC and Hong Kong in order to source and transport the components necessary for their deadly weapons systems," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson in a statement. He added that the Treasury "will continue to target the facilitators that enable the Houthis' destabilizing activities." The Treasury Department said the Houthis rely on a global procurement network to supply them with weapons they have used since November 2023 "to attack U.S. military forces, merchant vessels, their crews, and civilian populations in Israel." Treasury said the Al-Shahari United is a Sanaa, Yemen-based logistic company that has facilitated weapons smuggling shipments. The Guangzhou Alshahari company has allegedly helped facilitate shipments from China to Yemen. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hongkong Alshahari company. Al-Shahare directs and manages the Guangzhou Alshahari company. On July 18 more sanctions against the Houthis were announced, targeting two individuals, three companies and several ships accused of raising tens of millions of dollars for the Houthis. The Houthis have attacked more than 50 commercial vessels traveling through the Red Sea since Nov. 19. On June 17, the Biden administration also sanctioned Houthi procurement and revenue-generating networks, many of them based in China. The sanctions are part of the effort to counteract Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis claim they are carrying out the attacks in solidarity with Palestinians Israel is killing in the war against Hamas in Gaza. US sandwich franchise TOGO'S has expanded its presence with a new location in Las Vegas, California. The new venue, situated in the Diamond Plaza Shopping Center at 9270 Rainbow Blvd. and Blue Diamond Road, will offer a variety of hot and cold sandwich options to the Las Vegas community. Among the offerings are the brand's classic and innovative creations such as the #9 Hot Pastrami and #24 Turkey & Avocado. The new TOGO'S is owned by franchisees Kathryn Matthews and Thomas D'Angelo. It is the first of three TOGO'S locations they plan to open in the greater Las Vegas area. Matthews and D'Angelo stated: We are incredibly excited to bring TOGO'S to Diamond Plaza in Las Vegas. Our team is committed to serving the freshest, highest-quality sandwiches. Our goal is to provide exceptional customer service and become locals' and visitors' first choice for sandwiches. In celebration of the new opening, TOGO'S Las Vegas is planning an event in August 2024 to welcome the local community. TOGO'S Eateries CEO Glenn Lunde said: We are thrilled to welcome Katie and Tom to the TOGO'S family. I am confident that with their passion for excellence and customer service, they will continue to deliver on TOGO'S brand promise of providing the best hand-crafted sandwiches. In November 2023, TOGOS expanded its store footprint in the US by opening a new venue in Turlock, California. Located in the Monte Vista Crossings Shopping Center, the new restaurant venue is owned and operated by Edward Hillstead. "TOGOS opens new restaurant in Las Vegas, California" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Out-of-pocket costs for mental health care appointments for patients in the military health care system would be capped under a bill introduced in Congress on Wednesday. Under the Stop Copay Overpay Act, Tricare users' out-of-pocket fees for outpatient behavioral and mental health visits would not be allowed to cost more than those for primary care visits. The limitation could cut patients' costs by an average of 48%, according to a news release from the office of Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., one of the bill's sponsors. "As a veteran, I've seen too many brave men and women struggle to access the mental health care they need and deserve. It's not right," Houlahan, a retired Air Force captain, said in a statement. "Mental health care is health care, and creating cost parity between primary care visits and behavioral and mental health visits would be one giant leap forward in ending the stigma to seek treatment." Read Next: The Army Bet $11M on The Rock and UFL Ginning Up Enlistments. It May Have Actually Hurt Recruiting Efforts. Houlahan and fellow Pennsylvania Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, a Republican, previously introduced the bill in 2021, but it went nowhere. This year, they are being joined in introducing the legislation by Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, possibly giving the measure a boost of bicameral momentum. In 2018, Tricare copays across the board increased as the health insurance for service members, their families and military retirees retooled its plans. For example, in 2017, a retiree on Tricare Prime faced a copay of $12 for a behavioral or mental health appointment, according to a 2022 letter from The Military Coalition, an umbrella group for 35 military and veterans organizations. Today, an outpatient visit for specialty care, under which mental health falls, costs retirees on Tricare Prime $37. To curb those rising costs, the bill introduced Wednesday would bar Tricare from charging copays for outpatient mental and behavioral health visits that are higher than copays for primary care appointments. Primary care visits cost $25 this year for retirees on Tricare Prime, up to $27 for in-network providers for military family members on Tricare Select, and up to $36 for in-network providers for retirees on Tricare Select. Service members and their families on Tricare Prime have no copays for primary or specialty care. The bill would also require the Pentagon to report on whether limiting copays for mental health care could result in increasing copays for other services and provide recommendations on how to avoid those increases. "We can never fully repay our service members and their families for their sacrifice, but we can, and we must, ensure that they get the health care they deserve," Casey, who is running for reelection in a key swing state against a Republican opponent who is an Army veteran, said in a statement Wednesday. "Military service members paid the price to defend our nation; now, we must make sure that they can take care of their health and well-being." A watered-down variation of the bill has already been included in this year's House-passed version of the annual defense policy bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA. The language included in the NDAA would not require co-pays to be capped, but rather would order the Pentagon to report to Congress on Tricare costs for behavioral and mental health. The report would have to include information on "efforts of the secretary of defense to ensure that such cost sharing is affordable for such beneficiaries," as well as recommendations on how to "minimize the burden of such cost sharing," according to the bill text. Similar language is so far not included in the Senate's version of this year's NDAA, which has advanced out of the Senate Armed Services Committee but has yet to be voted on by the upper chamber. The House and Senate will have to reconcile their respective versions of the NDAA before it can become law. Related: More than Three-Fourths of Tricare Directories' Mental Health Provider Listings Are Inaccurate, Report Finds A trickle of ballots so far for Washingtons primary A ballot drop box in Olympia (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard) Voters in Washington are in no hurry to cast ballots in the Aug. 6 primary. Less than 11% of the states nearly 4.9 million registered voters had returned their ballot as of Tuesday, according to data on the secretary of states website. Mason County topped all counties with 19.2% turnout. King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Clark counties four of the most populous in the state were all at or below 10%. Washingtons electorate may be moving slowly given the stakes and their role in narrowing the field to two finalists who will meet in the November general election. Check out the Standards voter guide for information on candidates in key statewide and Congressional races. For example, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Democrat, faces 10 opponents in her bid for re-election with Republican Raul Garcia viewed as the toughest challenger in the crowd And 28 people are running to succeed Gov. Jay Inslee who is exiting after three terms. Of those, Democrats Bob Ferguson and Mark Mullet and Republicans Dave Reichert and Semi Bird are the frontrunners. There also are races for eight other statewide executive posts and all 10 of Washingtons congressional districts. Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell said the length of the ballot might be a factor in the countys paltry 8.3% turnout a week out from Election Day. Theres a lot to dig into for a lot of races, he said. I think voters are making sure they consider all their options. On Tuesday, the secretary of state reported 522,899 ballots returned, or 10.7% of the states registered voters. Ballot return figures were updated at 5 p.m. Tuesday. At this same juncture in 2020, there had been 691,395 ballots received which was 15% of the electorate. That year, 54.4% of voters had a ballot counted, which was 20% higher than the 2016 primary and the greatest percentage since 1964. Many factors could have played a role in this great increase in turnout, concluded a state elections report. The COVID-19 pandemic, the ensuing changes in state policies due to the coronavirus and the economy may have resulted in an increased interest in politics. Many people were staying home and may have had more time to complete and return a ballot, the report concluded. Meanwhile, the secretary of state announced Tuesday that it has provided grants to 29 counties to beef up security measures ahead of this election. Counties used the money to upgrade IT infrastructure, install security cameras and access controls to election centers, replace ballot drop boxes and boost physical security of buildings. Stevens County Auditor Lori Larsen said in a statement that the resources enabled significant security improvements in a new ballot processing space. Those include see-through wire mesh barriers, large monitors and a lobby management system. In Thurston County, grant dollars helped pay for acquiring and installing large concrete planters to serve as permanent vehicle barriers outside elections offices. These will protect both staff and voters during an election, Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall said. Ballots must be in a drop box or postmarked in the mail by 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can register and vote in person at a county election office up until 8 p.m. on Election Day. To do so, visit a county elections office. Editors note: This story updated with new ballot return totals at 5 p.m. Tuesday. WATCH: Ohio trooper rescues dog at State Fair with the help of potato chips State troopers have their hands full as the Ohio State Fair carries on with new safety measures, checking for unaccompanied minors. Add rescuing dogs to that list. Ohio State Highway Patrol posted a video on Facebook yesterday applauding Trooper Alec Kalis for rescuing a family's dog, Miley. Kalis noticed the fairgoers trying to rescue her as she seemed to have escaped to a bridge above the west side of the fairgrounds. The incident, which occurred last Thursday, according to the date posted on the video footage, shows Kalis offering his assistance to the family by climbing the ladder onto the tracks and taking the time to search for the dog on the railroad tracks. Related article: Columbus tree climber turns cat rescues into massive TikTok following Kalis lured the dog with some potato chips and reunited Miley with her family. The trooper took a moment to pose for a picture with the grateful family in the end. The post, which now has over 30,000 views, says, "troopers are always ready for the unexpected." Facebook users applauded Kalis for "going above and beyond" to help the family and not harm the dog during the rescue. Kalis is part of the 168th academy class who graduated two years ago after 30 weeks of intense training. He has been trained in crash investigation, criminal and traffic law, detection of impaired drivers, firearms, physical fitness, self-defense, and emergency vehicle operations. And perhaps he's now an expert on rescuing dogs. ABayo@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio trooper rescues dog at Ohio State Fair with aid of potato chips SPRAGUE, Conn. (WTNH) State police located the pickup truck that hit a dog Sunday in the Versaille section of Sprague, just hours after asking the publics help finding it. Troopers said the truck hit a dog at around 7:15 a.m. on Main Street in Versaille and did not stop. The dog, which state police said jumped a fence from a home on Bay Street, later died at a nearby veterinary facility. Boars Head expands recall to include 7 million more pounds of deli meats tied to listeria outbreak Authorities described the vehicle as a dark gray 2000s model, possibly a Toyota Tundra, with chrome wheels and a galvanized chrome toolbox in the back. State police released a screenshot of the suspect vehicle. Anyone with information on the vehicle is asked to contact Trooper Brian Sumner at (860) 822-3000 ext. 207 or brian.sumner@ct.gov or call Troop E at (860) 858-6500. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A tropical disturbance in the Atlantic is getting better organized. Weak tropical disturbance will be very closely watched as it moves generally toward south Florida and possibly the Gulf of Mexico. The system may stall near our west coast late this weekend with heavy rain potential. Tropical disturbance could bring heavy rain to Central Florida Read: Recall alert: Boars Head expands recall to 71 products, 7 million pounds Forecast models show the system will be just offshore of us, in the Bahamas, on Saturday. The system shows a 60% chance of developing into a named storm over the weekend. Read: FWC, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service form plan to help confused sea turtles in Flagler County Most indications keep this area offshore of Florida and then swing it up toward the Carolinas. Either way, the chance of rain should increase on Sunday and Monday. Read: There needs to be a reality check: Orange County continues buyout negotiations with Pluris water Since it is still developing, the overall track remains uncertain. There are a few major models that also keep the system south of Florida and moving into the Gulf of Mexico. Read: HOA doubling down on collecting 20 cents from homeowner Once it finishes battling the dry air around it, well have a good handle on how much it will strengthen and where it will go. Channel 9 meteorologists will continue to monitor the system and provide updates on Eyewitness News. Follow our Severe Weather team on X for live updates: NEW MEXICO (KRQE) We live in a country where clean, safe drinking water is a right. The water coming out of our taps shouldnt be a hazard to us, said New Mexico Water Protection Division Chief John Rhoderick. In New Mexico, thats the hope, not the reality. For evidence, visit a rural Santa Fe County community north of Tesuque. Once you enter the subdivision you will be in a danger zone. There are no warning signs and even some folks who live in the Pojoaque Terraces Mobile Home Park may be unaware of the peril. You see theres something wrong with the water and the only way to detect this invisible threat is in a laboratory. Test results show Pojoaque Terraces water is contaminated with more than twice the legal limit of uranium. High levels of uranium first showed up in the water there four years ago. Over time, uranium in drinking water can weaken the immune system and impact kidney function. Scientific evidence shows that long-term exposure to elevated levels of naturally occurring uranium is not safe and has the potential to build up in the body, the Environment Departments John Rhoderick said. According to the Environmental Working Groups Melanie Bensch, No one should be drinking a lot of uranium in their water. (Pojoaque Terraces Mobile Home Park water tank | KRQE) Since 2021, Pojoaque Terraces has been slapped with a dozen EPA violation notices for failure to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Despite the numerous violations, the mobile home park has not installed the necessary equipment to eliminate uranium from its water supply. As defined by the Safe Drinking Water Act (Pojoaque Terraces) is not compliant, John Rhoderick said. Last year, Pojoaque Terraces residents filed a lawsuit against the subdivision owners for failure to abate uranium in the domestic water supply. That litigation is pending. And, its not just Pojoaque Terraces. A KRQE News 13 investigation finds unsafe drinking water in many communities across New Mexico. There are so many violations, that enforcement is nearly impossible. What bothers me is that New Mexicans are going with water that doesnt meet federal drinking water standards, said Environment Department Cabinet Secretary James Kenney. Given the widespread noncompliance in drinking water from facilities in New Mexico, we are not equipped from a staff perspective to hold everyone accountable all at once. Thats not something we have the ability to do, Secretary Kenney said. Theres really no excuse for years of noncompliance, Environmental Working Group Vice President Melanie Bensch said. I think it is the duty of the state environmental agency to use whatever resources they have, to make sure that people in this state have access to safe and clean drinking water. Its a really important public health issue, Bensch said. For example, De La Te Mobile Manor in Mesilla Park. Over the past seven years, De La Tes 149 residents have been drinking water contaminated with high levels of uranium. Since 2017, the Southern New Mexico subdivision has racked up 20 Safe Drinking Water Act violations. New Mexico Water Protection Division Chief John Rhoderick said De La Te has a long history of noncompliance with drinking water regulations. Unfortunately, this is likely going to take an Administrative Compliance Order with penalties to get their attention, to get everybody to understand that we have a community where people are at risk, Rhoderick said. De La Te Mobile Manor in Mesilla Park | KRQE De La Te Mobile Manor in Mesilla Park | KRQE Since 2017 the Town of Springer has violated Safe Drinking Water regulations more than 50 times. Over a seven-year period, town residents have been exposed in their drinking water to a cancer-causing substance called trihalomethane. Trihalomethanes cause cancer. They cause liver, kidney, lung cancer, and central nervous system problems. It is a well-known, carcinogen, said Roger Williams University Environmental Engineering Professor Janet Baldwin. Trihalomethane, which is a byproduct of the chlorination process, first turned up in Springers drinking water 20 years ago. John Rhoderick said Springers drinking water is not safe with regard to meeting the Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. Springers Public Works Director told KRQE the town is trying to correct the violations. However, he said, Springers remote location makes it difficult to find qualified personnel with the expertise to bring the towns water plant into compliance with federal regulations. Since 2011, residents of the Cassandra subdivision near Moriarity have been drinking water laden with excessive levels of radium. Over time, high levels of radium in water can lead to blood disorders and cancer. In the last decade, Cassandra has been slapped with 137 drinking water violation notices. According to Water Protection Division Chief John Rhoderick, the Torrance County subdivision has not complied with any of the violation notices. In 2018, the New Mexico Environment Department fined Cassandra $12,000 for repeated EPA violations. However, the fine remains uncollected and Cassandras water system is still out of compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Cassandra subdivision near Moriarity, New Mexico | KRQE Water tanks in Cassandra subdivision near Moriarity, New Mexico | KRQE Its the same story at Valencia Countys El Shaddai subdivision which has compiled a decade-long laundry list of 71 EPA-related violations. Because El Shaddai has failed to correct serious deficiencies in its water system, the rural developments water remains out of compliance with federal drinking water regulations. For a dozen years, drinking water from the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) in Sunland Park has been contaminated with arsenic. Some of the health impacts associated with arsenic exposure include liver and kidney harms, lung and prostate cancers as well as liver and kidney cancers, says the Environmental Working Groups Melanie Bensch. Since 2012, the Sunland Park water utility has been hit with more than 120 EPA violations, most of which have been ignored. CRRUA does have an arsenic treatment plant but sometime last year someone at the utility turned it off. John Rhoderick remembers his reaction when he first heard CRRUA was not treating its water for arsenic. To put it bluntly, I was offended on a personal level and on a professional level that this could take place, Rhoderick said. Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) in Sunland Park | KRQE Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) in Sunland Park | KRQE The NM Environmental Department fined CRRUA $200,000 for the arsenic violations. The penalty is under appeal and a case has been referred to the Attorney Generals office. CRRUAs Executive Director did not return phone calls for comment. The six geographically diverse water systems identified in our investigation (Pojoaque Terraces Mobile Home Park, De La Te Mobile Manor, Town of Springer, Cassandra Subdivision, El Shaddai Subdivision, Camino Real Regional Utility Authority) have collectively accumulated 413 Safe Drinking Water Act violations. Today, none of the six public water systems are in compliance with the law. Drinking Water Division Chief John Rhoderick admits the Environment Departments drinking water enforcement has been inadequate. Its safe to say that just writing the (violation) letters has not been effective and is not effective, Rhoderick said. KRQE News 13 asked Rhoderick to grade his divisions drinking water enforcement. I would have to say historically up to this point, sadly, unfortunately, probably a D. I give the department a failing grade for our timely and appropriate enforcement response (to drinking water violations) across the state, Environmental Department Cabinet Secretary Kenney says. Focusing in on those that are getting water that dont meet drinking water standards, it shouldnt happen in our society and in a state like New Mexico. But it absolutely does. Clearly, with years of noncompliance and us (just) issuing notices of violation and even some penalties, not getting a change in behavior, shame on us if we just continue down that same path, Secretary Kenney said. Secretary Kenney admits the Environment Department is faced with a lack of funding and manpower to effectively enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act. We dont have the resources in our drinking water program to protect all New Mexicans every day at all times, we dont, Secretary Kenney said. Out of 1,100 New Mexico public water systems, about 40% fail to meet federal safe drinking water standards. We are putting every resource we have into (drinking water enforcement), Secretary James Kenney said. New Mexicans like me care about whats coming out of the tap. So we will continue to do better. We will continue to fight for resources so we can be more productive. Thats the message that I would have for New Mexicans, Secretary James Kenney said. Water System Resources Use the EPAs Enforcement and Compliance History Online website to view facilities in New Mexico to assess their compliance with drinking water regulations. Click here for more information. Use the Environmental Working Groups water database to see if your water is safe. Click here to enter your zipcode. The New Mexico Environment Department has an Enforcement Watch section on its website that lists locations within the state that have active drinking water violations. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Donald Trumps presidential campaign may not be happy with the former presidents appearance at a convention of Black journalists on Wednesday, based on how its spinning the event. During the interview, which was scheduled to last an hour but was cut off early by Trump staffers, the former president drew gasps when he accused Vice President Kamala Harris, his likely Democratic rival for the White House, of hiding her Black identity and when he attacked a female reporter for being rude after she asked him why Black voters should trust him, among other low points. Not surprisingly, trainwreck became a trending term on social media after the appearance. Since the Trump camp never likes to admit any mistake ever, its no surprise that it issued a statement after the NABJ disaster declaring victory over what it called Liberal Mainstream Media Malpractice. The statement, credited to senior adviser Lynne Patton, said that members of the media need to make a decision, and answer if their goal is to unite the Country or further divide us. Although the journalists on stage asked tough questions about Trumps actual record, Patton accused them of unhinged and unprofessional commentary directed toward President Trump and claimed that many media elites clearly want to see us remain divided. The statement, which can be read in its complete form below, ended with Patton predicting that what she called the biased and rude treatment from certain hostile members of the media will backfire massively and warned that you would think that the media would have learned something from their repeat episodes of fake outrage ever since President Trump first came down the escalator in 2015, but some just refuse to get it In the aftermath of the NABJ panel, the Trump campaign has released a statement entitled: Liberal Mainstream Media Malpractice. The statement is signed by senior advisor @LynnePattonpic.twitter.com/FMUCrNsGtz Yashar Ali (@yashar) July 31, 2024 Although the Trump camp obviously hopes to get things back on track after his train wreck, many people on X, formerly Twitter, dont seem to be adopting the former presidents view on the NABJ appearance. I cant believe they made him say those things. Shameful journalism. Burt Macklin (@BurtMaclin_FBI) July 31, 2024 every time he fumbles a question, he blames everyone else. It's never him and he's always innocent - the man doesn't think before he speaks and then it's everyone else's fault. Like get a grip old man T - (@CoolRiderr) July 31, 2024 The Trump universe is falling apart and not only because Kamala Harris is actually fit to become the next president of the USA but also because their candidate is a an incompetent, weird, old racist who has been exposed badly in different circumstances. AMBASE (@AMDeFiNFT) July 31, 2024 This is what racists like Trump do best. Point in your face like a lynch mob and call you nasty and hurling insults. These amazing women didnt deserve this today. #NABJ24#NABJpic.twitter.com/5q2Pgzpdue Nikki Fowler (@NikkiFowler28) July 31, 2024 I think Charlottesville and Access Hollywood just had a baby. SATX (@nybergATX) July 31, 2024 The NABJ interviewer committed the First Deadly Sin against Trump: reading his own words and actions back to him. (@Cheap_Knockoff) July 31, 2024 You'll notice that they don't give any examples of the biased and rude way that President Trump was treated. That's because Mr. Trump was asked nothing more than to explain his own statements. He regards it as rude and hostile for anyone to remind him of what he has said. (((Charlie Mas))) (@charlie_mas) July 31, 2024 You can watch a supercut of the wildest parts of the NABJ appearance below, courtesy of journalist Aaron Rupar. Related... Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump walks onstage at a rally on July 31, 2024 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) HARRISBURG Just over two weeks after he was injured in an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, former President Donald Trump returned to Pennsylvania on Wednesday for a campaign rally in the state capital. Now the official 2024 GOP presidential nominee, Trump sought to firm up support for his candidacy in the key battleground state, in a presidential race that has changed dramatically over the past month. Trump took the stage at about 7 p.m., an hour behind schedule, and immediately spoke about the assassination attempt, saying he wasnt going to give up outdoor rallies. As you know, this is my first return to Pennsylvania since our rally in Butler, he said, adding he planned to go back to Butler. By all accounts, I should not be with you today. I shouldnt be with you, but I am. I want to thank all of the people of Pennsylvania for their extraordinary love and support. It is incredible. After a poor debate performance in June, President Joe Biden bowed out of his reelection bid on July 21 and immediately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the top of the ticket. Democrats have coalesced behind Harris and she has secured enough commitments from state delegates to effectively clinch the nomination. The attempted assassination at Trumps Butler rally on July 13 left rallygoer Corey Comperatore dead, and two others injured. The gunman shot Trumps ear using an AR-15-style rifle, and was killed by law enforcement at the scene. U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned July 23, following an intense congressional hearing where Democrats and Republicans grew dissatisfied with her answers about how the gunman was able to get within shooting range of the former president. Trump asked the audience to join him for a moment of silence Wednesday to honor Comperatore. In the wake of this heinous attack, we gather tonight, more determined than ever, our resolve is unbroken and our will is undeterred., Trump said. Nothing will stop us on our mission to make America great again. Nothings going to stop us. Two days after the shooting, Trump announced U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio as his running mate, who was introduced during the Republican National Convention. Trump and Vance have campaigned together and separately in several swing states, but Vance has yet to come to Pennsylvania. Trump did not mention Vance during his 90-minute address Wednesday. U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick, who was also at the Butler rally, joined Trump in Harrisburg. This is a moment where we have a stark choice, McCormick said, calling Harris the most liberal nominee in the history of America. McCormick, who is seeking to unseat U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) said the incumbent votes 98% of the time with that awful Biden Harris agenda thats taking our country in the wrong direction. Thats why we need new leadership. We need new leadership in the White House thats going to get our economy back on track, pull in the spending, deregulate, help small businesses. Pennsylvania U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-16th District), Dan Meuser (R-9th District), Scott Perry (R-10th District), Lloyd Smucker (R-11th District) and Glenn GT Thompson (R-15th District) and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity were all in attendance at Wednesdays rally as well. Smucker was the only one to mention Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat believed to be under consideration to be Harris running mate. Smucker said Shapiro had left Pennsylvanians behind as Harris process for choosing a vice president continued. He says he likes to get s**t done, but I dont know that hes done diddly squat, Smucker said. Progressives have the run of the governors mansion here in Harrisburg, just like they have at the White House. Democrats criticized Trump ahead of his speech Wednesday. Pennsylvania voters remember Trumps failures and know exactly how much is at stake in November, Democratic National Committee Spokesperson Addy Toevs said in a statement. Thats why theyll reject Trump and Vance and their extreme Project 2025 agenda, and elect Kamala Harris to keep fighting for working families in the Oval Office. But the rally was Trumps opportunity to try out attacks on his new likely opponent. Two weeks ago I was talking about Biden, Trump said. I didnt even know her name. Kamala. Shes the worst Earlier in the day, Trump was interviewed by a panel of journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago, where he questioned whether Harris was Black. While Trump did not bring up the attack on stage in Harrisburg, his campaign appeared to double down. Video screens at the New Holland arena intermittently showed contemporaneous headlines about Harris being sworn in as the first Indian-American senator before Trump spoke. The images conspicuously reflected Trumps language using her Indian heritage to question the authenticity of her Blackness. In his Harrisburg speech, however, Trumps attacks boiled down to a few key themes. Primarily, he accused Harris of being responsible for an influx of immigrants from South and Central America. Opposing immigration has been a central tenet of Trumps campaigns and presidency since 2015 and Trump has long claimed that criminals cross the border in large numbers. We have become a dumping ground for the world and were not gonna take it anymore, Trump told the Harrisburg crowd. He added later, We will begin the largest deportation operation in American history. In an interview on MSNBC Wednesday, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis pushed back on Trumps remarks at the NABJ conference. Who the hell is Donald Trump to question Vice President Harriss blackness? he said. She doesnt need to prove anything to him, its the latest example of his disrespect thats often targeted at women in marginalized communities, and quite frankly, its disqualifying for him to serve as our president. Trump also brought up policies Harris appeared to endorse in her 2020 presidential primary campaign. In interviews and Democratic debates, Harris signaled support for policies like universal healthcare, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement reform and a fracking ban. Trumps campaign has also utilized footage of Harris apparently endorsing the defund the police slogan as it was embraced by civil rights protesters in 2020. However, its unclear exactly what Harris was supporting, saying only that she agreed in principle with diverting some police spending to other public safety measures like social services and mental health crisis intervention. She is the most extreme, liberal candidate in the history of our country by far, Trump said at the rally. When a politician comes out early on with an idea like she wants to defund the police and all these other things Thats where theyre at. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Trump also accused Harris of covering up Bidens failing health and orchestrating an effort to overthrow him as Democratic nominee at the top of the presidential ticket. Shes the worst ever, Trump said about Harris. She will destroy our country. Rallygoers seek to support Trump Inside the arena, as attendees slowly filed in, a video of Donald Trump played between warm-up songs. Democrats, he warned in the video, would try to cheat in the upcoming election. Its the only thing they do well, he said. Trump has still refused to concede the 2020 election, despite no evidence of large scale voter fraud. Courts tossed out dozens of cases brought by Trumps legal team attempting to challenge the results. Still, some of the rally-goers still believe that the last election was stolen. Last time he was winning and then all of a sudden the dirty deals started, said Sherry Yocum, of Allentown. But Im gonna think very positive. I think this is in Gods hands this time. Despite his refrain that the election will be unfair, Trump is still encouraging his followers to vote. If we swamp them, they cant cheat, Trump said in the pre-recorded video. Tim Yocum, Sherrys husband, also believes the election was stolen. People need to wake up with these Democrats in office, Tim said. Theyre nothing but a bunch of communists. Tim, who said he was a veteran, added, I was shooting the wrong people, referring to his time at war. Sherry glared and hit him on the shoulder. George, 62, a physician from Harrisburg declined to give his last name, but said Wednesday was his first time attending a Trump rally. He said he wasnt concerned about safety in light of the Butler shooting, saying it seemed liked security had been increased, and since it was an indoor venue everyone was being screened. He even brought his two grandsons with him. Theyve never been to a Trump rally so this is a good surprise for them, he said. Trump appeals to him as a fellow businessman, George added. The past three and a half years have been a total disaster. Trump, when he was in office, took the economy in the right direction. No problems with crises around the world. We need a strong leader back like him. Like others at the rally George raised concerns about the economy: the cost of everything, inflation, you know, you go to the grocery store, you get two bags of groceries, and its $100 but its all the basics, yeah, whereas four years ago, its a different story. Nathan, 46, a military veteran who described himself as an ex-Democrat (until Obama), said he didnt care about Trump being crass, crude and rude, because its not a popularity contest, and said he had supported the former president since 2016. I think weve gone from trying not to hurt peoples feelings to assuaging the feelings of people to get offended when the wind blows wrong, he said. He described himself as a constitutional purist, and said the founding fathers never wanted the government to be the size it is. Hes a strong supporter of free speech, Nathan added. You might not like what I say, but I might not like what you say, but Ill fight anybody who tries to stop anybody from saying anything, because theres an ocean of difference between hate speech and speech people hate, he said. I think sometimes that gets lost in emotions and ideologies. He added nobody should be shot at for what they believe, in reference to the assassination attempt. Barbara and Patience, who declined to give their last names, said they have supported Trump since 2016 and went to his recent rallies in Harrisburg, Schnecksville, and Wildwood, N.J. Barbara called the former president a family person who cares about people. People are struggling, and were struggling to put food on the table and gas in our tanks, she said. How do you afford to take care of a family today? And, I mean, Kamala Harris, she doesnt even care if people have children anymore. Harris is stepmother to two adult children. Shapiro in the veepstakes Harris has yet to choose a running mate, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is believed to be one of several finalists for the job. The Harris campaign said late Tuesday that she will make a campaign visit to Philadelphia next Tuesday with her future running mate accompanying her. A poll from Susquehanna Polling released Tuesday found Harris leading Trump by 4 points in Pennsylvania, 47% to 43%. Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received 3% in the poll, conducted between July 22 and 28. Pennsylvanias 19 electoral votes make it the biggest prize among swing states, and both campaigns consider it key to winning the White House. Biden beat Trump in Pennsylvania in 2020 by just over 80,000 votes. John Cole of the Capital-Star staff contributed This story was updated throughout the day July 31, 2024 with a final update at 10:30 p.m. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Former President Donald Trumps appearance before the National Association of Black Journalists generated controversy as soon as it was announced and went off the rails just as quickly once it started. Trump was more than an hour late to the Q&A alongside ABC News congressional correspondent Rachel Scott, Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner, and Semafor political reporter Kadia Goba. According to HuffPost, the delay was caused at least in part by a backstage standoff between Trump and NABJ organizers over the use of live fact-checking during the panel. When the former president finally did make it onto the stage, it was with an air of hostility towards Scott, who opened the session by asking Trump why Black voters should trust him, given his past comments about Black people and lawmakers, as well as his interactions with avowed white supremacists. I dont think Ive ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, Trump responded, calling ABC News a fake news network. I came here in good spirit I love the black population of this country, he said, adding: I have been the best president for the black population since Abraham Lincoln. He then claimed that the delay preceding the panel was caused by technical issues. Scott pressed Trump on recent statements from Republicans accusing Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, of being a DEI hire or DEI candidate, and not a politician elected by voters on her merit. Ive known her a long time indirectly, Trump said. She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black. Scott interjected, noting that Harris who is of both Indian and Jamaican descent has always identified as a Black woman. She made a turn, and she became a Black person, and I think somebody should look into that, Trump continued. Trump rolled out Birtherism 2.0 today and it did not go well pic.twitter.com/iQhFJ6vPem Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2024 The former president also claimed that he had been brought onto the panel under false pretenses, and that he had been promised he would be appearing alongside Harris. Later in the conversation, Trump was asked if he would take a cognitive test, and agreed to do so. He then claimed Harris who served as San Francisco district attorney and Californias attorney general failed her law exam. She didnt pass the law exam, he said. So maybe she wouldnt pass the cognitive test. This wasnt the first time Trump made offensive comments to a Black audience in the course of his 2024 campaign. In February, speaking at the Black Conservative Federation Honors Gala in Columbia, South Carolina, he claimed that a lot of people thought his four criminal indictments were the reason that Black people like me, and that they actually viewed me as Im being discriminated against. He said the criminal charges were a great badge of honor, adding: Im being indicted for you, the Black population. Although Harris, now the presumptive Democratic nominee, was also invited to appear at the NABJ convention, its president Ken Lemon said that she was unable to attend. NABJ was in contact with Vice President Kamala Harris team for an in-person panel before President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July, he wrote in a statement. However, we were advised by her campaign that her schedule could not accommodate this request. The association is currently in discussions with the campaign about a possible Harris Q&A, either virtual or in-person, to be held in September. Before the event, Trump complained of Harris absence on Truth Social, writing: Crazy Kamala disrespectfully refused to attend the National Association of Black Journalists Conference, but I am on my way to meet with them now in Chicago. Also ahead of the Trump interview, Harris campaign Black Media Director Jasmine Harris released a statement predicting that Trump would lie about his record and the real harm hes caused Black communities. The release also noted that the former president has a history of demeaning NABJ members and honorees who remain pillars of the Black press, and is known for attacking the media and working against the vital role the press play in our democracy. NEW statement from Harris for President Black Media Director @JNHonTW on Donald Trump's appearance at @NABJ today >>> pic.twitter.com/PmPKj8wBQw Sarafina Chitika (@SarafinaChitika) July 31, 2024 Trumps invitation to the NABJs annual conference drew widespread criticism from members of the organization, prominent Black journalists, and media figures. Imara Jones, founder of TransLash Media, wrote on X that when she accepted my NABJ Journalist of Distinction Award in 2022, I said that we have to resist our training which says that the truth always has two sides. Platforming Donald Trump at a professional event today doesnt show even-handedness. It shows how democracies die. Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah stepped down as co-chair of the NABJ convention after Trumps appearance was announced. I have decided to step down as co-chair from this years #NABJ24 convention in Chicago, Attiah wrote Tuesday on X. To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Former President Trump's interview at the National Assn. of Black Journalists convention got off to a contentious start. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Former President Trump and a Black reporter engaged in a sometimes incendiary discussion of race Wednesday, with the Republican candidate saying he was the best president for Black people since Abraham Lincoln and falsely accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of shifting the way she described her own racial identity. Trumps session with three reporters at the annual convention of the National Assn. of Black Journalists was heated from the start, when Rachel Scott, senior congressional correspondent for ABC News, rattled off a series of Trumps inflammatory comments including the claim that former President Obama was not born in the U.S. and asked why Black voters should trust him. I don't think I've ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, first question, Trump retorted. You don't even say, Hello, how are you? Are you with ABC? Because I think they're a fake news network and terrible, by the way. I think its disgraceful. Trump then said he had started the greatest programs ever for Black workers and Black entrepreneurs, referring to opportunity zones for Black businesses, and to his work to help save historically Black colleges and universities when they were stone cold broke. "I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln," Trump told the National Assn. of Black Journalists. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Trump's 36-minute session at the annual convention remained intense, as he blamed the organization for starting the event an hour late and charging he had been invited under false pretenses, believing that Harris his expected opponent in the November election would also be attending. When pressed by the ABC reporter to say why Black voters should trust him, Trump said he had already answered the question and added: I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln. Read more: How race helped shape the politics of Senate candidate Kamala Harris The tension between Scott and Trump continued when the correspondent asked him if it was acceptable to suggest, as some Republicans have, that Harris ascension as his opponent amounts to a DEI hire, a reference to policies that encourage diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring. Not answering the question directly, Trump accused Harris of shifting her racial and ethnic identification over time, suggesting she had a lack of respect for her racial identity. The former president contended that for years Harris was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So I don't know. Is she Indian, or is she Black? I respect either one, but she obviously doesn't, Trump continued. NABJ attendees watch as Trump arrives onstage. At least one person later walked out during the interview, and another shouted "Sir, have you no shame?" (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) One obvious early acknowledgment by Harris of her racial identity: She attended Howard University in Washington, a historically Black institution. The temperature of the sessions cooled when Harris Faulkner, a Fox News anchor, took over the questioning and Trump returned to old themes particularly decrying the invasion of illegal immigrants, which he said was "destroying" America. I will tell you that coming from the border are millions and millions of people that happen to be taking Black jobs, he said, later adding: Theyre invading. They're invading. It's an invasion of millions of people, probably 15, 16, 17 million people. He quickly pivoted to blame Harris for the spike in immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, noting that the vice president had been placed in charge of overseeing the issue by President Biden. Kamala is allowing it to happen, Trump said. Shes the border czar and she's the worst border czar in the history of the world. There has never been a border czar like this. Trump later suggested that immigrants had been allowed in the country as part of a scheme to pump up voting for Democrats. PolitiFact noted that Trump and his campaign have never provided evidence of such a plot and that reports of noncitizens voting are extremely rare. When asked about his previous statement that he would consider pardoning the rioters who invaded the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, injuring 140 police officers, Trump attempted to shift the discussion to protests by the political left. The Republican presidential nominee said that just last week supporters of Palestine viciously attacked our government," during a Washington protest, adding: "They fought with police. They fought with them much more openly than I saw on Jan. 6. Authorities arrested 23 people in the unrest, connected to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netayahu's visit to Washington, according to news accounts. Some in the crowd scarred monuments near the White House with graffiti. A spokesman for the union representing U.S. Park Police said that only 29 officers were available that day, limiting enforcement. By the start of this year, 1,265 defendants had been charged for the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol, with more than 460 locked up for their actions, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Columbia. The nearly-50-year-old NABJ is meeting for its annual convention in Chicago, with about 2,000 of its members gathering for the appearance by the former president. Journalists file stories during Trump's appearance at the NABJ convention. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Prior to the session, some NABJ members had protested that Trump should not have been invited because of his past actions, including harsh comments about some Black journalists. But others, including the groups president, said it was tradition to invite the candidates from both major parties in election years. Karen Attiah, a columnist and global opinions editor with the Washington Post, announced Tuesday she was stepping down as co-chair of the convention. While my decision was influenced by a variety of factors, I was not involved or consulted with in any way with the decision to platform Trump in such a format, Attiah said in a social media post. Others said that the role of journalists is to report on political figures, even ones whom they might disagree with personally. Some took to social media to suggest tough questions for Trump, including about his stance on the Central Park Five. Read more: Column: Why Latinos are missing from the Kamala Harris vice president sweepstakes That group of young Black and Latino men was accused in 1989 of the assault and rape of a white woman running in New York City. Another man later confessed to the crime and their convictions were vacated in 2002. Trump took out a full-page newspaper ad suggesting the death penalty for the men and, years later, would not apologize for his stance. Harris office said she was not able to fit the convention into her schedule, but the NABJ said it was in conversation with her campaign and hoped to schedule a Q and A with her in September. Trump's appearance drew boos and cheers, with one attendee walking out as he questioned Harris racial identify and another screaming, Sir, have you no shame? Roland Martin listens to Trump's interview. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Hope Moses, 22, said it was important for her to be in the room to bear witness as a student reporter and a young Black voter. Moses, a Milwaukee native and graduate student at Northwestern University, called the session a unique opportunity to hear Trumps response to some of the pressing questions Black voters wanted to know." Afterward, she felt Trump had gone "a little bit off track." It disturbed her to hear the former president acknowledge he did not know the details of the shooting of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman shot to death earlier this month by an Illinois sheriff's deputy. "I dont even remember him offering his sympathies and really connecting with the audience and understanding that each of us couldve been her." Moses said. "Most people in the audience can agree that this was entertaining but wasnt necessarily informative." Jennings reported from Chicago and Rainey from Los Angeles. 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. Former President Donald Trump declined to say whether he thinks Sen. JD Vance of Ohio would be ready to serve as vice president should they win Novembers election, with Trump instead saying it doesnt matter. Ive always had great respect for him but historically, the vice president in terms of the election does not have any impact, I mean virtually any impact, he said Wednesday during a question-and-answer session with Black journalists in Chicago. The question was asked after the panels hosts brought up what they described as Vances numerous stumbles and the controversy since he was publicly tapped as Trumps running mate. They also noted the recent assassination attempt on Trump. Former President Donald Trump, at the National Association of Black Journalists' annual convention Wednesday in Chicago, replied that his choice of JD Vance as his running mate doesn't matter when asked about the Ohio senator's preparedness. Getty Images; Associated Press Historically the choice of a vice president makes no difference, he said. Trump cited Lyndon Johnsons rise to the presidency after the assassination of John F. Kennedy as one maybe exception to whether a vice presidential choice matters, though he added its not for vote reasons but for political reasons. A more recent example he did not mention is Sen. John McCains pick of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate during the 2008 presidential election. Journalist Howard Fineman wrote at the time that Palin sent wavering Democrats, independents and moderate Republicans scurrying to Sen. Barack Obama even as she has failed to substantially expand Sen. John McCains support, even among the ranks of self-described conservatives. Sen. John McCains pick of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his Republican running mate in 2008 is said to have lost him millions of votes. Associated Press A 2010 study out of Stanford University found that Palins presence on McCains ticket cost him nearly 2 percentage points, equating to roughly 2.1 million votes. At the start of the McCain-Palin campaign, most people surveyed said they didnt have much of an opinion of her, but as the campaign progressed, nearly all of those people formed a negative one, The Washington Post previously reported, citing the full study. Voters at the time also expressed concern that if something happened to McCain who at the time would have been the oldest person elected president, at 72 theyd be stuck with Palin. Trump is 78. And like President Joe Biden, Trump has faced intense scrutiny about his age. Related... GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump on Wednesday doubled down on his promise to pardon those arrested for storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, including those who violently attacked police officers, if he is elected in November. Near the end of a 35-minute interview at the annual National Association of Black Journalists conference, ABC News senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott pressed Trump on comments hes made pledging to vacate the convictions of some 1,400 of his supporters who took part in the attempted insurrection. You called yourself the candidate of law and order, Scott said. When Time magazine asked you if you would consider pardoning all the rioters, you said, Yes, absolutely. You called them patriots. One hundred and forty police officers were assaulted that day. Their injuries included broken bones, at least one officer lost an eye, one had two cracked ribs, two smashed spinal discs, another had a stroke. Were the people who assaulted those 140 officers, including those I just mentioned, patriots who deserved pardons? The former president dodged the question, talking instead about recent pro-Palestine protests in Washington, D.C. Let me bring it back to modern day, like about five days ago. We had an attack on the Capitol, a horrible attack on the Capitol, Trump said. You saw the people that were protesting and spraying these incredible monuments, all this magnificent limestone and granite, with red paint, red spray paint, that will never actually come off, especially in the limestone Im a builder, I know about this stuff, youll see it in a hundred years from now. They viciously attacked our government. They fought with police. They fought with them much more openly than I saw on January 6. Whats going to happen to those people? Scott interjected. My question is about the rioters who assaulted police officers. Would you pardon them? Oh, absolutely I would, Trump said. If they are innocent, I would pardon them. Theyve been convicted, Scott shot back, drawing laughter from the crowd. They were convicted by a very tough system, Trump said. Donald Trump's supporters stormed a session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021 to prevent the certification of Joe Biden's election win. ROBERTO SCHMIDT via Getty Images It is flatly untrue that the pro-Palestinian protesters in Washington fought more openly with police officers than the pro-Trump rioters did on Jan. 6, 2021. There were scattered demonstrations last week against a planned speech to Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose U.S.-backed offensive in Gaza has killed some 39,000 people. About 200 protesters with the group Jewish Voice for Peace were arrested after holding a peaceful sit-in inside a congressional office building. None resisted arrest. Another group of protesters attempted to march toward the Capitol, but were stopped by police and pepper-sprayed. Nine protesters were arrested during the street demonstrations across D.C., four of whom were charged with assaulting a police officer outside Union Station. Some spray-painted graffiti on a monument near the train station. Trumps attempts to equate these demonstrations with the insurrection are in keeping with the Republican Partys embrace of Jan. 6 revisionism, which attempts to recast those who participated in the violent attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election as patriots and political prisoners. Last month, a Trump campaign spokesperson told The Washington Post that the former president would decide on a case-by-case basis when he is back in the White House about who to pardon declining to say whether Trump might pardon members of extremist groups, like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, who have been convicted of seditious conspiracy. During the interview Wednesday, Trump also repeated a persistent lie about the attack on the Capitol. What about the cops that were and Im all for the police, as you know what about the police that were ushering everybody into the Capitol? he said, alleging that some members of the Capitol Police told Jan. 6 rioters to go in. Trump and other Republican figures have long made the false claim that the rioters were welcomed into the Capitol. In fact, there were long battles between rioters and police. The rioters who were able to walk into the Capitol with ease were in areas where police were greatly outnumbered, and only after rioters had already broken through barricades. Trumps comments Wednesday capped off a bizarre interview at the NABJ conference, which began with him making a racist remark about his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris. Asked if he agreed with assertions by his fellow Republicans that Harris only rose to public office because of diversity, equity and inclusion, commonly known as DEI, Trump falsely stated that Harris had decided to turn Black. She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage, Trump said. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? Harris father is Black and from Jamaica; her mother is from India. She has always identified as both Black and Indian. She attended Howard University, one of the most prestigious historically Black colleges in the country, and joined the Congressional Black Caucus while serving in the U.S. Senate. Related... Trump doubles down on "rude and nasty" label for Black journalists, after tense NABJ interview Former President Donald Trump is complaining that Black reporters were rude and nasty to him, after a tense exchange at the National Association of Black Journalists Conference in Chicago on Wednesday. Trump, who called ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott very rude for asking nasty questions, held the line in his long tradition of attacking reporters, especially women and journalists of color, throughout the 37-minute Q&A. I dont think Ive ever been asked a question so . . . in such a horrible manner, Trump said after Scott asked him why Black voters should back him given his past use of racially charged language. Trump is still mad at Rachel Scott, who he refers to as "this woman" and "very rude" and "nasty." pic.twitter.com/9ycnjYjeRQ Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2024 In a post to Truth Social, Trump doubled down and slammed reporters at the gathering of Black journalists for questions that dug into his repeated attacks on Black Americans, Vice President Harriss racial identity, and his associations with white supremacists. The questions were Rude and Nasty, often in the form of a statement, but we CRUSHED IT! the former President wrote in the post to Truth Social. Scott faced a barrage of attacks aimed at her, ABC News, and the event organizers themselves, who Trump claimed invited [him] under false pretense and delayed his appearance. Trump, who faced scrutiny from reporters over his support of blanket police immunity, denied an opportunity to walk back such a proposal, even as reporters asked whether the Illinois police deputy who killed Sonya Massey charged with murder should receive such immunity. I dont know the exact case, but I saw something and it didnt look good to me, with the water, Trump said, offering that it would depend whether the sheriff who shot and killed Massey should receive legal protections. In a statement, a spokesperson for Trump blasted certain hostile members of the media present at the NABJ conference, adding that asking critical questions of the president will be their undoing in 2024. Trump endorsed all 3 top Republicans running for Missouri governor. Does that help anyone? As Missouri state Sen. Bill Eigel described his plan for mass deportations of migrants to a cheering crowd on Monday evening, the Republican candidate for governor invoked the biggest name in GOP politics, former President Donald Trump. He needs a good partner when we deport these illegals and thats why Im thrilled to announce that over the weekend Donald J. Trump endorsed my candidacy to be the next governor of the state of Missouri, Eigel, nearly shouting, said at a campaign rally in Lees Summit. What the Weldon Spring senator didnt mention was that Trump also endorsed his two other major GOP rivals Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft. Trumps endorsement always had the potential to shake up the close and bitterly fought Republican race for governor. But the three-way nod handed down in a social media post Saturday night provided no definitive statement about who the GOP presidential nominee prefers to lead Missouri. All have had excellent careers, and have been with me from the beginning. They are MAGA and America First all the way! Trump wrote on Truth Social. In the absence of clarity, Republicans and political observers are arguing over which candidate benefits from the endorsement the most in the final week of the race and who is best positioned to capitalize on the multi-pronged vote of confidence ahead of the Aug. 6 primary election. The answer may determine the outcome of the close race. A poll of likely voters conducted last week by Remington Research Group and sponsored by the Missouri Scout news service, found Ashcroft and Kehoe tied with 29% support; Eigel had 18%. If the Trump endorsement moves even a small number of voters, it could prove decisive. The candidates and their political action committees have already released ads trumpeting the nod. By endorsing all three candidates, Trump has ensured that the final messaging in Missouris top Republican primary will center on him. Trump continued the trend on Tuesday, endorsing both Attorney General Andrew Bailey and Will Scharf, one of Trumps lawyers, in the Republican race for attorney general. Trump remains popular in the state, and won the 2020 election by 15.4 percentage points. His split decision echoes his endorsement in the 2022 U.S. Senate primary between Eric Greitens and Eric Schmitt, when he said he supported ERIC. For Kehoe, Trumps support may help dispel any concerns among voters that he isnt conservative enough. Kehoe, a state senator-turned-lieutenant governor from Jefferson City, has cut a lower-key presence in the campaign. A former car dealer, he has avoided personally the kind of bombastic rhetoric Ashcroft and Eigel have latched on to as they appeal to voters. He speaks about the need for common sense. Bill Eigel, I think most people would agree, has a conservative following right now, so I dont know if it helps him as much as maybe some of the other candidates. I think it helps Ashcroft a little bit and I think it helps Mike Kehoe a tad more, said James Harris, a Jefferson City-based Republican consultant close to Gov. Mike Parson, who has endorsed Kehoe. Kehoe, Eigel and Ashcroft have all sidestepped the fact that Trump also embraced their opponents. In a video posted online on Saturday night thanking Trump for the endorsement, Kehoe says the former president knows he will work with him to shut down national borders and stop the flow of fentanyl. President Trump knows Im a true conservative, Kehoe says in the video. Ashcroft posted an undated photo of himself standing next to Trump, with accompanying text declaring that no one had fought harder for the former president than him. In another post, Ashcroft noted that he was the only candidate endorsed by both Trump and Missouri Right to Life, an anti-abortion group. Kehoe was the candidate least likely to receive Trumps endorsement, said Peverill Squire, a political science professor at the University of Missouri. Trumps decision to remain effectively neutral in the race, he said, shields Kehoe from attacks for not being committed enough to the former president. But Squire questioned how much the three-way nod would affect the race. In addition to being a split decision, Trump also made his announcement heading into the final week of campaigning, when broadcasts and online media are saturated with candidate ads for governor and other races. In that environment, voters attention becomes a precious commodity. The problem with anything that happens in the last week is youre so inundated with ads and campaign material it sort of dilutes the impact of any one of them, Squire said. Missouri state Sen. Bill Eigel campaigns for governor in Lees Summit. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Eigel, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft in the race. Boosting endorsement news John Lamping, a former Republican state senator in St. Louis County, wrote on X that the endorsement heavily favors the candidate with the most money. Every candidate will spread the news as if they were the only one to receive it, he wrote, but he who spreads the news the most earns huge advantage. Kehoe is the overall money leader in the race, with his campaign and a supporting PAC reporting more than $11.4 million in receipts so far. Eigels campaign and a supporting PAC have reported $5.8 million in receipts and Ashcrofts campaign and supporting PAC have reported $4.2 million, according to reports filed Monday with the Missouri Ethics Commission. The candidates and PACs quickly cut ads promoting the endorsement. Kehoes ad thanks Trump and notes the endorsements of law enforcement and agricultural groups. Eigel praises Trump as text on screen says endorsed by President Trump for the full 30-second length of his ad. The pro-Ashcroft Stand for Us PACs ad notes Trumps endorsement while hitting at Kehoe over foreign ownership of agricultural land. Jim Lembke, a former Republican state senator from St. Louis, said the endorsement aids Eigel. Lembke, who is aligned with the Missouri Freedom Caucus a group of hard-right lawmakers that includes Eigel said Eigels opponents have attempted to paint him as anti-Trump. Last week, the Kehoe campaign said Ashcroft and Eigel oppose President Trump after both candidates took a more stringent position on abortion than the former president during a TV debate. Trump has called for exceptions to abortion bans for rape and incest, but both candidates indicated they support Missouris current ban, which only includes an exception for medical emergencies. Lembke, who is supportive of Eigel, said voter enthusiasm has been on the candidates side. I think adding the idea that President Trump has also lent his support to that intensity, I think it goes a long way, Lembke said. Asked on Monday who benefits the most from the Trump endorsement, Eigel didnt directly answer. Well, Ill tell you what, were pretty excited about it, Eigel said. I cant speak for anybody else. The Stars Kacen Bayless contributed reporting This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox. Former President Donald Trump used his turn before the nations largest professional association of Black journalists to question the racial identity of his rival for the White House this fall, telling a shocked National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago that Vice President Kamala Harris happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. It took Trump all of 10 days running in a head-to-head against the first woman and first incumbent of Black and Indian-American heritage to openly question her background. I dont know. Is she Indian or is she Black? Trump said, raising questions that echoed the ex-Presidents persistent and discredited questions about former President Barack Obamas place of birth. I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt because she was Indian all the way and then all of the sudden she made a turn and she went, she became a Black person. Harris has always identified as a product of a multicultural family, being born of Jamaican and Indian immigrants. Her single mother, a Hindu adherent, embraced Black culture. Harris went on to study at Howard University, a historically Black university, where she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., one of the nations preeminent historically Black greek-letter organizations. She is slated to address a Black greek-letter organization later Wednesday in Houston. Todays tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trumps MAGA rallies this entire campaign, Harris Campaign spokesman Michael Tyler said in a statement. Trumps trolling was as ugly as ever, but it was hardly surprising. This sort of red-meat attack is what has powered his campaigns dating to early days of 2015, when he leaned on racially charged rhetoric to fire up his white nationalist base. It propelled him back into headlines after a solid week that saw Harris replacement of Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket give her daily dividends of good headlines and better fundraising. And despite Trumps insistence that his third White House campaign would be an appeal to all Americans, he couldnt help but hint that Harris only got her current position because she checked diversity and inclusion boxes. At the White House, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about the comment. What you just read out to me is repulsive. Its insulting. No one has any right to tell someone who they are, how they identify, she said from the briefing rooms podium. Read More: Who Could Be Kamala Harris Running Mate? Heres the Shortlist Trump, who has never shied from picking at racial scabs, was also asked what he meant by once again referring to employment opportunities as Black jobs. He said many in the room had lost their gigs as the cost of immigrants coming into the United States to steal their jobs. He said a second Trump term would "stop people from invading our country. He then noted that a lot of journalists in this room are Black. The comments came a day after Trump suggested that Harris should never win the White House. Shell be like a play toy, Trump told Fox News Laura Ingraham. They look at her and they say, We cant believe we got so lucky. Theyre going to walk all over her. Trump then looked right at the camera with a coda: And I dont want to say as to why. But a lot of people understand it. (Trumps campaign denied any sexist or racist reasons.) Trumps advisers have tried to cast his efforts to win over Black voters as sincere. While Democrats have enjoyed a consistent and perhaps absolute advantage with Black voters since the Civil Rights Movement, Trump-supporting Republicans have seen cracks in that coalition that they hoped to exploit. Even so, Trumps rhetoric combined with the denigration of Harris elevation as little more than a DEI pick are doing little to make those realignments reality. Read more: Kamala Harris' Candidacy Will Break a Unique Barrier in Three States The questioning Wednesday afternoon got off to a rocky start. Rachel Scott of ABC News confronted Trump with his history of questionable decisions including spreading doubt about the birthplaces of Obama and former Nikki Haley, telling four American congresswomen to return to where they came from, dining with white supremacists, and describing Black prosecutors as animals. Why should Black voters trust you after youve used langage like that? Scott said, sitting feet from the President. Trump immediately attacked Scotts integrity and professionalism. Are you with ABC? Because I think theyre a fake news network, a terrible network. It was precisely the antagonism that Trump sought. Even before he got going on a diatribe of his greatest hits of white grievance and racial resentment, Trump set the tone by complaining that neither Biden nor Harris were not on stage. You invited me on false pretense, Trump complained, suggesting Harris was going to participate by Zoom. I think its a disgrace. Trumps showing in Chicago and his efforts to turn the afternoon hostile fit his general M.O. But it signals just how rough the next three months could be if it stays on this same trajectory and tone. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter. Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com. Former President Donald Trump questioned his rivals race on Wednesday, saying Vice President Kamala Harris happened to turn Black after years of only promoting Indian heritage. Trumps claim that Harris had only promoted her South Asian heritage in the past is false. Harris, who is biracial, attended the historically Black Howard University and pledged at a historically Black sorority. As a senator, she was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Speaking Wednesday night in Houston, Harris responded to Trump's comments by telling the crowd "the American people deserve better." The Republican presidential nominee made the comments during a sit-down interview in Chicago with three prominent Black journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) annual convention. The more than 30-minute interview began with Rachel Scott of ABC News addressing the elephant in the room. Trumps appearance had divided the conference, and a co-chair had quit after it was announced. Scott challenged Trump with a litany of his past statements. "A lot of people did not think it was appropriate for you to be here today, she said. "You have used words like 'animal' and 'rabid' to describe Black district attorneys, she continued. You have attacked Black journalists, calling them 'a loser,' saying that the questions that they asked are quote 'stupid' and 'racist.' You've had dinner with a white supremacist at your Mar-a-Lago resort. So my question, sir, now that you are asking Black supporters to vote for you: Why should Black voters trust you after you have used language like that?" Trump replied: I don't think I've ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner. He went on to call Scotts question nasty and rude while touting that he had been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln." Here are the key moments of the NABJ interview. Trump questions Harriss race Trump visits the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention on Wednesday, July 31 in Chicago. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) A number of Trumps prominent supporters have attacked Harriss candidacy as a DEI hire suggesting that she is only the presumptive Democratic nominee because she is a biracial woman. Scott asked Trump on Wednesday if that is "acceptable language" to him. After a back and forth on defining DEI the acronym for diversity, equity, and inclusion Trump responded by directly questioning his rivals racial identity. "I've known her a long time, indirectly, he said. And she was always of Indian heritage. And she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black. So I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black?" As Scott interjected to remind Trump that Harris attended a historically Black college, he doubled down. She was Indian all the way, he said. And then all of a sudden she made a turn and she became a Black person. And I think someone should look into that too." Harriss identity as a Black woman has long been in the spotlight as the child of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father. She has referred to herself as a daughter of the civil rights movement having a stroller view of marches against racial injustice she attended with her parents. I was born Black. I will die Black, she said in 2019. Police immunity Trump also appeared to hedge on his campaign vow to give police "immunity from prosecution." Kadia Goba of Semafor pressed Trump on that claim in the aftermath of the recent police killing of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman who had called 911 for help. Former sheriffs deputy Sean Grayson is charged with first-degree murder in the case. Trump responded by saying the case didn't look good to him. He suggested that instead of blanket immunity, police misconduct cases should be looked at whether the officer is being unfairly prosecuted. Black jobs Trump repeated a claim he made during his June debate with President Joe Biden by saying immigrants are coming to America and taking "Black jobs," which got a notable reaction from the crowd. When pushed to provide clarity on what a Black job was, Trump did not elaborate beyond defining it as anybody that has a job. Trump: Coming from the border are millions of people who are taking Black jobs. Moderator: What is a Black job? Trump: A Black job is anybody who has a job. pic.twitter.com/vMsgafbN3a Sierra Fox (@thesierrafox) July 31, 2024 Historically, the choice of a vice president makes no difference Scott asked Trump about controversial comments made by his vice presidential pick, Republican Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who several years ago swiped at Democratic childless cat ladies." Vance also called for the parents of children to have more votes. My interpretation is that he is strongly family-oriented, but that doesnt mean if you dont have a family theres something wrong with it, Trump said Wednesday. Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner also asked Trump if Vance, a 39-year-old first-term senator, would be ready on day one if he needed to take over as president. Trump responded by downplaying Vances political impact. Historically, the vice president, in terms of the elections, does not have any impact, virtually no impact. You have two or three days where theres a lot of commotion, as to who, like youre having it on the Democrat side, of who its going to be, and then that dies down and its all about the presidential pick, he said. Trump repeats promise to pardon Jan. 6 rioters Trump also stuck to his past statements when asked about pardoning Jan. 6 rioters, about 900 of whom have either plead guilty or been convicted in the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. "If they're innocent, I would pardon them," Trump said. "They've been convicted," Scott reminded him. WATCH: Donald Trump says he "absolutely" would pardon rioters who assaulted police officers at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, "if they're innocent." "They were convicted," the reporter interviewing Trump says. "Well, they were convicted by a very tough system," Trump says. pic.twitter.com/LefkAqbVMB PBS News (@NewsHour) July 31, 2024 Reaction Kamala Harris's campaign wasted no time issuing a statement on Trump's interview, saying he was "showing exactly who he is." Harris campaign statement on Donald Trumps remarks at the NABJ pic.twitter.com/atHw27Crfu Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) July 31, 2024 Harris expanded on her response while speaking at a Sigma Gamma Rho sorority event in Houston Wednesday night, saying: "The American people deserve a leader who tells the truth, a leader who does not respond with hostility and anger when confronted with the facts. We deserve a leader who understands that our differences do not divide us, they are an essential source of our strength." .@KamalaHarris is speaking now at the 60th International Biennial Boule of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. #Decision2024 https://t.co/xVCWw4FI4U The Atlanta Voice (@theatlantavoice) August 1, 2024 Trump, for his part, said afterward he "crushed" the interview despite what he considered offensive questions. The questions were Rude and Nasty, often in the form of a statement, but we CRUSHED IT! he wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. Some Republicans quickly condemned Trumps remarks. Senate candidate and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan criticized Trumps remarks in an X post, shortly after his NABJ appearance. It's unacceptable and abhorrent to attack Vice President Harris or anyones racial identity, the post read. The American people deserve better. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski called Trumps and Vances latest remarks against women very unfortunate, Axios reported. Maybe they dont know how to handle the campaign, and so you default to issues that just should simply not be an issue, said Murkowski. Childless cat women, DEI candidates; now, Is she Black? Is she Indian? she continued. Kari Lake, the far-right firebrand and favorite of Donald Trump, has won Arizonas Republican Senate primary. The Associated Press projected the race at 8.44pm Arizona time on Tuesday night. Lake rose to prominence as a gubernatorial candidate in 2022, when she refused to concede the race to her Democratic challenger, Katie Hobbs. Having secured a primary victory, she will face off against the Democratic US representative Ruben Gallego for an open Senate seat vacated by the centrist independent senator Kyrsten Sinema. Related: JD Vance writes glowing foreword to Project 2025 leaders upcoming book Lake, endorsed by Trump, was widely favored to win the primary against Mark Lamb, the sheriff of Pinal county. Lamb, who has far less name recognition and campaign funding than Lake, pulled in about 40% of the vote as of Tuesday night a potential sign of general election trouble for Lake, who has alienated the more moderate voters required to win statewide in Arizona. Her contest, along with several key down-ballot races, is considered a gauge for the relative strength of the Maga movement in a key swing state that has been racked with election chaos brought on by a far-right flank pushing false claims about election fraud. Lake, a former news anchor who rocked on to the national stage by becoming one of the most ardent and telegenic faces of election denialism, once carried a sledgehammer on stage and told supporters she would use it on electronic voting machines. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee quickly launched an ad against Lake, where she talks about how abortion pills should be illegal and brands her as a power-hungry liar who only cares about herself. Gallego tweeted: Its official my opponent is Kari Lake. Arizona, the choice is clear: Kari wants to ban abortion. I will always protect abortion rights. Election prognosticators Sabatos Crystal Ball and the Cook Political Report rank the race as leaning Democratic, citing Lakes election denialism and belief in abortion restrictions as factors moving the race toward Democrats. Polling on the matchup between Gallego and Lake has generally shown Gallego up a few points over Lake. The race is key nationally for the balance of power in the US Senate Democrats need to keep it in their control to maintain their 51-49 majority in the chamber. It is one of few close races around the country expected to see massive funding and attention as November nears. Far-right election deniers starred in several other key Republican primary races. Abe Hamadeh, who repeatedly tried to have his loss in the 2022 attorney general election overturned and has spread conspiracy theories about election security, is leading in a crowded Republican primary in the states deep-red eighth congressional district, where Trump made the rare move to endorse two candidates, including Hamadeh. His Republican rivals included the venture capitalist Blake Masters, who Trump endorsed last-minute, as well as state senator and fake elector Anthony Kern, Ben Toma, the speaker of the Arizona house; Trent Franks, who resigned from Congress after staffers claimed he asked them to serve as surrogates for him; and political newcomer Pat Briody. Meanwhile, Mark Finchem, who has still not accepted that he lost his bid for secretary of state in 2022 has the lead in a race against the relatively moderate Republican Ken Bennett for a state senate seat. In Arizonas Maricopa county which includes Phoenix election deniers vied for positions that could give them oversight in future elections. Early results show a mixed bag for election-defending county officials. Stephen Richer, the Maricopa county recorder who became a nationally known voice for defending elections and sued Lake for defamation over election falsehoods, was behind in his race for re-election as of Tuesday night. He is falling behind Justin Heap, a state representative who will not say whether he believes the 2020 or 2022 elections were stolen, but has called Maricopa county elections a laughingstock and supported bills that stemmed from election conspiracies. Another challenger, Don Hiatt, has said the 2020 election was stolen and wants to curtail voting access and is in third. Debbie Lesko, an outgoing Republican congresswoman who is endorsed by Trump and voted to overturn election results on 6 January 2021, has a strong lead in the primary to join the county board of supervisors over another election denier, Bob Branch, a professor at the Christian college Grand Canyon University. The Maricopa county board of supervisors and recorder played a crucial role in 2020 standing up to pressure from Trump and his allies in their scheme to overturn the results of that years presidential election. The recorder and many board members have faced ongoing threats, some of which have been prosecuted and led to prison sentences. The pressure has remained intense in the lead-up to this years elections, with errors such as printing problems in the 2022 election adding fuel to rightwing conspiracies. Amid the threats and harassment, two supervisors, Bill Gates and Clint Hickman, decided not to run for re-election. For Gatess seat, the moderate former state lawmaker Kate Brophy McGee is far ahead in the primary against Tabatha LaVoie, who said on her campaign website that she wanted to restore voter confidence because: Our County cannot continue to raise doubts about the integrity of our elections. Jack Sellers, currently the board chair, is trailing far behind Mark Stewart, a council member in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler. Stewart will not say whether he would have certified results in 2020 or 2022 and claims he will restore confidence in county elections. Thomas Galvin, who was not on the board in 2020 but has defended county elections since taking office after beating election-denying candidates in 2022, is fending off a challenge from Michelle Ugenti-Rita, a former state lawmaker and Lake-endorsed candidate who promised to fight for election integrity and take back Maricopa County from the establishment. On the Democratic side, the former state senator Raquel Teran is trailing in her primary for Arizonas third district, for the seat that will be vacated by Gallego. A longtime organiser against anti-immigrant laws in the state, Teran focused her campaign on protecting abortion rights. Her main rival former city council member in Phoenix, Yassamin Ansari, had raised more funds and secured several key labour endorsements, and has the lead as of Tuesday night. And in what is probably his last unsuccessful bid for office, the former Maricopa county sheriff Joe Arpaio, notorious for his harsh immigration regime, was trounced in a local mayoral race to lead the Phoenix suburb of Fountain Hills. Arpaio, 92, was recently kissed on the cheek by Trump at a rally in Arizona. In his run for mayor, one of his main ideas was to make the towns eponymous fountain go higher. The purchase of bitcoin for a new strategic reserve would be financed partly by revaluing Federal Reserve's gold, according to draft legislation from U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis's office. The plan proposes establishing a "Bitcoin Purchase Program" of up to 200,000 BTC a year over a five-year period. U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis's plan for a new Strategic Bitcoin Reserve would finance purchases of the cryptocurrency partly by revaluing gold certificates held by the Federal Reserve System, according to a draft of the legislation obtained by CoinDesk. Lummis, a Wyoming Republican who is known for her Bitcoin-friendly policy stance, announced her intention to propose the reserve on Saturday at the Bitcoin Nashville conference. She came onstage just minutes after former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee in this year's presidential race, delivered a speech on blockchain policy before the cheering room, filled to its 8,500-person capacity. Read More: The U.S. Government May Begin Hoarding Bitcoin, But How and Why? Trump, during this speech, endorsed using the U.S. government's existing bitcoin holdings primarily obtained through forfeitures and seizures related to criminal cases to form the "core" of a new "strategic national bitcoin stockpile." According to the draft bill, under the working short title of "Bitcoin Act of 2024," the Treasury secretary would "establish a decentralized network of secure Bitcoin storage facilities distributed across the U.S.," selecting the locations for the vaults "based on a comprehensive risk assessment, prioritizing geographic diversity, security and accessibility." The Treasury secretary would establish a "Bitcoin Purchase Program" of up to 200,000 BTC a year over a five-year period, for a total of 1 million, according to the draft. The bitcoin would be held for at least 20 years and could only be disposed of for the purpose of paying off federal debt. After that, no more than 10% of the assets could be sold during any two-year period. The bitcoin purchases would be financed through a few methods, describe in the draft bill as "offsetting the cost of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve." The plan calls for the setting aside of $6 billion from any net earnings remitted by Federal Reserve to the Treasury from fiscal years 2025 through 2029, and it would reduce the discretionary surplus funds of Federal Reserve banks to $2.4 billion from $6.825 billion, the level that's currently stipulated in the Federal Reserve Act. Story continues Revaluing the Fed's gold There's also the revaluation of Federal Reserve banks' gold certificates to reflect their fair market value. Under the plan, within six months of enactment of the legislation, Federal Reserve banks would tender all of their oustanding gold certificates to the Treasury secretary. Within 90 days after that, the Treasury secretary would issue "new gold certificates to the Federal Reserve banks that reflect the fair market value price of the gold." The Federal Reserve banks would then "remit the difference in cash value between the old and new certificates" to the Treasury secretary. Read More: Anthony Pompliano: Bitcoin Will Be on U.S. Balance Sheet in 'Next 10, 15 Years' As of July 24, Federal Reserve banks held "gold stock" valued at $11 billion, according to the central bank's most recent balance sheet update. That valuation might be based on the official U.S. book value of $42.22 per troy ounce, which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York uses to value its gold. But the market value of the gold is more than 50 times higher, with front-month futures contracts on the yellow metal trading around $2,400, based on MarketWatch pricing. Read more: Making Bitcoin a Strategic Reserve Asset Contradicts 'Freedom From Government' Narrative, Says WSJ As he entered the final stretch of the 2024 presidential race, Donald Trump spent much of this month trying to disown the highly Trumpy, Heritage Foundation-led Project 2025 to the point that he even got his fans to boo the initiative during a recent campaign rally. His protracted freakout over the conservative project to which he has multiple direct ties, and which is only as extreme as it is largely because of his influence is driven almost entirely by Trumps fear over one thing. When the twice-impeached ex-president and convicted felon took to social media in early July to make the (patently absurd) claim that I know nothing about Project 2025, [and] I have no idea who is behind it, he added, I disagree with some of the things theyre saying, and some of the things theyre saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. He did not specify what things he meant. But according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter, shortly before he posted that brief message, Trump had been privately and very bitterly complaining about the abortion policies laid out in the lengthy Project 2025 manifesto, and trashing the Project 2025-linked lunatics who keep demanding unpopular abortion bans and restrictions. Among the policy proposals in Project 2025s policy road map are plans to end federal approval for abortion pills, use federal agencies for expanded abortion surveillance, restrict access to emergency contraception, end the federal requirement that hospitals provide medically necessary emergency abortion care, and revive a 150-year-old law that could serve as a de facto national abortion ban. For what its worth, some of the people who helped author Project 2025s abortion provisions were appointed under Trump to influential federal posts during his stint in the White House including Roger Severino, who headed the HHS Office of Civil Rights under Trump, and Gene Hamilton, who worked in Trumps Justice Department and Homeland Security Department. Trump, now the 2024 GOP presidential nominee, vented that the abortion policies could badly damage his chances at retaking the White House, even at a point in the election cycle when Trump was riding high on strong polling numbers against President Joe Biden. (In the time since, Biden has dropped out of the 2024 contest, with Vice President Kamala Harris now the presumptive Democratic nominee.) Of course, it was Trump himself who made the hard-right, ambiently unpopular abortion policies embedded in Project 2025 possible at all, as it was Trumps Supreme Court nominees who were necessary to destroy Roe v. Wade in the first place. This is yet another example of Trump getting exactly what he wanted and what he promised to deliver in his first term, and then being annoyed that those actions are coming back to haunt him at a consequential time. After all, if he loses to Harris in November, it may not spell just the end of his political career, but it could end in prison sentences. Furthermore, Trump and his lieutenants ongoing meltdown over Project 2025 serves as a reminder of why, exactly, Project 2025 types are poised to inherit the keys of influence in a potential second Trump administration no matter how much of a public relations pain in the ass they are today to Team Trumps ambitions. Project 2025, a policy and personnel planning coalition of various groups led by the Trump-aligned Heritage Foundation, is stacked from top to bottom with right-wing MAGA diehards. These include several who remain in regular contact with Trump, former senior Trump administration officials, Republicans who are all but guaranteed a job offer in a second Trump term, and conservative leaders whove vowed to make the project and GOP as Trumpified as possible. During his post-presidency, Trump has been directly briefed by confidants and close aides about Project 2025s substance and progress, sources with knowledge of the matter say. Top figures in the project, such as former senior Trump administration hands Russ Vought and John McEntee, still talk to the former president. And the project which was intended to provide policy ideas and a vetted personnel database for a future GOP (read: Trump) administration on day one is the way it is only because of Trump and his hostile takeover of the Republican Party. One source close to Trump describes the former president as having essentially birthed Project 2025, in the sense that its agenda wouldnt look how it does, had it not been for Trumps demands for total fealty and extremism from his own party and movement. The project broadly reflects Trumps publicly-stated desires and obsessions, especially when it comes to gutting and remaking the so-called deep state and purging the federal government of real or imagined enemies. Trump can try to distance himself from this, but 70 to 80 percent of the people who wrote the book are going to be in his second administration the cabinet, under secretaries, assistant secretaries, the senior advisers. Theyre all going to be the foot soldiers in a second Trump administration! one of Project 2025s contributors, who requested anonymity to speak candidly, tells Rolling Stone. You cant look at this constellation of organizations and people without seeing that theyre all his people. Indeed, it can be difficult, or impossible, to tell precisely where Trumpland ends and Project 2025-ville begins. For instance, one of the sections in the initiative is authored by Stephen Moore, a conservative economics writer who has been a fixture in the right-wing think tank world for decades. In a brief interview, Moore says that he contributed only one part of the project, and that its not the Trump plan Trump has his own plans. When asked if he still communicates with the former and perhaps future U.S. president, Moore says, I meet with him every month or two, to discuss economic policy. None of this has stopped Team Trump from attempting to create distance between his campaign and Project 2025 a desire that the projects team has sought to publicly accommodate. At an event in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention, Project 2025 director Paul Dans who served as chief of staff in Trumps Office of Personnel Management argued that Democrats were wrongly vilifying Project 2025, and then making this fake attachment to President Trump. He claimed, What Democrats [have] said about Project 2025 is probably the greatest misinformation campaign since, I dont know, the Russia hoax. On Tuesday, Dans officially resigned from Project 2025 and the Heritage Foundation. President Trumps campaign has been very clear for over a year that Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the [former] president in any way, Trump campaign co-chiefs Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita said in a statement Tuesday. Reports of Project 2025s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign it will not end well for you. According to reporting by CBS News, Project 2025s work is likely to continue, and the project still intends to share its lists of policy recommendations and potential Trump administration hires to his campaign for review. One reason that longtime conservative movementarians and policy wonks including many involved in Project 2025 are in line to amass government power is that Trump, in many ways, cannot seem to be bothered by the details. According to two people familiar with the matter, when some of Trumps top advisers have attempted to talk to him about certain transition or personnel matters in recent months, he has grown visibly irritated and abruptly cut off the conversation if the topic didnt interest him. And for all of Trumps public exasperation about Project 2025, he and his teams efforts to distance him from it have arguably helped Democrats drive public awareness about the project. Multiple Project 2025 authors and key figures in the Heritage-housed initiative tell Rolling Stone that they arent taking Trumps supposed disavowals personally. They are aware that he and his campaign staff are hyper-focused on not scaring off too many swing voters who will determine the 2024 presidential election. One project author simply dismisses Trumps words as ass-covering and little more. And several of these sources remark that the ex-president and his lieutenants fury lately had done nothing but create a Streisand effect, drawing greater attention to Project 2025 and Trumps connections to it. Indeed, with the 2024 Harris campaign now actively campaigning against the project, Team Trump has been trying, in vain, to denounce it. Over the weekend, Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump, the former presidents daughter-in-law, said that Project 2025 has nothing to do with Trump, his platform, campaign, or what he wants to do for the future of this country Anyone who pushes Project 2025 knows it is a hoax. On Tuesday, as word spread that the former Trump administration official spearheading Project 2025 was leaving, The New Republic published the foreword that Trumps running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, penned endorsing a new book authored by Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation. Never before has a figure with Robertss depth and stature within the American Right tried to articulate a genuinely new future for conservatism, Vance wrote. The Heritage Foundation isnt some random outpost on Capitol Hill; it is and has been the most influential engine of ideas for Republicans from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Trump Gets Awkward Reminder as He Vows to Pardon January 6 Rioters Donald Trump doubled down on a frightening campaign promise Wednesday. While at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago, Trump was asked if he would pardon rioters who assaulted police officers during the January 6 insurrection. Oh, absolutely I would, Trump replied while interrupting the moderators. If they are innocent, I would pardon them. Theyve been convicted, Rachel Scott, senior congressional correspondent for ABC News, quickly clarified, to which the crowd interrupted in laughter. Yikes this is a disaster Scott: My question is about those rioters who assaulted those officers. Will you pardon them? Trump: Absolutely. I would pic.twitter.com/WFn7eTVHOL Acyn (@Acyn) July 31, 2024 Trump previously has called the violent insurrectionists hostages and unbelievable patriots. He has promised several times over to free the rioters, despite saying on the day after the Capitol attack that those who broke the law would pay. But he changed tune just a year later. Well be looking very, very seriously at full pardons, Trump said in 2022. I mean full pardons with an apology to many. At Wednesdays event, Trump tried to redirect the conversation to left-wing rioters in Minneapolis and Seattle while justifying the violence of January 6. When pressed by Scott about the acts of individuals pummeling police officers in what was likely the largest single-day assault on law enforcement, Trump justified the insurrectionists actions by simply saying the officers shot a young lady in the face. Shortly after President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his pick for Democratic nominee, Republican leadership in Congress quickly put out some guidance to lawmakers about how to message around Harris, the first Black, Asian American, woman vice president. Perhaps aware of conference members worst impulses when presented with the platform to go after a woman of color presidential nominee, Republican leadership hurried to urge lawmakers to avoid commenting on Harris race when criticizing her. But the guidance was also an effort to course correct some members of Congress had begun referring to Harris as a DEI hire almost immediately after Biden tapped her as his pick. This election will be about policies and not personalities, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters after a closed door meeting with the Republican conference last week, during which Johnson and National Republican Congressional Committee chair Richard Hudson asked their colleagues to stick to attacking Harris over her Biden administration record. This is not personal with regard to Kamala Harris, he added, and her ethnicity or her gender have nothing to do with this whatsoever. Perhaps no one gave Donald Trump the memo. Trump was in Chicago this afternoon for an event at the National Association of Black Journalists conference, where he sat for a Q&A with ABC News Rachel Scott, Semafors Kadia Goba and Fox News host Harris Faulkner. The event was disastrous for Trump, who appeared flustered, hostile and angry throughout the interview process, which his campaign, it appears, decided to cut short. Trump not only spewed some of the most racist attacks seen yet on Harris as a biracial woman, he also appeared tone deaf, defensive and downright unhinged right out of the gate, downplaying the significance of Sen. JD Vances role as his VP pick and extensively attacking the moderators while attempting, somewhat unsuccessfully, to dodge their questions. Here are some of the lowlights from Trumps racist field trip to the NABJ: Who Are You? The Q&A session began with Scott asking Trump a direct and eloquent question about why Black voters should trust Trump due to his record of racist remarks and actions. Its worth reading the question in full: You have pushed false claims about some of your rivals, from Nikki Haley to former President Barack Obama, saying that they were not born in the United States, which is not true. You have told four congressmen, women of color, who were American citizens, to go back to where they came from. You have used words like animal and rabid to describe Black district attorneys. Youve attacked Black journalists, calling them a loser, saying the questions that they ask are stupid and racist. Youve had dinner with a white supremacist at your Mar-a-Lago resort. So, my question, sir, now that you are asking Black supporters to vote for you, why should Black voters trust you after you have used language like that? Trump responded belligerently. Well, first of all, I dont think Ive ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, a first question. You dont even say hello. Who are you? Are you with ABC? Because I think theyre a fake news network. A terrible network, Trump began. I think its disgraceful that I came here in good spirit. I love the Black population of this country, Ive done so much for the Black population of this country, he said, a line he attempted to push throughout the interview sans evidence. Trump Questioned Harris Black Identity Arguably the most racist remarks from Trump came in response to another question posed by Scott. She asked Trump if he thinks his supporters and some Republicans on the Hill calling Harris a DEI hire is acceptable, and whether he would tell them to stop using that language. Trump started off with a seeming misdirection, asking Scott to define DEI. Diversity, equity and inclusion, Scott told Trump. Give me a definition, Trump kept repeating, to which Scott responded, I just defined it, sir. Do you believe that Vice President Kamala Harris is only on the ticket because she is a Black woman? Well I can say maybe it is a little bit different, Trump said. She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt, Trump added. Because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden, she made a turn and she went she became a Black person. Trump tells Black journalists that Kamala Harris "is of Indian heritage is she Indian or is she Black? she became a Black person." Note the audience laughing at him. pic.twitter.com/PAhmgr1yBS Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2024 What Exactly Is A Black Job, Sir? Trump was later asked by Faulkner what his message was to the audience of Black journalists who were attending the conference. My message is to stop people from invading our country that are taking, frankly, a lot of problems with it, but one of the big problems coming from the border are millions and millions of people that happened to be taking Black jobs. What exactly is a Black job sir? Scott jumped in to ask. A Black job is anybody that has a job, Trump said. Thats what it is. Anybody that has a job. Trump's message to Black journalists and voters is "to stop people from invading our country" who are "taking Black jobs." (Note the gasps from the audience.) pic.twitter.com/J7qfddpNQR Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2024 The Best Of TPM Today DOJ IG Details How Close Trump Came To Invoking Insurrection Act in 2020 Excuses Donald Trump Has Given For Not Debating Harris Dont Be Fooled By Trumps Big Display Of Killing Project 2025 Yesterdays Most Read Story Kamala Harris Puts A Wobbly Donald Trump Back On His Heels David Kurtz What We Are Reading Great headline from Mother Jones: White Man Tells Black Journalists His Black Opponent Is Not Black Rick Wilson on the weirdness of JD Vance How Samuel Alito got canceled from the Supreme Court social media majority (Bloomberg) -- Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are concentrating 98% of their ad-buying firepower in just five swing states, a key indication of how both campaigns are strategizing their path to the White House. Most Read from Bloomberg Trump, Harris and their respective super political action committees have currently booked $122 million in advertising time through the end of August, according to data from AdImpact, which tracks ad spending, with nearly all of the total committed to markets in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Wisconsin and Arizona. That suggests that neither camp sees the remaining two swing states Nevada and North Carolina worthy of significant investment, at least for now. The ad bookings show that both campaigns are pouring money into the Blue Wall states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin at the highest rates, followed by Georgia and then Arizona. No state is perhaps a bigger prize for each candidate than Pennsylvania. Trumps campaign and its allies are spending a combined $32 million over the next four weeks, while Harris-related groups are spending $17 million. Harris is also considering Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as a potential running mate, which could help her win over key moderate and independent voters there. Trump is slated to hold a rally in the state on Wednesday. The ad buying totals can change daily, and the spending totals will likely rise. Harris is flush with cash after she raised $200 million in the week after taking the top spot on the Democratic ticket following President Joe Bidens withdrawal. Her campaign announced a $50 million ad buy Tuesday to run ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The Trump campaign and Harris campaign didnt immediately respond to requests to comment. Harris, emboldened by a wave of enthusiasm, is looking to broaden the narrow electoral map left behind by Biden, who trailed in nearly every swing state before leaving the race earlier this month. The centerpiece of his strategy was holding the Blue Wall states, but Harris also hopes to compete in Georgia and Arizona, traditionally Republican states that Biden flipped in 2020, buoyed by her support from young people and voters of color. Earlier: Harris Expands Push to Compete With Trump in Swing States The ad buys also mark a first for Trump and his allies, who have more than double the ad time booked than their Democratic opponent $83 million to $39 million, according to AdImpact. For the entirety of Bidens time in the race, groups supporting the president vastly outspent their Republican counterparts. The reversal in the spending trend is a sign of the Trump teams concerns about the difficulty of facing Harris, instead of Biden, as an opponent. The shift in ad spending comes as polls show Harris gaining on Trump. Harris has wiped out Trumps lead across seven battleground states, according to the latest Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll, which shows the candidates in a statistical tie. Future Forward PAC, Harris allied super political action committee, is spending $32 million through the end of August, with 94% of its ad buys coming in four states: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia and Wisconsin. Its also booked $1 million in Arizona, where Trump is spending $11 million, and $810,000 in Nevada. The former presidents campaign, and super PACs Make America Great Again Inc. and Preserve America, which is backed by Las Vegas Sands owner Miriam Adelson, have launched an advertising blitz, with most of the spots aiming to tie Harris to the Biden administrations record on immigration and border enforcement. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Trump and Harris Policy Differences: Where the Two Candidates Stand on Abortion, Guns and Climate Getty Images The 2024 presidential election has completely shifted in the past few weeks, with Kamala Harris becoming the new likely Democratic nominee facing off against Donald Trump. With just months to go before election day, its worth taking a close look at the records of and policies being pushed by the Republican and Democratic nominees. Whoever wins the White House will have tremendous sway over the direction our country takes on critical issues from reproductive rights to climate change, and will be able to nominate federal and Supreme Court justices. To break down where Harris and Trump stand on key issues, guides.vote shared its nonpartisan guide with Teen Vogue. Check it out below. Democratic Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris Holds Town Hall In New Hampshire Spencer Platt/Getty Images Donald Trump Speaks At Turning Point Convention In Detroit, Michigan Bill Pugliano/Getty Images Abortion Ban or legal? Harris Legal. Every woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body. This fight is about freedom. With Biden, strengthened abortion pill access and abortion patient protections, overturned Trump Planned Parenthood federal funding ban. Would sign national abortion rights bill if Congress passed. Trump Ban. After 50 years of failure, I was able to kill Roe v. Wade. Did so by appointing three anti-abortion Supreme Court Justices. It was a miracle. States should decide for themselves, potentially monitoring womens pregnancies and prosecuting women for getting abortions. Abortion is really not that big an issue. Climate Change Should climate change be a top priority? Harris Yes. Were seeing the climate crisis every dayin real time. We must do more. Cast the deciding vote to commit $369 billion to climate and clean energy, the biggest investment in US history. Supported $1.2 trillion in infrastructure; includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Trump No. Climate change is a hoax. The world will start getting cooler. Withdrew from the Paris climate pact. Will expand coal and oil production. I want to drill, baby, drill. Asked oil and gas executives to donate $1 billion so he could reverse Bidens climate initiatives. Criminal Justice How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement? Harris Police are dedicated public servants. As a prosecutor increased felony convictions by one third. But public safety requires community trust. Has supported better training, banning choke holds, and prosecuting police misconduct. Trump Police are under siege. Cut back active federal oversight of excess force, though supported a database to track it. Admires Chinese approach of quick trials and a death penalty for drug dealers so there will be a zero drug problem. Education Limit teaching about racism and gender identity? Harris No. In Florida extremists passed a law, Dont Say Gay, trying to instill fear in our teachers. Now, they want to replace history with lies, teaching that enslaved people benefited from slavery. Children should be taught the truth. Trump Yes. Certify teachers who embrace patriotic values. Would cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, gender ideology. Restricted diversity training for federal employees and contractors. Elections Did Joe Biden win the 2020 Presidential election? Harris Yes. The [election] results were certified by state after state and reaffirmed by court after court. On January 6, we all saw what our nation would look like if the forces who seek to dismantle our democracy are successful. Trump No. Called the election a Big Lie and a Massive Fraud that would justify termination of parts of the Constitution. Called those who stormed U.S. Capitol unbelievable patriots. Would pardon them fully. Environment Loosen or tighten environmental regulations? Harris Tighten. Supports environmental justice. In CA prosecuted polluters. Biden admin issued more than 100 environmental regulations. Trump Loosen. Weakened or ended more than 125 environmental protections, including wetlands and wildlife. Will reverse Biden policies. Gun Laws Loosen or tighten gun regulations? Harris Tighten. Every person deserves the freedom to live safe from gun violence. Supported the bipartisan gun safety bill and required background checks for gun show and online sales. Trump Loosen. To NRA, no one will lay a finger on your firearms. Plans to roll back Biden gun restrictions. Reversed Obama-era background checks for those with mental illnesses. Health Care Repeal or expand the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare? Harris Expand. Health care is a right, not a privilege. Cast a tie-breaking Senate vote to expand ACA and lower Medicare drug prices, including a $35 monthly insulin cost. Would link drug costs to costs that comparable wealthy nations pay. Trump Repeal. Terminate. Obamacare is a catastrophe. As President, promised to replace it with something terrific, but repeal failed in the Senate by one vote. Supported an unsuccessful lawsuit to overturn it. Immigration How to handle immigration? Support a path to citizenship for DACA participants brought to the US as children? Harris Supports comprehensive immigration reform. Backed the bipartisan Senate border security bill. Rejects mass deportation of undocumented immigrants. We are a nation of immigrants. let us all address [the issue] with the urgency and seriousness it requires. Supports pathways to citizenship for DACA participants and undocumented spouses of citizens. Trump Illegal immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country. Will use the National Guard and local police, with possible detention camps, to deport 15 to 20 million illegal immigrants. Opposed the bipartisan Senate immigration bill. Tried to end DACA; Supreme Court overruled. Would renew his Muslim ban and end automatic citizenship for everyone born in US. Israel / Gaza Response to Israels invasion of Gaza following October Hamas attack? Harris We need a cease-fire & a two-state solution. Israel has a right to defend itself. But too many innocent Palestinians have been killed Civilian suffering [is] devastating. Palestinians and Israelis both are entitled to security. Trump Has supported Israeli action, get the job done. Says Israel releasing images of bombed Gaza buildings loses the PR war. Gaza protesters are raging lunatics and Hamas sympathizers. Would deport student protesters. Labor Make it easier or harder for unions to organize? Harris Easier. Unions built the American middle class. We are fighting to protect the sacred right to organize. Backs pro-union laws. Walked UAW picket line. Build an economy where every person, not just the wealthy, can thrive. Trump Harder. Made it harder for unions to win representation and organize on an employers property. Restricted federal employee collective bargaining. Striking Auto Workers were sold down the river by their leadership. LGBTQ Rights Limit or expand LGBTQ rights? Harris Expand. In 2004, officiated some of the nations first same-sex marriages. Helped repeal Californias anti-gay marriage initiative. Biden administration protected LGBTQ medical patients from discrimination. Trump Limit. Weakened an Obama order protecting LGBTQ federal contractors from discrimination. Banned transgender military servicemembers and ended anti-discrimination protections for transgender patients. Marijuana Ban or legal? Harris Legal. Nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed. Legalize and regulate. Supports Bidens easing federal prohibition. Trump Unclear. It does significant damage. Reversed Obama rule to not prosecute in states where legal, but ultimately didnt prosecute. Minimum Wage Raise federal minimum from $7.25 an hour? Harris Yes. Supports Congress raising the national minimum wage to $15. Biden administration raised to $15 for federal contractors. Trump No. A $15 minimum wage would eliminate jobs. Threatened to veto. Questioned need for a federal minimum wage: let the states decide. Social Security Cut Social Security or raise retirement age to stabilize program? Harris No. Would protect and stabilize Social Security by making wealthier Americans pay into Social Security at the same rate as everyone else; theyd keep paying in above their current $168,600/year income cap. Trump Mostly yes. Theres a lot you can do in cutting. Also flags bad management. Proposed $35 billion cuts in Social Security disability programs. But will never do anything to hurt Social Security. Student Financial Aid Support lowering interest on student loans and/or forgiving them? Harris Yes. Supported Biden forgiving $144 billion for over 4 million borrowers, after the Supreme Court blocked the Biden-Harris $430 billion forgiveness plan. Trump No. Called student loan forgiveness unfair to those not attending college. Vetoed forgiving loans of defrauded students. Proposed cutting support programs for student borrowers. Taxes Raise or lower taxes on the wealthy and corporations? Harris Raise. Voted against Trump tax cuts, which included the largest corporate cut in US history. Supported increasing corporate tax rates. To boost teacher salaries, proposed raising estate taxes on the very wealthy. Trump Lower. His 2017 tax cut included the largest corporate cuts in US history and major tax cuts for the wealthy. Would extend them when they expire in 2025. Raising business taxes will lead to the destruction of your jobs. Ukraine / Russia Support defending Ukraine against Russian invasion? Harris Yes. Regarding Putins unprovoked, unjustified war against Ukraine we are committed to defend democratic values and stand up to dictators. Trump Mostly no. To end the war, will push Ukraine to give up territory to Russia. Russia should do whatever the hell they want to NATO countries that dont pay in enough. Voting Rules Make voting harder or easier? Harris Easier. Pass bills to protect voting rights and make voting and registration easier. Biden administration directed federal agencies to help people register. Trump Harder. Has long supported stronger voter ID requirements. Sued to bar ballot drop boxes. Encouraged Republicans to vote early but said early ballots get lost or are phony. Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Want more U.S. government coverage? Kari Lake, a former local news anchor turned conspiracy-minded Republican firebrand, is projected to win the partys Arizona Senate primary Tuesday and will head to a general election this November to replace outgoing independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. With 66 percent of the votes counted, Lake was projected to win the primary with 53.3 percent of the vote, according to The New York Times. The Associated Press also confirmed her win. Thank you for putting your faith in me, Arizona. I wont let you down, Lake wrote on X. Together, were going to save this state. Together, were going to #MakeArizonaGrandAgain. Thank you for putting your faith in me, Arizona. I won't let you down. Together, we're going to save this state. Together, we're going to #MakeArizonaGrandAgain. pic.twitter.com/eW0Q9TTFVV Kari Lake (@KariLake) July 31, 2024 Lakes biggest challenger was Mark Lamb, the former sheriff of Pinal County. Both Lamb and Lake largely agreed on many major issues, including immigration, border security, and abortion. Lamb sought to portray himself as a more electable candidate. Both candidates also voiced support for former President Donald Trump, but Lake ultimately secured the much-coveted Trump endorsement on Monday. Shes fantastic, Trump said on a phone call to voters with Lake on Monday, the Associated Press reported. She will not let us down. Kari Lake, I just think shes going to be as good as you can get. Theres nobody going to be better. Lake will go on to challenge Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, a congressman who has represented a district including downtown Phoenix and Glendale since 2015. Gallego ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Its official my opponent is Kari Lake, Gallego wrote on X following the announcement. Arizona, the choice is clear: Kari wants to ban abortion. I will always protect abortion rights. Lake rose to prominence in the Republican Party after supporting false claims that Trump won Arizona in the 2020 electionbut was robbed of the states electoral votes after widespread voter fraud threw the race to President Joe Biden. Two years later, she ran as the Republican nominee for governor of the Grand Canyon State. After her defeat to current Gov. Katie Hobbs, Lake challenged the results of that election as well, and accused the Democrats of perpetuating more mass voter fraud across the state. Lake filed multiple lawsuits attempting to overturn the election, none of which have proven successful. She was later sued by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, a Republican, who claims that the former gubernatorial hopeful made false statements about his conduct during the 2020 electionwhich led to death threats. Lake did not fight the suit and requested default judgment. A judge will determine how much the former news anchor owes Richer, but lawyers for both parties continue court proceedings at this time. 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. Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump is questioned by journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. The event was moderated by, from left, Rachel Scott, senior congressional correspondent for ABC News; Kadia Goba, politics reporter at Semafor; and Harris Faulkner, anchor of The Faulkner Focus and co-host of Outnumbered on Fox News. Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters. CHICAGO Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump Wednesday underwent questioning from a National Association of Black Journalists panel in a turbulent session during which he falsely claimed Vice President Kamala Harris happened to turn Black during her political career. Through the roughly 35-minute combative event, the former president rarely answered questions, lied and exaggerated, attacked Harris, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, and criticized one of the Black journalists interviewing him, ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott. I think its disgraceful that I came here in good spirit, Trump said. I love the Black population of this country. The discussion was also moderated by Kadia Goba, a politics reporter at Semafor, and Harris Faulkner, a Fox News anchor. Many NABJ members strongly opposed Trumps visit, especially given his treatment of high-profile Black women journalists, and the announcement of his appearance sparked a major backlash. Members were also critical about the lack of transparency around the invitation to Trump and the inclusion of a moderator from the conservative Fox network. Trump attacked ABCs Scott and called her questions rude and her media outlet a fake news network. Scott asked Trump why Black voters should trust him, especially after Trump has made false claims that political rivals such as former President Barack Obama were not born in the United States, has dined with a white supremacist at his Florida residence and has slammed Black journalists. I dont think Ive ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, Trump said. Scott pressed Trump about Republican members of Congress who have referred to Harris, who is the first Black woman and woman of Asian American descent to serve as vice president, as a so-called DEI hire. She asked if that was acceptable language. Trump didnt answer the question and asked Scott to define DEI, which she said stood for diversity, equity and inclusion. Trump then questioned whether Harris was Black. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black, Trump said. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black college in Washington, D.C., and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., a historic Black sorority. Her father is Jamaican, and her late mother was an Indian immigrant. Harris in Houston Harris, who was endorsed by President Joe Biden after he bowed out of a reelection campaign, was invited by NABJ to take questions as well, but her confirmation is pending, the organization said. She was traveling Wednesday to Houston for events including a campaign stop. NABJ President Kenneth Lemon said that the organization is working on a virtual session with Harris in September. On Trumps participation in the panel, Harris campaign Black Media Director Jasmine Harris, who is not related to the vice president, said in a statement, Lets remember exactly who this man is. Not only does Donald Trump have a history of demeaning NABJ members and honorees who remain pillars of the Black press, he also has a history of attacking the media and working against the vital role the press play in our democracy, she said. Harris campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler said in a statement that Trumps behavior during the interview was hostile. Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in, Tyler said. Donald Trump has already proven he cannot unite America, so he attempts to divide us. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, asked at the White House press briefing about Trumps visit to the convention, said, Thats a campaign stop for him. The Trump campaign has used the invitation to argue that the former president has grown support among Black voters. Before Biden suspended his campaign in mid-July, a majority of Black voters aligned with voting for Biden, about 77%, and about 18% of Black voters indicated they would vote for Trump in the 2024 presidential election, according to a May Pew Research Center report. NABJ fact-checking In an email to members Wednesday morning, Lemon stressed that the organizations invitation was not an endorsement and that there would be live fact-checking from PolitiFact during the session. Members who attended were not allowed to ask questions. While we acknowledge the concerns expressed by our members, we believe it is important for us to provide our members with the opportunity to hear directly from candidates and hold them accountable, Lemon said. We also want to provide our members with the facts. Nichelle Smith, an independent investigative journalist from Virginia, said after the panel that it was clear where Trump stood with the Black community. I thought he was horribly rude to Rachel Scott and I commend her and the other woman on the panel for not soft balling and asking hard questions out the gate because I doubt he has rarely been confronted with hard questions by Black women, she said. NABJ tradition Inviting a presidential candidate during an election year is an NABJ tradition since 1976. Former presidents have attended and participated in either a press conference or other question-and-answer formats, such as George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Obama. In 2016, Hillary Clinton attended, but Trump, who was also invited, did not. The announcement late Monday that Trump would show up caused a firestorm among NABJ members. Karen Attiah, a columnist with the Washington Post, resigned from her position as NABJ Convention Co-chair. While my decision was influenced by a variety of factors, I was not involved or consulted with in any way with the decision to platform Trump in such a format, Attiah, who was the 2019 NABJ Journalist of the Year, said. April Ryan, a White House correspondent for TheGrio, a media company geared toward Black Americans, and NABJs 2017 Journalist of the Year, objected to the session in a social media post. The reports of attacks on Black women White House correspondents by the then president of the United States are not myth or conjecture, but fact, she said. During his first term, Trump often sparred with the White House press corps, but he was particularly harsh when it came to Black women journalists, such as Ryan, Abby Phillip from CNN and Yamiche Alcindor, a White House correspondent for PBS. Ryan, who typically bore the brunt of those attacks, said the decision to hold a panel with Trump was a slap in the face to the Black women journalists who had to protect themselves from the wrath of this Republican presidential nominee who is promoting an authoritarian agenda that plans to destroy this nation and her democracy with his Project 2025. Editorial Director of Epicenter NYC Femi Redwood, who chairs NABJs LGBTQ+ task force, wrote in a social media post that the panel was not made aware of Trumps invite and objected, considering the damage he has caused Black queer and trans people including those who are journalists and members of NABJ. Im disappointed that in a space where so many queer and trans members still feel vulnerable will now feel even more unsafe due to Trump being invited and the possibility of his most vicious followers coming to the hotel to support him, she said. Some defenders Some NABJ members did defend the decision, such as Leroy Chapman Jr., the editor-in-chief of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Here is what we need to normalize candidates for office standing before journalists, answering questions, he said in a social media post. A handful of pro-Trump supporters were able to attend the event, such as radio personality P Rae Easley of Chicago, who cheered when Trump went on stage. In a States Newsroom interview, she said that Trump has done a lot for the Black community. You got to be a fool to continue to support the policies of the Biden administration, she said. Goba asked about Trumps support for giving police officers immunity. She asked about Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman who called 911 for help and was shot and killed by a deputy. Why should someone like that officer get immunity? Goba asked. Trump said that he didnt know the case well and said an officer could make an innocent mistake. Sometimes very bad decisions are made, theyre not made from an evil standpoint, but theyre made from the standpoint of they made a mistake, Trump said. Scott, who covers Congress, asked about the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and about the law enforcement officers who were injured by the mob of pro-Trump supporters. She asked Trump if Jan. 6 rioters who have been convicted in the courts should be pardoned. Trump didnt answer the question and brought up Minnesota, criticizing protests there and across the nation that erupted after a video was publicized showing a white police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a Black man, who died. The officer, Derek Chauvin, was later convicted of murder. J.D. Vance questions Goba asked Trump about his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, and his comments demeaning single women, calling them childless cat ladies. Trump never answered the question and went off-topic, attacking Democrats and falsely claiming that they were allowing abortions after birth. Scott also asked Trump about comments Vance has made about how people with children should be allowed to have more votes than those without. One of the bedrock principles of American life is, one person, one vote, Scott said. I just want to be clear here, is that the position of your campaign? Trump said that the campaign did not believe families should receive more votes and defended Vance. He is very family oriented, Trump said. Trump then veered into immigration and falsely claimed that noncitizens were voting in federal elections, which is already illegal and rarely happens. After the event, Trump Senior Advisor Lynne Patton issued a statement, criticizing the media for unprofessional commentary directed toward the former president. Todays biased and rude treatment from certain hostile members of the media will backfire massively, Patton said. This will be their undoing in 2024. Andrea Shaw contributed to this report. Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump is questioned by journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. The event was moderated by, from left, Rachel Scott, senior congressional correspondent for ABC News; Kadia Goba, politics reporter at Semafor; and Harris Faulkner, anchor of The Faulkner Focus and co-host of Outnumbered on Fox News. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) CHICAGO Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump Wednesday underwent questioning from a National Association of Black Journalists panel in a turbulent session during which he falsely claimed Vice President Kamala Harris happened to turn Black during her political career. Through the roughly 35-minute combative event, the former president rarely answered questions, lied and exaggerated, attacked Harris, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, and criticized one of the Black journalists interviewing him, ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott. I think its disgraceful that I came here in good spirit, Trump said. I love the Black population of this country. The discussion was also moderated by Kadia Goba, a politics reporter at Semafor, and Harris Faulkner, a Fox News anchor. Many NABJ members strongly opposed Trumps visit, especially given his treatment of high-profile Black women journalists, and the announcement of his appearance sparked a major backlash. Members were also critical about the lack of transparency around the invitation to Trump and the inclusion of a moderator from the conservative Fox network. Trump attacked ABCs Scott and called her questions rude and her media outlet a fake news network. Scott asked Trump why Black voters should trust him, especially after Trump has made false claims that political rivals such as former President Barack Obama were not born in the United States, has dined with a white supremacist at his Florida residence and has slammed Black journalists. I dont think Ive ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, Trump said. Scott pressed Trump about Republican members of Congress who have referred to Harris, who is the first Black woman and woman of Asian American descent to serve as vice president, as a so-called DEI hire. She asked if that was acceptable language. Trump didnt answer the question and asked Scott to define DEI, which she said stood for diversity, equity and inclusion. Trump then questioned whether Harris was Black. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black, Trump said. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black college in Washington, D.C., and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., a historic Black sorority. Her father is Jamaican, and her late mother was an Indian immigrant. Harris in Houston Harris, who was endorsed by President Joe Biden after he bowed out of a reelection campaign, was invited by NABJ to take questions as well, but her confirmation is pending, the organization said. She was traveling Wednesday to Houston for events including a campaign stop. NABJ President Kenneth Lemon said that the organization is working on a virtual session with Harris in September. On Trumps participation in the panel, Harris campaign Black Media Director Jasmine Harris, who is not related to the vice president, said in a statement, Lets remember exactly who this man is. Not only does Donald Trump have a history of demeaning NABJ members and honorees who remain pillars of the Black press, he also has a history of attacking the media and working against the vital role the press play in our democracy, she said. Harris campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler said in a statement that Trumps behavior during the interview was hostile. Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in, Tyler said. Donald Trump has already proven he cannot unite America, so he attempts to divide us. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, asked at the White House press briefing about Trumps visit to the convention, said, Thats a campaign stop for him. The Trump campaign has used the invitation to argue that the former president has grown support among Black voters. Before Biden suspended his campaign in mid-July, a majority of Black voters aligned with voting for Biden, about 77%, and about 18% of Black voters indicated they would vote for Trump in the 2024 presidential election, according to a May Pew Research Center report. NABJ fact-checking In an email to members Wednesday morning, Lemon stressed that the organizations invitation was not an endorsement and that there would be live fact-checking from PolitiFact during the session. Members who attended were not allowed to ask questions. While we acknowledge the concerns expressed by our members, we believe it is important for us to provide our members with the opportunity to hear directly from candidates and hold them accountable, Lemon said. We also want to provide our members with the facts. Nichelle Smith, an independent investigative journalist from Virginia, said after the panel that it was clear where Trump stood with the Black community. I thought he was horribly rude to Rachel Scott and I commend her and the other woman on the panel for not soft balling and asking hard questions out the gate because I doubt he has rarely been confronted with hard questions by Black women, she said. NABJ tradition Inviting a presidential candidate during an election year is an NABJ tradition since 1976. Former presidents have attended and participated in either a press conference or other question-and-answer formats, such as George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Obama. In 2016, Hillary Clinton attended, but Trump, who was also invited, did not. The announcement late Monday that Trump would show up caused a firestorm among NABJ members. Karen Attiah, a columnist with the Washington Post, resigned from her position as NABJ Convention Co-chair. While my decision was influenced by a variety of factors, I was not involved or consulted with in any way with the decision to platform Trump in such a format, Attiah, who was the 2019 NABJ Journalist of the Year, said. April Ryan, a White House correspondent for TheGrio, a media company geared toward Black Americans, and NABJs 2017 Journalist of the Year, objected to the session in a social media post. The reports of attacks on Black women White House correspondents by the then president of the United States are not myth or conjecture, but fact, she said. During his first term, Trump often sparred with the White House press corps, but he was particularly harsh when it came to Black women journalists, such as Ryan, Abby Phillip from CNN and Yamiche Alcindor, a White House correspondent for PBS. Ryan, who typically bore the brunt of those attacks, said the decision to hold a panel with Trump was a slap in the face to the Black women journalists who had to protect themselves from the wrath of this Republican presidential nominee who is promoting an authoritarian agenda that plans to destroy this nation and her democracy with his Project 2025. Editorial Director of Epicenter NYC Femi Redwood, who chairs NABJs LGBTQ+ task force, wrote in a social media post that the panel was not made aware of Trumps invite and objected, considering the damage he has caused Black queer and trans people including those who are journalists and members of NABJ. Im disappointed that in a space where so many queer and trans members still feel vulnerable will now feel even more unsafe due to Trump being invited and the possibility of his most vicious followers coming to the hotel to support him, she said. Some defenders Some NABJ members did defend the decision, such as Leroy Chapman Jr., the editor-in-chief of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Here is what we need to normalize candidates for office standing before journalists, answering questions, he said in a social media post. A handful of pro-Trump supporters were able to attend the event, such as radio personality P Rae Easley of Chicago, who cheered when Trump went on stage. In a States Newsroom interview, she said that Trump has done a lot for the Black community. You got to be a fool to continue to support the policies of the Biden administration, she said. Goba asked about Trumps support for giving police officers immunity. She asked about Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman who called 911 for help and was shot and killed by a deputy. Why should someone like that officer get immunity? Goba asked. Trump said that he didnt know the case well and said an officer could make an innocent mistake. Sometimes very bad decisions are made, theyre not made from an evil standpoint, but theyre made from the standpoint of they made a mistake, Trump said. Scott, who covers Congress, asked about the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and about the law enforcement officers who were injured by the mob of pro-Trump supporters. She asked Trump if Jan. 6 rioters who have been convicted in the courts should be pardoned. Trump didnt answer the question and brought up Minnesota, criticizing protests there and across the nation that erupted after a video was publicized showing a white police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a Black man, who died. The officer, Derek Chauvin, was later convicted of murder. J.D. Vance questions Goba asked Trump about his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, and his comments demeaning single women, calling them childless cat ladies. Trump never answered the question and went off-topic, attacking Democrats and falsely claiming that they were allowing abortions after birth. Scott also asked Trump about comments Vance has made about how people with children should be allowed to have more votes than those without. One of the bedrock principles of American life is, one person, one vote, Scott said. I just want to be clear here, is that the position of your campaign? Trump said that the campaign did not believe families should receive more votes and defended Vance. He is very family oriented, Trump said. Trump then veered into immigration and falsely claimed that noncitizens were voting in federal elections, which is already illegal and rarely happens. After the event, Trump Senior Advisor Lynne Patton issued a statement, criticizing the media for unprofessional commentary directed toward the former president. Todays biased and rude treatment from certain hostile members of the media will backfire massively, Patton said. This will be their undoing in 2024. Andrea Shaw contributed to this report. Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump is questioned by journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. The event was moderated by, from left, Rachel Scott, senior congressional correspondent for ABC News; Kadia Goba, politics reporter at Semafor; and Harris Faulkner, anchor of The Faulkner Focus and co-host of Outnumbered on Fox News. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) CHICAGO Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump underwent questioning Wednesday from a National Association of Black Journalists panel in a turbulent session during which he falsely claimed Vice President Kamala Harris happened to turn Black during her political career. Through the roughly 35-minute combative event, the former president rarely answered questions, lied and exaggerated, attacked Harris, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, and criticized one of the Black journalists interviewing him, ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott. I think its disgraceful that I came here in good spirit, Trump said. I love the Black population of this country. The discussion was also moderated by Kadia Goba, a politics reporter at Semafor, and Harris Faulkner, a Fox News anchor. Many NABJ members strongly opposed Trumps visit, especially given his treatment of high-profile Black women journalists, and the announcement of his appearance sparked a major backlash. Members were also critical about the lack of transparency around the invitation to Trump and the inclusion of a moderator from the conservative Fox network. Trump attacked ABCs Scott and called her questions rude and her media outlet a fake news network. Scott asked Trump why Black voters should trust him, especially after Trump has made false claims that political rivals such as former President Barack Obama were not born in the United States, has dined with a white supremacist at his Florida residence and has slammed Black journalists. I dont think Ive ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, Trump said. Scott pressed Trump about Republican members of Congress who have referred to Harris, who is the first Black woman and woman of Asian American descent to serve as vice president, as a so-called DEI hire. She asked if that was acceptable language. Trump didnt answer the question and asked Scott to define DEI, which she said stood for diversity, equity and inclusion. Trump then questioned whether Harris was Black. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black, Trump said. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black college in Washington, D.C., and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., a historic Black sorority. Her father is Jamaican, and her late mother was an Indian immigrant. Harris in Houston Harris, who was endorsed by President Joe Biden after he bowed out of a reelection campaign, was invited by NABJ to take questions as well, but her confirmation is pending, the organization said. She was traveling Wednesday to Houston for events including a campaign stop. NABJ President Kenneth Lemon said the organization is working on a virtual session with Harris in September. On Trumps participation in the panel, Harris campaign Black Media Director Jasmine Harris, who is not related to the vice president, said in a statement, Lets remember exactly who this man is. Not only does Donald Trump have a history of demeaning NABJ members and honorees who remain pillars of the Black press, he also has a history of attacking the media and working against the vital role the press play in our democracy, she said. Harris campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler said in a statement that Trumps behavior during the interview was hostile. Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in, Tyler said. Donald Trump has already proven he cannot unite America, so he attempts to divide us. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, asked at the White House press briefing about Trumps visit to the convention, said, Thats a campaign stop for him. The Trump campaign has used the invitation to argue that the former president has grown support among Black voters. Before Biden suspended his campaign in mid-July, a majority of Black voters aligned with voting for Biden, about 77%, and about 18% of Black voters indicated they would vote for Trump in the 2024 presidential election, according to a May Pew Research Center report. NABJ fact-checking In an email to members Wednesday morning, Lemon stressed that the organizations invitation was not an endorsement and that there would be live fact-checking from PolitiFact during the session. Members who attended were not allowed to ask questions. While we acknowledge the concerns expressed by our members, we believe it is important for us to provide our members with the opportunity to hear directly from candidates and hold them accountable, Lemon said. We also want to provide our members with the facts. Nichelle Smith, an independent investigative journalist from Virginia, said after the panel that it was clear where Trump stood with the Black community. I thought he was horribly rude to Rachel Scott and I commend her and the other woman on the panel for not soft balling and asking hard questions out the gate because I doubt he has rarely been confronted with hard questions by Black women, she said. NABJ tradition Inviting a presidential candidate during an election year is an NABJ tradition since 1976. Former presidents have attended and participated in either a press conference or other question-and-answer formats, such as George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Obama. In 2016, Hillary Clinton attended, but Trump, who was also invited, did not. The announcement late Monday that Trump would show up caused a firestorm among NABJ members. Karen Attiah, a columnist with the Washington Post, resigned from her position as NABJ convention co-chair. While my decision was influenced by a variety of factors, I was not involved or consulted with in any way with the decision to platform Trump in such a format, Attiah, who was the 2019 NABJ Journalist of the Year, said. April Ryan, a White House correspondent for TheGrio, a media company geared toward Black Americans, and NABJs 2017 Journalist of the Year, objected to the session in a social media post. The reports of attacks on Black women White House correspondents by the then president of the United States are not myth or conjecture, but fact, she said. During his first term, Trump often sparred with the White House press corps, but he was particularly harsh when it came to Black women journalists, such as Ryan, Abby Phillip from CNN and Yamiche Alcindor, a White House correspondent for PBS. Ryan, who typically bore the brunt of those attacks, said the decision to hold a panel with Trump was a slap in the face to the Black women journalists who had to protect themselves from the wrath of this Republican presidential nominee who is promoting an authoritarian agenda that plans to destroy this nation and her democracy with his Project 2025. Editorial Director of Epicenter NYC Femi Redwood, who chairs NABJs LGBTQ+ task force, wrote in a social media post that the panel was not made aware of Trumps invitation and objected, considering the damage he has caused Black queer and trans people including those who are journalists and members of NABJ. Im disappointed that in a space where so many queer and trans members still feel vulnerable will now feel even more unsafe due to Trump being invited and the possibility of his most vicious followers coming to the hotel to support him, she said. Some defenders Some NABJ members did defend the decision, such as Leroy Chapman Jr., the editor-in-chief of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Here is what we need to normalize candidates for office standing before journalists, answering questions, he said in a social media post. A handful of pro-Trump supporters were able to attend the event, such as radio personality P Rae Easley of Chicago, who cheered when Trump went on stage. In a States Newsroom interview, she said Trump has done a lot for the Black community. You got to be a fool to continue to support the policies of the Biden administration, she said. Goba asked about Trumps support for giving police officers immunity. She asked about Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman who called 911 for help and was shot and killed by a deputy. Why should someone like that officer get immunity? Goba asked. Trump said he didnt know the case well and said an officer could make an innocent mistake. Sometimes very bad decisions are made, theyre not made from an evil standpoint, but theyre made from the standpoint of they made a mistake, Trump said. Scott, who covers Congress, asked about the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and about the law enforcement officers who were injured by the mob of pro-Trump supporters. She asked Trump if Jan. 6 rioters who have been convicted in the courts should be pardoned. Trump didnt answer the question and brought up Minnesota, criticizing protests there and across the nation that erupted after a video was publicized showing a white police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a Black man, who died. The officer, Derek Chauvin, was later convicted of murder. J.D. Vance questions Goba asked Trump about his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, and his comments demeaning single women, calling them childless cat ladies. Trump never answered the question and went off-topic, attacking Democrats and falsely claiming that they were allowing abortions after birth. Scott also asked Trump about comments Vance has made about how people with children should be allowed to have more votes than those without. One of the bedrock principles of American life is, one person, one vote, Scott said. I just want to be clear here, is that the position of your campaign? Trump said the campaign did not believe families should receive more votes and defended Vance. He is very family oriented, Trump said. Trump then veered into immigration and falsely claimed that noncitizens were voting in federal elections, which is already illegal and rarely happens. After the event, Trump Senior Advisor Lynne Patton issued a statement, criticizing the media for unprofessional commentary directed toward the former president. Todays biased and rude treatment from certain hostile members of the media will backfire massively, Patton said. This will be their undoing in 2024. Andrea Shaw contributed to this report. Vanguard Investing - ETFs Vanguard has warned investors that U.S. regulators could restrict its stakes in companies within certain sectors, forcing it to use workarounds that would incur additional cost and risk for some index funds. The Pennsylvania-based manager filed disclosures across several funds with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to underline the possibility regulators could enforce caps on its physical equity ownership of individual banks and utilities on behalf of clients. Despite ownership caps having been in place for decades through regulation such as the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, regulators have allowed asset managers to exceed 10% ownership stakes provided they do not seek management roles. However, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) said this month it is considering more stringent conditions on these waivers. Meanwhile, Republican state attorneys general have called on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review Vanguards large ownership stakes of listed utilities. In the event an ownership cap is enforced in future, Vanguard and other giants such as BlackRock and State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) could be forced to offload physical equity in certain companies and rely on derivatives-based exposures. In a statement, Vanguard said the new disclosures do not imply any imminent changes but are meant to educate investors on the potential risks associated with ongoing discussions around regulatory ownership limitations. The updated disclosures also make clear the potential negative consequences a loss of regulatory relief could have on fund expenses and performance as well as the potential tax consequences for investors, it added. It is not always possible to secure relief and there is an increasing amount of uncertainty around how much ownership limitations relief regulators will grant to asset managers like Vanguard. Passive Ownership of S&P Companies Doubles A trade body representing asset managersthe Investment Company Institute (ICI)responded by accusing both major U.S. political parties of headline-grabbing and making hay from the idea that index fund has bloated ownership stakes. It added the growth of funds has inspired the common ownership theory, which has led to abysmal policy proposals. The theory claims that competitors in the same industryairlines, for examplecompete less vigorously with one another when a fund holds significant minority stakes in the largest companies. The theory is bunk and the policies it inspires risk harming tens of millions of American investors, the ICI said. Story continues etf.com: SPY three-month flows These engagements between asset managers and regulators mark the latest development in the ongoing concerns surrounding the growth of passive ownership and its impact on corporate governance and market efficiency. It comes after Bloomberg Intelligence data revealed that passive ownership of S&P 500 constituents doubled in the seven years to June 2022. Meanwhile, assets housed in passively managed U.S. domiciled funds surpassed their active peers for the first time in January. Permalink | Copyright 2024 etf.com. All rights reserved Trump falsely questions Harris' race in NABJ interview, says VP pick 'does not have any impact' Former President Donald Trump's interview on Wednesday at the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention in Chicago kicked off with a contentious start as he falsely questioned Vice President Kamala Harris' race. Throughout the appearance, Trump went on to say his vice presidential pick "does not have any impact" on the election said said he would pardon Jan. 6 rioters who assaulted police officers "if they're innocent." ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott, Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner and Semafor political reporter Kadia Goba interviewed Trump on stage at the event. MORE: Election 2024 updates: Trump interview at Black journalists association convention sparks controversy The first question came from ABC's Scott, who asked about Trump's past inflammatory rhetoric toward women of color. "I want to start by addressing the elephant in the room, sir. A lot of people did not think it was appropriate for you to be here today," Scott said. "You have pushed false claims about some of your rivals, from Nikki Haley to former President Barack Obama, saying that they were not born in the United States, which is not true. You have told four congressmen, women of color, who were American citizens, to go back to where they came from. You have used words like 'animal' and 'rabid' to describe Black district attorneys. You've attacked Black journalists, calling them a 'loser,' saying the questions that they ask are, 'stupid and racist.' You've had dinner with a white supremacist at your Mar a Lago resort." "So, my question, sir, now that you are asking Black supporters to vote for you, why should Black voters trust you after you have used language like that?" Scott asked. "Well, first of all, I don't think I've ever been asked a question. So, in such a horrible manner, a first question. You don't even say hello. Who are you? Are you with ABC? Because I think they're a fake news network. A terrible network," Trump began. PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump walks on stage at the National Association of Black Journalists, NABJ, convention, July 31, 2024, in Chicago. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP) When ABC's Scott followed up by asking him to answer her question, Trump responded: "I have answered the question. I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln." The former president went on to mock Harris and when asked about Republican comments that she is a "DEI" hire, Trump deflected -- asking the journalist instead to define DEI, which she did repeatedly. Trump also appeared to question Harris' race. "I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now, she wants to be known as Black. So, I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black?" Trump said. Harris is the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother. "She has always identified as a Black woman," ABC's Scott responded. "She went to a historically Black college." "I respect either one. I respect either one," Trump said. "But she obviously doesn't because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn, and she went -- she became a Black person." Harris' campaign responded after the NABJ interview, saying Trump showed "hostility" on the stage that mirrored the "hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office, and throughout his campaign for president." "Today's tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trump's MAGA rallies this entire campaign," Harris campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler said in a statement. NABJ worked with Politifact to real-time fact check Trump's comments. Trump's appearance had stoked some criticism, though others defended the decision to interview the Republican nominee for president. Here are some other key highlights from the interview. Why he was at NABJ Trump's appearance at the convention came as he continues to try to court Black voters. With Harris' entrance into the 2024 election, Trump faces a stronger challenge with less than 100 days until the November contest. Asked to clarify his reasoning for attending NABJ, Trump again tried to claim that migrants are taking "Black jobs" -- comments he has faced backlash over. When asked to clarify what a "Black job" is, Trump said: "A Black job is anybody that has a job. That's what it is." He then resumed his assertion about migrants and tore into Harris for her handling of the border. Trump and other Republicans have claimed she is the "border czar" though she was assigned by Biden to address the root causes of migration. PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at the National Association of Black Journalists, NABJ, convention, July 31, 2024, in Chicago. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP) On Vance's past comments and VP's impact Trump attempted to play cleanup on his vice presidential pick Sen. JD Vance's comments on "childless cat ladies," reiterating his past remarks that Vance was simply talking about his love for family. "What he's saying is that he thinks the family experience is a very important thing. It's a very good thing," Trump said. "But that doesn't mean that if you grow up and you grow older and you don't meet somebody -- that would be wonderful to meet and would have been good -- that, that's a bad thing. He's not saying that. That would be my interpretation -- you'll have to ask him actually, but my interpretation is he's strongly family oriented," Trump continued. Pressed further if he agrees with Vance that people with children should have more votes than those who don't, Trump dodged the question, again saying he believes undocumented immigrants should not have votes even though foreign nationals are already prohibited from participating in federal elections. Trump then defended Vance as a successful person, praising him for going to Yale University. Later asked if he believed Vance would be "ready on Day 1," Trump said he respects Vance but again said "I think this is well documented historically, the vice president, in terms of the election, does not have any impact. No impact." On Sonya Massey and police immunity Trump was also asked about Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who was shot and killed in her Illinois home by a police officer, and whether that police officer should have immunity. "I don't know the exact case, but I saw something," Trump said. "And it didn't look, it didn't look good to me." Nonetheless, he went on to advocate for his campaign trail policy for indemnifying police officers. PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, moderated by ABC's Rachel Scott, FOX News' Harris Faulkner and Semafor's Nadia Goba, speaks at the National Association of Black Journalists convention, July 31, 2024, in Chicago. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP) "If a group of people would feel that somebody was being unfairly prosecuted because the person did a good job, maybe with crime, or made a mistake, an innocent mistake, there's a big difference between being a bad person, and making an innocent mistake, but if somebody made an innocent mistake, I would want to help that person," he said. Pressed on how those distinctions would work, Trump couldn't give a specific answer, going on to praise police officers for having difficult jobs. On age, cognitive abilities Now that Trump is the oldest candidate in the race, the focus on age has shifted squarely to him. Asked if he would step down if his health were declining, Trump said he would. "Absolutely, if I thought I was failing in some way," he said, "I will go a step further, I want anybody running for president to take an aptitude test, to take a cognitive test. I think it is a great idea. And I took two of them and I aced them." Trump said he'd "love" to take a cognitive test and agreed to make it public. He then suggested he'd ask Harris to do the same as he also asked Biden. PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, moderated by from left, ABC's Rachel Scott, Semafor's Nadia Goba and FOX News' Harris Faulkner, speaks at the NABJ convention, July 31, 2024, in Chicago. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP) "To be clear, you don't think Harris would pass a cognitive test?" ABC's Scott asked. Trump went on to float false claims that Harris did not pass her bar exam, when it was just her first bar exam that she didn't pass. On pardoning Jan. 6 rioters ABC's Scott asked Trump: "You have called yourself the candidate of law and order. When Time magazine asked if you would consider pardoning all the rioters, you said yes, absolutely. One hundred forty police officers were assaulted that day. Their injuries included broken bones, at least one officer lost an eye, one had two cracked ribs, two smashed spinal discs, another had a stroke. Were the people who assaulted those 140 officers, including those I just mentioned patriots who deserve pardons?" Trump initially dodged the question, attempted to make a connection to the thousands of protesters against the war in Gaza converging on Washington, D.C., during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit last week where Trump has previously claimed that if they were Republicans, they'd be in jail. Protesters on July 24, the day of Netanyahu's address to Congress, covered many areas near Union Station in extensive graffiti and an American flag was burned. Some were arrested for allegedly assaulting police officers, obstructing traffic or other unlawful activity. "My question is on those rioters who assaulted those officers -- would you pardon those people?" Scott pressed. "Absolutely, I would, if they're innocent, I would pardon them," Trump said. "They've been convicted," ABC's Scott pushed back. Trump falsely questions Harris' race in NABJ interview, says VP pick 'does not have any impact' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A planned appearance by Donald Trump at a convention of Black journalists has prompted an intense backlash, with members of the organization saying the invitation is inappropriate and should be rescinded. Members of the National Association of Black Journalists erupted in protest Tuesday following the announcement that Trump would attend a Q&A at the convention this week in Chicago. A co-chair of the event, Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah, announced she would step down. To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck, Attiah said in a post on X. While my decision was influenced by a variety of factors, I was not involved or consulted with in any way with the decision to platform Trump in such a format. The reaction from NABJ members underscored the divisiveness of the former president as both he and the likely Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, seek the support of Black voters with less than 100 days until the November election. The NABJ announced Monday that the former president would take part in a special conversation to discuss the most pressing issues facing the Black community with moderators Rachel Scott, senior congressional correspondent for ABC News; Harris Faulkner, a Fox News anchor; and reporter Kadia Goba of Semafor. The organization, which has hosted presidential hopefuls in the past, does not endorse political candidates. We look forward to our attendees hearing from former President Trump on the critical issues our members and their audiences care about most, NABJ President Ken Lemon said in a statement announcing the Q&A. The session would give members an opportunity to ask the tough questions that will provide the truthful answers Black Americans want and need to know, he added. Trumps campaign used the announcement to tout the Republican nominees record, writing hes the only presidential candidate who can deliver results on day one and linking to polling showing Trumps popularity growing among Black men. The chair of the NABJs LGBTQ+ task force, Femi Redwood, said on X she was disturbed to not be included in discussions about whether to invite Trump, citing damage he has caused Black queer and trans people. Carron J. Phillips, a 2019 and 2020 NABJ award winner who described the convention as the only safe haven for Black journalists, wrote on X that Trumps presence made the space unsafe and called it single dumbest and worst decision in NABJ history. Some members pointed to past Trump statements about Black journalists, including April Ryan, White House Correspondent for The Grio, who the former president once called very nasty and a loser. Ryan, the 2017 NABJ Journalist of the Year, said on X that the event featuring Trump was a slap in the face. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., the National Newspaper Publishers Association President and CEO, said in a statement he opposes Trumps scheduled appearance at the convention and urged NABJ leadership to withdraw the invitation. A Trump campaign spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Some Black journalists defended the invitation. Leroy Chapman Jr., editor in chief of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said on X that he was looking forward to the session and that we need to normalize presidential candidates answering questions from journalists. Symone D. Sanders Townsend, a political commentator on MSNBC, echoed the sentiment: NABJ didnt platform Trump. The voters in the Republican primary did. Lemon said NABJ invites presidential candidates to the convention every year and that the organization had engaged in conversations with both Trump and President Joe Biden for over a month. Biden had planned to attend before he dropped out of the race, and Harris is unable to speak in person because of other commitments, said a person familiar with her plans who was granted anonymity to talk about scheduling matters. Several Chicago-based groups including some that marched at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and plan to do the same at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month announced an emergency action to protest Trumps appearance at the convention. Former President Donald Trump accused Vice President Kamala Harris of happening to turn Black while he answered questions at a convention for Black journalists in Chicago on Wednesday. In a Q&A with Rachel Scott, a senior congressional correspondent for ABC News, Trump was asked about recent attacks against Harris by Republicans, whove accused her of being a DEI hire. Trump claims Kamala Harris was "always of Indian heritage and only promoting Indian heritage. I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago but when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black. So I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black?" pic.twitter.com/845XWqRUq6 Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 31, 2024 Some of your own supporters, including Republicans on Capitol Hill, have labeled Vice President Kamala Harris who is the first Black and Asian American woman to serve as vice president and be on a major party ticket as a DEI hire, Scott said. Is that acceptable language to you? And will you tell those Republicans and those supporters to stop it? In response, Trump asked Scott to define DEI. Diversity, equity and inclusion, Scott said, correctly. In a stunning back-and-forth, Trump continued to ask for the definition, and Scott repeated her question. Do you believe that Vice President Kamala Harris is only on the ticket because she is a Black woman? Scott asked. Trump responded by falsely accusing Harris of hiding her Black identity until it was politically beneficial. Ive known [Harris] a long time indirectly, not directly very much, and she was always of Indian heritage and she was only promoting Indian heritage, Trump said. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black. So, I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? Loud groans and boos could be heard from the audience. She has always identified as a Black woman, Scott corrected Trump. I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt, he responded. I think somebody should look into that. Harris was born in California and is the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to Trumps comments in a statement, saying, No one has any right to tell someone who they are, how they identify. Trump has previously questioned his political opponents racial identities. He was a prominent backer of the birther movement that baselessly cast doubt on former President Barack Obamas U.S. citizenship, and in 2020 he promoted the false claim that Harris also might not be a U.S. citizen. He also attacked former South Carolina Republican Gov. Nikki Haley earlier this year, falsely suggesting Haley couldnt run for president because she wasnt born in the U.S. Haley was born in South Carolina. Trumps decision to attend this years NABJ convention, a nonprofit organization that has worked on behalf of Black media professionals in the U.S. since 1975, was met with backlash among those attending. Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah, the events co-chair, stepped down from her post on Tuesday. To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck, she wrote on social media. Related... Arizona Republican Senatorial candidate Kari Lake won Tuesday's U.S. Senate GOP primary. She was endorsed by former president Donald Trump. She faces Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego in November's general election. Photo by Matt Marton/UPI July 31 (UPI) -- Republican Kari Lake won the Arizona GOP U.S. Senate primary to face Democrat Rep. Ruben Gallego in November. Lake, a former Phoenix TV local news anchor who launched a failed run for governor in 2022, won the endorsement of former President Donald Trump as she won 55.4% of the vote, beating out Mark Lamb and Elizabeth Jean Rya to serve as the Republican candidate to fill the seat set to be left vacant by departing independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. After her primary win Lake called Trump "bulletproof" and said he's a hero as she thanked him for his endorsement. Republican National Committee Chairman Steve Daines congratulated Lake on her win and called on Arizonans to defeat Gallego. "Kari Lake will work with President Trump to secure the border, get crime under control, and bring down prices," Gaines said. Gallego said he welcomed all Arizonans whether they're Democrats, Republicans or independents "to join our team and help defeat Kari Lake and her dangerous plan to ban abortion and hurt Arizonans." "In the 554 days since we launched this campaign, Arizonans in every corner of the state have made clear that they want a U.S. Senator who can bring people together to defend abortion rights, cut costs for families, protect our water future, and take care of our veterans - and that's exactly what I intend to do," he said. Lake falsely alleged fraud in her 2022 gubernatorial election loss to Democrat Katie Hobbs. Arizona's Supreme Court fined Lake's lawyers for repeated false statements about the election, including a lie that claimed 35,563 ballots were wrongly added to the vote count. In April, the U.S. Supreme Court opted not to hear a case brought by Lake alleging electronic voting machines are vulnerable to hacking. That let a 9th U.S. Court of Appeals ruling stand that dismissed Lake's allegations about the voting machines. In June 2023 Maricopa County's top election official sued Lake for defamation, accusing her of spreading false claims that he intentionally sabotaged her election in the governor's race. Republican Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer sued Lake and her political action committees Kari Lake for Arizona and Save Arizona Fund for damages. Arizona is an election battleground state and the U.S. Senate race there is one of the key races that will help determine whether Democrats retain their slim Senate majority. According to the Cook Political Report, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin Senate races currently lean Democratic while Michigan, Montana, Nevada and Ohio are currently toss-ups. Former President Trump mocked Vice President Harriss heritage during a combative live interview Wednesday at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention, telling the Chicago gathering that she happened to turn Black in recent years. ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott pressed Trump on comments from other Republicans that Harris was a DEI hire, referring to diversity, equity and inclusion, and was only elevated to the top of the Democratic ticket because of her race and gender. Trump attacks ABC News reporter during tense NABJ interview Ive known her a long time indirectly. Not directly very much, Trump said. She was always of Indian heritage. And she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black, Trump said. So I dont know, is she Indian, or is she Black? he continued. She has always identified as a Black woman, Scott interjected. But you know what, I respect either one. But she obviously doesnt. Because she was Indian all the way then all of a sudden she made a turn. And she became a Black person. And I think somebody should look into that, Trump said, criticizing Scotts hostile and nasty tone. Harris is Indian American and African American. Her mother emigrated from India, and her father emigrated from Jamaica. She also attended Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C., where she was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Other Democrats were quick to denounce Trumps comments. Ill tell what it is not: Its not surprising, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) said. This is who Donald Trump is. This is the politics of insult, of revenge and resentment and retribution. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called Trumps comments repulsive and insulting. The Harris campaign called Trumps appearance on Wednesday a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trumps MAGA rallies this entire campaign. Its also exactly what the American people will see from across the debate stage as Vice President Harris offers a vision of opportunity and freedom for all Americans, communications director Michael Tyler said in a statement. All Donald Trump needs to do is stop playing games and actually show up to the debate on September 10. Wednesdays remarks were not the first time Trump or his allies have questioned or attacked Harris biracial background. Donald Trump Jr. in 2019 shared and later deleted a tweet from a right-wing account that claimed Harris was not an American Black. Trump himself in 2020 floated the false theory that Harris might not be eligible to serve as vice president because her parents were immigrants. He has previously pushed the false conspiracy theory that former President Obama was not born in the United States, and he questioned Nikki Haleys eligibility to serve as president during the GOP primary. Trump was interviewed Wednesday by three journalists: ABCs Rachel Scott, Semafors Kadia Goba and Fox News host Harris Faulkner. Trumps appearance was delayed by more than an hour because of technical issues on site, and the interview itself was frequently tense. Trump opened his remarks be criticizing Scott for a rude introduction, a theme he repeatedly came about to over the events first 30 minutes. He was asked about his references to Black jobs, was pressed on his pledge to pardon those who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and was questioned about whether his running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), would be ready to serve as president on day one. I was invited here and I was told my opponent, whether it was Biden or Kamala, I was told my opponent was going to be here. It turned out my opponent isnt here. You invited me under false pretense, Trump said. Organizers said they are working with Harris to arrange an in-person or virtual appearance during their September gathering. Trumps appearance at the event sparked backlash from several Black journalists, who questioned why the organization would invite the former president given his attacks on the press and journalists of color in particular. Organizers have defended the decision to invite Trump, citing the value of interviewing a leading candidate for the White House. Scott opened the event by noting Trumps incendiary rhetoric about immigrants and people of color. She noted Trump has spread the birther conspiracy about former President Obama, he called for certain Democratic lawmakers to go back to countries they came from, and he met with a white supremacist at Mar-a-Lago in 2022. Trump was defiant following his appearance at the NABJ convention, which ended after roughly 35 minutes on stage. The questions were Rude and Nasty, often in the form of a statement, but we CRUSHED IT! he posted on Truth Social. His campaign, meanwhile, attacked what it called liberal mainstream media malpractice and accused the press of seeking to divide the country after some commentators asserted the appearance was a setback for Trump and his White House bid. Members of the media need to make a decision, and answer if their goal is to unite the Country or further divide us, because based on the unhinged and unprofessional commentary directed toward President Trump today by certain members of the media, many media elites clearly want to see us remain divided. This is unacceptable, Trump campaign senior adviser Lynne Patton said in a statement. This story was updated at 4:59 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. Trump Is More Than OK With Childless Cat Ladies Donald Trump revealed Wednesday that unlike his running mate, hes just fine with childless cat ladies. During his widely panned appearance before the National Association of Black Journalists convention, where he attacked his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris's race and ethnicity, Trump was asked about J.D. Vances now famous and much memed assertion. ABC News Rachel Scott quoted Vance as once saying Democrats were childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices they have made. Did Trump know about this before he put Vance on the Republican presidential ticket, and does he agree with his potential future vice president, Scott asked. Im just speaking for myself, the former president answered. I think Im speaking for him, too. He strongly believes in family. But I know people with great families. I know people with not great families, that dont have a family, and the people without the family are far better. Theyre superior in many cases, okay? Theres a lot to unpack here. Trump, a father of five children with three wives, said people who dont have familieswho don't have childrenare superior in many cases. Without stopping, he continued his defense of Vance. Hes not saying theyre not. What hes saying is that he thinks the family experience is a very important thing. Its a very good thing," Trump said. "But that doesnt mean that if you grow up and you grow old and you dont meet somebody that would be wonderful to meet, it wouldve been good, that thats a bad thing. Trumps comments expanded on remarks he made to Fox News Laura Ingraham this week, when he said Vance just feels family is good. On Wednesday, at the NABJ gathering in Chicago, Scott pressed Trump further on whether his campaign backed a proposal Vance once floated to allow parents to cast more ballots than voters without children. No, but its not something Ive ever heard before, he said, before pivoting to illegal aliens taking American jobs. When Semafors Kadia Goba called attention to Vances opinions about childless women like myself or divorced people like yourself and asked if Republicans were getting too judgy, Trump quickly tried to paint Democrats as the radical ones. I think the Republican Party is actually much lessI think Ive made them much less radical, perhaps, Trump said. Trump's comments belied an awareness of how the Ohio senator has come to be viewed by GOP election-watchers: as a liability. The former president suggested Vance wouldnt keep feline lovers or proud singles from supporting him in November. And he discounted Vance as a nothingburger. "Historically, the choice of a vice president makes no difference, he said. Youre voting for the president. You can have a vice president whos outstanding in every wayand I think JD is, I think that all of them would have beenbut youre not voting that way. Youre voting for the president. Youre voting for me. If you like me, Im gonna win. 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 Hill) Fred Trump III, former president Trumps nephew, said he plans to vote for Vice President Harris on Tuesday, going against his family. I believe in policy over politics, and without question, Kamala Harriss policies are what I get behind, he said in an interview on The View. So I will be voting for Kamala Harris. And if Im asked, I will campaign for her without hesitation, he added. Fred Trump and his sister, Mary, have been vocal critics of their uncle. In an ABC News interview earlier Tuesday, he called the former presidents way of doing things complex and sometimes cruel. And within every family, people know this, families are complicated. Every family has their crazy uncle, he said on Good Morning America. My uncle Donald is atomic crazy. And he has put his mark on the family history. Trump was promoting his new book, All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way, which features never-before-told stories about the Trump family and Fred Trumps complex relationship with the former president. During one of his trips to the Oval Office, Fred Trump claimed his uncle suggested those with disabilities should just die. He said a similar incident occurred on a phone call with Trump to tell him the medical fund set up by the family for his son, William, who had a disability, was running low. Without hesitation [Trump] said, Your son doesnt recognize you. Let him die and move to Florida, Fred Trump said. My response was, No, Donald. He does recognize me. Was I surprised? I dont think you could hear something like that and not be surprised, he added. But that is what he has become. Its sad. Trump communications director Steven Cheung denied Fred Trumps claims in a statement to The Hill. This is completely fabricated and total fake news of the highest order, he said. It is appalling a lie so blatantly disgusting can be printed in media. Anyone who knows President Trump knows he would never use such language, and false stories like this have been thoroughly debunked. This is nothing more than a cheap shot to sell copies of a book that belongs in the bargain bin of the fiction section, he added. Miranda Nazzaro 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 Queen City News. Former President Donald Trump suggested Vice President Kamala Harris had suddenly turned Black, during an interview Wednesday at a convention for the National Association of Black Journalists. Trump appeared onstage more than an hour late to take part in a conversation conducted by ABC Newss senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott, Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner, and Semafors political reporter Kadia Goba. Scott didnt hold back when it came to asking Trump about his partys attacks on Harris as a DEI candidate. Do you believe that Vice President Kamala Harris is only on the ticket because she is a Black woman? Scott asked. Well, I can say no, I think its maybe a little bit different, Trump said. Ive known her a long time indirectly, not directly very much, and she was always of Indian heritage. And she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian, or is she Black? Trump asked, noting that hed respect either one. She was Indian all the way, and then suddenly she made a turn and she became a Black person, he said. The audience let out a collective gasp and incredulous laughs. He went on to criticize Scott for her hostile, nasty tone, before turning his attention to fawn over Faulkner. Trump: I did not know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. Is she Indian or is she Black? pic.twitter.com/DIVy0mQL3I Acyn (@Acyn) July 31, 2024 As the interview proceeded, Trump was simultaneously fact-checked online in collaboration with Politifact. The slogan of the weekends convention was Winds of Change: Journalism Over Disinformation. Before the interview started, Trump posted on Truth Social, whining that he had to attend the event in Chicago, while Harris had opted to attend virtually. They told me and Crazy Kamala Harris that you could not do this Event with ZOOMIt is not allowed or acceptable! She declined, and I am getting ready to land in Chicago in order to be there. Now I am told that she is doing the Event on ZOOM, Trump wrote. WHATS GOING ON HERE? (Bloomberg) -- Republican nominee Donald Trump questioned Vice President Kamala Harris racial identity at a contentious roundtable with Black journalists, fumbling an attempt to reach out to voters of color. Most Read from Bloomberg Trump responded to a question about GOP attacks casting Harris as a DEI hire, referring to diversity, equity and inclusion, by raising her Indian ancestry. Harris is the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black, Trump said Wednesday at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago. Harris condemned Trumps comments later Wednesday as the same old show of divisiveness and disrespect. Let me just say: The American people deserve better. The American people deserve better than that, Harris said during a speech to a historically Black sorority convention in Houston. Harris is seeking to become the first Black woman and Asian American president in US history and her entry into the 2024 contest has seen a surge of enthusiasm for her candidacy among Black voters and young people groups with which Trump has sought to broaden his appeal. Trumps effort to court Black voters suffered a self-inflicted wound Wednesday as he clashed with the events moderators and used vitriolic language against Harris. Convention-goers responded poorly to Trumps attempt to question Harris race: She attended historically Black Howard University and is prominent alumna of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Black sorority. Trump at one point mispronounced Kamala, a move he has used to elicit jeers from crowds at his campaign rallies. His comments drew boos and gasps from the crowd, with at least one person shouting, have you no shame? Audience members also groaned when Trump said he was the best president for Black people since Abraham Lincoln. When Trump said millions and millions of people coming across the US-Mexico border happen to be taking Black jobs, people in the room shouted. Harris addressed Trumps comments later Wednesday in her remarks to a Black sorority convention in Houston. It was the same old show. The divisiveness and the disrespect, she said. And let me just say the American people deserve better. The American people deserve better than that. Harris entry into the race forced Trump to shift a campaign strategy that relied on attacking President Joe Bidens age. Attacks from him and allies on Harris have been tinged with racist and sexist tones. Trump acknowledged he had to revamp his messaging after the president exited the race. Our whole campaign was geared toward him and now we have to gear it to her, but ultimately its the same, Trump said. A July Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll released Tuesday showed Harris erased the lead Trump enjoyed in seven states likely to determine the election, leading the former president 48% to 47% a statistical tie. The survey also showed that across those states, Harris enjoyed the support of 75% of Black voters, compared to 19% for Trump. Many swing states have significant Black populations and Trumps performance could reverberate widely in communities that could decide the election. A combative Trump took the stage more than an hour after the event was slated to begin and criticized the moderators and the group for asking about past racist comments and a 2022 dinner with a White nationalist. Trump complained he received a very rude introduction and blamed audio equipment issues for the delay. I dont think Ive ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, first question, you dont even say hello, Trump said to ABC News Rachel Scott. I think its disgraceful that I came here in good spirit. I love the Black population of this country. Trump then said he had been invited under false pretense because the organization was in talks to host Harris virtually later this year, an opportunity he said was not extended to him. The roundtable was billed as an opportunity for the former president to discuss the most pressing issues facing the Black community. The NABJ, however, drew fierce criticism from many prominent Black journalists who questioned its decision to offer a platform for a candidate who has made incendiary comments about race. One of the conventions co-chairs stepped down and outside groups protested the appearance. Trump represents everything that I stand against. He is racist, he is authoritarian, said one of the protesters, Ryan Cason, 25, of Chicago. NABJ has historically extended invitations for presidential nominees to appear at its convention during election years, but this was the first time Trump accepted. Harris was also invited but unable to fit the request into her schedule, according to NABJ President Ken Lemon. The group said in a statement it is working with the Harris campaign to schedule a roundtable either in person or virtually, at some point in September. The former president also defended old comments from his running mate, Senator JD Vance, that disparaged women without children as childless cat ladies, saying it was meant in a friendly manner. But the Republican nominee also downplayed the significance of a vice presidential candidates effect on the election outcome. Virtually, never has it mattered, Trump said. If you like me, Im going to win. If you dont like me, Im not going to win. --With assistance from Jordan Fabian, Stephanie Lai, Josh Wingrove, Brett Pulley, Natasha Abellard and Katanga Johnson. (Adds Harris comments in fourth paragraph. An earlier version corrected a reference to the group in the headline) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Trump Refuses To Say If Sheriff's Deputy Who Killed Sonya Massey Should Have Immunity In a controversial sit-down interview with political journalists at the annual National Association of Black Journalists convention, former President Donald Trump did not seem familiar with the death of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who was shot by an Illinois sheriffs deputy earlier this month. Trump also refused to clearly answer if the officer in that case, Sean Grayson, should receive immunity from prosecution. Grayson has been charged with murder by local authorities. The event Wednesday, moderated by Rachel Scott, an ABC News senior congressional correspondent; Harris Faulkner, anchor of The Faulkner Focus and co-host of Outnumbered on Fox News; and Kadia Goba, a politics reporter at Semafor, started nearly an hour late. Goba asked Trump whether Grayson, the officer who shot and killed Massey, deserved qualified immunity. Trump said in a rally last week in Minnesota he would give officers federal immunity so they can do their jobs. Why should an officer like that have immunity, in your opinion? Goba asked. I dont know the exact case but I saw something. And it didnt look good to me, Trump said. You are talking with the water right? Trump asked, while seeming unsure if Grayson was charged. When Goba asked again, Trump avoided a clear answer about whether Grayson would receive immunity under his policy proposal, though Trump suggested he didnt approve of Graysons actions. Well he might not, it depends on what happens. I am talking about people much different than that. We need people to protect ourselves, Trump said. In this particular case, that did not look good to me, I did not like it. I did not like it at all. Trumps comments on Massey come about a week after body-camera footage was released showing the former Sangamon County sheriffs deputy shooting and killing her as she held a pot of water in her kitchen. President Joe Biden released a statement the day the footage was released by Illinois law enforcement. Sonya Massey, a beloved mother, friend, daughter, and young Black woman, should be alive today. Sonya called the police because she was concerned about a potential intruder, Biden said. When we call for help, all of us as Americans regardless of who we are or where we live should be able to do so without fearing for our lives. Sonyas death at the hands of a responding officer reminds us that all too often Black Americans face fears for their safety in ways many of the rest of us do not. Vice President Kamala Harris called the family days after footage was released. On July 6, Grayson and an unidentified deputy responded to Masseys home after she called 911 to report a suspected intruder. The footage shows that Massey picked up a pot of hot water from the stove at one point. I rebuke you in the name of Jesus, she said. Grayson raised his gun toward Massey, threatening to shoot her. She crouched down, seemingly in fear. Grayson fired three shots at her, striking her in the face. Grayson has been charged with first-degree murder in Masseys case. The decision to give Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, a platform at the convention in Chicago a major event attended by thousands of Black journalists was widely criticized, including by NABJ members and convention attendees. Karen Attiah, a Washington Post editor and columnist, said after Trumps Q&A was announced that she would leave her role as convention co-chair. I have decided to step down as co-chair from this years #NABJ24 convention in Chicago. To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck. For everyone else, Im looking forward to meeting and reconnecting with all of you in the Windy City, she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. While my decision was influenced by a variety of factors, I was not involved or consulted with in any way with the decision to platform Trump in such a format. The NABJ president said in a statement that the organization has always invited presidential candidates to the convention. I consulted with a group of our Founders and past NABJ Presidents Tuesday on-site in Chicago, and as a group, we affirmed that the invitation to former President Trump was in line with NABJs usual practices since 1976. It has always been our policy to ensure that candidates know that an invitation is not an endorsement. We also agreed that while this race is much different and contentious so are the consequences, read the statement from NABJ President Ken Lemon. While we acknowledge the concerns expressed by our members, we believe it is important for us to provide our members with the opportunity to hear directly from candidates and hold them accountable. Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee who would be the first Black woman to be president if she wins in November, will not address the convention. NABJ reportedly rejected Harris offer to appear at the event virtually. Lemon said in his statement that Harris team informed us she was unable to attend the Convention. The Communist Party of China (CPC) leadership held a meeting on Tuesday to analyze the current economic situation and set out priorities for the second half of this year. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting of the committee's Political Bureau. The country's economy has been generally stable and made progress since the start of this year, according to an official statement released after the meeting. The country has sustained the momentum of economic recovery and moved faster to foster new growth drivers and competitive edges, the statement said. China's GDP expanded 5 percent year on year in the first half of 2024. Currently, the country faces more adverse impacts from changes in external environment, and effective domestic demand remains insufficient. There are still various risks and potential dangers in major sectors, as well as challenges resulting from the replacement of traditional growth drivers with new ones, it said. However, it noted that those are all issues in the course of development and transformation. The meeting called for efforts to raise the awareness of risks, be prepared to deal with worst-case scenarios, and maintain strategic resolve and confidence in the country's development. Noting that tasks of reform and development and maintaining stability in the second half of the year are arduous, the meeting underscored the importance of pursuing progress while ensuring stability. It called for efforts to foster new quality productive forces in light of local conditions, strengthen macro regulation and tap the potential of domestic demand, among other endeavors. Steadfast efforts must be made to accomplish the goals for this year's economic and social development, the meeting said. China has set its annual GDP growth target for 2024 at around 5 percent. Reform should serve as the driving force in promoting steady growth, making structural adjustments and guarding against risks, the meeting noted. A number of reform measures that are ready, tangible and attainable should be adopted in a timely manner, it said. Work should be done to refine the systems underpinning the market economy, such as those related to property rights protection, market access, and enterprise bankruptcy and market exit, according to the meeting. Macroeconomic policies should be more effective, it said. Efforts should be made to strengthen counter-cyclical adjustments, accelerate the issuance and usage of special bonds, and promote large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-ins of bulk durable consumer goods. The country should make full use of multiple monetary policy tools, strengthen financial support for the real economy, and enhance the consistency of macro policy orientation. Domestic demand should be expanded with a focus on boosting consumption, and economic policies should center on improving people's livelihoods and promoting consumption, the meeting said, highlighting service consumption in the expansion and upgrading of consumption. The meeting called for strong and effective support for gazelle companies and unicorn firms. It urged industries to strengthen self-discipline to prevent rat race and irrational competition. The market mechanism of "survival of the fittest" should be strengthened and exit channels for backward or inefficient production capacities should remain unclogged. The meeting also urged work to expand China's institutional opening up, with a new round of trial measures rolled out to further open up the country's service industry. Trade in intermediate goods and green trade should also be expanded. To promote the stable and sound development of the country's property market, the meeting urged active support for the purchase of commodity housing inventory to be used as affordable housing. It also stressed accelerating the defusing of debt risks facing local financing platforms. The country should strive to boost investor confidence and the stability of the capital market. Work should also be done to see that rural people do not return to poverty in large numbers, and secure bumper grain harvest for the whole year, according to the meeting. The meeting emphasized greater efforts to ensure and improve people's well-being and implement the employment-first policy to help college graduates and other key groups find jobs. It urged all-out efforts to fight floods and improve disaster relief, and called for ensuring energy and power supplies to meet surging demand during the summer. Research and planning work for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) should be intensified, according to the meeting. Noting that pointless formalities and bureaucratism remain deep-seated problems, the meeting urged vigorous and resolute efforts to rectify such conduct. The meeting underscored the importance of strictly complying with the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving work conduct and the detailed rules for its implementation. Targeting "pointless formalities at the fingertips," the meeting also called for enhancing the regulation of mobile apps for government services. Visa (NYSE: V) stock has been down over the last few months due to concerns about weakening consumer spending. The company's recent earnings results missed analysts' revenue estimates, coming in $200 million below expectations. In addition, the company saw a further deceleration in U.S. consumer spending in July, leading many analysts to lower their price targets in response. The stock has fallen by 11% since March and faces some near-term headwinds, but investors could have a good opportunity to buy today. Here's why. All eyes are on the consumer In Visa's third quarter (ended June 30), the payment titan posted solid results, growing net revenue by 10% year over year and its GAAP earnings per share (EPS) by 20%. However, the company's $8.9 billion in revenue came in slightly below consensus estimates. Investors were also focused on the weakening of the marginal consumer. Visa's results showed that payment volume of 7% decelerated slightly from the same quarter last year when growth was around 9%. One contributing factor to this slower growth was U.S. consumer spending, which increased 4.5% in the third quarter, down from 5.6% growth in the previous quarter. U.S. consumer spending slowed further in July, with growth around 4%. Consumer spending trends have slowed, but there are mixed signals. On a larger scale, consumers continue spending, but the trends diverge depending on the consumer. Those on the higher end of the earning spectrum have been okay, while those on the lower end have struggled more. According to Chris Suh, Visa's chief financial officer, "growth in the high-spend consumer segment remained stable compared to prior quarters; we saw a slight moderation in the lower-spend consumer segment." Image source: Getty Images. According to a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, earners in the lower income quartile are more likely to have maxed out their cards, at 12.3% interest, while only 5.5% of those in the highest quartile have. Maxed-out borrowers will feel the pinch in spending more than others and are more likely to see their loan balances go delinquent. Investors will want to monitor these spending trends, which could indicate a potential recession if the deceleration continues. If consumer spending deteriorates, Visa, which earns a fee every time its card is swiped, could see its earnings take a hit. However, Visa management isn't too concerned about the trends. Suh noted that "a number of smaller factors such as weather, timing of promotional shopping events, and the technology outage" contributed to lower spending in July. Story continues One positive is that Visa doesn't hold the debt risk associated with its credit cards. The company helps facilitate spending through its card network, partnering with banks for its card products, but it doesn't take on any credit risk. Instead, the banks hold on to those loans, and a rise in delinquencies would hurt them more than Visa. This is also a big reason Visa commands a higher valuation than Capital One or American Express, which do hold credit card debt. Another possible overhang for Visa stock is its settlement deal with merchants related to a class action antitrust lawsuit that goes back to 2005. Visa and competitor Mastercard had agreed to settle the lawsuit with a $30 billion settlement. However, a federal judge rejected the settlement, which means the card companies will likely have to make more concessions to resolve the dispute. Is Visa a buy? The recent headwinds and stock sell-off have Visa priced at a more reasonable valuation compared to earlier in the year. Today, Visa stock trades at a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 15.2 and a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 27.8, both of which are slightly below its 10-year averages on these metrics. Based on next year's earnings estimate, Visa is priced at just 12.8 times sales and 23.4 times earnings. V PE Ratio Chart Visa could face near-term headwinds from slower U.S. consumer spending, which is something to keep an eye on. However, other results during the period were positive: Revenue and net income grew nicely, and cross-border volume was up 14%. Visa's global expansion efforts continue to pay off as it grows its partnerships and value-added services with several banks and fintech partners worldwide. The business continues to exhibit strong network effects. Its margins are excellent. Visa is well positioned, as the global card payment market is projected to grow 8.5% compounded annually through 2032. With its valuation coming down, now looks like a good time to buy some shares. 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See 3 Double Down stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2024 Courtney Carlsen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Visa Stock Is Down 11% Since March. Should Investors Buy the Dip? was originally published by The Motley Fool Donald Trump arrives to hold a rally at New Holland Arena in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on 31 July. This is the first Trump rally in Pennsylvania since the assassination attempt on the former president (EPA) Donald Trump was in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Wednesday for his first campaign rally in the swing state since he came within inches of being killed by a would-be assassins bullet earlier this month. As you know, this is my first rally since Butler, Trump told the indoor rally. Were going back to Butler, by the way. The former president spoke just hours after a confrontational interview with the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago. During the interview, Trump insulted his likely 2024 opponent, Kamala Harris, and falsely accused her of lying about her race stating that she recently became Black. Harris, who is biracial, is Black and Indian-American. At the evening rally, Trump remained largely tied to his prepared remarks and attacked Harris for supposedly wanting to destroy Pennsylvanias economy. Donald Trump arrives to hold a rally at New Holland Arena in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on 31 July. This is the first Trump rally in Pennsylvania since the assassination attempt on the former president (EPA) He lamented that he had spent so much time attacking Biden, quipping that he did not know who Harris was before she became the presumptive Democratic nominee with the withdrawal of the president from the race. Kamala, the former president remarked onstage, pronouncing the vice presidents name correctly after previously failing to do so. He them commented, mockingly: Beautiful. Before he took the rally stage on Wednesday, a projector flashed images of news articles noting that Harris was the first Indian-American senator from California, a fact that does not change her biracial identity. But Trump did not dive back into the topic of race following his outrageous remarks earlier in the day. On Wednesday afternoon in Chicago, Trump falsely claimed that Harriss Indian-American heritage meant that she was lying about being Black. His remarks were met with jeers from the audience. I didnt know she was Black, he told the journalists event. She happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? ... I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt, because she was Indian all the way and all of a sudden she made a turn and she became a Black person. Trump kisses campaign aide genius behind life-saving chart in first rally in Pennsylvania since shooting on July 31 (YouTube) Polls indicate that Harris is quickly making up ground against Trump, despite having only been in the race just over a week. In Pennsylvania, however, she continues to trail the ex-president by four per centage points, according to a Morning Consult poll released on Wednesday. In Harrisburg, Trump recalled the shooting in Butler on July 13 to the crowd. His event in Harrisburg was held indoors, following a recommendation from the Secret Service that he hold such rallies at indoor venues. But he pledged onstage to continue holding outdoor events in the future. Trump was wounded in the ear during the attack before he raised a fist to the crowd and yelled, fight! and was led off the stage by Secret Service agents. Gunman Matthew Crooks was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper. One rallygoer, retired fire chief Corey Comperatore, was killed, two others were wounded. Corey is a hero to all of us, Trump said on Wednesday, provoking a chant of Corey! from the crowd. He asked for a moment of silence, remarking afterwards: That is the most quiet I have ever heard an arena. In a bizarre moment, Trump invited the campaign aide who created a chart for his Butler rally to the stage. The chart, which illustrated rates of illegal immigration in the US, has been credited by Trump as having saved his life after he turned his head to look at it miliseconds before the bullet whizzed past his head. The young woman joined Trump momentarily onstage, where he kissed the side of her head. I love that chart. Im gonna sleep with that chart for the rest of my life, he said. Secret Service agents were in charge of the former presidents security on Wednesday as the agency faces bipartisan condemnation for the assassination attempt. The director of the agency resigned after a heated congressional hearing last week, and her acting successor has said that he is ashamed of the security lapses which led to a roof of a building being unsecured, allowing suspect Crooks to scale the building and fire several shots with a rifle. On Wednesday, a spokesman for the city of Harrisburg told a news station that Secret Service agents were overseeing everything at Wednesdays rally, adding: after that, it becomes a Pennsylvania State Police detail and because the farm show is a state-owned building, [Pennsylvania] Capitol Police are involved as well. Trump says he would absolutely step down if his health deteriorated in office The News Donald Trump said he would absolutely step down as president if he felt his mental and physical health were slipping in office, but stressed that he was still in excellent shape. Oh absolutely, Trump said when asked about the idea. If I thought that I was failing in some way I want people to be sure, Ill go a step further, I want anybody running for president to take an aptitude test, to take a cognitive test, I think its a great idea. And I took two of them, and I aced them. The comments came at the National Association of Black Journalists conference on Wednesday, where Trump participated in a panel interview. Semafors Kadia Goba, one of the moderators, noted that Trump, now running against the 59-year-old Kamala Harris, would be 82 in the final year of a second term, older than President Biden. But not mentally hes shot, Trump said. Trump reiterated that his health was strong, and added I think I would know if he was declining in office to the point he had to resign. I know many people in their 80s and 90s that are in great shape, he said. Some of our greatest leaders, you look at throughout the world, world history, some of the greatest leaders in the world were in their 80s. He also suggested creating a legal requirement that presidential candidates take cognitive tests. People say its not constitutional, he said. I would like to have something passed where you could do it. He also challenged Vice President Kamala Harris to take a cognitive test with him as well. You know what, she failed her law exam, she didnt pass her law exam, so maybe she wouldnt pass the cognitive test, he said. (Harris passed the California bar exam on her second try in 1990.) Notable During the same interview , Trump also falsely said Harris turned Black after previously promoting Indian heritage. In response to a question from Semafors Kadia Goba , Trump weighed in on the police shooting of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman killed in her home, and seemed to temper his past comments on immunity for police. During the NABJ interview, Trump said his VP pick, JD Vance, has no impact on his chances of winning the election. The News Asked whether Vice President Kamala Harris became the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee because she is a Black woman, Donald Trump said Harris happened to turn Black after she was always of Indian heritage. Harris is Black and South Asian. Trump made the remarks at a meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago during an interview with Semafors Kadia Goba, ABC News Rachel Scott, and Fox News Harris Faulkner. The former president offered no evidence for his false implication that Harris was hiding something about her ethnic background. She is a graduate of Howard University, the most famous of the nations historically Black colleges and universities. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black, he said. So I dont know, is she Indian, or is she Black? He added that: I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden, she made a turn, she went she became Black. Somebody should look into that. At a news briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre described the former presidents remarks as repulsive. Its insulting, Jean-Pierre said. She is the vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris. We have to put some respect on her name. The View From The Harris campaign In a statement released after the interview, the Harris for President communications director Michael Tyler said Trumps hostile demeanor on stage is is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office, and throughout his campaign for president. Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in, Tyler said. Todays tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trumps MAGA rallies this entire campaign. Its also exactly what the American people will see from across the debate stage as Vice President Harris offers a vision of opportunity and freedom for all Americans. All Donald Trump needs to do is stop playing games and actually show up to the debate on September 10. Notable In response to a question from Semafors Kadia Goba , Trump weighed in on the police shooting of unarmed Black woman Sonya Massey and seemed to temper his past comments on immunity for police. During the same interview, Trump said his VP pick, JD Vance, has no impact on his chances of winning the election. The News Asked whether JD Vance is ready on day one if something bad were to happen to him, former President Donald Trump minimized the vice presidential candidates role in the campaign. Historically, the vice president in terms of the election does not have any impact, Trump said. I mean, virtually no impact. You have two or three days where theres a lot of commotion and then that dies down and its all about the presidential pick. He said Vance is outstanding in every way, but youre voting for the president. Youre voting for me. Trump made the remarks at a meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago during an interview with Semafors Kadia Goba, ABC News Rachel Scott, and Fox News Harris Faulkner. Vance, who has been unpopular in some early polls, faces scrutiny over a series of resurfaced interviews in which he decried childless cat ladies in the Democratic party and suggested the tax code should punish people who do not have children. He later said he was voicing support for child tax credits, a tax policy that President Joe Biden sought to expand in office. Asked if he knew Vances views on childless people before selecting him as his running mate, Trump said his interpretation is that Vance is strongly family-oriented, but that doesnt mean if you dont have a family theres something wrong with that. Semafors Goba noted to Trump that [Vance] has a lot of opinions about childless women, like myself, or divorced people, like yourself, and asked him to respond to critics who worry the Republican Party is getting a little bit too judgy about peoples lives on social issues, including abortion. Trump said the Democratic Party is really the one that has the problem. I think theyre radical on abortion, he said. Theyre allowing abortion in the ninth month, theyre allowing the death of a baby after the baby is born. The three journalists on stage pointed out that the practice he described after birth is illegal in every state. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) WASHINGTON When acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. visited the site of the campaign rally where a gunman attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, he went up to the roof, lying flat on his stomach, to evaluate the shooters line of sight that mid-July day. What I saw made me ashamed, Rowe told U.S. senators Tuesday. As a career law enforcement officer and a 25-year-veteran with the Secret Service, I cannot defend why that roof was not better secured. Rowe recounted his trip to Butler, Pennsylvania, which he said took place after being named acting director July 23, at a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees examining the security failures that led to the assassination attempt. Deputy FBI Director Paul Abbate also testified. It was the first Senate hearing on the attempted assassination since a shooter killed one rallygoer, injured two others and shot Trumps ear using an AR-15-style rifle during a campaign event in Butler on July 13. The 20-year-old gunman was killed at the scene. Let me be clear: This was an attack on our democracy, said Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Americans should be able to attend a political rally and express their political beliefs without fear of violence, and political candidates for our nations highest office should be confident that their safety will never be compromised for their service, the Michigan Democrat added. Acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. testifies before a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees on July 30, 2024. Senators grilled Rowe and Deputy FBI Director Paul Abbate about the events leading to the July 13 attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Peters launched a bipartisan investigation into the security failures leading to the assassination attempt alongside ranking Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky. Its one of several congressional inquiries examining the failures of law enforcement that day. Rowe stepped into his post after Kimberly Cheatle resigned as director last week. The day before her resignation, Cheatle testified in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, where lawmakers on both sides of the aisle berated her over the agencys failures to prevent the attempted assassination of Trump. Facing heavy criticism, many lawmakers called on Cheatle to resign. House Oversight Chairman James Comer of Kentucky and ranking member Jamie Raskin of Maryland also urged her to step down in a joint letter shortly after that hearing. Rowe said the attempted assassination was a failure to imagine that we actually do live in a very dangerous world where people do actually want to do harm to our protectees. I think it was a failure to challenge our own assumptions the assumptions that we know our partners are going to do everything they can, and they do this every day, he added. More details on the shooter Senators sought to uncover what went wrong, what policies are in place to facilitate real-time information sharing between the Secret Service and local law enforcement during an event and whether the Secret Service is developing a security plan for the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago that takes into account what they learned from the July shooting. Neither the Secret Service counter sniper teams nor members of Trumps security detail had any knowledge that there was a man on the roof of the building with a firearm, according to Rowe. Rowe said prior to that, they were operating with the knowledge that local law enforcement was working an issue of a suspicious individual prior to the shots being fired. Abbate noted that despite not having any definitive evidence as to how the gunman got the weapon onto the roof, they believe based on what they have gathered thus far that he likely had the rifle in a backpack. Social media account associated with shooter Meanwhile, Abbate said the FBI uncovered a social media account believed to be associated with the shooter, though they are still working to verify that the account belonged to him. More than 700 comments were posted from the social media account in about the 2019, 2020 timeframe, when the shooter would have been in his mid-teens, and some of the comments appear to reflect antisemitic and anti-immigration themes to espouse political violence and are described as extreme in nature, Abbate said. Abbate said though nothing has been ruled out, the FBIs investigation has not identified any motive, co-conspirators or people with advanced knowledge. The FBI has so far held more than 460 interviews, received over 2,000 tips from the public, executed search warrants and seized electronic media. Congressional efforts Tuesdays hearing came the day after U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced 13 lawmakers comprising a bipartisan task force to investigate the attempted assassination. The resolution creating the panel requires a final report by mid-December. Rep. Mike Kelly, a Pennsylvania Republican whose district includes Butler, will chair the task force. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada introduced bipartisan legislation last week that would require Senate confirmation of Secret Service directors and limit them to one term of 10 years. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE Acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. testifies before a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees on Tuesday. Senators grilled Rowe and Deputy FBI Director Paul Abbate about the events leading to the July 13 attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.) WASHINGTON When acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. visited the site of the campaign rally where a gunman attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, he went up to the roof, lying flat on his stomach, to evaluate the shooters line of sight that mid-July day. What I saw made me ashamed, Rowe told U.S. senators Tuesday. As a career law enforcement officer and a 25-year-veteran with the Secret Service, I cannot defend why that roof was not better secured. Rowe recounted his trip to Butler, Pennsylvania, which he said took place after being named acting director July 23, at a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees examining the security failures that led to the assassination attempt. Deputy FBI Director Paul Abbate also testified. It was the first Senate hearing on the attempted assassination since a shooter killed one rallygoer, injured two others and shot Trumps ear using an AR-15-style rifle during a campaign event in Butler on July 13. The 20-year-old gunman was killed at the scene. Let me be clear: This was an attack on our democracy, said Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Americans should be able to attend a political rally and express their political beliefs without fear of violence, and political candidates for our nations highest office should be confident that their safety will never be compromised for their service, the Michigan Democrat added. Peters launched a bipartisan investigation into the security failures leading to the assassination attempt alongside ranking Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky. Its one of several congressional inquiries examining the failures of law enforcement that day. Rowe stepped into his post after Kimberly Cheatle resigned as director last week. The day before her resignation, Cheatle testified in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, where lawmakers on both sides of the aisle berated her over the agencys failures to prevent the attempted assassination of Trump. Facing heavy criticism, many lawmakers called on Cheatle to resign. House Oversight Chairman James Comer of Kentucky and ranking member Jamie Raskin of Maryland also urged her to step down in a joint letter shortly after that hearing. Rowe said the attempted assassination was a failure to imagine that we actually do live in a very dangerous world where people do actually want to do harm to our protectees. I think it was a failure to challenge our own assumptions the assumptions that we know our partners are going to do everything they can, and they do this every day, he added. More details on the shooter Senators sought to uncover what went wrong, what policies are in place to facilitate real-time information sharing between the Secret Service and local law enforcement during an event and whether the Secret Service is developing a security plan for the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago that takes into account what they learned from the July shooting. Neither the Secret Service counter sniper teams nor members of Trumps security detail had any knowledge that there was a man on the roof of the building with a firearm, according to Rowe. Rowe said prior to that, they were operating with the knowledge that local law enforcement was working an issue of a suspicious individual prior to the shots being fired. Abbate noted that despite not having any definitive evidence as to how the gunman got the weapon onto the roof, they believe based on what they have gathered thus far that he likely had the rifle in a backpack. Social media account associated with shooter Meanwhile, Abbate said the FBI uncovered a social media account believed to be associated with the shooter, though they are still working to verify that the account belonged to him. More than 700 comments were posted from the social media account in about the 2019, 2020 timeframe, when the shooter would have been in his mid-teens, and some of the comments appear to reflect antisemitic and anti-immigration themes to espouse political violence and are described as extreme in nature, Abbate said. Abbate said though nothing has been ruled out, the FBIs investigation has not identified any motive, co-conspirators or people with advanced knowledge. The FBI has so far held more than 460 interviews, received over 2,000 tips from the public, executed search warrants and seized electronic media. Congressional efforts Tuesdays hearing came the day after U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced 13 lawmakers comprising a bipartisan task force to investigate the attempted assassination. The resolution creating the panel requires a final report by mid-December. Rep. Mike Kelly, a Pennsylvania Republican whose district includes Butler, will chair the task force. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada introduced bipartisan legislation last week that would require Senate confirmation of Secret Service directors and limit them to one term of 10 years. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE Acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. testifies before a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees on July 30, 2024. Senators grilled Rowe and Deputy FBI Director Paul Abbate about the events leading to the July 13 attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump. (Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images) WASHINGTON When acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. visited the site of the campaign rally where a gunman attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, he went up to the roof, lying flat on his stomach, to evaluate the shooters line of sight that mid-July day. What I saw made me ashamed, Rowe told U.S. senators Tuesday. As a career law enforcement officer and a 25-year-veteran with the Secret Service, I cannot defend why that roof was not better secured. Rowe recounted his trip to Butler, Pennsylvania, which he said took place after being named acting director July 23, at a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees examining the security failures that led to the assassination attempt. Deputy FBI Director Paul Abbate also testified. It was the first Senate hearing on the attempted assassination since a shooter killed one rallygoer, injured two others and shot Trumps ear using an AR-15-style rifle during a campaign event in Butler on July 13. The 20-year-old gunman was killed at the scene. Let me be clear: This was an attack on our democracy, said Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Americans should be able to attend a political rally and express their political beliefs without fear of violence, and political candidates for our nations highest office should be confident that their safety will never be compromised for their service, the Michigan Democrat added. Peters launched a bipartisan investigation into the security failures leading to the assassination attempt alongside ranking Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky. Its one of several congressional inquiries examining the failures of law enforcement that day. Rowe stepped into his post after Kimberly Cheatle resigned as director last week. The day before her resignation, Cheatle testified in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, where lawmakers on both sides of the aisle berated her over the agencys failures to prevent the attempted assassination of Trump. Facing heavy criticism, many lawmakers called on Cheatle to resign. House Oversight Chairman James Comer of Kentucky and ranking member Jamie Raskin of Maryland also urged her to step down in a joint letter shortly after that hearing. Rowe said the attempted assassination was a failure to imagine that we actually do live in a very dangerous world where people do actually want to do harm to our protectees. I think it was a failure to challenge our own assumptions the assumptions that we know our partners are going to do everything they can, and they do this every day, he added. More details on the shooter Senators sought to uncover what went wrong, what policies are in place to facilitate real-time information sharing between the Secret Service and local law enforcement during an event and whether the Secret Service is developing a security plan for the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago that takes into account what they learned from the July shooting. Neither the Secret Service counter sniper teams nor members of Trumps security detail had any knowledge that there was a man on the roof of the building with a firearm, according to Rowe. Rowe said prior to that, they were operating with the knowledge that local law enforcement was working an issue of a suspicious individual prior to the shots being fired. Abbate noted that despite not having any definitive evidence as to how the gunman got the weapon onto the roof, they believe based on what they have gathered thus far that he likely had the rifle in a backpack. Social media account associated with shooter Meanwhile, Abbate said the FBI uncovered a social media account believed to be associated with the shooter, though they are still working to verify that the account belonged to him. More than 700 comments were posted from the social media account in about the 2019, 2020 timeframe, when the shooter would have been in his mid-teens, and some of the comments appear to reflect antisemitic and anti-immigration themes to espouse political violence and are described as extreme in nature, Abbate said. Abbate said though nothing has been ruled out, the FBIs investigation has not identified any motive, co-conspirators or people with advanced knowledge. The FBI has so far held more than 460 interviews, received over 2,000 tips from the public, executed search warrants and seized electronic media. Congressional efforts Tuesdays hearing came the day after U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced 13 lawmakers comprising a bipartisan task force to investigate the attempted assassination. The resolution creating the panel requires a final report by mid-December. Rep. Mike Kelly, a Pennsylvania Republican whose district includes Butler, will chair the task force. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada introduced bipartisan legislation last week that would require Senate confirmation of Secret Service directors and limit them to one term of 10 years. By Bianca Flowers, Trevor Hunnicutt, Nathan Layne and Nandita Bose CHICAGO/HOUSTON/HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (Reuters) -U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump falsely suggested to the country's largest annual gathering of Black journalists on Wednesday that his Democratic rival Kamala Harris had previously downplayed her Black heritage. "She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn't know she was Black, until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black," Trump said, drawing a smattering of jeers from an audience of about 1,000 people. "So I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black? Trump continued. "But you know what, I respect either one, but she obviously doesn't, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn, and she went - she became a Black person." Harris, who is of Indian and Jamaican heritage, has long self-identified as both Black and Asian. She is the first Black person and Asian American person to serve as vice president. Hours after Trump's comments, Harris told members of the historically Black sorority Sigma Gamma Rho gathered in Houston that his remarks were "yet another reminder" of what the four years under the former president looked like. "It was the same old show of divisiveness and disrespect," Harris said. "The American people deserve better." Since launching her White House campaign earlier this month, Harris has faced a barrage of sexist and racist attacks online, with some far-right accounts questioning her racial identity. Republican Party leaders have urged lawmakers to refrain from personal attacks and focus on her policy positions. Trump himself has used personal insults against Harris and said he was going to ignore advice that he tone down his rhetoric. "I'm not gonna be nice!" he told supporters at one campaign rally. 'BLACK JOBS' The interview at the National Association of Black Journalists' convention in Chicago started on a tense note, when ABC News reporter Rachel Scott - one of three Black women moderators - listed a series of racist comments Trump had made and asked why Black voters should support him. In response, Trump called the question "horrible," "hostile" and a "disgrace" and described ABC as a "fake" network. "I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln," he boasted, drawing groans from the audience. Trump repeated a line from the presidential debate in June, claiming that migrants crossing the U.S. southern border would take away "Black jobs," a term that drew criticism from some Black leaders. "What exactly is a 'Black job,' sir?" Scott asked him. "A Black job is anybody with a job," Trump replied. Trump also declined to say whether Harris was a "DEI hire," as some fellow Republicans have claimed, saying, "I don't know." DEI stands for "diversity, equity and inclusion" initiatives aimed at increasing representation of women and people of color in the workforce to address longstanding inequities and discrimination. The term "DEI hire" is used to suggest a person is not qualified and was chosen on the basis of race or gender. When asked about his position on granting police officers immunity following the death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who was killed in her own home by a sheriff's deputy in Illinois, Trump acknowledged he didn't know much about the case - drawing some gasps from the crowd - before adding that "it didn't look good to me." The interview began more than an hour late, which the Trump campaign said was due to problems with the event's audio equipment. Both Trump and the moderators were sometimes unable to hear each other during the interview. The session, originally scheduled for an hour, ended abruptly after about 35 minutes when the campaign said he was out of time, according to the moderators. At a rally in Pennsylvania later on Wednesday, Trump did not mention his comments about Harris' racial identity, but the arena's screens showed old news articles highlighting her Indian-American background, and not her Black heritage, before he took the stage. Trump blamed Harris for a surge in immigration during the Biden administration and claimed she would ban fracking, playing a video that showed her endorsing such a ban during her failed presidential bid in 2019. Her campaign recently said she would not ban fracking if she wins the White House. COURTING BLACK VOTERS Whit Ayres, a Republican strategist, said Trump's questioning of Harris' racial background was "not a wise move." "There are plenty of policy issues he can go after her on without going after her identity," he said. In the 2020 census, 33.8 million Americans self-identified as multiracial, up from nine million in 2010. The invitation to Trump to attend the event triggered a backlash among some members of the NABJ and prompted a co-chair of the convention to step down in protest this week. During the interview, some of Trump's false statements were met with murmurs and laughter from the crowd. At one point, someone yelled out, "Sir, have you no shame?" before others shushed him. Trump's appearance was part of a broader effort to court Black voters, including campaign events in cities with large Black populations such as Atlanta, where he will rally on Saturday. His campaign was encouraged by polls showing weakened support among Black men for President Joe Biden, his former opponent. Black voters are traditionally the most loyal Democratic voting bloc and supported Biden 92%-8% over Trump in 2020, according to Pew Research. But Biden's decision to step down in favor of Harris has shaken up the race, with public opinion polls showing newfound enthusiasm for her candidacy among voters of color and younger voters. A national Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday showed Harris leading Trump 43%-42%, within the poll's margin of error. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Bianca Flowers, Nandita Bose and Nathan Layne; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh, Andrea Shalal, Jarrett Renshaw, Tyler Clifford, Tim Reid and Jim Oliphant; Writing by Joseph Ax; Editing by Ross Colvin, Kat Stafford, Deepa Babington, Daniel Wallis and Michael Perry) Image source: Getty Images Starting a business doesn't have to be expensive, complicated, or high-tech. There are great online marketing platforms, bookkeeping software, and other tools to manage a business. But some of the best ways to get inspiration for your business (and find new clients, partners, and investors) can happen in real life. Before (or after) you start a business, here are a few real-life places, spaces, and gatherings where new entrepreneurs should start hanging out. 1. Chamber of Commerce events Your local Chamber of Commerce might be the best place to start looking for real-life contacts, inspiration, information, and live events for new entrepreneurs. Many local Chambers host lunch-and-learns, guest speakers, and other helpful resources for small businesses in your community. 2. SCORE business mentoring and events SCORE is a small business education organization that provides free mentoring, business training, and other resources to help people like you start a business and grow your business. Go to SCORE.org and enter your ZIP code to find local events, mentoring from business experts, and other help to start your business -- online or at real-life locations near you. 3. Coworking spaces Coworking studios can be an ideal place to save money on office space while getting free coffee, but they're so much more: the best coworking spaces also offer a community of entrepreneurs. Look for coworking spaces near you. Many offer networking events, investor pitch days, lunch and learns, and other great ways to connect with open-minded, innovative thinkers in your local business community. 4. Industry association events No matter what industry your business is in, chances are there are associations representing your industry at the national and state level. Industry associations can be a great way for you to quickly learn the who's who of your business vertical and find ideas for potential clients. You can also pick up marketing strategies and find industry conferences that are worth attending. 5. Networking events Availability will vary based on where you live and the size of your city, but you can try local meetups, entrepreneur events, cultural festivals, nonprofit fundraisers, and any other community events where people gather in real life. Sponsor a table and talk about your business. Go meet with people in person, introduce yourself to 20 new contacts, and hand out some business cards. For example, if you want to start a pet care business, go to a local dog park and hand out marketing swag. Want to start a food truck? Go to the local farmer's market and see what kinds of food is being offered by other mobile food businesses in your city. Starting a graphic design firm? Go to a fundraising dinner for your favorite nonprofit and offer to do some work for free to build your portfolio -- and introduce yourself to the nonprofit's board members, who might hire you to do for-profit projects for their companies. Story continues Bottom line Going to networking events in real life can be a great way to promote your business, and it won't hurt your bank account balance. By meeting more people in real life, you can quickly get feedback about your business ideas, and get comfortable giving your business's "elevator pitch." Talking with other entrepreneurs and people in your local business community or industry will help you generate ideas, make connections, and even find people who will hire you or invest in your business. Business people are always looking for new ideas, and the best local start-up scenes will support each other and help the community grow. Alert: highest cash back card we've seen now has 0% intro APR until 2025 This credit card is not just good it's so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Want to Start a Business? Here's How to Get Inspired and Make Contacts for Nearly $0 was originally published by The Motley Fool Former President Donald Trump reinserted himself into the spotlight seized by his new Democratic rival, and in familiar fashion Wednesday, engaging in a string of inflammatory comments this time questioning Vice President Kamala Harris' racial identity. Trump falsely asserted during an event with Black journalists that Harris was "Indian all the way" and suddenly "became a Black person." He also gave credence to those suggesting Harris doesn't deserve to be vice president by saying she "could be" in the job because of a push for diversity, equity and inclusion. And he lambasted one of the events' Black moderators as "very rude," turning the event into a spectacle that could refocus attention on his own 2024 White House campaign. President Joe Bidens withdrawal from the presidential race and the partys quick coalescing around Harris, the first Indian American and Black vice president, has reenergized Democrats. Harris is riding a wave of media attention and campaign momentum, including huge fundraising totals and a rally in Atlanta on Tuesday night that drew a much larger crowd than typical Biden events. The shakeup on the Democratic side has disoriented Trumps campaign and pushed the former president into the background after months of dominating headlines. Wednesday's Trump appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago is the type of event that was sure to attract attention. It began creating waves before Trump ever spoke, after some NABJ members complained about giving the former president a platform and one stepped down as co-chair of the event. Trump has long been accused of racism, from his reaction to a white supremacist rally in Virginia in 2017 to his descriptions of undocumented immigrants. This week his nephew released a book detailing an episode where Trump allegedly used a racial slur. Yet polls show him making gains with Black male voters and the NABJ event offered him an opportunity to again reach out to that community and try to solidify his support, even as he now faces a Black opponent who would be the first Black woman president if elected in November. In delving into racial issues with a group that is highly attuned to such concerns and would press him aggressively, Trump created the kind of media moment - rife with conflict and controversy - that he thrives on. Here are four takeaways from the event. 'Chaos is his friend' Trump has long been willing to wade into fraught political territory with inflammatory statements, many of them touching on racial issues. His comments about Harris are just the latest example. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So, I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? Trump said Wednesday. Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks on a panel of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. July 31, 2024. REUTERS/Vincent Alban Harris went to a historically Black college, joined a Black sorority and was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Questioning Harris' racial identity is sure to provoke outrage, something Trump thrives on. He came to prominence in politics thanks to another racially-charged crusade: Promoting the false "birtherism" theory that former President Barak Obama wasn't born in the United States. "Chaos is his friend, chaos is a partner that he uses and he knows how to use really well to get himself elected," University of Illinois-Chicago political science and communication professor Zizi Papacharissi said in an interview before Wednesday's event, adding: "Chaos and noise is an election strategy for him. Above all hes trying to create noise and distraction." A man holds a sign as demonstrators protest against the participation of Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald in the National Association of Black Journalists convention, outside the venue in Chicago on July 31, 2024. Trump picks a fight Trump has dominated the news cycle for much of the election, with daily coverage of his criminal trial and a flurry of attention after his assassination attempt. That culminated in a convention that was widely viewed as a messaging success, as Trump appeared with his bandaged ear and was showered with adulation. But the former president hasn't been the focus of campaign coverage since Biden stepped aside and Harris emerged as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, with her own vice presidential pick expected within days. He has tried to find ways to break through, repeatedly attacking Harris to no avail. Trump has long proven he's willing to go a step further than other politicians, and his latest comments are part of a pattern of ratcheting up the controversy quotient. "His type of messaging thrives on being center stage, even at the expense of some controversy, a level of controversy that might be damaging for other politicians," Northwestern University communications professor Pablo Boczkowski said in an interview Tuesday. Picking a fight is a favorite Trump pastime. His appetite for conflict was evident from the beginning of Wednesday's event, when he excoriated a journalist for her first question noting his history of racially-charged language and asking why Black voters should trust him. "I don't think I've ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, the first question," Trump responded, adding "I think it's a very rude introduction." Trump criticized the reporter again later, saying she treated him "very rudely." Trump's effort to change the conversation comes as the limited amount of attention his campaign is receiving lately hasn't been flattering. His running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, has been in the news over comments he made about childless people. On the defensive over Vance's "childless cat ladies" comments Vance said in a 2021 interview that the country was being run by "a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too." "It's just a basic fact you look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children, Vance added. And how does it make any sense that we've turned our country over to people who don't really have a direct stake in it?" Those comments have resurfaced since Vance was selected as Trump's running mate. Concerns about alienating childless Americans have the GOP campaign on the defensive. Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a rally with his vice presidential running mate U.S. Senator JD Vance in St. Cloud, Minnesota, U.S., July 27, 2024. Trump was quick to say Wednesday that there is nothing wrong with being childless. "He strongly believes in family but I know people with great families, I know people with not great families that don't have a family and the people without the family are far better, they're superior in many cases," Trump said. Trump added that My interpretation is hes strongly family oriented but that doesnt mean if you dont have a family theres something wrong with that. Cleaning up his running mate's comments is not where Trump hoped to be after selecting Vance, who is starting the campaign with low favorability numbers. Trump even downplayed the idea Wednesday that it matters who the vice presidential nominee is, saying people are voting for him, not Vance. "Historically, the vice president in terms of the election does not have any impact, I mean virtually no impact," Trump said, adding that the individual can be "outstanding" and he believes Vance fits that description but "you're voting for the president, you're voting for me." Wobbling on police immunity In addition to defending Vance, Trump also found himself defending his history of aggressively supporting the police in the wake of another police shooting of an unarmed Black individual. Trump has called for giving police officers immunity from prosecution. An Illinois officer has been arrested and charged with murder after killing Sonya Massey in her Springfield home after she called for help. "It didn't look good to me," Trump said of the Massey shooting, noting the officer is being charged. Pressed on whether the officer should receive immunity, Trump said "you might not, I mean it depends... I'm talking about people that are much different cases than that." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump NABJ interview: Takeaways from Black journalists' conference (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trumps presidential campaign is suddenly playing catch-up, racing to find ways to blunt the wave of momentum behind Kamala Harris since the vice president jumped into the race. Most Read from Bloomberg Just two weeks ago, the Trump team was so ebullient that some officials were warning against overconfidence. The former president had survived an assassination attempt, locked up the nomination and was gaining in the polls. His campaign was targeting states, including Minnesota and Virginia, it once thought out of reach. But President Joe Bidens abrupt exit upended the contest and Harris who Republicans had long dismissed as a weak candidate has galvanized Democratic voters and donors, muting the jubilation in the Trump camp. So far, the Trump campaign has yet to settle on effective messages to attack Harris, a Black and Asian-American woman who at 59 is nearly two decades younger than her Republican rival. Some early efforts from Republicans drew consternation even from Trump allies as overly sexist and racist. Trump and his vice presidential nominee, Ohio Senator JD Vance, are stepping up appearances and the campaign is mounting a major advertising blitz in key battleground states to get its message out. Vance, meanwhile, has faced scrutiny for his past criticism of childless women, exacerbating an existing polling deficit the campaign has with female voters. Theyre going to overplay their hand, said GOP strategist and former Republican National Committee spokesperson Lisa Camooso Miller, comparing the predicament to peaking in high school. How can two white dudes who are wrong on womens issues go after a Black female candidate and do it right? Polling Shift The Harris campaign is now mounting its own advertising surge across many of the same states Trump is targeting. Among those is Arizona, which the Biden campaign had all but written off but Democrats now see as in play. A record $200 million fundraising haul has erased Trumps financial lead in just a week. Polls show Harris has made up the deficit to Trump nationally that Biden had suffered as pressure grew on him earlier this month to pull out of the race after a disastrous debate performance in June. Harris is in a statistical tie with Trump in the seven swing states that will likely decide the election, as the vice president rides a wave of enthusiasm among young, female and Black voters, according to the latest Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll. Harris was backed by 48% of voters to 47% for Trump, within the polls margin of error. The Trump campaign and its allies argue that the enthusiasm behind Harris will fade as their attacks on her record begin to register with voters. Democrats got their shotgun wedding, but well be cutting the honeymoon short, said Taylor Budowich, who leads Trumps main Super PAC Make America Great Again Inc. In a string of rallies and other appearances in recent days, Trump has stepped up attacks on Harris, painting her as a radical left lunatic and incompetent. The new television campaigns lambast her as Bidens border czar, seeking to tie her to the administrations immigration policy, widely unpopular among voters. The message is all over the place right now and there isnt a clear signal from the Trump side about what they prefer, Terry Haines, founder of Pangea Policy, told Bloomberg Surveillance Tuesday. By comparison, the Harris folks have been very disciplined. Trump, on Tuesday, continued the attacks, claiming in a radio interview that Harris who is married to Jewish man, doesnt like Jewish people. Campaign Blitz Stepping up his campaign schedule as the pressure mounts, Trump has also added events with audiences beyond the friendly crowds hes tended to favor. Hes scheduled to participate in a discussion with journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists Conference on Wednesday. Even on relatively friendly media outlets, Trump has faced questions about his choice of Vance, a populist firebrand whose history of controversial comments about women has provided rich fodder for Democratic attacks. Asked on Fox News last week if he still supported Vance even after Harris entered the race, Trump said yeah, hes fantastic. Still, Trump and Vance largely have taken separate paths on the campaign trail. Even when theyve appeared at the same events, Vance has been given lesser roles separate from Trump, raising eyebrows among Republicans. Trumps run is unprecedented as he faces a slew of ongoing legal woes. He was found guilty on 34 felony counts earlier this year, and faces other pending indictments, though most action in those cases has been delayed past the November election. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Donald Trumps combative and sometime incoherent tirade Wednesday at National Associate of Black Journalists convention has been condemned by Kamala Harris campaign and defended by the GOP nominees running mate J.D. Vance. Among various assertions, false claims and more, Trump today in Chicago threw shade on whether the Vice President is actually Black. Ive known her for a long time indirectly, directly, very much, Trump exclaimed. And she was always of Indian heritage and she was promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian, or is she Black? More from Deadline Harris is biracial, as her father is from Jamaican and her mother is from India. As the VP flies to Houston for a number of events (she undoubtedly will address Trumps attacks on her today), Harris for President communications director Michael Taylor left no ambiguity about what a train wreak the former presidents NABJ appearance was: The hostility Donald Trump showed on stage today is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office, and throughout his campaign for president as he seeks to regain power and inflict his harmful Project 2025 agenda on the American people. Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in. Donald Trump has already proven he cannot unite America, so he attempts to divide us. Todays tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trumps MAGA rallies this entire campaign. Its also exactly what the American people will see from across the debate stage as Vice President Harris offers a vision of opportunity and freedom for all Americans. All Donald Trump needs to do is stop playing games and actually show up to the debate on September 10. In a clear taste of how vitriolic the race for the White House between Trump and the VP is going to be and how the campaigns seem to live in two different Americas, the GOP put out its own spin on how its candidates clash with everyone in Windy City went: President Trump has continually said that unlike Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, hes running to be President for ALL Americans, and if youre running to unite the entire Country, you have to back it up with action like President Trump did today at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago. Members of the media need to make a decision, and answer if their goal is to unite the Country or further divide us, because based on the unhinged and unprofessional commentary directed toward President Trump today by certain members of the media, many media elites clearly want to see us remain divided. This is unacceptable. Slighted by Trump at the NABJ Convention today, his running mate Vance hit social media to impress his audience of one. President Trump walked right into the NABJ conference and showed he had the courage to take tough questions, while Kamala Harris continues to hide from any scrutiny or unfriendly media like the coward she is, the Ohio senator wrote on X. Ahead in the polls, mocking Trump for casting doubt on future debates and expected to unveil her own VP pick soon, Harris is scheduled to speak later today in Houston a campaign event and the Sigma Gamma Rho sororitys 60th International Biennial Boule. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Donald Trumps social media platform Truth Social has suffered some of its worst-ever audience numbers as of late, according to a media analysis. Last month, the site had just over 2.11 million unique visitors down 38 percent compared to the same period last year. It is the second lowest site traffic has dipped since June 2022, when Truth Social attracted 1.8 million visitors, according to Howard Polskin, of media monitoring firm TheRighting, who based his analysis on Comscore data. And its a world away from the sites more than 3.2 million visitors upon launch in February of 2022. The diminishing audience levels for Truth Social suggest a rejection of the harsh rhetoric expressed by the ex-president and his political allies that is one of the hallmarks of the two-year-old platform, Polskin told The Guardian. If this softness persists, it might portend trouble for Mr Trump at the ballot box in November, he added. Stock in the Trump Media & Technology Group, Truth Socials parent company, has swung wildly, but has shrunk by nearly four times since debuting and has continued to fall amid high-profile scandals such as Trumps conviction in the New York hush money case. That hasnt stopped the company from continuing to try and grow Truth Social. Earlier this month, it announced its first major purchase, of technology that would help stream TV on Truth Social. One of the companies involved in the deal is JedTech LLC, a Louisiana-based firm controlled by James E Davison, a major Republican donor with business interests impacted by the federal government, according to ProPublica. And if polls are any indication of the sites fortune, then Trump has even more to worry about. Kamala Harris has taken the lead over Trump in four major polls in recent days. Two weeks before President Joe Biden officially proposed term limits for Supreme Court justices, former President Donald Trump preemptively condemned the idea. "The Radical Left Democrats are desperately trying to 'Play the Ref' by calling for an illegal and unConstitutional attack on our SACRED United States Supreme Court," Trump wrote on Truth Social, emphasizing the importance of "Fair and Independent Courts." That critique glossed over the fact that Supreme Court term limits have attracted support from legal scholars on the right as well as the left. It was also hard to take seriously because Trump himself is hardly a consistent defender of judicial independence, which he values only when it leads to outcomes he likes. In its 2021 report, the Biden-appointed Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States noted that "both liberal and conservative constitutional scholars" have advocated term limits. The commission, which included experts with diverse views, did not take a position one way or the other, but it heard testimony in favor of the concept from "a bipartisan group of experienced Supreme Court practitioners." Under Biden's proposal, which copies the most frequently discussed version of this reform, justices would serve staggered 18-year terms, and each president would have a chance to appoint one every two years. Biden thinks Congress can create that system without a constitutional amendmenta point on which the commission's members were divided. The commission noted that "life tenure is virtually unique to the U.S. federal judiciary." The top courts of nearly all the states and every other major constitutional democracy have term limits, mandatory retirement ages, or both. Proponents of term limits argue that long, nonrenewable terms would preserve judicial independence while preventing any given president from shaping the court for decades thanks to luckily timed deaths or retirements. They say the benefits would include a more diverse mix of justices, less incentive for strategic retirements, less acrimony surrounding appointments, and more long-term correspondence between electoral outcomes and the power to choose the Supreme Court's members. Opponents of the reform say it aims to fix something that is not really broken and that we should be wary of changing a system that has functioned well for hundreds of years. They also worry that term limits would foster legal instability, increase partisan bickering, further politicize the Supreme Court, undermine its perceived legitimacy, and weaken its independence. Although Trump echoes that last concern, his sincerity is open to question. After all, this is the same politician who provoked a public rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts by suggesting that federal judges reflexively side with the party of the presidents who appoint them. Worse, Trump thinks judges should do the bidding of the president who picked them, provided that president was Trump himself. He reportedly was furious at the "betrayal" of two justices he had nominated, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, who in July 2020 joined the majority in rejecting his challenge to a subpoena for his tax returns. Later that year, Trump took his anger at the Supreme Court public after it declined to hear two cases challenging the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. He complained that the justicesincluding Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and his third Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barretthad "just 'chickened out' and didn't want to rule on the merits." Two weeks later, Trump called the justices "totally incompetent and weak" as well as cowardly. By refusing to consider his "absolute PROOF" of "massive Election Fraud," he said, they effectively endorsed "corrupt elections," meaning "we have no country!" When Biden started talking about term limits, by contrast, Trump leapt to the defense of "our Honorable Supreme Court," which two weeks earlier had helped him out by approving potentially sweeping presidential immunity from prosecution. "We have to fight for our Fair and Independent Courts," he declared. We can count on Trump to continue that fightuntil the next time those courts reach a conclusion that offends him. Copyright 2024 by Creators Syndicate Inc. The post Trump Values Judicial Independence Only When It Benefits Him appeared first on Reason.com. When former President Trump called for states to decide abortion access, Republicans lined up behind him in support. The people are now deciding, Trump said in June, adding its a beautiful thing to watch. But conservative state lawmakers and activists are working the levers of governmental power to keep abortion rights off the ballot in red states or complicate the process. They are changing rules on signature collections, inserting anti-abortion language into official summaries, and sometimes suing over the underlying language. Officials are also using routine steps like a taxpayer cost estimate to slow the amendment process. Abortion rights and progressive ballot measure proponents say the moves are undemocratic and prevent voters from having their voices heard. Politicians are not playing fair games, and they are changing the rules, or changing the goalposts for advocates on the ground who are trying to move forward issues that are important to their communities, said Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center. This is all part of a larger effort to prevent the people from actually engaging and being a part of our democracy and making change, she added. The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment on state actions related to ballot initiatives. Abortion protection measures have won overwhelmingly in every state thats voted on them since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Nearly a dozen states will try to replicate the success this year, fueling calls on the right to take the issue out of voters hands despite Trumps position. It is not right for democratic societies to vote on the fundamental rights of unpopular minorities, said Lila Rose, president and founder of the anti-abortion group Live Action, in a post on the social platform X. Abortion is not about the will of the people, its about respecting the human right that we are endowed with by our creator. Floridas impact analysis fight In Florida, a coalition of abortion rights groups is challenging the states official financial assessment of a ballot amendment to protect abortion access and overturn the states current near-total ban. The amendment was given the green light to appear on the ballot in April by the states conservative-majority Supreme Court. The group Floridians Protecting Freedom petitioned the state Supreme Court to toss out the states financial impact analysis, which it said contains misleading anti-abortion language that has nothing to do with the financial impact of the amendment. This lawsuit was important, not just to the Sponsors right to a fair presentation of Amendment 4 on the ballot, but to the right of every Floridian to decide for themselves, without a thumb on the scale in favor of any one outcome, whether to support or oppose an amendment to their governing charter, the group wrote in the petition. The financial analysis statement accompanies the amendment on the ballot. Drafting one is often no more than a bureaucratic formality for a panel of state economists, but the abortion statement was developed by three members appointed by opponents of the amendment Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R), and Florida House Speaker Paul Renner (R). The analysis said the amendment could cost the state money because of lawsuits over whether the state will use public funds to subsidize abortions. The statement also noted the amendment would result in significantly more abortions and fewer live births per year, which may negatively affect the growth of state and local revenues over time. Panel representatives said during public hearings the language is accurate and not political. Signature challenges In Arkansas and Montana, state officials have been attempting to challenge the number of signatures submitted by abortion-rights groups to ensure their measures qualify. Arkansans for Limited Government (AFLG) submitted more than 101,000 signatures in support of the proposed constitutional amendment by the July 5 deadline, but Secretary of State John Thurston (R) subsequently disqualified the signatures over what he said was essentially a paperwork error related to paid canvassers. The group filed a lawsuit asking the state Supreme Court to vacate the disqualification. As of Monday, the court had ordered Thurstons office to count all the signatures and refused to dismiss the lawsuit. AFLG Director of Strategy Rebecca Bobrow said the group knew there was a possibility of challenges from anti-abortion activists, but not necessarily state officials. They are looking for a rationale to match up with a decision that they made, Bobrow said. It certainly feels to me like 102,000 people who signed this petition would feel like their voices were silenced if it ends up that this does not go through. The amendment would forbid government entities from restricting or banning abortion services within 18 weeks of fertilization. In a new filing to the Supreme Court on Monday, Thurstons office continued to argue the ballot initiative backers did not submit all the required paperwork. Thurstons office said they had no comment about ongoing litigation beyond what has been filed in court. The anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America applauded Thurston, saying in a statement the ballot measures backers were cutting corners. Meanwhile in Montana, a district court will hear arguments about whether Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen (R) acted lawfully when she changed election rules to disqualify the signatures of inactive voters on three potential ballot measures for November. Jacobsen made the change a week after the deadline to turn in petitions to counties, after some signatures had already been verified. In the lawsuit challenging Jacobsens actions, Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights argued the change upended decades of long-standing practice. The district court judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering that signatures from inactive voters must be included in the certification process, and it barred Jacobsen from preventing the verification or counting of those signatures while the case continues. Jacobsens office told The Hill the amendments backers are tying to politicize the process at every turn, while the Secretary of States office is merely applying the Legislatures laws equally, regardless of the topic or parties involved. Arizonas summary pamphlet spat Conservative officials in Arizona tried another tactic. The Republican-controlled Legislative Council approved the inclusion of the phrase unborn human being in a voter summary pamphlet for the abortion-rights ballot measure. State law requires a summary of the laws that will be impacted by ballot initiatives, but it expressly calls for an impartial analysis. The amendments sponsors sued, and a judge last week ordered the council to reword the summary and remove the phrase unborn human being. House Speaker Ben Toma (R), who chairs the council, said he plans to appeal the ruling and in a statement called it just plain wrong and clearly partisan if the language of the actual law is not acceptable. Abortion is banned after 15 weeks of pregnancy in Arizona, with an exception for the life of the mother but not rape or incest. The GOP-controlled Legislature narrowly repealed a Civil War-era near-total abortion ban in May after a massive nationwide backlash, including from Trump. Toma was one of the dozens of GOP lawmakers who voted against repeal. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The News Former President Donald Trump hedged on his campaign pledge to give police officers immunity from prosecution, telling Semafors Kadia Goba on Wednesday that it would depend on the situation. Theres a big difference between being a bad person and making an innocent mistake but if somebody made an innocent mistake I would want to help that person, Trump said. The question was in relation to the recent killing of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman shot by a deputy sheriff in her Springfield, Illinois home after she called 911 for help. The deputy has since been charged with murder. Trump said he didnt know exact details about the case, but it didnt look good. I didnt like it, I didnt like it at all, he said. Trump made the remarks at a meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago during a panel interview that was also moderated by ABC News Rachel Scott, and Fox News Harris Faulkner. His comments seemed to temper his stance on immunity for police. Were going to give our police their power back, he previously said at a rally in Waukesha in May, and we are going to give them immunity from prosecution. Trump has not explained the specifics of how his proposal might work, or how it would differ from existing legal protections for officers. Asked Wednesday what a scenario where immunity would be granted might look like, Trump said it might be when an officer go[es] after somebody, and its a very close call and very dangerous. Sometimes you have less than a second to make a life-and-death decision, he added. And sometimes very bad decisions are made. Theyre not made from an evil standpoint, but theyre made from the standpoint of, they made a mistake. The Trump campaign issued a very weird statement yesterday disavowing the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 again. As campaign managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita point out, they've been trying to get them to shut up for some time: President Trumps campaign has been very clear for over a year that Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the President in any way, Reports of Project 2025s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign it will not end well for you. The Trumpian threat at the end was a nice flourish but they do mean it. The professional campaign's frustration with the group has been obvious ever since the Democrats jumped on the 900-page manifesto and made it into another Trump-branded product. No matter how hard the Trump campaign tried they couldn't get people to stop talking about Project 2025. Trump has personally tried to distance himself from the project, calling it "appalling" and "extreme" at different times and claiming he didn't know anything about it, even though his own running mate, JD Vance, has extensive ties to the organization and has even written the foreword to Heritage President Kevin Roberts' upcoming book, Dawn's Early Light, Taking Back Washington to Save America. As has been thoroughly documented, most of the people associated with Project 2025 are Trump administration alumni, such as his former Housing Secretary Ben Carson, trade adviser Peter Navarro, White House adviser Johnny McEntee and former Director of Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought. In fact, one report showed that 31 of 38 authors and editors of the 900-page tome had been on Trump's team at one time or continue to be. This is not surprising since Trump and his MAGA movement have devoured what was once the conservative movement of which The Heritage Foundation was a founding institution. Conservatives are MAGA now or they are no longer relevant. Wiles' and LaCivita's statement was issued in reaction to the news that Paul Dans, the person who was in charge of producing the "Mandate For Leadership" governance guide, announced that he was leaving the project in August. Dans' departure was immediately interpreted to mean that the Trump people had engineered his ouster and had successfully gotten the Heritage Foundation to back away from it. But is that really the case? The 900-page "Mandate for Leadership" is already written. In fact, it was largely finished over a year ago when we first started talking about it. It's all over the internet. The producers of the document are MAGA movement operatives and it is a MAGA document whether Trump wants to claim it or not. Certainly, the Harris campaign is not going to let him off the hook: Project 2025 is on the ballot because Donald Trump is on the ballot. This is his agenda, written by his allies, for Donald Trump to inflict on our country. Hiding the 920-page blueprint from the American people doesnt make it less real in fact, it should make voters more concerned about what else Trump and his allies are hiding. Trump is running around pandering to every constituency and donor group, promising anything and everything in order to get reelected. And most of what he's promising is in Project 2025 except for the third rail issue of abortion, which he fatuously insists he's "solved" by having it go back to the states, claiming that's what everyone on all sides always wanted. That is, of course, absurd. But pretty much everything else from policies on law enforcement to trade to education and immigration are all listed on his own Agenda 47 website with very little to distinguish them from Project 2025, except for the level of detail. In other words, they see Project 2025 as a branding problem, not a substance problem. The media needs to be much more careful to explain that. The "Mandate for Leadership" guide is only part of Project 2025. The other component is the vast personnel database that a new Trump administration will use to staff the federal government once they implement "Schedule F", an executive order that strips federal civil service protections from workers allowing them to fire thousands of federal workers and replace them with Trump loyalists. There is no doubt that this is a Trump initiative since they first wrote Schedule F during his administration. This database is as much a part of Project 2025 as the manifesto. Project 2025 has become inconvenient for the Trump campaign but it has produced nearly all the policy it was ever going to & owns the central personnel database in the conservative movement. Trump doesnt yet have a functioning transition team & will likely need its resources. https://t.co/v3FvDLo3O6 Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) July 30, 2024 Trump has every intention of implementing its vision. It's his vision, too. Not only would it be terrifying and dangerous, but it would also be dangerously incompetent. That wouldn't be the first time. As I noted back in 2016, when it became news that since Trump had no experience in government he was relying on the Heritage Foundation during his transition, it has a very poor record when it came to staffing a government. As the Washington Post reported over 20 years ago, Heritage was instrumental in one of the most disastrous policies of the Bush administration: They had been hired to perform a low-level task: collecting and organizing statistics, surveys and wish lists from the Iraqi ministries for a report that would be presented to potential donors at the end of the month. But as suicide bombs and rocket attacks became almost daily occurrences, more and more senior staffers defected. In short order, six of the new young hires found themselves managing the country's $13 billion budget, making decisions affecting millions of Iraqis. Viewed from the outside, their experience illustrates many of the problems that have beset the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), a paucity of experienced applicants, a high turnover rate, bureaucracy, partisanship and turf wars. [...] For months they wondered what they had in common, how their names had come to the attention of the Pentagon, until one day they figured it out: They had all posted their resumes at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative-leaning think tank. This epic debacle was documented in the book "Imperial Life in the Emerald City" by Rajiv Chandrasekaran which revealed that the Bush administration had decided they wanted ideological litmus tests for the people who were going to build the new Iraq government from the ground up. Among the criteria were questions like whether were they "pro-life" and if they believed in unfettered gun rights, none of which had the slightest relevance to the jobs at hand. It appears that if Trump wins in November they're going to try it again, only this time they're experimenting on their fellow Americans. And they still have clearly learned nothing from all their previous humiliating failures. After building alliances in Europe and the Indo-Pacific to counter China and its closer engagement with Russia, Washington has much more work to do in the Global South to meet this goal, a top official in US President Joe Biden's administration told lawmakers on Tuesday. Appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations committee, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell ticked off a list of the administration's accomplishments, including proposed sanctions action against Beijing by the EU as well as US trilateral cooperation with Japan and South Korea. However, the US is far behind China in Africa and other Global South regions, risking failure in specific objectives like securing critical minerals and broader goals such as fighting misinformation, Campbell said. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. "We have to contest Chinese actions not only in terms of their forward-facing strategy but their desire to go after Africa's rare earths that will be critical for our industrial and technological capabilities," he said. Committee chairman Ben Cardin, Democrat of Delaware, attributed much of the blame to Republicans for not approving career diplomats who have been nominated for ambassadorial posts. Cardin cited 20 countries where China has an ambassador and the US does not. Also noting the lack of ambassador confirmations, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat of New Hampshire, said: "I'm sorry that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle aren't here because China continues to prioritise their diplomatic engagement, their ambassadors around the world, particularly in the Global South. "And yet we can't get our ambassadors approved, even the career ambassadors, not just in Africa and South America, but also in places like Albania and Montenegro," Shaheen added. As is customary, committee members of both parties came in and out of the hearing to attend other meetings. However, no Republicans on the panel addressed the ambassadorial appointment backlog. Senators can place "holds" on nominations even if they are in the minority party. According to the American Foreign Service Association, more than 30 Biden nominees for ambassador and high-ranking diplomatic postings have yet to be confirmed by the Senate. "There's sometimes a tendency to underestimate how important our diplomats are in international organisations in the Global South - particularly when in small countries in Africa, they view the ambassador as the representative of the United States," Campbell said. Story continues "Washington is distant and so getting those people in place ... is among our most important priorities." Deputy US Secretary of State Kurt Campbell during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday in Washington. Photo: C-Span alt=Deputy US Secretary of State Kurt Campbell during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday in Washington. Photo: C-Span> Still, committee Democrats and Republicans agreed on some areas that the Biden administration has prioritised, including support for Pacific Island nations and efforts to get the European Union to align more with Washington's efforts. The panel's senior Republican, Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, praised bipartisan efforts to approve promised economic assistance for three allied Pacific island nations to blunt China's influence in the strategically vital region. "Probably most Americans don't have a full appreciation of how important the Pacific Region is as far as our competition with China is concerned; China is incredibly active there," he said. "I was happy to hear your assessment of where the Europeans are," added Risch, referring to Campbell's testimony. "As far as their view of China, it's been evolving, fortunately." Speaking about the EU's stance on China in a separate hearing held by the same committee, James O'Brien, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, said that Beijing's recent joint military exercises with Belarus would likely create even more friction with Brussels. He called the drills, which were held near Poland and Ukraine earlier this month during the Nato summit, "the most counterproductive thing China could do" if Beijing was trying to tell Europe that "it poses no threat". "China's entire strategy coming out of Covid was to separate the US from our European partners. And with actions like that, it has told them that China is an active threat," O'Brien said. He contended that China's actions have made it easier for the US to "advance issues like trusted vendors, like making sure critical infrastructure is free from surveillance and from illegally subsidised goods" with the EU. Another topic Campbell found support among committee Republicans for was the dire need to restore American shipbuilding capacity, much of which has migrated to China. The issue has emerged regularly in recent months as a key bipartisan concern. Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, grilled Campbell on the extent to which China has been able to wield power and influence through this capacity. "They're building aircraft carriers. They're building this fleet of LNG ships. They're even building cruise ships. And we all understand that shipbuilding is at the core of the ability to project power, not just military, but commercial power," Rubio said. "And they are the undisputed king of basic industrial inputs, steel and cement - and these things that are not glamorous. "So how does that fit, this whole view of this domination that they're establishing in these key core industries ... into our strategy?" The PLA naval destroyer Dalian. China's shipbuilding capabilities came under discussion during the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Tuesday. Photo: Weibo alt=The PLA naval destroyer Dalian. China's shipbuilding capabilities came under discussion during the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Tuesday. Photo: Weibo> After telling Rubio that "I accept and deeply support that general world view", Campbell went on to say that "there are a thousand reasons why naval shipbuilding is challenging. "I would like us to think there might be ways that we could work with allies and partners here, but it's extremely difficult," he said. "But I will tell you ... the difference in shipbuilding between the United States and China is deeply, deeply concerning. "We have to do better in this arena, or we will not be the great naval power that we need to be for the 21st century," Campbell added. Additional reporting by Holly Chik in Washington This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Two of the seven seats to St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners feature contested races in the Aug. 6 primary. In the countys 4th District, first-term incumbent Luis Rosado faces a challenge from Constantine Township resident David Hayslip. Meanwhile, the countys 5th District seat is being sought by Craig Crabill and Christina Yunker. Incumbent Dennis Allen is not seeking re-election. All seats are for four-year terms, a new term length from what had traditionally been two years. All candidates are on the Republican ticket. Commissioners will be paid $9,407 each in 2025. 4th District Rosado and Hayslip are vying to represent an area comprised of Constantine, Mottville and White Pigeon townships. Next weeks election is a rematch, as Rosado secured about 53% of the votes to Hayslips 47% in the 2022 primary election for what was then a newly-created district when the county board expanded from five to seven members starting in January 2023. Luis Rosado Rosado, 61, is semi-retired. He said he has a strong understanding of county policies, budget, road commission and law enforcement, and some comprehension of public health, parks and public works departments. Im the best candidate because I have the skills needed to be an effective county commissioner; working well with others is a skill needed for this position, the Chicago native said. Because I have this skill, I have been able to collaborate with other government agencies. I have also been able to address the concerns of county residents. Over the course of his first term, the White Pigeon resident said he and his peers have worked on development of county policies, establishment and oversight of the county budget, oversight of the road commission and oversight of economic development. Finally, I have been part of the oversight of the Centreville courthouse remodel and the jail updates and improvements, Rosado said. I have supported resolutions that benefit many of the people of St. Joseph County, including a resolution objecting to the reclassification of the Prairie River, approving acceptance of a grant of $102,065 and supporting a study to establish the lake level of Rawsons King Mill Dam in Leonidas Township. David Hayslip Hayslip, 51, is a code-enforcement officer for Cass County, where he graduated from Brandywine High School in Niles. Hayslip said he is tired of what he believes is frivolous spending. We have several marijuana dispensaries in my district that are supplying a lot of money and in four years, I have yet to see any improvements from it, he said. Our roads and infrastructure are crumbling, the water in White Pigeon is terrible and the sewer system in Constantine needs a serious upgrade. I will fight to keep any and all funds in St. Joseph County's 4th District. Hayslip said his goal is to leave communities better than they are now. As a lifelong, small town Michigan resident, Hayslip said he understands the values, hard work and dedication of people also from small, rural communities. My children and grandchildren live here, and we all work too hard to just spend our money on a whim; this spending must be reined in and kept in the 4th District. 5th District St. Joseph Countys 5th District is comprised of Nottawa and Sherman townships, a portion of Sturgis Township and a portion of the city of Sturgis. Crabill, 64, owns Warrens Auto in Bronson. A Bronson High School graduate, Crabill also earned a degree in communications/broadcast journalism from Moody Bible Institute. Craig Crabill A Sherman Township resident, Crabill said he felt led to run. Many other leaders on a county and state level encouraged me to run, and I feel I can contribute to leaner government on a county level, he said. My life experience and people skills have contributed to the decision to run as commissioner. Crabill said he has overseen a successful repair business for more than 40 years and has held leadership offices from grade school, through college and in public office in Branch County. I believe Ive been a problem solver and fixer my entire life Ive recently led local efforts to educate our leaders about election issues, he said. My people skills and ability to zero in on problem solving are reasons I feel confident I can serve my district extremely well. Im smart and extremely hard-working. Christina Yunker Yunker, 47, is manager of the St. Joseph County Grange Fair. A Sturgis Township resident, she is a Colon High School alumna and graduate of Baker College. Yunker said she is running for the seat in order to represent 5th District residents, listen to their concerns and act on their requests. I would like to communicate with 5th District residents, hear their concerns and let everyone know whats going on in the county, she said. I believe commissioners should be actively sharing that information and making sure information is available to everyone. I would like to see more involvement as elected officials are just the representatives of those that put them in office. Yunker vowed to always do the right thing for St. Joseph County and its residents through research and critical thinking. She said she will make sure procedures and decisions are sound and lawful. Im not afraid to be held accountable or hold someone else accountable for their actions making hard decisions may not make you the most-liked person, but I am willing to do it anyway, she added. Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking, I will question all spending and thoroughly review reports presented prior to meetings to be prepared and have productive discussions. Incumbent commissioners Jared Hoffmaster, Rick Shaffer, Rusty Baker, Ken Malone and Terry Conklin are running uncontested. This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Two contested St. Joseph County commissioner races on Aug. 6 ballot Two people arrested after chase through multiple counties HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) Kentucky State Police and multiple other agencies helped stop a two people that led authorities on a chase through multiple counties. Officials state Muhlenberg County Dispatch received a call from the Central City Walmart in reference to two individuals shoplifting. The Powderly and Central City Police departments attempted to stop a 2018 Toyota Camry on the Ky-189 Bypass where the pursuit started. Officials say KSP joined the pursuit in a support capacity as well as the Greenville Police Department and the Muhlenberg County Sheriffs Office. Authorities chased the vehicle through Muhlenberg, Hopkins and McLean counties before bringing the chase to an end via a legal intervention maneuver by KSP after the driver began traveling southbound in the northbound lane into oncoming traffic on the Ky-189 Bypass. The driver, Sean Stratton, 36 of Russellville and passenger Selexus Zamperla, 28, of Madisonville were taken into custody. Stratton was charged with multiple offenses including speeding, fleeing or evading, theft and reckless driving. Zamperla was charged with public intoxication and theft. Both people were booked into the Muhlenberg County Detention Center. Sean Stratton (Courtesy: Muhlenberg County Detention Center) Selexus Zamperla (Courtesy: Muhlenberg County Detention Center) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Update 7:19 a.m.: The Topeka Police Department reports that the puppy was located late last night and is safe. We would like to thank the community for their assistance in this investigation, said Topeka spokeswoman Rosie Nichols. TOPEKA (KSNT) The Shawnee County Sheriffs Office arrested one individual relating to the stolen vehicle. According to the news release, a 23-year-old was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on charges of felony flee or attempt to elude, interference with law enforcement, reckless driving, possession of stolen property, aggravated endangering a child, violating a traffic signal, speeding and failure to properly signal a turn. The individual also had a felony warrant for his arrest through Shawnee County and a misdemeanor warrant through the City of Topeka. City leaders approve pay raise for Topeka Police A 16-year-old female passenger was taken into custody at the vehicle, according to the sheriffs office news release. A firearm was found in her purse. She was arrested on charges of felony interference and criminal carrying of a firearm. The Topeka Police Department assisted on this incident, and both agencies are still searching for puppy that was in the car when it was stolen. At 9 a.m. on July 30, the Shawnee County Sheriffs Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black Volkwagen Passat in the 7400 block of Southwest Auburn Road that had been reportedly stolen. The driver refused to stop and a pursuit started. The male driver fled on foot new Southwest 29th Street and Southwest Fairlawn Road. He was later apprehended inside a restaurant in the 2800 block of Southwest Fairlawn Road. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. UPDATE: Husband, wife identified in murder-suicide SANTEE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) A homicide investigation is underway after two people were found dead inside their home Tuesday in Santee, authorities said. Authorities received a report around 11:05 a.m. about two dead elderly adults at a residence in the 300 block of Lantern Crest Way, Lt. Michael Krugh with the San Diego County Sheriffs Department said in a news release. When deputies arrived on scene, they found a man and woman both appearing to have head trauma dead inside the home, according to authorities. Oceanside homeowner shoots, kills alleged intruder: police The identities of the man and woman have not been released at this time. There are no outstanding suspects and no danger to the community, Krugh said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked 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. Two stabbings near Union Station and South L.A. station among latest violent incidents around Metro stops Two stabbings at or near different Metro bus stations Wednesday are the latest in a string of violent attacks around L.A. Countys public transit system in recent months. Officials received a call from Union Station security just after noon Wednesday that a man had been stabbed near the bus turnaround area on the east side of the station. Metro spokesperson Jose Ubaldo said the man was stabbed on Arcadia Street and then walked to Union Station, where security officers called for assistance. The Los Angeles Fire Department arrived on the scene near Vignes Street at 12:11 p.m. after the Los Angeles Police Department cleared the scene, LAFD spokesperson Brian Humphrey said. The suspect was gone when police arrived, LAPD spokesperson Carlos Maldonado said. The victim, a man, was taken to a hospital for treatment but has been uncooperative, he said. The LAPD did not provide any further information on the extent of the injury, nor did it identify or describe the suspect or the victim. A few hours before that incident, a stabbing was reported at the Slauson Station on the J express bus line near the 110 Freeway at 8:35 a.m. The victim and suspect were gone when law enforcement arrived, LAPD Officer Kevin Terzes said. Read more: Three people stabbed in two separate incidents on Metro system The suspect was described as a Latino man in his 30s wearing painters clothes. Terzes said he could not confirm whether the victim was injured. Metro thanks its contractor, who quickly called for help after witnessing an altercation between two individuals, Metro spokesperson Dave Sotero said. The victim was observed walking away from the station prior to authorities arriving to render aid. Despite efforts from the city and Metro to increase law enforcement on buses and subway cars and in stations, violent incidents continue to flare up. A man was fatally stabbed at the same Slauson J line station last month after getting into an argument with the suspect. Another man was fatally shot on a Metro train in the Baldwin Hills area a week before that. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Hamas members attend a protest to condemn the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, at al-Bass Palestinian refugee camp, in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Haniyeh, Hamas' political chief in exile who landed on Israel's hit list after the militant group staged its surprise Oct. 7 attacks, was killed in an airstrike in the Iranian capital early Wednesday. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari) TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) The targeting of two senior militant leaders in two Middle Eastern capitals within hours of each other with each strike blamed on Israel risks rocking the region at a critical moment. The strikes come as international mediators are working to bring Israel and Hamas to agree to a cease-fire that would wind down the devastating war in Gaza and free hostages. Intense diplomatic efforts are also underway to ease tensions between Israel and Hezbollah after months of cross-border fighting. The assassination of Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the strike against senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut could upend those painstaking attempts to defuse a Middle East powder keg. Iran has also threatened to respond after the attack on its territory, which could drag the region into all-out war. Heres a look at the potential fallout from the strikes: Gaza cease-fire negotiations could crumble Haniyeh's assassination could prompt Hamas to pull out of cease-fire negotiations being mediated by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar, though it has yet to comment on the issue. But given Haniyeh's role, a senior Egyptian official with direct knowledge of the negotiations said the killing will highly likely have an impact, calling it a reckless act. Haniyeh was the main link with (Hamas) leaders inside Gaza, and with other Palestinian factions, said the official, who met with the Hamas leader multiple times in the talks. He was the one we were meeting face-to-face and talking about the cease-fire." The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the talks with the media. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani condemned the attacks. How can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side? he wrote on the social media platform X. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he didn't want to speculate on the effect, but the events renewed the imperative of getting the cease-fire, which he said they are working toward on a daily basis. Hezbollah has said that it will halt its fire on Israel if a Gaza cease-fire is reached. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has argued that military pressure will prompt Hamas to agree to a deal, but previous killings of senior figures have not appeared to increase the chances for an agreement. People in Gaza expressed sadness and shock over Haniyeh's killing and worried that a cease-fire deal was slipping away. By assassinating Haniyeh, they are destroying everything, said Nour Abu Salam, a displaced Palestinian. They dont want peace. They dont want a deal. The increasingly desperate families of hostages held in Gaza urged for their loved ones to be released. Im not interested in this assassination or that assassination, Im interested in the return of my son and the rest of the hostages, safe and sound, home, said Dani Miran, whose son Omri, 46, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nahal Oz on Oct. 7. A broader war on more fronts risks erupting The strikes also raised alarm among some diplomats working to defuse tensions in the region. The events in Tehran and Beirut push the entire Middle East to a devastating regional war, said one Western diplomat. The diplomat whose government has engaged in concerted diplomacy to prevent an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, but is not directly involved in cease-fire or hostage negotiations called the killing of Haniyeh a serious development that has almost killed a possible cease-fire in Gaza, given its timing and location. She said that Haniyehs killing inside Tehran while attending the inauguration of an Iranian president will force Tehran to respond. The assassination in Tehran is not the first time that Israel has been blamed for a targeted attack on Iranian soil, but its one of the most brazen, said Menachem Merhavy, an expert on Iran from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Israel hasnt taken responsibility for the strike, though it vowed to kill all of Hamas' leaders over the Oct. 7 attacks. Merhavy thinks it's unlikely that Iran will respond directly to Israel, such as with the barrage of 300 rockets in April after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building. He believes Iran is more likely to send its response via Hezbollah. Iran knows that its capability of hurting Israel is much more significant from Lebanon, said Merhavy. The location of Haniyehs assassination was just as important as the strike itself, he said. The message was to Iran and the proxies, if you thought in Tehran youre protected, we can reach you there as well, said Merhavy. Reconsider your relations with Tehran, because they cannot protect you on its own soil. Targeted leaders can be easily replaced Although Haniyehs name has more international recognition, the strike on Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur, if successful, is much more important from a functional point of view, said Michael Milshtein, an Israeli analyst of Palestinian affairs at Tel Aviv University and a former military intelligence officer. He said Shukur was involved in the day-to-day management of Hezbollah's strikes on Israel, including, according to Israel, the rocket attack on Majdal Shams that killed 12 youths on Saturday. Israel said its hit in Beirut on Tuesday killed him but Hezbollah has not confirmed that. If Hezbollah is considering how to act or to respond, one of the main question marks is how theyre going to manage a war without Shukur, said Milshtein. Others said Shukur, if he is in fact killed, will easily be replaced. Hezbollah has thick layers of commanders and leaders, and the killing of 1 or 10 or 500 will not change the equation, said Fawaz Gerges, of the London School of Economics. Gerges said Haniyeh is a much more symbolic leader and is far removed from the day-to-day operations in Gaza. Even though the assassination of Haniyeh is a painful blow for Hamas, it will make no difference in the military confrontation between Israel and Hamas, and Gerges. He noted that Israel has a long history of assassinating leaders of Palestinian groups, but those strikes have little impact as the leaders are quickly replaced. Its been two weeks: Family of missing St. Pete woman begs community for help ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) The family of a missing woman is begging the community for help in finding her after her car was found abandoned and her house caught fire. The missing woman, Kellie Fisher, 42, has not been seen or heard from since July 16. The St. Petersburg Police Department is investigating her disappearance, which they are treating as a suspicious missing persons case. Police said Fishers aunt reported her missing on July 17 after she left in her aunts car and did not return. The car was found abandoned on July 18 with the door ajar, three cellphones, and a small amount of cash on the dashboard. Missing St. Pete womans home caught fire after car found abandoned: police Fishers family was emotional when talking about her disappearance on Tuesday, desperately seeking answers as they havent seen her in two weeks. I am standing here to be a voice for my sister. Its been two weeks, its been two weeks, Fishers sister, Latifa Jackson, said. The fact that shes been gone for this longthis is not her. This is a situation where something happened, we dont know what happened, the womans brother, Johnny Murray, said. According to police, Fisher lives with her aunt and took her car to run errands, as she normally would, but never returned home to Prescott Street. Photo of Kellie Fisher Photo of abandoned car courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department Photo Credit: St. Pete Police Department On [July 18], the aunts vehicle was located, and the aunts vehicle had some items that we dont think belonged to Kelli, Major Shannon Halstead said. Officials said the last disputer Fisher was involved in happened on July 4 with a man and a woman who owed her over $40. Weve talked with both the man and woman involved in that incident and so far, they have not had any substantive information to help us, Hallstead said. Authorities said the devices found in the abandoned car cannot be connected to Fisher. They are currently working with the State Attorneys Office to obtain warrants for the devices. Ten days after her disappearance, on July 28, a fire broke out inside one of the homes Fishers family owns on Prescott Street. The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to police. Certainly adds to the suspicion that she comes and goes from that house sometimes and then theres a fire there on Sunday, Halstead said. Woman dies following shooting at Mexican restaurant in Brooksville; suspect arrested Police said Fisher could be in danger and need help finding her. Weve done everything that we traditionally do in a missing persons case, and we need some assistance, Halstead said. Shes more than just a missing woman, shes a mother, shes a grandmother, shes my only sister, Jackson said. Her family wants answers as to where she is and what happened. The streets talk, and so the streets know whats going on and so, we need the streets to do the right thing and speak up, Murray said. If you have any information of her whereabouts, I plead with you to get in touch with the St. Petersburg Police Department, Jackson said. The police department said they currently do not have any suspects on their radar. Fisher is described as 58 tall and weighs about 200 pounds. She has black shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call 727-893-7780. If you would like to submit a tip regarding Fishers disappearance, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Pennsylvania state police officers stand near the stage of a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) WASHINGTON U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Monday announced the 13 lawmakers who will make up the bipartisan task force investigating the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. We have the utmost confidence in this bipartisan group of steady, highly qualified and capable Members of Congress to move quickly to find the facts, ensure accountability and help make certain such failures never happen again, the two wrote in a joint statement. Johnson said last week the panel will release its final report by Dec. 13, though he expected interim reports along the way. The House voted 416-0 on July 24 to establish the panel. The task force is expected to dig deeper into the Secret Services plans to protect Trump ahead of his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and how exactly a gunman was able to open fire. The panel will be chaired by Rep. Mike Kelly, who was at the rally and represents Pennsylvanias 16th District, which includes the location of the shooting. Kelly wrote in an op-ed published last week by Newsweek that he believes the task force is critical to utilize the collective power of Congress as a tool to dig deeper and find the facts. The shooting wounded Mr. Trump, took the life of Corey Comperatore, and injured two other Pennsylvanians, Kelly wrote. Its important that we dont jump to any conclusions as we begin these investigations. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get the American people the answers they deserve. Other Republicans on the task force include Texas Rep. Pat Fallon, Tennessee Rep. Mark Green, Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins, Ohio Rep. David Joyce and Florida Reps. Laurel Lee and Michael Waltz. The top Democrat on the panel will be Colorado Rep. Jason Crow, a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and a former Army Ranger. Crow released a written statement Monday that he would help lead this bipartisan task force with Chairman Kelly to investigate and fully examine the attempted assassination of former President Trump, and I will treat it like what it is: a solemn, urgent, and necessary responsibility. Political violence has no place in our democracy. Period, Crow wrote. We must be united in the belief as Americans, not as Republicans or Democrats, that political disagreement is settled through rigorous discourse, not violence. I am committed to working with my colleagues to conduct a thorough bipartisan investigation to collect the facts and recommend corrective security measures. Democrats named to the task force include California Rep. Lou Correa, Pennsylvania Reps. Madeleine Dean and Chrissy Houlahan, Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey and Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz. Probes ongoing in Congress Congress has already begun looking into the shooting at the Trump rally, which killed one attendee and injured two others. The gunman was killed at the scene. U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on July 22, just one day before she resigned in the wake of the assassination attempt. Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris testified before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security the same day that Cheatle resigned. The U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee are scheduled to hold a joint hearing Tuesday on the shooting. Acting Director of the U.S. Secret Service Ronald L. Rowe, Jr. and Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Paul Abbate are both expected to testify. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched its own investigation into the shooting. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The U.S. House of Representatives alerted staffers Tuesday that TikTok, and all products from Chinese Internet firm ByteDance, will be blocked starting Aug. 15, on House-managed phones. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI July 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives alerted staffers Tuesday that TikTok, and all products from Chinese Internet firm ByteDance, will be blocked next month on House-managed phones due to national security concerns. "Starting Aug. 15, 2024, the CAO Office of Cybersecurity will initiate the block and removal of all ByteDance products from all House-managed devices and app stores," House Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor wrote Tuesday in a memo. "ByteDance applications are NOT ALLOWED on any House device," the memo added before listing banned platforms including TikTok, Capcut, Hyper, Lark and Lemon8. Last week, Department of Justice attorneys warned in an appellate court filing that China -- and the Chinese Communist Party -- could use TikTok's algorithm to manipulate what users can and cannot see in an effort to influence the presidential election and serve China's interests. Allowing TikTok's U.S. operations to remain with its current owner "would allow a foreign government to illicitly interfere with our political system and political discourse, including our elections," federal attorneys warned. TikTok has denied the accusations, but national security leaders are unconvinced. During his presidency, Donald Trump signed an executive order to block the video-sharing site, but a court pre-empted his move. In April, President Joe Biden signed a measure into law that will require ByteDance to sell its TikTok operations in the United States by Jan. 19, or be banned. According to a Pew Research Center report earlier this year, about a third of TikTok users in the United States use the social media platform to get their news. House staffers will have to find another source next month to stay up-to-date when using their House-managed phones. "ByteDance products will be blocked and removed on House-managed devices, starting with mobile devices," the CAO warned. "If you have a ByteDance application on your House-managed mobile device, you will be contacted to remove it." The Chancellor has warned there will be more 'difficult decisions' ahead - Lucy North/Reuters Rachel Reeves has left the door wide open to an inheritance tax raid after unveiling a 22bn fiscal black hole in the government finances. Speaking in Parliament in July, the Chancellor accused the Tories of covering up the true state of the public finances and leaving the Government with a huge overspend gap. She outlined a number of cuts that would help to narrow this gap, including the abolition of the winter fuel payment for retirees not in receipt of pension credit. She also warned there would be more difficult decisions ahead. However, she reiterated the partys manifesto commitment not to increase National Insurance, the basic, higher or additional rates of income tax, or VAT. In doing so, she paved the way for tax rises in the autumn on savings, investments and property. Click here to view this content. Rob Morgan, of wealth manager Charles Stanley, said: Capital gains tax and inheritance tax look set to come under the Chancellors microscope. The Labour manifesto was silent in the matter of inheritance tax, leaving the door wide open to reform. The divisive 40pc levy has been subject to many reviews in the past and there are plenty of ways Labour could reform it in order to bring in more money for the Treasury. A surge in investigations Labour has vowed to increase tax compliance a pledge that could see inheritance tax investigations skyrocket. These investigations could focus on middle-class families, many of whom experts suspect are currently underpaying inheritance tax. In January 2022, the previous government changed the reporting requirements for bereaved families, so those inheriting estates worth less than 325,000 would no longer have to fill in an inheritance tax form. Instead, these families now simply have to make a declaration confirming the value of the estate. Inheritance tax is only due on the value of estates worth more than 325,000. However, this rises to 1m for couples leaving their home to their children. The rule change has spared an estimated 90pc of families from filling out yet another form after a bereavement. However, experts suspect that this much-needed simplification has come at a cost to the Treasury. Ian Bond, of law firm Irwin Mitchell, said: The concern is that as a result many estates may be under-representing the value in order to avoid filling in the form and paying the tax. If you have an average UK property and you put in a declaration saying its worth 270,000, but later you sell it for 340,000, currently there isnt anything holding you to account. So theres an incentive for you to sell for a higher amount than you declare. Story continues HMRC uses data from the Land Registry to cross-reference taxpayers records and check that people have declared the right amount of tax. But statistics suggest it is more likely to investigate larger estates, suggesting middle-class families reporting incorrect property values could be slipping through the net. HMRC clawed back 285m in inheritance tax in 2023-24, up from 251m in the previous year, after investigating 3,028 estates. However, the number of investigations opened by the tax man has plummeted from nearly 6,000 estates in 2019-20. Sean McCann, of insurer NFU Mutual said, HMRC has information on property values coming in, but theyre currently putting their resources where the rewards are. The latest figures show that although the number of inheritance tax investigations has gone down, the tax take has increased. HMRC has finite resources and theyll fish where the big fish are. Labour has vowed to raise 4.7bn from combating tax evasion. To achieve this goal, it has promised to invest 855m in HMRC, which could help its tax agents open more investigations. Mr Bond said that harnessing real-time data from the Land Registry on a widespread scale could help HMRC in a crackdown on bereaved families. HMRC already gets data from the Land Registry and they will follow this up asking people if they have something to declare. So it wouldnt be beyond their IT systems to do this for deceased estates as well. Restrictions on lifetime gifting Britain has a complicated gifting system that Labour might see as ripe for an overhaul. Currently, every individual can give away 3,000 a year without worrying about inheritance tax. But this is far from the only gift relief available to British families. There is also a 250 small gift allowance as well as tax-free allowances for weddings and civil partnerships. In addition, people with surplus income can give away as much as they like per year provided doing so does not harm their living standards and the gifts form part of a regular pattern. In 2020, an all-party parliamentary group set up to review inheritance tax proposed that all of these gift reliefs be abolished and replaced with a single 30,000 annual allowance. The group also suggested scrapping the 40pc charge and replacing it with a 10pc rate applied on both gifts and estates. Mr McCann said the surplus income rule could be an obvious target for a Labour government because it is so generous for the cash-rich individuals who can use it. Over 400 families collectively saved 67m in 2021-22 by claiming the exemption, according to official figures obtained by The Telegraph in a Freedom of Information request. It would make sense to sweep away the unlimited gifting rule and say everyone can give away only a fixed amount each year. This would however be unpopular with people who currently take advantage of gifts out of surplus income. In her 2018 pamphlet The Everyday Economy, Ms Reeves showed signs she would support raising taxes on lifetime gifts. She wrote: [Inheritance tax] needs to be either reset or shifted wholesale to a tax on the receipt of any gifts throughout a lifetime, making tax on all gifts equal and thus avoidance more difficult. Scrapping business relief The Government could be tempted to cut Business Property Relief, which currently saves families inheriting a business 1.4bn a year according to HMRCs figures. Mr McCann said: Business Property Relief is quite generous. This is so that if inheritance tax is levied when a business is passed between generations, people dont have to sell it or borrow in order to pay the tax. It has a purpose, it works. But at the moment, I could inherit a business and sell it the next day and avoid paying inheritance tax and capital gains tax. The Office for Tax Simplification, a now-disbanded government agency, questioned whether this aspect of the relief was fair in its 2019 review of inheritance tax. Labour could introduce a new rule meaning that capital gains tax would apply on the sale of inherited businesses after death. Alternatively, it could restrict the amount of business assets someone can pass on before inheritance tax is due. Arun Advani, a professor at the University of Warwick, said: An obvious improvement to the system would be to cap these reliefs at, say, 1m per couple, on top of existing reliefs. This would reduce the current regressivity that naturally makes many taxpayers annoyed that they pay inheritance tax while those who are much richer manage to avoid it. Targeting pensions Pensions can be inherited free from inheritance tax. This relief has led to wealthier individuals stashing as much money as they can into their pensions and leaving them untouched with the goal of passing the pots down to their children. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has urged the Government to launch an inheritance tax raid on peoples pensions. The think tank estimates this would raise between 1bn to 2bn by the end of the decade. Capital gains uplift The think tank Demos has recommended removing the capital gains tax uplift on death. With this relief, gains accrued up to the date of death are effectively wiped for capital gains tax purposes, saving bereaved families thousands of pounds each year. Scrapping this relief would see families paying not just inheritance tax but also a 10pc to 24pc tax on profits on the sale of investments and property. In some cases, it could result in effective tax rates of almost 55pc. Click here to view this content. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. U.S. officials hope to turn down temperature after latest assassinations in Middle East WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) U.S. officials are trying to tamp down concerns about a broader war in the Middle East following Israels assassination of top leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah. Both terror groups are proxies of Iran, and members of Congress worry this will complicate already delicate negotiations to end the war in Gaza. We dont believe that an escalation is inevitable, Spokesperson for the National Security Council, John Kirby said during Wednesdays White House briefing. Kirby said these latest developments do not automatically trigger a regional war, especially as ceasefire talks continue there for the Israel-Hamas war. Its too soon to know what any of these reported events could mean, he said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken remains hopeful a deal is possible. Im not going to speculate on what impact any one event may have on that, Blinken said. What I do know is the enduring imperative of getting a ceasefire. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country will exact a very heavy price from any aggression on any front. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned against any escalation. We dont want to see any of that happen, Austin said. Were going to work hard to make sure that were doing things to help take the temperature down and address issues through diplomatic means. Members of Congress were a lot more candid about the assassinations Israel is taking credit for and their larger ramifications. Im glad that he is gone, said U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, (R-Mo.), of the Hamas leader. Im glad hes no longer in command. Hawley said Hamas has to be dismantled. Theyll just wait for another opportunity, and itll be another attempted genocide against Israel, he said. Israel has got to be able to defend its own borders. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.), said the U.S. has to hold Iran accountable for Hamas and Hezbollah, and should target its oil refineries. Without those refineries, they would not be able to fund terrorism, Graham said. Graham also warned Iran could be responsible for a nuclear arms race in the region, saying it could now have a weapon ready in a matter of weeks. Iran will keep going until someone tells them to stop, he said. On Wednesday, Graham introduced an authorization for use of military force against Iran if the president determines that Iran is on the cusp of possessing a nuclear weapon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MARQUETTE, Mich. (WJMN) Unionized prison guards with the Michigan Corrections Organization have caught the attention of legislators in the Upper Peninsula as they sound the alarm on what they are calling an unaddressed staffing crisis statewide. On Tuesday, State Sen. Ed McBroom along with State Reps. Dave Prestin and Greg Markkanen criticized the job performance of Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington and called for urgent attention. In the past month, the MCO has released several reports, updates and an open letter to Governor Whitmer. Menominee prosecutor defends plea deal for twice-convicted sex offender as former assistant files to unseat him A rare look inside U.P. max-security prisons, others in state According to one MCO report, 13 of the states 26 prisons have staffing vacancies over 18%. Of those, five have vacancies in excess of 30%, and yet another is operating with 40% of its necessary staff positions vacant. The Upper Peninsula is host to five of those 26 prisons statewide. According to MCO data, the Marquette and Baraga maximum-security facilities are both operating with over 30% fewer staff members than needed. Corrections officers cannot continue at this pace, said Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock. This, nearly a month after MCO President Byron Osborn sent a letter to Governor Gretchen Whitmer asking for help from the National Guard to alleviate conditions that are causing corrections workers to suffer unlike any other state employees ever have in the history of Michigan. Demonic influence blamed in court as mother, son stand accused of killing Hancock-area grandfather They are STILL being forced to work exhausting, demoralizing numbers of mandatory 16-hour overtime shifts per week. They are not being allowed to have a normal, healthy life with their families. None of your other state employees are being subjected to these conditions. Corrections officers are STILL being forced to run prison operations with far less than the required number of officers, resulting in unsafe prisoner to officer ratios. Officers are forced to work alone in isolated areas, jeopardizing not only their safety but that of the prisoners. Contrary to what is commonly conveyed to the public, the state prisons are not pleasant facilities filled with well-treated officers that are churning out rehabilitated prisoners. MCO President Byron Osborn, in letter to Gov. Whitmer Osborn said in a release last week that the letter had been unanswered. MCO Vice President Cary Johnson criticized the silence, saying, we believe that if it was the staff in her office that were being forced to work mandatory 16 hour shifts in unsafe conditions, there would be action taken to resolve the problem. These working conditions are dangerous and unacceptable. That release also sounded the alarm on an upcoming series of reports showing whats really happening inside the facilities, that would be distributed to legislators and the public. So far, reports have been released on the Marquette Branch Prison and Baraga Correctional Facility. Both reports show staffing vacancies in excess of 30% in July. In Marquette from July 1-28, they say this resulted in 785 overtime shifts for prison guards, with 88 breaking the 32-hour rule, which is meant to protect guards from excessive overtime. In Baraga, the MCO says guards there worked 544 overtime shifts from July 1-18, with 135 of those breaking the 32-hour rule. Subject to operational needs, an employee will not be required to work mandatory overtime within the 32-hour period following the beginning of the last overtime shift of more than four hours the employee worked (two hours for employees assigned to 12-hour shifts). The employee must notify the scheduling supervisor if they qualify for this exemption. Definition of 32-hour rule from MDOC memo The reports also share logged incidents at the prisons. The Marquette report makes note of 17 fights between prisoners that were broken upwith one seeing the use of a stun gun, and the other the firing of a warning shot. The warning shot had no effect on the prisoners and the fight turned into an assault. Officers responded to stop the incident and restrain the prisoners, reads the details on that incident. Multiple prisoner-started fires were also reporteda possible trend that we have been working to learn more about since a larger incident was reported in March. The Baraga report highlights similar incidents, with one detailing what happened after two guards responded to a call of two prisoners assaulting a third. When they arrived, the 2 prisoners began punching and kicking the officers, resulting in injury. Tear gas and tasers were used to stop the assault and the facility went on lockdown. The 2 officers were sent to the hospital, read the report. We have shared the full MCO reports for the Marquette Branch Prison and Baraga Correctional Facility. State legislators call for urgent change On Tuesday, U.P. legislators State Sen. Ed McBroom joined state Reps. Dave Prestin and Greg Markkanen called for urgent attention to the problems caused by staffing problems at the prisons. Director Washington has failed to fix or even address the damning staffing shortages within our prisons, said Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township. I have been warning the state for more than 10 years about the dangers of administration policies that are making our prisons more dangerous for both prisoners and state employees. State Rep. Markkanen said, five years ago, an internal survey revealed 140 corrections officers were actively planning to commit suicide. These officers go toe-to-toe with dangerous criminals every day. Yet, our corrections officers remain wildly understaffed, underpaid, and unappreciated by the administration. One possible solution was posed by State Rep. Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River, who said adjusting pay for prison guards could have a significant impact. Raising wages is key to solving the staffing shortage, said Prestin. In Menominee County, we saw that the higher wages helped bring in more corrections officers and retain the officers we had. Its cheaper too, since retention helps reduce the excessive amount of training costs and reducing the amount of mandatory overtime saves money and provides officers with a better work-life balance. Prestin said he believed compared to other methods, a wage increase would be the most effective. This plan worked for Menominee County, and it can work on a larger scale. Local 3 reached out to a spokesperson with the Michigan Department of Corrections for comment, who responded Wednesday afternoon: The Michigan Department of Corrections appreciates the hard work of our staff at facilities around the state, as well as the efforts of those who are actively recruiting in their communities. The department has established itself as a national leader in effective programming, education, and supervision for those in the criminal justice system. The departments results are clear, as Michigan achieved the second lowest recidivism rate in our states history. The Department of Corrections continues to focus on long-term solutions to its staffing challenges, including increasing maximum pay by over $12,000 per year for corrections officers since 2019, roughly $55M in recruitment and retention bonuses over the last 3 years, and a year-round recruiting campaign for new officers. A Corrections Officer Academy recently started, with 187 new officer recruits and the MDOC is actively recruiting for the next academy, which is scheduled to begin in October. MDOC spokesperson Back in June, the MDOC exhibited efforts to alleviate effects of the staffing shortage by reorganizing the number of beds and units between prisons in the state. In that story, we quoted Heidi Washington, Director of the Michigan Department of Corrections addressed the staffing problem, saying, the changes announced today will provide relief to the staff at the Baraga Correctional Facility, which currently faces a significant amount of overtime due to vacancies. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) U.S. Representative Dale Strong is set to host this years military service and academy day which will take place on August 17 in Huntsville. The event will be for students who are interested in learning more about attending one of the United States military service academies after high school. The event will include service academy representatives from West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and the Marion Military Institute; recruiters with the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force/Space Force, and the Coast Guard; and representatives from various ROTC Programs from across the state. To attend a service academy, students must meet certain eligibility requirements and receive a congressional nomination. More information regarding the nomination requirement will be given at the event. The event will take place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Huntsville High School gymnasium. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. U.S. Reps. Summer Lee (l) and Ayanna Pressley speak to reporters at a campaign event for Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh July 31, 2024 (Capital-Star photo by Abigail Hakas) U.S. Reps. Summer Lee (D-12th District) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) rallied Tuesday in Pittsburghs South Side neighborhood to spotlight Vice President Kamala Harriss record on reproductive rights and warn against the re-election of former President Donald Trump. Both Lee and Pressley have endorsed Harris, the likely Democratic nominee for president. Harris has been a vocal supporter of reproductive rights and access to abortion before and after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Bri Erskine, a Pittsburgher who moved from Nashville after the nearly-50-year-old decision guaranteeing a national right to abortion was overturned, spoke about how her health complications led her to support a Harris presidency. Erskine dealt with life-threatening heavy periods, the volume of blood loss and clotting resembling that of miscarriages. More than once, she received hours of blood transfusions in emergency rooms. Getting an IUD, she said, saved her life. But when the Supreme Courts draft of the opinion that would overturn Roe leaked to the press, Erskine had to consider whether her state would continue to allow her to access reproductive healthcare. Since she traveled for work, her doctor pulled up a map of the United States and said Tell me where youre working, and Ill tell you how to be safe. When Roe v. Wade was overturned, Erskine moved to Pennsylvania. I literally fled my home of seven years to ensure that Id always be able to safely access the healthcare that I needed, she said. In May, former President Donald Trump was asked if he supported restrictions on birth control. He responded that it was something his administration was looking at, that states would have different policies and he would release a comprehensive policy on it. Later that day, he posted on his social media platform Truth Social that he would never advocate for restrictions or a ban on birth control. At the rally Tuesday, reproductive rights advocate Sydney Etheredge called Trump the architect of the abortion bans, adding that its just the beginning. Etheredge warned of Project 2025, a nearly 1000-page conservative policy proposal for a Republican presidency that advocates for a stringent abortion ban and ending the sale of abortion pills. Trump has disavowed Project 2025 as a reflection of a potential agenda for a second term, but Etheredge tied it to a Trump and J.D. Vance presidency, referring to it as Trumps Project 2025 agenda. We all know that actions, they speak louder than words, she said. The reality is that even though Trump and Vance are trying to distance themselves from Project 2025, Trump championed a national abortion ban when he was president. While Trump previously advocated for a 20-week national abortion ban during his presidency, he has since said he would not sign a national abortion ban if re-elected. Lee took the stage with a fiery speech about Pennsylvanias role as a refuge state, Black maternal morbidity rates and access to reproductive healthcare for the working class. Right now, we are at the crossroads where were going to choose what nation we want to be, what nation we are going to be, Lee said. Each of us in this room has not just the opportunity, but we have the responsibility to build that nation up. She recalled her time as an organizer for Hillary Clintons campaign in 2016, saying she worked 100 hours a week calling people. That year, we woke up, and we had a Trump presidency, Lee said. Then the wheels were in motion. There are things that they have done that its going to be generations before we undo. Dont let them have a chance to do more. Dont let them finish the job. Pressley opened with a story about her mother, a super voter who emphasized the importance of uplifting ones community. I would vote with her, and she would turn to me and say Never forget that we are powerful. I believed her then, and I still do today, she said. She then turned the spotlight to her 16-year-old stepdaughter, Cora, calling herself a proud bonus mom after marrying Coras father Conan Harris. After Roe v. Wade was overturned, Pressley thought of what it meant for Cora. I was sitting in the bleachers at her eighth grade graduation and immediately felt with a heavy sense of dread that my daughter would be growing up in a country with fewer rights than I had, she said. Rooted in my mothers example and fighting for my daughters future, I could not be prouder to endorse Kamala Harris for president of the United States. She boosted Harris record on protecting reproductive rights as attorney general of California and as a senator. More recently, in March, Harris became the first vice president to visit an abortion clinic. Lets give ourselves a moment to conceive of a truly just America, Pressley said. In a truly just America, bodily autonomy as a right is codified in law and your access to care is not dependent on your zip code, your immigration status, your income or your background. Let me make it plain, a just America is possible. While answering questions after her speech, Pressley reaffirmed her belief that a Harris presidency is necessary to protect reproductive rights in the United States. Under a Kamala Harris White House, you have a Department of Health and Human Services who wants to preserve our access to abortion care, which is healthcare, and also expand access. she said. In a Trump White House, and with a weaponized Trump Supreme Court, there is no access to abortion care, which is healthcare. Again, this is about miscarriage management. Its about bodily autonomy. In Pennsylvania, abortion is legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, but Lee said a Trump White House could mean an end to its status as a refuge for women from other states with restrictive abortion lawes. You cant rest on your state, your state legislatures, because if federally, we arent able to contribute to abortion care, then that means that every state will be impacted, Lee said. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Transmission lines carry electricity from NRG Energys Joliet Station power plant on May 7, 2015 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) A lopsided vote on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced a bipartisan bill Wednesday to overhaul the process to gain federal approvals for energy projects. The 15-4 vote demonstrated broad support for the bill, though it remains unclear if Congress will take the time in an election year to move the measure to President Joe Bidens desk. Members of both parties have complained that the process of gaining permits from federal agencies for energy projects is overly complicated and lengthy, delaying clean energy and fossil fuel production alike. The bill, sponsored by West Virginia independent Joe Manchin III and Wyoming Republican John Barrasso, aims to streamline the federal permitting process. The bill would also require lease sales for oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico and lift a controversial pause on certain liquefied natural gas exports that Biden put in place in January. At Wednesdays committee meeting, Manchin, who chairs the panel, said only a bipartisan effort could effectively cure the problems with energy permitting. The bill was the product of nearly two years of negotiation that included input from a wide range of interested parties, he said. Weve listened to everyone, Manchin said. And I think weve hit it right in the middle. Democrats Ron Wyden of Oregon and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, as well as independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who caucuses with Democrats, voted against the measure. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri also voted no. Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, who is in line to be the next top Democrat on the committee after Manchin formerly a Democrat retires in January, supported the bill, which could give the package momentum in the next Congress if it stalls this year. Heinrich said that while certain provisions would increase carbon dioxide emissions, the bills benefits outweigh the harms. This was a carefully crafted, bipartisan, balanced bill, he said after the vote. All of us have things we love about it. We also have a few things that were not crazy about, but thats how legislation works. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska sounded similar notes, saying the bill lacked some elements she wanted, but was overall a positive step. I think its important that we demonstrate some forward movement on permitting reform, she said. And while this isnt the end-all and be-all, as weve all acknowledged, it starts moving us forward. Environmental opposition While most Democrats on the committee supported the bill, some opposed the measure based on provisions that would benefit the fossil fuel industry. Some environmental advocates also raised that objection. Its disappointing so many senators have been duped into voting for another sweetheart deal for the fossil fuel industry in exchange for meager improvements on electricity transmission, Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the environmental group Center for Biological Diversity, wrote in a statement. Wyden said he supported several parts of the bill, but could not support the entire package. The bill would counteract the 2022 law Democrats passed that offered hundreds of millions of dollars in tax credits for clean energy, Wyden said. Wyden praised provisions to overhaul mining standards, ease permitting for transmission lines and address geothermal energy. If the bill contained only those provisions, Wyden said he would support it and recommend a parade down Main Street. Unfortunately, there are a number of provisions in this bill that run contrary to what I think the effort in 2022 was all about, the transformative efforts, he said. Amendments rejected Wyden called for continued efforts to rework the bill before it receives a vote on the Senate floor. Other members, including those who voted to approve the bill, also called for continued tweaks. Murkowski, a former chair of the committee, said she was disappointed the bill did not include more on hydroelectric energy. Manchin told Murkowski he would continue to work with her on hydro provisions. Members of both parties introduced a series of amendments Wednesday. Republicans largely sought additional requirements to produce fossil fuels. Democrats sought restrictions on fossil fuel production. Manchin led opposition to all the amendments introduced Wednesday, saying they would throw off the bills careful bipartisan balance. I believe that weve identified a reasonable compromise with our bill, he said. U.S. Senate panel looks for ways to aid electric vehicle industry Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks during a Nov. 9, 2023 meeting. (File/Alex Wong/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democratic members of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee discussed on Wednesday ways to boost U.S. electric vehicle manufacturing to be more competitive globally. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, the Democratic chairman of the committee, began a hearing Wednesday by calling electric vehicle production an economic, national security and climate imperative. Whitehouse highlighted the expanding global market for electric vehicles, noting that in 2023, 20% of vehicles sold around the world were electric. We want to be a part of that action, Whitehouse said. Graham, a South Carolina Republican, requested the hearing. He pointed out several times the automotive industrys importance to the state. South Carolina is a national leader in vehicle assembly and the top tire exporter in the country, according to the states Department of Commerce. At least 10,600 South Carolinians are expected to go to work at new, high-paying jobs in the electric vehicle industry over the next decade. Graham said the future of vehicle manufacturing is in electric vehicles and urged policies to remain competitive in the global automobile market. His position was out of step from many in his party. Republicans have voiced opposition to increased electric vehicle manufacturing and many oppose President Joe Bidens goal of having 50% of vehicle sales be electric by 2030. Scout Motors celebrated its groundbreaking Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Blythewood. It is one of five major companies, each needing training for thousands of employees, in the state as South Carolina seeks to become a hub for electric vehicles and batteries. (Provided by Scout Motors) Former President Donald Trump opposes Bidens support of electric vehicles and said it would ruin the economies of automaker states. But Graham, a Trump ally and a staunchly conservative lawmaker, embraced the idea of U.S. electric vehicle manufacturing and looked to strengthen U.S. infrastructure. So the bottom line is: This is coming, whether we like it or not, Graham said. And I think theres an upside to it, to be honest with you. Strain on the grid Several lawmakers raised concerns in the hearing over whether the electric grid could handle increased demand from electric vehicle charging. Graham raised the question of where the power will come from to fuel a larger fleet of electric cars. Grid demand will go through the roof, if half of cars in use are electric, he said. How can you generate enough power to accommodate electric vehicles? Jesse Jenkins, a professor of engineering and energy systems at Princeton University, said by 2035 electric vehicles will consume 17% of current total U.S. electricity. To put it another way, by 2035, EVs will consume nearly as much electricity as is produced today by the entire fleet of nuclear power plants or all non hydro-renewables combined, Jenkins said. Britta Gross, the director of transportation at the Electric Power Research Institute, said strain on the grid from electric vehicles could be minimized by charging at off-peak hours. Power demand is typically highest in the mornings and evenings. Charging vehicles at night when demand is low can help minimize the new grid investments and ensure an affordable transition, she said. China debate International competition was another highly discussed topic in Wednesdays hearing. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat from Michigan, a state with a large automotive industry, raised concerns about the U.S.s ability to compete with China, which leads the world in electric vehicle manufacturing and has poured government funds into subsidies and tax breaks to promote electric car development. There is not a level playing field, said Stabenow. Specifically, China is coming for us. David Schwietert, the chief government affairs and policy officer for the Alliance For Automotive Innovation, told the committee that Congress must provide incentives for manufacturers to build resilience for the future of electric vehicle production. We need to look beyond just five or 10 years, Schwietert said. We need to ensure that policies are in place to ensure the U.S. is protected, not just tomorrow but well beyond. Graham also pressed witnesses about Chinas position in the global electric vehicle market, asking Maureen Hinman, co-founder and chairwoman of Silverado Policy Accelerator, a bipartisan economic policy institute, if Chinese dominance in the market was irreversible. Absolutely not, Hinman said. I think the U.S. and its allies and friends, if we move quickly to create agile, responsive and coordinated policies, could flip the script and reestablish market dynamics in a global economy. GOP skepticism Not all Republicans on the committee were as welcoming to the electric vehicle conversation as Graham. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin, said he was not opposed to electric vehicles and that he owns a plug-in hybrid car, but that the government should not spend to entice manufacturing and ownership of the vehicles. Why do we need government subsidies? Johnson asked witnesses. I would say you dont. Let the marketplace dictate the speed of this innovation. Stop subsidizing this, he said. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana also pressed witnesses on the need for subsidies, repeatedly asking if theyre so swell, how come we have to pay people to buy them? Kennedy speculated that many Americans have to be incentivized to buy electric vehicles because they are more expensive to operate. The median household income in Louisiana is $55,000 a year, which is below the national median, he pointed out. A study by the environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council found that while electric vehicles are just under $3,000 more up front than a gas-powered car, they ultimately cost less to fuel and maintain over time. The United Auto Workers (UAW) endorsed Vice President Harris on Wednesday in the upcoming presidential election. UAW President Shawn Fain praised Harris ahead of her planned appearance at a rally with union members on Aug. 7 and took aim at former President Trump, the Republican presidential nominee. Our job in this election is to defeat Donald Trump and elect Kamala Harris to build on her proven track record of delivering for the working class, Fain said in a statement. We stand at a crossroads in this country. We can put a billionaire back in office who stands against everything our union stands for, or we can elect Kamala Harris, who will stand shoulder to shoulder with us in our war on corporate greed, Fain added. Fain and Trump have sparred publicly for months. Trump called for Fain to be fired during his speech at the Republican National Convention, and the UAW hit back on the social platform X, calling the former president a scab and a billionaire. Last week, Fain praised Harris for walking the picket line with UAW workers in 2019, saying Trump, who was in office at the time, sure as hell wasnt on the picket line. The UAW endorsement ended weeks of speculation as to whether the union would back Harris after President Biden, endorsed by the UAW in January, exited the race on July 21. Biden endorsed Harris after he dropped out, and the party has largely fallen in line behind Harris ahead of the Democratic National Convention next month. She has also snagged endorsements from major labor unions including the AFL-CIO, the United Steelworkers, the American Federation of Teachers, the United Food and Commercial Workers and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The United Brotherhood of Teamsters, another prominent labor union, has not yet issued an endorsement. This campaign is bringing together people from all walks of life, building a movement that can defeat Donald Trump at the ballot box. For our one million active and retired members, the choice is clear: We will elect Kamala Harris to be our next President this November, Fain 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 The Hill. DETROIT (AP) The United Auto Workers on Wednesday endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, giving her union firepower for the likely contest this November against Republican Donald Trump. UAW President Shawn Fain said in a statement that the union's job in this year's election was to defeat Trump. The union has more than a million active and retired members with a strong base in what the Democrats call the blue wall states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. We can put a billionaire back in office who stands against everything our union stands for, or we can elect Kamala Harris who will stand shoulder to shoulder with us in our war on corporate greed, Fain said. There was never any doubt that the UAW would endorse Harris after President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race. Biden won the UAW's backing in January, and accepted it with a speech at a union political convention in Washington. The AFL-CIO, the umbrella labor organization that includes the UAW, had already endorsed the vice president. Fain needed to wait for the union's executive board to give the nod to Harris, but has repeatedly attacked Trump ahead of the endorsement. There is only one answer to the threat we face as a nation, and it's not another billionaire in office, Fain wrote in a UAW post early Wednesday on the X social media site. Fain and the union also have called Trump a scab," a derogatory term for workers who cross union picket lines and work during a strike. They also have said he did nothing for workers in Ohio when General Motors closed a factory in 2019. The UAW endorsed Bidens reelection bid in January, just a few months after the Democratic president joined striking General Motors workers on the picket lines near Detroit. The union won big raises last fall after limited strikes at all three Detroit automakers. Shortly after the Biden endorsement, Fain was making multiple television appearances on Biden's behalf. But those waned as the UAW ramped up its campaign to organize nonunion auto factories and a spat with a court-appointed union monitor. The UAW says its union members and retirees typically lean toward Democrats, but a sizeable number support the GOP. Thats consistent with AP VoteCast, which found that 56% of union members and households backed Biden in 2020, while 42% backed Trump. Still, Trump has courted union members, saying when he accepted the Republican nomination that he would rescue the auto industry from what he called complete obliteration. He also called for members to fire Fain, using false claims that Fain allowed Chinese automakers to build auto factories across the border in Mexico to ship electric vehicles to the U.S. without tariffs. Industry analysts know of no such factories under construction. The auto industry is currently far from obliteration. Detroit auto companies are still making billions and auto manufacturing employment is up 13.8% since Biden took office. Trump said he would put tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Biden earlier this year slapped tariffs on Chinese imported goods, including EVs. The 1.3 million-member Teamsters union, whose president spoke at the Republican National Convention, has yet to make an endorsement in the race. ___ Boak reported from Washington. The UAW has endorsed Kamala Harris for president of the United States. The union, in an announcement Wednesday, said its International Executive Board had voted in favor of endorsing Harris in the November election ahead of a planned rally for her campaign Aug. 7 in Detroit, where she is expected to "meet directly with UAW members and leaders to hear about the issues that matter to Michigan workers." The endorsement was not unexpected. Following President Joe Biden's announcement that he would drop out of the race against Republican Donald Trump, the UAW highlighted the vice president's record in the union's statement about Biden's service. That record includes Harris walking the picket line with UAW members during the union's 2019 strike against General Motors. Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris attends a presidential election campaign event in Atlanta on July 30, 2024. The union's president, Shawn Fain, has also made no secret of his disdain for Trump, who has called for Fain's firing. Our job in this election is to defeat Donald Trump and elect Kamala Harris to build on her proven track record of delivering for the working class, Fain said in a news release. We stand at a crossroads in this country. We can put a billionaire back in office who stands against everything our union stands for, or we can elect Kamala Harris who will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us in our war on corporate greed. This campaign is bringing together people from all walks of life, building a movement that can defeat Donald Trump at the ballot box. For our one million active and retired members, the choice is clear: We will elect Kamala Harris to be our next president this November. The UAW joins the AFL-CIO, Service Employees International Union, American Federation of Teachers and other unions in endorsing Harris, although one other prominent union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has charted its own path, with Sean O'Brien, the general president of the Teamsters, giving a precedent-breaking speech at the Republican National Convention in July. The UAW's endorsement prompted backlash from the Trump campaign, which released a statement bashing Harris. "Union workers and all the nation's working families are paying the price for dangerously liberal Kamala Harris' failed economic policies. Kamala Harris' radical electric vehicle mandate will destroy the livelihoods of countless U.S. autoworkers while sending the U.S. auto industry to China. President Trump will reverse Harris' extreme electric vehicle mandate on Day One and save the U.S. auto industry for generations to come. President Trump has more than 90% approval from Republican voters, and is picking up historic gains with longtime Democrat constituencies including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, young people, and union workers," according to the statement attributed to Karoline Leavitt, Trump's national press secretary While the Biden administration has clearly pushed policies that seek to significantly boost EV sales and adoption, framing that as a formal mandate highlights how the issue is viewed and positioned politically. The Harris campaign released its own statement touting the vice president's record, following the endorsement announcement. Vice President Harris is no stranger to fighting for unions. From walking a picket line with striking UAW workers to casting the deciding vote for the Butch Lewis Act and taking on big banks to protect over $300 million in union retirement funds as Californias Attorney General, Kamala Harris has a long, proven record of delivering for unions and organized labor. As president, Kamala Harris will continue to fight like hell for union workers and their families," according to the statement attributed to Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez. The statement warned that "Donald Trump will gut workers rights, ship jobs overseas and give tax breaks to billionaires at the expense of working people. With the immense organizing power of the UAW at her side, this campaign will reach out to auto workers across the country and send Kamala Harris to the Oval Office. Harris is expected to name her vice presidential choice by Tuesday, when she will begin a tour of battleground states with her future running mate, the campaign said. Harris and her running mate will make stops next week in Philadelphia; western Wisconsin; Detroit; Raleigh, N.C.; Savannah, Georgia; Phoenix, and Las Vegas, the campaign said. Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: UAW endorses Kamala Harris in 2024 presidential race Overall, UC admitted 93,920 first-year California students, up 4.3% from last year, an all-time high. Above, students on the UCLA campus. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) The University of California admitted the largest and most diverse class of undergraduates for fall 2024, opening the doors of the vaunted public research institution to more California low-income, first-generation and underrepresented students of color, according to preliminary data released Wednesday. In striking data, UC shared for the first time the gender identity of admitted students as part of its annual data release. Systemwide, women are the dominant gender among first-year students, reaching 55%. At six campuses Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, UCLA, San Diego and Santa Barbara the gender gap is greater, with men representing about 37% of students. UC Merced was the most evenly balanced, with 49% women and 46% men. The genders were at greater parity among transfer admits. About 5% of admitted students identified differently as nonbinary or transgender, for instance or did not disclose their gender identity. Overall, UC admitted 93,920 first-year California students, up 4.3% from last year, an all-time high amid widespread public demands to give more seats to state students after campuses began admitting a larger share of international and out-of-state applicants several years ago to raise revenue amid major state funding cuts. The systemwide admission rate for California first-year students climbed to 70% from 68% last year. But at UCLA, the nation's most applied-to university, the admit rate remained in single-digits, 9.5%. In total, UC offered admission to 166,706 first-year and transfer students from California and other states and countries. For the fifth consecutive year, Latinos were the largest group of admitted first-year California students, primarily because of their dominant numbers accepted by UC Merced. At all of the other eight undergraduate campuses, Asian Americans were the leading group admitted. Overall, Latinos made up 39% of first-year Californians admitted, followed by Asian Americans at 33%, whites at 18%, Black students at 6%, American Indians at 1% and Pacific Islanders at less than 1%. Read more: UC unveils steep price tag for handling campus protests: $29 million, most for policing UC also increased access to low-income students, who made up nearly 41% of the admitted first-year California class; the share of those who will be the first in their families grew to 43%. The university system also made notable gains in expanding access to California Community College transfer applicants offering admission to 26,430, a 7.8% increase over last year. The higher admission numbers reflect a rebound in transfer applicants after a pandemic-fueled plunge. UC received 34,668 transfer applications for fall 2024, up from 31,646 last year. About 3 of 4 applicants were admitted. These admissions numbers demonstrate the University of Californias commitment to expanding opportunity and access, especially for historically underrepresented groups, who comprise the largest-ever share of first-year students, said UC President Michael V. Drake. Were setting more California students on the path to a college degree and future success, and that translates to positive impact on communities throughout the state. FAFSA fiasco This year's admission cycle was complicated by a major fiasco: the flawed rollout of a new federal financial aid form that created significant delays in filing, receiving and processing student information to assess eligibility for financial support. Campuses are still uncertain about how many students they admitted will ultimately enroll because hundreds have still not filed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA. "The FAFSA crisis is dwarfing and overshadowing everything," said Jim Rawlins, UC San Diego associate vice chancellor of enrollment management. "This is what keeps me up at night." Rawlins said the number of students who have accepted San Diego's admission offer but have not yet filed a FAFSA increased by as many as 400, or 60%, over last year which could result in many dropping plans to attend because they failed to file the form and did not receive financial aid. He said his staff is scrambling to contact those students to help them along, but the federal Department of Education has not fully solved all problems sending out a notification Tuesday that schools will not be able to submit batches of corrections to applications this cycle. That uncertainty, Rawlins said, was one reason San Diego increased offers of admission this year accepting 22,979 California first-year applicants compared with about 20,800 last year. But the campus also expects to add a few hundred more seats, as part of a systemwide commitment to add 2,927 California students in 2024-25. UC plans to make good on the expansion plans despite receiving $124 million less than expected under the five-year compact with Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature due to the state budget deficit. UCLA admissions stand apart Foreign students visit the University of California Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) UCLA offered admission to 8,795 California first-year applicants for fall 2024, up by about 200 students over last year. That was the smallest number of offers among UC campuses. But UCLA does not need to admit as many students as other campuses to reach its enrollment targets because its rate of acceptance is high, about 60%, said Gary Clark, UCLA associate vice chancellor of enrollment management. UCLA also admitted 5,518 transfer applicants for fall 2024. The campus expects to enroll about 5,250 first-year students and 3,400 transfers. For applicants who may see UCLA as nearly impossible to crack, with an average weighted GPA of 4.58, the transfer path is generally more accessible, with an overall admission rate of 26%. But Clark said students should be aware of the great variance among majors the transfer admission rate for computer science is 5%, for instance, compared with 60%-plus for history, linguistics and philosophy. Clark also reiterated that UCLA considers grades and transcripts in the context of opportunities available to an applicant. A student attending a high school without the full slate of Advanced Placement courses will not be compared with someone from a more well-resourced school. Read more: UCLA has a new chancellor: Julio Frenk, University of Miami president, global health expert The Westwood campus led the way in offers to Black students, who made up 8% of all admitted California first-year applicants. UC Merced had the highest share of offers to Latinos 45% while Asian Americans made up at least 40% of admitted students at Irvine, Berkeley, Davis and Riverside. Overall, UC Riverside admitted the most California first-year and transfer students 43,016, up from 39,139 last year as one of the UC campuses with the room to grow significantly. Riverside also accepted the largest number of students who are low-income and the first in their families to attend college. "We really want to make sure UCR is accessible to our California residents," said Veronica Zendejas, director of undergraduate admissions. UC Santa Cruz admits most nonbinary students tudents walk through the campus of UC Santa Cruz. (Nic Coury/For The Times) At UC Santa Cruz, the biggest news is the robust growth in the number of transfer students the campus plans to enroll. Santa Cruz increased admission of first-year students across the board including 35,008 Californians and 11,574 nonresidents. But Santa Cruz is planning to use most of its state funding to boost transfer student enrollment by 19%, said Michelle Whittingham, associate vice chancellor of enrollment management. Whittingham also said transfer students who follow the requirements for units, grade point average and preparation for majors have an excellent shot at acceptance. "There is so much narrative about how difficult it is to get into UC, but if you do what we publish as criteria, you're in" for most majors, she said. UC Santa Cruz is also the campus of choice for students who identify as a gender other than female and male. Across UC's nine undergraduate campuses, 1,453 first-year California applicants identified as nonbinary; 683 of them were admitted to UC Santa Cruz. One trans applicant drove three hours from Washington state to a UC Santa Cruz recruiting event in Oregon because the campus was their first choice given its reputation for inclusivity and support for LGBTQ+ people, Whittingham said. More offers to California applicants UC Davis has also stepped up outreach to transfer applicants, expanding its work with community colleges, said Malisa Lee, vice provost of enrollment management. Overall, the campus increased admission offers by 4.2% to Californians from 57 of the state's 58 counties. UC Berkeley reduced admission offers to all categories of first-year applicants especially international students, who declined to 751 for fall 2024 from 1,129 from last year. Offers to California transfer applicants grew by about 140. Read more: Retiring UC Berkeley chancellor sounds off on protests, enrollment, housing By contrast, UC Irvine significantly boosted admission of international first-year applicants by 33%, to 8,360 applicants for fall 2024 from 6,260 last year, with a smaller increase of 8.4% for California students. Irvine had the largest share of international students in its admitted class 24% and the smallest share of Californians, at 54%. UC Santa Barbara increased offers to California students by 15.7%, out-of-state students by 11.5% and international students by 36%. UC Merced also admitted more first-year students across the board, and led all campuses in the proportion of Californians who are underrepresented students of color, with 53% of them of Latino, Black, American Indian and Pacific Islander backgrounds. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. We recently compiled a list of the 14 Best Consulting Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) stands against the other consulting stocks. After the market rebounded in 2021 post-pandemic, the US consulting industry now faces a complex and uncertain landscape. Rising inflation, increased costs, talent shortages, and supply chain disruptions amid a volatile geopolitical climate are challenging the sector. Despite these hurdles, 66% of clients plan to increase their use of consultants over the next year. However, clients are becoming more cautious, opting for smaller, tactical projects to address immediate issues rather than engaging in lengthy, expensive transformation initiatives. This approach allows them to assess the impact of their investments before committing further. According to the 2023 report by Source Global Research, consulting firms must now deliver results within tighter timeframes amid heightened competition for smaller, sequential project components. Clients are increasingly seeking innovative and data-driven solutions, reflecting a desire for new and novel approaches throughout the project lifecycle. This shift highlights the need for consulting firms to adapt and excel in an environment where macroeconomic challenges have dampened post-pandemic optimism. In 2021, the US experienced significant growth as clients invested in growth initiatives, buoyed by optimism and capital following the pandemic. However, by the end of 2022, the mood shifted due to rising inflation, energy prices, and political tensions, which hindered business operations and growth opportunities. Clients remain cautious, anticipating a potential global recession. Nevertheless, some clients remain hopeful, with around a third believing that current macroeconomic factors could positively impact their organizations. With technology being a top priority for clients, it's no surprise that technology firms are leading the market. Clients are investing heavily in technology, which translates into significant consulting spend. Over the past year, two of the top three consulting areas were technology-related: 77% of clients invested in technology strategy and 71% in technology implementation. Productivity improvement, which often involves technology, ranked second at 73%. Although the market is crowded, technology firms are benefiting the most. Clients prefer these firms for their specialized technology solutions, which they believe offer more reliable outcomes compared to other providers, even if it means higher costs. Story continues Uncertainty in the global economy is causing significant disruption in the US consulting industry, with firms dealing with project cancellations and clients pushing for lower fees, reported Financial Times. The report by Source Global Research highlights a major reassessment of consultants by US clients due to economic concerns. Over 75% of professional services buyers have cancelled or scrapped projects, and two-thirds have paused most existing work. The report forecasts 11% revenue growth in 2023, consistent with 2022, but notes increasing pressure on consultants' fees, with clients now expecting lower rates compared to before the pandemic. Clients are more focused on getting value for money, with only about 50% believing firms provide value above their fees. Areas such as cybersecurity, HR consulting, and M&A for private equity firms are experiencing slowdowns. While IT consulting remains strong, it is targeted at projects that deliver quick financial benefits. The decline in hiring, initially observed in the Big Four accounting and consulting firms, has extended to smaller players as well. According to a survey by investment bank William Blair, job postings by US specialty consultants were down 57% in June 2023 compared to the previous year and have fallen below pre-pandemic levels. At the Big Four, job postings have decreased by 80% year-on-year. There is one long-term trend that we haven't talked yet affecting consulting firms positively. The rise of generative AI, a powerful new technology that can create realistic text and images, has sparked a gold rush for consulting firms. Companies like Reckitt Benckiser, unsure of how to leverage this technology, are turning to consultants for guidance. This has led to a surge in revenue for these firms, with some like McKinsey seeing 40% of their business coming from AI-related work. Consulting firms are among the early winners of the AI revolution which is why we believe this may be a good time to invest in consulting stocks. However, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than consulting companies but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. Our Methodology We leveraged Insider Monkeys comprehensive database of 920 prominent hedge funds to identify the top 14 consulting stocks with the highest level of hedge fund investment as of Q1 2024. These stocks are listed in order of increasing hedge fund ownership, providing insight into the most popular consulting stocks among elite investors. A team of data experts gathered around a computer monitor analyzing customer data. Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 57 Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is a professional services company offering a wide range of services globally, including strategy and consulting, technology and operations, and industry-specific solutions. The company provides various services such as application management, intelligent automation, data analytics, digital commerce, infrastructure management, and cloud services, as well as business process outsourcing and technology innovation. Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) also offers specialized services like engineering and R&D digitization, supply chain management, and sustainability services, and has collaborations with companies like Salesforce to develop industry-specific cloud solutions. On July 22 the breaking news emerged that Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) has agreed to acquire Camelot Management Consultants, a German consulting firm specializing in SAP, supply chain, data, and analytics. This acquisition aims to strengthen Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) capabilities in building intelligent and resilient supply chains, leveraging SAP and AI. Camelot's expertise in supply chain management, analytics, and data strategy will enhance Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) offerings, helping clients adopt AI-driven solutions. With over 700 professionals and a strong presence in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other countries, Camelot will bring significant value to Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) global client base. The acquisition will further solidify Accenture's position as a leading provider of SAP and AI-driven supply chain solutions, enabling clients to build more efficient and responsive supply chains. In the first quarter of 2024, the number of hedge funds with positions in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) fell to 57 from 58, according to Insider Monkeys database, which tracks 920 hedge funds. The combined value of these holdings is approximately $2.40 billion. During this period, Guardian Capitals GuardCap Asset Management became the largest shareholder among these hedge funds. Polen Focus Growth Strategy stated the following regarding Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) in its Q2 2024 investor letter: Autodesk and Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) were also notable absolute detractors in the quarter. For Accenture, the past year has proven to be a weak backdrop for the IT services industry as enterprises rationalize their IT budgets and defer spending on discretionary, shorter-cycle deals. Accenture has not been immune to this broader weakness, as evidenced by slowing growth in recent quarters. However, we would note that later in the quarter, the stock responded very positively to results that showcased AI bookings growing rapidly, though still a small portion of overall bookings. Additionally, as we head into 2025, growth comparisons should ease considerably. Overall ACN ranks 1st on our list of the best consulting stocks to buy. You can visit 14 Best Consulting Stocks to Buy Now to see the other consulting stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of ACN as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ACN but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion Opportunity for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. In a forecastedbut nonetheless stunningdevelopment, U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware denied motions by UFC and fighters for preliminary approval in their $335 million settlement. Boulware made the order late Tuesday night and provided no details or explanation. The judge set a status conference for Aug. 19 and a trial date for Le v. Zuffa for Oct. 28. More from Sportico.com Setting a trial date does not necessarily mean a trial will occur on that date or at all. UFC and the fighters attorneys could negotiate a new settlement preliminary approval in the coming days or weeks. That development would stay the case as Boulware reviews the new settlement and, at a minimum, postpones the trial date. The gist of the case is that UFC has allegedly used anti-competitive tactics to suppress fighters compensation, but UFC is armed with several defenses that, if they fail to persuade jurors, might resonate more with appellate judges. Put bluntly, the risk that fighters end up with nothing from this class action settlement is real. It is very rare for an antitrust class action settlement to be rejected at the preliminary approval stage (as opposed to the final approval stage). It means the judge has rejected the settlement proposal even before the class members had a chance to weigh in at a fairness hearing or before opting out. The development is a reminder to those following the NCAA antitrust class action settlement for the House, Carter and Hubbard lawsuits that the filing of a settlement with a judge doesnt mean it will be approved or approved in the form it was submitted. As Sportico detailed, Boulware has voiced objections to UFC settling two class action lawsuits, Cung Le et al. v. Zuffa and Kajan Johnson et al. v. Zuffathe two cases cover about 2,000 UFC fighters. Le involves fighters who were in one or more UFC bouts that took place, or were broadcast, in the U.S. from Dec. 16, 2010, to June 30, 2017. Le was scheduled to go to trial in April before the parties struck a deal in March and now has a trial date in October. Johnson was brought in 2021 and represents those who fought in UFC bouts from July 1, 2017, to the present. Johnson is earlier in the litigation process and would not go to trial for years (if at all). Attorneys for UFC and the fighters have modified settlement terms in response to objections raised by Boulware over the last few months. Boulware believes fighters in Johnson, many of whom (unlike those in Le) are subject to arbitration and class action waiver clauses, might want to separately challenge the legality of those clauses. Boulware has also opined $335 million seems too low given that if UFC went to trial and lost Le (and lost appeals), UFC could potentially have to pay more than $3 billion if damages were, as antitrust law allows, trebled. The downside for fighters to Boulware rejecting the settlementit denies them what would be large payments made in the near future and creates risk that they (and their families) will end up with nothing from these cases. Fighters in Le would receive, on average, $200,000, with a median recovery of $73,000 and a minimum of $13,000. About 500 fighters were set to receive more than $100,000 and 36 would have taken home more than $1 million. If the litigation doesnt settle, it could remain in court for years, given that the losing side would likely exhaust appeal options. Attorneys for the fighters have acknowledged their legal arguments might not withstand appeals. Dont be surprised if UFC and attorneys for Le strike a separate deal, with Johnson remaining on the docket. Separating the two cases would seem to comport with Boulwares wishes. About 90% of the projected damages from the two cases are in Le, with Johnson regarded, even by fighters attorneys, as a weak case. That doesnt mean a revised settlement figure would be 90% of $335 million ($301.5 million) for Le alone, as UFC likely paid a premium to settle both cases at once. But a settlement figure in the ballpark of $280 million to $300 million seems possible. The fight goes on. Best of Sportico.com HONOLULU (KHON2) UH alumnus and businessman Jay H. Shidler has donated $1 million to start the Directors Innovation Fund at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You This fund will enable UH Cancer Center Director Dr. Naoto T. Ueno to further his research initiatives at the facility. Shidler, a 1968 graduate of the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, expressed admiration for Uenos commitment to advancing cancer research and treatment in Hawaii. With the UH Cancer Center entering a new phase of advanced research and patient care, highlighted by the upcoming opening of the Hoola Early Phase Clinical Research Center next year, this investment is timely. Visitor numbers drop in Hawaii despite summer season Hawaii, with an average of 7,393 invasive cancer diagnoses and 2,393 related deaths annually, faces unique challenges due to its geographic isolation and diverse population of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian communities that are often at higher risk for cancer. The UH Cancer Center is the sole National Cancer Institute-designated center focused on these groups. Part of the donation will be allocated to acquiring advanced imaging and analysis equipment, enhancing the precision of cancer drug screening, expediting new treatment development, and recruiting skilled technicians and researchers. The funds will also support the centers community outreach efforts. Hawaiian Telecom cable franchises for Maui, Kauai, Hawaii approved by State Ueno also plans to work with the John A. Burns School of Medicine to address Hawaiis chronic shortage of oncologists. This initiative will focus on cultivating local talent, developing culturally sensitive practices, and addressing disparities in cancer care access across the neighbor islands. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Protesters confront police during the "Enough is Enough" protest in Whitehall, London, Wednesday July 31, 2024, following the fatal stabbing of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday dance and yoga class on Monday in Southport. (Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) British police said Thursday they have charged a 17-year-old with murder over a stabbing attack that left three little girls dead and several more in critical condition. The charges came as the traumatized town of Southport cleaned up after a bout of far-right violence, and agitators fired up by anger and misinformation clashed with police near the prime ministers residence in London. The Merseyside Police force said the teenager, who has not been named because of his age, faces three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder over people injured in the attack during a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday dance and yoga class. He is due to appear in court in Liverpool later Thursday. About two dozen children were attending the summer vacation workshop on Monday when an attacker with a knife burst in. Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6, died from their injuries. Ten other people were injured, among whom five girls and two adults are in critical condition. Far-right demonstrators have launched several violent protests, ostensibly in response to the attack, clashing with police outside a mosque in Southport on Tuesday. A few hundred protesters hurled beer cans and flares near British Prime Minister Keir Starmers residence in Downing Street in central London on Wednesday evening. More than 100 people were arrested for offenses including violent disorder and assault on an emergency worker, London's Metropolitan Police force said. Police also faced violent demonstrators in the town of Hartlepool in northeast England, as far-right groups seek to stir anger over an attack they have sought to link without evidence to immigrants. Hours earlier, residents of Southport swept shattered glass and broken bricks from streets after far-right protesters clashed with police outside a mosque in the seaside town. On Tuesday night a crowd of several hundred people hurled bricks and bottles at riot police in Southport, set garbage bins and vehicles on fire and looted a store, hours after a peaceful vigil for the girls, aged 6, 7 and 9, were killed. More than 50 officers were injured, including more than two dozen who were taken to hospitals, officials said. I am absolutely appalled and disgusted at the level of violence that was shown towards my officers," Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said. "Some of the first responders who attended that awful scene on Monday ... then were faced with that level of violence. Five men have been arrested in connection with the riots in Southport, mainly for violent disorder; one was arrested for possessing a knife and fighting. Kennedy said more arrests were expected. Starmer condemned the thuggery and said the protesters hijacked the communitys grief. Norman Wallis, chief executive of the Southport Pleasureland amusement park, was one of dozens of people who turned up with brushes and shovels to clear the debris. Its horrendous what those hooligans have done last night, he said. But none of those people were the people of Southport," he added. "The people of Southport are the ones here today cleaning the mess up. The protesters, who police said were supporters of the far-right English Defence League, were apparently fueled false online rumors about the suspect. Police said a name circulating on social media spread by far-right activists and accounts of murky origin purporting to be news organizations was incorrect and that he was born in Britain, contrary to online claims he was an asylum-seeker. The names of suspects under the age of 18 are usually not made public in Britain. Patrick Hurley, the local lawmaker, said the violence by beered-up thugs was the result of propaganda and lies spread on social media. This misinformation doesnt just exist on peoples internet browsers and on peoples phones. It has real world impact, he said. Chanaka Balasuryla, whose corner store was looted for booze and cigarettes, said he watched from home on a surveillance camera as a gang broke in. He was terrified because a woman and her daughter lived upstairs and he feared the looters would set the shop on fire. He learned later that the woman had confronted the mob and told them the Windsor Mini Mart was her shop and asked them to stop. The next morning he went get down to his shop were people waiting to help him clean up. "I feel safe again because people are here to protect us, he said. The rampage in Southport is the latest shocking attack in a country where a recent rise in knife crime has stoked anxieties and led to calls for the government to do more to clamp down on bladed weapons, by far the most commonly used instruments in U.K. homicides. Witnesses described hearing screams and seeing children covered in blood in the mayhem outside the Hart Space, a community center that hosts everything from pregnancy workshops to womens boot camps. Joel Verite, a window cleaner riding in a van on his lunch break, said his colleague slammed on the brakes and reversed to where a woman was hanging on the side of a car covered in blood. She just screamed at me: Hes killing kids over there. Hes killing kids over there, Verite told Sky News. It was like a scene youd see on a disaster film, he said. I cant explain to you how horrific it is what I saw. Britains worst attack on children was in 1996, when 43-year-old Thomas Hamilton shot and killed 16 kindergartners and their teacher in a school gymnasium in Dunblane, Scotland. The United Kingdom subsequently banned the private ownership of almost all handguns. While knives are used in about 40% of homicides each year, mass stabbings are unusual. ___ Associated Press writer Pan Pylas in London contributed to this report. (Bloomberg) -- Keir Starmer said far-right demonstrators involved in clashes with police would face the full force of the law, as the prime ministers fourth week in office was overshadowed by social unrest and signs of rising political extremism. Most Read from Bloomberg After three young children were killed in north-west England, a group of men appearing to act on online disinformation attacked a mosque and threw bricks at police officers. Starmer said in a statement posted on X that they had hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery. The rioting erupted in the town of Southport on Tuesday night, following the fatal stabbings of three girls aged between six and nine at a Taylor Swift-themed childrens event a day earlier. Another eight children were stabbed, five of whom remain in a critical condition, as are two adults who were attacked. A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of both murder and attempted murder. The rioting poses an early test for Starmer, who won the general election in the UK on July 4, and serves as a reminder that his premiership will face challenges in its handling of both violent crime and the threat from the far-right. A day after his chancellor announced an audit of government spending whose messaging was designed to place blame on the official Conservative opposition, the events underline that the new government is operating in a far more fragmented political landscape than it might have hoped. Along with a Tory rout, the election delivered unprecedented electoral gains for the right-wing Reform Party, which won its first five seats in the House of Commons and came second in another 98 of the UKs 650 constituencies. On Tuesday afternoon, its leader Nigel Farage posted a video on X where he repeated online conspiracy theories about the Southport killings. The police say its a non-terror incident, he said. I just wonder whether the truth is being withheld from us? I dont know the answer to that. I think its a fair and legitimate question. Farage himself was elected to Parliament earlier this month after his party won some 14% of the vote off the back of its anti-immigration rhetoric. Although hostile policies toward immigration became steadily more central to the campaign promises of Rishi Sunaks Conservatives, they were unable to stymie Reforms ascent. False Information In the hours after the stabbings, a number of influential right-wing accounts on X spread false information about the attacker, including claims that he was an asylum seeker or a refugee. Others cited a Muslim name in connection with the killings, attributing the news to Channel 3 Now, a fake news organization whose origins cannot easily be traced. The police said the perpetrator of the killings, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was in fact born in Cardiff, Wales. His parents are from Rwanda, the BBC reported. Counter-terror police are assisting with the investigation but it is not currently being treated as terror-related, it said. Even so, tens of millions of people had already seen the initial tweets, according to analysis by Marc Owen Jones, a researcher at Northwestern University, leading to a surge in anti-Muslim rhetoric online. Supporters of the far-right agitator Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, claimed that the police and media were involved in a cover-up and backed his calls to rally in Southport. Some 39 police officers were injured in the ensuing confrontations with demonstrators, according to the North West Ambulance Service. Merseyside Police said that at around 7.45 p.m. on Tuesday a large group of people believed to be supporters of the English Defence League began to throw items towards a local mosque. The English Defence League is a far-right group that has been responsible for violence in the past. Police vehicles were set on fire and one officer had their nose broken, the force said. The killings and clashes between protesters and police are the latest in a series of violent incidents that have taken place in Britain in recent weeks. Last week, an army officer was stabbed near a barracks in Kent in an attack the police also said was unlikely to be terror-related. A separate fight between police officers and a group of violent men at Manchester Airport also sparked inflammatory posts online about who was responsible, and misinformation was spread online about rioting in Leeds earlier this month. Anti-immigrant influencers have exploited similar tragedies elsewhere. When Joel Cauchi attacked and killed six people in Sydney in April, false information was spread about the attacker being Muslim or Jewish. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Ukraine able to produce over 3 million drones a year, ministry says Ukraine has the production capacity to produce more than 3 million drones a year, but requires financing from foreign partners, Deputy Strategic Industries Minister Hanna Hvozdiar said on July 30. Drones have been a key tool in Ukraine's defense against Russia's war. Ukraine officially presented its Unmanned Systems Forces in June, after President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree in February ordering the creation of a separate branch of the armed forces tasked with improving drone operations. "We have large enough production capacity, we can produce more than 3 million drones of various types today," Hvozdiar said at a government-organized hackathon, as quoted by Suspilne. Ukraine needs financing for the production of drones, as the state can only cover part of the budget. Funding from foreign partners, such as Canada, will help to cover the rest of the financing, Hvozdiar said. According to Hvozdiar, Kyiv is also in talks with the U.K. to help purchase domestically-produced drones for the Ukrainian military. In April, Denmark became the first country among Ukraine's partners to buy weapons and equipment for Ukraine's Armed Forces from a domestic manufacturer as part of a military aid package. The same month, Canada announced it would donate $2.2 million to Ukraine's drone production in collaboration with the U.K. According to Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin, foreign investment is needed because Ukraine's defense industry has a capacity worth around $20 billion, but the state only has up to $10 billion to purchase weapons and equipment. In June, the state-owned company Ukrainian Defense Industry, also known as Ukroboronprom, said it had launched the serial production of strike drones with a range of over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). The head of Ukrainian Defense Industry, Herman Smetanin, said that with the help of "private individuals," the company was now able to "scale production" of long-range drones. Read also: Ukraines Antonov company plans to cooperate with Boeing in defense projects Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine concluded 'one of the largest cyberattacks' against Russia, source says Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) on July 30 finished a week-long massive cyberattack against Russia's financial institutions, telecommunications providers, and other targets, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent on July 31. The wide-reaching DDoS campaign began on July 23 and disrupted the services of Russia's top banks, payment systems, social networks and messengers, government websites, and more. Russian media widely reported on the problems experienced by users across the country. The source called it "one of the largest DDoS attacks on Russian internet infrastructure in history," adding that Ukraine managed to obtain a "massive volume of confidential data." VTB, Raiffeisen Bank, Alfa Bank, Sberbank, Gazprombank, and Russia's central bank were among the targeted institutions. "All the targets were supporting or financing (Russia's) armed aggression against Ukraine in one way or another," the source said. According to the source, the targeted institutions did not manage to fully restore their services as of July 30, 7 p.m. local time. "This is only a prelude to more interesting events," the source added without revealing details. Cyberattacks have been widely used by both sides during the full-scale war. Earlier in July, HUR claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on nearly 100 Russian websites that support the Kremlin's war effort. The attack took the sites offline and replaced their homepages with a picture of a bloody pig's head. A large-scale cyberattack in late June left at least 250,000 consumers in occupied Crimea and other Russian-controlled territories without communication, a military intelligence source told the Kyiv Independent. Read also: Ukraines military intelligence behind cyberattack on Russian banks, source says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War is investigating the circumstances surrounding Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr Ishchenko's death in Russian captivity. Ishchenko, who was a driver in Ukraine's Azov regiment, was captured in Mariupol and died in a pre-trial detention centre in Rostov-on-Don. Source: Petro Yatsenko, head of the press service of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, in a comment to public broadcaster hromadske Details: Yatsenko confirmed the death of Azov Brigade serviceman Oleksandr Ishchenko in a Russian pre-trial detention centre. He added that the Headquarters is investigating all the circumstances and gathering information, but a forensic examination is necessary to determine the cause of death. Quote: "We are collecting information and determining the causes and circumstances. If they are not related to the state of [Ishchenkos] health but to other factors, this will serve as evidence for the International Criminal Court." Background: On 31 July, Russian media reported that Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Ishchenko, who served as a driver in the Azov Regiment and was captured in Mariupol, had died in Russian custody at a pre-trial detention centre in Rostov-on-Don. Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said Ishchenko died nine days ago, according to his daughter. Lubinets said no one had formally informed the Ukrainian side of this. There has been no official report on what caused the Ukrainian citizens death. The Ombudsman further stated that he had immediately written to the Russian Federation's Commissioner for Human Rights, asking her to look into the unfortunate death of a prisoner of war held by Russia and to report back to him regarding the circumstances and cause of Ishchenko's death. For reference: Oleksandr Ishchenko was 55. He was born in Mariupol and was a sailor. A few days before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ishchenko had just returned home from a sea voyage. He joined the Azov Regiment and became a driver there. In May 2022, he was taken captive by Russia. Oleksandr and his brothers-in-arms were tried by the Russians on trumped-up charges, accused of terrorism and attempting to overthrow the government. They were held in a detention centre in the Russian Federation. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian air defense downed all 89 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia in a mass attack overnight, as well as one Kh-59 missile, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on July 31. The main direction of the attack was Kyiv and the surrounding region, the Ukrainian Air Force said. Nine drones were downed above Kherson Oblast, six drones were downed above Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and four drones were downed above Mykolaiv Oblast, according to the local authorities. The Kyiv City Military Administration said that the attack was the strongest drone attack on the capital so far in 2024, with air defense forces destroying over 40 drones in the city's airspace and nearby areas. No casualties were reported. One residential building in Kyiv Oblast caught fire after being hit by falling debris from a downed done, the State Emergency Service reported. The building was among 13 buildings damaged by falling debris in the region, the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration said. The Air Force said that the attack was among the largest mass drone attacks launched by Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion. The attack, which lasted over seven hours, saw drones entering Kyiv in waves from almost all directions. Mobile fire groups, tactical aviation, army aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, and electronic warfare were involved in repelling the attack, the Air Force said. The Kh-59 missile was downed as it attempted to target Mykolaiv Oblast. Russia launched 90 Shahed-type drones in a mass attack last New Year's Eve, 87 of which Ukrainian air defense successfully intercepted. Read also: Why some in Ukraine dont seek shelter during air raid alerts Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Kaniv Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant needs to be out of the Russians reach, and there are plans to build it underground. Source: Ihor Syrota, CEO of Ukrhydroenergo, a Ukrainian state-owned hydropower generating company, in an interview with Liga.net Details: "We are making changes to the Kaniv Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant construction project. It has to be inaccessible to the enemy. Therefore, there are plans to build it underground," he said. Syrota believes that Ukraine needs to build pumped storage hydropower plants, as they can both be a "consumer" of excess electricity generated by other plants and supply it to the grid as needed. Background: The Kaniv and Kyiv hydroelectric power plants are almost impossible to destroy from the outside, but in the worst-case scenario, flooding will be minimal, and it may be temporarily impossible to generate electricity and supply fresh water. Support UP or become our patron! The first batch of F-16 fighter jets has arrived in Ukraine. Source: Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda Details: Bloombergs sources say that the Western allies committed to delivering the first F-16s by the end of July and met that timetable. They describe the number of aircraft as "small". The sources did not specify whether the Ukrainian pilots who were trained to fly the F-16s would be permitted to use the transferred planes right away or if they would have to wait. According to Bloomberg, Ukraine is expecting to receive six F-16 fighters from its Western partners this summer and a total of up to 20 aircraft by the end of 2024. On 10 July, the leaders of the United States, Denmark and the Netherlands, who head the fighter jet coalition, announced that Ukraine will receive its first F-16s this summer. According to The Wall Street Journal, these fighter jets will be outfitted with sufficient amounts of American weapons. Support UP or become our patron! We recently compiled a list of the 8 Best Drone Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) stands against the other drone stocks. The term "drone" refers to any remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), which can vary in form and autonomy, either controlled by a human pilot or capable of fully autonomous flights. In 2005, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) adopted the term "unmanned aircraft system" (UAS) to describe these aerial drones. This terminology was later adopted by other governmental agencies globally, highlighting the importance of considering various system components rather than focusing solely on the aircraft for regulatory development. The rapid evolution of drones began with the advancement of defense technologies, enabling the remote piloting of aircraft equipped with both weaponized and non-weaponized systems. These larger military drones, often weighing several kilograms, are crucial for deployment in environments too dangerous for human pilots. Today, smaller drones are employed by various government agencies for a range of operations, including precision agriculture mapping and surveillance. The Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022, has driven a significant increase in demand for drones, as both militaries employ them for various operations, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition support. The unprecedented scale of Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) deployment caught both Ukrainian and Russian forces unprepared for such extensive use. However, both militaries have rapidly advanced their drone technology, frequently modernizing and adapting these systems directly on the front lines. In a statement this past year, Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, stated "This war is a war of drones; they are the super weapon here." With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and increasing legislative support, the drone market seems poised for significant growth. Another trend involves the development of specialized drones tailored for specific industries. These industry-specific drones are equipped with sensors, cameras, and software designed to meet the unique requirements of sectors such as agriculture, construction, and inspection. These 'Consumer' and 'Recreational' drones have become a common part of daily life, particularly among drone hobbyists. As of April of this year, over 780,000 drones were reportedly registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with 375,226 classified as commercial and 400,858 as recreational. Story continues What Does the Market Think About the Future of Drones? The U.S. commercial drone market was valued at $5.85 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach approximately $14.11 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2% from 2024 to 2033. In 2023, the rotary blade segment held the largest market share at around 81%, while the hybrid segment is anticipated to experience the fastest growth, with a CAGR of over 11% during the forecast period. On the other hand, a report by MarkNtel Advisors states that the global military drone market was valued at approximately $20.21 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of about 12.21% from 2024 to 2030. This rapid growth is driven by the widespread adoption of Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS) UAVs for long-range missions focused on data collection, battle management, and electronic warfare. A notable example of this technology came in the form of General Atomics' testing of advanced datalink and avionics enhancements for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) drone back in 2022. Our Methodology To compile the list of the best drone stocks to invest in, we first sifted through ETFs and online rankings to come up with a preliminary list. Next, we scanned Insider Monkeys database of 920 hedge funds and selected the 8 drone stocks that were the most widely held by institutional investors. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple, our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy picks 14 small and large-caps every quarter and it has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). An aeronautics engineer inspecting a model aircraft engine in a factory setting. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39 Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is a leading multinational aerospace and defense technology company. With a workforce of 95,000 and an annual revenue exceeding $30 billion, it is one of the world's top manufacturers of weaponry and military technology, as well as one of the best drone stocks available. The company recently caught the aviation industry's attention on account of its unpiloted stealth RQ-180 drone, which the company claims is "invisible to enemy radars, infrared sensors, and acoustic detectors," and capable of flying at high altitudes and long ranges. According to a report from The Telegraph, the RQ-180 stealth drone could potentially add up to $100 billion to the $200 billion B-21 bomber contract that Northrop Grumman secured in 2015. On the other hand, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received mixed analyst sentiments, with Jefferies recently lowering its price target to $500 from $530 while maintaining a Hold rating on the defense contractor's shares. This adjustment follows a visit to Northrop's facilities in Palmdale, California, where management provided insights into their operations. Jefferies highlighted several key observations from the tour, noting that Northrop Grumman's Aeronautics segment is projected to achieve a 5% compound annual growth rate through 2026, based on their estimates. According to Insider Monkeys first-quarter database, 39 hedge funds were bullish on Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), down from 45 in the previous quarter. A notable stakeholder is Donald Yacktmans Yacktman Asset Management, which holds 387,219 shares valued at $185.3 million. Overall NOC ranks 5th on our list of the best drone stocks to buy. You can visit 8 Best Drone Stocks to Buy Now to see the other drone stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of NOC as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NOC but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI Stock. READ NEXT: Michael Burry Is Selling These Stocks and Jim Cramer is Recommending These Stocks. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Russian Telegram channels say a Russian Mi-8 transport helicopter was down by a drone, the first time that has happened. This morning, a Russian Mi-8AMTSh Hip helicopter crashed near Donetsk City. Russian sources report it was downed by a Ukrainian one-way attack drone. Yesterday we wrote about the enemys attempts to operate drones against our army aviation, wrote the Voivode Broadcasts Telegram channel, which first reported the incident. Unfortunately today they succeeded. The helicopter was hit at the moment of takeoff, Voivode Broadcasts wrote. This morning, a Russian Mi-8 transport helicopter crashed near Donetsk City. Russian sources report it was downed by a Ukrainian FPV drone. Seen here, the wreckage burns in an open field. pic.twitter.com/IcFpizwbV1 OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) July 31, 2024 /1. Russian sources associated with Russian military aviation report that a Russian Mi-8 helicopter crashed/was downed near Donetsk. No information regarding the crew yet. pic.twitter.com/onNuq0Pbrt Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) July 31, 2024 The War Zone cannot independently confirm this claim, however, several prominent Russian Telegram channels are saying it did indeed happen. Today we have a loss in the Donetsk region; the enemy shot down a Mi-8 military transport helicopter using a drone, the Colonelcassad Telegram channel wrote. There are dead and wounded. The Russian Aerospace Forces-connected Fighterbomber Telegram channel also confirmed the claims. This is true about the Mi-8. Unfortunately, Fighterbomber stated. The enemy hit our Mi-8 near Donetsk, Kremlin Snuff Box claimed on Telegram. Sources confirm the information that on the territory of the [so-called Democratic Peoples Republic] DPR, the enemy, using kamikaze drones, hit our Mi-8 helicopter. Unfortunately, the enemy is adapting and this is not very good news for us. There were wounded soldiers on board. However, army aviation continues its work. Another channel dismissed claims the helicopter was downed by friendly fire. And yes they would ask you to keep the nonsense that the helicopter was shot down by our air defense, it stated. A pair of Mi-8MTPR-1 helicopters. The letter V indicates they are from the Eastern Military District. TV Zvezda So far, neither Russian nor Ukrainian authorities have confirmed the loss or what caused it. Prominent Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov said that if confirmed, this would be a historic event. The entire crew and passengers were liquidated, he wrote on Telegram. The cost of the Mi-8 itself is no less than $15 million. If it is confirmed about the drone, then this is a historical achievement worthy of the highest awards in Ukraine. Previously, the Ukrainians had repeatedly published videos of unsuccessful attempts to intercept helicopters on the front line, but for the first time an interception was announced where the enemy did not expect it, at a rear airfield. While a significant and perhaps somewhat historic development, there is no reason why a man-in-the-loop controlled drone cannot strike a helicopter, especially in the terminal stages of flight, when it is very low and slow. This is a notorious area of vulnerability for helicopters operating in combat zones and especially close to the front lines. Some anti-tank guided missiles can also take out helicopters under certain circumstances. You can read all about this capability here. But those weapons cannot strike a dozen miles away, at least the traditional kinds that require line-of-sight to the target. Non-line-of-sight anti-tank guided missiles, including ones Russia has apparently received from North Korea, can do this farther away and in a far more dynamic manner. Video of SyAAF Gazelle being shot down by a BGM-71 TOW pic.twitter.com/DKPYmREJjr BM-27 Uragan (@bm27_uragan) September 2, 2016 Ukraine is working to rapidly expand its drone-on-drone interceptor fleet, which could also be used against rotary-wing aircraft. Drones engaging in air-to-air combat began to emerge not long after the conflict erupted. FPV drones, especially ones operating in conjunction with an airborne relay system, can absolutely hit a slow-moving helicopter a dozen miles behind the front lines. As lower-end drone technology fuzes with AI/machine learning, these drones will be able to prosecute such targets of opportunity on their own, with the shackles of maintaining line-of-sight connectivity taken off. You can read more about this terrifying but fast-approaching reality here. Ukrainian FPV drone attacks and destroys Russias ZALA ISR UAV. https://t.co/gY01Xk5CqB pic.twitter.com/S03USttHDl Samuel Bendett (@sambendett) June 12, 2024 The lack of helicopter losses due to lower-end drones is more of a result of rotary-wing aircraft operating in only a limited degree close to the front due to the layered air defense overlay that threatens them. In addition, the basing of Russian helicopters has been pushed far out and made less predictable due to the vulnerability of helicopters on the ground to standoff weaponry like HIMARS and ATACMS even when working out of bases dozens of miles behind enemy lines. There is also the risk of forces operating behind the front lines using FPVs to strike targets of opportunity, especially lumbering helicopters. Before diving into more developments from the conflict in Ukraine, The War Zone readers can review our previous coverage here. The Latest On the battlefield, Russia continues to push toward the key Ukrainian logistics hub of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, according to the latest assessment from the Institute for the Study of War. Kharkiv Oblast: Russian forces have likely seized the entire Vovchansk Aggregate Plant in Vovchansk (northeast of Kharkiv City) and continued ground attacks in northern Kharkiv Oblast. Luhansk Oblast: Fighting continued along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. Donetsk: Russian forces made significant tactical advances northwest of Avdiivka amid continued intensive efforts to advance and conduct a limited tactical encirclement of Ukrainian forces near Pokrovsk. The Russians also held positions northwest and southwest of Avdiivka and seized Vovche, about 14 miles east of Pokrovsk. They also continued intensive attacks on Tortetsk, advancing in some areas and recently advanced southwest of Donetsk City. Donetsk-Zaporizhzhia border: Russian forces continued limited offensive operations in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area on July 29 but did not make any confirmed advances. Zaporizhzhia Oblast: Positional engagements continued in western Zaporizhia Oblast on July 29, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. Kherson Oblast: Positional engagements continued on the east (left) bank of the Dnipro River and on the islands in its delta. NEW: Russian forces conducted five platoon- to battalion-sized mechanized assaults in western Donetsk Oblast on July 29 and 30. Such localized mechanized pushes are likely the manifestation of Russia's forecasted summer offensive Russian forces likely lack the wider operational pic.twitter.com/fDosTDO3bM Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) July 31, 2024 The abundance of drones over the battlefield is creating a tremendous problem for the Russian Armys logistics, a noted Russian military reporter complains. During the Great Patriotic War, soldiers were fed hot meals two times a day in the trenches, wrote Alexander Kharchenko. A modern soldier cannot dream of such privileges. There are food items in the warehouses, but it is impossible to deliver hot food to the front lines. The number of drones at the front is growing and our enemy is delivering the main blow to military logistics. Last year, Russian troops were able to deliver supplies a kilometer from the front lines near Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, but no more thanks to Ukrainian drones. In just a year, enemy drones began to fly much further and more often, and the armor is unloaded 8 to 10 kms from the front lines, Kharchenko explained. The needs of the front line are enormous and transportation options are severely limited. They jump into quieter places using motorcycles and ATVs, and they drag everything only with their feet into the most inaccessible places. This has forced Russia to turn to drones to deliver supplies, but they are Mavics and first-person view drones too small to carry much more than a water bottle. There are samples of heavier drones shown at exhibits, but I have not seen them on the front lines. I have seen ground-based drones, but these are all prototypes that fall into the hands of the infantry, and they stop working after a couple of days of operation. The logistic problems will only get worse as the weather turns and foliage that provides cover dies off. In the summer, green stuff forgives many logistics mistakes, wrote Kharchenko. In autumn and winter, problems will be quadrupled. I see a solution to the problem in the use of heavy drones and unmanned platforms. And this should be done by specially trained advanced logistics teams. There is no magic wand. Just hard, painstaking work that needs to start now. Russian military reporter Alexander Kharchenko reports that logistics on the Russian side are getting worse over time due to the abundance of drones on the Ukrainian side. He says that even a year ago in Robotyne they were dismounted 1 kilometer from the positions, but now pic.twitter.com/mIlYTAOVno WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) July 27, 2024 The U.S. announced its latest tranche of military assistance to Ukraine. Among many other items, the $1.7 billion package includes munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missiles Systems (NASAMS), Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS)) rockets for the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) provided to Ukraine, 155 mm and 105 mm artillery shells, FGM-148 Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems. The aid comes from two sources. Up to $200 million is coming from Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) funding from existing stocks of air defense interceptors; munitions for rocket systems and artillery; and anti-tank weapons. Another $1.5 billion worth of equipment comes from Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds for items that have to be procured. That includes air defenses, fires, anti-tank weapons and funding to sustain equipment previously committed by the United States. In addition to the previously mentioned items, these packages include: Short- and medium-range air defense munitions; RIM-7 missiles for air defense; Electronic Warfare equipment; 120 mm mortar rounds; Precision aerial munitions; Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles; Small arms; Explosives material and demolitions equipment and munitions; Secure communications systems; Commercial satellite imagery services; and Spare parts, maintenance and sustainment support, and other ancillary equipment. This is the Biden Administrations 20th USAI package and 62nd PDA tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. A Lockheed Martin Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munition fired from an M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). Lockheed Martin photo Ukraines Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) announced that operations against Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) mercenaries in the African nation of Mali will continue. GUR spokesman Andrii Yusov confirmed that the successful military action against Wagner units in Mali was facilitated by crucial intelligence, on national television, Ukraines official United24 news outlet stated. The rebels received not only the necessary information but also actionable intelligence that enabled them to carry out a successful operation against Russian war criminals. The Ukrainian spy agency has been operating against Wagner in Africa for at least nearly a year, as we previously reported. Video from one such engagement emerged online, which you can see below. It is claimed that the video shows the work of Ukrainian special forces in Sudan against the "Wagner" PMC and local rebels from the "Rapid Reaction Forces". These videos and information about the actions of Ukrainian intelligence in Sudan were allegedly confirmed by sources pic.twitter.com/pdimdEv1na MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) October 6, 2023 On July 27, Tuareg rebels from the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP-PSD) movement released images and footage showing the destruction of a Wagner convoy near Tinzaouatene, close to the Mali-Algeria border. The clashes, which occurred on July 25 and 26, resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Wagner members, with survivors being captured, United24 reported. Wagner, in a rare statement, said its forces had fought alongside Mali soldiers from July 22-27 and that its fighters were commanded by Sergei Shevchenko, whose callsign was Pond, Reuters reported. On the first day, the Pond group destroyed most of the Islamists and put the rest to flight, Wagner said on Telegram. However, (an) ensuing sandstorm allowed the radicals to regroup and increase their numbers to 1,000 people. There were reportedly scores of Russians killed, including Nikita Fedyanin, administrator of the popular Grey Zone Telegram channel. More footages and details of the incident in Mali, where the Russian Wagner unit has been destroyed, have appeared. Among the killed Russians is Anton Yelizarov. This individual with callsign Lotus led the assaults again Soledar and Bakhmut in 2023. Along him it is now pic.twitter.com/hIF4H7QWW1 (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) July 28, 2024 Wagner, as we have previously reported, has been active for years in Africa. It has assisted several post-coup governments as Russia seeks to expand its influence on the continent. Its presence on the continent grew after it was disbanded following former leader Yevgeny Prigozhins death in a plane crash just months after he led a failed putative putsch against Putin. Along with Malian troops, Wagner wreaked havoc while in that nation. Russian Wagner paramilitaries and Malian soldiers slaughtered over 500 people, raped women and tortured dozens of others during an attack on Moura village in Mali in 2022. Till this day, its still the biggest massacre in an African community involving Russian fighters. pic.twitter.com/8LsTScsO31 Philip Obaji Jr. (@PhilipObaji) July 29, 2024 Open-source investigators should have an easier time identifying newly refurbished Russian T-72B3M tanks. Thats because they have distinctive rubber-fabric screens designed to protect the rear of the turret and the engine compartment, according to the Conflict Investigation Team (CIT). Recent footage obtained by the Conflict Intelligence Team shows a trainload of newly shipped T-72B3M tanks from the Uralvagonzavod plant with a new modification package, which we provisionally mark as Model 2024 (Obr. 2024), CIT reported. As is evident in the still images we have released, a new element has been added to the factory upgrade: rubber-fabric screens designed to protect the rear of the turret and the engine and transmission compartment. While additional modifications may also be present, they cannot be discerned from the available footage. Nevertheless, this distinctive featurethe rubber-fabric screenswill make it easy to identify tanks produced from the summer of 2024 onward. GUR carried out a cyberattack against the Russian central bank, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent. The attack appears to be the latest in an ongoing cyber campaign, which began on July 23 and affected several top Russian banks, including Gazprombank, VTB, Raiffeisen Bank, and Alfa Bank, the publication reported. The central banks services have become unavailable or began experiencing significant interruptions at around 11 a.m. local time, the source told the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) on July 29 carried out a cyberattack against the Russian central bank, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent.https://t.co/j8IKMPxEm1 The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) July 29, 2024 UNS Chernihiv and UNS Cherkasy, two former Royal Navy Sandown class mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) provided to the Ukrainian Navy, recently left the British port of Portsmouth. Though turned over to Ukraine, they are in the United Kingdom for crew training. As of January when we last reported on the vessels, Ukraine had yet to ask Turkey to allow them to cross into the Black Sea. Under the 1936 Montreux Convention, Turkey can block the passage of military vessels through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits. The treaty does not apply to ships returning to home bases. It is unclear if Ukraine has since requested such transit. UNS Chernihiv outbound from sunny Portsmouth this morning followed by UNS Cherkasy. Via @PortsmouthProudpic.twitter.com/Ulq1xxOopK Navy Lookout (@NavyLookout) July 29, 2024 About 3,000 former inmates are now fighting for Ukraine under a law passed last month to boost Ukraines troop levels. They were given the option of trading jail time to fight on the frontlines, Euro News reported. Those released under this program represent about 7% of Ukraines total prison population of about 42,000, the news outlet reported. One of those new recruits, who goes by the callsign Psycho, said the new law has helped him. Its good for us, he told Euro News. We can be useful, clear our name, start a new life. Help those who need us at the front.. Psycho was serving a six-year sentence for robbery, but that was dropped to less than a year after he opted to go to the front. He had been training for three days when Euro News interviewed him. Every ex-convict in the program is treated in accordance with the Armed Forces charter and supervised by representatives of the Military Law Enforcement Service, the publication explained. At a training ground in Kharkiv Oblast, an instructor is teaching recruits how to handle grenades, Euro News reported. These future soldiers are part of the 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade a group formed almost entirely of former prisoners. This model will be replicated across Ukraine in the weeks to come as the war rumbles on. Around 3,000 former prisoners were given the option to trade jail time for a role in the Ukrainian army. Psycho six years for robbery but, in the end, served less than a year, deciding instead to go to the front. #War_in_Ukraine https://t.co/JTMpzm3Bzm #War_in_Ukraine #Facts #Opinions #Trends #Kharkiv (@HarZizn) July 29, 2024 The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Police say they detained six FSB henchmen in Odesa who set fire to military vehicles, according to a post on SBUs Telegram channel. Those arrested were youths working for the Russian FSB, formerly the KGB. In two weeks, attackers tried to destroy more than 15 official SUVs, the SBU said. As a result of the special operation, all the members of the enemy cell were arrested almost simultaneously in different parts of the city. The suspects, aged 18 to 24, all worked as couriers for a popular food delivery service. They came to the attention of the FSB as active users of Telegram channels in search of easy earnings, where they left their resumes, according to SBU. The perpetrators, all in custody, face up to eight years in prison. One of six suspects arrested on charges of trying to burn Ukrainian military vehicles. SBU The latest battle between Ukrainian first-person view drones and Russian surveillance drones took place in the skies over the southern front. Last week, we showed you video of a Ukrainian FPV drone repeatedly ramming a Russian drone with a stick. This time, the video shows the FPV drone bumping into a Russian Supercam S350 drone, causing it to deploy its parachute and float to the ground. In the skies over southern Ukraine, a Ukrainian FPV drone engages in an aerial jousting match with a Russian Supercam S350 UAV, successfully downing the Russian drone over Ukrainian-held territory. pic.twitter.com/OYEJpQIHAR OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) July 31, 2024 Russian troops are learning how to use Kalashnikov MR-155 shotguns to defend against drones. The combat training is based on trapshooting with the use of shotguns, the Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) said on Telegram. Smoothbore guns of the 12-mm caliber are used for the training. Trainees fire shotgun cartridges at flying plate targets. Special attention is paid in training on countering unmanned aerial vehicles. Russian MoD video showing Russian soldiers training to counter FPVs with a Kalashnikov MR-155 shotgun.https://t.co/g46312V1Y3 https://t.co/bHK1aKBNx7 pic.twitter.com/ApKDjZwNiU Rob Lee (@RALee85) July 30, 2024 Drone operators in this war have shown some amazing ability to carry out precision strikes. Ukrainian troops from the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade flew an FPV drone through the open rear hatch of a Russian armored vehicle, setting it aflame. Ukrainian soldiers from the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade destroy a Russian BMP pic.twitter.com/Hdh6fh3JcZ MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) July 25, 2024 Meanwhile, Russian drone operators showed tremendous skill dropping a munition down the chimney of a Ukrainian-held building. Video of a Russian UAV dropping a munition down a chimney. https://t.co/u9HjlGmvND pic.twitter.com/YtZA3p1ZE6 Rob Lee (@RALee85) July 31, 2024 Speaking of drone-dropped munitions, Ukrainian troops fashioned a huge one out of two TM-62 anti-tank mines. It was carried by one of Ukraines large Baba Yaga drones. A video within the video purports to show it dropping on a target, creating a ball of flame, plumes of smoke and debris flying through the air. By far the largest drone dropped device I've seen so far. That's 2x TM-62 AT mines strapped together and dropped on an enemy held position by a 'baba yaga' type drone. pic.twitter.com/jpVBfmglkZ Seveer of the 95th rifles (@Seveerity) July 30, 2024 In addition to ferrying troops, one of the missions of Russian so-called turtle tanks has been to clear minefields. That proved to be a mission impossible for the crew of the turtle tank seen in the video below. After clearing one mine, it struck another and erupted into a ball of flames. Russian turtle tank with a mine trawl neutralises a mine, then mine neutralizes a turtle tank. pic.twitter.com/jRaWmI0lTO Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) July 30, 2024 Another Russian turtle tank fell victim to Ukrainian first-person view drones. Donetsk Oblast, a pair of Ukrainian FPV munitions fly into a Russian turtle tank, penetrating its armor and causing a catastrophic ammunition detonation. pic.twitter.com/gzwqifrF5S OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) July 30, 2024 The Ukrainian Deep State group released video showing an attack on Russian troops holed up in the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant in Donetsk Oblast. "Khorne Group" 116 200 ! ". pic.twitter.com/9QjL3yPQR4 DeepState UA (@Deepstate_UA) July 28, 2024 A Ukrainian sniper drone dropped a munition on a Russian boat. According to the Ukrainian Gora units Telegram channel, three Russians were killed. The Russians did not swim ten meters to the berth, the group stated. A sniper hit a moving boat, and even in windy weather and the three occupants are sent to feed the crayfish. You can get a good sense of urban warfare in this video below showing Ukrainian troops clearing buildings in the destroyed town of Pivnichne, Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian soldiers carry out a sweep in a residential building in the settlement of Pivnichne, Toretsky direction pic.twitter.com/G5Ythg6ZvB MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) July 30, 2024 And finally, things change quickly in war. The 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade posted a video on Telegram of one of its U.S.-donated Bradley Fighting Vehicles driving down a road before encountering and surviving an attack. The Bradley crew unleashed more than two dozen rounds from the vehicles Bushmaster M242 25 mm automatic cannon. Every minute the atmosphere changes from picturesque landscapes with whole houses to broken roads, destroyed villages and burned cars, the brigade wrote on Telegram. All this changes literally before your eyes. Video of a Bradley from Ukraines 47th Mechanized Brigade coming under fire and surviving a strike. https://t.co/komsi8UL3y pic.twitter.com/HRehpSVp4S Rob Lee (@RALee85) July 30, 2024 Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Key developments on July 31: First F-16 fighter jets arrive in Ukraine, Bloomberg reports Ukraine downs all 89 Russian drones launched in mass attack Russia used new 'distracting' drone type during recent attack on Ukraine, Kyiv says Ukrainian Navy claims attack on Russian weapons depot near Kursk Azov soldier Oleksandr Ishchenko dies in Russian captivity, Ukraine's Ombudsman says Ukraine has received the first batch of fourth-generation U.S.-made F-16 jets, Bloomberg reported on July 31, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. The news comes a year after the allied "fighter jet coalition" took shape at the Vilnius NATO summit under the Danish and Dutch leadership. The deadline for the transfer of F-16s was late July, the sources told Bloomberg. Ukraine received "a small number" of the planes, the sources said. Ukraine is expected to receive at least 79 F-16s from the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Norway, with the deliveries to continue in the coming years. The fighter jet coalition also pledged to help train Ukrainian pilots and technical staff to operate the jets. It is unclear whether the trained Ukrainian pilots will be able to use combat aircraft immediately or the process will take longer, unnamed people told Bloomberg. Kyiv is yet to confirm these reports. Read also: How F-16s in Ukraine can help fight Russia Ukraine downs all 89 Russian drones launched in mass attack Ukrainian air defense downed all 89 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia in a mass attack overnight, as well as one Kh-59 missile, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on July 31. The main direction of the attack was Kyiv and the surrounding region, the Ukrainian Air Force said. Nine drones were downed above Kherson Oblast, six drones were downed above Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and four drones were downed above Mykolaiv Oblast, according to the local authorities. The Kyiv City Military Administration said that the attack was the strongest drone attack on the capital so far in 2024, with air defense forces destroying over 40 drones in the city's airspace and nearby areas. No casualties were reported. One residential building in Kyiv Oblast caught fire after being hit by falling debris from a downed done, the State Emergency Service reported. The building was among 13 buildings damaged by falling debris in the region, the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration said. The Air Force also said that the attack was among the largest mass drone attacks launched by Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion. The attack, which lasted over seven hours, saw drones entering Kyiv in waves from almost all directions. Mobile fire groups, tactical aviation, army aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, and electronic warfare were involved in repelling the attack, the Air Force said. The Kh-59 missile was downed as it attempted to target Mykolaiv Oblast. Russia launched 90 Shahed-type drones in a mass attack last New Year's Eve, 87 of which Ukrainian air defense successfully intercepted. Read also: Why some in Ukraine dont seek shelter during air raid alerts Russia used new 'distracting' drone type during recent attack on Ukraine, Kyiv says Russia used a significant number of so-called "distracting drones" designed to probe air defenses rather than destroy targets in its mass attack on Ukraine on July 31, said Andrii Yusov, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) spokesperson. According to Yusov, the "distracting drones" do not have an explosive part. "(Russia's) goal is to exhaust and explore air defense systems. This is not a new tactic, either. Ukraine's security and defense forces have been practicing and effectively countering such challenges," he added. Vladyslav Vlasiuk, an adviser to the presidential office's head, said that Russian troops also used a new type of drone Gerbera in limited numbers in the attack. He described these drones as a cheaper version of Shahed-type attack drones. Read also: Russias T-90M tank losses in Ukraine hit 100 and it only had 67 to begin with Ukrainian Navy claims attack on Russian weapons depot near Kursk Ukraine's Navy carried out an attack on a weapons storage facility near the Russian city of Kursk overnight, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on July 31. Kursk is located 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of the Ukrainian border and nearly 700 kilometers (435 miles) from Odesa, where Ukraine's Navy is headquartered. The attack, carried out in cooperation with other Defense Forces, targeted "a warehouse for storing weapons and military equipment" near Kursk, the General Staff said. "The work of enemy air defense and explosions at aiming points were observed," the General Staff said, adding that the "information about the result of the damage is being clarified." The Russian Defense Ministry claimed it had downed one Neptune missile over Kursk Oblast overnight. Neptune is Ukraine's ground-launched, domestically produced anti-ship rocket with a maximum range of 300 kilometers (190 miles). Ukrainian forces reportedly used Neptune missiles to sink Russia's Black Sea flagship Moskva in April 2022. Alexei Smirnov, the acting governor of Kursk Oblast, reported on Telegram at around 2 a.m. local time that a fire had broken out at an unnamed facility in the region. Smirnov claimed that the fire had been contained by 4 a.m. Read also: Francis Farrell answers questions about war in Ukraine Azov soldier Oleksandr Ishchenko dies in Russian captivity, Ukraine's Ombudsman says Azov Brigade soldier Oleksandr Ishchenko has died in Russian captivity, Ukraine's Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, said on July 31. In a post on Telegram, Lubinets said Kyiv had not been officially informed of the death but Ishchenko's daughter confirmed the news, saying he passed away nine days ago. The cause of his death is not yet currently known. Ishchenko was 55-years-old and a native of Mariupol, Ukrainska Pravda reported. He joined the Azov Brigade as a driver shortly after the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion. He was captured while fighting fin Mariupol in 2022. Lubinets said he had contacted the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation for information on the "circumstances and cause of Oleksandr Ishchenko's death." "Let me remind you that according to Article 12 of the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War, prisoners of war are in the hands of an enemy state and not of individuals or military units that captured them," he said. "Regardless of the responsibility that individuals may bear, the detaining power is responsible for the treatment of prisoners of war." Read also: With Krynky lost, what did the perilous operation accomplish? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraines air defence forces have destroyed six Shahed-131/136 UAVs over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast during the night of 30-31 July and early morning. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Details: Lysak reported that attacks on the Nikopol district continued into the evening and almost until midnight. Aftermath of Russian attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram The Russians targeted Nikopol, Pokrovske and Marhanets hromadas [an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.], striking with kamikaze drones and artillery. Aftermath of Russian attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram A social institution was damaged. One car was destroyed and another was damaged. There were no casualties. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces attacked Ukraine with a Kh-59 guided missile and 89 Shahed attack UAVs on the night of 30-31 July, and all air targets were destroyed by Ukrainian air defence. Source: Ukraines Air Force on Telegram Quote from the Air Force: "Ukrainian air defence withstood and repelled an enemy large-scale drone attack. All 89 of the Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs detected by the Air Force radar units were shot down! A Kh-59 guided missile used by the enemy to attack Mykolaiv Oblast was also shot down." Details: It is reported that the Russians fired the missile from the airspace of the occupied part of Kherson Oblast, and the Shahed drones were launched from around the Russian cities and towns of Yeysk, Seshcha, Kursk and Primorsko-Atarsk. The main target of the attack was Kyiv Oblast. Mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian defence forces, tactical aircraft of the Air Force, army aircraft of the Ground Forces, anti-aircraft missile units and electronic warfare units of the Air Force were involved in repelling the airstrike. "This is one of the most large-scale attacks with Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs. The enemy used the same number of Shahed drones on New Year's Eve on the night of 31 December 2023," the Air Force noted. Support UP or become our patron! Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Advisor to the Head of the President's Office, reported that the Russians attacked Ukraine with a new type of drone called the Gerbera on the night of 30-31 July. It has minimal components and resembles an "economy version of a Shahed drone." The Air Force noted that "this doesn't change anything," as "everything needs to be destroyed using all available means." Source: Vladyslav Vlasiuk on Facebook Quote: "The feature of tonight's Shahed attack [the night of 30-31 July] is the cautious and limited use of the new type of drone, the Gerbera. It hasn't been duly examined yet, but it looks like an economy version of a Shahed drone. Plywood instead of composite materials, minimal components, and still the same cheap made-in-China quality." Details: At the same time, Yurii Ihnat, former spokesman for Ukraine's Air Force, noted that during nighttime attacks, the Russians often use various types of drones: primarily Shahed 136/131 drones, as well as UAVs of undetermined types and decoys (false targets). Thus, the Russians are constantly improving their tactics, and new types of aerial targets may appear. Quote from Ihnat: "The Air Force has repeatedly reported such uses in official briefings and comments. So there is nothing new. It is likely that tonight, among the remains of Shahed drones, we will find attack drones of other types. This doesnt change anything everything needs to be destroyed by using all available assets; the key is to be effective and efficient. During nighttime air defence operations, the type of target is determined by its parameters: altitude, speed, etc., as well as by visual and acoustic data. It is possible to accurately identify what type of drone or missile it is only after examining the wreckage." Background: Russian forces attacked Ukraine with a Kh-59 guided missile and 89 Shahed attack UAVs on the night of 30-31 July, and all air targets were destroyed by Ukrainian air defence. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that the successful downing of all 89 Russian Shahed drones on the night of July 30-31 shows that Ukraine can effectively defend its airspace from Russian strikes as long as there's enough supplies of anti-air ammunition. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian Air Force Commander posts footage of downing of Shahed drone on morning of 31 July video The wreckage of the downed Shahed. Stock photo: Getty Images The commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, released a video of the downing of a Shahed on the Eastern front on the morning of 31 July. Source: Mykola Oleshchuk on social media Quote: "Remember that enemy missiles and attack UAVs pose a serious threat on the ground even after being shot down!" Details: The video shows a Russian kamikaze drone crashing and exploding on the ground. Background: Russian forces attacked Ukraine with a Kh-59 guided missile and 89 Shahed attack UAVs on the night of 30-31 July, and all air targets were destroyed by Ukrainian air defence. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's General Staff reports that Ukrainian forces targeted an arms and military equipment storage point near the Russian city of Kursk on the night of 30-31 July. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook Quote: "The Ukrainian defence forces continue to effectively hit important military targets belonging to the Russian invaders." Details: It is reported that after the strike, "the operation of enemy air defence systems and explosions at targeted areas were observed". "The combat operation was carried out by designated units from the military assets and personnel of Ukraine's Navy, in cooperation with other parts of the defence forces. Detailed information on the results of the attack is being gathered," the General Staff summed up. Background: Earlier, Alexei Smirnov, acting Governor of Kursk Oblast, reported that a fire had broken out "at one of the facilities" as a result of a drone attack in Russias Kursk Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has commented on recent conversations with his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico regarding Ukraine's restrictions on the transit of oil produced by the Russian company Lukoil to Slovakia and Hungary. Source: Shmyhal on Telegram, as reported by European Pravda Details: Shmyhal emphasised that Kyiv insists that its partners should refuse Russian oil as far as possible, but at the same time, Ukraine is a reliable transit country "for all countries that value freedom and the rule of law" and "unquestionably fulfils the Association Agreement with the EU". "The sanctions imposed by Ukraines National Security and Defence Council pose no threat to the energy security of Slovakia or of Europe as a whole, which is why lifting them is not a matter for discussion. So we have a full understanding from Brussels in this matter," he stressed. Instead, Shmyhal said, the threat to Slovakia's energy security is "Russia, its hybrid energy war against the Slovak people, its blackmailing and political ultimatums". "Slovakia is a reliable partner of ours, from whom we do not expect any blackmail or threats. Because threatening Ukraine, which is defending itself against the aggressor, so that the terrorist state can continue to earn its bloody excess profits, is a dubious path," he said. Shmyhal announced that the next Ukraine-Slovakia intergovernmental meeting will take place in October and said he hoped for "constructive and pragmatic dialogue" there. Shmyhal's statement came after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened Ukraine with consequences if Kyiv did not resume the transit of oil from Lukoil. Read more on this: Why Ukraine's decision on Russia's Lukoil is a problem but not a catastrophe Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian who served as driver in Azov Regiment dies in Russian custody Russian media report that Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Ishchenko, who served as a driver in the Azov Regiment and was captured in Mariupol, has died in Russian custody at the Rostov-on-Don pre-trial detention centre. Source: Mediazona Telegram channel; Meduza, the Russian Latvia-based media outlet Details: It has been reported that Oleksandr Ishchenko's death was announced by his lawyer at the Southern Military District Court in Russia. The court is currently handling the case of 22 Ukrainian prisoners of war connected with the Azov Regiment. The date and cause of Ishchenkos death are unknown. The lawyer requested that the court obtain a death certificate for Ishchenko, and the court granted this request. The Ukrainian was 55 years old. He was a native of Mariupol, and his wife mentioned that he had been a sailor. Ishchenko returned from a voyage just days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine and soon joined the Azov Regiment as a driver. He was captured during the fighting in Mariupol. Support UP or become our patron! Despite the uninspiring performance of emerging markets (EM) debt in the second quarter, we expect a stronger second half of the year characterized by resilient economic growth, lower global rates, and improving global liquidity conditions. Macro Forces Drive Performance EM debt is driven by two predominant macro forcesglobal economic growth and global liquidity conditionsand we have a constructive near-term view of global economic dynamics and expect a gradual improvement in global liquidity conditions. In terms of global economic dynamics, we believe the global economy should continue to expand close to potential growth levels. In our view, the U.S. economy should remain resilient despite early signs of deceleration, European economic conditions should continue to normalize, and Chinese government stimulus should continue to support economic activity. In terms of global liquidity conditions, we expect the global disinflationary process to continue, albeit gradually, and see policy rate cuts in sight in developed economies. The gradual removal of monetary policy restrictions should, in our opinion, lead to lower global rates and improved liquidity conditions in the second half of the year. Meanwhile, in EMs more specifically, growth remains surprisingly strong. Commodity prices are supportive. Disinflation is creating opportunities for monetary policy easing, and some EM central banks have already started easing. We expect the growth differential of EMs to developed markets to accelerate to above 2% in the next few years, and this should be a driver of capital flows into EM economies. At the same time, EM credit fundamentals remain resilient in most places. Strong multilateral organizationsincluding the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and Regional Development Banksand bilateral organizations have provided ample and affordable funding to countries facing difficulties to refinance in the marketplace. All in all, we believe EM debt offers an attractive investment opportunity within the fixed-income space as valuations remain attractive, yield levels are above long-term averages, real interest rate differentials are high relative to developed markets, and currencies remain undervalued in many places. That said, geopolitical tensions are concerningin particular, potential military escalation in Ukraine (dragging NATO countries into the conflict) and tensions in the Middle East. We will also watch the U.S. presidential election closely. Key Opportunities for EM Debt Investors Broadly speaking, we believe there are several attractive opportunities for EM debt investors. First, we are seeking to lock in attractive real and nominal yields via exposure to long-duration securities. Second, we believe the global market environment will remain conducive to the outperformance of high-beta, high-yield credit. Third, we see scope for fundamental differentiation and prefer countries with easier access to multilateral and bilateral funding. And lastly, while the higher-for-longer rate environment is affecting corporate credit quality on the margin, many corporate issuers have extended maturities and have refinancing options. Story continues A View of the Potential Opportunities: Overweight/Underweight Below, we break down some of our largest active positions by beta bucket, which is how we allocate our risk budget. William Blair Commentary: A Stronger Second Half for Emerging Markets Debt? High-Beta Bucket In the high-beta bucket, our largest overweight positions are in Senegal, Egypt, and Zambia, and our largest underweight positions are in Kenya, Nigeria, and Mozambique. Senegal (overweight). We believe Senegal will see a marked improvement in its credit metrics as its burgeoning oil sector develops. Meanwhile, political risks have diminished after the opposition won the presidential electionand while the opposition's campaign was premised on populist claims, ministerial appointments under the incoming government suggest a continuation of economic reforms and prudent macroeconomic policies. Egypt (overweight): We have a constructive view of valuations and believe short-term fundamentals should be supported by financial assistance from bilateral and multilateral donors and substantial foreign direct investment flows from regional investors. Zambia (overweight): Following the restructuring and exchange into two performing bonds, one of which has triggers for a step-up in coupon payments, we believe Zambia is attractive. These triggers are likely to be reached in the coming years. Despite the current drought-related shock, our outlook on Zambia's fundamentals remains broadly positive. We anticipate further financial assistance to help mitigate the negative impact. Kenya (underweight): Kenyan authorities want to reduce fiscal borrowing needs but face challenges in implementing measures to increase revenue. Given the current political climate, pursuing fiscal consolidation by raising taxes will be increasingly challenging: For example, recently, the president did not sign a finance bill that would introduce several tax measures due to widespread public protests. Further cuts in expenditures are also likely to prove difficult, casting doubt on the current macroeconomic plan under an IMF reform package. Nigeria (underweight): Nigeria has tight valuations relative to peers and has shown slow progress on economic reforms, and there are only 18 months left for this regime to focus on implementation of reforms before its focus is likely to shift toward the next elections. We continue to await further issuance of Eurobonds by Nigeria, which may present a more attractive proposition to reduce our underweight. Mozambique (underweight): We currently do not hold a position in Mozambique due to the relatively tight spread and the possibility of development delays in the liquefied natural gas sector. In addition, the upcoming presidential election in October 2024 suggests that fiscal policy is unlikely to tighten, potentially introducing political risks and uncertainty. Medium-Beta Bucket In the medium-beta bucket, our largest overweight positions are in Ivory Coast, Panama, and Mexico, and our largest underweight positions are in Bahrain, Costa Rica, and Jordan. Ivory Coast (overweight): We believe Ivory Coast has favorable valuations relative to its peers. The country's debt is also supported by strong fundamentals and support from development partners, including the IMF. Ivory Coast authorities will receive further funding from the IMF under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility in 2024. In our view, the peaceful political transition following Senegalese presidential elections will also bolster confidence in the political process in Ivory Coast as we head toward the elections next year. Panama (overweight): We are optimistic that the new administration will attempt to tackle Panama's fiscal and growth challenges but recognize that there is uncertainty in regard to implementation. Hence, we prefer a more convex position, and have a small overweight in the long end of the curve. We also believe valuations remain attractive despite the risk of a potential downgrade in the tail end of 2024. Mexico (overweight): We reduced some of our risk in Pemex based on valuations, but our overall outlook is constructive, because we believe the administration of President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo should support Pemex, and this could lead to spread compression over time. Bahrain (underweight): Our positioning is based on a combination of relatively weak fiscal reform efforts, deterioration in regional geopolitical risks, and tight valuations. Costa Rica (underweight): Fundamentals remain strong, but we believe valuations are unattractive as spreads have compressed materially. Jordan (underweight): Conflict in the Middle East is hurting Jordan's economy via severely reduced tourism, which reduces Jordan's potential creditworthiness. These challenges have been largely offset by stronger international support, but geopolitical risks remain elevated. Low-Beta Bucket In the low-beta bucket, our largest overweight positions are in India, Bermuda, and Paraguay, and our largest underweight positions are in Indonesia, Uruguay, and China India (overweight): We have a neutral spread duration position in quasi-sovereign risk based on tight valuations but are overweight through selective corporate bond exposure. India has relatively high economic growth, resilient credit conditions, and likely policy continuity after its elections earlier this year, which saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi's National Democratic Alliance retain a majority in parliament. Bermuda (overweight): We prefer valuations and fundamentals in Bermuda to those of other low-beta sovereigns. Bermuda's bonds have similar valuations to those of Peru and Chile, but we believe the country has a stronger fundamental trajectory with less institutional uncertainty. Paraguay (overweight): We also prefer Paraguay's valuations and fundamentals to those of other low-beta sovereigns. Although Paraguay has lagged year to date, we believe the country is on an improving fundamental trajectory and has attractive valuations for the low-beta bucket. Indonesia (underweight): The country's fundamental outlook became murkier after presidential elections in February, and there is risk of fiscal slippage should the new government increase spending. In addition, a slowdown in the windfall from commodity exports and a persistently strong U.S. dollar backdrop could weaken external positions. Overall, we find valuations unappealing. Uruguay (underweight): In our view, valuations are poor. Credit fundamentals remain strong, but bond prices have compressed materially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and we believe this results in limited scope for additional spread tightening. China (underweight): Spread valuations are tight and regulatory risks for Chinese state-owned entities are unpredictable. Domestic consumption is lackluster, while the property market recovery has been slow. Based on bottom-up analysis, we hold selective corporate bonds that we believe show some upside potential. Marco Ruijer, CFA, is a portfolio manager on William Blair's emerging markets debt team. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes that attacks in Beirut and Tehran this week mark a "dangerous escalation" of the conflict in the Middle East, his spokesperson said on Wednesday. "It is increasingly clear ... that restraint alone is insufficient at this extremely sensitive time. The Secretary-General urges all to vigorously work toward regional de-escalation in the interest of long-term peace and stability for all," spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Mark Porter) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a press conference at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Gehad Hamdy/dpa UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday that the Middle East is on the brink of disaster following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The latest incidents are a "dangerous escalation" and undermine the goal of ending the Gaza war, Guterres announced in New York. "The secretary general urges all to vigorously work towards regional de-escalation in the interest of long-term peace and stability for all." All actions that "could push the entire Middle East over the edge, with a devastating impact on civilians" must be avoided, he added. Tensions in the Middle East had risen dramatically following the targeted killing of the political leader of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. Iran and Hamas have threatened Israel with retaliation. The Israeli government has not said whether it was responsible for the attack. Protest against the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, in Sidon By Daphne Psaledakis and David Brunnstrom (Reuters) - United Nations Security Council countries on Wednesday called for stepped-up diplomatic efforts to avert a wider Middle East conflict after the killings of two militant leaders raised tensions. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital Tehran early on Wednesday, sparking threats of revenge against Israel and fueling concern the Gaza conflict was turning into a wider Middle East war. The assassination occurred less than 24 hours after Hezbollah's most senior military commander was killed in an Israeli strike on the Lebanese capital Beirut in retaliation for a deadly rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. "We fear the region is at the brink of all-out war," Japan's deputy U.N. representative, Shino Mitsuko, said on Wednesday, urging international efforts to prevent such a conflict. China, Russia, Algeria and others condemned Haniyeh's assassination, which Iran's U.N. ambassador called an act of terrorism, while the U.S., U.K. and France raised what they said was Iranian support for destabilizing actors in the region. Fu Cong, China's ambassador to the U.N., said failure to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza was responsible for worsening tensions. "Countries with major influence must put more pressure and work more vigorously ... to put out the flames of war in Gaza," he said. Britain's U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward urged calm and restraint, reiterating a call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. She said Israel and Hamas needed to recommit to a peace process that would result in a two-state solution with a secure Israel and a sovereign Palestinian State. "The path to peace must be through diplomatic negotiations. Long-term peace will not be secured by bombs and bullets." Robert Wood, deputy U.S. ambassador to the U.N., called for members of the Security Council with influence over Iran "to increase pressure on it to stop escalating its proxy conflict against Israel and other actors." Iran's U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said Tehran has consistently exercised maximum restraint but reserved its right to respond decisively. He called on the Security Council to condemn Israel and punish it with sanctions. Israel's deputy representative to the U.N., Jonathan Miller, called on the Security Council to condemn Iran for support of regional terrorism and increase sanctions on Tehran. "We will defend ourselves and respond with great force against those who harm us," Miller said, calling on the world to support Israel. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) AUSTIN (Nexstar) CenterPoint Energy CEO Jason P. Wells testified before the Texas House Committee on State Affairs Wednesday morning regarding the power outages the company has largely taken the blame for following Hurricane Beryl. The energy company that serves most of the Houston area has faced scrutiny about its preparedness for Hurricane Beryl, which left over 2.7 million people without power. More than a week after the storm landed, around half a million Texans were still without electricity. A week after Beryls landfall, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called for an investigation into the disaster response. Wells and other CenterPoint representatives also testified Monday at a Senate committee hearing and last Thursday before the Public Utility Commission. Each time, CenterPoint has taken responsibility for the outages and apologized publicly. Wednesday morning, House Committee members questioned Wells on several factors that contributed to the companys failure to ensure electricity accessibility post-Beryl. These topics included communication, vegetation management, staff preparedness and supply preparedness. What is very clear is the critical aspects of our restoration efforts were not at the high standards we expect of ourselves, let alone what the public expects of us, Wells said. This is unacceptable, and it will change. Wells described three actions in Wednesdays hearing that have been taken by CenterPoint to better their future response to natural disasters and severe weather. These include advancing vegetation management efforts, strengthening communications and restoring partnerships with local partners. To be very clear, these actions are just the beginning, Wells said. In total, weve outlined over 40 actions to strengthen our response with respect to the issue of the use of temporary generation. Were committed to working with you and others to determine the best generation solution for our customers. The Texas House Committee on State Affairs Chairman Todd Hunter and Vice Chairman Ana Hernandez expressed their frustration with CenterPoint while questioning Wells. Communication has been awful, but its awful across the board, Hunter said. Whoever thought your companys name CenterPoint would be the center point of this issue. A key aspect of hurricane preparedness is vegetation management, where power companies like CenterPoint trim trees near power lines to prevent damage that could result in power outages. Hernandez questioned whether this was a priority for CenterPoint. Vegetation management has not been a priority. Why? Is it, perhaps, because you dont get the rate of return on that expense, Hernandez asked Wells. The public is asking this, and everything aligns that the decisions that were made it was profits over people. At one point, Hunter even referenced people using the Whataburger app to track outages because CenterPoints outage tracker map was down. Whoever thought a Whataburger app would get more attention than Whataburgers, Hunter said. Mistakes need to be fixed. Rep. David Spiller (R-68) raised a similar point, questioning CenterPoints expenses on batteries instead of vegetation management which would have been more useful in a natural disaster such as a hurricane. If youre acquiring batteries, that wouldnt even apply in a situation like this, but you have generated revenue from that battery purchase, Spiller said. That seems to be a priority, and part of that part of that profit, but not stressing as much as what you could on vegetation management. Wells testified that CenterPoint trimmed over 35,000 trees and vegetation and walked over 8,500 circuit miles to repair damage to power lines after Hurricane Beryl passed. CenterPoint has also doubled its vegetation management workforce as of July 16. When asked by Hernandez if he could have done more in terms of vegetation management, Wells responded In hindsight, absolutely. And thats why were committed to doing more. CenterPoint is now reevaluating its system resiliency plan given the circumstances of Hurricane Beryls impact. Wells said there would be more investment to mitigate potential risks rather than respond to such risks after the fact. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 National Guard soldiers stand on patrol near the bank of the Rio Grande on April 2, 2024 in El Paso, Texas. A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue in 2022. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that immigrants who inter the U.S. illegally hurt social programs. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue in 2022 while many are shut out of the programs their taxes fund. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that undocumented immigrants are destroying social programs. In 40 states, undocumented immigrants paid higher tax rates than the top 1% of the income scale in those states, according to a study released Tuesday from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a left-leaning, nonprofit think tank. The study, which uses estimates of undocumented immigrants tax contributions as of 2022, shows those totaled $96.7 billion that year. In Louisiana, the research shows undocumented immigrants paid $181 million in taxes in 2022, with the lions share nearly $118 million in the form of sales taxes. For comparisons sake, Louisiana collected more than $4.3 billion in sales taxes in fiscal year 2021-22, according to the state revenue department. The Louisiana numbers also included $29.4 million in property taxes and nearly $31 million in business and income taxes. Study authors also found that undocumented immigrants would contribute $40.2 billion more per year in federal, state and local taxes if all of the undocumented population had access to work authorization. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy reasoned that this boost would come from higher wages associated with employment authorization and easier compliance with income tax laws. The report also shed further light on the tax revenue provided by undocumented immigrants on the state and local level. Undocumented immigrants are paying 46% of their state and local tax payments through sales and excise taxes. Six states New Jersey, New York, California, Florida, Texas, and Illinois were able to raise more than $1 billion each in tax revenue from undocumented immigrants, the nonprofit said. Undocumented immigrants pay property taxes and sales taxes, and federal payroll taxes taken from their wages, as well as income tax returns using Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers. Despite those payroll taxes funding Medicare, Social Security, and Unemployment Insurance, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in and receive regular benefits from these social programs. They can also face barriers to getting tax refunds, including getting scammed by unscrupulous tax preparers who target immigrant communities, said Jackie Vimo, senior analyst of economic justice policy at the National Immigration Law Center in a media call on the report. There are tons of laws that prevent undocumented workers from getting benefits said Richard C. Auxier, a principal policy associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank that was not involved in the study. They get a lot of political attention. At the end of the day, theyre just normal people paying normal taxes. Alexis Tsoukalas, senior policy analyst at Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit focused on economic mobility for Floridians, told reporters on Monday that she was struck by how much the state collected from undocumented immigrants in taxes compared to the wealthiest in the state. The current tax rate for undocumented immigrants in Florida is 8% compared to the top 1% of the state at 2.7%. This means hundreds of thousands of everyday people are contributing more than their share to public services they cannot even access meanwhile those with the most to give and the most to benefit contribute the least, Tsoukalas said. The study was released in the backdrop of a political climate where states have passed laws to arrest people who they suspect of entering the U.S. illegally, which has been a federal power, the Biden administration announced an executive action to allow for the deportation of many asylum seekers without processing their claims, and the 2024 Republican Party platform promises the largest deportation operation in American history if former President Donald Trump is reelected over presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Tax policy will also be front and center for Congress and the White House next year as provisions of Trumps tax law, passed in 2017, are set to expire. Aside from the human cost of deportations on families, policy experts and researchers are making the case that undocumented immigrants are a boon to the economy, making it an economic cost as well. Immigration and economic experts who spoke about the significance of the report on Monday highlighted the Congressional Budget Offices July report on the rise in immigration and its effects on the economy and budget, which found that this increase in immigration would add $1.2 trillion in federal revenue from 2024 to 2034. Carl Davis, research director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, said there are economic ripple effects to consider in the deportation of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. beyond taxes. If you deported someone and theyre no longer making taxable purchases in their community, that number would reflect a reduction in their sales tax payments to the community but it wouldnt capture that second ripple effect of the business has less profits because they have fewer customers, Davis said in a media call on the study. Auxier said that researchers have found children in an undocumented immigrant household are receiving education benefits that could be larger than the tax payments of the lower income working adults, but that this is more of an income issue than a specific immigration issue. The other side of that coin, Auxier notes, is that in the future, undocumented households may in fact give back more than they received. Those same studies tend to note that if the children go to school and they then go get jobs, now the American household is giving more than it got because the parents came here, worked, paid into Social Security, Medicare, and didnt get any benefits, he said. The kid went to school and then they got a job and then they started earning enough money that they were a net contributor. Policy experts also pointed to a labor shortage 8.1 million job openings and 6.8 million unemployed workers as a reason to embrace the economic contributions of undocumented immigrants. South Dakota, North Dakota, Maryland, Vermont, Maine, and South Carolina are some of the states facing the greatest labor shortages, according to a Washington Post analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Immigrants are already filling that [labor] gap and if we have mass deportations where millions of immigrants are torn from their family members and the country they have made home, we will not only have the human impact of this but well have a severe effect on the economy and available workforce, said Vimo of the National Immigration Law Center, a group that focuses on racial, economic and social justice for low-income immigrants. Greg LaRose with the Louisiana Illuminator contributed to this report. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST In the middle of February 2022, Vice President Kamala Harris flew to Europe for a critical mission on the world stage. Nearly 200,000 Russian troops stood at the borders of Ukraine, and their invasion would mark one of the greatest challenges in decades to the U.S.-led international order. The Biden administration sent Harris to help the Europeans deal with it. Like every aspect of Harriss record, her forays into international affairs have faced renewed scrutiny since she became the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. No threat to U.S. interests in the world has been more immediate during her tenure in the Biden Administration than the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Harris has occasionally played a visible role in the U.S. response. Her trip to Germany in 2022, less than a week before the invasion began, took Harris to an annual gathering of European leaders in Munich. One of her tasks was to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and convey to him how the U.S. intended to react to the invasionand how it would not. She also would deliver the latest U.S. intelligence assessments and explain the preparations needed to succeed on the battlefield, according to a White House official. The message she delivered was not entirely welcome, and the impression she made on the Ukrainians was mixed. Kamala Harris said the attack was unavoidable, recalls Oleksiy Reznikov, who attended the meeting in his role as Ukraines defense minister at the time. What President Zelensky said to that was: I get it. Our intelligence also sees this information. But he and Harris could not agree on the appropriate response. Zelensky urged the U.S. to impose preemptive sanctions against Russia, arguing that would force Vladimir Putin to rethink his decision to invade. If the attack was indeed unavoidable, Zelensky argued, the U.S. should flood weapons into Ukraine, including the anti-aircraft systems, fighter jets and heavy artillery needed to prevent Russian forces from overrunning the country. Harris rejected both suggestions, according to the Ukrainian officials in the room. The U.S. could not impose preemptive sanctions against Russia, they were told, because the punishment could only come after the crime. Instead of promising to send advanced weapons, Reznikov says the Americans pressured Zelensky to say publicly that the invasion was imminent. Zelensky clearly asked Kamala Harris: You want me to admit this, but what will that give you? If I admit it here in this conversation, will you impose sanctions? And he did not get an answer. Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi listen to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky as he addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 21, 2022. Chip SomodevillaGetty Images The U.S. position at the time, set by President Biden in consultation with his national security aides, was that the threat of sanctions was a greater deterrent to Russia than their imposition, and that providing advanced weaponry to Kyiv would likely strengthen Putin's conviction that Ukraine was becoming a client state of NATO. "Vice President Harris has been a strong proponent of enduring U.S. support for Ukraine and has repeatedly expressed an unwavering commitment to support the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russias brutal aggression," the White House official says. Harris's other main role at the conference was to rally European leaders for a united response if the invasion came, and to lay out the U.S. position in a speech. "She met with European leaders to coordinate responses in anticipation of Russias invasion," the White House official tells TIME, and in her speech to the conference, "she foreshadowed Russias playbook and outlined steps the United States and Europe would take together." Still, the message she delivered to Zelensky in Munich added to his frustration with his allies ahead of the Russian invasion, and it set the tone for a relationship with Harris that has never been particularly warm. While President Biden and other senior officials in the administration visited Kyiv to show resolve and solidarity with the Ukrainians, Harris has not traveled to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion started. At her meetings with Ukrainian officials in recent years, she did show sympathy for their plight, one of them said, but I would call it formal sympathy, following protocol. Asked about this, the White House official noted that Vice President Harris traveled extensively in her efforts to rally European allies and support the Ukrainians in their war against Russia. Soon after the invasion started, she visited Poland and Romania to meet with European leaders and U.S. military personnel on NATOs eastern flank to reinforce our deterrence and defense posture, the official said. In dealing with the Zelensky administration, President Biden tended to take the lead, in part because of his history of direct engagement with Ukraine. After Russia first attacked Ukraine and seized parts of its territory in 2014, Biden took charge of the U.S. response on behalf of the Obama administration, traveling to Kyiv in 2015 to deliver a landmark speech before the Ukrainian parliament. Since the full-scale war began in 2022, the key U.S. officials involved in the U.S. response have been Jake Sullivan, Bidens national security adviser, William Burns, the CIA director, Antony Blinken, the secretary of state, and Lloyd Austin, the secretary of defenseall of whom have made multiple trips to Kyiv during the invasion. In that crowded field, Vice President Harris has tended to play a supporting role, attending summits and other important gatherings related to the war when Biden was unable to make it. At the Munich Security Conference in 2023, Harris focused on the war crimes Russian troops had committed in Ukraine. As a former prosecutor, the Vice President was an important credible messenger and rallied the world to hold Russia accountable for its atrocities in Ukraine, the White House official says. Early this summer, Harris also attended the peace summit Ukraine organized in Switzerland. Zelenskys hope at that gathering was to rally as many world leaders as possible to support his plan for ending the war. Biden declined to attend, citing a fundraiser he needed to headline that week in Hollywood, and Zelensky responded to the snub by criticizing the U.S. President in public: Putin, he said, would applaud Bidens decision not to come. When Harris arrived in his place, her meeting with Zelensky was marked by some of the same formality as their previous engagements. The two leaders sat directly across from each other at a negotiating table as reporters were led into their meeting room inside an Alpine resort. Zelensky read stiffly from a set of prepared remarks, thanking President Biden and the U.S. Congress for their support. Putin is trying to expand the war and make it more bloody, he said. But together with America and all of our partners we protect the lives of our people. In her response, Harris noted that it would be her sixth meeting with Ukraines president since the start of the full-scale war. Not the last, Zelensky shot back with a smile. And hopefully in better times, Harris said. Contact us at letters@time.com. After the body of a 17-year-old was pulled from a pond Tuesday afternoon, Lynn schools say grief counselors will be made available to those mourning the death of the rising senior. Not the conclusion anyone wanted: Body of missing Lynn teen pulled from Saugus pond Clinical staff will be made available to students, teachers, and staff at Lynn Classical High School Wednesday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. after the death of Brian Lopez, a rising senior at Lynn Classical, Lynn Public Schools said Wednesday. The loss of this young man has a deep impact on all of us, especially those who knew and loved him. Please join us in keeping Brians family in our thoughts and prayers as they move forward in the face of this unimaginable tragedy. Lynn Public Schools said in a statement. Lopez had been missing since last Friday. His body was recovered from Walden on the Saugus/ Lynnfield line around 4:30 p.m. after the Saugus Police Department was informed of the presence of the body by some young men who were fishing in Walden Pond. Foul play is not suspected. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the exact cause of death in the coming days. We would like to thank the Massachusetts State Police, Lynn Fire Department, Environmental Police, the Essex County District Attorneys Office, the numerous volunteers, and the many members of the Lynn Police Department for their assistance during this investigation, Chief Christopher Reddy said. We offer our sincere condolences and support to the family and friends of Brian Lopez during this difficult time. Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker expressed similar sentiments. No parent should have to endure the pain of losing a child, Tucker said. This was not the search conclusion anyone wanted, and our hearts are with the Lopez family. Those looking for comfort may also participate virtually by clicking the following Zoom link: https://lynnschools-org.zoom.us/j/82867182132? The Meeting ID is 828 6718 2132 and the passcode is 608452. A GoFundMe has been set up for the family. If youd like to donate, you can click here. 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 SACRAMENTO, California University of California President Michael V. Drake will step down after the upcoming academic year, capping a challenging five-year tenure atop one of the countrys most prestigious higher education systems. Drake, 74, has led the 10-campus UC and its mammoth hospital network through student enrollment growth, the bulk of the coronavirus pandemic and some of the countrys most intense protests over the war in Gaza. He informed students and faculty of his decision in a letter on Wednesday. I am immensely proud of what the UC community has accomplished, Drake said in a statement. At every turn, I have sought to listen to those I served, to uphold our shared UC values, and to do all I could to leave this institution in better shape than it was before. The chancellors of both UCLA and UC Berkeley retired over the summer, though both departures were announced before the war in Gaza began. The national search for Drakes successor will take place in the coming months. A physician by training, Drake previously led the UC systems health programs as well as its Irvine campus before taking a job as president of the Ohio State University in 2014. He returned to California to become president of the UC in August of 2020, succeeding former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. His administration has navigated adversarial relationships with the systems numerous labor unions, including the nations largest-ever higher education strike in 2022 and another walkout by the same union this year over the systems handling of pro-Palestinian protests. This past academic year brought dueling pressures from student activists and elected officials who pressed Drake and the UCs governing board to handle demonstrations differently. Pro-Palestinian activists unsuccessfully renewed calls for the system to divest from companies and investment firms that do business with Israel, all while members of the state Legislatures Jewish Caucus met with Drake and campus presidents, pressing them to crack down harder on protests. Drake, the first Black president of the 295,000-student system, has faced not only the typical pressure of being the systems figurehead but also racist attacks. Vandals last year defaced his university-owned home with slurs, broke windows and jumped a protective fence constructed by the university. UC under Drake has added 10,000 students and slightly increased its share of undergraduates who are California residents. On Wednesday, the system reported that it accepted a record number of applicants for the fall term, including 70 percent of California residents who applied. President Drake took the reins of the University of California during the height of the pandemic and has led with grace and vision in the years since, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. He has used his decades of experience to advocate for better access to higher education for all Californians and has always fought for academic excellence. A search committee composed of UC regents and representatives of students, faculty, staff and alumni will be tasked with finding Drakes successor. After a sabbatical, Drake plans to return to a faculty post. CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to clarify that UC President Michael V. Drake will step down but return to the faculty after a sabbatical. University of Hawaii to host 2024 Asia Pacific Dance Festival HONOLULU (KHON2) The University of Hawaii at Manoa Outreach College is excited to host the 2024 Asia Pacific Dance Festival from Aug. 5 to 10. This vibrant event will celebrate the rich tradition of hula through workshops, classes, field trips, and performances. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Leading the festival are esteemed Kumu Hula Maelia Loebenstein Carter and Kawaikapuokalani Hewett. They will guide participants in exploring hulas deep cultural connections, including olelo Hawaii (Hawaiian language), malama aina (caring for the land), and ike kupuna (ancestral knowledge). These workshops are designed for all hula enthusiasts, from beginners to experienced dancers. Festival ighlights Workshops Aug. 5 and 7, 9 a.m.1 p.m. Hula workshops focusing on traditional practices and teachings. Aug. 6, Noon4 p.m. A field trip chronicling Kamehamehas journey from Honolulu Harbor to the Pali. Aug. 8, 9 a.m.1 p.m. A visit to the Bishop Museum to explore Hawaiian artifacts and history. Evening events Aug. 5, 6 p.m. at Pearl City Public Library: Kumu Hula Leialoha Lim Amina. Aug. 6, 6 p.m. at Kahuku Public and School Library: Kumu Hula Kapua Dalire-Moe. Aug. 7, 6 p.m. at Kapolei Public Library: Kumu Hula Sonny Ching and Lopaka Igarta-De Vera. Aug. 8, 6 p.m. at UH Manoa Art Auditorium: Films and discussions by the Hula Preservation Society. Aug. 9, 6 p.m. at UH Manoa Kennedy Theatre: Panel discussion with na kumu hula, facilitated by Lehua Kawaikapuokalani and Maelia Loebenstein Carter. Culminating performance The festival will conclude with a grand performance on Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at UH Manoa Kennedy Theatre. This showcase will feature kumu hula and their halau, highlighting what participants have learned throughout the week. Registration and tickets Workshop passes for single day $60, Full week $175 (includes lunch, transportation, museum admission, and talk story sessions). Performance tickets: range from $12 to $30. Free events include evening talk story sessions are open to the public. For more information and to register, click here. Dont miss this chance to deepen your understanding of hula and its cultural significance. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 This festival is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the art of hula, guided by some of Hawaiis most respected kumu hula. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Western Washington University will host a panel of economic and financial literacy speakers as part of the 2024 Washington Economics Symposium from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20 at WWU. Teachers can earn 5.5 STEM clock hours for attendance. Financial and economic education is facing an uphill battle in Washington state, said Adam Wright, WWU faculty & symposium co-organizer. The Washington Economics Symposium is your chance to help address this. With the recent failure of HB 1915, which would have made financial education a prerequisite for high school graduation, this conference aims to bridge the financial and economic training gap in our educational system. Join educators, business leaders, and government officials to tackle pressing economic issues and attend workshops with hands-on instructional resources to advance economic and financial literacy in Washington. This years speakers include Scott Wolla, economic education officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; Sen. Sharon Shewmake, 42nd Legislative District; and Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist of the Employment Security Department. There are two speaker tracks, outlined below. Registration also includes breakfast, lunch and a networking reception. The K-12 educator track features educational sessions with 5.5 STEM clock hours and ready-made lessons. The business/government leaders track features a diverse panel of speakers with insights on Washingtons economy, the anti-work movement, education policy and workforce issues. Hosted by Western Washington University, the Washington Council for Economic and Financial Education and the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership, this one-day event will explore the impact of economics and personal finance education on Washingtons economy. Date & Time: Tuesday, Aug. 20; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Location: Western Washington University, Viking Union Registration Cost: $25 to $75 Registration Link: https://waeconomicssymposium.splashthat.com Find us on pdEnroller: https://www.pdenroller.org/ospi/catalog/170589 If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text "Hopeline" to the National Crisis Text Line at 741-741. MADISON The first words out of state Superintendent Jill Underly's mouth about the release of Wisconsin's youth mental health survey were "I wish I had better news to share." And indeed, the Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey data presented at Tuesday's press conference were grim. "Unfortunately, I'm here to share with you today and deliver an urgent and difficult message: our youth are in an alarming and profound mental health crisis, and we must unite to take immediate action," Underly said. In its second survey since the pandemic, the Department of Public Instruction continued to ring alarm bells about the persistence of anxiety, depression and suicide among Wisconsin's teenagers. None of the concerning numbers expressed in 2021 has gone down. Six out of every 10 Wisconsin high schoolers reported they felt anxious, depressed or suicidal each day, according to the latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey out of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Anxiety, which spiked to more than half of all teenagers in 2021, remained the same for 2023's report. There's been a gradual climb in anxiety since the Youth Risk Behavior Survey added a new question about it in 2017. In 2017, about 40% of Wisconsin high school students said they had significant problems feeling anxious, nervous, tense, scared or like something bad was going to happen in the past 12 months. It rose to 49% in 2019, 52% in 2021 and has remained at that level. "The scale of this student mental health crisis is immense. Fifty-nine percent of Wisconsin high school students who took the Youth Risk Behavior Survey last year told us that they dealt with at least one mental health challenge within the past year," Underly said. "Think about that for a second. Almost six out of every 10 Wisconsin high schoolers are telling us that they feel anxious, depressed or suicidal each day." Some of the most urgent results of the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey present a fracturing picture of girlhood; the surging rates of distress among students who identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual; and the diminishing sense of belonging and connectedness at school. Some respondents were asked to offer open-ended feedback. Though anonymous, the responses serve as the tenor of this troubling moment. Youth talked about the number of times they encounter vaping in bathrooms, the need to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, bullying and lack of safety for LGBTQ+ students. One comment addressed the toxic tools their generation has inherited: "We are rapidly becoming the most depressed and zombied age group of all The technology you have built has given us more self-hatred, unachievable expectations, new mental illnesses and has crushed our sense of communication Please understand that we are trying our best to find ourselves and it is difficult when the world that we look up to can be so cruel, and we feel we need to go through it alone " "Mental health outcomes tend to improve when school belonging improves," said Amy Marsman, senior research analyst for the Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health. "Unfortunately, belonging and connectedness have declined in Wisconsin by a lot, 17 percentage points in seven years. That's the bad news." In addition to girls, students of color, students who receive special education, and students with individualized education plans (IEPs) are among those who are struggling more than their peers, said Casie Sulzle, the Youth Risk Behavioral Survey coordinator for the Department of Public Instruction. All this has had a compounding effect. Not since 2003 have more youth seriously considered suicide than in 2023, a thought that currently plagues 19% of Wisconsin teenagers. 'Our girls are in trouble' While anxiety impacted more than half of all students, at 52%, two-thirds of all Wisconsin girls reported they experienced anxiety. Nearly half of girls reported depression, at 45%. And a third of girls reported being bullied, either on school property or online. Girls are also twice as likely to hurt themselves than boys. Along these same lines, girls seriously considered suicide and attempted suicide nearly twice as much as boys in the last 12 months. "Our girls are in trouble," Marsman said. Girls were also three times more likely to report experiencing sexual assault than boys, which amounts to nearly one in five high school girls. More than half of all students reporting sexual assault or coercion said it happened more than once in their lifetimes. Nearly one in five girls also reported sexual violence from their intimate partner. Students who experienced sexual assault report far higher rates of mental health distress. They're more than three times likely to seriously consider suicide and six times more likely to have attempted suicide than those who have not had such experiences, according to the report. More than 9% of Wisconsin students said they were raped in this year's report, defined as being forced to have sexual intercourse, with girls more likely to report their rape than boys (nearly 14% of girls reported; nearly 5% of boys did). The rate of rape has not changed since 2021. Lesbian, gay and bisexual students experienced 'startling' rates of mental health struggles Students who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual experienced "startling rates" of anxiety, depression and anxiety, Marsman said. Forty percent of these students seriously considered suicide in the last 12 months, compared with 12% of heterosexual/straight students. Just 14% of these students "mostly or always get help." Generally, that's been the downward trend across all students in Wisconsin. In 2017, 28% of students who seriously considered suicide could mostly or always get help, but by 2023, just 21% of students felt that way. Bullying remains a higher concern for lesbian, gay or bisexual students, who experienced bullying at twice the rate of heterosexual/straight students. These students were much more likely to report that bullying is a problem at school. Like high school girls, students who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual also reported experiencing higher rates of sexual assault than other groups, at nearly 30%. That makes them more than three times more likely to experience sexual assault than heterosexual/straight students. Students of color don't feel safe at school Although a majority of students reported feeling safe at school, that number dropped from 80% in 2021 to nearly 75% in 2023. And more students reported this year they rarely or never feel safe at school increasing from 10% in 2013 to nearly 14% last year. Students of color were more likely than white students to report not feeling safe at school. Black students and multiracial students were the most likely to report feeling unsafe at school, at 21% and 22%, respectively. By comparison, 11% of white students reported this way. In fact, Black students were nearly three times more likely to skip school altogether than white students for safety reasons. Threats and injuries at school have more than doubled in the last decade. At the same time, dangers at home have also increased, especially for students of color. While 90% of white students reported having their basic needs met most of the time or always by an adult, just 77% of Black students could say the same. "These kids carry with them an incredible burden, and the data is even more acute for marginalized students," Underly said. About the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Since 1993, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey has been administered every two years to students in grades ninth through 12th from a sample of public, charter and alternative high schools in Wisconsin. In the spring of 2023, 1,882 students from 42 high schools voluntarily participated in the survey. Another 200,000 students from 750 schools from grades sixth through 12th participated at the local level. The 2023 questionnaire included 89 questions in total. The national results for 2023 have not yet published. Two questions were added to the 2023 survey regarding social media use and feelings of mistreatment due to race or ethnicity. The answers were broken up along the lines of economic factors (access to food), special education, sex and race or ethnicity. Natalie Eilbert covers mental health issues for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She welcomes story tips and feedback. You can reach her at neilbert@gannett.com or view her Twitter profile at @natalie_eilbert. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin youth mental health: 59% feel anxious, depressed, suicidal New US$3.6 million radiation-proof shelter to be built in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast A new radiation-proof shelter is to be built in the town of Pokrov in Nikopol district, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, on the premises of a local secondary school. Source: a statement by Ukraines Ministry of Infrastructure Details: The total budget for the project is UAH 147.8 million (US$3.6 million). The project envisages the construction of the shelter as a separate underground structure with three emergency exits. Excavation works are currently underway at the site. The shelter is expected to be built by the end of 2024 and will have a service life of 100 years. The project has received state funding in the form of a grant, which this year has been allocated via DREAM (the Digital Restoration Ecosystem for Accountable Management). "All educational institutions in the town of Pokrovsk switched to online learning when the full-scale invasion began, including Pokrovsk Lyceum (Secondary School) No. 8, which had almost 400 students. To bring the children back to in-person learning, it was decided to build a new radiation-proof shelter," the ministry's press service said. Background: Bidding has been announced in Kharkiv Oblast for the construction of three radiation shelters in schools which are expected to cost more than UAH 100 million (US$2.5 million) each. Two of them cost twice as much per square metre as in other oblasts of Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Migrant point towards the United States from the bank of Rio Grande river in Ciudad Juarez By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) - Texas can keep a 1,000-foot (300-meter) long floating barrier in the Rio Grande to deter illegal border crossings by migrants at the river separating the United States and Mexico, a U.S. appeals court has ruled, rejecting a challenge by President Joe Biden's administration. The full New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday reversed a preliminary injunction granted by a lower court that required Texas to move the string of wrecking ball-sized buoys it placed in a shallow area of the river. The ruling was a victory for Republican Texas officials including Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton and a blow to Biden's administration, which is locked in several legal battles with Texas and other Republican-led states over their efforts to crack down on illegal border crossings. The administration has called the state actions an unlawful intrusion on federal authority to set immigration policy. The 5th Circuit's decision allows Texas to keep the barrier in place pending the outcome of the Biden administration's lawsuit accusing the state of violating a U.S. environmental law. Abbott criticized Biden for trying to force the removal of the buoys and celebrated the decision in a post on social media. "I fought to keep them in the water. That is exactly where they will stay," Abbott wrote on Tuesday night. "JUSTICE!!!!" The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Texas-based U.S. District Judge David Ezra in April refused to dismiss the lawsuit and had directed Texas to move the barrier to the U.S. side of the river pending the outcome of the Biden administration's lawsuit seeking to remove it. A trial in the case is scheduled to start next week. The lawsuit accused Texas of violating a U.S. environmental law requiring states to receive federal approval before building obstructions in navigable waters. Ferries and some government vessels operate near the shallow, rocky area of the Rio Grande where Texas installed the barrier, according to court filings. The full 5th Circuit agreed to hear the case after a divided three-judge panel sided with the Biden administration in December. Twelve of the court's 17 active judges are appointees of Republican presidents, but two of the three judges on that panel were appointed by Democrats. In Wednesday's opinion, the full 5th Circuit said the lower court "clearly erred in finding that the United States will likely prove that the barrier is in a navigable stretch of the Rio Grande." The floating barrier is part of Abbott's broader effort to deter and punish illegal border crossings, collectively known as Operation Lone Star. Texas is also involved in legal battles over its placement of razor-wire fencing on private property along the border and a law passed last year authorizing state officials to arrest, prosecute and deport people who cross the border illegally. The Biden administration has also sued Iowa and Oklahoma for passing similar laws, which it has said interfere with federal enforcement of U.S immigration laws. Judges have blocked all three states' laws pending the outcome of the lawsuits. Republicans, favoring a hardline approach toward illegal immigration, have criticized Biden's policies as lax and have accused him of allowing a crisis to worsen along the U.S.-Mexican border. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Additional reporting by Kristina Cooke; Editing by Will Dunham, Alexia Garamfalvi and Chizu Nomiyama) The News The US pledged $500 million in military aid to boost the Philippines defense in the face of Beijings aggression in the South China Sea. The unprecedented investment was Washingtons clear message of support to the Philippines, the US defense secretary said during meetings in Manila, and comes at an especially fraught time, The New York Times wrote: China has ramped up its hostile maritime actions, while the US uncertain political landscape is making Asian leaders nervous. The Biden administrations embrace of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was described by a Manila analyst as unprecedented love-bombing, illustrating Washingtons anxiety to counter China in the region, Reuters reported last year. China recently said that it did not take kindly to third parties meddling in regional maritime tensions. The U.S. military conducted a defensive airstrike south of Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, according to two U.S. officials. "U.S. forces in Iraq conducted a defensive airstrike in the Musayib in Babil Province, targeting combatants attempting to launch one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (OWAUAS)," one of the officials told ABC News. "Based on recent attacks in Iraq and Syria, U.S. Central Command assessed that the OWAUAS posed a threat to U.S. and Coalition Forces," the official said. Earlier on Tuesday, Iraqi officials had reported blasts in an area south of Baghdad that is a hub for Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, the umbrella name for Iranian-backed militia groups operating under Iraq's Defense Ministry. A statement provided to ABC News by the Popular Mobilization Authority said, "Forces affiliated with the 47th Brigade were exposed to an explosion of unknown nature, which resulted in the martyrdom of a number of people and the injury of others." MORE: 2 men fatally shoot each other in California road rage incident Tuesday's U.S. airstrike was the first one in Iraq since February, when a drone strike killed a top leader of one of the Iranian-backed militia groups the U.S. had held responsible for close to 170 rocket and drone attacks against U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria. The attacks against U.S. bases ceased after that airstrike, with the exception of two attacks in April, but there have been a series of new attacks over the past week. Unlike previous U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria that were in retaliation for the attacks on U.S. bases, Tuesday's airstrike was described as defensive and targeting militants preparing to undertake an attack. These pre-emptive airstrikes have become commonplace in Yemen, where the U.S. has been targeting Houthi militants preparing attacks against commercial shipping around the Red Sea. MORE: Fred Trump III calls uncle Donald Trump 'atomic crazy,' says he used racial slur decades ago It is unclear if Tuesday's airstrike will lead to similar activity should militants continue targeting U.S. bases. But a U.S. official indicated that Tuesday's airstrike underscored the U.S. commitment to protecting its personnel and said, "We maintain the inherent right to self-defense and will not hesitate to take appropriate action." There are still 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq and about 900 serving in Syria, assisting local security forces in preventing the resurgence of ISIS. Since earlier this year, the U.S. and Iraq have been discussing changes to the continued presence of U.S. troops in Iraq. US carries out defensive airstrike in Iraq: Officials originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Several developments in the U.S. presidential race, including former President Donald Trumps pick of JD Vance as vice president earlier this month, have left European NATO member countries worried as they contemplate the possibility of the U.S. reducing its leadership role in the treaty organization or pulling out altogether analysts say. American presidents from both parties have long criticized a lack of burden sharing within NATO, pointing to many countries not matching the 2% of GDP defense spending commitment. With the upcoming U.S. presidential election and Trump and Vances criticisms of the alliance, NATOs future is effectively on the ballot, some foreign policy experts say. Trump has frequently criticized NATO countries for placing a financial burden on the U.S., warning that if they do not increase their contributions, he might consider reducing Americas involvement in the alliance or withdrawing completely. NATO has to treat the U.S. fairly, because if its not for the United States, NATO literally doesnt even exist, Trump said in a March interview. The U.S. spent 3.49% of its GDP on defense in 2023, while 19 of 32 NATO countries failed to reach the 2% commitment. This year, 23 out of 32 countries are expected to meet or exceed the defense-spending target, according to NATO. NATO holds its biggest exercises in decades, involving 90K personnel Embracing Trumps America First foreign policy platform, Trump and Vance favor isolationism. This raises the question: What does this mean for NATO member countries in need of American assistance, especially Ukraine and neighboring countries around Russia? Even if Vice President Kamala Harris the anticipated Democratic presidential nominee wins the election in November, NATO may still face challenges. A Trump and Vance ticket Klaus Larres, a history professor at the University of North Carolina and a fellow at the Wilson Center, noted that not all campaign rhetoric translates into actions once in office. Trump is more skeptical of NATO than President Joe Bidens administration, but since more countries are meeting the defense spending commitment, that grievance may diminish, Larres said. He probably will not repeat again that he wants to leave NATO, but he probably will make the United States less active in NATO and less prominent and less being the clear leader of NATO, he said. Larres said Vances inexperience in foreign policy will require a steep learning curve, which could prompt him to reconsider his instinctive isolationism. He is an isolationist, and he wants to withdraw from Ukraine, Larres said. He doesnt seem to see how detrimental that also would be for the United States and not just for the Europeans or for Ukraine, that it would have really devastating effects on Americas role in the world. He doesnt seem to understand that. With 40% of global trade involving the U.S. and Europe, a serious strain in relations would harm America not only in security but also in trade and economic policy, Larres said. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) appear on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) A Harris ticket Harris is expected to be the Democratic presidential nominee, following Bidens announcement that he wont seek reelection. Harris, who as of this writing has not announced a vice presidential candidate, will face a formal nomination at the Democratic National Convention in August. During his presidency, Biden expanded and defended NATO while bringing the Atlantic allies closer together, Larres said. Foreign policy experts expect Harris to continue support for NATO and Ukraine. In contrast to the Republican ticket, Harris has indicated she would not stray from NATO. I firmly believe our commitment to build and sustain alliances has helped America become the most powerful and prosperous country in the world alliances that have prevented wars, defended freedom and maintained stability from Europe to the Indo-Pacific, Harris said at the Munich Security Conference in February. To put all of that at risk would be foolish, Harris said. In a February rally, Trump said he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to any NATO country that doesnt meet the defense spending commitment. In response, Harris criticized Trumps remarks and reaffirmed her opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to supporters during a campaign rally at West Allis Central High School on July 23 in West Allis, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images) No previous U.S. president, regardless of party, has bowed down to a Russian dictator before, Harris said in an interview. In the days leading up to Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Harris urged NATO countries to unite and prepare sanctions. During her Munich speech, Harris warned against American isolationism, stating abandoning Ukraine or NATO allies would repeat historical mistakes. If we stand by while an aggressor invades its neighbor with impunity, they will keep going, she said, noting Putins actions could threaten all of Europe. If we fail to impose severe consequences on Russia, other authoritarians across the globe would be emboldened, because you see, they will be watching they are watching and drawing lessons. The bedrock of NATO Foreign policy experts warned diminishing Americas involvement in NATO could signal to adversaries abroad they can take advantage of U.S. allies, as Americas military strength is a key deterrent. Elizabeth Saunders, a professor of political science at Columbia University and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said the U.S. military is the bedrock of NATO, and the U.S. nuclear program is still a key part of how NATO deters adversaries, like Russia. Its very clear that this dance that NATO countries and Russia are doing on the sort of outer edges of this conflict are designed to prevent direct hostilities between any NATO country and Russia, and thats why Ukraine rightly believes that its security is tied to whether or not because it can get into NATO, Saunders said. On his campaign website, Trump argued we have to finish the process we began under my Administration of fundamentally reevaluating NATOs purpose and NATOs mission, claiming Russia is not the greatest threat to the U.S. You dont have to believe that Russia is the greatest threat to the U.S. to think that it is a threat to U.S. interests, Saunders said. Hans Binnendijk, a fellow at the Atlantic Councils Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and an adjunct political scientist at the RAND Corporation, said the most acute risk to the U.S. is Russia because the war in Ukraine has the potential for escalation. So, if the alliance is significantly weakened, [Putin] may feel that he can take advantage of that and he goes into the Baltic states, for example, which would be very dangerous, Binnendijk said. NATO heads of state and government gathered on the 75th anniversary of NATO's creation in Washington, D.C., on July 9. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Because NATO relies heavily on the U.S. for nuclear deterrence, undermining the alliance would weaken its effectiveness, Binnendijk said. As he sees it, the most immediate risk of a Trump and Vance win is Congress failing to agree on future aid for Ukraine. He noted delays in past aid bills have led to shortages of air defense and artillery munitions for Ukraine. If the U.S. just decides to stop aid to Ukraine, Europe can pick up some of it, but certainly not all of it, and it would probably force Ukraine into a very unfavorable situation where they might have to cut a really bad deal with Putin that would in turn do a lot of damage internally to the alliance, he said. Even if Trump doesnt formally withdraw the U.S. from NATO, he could still reduce Americas involvement in ways that undermine the alliance and leave other member countries more vulnerable, Saunders said. For example, Trump could refuse to appoint an ambassador to NATO or withdraw U.S. troops from allied countries, Saunders said. But if the fundamentals, if the material and the personnel and the capabilities that you need come from the U.S., then if you dont have access to those, then you dont really have NATO in its current form, Saunders said. You have something else that might still be called NATO. By Andrea Shalal and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The White House on Wednesday voiced concern about the increased risk of an escalation into a broader Middle East war after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran drew threats of retaliation against Israel. Speaking to reporters, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said, however, that Washington did not see an all-out conflict in the region as imminent or inevitable and that it was working to prevent that from happening. "When you have events - dramatic events, violent events caused by whatever actor - it certainly doesn't make the task of achieving that outcome any easier," Kirby told a daily briefing in Washington. He said the U.S. still believed there was a viable process to reach a ceasefire deal to end more than nine months of fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, despite concerns that effort had been dealt a serious blow. The Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas and Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of Haniyeh, who had participated in internationally-brokered indirect talks on reaching a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave. The Guards said it took place hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for Iran's new president. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government issued no claim of responsibility. The Israeli leader also made no mention of Haniyeh's killing in a televised statement but said Israel had delivered crushing blows to Iran's proxies of late, including Hamas and Hezbollah, and would respond forcefully to any attack. The assassination occurred less than 24 hours after Israel claimed to have killed Hezbollah's most senior military commander in the Lebanese capital Beirut in retaliation for a deadly rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. CONCERNS OF ESCALATION "We don't want to see an escalation," Kirby said. "Those risks go up and down every day. They are certainly up right now. They don't make the task of de-escalation, deterrence and dissuasion - which is the goal - any less complicated." While saying he could not confirm Haniyeh's death, Kirby referred to comments by Irans Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Supreme Leader said Israel had provided the grounds for "harsh punishment for itself" and it was Tehran's duty to avenge Haniyeh's death. Iranian forces had already made strikes directly on Israel earlier in the Gaza war, which was triggered by a Hamas-led cross-border attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Kirby declined to say whether the U.S. was urging restraint by Israel. While the latest events appear to set back any prospects for an imminent ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Kirby said: "We haven't seen any indications ... that the process has been completely torpedoed. We still believe the deal on the table is worth pursuing, he added. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, at an event in Singapore, sidestepped a question on Haniyeh's killing, saying a ceasefire deal in Gaza was key to avoiding wider regional conflict. He told Channel News Asia that the U.S. had neither been aware of nor involved in the killing. Blinken spoke by phone to Jordanian and Qatari leaders, and the State Department said they discussed regional tensions and efforts to reach a Gaza ceasefire. The United States will take every possible measure to protect its personnel and interests in the Middle East after recent attacks there, U.S. State Department Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters. The U.S. also urged its citizens to not travel to Lebanon, citing rising tensions between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Andrea Shalal, additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, David Brunnstrom and Ismail Shakil; editing by Diane Craft) (Bloomberg) -- Deepening security integration between the US and Japan will help ensure ties between the allies remain strong regardless of political changes, Washingtons top envoy to Japan said. Most Read from Bloomberg Rahm Emanuel, the US ambassador to Japan, highlighted announcements on Sunday of plans to create a command-and-control center for the US military in Japan, joint weapons production with Tokyo and regular three-way military exercises with South Korea. Speaking on Bloomberg TV, Emanuel described them as outcomes of the most significant weekend of Washingtons Indo-Pacific presence. Threats by Donald Trump to withdraw from NATO and pressure during his time as president for allies such as Japan to pay more for US military protection have stirred concerns among government officials in Tokyo about the possibility he may bring instability to ties if he wins the presidential election in November. Emanuel said Japans contributions to the alliance, including plans to raise defense spending to 2% from 1% of its GDP, had helped underpin bipartisan support in Washington for the alliance. Just as there is a broadly hawkish consensus on China, there is a widespread backing to close ties with Japan, he said. I think theres two countries that have bipartisan agreement, he said, adding one is China and the other is Japan, but from different perspectives. More broadly, US efforts to build stronger alliances with other Asia-Pacific nations, including Australia and the Philippines, have meant it has become harder for China to isolate any of them, Emanuel said. Efforts by Beijing to bring neighboring countries into its orbit have failed, he said. The scripts been flipped. And the isolated party its China and they are now on their back heel, he said. During a recent swing through the region that included stops in Laos, Tokyo and Manila, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a string of security initiatives, including more financial support for the Philippines military. While in Tokyo, Austin said the US military would upgrade its operations in Japan to allow the top commander in the country to deploy and direct US forces, rather than wait for direction from Indo-Pacific military command in Hawaii. Japan also plans to increase production of Patriot missiles and launch joint output of other missiles with US defense contractors. Tokyo and Seoul, meanwhile, are moving to put years of troubled ties behind them to step up trilateral military training and information sharing with the US. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A senior US official has played down the risks of an increase in hostilities in the Middle East, after the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. National Security Council adviser John Kirby said on Wednesday: "We don't believe that an escalation is inevitable, and there's no signs that an escalation is imminent. But I also said that we watch it very, very closely." "It was always complicated. It remains complicated and and reports coming out of the region, as we've seen again, over the last 24 to 48 hours certainly don't make it less complicated." Regarding the possibility of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas to stop the fighting in the Gaza Strip, Kirby said: "I don't want to sound overly sanguine here, but we still believe the deal on the table is worth pursuing." Iranian and Hamas leaders have threatened to retaliate against Israel, which they blame for the strike on Haniyeh. Shortly beforehand, Israel killed a Hezbollah militia commander in the suburbs of Beirut. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday of a "dangerous escalation" that undermined the goal of ending the Gaza war. US launches strike on Iran-backed forces in Iraq, first since February The U.S. launched a Tuesday strike on Iranian-backed forces in Iraq in the first attack in the country since massive strikes in February. U.S. fighter jets struck several Iranian-aligned militia groups in the Babil province south of Baghdad, according to Iraqi officials, killing several fighters. Yehia Rasool, a spokesperson for Iraqs armed forces commander, said it was a serious and uncalculated transgression on his country and the attack could undermine the ability to combat ISIS. They also risk dragging Iraq and the entire region into dangerous conflicts and wars, Rasool said in a post on the social platform X. Therefore, we hold the [U.S.] coalition forces fully responsible for these consequences following this flagrant aggression. The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), the Iraqi armed security group that includes Iranian-backed militias, condemned the attack in a statement shared by pro-Iranian media channels but did not name the U.S. as the aggressor. But the PMF also urged Iraq to unite efforts to make an immediate decision for the expulsion of foreign forces from our country. U.S. officials told Reuters that American forces carried out an attack on Musayib in the Babil province in response to a drone launch threat from Iranian-backed militias, who also fired rockets at a U.S. base in Iraq last week. The strike is likely to complicate ongoing dialogue between Iraq and the U.S. to negotiate the American troop presence in the country. Some 2,500 U.S. troops remain in Iraq to fight extremist terrorist groups like ISIS, but Iraqi officials have expressed a desire to have the forces leave the country, possibly by September, according to Reuters. U.S. forces battled Iranian-backed groups in Iraq and Syria from late October to February. The Iranian proxies began firing at American bases following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza on Oct. 7. But the last U.S. strike in February, which followed a militia drone attack that killed three American troops in Jordan, appeared to have deterred Iranian-backed groups in Iraq and Syria until now. The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have not stopped attacking ships in the Red Sea since late October. The U.S. strike on Tuesday came on the same day that Israel killed a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut. A strike on Wednesday in Iran also killed the top Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, an attack that Tehran has blamed on Israel. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The US may have just ripped the heart out of the Royal Navy In war, the adage necessity is the mother of invention takes on new urgency. The ability to keep pace with change can be the difference between life and death; between victory or defeat. As the war in Ukraine rages in Europe, and tensions continue to brew in the Pacific, the development of new military capabilities is happening at an extraordinary pace. The latest example is the Americans announcement that they have successfully tested a low-cost bomb that can sink ships the size of aircraft carriers. The prospect of such a weapon haunted the development of carriers for decades, with sceptics deeming their conceivable vulnerability to such attacks reason enough not to make our new carriers the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth a pillar of our defensive strategy. On the surface, one can understand the concern. In this test, dubbed Quicksink, the guided bomb was successfully dropped by a US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber on to the decommissioned USS Tarawa a 39,000-ton assault ship the size of a small carrier as part of an exercise imagining war with China. To the uninitiated, it might seem strange to showcase battle-winning technology to a potential foe, but as the military theorist Sun Tzu espoused in The Art of War, the greatest achievement in warfare is winning without a fight: this exercise was designed to deter Beijing from actions that could risk direct conflict with Washington. And yet worryingly for the Royal Navy this show of force could have unintended consequences, sparking a new miniature arms race as China seeks to develop such a weapon of its own. If successful, that would endanger Britain more than America given our strategic reliance on aircraft carriers. Already, for some, the wisdom of the investment in carriers has been stretched by events in Ukraine, where new technologies are greatly impeding naval forces ability to operate. Russias Black Sea fleet has been made a strategic irrelevance forced to leave its Crimean ports by innovative tech deployed by a country, Ukraine, that doesnt even have a navy. Kyivs swarms of cheap drones working in tandem with advanced Western-donated missiles have been a revelation, proving that technology is advancing at such a pace that old assumptions are being thrown out of the window. Hence why so many called for the defence review just signed off by Sir Keir Starmer. Optimists take a different view of carriers, quick to point out that neither China nor Russia have anything akin to the B-2 stealth bomber which dropped this new weapon. They also say that escorting ships would be able to shoot down any aircraft seeking to drop such a bomb carriers are highly effective if they are properly defended and manoeuvring well. More fundamentally, they say that carriers project strength and enable us to more easily go to our allies aid. Its worth noting that the Wests rivals are still heavily investing in carriers. Chinas third Fujian is currently undergoing sea trials. Yet war is changing faster than anyone can predict. Remember two years ago, when drones allegedly made tanks redundant? Now tanks are once more one of the most requested resources by Kyiv, armed with anti-drone shields. So it is the speed of adaptation that is key. But the billion dollar question is: can an aircraft carrier evolve with the times, or is it already outdated technology? Hamish de Bretton-Gordon is a former commander of Natos Rapid Reaction CBRN Battalion 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. US military veteran with PTSD jumped off Royal Caribbean cruise ship after fight with wife Lieutenant Colonel James Bryan Wright died after jumping off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in May, following an argument with his wife (Barr-Price Funeral Home) A US military veteran who died after jumping off a cruise ship bound for the Caribbean had been involved in a physical altercation with his wife shortly before, police have said. Retired Lieutenant Colonel James Bryan Wright was one day into a week-long cruise with Tracie Wright when the incident occurred on May 26. The 53-year-old, who had served in the military for 30 years and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), entered a secure area on the Royal Caribbeans Icon of the Seas vessel billed as the worlds largest cruise ship before jumping. A report from the Miami Dade Police Department, obtained by The Independent, said that the incident occurred at around 7.50am. Contact was made with Mrs Wright who advised that her and her husband were involved in [a] physical altercation which prompted Mrs Wright to exit the cabin leaving Mr Wright inside the cabin, the report stated. Shortly after the altercation Mr Wright exited the cabin at which point he made his way to Deck 5 where he entered a secure gated area and proceeded to jump off the ship. Lieutenant Colonel James Bryan Wright died after jumping off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in May, following an argument with his wife (Barr-Price Funeral Home) The ship was ordered to stop while a search for Wright took place. He was recovered by Royal Caribbean staff, who performed CPR but were unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead shortly after. Wrights obituary described him as a decorated veteran who honorably served his country for 30 years. He began his military career in May 1988, when he enlisted in the South Carolina Air National Guard (SCANG). During his career he served in many positions, acquiring the rank of Master Sergeant before becoming a Commissioned Officer in May 1998. In 2012, Wright was stationed at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Bryan was compassionate about the men and women who served under him the obituary noted. During his tour in Afghanistan, Bryan flew into many combat zones visiting soldiers and personnel assigned to his command. He had the honor of presenting numerous Purple Hearts and other distinguished decorations to many heroes who served so selflessly to protect the freedoms we all enjoy. After returning home he worked full-time with SCANG, until his retirement in September 2018 as Deputy Director of Human Resources-Joint Force Headquarters. Tributes were paid to Wright online, where he was described as a wonderful human being and just person, including from those who knew and served with him. The incident took place on Royal Caribbeans Icon of the Seas, the worlds largest cruise ship, in May (Getty Images) Bryan was so humble and always demonstrating compassion and understanding. I always enjoyed being in his presence, wrote one person. Another added: My heart and prayers go out to this fine young mans family. Have known them for many years and am heartbroken for the loved ones he leaves behind! My sincere condolences to Tracie and the Wright and Sightler families, wrote another. Bryan was a fine officer and a good friend to all who served alongside him in the SCANG. Like many, I have a lot of warm memories of working with Bryan, all the way back to his young enlisted days. May God bless Bryans wife and children, family and friends during this difficult time. Wright is survived by his wife Tracie Wright; son and daughter, grandson, brother and his mother. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. US not expecting surge in attacks on troops in Iraq, Syria, defense secretary says By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Despite a spike in tensions in the Middle East, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday he did not currently expect Iran-backed militias to step up attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, as they have in the past. The United States on Tuesday carried out a strike in Iraq that U.S. officials described as self-defense, one of a series of high-profile attacks in the region over the past day that also included an Israeli airstrike in Beirut that killed senior Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was also assassinated in the Iranian capital Tehran on Wednesday morning. "I think, quite frankly, I don't see a return to where we were several months ago, not yet," Austin told reporters as he departed the Philippines. Between Oct. 7 and February, U.S. troops were attacked over 160 times in Iraq, Syria and Jordan, usually with a mix of rockets and one-way attack drones, prompting the United States to mount several retaliatory attacks. The deadliest attack was in late January, when an Iranian-made drone killed three U.S. soldiers and wounded dozens more in Jordan. Since then, there had been a lull in attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria. But last week, multiple rockets were launched toward Iraq's Ain al-Asad airbase housing U.S.-led forces, U.S. and Iraqi sources said. U.S. officials said none had hit the base, and no damage or casualties were reported. "The safety and protection of our troops is really, really important to me. That's why, you know, you saw us take some measures to protect ourselves here," Austin added. Asked if the recent attacks on U.S. forces were connected to rising tensions between Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel, Austin said: "I think it's all connected." Haniyeh's assassination drew threats of revenge on Israel and fueled further concern that the conflict in Gaza could be turning into a wider Middle East war. Although the attack was widely assumed to have been carried out by Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said merely that Israel had delivered crushing blows to Iran's proxies over the past few days. Asked about the killing, Austin said he had heard the reports but did not have any information to provide. (Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Kevin Liffey) US official tasked with imposing Russian sanctions to join Harris campaign as first major hire, Axios reports Brian Nelson, the U.S. Treasury Department's lead official tasked with imposing and enforcing sanctions against Russia, is preparing to leave the Biden administration to join Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, Axios reported on July 30. Nelson, who has served as the Treasury Department's under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence since 2021, is set join the Harris campaign as the first major hire since President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Kamala Harris. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Nelson has worked with and lobbied international allies to ensure Russian sanctions were being enforced by companies and entities. Nelson previously worked as a policy advisor and general counsel at the California Department of Justice while Harris served as attorney general of the state. The Treasury Department declined to comment on the move, Axios reported. In addition to Russian sanctions, Nelson was also tasked with imposing sanctions on the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, will face off against former President Donald Trump for the presidential election scheduled for Nov. 5. Although Harris has not commented on the Ukraine war since entering the race, if elected, Harris' policies toward Ukraine would likely remain similar to Bidens. 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. Alongside Western allies, the United States implemented unprecedented sanctions against Russia following the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At the June Group of Seven (G7) summit in Washington, the U.S. imposed sanctions against another 100 individuals and entities targeting various sectors of Russia's economy. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Kyiv strikes Russian oil depot; 2 Russian bombers hit in earlier attack Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The U.S. Park Police (USPP) is asking for help from the public identifying five people it says were involved in various criminal activities during pro-Palestine protests sparked by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus visit to D.C. last week. Of the five people pictured in flyers posted on social media, one is accused of assaulting an officer, and the other four are accused of vandalizing federal property. Post-protest clean-up begins at Columbus Circle near DCs Union Station The protests, which started on Monday outside the Watergate Hotel where Netanyahu was staying, escalated on Wednesday. Roughly two dozen protesters were arrested throughout the day, 10 of whom were taken into custody by the USPP. Much of the scene happened at Columbus Circle near Union Station, where memorials were vandalized and an American flag was lowered from a flagpole and burned. WATCH: Protesters flood DC during Israeli Prime Ministers visit, address to Congress In the wake of the protest, the U.S. Park Police union called on Congress to help them address the staffing crisis the unit is facing. The union said they only had 29 officers at Wednesdays protest. None of the people pictured by the U.S. Park Police are facing any charges at this moment, though Park Police are asking anyone with information to contact the USPP tip line at (202) 379-4877. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- The US and other nations are running out of patience with Venezuela over the release of detailed voting data, Biden administration officials said Wednesday, as pressure grows on authorities in Caracas to prove the victory claimed by Nicolas Maduro. Most Read from Bloomberg I want to note that our patience, and that of the international community, is running out, said White House spokesman John Kirby. Its running out on waiting for the Venezuelan electoral authorities to come clean and release the full detailed data on this election. US officials said earlier this week that they would consider Maduros transparency in releasing voting data when considering future sanctions. Although the countrys electoral authority said Maduro defeated rival Edmundo Gonzalez, an exit poll conducted by US firm Edison Research had Gonzalez winning by more than 30 percentage points There is a clear action that the Venezuelan electoral commission can take and that is a full, detailed publication of this election data, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said earlier Wednesday. The international community has criticized Maduro for barring many candidates from running, including former lawmaker and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, whose party claimed its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez won the election. --With assistance from Eric Martin. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. US to pause $95 million assistance to Georgia over controversial foreign agents bill The U.S. will pause more than $95 million in assistance to Georgia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on July 31, citing the country's "undemocratic" foreign agents bill. The move is part of a U.S. government-initiated full review of its relationship with Georgia on May 30, soon after the Georgian parliament passed a controversial bill requiring organizations that receive foreign funding to be labeled as "foreign agents." The U.S. implemented the first tranche of sanctions against Georgian government officials on June 6, imposing travel restrictions on individuals "responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Georgia." The U.S. on July 5 indefinitely postponed joint military exercises with Georgia. The Georgian government falsely accused the U.S. of pressuring Georgia "to open a second front against Russia to alleviate pressure on Ukraine," prompting the decision, the Pentagon said at the time. "The Georgian government's anti-democratic actions and false statements are incompatible with membership norms in the EU and NATO," Blinken said on July 31 in a statement reported by Reuters. "Washington will continue assistance that benefits the people of the South Caucasus country," he added. The U.S. move comes weeks after Brussels froze 30 million euros ($32 million) in defense sector funding for Georgia after halting its EU accession process in June. The EU granted candidate status to Georgia at the end of 2023, but relations with Tbilisi deteriorated after the passing of the foreign agents bill. The European Council said on June 27 that the law represents a back-sliding on the steps set out for Georgia's candidate status, "de facto leading to a halt of the accession process." Read also: Another Georgian volunteer fighter killed in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The US has reached a plea deal with alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two other defendants accused of plotting the 2001 terror attacks, according to the Defense Department. The pretrial agreement reached after 27 months of negotiations takes the death penalty off the table for Mohammed, Walid Bin Attash, and Mustafa al Hawsawi, prosecutors said in a letter, obtained by CNN, sent to the families of 9/11 victims and survivors shortly before the Department of Defense announced the news in a press release Wednesday evening. After beginning negotiations in March 2022, the three men agreed to plead guilty to all charges, including the murder of the 2,976 people listed in the charging sheet, the families were told. Mohammed and his co-defendants will enter guilty pleas at a plea hearing that could come as early as next week, according to the letter. We recognize that the status of the case in general, and this news in particular, will understandably and appropriately elicit intense emotion, and we also realize that the decision to enter into a pre-trial agreement will be met with mixed reactions amongst the thousands of family members who lost loved ones, prosecutors wrote in the letter. The decision to enter into a pre-trial agreement after 12 years of pre-trial litigation was not reached lightly; however, it is our collective, reasoned, and good-faith judgment that this resolution is the best path to finality and justice in this case. The least bad deal The plea agreement avoids what would have been a long and complicated death penalty trial against Mohammed. This is the least bad deal in the real world that would ever happen, said Peter Bergen, a terrorism expert and CNN national security analyst who has written extensively about Osama bin Laden. The government faced the difficult challenge of advancing a case that had stalled over the course of the two decades since Mohammeds capture in Pakistan in 2003 for his alleged involvement in the terror attacks. They were still in pre-trial hearings, Bergen told CNN. Getting some kind of deal is better. With the skeleton of the World Trade Center in the background, New York City firefighters work amid debris after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. - Mark Lennihan/AP/File In 2008, Mohammed was charged with a list of crimes including conspiracy, murder in violation of the law of war, attacking civilians, attacking civilian objects, intentionally causing serious bodily injury, destruction of property in violation of the law of war, and terrorism and material support of terrorism. The US had said it would seek the death penalty for Mohammed. But the military trial against Mohammed and his alleged co-conspirators was delayed for years as the US tried to determine how to handle the issue of torture used against Mohammed and others at secret CIA prisons in the 2000s. The issue posed a legal problem for prosecutors about whether evidence obtained through torture was admissible in court. The trial was set to begin on January 11, 2021, but delays brought about by the resignation of two judges and the coronavirus pandemic pushed the date back again. The three alleged conspirators will still face a sentencing hearing where the parties will present evidence to argue for an appropriate sentence short of the death penalty. That sentencing hearing will not occur before next summer, according to the letter sent to families. During the sentencing hearings in this case, there may be an opportunity for a member of your family to testify about the impact the September 11 attacks have had on you and your loved ones, and to provide a victim impact statement that will be considered by the military jury in determining a sentence, prosecutors said in the letter. The letter notes that prosecutors met with families for feedback about possible plea agreements as is required by law. As part of the agreement, the defendants agreed to answer written questions from the surviving victims and victims families about their roles and reasons for conducting the attacks. The families now have 45 days to submit questions to be answered by the alleged co-conspirators by the end of the year, the letter says. According to the letter, the prosecutors plan to travel to meet with the families in person this fall to discuss the plea agreements. Families of victims push back But some families pushed back on the plea agreements Wednesday. Brett Eagleson, the president of 9/11 Justice, an organization that represents 9/11 survivors and family members of victims, said in a statement that the families are deeply troubled by these plea deals and pushed for more information about Saudi Arabias involvement in the attacks. While we acknowledge the decision to avoid the death penalty, our primary concern remains access to these individuals for information. These plea deals should not perpetuate a system of closed-door agreements, where crucial information is hidden without giving the families of the victims the chance to learn the full truth. We urge the administration to ensure that these deals do not close the door on obtaining critical information that can shed light on Saudi Arabias role in the 9/11 attacks. Our quest for justice will not waver until the full truth is revealed, and justice is served for the victims and their families, Eagleson said. A woman wipes away tears as she views photographs of people missing after the 9/11 terrorist attack, on September 16, 2001. The posters were put up in front of the Armory on 25th Street, which had been converted to a family center for victims of the attack. - Charles Dharapak/AP/File Terry Strada, the national chair for 9/11 Families United, said the news came as a gut punch as she stepped out of a Manhattan federal courthouse Wednesday afternoon from a daylong hearing in the families ongoing litigation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Strada expressed concern that the plea deal news will overshadow the newly unsealed evidence in the families fight to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its purported role in the terror plot. The kingdom has denied any involvement in the attacks. No family member knew this was coming, she said. Im very suspicious of the timing of it. This is the biggest day in our entire case. Biggest day in 23 years of trying to obtain justice for the murder of our loved ones. And they offer those guys a plea deal. Its unclear where Mohammed and his co-defendants will serve out their sentences. The Biden administration has made it a priority to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba where the defendants have been held, repatriating several detainees who were no longer considered significant threats to national security. But dozens of detainees still remain in the facility. This story has been updated with additional details. CNNs Haley Britzky contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com US refuses to place blame on Israel for Hamas leaders assassination and wont say what effects will be The Biden administration has repeatedly denied US involvement or knowledge in the apparent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a political leader of Hamas heavily involved in ceasefire negotiations. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Channel News Asia on Wednesday during a two-day stop in Singapore as part of a weeklong swing through southeast Asia, making some of the first comments from a high-ranking American official regarding the death of Haniyeh, who was reportedly killed in Tehran along with an Iranian security guard late Tuesday evening Washington time. Well, Ive seen the reports, and what I can tell you is this: first, this is something we were not aware of or involved in, said the USs top diplomat. He added: Its very hard to speculate, and I've learned never to speculate, on the impact one event may have on something else. So I can't tell you what this means." He would go on to reiterate the USs position that it would work to try and prevent the conflict in Gaza from escalating into a regional war. At the daily State Department press briefing in Washington, however, reporters pressed further on the issue and drew a semi-heated response from Vedant Patel, the agencys deputy spokesman. Patel was questioned repeatedly on various issues related to the impact of the killing and refused to speculate as to whether Israel was responsible for carrying out the attack. The Israeli government has not claimed credit for the killing nor publicly denied it; Hamas and Iranian officials have meanwhile both insisted that Israel is behind Haniyehs killing. We have of course seen the news, and the statement from Hamas, but I dont have anything additional to offer on that and I dont want to speculate at this time on this incident or possible reactions, we of course continue to be in touch with governments in the region, Patel offered initially. That failed to satisfy reporters in the room, and the questions Patel went on to face included the basic philosophical question of how the US could continue to state publicly that Hamas was the main obstacle to a successful ceasefire deal from being reached if Israel was behind the attack and was therefore responsible for killing a lead negotiator for a possible peace agreement. Patel deflected, and wouldnt offer a path forward for peace negotiations either stating a desire to keep such talks private. He also faced a sharp line of interrogation from Said Arikat of Al-Quds, a Jerusalem-based news service, regarding whether Iran, as a sovereign nation, had the right to defend itself from an act of aggression as an attack on its soil could be taken. The questioning inferred that the US may have a double standard when it comes to Middle Eastern countries given the self-defense justification that US politicians and the State Department have given for the Israeli siege of Gaza. Protesters in Irans capital demonstrate against Israel after the killing of a Hamas leader in the Iranian capital city (Getty Images) In principle, as a sovereign nation, does Iran have the right to defend itself? asked Arikat. As Patel began to hesitate in responding, Arikat pressed: Its a simple question. Does Iran, as a sovereign nation, [like] any other nation, have the right to defend itself? Patel responded: Iran is a regime that time and time again since 1979 has, one, been the largest exporter of terrorism, not just in the Middle East but broadly. And it has a clear track record of not just suppressing its own people but funding, promoting, encouraging, malign destabilizing actions across the region. And our opinion and point of view on the Iranian regime is quite clear. We will not hesitate to not just stand with our allies and partners when it comes to defending against threats from Iran but taking appropriate action from the United States, said the spokesman. Arikat would go on to press Patel several times further. He pointed out the deaths of not just Haniyeh but much of his extended family, including his children and grandchildren, and later asked the State spokesman point-blank whether the Hamas leaders death was good, indifferent or bad in terms of reaching a ceasefire deal in the region. The questions drew an increasingly irritated response from Patel, who refused to answer for what he said is probably now the fifteenth time in the briefing. Overall, it comes as the Biden administration has now said for months that it sees a ceasefire deal within reach and has largely avoided any major shifts in policy regarding its monetary support for Israels offensive in Gaza, where more than 30,000 are now presumed dead. As the months have passed, the administration has increasingly faced criticism at home from progressives over seemingly taking a passive, reactionary role to the conflict and the Israeli strikes in areas including Beirut and now, possibly, Tehran. While the president takes accusations from the right over the supposed daylight between his view on the war and Israels, his administration faces questions as to whether Israel is purposely undermining the US president. Adding fuel to that fire was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus most recent visit to the US, where he spoke on Capitol Hill and accused protesters demonstrating against his speech as being possibly funded by Iran. Netanyahu met with Biden at the White House during his visit but also traveled to meet Donald Trump, his political ally, in Florida. Credit unions offer a variety of benefits and perks, from lower fees and loan rates to competitive savings rates and relationship benefits. But taking advantage of these perks isnt as easy as opening an account. First, you have to qualify for credit union membership. Membership eligibility requirements vary by credit union. For example, some credit unions serve individuals who live in a particular area, work in a certain industry, or are employed by a specific company. However, there are some credit unions anyone can join, sometimes by making a small one-time donation to a partner organization. If youre interested in joining a credit union, continue reading for examples of credit unions anyone can join. This embedded content is not available in your region. What is a credit union? A credit union is similar to a bank , except its a not-for-profit financial cooperative rather than a for-profit business . They typically offer deposit accounts, loans, mortgages, and other financial products and services. Unlike banks, you have to become a member of a credit union before you can open an account. As a credit union member, youre also a part owner. This means you not only get a say in how the organization runs but also benefit financially from profits. Credit unions often pass on profits to their members through lower fees, higher savings rates , and lower loan rates. Credit unions also tend to focus on relationship-building, particularly within their communities. This often means members receive a more personalized banking experience than they would at a traditional bank. Similar to banks, deposits at credit unions receive federal insurance. The National Credit Union Administration , or NCUA, insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per account ownership category, per insured institution. Can anyone join a credit union? Credit unions have unique membership requirements that vary by institution. Some credit unions have specific membership requirements that limit eligibility to a select group. For instance, you may have to be a resident of a particular state or county to join a specific credit union. On the other hand, some credit unions make it possible for anyone to join. Sometimes, these credit unions require a donation to a partner organization to become eligible for membership. Why do credit unions have membership requirements? Credit unions must have a field of membership, as required by law. The field of membership is a common bond, like working in the same industry, belonging to the same organization, or living within the same community. Membership is critical to a credit unions structure and function, as each member becomes a part owner of the organization. 7 credit unions anyone can join If youre interested in taking advantage of credit unions many perks, you may be eager to join one. It generally makes sense to look for credit unions in your area since youre likely to qualify for membership based on your location. But if youre struggling to find a credit union youre eligible to join or you want to compare additional options consider the following examples of credit unions anyone can join. 1. PenFed Credit Union Pentagon Federal Credit Union, better known as PenFed, is one of the countrys largest credit unions. Membership is open to anyone. All you need to do to become a member is to apply for a Regular Share account or a Premium Online Savings account and make a deposit of at least $5. You can apply for these accounts and become a member online. 2. Alliant Credit Union Alliant Credit Union is the largest credit union in Illinois. You can become eligible for membership in several different ways, including living or working near the organizations headquarters in Chicago or working for one of Alliants partner organizations. If you dont meet other eligibility requirements, you can join by becoming an Alliant Credit Union Foundation digital inclusion advocate. When you join the foundation, Alliant will make a $5 donation on your behalf. 3. Credit Human Formerly known as SACU, Credit Human is a Texas-based credit union. You can join by living in one of the credit unions service areas, attending a partner college or university, being an active or retired member of the armed forces, or being an employee or member of a partner organization. You can also join by enrolling in the American Consumer Council (ACC). Credit Human will cover your membership fee to join. 4. Consumers Credit Union Consumers Credit Union is an Illinois-based credit union that makes membership accessible to anyone. To become a member, you need to join the Consumers Cooperative Association by paying a $5 fee, which the credit union will typically reimburse. 5. Bethpage Federal Credit Union Based in New York, Bethpage Federal Credit Union has been serving its members for over 80 years. Today, anyone can join the credit union with a $5 minimum share account. You can join the credit union and open an account online or by visiting a branch. 6. Connexus Credit Union Connexus Credit Union serves members in all 50 states, and membership is available to anyone with a $5 donation to the Connexus Association. However, those who live in certain communities in Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin or those who belong to one of Connexuss partner organizations can join without making a donation. 7. Boeing Employees Credit Union Contrary to what its name implies, you dont have to work for Boeing to become a member of Boeing Employees Credit Union. There are several options for membership eligibility, including being a Boeing or credit union employee or living in a select area. But if you dont meet any other membership requirements, you can join Boeing Employees Credit Union by becoming a member of a partner organization. Joining one of these organizations may involve paying dues or making a donation, but some require as little as $5. How to choose a credit union There are thousands of credit unions across the country and many, including those listed above, that anyone can join. With so many options available, consider the following when deciding between different credit unions. FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) listens during a Senate during a hearing about the East Palestine train derailment in Washington By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senate Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell said she plans to introduce legislation on Thursday to require the Federal Aviation Administration to use advanced safety measures after a series of problems with Boeing jets. "We really think the FAA needs to have its own process," Cantwell said of safety management systems, which are sets of policies and procedures to proactively identify and address potential operational hazards. She also said she still plans to call Boeing to testify even after the company named Kelly Ortberg as its new CEO on Wednesday. Cantwell, who represents the state of Washington, added the new CEO of Boeing should be based in Seattle, where much of the planemaker's manufacturing is located. "I think the notion that somebody thinks they can run the company from anywhere other than Seattle is a big mistake," Cantwell said. A source confirmed that Ortberg plans to be based in Seattle. Cantwell asked the FAA to conduct a thorough review into its oversight of Boeing, which moved its headquarters to Chicago in 2001 after a merger with McDonnell Douglas. In 2023 it moved its headquarters to Arlington, Virginia. She also raised serious questions about the government's scrutiny of the planemaker, according to a letter first reported by Reuters Tuesday. She said the FAA in April disclosed that it had conducted a combined total of 298 audits of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems over the prior two years that "did not result in any enforcement actions." Cantwell said Wednesday those reviews had been lacking. "Clearly, they were doing an audit that meant nothing, because it didn't detect any problems and they said everything was fine," she said. "Now we have to turn our attention to the FAAs processes and understand what problems existed in their oversight." Last month, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said the agency was "too hands off" in oversight of Boeing before a mid-air emergency in a new 737 MAX 9 and faulted its prior audits. Reuters first reported Cantwell's planned SMS bill earlier this month. U.S. airlines have been required to have SMS since 2018 and some aerospace companies, such as Boeing, already voluntarily have SMS programs. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Mark Porter and David Gregorio) US suspends $95 million in aid to Georgia after passage of foreign agent law that sparked protests U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a conversation on Advancing Security and Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific Region with Singapore's Ambassador-at-Large Chan Heng Chee at Asian Civilisation Museum in Singapore, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah) WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration on Wednesday suspended $95 million in U.S. assistance to Georgia after its parliament adopted legislation related to foreign agents that critics say was inspired by a Russian law used to crack down on political dissent and that sparked weeks of mass protests. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he had decided to pause the Georgian aid, which would directly benefit the government, as the result of a review of assistance that he ordered in May after the law passed. He said he took the action in response to anti-democratic actions the government has taken. The U.S. has also already imposed visa bans on a number of Georgian politicians and law enforcement officials for suppressing free speech, particularly voices in favor of Georgia's integration with the West. The Georgian governments anti-democratic actions and false statements are incompatible with membership norms in the EU and NATO, Blinken said in a statement released as he was flying from Singapore to Mongolia at the end of a six-nation tour of Asia. Despite the suspension, Blinken said the U.S. would continue to fund programs in Georgia that promote democracy, the rule of law, independent media and economic development. We will remain committed to the Georgian people and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations, he said, noting that the U.S. has provided more than $6.2 billion in assistance to Georgia over the past three decades since it won independence from the Soviet Union. The Georgian parliament passed the legislation in May, overriding a veto by the president. The law requires media and nongovernmental organizations to register as pursuing the interests of a foreign power if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. Critics say that it closely resembles legislation the Kremlin used to silence opponents and that it will obstruct Georgias bid to join the EU. The Biden administration on Wednesday urged Americans in Lebanon to shelter in place amid rising tensions in the Middle East over a series of attacks and retaliation among Hezbollah, Israel and Iran. The State Department updated its travel advisory for the entire country of Lebanon to Level 4: Do Not Travel. It advises Americans already there to be prepared to shelter in place if the security situation deteriorates. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut further encouraged U.S. citizens already in southern Lebanon, near the borders with Syria or in refugee settlements to depart. The travel advisory comes as tensions in the Middle East are being pushed to the brink of a broader regional war over 10 months of war since Hamass attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and the subsequent war in the Gaza Strip. Israel claimed responsibility for the killing of a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut on Wednesday, in retaliation for a Hezbollah strike that killed 12 children in northern Israel. But a suspected Israeli strike against a top Hamas official in Iran on Wednesday has escalated tensions higher, with Iran vowing a response. While the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem updated its security alerts for staff and U.S. citizens to reconsider travel and exercise caution, the embassy in Beirut delivered a more serious warning for Americans. Do Not Travel to Lebanon due to rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. If you are in Lebanon, be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate, the embassy said in its statement. It added that commercial flights remain available but for Americans to prepare that last-minute cancellations can occur without warning, pointing to several airlines suspending or canceling flights out of Beirut. The embassy warned against counting on U.S. military-assisted evacuations. U.S. military-assisted evacuations of civilians from a foreign country are rare. There is no guarantee the U.S. government will evacuate private U.S. citizens and their family members in a crisis situation, the embassy said in a statement. In the event that a U.S. military-assisted evacuation does occur, our focus will be on helping U.S. citizens. Please ensure that you have valid travel documents to facilitate travel out of Lebanon and into a safe third country location. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. US urges citizens to not travel to Lebanon, citing Israel-Hezbollah tensions Members of the Lebanese army and people gather near a damaged site after what security sources said was a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs By Kanishka Singh and Daphne Psaledakis WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday urged its citizens to not travel to Lebanon, citing rising tensions between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group. The U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory to Lebanon to level four, which says "Do Not Travel." The State Department advised Americans in Lebanon to depart if possible. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT The Middle East has been on the edge for months amid Israel's war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis. The region faces a risk of a widened conflict. A weekend strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 was blamed on Iran-backed Hezbollah by the U.S. and Israel. The Lebanese group denied responsibility. Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr was killed thereafter in an Israeli strike on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital in a Hezbollah stronghold. KEY QUOTES "Do Not Travel to Lebanon due to rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," the State Department travel advisory said. "If you are in Lebanon, be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate. The U.S. Embassy strongly encourages U.S. citizens who are already in Southern Lebanon, near the borders with Syria, and/or in refugee settlements to depart." The travel advisory said the Golan Heights attack "increased the risk of further escalation" between Israel and Hezbollah. CONTEXT The State Department said it considered the threat to U.S. government personnel in Beirut serious enough to require them to live and work under strict security. The department also said that U.S. citizens in Lebanon should be aware that consular officers from the U.S. Embassy are not always able to travel to assist them. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington; Editing by Andrea Ricci) USDA to introduce new food assistance program for families in VA and NC PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expected to launch a new food assistance program for families across the United States, including Virginia and North Carolina. The program, called SUN Bucks, will allow eligible school-aged children to receive $120 per child to buy groceries during the summer. SUN Bucks will work alongside other benefits, such as SNAP and WIC. The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) states the benefits will either be issued on an existing SNAP EBT card or a pre-loaded Virginia SUN Bucks card. In North Carolina, SUN Bucks cards will be mailed out to eligible families. Families who already receive SNAP, TANF or income-eligible Medicaid, as well as students who receive free or reduced-priced meals at school, do not need to enroll in the new program and are already enrolled. An income eligibility table can be found below to see if you potentially qualify for SUN Bucks. Household Members Annual Monthly Twice per month Every two weeks Weekly 1 $27861 $2322 $1161 $1072 $536 2 $37814 $3152 $1576 $1455 $728 3 $47767 $3981 $1991 $1838 $919 4 $57720 $4810 $2405 $2220 $1110 5 $67673 $5640 $2820 $2603 $1302 Applications for SUN Bucks must be received by Aug. 30. Those who wish to apply in Virginia can either fill out a form and mail it to Virginia SUN Bucks at 5600 Cox Road, Glen Allen, or call the Virginia SUN Bucks Call Center at 866-513-1414. Those who wish to apply in North Carolina will be able to fill out an application online here. For more information and to see what other states are participating in SUN Bucks, visit USDAs website 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 WAVY.com. Colby Jenkins takes his opportunity to talk after Utahs 2nd Congressional district debate between Congresswoman Celeste Maloy and himself at the KUED studios at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Pool photo by Scott G Winterton/Deseret News) The day after U.S. Rep. Celeste Maloys Republican challenger Colby Jenkins officially called a recount in Utahs 2nd Congressional District race with razor-thin margins, he also followed through on a separate legal challenge to the election his campaign has been planning. Jenkins on Tuesday filed a lawsuit with the Utah Supreme Court, seeking to contest the certification of the June 25 primary over 1,171 ballots that were disqualified because they were postmarked late. Utah law requires ballots to be postmarked no later than the day before the election. According to a copy of the lawsuit Utah News Dispatch obtained from Jenkins campaign, Jenkins is suing clerks in nine southern Utah counties (Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, Sevier, Washington, Wayne) as well as the Lt. Gov. Deidre Hendrson, the states top election official. Hes asking the Utah Supreme Court to direct all the clerks in those nine counties to count all ballots that were not counted in the primary because of invalid or late postmarks. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX This action concerns an election law barrier that disenfranchises a significant number of voters who only reside in southern Utah specifically, the Second Congressional District that resulted in Defendants failure to properly count timely cast ballots in accordance with (Utah law), the lawsuit states. Maloy, who beat Jenkins by 214 votes or 0.2%, according to certified election results, said in a prepared statement Tuesday she remains strongly in favor of counting every legal vote, and she expected Jenkins challenge. The decision to appeal to the Utah Supreme Court is one we anticipated and I trust the justices will give the issue the consideration it merits, Maloy said. As this process and the recount move forward, I am focused on the job at hand and will continue to do work to address the big issues facing Utah and our country. Jenkins attorneys allege the failure to properly count valid ballots violates the Constitution, and the impact of these failures is that voters in the 2nd Congressional District race in and around southern Utah, will simply have their votes discarded because they were not instructed, in contravention of Utah law, that the processing and postmarking time necessitated early mailing of their ballots because their mail was processed in a facility different than the rest of the 2nd Congressional District. The lawsuit alleges voters in those counties were treated differently than voters whose ballots were processed in the U.S. Postal Services Salt Lake City facility, and accuses election officials of doing nothing to inform voters of this issue. Jenkins complaint revolves around what he called the Vegas Cancellation in an interview with Utah News Dispatch on Monday. While mail from areas with the 3-digit zip code prefix 840-846 is processed in the U.S. Postal Services Salt Lake City distribution facility for sorting and postmarking, mail from localities with the zip code prefix 847 is sent to the U.S. Postal Services Las Vegas facility, the suit states. Citizens in multiple Utah counties that have their mail processed and postmarked (at the Las Vegas facility), claim to have filled out and mailed ballots prior to election day as required, but due to processing delays, their ballots were not postmarked until after June 24, 2024, and therefore were not counted., the lawsuit says. The suit includes a list of voters that each placed their ballots in the mail before the deadline, but their votes were disregarded because it was postmarked after the deadline, the lawsuit states. Some county election officials, the suit adds, have refused to produce to Mr. Jenkins the names of those voters whose ballots were not counted as a result of postmarking issues. However, his campaign obtained statements from a number of voters whose ballots were not counted, many of them sharing similar stories. The suit names three voters from Cedar City, St. George, and Washington who mailed their ballots on June 17, June 23 and June 20, respectively. These are just samples of stories Mr. Jenkins has heard from his voters across the Second Congressional District, the suit says. The lawsuit also said county elected officials despite their knowledge of the processing and postmarking delays did nothing to address the delay or advise voters that their votes would not be counted as a result of the delay. Most of the nine counties with ballots that were processed in Las Vegas reported those ballots as not being curable due to late postmarking, the suit states. Those included: Two in Beaver County, 491 in Iron County, Eight in Kane County, 662 in Washington County, Eight in Wayne County. As a result of election officials failure to address the processing and postmarking delay, approximately 1,171 Utah residents who exercised their right to vote will be disenfranchised, Jenkins attorneys wrote in the filing. They argue that Utah election officials are charged under Utah law to provide instructions for returning the ballot that include an express notice about any relevant deadlines that the voter must meet in order for the voters vote to be counted. However, voters in those nine counties were not advised of relevant deadlines regarding their mail-in ballots because they were not told their mail would be processed in Las Vegas and therefore face postmarking delays. This delay was nothing new it had been the subject of at least one Utah interim hearing but, nothing was done, the lawsuit says. Respondents did not inform voters that the deadline to mail their ballots was significantly earlier due to the use of the (Las Vegas facility). The postmarking issue especially stirred frustrations in Iron County, where one commissioner voted against certifying the election because of the nearly 500 ballots that were disqualified. The other Iron County commissioners ultimately voted 2-1 to certify, but not without heartburn, saying legislative leaders advised them the law is clear that ballots cant be legally counted if theyre not postmarked on time. They also issued calls to Utah legislators to tackle the issue, if not for this election, for future elections. At least one legislator, Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, told Utah News Dispatch hes interested in running a bill to allow more flexibility for rural counties around the postmarking deadline but he and legislative leaders werent inclined to intervene or change the law in the middle of this years election process. Now the question is before the Utah Supreme Court. Jenkins told the Dispatch on Monday that lawmakers have been aware of this issue before this years election, and its something that should have been addressed. If his campaign is ultimately not victorious, however, he said hes grateful his race with Maloy highlighted the issue. Weve got to fix this. Weve got to investigate it further, before we disenfranchise hundreds of our voters, he said, while also urging Utahns who may have had their ballots disqualified because of a late postmark to contact his campaign. We would love to hear from them, he said. Jenkins isnt the only candidate this year to attempt to contest the election. Utah Gov. Spencer Coxs Republican challenger Rep. Phil Lyman has said hed contest the election but his first attempt, in the form of a letter to the Utah Supreme Court, was rejected by a court clerk because it failed to follow proper procedure. Lyman told the Dispatch he planned to submit a revised filing before the deadline, which is by the end of the day Aug. 1. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Burlington, VT- A new program developed at the University of Vermont has secured a large chunk of funding to help guide future healthcare leaders. The New American Youth on the Rise program offers middle and high school age girls from immigrant families the chance to see what impact they could make in the healthcare field. Having a doctor that looks like you is common for some, but not all. Anne Dougherty, the Director of Gender Equity at the Robert Larner College of Medicine, says, through representation and trust, we move ourselves towards healthcare equity. Gender and racial inequalities in the healthcare field have long been an issue, and its a problem that can start with early education. Dougherty says, We know that health outcomes improve when providers look like the patients in the community they serve. Gender and racial inequalities in the healthcare field have long been an issue, and its a problem that can start with early education. Yoiung girls, specifically those of color or from immigrant families, can be dissuaded by bias and stereotypes from pursuing carrers in science. Governor calls on flood-weary Vermonters to stick together with more thunderstorms on the horizon Rachel Wetchi, Core Director of New American Youth on the Rise, says the program aims to solve this. We had the idea of collaborating to complete this program to inspire immigrant girls in vermont to pursue a career in health sciences, said Wetchi. Interest in the program was certainly there following two pilot sessions this past spring. Paula Deming, a core member of the New American Youth on the Rise team, says more than 20 girls from four differnet middle schools took part and spent a whole Saturday on campus. The sessions included things like social-emotional learning activities, solving a medical case in the lab, visits to the operating room at the medical center, and more. As the Core Director, Wetchi has a personal connection to the programs success. She immigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo 14 years ago to puruse a college career in health sciences. It took me a long time to understand the process of getting into the medical field, because of a lack of guidance and lack of understanding the system and how to navigate it, said Wetchi, Now, being part of this program that will actually provide the support that the students need to fulfill or get into this career, its very important and what inspired me the most. A recrutiment session will be held Saturday, Aug. 3, from 3-5 p.m. for girls in 6th through 8th grade and their families to learn more about, and apply for the 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 ABC22 & FOX44. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee temporarily suspended five pro-Palestinian student groups for a social media message the local Jewish community called intimidating and threatening. The student groups Students for Justice in Palestine, the Muslim Student Association, Students for a Democratic Society, Young Democratic Socialists of America and Un-PAC formed a coalition this spring called UW-Milwaukee Popular University for Palestine. The coalition set up an encampment to demand UW-Milwaukee cut ties with Israeli companies. Ameen Atta (center), a board member with the Muslim Student Association, speaks to the media next to Audari Tamayo (left) and Kayla Patterson (right), both members of UWM Students for a Democratic Society, at an encampment outside Mitchell Hall on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus, protesting the Israel-Hamas war, in Milwaukee on Monday, May 13, 2024. It was unclear what privileges the groups have lost. Among the potential sanctions listed in a UWM student organization manual were restriction of campus facility use, freeze on spending accounts, mandatory educational programming, meeting with a university official or loss of registered student status. In an Instagram story posted mid-July, the coalition said any organization supportive of Israel is unwelcome at UWM. The story characterized Hillel Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Jewish Federation as "local extremist groups." "We will no longer normalize genocidal extremists walking on our campus," the story said. Hillel Milwaukee supports Jewish students at 11 local colleges and is based near UWM. The Milwaukee Jewish Federation is an umbrella organization distributing funds to a number of local groups, including social services agencies, schools and community programs. It also publicly advocates for the Jewish community. UWM previously denounced the student coalition's post and any form of antisemitism. While hateful and intimidating speech is often legally protected, the university said it conflicts with campus expectations for respect. On Wednesday, the university said it had temporarily suspended the groups as part of an ongoing investigation. It wasn't clear whether the investigation was a police or a student conduct matter, or both. UWM declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation. The Milwaukee Jewish Federation said the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office determined the group's post fell within the bounds of free speech. The Wisconsin Law Journal later reported the DA's office was investigating the matter. The DA's office said Wednesday the investigation remains ongoing. Student protesters on Thursday declined to comment on their suspension or the UWM investigation. They previously denied "targeting" the Jewish community despite naming two local Jewish groups. They argued any support of Israel was an extremist position and said "we refuse to normalize extremism on our campus." Also Thursday, students affiliated with the Students for a Democratic Society and the Young Democratic Socialists of America attended a court hearing for disorderly conduct tickets they received after interrupting a UW Board of Regents meeting June 6. Four of the students pleaded not guilty, while one student who recently graduated and moved out of state paid their ticket, according to Audari Tamayo of the Students for a Democratic Society. "This is not the end of the struggle," student protester Kayla Patterson said. Whether the charges are eventually dropped or the students pay the tickets, "it's not really going to deter us from taking action up on campus and in the community," she said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-Milwaukee suspends pro-Palestinian groups for 'intimidating' post NORWOOD, Colo. (KREX) In the quiet town of Norwood, just west of Ridgway, an unexpected turn happened this Monday afternoon. At 11:48 a.m., a man was cutting a section of pipe in his backyard. Sparks flew off from the blade, igniting the grass that erupted into a pit of fire. Within three hours, the fire spread to 80 acres. Norwood Fire Protection District Fire Chief John Bockrath tells WesternSlopeNow luck wasnt on their side not only did the wind shift directions several times, but other fires erupted on the Eastern Slope at the exact same time, leaving no air resources for them to use. San Miguel County Sheriffs Office PIO Susan Lilly tells WesternSlopeNow 15 homes were evacuated, but later that night, those residents were allowed back into their houses, though they didnt have power until Tuesday afternoon. Bockrath says about three hours after the fire started, two light tankers from Wyoming and a helicopter from Montrose made sure the fire didnt grow past 80 acres. Tens of thousands of gallons of water were dropped over the course of roughly four hours. Crews are shooting to have the fire 100% contained by the end of the day Wednesday. Bockrath urges everyone on the Western Slope to be careful even though things are green, conditions are still dry enough for a fire to erupt. Norwood residents tell WesternSlopeNow they are so thankful for the quick action from the multiple organizations that responded to the fire. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has called for striving to realize economic and social development goals in 2024. The CPC Central Committee held a symposium on July 26 with non-CPC personages to seek opinions and suggestions on the country's current economic situation and economic work for the second half of the year. Xi presided over the symposium and delivered an important speech. To do the economic work well for the second half of the year, the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability should continue to be followed, Xi said. China has set its annual GDP growth target for 2024 at around 5 percent. The country's GDP expanded 5 percent year on year in the first half of 2024. Efforts should be made to fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, accelerate the building of a new pattern of development, develop new quality productive forces in light of local conditions, and promote high-quality development, Xi said. He also stressed further deepening reforms, strengthening macro regulation, boosting the vitality of market entities, stabilizing market expectations, boosting the positive economic recovery momentum and improving people's livelihoods. Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium. Li briefed the symposium on the economic work in the first half of the year and considerations about the economic work for the second half. Leaders of eight non-CPC parties, the head of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and a representative of personages without party affiliation made remarks at the meeting, raising suggestions on such topics as deepening reform across the board, promoting high-level opening-up, strengthening the industrial and technological foundation for new quality productive forces, and lifting the confidence in the private economy. The Chinese economy continued its recovery trend through the first half of the year, making new strides in high-quality development, Xi said. He noted that the economy faces some difficulties and problems, yet these issues have arisen in the course of development and transformation, and can be overcome. He stressed the need to remain confident, maintain strategic resolve, and address problems and challenges proactively. Xi called on non-CPC parties and personages to adopt the correct perspective on the situation and the problems that are encountered during reform and development, and to work together to overcome various risks and challenges. He also urged research on major reform measures proposed at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, on major issues in social and economic development, and on preparations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which would provide reference for the CPC Central Committee's scientific decision-making. Nearly 300 current and former Valvoline employees in Minnesota will be affected by the settlement ending the use of noncompete agreements at the chain. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer. Oil change chain Valvoline agreed to drop noncompete agreements with hourly workers as part of a settlement agreement with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of five other state attorneys general. Valvoline required its hourly workers to sign noncompete agreements that barred them from performing oil changes for another company within 100 miles of their Valvoline location for one year after leaving the company. The company also required workers to agree not to solicit other employees or customers for one year after leaving Valvoline. Far too many employers use overbroad non-compete agreements to stifle competition, keep wages low, and treat workers unfairly, Ellison said in a statement announcing the settlement on Wednesday. In a statement, the company said it already stopped using noncompete agreements in 2021: We believe all employees should be able to seek opportunities that grow their careers. A spokesman for Ellisons office said that change came shortly after their office reached out to the company in December 2020 as part of an investigation into the companys use of the contract provisions. It is often the case that businesses stop unlawful activities or business practices once they know they are under investigation due to those practices, said Brian Evans, press secretary for the Minnesota Attorney Generals Office. Businesses argue they need noncompete agreements to protect valuable trade secrets and client lists, but the agreements have become commonplace, and hindered the freedom of about one in five American workers, ranging from fast food workers to doctors to car mechanics. In 2023, Minnesota lawmakers banned noncompete agreements, except as part of a business sale agreement. The Federal Trade Commission followed suit with a nationwide ban in April. In announcing the new rule, which now faces legal challenges, the FTC estimated the ban would generate over 8,500 new businesses and increase earnings for the average worker by $524 per year by giving workers unfettered freedom to seek out higher wages. As part of the settlement agreement, Valvoline must notify all its current and employees who left the company in the last year that the noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements are no longer in effect. Ellisons office says the settlement affects nearly 300 workers. If Valvoline violates the terms of the agreement, the attorney general may seek a $500,000 penalty. Joining Ellison were New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led the coalition, and the attorneys general of Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. *This story was updated with comment from Valvoline. VAN BUREN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A faithful police chief is officially retiring after decades of service in multiple cities. Chief Jamie Hammond, who has served the Van Buren Police Department since 2017 will officially enjoy retirement. Chief Hammond worked at the Fort Smith Police Department for 26 years before going to VBPD. Arkansas State Police seize more than 345 pounds of illegal marijuana in Franklin County traffic stops Today, Captain Jonathan Wear has been appointed as the new chief of police by Mayor Joe Hurst. Former Chief Jamie Hammond, Chief Jonathan Wear and Mayor Joe Hurst. Wear was the Public Information Officer of VBPD. He has been with the department since 2007. In a social media post from the police department, Wear was said to have helped in the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce and the Child Abduction Response Team. He is a Drug Recognition Expert and a certified Crime Scene Technician Captain Wears exemplary service was recognized with the Officer of the Year award in 2012 and 2017, and he was honored by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2016 for his role in the prosecution of U.S. v. Clarence Garretson. His leadership as Sergeant, Lieutenant, and most recently as Captain has been marked by a steadfast commitment to our community and a passion for justice, the post said. Boys and Girls Club of Van Buren receives $10,000 from Taco Bell Foundation I want to let you all know that I plan to do something a little different than former chiefs, Wear said. Wear said he plans to do something a little different than former chiefs, in an email sent to the media. Wear is an active community member, he can be seen on the Board of Directors for Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center, the boards of Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy and River Valley Community Outreach or as an Elder at Central Christian Church in Fort Smith. Wear says he will still handle PIO duties, and Deputy Chief Larry Brown will handle the responsibilities in his absence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. For almost two weeks now, J.D. Vance has been getting well-deserved hell for remarks made in 2021 in which he described Vice President Kamala Harris, along with a host of other Democratic leaders, as miserable, childless cat ladies, unfit to wield political power because they havent sexually reproduced. Further comments like this are being uncovered almost daily, making it clear that this is part of who Vance is: weird and creepy. But some of these recently resurfaced remarks go beyond the weird to something more dangerous and destructive: Democrats, including Harris, want to steal our kids, Vance has said. And he is far from alone in pushing that line of attackTrump allies are devoting millions of dollars to getting this fearmongering message in front of voters. Most recently, Charlie Kirk, head of the far-right group Turning Point USA, accused Harris of wanting to kidnap children using the trans agenda. Kirk made these comments on his self-titled online show on July 29, part of a segment praising Trumps protection of what the Christian right calls parental rights. Kirk has styled himself a parental rights defender; he railed against a new California law meant to protect trans students, claiming it signaled the destruction of the nuclear family as we know it. The law, signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom this year, came about in response to local school boards adopting policies that targeted trans students and their supportive teachers. These policies required teachers and other school staff to inform a students parent or guardian if they changed their name or pronouns, and they spread to multiple California counties and school districts. Harris had no role in passing the 2024 law to halt such school board policies; she wasnt in California state governance at the time because she had been elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016. Her successor, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, sued a school district over its policy of forcing the outing of trans studentsnot Harris. Kirk however warned every Christian in the country that if Kamala Harris becomes president, she will nationalize this California law and make it so that the state can kidnap your child under trans-related issues. In case that wasnt clear enough, he added that Kamala Harris seeks to kidnap your child via the trans agenda. Trump, by contrast, would protect children from the trans mafia. Kirk may sound like a fringe cultural warrior, but hes spent the last decade building influence on the right, at the same time as his group, Turning Point USA, has taken an increasingly Christian nationalist (and often antisemitic) turn. Kirks group also produced the event where he said Trump vowed to protect children from the trans mafia. At this same event, Trump promised his beautiful Christians that after voting in this election, they wouldnt need to vote in the next one. The idea that leftists want to kidnap children to advance a trans agenda is a variation on messaging being pushed this election season by the American Principles Project, veterans at deploying anti-trans political messaging in service of Republicans. Were going to make sure that voters all across the country know just how extreme Kamala Harris is when it comes to protecting our kids, when it comes to protecting normalcy and decency, and when it also comes to protecting parental rights, Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, told Fox News last week. Our job is to make sure that every voter in the country knows that Kamala Harris will take away your rights as a parent to protect your children from all these nefarious influences in our culture. APPs ads have spread misinformation about trans youth, such as their failed intervention in the high-profile 2023 Wisconsin state Supreme Court race, in which they sent lurid text messages suggesting that liberal candidate Judge Janet Protasiewicz and her woke allies want to TRANS our children without notifying parents. (This is entirely made up, and Protasiewicz won.) Trumps running mate, J.D. Vance, meanwhile, continues to make news for his past remarks on children and families. In an appearance on America First, hosted by the white nationalistadjacent former Trump adviser Sebastian Gorka on July 12, 2021, Vance said the Democratic Party is like this childless cabal. While this remark, recently rediscovered by journalist Jacqueline Sweet, is in the same vein as Vances infamous childless cat ladies comments, the cabal language adds a new twist. And a few months after the America First interview, Vance returned to the theme in an appearance on Breitbart Radio. One of the things Ive beat up on the left about, he said, is that so many of their leaders, their next-generation leaders, you know, the AOCs, the Cory Bookers, the Kamala Harrises, they dont have kids. And so theres this weird way where they want to take our kids and brainwash them so that their ideas continue to exist in the next generation. Addressing those leaders, Vance said, If you want to brainwash children, have your own kids to brainwash. Leave your hands off mine. Take Vances remarks as a whole: We have a cabal assuming powerspecifically, a cabal of people of color. Their power is framed as lesser or illegitimate because they are childless and, implicitly, because they are not white. They are dangerous, and they are trying to take overas Vance said in an August 2021 fundraising email unearthed by CNN, Weve allowed ourselves to be dominated by childless sociopathstheyre invested in NOTHING because theyre not invested in this countrys children. And they are coming for our children, to brainwash them. This kind of talk, of a powerful cabal coming for your kids, trafficks in the same threats and themes as QAnon, with its claims of Democrats stealing children for their own nefarious purposes, from child sex slavery to harvesting their bodies. Vance, of course, would deny being a conspiracy theorist, racist, or antisemitic. But Vance, like Trump, is skilled at getting right to the edge of blood libel and white supremacist rhetoric without going all the way and losing his fig leaf of plausible deniability. Portraying childless people as trying to take your children because otherwise they cant reproduce themselves and hold onto power also calls to mind another California fightover the Briggs Initiative in the late 1970s. At that time, the burgeoning Christian right was fighting the ground gained by the gay rights movement, and attempted to reframe gay, lesbian, and bisexual people as child predators. In California, this took the form of a ballot initiative asking the states voters to bar gay and lesbian teachers from employment. Fifty-eight percent of voters rejected this. As it was put to a popular vote in the biggest and gayest state in the country, the Briggs Initiative was seen by the religious right and gay activists alike as a trial balloon that would test how far that backlash could go, wrote Slates Christina Cauterucci, who has a new podcast looking back at Briggs. The urgency of the threat forced thousands of gay people whod never previously considered themselves political to get angry and get active in defense of their own rights. Kirk and Vance seem to share an instinct for moral panic. But they also may be focused on the image of leftists stealing children in an attempt to distract from the fact that conservatives are the ones attacking childrentrans children. Vance and Kirk want to make forced outing policies a national standard. (You can find these plans laid out in Project 2025, of course.) And they are the ones spreading moral panics and conspiracy theories in an attempt to make parental rights a presidential campaign issue. Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance speaks at a campaign rally at Liberty High School on July 30, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Former Pres. Donald Trumps running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance, unleashed a litany of attacks Tuesday in Southern Nevada against Vice Pres. Kamala Harris, the Democratic Partys likely presidential nominee. Vances maiden visit to Nevada coincided with audio leaked to the Washington Post from one of Vances meetings this weekend with fundraisers, in which the candidate calls the Democratic Partys switch from Biden to Harris a political sucker punch. The bad news is that Kamala Harris does not have the same baggage as Joe Biden because whatever we might have to say, Kamala is a lot younger. And Kamala Harris is obviously not struggling in the same ways that Joe Biden did. Vance tried to flip that script in Henderson Tuesday. The entire world now knows that she (Harris) helped cover up Joe Bidens declining mental capacity for years, and now our country is saddled with a president who cant do the job, Vance said Tuesday. Our adversaries are licking their chops and the world is in disarray because of weak American leadership. With the exception of bringing Republican Senate candidate Sam Brown on stage, Vances 30-minute speech before a crowd of several hundred Republican faithful was heavy on red meat, but lacked any mention of Nevada issues, including Trumps promise to stop taxing tips. His speech was also bereft of previous comments some have perceived as sexist. Trump is defending his running mate, who is being criticized for his comments over the years on women and families. The former president, in a Fox News interview Monday, said Vance loves families. A lot has happened in the last month, Vance said, without mentioning the outrage, even among some Republicans, over the surfacing of his childless cat lady remarks from 2021. He has attempted on several occasions to explain the comment but stands by his contention that Democratic leaders are not parents and are ill-equipped to lead as a result. Vance has also suggested that parents with children be permitted to cast extra votes on behalf of their minor offspring. Were going to say a word about the media. I know we have some friends in the media back there, Vance said of reporters and camera operators in the back of the gym. Not all of them are bad. Just most of them, he said, echoing Trump, who Vance once characterized as Americas Hitler. Vance promised that in six months, President Trump will launch the largest deportation program in American history. Were gonna end catch and release. Were gonna ban sanctuary cities, and then were gonna finish building that beautiful Trump wall. He accused the Biden administration of handing out work permits to 3 million illegal aliens who lied to claim asylum. They turn a blind eye while those fraudsters steal American jobs and undercut American wages, adding Harris is not going to stop until every illegal immigrant has the right to vote, which is going to destroy your voice in your own country to make room for people who shouldnt even be here. Vance referred to Harris as Bidens border czar, a position she never held. Harris, in 2021, was given the job of addressing the root of migration from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. She has never been in charge of the border. Ill ask you a simple question, Vance said. Do we want open borders? Do we want to bankrupt Medicare by giving it to illegal aliens? Do you want to defund the police? Do you want to ban fracking? So, do we want Kamala Harris? Hell, no! Harris, in 2017, was the first co-sponsor of Bernie Sanders Medicare for All Act. The bill would have abolished private health insurance and instead, the government-run benefit would have been available to every resident, including undocumented immigrants. Border crossings, thanks to assistance from Mexico, have dropped in the last several months, with June crossings reaching the lowest point in three years. However, Vance put all illegal aliens on notice. President Trump and I have a different message. If you are here against the laws of this country, pack your bags, because youre going home in six months. Vance promised the crowd he and Trump are going to lead a great American restoration. Were going to bring strength back. Were going to bring common sense back. Were going to bring prosperity back to the American people, and its starting in Nevada. A second rally was scheduled in Reno for Tuesday afternoon. Nevada is one of a handful of battleground states in the presidential election and is leaning Republican, according to pollsters. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. A local food truck owner is searching for answers about who vandalized his business Sunday night, forcing him to close his business temporarily. Mean Grillers BBQ on South Glenstone had its power cords severed, causing the owner Gary Morris to shut down and make repairs. However, Morris says he wont let this incident put him down. Its sad because, you know, hes a good guy. And I know things happen in Springfield, but, you know, its kind of sad it happened to him because hes got his business trying to keep it going, said Arthur Duncan. And, you know, Im a former businessman myself. So I know its hard to keep going when you have these things come up. Gary Morris is originally from Florida and started his BBQ business in 2021 and right now hes been a one-man working crew as he works to make his dreams come true. Neighbors say they are fed up with the crime on Kearney St. I didnt see exactly what happened until I walked around the front of my food truck and I saw that they had severed my cords to my power supply, said Morris. And its a 50 amp cord. Its not nothing light. You know something? Somebody has to have bolt cutters to hands to do this with. So they knew what they were coming for. Morris says he had some suspicious activity taking place around his business Sunday night. When he drove up to his food truck on Monday morning, thats when he found that someone had cut the power cords to his truck. You can go do a show and then something like this happens and then all the money you just made from that show has to go to repairing something like this, said Morris. When Morris found out what they took, he already knew why they targeted the power cords. Woman accused of robbing Springfield Caseys, stabbing an employee So I know that they took that for the copper. So I already know whats going on with this situation. I already know what Im looking for, Morris said. And its very unfortunate for business owners like us, because business owners like me, at the end of day, were just trying to make an honest living, said Morris. Morris says he already filed a police report and hopes the people who did this get caught. I can speak for every other small business when I say this. You know, if I had to say something to the people that did this, I would just tell them, please stop, said Morris. Morris says he will reopen his food truck tomorrow at 11 a.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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. EVANSVILLE A judge sentenced Austin Ousley, the man convicted of shooting two brothers one of them fatally inside a Vanderburgh County farmhouse in 2023, to serve a total of 60 years in prison during a hearing Wednesday morning. A jury found Ousley, 19, guilty of reckless homicide and attempted murder in March for the killing of 42-year-old Shawn Wildt and the shooting of 36-year-old Chad Wildt, who suffered severe injuries. Judge Robert Pigman of the Vanderburgh County Superior Court sentenced Ousley to serve 55 years in prison for the attempted murder charge, including a 10-year enhancement for using a firearm in the commission of a felony, and five years in prison for reckless homicide. Pigman ordered that Ousley serve the sentences consecutively, or back to back. Ousley will receive about 1 year and 4 months credit for time served, court records state. Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers said in a statement that she hopes the lengthy sentence will "bring some healing and closure to the victims' families." On Feb. 27, 2023, the Wildt brothers traveled to a Cypress Dale Road farmhouse their family owned to investigate a spate of break-ins and trespassing incidents when they encountered Ousley, who was then 18, according to testimony and evidence presented at trial. 'Shattered forever': Here's how a fatal Vanderburgh County shooting reportedly unfolded Ousley admitted that he shot both men inside the home, but claimed at trial that he did so during a struggle a contention prosecutors disputed. According to Ousley's defense team, he and a then-17-year-old friend entered the Wildts' farmhouse without permission out of a shared interest in "urban exploration." Ousley's friend did not testify at the trial and was not charged for the shooting. Shawn Wildt was pronounced dead when law enforcement reached the scene. Chad Wildt suffered a gunshot wound to his face and survived after undergoing a mass blood transfusion and multiple surgeries, according to prosecutors. Ousley would flee the area and later attempt to take his own life by shooting himself in the head outside a Rural King in Evansville. He survived his injuries, received treatment at an Indianapolis hospital and was ultimately found competent to stand trial. A jury found Ousley guilty of reckless homicide, but not felony murder, after nearly eight hours of deliberation on March 15. The jurors also found Ousley guilty of attempted murder, but not burglary or trespassing. "This case is a reminder that our quick actions can change our lives permanently," Moers said Wednesday. "The defendant in this case was sentenced to 60 years in the Department of Corrections and this case undoubtedly changed the lives of all involved." If Ousley were to serve the entirety of his sentence, he would be 79 years old upon his release. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Vanderburgh judge sentences Austin Ousley for 2023 double shooting Weve watched her live in pain. Why some Sacramento families cant afford needed medication Seventeen-year-old Macy Coad earns straight As in her honors and AP classes. The high school swimmer is being recruited by colleges. But you wouldnt know shes been battling juvenile arthritis since she was a year and a half old. Coad has been on some form of medicine since she was three, going through as little as one steroid injection per month to as many as an injection per week to ease her symptoms. We started to see a normal kid emerge. A kid that wanted to play, a kid that can run, a kid that can do pretty much all the things that other kids can do, her mother, Gerica Coad, said. Coads arthritis treatment has been covered under her fathers medical insurance plan. Around 2020, a copay accumulator was added to the plan, her mother said. But the family didnt know until it was time to refill Macys prescription. A copay accumulator prevents copay assistance from contributing to ones annual deductible, leaving a bill for the remainder. This can unfairly target people with a need for continuous medication and those who depend on copay assistance to cover it. The copay accumulator left the family scrambling to find a way to pay an additional $1,600 monthly for the medication their daughter needed, as well as meet their deductible for the year. Not getting her the medical care that she needs is not an option. And because weve watched her live in pain, we couldnt do that again, theres no way, her mother said. Melissa Horn, director of state legislative affairs at the Arthritis Foundation, said illnesses like arthritis dont often have generics, and if generic versions were available they can be just as expensive. We find that if a copay responsibility for a patient is more than $50 theyre more likely to abandon it, and it adversely impacts our patients, because if they abandon their prescription, theyre not managing their pain and their disease could progress to be worse, she said. In 2023, more than a third of Americans were found to have difficult affording prescription medications. 3rd-grader Macy Coad gets lab tested every 1-2 months to monitor her inflammation levels and kidney and liver functions. The problem with copay accumulators When it comes to medication that is needed consistently, the repetitive cost can be overwhelming. Thats where copay assistance comes in. The drug manufacturer, or, other third party organizations, provide patients with copay assistance. Essentially, they cover a portion of the cost of the medication so whats left is a discounted price at the pharmacy counter. When it comes to medical insurance, policyholders are required to meet a deductible each year, which varies depending on policy and medical insurance provider. A deductible is the amount of money a policyholder has to pay before their insurance will cover the remainder of their medical costs. The problem, however, is that insurance companies are not accepting copay assistance toward a patients deductible due to a practice known as a copay accumulator, according to Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute. So insurers are taking the money, but theyre not applying it to the persons out-of-pocket costs and their deductible, Schmid said. And then the insurers make the patient pay for the costs. Gerica Coad described the feeling her and her husband had after finding out about the accumulator as exhaustion. It was a big challenge for a couple of months and we just paid it, she said. For a working class family, paying that amount monthly is not sustainable because eventually, savings run out, she said. Copay accumulator programs were enacted in 2021 during the Trump administration, according to the HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute. Insurance agencies claim that these programs would incentivize patients to switch to lower-cost generic drugs, but certain illnesses have no lower-cost alternatives, according to the American College of Rheumatology. Melissa Horn, director of state legislative affairs at the Arthritis Foundation, described it as getting a scholarship to help you pay for your cost-sharing responsibilities. This assistance would cover medicine costs, but contributes nothing to the deductible, leaving a patient with a bill all the same, while insurance companies pocket the copay. For a working class family, paying thousands of dollars a month for medication is not sustainable because eventually, savings run out, Gerica Coad said. We find that if a copay responsibility for a patient is more than $50 theyre more likely to abandon it, and it adversely impacts our patients because if they abandon their prescription, theyre not managing their pain and their disease could progress to be worse, Horn said. Federal and state plans The complexity of a copay accumulator program hinges on whether an insurance policy is federally or state funded. If medical insurance is federally regulated, it takes an act of Congress or a department and agency to correct the regulations or issue guidance, Horn said. Schmids suit issued guidance for all federally regulated plans, but the state still needs to act, Horn said. Advocacy groups in California are pushing for a bill to address these problems, Assembly Bill 2180, introduced by Assemblywoman Akilah Weber, D-San Diego. This bill would prohibit California-regulated health insurers and HMOs from utilizing copay accumulators if the patient has a chronic or terminal illness, said Weber in her bill presentation to the Assembly Health Committee. As of May, the bill is held under submission, preventing it from moving forward. Group sues federal government In response to insurers double-dipping, Schmid, the HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute along with other advocacy organizations and three patients, sued the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in September 2023. The federal judge ruled in favor of Schmid, but the federal government is not enforcing the decision, Schmid said. He said they are now waiting on a federal ruling. And we are very concerned that that rule may allow this practice to continue, that the insurers are able to double dip and that the copay assistance would not count, Schmid said. According to Horn, in order to mitigate this problem, state law or guidance from the executive brand is needed. While the federal ruling was passed, there has been no real enforcement from federal agencies, Schmid said. He said they hope further federal clarity will put teeth behind the ruling. However, Horn stressed the importance of action protecting patients on every legislative level, state and federal. In our eyes a payment is a payment. You dont see students that are punished for using scholarships. Why should patients get punished for using copay assistance, she said. While the Coad familys medical plan has since been rewritten without an accumulator, other families are not so lucky. None of those things would have happened if we didnt have access to these medications and have the financial support to be able to get them, Gerica Coad said. (Bloomberg) -- The morning after Venezuelas streets erupted against Nicolas Maduros self-declared victory, his defense minister appeared on the airwaves to make clear how the armed forces viewed protests over an allegedly stolen vote. Most Read from Bloomberg Its something truly absurd, its something completely improbable, scoffed Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who has commanded the nations military for nearly a decade. The unrest is a contradiction fomented by the extreme right. Regional powers from the US to Colombia and Brazil have cast doubt on Maduros victory, while opposition leader Maria Corina Machado says she has proof her stand-in candidate defeated the authoritarian incumbent by a wide margin in Sundays vote. But analysts say all that may not matter much as long as the armed forces, long the nations key arbitrator of power, are unwilling to break ranks. Theres relative clarity that the only way that there can actually be a transition is one in which you negotiate with the military, said Andrei Serbin Pont, president of the Buenos Aires-based research group CRIES, who closely monitors Venezuelas security forces. Tuesdays remarks by Padrino Lopez, who addressed the nation flanked by members of the military high command, appeared to be closing the door on negotiations, Serbin Pont added. During Maduros 11 years in power, Venezuelas security forces have largely stood by his side. They put down nationwide protests that erupted in 2014 and 2017 after past electoral abuses. In 2019, US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido claimed he had enough military support to unseat Maduro, only to see it all unravel days later. In exchange for their loyalty, Maduro has rewarded the armed forces with the lucrative control of ports, oil concessions and mining projects. He has also packed his cabinet with decorated officers and tried to increase the ranks of the military. That practice came to define Venezuelan politics during the term of the late Hugo Chavez, Maduros predecessor and mentor. The former army colonel, who took power 25 years ago, called for civil-military union and put soldiers in posts long-held by civilians. Estimates on the militarys current size vary widely, ranging from around 100,000 soldiers to as much 400,000 when including members of the militia. But its been plagued by desertions in recent years as the oil-rich nations economy went belly up under Maduros watch. Especially among lower ranking officers and troops, living conditions are difficult as they are for their family members, Harold Trinkunas, a senior scholar at Stanford University in California, said by email. If Maduro has to call on the army, navy, and air force to intervene, he does so at the risk of provoking a split in the military. Low morale led to sporadic challenges against to the regime. Military dissidents were plotting against Maduro ahead of his election to a second term in May 2018, and three months after that vote he was left unharmed in a failed drone assassination attempt. The government has clamped down on dissent inside barracks and outside Venezuelas borders ever since. Chile is demanding that the regime in Caracas help investigate the March kidnapping and death of a former Venezuelan lieutenant who had fled to Santiago after participating in a foiled plot to topple Maduro. Some 25 students at Venezuelas national police academy, meanwhile, went missing Sunday after protesting against being obligated to vote for Maduro, according to human rights groups. Such actions are likely to deter rank-and-file members from disobeying orders to quash the protests that have erupted since Edmundo Gonzalez, the candidate supported by Machado, challenged the results of the Sunday vote. The government announced 749 arrests on Tuesday in response to the protests while opposition leaders denounced the detention of a prominent Gonzalez ally, Freddy Superlano, by security forces. Trinkunas argues that Venezuelas military is deliberately structured to safeguard against any potential challenge to Maduro. Lower ranking troops are indoctrinated to favor the government, and they are constantly surveilled by the security services to identify and imprison anyone whose loyalty may be wavering, he said. He and other political observers say the fear of sanctions or trials for alleged human rights crimes may be preventing generals from breaking with the ruling socialists. Ahead of the July 28 vote, Machado seemed to dangle the possibility of amnesty if they guaranteed a political transition. Dont fail us, she said in a video message directed at the military. We wont fail you. So far, that offer seems to have been disregarded. Padrino Lopez and top brass appeared alongside Maduro as he denounced the unrest as an attempt by opponents at home and abroad to destabilize the nation. Weve seen this movie before, Maduro said in a televised address Tuesday. It has a beautiful and happy ending for you, compatriots. --With assistance from Andreina Itriago Acosta. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. By Vivian Sequera and Mayela Armas CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition, which says that it - and not President Nicolas Maduro - won Sunday's presidential election, is scrambling for ways to find a path to power despite significant obstacles. Opposition leaders say they have access to around 90% of vote tallies - which by law are supposed to be given to witnesses at vote counts - showing their candidate Edmundo Gonzalez won more than twice as many votes as Maduro. But the OPEC nation's incumbent president has declared victory and denounced the resulting protests around the country as an attempted coup. The electoral council - which the opposition says is allied to Maduro - has backed his claim but not provided a full vote breakdown. Two opposition sources, who asked to remain anonymous, said that for now its focus is on pressuring the government to release all the tallies. They did not say how they would do that. Other opposition pathways to power could include a negotiated solution or the hope that the protests will increase foreign pressure on the government. But all such efforts face long odds, analysts said. "The challenges are significant," said Oswaldo Ramirez of Caracas firm ORC Consultores. "The opposition must show it has the tallies and send them to other countries as proof." Even if it managed that, it is unclear what that would achieve. Maduro has for years shrugged off Western disapproval and sanctions and counts on the support of China, Russia, Cuba and other nations aligned against the United States. Waves of anti-government protests in 2014, 2017 and 2019 led to hundreds of deaths and failed to dislodge Maduro. Since Monday, protests around the country have resulted in at least 11 deaths. The government has said two members of the security forces also died. Reuters witnesses in several cities have seen clashes between security forces and opposition protesters, as well as attacks on protesters by ruling party-allied motorcycle riders known as collectives. Some opposition members hope the widespread marches could test the allegiances of the country's military and police - although both have proven to be mostly loyal to Maduro in the past. Maria Corina Machado, who was banned from holding office but spearheaded the opposition campaign, and Gonzalez have both called for the military to uphold the results. But General Vladimir Padrino - Maduro's defense minister who is the only senior military person to speak publicly - has also called the protests a coup attempt and swore to "defeat" it. The Maduro administration claims to have hosted many opportunities for dialogue, but the opposition says the government only talks to groups who are really Maduro allies. "There is still a small chance" that the government would consent to negotiations to hash out a transition of power, said Carmen Beatriz Fernandez, of Caracas analyst firm Datastrategia. But - given that the government has not shared the tallies - it "seems to be taking the worst path for themselves and for the country," she said. WILL IT PUBLISH THE VOTES? Venezuela's national council said in the early hours of Monday that Maduro had won a third term with 51% of vote, but it did not provide a ballot box-level count and its website has been down since Sunday. The opposition, the European Union and countries including the United States, Brazil, and Chile have asked the government to publish voting records from 30,000 ballot boxes nationwide. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden discussed the Venezuelan election by phone on Tuesday and agreed to wait for publication of the vote tallies before taking a position, a Brazilian official said. Venezuela must release vote tallies to "resolve the dispute" before Maduro's victory was recognized, Lula said. The response from the international community needs more "forcefulness," exiled opposition lawmaker Dinorah Figuera told Reuters in Madrid. "Our urgency now is for countries of the world to turn their gaze towards Venezuela and use the institutions they have to generate pressure so that Nicolas Maduro becomes more naked, more exposed in this fraud that he is shamefully displaying," she said. If the difference between votes for Gonzalez and votes for Maduro was borne out in the full count, said pollster Saul Cabrera of Consultores 21, "it is very hard to hide in the medium term." (Reporting by Vivian Sequera and Mayela Armas in Caracas, additional reporting by Catherine Macdonald in Madrid, Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Christian Plumb and Rosalba O'Brien) Venezuelans have seen this movie before, but Maduro should beware. This time, the ending could be different It happened in Caracas on June 9, 2016, when I was there to cover a series of violent protests that had broken out in Venezuela. That sunny day, as our CNN team was walking towards the building that houses the National Assembly for interviews, we noticed a group of men heading the same way from the opposite side of the street. Hurry up!, CNN en espanols correspondent in Caracas Osmary Hernandez said. I think the colectivos are up the street. We all picked up our pace and breathed a sigh of relief when we made it to the building. Colectivos are armed groups that function like a street gang, but are closely affiliated with the socialist government and often do their dirty work. Moments after we made it inside the building, Julio Borges, an opposition member of the assembly and its former president, arrived in bad shape. He had a bloody nose and said a group of opposition legislators like him had been attacked by colectivos as they were headed to the office of the national electoral authority. The month before, President Nicolas Maduro had declared a constitutional state of emergency. Julio Borges, in a photograph taken by CNN's Rafael Romo on June 9, 2016. - Rafael Romo/CNN Even before that tumultuous period, it had become abundantly clear that Maduros government had absolute control of all three branches of government as well as the the National Electoral Council (CNE). And, as we had just witnessed, it also controlled the streets of Caracas. Maduro, now 61, is a former bus driver who became a Caracas metro system union leader and rose through the ranks. He is the handpicked successor of the late strongman Hugo Chavez, who ruled Venezuela from 1999 until his death in 2013. A new wave of violence shook Venezuela once again in 2019. In January of that year, Juan Guaido, then president of the National Assembly, had proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela. The then-35-year-old Guaido argued that he had the constitutional right to the presidency as leader of the assembly because Maduro, who had been sworn in only days before, was an illegitimate president. Both the opposition and leaders of several countries in the region had called the previous years election a sham. Guaido convinced 50 countries that he had a right to be president, including the United States. By June 2019, when I returned to Caracas, Guaido had already attempted a military uprising that almost succeeded on April 30, followed by weeks of violent clashes between protesters and security forces that left dozens dead. Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido scuffle with members of the Bolivarian National Police during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on November 18, 2019. - Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images The world started to pay close attention to Venezuela once again in the last few months as the country was getting ready to hold a new presidential election. Would Maduro allow the opposition to run a candidate of its choosing? Would this be a free, fair, and transparent election? Would the colectivos once again be used to intimidate voters as they had done in previous elections? The first and second questions were answered in January when opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was barred by Venezuelas highest court from running for president (or any other elected position) for 15 years over alleged financial irregularities. Machado had won more than 90% of the vote in last Octobers opposition primary. She attracted large crowds everywhere she went, even though the government did everything possible to stop her, even persecuting those who rented sound systems to her campaign. The third question was answered in the last hours of the election itself on Sunday when colectivos showed up at at least one polling center in Caracas and started beating up opposition sympathizers who had been asked by the leadership to keep an eye on ballot boxes in an effort to prevent tampering. Those of us who have been following Venezuela for decades have seen this movie before: a sham election to justify Maduros staying in power. Democracy has been gradually weakening in Venezuela over the last 25 years since the charismatic socialist leader Chavez rose to power in 1999. While Venezuelans and the world awaited results Sunday night, the countrys electoral authority delayed publication, alleging the system had been targeted by hackers operating from North Macedonia without showing any evidence. This was not surprising in a country where all three branches of government are in the hands of government loyalists, hundreds of opposition leaders have been imprisoned, and true democracy hasnt existed in a generation. Opposition leader Juan Guaido greets supporters in front of the Bolivian Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, during a rally called "Wake up, Venezuela" to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to resign on November 16, 2019. - Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images Is there anything different this time? Thats the question I asked Michael Shifter, the former president of the Inter-American Dialogue and current professor of Latin American Politics at Georgetown University, who has been following Venezuelan politics for decades. Shifter said the Maduro victory was a blatant, massive and egregious fraud, but the opposition managed to do something it had been unable to do before: uniting behind a single candidate and going to the polls in massive numbers. The alternative [to participating in the election] was taking themselves completely out of the political game, saying we refuse to take part in this unfair and unjust election, but that wouldve left the opposition in a weaker position in practical and political terms as it happened in 2018 when the opposition decided to boycott the whole process. I think the opposition learned that refusing to take part in elections was not helping their cause. They recognized that even when the elections werent free and fair, they needed to defeat Maduro on his terms, which theyve done, Shifter said. Venezuelas CNE declared Maduro the winner Monday saying he had won with 51.2% of the votes, with 80% of the ballots counted. His main rival, opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, had obtained 44.2% of the votes, according to the body. Critics like former Bolivian President Jorge Fernando Tuto Quiroga, who was one of several former heads of state prevented from flying to Venezuela by its government as they tried to serve as observers, called the Maduro government a desperate regime; an open, pure and hard tyranny that has chosen to steal the presidency staging a fraudulent coronation. In an interview with CNN, he said that even the math didnt add up when Venezuelan electoral authorities declared a winner with 80% of the vote counted. When youre in first grade, you learn that 20 is more than seven, Quiroga said. The probability that [opposition presidential candidate] Edmundo [Gonzalez] couldve won was low, but still arithmetically possible, at that point, he said, adding that prior to the election there were credible exit polls showing Gonzalez was ahead by as much as 40 percent. Just like 2016 and 2019, violence has returned to Venezuela. At least 11 people died during protests in Venezuela on Monday, according to the non-governmental organization Foro Penal on social media. Venezuelan authorities say more than 700 people were detained in the protests. The Venezuelan opposition political party Voluntad Popular said Tuesday that its leader Freddy Superlano has been kidnapped. Unlike the 2018 election, Shifter says, this time the opposition knows they won, and the regime knows they won. The question now is how long the governing coalition that includes not only the socialists, but the armed forces can hold, Shifter said. If that coalition becomes divided and weaker, the armed forces may say this ship is sinking and we dont want to go down with it, Shifter said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The phenomenal growth in artificial intelligence tools has made it easy to create a story quickly, complicating a readers ability to determine if a news source or article is truthful or reliable. For instance, earlier this year, people were sharing an article about the supposed suicide of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus psychiatrist as if it were real. It ended up being an AI-generated rewrite of a satirical piece from 2010. The problem is widespread. According to a 2021 Pearson Institute/AP-NORC poll, Ninety-five percent of Americans believe the spread of misinformation is a problem. The Pearson Institute researches methods to reduce global conflicts. As library scientists, we combat the increase in misinformation by teaching a number of ways to validate the accuracy of an article. These methods include the SIFT Method (Stop, Investigate, Find, Trace), the P.R.O.V.E.N. Source Evaluation method (Purpose, Relevance, Objectivity, Verifiability, Expertise and Newness), and lateral reading. Lateral reading is a strategy for investigating a source by opening a new browser tab to conduct a search and consult other sources. Lateral reading involves cross-checking the information by researching the source rather than scrolling down the page. Here are five techniques based on these methods to help readers determine news facts from fiction: 1. Research the author or organization Search for information beyond the entitys own website. What are others saying about it? Are there any red flags that lead you to question its credibility? Search the entitys name in quotation marks in your browser and look for sources that critically review the organization or group. An organizations About page might tell you who is on their board, their mission and their nonprofit status, but this information is typically written to present the organization in a positive light. The P.R.O.V.E.N. Source Evaluation method includes a section called Expertise, which recommends that readers check the authors credentials and affiliations. Do the authors have advanced degrees or expertise related to the topic? What else have they written? Who funds the organization and what are their affiliations? Do any of these affiliations reveal a potential conflict of interest? Might their writings be biased in favor of one particular viewpoint? If any of this information is missing or questionable, you may want to stay away from this author or organization. 2. Use good search techniques Become familiar with search techniques available in your favorite web browser, such as searching keywords rather than full sentences and limiting searches by domain names, such as .org, .gov, or .edu. Another good technique is putting two or more words in quotation marks so the search engine finds the words next to each other in that order, such as Pizzagate conspiracy. This leads to more relevant results. In an article published in Nature, a team of researchers wrote that 77% of search queries that used the headline or URL of a false/misleading article as a search query return at least one unreliable news link among the top ten results. A more effective search would be to identify the key concepts in the headline in question and search those individual words as keywords. For example, if the headline is Video Showing Alien at Miami Mall Sparks Claims of Invasion, readers could search: Alien invasion Miami mall. Knowing good search techniques can help internet users sift through a more reliable set of results. MTStock Studio/E+ via Getty Images 3. Verify the source Verify the original sources of the information. Was the information cited, paraphrased or quoted accurately? Can you find the same facts or statements in the original source? Purdue Global, Purdue Universitys online university for working adults, recommends verifying citations and references that can also apply to news stories by checking that the sources are easy to find, easy to access, and not outdated. It also recommends checking the original studies or data cited for accuracy. The SIFT Method echoes this in its recommendation to trace claims, quotes, and media to the original context. You cannot assume that re-reporting is always accurate. 4. Use fact-checking websites Search fact-checking websites such as InfluenceWatch.org, Poynter.org, Politifact.com or Snopes.com to verify claims. What conclusions did the fact-checkers reach about the accuracy of the claims? A Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review article found that the high level of agreement between fact-checking sites enhances the credibility of fact checkers in the eyes of the public. 5. Pause and reflect Pause and reflect to see if what you have read has triggered a strong emotional response. An article in the journal Cognitive Research indicates that news items that cause strong emotions increase our tendency to believe fake news stories. One online study found that the simple act of pausing to think and reflect on whether a headline is true or false may prevent a person from sharing false information. While the study indicated that pausing only decreases intentions to share by a small amount 0.32 points on a 6-point scale the authors argue that this could nonetheless cut down on the spread of fake news on social media. Knowing how to identify and check for misinformation is an important part of being a responsible digital citizen. This skill is all the more important as AI becomes more prevalent. 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: Tracy Bicknell-Holmes, Boise State University; Elaine Watson, Boise State University, and Jose Guillermo 'Memo' Cordova Silva, Boise State University Read more: The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Governor calls on flood-weary Vermonters to 'stick together' with more thunderstorms on the horizon Crews clean up debris from flash floods in Lyndonville, Vt., Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Parts of the state hit by flooding Monday night and Tuesday are bracing again as a new round of severe thunderstorms moves through the region. (AP Photo/Nick Perry) LYNDON, Vt. (AP) Vermonts governor said Wednesday that the latest storms to hit the state have undone much of the cleanup and recovery work from its last major bout of flooding only weeks ago, and he called on residents to stick together amid fears that more bad weather could cause even more damage. Thunderstorms on Tuesday brought another round of heavy flooding that washed away roads, crushed vehicles, pushed homes off their foundations and required at least two dozen boat rescues in northeastern Vermont. Some areas got more than 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain. More downpours arrived Wednesday, with flash flooding possible in some already inundated areas. A National Weather Service flood warning was in effect for parts of central and northeastern Vermont into Wednesday night. This time, its especially bad after workers spent the past three weeks working furiously to recover from the last flooding, Gov. Phil Scott said at the news conference. It feels much worse than a punch or a kick. Its simply demoralizing. But we cant give up. Weve got to stick together and fight back against the feeling of defeat. As of Wednesday, there were no reported deaths caused by the latest storms, but Morrison said very preliminary information indicated that 50 homes were destroyed or suffered significant damage. More than half a dozen roads were closed, a lightning strike knocked out water for part of the town of St. Johnsbury, and flooding had contaminated several wells that serve the village of Lyndonville, officials said. I get more apprehensive with every storm. All of us are watching the weather, Scott said. With already-saturated soils and already-damaged infrastructure, this just adds insult to injury. Richard Berry has lived in his home in the northeastern Vermont community of Lyndonville since 1963 but has never experienced such extreme flooding. A brook overflowed and its waters ran down the road, took out a couple of houses, surrounded his house and washed away half of his front lawn, he said Wednesday. He's seen a couple of floods over the years. Nothing like this, Berry said. Weeks after Lyndonville resident Jason Pilbin watched a driver get swept away by floodwaters, his community was ravaged again. He went outside with a flashlight and headlamp around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday to help some neighbors evacuate and then collected their vital medications about 20 minutes before their house broke in half. After that, he woke up another neighbor to help her to leave her home. Nearly three weeks ago, Pilbin watched helplessly as a man drowned after getting caught while driving through flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Beryl. Unfortunately, I wasnt able to save him, but I was able to save these people, he said. I guess that makes up for some of it. Its been rough. Mark Bosma, a spokesperson for the Vermont Emergency Management Agency, said that swift water rescue teams conducted approximately two dozen boat rescues in the hardest-hit areas overnight Monday into Tuesday. In May, Vermont became the first state to enact a law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a share of the damage caused by extreme weather fanned by climate change. But officials have acknowledged that collecting any money will depend on litigation against the much-better-resourced oil industry. Although climate change has its impacts, special calculations are needed to determine exactly how much global warming is to blame, if at all, for any single extreme weather event. The flooding in Lyndonville is just highlighting that climate change is here and the damage is ongoing and oil companies have so far not been required to pay for any of the damage that their product has caused and that needs to shift, state Sen. Anne Watson said Wednesday. The financial burden is increasingly unbearable by Vermonters. In St. Johnsbury, Vanessa Allen said she knew rain was possible, but she wasnt expecting the deluge. This is devastating and was completely unexpected, she said. Her home was situated between two road washouts, so she was unable to leave. The roads were pockmarked and covered in debris. Nearby, she said, a house had been moved off its foundation and was blocking a road. It looks apocalyptic," she said. Were trapped. We cant go anywhere. The state experienced major flooding earlier in July caused by what was left of Hurricane Beryl. The flooding destroyed roads and bridges and inundated farms, and it came exactly a year after a previous bout of severe flooding hit Vermont and several other states. Vermont has experienced four flooding events in the last year, and a combination of climate change and the states mountainous geography are to blame, said Peter Banacos, science and operations officer with the weather service. Greater rainfall has made the state and its steep terrain more susceptible to flooding, he said. The states soil is also getting saturated more frequently, which increases the possibility of flooding, Bancos said. Vermonts history of heavily manipulating its rivers and streams also plays a role in increased flooding, said Julie Moore, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. The increase is a reflection of having reached our limits of being able to truly manage rivers and hold them in place, she continued. Roads, bridges, culverts and wastewater facilities are all especially vulnerable. The state is in the midst of a multi-decade effort to replace them or refurbish them with our current and future climate in mind, Moore said. Vermont is also working to establish statewide floodplain standards. ___ McCormack reported from Concord, New Hampshire. Associated Press reporters David Sharp and Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine, and Julie Walker in New York also contributed to this story. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)Vice President Kamala Harris is readying to hit the campaign trail, and one stop will be right here in Savannah. The Chatham County Democratic Committee confirmed that Vice President Kamala Harris will be in Savannah campaigning on Friday. WSAV was told the rally is likely to be held in the afternoon, but all other details are unconfirmed as of now. WSAV will update as we get new information about the time and venue. Her campaign released a list of locations she will visit with her future running mate. The list included stops in Philidelphia, Wisconsin, Detroit, Raleigh, Phoenix, Las Vegas and as previously mentioned Savannah. The announcement of the stops comes just a day after North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper informed the campaign that he does not wish to be under consideration in her search for a VP. Vice President Harris remains undecided on a running mate for the upcoming election. A few names being mentioned at this time as potential running mates are Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. Vice President Kamala Harris and VP pick are heading to Raleigh, NC. Heres what we know North Carolinians can expect a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris and her new running mate next week, according an official with the Harris campaign. The official said Harris and her pick for vice president who yet to be announced plan to crisscross the country together to campaign for the voters who will decide this election and Raleigh is on the list of stops. Further information wasnt immediately available. This is Harris first visit to the state since President Joe Biden ended his campaign on July 21 and immediately endorsed Harris for the nomination. Harris has since absorbed Bidens campaign teams, who made North Carolina a central part of their fight to retain the White House. The Harris campaign said it will continue to be laser-focused on flipping North Carolina blue. Since 1976, North Carolinians have only elected Republican presidential candidates, with the exception of former President Barack Obama in 2008. But Biden came less than 2 points of defeating former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. The campaign stop will mark Harris eighth visit to North Carolina this year. She and a flurry of surrogates have been frequent visitors to North Carolina since the launch of the 2024 campaign season, while the Trump campaign has been less of a presence. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during a campaign stop at Westover High School on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Fayetteville, N.C. Trump attempted to hold a rally in Wilmington in April, but was forced to cancel due to weather. He then appeared at the NASCAR Cup Series Race, the Coca-Cola 600, in Concord, over Memorial Day weekend. He held a rally in Charlotte on July 24. Harris counter-programmed against Trump on July 18, as he accepted the Republican nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by holding a campaign event in Fayetteville. The visit came just days before Biden made his decision to leave his campaign. Since then, North Carolina has remained in the spotlight as speculation mounted that Harris was eyeing Gov. Roy Cooper as a possible running mate. But on Monday night, Cooper publicly announced he didnt feel the timing was right and had turned down the job. But speculation continues about who will join Harris in Raleigh as her running mate. Among the frontrunners are Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shaprio and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. Harris is expected to choose a running mate before Wednesday, Aug. 7, when Democrats plan to hold a virtual phone call to lock in their official nominations. Violent protest breaks out in UK after vigil over stabbing spree: Police A violent protest broke out in the United Kingdom on Tuesday in the wake of a vigil for the victims of a deadly stabbing spree, resulting in nearly two dozen officers injured and cars set on fire, police said. Twenty-two officers were injured, eight seriously, following "violent disorder" in Southport, a seaside town about 20 miles north of Liverpool, according to Merseyside police. PHOTO: Riot police hold back protesters after disorder broke out on July 30, 2024 in Southport, England. (Getty Images) The protest broke out Tuesday evening after a large group of people started throwing bricks at a mosque in Southport, police said. The protesters are believed to be supporters of the far-right English Defence League, police said. Cars were set on fire and a local convenience store was also damaged, police said. PHOTO: Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out on July 30, 2024 in Southport, England. (Getty Images) The protest followed a peaceful vigil for the victims of a deadly stabbing that occurred a day prior in the town. Three children were killed and nine others injured in the stabbing incident, police said. Two adults were also injured while trying to protect the children, police said. Merseyside police said the children were attending a Taylor Swift-themed event at a dance school at the time. MORE: Taylor Swift 'in shock' after horrific UK stabbing, as police say 3rd child dies A 17-year-old boy from Banks, a coastal village in Lancashire, just outside Southport, was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, police said. The suspect, whose name was not released, was born in Cardiff, Wales, police said. The motive remains unclear, police said. PHOTO: Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out on July 30, 2024 in Southport, England. (Getty Images) Tuesday's protests were apparently fueled by "speculation" over the unidentified suspect, Merseyside Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said. "There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17-year-old male who is currently in police custody and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets," Goss said in a statement. We have already said that the person arrested was born in the UK and speculation helps nobody at this time." Goss said protesters used bricks to attack officers and damaged cars parked in the mosque parking lot. Officers sustained injuries including fractures, cuts, head injuries and a concussion, police said. "This is no way to treat a community, least of all a community that is still reeling from the events of Monday," Goss said. MORE: 2 kids dead, 11 people hurt in 'ferocious' stabbing attack at dance event in United Kingdom, 17-year-old arrested U.K. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also decried the violence, calling the attacks on police and the mosque "appalling." "The community of Southport are reeling from a horrifying ordeal and families are grieving," Cooper said in a statement. "This violent thuggery, which has overshadowed a peaceful vigil for three little girls, is an insult to the community and to all those who need the space to process what has happened and to heal." PHOTO: Tributes and candles to the victims of the Southport knife attack continue to be laid near the scene on July 30, 2024 in Southport, England. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) PHOTO: People attend a vigil for the victims of the knife attack in Southport, England, July 30, 2024. (Temilade Adelaja/Reuters) Earlier Tuesday, hundreds of people attended a vigil for the stabbing victims in the center of Southport. Three girls -- 6-year-old Bebe King, 7-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and 9-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar -- were killed in the stabbing. Five children and two adults injured in the stabbing remained in critical condition on Tuesday, police said. Violent protest breaks out in UK after vigil over stabbing spree: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Far-right protesters violently clashed with British police on Tuesday near a mosque in the northwest English town of Southport, a day after three young girls were stabbed to death in one of the worst assaults against children in the country in decades. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the group had hijacked a peaceful vigil held for those killed and injured in the attack with violence and thuggery and insulted the community as it grieves. Those involved will feel the full force of the law, Starmer added in the post on X. The violence followed a peaceful vigil in the seaside town attended by hundreds of mourners who laid wreaths, toys and candles in an emotional tribute to the three girls who were killed during the attack during a Taylor Swift-themed event at a dance school. Protesters, believed to be supporters of the far-right English Defence League, took to the streets in anger throwing bricks at a local mosque, setting cars and police vehicles alight and hurling bottles at police, Merseyside Police said in a statement. Police believe the crowd took to the streets over unconfirmed reports speculating on the identity of the teenage suspect, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder following Mondays knife attack. Riot police armed with shields and batons attempt to restore order in Southport, England on July 30, 2024. - Getty Images Officers sustained serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion, Merseyside Police said. Other officers have suffered varying degrees of injury including head injuries, serious facial injuries, and one was knocked unconscious. Three police dogs were also injured, with two sustaining leg injuries from bricks thrown at them and one suffering burns, it added. Yesterday, our officers and other members of the emergency services were faced with one of the most difficult situations they will ever face, Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said in a police statement, referring to the horrific knife attack. Tonight, they find themselves being attacked as they endeavour to prevent disorder, he said. The North West Ambulance Service said it treated 39 police officers injured in the violence, 27 of whom were taken to hospital. Following the arrest in the stabbings case, an incorrect name linked to the suspect was spread on social media, police said. There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17-year-old male who is currently in police custody, and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets, Goss said. We have already said that the person arrested was born in the UK, and speculation helps nobody at this time. Tributes and candles to the victims of the Southport knife attack laid near the scene on July 30, 2024 in Southport, England. - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Police have said the suspect is from the village of Banks, near Southport, and was originally from Cardiff, Wales. The man will appear at the Liverpool City Magistrates Court on Thursday. Goss added that many of those involved in the violence were not local to the area, suggesting they traveled to Southport with the intention of causing unrest. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) paid tribute to the girls killed in the attack and said in a statement that Southports tragedy was shamelessly exploited to spark outrage, with Islamophobia fueling the fire and leading to tonights violence. This began with a false rumour on the internet, stoked by misinformation from a Russian news site, which wrongfully associated the crime with Muslims, it said. The MCB said the government must address the increasing rise of violent far-right extremism targeting Muslim communities. More must be done to tackle Islamophobia and offer reassurance at this time. On Tuesday, police named the three girls killed in the stabbing as Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9. Eight other children suffered stab wounds in the attack and five of them are in critical condition, police said. Two adults also remain in critical condition after being injured in the attack. Police shared a tribute from the family of King, who said: No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as we try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe. Prime Minister Starmer and other officials visited the site of the attack on Tuesday, paying tribute to the victims and thanking emergency responders who attended the scene. Starmer laid a wreath of cream and yellow-colored flowers, alongside floral tributes left by the local community. Taylor Swift, whose music was the theme of the dance class targeted in the attack, said Tuesday she was completely in shock. Eyewitness describes aftermath of stabbing An eyewitness to the knife attack told CNN affiliate TVN24 on Wednesday he had been driving in the area with a colleague when he saw children running across the road and a bloodied woman leaning against a car on the sidewalk. Everyone was crying, screaming, the eyewitness Mr. Marcin told TVN24. There was a white car, all covered in blood, smeared from the hands, Marcin said, adding: Five or six children inside, a woman, and they were all screaming. Marcin also said he saw a woman lying on the street with a lot of blood coming from her head. His colleague Joe helped carry the girls who had been attacked from the house, Marcin said. The first girl his colleague Joe brought out was unconscious. Her head was severely cut and she had a hole in her back, Marcin said. As Joe continued to bring children out from the house people from the neighbourhood started gathering, bringing towels, some items, according to Marcin. We didnt even have time to talk, Marcin said. We were in such a shock, such a frenzy. Marcin said Joe told him later that the attacker was stood on the landing. A child lay beside him (and he was) stood with a large knife, and that was it, Marcin detailed. When the first three ambulances arrived, they took care of the last children brought out. I didnt know the condition of each one because everyone was seriously injured, blood was dripping from each child. Everyone was crying, screaming, some were picking up their children, and some were not because they were lying on the ground. Then a fourth ambulance arrived. Marcin said: I jumped out and said I had someone very, very critical. Marcin added that after the girl was taken to hospital he stayed in contact with her mother. The next morning he found out the girl had tragically died. Police, firefighters, and ambulances were very quick, but it felt like an eternity to us. It definitely felt long, especially when someone loses breath in your hands, Marcin said. Additional reporting by CNNs Louis Mian and Luke Wolagiewicz For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com With COVID-19 numbers in California spiking this summer, experts are warning the new strains driving the spread could be around for some time. The latest COVID summertime surge is being fueled by what have collectively been dubbed the FLiRT subvariants a collection of highly transmissible sibling strains that have muscled their way to prominence both in California and nationwide. In doing so, they've supplanted last winters dominant strain, JN.1, and are presenting new challenges to immune systems not yet primed to keep them at bay. It does seem like we are spitting out more and more variants a lot more quickly, and thats probably to be expected, said Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious disease at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. This virus is still very, very new to humans, and the virus wants to live, and the way that it lives is by evading immunity circumventing peoples defenses by evolving in a way to keep the chain of infection going. And data show the collective FLiRT family is making itself known in a major way. Here is a closer look at where California stands with COVID and how to protect yourself. Read more: COVID surging in California, nears two-year summer high. 'Almost everybody has it' Why are the FLiRT variants posing such a challenge? There are quite a few FLiRT variants, which are descendants of last winter's dominant strain, JN.1. Toward the end of spring, around Memorial Day weekend, that moniker largely applied to just a trio of distinct strains officially designated KP.1.1, KP.2 and KP.3. But just when it appeared that those three might be the showstoppers of the summer, an alphabet soup of additional potential threats emerged: KP.3.1.1, KP.2.3, KP.1.1.3, KP.4.1, and KP.1.2. Of all of them, KP.3.1.1 is most clearly on the rise. For the two-week period that ended July 20, KP.3.1.1 comprised 17.7% of samples nationwide, up from 6.8% for the prior two-week period, according to estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. KP.3.1.1 has really taken off, Hudson said. Read more: 'Playing COVID roulette': Some infected by FLiRT variants report their most unpleasant symptoms yet By contrast, the older KP.3 has stagnated. Its share of coronavirus samples was estimated to be 32.9% for the two-week period that ended July 20, down slightly from 33.7% over the prior two-week period. Those latest CDC estimates mean it's possible that KP.3.1.1 could be "taking over for the next two or three weeks," Hudson said Friday. "So, unfortunately, I think we are going to see a lot more cases." Isn't that a lot of strains in such a short period of time? Yep. But the coronavirus that causes COVID officially known as SARS-CoV-2 is still very new to humans and hasn't settled into the more predictable pattern that public health officials might be aware of for other infectious diseases, such as the flu. Since emerging in late 2019, the coronavirus has continually evolved in ways meant to evade immune protection. The strains best positioned to infect as many people as possible eventually rise to prominence, a trend that has played out previously in the pandemic with the rise of the Delta and Omicron variants, both of which triggered devastating surges. As humans gain protection against any particular variant such as through an updated vaccination or surviving an infection the virus will seek to evolve in a way to keep the chain of infection going. "And it may be that this particular summer, we have just seen a lot more of a faster churn of some of the variants, and they've just been a little bit more infective," Hudson said. It's also true that, with this being the fifth summer of the COVID era, many people have thrown caution to the wind, and many sick people are continuing to go about their lives without masking or other precautions allowing the virus to more efficiently spread. Read more: Rising COVID clashes with carefree California summer as cases jump, precautions fade What do the metrics show? Wastewater: Coronavirus levels in California sewage are considered very high for a third consecutive week, the CDC said Friday, following four straight weeks during which viral levels were "high." For the seven-day period that ended July 20, the most recent data available, coronavirus levels in California wastewater were at 93% of the peak from the summer of 2022. Theyve already exceeded last summers high. Tests: The rate at which Californias COVID-19 tests are turning up positive has now exceeded last summers peak. For the seven-day period that ended July 22, 13.8% of coronavirus tests came back positive. Last summers maximum was 13.1%. Deaths and hospitalizations: Overall, deaths and hospitalizations from COVID appear to be lower than last summer. In Los Angeles County, there were an average of 286 COVID-19-positive people in hospitals for the week that ended July 20. Thats flat from the prior weeks figure of 291, and about half as many as last summers peak and one-quarter as many as the peak of summer 2022. Read more: Olympics once again buzzing with fans and crowds after COVID-era ebb What are some prevention tips? Vaccines: Doctors urge people to consider getting up to date on their vaccinations particularly if they are at higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19. People should have received at least one updated shot since September, but most people haven't done so. Those 65 and older should have received a second dose four months after their first. Immunocompromised people should have received one or two doses of the updated vaccine, and may get additional doses two months after their last recommended dose. Avoid sick people: Some might dismiss their symptoms as a cold, when it could be the start of a COVID-19 illness. If you have cough-and-cold symptoms, at this point, living in Los Angeles, you should really think that they are COVID until proven otherwise, Hudson said. Masking: Masking in public places such as airports has not been required for years. But it can reduce the risk of getting COVID. The strategy can be particularly effective when traveling, such as on a plane. Travel is a very common, common way that we are seeing people get exposed, Hudson said. If exposed: L.A. County health officials recommend close contacts of people who have COVID-19 wear a well-fitting mask around other people for 10 days after their last exposure. They also suggest getting tested three to five days after their last exposure. Read more: Long COVID risk has decreased but remains significant, study finds What if I get COVID? Testing: Hudson encouraged people to test repeatedly if they have COVID-19 symptoms, even as far out as the fifth day after the onset of illness. People who feel sick might test negative the first couple of days they have symptoms, but end up testing positive later on. Isolation and masking up: The CDC urges people to stay home and away from others if theyre sick. People can resume normal activities 24 hours after their symptoms have improved and theyve been fever-free without using medicine such as Tylenol or Advil. But the CDC also advises added precautions for five additional days to avoid infecting others, such as wearing a mask and keeping their distance from others. These precautions should also be followed by people who test positive but have no symptoms, the CDC said. The L.A. County Department of Public Health suggests that infected people who have symptoms test negative before leaving isolation. The agency also suggests that people who are infected whether or not they have symptoms wear a mask around others for 10 days after they start feeling sick or, if asymptomatic, get their first positive test result. However, they can remove their mask sooner if they have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart. Avoiding the most vulnerable: The L.A. County Department of Public Health also suggests that those who are infected avoid contact with high-risk people for 10 days after the onset of symptoms or their first positive test result. If patients recover and then get sick again, they may have COVID rebound and need to isolate. Read more: 'If it's COVID, Paxlovid'? For many, it should be easier to get. Here's what to know about antivirals Antiviral treatment: Consider asking a healthcare provider if you can be prescribed an anti-COVID drug such as Paxlovid. Antivirals can be used to treat people with mild to moderate illness who are at risk of seeing their condition deteriorate. Some data suggest that patients who take Paxlovid clear out coronavirus from their bodies faster, and some health officials have said it should be more widely utilized. The state of California once made virtual medical COVID visits free for residents seeking an antiviral prescription, but that program ended in March. The contractor that provided the service, sesamecare.com/covid, now offers those medical services for a fee, though with a discount for California residents. Beware of COVID rebound: COVID rebound can occur when people with COVID-19 feel better, but then start to feel sick two to eight days after theyve recovered. Some people may also test positive again. COVID rebound can result in you again becoming infectious. Rebound can happen whether or not you take Paxlovid. If you feel sick again after having recovered from COVID, go back to following the same instructions to stay at home and away from other people during the first phase of the illness. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A volunteer firefighter has been arrested detectives say he was in possession of child pornography. According to investigators, on July 18, they received a cyber tip from Google that an account linked to the name Little Wolfey352 uploaded a video of suspected child sexual abuse to a Google Drive. Officials say they located 21-year-old Jacob Peter Wolfe, of Kingston, as the account associated with the name Little Wolfey352. Court documents state officers say they made contact with Wolfe at his place of employment on July 24, and he agreed to allow officers to search his phone and iPad. Details into lawsuit filed against Dunmore School District Investigators said Wolfe told them he had been viewing child pornography for five years and he used specific websites to download images and videos of child sexual abuse material. Wolfe admitted he uses Paypal, Venmo, and Cashapp to purchase those materials, police added. 28/22 News reached out to Chief Guido at Kingston/Forty Fort Fire Department, who stated Wolfe is a volunteer firefighter, not a career firefighter, and as soon as they were made aware of the allegations, he was immediately suspended. Officials have charged him with child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Vote for Kamala Harris or not but dont do it because shes Black or a woman | Opinion Politics is rarely about the issues and often about personalities who you are and what you look like. It has already started with vice president and now presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Republican Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee called Harris a DEI vice president on X last week. (Maybe thats not just about Harris. Burchett apparently loves calling people DEI hires.) Or a parody ad, also on X, that uses deepfake audio and calls her you guessed it a diversity hire. Lets get some new material, folks. On the flip side, thousands of Black men, women and others (including white men) have gathered on video conference calls to raise money and endorse Harris, who is the daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father. Harris is proud of her ancestry, acknowledging on her White House VP page that she is the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected to this position. Its clear that she identifies as a Black woman. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a historically Black sorority. She graduated from Howard University, a historically Black college, before receiving her law degree from UC Law San Francisco. You also cant discount the fact that Harris received approval from Beyonce to use her anthem Freedom in Harris campaign. Beyonce? Thats like getting approval from Black womankind. As Dead Mike sang in the satire film CB4, thats Blackity Black, yall. Despite all that, I have a message for those of you who are African American, and for those of you who are not: Dont vote for Harris because she is Black or because she is a woman. And dont vote against her for those two reasons, either. While Harris surely needs the support of the Black community, she cant win without a strong turnout from Democrats of any race, and by turning some independent and moderate Republican voters her way. According to a poll conducted by NPR, PBS News and Marist conducted in July, Harris is trailing among independents, and gained the support of only 29% of independent women compared to 43% who said they would vote for Donald Trump. Assuming she becomes the presumptive nominee, my eye is on Harris. But not because of her gender or ancestry. If she wins, it would be a landmark: first president with South Asian ancestry, first woman president. But heres another: First woman to beat Trump. That alone is a reason Harris will get blue votes. But also, because she represents the present administration and its platform, which many Democrats already agree with. Another important indicator is communication. Does Harris spout hatred against people groups? Does she use tolerant speech? Does she call for unity and mean it? Thats a startling difference between Harris and Trump. She has strong experience in elected office, including as a prosecutor. From Oakland, California, she has been a district attorney, attorney general and U.S. senator before challenging Joe Biden early in the 2020 presidential election campaign cycle. Does she have presidential experience? No, but shes spent the last four years as an understudy for the job. Shes been an active VP working on legislation, and has represented the U.S. with world leaders here and abroad. I would like to see the Harris for President page fleshed out with her issues alongside the heavy fundraising. It has been more than a week since the campaign got going, so its time to publish the topics most important to her. True, many of you know them already: womens reproductive health, voting rights, climate action and moderate gun control the last of which might speak directly to Kansas Citians still struggling with life in a city that has a high homicide rate. When President Biden announced stepping down and endorsed Harris, I waited to see what the rest of the party would do. It didnt take long for veteran party leaders to back her: Rep. Nancy Pelosi, former speaker of the House, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, along with hundreds of other congressional Democrats. And, perhaps most important to a lot of Harris fans, the Obamas have thrown their approval her way. Look, Im not telling you how to vote, but using ethnicity and gender alone arent good reasons. For the first time, Black women have a candidate they can identify with. I understand that, but Harris has got more going for her than that. If thats the reason you vote for Harris, it reduces her to the very DEI hire those bullies claim she is. And if you dont vote for her because you cant identify with her, ask yourself why that matters. On Jan. 6, 2021, insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol to protest the results of the 2020 presidential election, which they believed had been rigged. Almost four years later, concerns about voter fraud persist, despite ample evidence showing that it rarely occurs, even on a small scale. As the Aug. 13 Primary and Nov. 5 General elections draw nearer, Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas is seeking to lay to rest any residual fears. To do so, her office recently released an eight-minute video detailing how Vermont maintains the integrity of its elections. The video can be found on the Vermont Secretary of States YouTube channel. Burlington's Ward 3 residents flocked to Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes to vote in the city's March 5 elections. I partnered with town and city clerks from around the state to create an informational video that outlines the many ways in which our elections are secure, Copeland Hanzas said in a press release. By showcasing the folks doing this important work, we hope to help Vermonters understand and appreciate the election process and all the safeguards." The Free Press summarizes the videos key points below. How do we know Vermont elections are secure? All Vermont towns and cities compile and update voter checklists, which contain the name and address of each registered voter, to help prevent election fraud. At the state level, Vermont uses the Electronic Registration Information Center a nonpartisan organization with access to encrypted public records data to keep track of duplicate registrations, voters who have moved and voters who have died. Locally, towns and cities rely on clerks, elected officials from multiple political parties and the Vermont Election Management System to maintain voter checklists. How do we know mail-in ballots are secure? Pulling off even a single count of voter fraud via mail-in ballot would be extremely difficult, let alone fraud on a massive scale the latter of which is virtually impossible, according to Copeland Hanzas. Firstly, voters must be registered and verified with the state to vote by mail. The Secretary of States Office also tracks each absentee ballot. If you steal someones ballot, you risk that person reporting it missing or choosing to vote in-person, actions that would incite an investigation. Even if you get lucky, election workers and clerks may still become suspicious and trace the stolen ballot back to you. Additionally, two election officials must be present when mail-in ballots are handled. Voter fraud also comes with consequences. You could go to prison for voter impersonation (one year plus a $200 maximum fine), mail fraud and mail theft (five years) and perjury (15 years maximum plus a $10,000 maximum fine). Is it possible to tamper with the vote count? Vermont practices decentralized voting, which means each town or city counts its own ballots and individually reports the results to the state through a secure system. In other words, there is no one centralized space where all ballots originate. Vermont also requires votes to be tallied by pairs of sworn election officials from different political parties who must agree on the count, a process that is closely and publicly monitored. Towns with more than 1,000 registered voters must use vote-counting machines called tabulators, which are more efficient and accurate than hand tallying. To prevent hacking, tabulators are not connected to the internet or any other network or system. Each machine also has its own memory card, which would make rigging the votes in even one ward or town difficult. The idea that someone would or could Mission Impossible their way through this many Vermont towns is highly unlikely, Copeland Hanzas said. It would take the entire Oceans 11 crew riding in Santa Claus sleigh to pull off that level of heist in one night. What happens after election night? Every town and city in Vermont must send their official election results to the Secretary of States Office within 48 hours. This is a chance for us to confirm, double check, review write-ins, and make sure no mistakes were made during the late-night hours on election night, said Bennington Town Clerk Cassandra Barbeau. A lot of focus and energy goes into making sure everything runs smoothly at the polling place, so this is a chance to really concentrate on the data itself. The Secretary of States Office also performs a public, live-streamed audit of random cities and towns 30 days after each general election to verify the results match the ballots. Towns and cities are required to store ballots for 22 months after each statewide election in case there are any doubts about the results. For more information about voting security, contact the Secretary of States Office or your town or city clerk. Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont protections from voter fraud on election night, mail-in ballots Sen. Mark Kelly downplayed worries about Democrats needing to win another Senate election if he joins a winning Democratic presidential ticket, addressing one of the more persistent concerns of his candidacy. Speaking to CNN on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Kelly, D-Ariz., said his party could manage a 2026 special election to replace him if that became necessary. Democrats have been really good about winning statewide races in the state of Arizona, Kelly said, pointing to wins in the 2018, 2020 and 2022 cycles. We figured this out. We have a strong state party, and I imagine were going to be successful from now going into the future. I dont think itll be an issue. I think weve got a great slate of other Democrats, but this is not about me. 'This is not about me': What Sen. Mark Kelly is saying about VP speculation Kelly won his Senate seat in 2020 in a special election to finish the final two years of the term the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., won in 2016. McCain died of brain cancer in 2018 and, because of the timing of the vacancy, the seat was temporarily filled by fellow Republicans until the 2020 election. Kelly won a full six-year term in 2022 and isnt scheduled to be on the ballot again until 2028. But he is among those being vetted by Vice President Kamala Harris presidential campaign as a possible running mate. He would remain a sitting senator even if hes picked and Arizona wouldnt hold a special election for that seat unless Harris and Kelly win in November. Because the Senate remains closely divided, Democrats cant relish the idea of a special election for a seat they already have. At the same time, if Kelly is picked, it is presumably because Harris sees him as helping her win a race suddenly scrambled with the departure of President Joe Biden from the ticket. Arizona Democrats are hoping for a fourth straight U.S. Senate win this year in the race to succeed the retiring U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz. Beginning with Sinemas 2018 election, Democrats ended a 30-year electoral drought. In that time, Republicans won nine straight races beginning in 1992. Kelly said his current plans for next week are a full schedule in Arizona. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mark Kelly says Democrats could handle race to fill his Senate seat Vybz Kartel - Credit: Scott Gries/Getty Images A Jamaican court of appeals declined Wednesday to retry Vybz Kartel after the dancehall stars 2014 murder conviction was overturned earlier this year, making Kartel a free man after a decade in prison. In March, the United Kingdom-based Privy Council overturned the conviction against Kartel who in 2014 was found guilty in the murder of Clive Lizard Williams finding evidence of juror misconduct in Kartels initial trial. More from Rolling Stone However, the Privy Council left it to a three-person court of appeals in Jamaica to ultimately decide whether to retry the murder case against Kartel and his co-defendants or let them all free. On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal opted for the latter, writing in the decision, The interests of justice do not require a new trial to be ordered, the Jamaica Observer reports. Fans broke down barriers to mob attorney Isat Buchanan as he emerged from the Court of the Appeal in downtown Kingston on Wednesday, after his client and dancehall star Vybz Kartel was just freed of a murder charge. "Free worl' boss!" the fans shouted. : Sashana Small pic.twitter.com/HmzIEnZ6Jm Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) July 31, 2024 The initial trial against Kartel and three co-defendants went on for just over two months before the four men were convicted on March 14, 2014. Prosecutors argued that Williams was killed over missing guns, and that Kartel had lured Williams to his home before Williams was beaten to death. At the time, Jamaican police claimed in testimony that they saw a text on Kartels phone stating that Williams body was turned to mincemeat. Williams body was never found. During the murder trial, one juror was accused of offering bribes to other jurors, and after the court became aware of that allegation, the judge chose to continue the trial instead of dismissing. Potential juror misconduct became the focal point of Kartels argument in his yearslong appeals process. Kartel was one of the biggest artists in Jamaica at the time of his conviction, and he had collaborated with artists including Rihanna, Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, and Pitbull. He continued to release music while behind bars, including the 2016 single Fever. Best of Rolling Stone WA Dems torn on who to support in AG race. Winner likely to face Tri-Cities councilman Democrats have a tough decision to make on Aug. 6: Which candidate do they want as Washingtons chief law enforcement officer for the next four years? The choice is between Nick Brown, the former U.S. attorney for Western Washington, and Manka Dhingra, a Washington Senator and former senior deputy prosecuting attorney in King County two very credible Democrats, if you ask Andrew Villeneuve. Theyre both highly experienced, said Villeneuve, founder of Redmond-based political think tank Northwest Progressive Institute. They have a lot on their resumes and backgrounds. Theyre both people of color. Manka Dhingra Polls show they are neck and neck going into next weeks top-two primary election, which will narrow the field to the two candidates with the most votes. The Northwest Progressive Institute plans to release updated numbers this week. Since its unlikely both will get enough votes to move on to the general, Democrats have been divided on who to back with cash and endorsements. Nick Brown The winner is expected to face off against Republican Pete Serrano in the general election. Its likely the Pasco mayor and attorney for conservative causes has shored up enough of his partys support to cruise through the primary. If elected, Serrano would be the first Republican attorney general to hold the office since Rob McKenna left in 2013. They know that its elimination time. One of them is going on and the other isnt because Pete is going to have all of the Republican voters, Villeneuve told the Tri-City Herald. Pete Serrano What does WAs attorney general do? The attorney general is a statewide officeholder who pursues legal cases in the publics interest, proposes bills to the state Legislature, represents the state in certain cases, advises state bodies and the governor on legal issues, and provides written opinions on state law. The seat is being vacated after a decade by Bob Ferguson, the Seattle Democrat and front-runner for Washington governor going into the Aug. 6 primary election. The AG race between the two Democrats so far has been flush with cash donations, advertisements, endorsements and public appearances. Brown has raked in more than $1.4 million in contributions. Dhingra isnt too far behind with more than $1.3 million raised herself, thanks to a $250,000 personal donation she gave to her campaign on July 23. Much of Dhingras contributions have come from individual health, tech and science workers, as well as tribe and labor endorsements. Browns cash is coming from several Seattle-area attorneys, business leaders, labor unions and tribes. Two qualified candidates Dhingra is running on her work in the Legislature, where she chairs the Senate Law and Justice Committee, as well as her work as a county prosecutor working in mental health courts and crisis intervention for law enforcement. Access to reproductive health care is a core issue for both candidates, but Dhingra is the only one to earn endorsements from Planned Parenthood and Pro-Choice Washington. Ill protect our democracy, improve health care access, address the fentanyl crisis, curb gun violence, hold corporations accountable, defend workers, protect seniors, small businesses, immigrants and fight for a safe and livable planet, she writes in the voters guide. No one will fight harder for our reproductive freedoms and LGBTQIA+ rights. Brown is running on his intimate experience with state departments and his knowledge at the federal level. Before he was selected by President Biden in 2021 to serve as the Justice Departments top lawyer in Western Washington, he served as general counsel to Gov. Jay Inslee from 2013 to 2017. Its in this role that he oversaw work to end the death penalty, oversaw legal strategy when Washington became one of the first states in the nation to legalize marijuana and coordinated Inslees legal response to the Trump Administrations travel ban on Muslim countries. Prior to politics, Brown served in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, a government law organization that defends the military and soldiers in legal matters. During his years in office, U.S. Attorney Brown put an emphasis on protecting civil rights, addressing the fentanyl crisis, combatting gun crime and empowering community voices in our public safety efforts, read a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office last year, announcing his departure. Notably, Brown has earned a rare trifecta of endorsements from the Seattle Times, The Stranger alt-weekly and Seattle-based nonprofit newsroom The Urbanist. I think many people perceive that Nick has strong knowledge on the civil side of the law and Manka is stronger on the criminal side of the law, Villeneuve said. Dhingra has faced some criticism in recent weeks regarding the her relationship with the King County Prosecutors Office. In campaign materials, she has highlighted her role as Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with King County, but the office says she hasnt worked there for three years and has asked her to change the title, according to a report from KOMO News in Seattle. Dhingra has explained that Prosecutor Dan Satterberg allowed her to be on a leave of absence and that nowhere has she said she is a current employee. But Dave Horner, a former assistant attorney general, told KOMO he believes its a matter of misprepresenting your credentials. WA GOP congressional candidate is offering to pick up your ballot. Is that legal? A ballot collecting strategy deployed by the Jerrod Sessler for Congress campaign aims to gain 11th-hour support as voters finish returning their primary ballots for the Aug. 6 election. The Prosser Republican is holding several voting parties starting Wednesday, according to a recent mailer. The campaign ad encourages voters to bring their ballot when they come to meet him. The mailer also tells voters to text or call us to pick up your ballot. Its a practice known as ballot harvesting or ballot collecting and is loosely defined as when a third party handles or transports ballots from a voter to an elections center. It was a flash point during the 2020 presidential and 2022 mid-term elections, when many states shifted to mail-in voting and absentee ballots because of the COVID pandemic. While many Republicans decried the practice then, they are embracing it now in the lead up to the 2024 presidential election. Jerrod Sessler Sessler, the former regional circuit race car driver and Prosser businessman, is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse for Washingtons 4th Congressional District seat. Its Sesslers second attempt at ousting the Sunnyside farmer but this time Sessler has the endorsement of Donald Trump. Hes not the only conservative challenging Newhouse. Tiffany Smiley, the veterans advocate from Pasco, who mounted a failed challenge to U.S. Sen. Patty Murray in 2022, also is in the race. Sessler has called the U.S. elections systems a banana republic, and he believes in the false premise that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump by the Democrats. In a recent Yakima Herald-Republic interview, Sessler called Biden an illegitimate president. Fraud in Washington elections is incredibly rare, but when it does happen elections officials are quick to investigate. Most instances of action that could be considered fraud are simple mistakes made by voters or irregularities, say county auditors. Sessler did not respond to a Herald request to talk about the issue. Legality of ballot harvesting Washington state has had vote-by-mail in place for more than a decade now, and ballots have had prepaid postage on them since about 2018, according to the Washington Secretary of States Office. In 1983, the Evergreen State began allowing special elections to mail ballots, and in 1993 some counties began moving toward the process for smaller elections. By 2005, the Washington Legislature adopted vote-by-mail as a permanent option for all elections, allowing counties to choose. Then, in 2011, with 38 of 39 counties switched over to the system, the state enshrined vote-by-mail in law. Vote-by-mail requires fewer poll workers, provides an auditable paper trail, allows more time for voters to research candidates and promotes higher turnout, say officials. But there are some downsides: More material prep time, a higher level of staff expertise and a longer time to report final results. In Washington, its legal to return someone elses ballot to the elections department since no state law or administrative code bars the practice, said Derrick Nunnally, the Washington Secretary of States deputy director of external affairs. You should treat your ballot like it is something thats very valuable to you, he said. Its your way to participate in democracy. The best thing folks can do is return them to a county drop box themselves. ... Theyre safe and secure, and you know that once you put your ballot in there that its in the countys custody, Nunnally said. Candidates for the 4th Congressional District in Central Washington. From left, Republican challenger Tiffany Smiley, Republican incumbent Dan Newhouse, and Republican challenger Jerrod Sessler. The Secretary of States Office says the U.S. Postal Service has been a reliable partner in supporting Washingtons vote-by-mail systems. Those ballots will count as long as theyre postmarked by election day. Nunnally says theres a lot that can go wrong when voters hand off their ballot to a family member, friend or a third party to turn in for them. A person can have all the good intentions in the world, but if something happens on their way to turn in your ballot, that deprives you of the opportunity to participate, he said. While ballot harvesting is legal in Washington, it may not be in other parts of the nation. At least 32 other states allow someone to return an absentee or mailed ballot on the voters behalf, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. NBC News reports that Republican National Committee members are focused on ballot harvesting efforts in Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia and North Carolina, all battleground states where electors will determine the fate of the White House. But thanks to Republican efforts, the act of ballot harvesting is illegal, to some extent, in six of those seven states. Only Nevada allows the practice. Key dates for Aug. 6 primary Voters have until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, to turn in their ballots to a county-certified drop box. Registered voters have already received their ballots for the primary election. Voters who need to update their registration, register to vote for the first time, or who havent received their ballot must contact their local county auditors office. Voters can track the status of their ballot and find drop boxes online at vote.wa.gov. Candidates running for state and federal offices, as well as some county offices, will appear on the primary ballot. The two candidates who receive the most votes move on to the general election in November. Following the lead of Black women, white women, and white dudes, along come deep-pocketed Silicon Valley tech bros and Wall Street investment bankers to join in the Kamalamania. More than 100 venture capitalists pledged Wednesday to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in November, according to a report in The New York Times. And theyve already solicited donations for her presidential campaign. White Dudes For Harris Seemed Weird: I Was Wrong The group reportedly includes LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures, business shark and TV personality Mark Cuban, angel investor Ron Conway, and billionaire Chris Sacca. We are pro-business, pro-American dream, pro-entrepreneurship and pro-technological progress, the group said in a statement posted on VCsForKamala.org, where they solicit support and donations for Harris. We also believe in democracy as the backbone of our nation. Meanwhile, Harris campaign has privately urged Wall Street donors to send cash ASAPlike before she chooses a running mateaccording to Axios, fueling speculation Harris will choose a governor. Strict federal rules bar contributions to tickets featuring a sitting governor. If accurate, that means Harris has settled on a state leader like Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, or Tim Walz of Minnesota instead of Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), who now faces unique scrutiny for once hawking vitamins in China. Axios reported that Wall Street donors believe they have until Sunday to get their checks in, with separate reports saying Harris could announce her pick as early as Monday. Harris insists she hasnt settled on a running mate but that shell be campaigning with that person next week where it matters most: Southern swing states Georgia and North Carolina; Western battlegrounds Arizona and Nevada; Midwest biggies Michigan and Wisconsin and, of course, Pennsylvania. 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. I want everyone to see what happened: Mom wants video of NC police shooting son released After hearing arguments from family and The Charlotte Observer on Wednesday, a judge this week is expected to grant or deny requests to release video of Pineville police confronting and killing Dennis Bodden. Mecklenburg Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Carla Archie heard separate requests from the Observer and Boddens mother to publicly release video of Pineville police Sgt. Adam Roberts shooting Bodden three times and Tasing him twice following reports hed stolen items from the Food Lion in Johnston Road Plaza. The release, the Observer and Cleopatra Bodden argued, is imperative in upholding police transparency and accountability to the public. I am prepared for the full release, Cleopatra Bodden told Archie, confirming that she had already seen the video. It was hard for her, she said, but it was important to share. I want transparency. she continued. I want everyone to see what happened. I want everything released. On May 14, Roberts was in uniform and working at another shopping center when he killed Bodden, a 46-year-old former attorney who had struggled with being bipolar and schizophrenic for years. In 2020, Roberts shot and injured another man in Pineville. A police press release afterward described Bodden as a chronic shoplifting suspect. His family has said that he would go into the store thinking it was his home, and take items believing they belonged to him. Bodden was unarmed when Roberts shot him. Before the shooting and as Roberts was following Bodden to try to arrest him, Bodden bit Roberts, according to reports. You aint getting away, bro, Roberts told Bodden at one point, pushing his shoulder, according to a report issued by the district attorney. The Observers attorney, Jonathan Buchan, told Archie that Pineville police obviously sensed (the shooting) was a matter of public interest. Thats proven by their own news release about the incident, he said. District Attorney Spencer Merriweather also acknowledged public interest in the case when he published a letter sent to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police explaining why officers should not be charged in the shooting, Buchan argued. That letter laid out some concerns about the incident, the Observer previously reported. Pineville police said they had no issue with releasing the footage to the Observer with a caveat. Publishing the last eight minutes of video which show Bodden dying on the grass as Roberts and a backup officer struggle to give him aid would be pure sensationalism, said Scott MacLatchie, an attorney representing Pineville police. He asked that they be excluded from the released video. But those last minutes could have recorded conversation among the officers about what just happened, Buchan argued. Just audio of the last eight minutes would be sufficient, he said, but it shouldnt be altogether excluded. What Pineville bodycam would show Roberts was nearby when he heard reports of Bodden stealing from a Food Lion again. Hed previously taken $12 worth of items, according to an affidavit. Bodden was in a mental health crisis, his mother later said. In the letter Merriweather sent to police, the district attorney said he agreed with the police departments decision not to charge Roberts. But he also raised concerns about the validity of Roberts account of the shooting. Roberts told dispatch that Bodden has already tried to push off on me even though body camera footage up to that point showed no substantial contact between them, Merriweather wrote. The incident started in Pineville but was investigated by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police because Bodden walked from the Food Lion to an apartment complex in Charlotte. Homicide investigators at CMPD made the decision not to charge Roberts in the shooting, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police spokesperson Mike Allinger. Merriweather concluded that at the moment before the shooting, Bodden was either reaching for the sergeants gun or a reasonable police officer could conclude that. Boddens mother previously told the Observer she was upset by the decision to not charge Roberts. From the beginning I did not think that I would get a fair trial, and I did not, she said. They say they were independent. I dont think theyre independent. They are all from Mecklenburg County. Her son previously worked as a senior attorney, from 2015 to 2019, at Mental Hygiene Legal Service in New York. Publics right to know Cleopatra Bodden had her own hearing minutes after the Observers on Wednesday. Her attorney, Micheal Littlejohn, asked that the police video be released with no redactions. He mentioned the fatal Illinois police shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old who called 911 to report a possible prowler, as an example of why the public needs to see such video. After officers arrived in the Massey case, they asked her to move a pot of boiling water from the stove. She picked it up, and they moved away. They didnt want to be near the steaming water, they said. Oh, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus, she responded, a video showed. An officer shot her three times as she lifted the pot near the sink. A former deputy in the Massey killing is charged with first-degree murder. Pineville polices request for some footage to be left out of a public release seemed novel, Littlejohn said. He pointed to another case hes been involved in: Roberts shooting of Timothy Caraway in 2020, which spawned a lawsuit. There were no redactions when that petition for body camera footage was filed, Littlejohn said. MacLatchie argued that was a different case with different circumstances because no one had died. Bill Bunting, the homicide unit chief at the district attorneys office, said he took no issue with footage being released to the Observer or Boddens family. Archie said she expected to make a decision this week. LORENA, Texas (FOX 44) A man wanted by the Uvalde Police Department has been arrested in Central Texas after a pursuit from Lorena to Temple. Lorena Police officers attempted to stop a vehicle on Interstate 35 for a traffic violation at approximately 2:43 p.m. Tuesday. According to Lorena Police Chief Scott Holt, he was spotted going 86 miles per hour in a 75 zone and was not wearing a seat belt. Chief Holt said the original intent was to stop him for his speed and to admonish he about the importance of being belted in. However, when officers attempted to make the stop the driver of the vehicle refused to stop and a pursuit was underway. The vehicle continued to flee south on I-35 with Chief Holt saying he would take each exit, run the access road, then take the next entrance ramp back onto the main lanes. During the pursuit, the driver was clocked at speeds up to 110 miles per hour. The pursuit continued into Temple, where officers there said the the driver turned into the parking lot by BJs Brewhouse and bailed out. He tried to run, but was caught by a Temple police officer the vehicle and fled on foot. The Lorena, Troy, and Temple Police Departments all worked together to apprehend the suspect. Chief Holt says a Glock handgun with a 30 round magazine and marijuana was found in the vehicle. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Chainze Lamar Faheem Wilson of Mart , was wanted out of Uvalde PD for Smuggling of a Person Under the Age of 18, a second-degree felony. One held after pursuit from Hewitt into Bellmead Wilson has been transported to the McLennan County Jail, and charged with Smuggling of Persons Under 18 Years Old, a second-degree felony; Evading Arrest/Detention with a Vehicle, a third-degree felony; Evading Arrest/Detention on Foot, a Class A Misdemeanor; Possession of Marijuana, a Class B Misdemeanor; and Unlawfully Carrying of a Weapon, a Class A Misdemeanor. His bond is set at $15,000. Chief Holt says no injuries were reported. Wilson was apprehended without force. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Poll workers check in a voter during Georgias May primary at a Marietta polling place. Local election officials across the country face a poll worker shortage, and a coalition of election leaders, nonprofits and businesses are making a push for more on Aug. 1, 2024, National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. (Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline) This week, a coalition of election officials, businesses, and civic engagement, religious and veterans groups will make a national push to encourage hundreds of thousands of Americans to serve as poll workers in Novembers presidential election. Poll worker demand is high. With concerns over the harassment and threats election officials face, and with the traditional bench of poll workers growing older, hundreds of counties around the country are in desperate need of people who are willing to serve their communities. On Aug. 1, there will be a social media blitz across Facebook, TikTok, X and other platforms that will encourage Americans to spend a few hours helping democracy. Theyre being asked to wake up before sunrise, welcome voters to polling places, hand them a ballot, and make sure the voting process goes smoothly. Many sites will see long lines and frustrated voters; they may face unexpected problems such as a power outage or a cantankerous voting machine. Nearly all will hand out scores of tiny I Voted stickers. Poll workers are the face of our democracy and the face of our elections. Marta Hanson, national program manager for Power the Polls The U.S. Election Assistance Commission, a federal agency that works with election officials to improve the voting process, established the recruitment day in 2020. The commission offers a social media toolkit, full of suggested hashtags and cartoon video snippets, to help local election officials reach potential new workers. There are 100,000 or so polling places across the country, and the agencys website shows potential workers how to sign up. Serving as a poll worker is the single most impactful, nonpartisan way that any individual person can engage in the elections this year, said Marta Hanson, the national program manager for Power the Polls, one of the leading nonpartisan groups in the recruitment effort. Poll workers are the face of our democracy and the face of our elections, she told Stateline. Launched in the spring of 2020 during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, Power the Polls gathered nonprofits and businesses together to help election workers close the gap left after many poll workers, who tend to be older, decided to no longer serve due to health concerns. Nearly half of the poll workers who served in 2020 were older than 60. The groups effort recruited 700,000 prospective poll workers nationwide. It is our vision that every voter has someone who looks like them and speaks their language when they show up at the polling place, and that election administrators have the people that they need, Hanson said. Polling places still need poll workers. This year Power the Polls is tracking more than 1,835 jurisdictions, spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia, that the group identified through outreach to election administrators, monitoring local news and working with on-the-ground partners. Of those jurisdictions, Hanson said, 700 towns and counties have really, really high needs. For example, Boston needs 500 new poll workers by its Sept. 3 primary, while Detroit needs 1,000 more people to sign up before November. In small towns in Connecticut and rural California, officials are desperate to find 20 people to help. Los Angeles County is looking for people who speak one of a dozen languages that are prevalent in the area. In suburban Cobb County just outside of Atlanta, Director of Elections Tate Fall said recruiting poll workers has been difficult, but not at the level shes heard about in other communities nationally. Her team has found success at farmers markets, Juneteenth festivals and senior services events. Among her challenges, she said, is that many of the poll workers who have signed up this year are new and need more training and practice before November. She also worries about reliability. Its just we have a lot of people sign up and then they never mark their availability, or they only want to work in their precinct, Fall said. We need people that are a bit more flexible. But overall, were doing good. Over the past four years, local election officials have been bombarded by misinformation, harassment and threats fueled by the lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. To ease voters skepticism about ballot security, officials will often welcome them into the elections office and give them a tour. In Nevada, Carson City Clerk-Recorder Scott Hoen goes a step further by inviting skeptical residents to see the election process firsthand as a poll worker. Lo and behold, once they go through the cycle, they understand and they can touch, feel it, see it, know it, understand it, that we run a really good, tight election here in Carson City, Hoen said. I think they have a better comfort with me now doing that, teaching them whats going on. In Marion County, Florida, Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox has been worried about people who believe the 2020 election was stolen working as poll workers and potentially disrupting the voting process. But the required training to become a poll worker has alleviated some of that concern. Weve had them, and they actually become some of our advocates in this process, he said. Joseph Kirk, the election supervisor for Bartow County, Georgia, said that, beyond learning about the voting system, being a poll worker is just fun. Kirk tells voters that its an opportunity to take a day off work, get paid, meet new people, see the characters of the community and enjoy a good meal, since some poll workers bring in homemade food to share. And for the high school government students he recruits in their classes, its a way to participate in elections as early as 16. Its a community, he said. And being part of it is really special. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The war in Gaza might complicate Haniyeh's replacement. Here are the possible contenders Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh claps as newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks while deputy leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Kassem, left, sits during the swearing-in ceremony of Pezeshkian at the Iranian parliament, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) BEIRUT (AP) The militant Palestinian group Hamas has a history of swift and smooth replacement of fallen leaders killed in Israeli airstrikes. Ismail Haniyehs assassination in the Iranian capital early Wednesday comes at a time when Hamas is under extreme pressure since the war in Gaza started nearly 10 months ago following the groups attack on southern Israel. We are not discussing this matter now, a Hamas official told The Associated Press, on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, when asked about the process to replace Haniyeh. Haniyeh headed the groups political bureau until his death. His deputy was Saleh Arouri, who was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut in January and would have been the automatic replacement. Arouris post has remained empty since his death. The groups Shura council, the main consultative body, is now expected to meet soon, likely after Haniyehs funeral in Qatar, to name a new successor. The councils membership is kept secret but represents regional chapters of the group in Gaza, the West Bank and diaspora and those imprisoned. A full leadership meeting may be complicated by their inability to convene. Many of the group's nearly 60 members are in Gaza. Hani al-Masri, an expert on Palestinian organizations, said a consensus candidate may be named before the Shura is able to convene, with a formal election to be held by the council later. The elections were already delayed this year because of the war. One of Haniyehs deputies was Zaher Jabarin, who has been described as the groups chief executive officer because of the important role he plays in managing the groups finances, and with that, his good offices with Iran and other backers. A-Masri said the choice is now likely between Khaled Mashaal, another Haniyeh deputy and a former leader of the group, and Khalil al-Hayya, a powerful figure within Hamas who was close to Haniyeh. It will not be easy, said al-Masri, who also heads the Palestinian Center for Policy and Research and Strategic Studies. Hamas new political leader will have to decide on whether to continue the military option, and become essentially a guerrilla and underground group, or choose a leader that can offer political compromises an unlikely option at this stage. The role of the groups leader is also important in maintaining relations and support from Hamas allies outside the Palestinian territories. Equally important is the backing of regional allies of the next leader. Mashaal has political and diplomatic experience, but his relations with Iran, Syria and Hezbollah have soured over his support for Arab protests in 2011. When he was in Lebanon in 2021, Hezbollah leaders reportedly refused to meet with him. But Mashaal has good relations with Turkey and Qatar, where the group is based, and is considered a more moderate figure who headed the group until 2017. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas called him on Saturday to offer his condolences for the killing of Haniyeh. Yahya Sinwar, the powerful Hamas figu re leading the war in Gaza, is at the opposite end of that spectrum and is unlikely to support Mashaals leadership. Al-Hayya, who is Sinwars deputy, is a prominent leader living originally in Gaza, with important international connections and good relations with the military wing as well as with Iran, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. He was the first leader to speak after the attack on Haniyeh. He said the killing of Haniyeh proves that our options (with Israel) is blood and resistance, not talks or negotiations. As much as it pains us the killing of Haniyeh, we reassure the nation, our option in Hamas and resistance is continuing with a clear strategy...that doesnt deviate with the martyrdom of a leader or 10, al-Hayya said, speaking from Tehran. Jabarin was standing next to him. After years of cold relations with the Iran-led axis of resistance over Hamass backing of the opposition against Syrian President Bashar Assad during Syrias conflict that began in March 2011, Hamas began mending its relations with Iran and reconciled with Assad. Al-Hayya headed a delegation that went to Syria in 2022 and met Assad. He is like Haniyeh, who was balanced and flexible and both sides didnt see his leadership as problematic, al-Masri said. A third possible contender, said al-Masri, is Nizar Abu Ramadan, who had challenged Sinwar for the role of Gaza chief, and is considered close to Mashaal. Moussa Abu Marzouk, Mashaals deputy, is another potential candidate. With cease-fire talks faltering, Israels strategy so far appeared to have left the group with few options now: surrender or continue war. Hugh Lovatt, an expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the European Council on Foreign Relations, said Haniyehs killing and the faltered cease-fire talks are likely to strengthen hardliners within the movement and further shift Hamas toward hardline strategies and away from diplomacy and politics. But it is not down to Sinwar alone to back the successor, said Lovatt. It is more about internal consensus-making between the Gaza leadership and those abroad. Qatar, which has been hosting Hamas leadership and is a key mediator in the negotiations for a cease-fire, could play the role of arbiter in naming a successor in case of a lack of internal or regional consensus. The war in Gaza started on Oct.7 after the Hamas attack that killed some 1,200 people. The group also took 250 others hostage. Israels retaliatory operation has obliterated entire neighborhoods in Gaza and forced most of the population to flee their homes. Over 39,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gazas Health Ministry which doesnt distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. The war has also weakened Hamas role in Gaza, and possibly in choosing the group's future leader. OK, I am justifiably afraid of what Republicans are doing to the environment which we all depend on for clean air and water, healthy food, safe temperatures, livable weather and is the basis of our economy. I used to be just frustrated, then I was angry, and now I am frustrated, angry and afraid. Over the last 20-plus years, under Republican leadership, I have watched Florida environmental laws get weaker, land use planning dismantled, climate change ignored, unqualified people put in key management positions in the environmental agencies and the environment deteriorate in response to these politically driven decisions. People walk past the US Department of Energy building in Washington, DC, in February 2, 2024. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) Now there is a plan, Project 2025, prepared by the Heritage Foundation to dismantle the federal government, including environmental and climate programs. The plan is called the Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise and you can read it at this link. (https://thf_media.s3.amazonaws.com/project2025/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf) It is designed to guide the first 180 days of a Republican president. It has 30 chapters that deal with every part of the federal government, including the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The chapters were written by people familiar with these agencies and out to reshape them along extreme conservative lines. It proposes to strip civil service protections from thousands of federal employees. It would replace them with an army of GOP loyalists who they would train, and they have created a Presidential Administration Academy to prepare them to take over these agencies. The chapter on the US Department of Energy proposes eliminating three offices that are crucial to transitioning to clean energy. The chapter on the Environmental Protection Agency proposes to change a crucial 2009 EPA finding that greenhouse gas emissions threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations, and that it has authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate these emissions. This finding is critically important to our collective welfare because Congress has refused to pass laws to regulate greenhouse gas emissions which are destroying the livability of our planet. This EPA finding was upheld more than a decade ago, by the U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit and the fossil fuel industry doesnt like it and wants it gone. The Guardian reported last summer in referring to the Heritage Foundation plan, that, An alliance of rightwing groups has crafted an extensive presidential proposal to bolster the planet-heating oil and gas industry and hamstring the energy transition. Naomi Oreskes, a history of science professor at Harvard, said, It doesnt trouble me that any individual or institution would develop advisory plans for politicians, what troubles me is the Heritage Foundations long history of working to undermine environmental protection at the expense of health and wellbeing of the American people, at the expense of life on Earth. This is not the first transition plan by the Heritage Foundation, but in combination with former President Donald Trumps desire to control all of government, fire bureaucrats that get in his way, his recent statement that on day one he wants to drill, drill, drill and the Republicans in Congress who oppose actions to address the root cause of climate change, I think we should all be afraid of what could happen to Florida, if Trump is re-elected president and follows this authoritarian playbook. Pam McVety Tallahassee resident Pam McVety is a retired scientist who worked for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for 30 years, a climate justice advocate and board member of Physicians for Social Responsibility Florida. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to letters@tallahassee.com. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Be warned: 'Project 2025' would further hurt Floridas environment Warner Robins is home to the second-largest aviation museum in the US. See its history The shrill whirling of a drill could be heard across the hangar as an intense spotlight lit up a usually dim area of the building, used to show visitors some of the most important history of American flight. Two men in cargo shorts and gray t-shirts bent over a work desk next to a silver B-17 Bomber in the Scott Exhibit Hangar. Workers are approaching 95,000 hours of labor put into the aircraft, said Mike Wood, the museums volunteer restoration specialist who has been working with a team of volunteers to restore the plane. Its about 92% of the way done, said Museum Curator Arthur Sullivan, and its one of dozens that crews at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins have worked on as patrons come and go through the facility. Ten years ago, you would have seen pieces everywhere: wings, engine, the entire interior completely pulled out, said Sullivan. Restoration volunteer Mike Woods works on the B-17 Flying Fortress on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in the Scott Exhibit Hangar at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Georgia. Woods is one of a number of volunteers that have worked on restoring the aircraft since 2015. The Museum of Aviation has restored or touched up about 85 planes over the 40 years its been open. The second largest aviation museum in the United States is free for visitors. Lacey Meador, Museum of Aviation Foundation communications coordinator, said education and preservation are big priorities for the museum. Each aircraft in the museum has its own connection to history. Its just really neat when you can match those real people with real stories back to the stationary, static item that we have here, and it really makes it come alive, said Meador. Preserving history with human stories The aviation museum has four hangars: Eagle, Scott Exhibit, Century of Flight, and Nutergen Exhibit. The Eagle hangar is the largest and has a bit of everything, the Scott Exhibit Hangar contains mostly World War II artifacts, the Nutergen hangar contains artifacts from the Vietnam War, and the Century of Flight contains more modern planes, like the SR-71 Blackbird that set the record for fastest flight. At the entrance to each hangar, a volunteer sits in a red vest. Most of them have a personal connection to the aircraft on display, said Sullivan. They are a wealth of knowledge to our visitors who come in, Sullivan said. When somebody visits our museum for the first time, the first person they see as a volunteer. One of those volunteers is Pat Walrath. He served in the Marines and the Air Force for 26 years. He was a police officer for many years, and he flew in a Kaman HH-43B during the Vietnam War. He can tell stories about all the aircraft in the Nutergen hangar and the other hangars. Theres so much history here, some history we dont even know about, said Walrath. Golden Eagle volunteer Pat Walrath poses in the Nugteren Exhibit Hangar of the Museum of Aviation on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Warner Robins, Georgia. Walrath served in the military for 26 years in both the Marine Corps and the Air Force and has volunteered at the museum for six years. The volunteers are one of the ways the museum keeps the history of its artifacts alive, along with events such as Family Aviation Day, in which people who have personal experiences with the aircraft can stand in front of them and talk about their experiences. General Rick Goddard, former commander of Robins Air Force base, is one of the people who comes out every year. He flew the F100 in the Nutergen hangar for 200 combat hours in Vietnam. Outside of events and volunteers, the museum has immersive exhibits. The 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the Air Invasion of Normandy display, is one of visitors favorites, said Sullivan. Walking through the doors leads visitors to an enclosed room with walls painted to look like the sky, flashing red and white lights, sounds of serious commanding voices, and an interactive aircraft display. Farther into the unit is a room displaying soldiers uniforms, weapons, and other artifacts. The voices of the pilots talking about their experiences at Normandy play over speakers. Listening to their stories and the artifacts and making that connection that this was a person with life and family and fears and goals, said Sullivan. Various planes sit in the Nugteren Exhibit Hangar on Friday, July 26, 2024, at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Georgia. The Museum of Aviation is the second largest aviation museum in the country with four buildings of exhibits and free admission to the public. Education through exhibits, and interactive simulators The Museum of Aviation prioritizes education through its exhibits, programs and classes. We try to use the entire campus as a classroom, and we have small spaces set aside within certain buildings to facilitate that, said Meador The Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit is one of the exhibits that emphasizes education. It details the first Black American fighter pilots. The exhibit was moved and expanded in the early 2010s. The museum also has a STEM academy with STEM summer camps, and they offer an aviation simulator class called Mission Quest. Mission Quest is just, really cool, said Sullivan. Mission Quest starts with a class where students learn about the four forces of flight, navigation, and communication. Then they go to the simulator. Students sit in a trainer aircraft that the military used back in the 60s and 70s to teach people how to fly jets, said instructor Holly Bradley. The aircraft each have two screen map displays in the cockpit, and a projection of their aircraft and where its going in front of them. The participants fly a mission in the aircraft with one person as a pilot and the other as a navigator and communicator. For those looking for a shorter, but exciting experience, the Eagle hangar has a virtual reality flight simulator with four open cockpits to sit in throughout the hangars. The museum is on target to hit 500,000 visitors this year. Its open six days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.. Meador said it takes about three hours to walk through the museum and read the exhibits. The museum remains dedicated to its goal of preservation and restoration and recently took in a C47 to restore. The plane may be added to the museums exhibits in the future. Ultimately, if its not preserved, its lost and its lost forever, said Meador. The Eagle Building sits at the front of the Museum of Aviation on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Warner Robins, Georgia. The Museum of Aviation is the second largest aviation museum in the country with four buildings of exhibits and free admission to the public. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A Wasco man was sentenced to three years in prison for an unprovoked attack on a United States Postal Service postal carrier last year. Officials with the Department of Justice in Fresno said Marco Pergis, 42, struck a postal carrier in the face and caused serious bodily injury on June 21, 2023. Pergis admitted to striking the postal carrier unprovoked, according to officials. Pergis was sentenced on Friday, July 26. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. A former Washington County High School teacher admitted to possessing and distributing pictures of students in sexually explicit acts in front of a federal judge in Macon Tuesday. Michael Dendy, 33, from Milledgeville, was charged with 21 child pornography offenses on July 11, 2023, which includes producing, distributing and possessing child pornography. He pleaded guilty to producing and distributing child pornography as part of an agreement with prosecutors. Two of the victims and their families were present in the courtroom while Dendy pleaded guilty in front of Judge Marc Treadwell. For producing child pornography, he is expected to face 15 to 20 years of prison time. For distributing child pornography, he is expected to face five to 30 years in prison. For pleading guilty to both of those charges, he will pay a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Attorneys office also said he faces a maximum term of supervised release for life and will also have to register as a sex offender. Michael Allen Dendys guilty plea marks a significant step towards justice for the heinous crimes committed, said Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran. We are resolute in our commitment to safeguarding our children and ensuring that those who prey on them are held accountable. Former teacher posed as minor, shared explicit videos of students According to prosecutors, Dendy had two Instagram accounts one account posing as a young girl and another as a young boy to persuade students at Washington County High School to engage in sexual conduct, film it and share it with Dendy. He then shared the images on a Discord server. He also uploaded a video to his Discord server of a minor, who was between ages 14 and 15, engaging in sexually explicit conduct, the U.S. Attorneys office said. He taught at Washington County High School from 2020 until 2023, after his arrest by the Washington County Sheriffs Office. After a search warrant was executed at Dendys residence, deputies of the Washington County Sheriffs Office came across roughly 80,000 documents from hard drives, a laptop and a cell phone that featured sexually explicit images of 17 minors. He had collected these images for about five years, according to prosecutors. Its a nightmare for parents to imagine a trusted teacher catfishing students and then posting sexually explicit images of these kids on social media, said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. Thanks to good police work, a child predator is off the streets and will be held accountable for the suffering and pain he has caused. Furthermore, this case is an important reminder that online predators are a real threat, and parents must exercise vigilance. He previously taught at Starkville High School in Starkville, Mississippi, from 2014 to 2016, St. Charles High School in Waldorf, Maryland, from 2017 to 2018 and Griffin High School in Georgia from 2018 to 2020. The U.S. Attorneys office is asking parents and guardians of children who may have encountered Dendy and have concerns relating to the investigation to contact the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 1-866-347-2423. As per the request of his attorney, public defender Catherine Williams, Dendy will be sentenced between Nov. 7. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Washington said it is rescinding an earlier agreement to send 15 wolves to Colorado Parks and Wildlife later this year and in early 2025. Cody Desautel, executive director of the tribe, on July 30 told the Coloradoan it sent a letter to Colorado Parks and Wildlife informing the agency of its decision. That letter, sent to Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis, was dated June 6. "After hearing from Colorado tribes concerned about the (wolf) reintroduction, we halted the project out of respect for the sovereignty, culture, and impacts to membership of the Indian Tribes in Colorado," Desautel told the Coloradoan. Desautel said the Colville Tribe received a letter from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Colorado asking it not to provide wolves to Colorado. Colorado's Southern Ute Indian Tribe land is located in southwestern Colorado along the New Mexico border. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe has publicly expressed concerns with the state's wolf reintroduction plan for the same reasons ranchers and hunters have: wolves killing the tribe's livestock and deer and elk. The tribe also requested Colorado Parks and Wildlife to limit wolf releases to the northern zone, along the Interstate 70 corridor, of its two preferred release areas. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe could not immediately be reached for comment. Colorado's wolf recovery plan includes a 60-mile buffer for wolf releases from tribal land. Colorado captured 10 wolves in Oregon and released them north of I-70 in Grand and Summit counties in December of 2023, roughly 200 miles from tribal land. Wolves have not yet crossed into tribal land in Colorado. Davis acknowledged the decision by the Colville Tribe in an email response to the Coloradoan on July 30. "Naturally, the decision made by the Colville Business Council and the Tribal Government and Natural Resources Committees is disappointing, but we have a strong relationship with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and hope to continue these conversations in the future,'' Davis wrote in the email. "We will continue working with other potential sources for wolves to further our efforts to restore wolves to Colorado. We are not contemplating halting our implementation of the plan and will continue in our efforts to restore a sustainable population of wolves to the state while avoiding and minimizing impacts to our critically important agricultural industries and rural communities." Where Colorado wolves have been coming from The state was to release five more wolves captured in Oregon in early 2024 but halted the capture and release after heavy criticism after five of the 10 released wolves were identified as being members of packs involved in recent livestock depredations in Oregon. The Colville Tribe originally agreed to send 15 additional wolves to Colorado in a letter dated Oct. 5, 2023. Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced the agreement Jan. 19, 2024. Colorado's wolf recovery plan prioritized Wyoming, Montana and Idaho as wolf source states for its reintroduction. However, those states all rebuffed Colorado's ask. Running out of source options, Oregon stepped up to provide 10 wolves. The state of Washington considered providing wolves to Colorado but ultimately decided it could not meet Colorado's 2023 timetable. They could come back into play for Colorado's next reintroduction this year or early next. Davis formerly worked with the Washington Fish and Game Department. The Colville Tribe, as with other tribes, is a sovereign nation, granting it certain legal rights, including the option of sending wolves to Colorado outside of the state's decision. Where might Colorado turn for wolves for its reintroduction program? The Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho now looks like Colorado's best, and possibly only, option. In early October of 2023, the Nez Perce Tribe told the Coloradoan that Colorado Gov. Jared Polis had discussions with Shannon Wheeler, chairman of the tribe's executive committee, about serving as a source for wolves. However, once Oregon stepped up to provide wolves, Aaron Miles, the tribes natural resource manager, told the Coloradoan those discussions ended. Miles confirmed to the Coloradoan on July 30 that the tribe received the same letter from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Colorado as the Colville Tribe, requesting it not to provide wolves to Colorado. Despite the request, he said the Nez Perce Tribe wishes to see wolf populations expand, especially in light of Idaho's "aggressive'' goal of reducing wolf numbers. "I think we might be open to helping out Colorado,'' said Miles, who added Colorado officials have not reached out to the tribe regarding wolf sourcing for months. "We want wolves to thrive and be sustainable and for people to learn to live with them.'' Colorado's wolf plan calls for reintroducing 30 to 50 wolves over the next three to five years. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Where will Colorado turn now that a wolf source has backed out? UPDATE: According to a Pennsylvania Game Warden, the 185-pound female bear was uninjured and released on State Game Lands. WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A bear had to be rescued Tuesday morning after it got stuck in a tree in Luzerne County. Just after 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, crews were called to Carey Ave in Wilkes-Barre for a bear stuck in a tree. Officials say the road was closed while authorities removed the bear. WoodBridge Healthcare set to acquire Commonwealth Health Nearby residents had to be evacuated from the area before authorities could tranquilize the bear. According to the State Game Warden, the bear had been in the tree since Monday night after wandering from a wooded area. The bear will now be checked for injuries and then taken to state game lands. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Recorded earlier Vice President Harris made a campaign appearance Wednesday evening in Houston, her second such visit in as many weeks to the largest city in Texas, one of the predominantly red states deep blue islands. The campaign appearance comes one day before Harris will attend the funeral of Houstons long-serving Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), who the vice president described as a tenacious advocate for justice in a statement following her death. Texass 40 electoral votes are considered safely in the column for former President Trump, but the state represents a symbolic battleground for Harris. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has been a leading figure in the GOP strategy to assign much of the blame for the migrant crisis to the vice president. Watch the video replay above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WATCH: A look into the local foundation that aids the families of fallen first responders SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) After the life of Lieutenant Hoosock was tragically taken, immediate support was provided to his grieving family. The Tunnel to Towers program helps to support families of fallen first responders. In the Hoosocks case, their mortgage was paid off in full. On July 31, the sheriffs office and representatives from the foundation gave insight on what they are all about, and spoke about their upcoming events. Tunnel to Towers Foundation was started post 9/11 by the family of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, who responded from off duty and was killed in the collapse of the South Tower of the WTC, said the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office. In Central New York, there is an annual walk/run that raises money to help support the families of fallen first responders and Gold Star families, severely disabled veterans and first responders who are actively working to put an end to veteran homelessness. It [Tunnel to Towers] has grown to do so much more, and what it truly does is fulfill the support that those families have lost, said Michael Galime, Uticas Mayor. The event has been going on locally since 2021. Statewide, the foundation provided mortgage-free homes to the families of Buffalo Firefighter Jason Arno, NYPD PO Johnathan Diller, and Onondaga County Sheriffs Lt. Michael Hoosock. This year, the event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 9 a.m., in Utica. Lt. Hoosock and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen will be honored there. It is not a competitive race. Families and many first responders will participate. It is both a run and a walk to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. There will be an after-party that will begin at noon. It will have a fundraiser that will directly benefit the families of Hoosock and Jensen. Moyers Corners Fire Department will have baskets to be raffled off, and more. Click here to sign up and learn more about the race. You can watch the video in the player above. Latest local news Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. WATCH: Police arrest man they say crashed stolen SUV into pond in Daytona Beach A wild scene in Volusia County was caught on camera. It all began when the driver of a stolen SUV refused to stop for officers, according to Daytona Beach Police Department. Investigators said Grant Simmons Jr., 53, was behind the wheel of a red Mercury SUV when he decided to speed away from police. READ: Laundromat explosion in Ocala injures 4, damages neighboring businesses Officers tossed down a tire deflation device they said Simmons ran over, but he continued to drive. The SUV crashed through a barricade outside of a Home Depot store before splashing into a retention pond. Police said Simmons then got out and ran, but didnt get far. READ: Tropical disturbance gets more organized in Atlantic Investigators nabbed Simmons and charged him with vehicle theft, possession of a stolen credit card, fleeing and eluding police, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Click the video below to watch the officer-worn body camera footage released by Daytona Beach police. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. SAYRE, Pa. (WETM) A Waverly man has been arrested on multiple charges following a police chase that occurred in Bradford County a few weeks ago. According to Pennsylvania State Police, Logan C. Dondero, 26, was arrested on various traffic charges after he allegedly sent police on a high-speed chase through Sayre on July 19. Watkins Glen man sentenced for weapon charge Police say that the incident began when an officer from the Sayre Borough Police Department found a man standing next to an orange motorcycle in the southbound lane of Spring St. in front of the Dandy in Sayre. The officer then pulled behind the motorcycle and activated their emergency lights when they noticed that the motorcycle didnt have a license plate. According to the officer, the driver, who was wearing a black full-face helmet at the time, then began to frantically run down the street while pushing the motorcycle, appearing to have trouble starting it. The officer continued to drive behind the driver as he ran away for a few seconds before he ended up starting the motorcycle and taking off at a high rate of speed. Montour Falls man sentenced for criminal contempt The officer then activated his siren and pursued the motorcycle, which turned onto Cayuta St. and went around a concrete abutment before running the stop sign to come back across Spring St. onto Bradford St. Police say the driver then increased his speed to over 100 mph as he approached the railroad crossing on Bradford St. near Draper St. The officer then stopped pursuing the motorcycle due to the nature of the drivers reckless driving. The driver was last seen in the area of N. Keystone and Bradford St. before the officer lost sight of him. Immediately following the end of Sayre PDs pursuit, an officer from the Athens Township Police Department responded to assist when they saw the motorcycle drive by them on Pitney St. in South Waverly Borough. The officer then turned around, activated his lights and pursued the motorcycle, but stopped the pursuit shortly after on Elmira St. due to the drivers reckless driving, as it nearly ran a vehicle off the road near Tops Market. Burdett man sentenced for attempted burglary in March Athens Police later received an anonymous tip indicating that the driver of the motorcycle was Dondero. The person then provided screenshots of Facebook messages between the two where police say that Dondero admitted to being the one on the motorcycle that didnt have a registration plate. Police say that Dondero further admitted to parking the motorcycle in a garage near the Robert Packer Hospital after he blew a tire and was home in Waverly at the time that the messages were sent. Officers then checked Donderos public Facebook profile, which displayed photos that they say were of the same motorcycle and helmet that the driver was wearing during the chase, as well as the same stature of the person that they were chasing. Further, police say that Dondero shared a video on Facebook less than 12 hours after the incident of a motorcyclist fleeing from a police car with a caption reading, I may not have my plates, but I have a full tank. Watkins Glen man pleads guilty to inappropriate communication with minor Officers then say that they ran Donderos information in CLEAN, which revealed that his operating privileges had been suspended in Pennsylvania and revoked in New York. Dondero also had 17 active failure-to-pay bench warrants out of various courts in Bradford County, all of which totaled roughly $3,760.55. As a result of the incident, Dondero was charged with the following: Fleeing or attempting to elude an officer Evading arrest Driving while operating privilege is suspended Driving without a license Improper class of license Reckless driving Careless driving Driving vehicle at unsafe speed Failure to stop at a stop sign Turning movements without required signals Display of improper registration plate Dondero is currently being held in the Bradford County Correctional Facility as he awaits a preliminary hearing on Aug. 13. His bail is set at $50,000. 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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. The summer surge continues with afternoon highs Wednesday in the mid-90s. Springfield recorded its hottest temperature since early July, and it came with heat indices that topped 105. More heat and humidity can be expected Thursday ahead of a cold front, but that front will give our current heatwave a haircut. That cold front will generate a risk of severe storms north and northwest of our area. The stormy leftovers will bring a risk of showers and thunderstorms after midnight to communities closer to Central Missouri. The storms will be running out of gas as they move in but may still pack a punch with strong wind gusts possible as far southeast as I-44. Well also likely find leftover cloud cover spilling south across all of the Ozarks by sunrise. The increase in cloud cover will continue into Thursday with partly cloudy skies expected over Southern Missouri. This will also be the favored area for a spotty shower or thunderstorm during the day. Temperatures will remain hot, but afternoon highs may be hampered a bit by daytime clouds with afternoon highs generally between 93 and 96 with heat indices back up around 105. The cold front will likely trigger additional spotty showers and thunderstorms Thursday evening. A few stronger storms could produce locally strong wind gusts. Drier air will move in behind the front cooling Friday morning lows to a level that should be a bit more comfortable. Friday through Sunday looks bright, quiet, and typically hot for early August. The evenings and mornings will be pretty comfortable, but it will be hot during the afternoon. The early August heat looks to remain firmly in place early next week as the summer ridge expands east once again. The flat ridge may open the door for some western wildfire smoke and hazy skies. The pattern also looks very dry. Temperatures will climb through early next week with our hottest day of the summer on the table for Tuesdays weather. There are still signals for a broad trough to develop later next week that may open the door to a more substantial cooldown. More to come. Download the KOLR 10 Weather App Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch The most interesting thing about Kamala Harris nascent presidential campaign is the Trumpian tactical flourishes its displayed. At her rally on Tuesday in Atlanta, Harris brought down the house when she looked into the camera and taunted Donald Trump with language that men typically use when challenging each other to fight. If youve got something to say, say it to my face, she chided him, daring him to debate. Impugning an opponents masculinity has been standard operating procedure in Republican presidential politics since 2015. It was arresting to see the tables turned by a progressive woman. Theres something Trumpy about her campaigns approach to border security, too. The Biden administration has handled that issue so abysmally, and Harris herself is so perilously exposed on it, that one would assume she and her team would opt to avoid it to whatever extent possible. Not so: One of her first ads goes directly at Trump on the subject, accusing him (correctly) of having sabotaged the bipartisan border bill that died in the Senate earlier this year. Border-state Sen. Mark Kelly has been dispatched to amplify the claim on cable news. The idea that Kamala Harris, after three-and-a-half years of gross neglect, takes border enforcement more seriously than Donald Mass Deportation Trump is so preposterous that it can only be described as gaslighting. Its a lie so shamelessly brazen that it seems designed to leave the audience questioning whether everything they thought they knew about reality is wrong. Thats also been standard operating procedure in Republican politics since 2015. The Trumpiest weapon in Harris arsenal, though, has been ridicule. Its hard to think of an example over the last nine years in which an opponent has demeaned the Republican nominee more successfully than hes demeaned them. Most rivals havent even bothered to try. Apart from Marco Rubio making jokes about small hands for two weeks during the 2016 primary, Trumps opponents have attacked him as squishy, radical, sinister, uninformedyou name itbut rarely have they stooped to the sort of playground name-calling to which he regularly resorts. Why would they? For the same reason that its foolish to wrestle with a pig, its foolish to engage Trump in a contest of ridicule. Rubios example is instructive: To this day, the nickname of Little Marco has stuck to him far more durably than his cracks about Trump being poorly endowed have stuck to the former president. To my surprise, the Harris campaign and its allies have become the first opponents to successfully out-insult Americas most famous insult comic, however temporarily, by crowing about how weird he and his movement are. Its gotten under Republicans skin, too, which is almost as surprising. Trump is routinely attacked by critics like me as a fascist, an ignoramus, and a sociopath, among other things, yet it all slides gently off of his and MAGAs backs. Call them weird, though, and now you have their attention. Why does this mild, innocuous jab bother them so much? An unsettled party. Partly its the hypocrisy. Republicans resent being attacked as abnormal by a party willing to defend any degree of progressive weirdness, and understandably so. At the same time this week that the Harris campaign was busily mocking the right for being weird, it was hosting a virtual gathering called White Dudes for Harris. I find the nature of that event less offensive than some conservatives do because, for once, the lefts focus on racial identity wasnt designed to pit Americans against one another. The Harris campaign believes (correctly, I think) that white men who are open to supporting her will face cultural pressure not to back a black woman. The White Dudes event was a way to encourage them by showing them that theyre represented, and valued, in her coalition. But still: A campaign-sponsored political rally aimed specifically at whites is objectively weird. And it wasnt the only one Team Harris hosted this week. A second reason Republicans are irritated by the weird jabs is that they already felt irritable when the jabs began, and that too is understandable. Has a party ever endured a month in presidential campaigning as volatile as the one the GOP just suffered through? Its been 36 years since Republicans had an easy victory in a presidential election, but Joe Bidens debate catastrophe on June 27 suddenly and sharply boosted the possibility of another. When Trump dodged a bullet on July 13 and reacted to being wounded with bravado, his supporters had good reason to assume that the contrast between his strength and the presidents enfeeblement had iced a comfortable victory. Then, in a blink, it all fell apart. Trump chose the untested, uncharismatic, fringy J.D. Vance as his running mate. Biden quit the race. Democrats rallied behind their lackluster VP with cash and enthusiasm that transformed her from a political punchline into a formidable opponent overnight. Damaging soundbites about Vances scorn for childless cat ladies emerged that left the Trump campaign struggling to respond. The polls tightened, throwing an election into doubt that was steaming toward a GOP landslide two weeks earlier. The world had turned upside down, and Republicans were disoriented. And now, to add literal insult to injury, theyre being treated as the butt of a nationwide joke about weirdness. The popularity of the jab reflects how much theyve lost control of the race and probably inflames their buyers remorse about Vance, who seems certain to do Trump more harm than good on the ticket. And, as Ive explained, it places them in the alarming, unfamiliar position of seeing their hero effectively ridiculed for once instead of him doing the ridiculing. The laws of political gravity have changed. Republicans are unsettled by it. Who can blame them? I suspect the right also resents how useful the jabs about right-wing weirdos have been in unifying Democrats. After a month of bitter debate on the left about whether or not to dump Biden, the weird messaging has effectively refocused the partys various constituencies on the common enemy. After all, jokes are inherently inclusive: To get the gag requires sharing the sensibility on which its based, and all Democrats find Trump and the right weird. Jokes are also fun, a commodity that was already scarce and rapidly depleting among the left the clearer it became that Joe Biden wasnt up to campaigning. Gleefully amplifying jabs at Republican weirdness (and crass smears of J.D. Vance in particular) is a sort of release valve for the explosion of enthusiasm the party felt upon Bidens exit. Theyre exuberant, theyre spoiling to go on offense, so naturally theyve leaned into jokes. All of this has unnerved Trump and the GOP so much that theyre still workshopping replies to accusations of weirdness more than a week later. Some, including Trump himself, have resorted to I know you are but what am I parries. Others have sought to turn weird into an insensitive slur at which Republicans should take grave offense. The unhappy truth, though, is that its hard to skillfully rebut an allegation of weirdnessespecially when you are weird, as the gonzo right under Trump plainly is. There are things one can say in response to more substantive political attacks, such as whether Trump truly is the greatest threat to democracy on the ballot this year. But what can you say to effectively vent your indignation at being called weird? Either youll end up seeming defensive, which has an unavoidable doth-protest-too-much quality to it, or youll end up seeming, well, weird. In-groups and out-groups. Theres a more ideological reason why Republicans resent the label, though. In a way, the whole point of Trumpy nationalism is to establish that the modern right isnt weird. To Republicans, being called weird is a bitter demonstration of their defeats in the culture wars of the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, the economist Noah Smith wrote astutely on Wednesday. Nationalists believe that the identity-based tribes to which they belong should be preeminent in their nations politics and culture, and its the singular prerogative of those ruling tribes to declare what the rest of the nation regards as weird or not. If American voters ratify Democrats judgment of Republican weirdness by electing Kamala Harris president, it will shatter the nationalist rights belief in its preeminence. Instead of regaining its pride of place as a coalition of dominant tribes, as it once was and as it expects to be again under Trumpism, its new status as out-group will be affirmed. Calling it weird plays directly on that cultural insecurity. As Smith writes: This inversion of ingroup and outgroup naturally dismays and rankles conservativesespecially educated ones who live in blue cities, but also those who are bombarded with liberal culture in TV, movies, and music all the time. Their everyday experience is as a counterculture and an outgroup, but they still have the cultural memory of when they were the normal majority. This manifests as a profound sense of loss and dispossession. When Democrats like Kamala Harris call conservatives weird, I think it presses directly on this open wound. Its a bitter reminder of the hegemony theyve lost since 1990, and the exile in which they now wander. Weird, to conservatives, means outgroup, and thats why they hate it so much. Three days before Joe Biden quit the race, I wrote about how successful Trumps supporters have been since 2015 in mainstreaming his brand of politics. Through sheer determination, I said, the post-liberal right has moved the Overton window of whats considered normal in American politics. That, in so many words, is why Democrats jabs about weirdness grate on Republicans. The left is trying to move that window back to where it wasor, perhaps, revealing that it hasnt moved nearly as much as MAGA disciples would like to believe. To a populist movement fervently convinced that it represents The Peopleso much so that it remains unable to accept the legitimacy of a national election it lost four years laterthe out-group connotations of being called weird are intolerable. If a majority of voters agree with a black woman from San Francisco that the party of real America is weird, whats left of America or real Americans place in it? That might explain why calling their candidate a fascist or a threat to democracy doesnt offend them as much as being called weird does. (Which is itself plenty weird.) To them, an authoritarian country ruled by the right is still recognizably real America. A classically liberal country in which the right is perceived as a weird out-group is not. Even within the right, accusations of weirdness risk causing tensions between different factions. I wrote about one on Monday: The libertine Barstool conservatives in Trumps coalition have little use for the nationalists in Vances niche who want to tax childless people to subsidize families. No doubt many of them agree with Democrats that Vance is weird. The same goes for traditional conservatives who watched the most popular America First broadcaster in the country marvel at coin-operated locks on the carts in a Russian supermarket a few months ago. Tucker Carlson isnt just repulsive. Hes weird. And the more youre reminded of how weird your allies in a political party are, the more you might reasonably question your place in it. The elevation of Vance to the national ticket is itself evidence of weirdness at the highest ranks of the GOP. To all appearances, the Trump campaign was caught flat-footed by the old footage of him ranting about childless cat ladies, which is unfathomable in an era in which vice presidential nominees are typically vetted to within an inch of their lives. Did Trumps advisers somehow miss his commentsor are they so weird and out of touch with normal voters themselves that they uncovered the comments but couldnt perceive anything inflammatory about them? Or, third option: Did they uncover the comments, raise a red flag with the campaign, and get overruled by super-weirdos like Don Jr. and Tucker who wanted a fellow weirdo like Vance on the ticket for ideological reasons, no matter how many votes it cost? The story of the Republican Party in 2024 is itself one of in-groups and out-groups. Populists are the in-group, the ruling faction, and their highest political priority is maintaining that status. Other Republicans, whose highest political priority is nominating electable candidates and defeating the Democrats, have become an out-group. The more keenly aware the out-group is of the in-groups self-sabotaging weirdness, the greater the risk of a party split. Go figure that, for populists, Trump being called weird might touch a nerve. Back to normal. Theres one other thing the new message about weirdness does for Democrats. It positions them as a more moderate party by lowering the rhetorical stakes. Which seems counterintuitive, no? Everyone from Joe Biden to yours truly has spent the last few years warning that Trump will threaten the constitutional order in a second term. If retaining classical liberalism as the paradigm for American government depends on the result in November, the last thing Kamala Harris should be doing is downplaying the risk. But thats what Democrats are doing by trading the warnings about democracy for goofs on how weird the GOP is. And maybe theres something to it. Bashing Trump for being weird instead of for being a fascist dictator suggests that Democrats want to return to a more normal, staid sort of politics, Smith wrote in his new essay, impressed by the strategy. Weird just isnt something you call your evil overlord, which suggests that Democrats are slowly walking away from the notion that they are an oppressed people ruled by evil overlords. Harris and her party understandably believe that they can seize the center from an unstable coup-plotting felon, but not every approach to centrist voters will work. Bidens democracy is on the ballot pitch produced a race in which he trailed reliably for months and had begun to collapse after his debate performance. Voters in the middle will not, it seems, be frightened into voting against Donald Trump even though they have every logical reason to fear his victory. So Harris is trying something different. Instead of scaring them, shes going to try to relate to them. That means flip-flopping egregiously toward the center on policy, starting with her gaslighting about border enforcement. But it also means evincing a more moderate sensibility about politics than progressive radicals, presenting herself as a normal-ish leader in an era when such creatures are endangered and seemingly headed for extinction. Republicans are weird is part of that effort to seize that mantle of normalcy. And it might be working: For the first time this year, Kamala Harris net favorability is better than Donald Trumps. Im skeptical that a country that elected a colossal weirdo in 2016 and is seriously thinking of electing him again in 2024 will awaken to his off-putting weirdness if only theyre reminded often enough of it. But there are worse strategies for Democrats than trying to make the race a referendum for swing voters on whos weirder when their opponent is as weird as this, and will only get worse before Election Day. 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. "We're about to make history!": Megan Thee Stallion rallies "Hotties for Harris" in Atlanta Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign is almost as red hot as resident Hottie in Charge, rapper Megan The Stallion. In a vibrant rally on Tuesday evening, the vice president tapped the Houston rapper to join her on the campaign trail in Atlanta. Megan, dressed in a cropped Democratic blue suit, performed a medley of her hits from "Body" to "Savage." Were about to make history! she told the crowd. The rally featured not only Megan but also Atlanta rapper Quavo, former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, The Hollywood Reporter reported. During the quick but fiery set, the Grammy-winning rapper affirmed her support for Harris, alluding to Harris's advocacy for protecting women's productive rights. "I know my ladies in the crowd love their body. And if you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for, she said. The rapper has been a vocal proponent of abortion rights in the past. When Roe v. Wade was repealed by the Supreme Court in 2022, the rapper called out lawmakers and politicians at the Glastonbury Festival in the U.K. You know it wouldnt be me if I didnt take a second to call out these stupid a** men." She rallied the crowd to say, My body, my motherf***ing choice! Also, in 2020 Megan galvanized her young fans to register to vote, urging people to sign up for More Than A Vote, a coalition of Black entertainers fighting systemic voter suppression through education and empowerment. After Megan had performed her last song "Savage," the rapper urged the crowd to make some noise for Ms. Harris, our future president. Let's get this done, hotties. Hotties for Harris," Reuters reported. Following Megan's performance, Abrams spoke to the crowd and Quavo unexpectedly made a surprise appearance. He told the audience that his support of Harris is connected to his determination to "the gun violence issue. The issue is personal to the rapper because his nephew and Migos member, Takeoff, was killed in a shootout in Houston in 2022. The one thing I learned about working with Vice President Harris is she always stands on business, Quavo said. During Harris' speech, she countered Republican and Donald Trump's immigration and border talking points, As my friend Quavo would say, he doesnt walk it like he talks it, she said, in reference to Migos song "Walk It Talk It." Harris elaborated that the momentum in the race against Trump is shifting: "[He] is feeling it." The crowd of about 10,000 people began to cheer her viral campaign slogan "We are not going back." With less than 100 days until the election, the potential Democratic nominee noted Trump's refusal to debate her. Harris pointed out his platform is against women's reproductive rights and threats to democracy shown in Project 2025. He wont debate me, but he and his running mate sure have a lot to say about me. As the saying goes, If you got something to say, say it to my face," she concluded. The court's majority found it may be possible for the amount to be paid without violating the Controlled Substances Act, but Senior Judge Bobby Baldock believed the entire case was based on conduct outlawed at the federal level By Yosri Aljamal HEBRON, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinians in the occupied West Bank condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas who was killed in Iran on Wednesday, but said it would have little effect on the Islamist movement. Israeli officials have not so far claimed responsibility for the killing of Haniyeh, who had been in Tehran for the inauguration of the new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and there has been no official comment from the government. But few doubted that Haniyeh, the public face of Hamas who took the top job in 2017, was the latest in a string of Hamas leaders to have been killed by Israel. "We woke up this morning to a tragedy for the Palestinian people," said Fawzi Nassar, a resident of the southern city of Hebron. "He is not the first one they assassinated - there were many leaders in the past like Shiekh Ahmed Yassin and others, but that will not affect our steadfastness," he said, referring to the founder of Hamas who was killed by an Israeli helicopter gunship in 2004. Palestinian factions called for a day of protest and a general strike in the West Bank and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Fatah faction is a political rival to Hamas, condemned the killing, which Fatah called a "heinous and cowardly act". Although the West Bank is under the nominal leadership of the Palestinian Authority, run by Fatah, opinion polls show support for Hamas is strong. "His assassination will not affect the party because the party is not a new one," said Suheil Nasrelddin, a resident of Hebron. "They have a lot of leaders, even the youngest child is a leader." The West Bank has been in turmoil since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel which sparked Israel's invasion of Gaza, with regular raids by Israeli forces in cities across the area. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, many of them armed militants but also many stone-throwing youths or unarmed protesters and uninvolved civilians. "The Israeli crime of assassinating Ismael Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, will not break the Palestinian resistance or the Palestinian people's determination to achieve our freedom," said Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian politician who heads the Union Of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees. "Of course it will escalate the situation," he said. "And this is what Netanyahu wants, he knows that the end of this war is the end of his political career." (Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Alex Richardson) EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Some residents from the Coronado/Mesa Hills area took their frustrations to City Hall Tuesday, July 30, filing a petition with more than 600 signatures asking city representatives to vote against the development of a low-income apartment complex in their neighborhood. The Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, or HOME, applied to have a lot by Mesa Hills and Sunland Park rezoned to begin construction on the low-income housing project. Neighbors in the area said they were blindsided by the purchase and project proposal that would result in 104 residential units, claiming a lack of transparency from both HOME and District 8 Rep. Chris Canales. He denies meeting with us. Why? If we are his constituents, he does not help us get information. Why is he pushing this project forward? said Cristina Jimenez, president of the Coronado del Sol Neighborhood Association. We dont believe this is a fair fight and we dont believe this is a fair project, Jimenez said. Along with the petitions filed, Jimenez and several other residents also submitted a letter addressing their concerns about the proposed project. The three-page statement lists traffic, a potential increase in crime rates, health impacts from pollution, impacts to archaeological artifacts found around the area, and the ecosystem as reasons for City officials to consider before voting on HOMEs request. KTSM reached out to Canales who has previously addressed constituents about the proposal in April. On his offices website, Canales published his thoughts on the South Mesa Hills Apartments project, ultimately supporting the proposal of HOME, urging constituents to keep an open mind in consideration of affordable housing I have also held eight community meetings, and people from the neighborhood have attended and participated in lengthy conversations about the issue. I also attended HOMEs Board of Commissioners meeting held at the nearby Polly Harris Senior Center in order to listen to the entirety of the public comment, and I also stayed for quite a long time in the lobby after the meeting to speak with every person who wanted to speak with me, said Canales in response to not being available to constituents. In a statement to KTSM, officials from HOME said: We have heard and addressed the concerns of neighbors who reside near the new proposed community in the Mesa Hills area through a private meeting held on May 8th, 2024, and a public meeting held on July 9th, 2024. Additionally, there have also been two public meetings within the past three months held by the City of El Paso and attended by HOME staff, where the subject of this wonderful housing community was considered. The proposed zoning changes to the property were approved by a vote of 8-0. HOME is confident that the new community and its residents will be a beautiful addition to the community. The City Council will hold a public hearing on the project on Sept. 10. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Yassamin Ansari in 2023. Photo by Gage Skidmore (modified) | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 Former Phoenix Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari has seized an early lead over Raquel Teran, who is a former leader of the Arizona Democratic Party and state legislator, in the battle to represent a west Phoenix congressional district. The Democratic primary race for Congressional District 3, which also features Duane Wooten, a doctor, was expected to be one of the tightest contests, as both Ansari and Teran staked out progressive positions and attacked each other for ostensible ties to Republicans. With about 31,000 votes tallied, Ansari led by about 4.5 percentage points, or 1,400 votes. The district, which is heavily Latino and poor per capita income is just two-thirds of the amount statewide has traditionally had one of the lowest voting turnouts in the state. The winner of the nomination is all but assured of being elected to Congress in November, as the district is overwhelmingly Democratic. The CD3 seat is currently held by Ruben Gallego, who is running for U.S. Senate. The district is in Maricopa County and covers much of western, southern, and downtown Phoenix. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Political and industrial leaders from San Angelo and across the Lone Star State gathered at Angelo State University on July 30 for the 20th annual West Texas Legislative Summit. Heres an overview of what was discussed. Alternative Energy Sources The first discussion was concerned with Texas energy independence. State Rep. Stan Lambert, Public Utility Commission of Texas Commissioner Jim Glotfelty, Hydrogen Energy and Air Liquide USA Vice President Laura Parkan, Natura Resources CEO Doug Robison and Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance Chairman Barry Smitherman acted as panelists during the discussion. The panelists discussed several forms of energy production, with particular emphasis being placed on geothermal, hydrogen and nuclear energy. Many expressed interest in incorporating nuclear energy into the states power grid, with Abilene Christian Universitys research in using molten salt as a cooling agent earning praise among the speakers. The Oil and Gas Industry The next discussion focused on the states oil and gas industry. Texas Sen. Kevin Sparks, Texas Reps. Tom Craddick and Brooks Landgraf and Permian Basin Petroleum Association President Ben Shepperd took the stage as panelists. The fours discussion went through a variety of topics related to Texas oil and gas industry, ranging from how recent federal legislature has impacted the industry to how power outages such as those caused by 2021s winter storm can be avoided. They also spoke about how the West Texas job market is impacted by the oil and gas industry and how money brought in through oil and gas is distributed to smaller and larger cities. The Water Supply The summit also held a third discussion that focused on enhancing the sustainability of the states water supply. This discussion featured panelists Texas Sen. Drew Springer, Railroad Commission of Texas Commissioner Jim Wright, Texas Tech University Water Consortium Rusty Smith and Texas Pacific Water Resources Research and Development Manager Adrianne Lopez. The panelists primarily focused on produced water water that exists in subsurface formations and is brought to the surface during oil and gas production, according to the Ground Water Protection Council and its potential applications within Texas. The panelists stressed that, while more data and research are needed, produced water could be used to ensure that future generations have more water and meet increasing water demand coming from the states agricultural industry if treated correctly. They also emphasized the need to act immediately regarding the protection and recharge of Texas water supply. The Texas-Mexico Border The final discussion of the summit was concerned with matters related to the border between Mexico and Texas, such as immigration and trade. Texas Sens. Cesar Blanco, Pete Flores and Charles Perry, Texas Rep. Eddie Morales Jr. and Texas Pacifico Vice President Stan Meador acted as panelists for this discussion. The panelists emphasized the need to guard the border to prevent illegal activities such as smuggling and human trafficking. They also discussed how to best facilitate trade between Mexico and Texas, with multiple speakers calling for the state to focus on addressing the borders problems without disrupting legitimate international trade. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. WEST VALLEY CITY (ABC4) A 21-year-old foreign national living in West Valley City was federally charged on Wednesday, July 31, after allegedly attempting to sell 20,000 fentanyl pills to an undercover federal agent. Bryan Guadalupe Diaz-Lopez was arrested on July 19. A federal grand jury charged him with possession with the intent to distribute and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. According to court documents, Diaz-Lopez met with the undercover agent in the parking lot of a Taylorsville liquor store earlier this month. Prosecutors said he arrived in a silver KIA Optima that drove through the parking lot before parking near the undercover vehicle. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations and task force officers from the Utah State Bureau of Investigations allegedly then seized a black duffle bag with four-gallon plastic baggies holding what police suspect were fentanyl pills. Salt Lake City ranks 14th for the worst air quality in the world Law enforcement also allegedly found several thousand fentanyl pills in a hotel room associated with Diaz-Lopez. In total, between the KIA Optima and the hotel room, law enforcement seized 23 kilograms of field-tested and confirmed fentanyl pills, Trina Higgins, the United States Attorney for the District of Utah, said in a statement. Agents also seized over 500 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 34 grams of suspected heroin, and 76 grams of suspected cocaine. Diaz-Lopez will make his first appearance on the charges at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City on Friday, Aug. 2. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The city of Wheeling, W.Va., enacted its camping ban for homeless people earlier this year. Since April, this spot along Maintenance Trail has been the one legal place for people to camp. (Daniel Finsley | Finsley Creative for West Virginia Watch) In West Virginias gubernatorial race, candidates have seemingly differing views about how government should respond to homelessness. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that laws that prohibit homeless people from sleeping outside do not violate the Constitutions ban on cruel and unusual punishment, even when there are no shelter beds available. Advocates for homeless people say the ruling could open the door to more states and cities criminalizing homelessness by enacting camping restrictions. Already, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered that state agencies remove homeless encampments from state parks, beaches, agency buildings, highways and the areas between them, the Associated Press reported. In West Virginia, a Morgantown councilwoman has suggested the city expand its camping ban. Nationally, more than 650,000 are estimated to be homeless in the United States, the most since the country started doing point-in-time counts in 2007, the Associated Press reported. In West Virginia, the state Department of Human Services recently released a $373,000 study about homelessness. Senate Bill 239, passed during the 2023 legislative session, required the study to be completed and submitted to lawmakers for consideration of legislation relating to the homeless in the state. Asked whether he would sign a bill that legislated a statewide ban on camping in public, were one to come across his desk, Democratic candidate Steve Williams, the mayor of Huntington, said he believes in addressing the root causes of homelessness, not just the symptoms. While I understand the concerns about public safety and the use of public spaces, a statewide ban on public camping without providing adequate housing and support services would only criminalize our most vulnerable citizens, Williams said in an emailed statement. I would focus on expanding affordable housing, increasing access to mental health and addiction services, and creating comprehensive programs to help individuals transition out of homelessness. Addressing homelessness requires compassion, support and real solutions, not punitive measures, he said. The city of Huntington does have a camping ban. Between April and mid July, the Huntington Police Department wrote nine citations for loitering, camping or trespassing to homeless people, according to the citys response to a Freedom of Information Act request. The campaign for Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, the states Republican gubernatorial candidate, did not respond to emails asking if Morrisey would support a statewide ban on camping. But Morrisey, as the states attorney general, did sign on to an amicus friend of the court brief on behalf of Grants Pass, the Oregon city at the heart of the Supreme Court ruling that enacted laws prohibiting people from sleeping in public. In the court filing, the two dozen states argue that they are responsible for protecting the health and safety of all their residents, homeless or not, but the policies should not be up to federal governments. [States] sovereign duties also include defining crimes and enforcing a criminal code within their borders, they argue. They do not always approve of each others policies on homelessness, much less the broader set of policies other States choose to pursue in their criminal codes. But they all agree these choices are theirs to make not the federal governments, and certainly not the federal courts. In an earlier statement to West Virginia Watch about the amicus brief, Morrisey said that local and state governments should have the power to select the solutions that work best for them. Instead, as weve pointed out in our amicus brief, decisions like Grants Pass effectively turn federal courts into homeless czars, stripping away traditional state authority over criminal law and making the problem worse, he said in the statement. As the brief said, thats the wrong approach this issue is a matter of local concern. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A wildfire that started Tuesday in Colorado has killed a person in their home, while California firefighters battling the largest active wildland blaze in the nation made significant progress on containing it but still have a long way to go before it is extinguished, authorities said. As the Park Fire in Northern California has grown into the fifth largest wildfire in California history, firefighters were dealt a new challenge when another blaze erupted in Southern California and quickly blew up into a major conflagration, prompting mass evacuations, officials said. The Stone Canyon Fire in Colorado During a news conference Wednesday, Boulder County, Colorado, Sheriff Curtis Johnson said the remains of a person were recovered from a home in the area of the Stone Canyon Fire burning about 20 miles north of Boulder. But Johnson released few details about the circumstances of the death. The Stone Canyon Fire burning west of Rabbit Mountain and the town of Lyons was first reported around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Johnson said. By Wednesday morning, the fire had grown to 1,320 acres and was 0% contained, according to the Boulder Office of Disaster Management. The fire prompted evacuations in the fire zone, authorities said. At least five structures have been destroyed, according to authorities. The Alexander Mountain Fire in Colorado Colorado firefighters were also trying to get the upper hand on the Alexander Mountain Fire, which was first reported around 10:30 a.m. local time on Monday, according to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office. The fire burning in a remote mountainous area near Roosevelt National Park grew to 6,781 acres by Wednesday afternoon, fire officials said during a news conference. PHOTO: Smoke rises from the Alexander Mountain fire in Loveland, Colorado, U.S., July 30, 2024, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. (Mary Carraher via Reuters) The fire was 0% contained as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the sheriff's office. The Alexander Mountain Fire, which also prompted evacuations, is about eight miles from the Stone Canyon Fire, officials said. PHOTO: This image provided by the USDA Forest Service shows the Alexander Mountain Fire near Loveland, Colo., Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Jason Sieg/USDA Forest Service via AP) "The good news for us is that we were able to grab resources from Larimer County. As soon as our fire kicked off, the Larimer sheriff was in contact with me, offered to send some of those air resources to this fire, tried to help us get it under control," Johnson said. "So within an hour, we had a lot more support than we might on a normal initial fire because of the fire burning north of us." The Park Fire in Northern California Firefighters battling the Park Fire in Northern California, the largest active fire in the nation, made significant progress overnight, increasing containment lines on the blaze from 12% on Tuesday to 18% on Wednesday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). As of Wednesday, the Park Fire, which officials said was deliberately started on July 24 and spread through Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties in Northern California, had grown to 389,791 acres -- which sent it leapfrogging over the 2020 Creek Fire, which tore through Central California's Sierra National Forest, to become the fifth largest wildfire in state history, officials said. PHOTO: A helicopter drops water on the Park Fire near Butte Meadows, Calif., Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Nic Coury/AP) The Park Fire has destroyed 361 structures, including homes and commercial property, and damaged another 36 structures in a path of destruction that started in Bidwell Park near the city of Chico and spread about 90 miles north to the Lassen National Forest, according to Cal Fire. More than 5,800 firefighters are fighting the Park Fire from the air and ground. At least 3,800 people have been forced to evacuate their homes, according to Cal Fire. PHOTO: Park Fire July 29th (ABC News, Cal Fire) Meanwhile, the suspect arrested on suspicion of starting the Park Fire was formally arraigned on Monday. Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, of Chico, was charged with felony arson with an enhancement of special circumstances due to prior convictions. His arraignment was continued to Thursday, when he is expected to enter a plea. Stout was ordered to be held without bail. Stout was allegedly spotted just before 3 p.m. PT on July 24 pushing a burning car down a gully called "Alligator Hole" in Bidwell Park, near Chico, sparking the Park Fire, prosecutors said. MORE: Man arrested in connection with California wildfire that has burned more than 160,000 acres Weather conditions in the Chico area will be heating up in the coming days. The high temperatures in the area are forecast to climb into the upper 90s on Wednesday and reach triple digits by Thursday and into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. The Nixon Fire in Southern California California firefighters were confronting 20 active blazes on Wednesday, including seven that started on Monday and Tuesday. Among the biggest new fires is the Nixon Fire that ignited around 12:30 p.m. local time on Monday off Richard Nixon Boulevard in Riverside County, northeast of the town of Aguanga, according to Cal Fire. As of Wednesday morning, the Nixon Fire had grown to 4,941 acres and was 5% contained, according to Cal Fire. MORE: California wildfires latest: Santa Barbara County fire grows to over 38,000 acres At least five structures in the fire zone were damaged or destroyed, but it was unclear if they were homes. More than 900 structures were being threatened by the fire, according to Cal Fire. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents in the area. There were no immediate reports of injuries. More than 700 fire personnel, including 44 fire engine crews, two helicopter crews and numerous firefighting air tankers, were battling the fire on Wednesday. Smoke spreading across the Northwest The fires in the West are spreading smoke across the Northwest. By Wednesday afternoon, the smoke is expected to remain heavy in the Northern California region, but farther east, it will be pushed south. Medium to heavy smoke is possible from Salt Lake City to Denver on Wednesday afternoon, while places farther north that have been under heavy smoke for days will finally get a break as they get rainfall and cooler temperatures. Air quality alerts were issued for Boise, Idaho, and Denver due to the smoky conditions, officials said. Red flag warnings signaling elevated fire danger were issued for at least Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. Western wildfires latest: 1 dead in new Colorado blaze as containment expanded on huge California fire originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (left) is one of many white men being considered to be Vice President Kamala Harriss running mate. (REUTERS) Its kind of hard to ignore the fact that white guys who support Vice President Kamala Harris are having a moment. During Harris rally in Atlanta, Parker Short, the president of the Georgia Young Democrats, went viral for dancing along to Kendrick Lamars Not like Us. And the current VP is virtually guaranteed to pick a white male Democrat as her running mate, whether it be Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly or Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. Then there was the surprisingly wholesome White Dudes for Harris Zoom call that raised $4 million thanks to cameos from Mark Ruffalo, Mark Hamill, Pete Buttigieg and The Dude himself, Jeff Bridges, before Elon Musks X/Twitter briefly shut down the account for the call. And of course, Harris has benefited from the fact that the White Boy in Chief, Joe Biden, chose to not seek re-election and endorsed her. But all the jokes about Harriss White Boy Summer, as The Atlantic called it, underpin a more serious predicament: to win the White House, Harris will genuinely need to shore up a lot more support among white men. Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (left) speak to the press while making a stop at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024 (AFP via Getty Images) When Harriss presidential campaign lagged in 2019, she alluded to the Obama coalition in one of her final debate performances. The Obama coalition holds a special place in Democrats memories, given the broad, multiracial swath of voters who cast their vote for the first Black president. But as friend of Inside Washington Amy Walter at the Cook Political Report noted last week, that coalition included lots of white, working class voters. That contributed to Obama not only winning Iowa and Ohio twice as well as flipping Indiana and North Carolina in 2008, but nearly winning places like Missouri and Montana in 2008. Indeed, Obama ran up the margins in states like Wisconsin, with its large white working class counties, to the point that he won the state by almost 14 points in 2008 and more than six points in 2012 despite a bad economy. Similarly, the brutal truth behind why Biden won Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan when Hillary Clinton lost them is because he significantly built on Clintons margins with white men, improving it by eight points. On top of all this, if Harris is to have any hope of governing, she will need two white male senators from states that voted overwhelmingly for Trump Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Jon Tester of Montana to win re-election. I will be really honest with you, Im focused on my election, she's gonna have to focus on hers, and she'll make that decision, Tester told The Independent. She needs to, between the convention and the election, make... two or three visits to rural places, be it a county fair or a state fair or a ranch in Arizona or Nevada, or a dairy farm in Wisconsin, Matt Barron, a consultant who has worked for rural Democrats, told The Independent. He suggested that Harris embrace her populist side to win with this particular voter demographic. I mean, listen, Biden has done more in antitrust and sort of pushing back against economic concentration with these appointments to the [Federal Trade Commission] and Justice Department, he added. I think Harris should embrace that, because that's very popular. A Rural Americans for Harris Zoom call will take place next week and feature one of Barrons former clients, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who as a congressman represented a rural district before he ran for higher office. Now Walz is considered another potential running mate for Harris. I know him well, Barron said. Someone like him or someone like Governor Beshear [as a veep pick] would be absolutely beneficial to competing for rural votes. Its also not lost on Black supporters of Harris that they will need to do well in that space. Ashanti Gholar, the president of Emerge, said it was important for Harris to have white men publicly speaking to other white men about the positive aspects of casting a ballot for the presumptive presidential nominee. She has those validators that show that she can relate to white men, Gholar told The Independent on Monday before the White Dudes for Harris Zoom call. Of course, Harris will need more than garner white validators going into November. While Democrats have seen a momentum shift in the past week and a half, they will need to find a way to turn that white validation into votes. The Colorado Supreme Court signaled on Monday it may intervene in a lawsuit out of Boulder County seeking to make ExxonMobil liable for damages resulting from climate change, one of many ongoing attempts across the country to hold oil and gas producers accountable for the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions. White House says reports of Hamas leaders assassination in Iran dont help with the temperature going down The White House on Wednesday said reports of the assassination of a Hamas political leader in Iran dont help with the temperature going down, while repeating calls for a ceasefire deal that would see the release of hostages held by Hamas. These reports over the last 24-48 hours certainly dont help with the temperature going down. Im not going to be Pollyannaish about it; were obviously concerned about escalation, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby told reporters during the White House press briefing. While repeatedly declining to comment directly on the strike in Tehran, Kirby eventually acknowledged: All of this adds to the complicated nature of what were trying to get done. And what were trying to get done is a ceasefire deal. But Haniyehs killing removes perhaps the most significant Hamas negotiator from the table at a critical time when US officials have said that a long-sought ceasefire deal is as close as its ever been, and as a resolution to the end of the war looms over Bidens legacy as a one-term president. The Biden administration has largely avoided commenting on reports around Haniyehs death, but Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters traveling with him in Singapore the US was not aware of or involved in the killing of the Hamas leader. Former senior State Department official Aaron David Miller expects the administration is seething over the killing of Haniyeh. Blinken says the US was unaware of the strike on Haniyeh, Miller told CNN, but you know the administration must be seething about the timing, location and target of the strike. A former senior administration official agreed there is anger inside the administration. It was completely unnecessary, the former official said. There was no military logic to this operation. Whether we end up in a regional war, the future seems pretty clear, Miller added. Seemingly never-ending, grinding wars of attrition between Israel and Iran and its proxies with few, if any, off ramps and prospects for enduring de-escalation. Blinken has been working the phones in an effort to keep ceasefire talks on track, speaking with counterparts from two key allies, Qatar and Jordan. In both conversations, according to the State Department, the officials emphasized the need for a ceasefire in Gaza. Political assassinations [and] continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue leads us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side?, Qatars prime minister, a principal mediator, wrote on X after news of Haniyehs death. The Qatari post amounted to a direct accusation of Israel, while US officials have shied away from confirming the suspected Israeli operation against Haniyeh. When Blinken spoke with his Qatari counterpart, he asked Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani to convey messages to both Iran and Hezbollah to de-escalate and not retaliate, according to a source familiar with the conversation. The prime minister agreed to relay the message, the source said. A spokesman for the State Department declined to comment. No parties have declared an end to the ceasefire talks but Haniyehs death has significantly chilled the prospects of an imminent agreement. Its too soon to know what impact any of this is going to have on the ceasefire deal, Kirby said at the briefing. As recently as earlier this month, Haniyeh was discussing ideas for ending the war with mediators in Qatar and Egypt conversations that sparked some hope that a framework for a deal was coming into view after months of war, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and plunged Gaza into a humanitarian catastrophe. His assassination is the most recent escalation that has broadened the scope of the war outside of Gaza and threatens to further draw in Iran and the United States. It follows a rocket attack that killed 12 children in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday, which Israel blamed on Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, another Iran proxy. Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the attack the deadliest inside Israel since October 7. Israel responded with a drone strike in southern Beirut that killed Hezbollahs most senior military official, Fuad Shukr. His killing had been considered the most serious escalation in the war, until the assassination of Haniyeh on Wednesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a televised statement on Wednesday that Israel has delivered crushing blows to its enemies in the last few days. US officials had held out some optimism about a deal prior to the recent escalations. Late last month, Netanyahu signaled he was ready to make a partial deal with Hamas that would lead to the release of only some hostages, while still vowing that he would see the war out until the militant group is eliminated. While Netanyahus statement was at odds with a proposal outlined by President Joe Biden last month a plan that would include the release of all hostages, Israeli troops withdrawing from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire hopes that a deal could be reached carried over to Netanyahus visit to Washington last week. But during a fiery address to Congress, Netanyahu focused little attention on ongoing negotiations, instead vowing to fight until we achieve victory while falsely downplaying Israels role in the mounting civilian deaths in Gaza. The recent events could lead to further strain in Biden and Netanyahus decadeslong relationship. The president has said that Israel has already reached goals it had outlined after October 7, called the countrys actions in Gaza over the top and suggested that Netanyahu seeks to prolong the war only for the sake of his own political survival. Iran vowed to retaliate for the assassination on its soil. You killed our dear guest in our house and now have paved the way for your harsh punishment, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, referring to Israel in a statement. We consider it our duty to ask for the blood of our dear guest. And its foreign ministry blamed the United States as a supporter and accomplice of the Zionist regime in the continuation of the occupation and genocide of the Palestinians, in committing this heinous act of terrorism. Asked about the supreme leaders response to the killing during Wednesdays press briefing, Kirby responded: We have and will maintain a level of readiness to preserve our national security interest in the region. CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct John Kirbys title. CNNs Abeer Salman, Jennifer Handler and Niamh Kennedy contributed. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The White House said Wednesday the Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Iran are not helpful while they seek a cease-fire deal to end the conflict in the Middle East. These reports over the last 24, 48 hours certainly dont help with the temperature going down, John Kirby, the White House National Security Council communications adviser, told reporters. Were obviously concerned about escalation. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a strike on Iranian soil early Wednesday morning, and the Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps directly blamed Israel for the strike, vowing revenge over it. Earlier Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. was not involved in the death of the Hamas leader. Kirby noted the recent events complicate the pending deal that aims to end the war in Gaza. All of this adds to the complicated nature of what were trying to get done, he said Wednesday during the White House press briefing. What were trying to get done is a cease-fire deal that can get you six weeks in phase one, a lot of hostages, the most at risk, out of there and with their families again. And get some more humanitarian assistance in there. When you have events, traumatic events, violent events caused by whatever, it certainly doesnt make the task of achieving that outcome any easier, Kirby added. He also stressed the focus that President Biden has on securing a cease-fire deal. The president and Vice President Harris discussed the deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while he was in Washington last week. The deal on the table is a good one, both sides ought to accept it, they ought to sit down in earnest and hash out the details and lets move forward, Kirby 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 The Hill. Kamala Harris supporters derided Donald Trumps attacks on her racial identity Wednesday as repulsive and vile after Trump said his Democratic opponent only recently became a Black person. Wow, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters when she heard about Trumps latest remark. What you just read out to me is repulsive. Its insulting. No one has any right to tell someone who they are, how they identify. Harris for President Communications Director Michael Tyler said in a statement, Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in." Their comments came in response to a statement Trump made at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago. She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage, Trump said when ABC News Rachel Scott asked if he thought it was acceptable for Republicans to refer to Harris as a DEI hire. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black, he continued. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she wentshe became a Black person. I think somebody should look into that too. The Harris campaign refrained from labeling Trumps comments as racist, saying instead, Todays tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trumps MAGA rallies this entire campaign. Tyler also re-upped Harris call for a debate. All Donald Trump needs to do is stop playing games and actually show up to the debate on September 10, he added. The comments about Harris, who is biracial, were met with immediate outrage from members of the KHive. This man is unfit to be President, Parkland survivor and gun control activist David Hogg wrote on X. What a vile and racist comment to say Vice President Harris all of a sudden made a turn and became a Black person. Oh my God, wrote Pod Save America host Jon Favreau. I cannot believe this Trump interview with Black journalists is real. This may be one of the worst interviews hes ever done, and that's saying something. Allies in Congress were appalled, too. Donald Trump using the largest convening of Black journalists to publicly question Vice President Harris identity as a Black woman and insult her intelligence is extremely offensive to Black voters across our country, Congressional Black Caucus PAC chair Gregory Meeks said in a statement. Ahead of Trumps scheduled NABJ appearance, her team did predict that the GOP nominee would lie about his record on just about everything relating to the Black community. Black voters see Donald Trumps lies and empty pandering for what they areand they will hold him accountable at the polls this November, the campaign wrote in a release. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) An inmate killed in a prison fight Tuesday was a white supremacist who was involved in a prior prison riot in a separate facility, the 8 News Now Investigators confirmed Wednesday. Three inmates died, and nine were injured, in the fight at the Ely State Prison on Tuesday morning, the Nevada Department of Corrections confirmed. On Wednesday, the White Pine County Sheriffs Office identified two of the three deceased inmates as Connor Brown, 22; and Zackaria Luz, 43. Luz was involved in a December 2021 prison riot at the Southern Desert Correctional Center on Dec. 8, 2021. In that incident, the 8 News Now Investigators learned inmates unlocked their cells from the inside, refused orders, covered surveillance cameras, flooded the area with water and took control of an entire prison unit. At that time, Luz was in the medium-security prison on drug charges, according to NDOC records. He later pleaded no contest to his involvement in the riot. The criminal complaint states that he emptied a unit trashcan and filled that trashcan with water for the purpose of using the water to resist the actions of correctional staff in the unit and further the disturbance, and failed to follow direct order(s) from SDCC staff to return to his cell in Unit 5. In 2023, Luz took an Alford plea meaning he did not admit guilt but admitted prosecutors had enough evidence to sway a jury to convict him on racketeering and forgery charges, documents said. Luz was one of 23 Aryan Warriors, members of a white supremacist gang, charged as part of one investigation. At the time of his arrest, prosecutors identified Luz as a leader within the Aryan Warriors organization, documents said. Clark County District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt sentenced Luz to seven to 18 years in prison. Brown was in prison on a robbery charge, records said. A source told the 8 News Now Investigators that the third inmate was also an Aryan Warrior. Zackaria Luz was one of 23 Aryan Warriors, members of a white supremacist gang, charged as part of one investigation. (NDOC/KLAS) After Tuesdays fight, corrections officers from other prisons along with additional law enforcement agencies responded to Ely. The 8 News Now Investigators have learned there are concerns about retaliation as this appeared to be a feud between two rival gangs. The prison, which is several hours north of Las Vegas, is home to Nevadas death row. The state has not put an inmate to death since 2006. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A White woman who falsely accused four Black men of rape in the Jim Crow-era South in 1949 has died at the age of 92. Norma Padgett Upshaw claimed the four men Ernest Thomas, Samuel Shepherd, Charles Greenlee and Walter Irvin sexually assaulted her in Groveland, Florida, about 30 miles west of Orlando, when she was 17. The group, who came to be called the Groveland Four, became the faces of the case considered one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in Jim Crow-era Florida. Padgett Upshaw died of natural causes on July 12 in Taylor County, Georgia, according to records filed at the probate court. The Washington Post was first to report her death. Lake County Sheriff Willis McCall (center) escorts Willie Padgett and Norma Padgett to the Office of the State Attorney for questioning on the couple's alleged attack by four Black men in 1949. - Bettmann Archive/Getty Images There were doubts about Padgett Upshaws testimony from the onset, but in the era of Jim Crow, a jury convicted the men without evidence of a crime. Circuit Court Judge Heidi Davis in Lake County, Florida, granted the states motion in November 2021 to posthumously dismiss the indictments against Thomas and Shepherd and vacated the convictions of Greenlee and Irvin. In 2019, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued full posthumous pardons to the Groveland Four. For seventy years, these four men have had their history wrongly written for crimes they did not commit. As I have said before, while that is a long time to wait, it is never too late to do the right thing, DeSantis said in the statement at the time. Padgett Upshaw claimed her car broke down on the night of July 16, 1949, in Groveland, and said the four men stopped and raped her. After being arrested, Shepherd, Greenlee and Irvin were tortured until police were able to elicit a confession from two of them. Thomas managed to escape custody and was killed after a manhunt. Surrounded by her sons, Norma Padgett Upshaw, the accuser of the Groveland Four, hits her fist on the table and pleads with the clemency board not to pardon the Groveland Four during a hearing where the four were pardoned on January 11, 2019. - Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat/USA Today Network Greenlee was sentenced to life in prison. Shepherd and Irvin received the death penalty. While being transported from county jail for a retrial, the sheriff shot them both and claimed self-defense. Shepherd died at the scene and Irvin survived by playing dead. His sentence was later commuted to life in prison. After the court hearing during which the judge officially exonerated the four men in 2021, Greenlees daughter Carol Greenlee stood in front of cameras at an emotional news conference. I would not hate, but I will love and embrace all of those who did not know at the time that my father was a caring and loving and compassionate person that did not rape anybody. I stand here today to say thank you, she said. CNNs Dianne Gallagher & Amir Vera contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com White women and white dudes pledge their allegiance to Kamala Harris. Talk about weird. Imagine for a minute that supporters of former President Donald Trump advertised fundraising calls that would be only for white women and white men. The uproar among the left and the news media would be immediate, and accusations of racism and sexism would surely follow. Yet, if Democrats do it, apparently its A-OK. In recent days, thats exactly what has happened. On Thursday, nearly 200,000 white women hopped on a two-hour Zoom call and reportedly raised at least $11 million for newly anointed presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. And then, not to be outdone, a bunch of self-proclaimed white dudes joined a call Monday to do the same (although they couldnt raise as much as the women did). Other groups have held similar calls, including Win With Black Women, Latinas for Harris, Win With Black Men, and Black Gay and Queer Men for Harris. Harris, who is in the honeymoon period of her newfound candidacy now that President Joe Bidens been booted, has taken to calling Trump and his running mate JD Vance weird. I would counter that these segregated fundraisers are just plain weird, but they also speak to the Democratic Partys obsession with race and gender. Erasing history: To prove fealty to Kamala Harris, the media gaslights voters by rewriting her past This feels like a replay of Hillary Clinton in 2016 Since I am a white woman, I want to focus on the White Women: Answer The Call fundraiser, which featured celebrities and Democratic politicians. (Spoiler: Its an insufferable two hours.) TikTok influencer and former kindergarten teacher Arielle Fodor, one of the speakers on the call, addressed the grown women as if they were children: As white women, we need to use our privilege to make positive changes. If you find yourself talking over or speaking for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) individuals or, God forbid, correcting them, just take a beat and instead we can put our listening ears on. "White Women: Answer the Call," a fundraising Zoom meeting on July 25, 2024, saw more than 164,000 attendees and has raised $11 million, according to the group. Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, spearheaded the idea for the fundraiser after she saw Black women holding their own call. Bad news: White women vote for Republicans, even when its against their best interests, due to privilege, systemic racism and sexism and, of course, the patriarchy, Watts recently wrote on X. Good news: Were the largest voting bloc, but an unpredictable one the smallest shifts in our voting behavior can swing election outcomes. In other words, if we start doing the work right now, we can create a shift in voting momentum that will help elect Kamala Harris as President in just 100 days. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. If Im reading that right, the only reason white women would vote for a Republican is because theyve been brainwashed in some way or because of their privilege. That must explain why 47% of white women supported Trump in 2016 and even more 53% did so in 2020. Talk about insulting. This brings me right back to 2016, when Hillary Clinton faced off with Trump. Clinton never forgave the women who didnt vote for her and even wrote a book What Happened detailing how she refused to give "absolution to these women, who must have been told what to do by their husbands or boyfriends. Democrats have made this race all about identity politics Likely Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris campaigns on July 30, 2024, in Atlanta. Harris will never get my vote because of her far-left policies. Period. It has nothing to do with her race or the fact shes a woman. Yet, Democrats are returning to the same playbook they used in 2016: That the fact Harris could be the first female U.S. president (along with her other inherent traits of being Black and South Asian) is more important than whether she is actually a good candidate. Clinton wasnt, and I dont think Harris is, either. Democrats claim theyre offended by how Harris has been referred to by those on the right as a DEI candidate, even though her race and gender are central to most mainstream media articles about her. (Heaven forbid, however, any Republican mention these things.) Welcome retreat from DEI: DEI is unraveling at our universities. Good riddance to a failed and divisive bureaucracy. There is no question that Biden offered her the job as vice president after her failed presidential run because of her race. Remember that Biden had promised to choose a woman as his running mate, but when he vetted Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (who is white), Biden was quickly chided by Black women. Democrats do a disservice to their voters and the country if they believe a candidates immutable characteristics should drive support. Women were expected to fall in lockstep behind Clinton eight years ago. They didnt then. And they wont now with Harris. Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on X, formerly Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques. You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: White dudes for Harris is weird, but also fits Democratic script Whitehouse going for gold in Olympic ad spending with his U.S. Senate reelection campaign U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse visits a local business in his new campaign ad. (Screenshot from 'Fighting for Us'/Whitehouse for Senate) U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) dipped into his massive campaign war chest to unveil a campaign ad during the July 26 opening ceremony of the Olympic summer games in Paris in his bid for a fourth term on Capitol Hill. Whitehouses campaign has committed $100,000 over the next three weeks to air his 30-second Fighting for Us spot, which shows the Democratic incumbent meeting with constituents across the Ocean State or as he puts it into our nooks and crannies. I love going to the supermarket and having somebody grab me in the aisle and bend my ear on the subject that matters to them, Whitehouse states in a voiceover. I bring to Washington a determination to protect Social Security and Medicare, provide affordable healthcare, lower costs, and protect abortion rights. The commercial is scheduled to play a total of 110 times on WJAR Providences NBC affiliate broadcasting the summer games by the time of the closing ceremony on Aug. 11, according to a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Whitehouse boasts the most cash out of any office seeker in Rhode Island with a war chest of $3.7 million as of June 30. Overall, his re-election bid spent $225,000 across the Providence TV market and digital platforms to capitalize on higher viewership during the Olympics, campaign coordinator Laura Fusco said in an emailed statement Wednesday. Whitehouse has Rhode Islands Olympic viewers all to himself. No other congressional candidate reported any ad purchases as of Wednesday. Thats in stark contrast to last summers 12-person primary for Rhode Islands 1st Congressional District, which saw five Democratic candidates and three political action committees collectively spend $1.74 million on 6,000 broadcast advertisements. But the honor of being the first to hit the airwaves this election cycle actually goes to potential Republican challenger Patricia Morgan, whose campaign paid $25,127 for 447 ad spots on cable TV during the latter half of April when she launched her senatorial bid, according to FCC filings. I wanted to make sure people knew that I was in, said Morgan, who represents West Warwick in the Rhode Island House of Representatives but opted not to seek reelection to run for Whitehouses seat in the U.S. Senate. As of June 30, Morgan reported just over $97,000 cash on hand at the end of the second quarter, including $7,500 she loaned to her own campaign. Her finances came under scrutiny from the Federal Election Commission over irregularities in her campaign filings, which Morgan attributed to software glitch as well as confusion about the difference between state and federal reporting requirements. Her campaign submitted amended returns for the first and second quarters on July 18, which she said resolved the issue. FEC spokesperson Judith Ingram declined to comment on individual candidates or committees. Morgan said she is still weighing whether to purchase any new ads heading into the Sept. 10 primary, where she will square off against former Warwick City Administrator Raymond T. McKay. I would rather spend it on the real opponent, on the general election, than on the primary, Morgan said. McKay ended the quarter with just over $16,000 cash on hand, after raising more than $38,000 and spending roughly $31,000. No spending was made on TV ads. McKay did not respond to immediate request for comment. Michael Costa, Whitehouses Democratic primary challenger, was not required to file a report with the FEC because he did not raise the $5,000 minimum. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Whitmer on Harris winning Michigan: We cant take any person or any vote for granted Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) made clear the high stakes of her state in the presidential election this November, as Michigan could be the tipping point delivering the election for Vice President Harris. Whitmer told CNNs Jake Tapper on Tuesday that shes concerned about Democrats chances of winning Michigan in November, but that she is fully backing Harris and thinks she can carry the state. Michigans always going to be a battleground. Same with Pennsylvania, same with Wisconsin. You cannot take any of these states for granted, she said. The road to the White House goes through these three states, and thats why I think its so important that we have a huge presence. And what were seeing in Michigan on the ground, I can tell you Ive seen the campaign offices early last week, people are calling to volunteer. People are starting to make contributions, she continued. I mean, were really seeing the surge and energy. Whitmer said shes seen great turnout from Harris supporters at events she has attended for the vice president. At a recent event alongside Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), Whitmer said more than 1,500 people showed up to a rally expecting only hundreds. I mean its flattering, but were not the principals and yet were seeing this great excitement around the Harris campaign, she said. So Im fired up, but Im also sober. This is going to go down to the wire and in most of these states, and we cant take any person or any vote for granted. Harris is neck and neck with former President Trump nationally and in key swing states, according to recent polling. While the vice president has gained on President Bidens position since joining the race, it still appears to be a dead heat. A Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll published Tuesday found Harris with an 11-point lead in Michigan, which is by far the largest of the campaign. The same poll found Harris with a narrow 2-point lead in Wisconsin and trailing by 4 points in Pennsylvania. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. While the Army is working on a policy to establish how military leaders monitor soldiers after an injury, an Army Inspector General investigation reexamined the case of a then-Fort Bragg soldier found dead in his barracks in 2020. The body of Pvt. 2 Caleb Smither, 19, was found in his room at the post now known as Fort Liberty on Jan. 22, 2020, seven weeks after being assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and five days after he was given an order to rest after striking his head in the motor pool. Earlier this month, Smithers mother, Heather Baker, and her attorney Daniel Maharaj provided The Fayetteville Observer with a copy of the Army Inspector Generals investigation. An Army Inspector General investigation into the death of Pvt. 2 Caleb Smither prompted the Army to review how leaders check on injured soldiers. What the latest investigation says According to the Inspector Generals report, Rep. Jodey Arrington, who represents Smither's district in Texas, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz made a May 10, 2023, request on Bakers behalf that the Army reexamine the young soldier's death. Texas Sen. John Cornyn submitted and additional request on July 13, 2023. The report stated that Baker sent a letter to Cornyn in April 2023 asking that the Army reopen and conduct a thorough, unbiased investigation into all relevant facts leading up to (Smither's) death, as well as take all appropriate corrective action against those responsible for his death. The Army Inspector General provided recommendations on improvements to Army protocols for treating and monitoring injured Soldiers, and that Wormuth meet with Baker to discuss the case, the report stated. Baker told The Fayetteville Observer on July 3 that she met with Wormuth earlier this year. "I showed her pictures of Caleb, trying to humanize him, and a 7-minute video that shows his own words and spirit," Baker said. "I just wanted her to know what kind of soldier he was." According to the report, the Inspector Generals office reviewed 1,800 pages of documents, and conducted 24 interviews with witnesses, unit leaders, the battalion aid station physician assistant, officers for the command and line of duty investigations and a senior Criminal Investigation Division agent. The report noted that investigators with the Inspector General's Office attempted to interview the former company commander who is no longer associated with the government, but were unable to obtain a response. Attempts to interview the maintenance section sergeant and squad leader, who each have since retired from the Army, were unsuccessful because they declined based on advice from attorneys, the report stated. While investigators said the exact date that Smither died is unknown, another soldier had taken him to his barracks room Jan. 15, 2020, and reviews of his wireless key show his door was not opened again until his body was found six days later on Jan. 21. Investigators said that while there were several incoming calls to Smithers phone between Jan. 15-21, they could not conclude he spoke with anyone, during that timeframe. Smithers roommate told investigators he heard thumping and footsteps, on Jan. 19, but didnt know where the sounds came from and noticed a strong odor the following day, which prompted him to spray Febreze. The Inspector General's review of the roommate's interview also verified that the roommate worked early hours, supported by his key log entry, and he rarely saw Smither. The investigation stated that although investigators reviewed processes for the medical quality assurance Smither received while at Womack Army Medical Center, that role falls under the Defense Health Agency. Based on the review, IG investigators concluded that Smither hit his head Jan. 9, 2020, while working in the motor pool, and sought medical care about 3-4 days later when his headache worsened. The investigation stated that by Jan. 13, Smithers company leaders knew Smither hit his head, and motor pool leaders did not report the injury as a safety incident because the brigades safety program does not require an incident report for soldiers who arent admitted into the hospital. Similar to the other investigations, the IG investigation stated that Smither visited a battalion aid station and Womack Army Medical Centers emergency room on Jan. 14 and 15. He was diagnosed on Jan. 15 with a tension headache and told to follow up with a primary care doctor. Smither showed up to formation the following day wearing goggles due to light sensitivity and worsening headache. Leaders took him to the emergency room, where a head scan was determined to be unremarkable, and Smither was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, along with the doctor noting a sinus disease, the investigation stated. Smither was discharged from the hospital and placed on quarters, meaning he was told to stay in his room and was excused from work. Months after his death when the autopsy report was completed, the Office of Mortuary Affairs concluded that Smither died from acute bacterial meningitis, the Inspector General report stated. Similar to the commands investigation, the Inspector Generals investigation found that Smithers health and welfare, was the responsibility of his command, and that his company unit leaders had an inherent responsibility, for his health and welfare. The report states that leaders knew Smither was seen in the emergency room several times before the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. four-day holiday. The report states that a soldier informally asked to check on Smither did not perform any checks or report information about Smither to company leadership during the holiday, while company leaders also did not conduct a welfare check. Those who testified to calling or knocking on Smither's door during the 4-day holiday period did not express concern to anyone when they did not receive a verbal, physical, or a text response from Caleb Smither, the report stated. One soldier told investigators that they thought the lack of response meant Smither went back to the emergency room. The report also found that the command investigation was not properly authenticated with a signature when the brigade changed commanders. Recommendations The Inspector Generals Office recommended that: The brigade establish a policy of reporting safety accidents resulting in a soldier going to the hospital, even if they are not admitted. Brigade leadership examine sick call procedures and the first sergeant or company commander ensures accountability of soldiers without further delegation. That brigade Ieaders implement protocols in their units to provide health and welfare checks on ill or injured soldiers who are unaccompanied or living in the barracks. "Service members deserve the best and not to be sent home on American soil in a body bag," Baker said. "My heart aches for families who have similar situations. This is a first hope for us all, that we have hopefully leaders in all branches who will hear our pleas." In a statement that she also shared, Baker said that others are willing to participate in the "time-honored," tradition to serve their country. "I want to make sure they have the best they can have while on duty ...I'm eagerly awaiting transforming effects of possibility. To have accountability and care at the highest level, I can now tell families there is a protocol in place to protect their service member." Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Army Inspector General reexamines Fort Bragg soldier death case For the past eight years, Democrats have countered Donald Trumps apocalyptic vision of the future with an approach that, ironically, plays into the former presidents rhetorical premisewarning us about his vision and debunking it. Thats why its notable that Kamala Harris, her campaign, and other leading Democrats have leaned heavily into a message that Governor Tim Walz launched during a July 23 appearance on Morning Joe: Trump and J.D. Vance are weird. Some of what [Trump] and his running mate are saying, it is just plain weird, Harris said at her first fundraiser as presumptive Democratic nominee. When Trump appeared on Fox News last week, her campaign issued a bullet-pointed list of observations, including, Trump is old and quite weird? And over the weekend, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: Every day it comes out Vance has done something more extreme, more weird, more erratic. What makes weird such an oddly effective line of criticism? Most Democratic politicians, talking heads, policy wonks, and voters have known that Trump is weird since at least 2016. But for some reason, Democratic politicians dont seem to have seriously tested this as a deliberate, sustained message in stump speeches or on cable news appearances. They frequently describe Trump as contemptible, even buffoonish and hapless, but never as simply strange. For eight years, they have been careful not to appear too dismissive and risk repeating their 2016 mistake of underestimating him and thinking the election is in the bag. But in doing so they have overlooked the risk inherent in taking Trump too seriously: It permits him to set the rhetorical stage and (by extension) frame the subjects up for debate. Instead they compared him to historical dictators and painted him as a threat to democracy. That messaging, as Walz noted in a CNN appearance, gave Trump too much credit and too much power. With the advent of the Walz-Harris weird framing, however, they are describing him as less akin to Hitler and more like the Saturday Night Live character Matt Foley, a hyperbolic motivational speaker with a dark vision of our future and a notably peculiar manner of speaking. The notion of Trumpian weirdness is not itself novel. His most vociferous supporters have long been the subject of jokes: the uncle who ruins Thanksgiving, the QAnon Karen who smashes rainbow flag product displays. But that word, weird, hasweirdlyrarely been applied to Trump himself. And this is strange because Trump is an objectively weird person. Listen to the guy, Walz pointed out. Hes talking about Hannibal Lecter and shocking sharks and just whatever crazy thing pops into his mind. To belabor the point: Normal politicians dont have YouTube supercuts of their most bizarre verbal mannerisms and off-topic digressions. But Democrats have often taken Trumps weirdness at face value, countering his odd statements or using them to highlight his declining mental state. Until now, though, they havent simply rhetorically nudged voters and whispered: Get a load of this guy. Weird behavior is challenging to define. Its a moving target based on a number of factors, like your tolerance for social awkwardness and stress, your cultural background, as well as the context of the situation that youre in. It is akin to Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewarts attempt to define pornography: I know it when I see it. But the acceptable contexts for weirdness are easier to define. John Waters can be weird. People who cover their bodies head to toe in metallic paint and do the robot on Michigan Avenue can be weird. Alfred Matthew Yankovic has had one of the most successful careers of any musician on the planet by harnessing our positive and fun associations with the word. But we all agree that the president shouldnt be a weirdo. Now lets get to the weird power of calling someone weird. As far as ad hominems go, its disarming. It lands so lightlycompared, say, with Trumps hyperbolic use of the word evilthat when the dismissal fits, as it manifestly does with Trump and Vance, it preempts any effective retort. Take, for example, Vances recent disastrous attempts to clarify his own weird remarks about childless cat ladies. The more he pleads his case that he is not a weirdo, the weirder he comes across. Anyone with siblings or who has worked in a setting with clear and unforgiving social hierarchieslike a school or the militaryknows this. When the context fits, calling someone weird deflates and disempowers them. And the more they argue otherwise, the more attention they draw to their own peculiarities. Its especially devastating against bullies who crave and rely upon being taken seriously. Im not arguing that calling someone weird demonstrates our best social tendencies, but it is a particularly effective way of handling bullies like Trump and Vance. Its little surprise, then, that Walz originated the jibe: He was a public school teacher and lunch monitor for 20 years. You dont leave that life with hair, and you dont leave that life without effective rhetorical strategies for dealing with bullies. What were experiencing is a relatively common phenomenon: We observe something that is so evident that we dont think it warrants repetition, discussion, or analysis. If you asked me, Do you think Trump is weird? at any point over the past eight years, I would have said yesobviously. But sometimes the emperors proverbial lack of clothes is so apparent that no one bothers to express it. Democrats never explored that obvious aspect of Trumps personality in messaging. Walz finally did, and now it feels like a refreshing but familiar revelation. It feels like Democrats are finally speaking to the way that many of us experience Trumpwith a heavy dose of fear, sure, but also with a baseline feeling of incredulity. Who is this guy? In the same way that Trumps rants often give voice to his supporters grievances and fears, Democrats are now articulating the befuddlement and bemusement the rest of us have felt for years. But the best thing about calling Trump weird is that it allows Democrats to pivot to a different message. They no longer have to respond to Trumps central apocalyptic rhetorical premise and can focus on a more positive, substantive message, defined on their own terms. Let Trumps running mate stay deep in the weeds, fighting a social media proxy war with Jennifer Aniston and Swifties. Im not a political scientist, Im just a guy who was a teacher and has a little bit of background in rhetoric. I can tell you that the word weird has some powerful connotations. Nowadays we use it to mean bizarre, but historically we used the word to describe something supernatural or uncanny. In this case, Harris, Walz, and the other Democrats are using the full power of all these meanings. Looking at Trump or Vance is like looking at a funhouse-mirror version of a New York celebrity mogul, or a Silicon Valley venture capitalist. Describing someone as weird calls attention to their posturing and affectations thatwhen unnoticedgive them actual power. Weird takes the paper tiger, crumples it up and arcs it, across the classroom, and into the trash. Then everyone, even the teacher, hoots and hollers for weird. Why Donald Trump Will Be Speaking at the NABJ Convention but Not Kamala Harris The National Association of Black Journalists 2024 Convention will feature an appearance from former president Donald Trump, but not Vice President Kamala Harris, which the organization says is the result of a scheduling conflict. The NABJ has faced criticism in recent days for inviting Trump to appear at the conference, with even the events co-chair Karen Attiah stepping down from her role partially due to the booking. While my decision was influenced by a variety of factors, I was not involved or consulted with in any way with the decision to platform Trump in such a format, Attiah wrote on social media. NABJ president Ken Lemon said in a Wednesday statement that the organization has engaged in conversations with both political parties since January. He further noted that they were in contact with Harris team for an in-person appearance prior to President Joe Bidens withdrawal from the race. However, we were advised by her campaign that her schedule could not accommodate this request, Lemon explained. The last update we were provided was that Harris would not be available in person or virtually during our convention. We are in talks about virtual options in the future and are still working to reach an agreement. But according to journalist April Ryan, the NABJ initially shut down the conversation for a virtual town hall. Only after reports of what happened were posted did the NABJ leadership feverishly begin to ask the @VP to now consider a virtual town hall, Ryan posted on social media. Tia Mitchell, chair of the Political Task Force for the NABJ, also posted on social media that after Harris camp confirmed the presidential hopeful would not be able to attend, they attempted to encourage the campaign to provide a surrogate instead. However, Mitchell noted that NABJ leadership was not aware of these conversations and only wanted Harris, not an alternate to speak at the conference. I stand behind NABJs decision to invite former President Trump to answer questions from Black journalists relevant to the Black community, Mitchell wrote. I remain hopeful that NABJ members will get to hear from VP Harris in the same way in some fashion. Lemons statement also highlighted how an invitation to speak is not an endorsement of a candidate, saying, While we acknowledge the concerns expressed by our members, we believe it is important for us to provide our members with the opportunity to hear directly from candidates and hold them accountable. Trump is already using the controversy as an attack on Harris, posting on Truth Social that Crazy Kamala disrespectfully refused to attend the National Association of Black Journalists Conference. I am on my way to meet with them now in Chicago, he continued. Because of which, shell probably end up doing, she has no choice, but remember it is only for that reason! Though Trump did not attend the NABJ Conventions in 2020 nor 2016, several other presidential hopefuls have over the years including former Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Trump will participate in a conversation on Wednesday, the first day of the convention, which will be moderated by Rachel Scott, senior congressional correspondent for ABC News; Harris Faulkner, anchor of The Faulkner Focus and cohost of Outnumbered on Fox News; and Kadia Goba, politics reporter at Semafor. The event will not be open to the public, but will be live-streamed via NABJs YouTube and Facebook pages. The post Why Donald Trump Will Be Speaking at the NABJ Convention but Not Kamala Harris appeared first on TheWrap. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Gov. Tina Kotek has ordered flags at all public buildings to be lowered half-staff in memory of the air tanker pilot who lost his life fighting an Oregon wildfire last week. James Bailey Maxwell of Idaho went missing July 25 while flying a single-engine air tanker in the Malheur National Forest, where the Falls Fire continues to blacken 142,307 acres with only 69% containment. Man accused of intentionally running over seagulls on Washington beach Officials recovered Maxwells plane on Friday, July 26. I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of Mr. Maxwell while he fought the Falls Fire. On behalf of Oregon, I want to extend my condolences to Mr. Maxwells family, loved ones, and fellow firefighters, Gov. Kotek said. I would also like to thank the search and rescue team for their quick recovery efforts to bring Mr. Maxwell home. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the single-engine Air Tractor 802A crashed around 11:30 p.m. Maxwell had been the only occupant at the time. VIDEO: Rare Rocky Mountain goat sighting on Mount Hood Last week, Gov. Kotek shared the following statement: Firefighters in the field look out for one another. When harm falls on one, it is felt by all, she said. I want to thank all those who were a part of the search efforts for the recovered SEAT, and everyone fighting fires right now. I have your back, and I will continue to deploy every available resource to aid you. The flags are set to be lowered through sunset on Thursday, Aug. 1. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Why Gov. Mike DeWine is wrong about gerrymandering yet again Thomas Suddes is a former legislative reporter with The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and writes from Ohio University. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine on Wednesday called on Ohio voters to reject the voter-proposed Citizens Not Politicians ballot issue intended to eliminate gerrymandering that will appear on Novembers statewide ballot. If Ohioans ratify the plan proposed by the petition signatures of more than 731,000 people the proposed constitutional amendment will wrest away control of drawing the states congressional and legislative from Statehouse insiders, including DeWine. A 15-member Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission, composed of a mix of Democrats, Republicans and Independents, but excluding current or former politicians and lobbyists, would draw districts. But DeWine wants voters to adopt a plan like Iowas General Assembly adopted in 1980. It requires Iowas equivalent of Ohios nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission to draw congressional and legislative districts and then win the legislatures aproval. According to PolitiFact, Iowa law says legislative maps cannot be redrawn with the intent of favoring a political party, incumbent state legislator or member of Congress. DeWines gripe with Ohios proposed Citizens Not Politicians plan is that it would, he says, require proportionality. That, in turn, would lead to splitting populations with common needs and interests (a given county, city, village or township) and dilute a communitys Statehouse oomph. Proportionality is a $5 word that means the percentage of Ohio General Assembly seats that political party wins should roughly match that partys share of Ohios statewide vote. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine speaks before the ribbon cutting on Wednesday, July 23, at the 2024 Ohio State Fair. Gerrymandering and hypocrisy has grown Example: In 2020, Republican Donald Trump drew about 53% of Ohios vote. Theoretically, proportionality would seemingly require that 53% (or 52) of Ohios 99 state House districts favor Republicans. (Instead, under now-GOP-drawn districts, Republicans hold 67 of the Houses seats and 27 seats in the 33-seat Ohio Senate.) As for splitting communities, the General Assembly, as now districted, and run for almost a generation with districts supposedly more sensitive to local needs, has repeatedly thumbed its nose at constitutionally guaranteed city and village home rule in Ohio, regardless of whether district lines split south Succotash (to borrow Ronald Reagans snarky term for Americas hamlets) or any other Ohio crossroads. Redistricting plan will clean districts: Ohioans will have a chance to regain power seized by lawmakers As for DeWines timing to get an Iowa-type plan through the General Assembly by Aug. 7, the deadline for placing the measure on Novembers ballot he hinted that while he likely could nudge the Ohio Senate to submit it to voters. The House (run by a coalition of GOP rebels and the Houses Democratic minority) wouldve stymied him. If, next year, the General Assembly fails to pass an Iowa-style districting plan, DeWine vowed hed lead a petition drive to put such a plan on the ballot. Theres no reason to doubt his sincerity, although DeWine voted last fall for the General Assemblys current, gerrymandered, districts. Among other ironies, the governor is on record as saying politicians shouldnt be the deciders in drawing Ohios congressional and General Assembly districts. But the Iowa plan, by requiring its General Assembly to approve proposed districts, makes incumbent legislators decisive. Maybe that can work in a state whose political culture doesnt feature brass knuckles. But Ohios does. Thomas Suddes Democrats may see more turnout One thing thats incontrovertible is that Ohio Democrats are walking with a spring in their steps thanks to the surge of enthusiasm for Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats presumptive presidential nominee. Its unlikely Ohio will cast its electoral votes for Harris rather than Republican presidential nominee Trump, the excitement Harris has stoked may well drive up Democratic turnout in Ohio in November. Thatd likely boost statewide support for the re-election campaign of Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Cleveland Democrat being challenged by the Republican nominee, Bernie Moreno, a successful Greater Cleveland entrepreneur. Brown, first elected to the Senate in 2006, and earlier Ohios secretary of state and U.S. House member, is seeking his fourth Senate term. Meanwhile. Trumps vice-presidential running mate, Sen. JD Vance, a Cincinnati Republican, has had a rough debut in his new national role. Its foolish to discount Vances resume. But hes about to learn, if he hasnt already, that anything Donald Trump touches, he damages. Thomas Suddes is a former legislative reporter with The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and writes from Ohio University. He can be reached at tsuddes@gmail.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Politicians like Gov. DeWine can't be trusted to end gerrymandering Kamala Harris is days if not mere hours from publicly announcing her selection of a running mate for the remainder of the 2024 cycle. A Yinzer may be at the top of her list. Pennsylvanias Josh Shapiro emerged early on as a strong contender in the running to serve as the vice presidents own future VP, with Harris now at the top of the Democratic ticket and Joe Biden stepping aside. Married to highschool sweetheart Lori Ferrara, the governor and his wife moved back to Pennsylvania to raise their children after Shapiro graduated from Georgetown Law. It was his law school time which saw him get his foot in the door as a political operative he worked as an intern for Carl Levins Senate office. He almost never got into politics at all. I started as a pre-med student, but a few months into freshman year, I nearly flunked out of organic chemistry, he revealed to students at University of Rochester in 2023. A swing-state governor enjoying a wave of popularity through his first term, Shapiro checks several boxes for the Harris campaign. His ability to drive out votes for Harris particularly in western Pennsylvania is possibly Shapiros most important selling point. The governors commanding victory in 2022, a 15-point brutalizing of his opponent Doug Mastriano, was aided in part by the fact that Shapiro was about to turn out voters in every county. Even in deep-red Republican counties with far fewer voters, where Democrats are often wiped out, the governor was about to turn out between 17-30 per cent of the vote in his favor. Compare that to Mastriano, who received just 13.1 per cent of the vote in Philadelphia County, the second-largest district by voter turnout. If Shapiro were able to deliver Pennsylvania and its 19 electoral votes, it would be a major pickup for the Harris campaign. Doing so would allow Democrats to shift more resources to states like Georgia, Arizona and even places like Florida where local parties are hoping for more resources from their national counterparts. Its no coincidence the other reported finalists for the spots all have battleground state appeal as well Minnesotas Tim Walz, Michigans Gary Peters, Arizonas Mark Kelly and even Kentuckys Andy Beshear, whose connections to Appalachia have been seen as a possible counter to Donald Trumps Ohio-hailing running mate JD Vance. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has emerged as a finalist to be Kamala Harriss running mate in 2024 (Getty Images) But Shapiro, like any candidate, is not perfect. His support for Israel, while a mainstream Democratic position to be sure, has veered at times over the past year into instances where he has been accused repeatedly of insufficiently caring for the loss of civilian lives in Gaza. The governor has also been accused of likening campus protesters with a wide range of views about Israel and Gaza to the KKK. As a result, progressives are thought to oppose Shapiros addition to the ticket more strongly than any of the others reported to be in contention for the role. Pick Shapiro, lose Michigan has been a common warning issued by lefties on Twitter/X who argue that Michigans sizable Muslim-American and Palestinian-American communities will be turned off from voting for a Harris-Shapiro ticket. He has also picked a fight with one of Harriss erstwhile allies, teachers unions, in his home state with support for charter school vouchers in Pennsylvanias annual budget. Still, it could be a gamble Harriss team is willing to take. She has been careful to not stray too far from the position on Israels offensive in Gaza taken by Joe Biden, which has already caused deep rifts between national Democratic officials and Muslim Democratic-leaning voters, some of whom spurned a peacemaking meeting with Democrats in March. And Harriss numbers are still underwater in Pennsylvania, where a new Morning Consult poll on Tuesday found her trailing Trump by four per centage points. The same poll saw her leading by nine in Michigan. Political similarities exist between Shapiro and JD Vance, Donald Trumps newly-announced running mate (AP) Shapiro was first elected to the Pennsylvania statehouse in 2004. Hed later go on to be elected the states attorney general in 2016 after serving as Montgomery County commissioner. The soon-to-be-governor staked out a liberal record on social issues during this time period, including on abortion rights and LGBTQ+ marriage rights. He was reelected in 2020 and only became the states governor in 2023, after winning an election the year prior and winning an unopposed Democratic primary. Vance, Trumps running mate, only took office himself the same year, and now could become vice president less than two years into his first six-year term. But Shapiro, unlike Vance, has been eyed in recent days for his charisma onstage stumping for Harris and his ability to land a punch the opposite summation of the senators abilities after a week of his pummeling by the Democratic campaign apparatus. At a rally alongside Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday, Shapiro mocked Trump for hugging the flag and proved he could effectively deliver the Trump and Vance are weird attack line. I love the flag, but its a weird thing he does, Shapiro told a laughing crowd. At least some writing appears to be on the wall indicating that Shapiro could be Harriss pick. The vice president is set to unveil her running mate selection in his home state next Tuesday at a rally in Philadelphia though that could also be an attempt to throw reporters off the scent. And shes set for a swing through other battlegrounds as well in the coming days, including Arizona, from which Kelly hails. The next few days will be some of the most important of Harriss political career. Her eventual pick will reveal much about where the campaign sees its strengths, its weaknesses, and possibly its intended targets, too. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), geomagnetic storm watches are out for July 29 through August 1 due to a number of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). This means the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, might be drifting down south again soon. Officials say CMEs are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Suns corona. CMEs can eject billions of tons of coronal material and carry an embedded magnetic field that is stronger than the background solar wind interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) strength. However, why does this happen? What causes the northern lights? NASA officials explain that since the Sun is our nearest star, it is constantly giving off particles, along with magnetic fields, that flow out across the solar system. Scientists call this the solar wind, a kind of space weather. As the solar wind reaches Earth, it draws the magnetic field around Earth out long, away from the Sun, like the shape of a tadpole. Officials say charged particles from the solar wind get stuck in these magnetic fields and go around to the side opposite the Sun. On this magnetotail side, the magnetic fields stretch until they reconnect with one another in a new way. The particles are accelerated back toward the Earths north and south magnetic poles, where they rain into the ionized upper atmosphere. They collide with atoms and molecules there to create the lights of the aurora. NASA explains sometimes stronger kinds of space weather coming from the Sun, like CMEs, or fast solar wind from coronal holes, can cause even more brilliant, widespread aurora. So why do the lights sometimes drift further south? According to NASA, when strong space weather pours more energy into the aurora, its usual oval-shaped rings around the magnetic north and south poles can expand toward the equator, bringing auroras to lower latitudes. This happens more when the Sun is more active, called solar maximum, and we are near this time now. Will this cause any problems? Officials say most of the time, there will be no issues as a result of this event. Life on Earth has evolved alongside the Sun, and geomagnetic storms are normal phenomena that dont harm people or animals. NASA says that like any kind of weather, rare, strong geomagnetic storms can have effects on large technology systems like GPS, power grids and satellites, but professional space weather forecasters work closely with governments and industries to prevent issues. Officials note that small devices like smartphones and computers will not be affected by this event. Who will be seeing this round of lights? According to NOAAs model, the furthest south the view line could be for the night of July 31 is near Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. However, the model highlights the likelihood of the aurora appearing in northern Wisconsin and on Michigans upper peninsula. Meanwhile, on August 1, the view line runs through the middle of Wisconsin, and northern Minnesota is in the area where the aurora could be seen overhead. On both days, the Tri-State is unlikely to see this latest round of the northern lights. However, NASA officials say people can sign up for an Aurorasaurus account to receive alerts for when the aurora may be visible near them. NASA officials note that auroras are different from phenomena like eclipses and comets in that they cannot be predicted way ahead of time. Seeing the northern lights, especially at lower latitudes, is always a game of chance. They also note that the Sun is at the most active part of its 11-year cycle, so there is a chance that the aurora could visit lower latitudes again over the next few years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). GOVE COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) A Wichita couple was rushed to a Gove County hospital after a crash on Interstate 70 in northwest Kansas Tuesday. It happened over the noon hour, southwest of Grinnell in Gove County. This embedded content is not available in your region. The Kansas Highway Patrol said a semi hauling two trailers failed to maintain a single lane and hit the Wichita couples Chevy Tahoe. The Tahoe spun in front of the semi, went down the embankment and rolled a number of times. The semi remained upright with its power unit halfway in the right lane and its two trailers in the ditch. KDOT closes lane under Structurally deficient I-70 bridge The Wichita man and woman, both 67, were taken to Gove County Medical Center with suspected serious injuries. The Colorado man who was driving the semi complained of pain but was not believed to have a serious injury. The crash remains under investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. MADRID (Reuters) - Hundreds of firefighters backed up by waterbomber aircraft sought to contain two wildfires that have raged since Tuesday in eastern Spain, and much of the rest of the country is on red alert for heat and fires. A blaze in Benasau in the eastern region of Valencia forced emergency services to remove several hundred villagers from their homes as a precaution when it broke out in nearby hills. Firefighters said the "fire is evolving favourably" following all-night efforts. Another one, in the province of Cuenca more inland, has burnt through more than 1,500 hectares of vegetation since Tuesday. Both blazes have been qualified as severe. Weather service AEMET predicted maximum temperatures of 43-44 degrees Celsius (109.4-111.2F) in parts of the country on Wednesday, which is expected to be the peak day of a heatwave, while the interior ministry warned of very high or extreme risk of wildfires across Spain. AEMET said that the Barcelona-Fabra observatory in the northeastern region of Catalonia registered an all-time high temperature of 40 C on Tuesday, beating its previous record of 39.8 C (103.64F) set in July 1982. This is the third heatwave in Spain over the last two weeks. Rising global temperatures due to climate change have also contributed to more frequent wildfires elsewhere - from China to Canada. In Europe, they are also raging in the Balkans region. (Reporting by Emma Pinedo and Andrei Khalip; editing by Barbara Lewis) Proponents of a measure that would create a $1 million death benefit for the families of officers killed in the line of duty submitted 199,067 signatures to the office of the Secretary of State in hopes of garnering a place on the November ballot. Wildlife experts are asserting that Bornean elephants are endangered because of human activities, Reuters reported. What's happening? The International Union for Conservation of Nature released an assessment that found that agriculture, mining, logging, and other human activities have caused Bornean elephants to become endangered. The IUCN scientists said there are only 1,000 of these elephants left in the wild. "It's a small population, and it could easily disappear if we just let development happen without any conservation actions," said Craig Hilton-Taylor, head of the IUCN Red List Unit, per Reuters. The Red List assesses extinction risks for species. Why is this news important? According to Reuters, Bornean elephants have lost much of their habitat in the last 75 years, which is forcing these large mammals into human-dominated areas in search of food. This has led to crop loss and more human-wildlife conflict, which can result in injury or death for both humans and elephants. Meanwhile, Bornean elephants are important ecosystem shapers, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare. As they roam, looking for food, they create clearings and pathways through the forest, which influences the distribution of plants and helps smaller animals reach food and water. The disturbances in habitats caused by elephants can create microhabitats that benefit different plants and animals as well. The organization also asserts that elephants' positive impact on forest ecosystems can help us in the fight against an overheating planet, since forests help store planet-heating carbon. What's being done to protect Bornean elephants? According to Reuters, the Malaysian and Indonesian governments, which control parts of Borneo, have enacted conservation plans that work with corporations, private landowners, and conservationists. Plus, officials are looking to create elephant corridors so that these animals can move safely between fragmented areas of their range. Though the future may seem grim for Bornean elephants, conservationists have brought several species back from the brink. For instance, ospreys are on the verge of being taken off the New Jersey endangered species list after years of conservation actions. Plus, environmentalists celebrated the comeback of the Iberian lynx which once numbered just 62 in the wild but is now up to 2,000 in Portugal and Spain. While it may be difficult to imagine how you could make a difference for wildlife across the world, small actions can help. For instance, the logging and mining that threatens Bornean elephant habitat can be linked to excess consumption. You can reduce the amount of "stuff" you consume by supporting circular brands instead of buying products made from virgin resources. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Before there was a yawning cultural divide over Donald Trump, there was a yawning cultural divide over William L. Calley, who, The Washington Post revealed this week, died this past April at 80. The Calley Gap and the Trump Gap are different ways of describing the same cultural breach. Calley divided the country into two groups. The first, broadly but not exclusively working class, pledged support for the former Army lieutenant, who was court-martialed for murdering 504 innocent civilians in South Vietnam. Today this same group pledges fealty to a former president convicted on 34 counts of felony fraud. The second group, broadly but not exclusively of the professional-managerial class, was repelled by Calley and his supporters. Today this group is similarly repelled by Trump and his supporters. Let me state before proceeding further that there are two important differences between Calley and Trump. The first is thateven in a combat settingmurder is a much worse offense than criminal fraud. The second difference is that, whereas Trumps claims to victimhood are 100 percent hooeythe man is a billionaire who committed crimes with impunity, both in and out of officeCalley really was a victim (though hardly an innocent one), in the sense that the Army made him the fall guy for the March 1968 My Lai massacre. In the end, not even Calleys commanding officer, Captain Ernest Medina, who was present in My Lai, was punished. Higher-ups, meanwhile, never answered for covering up Calleys crime, which they swept under the rug for more than a year until an Army whistleblower and the investigative reporter Seymour Hersh forced them to act. The My Lai massacre occurred during the Tet Offensive, a series of attacks in 1968 by the North Vietnamese Peoples Army and its guerrilla allies in the south, the Viet Cong. A group of five platoons called Charlie Company suffered heavy losses as it conducted search-and-destroy missions in South Vietnamese villages and hamlets. The difference between who was a civilian and who was Viet Cong was usually unclear. U.S. troops addressed this problem by declaring certain areas free-fire zones and distributing leaflets advising civilians to leave the area. But as is true today when Israeli soldiers make similar efforts in Gaza, the civilians often had no place to go. According to Hershs 1970 book, My Lai 4, Calleys platoon entered that hamlet (subsequently known just as My Lai) with instructions to flush out a Viet Cong battalion of about 260 men. The idea was to destroy the village, Medina later said, so the 48th VC would be forced to move. Houses, bunkers, and tunnels were ordered destroyed, and livestock ordered killed. According to multiple witnesses quoted by HershMedina and at least one other witness denied thisMedina further ordered the killing of men, women, and children. The way I think he said it, recalled one, and the way they took itwas that anything in the village was VC. Calley followed his instructions to the letter, even though he and his men never came under fire. On the lieutenants orders, about 80 villagers were taken from their houses and herded into a plaza. Some shouted, No VC. No VC. When Calley returned 10 minutes later and found them still alive, he said: Havent you got rid of them yet? I want them dead. Calley then hoisted his M16 rifle and started shooting them himself. Pretty soon, according to Hersh, there was shooting everywhere. Medina saw at least some of this and did nothing to stop it. I cut their throats, cut off their hands, cut out their tongue, their hair, scalped them, recalled one participant, who later killed himself. I did it. A lot of people were doing it, and I just followed. The Army issued a press release, written by a witness to the massacre, that portrayed My Lai as a victorious raid on a Viet Cong stronghold. One task force commander was quoted saying the operation went like clockwork. That would have remained the official story had not an infantryman named Ronald Ridenhour with an investigative bent (he later became a reporter) heard about the massacre. Ridenhour quietly gathered evidence and, on returning to the United States, sent a letter detailing the My Lai massacre to the Pentagon, the State Department, and 24 members of Congress. Ridenhours letter led to the equivalent of a grand jury proceeding against Calley. Even then, the prosecution might well have gone nowhere. But Hersh got wind of the proceeding, tracked down Calley and his accusers, and wrote a Pulitzer Prizewinning newspaper series and, later, two books about My Lai. Without Hershs iron will, the story would likely have been contained and Calley acquitted. Eugene L. Fidell, who teaches military law at Yale Law School, told me he could recall no court martials involving this sort of civilian slaughter during World War II and the Korean War. Getting the press interested in My Lai proved almost as difficult as getting the Army to prosecute. In his 2018 memoir, Reporter, Hersh related that Ridenhour tried to sell a My Lai story to Life, Look, Harpers, and The Washington Post. None was interested. The same editor at Life turned Hersh down four months later. Robert Silvers wanted to run Hershs account in The New York Review of Books, but Hersh (foolishly) balked when Silvers proposed adding a contextual paragraph near the top and decided to syndicate the story himself with the help of the antiwar activist turned literary agent David Obst. The only nationally prominent editor Hersh could persuade to run his first story in the series was Ben Bradlee of The Washington Post. Goddamn it, Bradlee said, according to Hersh, Ive got hundreds of reporters working for me and this has to come from the outside. Publish it. It smells right. The military tribunal found Calley guilty and sentenced him to life (later reduced by President Richard Nixon to 20 years and still later to 10; in the end, Calley served five years, much of it under house arrest). Shaun Raviv, in a 2018 Smithsonian article commemorating My Lais fiftieth anniversary, described the public reaction this way: His name became a rallying cry on both the right and the left. Hawks said that Calley had been simply doing his job. Doves said Calley had taken the fall for the generals and politicians whod dragged America into a disastrous and immoral conflict. Indiana Gov. Edgar Whitcomb ordered the states flags to fly at half-staff. Gov. John Bell Williams of Mississippi said his state was about ready to secede from the Union over the Calley verdict. George Wallace, the MAGA forerunner whod run for president the year before, demanded a presidential pardon for Calley and posed with him for a photograph. Raviv continues: Two musicians from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, released a recording called The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley, which included the line, Theres no other way to wage a war. It sold more than a million copies. Digger ODell, a professional showman based in Columbus, Georgia, buried himself alive for 79 days in a used-car lot. Passersby could drop a coin into a tube that led down to ODells grave, with the proceeds going toward a fund for Calley. He later welded shut the doors of his car, refusing to come out until Calley was set free. George McGovern, meanwhile, said that My Lai took the mask off the Vietnam War. I think that, for the first time, millions of Americans are realizing that we have stumbled into a conflict where we not only, of necessity, commit atrocities against the people of Vietnam, but where in a sense we brutalize our own people and our own nation. Esquire somehow persuaded the unwary Calley to pose for a chilling cover photograph in which he was surrounded by Asian children. In the accompanying article, Calley rambled in a manner one might call Trumpian: People ask me, What do you have against women and children? Damn, I havent a thing! I love women. I love children, too. I love people. I havent a thing against them. But people say, Why did you kill, then? Well damn! Why did I go to Vietnam? Calley elaborated, grotesquely, in a 1971 memoir: On babies everyones really hung up. But babies! The little, innocent babies! Of course, weve been in Vietnam for 10 years now. If were in Vietnam another 10, if your son is killed by those babies, youll cry at me, Why didnt you kill those babies that day? This voice sounds familiar, no? Coarse, morally obtuse, yet inexplicably beloved by a sizable portion of Americans? Its still with us more than half a century later. Perhaps we should be grateful Calley never ran for president. Trump did, of course, and acted in a way not even Nixon did in Calleys case, in 2019 pardoning a pair of Army officers convicted of committing atrocities in Afghanistan and Iraq and promoting a Navy officer acquitted of killing Iraqi civilians and an enemy prisonerall over the objections of Pentagon leadership. We train our boys to be killing machines, then prosecute them when they kill! Trump tweeted. The following year Trump pardoned four Blackwater private security contractors convicted of similar crimes. Unlike Trump, Calley eventually tired of unfriendly press coverage and withdrew so far from the public eye that after a researcher at Harvard Law School recently stumbled on a record of Calleys death, his family still declined to confirm it. Calley held a distorted mirror before the country he servedthe same mirror Donald Trump brandished in 2016 and 2020, and again this year. A lot of people want to say, That is not who we are. In truth, it sometimes is. William Calley, officer convicted for his role in My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War, dead at 80 William L. Calley Jr., the only US Army soldier to be convicted in the 1968 My Lai massacre, which saw more than 300 unarmed Vietnamese civilians killed by US soldiers in one of the most notorious war crimes in American history, has died. He was 80. Calleys death was first reported by The Washington Post, citing his death certificate. CNN later confirmed Calley died on April 28, through public records maintained by the Social Security Administration. He had been living in Gainesville, Florida, according to those records. For decades, Calleys name was synonymous with one of the worst atrocities of the Vietnam War, as the lieutenant who led Charlie Company to My Lai, though he maintained he was following orders. While multiple officers were charged in connection with the massacre, Calley was the only one convicted. According to historians, his actions sharply divided the nation, pitting those who supported the US efforts to rout out communism against those who felt the tragedy underscored the countrys moral and ethical decline during the war. The photograph of the Napalm Girl the picture of General Loan shooting the Viet Cong in Saigon. Calley just brings to mind all of those things, said Bill Allison, history professor at Georgia Southern University and author of the book My Lai: An American Atrocity in the Vietnam War. But the fact is, the vast majority of the NCOs and young lieutenants and captains served with honor in Vietnam and did the best they could in this horrible situation, Allison said. And they didnt wantonly kill unarmed men, women and children. The massacre On March 16, 1968, US Army soldiers gunned down hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians in the remote hamlet of My Lai in South Vietnam. It is the worst war crime in American history certainly the worst war crime committed by soldiers in the American Army, said retired Col. Fred Borch, a military lawyer and the former regimental historian and archivist for the US Armys Judge Advocate Generals Corps. The US Army concluded nearly 350 people died in the attack, but the Vietnamese government puts the number at closer to 500, Borch said. A 1970 investigation by the House Armed Services Committee details what began in the early hours of the morning, when units of the Armys 11th Brigade landed outside the small hamlet they referred to as My Lai. The soldiers, acting on flawed intelligence that a Viet Cong unit had been stationed in the village, had been briefed that all civilians were expected to be gone from the hamlet at the time set for the assault, according to the report. The units involved in the My Lai operation had minimal training with respect to the handling of civilians under the Rules of Engagement and the Geneva Conventions, the report stated. Although Charlie Company where Calley was an officer had yet to see direct combat, the report noted the unit had also suffered more than 40 casualties in their four months in Vietnam as a result of mines, booby traps, and sniper fire. Allison said some would later speculate if the attack was an attempt at payback. Calley would claim during his court martial hearing that he had been ordered to kill the unarmed civilians, an allegation his superiors denounced. When they got to the village, it was full of unresisting and unarmed women and children and old men, Borch said. Calley and his men rounded up these civilians and then Calley ordered his men to kill them. The massacre lasted for hours. Homes were destroyed and set ablaze. Women were raped by soldiers and an investigation later revealed that dead civilians were found on roads, in ditches and in rice paddies throughout the village. Many women died protecting children. A ditch in My Lai village, Vietnam, where US troops killed Vietnamese civilians on March 16, 1968. - Brad Lendon/CNN During the melee, US Army pilot Hugh Thompson landed his helicopter between soldiers and civilians. With the help of his crew, Thompson gathered those he could and evacuated them to safety. Thompson later reported what hed witnessed to his commanders including a military chaplain but it would take years before a full accounting of the massacre would come to light. The Armed Services Committee report concluded the responsible officers failed to make adequate, timely investigation and report of the My Lai allegations. Borch put it more bluntly. The war crime was covered up for a year, he said. Thompson reported that he had seen this war crime to his superiors, but nothing was done. The revelation A soldier named Ron Ridenhour was so appalled to learn about the My Lai massacre from soldiers who had witnessed the attack that he began a letter campaign to lawmakers and Army commanders, demanding a federal investigation. Then, in 1969 more than a year after the massacre and cover-up journalist Seymour Hershs investigative reporting on the tragedy made headlines, and Life Magazine published gruesome images taken by an army photographer during the attack that rocked the American conscious. The country was not far removed from the atrocities of the Holocaust and World War II and Allison said the images sparked soul searching. But convicting those responsible for the massacre would prove to be a challenge. At the time, Allison said, the Uniform Code of Military Justice required anyone brought on charges to be an active member of the military and in the year since the attack at My Lai, many who were involved had been discharged. Calley was charged with the premeditated murder of Vietnamese civilians literally a day or two before he was supposed to be discharged, Allison said. An investigation and trial were held at Fort Benning, which is today known as Fort Moore, and evidence was presented to a jury of soldiers and veterans. There was this fear that the jury of five officers might be inclined to say something like, There but for the grace of God go I, Borch said. But they found him guilty of premeditated murder and he was sentenced to life in prison. A 1971 Gallup poll taken shortly after Calleys guilty conviction found that 79% of Americans disapproved of the verdict, while only 9% approved and 12% said they had no opinion, The New York Times reported at the time. But in a shocking turn of events, Calley was released on parole after spending just a few years of his sentence under house arrest. Calleys sentence was initially reduced to 20 years by the general who convened the case, Borch said. Then, the Secretary of the Army, in an unprecedented action, reduced the sentence further to 10 years, Borch said, adding at the time, soldiers were eligible for parole if they served a third of their sentence. President Richard Nixon intervened in the case and ordered Calleys sentence to be reduced to house arrest, according to the Associated Press. He was paroled almost immediately, Borch said. He went on with his life as a civilian. Allison noted Nixon was heading into an election year and said he believes politics ultimately began to outweigh morality. Everybody was sick of Vietnam, he said. It was in the news all the time and they just wanted to get away from Vietnam as quick as they can. A woman arranges flowers in front of a monument during the 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre on March 16, 2018. - Kham/Reuters The fragile line Thousands of miles away and 30 years later, those who lost loved ones in the My Lai massacre would tell CNN they were never truly able to move on. A crowd of more than 1,000 Vietnamese citizens and US soldiers gathered in 1998 in the remote village to honor those who were killed and reflect on the horrors that took place. Thompson, who was hailed as a hero by the Vietnamese for his actions that day, told those gathered at the 1998 memorial he wished they couldve done more. I cannot explain why it happened, Thompson said at the time. I just wish our crew that day could have helped more people than we did. Thompson and his door gunner, Lawrence Colburn, were later awarded the Armys prestigious Soldiers Medal for their efforts to stop the massacre. Nguyen Chung, who lost his father and his 6-year-old daughter during the massacre, told CNN he was still haunted by their memory. I usually keep it in my heart, but the emotion grows as their death day grows near, he said. In 2009, Calley who had long shunned reporters publicly apologized for his role in the massacre for the first time during a speech at the Kiwanis Club of Greater Columbus in Georgia. There is not a day that goes by that I do not feel remorse for what happened that day in My Lai, Calley said, according to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. I feel remorse for the Vietnamese who were killed, for their families, for the American soldiers involved and their families. I am very sorry. In response to the tragedy at My Lai and in an effort to prevent such war crimes from happening again Borch said the US military began embedding military legal experts into active-duty units. Every single military operation thats ever planned or ever carried out now, military lawyers are involved in making sure that whats done is legal, he said. And thats all a result of a recognition that we cant have another My Lai. For Allison, the lesson of the massacre is also one of how war can mar both individuals and a nation. (My Lai) reminds us how fragile the line is between who we think we are as Americans, what we value, and how we behave in war and what war can actually do to you, he said. No war is a good war, we need to just do the best we can to ensure that the young men and women in uniform are as prepared as possible to face these moral and ethical choices. CNNs Brad Lendon contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SAN FRANCISCO Since Kamala Harris became vice president, her former boyfriend and political mentor has had a stock line he dispatches with his signature, in-on-the-joke laugh. If Harris ever becomes president, Willie Brown likes to say, Shell deport my ass. However, last weekend when I called Brown, the seemingly ageless 90-year-old former San Francisco mayor had a new version at the ready. She may send me back to Mineola, Brown said, setting up the punchline with a pause. Sending me back to Texas would be a deportment! It was classic Willie. Yet it also reflected his consciousness of time and place, how in the winter of his life hes thinking of his beginnings: the small, East Texas town he left for California as so many Black Texans and Louisianans did in the 20th Century in search of opportunity and fulfillment. He found both and then some. I had a long lunch is there any other kind? with Brown here in June. It was a Friday so we were not at Sams Grill, his usual weekday haunt. Instead we met at Le Central. Thats where Brown has been taking the roast chicken with pommes frites, side of cheap mustard, and a screwdriver on the rocks in a wine glass every Friday since 1974. His regular group started as a gang of six including legendary newspaper columnist Herb Caen and the mens clothier Wilkes Bashford but is now down to only two, Brown and the Bay Area architect Sandy Walker. Such are the wages of time. My idea then was to write about Willie-at-90, how the iconic, irrepressible and iconoclastic California Assembly Speaker-turned-mayor-for-life viewed the political scene as he entered his tenth decade, still as outspoken as he is well-tailored. That was then. Brown told me by phone he had gotten 48 media inquiries about Harris since President Joe Biden left the race and effectively turned the nomination over to his understudy. The former mayor is no longer directly in touch with Harris but is eager to offer suggestions. He said Biden should step down now so the country can see her as president before the election; Harris should avoid making her history-making identity central because the voters want her to answer them; and that she ought to embrace her hazy ideological categorization because if she keeps people continually guessing then she can adjust the interpretation of your guess every time she sees you. More striking was how emphatic Brown was that the party rally around Harris, namely her California contemporary and quasi-rival: Gov. Gavin Newsom. He had agreed a long time ago that under no circumstance would he ever challenge Kamala, Brown told me of Newsom. Since the Sunday Biden withdrew from the race, Brown has been after Newsom to embrace Harris, Im told by Democrats familiar with the pursuit. Newsom, like many Democrats, issued an initial statement praising Biden and endorsed Harris hours after the presidents withdrawal. That Brown is attempting to unite Harris and Newsom in full harmony after one of the most historic months in modern American politics is a reminder that we are living in the world Willie made. Sixty years after he was first elected to Californias legislature, the year LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act, Brown remains active in the political game he relishes. The last two times I saw him in San Francisco, he began his day, respectively, meeting with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.). When we had lunch in June, Brown was trumpeting an East Coast Democrat hes gotten to know, Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland. The former mayor got straight to the point about the 45-year-old former Army officer. The governor of Maryland is the next guy, Wes Moore, if he plays it right, said Brown. Why does he impress you, I asked. His credentials, the military, that takes him into the white world clean, Brown shot back. You dont have to prove he said before pausing. I got the point. Browns political heirs may roll their eyes at his assessment, particularly two decades after the rise of Barack Obama. And it may prove less-than-prophetic if the country elects a half-Jamaican, half-Indian woman with no military experience this November. Yet that stiletto analysis of Moore comes from somebody with perhaps unequaled authority on the evolution of race and politics. Brown fled Jim Crow Texas and emerged in the first generation African-Americans were allowed, haltingly, into elite society. It was the point at which Black people started to be identified as being a professional health, medicine, law because before that you were preachers and teachers or you buried people, he said. That was it. He forged relationships with figures like Jesse Jackson and former Virginia Gov. Doug Wilder at conventions and conferences, plus we all had an NAACP obligation, he said. Then there was the Black press, which linked an up-and-comer in San Francisco to one in Richmond. If they really liked you, you were in Ebony with pictures, he recalled. One of Browns favorite stories to illustrate the tight-knit relationships of his generation of Black politicians: he dispatched former Rep. Charles B. Rangel to knock doors in a heavily Black public housing project for Browns mayoral campaign in the 1990s. He was the damn Ways and Means Committee Chair, Brown recalled with a laugh of the image of the similarly well-turned-out New Yorker making his way through hardscrabble Hunters Point. Brown is the most enduring Black political figure in the country who else attended JFKs 1960 convention as a young Democrat and next month will be called upon for expert insight on the partys nominee nearly two-thirds of a century later? Of all his proteges, Harris, understandably, draws the most attention. Brown was hardly her only key ally, but as speaker he did appoint her to a pair of state boards. More important in what was San Franciscos cloistered high society, before the tech money came to town, he was her entree to many of the citys most prominent figures and donors. Yet consider the other dramatis personae of this summers better-than-fiction thriller. There was the de facto proxy war over Biden between two senior members of Californias House delegation, Waters and Nancy Pelosi. That clash mostly played out behind the scenes: Waters pressed fellow Congressional Black Caucus members and other lawmakers to stick with Biden while Pelosi wielded her phone like a weapon to push the president toward a dignified exit. Im told by a lawmaker who witnessed it, though, that Waters and Pelosi also had a robust conversation on the House floor about how a Biden succession plan would be handled (the former speaker had indicated she wanted an open process, but its no secret Pelosi isnt a KHive denizen, as Brown said with a long laugh: Im not sure she had any particular candidate in mind but Im sure it would not have been Kamala!) Waters was perhaps Browns most vital lieutenant when both served in the California Assembly. And Brown and Pelosi both hail from the San Francisco political organization of Phil Burton, the powerhouse former U.S. representative. Brown, already Assembly speaker, helped Pelosi win her first House election, in the 1987 special election to succeed Burtons widow, Sala, who had won her husbands seat when he died in office. Then theres Newsom, the would-be Democratic presidential nominee still in the wings, who got his first appointment in public life (San Francisco Parking and Traffic Commission) from Mayor Brown. When we had lunch, I pointed out the irony that Newsom as lieutenant governor spent eight years waiting for an octogenarian, Jerry Brown, to get off the stage and now may spend eight more waiting for Kamala to leave! Brown interjected. I was thinking of Biden, but Brown may prove more prescient: Newsom may be walled off from a presidential bid until 2032 if Harris wins this fall. Brown, naturally, already has an idea in mind for Newsom to bide his time and earn some foreign policy credentials: stay out of the cabinet, and Washington, and serve as Americas Ambassador to the United Nations in donor-filled New York City. Willies World is hardly limited to just Californians, though. Think of who else played a behind-the-scenes role in the Biden affair. Brown claims to have introduced Harris to Obama, when the then-mayor threw the first California fundraiser for Obamas nascent Senate campaign in 2003. (Brown likes to say he retorted whats his actual name? when he first learned of the Illinois state senator.) The Clintons? Brown has known them for decades, helping them raise millions in San Francisco as speaker and mayor, and sat next to Bill Clinton in June when the former president came to town to honor San Franciscos other legendary Willie. And that, now-famous, check Donald Trump wrote to Harris for her re-election as California attorney general? Yes, it was access-if-needed money arranged by Brown. He also claims to have first introduced Harris to Trump when the New York developer summoned Brown to Manhattan in the 1990s. Brown, Harris and a few other associates had been in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Brown was speaking at Harvard, when Trump sent up his plane to ferry the group to Teterboro, New Jersey. Trump urgently wanted Browns advice on how to build a property in Los Angeles, having been told by fellow casino magnate Steve Wynn that the Assembly speaker was the man to see. Wynn told Trump that If I was doing anything in California Id talk to Willie Brown because anybody else will take your money and do nothing, Brown recalled at lunch (keep in mind that Brown was a high-ranking public official and not, necessarily, a lobbyist for developers at the time). In any event, Brown said Harris didnt join the meeting with Trump but there is a picture of the Californians all on whats now called Trump Force One. (I have the picture, he said, flashing a smile.) Im not saying all roads lead back to Willie, but I havent even gotten to Kimberly Guilfoyle. That would be Newsoms former wife, Donald Trump Jrs current fiancee and a former deputy district attorney in San Francisco who Brown has known since she was a girl because of her father, who worked his way up from the local building trades to become a prominent real estate investor and political consigliere known as The Godfather. It all may seem impossibly cozy and the sort of politics that has led so many voters to embrace political outsiders or ones purporting to be outsiders. But never having to face the voters again, Brown is happy to say what he thinks about why Trump has succeeded. Hes an entertainer, thats all it is, Brown argued. And that can overcome everything else, all of Trumps manifest liabilities? Oh yeah, if the public is fascinated with your antics, you survive, he said, before lowering the boom. Its unfortunate, but you cant really tell the voters theyre idiots. Brown was far more candid about Harris at lunch, before the debate, when Bidens renomination seemed inevitable and his vice president was more unpopular than he was. Brown worried out loud that Harris had the Hillary syndrome that people dont like her and fretted it was not fixable. Thinking through Harriss future if Biden were to lose, Brown said: You need a Black woman on every goddamn corporate board in America! Yet even then, Brown praised her without being prompted, and recalled her personal kindness to people who just suffered a loss or were in a time of need. When I reminded him of that over the phone, Brown, whos never more than seconds away from a laugh, turned serious. He recalled that his then-girlfriend helped work with his sisters to arrange his fathers funeral in Texas and would go into AIDS wards in San Francisco when that was still taboo to some people. It may not be of interest to the British tabloids whove descended on San Francisco to join Browns table since Biden dropped out, but the former mayor is more interested in the political fortunes of another California woman: his youngest daughter. Sydney Brown worked for Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) but is heading to Yale Law School this fall and, her father hopes, a fast return to California. I got to be around to fund her race, Brown told me before cracking: She thinks Im never going to die! His hope for Sydney: local office first in Marin County and eventually the presidency. It may have been because it was early June and we were discussing Bidens worsening infirmities, but Brown returned to the passage of time and mortality time and again when we met in San Francisco. Discussing the health struggles of Jesse Jackson, whos only a year older than Biden, Brown said: The aging process is catching up with all of us. Besides a decline in his sight, it hasnt yet with Brown. But given how reflective he was, I asked how hed like to be remembered, what should be the Willie epitaph. Didnt serve any time, he said without missing a beat. Once we stopped laughing, I asked again. The legacy of the number of people holding office that came from me, he said, calling Waters, Newsom and Harris the top three, but reminding me of his ties to former mayor and Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. I really had a good run with a lot of good, quality people, he said. But Brown couldnt help himself. None of those people, so far, are a great embarrassment, he added. Ben Johansen contributed to this report. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misstated the timing of Gov. Gavin Newsom's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. Willie Brown says Wes Moore next after Harris if he plays it right Willie Brown, the former mayor of San Francisco and California political powerbroker, said in a recent interview that Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) could be next in line for the top of the Democratic ticket after Vice President Harris. The 90-year-old Brown sat for an interview with Politico, where he shared his thoughts on the political landscape, both before President Biden suspended his reelection campaign and after. Despite being on different sides of the country, he said hes gotten to know Moore and thought highly of the former Army officer. The governor of Maryland is the next guy, Wes Moore if he plays it right, Brown said. He said Moores credentials and military background take him into the white world clean. Moore entered the 2022 race to replace former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) as a relative unknown and has quickly shot to national prominence. He was among a handful of Democratic governors who polled higher than Harris as a potential replacement for Biden. He was also among the names tossed around for a potential vice presidential pick for Harris, though he is not among those still under consideration. Moore was deployed to Afghanistan in 2005 and 2006, and attained the rank of captain as part of the 82nd Airborne Division. Harris, who emerged as a national figure after starting her career in politics as San Franciscos district attorney, is perhaps the most high-profile of Browns proteges. They also dated, and Harriss relationship with Brown has previously been used against her, including when she campaigned in 2020 for the presidential nomination. In a short article in 2019, Brown acknowledged their relationship and said so what? Yes, we dated. It was more than 20 years ago, Brown wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle. Brown said hes also lent a hand to other California Democrats including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Sen. Dianne Feinstein. After Biden dropped out and endorsed Harris, Brown joked with Politico that if she wins, he may be deported back to his home state of Texas. She may send me back to Mineola, he said. Sending me back to Texas would be a deportment! California Democrats have quickly united behind Harriss campaign, despite some speculation that Newsom might make his own run for the White House. Newsom endorsed Harris the day after Biden dropped out. The former mayor said Newsom had agreed a long time ago that under no circumstance would he ever challenge Kamala. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The team of FBI agents that investigated organized crime in Milwaukee in the '70s. Gary Magnesen is standing in the back row, in the middle, with glasses. Retired FBI Agent Gary Magnesen, a 26-year veteran of the agency, worked in Milwaukee from 1972 through 1980. During much of that time, he served on a team investigating organized crime and mob boss Frank Balistrieri. Balistrieri was suspected by law enforcement of ordering a string of murders in and around Milwaukee, but he was never charged in any of them and the cases remain unsolved. One of those murders was the 1978 car bombing death of my cousin, August Palmisano. The podcast My Cousin Augie chronicles my journey to find out who killed my cousin and why. The fourth episode available on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts tells the story of the murder of another man, August Maniaci, and the attempted murder of his brother, Vincent, in the years leading up to my cousin's car bombing. Magnesen spoke extensively with me about the two cases and his work investigating Balistrieri, which eventually helped lead to gambling and extortion convictions in the 1980s. Below are excerpts from that conversation, edited for length and clarity. The FBI began legally wiretapping Frank Balistrieri in the late 1970s Magnesen: We had kind of an ongoing investigation of him because we knew who he was and what he was. When I got the case, I went through the file and started following him around a little bit to see what his daily activities were. And then once that was established, I followed him one day to the house of (someone who ran a vending machine business). And Frank Balistrieri spent quite a bit of time in his residence. And I was wondering what they would be talking about and why was Frank Balistrieri talking with this guy? It was because he had a hidden ownership in the business. I called on the radio to a buddy of mine, (former FBI agent) Mike DeMarco, and I said, "Come down to such and such (address). I got an idea." So about 20 minutes later, he showed up and we talked about the possibility of trying to develop enough probable cause to go up on the phone of Frank Balistrieri. And that's quite an enterprise because it's not easy to do, as the Department of Justice requires an awful lot. We decided we'd give it a shot. Balistrieri became the head of the Milwaukee Mafia through marriage The boss's name was (John) Alioto at the time. And (Balistrieri) married his daughter. So Frank Balistrieri was put in as the head. Frank Balistrieri in 1965. Now, although Milwaukee was a fairly small family, all of the soldiers and so on despised (Balistrieri) because he didn't have cred. He was a nobody, really. He had never really shown himself to be a good criminal or anything like that. So they didn't like him. They referred to him behind his back as Fancy Pants because he always was well-dressed, always wore expensive suits and stuff like that. So you had this below-the-surface turmoil boiling within the crew. And Balistrieri, he knew it and he didn't like it. In 1975, I believe it was, he put more and more pressure on people to kind of fall into line and stop what they were doing and pay him as the boss. He got a certain percentage, from the various illegal activities. But he also had a side where he wanted to go legitimate and make money legitimately, but he didn't know how to do that. The FBI suspected Balistrieri ordered the murder of a man in 1975 There was another man named August Maniaci. He was an older guy. (He) had been a member of the mob for a long time. He hated Balistrieri. And he didn't feel that he should have been the boss. So this went back and forth, back and forth for a time. (On the day Maniaci was murdered) he backed out to get in the alleyway and noticed there was something wrong. So he got out of his car and walked around it and noticed that one of the rear tires was flat. So he knelt down to figure out what he was going to do. And at that very moment, a guy came running from the other side of the alley and shot him. Well, unbeknownst to the shooter at the time, there was a boy who had just completed his paper route. And he was only a little ways away from the scene when he saw it. The young boy was interviewed by the police. He just remembered seeing somebody running toward (the man he called) Mr. Maniaci. And then he saw the gun come out. But there was very little sound, so it was obviously suppressed a silenced gun. He couldn't remember his face. Although he said, "He looked at me." The kid was terrified. Investigators later tried hypnosis on the witness Some years after all of this occurred, they had developed hypnotism as a means of drawing out suppressed memory. (Another FBI agent) got ahold of a professor of psychiatry out of UCLA in California, and he came out and hypnotized this boy. He was probably 16 by then. They put him under hypnosis and then took him back to that time period when he was walking up the alleyway and saw the shooter and the whole thing. The agent asked the question, "Do you remember doing that?" "Yes." "What do you see?" "I see a man running across the alleyway and shooting Mr. Maniaci." "What did he look like?" He gives us a description of him: Thin face, fairly large nose. Then they had an artist from the police department come in. Based on his description, she drew a very good artist's rendering of the guy's face. I said, "It looks exactly like Paul Schiro a known Chicago hitter." It looked just like him. So we showed the kid a spread of six photographs, including Paul Schiro's photograph. He looked at the picture: "That's him. That's the guy." Terrific. But we can't use that in court. The next morning, two homicide detectives go out with somebody from the Tucson Police Department and they arrest Paul Schiro. He never asks why he was arrested, never says a word. They take him back and do a lineup. You've got to have at least six people and they all have to look fairly similar. And the witness stands in a separate little room with a window and a curtain across it. So they have the guys lined up and we open the curtain. "Do you see the man that shot Mr. Maniaci?" You don't want to interfere in any way. So we're just watching him and he's concentrating on number six and that's Schiro. But then he says, "No, I can't." So at the last minute, we think he got terrified and decided he couldn't do it. (Schiro) was convicted many, many years later out of a Chicago case, not for the Maniaci murder. Magnesen also helped investigate the attempted murder of Vincent Maniaci, my cousin's best friend (Two years) after Augie Maniaci's murder, his brother Vincent got in his car one morning and the accelerator wouldn't make the car go any faster than 20 miles an hour. He couldn't figure out what the problem was. He (and his mechanic) open the hood and almost had a heart attack because there was a big roll 20 sticks of dynamite wrapped in duct tape. What had happened was it was in such a position under the hood that when he pushed on the accelerator, the shaft that goes in was hitting the bomb and pushed it away from the electric. So it broke that connection. And so the bomb didn't go off. Investigators were never able to prove who was behind the murders and attempted murders A lot of times, the crime has been committed. You know who did it. But you can't prove it. You can't get the evidence to prove it. And so you carry that with you, knowing that just a few more pieces would be enough to put it together. But you can't get it there. It's not there. Magnesen eventually helped send Balistrieri to prison in the 1980s on other charges We had investigations going in Kansas City, in Chicago and in Las Vegas, and they were all independent initially. But then they all came together because they were all tied together. After our convictions in Milwaukee, there was a trial in Kansas City as well, where we convicted all of the bosses of the families. And I testified in that trial a couple of times. So it was a big deal. In Las Vegas, we cleaned the mob out as far as their control of anything out there completely annihilated them. Milwaukee, I don't think there's a family anymore that I'm aware of. Chicago still functions, but it's not the same. Mary Spicuzza is an investigative reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at (414) 224-2324 or mary.spicuzza@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @MSpicuzzaMJS. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Q&A: Former FBI agent Gary Magnesen on investigating the Milwaukee mob Gov. Tony Evers visits Mariposa Learning Center in Fitchburg on Sept. 20, 2023, to emphasize the need for more child care funding in Wisconsin. A new report from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families finds that child care has become less affordable in the state. (Erik Gunn | Wisconsin Examiner) Rising costs are making Wisconsin child care more expensive and reducing how much the states subsidy can help low-income parents who need care for their children, according to a new report from the state agency that oversees child care providers. With the increased cost of care, the Wisconsin Shares subsidy program for low-income families matches the cost of only about half of child care slots available in the state, the report finds dramatically below the threshold set by Wisconsin law and federal child care policy. The 2024 Child Care Market Survey report, published Wednesday by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), says that even the higher prices providers are charging may not reflect the true cost of providing quality child care. The price of child care in this state is too darn high, and working families and child care providers across our state have been sounding the alarm on this issue for years, said Gov. Tony Evers, announcing the reports release. He criticized Republicans in the state Legislature for having consistently refused to provide meaningful investments to support the child care industry, citing lawmakers repeated rejection of proposals to continue the Child Care Counts program that stabilized child care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working families in our state cant afford to lose any more affordable child care slots, and our economy and workforce cant afford to lose more workers because they cant find or access the child care they need, Evers said. Care for low-income families The market survey report is required annually by the federal government, which funds Wisconsin Shares. The subsidy program offsets the cost of care for families with a gross income of up to 200% of the federal poverty guideline. (Until this July, the ceiling was 185% of the guideline.) For a family of two, the ceiling is $3,407 a month. For a family of five, its $6,097. The survey draws on reports collected in the fall of 2023 by Wisconsins Child Care Resource & Referral Network, with data from 1,178 providers in the state. DCF said the sample was validated to accurately represent the mix of providers in the state. Federal regulations require states to certify that child care subsidy payment rates are sufficient to ensure equal access to care for eligible children compared with the private pay market for care, according to the report. The analysis compares the price of each providers child care slot with the maximum that Wisconsin Shares pays for a slot in that providers county. If the maximum Wisconsin Shares rate was at or above the cost of a child care slot, that slot was considered affordable, the report states. With that calculation, the survey found 50% of Wisconsin child care slots met that definition of affordability 28,569 out of a total of 56,794 slots in the state that were represented in the survey. Fifty percent is well below the target for affordability, the report states. The affordability threshold set by both the federal Administration for Children and Families and Wisconsin Statute is that 75% of child care slots should be affordable. The reports measure of child care affordability is based on a stipulated definition, however, the report observes. It is not a general measure of whether the price of child care is affordable for families, the report states. For example, most families who utilize Wisconsin Shares are authorized for less than the maximum Wisconsin Shares rate. Likewise, many families are not eligible for Wisconsin Shares and pay the full price out of pocket. The share of slots meeting the affordability standard is a sharp drop from last years Market Rate Survey, which found that in 2022, 74% of child care slots were considered affordable, the report states. Reduced Child Care Counts resources Child care providers prices have been increasing over the last two decades, but the increases from 2022 to 2023 were larger than previous years trends would have predicted, the report finds. One factor that increased prices was that state payments to providers in 2023 under Child Care Counts were cut in half, according to the report. Child Care Counts was funded as part of pandemic relief in the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It enabled providers to cover core expenses such as payroll, materials, rent, and utilities, avoiding passing those costs along to families, states the report, citing a UW-Madison Institute for Research on Poverty paper. Despite repeated efforts by providers and their allies, along with Democratic legislators and Evers, attempts to continue Child Care Counts by replacing the ARPA funds with state dollars have been rebuffed by Republican lawmakers who command a majority of the Legislature. In October 2023 Evers redirected some remaining ARPA dollars and extended the funding, which originally would have expired this past January, into 2025, although still at the reduced rate. The Legislature must get serious about reducing out-of-pocket costs for working families to afford child care, Evers said in a statement issued with the report Wednesday. He reiterated his call for long-term, meaningful investments in our child care industry and a renewal of Child Care Counts. Child care advocates told the Wisconsin Examiner that the reports findings were expected. Thats not a surprise at all, said Ruth Schmidt, executive director of the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association. I think its indicative of what the early childhood field is experiencing as Child Care Counts has been reduced in our state. Child care programs are struggling to make up revenue that they were getting through Child Care Counts. Corrine Hendrickson, a New Glarus child care provider and cofounder of an advocacy group for providers and parents, said some providers have stopped taking Wisconsin Shares clients because what the state pays is not nearly enough. According to a recent report from the First Five Years Fund, an advocacy group for federal child care and early education support, just 9% of Wisconsin children under 5 who are eligible are getting subsidized child care. As she and other providers have had to raise rates to meet their expenses, some parents have opted out of child care, Hendrickson said. She has also heard from as many as 10 providers in southern Wisconsin who are considering whether to shut down in the next six months. Schmidt said surplus federal funds are available that could boost the Wisconsin Shares subsidy if the state Legislature authorizes doing so, but that would be just a temporary respite. Stabilizing child care so its sustainable requires moving toward needing a public investment in care with an understanding that care is a public good, Schmidt said. Without that sort of action, I think this affordability issue is going to get worse. Clarification: This report has been updated to clarify that the total number of slots used in the calculations for the states report were those represented in the survey, not the total number of child care slots in the state. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Wisconsin tribes will receive $20 million in federal funding to build new affordable housing in their communities. A shortage of affordable housing has put a strain on tribal residents and governments contributing to homelessness and overcrowding, and forcing residents to look outside their communities for a place to live. On Monday, four of Wisconsin's tribes were awarded federal grants to support new housing developments, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced: The Oneida Nation was awarded $6 million, which will be used to build 16 housing units. The Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin received $5.2 million, which will be used to build 11 housing units. The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians was awarded $5.8 million, which will be used to build 20 housing units. The Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe was awarded $3 million, which will be used to build 12 housing units. Sen. Tammy Baldwin who voted to increase federal funding for American Indian and Alaska Native housing celebrated the news in a statement Monday. The grants will help tribal nations "build more affordable housing units, lower housing costs, and help more families find safe housing in their communities," Baldwin said in the statement. The Indian Housing Block Grant program, which supports affordable housing programs in tribal communities, has gotten a major boost in funding in the past couple years, after decades of stagnation. Overcrowding and substandard physical conditions disproportionately affect Indigenous communities, HUD research has found. About 12% of households in tribal areas have unreliable heat, compared to just 2% of households across the United States, according to a 2017 HUD study. Baldwin, in a February letter to the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, said that affordable housing shortage is contributing to other challenges in tribal communities. "Last fall, I hosted a roundtable with tribal leaders in Wisconsin to discuss our shared priority of combatting the opioid and fentanyl crisis. It was clear from those conversations that the lack of affordable housing is adding to this tremendous challenge," Baldwin wrote in the letter. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin tribes, Ho-Chunk, Oneida, win affordable housing grant Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify the ban applies to all uniformed service members around Colorado Springs. A decision to ban all service members in the Colorado Springs area from visiting The Citadel mall prompted questions and concerns Tuesday for a city councilwoman and small business owners in the shopping center. Military installations ban service members from visiting businesses deemed unsafe. Some of the locations on the off-limits list are bars and nightclubs. Community members noted this ban will have a large impact across numerous shops, restaurants, schools and a newly opened church. An Armed Forces Career Center also operates in the mall and the list exempted recruiters from the ban. The center was open Tuesday with a large sign advertising enlisting in all the branches. Families with children and teenagers were walking by the recruiting offices in an area of the mall also home to The Catholic Center, the Korean American School and Goal High School, among other shops. "Right now, it just doesnt make sense to me," said Councilwoman Nancy Henjum, of the ban. The councilwoman said she asked the Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez to look into the data to determine what might be driving the concern and get it addressed as soon as possible. She also called on other top city employees to help. A Christmas Eve shooting at the mall killed Teryus Thomas and injured two others including a security guard. It was the last significant event Henjum and the business owners could recall. Since then, several community forums on safety have been held and Henjum sees positive momentum. Fort Carson, which issues the list, did not provide a specific reason for making The Citadel off-limits, saying that in general a board of officials examines police data and businesses are made off-limits after all alternative remediation options are exhausted. Concerns include but are not limited to "alcohol and drug abuse, unfair commercial or consumer practices, liquor violations, disorder and lack of discipline, and racial and/or discriminatory practices," the base said in a statement. Army policy states naming a location off-limits is meant to "prevent service members from being exposed to or victimized by crime-conducive conditions." Chief Vasquez said in a community forum earlier this year the mall manager has been supportive of building partnerships with the police and had the mall assessed for environmental changes that could deter crime. Henjum said she hoped that the military officials who made the decision would reconsider because the ban would stop the current positive momentum and have an enormous negative economic impact. "To just outright ban a giant swath of our local population from being at the mall it's horrible," she said. In addition to city officials, Henjum said she spoke with the management company of The Citadel about getting involved to address the issues and a representative seemed interested. "I am personally trying to turn this crisis into an opportunity," she said. A heart-breaking day for retired Army chaplain Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Retired Army Chaplain Jody Harlow, the owner of a mall-based taekwondo and jiujitsu training center, said he had already heard from about half of his 60 to 70 families saying they can no longer participate in classes because of the ban. "Its been heartbreaking today, it really has," he said. Harlow started the business called the Academy of Life and Leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic to try to the address youth suicide and teach life skills such as leadership. Families also often train together, he said. "I put everything I own into my business," he said. He is weighing options that could allow him to continue serving military families, but he also does not see the safety concerns at The Citadel that would trigger a ban. "I don't see anything different at this mall I dont see at other places," said Harlow, who also works security at the mall. To help increase security, individual businesses like his have put up additional security cameras, he said. 'Put us in a choke hold' Long-time barbershop owner Donelle Branch said even a Fort Carson deployment or out-of-town training has an impact for the mall, and a ban will be devastating for numerous small businesses, such as his, Reverb/K.O. Kuts. "This mall was already struggling," he said. "They just put us in a choke hold." The mall employs security guards multiple days a week to help deter crime. "They are acting like this is just the wild wild west in this mall and it's not," he said. Both business owners hoped the Army would reconsider its decision and that officials would visit the mall for themselves. Fort Carson said in its statement that businesses made off-limits are granted the opportunity to respond and appear before the board to have an open discussion about mitigation efforts before they are added to the list. Businesses are placed on the list if they do not address the areas of concern and an investigation reveals no improvements took place, the statement said. Businesses and establishments can express their concerns through the Directorate of Emergency Services at 719-526-1453. Hundreds of central Colorado residents were evacuated early Wednesday after deadly wildfires spread fiercely over mountainous terrain as firefighters in California battled the fifth-largest blaze in state history. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis told reporters Wednesday afternoon that Boulder County authorities confirmed one fatality from the blaze and at least five homes have been destroyed as strong winds and dry heat hampered emergency responders' efforts to quell the flames. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said four firefighters were injured in Colorado's Stone Canyon Fire, which ignited Tuesday and threatened nearly 500 homes, as well as roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure. Several blazes across northern and central Colorado triggered waves of evacuation orders this week as they spread across more than 8,000 acres. As of Wednesday afternoon, Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said about 4,000 people were evacuated on mandatory orders and 800 others fled their homes after voluntary evacuations were issued. The latest Colorado fire erupted Wednesday in Boulder County, where authorities issued an evacuation order for the Lake Shore Park neighborhood and urged people to keep roads clear for residents in danger zones to flee. Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson said the latest blaze ignited at around 2:30 p.m. local time Wednesday and damaged two structures since, though it had only burned roughly six acres. The fire was suspected to be unintentionally started by people in the area, Johnson said. Local authorities were speaking to two people, but no arrests have been made. The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Wednesday it had authorized funding for two of the largest blazes in Colorado, determining that "the fires threatened such destruction that it would constitute a major disaster." The Fire Management Assistance Grant will cover up to 75% of the states eligible firefighting costs. In northern California, more than 5,700 personnel were battling the Park Fire, which has torched 609 square miles, an area larger than New York City. The inferno has been burning for one week and has forced more than 25,000 people to leave their homes. Local officials say the fire started after a man, who has since been arrested and charged with arson, pushed his mother's flaming car off a 60-foot embankment. Meanwhile, Oregon's largest wildfire still posed a danger as the rain that had started to dwindle the flames gives way to another stretch of searing heat. Officials say lightning sparked the fire that has burned 459 square miles of land in eastern Oregon. As of Wednesday, it was 52% contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Over 3,400 square miles, an area twice the size of Rhode Island, have been charred by 95 large active wildfires spreading across the western U.S., according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Experts have blamed the intensity of the fires, in part, on heat waves and dry conditions made worse by climate change. Nearly 600 homes evacuated near Denver as wildfire gains momentum Around 9 p.m. Tuesday, a deputy patrolling a part of unincorporated Jefferson County, just southwest of Denver, saw a little spot fire that was only about 10 feet wide, Mark Techmeyer, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office said at a Wednesday morning news conference. Within three hours, the fire had spread across 100 acres of mountainous terrain. Techmeyer said officials believe the fire has grown to 130 acres, though officials are awaiting a helicopter to give a precise figure later in the day. Multiple agencies responded overnight, and authorities issued reverse 911 messages and went door-to-door to wake people up and get them to leave. Nearly 600 homes have been evacuated. An area high school has been turned into a shelter for evacuees, while the Jefferson County Fairgrounds took in large animals. No property has been damaged and no injuries have been reported, Techmeyer said. Because of two major wildfires to the north, resources are thin," Techmeyer said. Local officials have request air support but are unsure if they'll receive any additional help on Wednesday. With over a dozen agencies responding to the blaze, there were only 70 to 80 firefighters on the ground, Techmeyer said. "Everything is stacked against us," he said, noting the treacherous terrain and dangerously hot weather. Authorities try and contain the Quarry Fire, which was first discovered Tuesday night in a community outside Denver and has led to the evacuation of nearly 600 homes in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Within hours, the fire grew to at least 100 acres, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Dueling wildfires rage in northern Colorado The Quarry Fire is the latest blaze to force people to flee their homes in Colorado as firefighters struggled to contain several fast-moving fires to the north. The Alexander Mountain Fire has engulfed more than 5,000 acres of land west of Loveland, a city about 50 miles north of Denver. The blaze broke out on Monday and quadrupled on Tuesday, causing sweeping road closures and evacuations as hundreds of firefighters across the state battled the flames. While the Alexander Mountain Fire was expanding, a new blaze erupted nearby. The Stone Canyon Fire forced evacuations in northern Colorado's Boulder County as well as neighboring Larimer and Lyons County as changing wind conditions spread the blaze in several directions. As of Wednesday morning, the blaze torched at least two homes and spread across 1,320 acres. Boulder Disaster Management said in an update that there was "no significant growth overnight" and that, when it's safe to do so, "damage assessment teams will be in the field to determine structure loss." Both the Stone Canyon Fire and the Alexander Mountain Fire, which had overlapping evacuation orders, were 0% contained. Meanwhile, temperatures on Wednesday were projected to reach the mid-90s, further hampering firefighters and fueling dry conditions. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued an air quality health advisory for parts of northern Colorado, including Fort Collins, Loveland and the surrounding areas because of the immense wildfire smoke. The Stone Canyon Fire near Lyons, Colo., as seen from Erie on July 30, 2024, shortly after officials ordered parts of the town evacuated. California's Park Fire grows as more hot weather is forecast Meanwhile, the fifth-largest wildfire in California history has continued to spread throughout four northern counties, causing over 25,000 people to flee from their homes and destroying at least 277 homes, businesses and other structures, mostly in Butte County, according to Cal Fire. The Park Fire, which erupted near the city of Chico one week ago, has burned about 609 square miles, an area larger than Los Angeles. As of Wednesday evening, firefighters have contained it by 18%. State fire officials warned that "weather is expected to become much warmer and drier later this week." The inferno was ignited last Wednesday when Ronnie Dean Stout II pushed his mother's flaming car into a gully, according to prosecutors. Stout, who says it was an accident and denied pushing the vehicle off an embankment, was arrested on Monday and charged with reckless arson and related charges. He's being held pending the completion of his arraignment Thursday. South of the Park Fire, another blaze triggered evacuations and road closures as it "exhibits a moderate to dangerous rate of spread" since starting on Tuesday, according to Cal Fire. The so-called Pedro Fire has burned across 2,700 acres in Mariposa and Tuolumne counties, and threatens 350 homes, businesses and other structures. Contributing: John Bacon, Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY; Sady Swanson and Rebecca Powell, The Coloradoan This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Parts of Colorado, California scorched by intensifying wildfires Witnesses testify in first day of Texas prison heat lawsuit: 'I was in survivor mode' When 43-year-old Texas prison inmate Dustin Thomas Davis died on a sweltering day in June 2023, his body temperature was 108 degrees Fahrenheit. When 37-year-old Elizabeth Hagerty died the same month, she had no access to water, had developed a heat rash and was struggling to breathe in a non-air-conditioned prison cell where she was awaiting her imminent release. Heat stress was listed as a contributory factor to her death. And when 34-year-old Randy Butler died the same month of cardiac arrest in another prison unit without air conditioning, the heat index outside was 114 degrees Fahrenheit. All three deceased inmates are named in a federal lawsuit heard Tuesday that argues the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is inflicting cruel and unusual punishment on people who are locked in state prisons without air conditioning. Attorneys in the case went before federal Judge Robert Pitman in Austin on Tuesday to ask that he compel TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier to keep temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees in state prisons while what might become a yearslong legal battle plays out. Texas jails have been required by state law to maintain that temperature range since 1994. "The only way to prevent further suffering and further deaths by inmates and further suffering by TDCJ staff is to order Mr. Collier to keep (prison) cells in a safe temperature range," said Kevin Homiak, an attorney for Wheeler, Trigg and O'Donnell. The four-day hearing, which could involve testimony from as many as 26 witnesses, is scheduled to end Friday. A mock prison cell was set up near the south steps of the Capitol in July 2023 as part of a campaign by Texas Prisons Community Advocates to raise awareness about the lack of air conditioning in Texas prisons. In response to the suit, lawyers representing the state argued Tuesday that installing systemwide air conditioning quickly would be impossible without additional money from the Legislature and that inmates are not facing cruel and unusual punishment. "The court can't order this relief because TDCJ couldn't comply today, tomorrow or six months from now," Marlayna Ellis, a lawyer for the state attorney general's office, told the judge. But this particular contention did not seem to convince Pitman, who has sat on the bench of the federal Western District of Texas court since 2015. "You can't be telling me ... that the conditions of confinement imposed by the state could be found to be cruel and unusual, but that nobody can do anything about it because the Legislature hasn't given the funding," Pitman responded to Ellis. "That can't be the case." The state also denies that any prisoners have suffered "heat deaths" in more than a decade, with TDCJ spokesperson Amanda Hernandez telling the American-Statesman in April that no such deaths had occurred since 2012. Hernandez did not immediately respond to an American-Statesman request for comment Tuesday. A 2022 study published in the National Library of Medicine concluded that an average of 14 deaths per year between 2001 and 2019 were associated with heat in Texas prisons without air conditioning. Dr. Antonella Zanobetti, a top environmental epidemiologist at the Harvard School of Public Health researcher who co-authored that study, testified Tuesday affirming that several studies have found that "increases in heat increase the risk to health" for humans, including the risk of death. In 2014, former prisoners sued the state agency due to heat injuries that occurred in the Wallace Pack Unit southeast of College Station. That case ended in victory for the former inmates who sued as the state settled the case by agreeing to install permanent air conditioning in the unit. The courtroom was packed Tuesday with members of Lioness Justice Impacted Women's Alliance, who showed up to support the group's community outreach director Marci Simmons as she testified. More than two-thirds of Texas prison inmates are serving time in prisons that lack air conditioning. During the 10 summers she spent in state prisons without air conditioning, Simmons said, "I was in survivor mode, complete survivor mode. I felt like a caged animal, that no one cared that we were being housed that way." She testified about watching an egg cook on her prison cell's floor, trying to cool down with toilet water and watching fellow inmates suffer seizures and other medical emergencies that she believed were heat-related. Lioness, a nonprofit, joined the lawsuit alongside Texas Prisons Community Advocates, Texas Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants and the Coalition for Texans with Disabilities in April. Ellis, representing TDCJ, argued Lioness does not have standing to sue because it does not represent all state prisoners and because its parent organization only has one member. The suit was originally filed by Bernie Tiede, a former funeral director whose murder of a wealthy 81-year-old widow is chronicled in Richard Linklater's film "Bernie," and it was amended in April to apply to inmates beyond Tiede. Tiede wore handcuffs, a purple button-down shirt and thick, black-rimmed glasses as he testified Tuesday, saying it was so hot during the summer that he often was unable to sleep at night. "Every summer, it's more difficult to manage," Tiede said. The TDCJ has estimated in court filings that installing permanent air conditioning units in all its prisons would cost roughly $1.1 billion and add $20 million in annual operating costs, and the department stated that it is currently adding air conditioning to as many units as possible with a historic $85 million in funding that the Legislature approved in 2023. In 2012 when TDCJ was sued by former inmates, it argued in court that retrofitting the Wallace Pack unit would cost roughly $500 million before it slashed that estimate to $4 million. The final estimate was significantly less than the $7 million the state spent on fighting the lawsuit, the Texas Tribune reported. Once the hearing is over, Pitman will decide whether to order the state to temporarily install air conditioning units systemwide, pending a trial for a permanent order. The Statesman will cover this case as it continues. Stay tuned for further coverage. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas prison heat lawsuit hearing begins in federal court in Austin NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) The New Orleans Police Department is working to identify and arrest a woman who is accused of stealing about $700 worth of canes from a business in the Gentilly Woods neighborhood. The case is the latest one to roll on the Wheel of Justice. According to police, the crime happened around 4:28 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, at a Walgreens located in the 4200 block of Chef Menteur Highway. The NOPD released security camera footage from the store that shows much of what happened. Gunman charges and shoots at Gentilly cleaning crew In the video, a woman is seen carrying a bundle of items past the cash register and out of the door. Police say she was carrying about nine canes, worth about $80 each, and didnt pay for them. To see the latest Wheel of Justice report, including the security camera footage, watch the video at the top of this story. New Orleans police searching for car in fatal I-610 crash If you have information that could help police identify or arrest the suspect, call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. You dont have to reveal your name or testify in court, and you could be eligible to earn a cash reward. So far, more than 470 people have been booked after their cases rolled on the Wheel of Justice. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. SAINT CLAIR, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A woman is facing charges after police say she stabbed her mother in the head. According to the Saint Clair Police Department, officers were called to the 500 block of South Mill Street for a report of a stabbing victim. On the scene, officers said they found a woman with a scalp laceration and a large amount of blood in the home. Arrest made in Wilkes-Barre homicide investigation The victim told police that she argued with her daughter, Lauren Davie, 32, of Saint Clair, who picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed her with it, as stated in the affidavit. A witness to the argument told officers that Lauren and the victim were drinking earlier and became visibly intoxicated, police stated. Lauren has been charged with aggravated assault and simple assault, possessing an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person, and harassment. She was released on a $25,000 bail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Missouri woman is suing the University of Kansas Health System, alleging that she was denied an emergency abortion while experiencing complications in her pregnancy in 2022. Mylissa Farmer, a resident of Joplin, Missouri, arrived at the University of Kansas Hospital emergency room in Kansas City, Kansas, on August 2, 2022, after her water broke after 18 weeks of pregnancy, according to court documents reviewed by The Star. That happened to be the day Kansas voters weighed in on a constitutional amendment on abortion. It was overwhelmingly rejected, preserving the right to an abortion in the Kansas Constitution. The lawsuit claims Farmers abortion was denied because the hospital determined it was too risky in the heated political environment. By the time Farmer made it to the emergency room, her pregnancy was no longer viable, as most of the fluid in her amniotic sac was gone. However, Farmer herself was now at risk of blood loss, sepsis, infertility and death, according to court documents. Farmer came to the hospital looking for an emergency abortion, which would have been permissible in order to save her life under both state and federal law. Instead, court documents read, hospital staff refused to treat her or even to take her temperature and vital signs. Though TUKH doctors confirmed both the non-viability of Ms. Farmers pregnancy and the grave risks she faced if she did not receive emergency abortion care, they turned her away with no treatment whatsoever not even antibiotics or Tylenol, the lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court reads. Farmer consulted with NWLC, along with Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC a national law firm and Dugan Scholzman LLC, a firm based in Overland Park, to file the suit against the University of Kansas Health System on Tuesday. The lawsuit also names the University of Kansas Hospital Authority, which oversees and regulates the health system. The hospital authority could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday night. The University of Kansas Health System denied the allegations made in the lawsuit. In a statement provided by spokeswoman Jill Chadwick, the health system said it complies with all applicable laws and regulations in providing the highest quality of care to patients, regardless of how they come to our hospital. While we cannot comment publicly on the specifics of an individual patients care, The University of Kansas Health System believes that the care provided to Ms. Farmer was entirely appropriate, non-discriminatory, and in compliance with all applicable law. Was federal law violated? Farmer was also denied emergency abortion through Freeman Health System in Joplin at the time, The Star previously reported. The group filed a separate civil rights lawsuit on the federal level in January against then-unnamed hospitals in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois on Farmers behalf, alleging discrimination, The Star reported. What happened to me should never happen to anyone. Denying me care not only put my life at risk but inflicted irreparable trauma, physical and mental suffering, and financial hardship on me and my husband, Ms. Farmer said in a statement shared by the National Womens Law Center (NWLC). I endured a horror no one should ever have to face. Through this lawsuit, I hope to achieve justice and help prevent others from suffering the same experience. A federal investigation concluded that the University of Kansas Health System violated federal law when refusing to provide Farmer the abortion, The Star and The Associated Press reported. The investigation concluded in May 2023, according to court documents. Missouri, Kansas hospitals that denied emergency abortion broke the law, feds say According to the investigation, any state law regulating abortion is overruled by federal law requiring doctors to provide patients with life-saving care, The Associated Press reported. This includes a federal mandate to provide abortions when the life of a pregnant person is endangered by their pregnancy, the AP previously reported. These requirements fall specifically under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), which states that medical facilities are required to determine if a pregnant person is in labor and then either facilitate the birth or treat whatever is happening when someone pregnant presents at a hospital experiencing pain or complications. When a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life of the pregnant person or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition that state law is preempted, guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services reads, according to The Associated Press. Post-overturning of Roe Farmers lawsuit is one of the first filed under EMTALA since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Along with EMTALA, Farmer is alleging her experience violated Kansas nondiscrimination law, the NWLC said in a statement. A hospital that provides emergency care to all but sends home pregnant patients to suffer possible hemorrhage, sepsis, loss of fertility, or even death has discriminated based on sex, pure and simple, Michelle Banker, senior director of litigation for reproductive rights and health at NWLC, said in a statement. We are committed to holding the hospital accountable and will not stop fighting until all people can get the abortion care they need. Along with financial compensation, Farmer is seeking an official statement by the hospital system admitting to violating state and federal law by denying her the emergency abortion. Farmer was able to get the care she needed at the HOPE Clinic in Granite City, Illinois, two days after The University of Kansas hospital turned her away, The Star reported last year. But experts worry shes not the only one being denied life-saving care in Kansas. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade shuttered abortion providers across the Midwest and nation, Kansas abortion clinics have been frequented by residents of nearby states, particularly Missouri. Moments after the Dobbs v. Jackson verdict became official, a set of 2019 trigger laws went into effect, and Missouri became the first U.S. state to ban nearly all abortions, The Star reported. At the time, abortion access advocates and members of the medical community began to express their concerns that the new restrictions could cause confusion for health care providers, particularly around life-saving care and medication access. St. Lukes Hospital, for one, temporarily stopped distributing emergency contraception in the days after the ban. As the decision came down, we were very clear that this was going to send off a public health crisis in the context of already having a maternal mortality and morbidity crisis, said Colleen McNicholas, the chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, told The Star in 2023. We have absolutely seen that come to fruition. Farmers situation was also cited in a series of television ads in the 2022 Missouri Senate Race. She was featured in a series of attack ads criticizing then-Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt for his contribution to the immediate trigger law ban on abortion after Dobbs v. Jackson. Still, Schmitt began serving as the junior United States Senator from Missouri in 2023. The Stars Katie Moore contributed to this story. Previous reporting by Kacen Bayless was used in this article. Woman Finds Blood in Burger King Meal After Worker Injures Their Finger, Daughter Mistakes It for Ketchup (Exclusive) Shortly after her daughter started eating her cheeseburger and fries, Tiffany Floyd heard, "Mom, I don't want ketchup" Tiffany Floyd/TikTok; Tiffany Floyd Tiffany Floyd (left), the blood on the Burger King wrapper A woman took to TikTok to share that she found blood in her 4-year-old daughter's meal at a New York Burger King location which the fast food chain says was the result of a worker "injuring their finger." "Today I went to Burger King by my house," Tiffany Floyd says in the video, showing footage of the bag of food she purchased at a Gettzville, New York, Burger King. Floyd says that she bought a meal for herself and a kid's meal for her daughter at the drive-thru. Shortly after her daughter started eating her cheeseburger and fries, Floyd heard, "Mom, I don't want ketchup." "So I take the bag back, thinking that they messed up our order," Floyd adds. "And I look in her bag and there is blood all over." 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. Related: Cracker Barrel Customers Go TikTok Viral for Secretly Placing Photo of Themselves on Restaurants Mantel Speaking to PEOPLE, Floyd says that she had visited that particular location just up the road from one of her doctors dozens of times in the past. But this visit was altogether different. Floyd says that her daughter had eaten a few French fries and a bite of her cheeseburger when she asked about the ketchup. "Instantly I grabbed the bag because I thought maybe they messed up her order. I looked at it, felt something wet and thought it was ketchup and you could tell it was human blood," she tells PEOPLE. At that point, Floyd was already on her drive back home and called the Burger King location asking to speak to a manager. "I spoke to the manager and he paused and said, 'Yes. I had a worker here cut their hand right before your food was made and bagged. The worker knew he cut himself but did not think he was bleeding that bad.' " Tiffany Floyd Burger King Kids Meal with blood on the wrapper "He was so nonchalant at this point and I was livid," she says, adding that the manager offered her a refund if she came back to the store. "I said, 'No, thank you,' I hung up the phone and called my local health department," she tells PEOPLE. In her TikTok video, Floyd shows the bag of food in question where a dark red substance can be seen on the burger wrapping, a kid's toy and the French fries. "I called Burger King because I was not going to go back there," she says. "And the manager had told me that someone did cut their hand, and that if I came back he would give me a refund of my money." The video has been viewed more than 6 million times on TikTok since being posted on Saturday, July 27. Tiffany Floyd Floyd's Burger King meal with blood on the wrapper In a statement to PEOPLE, Burger King confirmed the incident, saying the blood was the result of "a team member in the restaurant who injured his finger, and upon noticing immediately stepped away." "We were deeply upset and concerned to learn of this incident. We have been in contact with the Guest and are working with her to resolve this incident," the statement reads. Burger King added that it closed its Gettzville restaurant for a retraining and deep-cleaning and has since re-opened. Tiffany Floyd the burger with blood on the wrapper "We closed the restaurant over the weekend to retrain all the team members and hired an external company to complete a deep cleaning," the statement said. "We expect the restaurant to re-open Monday, July 29, and are fully paying team members for any lost shifts during this temporary shut down." Floyd tells PEOPLE that she is "distraught," noting that she has since filed a report with the local health department and contacted her daughter's pediatrician. "She now needs to get bloodwork done every month," Floyd says, adding that the tests will look for things like HIV and Hepatitis. In addition to being "emotionally not okay," Floyd says her daughter is now refusing to eat. Tiffany Floyd the burger with blood on the wrapper Related: Chipotle Insists They Have Not Changed Their Portion Sizes Despite TikTok Complaints (Exclusive) "I try to give her food, she thinks there's blood in it," she says. As for why she posted the TikTok about the incident, Floyd says she is worried that someone else may have ingested blood that day without realizing it. "Every time you get food through a drive-thru, you open the bag up and start eating without even looking," she says. "I just want other people there to check to see if they ate it, too." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Woman wanted for stabbing that hospitalized 1 in Lebanon County LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A woman is wanted in connection to a weekend stabbing that left one person hospitalized in Lebanon County, police say. According to online court documents filed Tuesday by Lebanon City Police, Shakira Borrero-Rosario, 27, faces felony charges of aggravated assault from the incident. Viral Capital City Mall security officer video prompts investigation Police said Borrero-Rosario is accused of stabbing a person they know multiple times in the 800 block of Church Street on July 27. Police said they were called to the hospital for a reported assault victim and learned after arriving they were stabbed. The victim is reportedly in stable condition and is expected to recover, police stated. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter Anyone with information on Borrero-Rosarios whereabouts is asked to contact Lebanon City Police at (717) 272-6611. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KITTERY, Maine In their heyday, the rugged surfmen of the U.S. Life-Saving Service were the stuff of legend. These storm warriors, so called by scribes of the era, would row out in wooden boats during the stormiest of seas to rescue mariners in peril. The starkness of their existence is reflected in the code by which they lived You have to go out, but you do not have to come back. In 1915, the Life-Saving Service was merged by President Woodrow Wilson with the Revenue Cutter Service to create what we know today as the U.S. Coast Guard. In the years following, as technology advanced pretty rapidly, the exploits of the storm warriors faded from the memory of the general public. Wood Island Museum off the coast of Kittery, Maine, is scheduled to open Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, after restoring the former U.S. Life-Saving Service station. Now, after a restoration effort of several years and $6.8 million being raised, their legacy will live on at the former station at Wood Island, located just off the waterfront of Kitterys Fort Foster. On Friday, Aug. 9 appropriately, the weekend of the Coast Guards official birthday a long-awaited maritime museum will open its doors at Wood Island, which for decades housed crews of both the Life Saving Service and the Coast Guard. And it will kick off with a bang, featuring a fireworks display Saturday, Aug. 10 to commemorate the branchs birthday. Surfmen Capt. Silas Harding Visitors will be able to read interpretive posters about such dramatic rescues as the frigate Oliver Dyer in 1888 and the Navy submarine S-48 in 1925, which included not only the crew but a good-luck terrier pup named Beans. They will learn about Capt. Silas Harding, who as keeper, or head surfman, of the Jerrys Point station in New Castle, New Hampshire, directed the Dyer rescue which earned the entire crew the Gold Lifesaving Medal the highest decoration awarded by the service. Harding later went on to serve as superintendent of the agencys First District, which included all stations in Maine and New Hampshire. In this capacity, he personally oversaw an even more remarkable mission the 1905 rescue of the schooner Lizzy Carr near Wallis Sands in New Hampshire. How 'a maritime museum' on an island was created after threat of demolition The Wood Island U.S. Life-Saving Station had fallen into disrepair before being restored. It has taken a lot of effort to transform the long-neglected former station to the refurbished and pristine pearl-and-crimson facility it is today, but organizers hope this project will now help revive the memory of these heroic men. Built in 1908, the Wood Island station remained in operation until after World War II. When the Coast Guard relocated its Portsmouth Harbor operations to the current site in New Castle in the 1950s, the island was eventually returned to the town of Kittery, which didnt do much with it into the next century. By 2009, the building had crumbled into such a state of disrepair Kittery officials were ready to simply demolish it. However, a group of concerned citizens formed the nonprofit Wood Island Life Saving Station Association, also known as WILSSA, in 2011 with the intention of refurbishing the station to its former glory at no cost to the town, even as the town retains ownership. WILSSA and Kittery reached an agreement on the restoration project that included no funding from the town. The restoration project began in 2016. Reid said in addition to the $6.8 million WILSSA has raised for the project, he expects "a bit more ... for additional exhibits, furniture, curtains, etc." The Wood Island Museum features the restored U.S. Life-Saving Station off Kittery, Maine. Since that time, in addition to restoring the structure using many materials from the original site, the organization has also installed new sea walls on both the north and south sides of the island; a new pier; a unique training pole featured in a spectacular demonstration last September; and a restored marine railway, which may in the future actually be put to use. Just as importantly, electricity is running, bathrooms are working, and exhibits are on display. In July, the town of Kittery issued a crucial certificate of occupancy, verifying all inspections had passed and the building could be opened for business. Reid said WILSSA has an operational contract with the town to operate the museum for 40 years. Wood Island Museum features the restored U.S. Life-Saving Station. A maritime museum on an island. Only accessible by boat. What a remarkable thing, WILSSA president Sam Reid recently noted. The path that finally brought this project to fruition has featured remarkable collaborations and fortuitous occurrences. Heres the way things have worked out for the restoration of the Kittery station: More than a year ago, previous Wood Island visitor Steve Rogers (which also happens to be the true name of comic book superhero Captain America) came across a pair of small chests believed to have belonged to Seacoast surfman George Ricker. Somehow, they had wound up in the collection of a Florida antique dealer. Rogers initiated a chain of electronic correspondence that led to WILLSA board member Jake Winebaum, and the items eventually wound up back at Wood Island. One of the pieces is a truly unique Life Saving Service medicine chest more than 100 years old, still containing bottles of brandy and snuff, as well as the agencys directions for using the medicines .... contained in this chest, in reviving persons taken from the water. The second chest contained letters, photos and other personal items belonging to Ricker, who served at Wood Island in the early 1900s before later appointments as keeper at the Isles of Shoals and Rye Beach locations. In another instance, the family of Hugh Snow, a former keeper of the Wood Island Station, donated an original Life Saving Service clock from the Fletchers Neck post at Biddeford Pool in Maine. Fittingly, the man considered the father of the Life Saving Service was himself a native of Maine. Sumner Increase Kimball was born in Lebanon, raised in Sanford, attended Bowdoin College and represented Berwick in the state legislature. Trained as a lawyer, Kimball entered the U.S. Treasury Department as a clerk. He later created the Life Saving Service and then proceeded to head the agency as the only general superintendent in its history, from the 1878 inception to the 1915 merger creating the Coast Guard. In fact, a February 1906 Portsmouth Herald article reports both Kimball and Capt. Harding personally inspected several sites before Wood Island was selected as the ideal home for a new station. Now the stories of both men will be shared at the museum there. One of the more popular features likely will be the lookout tower sitting atop the station, which offers a majestic view of the harbor and neighboring Whaleback Lighthouse. The original wooden crew lockers also serve as a haunting reminder of the hardy men who called the station home. They tended to have spent their adult lives on or near the sea as fishermen, mariners, and the like. M/V Utopia to bring visitors to Wood Island Museum Wood Island Museum will begin welcoming visitors Aug. 9, 2024. Initially, the plan is to open the facility on the weekends. Portsmouth Harbor Cruises will start running regular trips two a day, initially, on Saturday and Sunday from Portsmouths Ceres Street to Wood Island aboard the new 42-foot M/V Utopia. Tickets will be $30 per person, including both the boat ride and the museum admission. Reid said the M/V Utopia will be the primary provider of rides to the museum. While the Utopia has capacity for 32 passengers, owner Drew Cole says he intends to carry no more than 25 people at a time. I think this will be a nice addition to our business, he said of the new tour. I bought Utopia with this in mind. Reservations can be made through the Portsmouth Harbor Cruises website. Departure times at 12:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. are being offered on Aug. 9, the museum's opening day. More information for visitors: woodislandlifesaving.org. The museum is also booking private events. Boat owners can transport themselves to Wood Island, Reid said. National Register of Historic Places a goal for Wood Island Wood Island Museum will begin welcoming visitors Aug. 9, 2024. While the opening of the museum is a significant milestone, the work at Wood Island is far from over. One of the next key steps is securing recognition on the National Register of Historic Places. The station was already ruled eligible for nomination to the register back in 2015, which was important in qualifying for certain protections during restoration, Reid said. Original window and door frames, baseboards and the like were tagged by room and location and then stored for seven years before they were stripped, cleaned and returned to their respective spot for preservation, he noted. But now WILSSA must submit the paperwork required for inclusion on the exclusive list. It will certainly be given the final thumbs up, Reid said. The training pole, constructed to resemble a ships mast, was traditionally used by surfmen during training drills to hone their prowess. Last September, a crew of surfmen reenactors from the Chicamacomico Life Saving Station in North Carolina journeyed to Kittery to provide a live demonstration of the exercise, which requires both ingenuity and sinew, as well as lines, pulleys and a small cannon-like gadget known as a Lyle gun. At some point, WILSSA hopes to offer such demonstrations on a regular basis, as the reenactors do at the North Carolina station. The marine railway installed at Wood Island is historically accurate, and the organization hopes to someday be able to allow visitors to slide down the rail into the water in surfboats similar to the ones used by surfmen during rescues. WILSSA maintains it is the only remaining life saving station with an operational railway. The museum already has a 1930s rescue boat called the Mervin Roberts, which was restored over a two-year process by wood boatbuilder Nate Greeley of York, Maine. In the meantime, both seawalls protecting the facility on the tiny island now require repair following some recent brutal storms. The walls were built through a remarkable partnership with the Maine Army National Guard, but sustained substantial weather damage. Fireworks event Aug. 10 invites community to celebrate and give back Wood Island Museum will begin welcoming visitors Aug. 9, 2024. But of more immediate concern is the upcoming fireworks display on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 9 p.m., hosted by Wood Island, to commemorate the recognized Aug. 4, 1790, birthday of the Coast Guard, based on the date the Revenue Cutter Service was officially created. The merger of this agency with the Life Saving Service in 1915 formed the Department of Homeland Security branch we know today. For the third consecutive year, folks can view the fireworks from New Castles Great Island Common and also bring nonperishable food to donate to Gather, the Portsmouth-based food pantry. Last year, 1,000 people donated 800 pounds of food at the event, according to WILSSA. The organization says this concept of helping others, then and now is a way of honoring the selflessness of the surfmen, whose very livelihood was based on saving lives. An 1885 annual report of the service previously cited by author Dennis L Noble describes the storm warriors as poor, plain men who took their lives in their hands, and, at the most imminent risk, crossed the tumultuous sea . and all for what? That others may live to see home and friends. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Wood Island Museum opening off Kittery, Maine coast PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) A Woonsocket man is heading to federal prison after he was convicted of trafficking drugs for the third time, according to U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha. Gregory Ortega, 34, pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition. He was sentenced to serve eight years behind bars, followed by four years of federal supervised release. Cunha said Ortega operated a well-orchestrated narcotics business in the Woonsocket area after he was released from the ACI in 2019. He stored drugs in family members homes and used runners to deliver them to his customers, according to prosecutors. At one point, he had thousands of dollars worth of fentanyl delivered to someone working with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force in the investigation. On March 16, 2022, members of the task force seized around 575 grams of fentanyl from Ortegas car and 745 grams from his grandmothers house, which he reportedly used as a stash house. Police also seized a privately made firearm and 14 rounds of ammunition. Court records show Ortega was previously charged with drug-related offenses in 2015 and 2018. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. The Ledger sent each candidate a questionnaire with issues related to their office. These are their responses. Polk County School Board, District 1 (nonpartisan) William Allen Q. Why are you the candidate most deserving of being elected? A. My journey fuels my passion for ensuring student success, expanding access to educational choices, and fostering strong community partnerships. Growing up as an at-risk student in Polk County and eventually earning a PhD in Digital Media, I understand the challenges and opportunities within our educational system. As a proud graduate of Polk County Public Schools, I see education as a pillar of hope and am dedicated to bringing this perspective of optimism to our school board. With over 17 years of higher ed experience, I recognize the collaborative nature of a school system that provides an intense focus on preparing students. My active voice in shaping our strategic plan gives me an advantage. Now, our work turns to implementing that vision, which is arguably more challenging. Having that context sets me apart from the competition. Q. What do you consider to be the main issues the School Board must address in the coming years? A. From my perspective, our top priority is giving parents confidence that the educational pathways and options their students are exposed to through Polk County Public Schools provides the rigor to prepare them for a successful future. Q. Like other districts around the country, Polk County is coping with high student absenteeism rates following the COVID pandemic. How should the School Board address that issue? A. Currently, our board has approved an extensive K-12 dropout prevention program designed to identify and support students at risk of falling behind. We have also increased funding to establish an extensive community outreach program, which includes hiring seven Community Outreach Facilitators specifically to address truancy. Moving forward, we need to ensure these programs are effectively implemented and continuously evaluated for impact. Q. What specific suggestions do you have for the district and for individual schools to address disruptive student behavior in classrooms? A. Currently, the district has an extensive Positive Behavior Intervention program in place, with plans to expand school participation in the 2024-25 school year. The district has also taken stronger steps to equip administrators with the knowledge to enforce the Student Code of Conduct more consistently and fairly. Q. The Polk Education Association has been urging the School Board to seek a dedicated property tax that would be used for increasing teacher salaries. Do you favor this idea? Why or why not? A. I would not support asking to increase tax rates to a level that exceeds those of our neighboring counties. However, I do support the current Cent Sales Tax and recognize the significant benefits it brings in modernizing our outdated school facilities. I will continue to advocate for and support this initiative. Q. The school district has faced a high volume of challenges to books held in school and classroom libraries in recent years. Are you satisfied with the process the district has used to handle book challenges? Would you suggest any changes? A. While I am mostly satisfied with the district's current process, I remain open to refining it to ensure it is transparent, fair, and consistently applied. It's important that we balance the diverse viewpoints of our community while upholding the educational integrity of our school libraries. Q. How would you seek to improve teacher retention rates, so that fewer teachers leave Polk County for other districts with better pay? A. While PCPSs veteran teacher retention rates exceed the national average, we need to work on improving retention rates for new teachers to compete with the national average. Given that over 30 percent of our teacher workforce has served five years or less, this is a significant undertaking. Q. The Florida Legislature has increased starting teacher pay in recent years but not the pay for long-term teachers, some of whom do not make much more than starting teachers. How do you think the School Board should address the issue of salary compression? A. Since 2021, this Board has increased contributions for advanced degree pay supplements, moving Polks ranking to number three within the Central Florida School Board coalition. Continued efforts are still needed and Im committed to honoring our veteran staff. Q. The school district has begun using a public-private partnership approach on the construction of new schools. Do you think the district should follow the interlocal agreement, which requires that a site-selection committee be called before the district can buy land for a new school? Do you think the public-private approach is working, and do you have any ideas for improving it? A. Polk County's current facilities approach aligns with the interlocal agreement. However, it's my understanding that the last interlocal agreement between all cities was signed and documented in 2013. Obviously, Polk has dramatically changed since that agreement. This process should be continually evaluated to determine effectiveness, particularly as we manage significant growth.Regarding the public-private partnership approach, I believe it has been effective. Polk County was among the first public school districts in Florida to implement this strategy, which has saved taxpayer dollars and included a built-in plan for deferred maintenance. Moving forward, we should explore ways to further optimize this model, potentially through policy development and streamlining administrative bureaucracy. Especially during periods of rapid growth around the district. Bernnie Brandt Q. Why are you the candidate most deserving of being elected? A. I am a unique candidate in this election because I don't have a background in education. I believe that, in order to truly represent its constituents, a governing body must be made up of people from many different backgrounds and walks of life. If elected, I will bring the perspective of the average, shift-working, child-raising, tax-paying citizen to the school board. I believe that having someone who can look at issues through that lens is crucial to having balance in any elected board, commission, council, or committee, and I want to be that person.Q. What do you consider to be the main issues the School Board must address in the coming years? A. I think that the main issues that will need to be addressed are 1) staff pay and happiness, 2) preparedness for growth and expansion, 3) working on improving grades through addressing attendance, and 4) handling the ever-increasing push to bring politics and religion into public schools. Q. Like other districts around the country, Polk County is coping with high student absenteeism rates following the COVID pandemic. How should the School Board address that issue? A. The root of the problem must be discovered before a solution can be effective, otherwise you are just throwing things at a wall and hoping one sticks. Many families experienced significant income changes during and after the pandemic, so it is likely that the ability of many students to get to and from school has been affected. Additionally, the pandemic disrupted many work schedules, with people being forced into different roles or jobs. Many older children often act as caretakers for younger siblings in the absence of a parent so, when a parent is working an unpredictable work schedule and a young child falls ill, the older child often misses school to care for the younger. Each situation is different, and what I just mentioned are just two of the possibilities. The district should investigate each case and work with each family to develop a solution that suits their needs. Q. What specific suggestions do you have for the district and for individual schools to address disruptive student behavior in classrooms? A. Many behavior issues stem from emotional instability. Children are developing and are not as in-tune with their emotions and mental health as many adults. I would like to see behavior issues addressed by a mental health counselor so that the root of the behavior can be handled and resolved, rather than simply punishing the child and returning them to the same environment. Q. The Polk Education Association has been urging the School Board to seek a dedicated property tax that would be used for increasing teacher salaries. Do you favor this idea? Why or why not? A. Yes. Staff pay must increase if we want to attract quality applicants and reduce turnover. Any referendum would ultimately be voted on by the voters of Polk County, so it would behoove the board to approve it and let the citizens decide. Q. The school district has faced a high volume of challenges to books held in school and classroom libraries in recent years. Are you satisfied with the process the district has used to handle book challenges? Would you suggest any changes? A. I would like to see there be a more concrete rubric for determining if a book is age-appropriate, rather than the subjective process that currently exists. If a book meets the age-appropriateness standards, parents should have access to a database where they can select books or media that their child is not permitted to have access to. If one parent doesn't think something is appropriate for their child, they have the right to prevent their child from having access to it. That same parent, however, does not have the right to prevent other people's children from having access to that material.Q. How would you seek to improve teacher retention rates, so that fewer teachers leave Polk County for other districts with better pay? A. Based on conversations I have had with teachers throughout the county, the two biggest issues that are causing turnover are pay and support. Teachers need to feel that they are supported by their administration, and they need to feel trusted to be the decision-makers in the day-to-day functions of their classrooms. Q. The Florida Legislature has increased starting teacher pay in recent years but not the pay for long-term teachers, some of whom do not make much more than starting teachers. How do you think the School Board should address the issue of salary compression? A. As I stated above, I would support an increase to the property tax rate if such increase was dedicated to school staff pay. I would also like to see staff pay be the first thing considered when making a yearly budget. Staff pay should be prioritized above every single other expense. Q. The school district has begun using a public-private partnership approach on the construction of new schools. Do you think the district should follow the interlocal agreement, which requires that a site-selection committee be called before the district can buy land for a new school? Do you think the public-private approach is working, and do you have any ideas for improving it? A. I think it is always important to get outside input before making a decision, especially one that has significant financial, economical, and environmental impact. I support the way the agreement causes the process to function, because those decisions ultimately affect municipalities, businesses, and communities in the area, which ensures that the area's services and infrastructure is able to support the addition of a school and the needs that surround it. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: In their words: Polk School Board District 1 candidates' answers The man who was killed at a Paradise Valley construction site on Monday has been identified, according to Paradise Valley Police. Around 12:30 p.m. on Monday, crews from Phoenix Fire and Scottsdale Fire were dispatched to a construction site on McDonald Drive west of Scottsdale Road for a report of a man trapped under fallen debris. Officials said they found Jose Ramirez Robledo, a 56-year-old Phoenix resident, and determined that he had been killed from his injuries. Officials said multiple windows had fallen from a crane operating at the construction site onto Robledo, who was working at the site. Paradise Valley police officials said the incident was still under investigation. Reporter Coleby Phillips contributed to this article. Annie Goodykoontz is a reporter for The Arizona Republic. You can reach her at AGoodykoontz@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Jose Ramirez Robledo ID'd as worker killed at PV construction site Photos show what life is like in the world's most isolated settlement The Edinburgh of the Seven Seas settlement is considered the most remote settlement in the world. The settlement, which is on the island of Tristan da Cunha, is home to around 230 people. It can only be reached after a nearly week-long boat trip departing from Cape Town, South Africa. Residents of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, one of the British Overseas Territories on the island of Tristan da Cunha, call their home "the world's most isolated settlement." Tristan da Cunha is an active volcanic island in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean. The last time it erupted was in 1961, which forced islanders to evacuate to England, according to the website of the Tristan da Cunha Government and the Tristan da Cunha Association. Now fewer than 250 islanders and visitors live there, but the remoteness grants the lucky few plenty of tranquility and safety. The economy relies on the export of crawfish, known as Tristan rock lobster, but tourism also makes up a small part. However, there are no hotels on the island, so the government has created a homestay program for visitors for 65 a night, or around $83 a night, according to the island's website. But first, you have to get there. The island is only accessible by boat many of which depart from the nearest city of Cape Town, South Africa and the journey to Tristan da Cunha takes nearly one week to complete. Here is what life is like in the most remote settlement in the world. Edinburgh of the Seven Seas is known as the most remote settlement in the world. All residents prefer to just call it "the Settlement." maloff/Shutterstock Source: Smithsonian, Business Insider, Tristan da Cunha It lies at the edge of an island, Tristan da Cunha, in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean. A red marker indicates the location of Tristan da Cunha, which is actually an active volcanic island. Google Maps Source: Tristan da Cunha, BI The island of Tristan da Cunha is more than 1,700 miles (nearly 2,800 kilometers) off the coast of Cape Town. The volcanic island sits 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) above sea level. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha, BI The island is one of Britain's 14 overseas territories. A ship leaves Portsmouth Harbour in England to patrol the waters around Britain's territories in the South Atlantic. Chris Ison/PA Images/Contributor/Getty Images Source: Britain's Treasure Islands, BBC The settlement was named after the Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria's second son, after he visited in 1867. The town was named for the Duke of Edinburgh. Print Collector/Contributor/Getty Images Source: Traveler's Point, Tristan da Cunha There are fewer than 300 islanders and visitors who currently live there, including descendants from original settlers to stationed researchers. The settlement is home to full-time residents and visitors. Reuters Source: Traveler's Point Being the remotest settled island in the world is Tristan's claim to fame. A sign in Edinburgh, Tristan da Cunha, the world's remotest settlement. maloff/Shutterstock The island is so remote that the government actually recommends visitors start to plan their trips a year in advance. Visiting the island is not easy. Geoff Renner/robertharding/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha Before even booking a flight, prospective visitors need to get their trip approved by the Tristan government. They need to email the Secretary to the Administrator, providing reasons for their visit. The British governor residency in Edinburgh, Tristan da Cunha. maloff/Shutterstock Source: Tristan da Cunha The island is only accessible by boat across the South Atlantic Ocean most trips leave from Cape Town, South Africa. Arriving to the island after a nearly week-long journey must feel incredible. Mark Hannaford/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha The trip from Cape Town's port takes approximately six days, and the ships leave on an inconsistent schedule sometimes they set sail multiple times per month and sometimes they skip a month entirely. The government suggests padding travel time in Cape Town with an additional two days. The inconsistent shipping schedule is a big reason for needing to plan your trip way in advance. GuilhermeMesquita/Shutterstock Source: Tristan da Cunha Voyages are also listed on the South African National Antarctic Programme's schedule. The route isn't simple though and makes six stops in total. A cargo ship arriving at Tristan da Cunha. maloff/Shutterstock Source: South African National Antarctic Programme The settlement is known for its warm hospitality and will welcome all visitors after the long journey. The settlement does not have hotels, and most visitors stay with local residents. maloff/Shutterstock Source: Tristan da Cunha Of the 226 people currently living on the island, 30 are not part of the permanent group of residents. And of the permanent islanders, there are only 10 different last names. Animals graze on communal pastures. Mark Hannaford/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha One islander said it's one giant family-like community: If someone kills a large animal for eating, they share it. If someone's home is destroyed, someone else will host them or help them repair it. Mailbox on Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. maloff/Shutterstock Source: Redfern Natural History Productions The islander also said, "It's safe" in terms of criminal activity. Children can run around without supervision, and people don't lock their doors. The community is safe, residents say. maloff/Shutterstock Source: Redfern Natural History Productions Another native islander was asked about what it was like to grow up on Tristan. He joked, "Pretty good, as long as you can find something to do." Boats on Edinburgh of the Seas, Tristan da Cunha. maloff/Shutterstock Source: Where's Andrew Edinburgh of the Seven Seas is a rural settlement, which sustains itself by growing mainly potatoes on patches of land about a mile away from the town. Vegetable patches, Tristan da Cunha. Getty Images Source: Redfern Natural History Productions The farming part of life in Tristan allows islanders to grow their own food without having to import. Potato patches, Tristan da Cunha. Peter Schaefer/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha There's one road that leads to the patches ... The main road to the agricultural area in Edinburgh of the Seas. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Redfern Natural History Productions ... and anyone can take the bus to get there. The bus on Edinburgh of the Seas. Peter Schaefer/Getty Images Source: Redfern Natural History Productions Every family living on the island has a few fields to grow potatoes and other crops. They harvest inside "walled patches" made from volcanic rock, and use hand tools rather than harvesting machinery. Fields on Tristan da Cunha. Peter Schaefer/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha Each family can own livestock, but the government controls the numbers to prevent overgrazing of the limited land. Currently, each household is allowed to own one cow. Sheep on Tristan da Cunha, near Edinburgh of the Seas. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha More than 40% of the island's territory is declared a nature reserve. Animal life includes rare bird breeds and Northern Rockhopper penguins. Rock-hopper penguin near 'Edinburgh of the Seven Seas' port, Tristan da Cunha. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Britain's Treasure Islands There are three different species of albatross native to the island, but the albatross are threatened by mice every year. Pictured above is the yellow-nosed albatross. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Island Conservation, Tristan da Cunha The same boats that brought people to the island brought mice and rats as well. In killing the chicks of native birds, the rodents could be eradicating a number of species. Tristan islanders call the penguins "pinnamins." Auscape/Contributor/Getty Images Source: RSPB, Tristan da Cunha In fact, it's such a problem that the islanders have an entire holiday dedicated to ridding the island of the vermin: Ratting Day. Teams of men compete on Ratting Day to remove the troublesome rats. Courtesy of Tristan da Cunha Photo Portfolio Source: Tristan da Cunha On this holiday, residents team up and compete to see who can catch the most, and the biggest, rats and mice it was an idea thought up before mice repellent existed on the island. On Ratting Day in 2019, a gong sounded at 7 a.m. to alert the settlement that the day had begun. Courtesy of Tristan da Cunha Photo Portfolio Source: Tristan da Cunha Judges count the rats and measure the tails to decide which team wins. Teams then receive prizes and have a dance-filled celebration of the day. The Medical, Veterinary, and Agricultural Officers act as judges. Courtesy of Tristan da Cunha Photo Portfolio Source: Tristan da Cunha The residents also celebrate traditional Catholic holidays, including Easter. Residents at Saint Mary's Anglican Church on Easter Sunday. Kent Kobersteen/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha The church was built in 1923 and was the first on the island. The island has four churches in total. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha Before the church was created, islanders held services in people's homes. The church is a way for islanders to come together in one communal space. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha Islanders say they feel a sense of community while dealing with death just as much as they do while living and celebrating life. If there is a death during the week, usually the workday will be cut short. Kent Kobersteen/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha "Whether family or not, a passing touches the hearts of the whole community, and this is when you see islanders not only as a community but as a family," wrote one islander, Dawn Repetto, on the community's website. Women on the island usually collect flowers and make wreaths. Kent Kobersteen/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha Scientists visit the island to gather information on the rare plant and animal species living on the island among the volcanic rock. There are plenty of rare botanic species for scientists to study. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Smithsonian The settlement also has all the basics you would expect from any small town, such as a supermarket, a bar, an internet cafe, and bus stops. A small bus stop to wait in. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Redfern Natural History Productions There's also a school, St. Mary's, for students aged between 3 and 16. It has five classrooms, a library, a hall with a stage, a computer room, and a science room. The school in Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan da Cunha. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha The local economy depends largely on the harvest of rock lobster which they sell internationally and fish. Lobster boats docked along the coast of the island. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha They also sell postage stamps to collectors abroad and make a limited amount through tourism. Collectors worldwide are interested in buying stamps. RFStock/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha While some cruise ships have added the port to their route from Africa to Latin America so tourists can have a peek into this style of remote life, it's generally not somewhere people just pass through. Tourists get a chance to see unusual and rare birds. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Smithsonian, Lonely Planet But for the tourists that do make it to the island, there are a few options when it comes to tourist accommodations. A view of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. Peter Schaefer/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha Some islanders open up their homes to visitors on a homestay basis. They collect 88% of the guest fees while the other 12% goes to the government. Homestays are a great option to immerse yourself in the island culture. Peter Schaefer/EyeEm/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha There's a museum called "Traditional Thatched House Museum" that's available as a guesthouse for one night for two people. The price includes tea, coffee, milk, sugar, candles, sleeping bags, and a "traditional Tristan cooked meal" for lunch. Shepherds' huts on Tristan da Cunha island. The museum is not pictured. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha Tourists can climb the active volcano on their visit. This peaceful, quiet settlement was almost destroyed in 1961 when the volcano erupted and sent lava spewing down the mountains. Tristan da Cunha. David Forman/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha You can see here how close the lava got to the settlement. It stopped before it reached the buildings. Tristan da Cunha. Peter Schaefer/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha Islanders were forced to evacuate. Most went to England, where they got a taste of modern life. When the islanders evacuated, the UK government assumed it was permanent. Terence Spencer/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha By November of 1963, all the islanders who chose to reject the swinging sixties in the UK had returned back to their settlement to carry on their legacy. A boat filled with islanders returning home to Tristan da Cunha in 1963. Carl Mydans/Contributor/Getty Images Source: Tristan da Cunha Read the original article on Business Insider A Holstein cow peers through the barrier of a dairy farm in Hamilton County, Kansas. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector) Federal health officials are encouraging farm workers who tend livestock and poultry to get vaccinated for seasonal influenza to help prevent a bird flu mutation that might spark a pandemic in people. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday it would devote up to $5 million to pay for the vaccinations, and that it will rely on states to implement the initiative. There are 14 known human infections of highly pathogenic avian influenza that resulted from contact with infected dairy cattle and poultry in the United States, and all but one has happened in the past four months. The virus has been circulated by wild birds for more than two years and has sporadically transmitted to domestic birds. A variation of the virus has been infecting U.S. dairy cattle since December, and four people who worked closely with infected cattle also became ill. In recent weeks, nine people in Colorado who were tasked with culling infected poultry contracted the virus. The CDC has maintained that the virus risk to humans is low those who have been infected so far had minor symptoms of respiratory illness or pinkeye, or both. It has not been shown to transmit between people, but the virus has the potential to rapidly gain that ability if it infects someone who also has a seasonal flu virus. Such dual infections, while rare, could potentially result in an exchange of genetic material between two different influenza viruses, Nirav Shah, principal deputy director for the CDC, said in a call with reporters Tuesday. Shah said that reassortment process could pose a significant public health concern if bird flu gains the ability to spread person-to-person the way seasonal flu does, potentially resulting in a virus that spreads easily and causes severe symptoms. A new vaccination campaign Shah said the CDC will devote up to $10 million for farm workers health related to avian flu. Half will be spent educating and training farm workers about how to avoid being infected. The other half will pay for seasonal flu vaccines for an estimated 200,000 farm workers who tend livestock and poultry. The CDC hopes to vaccinate all of them but acknowledges that less than half of the general population typically gets a flu shot. How the voluntary vaccination effort will proceed is unclear. State health officials are expected to implement them, most immediately in the 13 states that have confirmed infections among cows. That includes Iowa, where 13 dairy herds have been infected. However, no new infections have been reported in the state in the past month. A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services which presumably would coordinate with the CDC did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article. The vaccine will not protect the workers from contracting bird flu, Shah said, nor will it guarantee they wont be infected by seasonal flu. But he said its an important component of the public health response to the new virus threat. The risk here is a theoretical but important risk, Shah said. Colorado has most recent infections The confirmations of new bird flu infections among cattle have waned significantly in most states, except for in Colorado. In the past 30 days, two-thirds of the nations 32 newly infected herds were in that state, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Some of that might be due to Colorados robust testing protocols, but its also a quirk of history and geography, said Eric Deeble, deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs for the USDA. The state has far fewer dairy farms than the leading milk-producing states, but most of them are concentrated in one county. They are all in very close proximity to one another, and so there is a lot of sharing of equipment, a lot of sharing of personnel and a lot of movement on and off farms to adjacent farms, Deeble said. The USDA has identified the movement of equipment and people between dairy farms as a primary vector for virus transmissions from herd to herd and from herd to flock. The virus has been identified in 172 dairy herds in the United States this year. Fifty of them are in Colorado. In Texas, where the infections originated, the virus was confirmed in 22 herds, although there were many that went untested because they recovered before bird flu was identified as the culprit. This story was produced by Iowa Capital-Dispatch, a States Newsroom affiliate. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Worship Center Christian Church is inviting students of all ages for a back-to-school celebration. They will be giving away 500 backpacks, interactive games, complimentary haircuts and more. The event will be held on Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 100 Derby Parkway. The event is free to the public and free of charge. High School football Week 0 schedule in central Alabama Here are some of the highlights of the event: 500 Free Backpacks Free Haircuts: Licensed barbers will be on site offering free back-to-school haircuts Bouncy Houses Live interactive games Silent disco Food trucks Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Wrong way, hit-and-run driver causes mayhem on 101 Freeway, crashes in Hollywood A wrong-way, hit-and-run driver, who reportedly crashed into more than a dozen cars on the 101 Freeway before exiting to surface streets in Hollywood and colliding with yet another motorist while police were chasing him, was taken into custody Tuesday, authorities confirmed to KTLA. Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to reports of a suspect possibly driving under the influence at around 4:16 p.m. at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Bronson Avenue. Footage of the incident obtained by KTLA shows the suspect in a white pickup truck with heavy front-end damage just moments after the collision. Police were quickly out of their patrol vehicles with guns drawn, ordering the suspect to exit the vehicle. The suspect pushed aside the airbags in the cab of the truck and stumbled out onto the street where he was eventually arrested. A few moments later, one officer was seen dousing a small fire that had ignited underneath the suspects truck. Police at the scene of a crash caused by a wrong-way, hit-and-run driver in Hollywood on July 30, 2024. (Atomic Tattoo) Police at the scene of a crash caused by a wrong-way, hit-and-run driver in Hollywood on July 30, 2024. (Atomic Tattoo) Police at the scene of a crash caused by a wrong-way, hit-and-run driver in Hollywood on July 30, 2024. (Atomic Tattoo) Police at the scene of a crash caused by a wrong-way, hit-and-run driver in Hollywood on July 30, 2024. (Atomic Tattoo) Police at the scene of a crash caused by a wrong-way, hit-and-run driver in Hollywood on July 30, 2024. (Atomic Tattoo) Police at the scene of a crash caused by a wrong-way, hit-and-run driver in Hollywood on July 30, 2024. (KTLA) Police at the scene of a crash caused by a wrong-way, hit-and-run driver in Hollywood on July 30, 2024. (KTLA) Police at the scene of a crash caused by a wrong-way, hit-and-run driver in Hollywood on July 30, 2024. (KTLA) Police at the scene of a crash caused by a wrong-way, hit-and-run driver in Hollywood on July 30, 2024. (KTLA) Hollywood wrong-way driver Police at the scene of a crash caused by a wrong-way, hit-and-run driver in Hollywood on July 30, 2024. (KTLA) John Londono, whose vehicle was hit by the wrong-way driver on the 101 Freeway, told KTLA that he watched the suspect slam into at least 20 cars while traveling northbound in southbound lanes of the freeway. There was an accident. I guess he was trying to get away and started driving the opposite way of traffic, he explained. He started hitting all kinds of cars so everybody would move. He mustve hit 20 cars, trying to move everybody out of the way so he could escape. According to Londono, the suspect was driving in the wrong direction on the 101 Freeway near Universal Studios before making it all the way back into Hollywood. He caused a giant pile-up on the freeway, Londono added. I was able to get off and now I see his car over here. I wanted to get information because he went head-on with my car on the freeway. Another victim, Alejandro Corredor, was struck by the suspect when he ran a red light on Hollywood Boulevard at Bronson while police were in pursuit. The impact of the collision was hard enough to deploy the airbags in his vehicle, which he only just bought two months ago. 82 arrested, 2K pounds of copper wire seized by LAPDs Heavy Metal Task Force I got it at a dealership brand new, Corredor explained of his car. My first brand new car ever, two months ago. What are you going to do? The suspect appeared to have minor injuries and was taken to the hospital by medical personnel with the Los Angeles Fire Department. No other injuries were reported. Its unclear just how many charges the man will face. Police told KTLA that a field sobriety test would be performed to determine whether the suspect was under the influence of drugs and or alcohol. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for greater efforts to build a strong border, coastal and air defense system to meet rapidly changing security needs, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Most Read from Bloomberg China should beef up defense construction in border and coastal areas and improve relations with neighboring countries to create a favorable environment for safeguarding security, Xi said Tuesday at a meeting with senior officials, Xinhua reported. China faces new opportunities and challenges in border, coastal and air defense due to drastic changes in the global landscape, Xi said. He made the remarks at a study session of the elite Politburo of the ruling Communist Party prior to the countrys Army Day on Thursday, an anniversary of the founding of Chinas armed forces. The worlds No. 2 economy has been engaged in a bitter border dispute with India after a 2020 skirmish that left 20 Indian and at least four Chinese soldiers dead. China also has overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea with regional countries including the Philippines and Vietnam. Tensions between Beijing and Manila ran high this year over the contested Spratly Islands, with Chinese and Philippine vessels colliding and blaming each other for the confrontation. At the meeting Xi also called for better coordination between military and civilian governments and improving air traffic management, according to Xinhua. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen orders a 'Wiz Wit' cheesesteak sandwich at Jim's South St. sandwich shop after an event with Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro, in Philadelphia U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen orders a 'Wiz Wit' cheesesteak sandwich at Jim's South St. sandwich shop after an event with Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro, in Philadelphia By David Lawder PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen went to Philadelphia on Tuesday to showcase a new free tax filing system with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democratic vice presidential contender. But it was her cheesesteak lunch that stole the show. Yellen, whose cuisine choices on her trips often make headlines, headed to Jim's South Street steak shop and appeared to pass another viral social media test, smoothly navigating the tricky politics around Philadelphia's signature sandwich. Pennsylvania is considered a must-win battleground state for Democrats in the Nov. 5 presidential election, and Philadelphians consider it a rite of passage for politicians and other top officials to pay homage to the cheesesteak. Local experts say the wrong choice could bring bad publicity for Democrats, even if Yellen isn't running for office. In 2003, then-presidential candidate John Kerry made headlines when he ordered a cheesesteak sandwich with Swiss cheese, viewed as too gourmet, at Pat's King of Steaks - considered a local faux-pas. But Yellen ordered the classic "Wiz Wit" of chopped rib-eye steak, Kraft Cheez Whiz processed cheese sauce and grilled onions, a preferred local variety. "It isn't possible to get elected if you don't go to cheesesteak places in Philadelphia and it matters where you go," said Carolyn Wyman, author of "The Great Philly Cheesesteak Book" and Philadelphia resident. "We trace the beginning of the end of John Kerry's quest for president when he went to Pat's and tried to order a cheesesteak with Swiss cheese. It's not an option," Wyman said. Reporters' posts about Yellen's visit on X went viral and won responses approving the choice of Jim's South Street, which reopened in May after a nearly two-year closure due to a fire. Yellen avoided a potential pitfall after the Internal Revenue Service event by skipping the Tony & Nick's shop, formerly Tony Luke's, whose two owners were sentenced in January with 20-month prison terms for tax fraud. (Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Sonali Paul) The YMCA Summer Challenge encourages you to be a champion AUSTIN (KXAN) Local nonprofit We Are Blood (WRB), partnered with Greater Austin YMCAs, are encouraging residents to compete in a Summer Challenge and donate blood during a time where donations are low, according to a news release from We Are Blood. This summer, WRB has seen a drop in blood donations. WRB is one of the sole blood providers to 50 hospitals in the Central Texas area, the release said. In the spirit of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, WRB and YMCA have organized a summer challenge where blood donors may feel that same spirit by becoming a local champion. The nonprofit said a single donation can save around three lives. The Summer Challenge drive is taking place at 11 different locations across Austin. It runs from July 29 through Sept. 5. On July 31 you can donate at the YMCA of Austin Town Lake from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. On Aug. 1 you can donate at the Georgetown Family YMCA from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. On Aug. 2 you can donate at the YMCA of the Highland Lakes and CHASCO Family YMCA from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Aug. 3 you can donate at the North Austin YMCA from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. On Aug. 8 you can donate at Hutto Family YMCA and Twin Lakes Family YMCA from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Sept. 5 you can donate at the Northwest Family YMCA from 8 a.m. to noon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. The Colorado Supreme Court has signaled it may intervene in a lawsuit seeking to make ExxonMobil liable for damages resulting from climate change, one of many ongoing attempts across the country to hold oil and gas producers accountable for the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions. Boulder County and the city of Boulder originally filed suit in 2018 against ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy on the theory that the fossil fuel industry knew since the 1960s the release of carbon dioxide would lead to negative effects on the planet, but concealed that knowledge from the public. "People, property (including County-owned property), and infrastructure within Boulder County have been and will continue to be damaged on account of climate change caused and contributed to by Defendants actions," wrote the plaintiffs, specifically mentioning increased risk of drought, wildfire, and property loss from extreme weather. The governments lodged claims under state law for public nuisance, trespass and civil conspiracy, among others. Although they did not seek to force ExxonMobil and Suncor to alter their oil and gas operations, they chose to pursue monetary damages for the past and future costs of climate change, including wildfire response, flood control and resiliency efforts. Over the past six years, however, the litigation largely stalled. The defendants transferred the case to federal court, where it made its way up to the appellate and Supreme Court levels. Eventually, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed in 2022 that none of the reasons the oil and gas companies cited for being in federal court had merit, as Boulder County and the city were not trying to regulate interstate activity or undermine federal energy policy. "The Municipalities can prevail on their claims without proving any issue of federal law because the success of those claims is grounded in traditional state-law causes of action and does not depend on any federal policy or regulation," wrote Judge Carolyn B. McHugh. Featured Local Savings Back in state court, District Court Judge Robert R. Gunning issued an order in June partly allowing the lawsuit to move forward. He concluded he did not have jurisdiction over Suncor, which is based in Canada, but did have jurisdiction over ExxonMobil. Gunning reiterated what the federal courts had observed: Boulder County and the city were not trying to force a change to national climate policy, but rather were seeking compensation for local harms the oil and gas industry allegedly caused. "This Court joins the vast majority of courts who have considered this issue" and allowed the claims to proceed, Gunning wrote, citing the Hawaii Supreme Court's October decision in a similar case. He dismissed the plaintiffs' consumer protection claim but otherwise green-lit the lawsuit. ExxonMobil appealed directly to the state Supreme Court, maintaining the plaintiffs sought to hold the company liable for a "worldwide phenomenon." Resurrecting the argument already rejected by federal courts, ExxonMobil reiterated state law could not be the vehicle for the plaintiffs' case. In a July 29 order, the Supreme Court ordered Gunning and the plaintiffs to respond to the company's petition. To date, the lawsuit out of Boulder County is one of roughly three dozen similar cases alleging consumer protection violations or climate-related damages by the fossil fuel industry. The Washington, D.C.-based Center for Climate Integrity notes Boulder County's lawsuit was the first to be filed by landlocked jurisdictions. San Miguel County was originally part of the litigation, but is now pursuing a separate case in Denver District Court. At the request of both sides, the trial judge paused the proceedings this month in anticipation of the Supreme Court's intervention in the Boulder County case. As former Yonkers City Council President Mike Khader prepares to launch his comeback, the Yonkers Inspector General has released a report alleging that Khader violated the citys Code of Ethics by accepting free office space from a Yonkers law firm whose name partner provided city-financed legal services to Khader while he was in office. The report, conducted by an outside firm, also recommends that the matter be referred for prosecution under state bribery laws. Mike Khader, the former Yonkers City Council President, is pictured in his law office in Yonkers, July 30, 2024 The IG report focuses on Khaders relationship with attorney Jeff Buss, who was Khaders city-funded counsel, and the law firm, Smith, Buss & Jacobs, where Buss is a partner. The report was issued by Joseph Cartafalsa of Ogletree Deakins in Manhattan, a labor and employment law firm hired by the Inspector Generals office to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest. The Yonkers City Council requested the inquiry in the spring of 2021 during Khaders re-election campaign. A three-way race in the Democratic primary was won by Lakisha Collins-Bellamy. More: How Lenny Spano rose to assistant DPW commissioner in Uncle Mike's Yonkers administration Yonkers Inspector General Liam McLaughlin and Khader have history in the rough-and-tumble Yonkers political world. Khader stunned the city by ousting McLaughlin in 2017 when the Yonkers Republican sought reelection as City Council president. IG report: 'Khader's excuses for not paying rent are...not credible' The IG report said the Khaders defense of the rent-free office space was not to be believed. Khaders excuses for not paying rent are misleading, dissembling and not credible, the report states. The weight of the evidence supports a quid pro quo relationship where Khader received and benefited from a law office (and office services) rent free, and Buss received and benefited from a contract from Khader. Khader, however, says the report is a political hit job, designed to crush his comeback bid for council president before its official launch. Khader acknowledged he had an agreement to sublet an office at 733 Yonkers Ave. from Smith Buss & Jacobs in 2018, but mainly for storage space for legal files. He said that McLaughlin's involvement in the inquiry reeks of revenge. "Talk about conflict of interest and misuse of public funds!" said Khader in a statement issued on Tuesday. "This 'report' was managed by Liam McLaughlin, who I beat for president of the City Council, and is using taxpayer dollars to personally avenge his defeat which makes it far from 'independent,' and handed it to Lakisha Collins-Bellamy to deceive and misinform the good people of Yonkers." The report noted that Khader used Smith Buss conference rooms for interviews, and also availed himself of notary services at Smith Buss for certification on legal documents. More: Yonkers Mayor Spano gets 46% raise, $72K in retroactive pay as 4th term begins in 2024 Khader insisted the report was timed for release as he gears up for his first fundraiser for the 2025 campaign, which he expects to hold in late August. Collins-Bellamy said this week that she will run for a second term. Khader invoked a storied Yonkers moniker for the peaks and valleys of New York's third largest city in response to his former political opponent. Liam has weaponized the inspector generals office, said Khader. They know there is nothing here. Kill my campaign in the crib thats what they want to do. Its nothing more than a political witch hunt. Its why they call Yonkers the City Of Hills where nothing is on the level. McLaughlin, though, said he'd heard nothing of Khader's latest political aspirations. Buss says contract was with him, not his law firm Buss maintained the report fails to focus on the terms of the city of Yonkers' contract with him in 2018. He said the contract from Khader's office was with himself, personally. He said his law firm, Smith Buss & Jacobs, was not a party to the contract. There is no factual or legal basis for the false assumptions of an improper quid pro quo, said Buss in a statement for himself and the law firm. Mr. Buss had no legal capacity to rent or provide any office space to Mr. Khader. Mr. Khader owed no rent to Mr. Buss, and Mr. Buss actually provided documented services in exchange for the payments made to him. Quite simply, there is no factual or legal basis for the unsupported assumptions alleged in the political attack masquerading as an investigative report. Collins-Bellamy demanded that Khader pay the city for the value of his free rental because he received the free rent office in exchange for a $240,000 no-bid contract. This report is troubling, to say the least, said Collins-Bellamy. In great detail, and using multiple sworn witness statements, it documents a scheme in which Khader gave $240,000 in no-bid contracts to a local law firm that then provided him up to $29,000 worth of free rent and office services over a two-year period. I will leave potential criminal prosecution up to the district attorney, but Mike Khader at the very least needs to reimburse the City for the free rent and office services for his law practice that in reality were paid for by the taxpayers of Yonkers. Khader brushed aside Collins-Bellamy's demand. "The only 'troubling' thing to see here is her digging up old unfounded reports written by political rivals to divert focus from the chaos and disservice she represents in the City Council chambers," said Khader. McLaughlin said he was still studying the report and has yet to decide whether he will refer it to the citys Ethics Board and the office of District Attorney Mimi Rocah. Khader promises to 'challenge these snakes head on' The report delved deeply into the office space used by Khader in 2017, before his election to the City Council, through 2018, when he burst on the scene as City Council president. That's when Buss was hired to provide legal advice to Khader. At $250 an hour, the engagement required Buss to attend public meetings chaired by Khader and to provide legal advice on the broad spectrum of Yonkers municipal issues. The report notes that although Buss maintained that he worked for the City Council as a sole practitioner, and not with his firm, another attorney from the firm appeared as counsel for Khader at certain City Council meetings. Buss also billed the city on the firms letterhead, and deposited city payments to him in the firms bank account, according to the report. At his office on Tuesday, Khader provided a copy of his 2018 contract with the law firm a month-to-month sublet agreement for $300 a month. It stated that Khader took the office as is, with the proviso that the rent would be due once the law firm restores the suite to a condition suitable for occupancy as a law office. Khader said the firm never did so, that he waited in vain for his landlord to create an actual law office out of the commercial space, with fundamentals like a conference room. The carpet was ragged too, with heaps of garbage gathering dust in one corner of the welcome foyer while the office walls awaited completion of a sheet-rocking job, according to photos Khader shared with Tax Watch. There was no movement in cleaning it up, he said. He said he paid Smith Buss $300 near the end of 2018, when the law firm moved its files that were in storage in Suite 303. Hes now subletting from a new tenant, at $800 a month, who has renovated the office to include a welcoming reception area and conference room with chairs around a table. Khader said that during the 2021 campaign, he did not respond forcefully enough, taking the advice of political professionals who urged him to rise above the clamor about the law office and focus on all the good he wanted to do for Yonkers. He vowed it would be different this time as he prepares to return to the political arena and the 2025 race for City Council president. I realized that my silence had a drip effect, said Khader. But hindsight is 20/20, right? Im going to nip it in the bud now. I'm going to challenge these snakes head-on. Sign up for Wilson's weekly newsletter for insights into his Tax Watch columns. David McKay Wilson writes about tax issues and government accountability. Follow him on Twitter @davidmckay415 or email him at dwilson3@lohud.com. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Yonkers IG report questions ethics of Mike Khader's free office rent NEW YORK (PIX11) A doctoral student enrolled at Cornell University took to the streets of New York City to find out which ones were the most crowded. Matthew Franchi, a computer science PhD candidate, found that most of the streets are in Manhattan. More Local News New York City is a large place; almost 469 square miles of pretty dense civilization, Franchis GitHub website states. While a neighborhoods atmosphere is, of course, a function of time, it is possible to get an average consensus of how crowded each neighborhood feels by averaging over time. When we say crowded, we mean not just with people; we also mean with static objects or street furniture, or, to get even more colloquial, clutter. When we mix crowdedness within the narrow environment of NYCs sidewalks, we endeavor to call this feeling claustrophobia, a direct mapping to the definition in psychology. Top 10 most claustrophobic neighborhoods in Manhattan: Times Square Midtown South-Flatiron-Union Square Greenwich Village SoHo-Little Italy-Hudson Square East Midtown-Turtle Bay West Village Financial District-Battery Park City Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill Tribeca-Civic Center Murray Hill-Kips Bay If you would like to know the other most-crowded streets in New York City Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO, among them you can read more about Frenchis study and methodology 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. Yosemite rock climbers help save the fastest animal in the world YOSEMITE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Peregrine falcons are back to soaring through Yosemites crisp air thanks in part to some conscientious climbers. According to the park service officials, falcon populations began plummeting in the 1950s, largely due to DDT poisoning. By 1974, only 324 pairs remained nationwide. Peregrines, which can soar through the air at speeds over 240 mph, may not have been able to outrun the threat of their extinction without concerted rehabilitation efforts. A threatened species is being reintroduced to Yosemite A formal program to protect the falcons in Yosemite was initiated in 2009 calling for targeted closures of climbing areas. Since then, officials say the number of breeding pairs among peregrines has doubled. Biological Science Technician for the National Park Service in Yosemite, Alexandria Walker says its a remarkable comeback. Peregrines hunt, soar, and nest on and around the parks granite cliffs, domes, and spires because of a dedicated effort to protect them. Walker said. Involving climbers, the National Park Service, and Yosemite Conservancy. Help the Fresno Chaffee Zoo find their Harriss hawk, Ripley Earlier this year, wildlife managers in Yosemite studied 43 cliff sites and found 17 breeding pairs, 25 baby peregrines, and 15 nests. The support from Yosemite Conservancy donors for [the Peregrine Falcon Protection] program and the conscientious involvement of climbers, have created a sustained and successful peregrine recovery effort, Sarah Stock, Wildlife Ecologist for the National Park Service in Yosemite 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 YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Kyiv does not want China to act as a mediator in its 29-month-old conflict with Russia but hoped Beijing would apply greater pressure on Moscow to end the war. Zelenskiy, speaking to French media outlets, also said that while Ukraine insisted on restoring its 1991 post-Soviet borders it would consider opening talks with Russia before all of Moscow's troops were withdrawn if the conditions were right. "If China wants to, it can force Russia to stop this war. I do not want (China) to act as a mediator. I would like it to put pressure on Russia to put an end to this war," Zelenskiy told reporters. "Just as the United States is applying pressure, just as the European Union is applying pressure. The more influence a country has, the greater should be its pressure on Russia." China, which has a "no limits" partnership with Russia, has advanced its own peace plan to end the war based on non-escalation, direct negotiations and humanitarian assistance. It stayed away from the first peace summit on Ukraine held last month in Switzerland, but has stepped up diplomatic efforts and hosted Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba last week. Zelenskiy repeated his earlier contention that Russia, which was excluded from the peace summit, should attend a subsequent gathering he hopes to hold later this year. "Otherwise, we will not obtain viable results," he was quoted as saying. "All our conditions will be in place. That does not mean that at that precise moment, we will recover our 1991 borders." A just peace for Ukraine, he said, "involves recovering our territorial integrity, but that does not mean that this must be done solely through arms." Russian forces currently occupy a little less than 20% of Ukrainian territory and have been making incremental gains in the eastern part of the 1,000-km (600-mile) front since the capture of the town of Avdiivka in February. In his comments, Zelenskiy acknowledged the advances and said they were caused by delays in equipping brigades, Russia's refusal to take notice of its own losses and restrictions by Kyiv's Western partners on how their weapons could be deployed. "It's difficult throughout the eastern front. They are concentrating all their efforts in the east," he said, noting their drive westward to the Ukrainian-held city of Sloviansk. Russian President Vladimir Putin last month said Moscow was willing to negotiate an end to the war, but talks were contingent on Ukraine giving up the four regions Russia annexed in 2022. Zelenskiy said giving up territory was not an option. "It's impossible. It runs against our constitution. And it is an issue that is up to us alone," he said. (Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Stephen Coates) KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signed a law allowing the government to suspend foreign debt payments until Oct. 1, paving the way for a moratorium to be called that would formally mark a sovereign default. Earlier this month, Ukraine announced a preliminary deal with a committee of its main bondholders to restructure its near $20 billion worth of international debt. Prompted by Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion, it will be its second such rework in a decade following a similar deal after the 2014 invasion of Crimea. A two-year payment moratorium on those bonds expires on Aug. 1. Bondholders still must approve the deal, which they are expected to do, though the technicalities behind it could take weeks. But a short-term default would have a less significant impact on its long-term borrowing prospects than a default with no deal in sight. The proposal would see a 37% nominal haircut on Ukraine's outstanding international bonds, saving Kyiv $11.4 billion in payments over the next three years - the duration of the country's programme with the International Monetary Fund, according to government statements. Ukraine also owes a $34 million coupon payment on its 2026 Eurobond due on Aug. 1, with a 10-day grace period. Ukraine's finance minister Sehriy Marchenko earlier hailed the deal with bondholders. But he also told RBC-Ukraine outlet that the negotiations were not easy, citing "significant differences" in the assessment of the situation Ukraine finds itself in. (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Conor Humphries) Zelenskyy believes it is not best to recapture all territories with people and weapons President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that recapturing anything through armed means and human resources is unnecessary, claiming it can be done diplomatically. Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with LeMonde Details: Zelenskyy was asked whether the President's Office is currently discussing the possibility of ceding territory for the purpose of a long-term and just peace. Quote: "You must understand that any issue concerning Ukraine's territorial integrity cannot be resolved by the president, any other person in the world, or all of the world's presidents without the Ukrainian people. It is impossible. This goes against Ukraine's Constitution. As a result, this is an internal question that only we can answer. However, this concern will only be examined if it is raised publicly. Someone recently asked me: How do you like the idea that Ukraine gives up its territories and instead gets something in return some security guarantees, maybe NATO membership, maybe the EU, etc.? So there could be a lot of similar messages, but you should be aware that no one has officially offered anything of that sort to Ukraine. Ukraine will never give up its territory. The authorities have no official right to hand away their territories. Because this violates Ukraine's Constitution." Details: According to Zelenskyy, in order for Ukraine to cede territories, it is necessary that the Ukrainian people wish this in the event of a referendum. Quote: "I'll be honest: this is not the best solution since we're dealing with Putin. Taking some of our territory will surely be a victory for him. However, after some time, and if the war has been frozen, he can return and do it again. So this is a pretty difficult question. I feel that not all territories should be regained by hand or with weapons. I believe this will take a long time and involve a significant number of people. And I think this is a bad thing. As a result, I believe we might retake our territories diplomatically. It was for this that we created the Peace Formula. So we can use political pressure from the entire world against Putin." Support UP or become our patron! Zelenskyy: If world wants Russia at second Peace Summit, we cannot be against it Russia's participation in the second Peace Summit is supported by the majority of nations, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Therefore, "Ukraine cannot be against this initiative". Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with LeMonde Quote: "Most people in the world now agree that if Russian delegates wont attend the second summit, significant progress will not be made. Since Russia and Ukraine are the opposing sides in this war, the entire globe believes that representatives of Russia must attend the second summit. I replied that we tried to negotiate and that I dont want them to hamper our joint work on a shared strategy. It will be on the table when we have prepared it together. And then, so be it, we cannot oppose them being there since the world wants them at the table, and it is imperative that we stop them. These conditions will be in place. This does not imply that we will be standing at the 1991 borders then. Yes, I think this is fair, and full restoration of our territorial integrity is necessary for a just peace for Ukraine. However, this does not imply that this will be achieved with weapons alone. In my opinion, we are on the frontlines now and will be as long as Russia wants to fight meanwhile, we will have a strategy ready, the world will support it, most nations will agree with it, and it will be on the table. And then, if Russia wishes to, please, we can settle these disputes diplomatically." According to Zelenskyy, by the end of November, Ukrainian authorities should have prepared a plan based on the Peace Formula, which was previously presented publicly at the first Peace Summit. Quote: "I stated that by the second Summit, I had given such dates to our diplomats and encouraged our international partners to ensure that we could complete this plan by November. Everything will be stated there territorial integrity, sovereignty, and so on. This plan will be ready for the second Summit." Background: On 23 July, EU High Representative Josep Borrell stated that Ukraine would continue to seek ways to hold the next peace conference with Russia's participation, but not on the terms set by Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Support UP or become our patron! AES Corporation introduces Maximo, an AI-powered robot that installs solar panels. The company said Maximo will help speed up renewable energy transition and wouldn't replace humans. Big tech companies need more renewable energy, and fast, to power their data centers. Installing solar panels can be back-breaking work, so one of the largest renewable energy companies is using robots to do the heavy lifting. AES Corporation on Tuesday introduced "Maximo," an AI-powered robot that can lift solar panels and precisely place them into long rows. The robot will be used to construct the largest solar farm with battery storage in the US, which will help power Amazon's data centers. "We are really focused on speed," Chris Shelton, AES' chief product officer, said during a call with reporters. "And by speed, we mean speed for the customers so getting these projects online faster and speed for the energy transition. The more [solar] we can deploy, the more we can reduce overall carbon in the economy." AES said Maximo can install solar panels twice as fast as humans and at half the cost. The robot was tested in various outdoor conditions at projects in New York, Virginia, Ohio, and Louisiana and has installed about 10 megawatts of energy to date. The solar farm AES is building in Kern County, California, to power Amazon's operations is expected to have 200 times that capacity. The automation comes as analysts predict there won't be enough workers to keep pace with the rapid rise in solar demand, especially now that the Biden administration is pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into renewable energy under the Inflation Reduction Act. In 2021, the administration forecasted that the solar workforce needed to at least double to 500,000 workers by 2035 to reach a national goal of 100% carbon-free electricity that year. Amazon and other big tech companies are driving a lot of the demand for renewable energy. They have ambitious climate goals, yet are building out power-hungry data centers to store our data and develop AI. In some states, those power demands are delaying the closure of dirty power plants. Quickly scaling up solar farms and battery storage is key to keeping corporate climate promises. But adding Maximo to solar sites could also fuel concerns that robots will dim human job prospects, just as automation replaced some factory jobs. Ron Rodrique, vice president of project management at AES Clean Energy, said Maximo isn't replacing human solar installers at the company's projects. "Maximo is not out there to replace the panel installers or other people that we have on our sites," Rodrique said. "This is really about that safety aspect of taking away some of the heavy lifting that people have to do." AES Corporation Lifting 60-pound solar panels repeatedly, in some cases 200 panels a day, in desert heat takes a toll on the body. If that isn't a requirement of the job, Rodrique said a broader range of workers could apply, including people with disabilities. AES said Maximo has one person driving the robot while another monitors and controls its movements with a single button press. The project with Amazon is just the beginning. If all goes well, AES expects Maximo to help clear a huge backlog of solar projects over the next three years, with the largest customers being data center hyperscalers. Read the original article on Business Insider When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Grass Valley MONTREALBahrain TV, the state broadcaster for the Kingdom of Bahrain, has launched the Middle Easts first broadcast IP playout system, enabled by Grass Valley, the company announced today. Grass Valley worked closely with its Diamond Partner in the region, systems integration leader First Gulf Company (FGC), to redesign Bahrain TVs new highly complex live IP video production environment. As part of the modernization project, Grass Valley and FGC converted Bahrain TVs master control suite, making it the first broadcast facility in the region to implement an IP playout system. GV A prime source for news and information across Bahrain, Bahrain TV also upgraded its main live news studio with best-in-class IP-capable Grass Valley systems. The UHD news studio now features the latest Kayenne K-Frame switcher, EDIUS X Pro nonlinear editing solution and Sirius 840 576x576 router with integrated mutliviewer capability. Grass Valley demonstrated an unwavering commitment to delivering a cutting-edge IP broadcast infrastructure tailored to our evolving needs. In particular, we expect that our modular, scalable Grass Valley IP-based playout system will yield measurable benefits in the years to come, said Eng. Abdullah Albalooshi, Undersecretary of Technical Affairs at Bahrain TV. We anticipate significant cost savings by reducing hardware costs associated with traditional broadcast setups. And with our newly streamlined workflow processes and operational efficiencies, we also expect productivity gains by minimizing manual interventions and enabling faster content delivery. The IP playout solution features Grass Valleys IP-capable Masterpiece IP UHD master control system, UCP 3901 video gateways, and a 2 rack-unit MV-821 IP standalone multiviewer, setup for four outputs. The suite also incorporates GV Orbit, configured for the dynamic orchestration of Bahrain TVs IP broadcast environment. Other tangible benefits Bahrain TV expects to accrue include the ability to scale easily without the need to make high or large capital investments, Grass said. They also anticipate advertising revenue growth resulting from an improved viewer experience and greater audience engagement. Were very pleased to have actively contributed to this ground-breaking achievement by implementing and commissioning the first IP-based playout system in the region, says Hany Bartella, Reginal Sales Director at Grass Valley. The adoption of IP-based live broadcasting by Bahrain TV represents a leap forward in efficiency, scalability and flexibility, while positioning the network as a technological leader in the region. Tattered Cover, Denvers storied independent bookstore for half a century, is set to be owned by the largest corporate bookstore chain in the U.S. A federal judge on Tuesday approved the sale of Tattered Cover to Barnes & Noble for more than $1.8 million in cash to pay off the stores debts, kickstarting the process of closing the sale. The deal marked Barnes & Nobles first indie bookstore acquisition in the U.S. and the end of Tattered Covers history as an independently-owned store. Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt has committed to preserving Tattered Cover's indie spirit. Under the deals terms, Tattered Cover will keep its name and all four current locations open. Barnes & Noble anticipates keeping all current workers employed. Now, the Denver bookstore looks to start fresh from its bankruptcy chapter with the financial backing of Barnes & Noble. We just have to rebuild Tattered Cover to be a great bookstore, Daunt told The Denver Gazette. Barnes & Noble's CEO said the company plans to take a hands-off approach and leave it up to local store managers to remake Tattered Cover. They will be doing it, not us, Daunt said. The end for struggles? The Denver bookstore, founded in 1971, went into bankruptcy last year after dealing with years of many changes. A team of local investors bought Tattered Cover in 2020 under the name Bended Page LLC and expanded quickly with new locations. Then former CEO Kwame Spearman shifted from running the bookstore to running for political office, leading to his exit from Tattered Cover. The bookstore amassed debt, according to court documents, struggling to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and online competition. Timeline of Tattered Cover's indie origins to Barnes & Noble acquisition When Tattered Cover filed for bankruptcy, it closed all the new stores it opened under Bended Page and the owners looked to restructure. Bankruptcy attorney Brad Dempsey took over the company as CEO to help sort out its dire financial problems. Featured Local Savings In the midst of the bankruptcy process, according to court documents, the owners began to consider selling. Three interested buyers submitted bids for an auction, according to court filings, but one dropped out and another didnt want to participate leading to a canceled auction. Bended Page then entered private discussions with Barnes & Noble and approved the deal. The national bookseller was the only offer planning to keep all of Tattered Covers stores open, a Tattered Cover spokesperson said when the planned sale was publicly disclosed June 17. First, it had to be approved by the bankruptcy court which gave the green light Tuesday. The only objection to the sale before the court's approval was from the landlord of the Littleton location at Aspen Grove over $40,000 in overdue rent and wanting more guarantee of the store's future success. Court documents show the landlord rescinded the objection after working on a stipulation with Bended Page to secure its claim and speaking with Barnes & Noble about how it plans to support Tattered Cover. The court approved Aspen Grove's stipulation in the deal. Whats next? Tattered Cover is bracing for the holiday shopping season coming soon, when it hits peak volume of sales. Daunt said one of the companys first goals is helping Tattered Cover restock with more books and modernizing its computer systems. With better IT systems and as many books as they want, then it's going to be down to the skill of the individual booksellers and the teams there, Daunt said. Daunt was named CEO of Barnes & Noble in 2019 and has reorganized the national chain to operate like indie bookstores and curate books to local tastes. Now, the bookstore is undergoing its largest expansion in over a decade. Barnes & Noble store managers are in charge of their own stores, but do follow general principles from the company, Daunt said. He said the chain hasnt decided yet how it will structure Tattered Cover, or whether it will hire someone to lead the four stores in Littleton, Union Station, Aurora and on Colfax Avenue. But for the most part, he said, Tattered Cover will be in charge of defining itself. "They got a lot of work to do, Daunt said. "They'll be property capitalized now, so they can get to work. Dozens of angry Chinese suppliers swarmed Temu's office, saying they're tired of giving Westerners refunds without returns Dozens of angry Chinese suppliers swarmed Temu's office, saying they're tired of giving Westerners refunds without returns Protesters descended on Temu's Guangzhou office this month, decrying fines and refunds they said were unfair. At least 80 people managed to enter the building on Monday, with some reaching employee floors. Disgruntled Chinese suppliers say they've been besieged by fees and no-return refunds. Hundreds of people thronged the Guangzhou, China, office of the e-commerce platform Temu in rallies this month, protesting fines and refund policies they said were destroying small merchants' profits. About 80 merchants gathered on Monday on the 30th floor of the office building, with some eventually gaining entry to the company premises, the Chinese outlet Yicai reported. Temu is run by PDD Holdings, which also operates the local online retail platform Pinduoduo. Many of the protesters run small businesses on Temu, a platform that sells Chinese products and has surged in popularity in the West because of lower prices. Yicai reported that employees were told to stop working after the protesters entered the office but that the merchants left after the police arrived. They'd sought to confront the company's top executives but couldn't secure a meeting, the outlet said. Multiple local outlets reported that a total of about 300 people had arrived in protest, though many were unable to enter the building or get past the lobby. Videos posted on social media showed crowds gathered outside the building and chanting slogans. One clip showed protesters sitting on the floor of the PDD Holdings office as security blocked a nearby corridor. Yicai reported that about 100 people staged a similar rally on July 22 with banners and demonstrations outside the headquarters building. The anger was largely directed at Temu policies that fine merchants if they receive refund requests or complaints. One merchant told The South China Morning Post that he lost almost all of his profits when he was fined about $410,000 for customer refunds and complaints. Others have complained to local media that the platform often refunds its customers even if they don't send back the product essentially allowing them to keep it for free. Temu's policy contains a guide for returning items and says refunds without return are limited. The China Securities Journal, a Beijing outlet run by the state agency Xinhua, wrote that merchants had approached the Guangzhou office about 10 times in July over their complaints. It reported a claim from an anonymous Temu employee that many of the protest attendees weren't merchants but employees or other people asked to support their cause. Temu told the China Securities Journal in a statement on Tuesday that it didn't make money from fining its merchants. "If fines are imposed, the proceeds will be given to consumers," the platform said. In a statement to Business Insider, Temu acknowledged the protests and said it was "actively working" with the merchants on a solution. "Recently, a group of merchants gathered at the office of a Temu logistics affiliate in Guangzhou," the statement said, adding that the group "included about a dozen sellers." "They were unhappy with how Temu handled after-sales issues related to the quality and compliance of their products, disputing an amount worth several million yuan," the statement continued. "These merchants have declined to resolve the disputes through the normal arbitration and legal channels stated in the seller agreements." On China's social media, anger is mounting toward what is being seen as Western shoppers taking advantage of Chinese merchants. "Foreigners can buy products from Chinese merchants, receive the goods, and not spend any money," wrote one blogger in Hebei. "It has essentially moved the zero-dollar purchase practice from the US to here, making Chinese companies provide goods to foreigners for free." "Even though we are socialist, with strict supervision for enterprises, there are still many companies that do more capitalistic things than companies in capitalist countries!" another blogger wrote. The international rise of Temu has been a driving force for PDD Holdings' success after the pandemic, with Pinduoduo shares rising from lows of $31 in May 2022 to up to $159 in May this year. The company's strong postings contrast with those of competing local e-commerce apps, such as Alibaba and JD.com, which have struggled to recover as China exited its zero-COVID posture with a lagging economy. Read the original article on Business Insider FILE PHOTO: A logo is pictured outside of Dupont offices in Geneva By Seher Dareen -Industrial materials maker DuPont de Nemours raised its full-year forecasts on Wednesday, benefiting from strong demand for its products used in making electronics and semiconductors amid an artificial intelligence-led boom. Shares of the company rose 4.8% in afternoon trade. After widely destocking last year due to low demand, an uptick in the manufacturing sector is benefiting companies that make chemicals and other materials used in a variety of industries including automotive and electronics. DuPont's electronics and industrial unit, its biggest in terms of sales, saw a 7.1% rise in net sales in the quarter, driven by strong demand for semiconductors and consumer technology products. Earlier this week, Samsung and AMD reported a jump in their earnings on the AI-boom that has boosted prices for semiconductors and memory chips. Demand in the electronics market is expected to remain strong for the rest of the year, DuPont said. The company on Wednesday raised its 2024 adjusted earnings forecast to $3.70 to $3.80 per share, from $3.45 to $3.75 previously, and net sales estimate to between $12.40 billion and $12.50 billion, from $12.10 billion to $12.40 billion. The 2024 forecast raise was based on the semiconductors and electronics segment, stronger-than-expected recovery in the water business, and stable growth in its building products business despite a soft housing environment, said Aleksey Yefremov, senior analyst of U.S. chemicals equity research at KeyBanc Capital Markets. DuPont expects to announce leadership appointments for its new businesses early next year. It revealed plans to split its electronics and water segments in May, and had said it expected to complete the process within 18-24 months. The Wilmington, Delaware-based company reported an adjusted profit of 97 cents per share for the second quarter, above analysts' average estimate of 85 cents, according to LSEG data. (Reporting by Seher Dareen in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli) Heather Lea Marquez appears in Yakima County Superior Court Monday, July 29, 2024, for her plea and sentencing hearing. She pleaded guilty to vehicular assault for hitting a man while she was driving while impaired. You are the owner of this article. If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. The man accused of assaulting and killing 52-year-old Michael Smith in 2023 is now considering taking a prosecution plea deal after his trial resulted in a mistrial. James McGinley, 41, faces manslaughter and first-degree assault charges for allegedly assaulting Smith on May 16 in the area of North Nevada Avenue and Cimarron Street. Smith died from his injuries on June 24, according to previous Gazette reporting. Court records show that McGinleys trial began on July 22, but after four days the trial ended in mistrial. Kate Singh, a spokeswoman for Colorados 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office, confirmed that the mistrial was the result of a hung jury. A hung jury is when all jurors presiding over a case cant come to a unanimous verdict, ending trial without a guilty or not guilty verdict and resulting in the need for a second trial. Singh stated she was unable to provide the specific numbers of the split between guilty and not guilty verdicts as that information is protected. McGinley appeared in court Wednesday out of custody for a disposition hearing at which McGinleys attorney informed the court that his client may not be headed to a second trial. Charles Allen, McGinleys attorney, stated that his client was interested in potentially accepting a previously offered plea deal from the prosecution rather than set for a second trial. Featured Local Savings To accommodate the request ,Judge Laura Findorff requested that McGinley withdraw his not guilty pleas and Allen waived McGinleys right to a speedy trial. The specifics of the offered plea deal were not given in court Wednesday. McGinley will return to court Sept. 11 for a new disposition hearing, where he will either accept the prosecutions plea deal or set for a second trial. McGinley has been out of custody of the El Paso County jail since posting a $25,000 surety bond in June, according to court records. A man has been arrested for the sexual assault of a juvenile that happened Friday in southeast Colorado Springs, and investigators believe there may be other victims. Police initiated an investigation into the sexual assault of a juvenile female by a man who the victim did not know according to a news release from the Colorado Springs Police Department. The investigation resulted in the arrest of a 37-year-old man. The news release about the arrest states that the police have reason to believe there could be additional victims involved. Police said the suspect walked the victim to his residence near the 1900 block of S. Chelton Road and then sexually assaulted her. Police later arrest the man suspected of the assault. The suspect's name and photograph are not being released at this time to preserve the ongoing investigation, but he is described as a white male with curly blond hair and a blond/brown beard. He is approximately 6'03" tall and 170 pounds with a thin build. Anyone with further information can contact CSPD at 719-444-7000. The 43rd edition of the most significant contest in Hungary for Hungarian wines received 897 samples from 230 wineries from all the 22 wine regions around the whole country. Heres a quick intro to the top wines winners. First of all for clarity, each year Hungary hosts two large scale international wine contests (VinAgora and Winelovers Wine Awards) and also competitions focusing on a particular grape variety (GROW in 2024, Portugieser du Monde, Franc du Monde). However, this National Wine Contest (Orszagos Borverseny) is the most important national wine competition held annually and is organised by the National Council of the Wine Communities in Hungary. Koch the most successful estate Koch Winery run by Csaba Koch (Winemaker of the Year 2019) has won not less, but 13 medals, 10 gold and 3 silver medals. The highest score went to Koch Premium Cabernet Franc 2021 and Koch & Evans Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, both from Villany. Then comes the flagship blend of the winery, Csanad Cuvee with two vintages, 2019 and 2020. (The headquarters are situated in HajosBaja wine region, but they have vineyards in Villany as well.) More about Koch Winery Sauska the best bottle fermented sparkling wine The estate has vineyards both in Tokaj and Villany, and with these two wineries their portfolio includes every beauty from the exciting white blends through rose wines and impeccable red wines to the luscious sweet wines. The sparkling wines have a special importance, no wonder one of the top sparkling wine geniuses of the world is involved: Regis Camus. The winner sparkling is Sauska Brut NV from Tokaj. More about Sauska Brut Feind the best aerated sparkling wine Feind Winery is a state-of-the-art, family run winery in BalatonfuredCsopak wine region, and they have the most modern machinery to produce bottle fermented, charmat method or carbonated sparkling wines. The winner is Feind Irsai Oliver 2023 aerated sparkling wine a refreshing, flavoursome delicacy ideal in the heat of the summer. Irsai Oliver is an indigenous Hungarian grape with intense aromas of the fresh, juicy grape. More about Feind Winery Frittmann also the best aerated sparkling wine Though the title went to Feind Irsai, Frittmann Frisecco has to be mentioned as well, since both wines received the same scores: 87.17. What is more, Frittmann Frisecco is also made of Irsai Oliver, proving that this variety has potential in Hungary. Frittmann is the leading family winery of Kunsag wine region run by the Frittmann brothers and their children. Janos Frittmann was chosen Winemaker of the Year in 2007. More about Frittmann Winery Szeleshat the best red wine Out of the 897 wines, only 7 Grand Gold medal were given, 3 of them went to red wines. Szeleshat Gubac Merlot 2019 from Szekszard received the highest scores: 93.17 points. Though Hungarian wine regions have several local varieties or wine styles for example Szekszardi Bikaver blend in Szekszard , international varieties are also important, and Merlot is the most successful when it comes to wine contest. Szeleshat Gubac is served in many top restaurants throughout Hungary. More about Szeleshat Tokaj Oremus the best sweet wine Out of the above mentioned 7 Grand Gold medals, 4 were given to sweet wines. All of them are Tokaji Aszu wines, obviously from Tokaj. The winner is Tokaj Oremus Tokaji Aszu 5 puttonyos. The other three wines are: Grand Tokaj Terroir Selection 5 puttonyos Tokaji Aszu 2019, Babits Tokaji Aszu 6 puttonyos 2019 and Patricius 6 puttonyos Tokaji Aszu 2019. We have tasted the latest one unforgettable, endless, gorgeous: a true Tokaji Aszu. More about Tokaj Oremus Beres the best sweet gold winner Since Tokaj sweet specialities are the most worldwide known wines of our country, it is worth mentioning, that 13 gold medals were given apart from the above-mentioned Grand Gold medals. Beres Vineyards received the highest scores: 91.4 points for their Beres Tokaji Aszu 6 puttonyos from 2017. More about Beres Vineyards Some more bests The best white wine made of indigenous variety: Szende Irsai Oliver 2023, Villany The best aged white wine: Tokaj Art Wine Genius 2021, Tokaj The best rose wine: Gal Szent Marton Rose 2023, Kunsag The best organic wine: Dobosi Bio Olaszrizling 2023, BalatonfuredCsopak The best Kekfrankos based red wine: Bodri Szekszardi Grand 2017, Szekszard Source: hungarianwines.eu ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here! The Baltic propaganda campaign against Hungary has been restarted, as Baltic states accused the country of putting the security of the Schengen Area at risk by allowing Russian and Belorussian nationals to participate in its National Card programme, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said on Facebook. Contrary to that childish lie, Russian and Belorussian nationals continue to need visas to enter the Schengen Area and can obtain residence permits only through lawful procedures, Peter Szijjarto said. Meanwhile, issuing residence permits and similar procedures are national competencies, so Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian authorities have similar rights, he added. It would be much better if my colleagues in Baltic countries informed their citizens correctly rather than launching new smear campaigns, he said. Szijjarto: 'Bad' to Watch Poland's Diplomacy 'Sink into Mud of Lies' Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said late on Monday that he had great respect for Polish diplomacy, so it was bad to watch it sinking into a mud of lies. He said on Facebook that he would reiterate for the thousandth time that during Prime Minister Viktor Orbans recent peace mission, the prime minister was representing Hungary and not the European Union. Szijjarto said it was not wise to talk about isolation in the case of a prime minister and government that were the only ones left in Europe still able to maintain relations both with the West and the East. Were waiting for our Polish brothers to return to central Europe, he said. Meanwhile, FM Szijjarto Calls on EC To Take Steps Against Ukrainian Oil Restrictions Hungary and Slovakia has called for action by the European Commission regarding Ukraine's decision to restrict crude oil deliveries, Peter Szijjarto said. Why has the EC not taken any steps for more than a week? Hungarys minister of foreign affairs and trade asked in a Facebook entry posted on Tuesday. Brussels is silent, even though the measure is putting the energy security of two member states at risk, and is a crystal clear violation of the European Union-Ukraine Association Agreement, Szijjarto said. Brussels is either too weak to push through the interests of two member states against a membership candidate, or the whole idea was conceived in Brussels rather than Ukraine, and it is the European Commission, rather than the Ukrainian government, that wants to blackmail two pro-peace countries opposing weapons deliveries, the minister said. Szijjarto said: The European Commission and personally Ursula von der Leyen must immediately show their true colours: was the oil delivery ban requested from Brussels? If it wasnt, why has the EC not taken action for over a week? Szijjarto: Baltic States Launch 'Campaign of Lies' Against Hungary "Rather than learning the facts the Baltic states have launched a campaign of lies against Hungary ... over Hungary including Russian and Belorussian citizens in its National Card programme," the foreign minister said. Peter Szijjarto said the Hungarian governments move does not ease strict security controls over incoming Russian and Belorussian citizens in any way. Szijjarto also said Peter Sztaray, state secretary at the foreign ministry, had earlier in the day informed the embassies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. We hope that learning the facts will end the campaign of lies, the minister said. The Baltic propaganda campaign against Hungary has been restarted, as Baltic states accused the country of putting the security of the Schengen Area at risk, Szijjarto said on Tuesday. Contrary to that childish lie, Russian and Belorussian nationals continue to need visas to enter the Schengen Area and can obtain residence permits only through lawful procedures, Szijjarto said. Meanwhile, issuing residence permits and similar procedures are national competencies, so Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian authorities have similar rights, he added. It would be much better if my colleagues in Baltic countries informed their citizens correctly rather than launching new smear campaigns, he said on Facebook. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here! Information revealed in a Denver court appearance uncovered the bizarre circumstances involving a scholar of medieval literature who called police to report his wife's brutal murder, but only after he tried to clean up the crime scene. On Monday, Nicholas Myklebust, a Regis University associate professor of English, was arrested on suspicion of killing his wife and possibly his infant daughter, according to an arrest affidavit. Police identified Myklebust's wife as 44-year-old Seorin Kim. Denver District Court Judge Karen Brody held Nicholas Myklebust, 44, on a $5 million cash bond after Deputy District Attorney Anthony Santos asked for twice that amount. Santos asked for the high bond amount due to the horrific nature of the wounds found on Myklebust's wife's body, including a skull fracture, "bruising along her arms, head, torso, collarbone, hips and abrasions to both shoulders and multiple facial injuries." Myklebust's infant daughter was also discovered deceased but with no visible physical injuries. Autopsies on both bodies are being conducted by the Denver Medical Examiner. In a shocking courtroom revelation, Santos said that the baby is the second child of the professor to have died of unusual circumstances at such a young age. The other child, a 3-month-old, died of cranial injuries, Santos revealed. The suspect's attorney, Becca Butler-Dines from the Colorado Public Defenders office, said that there have been no criminal charges related to the first child's death and asked to be present at the crime scene investigation, which is ongoing at the family townhome, according to Santos. Police found bloody gloves "in the dryer and on the dryer," which Santos said proved that the crime scene had been altered. What happened Myklebust called Denver police just before 7 a.m. Monday to report that he discovered Kim on the floor of their bedroom with blood coming from her head, according to the arrest affidavit. Featured Local Savings Myklebust told 911 dispatch that he also found his baby on the ground, not breathing, arrest documents indicated. When they arrived, police and paramedics found the adult victim near a bassinet along a wall in the bedroom with multiple blunt force injuries to her head and face, the arrest record stated, and an infant female was discovered deceased on the bed with no visible injuries. The affidavit showed that paramedics noted Kim's injuries were not consistent with a fall and that Myklebust had scratch marks on his neck and chest. Investigators also noticed that Myklebust's knuckles were swollen and that "the hands appeared to be used to strike something." Police immediately took photos of the suspects hands. Video obtained by The Denver Gazette taken by a neighbor showed that Myklebusts hands were wrapped with a white bandage while he was being treated on a stretcher outside of the apartment complex at 3247 N. Syracuse. By 7:55 a.m., Myklebust was on his way to Denver police headquarters for an interview, where he waived his Miranda rights, according to the affidavit. Myklebust told police that only he, Kim and their daughter were home at the time of the incident. According to his Regis class list, Myklebust is a literary scholar who specializes in 11th and 15th century poets. He has been associated with Regis University for 10 years, and was the recipient of several dissertation awards and scholarships. Regis University spokesperson Sheryl Tirol confirmed that Myklebust "was a professor here and has been a faculty member since 2014. His official title is associate professor in the English department." She added that the Regis community is distressed by the news and that: "In moments of such sorrow and confusion, we are reminded of our Jesuit values to offer compassion, and to seek justice with love." Myklebust is scheduled to be back in court noon Friday. Santos said that he expected formal charges to be filed by the end of the week. New Delhi: The trailer for Janhvi Kapoor's highly anticipated film Ulajh has set social media ablaze, with fans and critics alike hailing her performance as Suhana Bhatiaa young diplomat embroiled in a perilous conspiracy. The trailer showcases Kapoors remarkable range, drawing praise from netizens. One enthusiastic viewer tweeted, An unhinged #JanhviKapoor is all I needed #ULAJH #UlajhTrailer reflecting the excitement surrounding her performance. Another fan expressed admiration for Kapoor's willingness to delve into diverse genres and roles, commenting, Janhvi is one of those actress from this generation who is trying every genre I love that about her P.S Suhana Bhatia is going to be another favorite character of her #JanhviKapoor | #UlajhTrailer Janhvi is one of those actress from this generation who is trying every genre I love that about her P.S Suhana Bhatia is going to be another favorite character of her #JanhviKapoor | #UlajhTrailer pic.twitter.com/wXNqObYF1M . (@its__tisha) July 16, 2024 Kapoors portrayal has also been described as intensely captivating. A viewer tweeted, Janhvi Kapoor is redefining acting with her intense performances! She's a true artist! #Ulajhtrailer Janhvi Kapoor is redefining acting with her intense performances! She's a true artist! #Ulajhtrailer pic.twitter.com/bfV9764q3d Heaven (@acupofwine__) July 17, 2024 Others joined the chorus of praise, with comments such as, Janhvi Kapoor's performances are a treat to watch! She's a talented actress! #Ulajhtrailer Janhvi Kapoor's performances are a treat to watch! She's a talented actress! #Ulajhtrailer pic.twitter.com/f0KQJrVb7I Pallavi (@Memesaddicted_) July 17, 2024 Set to hit theaters on August 2, 2024, the trailer has generated immense buzz, positioning Ulajh as a potential career-defining role for Kapoor. Fans eagerly await the opportunity to see her captivating performance on the big screen. The BJP-ruled states are increasingly tightening norms around the functioning of Madarsas. The Madhya Pradesh government ordered the closure of 56 Madarsas after it found they had been made to con the government of funds. The state government has now launched a probe after the Madhya Pradesh Madarsa Board issued an order to cancel the affiliation of 56 madrasas in the Sheopur district. As per reports, these madarsas were not functioning but have been receiving financial aid from the government. There were more than 80 madrasas running in the district out of which 53-54 schools were closed for several months. The government first stopped providing financial aid to these institutions seven months ago and now ordered the closure of these institutions officially. This led to the state-wide probe to ascertain the functioning of the madarsas. "All government-private educational institutions and madrasas operating in Madhya Pradesh are being investigated. We are investigating and observing every point to find out where there have been violations of the rules. If there has been an irregularity, we will also take action, and if necessary, we will also take action," said School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh. Secretary Madhya Pradesh Madarsa Board said that all the district education officers across the state have been instructed to get the field staff to conduct physical inspections of the madarsas operating in their area. School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh directed all the district education officers of the state to conduct regular inspections of all educational institutions in their areas with the field staff. The School Education Minister has also given instructions to speed up the physical verification of madarsas operating in the state. He said that action should be taken to cancel the recognition of those madarsas that are not being operated as per the rules. In Agra, Uttar Pradesh, a bizarre form of justice was delivered by a local panchayat for a minor's rape case. The accused was punished with five slaps and a fine of Rs 15,000. This unconventional verdict was pronounced by a Maulana during the panchayat meeting. A woman from the victim's side administered the five slaps to the accused, and a video of the incident has gone viral. The police have stated that they will file a case upon receiving a complaint. According to a police officer, the victim's family had initially reported the minor's disappearance and accused a neighborhood boy of involvement. However, the complaint was later withdrawn. The police are currently investigating the viral video. Minor Goes Missing from Home The incident occurred in the Shahganj area of Agra. A minor girl had gone missing from her home, prompting her family to inform the police. They accused a local youth of abducting her. The police began their investigation and search for the girl. Subsequently, the family and community members decided to find the girl themselves, leading to the withdrawal of the police complaint. Maulana Delivers Verdict in Panchayat The girl was eventually found, and a panchayat was convened at a local house to address the matter. A Maulana presided over the meeting, listening to both the accused and the victim's family. During the panchayat, the victim alleged that the accused had lured her away, drugged her, and raped her. Accused Receives Punishment After hearing both sides, the Maulana delivered his verdict. He sentenced the accused to five slaps and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000. A woman from the victim's family carried out the slaps in front of the assembled panchayat. This incident, including the slapping, was captured on video and has since gone viral. An Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) stated that legal action will be taken if a formal complaint is lodged. Maintaining a minimum balance in a bank account is crucial, as every account holder knows. Like private banks, government banks also impose hefty charges for not maintaining the minimum balance. Over the past five years, government banks have earned approximately 8,500 crore from various fines, penalties, and other chargesan amount close to $100 million. Heres a look at the different charges banks levy and why they are important. Top Government Banks Charging the Most India's largest public sector bank, SBI, stopped charging for non-maintenance of minimum balance after 2019-20. Despite this, other government banks continue to make significant earnings from various charges. According to data presented in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Finance, the top five government banks that have made the most from these charges are: Punjab National Bank (PNB) Bank of Baroda Indian Bank Canara Bank Bank of India Additionally, 11 other government banks, including Union Bank of India, Punjab & Sind Bank, UCO Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, and Central Bank of India, also impose these charges. Types of Charges Levied by Banks Government banks charge account holders for the following: Minimum Balance Charges: Many banks charge fees on a quarterly or monthly basis for not maintaining the average minimum balance. For savings accounts, this fee can range from 100 to 250, while for current accounts, it can be between 400 to 600. Documentation Charges: Fees charged during the loan process or when opening an account for handling documentation. Statement Charges: Fees for requesting copies or duplicates of bank statements. Default Payment Charges: Penalties imposed for defaulting on any payments. Overdraft Limit Charges: Fees for withdrawing more money than the overdraft limit allows. Loan Charges: Charges for not submitting balance sheets or for not renewing papers related to loans. The policy of imposing fines for not maintaining the minimum balance is a significant revenue source for banks. It is essential for account holders to understand their bank's terms and conditions and maintain their accounts accordingly. Being aware of bank charges and taking steps to avoid them is the responsibility of every account holder. Recently, UAE Princess Sheikh Mahira's Instagram post, "I divorce you... I divorce you... I divorce you," has created a stir on social media. Her marriage had not yet completed two years, but due to mutual differences, it reached the point of divorce. This post has sparked a new debate on whether Muslim women can also give Teen Talaq. Can women in Islam separate from their husbands at their own will? According to experts in Islamic law, Muslim women can divorce their husbands, but the method differs from that of men. When divorce is initiated by the woman, it is called 'Khula.' This practice is prevalent worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, where Islam originated, cases of Khula have been rising rapidly, with 2,033 cases reported in cities like Riyadh, Mecca, and Medina in 2014. Khula in India In India, Muslim women are also exercising their right to Khula. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has opened around 100 Darul Qazas across the country in recent years, where cases of divorce and Khula are heard and advice is given according to Islamic law. According to Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, head of Darul Qaza Firangi Mahal in Lucknow, 30 to 40 percent of cases brought to the Darul Qaza are for Khula. Celebrities and Khula Celebrities are also not behind in using their right to Khula for divorce. Pakistani celebrity Veena Malik obtained Khula from her husband Asad Khattak in January 2017. In January of the same year, Sania Mirza's father, Imran Mirza, announced that his daughter had taken Khula from Shoaib Malik. What is Khula? Khula means to "remove." It signifies that a husband and wife are like clothes for each other, covering and protecting one anothers privacy. When they seek Khula, they "remove" this garment. According to Islamic law, the term 'Khula' is used for the wife's proposal of divorce and the husband's acceptance of it. When proposing Khula, the wife may offer to give some property or cash to the husband, return the property received from him, or return the full or half amount of the Mehr. If the husband accepts this and says, "I have given you Khula after much consideration," it is equivalent to taking an oath. Is Khula mentioned in the Quran? In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 229 of the Quran, it is stated that if a woman feels she cannot live with her husband, she has the right to return her Mehr and seek a divorce from him. Return of Mehr in Khula Regarding the return of Mehr in Khula, Kamal Farooqui, a former member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, says that marriage in Islam is a contract, and Mehr is an essential part of this contract. When a man gives the amount of Mehr to a woman at the time of marriage, it is called Moajjal, and if promised to be given later, it is called Ghair Moajjal. Key Points About Khula If the wife has sought Khula and wants to prevent the husband from taking an oath, she has the right to do so. If the judge finds that the husband has mistreated the woman, the amount of Mehr cannot be taken from the husband in return during Khula. It is true that divorce can occur in this manner, but it is referred to as a judge's decision rather than Khula. A significant question arises if the husband is not willing to give Khula: What happens then? According to Islamic law, if a woman does not want to live with her husband, the judge should order a clear divorce. Maintenance In cases of Khula and Mubarat, the husband must still provide maintenance after the divorce. During the Iddat period (three months), the responsibility of maintenance lies with the husband. According to Islamic law, Khula is possible only with the mutual consent of both the husband and wife. Israel has avenged the October 7 terrorist attack by killing Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in a missile strike in Iran. Haniyeh was the mastermind behind the recent attacks on Israel and had been living in Qatar before moving to Iran. His death is a significant blow to Hamas and a warning to other terrorist groups. This raises the question of whether India will follow suit and take out its own most wanted terrorist, Hafiz Saeed, who is responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. In today's DNA, Zee News' Anant Tyagi raised analysed whether India take cue from Israel's assasination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and take out its own most wanted terrorist, Hafiz Saeed, who is responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. This raises questions about India's approach to dealing with its own most wanted terrorists, such as Hafiz Saeed. Will New Delhi take a cue from Israel's playbook and take decisive action against those responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks Israel has shown that it will stop at nothing to protect its citizens and take down its enemies, even if it means operating outside its borders. The country has taken out several high-profile targets in recent months, including Hamas commanders and Iranian military leaders. The operation to kill Haniyeh was months in the making, with Israeli intelligence agencies tracking his movements and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The attack was carried out with precision and minimal collateral damage, a testament to Israel's military prowess. Haniyeh's death is a significant achievement for Israel, but it is not the first time the country has taken down a high-profile target. In recent months, Israel has eliminated several top Hamas and Hezbollah commanders, sending a strong message to terrorist groups that they will not be tolerated. Watch tonight's episode of DNA show for a detailed anaylysis here: Parachinar, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, has recently been the epicenter of violent clashes between Sunni and Shia tribes. The conflict, primarily a land dispute, has escalated to alarming levels, resulting in significant casualties and disruption of daily life. This explainer delves into the reasons behind these clashes and the broader implications for the region. The Immediate Trigger: Land Dispute The recent violence in Parachinar began on July 7, 2024, when clashes erupted between Sunni and Shia tribes over a land dispute. This conflict led to at least 13 deaths and 90 injuries in the following days. Despite district administration claims of a ceasefire, violence resumed, blocking roads and causing shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. The clashes initially broke out in Boshera and spread to Piwar, Tangi, Balishkhel, Khar Kille, Maqbal, Kunj Alizai, and Para Chamkani areas. According to police, the conflict began when a gunman fired on a council discussing a decades-old land dispute. Escalation and Ceasefire Efforts The violence has now entered its seventh day, with reported casualties rising to 49 dead and 184 injured. Local police and jirga leaders have attempted to broker ceasefires, but these have repeatedly failed. The most recent ceasefire was disrupted by renewed fighting in the Balishkhel area following a night raid from Khar Kille. Historical Context and Sectarian Tensions Parachinar, the capital of Kurram District, is a strategically significant area, often referred to as "Paradise on Earth" for its natural beauty. However, it has a history of sectarian violence, primarily due to its significant Shia population in a predominantly Sunni region. The region's strategic location, providing the shortest route from Pakistan to Kabul, has made it a focal point for various conflicts. Parachinar shares a border with Afghanistan's eastern provinces and is home to the Bangash tribe, which includes both Shia and Sunni members. Sectarian Violence and Taliban Influence Shia communities, particularly the Turi tribe, have often been targeted by Sunni militant groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). After the Taliban's ousting from Afghanistan in 2001, many militants relocated to this region, exacerbating sectarian tensions. In 2007, a significant sectarian war erupted when Sunni Taliban attempted to take control of Parachinar, resulting in over 3,000 deaths and thousands of injuries. The local Shia population formed a tribal militia to combat the Taliban, leading to the eventual fall of the Taliban stronghold in Bugzai. Recent Violence and Ongoing Tensions The region has seen periodic violence, including a deadly bomb blast in Parachinar's market in January 2017, killing at least 25 people. More recently, communal tensions flared up on May 4, 2023, after the killing of six Shia and one Sunni man in Tari Mangal village. The latest clashes were sparked by disputes over construction on disputed communal land between residents of Dandar Sehra and Boshera. Despite attempts at peace, the violence has continued, highlighting the region's instability. Broader Implications and Responses The Pakistan Human Rights Commission (HRCP) has expressed concern over the rising extremism in local conflicts. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud mentioned that the jirga members have been working with the district administration to negotiate a truce, but these efforts have so far been unsuccessful. The police and local authorities claim the conflict is a land dispute, not a sectarian issue. However, residents argue that sectarianism is deeply rooted in the conflict, and merely labeling it a land dispute will not resolve the underlying issues. Factors Contributing to the Crisis Several domestic and international factors contribute to Parachinar's crisis: Distrust Between Sects: Deep-rooted mistrust between Sunni and Shia communities, exacerbated by the influx of weapons during the Afghan jihad, makes conflict escalation likely. Extremist Influence: Religious schools and extremist clerics exploit the area's low literacy rates, fueling sectarian divisions. Rival madrassa student groups' clashes often escalate into communal violence. External Militants: The presence of Sunni militants from outside the agency and even across the border undermines local peace efforts by jirgas or tribal elders. Lack of Civil Society Presence: The absence of civil society groups or NGOs in peace-building processes, due to fears of militant attacks and bureaucratic hurdles, further complicates the situation. Recent Clashes and Government Response The recent wave of violence is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of sectarian conflicts in the region. On May 4, 2023, sectarian clashes erupted after the killing of six Shia men and one Sunni man in Tari Mangal village, just kilometers from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. In response to the violence, the government imposed a Section 144 curfew, restricting gatherings to prevent further clashes. Despite these measures, fighting resumed on July 7, 2024, primarily between residents of Dandar Sehra and Boshera over construction on disputed communal land. Efforts to broker peace have been led by jirga leaders and local police, but the ceasefires have been short-lived. Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud announced a successful negotiation for a ceasefire on Sunday, but violence reignited in the Balishkhel area shortly after. The Role of Extremist Groups The rise of extremist groups in the region has further complicated the situation. Sunni militant groups, often with support from Saudi-backed Salafi groups fighting in Syria, have targeted the Shia population in Parachinar. This external influence has intensified local sectarian tensions and made peace efforts more challenging. Impact on the Local Population The ongoing violence has had a devastating impact on the local population. The closure of roads has led to shortages of essential supplies, including food, medicine, and fuel. Schools and businesses have been disrupted, and many residents live in constant fear of further violence. Conclusion Parachinar's ongoing violence highlights the complex interplay of local disputes, sectarian tensions, and external influences. While immediate triggers like land disputes can spark conflicts, the deep-seated sectarianism and the strategic importance of the region make lasting peace elusive. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach, involving local communities, effective governance, and broader regional stability efforts. The government's response has so far been inadequate in addressing the root causes of the violence. Efforts to broker peace through jirgas and ceasefires have been temporary solutions. A long-term resolution will require addressing the deep-seated sectarian divide and the influence of extremist groups in the region. Anantnag, South Kashmir A devastating fire broke out in the Lone Mohalla of Mattan area in Anantnag around 1 AM on Sunday, engulfing and burning five houses belonging to the Kashmiri Pandit community to ashes. The incident has prompted the Jammu and Kashmir Police to form a special team to investigate the cause of the fire. The fire reportedly started in a deserted Pandit house and quickly spread to adjacent houses, causing significant damage. Neighbors from the majority community immediately alerted the fire brigade, which arrived on the scene with five vehicles at 1:45 AM. Despite their efforts, it took several hours to control the blaze, leaving five structures completely destroyed, with one house razed to the ground. Nissar Ahmed, Fire Brigade Officer, commented on the incident: "A terrible fire broke out at night. We were informed and we came immediately. About five vehicles were deployed and the fire was controlled in three to four hours." The Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Members of the Kashmiri Pandit community living outside Kashmir allege that the fire was deliberately set to intimidate them and deter their return to the Valley. The National Conference political party expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri Pandit community. "We stand with our Kashmiri Pandit brothers after the tragic fire that destroyed several houses in Mattan, Anantnag," they stated. "One of the affected houses holds deep emotional significance as it was the maternal home of our additional spokesperson, Umesh Tashi. We call upon the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to bring the culprits to justice." Ravindra Pandita, Chairman of Kashmir Sharada Peeth Awasthapan, voiced concerns over the incident: "The recent fire in the properties of Kashmiri migrants in Mattan has shocked everyone. The Deputy Commissioner, who is the custodian of minority properties, has not taken proper steps to preserve them. This is clearly a case of vandalism, and we need preventive measures. The administration should ensure such acts do not happen again and compensate the owners." Members of the Kashmiri Pandit community have made it clear that they will not be intimidated. Ashok Kumar, President of All Temples and Shrines South Kashmir, stated, "We will not be intimidated or afraid. We have faced threats since the 90s, but this is our Janmabhoomi, and we will stay here. We are renovating our places and temples, and we will not be deterred by these acts. The government must ensure the safety of Kashmiri Pandits and their properties." The police have taken immediate action by starting an investigation and collecting evidence. Javed Iqbal, DIG South Kashmir Range, stated: "There has been a report of fire in the house of Shri Anand Ji Rajdan in Mattan area. SHO Mattan reached the spot with a police party, and the fire brigade was called. The fire was controlled in about one and a half hours. Nearby houses were also damaged. We have registered a case under section 326BNS and collected CCTV footage for the investigation. A senior officer is supervising the investigation." Kashmiri Pandit community members, both within and outside the Valley, are demanding a thorough investigation and urging the government to enhance security for deserted Pandit properties and temples. They believe such measures are necessary to thwart the intentions of those who oppose the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. The tragic incident has once again highlighted the challenges faced by the Kashmiri Pandit community and the need for concerted efforts to ensure their safety and return to the Valley. Days after the Ratna Bhandar of Puri Jagannath temple was opened and valuables were shifted to a temporary Ratna Bhandar, a member of the government-appointed committee alleged the use of duplicate keys. Committee member Jagdish Mohanty said that the keys might have been used with the intention of stealing the jewels. Jagdish Mohanty said that when the Ratna Bhandars were being opened, the locks were broken following the malfunctioning of the duplicate keys. "It has been established that there was a criminal motive and intention to siphon off the valuables. The duplicate key issue was a hoax as theft attempt cannot be ruled out, he said. On July 14, committee members broke three locks to enter Ratna Bhandars inner chamber after the two duplicate keys available with the administration failed to work. The original keys had gone missing in 2018, leading the previous Naveen Patnaik government to commission an investigation by retired Orissa High Court judge, Justice Raghubir Das. As per Zee News report, the locks were missing from the almirah present inside the Ratna Bhandar. The inner chamber contained three wooden almirahs, a steel almirah, two wooden chests, and an iron chest. According to sources in the temple administration, only one of the wooden almirahs was locked. While two other wooden cupboards had lock provisions, the locks were not properly secured. The iron chest featured two lock mechanisms, but one of the locks was open. Additionally, the two wooden chests did not have any locks. Also, the claim that poisonous snakes are guarding the Ratna Bhandar was found to be a hoax. It is now being suspected that the hoax may have been spread deliberately to hide the theft. The temple administration is yet to approach the government for filing a criminal case in this regard. Like many U.S. schools working to expand college and career options for their students when they graduate, several El Paso County school districts have either adopted new Career and Technical Education programs or expanded their existing programs for the 2024-2025 academic year. Calhan School District RJ-1 recently completed work on a new 14,000 square-foot addition to its CTE facilities, according to district superintendent Donovan Mitchell. We wanted to offer as much opportunity as possible for our students to test out what skills, interests or talents that they might not even know they have, said Mitchell, a 2003 Calhan graduate. At the time I graduated, the sentiment as I understood it was that if you were graduating high school you should go on to college. I think weve come to realize that thats not necessarily the case. Going to college right out of high school is not the path for everybody. In November 2022, Calhan voters said yes to a bond proposal of more than $7.5 million to expand and improve their CTE offerings. The new facility includes metal and woodworking shops, space for agriculture and Future Farmers of America programs, and a Family and Consumer Science space with seven student workstations that include operational ovens and sinks. Our ultimate goal as a district is to set our students up for success after high school, and the path to success doesnt always include college. If college is the path, then great. But for a lot of these students, its not. We believe our CTE facilities will give a lot of students a head start on a career without taking on a lot of stu- dent debt. Ellicott School District 22 will also open a new facility in August, district officials said. The vocational education building will feature a STEM room and culinary arts space. Featured Local Savings The culinary arts program is a new program that begins this school year, said Ellicott representative Christina Vetromile. The new building also offers space for its construction program, which operates in partnership with local nonprofit Careers in Construction and the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs. The district has also partnered with local plumbers, pipefitters and HVAC technicians for pre-apprenticeship programs that teach students plumbing, welding and sheet metal fabrication skills. District 49 will open its newly-completed CTE wing at Vista Ridge High School in the fall, according to spokesman David Nancarrow. The campus expansion will contain 18 classrooms and increase capacity by about 450 students. The new facility is the latest addition to District 49s burgeoning CTE programs, which are offered at six high schools and four middle schools, according to the district website. Offerings include agriculture, automotive service, web design, biomedical technology, business management, culinary arts, engineering and fashion design, officials said. More and more students and families are exploring opportunities to pursue lucrative careers that dont necessarily require a college degree, Mitchell said. Were not discouraging college by any means if thats the path you need to take to pursue the career you want, he said. But there are so many career paths that pay well and dont require a college degree. Were looking to expose our students to those opportunities. In a United States-like case, a five-year-old boy in Bihar reached his school with a handgun and opened fire on another child, leaving the Class 3 student injured. The incident has sent shockwaves across the state. The shocking incident occurred in the north Bihar district of Supaul, where a nursery student brought a firearm to school hidden in his bag. According to Superintendent of Police, Shaishav Yadav, "The student fired at a 10-year-old boy, who studies in the same school in Class 3. The bullet hit his arm." "The injured boy has been rushed to a hospital. We are trying to find out how the boy got to lay his hands on the firearm and managed to carry it to the private school, which is situated in Lalpatti area, Yadav said. The SP added: "We are also asking schools across the district to ensure that bags of students are checked thoroughly on a regular basis. The incident has caused much anxiety among parents and guardians. Gun-culture and shooting incidents are quite common in the United States. Many shooting incidents have been reported from the US in the last few years. (With PTI inputs) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has stated that no red alerts were issued for Wayanad prior to the devastating landslides. This response comes after Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed in the Lok Sabha that timely warnings about heavy rainfall were provided to Kerala. CM Vijayan said that there is a need for unity and aid in the recovery efforts rather than engaging in a blame game. Tragic Toll And Rescue Efforts The landslides in the hilly areas near Meppadi, Wayanad, have resulted in significant loss and damage. At least 156 bodies have been recovered, and 200 people have sustained injuries. There are still 191 individuals reported missing. Rescue operations have successfully evacuated over 5,500 people from the affected areas. CM Vijayan mentioned that 45 camps have been established in Wayanad to rehabilitate more than 3,000 people. Government And Military Involvement Following the early warning issued by the Union government on July 23, nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed. The Kerala government has declared a two-day state mourning in honor of the victims. The army has also been actively involved, deploying 200 soldiers from the Defence Security Corps and a medical team to assist in rescue operations. Additionally, two helicopters from the Air Force Station in Sulur have been dispatched to support the efforts. Kerala's Wayanad continues to reel under extreme weather conditions. While floodings and rains have impacted daily lives, the death toll in the landslides tragedy has climbed to 158 and over 90 people still missing. Over hundred people were injured and are being treated in nearby hospitals. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress party's Lok Sabha candidate from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi have cancelled their visit to the constituency for the time being owing to extreme weather conditions. IMD Forecasts More Rain As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), "Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places in Kerala on July 31 and August 1." Reports indicate that the rise in temperature in the Arabian Sea is leading to more rainfall in Kerala. The weather department has also predicted heavy rainfall for August 2. As per the IMD, strong surface winds with speeds reaching 30-40 gusting to 50 kmph are likely to prevail occasionally over Kerala today. Wayanad Landslides Two massive landslides struck the Mundakkai and Chooramala areas of Vellarimala village, located under the Meppadi Panchayat in Wayanad, on Tuesday morning. The landslides destroyed several houses, uprooted trees, and caused water bodies to swell, complicating rescue efforts. A total of 128 people were reported injured in the incident and are receiving treatment in various hospitals across Wayanad. Rescue operations are ongoing in the affected areas. Wayanad Landslide Reason In the wake of the disaster, attention has returned to a 13-year-old report that had cautioned against unchecked quarrying and construction in Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs). The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, headed by Madhav Gadgil, had highlighted the dangers of such activities in Meppadi, where a recent landslide devastated an entire village. This report was submitted to the Centre in August 2011. Rescue Operations Underway Efforts are underway to locate missing persons and continue with all available resources. The National Disaster Response Force is carrying out the search and rescue operations in collaboration with the local agencies. Around 3,069 people are in 45 relief camps in Wayanad alone, and five ministers are coordinating the efforts of the relief and rescue operations. Janmashtami, a significant Hindu Festival, commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. This joyous occasion is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion by millions of devotees across India and around the world. The festival of Janmashtami falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Bhadrapada according to the Hindu lunar calendar. This auspicious day is marked with various rituals, prayers, fasting, and vibrant festivities that continue through the night, echoing the divine playfulness of Lord Krishna. The story of Lord Krishnas birth is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and holds immense significance for devotees. According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Krishna was born in Mathura to King Vasudeva and Queen Devaki. His birth took place at midnight in a prison cell where his parents were held captive by Devakis evil brother, King Kansa. To protect baby Krishna from Kansas wrath, divine interventions led Vasudeva to carry the newborn across the raging Yamuna River to safety in Gokul, where he was raised by his foster parents, Nanda and Yashoda. This miraculous escape and the subsequent childhood exploits of Krishna, such as defeating demons, playing the flute, and enchanting the Gopis, are celebrated during Janmashtami. Janmashtami festivities begin with devotees observing a day-long fast, breaking it only at midnight, the auspicious time of Lord Krishnas birth. Temples are adorned with flowers and lights, and devotional songs and hymns praising Lord Krishna fill the air. The highlight of the celebration is the midnight puja, marking the exact moment of Krishnas birth, followed by devotional singing, dancing, and reenactments of Krishnas childhood stories. One of the most popular rituals of Janmashtami is the Dahi Handi, where young men form human pyramids to reach and break a pot filled with buttermilk, symbolizing Krishnas love for dairy products. This tradition signifies teamwork, unity, and the spirit of overcoming obstacles, mirroring Krishnas playful and mischievous nature. Janmashtami transcends religious boundaries, bringing people together in a spirit of joy, devotion, and harmony. It serves as a reminder of the timeless teachings of Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizing righteousness, duty, and devotion to God. In conclusion, Janmashtami is not just a festival; it is a celebration of love, faith, and the eternal presence of divinity in our lives. As devotees immerse themselves n the festivities, they are reminded of the enduring legacy of Lord Krishna and the eternal message of truth, righteousness, and devotion that he embodies. May the spirit of Janmashtami inspire us to cultivate love, compassion, and wisdom in our hearts, just as Lord Krishna did through his divine presence on Earth. New Delhi: The showcase, celebrated for its blend of regal elegance and modern comfort, captivated the audience with its homage to India's rich heritage of craftsmanship. Tahiliani's collection, which combines traditional techniques with contemporary innovation, was a standout highlight of the event. "Imagine being enveloped in a cocoon--feeling safe, cared for, and in complete harmony with your body and transcending into anew phase of self-confidence and awareness. To me, that is the world I aspire to create through our couture. 'Otherworldly' is a journey into a realm where comfort and ethereal beauty coexist seamlessly," Tahiliani explained. Breaking away from the conventional view that couture equates to discomfort, Tahiliani's collection emphasizes the fusion of technology and tradition to create garments that feel like a second skin. "We're committed to blending technology and tradition to create otherworldly, comfortable clothing that feels like a second skin. Beauty may be subjective, but comfort and fit are not," he added. The collection featured a variety of silhouettes designed to offer both elegance and ease, including flowing lehengas, intricately draped sarees, and structured bodices. Traditional crafts like Kashidakar, Mukaish, and Chikankari were reimagined with a contemporary touch, incorporating Swarovski crystals, aari embroidery, and zardozi. Unique design elements such as monochromatic Pichwai, carpets, and blooms enhanced the collection's innovative approach, presenting a modern yet timeless sense of style. Menswear pieces, including embroidered sherwanis, modern bandhgalas, and crisp kurtas, stood out with their sharp, tailored silhouettes and sophisticated color palette dominated by black. The integration of traditional motifs with sheer fabrics and marble jaalis highlighted the collection's balance between heritage and modernity. The ethereal ensembles were complemented by jewelry from Hazoorilal by Sandeep Narang and Shree Jee Jaipur, footwear by Aquazzura, and makeup by MAC, with hairstyling by Aveda enhancing the overall look. The soundtrack, curated by Jayant Arora, mixed soulful Indian voices with global influences, including tracks from 'Mughal-e-Azam' to Amy Winehouse, reflecting the multifaceted modern Indian identity. In a historic move, Tahiliani's show was presented twice on the same day. This decision, a first in fashion history, was made to accommodate the overwhelming demand from the audience that could not all be seated for the initial presentation at The Ashok, Delhi. India Couture Week 2024, which commenced on July 24, continues to be a celebration of fashion excellence. The event will conclude on July 31 with Falguni Shane Peacock's grand finale presentation, capping off a week of remarkable fashion showcases. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has reached out to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging the removal of GST on life and medical insurance premiums. This appeal follows after criticism of the Budget 2024 from various quarters. Mr. Gadkari cited a memorandum from the Nagpur Divisional Life Insurance Corporation Employees Union in his letter. The Union raised significant concerns regarding the 18% GST imposed on life and medical insurance premiums. GST on Life Insurance Mr. Gadkari highlighted that imposing GST on life insurance premiums essentially means taxing the uncertainties of life. He stressed that individuals purchasing life insurance to protect their families should not be burdened with such a tax. He also pointed out that the 18% GST on medical insurance premiums hampers the growth of this crucial sector. The high tax rate serves as a deterrent, discouraging people from purchasing necessary medical insurance. "In view of the above, you are requested to consider the suggestion of Withdrawal of GST on Life and Medical Insurance Premium on priority as it becomes cumbersome for the senior citizens as per rules with due verification along with other relevant points raised," Gadkari said in his letter to Ms Sitharaman. The Union also raised other important issues, such as the differential treatment of savings through life insurance, the reintroduction of income tax deductions for health insurance premiums, and the consolidation of public sector general insurance companies. New Delhi: Nothing has launched the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus in India after launching the Nothing Phone 2a smartphone in the country in March this year. However, the new smartphone has still the same design with the Glyph Interface as the Phone (2a). It runs Android 14-based Nothing OS 2.6 with the company. The smartphone is offered in two variants: 8GB RAM+256GB and 12GB RAM+256GB. It comes in Black and Grey colour options. The company is promising three years of Android updates and four years of security patches. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will go on sale from August 7 at 12 pm via Flipkart. Notably, the smartphone will be made available first in the Indian market, and will be available for other markets only in September. Extra power, extra pixels, extra unique. Phone (2a) Plus. Our most popular smartphone, now amplified. pic.twitter.com/YCqDHowR2q Nothing (@nothing) July 31, 2024 Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Price And Bank Offers: The phone is priced at Rs 29,999 for the base 8GB RAM+256GB storage model, which is the best smartphone under Rs 30,000. Meanwhile, the top-end variant carries a price tag of Rs 31,999 for the 12GB RAM+256GB model. The London-based company is also providing a bank offer of Rs 2,000 on all bank credit and debit card transactions. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Specifications: The handset features a 6.7-inch full-HD+ (1,080x2,412 pixels) AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate, 394ppi pixel density, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. It is powered with an octa-core 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G SoC paired with Mali-G610 MC4 GPU and up to 12GB of RAM. The phone also comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection layered on top. The phone is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery with 50W fast charging and 5W reverse wired charging support. Notably, there is no charger in the box once again. On the optics front, the Phone 2a Plus comes with the same 50MP dual rear camera system with OIS on the main sensor. The phone also comes with ChatGPT integration that can be set up via the Nothing X app. The new phone also features an in-display fingerprint sensor, IP54 water and dust resistance, dual stereo speakers, and NFC with Google Pay support. New Delhi: After months of safety checks and fine-tuning, OpenAI is finally rolling out the hi-tech ChatGPT 4o voice mode for select users. The new voice mode is only available to those who signed up for the AI chatbots premium subscription. The new voice mode promises a more interactive and responsive conversational experience. What's New In Open AI's ChatGPT 4o Voice Mode The new voice mode allows users to experience the AI chatbot in a human-like conversational tone. The launch teaser demo of Voice Mode showcased ChatGPT 4o expressing a wide range of emotions, thrilling the audience with both its impressive results and quick response times. Adding further, OpenAI has achieved a breakthrough by enabling ChatGPT 4o to sing in sync across separate devices. The advanced Voice Mode features new preset voicesJuniper, Breeze, Cove, and Emberdeveloped in collaboration with professional voice actors. ChatGPT Plus subscribers in the alpha group will receive notifications about the Voice Mode update on the ChatGPT app. Adding further, they will receive an email with detailed instructions on setting up and using the new Voice Mode. Open AI Faces Back Lash The Open AI has faced backlash when Open AI's ChatGpt 4o Voice mode feature used a voice that seemed quite similar to Scarlett Johanssons voice for the character Samantha in the film Her. The actor eventually took legal action against the company. Despite the claims, OpenAI denied using Johanssons voice. It is thought that OpenAI later removed the voice from its demo. Mumbai: Kritika Malik broke down after she was once again made realise that she ruined her BFF Payal Malik's life betraying her by marrying her husband, Armaan Malik. In the show Bigg Boss OTT 3 Kritika was called worse than Dayaan who even harmed her BFF. This statement has left Kritika hurt and how. In the latest episode, Bigg Boss 17 winner Munawar Faruqui was seen making his appearance where Kritika was seen crying in front of him as she expressed about overthinking what she has done with Payal and wants to meet her family again. Watch the video of Kritika Malik breaking down while she speaks to Munawar Faruqui in the show Kritika mentioned that her family is her strength, she and Payal including Armaan went through a lot one and half years ago and don't want to witness that bad time again. As her video goes viral speaking about enduring so much hate after marrying Armaan, netizens suggest that she should divorce Armaan and that will be her repentance. One user commented," Itna guilty hai toh divorce de de". Another user said," Divorce is the best option". Payal Malik made clear that she won't divorce Armaan Malik After Armaan Malik's statement that it's Payal's choice to divorce him, the YouTuber claimed that she will never take divorce from her husband and that's final and they will continue to stay together like they were before they entered into the Bigg Boss OTT 3 house. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed when his residence was attacked in Tehran, confirmed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in a statement. Haniyeh was in Tehran to meet with the Supreme Leader and attend the new president's inauguration. Iran has blamed Israel for the murder of Haniyeh and said that Jerusalem will have to pay a heavy fine for this. The IRGC's Public Relations Department announced that the attack took place early Wednesday and that an investigation is underway to determine the cause. The statement expressed condolences to the people of Palestine, the Muslim community, and the fighters of the Resistance Front for the loss of the Hamas leader. The day before the incident, Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Iran's new president and met with Iran's Supreme Leader. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the assassination, but suspicion quickly fell on Israel, which has vowed to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders following the group's October 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and resulted in around 250 hostages being taken. On April 10, an Israeli attack in northern Gaza killed three sons of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. Haniyeh confirmed the deaths of his children, Hazem, Amir, and Mohammad, along with several of his grandchildren, in an interview. Following the October 7 terror attack, Israel has been fighting against the Hamas in Gaza. The whole Gaza has turned into the battlefield with thousands of people killed and lakhs of Palestinians displaced from the region. While no one has claimed the responsibility of the attack, Iranian political experts have blamed Israel for the assassination. Israel and its spy agency Mossad have been trying to eliminate Haniyeh for long. Haniyeh is also believed to be the mastermind of the October 7 terror attack on Israel. Many Israeli people are still in the captivity of the Hamas terrorists. Stage 1 fire restrictions have been implemented in unincorporated areas of El Paso County, according to a news release from the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. The announcement came amid a heat wave that has settled in the Pikes Peak region, bringing high temperatures and dry conditions along with an outbreak of wildfires near metro Denver and in northern Colorado. I take seriously the value of community and family-oriented events such as barbecues and campfire gatherings, said El Paso County Sheriff Joe Roybal. However, risk must be considered when weather conditions are arid, and fuel levels become dangerously high as they are now. According to the Sheriffs Office, a Stage 1 fire restriction prohibits the following activities: Open burning, excluding fires or campfires held within a permanently constructed fire grate at a developed camp or picnic ground and charcoal grill or wood-burning stove utilized at a private residence within a 3-foot distance of flammable materials. The use of fireworks without a permit, outdoor pyrotechnics or the use of model rockets. Outdoor smoking except within the confines of a vehicle or building, or within a 3-foot distance of flammable materials. Featured Local Savings Welding or the operation of an acetylene or a similar torch producing an open flame. Internal combustion engine operation without the use of a spark arresting device that has been properly installed and is in working order. Additionally, holding a prescribed burn is prohibited; previously issued permits for such burns have been revoked. I ask for the communitys assistance in spreading awareness of our fire restrictions and holding themselves accountable for their conduct, Roybal said in the release. The Sheriffs Office asked members who witness or suspect violations of the fire restriction to report the activity by calling 719-390-5555. Just west of El Paso County, the Teller County Sheriffs Office is also taking action amid the wildfires in the state. The Sheriffs Office announced on social media Wednesday that a Stage 1 fire ban is now in effect. This ban restricts open burning across Teller County. Opening burning of materials not contained in an outdoor fireplace or permanent fire ring is prohibited. Explosives, fireworks and model rockets are also banned through the resolution. All fire rings, pits and grates must be at least 25 feet from all structures and must be less than 3 feet in diameter or 3 feet in length and width and must be at least 18 inches in depth. A water supply or other approved fire-extinguishing measures must be readily available. Iran has openly declared its intention to avenge the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in a dawn airstrike in Tehran. The Iranian government has unfurled a red flag on the dome of the Jamkaran Mosque in Qom, signaling a stark warning that a major retaliation is imminent. The red flag symbolizing revenge was last hoisted atop the dome of the Jamkaran Mosque on January 3, 2020, following the death of Qasem Soleimani, and again on January 5, 2024, after the Kerman bombing. Given the tenor of various official statements, particularly those from the theocratic dictator and Supreme Leader Imam Khamenei, a military response appears to be certain. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed to take revenge, stating that Israel has "prepared its own severe punishment" by killing Haniyeh, who was a "dear guest" on Iranian soil. The killing has drawn widespread condemnation from countries around the world, including Russia, which has slammed the assassination as a "dangerous" and "provocative" act. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Andrei Nastasin warned that the killing would have severe consequences for the entire region, undermining efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Nastasin urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could exacerbate tensions, warning of a potentially devastating conflict. The assassination of Haniyeh has raised concerns in India, which has significant economic interests in the region. The killing has also sparked fears of a wider conflict, with Iran and Israel engaging in a war of words. As tensions continue to escalate, the international community remains on high alert, bracing for a potentially catastrophic confrontation in the Middle East. In a setback for Hamas, Chief of Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran in an attack by unknown men. He was in Tehran to meet with the Supreme Leader and attend the new president's inauguration. Along with Haniyeh, his bodyguard was also killed in the attack. Haniyeh was on the radar of Israeli forces for a long and is said to be the mastermind of the October 7 terror attack in Israel. Who Was Ismail Haniyeh? Haniyeh's full name is Ismail Abdel Salam Ahmed Haniyeh. Haniyeh was born in the Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza, where his family settled after fleeing their village during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. He grew up in the camp and attended local schools before enrolling at the Islamic University of Gaza. Haniyeh studied Arabic literature at the Islamic University of Gaza, where he became involved in student activism and joined the Islamic bloc, a student organization affiliated with Hamas. Haniyeh's Political Career Ismail Haniyeh was a prominent Palestinian political figure and leader of Hamas, a militant Islamist organization. Haniyeh's political career began in earnest when he joined Hamas, which was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada. In 2006, Haniyeh led Hamas to a significant electoral victory in the Palestinian legislative elections, becoming the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority. However, the power struggle between Hamas and Fatah, the rival Palestinian faction, escalated into violent clashes, culminating in Hamas seizing control of Gaza in 2007. As a result, Haniyeh's role as Prime Minister was dismissed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, though Hamas continued to govern Gaza independently. In 2017, Haniyeh was elected as the Chief of the Hamas Political Bureau, succeeding Khaled Meshaal. As the top political leader of Hamas, Haniyeh oversees the organization's activities, policies, and relations with other groups and countries. Ismail Haniyeh was known for his strong stance against Israel and his support for armed resistance. He has been a central figure in the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, advocating for Palestinian rights and statehood. Haniyeh's leadership has been marked by efforts to strengthen Hamas's political and military capabilities. Personal Life Haniyeh was married and has thirteen children. His family life has been affected by the ongoing conflict, with several of his relatives, including his three sons and four grandchildren being killed in Israeli attacks. While many Palestinians view him as a resistance leader fighting for their rights, Israel and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization due to its use of violence and attacks against civilians. A community organization dedicated to stopping gang violence in Colorado Springs celebrated its third anniversary Sunday. Men of Influence, a group of about 40 community members, civic leaders and former gang members, was established in July 2021 in an effort to persuade rival gang members to consider exchanging words and ideas instead of bullets, said founding member Brandon Shupp. We were seeing too much violence in our streets, said Shupp, the lead pastor at Story Church. So we decided to try to get some gang leaders to sit down and see if we could get the different sets to communicate with each other. Getting gang members to set aside long-standing rivalries and resentments has been a long process, fraught with occasional setbacks, according to Men of Influence leaders. Weve been in some crazy rooms, said founding member Big Will Starks. Its taken some time to begin to build trust, Shupp said. Remember, some of these young people have actually shot at each other. The plan, according to Shupp, was to try to reduce gang violence one area at a time, starting with Memorial Park. We talked with these different leaders and declared Memorial Park a safe zone, a place thats off-limits to gang violence, he said. That was in the summer of 2021. Since then, there has not been a gang-related shooting at the park. There has been violence, and there have been shootings, but they have not been gang-related. Seven months ago, a deadly incident at The Citadel mall convinced Men of Influence that they needed to establish another safe zone. On Christmas Eve, a fight at the east-side shopping center escalated to gunfire, killing Teryus Thomas, 18, and wounding two. Colorado Springs police did not say the shootings were gang-related, but did acknowledge that the fight was between two groups who were known to each other. After holding an anti-violence rally at the mall a few days after the shooting, leaders at the organization began working toward making the mall a safer place for shoppers. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. We started having guys show up at random times throughout the week, just walking the mall, showing a presence, Shupp said. Meanwhile, the communication efforts continued. What we need to remember is that these are young people, and most young people have someone that they look up to, founding member Shaun Walls said in an earlier interview with The Gazette. If you can find that person and get a dialogue going, that goes a long way. To that end, some members still maintain a loose gang affiliation, Shupp said. If you are all the way out of the gang life, you lose credibility, and people wont listen to you. In June, Men of Influence established a headquarters inside the mall, occupying a space donated by the malls management group. We pay (for) utilities to keep things working, but management gave us the space, rent-free, because they can see the value in having us here, Shupp said. On Sunday, the space was alive with music and laughter as the organization celebrated its third anniversary. The event, which coincided with Global Day of Compassion, featured a backpack giveaway (more than 300 new backpacks filled with school supplies) and free haircuts. Good vibes and good people, Shupp said. Thats what today is about. Inside the headquarters, Men of Influence member DeMarcus Hysten high-fived kids as he held his own daughter, Teagan, and exclaimed, Happy Day of Compassion! Show some love today! Think about what has happened in this mall, not even seven months ago, said Hysten, an Army veteran and father of six. This place was empty. No one wanted to come here. But look at all the people here. This is how it should be. Commentary: China and Italy: The ideal duo to bridge East and West 08:29, July 31, 2024 By He Fei ( Xinhua Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pose for a photo with entrepreneur representatives from China and Italy before the opening ceremony of the seventh meeting of the China-Italy entrepreneurs committee, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 28, 2024 (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) The Italian side and the EU should recognize that maintaining stable and mutually trusting relations with China serves their interests and contributes to global prosperity and peace. Italy can play a crucial role in nurturing these cooperative relations between China and Europe. BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhua) -- In a world increasingly troubled by geopolitical tensions and bloc confrontation, Monday's meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni underscored the importance of deepening mutual understanding and cooperation between nations. As two major countries with ancient civilizations that stand at the two ends of the ancient Silk Road, the time-honored friendly exchanges between the two countries have made significant contributions to the overall exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations and to the progress of humanity. The emphasis on mutual learning comes at a critical juncture. As the world is grappling with complex challenges ranging from economic instability to climate change, the necessity of fostering genuine dialogue and partnership has never been more apparent. By committing to enhanced mutual learning, China and Italy set an example that could help bridge divides and cultivate a more cohesive global community. Meloni's visit coincides with the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death. Over seven centuries ago, Marco Polo's travels through China offered Europe a glimpse into the mystique of the East, bridging two vastly different worlds. During her stay in Beijing, Meloni attended the inauguration of an exhibition featuring the Venetian merchant's journeys between the East and the West. In her speech, the Italian leader highlighted Marco Polo as a symbol of courage and ability to dare something extraordinary. Marco Polo's journey underscores the timeless value of cross-cultural interaction. His detailed descriptions of China's innovations, governance and societal structures sparked curiosity and admiration in Europe, fostering a spirit of exploration and a quest for knowledge that transcended borders. Today, Marco Polo's legacy is a crucial reminder that mutual learning can break down barriers, inspire progress, and build a foundation of trust and respect. Meloni's visit also came as China and Italy celebrate the 20th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership this year. Italy signed multiple bilateral cooperative agreements with China during Meloni's first official visit to the country since taking office. The two sides also issued a 2024-2027 action plan to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership. Trade between China and Italy has prospered and brought tangible benefits to both peoples. China is Italy's largest trading partner in Asia and the biggest non-EU trading partner after the United States, while Italy is China's fourth-largest trading partner in the European Union (EU). People visit the booth of Italy at ITB China 2024 in Shanghai, east China, May 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Aiping) The Chinese market has provided rich opportunities for Italian enterprises, with made-in-Italy agricultural products, fashion and furniture exhibited at trade expos and reaching Chinese households. Global technological advancement has opened up new prospects for pragmatic cooperation between China, the world's largest emerging economy, and Italy, the second-largest manufacturing powerhouse in Europe. The two partners have complementary industrial advantages in chemicals, machinery, clothing and emerging areas such as biomedicine, green transition, aerospace and artificial intelligence. The need for deepening cooperation in these fields is growing. For example, Italian enterprises are participating in a project to develop China's first wide-body passenger aircraft. Notably, in this regard, the two countries can achieve win-win outcomes in developing electric vehicles, where cutting-edge Chinese technologies and experienced Italian automotive designs complement each other well. The large business delegation accompanying Meloni to China testifies to the genuine needs of a diversified Italian business community to ramp up cooperation with China. Jean Paul de Jorio, chief legal officer of the Italian National Biodiversity Future Center, said Meloni's visit to China would enhance bilateral ties and praised the cooperative path the two countries have taken. The visit also coincides with China's intensifying efforts to foster a more transparent, stable and predictable institutional environment while expanding market access. The Italian side and the EU should recognize that maintaining stable and mutually trusting relations with China serves their interests and contributes to global prosperity and peace. Italy can play a crucial role in nurturing these cooperative relations between China and Europe. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) People visit the booth of Italy at ITB China 2024 in Shanghai, May 27, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] In a world increasingly troubled by geopolitical tensions and bloc confrontation, Monday's meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni underscored the importance of deepening mutual understanding and cooperation between nations. As two major countries with ancient civilizations that stand at the two ends of the ancient Silk Road, the time-honored friendly exchanges between the two countries have made significant contributions to the overall exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations and to the progress of humanity. The emphasis on mutual learning comes at a critical juncture. As the world is grappling with complex challenges ranging from economic instability to climate change, the necessity of fostering genuine dialogue and partnership has never been more apparent. By committing to enhanced mutual learning, China and Italy set an example that could help bridge divides and cultivate a more cohesive global community. Meloni's visit coincides with the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death. Over seven centuries ago, Marco Polo's travels through China offered Europe a glimpse into the mystique of the East, bridging two vastly different worlds. During her stay in Beijing, Meloni attended the inauguration of an exhibition featuring the Venetian merchant's journeys between the East and the West. In her speech, the Italian leader highlighted Marco Polo as a symbol of courage and ability to dare something extraordinary. Marco Polo's journey underscores the timeless value of cross-cultural interaction. His detailed descriptions of China's innovations, governance and societal structures sparked curiosity and admiration in Europe, fostering a spirit of exploration and a quest for knowledge that transcended borders. Today, Marco Polo's legacy is a crucial reminder that mutual learning can break down barriers, inspire progress, and build a foundation of trust and respect. Meloni's visit also came as China and Italy celebrate the 20th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership this year. Italy signed multiple bilateral cooperative agreements with China during Meloni's first official visit to the country since taking office. The two sides also issued a 2024-2027 action plan to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership. Trade between China and Italy has prospered and brought tangible benefits to both peoples. China is Italy's largest trading partner in Asia and the biggest non-EU trading partner after the United States, while Italy is China's fourth-largest trading partner in the European Union (EU). The Chinese market has provided rich opportunities for Italian enterprises, with made-in-Italy agricultural products, fashion and furniture exhibited at trade expos and reaching Chinese households. Global technological advancement has opened up new prospects for pragmatic cooperation between China, the world's largest emerging economy, and Italy, the second-largest manufacturing powerhouse in Europe. The two partners have complementary industrial advantages in chemicals, machinery, clothing and emerging areas such as biomedicine, green transition, aerospace and artificial intelligence. The need for deepening cooperation in these fields is growing. For example, Italian enterprises are participating in a project to develop China's first wide-body passenger aircraft. Notably, in this regard, the two countries can achieve win-win outcomes in developing electric vehicles, where cutting-edge Chinese technologies and experienced Italian automotive designs complement each other well. The large business delegation accompanying Meloni to China testifies to the genuine needs of a diversified Italian business community to ramp up cooperation with China. Jean Paul de Jorio, chief legal officer of the Italian National Biodiversity Future Center, said Meloni's visit to China would enhance bilateral ties and praised the cooperative path the two countries have taken. The visit also coincides with China's intensifying efforts to foster a more transparent, stable and predictable institutional environment while expanding market access. The Italian side and the EU should recognize that maintaining stable and mutually trusting relations with China serves their interests and contributes to global prosperity and peace. Italy can play a crucial role in nurturing these cooperative relations between China and Europe. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation say they are no longer willing to capture and translocate gray wolves to Colorado from their Washington state reservation. The announcement is an about-face after Colorado wildlife officials reached an agreement with Indigenous tribes in Washington to release 10 to 15 of the animals in Colorado later this year. In a letter dated June 6, Colville Business Council Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson told Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis that the Tribes were rescinding the original authorization because there had not been enough discussion with those tribes that may be impacted by the operation. It has come to our attention that necessary and meaningful consultation was not completed with the potentially impacted tribes, Erickson wrote. Out of respect for the sovereignty, cultures, and memberships of Indian Tribes in Colorado and neighboring states, who may be impacted by this project, the Colville Tribes cannot assist with this project at this time. A list of resolutions published on June 6 by the Colville Tribes Business Council shows that Tribal Government and Natural Resources Committees voted unanimously to rescind Resolution 2023-752, and documents the councils concerns with Colorado. Based on new information regarding the proposed reintroduction project in Colorado, and that we have now learned that the State of Colorado has failed to consult with the Southern Ute Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation cannot agree to the request made by the State of Colorado to provide wolves for this project at this time. It is further recommended that all Directives regarding the request from the State of Colorado that the Tribes provide wolves, that were passed up to the date of this recommendation be rescinded, including, but not limited to those passed on Sept. 19, 2023, and Oct. 3, 2023. Colville Confederated Tribes did not respond to the Colorado Politics request for comment. While the agreement may be rescinded, Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Rachel Gonzales said it does not close the door to future conversations or opportunities to work with the Tribe. "While this does change some of the more immediate plans for our reintroduction process, it does not halt our work toward successfully restoring gray wolves in Colorado," Gonzales said. "We continue speaking with other potential sources of wolves and will take great care in implementing the plan to create a self-sustaining wolf population while minimizing impacts to our landowners, rural communities, and agricultural industries and partners. Featured Local Savings Naturally, the decision made by the Colville Business Council and the Tribal Government and Natural Resources Committees is disappointing, but we have a strong relationship with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and hope to continue these conversations in the future, said Davis in a statement to the press. We will continue working with other potential sources for wolves to further our efforts to restore wolves to Colorado. Wolves are protected by both state and federal law, and Colorado statute specifically directs the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to develop a plan to reintroduce and manage gray wolves in the state. The state first released gray wolves on the Western Slope on Dec. 18, 2023. However, the program and its releases have been met with controversy, primarily from farmers and ranchers concerned about the well-being of livestock. Several of the wolves that the state released in Colorado in December 2023 came from packs with histories of killing livestock. CPW, in its wolf restoration plan, had pledged not to bring in wolves with depredation histories, but the Fence Post's Rachel Gabel, who is also a columnist for Colorado Politics, reported the first five wolves from Oregon came from the Five Points Pack, which injured one calf and killed another in July of 2023. The pack also killed a cow on Dec. 5, 2022, and injured a 900-pound yearling heifer on July 17, 2022. We are not contemplating halting our implementation of the plan and will continue in our efforts to restore a sustainable population of wolves to the state while avoiding and minimizing impacts to our critically important agricultural industries and rural communities, Davis said. Marianne Goodland contributed to this story. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a message to Nicolas Maduro, congratulating him on re-election as president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Masoud Pezeshkian (C) delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as Iran's ninth president at the parliament in Tehran, Iran, on July 30, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Since taking office, President Maduro has led the Venezuelan government and people in pursuing a development path suited to their own national conditions, making remarkable achievements in national construction, Xi said. China and Venezuela are good friends that trust each other and good partners for common development, Xi said, adding that China will, as always, firmly support Venezuela's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, national dignity and social stability, as well as Venezuela's just cause of opposing external interference. Xi said that he highly values the development of China-Venezuela relations and is willing to work with President Maduro to continue guiding the all-weather strategic partnership between China and Venezuela to new heights, so as to benefit the people of both countries. Re: Citing a year-long downward trend in global sales of personal computer [ #permalink 2 Kudos 1 Bookmarks You are here: World Flash Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards have been killed in Iranian capital city of Tehran, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday. Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed early Wednesday when their residence was hit in Tehran, according to a statement published on the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News. The statement added the attack was under investigation, and the results would be announced later. The Islamic Hamas movement confirmed the death of its leader, saying that Haniyeh was assassinated by an Israeli attack in Iran. In a press statement, Hamas said that it "mourns to the Palestinian people, the Arab and Islamic nation, and the free people of the world" over the death of Haniyeh. The Israeli army has no comment on the issue yet. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday. After a corporate bankruptcy filing July 23, Conns HomePlus and Badcock Home Furniture & More will close their Hickory locations. The two stores are owned by Conns Inc. Conns acquired the Badcock brand in December 2023. In April, Conns Inc. said the corporation lost nearly $77 million for the year. A manager at the Hickory Conns location, Amber Bryson, said the store employs about 10 people and is scheduled to close in October. Conns HomePlus is located at 1810 U.S. Highway 70 SE. Conns media relations team could not be reached for comment. A manager at the Badcock store did not wish to comment. Twelve Conns stores will close in North Carolina. All Badcock locations will close, according to a posting on the companys Facebook page. The closing of the Badcock store will be another change for the Northgate Plaza shopping center in Viewmont. In May, Hannahs BBQ closed and Dawg Pound Hot Dogs announced they were moving. In recent months, Viewmont Vacuums also left the shopping center. Retail chains closing stores Multiple chains have announced this summer they are closing retail stores. In June, Walgreens announced it would close nearly 2,000 stores over the next few years. The company has not provided a list of stores that will close. There are five stand-alone Walgreens in Catawba County. In July, Big Lots announced it was closing around 40 of its stores. A manager at the Big Lots in Hickory said she had not received notice the store was closing. A banner that has appeared on the website of some Big Lots that are confirmed to close is not on the websites of the Hickory or Newton stores. One of the great joys of summertime for many North Carolina families is a drive to the Sandhills to visit one of the roadside peach stands that dot the region. The well-drained Sandhills provide for peach trees what the California Napa Valley does for grape vines. When the peach blossoms survive the late winter frosts and when spring and early summer bring the right amount of rain, it is hard to find anything that tastes better than a Sandhills peach. Even a perfect peach has to be picked and eaten at the right time. Peaches are temperamental. A just-picked, fully ripened peach can taste better than the most elegant dessert at a five-star restaurant. But peaches do not age well. A perfectly delicious, fully ripe peach is right on the edge of disaster. Deterioration and decay begin almost immediately. The best peach will not be as good after a few hours, and it can be a mushy mess of decay in a few days or less. Peaches dont travel well either. Ripe ones bruise easily. Temperature variations and the lapse of time make the peach less and less appealing every minute after it leaves the tree. So the best way for a North Carolina family to get a bite of a most delicious peach is to buy a ripe one right after it is picked. The temperamental peach can sometimes drive a peach farmer crazy as he tries to manage the timing of its growth and harvest. But its nature is also a godsend for the Sandhill growers. It is this temperamental nature that keeps families driving down to the Sandhills to experience the perfect peach taste that is available only close to the source. Over the last few years, many North Carolina small farmers found that they can no longer compete with the larger operations. As much as they love farming and farm life, many have had to find other lines of work. Sandhills peach farmers face some of the same challenges. But, as a result of the peachs temperamental quality, freshly picked peaches sold by the orchard owners directly to consumers are worth much more than those sold before they are ripe to large wholesalers and grocery store chains. This phenomenon helps explain why North Carolina peach farmers have resisted the pressures of consolidation longer than most small farmers. Since it is better to buy peaches as close to the source as possible, small orchards can make more money selling directly at their roadside stands than they can by selling large quantities to wholesalers. Thankfully, there are still plenty of these family-run orchards in the Sandhills, where we can buy those precious peaches from the same people who grow them. Greenes Pee Dee Orchards peach stand on U.S. Highway 74 is on the west side of the bridge across the Pee Dee River between Wadesboro and Rockingham. (Dont miss the fresh peach ice cream that Greenes family makes on the spot.) Greene is just one of a proud group of Sandhills peach farmers. There are lots of others you should mention, lots of other good peach growers around here, Greenes friend and fellow peach grower, the late beloved Watts Auman told me. We are like a big clan. And the truth is, all Sandhills peaches are almost always real good, if you get them fresh and ripe. The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) Radio Frequency (RF) Safety Program and other Australian companies contributed to the establishment of the global international standard, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) TC 106 Methods for assessment of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields associated with human exposure. IEC TC 106 is an international standards committee based in Geneva that determines the assessment and measurement of RF Emissions emanating from telecommunications base stations. For the past decade, Australia has made a significant contribution to the development and expansion of TC 106 global standards for exposure limits and mitigation methods, as it was the first country in the world to implement a national standards system for electromagnetic and RF emissions and make it publicly available on the www.rfnsa.com.au. Telstra governance and risk management and outgoing chair of the global IEC TC106 Mike Wood, UTS network sensing laboratory and TPG technical co-director Des Ward, Total Radiation Solution consultant physicist Phill Knipe oversaw the measurement, calculation, and assessment of global 5G standards, and the establishment of a new structure for mobile device compliance standards. In 2023, Australia hosted a specialised workshop at a 5G supercell on the Gold Coast putting 5G to the ultimate test with these results feeding into the latest safety standards. With a nine-year tenure in the role of chair of TC 106, Mike Wood has been able to make a significant contribution to developing and updating critical safety standards. This includes pioneering work on electromagnetic frequency (EMF) assessment standards for 5G networks and devices, ensuring safety kept pace with the rapid evolution of this transformative technology, says AMTA CEO Louise Hyland. AMTA's commitment to EME safety extends beyond its involvement with TC 106. The organisation actively engages with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), ACMA and other stakeholders to ensure that EME safety standards are implemented effectively in Australia. Hyland adds, We are committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that Australia continues to be a leader in EME safety. We believe that by working together, we can build a safe and thriving telecommunications industry for the benefit of all Australians. COMPANY NEWS: Organisations with several thousand employees or more are the most likely to be affected by lateral phishing, where attacks are sent to mailboxes across the organisation from an already compromised internal account, according to a new Threat Spotlight from Barracuda. Lateral phishing accounts for just under half (42%) of targeted email threats against organisations with 2,000 employees or more, but just 2% of attacks against companies with up to 100 employees. The findings, which are based on an analysis of targeted email attacks between early June 2023 and the end of May 2024, show that smaller companies are the most likely to be hit with external phishing attacks. These account for 71% of targeted email threats in 12 months, compared to 41% for the largest companies. Smaller companies also experience around three times as many extortion attacks as their larger counterparts. Extortion attacks comprised 7% of targeted incidents for the smallest businesses, compared to 2% for those with 2,000 employees or more. The prevalence of business email compromise (BEC) and conversation hijacking remained relatively consistent regardless of company size. All companies, regardless of their size, are vulnerable to email threats, but they are vulnerable in different ways, said Barracuda director, product marketing Olesia Klevchuk. Larger companies, with many mailboxes and employees, offer attackers more potential entry points, multiple communication channels to disseminate malicious messages across the business, and employees who are likely to trust email messages that appear to come from within the organisation, even if the sender is unfamiliar to them. Smaller companies, on the other hand, are less likely to have layered security in place and more likely to have misconfigured email filters due to a lack of in-house skills and resources. Barracuda recommends implementing regular security awareness training for employees that includes lateral phishing to keep everyone informed and alert so they can easily spot suspicious emails. Multi-layered, AI-powered defenses are key to detecting and remediating advanced attacks to contain and minimise the impact. Smaller companies may also wish to consider turning to a managed service provider for additional expertise and support in hardening their security environment against all threats. To read the blog, click here. About Barracuda At Barracuda we strive to make the world a safer place. We believe every business deserves access to cloud-first, enterprise-grade security solutions that are easy to buy, deploy, and use. We protect email, networks, data, and applications with innovative solutions that grow and adapt with our customers journey. Hundreds of thousands of organizations worldwide trust Barracuda to protect and support them so they can focus on taking their business to the next level. For more information, visit barracuda.com COMPANY NEWS: IntelligenceBank, a leading innovator in content compliance with its Digital Asset Management, Brand Portals and Marketing Operations platforms, today announced it has agreed to acquire Red Marker, a leading AI-powered SaaS solution that automates brand, legal and regulatory compliance reviews across marketing materials and websites. The joint solution will help global marketing teams reduce time to market and avoid millions in regulatory fines by automating manual approval processes. Through the acquisition, IntelligenceBank will offer brands a single platform to help ensure content across print, social, email, and digital channels is automatically branded and legally approved using Red Markers patent pending AI custom rules solution. IntelligenceBank CEO Tessa Court said companies face fines in the hundreds of millions of dollars each year for inaccurate, misleading and out-of-date advertising, product disclaimers and websites. For large corporations, marketing compliance is a multi-million-dollar problem, Court said. Failure to comply with regulations results in businesses having to not only pay fines to the regulator but also compensation to affected customers. This is compounded with reputational brand damage. With these two technologies coming together, we are in a unique position to provide one of the best brand and regulatory compliance solution in the market across the content lifecycle. We have partnered with Red Marker for several years with shared customers already and we are looking forward to expanding the joint offering across our global customer base. The deal will see IntelligenceBank wholly acquire Red Markers technology stack, IP, and specialist team who are based in Sydney, the US and the UK. While the financials of the acquisition are commercially confidential, the acquisition comes on the back of its 2021 strategic capital raise of US$37 million from US VC Five Elms Capital. Joe Onofrio, Partner at Five Elms Capital, the lead investor at IntelligenceBank, said: We are thrilled to add Red Markers capabilities to IntelligenceBanks leading suite of tools for brand-compliant marketing. The combination will enhance the companies missions to make brand management and compliance more efficient than ever. Mark Wood, General Manager at Red Marker, also shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, Both IntelligenceBank and Red Marker share a common vision to automate and scale marketing compliance across media types - which means marketing and legal teams can ensure quality and save time and money all at once. We are joining IntelligenceBank to accelerate our vision and we are looking forward to integrating Red Markers AI compliance technologies with such a great partner in the DAM and Marketing Operations space. About IntelligenceBank IntelligenceBank is a leading digital asset management, brand portal and marketing operations platform, bridging the gap between the digital content explosion and content approvals. Loved by customers in 55 countries, IntelligenceBank employs AI, and automation to ensure brands get to market quickly, maintain brand consistency and adhere to regulatory compliance. IntelligenceBank has offices in Australia, Canada and the US. For more information visit https://www.intelligencebank.com. About Red Marker Red Markers AI-powered platform transforms marketing compliance by automating risk detection for digital advertising and marketing content. Combining finely-tuned technology with deep knowledge of heavily regulated industries, Red Marker delivers efficient processes which drive compliant outcomes. Recognizing that compliance is not one-size-fits-all, each implementation is tailored to reflect the clients policies and meet their business objectives. This approach provides a powerful, future-proof marketing compliance solution. For more information, visit:https://www.redmarker.ai. In the rapidly evolving world of MarTech, the days of relying on a single vendor for all solutions are waning. The Arktic Fox 2024 Digital, Marketing & eComm in Focus study reveals a significant shift in investment strategies among Australian marketers. As businesses seek to optimise their MarTech stacks, there is a growing preference for 'best-of-breed' solutions over off-the-shelf, single-vendor ones. The rise and fall of the single-vendor strategy Traditionally, many organisations adopted a single-vendor approach to MarTech. In theory, this strategy offered the convenience of an integrated suite of tools from one provider, promising seamless interoperability and a unified user experience. However, the reality for many Australian marketers and marketing-adjacent professionals appears to have fallen short of expectations. The Arktic Fox study found that 80% of respondents rated their MarTech utilisation as average, low, or very low. Billy Loizou, Asia Pacific Area Vice President at Amperity, argues that disappointing tech stacks have something to do with disappointing rates of MarTech utilisation: The past approach was to buy the equivalent of a turnkey, off-the-shelf, full-stack solution from a big-name tech company. Given the proportion of Australian marketers who reported their utilisation of MarTech was average, low, or very low, that doesnt seem to have worked out well. Mixing and matching martech Many marketers are now embracing best-of-breed solutions in response to the challenges associated with single-vendor systems. According to the Arktic Fox study, 57% of respondents lean towards best-of-breed strategies, compared to just 14% who prefer single-vendor approaches. This shift reflects a desire for greater flexibility, customisation, and the ability to choose the most effective tools for specific needs. Best-of-breed solutions allow organisations to select and integrate individual tools that excel in their respective areas, such as customer relationship management (CRM), marketing automation, or Consumer Data Platforms (CDPs). This approach enables businesses to build a more tailored and efficient MarTech stack, potentially leading to better performance and outcomes. The upside of best-of-breed solutions Customisation and flexibility: Best-of-breed solutions offer greater customisation options, allowing organisations to tailor their MarTech stacks to meet specific business requirements. This flexibility can lead to more effective and efficient marketing strategies. Innovation and specialisation: Specialised vendors often develop best-of-breed tools that excel in a particular area. This focus on innovation can result in more advanced and effective solutions than single vendors' broader, integrated systems. Reduced Vendor Lock-In: By adopting a best-of-breed strategy, organisations can avoid the pitfalls of vendor lock-in, where they become overly dependent on a single provider. This independence allows businesses to switch vendors more quickly if a better solution becomes available. Global change While best-of-breed strategies offer numerous benefits, they also present some challenges. Integrating multiple tools from different vendors can be tricky and requires some technical expertise. (Organisations must ensure that tools from different vendors can communicate effectively and that data flows seamlessly between them.) Teresa Sperti, founder and director of Arktic Fox, stresses the importance of overcoming these integration challenges: Brands that have built strong internal capabilities and robust foundations in data and tech are thriving, while others are finding it difficult to shift gears. All that noted, the available data suggests marketers worldwide arent finding integration challenges too challenging. As a recent article written by Graham Charlton, from a leading US provider of marketing training, noted, For some years, we've seen a push and pull between martech suites, in which one vendor provides a range of features, and the best of breed approach, whereby organisations build their stacks by picking and choosing the best tools for each use case. The momentum is moving in the direction of best of breed, with 72% of CMOs surveyed by LXA expressing a strong preference for this approach, which partly explains the number of tools (56) in the average tech stack. This drives the trend towards composability in stack design, whereby marketers can combine powerful capabilities from best-of-breed solutions and gain the flexibility of swapping out key elements to add capabilities and adapt to changing business needs. Loizou's final tip for Australian marketers who do take a best-of-breed approach is to devote some time to finding the best possible CDP for their needs. The survey showed the two big investment priorities for Australian marketers remain CRMs (43%) and marketing automation (41%), Loizou adds. Its good that CDPs [Consumer Data Platforms] are now the number three priority (35%), but I suspect many marketers still dont fully comprehend how central CDPs are. The elevator pitch is that they allow marketers to improve the quality of their data. This fuels growth aids in customer retention and fosters a data-first corporate culture. Just spending more on a marketing automation platform wont solve messy customer data problems. Its CDPs that do that, as well as provide an enterprise-unified view, which then solves many of the other business-wide challenges organisations face. Why you dont want a suboptimal tech stack Its worrying enough if your businesss tech stack isnt suitable for current conditions. Given the new wave of disruption now being unleashed by emerging technologies such as AI, it will be even more risky to try to make do with a suboptimal tech stack during the rest of this decade. Launching the report, Sperti warned the audience that the pace of change, especially in relation to ecommerce, is only likely to accelerate. There is no doubt that GenAI is going to fundamentally reshape our industry you'd have to be living under a rock not to know that now. The study showed seven in 10 brands are experimenting with Gen AI, which is promising - theres been a really solid initial uptake by brands. Globally, some big brands such as Coke, which appointed a Senior Director of Generative AI and quickly partnered with ChatGPT were early adopters. Coke has now been experimenting with AI for around 18 months. As has Mercedes. The good news, at least according to Loizou, is that AI may soon make using MarTech tools much less intellectually taxing. I think you'll see an explosion in AI copilots, including ones that will support marketers, he says. At Amperity, we know that SQL [Structure Query Language, commonly used to access and manipulate databases] is not a common skill set for businesses or business leaders. So how do you democratise things and bring that capability to ask the data questions without needing to know SQL? Well, just like you ask Google a question, youll soon use an AI copilot [to work with MarTech solutions]. Build a more effective tech stack The shift towards best-of-breed solutions represents a significant evolution in MarTech investment strategies. As businesses seek to optimise their marketing efforts and achieve better outcomes, the flexibility, customisation, and innovation offered by best-of-breed tools are becoming increasingly attractive. By embracing best-of-breed strategies, organisations can build more effective and efficient MarTech stacks, driving growth and enhancing customer experiences. As the Arktic Fox 2024 Digital, Marketing & eComm in Focus study suggests, the future of MarTech lies in the ability to select and integrate the best tools for the job, creating a powerful and dynamic marketing ecosystem. About Arktic Fox Arktic Fox is an advisory and learning organisation partnering with leaders to better exploit opportunities in the digital and e-commerce space and drive successful and sustainable outcomes in the digital age. Go to https://www.arkticfox.io or https://www.linkedin.com/company/arktic-fox/?viewAsMember=true to find out more about our 2024 study to gain valuable insights about how to steer your brand through these uncertain times and industry challenges. About Amperity Amperity, the first Lakehouse CDP, delivers the data confidence brands need to unlock growth by truly knowing their customers. With Amperity, brands can build a first-party data foundation to fuel customer acquisition and retention, personalise experiences that build loyalty, and manage privacy compliance. Using patented AI and ML methods, Amperity stitches together all customer interactions to build a unified view that seamlessly connects to marketing and technology tools. More than 400 brands worldwide rely on Amperity to turn data into business value, including Alaska Airlines, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Endeavour Drinks, Planet Fitness, Seattle Sounders FC, Under Armour and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. For more information, please visit www.amperity.com or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. GUEST RESEARCH: Infoblox, a leader in cloud networking and security services, has revealed that APAC organisations are sharply divided in terms of their hybrid, multi-cloud maturity level, with more mature organisations gaining significant benefits from their advanced posture. Commissioned by Infoblox, the report named The State of Hybrid, Multi-cloud Management Maturity in APAC by Enterprise Strategy Group compares APAC organisations hybrid, multi-cloud maturity against the rest of the world. Fielding insights from 1,000 networking and security decision-makers and influencers across the globe with 300 respondents from the APAC region (Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, and Singapore) the report underscores the need for APAC cloud strategists to prioritise investments and establish processes aligned to the hybrid, multi-cloud management maturity model. "This research clearly shows that APAC organisations stand to gain substantial benefits easily by enhancing collaboration, adopting advanced DDI solutions, and leveraging DNS for security," says Infoblox vice president Asia Pacific and Japan Paul Wilcox. "At Infoblox, we see the convergence of networking, security, and cloud operations as a strategic imperative for businesses looking to thrive in the digital age. In the competitive APAC region, we help businesses accelerate time-to-market, exceed customer expectations and optimise IT-managed workloads enhancing security at an even more foundational layer, than traditional security mechanisms. We are not just helping APAC organisations catch up; were driving them to leapfrog ahead, achieving superior performance and business outcomes that drive market leadership." While the majority of APAC organisations demonstrate less hybrid, multi-cloud maturity than their global peers, a segment are at the vanguard in their adoption While APAC organisations show a fair degree of consistency with organisations across the globe in their hybrid, multi-cloud maturity level, they are more likely to be in the least-mature cohort as compared to peers in the rest of the world (51% versus 46%). Simultaneously, 14 % of APAC organisations are also more likely to be leading the pack, versus 11% globally. Diving deeper into the report, network and security teams in the region show less collaboration on cloud strategies, with 37% reporting high collaboration during development and 36 % during incident and outage management, compared to global averages of 46% and 42%, respectively. APAC organisations also lean more on CSP-specific DDI tools (41% vs 31%), suggesting a need for tool review and enhancement. However, APAC leads in using common tools across network and security teams (33% versus 27%), showcasing their integrated approach. Big payoffs for APAC organisations excelling in multi-cloud maturity When asked if cloud networking and security technologies were materially improving ITOps and SecOps outcomes in the cloud, the results were clear. The top three benefits of technology investments cited were improved cross-cloud visibility (76%), elevated satisfaction of line-of-business stakeholders (71%), and enhanced pace of service delivery and innovation (63%). Additionally, leaders also report the following advantages: Cost efficiencies : APAC Leaders estimated 20.5% larger reduction in cloud costs (relative to if those solutions were not in place). : APAC Leaders estimated 20.5% larger reduction in cloud costs (relative to if those solutions were not in place). Improved resilience : APAC Leaders reported approximately 25% fewer incidents of downtime or degrader performance. In scenarios where downtimes occurred, they were 4.8 times more confident in restoring service within minutes, instead of hours or days. : APAC Leaders reported approximately 25% fewer incidents of downtime or degrader performance. In scenarios where downtimes occurred, they were 4.8 times more confident in restoring service within minutes, instead of hours or days. Agile security: Leaders were more likely to detect suspicious activities faster (54% versus 21%), investigate anomalies promptly (51% versus 20% ), and respond to actual attacks more efficiently (59% versus 29%). An additional Economic Validation Report titled Analysing the Economic Benefits of Infoblox Networking and Security Management in a Multi-cloud Environment, published by Enterprise Strategy Group and commissioned by Infoblox, delves deeper into the experiences of Infoblox customers. The report revealed that users of Infoblox solutions achieve an average return on investment (ROI) of 334%, a 75% increase in operational efficiency, the ability to operate effectively with a 19% smaller workforce, and a reduction of 79 percent in operational costs. The report, which contains a wealth of information about how leading organisations are winning at hybrid and multi-cloud transformation and a summary of the traits hybrid, multi-cloud leaders show, can be downloaded here. The economic validation, which shows the advantages of using Infoblox networking and security products, can be downloaded here. Registration for the Webinar on this report is open here. About Infoblox Infoblox unites networking and security to deliver unmatched performance and protection. Trusted by Fortune 100 companies and emerging innovators, we provide real-time visibility and control over who and what connects to your network, so your organisation runs faster and stops threats earlier. Visit Infoblox.com, or follow-us on LinkedIn or X. (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) Hamamatsu City in Japans Shizuoka Prefecture is home to tasty unagi eel, gyoza and oden in rich black broth. Among the many food options available in this coastal town, you might be surprised when locals recommend genkotsu hanbaagu, hamburger steak. To try this local beef dish, which literally translates to fist hamburger steak, head to Sawayaka, a Hamamatsu chain. While enjoying a walk around Hamamatsus city center, my wife and I made our way to the popular restaurant thanks to a recommendation from staff at our hotel. We visited the Sawayaka on the eighth floor of the Entetsu Department Store next to JR Hamamatsu Station. When we arrived around 5:30 p.m., the restaurants entrance was already crowded with dozens of families, couples and students. We took a ticket and waited about an hour to be seated. During our wait, we perused the shops inside the department store. Soon, it was time to head back to the restaurant and enjoy a local dish. I ordered the signature genkotsu hanbaagu for 1,150 yen, while my wife ordered charcoal broiled chicken steak for 790 yen. We also ordered a large decanter of red wine for 880 yen to celebrate a night in Hamamatsu. No matter what you decide, your steaks are always served hot and crispy because the restaurant doesnt make a burger until its ordered, according to a staffer. In less than 10 minutes, our sizzling dishes were placed in front of us. My fist-shaped, 250-gram pure beef hamburger steak was cut in two with a generous pour of steak sauce tableside by the server. Diners can choose between demiglace or onion sauce for their hamburger steaks. Onion sauce is the popular choice at Sawayaka. After our dinner was served, the server returned with the wine. She asked us to toast with her and showed us her unique ring shaped like a small ceramic mug. We toasted with our glasses, the server with her ring, to a lovely trip in Hamamatsu. The young woman made us chuckle and the service she provided was a lovely addition to a delicious meal. My sizzling charcoal-broiled hamburger was very tender, juicy and tasty, and paired perfectly with the full-bodied red wine. It might sound a bit strange, but the well-seasoned hamburger had a kind of nostalgic taste that took me back to my youth back in the 70s. When I sampled a bite of my wifes chicken steak, I was impressed with its sweet and tangy flavor and crisp texture. Our dinner left us very full and very satisfied. We left quickly as we could see the line of others waiting to enter and have a taste of Sawayakas delicious fare. Before leaving, we didnt forget to ask our staffer to have a photo taken with us, thanking her for her hospitality and toast. While enjoying Hamamatsus sights and great eats, dont miss Sawayakas beef or chicken! Sumiyaki Restaurant Sawayaka Hamamatsu Entetsu Shop Location: 320-2 [8F], Sunayamacho, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture Hours: 11 a.m. 10 p.m. URL Tel: 053-456-3113 *Sawayaka is a restaurant chain in western Shizuoka Prefecture. Find a restaurant near you here. (Yanai Goldfish Lantern Festival) Yanai is a beautiful city with a unique tradition of lining up goldfish lanterns along the eaves of its historical wooden buildings. The scenic city is a 50-minute drive from MCAS Iwakuni and will host its annual Kingyo Chochin Matsuri (Goldfish Lantern Festival) on Aug. 13. Historically, Yanai thrived as a merchants town throughout the feudal age. Today, remnants of that history are preserved in the citys shirakabe no michi white-walled streets and wooden merchant homes with lattice doors and paper-covered windows. A step into Yanai is a step back in time and the paper goldfish lanterns add to the old Japan atmosphere. Goldfish are the symbol of Yanai, and paper lanterns are the local craft. For residents of the city, making bamboo and paper lanterns for the buildings, as well as children participating in the festival, is a popular activity. During the summer festival, locals in traditional matsuri attire carry and parade nearly 30 giant goldfish lantern floats, beautifully painted and lit up from the inside, down streets decorated with 2,500 smaller goldfish lanterns. While the parade winds through the streets, you can enjoy traditional dancing and music at the main festival site near JR Yanai Station. Sample Japanese festival foods like yakisoba, yakitori, okonomiyaki, kakigoori shaved ice, cold beer and soft drinks. People can also enjoy traditional Japanese games, including kingyo-sukui (goldfish scooping) and shateki, a shooting game. Cant make it to the festival? Dont worry, the 2,500 goldfish lanterns along the shirakabe no michi are illuminated every night through the end of August. Enjoy Yanais local tradition and take a step back in time this summer. Yanai Goldfish Lantern Festival Location: Shirakabe-no-michi, Yanai City, Yamaguchi Prefecture Hours: Aug. 13, 4:30 9 p.m. Admission: Free URL Tel: 0470-80-1146 (Yanai Tourist Association) See video of Yanai and the goldfish lanterns here. SPRINGFIELD As the flow of billions of dollars in federal pandemic-related aid is about to end, many students in Illinois are still struggling to catch up academically from the learning loss that occurred when schools were forced to close. A new study from the University of Illinois System says only about one-fourth of all public-school students are back to pre-pandemic performance levels in English language arts while even fewer have returned to pre-pandemic levels in math. Learning recovery has been especially slow at the high school level, where test scores have been declining, the study found. And recovery in math scores has lagged English language arts scores across grade levels. The study was conducted by the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative, or IWERC, which is part of the University of Illinois Systems Discovery Partners Institute. The findings suggest school officials face some difficult decisions in the months and years ahead as they look for ways to continue their recovery efforts without the federal resources theyve been relying on. Of course, we are concerned about the loss of things like high-dosage tutoring and the extended-day programs, IWERC Director Meg Bates said in an interview. The research on those has always been pretty strong that more time in academic learning and more intensive one-on-one time are positive for learning. So, in as much as districts can't maintain those because they lose funding, I do expect to see some issues, but it's possible that districts have found ways to weave things like tutoring and extended day into their normal funding. Bates said IWERC conducted the study in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education. The findings were presented last month to the P-20 Council, a state organization that advises the governor and General Assembly on issues related to education from preschool through adulthood. One of the key findings of the study, Bates said, is that recovery has been uneven, both across grade levels and among socioeconomic groups. Overall, academic performance has improved more quickly at the elementary school level than for high school. But the study also found that districts with high concentrations of Black, Latino, and low-income students remain furthest from their pre-pandemic performance levels. Those districts also tend to be the ones that relied the most on remote learning during the pandemic. We absolutely do see that districts that spent longer in remote learning lost more and as such, are not back to where they were prior to the pandemic, Bates said. But we also know that the districts that were more likely to spend time in remote learning are districts that serve high proportions of students from low-income families, and income is often correlated with achievement. And those communities were also hit harder by the pandemic itself. Enrollment and attendance The study also found schools have not yet recovered from the enrollment declines that occurred at the height of the pandemic. And for those students who are still enrolled, chronic absenteeism has risen sharply. From 2019 to 2021, according to the report, statewide enrollment fell by nearly 60,000 students, to 1.71 million. That included a drop of more than 15,000 students from Chicago Public Schools alone. By 2023, according to the report, enrollment outside of CPS had rebounded slightly, but CPS enrollment continued to fall to less than 300,000. Enrollment had been trending downward even before the pandemic, due largely to declining birth rates in Illinois, but Bates said the declines that occurred during the pandemic were beyond what would otherwise be expected. Of course, we are seeing some declines due to birth rate, families having fewer children, she said. But we also see, sort of curiously, that enrollment declines were happening in the middle grades. So that's not from birth-rate decline. That's from choosing to leave. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, has also risen sharply in Illinois and remains above pre-pandemic levels. Using data from the Illinois State Board of Education, the study found chronic absenteeism peaked at 30% statewide, and 45% in Chicago Public Schools, during the 2021-22 school year. The rates were highest among Black and Latino students and students from lower-income households. Absenteeism was also higher among high school students than elementary students, which the authors suggested may help explain the decreasing SAT scores. Federal funds To help schools throughout the country deal with the effects of the pandemic, Congress approved three separate federal relief packages that included billions of dollars in emergency education funds known as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER funds. Illinois share of that aid totaled just over $7.8 billion. The flow of those funds, however, will come to an end when the current federal fiscal year ends Sept. 30, meaning programs and services that have been funded with those federal dollars will either come to an end, or schools will have to fund them through other means. According to the states ESSER Spending Dashboard, about one-third of the money that came to Illinois, or nearly $2.4 billion, went toward salaries for teachers, substitutes, paraprofessionals, and other school personnel, including those who ran summer and after-school learning programs. We saw just about over a thousand expenses on what we would call a full-time teacher, Bates said. So we do expect there to be some difficulties this fall with teachers. She said she expects a bigger loss in staffing for after-school, summer school and tutoring programs. That's where we expect to see a real cliff, these extended opportunities. We suspect schools will find ways to keep their teacher core relatively intact, she said. Bates said the challenge facing school districts now is integrating the programs and practices that worked for them during the pandemic into their normal budgeting process. Boeing said Wednesday it has hired former Rockwell Collins top official Kelly Ortberg as its next president and chief executive, effective Aug. 8. Ortberg, 64, is a 41-year veteran of the aerospace sector. He succeeds Dave Calhoun, who served in both roles since January 2020 before announcing his retirement plans earlier this year. Boeing's board of directors agreed to waive its mandatory age-65 retirement policy as part of hiring Ortberg. In fact, Ortberg will not be subject to the policy until April 1, 2031. The board approved Ortberg's initial annual compensation package that includes: a $1.5 million base salary; $3 million incentive award target for 2025; and a $17.5 million long-term incentive award target for 2025. Ortberg will receive relocation benefits and certain perquisites and benefits "consistent with those historically provided to the position of chief executive." Other compensation awards include receiving $1.25 million in cash in December if he remains employed to that date. He has been made eligible for $8 million in restricted stock units, to be vested in three annual installments, as well as a performance option valued at $8 million that will also vest in three annual installments. Ortberg praised Boeings tremendous and rich history as a leader and pioneer in our industry. There is much work to be done, and Im looking forward to getting started. Benchmark Research analyst Josh Sullivan called Ortberg a known and respected quantity within the aerospace community. Ortberg's challenge Boeing is being shadowed by legal, regulatory and production problems as well as reporting Wednesday a $1.4 billion loss for the second quarter. Ortberg served as Rockwell Collins chief executive from 2013 until he resigned in February 2020 about 15 months after the completion of United Technologies Corp.s $30 billion purchase of Rockwell Collins that formed RTX Corp. One of RTXs three primary business units is Collins Aerospace, which has about 1,500 employees in Winston-Salem. The board conducted a thorough and extensive search process over the last several months to select the next CEO of Boeing, and Kelly has the right skills and experience to lead Boeing in its next chapter, Boeing chairman Steven Mollenkopf said in a statement. Kelly is an experienced leader who is deeply respected in the aerospace industry, with a well-earned reputation for building strong teams and running complex engineering and manufacturing companies. We look forward to working with him as he leads Boeing through this consequential period in its long history. The Associated Press reported on July 24 that Boeing would plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge stemming from two crashes of 737 Max jetliners that killed 346 people. The Federal Aviation Administration and other regulators grounded the 737 Max jetliners worldwide for more than a year and a half. RACINE City residents have an additional option for absentee voting available to them for the August primary election, for which absentee voting began Tuesday. City staff have installed seven ballot drop boxes around Racine at the citys community centers, public library and city hall, according to Racine City Clerk Tara McMenamin. Early absentee voting for the Aug. 13 election runs through Aug. 11, according to the city. McMenamin said the city hopes the ballot boxes can stick around for the November election, as well. McMenamin said Racine is using numerous security measures to ensure ballots are safe with the drop boxes. There are security cameras at each box location, and the boxes are locked with specific security seal numbers on the locks to allow city staff to know if they have been tampered with. She also said city staff will pick up ballots from the boxes at rotating times every day. Were taking security measures to ensure that (residents) ballots and their votes are protected, McMenamin said. The Wisconsin Supreme Court this month changed course on its own ruling regarding ballot drop boxes, ruling July 5 that local officials can place ballot drop boxes around their communities. The court ruled in July 2022 that ballot drop boxes could be placed only in local election clerks offices and that no one other than the voter could return a ballot in person. McMenamin said there is a lot of misinformation around absentee voting, which she believes is partly due to differences in absentee voting laws between states. In Wisconsin, however, she feels ballots are kept secure through the states election system, WisVote. Any time a voter requests an absentee ballot its issued through the state system and theyre given a very specific number when the ballots are mailed out, McMenamin said. That number and the barcode that correlates with it are then checked in when we get the ballot back. Even if, lets say, you took it and photocopied that ballot label, the system would not allow me to check in two ballots under one name. The city first utilized ballot drop boxes in 2020, according to McMenamin. She said the drop boxes have been especially helpful for people who may have disabilities. Ballot drop box locations are: City Hall, 730 Washington Ave. Tyler-Domer Community Center, 2301 12th St. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 1134 Dr. King Drive John Bryant Center, 601 Caron Butler Blvd. Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St. Cesar Chavez Community Center, 2221 Douglas Ave. Humble Park Community Center, 2200 Blaine Ave. After dropping off their ballot, voters can check the status of their ballot at myvote.wi.gov. For more information on voting in Racine, visit https://www.voteracine.org/. 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 CARACAS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil on Tuesday announced that the Venezuelan government has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Peru. "The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has decided to sever diplomatic relations with the Republic of Peru, on the basis of Article 45 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961," Gil said on social media platform X. Gil's announcement followed statements by his Peruvian counterpart, Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea, who said, "Peru will not accept the violation of the popular will of the Venezuelan people," referring to the country's presidential election. "We are forced to make this decision after the reckless declarations of the Peruvian foreign minister that ignore the will of the Venezuelan people and our constitution," the Venezuelan diplomat added. If parents say "no" when a child asks for a smartphone, the response they are likely to hear is, "Everyone has one. Why can't I?" But what would happen if the childs friends did not have a mobile phone either? That is the way that some parents in Europe are thinking. They are concerned by evidence that smartphone use among young children threatens their safety and mental health. They believe that the more parents join their movement, the more powerful their ideas become. Parents in Spain, Britain and Ireland are using social media groups on services like WhatsApp and Telegram to talk about their plans. They want to keep smartphones out of schools. But for their plan to work, other parents have to refuse to buy children the devices before or even into their teenage years. Elisabet Garcia Permanyer got involved after she talked with another parent in a Barcelona park. Last year, she started a social media group to share information on the dangers of the internet with families at her childrens school. The group, called "Adolescence Free of Mobile Phones," quickly grew and now includes over 10,000 members. The most involved parents are asking other parents to agree not to get their children smartphones until they are 16. "When I started this, I just hoped I would find four other families who thought like me, but it took off and kept growing, growing and growing," Garcia Permanyer said. "My goal was to try to join forces with other parents so we could push back the point when smartphones arrive. I said, 'I am going to try so that my kids are not the only ones who don't have one.'" Spain Police and public health experts have also been voicing concerns about the kind of materials that children can see on their mobile devices. Spain's government took note of the problem and banned smartphones from elementary schools in January. Now they can only be turned on in secondary school, which starts at age 12, if a teacher deems it necessary for an educational activity. Britain In Britain last year, a 16-year-old girl named Brianna Ghey was killed by two teenagers. Her mother demanded that social media on smartphones be limited for children under 16. Mother Daisy Greenwell, who lives in the area of Suffolk, England, and a friend, Clare Reynolds, set up a social media group called Parents United for a Smartphone-Free Childhood. It grew quickly and an organizer said it now has groups in every British county. Ireland In Greystones, Ireland, eight primary school leaders, or principals, wrote to parents, asking them not to buy their students smartphones. Then the parents themselves voluntarily signed written agreements, promising not to let their young children have the devices. Thirty-eight-year-old Christina Capatina is a Greystones parent of two young daughters. She signed the agreement and said there were almost no smartphones in schools this school year. Unity is powerful Studies from Spain, Britain, and Ireland show that by the time children are 12, most have smartphones. In Spain, 25 percent of children have a cellphone by age 10, and almost 50 percent by age 11. At 12, this share rises to 75 percent. British media regulator Ofcom said 55 percent of children in Britain owned a smartphone between ages eight and 11, with the figure rising to 97 percent by age 12. Over recent years, organizations, governments, and parents have been reporting that smartphone use by children is linked to bullying, mental health problems and loss of the focus necessary for learning. China moved last year to limit children's use of smartphones. France has a ban on smartphones in schools for children aged six to 15. The possible dangers have produced school bans on smartphones and online safety laws. But those measures do not deal with what children do outside of school with mobile phones. Parents and schools that have pushed for changes in their communities saw that it became possible the moment they understood that they were not alone. Rachel Harper is principal of St. Patrick's National School in Greystones. Harper wants parents to work with their local school to organize phone bans. She said, "There's a bit more strength that way, in that all the parents in the area are talking about it." Im Jill Robbins. And Im Mario Ritter. Joseph Wilson and Laurie Kellman reported this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. Quiz - European Parent Groups Aim to Ban Smartphones for Teens Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ______________________________________________ Words in This Story adolescence n. the period of life when a child develops into an adult take off v. (phrasal) to quickly become very popular push (something) back v. (phrasal) to change (a planned event) to start at a later date or time bullying n. the act of using threats and force to get others to do what you want them to do focus n. the ability to direct your attention or effort at something specific What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments Section. COLOMBO, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Ministry of Industries has prepared a national industry policy and a five-year strategic plan for 2023-2027, a government official announced here on Wednesday. During a press briefing at the Presidential Media Center, Secretary to the Ministry of Industries Shantha Weerasinghe said by 2030 the policy aims to increase the manufacturing sector's annual contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) from 16 percent to 20 percent, raise the role of entrepreneurship in the workforce from 2.8 percent to 7 percent, and boost the share of industrial exports in GDP from 14 percent to 20 percent. These will build a globally competitive national industrial base in Sri Lanka, he said. Weerasinghe said a bill to amend the Industrial Promotion Act has been submitted to the Attorney General's Department for approval. Weerasinghe said the Ministry of Industries has introduced a registration system for manufacturing industries, with 3,925 industries registered by June 2024. The government has allocated funds to a loan scheme to enhance leadership and entrepreneurship in small and medium enterprises in 2022, he said. Rising demand for cooling systems in Nigeria and other African nations might be making existing pollution problems worse. Cooling systems use gases called refrigerants. Such gases can affect the atmosphere if they escape. Some of these pollutants have been found to be more harmful than other kinds of greenhouse gases. The Nigerian government has approved restrictions on the release of refrigerant gases into the environment. But enforcement efforts for the laws have been difficult. Abiodun Ajeigbe leads an air conditioning business for Samsung, West Africa. He told The Associated Press (AP), Those laws, those rules, nobody enforces them. Ajeigbe said one of the biggest problems is a lack of effective education and training about the possible harms of refrigerants. This means many cooling system installers might not follow legal requirements when removing old systems or putting new ones in. Some trained workers do follow environmental rules governing the use of cooling refrigerants. But these kinds of installations cost more. Industry experts and public records suggest the most common air conditioning systems in Africa use a kind of gas known by the trade name R-22. This refrigerant is said to be less harmful to the environment than older cooling chemicals known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs have largely been removed from most modern cooling systems. That change was put in motion by the 1987 Montreal Protocol environmental treaty. A document from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says R-22 is considered many times more damaging to the worlds climate than carbon dioxide. For example, about one-half kilogram of R-22 is said to equal one ton of carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas. However, while carbon dioxide can stay in the atmosphere for more than 200 years, R-22 stays for about 12 years. R-22 cooling equipment is not as energy efficient as some other systems. And most of the electricity used to power R-22 coolers in Africa requires carbon-based fuels. Nigeria is planning to ban R-22 refrigerants by January 1, 2030. But without enough enforcement, that target is not likely to be met, Samsungs Ajeigbe told the AP. Some cooling systems use a group of refrigerants called hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). These do not harm the ozone layer and are more energy efficient. But HFCs are said to be strong greenhouse gases and account for an estimated 2 percent of all human-caused warming in the atmosphere. One of the most harmful HFCs, called R-410A, is used in the second most common kind of air conditioners in Africa, the AP reported. Sellers and installers of cooling equipment in Nigeria told the news agency that although HFC systems are less damaging to the environment, they are more costly to operate. The same issues are affecting countries beyond Nigeria. In Ghana, the cooling industry also struggles to get companies and workers to obey current environmental rules. Environmental officials in Ghana told the AP that poor servicing practices for cooling systems are common across the country. This is largely the result of the public choosing lower-trained installers who might not follow recommended standards. In Kenya, demand for cooling systems is also growing as the population grows and electricity becomes more widely available. Cooling systems using R-22 are still common across the country. But the nations Environmental Management Authority told the AP there have not been any new imports of the systems since 2021. Workers dealing with cooling systems and refrigerants are required to get a license. But several installation workers told the AP that since such requirements are hard to enforce, environmentally unsafe methods are carried out. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. __________________________________________ Words in This Story greenhouse gases - n. gases in the Earths atmosphere that can trap heat install v. put a piece of equipment somewhere and make it ready to use efficient adj. working well and not wasting time or energy ozone layer n. the layer of ozone high above the Earths surface that prevents much of the ultraviolet radiation from the sun from reaching Earths surface standard n. an accepted way of doing something that is agreed upon by industry or government officials license n. official permission to do an activity, such as driving a car, that usually involves a document As Nebraska lawmakers explore ways to meet Gov. Jim Pillens goal of reducing property taxes by $2.6 billion, an Omaha senator urged the Legislature to consider starting with a big line item on the states balance sheet. Sen. John Cavanaugh pitched his plan (LB17) to repeal the Perkins County Canal Project Act passed by lawmakers in 2022 and funded in 2023, returning approximately $571.4 million to the states coffers to be used for property tax relief. Cavanaugh told the Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday that any discussion about ending sales tax exemptions and slashing state spending should not ignore the Perkins County Canal. Removing this significant item from the states budget would give the Legislature the opportunity to provide direct property tax relief to Nebraskans, Cavanaugh said. An estimate from the Legislative Fiscal Office showed the states general fund could recoup as much as $586.1 million on Jan. 1 if LB17 is passed, including funds that were set aside for other projects included in the Perkins County Canal Project Act. Pillen is seeking to reduce Nebraskans property tax burden by $2.6 billion at a special session that convened on July 25 by phasing out school districts authority to levy property taxes, reconfiguring existing relief programs, eliminating sales tax exemptions and cutting state spending. Committee members chafed at the proposal, however, saying ending the canal project would weaken Nebraskas claim to water on the South Platte River, which flows from the Front Range of Colorado to North Platte, and would not provide sustainable relief to property owners. The project was announced by then-Gov. Pete Ricketts in 2022, who said it was necessary to force Colorado to abide by the terms of the South Platte River Compact signed by both states and ratified by Congress in 1923. Under the compact, Colorado agreed to allow 120 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water from the South Platte River to flow into Nebraska during irrigation season, as well as 500 cfs of water to flow into the Cornhusker state during non-irrigating seasons. To secure the full terms of the agreement, Nebraska is required to build a canal a project it started and later abandoned in 1890. Plans drawn up in the 1980s show the canal originating near Ovid, Colorado, and cutting across southern Keith County in Nebraska, filling a series of reservoirs along the way. Backers of the plan said it would secure an important resource for the future of the state as well as protect the river from being guzzled up by fast-growing population centers in eastern Colorado. But an analysis conducted by the Legislative Research Office in 2023 was less optimistic about the return on investment for the canal than a third-party contractor hired by the state to study the issue. Cavanaugh, who said he sees the potential value of the Perkins County Canal, has argued the state should take a more measured approach to its construction. In 2023, he unsuccessfully attempted to stop the transfer of $125 million more from the states cash reserve into the canal fund to build what he called the "Cadillac" canal rather than the economic version. The Legislature instead moved forward with Pillens plan for a $574.5 million canal, which would double the capacity to 1,000 cfs. To date, along with money already spent, Nebraska has appropriated more than $628 million for the project and has begun to purchase land in Colorado for the proposed canal. Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte called Cavanaughs proposal to end the canal project incredibly foolish, adding ending the project now would signal Nebraska was giving up its rights to the South Platte River. Cavanaugh responded that because the state was looking for any savings it could funnel into property tax relief, nothing should be out-of-bounds. Were clearly having a conversation about how we dont have the money, Cavanaugh said. This is the largest single pot of money we have sitting out there. Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus said that even if the Legislature were to pass Cavanaughs bill, the savings would equal about 10% of the total amount of property taxes collected in the state. In turn, that money would only provide one-time relief to property taxpayers, he added. If we spend that money on lowering property taxes once, then the next year youre going to have to raise them again, Moser said. I think we need to look at it in a long-term picture. Its more important to build this project and protect our water rights than have a one-time savings. Natural resources district managers also opposed Cavanaughs plan, saying that the project was far too important for the states future to be considered as part of sweeping cuts to state government spending. Devin Brundage, the general manager of Central Nebraska Public Power District in Gothenburg, asked the Natural Resources Committee to differentiate between spending cuts and investment cuts, adding lawmakers 100 years ago had wisely created an agreement that gives Nebraska access to the South Platte now. And Kent Miller, the general manager for Twin Platte Natural Resource District in North Platte, who has advocated for construction of the canal for four decades, said development on Colorados Front Range has caused water usage on the South Platte to reach what he called a tipping point. I think if you take the funding away youre killing the project, Miller said. Cavanaugh said the canal has potential value for the state, but said front-loading money to build it had put the state in a difficult situation as it continues to work toward Pillens goal of reducing property taxes. Were talking about raising taxes on folks to make that front-loading work, Cavanaugh said. The Natural Resources Committee did not immediately take any action on LB17 on Tuesday. Confirmation from the Office of the Secretary for Security regarding the governments efforts towards anti-terrorism legislation has come, following an inquiry by legislator Lei Chan U last month. It was mentioned by authorities that they were engaged in research to formulate an anti-terrorism law for Macau, aligning it to combat the global patterns and features of terrorism. Consequently, the government will advance with the necessary steps in the legislative procedure to implement the anti-terrorism law effectively. Related Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Sunday that Malaysia has officially applied to join the greater BRICS grouping. In late May, Thailands Cabinet approved a draft application to join the newly expanded BRICS. If the two key regional players in Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are accepted as members of the grouping, which accepted Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia as new members earlier this year, it will have significant geopolitical ramifications, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Their joining the group will further enlarge the platform, giving it greater representativeness of the Global South. The total economy of the enlarged BRICS accounts for about 60 percent of that of the G7. The strong appeal the grouping has for emerging market economies and the great potential it has demonstrated to act as a responsible representative of the Global South make it a player on world stage that no party can afford to ignore. While some in the West tend to increasingly view the swelling BRICS as an anti-West geopolitical tool, particularly against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis and the United States China-containment strategy, with Russia and China being members of the organization, they simply turn a blind eye to the fact that grouping is not a military alliance like NATO but largely an economic one that operates following the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, inclusiveness, consensus and strengthened collaboration. It is the organizations openness and fairness, and the shared conviction of its members that the Global South deserves its due say in global affairs and the reform of global governance that have attracted new countries that recognize that the organization can provide them with a platform for strengthened coordination and cooperation to that end. Unlike the G7, the expanding BRICS group is not a clique pursuing narrow interests. It provides a large space for countries to uphold their strategic autonomy and calls for resolving differences through dialogue and negotiations. Only those holding a zero-sum game Cold War mentality, or those thinking the rise of the Global South threatens to touch their cheese, would try to sow discord between the members of the augmented BRICS, or seek to misinterpret any countrys application to join or display of interest in being an observer in the grouping. In the face of the contest between those countries seeking to build a multipolar world and those upholding the unipolar hegemony, and the clash between economic globalization and de-globalization tendencies, the growing BRICS grouping follows the trend of history, stands on the side of fairness and justice, and makes the right choices. The accession of more countries to the enlarged BRICS can accelerate the process of building a multipolar world, and promote a more just and equitable international order. The organization should always stay committed to its original aspiration of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation to elevate the practical cooperation among its members to new heights. Apart from pooling efforts to make unique contributions to resolving world hotspot issues, the grouping, in the face of the new technology revolution, should give full play to their strengths in terms of natural resources and market size, strengthen the supporting role of financial and trade cooperation, facilitate energy and food security cooperation, promote innovation cooperation, and act as a bridge for people-to-people and cultural exchanges so as to give meat to the bones of its principles. Those claiming the expanded BRICS is nothing more than a symbolic troupe will have their eyes opened as what they regard as symbolism is materialized into results through down-to-earth actions that deliver real benefits to the people. Editorial, China Daily China issues alerts for mountain torrents Xinhua) 08:30, July 31, 2024 BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration on Tuesday evening issued warnings for possible mountain torrents in some regions. According to an orange alert issued by the two authorities, mountain torrents are likely to occur in parts of Beijing, Hebei and Heilongjiang between 8 p.m. Tuesday and 8 p.m. Wednesday. The authorities also issued a yellow alert for mountain torrents in parts of Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin and Guangxi. Localities have been advised to strengthen real-time monitoring and flood warning procedures, prepare for possible evacuation, and implement other risk-mitigation measures. The Ministry of Water Resources said the residual circulation of Typhoon Gaemi, the third typhoon of the year as counted by China's meteorological authorities, could continue to affect China until July 31. China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) VIENTIANE, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare discussed a pay rise for low-income workers in the manufacturing, services and agriculture sectors. A wage increase was being considered as a cost-of-living adjustment to match the spiraling cost of goods and services across the country, according to the ministry's report on Wednesday. The Lao government and businesses are operating on a very tight budget while having to cope with continuing rises in the price of fuel and all other products, as well as the depreciation of Lao kip, all of which negatively impact the economy and livelihoods of workers. In light of the situation, the ministry, the Lao Federation of Trade Unions and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry are discussing ways to resolve the problem of the low minimum wage and about how to get more people into employment and boost productivity, especially in the manufacturing industry. Solutions are being formulated to benefit workers, employers and the general interests of the state, with these to be submitted to the Prime Minister's Office for consideration. Annie, a beloved family-friendly musical that tells the uplifting story of a courageous orphan girl and which takes its audiences on a journey back to 1930s New York, has arrived in Macau. With a memorable score featuring Broadway classics like Tomorrow and Its the Hard Knock Life, the show promises a delightful experience for families and theater lovers alike. Since its Broadway debut in 1977, Annie has captivated generations and the hearts of its audiences. The original production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was later adapted into an Oscar-nominated film in the 1980s. Now, this iconic show is touring the world, introducing its heartwarming narrative to a new generation. As part of the first-ever Macau International Childrens Arts Festival (MICAF), audiences will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a host of creative and inspiring activities this summer. At a press meeting yesterday, Rainier Trevino (Annie), Stefanie Londino (Miss Hannigan), and Christopher Swan (Oliver Warbucks) spoke to the media about the shows characters and its storyline, and expressed their enthusiasm in bringing the musical to Asian audiences. Production manager, Heather Chockley said, We didnt have to make many adjustments at all. It is the same show that you would see in North America. The only difference here is we also have some subtitles on the side of the stage. But other than that, its the same show. Were excited for everyone to see it. Annie is produced by Crossroads Live North American and Broadway Asia Productions, which will stage a total of 12 exciting performances at the Macau Cultural Centres Grand Auditorium. With a runtime of approximately two hours and 35 minutes, including an interval, Annie is suitable for ages six and above. The show will be performed in English, with subtitles in Chinese and English, ensuring accessibility for all attendees. The Broadway musicals story follows Annie, who escapes the clutches of the cruel Miss Hannigan in search of her parents. Her adventure leads her to the mansion of Oliver Warbucks, a lonely billionaire who changes her life forever. The musical showcases the contrast between the innocence of children and the cunning of adults, celebrating themes of love, family, and perseverance. Annie runs Aug. 2 to Aug. 14, 2024. Nadia Shaw China and Timor-Leste pledged yesterday to deepen partnership under the Belt and Road Initiative and expand cooperation in agriculture, green development, the digital economy, and air transportation, as part of broader agreements reached during talks between the heads of state in Beijing. President Xi Jinping hosted Jose Ramos-Horta, president of the island country in Southeast Asia, at the Great Hall of the People, and the two leaders jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents after their talks. A joint statement on strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership was also released. The four-day trip, which started on Sunday, is Ramos-Hortas first visit to the country since he took office in 2022, and the first state visit to China by a president of Timor-Leste since China established diplomatic relations with the country in 2002 on the day of its independence. Xi spoke highly of the two countries traditional friendship, which dates back to the 13th century through the ancient Maritime Silk Road, saying that China always puts Timor-Leste at an important place in deepening cooperation with neighboring countries. He commended Ramos-Horta, who was then foreign minister of Timor-Leste, for personally signing the communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations and taking the lead in proposing the development of a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. (You) are the pioneer, builder and defender of the friendly cause between China and Timor-Leste, Xi said, vowing to work together with Ramos-Horta to take the two countries ties to a new level and bring more benefits to their peoples. China will share experiences and technologies with Timor-Leste in terms of water conservancy and disaster prevention and mitigation, and will promote cooperation in fisheries and poverty reduction, among other areas, with the purpose of assisting in the countrys economic self-reliance and diversified development, Xi said. He also expressed Chinas willingness to join hands with Timor-Leste to promote the development of the Global South and strengthen bilateral coordination within the United Nations and other multilateral platforms. China will engage in more bilateral and trilateral cooperation with Timor-Leste within the framework of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and other platforms, he said. The visiting Timor-Leste president said he has made many visits to China since 1976 and has witnessed Chinas greatest transformations, including the eradication of absolute poverty under the leadership of President Xi. He said he appreciated the long-term assistance China has provided for his countrys economic and social development as well as the precious support for its COVID-19 response. As a staunch upholder of multilateralism, China has put forward the BRI and a series of important global initiatives, and facilitated reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as among Palestinian factions, Ramos-Horta noted. This shows that China is a peaceful global power that contributes to peace and development, he said. Ramos-Horta also said that South China Sea disputes should be resolved through negotiation and consultation among parties directly concerned. He said his country is willing to work with all countries in the region, including China, to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, Chinas top legislative body, also met with Ramos-Horta on Monday. MDT/China Daily A member of the Islands District Community Service Consultative Council, Ku Man Tat, is unhappy with the Municipal Affairs Bureaus (IAM) decision to revamp the ground in front of the Taipa Houses Museum. According to both IAM and the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), which are heading the project, the construction works, announced on Monday, aim to create a path to facilitate walking, as well as wheelchair and baby stroller access, in the area, creating a more comfortable, safer environment. In an interview with the Chinese channel of the public radio broadcaster TDM Radio, member Ku expressed dissatisfaction with the way IAM is handling the works, saying that the project lacks clarity in the eyes of the public. Ku suggested authorities publish more accurate information on the project as soon as possible, so that residents can clearly understand what it involves and what it expects to achieve. He also said that the area is part of Macaus collective memory and should be preserved in its original layout as much as possible. In a separate interview with the same media outlet, the deputy coordinator of the same Islands District advisory committee, Wong Leong Kuan, said that she hopes the works will freely facilitate access for residents and tourists in the area. According to Wong, the Islands District Community Service Consultative Council has received several pieces of feedback from residents noting that the uneven ground was bothersome. Still, she agreed with Ku on the fact that there should have been better communication from authorities, more quickly and effectively disclosing information to residents about the project. The government has received a total of eight proposals in the pre-qualification tender for the design and construction of the Taipa Grande Hill Tunnel, which will connect the Wai Long and Pac On precincts in Taipa. The public bid-opening ceremony was held yesterday morning at the Public Works Bureau (DSOP), with officials acknowledging the receipt of eight proposals in total. As the bureau noted, the eight proposals were a pre-qualification ahead of the final tender process, which will be held soon. DSOP is now analyzing and evaluating the received proposals to shortlist the best five. Those behind these five will then be invited to submit their final bids, including pricings and construction durations. As the Times previously reported, DSOP requires a maximum of 1,165 working days for the projects construction, as well as the outline of several deadlines by which to complete its various phases. At the bid-opening ceremony, a DSOP official said that the government hopes to start the construction in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025. If the construction project commences at its expected time (Q2 2025), it should conclude by the end of 2028. This tender and construction period will include only the main section of the project, which comprises the tunnel and each of its main entry points. The project also includes a second stage in which access links to the Macau Bridge will be built. The project has been justified as relieving traffic in the Pac On and Airport area, which is expected to increase after the Macau Bridge enters into operation. The tunnel will also facilitate the link between Zone A of the new landfills and the Cotai area, reducing the traveling time between these areas. The tunnel section, which will cross Taipa Grande Hill, will have a total length of approximately 600 meters and two lanes in each direction. The southern section, which will connect Avenida de Wai Long with Avenida do Aeroporto, will have a total length of approximately 400 meters. Food safety during summertime was the most discussed topic during yesterdays meeting of the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) Consultative Committee. In the period before the agenda of the meeting, which was held yesterday afternoon at the IAM building, two committee members raised the matter and called for more attention around it. Lo Kam Kuan and Wong Sok Kuan, in two separate speeches, highlighted the need to pay special attention to the matter, particularly during summertime, when high temperatures and humidity can pose additional risks to food safety. Member Lo noted the need to keep the catering industry aware of the requirements to separate raw and cooked food and top cooked and bottom raw, as well as to ensure that temperatures of refrigerated and freezing compartments accord to predefined standards. The same member noted that, in the first half of this year, about 5,000 health inspections had been conducted, including of restaurants, takeaway outlets, retail fresh food, supermarkets, and other places, and that the results overall were very positive, showing improvements. Still, he noted, There are sporadic cases of suspected collective gastroenteritis in Macau every year. The reasons behind these are related to staff members weak awareness of food safety and hygiene, as well as insufficient maintenance and cleaning of food facilities. A few days ago, a restaurant was found to have pickled raw shrimps that contained Vibrio parahaemolyticus [a bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness]. IAM has immediately intervened to prevent the spread of risk to food safety, he remarked, noting that, particularly concerning raw ingredients like sashimi, there is need for extra care in handling, transporting, and caring for foods. He called on authorities to increase training for staff, as well as to implement education programs. The same case was later mentioned by Wong, who suggested IAM strengthen inspections of food types that have recently been involved in cases of food safety problems, in addition to the already-existent routine food sampling inspections. Another of the suggestions aired was to use different platforms to reinforce information and knowledge disclosure, as well as to strengthen cooperation with food safety departments in neighboring regions, so as to afford for immediate action when suspected cases occur across the border. Continued worries: mosquitoes in vacant land During a different discussion at the same meeting, member Lam Ka Chun called on authorities to continue to pay close attention to the conditions of vacant land plots, particularly those that have ponds, or those which form temporary bodies of water after heavy rainfall. Lam noted that these land plots have the potential to breed hordes of mosquitoes, threatening the propagation of dengue fever. The member identified in particular the large piece of land recovered by the government located adjacent to the taxi stand at Taipa Old Village, saying, According to reports from nearby residents, this land has a lot of overgrown grass and weeds, affecting environmental conditions in the area. It remains frequently visited every day by a large number of tourists. He called on the government, while waiting for the development of this plot to proceed with regular maintenance works, to keep the plot clean and avoid, among other things, the breeding of mosquito hordes. Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te welcomed what he called the largest-ever delegation of foreign lawmakers to Taiwan and said yesterday it showed the importance of democracies uniting, even as Beijing pressured members of the delegation not to visit. This demonstrates the support and the value various other countries place on Taiwan, Lai said. It also sends an important message to democratic countries around the world. Maintaining democracy requires unity, and we must protect democracy together. Lai made his remarks at a conference in Taipei held by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a group of hundreds of lawmakers from 35 countries concerned about how democracies approach Beijing. Beijing sees Lai as a separatist and refuses to speak with him. China has ramped up pressure against the island since Lai took office in May, sending ships and planes on a large military drill to show displeasure at his inauguration. That comes after years of Beijings pressure on Taiwan which has been ruled by the DPP for three terms now on diplomatic, military and economic fronts. Lai said at the conference that Taiwan would work with other democracies to protect democracy from the threat of authoritarian expansionism. IPAC has long been despised by the Chinese government: Some members have been sanctioned by Beijing, and in 2021 the group was targeted by Chinese state-sponsored hackers, according to a U.S. indictment unsealed earlier this year. In a written statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said IPAC has no credibility at all and repeated its stance that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory. China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between countries with diplomatic ties with China and the Taiwan authorities, the statement said. Lai, also known by his English name William, is reviled by Beijing for his staunch opposition to political unification with the mainland. Earlier in his career, Lai said he was a pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence, but has since softened his rhetoric, saying he supports maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Top diplomats from the U.S., Japan, India and Australia met in Tokyo this week to discuss security issues in the Indo-Pacific region, shortly after the U.S. and Japan held their 2+2 security meeting Sunday, where they called China the greatest strategic challenge. High on the agenda were Taiwan and cross-strait relations. Beijings escalating assertiveness in the South China Sea has triggered tensions with many neighbors, adding to fears of a confrontation. Lai has vowed to continue maintaining stability with China while beefing up Taiwans security by importing military equipment, expanding its defense industry, and reinforcing regional partnerships with unofficial allies such as the U.S., Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. We are willing to replace confrontation with dialogue and containment with exchanges under the principles of reciprocity and dignity, Lai told participants. MDT/AP Washingtons top diplomat and defense chief announced $500 million in military funding yesterday to boost Philippine defenses and progress on a proposed military intelligence-sharing pact as both allies renewed their concerns over Chinas continuing assertive actions in the region. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has fortified Manilas decades-old treaty alliance with Washington as hostilities between Philippine and Chinese forces flared since last year in the disputed South China Sea. Marcos hailed very open communication lines between Washington and Manila, adding that the two countries treaty alliance and key issues in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region are continuously examined and reexamined so we are agile in terms of our responses. Marcos has underscored the need for a U.S. military presence for Asian stability and peace. After meeting their Philippine counterparts later, Blinken and Austin announced the $500 million military funding to help in an ongoing modernization of the Philippine military and coast guard and boost security collaboration amid shared concerns over Chinas assertive actions. Both of us share concerns and many other countries in the region share concerns, as well, about some of the actions that the Peoples Republic of China has taken, escalatory actions in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, including coercive methods, Blinken said in a joint news conference. He renewed a warning that the U.S. would help defend the Philippines if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under attack in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea. The U.S. officials also offered condolences over the dozens of deaths wrought by typhoon-worsened monsoon rains in recent weeks and announced an additional $1 million in aid for the victims and to help devastated communities recover. The visit came the week after the Philippines and reached a temporary arrangement to prevent clashes around the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal like the violent faceoff between their forces on June 17. Philippine forces transported food and other supplies and a fresh batch of navy personnel Saturday to Manilas territorial outpost at the shoal without a confrontation were reported for the first time since last year. But the Philippines would continue strengthening its territorial defense with the assistance of the U.S. and other friendly military powers and build new security alliances, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said. The non-confrontational resupply and rotation is purely temporary. The Peoples Republic of China will not stop and we are determined just as well, Romualdez told The Associated Press. The $500 million in U.S. military financing would include funding for reinforcing the Philippine navys capability. About $125 million would be used for constructions and other improvements in parts of Philippine military bases to be occupied by U.S. forces under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, Romualdez said. With strong support in Congress, U.S. military funding may double next year depending on our capacity to absorb it, Romualdez said. Progress in negotiations on a proposed military intelligence-sharing pact, the General Security of Military Information Agreement was announced by Austin, who said that the accord may be signed later this year. The agreement, similar to ones Washington has forged with other allied countries, would allow the U.S. to provide high-level intelligence, more sophisticated weapons, including missile systems, and access to satellite and drone surveillance systems to the Philippines with an assurance that such intelligence and details about sophisticated weapons would be closely kept secret in a highly secured manner to prevent leaks, two Philippine officials told the AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to discuss the issue publicly. Philippine efforts to obtain sophisticated weapons from the U.S. military in the past have been hampered by the lack of such an intelligence deal. In his meeting with Blinken and Austin, Marcos alluded to the intense political divisions in the U.S. ahead of the presidential elections this year. Im a bit surprised considering how interesting your political situation has become back in the States, but Im glad that you found the time to come and visit with us, Marcos said. Meanwhile, Romualdez said that U.S. support to the Philippines would absolutely not change regardless of who becomes Americas next president. Numerous countries have expressed concerns about the implications of former President Donald Trump returning to the White House in January after President Joe Biden withdrew and threw his support to Vice President Kamala Harris. Both Republicans and Democrats are in full agreement for the Philippines, he said, adding that both sides have given assurances of continued support to Manila. Marcos approved last year an expansion of the U.S. military presence in four more Philippine military camps under the 2014 defense agreement, and the largest war drills between Filipino and U.S. forces have been staged under his administration, drawing opposition and alarm from China, which said that increased deployments of American forces would endanger regional peace and security. The Philippines has responded that it has the right to move to safeguard its territorial interests and national security. JIM GOMEZ & MATTHEW LEE, Manila, MDT/AP One woman was hospitalized and another arrested in a stabbing in Fitchburg early Tuesday, Fitchburg police reported. At around 2:20 a.m. Tuesday, officers were sent to the 2600 block of Post Road after a 911 caller reported a person had been stabbed. Police found evidence of a stabbing in a parking lot, but didnt immediately locate a victim, Capt. Edward Hartwick said in a statement. About 15 minutes later, another 911 call led officers to a nearby business, where they found a woman who had been stabbed, Hartwick said. Officers learned the 22-year-old woman had been stabbed when an argument escalated outside an apartment building in the 2600 block of Post Road and had started to get a ride to the hospital before stopping to call 911. She was taken by ambulance to a hospital with serious injuries that were not considered life-threatening, Hartwick said. Police then returned to the scene, were able to order the suspect, Pierra Henderson, 22, of Fitchburg, to exit an apartment at the building and arrest her on tentative charges of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and substantial battery, Hartwick said. Police ask that anyone with information on the incident contact them at 608-270-4300. Tipsters may remain anonymous by contacting Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or P3Tips.com. Individuals contacting Crime Stoppers can receive a reward of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to an arrest. More than 40 people filed into a converted coffee shop on a recent Saturday morning in Madison to organize in a West Side neighborhood for Vice President Kamala Harris. A month ago, fewer than 10 people showed up for a similar event for President Joe Biden. Some told organizers they were no longer willing to knock on doors in Wisconsins famously liberal state capital. The excitement among loyal Democrats lit by Harris replacing Biden has enlivened the partys base in Wisconsin, particularly in areas where the vice president must run up big margins to carry a swing state that Biden flipped from Republican Donald Trump. Kamala Harris is the defibrillator that the Democratic Party needed, said John Anzalone, who was Bidens chief campaign pollster in 2020. Dane County, which includes Madison, is the fastest-growing county in the state, fueled by the combination of the University of Wisconsin and the state capitals workforce. In addition to Dane Countys growth, Democratic turnout here and Democratic candidates percentage of the vote have also increased. Biden won 75% of the vote in 2020, beating Trump by 181,000 votes in the county while carrying the state by fewer than 21,000. But in the last month of Bidens campaign, voters answering their doors in Madisons most robustly Democratic neighborhoods were talking more about whether the party would have a competitive presidential nominee than their desire to volunteer, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler said. That created a world where volunteers started to fall off. The conversations at the doors in the final weeks left people worried rather than energized, Wikler said. That engine felt like it was sputtering. And now the engine is roaring. Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Brian Schimming said in a press conference Tuesday that Harris was experiencing a little honeymoon. But I dont think its going to last, he said. Further, he said, Biden was suffering clear across the state in every Democratic stronghold to the point Democrats had nowhere to go but up. Party priorities According to interviews with more than a dozen Madison Democrats, Harris attention to specific party priorities, in addition to her younger age and livelier style, have helped restore their enthusiasm. Daniel Zaydman, 24, pointed to Harris March public call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, a conflict that has divided the Democratic base. Biden has also pushed for a cease-fire while continuing to back weapons shipments to Israel as it conducts a war in Gaza that has resulted in at least 39,000 Palestinian deaths. She had come out against the genocide in Gaza, not just in recent days but months ago, said the former state legislative aide, who noted that he is Jewish. At the time, I was like, wow, the vice president is ahead of the president on this. She had been in Bidens shadow, and no one my age ... liked his position on Gaza, he said. And that has been a huge sticking point with voters in my age group. For Sam Heesacker, Harris is noticeably more vocal and convincing in her advocacy of abortion rights, a top priority for the 28-year-old University of Wisconsin graduate student in education curriculum. Biden struggled during his debate with Trump to complete an answer about the Supreme Court striking down Roe v. Wade, which had guaranteed a national right to abortion. Trump nominated three of the justices who voted to overturn Roe. Shes more progressive than Biden, calling it what it is: Reproductive freedom, she said, taking a break from studying at a coffee shop on Madisons bustling State Street. Shea Head felt a new sense of optimism, noting Harris visibility supporting the priorities of the LGBTQ+ community. The 59-year-old education researcher said from a corner seat in a West Side cafe that she had read last spring where Harris had spoken about the 20-year anniversary of same-sex marriages being performed in California. Head recalled Harris more public profile on the issues after seeing the candidate make a voter registration plug on RuPauls Drag Race All Stars last week. She was on talking about gay rights and trans rights. Obviously, she knows in that situation shes speaking to a population that knows our rights are in danger, Head said. Shes speaking to me in a way that Biden wasnt, or maybe couldnt as convincingly. Enthusiastic response The observations reflect broader enthusiasm toward Harris among Democrats nationally. An AP-NORC poll conducted after Biden withdrew from the race found that about 8 in 10 Democrats would be somewhat or very satisfied if Harris became their partys nominee. Thats a big change from another AP-NORC poll conducted before Biden dropped out, which found that only 37% of Democrats were very or somewhat satisfied that he was the Democratic Partys likely nominee for president. Strategists in both parties point to other college towns in swing states that they think Harris will invigorate younger adults and traditional liberals. In Michigan, theres Ingham County, home of Michigan State University and the Democratic-heavy capital city of Lansing, and Washtenaw County, home of the University of Michigan. Biden won them with 65% and 72% of the vote, respectively, en route to carrying Michigan by fewer than 3 percentage points in 2020. Though he lost North Carolina by fewer than 2 percentage points, Biden won 67% of the vote in Wake County, a booming hub around the capital Raleigh and the regions Duke University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina. Anzalone, Bidens former pollster, said there had been fear within the party before Biden decided not to run that there was going to be a universe including younger voters who might not vote or consider going to third-party candidates. I was worried even loyal Democratic voters might feel apathetic about their choices, 38-year-old Leah Kechele, a nursing instructor, said between Zoom meetings at a popular Madison cafe. I think she can fire them up. This story has been corrected to show the countys name is Ingham, not Ingraham. Associated Press polling editor Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux in Washington contributed to this report. Photos: Kamala Harris through the years Muslim relatives of a convert from Islam in Somalia attacked a second time in Lower Juba Region on July 8, wounding him in the stomach, breaking his wifes ankle and beating his children. Mohammad Abdul had survived a May 5 knife attack by his Muslims relatives on the outskirts of Kismayo in southern Somalias Lower Juba Region, and his in-laws had taken his wife and five children away while he was receiving hospital treatment. Abdul put his faith in Christ in March. Having recovered his family and relocated them to another area after the attack in May that left him with a deep cut on his head and a fractured hand, Abdul in the July 8 assault also suffered injuries that took away his ability to speak, his wife said. Abdul, 40, found a rented house for his family on June 10 about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from his home, which the relatives had destroyed in the May 5 assault, and soon after his family relocated to the new home. Toward the end of June, his in-laws began making threatening calls to his wife, she said. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up I started receiving calls from my relatives that I should return back to my people before we get converted to a religion which is not approved in Islam Please come back home to avoid endangering yourself and the children, said his wife, whose name is withheld for security reasons. Initially she did not heed the messages, believing the familys location was far enough away and unknown to them, though one of her trusted relatives had helped her relocate, she said. As several frequent and threatening messages continued streaming in, I started getting fearful, she told Morning Star News. At about 8 p.m. on July 8, five of her relatives arrived and knocked on the door, which she opened, she said. My husband was then in the washroom, she said. Immediately they started asking the whereabouts of my husband. She remained silent, she said. One of my relatives went outside the sitting room and came back with sticks and started beating the children, who started crying loudly, she said. Another relative went outside and came with a blunt object and hit me on my left ankle. My husband gained courage and dashed out of the bedroom and came trying to save me, but he was easily overpowered and knifed at the stomach as another hit him all over his body. Many neighbors arrived thinking robbers were attacking them, and her relatives fled, she said. I thank God that this time round they did not mention their usual Islamic slogan of, Allah Akbar [God is greater], which could have endangered our lives, because we are living in an Islamic region, she said. The neighbors found my husband in a pool of blood and took us to a nearby medical clinic. Hospital doctors put her broken ankle in a cast. Abdul is in stable conditional but has lost speech, she said. Please, we request financial support and prayers at this difficult time, she said. We are in a state of helplessness and hopelessness. We desperately need school fees and food. Also pray for our protection in this hostile and anti-Christian community. Somalias constitution establishes Islam as the state religion and prohibits the propagation of any other religion, according to the U.S. State Department. It also requires that laws comply with sharia (Islamic law) principles, with no exceptions in application for non-Muslims. The death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law according to mainstream schools of Islamic jurisprudence. An Islamic extremist group in Somalia, Al Shabaab, is allied with Al Qaeda and adheres to the teaching. Al Shabaab or Al Shabaab sympathizers also have killed several non-local people in northern Kenya since 2011, when Kenyan forces led an African coalition into Somalia against the rebels in response to terrorist attacks on tourists and others on Kenyas coast. Somalia is ranked 2nd on Christian support group Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. The Philippine government received donations from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the victims of super typhoon Carina. The relief packages were turned over Tuesday evening at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2. The donations included 2,464 bags of food items such as milk powder, wheat flour, tea, rice, cooking oil, red lentils, peas, dates, powdered juice drinks, oats, tomato paste, sugar and salt; 4,928 packs and cans of pasta, sweet corn, green peas, red kidney beans; 9,856 cans of tuna and chickpeas. - Advertisement - Special Envoy to the UAE for Trade and Investments, Ma. Anna Kathryna Yu-Pimentel thanked the Middle nation and its leadership on behalf of the Philippine government for extending aid to Filipino calamity victims. This generous donation from the UAE government is a testament to the deepening bilateral relations between the UAE and the Philippines under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Yu-Pimentel said. We are profoundly grateful to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE government for their unwavering support in this trying time, she added. Yu-Pimentel said the recent visit of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos to the UAE further solidified the strong ties between the two countries. We thank PBBM for his decisive leadership and swift action to help our countrymen. In its latest bulletin, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said typhoon Carina, tropical depression Butchoy, and habagat affected 3,628,500 individuals or 971,667 families. THE United States offer of $500 million in additional funding for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) drew mixed reactions from various sector including the Chinese government and local legislators. Obviously irked by the offer, China warned that the Philippines risks greater insecurity for itself. - Advertisement - Beijings foreign ministry warned Manilas act of wooing countries from outside the region to provoke confrontation in the South China Sea will only undermine regional stability and aggravate tensions. Trying to introduce external forces to protect its own security will only lead to greater insecurity for itself, and it might even become someone elses pawn, spokesman Lin Jian said. However, Senate President Francis Escudero said the $500-million military assistance from the US will not agitate China in its claim of the West Philippine Sea (WPS). I do not think this will provoke or agitate China because strengthening ones own military, like them and most countries, in order to keep the peace is the right and obligation of every country, Escudero said. But Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III disagreed, saying the assistance would not benefit Filipino farmers and fishermen. Why doesnt America make an unprecedented investment in our agricultural sector? he asked. Why always military hardware? House leaders welcomed the unprecedented $500-million military financing commitment from Washington, citing its significance for the nations defense capabilities and the strong alliance between the two countries. Quezon Rep. David Suarez, Assistant Majority Leader Ernesto Dionisio Jr., and Committee on Dangerous Drugs chairman and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers lauded the announcement made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during their meeting with Philippine officials in Malacanang. Suarez also highlighted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s stance on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and national sovereignty, as emphasized during his recent State of the Nation Address. This is a welcome development for us because this further shows that the position of the President is also shared by other world leaders when it comes to sovereignty of our country, Suarez said. Blinken described the offer as a once in a generation investment to help modernise the Philippine armed forces and coast guard. The latest high-level US visit follows a series of escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed waterway that have raised concern that Washington could be dragged into a conflict due to its mutual defence treaty with Manila. The Philippines proximity to the hotly contested South China Sea, as well as self-ruled Taiwan, would make it a key partner for the United States if a conflict were to break out in the region. Beijing claims almost the entire waterway, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, and considers democratic Taiwan to be part of its territory. With AFP Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Philippines receives $500 million in military aid from US SINGAPORE The United States and Singapore signed an agreement Wednesday to deepen cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy as the city-state considers alternative power sources to cut carbon emissions. Singapore, a regional financial center and a key player in the global semiconductor industry, is currently reliant on oil and natural gas. - Advertisement - It is studying options, including nuclear power, to meet its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan signed the 123 Agreements on civil nuclear cooperation during a visit by Washingtons top diplomat as part of his latest swing to Asia. The 123 Agreements, named after their section in the US Atomic Energy Act, are critical for investment by US nuclear companies, which are wary of running afoul of laws related to proliferation. This agreement builds on the long-standing civil nuclear collaboration between United States and Singapore and outlines a comprehensive framework to deepen peaceful nuclear cooperation based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation, both countries said in a joint statement. The agreement is expected to come into force by end-2024 after being reviewed by the US Congress, the statement said. The pact will last for 30 years and will facilitate Singapores access to detailed information on US nuclear energy technologies and expertise that are under export control, according to the statement. Singapore will also join a US Department of State program that enables partners to better understand small modular reactors or more advanced nuclear energy technologies, the statement added. Singapores Energy Market Authority said on its website that small modular reactors promise enhanced safety and economics compared to conventional nuclear power plants, although most of these technologies are still undergoing research and development. Washington has active 123 Agreements with 22 countries, including China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as with two institutions the European Atomic Energy Community and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Blinken: Once in a generation investment will modernize PH military, coast guard The United States will provide $500 million in military funding to the Philippines, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday, as Washington boosts ties with Manila in the face of Chinas growing assertiveness. Blinken was in Manila with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as part of an Asia-Pacific tour to strengthen Washingtons latticework of alliances aimed at countering Beijing. - Advertisement - Were now allocating an additional $500 million in foreign military financing to the Philippines to boost security collaboration with our oldest treaty ally in this region, Blinken told a joint news conference. Blinken described it as a once in a generation investment to help modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard. The US officials met with President Marcos, who has taken a strong stand against Chinese actions in the South China Sea, before holding 2+2 talks with their Philippine counterparts Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. Im always very happy that these communication lines are very open so that all the things that we are doing together, in terms of our alliance, in terms of the specific context of our situation here in the West Philippine Sea and the Indo-Pacific are continuously examined and re-examined so we are agile in terms of our responses, Mr. Marcos said. Blinken described the meeting historic, noting that it was the first time the 2+2 meeting took place in Manila. Austin reaffirmed Blinkens views, emphasizing the strong ties between the Philippines and the US. Were more than allies were family and it always feels that way, Austin said. The Philippines proximity to the hotly contested South China Sea, as well as self-ruled Taiwan, would make it a key partner for the United States if a conflict were to break out in the region. Beijing claims almost the entire waterway, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, and considers democratic Taiwan to be part of its territory. Under their mutual defense treaty, the Philippines and the United States are required to come to the others defense in case of an armed attack against vessels, aircraft, military, and coast guard anywhere in the Pacific theater, which Washington says includes the South China Sea. Beijings actions in the strategic waterway have been high on the agenda for Blinkens Asia-Pacific trip, which has included the foreign ministers meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Laos and 2+2 talks in Japan. A Filipino sailor lost a thumb in a June 17 confrontation near the flashpoint Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Chinese coast guard members wielding knives, sticks and an axe foiled a Philippine Navy attempt to resupply Filipino troops stationed on the crumbling ship. The two sides subsequently agreed to a provisional arrangement for the delivery of food and water to the BRP Sierra Madre, which was deliberately grounded in 1999 to assert Manilas claims to the area. The Philippines said it had carried out a resupply mission on Saturday without untoward incident. Meanwhile, Manalo said the deployment of a US mid-range missile system in the country would not lead to an arms race with China. All I can really say is that first, these missiles are meant for our own defensive capabilities, our own ability to improve our defensive deterrence, and they are not meant for any offensive purposes, Manalo said. I really cant see, on that basis, how it would lead to an arms race, he added. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi earlier expressed concern over the presence of the US intermediate-range Typhon missile system. With AFP Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Blinken announces $500 million in military funding to Philippines In 1974, Alan Byrd became a volunteer firefighter with Salem Fire Rescue. Fifty years later, hes still dedicated to the department. This month, he was honored for his decades of service to Salem Fire. Byrd was honored on July 16 with the Order of the Guardian, an award the North Carolina commissioner of insurance bestows on those who have demonstrated outstanding service in either the fire or insurance industries. N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey presented the award to Byrd, who is the secretary of Salem Fire Rescues board of directors, at the boards July meeting. Byrd started at Salem Fire Rescue as a volunteer firefighter in 1974, Salem Fire Chief Charles Autrey said. Byrd climbed the ranks of the department, serving as chief of the department in the 1990s and the early 2000s, Autrey said. Byrd also has served on the departments board of directors for 15 years, holding titles as president, treasurer and secretary. Alan is a servant at heart, Autrey said. He would do anything to help anyone. Hes a really selfless person. No one told Byrd about the award before the meeting, Byrd said. Mike Causey came in and I thought to myself, I wonder what hes doing here, Byrd said. I said, Well, maybe its just because were meeting in the new building for the first time. But come to find why he was there, and it was a surprise. They pulled a good one on me. Autrey said working with Byrd has been a pleasure. He has a very calm demeanor, Autrey said. I never saw him get excited on an emergency scene. He handled everything calmly and professionally. He treats people well. Ive never seen him berate anyone, even if things were going wrong or someones not doing things the way they should have. Larry Lane, president of the board of directors, has known Byrd since Lane joined Salem about 20 years ago. He said Byrd is still involved in the department. Hes always there, Lane said. He still shows up to the fire department trainings and meetings. The new guys know him just as well as the old guys. That tells me (to) be involved. Always be personal with your guys and gals. You can better serve them by actually being with them and talking to them. Lane recalled the first fire he worked with Byrd. We met up and just started working together immediately, Lane said. He was always there and always willing to work together as a team. It was never about him. It was about the team or the department. Before joining Salem Fire Rescue, Byrd served in the U.S. Air Force from 1960 to 1964 helping build and test missiles in Denver, Colorado where he was during the Cuban Missile Crisis then at Cape Canaveral in Florida. After leaving the Air Force, Byrd went to work for a telephone company. He credits the Air Force and the telephone company with igniting his interest in community service. Ive always been involved in stuff, and I got a lot of it from the Air Force and from when I went to work for the telephone company, Byrd said. We had a superb organization of what we called telephone pioneers, and the company supported them. Most of the employees belonged to the pioneers, and they did all kinds of service work for the communities. Working in that environment, it was easy to get into. He said he joined the fire department after a few years of conversations with his good friend, James Dale, who was a member of the department. He was too busy to join at first, but after a few years he was hooked. I enjoyed it, Byrd said. It had good fellowship, good friends, made good friends, and it was a brotherhood of other firemen. The fire department evolved from there. Byrd served as chief for about 12 years. He later became president of the departments board of directors, and currently serves as secretary. Its an experience that you wont get anywhere else, Byrd said. You get disciplined. You get training. You can do fire, rescue, medical treatment. Just a lot of stuff you can do, and a lot of the people weve got at Salem either work at EMS or they work at Morganton fire department, or EMS in other counties, and they made a livelihood out of what they learned and the knowledge they acquired at the fire department. He said his late wife, Joann, had a servants heart. Her support coupled with the communitys support always made the fire department a great place to serve. Id like to thank the firemen and community for all the support over the years, Byrd said. When you volunteer for the community, its good to be recognized every now and then, and I appreciate it. Dangerous migration in Latin America due to poverty, insecurity and political conflicts continues to increase, especially among children and adolescents. According to data provided by UNICEF, it is estimated that in the Darien jungle alone, on the border between Colombia and Panama, 800,000 people will cross in 2024, 160,000 of which will be under 18 years of age. Based on the regional context and the trends observed in the first four months of 2024, the majority of these minors will likely require humanitarian assistance. To help Venezuelan migrant minors in Medellin, Colombia, the city mayor's office and World Vision joined forces and promoted spaces for regularization for them. World Vision is a non-governmental organization that promotes the protection of children based on Christian values and principles. The initiative aims to provide stability and access to fundamental rights to a vulnerable population, helping the integration and protection of thousands of young people in the city. Through the Hope without Borders initiative, World Vision redoubles its efforts to provide assistance and protection to children and refugees, in collaboration with local communities and government authorities. This year, 30,000 children and adolescents have been registered in transit, and almost 2,000 of them were separated from their families or unaccompanied. In addition, the number of minors in transit is increasing at a rate five times higher than that of adults, said World Vision International. According to the most recent Migration Colombia report (February 2024), it is estimated that in the department of Antioquia, there are about 391,582 Venezuelan migrants, which corresponds to 13.76% of the Venezuelan migrant population in Colombia; among these, 239,479 are in the city of Medellin. The city's Secretary of Education reported that more than 14,000 Venezuelan children and adolescents enrolled in educational institutions do not have their Temporary Protection Permit (PPT), which poses a significant risk to their protection. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up In this context, World Vision implemented a new strategy to support the regularization of Venezuelan migrant children and adolescents in the region. The initiative is part of a broader effort to provide stability and access to essential services to this vulnerable population. Since 2019, the organization has worked in partnership with local communities, government authorities and faith-based organizations to address the most urgent needs and protect the rights of the most vulnerable. The main objective of the strategy developed in Colombia is to support school-aged minors who do not yet have their Registro Unico de Migrantes Venezolanos or access to their PPT. This effort is focused on regularization in Medellin and its metropolitan area, with a specific emphasis on the school community. Due to the growing migration crisis that Latin America is facing, it is crucial that the international community unites in solidarity and support for migrant children and adolescents. As defenders of children's rights, we urge governments, civil organizations, businesses and citizens to take concrete steps to protect and support those in vulnerable situations, said World Vision in Colombia. Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition. Cape Verdes parliament on Tuesday July 30 approved the creation of the Climate and Environmental Fund (FCA), which will be funded by 12 million converted from the debt owed to Portugal. The law was approved in general at the last session in July, with 36 votes in favor, 33 from the ruling Movement for Democracy (MpD) and three from the Independent and Democratic Cape Verdean Union (UCID, opposition). The 25 MPs from the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV, opposition) present in the chamber abstained and there were no votes against. The bill, which will now be discussed in the special session, returned to the Cape Verdean parliament on Monday, after having been postponed during the first session in July. During the debate, the PAICV parliamentary caucus considered it a good measure, but had doubts about whether it would increase the countrys public debt, especially with international financial institutions. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Olavo Correia guaranteed that the fund would be an innovative financial operation with zero impact on the archipelagos public debt. We will be able to invest in the climate and the environment without increasing public debt by exchanging debt for investment, he explained. The FCA will be created from 12 million euros converted from Portugals debt, with the aim of mobilizing and accelerating investments with a relevant climate and environmental impact, through the amount of greenhouse gases that will no longer be emitted, reads the bill. In other words, the money from the new fund can finance renewable energy, energy efficiency, agriculture, fisheries and transport projects, among others. King Mohammed VI has invited French President Emmanuel Macron to pay a State visit to Morocco following the clear and strong position adopted by France on the Moroccan Sahara. In a message sent to Macron, the King told the French President: It is with interest that I received the important Message you addressed to Me on the occasion of the 25th Throne Day anniversary. I would like to thank you for your warm wishes and your personal commitment to strengthening partnership between our two countries, added the Monarch, saying that he fully appreciate Frances clear support for Moroccos sovereignty over this part of its territory, the resolute French support for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty to settle this regional dispute, thereby establishing the plan proposed by Morocco, since 2007, as the only basis for achieving it. By recognizing Moroccos legal titles and immemorial rights, France contributes in strengthening the international momentum that many countries are already supporting and thus putting an end to a conflict inherited from another era, underlined the King in his message. Thanks to the significant development of the French position and Your determination to act accordingly at internal and international levels, Our two countries will work together to reach a solution that, within the framework of the United Nations, fully respects Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara, said the royal message. The Moroccan people and its vital forces are fully aware of the importance of this decision, adopted by a permanent member of the Security Council, an intimate connoisseur of the past and present of North Africa and a privileged witness to the development of this regional dispute, underlined the King. Thanks to the positive momentum that our bilateral relations are experiencing, promising prospects are opening up for our two countries in many strategic sectors, making it possible to strengthen the exceptional partnership built over decades on friendship and trust, underlined the Monarch. On Tuesday, Moroccos Royal Office issued a statement describing as a significant development France support for Moroccos territorial integrity and the autonomy plan as the only basis for a solution to the Sahara conflict under the Kingdoms sovereignty. This announcement by the French Republic, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is an important and significant development in support of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. It is part of the momentum launched by HM King Mohammed VI may God preserve Him and carried by many countries in different regions of the world, in favor of the territorial integrity of Morocco and the autonomy plan as the exclusive framework for the resolution of this regional dispute, reads the Royal Office statement. In his letter to the King, Macron affirms that the present and future of Western Sahara are within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty. 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: Confocal micrographs showing close association between Perineuronal nets (magenta) and astrocytes (green) in mouse cerebral cortex. Credit: Bhanu Tewari Synapses are small gaps between neurons through which signals are transmitted. This transmission of signals is what allows neurons to communicate and ultimately produce complex internal processes, such as thoughts and feelings, as well as actions and behaviors. The loss or deterioration of synapses is typically accompanied by a decline in brain function and cognitive impairments, such as those observed in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Better understanding the neural processes that ensure the stability and function of synapses could thus inform the development of more effective therapeutic interventions for these disorders. Researchers at University of Virginia School of Medicine recently carried out a study investigating the combined role of astrocytes, a class of glial cells with many known neuroprotective functions, and perineuronal nets (PNNs), structures that form a coating around some neurons, in regulating synaptic activity over time. Their findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, show that astrocytes and PPNs cooperate to maintain synaptic homeostasis in the mouse brain. "My laboratory has been studying brain support cells called astrocytes for the past 30 years," Harald Sontheimer, senior author of the paper and Harrison Distinguished Professor at University of Virginia, told MedicalXpress. "Astrocytes serve many functions in the brain but one of the most important ones is the removal of the neurotransmitter glutamate." Glutamate is the primary neurotransmitter that nerve cells in the brain use to communicate with one another. Past neuroscience studies showed that astrocytes surround synapses, ensuring that glutamate remains at each synapse, without spilling over onto nearby synapses. "Over 125 years ago, Camillo Golgi discovered a net-like structure of extracellular molecules that covers the surface of some neurons," Sontheimer said. "He called these structures perineuronal nets (PNNs), albeit he and many scientists since have not been able to figure out what these structures do. In the 1970s, it was discovered that they are important in brain development when they ensure that certain synapses between cells of the sensory system stay in place once they are formed." Previous studies have concluded that PNNs play a key role in stabilizing synapses over time, yet they failed to examine their possible link to astrocyte activity. Given their interest in astrocytes and their role in regulating synapses, Sontheimer and his colleagues set out to investigate whether astrocytes are related to PNNs and specifically if they are also stabilized by these structures. "PNNs are constantly turned over in the healthy brain," Sontheimer said. "In other words, neurons synthesize them and enzymes produced by neurons and support cells degrade them. PNNs are also degraded by a bacterial enzyme called Chondroitinase ABC. In our first experiments, we took this enzyme and injected it into the brains of mice, and within 40 minutes the PNNs disappeared." By degrading PNNs using the enzyme Chondroitinase ABC, the researchers were able to observe how damage to these structures impacted synapses and astrocytes, Interestingly, they found that synapses remained in place, while astrocytes extended their processes, covering all the membrane laid bare after the removal of PNNs. "These experiments also allowed us to study what happens functionally to such synapses after PNNs were removed," Sontheimer explained. "Much to our surprise, we found that glutamate now spilled out of them and activated receptors far away, thereby compromising the signaling between adjacent nerve cells." Sontheimer and his colleagues observed that after PNNs had degraded, the adult mice started experiencing epileptic seizures. This suggests that the net-like structures act as containers that prevent the dispersion of glutamate from synapses, thus ensuring that astrocytes dispose of the neurotransmitter before it can activate neighboring nerve cells. "Our findings suggest that the function of synapses can be affected by enzymes that are released in conjunction with tissue inflammation and disease," Sontheimer said. "We show that in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, and in epilepsy, enzymes released break down the PNNs and alter neuronal signaling, even causing seizures." The results gathered by this team of researchers offer new valuable insight into the unique contributions of PNNs and astrocytes to synaptic homeostasis. In addition to inspiring further studies focusing on the neural processes they uncovered, they could pave the way for the development of new therapeutic interventions, such as enzyme inhibitors that prevent the breakdown of PNNs in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's or epilepsy. "We are now trying to understand how the loss of PNNs comes about at the cellular level, as well as how and when it is best to prevent it," Sontheimer added. More information: Bhanu P. Tewari et al, Astrocytes require perineuronal nets to maintain synaptic homeostasis in mice, Nature Neuroscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01714-3 Journal information: Nature Neuroscience 2024 Science X Network 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 Prison guards aren't mental health professionals and that needs to change at Bridgewater State Hospital. A new report recommends shifting away from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health to avoid the "daily tragedies" taking place there. The Disability Law Center said that following "report after report" of patients at the facility facing "illegal restraint and seclusion practices, disproportionate and unnecessary uses of force, a culture of intimidation, and the absence of a therapeutic milieu," that the only path forward is to change the state laws that allow those "with the most significant mental health disabilities in the Commonwealth" to be placed under the authority of prison guards instead of the care of mental health professionals. "The Commonwealth must immediately place BSH operations under the authority of DMH to ensure current and future (persons served) access to trauma informed, person-centered mental health treatment," the Center wrote in their report. After that's done, the state must then "urgently construct a modern DMH hospital facility designed to provide all individuals in need of 'strict security' psychiatric evaluation and/or treatment in a safe, therapeutic environment and finally close BSH," they wrote. The report, released publicly this week but apparently provided a full week prior to Senate President Karen Spilka, House Speaker Ron Mariano, the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Mental Health Substance Use and Recovery, Joint Committee on the Judiciary, Senate Ways and Means Committee, and House Ways and Means Committee, shows that after a decade of monitoring at the so-called hospital, there are still "daily tragedies occurring within BSH." "Every day the law remains unchanged, individuals involuntarily committed to BSH on the basis of their mental health condition suffer. And every day, individuals with serious mental health disabilities suffer, the Commonwealth fails to uphold its legal and moral obligations to PS and the general public," they wrote. The state facility, which, despite its name, is not an accredited hospital, was built in 1974 and is in very serious need of repairs. It was built as a jail instead of a hospital, according to the report, featuring cells instead of treatment rooms. It is, by statute, designed to be occupied by men determined to require "strict security," though according to DLC that term is undefined enough under state law that a person's need for "strict security" is left up to "decision-maker bias based on an individual's race and ethnicity." "The impact of racial bias in Massachusetts' mental health and criminal systems on the BSH population is as true today as it was 20 years ago when a study found that Black and Hispanic/Latinx male defendants were more likely than White male defendants to be referred for an inpatient evaluation in a strict security facility, regardless of diagnoses and the level of severity of the criminal charges," they wrote. The report authors, who are tasked under federal law to monitor conditions at facilities that serve those with disabilities, say they have informed both the Department of Corrections and Wellpath, the private company tasked with day-to-day operations at BSH, of a need for change, but that their calls have for the most part gone unanswered. "Unfortunately, even with the lines of communication open and positive changes stemming from DLC's recommendations, improvements fall short of addressing the counter-therapeutic conditions and legal violations that dominate the experiences of BSH Persons Served," they wrote. A spokesperson for the DOC said they cannot comment on proposed legislation, nor do they have any say in what facilities might fall under their purview according to the state's laws, but that while Bridgewater is under their control it is run in accordance with the high standards of the department. "The Massachusetts Department of Correction remains deeply committed to serving patients who have complex needs and require strict security hospitalization," they told the Herald. Adding, "It is the DOC's goal to provide the highest quality of care, forensic evaluation, and treatment. The DOC has enhanced staff training, increased independent oversight by behavioral and mental health experts who review policies to ensure alignment by Department of Mental Health policies and regulations, and worked diligently with our external medical provider to implement trauma-informed principles." DOC also pushed back on several of the report's findings. In response to allegations in DLC's report that Bridgewater has a mold problem, DOC said the facility is inspected quarterly for mold remediation and serviced daily by a contract cleaning agency. When restraints must be used on a patient, they say, the procedure is tracked and videos of restraint instances reviewed after the fact to ensure the act was appropriate. Events requiring further review are escalated to executive leadership at a "Serious Clinical Episode Committee" and further investigation ordered if necessary. The facility staffs a "qualified mental health professional" with "extensive behavioral experience," the spokesperson said, and retains the services of a nationally renowned mental health expert to review practices there. Wellpath did not return a request for comment. 2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Endoscopic photographs of lesions in three false-negative patients. Credit: Science Translational Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adk5395 Artificial intelligence is being used in a wide variety of applications in medicine, and now scientists have developed an AI system that can boost detection rates for cancerous and precancerous lesions of the esophagus, which are sometimes difficult for doctors to find. The experimental system, developed in China, aims to bring new technology to bear on a significant cause of cancer morbidity and mortality, especially in Asia. While rates of esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition, have remained stable in the United States, incidence in China has soared and ranks as the highest in the world. Cases in China are followed by those in India, which also reports elevated rates of the malignancy. Because cancerous and precancerous lesions of the esophagus can be difficult to detect, they pose obstacles to prompt treatment. The new deep-learning system is designed to boost physicians' ability to improve the survival rates of affected patients by identifying high-risk cancers of the esophagus in an early, treatable stage. In an article published in Science Translational Medicine, a team of doctors and scientists from major research centers in China say they have developed and tested a deep-learning algorithm that substantially boosts the detection of high-risk malignant lesions in the esophagus. So far the team has tested the AI system only on patients in China, but they emphasized that their algorithm has the potential to save lives globally by aiding the early detection of high-risk esophageal lesions during routine diagnostic endoscopies. "Endoscopy is the primary modality for detecting asymptomatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesions," according to Dr. Shao-Wei Li, lead author of the new study, and a researcher in the department of gastroenterology at Taizhou Hospital, an affiliate of Wenzhou Medical University in China. "Improving the detection rate remains challenging. We developed a system based on deep convolutional neural networks for detecting esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions." Also known as DCNN, for deep convolutional neural network, the algorithm identifies disease-specific patterns. A deep convolutional neural network is designed to pinpoint patterns in 3D. When used as a diagnostic tool, it theoretically can provide doctors with a more accurate method of identifying high-risk lesions in patients undergoing screening. The tool also can spot lesions that might otherwise escape detection when observed via endoscopy using the human eye alone. Li's interdisciplinary team, from throughout China, designed and built the deep-learning AI system, which was named ENDOANGEL-ELD. It uses datasets from more than 190,000 esophageal images gathered from several clinics in China. After developing the deep-learning system, the team at Taizhou Hospital gave it a test run in a clinical trial involving patients undergoing diagnosis for potentially high-risk esophageal cancers. Li and colleagues tested the artificial intelligence system in the diagnosis of 1,556 patients from a group of 3,117 at Taizhou Hospital in Zhejiang, an eastern coastal province in the People's Republic of China. The remaining 1,561 patients served as a control group. Overall, the deep learning system doubled the detection rate of high-risk lesions compared with the control group whose diagnoses were conducted by conventional endoscopy. The ENDOANGEL-ELD method additionally demonstrated a high degree of cancer recognition based on the 190,000 different patterns of the disease fed into the AI system. "The primary endpoint was the high-risk esophageal lesion detection rate," Li asserted. "In the intention-to-treat population, the high-risk esophageal lesion detection rate was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group," Li added, underscoring that more cancers and precancerous lesions were spotted in the experimental group because of the AI tool. The 3,117 patients in the study were all over the age of 50, according to data in Science Translational Medicine. A second research effort using the deep-learning method is planned that will focus on younger patients. Improving the method of diagnosing esophageal cancer is especially important in China, where regional hotspots of the disease mark some of the globe's highest rates of the malignancy, according to the World Health Organization. Smoking and alcohol consumption have been linked to elevated rates of esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus, regardless of where the patient lives in the world. China, however, is the world's leading producer and consumer of tobacco products. WHO estimates that there are more than 300 million smokers in China, about one-third of the world's total number of people who indulge in the habit. The WHO further estimates that 1 of every 3 cigarettes smoked in the world are smoked in China. More than half of adult men in the country are smokers. Esophageal cancer is more common among men than women in the country. Although women in China are far less likely to smoke, they are probably subject to the adverse health effects of secondary smoke. Esophageal cancer is often asymptomatic, and doctors have long relied on endoscopies to detect tumors and precancerous lesions. Five-year survival rates are goodmore than 90%when the tumor is treated during an early, asymptomatic stage. Benefits from treatment decline sharply once symptoms emerge, hence the urgency to find a more precise method of detection. The experimental deep-learning method of screening, according to Li and colleagues, enables timelier diagnoses and more effective treatment of early-stage esophageal cancer. The malignancy is the eleventh-most common cancer worldwide, but the seventh most common cancer globally among men, according to data from the World Cancer Research Fund International, which has headquarters in London. "The proposed system thus improved the high-risk esophageal lesion detection rate during endoscopy, and was safe," Li concluded. "Deep learning assistance may enhance early diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer and may become a useful tool for esophageal cancer screening." More information: Shao-wei Li et al, Deep learning assists detection of esophageal cancer and precursor lesions in a prospective, randomized controlled study, Science Translational Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adk5395 Journal information: Science Translational Medicine 2024 Science X Network 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain As Australia's health system struggles with the growing burden of preventable disease, new analysis published today provides important insights into government research funding that is designed to help keep Australians healthy and out of hospitals. The new examination of projects and grants issued through the Australian Government's Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) is the first of its kind and has been published today in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. Researchers found that despite public health being a clear priority for the MRFF, many research projects classified as being about "public health" or "prevention" were more focused on clinical aspects, such as treatment and cure. Paper co-author Hon. Associate Professor Leanne Coombe, from The University of Queensland, is also Manager of Policy and Advocacy at the Public Health Association of Australia. She says the findings demonstrate there is confusion around the definition of public health, and inadequate transparency when it comes to public health researchfunding in Australia. "We have all heard the old adage that 'prevention' is better than 'cure'and in public health research we are looking for ways to keep people healthy and stop people getting sick. "We are also looking at what can be done to improve health at a population, rather than individual, level and to address the causes of health inequities between sub-groups within the population. "So we examined research projects funded through key MRFF Initiatives related to public health, to uncover what type of research was being conducted and how much funding they were receiving. "One of the most ironic and concerning findings related to project funding granted through the MRFF's specific 'Preventive and Public Health Research' Initiative. This Initiative is meant to focus on public health and over $238.8m in funding has been distributed under this banner since 2018. "Counterintuitively, less than half of the research projects funded under this Initiative were actually public health-focused. This translates to less than 40c in every $1 spent in this Initiative truly going to public health and prevention. "Even within those projects that were 'prevention' focused, there was little focus on primary prevention researchinitiatives that stop Australians from getting sick in the first place, rather than early detection, treatment or slowing disease progression. "To take the burden off the health system, we need to invest in genuine public health and prevention research," Associate Professor Coombe says. Dr. Saman Khalatbari-Soltani from the University of Sydney School of Public Health says that a lack of public health and prevention focused research was also found in other MRFF Initiatives. "The MRFF has 22 funded Initiatives. Overall, we found that only 57% of the 249 projects and around half of the funding granted through the six public health-related Initiatives included in the study were for genuine public health research. "While the projects funded may still be very worthy and while there may be other public health projects funded through other Initiatives not analyzed in this study, it appears that prevention is taking a backseat to clinical research. "In Australia today there are unfair and avoidable differences in health between different population groups, and this is one of our biggest public health challenges. To address this, funding needs to prioritize public health projects that target the root causes behind these inequities, such as our living conditions, our work, our social supports and so on." Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO, Public Health Association of Australia, says a lack of genuine transparency around public health research in Australia is just part of the problem. "Across the board, health prevention initiatives are grossly and outrageously underfunded, while treatment and clinical initiatives attract billions of dollars. For example, Australia has an 85-page National Health Prevention Strategy with virtually no funding attached to it. "Everyone wants effective, accessible treatment for existing diseases. But the cost of treating them, particularly chronic diseases, is skyrocketing. If we do not boost investment in prevention, we will continue to suffer from, treat and pay for preventable chronic diseases for generations to come. Proper commitment to prevention research is a step in that direction. "Australia has a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Advisory Committee that determines which proven medical treatments are funded by the government to make sure Australians can benefit from them. It's time Australia revisited how we fund public health research and programs, and created a similar model to ensure that proven, effective public health initiatives get the funds they need." More information: Benedicta Natalia Latif et al, Public health and prevention research within the Medical Research Future Fund, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100171 Journal information: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health Provided by Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Kenya has detected its first case of mpox, the health ministry said Wednesday, as the regional East African bloc urged caution in the face of an outbreak. The case of the viral infection was detected in a passenger at a border crossing in southern Kenya, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the person was traveling from neighboring Uganda to Rwanda through Kenya. It followed an announcement from Burundi on July 25 of three confirmed cases, while the Democratic Democratic Republic of Congo on July 20 reported more than 11,000 suspected cases including around 450 deaths. The outbreak triggered a warning on Monday from the eight-member East African Community (EAC), which called on countries "to educate their citizens on how to protect themselves and prevent the spread of mpox". The bloc would "convene a meeting of health experts to deliberate on the situation", it said, without giving a date. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was first discovered in humans in 1970 in the DRC. It has since been mainly limited to certain West and Central African nations, with people mainly catching it from infected animals, such as when eating bushmeat. In May 2022, mpox infections surged worldwide, mostly affecting gay and bisexual men. That surge was driven by a new subtype, dubbed Clade II, taking over from the Clade I subtype. It prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022, which it then ended in May 2023. But since last September, a new and deadlier Clade I strain has been spreading in the DRC. Testing revealed it was a mutated variant of Clade I, called Clade Ib. The WHO recommends populations continue to remain vigilant over the virus. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: RDNE Stock project from Pexels An innovative co-designed model of care to help elevate the role of nurses in contraceptive and medical abortion care in rural and regional areas has been developed as part of the landmark ORIENT study. Development of the Monash University-led model is an important step in addressing chronic lack of access to contraceptive and medical abortion care in regional and rural communities in Australia. Women living in regional or remote areas are 1.4 times more likely to experience an unintended pregnancy than women living in non-rural settings. For some, accessing services means traveling more than four hours due to the very limited number of primary care providers available. A paper describing this new model of care for general practices has been published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing. The Head of Monash University's Department of General Practice, Professor Danielle Mazza AM, said the paper, prepared by researchers from the SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence at Monash University, was an important contribution to the body of knowledge needed to elevate the role of nurses in delivery of sexual and reproductive health care. "It is especially timely with the Federal Government's independent Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce Scope of Practice Review underway, and matches a growing international trend that recognizes the potential of nurses in delivering contraception and medical abortion care," Professor Mazza said. A wide range of issues contributes to the current scarcity of services in rural and regional Australia, such as a shortage of GPs and health services in general, stigma, lack of available training, and lack of awareness of some of the most effective forms of contraception such as Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC), including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the contraceptive implant. The co-design process for development of the new model of care, led by Ph.D. Candidate Jessica Moulton, with rural and regional nurses and GPs, and patients, focused on how the model could work in general practices, how patients would access the services and the roles of GPs, practice nurses, receptionists and practice managers. The ORIENT study, which involves nurses gaining the knowledge and skills to insert contraceptive devices and support delivery of medical abortion care, will test the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the co-designed model of care. It is due to be completed by the end of 2025. "Many nurses working in general practice settings have an interest in women's health and a lot of them want to provide these services," Professor Mazza said. "The Therapeutic Goods Administration has recently removed restrictions on prescribing and dispensing the medical abortion pill MS-2 Step. The government has also made budget commitments to support primary care practitioners to train in LARC insertion." "Nurses are poised to work to their full scope of practice to include the provision of LARC and medical abortion. But greater support is needed to facilitate this in Australia and ensure equitable access to sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for those living in regional and remote areas. This includes training, remuneration and legislative change to enable prescribing," Professor Mazza said. Some of the key features of the codesigned model of care for the ORIENT study include: establishing an appropriate and effective booking service a website that provides support with information and discrete access blocking off appointments for medical abortion on a weekly or daily basis to ensure patients are seen in a timely manner training reception staff to ensure sensitive responses to inquiries without stigma, judgment or delays, and understand issues around culture and diversity fostering good relationships with other professionals involved in care including pharmacists, pathology, radiology and emergency care, especially where there are limited services having adequate stocks of implant/MS2-Step in clinic where possible Thirty two regional general practices have joined the ORIENT study. When the study ends in 2025, the research team will compare the services delivered at each practice before and after the nurse-led approach began. More information: Jessica E. Moulton et al, A nurseled model of care to improve access to contraception and abortion in rural general practice: Codesign with consumers and providers, Journal of Advanced Nursing (2024). DOI: 10.1111/jan.16299 Journal information: Journal of Advanced Nursing 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: Cleveland Clinic Cleveland Clinic-led research has identified geographic areas in the United States where strategic efforts to promote colorectal cancer screening could help reduce health care gaps affecting Hispanic/Latino communities. The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, marks a first step toward conducting larger neighborhood-level studies addressing disparities in colorectal cancer screening. The Hispanic /Latino population has the lowest colorectal cancer screening rate among U.S. racial and ethnic groups as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Lower screening rates often lead to later diagnoses, advanced cancer stages and poorer treatment outcomes. The researchers identified "hot spots" across the country where larger percentages of Hispanic/Latino populations are associated with lower colorectal cancer screening rates. Based on this information, they developed an interactive web map illustrating their findings. This is the first study to conduct a nationwide geographic analysis to identify local priority zones with the goal to increase colorectal cancer screening in those Hispanic/Latino communities. "This approach advances our ability to pinpoint neighborhoods that may benefit from targeted education or intervention programs, taking into account unique characteristics, such as cultural values and language," said study first author Blake Buchalter, Ph.D., a post-doctoral fellow in Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute. "The primary objective of this research is to identify key areas where targeted efforts could have the maximum impact on improving colorectal cancer screening among Hispanic and Latino individuals, based on their region or country of origin." To better understand community-level colorectal cancer screening disparities, Dr. Buchalter engaged a team of researchers in analyzing publicly available cancer screening and census databases to gauge colorectal cancer screening rates in neighborhoods across the country. The interactive map the team built provides a tool for public health authorities, policymakers, clinicians and other stakeholders to target investments and interventions to increase screening uptake in the areas where it is needed most. The results are classified by Hispanic/Latino region or country of origin (e.g., Mexico, Puerto Rico, Central/South America, Dominican Republic and Cuba) as reported to the U.S. Census Bureau. "It's important to remember that Hispanic/Latino communities are incredibly diverse with respect to many factors, such as ancestry, culture and health behaviors," said principal investigator and senior study author Stephanie Schmit, Ph.D., M.P.H, vice chair of Genomic Medicine at Cleveland Clinic and acting associate director for Cancer Population Sciences in the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. "Informed action is impossible without recognizing the diversity and heterogeneity of these communities." "The factors that contribute to screening disparities are not universal," Dr. Schmit said. "Some people are impacted by financial constraints or access to health care facilities, while others may be impacted by language barriers or a lack of trust in medical institutions. To better understand such barriers and how to help address them, we need to identify who is being impacted and where." "In the long term, we hope our work will be an impetus for the scientific and biomedical communities to dig deeper into these colorectal cancer screening priority areas to understand what disparities look like on the ground," said Dr. Buchalter. "The goal of this research is to help increase colorectal cancer screening rates in these priority neighborhoods, which will not only benefit the populations living there but also contribute to increasing the national screening rates." Looking forward, Drs. Buchalter and Schmit hope their work will spur further discussion of public policy and community initiatives to assist in prevention in affected neighborhoods and improve access to care. More information: Identification of Priorities for Colorectal Cancer Screening Interventions among US Hispanic/Latino populations, American Journal of Public Health (2024). DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2024.307733 Journal information: American Journal of Public Health 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 a serendipitous discovery, UC San Diego researchers using cryo-EM technology captured the first visualizations of the 3D structure of the muscle acetylcholine receptor in fetal and adult muscles. Credit: Hibbs Lab, UC San Diego The connections between the nervous system and muscles develop differently across the kingdom of life. It takes newborn humans roughly a year to develop the proper muscular systems that support the ability to walk, while cows can walk mere minutes after birth and run not long after. University of California San Diego researchers, using powerful new visualization technologies, now have a clear picture of why these two scenarios develop so differently. The results offer new insight into understanding muscle contraction in humans that may help in developing future treatments for muscular diseases. "In this study we set out to understand the molecular details involved in muscle contraction at the point of contact between motor neurons and skeletal muscles, which are the muscles we consciously control," said School of Biological Sciences Professor Ryan Hibbs, of the new study published in Nature. "We have discovered how the muscle protein changes in its composition during development, which is important in the context of diseases that cause progressive muscle weakness." The ability of skeletal muscles to contract allows for our bodies to movefrom walking and jumping to breathing and blinking our eyes. All skeletal muscle contractions originate at the junction between motor neurons, which originate in the spinal cord and brainstem, and muscle fibers. It's here that neurons release a transmitter chemical called acetylcholine. These molecules bind to a protein receptor on the cells of muscles, triggering an opening in the cell membrane. Electrical currents flow into the cell, which causes muscles to contract. The way neurons release chemicals that communicate with muscles has been a model system studied for more than a century. But a missing piece of this system has been visual depictions of how the process works. What does the structure of the muscle receptor protein that opens up look like? To find out, Hibbs, study first author Huanhuan Li, a postdoctoral scholar, and Jinfeng Teng, a research data analyst, tapped cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) technology based at UC San Diego's new Goeddel Family Technology Sandbox, a hub for cutting-edge research instruments. Cryo-EM leverages ultra-powerful microscopes to capture images of molecules that are "frozen" in place. Early and adult muscle receptor development. Credit: Hibbs Lab, UC San Diego The results featured the first visualizations of the 3D structure of the muscle acetylcholine receptor. Since human tissue is difficult to obtain for such muscle contraction studies, the researchers accessed fetal tissue samples from cow skeletal muscles. In order to isolate the receptor in the samples, the researchers turned to an unlikely source: snake venom. A poisonous snake neurotoxin that paralyzes prey was used to latch onto the muscle receptors in the cow samples, allowing the researchers to isolate the receptors to study them. The cryo-EM visualizations then allowed the researchers to witness how the receptor development process unfolds. Along with the new data came a serendipitous finding. The researchers discovered that they could see the structures of both fetal and adult receptors from the same fetal cow tissue samples. "We hoped to see the structure of the receptor and we did see that, but we also saw that there were two different versions of it," said Hibbs. "That was a surprise." In retrospect, the discovery of two receptor types makes sense, according to Hibbs. Since calves are developing in utero, the fetal receptors were expected. To walk like an adult shortly after birth, they start building adult nerve-muscle connections much earlier in development. "This discovery explains how animals like cows that need to walk on the day they are born form mature neuromuscular junctions before birth, unlike humans, who have poor muscle coordination for months after birth," said Hibbs. "Being able to see the receptor details allows us to connect their differences to how one allows for nerve-muscle connection and the other allows for muscle contraction." The findings of the study are already being applied to investigations of muscle-based disorders, such as congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) that result in muscle weakness. A common autoimmune disease known as myasthenia gravis involves antibodies that mistakenly attack the muscle acetylcholine receptor, causing weak skeletal muscles. "This new level of insight into the muscle receptor will help researchers understand how mutations in its gene cause disease, and may facilitate personalized treatment for individual patients with different pathologies in the future," said lead author Li. More information: Ryan Hibbs, Structural switch in acetylcholine receptors in developing muscle, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07774-6. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07774-6 Journal information: Nature Church leaders in New Zealand have been responding to the publication of a devastating Abuse in Care report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry recounting the abuse and neglect suffered by many thousands of vulnerable children and adults in the hands of church and state institutions from 1950 to1999. The report detailed patterns of abuse and neglect for 200,000 vulnerable children, youth and adults, out of 650,000 in care during the period, with 2,329 survivors telling their stories. The narratives of some of the abuse victims will never be known - they died in care or committed suicide. Entitled Whanaketia, meaning Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light, the report contained a challenge to faith leaders to apologize. In this second of a two-part report on the concluded investigation, Christian Daily International highlights the initial responses to the findings by church leaders, including those from church institutions linked to abuse and neglect mentioned in the report. Rev. Alan Vink spoke to Christian Daily International in a personal capacity. He has worked as a baptist pastor for 25 years and in a Bible college teaching and leadership development role in the past 16 years, which involves writing and speaking on issues relevant to churches and faith organizations in New Zealand. Vink said the name of the report, highlighting the pain and trauma, reflected the journey of the survivors, from being horribly mistreated and neglected, isolated, abandoned, unseen, and not listened to to being heard, telling their experiences, being taken seriously and now looking to the light for healing and restoration. As Christian communities we know something about this. My prayer is that our light will shine ever so brightly in our responses to this inquiry as we go forward. Vink has recommended that Christians in New Zealand read the report carefully, adopt a humble posture, pray for Gods leading and discern how to respond, discuss the disclosed issues in leadership teams and decide how local churches should respond, and also discuss the report in pastors groups. The Rev. Stuart Lange, national director of the New Zealand Christian Network, sent a message to members, expressing anguish and deep sorrow for those who have suffered. He called the fact that much abuse took place in church-related institutions doubly appalling and completely inexcusable. It is fair to say that, from a Christian and biblical perspective, any form of abuse is invariably wrong and evil. All such abuse goes against core Christian values: goodness, kindness, respect, compassion, integrity, and self-control. Abuse of others can never be justified, never be defended, never be overlooked. Lange called on churches to be vigilant and do everything we possibly can to prevent abuse ever happening in our own spaces. Churches should waste no time in organizing safety and reporting systems, he said, and all Christians need to pray about the issue. Prayer points he highlighted include the government and churches fully facing the awful truth of what happened, that the abusers would find true repentance and remorse, for the survivors to find healing and for vulnerable people to be protected in the future. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up Christian Daily International approached each of the church denominations specifically mentioned in the Abuse in Care report Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist and Salvation Army and asked for their comment on the report. Ady Shannon, editor for Touchstone, a newspaper representing the Methodist Church of New Zealand, said that, as with every person in Aotearoa, the church body deplored the actions of the many people who caused so much harm to so many. The abuse of power and the wilful ignoring of the voices of those impacted is a cause of national shame and sadness for all the broken lives. Shannon referred to the report naming the abuse and neglect of so many vulnerable people a national disgrace and an injustice needing a redress. In terms of our church response, it has included a swift and unconditional apology to the commission and to the survivors - redress for survivors, the implementation of procedures that will protect the vulnerable, extensive training programmes around safeguarding and transparency about the identities of those involved. Shannon highlighted the heartfelt, honest and open disclosure given by the New Zealand Methodist general secretary, Rev. Tara Tautari, after watching various faith-based leaders at the inquiry hearings. The transcript of her presentation is available on the Royal Commission of Inquiry website. In acknowledging the pain and courage of the survivors, she offered an unconditional apology and a promise to make amends and changes to ensure such a chapter is never repeated. Shannon also referred to the May edition of Touchstone, containing a feature by Rev. Taurtari outlining further how the Methodist church intends to respond to the report in the future. A Liturgy of Lament has been devised by Rev. David Poultney, Methodist Chair of Faith and Order, to express our pain, sorrow, and institutional guilt in lament. The lament is published in English, Te Reo, Fijian, Samoan and Tongan languages, and is to be used in the countrys Methodist churches in response to the report. Shannon added that the general secretary had met many survivors of the reported abuse and neglect and will continue to do so. Shannon hoped that the actions of the Methodist Church will truly reflect a faith-driven response of aroha, reflection, redress and change to ensure history never repeats. Rev Wayne Matheson, Presbyterian Assembly Executive Officer, also acknowledged the publication of the report. The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand will now carefully read this substantial report and bring its full attention to any recommendations and learnings the Commission has for the Presbyterian Church, Matheson said. We will respond to you [Christian Daily International] once we have given the report the respect, careful and thoughtful consideration it deserves. Julianne Clarke-Morris, editor of Anglican Taonga Online, for the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia Media Office, referred to Chris Wikaira, managing media comments for the Anglican church on the report. Wikaira has yet to respond to Christian Daily International. However, Clarke-Morris also referenced a joint statement from Anglican Archbishops Don Tamihere, Justin Duckworth and Sione Ulu'ilakepa issued when the report was published on July 24. We acknowledge and take full responsibility for our failures to provide the safe, caring and nurturing environment those who have been in our care had a right to expect and to receive. There have been clear failures to properly investigate and respond when abuse was reported. We acknowledge that we have not provided accessible, straightforward processes for the handling of disclosures and complaints of abuse. We have also failed to provide accessible, trustworthy, and consistent processes of redress. We are committed to making our selection, screening, training and professional development processes more transparent, consistent, and accountable; and ensuring that all our communities are constantly monitoring and reviewing their approach to safeguarding. The archbishops said it was crucial that the whole church took direction and advice on the issue: We know that we still have a long way to go. We call on all who identify as Anglican; whether churches, schools or agencies to study this report and its recommendations and to commit themselves to the principles and practices that ensure the highest standards of pastoral care. We call on all Anglican entities to commit to a common approach to ensure that anyone making disclosures of abuse or seeking redress does not have to navigate complex and disconnected processes. Our apology at the Royal Commission to survivors of abuse was heartfelt and genuine and we can only stand in awe of their courage and endurance. We encourage any other survivors of abuse who have not yet come forward to do so. The archbishops also support in principle the establishment of an independent authority for the handling of any future complaints. Meanwhile, Salvation Army Chief Secretary Gerry Walker also acknowledged the publication of the report and commended the bravery of all survivors contributing to the inquiry. We also appreciate the thorough and comprehensive nature of the Inquiry, Walker said. We are currently reviewing the report and its recommendations, and are not yet in a position to offer further detailed comments beyond this statement. We are profoundly sorry for the suffering experienced by those in our care. We recognise the immense courage it takes for survivors to revisit and share their traumatic experiences, which should never have happened. The pain and harm inflicted on these individuals were deeply unjust and have had lasting impacts on them and their loved ones. There is no excuse for these actions, and it is heartbreaking that they occurred within an organization dedicated to serving a God of love. Words alone cannot mend the wounds that have been caused, Walker added. The Salvation Army is fully committed to listening to survivors and learning from this Royal Commission. This commitment extends not only to our redress processes but also to any recommendations made to better support those harmed in our care in the past and to ensure the safety and well-being of all vulnerable individuals accessing our services today. For the Catholic Church, a joint statement was issued by the Rev. Steve Lowe, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, and the Rev. Thomas Rouse Congregational Leaders Conference Aotearoa New Zealand, saying the Catholic Church had made significant progress in responding to abuse reports in the past 30 years but work is still needed to ensure church communities are safe places for people. The Catholic bishops and congregational leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand have received a copy of the inquirys final report and will now read and review it carefully. As we have done throughout the length of the inquiry, we will ensure that action follows our review of the inquirys findings. There is work for the government to do and work to be undertaken by many other people. We understand that within the community, some of us - including leaders in the catholic church - have a special role to play to ensure that the findings and recommendations of this significant Inquiry are not lost or confined to words in a report. We commit to that role. At the same time, everyone must play their part in responding to the Inquirys report to the extent that they can. There are things that all of us can and must do to eliminate abuse of any kind in whatever context we live and work in. We hope this report and the work that flows from it will result in a better society and a safer environment for all people. Abuse is not only historical, or confined to sole parts of society, the Catholic leaders stated and the survivors accounts make that crystal clear. The Catholic leaders referred to a public letter published in an undisclosed setting on January 10 2023, acknowledging the abuse of people in the care of the church is real and the failures of church leaders in responding to reports are real. A one-time round of funding from the state will get two programs off the ground at the University of Montana aimed at addressing gaps in Montana's health care workforce shortage. The separate programs, one for physician assistants and another named the UM Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program, will send future UM grads into critical roles across Montanas health facilities. The Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission is tasked with determining how to spend roughly $300 million to overhaul Montanas behavioral health and developmental disabilities systems, the Helena Independent Record previously reported. The commission greenlit the funding, about $3.1 million, for UM in May, according to UM Director of Strategic Communications Dave Kuntz. These additional resources from the state ensure we can begin accepting students on time and get graduates into the workforce in the next few years, Kuntz said. In their request to the commission, UM and Office of Commissioner of Higher Education officials wrote Montana has dire shortages in both areas due, in large part, to lack of affordable, accessible degree programs in these fields. The request cites a 2022 Montana Department of Labor and Industry Report that estimated up to 67 physician assistants are needed each year to shore up the states shortages, but there are only 36 qualified graduates per year. The same report says about 33 occupational therapists are needed annually to meet the current demand. The proposal estimated 33 students each year will graduate from UM's occupational therapy program, starting in spring of 2028, while the physician assistant program will send at least 25 qualified graduates into the state's health care workforce annually. "This is Montanas first occupational therapy doctorate program at a public university, and we are eager to welcome our first class to campus to help fill our states occupational therapist shortage," said Kim McKearnan, founding director of the new UM occupational therapy program. Upfront money will help with the startup costs of both programs. The funding requested by UM is a one-time ask, according to their proposal. It will bridge the gap between getting the programs up and running and when they start receiving money generated by tuition dollars. "Public university options for OTD and PA programs are essential in addressing the states workforce shortages in these two critical areas," the proposal reads. "Public options reduce tuition costs for resident students and resident students who can attend affordable programs and complete supervised clinical experiences in Montana are more likely to remain and practice in the state." This will be the first occupational therapy doctorate program in the state, according to the proposal, and there's only one physician assistant program, at the Rocky Mountain College in Billings. The timelines for the programs vary. Students will start in the fall of 2025 for the occupational therapy program, while UMs physician assistant program is scheduled to enroll its inaugural class in August 2026, according to Kuntz. This initiative comes at a crucial time and marks a significant step towards meeting the growing demand for health care professionals in rural and underserved areas of Montana, said Marci Contreras, the founding director of UMs physician assistant program. We believe that investing in health care education is essential to the future well-being of our state. By launching this program, we are not only addressing immediate workforce shortages but also laying the foundation for a healthier Montana. The Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission was proposed by Gov. Greg Gianforte and established during the 2023 Legislature through House Bill 872. Gianforte appointed nine people to serve on the commission, a mix of lawmakers, state health officials and representatives from the mental health field. The BHSFG recently signed off on a proposal to put fentanyl test trips and naloxone into more Montana communities, and commissioners also lent their support for a $6.5 million allocation to tribal nations and Urban Indian Organizations to help close dire, persistent gaps in behavioral health care access and outcomes. It will finalize its report for how to allocate the $300 million on Aug. 8 before submitting the proposal to the governor. Lee Montana State Bureau reporter Carly Graf contributed to this story. Montana Tunnels long and rocky road toward oblivion continues. Questions linger about reclamation of the long-inactive mine. On July 17, a federal bankruptcy judge dismissed Montana Tunnel Minings case under which the open-pit mine was attempting to reorganize financially under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Judge Benjamin Hursh also rejected an option that would have converted the case to Chapter 7 bankruptcy, allowing liquidation of assets. Among other things, Hursh ruled, In this Chapter 11 bankruptcy, [Montana Tunnels Mining] failed to make payments required under the confirmed plan. The company had filed for Chapter 11 protection in December 2022 after failing to make timely bond payments to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. During a more recent court hearing, Dan Walsh, DEQs mining bureau chief, testified DEQ had no faith in Montana Tunnels ability to complete required reclamation or provide the necessary deficient bond payments. Montana Tunnels mined gold, silver, zinc and lead at its open-pit mine near Jefferson City. But the troubled mine hasnt operated since 2008 and its permit was suspended in 2018 for failure to post an adequate bond. When Montana Tunnels filed for Chapter 11 federal bankruptcy protection in 2022, Derf Johnson, deputy director for the Montana Environmental Information Center, described the bankruptcy petition as predictable and appalling. In January, DEQ announced it was initiating the bond forfeiture process for the Montana Tunnels mine after it failed to make a $1.5 million payment in December per a court approved bankruptcy stipulation. At the time, Walsh addressed the forfeiture. While this wasnt the outcome we were hoping for via the bankruptcy proceedings, we will take the necessary steps to forfeit the bond and allow other operators to consider the mining permit or well ensure that the site is reclaimed, Walsh said then. Rebecca Harbage, DEQs public policy director, said last week that the agency holds $23.7 million in bond money and the total required bond for the current site disturbance is $40.9 million. A successor operator would be required to post the remaining additional bond amount, Harbage said. DEQ has the authority to use a portion of the forfeited bonds to maintain the site, should Montana Tunnels cease maintenance issues. Judge Hurshs ruling mentions potential interest in buying the mine by the Mooney Group and James Mooney. Hursh wrote that Mooney testified the Mooney Group was in the early stages of due diligence in consideration of buying the mines assets and would only entertain the possibility of purchasing [Montana Tunnels] assets if [it] was in bankruptcy. The DEQ and others had hoped Hursh would convert the Chapter 11 bankruptcy to Chapter 7, but the judge ruled the law clearly precluded that option. In June, the court had received separate but similar letters from Dave Selvig and Erik Wilkerson, school officials in Clancy and Boulder, respectively, that supported the Chapter 7 conversion. If the current landowner is permitted to keep the property, his past practice of being an unreliable taxpayer will have detrimental effects on our school, Wilkerson wrote. Harbage said DEQ can keep the mining permit in suspension for up to five years and transfer it to a successor operator, prior to undertaking reclamation. This allows an opportunity for a successor to post adequate bond and ultimately take charge of reclamation in lieu of the state bearing the burden, she said. During this period, DEQ will continue to conduct regular inspections and ensure maintenance, such as dust control of the tailings storage facility, continues. Johnson said any successor must have the financial wherewithal to post an adequate reclamation bond and shoulder needed reclamation, both current and future. Reclamation must be borne by the miner, he said. Its the cost of doing business. Both Johnson and Bonnie Gestring, Northwest program director for Earthworks, described the situation at Montana Tunnels as a mess. And both cited ongoing concerns about the mines effects on Clancy Creek, which has been routed past a sloughing pit wall in a temporary pipe. Gestring elaborated. The failure to responsibly manage and reclaim the mine has resulted in severe damage to Clancy Creek, she said. DEQs failure to collect an adequate bond has left the state liable for tens of millions in cleanup costs, and a mine site that becomes more costly and difficult to reclaim as conditions continue to deteriorate. A good outcome for Clancy Creek may not be possible at this point, Gestring added. If its feasible, DEQ should expedite reclamation plans to move Clancy Creek away from the pit wall, out of the plastic pipe, and restore it to a nature stream channel, she said. Its a black eye for DEQ and the industry that modern mining operations can result in lasting damage to a trout stream without timely or effective reclamation. Matt Vincent of the Montana Mining Association commented Wednesday. We were hoping for a different outcome from the bankruptcy given the current operators track record of non-performance, but must defer our trust to the deliberations of the court," Vincent said. "We will continue to work as a cooperative party with the state and everyone involved, including a very credible group that is still interested in acquiring the permit and property assets to bring the Tunnels site back into responsible operation. "This would be the best outcome for everyone and the most positive from both an environmental and economic perspective," Vincent added. The Mooney Group added a statement. Throughout the Montana Tunnels bankruptcy proceedings, we attempted to work with its principal, Patrick Imeson, to generate a global solution for all stakeholders; however, those efforts were unproductive as he and his representatives were ultimately uncooperative and unresponsive," the Mooney Group said. "Accordingly, we were hopeful a resolution would be reached through the bankruptcy process. While we are disappointed in the outcome of the Montana Tunnels bankruptcy proceedings, we respect Judge Hurshs decision, said Mary Mooney, legal representative for the Mooney Group. This result does not change Mooney Groups commitment to the state of Montana and vision for its future, added Jim Mooney, Mooney Group CEO. The Mooney Group said it focuses on executing transactions in the minerals, metals and precious metals sectors. Imeson could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Montana's Democratic delegates pledged their support Wednesday for Vice President Kamala Harris's nomination to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Despite Montana's verbal support for Harris as the Democratic candidate, the vice president's nomination was already all but certain: She previously received the verbal support of enough delegates from other states to become the official nominee when the Democratic National Convention holds a virtual roll call vote in early August. She is said to be the only candidate for the nomination on the ballot ahead of the virtual roll call as other contesters did not receive the necessary support signatures from at least 300 delegates, with no more than 50 from a single state, by the evening of July 30 to have their name considered. Following Montana's June primary election, the delegates were pledged to Biden, who has since endorsed Harris, after Montana Democrats overwhelmingly elected him in the state's primary. Since then, Biden bowed out of the race after he put on a disastrous debate performance that intensified calls for him to step aside, namely because of concerns over his advanced age. "We are proud to support Vice President Kamala Harris as our party's presidential nominee and enthusiastically endorse her as the next president of the United States," the delegates said in a Wednesday press release. Gaby Krevat, communications director for the state party, said she "assumes" all Montana's delegates are voting for Harris. To become the official nominee for president, candidates must secure a majority of the roughly 4,000 delegates to the Democratic National Convention. The delegates tend to follow the lead of their states voters and support the candidate that won the state's primary during the official convention nomination. In the hours following Harris announcing her bid for president, delegates from multiple states across the country quickly pledged their support for the vice president. That said, there are still a handful of prominent Democrats on Capitol Hill who support an open nomination process at the mid-August convention and have not yet backed Harris, one of whom is Sen. Jon Tester. Tester's office said said Wednesday said the senator still supports an open nomination process. Asked who else he could support, Tester previously said, Well see who runs. Tester is in a tight reelection battle with Republican nominee Tim Sheehy, whose campaign has relentlessly tried to tie the senator to Biden and now Harris. Tester's campaign has been critical of Biden over the course of the campaign and has made concerted efforts to distance the three-term incumbent from the president, who is unpopular in Montana. This week, Muscatine Community School Districts Agriculture Program was named the winner of the 2024 National Agricultural Educators Association Region 3 Outstanding Agriculture Education Program Award. Obviously, we are very excited (about this win). Hard work pays off, and weve got a great community backing the program and thats all we can really ask for. Whether we win awards or not, were proud of our community, Muscatine ag teacher Ashley Wiebe said. The MCSD Ag Program earned the right to compete on the regional level in late June when it earned the 2024 Iowa Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Middle/High School Ag Program Award, an annual award that is meant to recognize a program within the state each year. Now that it has received the regional award, the MCSD Ag Program is considered the best in the region, which covers Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. A win like this gives us tons of publicity, and obviously its kind of a prestigious honor, Wiebe said. Getting past the state level is great, but our region is extremely challenging as there are a lot of really good programs here and it can especially be hard to beat the programs in Minnesota and Wisconsin so the fact that Iowa has a regional winner is really cool, and the fact that its us is even better yet, she continued. Previously, Wiebe attributed the success of the program to its access to an agricultural educational center and the skills classes created and supported through the center and the support it has garnered over the years. With this latest award, Weibe felt that these factors once again contributed to the groups success. Following the announcement, Wiebe and her team also thanked the Muscatine community as well as all the students and their parents for getting involved with and supporting the ag program, allowing it to continue to grow throughout the years. The community support we have is fantastic, she said. Wiebe also made sure to emphasize the programs continuous goal, which is to expose kids to agriculture and help them develop leadership skills, regardless of whether they end up going into an agriculture-related career in the future. Hopefully some of our students will stay in or come back to the community and make this place even stronger than it already is, she said. We like to think that when the community pours their support into us, were also pouring support back into the community. The MCSD Ag Program will officially receive its award in December during the National Association of Agricultural Educators convention in San Antonio, Texas, where a member of the team will stand alongside representatives of the five other regional winners as they are all recognized. Teacher QuitToks and what they say about the future of teaching Teacher QuitToks and what they say about the future of teaching The government has issued a new directive for users of smoke detectors and X-ray machines used for scanning baggage. The Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA), tasked with protecting people, property, and the environment from harmful radiation, has urged users to exercise caution. In a notice dated Tuesday, July 30, the authority instructed that all decommissioned or unused smoke detectors must be disposed of properly. Users should take these detectors to a licensed radioactive waste facility. The notice emphasized that smoke detectors contain radioactive material and display a radioactive symbol. Radioactive materials are used in ionization smoke detectors, which are vital for detecting fires and triggering alarms. These detectors contain radioactive material and display a radioactive symbol, the statement read. The authority also addressed facilities using X-ray machines for baggage scanning, noting that these devices also contain radioactive material. Such facilities must register with the KNRA by July 31, 2024. Submit your license applications through E-Citizen by logging into knra.ecitizen.go.ke, the authority advised. The authority warned that enforcement actions may be taken for non-compliance without further notice. Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2024. Additionally, radiation workers, safety officers, and facilities must submit new or renewal license applications for the period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. The elegant span that draws visitors from all over the world is no longer a destination for death. Since completion of a steel net under the Golden Gate Bridge in January, reported suicides are down more than 80%, from an average of 15 to 20 in a six-month period to three, according to newly released data. Suicide attempts also have declined, from about 150 over six months to 56 through June, a more than 60% decrease. The once-controversial $224 million project is now a case study in suicide prevention, lending its lessons to other barrier-building campaigns around the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Were expanding, not disbanding, said Paul Muller, president and co-founder of the Bridge Rail Foundation, created in 2006 with a mission of ending suicides at the Golden Gate Bridge. Were sharing our stories with communities that are facing a similar problem, said Muller, advising others on how to obtain funding, navigate government bureaucracies, gain regulatory approval and develop a public campaign through community organizing. Families play an essential role, he said, reminding officials of their tremendous losses. About 2,000 people are known to have died by jumping off the bridge, although the true tally is likely higher. On the outskirts of Nashville, Trish Merelo and other survivors of suicide loss sought to build a barrier at the Natchez Trace Bridge, but layers upon layers of bureaucratic red tape in Tennessee seemed to halt their mission at every step. When she discovered the Bridge Rail Foundation, it was like a lifeline, she said. Their success, on the granddaddy of all bridges, was such a sign of hope for the rest of us. The advice of the Bay Area group helped the Tennessee coalition build a strategy, she said, leading to last years construction of protective fencing on the 155-foot-high concrete arch bridge that crosses a roadway and wooded valley, where 42 have ended their lives since 2000. At the Coronado Bridge in San Diego, where more than 400 people have taken their own lives, the Bridge Rail Foundations wisdom has been integral to helping us get things done down here, said Rhonda Haiston, co-founder of the Coronado San Diego Bridge Collaborative for Suicide Prevention. Funding is now authorized to install cables and netting, with construction starting in 2027. In Palo Alto, where clusters of teens took their own lives during the 2008-09 and 2014-15 school years on the Caltrain tracks that traverse the city, the partnership of the Bridge Rail Foundation has been crucial recommending best practices, sharing advocacy strategies, suggesting funding sources for our fencing and other safety measures. said Stanford University psychiatry professor Dr. Shashank Joshi, a leader in Project Safety Net, a community coalition to boost youth mental health. Calls for help have also come in from Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado, Massachusetts, Canada and England, said Muller. The Golden Gate Bridge was once one of the worlds leading suicide destinations. When the bridge was built in 1937, chief engineer Joseph Strauss was convinced that none would end their lives on the bridge. Its railings and security system would make suicides impossible, he said. Within three months, a despondent World War I veteran, Harold Wobber, leaped to his death, proving Strauss wrong. Other deaths included Roy Raymond, the founder of Victorias Secret; the eldest son of former journalist, White House aide and California U.S. Sen. Pierre Salinger; and a Fremont man distraught over a breakup with his wife, who threw his 3-year-old daughter over the side, then followed her down. For decades, decisionmakers argued over the effectiveness, aesthetics, practicality and cost of erecting a barrier on the iconic bridge, famed for its orange-red color and ethereal fog. Opponents argued that people intent on ending their lives would simply find another way. But research by UC Berkeley professor Richard Seiden found that 94% of people who had been persuaded not to jump were still alive or had died of natural causes. They worried that the bridge would lose its famed beauty. In response, the nets were suspended about 20 feet below the span. Blending into the steelwork, the nets are nearly invisible from a distance. Some engineers warned that the extra weight could cause the massive span to tip over in a strong wind. In response, the bridge district installed equipment to stabilize the roadway. Funding proved a major obstacle. But a Bay Area congressional delegation Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Barbara Boxer and Rep. Lynn Woolsey added provisions to a 2014 highway and transit bill that allowed federal funds to be used for safety barriers and nets. Later support came from Caltrans, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Golden Gate Bridge Board. There was fierce criticism over its climbing price tag: The initial estimate was $142 million. Critics said the money was better used to expand therapeutic services and crisis intervention. Last week, in a ceremony commemorating the completion of the project, Pelosi praised the investment. How much money is too much money to save lives? asked Pelosi, who helped the Golden Gate Bridge district secure federal funding for the project. We just had to reject that attitude. Jumping off the bridge no longer holds a romantic appeal, said former Marin County Coroner Ken Holmes, who became a stalwart proponent of a deterrent after handling hundreds of bridge deaths. The nets, which the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District says were modeled on similar systems around the world, arent soft and springy, like a circus net. The district warns that jumping into the net, 20 feet down, will result in significant bruises, sprains and possibly broken bones. On average, 30 people died every year on the bridge. This tragic toll began to decline in 2023, while the net was still under construction, with 14 confirmed suicides. Of this years deaths, two of the three happened on a section where the netting was not yet complete, according to Holmes. We know that its not going to stop every single person, he said. Its a deterrent, not a barrier. But were losing far fewer people, he said. That was the goal, and it is an incredible success. If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available. Depression rates have fallen since the pandemicbut some groups report more frequent symptoms Younger people are still more likely to be depressed Stress from discrimination contributes to more frequent depressive symptoms for some demographics Depression rates have fallen since the pandemicbut some groups report more frequent symptoms Depression rates have fallen since the pandemicbut some groups report more frequent symptoms O Ministerio das Relacoes Exteriores (MRE) condenou, nesta quarta-feira (31/7), o ataque israelense que matou o lider maximo do Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, na capital do Ira, em Teera. Segundo o Itamaraty, a ofensiva violou a soberania territorial do Ira e contrariou principios da Carta das Nacoes Unidas. O governo brasileiro tambem pediu "maxima contencao" as partes envolvidas para evitar a escalada do conflito no Oriente Medio. O Ira prometeu retaliar Israel pelo ataque, o que pode escalar o conflito na regiao. "O Brasil repudia o flagrante desrespeito a soberania e a integridade territorial do Ira, em clara violacao aos principios da Carta das Nacoes Unidas, e reafirma que atos de violencia, sob qualquer motivacao, nao contribuem para a busca por estabilidade e paz duradouras no Oriente Medio", disse a chancelaria brasileira. "Tais atos dificultam ainda mais as chances de solucao politica para o conflito em Gaza, ao impactarem negativamente as conversacoes que vinham ocorrendo para um cessar-fogo e a libertacao dos refens", acrescentou. Leia tambem: Catar faz alerta contra 'escalada perigosa' apos assassinato de lider do Hamas Segundo o Itamaraty, uma escalada pode levar a um conflito de grandes proporcoes e consequencias imprevisiveis. Alem de pedir moderacao ao Ira e a Israel, o ministerio tambem pediu para que a comunidade internacional tambem se mobilize para evitar o agravamento das hostilidades. Ataque aereo Ismail Haniyeh era chefe do Escritorio Politico do Hamas, grupo fundamentalista baseado na Palestina e que esta em guerra com Israel apos ataque terrorista que matou 1.200 israelenses, no ano passado. Ele foi morto em sua residencia em Teera, capital do Ira, por um ataque aereo de Israel. Horas antes, Haniyeh participou da cerimonia de posse do novo presidente iraniano, Masud Pezeshkian, tambem em Teera. O vice-presidente brasileiro e ministro do Desenvolvimento, Industria, Comercio e Servicos, Geraldo Alckmin, tambem esteve na solenidade e apareceu em imagens a poucos metros do lider do Hamas. Eles nao conversaram. Guwahati: Myanmar, also known as Burma and Brahmadesh has been witnessing a civil war for over three years now, where the military personnel continue targeting the civilian population and in return, the armed groups of people, besides the ethnic insurgents, are fighting both the men in uniform as well as their family members. The Burmese juntas ongoing war of terror against Myanmars people killed thousands of common people and forced nearly 70,000 individuals to seek refuge in our country as well as in Thailand and Bangladesh since the military coup was engineered on 1 February 2021. "Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!" A large number of Myanmar refugees have been sent back to Myanmar in the recent past. Its reported that from 16 June to 3 July this year, 66 Myanmar refugees, detained in Manipur, conducted a hunger strike demanding their immediate and safe release as they remained detained despite having completed their sentences and paid their fines. The strike was temporarily suspended in anticipation of a decision from the Union government in New Delhi. Now demands have been raised by various Burmese bodies that India, being the largest democracy on Earth, should stop aiding and abetting the juntas international crimes rather New Delhi should support the collective will & efforts of Myanmar people to build an inclusive federal democracy after dismantling the military tyranny. Going forward, India must immediately cut all ties with the junta meaning to end all engagements and economic ties including development projects, cross-border payment mechanisms and banking assistance swiftly. The activists also added that all Indian companiesboth public and privateshould stop doing business with the junta. The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar in May 2023 reported that India is the juntas third biggest source of arms, supplying USD 51 million worth of related materials, since February 2021. They opined that any money, arms or technical assistance from New Delhi to NayPieTaw (capital of Myanmar) only enabled the juntas atrocities on their own people. A few days back, over 300 revolutionary and civil society groups, urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to exclude the military junta from various ASEAN meetings and events. They insisted that the people of Myanmar should be represented by their democratically elected leaders (read National Unity Government) in all ASEAN meets. ALTSEAN-Burma (Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma) in its recent statement said that as of last month, there were at least 35,264 armed clashes and attacks against civilians since the coup took place. The junta troops continued their violent crimes and at least 2,914,400 people were displaced. Recently an influential civil rights body named Justice for Myanmar claimed that the Indian Air Force and many state-owned enterprises continued to support the junta with military equipment, infrastructure, and also training. In January 2024, its air force shipped defence goods to a junta air base, likely in connection with the 15 Indian air force personnel deployed in Myanmar to install meteorological instruments, the rights body stated, adding a large majority of the identified Indian companies (which are public sector undertakings) supplying arms and equipment to the junta further demonstrates New Delhis complicity in the junta engineered crimes. But can New Delhi abandon the junta abruptly as India has maintained strategic and business interests in the neighbouring country for decades? Myanmar shares a border of 1,600 kilometre with our region and the country is an important entity to deal with various issues like connectivity, trade & commerce as well as counter-terrorism initiatives. Needless to mention various north-eastern militants have been taking shelter in northern Myanmar for decades and waging a war against New Delhi for demands ranging from autonomy to self-rule. Moreover, the Burmese military regime cannot be ignored if New Delhi aims to prevent increasing Chinese influences as Beijing allegedly arms and finances both the military junta and some ethnic militant outfits. The delayed construction and opening of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project has already emerged as a burden to India, which was projected as a major development initiative inside Myanmar with an aim to connect northeast India with a Burmese seaport (Sittwe in Rakhine State). Moreover, the construction of a Myanmar-India-Thailand highway is also on the card. New Delhi prefers a stable Myanmar regime under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. A sensitive and complicated task for New Delhi indeed! In this 2003 file photo, Bimbo bread is displayed on a shelf at a market in California. The Mexico City-based company is shutting down a bakery and distribution operation in San Antonio as it continues restructuring its North American business. Associated Press file photo A sign at the entrance to a Bimbo Bakeries USA outlet that closed earlier this year. The company is shutting down a bakery and distribution operation in San Antonio as it continues restructuring its North American business. Staff file photo Bimbo Bakeries USA and another food industry operation in the San Antonio area are shutting down, laying off a combined 195 workers. The closings are unrelated. Bimbo notified the Texas Workforce Comission its laying off 138 employees by early October, when it will shutter its San Antonio bakery and distribution site. In a separate notice, Quality Custom Distribution said its closing a Schertz warehouse and laying off 57 workers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bimbo, which makes Entenmanns, Sara Lee, Lenders Bagels and other products, is part of Mexico City-based Grupo Bimbo, the worlds largest baking company with operations in 35 countries. The local closure comes after the company announced early this year it was embarking on a major restructuring of its North America operations. This week, it said its shutting down the San Antonio bakery and two more in New York state. Employees will stop reporting to work at the bakery and warehouse at 512 S. Gevers St. by Oct. 5, Bimbo told the workforce commission. It will still have a strong presence in Texas, where it operates plants in Arlington, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Houston and Rockwall. We will transition production to bakeries in our network that are better equipped to support our future growth, Bimbo said in a statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The San Antonio workers are represented by Local 111 of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union. Bimbo said seniority-based bumping rights, if any, are pursuant to the unions current contract. The local shutdown comes after the company said in May it would close its baking plant in Bellevue, Neb., by early July. It also shuttered a plant in Albuquerque, N.M., in mid-April. CEO Daniel Servitje said in February that the food industry is facing consumption headwinds from consumer pressure. While we continue to see the benefit of lower commodities, this year will be marked by a transitional phase as we navigate through a diverse consumer environment, witnessing a blend of cautiousness in certain markets and resilience in some others, he said during a call with investors. Emphasizing the significance and importance of diversification, our company is strategically positioned to navigate this environment. Bimbo wasnt the only baking giant to announce a plant shutdown this week. Flowers Foods, which produces Wonder, Tastykake and Mrs. Freshleys products, said it plans to close a bun-making facility in Baton Rouge, La., by October. Flowers is the No. 2 bakery company in the U.S. behind Bimbo. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Frisco-based Quality Custom Distribution is a major restaurant supplier with 25 locations across the country. Founded in 2006, its a division of California-based Golden State Foods. Ryan Hammer, Quality Custom Distributions president, said the company is consolidating its San Antonio-area operations in a new 116,000-square-foot distribution center it opened in September at 9870 Doerr Lane in Schertz. QCD San Antonios top priority remains supporting customers by maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and assured supply of products and services, he said in a statement. The company is permanently closing its older 85,000-square-foot facility at 601 Guada Coma Drive in Schertz. It told the workforce commission layoffs will begin Sept. 27 and be complete Nov. 4. The majority of affected employees are truck drivers, it said, but cuts include warehouse order selectors, receivers and other positions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bumping rights do not exist, Quality Custom Distribution told the workforce commission, but seniority-based opportunities will be provided for affected employees. HK, Cambodia to sign 13 agreements: CE John Lee (centre) thanked Cambodia for supporting Hong Kong's bid to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Photo: RTHK Chief Executive John Lee on Wednesday said Hong Kong will sign 13 agreements with Cambodia to boost trade and investment between the two places. Speaking to reporters after meeting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha, Lee said Hong Kong will enhance collaboration with Cambodia across various sectors. "The collaboration between Cambodia and Hong Kong will be closer than ever before. I'm confident we will work to further strengthen cooperation between the two governments, promote commerce, tourism, and cultural exchanges, strengthen people-to-people ties and jointly contribute to the development of the Belt and Road Initiative," he said. The CE also said that the Trade Development Council will set up an office in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, to promote business ties between the two places. Lee added that he and Cambodian officials have discussed easing visa and travel rules to promote tourism in both places. He also thanked Cambodia for supporting Hong Kong's bid to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. The Boeing 777X airplane is shown at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, France, in late June. Boeing said Wednesday that aerospace industry veteran Robert Kelly Ortberg will take over as CEO next week, replacing David Calhoun. The company is one of the largest employers in San Antonio. Lewis Joly/Associated Press Boeing said Wednesday its board of directors elected Robert K. Kelly Ortberg as the companys new president and chief executive officer, effective Aug. 8. Boeing Co. Boeing CEO David Calhoun is being replaced next week by Robert "Kelly" Ortberg of Rockwell Collins. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Boeing Co. the aerospace giant thats been rocked by legal, regulatory and production problems and resulting financial repercussions has named an industry veteran as its next chief executive. Robert Kelly Ortberg, a former CEO at aerospace manufacturer Rockwell Collins, will succeed David Calhoun as CEO and president effective Aug. 8, the company said. Calhoun said in March that he would retire at the end of the year, and analysts generally praised the quicker transition. There is much work to be done, and Im looking forward to getting started, Ortberg said in a statement issued by Boeing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad His appointment was announced as the company, which employs 3,000 people in San Antonio, reported a loss of more than $1.4 billion on falling revenue during the second quarter. The loss was wider and the companys revenue lower than Wall Streets dismal expectations as both Boeings commercial-airplanes business and defense unit lost money. The disappointing results came at a tumultuous time for Boeing, which is the subject of multiple investigations into its safety culture and manufacturing quality. It agreed to plead guilty this month to a federal fraud charge in connection with its 737 Max jetliner and two crashes that killed 346 people. The Federal Aviation Administration increased its oversight of the company and limited the number of planes it could produce after a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines Max flying at an altitude of 16,000 feet. No one was seriously hurt, but the frightening incident and subsequent scrutiny have damaged Boeings reputation. In San Antonio In San Antonio, Boeing is easily the largest employer at Port San Antonio and one of the largest in the city. Its 3,000-strong local workforce is among about 5,700 employees the company has at operations across the state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its facility on the Ports South Side campus has multiple responsibilities. It is the service depot for the militarys Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport planes and for maintenance of the Air Force One fleet. The company also has upgraded F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets at the site and outfits the presidential aircraft there. By early 2023, the company had spent more than $240 million on its facilities at Port San Antonio, according to data from Boeing and the Texas Comptrollers Office. That included 1.9 million square feet of building and hangar space and 3.5 million square feet of aircraft ramps, run-up areas and parking pads. Boeing stored 737 Max jets at a Port facility in 2019 after they were grounded in the wake of the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. But its had trouble in San Antonio, too, mostly related to its 2018 contract to build a new presidential jet a project thats continuing to lag. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In late 2021, Boeing said it was investigating two empty tequila bottles found on one of its new Air Force One planes under development at the Port. In spring 2022, it said factory problems disrupted production of the new presidential fleet, which was already far behind schedule, with the planes then not expected to be delivered until 2026. In 2023, the Pentagon began investigating why Boeing employees did not have proper security credentials when working on Air Force One planes at the Port. The company temporarily suspended the affected employees from accessing secured areas as the probe was carried out. The Wall Street Journal cited unidentified sources in putting the number of employees involved at 250. Extensive search Boeing Chairman Steven Mollenkopf said Ortberg was chosen after a thorough and extensive search process and has the right skills and experience to lead Boeing in its next chapter. Ortberg has earned a reputation for running complex engineering and manufacturing companies, Mollenkopf said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Calhoun, who said he wasnt involved in the hiring decision, is expected to serve as a special adviser to Boeings board of directors until next March. He suggested that Ortberg would support Boeings current executives instead of bringing in his own team. I dont think hes coming in with a notion to want to change a lot of folks, Calhoun said on a call with analysts. He knows full well were in recovery mode, and he knows full well that weve got to complete the recovery mode and weve got to get this thing stable and move forward. Ortberg plans to be based in Seattle, according to a person familiar with the decision who was not authorized to discuss the situation publicly. That would put him in closer contact with Boeing factories that produce several of its planes, notably the 737 Max. The company was founded in Seattle but moved to Chicago in 2001 and then, to be closer to government officials and regulators, moved to the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., in 2022. Ortberg emerged as a leading candidate only recently. Others who were reportedly considered for the job included Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive and now CEO of its most important supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, and another longtime Boeing executive, Stephanie Pope, who recently took over the commercial airplanes division. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ortberg led Rockwell Collins from 2013 to 2018. The company, which developed electronics and other equipment for commercial and military planes, then merged with United Technologies and wound up as part of RTX, formerly known as Raytheon. He retired from RTX in 2021. Richard Aboulafia, a longtime aerospace analyst and consultant and recently a harsh critic of the company, said the hire is great news for Boeing. He is a deeply respected leader in the aerospace industry, and brings more hope for a better future than the company has enjoyed in decades, Aboulafia said. Ortberg, who has a background in both commercial and defense aerospace, was probably on a relatively short list of people that are qualified to take on this challenge, Jeff Windau, an analyst for financial advising company Edward Jones, said. New CEOs agenda The new CEOs first task, Windau said, will be working with the FAA to help Boeing reach its goal of increasing production of Max jets. The company waived the mandatory retirement age of 65 for Ortberg, a spokesperson said. Boeing did the same for Calhoun days after he turned 64 in 2021. Like Calhoun, who took over as CEO in the wake of the two Max crashes, Ortberg inherits the leadership of a company facing ongoing crises and criticism from inside and outside the company. Boeing, based in Arlington, Virginia, is pushing back against whistleblower allegations of manufacturing shortcuts that crimp on safety. It is dealing with supply-chain problems that are hindering production, which it hopes to fix in part by re-acquiring Spirit AeroSystems, a key contractor. It faces a threatened strike this fall by its largest union, the International Association of Machinists. The company is still trying to persuade regulators to approve two new models of the Max and a bigger version of its two-aisle 777 jetliner. And it faces a multi-billion-dollar decision on when to design a new single-aisle plane to replace the Max. Its reputation took another hit recently when thruster failures and helium leaks on Boeings new Starliner capsule prompted NASA and Boeing to keep two astronauts at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on the problems. Disappointing earnings The quarterly earnings reported Wednesday reflected the scope of Boeings challenges. The reported loss of $1.44 billion for the second quarter compared with a loss of $149 million a year earlier. Since the start of 2019, Boeing has lost more than $25 billion. Excluding special items, the second-quarter loss worked out to $2.90 per share. Analysts expected a loss of $1.90 per share, according to a FactSet survey. Revenue dropped 15%, to $16.87 billion, falling short of Wall Streets average forecast of $17.35 billion. The commercial airplanes division had an operating loss of $715 million, and revenue plunged 32% as Boeing delivered fewer passenger jets to airlines 92 planes, compared with 136 a year earlier. The FAA limited Boeings production of Max jetliners shortly after the Alaska Airlines incident, but Boeing hasnt even hit the FAA limits as it seeks to fix its manufacturing process. The company said Wednesday that it is sticking with its plans to boost production of the Max to 38 per month by year end. Boeing took a charge of $244 million to cover a fine it agreed to pay as part of its plea deal with the Justice Department in connection with development of the Max. A federal judge in Texas will soon consider whether to approve the agreement, which also calls for the appointment of an independent compliance monitor and for Boeing to invest at least $455 million in its compliance, quality, and safety programs. Many families of the people who died in the two Max crashes, which took place off the coast of Indonesia in 2018 and in Ethiopia less than five months later, oppose the deal and plan to ask the judge to reject it. Boeings defense and space unit lost $913 million because of $1 billion in setbacks to four fixed-price government contracts, including a deal to build two new Air Force One presidential jets. The smaller services business earned $870 million. PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 31: Shera Energy Limited. (NSE - SHERA), engaged in the business of manufacturing winding wires and strips made of non-ferrous metals, announced its Unaudited Financial Results for Q1 FY25. Key Consolidated Financial Highlights Commenting on the performance, Mr. Naseem Shaikh, Chairman and Managing Director, Shera Energy Limited said, "We are pleased to announce a historic achievement for Shera Energy, having surpassed the Rs100 crore sales mark on a consolidated monthly basis for the first time. This milestone is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our exceptional team across production, sales, and marketing. Their relentless efforts have driven our success, reflecting our commitment to cost-sustainable efficiencies, prudent working capital management, and strategic expansion of our customer base. In addition, we have increased our investment in our subsidiary, Rajputana Industries Limited, raising our stake from 69.47% to 73.91%. I am also happy to announce that Rajputana Industries is preparing for its IPO, and we view this as an exciting opportunity for the company. I'm excited to announce our first export order to Africa, valued at USD 87,000, for supplying conductors to Zambia. With ongoing infrastructure projects and our strategic presence there through our subsidiary, we expect a significant boost to our export business. We look forward to building strong relationships in Zambia and across Africa. We are also in talks with electrical utilities about refurbishing unserviceable transformers and will provide updates on any further developments These achievements reflect our ongoing commitment to growth and operational excellence, positioning us for continued success in the future." Highlights for Q1 FY25 (April 2024 - June 2024) (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) India, along with 13 other Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) partners, has inaugurated three pivotal supply chain bodies under the landmark Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Agreement, aimed at bolstering supply chain resilience in the region. According to a press release by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the inaugural virtual meetings of the Supply Chain Council (SCC), Crisis Response Network (CRN), and Labor Rights Advisory Board (LRAB) mark a significant step towards enhanced cooperation among partner countries to strengthen supply chain resilience and competitiveness. During their inaugural meetings, the 14 partners of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation to bolster the resilience and competitiveness of critical supply chains. Their goal is to better prepare for and address disruptions that could threaten economic prosperity while also advancing labor rights. The IPEF Supply Chain Resilience Agreement, a pioneering initiative, was signed in November 2023 in Washington D.C. by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, along with ministers from other IPEF member countries. The agreement aims to fortify IPEF supply chains, making them more resilient, integrated, and effective in supporting economic development across the Indo-Pacific region. Ratified in February 2024, it has been in force since then. Minister Goyal previously emphasized India's global production capabilities in key sectors, which offer diversification opportunities for IPEF partners, read the press release. At the IPEF Ministerial meeting in Singapore in June 2024, Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Sunil Barthwal, highlighted India's aspirations to become a key player in the global supply chain, leveraging its skilled workforce, natural resources, and supportive policies, read the press release. The Indian government is proactively working to ensure India's involvement in diverse and reliable supply chains. In line with the Supply Chain Agreement, three key bodies have been established- the Supply Chain Council, the Crisis Response Network, and the Labor Rights Advisory Board. The Supply Chain Council will focus on targeted actions to strengthen critical supply chains related to national security, public health, and economic well-being. The Crisis Response Network will provide a platform for collective emergency responses to urgent disruptions, while the Labor Rights Advisory Board will bring together workers, employers, and governments to enhance labour rights and workforce development across regional supply chains. India underscored the importance of a resilient supply chain network and ongoing consultations with stakeholders to address sectors critical to national security, public health, and economic stability. The need for collaboration in skill development was emphasized, highlighting the priority of identifying skill gaps and ensuring adequate technical assistance for workforce development and digitalization. During the meetings, each of the three bodies elected a Chair and Vice Chair for a two-year term- Supply Chain Council: USA (Chair) and India (Vice Chair), Crisis Response Network: Republic of Korea (Chair) and Japan (Vice Chair), Labor Rights Advisory Board: USA (Chair) and Fiji (Vice Chair), read the press release. The Supply Chain Council set Terms of Reference and outlined initial priorities to be discussed further at its first in-person meeting in Washington D.C. in September 2024, coinciding with the Supply Chain Summit. The Crisis Response Network focused on near and long-term priorities, including a tabletop exercise, with its first in-person meeting planned alongside the Summit. The Labor Rights Advisory Board addressed priorities for strengthening labour rights and reviewed labour provisions in the IPEF Clean Economy and Fair Economy Agreements. The IPEF, launched on May 23, 2022, in Tokyo, Japan, includes 14 countries: Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the USA. It aims to enhance economic engagement and cooperation to promote growth, stability, and prosperity in the region. The framework comprises four pillars: Trade (Pillar I), Supply Chain Resilience (Pillar II), Clean Economy (Pillar III), and Fair Economy (Pillar IV). India is involved in Pillars II to IV and maintains observer status in Pillar I. (ANI) Vietnamese Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, who is on a State visit to India on Wednesday praised the gains achieved by India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Addressing a business event organised in the national capital, Pham Minh Chinh said that Indian businessmen have expressed interest in exploring investments in Vietnam and both countries Vietnam should expand cooperation into new areas such as digital economy, transportation and renewable energy. He said that economic and trade cooperation has become a beacon of cooperation between India and Vietnam and both countries should work together to raise bilateral trade to USD 20 billion. "Let's work together, bring about better solutions to raise bilateral trade to 20 billion US dollars going forward, and continue to force stronger OEA cooperation focusing on strategic infrastructure, including transportation, energy, digital, and climate infrastructure," the Vietnamese Prime Minister said addressing an event at FICCI in the national capital. "India has been growing rapidly and has truly achieved gains under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi," the Vietnamese PM said. The country is the 23rd largest global trade partner of India and the fifth largest among ASEAN countries, with bilateral trade of USD 14.70 billion during 2022-23. Vietnam accounts for 11.2 per cent of India's total trade with ASEAN. Vietnam is an important destination for India's iron and steel and agricultural and animal products, mainly meat products, animal fodder, cereals, and marine products, as per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. "Vietnam is a crucial partner for India's Act East policy. Investment between India and Vietnam is growing, with bilateral relationships expanding steadily over the years," the Vietnamese Prime Minister said in his address to the Vietnam-India Business Forum at FICCI. The Vietnamese Prime Minister is on his first state visit to India as the head of the Vietnam government. This is also the first visit to India by a Vietnamese Prime Minster in a decade.Going forward, he said, "I've spoken to many the Indian businesses. I called on them to make investments in infrastructure, including strategic infrastructure, transportation, health, education, culture, and all the rest of it." The Vietnamese Prime Minister also expressed the need to open up the economy for businesses and provide more direct flights to Vietnam. He announced a new air route from Ahmedabad to Da Nang. Emphasising the need to work together in healthcare, Pham Minh Chinh said his country would like to work with India to establish pharmaceutical infrastructure in Vietnam. Addressing the Vietnam-India Business Forum, PM Chinh said Vietnam imports 23 per cent of its pharmaceuticals from India. Pointing out the need to have a new methodology for trade and relations, he said that the new approach adopted by his country is a global approach. During the event, multiple MoUs were signed, including one for the construction and maintenance of waste treatment plants, one for pharmaceutical park developments, one for the development of stem cell technology and lab development, and one for cooperation in trade promotion, among others. The two countries share age-old historical and civilizational ties, which were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the visit of Prime Minister to Vietnam in September 2016. Furthermore, India considers Vietnam a key pillar of its Act East Policy and an important partner in its Indo-Pacific vision. The Vietnamese PM was received at the Delhi airport yesterday by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita. A high-level delegation is accompanying him He will receive a ceremonial welcome on August 1 at Rashtrapati Bhavan and following that will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and witness the signing of cooperation agreements between the two countries. (ANI) Automobile company Toyota Kirloskar Motor has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maharashtra government for an investment worth Rs 20,000 crore for a hybrid and electric vehicle unit. The MoU was signed on Wednesday in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. "The project will produce electric and hybrid cars at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. 20 thousand crores will be invested for this and about 8 thousand direct and 8 thousand indirect 16 thousand jobs will be created. This project is expected to produce 4 lakh cars per year," the chief minister Shinde posted on X after the MoU ceremony. The investment will be made in Chatrapati Sambhajinagar in the state's Marathwada region. "This investment will take Maharashtra a step ahead in the automobile ecosystem. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and our industries department have worked to bring this investment to Maharashtra. Many others were also interested in getting the same investment to their respective places, but Maharashtra ensured that it came into the state," Fadnavis said in a video message. Around 8000 direct and 12000 indirect jobs are expected to be created through this investment, he said. "The investment of Rs 20,000 crore by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Company in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar will take Maharashtra a step forward in the automobile sector. This investment will create 8,000 direct and 12,000 indirect jobs. Congratulations to Marathwada for this historic deal!" Fadnavis wrote on X. In a release, the automaker said it will examine the setting-up of a Green Field Manufacturing Facility at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Headquartered in Karnataka, it already boasts a world-class manufacturing setup with two state-of-the-art units located at Bidadi. The two plants located in Bidadi with an annual installed capacity of 3.42 lakh vehicles/year employing over 60,00 people. In 2023, TKM announced fresh investments of about Rs 3,300 crores for a new 3rd plant in Bidadi facility. This expansion, aimed at contributing to Make-in-India, increases TKM's production capacity by 100,000 units. Since the commencement of its operations in 1999, India has been growing in importance and has now become a vital market for Toyota globally. In Karnataka, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, including its group companies, has invested more than Rs 16,000 crores and created close to 86,000 jobs in the entire value chain (including supplier and dealer partners). Toyota's cumulative export contributions also stand at approximately Rs 32,000 crores, the release said. "Under the MOU, TKM is considering a significant investment for setting up a Greenfield Manufacturing Facility that will further strengthen the company's focus on advanced green technologies along with quality products and services. The proposed investment, once finalized, is expected to be made over a multi-year period, potentially contributing to substantial job creation and economic growth in the region," said the automaker. Masakazu Yoshimura, MD and CEO of Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Regional CEO at Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) said Toyota Motor Corporation believes that India is well positioned to become a global manufacturing hub for cleaner and greener mobility solutions. "This belief was reinforced with the recent regional restructuring which elevated India to play central role by being integrated into the Middle East, East Asia & Oceania Region and acting as the hub of the new India, Middle East, East Asia and Oceania Region." In 2022, it had signed and announced their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Karnataka to invest Rs 4,100 crores aimed at making deeper cuts in CO2 emissions and enhance electrification and fast pace shift towards greener technologies. (ANI) VMPL Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 31: While preparing for the competitive exam, Rahul, now the founder of the VerboAce app, realised that there is no tech in the Edtech space. Previously, a co-founder of a tech startup valued at more than a million dollars, Rahul approached competitive exam challenges by leveraging tech and AI before Chatgpt became mainstream. In 2022, he wrote an algorithm that predicted his expected percentile after taking each test during preparation. This guided him to score 99.94 percentile in VARC, eventually landing a seat in the oldest B-school in the country. Coming back to 2024, Rahul, along with Vinay, the current Student President of IIM Calcutta with a score of a whopping 99.99 percentile in VARC, teamed up with other passionate folks from elite universities like the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and SRCC to build this algorithm further. During summer break, the entire team worked on turning the algorithm into a state-of-the-art AI agent that can understand each student's specifics, get into students' shoes, and help them achieve their dream percentile. The team believes that AI agents are the future of edtech and are far superior to human mentors or tutors, who charge hefty fees. Rahul, who had paid expensive fees for personal mentoring during his first CAT attempt, says that human mentorship falls short and is primarily inferior to AI agents because teachers can't fully understand each student's shortcomings. VerboAce is designed to address this, and early users already love the product. Along with AI agents, the product solves multiple problems with innovative solutions. This feature set brings social media elements like react, clap, follow, and network to competitive exam space to emphasise building professional networks organically even before entering B-schools. Understanding the need to connect students with toppers, the platform also provides unique instant one-click requests to toppers, who have access to aspirants' preparation and performance data to assist the aspirants through voice advice and suggestions. Not only is this app a completely new take on edtech, but it is also one of the very first tech ventures to emerge from the dorms of the two oldest business schools in the country. The team confidently claims this is one of the most technologically sophisticated edtech apps ever built. They believe every student using this product will quickly secure a seat in their dream business school. The team has bootstrapped the project and is working on applying the AI agent technology and algorithms to other offerings in the ed-tech space. Download the app from verboace.com. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PRNewswire Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 31: The highly anticipated INDIAWOOD 2025 is set to take place at the India Expo Mart Limited (IEML), Greater Noida, from March 6-9, 2025. Marking a significant milestone, this year's edition celebrates 25 years of the event's legacy, reflecting its phenomenal growth and pivotal role in the Indian woodworking and furniture industry. A Journey of Growth and Innovation Since its inception in 2000, INDIAWOOD has grown exponentially, beginning at R.B.A.N.M.'s Grounds, transitioning to Palace Grounds, and finding its current home at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) in 2008. The event has continually evolved, mirroring the dynamic nature of the industry. The upcoming edition will feature 600 exhibitors and is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors from across 1,200 cities, a remarkable increase from the 294 cities in 2002. Impact on the Indian Woodworking and Furniture Industry Over the past 25 years, INDIAWOOD has significantly influenced the Indian woodworking and furniture industry. By attracting significant international participation, it has facilitated global partnerships, enabling local manufacturers to adopt international best practices and improve their product quality and design. The event has consistently showcased cutting-edge technology helping manufacturers stay competitive and enhance their production processes. It has also contributed to industry growth by offering insights into emerging trends and future predictions, helping businesses align their strategies with market demands. "The Indian furniture industry is experiencing rapid growth driven by various factors. These include the growing preference of urban dwellers for modular and modern furniture, the rise in urbanization across India, and a preference for long-lasting and hybrid seating options. The demand for furniture is expected to remain on the rise," says Sonia Prashar, Managing Director and Chairperson of the Board, NuernbergMesse India Driving the Future with Technology and Digitalisation INDIAWOOD 2025 will spotlight the latest trends and innovations in the industry. With a focus on technology and digitalisation, the event will showcase cutting-edge products and solutions driving the future of woodworking and furniture manufacturing. CNC machines are revolutionizing the Indian woodworking industry with their precise cutting and shaping capabilities, enhancing efficiency and enabling intricate designs. Their integration with CAD/CAM software streamlines production, supports customization, and drives industry-wide innovation and competitiveness. The adoption of IoT (Internet of Things) in furniture manufacturing is an emerging trend, offering significant advantages in design control, performance monitoring, and upkeep. This technological shift is poised to revolutionize the market, providing manufacturers with a competitive edge. Opportunities and Trends The Indian wooden furniture market offers immense opportunities for innovation. Local manufacturers are increasingly partnering with foreign manufacturers to enhance quality and design. The growing demand for modular furniture presents vast opportunities for wooden furniture and hardware owners. The booming wood industry in India has helped reduce production costs, making furniture more cost-effective and accessible. An area poised for enhancement is the supply chain. As the industry continues to grow, improving supply chain efficiency will be crucial to meeting increasing demands and maintaining high standards of quality, cost and delivery. Optimizing supply chain logistics underscores INDIAWOOD's commitment to fostering a robust industry ecosystem capable of meeting evolving market needs effectively. Join Us at INDIAWOOD 2025 Join us at INDIAWOOD 2025 to experience the future of woodworking and furniture manufacturing. Discover the latest innovations, network with industry leaders, and explore opportunities to drive your business forward. For more information and registration details, visit www.indiawood.com About INDIAWOOD INDIAWOOD is India's premier woodworking and furniture manufacturing trade show, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and professionals to showcase the latest trends and technologies. Over its 25-year history, INDIAWOOD has become a vital platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and business growth in the woodworking and furniture industry. Contact for Exhibition: Pradeep Kumar GopalPortfolio DirectorM: +91 9986066910E: pradeepkumar.gopal@nm-india.com Contact for Press & Media: Navneet PillaiSenior Manager - Marketing & CommunicationM: +91 9945826248E: navneet.pillai@nm-india.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2471748/INDIAWOOD_2025_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 31: In Jogeshwari West, the talented students of Sunflower Secondary School were awarded with gifts and flower bouquets to encourage them to pursue their studies with enthusiasm. On this occasion, the Managing Trustee of Sunflower Secondary School, Devendranath Tripathi alongwith the school Principal and teachers, welcomed the distinguished guests who attended the program. Social worker Ramkumar Pal, along with his friend Dr Nikesh Jain Madhani, model-actress Seema Meena, and Shaina were prominently present. Industrialist and social worker Ramkumar Pal encouraged the students and honored school trustee Devendranath Tripathi with a shawl and memento. It is noteworthy that social worker Ramkumar Pal is always ready to serve society. He felt blessed to be amidst the school children and during his speech, he encouraged the students, explaining the importance of education to the students and that if they study diligently for the next few years, they will enjoy walking with their heads held high for life. He advised them not to be weakened by any obstacle in their studies and to maintain their morale. School teachers and other support staff were present at the school program. It is worth mentioning that Dr Ramkumar Pal is a successful businessman. Through his NGO, Ramkumar Pal 64 Foundation, he is dedicated to the welfare of the underprivileged. As the in-charge of Daman-Diu and Dadra Nagar Haveli, Pal has brought various farmers' issues to the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dr Pal is the National Executive of the Prime Minister's Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan Organization. Dr Ramkumar Pal, recognized for his remarkable contributions and selfless service, has been spotlighted in the Mid-Day's success story column and featured in India Today magazine's 45th anniversary edition. He received the "Samaj Seva Ratna" award from Veer Bharatiya Hindi Sahityapeeth, Lucknow, honoring his outstanding social work, national and international reputation, and efforts to popularize the Hindi language and Saraswati worship. As the President of Jansankhya Samadhan Foundation Maharashtra, remains a humble and dedicated social worker. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PRNewswire New Delhi [India], July 31: Birlasoft, a leading IT services and solutions provider, today reported its unaudited consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2024. Birlasoft is part of the USD 3 bn CK Birla Group, which has over 35,000 employees and operates 52 manufacturing facilities globally. Angan Guha, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Birlasoft said, "Our performance during the quarter under review reflects a challenging operating environment and tightened discretionary spends by customers. In that backdrop, I am pleased to note that our Infra and ROW businesses, both historically smaller contributors to our revenue, have done particularly well on the back of our efforts to enhance our capabilities and footprint there. Our deal wins during the quarter are also up 10% year on year at USD 160 Mn. We continue to invest in our business across our verticals and service lines to strengthen our position as a domain and emerging tech capabilities-led player." "Our revenue during the quarter under review grew 5.1% year on year to Rs 13,274 million. PAT for the quarter grew 9.2% year on year to Rs 1,502 Mn. Our quarterly collections continued to be strong, resulting in a 46% rise year on year in cash and cash equivalents to Rs 19,143 Mn. Our DSO improved sequentially to 52 days and on this key parameter we continue to be among the best in the industry. We have started the new financial year with a robust balance sheet and healthy cashflows that enable us to keep investing in capabilities for future growth even as we navigate through the current challenges in the macro-economic environment," said Kamini Shah, Chief Financial Officer, Birlasoft. Key Financial highlights for Q1FY25 In INR Rs * Revenue at Rs 13,274 M, up 5.1% YoY* EBITDA at Rs 1,951 M; EBITDA margin at 14.7%* PAT at Rs 1,502 M, up 9.2% YoY translating to basic EPS (not annualized) of Rs 5.41* Cash and cash equivalents increase 45.9% YoY to Rs19,143 M In USD $ - Revenue at $159.1 M, up 3.6% YoY- In constant currency terms, revenue up 3.8% YoY- EBITDA at $ 23.4 M; EBITDA margin at 14.7%- PAT at $ 18.0 M, up 7.6% YoY Other operating highlights * Growth during Q1FY25 driven by BFSI and E&U among verticals, by Infra among service lines, and by ROW among geographies - BFSI up 8.4% and E&U up 3.7% QoQ while Manufacturing and Lifesciences & Services (LSS) registered a sequential decline among verticals - Infra up 36.1% QoQ - The number of $1Mn+ clients increased from 87 to 88 QoQ and the number of $10Mn+ clients remained stable QoQ. - Revenue from Top 5, Top 10 and Top 20 clients grew YoY by 12.7%, 10.0% and 5.5% respectively * Signed deals of TCV $ 160 M during the quarter with new deal wins TCV of $ 94 M and renewals of $ 66 M. * Active Client Count at 258 in Q1FY25 (compared to 259 in Q4FY24 and 285 in Q1FY24), reflecting rationalisation of the 'tail'. * Cash & Cash equivalents rise to $229.7 M by end of Q1FY25 versus $209.2 M at end of Q4FY24. In rupee terms, cash and cash equivalents increased to Rs19,143 M at the end of Q1FY25 from Rs17,447 M at the end of the preceding quarter. * DSO improved to 52 days, led by continued strong collections. * Workforce strength increased to 12,865 as on 30th June 2024 and attrition improved further QoQ to 11.6% during Q1FY25. * During the quarter under review, Birlasoft attained AWS Migration Consulting Competency. This underscores Birlasoft's expertise in helping enterprise customers migrate applications and legacy infrastructure to AWS, evident through successful client solutions across diverse industries. As an AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner, Birlasoft has demonstrated extensive technical proficiency and professional services excellence in guiding businesses through every stage of migration on AWS, from initial discovery and planning to migration and ongoing operations. Key deal wins for the quarter - Awarded a key contract from one of the top global Insurance companies to migrate their SharePoint from On-Prem to Cloud- Initiated engagement with one of the top 3 US banks on GenAI based Data Center Optimization- Secured an order from a Fortune 500 automotive component manufacturer in North America for carve out/integration support across the infrastructure and security stack- Signed a new key customer (an S&P 500 company) in the P&C Insurance space- Won and executed a vendor consolidation exercise in one of the top custodian banks, enabling seamless technology integration for multiple wealth management products- Won a Cloud FinOps consulting services deal from a large agro-industrial customer in the Americas geo Awards & Recognitions * Birlasoft recognized as an Innovator in Avasant's SAP Successfactors Services 2024 Radarview report* Birlasoft recognized as a Disruptor in Avasant's Manufacturing Digital Services 2024 Radarview report* Birlasoft recognized as a Disruptor in Avasant's Internet of Things Services 2024 Radarview report* Birlasoft recognized as a Disruptor in Avasant's Multisourcing Service Integration 2023-2024 Radarview report* Birlasoft recognized as a Major Contender in Everest's SAP Business Application Services for Mid-market Enterprises Peak Matrix Assessment 2024 report* Birlasoft recognized as a Product Challenger in ISG's Life Sciences Digital Services report* Birlasoft recognized as a Challenger in Avasant's Banking Digital Services 2024 Radarview report* Birlasoft recognized as a Major Contender in Everest's Capital Markets IT Services Peak Matrix Assessment 2024* Birlasoft is among the TOP 100 Great Places to Work* Birlasoft certified as DEI Crusader at the ET Now Diversity and Inclusion Summit 2024* Birlasoft recognized amongst the Top Leadership Factories in India for creating leaders at scale by The Great Manager Institute* Birlasoft CFO Kamini Shah recognized as the Visionary Leader of 2024 at the FE Finance Leadership Dialogue 2024* Birlasoft CFO Kamini Shah presented the CFO of the Year award at the Future of Finance Summit and Awards 2024* Birlasoft's Chief Information Security & Data Protection Officer Cdr. Sanjeev Singh (Retd) awarded as an Outstanding Digital Transformation Leader at the APAC CXO Connect Digital Leadership Award 2024* Birlasoft won Gold for Excellence in Energy Management and Silver for Workplace Digitization at the INFHRA Workplace Excellence Conference and Awards 2023-24 * Birlasoft received two awards at the INFHRA Corporate Excellence Conference and Awards 2024-25 - Gold for Excellence in Healthiest Workplace and Silver for Excellence in Biophilic Design and Nature Integration (Corporate category)* Birlasoft's weekly radio show - Birlasoft on Air won Gold in the Education-podcast category at the 13th ACEF Global Customer Engagement Awards About Birlasoft Bold Agile Ambitious Birlasoft combines the power of domain, enterprise, and digital technologies to reimagine business processes for customers and their ecosystem. Its consultative and design thinking approach makes societies more productive by helping customers run businesses. Birlasoft, with its 12,500+ professionals, is committed to driving digital transformation through innovative, cutting-edge technology solutions to build sustainable communities. For further information, visit www.birlasoft.com. About The CK Birla Group The CK Birla Group, with a revenue of USD 3 billion, is an Indian multinational conglomerate. With over 35,000 employees, the group operates 52 manufacturing facilities across India and internationally, with a presence in diverse sectors, including technology, automotive, home and building and healthcare. The companies share a common ambition of serving customers, partners and communities to create long term value through trust-based relationships and philanthropy. The Trusts and Foundations established by the family over the last seven decades actively support social development and healthcare advancements, through the promotion of science, technology, education, art and culture. The CK Birla Group companies include Birlasoft Limited, GMMCO Limited, HIL Limited, National Engineering Industries Limited (manufacturer of NBC Bearings), Orient Cement Limited, Orient Electric Limited, Orient Paper & Industries Limited, AVTEC Limited, and CK Birla Healthcare Private Limited which operates CK Birla Hospitals and Birla Fertility & IVF Centres. Media contacts: Birlasoft Tanushree MahantyTanushree.mahanty@birlasoft.com+91-9899195348 Genesis BCW Swati Vermaswati.verma@genesis-bcw.com +91-9999690904 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2320507/4499088/Birlasoft_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], July 31: Poland Moosa, the visionary founder of Fragrance World, was honoured with the King of Perfume title at the esteemed APJ Abdul Kalam Award 2024 at a ceremony in New Delhi. The award ceremony was organized, at the Delhi Vidhansabha, Old Secretariat, New Delhi. The Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to scientific development, humanities, and students' welfare. Moosa's was bestowed with this honour for his remarkable achievements and his significant contributions to entrepreneurship and innovation in the fragrance sector. Poland Moosa's inspiring story is one of resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit. Poland Moosa's inspiring story began in Kerala, India, where he left home at the age of nine to support his family. His path led him from Mysore to Dubai, where he worked various jobs before establishing Fragrance World in 2003. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a global brand with a presence in multiple countries across continents. The company now boasts 12 wholesale stores globally and plans further expansion into new markets. Fragrance World is a leading global fragrance company known for its high-quality perfumes and innovative approach to the fragrance industry. With a presence in multiple countries and a commitment to excellence, the Fragrance World continues to expand its reach and redefine the fragrance market. The award ceremony was graced by several distinguished dignitaries. Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Raj Niwas Goel, Manoj Kumar, Member of Parliament from Sasaram, Imran Hussain, Cabinet Minister of Food and Civil Supplies and Election, Aaley Mohammad Iqbal, Deputy Mayor Delhi Municipal corporation, Dr Mazin Al Masoudi, Ambassador of Arab League Mission, Delhi and many more. On the occasion, Moosa expressed his gratitude to the award committee for choosing him and stated, "Receiving the APJ Abdul Kalam Award is a moment of immense pride and humility for me. This award reinforces my belief in the power of perseverance, integrity, and innovation. It is a reminder that success is not just about building a business, but about creating value, inspiring others, and contributing to society. This recognition motivates me to continue pushing boundaries, to explore new horizons in the world of fragrances, and to use our success as a platform to give back to society." The APJ Abdul Kalam Award 2024 recognizes not only Moosa's business acumen but also his commitment to excellence, his innovative spirit, and his inspiring journey from a small village in Kerala to the global stage of the fragrance industry. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) SMPL New Delhi [India], July 31: As the auspicious festival of Raksha Bandhan approaches, Rakhi.in is set to make this celebration more memorable than ever with the launch of its exquisite new rakhi collections. Raksha Bandhan is one of the most popular festivals in the country, and every sibling wants to find the perfect Rakhi to express their love and appreciation. This year, the online rakhi store's carefully curated collection promises to meet every preference, from traditional to designs, ensuring that each Rakhi is a symbol of the unique bond shared between brothers and sisters. With a wide range of options to choose from, the website aims to enhance the joy of Raksha Bandhan and create lasting memories for families across the globe. Hearing it from the founder and CEO of Rakhi.in, Baljinder Reehal, on how their latest rakhi collection is going to make the Raksha Bandhan 2024 celebrations more iconic and memorable: "Raksha Bandhan gets everyone quite excited when it approaches, and we have ensured that brothers and sisters can celebrate the festival with ultimate fun and zeal, thanks to our wide range of rakhi collections. We are thrilled to announce that this year, our massive rakhi collection will feature more than 2,000 unique rakhis that will cater to diverse tastes and preferences. Each Rakhi has been thoughtfully designed to embody the spirit of Raksha Bandhan, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Our goal is to make every sibling's celebration unforgettable by offering exquisite choices that reflect their personal style and the cherished bond they share." said Mr Baljinder. Renowned for its dedication to quality and tradition, Rakhi.in proudly announces a diverse range of rakhi designs that promise to enrich the festival experience for brothers and sisters across the globe. A Grand Unveiling of Over 2,000 Rakhi Designs: The vast collection of over 2,000 rakhi designs has Rakhis crafted to match everyone's taste and preference. The latest Rakhi collection includes intricate Silver Rakhis, elegant Kundan Rakhis, sacred Rudraksha Rakhis, playful Kids Rakhi, and much more. Each design reflects the skill and artistry of talented artisans, ensuring that every Rakhi is a unique symbol of the sibling bond. "Every single Rakhi of this collection is designed with utmost care and attention to detail, ensuring that every sibling loves it. We spent a lot of time in research and coming up with unique rakhi designs that will amaze customers," stated Baljinder. Celebrating the Festival with Tradition and Innovation: The Rakhi.in collection embraces the rich heritage of Raksha Bandhan while incorporating modern aesthetics. The Traditional rakhis are decorated with peacocks, lotus, Om symbols and various other elements to honour the festival's cultural roots. This fusion of tradition and modernity ensures that every customer can find a rakhi that resonates with their personal style and the essence of the festival. Enhancing Celebrations with Thoughtful Rakhi Gift Hampers: In addition to the stunning rakhi designs, the leading online rakhi store offers a range of Rakhi Gift Hampers that perfectly complement the rakhi sets. Customers can choose from hampers that include gourmet chocolates, delicious sweets, premium dry fruits, and personalized gifts. These hampers are designed to add an extra layer of joy and surprise to the Raksha Bandhan celebrations, making it an occasion to remember. Global Reach and Free Shipping: Understanding the significance of Raksha Bandhan for families separated by distance, Rakhi.in ensures that its products reach loved ones across the globe. With free shipping available to over 100 countries, customers can send Rakhi to USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and more, the portal makes it easier than ever for siblings to celebrate together, no matter where they are. The platform's robust delivery network guarantees timely arrivals, so the festival remains as joyous and seamless as ever. Commitment to Quality and Customer Satisfaction: Raksha Bandhan is more than just a festival; it's a celebration of familial love and traditions. The website's commitment to quality is evident in every aspect of its new collection. Each Rakhi is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using high-quality materials to ensure durability and elegance. The platform's customer-centric approach is reflected in its easy-to-navigate website, reliable customer service, and dedication to delivering a superior shopping experience. About the Company: Since its inception in 2005, Rakhi.in, a part of EII Online Services PVT LTD, has been dedicated to bringing joy and convenience to the celebration of Raksha Bandhan. Over the years, the online rakhi store has grown to become a trusted name in the industry, helping countless families celebrate the special bond between siblings with love and happiness. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Bonnie Hernandez speaks at a protest against the proposed CPS rate increase. Jessica Phelps Rudy Garza, CEO of CPS, left, confers with Cory Kuchinsky, CPS chief financial officer, during a City Council special session in Council Chambers on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. Thursdays meeting was councils last work session ahead of the Dec. 7 vote on a proposed increased CPS rate. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News A screen behind San Antonio City Council members Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia, left, Phyllis Viagran, center, and Jalen McKee-Rodriguez shows Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, how each council member voted in approving the CPS Energy 4.25 percent rate increase. William Luther An audience member looks though a paper copy of the slide outlining a proposed 4.25 percent CPS rate hike during a City Council special session in Council Chambers on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. Thursdays meeting was councils last work session ahead of the Dec. 7 vote on a proposed increased CPS rate. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News CPS Energy continues working to reduce the number and cost of past-due bills that skyrocketed during the pandemic, when it curtailed disconnections for non-payment. Staff file photo About 73,000 CPS Energy customers are at risk of having their power shut off because of past-due bills totaling $28 million at the end of March. Both are the lowest numbers the city-owned utility has faced in nearly five years. Theyre a continuation of financial issues that began piling up during the pandemic, when CPS put a moratorium on disconnections for non-payment. That pushed past-due bills to a peak of about $208 million in December 2022. By the end of 2023, the total outstanding had been reduced to $45 million. CPS is still hacking away at the debt mainly by encouraging customers to enter payment plans, which it says about 70% stay on once in place. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This is a great story and we see the trend continuing over the second quarter, Chief Financial Officer Cory Kuchinsky told trustees Monday as part of a review of the utilitys finances through the first three months of the year. Trustee John Steen said he wasnt impressed. It continues to be concerning, and Im going to focus on it whenever its a part of the board presentation, he said. CPS Energy is on quite the journey to get back to the semblance of normality. Kuchinsky said about 185,000 CPS customers were behind on bills by the end of April, the latest month for which data was available. They accounted for about $145.8 million in payments the utility is owed. The total had been about $9 million higher in March. Advertisement Article continues below this ad About 74,000 of those past-due accounts were in payment plans by the end of April, he said, reducing the total owed by $82 million. The utility also expects to write off about $35 million of debt on 38,000 accounts it doesnt expect to recover usually residential customers that have moved or businesses that have closed. Until the pandemic, past-due bills typically averaged about $5 million in past-due payments for 15,000 customers. DeAnna Hardwick, CPS chief customer strategy officer, said after Mondays meeting that the utility has increased outreach to knock down past-due accounts using payment reminders. While it still wont shut off customers power during excessive heat, it has started messaging them to let them know that could change when temperatures drop. In about 60% of cases, she said, CPS receives replies. Overall, Kuchinsky described first-quarter finances as typical of the months between the peak revenue periods of winter and summer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Still, while CPS budgeted for a net loss of $40 million in the period, it came in even higher at a loss of $51 million. The utilitys continued success selling surplus electricity on the wholesale market and lower fuel costs benefited customers, but less so the utilitys bottom line. Kuchinsky said he expected CPS to benefit through the summer selling surplus electricity after its recent acquisition of natural gas-fired generating plants in Corpus Christi and Laredo. Still, he said the utilitys spending on maintenance and operations driven both by the new plants and recent storms will be higher than was budgeted. Beyond maintenance and emergency repairs, CPS has costly continuing investments on transmission infrastructure, including the expansion of a line thats been characterized as a choke point for electricity moving from the San Antonio region to North Texas and posing a risk to the statewide grid during times of high demand. CPS spending on transmission was already about $20 million above what was originally planned for the quarter. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The work that we are doing is necessary for the good of the CPS system and for ERCOT broadly, Kuchinsky said. So this isnt work that we can skip on. There was some tension among trustees when they decided to revisit the scorecard used to evaluate the annual performance of CEO Rudy Garza. The board had already approved a 13% increase in his base pay rate during its meeting a month ago. Steen, often the only dissenting voice, said he felt the continuing tweaks to some of the targets used to track Garzas success as a leader are being systematically lowered and overloaded with softballs. In particular, he took issue with the system reliability score target being lowered 9 percentage points and changes to categories related to the companys debt capitalization ratio and bond ratings. The revised scorecard passed 3-1 with one trustee absent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Chairperson Janie Gonzalez argued the changes to the metrics reflected the values of city-owned CPS in contrast to those of a for-profit utility. The Bengaluru airport shipped a staggering 822 metric tonnes (MT) of mangoes in 2024, marking a phenomenal 20 percent year-on-year growth. Building on the momentum from the previous year, when 685 tonnes of mangoes were exported, this season's success is further accentuated by the substantial increase in the number of mangoes shipped, totaling 27 lakh pieces, the airport said in a statement. This milestone represents a 59 percent rise in volume compared to the previous season, showcasing both the increasing demand for Indian mangoes in overseas markets and Bengaluru Airport's operational efficiency in handling perishable exports. This season, mango exports to US destinations have surged, with airports such as Washington Dulles (IAD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), and San Francisco (SFO) emerging as the top destinations for Indian mango shipments. With an extensive export network of over 60 international destinations, including prominent airports like Chicago (ORD), Seattle (SEA), Dubai (DXB), London (LHR), and Houston (IAH), BLR Airport continues to pave the way for Indian agricultural products to reach global markets seamlessly and efficiently. "BLR Airport's technologically advanced cold storage facility, WFS BLR Coolport, plays a crucial role in preserving the quality of the perishable produce throughout the supply chain," said Satyaki Raghunath, the Chief Operating Officer at Bangalore International Airport. "This achievement of substantially increasing our mango exports year-on-year reaffirms our position as a premier gateway that meets the growing demand for Indian mangoes, particularly to key international destinations," said Satyaki Raghunath. (ANI) The construction work for Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, going on in the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, is underway. Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting and Electronic and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question that the entire land -- 1389.5 hectare has been acquired for the project. Till now, 350 km of Pier Foundation, 316 km of Pier Construction, 221 km of Girder Casting and 190 km of Girder Launching have been completed. The work of the undersea tunnel approx. 21 Km has also started. In his reply, Vaishnaw said that the length of the project is 508 Km with 12 stations planned at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati. The sanctioned cost of the project is Rs 1,08,000 crore, the minister said. Vaishnaw further said that the bullet train project is a very complex and technology intensive project. Considering the highest level of safety and associated maintenance protocols, the Bullet train project has been designed with the support of Japanese Railway. It is customized for Indian requirements and climatic conditions. Timelines for the completion of the project can be reasonably ascertained after the completion of all associated works of Civil Structures, Track, Electrical, Signaling and Telecommunication and supply of Trainsets. Also, The execution of the MAHSR Project is monitored and reviewed regularly," the minister added. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor has been making steady progress since work began in November 2021. The project initially faced delays due to challenges in land acquisition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his then-Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe launched the project in Ahmedabad on September 14, 2017. National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) was incorporated on February 12, 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013 with the object of financing, constructing, maintaining and managing the High-Speed Rail Corridor in India. The Company has been modeled as a 'Special Purpose Vehicle' in the joint sector with equity participation by the Central Government through the Ministry of Railways and two State Governments -- Government of Gujarat and Government of Maharashtra. (ANI) The mother-daughter duo had a fantastic time at the concert, creating memories they will cherish forever. Taking to her Instagram account on Tuesday, Mira shared a reel from the venue in which Misha can be seen recording the concert on her phone. The two also posed for an adorable selfie. Sharing the video, Mira Rajput wrote, "Core memory with my sunshine swiftie. We couldn't believe it! Mother daughter trip of dreams." The Internet showered love on the video. A user wrote, "Awesome ... will be soo memorable for you both." Another user wrote, "Seems like I'm gonna bump into you two at BTS concert too." https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-CtnwFtPN8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Earlier this month, Mira Rajput and Shahid Kapoor celebrated their wedding anniversary. To celebrate the special occasion, Shahid shared an adorable picture with his wife and wrote in the caption, "My HAPPY PLACE" https://www.instagram.com/p/C9H3PbLyzkp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Mira, too, took to her Instagram handle and shared an anniversary wish for her husband. She also posted a video with several wedding and vacation pictures, along with glimpses of their happy moments together. In one of the pictures, the couple can be seen posing with their kids, Zain and Misha, on the beach. In a video, Mira and Shahid can be seen enjoying a drive together. Her video captures many such sweet moments of the couple. She wrote in the caption, "You're the one I... Happy 9, love of my life @shahidkapoor" Shahid and Mira got married on July 7, 2015, in an intimate wedding in Delhi. They are doting parents to daughter Misha and son Zain. Misha was born in 2016, while Shahid-Mira welcomed Zain in 2018. (ANI) Actor Neve Campbell has announced that she is returning to the seventh instalment of the film 'Scream' as Sidney Prescott, reported Deadline. Campbell's Sidney will face Ghostface again in the seventh instalment. "We are going to follow Sidney," said Campbell. "They did pitch the concept to me, and it's the reason that I jumped on board," she added. The actor shared that she had not received the final script for the new film but was hoping to receive it soon. "I love these movies, they are so much fun to be a part of, I'm so grateful for them, I could never have imagined being a part of a movie that would have lasted this many decades," she said. 'Scream VII' will be directed by Kevin Williamson, who also wrote the screenplays for Scream and Scream 2. Williamson wrote the script for Scream 4 and also produced Scream 3. Campbell featured in the first five films of the Scream franchise before stepping away from Scream VI. "I did not feel that what I was being offered equated to the value that I bring to this franchise, and have brought to this franchise, for 25 years," she shared. Earlier, Williamson advocated for Campbell's return to the brand and stated that she should be compensated accordingly. In November 2023, producers dismissed new main star Melissa Barrera for antisemitic social media statements, despite their efforts to distance themselves from Campbell. Barrera's co-star Jenna Ortega stepped out of Scream VII, leaving the franchise in uncertainty. Currently, Campbell is the only star confirmed for Scream VII as the franchise starts a new era, reported Deadline. (ANI) Asim Riaz has been in the headlines ever since he entered as a contestant on 'Khatron Ke Khiladi season 14'. He was recently eliminated from the show due to his aggressive behaviour. From the show, a video went viral, where Asim can be heard telling the makers that he has a lot of money, saying, "I have so much money you can't even imagine. I change four cars in six months. Do you think I need money? I was here for the fans, not for these losers." Re-sharing the video, actor and former Bigg Boss contestant Kushal Tandon took to X and slammed Asim. He wrote, "Sohrat kya sohrat bro , Ek big boss ? And what car he is flaunting about second hand cars ? Kitnaaa paisaaaa hain be ? Bank accounts details share karna , hats of to Rohit Shetty sir how he handled that crap huge respect for Rohit sir." https://x.com/KushalT2803/status/1817875054761496772? Let's recap the event, in the latest episode of KKK14, tensions escalated between host Rohit Shetty and contestant Asim Riaz, which lead into a heated argument and due to which Asim was expelled from the show. It all started when Asim failed to complete a task and criticised the showmakers for setting up what he deemed impossible challenges. Asim said to his co-contestant Abhishek Kumar, "I have so much money you can't even imagine. I change four cars within six months. Do you think I need that money? I'm here for the fans, not for these losers." To which Rohit responded, saying, "Kal bhi tune bahut bakwas ki. Sunn, meri baat sunn le, varna main utha ke yahi patak dunga. Do not misbehave with me." The show hosted by Rohit Shetty is based on the format of the American show 'Fear Factor'. The KKK 14th season also features Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, Krishna Shroff, Sumona Chakravarti, and Niyati Fatnani. The 14th season was shot in Romania. It has been airing on Colors since July 27. (ANI) Taking to her Instagram Stories, Deepika dropped a picture of Manu and Sarabjot celebrating their win. Manu was seen proudly displaying her medal, while Sarabjot waved enthusiastically. [{05fce72b-7a46-4083-b8b6-19cfd0d06dc6:intradmin/ANI-20240731092653.jpg}] Anil Kapoor also congratulated the duo on Instagram Stories, writing, "@bhakermanu @sarabjotsingh30 Another win for India!! Congratulations!!" Similarly, Bhumi Pednekar joined in the celebration, cheering them on with a "Chak De!" Earlier on Tuesday, Ajay shared a picture of Manu and Sarabjot from Paris Olympics and wrote, "Taking the term 'eyes on the prize' to whole new level and we are loving it...Here's hoping we get to see many more medals to follow @bhakermanu@sarabjotsingh30." Bhaker had won bronze in the women's individual 10M Air pistol event. Manu-Sarabjot beat South Korea's Lee Wonho and Oh Ye Jin 16-10 in the Bronze Medal play-off match. Meanwhile, talking about Deepika Padukone, she is expecting her first child with Ranveer Singh. The two announced their pregnancy in February this year. On the work front, the mom-to-be is basking in the success of 'Kalki 2898 AD.' Directed by Nag Ashwin, the post-apocalyptic film is inspired by Hindu scriptures and set in the year 2898 AD. Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas and Disha Patani are also part of the film. The film is a mythology-inspired sci-fi extravaganza set in the future. Actors Vijay Deverakonda, Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur have cameos in the film. (ANI) Jimmy Kimmel and John Mulaney have chosen not to host the Academy Awards in 2025. People magazine has confirmed that Kimmel, a familiar face at the Oscars with four previous hosting stints, will not be returning for the next ceremony. Kimmel, who has been a prominent figure in the Academy Awards landscape, hosted the event most recently in 2024. His tenure included memorable appearances in 2017 and 2018, as well as a notable return in 2023. Despite his significant contributions and the highest ratings the Oscars have seen in four years under his helm, Kimmel has decided to step away from hosting duties for the upcoming event. John Mulaney, the acclaimed comedian known for his sharp wit and engaging stage presence, was also considered for the role. Mulaney, who charmed audiences during his hosting of the Academy's 14th Governors Awards in January and delivered a memorable bit at the 2024 Oscars, has reportedly declined the opportunity as well. People magazine confirmed that, despite the offer, Mulaney opted out. Mulaney's performance at the 2024 Oscars was notably praised by actor Kevin Costner, who remarked, "I couldn't believe that guy. Amazing. I watched it a second time. What a chance, because there's always people in the Oscars trying to rush you. And he went fast. But what he said, I was very touched by it. I should talk to him because I was really impressed. He was a genius." The 97th annual Academy Awards is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 2, 2025. The ceremony will be broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood at 7 pm ET on ABC. The Oscars have seen various hosting formats over the years, including a host-less period from 2019 to 2021, and a trio of hosts in 2022. Kimmel's return in 2023 and 2024 brought renewed energy to the show. Kimmel, who also hosts ABC's game show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire', previously shared insights on preparing for the Oscars, stating, "The big challenge always is trying to keep the show moving, so it's a matter of picking your spots and popping in when you're needed and staying out of the picture when you're not," according to People magazine. With Kimmel and Mulaney both stepping back, the Academy will now be on the lookout for a new host to present Hollywood's biggest night. (ANI) On the passing of the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of keeping the politics entangled and they are only doing politics because they don't want to develop. "What do you expect from them (BJP)? They have to keep politics entangled in this. They are only doing politics because they don't want to develop," Yadav said. This came after the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed the U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which gives a maximum punishment of life imprisonment in cases of forced or fraudulent conversion. This bill was passed to make the anti-conversion laws in the state more strict. Earlier, the maximum sentence under the act was a 10-year imprisonment term. As per the Bill, there will be serious penalties, including up to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment (i.e., the entire accused person's life), for any act of threatening, attacking, marrying, promising to marry, conspiring, or trafficking a woman, minor, or anyone else with the intention of converting. The bill was introduced by UP Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna in the House on July 29, 2024. Samajwadi Party leader Fakhrul Hasan Chand also slammed the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government for bringing amendments to the existing law regarding 'Love Jihad' and said that the BJP only wants to do negative politics. In a self-made video, Chand said, "The BJP government, which has brought the ordinance on Love Jihad, already has a law on it. If someone traps someone in his/her love trap with some motive, then there is a law for it, but BJP only wants to do negative politics. It does not want to do anything about unemployment and paper leak." "Samajwadi Party understands that these are diversionary issues. These will not do any good to the people," the SP leader added. (ANI) The Crime Branch Unit of the Pune Rural Police arrested accused Aviraj Kharat in connection with the murder of a 21-year-old woman in Pune. The victim, who worked at a private company in Pimpri Chinchwad, had rejected Kharat's marriage proposal. As per the police, the crime occurred near her rented accommodation in Pune city's Ambethan village, where Kharat slit her throat and stabbed her multiple times in the stomach. He was caught by the Pimpri Chinchwad crime branch team within 12 hours of the incident, near Karad on the Pune-Bengaluru highway. According to the police, Kharat and the victim were classmates during their engineering diploma course. The victim hails from the Valva Tehsil in Sangli district. The victim's parents had opposed their relationship. Sharing details about the incident, police said that the victim's roommate reported that Kharat tried to forcibly enter their room around 11 pm on July 28 but was stopped. He then snatched the victim's cellphone and asked her to come out for a conversation. The roommate and others waited outside, but when Kharat was seen running away, they found the victim lying in a pool of blood. The victim was taken to a nearby private hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Subsequently, a case was registered under sections 103 (1) for murder and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the BNS. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MP Anurag Thakur took a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's statements on Mahabharata and Chakravyuh and said that some people are 'accidental Hindus' and their knowledge of Mahabharata is accidental too. The BJP leader was speaking during the discussion on the budget in the monsoon session of Parliament when he took a swipe at the Leader of Opposition for his speech at the budget session in Parliament on July 29. "At the very start of the Lok Sabha, I had asked whether the people of the opposition who were waving the copy of the Constitution in their hands, in the name of saving the Constitution, had any answer to the number of pages in it," said Anurag Thakur. "These people have neither read the Constitution nor the Mahabharata, but it is surprising that they have not even seen the Mahabharata; otherwise, they would have known that not 6 but 7 Maharathi were involved in the killing of Abhimanyu," he said. In an attack on Rahul Gandhi, Anurag Thakur said that if he has not seen or read the Mahabharata, then at least he should have read the novel, "The Great Indian Novel" by his MP Shashi Tharoor. "If Rahul Ji wants to get detailed information about the Mahabharata and Chakravyuh, then he may connect with his party's MP," he said. Adding further, he said, "In the said novel, whose leader has been termed 'Dhritarashtra,', whose party has been called 'Kaurava', and whose leader is 'Priyadarshini', Rahul ji must find these facts." Anurag Thakur, while reading Shashi Tharoor's 'The Great Indian Novel' in the Lok Sabha, said that Narendra Modi was not the Prime Minister on 15 August 1947 and he (Shashi Tharoor) is saying that the person who took power in 1947 was Dhritarashtra. BJP MP Anurag Thakur did not stop there. He also mentioned the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Anurag Thakur attacked Rahul Gandhi's Chakravyuh statement and said that he did well by raising the topic of Chakravyuh because this country has well seen many "Chakravyuhs of Congress Party." He attacked Congress by counting 7 Chakravyuhs while saying that the first Chakravyuh was Congress itself, which divided the country. He said that the country's first Prime Minister was the second Chakravyuh of Congress, who gave the country the problem of Kashmir and gifted India's land to China. "The third Chakravyuh was former Prime Minister IG (Indira Gandhi), who gave the country an emergency and unrest in Punjab. The country saw the fourth Chakravyuh of Congress when former PM RG-1 (Rajiv Gandhi) gave the country Bofors and massacred the Sikhs," he said. Adding further, he said, "The fifth Chakravyuh was SG (Sanjay Gandhi), who created a narrative of hatred towards Sanatan Tradition and patronised scams worth Rs 12 lakh crore, trapped the country's economy in a vortex and the sixth Chakravyuh is RG 2, who, in the last 15 years, did so much damage to the country's politics, parliamentary tradition and culture as the other 6 Chakravyuhas combined could not do and I will not name the seventh Chakravyuh, you all know it." In a veiled attack on Rahul Gandhi, Anurag Thakur said that the Modi government not only liberated the country by breaking the Congress party's 'Chakravyuh' but also made India the fifth largest economy in the world by taking the development chariot forward. Mentioning the former Prime Ministers who were elected from the Congress party and the scams, he said, 'I want to ask, who got the Halwa. Some people talk about OBC. For them, OBC means "Only for Brother in Law" Commission. I had said that the one who does not know about caste talks about census. I had not taken anyone's name, but who stood up to answer? Anurag Thakur said that falsehood has no legs and rides on the shoulders of the Congress party. "Just like a juggler has a monkey on his shoulders, Rahul Gandhi has a bundle of falsehood on his shoulders," he said. During the discussion on the budget, a leader stood up and made a sarcastic remark on the lotus. "I just don't understand what makes him against "Lotus." He must know that the word "Rajiv" is also a synonym for "Lotus." Lotus is the symbol of our party, and people of India resinstated the BJP to serve the people for the 3rd consecutive term," he said while taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi. "That particular leader, must be reminded that the "aasan" of Maa Lakshmi is lotus, our national flower is also lotus. During the Indus Civilisation, Idol of Lord Shiva in the form of Pashupatinath was also found in the "Padmasana", Lokmanya Tilak attained Samadhi in the Padmasana posture. While they say that there is violence all around the lotus, then they are not only insulting the lotus but also insulting great Bhagwan Shiva, Bhagwan Buddha and Lokmanya Tilak," he said. Anurag Thakur advised Rahul Gandhi to think a little before insulting the Lotus and said, "Don't just become a reel leader; a lot of memes are made of you. To become a real leader, one has to speak the truth." This comes after drawing parallels from the Mahabharata, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party over the Union Budget and said that there's an atmosphere of fear in the country, adding that the country is now trapped in a "Chakravyuh of lotus," referring to the BJP's symbol. Speaking on the Union Budget 2024 in the Lok Sabha on July 29, the Leader of the Opposition attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that farmers, workers, and youngsters of the nation are terrified. Rahul Gandhi criticised the Prime Minister for prominently displaying the lotus symbol and claimed that a new Chakravyuh had been created in the 21st century. The LoP said that the budget has stabbed the middle class, which enthusiastically banged thalis when asked to do so by Prime Minister Modi. The LoP said that the 'Chakravyuh' that the central government has built is harming crores of people. The Leader of the Opposition attacked Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for not mentioning the paper-leak issue in the Budget speech, which he said is the "biggest issue affecting youth." "In the past 10 years, there have been 70 cases of paper leaks in the country," Rahul Gandhi alleged. Showing the poster of the traditional Halwa ceremony, held at the Ministry of Finance before the Budget session, LoP Rahul Gandhi said that 20 officers prepared the Budget of India. "Budget ka halwa' is being distributed in this photo. I can't see one OBC or tribal or a Dalit officer in this. Desh ka halwa bant raha hai aur 73 per cent hai hi nahi. 20 officers prepared the Budget of India. Hindustan ka halwa 20 logon ne baatne ka kaam kiya hai," he added. The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, presented the Union Budget on July 23 in Parliament and made major announcements for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, including a boost in infrastructure and special financial support. The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and, according to schedule, will end on August 12. (ANI) H-E-B recently sold vacant land along Roland Avenue, shown here, in the Denver Heights neighborhood. Google Earth On San Antonios East Side where residents have limited access to supermarkets H-E-B has let go of a chunk of real estate that could attract another grocer. But the San Antonio retail giant sold the site with restrictions that wont allow such development for more than 50 years. Its a common practice by H-E-B and other retailers to keep competitors from invading their turf. H-E-B has one store on San Antonios near East Side at 415 N. New Braunfels Avenue. The San Antonio-based company recently sold a chunk of land southeast of the store in the Denver Heights neighborhood and placed restrictions on the property to prevent a supermarket from being built there for 55 years. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer H-E-B has one store on San Antonios near East Side at 415 N. New Braunfels Avenue. The San Antonio-based company recently sold a chunk of land southeast of the store in the Denver Heights neighborhood and placed restrictions on the property to prevent a supermarket from being built there for 55 years. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer H-E-B has one store on San Antonios near East Side at 415 N. New Braunfels Avenue. The San Antonio-based company recently sold a chunk of land southeast of the store in the Denver Heights neighborhood and placed restrictions on the property to prevent a supermarket from being built there for 55 years. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer H-E-B has one store on San Antonios near East Side at 415 N. New Braunfels Avenue. The San Antonio-based company recently sold a chunk of land southeast of the store in the Denver Heights neighborhood and placed restrictions on the property to prevent a supermarket from being built there for 55 years. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer But, as in this case, such restrictions can be a roadblock to access for healthful food for residents. On the East Side, theres an H-E-B store, a small locally-owned grocer and a handful of convenience stores. Residents say theyd like more options and wonder why H-E-B doesnt upgrade its store at 415 N. New Braunfels Ave. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Everybody complains about it, said Vanessa Shelton, president of the Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association. The empty site H-E-B sold last week is in the Denver Heights neighborhood, south of Dignowity Hill. Retail Assets LLC acquired the 6.2-acre property from a limited partnership affiliated with H-E-B and then sold it to JB Rental Properties LLC. Its unclear what JB Rental Properties paid for the property, which is between Interstate 10, South Walters Street and Westfall and Roland avenues, but deed records indicate the company borrowed $1.5 million for the acquisition. The Bexar Appraisal District values the site at $1.3 million. The deed transferring the property from H-E-B to Retail Assets includes a clause stating that, for the next 55 years, no business at the site can devote more than 500 square feet or 5% of its floor space, whichever is smaller, to the sale of produce, meat, seafood, dairy, cleaning supplies, pet food and other groceries and household goods. The clause allows for a convenience store of 10,000 square feet or less with no more than 10% of its floor space dedicated to groceries and a gas station with a car wash. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Drive to shop State corporate filings list Jawaid Bashir as director of JB Rental Properties, and Bashir also leads Brake Time Corner Market, a chain of convenience stores and gas stations. Neither Brake Time Corner Market nor H-E-B responded to requests for comment, and the president of the Denver Heights neighborhood association was not immediately available for an interview. Council Member Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, who represents the district that includes the area, declined to comment. Businessman Frank Dunn, who grew up in Denver Heights and is working on a documentary about the neighborhood, said residents sometimes go to supermarkets farther east, north or west because they complain that the selection and quality of products at H-E-Bs 40,590-square-foot New Braunfels Avenue store are lacking. Other grocers that do business in San Antonio Walmart, Target, Costco, La Fiesta, Whole Foods Market, Trader Joes, Sprouts Farmers Market, Central Market and Sams Club do not have stores in the area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The dearth of food store options is a problem for senior citizens in particular, who may not be comfortable driving far for their groceries, Dunn said. Shelton said she drives to Central Market, Whole Foods or Trader Joes stores because shes disappointed by the availability of meat, fish, floral, organic produce, cheese and makeup selections at H-E-Bs store on New Braunfels Avenue. Theres nice H-E-Bs everywhere else, except for the East Side, she said. Restrictive sales H-E-B often uses restrictive clauses like the one on the East Side property when it sells surplus land. It has put similar limitations on more than 20 properties totaling more than 200 acres in Bexar County in recent decades, including properties on East Commerce Street on the East Side, at Potranco and Loop 1604 on the far West Side and on Huebner Road in Shavano Park. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Walmart and Target have also put restrictions on properties those companies sold in the area, but with shorter time spans, such as 10, 25, 35 or 50 years. On the near West Side, H-E-B sold the 19-acre Crosstowne Mercado retail center at West Commerce Street and General McMullen Drive in 2006. A supermarket cant open there until Nov. 30, 2061, but that area has other options nearby. Theres an H-E-B about 1.2 miles south on Castroville Road and another 2 miles north on Culebra Road. The company built an H-E-B Plus! store along Interstate 37 at South Gevers Street in 2008. The next year, H-E-B put restrictions in place on a 2.5-acre site less than 2 miles north where it had long operated a store on South Presa Street. Similarly, H-E-B places restrictions on about 57 acres north of Loop 1604 along Bulverde Road in 2017 and constructed a store on Bulverde on the other side of the highway the same year. Perhaps nowhere have H-E-Bs restrictions had a bigger effect than in Killeen, a city about an hours drive north of Austin. Advertisement Article continues below this ad H-E-B closed its store in downtown Killeen in 2019 and put restrictions on the property when the company sold it several years later. Supermarket chain IGA also shuttered a store the same year. The pair of closures meant residents had to travel almost 3 miles south to get to the closest supermarket, a trek for those who rely on public transportation, and local leaders are trying to attract a new grocery store. After the Madhya Pradesh Madarsa Board issued an order to cancel the affiliation of 56 madrasas in Sheopur district, the state government has launched a probe. Speaking to ANI, Uday Pratap Singh said, "We have noticed that there are many places where schools are not functioning, or there are no children, or there is some kind of irregularity. This has come to light in some districts. Sheopur district is one of them. There were more than 80 madrasas running there, out of which 53-54 schools were closed for several months." "Therefore, the aid provided by the government was stopped for seven-eight months, so the government decided to close those schools," he said. "All government-private educational institutions and madrasas operating in Madhya Pradesh are being investigated. We are investigating and observing every point to find out where there have been violations of the rules. If there has been an irregularity, we will also take action, and if necessary, we will also take action," he said. Madhya Pradesh Madarsa Board issued an order to cancel the affiliation of 56 Madrasas after they were found non-operational in Sheopur district, stated an official release issued on Tuesday. According to the Department of Public Relations, Madhya Pradesh, "56 madrasas were found not fully operational in Sheopur. On the basis of the report of the District Education Officer Sheopur, the Madhya Pradesh Madarsa Board has issued orders to cancel the recognition of these madarsas. It was told in the report that 80 recognised madarsas are operating in Sheopur district." Secretary Madhya Pradesh Madarsa Board said that all the district education officers across the state have been instructed to get the field staff to conduct physical inspections of the madarsas operating in their area. In the inspection, the proposal to cancel the recognition of the madarsas that are not being operated as per the rules of the state government should be sent to the Madhya Pradesh Madarsa Board. The assistance provided by the School Education Department to the madarsas which are not being operated as per the rules will be discontinued immediately. School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh directed all the district education officers of the state to conduct regular inspections of all educational institutions in their areas with the field staff. He has asked the officers to ensure that the students going to school get the benefit of the departmental schemes of the state government and the students can get quality education. The School Education Minister has also given instructions to speed up the physical verification of madarsas operating in the state. He said that action should be taken to cancel the recognition of those madarsas that are not being operated as per the rules. Along with this, physical verification of schools and private educational institutions should also be carried out at a fast pace. (ANI) BJP leader, NV Subhash, demanded Revanth Reddy's government implement the Love Jihad bill in the state on Tuesday. Speaking to ANI, NV Subhash said that the Revanth Reddy government should implement the Love Jihad bill in the state along with the neighbouring states. He further said that illegal Rohingyas and Bangladeshis are influxing into Hyderabad, which is changing the image of the system. "The introduction of Uttar Pradesh's Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Bill, which was adopted by CM Yogi Adiyanath in February 2021, is now giving good results in Uttar Pradesh. The amendment to this bill will be introduced in the UP Assembly and will have a strict punishment. It's an important and bold step to stop the forcible conversion and to stop the demographic change in the population," he said. "There have been illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi influx into Hyderabad and Telangana, which is changing the image of the system. These people come here and get married to the Hindu tribal and SC ST girls and then leave them and go back to their native countries, because of which the girls suffer. If this continues, the number of Hindu girls will decrease in the country," he said. Further talking about the bill, he said, "The bill addresses the most important aspect of the attack on innocent Hindu Tribal, SC ST girls who are falling prey to external radical Islamists, who have one point of agenda, which is to destroy the Hindu unit of family and impose the Islamic agenda of GAZWA-E- HIND, which is being taught in many of the illegally funded madrasas in the bordering areas of Uttar Pradesh." He added, "In Telangana, many Love Jihad cases were reported recently and this bill has to be replicated in all states to save Hindu girls for future generations. This bill will be an honour and dignity for women." (ANI) The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi will roll out electric buses (eBuses) to provide efficient last-mile transport from nearby metro stations and bus stops to various facilities within the campus. This service aims to resolve problems related to long walks, expensive autorickshaws, and the unavailability of transport options for patients and their attendants, making travel within the campus easier and more convenient. According to authorities, this e-bus service is aimed at improving connectivity and services for patients and facilitating easier travel within the campus. These eBuses (14-seaters) with modern conveniences such as air-conditioning, a low floor for energy-saving entry, and wheelchair access will be provided to AIIMS patients and their carers only. The service will be available on every 10 minutes during peak hours (7am - 7pm) on regular days, and every 15 minutes on Mondays, except holidays. The e-buses will have designated stops with shelter and a call button for the convenience of patients. These buses will be equipped with CCTV cameras and GPS tracking for better security and live monitoring. A mobile application will be available for real-time tracking of buses and service feedback, and fare collection will be done through UPI/AIIMS Smart Card. According to authorities, this will alleviate traffic congestion, and help decrease environmental pollution and carbon footprints while minimising noise pollution. "As part of such initiatives being undertaken for providing the best patient care services to our patients, we are committed to making the patient experience at AIIMS New Delhi better every day. This initiative will not only solve the transport woes of our patients but also provide a reliable and convenient ride within the campus," AIIMS Delhi director Dr (Prof.) M Srinivas said. Dr (Prof.) Rima Dada, PIC, Media Cell, said, "We would like the journey for patients who are coming to our campus to be absolutely smooth and hassle-free along with their attendants. The introduction of travel packages extends a model which is shaped around moving passengers, something that for long has been an ambition for businesses in The Boring Company network." (ANI) Opposition leaders slammed BJP MP Anurag Thakur over his remarks on the leader of the opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Parliament and said that he should learn manners. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said that Anurag Thakur's statement is condemnable, adding that these are the people who want to mould the country in a way that would be politically convenient for them. She said, "The country needs us to rise above religion and caste and serve the nation, serve Bharat Mata. Our caste is to serve the nation and our religion is to take Bharat Mata ahead. These are people who want to mould the country in a way that would be politically convenient for them...What he said is condemnable, I hope his leaders make him apologise." Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said, "This is the nature of Thakur ji. You can understand his mindset. If he can speak by stooping to such a level, it means you have a weak foundation." Congress MP Manickam Tagore has moved an adjournment motion seeking discussion on the caste census and said that Anurag Thakur's statement shows arrogance. "This shows the arrogance of the BJP. We all know that Anurag Thakur always thinks differently. They have a hierarchical mindset. Rahul Gandhi stands with Dalits, OBCs, and minorities. Rahul Gandhi stands for everybody who is oppressed, and voiceless. Rahul Gandhi's reply was very gentle, genuine and decent. He replied that you may insult in whatever terms you want in the House but I will stand for the cause of social justice and we will work for social justice and caste census. As a follow-up, I have moved an Adjournment Motion Notice in Parliament because the Census has been delayed," he said. Congress MP Hibi Eden said Anurag Thakur constantly used unparliamentary words, adding that Rahul Gandhi will continue his fight. He said, "Anurag Thakur has been constantly using unparliamentary words or undemocratic ways to tackle Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi will continue his fight at the very end." Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Ahulia alleged that Anurag Thakur is doing this to satisfy his bosses. "Asking someone about his caste is not good behaviour; he satisfies his bosses by using foul words in the parliament. This is parliament; the opposition's work is to raise questions and the government's job is to answer those questions. Using foul words is not the answer," he said. "We will try to pass the caste census bill in parliament," he added Earlier on Wednesday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MP Anurag Thakur took a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's statements on Mahabharata and Chakravyush and said that some people are 'accidental Hindus' and their knowledge of Mahabharata is accidental too. The BJP leader was speaking during the discussion on the budget in the monsoon session of Parliament when he took a swipe at the leader of the opposition for his speech at the budget session in Parliament on Tuesday. Anurag Thakur entered into a heated argument with Rahul Gandhi during his speech in the lower house of the Parliament, saying that those whose caste is unknown are speaking on the issue of caste census. In an attack on Rahul Gandhi, Anurag Thakur said that if he had not seen or read the Mahabharata, then at least he should have read the novel "The Great Indian Novel" by his MP Shashi Tharoor. (ANI) An official from Jamia told ANI the merit list for undergraduate (UG) courses admission will be based on CUET scores. The central university's admission process has been delayed due to the late release of results by the National Testing Agency (NTA). "The portal for submission of online application forms for UG course admission under CUET shall remain open till ten days after the declaration of the CUET result," the official said. This extension follows the recent CUET UG 2024 results announcement by the NTA. Of the 50 undergraduate courses offered by the university, 15 will admit students based on CUET scores. Officiating Vice-Chancellor Shakeel Ahmed noted a slight delay in the admissions process due to the late release of CUET results. However, he assured that this delay would not impact the academic or semester calendar at the university. "Although our admission process will be slightly delayed, it will not be as prolonged as in previous years. Importantly, there will be no impact on the academic or semester calendar," Ahmed said. The NTA announced the CUET UG 2024 results on Sunday. This year, a total of 1,347,618 students registered for the exam, including 717,000 male candidates, 630,000 female candidates, and 7 transgender students. The NTA score represents the percentile rank of a candidate, reflecting their performance relative to others who took the test. (ANI) Congress MP Manish Tewari on Wednesday gave an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha 'to discuss the border situation and the huge trade deficit with China'. "I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent importance, namely: That this House do suspend Zero Hour and relevant rules relating to Question Hour and other businesses of the day to have a discussion on the border situation and the huge trade deficit with China," Manish Tewari said in the adjournment motion notice "Since 2019, there have been ongoing border clashes between India and China, with reports of Chinese troops blocking access to patrolling points in Eastern Ladakh. Recent reports suggest that China has completed construction of a 400-metre bridge which gives Chinese forces the ability to speedily move troops between the North and South banks of the Pangong Lake," Tewari said. "Additionally, in 2023-24, India's trade deficit with China exceeded USD 85 billion, with exports at USD 16.65 billion and imports at USD 101.75 billion, I urge the Government to inform the House about the border situation and the trade deficit, and to provide details on efforts to resolve the border dispute and protect India's integrity against Chinese aggressions. I request permission to raise this matter," he added. On Tuesday, Congress MP Manish Tewari also submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha, calling for a discussion on the border situation and the substantial trade deficit with China. The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and, according to schedule, will end on August 12. Earlier, on July 29, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that New Delhi's relations with Beijing are "not doing very well," and underlined how the relationship is not normal. Speaking to the press in Tokyo, Jaishankar said, "We have views on China based on our experience. Our relations with China are not doing very well, the main reason for that is in 2020, during the COVID, China brought very large forces to the border areas between India and China in violation of agreements that we had with China and that created tensions which led to a clash, people died on both sides." Noting that the issue has not been fully resolved yet between the two nations, the EAM remarked, "As a neighbour, we hope for a better relationship, but that can only happen if they respect the LOC and respect agreements which they have signed in the past." (ANI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday morning held a meeting to review the rescue operations in the Wayanad district, which was hit by landslides on July 30. The number of people who died in the landslides that struck the hilly areas of Meppadi in Wayanad district on Tuesday following incessant rainfall has gone up to 158, the Kerala Revenue Department said today. The chief minister Vijayan held a meeting at the office of the Disaster Management Authority in Thiruvananthapuram to take stock of the rescue efforts. As per a decision taken during the cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister will also reach Wayanad on August 1 morning to attend a state-level all-party meeting that has been convened for tomorrow. Union minister George Kurian this morning visited the affected areas to take stock of the situation and met with survivors at relief camps. Currently, a delegation of nine State ministers is in Wayanad assessing the relief camps. "Today, in the review meeting chaired by CM, the National Disaster Management Authority pointed out that they may be in a position to requisition ground penetrating radar that can be mounted on drones" Kerala Chief Secretary V Venu told reporters. A total of 1200 rescue workers from the Indian Army, DSC centre, Territorial Army, NDRF, Indian Navy and the IAF are deployed at the calamity-hit areas. Teams of Army, Air Force and Navy have joined personnel of NDRF, police force and firefighters in rescue efforts, Kerala Chief Secretary V Venu said. "...Today, a large contingent of rescue workers are currently fanning across the Mundakkai and upper regions in order to search for survivors and bodies. It will be difficult to identify the bodies found downstream as they are mutilated," the Chief Secretary said. Detailing the challenges faced by the rescue personnel, The Chief Secretary said, "The biggest challenge that the rescue teams have reported is that the hamlet of Mundakkai has been flattened because of huge boulders and trees that have come down as part of a landslide." "The problem they are facing is to cut into the houses which have collapsed and for that, they need heavy equipment. At the moment, we are not able in a position transfer heavy equipment across the river. We are hoping that the Bailey Bridge being built by the Indian Army will be completed by tomorrow," he added. "There is a possibility that bodies are buried under the mud. Yesterday, we managed to move all the injured found in Mundakkai. At this moment, we are happy with the assistance given by all government agencies," he further said. Navy teams from EzhimalaNaval base arrived in Chooralmala this morning. An Army canine unit has also joined in the efforts to sniff out bodies buried under the debris of mud and slush. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is actively engaged in the rescue and relief operations for those affected by the landslide and the ICG Disaster Relief Team Kochi and Beypore are on the ground, providing aid and support. Hundreds of people are still missing in the aftermath of the landslides which affected Mundakkai and Chooralmala the most. Attamala and Noolpuzha villages were also affected. Chief Minister Vijayan said that 45 camps have been set up in Wayanad district and over 3000 people have been rehabilitated there. Kerala Leader of Oppositon VD Satheesan said, "The priority is to carry out the rescue operations. The military and the NDRF are doing very well...We expect more casualties...It will take time to build the houses again now. The local MLAs and Panchayats are providing all support. "We have demanded from the government that all displaced persons should be provided house rent as they don''t have a house now. We will raise all these issues in the all-party meeting tomorrow. We are with the government to overcome this situation... "Satheesan added. Meanwhile, based on inputs from the Kerala Government, forest Officials and Villagers a team of the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) Madras, led by Sub Gijil, Sub Jayesh and Nb Sub Anilkumar along with 12 Jawans, rescued 19 civilians stranded in ElaResort and VanaRani resort beyond Mundakai village, the Defence PRO for Kerala said. (ANI) Two fire tenders were rushed to the spot. 10 people were rescued by the Delhi Fire Service, an official said. Further information is awaited. Earlier, in a separate incident, a fire broke out at a fast food eatery in Delhi's INA market in the early hours of Monday. Manoj Mehlawat, Station Training Officer (STO), Delhi Fire Service, told ANI, "We received information of the fire at 3:20 am. 7-8 fire brigades have been sent here. Two restaurants caught fire." (ANI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted raids at 19 locations, including the premises of Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA RS Bali and an alleged close associate of the state's Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, in Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, in a case linked to the generation of alleged fake Ayushman Bharat ID cards and violations of the scheme against many hospitals, officials said. The agency is conducting the searches in Himachal Pradesh's five districts, including Kangra, Una, Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu. The agency raided the premises of Bali, a congress MLA from Nagrota in Himachal Pradesh, Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), and the Vice Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board; and Rajesh Sharma of Shree Balaji Hospital in Kangra (a close associate of the present Himachal Pradesh CM), as their names figured in the fraud, said the officials. The raid is part of a case related to the generation of alleged fake Ayushman Bharat AB-PMJAY cards. In addition to the generation of alleged fake ID cards, the officials said, the scheme has been violated by several hospitals, including allegedly by some top hospitals. Many medical bills have been generated on such fake cards, causing losses to the exchequer and the public. (ANI) West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fully committed to providing all necessary support for the rescue and relief operations in the Wayanad tragedy. "I had an opportunity to visit the relief camps and talk in detail to the victims who are staying there...this is one of the worst calamities that happened recently...I spoke to the CM of Kerala and brought the issues to the notice of the PM and Defence Minister. PM is fully committed to doing whatever is required for the rescue and relief operations...we are with the victims," Bose told ANI. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, currently in Wayanad, visited the Government Higher Secondary School where postmortems of the landslide victims will take place. He also visited the Meppady Community Hall, now serving as a temporary mortuary. As per the Kerala Revenue Department, the death toll in Wayanad landslides has risen to 158. Meanwhile, Search and rescue operations continue at landslide-affected Chooralmala in Wayanad. At the moment, 1200 rescue workers from the Indian Army, DSC centre, Territorial Army, NDRF, Indian Navy and the IAF are deployed here. The Commandant of the Para Regimental Training Centre, Brigadier Arjun Seagan, said that 500 to 600 personnel from the NDRF, army, state police, forest officials, and volunteers have been carrying out the rescue operations on Wednesday. Earlier today, the Indian Army ramped up its rescue operations and successfully evacuated more than 1,000 people from affected areas to safety. The Army's Southern Command said that up to 1,000 personnel have been rescued so far using man-made bridges and human effort. Despite adverse climatic conditions and poor visibility, Indian Air Force Helicopters also conducted search & rescue operations in Wayanad rescuing stranded people from a narrow strip of land. At least two massive landslides struck Kerala's Wayanad on Tuesday morning, causing widespread destruction. The first occurred in Mundakkai, a town, and the second in Chooralmala. The massive landslides wreaked havoc in the region, damaging houses and roads, uprooting trees, and swelling water bodies, which hindered rescue operations. Relief and rescue efforts are currently underway. The first landslide occurred at 2 am on July 30, followed by another at 4:10 am, causing immense damage to homes and livelihoods. Many areas, including Meppadi, Mundakkai and Chooralmala, have been isolated, and roads have been washed away. The Vellarmala GVH School was completely buried. (ANI) Multiple sci-tech achievements to be revealed at big data expo in August Xinhua) 08:38, July 31, 2024 BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhua) -- A number of scientific and technological achievements will be unveiled at the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2024, an official said Tuesday. The 2024 expo will be held in Guiyang, the capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, from August 28 to 30, said Ma Ningyu, mayor of Guiyang, at a press conference on the expo. Ma said more than 200 enterprises, universities and industry associations from both home and abroad will unveil achievements at this event. "A total of 10 leading sci-tech achievements and over 50 outstanding sci-tech achievements will be selected and released at the expo," Ma noted. Initiated in 2015, the big data expo has seen its number of visits increase from 13,000 in 2015 to 180,000 in 2023, Shen Zhulin, deputy head of the National Data Administration, said at the press conference. Often dubbed China's big data hub, the mountainous province of Guizhou is China's first national big data comprehensive pilot zone. It promotes the big data industry as backbone of its high-quality social and economic development. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) The toothless blindcat, a rare cave-dwelling catfish that lives in the Edwards Aquifer, is one of two species the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to list as endangered. This specimen is held by the University of Texas Biodiversity Center. Garold Sneegas, Hendrickson Lab, University of Texas Biodiversity Center The widemouth blindcat, a rare cave-dwelling catfish that lives in the Edwards Aquifer, is one of two species the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to list as endangered. This specimen is held by the University of Texas Biodiversity Center. Garold Sneegas, Hendrickson Lab, University of Texas Biodiversity Center The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has extended its deadline to determine whether two aquifer-dwelling catfish species should be listed as endangered, a move that local officials say would threaten San Antonios access to its largest water source. Last August, the federal agency issued a proposed rule to list the toothless blindcat and widemouth blindcat, which live deep in the Edwards Aquifer, under the Endangered Species Act. The San Antonio Water System, CPS Energy, Edwards Aquifer Authority and several state officials have opposed the proposal, calling it premature and based on insufficient science. The catfish, which grow to only a few inches long and have no pigment or developed eyes, live about 1,000 feet below San Antonio in a part of the Edwards Aquifer that is inaccessible to humans. The aquifer is a limestone cavern system that spans more than 2,000 miles and supplies groundwater to more than 2 million Texans, including more than half of SAWS supply. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Federal officials havent said what rules could be put in place to protect the fish species, but protections typically include restrictions on what can be done to a species habitat. While the Fish and Wildlife Service was initially required to issue a final rule within 12 months of the proposal, the agency said Wednesday that it would delay the decision by six months, with a new deadline next February. During the previous public comment periods, the agency received new information and data regarding well operations that could be relevant to the final determination, the agency said in a written statement. The agency also reopened the public comment period, allowing people to weigh in on the decision from Aug. 1 to Sept. 3. In its proposal to list the species, the agency said the blindcats are in danger because of groundwater pumping that sucks the fish from the aquifer and ejects them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad READ MORE: Three types of Guadalupe River mussels added to endangered list However, SAWS officials have disputed that argument, with the utility writing that the Fish and Wildlife Service does not have a sufficient understanding of how the wells actually work and has made assumptions about how the wells might injure or kill blindcats that are, in fact, inconsistent with the actual functioning of the wells. The city-owned utility said water enters some of its wells through artesian pressure without pumping and that pumps and motors used by SAWS draw water only from about 50 feet below their location, which is several hundred feet above the habitat of the blindcats. Halting production from certain wells due to the unsupported conclusion that pumping is affecting the species habitat and mortality rate would reduce SAWS capacity by millions of gallons a day, amounting to the water used by half a million people each day, SAWS officials said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This is the second time the agency has reopened the comment period. In December, it did so in response to a request from SAWS. Congress MP KC Venugopal said on Wednesday that there is a need for maximum support from the Central Government, State Government, and all other state governments to effectively address the tragedy in Wayanad. Venugopal also stressed the need for both long-term and short-term strategies to prevent such calamities. He added that he had given notice to the Speaker to call for an urgent discussion on the Wayanad landslide. "There is no word to say about the Wayanad tragedy. So many bodies have been found and a lot of people are missing...We need to put maximum strength from the Central Government side, State Government side and all other State Governments who can help, then only the situation can be addressed...The nation is weeping. We need to have long-term and short-term strategies regarding how to stop these types of calamities. So, I have a notice to the Speaker for calling attention to have an urgent discussion on this. Governor has agreed, Speaker is giving time," Venugopal told ANI. As per the Kerala Revenue Department, the death toll in Wayanad landslides has risen to 158. Meanwhile, Search and rescue operations continue at landslide-affected Chooralmala in Wayanad. At the moment, 1200 rescue workers from the Indian Army, DSC centre, Territorial Army, NDRF, Indian Navy and the IAF are deployed here. The Commandant of the Para Regimental Training Centre, Brigadier Arjun Seagan, said that 500 to 600 personnel from the NDRF, army, state police, forest officials, and volunteers have been carrying out the rescue operations on Wednesday. Earlier today, the Indian Army ramped up its rescue operations and successfully evacuated more than 1,000 people from affected areas to safety. The Army's Southern Command said that up to 1,000 personnel have been rescued so far using man-made bridges and human effort. Despite adverse climatic conditions and poor visibility, Indian Air Force Helicopters also conducted search & rescue operations in Wayanad rescuing stranded people from a narrow strip of land. At least two massive landslides struck Kerala's Wayanad on Tuesday morning, causing widespread destruction. The first occurred in Mundakkai, a town, and the second in Chooralmala. The massive landslides wreaked havoc in the region, damaging houses and roads, uprooting trees, and swelling water bodies, which hindered rescue operations. Relief and rescue efforts are currently underway. The first landslide occurred at 2 am on July 30, followed by another at 4:10 am, causing immense damage to homes and livelihoods. Many areas, including Meppadi, Mundakkai and Chooralmala, have been isolated, and roads have been washed away. The Vellarmala GVH School was completely buried. (ANI) Mumbai DCP Zone 5 Tejaswi Satpute said that two more accused have been taken into custody in connection with the murder incident reported in Dharavi area of Mumbai on Sunday. He said that with this, four people have been arrested in connection with the case. "We have arrested two more people in this case. Earlier, we identified two accused and apprehended them,' the DCP added. According to the police, the victim, identified as Arvind Vaishya, was attacked and beaten to death by the accused. "Arvind was attacked and killed by the accused when he tried to resolve a fight between two groups," police said on Monday. Following the incident, a case was registered, and two of the accused were taken into custody on Sunday. More details are awaited. (ANI) Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday expressed his support for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and said that the organisation has been contributing to national welfare. He emphasised that everyone should take pride in any organization dedicated to serving the nation in such a selfless manner. While addressing the Rajya Sabha, Dhankar emphasized that the RSS comprises individuals who have dedicated themselves to selflessly serving the nation. "I hereby rule that RSS is an organisation that has full Constitutional rights to participate in the development journey of this nation. This organisation bears unimpeachable credentials, comprised of people who are deeply committed to serving the nation selflessly. To take exception that a member of this organisation cannot participate in the development journey of this nation is not only unconstitutional but beyond the rules. Our rules prescribe a methodology...," he said. Lauding the RSS further, Dhankar said, "Every organisation associated with the development of the nation should come forward. It is soothing to note, wholesome to note that RSS as an organisation has been contributing to national welfare, and our culture, and everyone should take pride in any organisation which is acting in this manner." The remarks by the Rajya Sabha Chairman come after the central government lifted the ban on participation of government employees in RSS activities. A few days ago, an order was reportedly issued by the Ministry of Personnel, lifting the ban on the participation of government employees in RSS activities. The order has, however, sparked a row, drawing criticism from the opposition. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had referred to it as "very strange" after the central government lifted the ban on the participation of government employees in RSS activities. Tharoor said that it is the responsibility of the government employees to work for everyone and added that they should remain "neutral" when in government. "This is very strange. RSS work and government work are different, both should not be together and the Narendra Modi government did not change this rule for 10 years, then why are you changing it now? It is the responsibility of government employees to work for everyone, work for the whole country. This is not fair, after retiring from service you can do whatever you want but when you are in the government you should remain neutral," Tharoor had said. (ANI) Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said there were 10,145 vacant posts in the Border Security Force (BSF) as of July 1, 2024, while 7372 new posts were created in the BSF in the last five years. He said that further, 54,760 personnel have been recruited in BSF in the last five years. MoS Home Nityanand Rai speaking at Rajya Sabha said, "Creation of posts and Cadre restructuring is an ongoing process based on the operational requirement of the force. The sanctioned strength of BSF as of July 1, 2024, is 2,65,808 and the posted Strength is 2,55,663." He said that the upper age limit shall be relaxable for up to three years for the candidates of Ex-Agniveers. Further, age relaxation of five years beyond the prescribed upper age limit will be given to the candidates of the first batch of the Agnipath Scheme. Ex-Agniveers shall be exempted from the Physical Efficiency Test (PET). Replying to a question on the number of cases that have been registered in the country under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the details thereof, State- wise and the number of detention centres that have been established in the country under the said Act, the details thereof, State-wise he said that the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles the data on crime and publishes the same in its annual publication 'Crime in India'. The latest published report is for the year 2022. As per the reports, the details of State/ Union territory-wise cases registered in the country under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 are in Annexure. "2615 cases have been registered in the country under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), between 2020 and 2022. Under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), there is no provision for the establishment of detention centres," MoS Home Nityanand Rai said. Replying to a question whether Government has taken any steps to consolidate the efforts of the State Governments in providing modern equipments to the State Disaster Response Force he said that as per the National Policy on Disaster Management, raising and equipping of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rests with the State/ UT Governments concerned. "The Central Government regularly follows up with the State/UT Governments regarding raising and equipping of the SDRF with adequate disaster response capabilities. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also conduct annual capacity building workshop for SDRF, in which this issue is discussed and its need is highlighted. To facilitate the State/UT Governments, the Central Government has also shared the list of disaster response equipments, with the request to equip its SDRF in line with the NDRF," he added. Rai further said that the State Governments have also been advised to use preparedness and Capacity Building' window of their State Disaster Response Fund for equipping their SDRF besides, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) also advises State/UT regarding raising and equiping their SDRFs. (ANI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday expressed his condolences to the lives lost in the landslide in Kerala's Wayanad and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the deceased Kannadigas. The number of people who died in the landslides that struck the hilly areas of Meppadi in Wayanad district on Tuesday following incessant rainfall has gone up to 164, the Kerala Chief Minister said on Wednesday. Sharing a post on his official X handle, Siddaramaiah said, "The death toll in Kerala's Wayanad landslide continues to rise. This is a very heinous tragedy, the fact that Kannadigas lost their lives in this tragedy made it even more painful." He added, "The deceased Kannadigars will be given a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each. Meanwhile, I pray that the soul of the deceased may rest in peace." The Karnataka Chief Minister asserted that the state administration has sent officials to Kerala for the rescue work. "Already, two senior IAS officers of the state, the NDRF team and the army teams are busy in the rescue work. Today Minister Santosh Lad is being sent to Wayanad to take charge of defense work. Saving the lives of the victims is our priority and our government is working hard to bring the Kannadigas in distress safely to Nadi," the post by Siddaramaiah said. Meanwhile, the Southern Naval Command dispatched a disaster relief team of 68 personnel from INS Zamorin at Ezhimala to the landslide-affected areas in Kerala's Wayanad, officials said on Wednesday. "Based on the request from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), the Southern Naval Command dispatched a disaster relief team of 68 personnel from INS Zamorin at Ezhimala to the landslide-affected site at 02.30 pm on July 30, 2024," the Southern Naval Command said in a statement on Wednesday. According to an official statement, the rescue team, equipped with medical personnel and necessary equipment, arrived at the site at 10 pm the same day. Additional teams are on standby and will be deployed at short notice as needed. An Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) detachment in Search and Rescue (SAR) configuration was deployed from Kochi to Calicut at 07.30 am on Wednesday to support the rescue efforts. The regional meteorological department has issued a warning for heavy rainfall in five districts, including Wayanad. An Orange Alert has been issued for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod, while a Yellow Alert is in place for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, and Palakkad districts. No rain warnings are in effect for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. The Kerala government is compiling a list of those affected by the landslide. Kerala Revenue and Housing Minister K Rajan said that the number of people involved in the accident will be available by this evening. "The list will be prepared based on the ration cards and mustering records of plantations. The camps will continue, and comprehensive measures for rehabilitation will be taken soon," Rajan said. (ANI) Places in Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh were raided. The agency is conducting searches in five districts of Himachal Pradesh, including Kangra, Una, Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu. The agency raided the premises of RS Bali who is Congress MLA from Nagrota, chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and vice chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board, and Rajesh Sharma of Shree Balaji Hospital in Kangra (a close associate of the present Himachal Pradesh CM), as their names figured in the fraud, said officials. The raid is part of a case related to the generation of fake Ayushman Bharat AB-PMJAY cards. In addition to the generation of fake ID cards, the officials said, the scheme has been violated by several hospitals, including Bankey Bihari Hospital and Fortis Hospital. Many medical bills have been generated on such fake cards, causing losses to the exchequer and the public. (ANI) Congress top brass Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are scheduled to visit the disaster-stricken region of Wayanad on Thursday, August 1. They will be going to meet the families affected by the recent landslide that has so far taken 158 lives in the hilly areas of Meppadi in Wayanad, Kerala. They will also be visiting the relief camps that were set up at the schools and medical institutes in Meppadi. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday morning held a meeting to review the rescue operations in the Wayanad district, which was hit by landslides on July 30. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will also be reaching Wayanad on August 1 to attend a state-level all-party meeting. On Wednesday morning, he held a review meeting on the rescue operation going on in the district. Union Minister George Kurian also visited the affected areas this morning to take stock of the situation and met with survivors at relief camps. Currently, a delegation of nine state ministers is in Wayanad assessing the relief camps. A total of 1200 rescue workers from the Indian Army, DSC Centre, Territorial Army, NDRF, Indian Navy and IAF are deployed at the calamity-hit areas. Teams of the Army, Air Force and Navy have joined personnel of the NDRF, police force and firefighters in rescue efforts, Kerala Chief Secretary V Venu said. Navy teams from Ezhimala Naval Base also arrived in Chooralmala this morning. An Army canine unit has also joined in the efforts to sniff out bodies buried under the debris of mud and slush. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is also actively engaged in the rescue and relief operations for those affected by the landslide with the support of the ICG Disaster Relief Team of Kochi and Beypore. Chief Minister Vijayan said that 45 camps have been set up in Wayanad district and over 3000 people have been rehabilitated there. Meanwhile, based on inputs from the Kerala Government, forest Officials and villagers, a team of the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) Madras, led by Sub Gijil, Sub Jayesh and Nb Sub Anilkumar, along with 12 Jawans, rescued 19 civilians stranded in ElaResort and VanaRani resort beyond Mundakai village, the Defence PRO for Kerala said. (ANI) Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who is also the state president of JDS, has refused support to the Karnataka BJP's planned padayatra, expressing his anger over the invitation to Pritham gowda, the former MLA of Hassan. The BJP has proposed to take out a seven-day 'padayatra' from August 3 against the alleged wrong-doings of the Siddaramiah government. Speaking to the media this morning in New Delhi, HD Kumaraswamy reacted bitterly, asking whether he could share the stage with the person who poisoned Deve Gowda's family. "When they (the BJP) are not ready to take us into confidence, then why should we give support to them(BJP)? They (BJP) must tell us how they treated us regarding the padayatra. What are they trying to achieve? I'm hurt, it pains me. Who is Preetham J Gowda? He's the one who tried to destroy the HD Devegowda family. They (BJP) bring him on stage and make him sit with me. Who is responsible for the distribution of those pen drives (in Prajwal Revanna's case)? Don't they (the BJP) know what happened in Hassan? Electoral alliance is different and politics is different," HD Kumaraswamy said. Earlier, the JDS core committee meeting in Bengaluru chaired by GT Deve Gowda had asked the BJP to delay the padayatra due to ongoing rains in the state. JDS President HD Kumaraswamy has now decided that his party will withdraw from this padayatra as it is not a suitable occasion for such an activity. "The whole state has been shaken by rains, landslides, landslides and crop destruction. There is a possibility of getting criticism from people if you do padayatra in such a difficult situation. It is for this reason that we have withdrawn from the padayatra," Kumaraswamy said. "What is the benefit to the people of the state from this padayathra? The legal fight is important here. Only politics is not important for us here. So we don't even give moral support to Padayatra. Why do we support, when we are not trusted? Our party has strength from Bengaluru to Mysuru," Kumaraswamy added. Kumaraswamy highlighted that the JDS core committee was not in favour of joining the padayatra at this point. "In the core committee meeting, our leaders discussed the padayathra in detail. Everyone's opinion is that don't do the padayatra for now, let's do it after a few days. Hundreds of people have died due to massive landslides in Kerala's Wayanad, which is adjacent to Kodagu district. Many more have disappeared. Red Alert is present in many districts of our state. In several districts including Kodagu, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, and Dakshina Kannada, land subsidence continues," he said. The outburst of anger from HD Kumaraswamy is likely to cause some unease in its coalition partner the BJP, especially at a time when the BJP has been aggressive in calling out alleged cases of corruption in the Congress government. (ANI) A program for the distribution of aid to women of self-help groups called 'Sakhi Samvad' was held in Gandhinagar in the presence of Gujarat CM, Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday. Products produced by women of self-help groups from across the state were showcased in the 'Sakhi Samvad' program. Representatives from across the state enthusiastically took advantage of the occasion and purchased various products in the exhibition of various stalls from all 33 districts of the state. Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission Scheme, women in rural areas are being made self-reliant by providing skill training to them in all the districts of the state and connecting them with various livelihood activities. With the support of Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company under Rural Development Department, through various activities like Bharat Gunthan (Fancy Work), Sewing, Catering, Papad, Pickle, Khakhra, Ragi-Bajri-Bajrani Cookies, Mati Kalakam, Lace Work, Jadtaar etc, women are earning a stable income and are becoming more and more self-reliant, resulting in a huge change in their standard of living. "Today became very important for the economic upliftment of the mothers and sisters of the rural areas of Gujarat. We have given Rs 350 crore assistance for various economic activities to more than 2 lakh 80 thousand women of more than 28 thousand self-help groups in a 'Sakhi Samwad' function at Gandhinagar's Mahatma Mandir today. Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi has resolved to make 3 crore women of the country Lakhpati Didi. To realize this resolution, the Gujarat government is committed to the economic upliftment of the women of Sakhimandal by benefiting them from various schemes," Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel said at the occasion. "The experience of interacting with the sisters of the Sakhi Mandal and learning about their achievements at the Sakhi Samvad program was very heartwarming and uplifting. Also heard the questions and presentations of the sisters of Sakhimandal. Gujarat government will also make sure efforts for its proper resolution. Many sisters of Sakhimandal in rural areas have become the financial shield of their families by earning millions. The sound of self-reliance and eagerness to do something in the voice of such sisters was seen in this program. The contribution of mothers-sisters in immortality will contribute greatly to making India self-reliant and developed," the CM added. The transformational story of women from the villages of Gujarat has emerged as a beacon of inspiration. An example of this is how in 2021-22, 8,500 women from Gujarat collected 5,000 metric tonnes of limbodi in just three months, generating a remarkable income of Rs 4 crore, the release stated. The program 'Sakhi Samvad' encourages the dedication, courage, and hard work of the Self-Help Group Members, and this is a strong step towards women's empowerment. (ANI) The incident occurred at a house located in Nepal Palace Colony under the jurisdiction of Civil Line police station in Sagar district on Tuesday late at night, the police said. "We received information that a woman and her two daughters were found dead in a house located in Nepal Palace Colony. Acting on the information, the police along with senior officials, immediately reached the spot. Prima Facie it was found that they were murdered," said Sanjeev Uikey, in-charge SP (Superintendent of Police), Sagar. The police registered a case against an unknown person at Civil Line police station and started investigation into the matter, he added. "The deceased have been identified as Vandana Patel (35) and her minor daughters, aged eight and three years old. Their bodies were found in their house. In the preliminary investigation, it appeared that they were attacked with sharp-edge weapons and pointed objects," the officer said The police team were continuously investigating the case, and suspects were also being interrogated, he added. (ANI) San Antonio Airport police officer, Rubi Tovar, 36, was arrested by Bexar County deputies for driving while intoxicated. San Antonio Police Department Bexar County deputies arrested an off-duty San Antonio police officer who was allegedly drunk behind the wheel. According to a news release, Rubi Tovar, 36, was arrested Monday by deputies on the West Side. The 36-year-old officer was charged with driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor. Records show that she was later released after making $1,000 bail. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Deputies responded to a McDonalds restaurant around 10 p.m. near Marbach Road and Buffalo Pass Drive. According to a Bexar County Sheriffs Office police report, a customer had fallen asleep in the drive-thru. BSCO said deputies located Tovar, who had been asleep in the drivers seat, holding a glass and exhibiting slurred speech. She told deputies that she was a police officer with the San Antonio Airport police, the police report states. Once deputies removed the glass from her, they noticed the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the glass. Advertisement Article continues below this ad BSCO said Tovar refused to take a field sobriety test. In response to her refusal, deputies then requested a blood draw warrant, according to the police report. A road rage incident reported in Delhi's Gokalpuri area turned out to be fatal for a woman, as she was shot dead while she was travelling with her husband on a bike on Wednesday afternoon. According to the Delhi Police, the deceased, identified as Simranjeet Kaur (30) was going towards Maujpur along with her husband, Heera Singh (40). Meanwhile, Heera Singh, had a verbal spat with one person on a two-wheeler near Gokal Puri Flyover after their vehicles almost brushed against each other. After which, a person fired a single shot from the flyover down below, from a distance of about 30-35 feet which hit his wife, Simranjeet Kaur in her upper chest, near her neck. He took his wife to GTB Hospital, where she was declared brought dead. A case of murder is being registered. CCTV footage in the area is being scanned. Efforts are being made to identify and arrest the assailant. Further investigation is in progress, said Delhi Police. Earlier as well, a disturbing incident of road rage has surfaced in Pune city, where a 27-year-old woman was allegedly beaten by a car driver on Baner-Pashan Road on July 20. The victim, who was riding a two-wheeler with two children, alleged that the driver followed her for 2 kilometers before the assault, leaving her with severe injuries and bleeding from her nose. The woman has recorded a video detailing the incident and posted it on Instagram, seeking justice and raising concerns about women's safety in the city. The video has gone viral on social media. Pune police have arrested the accused driver and another woman who was with him, booking them under sections of 118(1) , 74 , 115(2), 352 and 3(5) of the BNS and the Motor Vehicle Act. The case has been registered at Chaturshrangi Police Station, and further investigations are underway. (ANI) Two devotees, including a woman, sustained minor injuries after being hit by an e-cart vehicle facing brake failure on the premises of Mahakaleshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district on Wednesday, an assistant administrator of the temple said. The two devotees have been identified as Lal Baba, saint of Mahanirvani Akhada Ujjain and Priya (21), a resident of Bhopal. They sustained injuries in their legs and got discharged after getting primary treatment. Assistant administrator of Mahakal temple, Moolchand Junwal told ANI, "A brake failure occurred in an e-cart vehicle, which runs on the premises of Mahakaleshwar temple for the convenience of the devotees, leaving two devotees sustained minor injuries in the incident. Both the devotees were given primary treatment and discharged from the hospital and they are completely healthy." Due to the alertness of the driver of the e-cart vehicle, a major accident was averted, Junwal added. On the other hand, Saint Lal Baba told ANI, "Everything is fine, there is no major problem. I sustained a minor injury in the leg, got the primary treatment and now everything is completely healthy." Priya's mother told reporters, "The accident occurred due to the vehicle running on the premises of the temple. We were going on foot and the vehicle hit my daughter. I pray to Baba Mahakal that my daughter get proper treatment." (ANI) The Administrative Council has approved the conferment of proprietary rights upon West Pakistan displaced persons and displaced persons of 1965. The Administrative Council, which had met in Srinagar on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in a significant decision, ended discrimination against the West Pakistan displaced persons by granting proprietary rights on state land in favour of such families. Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, Mandeep K Bhandari, and Principal Secretary to the LG were present in the meeting. This will significantly empower thousands of families across the Jammu region. It is pertinent to mention that, post-reorganisation of the year 2019, domicile rights have been conferred by the Cecntre to the West Pakistan displaced persons. The decision fulfils the demands of all connected families, which have been requesting ownership rights for so many decades. The vesting of proprietary rights to West Pakistan displaced persons on state land would bring them on par with the displaced persons of POJK, and their long pending demand would also be fulfilled. The Administrative Council also approved the conferment of proprietary rights upon displaced persons in 1965 with respect to state land. The government has always remained committed to providing benefits to the displaced persons of 1965, as has been granted to displaced persons in 1947 and 1971. West Pakistani refugees had been given the right to vote and the right to government jobs, but the right to property was pending, which has now been fulfilled. The refugees distributed sweets and raised the slogan 'Modi Sarkar Zindabad' on the occasion. Expressing his joy, Labha Ram Gandhi, the West Pakistani refugee leader, told ANI, "We have been feeling happiness since yesterday. It is such a big decision. It should have been made a year ago. LG had made an announcement here in Chakroi, Jammu, on May 1... It is a decisive decision." He added, "We are getting the proprietary rights in Jammu and Kashmir, where we are living. Our lands are there. What could there be a bigger decision than this?" Terming it as a "big achievement," Sukhdev Singh, another refugee, told ANI, "We have been living in Jammu and Kashmir for the last 75 years. But until now, we did not have proprietary rights. We got the voting rights after the Centre abrogated Article 370 on August 5, 2019." "We express our gratitude to the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor," he added. (ANI) The Indian Army has intensified its efforts to rescue people stranded after multiple devastating landslides struck Wayanad in Kerala on Tuesday, which took the lives of over a hundred people and injured many more. The number of people who died in the landslides that struck the hilly areas of Meppadi in Wayanad district on Tuesday following incessant rainfall has gone up to 167, the Kerala Revenue Department said today. According to sources from the Department of Information and Public Relations (PRD) Control Room in Wayanad, 96 victims have been identified, which includes 77 men, 67 women, and 22 children. According to the Ministry of Defence, "the Army has set up a "Command and Control Centre" headed by Major General VT Mathew, General Officer Commanding, Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, along with Brigadier Arjun Segan, at Kozhikode for coordinating HADR efforts." "Brigadier Segan carried out reconnaissance of the affected areas in the early hours today and guided the Army columns for further conduct of the rescue operation. The troops are conducting rescue operations along a six-kilometre stretch of landslide-affected areas," the ministry said. Further, the ministry stated that the Indian Army has intensified its rescue efforts in Wayanad, Kerala, after devastating landslides, rescuing around 1000 people, providing medical aid, and recovering the bodies of 86 deceased individuals. "On the second day of humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations, the Indian Army intensified its efforts to rescue people stranded after multiple devastating landslides struck Wayanad in Kerala on July 30. Since the initial requisition received from the civil administration in the early hours of July 30, six HADR columns comprising a strength of around 500 personnel,, including medical staff along with bridging equipment and rescue dogs, have been deployed. Around 1000 people have been rescued by the Army, provided medical aid, and evacuated to safer places. The bodies of around 86 deceased personnel have also been recovered," said the Ministry of Defence. The troops forming part of the HADR columns were mobilised from Kannur, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram. Two columns each belonging to the DSC Centre, Kannur and 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) MADRAS, Kozhikode, having a total strength of 225 personnel, were the first responders and reached the location to commence rescue operations in conjunction with NDRF and other agencies. Two additional HADR columns, including two medical teams with a strength of 135 personnel, were airlifted from Trivandrum to Kozhikode by AN-32 and C-130 aircraft; to further augment the rescue and relief operations. The Kerala government had requested that the Army provide a bridging effort. In response, the Army's Engineer Task Force from Madras Engineer Group and Centre (MEG and Centre), with a strength of 123 personnel, along with a set of 150-foot Bailey Bridges, three JCBs, and other support equipment, has been inducted into the affected area. Construction of a bridge on the Meepadi-Choormala Road is under progress, including the induction of certain earth-moving equipment to the other side of the stream utilising air effort. Construction of a footbridge was completed overnight on July 30-31. A C-17 aircraft carrying another set of 110-foot Bailey Bridge from Engineers Stores Depot, Delhi Cantt, and three Search and Rescue Dog Teams have also landed at Kannur for further employment. Additional resource requirements are being assessed based on aerial and ground reconnaissance and the needs of the civil administration. During the day, IAF helicopters undertook multiple sorties, dropping food items and other relief materials. Evacuation of civilian causalities was also executed from cut-off areas. Naval aviation assets provided due support for the transportation of SDRF and state administration officials. Multiple aircraft are on standby at Thiruvananthapuram, Sulur, and Thanjavur to provide air rescue at short notice. Besides the aid in terms of medicine and first aid, ECHS Polyclinic, Kalpetta, is providing the services of doctors, nursing assistants, and ambulances to the flood operations columns. The Indian Army remains steadfast to assist the stranded citizens and is working relentlessly to ensure the safety of all. The Army is committed to supporting the state of Kerala during this challenging time. The rescue teams are working tirelessly to provide relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. (ANI) The Meghalaya-based Public Relations Officer, BSF, said in a statement that its troops rescued 69 cattle loaded in four pickup vehicles in West Garo Hills. The PRO added that in a joint operation with the Meghalaya police, the troops of the 100th Battalion BSF Meghalaya, rescued 69 cattle from the bordering area near the bordering village of Dalu, "which were meant to be smuggled" to Bangladesh. "During this operation, six Indian nationals involved in cattle smuggling were also apprehended. The seized cattle and apprehended persons were handed over to the police station at Dalu for further legal action," the PRO added. The BSF Meghalaya "continues to remain vigilant and dedicated to its mission of protecting the borders and preventing smuggling activities." Earlier in the month, the BSF thwarted a major cattle smuggling operation near the Malakar Basti BOP, in the Dharmanagar subdivision of the North Tripura district. During the operation, the forces seize ten cattle heads and apprehend two individuals. A vehicle was also seized. (ANI) In the case concerning Amritpal Singh, the Chief of Waris Punjab De, Advocate Amarjeet Singh, announced that they filed a petition on Wednesday challenging the detention order issued under the National Security Act (NSA), with the next hearing scheduled for August 28. Speaking with ANI, Amarjeet Singh said, "Today, we filed a petition challenging the detention order of Amritpal Singh. Today, it was heard in the court of the Chief Justice and he has issued a notice in which the Union of India, the State of Punjab and Deputy Commissioner Amritsar, have been asked to present the next hearing on the 28th of next month." He further said, "They have been asked to present their reply and the basis of the detention order, the material on which the new detention order has been challenged. So, before the 28th of next month, all of them will give their reply and after that, the next hearing will take place." The jailed head of Waris Punjab De and Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha MP Amritpal Singh, who is lodged in a prison in Assam's Dibrugarh district under the National Security Act, had challenged his detention under the NSA in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 20. Singh, detained in Dibrugarh Jail since April 2023, argues that his preventive detention is unlawful and extreme. The head of the "pro-Khalistani" outfit, Waris Punjab De, is also accused in the Ajnala Police Station attack. The detention order was initially issued in March 2023 following a provocative speech. Singh's plea claims his detention is based on social media posts with no significant impact on Punjab's security. He contends that the District Magistrate of Amritsar overstepped authority by issuing the detention order and that only the Central or State Government could do so. Singh, represented by advocate Amarjeet Singh and senior advocate RS Bains, had asserted that his right to represent his constituency was violated and argued his detention violated his constitutional rights. Amritpal Singh, who won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Punjab's Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency as an independent candidate, is originally a resident of Jallu Kheda village in Amritsar and is currently lodged in jail in Assam's Dibrugarh district. He used to live in Dubai prior to his return to Punjab in 2022, after the death of Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu. After his return, he became the chief of Deep Sidhu's pro-Khalistani organisation, Waris Punjab De. He was arrested from Moga's Rode village after he and his supporters on February 23, 2023 staged a protest at the Ajnala police station and clashed with police personnel in an attempt to free one of his aides, who was taken into custody for making inflammatory and pro-Khalistan statements. (ANI) Punjab Police registered a case against Amritpal Singh under the National Security Act (NSA) and he was sent to Dibrugarh Jail in Assam. In the 2024 parliamentary elections, Amritpal Singh won from the Khadoor Sahib seat. He was recently granted a four-day custody parole and brought to Delhi so that he could take oath as a Lok Sabha member. (ANI) The Rouse Avenue court on Wednesday extended the CBI custody of the two accused, Dhairya and Dhruv Khattar, for another three days. The court remanded one accused to judicial custody. They have been arrested for alleged cheating worth 15 million US dollars from US citizens. Judicial Magistrate First Class Nishant Garg extended the CBI custody of Dhairya and Dhruv Khattar until August 3. The court has remanded Tushar Arora into judicial custody. While seeking further remand of the accused persons, the CBI submitted that during the investigation, the accused disclosed the name of another person who was not found at their address. It was also submitted that the two accused have not disclosed all the facts about the running of an illegal call center. Their further custody is required to investigate the case. On Saturday, the court remanded three accused to four days in custody. The other 40 have been remanded to judicial custody. The other 40 accused were remanded to judicial custody until August 9 by the court. The bail applications of 33 accused have been dismissed by the court. The accused persons sought bail, challenging their arrest. The CBI produced 43 accused, including 4 women, in the Rouse Avenue Court after one day of judicial custody. They were arrested on July 25. They have been arrested by the CBI under Operation Chakra. The CBI has registered an FIR based on the information provided. The CBI submitted that the custody of the accused is required to unearth the conspiracy and the mastermind. The CBI has arrested the accused persons for allegedly defrauding US citizens of 15 million US dollars during the period from November 2022 to April 2024. They were allegedly defrauding the victims by running a call center in Gurugram. One of the victims was defrauded of 6.5 million US dollars. It was alleged in the CBI FIR that a racket was running whereby residents of the USA were cheated by our residents. Search warrants were acquired, and all the accused were arrested from one place in Gurugram. Banned software was found at the call center, and in this case, the US and FBI are also involved, the counsel for the CBI submitted. "Forty-three people are there, and they are running a racket," the CBI said. The CBI sought police custody, stating that from one of the cars, three mobile phones belonging to Dhairya Khattar and a diary showing transactions of US dollars were found. The CBI counsel alleged that 15 million US dollars were involved in the case. "We have found a voice recording of the two brothers, Dhairya and Dhruv Khattar, with US persons, regarding the modus operandi," the CBI prosecutor said. The CBI sought custody of Tushar Arora, a Cloud support engineer, to interrogate and unearth the conspiracy. On the other hand, the counsel for the accused persons opposed the application seeking custody. It was argued that the CBI raided the premises on 24.7.24 at night. The accused were produced before the duty magistrate on 26.7.24 at 11.45 pm. On 24.7.24, the accused persons were in their custody, the defense counsel argued. "They were supposed to be produced within 24 hours. In the arrest memo, they (CBI) said that they were arrested at 6.30 pm on 25.7.24." "They (accused) were restricted and not allowed to go anywhere, so the arrest was effective from 24.7.24," the counsels for the accused argued. "Until last night, the accused persons did not even have a copy of the remand application or the FIR." "The accused persons were not even informed of the grounds for arrest." On the other hand, the counsel for the CBI said that the grounds of arrest were communicated to the accused persons, and a search was conducted after obtaining a search warrant, which ran for hours only after the accused were arrested. There is no grudge against the accused. (ANI) In a bid to foster environmental consciousness and commemorate historical milestones, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Himachal Pradesh has announced the initiation of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. This initiative, endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to plant trees across the state from August 1 to 15. Dr. Rajiv Bindal, the BJP State President, highlighted the significance of the campaign, emphasizing its dual purpose of environmental stewardship and securing a sustainable future for generations to come. The goal is ambitious: to plant 4 lakh trees at 8000 locations, with each booth in the state targeting the planting of 50 trees. Under the leadership of State General Secretary Trilok Kapoor, a dedicated team has been established to oversee the campaign's implementation and ensure its success. Dr. Bindal urged enthusiastic participation from all residents of Himachal Pradesh, emphasising the community's role in making this initiative a triumph for environmental conservation. In addition to the tree-planting campaign, Dr. Bindal also announced BJP's decision to commemorate August 14th as "Partition Horror Day." This day marks the tragic partition of India in 1947, a watershed moment in history that led to widespread displacement and suffering. The initiative, led by State General Secretary Bihari Lal Sharma, aims to educate future generations about the consequences of partition and honor those affected by the tumultuous events of that time. Furthermore, the BJP in Himachal Pradesh continues its tradition of celebrating "Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan" on August 15th, coinciding with India's Independence Day. This initiative underscores the party's commitment to national pride and unity, encouraging every household to display the Indian flag. Dr. Bindal reaffirmed BJP's commitment to both political leadership and societal advancement, citing recent programs such as the Kargil Vijay Diwas and upcoming events planned for Rakshabandhan to promote social harmony. The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign and associated initiatives reflect BJP's holistic approach to governance, intertwining environmental stewardship, historical remembrance, and national unity as central pillars of their agenda in Himachal Pradesh. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to take appropriate steps to allow dual citizenship for the Indian Diaspora currently holding citizenship in foreign countries. The bench, led by acting Chief Justice Manmohan and also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela emphasised that the court cannot make decisions on this matter and upheld that current laws do not support dual citizenship, adding that this is a policy matter and falls under the jurisdiction of Parliament. The court even refused to pass any direction to the respondents authorities to decide the petitioner's pending representation. Noting the court's observation, the petitioner's counsel decided to withdraw the plea from the court. Plea was moved by Pravasi Legal Cell, an NGO working for the welfare of migrants. Advocate Robin Raju stated that the Indian Diaspora, many of whom were born in India but moved abroad for employment or business, has raised concerns that Indian citizenship is automatically forfeited upon acquiring foreign citizenship. They argue that this forfeiture is not due to a renunciation of loyalty but rather for practical reasons. The Diaspora believes that allowing dual citizenship could significantly benefit India through increased investment, trade, tourism, philanthropy, education, and cultural contributions. Plea stated that in 2002, a High Level Committee under the chairmanship of LM Singhi recommended, inter alia, the feasibility of dual citizenship. In 2003, The Citizenship Amendment Act, 2003 allowed for the registration of OCIs. Its statements of objects and Reasons expressly stated that the Central Government had decided to make provisions for the grant of dual citizenship by the said Amendment Act. In 2005, the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2005 was enacted and again, it was expressly held that the OCI scheme was to provide dual citizenship to persons of Indian origin abroad. It further stated that on 19.07.2022 as per data put out by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Lok Sabha, it was revealed that over 9.24 lakh citizens renounced their citizenship during the period 2015 - 2021. And on 23.12.2023 the External Affairs Minister opined that the debate regarding dual citizenship is alive. The Constitution of India does not bar the grant of dual citizenship in India. While Article 9 specifies that a person will lose Indian citizenship upon voluntarily gaining citizenship of another country, it is submitted that Article 11 empowers the Parliament to make any provisions to alter or terminate citizenship. Plea also submitted that nothing in the constitution bars the Parliament from exercising power under Article 11 to grant dual citizenship, as it did through the 2003 Amendment. To make this claim, the petitioners reference the Constitutional Assembly debates. They point out that a Constitutional amendment proposing dual citizenship was made by KT Shah, but was not acted upon at the time of promulgation of the Constitution because the complicated questions of partition were looming large. Accordingly, dual citizenship was left for the Parliament to consider in the future through Article 11. Plea stated. The plea stated that the petitioner had submitted a representation to the Respondents to consider the issue on 10.08.2023, and since then, the Petitioner has seen the issue becoming part of discourse in media and political realm on a more regular basis. The External Affairs minister of India a few months ago also opined that, though there are certain challenges in providing dual citizenship, the debate regarding it is ongoing and alive. While India being a developing nation, the dual citizenship rights must be seriously considered, and this Court, by the way, writ/order shall direct the Respondents to work out the measures for the implementation the same, plea read. (ANI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised the Centre, questioning the moral authority of the Union Government to challenge the state government when it unjustly uses budget funds meant for the rightful development of Dalits by not implementing the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan/Tribal Sub-Plan (SCSP/TSP) schemes at the national level. Siddaramaiah said, "Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is shedding crocodile tears for Dalits, has called for questioning the Karnataka Government regarding SC/ST welfare. If you care so much about Dalits, implement the SCSP/TSP scheme, and allocate 25 percent of the Union Budget in proportion to the Dalit population, then come to question us. Until then, it would be wise for you to remain silent. Our Government's budget for the current year is Rs 3,71,383 crore, out of which Rs 39,121 crore has been allocated for SCSP/TSP schemes. The Union Government's budget for the current year is Rs 48.21 lakh crore, of which only Rs 2,90,401 crore has been allocated for the development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes." Launching a scathing attack on Nirmala Sitharaman, he said the budget clearly showed whom the Centre is favouring. "This is exactly what our leader Rahul Gandhi pointed out in the Lok Sabha. You are depriving 75 percent of the population and feeding 'halwa' to 25 percent. It is the fear of your anti-Dalit policies being exposed that makes you oppose the Caste Census," he said. He noted that in Karnataka, there were no large-scale protests to implement the SCSP/TSP Act. "Yet, the Congress Party in the state included it in the 2013 election manifesto out of genuine concern for the Dalit community. After coming to power, we implemented the Act in 2014-15, fulfilling our promise," he said. For the past 10 years, he has been urging the Union Government to implement the SCSP/TSP Act at the national level, just as it is in the state. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently rejected this demand. It is laughable that those who have ignored this demand for so long are now shedding crocodile tears, claiming the Congress Government in Karnataka is being unjust to Dalits," he added. Before the implementation of the SCSP/TSP Act, the special component plan for the welfare of the Dalit community in the state allocated Rs 8,616 crore in 2013-14. "In 2014-15, when the SCSP/TSP Act was implemented, the allocation was Rs 15,894 crore. This amount has now reached nearly Rs 40,000 crore. This demonstrates the Congress Government's concern for the Dalits in the state," he said. "Not only this, but our government has also increased the reservation for Scheduled Castes from 15 percent to 17 percent and for Scheduled Tribes from 3 percent to 7 percent as per the recommendations of Justice H N Nagamohan Das Committee. We have reserved 24.1 percent of government contracts up to Rs 1 crore for SC and ST contractors, decided to apply reservation to contract-based appointments, amended the PTCL Act to prevent unauthorised transfers of land granted to SC/ST families, and provided a 75 percent subsidy for industrial plots allocated to SC/ST entrepreneurs. All these measures have been implemented only in Karnataka," Siddaramaiah said. He asked Nirmala Sitharaman whom the Dalits should question first. "The state government, which has implemented a series of schemes for the welfare of Dalits, including the SCSP/TSP Act, or the Union Government, which has committed an injustice by not giving even the rightful share to Dalits in the Budget?" he added. Earlier, Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused BJP MP Anurag Thakur of "abusing and insulting" him in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the Union Budget on Tuesday. Anurag Thakur entered into a heated argument with Rahul Gandhi during his speech in the Lower House of Parliament, saying that those whose caste is unknown are speaking on the issue of caste census. (ANI) Jacob Beltran covers crime, breaking news and general assignments for the Express-News. He can be reached at jbeltran@express-news.net. A San Antonio native, Jacob began his journalism career in 2010. He's worked for the student-run newspaper for San Antonio College, The Ranger, and for Texas A&M University-San Antonio, The Mesquite. He enjoys video games, photography and exploring during his free time. After two massive landslides struck Wayanad, Kerala, on Tuesday morning, causing extensive destruction, rescue operations are being intensified, political leaders are engaged in discussions, and financial aid is being mobilized for the region. The first landslide occurred in Mundakkai, a town, and the second in Chooralmala. The massive landslides wreaked havoc in the region, damaging houses and roads, uprooting trees, and swelling water bodies, which hindered rescue operations. Relief and rescue efforts are currently underway. The landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralmala, Wayanad, have resulted in 167 confirmed deaths, as per the Kerala Revenue Department. According to sources from the Department of Information and Public Relations (PRD) Control Room in Wayanad, 96 victims have been identified, who includes 77 men, 67 women, and 22 children. Post-mortem examinations have been conducted on 166 bodies and 49 body parts. A total of 75 bodies have been handed over to relatives. Rescue personnel have brought 219 individuals to hospitals; 78 are still receiving treatment, while 142 have been moved to relief camps. In Wayanad, 73 people are hospitalised, and five in Malappuram. Amid the rising death toll, the Indian Army has intensified its efforts to rescue people stranded after the landslides. According to the Ministry of Defence, "the Army has set up a "Command and Control Centre" headed by Major General VT Mathew, General Officer Commanding, Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, along with Brigadier Arjun Segan, at Kozhikode for coordinating HADR efforts." "Brigadier Segan carried out reconnaissance of the affected areas in the early hours today and guided the Army columns for further conduct of the rescue operation. The troops are conducting rescue operations along a 6 km stretch of landslide-affected areas," the ministry said. Further, the ministry stated that the Indian Army has intensified its rescue efforts in Wayanad, Kerala, after devastating landslides, rescuing around 1000 people, providing medical aid, and recovering the bodies of 86 deceased individuals. During the day, IAF helicopters undertook multiple sorties, dropping food items and other relief materials. Evacuation of civilian causalities was also executed from cut-off areas. Naval aviation assets provided due support for the transportation of SDRF and state administration officials. Multiple aircraft are on standby at Thiruvananthapuram, Sulur, and Thanjavur to provide air rescue at short notice. Besides the aid in terms of medicine and first aid, ECHS Polyclinic, Kalpetta, is providing the services of doctors, nursing assistants, and ambulances to the flood operations columns. In the wake of the devastating landslides, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram earlier today at the office of the Disaster Management Authority to take stock of the rescue efforts. As per a decision taken during the cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister will reach Wayanad on August 1 morning to attend a state-level all-party meeting tomorrow. "The cabinet meeting evaluated the situation. We are relocating tribal families and providing food to those who are not ready to move. A total of 1,592 people have been rescued through our extensive and coordinated rescue operations," the CM said. Meanwhile, the disaster also sparked a heated exchange of words among political leaders. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday refuted Union Home Minister Amit Shah's assertion in Parliament today that the state was warned as early as July 23 about a potential natural calamity in Wayanad due to heavy rains. "This is not the time to blame each other. However, reports from the Rajya Sabha indicate that the Union Home Minister claimed they had issued a warning, and Kerala did not respond appropriately," the Kerala Chief Minister said in a press conference. Vijayan stated that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had only issued an orange alert for the district prior to the landslides. However, Wayanad experienced over 500 millimetres of rainfall, far exceeding the IMD's predictions. Notably, speaking in Parliament today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Kerala government could have minimized the losses in Wayanad if they had become alert after the Central government's warning about potential landslides and the risk to people's lives. He added that irrespective of the party politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government will stand with the people of Kerala. Meanwhile, on the upcoming visit to Wayanad by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya raised questions and said that Union Minister George Kurian has been on the ground for the past two to three days. He added that while Kurian's plane is able to land, the planes carrying Rahul and Priyanka are unable to do so. Surya further stated that Kurien is overseeing the rescue operation in Wayanad under the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "He is supervising the rescue and relief operation on the direction of the Prime Minister. George Kurien's plane can land, but 'Yuvraj' and Priyanka ji's plane cannot land? This shows their commitment to the people who elected them." In the wake of the devastating landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district, Union Minister George Kurien visited the affected area on Wednesday to assess the ongoing rescue operations. Kurien took stock of the rescue operation underway and also met the victims at the relief camps. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are scheduled to visit the disaster-stricken region of Wayanad on Thursday, August 1. They will be going to meet the families affected by the recent landslide that has claimed several lives in the hilly areas of Meppadi in Wayanad, Kerala. They will also be visiting the relief camps that were set up at the schools and medical institutes in Meppadi. Financial support was received from neighbouring states. Tamil Nadu Congress President K Selvaperunthagai stated that the Tamil Nadu Congress is going to provide Rs 1 crore as a relief fund for the Wayanad landslide disaster. Selvaperunthagai said, "Unfortunately, landslides have occurred in Wayanad. Around 300 people are missing and rescue operations are taking place... On behalf of the Tamil Nadu Congress, we are going to provide Rs 1 crore as a relief fund for the Wayanad landslide disaster." Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday expressed his condolences to the lives lost in the landslide in Kerala's Wayanad and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the deceased Kannadigas. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Wednesday also announced that he is pledging a contribution of Rs 5 crore to the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund to help the state hit by landslides. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased in the landslides. "The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad," PM's office said in a post on X. The post further said that the injured would be given Rs 50,000. (ANI) The Supreme Court 7-judge Constitution Bench will deliver an order on Thursday on the issues relating to the validity of sub-classifications among reserved categories like Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes. A seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud reserved the order after hearing the concerned parties. Beside CJI Chandrachud, other judges on the bench were Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath, Bela M Trivedi, Pankaj Mithal, Manoj Misra, and Satish Chandra Sharma. The top court during the hearing also remarked that whether the children of advantage group from SC and ST should continue availing of reservations. The top court also deliberated upon the notion of homogeneity of class. The Central Government has submitted before the Supreme Court that it is in favour of doing sub-classifications among Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes. The Supreme Court was dealing with the constitutional validity of Section 4(5) of the Punjab Act, which depends upon whether any such classification can be made within the class of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or whether they are to be treated as a homogenous class. The top court was also dealing with whether it is permissible to provide any further reservation to the weakest of the weak, particularly when it has not been possible to trickle down the benefit of reservation to the weakest. Moreover, the same is utilised by the group that are economically sound. They enjoy the benefit of reservation to the maximum, creating disparities within their class. The Punjab Government had stipulated that fifty percent of the vacancies of the quota reserved for Scheduled Castes in direct recruitment shall be offered to Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs, subject to their availability, by providing first preference from amongst the Scheduled Castes candidates. On March 29, 2010, the Punjab and Haryana High Court struck down the provisions, relying on the decision in EV Chinnaiah. The appeal was filed in the top court against High Court judgement. In August 2020, the top five judge bench referred the matter to a larger bench. (ANI) Forty-nine lawmakers from 24 countries discussed China's escalation of tensions with Taiwan and assessed the economic impact a potential conflict could have on the international community, Voice of America reported. The two-day summit was organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC, a group that includes hundreds of lawmakers from 35 countries who are concerned about how democracies deal with China. The conference brought the largest-ever foreign parliamentary delegation to Taiwan. In a keynote speech on Tuesday, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said China's threat to any country is a threat to the world. "Taiwan will do everything in its power to support the 'democracy umbrella' with its democratic partners, so as to protect them from the threat of authoritarian expansion," he told attending lawmakers. https://x.com/ChingteLai/status/1818187690409697371 The meeting is part of a trend of foreign visits that has surged since former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visited to the island around two years ago. Notably, despite having its own army, currency and democratic political system of government, Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations and has few formal diplomatic allies. China opposes any international engagement with Taiwan, which it regards as a part of its territory, and has been whittling away at the number of countries that have official ties with the island. Taiwan currently has 12 diplomatic allies, VOA reported. In response to the rise in international attention and visits, Beijing has carried out a series of major military exercises around the island and almost daily military harassment that has included a mix of fighter jets, naval and coast guard vessels and drones. It has also amped up its rhetoric that unification is inevitable. At Tuesday's conference, attending lawmakers adopted a model motion they say will pave the way for them to pass similar resolutions in their parliaments at home. The aim of the motion is to counter China's interpretation of United Nations Resolution 2758 in their legislatures. UN Resolution 2758 was passed on October 25, 1971 and is a key international agreement that Beijing uses to isolate Taiwan. However, experts believe that the resolution only decided that the People's Republic of China would replace the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It did not, however, determine Taiwan's sovereign status, as reported by VOA. While some countries, such as the US, have rejected China's claim that the UN resolution supports its sovereignty claim over Taiwan, some foreign lawmakers attending the summit say the model resolution adopted by IPAC members could inform governments about the possibility of China using its interpretation of the UN resolution as a pretext to launch a potential military attack against Taiwan. "We see the danger of China's false interpretation of [the U.N. resolution] as bolstering the pretext for legality of any future attack or coercion against Taiwan, so we think talking about this issue will help bring the potential danger onto the radar of different governments," Reinhard Butikofer, former chairman of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with China, said. The summit also focused on the impact a potential conflict over Taiwan could have on countries around the world. Building on a campaign called "Operation Mist" that IPAC launched last September, the alliance hopes to push more governments to conduct assessments of the economic impact of a potential Taiwan Strait crisis on their countries. The Taiwan Strait is the body of water that separates Taiwan and China. "There is a strong desire among IPAC members to continue this operation because they believe people in their countries need to know the economic impact of a potential Taiwan Strait crisis," Luke de Pulford, the executive director of IPAC, said. While the IPAC summit sought to raise international awareness about the plight of Taiwan, at least eight lawmakers from six countries, including Bolivia, Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, alleged they received calls or texts from Chinese diplomats urging them not to attend the conference. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry condemned Beijing's "despicable act" in a statement, while de Pulford of IPAC said the Chinese government's pressure campaign is simply "illegitimate." Notably, IPAC has faced repeated pressure from the Chinese government since its founding in 2020. Some members of the group have been sanctioned by the Chinese government, while an indictment from the US Justice Department showed that other IPAC members have been targeted by Chinese state-sponsored hackers, VOA reported. On the other hand, the Chinese Embassy in Washington urged foreign lawmakers attending the summit to "stop exploiting the Taiwan question to interfere in China's internal affairs and political manipulation for selfish gains." "The Taiwan question is one hundred percent China's internal affair, which no foreign forces have the right to interfere in," the Chinese Embassy's spokesperson, Liu Pengyu, told VOA in a written statement. (ANI) British-Pakistani preacher Anjem Choudary has been sentenced to life in prison for directing a "terrorist organisation," Al Jazeera reported. Choudary, 57, was convicted last week of directing al-Muhajiroun (ALM), which was banned as a 'terrorist organisation' more than a decade ago. Judge Mark Wall announced a life sentence for the British-Pakistani preacher, with a minimum term of 28 years before he would be eligible for parole. Wall told Choudary at London's Woolwich Crown Court on Tuesday that organisations such as ALM "normalise violence in support of an ideological cause" through online meetings. "Their existence gives individuals who are members of them the courage to commit acts which otherwise they might not do. They drive wedges between people who otherwise could and would live together in peaceful coexistence," he said. According to prosecutor Tom Little, Choudary became "the caretaker emir" of ALM after its leader, Omar Bakri Mohammed, was jailed in Lebanon in 2014. Choudary's lawyer, Paul Hynes, argued that the group was "little more than a husk of an organisation" and that almost all attacks linked to it had already occurred. The police in Britain, the United States and Canada gathered evidence after a joint investigation, that Choudary was running and directing ALM via online lectures with followers based in New York. Prosecutors said the group has operated under many names, including the New York-based Islamic Thinkers Society, which Choudary has spoken to. New York Deputy Police Commissioner Rebecca Weiner, termed the case 'historic' and said the Islamic Thinkers Society was ALM's US branch. Choudary was convicted with one of his followers, Khaled Hussein. According to the prosecutors, he was also a dedicated supporter of the group. Hussein, 29, of Edmonton, Canada, was convicted of membership in a proscribed organisation and sentenced to five years in prison. The two were arrested a year ago after Hussein landed at Heathrow Airport. Earlier in 2016, Choudary was imprisoned for encouraging support for ISIL (ISIS). He was released in 2018 after serving half of his five-and-a-half-year sentence. The group ALM, which emerged in the late 1990s, has been linked to several attacks both at home and abroad, according to Al Jazeera. (ANI) Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in an attack in Iran's capital, Tehran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Wednesday, Press TV reported. In a statement to Meher News Agency the IRGC said that Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed after their residence was targeted in Tehran. "With condolences to the heroic nation of Palestine and the Islamic nation and the combatants of the Resistance Front and the noble nation of Iran, this morning (Wednesday) the residence of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political office of the Islamic Resistance of Hamas, was hit in Tehran, and following this incident, he and one of his bodyguards were martyred," the statement read. Earlier on Tuesday, Iran's Supreme Leader, Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, held a meeting with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. Khamenei took to social media platform X to share pictures of his meeting with Haniyeh. In a post on X, Khamenei's office stated, "Imam Khamenei met with Mr. Ismail Haniyah, head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, and Mr. Ziyad al-Nakhalah, the Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement." In its reply to the post, the Israel Defence Forces posted "Did someone ask for a photo-op of Iran and the leaders of their proxies? Iran's Khamenei met with Hamas' Ismail Haniyah and the Islamic Jihad's Ziyad-al Nakhalah -- two of the terrorist organizations who have been attempting to kill Israelis using weapons made and funded by Iran. We can only assume the topics of conversation included how to spend more Iranian money to kill Israelis while wishing Hezbollah's Nasrallah could join them." Ismail Haniyeh who is based in Qatar, was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Iranian President-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a Press TV report. Earlier in April, three sons of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an air strike carried out by the Israeli Air Force on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) informed. The three sons of the Hamas leader, who were confirmed dead by the Israeli forces, were identified as Amir Haniyeh, a cell commander in the Hamas military wind and Mohammad and Hazem Haniyeh." In a post on X, IDF on April 10 stated, "IAF aircraft struck Amir Haniyeh, a cell commander in the Hamas military wing, and Mohammad and Hazem Haniyeh, both Hamas military operatives, in central Gaza today. The IDF confirms that the 3 operatives are the sons of Ismail Haniyeh, the chairman of Hamas' political bureau." Meanwhile, the Israel Defence forces also announced that they had eliminated Fuad Shukr "Sayyid Muhsan", Hezbollah's Most Senior Military Commander. According to the IDF, Shukr was Hezbollah commander Hassan Nasrallah's Right-Hand Man Shukr and directed Hezbollah's attacks on Israel. IDF said he was responsible for the killing of 12 children in Majdal Shams in northern Israel earlier, as well as the killing of numerous Israelis and foreign nationals over the years. The IDF said Shukr was also responsible for the majority of Hezbollah's most advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets and UAVs. (ANI) Pakistan's Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attatullah Tarar, speaking outside Pakistan's Parliament House on Tuesday, ridiculed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan, saying that he was dragging the army for his own political gains, Pakistan-based ARY News said. Tarar said that Imran Khan was taking a U-turn once again as he sought negotiations with the military. He said that Imran Khan initially said that he won't let go, then launched attacks on military installations and desecrated memorials of the martyrs, ARY News reported. Tarar added that Imran Khan in his remarks on talks with military meant that he was seeking negotiations after creating chaos in the country. He called PTI a terrorist party and said that Imran Khan's party created chaos in the country. Tarar added that his offer to hold talks with the military is a conspiracy against the state, ARY News reported. Tarar also said that Imran Khan compromised national security through his trends on social media. He added that Imran Khan's sisters and nephew were present outside Jinnah House during the May 9 riots, indicating his involvement. Tarar said that Imran Khan was a major hindrance to Pakistan's development, ARY News reported. He said that ever since the PTI founder has been incarcerated, there had been a spike in the country's stock exchange. Imran Khan on Tuesday said that his party is ready to hold talks with the military. He appeared in a court established in Adiala jail for a hearing, where he said, "We are ready to hold talks with the military. The army should nominate their representative [for negotiations]." Khan, who has been imprisoned for nearly a year, said that his party had never levelled allegations against the army, but had only criticised the armed forces. He further said that if any PTI worker was found guilty in the May 9, 2023, riots then the authorities should penalise the individual. (ANI) US Vice President Kamala Harris has challenged Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to meet her on the debate stage. Harris made the remarks while addressing an enthusiastic crowd in Georgia on Tuesday (local time). She called out Trump for "pulling out" of the debate in November after Trump said he would "probably" debate Harris at the previously agreed upon debate in September, The Hill reported. Sharing a short video of her remarks in a rally in Georgia on X, Harris stated, "Well, Donald, I do hope you'll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage because as the saying goes, "If you've got something to say, say it to my face. She made the remarks amid cheers from the crowd in the rally. Kamala Harris said, "The momentum in this race is shifting and there are signs that Donald Trump is feeling it -- you may have noticed." Harris visited Atlanta as she tries to build on a wave of enthusiasm, witnessed through fundraising and volunteer signups since she announced her intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination, The Hill reported. She highlighted her focus on Georgia, where US President Joe Biden secured a win in 2020 by fewer than 12,000 votes. Highlighting the importance of Georgia in the US presidential elections, she said, "The path to the White House runs right through this state and you all helped us win in 2020, and we're going to do it again in 2024. Yes, we will." Kamala Harris pledged to get the bipartisan immigration legislation that was negotiated in the Senate signed into law if she is elected. She said, "In this campaign, I will proudly put my record against his any day of the week." Harris stated that as attorney general of California, she went after transnational gangs, drug cartels and human traffickers. "I prosecuted them in case after case and I won. Donald Trump, Donald Trump on the other hand has been talking a big game about securing our border but he does not walk the walk or, as my friend Quavo would say, he does not walk it like he talks it," Kamala said, quoting the American rapper Quavo, who addressed the crowd before her at the rally, The Hill reported. She said that Republicans in the Senate did not allow the passage of the bill twice after Trump urged Republican lawmakers to oppose the legislation, suggesting it could give Biden an election-year win. Harris said, "Which goes to show, Donald Trump does not care about border security, he only cares about himself." She stated, "When I am president, I will work to actually solve the problem." She vowed to bring back the border security bill if she gets elected as the US president. She said, "As President I will bring back the border security bill that Donald Trump killed, and I will sign it into law and show Donald Trump what real leadership looks like." Earlier on Tuesday, the Harris campaign shared a new video on the border, slamming Trump after his campaign debuted an ad tagging Harris as the Biden administration's "border czar," a reference to her work addressing root causes of migration in the Northern Triangle region. While addressing the crowd in Atlanta, Harris said that "prices are still too high" and spoke on what she would do to lower them, saying that "on Day One," she would implement policies like reducing price gouging, capping "unfair" rent rises, placing a ban on more hidden fees, and capping prices of prescription drug for all Americans. In addition, she said that as president, she would pass voting rights bills, including the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Georgia has remained a centre of controversial election policies since Governor Brian Kemp (R) passed a law in 2021 that bans the distribution of food or water to voters waiting to vote, among other restrictions. Two popular rappers, Quavo and Megan Thee Stallion, made remarks at the rally before Harris and called on the crowd to show up in November. Grammy award-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion performed a medley of some of her top songs, according to The Hill report. Quavo stated that he had previously worked with Harris to address gun violence. He further said, "One thing I learned about working with vice president is she always stands on business." (ANI) Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has accused the Chinese government of misinterpreting a United Nations resolution to justify its military activities against Taiwan, the Central News Agency (CNA) reported. He condemned China for its inaccurate interpretation of UN Resolution 2758, including drawing an inappropriate linkage to its "One China" principle. While addressing the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) in Taipei on Tuesday, Lai said that this move is aimed to not only "construct a legal basis for China's military aggression against Taiwan" but also to obstruct Taiwan's efforts to participate in international organisations. China claims that the UN resolution confirmed its one-China principle, which implies that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China, according to CNA report. Notably, Taiwan has been governed independently of China since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. After Lai Ching-te's remarks, the IPAC adopted a "model resolution." According to the resolution, members will seek to redress what they called China's "distortion" of the UN resolution by passing resolutions in their respective parliaments. In its model resolution, IPAC raised concern over "sustained efforts" by Chinese officials to distort the meaning of the resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1971, which states that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is "the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations," Central News Agency (CNA) reported. During the summit, the cross-national parliamentarians' group stressed that the UN resolution "does not establish the One China Principle as a matter of international law" and "nothing in law prevents the participation of Taiwan in international organisations," the report said. Furthermore, the cross-national parliamentarians' group said that the UN document had "no bearing on the sovereign choices of other countries concerning their relationship with Taiwan" while expressing support for Taiwan's participation" in UN agencies, according to a CNA report. The IPAC said that the resolution did not include Taiwan, address its political status, or establish China's sovereignty over Taiwan. As many as 49 members of legislatures from 23 countries and the European Parliament, all being IPAC members, participated in the annual summit of IPAC on Tuesday. According to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the group has over 250 members around the world. (ANI) Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai has expressed support for Baloch people protesting against enforced disappearances and "strongly condemned" violent responses against peaceful protesters. In a post on X, Yousufzai stated, "I stand in solidarity with Baloch sisters who are demanding justice and protesting against enforced disappearances. I strongly condemn the violent response against peaceful protesters." She made the statement in response to a post shared by Amnesty International on X. Amnesty International expressed concern over the "use of unlawful and unnecessary force" against the participants of the Baloch National Gathering by security forces. It called on Pakistani authorities to immediately lift the internet shutdown in Pakistan and fulfil its obligations under domestic and international human rights law to facilitate people's right to peaceful protest by lifting the road blockades placed on the way to Gwadar. In a post on X, Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office stated, "Pakistan : @amnesty is alarmed at the use of unlawful and unnecessary force against the participants of the Baloch National Gathering by security forces yesterday. It is a blatant violation of people's right to freedom of peaceful assembly." "On 27 June, Frontier Corps reportedly fired on unarmed and peaceful protestors in Mustang, Balochistan, resulting in 14 injuries, several among them serious. A complete internet shutdown has also been imposed in Gwadar, hindering the flow of information in and outside the region. Amnesty International calls on the Pakistan authorities to immediately lift the internet shutdown in Balochistan, and fulfil its obligations under domestic and international human rights law to facilitate people's right to peaceful protest by lifting the road blockades on the way to Gwadar to allow freedom of movement for protestors," it added. The statements by Amnesty International and Malala Yousufzai came after Pakistani security forces reportedly took severe action against participants of a Baloch national gathering. The recent crackdown has sparked significant backlash amid fears that these measures might exacerbate rather than alleviate the underlying problems. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) accused Pakistani security forces of launching a "brutal and violent attack" on the Baloch National Gathering sit-in, which resulted in the arrest of more than 200 people. In a post on X, Baloch Yakjehti Committee stated, "On the morning of July 29, the Pakistani security forces launched a brutal and violent attack on the Baloch National Gathering peaceful sit-in, resulting in numerous injuries and the arrest of over 200 individuals. We still have no information of their whereabouts." "Despite the incident, Baloch Yakjehti Committee activists, with the strength and support of the public, have resumed the sit-in, which continues today on its third day. Even now, police and Frontier Corps (FC) surround the sit-in area and are continuously harassing the peaceful participants," it added. https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1818373155234496596 In another post on X, the BYC stated that protests erupted across Balochistan in response to the violent attacks on the peaceful Baloch National Gathering. Taking to X, BYC stated, "In response to the violent attacks on the peaceful #BalochNationalGathering, demonstrations erupted throughout Balochistan. Today, people in large numbers are observing protests and shutter-down strikes in Kahran, Kalat, Dalbandin and other places, in solidarity with the victims of state brutality, who lost their lives, and marched bravely in front of bullets, with their heads held high." https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1818243449558036733 This crackdown has drawn substantial criticism amid concerns that such actions could escalate rather than resolve the underlying issues. The Baloch community continues to endure severe human rights abuses, particularly enforced disappearances where individuals are abducted by state or affiliated forces without legal recourse, causing profound anguish for their families and often resulting in severe torture. The situation is compounded by extrajudicial killings targeting activists and critics without due process, instilling widespread fear and stifling dissent. (ANI) The Baloch Yakjehti Committee on Wednesday urged the United Nations and Human Rights Organisations to take note of the peaceful protesters' arrests by Pakistani forces. The Pakistani security forces arrested the BYC Karachi protesters at Hub Chowki. In a post n X, the BYC said, "Pakistani security forces have arrested peaceful protesters of the BYC Karachi sit-in at Hub Chowki and issued threats against them. The fascist state is using all its power to sabotage Baloch Raaji Muchi but has failed. Human rights organizations and the UN must witness the brutality of the Pakistani state on the Baloch people. #GwadarIsUnderSiege #WeSupportBalochRaajiMuchi #BalochNationalGathering" https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1818414968208855359 The participants of the Baloch Raaji Muchi nevertheless called upon protesters to join the sit-in protest. In a post on X, a participant is seen briefing about the situation in Balochistan. "A participant of Baloch Raaji Muchi Karachi caravan briefed about the worsening situation in Balochistan. They have staged a sit-in protest in Hub Chowki against the ongoing brutal crackdown, including the forced abduction of Participants of Baloch Raaji Muchi and the violent suppression. We urge the people of Hub to join this sit-in. #GwadarIsUnderSiege #WeSupportBalochRaajiMuchi #BalochNationalGathering" the post says. https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1818392944355025160 The Baloch Yakjehti Committee stated that on July 29, the Pakistani security forces brutally attacked and arrested over 200 protesters. The BYC said that they do not have information of their whereabouts yet. In a post on X, the BYC said, "Gwadar Sit-in Update Date: 30th July 2024 On the morning of July 29, the Pakistani security forces launched a brutal and violent attack on the Baloch National Gathering peaceful sit-in, resulting in numerous injuries and the arrest of over 200 individuals. We still have no information of their whereabouts. Despite the incident, Baloch Yakjehti Committee activists, with the strength and support of the public, have resumed the sit-in, which continues today on its third day. Even now, police and Frontier Corps (FC) surround the sit-in area and are continuously harassing the peaceful participants. #GwadarIsUnderSiege #WeSupportBalochRaajiMuchi #BalochNationalGathering" https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1818373155234496596 Earlier in the day, Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai expressed support for Baloch people protesting against enforced disappearances and "strongly condemned" violent responses against peaceful protesters. (ANI) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday announced an urgent initiative to evacuate 85 sick Palestinians including cancer patients in need of extensive treatment and 63 family members from Ramon airport in Israel to Abu Dhabi via the Karam Abu Salem crossing, a statement said. The statement added that the UAE is committed to support the people in Gaza. Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation said, "At this critical time, the urgency of our mission to evacuate injured Palestinians to Abu Dhabi cannot be overstated. This unprecedented route reflects the gravity of the situation and our resolute commitment to alleviating the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip and to ensure the arrival and distribution of relief through all available means, including land, sea and air. This initiative stands as a testament to the UAE's enduring and historic support for the Palestinian people, guided by our unwavering dedication to providing immediate relief and advancing peace in the face of immense adversity." Reem Al Hashimy added that to date, the UAE has welcomed 709 patients from Gaza, along with 787 of their family members, to receive medical treatment. This follows the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, to provide care for 2,000 injured and cancer patients from Gaza, the statement said. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Director-General of the World Health Organization, said: "We are thankful to the UAE for supporting the evacuation of sick and injured people from Gaza to receive the urgent care they need. We hope this paves the way for the establishment of evacuation corridors via all possible routes, including the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings to Egypt and Jordan, and from there to other countries. We also call for evacuations to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to be restored. Thousands of sick people are suffering needlessly. Above all, and as always, WHO calls for a ceasefire." "T his significant scale-up in our efforts demonstrates our solidarity with the Palestinian people and our determination to alleviate their suffering and ensure urgent, sustainable, unhindered delivery of aid, at a wide scale and through all possible means. We remain resolute in our collaboration with international partners to ensure that our aid reaches those in desperate need," Reem Al Hashimy said. Till date, the UAE has provided over 40,000 tonnes of crucial aid, including food, relief, and medical items, through 8 aid ships, 337 flights, 50 airdrops, and 1,271 trucks. The fourth UAE relief ship arrived in Al-Arish this week, marking the eighth shipment of aid, which carried 5,340 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, and is the largest shipment since the launch of the relief operations, the statement said. (ANI) The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the killing of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in an attack in Tehran and offered condolences to the Palestinian people. In a statement released on X, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We condemn the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Chief of the Hamas Political Bureau, in a heinous attack in Tehran." "We express our condolences to the Palestinian people, hundreds of thousands of whom, like Haniyeh, have been martyred in order to live peacefully in their homeland under the roof of their own state," it added. It accused the Israeli government of lacking intention to achieve peace. It said that the attack was aimed at spreading war in Gaza to a regional level. It further said that Turkiye will continue to support the "just cause" of the Palestinian people. In a statement, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The Netanyahu Government's lack of intention to achieve peace has been demonstrated once again. This attack is also aimed at spreading the war in Gaza to a regional level. If the international community does not act to stop Israel, our region will face an even greater conflict." So far, Israel has not issued a statement on the death of the Hamas political bureau chief. Earlier in the day, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh had been killed in an attack in Iran's capital, Tehran, Press TV reported. In a statement, the IRGC said that Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed when their house was hit in Tehran. A projectile hit a residence allocated to war veterans in Tehran at 2 am (local time) on Wednesday, according to a Press TV report. In a statement to Meher News Agency, the IRGC said, "With condolences to the heroic nation of Palestine and the Islamic nation and the combatants of the Resistance Front and the noble nation of Iran, this morning (Wednesday) the residence of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political office of the Islamic Resistance of Hamas, was hit in Tehran, and following this incident, he and one of his bodyguards were martyred." Earlier on Tuesday, Iran's Supreme Leader, Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, held a meeting with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. Khamenei took to social media platform X to share pictures of his meeting with Haniyeh. In a post on X, Khamenei's office stated, "Imam Khamenei met with Mr. Ismail Haniyah, head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, and Mr. Ziyad al-Nakhalah, the Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement." In its reply to the post, the Israel Defence Forces posted "Did someone ask for a photo-op of Iran and the leaders of their proxies? Iran's Khamenei met with Hamas' Ismail Haniyah and the Islamic Jihad's Ziyad-al Nakhalah -- two of the terrorist organizations who have been attempting to kill Israelis using weapons made and funded by Iran. We can only assume the topics of conversation included how to spend more Iranian money to kill Israelis while wishing Hezbollah's Nasrallah could join them." Ismail Haniyeh, who is based in Qatar, was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Iranian President-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a Press TV report. Earlier in April, three sons of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an air strike carried out by the Israeli Air Force on Wednesday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) informed. The three sons of the Hamas leader, who were confirmed dead by the Israeli forces, were identified as Amir Haniyeh, a cell commander in the Hamas military wind and Mohammad and Hazem Haniyeh." On April 10, the IDF said on X, "IAF aircraft struck Amir Haniyeh, a cell commander in the Hamas military wing, and Mohammad and Hazem Haniyeh, both Hamas military operatives, in central Gaza today. The IDF confirms that the 3 operatives are the sons of Ismail Haniyeh, the chairman of Hamas' political bureau." Meanwhile, the Israel Defence forces also announced that they had eliminated Fuad Shukr "Sayyid Muhsan", Hezbollah's Most Senior Military Commander. According to the IDF, Shukr was Hezbollah commander Hassan Nasrallah's Right-Hand Man and directed Hezbollah's attacks on Israel. The IDF said he was responsible for the killing of 12 children in Majdal Shams in northern Israel earlier, as well as the killing of numerous Israelis and foreign nationals over the years. The IDF said Shukr was also responsible for the majority of Hezbollah's most advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets and UAVs. (ANI) Two police personnel and a civilian were killed after terrorists launched a gun attack on a police checkpoint in the Charwazagai area of Pakistan's Khyber district, Geo News reported, citing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police. Speaking to Geo News, District Police Officer (DPO) Saleem Abbas said that terrorists targeted the police checkpoint at the Pak-Afghan highway near the Landi Kotal Bazar claimed the lives of police personnel, including Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Alamzeb, and injured one policeman and a civilian. The terrorists fled from the site of the incident. The police said that the civilians killed and injured in the attack were passersby. Initially, the policemen and civilians were taken to the Landi Kotal Hospital for immediate medical assistance. However, they were later taken to the Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar as they were in critical condition. The police station targeted by the terrorists was established on the Pak-Afghan highway near Landi Kotal Bazar. Following the incident, security was put on high alert in the district, according to DPO. The attack on police personnel comes at a time when Pakistan, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, have been seeing a rise in terror activities for the past few months, according to a Geo News report. According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies Annual Security report, Pakistan faced 380 violence-linked fatalities and 220 injuries, which included causalities of civilians, security personnel, and outlaws, due to 240 incidents of terror attacks and counter-terror operations during the second quarter of 2024, Geo News reported. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both of which share a border with Afghanistan, have been facing terrorist attacks and reported nearly 92 per cent of all fatalities and 87 per cent of attacks -- wherein the former suffered 67 per cent and the latter suffered 25 per cent of all fatalities in the second quarter of 2024. (ANI) Iran has responded angrily to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh the political bureau chief of the terror group Hamas in Tehran. Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Tehran will defend its territorial integrity and dignity. He noted that the bond between Iran and Palestine will be stronger than before, Al Jazeera reported. Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's President, was killed in an attack. In a statement, Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian said, "Today, dear Iran is mourning its sharer of sorrows and joys, the constant and proud companion of the path of resistance, the brave leader of the Palestinian resistance, the martyr of al-Quds, Haj Ismail Haniyeh. Yesterday I raised his victorious hand and today I have to bury him on my shoulders. Martyrdom is the art of men of God. The bond between the two proud nations of Iran and Palestine will be stronger than before, and the path of resistance and defence of the oppressed will be followed stronger than ever." "The Islamic Republic of Iran will defend its territorial integrity, honour, dignity and pride, and make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly action," he added, according to an Al Jazeera report. Iran's Supreme leader Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei offered condolences on the killing of Ismail Haniyeh. Taking to X, Khamanei's office stated, "In the wake of the martyrdom of the great Mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, Imam Khamenei extended his condolences for the martyrdom of this courageous leader." The Iranian Foreign Ministry offered condolences on the killing of Ismail Haniyeh. It said that the blood and sacrifices of Haniyeh would not be wasted. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kan'ani spoke about Iranian authorities' ongoing investigations into the aspects of the targeted killing. "Undoubtedly, the pure blood of this indefatigable combatant, who spent a lifetime in the fight and honourable struggle against the usurping Zionist regime and on the way to the liberation of al-Quds and the emancipation of the oppressed Palestinian nation from the clutches of the Zionist occupiers, will not be wasted," the Iranian foreign ministry said. The Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs also "strongly condemned" the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, terming it a heinous crime and flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law. In a statement, the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "The State of Qatar strongly condemns the assassination of the Head of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) Dr Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital, Tehran, considering it a heinous crime, a dangerous escalation, and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law." It further said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that the assassination and reckless targeting of civilians will lead the region into chaos and undermine the chances of peace. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the State of Qatar's firm stance against violence, terrorism and criminal acts, including political assassinations, regardless of the motives and reasons." The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the killing of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in an attack in Tehran and offered condolences to the Palestinian people. In a statement released on X, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the Israeli government of lacking intention to achieve peace. It said that the attack was aimed at spreading war in Gaza to a regional level. "The Netanyahu Government's lack of intention to achieve peace has been demonstrated once again. This attack is also aimed at spreading the war in Gaza to a regional level. If the international community does not act to stop Israel, our region will face an even greater conflict," the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov denounced the killing of Haniyeh, calling it "an unacceptable political murder," according to a report by Press TV. Bogdanov said, "This is an unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions," Press TV reported, citing RIA state news agency. He said that the killing would have a negative effect on the course of ceasefire talks amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Meanwhile, the Palestinian terror group Hamas has vowed to take revenge after its political bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in Iran's capital, Tehran. It has blamed Israel for Haniyeh's killing, Press TV reported. In a statement on Wednesday, Hamas said that Haniyeh "passed as a result of a treacherous Zionist raid." It said, "The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas mourns the sons of our great Palestinian people, the Arab and Islamic nation, and all the free people of the world." Hamas political bureau member Mousa Abu Marzook condemned the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, terming it a "cowardly action" that would not go unanswered. Reacting to the killing of Haniyeh, a Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri said, "We are waging an open war to liberate [the holy occupied city of] al-Quds and are ready to pay any price." Other Palestinian groups also condemned the killing of Hamas political bureau chief and vowed to make the occupying entity pay the price of the assassination. Maher al-Taher, international relations officer of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), said that Haniyeh made the ultimate sacrifice towards the realisation of the Palestinian cause. The PFLP is the second-largest of the groups forming the Palestine Liberation Organisation, according to a Press TV report. He said, "The Israeli enemy crosses all red lines and is pushing things toward a comprehensive war with the entire Resistance Axis," which is "fully prepared for confrontation." The Palestinian official warned, "The enemy ... will regret the sin it committed by assassinating Haniyeh and attacking Iranian sovereignty." He said that Israel would not have been able to commit the atrocity "without American cover," referring to the support being provided to Tel Aviv by the United States. The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah said that the killing of Ismail Haniyeh would strengthen the resistance front's resolve. The group extended condolences over the killing of Hamas' top political leader, according to a Press TV report. The group said, "We commiserate with our brethren in Hamas over the loss of the great leader, voice our outrage over the Israeli enemy's crimes, and take great pride in leaders of resistance groups ... We are very assured that the divine promise of victory will come true." Hezbollah called Haniyeh one of the greatest resistance leaders of the time, who bravely stood up to the US hegemony projects and Israel's occupation plans. Hezbollah said, "The martyrdom of Haniyeh will strengthen the determination and resolve of resistance fighters on all fronts, and will inspire them to continue the path of struggle and confront the Zionist enemy much more resolutely than ever." (ANI) Tensions in the Port City of Gwadar persist as the Pakistani defence forces have not released the previously arrested senior leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) amid the Baloch Raaji Muchi protests. According to the latest statement by the BYC on X, one of the arrested leaders Sabiha Baloch was released on Tuesday late at night after increasing dissent from the protestors, however, the whereabouts of two other Baloch activists Sammi Deen Baloch and Sabgath Ullah Baloch remain unknown. In a post on X, the BYC stated "Gwadar: Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr. Sabiha Baloch has been released today following public pressure and resistance. However, we still have no information about Sammi Deen Baloch and Sabgath Ullah Baloch. They have been out of contact since yesterday morning. Additionally, more than 200 participants have been arrested from the Gwadar sit-in, and we have no information about them either". https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1818309531606155649 In another statement, the BYC had urged all state institutions to unconditionally release the peaceful protesters that had been arrested during the Baloch Raaji Muchi. According to that statement on, X, "Finally, we make it clear to the state and all its institutions to immediately release all the arrested colleagues including our leadership without any ifs and buts, restore internet and mobile network throughout Makran including Gwadar and in all areas of Balochistan. Completely remove obstacles in front of all our convoys stopped at gunpoint by force". https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1818290510684987450 The statement further mentioned that "If the state and its institutions still do not change their terrorist and oppressive behaviour, then from today we will shut down the entire Balochistan including Quetta for an indefinite period and if any untoward incident occurs during this period, then all the responsibility will be on the state and It will be imposed on its institutions. Through this press conference, we inform BYC workers and Baloch people across Balochistan that peaceful and orderly dharna, protest rallies and wheel jam and shutterdown strikes should be held across Balochistan". Responding to the same situation in Balochistan, a prominent Pakistani journalist, Hamid Mir had previously raised his concerns, while warning that arrests of Baloch leaders and protestors will not yield any positive results. In a post on X the journalist said, "Sammi and Sabiha have always raised their voice against enforced disappearances. Now they are missing. Police is saying they are with FC and FC is not admitting their arrest. Disappearance of their fathers never produced any positive result and disappearance of these women will further harm the state". https://x.com/HamidMirPAK/status/1818167484802908473 Earlier in the day, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee urged the United Nations and Human Rights Organisations to take note of the peaceful protesters' arrests by Pakistani forces. (ANI) Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, has pleaded not guilty to various charges related to drug trafficking in a Chicago court in the US, Al Jazeera reported. In the five-count indictment against Guzman Lopez on Tuesday, the federal prosecutors included weapons charges. US District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman ordered him detained pending trial and announced that the next hearing for the case would be on September 30, the report said. The hearing came days after Guzman Lopez and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a longtime member of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, in the El Paso, Texas, area were arrested last week by the US authorities, Al Jazeera reported, quoting the US Department of Justice. Last week, an official said that Guzman Lopez wanted to surrender but Zambada didn't. So, he duped Zambada into boarding a propeller plane in Mexico by telling him that they were going to check out real estate. Zambada's lawyer, Frank Perez argued that Guzman Lopez "forcibly kidnapped" Zambada and brought him to the US. Zambada pleaded not guilty to drug charges last week in El Paso case. Mexico opened an investigation into the case to unravel the circumstances leading up to the duo's arrest. The US authorities' success in arresting them made Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador issue an appeal to drug cartels to not fight among themselves. "Those who are engaged in these illegal activities know they resolve nothing with confrontations. They would go out and risk the lives of other human beings, and why make families suffer?" he said. The US Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram said Zambada's arrest "strikes at the heart of the cartel that is responsible for the majority of drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, killing Americans from coast to coast". (ANI) The demonstrators chanted slogans of "Pakistan Murdabad" as dozens of Shias were brutally killed in a week-long sectarian violence. Syed Hasan Mehndi (Jhabbu), General Secretary of the All India Shia Hussaini Fund Lucknow, has written a letter to India's Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the Indian government to raise the issue of the security of Shias in Pakistan. In his letter, he highlighted the atrocities faced by the Shia minority community in Pakistan, stressing the need for international pressure on the Pakistani government. "The terrorists from Parachinar, Pakistan, have cruelly murdered members of the Shia minority community two days ago, including men, women, and children. Thousands of Shias have been killed in Pakistan over the past 35 years, but no Pakistani government has been successful in providing security to the Shias. Instead, all Pakistani governments have supported the terrorists," Syed Hasan Mehndi stated in his letter to Amit Shah. He urged the Home Minister to emphasise the concern of Indian Shias regarding the killings of their counterparts in Pakistan. "Our country is called a Hindu nation, but here, Shias live with full respect, security, and freedom to perform their religious activities. However, in Pakistan, which claims to be an Islamic country, Shia Muslims are being killed by being labelled as infidels," he added. The protests in Lucknow reflect the growing concern among Indian Shias about the safety and well-being of their community members in Pakistan, calling for immediate action and international intervention to stop the ongoing violence. (ANI) Qatar strongly condemned the killing of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an attack in Iran's capital, Tehran and stressed that this killing and the reckless targeting of civilians will lead the region into chaos and undermine the chances of peace. Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's president, was killed in an attack. The Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs described this killing as a "heinous crime" and a violation of international and humanitarian law. "The State of Qatar strongly condemns the assassination of the Head of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), Ismail Haniyeh, in the Iranian capital, Tehran, considering it a heinous crime, a dangerous escalation, and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law," Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official statement. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that the assassination and reckless targeting of civilians will lead the region into chaos and undermine the chances of peace," the statement added. Further, the Ministry reiterated Qatar's firm stance against violence, terrorism and criminal acts and expressed its condolences to the family of Ismail Haniyeh, his companion, as well as the State of Palestine and its people. "Foreign Affairs reiterates the State of Qatar's firm stance against violence, terrorism and criminal acts, including political assassinations, regardless of the motives and reasons. The Ministry expresses the condolences of the State of Qatar, its leadership and its people, to the family of the Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas and his companion, and the State of Palestine and its people," the statement said. Many other nations also condemned this killing, including Turkiye, Iran, and Pakistan. Pakistan condemned the killing and stated, "We extend our condolences to his family and the people of Palestine." "Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including extrajudicial and extraterritorial killings, irrespective of the motives," the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement posted on X. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the killing and stated, "We condemn the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Chief of the Hamas Political Bureau, in a heinous attack in Tehran. "We express our condolences to the Palestinian people, hundreds of thousands of whom, like Haniyeh, have been martyred to live peacefully in their homeland under the roof of their state," it added. It accused the Israeli government of lacking the intention to achieve peace. It said that the attack was aimed at spreading war in Gaza to a regional level. It further said that Turkiye will continue to support the "just cause" of the Palestinian people. (ANI) Passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka will resume this year according to Geshan Dissanayake, Minister Commercial of the island country's High Commission in India who expressed optimism about increasing connectivity between the two countries. The Sri Lankan official further said that the Talaimannar pier, which served as a passageway to India with ferry services is under repair and once reconstructed will facilitate travel from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. "Currently, we are going to resume the ferry service from Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai and we are also repairing Talaimannar Pier as well...Historically it (connected) Talaimannar from Rameswaram, so that will also happen in the future," Dissanayake told ANI on the sidelines of the third Outbound Tourism Summit organised by FICCI in New Delhi. "Yeah, like ferry services during this year," he said on asked for an estimated timeline for the resumption of services. The announcement of the Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai ferry was made when Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited India in July 2023. Both the governments had also affirmed to continue to work towards commencement of ferry services between other ports, including the traditional route between Rameswaram- Talaimannar. The Sri Lankan official said that the "operators are using small boats now but of course once it gets started and that once it will get traction then of course they will use big boats as well, like ships kind of things, like roll-down, roll-off ferries kind of thing, where you can put your vehicles and go." On being asked the frequency of the ferries, he said that they will operate for a particular time. "Frequency, maybe like that of course I have to check, because earlier this didn't work out due to rough seas. So anyway, they will operate during a particular time. Other times the sea is rough," he said. Passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) region of Jaffna in northern province of Sri Lanka that was launched on October 14, 2023 last year, however, shut days after owing to bad weather conditions. Since then, the resumption of the services has been halted multiple times. It was about to resume in May this year, but it did not happen. According to MEA, the high-speed ferry operated by the Shipping Corporation of India has a capacity of 150 passengers. The distance of about 60 nm (110 Km) between Nagapattinam and KKS will be covered in approx. 3.5 hours depending on sea conditions. In order to commence the service, the Government of India supported the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board in upgrading facilities at the Nagapattinam port. Similarly, the Government of Sri Lanka has created necessary infrastructure at the port of KKS. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan official also lauded the ties between India and Sri Lanka, and termed them "historical." "When it comes to India and Sri Lanka, of course, there has been historical connection, so there is a lot of potential. The last time when the President of Sri Lanka visited India, leaders of both nations signed a vision statement making like highlighting the importance of connectivity. One of those connectivity is people to people connectivity...There is this power grid which is going to happen maybe in 2026 so Sri Lanka can send power to India or to other countries because India is connected their grid to Bangladesh and other neighboring countries. So there is a potential," the Sri Lankan official told ANI. He highlighted that with situation returning to normalcy in Sri Lanka, the arrival of tourists from all across the globe,including Indians, have also peaked. "Now, of course, things are getting back to normal. Within these six months, the global arrivals to Sri Lanka was like more than 1 million. And 180,000 was from India. So it is somewhat closer to 200,000. Twenty per cent...And we know that there is a huge scope because there is a huge middle class in India. So we are trying to tap into that. And given the good air connectivity, I think we can attract more tourists from India," Dissanayake said. "We are trying to promote MICE tourism, where people can have their conferences in Sri Lanka...So likewise there are few these kind of things are happening and also we are promoting destination weddings" he further said, on being asked about the steps taken by the island country to attract Indian tourists. Notably, MICE tourism stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions tourism. It's a kind of business travel where people tend to go different places for professional events. Also shedding some light on climate change and its impact on tourism in island nations, the official stated that "Sri Lanka is immune to it." "To a certain extent Sri Lanka is kind of immune but of course like rising sea levels may be a serious thing in the future if we don't adapt to the Kyoto protocols and that kind of stuff. But currently we are not facing any adverse kind of a thing but we experience kind of like, now we are having more rain than usual," he added. The minister declined to comment on the Indian fishermen issue, a maritime dispute that remains unsolved between the two nations till date. "That is a political thing, so I would like to skip that because I can only speak about tourism, which is my area," he said. Last month, regarding the matter of 10 Indian fishermen charged with death in Sri Lanka, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India has always prioritised the welfare of these fishermen and is making efforts to bring them back home. Ten Indian fishermen, arrested by Sri Lanka on June 24 for alleged illegal fishing, will face charges related to the death of a Sri Lankan Navy sailor who was killed during an operation to apprehend them, stated reports. The MEA said they are aware of the situation and have raised the issue with Sri Lankan authorities. "On these ten fishermen, our high commission is aware of the matter. We are aware of the matter and we have taken up this issue with the Sri Lankan side. Hopefully, we will see how best to take it forward," said MEA. (ANI) The Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) announced on social media that it would organise a significant gathering in Hanover on August 3 to protest against the violent crackdown by Pakistani forces on a peaceful demonstration in Gwadar recently. The FBM urges people to join the Baloch diaspora in showing solidarity with the residents of Gwadar, who are currently under siege. "Your presence and support can make a difference in amplifying the voices of the oppressed and advocating for justice and peace. Let's unite and stand strong against the injustices faced by the Baloch community," the movement said in its statement. On July 28, thousands of Baloch people gathered near Gwadar for the Baloch National Gathering, a platform to advocate for their rights and discuss aspirations for self-determination. The Baloch Yakjeti Committee reported that Pakistani security forces violently attacked the peaceful sit-in, detaining 12 women and 50 men, including prominent activists. Previously, prominent Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch mentioned in her statement that Gwadar has been placed under a strict curfew and sealed off from the rest of the region. The city has also been cut off from the internet for three days, further isolating residents and obstructing the flow of information about the ongoing violence. Frontier Corps, Pakistani police, and death squads are reportedly beating and torturing residents in the streets. The FBM, a political and nationalist organisation, advocates for the independence of Balochistan, a region located in southwestern Pakistan. The movement seeks to assert Baloch's sovereignty and independence from Pakistan, claiming that Balochistan has been subjected to exploitation and marginalisation by the Pakistani government. The FBM actively participates in political activism and conducts awareness campaigns to advance its objectives, striving for international recognition and support for Baloch self-determination. The upcoming protest in Hannover aims to draw global attention to the plight of the Baloch people and the human rights abuses they face. The FBM hopes that international solidarity will pressure the Pakistani government to address the grievances of the Baloch community and end the violent repression in the region. ( ANI) Several advocates belonging to the Bar Council of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) have condemned the addition of Awami Action Committee (AAC) leadership to the Schedule Four list of the Anti-Terrorism Act, the Pamir Times reported. Calling it a violation of Pakistan's constitution, the Gilgit-Baltistan High Count Bar Association has demanded removing the AAC leaders, including Chairman Ehsan Ali Advocate, from the list and halting actions under the said law against residents of Gilgit-Baltistan till resolution of the region's constitutional status. Two other advocate bodies PoGB Gilgit Bar Association, and Hunza Bar Association, in separate press releases, had raised the same demand. And had urged the government to refrain from cutting down the freedom of expression. Moreover, Ashfaq Advocate a lawyer belonging to the PoGB, said that they will challenge the law in court if the names of AAC leaders are not removed. Notably, the act provides special powers to the defence forces. Notably, the provisions of the act provide special powers to the federal and provincial governments in the guise of stopping terrorism. The Awami Action Committee has been a voice for the rights of the people of PoGB. In the past, the social body has organized and participated in several protests raising their voices against the issues of PoGB like the revocation of wheat and flour subsidies, high taxation of electricity and severe underdevelopment of the PoGB, area. Previously, several representatives of the Awami Action Committee (AAC) in the Taus region of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) on Wednesday staged a protest against rapidly rising electricity bills in the area. The general public expressed their angst by raising slogans against the local administration for neglecting the issues faced by the people of PoGB. A local leader belonging to the AAC during the protest said, "We don't need enemies from around the world anymore, our Chief Minister is enough for that. Secondly, we have our political representatives who, despite taking votes from us, remain puppets in the government's hands, these both are enough to loot our resources in PoGB. No one else has been able to ruin our lives more than these people. As they are the ones imposing heavy taxes and living luxurious lives on our hard-earned money." He added, "They are the ones who have built huge resources from our money, while calling it money spent on protocol, they earn approximately 300 per cent more than what any of us could earn and we still live in poverty." (ANI) The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) expressed gratitude to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday for his prompt and effective intervention in facilitating the safe evacuation of over 3,500 Kashmiri students from Bangladesh amidst the recent wave of violence and unrest. In a statement issued today, the National Convener of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, stated that almost all 3,500 Kashmiri students have safely returned to India and reached their native places with the prompt assistance of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He expressed gratitude to S Jaishankar and the MEA team for their personal intervention and efforts in evacuating Kashmiri students who were stranded due to the ongoing crisis over reservation and job quotas in Bangladesh. The unrest had led to widespread chaos, significantly impacting the academic activities and safety of students, particularly those from Kashmir. "The Ministry has paid valuable attention to the Kashmiri students by coordinating and evacuating them back to India," Khuehami stated. "The Association took the matter up with the Ministry of External Affairs from the very first day. We express gratitude to Jaishankar for considering students' demands as a first priority and ensuring their evacuation." Khuehami emphasised that the families of these students in Kashmir were anxious, frightened, and scared, and the successful evacuation brought immense relief. "All students have reached Kashmir safely and in good health," he said in a statement. He also thanked the Government of India and the Indian Embassy in Bangladesh for their efforts in ensuring the safe evacuation of the stranded students. The MEA and the Indian High Commissioner arranged for the safe and secure travel of students to the border crossing points or the airport. The students were in commotion and chaos because of the tense situation and violence around them. Those who traveled by road returned through the Akhaura ICP, while others entered India through the Srimantapur ICP and Haridaspur ICP, he added. Khuehami asserted that students who lost their passports or faced document issues were facilitated following interventions. The coordinated efforts ensured that every student reached their destination safely, marking a significant relief for their families. The MEA's timely assistance not only brought the students home safely but also reassured many other students and their families. "We hope to maintain this level of cooperation to support our students in future emergencies. The Association remains committed to supporting students in times of crisis and ensuring their secure return in any emergency situation," it added. (ANI) Iran offered condolences on the killing of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in an attack in Iran's capital, Tehran and stated that Mujahid's death, who spent his life fighting against Israel, "will not go in vain." https://x.com/iran_in_india/status/1818568295517221059?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw In a post on X, "The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani has offered condolences and congratulations on the martyrdom of proud Mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement Hamas in Tehran." Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's president, was killed in an attack. "Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, expressed condolences and congratulations to Palestine and its allies on the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, offered condolences and congratulations on the martyrdom of proud Mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement Hamas in Tehran, to the great and proud nation of Palestine, the Hamas movement and all Palestinian resistance factions, as well as all resistance movements and nations and states supporting the Palestinian cause," according to the Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Further, Kanaani noted that a probe is underway by the relevant Iranian institutions to find out the dimensions and details of the incident. He said, "Undoubtedly, the pure blood of the indefatigable mujahid, who spent all his life in the honourable fight and struggle against the usurping Zionist regime and in the path of liberating Holy al-Quds and the oppressed Palestinian nation from the clutches of the Zionist occupiers, will not go in vain." Iran's spokesperson said that the 'martyrdom of our Mujahid brother will strengthen the close relationship between Iran and Palestine. "The spokesperson of the Iranian diplomatic apparatus stressed, "The martyrdom of our Mujahid brother, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, will reinforce the deep and unbreakable bonds between the Islamic Republic of Iran and dear Palestine and resistance," the statement said. https://x.com/khamenei_ir/status/1818569675946491948?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw Following this, Imam Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, also shared a message on X on the killing of the Hamas leader and stated, "The criminal, terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our territory and has caused our grief, but it has also prepared the ground for severe punishment." Qatar also strongly condemned the killing and stressed that this killing and the reckless targeting of civilians will lead the region into chaos and undermine the chances of peace. The Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs described this killing as a "heinous crime" and a violation of international and humanitarian law. "The State of Qatar strongly condemns the assassination of the Head of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), Ismail Haniyeh, in the Iranian capital, Tehran, considering it a heinous crime, a dangerous escalation, and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law," the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official statement. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that the assassination and reckless targeting of civilians will lead the region into chaos and undermine the chances of peace," the statement added. Further, the Ministry reiterated Qatar's firm stance against violence, terrorism and criminal acts and expressed its condolences to the family of Ismail Haniyeh, his companion, as well as the State of Palestine and its people. (ANI) External Affairs Minister called on Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who arrived in India for his three-day state visit on Tuesday and stated that "it's a very special privilege to receive him." During the meeting, the Vietnam PM expressed gratitude and thanked India for the warm reception. "I want to thank you for your time, seeing me this afternoon. I want to thank you for your efforts in arranging my visit to India with such short notice and a very tight schedule. I would like to thank the two foreign ministries for making the best preparations for this visit," Pham Minh Chinh said. Further, Chinh also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his win in the third consecutive term and termed this a 'historic victory.' "I would like to thank India for the warm reception accorded to me during my stay in India. It is a vivid testament to the importance that India places on its relations with Vietnam. I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Modi's re-election for the third consecutive term. This is a historic victory." Chinh said. In response, Jaishankar expressed pleasure and stated that Chinh is one of the earliest visitors after the elections and that the government has taken over in its third term, adding, "It's a very special privilege to receive him." Further, Jaishankar conveyed his condolences for the death of Secretary General Niren Fu-Chang. "I would, Excellency, also take the opportunity to convey my own condolences on the loss of the Secretary-General, General Secretary, and Excellency Niren Fu-Chang. We were represented on the occasion of his funeral by the National Security Advisor. The prime minister himself expressed his deep sorrow. We will convey that to you in person," said Jaishankar."Senior members of the cabinet, as well as the head of our party, have signed the condolence book, underscoring how close our relations are," Jaishanakar added. Highlighting India-Vietnam relations, Jaishankar expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to review bilateral relations and discuss strategic trends in the region. He also mentioned that the Prime Minister is looking forward to discussing these matters with the visitor the following day. Your visit gives us an opportunity to review our bilateral relations, and also to assess the strategic trends in our region. I know tomorrow the Prime Minister looks forward very much to his discussions regarding both subjects with you. And I would today, of course, thank you. said Jaishankar "And again, I assure you that we have prepared very, very well for this visit. There will be, I think, 10 agreements, and three announcements, and we will be taking steps that will certainly set the course for the further development of our relations. much for receiving me," he added Earlier in the day, the Vietnam PM was welcomed by Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, at the airport. In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said the visit of Vietnam PM will further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. "Warm welcome to PM Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam as he arrives in New Delhi on a state visit. Received by MoS @PmargheritaBJP at the airport. India & Vietnam share civilizational links and a longstanding friendship based on mutual trust. The visit will further strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership," he stated. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], July 31 (ANI/TPS): Israel's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will support investments in "aquaculture" (the breeding, raising, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants) in the amount of approximately 10 million Shekels (USD 2.65 million). The support will be given proportionally to the marketed ton, according to 5,500 Shekels (USD 1,462) per ton of fish. The Ministry said the purpose of the support is to encourage investments in the aquaculture industry for breeders of fish such as bream, barramundi, bass, sea bass, mullet and others. This, it explained, is being done to aid breeders following the lowering of tariffs on these types of fish by the government as part of a plan to reduce the cost of living in the country. Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Oren Lavi: "The management of the ministry sees great importance in promoting protein solutions for the population, including the development of food from water. These days, we are working to remove many barriers to the activity of this branch of all its types, while building a strategic plan, as part of the formulation of Israel's food security plan." The Ministry explained that the aquaculture industry is an important agricultural industry that it wants to strengthen. Today, fish production in artificial ponds (and fish cages in the sea, a method that is getting smaller and smaller) has become a large industry, which yields more produce than traditional fishing. Therefore, in order to continue to meet the demand for food from the sea, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security considers it appropriate to support and invest in the aquaculture industry. (ANI/TPS) India and China held the 30th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in the national capital on Wednesday, and the two sides agreed to uphold peace and tranquility at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and work for early resolution of outstanding issues. The Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia), from the Ministry of External Affairs. The Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Further to discussions between the two Foreign Ministers in their recent meetings at Astana and Vientiane, the two sides reviewed the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with a view to finding an early resolution of the outstanding issues," the MEA statement read. "Restoration of peace and tranquility, and respect for the LAC are an essential basis for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations," it added. The two sides agreed on the need to "jointly uphold peace and tranquillity" on the ground in the border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments. According to the release, the discussion at the meeting was "in-depth, constructive and forward-looking." Both sides agreed to maintain the momentum through the established diplomatic and military channels. The leader of the Chinese delegation also called on Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The previous round of diplomatic talks between New Delhi and Beijing was held in March this year. Notably, in 2020, the Indian and Chinese troops clashed at Galwan, the same year the pandemic started. Since May 2020, when the Chinese troops tried to aggressively change the status quo on LAC in eastern Ladakh, both sides have been deployed in forward positions near Patrolling Point 15, which emerged as a friction point in the wake of the Galwan clash. Over 50,000 Indian soldiers have been stationed since 2020 at forward posts along the LAC, with advanced weapons to prevent any attempts to change the status quo unilaterally on the LAC. (ANI) Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ordered Iran to strike Israel directly, in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, New York Times reported, citing three Iranian officials, briefed on the order, including two members of the Revolutionary Guards. Khamenei gave the order at an emergency meeting of Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly after Iran announced that Haniyeh had been killed. Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of the assassination. Israel, which is at war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, has neither acknowledged nor denied killing Haniyeh, who was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran's new president. Notably, Israel has a long history of killing enemies abroad, including Iranian nuclear scientists and military commanders, according to the NYT. Through almost 10 months of war in Gaza, Iran has tried to strike a balance, putting pressure on Israel with sharply increased attacks by its allies and proxy forces in the region, while avoiding an all-out war between the two nations. In its biggest and most overt attack on Israel, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones in April in retaliation for an Israeli strike on its embassy compound that killed several Iranian military commanders in the Syrian capital of Damascus. "Now it is unclear how forcefully Iran will respond, and whether it will once again calibrate its attack to steer clear of escalation. Iranian military commanders are considering another combination attack of drones and missiles on military targets in the vicinity of Tel Aviv and Haifa, but would make a point of avoiding strikes on civilian targets," the Iranian officials said. One option under consideration is a coordinated attack from Iran and other fronts where it has allied forces, including Yemen, Syria and Iraq, for maximum effect, they added. Khamenei, who has the last word on all state matters and is also the commander in chief of the armed forces, instructed military commanders from the Revolutionary Guards and the army to prepare plans for both an attack and a defence in case the war expands and Israel or the US strike Iran, the officials said. In his public statement about Haniyeh's death, Khamenei signalled that Iran would retaliate directly, saying, "we see avenging his blood our duty," because it happened on the territory of the Islamic Republic. He said Israel had set the stage for receiving "a severe punishment," New York Times reported. Other Iranian officials, including the newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, the foreign ministry, the Guards and Iran's mission to the UN, also said openly that Iran would retaliate against Israel and that it had a right to defend itself against a transgression on its sovereignty. Iran and the regional forces it backs -- Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and multiple militias in Iraq -- form what they call the "axis of resistance." Leaders of those groups were in Tehran for the inauguration of Pezeshkian on Tuesday. Haniyeh was assassinated at about 2 am (local time), after attending the ceremony and meeting with Khamenei. The killing shocked Iranian officials, who described it as crossing red lines. According to the NYT, it was a humiliating security breach for Iran, which is eager to project strength but has been unable to prevent Israel from carrying out covert operations on its soil. The embarrassment was compounded by Haniyeh's prominence, the presence of other allies, and that he was attacked at a highly secure Revolutionary Guards guesthouse on a day of heightened security in the capital. It further reported citing analysts that Tehran sees retaliation as necessary for both avenging the killing of Haniyeh but also as deterrence against Israel killing other powerful enemies, like Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, or General Ismail Qaani, the commander of the Quds Forces who oversees the militant groups outside Iran. "Iran likely believes it has no choice other than retaliating to deter further Israeli attacks, defend its sovereignty, and preserve its credibility in the eyes of its regional partners," said Ali Vaez, the Iran director of the International Crisis Group. (ANI) Animal life on Earth may be 1.5B years older than we thought: new research Life on Earth looks good for its age. Newly discovered fossil records hint that mold-like unicellular organisms the common ancestor to all complex life on our planet arrived over a billion years earlier than previous estimates. Evidence was found deep in rock structures within Africas fossil-abundant nation of Gabon that suggest conditions for animal life started about 2.1 billion years ago, the BBC reported. Life on Earth may be a billion years older than previous estimates. Abderrazzak El Albani Going back 3.7 billion years, the very first traces of life consist of microbial bacteria lacking a nucleus, while its widely accepted that animal organisms began more recently at about 635 million years ago. The new findings challenge this theory, however. These primordial lifeforms, slimy, single-cell organisms that would wiggle to move and reproduce with spores, were unearthed in a landlocked water body, indicating the primordial lifeforms never spread globally. Nevertheless, their proliferation set the stage for the animal kingdom to evolve before they died out, the researchers wrote in a new report, published in the journal Precambrian Research. Cardiff Universitys professor Ernest Chi declared to BBC News, Were saying, look, theres fossils here, theres oxygen, its stimulated the appearance of the first complex living organisms. We see the same process as in the Cambrian period, 635 million years ago it helps back that up. It helps us understand ultimately where we have all come from, he added. The chemistry of the rock in which the fossil was found points to a laboratory of life-producing elements. Chi believes that a continental collision and subsequent volcanic activity would have created the nutrient-rich shallow marine inland sea in which photosynthesis could kickstart oxygen production. Early organisms on a seafloor may be a sign of animal life on Earth over a billion years earlier than thought. Abderrazzak El Albani This would have provided sufficient energy to promote increases in body size and greater complex behavior observed in primitive, simple animal-like life forms such as those found in the fossils from this period, he said. However, some who are not involved with the research are skeptical. Im not against the idea that there were higher nutrients 2.1 billion years ago but Im not convinced that this could lead to diversification to form complex life, said Professor Graham Shields of the University College London. Other neutral parties give the idea more of a fighting chance. A candidate at Londons Natural History Museum, Elias Rugen admitted the life-building elements were all doing something a little bit unprecedented at this point in Earths history. Theres nothing to say that complex biological life couldnt have emerged and thrived as far back as 2 billion years ago. Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump shakes hands with U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., at the National Republican Senatorial Committee building on June 13, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Trump was visiting Capitol Hill to meet with Senate Republicans and participate in additional meetings. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Montana U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, who is in charge of flipping the chamber from blue to red this November, said Tuesday he expects his home state will play a key role in ensuring a Republican majority come January. Daines, who is chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said that of the four toss-up states that will determine control of the Senate, he believes Montana is the most likely to choose a new senator over the incumbent, Democrat Jon Tester. Of all of the states were currently battling, itd be the most likely pickup right now, if you graded on a curve, Daines said. Republicans expect to gain the West Virginia Senate seat currently controlled by independent Joe Manchin III, who is retiring. But, theyll need one more pickup to hold at least 51 seats in the 100-member chamber and secure the majority. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter categorizes Ohio, Michigan, Montana and Nevadas races as toss-ups, while the other Senate races are rated as at least leaning toward Democrats or Republicans. Electoral trends Daines said that he expects the November elections will follow a trend from 2016 and 2020, in which the winner of the Senate race very closely tracks with which presidential candidate wins in their state. The only exception, of 69 races in 2016 and 2020, with Trump on the ballot, was Susan Collins where Joe Biden won Maine, but Susan Collins won the Senate race, Daines said, referring to former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and the current Republican senator from Maine. History shows in a presidential year, these races will all start to track by the time we get to the end of October, and then on Election Day, importantly, well be tracking pretty close with the presidential ballot. Daines, who was sitting for a panel interview with members of the Regional Reporters Association at the National Republican Senatorial Committee offices in Washington, D.C., said the party is applying the lessons learned from 2022 to this years campaigns. Democrats targeted their messaging effectively two years ago, while Republicans had candidates that were able to win primary elections, but were not as appealing in a general, Daines said. And thats why one of the key strategies here at the NRSC was to be intentional in primaries, Daines said, adding he wanted fewer wounds and battle scars for the GOP candidates who won their primaries as they went into the general election campaign. Daines said that he doesnt expect reproductive rights and issues around democracy to be as central to how voters cast ballots this year as compared to 2022. In 22 the Democrats mentioned a lot on abortion and a lot on January 6 and the threat to democracy, Daines said. I think both of those issues are going to be less powerful in the 24 election. On abortion specifically, he said GOP Senate candidates are messaging well on this back in their respective states. Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson Tommy Garcia said in a written statement that Senate campaigns are candidate vs candidate battles, and Senate Democrats will win because we have the better candidates in every single battleground. Steve Daines failure to vet his candidates has saddled Senate Republicans with deeply flawed recruits who are embroiled in a never ending series of scandals: theyve been caught lying about their biographies, face vulnerabilities stemming from their finances and are running on a platform of deeply unpopular policies, Garcia added. Montana focus Daines said he expects Montana voters will elect Republican candidate Tim Sheehy over Tester in November, citing data from former election years as well as how recent transplants to the state have registered to vote. Weve had a net migration of center-right voters to Montana since Jon Tester was last on the ballot, Daines said. He won by 18,000 votes against Matt Rosendale back in 2018. Weve had 100,000 new voters move to Montana since 2018. If you look at the voter rolls, by a 2-to-1 margin, theyre Republicans. Daines said he refers to these transplants as COWs since they are leaving California, Oregon and Washington states to live in Montana the first letters of each state. He also says they arent looking to bring the blue-leaning politics of their former states to their new home. These are refugees, not missionaries, Daines said. Theyre moving to Montana to join us, not to change us. And thats how thats shifting the political numbers in Montana; just mathematically, it becomes increasingly difficult for Jon Tester to win. Daines said mid-July polling in the race mirrors what he experienced ahead of his last re-election. The polling data that we are seeing with Tim Sheehy matches exactly where I was polling with Steve Bullock by the same pollster four years ago, Daines said, referring to the former Democratic governor who ran for Senate in 2020. And we ended up winning by 10 points. When thats combined with the millions of dollars that Democrats have spent on Testers re-election campaign, Daines said the odds are good for Republicans. (Senate Majority Leader Chuck) Schumer and Tester have poured $45 million of negative ads on Tim Sheehy since last November, Daines said. Weve never seen anything like it in any Senate race in the history of the United States that early, that much money spent. And the fact that Tim Sheehy is tied up right now on public polls is quite remarkable. DSCC Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, told States Newsroom on Tuesday that he expects Tester will win reelection. Hes wrong. Hes not going to flip Montana. Jon Tester is a strong candidate. Hes authentic. Hes running against a seriously flawed candidate that the Republicans have put forward. Clearly they didnt do any vetting before they recruited him to run in Montana, Peters said. And people in Montana want someone whos authentic, has lived in the state and understands the challenges of people in Montana. And thats Jon Tester. Nevada battleground Daines also has hopes that the GOP can pick up Nevada, where Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen is facing a challenge from Republican candidate Sam Brown. During the 2022 Senate race, he noted that Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto defeated Republican candidate Adam Laxalt by about 8,000 votes. It was the tightest Senate race that cycle. Thats four votes per precinct, Daines said. Thats not lost, certainly on both sides of the ledger. Had Laxalt been running during a presidential election year, when rural voters tend to turn out in higher numbers than during midterm election years, Daines said Laxalt would have won a seat in the Senate. Looking at more recent polling numbers in Nevada, Rosens ballot number is very low. Shes in the low 40s. Thats a big warning sign for an incumbent, Daines said. It also shows theres great upside for Sam Brown at the moment. Michigan race In Michigan, which presents another chance for Republicans to gain and potentially grow a Senate majority, Daines said he isnt worried about negative ads from the Republican primary impacting their prospects during the general election. You always worry about whether youre on the Democratic or Republican side damaging primaries. And something that we have done at the NRSC in this particular election cycle, is to be intentional about getting behind candidates early in primaries, Daines said. And Michigans an example of that. The NRSC and Trump both endorsed GOP candidate Mike Rogers early, he said. And so far in this election cycle, theres been $250 million less spent in Republican primaries versus last cycle, Daines said. Democrats have spent $60 million more in their primaries versus last cycle. And in part thats due to a strategy that we had to get behind candidates early and try to minimize primary battles. Daines wasnt too concerned about recent polling that shows Democrat Elissa Slotkin ahead of Rogers in a likely general election match up. Its not a new phenomenon, Daines said. Generally, we run behind. Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey hopes Daines has hope for GOP candidates in other states that traditionally send Democrats to the Senate. In Maryland, he expects former Gov. Larry Hogan has a chance to defeat Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for the open seat. When Republicans polled the chances for Hogan before he entered the race, they showed he had higher favorability than when he left office, Daines said. And while Daines said he knows that Kamala Harris will likely win Maryland by 25 points or more, he still expects Hogan will have a strong campaign. Thats not a new phenomenon for Larry Hogan. And so he will run in this maverick kind of lane, Daines said, noting that Hogan has distanced himself from Trump. Daines sought to put a little bit of distance between the NRSC and the Aug. 13 Republican Senate primary in Minnesota when asked about the candidates, though he said he stood by a previous comment that Royce White cant win the GOP primary or the general election. Well wait and see how the primary shakes out in Minnesota. Again, its coming up here pretty soon, mid-August, Daines said. But yeah, I think Joe Fraser is going to be a more electable candidate, certainly in the general. Whichever GOP candidate wins the primary will face Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the general election, fighting for a seat that is rated as solid Democratic by The Cook Political Report. New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendezs recent conviction has also led Daines to not entirely count the state out, though the odds are long. Curtis Bashaw, he said, is a very strong candidate. Its a race were keeping an eye on, Daines said. Obviously, whenever you have an open seat, its an opportunity. And with Menendezs problems that doesnt help overall. Menendez isnt seeking re-election and will resign from the U.S. Senate in August. Democratic Rep. Andy Kim, who was pictured cleaning up litter inside the U.S. Capitol following the Jan. 6 attack, was elected as the Democratic nominee. The Cook Political Report rates the race as Solid Democrat. Spies, active-duty military, FBI agents, diplomats and at least 15 children are among the 334 Americans who have qualified to get treatment for Havana Syndrome in specialized military health facilities numbers that conflict with an earlier assessment by U.S. intelligence agencies minimizing the problem. The new data was published Monday in a study conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office between February 2023 and June this year, which examined the challenges patients face accessing care in the military health system and whether the Department of Defense has facilitated it, as required by federal law. The office, which conducts audits and investigations for the U.S. Congress, concluded that Americans affected by these still unexplained cases of what the government refers to as anomalous health incidents struggled to get proper care, confirming earlier reports by the Miami Herald that some had been denied medical treatment by their agencies and suffered retaliation. According to the report, almost half of the 65 patients interviewed told investigators that they have been stigmatized by their employer after reporting experiencing one of these incidents, which led to negative effects on their career. Some were pulled from their work assignments, referred to psychologists, had their security clearances delayed, were placed on leave or lost their jobs, the report says. They attributed these experiences to their agencies not believing them, according to the document. The new report also includes previously undisclosed details about the Americans affected by these mysterious incidents, which have taken place on U.S. soil, in Cuba and several countries since at least 2014. The study, commissioned by the Senate in 2022, also raises new questions about how the U.S. government and, in particular, the intelligence community have handled the investigation. As of January 2024, 334 people, including active-duty military personnel, current and former federal employees from other agencies, and their family members, had qualified for care in the military health system. According to Department of Defense estimates cited in the report, at least 15 children had qualified for treatment as of December 2023. The total number of people affected in these mysterious events is likely higher because some were never treated in military health facilities, including many of those affected in Havana between 2016 and 2017. Spies, diplomats, FBI agents targeted Most of the officials affected come from U.S. spy agencies and the Department of Defense. As of April this year, 257 non-military current and former government employees and family members had qualified for treatment, 88 of whom came from the Central Intelligence Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the report says. Another 74 were referred by the Department of Defense, including employees of intelligence agencies, such as the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, as well as civilian employees from the military services. The list includes 28 people referred by the FBI, 44 by the State Department and 26 from the Departments of Homeland Security and Agriculture, the National Security Council, and the United States Agency for International Development. The report does not include an exact number of active and former military affected because the focus was on civilian access to the military health service, said Kimberly Gianopoulos, managing director for International Affairs and Trade at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The victims have described being exposed to sensory phenomena such as pressure and noise coming from a specific location and have developed brain trauma and a variety of other symptoms like vertigo, tinnitus, migraine, visual problems and cognitive impairment. The symptoms can be long-term and debilitating. At least one victim, CIA case officer Zoe Moulton, has died. She died in April after being diagnosed with cancer. A controversial assessment by some agencies in the U.S. intelligence community published in March last year concluded that it was unlikely that a foreign adversary was attacking U.S. personnel and dismissed most cases as having been caused by pre-existing conditions and other environmental factors. But to qualify for treatment in the military health system, a doctor must certify a brain injury or other significant symptoms that a known cause or a pre-existing condition cannot explain. Patients are referred to centers in the Defense Intrepid Network for Traumatic Brain Injury and Brain Health. The new report does not explain the apparent contradiction between the official intelligence assessment and the high number of people who have qualified for treatment. It notes that the intelligence agencies writing the assessment had different confidence levels in their conclusions and had gaps in the information collected. It also mentions other government-funded studies that have reached different conclusions, including a report for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence that concluded that commercially available devices using radiofrequency or ultrasound technology could explain the Havana Syndrome. Research on the subject has been riddled with problems and has provided contradictory results, the report notes, due to the lack of a precise definition and information about these incidents, a highly diverse population in terms of clinical symptoms and timing from incident to assessment; as well as the classified nature of the affected individuals circumstances and their work. After a team of National Institutes of Health researchers said in March they did not find signs of brain injuries in people affected by the Havana Syndrome after analyzing some MRI scans, other scientists immediately questioned the results. A group of patients involved in the study accused the investigators of bias, misreporting the data under pressure from the CIA and mishandling confidential medical information. The National Institutes of Health halted the study and launched an investigation as a result. A broken system The congressional report paints a portrait of a system that was put in place to help these patients but failed to do so correctly because of bureaucracy, communication gaps and a lack of trained staff. The patients reported inconsistent support from their agencies, a lack of information about the care process and treatment options available once they were accepted at military health facilities, and difficulty scheduling appointments to the point that some gave up and sought treatment in the civilian sector. Staff shortages at the Department of Defense units that were supposed to deal with these patients left them without a point of contact for months, the report found. In six cases, agencies did not inform patients that the Department of Defense had approved their Military Health Service access until they specifically inquired, the report says. These delays in communication ranged from three weeks to over a year. Parents of children affected by these incidents felt particularly frustrated, the report says, because they did not have a clear point of contact to work within the pediatric unit and struggled to schedule appointments. The Department of Defense has also been unable to maintain a proper registry of the patients who have received treatment in its facilities, the report found, hindering future research. The agency accepted all the recommendations made in the study, including implementing a new unit in charge of coordinating care for Havana Syndrome patients. However, the problems found by investigators go beyond accessing specialized medical care. Patients are also struggling to get compensation under federal laws that benefit those injured at work. and the 2021 Havana Act, which pays compensation for victims of brain injuries suffered in the line of duty. Despite clashes over reality of Havana Syndrome, CIA agents have been paid for injuries The report noted that some agencies, like the Department of Defense, had not issued guidance on obtaining Havana Act payments. The agency published such a proposal on Monday when the report was published. A recent U.S. Department of Labor rule added more red tape to Havana Syndrome patients trying to get compensation for disability or death. The Department now requires that claims for additional conditions beyond traumatic brain injuries will now require a review by a District Medical Advisor. The rule will impact both new and already accepted claims. We need to prove a brain injury. But doctors we are sent to are told not to write brain injury. And theyll never accept anything else additional, a Havana Syndrome patient who asked not to be named said. This how theyre making it go away. Authorities arrested three people accused of binding a man with duct tape and forcing him to jump off a bridge into traffic. Jaysen Lawson, 21; Brianna Nohmer, 18; and Sean Lunney, 31, have each been charged with kidnapping in connection with the incident in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, jail records indicate. Separately, Lawson has also been charged with attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, and assault and battery with a deadly weapon, while Nohmer was hit with an attempt to kill charge. Lunney was accused of pointing a firearm and aggravated assault, jail records show. Officers responding to the Deep Fork River bridge Thursday located a male victim who was "badly injured and required immediate medical attention," according to the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office. The investigation revealed the victim was bound with duct tape, abducted and forced off the bridge at gunpoint, authorities alleged. Interviews with witnesses led to the arrests of the suspected trio. Nohmer and Lunney are being held on $250,000 bond, while a judge set Lawson's bond at $300,000. A tenth defendant charged with abusing turkeys at the Plainville Farms New Oxford processing plant pleaded guilty to one count of cruelty to animals and was sentenced to 12 months probation on Wednesday in Cumberland County court, according to court records. Jason Kyle Turner, 24, of York, was among 11 former employees of the poultry processor accused of kicking, stomping and beating turkeys in the plant, according to state police. As a condition of his unsupervised probation, according to court records, Turner, like the other nine defendants whose cases ended in guilty pleas, cannot be employed in any business that cares for animals. More: Turkey abuse: Two more ex-Plainville Farms employees convicted of cruelty to animals A 10th defendant accused of abusing turkeys at Plainville Farms' New Oxford processing plant has pleaded guilty. In total, 11 former employees of the plant had been charged with abusing turkeys. The case stems from a state police investigation that began in August 2021 when the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals filed a complaint about the abuse witnessed by one of its employees who witnessed the abuse. It concluded with the defendants being charged in October 2022. Plainville Farms CEO Matt Goodson has said that the company has "zero tolerance for anything like the alleged actions of these former employees." The company said it has brought in third-party auditors, increased employee training and distributed body cameras to workers who work with live birds. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: York PA man pleads guilty in turkey abuse case EHIME, Aug 01 (News On Japan) - Matsuyama Castle, which had been closed due to a landslide, fully reopened on Wednesday, welcoming tourists back for the first time in about three weeks. A tourist from Shizuoka said, 'I sincerely hope that everyone in the city will regain their spirits.' However, the roads around the main keep, which partially collapsed in the landslide on July 12th, remain off-limits. Source: TBS African ministers of trade attending the 21st African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum held in Washington D.C. last week have urged the US government to do away with the AGOAs annual reviews and expressed the importance of an expeditious renewal of the legislation by the end of 2024. With AGOA expiring in 14 months, the African trade ministers called on the Biden administration and the members of US Congress to expeditiously renew the AGOA legislation with non-controversial enhancements and amendments for a minimum of 16 years to provide the required predictability and certainty to buyers, exporters, and investors. According to a read-out statement, they have also urged the US government to remove the annual reviews, expressing concerns over the unilateral removal of eligible members from the trade agreement by the United States. The legislation, which was first enacted in 2000, gives about 30 eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US consumer market for most products without having to reciprocate, though in turn affords the US access to critical minerals, product value chains, and investment opportunities in Africa. Yet, many experts have argued that AGOA has significantly benefited large resource-rich economies, such as Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, while smaller participant nations generally reaped no benefits. The AGOA Forum is held on an alternate basis between the United States and Africa and the meeting next year will be held in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The 21st AGOA Forum in Washington last week brought together senior government officials from the United States, from AGOA-eligible countries, as well as representatives from continental and regional economic organizations, the private sector, labor, and civil society. Participants debated a broad range of issues, including how to increase use of the program, how to better promote worker-centric trade policies, and how to better strengthen the partnerships to drive economic opportunity for both Americans and Africans. They also discussed barriers that women, youth, micro- and small- and medium-sized enterprises, and the African diaspora face in assessing trade and investment opportunities and explored how to better use the multilateral trading system to benefit more people, especially those in underserved communities. Special attention was paid to opportunities to modernize the AGOA program to realize its full potential as a tool for development and to support regional economic integration, and how the United States and AGOA partners can collectively create and promote stronger, high-standard investment opportunities. A man who ruthlessly killed a New York woman in 2022 in what prosecutors called an "unthinkable and horrific" manner faced the victim's family in court on Tuesday as he was sentenced. Assamad Nash, 27, previously pleaded guilty to murder and burglary charges in the brutal stabbing of Christina Yuna Lee, 35. Sungkon Lee, the victim's father, openly sobbed in court as he delivered his victim impact statement, expressing that his family will continue to live in unbearable pain and asking the court for the maximum sentence. "Why did God do such terrible things to our family?" he asked. The grieving father blamed bail reform laws and the NYPD for ultimately failing his daughter. "The police did not gain entrance into the scene of the crime until 1 hour and 20 minutes had passed since arriving at the scene," he added. The judge highlighted the "tremendous turnout" in court as she sentenced Nash to 30 years to life in prison, also noting that the defendant has serious mental issues and is a danger to society. Outside of the courthouse, Lee's aunt revealed the victim's mother was unable to attend the sentencing because, even two and a half years after the murder, she still suffers greatly. "Christina Yuna Lee was killed in an unthinkably horrific manner in her own apartment at the hands of Assamad Nash," said District Attorney Alvin Bragg. "Ms. Yuna Lee was a creative, kind and joyful person and her death not only devastated her family but left a lasting impact on an entire community. I hope the resolution of this case offers comfort and a sense of justice for everyone that has been touched by Ms. Yuna Lee's life and this tragedy. May her legacy be celebrated for years to come." Nash had previously admitted to stalking Lee and following her into her Chinatown apartment, where police say he stabbed the 35-year-old more than 40 times. In February 2022, shortly before 4:30 a.m., Nash followed Lee as she entered her apartment building in the Chinatown section of Manhattan. He climbed the six flights to her apartment before running up behind her, forcing his way in, and attempting to sexually assault her, according to WABC-TV. Neighbors who heard Lee screaming for help unsuccessfully tried to gain access to the apartment and called 911. When officers arrived on scene, they broke down the door and found Nash hiding under a mattress. Lee was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim's family has filed a lawsuit against the NYPD over their response to the crime scene. King Mohammed VI has invited French President Emmanuel Macron to pay a State visit to the Kingdom following the clear and strong position adopted by France on the Moroccan Sahara. In a message sent to Macron, the King told the French President: It is with interest that I received the important Message You addressed to Me on the occasion of the 25th Throne Day anniversary. I would like to thank You for Your warm wishes and Your personal commitment to strengthening partnership between Our two countries, added the Monarch, saying that he fully appreciate Frances clear support for Moroccos sovereignty over this part of its territory, the resolute French support for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty to settle this regional dispute, thereby establishing the plan proposed by Morocco, since 2007, as the only basis for achieving it. By recognizing Moroccos legal titles and immemorial rights, France contributes in strengthening the international momentum that many countries are already supporting and thus putting an end to a conflict inherited from another era, underlined the King in his letter. Thanks to the significant development of the French position and Your determination to act accordingly at internal and international levels, Our two countries will work together to reach a solution that, within the framework of the United Nations, fully respects Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara, said the royal letter. The Moroccan people and its vital forces are fully aware of the importance of this decision, adopted by a permanent member of the Security Council, an intimate connoisseur of the past and present of North Africa and a privileged witness to the development of this regional dispute, underlined the King in his letter addressed to Macron. Thanks to the positive momentum that Our bilateral relations are experiencing, promising prospects are opening up for Our two countries in many strategic sectors, making it possible to strengthen the exceptional partnership built over decades on friendship and trust, underlined the Monarch. On Tuesday, Moroccos Royal Office issued a statement describing as a significant development France support for Moroccos territorial integrity and the autonomy plan as the only basis for a solution to the Sahara conflict under the Kingdoms sovereignty. This announcement by the French Republic, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is an important and significant development in support of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. It is part of the momentum launched by HM King Mohammed VI may God preserve Him and carried by many countries in different regions of the world, in favor of the territorial integrity of Morocco and the autonomy plan as the exclusive framework for the resolution of this regional dispute, reads the Royal Office statement. In his letter to the King, Macron affirms that the present and future of Western Sahara are within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty. King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, chaired Wednesday the allegiance ceremony, marking the 25th anniversary of the Sovereigns accession to the Throne. The King was accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, Prince Moulay Rachid and Prince Moulay Ahmed, during this ceremony, which took place at the Place du Mechouar of the Royal Palace in Tetouan. Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, the Walis and Governors of the Kingdoms wilayas, prefectures and provinces, as well as Walis and Governors of the Interior Ministrys Central Administration renewed or pledged allegiance to the Sovereign. Afterwards, the delegations representing the various regions, prefectures and provinces of the Kingdom renewed their allegiance to the Commander of the Faithful. This ceremony, which reflects the authenticity of the Moroccan people and their unwavering attachment to the Throne, ended with a five-gun salute, as the Sovereign responded with his hands to the cheers of representatives from the various regions of the Kingdom. The allegiance ceremony is an opportunity for representatives of the Kingdoms twelve regions to reiterate their attachment to the Sovereign and to emphasize the bond between the Throne and the People. This tradition is deeply rooted in the countrys history, and has always been the foundation of the Moroccan Nation, and the supreme expression of its solidity and durability. The ceremony was attended by the Head of Govt., the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament, Advisors to the King, members of the government, Presidents of constitutional bodies, senior officers of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, and a number of civilian and military personalities. French unambiguous support for Moroccos autonomy plan and its sovereignty over the Sahara territory would reverberate across Europe, where many countries would follow suit, former French ambassador to Algeria Xavier Driencourt said. France, a permanent security council member, has a significant influence that could encourage other nations, particularly European ones, to reconsider their position on the Sahara issue in Moroccos favor, the diplomat Le Figaro. He expects the French position to have a domino effect in encouraging other recognitions of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara. Macron had sent a letter to King Mohammed VI on Throne Day , celebrated July 30, in which he said the autonomy plan is the only basis for reaching a just, lasting and negotiated political solution within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty. Macron added that he considers the future and present of the Sahara territory within Moroccan sovereignty. Driencourt said France was aware of the potential Alegrian reactions. But he said that French interests with Morocco overweight those with Algeria. Paris knows this and, I think, made this decision with full knowledge of the facts, that is to say by weighing the advantages and disadvantages. We can think that the government felt that the current status quo was leading to a dead end and that the advantages were now leaning towards the Moroccan side and that conclusions had to be drawn, he explained. Photo: John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe/Getty Images Major campaign donors and fundraisers act as a sort of shadow party in American politics, and on the Democratic side, they flexed their power like never before when it came to pressuring President Joe Biden to end his candidacy. Here, someone who describes themselves as deeply involved in Democratic politics recounts the roller coaster of the last month. Take us back to early June to the weeks leading up to the debate. What was the predominant mood among major donors? It was very much a wait-and-see period. I think people were worried. There was that George Clooney dinner in Los Angeles, where Obama kind of led the president off the stage. There were the incidents at the G7 summit. There were a bunch of issues reported in the press about the presidents acuity and physical condition. The sense among people that were meeting with him in particular over the past year was that hed have good days and bad days: He was completely with it; he was a little out of it. Obviously, he was becoming physically more frail over time, but he certainly seemed to be with it. So we were just waiting. We were just in the preparatory stage: beginning to organize groups of fellow donees, not putting dates on the calendar yet, but making sure that the network is in place. We realized that a lot of donors were focusing on the presidents performance at the debate, wondering which Joe Biden was going to show up in Atlanta that night in late June, whether he was up to the task of mounting a full-scale, continuous campaign against former President Trump. Is that normal? What does June of an election year usually look like for you and other donors? A lot of intense fundraising. Normally during this period youd be raising hundreds of millions of dollars from your Democratic donor base and from grassroots efforts. The president would have been crisscrossing the country, but the president just really curtailed his schedule, and his internal advisers were really protecting him. It wasnt good for fundraising. Usually you have the internal crew getting the candidate out and about and meeting with donors and traveling the country and pushing to raise as much money as possible before the push for the last three months. And that was not taking place here. Nothing was happening. We were waiting on the sidelines. Were people trying to fundraise and it wasnt working, or they werent trying? Well, the Clooney-Obama event that was a fundraiser. And in the spring, there was the event at Radio City with Clinton, Obama, and Biden. That was also a major fundraising event. But there werent a lot of the retail, smaller fundraising events where youd raise $250,000 or a million dollars. They generally limited the events to very, very big tickets; very staged; carefully choreographed events where they could raise a lot like, tens of millions of dollars. The debate happens. We all know how that went. I imagine you started getting a lot of texts. I think everyone who was involved was getting texts. And it was a sense of Oh my God, I cant believe this is happening. Disbelief. This is never going to work. What are we going to do? What is the Democratic Party going to do? How is this all going to play out? Youre essentially four months away from the November election, so you had very, very little time to figure this out. Then there was a sense of Weve got to do something. By the end of that Thursday evening, you didnt know who was going to be at the top of the ticket. It was that catastrophic. Its impossible to raise money if you dont know who the candidates going to be. This is probably a stupid question, but why not? If the party nominated someone crazy. Im not sure youd want to say, Im raising money for, you know, a candidate to be determined later. You could give money to the DNC and basically say, I trust you to put up a candidate who were going to support, but I think that generally isnt what happens. Im sure there are mainstream conventional Republicans who, in 2016, were giving money to the RNC and never in their wildest dreams imagined that Trump would be the candidate. And theyre probably like, Oh my God, I cannot believe I contributed to Trumps candidacy. What were you hearing from fellow donors at that point? Initially, among leading Democratic donors, it was another wait-and-see process: Youre expecting Joe Biden to do the right thing and step aside and protect the party and the country, or, alternatively, youre expecting leadership to do the right thing and persuade Joe Biden to step aside. As the days played out and the echoes began to get louder, you thought there was going to be movement. And then the assassination attempt takes place and everything stops for a period of time, in part out of respect. And you wonder, Oh God, is this really going to be the mismatch? This deeply flawed, dangerous Republican candidate against Joe Biden, who really did not appear that he could survive a presidential campaign. And then folks within the Democratic-donor leadership became very frustrated. In the hours, days, and as it turned out weeks that followed, the sense of frustration among leading Democrats and donors was: What is party leadership doing about this? Who is going to be at the top of the ticket? We certainly dont want a Trump administration. And you certainly dont want a Trump administration with Republicans in control of both the Senate and the House. And over time, the crescendo built. What did that look like? It was telling leadership, You know, if you dont do something about this, forget the presidential race you cannot look to us to raise money for the Senate and House candidates. You have to do something. Remember, there are essentially three buckets of money. Youre looking at House races, which you knew would be tight. You need to raise money for Senate races, which, from a demographic perspective, you knew was going to be tough because of the way the map was structured. And then you have the presidential election. Were the major donors on the same page about what needed to happen?There was a lot of chatter among Democratic donors, and we were trying to figure out what to do. We were asking, Can anyone get to the president directly or through indirect means to say, The money train has stopped and unless theres a change, its not going to resume its activity? A lot of us thought, We just have to be hard-asses. And if the president doesnt resign, were out this cycle. But I was hearing from some people who said, We cant do that because then youre ceding all three levers of power to the Republicans led by Trump. Those were very painful, deeply profound conversations. If there ended up being no change at the top of the ticket, theres no way that leading donors would have sabotaged the party in the country. We would have raised the funds. But I think it was an effort at crass power politics through the fundraising mechanism. How much do you think that was what moved the needle? I think it was a material factor. Both the fact that the donor coffers were closed not just to President Biden you cant run a campaign if you dont have hundreds of millions, if not a billion or 2 billion dollars but to Democratic leadership, who want to make sure that the Democrats maintain control, or at least fight to maintain control, of the Senate and House. You cant run those campaigns if you dont have tremendous financial resources behind you. So at that point, it looked as if the well had dried out. There was no possibility of running contested elections. How much were you in touch with Democratic Party leadership during all this? I should be careful here. Did you feel like you had special insight on what was going on in the White House? Oh, you never really know. I talked to a lot of people. I was speaking regularly to one member of Democratic leadership. But you dont quite know what the president is thinking. Hes got Jill and Hunter. Hes got Ricchetti and Donilon and Klain. But its a really small and insular group, and unless youre on the inside, you dont really know whats going on. So Biden announces hes stepping aside and then, 27 minutes later, endorses Harris. And money starts pouring in. It was surprising. We went from a standing start I mean, there was zero, if not negative, momentum to raising $120 million in two days, $200 millionplus in six days. And it was grassroots, too not the big-money folks. I think 60 to 70 percent came from first-time donors. It was like when you shake a can of soda, and you shake it and shake it and shake it and shake it and shake it. The minute you lift up the tab, youre gonna have an explosion. Thats what happened. Everyone was so upset and uptight and depressed. Then, finally, theres a candidate and everyone instantaneously coalesces around that candidate and you have this explosion of support. How much of that is excitement among donors for Kamala specifically, and how much is excitement for Not Biden? I think its a combination of both. I dont think its simply, Thank God President Biden stepped aside, period, full stop. I think theres a lot of excitement around the fact that you have a very capable, dynamic, experienced candidate. So in terms of fundraising, how does this moment were in now compare to July of a normal election year? This feels a lot like Barack Obama in 2008. You have a dynamic leader receiving extraordinary grassroots support and generating enormous enthusiasm from the core bases of the Democratic Party coalition. I think theres generally a parallel between grassroots support for a candidate and big-donor big-money support for a candidate. Because what youre looking for is excitement, enthusiasm, and a path to victory, and often, the best barometer of a path to victory is grassroots support and money pouring in. There arent a lot of proxies I mean, theres polling data. You would have expected that Trump would have had an enormous spike, having survived an assassination attempt, having picked a vice-president, and having emerged from a Republican convention with zero opposition and 100 percent support. And all of that momentum has been stymied over the past week. The donors will start having fundraisers, and a lot of them will be virtual because its less than 100 days from Election Day, and that way you can be much more efficient. Our goal is to raise just a boatload of money as quickly as possible. Again, its going to be for the top of the ticket and senatorial and House races. I mean, take the Casey-McCormick race in Pennsylvania. Its the most expensive Senate race, or non-presidential race, in the history of electoral politics and will be hundreds of millions of dollars. Vice-President Kamala Harris at a campaign event in Atlanta on Tuesday. Photo: Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post/Getty Images Forced into an extraordinarily compressed campaign timeline, Kamala Harris has been buried in calls and meetings at the White House, at her residence at the Naval Observatory, and on Air Force Two as she whips around the country in her first whirlwind weeks as the Democratic presidential nominee. She has been working with her top advisers to craft an extended stump speech, approve new ads, and consider which senior strategists should join her team for the 90-something-day sprint to Election Day. Most pressing of all, she is deciding who should be her running mate. Harris has reviewed a wide range of options, but multiple Democrats close to the process say special focus has been on Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona senator Mark Kelly, with Minnesota governor Tim Walz also in contention as well as two slightly longer shots: Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Eric Holders team of lawyers is busy vetting the contenders, while Harris has been reviewing documents about the candidates, watching clips of them, and looking over the limited polling that has come back on their images and electoral profiles. The tea-leaf reading on Twitter and cable seems to have concluded that Harris has made a decision, but she has yet to formally interview the serious contenders. That will probably happen later this week, maybe over the weekend, so she can decide by Tuesday in time for the new ticket to make a weeklong swing-state blitz next week. That tour will start in Philadelphia, which Harriss team knew would ignite speculation that she had chosen Shapiro. But they have vehemently denied that she has decided and instead point out the citys centrality to the electoral map. Owing to her schedule, Harriss process has been unlike any in memory, and its starting to reveal how she and her little-known inner circle operate after four years out of the spotlight. Harris will likely come to a decision only after a deliberate process that includes weighing the pros and cons with these close advisers, said a handful of top Democrats who have previously worked with her. (In 2020, Joe Biden hemmed and hawed over his veep decision for months with a formal committee, rounds of interviews, and extensive polling. Harris and her team have barely had enough time to order serious polling on the wannabes before the candidate must be nominated next week, ahead of the convention.) She is the type of person that likes to have a meeting; shes a verbal person. She likes to talk through and hash stuff out, said one longtime friend and adviser. That process will also include reviewing the available polling data: Two of the top contenders are from important swing states, but its not yet obvious if their presence on the ticket would have more sway than running mates usually have. Although the process is playing out behind tightly locked doors, a handful of major factors appears certain to affect Harriss decision-making, according to Democrats close to her. One is Holders vet, which scans for red flags in the candidates backgrounds. Another is Harriss personal chemistry with them. She knows Kelly in part through his wife, Gabby Giffords; has gotten to know Shapiro as the governor of an important state and a fellow former attorney general; and has become friendly with Buttigieg in the Cabinet. But she does not know any of the candidates especially well. The one she knew best, North Carolina governor Roy Cooper, asked early in the process not to be considered. Harris has repeated to people close to her that she wants someone she is confident could do the job of president. That qualification may come down to her instincts. Itll be: Whats her confidence that this person could take the reins? Can she look the American people in the eye and say that? said the adviser. But its also likely to be a matter of resumes. Harris and her close aides have heard opinions from longtime associates, many of whom have encouraged her to choose a governor, such as Shapiro, Walz, or Beshear, because of their executive experience the kind she, a former senator, did not have before becoming vice-president. Some of her allies have been impressed with Walzs midwestern charm and extensive time in government, as well as his rapid emergence and sudden popularity, but wonder if he might be a better surrogate than running mate. Others have fixated on Kellys biography hes a former fighter pilot and astronaut with a reputation for being tough on the border but have been trying to work out whether his initial refusal to sign on to the PRO Act would make him unpopular with Harriss labor allies. (He has since said he would vote for it.) Still others have wondered whether Shapiros stances on school vouchers or Israels war in Gaza would alienate especially loud parts of the left. The campaign warfare is important too. Many around Harris believe Donald Trumps selection of J.D. Vance as his running mate handed them a massive opportunity, and theyre eager to keep hammering the candidate they see as an unprepared extremist. They have considered how to keep attention on him and which of the possible Democratic VPs would be the clearest contrast with Vance in a debate. Its not obvious: Shapiro is regarded as a quick-on-his-feet debater; Walz is the originator of the weird line of argument that Democrats are now using to good effect; Kelly may be a less agile orator but he successfully debated Blake Masters, another Peter Thiel acolyte, in his most recent campaign; Beshear has been ripping at Vances Appalachian roots; and Buttigieg is widely considered one of his partys most deft communicators. Harris has been consulting on the pick with a trusted inner core of advisers including her campaigns chief of staff, Sheila Nix, a former top aide to both Joe and Jill Biden and in the Department of Education; her government-side chief of staff, Lorraine Voles; and her brother-in-law Tony West, the top lawyer for Uber and a former U.S. associate attorney general. She has also been discussing the matter with Minyon Moore, a former adviser to Bill and Hillary Clinton who is currently planning the convention, and Dana Remus, Bidens former White House counsel. Outside that immediate group, a trio who worked on the Biden campaign before Harriss ascension on the ticket has also been involved in the discussions: former congressman Cedric Richmond, a campaign co-chair; deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks; and campaign communications director Michael Tyler. A larger circle has been discussing campaign strategy, especially the sprint out of the convention. Harriss decision to keep the top of the Biden campaign team intact means she is relying on campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon, a former top political aide for Barack Obama, and campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez, who was Harriss California state director during her Senate years. Some top Biden advisers, previously part of his inner circle, have departed: Mike Donilon, Bidens longtime political adviser, is out of the mix, while Anita Dunn is leaving her perch as a White House adviser to work for Harriss super-PAC. Harris has kept other aides close, including her campaign communications director Brian Fallon, a former aide to Holder, Chuck Schumer, and Hillary Clinton; her political adviser Megan Jones, a former adviser to Harry Reid; and her exchief of staff Rohini Kosoglu. She has also brought into the campaign Brian Nelson, the Treasury Departments undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, with whom she worked as Californias attorney general. Though Harris has kept most of Bidens senior campaign team intact, its shape is not entirely settled. Many close to Harris have advocated for Moore, who is also close to her, to join in an advisory role once she is finished with the convention. At the same time, many in Harriss circle have been chattering about David Plouffe, the former Obama campaign manager who is under consideration to be a strategist for the races homestretch. They believe he would take the job if Harris were to offer it. In the meantime, one of the campaigns most immediate concerns has been getting enough pro-Harris and anti-Trump ads on the air in swing states after a few days of being drowned out by Republican spending. To that end, longtime Democratic ad-maker Jim Margolis, who worked for Harriss 2020 campaign and Obama and Hillary Clinton before that, is expected to formally join the team soon. One preoccupation has been how exactly to defend the ticket from the nastier attacks Trump and Vance are likely to soon throw at it. For now, theres a lot of waiting to see what sticks. For those who have been with Harris the longest, this recalls her first campaign for attorney general, when Karl Rove swooped in to advise her opponents attacks in an attempt to stop her from becoming a national figure. This time, they expect plenty of focus on the progressive positions she took in her failed 2020 campaign for president most of which she has backed away from but also more clearly racist and sexist strikes, too. One very senior Democrat close to Harris said she has recently been thinking back to the harshest ambushes her party faced in the past few decades worth of presidential campaigns. Theyre watching the attacks to see what lands, she said. Is it Willie Horton or Hillary-style or swift boat? Photo: The Recount/X Hours after questioning Kamala Harriss Blackness during a tense panel interview at a National Association of Black Journalists conference, Donald Trump did what he usually does after stirring up outrage: He stirred up some more. Shortly after his appearance, Trump posted to Truth Social a 2019 clip of Harris cooking with Mindy Kaling, which emphasized Harriss Indian heritage. Crazy Kamala is saying shes Indian, not Black. This is a big deal. Stone cold phony. She uses everybody, including her racial identity!@realDonaldTrump Donald Trump Truth Social 04:41 PM EST 07/31/24 pic.twitter.com/ALzv29ZOul Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) July 31, 2024 At a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday night, it was clear that Trumps campaign was leaning into the incendiary (and obviously false) message that Harris had once represented herself only as Indian: The Trump campaign is projecting this on the screen above the stage at his rally in Harrisburg PA: pic.twitter.com/ZsGHAZaruk Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) July 31, 2024 And on Thursday, Trump went even further, in typically unsettling fashion. Thank you Kamala for the nice picture you sent from many years ago! Your warmth, friendship, and love of your Indian Heritage are very much appreciated. Donald Trump Truth Social 09:56 AM EST 08/01/24 @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/13mKGX5AkZ Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) August 1, 2024 Trumps embattled running mate, J.D. Vance, joined in on the new line of attack Wednesday night, at least to an extent. Vance said, Earlier this week, look up the clip, she went down to Georgia and started talking with a fake southern accent. What the hell is that all about? Kamala Harris grew up in Canada. They dont talk like that in Vancouver or Quebec or wherever she came from, doesnt matter. As Vance surely knows, Harris grew up partially in Montreal, not Vancouver. His accent criticism was referring to a recent speech Harris gave in Atlanta, in which she seemed to adopt a southern twang. Tailoring ones speech patterns depending on the audience is hardly new terrain for politicians, but Vances attack was notable coming from someone whose evolving views on Trump from Hitler to demigod have made him a poster boy for political chameleons. Responding to Trumps provocations on Wednesday night during an address to the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., in Houston, Harris said Trump had displayed the same old show of divisiveness and disrespect and that the American people deserve better. This ugly chapter in the presidential campaign began on Wednesday afternoon, when Trump took questions from three journalists at a conference for the National Association of Black Journalists. The National Association of Black Journalists decision to invite Donald Trump to speak at its conference in Chicago divided the organization. Many members pointed out that Trump had a long history of racist comments and actions and that he frequently insulted Black journalists, especially Black women, during his presidency. (The Washington Posts Karen Attiah, a co-chair of the conference, stepped down in protest.) Others argued that the organization should not pass on the opportunity to grill the man who may become president again in a few months. In the end, Trump did demean and try to bully his way through his panel interview, conducted by ABC News Rachel Scott, Semafors Kadia Goba, and Fox News Harris Faulkner. But Trump also offered a reminder that when he is exposed to mainstream-news reporters questions, he has a tendency to self-destruct and reveal his unfiltered self. Trump was belligerent from the start. He attacked Scott after she cited the controversy over his appearance, asking him why voters should trust him given his history of birtherism, degrading remarks, and other offenses. Trump starts his NABJ Q&A session by railing about ABC News host Rachel Scott's "horrible" question about his attacks on Black journalists, claiming she works for a "fake news network" and that she gave him a "very rude introduction." pic.twitter.com/q7CaV6oGjD Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) July 31, 2024 His comments drew gasps from the audience, as they did throughout the interview. (And there was laughter when Trump claimed that he had been the best president for the Black population since President Lincoln.) ABC's Rachel Scott: Will you tell your supporters to stop calling Kamala Harris a DEI hire? Trump: Can you define DEI? Scott: [defines DEI] Trump: She was Indian all the way, and all of a sudden, she made a turn and became a Black person. I think somebody should look into that pic.twitter.com/wLItSmpher Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) July 31, 2024 Trump complained about audio issues and grumbled that Kamala Harris hadnt shown up at the event and was instead conducting her own interview via Zoom. But the real fireworks came soon after when Scott asked Trump about Republican attacks against Harris for being a DEI hire. Trump first asked Scott to define the term DEI, and when her answer didnt satisfy him, he pressed her again. He then told Scott that he had long known Harris indirectly and claimed, bizarrely, that she had only recently started identifying as Black. Trump claims Kamala Harris was "always of Indian heritage and only promoting Indian heritage. I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago but when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black. So I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black?" pic.twitter.com/845XWqRUq6 Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 31, 2024 Scott told Trump that Harris always identified as a Black woman and had attended a historically Black college. There was more. He kept on attacking Scott for her opening remarks about his record. He told the room that undocumented immigrants are coming for Black jobs, repeating a line he used during his debate with President Biden. Trump: A lot of the journalists in this room are black. I will tell you that coming from the border are millions and millions of people that happen to be taking black jobs. "What exactly is a black job, sir?" Trump: "Anybody that has a job! That's what it is!" pic.twitter.com/FrLbWT4GAQ Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) July 31, 2024 In less inflammatory comments, Trump appeared to downplay the importance of his running mate, who has drawn wide criticism since Trump selected him two weeks ago. Asked by Harris Faulkner if JD Vance is ready on day one, Trump answers: Historically, the vice president, in terms of the election, does not have any impact. I mean, virtually no impact...Virtually never has it mattered. pic.twitter.com/ggS74VXMdn Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 31, 2024 He also said he would pardon January 6 rioters who assaulted police officers. The interview came to an abrupt end after about 34 minutes. In a statement, the Harris Campaign said that Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in. But journalists grilling Trump received strong reviews, validating the NABJs decision to invite him chaos or not. The NABJ journos did an excellent job of pressing former President Trump with straightforward and important questions. An excellent session. Interviewing a presidential candidate -- Trump or whoever it may be -- is precisely what journalists should do at their conventions. ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) July 31, 2024 Incredibly proud of @rachelvscott and @kadiagoba today. Substantive but tough questioning. NABJ leadership made a decision grounded in journalism to have Trump come answer questions. And it produced one of the newsiest interviews with him this year. Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) July 31, 2024 i thought it was a really cool way of representing the...hypocrisy? juxtaposition? of france having both hedonism and religion as part of their image. and ultimately nothing untoward was happening. damn i just hate how we cant have any art anymore. Reply Thread Link I found it an especially weird choice given how France tries to separate religion from daily life as much as possible... they have a lot of secularist laws (although tbh, most of them feel more like anti-Islam laws in the way they are implemented). Reply Parent Thread Link Can't have art, too thought provoking. Reply Parent Thread Link aside from this i went to a pride party dj'd by her and she was the worst dj, so Reply Thread Link Shes gonna sue you now. Reply Parent Thread Link Ha ha. Way to minimize her plight. Calling her a bad DJ is not equal to sending her death, torture, and rape threats Reply Parent Thread Link also, im glad the usa doesn't have strict defamation etc laws its kinda wild in some countries u can legally prosecute + police other people's opinions about you like how does she say 'i wont be a victim' and 'i will sue anyone saying negative things baout me' i feel worse for the guy who organized the whole thing who was attacked bc he was gay + jewish, i didn't see any personal attacks on her the opening ceremony was kinda garish and there was a cheap ru pauls drag race thing going on-- it could have been a little more polished, i love drag queens and queer culture but it felt kinda cheaply corportately exploited or something imo Reply Thread Link Gurl. The last famous defamation celeb lawsuit went how? And how did it went in the US? And how did the same suit went in the much strichter UK? After witness how they broadcast rape testimony live on TV, I don't want to hear how much better the US is with defamation lawsuits ever again. Reply Parent Thread Link its kinda wild in some countries u can legally prosecute + police other people's opinions about you like how does she say 'i wont be a victim' and 'i will sue anyone saying negative things baout me' it wasn't just an opinion, according to the post: Barbara Butch "has been threatened with death, torture and rape, and has also been the target of numerous antisemitic, homophobic, sexist and grossophobic insults" Reply Parent Thread Link Jeez Reply Parent Thread Link Theres negative opinions and then theres threats of violence I wish it was easier to prosecute or, at minimum, fine people for that. Im tired of people feeling like its ok to be heinous shitbags online. Reply Parent Thread Link "its kinda wild in some countries u can legally prosecute + police other people's opinions about you" i see nothing wrong in our ex PM getting sued for calling a journalist a washed up prostitute on twitter. Reply Parent Thread Link sure that works but who gets to decide what is 'good speech' and what if that swings the other way?? slippery dangerous slope.. not worth it.. Reply Parent Thread Link what Reply Parent Thread Link I used to work with somebody who is a strong Christian, and he posted on insta that he was "disappointed, but not surprised" at the Last Supper tableau. Like ok, if I had a penny for the number of times Christianity disappointed me and I wasn't surprised about it I'd be richer than anybody Earth, lbr. Idiot. Reply Thread Link The opening ceremony playlist was an absolute BANGER If Tony the hottie was smart and wanted to keep the momentum going hed put the whole playlist on Spotify/Apple Music but noooo Reply Thread Link Christians are always hurt and offended, who cares. Reply Thread Link For real. Main character syndrome + constant need to feel like the victim in every situation. I'm beyond exhausted with them. Reply Parent Thread Link We had some obnoxious bar/ restaurant here in town say they aren't going to show the Olympics because they don't want to offend people over the opening ceremony. Owner is an idiot. Some other bar copied the format of the post to say that they would allow the Olympics, because the Olympics are fun. Anyway, I think if any of these people saw the painting this was actually inspired by then they'd be complaining about satanic people with goat feet so they weren't going to win with the evangelical crowd who always want to be offended about something. Reply Thread Link Are you referring to TownHall? Reply Parent Thread Link Proving once again that fanatics are garbage. La Cene has been reproduced hundred and hundred of times. Hell, i remember the Sopranos posters with it ?? Wtf is wrong with anyone being offended. Someone tells them that leonardo da vinci was gay toi because apparently it got lost. Idiots. Reply Thread Link I like the one where someone added in dinosaurs lol. Reply Parent Thread Link Even the creative director of the Opening Olympics admitted this: Thomas Jolly, denied the scene, titled Festivity, was based on the painting (The Last Supper). That wasnt my inspiration, he told BFM TV. I think it was pretty clear. Theres Dionysus who arrives at the table Why is he there? Because hes the god of feasting, of wine, and the father of Sequana, the goddess of the River Seine. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/29/olympic-last-supper-scene-based-painting-greek-gods-art-experts That segment wasn't even actually based on the last supper anyway, it was based on a Dutch painting of Greek Gods called The Feast of the Gods by Jan van Bijlert.Even the creative director of the Opening Olympics admitted this: Thomas Jolly, denied the scene, titled Festivity, was based on the painting (The Last Supper). That wasnt my inspiration, he told BFM TV. I think it was pretty clear. Theres Dionysus who arrives at the table Why is he there? Because hes the god of feasting, of wine, and the father of Sequana, the goddess of the River Seine. Reply Parent Thread Link I read some comments saying that this was live and couldnt be avoided but just turn your TV/stream off? The segment lasted for a long time you did this to yourself lmao Reply Parent Thread Link Its genuinely scary being online. For example, the reactions on twitter to the Southport* stabbings have continued the trend of brazen and open bigotry. Its all allowed at this point. You cant be brown at a protest with a coconut placard, but you can have a far right riot not be called one. Edited at 2024-07-31 09:57 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link That coconut thing was genuinely insane. The UK is so fucked up. Reply Parent Thread Link The way these huge accouns whip up right wing frenzy is really frightening. I've been pretty frustrated with how any attempt to discuss this is getting shut down with "oh so you're saying the UK isn't racist? that it's the internet's fault? lolol" like... no. Obviously not. Horrendous racism is practically England's national sport but let's not pretend these accounts spreading disinformation to the masses within seconds of a tragedy occurring have no impact. I can't believe the gall of those people who were pointing to the Leeds riot just a few days ago and claiming that white Brits would never act that way, but who then cheered on a white EDL mob throwing bricks through mosque windows (for NO fucking reason) and setting fire to police vans. Or how the other day it was fine for a cop to stamp on a restrained person's head in retribution but yesterday they were all paedos who should be thrown in jail. I'm just fed up of this violent racism, misogyny, ableism and transphobia everywhere you turn. Reply Parent Thread Link Do you have a news link explaining the whole situation in further detail? Reply Parent Thread Link i did think it looked like the last supper but also i'm a gay and kinda hate christians so i didn't care that really sucks she's getting so much abuse but it's not surprising since 99% of evangelists and catholics can't be normal Edited at 2024-07-31 11:24 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link A French DJ who performed during the Paris Olympics' opening ceremony has filed a legal complaint after receiving abuse online. Not to make this about me but tio gregg could have a case against me. Not to make this about me but tio gregghave a case against me. Reply Thread Link In all seriousness Im glad that victims now have a path of recourse. Reply Parent Thread Link It's so awful that she's receiving so many harmful threats like this. I didn't know who she was so I was really surprised when she first showed up in the opening ceremonies. I thought the tableau was great. And of course Christians can't see beyond themselves and assume everything is about them. Reply Thread Link When I saw the headline, my first thought was peddlestools was in trouble for complaining about the skateboarding DJs allergy to vibes. But this is fucked up, and the kind of freaks who resort to death and rape threats over a fucking opening ceremony segment need to be smacked around a bit. Reply Thread Link lol because of your first thought but i can't even laugh react because the threats are so fucked up Reply Parent Thread Link whether it was meant to or not the way christians act like TLS is a religious historical document being defiled and not a made up portrait by a gay artist commissioned by a rich guy as decor. on top of that sending people antisemitic threats while defending the honor of a painting depicting jews is really one of the most face palm shit i've ever read. Reply Thread Link Since you didnt learn the first time around when you called my friend @crystalwillseeu a pedo, Im going to show you that you dont get to write things like that about queer people for the fun and the misinformation of it and go away with it. See you in court, again, @LozzaFox! https://t.co/i3i9BnGWXY Nicky Doll (Karlize) (@thenickydoll) July 28, 2024 Btw, Laurence Fox was already ordered to pay 180,000 in damages to Drag Race UKs Crystal for libel earlier this year after calling her a pedophile on Twitter AlsoBtw, Laurence Fox was already ordered to pay 180,000 in damages to Drag Race UKs Crystal for libel earlier this year after calling her a pedophile on Twitter Reply Thread Link i hope crystal and her lawyers gets in touch with barbara butch (such a fucking great name) and her lawyers drain that man's bank account Reply Parent Thread Link harris after the "debate" lets face it she's gonna kick his ass Reply Thread Link She has him backed into the wall, it's great to see him so scared. Reply Thread Link I actually do worry about this, because Harris is a good enough speaker, but the whole meme of the coconut tree stems from her speaking in ways that go over average people's heads. And DJT, for as much as I hate him, is very good at appealing to the lowest common denominator, producing sound bites, and derailing/distracting from discussions of substance. I'm hoping KH's comms team is prepping her really well, not just to have solid talking points and speak more naturally colloquially, but also to deal with a demagogue like Trump. Reply Thread Link She is known for her personable nature, and even many on the right who don't agree with her politically find her quite charming. In a debate, she's likely focus on clear, relatable communication. Her comms team is surely preparing her well to handle a demagogue like Trump. Reply Parent Thread Link I remember her debate against Pence. I was so worried for her and the moderator was a piece of shit but her "I'm talking. I'm talking." was sooooooo effective. To balance that authoritative tone while not being angry or defensive when 2 people are working against you... She's a pro at this. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Fingers crossed, sis! Or even better: Trump doesn't even try, and a coward narrative eats his campaign alive. Reply Parent Thread Link I'd like to think she'd show up to a debate like she did when she was questioning Kavanaugh and Barr in the Senate. I feel like the way she tactically approached both questionings really made her public profile rise a lot. I know it's when she won my mom, average Democrat who's not super online. Reply Parent Thread Link she's gonna rip him apart Reply Parent Thread Link Theyve already shifted the communication coming out of the Harris camp to be extremely accessible and blunt, e.g. calling JD Vance creepy and weird. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I actually think she's pretty easy to digest for the average viewer, as we saw from the Atlanta rally. direct, personable and to the point. meanwhile Trump, who is already afraid of her, would talk in aimless circles and look even dumber than normal. anyone who thinks he's clever is already a dum dum and will think that regardless of the debates imo. that is, if he even gets the balls to debate her, which I'm doubting at this point Reply Parent Thread Link It feels amazing to have hope again after so long! Reply Thread Link I can't believe years we've been calling MAGA/GOP people racists, fascists, Actual Nazis, etc and it's like water off a duck's back. But calling them weird? Reply Thread Link It's what girls and women would say to them and they don't like it. Reply Parent Thread Link Somebody said it makes sense because they like the idea of being scary and dangerous but the weird thing just makes them look like the screwed-up losers they are Reply Parent Thread Link This is exactly it, and its brilliant. So much power is given to them when we call them Nazis, etc bc of the fear/anger those titles evoke on their own. But calling them weird removes that evil villain mystique and paints them more as outcasts, as abnormal, as what they actually are. Sorry lol Im just very fascinated by writing and the power of words. Reply Parent Thread Link but they really are like their weird empty shell wives who hate women, they're all ugly with weird hair and teeth, they just say things that are baffling and don't even apply to reality. the problem is that liberals just let alt-right/manosphere/maga bullshit fly without challenging it instead of directly calling it out for what it was, thus normalizing it. Reply Parent Thread Link School bully tactics work. It's tragic and funny at the same time. Maybe she can give trump a wedgie at the debate. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Its the dont you think she looks tired for white men. Reply Parent Thread Link Honestly, it's borderline frustrating because it's how they should've been treated all along. No glowing profiles and interviews, no reporters attempting to "understand where they're coming from", no giving them a platform on your network in the "name of dialogue" or the "spirit of debate" or any of that crap. The grown adults trying to turn their obsession with minorities and the genitals of school children into national problems should've been laughed out of the room and then discreetly put on a watch list. Instead the media spent a decade+ helping them build momentum for their movement of losers because it generated ratings and clicks. Reply Parent Thread Link It was what they heard and k ew in their hearts since they were kids on the playground, I'm not surprised it's working. Reply Parent Thread Link one of my friends commented on this whole "weird" thing that it reminds her of this tactic she uses when a man irl is being contrary or argumentative about something: she just starts saying their opinion is creepy. She was like, "men HATE being called creepy, so if they're going on about something, I just tell them, idk i think it's kind of creepy! and then watch them backtrack so fast" personally I don't think weird is enough: creepy, uncool, unfunny. These things all sting because they're TRUE and they also hurt them where they feel it. Because they all got that voice inside their heads telling them all women already think they're creepy, uncool, and unfunny. Also the weird thing reminds me of the old saying that women are afraid men will kill them, men are afraid women will laugh at them. It's making the male nightmare come true to mercilessly meme and mock. LET'S KEEP DOING IT Reply Parent Thread Link I can't. I just can't. Justine is the type that make you embarassed to be a leftist. As a disabled and neurodivergent person, your tweet and the virtue signaling it came with wasn't needed! Hope that helps. https://t.co/SEm72ZfWKt meowy (@marythiccmasTV) July 31, 2024 and in typical fashion, now someone has to make it about themselves from the left.I can't. I just can't. Justine is the type that make you embarassed to be a leftist. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I was wondering if it's because MAGAts are the type of people who were bullies in school. Who called the other kids weird. They understand that terminology. They don't understand what a fascist really means and racist is a thing they can't be cuz they talked to a Black or brown person one time. It also seems like America as a whole was sorta paralyzed by Trump's political takeover. I remember it was years before news anchors would say he's a racist. Like it was taboo to even suggest this racist guy hated BIPOCs, even though it was obviously true. And right wingers ARE weird. Why do you want to track a woman's period? Why do you care what other people's children read? That's very bad weird behavior. Be good weird, like Weird Al. Reply Parent Thread Link pic.twitter.com/sfNTXvlJ2O Polling USA (@USA_Polling) July 30, 2024 Imagine people not liking you and then a week later they're like, "Actually I revise my opinion you're worse than I thought". Imagine people not liking you and then a week later they're like, "Actually I revise my opinion you're worse than I thought". Reply Thread Link he's gonna need an extra soft couch after this news Reply Parent Thread Link the more people see and hear from him, the less they like him lol amazing VP choice Reply Parent Thread Link I saw these emails where he was really talking, it seemed, sincerely about how the Republican party and DJT were dangerous to people he cared about and vulnerable communities.... What if.... this is like a long con to sabotage from the inside. Because really.... I cannot imagine anyone thinking the childless comments and the "the Left will probably think Mountain Dew is racist" lines would ever, in any world, be anything but shooting yourself in the foot You can't take down Trump as an establishment Republican. It completely backfired on anyone who tried. Or you know, Occam's Razor: it's just Republican spinelessness, but still, wouldn't that be nice? Someone throwing themselves on the sword to save the Rs from themselves? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Inside job? Lol no. They expect everyone to roll over no matter who they put up there Reply Parent Thread Link I remember people said the same thing about Trump and look how that turned out. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link He has no stable sense of self hence the many switch ups, and is also on a weird retribution campaign against his own mother for not caring for him so every woman who isnt a stereotype of a dedicated mother is stuck as some subconscious stand-in for his issues. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I've said it before, but he's tied to Peter Thiel's checkbook and Thiel wants a racist, so he gives racist. Reply Parent Thread Link i don't understand the idea of anything about djt or his ilk being a "long con." this has been said abd speculated on time and time again. nobody took him seriously during the lead up to his running in 2016, nor did they take him seriously throughout basically anything and look what happened. this idea works against any momentum towards keeping them away from power, it causes complacency and indifference, like taking away any perceived threat. there's no sabotaging from the inside. these people are crazy, they're stupid, and they're drunk for power so they will and do say whatever shit they can, hoping most of it will stick to a wall to hit their target. it's very real and they are leaning into it as they always have in every instance they've won. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link don't mess with childless folks, motherfucker, we usually have a lot of free time and 8 hours of sleep at night lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The scream I just scrumpt! Reply Parent Thread Link wow theyre not cushioning their dislike at all!!!! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link At this point if someone told me that he's secretly a Democrat who tried to destroy Trump's campaign I'd believe them lol. Reply Parent Thread Link Two weeks ago, Trump got shot & we thought this was going to be the darkest election of our lives. Last week, Biden dropped out, the affable governor of Minnesota called the Trump people "weird," and some kid said JD Vance fucked a couch. Now, the vibes are perfect Ginny Hogan_ (@ginnyhogan_) July 30, 2024 Ive worked on a few campaigns in my time but never one like this pic.twitter.com/Czagdubhg3 Bhavik Lathia (@bhaviklathia) July 30, 2024 Reply Thread Link The internet barfed all over this election and it's kind of amazing Reply Parent Thread Link They weren't kidding when they said Gen Z needs to meme Kamala to the White House lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link this woman is my hero Reply Parent Thread Link Well tbf I think he's weird by most people's standards. Like you can be evil and not weirdo (ex Manchin) Reply Parent Thread Link Mans at Kamala Harris rally in Atlanta is hype off the song They Not Like Us #KamalaHarris2024 pic.twitter.com/0TW3okAj7y Alexandria The Pro Audio Wiz (@DOPECHICKBEATS) July 30, 2024 She's already getting rallies way more packed than the orange menace, too LMAO. She's already getting rallies way more packed than the orange menace, too LMAO. Reply Thread Link These are the states, counties, and municipalities Donald Trump, a supposed Billionaire, still owes money to and yet, he's begging his followers to send him money to fight off the lefts "unwarranted" insistence to enforce the law. pic.twitter.com/fM00b0Pqzj MP Arizona (@AzPetrich) April 3, 2023 Trump can't fill arenas since he doesn't pay his bills for nice venues, he has to do his rallies in empty fields Reply Parent Thread Link And his followers do it! Then complain about inflation. Reply Parent Thread Link I love how many of the memes and videos featuring Kamala supporters have genuinely good vibes. For every Reddit and Twitter thread with people dunking on and/or fighting with her supporters, there are dozens more like this. It feels like the whole tone of the election has changed and I feel hopeful for the first time in ages that the right thing might actually happen this November. Reply Parent Thread Link LMAO he's seriously refusing to debate her? What a cowardly little shit. Reply Thread Link can't be a kamala post without this Reply Thread Link omfg Reply Parent Thread Link I've got some choice words for that cockroach too, but they'd probably get me put on a watch list. The more I see of Tim Walz the more I like him. He seems like a decent man, I hope he's in consideration for VP. Reply Thread Link Walz seems like a genuinely good man who wants the best for people. I'd love him as a VP pick. Reply Parent Thread Link I live in Minnesota and Tim Walz is a great Governor! Reply Parent Thread Link Yea he and Beshear are my top 2 picks Reply Parent Thread Link I love him. I think the "Trump is weird" thing may have started with Walz. I've been seeing most of my twitter feed want Mayor Pete but Walz and Beshear seem like the "safest" choices Reply Parent Thread Link I did not realize how many people loved Pete. I've watched several interviews with him recently and all the comments were gushing and wanting him to run or be the VP pick, with a lot of people also pointing out he'd be a better Sec of State. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I saw that Beshear got an extra security detail yesterday, which is sometimes an indication that he's the pick. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link like.. im already deeply fatigued. this country, both sides, are just wtvr im tired of politics being this soundbite chasing, song and dance by who the most meme worthy contestant is. lets just get on with it once and for all. Nov 6 can not come soon enough Reply Thread Link As a non-American who is a complete American political tragic, I cannot conceive of how election years feel being actually IN America. It goes for way too fucking long. Reply Parent Thread Link it feels like being trapped in a long hallway with a bunch of other people while every avenue of entertainment out piece of media is present and trying to market hard to you lol its TIRING and inundating Reply Parent Thread Link Related but the NABJ platforming Trump is dumb. The co-chair didn't even know. I feel bad for the journalists going there especially people like Yamiche Alcindor who Trump personally targeted Reply Thread Link it's gross and i want him out of my city Reply Parent Thread Link saaaame Reply Parent Thread Link I work two blocks away from the hotel and was supposed to go into the office today but when a friend told me where he was going to be I decided no way. Maybe I should have taken the blue line since I have to figure it out from my new place but just didnt want to be in the close proximity to him or a mass of his supporters. Reply Parent Thread Link the organizers really fucked up. he's already going on about how Kamala has "disrespectfully refused" to go. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Salacious Variety 'Megalopolis' Video A Sham, Says Rayna Menz, The Extra Shown With Francis Coppola https://t.co/x9d8z5MALX Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 31, 2024 Rayna Menz, the extra who was in the vid with Francis Coppola, responded to claims that the director acted inappropriately (Variety reported that an anonymous source stated that Coppola kept leaping up to hug and kiss several women while shooting a nightclub sequence for the film and later got on a microphone to tell "everyone in the room, Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know its solely for my pleasure.).He did nothing to make me or for that matter anyone on set feel uncomfortable, Menz told Deadline. I felt disgusted, I was blindsided by it because it was a closed set. That someone had video of that is just ridiculous and super unprofessional. Its gross because he only ever spoke about how wonderful his wife is. His wife was on set with us, most days. It feels gross, seeing that video and the way they were trying to convey a message. Just gross.It was all false, Menz said. In fact, I was the one who asked him to dance. I asked him to dance, in front of everybody else. Thats why its so funny that this story came out. He even said, something along the lines of mind you it was over a year ago so this is not a proper quote but he said something like, Im a gentleman, and I would never say no to a lady. And then we waltzed, to club music.He was nothing but professional, a gentleman, he was like this cute Italian grandfather, running around the set, she added. It was just so much fun. Hes a nice generous person. Geopolitical risk has well and truly returned to oil markets after Israeli strikes killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr. Oil prices spiked immediately on the news and have continued to climb, with WTI rising past $77 and Brent nearing $81. The first of Israels two strikes on Tuesday was an airstrike on Beirut targeting Fuad Shukr who Israel claimed was responsible for Saturdays rocket attack on the Golan Heights which killed 12 civilians, most under the age of 16. Israels defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said Hizbollah had crossed the red line with the attack, and days later launched three rockets into the Haret Hreik neighborhood in Beirut. Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned "blatant Israeli aggression" and Irans foreign ministry condemned the attack as a blatant violation of Lebanons sovereignty and territorial integrity. The second of the two strikes, and the one that sent oil prices spiking, came just hours later when Hamas political leader was killed while in Iran for the swearing-in ceremony of the countrys new president. The strike has dramatically heightened tensions in the region and is likely to undermine Gaza ceasefire talks, with Iran, Qatar, Jordan, and Lebanon all condemning Israel. The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei added to fears of a broader war by saying It is our Duty to take Revenge and Severely Punish the Zionist Entity for the Assassination in Iran, because the Assassination was carried out on our Soil. The Supreme-Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, It is our Duty to take Revenge and Severely Punish the Zionist Entity for the Assassination in Iran, because the Assassination was carried out on our Soil. OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 31, 2024 As Hamas leader in exile, Ismail Haniyeh played a key role in the Gaza ceasefire talks brokered by Qatar, the US, and Egypt. His killing will undoubtedly delay and potentially derail entirely those talks. The significance of these two attacks compared to previous escalations in this conflict can be seen in recent oil price movements. Both WTI and Brent had been falling consistently for a month, hitting 7-week lows on Tuesday even after the Hezbollah rocket attack on the Golan Heights. The geography of Tuesdays strikes is arguably more significant than the figures involved, with strikes in Beirut and Tehran marking a significant escalation in the conflict and threatening to push the region into a full-blown war. Since the strike, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the killing of Ismail Haniyeh was something we were not aware of or involved in. Qatar, one of the lead mediators in ceasefire talks, described Haniyehs killing as a heinous crime and dangerous escalation. By Josh Owens for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A Nevada prison is on lockdown following an altercation that led to the deaths of three inmates who had previously been on a hunger strike over unsafe conditions at the maximum-security prison. The Nevada Department of Corrections confirmed to FOX 5 that the three inmates were killed in the fight and nine others were injured at Ely State Prison. The strike was initiated by at least two dozen inmates at the Ely State Prison in December 2022 from frustrations over what they said were inadequate food portions and shortages in the prison commissary, among other grievances, Jodi Hocking, executive director of the prisoners' rights group Return Strong, told The Associated Press at the time. Responding in a statement, the corrections department reiterated that the strike was "mostly in protest of the food portions being served but also included conditions of confinement, property issues, and disciplinary sanctions." The hunger strike aimed at "continued and extended" use of solitary confinement, as well as halting the use of group punishment, making sure prison staff doesn't retaliate against prisoners who file grievances, and addressing health and safety concerns in all Nevada correctional facilities accordingly. This included mold, heating and air conditioning problems, and rodent infestations, according to the AP. Officials are not releasing the names of the inmates killed as the investigation is ongoing, reported KOLO TV. Crude oil prices were up early on Wednesday morning following reports that the leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran. Hamas confirmed the reports of his death, claiming he had been killed by a treacherous Zionist attack on his residence in Tehran. Haniyeh was in Iran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the countrys new president. The news comes less than a day after Israel said it had killed Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr in an air strike on Beirut in retaliation for a Hezbollah strike on the Golan Heights. This assassination by the Israeli occupation of Brother Haniyeh is a grave escalation that aims to break the will of Hamas, a senior Hamas official told Reuters, confirming suspicions that the death of the groups leader would lead to an escalation in the Middle Eastern conflict. Expectations of escalation invariably push oil prices higher and this week was no exception, with both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate adding more than $1 after hitting their lowest levels in seven weeks on Tuesday. Even with the new war premium, however, the oil benchmarks are on course to log their biggest monthly loss since last year, according to Reuters, as worry about Chinas demand growth prospects remains considerable. An additional factor driving the bearish mood on oil markets is the apparent belief that OPEC+ could start bringing back production from October despite the direction that prices have taken recently. OPEC+ said earlier this year that it might start unwinding the production cuts in the final quarter of the year if the market conditions support such a move. A downward trend is not exactly the market conditions that the cartel had in mind but apparently a lot of traders still expect the move to be made. OPEC+ is meeting tomorrow for one of its regular monitoring meetings which is not expected to produce anything in the way of surprising news. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Sarawak, the biggest state in oil and gas producer Malaysia, is set to take control of its natural gas assets as the state on the Borneo island is now looking for more autonomy from the federal government. The state of Sarawak has long sought more royalties from the government of Malaysia and the government-controlled oil giant Petronas. However, Sarawak hasnt had much success in this, until the election in 2022, which now makes the federal government coalition dependent on the support of Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg. Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS), the oil firm of the Sarawak state, signed last week its first gas sale agreements, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday. PETROS is now beginning to take over control of Sarawaks natural gas distribution network, which is currently in the hands of Petronas. For its part, Petronas seeks more time in the takeover of control and wants to first discuss and agree on gas supply deals with Sarawak as it operates large LNG plants in the state. We said we respect their concern because we have equity in the LNG plants, Abang Johari Openg, Sarawak Premier, was cited as saying by the News Straits Times newspaper earlier this week. The discussions must be finalized by October 1, otherwise, we will go ahead with the arrangement, the Sarawak Premier added. The concessions that Petronas, wholly owned by the federal government, will make in the gas agreements could lead to additional discussions with the state of Sarawak regarding revenue sharing from oil and gas production and sales, control over operations, and regulatory supervision, analysts told Bloomberg. It is uncertain how the new arrangements with the state of Sarawak would impact the revenues and earnings of Petronas, one of the worlds largest national oil companies (NOCs). Petronass standalone credit profile (SCP) is stronger than that of its shareholder, the government of Malaysia. The SCP reflects the companys integrated oil and gas operations, large scale, and very strong financial profile with a net cash position, Fitch Ratings said earlier this year. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Cenovus Energy has shut down one unit at its Lima, Ohio, refinery following an issue at the facility, a spokesperson for Cenovus told Reuters. Lima Refining Company, the operator of the 183,000-barrel-per-day refinery, is responding to an issue at its facility, the spokesperson said, adding that flaring at the site would be larger than normal as part of the typical procedures for unit shutdown. There hasnt been any fire at the refinery, the company said in a release cited by Oil Price Information Service, following reports of a fire event at the facility. The refinery is experiencing an issue and additional flaring is being monitored, the company said, adding that all workers are accounted for with no injuries. The shutdown of the unit at the Ohio refinery came on the day on which Motiva Enterprises, the owner of the second biggest refinery in the United States Port Arthur in Texas expected to restart the gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracker (FCC) at the facility. Last week, Motiva Enterprises shut the 81,000-barrel-per-day FCC unit to repair a leak. Cenovuss Lima Refinery in the U.S. Midwest produces low-sulfur gasoline, gasoline blend stocks, ultra-low sulfur diesel, jet fuel, petrochemical feedstock, and other byproducts. A crude oil flexibility project completed in 2019 increased heavy oil processing capacity at the refinery providing the flexibility to switch between light and heavy crude oil feedstock, Cenovus says. Cenovus operates another refinery in Ohio, the 160,000-bpd Toledo refinery in Oregon, Ohio, next to the City of Toledo. The refinery can produce 3.8 million gallons of gasoline, 1.3 million gallons of diesel fuel, and 600,000 gallons of jet fuel daily. Earlier this year, Cenovus said it plans to invest $1.5 billion in its Ohio refineries over the next five years. The investments in the Lima and Toledo refineries are earmarked for maintenance, reliability measures, and projects to boost market access, the company said at the time. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: German energy giant Uniper raised on Wednesday its earnings outlook for 2024 after reporting stronger-than-expected financial figures for the first half of the year. Uniper, which the German government had to bail out at the start of the energy crisis in Europe in 2022, said today that it anticipates stronger than previously expected results for the first half of the financial year 2024. Based on preliminary and unaudited figures, Unipers adjusted core earnings, or EBITDA, are expected to be in the range of $2 billion-$2.6 billion (1.9 billion to 2.4 billion euros) for the full year 2024, the company said. Thats higher than the previous adjusted EBITDA guidance of $1.6 billion-$2.17 billion (1.5 billion to 2 billion euros). Uniper now expects now for the full year 2024 improved earnings performance and adjusts its financial outlook accordingly, the company said in a brief statement. Uniper is slated to publish the detailed results for the first six months of the financial year 2024 on August 8, 2024. Germany had to nationalize Uniper in 2022 to avoid its collapse amid soaring gas prices and a lack of Russian supply in the wake of the Ukraine invasion and the EU sanction barrage. The total bill for the nationalization came in at $53 billion. To replace lost Russian gas volumes, European buyers switched to U.S. LNG, with exports of the commodity from the U.S. Gulf Coast soaring to record highs. Uniper has been especially active on the spot market, uncertain about long-term gas demand in Europe. But Uniper managed to turn around its finances as early as 2023, when it booked an adjusted net income of $4.8 billion (4.432 billion euros), compared to a massive loss of $8 billion (7.4 billion euros) for 2022. Uniper benefited in particular from hedging transactions for coal- and gas-fired power plants and for its midstream gas business. Successful hedging transactions to cover the companys open gas supply obligations boosted the 2023 earnings, too. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Moscow has announced it will extend its ban on gasoline exports from August to October, in a bid to offset the growth in domestic demand in spring and summer. "In order to avoid any problems in these months, there will be no lifting of the (gasoline) export ban in August. It was also a fundamental decision for September-October that exports will be limited in order to be insured," Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin was quoted by the TASS news agency as saying. Earlier, Bloomberg reported that Russias four-week average seaborne oil exports fell to 3.11 million barrels a day as of July 14, down by almost 600,000 barrels or 17% from their recent peak in April. Russias seaborne crude shipments have declined to the lowest since January, thanks to a rebound of domestic refining rates to a six-month high. China and India are likely to feel the export cuts most keenly since they buy more than 80% Russian seaborne crude sales. However, the barrels that have been taken off the market represent a small fraction of their total crude purchases, meaning Chinese and Indian buyers could easily replace them with crude from other markets. The sharp drop in July isnt a one-off event, Viktor Kurilov, senior oil markets analyst at consultant Rystad Energy A/S, has told Bloomberg. Rystad Energy has predicted that Russias seaborne crude flows will remain capped at around 2.7 million barrels a day in July and August but rebound slightly to 2.9 million barrels a day in September when Russian refineries are expected to begin their traditional autumn maintenance. Thats a big drop from exports of 3.6 million to 3.7 million barrels per day recorded in April and May as repeated Ukrainian drone attacks disrupted domestic refining. The levels seen in April or May are not to be repeated in 2024, barring large-scale drone attacks that would debilitate even more refineries than the spring strikes, Viktor Katona, lead crude analyst at intelligence firm Kpler, told Bloomberg. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Kerry Eddy, the Lincoln woman who joined Nebraskas smallest political party this year and won its U.S. Senate primary race in May, followed through on her plan Tuesday to withdraw from the the race to support Dan Osborns independent run. Eddy, who angered Legal Marijuana NOW Party loyalists when she entered their U.S. Senate primary as an explicit proxy for Osborns bid to unseat Republican Sen. Deb Fischer, filed paperwork Tuesday morning with the secretary of state formally declining the nomination she had won in a landslide. Long before Mays primary election, Eddy wrote on her campaign website that she intended to win the Legal Marijuana NOW Partys primary before withdrawing from the race ahead of Novembers general election and pushing would-be Eddy voters to support Osborn, a former union leader who is now Fischers only challenger. Democrats did not put forward a candidate. At a press conference announcing her decision Tuesday morning, Eddy endorsed Osborn, pointing to recent polling that she said made clear that Osborn stands the best chance of unseating Fischer, the incumbent who is seeking a third term in the Senate. It just seemed like there wasnt much of a chance for me, considering the Legal Marijuana NOW Party is pretty radical for a lot of Nebraskans, and I am fully aware that this is a red state, very conservative, said Eddy, whose campaign was funded in large part by a PAC that has also donated to Osborn. Its, I think, a choice I needed to make, she said. And I think Osborn has a really good chance. I believe he is representative of the working-class people of Nebraska and that is sorely what we need in Washington. In a statement Tuesday, a spokesman for Osborn, who in May announced he would not accept endorsements from any political party or politician, said he appreciate(d) Ms. Eddys support and would encourage everyone heading to the polls in November to vote yes on medical cannabis, and yes on Osborn. Fischers campaign declined to comment. The former state lawmaker and rancher from Valentine won more votes than any other candidate on Nebraskas statewide primary ballot in May, including former President Donald Trump. The state has not elected a non-Republican to the Senate since 2006. Eddys withdrawal from the race is an effort to help Osborn overcome the political realities of Nebraska. In an interview earlier this year, Eddy said she and a group of friends determined the election could come down to like 8,000, 10,000 votes or something. The group feared a three-way race could draw enough votes from Osborn to cost him the election, prompting Eddy to join the Legal Marijuana NOW Partys primary race in an effort to win the nomination and clear the field. Its unclear if the gambit will work. State law allows the Legal Marijuana NOW Party to fill Eddys vacancy through a vote of the partys executive committee, which has until Aug. 3 to replace Eddy with a new nominee. Mark Elworth Jr., the partys chairman who said in April that he would serve as the partys Senate nominee himself if Eddy followed through on her nefarious plan to decline the nomination, said Tuesday that the party would put forward a new candidate. Were sad Kerry dropped out; we had thought she may of changed her mind to run, but she was just a Dan Osborn plant in our race, Elworth said in a message to the Journal Star. Its all too bad. We dont think this behavior by the Osborn campaign would be tolerated. Eddy, who said she had reached out to Elworth before Tuesdays filing to inform him of her decision, urged the party Tuesday not to replace her on Novembers ballot. It would be beneficial if they didnt (put forward a new nominee), pulling votes away from the potential for Dan Osborn to win against Fischer, she said. It doesnt make sense to me that you would not support this candidate who also is in line with your single issue. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2024 LINCOLN Among the plethora of ideas Nebraska lawmakers have proposed to increase revenues to make room for property tax relief, one senator is suggesting selling the plane Gov. Jim Pillen regularly uses for in-state trips. Legislative Bill 29, introduced by State Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, would mandate the sale of the states aircraft, and would put the money into the general fund to use for property tax relief. The bills fiscal note estimates the plane would sell for around $3.1 million, based on its appraised value. The Nebraska Legislatures Transportation and Telecommunications Committee considered the bill at a public hearing Wednesday. The only testifier was Jeremy Borrell, director of Nebraskas Division of Aeronautics, who opposed the bill. Senators are currently mulling property tax relief proposals in a special session Pillen called last week. While Pillens proposal would make cuts to dozens of state programs, Day argued that the first cuts lawmakers should consider are non-necessities most Nebraskans wont feel the impact of losing. She contends the state plane is among those. Its a luxury that would be better spent elsewhere, Day said. Although all state officials can use the plane for government business, it is most often used by the governor. Day provided the committee with logs tracking dozens of trips the plane has taken in the last two months, including several trips between Lincoln and Columbus, Pillens hometown. LB 29 would allow the governor to charter planes in the event of emergencies, which Day estimated would cost approximately $4,500 per flight. She argued that it would be more fiscally responsible for Pillen to drive for other trips. If he can continue (traveling) in a cheaper and more efficient way, then he should be doing that, Day said. Day said she got the idea for LB 29 from other Republican governors who sold their state planes for the sake of tax relief, including former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, former Florida Gov. Rick Scott, former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Borrell said the state plane offers cost-savings for purchases that would be associated with traveling by vehicle, such as lodging costs for overnight stays. Having the plane also saves the governor and other state officials travel time. Day countered that the plane also comes with its own list of associated costs, such as fueling, maintenance, pilot salaries and training expenses. Overall, she said making Pillen travel by car would be less expensive. Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, who sits on the committee, expressed concerns that eliminating the option of plane travel could cut off Pillen from visiting western Nebraska, which would require longer car trips to access. But Day refuted that it would still be possible, and noted that multiple senators who represent those areas of the state regularly travel by car to Lincoln for legislative sessions. Some of you here make this drive weekly, Day said to the committee. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2024 A recall of Boar's Head products connected to a listeria outbreak was expanded Tuesday to include an additional 7 million pounds of meat products, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service announced. As of Tuesday, 34 people in 13 states have been sickened in the outbreak, including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths, according to FSIS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Boar's Head last week initiated a recall of its Strassburger Brand Liverwurst due to potential contamination with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, along with other deli meat products produced at the same Jarratt, Va., facility that day, totaling approximately 207,000 pounds of meat products. The USDA said whole genome sequencing of a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes, and the company was notified Monday, prompting the expanded recall. "Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to immediately and voluntarily expand our recall to include all items produced at the Jarratt facility," Boar's Head said in a statement Tuesday. "We have also decided to pause ready-to-eat operations at this facility until further notice. As a company that prioritizes safety and quality, we believe it is the right thing to do." The expanded recall includes 71 products produced between May 10, 2024, and July 29, 2024, under the Boars Head and Old Country brand names. Recalled products include meat intended for slicing at delis, as well as packaged meat and poultry products sold at retail locations, and have "Sell By" dates ranging from July 29 through Oct. 17. The recalled products were distributed nationwide and exported to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama. A complete list of the recalled products is available on the Boar's Head website. Consumers should not consume the recalled products, and should dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase. Consumers who discard the recalled products are urged to thoroughly clean and sanitize their refrigerators, freezers, or other surfaces in contact with the recalled products. Listeria symptoms Consuming food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that can be deadly, particularly for people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Sometimes, the infection can spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract, leading to more serious issues. With TMX The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a money laundering charge against former Vice President Atiku Abubakars lawyer Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie. It accused him of laundering $2million ahead of this years general elections in which Atiku, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, contested against President Muhammadu Buhari. EFCC said the lawyer handled the $2million without going through a financial institution. It said the sum exceeded the amount authorised by law to be transacted in cash. A three-count charge, signed by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, was filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos against Giwa-Osagie and his brother Erhunse Giwa-Osagie. EFCC said they allegedly contravened sections 18(a) and 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, punishable under Section 16(2)(b). The charges read: That you Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie and Erhunse Giwa-Osagie, sometimes in February 2019 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired to commit an offence to wit: making cash payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (two million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), and 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act. That you Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie, on or before the 12th day of February 2019 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, procured Erhunse Giwa-Osagie to make cash payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 without going through financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act. That you Erhunse Giwa-Osagie, sometimes in February 2019 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, made the payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 without going through a financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 1(a). & 16(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) and Punishable under section 16 of the Same Act. EFCC first arrested Giwa-Osagie in February at the height of the campaigns. It was learnt they may be arraigned next week. Post Views: 167 BLOOMINGTON A 17-year-old is being held in McLean County custody on attempted murder charges. Demetris C. Pace, of Normal, is charged with one count of attempt murder and one count of aggravated battery discharging a firearm, both Class X felonies, as well as one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a person under 21 and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a person under 18, Class 4 felony charges. Pace was seen in adult court Tuesday for an initial appearance in front of Judge Amy McFarland. The State's Attorney's Office charged Pace as an adult because of the seriousness of his charges, a prosecutor said. Assistant State's Attorney David Fitt filed a petition to detain Pace on the grounds of dangerousness. According the probable cause statement read by Fitt, Normal Police Department officers were dispatched to Traders Circle just after midnight on July 20 for a report of shots fired and a person who had been shot inside a residence. Normal police reported officers found the man lying in the kitchen of the residence with multiple gunshot wounds and bleeding profusely. He was being attended to by an individual who was present at the residence during a prior gathering, Fitt said. The prosecutor said the man was airlifted to a hospital in the Champaign-Urbana area for emergency surgery. He remains hospitalized in critical condition, suffering from organ failure. Fitt also said the man might be paralyzed from the waist down. Multiple witnesses identified Pace, using a nickname, told police he hangs out at the apartments north of Traders Circle and has reportedly harassed people with a firearm before, Fitt said. Fitt said the man who was shot was hosting a birthday party at his residence the night of July 19, and Pace had attended despite not being invited. Pace was later asked to leave and was escorted out by other attendees. Pace returned just after midnight on July 20, and he and the man got into an altercation that resulted in Pace reportedly firing three shots at the man, Fitt said. Fitt said officers obtained video footage from inside the residence during the party that showed Pace and had three individuals positively identified him as the shooter in a photo lineup. Assistant Public Defender Matthew Butler requested the case be continued until Wednesday in order to review additional reports and discovery materials that were filed. McFarland granted Butlers request and continued the case till Wednesday. Pace was held in the interim, until a judge rules on his detention. A booking photo was not available because of the defendant's age. Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson Davis, Micah S Livingston, Joshua D. Kevin L. Ewen Emmanuel K. Mpay Ahmad S. Manns Dylan R Mann Tony L. Jackson William R. Linden Zadek U. Moen Zachary T. Willis Cecily M. Sexton Tonisha A. Jackson James A. McConnaughay Jessica M. Longberry Barry D. Guyton Keon E. Spiller Melina Aguilar Carlos D. Cregan Wayne M. Damron Terrance L. Ford Stanley M. Miller Darryl R. Vinson Jarvis K. Heads Wesley M. Noonan Brad Carter Brian K. Burnett Kenneth D. Downey Kenyon J. Bones Brittany N. Greiner Rashaun D. Harris Maylon Tate III Maylon Tate IV Jaccob L. Morris BLOOMINGTON Eighteen months after he was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison on a sexual assault charge, a Bloomington man could be given a new sentence after the appellate court ruled he filed his post-sentencing motion within the 30-day window. Roberto A. Lima, 40, was accused of purchasing alcohol for an 18-year-old relative and allowing her to drink on Aug. 18, 2021. According to prosecutors, Lima rubbed the teenager's feet and thigh before making sexual contact, during which she told Lima to stop. He was initially charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and one count of criminal sexual abuse. Lima pleaded guilty to criminal sexual assault, as an open plea, which means a judge determines the sentence rather than having it determined by negotiations between parties. Upon his plea, the state dismissed the abuse charge. On January 31, 2023, Judge William Yoder said Lima was accepting responsibility in pleading guilty and sentenced him to 14 years and 10 months in prison. In addition to his prison sentence, Lima was ordered to register as a sex offender and pay a $1,000 fine. The prison sentence was to be followed by three years of mandatory supervised release. The court warned the defendant he had 30 days to file a motion to reconsider the sentence or withdraw his guilty plea. According to the Fourth District Appellate Court, on February 21, 2023, the defendant filed a pro se motion, on his own behalf without an attorney, to reconsider the sentence, arguing the sentence was excessive. On the same day, new defense counsel filed an appearance in Lima's case. On March 9, 2023, Lima's attorney, who is not named in the Fourth District Appellate Court ruling, filed a motion to reconsider the sentence and to withdraw the guilty plea, arguing the defendant "neither fully understood the consequences of his actions nor considered the ramifications of the plea agreement," according to the appellate ruling. In response to this motion for withdrawal, the state argued it was not filed in a timely manner because the defense counsel's motion was filed after the 30-day window. The state also said the defendant had made the guilty plea voluntarily and Lima failed to state a legal basis that would justify the withdrawal of his plea. The defense argued the court didn't consider mitigating evidence enough when sentencing the defendant, giving him a sentence only two months below the maximum possible sentence. In a hearing on June 2, 2023, Yoder found he had considered mitigating evidence appropriately at the time of sentencing and denied the motion to reconsider. Regarding the motion to withdraw the guilty plea, the judge found he was "without jurisdiction to address" it and dismissed the motion. On appeal, Lima asked that the court vacate his sentence and grant him a new sentencing. Lima said he did not receive effective counsel, citing a sex offender evaluation Lima was instructed to participate in. According to Lima, this evaluation offered into evidence and "the court heavily relied on" that evaluation during sentencing. In a ruling issued July 19, the appellate court ruled to vacate the trial court's order to dismiss Lima's motion to withdraw the guilty plea and the order denying his motion to reconsider the sentence. The court found due to Lima having filed the pro se motion within the 30 days, he was eligible in his motion for reconsideration. The court found that it had erred when it dismissed this motion previously. Though it has been over a year since his sentence, Lima will be granted a new hearing on the defense motions. His next court date was not available Wednesday. CHICAGO Flights at OHare International Airport could soon be partly powered by lower-emission fuel made from leftover fats, oils and greases. Sustainable aviation fuel is set to become available for use by carriers that fly in and out of the busy airport, after Chicago-based United Airlines became the first to purchase the fuel at OHare, the carrier announced Wednesday. Sustainable fuel is seen as key to meeting the aviation industrys goals to cut emissions. The purchase was touted as a win by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who highlighted a recently-enacted state tax credit for sustainable jet fuel. United purchased up to 1 million gallons of fuel from producer Neste to be delivered to OHare this year, with the first delivery expected Saturday. The sustainable fuel will go into a centralized system at OHare where it will be mixed with traditional jet fuel, and the mix will be available to all carriers at the airport. For now, sustainable fuel must be blended with conventional fuel for use in commercial aircraft. Sustainable aviation fuel is already in use elsewhere, and the Neste fuel is available at at least 25 airports globally, according to the company. For United, OHare will be the fifth airport where the carrier will purchase sustainable aviation fuel, after airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, London and Amsterdam. Aviation makes up 2% of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, and 12% of transportation emissions. In the U.S., use of sustainable fuel jumped to 15.8 million gallons in 2022, data from the energy department shows. United said sustainable fuel can lower greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 85% when the entire lifecyle is taken into account, including how its made and how its delivered to airports. In Illinois, when it comes to clean energy and transportation innovation, Pritzker has tried to position the state as a hub. That has included a focus on electric vehicles, such as a tax credit deal to bring electric school bus- and truck-maker Lion Electric to Joliet, where the plant has been operating below capacity. It has also included the jet fuel tax credit, which allows carriers to earn a credit of $1.50 per gallon purchased. Illinoiss position as a hub of innovation with some of the most connected airports in the country perfectly aligns with the work of companies like United to build a more sustainable future for travel and reach our shared goal of zero emissions, Pritzker said in a statement. United President Brett Hart said the tax credit enabled the purchase of sustainable jet fuel at OHare. While the market for SAF is still in its infancy, there is a huge opportunity today for airlines and policymakers to work together to support its continued growth, he said in a statement. (Sustainable aviation fuel) at OHare was made possible thanks to Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Legislature passing tax incentives. The Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam is set to grace the inaugural National Sales Leaders Conference (NSLC) slated for August 14th and 15th as the special guest of honour. The event which will be held at the Accra International Conference Centre will also be attended by a Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Michael Kofi Okyere Baafi; the Chief Executive Officer of MGA Consulting Ghana Limited, Michael Abbiw; the President of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana, Dr Daniel Kasser Tee; business executives, captains of industries, among others. NSLC Activities The NSLC will spotlight innovations in sales, revenue growth strategies, sustainable sales strategies, and sales leadership. Attendees will be able to engage in keynote sessions, seminars, panel discussions, and workshops that address critical sales issues across various industries. These activities help sales leaders stay competitive, expand their professional networks, and enhance their organisations brand recognition and credibility, ultimately driving revenue growth. About the National Sales Leaders Conference The conference is a premier sales event organised by CorEvents Solutions and MGA Consulting Ghana Limited in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana. The conference aims to initiate a national dialogue on the pivotal role of sales within organizations and its contribution to the Ghanaian economy. The conference is on theTHEME: Sales Unleashed: The Role of Sales in Sustained Organizational Revenue Growth and Economic Development, highlighting the importance of effective sales strategies in achieving economic success. Organizations are encouraged to leverage this conference to empower their sales teams with modern technologies and strategies that can transform their operations. Source: ASAHUDU ANKIILU, Contributor 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 Eva Benefield has a lot on her mind after her ex-ballerina stepmom was convicted of killing her dad. Following seven hours of deliberation Tuesday, a jury found Ashley Benefield, 32, guilty of manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of her 58-year-old husband Doug Benefield, at her mother's Florida home in September 2020. She was initially accused of second-degree murder and pleaded not guilty. The case gained national attention and was soon dubbed the "Black Swan" murder trial in a call back to the 2010 Natalie Portman-led thriller about a perfectionist ballet dancer's psychological struggles. Following the jury's decision Tuesday night, the victim's 23-year-old daughter from a previous marriage, appeared seemingly satisfied in a video posted to social media. Eva Benefield on #AshleyBenefield verdict. After 4 years of waiting, my dad got the justice he deserves. #DougBenefield pic.twitter.com/iVd5Sv8yIW TrueCrimeSushi (@CrimeSushi) July 31, 2024 "She was convicted of manslaughter," Eva said, smiling. "After four years of waiting, my dad got the justice that he deserves." "I will be talking more about the trial once I have my thoughts collected. I have a lot of things I want to say," she confessed. During the week-long trial, Ashley's lawyers argued she shot Doug in self-defense, painting him as a dangerous and manipulative husband. "Thirty years older than Ashley, he was obsessed with her and he successfully portrayed himself as he was not in an effort to win her hand in marriage," defense attorney Neil Taylor said, according to WFLA-TV. "Despite promoting himself as a religious, honorable, and decent human being, Benefield was a manipulative, cunning, and abusive man who insisted, absolutely insisted on control." Ashley took the stand and told the court she was "scared to death" of her husband. "I thought he would kill me. I had nowhere to go. I was trapped in my own house. He wouldn't let me leave," she said, WTSP-TV reported. On the other hand, Eva testified for the prosecution that the couple "were just with each other all the time. It was very lovey-dovey. They were very touchy-feely PDAs. Any event with school or extracurriculars that I was in, they were together," she recalled, the outlet reported. "They never left each other's side." Prosecutors argued Doug's slaying was motivated by Benefield's desire to be a single mom to the couple's young daughter, Emerson, after their whirlwind romance deteriorated amid their failure to successfully launch a ballet company. "This case is about a woman who, very early on in her pregnancy, decided she wanted to be a single mother," prosecutor Suzanne O'Donnell said, according to ABC News. "Her husband and everything she did from that point on was to attain that goal and she would stop at nothing to attain that goal. When there was no other option, she shoots him and kills him and claims self-defense." After learning her fate, Ashley was remanded to jail. She will be sentenced at a later date in which she faces up to 30 years in prison. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), led by its CEO Dr Aboagye Dacosta, has launched the "Free Annual Health Checkup" initiative to enhance healthcare in Ghana. The programme is aimed at addressing non-communicable and chronic diseases, underscoring the NHIA's commitment to preventive healthcare and ensuring widespread access to essential health services in the country. At the launch event, held at the Kempinski Hotel on Monday, July 29, 2024, Dr. Aboagye emphasized the growing recognition worldwide of the importance of preventive healthcare measures. He noted that early detection and intervention were critical in preventing severe health conditions, which could significantly reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life. "Our Free Annual Health Checkup" programme is designed with these objectives in mind, offering free comprehensive health screenings to identify potential health issues at an early stage for timely treatment and management, he noted. The first phase of this initiative, Dr Aboagye said, would provide a range of health services such as blood pressure testing, blood sugar testing, Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements, counselling, and referrals when necessary. He added, These services will be accessible nationwide at designated public and private health facilities, ensuring that everyone can benefit from the programme regardless of location or socio-economic status. The initiative is open to all citizens covered under the NHIS and anyone with a Ghana Card, highlighting NHIA's dedication to equitable health access, he stressed. Dr Aboagye acknowledged the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), private health facilities, teaching hospitals, community leaders, and the Society of Mental Health Practitioners for making the launch a reality. He also thanked development partners like USAID for their support and dedication to improving public health in the country. "The NHIA will work with its partners to ensure that they are well-equipped to deliver this high-quality screening. This programme is not just about testing, but it is about educating our population on healthy lifestyles and preventive measures," he noted. He urged all citizens to take advantage of the "Free Annual Health Checkup" to safeguard their health and contribute to a healthier and more productive nation. The initiative, he said, was part of the NHIA's broader strategy to enhance the healthcare system, expand health services, improve health infrastructure, and ensure that every citizen has access to the care they need. He added, The success of this programme is expected to pave the way for more innovative healthcare initiatives in the future. Dr Aboagye highlighted the significant benefits of the initiative, including increasing life expectancy and reducing the cost burden of hypertension and diabetes, which are major drivers of healthcare costs. The NHIA aims to use this initiative to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage and achieve Sustainable Development Goal Three, which focuses on health and wellness. Additionally, the programme is expected to boost NHIS membership and encourage predictive prevention, he emphasised. He mentioned that the initiative would also include nationwide orientation through the Ghana Health Service and other stakeholders to ensure that Ghanaians understood and took advantage of the programme. He added that research, health education, and community engagement through the community and traditional leaders would be key components of the initiative. Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, Mr Joseph Cudjoe, Minister of Public Enterprises, highlighted the significance of this initiative alongside the Free SHS policy in improving the lives of Ghanaians. He emphasized that investing in education and health was the best the government could offer its citizens. He noted that the Free Annual Health Checkup would provide an opportunity for all Ghanaians aged 18 and above, whether enrolled in the NHIS or not, to access healthcare at any credentialed healthcare provider nationwide. The Special Guest of Honour, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, represented by Nii Kwao Donkor, urged Ghanaians to embrace this initiative and promised support for the NHIA in sensitising the public about the programme. Solidarity messages from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Society of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners, and development partners pledged their unwavering support for the initiative, recognising the severe impact of non-communicable diseases in the country. The Free Annual Health Checkup is set to transform healthcare in Ghana, promoting preventive care and ensuring that every citizen has the opportunity to lead a healthier life, they stated. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has slammed the government over what he describes as another form of financial loss to the state. According to the political science lecturer, the just ambulance case was pursued by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Mr. Godfred dame, as a way of victimising a political opponent. On his official Facebook page on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, Professor Gyampo maintains that country is being ruled by persons he describes as ignorant. Professor Ransford Gyampo wrote, When I argued last week that we are being governed by very ignorant people and described the current regime as the worst in the history of the Fourth Republic, I had many calls to the effect that I was too harsh and blunt. But I didnt say these out of malice. He noted that all the statistics and indices for measuring good governance, fighting corruption, managing the economy, dealing with the media, etc are there for everyone to go read and compare. He further added, Today too, I am saying that when a bad mind enters into a mouse head, it falls into red oil, as in, s3 adwen bone ba ekura trim a, )t) ngo mu. His comments come on the heels of the just ended ambulance case in which the Appeals court acquitted and dsicahrged Dr. Ato Forson and Mr. Ricahrd Japka, who both stood accused in the case after several months of proceedings. Professor Gyampo opined that, when Deep Sea decided to offer 2.3 million Euros to the government of Ghana, that money should have been collected instead of pursuing the case which the government has eventually lost. Deep Sea wanted to pay us 2.3 million Euros to settle the so-called charge of Ato Forson causing financial loss to the state in the Ambulance procurement saga. But we chose to go the path of witch-hunting." "We refused to collect the money that was being offered to help defray whatever losses we may have incurred, because of the politics of vendetta and inordinate desire to punish the minority leader for being a torn in the flesh of this regime, by merely demanding accountability. He added, Now that Ato Forson and Jakpa have been acquitted and discharged, the state gets nothing. We have lost the 2.3 million Euros that was being offered to us and the two have also been set free." Now, who has caused financial loss to the state for making the nation play two-six and loss? Isnt it right for one to insist we are being governed by very ignorant people? I repeat my adage when a bad mind enters into a mouse head, it falls into red oil, as in, s3 adwen bone ba ekura trim a,)t) ngo mu. Read Full Facebook Post below: When I argued last week that we are being governed by very ignorant people and described the current regime as the worst in the history of the Fourth Republic, I had many calls to the effect that I was too harsh and blunt. But I didnt say these out of malice. All the statistics and indices for measuring good governance, fighting corruption, managing the economy, dealing with the media, etc are there for everyone to go read and compare. Today too, I am saying that when a bad mind enters into a mouse head, it falls into red oil, as in, s3 adwen bone ba ekura trim a, )t) ngo mu. Just look at us: Deep Sea wanted to pay us 2.3 million Euros to settle the so-called charge of Ato Forson causing financial loss to the state in the Ambulance procurement saga. But we chose to go the path of witch-hunting. We refused to collect the money that was being offered to help defray whatever losses we may have incurred, because of the politics of vendetta and inordinate desire to punish the minority leader for being a torn in the flesh of this regime, by merely demanding accountability. Now that Ato Forson and Jakpa have been acquitted and discharged, the state gets nothing. We have lost the 2.3 million Euros that was being offered to us and the two have also been set free. Now, who has caused financial loss to the state for making the nation play two-six and loss? Isnt it right for one to insist we are being governed by very ignorant people? I repeat my adage when a bad mind enters into a mouse head, it falls into red oil, as in, s3 adwen bone ba ekura trim a, )t) ngo mu. To the judges, God bless you for showing fidelity to the laws of Ghana, and for giving us a glimpse of hope that, some judges can still be described as the conscience of the nation. Yaw Gyampo A31, Prabiw P.A.V Ansah Street Saltpond & Suro Nipa House Behind the Old Post Office Larteh-Akuapim Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Private legal practitioner, Justice Abdulai has dragged the Attorney-Generals Department and the Ghana Police Service to court over the appointment of Commissioner of Police, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno by the President upon the advice of the Police Council, as Deputy Inspector General of police in charge of Operations. Justice Abdulai, in a writ dated July 30, 2024, argues that the appointment of COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno is not contained in the tenets of the constitution. President Akufo-Addo, on the 17th of July, 2024, issued a press release announcing the appointment of the experienced police officer to the rank of deputy IGP in charge of operations. A portion of the writ reads, A further order restraining the Inspector General of Police or any command under him from accepting, relating to and/or issuing instructions or commands to COP Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno in his assumed capacity as Deputy Inspector-General of Police in Charge of Operation. Your browser does not support iframes. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya constituency, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has cautioned against the possible conflict between the proposed ICC Bill seeking to domesticate the Rome Statute in Ghana and the 1992 Constitution. Safo is worried that the jurisdiction of the ICC may clash with the sovereignty of Ghana, urging the Ghanaian authorities to exercise caution with its implementation plans regarding the Rome Statute of the ICC. For instance, she explained that Article 1(2) of the Constitution of Ghana makes the Law of the land Supreme, and any other law found to be inconsistent with any provision of it shall be null and void. However, the proposed ICC Bill currently before the Parliament of Ghana has some provisions that state that when it conflicts with the laws of Ghana, it shall prevail over that of the former British Colony when passed into an Act. Following the interpretation of Article 1(2) of the 1992 Constitution, no Act of Parliament shall be superior to the fundamental law of the land, the 1992 Constitution. Furthermore, Article 11(1) of the 1992 Constitution outlines the laws of Ghana in hierarchical order. At the apex is the 1992 Constitution, followed by an Act of Parliament. Article 11(1) of the 1992 Constitution states that The laws of Ghana shall comprise (a) this Constitution; (b) enactments made by or under the authority of the Parliament established by this Constitution; (c) any Orders, Rules, and Regulations made by any person or authority under a power conferred by this Constitution; (d) the existing law; and (e) the common law. This means that, in all intends and purposes, the provisions in the ICC Bill contradicting the Constitution of Ghana shall be deemed null and void. Safo, who is also the Vice-Chair of the newly constituted Select Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs of the Parliament of Ghana, made this observation during a recent working visit to The Hague. She was part of the parliamentary delegation to the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, from 22nd to 24th July 2024. The visit aimed to equip and deepen understanding and awareness of parliamentarians on ensuring accountability and justice for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community while fostering synergies for enhanced international cooperation. It was also meant to facilitate dialogue with ICC officials and stakeholders to provide comprehensive information on the ICC's mandate and functioning; promote the ratification of all amendments to the Rome Statute, including the Kampala Amendments on the crime of aggression; and provide a better understanding and advocate for the ratification of the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the ICC, as well as adopt relevant cooperation agreements between Ghana and the ICC. Another observation made by Safo, who is also the Ranking Member of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee and Member of the Health Committee, was the difference in the age of culpability/criminal liability for the four crimes covered by the Rome Statute as against the Criminal Offenses Act of Ghana. Under the proposed ICC Bill, persons below the age of 18 years are not criminally liable. On the other hand, under the criminal laws and procedure of Ghana, a juvenile can be criminally charged and tried, hence, the possible legal contradictions in Ghanas attempt at domesticating the Rome Statute. In Safo's, the ICC's authority may supersede Ghana's national laws, potentially leading to a constitutional crisis m. Worried about the phenomenon, she advocated for clear guidelines on how to navigate potential conflicts between the Rome Statute and Ghanas Constitution. "We can not compromise our national sovereignty," she emphasized. "We need to ensure that our laws align with international standards while maintaining our independence." The ICC officials, having listened to Safo, allayed her fears and assured her that the Rome Statute was designed to complement national laws, not replace them. However, the Dome-Kwabenya lawmaker remained cautious, urging her colleagues to carefully consider the potential risks and consequences of implementing the Rome Statute. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, has criticised the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame. His remarks came in response to the Court of Appeal's decision on Tuesday, July 30, which acquitted and discharged the accused persons in a high-profile case. The ruling overturned a previous trial court's order that required Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa to present their defence. The two had been accused of causing the state a financial loss of 2.37 million in a deal to procure ambulances for the Government of Ghana. While Justice Alex Poku Acheampong dissented, Justices Kweku Tawiah Ackah-Boafo and Philip Bright Mensah ruled in favour of the accused. Following the ruling, Attorney-General Godfred Dame issued a statement condemning the decision. He described it as perverse and contrary to the substantial evidence presented by the prosecution, arguing that it undermines public accountability and the rule of law. In an interview with TV3 on Wednesday, July 31, Mr. Suhuyini advised the A-G to remain silent to avoid further embarrassment. He suggested that Dame has compromised both himself and the office he occupies with his response to the court's decision. "This case has not just been lost but his integrity has also been lost and if I were in his shoes, I would be speaking very little at this moment because he has not only disgraced him, but he has disgraced the office of the Attorney-General." "It was a case that shouldnt have happened. It is a classical example of political persecution. Even before we heard what was contained in the leaked tape, most Ghanaians knew this was a witch hunt and a classical case of political persecution," he said. 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 National Security Minister, Mr. Alban Kan-Dapaah, has cautioned political parties to be prepared to accept defeat in order to avoid any form of post electoral violence. Mr. Kan-Dapaah underscored the need to maintain peace and stability during the upcoming December 7 elections, adding that, post-election violence have the tendency of tearing a nation apart, hence, the need to protect the peace and tranquility that already exist in Ghana by accepting the results that will be declared by the Electoral Commission. Speaking as a guest at the Catholic Bishops Conferences programme in Accra, dubbed, National forum on social cohesion, security and peaceful elections, Mr. Kan-Dapaah said, internally and coming home to Ghana, we continue to be confronted with the threat of electoral violence which has in the past threatened to destroy our country. According to him, deliberately underestimating the threat of electoral violence, could compromise the integrity of Ghanas democracy, even though Ghana as a democratic nation has traditionally been proud of its peaceful transfers of power between the two main political parties, that is, the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party. He noted, Yes, we have succeeded as a country in ensuring a transition of power from one political party to another on modernisation. Referring to commentaries from the two biggest political parties, the National Security Minister posited that such ambitious comments from the parties have the potential to incite their party sympathisers and followers to engage in violence on Election Day if one party loses. He said, The 2024 general elections will certainly test the strength of our democracy. Given the high stakes involved, where the two major political parties appear convinced about their prospects of emerging victorious. That obviously creates a security challenge for me where I sit. In the same vein, the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, Ghana, in an interview with the media reiterated the need to pursue the lasting gift of peace over any electoral violence that will run the peace of the nation downwards. Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, further admonished all politicians on the need for political parties to accept the outcome of the election and not take advantage of the peace Ghana enjoys by inciting people for destruction. Definitely during the election, someone will lose, someone will win. So, for you to lose the election and use the pain to incite people to cause havoc to destroy the peace, usually, it is the political leaders who have lost that lead to such destruction. So our advice is to the political leaders that if you lose, please accept it peacefully, he added. Ghanaians must also be aware of their responsibilities. They must not allow themselves to be used by politicians who lose elections. Peace is very expensive and sometimes we have to make sacrifices one time or the other to maintain it. So may nobody participate in violence. So those who lose, accept it peacefully. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A detailed analysis of former President Mahama's 2012 Manifesto makes a startling revelation of a significant percentage of unfulfilled promises at the end of his term as President in January 2017. Mahama, narrowly won the 2012 elections, which was later challenged at the Supreme Court by the New Patriotic Party. He became the National Democratic Congress flagbearer for the 2012 election after completing the full term of the late Ex-President Evans Atta Mills. As flagbearer, Mahama run a lavish campaign full of juicy promises under the theme Advancing the Better Ghana Agenda which went with the tagline e dey beee kk to wit it is too sweet. After winning the elections, expectations of Ghanaians were unsurprisingly high following the promises made. However, Mahama's administration was plaqued by myriad of problems including serious economic downturn, youth unemployment and an unprecedented 4-year energy crisis which brought about the infamous word dumsor, a situation which crippled the growth of businesses. Mahama and the NDC, as a result, lost the 2016 elections to the New Patriotic Party led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. President Akufo-Addo beat Mahama by the biggest margin under the 4th Republic with many Ghanaians describing Mahama as incompetent and full of deceptive promises. However, former President Mahama has made a comeback into the presidential race, bringing heat upon himself and his party. Mahama has come under intense scrutiny regarding his integrity to fulfill his promises since he and the NDC failed abysmally between 2012 and 2017, especially as he comes up with new promises following the launch of his 2024 Campaign on Saturday, July 27, at Tamale Jubilee Park. With many people doubting Mahamas integrity, data available and shared with the public strikingly reveals how the economy cannot be entrusted into his hands again. According to the verifiable data, Mahama fulfilled only 28% of his major promises in the 2012 NDC Manifesto. The data shows Mahama made as many as 280 promises, out of which, only 77 were delivered and the rest not fulfilled, representing a paltry 28%. What this means is that Mahama, after being elected into office in 2012, did not fulfill a whopping 203 promises he made to Ghanaians, representing 68% of the unfulfilled promises. Out of the 203, 46 of those promises were major promises which dominated the 2012 elections in areas such as management of the economy, infrastructure, education, social intervention, industrialization, northern development, taxation, youth employment, among others. Interestingly, many of these promises were also repeated at the 2012 IEA presidential debate. Below is the entire list of the 280 (both unfulfilled and fulfilled) campaign promises by Mahama: Your browser does not support iframes. 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 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: Coastal groundwater flow system conceptual diagram with (a) a subsurface dam, and (b) a cutoff wall demonstrates dominant groundwater flow pathways. Several geometric variables set the extents of groundwater system for (c) the subsurface dam and (d) the cutoff wall. Credit: Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66273-w As Earth continues to warm, sea levels have risen at an accelerating ratefrom 1.4 millimeters a year to 3.6 millimeters a year between 2000 and 2015. Flooding will inevitably worsen, particularly in low-lying coastal regions, where more than a billion people are estimated to live. Solutions are needed to protect homes, property and groundwater from flooding and the intrusion of saltwater. Seawalls and similar infrastructure are obvious options to protect against flooding. In fact, cities such as New York and San Francisco have already thrashed out potential plans with the Army Corps of Engineers that will heavily rely on seawalls. But these plans come with a hefty price tag, estimated at tens of billions of dollars. Further complicating planning, a new paper has found that seawalls and other shoreline barriers, which extend below the surface, might actually lead to more groundwater flooding, result in less protection against saltwater intrusion into groundwater, and end up with a lot of water to deal with inside of the area that seawalls were supposed to protect. The article, "Shoreline barriers may amplify coast groundwater hazards with sea-level rise," was published in Scientific Reports. The paper was written by Xin Su, a research assistant professor at the University of Memphis; Kevin Befus, an assistant professor at the U of A; and Michelle Hummel, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. Su was previously a post-doctoral researcher working with Befus in the U of A's Geosciences Department before assuming her current position. The paper provides an overview of how sea-level rise causes salty groundwater to move inland and replace the fresh groundwater that was there, a process known as saltwater intrusion. At the same time, the fresh and salty groundwater both rise toward the ground surface because of the higher sea level. This can cause flooding from below, also known as groundwater emergence. Walls can be built underground to reduce saltwater intrusion, but this can lead to groundwater getting stuck behind the walls, which act like an underground dam. This can cause even more groundwater to move up to the ground surface, which can in turn infiltrate sewer systems and water mains. "These barriers can backfire if they don't take into account the potential for inland flooding caused by rising groundwater levels," Su explained. "Excessive groundwater could potentially reduce sewer capacity, increase the risk of corrosion and contaminate the drinking water supply by weakening the pipes." The researchers noted that studies prior to this one did not include the groundwater flooding effects, which led those studies to anticipate more benefits from underground walls than this latest paper now suggests. "The standard plan for protecting against flooding is to build seawalls," Befus added. "Our simulations show that just building seawalls will lead to water seeping in under the wall from the ocean as well as filling up from the landward side. Ultimately, this means if we want to build seawalls, we need to be ready to pump a lot of water for as long as we want to keep that area drythis is what the Dutch have had to do for centuries with first windmills and now large pumps." Su concluded, "We found that building these protection barriers without accounting for potential inland flooding risks from groundwater can eventually worsen the very issues they aim to solve." She added that "these risks highlight the need for careful planning when building barriers, especially in densely populated coastal communities. By addressing these potential issues, coastal communities can be better protected from rising sea levels." When building flood-related or underground walls, there appears to be no perfect solution that prevents saltwater intrusion or groundwater flooding. As such, the researchers recommend that any underground barriers have additional plans to deal with the extra water that would pond up inland from the barrier, such as using pumps or French drains, which utilize perforated pipes embedded in gravel or loose rock that direct water away from foundations. City planners in New York, San Francisco and coastal cities globally would do well to take heed of this as they develop plans to combat rising sea levels. More information: Xin Su et al, Shoreline barriers may amplify coastal groundwater hazards with sea-level rise, Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66273-w Journal information: Scientific Reports 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 schematic plan view of the large-scale circulation of the Southern Ocean. The key features are the braided network of eddies and jets, circumnavigating the continent. Credit: Reviews of Geophysics (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2022RG000781 The Southern Ocean is important for the Earth's climate system, particularly in absorbing excess heat and carbon from the atmosphere. However, its intricate dynamics remain poorly understood, hindering accurate climate impact predictions. Recent technological advancements and improved data collection are transforming scientists' knowledge about the Southern Ocean dynamic system. With global oceans undergoing unprecedented changes due to rising temperatures, understanding these transformations is crucial for predicting potential climate impacts. A new paper, "Closing the loops on Southern Ocean dynamics: From the circumpolar current to ice shelves and from bottom mixing to surface waves," published in Reviews of Geophysics, reveals how a community of multidisciplinary climate scientists has integrated previously isolated research areas. Co-authored by more than 30 Australian and New Zealand climate science experts, the paper explores the Southern Ocean's climate dynamics, emphasizing the crucial role of sea ice and ice shelves in large-scale ocean circulation and global mixing. The review covers the Southern Ocean from the seafloor to the surface and from its northernmost reaches to Antarctica's icy boundaries. It also outlines trends and future climate projections and identifies critical research priorities, demonstrating the interconnectedness of Southern Ocean processes and their implications for our global climate. The ARC Center of Excellence for Climate Extremes spoke with several of the paper's co-authors about their involvement in the review, the challenges they aim to address, and why it's important to inspire a new generation of multidisciplinary scientists to link previously unrelated research to help address climate change. A collaborative review of Southern Ocean climate links Luke Bennetts, an Australian Research Council Future Fellow and Associate Professor in the School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Adelaide, is an applied mathematician who focuses on Antarctic marginal ice zone dynamics and iceberg calving. He thrives on multidisciplinary collaborations that validate theoretical models with empirical data. As one of the paper's lead authors, Bennetts emphasizes the interconnected nature of Southern Ocean processes and the benefits of broadening the research scope through collaborative efforts. "The article snowballed from conversations and enthusiasm within the broader community," explains A/Prof. Bennetts. "Being part of the Southern Ocean/Antarctic community in Australia has made me understand the interconnected nature of the dynamic Southern Ocean processes and that my research benefits from developing knowledge about processes beyond my own immediate research focus," he says. He points to the response of ice shelves to Antarctic sea ice losses as a critical area needing further study and advocates for policies supporting coordinated, holistic research. He also stresses the necessity of ongoing communication and collaboration to achieve this, noting, "The priority is for research communities to create regular opportunities to communicate and collaborate." "We are all driving towards the common goal of understanding the changes occurring in the Southern Ocean and projecting future scenarios. The goal revolves around coupled numerical models, and we will only make the major advances needed if the experts in each community collaborate in developing these models and interpreting their outputs," he says. Shane Keating, an A/Prof. of mathematics and oceanography at UNSW Sydney, specializes in ocean dynamics, satellite remote sensing, and data assimilation and forecasting. He stresses the importance of new data streams and tools that have revolutionized our understanding of the Southern Ocean. "The Southern Ocean is a key player in Earth's climate, linking the world's oceans. However, our understanding of Southern Ocean dynamics has been severely limited by the challenges of making scientific observations in this remote and inhospitable region of the globe. "In recent years, our view of the Southern Ocean has been revolutionized by the availability of new data streams from satellites, ocean drifters, and autonomous vehicles (like ocean gliders), as well as the numerical models and data science analysis tools we need to make sense of these observations." A/Prof. Keating also identifies the need for a multidisciplinary effort to model the Southern Ocean's response to anthropogenic forcing as a key priority. Specifically, he says this review paper can act as a catalyst for cross-disciplinary research, leveraging new observational platforms and data-driven tools to inspire further research. "Large-scale scientific endeavors are built on collaboration. Progress is often driven by many smart people working together to tackle a problem from many different angles. Given the challenges of conducting research in the Southern Ocean, collaboration is essential," he says. "Governments need to make long-term commitments to scientific study of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. That is not going to be easySouthern Ocean research is costly and logistically challenging. But it is crucial if we are going to be able to accurately predict and adapt to a warmer world." Schematic of the Southern Ocean's large-scale circulation, where the ocean colors indicate the density, ranging from lighter (dark orange) to denser (dark blue) waters, and isopycnal contours are the interfaces between the layers. Credit: Reviews of Geophysics (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2022RG000781 Addressing gaps in Southern Ocean research requires a multidisciplinary approach Amelie Meyer, a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, and a Chief Investigator with the ARC Center of Excellence for Climate Extremes, focuses on the influence of sea ice and the ocean on global climate. Her collaboration was sparked by an invitation and a deep sense of curiosity. Meyer hopes the review will serve as a comprehensive resource for both new and seasoned researchers. "I hope this review will be a one-stop place for training scientists who are learning about Southern Ocean dynamics," says Dr. Meyer. "It will also be useful for senior researchers who might know a lot about a topic like wind and storms in the Southern Ocean but need to brush up on other topics like sea ice and ice shelves." Dr. Meyer stresses the urgency of combining knowledge across disciplines to understand and address the rapid changes in the Southern Ocean due to climate change. "With climate change, our environment, including the Southern Ocean, is changing faster than ever before. If we are to understand how the Southern Ocean is changing, what part is attributable to climate change, what the impacts are on our society and what we can do about it, we definitely have to combine research knowledge across disciplines and specialties. "At the moment, sea ice in the Southern Ocean has really become an enigma. Sea ice used to be quite stable in the Southern Ocean, even with the warming of the planet. But in recent years, sea ice has been quite erratic, with a lot less than usual and this has happened quite suddenly. The research community is still working on understanding these changes and also their impacts. "Sea ice plays a big role in regulating the climate of our planet and is also a home for key species and ecosystems. So understanding these changes is pretty urgent," she concludes. Callum Shakespeare, a Senior Lecturer at the Research School of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University and a Chief Investigator at the ARC Center of Excellence for Climate Extremes, applies physics and math to understand ocean, atmosphere, and climate processes. He was drawn to the opportunity to share knowledge across different fields about the critical Southern Ocean. "One priority is to better understand and model the ice-ocean interactions responsible for the melting of the Antarctic Ice Sheet," he says. "The melt rate of the ice sheet is currently the biggest uncertainty in projections of sea level rise in the coming century, and it is crucial to narrow this uncertainty to facilitate better coastal infrastructure planning and target mitigation activities." He highlights the Southern Ocean's role as a climate buffer as an area needing better understanding and observation, explaining, "The Southern Ocean is so vast and complex that no single scientist can be the expert in everything relevant to the system. "The biggest and most important questions in the field, which have major implications for our environment and economy, involve many aspects of the system and require broader knowledge than that held by one scientist. Therefore, collaborative efforts are essential to addressing these big questions." Dr. Shakespeare also underscores the importance of increased investment in ocean science. "Given the rapid speed of changes being observed in the Southern Ocean (such as the lowest ever sea ice cover in recent years), it is more important than ever that we invest in understanding and better observing this vast ocean area to Australia's south, and the implications of its changing state for our climate." Finally, Nicole Jones, a Professor at the University of Western Australia, explains how she uses field observations to study ocean processes and improve predictions. She identifies the need for more observations of small-scale processes in the Southern Ocean as a critical priority. "In my view, the biggest priority identified was the need for more observations of the Southern Ocean, particularly of processes at the small scales. "It is a challenging environment to work in but also reasonably unique; therefore, careful observations are needed to make breakthroughs in our understanding." Prof. Jones says the review has set valuable directions for future research efforts and that new research connections could lead to fruitful collaborations. "The new connections made among the team of writers could lead to very fruitful new collaboration. In addition to synthesizing the current state of knowledge, the review identified gaps in knowledge. I think together we have provided valuable direction for future research efforts," she says. Community building is crucial to advancing climate science The researchers stress the need for more observations, particularly of small-scale processes, to improve data collection and modeling and call for policies that support coordinated, holistic research through enhanced national and international collaboration. "Australia has a duty to lead the world in Southern Ocean research," explains A/Prof. Bennetts. "I would like to see policies that ensure coordinated, holistic research, which recognizes the combined importance of theory/process modeling, physical modeling, observations and numerical modeling towards the goal of understanding the role of the Southern Ocean in the global climate." More information: Luke G. Bennetts et al, Closing the Loops on Southern Ocean Dynamics: From the Circumpolar Current to Ice Shelves and From Bottom Mixing to Surface Waves, Reviews of Geophysics (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2022RG000781 Provided by ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (CLEx) 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 Evidence of debris stemming from return trips of SpaceX Dragon spacecraft has prompted the company to shift future landing operations from Florida to California. The move was announced Friday during NASA's press conference previewing the upcoming Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station, and it won't take effect until 2025 after Crew-9 has returned. "After five years of splashing down off the coast of Florida, we've decided to ship Dragon recovery operations back to the West coast," said Sarah Walker, SpaceX's director of Dragon mission management. This includes both cargo and crew versions of its spacecraft. At issue is the trunk portion of the Dragon capsule that is discarded before reentry and splashdown. Initially, the cargo version of Dragon made returns in the Pacific 21 times from 2011-2020, but when crew capability came online, SpaceX made the shift to allow for capsule landings off the coast of Florida either in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico. Feeding that decision were models that predicted how the trunk portion would break up in Earth's atmosphere. "SpaceX and NASA engineering teams used these industry-standard models to understand the trunk's breakup characteristics, and they predicted the trunk would fully burn up due to the high temperatures that are created by air resistance during that high speed reentry into Earth's atmosphere," Walker said. "They should leave no debris, and that was a determining factor in our decision to passively deorbit the trunk and enable Dragon splashdowns off the coast of Florida." SpaceX first landed a Dragon capsule in the Atlantic with the uncrewed flight of Demo-1 followed by the first crewed launch of Dragon on Demo-2 in 2020. It also switched cargo Dragon missions beginning with CRS-21 in December 2020 so that all Dragon landings have been off Florida's coast since. "So today Dragon's trunk is jettisoned prior to the vehicle deorbit burn while still in orbit," Walker said. "That leaves it in space while the capsule comes down and does a pinpoint splashdown and then it passively reenters and breaks up in the Earth's atmosphere in the days to months that follow." But that leaves the trunk with imprecise timing and location for landing. "To date, the majority of that trunk debris has reentered over unpopulated ocean areas. But the fact that any debris has reentered indicates to us that we need to draw a different conclusion from that initial analysis," Walker said. "So I just want to say that we are committed to safe spaceflight operations and to public safety. It's at the core of what we do." Walker said that evidence of trunk debris was first discovered in 2022 in Australia. More debris has since been found in North Carolina and Saskatchewan, Canada. Walker said SpaceX implemented some changes after the 2022 discovery to improve probability. "But then we also launched into a big effort to work with NASA and the FAA to pursue a longer term solution, and that's where we are today," she said. The move back to West coast landings means software on Dragon launches will shift so the trunk remains attached until after the deorbit burn, and that will mean the trunk will land safely in an unpopulated area of the ocean west of the landing spot in the Pacific. SpaceX will shift one of its recovery vessels to the Pacific in 2025, basing operations out of the Port of Long Beach for initial postflight processing. After that, Dragon will be transported back to Florida to prepare for its next launch. "This isn't just going back to the old way of doing things, especially considering our human spaceflight recoveries have never before been executed from the West coast," Walker said. "Instead, I see it more as taking a familiar operations concept and applying it to the Dragon we fly today, finding a way to combine the public safety benefits of West coast recovery with all the benefits of crew transportation services and enhanced cargo return capabilities that we provided the last five years out of Florida." Dragon flights have become more common with the pace of crewed launches ramping up on top of regular resupply missions to the ISS with cargo Dragon. Crew-9 is the third human spaceflight in 2024 out of what could be a record five flights this year. SpaceX's Crew Dragon fleet already supported the Axiom-3 mission in January and Crew-8 flight in March. After Crew-9, which could fly as early as Aug. 18, it has the Polaris Dawn mission that could also fly in August, set to send up billionaire Jared Issacman on a return trip to space, and then the Axiom 4 mission to the ISS as early as November. In 2025, it has Crew-10 slated for February. It also has the next Dragon resupply mission CRS-31 slated for September and another in early 2025, which could end up being the first West coast landing for the spacecraft. "This is critical to ensure Dragon continues to safely fly to and from Earth orbit. This new path I believe will make it possible while also keeping the public safe as we work toward becoming a spacefaring civilization," Walker said. Similar to SpaceX Crew Dragon is Boeing's CST-100 Starliner, currently awaiting its return home to the U.S. from the International Space Station. Unlike Dragon, it targets landings not in the ocean, but on land. Starliner's target landing spots are among five locations in the southwestern United States, with two on the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, one on the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, one on the Willcox Playa in Arizona and one on Edwards Air Force Base in California. It too has a trunk portion called a service module, that will be separated, but after the deorbit burns on reentry as it travels over the Pacific, so that debris would fall into the ocean as well. 2024 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.